Emma Lunn, Monday July 14, 2008
Why not escape the job cull and take off on an adventure that will boost your future employment prospects? We show you how to fund a gap year - and the financial pitfalls to avoid
Forget school leavers and newly-qualified graduates - today’s gap year travellers are more
likely to be stressed out thirty-somethings on a career break than youngsters on an extended
holiday.
Research by American Express shows that nine out of 10 gap year travellers are over the age
of 30, a phenomenon being recognised as the ‘grey-gapper'.
Insurer Insure and Go says backpackers now spend an average of about £4,000 on their gap year
travels, with around 8% of travellers spending more than £10,000. And, despite unfavourable
exchange rates in some countries, the traditional backpacking destinations of Australia and
Thailand are still popular.
But while the route might be the same, today’s travellers are more technically minded. Dubbed
“flashpackers”, older, more affluent backpackers travel not just with iPods and digital cameras but
also laptops, from which they video-stream or blog their adventures.
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Key considerations
Wherever you go, planning is vital. As well as thinking in advance about your route, what you
want to see and where you want to stay, you need to make sure you have the right vaccinations and
visas for your trip.
With a whole host of nasty diseases out there - from diphtheria to malaria and rabies - it’s
essential that find out which jabs you need for which countries, and when you need them. Some
countries also require you to buy a visa before you enter the country. What type you need will
depend on how long you’re staying and if you intend to work in the country.
