Not got the A-level results? Go on a gap year!

This Thursday, 17 August 2017, thousands of students will be getting their A-level results and deciding what to do next. For some, the next step will be university, college or heading into the world of work, but an overseas gap year could be best for those who want something different. Yet with the pound so weak against many major currencies at the moment, foreign exchange specialists, Caxton FX, are highlighting destinations off the beaten track where Sterling still gets good value for money. In particular, it is worth considering these four destinations:

Argentina

Argentina is one of the most beautiful countries in South America with its spectacular waterfalls at Iguacu and its world-famous steaks and red wine. Since this time last year, the pound is 14% stronger than the peso. £500 gets you 11091.10 pesos now versus 9716.50 pesos in August 2016 (1375.60 pesos more). This means you can get a room in a nice three-star hotel for £62 and a main course in a restaurant for just £9.

According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), it is relatively safe but there is quite a bit of petty crime, such as bag snatching, see more at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/argentina. UK Passport holders don’t need a visa as a tourist as long as the stay is under 90 days.
While you’re there you could:

See the Perito Moreno Glacier at the national park, Parque Nacional Los Glaciares.

Unleash your inner Beatle in a yellow submarine in Valdes Peninsula, where you would be able to catch sight of the endangered white whale. It departs from Puerto Pirámides.

Ride with the gauchos at a working estancia.

Mongolia

Mongolia’s pristine grasslands, ancient ruins and roaming herdsmen make it a captivating destination for the intrepid explorer. Right now the pound is up 10% against the Mongolian tugrik since last year. £500 gets you 1570695 tugriks now versus 1423827.5 in 2016 (146867.50 tigriks more). You can get an evening meal in a restaurant in Ulaanbaatar for just £6 and a double room at a standard hotel costs £58.

According to the FCO, it is mainly trouble-free but the advice is not to go out alone on foot at night as Western tourists can be targeted for their relative wealth, see more at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mongolia
While you’re there you could:

Visit “Dinosaur Country” in the Mongolian Gobi.

Take a camel ride across the spectacular dunes of Mongol Els.

Myanmar

Myanmar, previously known as Burma, has beautiful temples, royal palaces and natural landscapes that will captivate any foreign visitor. At the moment, the pound is up 12% against the kyat compared to last year and £500 buys you 878935 kyats now versus 782476.45 in 2016. You can get a two-course meal in a restaurant for just £4 and a double room in a mid-range hotel for just £39.

For anyone wishing to travel to Myanmar, they should check the latest advice from the FCO as there are some areas where travel is not recommended: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burma
While you’re there, you could:

Go to the annual Taungbyone Nat Festival and celebrate the spirits in a colourful festival of fire and music

See a giant monster spider at Pindaya Cave

Egypt

The land of the pharaohs has a wealth of archaeological treasures and offers some of the best diving in the world. At the moment, the pound is up a whopping 103% against the Egyptian Pound since last year and £500 gets you 11826.15 Egyptian pounds now versus 5815.45 in 2016 (6010.70 Egyptian pounds more). In Egypt, a two-course meal in a restaurant can cost as little as £3 and a double room in a standard hotel can cost just £23.

For anyone wishing to travel to Egypt, they should check the latest advice from the FCO as there are some areas where travel is not recommended, see more at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt

While you’re there, you could:

Go shipwreck diving in the Red Sea

Visit Egypt’s seven UNESCO World Heritage sites

Rupert Lee Browne, Chief Executive Officer of Caxton FX, said: “There is no better education than seeing the world and learning about other people, places and cultures. We live in an increasingly global and connected world and it’s so important for young people to go off and see the world outside the UK before starting their working life. This time after A-levels is so precious as students are old enough to travel without their parents and yet do not have the responsibilities of a job, mortgage or dependants yet – it is the perfect time to go off and have a gap year adventure.

With the pound so weak against many of the major currencies at the moment, it is worth considering destinations off the tourist trail where costs are lower. This kind of adventure travelling is not without risk and it’s important to make sure that you check the latest FCO travel advice and have proper protection in place should things go wrong. Check that your travel insurance policy covers you for the destinations you are travelling to and for all of the activities that you wish to do there as some may be excluded.”

For more information about Caxton FX visit www.CaxtonFX.com