We’ve got tips on the top backpacks for long-term budget travelers and oodles more suggestions on what to have in tow when you hit the road, from thermal fleeces to swimwear. 

The Essentials

Backpack

You’ll need a backpack to be a backpacker – the clue’s in the name. This will probably be the most important piece of kit you have since you’ll use it day in, day out. There’s no right or wrong backpack to go for. Different travelers like different things, though the most popular choice is one with 55-70 liters of space.

The Osprey Ariel 65 is a great choice for female travelers. It’s large enough to cover all but the longest trips, has easy front access, and has a handy rain outer for wetter destinations. The Osprey Aether 65 is the men’s version. It is roughly the same as the Ariel but has a slightly larger frame, plus a sleeping bag pouch below.

Osprey Ariel 65

Osprey Aether 65

Small Backpack

Most backpackers use the dual approach: One bag for clothes, another for electronics and important stuff. Doing that means you can keep your valuables close on trains and planes, and buses and not worry all that much about what happens to your main pack. It’s also a versatile option because you have a daypack for exploring towns and cities at hand whenever needed.

Again, it’s backpacker maestro Osprey that we recommend here. Their Daylite Everyday Backpack is great if you’re not bringing the laptop in tow; the Osprey Talon 22 Men’s Hiking Backpack is better if you are.

Daylite Everyday Backpack

Osprey Talon 22 Men’s Hiking Backpack

Water Bottle

A backpacker’s water bottle should be two things: Hearty (for taking all those knocks on the cobbled piazzas of Italian hill towns and whatnot) and relatively large (for keeping you hydrated on long train journeys from A to B). The YETI Rambler ticks both those boxes, and we love the glug-friendly top. It’ll keep water cool for up to 12 hours, too. 

Footwear

Walking Shoes

Whether it’s from the train station to the underground beer halls in Prague or between the food courts of Bangkok’s Chinatown, you’ll be doing a lot of walking as a backpacker. Comfy day shoes are a must.

The New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Roav V1 Sneakers are a solid choice for women, with their heavily buffered souls tailored to long walks. The classic Nike Men’s Air Max Shoes are uber-light and come with good arch support, and are a good choice for men.

New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Roav V1 Sneakers

Nike Men’s Air Max Shoes

Trail Runners

For backpacking, trail runners are a better choice over hiking boots. These hybrid shoes strike a fantastic balance between size, weight, and versatility. Some of them weigh in at just 300g per pair, which is a whole load less than the 700-900g found on bigger boot models. On top of that, they’ll double up as hiking shoes, runners, and sports shoes.

The Salomon Women’s Hypulse Trail Running Shoes are a cracking choice for keeping it easy on the luggage allowance. They weigh just a quarter of a kilo and can be wedged into small gaps in the backpack. The Salomon Men’s X Ultra Pioneer is a more heavy-duty version that brings waterproof outers into the mix, making them better for travels in rain-prone destinations.

Salomon Women’s Hypulse Trail Running Shoes

Salomon Men’s X Ultra Pioneer

Flip Flops

Heading to the beach? Booked yourself accommodations with a pool? Flip-flops are a must for backpacking in hotter destinations. What’s more, they’re cheap. You can drop $30 on a pair of these that will be with you for years. I’ve had the Reef Men’s Fanning Flip-Flops for about three years, and they’re still going strong. The Reef Women’s Bliss Nights Flip-Flop is a better choice for the ladies, complete with narrow straps and vegan leather.

Reef Women’s Bliss Nights Flip-Flop

Reef Men’s Fanning Flip-Flops

Travel Towel

Unfortunately, big, fluffy cotton towels are a home comfort. On the road, you want something small and packable. The newest microfiber tech on the REI Co-Op Deluxe edition is pretty incredible, which can absorb more than 6.5 times its weight in H2O. The medium one is enough for most people.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes? In the essential column? You bet! These handy clothes organizers and compressors will be your best friend. Keeping your items organized and compressed will give you more room for everything you need on your backpacking journey.

Toiletries

Toiletries bag

Whether you’re staying in hostel dorms with shared bathrooms or private villas as a flashpacker, having a dedicated toiletries bag will make trips to the showers a whole load easier. The North Face Travel Canister is highly durable, has sturdy zips, and is the perfect size for your backpack.

Soap Holder

When you’re hopping from bargain hostels as a backpacker, you can’t rely too much on in-house cosmetics. The best solution is to get a travel soap holder and buy bars to carry with you. Not only does a bar of soap go further than a bottle of shower gel, but it’s an eco-friendly option to boot.

