Years of experience in welcoming travellers from all over the world have made Asia the perfect host, and like all good hosts, it offers something for every taste. Whatever you’re looking for on your gap year there’s a good chance you’ll find it in Asia; from whitest of white knuckle adventure rides to some of the best volunteer projects in the world.

Asia is perfect for gap year travellers; the serene beauty provides a soothing backdrop to a career escaping break while the rugged mountains and million mile an hour cities offer the perfect slice of adventure for those full of youthful energy. Here are a few words of advice on the how, why and where of gap year travel in Asia and start planning your own trip.

Check out the Gapometer to mark Asia on key gap year criteria.

*****        Gaptastic

****         Great for gappers

***           Worth a look

**             Too much else to see

*              Never mind the Gap

Volunteering

In an age of mass media the beauty of this place somehow continues to surprise, yet too much of the Asian continent continues to experience severe depravation. According to the Asian Development Bank, Asia’s poor account for two thirds of the total in the developing world and a huge number of volunteer projects have sprung up to help ease the problem.

There are lots of different projects in areas like community work and teaching or maybe even link one with a conservation project or two. Asia should be as famous for its wildlife as its landscapes; animals like pandas, elephants, tigers and sea turtles can all be found here. The WWF has listed 6 places in Asia amongst their list of 19 priority places, leaving no-one in any doubt as to the area’s significance.

***** The perfect place to use your gap year for good

Travelling around

With a year on your hands you’ll want to spread your wings and really explore a place, and in Asia that’s both easy and rewarding. There are now easier ways to get around Asia than the famous overland expeditions of the 70s (though if you’ve got a camper van spare give it a go). Travelling varies from country to country so make sure you plan thoroughly. Most central countries, like China and India, offer extensive rail and road links. South-East Asia, with the exception of Myanmar, is probably the easiest and cheapest place to explore in the world. Don’t forget to bring a good book for the journey though!

For people who get coach sick there’s always the option to use up a stop or two from a Round the world ticket. Low cost airlines are getting in on the act so look out for new destinations. For those who want to do most of their travelling in Asia, check out companies that offer an ‘air pass’ which for one price, allows you to dot around all over the place.

**** Plenty to see and no reason not to explore

Money

Money and budgeting are big considerations when you’re planning to spend a year away from home, so the cost of getting to and living in a place is all important. There are big differences between countries in this respect; the more expensive countries to explore in Asia are Japan, Taiwan and because of its size, China. If you want to visit these countries perhaps consider earning money by teaching English while you’re away. The affordable countries include Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Sri Lanka while cheap countries such as Thailand, Nepal, India, The Philippines and Indonesia offer truly budget travel.

Living costs are a large part of your budget so plan carefully. While you’re on a volunteer placement this will normally be sorted out for you but when you’re travelling independently remember that budget hostels doesn’t necessarily mean rubbish hostels. In fact they can often be the most fun! The same is true about food; the best food in Asia is found on the street and it’s incredibly cheap. Some of the best meals in Asia cost less than 50p! The great thing about Asia is that you don’t need to pay for your entertainment because it’s all around you!

***** Plenty of bargains to be found

Earning as you go

Earning while you’re away is essential for many people. For travellers who do need to earn a few pennies, Asia is a good place to choose for your Gap year travelling. The continent has the biggest demand for English teachers and there are placements in a range of destinations including some of the world’s most exciting locations. Getting qualified is one of the best money saving investments travellers can make. For a relatively small price you can get qualified in double quick time and at least have it as a safety net in case you spend a little too much souvenir shopping! You’ll get access to TEFL contacts all over the continent and can easily include a little teaching in your itinerary.

***** There is nowhere better to earn money while travelling

The wow factor

Asia has the wow factor in bucket loads. It’s the most popular destination for westerners and millions of people can’t be wrong. The cultural and natural diversity of the continent offers the perfect backdrop to a gap year with enough going on to keep you entertained at just the right price to keep you solvent! The old favourite still has plenty to offer a new generation of travellers.

