packed magazine is Europe's free travel magazine for backpackers, independent- & budget travellers.

Every two months the mag is packed with the latest freebies, discounts & travelinfo on Europe's hottest destinations and activities.

packed magazine is up for grabs at over 100 distribution partners such as Europe's best hostels.

packed is brought to you by an international team of travel pro's and is supported by some of the best brands in Europe's independent & student travel community.

FEATURES:
25 The Great Outdoors
Escape the heat of the city with a special packed guide to some of Europe’s areas of outstanding natural beauty.

10 Icons: Journeys
From trains through Siberia to a ferry across the Arctic Circle, the next in our icons series features some of Europe’s finest journeys by road, rail and sea.

21 Northern Explorer
Ben Snook takes us on a trip through Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn.

31 Arts in Amsterdam
Kristen de Joseph explores the arts and cultural scene of one of Europe’s most inspirational cities, Amsterdam.

15 Real Travel Bug Tips
Travel tips from Real Travellers…the Travel Bugs of Bugbitten.com

Download Packed Magazine, July/August 2008

PDF format, 6.3MB, 38Pages.

Visit Packed Magazine Website

pack editorial.

As a child I lived about twenty kilometres north of Liverpool, in a small town that was within a couple of hours drive of Snowdonia in Wales, the Lake District in England, and a number of other beautiful spots to walk, explore and breathe in the fresh air. Of course, being young and slightly foolish, I had little interest in spending valuable Saturdays halfway up a hill or a mountain, struggling into creaking walking boots whilst wearing itchy socks that seemed more like an instrument of torture than a comfortable choice for hiking, and with only a piece of crumbled Kendal Mint Cake or a melted Mars Bar as a reward at the end of it. The adults, of course, got a nice pint of beer at the pub, and it all just seemed, well, a little unfair.

If I had taken a moment to emerge from my fog of self-pity that engulfed me at the car park before each mountain walk I might have noticed how beautiful the world can be, and how fortunate I was to explore it. Now that I am old enough to decide for myself how to spend my Saturdays, and can buy myself that beer at the end of the walk, I realise what a pleasure escaping from the city can be, especially when the temperatures are high and the tempers get frayed. Which is why I am delighted that in this issue of packed we cover some of the most beautiful corners of Europe, the ideal spots for hiking, mountain biking or just relaxing, from the north of Finland to the centre of Turkey, with many other spectacular spots in between.

Also in this edition we have Ben Snook’s journey through Scandinavia, and Kristen de Joseph’s exploration of the Amsterdam arts scene, plus destination spotlights on Minsk, Granada, and Cologne. Our icons series continues with five of Europe’s greatest journeys, including the Trans-Siberian railroad and Croatia’s Adriatic Highway, whilst we also have a very special interview with travel writer Laurence Mitchell, who gives some valuable advice for those interested in the travel writing business. Added to all this is our usual mix of columns and tips and tricks for the best travel experiences in July and August.

As always we hope you enjoy this edition of packed, Europe’s free magazine for independent travellers, and if you have any suggestions, requests or indeed criticisms, please drop me a note at editor@packedmagazine.com. Happy travels!

– PAUL SCRATON.

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