G’DAY MATE! AUSTRALIA TOPS POLL OF MOST POPULAR PLACES TO VISIT ON A GAP YEAR

MANY BRITISH STUDENTS HEAD OFF ON THEIR TRAVELS BEFORE STARTING UNIVERSITY. HERE, WE ROUND UP THE TOP 10 MOST POPULAR PLACES TO VISIT AND SHARE SOME MUST-KNOW TIPS

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Australia topped a poll of the best places for teenagers to visit on their gap year [GETTY]

With hundreds of thousands of British students having just opened their A-Level results, many will be looking forward to starting their university lives in the autumn but thousands of others will be looking forward to the adventure of a gap year.Around 25,500 school and college leavers are deferring their university place in order to see the world.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has revealed the most popular destinations for gappers, as well as sharing tips on how they can stay safe while abroad.

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Thailand is a popular place for gap years students to visit thanks to its idyllic beaches [GETTY]

The ABTA has seen an increase in bookings over the last 12 months with Australasia, South East Asia, the USA and South America being the most popular destination choices.The must-visit place for gap year students is Australia, followed by Thailand and America.

New Zealand was voted fourth followd by Peru, Bolivia and Argentina.

Vietnam, South Africa and Brazil close the list of top 10 destinations.

Victoria Bacon, head of communications at ABTA, said: “Taking a gap year can be one of the most rewarding and exciting experiences in a young person’s life and young people up and down the country will be heading off in the next 12 months, often spending thousands of pounds of savings on their travel plans.

“Doing plenty of research and talking to reputable gap year travel companies can help you decide what to do and where to go – it is very important that whatever your gap year involves you plan it properly, to help ensure a safe and rewarding experience.”

Uluru (Ayers Rock), NT

You may have seen pictures of this place but it’s a completely different feeling when you new eyes to see the sunrise over the red desert. Uluru is a giant rock formation in the national park Kata Tjutu. The rock belongs to the Anangu, and is a unique symbol of Aboriginal Australia. But tourism is only part of it, this is a great experience that you can not miss.

Students flock to America to visit vibrant cities such as New York and Boston [GETTY]

Here, ABTA share their top 10 tips for young travellers:1. Choose a reputable gap year travel company with a good track record that is a member of a trade association, such as ABTA, so you have a point of contact and support should anything go wrong.

2. Check with your travel agent and with the Foreign Office for dos and don’ts and “no go” areas for the country you’re visiting.  They will also tell you about visa requirements and how to get relevant visas, which is especially important if you’re going to be working.

3. Research local customs and culture before you go to understand more about the host destination and avoid unwittingly causing offence.

4. Make sure you’ve had all the necessary jabs and inoculations. Do this at least eight weeks before you travel.

5. If you’re going to a country where malaria is prevalent always take anti-malarial medication and always finish the course.