***** Everyone should go at least once. It’s the law

Useful links:

http://www.i-to-i.com/resources/students-and-gap-years/

http://www.i-to-i.com/travel-asia.html

Travel. Sights. Memories. What could be more relaxing than touring through the Italian or French countryside than being on your single bike or tandeming with your favorite person in the whole world? (hey guys, nothing is the correct answer!). 

How do I go about getting my bike there and then what do I do?  Well, a guided tour company is the way to go for those that don’t have the time or gumption to set up their own tour.

You can have some really good tours on your own if you are willing to do some leg work and set up your own tour. My wife and I have been on three guided tours and one self guided tour in Europe and I have been on one bicycle trip without her.  I can tell you the first time or two it is a good idea to take a touring company’s guidance and the experience they offer when traveling abroad.

Now that we have a few trips under us and the unguided tour it really isn’t a problem but it sure would have been difficult to assimilate not only the language barrier but the cultural differences you have to wade through without being exposed to things gradually in the guided tours.

Traveling outside the United States can be a little daunting for some people so the hand holding is not a sign of weakness but should be looked upon as a way to get your feet wet so you can do it on your own later. Granted, there is a cost to having someone take care of all of the details for you, but if you pay attention and learn what they are doing, ask some directed questions and keep your mind open, you can do it yourself.

The touring companies will take care of almost every aspect of your trip except getting your bike there (unless you rent one of their bikes, but then you wouldn’t be reading this if you were going to use one of theirs).

You are most likely going to take your single bike or your tandem with you or again you wouldn’t be reading this. Getting it there in one piece is pretty important. The best way to get your bike there is with a dedicated travel case.  I have used several types of travel cases including a Crate Works bike box and a Serfas travel case.

Of the two, I really like the Crate Works box.  Take a look at them over on my site about specific cases.   You might look at this case and not believe that it would work but I prefer this case over my Serfas injection molded plastic box. The Crate Works box has a ton of room on the inside and I have used it on my last three trips overseas and my bike has come out looking just as I packed it. I even saw the guys on the tarmac loading my bike and they weren’t nice to it yet it didn’t bother the bike inside.  Another good thing about this case it that it folds flat for storage at home.

Back to the traveling part; If you do plan to go it alone, or should I say without a guide you will need to know a few things. Maybe some of the things that I have learned can save you some headaches.

Research your destination to know where to ride.

Sure you say, I know that. No, really. Take some time, get Michelin maps and study them. Know what the symbols on the maps really mean. You don’t want to be on your bike and have to guess if the road really goes where you thought it went. Get a GPS! The Garmin Edge 705 is just the ticket to put on your bike. I used a Garmin Nuvi 250W that was made for a car and it was a pain to put it out of your pocket, put it back in, pull it back out etc. The Edge 705 wasn’t available until I got back. Now that I have used one, wow, it really works!

Stay in touch

How are you going to stay in touch with your family and friends while on you travel? Calling cards work okay. Internet phones are a good idea if you have access to an internet connection or cafe. Generally speaking though, free internet connections are harder to find around Europe than they are here in the United States. Most of the sites that you want to connect to in Europe will be a pay per session or pay per hour type. This is true in hotels as well as wandering around.

International cell phone rental is a good option.  Mobal Phone rental is who I have used for the last three trips to Europe. If you want, you can see about them on on my site. What I really like about them is they are truly an inexpensive option if you only plan to use the phone on trips and not here in the United States. There are no, none, not a single one, hidden charges when you get one of their phones. You simply buy the phone (I got the $49 model), and you pay for what you use, period. You don’t use the phone for a year, you don’t pay a dime. Compare this to AT&T’s plan (higher rates per minute than Mobal’s), Verizon (you might get a lower price per minute but you have to buy the $80 sim card and you have to figure in the $15 per month charge for the international plan you have to add).

