• Pack light, wash frequently, buy it if you need it.

• Your pack should weigh about 20% of your body weight, but preferably no more than about 20 pounds/10 kilos.

• Limit yourself to one carry-on bag: 9" x 21" x 13" / 23cm x 53cm x 33cm.

MONEY: Bring your preferred mix of a credit or debit card, an ATM cash card, an emergency stash of traveler's checks (optional), a couple of personalchecks, and some hard cash packed in separate locations. I rely on an ATM card with a credit card and cash as a backup.

DOCUMENTS: Bring your passport, airline ticket, rail pass or car rental voucher, driver's license, student I.D., hostel card and so on. Photocopies and a couple of passport-type photos can help you get replacements more quickly if the originals get lost.

PHOTOCOPIES: Carry separately in your luggage and keep your original documents in your money belt. You'll want a careful record of all reservations (bring the hotel's written confirmations) along with a trip calendar page to keep things up-to-date as your trip evolves.

DAY PACK: A small daypack is great for carrying your sweater, camera, literature, and picnic goodies while you leave your large bag at the hotel or train station. Fanny packs (small bags with thief-friendly zippers on a belt) are a popular alternative, but should not be used as money belts.

Travel is living with heightened awareness, with endless thrills for the senses. Experiencing the real world requires time and patience to appreciate new surroundings.

Affording travel is a matter of priorities. You can travel simply, safely, and comfortably anywhere in Europe in 2006 for about $100.00 a day plus transportation costs. In many ways, spending more money only builds a thicker wall between you and what you came to see. Europe is a cultural tapestry, and you'll find that it's best views of culture are free. Just take time to observe and appreciate.

A tight budget forces you to travel close to the ground, meeting and communicating with the local people. Never sacrifice sleep, nutrition, safety, or cleanliness in the name of budget. Simply enjoy the local alternatives to expensive hotels and restaurants.

Globtrotting helps you to undersatnd and appreciate different cultures. Travel changes people - it broadens perspectives and teaches new ways to measure the quality of life.