Always check FCO travel advice, gappers urged

Before setting off to a new country during a gap year, it always makes sense to carry out a quick check of your next destination.

Depending on the type of year out being undertaken, it is not always possible to keep right up to date with current affairs.

Gappers may spend days or even weeks without access to international news or the internet, meaning they can miss out on some stories breaking around the world.

And should a war break out, or a particular destination be hit by a natural disaster, it is best to avoid travelling to such destinations.

The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) issues regular travel advice, helping to keep travellers up-to-date with the latest developments.

The department has "knowledgeable experts" who keep detailed, and up-to-date profiles of every country worldwide.

If the economic, social - or most likely political - situation changes, the FCO may warn Brits not to travel to particular destinations, as their safety cannot be guaranteed.

So having emerged from the outback, jungle, wilderness or returned from sea, checking the FCO website may be an important task to remember.

Click here for gap year advice.