Feature Items

How to do the temples of Angkor, Cambodia

The temples of Angkor, including the most celebrated – Angkor Wat – are located in the northern Cambodian city of Siem Reap. The temple complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological sites in South East Asia. A gap year trip around South East Asia is not complete without a visit here, so here’s everything you need to know to organise your trip to the temples of Angkor.

Top places to go for space travel

October 4-10 marks the start of World Space Week, so we’ve found you some top space travel destinations where you can meet astronauts, travel in spaceship simulators and see historic space sites. Five.... Four... Three... Two... One... Blast Off!

Best American street food

While countries in South East Asia, Europe and the Middle East have created delicious kinds of traditional street food for centuries, the Americans have taken it to a whole new level. This is where the evolution of street food has happened – from the American pizza, to the Philly pretzel and the Tex-Mex burrito.

Speed dating with ... Luang Prabang

Not sure where you want to go on your gap year, why not spend five minutes speed dating with some of the world’s best loved backpacker cities and see which one you fancy? This week we’re in Luang Prabang, Laos’ charming UNESCO World Heritage town.

A guide to Cuban homestays

If you’re travelling around Cuba on your gap year, you’re sure to stay in a casa particular or Cuban homestay. It's a great way to get to know the local people and will help if you’re on a tight budget too (although Cuba is not a cheap country for tourists). So here’s our definitive guide to staying in Cuban homestays.

Tales from a backpacker: flying an airplane over the Golden Gate Bridge

Sometimes travel goes wrong. But sometimes the unexpected disaster moments of travel are a blessing in disguise – putting you on a path that you’d never normally chose. Even so, no one really expects a travel disaster to end up with a free flight over the Golden Gate Bridge! This story has to be read to be believed...

2012 gap year hot list

Heading off on your gap year in the New Year? Wondering where to go or need a little bit of inspiration? To help you decide and plan your adventures for next year, we’ve come up with a list of where we think are going to be hot gap year destinations in 2012.

Feature: The beautiful beaches of South Thailand

Jutting out from the South-East Asian mainland like a huge inverted comma, South Thailand is easily the most popular destination in the whole region. And it’s quite easy to see why! Blessed by year-round heat and skirted by two stunning seas...

Feature: Cambodia and the Temples of Angkor

Welcoming, tropical, spiritual and humid: Cambodia is a fascinating destination that has been cited as the ‘in’ destination in Asia. For the uninitiated, it’s a very poor country, but this only makes a trip here humble and eye-opening...

Feature: Conservation projects in Ecuador

Nowhere else on earth can you find so much natural diversity in such a small place. With a landmass of 272,000 square kilometres, Ecuador is South America’s second smallest country but includes a baffling array of landscapes and creatures.

Feature: Cambodia’s East and South

Flanked by Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, Cambodia is the best of all three worlds. It’s Vietnam without the huge population, Laos with the South China Sea off its southern shore, and Thailand without the tourist tide.

Feature: Vietnam’s friendly south

After World War II and until 1975, the southern half of Vietnam was its own country. Although it’s wow officially joint with the north to make one unified nation, the differences between the north and the south can still be felt.

Feature: Volunteering in Ethiopia

There’s a lot to discover in East Africa’s Ethiopia – which is a country the size of France and Spain combined. The striking Christian ceremonies haven’t changed in 1000 years and the country’s incredible history means ancient tombs dot the land.

Feature: The great Trans-Siberian railway journey

Whilst ‘round the world’ aeroplane tickets are great for sidestepping continents cheaply, there is no doubt that the best way to see a country is the old fashioned way: by train. Along with keeping your carbon footprint down...

Feature: Vietnam’s scenic north

With a varied history including Chinese, French and Japanese occupation, war with America and a civil war; travelling in Vietnam is like seeing the old and new mix in bizarre harmony. Ancient Chinese temples decorated with French colonial signs...

Feature: Volunteering opportunities in Nepal

One of the most breathtaking countries in the world, Nepal is a land of ancient mysticism and towering snow capped peaks. With three regional zones covering the thin, landlocked, rectangular country, Nepal’s landscapes are very varied.

Feature: Full moon parties in paradise

Once a month the moon shines brighter than any other day, casting a sheet of white light over the land in one of the most beautiful natural phenomena on earth. Traditionally associated with tales of werewolves and mystical tales...

Feature: The other side of Laos

Laos. It’s mystical, spiritual, friendly and beautiful all in one. Buddhist monks worship in ancient temples, little children play in the street when the rains come, and the whole country moves at a laidback pace.

Feature: Volunteering opportunities in Sri Lanka

The tear drop shaped island of Sri Lanka just off the south eastern coast of India is a tropical paradise of rainforest, wild animals and pristine beaches. Multi-coloured rickshaws drive through the hectic streets of Colombo...

Feature: Popular gap year destinations

The world is a big place, but it’s getting a lot smaller due to globalisation. While this brings a mixed blessing, the good news is that the modern travel scene is the best the world has ever seen! If you’re a first time traveller...

Feature: Backpacking in northern Laos

Beautiful landlocked Laos; a land of abundant natural wonder and arguably the most relaxed country on the planet. Many visitors have found that long suffering ailments like muscle aches, asthma and stress related illnesses have all been cured here.

Feature: Volunteering in Jamaica

As the third biggest island of the Caribbean, Jamaica is generally known for a few things: sun, sea, sand and all inclusive resorts. But the truth of the matter is this is an incredibly diverse country with an intriguing cultural heritage.

Feature: Popular gap year destinations for a great time

From the budget digs of India to the tranquil beaches of Fiji, travel routes all over the world offer the best sights, sounds, and experiences that will live with you for the rest of your life. But the trick is knowing where to go.

Feature: The cultural marvels of Northern Thailand

Northern Thailand: a place where verdant jungle mixes with hillside hippy towns, cultural cities, huge temple complexes and indigenous tribal communities. Be amazed by open aired markets selling multi-coloured fish and acres of tropical woodland.

Feature: Volunteering in Cambodia

Cambodia is a beautifully green land of tropical flatlands, rainforest, undeveloped shores, ancient temples, and some of the friendliest people on earth. Nestled snugly between Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand in the central South-East Asian landmass..