Paris Items

European itinerary ideas for gap year adventures

A gap year in Europe is a brilliant way to explore the sights and sounds of France, Spain and the Netherlands - and if you are looking for some travel inspiration, you have certainly found the right place. Read on to find out more.

Interview with a backpacker

This week MaptheGap.co.uk looks at the other side of the story and chats with American Maggie Eckel about her gap year in the UK and travelling around Europe.

Most common travel scams

We all know that sometimes back packers or travellers can be taken advantage of when they’re in an unfamiliar place and if you don’t know what to watch out for it’s very easy to get sucked in. mapthegap.co.uk has been asking around and has come up with a list of some of the most common for you to watch out for.

Feature: InterRail yourself around Europe

Nothing in the world is more exciting than some of the independent backpacking circuits of the world. These well-trodden trails are perfect retreats for alternative lifestyle living, short escapades into the unknown, and manic adventures in foreign lands.

Lonely Planet launches Android app sale

Get the ultimate guide to your gap year destination on your Google Android phone this December for just $0.99 (£0.64) with the Compass City Guide app sale from Lonely Planet. Hi-tech travellers can pick up augmented reality guides to 25 worldwide cities for this low price until Christmas Day.

Discover the world's weirdest festivals

Edible chocolate dresses, camel wrestling, giant water fights and extreme body piercing are just four of the oddities included in Hostelling International's list of the 10 most unusual festivals in the world.

World's worst pickpocket cities revealed

If you want to avoid being pick pocketed on your gap year (and chances are you do), then leaving Europe is probably your best bet. Despite the reputation for theft and crime that some parts of Asia can have, the top ten cities in the world for pick pocketing are all European, according to this year's TripAdvisor Pickpocket Index.