The Gap Year Travel Guide 2020 - Magazine

SOUTH
DIRECTORY AMERICA



NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA




CHINA
EUROPE





RUSSIA & CENTRAL ASIA






MIDDLE EAST





AFRICA



China is a diverse country » » Religion: Oficially Atheist but
boasting stunning natural sites there are ive state-registered
and breathtaking man-made religions: Taoism, Buddhism, INDIAN
constructions. Islam, Catholicism and SUBCONTINENT
Protestantism
Please check the FCO website
for up-to-date information before » » Population: Approx. 1.4 billion
making travel plans, as there is » »
an ongoing novel coronavirus Currency: NORTHEAST ASIA
Chinese Yuan Renminbi
outbreak (30 January 2020).
» » Climate: Varies greatly across
» » Capital city: Beijing
the country. Most areas are very
» » Size: 9,596,960 km 2 cold and dry in winter and hot SOUTHEAST ASIA

» » Language: Mandarin (oficial) and rainy in summer. It might
plus local dialects and be best to visit in autumn when
temperatures are milder.
AUSTRALASIA
minority languages



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SOUTH AMERICA DIRECTORY





NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA




JAPAN MONGOLIA
EUROPE





RUSSIA & CENTRAL ASIA






MIDDLE EAST From the magniicent Himeji This sparsely populated land
provides a unique experience.
Castle to the imposing
Mount Fuji, Japan is full of » » Capital city: Ulaanbaatar
transixing sights. » » Size: 1,564,116 km 2
AFRICA » » Capital city: Tokyo » » Language: Mongolian

» » Size: 377,915 km 2 (oficial—predominantly the
Khalkha dialect) + others
»
»
INDIAN SUBCONTINENT » » Language: Japanese » » Religion: Buddhist
Religion: Predominantly
(predominantly), Muslim,
Shintoist and Buddhist
Shamanist, Christian
(many belong to both)
+ others
NORTHEAST ASIA » » + others » » Population:
Approx. 3.25 million
Population:
Approx. 126.2 million
» » Currency: Japanese Yen » » Currency:
Mongolian Tögrög
SOUTHEAST ASIA » » Climate: Largely » » Climate: Continental. Long
cold winters and short, hot
temperate—four distinct
seasons with cold,
snowy winters and summers. The Gobi desert
can reach 40ºC in summer.
AUSTRALASIA
and -40ºC in winter.
humid summers.


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SOUTH

KOREA TAIWAN
EUROPE




RUSSIA & CENTRAL ASIA







Rich in cultural traditions
Boasting a variety of and natural landscapes with MIDDLE EAST
attractions, both modern and so many places to explore.
traditional, there’s something » » Capital city: Taipei
for everyone.
» » Size: 35,980 km 2
» » Capital city: Seoul AFRICA
» » Size: 99,720 km 2 » » Language: Mandarin
(oficial), Taiwanese,
» » Language: Korean, English Hakka dialects + 16
(widely taught) indigenous languages INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
» » Religion: Christian, » » Religion: Buddhist and

Buddhist + others Taoist (both predominant),
» » Population: Christian + others

Approx. 51.4 million » » Population: NORTHEAST ASIA
» » Currency: Approx. 23.5 million
South Korean Won » » Currency:
» » Climate: Largely New Taiwan Dollar
temperate with similar » » Climate: Tropical except in SOUTHEAST ASIA
seasons to the UK, but the mountain areas. High
with more extreme temperatures in summer
AUSTRALASIA
temperatures. and mild winters.




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SPONSORED BY:











SOUTHEAST




ASIA
















106 ENCHANTING SABAH



108 BRUNEI 109 CAMBODIA



109 INDONESIA 110 LAOS




110 MALAYSIA 111 PHILIPPINES


111 SINGAPORE 113 THAILAND
SOUTHEAST ASIA


113 VIETNAM




Situations and visa requirements vary—refer to the Foreign
& Commonwealth Ofice website for up-to-date information.


