When it comes to Southeast Asia, everyone has the same guidebook and the same itinerary. Chances are you’ve island hopped through Thailand, trekked through Laos, hit a tranny bar here and there and you still haven’t left the crowd behind.

You’re stuck on the Banana Pancake Trail. It’s time to get off…

You need to do something unique; something everyone else is too scared to do. How about buying a Soviet-made motorbike for $300 and riding it from Saigon to Hanoi? Sound crazy? It is – but you can do it and OTP is well-prepared to guide you through one of the wildest adventures to be had in Southeast Asia.

Step 1:

Learn How to Ride

Vietnam is NOT the place to learn how to ride a motorbike. It’s dangerous and you must know at least the basics of riding. If you are still stateside, go to the DMV and take a basic safety course for about $250. Warm up to riding in Asia by renting smaller motorbikes in Thailand.

Step 2:

Make Some Rough Plans (Pick Your Starting Point)

It makes more sense to start in Hanoi if you are coming from China or northern Laos; Ho Chi Minh City if you are coming from Cambodia. Although Hanoi is an easier place to find a bike, either city will work. Buy the bike in one city, ride it to the other and sell it. Simple.

The north-south journey takes a month. If you are short on time, stick to the north and make the beautiful Hanoi-Dien Bien Phu-Sapa loop. Alternatively, you can seek out the EasyRiders, a local Vietnamese crew, that offers short and long-term tours on the back of their choppers.

Step 3:

Pick Your Highway

You don’t want to make too many plans in advance. Relax and give yourself the freedom to make up your exact route as you go along. You can choose to follow the coast for the beaches, swing into the misty mountains or carve along jungle valleys, beside waterfalls and through thatched hill-tribe villages. While most of the rides offer a great mix of scenery, there’s a fork in the road between Hoi An and Nha Trang.

Take the rural route through Dalat and up into the Central Highlands instead of coastal Highway 1. While Highway 1 connects all the coastal cities in one endless chain of life-threatening traffic, rural roads are usually secluded, peaceful, and incredibly scenic. The great north-south rural highway is called the Ho Chi Minh Highway – follow it across almost the entire country. Although there are far less services available along the rural route, the Vietnamese are incredibly warm people and will usually help you however they can. Besides, learning how to get out of such jams puts hair on your chest, don’t it?

When planning your route, remember that rain in the mountains, means sun on the beach and vice versa. Also, even when you need to travel along the coast, you can easily hop off Highway 1 and putz along smaller side roads. A great way to learn about the sights along the way is by asking the Easy Rider crew for tips.

Step 4:

Find a Bike…and Make it a Minsk

Once you arrive, the first step is to find a bike that won’t break the bank. This will require a few days, a bit of tenacity and some bargaining skills.

OTP likes the Soviet-made Minsk. It’s reliable, simple, durable, can handle all the dirt roads you will inevitably encounter and will carry all your crap through rain and shine. They’re also easy to find in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Since you’re too broke for a new Minsk (at $700), a used one can be nabbed for $200-$400, depending on how well you bargain.

Search for For Sale flyers in hostels, restaurants, internet cafes and on the street. If you are in Hanoi, swing past the Minsk Club to look for leads. Some people have been lucky and found bikes on the Internet before they even arrived.

Once you find a bike or two, its time to…

Step 5:

…Bargain Your Ass Off!

You’ll likely buy your Minsk from another backpacker – one who has a month’s less money and a month’s more experience bargaining like the Vietnamese. You’ll need to sit at the bargaining table with some tricks up your sleeve.

Find out the strengths and weaknesses of both you and the seller. His strength lies in the limited supply of bikes – so the more sellers you can play off each other, the better. His weakness is time and an immediate need for funds to continue traveling. To knock the price down you must find the weaknesses in the bike: point out what’s broken, how old it is – anything you can find.

Dance with a few sellers for a bit, then seal the deal over a few pitchers of bia hoi. Play your cards right and he’ll buy you all the spare parts you’ll need to sweeten the deal. Don’t fork over the cash until everything is to your satisfaction.

