Q: My girlfriend and are planning a backpacking trip across Europe this fall. Do you know of any websites or companies that might be helpful? Thanks.

-- P. Bates, Toronto

A: Backpacking across Europe is a popular pursuit. During your travels, you're sure to see many like-minded tourists walking around cobblestone streets with gigantic backpacks strapped to their backs.

There are many agencies and websites that offer advice and memberships for backpackers. Here's a couple to get you started.

- HostelWorld.com -- has staff all over the world ready to assist backpackers. The company, which has won such awards as last year's "Webby" award from Time Magazine and an emerging entrepreneur award by Ernst and Young, facilitates online bookings for hostels and package tours, and provides detailed city and country guides.

If you need advice, there's a list of travel gurus you can query, which is available in the Community section.

If you fancy yourself a travel writer, HostelWorld.com even has a section for posting diaries, messages and stories.

- Hostelling International (HI), a not-for-profit membership organization, has a Toronto chapter that can supply ample information on backpacking anywhere in the world.

To join Hostelling International in Canada, you must be a Canadian citizen or resident. Membership -- $40.25 -- is valid worldwide, giving you access to member prices at all International Youth Hostel associations, HI-affiliated hostels and other travel discounts. Hostelling International recommends members also ask about discounts at individual hostels.

Contact Hostelling International at 76 Church St., (it's open 24 hours a day). Telephone 416-971-4440 or 1-877-848-8737 or, for a list of hostels, click on hihostels.com.

Q: What items are prohibited in carry-on luggage?

-- D. Ingersoll, Mississauga

A: According to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), screening officers process over 37 million people, over 60 million pieces of luggage and over 800,000 non-passengers a year. That means they must make split-second decisions about what's in your bag and what is on your person.

To make your life -- and theirs -- less stressful, Transport Canada recently updated the list of items that air travellers cannot pack in carry-on and checked baggage.

For the carry-on list, the following items remain prohibited: Axes, hatchets, billiard cues, billy clubs, blackjacks, box cutters, brass knuckles, corkscrews with attached knives, insecticides, knives or knife-like objects of any length, paint, guns, razor blades (not in cartridges), tools and more.

For the complete list, log onto tc.gc.ca and click on "air," then click on "passengers," and here you'll see the sub-link, "Dangerous Goods in Carry-on Baggage and Checked Baggage." For more, contact Canadian Air Transport Security Authority at 1-888-294-2202.