Raleigh International

A 19 year-old who failed to get a university place has put his skills and time to good use by launching a gap year website to help other students in the same position.

Alexander Jewell, a former pupil at the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, told The Bucks Free Press that he had been left “lonely and depressed” when he missed out on a place at Birmingham University to study geology.

Ash is once again threatening gap year travels after another Icelandic volcano erupted.

The eruption of Grimsvotn has meant thousands of passengers in the UK are now facing flight cancellations.

If you’re about to set off on a gap year this summer you’re probably tightening the purse strings in preparation.

 

Gap year travellers looking at various finance options for their trip may find prepaid credit cards better than travellers’ cheques, a finance expert has said.

Managing director at Global Prepaid Exchange Kevin Harrington said prepaid cards would be more convenient as if the card is lost or stolen, it can be stopped immediately and a replacement issued straight away.

Gap year travellers have been warned not to scrimp on important things like insurance and fall into the “false economy” trap.

New research from AA Travel Insurance suggests that many peoples' travel plans are being influenced by money concerns and just over a quarter won't take out travel insurance.

Gap year travellers are being advised to prepare for their trip by learning a few basic phrases and swot up on the culture differences to help make sure their adventure runs smoothly.

Sharron Livingston, editor of The Travel Magazine, said some basic research could help to diffuse the culture shock when travelling to countries like Raleigh expedition country India.

Gap year travellers are being warned of the dangers and costs of not checking their travel insurance policies before they set off on their adventures.

Website Essential Travel has revealed that travel insurance claims for backpackers have risen by over 64% in a year. The research showed that medical expenses generated the most claims followed by personal effects which includes personal property taken or purchased on the trip which is accidentally lost, stolen or damaged.

The average value per claim also rose dramatically, from £77 per claim to almost £600 per claim and in the same period there was a 33% increase in claims for personal effects.

"Preparing for a gap year abroad is arguably the most exciting time in a young person's life and nobody wants to think about the potential pitfalls. However, it's crucial that backpackers spend time making sure that they have the right travel insurance for the type of work and leisure activities they plan to undertake in their year out. As long as gappers do their homework and are vigilant when they travel, their trip of a lifetime will be exactly that," said Stuart Bensusan of Essential Travel.

Raleigh provides travel insurance for all of its expeditions and can arrange for that insurance to be extended to cover the rest of a gap year if need be.

As frustration over university places mounts, gap years have become more popular, sales figures of backpacker insurance figures suggest.

Virgin Money Travel said backpacker insurance sales were more than eight times higher in August than during the same month last year.

For gap year couples, it seems women are more likely to choose the destination and spend less money than men per week, new research has shown.

The study by Tesco Travel Money revealed that 27% of women believe they are more likely to influence the destination decision for their gap year travels, but men take more control of the finances while away, spending around 20% more per week.

Those planning their budgets for a gap year abroad will be pleased to know that there are some bits of equipment that don't require much saving for.

Writing in the Telegraph, Maggie O'Sullivan tries out some of the Poundland budget camping equipment such as an aluminium torch and a water bottle, both retailing for £1 each.