If you are going to use your phone overseas like you do here; 10,000 minutes a month, 9000 text messages, etc you might want to consider one of the higher models or just setting up service over there. If you just want a phone to say call home, check on the kids and stay in touch, the Mobal phones are really the way to go. I even let my friends take it on trips with them and they end up buying one for the next trip. You can get a nifty thing from Mobal too that if you sign up a friend, you get a discount off the per minute charges on your own phone. I think I am up to 50% off now with all of the friends that have ended up getting phones from these guys.

If you want to get some more information come on over to my site about bicycles at tandem-bicycle-central.com  I talk about more things about biking than can be covered in the scope of this article

You have probably read loads of articles concerning cheap flights and airfare deals. However there is always something new that you can learn! These tips are the most basic but still I hope you will find them interesting and useful.
Many people try to save in one quite uncomfortable way – they take their flight in the early morning . This is one of the very simple way how to save. Night and early morning flights are always cheaper so why do you hesitate to take them?
When you book a package – cheap flights with the accommodation at the same time – you can save by buying your package at the last minute sales – as the date of your departure is getting closer the unsold packages are getting cheaper. This can allow you buy the package at the same price (or sometimes even cheaper) than the airline tickets.
There are many traditional and low cost airlines that provides student airfare sales or senior discount. Airfare could be much more cheaper with them. If you are young you can get student low fare flight – and you don’t have to be student. Usually, it is enough when you buy airline tickets for ages 18-22. On the other hand, if you are a senior you can enjoy flying and discovering the parts of the world that you haven’t visited yet. Some airlines offers special senior discount booklets (e.g. there are 4 one way tickets in one booklet) and some offers e.g. 10% discount of your flight.
But watch out! There is a catch (as always). There are not so many airlines offering student or senior discounts – moreover if you look for airfare deals you can find even cheaper tickets. So always try to find the best alternative.
Another problem is connected with so-called “free” airline tickets. Sometimes you can buy tickets very cheaply thanks to airlines’ sales. But always try to find as many pieces of information as possible. If the website says that it is for free – you should count that you will have to pay fees and taxes that could be quite high actually. The very best fares are usually available only for several days and they are gone in a while.
What you can do not to miss any airfare deal or sale for your favourite route? You can spend hours online finding the best and the cheapest airfares or you can sign up at some website which sends email airfare alerts – such as MyAirDeals.com. You don’t have to waste your time – there are great tools that do the search for you – why not to enjoy it?

On a trip to the Caribbean, the thought of a sub tropical climate, white sandy beaches and a great place to relax are the first thoughts that come to the mind. The Caribbean is studded with over 7000 islands, islets, forests and mountains, and deciding which are the top 10 places to see can be quite difficult. Of course, looking for beaches to relax on, or places for scuba diving and snorkelling is easy, as there are plenty of places for this in the Caribbean islands. But to really see Caribbean islands a visit to the sanctuaries, plantations and towns is also required for getting a real feeling for the place.  

Those who are looking for peace and quiet to unwind and to start their vacation with, must first head to Virgin Gorda. It is empty, laid back and not easy to get to, but once there it is an ideally suited place to relax and unwind. St. John is also a good choice, being one of the least populated and least developed of the islands. For an authentic Caribbean experience, Nevis with its flat coast line, rain forests and Mount Nevis – and a rather small population – would be the place to visit. Also, there are no ugly high rises on this island. Most of the luxurious hotels and villas are situated on Anguilla, with its lovely coastline and miles of beaches making it an ideal spot for a relaxing vacation by the sea.  

No visit to the Caribbean would be complete without a visit to Bermuda. The place bustles with people and the atmosphere is always festive. If shopping is required then a hop to Harbour Island is in order. There are colourful cottages along the harbour and old palatial residences. This is one of the oldest settlements in the Bahamas, and the feel of the past still remains in this town. Looking for adventure would require a trip to Saba, where there is a dormant volcano that can be reached by a thin winding road. There is plenty of wild life to be seen in this beautifully preserved island.