You get what you pay for. You may not need a brand-new bike, but you don’t necessarily want the cheapest bike you can find. Bargain for a good deal, but make sure the bike you buy will actually make it all the way to Hanoi.

Step 6:

Learn The Minsk

Now that you’ve got your Minsk, lift up her skirt up and see how she works. Tool around the Minsk Club Vietnam website then fine-tune your knowledge by reading our guide below.

Each Minsk has her own personality, complete with unique quirks. Have the seller explain how to start her when she won’t, fix her when she’s broke, and maintain her along the way. As with everything in nature, the older the bike, the more quirks she’ll likely to have.

Step 7:

Get Some Supplies

You’ll need to prepare yourself for this journey. Every rider should carry the tools and supplies he needs to make roadside repairs. Your bike should come with tools. Some extras you will need: spark plugs, chains, spare lights and brake cables.

As for the belongings you already have in your backpack – shed the junk, keep the basics. You’ll have to carry everything on the back of the bike, so keep it lightweight. Check our Packing 101 Guide for assistance.

Step 8:

Tune Her Up

Wheel her to a mechanic for a full rub-down. Make sure the less obvious components are working as well: namely, the horn, brakes and lights. Spy on how the mechanic systematically checks each part of the Minsk and use what you learn as a guide to fixing her up on your own later.

Once she is fully tuned, you will have to keep her in good condition. Learn about daily maintenance and you will save yourself a lot of breakdowns.

Step 9:

Rules of the Road

You’re almost ready to take off. The streets of Hanoi might seem like a massive clusterfuck, but don’t stress – there’s a method to the madness. Here’ s the breakdown:

Might is right. Big-ass trucks and tourist buses dominate the center of the road, normal trucks and cars are in the middle and motorcyclists are on the shoulder. Passing is the norm in Vietnam and even the semi-trailers will swing into the opposite lane to pass someone. Stay alert. Typically you drive your bike until you approach another driver from the rear, then honk twice as a friendly signal and pass them on the left side. Repeat all day.

Getting out of the cities can be the hardest bit. Warm up by hiring a motorcycle taxi and riding around the city to get a feel for the flow of traffic. Repeat until you feel comfortable enough to take off. There is no shame in paying a motorcycle taxi driver $5 to guide you to the outskirts of the city on your first day.

Step 10:

Take Off and Let Go

You now have freedom from itineraries, fixed bus schedules and group tours; you can go anywhere and stop as long as you like.. Just you, the Minsk and the road.

Step 11:

Harness your Chi and Focus Your Zen

There’s something spiritual about embarking on an adventure like this. Here’s a few tips on how to get your Zen on.

• Slow down. As you plan out each leg of the journey, reign in your ambitions. Remember that you are no longer traveling by bus – driving a motorbike is physically exhausting. You feel every last mile and you are always at the mercy of the weather. The roads are windy, slow and not always paved.
• Bring yourself into the moment. The constant fear that death lurks around each corner strips away all your distant concerns and brings you to the here and now. You may never do something like this again, so make sure your mind is fully appreciating it and not off in the clouds.
• Accept setbacks and delays with a smile. When breakdowns happen on the road – and they will – learn to embrace them as a chance to slow down and pause in a part of Vietnam you normally would have sped past. Take five minutes to admire the view of the jungle before getting down to work. Remember, delays don’t exist. You have nowhere to be but here, in the moment. Smile.
• Open yourself to the endless possibilities of the road. Take as many detours as you like. Check out the small villages, take the road that isn’t on your map and accept the offers to have tea with local families. Vietnamese visas typically last one month, but you are free to extend yours and stay another month or two. And, rumor has it, if you carry enough US dollars, you might be able to use some baksheesh to illegally sneak your bike into Cambodia or Laos.
• Stick it to Mass Tourism. By taking this bike ride on your own, you have circumvented the middleman between you and your host country. As you journey farther into the misty mountains and away from the tourist trail, you will transcend mass tourism and encounter a more fundamental human relationship with your host country. Differences in nationality, beliefs, age, and income will disappear. While other backpackers are paying $20 a night for “authentic homestays,” your entire journey will transform into one enormous authentic experience.

