One of the major new trends in gap-year travel is the combination of experiences. Ticket to Ride offers the chance to spend three months learning to surf in South Africa while also getting involved with community projects. Recent research by Year Out Group found that volunteering is the top choice for a gap-year placement, with winter and watersports courses coming close behind, so this trip provides the best of both worlds.

Sarah Woolf completed the South Africa expedition earlier this year and says the mix-and-match approach worked for her, with highlights including bungee jumping, sky diving, quad biking and visiting different townships, as well as surfing at different locations.

"I had always wanted to learn to surf but I also liked the idea of combining it with other activities," Woolf says. "I ended up with surf instructor and beach lifeguarding qualifications, as well as lots of happy memories."..

For more information on The Guardian article, read http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2008/sep/06/gapyears.gapyeartravel