Travel destinations to consider

Australia

With its white sand beaches, and array of wildlife, Australia is a hugely popular gap year destination amongst young travellers. From the tropical forests in Queensland, to the Kings Canyon of Watarra National Park, there really is something for everyone. Aus is also known as surfers paradise, home to some of the finest surfing in the world. Why not take some lessons at Bondi beach and see what all the fuss is about!

New Zealand

NZ is the ideal place to travel for your gap year as it is not too culturally different from the UK and has a huge backpacker community which can be extremely helpful when you are far away from home. Other travellers can advise you about the best places to go and visit whilst also becoming friendly companions. New Zealand also happens to be a stunningly beautiful country with spectacular unspoiled scenery.  ‘Kiwis’, the name given to the locals, tend to be very welcoming and approachable. Outdoor activities to partake in include snowboarding, skiing, kayaking, parachuting and even bungee jumping – so if you’re an adrenaline junkie then this is the place for you!

South Africa

You would be a fool never to visit South Africa and its never ending blue skies that go on for miles and miles. So why not travel there on your gap year? South Africa is famous for having the big five. That’s Lion, Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard and rhino. If that wasn’t reason enough, then SA is also the home to other wildlife species including zebra, giraffe, hippo and hyena. There really is nothing like seeing these animals in their natural environment in the wild on a safari compared to at a zoo here in the UK. Cape town is also a reason to visit this amazing country – home of table and craggy mountain, a hike which will provide you with views to last you a lifetime.

India

India has recently celebrated its 70th year of independence and is therefore the perfect time to visit this fantastic country full of culture. India boasts the world’s most famous building – the Taj Mahal, which sees more than seven million visitors each year. This magnificent building is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and therefore a must see. The food is also one of the many great things about travelling through this magnificent country. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to try real, authentic, Indian cuisine.

Indonesia

Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 islands, 8000 of which are inhabited. Along with these many different islands come rich diversity. There are many different cultures to enjoy, with each culture varying vastly  from another. The Gili Islands house some spectacular white sand beaches as well as a buzzing nightlife scene including lots of bars and restaurants. Bali is one of the most developed islands, with it being a popular holiday destination. However, Bali also has a lot of undiscovered sights, perfect for those who want to avoid the tourist mayhem. Travellers go crazy for Indonesia’s extreme water sports, including fly boarding and cliff jumping, as well as the world class diving available.  

Costa Rica

Many people are put off by this gorgeous country due to its location in Central America. However, the country has recently been named the world’s happiest country, with its locals living longer than any other Central American country with the country’s life expectancy being 79. This could perhaps be a result of the coffee being the best in the world, or the fact that the country is one of the most biodiverse, with a quarter of the country part of a protected forest. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is lived in by thousands of birds, including the sacred Quetzels, with their feathers being thought as more valuable than gold. If you want to travel where not many have travelled before then this is the country for you, as not many British people at all travel here.

Canada

Canada is full of modern cities, each with their own stamp. With more coastlines than any other country in the world as well as mountains and lakes, there really is something for everyone here. Some of the most popular attractions include Niagra Falls, the Dinosaur provincial park and the Canadian rocky mountain parks. Camping is an extremely popular way to see the country, with their being lots of hiking trails to complete. French culture is still prominent throughout the country making Canada very rich in history. Another perk is that Canada is very safe to travel to, with crime levels being very low and almost non-existent in popular holiday spots.

Malaysia

The city of Kuala Lumpar is full of modern, impressive architecture and is viewed as Asia’s most impressive skyline due to the large and striking city skyscrapers. Take a guided tour through the Cameron Highlands, the largest tea company in Malaysia. There is plenty of local tea to try with the tea industry being massive. Allow the country’s wildlife to entice you in, with animals roaming freely. Wild boars as well as monkeys and deer’s are easy to spot in Taman Negara National Park.