Despite the economic gloom, the gap year is still seen as something of a rite of passage. Rather than simply being viewed as a hunt for the world’s best beaches, modern young people are taking the chance to combine travel with learning. And wise they are too – a recent survey by YouGov revealed that 63% of human resources professionals agreed that a constructive gap year makes a job application stand out.

Taking a gap year and looking to do something productive? If this is the case, taking a language course is a great way of having fun, experiencing something new and learning too. In this guide you’ll find 5 language suggestions, including courses in Japan, India, France, China and Spain.

If rumours of the gap year’s demise are true then this post will go mostly unread as students instead forego a break between A levels and university to avoid the rise in tuition fees. Plenty though will either worry about the financial hangover later or consider a year out a worthwhile investment in their future.

After treading old ground in Savannakhet, Pakse and Don Det we headed to Tad Lo to try somewhere new in Laos and, once we found it down a long dark road from the bus stop, were quickly charmed by the place. Or at least we were when the sun rose the next day.

We first found this place four years ago via Lonely Planet. The book mentioned a mynah bird but if it has been neglected as much as the hotel it is surely dead now.

Down a lane, off a quiet road, but still close to the old town, Leena's is good value even without the dog in a dress. More than we paid here will only buy a dorm bed in guest houses nearer the river.

From verb based folders to colour coding, organising your smartphone apps is an art, not a science. We asked these 16 travellers to show their home pages.

There are virtually no age limits when it comes to caretaking. Owners are actively seeking ‘mature’ or ‘retired’ singles and couples to look after their properties.