So who is Helen Watson, the author and more importantly will reading The Ultimate Gap Year And Backpacking To Do List really give you the gap year travel advice you need?
Let’s tackle the most important question first. How will this travel book help you?
Like so many young adults these days, back in 2024 my younger daughter embarked on her first big travelling adventure to Australia, Bali and Thailand. With the Australian leg of the trip booked and organised by a large travel company specialising in backpacking I as a parent felt confident that most of the hard work had been covered as trips and accommodation were sorted well in advance with 3-5 days spent in each destination as they toured the east coast.
Whilst she also planned to spend additional time in Bali and Thailand I knew the friend she was travelling with well and assumed there was not too much more to think about especially as the plan was to stay longer than just a few days in each town to really get to experience them in more detail. This in turn would minimise booking accommodation, travel and transfers.
How wrong was I!
What we learnt as we looked into things, at what I now know was somewhat of a late stage, was that embarking on any gap year or backpacking trip requires a good deal more research, planning and preparation than most people would reasonably anticipate. If I’m honest it was the worry about her vaccinations and how late we were to this that prompted me to decide to share our experiences in the hope that it would help other families.
In fact it was the many notes and checklists that I started to make that eventually became the basis for this book. The more topics we researched the more we realised that some things were incredibly time-sensitive. This included the primary things such as completing passport applications, visa requests and navigating vaccination best practice.
What we could have really done with was a central resource to guide us along the way highlighting those more time-sensitive tasks that we needed to prioritise along with more general advice and information about backpacks, insurance, international driving licences and the multiple practicalities to consider when you are away for many months or even longer. It’s written primarily from a parents’ point-of-view but easily relevant and readable for everyone.
Why it’s the best adventure travel resource…
Who is Helen Watson, the author?
That’s easy, I’m just a mum who wanted to wave her daughter and her friend off at the airport on that early morning long awaited autumn departure day knowing that they had done everything possible to enjoy their adventure with minimum risk but also knowing they had put everything in place should there be any unexpected emergencies or situations.
A gap year adventure is a once in a lifetime thing for those that are lucky enough to undertake them and like any parent I wanted to ensure they had the best time possible.
I’m also a freelance copywriter so it was inevitable that I would put all those lists and notes to good use!
Follow this link if you’re looking for a copywriter
Work is already underway on my next book. Follow me on my social platforms to learn more or to share photos from your big adventure.
Instagram:
@thetimesofmylife_
Facebook:
@The Times Of My Life
The Ultimate Gap Year And Backpacking To Do List is also available to buy from Amazon or to order via Waterstones or any independent book shop.
