Archive of articles from 2012

Why travelling solo is a good choice on a gap year

Although travelling with friends can be a lot of fun, when it comes to gap years it is often best to go solo. This gives you plenty of freedom to go exactly where you want, do all the activities you'd like and make new friends, which is what a gap year's all about.

Gap year experts to offer advice at webinar event next month

If you’re worried about your year abroad then tune in to a special ‘webinar’ next month, where a host of student travel experts will be offering their advice in a series of one-on-one interviews.

New Zealand gap year visas now offered to travellers up to 35

A visa that allows British and Irish residents the chance to work or volunteer during a gap year in New Zealand will now be offered to travellers aged up to 35 years old.

Trekking equipment: what do you need?

If you're planning to go on walking adventure tours as part of your gap year, you'll need to make sure you take all the necessary equipment with you. Here's a rundown of the essentials to fit in your backpack, which will be handy no matter where you're going.

Essential considerations when travelling in America

Going travelling in America is a once in a lifetime experience for many people, particularly if you plan to spend a few weeks or even a month or more there. However, there are a lot of things to consider before you jet across the Atlantic.

What are the advantages of getting paid work overseas?

If you have a spare year on your hands and fancy getting out of the country and heading somewhere new, there are so many opportunities waiting for you. Whether you want to take a year out from study or work, make sure you grab the chance while you can.

What to pack for a travelling in America

Packing to go away for an extended holiday in the USA can seem like a daunting experience - after all, there is so much to remember. Going away for longer than a few weeks travelling but knowing you can only pack what you can carry may seem like an impossible task.

Dos and Don’ts when buying souvenirs abroad

It’s important to keep a few things in mind when buying souvenirs and know what is legal to bring back home and what is not. Here a few dos and don’ts to follow:

How to make the most of a working holiday visa

Do's and don'ts for travellers about to embark on a working holiday gap year.

The pros and cons of backpacking with friends

To travel solo or with friends - one of travel's biggest questions. If you're unsure, check out our pros and cons guide to backpacking with a travel buddy.

How to make travel look good on your CV

Many people tell you nowadays that travel can look great on your CV and put you above others applying for the job, but the reality is that it’s really just not true. It’s not simply good enough to say that you’ve been travelling and have had worldly experiences; you need to represent and translate your travel into a professional experience on your CV.

What is a backpacker bus?

A few companies in Australia in New Zealand have discovered a way to connect solo travellers on the road, and allow them to travel together as one big raucous group. Welcome aboard the backpacker bus...

Things to consider when preparing for a trekking holiday

Booking a trekking holiday can be an exhilarating experience in itself, but once the initial excitement has worn off it's time to start making sure you're properly prepared for your adventure. Follow our tips to cover all your bases.

The Pros and Cons of travel with a backpacker bus

Backpacker buses provide hop-on hop-off transport services to backpackers. To some, they are a brilliant travel service - to others, a total travel nightmare. Find out if they would suit your gap year travel plans with our essential guide.

8 reasons you need to go on a gap year

Why should I go on a gap year, we hear you ask? Take our personality test to decide - if you associate with one or more of the following, then we reckon you’re long over-due for a year abroad.

Getting a job abroad: 5 global golden rules

Five globally universal golden rules, that backpackers travelling with a working holiday visa should remember if they want to get a job abroad.

World’s oldest backpacker proves it’s never too late

Keith Wright, a 95 year old World War II Veteran from Australia, is about to take off on his eighth trip to Europe - where he plans to travel on a hop-on hop-off independent rail journey across the continent, staying in hostels all the way.

What is WWOOF'ing and what does it have to do with travel?

WWOOF'ing is a travel phenomenon - an opportunity to travel the world economically, without being a 'tourist'. Want to hear more? We have the low-down on what it is, and what it's all about…

Top gap year gifts for every kind of backpacker

Trying to find the perfect gift for someone going on a gap year? We match up the best gifts and travel gadgets of 2012, with the travel personalities that they would be best suited to.

End of a gap year: How to go out with a bang

All good things must come to an end – even gap years! When that fateful ‘last day’ comes, don’t spend it sitting in your hostel room moping - go out with a bang…

Hostel survivors guide

Hostels provide backpackers with inexpensive readily available accommodation while travelling abroad. They can sometimes be great sources of information and a great place to meet other travellers too. However, hostels can also be loud, dirty and uncomfortable and there are certain unwritten rules about sleeping staying in them. So follow our top tips to surviving staying in hostels.

Films to inspire backpackers: 5 road-trip movies

Forget the Oscars! These are the MapTheGap.co.uk awards - for films that inspire travel. In the road-trip category we uncover five gems that you really shouldn't miss…

Tips on saving money during your gap year

Gap years can be very expensive, so you want to make sure your money lasts as long as possible. According to the NUS and Prospects websites, the average gap year costs between £3,000-£4,000, however this may not even cover everything. So, here are our top tips on saving money on your gap year:

Relationship survival tips on a gap year

Going on a gap year together can ‘make or break’ many couples. These are our tops tips for making it work, and what to do if it doesn’t.

What not to wear around the world

When travelling, whether volunteering on your gap year, career break or simply backpacking, it’s important to be aware of local laws and customs and adhere to them. This is especially true when it comes to clothing. Wearing the wrong type of clothing could attract unwanted attention, offend locals and even forbid you from entering certain places. So, here are our top tips on what not to wear around the world.