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HOW TO PLAN A GAP YEAR TEXT
Introduction
The days when gap years were restricted to students are long gone. These days, you can take a year out
whenever you feel like it, and you don't have to be a backpacker to do it. More and more people are
taking sabbaticals from work or travelling after retirement. This guide covers some of the things you need
to think about when planning an extended break.
The opportunities for gap year travel are as broad as your imagination, but every year out costs money,
so you should plan accordingly. The more money you save before you go away, the more choices you'll
have when you embark on the trip of a lifetime.
With a budget of just a few thousand pounds, you have the world at your feet. A round-the-world plane
ticket could take you to all the countries you always wanted to visit but never found the time. Or you
could take an overland tour through Africa or make a real difference to the world as a conservation
volunteer.
Whatever you do, it pays to be organised. Think carefully what you need to pack and plan for
emergencies. How are you going to keep in touch with friends and family while you are away? Who will
pay the household bills? Travellers with disabilities or health problems may need to make special
arrangements for medication or the transport of wheelchairs - contact the airline directly to inform them
of your needs.
It can sound daunting, but with a little planning, you can look forward to a carefree year, with nothing to
worry about except where the next life-changing experience is coming from.
Why Travel
Everyone has a different reason for going travelling. Some people want to fit in one big trip before they
settle down and start a family or buy a home. Others are looking to take advantage of their newfound
freedom on retirement. Plenty of people just fancy a break from the daily routine - career breaks are one
of the fastest growing sectors of the holiday market.
Whatever your reasons for taking time out, it pays to be clear about your objectives. A year out can be a
great way to recharge the batteries and provide a fresh perspective on life, but travel is no substitute for
making a real life change. If you are bored at work or unhappy in a relationship, try to sort out things out
before you go away Otherwise, the same problems will be waiting for you when you come home. Consider
talking to a career advisor, a marriage counsellor or a selection of close friends for advice.
At the same time, there's no reason why a year out shouldn't be the start of a new career. Plenty of
people in the travel industry are on second or third careers. However, tourism is a business like any
other; setting up as a tour leader or dive instructor will take time, investment and planning.
Another popular reason for taking a year out is to 'give something back'. Volunteer organisations such as
VSO, Medecins Sans Frontieres and the UN Volunteer Programme are always looking for volunteers with
real-life business experience to help run humanitarian and conservation projects worldwide. Many of the
gap year organisations that target university students also take on older volunteers.
Budget
Money is your ticket to travel but it can also limit what you can do and where you can go. A decent
budget is essential if you want to visit far-flung destinations and indulge in once-in-a-lifetime experiences
like trekking with elephants and swimming with dolphins. Here are some of the things you need to think
about.
For most people, the biggest single expense is the initial airfare, with their being little difference in fixed
and flexible flight prices for long-haul destinations. However, you must also budget for accommodation,
meals, activities, local transport, visas, immunisations and travel insurance.
You can offset the costs by renting out your home, but someone must look after the tenants while you
are away (letting agents will take care of everything for a fee). It's easier to rent your home out fully
furnished, but you can put your valuables into a self-storage facility for around £40 per month.
Working abroad is another option, but getting a work permit can be a problem. European citizens can
work anywhere in Europe without restrictions, and people aged 30 or under can take a year-long working
holiday in Australia or New Zealand. To work in other countries, including the USA, you usually need
sponsorship from a foreign company - many American ski resorts hire seasonal staff on short-term visas.
Contact the relevant embassy or tourist office to find more information. In addition, there are several
print titles and Internet guides about working abroad.
One of the easiest options is teaching English overseas. Most schools ask for a certificate in Teaching
English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) - four week TEFL courses are available in Britain or overseas for
£500-1000. You can then apply to English-language schools overseas for a sponsored job placement.
Search the web for 'ESL', 'EFL' or 'TEFL' to find sites with listings of teaching jobs. Alternatively, schemes
like Japan Exchange & Teaching (run through the Japanese embassy) allow university graduates aged 39
or under to teach for one or more years in Japan without a TEFL certificate.
Many travellers spend a fortune on specialist equipment, but much of what you need can be hired
inexpensively abroad. Sensible investments include a sturdy rucksack, comfortable walking shoes and a
well-insulated sleeping bag. If you plan to go trekking, think about investing in a water filter, a travel
stove, a compass and GPS. A decent set of waterproofs and a down jacket will make high-altitude
trekking much more enjoyable. Many every day items such as water purification tablets can be brought
abroad cheaply.