As you pull away from Saigon, you’ll taste true freedom. As you chase the sunset along Vietnam’s golden coastline, you’ll arrive in the present moment. As you slip into top gear and rip alongside endless fields of rice paddies, you’ll discover what it feels like to be young and alive. That is, of course, how we should feel all the time. But sometimes it takes a bit of old-fashioned adventure to remind us.

Written By: Mark Ayling

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Traveling is about keeping it real with your surroundings, yet  it’s easy to get lost in the lure of nerdy  gadgetry these days (check out  “5 Gadgets That May Ruin Your Backpacking Experience”). Things like GPS systems can keep you from getting down and dirty with locals (just ask for directions, stupid!). However, for those of you who are physically unable to unplug, we give you OTP’s 10 Most Useful Travel Gadgets of 2010.

Water Filter

Don’t drink the water. You’ll hear it over and over again in just about every country. In fact, you may find that it’s cheaper to buy booze than it is water. Enter the MSR Miox. This little flashlight-sized device only requires batteries to transform that putrid, disease-ridden water into something more drinkable. There’s also the Steripen, which uses ultraviolet rays to turn dirty into liquid clean goodness. Of course, you may prefer the excuse of choosing booze over water but at just over a hundred bucks, it’ll probably save you some money and a few hangovers.

Bag Protector

After a good night’s sleep, the last thing you want to wake up to is finding out someone jacked your shit . In all likelihood, as long as you’re alert and careful, this won’t happen. But if you’re the paranoid type, the Doberman Bag Protector is a dually triggered alarm system (meaning there is both a motion sensor and a pull pin). The device can be attached to just about anything and when triggered, emits a 100 decibel alarm. This is on par with the sound of a lawnmower, which should be the most obnoxious criminal deterrent known to man.

Solar Powered Backpack

This is starting to get out of hand. Whatever happened to the days of Thoreau, where serenity is found in the simple things in life? Screw it, if he were around today, Thoreau would be putting his money on the solar powered backpack too. Both Voltaic and Reware offer backpacks equipped with solar panels that can power up most 12-volt devices if needed. Since a solar powered backpack is more of a luxury than a necessity, the added superpowers (Electroman) come at a higher price than other packs with a sacrifice in size. Choose wisely.

Global Phone

A cell phone is most definitely on the no fly list for those looking to rough it. But if you were to get a phone, getting one made by National Geographic still maintains some ruggedness and can be used in over 100 countries. There are several options available: rent a phone for eighteen dollars a month if it’s a short trip or buy one for a little under two hundred bucks. Mobal also offer a cheaper alternative if National Geographic rubs you the wrong way. Be sure to store this in a safe place for emergencies and to get the most out of your experience, refrain from using it too often.

Indestructible Travel Case

The Pelican Micro Case is both waterproof and can withstand up to 5,000 lbs. of pressure (like if an elephant decided to take a nap on your travel case). While we find it difficult to believe a travel case is this powerful, Pelican’s website promises your valuables will stay safe and dry. If that makes you afraid that someday it might come after you, consult a priest on the procedures of destroying an indestructible object.

Swiss Army Flash

Adventurous tech nerds, this one will thoroughly excite you. With all the normal features of the Swiss army knife, this gadget also comes with a flash drive (with multiple memory options) as well a powerful LED light. There’s also a ballpoint pen thrown in there for good measure. Sure, you probably won’t find yourself in the throes of the wild, fighting for your survival (and if you did, what would be the purpose of a flash drive?) but, knowing you’ve got the just-in-case tools for almost everything will keep your nerdy mind at peace. Should you in fact be lost in a strange country’s wilderness and become worried about digital storage, this baby’s got your back.

