Taking a gap year was often only done by people who were between school and university. We then saw more graduates taking a gapyear before starting work.
Then more people who had been working for a few years starting taking gap years, even people in their 30s. In this day and age the gap year is reserved for anyone of any age. Even the retired are taking a ‘gay year’. It may not be a traditional one, but it will be a year away from their home country.
An issue when you travel is of course insurance. Medical bills can be sky high around the world, particularly in countries like the USA. It doesn’t matter if you are going for a week or a year, you will still need travel insurance.

Listed below are a number of UK travel insurance companies that will cover for longer periods than normal. In some cases there are no age limits too.
Don’t be put off the idea of a travelling at whatever age. Medical and health insurance is more widely available now. You just have to do your research and find it.
Alpha Travel Insurance ( up to 24 months)
Doctor managed medical emergency helpline 24 hours a day, every day of the year
> Quote from ALPHA INSURANCE - Link not working? try this
Travel Insurance for Medical
Optional Independent Traveller Insurance to provide cover when individual elements of a trip are booked separately, rather than as part of a package.
> Quote from TRAVEL INSURANCE 4 MEDICAL - Link not working? try this
Explorer Travel Insurance (up to 18 months)
Explorer provides cover for anyone of any age so where ever you are going in holiday this year you can be sure of getting travel insurance.
> Quote from EXPLORER - Link not working? try this
Get Going longer stay up to 18 months
Get going, as specialists in medical travel insurance, they understand the difficulties of finding the right medical travel insurance cover at the right price.1,000s of medical
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Over 65s Good to go Insurance (up to 90 days)
Will cover the age group of 65 plus with no upper age limit.- Cover is available to travellers on a course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy
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Jet2 Insurance (up to 12 months)
With Jet2Insurance.com single trip insurance you can have complete peace of mind for the duration of your holiday, from 3 days to 3 weeks or more!
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Columbus Direct Insurance (up to 365 days)
Will cover Holidaylers up to the age of 85.
> VISIT COLUMBUS DIRECT - Link not working? try this
Travel Supermarket (up to 18 months)
Will give you a broad view of the whole of the travel insurance options for your longer stay trip.
> VISIT TRAVEL SUPERMARKET - Link not working? try this
SAGA Over 50s Travel Insurance (up to 180 days)
Saga'st policies cover European and worldwide Holiday insurance for persons of any age!
> Quote from SAGA INSURANCE - not working? try this
Coverwise (up to 12 months)
Coverwise we appreciate customers have either chosen to or are considering placing their business with us. We feel that travel insurance is essential to ensure peace of mind
> Quote from Coverwise INSURANCE - Link not working? try this
WorldNomads Insurance up to 18 months
Travel insurance for independent travellers. Buy, extend & claim online, even after you’ve left home.
> Quote from WORLDNOMADS - Link not working? try this
AVIVA Travel Insurance for up to 4 months
Aviva who are formally known as Norwich Union will cover the for single trips and some multi.
> Quote from AVIVA INSURANCE - not working? try this