A decent insurance policy is another essential; if you can't afford travel insurance, you definitely can't
afford to cover the costs if anything goes wrong. It's fine to shop around for the best price, but make sure
your policy covers you for hospital care, repatriation in the event of an emergency, and any adventure
sports you want to take part in.
Specialist travel insurers offer good value policies for backpackers, including annual policies that cover
multiple trips, but be sure to check the small print. It’s good to shop around in this case, as prices to vary
considerably. Play it safe: check the travel advice from the Foreign Office get your travel jabs before you
go. These tend to cost less from you GP than specialist travel clinics, though the yellow fever jab (needed
for some parts of Africa and South America) will cost £40 or more wherever you go.
When planning an extended break, consider how far your budget will go in different countries. North
America and Europe are cheap to reach but expensive to travel round, while Africa, Asia and South
America are expensive to reach but cheap once you get there. For European destinations, you can save
money by flying with a budget airline.
Online booking is another good way to make savings on your airfare. Internet travel agencies often offer
cheap airfares and many airlines also offer discount bookings through their websites. This said, if you are
planning a stopover or round-the-world ticket, it may be better to talk to a traditional travel agent who
can recommend the cheapest routes and alternative destinations. Many discount travel agents advertise
in the travel sections in weekend newspapers.
Whatever your destination, it is common that international chain hotels are significantly more expensive
than independent hotels, although the latter can occasionally be hit and miss in terms of service. A good
course of action is to travel with a guidebook to the country you are travelling in which will be full of
honest reviews about the local hotels. Having this information also gives you the opportunity to telephone
ahead and reserve a room. Tourist Information offices frequently have pricelists and details of every hotel
in town allowing you to choose a place to suit. Don’t be afraid of asking to see a room before you checkin; you may leave the hotel or request another room if the one you see is not up to standard.
Rooms with shared bathrooms are cheaper than en suite rooms and hostels are cheaper still, if you don't
mind sharing a dormitory with strangers. YHA membership will save you money in hostels that are
affiliated to Hostelling International (contact the YHA for advice) but independent hostels are often just as
cheap.
As a general guide, you can get a standard room for £10 or less in Africa, Asia and South America. In
Australia, New Zealand and Eastern Europe you'll pay £15-20 and in Western Europe and North America
you'll pay £20-35. These sample prices are for budget one or two starred accommodation with an ensuite bathroom, a desk, a wardrobe and a double bed. A more luxurious hotel with plenty of charm and
breakfast thrown in might cost 50-100% more.
Camping is another cheap option, though thefts from tents can be an issue in some countries. Australia
and New Zealand are particularly well set-up for campers, particularly at national parks. Renting or
buying a campervan is often cheaper than staying in hotels and travelling by public transport, and you
can go wherever you want.
You can also save money by self-catering or eating at street stalls and local restaurants. To keep healthy,
stick to places that are clean and crowded with locals. When eating uncooked foods like fruit and
vegetables, either wash items thoroughly before eating or stick to things you can peel. Many travellers
choose to stay in budget hotels and save their money for meals and activities. The following table is a
guide to how far your money will go around the world:
Time you can travel on a £3k budget (excluding initial return flights), staying in budget
accommodation and eating at local restaurants:
Destination
Approx time Airfares
France
9 weeks
£60-200
USA
10 weeks
£200-500
Greece
11 weeks
£100-200
Poland
13 weeks
£60-200
Australia
3 months
£500-750
New Zealand
3 months
£550-800
Peru
5 months
£450-700
Thailand
5 months
£350-600
Kenya
8 months
£350-500
India
9 months
£350-650
Choosing the right place for you
You will get more from your trip if you work out what you want to gain before you set off. Is the point of
the trip to relax and de-stress, or are you looking for thrills and new experiences? Do you want to make a
change in your own life, or would you rather make a difference for other people? The following pointers
should help you plan a break that lives up to your expectations.
Whatever you are looking for, do some research before you go. Look for tourist information on the web
and buy guidebooks for the countries you want to visit. Decide upfront if you want to travel independently
or join an organised year out programme; there are several guidebooks to taking a year out that list
useful organisations.
