For first-time backpackers, it can be a challenge to squeeze all your must-have items into a backpack that’s compact and lightweight enough to carry. Here are our top ten packing tips to send you on your way… 1. Buy a suitable pack First off, you need to find the right backpack for your trip. Buy […]
So you’re about to embark on the trip of a lifetime and you’ve packed all your travel gear into your backpack, but wait, what’s that bulky thing taking up half of your packing space?! You may well think that rolling up a towel or two from home will be sufficient for your trip, but not […]
Guest post by Ben Fisher Ben travelled to Sri Lanka where he took part in a 4 week community work project in the coastal village of Kosgoda. Like most people planning a gap year, I thought I should spend time doing something worthwhile; something to give back to the world I’d freeloaded off for the last 18 years. […]
By Tom Colley Tom spent 2 and a half months backpacking through the Middle East after a stint in Eastern Europe, here he gives you an account of his experiences as well as helpful tips and advice. Turkey & Syria My travels in the Middle East followed on from the three months I spent travelling through […]
By Stephanie Wright Stephanie spent 5 months volunteering in Ecuador as a teacher and in an orphanage with youth development charity Lattitude Global Volunteering during her gap year. The Travel Towel The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was not exaggerating when it stressed the importance of always knowing the location on one’s towel. But […]
Avoiding mosquito and insect bites during your gap year is paramount to preventing pain, discomfort and in some more unfortunate cases, deadly diseases such as Malaria and Dengue Fever. When you’re planning the trip of a lifetime, mosquito defence can often be the last thing on your mind, but a relaxed attitude to bite and […]
For many destinations mosquito repellent is an important piece of your kit. Repellents can stop the irritation of bites and stings but more importantly it can protect you from blood borne diseases such as Malaria. With so many repellents on the market it’s dificult to know which one to choose. The majority contain the chemical deet […]
Most guide books on Thailand seem to have a section on culture or how to behave. However, many of these guides seem to be lacking somewhat on the personal experience front, instead relying on a set of generic rules which doesn’t always directly translate. Almost always Thai people will make some allowance for Westerners and […]
Australia is one of the most popular gap year destinations in the world. With its varied landscape and attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef and miles of pristine beaches it attracts thousands of gappers looking for some sun and a great time! The Working Holiday Scheme allows young people from the UK to […]
Planning your finances might not be the most appealing aspect of trip-planning, but it will help you work out how far you can travel, how long you can go for, and what types of experiences you can pack into your time away. Getting started First you need to work out the big expenses such as […]