Top 5 Destinations for a Gap Year in Southeast Asia
You have worked long and hard, and now it is time for a well-deserved rest. But where do you start? How do you decide where you want to go when the world is your oyster?
A typical destination for a gap year is, of course, Southeast Asia. There’s no better place for British backpackers to meet up and have the time of their lives. Here are our top 5 gap year destinations in Southeast Asia.
1.Thailand
One of the most popular vacation destinations ever, Thailand has such a wide variety of things to do that you’ll be spoiled for choice. Try a kickboxing class, attend a full moon party on the island of Koh Phangan, or visit bustling Bangkok. Perfect for party goers, you can have a lot of fun at night and relax on the beach during the day. What could be better? If you’re not into nightlife, visit the Grand Palace in the heart of Bangkok, find one of the impressive waterfalls, or visit a food market.
2. Malaysia
Malaysia is a multicultural mix of diversity and a great way to start a gap year trip. Although Kuala Lumpur, with the Petronas Twin Towers and Batu Caves pictured above, is the starting point for many when visiting Malaysia, the islands are not to be forgotten and are the ideal destination for those on a gap year. If you are looking to eat in Asia, you have to go to George Town on the island of Penang. Try local street food like asam laksa, a flavorful spicy noodle soup, or char kway teow, a fried noodle dish with onions and prawns.
If you want to go to paradise, visit the beaches of the island of Langkawi. You can also go island hopping or take a boat to Thailand from here. There are plenty of backpackers traveling through Malaysia, so whether you’re traveling alone or in a group, you won’t want to leave!
3.Vietnam
Vietnam has been growing as a budget backpacker destination for years and is starting to rival Thailand. Visit Hanoi, the capital, rich in culture and history. For spectacular beauty, head to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay, where emerald waters and unique limestone islands are guaranteed to captivate you. Vietnam is the ideal place for a road trip or even for hiking. You will be amazed by the spectacular scenery, but also by the friendliness of the locals.
4. Philippines
Full of life, vibrant and colourful; The Philippines is a place you should not miss. It’s not a traditional gap year destination, but you’ll regret not going. Ideal for those on a budget, you can still afford to try scuba diving or even swim with whale sharks in Cebu Island. For those who are not so adventurous, consider relaxing on an empty beach, coconut in hand, enjoying the view. perfect right? Although the islands are impressive, don’t miss out on life in Manila. A mix of modern architecture along with relics from the Spanish colonial past, it’s an interesting combination.
5.Sri Lankan
Hike through the rainforest, go on a safari or rent Tuk Tuks and go on an adventure; there are a lot of things to choose from. An island close to India, Sri Lanka is a natural beauty and the size means you can take a few weeks to really explore the whole country. Are you an animal lover? Then this is the place for you as there are many national parks to visit. Need a break from the desert? Head to the capital Colombo. Influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, the port city is culturally intriguing. Foodies take note; the food is amazing. Enjoy a richly flavored curry that will (literally) set your taste buds on fire. You can even have it for breakfast if you want!