Clothing

T-Shirts/Tops

Depending on the length of your trip, most folks pack 5-8 tops for an adventure. When traveling to South Asia or South America, you can go with fewer and rely on washing more often. In Europe and North America, launderettes can be a chore to find, you should go with an extra tee or two. For colder climates, couple a top with a good merino thermal underlayer. The Icebreaker BodyfitZone is our favorite for women and men.

Icebreaker BodyfitZone – Woman’s

Icebreaker BodyfitZone – Men’s

Shorts/Pants

The length of your bottoms will be determined by the season you’re backpacking in. Winter calls for longer, thicker wear on the legs, plus good underlayer thermals if it’s going to be snowy or sub-zero. For summer travels, wear 2-4 pairs of comfortable shorts, preferably in light, heat-dissipating cotton or linen.

Swim Shorts/Beach Wear

Never forget your swimwear. No matter if you plan on touring the snow-capped Alps during the height of the ski season, there’s no telling when you’ll get the chance to take a dip. Serious swimmers who see themselves diving into the Scandinavian lakes for long-distance romps should go for something more performance-based, such as these Speedos for men and these swimsuits for women.

 Fleece

A fleece ticks all sorts of boxes. It’s great for chilly evenings in the autumn and crisp mornings in the mountains. We’ve never owned a finer one than the classic Patagonia Retro X.

Waterproof Layer

Don’t think about hitting the road on that backpacking adventure without a waterproof layer. Yes, there’s a decent chance that you’ll carry it and never use it in certain parts of the world. But there’s no telling when the rains can hit. A 30-day storm over Europe caught me in the wet, and I pined for nothing more than a solid outer layer. The Torrentshell from Patagonia is a top choice for men, women, and the little ones.

Electronics

Convertors

Perhaps there will come a day when we can all agree on the best plug shape. But we haven’t yet, so the reality of traveling with convertors and adapters is still very much the status quo. A multi-country plug adapter can solve that, and this means you can carry less on trips that include more than one destination (as all the best backpacking jaunts do!).

Portable battery

Imagine it: You’re looking for directions to the Taj Mahal, but your phone just died. You need to find the train schedules for departures to Amsterdam from Paris, but there’s zero battery in the bank. Not good. A portable charger has become as essential as smartphones in the modern travel era. You can’t do anything without juice!

SSD hard drive

There was a time when digital nomad backpackers would have to handle their portable hard drives like uncracked eggs. No longer. The advent of SSD tech means you don’t have to worry too much about dropping these critical pieces. The SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD remains the leader of the pack thanks to its durability and dust/water resistance.

The post The Ultimate Backpacking Packing List: 18 Key Items To Take appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Marriott offers a whole range of hotels and resorts. There are chic inner-city palaces that overlook the Big Apple, beach-side relaxation pads on the coral atolls of the Maldives, ski-in lodges in the Rockies and safari bases in the East African Rift.

The only question left is which one to book for your next vacation. Read on for our guide to the 10 best Marriott hotels around the world.

The St. Regis New York, New York

To walk into the St. Regis New York is to follow in the footsteps of stars. Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor have all stayed here, and John Lennon even recorded a demo in a suite here back in 1971!

This imposing East 55th Street property is unquestionably one of the most legendary members of the Marriott chain. It sports flowing marble lobbies and a Baroque façade that oozes luxury from top to bottom.

While it may seem like a museum, the hotel also flaunts modern fitness facilities, a yoga room, an elegant cognac nook for drinking the finest from France. You also can’t miss the King Cole Bar- the undisputed home of the Bloody Mary cocktail.

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Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville

Tucked between the University of Seville and the maze-like old town of this enthralling Andalusian city, the Hotel Alfonso XIII is a Marriott that effortlessly blends the old and the new.

The building dates to 1929, when it was raised on orders from the King of Spain to be a hotel for visiting monarchs and VIPs from around the world.

The piece de resistances here include the stunning covered cloisters, which have been converted into peaceful reading rooms, and the outdoor pool space, nestled neatly under rows of Sevillian orange trees.

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St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Maldives

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is a Marriott that pushes the boundaries of conventional hoteliering. Set on its own island in the midst of the Indian Ocean, it’s got access to over a kilometer of completely private beachfront, all of which is quintessential Maldives white powder and turquoise H2O.

There are 44 overwater villas where you can wake to visions of rainbowfish and parrotfish darting through the coral reefs below. Guests can access the Iridium Spa for eastern-inspired massage and aromatherapy treatments. There’s an on-site watersports outfitter to help you plan those yacht excursions and sailing trips.