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SOUTH AMERICA ADVERTORIAL ENCHANTING SABAH





NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA A NATURE-LOVER'S DREAM I






EUROPE ENCHANTIN





RUSSIA & CENTRAL ASIA


Situated on the northern part of Borneo,
Sabah is a destination illed with
exoticness, diversity, unique cultures,
MIDDLE EAST beaches and food for the adventurous
taste buds. It is the complete destination
for business and leisure, for everyone
from families to solo travellers or
AFRICA honeymooners.

Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah,
popularly known as KK by the locals is CREDIT: G WOOLLEY
connected to major cities such as Kuala Vacationing activities in KK can start as
INDIAN SUBCONTINENT Lumpur, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, early as you land. Visit the Tunku Abdul
Rahman Park (TARP), a group of ive
Taipei, Perth, Manila, and Bandar Seri
Begawan. Now, even as a modern city
offering international-standard hotels and islands—Sapi, Gaya, Manukan, Sulug and
Mamutik Islands—located within minutes
NORTHEAST ASIA restaurants and international cuisines, Sapi using the Coral Flyer could be your
resorts as well as a range of fast-food
of each other. A 250m zipline from Gaya to
irst taste of adventure here.
KK still retains its easy charm.
Sabah takes pride in the mystical Mount
SOUTHEAST ASIA Site. Mount Kinabalu is one of the youngest
Kinabalu, a UNESCO World Heritage
mountains in the world and is still growing.
Climbing Mount Kinabalu is a popular
activity. Extreme adventure seekers can opt
AUSTRALASIA CREDIT: WONG THAI SIUNG for the via ferrata (or iron road) at Mount
Kinabalu. The via ferrata here is the world’s
highest at 3776m.
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ADVERTORIAL
ENCHANTING SABAH SOUTH AMERICA



NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
M IN THE NORTH OF BORNEO




TING SABAH EUROPE






RUSSIA & CENTRAL ASIA


Seeking adventure near water? Then head
up to Tenom for a white water rafting
adventure at Padas River, graded as level
4 to 5. Mild rafting experience can be found MIDDLE
at Kiulu, graded at level 2 to 3. A perfect EAST
adventure to enjoy with a group of friends.

Diving is big in Sabah, where Sipadan
Island, one of the top-rated dive spots AFRICA
in the world is found. At nearby islands
such as Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking and Pom CREDIT: TSEN LIP KAI
Pom islands, large marine life, tiny sea
creatures and colourful corals and reef are
INDIAN
guaranteed sightings. SUBCONTINENT
Sandakan on the East Coast is the
wildlife capital. The Sepilok Orangutan
Rehabilitation Centre is a leading centre
of excellence for orangutans. Visitors NORTHEAST ASIA
can view, from a platform, how rescued
orangutans are nursed and released back
into the wild. Next to it, the Bornean CREDIT: LIEW KET HIN
Sun Bear Conservation Centre SOUTHEAST ASIA
nurses adorable sun bears. Nearby, the
The FCO advise against all but essential
Rainforest Discovery Centre is a
travel to islands off the coast of eastern
learning centre for forestry, featuring a
Sabah from Kudat to Tawau (22 January
300 metre long canopy for sightings of
2020). See their Malaysia Travel
250 species of birds and the Giant Red AUSTRALASIA
Advice page for more details.
Flying Squirrel.
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SOUTH AMERICA SPONSORED BY: DIRECTORY





NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA




BRUNEI
EUROPE





RUSSIA & CENTRAL ASIA






MIDDLE EAST





AFRICA






INDIAN SUBCONTINENT Nestled on the island of Borneo, » » Religion: Muslim (oficial,
predominantly), Christian,
Brunei is one of the smallest
Buddhist, indigenous beliefs +
countries on earth but has one of
NORTHEAST ASIA the highest standards of » » others
living. The grandeur of Islamic
Population: Approx. 450,600
architecture and royal tradition
»
»
Currency: Brunei Dollar
can be found throughout.
SOUTHEAST ASIA » » Capital city: 2 » » Climate: Tropical rainforest
climate with an average year-
Bandar Seri Begawan
round temperature of 27ºC. Two
»
»
Size: 5,765 km
monsoon periods: December to
Language: Malay (oficial),
»
»
February (northeast) and June to
AUSTRALASIA English + Chinese dialects October (southwest).
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SPONSORED BY:
DIRECTORY SOUTH AMERICA



NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA






CAMBODIA INDONESIA EUROPE





RUSSIA & CENTRAL ASIA







A tropical archipelago that
remains popular with tourists MIDDLE EAST
despite often being at the
A highlight for many mercy of the elements.
a backpacker, this is a » » Capital city: Jakarta
country with ancient sites, AFRICA
fantastic landscapes and » » Size: Approx. 1.9 million km 2
beautiful beaches. (across over 17,000 islands)
» » Capital city: Phnom Penh » » Language: Bahasa
» » Size: 181,035 km 2 Indonesia (oficial) + over INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
700 other languages
» » Language: Khmer (oficial) » » Religion: Muslim
» » Religion: Buddhist (predominantly), Christian,
(predominantly), Muslim, Hindu + others
Christian + others NORTHEAST ASIA
» » Population:
» » Population: Approx. 262.8 million
Approx. 16.5 million
» » Currency:
» » Currency: Cambodian Riel Indonesian Rupiah SOUTHEAST ASIA

» » Climate: Warm to hot » » Climate: Varies but warm
year-round with wet and and humid year-round.
dry seasons. Cooler in the higher regions.
AUSTRALASIA




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SOUTH AMERICA SPONSORED BY: DIRECTORY





NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA






EUROPE LAOS MALAYSIA





RUSSIA & CENTRAL ASIA






MIDDLE EAST


With mountains, limestone
cliffs, rivers, waterfalls and Malaysia is a country
with a diverse culture and
jungle, the wilderness in Laos contrasting environments.
AFRICA is great for adventures. » » Capital city:

»
Kuala Lumpur
»
Capital city: Vientiane
» » Size: 236,800 km 2 » » Size: 329,847 km 2
INDIAN SUBCONTINENT » » Language: Lao (oficial), » » Language: Bahasa
Malaysia (oficial) + others
French, English + others
Religion: Buddhist
Religion: Muslim (oficial,
»
»
»
»
NORTHEAST ASIA » » (predominantly) + others » » predominantly), Buddhist,
Christian, Hindu + others
Population:
Approx. 7.2 million
Population:
» » Currency: Lao Kip » » Approx. 31.8 million
SOUTHEAST ASIA » » Climate: Temperatures can » Malaysian Ringgit
Currency:
reach up to 40ºC in certain
areas. Wet season: May
Climate: Tropical weather
to October. Dry season: » and high temperatures
year-round.
November to April.
AUSTRALASIA


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SPONSORED BY:
DIRECTORY SOUTH AMERICA



NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA






EUROPE
PHILIPPINES SINGAPORE




RUSSIA & CENTRAL ASIA







Made up of over 7,000 A small country at the end of
islands, the Philippines is full the Malaysia Peninsular, with MIDDLE EAST
of natural wonders. a mixture of Chinese, Indian,
» » Capital city: Manila Malay and Western cultures.
» » Size: 300,000 km 2 » » Capital city: Singapore AFRICA
» » Language: Filipino and » » Size: Approx. 719 km 2
English (both oficial) + » » Language: Mandarin,
others including eight English, Malay, Tamil (all
major dialects oficial) + others INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
» » Religion: Roman Catholic » » Religion: Buddhist
(predominantly), other (predominantly), Muslim,
Christian denominations, Taoist, Christian, Hindu
Muslim + other + others NORTHEAST

» » Population: » » Population: ASIA
Approx. 105.9 million Approx. 6 million
» » Currency: Philippine Peso » » Currency:
» » Climate: Tropical. Rainy Singapore Dollar SOUTHEAST ASIA
season from June to » » Climate: Hot and humid,
September. Hot summers with no major change in
from March to May. temperature year-round.
AUSTRALASIA




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SPONSORED BY:
DIRECTORY SOUTH AMERICA



NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA






THAILAND VIETNAM EUROPE





RUSSIA & CENTRAL ASIA







From bustling cities to
rural rice paddies—this is a MIDDLE EAST
favourite on the tourist map.
From the modern capital » » Capital city: Hanoi
of Bangkok to the ruins of
ancient Ayutthaya, it's not » » Size: 331,210 km 2 AFRICA
dificult to see the appeal » » Language: Vietnamese
of this stunning destination. (oficial), English + others
» » Capital city: Bangkok » » Religion: Oficially an
» » Size: 513,120 km 2 atheist state but religions INDIAN SUBCONTINENT

