IN my grandparents' day, the idea of packing your bags and heading off into the great blue yonder to find yourself was unheard of.

Back then your working life started in your early teens and carried on until your 60s, bar perhaps an annual seaside break somewhere in Blighty.

The concept of months and months of leisure and travel was simply unimaginable.

But today gap years are increasingly popular – and not just with those looking to explore the world before going to university.

Growing numbers of people take career breaks and head off in their 20s, 30s or later, sometimes with their family in tow, to recharge their batteries and maybe find a new direction in life.

Website www.gapadvice.org says that an estimated 90,000 people take a career break every year.

But eclipsing them by a huge margin are so-called "golden gappers" who save their travelling for their retirement.

It is estimated that about 200,000 such gappers head off to see the world every year.

The biggest proportion of gappers by far, however, are those who chose to travel before venturing into the world of work or university.
About 230,000 youngsters take a gap year annually.

In recent times, two of the most high-profile young gappers are Princes William and Harry, who both took time out after finishing Eton.

Both young men managed to notch up an enviable range of experiences.
Prince William's gap included preparing for survival exercises with the Welsh Guards in Belize, working as a volunteer with Raleigh International in Chile, working on a dairy farm in the UK and visiting countries in Africa, while his brother visited Australia and Lesotho in Southern Africa.

But be warned: even a non-princely gap year is a huge financial investment.

Gapadvice.org estimates that a young person's gap year will cost £3,000 to £4,000, a career break will cost £6,000 to £7,000 and a retirement gap, £5,000.

Couple have caught the travel bugBethany Combes and Brett Mead have definitely caught the travel bug.

The couple, from Whittlesey, may only be 23, but they have already notched up trips to India, Nepal and a year-long visit to Australia.

But their first travelling experience, to India in 2005, did not quite go according to plan.

The pair headed off after finishing their A-Levels, intending to travel for six months, but returned home after just three.

Bethany said: "It was very much a culture shock to begin with. It was a fantastic experience but because it was our first time travelling we decided to come home early."

Not deterred by this initial experience, in December 2006, the pair went to Nepal, to spend four months volunteering at Namaste Children's House in Pokhara.

At the time, Namaste was home to 64 children.

While Bethany said the standards there are high in terms of Napalese orphanges, it is not something that we would expect in this country.

The children only have two sets of clothes for the whole year, plus a special set for festivals.

Despite this, Bethany said there is a lovely atmosphere.

"The children are just so loving and caring," she said.

After doing such a good turn, in April last year, the pair headed off Down Under.

They worked for nine of the 12 months in call centres, and took in the sights of Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and western Australia.

Since they have been back in England, the pair have knuckled down to earn some cash for – you've guessed it – the next trip.

They intend to head off to Nepal again in October, this time for two months.

They are hoping to climb to the Mount Everest base camp and also spend a month back at Namaste. So why do the pair keep on travelling?

Bethany said: "I think it's just the independence, the freedom, the whole culture and the experience of meeting so many different people from diverse backgrounds. It really just opens your eyes to what we have in life and what others might not. It's just fantastic."

Brett and Bethany are holding a fund-raising evening to raise money for the Namaste orphanage. This will take place on Friday, September 5 at the Falcoln Hotel, Whittlesey at 7pm. It will include auctions, a live band and a Nepalese buffet. Tickets cost £5. For more information, call 07905 009899.

Next page:
AFTER 18 months pounding the beat as The ET's crime reporter, in March this year, Kirsty Nicholson bought a round the world ticket and headed off for four months of adventure and exploration.