USB Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries can get a little pricey but their longevity is worth the extra cost (plus recycling batteries in this way is good for the environment, so score). After plugging them into any USB port with a power source, USB Cell’s rechargeable batteries get a second life. The charger is embedded into the battery so when the top is taken off, and they’re plugged in, you’re good to go. Make sure to keep them safe (perhaps in the indestructible case?) as just two cost about as much as twenty alkalines.

Flip Video

Here’s a good alternative to the all-powerful digital camera. The Flip video is reasonably priced and offers good quality videos that are stored on four or eight GB memory. The device is about the size of your typical digital camera with just a little bit more girth (like your dad, only the Flip video doesn’t love your little brother more). The stock Flip Ultra comes with 120 minutes of recording memory at about the same price as a good quality camera. While a picture is worth a thousand words, how much is a crisp video of say, Rio’s Carnival, worth?

Stash Sandals

This one’s perfect for the paranoid tech nerd who thinks the government’s after them. Reef’s Stash sandals have a nifty little tray in the heel that slides out to hold valuables you’d rather not leave sitting on a beach towel. Also, as the name suggests, they could be used to hide unmentionables that the government is really after (should you find yourself in possession of such items). Since they are sandals, we’re not sure how comfortable you’d be wearing these anywhere where a shoe could potentially be lost (like raging, drunken beach dance parties). Nonetheless, it is a clever alternative to worrying about being stuck in the Matrix because you lost the red pill.

150-Country Travel Adapter and Converter

Yes, we said to leave most of the electronics at home, but we all know you’re not going to listen. So rather than cleverly trying to sneak your techy trash overseas only to find you have no way to charge it, this should save you the embarrassment. Offered by Hammacher Schlemmer and USBgeek.com, not only can this device provide power for any AC powered device, it also has USB plugs, saving the trouble of carrying around multiple unwieldy chargers. So while you’re charging your iPod, cell phone and digital camera all at the same time, you can actually go out and enjoy some scenery instead of babysitting your electronics.

Before you go out and blow all your spending money on every one of these gadgets, remember that traveling is more about the experience than what you bring with you. As Samuel Johnson once said, “The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” Instead of trying to recreate the luxuries of home, see how locals cope. That’s not to say you shouldn’t take advantage of some of the gadgets built for travel, just don’t overdo it. The trick is to find that balance, between what you need and what you could do without, based on how you want to travel and where you want to go.

Written By: Andrew Butler

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Let’s be honest with ourselves for a minute:  we all love animals (sometimes more than humans) and when they get hurt (especially baby ones) we get choked up inside.  Something about little furry baby animals brings out our emotional side.  You can’t avoid getting a fuzzy, warm feeling when looking at this koala for instance. Still don’t give a crap about baby animals?  Maybe these wildlife volunteerships can warm your cold heart:

Wild Dogs: Zimbabwe, Africa

For the love of puppies!  These dogs are not your average domesticated house pet. Around since before humans decided to make them man’s bestfriend, wild dogs are crucial carnivores of the African savannah and are approaching extinction due to poaching.  This program focuses on education about the value of wild dogs in the area, research and data collection.  Since the conditions of the regions are quite harsh, this volunteership requires you to be in good physical and mental shape.  This program runs for a fixed three week time period and costs $1462 (which gets you primitive housing and some food).  This is an elbows-deep type of volutneership that requires you to be out in the bush for some period of time.  If you’ve got the cajones, apply at EcoVolunteer.org.

Wild Cats: South Africa

So all the cat people don’t feel left out, here is a great volunteer opportunity for you.  Through Cultural Embrace, you can immerse yourself in the Kapama Game Reserve which is home to many wild cat species. In addition to lions, tigers and cheetahs, this place has black-footed wild cats (’cause their feet are black) which are only found in Africa, are endangered and so cute they’ll make you want to punch your mother.  Your daily duties focus on the general maintenance of the reserve. For $1650, your food and tent accommodation is covered for 3 weeks.  As a bonus, an elephant-back safari is included in the fee.  Sundays are days off so bring a big ball of yarn (we’re sure the tigers and lions would love it).

