Gap Year Travels

This page is designed to give you all the information you need before you leave, if it's not here, hopefully we can point you in the right direction. There are many things you need to think about, arrange and plan the weeks and months before you leave to go on your trip, the more you are prepared, the smoother your trip will run.

Here is some of the tips and advice we have for you to help get you ready to leave, the more you do now will avoid any stress when you're away enjoying yourself.

This is a really important purchase as your backpack is constantly in use while you are travelling, choosing the type and size which is right for you can make life a lot easier for you on your trip. There is a massive selection of packs available for everyones price range and requirements so take time to make sure you get on suited to you.

We recommend you choose a pack between 55 and 75 Litres, size is important and will depend on where you are going and for how long. If you are set to travel to a few different climates, you will need a bigger backpack and we recommend you allow for a larger pack than you need as you inevatibly pick up bits along the way.

Comfort is also a major factor so make sure you try before you buy, having an uncomfortable pack can be extremely frustrating and as it could potentially be on your back for hours, try to find a backpack with padded straps and a waist strap.

A bag which opens right out can save you lots of frustration compared to top opening bags as you have access to everything without having to take everything out just to get that thing you need which is always at the bottom. Go to specialists to find out what's best for you then shop around for a better deal.

Our reccomendation for a Backpack is Osprey. They have a massive range of packs in all different sizes to suit any time of backpacking. We've tried out their packs and we think they are the best on the market. Lightweight built to last and well designed with enough compartments to fit everything in. The most important facor about the Osprey packs is the comfort, packs will be made to measure and hauling around all your belongings for the next few months will be a lot easier with an Osprey.

Check out their website and contact them for more information on the pack which will become your closest companion as you discover the World.

Planning what to take can be extremely important depending where you go, what to pack will also vary greatly based on the places you are planning to visit. Some places will require mosquito nets and repellant, others just your basics. You want to pack light as possible as you'll be carrying everything with you, in most advanced countries you'll be able to pick up anything you've forgotten pretty easily but in some more remote places it will be more difficult. Other than your clothes, here is a list of things we think you should definately consider taking:

First Aid Kit
Torch / Head Light
Waterproofs
Mosquito Net
Insect Repellant
Any Medication
Pen and Pad

Multi Plug Adaptor
Swimwear
Travel Towel
Small Bag / Day Pack
Tampons
Toiletries
Sun Hat

Malaria Tablets
Sunglasses
Diary
Diarrhea Tablets
Penknife
Camera
Memory Stick / Hard Drive

Batteries
iPod / MP3 Player
Laptop
Money Belt
Sunblock
Hiking Boots
Travel Books

If you're planning on doing any hiking or big walks when you're away, we highly reccomend taking some hiking boots, they prevent blisters and make life a lot easier for you during and after your walk. They can esily be tied to the outside of your bag so wont take up any precious room inside.

You need to choose a boot that fits you well and is ideally lightweight. We found the best option to be Brasher Boots. They offer men's and women's styles in many different varieties to suit the type of walking you will be doing. These really are the best boots to choose for
their price, they are extremely light and built to last, you'll be extremely glad you chose good boots when you
see other people in agony the next day. Check out their website by clicking on the logo and find out which boots
best suit you.

Spending money unnecessarily is a big no no when travelling, so to be charged money to withdraw your own cash when your away is one of the most annoying things to a traveller living on a budget. Most bank accounts will charge you for each withdrawral so the fees add up, there are ways to keep these to a minimum but it will take some planning.

By choosing a bank account back home which has low fees associated with foriegn withdrawals is a must, Nationwide is really good for this but they still charge a small amount. You can find credit cards with a 0% charge for purchases abroad such as with the Post Office, but be careful what you spend and don't leave yourself with a big bill at the end of the month.

If you're going to be in a country for a while it can be worth setting up a non-resident bank account, these are usually pretty easy to get and can avoid excess charges by paying a one off fee to transfer your money in. Have a good look around before you choose a bank for this purpose.

Organising and planning your Visas is an important part of your travelling experience, you need to find out the eligibility of your passport to obtain Visas for every country you are potentially visiting.

Being a UK citizen, there are over 150 countries you can visit without a Visa however there are some where Visas need to be applied for long before you arrive such as China, and others where a Visa can be purchased on arrival. The amount of time you can spend in each country will also be pre-determined and must be looked into before you plan your movements. A list for UK Passport holders can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_British_nationals

These are extremely important to keep you healthy and safe when you're abroad. Depending on where you are going, certain vaccinations may be recommended or essential. You may require a Yellow Fever vaccination to even be allowed into some countries.

