How to plan a safe and exciting gap year!
Its never too early to start planning your gap year, career break or summer travel trip. In fact, the earlier you start planning and saving the better. I started off by writing down where I wanted to travel and one of my main dreams was to travel around Europe to all the major sites but to cover as much as possible. When looking into things I saw options of interrailing, buying a one-way ticket and I just felt this was not the safest and best way of seeing as much as possible for a solo traveller like myself. I then come across a great tour company that caters to 18–35-year-olds planned out trip, all the destinations and lots of the costs covered before you travel - food, excursions what a result!
This also makes you feel better knowing that all you would have to take is your spending money for extra excursions and for yourself, your family at home will know which destination you are at as they can have a copy of the itinerary and plus going as a single travel you will meet fellow travellers who are seeking adventure. If you do not choose a tour for your travelling trip, I would certainly recommend maybe a part tour trip. Book your flights, accommodations through a trusted travel agent if you do not want to have something completely booked starting off with a tour would be great to ease you in especially if you are travelling on your own. I loved the idea of having destinations pre booked and know how much I needed, it helped me budget for it well. I managed to cover 33 cities in just under 2 months and I know I would not have done that if I booked a one-way flight and hoped for the best. Perks of booking part tour and through a trusted travel expert; -
1. You will meet a bunch of curious like-minded travellers, solo travellers and if you need local tips the trip leaders are the experts and can guide you, so you know that you are making the most places you are travelling to. 2. Everything is taken care of no booking confirmations needed, ferry timetables etc its all taken care of even the food throughout the trip. 3. Your itinerary will indicate some of the best sights and excursions and you will also be advised of the ‘off the beaten track’ options too. 4. No hidden costs and all you need is your extra spending money for excursions you want to add on and nightlife drinks etc. We were taken to lots of travel bars around the cities too so everything was extra cheap. Dining in the most exciting of places which will be different every day.
If you choose to not do a tour and just want to book a trip and stay in number of places, I would highly recommend getting your flights book up for where you know you 100% want to travel to. Budget yourself with accommodation and food in each country over the weeks and months. Make a journal and fill in all the places that are on your check list. To give you another example I had clients that wanted to book a trip to Australia but 100% wanted to cover the gold coast. I booked them the Australia flights – Contiki Gold Coast tour where they met fellow travellers and then they made their own way around from there with return flights booked, they needed to amend the date coming back which was easily done.
My Top Tips
• Write down and plan where you want to go – what is on your bucket list – brainstorming is the best and it can take you to some amazing destinations. • Budget how much you want to spend on the trip and how much to take with you, that is why if you can plan a year in advance its perfect as you have time to get your cash, pay off and make your trip even more memorable • Include various options – Tours – Mini Tours – pre booked flights • My Travelling essentials include a travelling backpack of course it goes without saying, I would recommend going into the shop and trying it on make sure it fits right and comfortable as you might be walking a long while with it on your back. Roll away towel, adapters a multi one is perfect, phone and phone charger (if you can get a sim for the destination even better) cash card, camera. • Check that your passport is in date SO IMPORTANT make sure it has at least 6 months on your return journey • Sun Cream • Take lots of photos as much as you can because the memories you will be looking back on for years to come • Travel Insurance • Booking through a trusted travel agent, you have someone at the end of the phone 24/7 to help with any part of your trip whether you are away for 6 weeks or a year. • Take a travel journey I was gifted one from my old job before I went and it was perfect I wrote in it everyday
I have lots of tours, suggested itineraries available and even better deposits starting from £60 per person fully flexible and amendable. Please get in touch today if you want to talk all things travelling and let’s get planning ??
Thanks G x