» » Language: Thai (oficial) include: Buddhism,
Catholicism + others
+ others
» » Population:
» » Religion: Buddhist Approx. 97 million
(predominantly), Muslim, NORTHEAST ASIA
Christian + others » » Currency:
Vietnamese Dong
» » Population:
Approx. 68.6 million » » Climate: Varies between
north and south, with both SOUTHEAST ASIA
» » Currency: Thai Baht experiencing monsoons.
» » Climate: Generally tropical Rainy season is from May
and humid climate. to November.
AUSTRALASIA




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AUSTRALASIA










115 AUSTRALIA




116 FIJI



116 FRENCH POLYNESIA




117 NEW ZEALAND



118 PAPUA NEW GUINEA




118 SAMOA



119 SOLOMON ISLANDS



119 VANUATU





AUSTRALASIA & Commonwealth Ofice website for up-to-date information.

Situations and visa requirements vary—refer to the Foreign




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SOUTH
DIRECTORY AMERICA



NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA




AUSTRALIA
EUROPE





RUSSIA & CENTRAL ASIA






MIDDLE EAST





AFRICA






INDIAN SUBCONTINENT


A backpacker’s paradise, » » Religion: Christian
Australia attracts hundreds of (predominantly), Buddhist,
thousands of British tourists Muslim, Hindu + others
every year keen to take in the » » NORTHEAST ASIA
wonders of this vast country, Population:
Approx. 23.5 million
including its stunning beaches.
» » Capital city: Canberra » » Currency: Australian Dollar

» » Size: 7.7 million km 2 » » Climate: Seasons are the SOUTHEAST ASIA
opposite to the UK’s. The north
» » Language: English is tropical, but the south and east
(predominantly) + others have more moderate weather.
AUSTRALASIA




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SOUTH AMERICA DIRECTORY





NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA




FIJI FRENCH
EUROPE POLYNESIA





RUSSIA & CENTRAL ASIA






MIDDLE EAST Tradition has blended with


If you’re looking for a tropical
paradise, Fiji ticks all the modern European culture
on this beautiful collection
boxes with its 300+ islands of islands, with stunning
AFRICA of white sandy beaches and stretches of white pink and
swaying coconut trees.
black sand beaches.
» » Capital city: Suva » » Capital city: Papeete

INDIAN SUBCONTINENT » » Size: 18,274 km 2 » » Size: 4,167 km 2
Language: French,
»
»
»
»
Language: English, Fijian
(both oficial), Hindustani
Polynesian (both oficial)
NORTHEAST ASIA » » Religion: Christian » » + others
(predominantly), Hindu,
Religion: Christian
(predominantly) + others
Muslim, Sikh + others
»
»
»
»
Population:
Population:
SOUTHEAST ASIA » » Approx. 926,300 » » Approx. 290,400
Currency: CFP Franc
Currency: Fijian Dollar
»
Climate: Tropical maritime
»
Climate: Tropical climate,
»
climate without great » a rainy season from
AUSTRALASIA
extremes of temperature.
November to April.
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DIRECTORY AMERICA



NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA




NEW ZEALAND
EUROPE





RUSSIA & CENTRAL ASIA






MIDDLE EAST





AFRICA







For the adventurous among » » Religion: Christian INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
you, New Zealand is the perfect (predominantly), Hindu,
destination—you could go hiking Buddhist, Muslim + others
in the vast wilderness, kayaking » »
along the waterways, hit the ski Population:
Approx. 4.5 million NORTHEAST ASIA
slopes, or make the most of being
in the home of the bungee jump! » » Currency: New Zealand Dollar
» » Capital city: Wellington » » Climate: Temperate climate.
» » Size: 268,838 km 2 The far north is subtropical
in the summer and the south SOUTHEAST ASIA
» » Language: English, Maori, can be very cold in the winter.
New Zealand Sign Language Warmest: December to March.
(all oficial) + others Coldest: June to September.
AUSTRALASIA




