What do you do when a homeless old man offers you a breakfast on a park bench in The Netherlands? Why, you join him for stale pastries, of course. Are the rats in your hostel room keeping you up? Bah! Just pop in some earplugs and go back to sleep.

Travel is more than just checking off landmarks and buying postcards. It's about going with the flow and seeing where you end up-even if it's not where you imagined. As any experienced backpacker will tell you, the best memories are built on the strangest experiences.

Before you leave for your great adventure, it's important to be prepared. Whether you're embarking on a round-the-world trip of a lifetime or popping out for a couple weeks in the sun, this book answers all the questions you won't find in a regular travel guide. It covers everything from practical tips on how to save up for your big trip, to what to do when things (inevitably) go wrong, and how to adjust to life on the road. It's time to awaken your inner nomad!