Check the political situation of any countries you want to visit before you go (the FCO website
www.fco.gov.uk) provides travel advice for every country in the world. Be aware of cultural differences
when you travel. Islamic countries in particular have conservative attitudes when it comes to female
modesty and alcohol - read up about the culture before you go and respect local attitudes and beliefs.
Most guidebooks have a comprehensive cultural ‘dos and don’ts’ section in them.
The environmental affects of travel are another growing issue. Most countries offer eco-friendly tours and
activities and your travel money will ensure that the things you have come to see can be preserved for
future generations. One of the biggest problems worldwide is discarded plastic drinking water bottles consider purifying your own water or bringing a water bottle and filling it at your hotel.
One important thing to decide up front is whether you want to travel alone or with other people. Many
people deliberately travel alone to meet new people, while others prefer the comfort and company of a
crowd. You can often find travel companions by advertising on hostel noticeboards or travel websites such
as the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree.
One of the easiest ways to see the world is with a round-the-world plane ticket. These tickets allow you to
perform a complete circuit of the globe using a specific set of airlines. You can stop as many times as you
like along the way as long as you don't double back on yourself or follow the sun, as they say - fares vary
from £800 to £2000 depending on the route.
The big advantage of round-the-world tickets is that you choose where to stop. If you've always wanted
to see the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, the Statue of Liberty and Uluru (Ayers Rock), then India,
China, America and Australia could all appear on your itinerary.
Alternatively, you could stick to one region that particularly captures your imagination. Africa, Asia and
South America offer fantastic opportunities for overland travel. Asia is the obvious choice for spirituality
and self-improvement. For unspoiled nature, head to Africa, Australia or South America.
If the goal of your trip is giving something back, Africa, Asia and South America offer incredible
opportunities for volunteers - there are schools that need teachers, hospitals that need nurses and
national parks that need conservation volunteers. However, most projects ask for a financial contribution
and you may find yourself far from civilisation, working long hours in challenging situations.
Fans of adrenalin and adventure have several options. For a mental and physical challenge, you can't beat
trekking in Nepal. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are also major adrenalin destinations, with
tremendous opportunities for bungee-jumping, sky-diving, surfing and white-water rafting.
If you just want to relax, Europe and America offer all the comforts of home and a huge range of things
to see and do. Or you could kick back on a tropical beach in Thailand, Australia or the Indian Ocean. Many
tropical destinations offer relaxing therapies like massage, yoga and tai chi to help you unwind.
If you are looking for a challenge on your year out, you could learn a new skill while you travel. Most
large cities have language schools where you can study the local language or you could study for a TEFL
certificate and become an English teacher yourself; schools in Japan and Korea offer high wages to lure
teachers from the UK.
Other popular things to learn include scuba diving, adventure sports like surfing and sailing and cooking
courses in exotic locations like India and Thailand. Or you could set yourself the challenge of a lifetime
and sail across the Atlantic or drive from Cairo to Cape Town.
SAMPLE ITINERARIES
When to Go
A major factor in when you can travel will be when you can get time off work, but you also need to
consider the weather. At different times of year, Africa, Asia and South America are all battered by
tropical rainstorms which can shut down local transport for days at a time. As a general rule, try to avoid:
- Africa during the Wet Season from November to March
- India during the Monsoon from June to October
- Southeast Asia during the northeastern monsoon from November to February or the southwestern
monsoon from April to August.
- South America during the Rainy Season from June to August.
You should consider the effect of winter weather. Snow can close down parts of the Northern Hemisphere
from December to February and parts of the Southern Hemisphere from June to September. Of course,
this is also the peak season for winter sports. Many people deliberately choose to travel out of season as
there are fewer tourists, travel is cheaper and you can see places in a completely different light.
Space and Spirituality - Budget £1.5k - six months
For a journey of spiritual discovery, there is really only one choice. Asia is the source of most of the
alternative therapies practiced in the west, and there are tremendous opportunities to study yoga,
massage, meditation and tai chi in the places where they originated.
A logical first stop is India. In the north of the country, Rishikesh is the world centre for yoga study, with
dozens of yoga centres that offer residential courses. A thousand miles west across the plains, Bodhgaya
was where Buddha first achieved enlightenment, with numerous prayer centres offering training in
meditation and Buddhist philosophy. Dharamsala is the centre of India’s large Tibetan community as well
as being the long term home of the Dalai Lama.
Heading north from India, Nepal is another good place to study Buddhism and meditation, particularly in
the capital, Kathmandu. As well as experiencing living Hindu and Buddhist culture, you can find your own
space for contemplation on a trek through the Himalaya from Pokhara in northern Nepal.