Baby Seals: Ireland

Sadly, the imagery associated with baby seals is of a burly guy with a club beating the life out of them.  This association is linked to the big debate around the annual Canadian Seal Hunt where sealers gather each year to kill baby seals and sell their fur to international fashion designers.  As emotionally hurtful as it is to see these helpless, furry white animals get brutally clubbed to death, the existence if this practice is fueled by a simple supply and demand model where the fashion industry demands white furry pelts and Canadian sealers (i.e. humans that need income to support themselves) supply them.  Activists have successfully chipped away some of the inhumanity on both the supply and demand side and as the current climate stands, donating your money rather than your time seems to be the best way you can help the cause in Canada. If your backpacking pockets aren’t that deep and you want to save yourself some seals, you can volunteer your time at the seal sanctuary in Ireland. The Irish Seal Sanctuary is currently looking for volunteers in these areas: writing, driving, fund-raising and animal handling.  No experience is really necessary and it doesn’t cost anything other than a plane ticket (shared housing and food is included). You must be in good physical shape and be willing to commit to the cause for a minimum of 3 months. Start the volunteer process by filling out their application.

Elephants: Thailand

Remember Dumbo? That guy was damn cute.  Well, here are some real life elephants you can hang with.  The Cosmic Volunteers network offers a two week (and up to 12 months) opportunity to participate in an elephant camp in Thailand.  Here, you will be responsible for bathing, feeding and caring for the camp’s 70, or so, elephants.  $1400 shmakers gets you two weeks of food (weekdays) and accommodations.  Price too steep?  You can get 50% off the program fee for arranging your own accommodations (check out hostelworld.com and couchsurfing.com for cheap sleep options).

Beavers: Poland

You’re always looking for beaver anyway, why not do it in scenic Poland? Beavers are nature’s engineers.  They build dams and gnaw down trees which maintains healthy downflow ecosystems and prevents flooding to vulnerable regions. Unfortunately, beavers in the Beskid Niski Mountains of Poland disappeared in the 1500s and their absence has left this beautiful region ecologically unstable.  Volunteers are needed to help re-introduce beavers to the region.  The cost for one week is about $870 and decreases every week thereafter.  Housing in an eco-ranch and organic food are included in the fee.  As far as qualifications, you only need to be moderately fit (able to walk 10-15 km, 6-9 miles, your grandma can do that) and passionate about conservation.  Loving beavers is optional but we highly encourage it.  You can reserve your spot on the project through EcoVolunteer.org.

Giant Pandas: China

OTP’s most huggable animal award goes to the Panda.  So they’re a little vicious but look at this face, so lovable. Through Pandas International, for about $100 per day, you get to interact with pandas in Bifengxia, China at the Panda Center.  Your duties would include feeding, cleaning and collecting behavioral data (we’re sure you can sneak in a hug during off-hours). They advise you to get travel insurance to cover the whole vicious thing (find out how through our Backpacking 101: Health and Safety guide). Also, for $50 bucks, you can have a Panda Party right now.  You get a Panda poster, Panda [piggy] bank, bracelets, stickers and informational materials.  All proceeds go to Pandas International as donations and the Panda party you throw raises interest amongst your friends (maybe organize a group trip to China, it’s cheaper.  Check out STA Travel for group deals).

Great White Shark: South Africa

We We think Great Whites are cute despite the whole biting people’s legs off with their twin rows of razor sharp teeth thing.  We wouldn’t go hugging them but volunteering to aide in their survival through the Great White Shark Study in South Africa is like a hug, but safer. Through White Sharks Projects located in Gansbaai, South Africa, you get to dive deep into the world of the ocean’s greatest predator.  Your time will be spent on a boat, in a shark cage and on Tuesdays, at their Recycle Swap Shop (an incredible community-building idea where local children are rewarded with spending points for bringing in recyclables which then become redeemable for items at the shop).  The first 14-day program costs $1500 and, if accepted for a longer term, the price goes down to only $500 per month thereafter.

