Parents inspired by kid’s gap years

Monday, 19 March 2012 11:37 AM

Parents are so inspired by their children’s gap year stories – that they’re visiting the same places as their globe-trotting kids.

According to research by Thomas cook, the over 50’s are ditching traditional trips to Spain, the Canaries and Portugal, in favour of adventure in Australia, Canada and even backpacking hotspot Thailand – all after hearing about the experiences of their young relatives who have been there.

Researchers have also found that one in ten over 50s has been inspired to travel to a destination they hadn’t previously considered after their children recommended it to them.

Australia was the top destination for older gap year travellers, according to the study. This was closely followed by Canada and New Zealand, which came second and third respectively. However, it wasn’t just English speaking destinations that made the top list – over 50’s gapers were also drawn to exotic India, Brazil, and Thailand.

A spokesman for Thomas Cook said: “It seems that travelling the world is no longer reserved for school leavers or college students - rather than sitting back and soaking up the stories through their young relatives, over 50s are now booking similar trips themselves so they have their own adventurous tales to tell.

Getting older no longer means relaxing and taking it easy as it seems the older generation is more adventurous than ever.”

Researchers also found that 44 per cent of over 50s are jealous of the travelling that younger people are able to do nowadays, with 55 per cent planning to travel the world once their children have flown the nest.

Oscars inspired gap years

The most important movie event of the year is almost here, the Oscars. This year’s Oscar nominated movies are set in variety of destinations across the world and many may even inspire your choice of gap year destinations, from a road trip in the USA, to language learning in France, exploring the landscapes of India or ‘finding yourself’ in Thailand.