Travelling the world is a dream for many young people, but for their parents it can be a living nightmare.

When I announced my travel plans to my parents, I was greeted by wows, gasps and cries of "oh no you're not".

They warned of kidnappers, muggers and murderers. I dreamed of exotic people and places. They wanted dates, routes and hostels. I wanted freedom, flexibility and fun.

If you seek adventure but can compromise, however, there could be a scheme to excite you and satisfy your parents.

Real Gap Experience has devised gap year programmes which combine travel, work and volunteering.

Experienced travellers help plan and organise your trip and can find projects for you to get involved in, families to stay with and sights to soak up. Above all, they can help you to stay safe.

Real Gap MD David Stitt believes safety is paramount. "As a parent myself, I understand the concerns, " he says. "We take the safety of everyone who travels with us extremely seriously. All our gap year packages provide a 24/7 emergency service. A gap year programme booked with us has fewer unknown factors than if your son or daughter went off and did it by themselves."

Before you commit to a package, ask yourself where you want to go. What do you want to see? Do you want paid work?

Or do you want to help deprived children, wildlife conservation or other volunteer opportunities?

For example, you could combine wildlife projects in Namibia and South Africa with going on a safari. A journey across Russia and Mongolia could end with a paid teaching job in China, or learning Spanish in Guatemala might lead to volunteering in Costa Rica.

You could help children and teachers in the Rajasthan Desert, India, and squeeze in camel safaris and the Taj Mahal, or journey to Thailand to sample traditional massage, meditation in a Buddhist monastery, living in an eco house and teaching English.

I only had three months, so my main objective was to travel. I arranged my trip myself and booked a round-theworld ticket to take in India, Thailand, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. It was the best experience of my life and I don't regret it a bit.

But there are always lessons to be learned. Some countries are safer than others. Even towns have their good and bad zones.

You should always be careful drinking alcohol, even when with friends or people who seem friendly, and always carry the name and address of your hostel.

One of the best opportunities is to meet other travellers, many travelling in the opposite direction with a wealth of advice. You don't have to take it, but it's wise to listen.

Above all, listen to your instincts and enjoy yourself - it will be the adventure of a lifetime.

For information on Real Gap Experience phone 01892 516164.

Top adventures

1. Visit the Taj Mahal at sunset.

2. Ride camels through the Jaisalmer desert, Rajasthan, India and sleep under the stars by a campfire in the sand dunes.

3. Ride elephants and float on bamboo rafts in the hills of Chiang Mai, Thailand.

4. Hunt out Nemo in the beautiful coral off Maya Beach, Phi Phi Island, Thailand.

5. Explore the ancient ruins of Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia.

6. Watch the laser show on the Hong Kong skyline.

7. Swim with sea turtles on the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, Australia (The Whitsundays and Fraser Island are apparently better for scuba diving).

8. Explore the beaches along the east coast of Australia, drinking bags of goon along the way.

9. Jump 192m off the Auckland Skytower, New Zealand.

10. Abseil into a cave at Waitomo, New Zealand, float by sparkling glow worms on an inflatable tyre and rock climb out.

11. Dig your own spa from volcanic water on Hot Water Beach, New Zealand.

12. Go white water rafting through the Andes in Mendoza, Argentina.

13. Watch rainbows soar through the waterfalls at Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil.

14. Hang glide in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, party in Lapa, then soak up the beauty of Sugarloaf Mountain and Copacabana Beach.

Caroline's Rainbow Foundation

IN 2002, York backpacker Caroline Stuttle, 19, died on her gap year travels in Australia.

Her mother, Marjorie Marks-Stuttle, formed Caroline's Rainbow Foundation, together with her son, Richard, and husband, David Marks.

The charity aims to help young backpackers abroad.

For information, log on to: www. carolinesrainbowfoundation. com.

Travel tips. . .

1. If you buy a round-theworld ticket, save air miles and fly from London. To travel to London from York, phone GNER on 08457225225 or go to www. gner. co. uk.

2. Don't forget changing flights will generally cost extra so set cash aside for the unexpected.

3. Pack half of what you need and buy new stuff when you get there.

4.Take two cards and ALL the contact numbers for your bank - you can guarantee at least one will be stopped at the least convenient moment.

5.Take spare passport photos for visas and a copy of your passport.

6.Don't forget to get the relevant vaccination certificates to avoid on-thespot charges.

7. Take a card for your hostel wherever you go.

8. Photocopy or rip pages out of guidebooks to keep down the weight.

9.Take some currency with you - it will give your bank account a break.

10. Why not ask for jabs, visas and currency for birthday and Christmas presents?

11. Don't be afraid to book internal flights - it sometimes works out cheaper.

12. Do a bit of work in hostels for pocket money and free accommodation.

13. Friends and family living in far off places? Take the time to visit them and savour sleeping in a clean bed, eating home-cooked food and watching TV.

14. Stay in touch with your parents - phone cards are easy to get abroad, the internet is everywhere and pay as you go phones give you a lifeline in an emergency and stop you running up a bill