The Dominican Republic is a choice of many vacationers that offers two different types of beaches. The Caribbean side boasts white sandy beaches and the gulf side does not. Cayman Islands have a beach called 7 Mile Beach, and the beach just continues into the horizon. For duty free shoppers St Thomas offers stores loaded with electronics, emeralds, diamond and duty free liquor shops. It also has a stunning beach. Luxury hotels and casinos are in Aruba – and also some of the friendliest people.

A trip to the Caribbean without visiting the rum capital of the world, Jamaica, would be considered incomplete. The people are relaxed and friendly and one can ride a bike around Jamaica.  

There are so many islands, and each boasts their own individuality, that one is really hard placed to decide which the best are as each one of them is unique.

Although it has been traditionally believed that private jet hire was the sole domain of the mega-rich and privileged, in recent years private air charter has become much more accessible to the average person for private shopping trips or for companies who wish to send groups of employees to overseas meetings and conferences.
With this growing trend to become an increasingly accessible form of national and international travel, it can be a much easier choice to make and you can hire a variety of jets and airplanes. For instance, for larger groups of travellers, it would make sense to hire a much larger aircraft to accommodate these greater numbers.
Many larger aircrafts can hold a minimum of 15 to 20 people and are appropriate for longer trips or for those corporate excursions which may involve returning heavier loads of stock or goods for resale or for the creation of new products. For smaller parties for example, a lighter aircraft may be most suitable; many of these smaller crafts can hold up to eight passengers and can be much cheaper and affordable than heavier planes, especially for shorter trips.
Other types of aircraft that can be hired by private parties are helicopters. Helicopters are ideal aircraft for the transportation of small groups to relatively short distances especially if a quick arrival is important. One advantage of using a helicopter is that the group travelling can enjoy full panoramic views of the landscape they are travelling through. This mode of transport can also make an instant impact on those awaiting the arrival of the party; this can instantly convey a professional and successful corporate image. With a range of private aircraft available for hire here at JetAir we can provide an individual or organisation with the aircraft requirements to specifically suit their individual needs.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU THINK ‘I WOULD LIKE TO GO TO……..” THEN DON’T TAKE IT ANY FURTHER BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU CAN’T AFFORD IT?

This is a very common scenario as we tend to think that exotic locations are just for the person with a pocket full of money.

We will explain to you why you will be able to get the best deals, when to book these budget deals and where to go. In no time at all with our travel guide you will be booking holidays and business travel like the professional travel agent.

FOR THE HOLIDAY MAKER

Our ebook BEST LAST MINUTE TRAVL DEALS gives you pages and pages of travel tips on how to search for great deals, the exotic travel locations and a lot of do’s and don’ts that will help you find the very best deals at the very best of prices. They often say that half the fun of a holiday is in the planning.

Not only do we cover air travel, but accommodation, car travel, cruises, local attractions and more.

When booking last minute travel you don’t want to be paying top dollars as so many people do. We will show you where to look quickly so that you can book in a short space of time and get on with getting organised.

FOR THE BUSINESS TRAVELLER

So often you get short notice and OF COURSE you don’t have time to go searching for cheap deals. WELL, we will show you where to go and get quick, cheap deals that will save you loads of money. DON’T FORGET we give you air travel tips,accommodation tips and car hire tips.

OUR EBOOK BEST LAST MINUTE TRAVEL DEALS HAS RESEARCHED INFORMATION ALL TRAVELLERS; family, corporate, student, international. You couldn’t ask for more when trying to book budget travel.

For your trekking or backpacking adventure, choosing the right equipment such as your backpack is very important as your backpack is an essential component for your trip. There are many factors which determine how to choose the right backpack for you. You want to feel confident that you have made the right choice so follow these steps to help you find your perfect backpack.

