As a self-styled flashpacker myself, I’d say check to the rental cars (especially in places like Bali where they start at $10); and to private rooms, and (sometimes discount) airlines instead of chicken buses. And you’re totally right about keeping true the backpacking spirit.

To me, the big difference about flashpacking is that while you might love the nitty-gritty backpack stuff (e.g., we love the Couchsurfing Project and Craigslist and some other low-rent options) you’ve always got the get-out-of-dorm-room-free card available. You can slum it, but not out of necessity.

What a world of difference — as anyone who’s ever checked into a hotel with a pool and air-con after a week in the dust will surely agree.

My wife Lindsie and I are on a year-long flashpacking experiment that we’re blogging — Google “Flashpacking Life” and “Flashpacking Wife” for our blogs, or “Flashpackers have champagne tastes” for a little story on us by Canadian Press. Champagne tastes indeed, with a little ramen here and there.

Sealing the deal was the screened windows (no more holey mozzie nets!) and the hot water shower (no more grimacing while rinsing my hair!)

It was a more than 100% upgrade in terms of price from $8 a day to $17 a day…which we know is really not much at all…but my slept-on-rooftops-to-save-money inner backpacker was screaming that i was traitor to the ’cause’.

Nonetheless, i gave in and have to say, I’ve never gone back. I’ve 35 done as a live on the cheap backpacker and now about 5 as a semi-flashpacker.

I say ’semi’ because i still can’t understand why anyone would bring a laptop on a holiday…I will NEVER do that as long as there are books to be read, sights to be seen and most importantly…. people to be met!

Flashpacking can also be a great and “fair” way to travel, see the world and connect with new cultures. See my post on Fair Flashpacking:

http://tuxinbackpack.blogspot.com/2008/08/fair-flashpacking.html

I feel I am often too closely attached to technology and I’m looking forward to finding new ways to keep myself occupied during the downtime of my trip.