Worried About Your Child On Their Gap Year? Why Not Join Them…

Sept. 14, 2009 - PRLog -- It is often difficult for parents to see their children fly the nest for a gap year full of new adventures and experiences, travelling with strangers and exploring unfamiliar ground. Though it can be seen as a chance for youngsters to gain some independence and take their first steps into adulthood, some parents are left fearing that those steps may be misguided.

For parents who would like to keep a closer eye on the personal growth of their offspring a new gap year trend is emerging. An increasing number of parents not content with weekly email updates are jetting off and joining their children on their travels.  The newfound popularity of mature travel is not, however, solely based on parent’s desire to check up on the kids, it also gives them the opportunity to get in on the excitement and new experiences offered by gap year travel.

Companies such as Gap Year for Grown Ups have long recognised the universal appeal of gap year and adventure travel, catering for mature travellers of all ages from 27 to 77! The company offer a range of cultural, exciting and challenging travel opportunities across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Travellers can choose from adventure travel, language programmes, volunteering, round the world trips and even family options. There are also a variety of travel choices for parents who would like to join their gapping youngsters.

Gap Year for Grown Ups can boast an assortment of trips, some of which run in parallel with its younger sister company Real Gap, who aim to provide school leavers and graduates with unique, daring and life-changing travel choices. This means, wherever the kids choose to go, it’s possible for the parents to go too.

With trips in over 45 countries, Gap Year for Grown Up’s destinations include some of the most popular gap year sites. African options open to both parents and children include opportunities to get to know both the local communities and the wildlife. Community volunteering options include Zambia’s teaching and medical programmes while more active explorers can take part in Swaziland’s conservation experience or Kruger to Coast Adventure.  

Latin American choices cater for parents looking to join their offspring on a bevy of different trips. From an animal conservation project in Ecuador, a character and house building trip in Guatemala to an English teaching programme in Argentina, Gap Year for Grown Ups offers the chance to take part in a number of projects that give participants the chance to absorb the local culture.

Asia is well known as a gap year hot spot for youngsters but also has a lot to offer those looking for a different kind of travel experience. Community crusaders can lend a much-needed hand with India Community Development projects or take part in the Nepal Community Volunteers programme; a project that has already gained the interest of 3 generations of women who will be taking part next year. Travellers in search of a wider cultural view can also opt for the Best of Vietnam tour; an ideal opportunity to see the country’s many natural and historical wonders.

Parents who would like to keep watch over their young ones or those who just want to be part of the fun can find out more about Gap Year for Grown Ups here http://www.gapyearforgrownups.co.uk/ or give a company travel adviser a call on 01892 701881.