Gap Year for Grown Ups, the UK's only gap year provider specifically for adults over 30, has noticed an increase in couples booking tailor-made round-the-world trips this summer.

“What started as a trickle is rapidly turning into a stream of bookings from couples between 30 and 50 plus taking time out to explore the world” says Marketing Manager Rachael Wood.  And they are not just exploring. All of the trips booked involve a substantial percentage of time volunteering. “Anything from 40 to 90% of their time away is spent on voluntary projects,” says Wood.

Gap Year for Grown Ups offers round-the-world itineraries from around £7500 per person for 24 weeks, (shorter itineraries are available). The price includes international flights, travel insurance, most meals and accommodation and transfers between projects. On trips of this length there are many itineraries to choose from.

One of the most popular is:

• 4 weeks on an African project
• 4 weeks teaching children in India
• 3 weeks exploring and working in Thailand
• 4 weeks working on conservation projects in Australia
• 3 weeks travelling in New Zealand
• 3- 4 weeks exploring the USA.

Many people choose to design their own itineraries, picking from a range of countries and volunteer projects, and durations which suit them best.

Howard and Fiona are making the most of their time away, and are spending a whole year volunteering their way around the world, from Africa, through Asia and over to Latin America via Australia and New Zealand.  Howard (49) took early retirement when an opportunity came to sell his business. “My wife and I had discussed that as soon as I retired we would go off and travel as much as we could around the world. Our children, all seven of them, have either left home or are away at university, and so we are free!” says Howard.  “We are very excited and a little apprehensive about our gap year, but we are really looking forward to the adventure.”

As the perception of a ‘job for life' crumbles, opportunities to take this kind of break in a career are increased.  Gap Year for Grown Ups reports the average age for taking a round the world gap year is 42.

Georgina (40) was made redundant from her job in London after 21 years. Her husband was also at a crossroads in his career. “Neither of us have ever done anything like this before” says Georgina “but as we have no ties we decided this was our chance to see other parts of the world and experience their culture. We have decide to let our house for a year, and reconsider our options on our return”.

Gap Year for Grown Ups is based in Tunbridge Wells and specialise in organising gap year trips for adults aged 30 plus who want to take a break, change their life, or give something back. Trips can last anything from 2 week ‘taster trips' to a year or more. Sister company Real Gap Experience (www.realgap.co.uk)  is one of the UK's biggest gap year providers for young people and has more choice of programmes and destinations than any other operator.

Gap Year for Grown Ups 01892 701881/  www.gapyearforgrownups.co.uk

For media information/ photos etc please contact:
Jennette Baxter PR Consultant  01342 316337 / 0794 0174 303 pr@baxter1.clara.net