CHELSEA'S TOP TRAVELLING TIPS

Our intrepid traveller gives her top tips for globetrotting in safety and style

SAVE UP
My round the world ticket cost around £3,000 - more than average because I included Africa ­ and my entire year cost around £16,000 for accommodation (staying in basic but nice guest houses, campsites or hostels), travel and activities but you can do it cheaper by booking tours and accommodation once you arrive. For Australia and New Zealand, £40 per day will comfortably cover food, accommodation and travel, while for South America and Asia, allow £25-30. For round the world tickets try www.trailfinders.com, www.oneworld.com or www.staralliance.com.

DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT
Sparkly rubber flipflops. The rubber stops you getting electrocuted in dodgy South American showers (heated by an electric current running through the water), they're easily rinsed after encounters with grimy toilets, they're easy to slip on and off outside tents and temples, and a sparkly pair will dress you up for the evening. And take a head torch with LEDs. Yes, you'll look ridiculous but you'll thank me when you're pitching a tent in the dark.

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WASTE OF SPACE
My waterproof sarong. And cheap waterproof trousers. During the few hours I wore mine on a long trek, I looked ridiculous and sweated so much I got just as wet.

MAGIC MOMENTS
Dancing in the rain with the locals at Mardi Gras, the Rio carnival held every Shrove Tuesday. And on my 29th birthday in Chile, we drank pink champagne in outdoor hot pools under a starry sky in Pucon. The best birthday ever! See www.interpatagonia.com/pucon/hotsprings for more info.

DON'T MISS
Bolivia for its amazing mountains and 12,000 km sq of salt flats; China for its food - think proper crispy duck in Peking (but I drew the line at scorpions on sticks!); Argentina for the tango - head to Cafe Tortoni (www.cafetortoni.com.ar/index_ingles.html ) which is like stepping back in time; Buenos Aires for its stunning landscape and fantastically cheap red wine.

WORK IT GIRL
If you want, or have to work, you can usually pick up something up in bars or fruit picking. I worked for a month in an Outback pub and it funded two months' travel, and in New Zealand I tried my hand at wwoofing where you get food and accommodation in exchange for labour, like working in an organic chocolate factory and making cheese. For more information log onto www.wwoof.org.uk www.wwoof.org.uk.

BE OVERWHELMED
The night time view from Shanghai's Bund across the water is breathtaking. For an amazing daytime view you can't beat Africa's Rift Valley - standing near the edge of the Ngorogoro Crater you can see tiny silhouettes of elephants and lakes covered in millions of brilliant pink flamingos. And on the terraces of Machu Picchu, looking down on the ruins, you wonder how such a City was ever built.

CHEERS!
Always sample the local drink ­ like Argentina's Quilmes beer, Caipiranhas in Brazil and Vodka in Russia - but Pisco Sours in Peru are particularly good and you collect free drinks vouchers from the touts in the main square in Cusco. As for food, you can't beat pizza in Italy.

BE CLEVER
Tiger Balm was an essential must-have. Why? Slather it above your upper lip in a squat toilet as no other odour can compete with the smell.

BEST BEACHES
Try the Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand for stunning, tropical sands (www.doc.govt.nz) and Wharariki Beach in the Golden Bay area for amazing rock formations and cute seal pups playing in the rockpools www.goldenbaynz.co.nz

HAVE FUN!
Romance wasn't on my mind when I was there, but I couldn't help noticing that backpacker bars or Irish bars are great for meeting men! And if you don't want to play games, head for Australia. The blokes are straightforward ­ if he offers to buy you a drink, he's interested.

BE SAFE
Never wear visible jewellery, especially anything gold or gold coloured, in poorer countries like South America.
Keep a small stash of cash in your bra or sock so you've got an emergency supply if you get mugged or have your bag stolen.
Use an elastic thigh bandage to store cash or traveller's cheques when sleeping on overnight trains.
Never leave your bag on the floor in cafes or restaurants ­ your lap is the safest place.
Take a credit card and a debit card travelling with you and if you're carrying one, leave the other securely at your accommodation. That way, if you get pickpocketed, you don't lose everything.

is published by Pan, priced £8.99. Out on July 3.

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