We highly encourage you to visit your GP to check if all your vaccinations are up to date and to discuss if any more are required. Some are free on the NHS and some will require you to pay but getting the right jabs and malaria tablets is a must do before setting off. Check out http://www.nhs.uk  for further information

Having the right amount of money to take, the availibility of money in case of emergencies and budgeting while you're away are all very important issues to make sure you don't come unstuck during your trip.

The money you spend when you're away can vary massively depending on the level of accomodation you choose, the trips and activities you want to do, the amount you eat out and importantly how much you plan to go out and party. All of these expenses can be cut back on or maxed out depending on your budget and requirements for your trip.

A good tip is to try to pay for as much as you can before you go, those trips and flights you know you'll be taking can all be booked in advance and allows you to see more easily how much is left in your bank as even the most organised person will forget an expense or two.

Try to keep an eye on your account and budget a certain amount of money for each country, obviously some countries will cost you a lot more per day to stay in than others, as a rough guide, countries like Australia will cost you around £1,000 per month to have a good time and others like Thailand can be enjoyed for as little as £500 per month with the abundance of cheap acommodation and food.

We do recommend having a credit card with you for emergencies but try to use it only when needed, you may need that extra money later in your trip and there's nothing worse than having to cut your trip short because you've run out of money. Preparation and constantly keeping an eye on what you are spending will allow you to enjoy your trip to it's maximum potential.

Safety is an all important factor when travelling away from home, for both yourself and your belongings. Depending on where you are planning to travels, the precautions you need to make will differ.

Safety for yourself especially when you are on your own comes down to common sense and research, don't be out alone at night and make sure you speak to locals and people in your accomodation about where to avoid and how they perceive safety.

Don't make yourself a target and make it easy for a thief to steal your wallet, keep anything that is valuable in hostel safes. There is the odd story of things going missing, but in general we have found that the unwritten travellers code means that everyone is generally honest and you will find thet even when leaving things out in dorm rooms, your belongings are generally safe.

It's better to be safe than sorry and we always recommend locking your backpack, you can also buy Pacsafe bag meshes which will prevent your bag being slashed.

It's important you don't display those expensive phones, iPods, laptops and your passport so just keep your wits about you and look after your gear, you'll have no worries if you're sensible and concious of safety.

IIt's really important you insure yourself and belongings when you travel abroad. Although you hopefully won't need it, if something goes wrong you can be in a very bad predicament if you are not covered.

Medical cover, luggage cover and individual item insurance are all easy to purchase, make sure you are covered for everything you are potentially likely to do including extreme and winter sports, we recommend Insure and Go for good value and great cover.

The fact that you are using this site is a good start, researching your trip, the places you will be visiting and what you are likely to experience is all important to make the most out of your trip and keep you safe.

Use of the internet and travel books is an essential way to prepare yourself for every eventuality, if you are prepared then you have nothing to worry about and everything to experience and discover, giving you the most amazing trip of your lifetime.

Another great tip is to try and book everything you can ahead of time, this will reduce stress of sorting things out quickly, will allow you to plan your money better and will make sure you avoid disappointment for things being booked up.

Booking your acommodation a few days in advance is a great idea and also your first nights accomodation when arriving by plane will save loads of hassle on your first day or night. Hostelbookers give you user reviews and ratings so you can check out hostels before you arrive.

Don't go overboard and book everything too far ahead as plans inevitably change and you might find somewhere you like and want to stay longer, you'll have a lot of sorting out to do.

It's really important you keep in contact with family and friends while you're away, to keep your mum happy if nothing else, it's so easy now with the internet, Skype, phonecards and easy to buy Pay as You Go SIM cards.

This can all add up, so the best ways are e-mails and by setting up a Skype account where you can let your mum see your face while you're gone.

If you're travelling to Australia, Global Gossip offer a mobile phone SIM card which can be used for Phone Calls, Texts and Internet at really
cheap rates. These can be purchased before you leave and be ready waiting for you when you arrive. This also gives you your new number
to give to friends and family before you leave, a great way to prepare for your trip. Check out the link here:

Here are some further tips to prepare you before you leave:
Take photos of your valuables to make it easier to make an insurance claim if the worst should happen
Photocopy any important documents, keep a copy with you and leave one at home with a family member or friend
Take a list of important contact numbers of banks, insurance etc, leave one at home as well
Label your luggage with your home details and phone numbers in case anything gets lost
Set up a travel blog to keep everyone at home updated and for a great souvenir when you're done
Scan a passport photo and print it out multiple times on photo quality paper, you'll need these along the way and they can be costly

That's it, you're ready to book and go on the best experience of your life...

Travelling in Europe? We recommend checking out Euro Backpacker. Click Here to see their Website