Whatever your reason for volunteering to help animals internationally, know that your work will be ecologically important.  Every animal has its own function (besides being cute) in our world ecosystem and their survival is very much intertwined with our own.

Written By:  Anna Starostinetskaya

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Traveling is sexy. You abandon the things that stress you out daily and visit places with all new and untapped inhabitants. Italian men are gorgeous, Brazilian women have great asses, Russians are horny and the list goes on. While exploring the possibilities, throw boring in-bed sex out the window. Check out our list of top ten new and exciting places to get busy abroad (All destinations within a backpackers budget):

Igloo

GREENLAND

You won’t freeze your ass off if you do it right, promise. Igloos are actually quite warm inside and the more body heat (hint hint) you can generate the better. The Inuits of Greenland do it best, building their love huts close to frozen lakes and beautiful winter scenery. Bring along a lighter, melt some holes on the inside of your igloo and drop in a tea light candle for some added steaminess. Eskimos don’t just rub noses, trust me.

Monastery

TURKEY

Literally stick it to religion by visiting the Cappadocia Monastery Cave Hostel  in Cappadocia, Turkey.  The rooms are actually cave-like inlets, dimly lit with candles, torches and fireplaces (how this was a place of abstinence and religious worship for 10 centuries is beyond us). The atmosphere alone should be enough to keep you going at it for hours. If you need more inspiration, take a quick trip to the conveniently located, and naturally-occurring, penis rocks.

Water Cavern

AUSTRALIA

Head to the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, for the surf, sun and sex. The sheer beauty of their secluded water cavern, located under the Natural Bridge at Purling Brook Falls, with its cascading waterfalls will give you an insta-orgasm. You are only allowed to bring a dimly lit torch covered with a red cloth (State Park laws). So let the glowworms and matching glowing water mushrooms set the sexy mood instead. Only one word of advice, caves are known to produce echoes.

Ryanair Mile High Club

THROUGHOUT EUROPE

No sex article would be complete without sex on an airplane. The fascination lies in a combination of being in the air, in public and cramped into a tight space.  If you don’t already know how small a Ryanair plane is, you will soon find out. The bathrooms are about the size of your backpack. But if you can manage to squeeze through the tiny aisles, past the crew and into a stall, you’re sure to have some very up close and personal fun. Since these flights are usually quite short, make it a quickie (you don’t want to be caught with your pants off during landing).

Island

LAOS

There are plenty of sexy islands in the world but this location beats them all by sheer size. Don Det, in Laos isn’t just one island but a grouping of 4,000! Some are so small you can only stand (or maybe lay) on them; others are large enough to house a few cottage-style bungalows and restaurants (where you can impress your mate with some really cheap wine-ing and dinning). The sexy possibilities are practically endless. We hear you get a medal if you can do it on all 4,000.

Sailboat

Scotland

Nothing feels more exhilarating than harnessing wind power, except maybe having sex on a sailboat. The place to do it would be Scotland. You can sail through the historic Viking waters and take full advantage of Scotland’s nearly empty and easy to navigate coastal waters. Thus, get your sails up, put it on auto-pilot and get down to business.

Gaudi’s Parque Guell

SPAIN

This park is filled with Gaudi’s famous surrealist sculptures. A wonderful Spanish guitar band covers sexy Latin music (mostly Gypsy Kings) while you stroll around winding, purposefully misshapen bridges and gingerbread-like houses. Your best bet on getting laid at the park: go to the supermercado, grab a box of Don Simon wine (under 1 euro), some manchego cheese and bring your lady/genty friend to the park. Listen, look, drink then find a secluded park bench and get to work.

Volcano

EL SALVADOR

Stay away from the active ones, those are too hot. For just the right amount of heat, visit Cerro Verde in El Salvador (Yes, this is actually a picture of it!). Here you have a choice: you can either get active at the base of this inactive volcano in the Lago de Coatepque (a water-filled crater lake) or get adventurous and hike up to a steamy vent at the top. The volcano hasn’t seen an eruption in 2500 years; it needs a little action.