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Bulgari Hotel London, London

The prestigious Bulgari Hotel is a five-star stay that makes its home in the heart of London’s upscale Knightsbridge district. Peer from the windows and you’ll be able to see the Serpentine Lake wiggling through Hyde Park, and Harrod’s department store is just down the road.

The rooms here are a statement in edgy design. Even the smallest rooms are around 463 square feet in space, while the pricier suites are inlaid with rich hardwood flooring and draped with bespoke velveteen curtains.

The spa is certainly one of the highlights at the Bulgari. After long days of sightseeing along the Thames, you can return to what’s one of the largest spas in Central London, complete with a 25-meter pool, a hammam, and hydromassage baths.

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Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai

Escape the hustle and bustle and soaring steel skyscrapers of Dubai for the Al Maha resort. It’s a self-billed oasis in the deserts of the UAE that’s luxury from check in to check out.

Outside, suites with infinity pools open onto sweeping 180-degree vistas of the wild Hajar Mountain plateau. As you laze and daydream there, you’ll spot a montage of camel herds and oryx, and watch the dust devils billowing on the sand dunes on the horizon.

Al Maha is also home to the acclaimed Al Diwaan restaurant, where you can dine on exquisite international fare as the sun glows red and pink across the undulating Arabian Desert.

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Protea Hotel by Marriott Livingstone, Zambia

The Protea Hotel by Marriott is unquestionably one the best Marriott hotels in Africa. Just four miles to the north of the roaring Victoria Falls and right on the cusp of the rhino-stalked Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, it’s certainly got the location.

But safari goers will return to spacious suites done out in contemporary styles, each with just a hint of the vernacular coming through in the curious Zambian artworks and paintings. The outdoor areas are also fantastic. There’s a relaxing pool space and a series of sitting terraces framed by flower-sprouting ponds.

There’s hardly a better option for adventurers keen to combine safaris and sightings of the famous falls.

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JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, Orlando

If you’ve got your sights set on the iconic theme parks of Orlando, FL, and want somewhere fun-filled and just a bit luxurious for the whole family, the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes won’t disappoint.

Set neatly midway between the vibrant downtown Orlando and the endless rollercoasters and rides of Lake Buena Vista, the resort counts a whopping 5,000 acres of space. It uses that to offer up the sprawling Grande Lakes Water Park, which itself has looping slides and a lazy river to entertain the younger ones.

Mom and dad might prefer to busy themselves on the Greg Norman-designed championship golf course, or at the on-site field-to-table eatery, Whisper Creek Farm.

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The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection, Wyoming

Veteran skiers and hikers of Jackson Hole will know that Town Square is a hubbub of life both summer and winter. It’s the place to be, and The Cloudveil – Marriott’s award-winning luxury option in the resort – puts you smack dab in the action.

Step outside to see the iconic Antler Arches and the rows of après bars and saloons. Or simply don’t leave, because there’s plenty to keep you busy within, from hearty mountain-style suites to a rustic-chic lobby space with a roaring log fire.

You only need ask at reception and they’ll help you explore the region to the full – think 4X4 rides, guided hikes, excursions to Yellowstone National Park, and ski passes.

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The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice

Nothing says romance like The Gritti Palace. Shouldering its way above the iconic Grand Canal of Venice, the hotel is housed in a Gothic palazzo that dates from 1475. From the terraces out front, you can watch the gondolas bobbing by as you sip an evening Spritz, or enjoy a morning coffee as the sun kisses the tops of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute across the way.

There are a couple of things that set this one apart from the crowd. First, the hotel is one of the few in the world to host it’s own cooking school. Cue the Gritti Epicurean School, a place to acquaint yourself with the art of Italian food. Then there’s the Riva Yacht, a high-class motorboat that’s for the exclusive use of guests who want to whiz around the famous Venice Lagoon from isle to isle.

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The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket

Forget Phuket’s body-packed beaches and beer-sloshing nightlife towns. For R&R, you’re much better off with a stint at The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection hotel that sits on paradisiacal Ko Naka Yai just off the east coast of Phuket proper.

The resort occupies the northern tip of the isle, where a scything S-bend of white sand runs under the coconut trees. There are villa suites that open onto lush gardens that sprout banyan trees. Others have polished-concrete living spaces that spill into infinity pools with sweeping views of the Andaman Sea.

Ko Naka Yai itself is home to umpteen other secret coves and snorkeling lagoons. It’s 100% car-free, too, which means bike, sea kayak, and hiking boots are the ticket to getting around.

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The post The 10 Best Marriott Hotels In The World appeared first on SmarterTravel.