It is essential that you choose a backpack that is a perfect fit for you. Try different ones on and don’t just buy the first one you see or the cheapest. Be sure to put supplies and equipment in the backpack to simulate how you will use it whilst on your trip. Check you are happy with it under load.

Check the number of pockets and its storage management capabilities. You need to have a good idea what you will take on your trip and be sure you can fit it all in. Don’t buy a backpack only for your next trip. Think about what you may want to achieve in the future in terms of a more adventurous trip – buy a future proof backpack that can accommodate your needs and requirements for both now and in the future.

Know the weight of your typical backpacking load and if you normally don’t mind carrying a heavier load then you may want to consider getting a light weight backpack.

As all backpacks are sized for the torso, make sure you know your measurement before you test out the packs. Go for the larger size if you fall between two different sizes.

Try on the backpack – you should observe that the hip belt should fall at your hips. Make sure the lumber pad is on your lumber region.

The shoulder harness should not get in the way when you try on a pack and you should be able to move your arms around freely.

Once you are happy that all straps are in their correct positions as well as fitting comfortably with the weight inside, be sure you have a full range of movement and can move freely. You should be able to squat and still feel comfortable.

It’s important that the backpack is not only comfortable when it is on you but it must feel comfortable when taking it off too. Practice taking the pack on and off.

If you have checked all of the points and are satisfied then you are virtually there when it comes to choosing the best backpack for you.

All the different tourist destinations in Germany are worth visiting and they are surely going to make the trip pleasant and exciting for everyone. Munich is among one of the most popular cities of the country and among the major Tourist Destinations in Germany. Munich is an ancient centre of the arts and science, but is perhaps best known for its Oktoberfest. The tourism of Munich has been largely promoted in the city and has turned to be one of the top grosser in terms of revenue for the city. Munich was bombarded during the Second World War, but it was rebuilt meticulously. In the past few years the city has developed into a major tourism hub for the country with tourists from al over have started visiting the country in large numbers. With so much to see and to explore, Munich is truly a dream destination for thousands who wants to have taste of German culture and traditions finely blended with the modern traits of the city.
Whenever travelers plan a trip to any place in the world, they quickly search for some discount air ticket and with no time in hand; end up in booking the costly ones. If you are also one of them who want to have their Munich air travel in low budget, you should conduct some research in the internet. If proper research is done then you will find a number of ways to avail cheap Munich air travel and tickets in low cost airline. The pleasant atmosphere of Munich has been attracting the tourist to this city. There are beautiful parks throughout the city, with the Englischer Garten being the favorite of locals and visitors alike. Munich has also been boosted by the presence of the Franz Josef Strauss International airport which connects the city to the major parts of the world.
The city of Munich is filled with loads of tourist attractions:
Alte Hof castle, Residenz palace, Nymphenburg Palace, Furstenried Palace, Palais Holnstein, Prinz-Carl-Palais, Konigsplatz, State Museum of Classical Art, Bavarian National Museum, The Gartnerplatz Theater, Blutenburg Castle and many more. Apart from these various interesting sites to explore, the city of Munich is also visited for its innumerable parks, castles, palaces that bring back the glorified history of the place alive. One should not miss the vibrant nightlife and the specialties in restaurants.
Many travel sites offer cheap air ticket and discount deals. Sometimes you may even get the last minute offers to avail cheap air tickets. No frills airlines have been running successfully for nearly two decades and you can take advantage of this. Many travel sites offer cheap air ticket and discount deals. Sometimes you may even get the last minute offers to avail cheap air tickets for your Munich trip. Once you learn the trick to research in the internet, you will be able to know a lot about online booking and cheap air ticket. You can read the tips and tricks of the trade and will be able to book online cheap air tickets without spending on the local agents. Time of booking plays a vital role in fetching air tickets.  You can save a lot in your Munich air travel if you plan your journey during off peak season.

