About us

We began travelling as grown-up backpackers in 2001, when we decided to take an extended break from work and globe trot around the world. We suddenly realised we were no longer ‘students on a budget’ and we were now young professionals with a bit more cash to splash.

We wanted to explore the world, immerse ourselves in culture, meet other travellers, and get to know the locals, but we didn’t want to stay in dirty, flea ridden hostels or characterless hotels. So we ‘backpacked’ but stayed in lovely local (and clean) places – and the idea of Luxury Backpackers was born.

Following our first trip, the two conflicting themes became apparent, explore like a backpacker but travel in style. Giving us the best of both worlds. Luxury Backpackers is not about jetting around first class, and it’s not another brand promoting ‘boutique hotels’ either. It is about seeking real travel adventures whilst staying in a bit of luxury. Of course ‘luxury’ can mean different things to different people. We once travelled to Mozambique and found ourselves checking into beach bungalows which were only £11 a night – these had perfect views of the sea and were complete paradise. This is why we have published our guidebooks because luxury doesn’t have to mean expensive, and after all why should only students have the fun of backpacking?

Luxury Backpackers can really be for any type of traveller, whether you are travelling for 3 weeks or 3 years. We hope you enjoy our website, our personally written guidebooks and please join us for our travel events around the world.

Jill & Carlo