From Nepal, it's a short flight to Bangkok in Thailand. You can study Buddhism and meditation at
monasteries and temples around the country and Wat Pho in Bangkok is the world authority on
therapeutic Thai massage. Chang Mai also has several massage schools which beginners are welcome to
attend.
Space and Spirituality - Budget £3k - six months to one year
With more money to spend, you can explore more of Asia. Make a detour to south India and stay at an
ashram (Hindu spiritual centre) near Madras, then head north for some soul-searching in the mountains
of Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Sikkim.
In Nepal, you can improve your karma by volunteering around Kathmandu - there are hundreds of
schools and community projects that need volunteers. Consider extending your trip into Tibet, the
spiritual home of Tantric Buddhism; an organised tour arranged in India or Nepal is probably the way to
go as independent travel can be difficult and expensive.
Thailand is a logical next step, but extend your travels to the northern highlands around Chiang Rai and
Chang Kong and southern beaches and islands. Sandy highlights of the south include Ko Chang, Ko Lanta,
Ko Pha-Ngan and Ko Tarutao. Next, continue overland to Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to get a
taste of Chinese and Islamic beliefs, or head east through Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam to experience
different perspectives on Buddhism and a more laid back way of life.
Further north, China was the birthplace of Confucianism. Travellers can learn the calming art of tai chi in
Beijing and experience uplifting open spaces along the Great Wall of China. Finish off your Asian odyssey
in Hong Kong, where Eastern mysticism bumps up against the western world.
Space and Spirituality - Budget £5k - one year
With a £5k budget, an organised volunteer project is a sensible investment; many year out organisation
offer volunteering expeditions throughout Asia for older volunteers. However, this can be expensive; if
you'd rather save your money for travel, find a placement through a smaller grassroots organisation.
From India, you can detour south to see Buddhism at Kandy in Sri Lanka before heading east to Thailand.
After touring north to Chiang Mai and south to Ko Pha-Ngan, make your way south through Malaysia and
the islands of Indonesia to the Hindu island of Bali, which is picking up as a tourist destination after the
bombing in 2002.
From Bali, fly on to Australia and visit Uluru (Ayers Rock), an important spiritual centre for Australia's
Aboriginal people. On the east coast at Byron Bay, you can see the hippy version, with new age therapies
and a good surf break immediately off the beach. Toodyay in Western Australia offers African drumming
courses and other spiritual retreats.
Continue south to New Zealand, where you can find more space for contemplation on a trek through
through forests, lakes and glaciers on New Zealand's south island. As you head home, make one more
stop at San Francisco. An Internet search on Californian spiritual courses brings up a host of yoga,
massage and meditation links.
Action and Animals - Budget £1.5k - six months
For action and animals, Africa has the edge over anywhere else in the world. The continent has an
incredible variety of wildlife and an incredible variety of ways to see it. East Africa is a logical starting
point; Kenya and Tanzania both offer inexpensive wildlife safaris and treks to Africa's highest mountains
(Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya). Camel treks can be organised from Petra in Jordan and on the Sinai
peninsula in Egypt.
While you are here, consider giving something back on a humanitarian volunteer project in Kenya or
Tanzania. With a small budget, you might choose to spend all your time in Africa and follow the overland
route south to Cape Town through Malawi, Zambia and Botswana.
Scuba fans can opt for inexpensive diving courses on Egypt’s Red Sea coast or off Honduras in Central
America. Alternatively, head east to Thailand or Malaysia for an underwater adventure, then make for
Sydney in Australia. Take a guided walk along the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge, then head north along
the East Coast for surfing, sky-diving, bungee-jumping and scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef near
Cairns.
You may still have enough loose change for a quick stop in New Zealand, for a mountain trek along the
Milford Track near Queenstown and a whale-watching trip from Kaikoura on South Island.
Action and Animals - Budget £3k - up to one year
With a £3k budget, consider getting up close and personal with African wildlife. Several international
volunteer organisations place volunteers as rangers at national parks in Kenya, Botswana and South
Africa. You could even find yourself bottle-feeding lion cubs or tracking elephants on foot through the
Serengeti.
Hike to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and drift down the coast on a traditional dhow to
Zanzibar. Next, cut across the country to Zambia for more safari action and make a stop - and possibly a
bungee-jump – at the mighty Victoria Falls. Head south through Namibia for a rugged trek across the
Namib desert.