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SOUTH AMERICA DIRECTORY





NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA




PAPUA NEW SAMOA
EUROPE GUINEA





RUSSIA & CENTRAL ASIA






MIDDLE EAST Made up of 600+ islands, this This group of islands are
is one of the most unexplored
unique and fascinating.
Please check the FCO website
destinations on earth.
before making travel plans
» » Capital city: Port Moresby as there has been a measles
AFRICA » » Size: 462,840 km 2 outbreak and restrictions
due to the novel coronavirus
»
»
Language: Tok Pisin,
English, Hiri Motu (all outbreak (24 January 2020).
oficial) + approx. 840
Capital city: Apia
»
»
INDIAN SUBCONTINENT » » indigenous languages » » Size: 2,831 km 2
Religion: Christian
»
»
Language: Samoan ,
(predominantly),
NORTHEAST ASIA » » indigenous beliefs + others » » English (both oficial)
Religion: Christian
Population:
(predominantly) +
Approx. 7 million
» » Currency: » » other groups
SOUTHEAST ASIA » » Climate: Hot and humid » » Approx. 201,300
Population:
Papua New Guinean Kina
Currency: Samoa Tala
year-round. Tropical along
the coast, cooling off » » Climate: Tropical weather
all year round.
towards the mountains.
AUSTRALASIA


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SOUTH
DIRECTORY AMERICA



NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA



SOLOMON VANUATU

ISLANDS
EUROPE




RUSSIA & CENTRAL ASIA






A tropical paradise renowned
The Solomon Islands are rich
for its tribal culture. MIDDLE
in history and natural beauty. EAST
Explore the incredible forests, Lying on the Paciic Ring
waterfalls and mountains of Fire, Vanuatu is prone to
dotted around the islands. natural disasters, so check the
FCO before you travel.
» » Capital city: Honiara AFRICA
» » Size: Approx. 28,896 km 2 » » Capital city: Port Vila

» » Language: English » » Size: 12,189 km 2
(oficial), Pijin + » » Language: Bislama, INDIAN
indigenous languages English, French (all oficial) SUBCONTINENT
+ more than 100 languages
» » Religion: Protestant
(predominantly) + other » » Religion: Protestant
Christian groups (predominantly) + other
Christian groups NORTHEAST ASIA
» » Population:
Approx. 660,100 » » Population:
» » Currency: Approx. 288,000
Solomon Islands Dollar » » Currency: Vanuatu Vatu SOUTHEAST ASIA
» » Climate: Tropical monsoon » » Climate: Subtropical with
climate—it stays hot and temperatures between
humid all year round. 21-32ºC year-round.
AUSTRALASIA




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ADVERTORIAL
KEEP YOUR STUFF SAFE SOUTH AMERICA



AVOID THE HASSLE OF LOSING SOMETHING
IMPORTANT ON YOUR TRAVELS NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA



KEEP YOUR EUROPE





STUFF SAFE RUSSIA & CENTRAL ASIA







MIDDLE
» »KEEP YOUR CASH » »BUY A DOORSTOP EAST

A simple way to keep you and your
CLOSE BY
belongings safe is to buy a doorstop
Keep your cash and cards close to you
and wedge it under the closed door of
but out of sight when you’re travelling
your accommodation. Some come with
by using a pouch or money belt inside AFRICA
an alarm so even if you’re sound asleep
your clothes. You could consider
you’ll know if someone tries to come in.
buying a dummy wallet, which you can
hand over in case of a robbery.
» »MAKE COPIES
» »BUY A PADLOCK OF DOCUMENTS INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
Most hostels have lockers, so buy a Take copies of your passport, visa,
padlock and keep your laptop or tablet, driving licence and medical card so
money and passport safely locked it’s easier to replace them should they
away whilst you’re out and about. get lost. NORTHEAST ASIA

» »BE ALERT
IN QUEUES

Long queues are prime targets for SOUTHEAST ASIA
thieves, so keep your belongings close
and bags zipped while you’re waiting.


For more useful articles, visit AUSTRALASIA
ENDSLEIGH'S WEBSITE

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