With England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland offering their own unique selection of scenery and attractions, a UK backpacking holiday can show you a side to the country that you never knew existed.

The YHA (Youth Hostel Association) is a backpacker's best friend in the UK, providing reasonably priced accommodation at over 200 destinations in England and Wales, as well as information and support on a variety of travel-related issues. Travellers will need to become members of the association to benefit from its infrastructure, but this is a minor inconvenience against the benefits membership offers.

Hostels operated by the YHA as well as independent establishments invariably offer only basic accommodation. Despite no-frills, minimum standards with regards to cleanliness and functionality are high. Whether travelling alone or with a group, hostels can cater for your needs with a single, twin, double, triple or family room or a dormitory.

There's no shortage of locations on the backpacker trail in the UK and where you go depends very much on what you want to see. Certain places are especially popular with backpackers due to their facilities and local attractions. Wales, particularly the towns in coastal regions such as Anglesey, Newport, Bangor, Conway and Brecon, are among the most visited destinations.

With its stunning natural landscapes, Scotland is also a popular backpacker destination. While there are no YHA facilities available here, there's no shortage of privately owned hostels. All the major regions on the backpacker trail offer accommodation choices, with destinations such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, Loch Ness, Ullapool, Kendoon and Aviemore among those most frequently visited.

Backpacking is a great deal of fun but like any form of travel, it comes with its fair share of risks. You can avoid worrying about these risks during your holiday by taking some precautionary measures. Additionally, minimise the impact any negative incidents will have on your holiday by taking out insurance.

Comprehensive travel insurance is perhaps the single most important step you can take to providing yourself with a holiday safety net. While insurance cover will not prevent mishaps or unfortunate incidents, it will invariably provide you will financial reimbursement for expenses that are beyond your control. Medical bills and the cost of replacing lost, damaged or stolen personal effects are typically covered by a good policy.

Travel insurance is widely available both on the high street and online. We recommend you visit travel-insurance-discounts.com, where you'll find travel insurance policies that are aimed specifically at backpackers. Unlike general travel insurance, the cover here takes into consideration the risks specific to backpacking and provides protection accordingly.