Some more Tips

• Alcohol does contain calories. Drinking every night means you will put on weight. Remember that when indulging in midnight munchies.
• Don't buy a waterproof cover for your backpack... not only will you be too lazy to ever use it, it's a waste of money when you can invest in a black plastic bin - liner that does much the same job!
• Keep a diary, Take a light pad of paper and then stuck the pieces into a bigger scrap book along with photos, tickets, leaflets and general junk whatever you have accumulated. It's great to have all memories written down.
• Beach Break - everyone should have one, the ultimate beach - side accessory also doubles up as a handy pillow, dress, skirt, top, towel, bag, head scarf, bandage, fancy - dress costume, partition or flag.
• Keep drinking water, its easy to dehydrate when travelling and that makes you irritable and tired and ill in extreme circumstances. Also remember that if you are drinking a lot, you will need to use the toilet lots too... not so convenient if your mode of transport is ill equipped and you have a weak bladder. Sip don't gulp!
• Travelling with a friend? Split the cost of medicines, shampoo, toothpaste and any other sharable item!
• Flip flops/thongs/jandals - however you wish to call them - are a particularly diverse footwear! Useable at the beach, in town, in the shower, for a night out, boating and are relatively cheap to buy!
• Motto travelling is: when in doubt, get out! All about trusting instinct, it really is a good one! Also, learn to be incredibly patient and NEVER be in a rush!!! (Lauren Blake, Manchester)
• Use suntan lotion on those places you don't think you'll burn - ear tops, feet and backs of knees because its extra painful when you burn there, especially if you are on the road.(Louise Crutchfield, Bedford)
• When wearing a backpack make sure that you adjust all the belts properly, it makes it much more comfortable to wear! (Louise Crutchfield, Bedford)

• Photocopy all your important documents, passport, tickets, drivers licence etc and keep them safely stored in a separate place to your actual documents make a copy for folks at home too... and even email copies to your roaming account.(Mark Baker, Cardiff)
• Memorise your passport number! You have to fill in tonnes of immigration cards, and it's a pain to keep digging out your passport. Also useful if you lost it. (Tom Robins, Bournemouth)
• Email yourself all your useful contacts and important information.(Ben Hague, Cardiff)
• If you are sharing hostel facilities remember to mark all your food if put in communal fridge otherwise someone else will help themselves. Free meal for them, no meal for you!(Natalie Clarke, Reading)
• Earplugs may seem a little neurotic, but as soon as you've experienced sleeping near a building site/over a nightclub/on a bus you can see why they are possibly the best invention ever. Also useful for blocking out snoring travel mates. (Hannah Morley, Cheltenham)
• Gaffer Tape. Tapes up broken bags, shoes, spilt bottles, can even help on blisters! (Paddy Norman, London)
• A camera is the most important item you can take. It records all those precious memories.(Caroline Sutcliffe, Canterbury)
• Always take a book, they are useful travel currency, and can be swapped with other travellers, some hostels even have special sections where book - swaps can take place! Also useful on the beach, at night - time or on transport.(Tim Robinson, Bournemouth)
• Plastic bags. Useful for keeping everything dry, especially if you have got wet, galloping through lakes or caught in the rain and you haven't got time to dry your clothes before you move on. Keeps your dry stuff dry!! Also good in case your sun cream/shampoo splits! (Charlotte Croft, London)
• Take rope for a make - shift washing line, Use a spare pair of shoelaces that u have, and tie between beds. (Ant Kelly, Plymouth)
• Bed bugs are not a modern myth, they are horrible little things that live in beds and unfortunately get passed between hostels but unwary travellers. Invest in a sleeping bag liner. If you are really concerned invest in some bug spray when u get to your destination and spray your mattress, linen and the legs of the bed to repel these nasty critters, the bites really itch! (Claire Fitzpatrick, Cardiff)
• Don't take too much stuff with you, leave room for the things you buy along the way. Take money to buy clothes at your destination, usually they are more suitable anyway because they are designed for that destination and cheaper!(Claire Fitzpatrick, Cardiff)
• Safety pins are useful things for pinning stuff together, can help you change an outfit from day to night wear, or for variation also good for fixing backpacks and stuff if it falls apart. (Heidi Green, Bournemouth)
• I heard that using a tennis ball as a plug if there isn't one works well. (Nick Hogan, Cardiff)
• Carry a football, Frisbee or something - great for beaches, waiting for buses and getting to know your travel buddies. (Arron Godfrey, Gloucester)
• When you are away collect bits and pieces together and get photos and things and send them home, it keeps your parents happy. (Josh Galletly, Taunton)
• Remember your friends and families birthdays, write them all down, and you'll get brownie points and maybe even better presents on your next birthday because you made the effort! (Caroline Sutcliffe, Canterbury)