In South Africa, you can take your pick of adventure activities, including scuba diving with great white
sharks near Cape Town. Hike or take the cablecar to the top of Table Mountain and then fly on to
southern Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines or Indonesia, for more excellent scuba diving.
From Southeast Asia, hopscotch across to Australia and take a trip deep into the bush to see Australia's
own brand of exotic wildlife - Kakadu near Darwin is probably Australia's most famous national park.
Learn to surf between Melbourne and Noosa and go scuba diving between Bundaberg and Cape
Tribulation. Then head on to New Zealand for trekking, bungee-jumps and whale-watching safaris.
Europe has its fair share of wildlife and adventure. Head to the Pyrenees in northern Spain for
bridwatching then to the Tatra Mountains in northern Slovakia for icy summer climbs. Corsica offers some
of the best rock climbing in the world, and the 15-day GR20 trek across the island is one of the most
stunning in Europe.
North America is famed for white water rafting in Colorado, prize fishing in Alaska and even sea kayaking
with killer whales off Canada's British Colombia coast.
Action and Animals - Budget £5k - one year
With a £5k budget, you can take your pick of activities in Africa. Join a conservation or humanitarian
project in East Africa and take a balloon ride across the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Do the world's highest
bungie jump at Bloukrans Bridge in South Africa and visit the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius, Reunion
or the Seychelles to go surfing, scuba diving or sport fishing.
Heading across to Asia, India has dwindling numbers of wild tigers, elephants and rhinos - Ranthambore
National Park near Jaipur is the best place to see tigers, while Kaziranga National Park in Assam is one a
last refuge for the white rhino. Alternatively, head to Thailand and take an elephant safari through
tropical rainforest on the islands of Ko Lanta, Ko Chang or Ko Samui. There are plentiful opportunities for
volunteers in Asia; you can experience nature above and below the water on a reef and rainforest project
in Borneo.
Next, surf your way around Australia - the beaches around Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide are all
top spots - and sample some of the adrenalin activities on offer in New Zealand. Cross the Pacific Ocean
to South America; here, you have the choice of jungle and desert expeditions in Peru, mountain treks in
Chile and trips into the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. Bolivia offers a volley of white-knuckle rides including
a four-hour mountain bike descent from La Paz and Inca-trail walking in the Madidi National Park
For more jungle adventures, wander through Central America and hike to the top of a Mexican volcano
(Popocatepetl rises right next to Mexico City). In the USA, try your hand at snowboarding at Aspen or
Steamboat in the Rocky Mountains and head up to Hudson Bay in Canada to see polar bears in the Arctic
Circle.
Culture and Beaches - Budget £1.5k - six months, or a year if teaching
Seeing other cultures and different ways of doing things is a major part of going travelling. For the
ultimate cultural experience, divide your time between Africa and Asia.
Begin your African tour in Kenya. You can witness tribal culture in the Maasai Mara and northern Kenya
and then unwind on the beaches of the Swahili coast - the island of Lamu is a last untouched paradise on
the east coast of Africa. South Africa is good alternative for people who want more creature comforts.
Heading east to Asia, start your cultural tour in India. You can explore Buddhist culture around
Dharamsala and Sikkim in the far north and Hindu and Muslim culture in the central plains and southern
India. Follow the backpacking trail east to Thailand and Malaysia, for more tropical beaches and insights
into Thai, Malay and Chinese culture. Georgetown in Penang is a fabulous taste of multi-cultural Asia.
With a TEFL certificate, consider recharging the bank account by teaching English at a school in Japan or
South Korea. The JET teaching scheme in Japan is a good place to start your search. If you have any
money left over, you can finish up on the beaches of Australia such as Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays.
The surf beaches of the east coast are internationally famous, but beaches on the west coast above and
below Perth are less crowded.
Culture and Beaches - Budget £3k - up to a year
With a bit more in your pocket, you can spend some time in Europe. Start off by attending a language
school in France or Spain such as in the many language schools in Montpellier and Barcelona- this will
help you immerse yourself in the culture of French-speaking countries in Africa and Spanish-speaking
countries in Central and South America. For the more adventurous, Antigua in Guatemala is at the centre
of Latin America’s Spanish language teaching, with countless courses starting at around US$100 per
week.