The Trans-Siberian Express

CHINA TO RUSSIA

Whereas before the Trans-Siberian express only operated from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, Russia, now you have about 15 trip options. Whichever one you choose, know that its a long long train ride (average trip length is 17 days). There are tons of things to see and do while aboard and lots of train passengers to do it with. We suggest taking the Moscow to Beijing route. That way, you get bragging rights for getting laid from Russia all the way to China and back, if you wish.

Middle Eastern Desert

ARABIAN PENINSULA

Nothing is hotter than the desert so make sure to bring enough water to replenish those fluids and journey to Oman, a small nation on the Arabian peninsula. Take a camel deep into the desert (the humps are good for setting the mood). Put on you veils and turbans and get politically freaky with it in the warm, secluded sand. When you’re done, drop by a Bedouin tent for some refreshments.

Off Track Planet is a proud supporter of safe sex (but not so safe that its boring). So get out there, get creative and get laid!

Written by: Anna Starostinetskaya

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If you are reading this chances are you are anxious about breaking your fitness routine while you travel. Have no fear, the best thing you can do while traveling is to break your routine. Keeping in shape while traveling is also a lesson in adaptation, a test of your motivation and ability to prioritize. Take this opportunity to learn about your goals and modify them to fit your travel schedule rather than build up anxiety about not being able to go to your specific gym.

The hang-ups (and how to counter them):

You usually work the treadmill/elliptical machine at the gym.  You have no idea where to find a gym near your travel destination.

Counter:

Getting in your cardio abroad is easy, you just have to jump on the opportunity when it arises. Learn some unconventional out-of-the-gym cardio techniques and you’re golden. Sightseeing requires a lot of walking. Avoid tour buses or any vehicle that will interfere with you seeing the city on foot (plus tour buses are lame). Whenever there are escalators or elevators, there are stairs. Use them. Most places abroad have beautiful parks and bike rental shops. Hook yourself up with a bike for the day and take in the scenery while getting a good work-out in. Near an ocean, lake or river? Go for a swim. And of course, take in the sights during a morning run. For extra credit, pack a jump rope. It won’t take up much space in your backpack but will provide you with an opportunity for a kick-ass cardio workout when all other options fail.

You don’t have space in your backpack for your dumbells, curl bars or the Powerflex 2000 (as you shouldn’t, do not even think of bringing any of these things, that’s crazy talk).

Counter:

Your body is your best resistance machine, nothing compares. As long as you factor in a little motivated alone time, you can do simple push-ups, crunches, squats and lunges to keep your muscles toned. Chances are, your backpack will be comparable to half your body weight. So while looking for your hostel or the train station, you’re already doing resistance exercise. As an added bonus, bring a resistance band with you. They are light and you can whip that sucker out, wrap it around any pole and have yourself some good toning exercises in no time.

Drinking age requirements are very relaxed abroad. New traveling buddies want to go to every bar, party and club in sight to get cheap liquor.

Counter:

You remember when you skipped the gym because of a nasty hangover? While traveling, you are way more prone to skip working out, even a small headache would provide excuse enough. This doesn’t mean you should turn into a water-drinking saint. Instead, think ahead and order a drink with no sugar (i.e. vodka with a twist of lemon. Too strong? Get a beer but drink a glass of water en route to your next beer). This way, you can wake up bright and early, fully hydrated and get in a good morning jog.

You play sports regularly to stay in shape.

Counter:

Not a problem. Unless you plan a trip to the moon, there are plenty of places to play sports abroad. Get in on a pick-up basketball game at the park (you will probably impress them with your American b-ball skills anyway). Lots of Europeans live and breathe soccer and are always excited to teach newcomers their favorite sport. Plus, there are new sports out there you have never heard of that locals play to stay fit (like camel wrestling in Turkey or chess boxing in Finland where players must alternate between a round of playing chess and a round of boxing, brilliant!)

Whatever you normally do to stay in shape will change when you are abroad. The trick is being open to the change, allowing yourself to break the routine and staying motivated.

Written By: Anna Starostinetskaya

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