Often cited as the ‘first backpacker’, Giovanni Francesco Gemelli Careri was a seventeenth century Italian adventurer and traveler. He was among the first Europeans to tour the world using public transportation and his travels may have inspired Jules Vern’s Around the World in Eighty Days.Travel

As Gemelli described it in his journal, his five years abroad were often a ‘nightmare’ plagued with bad food, epidemic outbursts, the fear of violent crime and even death. As Gemelli’s account proves, as long as there have been ‘exotic’ destinations luring curious people, there has been fear.

In a rapidly changing world, independent travellers who forge their own paths have seemingly never faced greater challenges (if CNN were to be believed). Regardless, careful planning and awareness of safety and security are essential to backpackers, since you are responsible for your own well being while abroad.

But, rest assured, while you might pride yourself on your independence, you are not alone. You can prepare for these challenges with a little research and a little preparation.

Please visit the TwoRTW blog to continue reading.