You can practice your French on a tour of the beaches and historic cities of West Africa; Nigeria and Benin
are good places to start. Next, head over to East Africa or South Africa to see how African culture was
influenced by the British.
Explore India at your leisure - Goa and Kerala in the far south have palm-fringed beaches and fascinating
temples and ruins. The Buddhist temples of Sri Lanka, such as those at Kandy, are just a short plane ride
south from Trivandrum.
Take your pick of beach destinations in Southeast Asia and Australia and continue around the world to
South America. Your Spanish will help you engage with the culture of Chile, Peru and Argentina, and you
can combine volunteering and beach living on a turtle conservation project in Costa Rica.
Culture and Beaches - Budget £5k - one year
With a £5k budget, you can explore some less familiar cultures. Start off with a tour through Europe, to
compare the cultures and beaches of France, Spain, Italy and Greece; the sandy bays of Corsica,
Andalusia, Sardinia and Corfu are fabulous in this respect. Cross over to North Africa or the Middle East to
see living Muslim culture and Greek and Egyptian ruins in Egypt, Libya, Lebanon and Tunisia.
In India, visit the desert state of Rajasthan and stay in an Arabian Nights fortress at Jaisalmer in the Thar
Desert. Drift down to Goa and go clubbing on the beach, then take your pick of Sri Lanka or any of the
nations of South Asia. Take a trek in the highlands of Thailand from Chang Mai up to the countries highest
peak at Doi Inthanon, or dip down to the jungles of Borneo and Irian Jaya in Indonesia to see the
traditional tribal culture of Southeast Asia.
Detour north to see the rapid pace of development and ancient monuments of China at Xian and Turpan,
and stop off in Japan for sushi, sumo and shimmering pagodas. Visit Aboriginal communities around Uluru
and the Kimberley mountains in Australia and Maori communities at Rotorua in New Zealand.
Head east to the Americas with a stop on a Pacific island, and take your pick of the Latin cultures in South
America or the varied culture of the USA. Mexico has stand out beaches and cuisine, while Argentina was
the birthplace of the tango, and the area around New Orleans in the USA is a fascinating blend of French
and American culture.
Itinerary for a wheelchair user - Budget £3k - up to a year
There's no reason why being mobility impaired should stop you travelling. With a little advance planning,
you can go almost anywhere, but you will need a slightly larger budget to cover wheelchair-friendly
transport and guides who can double as assistants.
Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand are obvious choices for wheelchair users; pavements
have access ramps, hotels have lifts and tourist attractions usually cater for visitors with disabilities. Most
airlines provide assistance for disabled passengers, though you may have to ask for help at regional
airports.
Before you go, contact the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (www.radar.org.uk) for
advice or check out the travel pages at www.ability.org.uk and www.access-able.com.
For travel off the beaten track, consider joining a tour organised by a disabled-friendly travel agent. If
you prefer to travel independently, an able-bodied companion can provide valuable assistance with
getting into and out of boats and taxis.
For a disabled-friendly round-the-world itinerary, begin with a tour of Europe, continuing by air to
Australia or New Zealand. On the way, you can sample Asian culture in Bangkok, Hong Kong or Singapore
(taxis are cheap and local people are friendly and accommodating). You can finish the world circuit with a
tour through Canada or the USA.
Africa, India and South America require a little more effort, though many wheelchair users visit these
areas. Organised tours are probably the easiest option. For a real adventure, consider crewing a tall ship
across the Atlantic with the Jubilee Sailing Trust.
Telling People
There's no reason to be shy about admitting that you are planning a career-break. Your manager will
appreciate the advance notice and your company may even be willing to grant you unpaid leave and hold
your job for you until you come home - contact your line manager or the HR department to find out the
company policy on career breaks.
This is more likely if you can show that you have a clear, structured plan for your time out. Explain how
your trip will benefit the company. You will feel more settled when you come back to work and travelling
will provide you with new skills that you can bring to your job on your return.
If you plan to change careers, make sure you have sufficient funds to support yourself until you find
work. Make a plan of action: register with recruitment agencies and use the internet to monitor job
openings while you are away. Staying with friends or relatives will help you save money while you find
your feet.
Families have a tendency to worry when relatives go travelling. Explain why you are taking time out and
where you are going. Relatives will feel more comfortable if they know you have given this some serious
thought. A structured year out can help allay any fears: people will be able to follow your route as you
travel, and you can keep in contact by phone and email.