A little further south along the Costa Dorada from Salou, is the holiday town of Cambrils. It is apparent that, although Cambrils welcomes visitors and provides for them, it has never lost its original character as a fishing town. this is also a reason why Costa Dorada hotels and Costa Dorada apartments are still an insider’s tip.

Like all resorts on this stretch of Spanish coastline, Cambrils offers loads of glorious beaches. The sand is golden, the sea is warm and shallow; it is quite safe for youngsters of all abilities.

The sea also provides a major venue for water sports, which are very well catered for here. Visitors can try windsurfing, jet skis, sailing, diving, pedallos or hire a boat and sail along the coast. Sailing and windsurfing are particularly good as the wind is very favourable.

Off the beach, there are an equal number of facilities to be active. There are three excellent golf courses within easy reach, plus a municipal pitch and putt for all to enjoy. The local sports centres provide activities for youngsters in and out of the swimming pools.

To go further a field, hire a horse and go trekking in the nearby countryside. Or ride a bicycle and explore the delta of the river Ebro, with its unusual wildlife and rare plants.

For those who enjoy exploring on foot, the town of Cambrils is a must. The winding, narrow streets, flanked by traditional buildings with flower decorated balconies, are a joy. There are many original old buildings and a good enough selection of churches, castles, monuments, municipal buildings and towers to satisfy anyone.

Cambrils’ real claim to fame on the Costa Dorada, however, is its cuisine. It is regarded as the gastronomic capital of the coast. As well as serving many traditional Catalan dishes, there is a custom of modern and original cooking, but still based on the excellent local produce.

Fish and seafood play a major part in the cuisine of the town, as they are landed daily at the fish quay and sent straight to the restaurants from the fish markets. These are matched by the superb olive oil produced in the region, which is some of the best in Spain.

For those whose holiday is incomplete without shopping, Cambrils offers a wide variety of outlets. Based mainly in the old town and the port quarter, there is large selection of boutiques, tourist souvenir shops, local crafts and shops for everyday needs. To complete the shopping, one must wander round the two street markets, held each week in the port and the old town. Buy locally produced items to eat back at home and remind oneself of Cambrils.

How frustrating could this scenario be? You’re all ready to leave the country on an international trip. You go to find your passport; then, suddenly the realization hits home. You’ve just discovered that your passport can’t be found or it’s expired. Now, that sinking feeling hits your stomach. What can you do now, and how can you get a US passport fast?

You can use an expedited passport processor to get you back in the driver’s seat! It sounds scary and kind of complicated, I know. But, that’s the furthest thing from the truth! It is actually so simple that you won’t believe it.

A few years back, however, it was a different story. First, you had to figure out who to call. Then, you had to find out what you needed to bring and where to go. So now, you’ve gathered up all the required paperwork and fought your way down to the post office. When you arrived (let’s hope it’s the right building), you had to figure out what room to go to, then wait in line with who knows how many other people trying to do the same thing you are. You finally got to the front of the line, presented all your documentation to the employee, and (let’s hope) you had everything that was needed. If not, it was back home to locate the missing papers. Ugh!

Not today! Now you can use the internet and a government-approved, third-party passport centers to take all the aggravation out of this task. Better yet, they’ll walk you right through the entire process while you’re in the comfort of your own home or office. They’ll tell you what you need to do – exactly — so there is no confusion your part. After following those clear instructions, you can just sit back and relax, because in as quickly as 24 hours, you can have your replacement passport delivered right to you! Yes, you read that right. 24 hours — and, the entire process could be completed. What a great way to get a US passport fast!

You just saved all that irritation of dealing with those governmental regulations by letting a third-party passport processor take the load off of you and do it themselves. And best of all, you could get U.S. passport fast – in as little as 24 hours.

So, don’t delay. Use an expedited passport agency to step in and deal with all the red tape that government agencies are famous for. Let them deal with the problems. They’ve done it all before and they know how to cut through those obstacles. Get that U.S. passport fast!