If you're taking a decent amount of time off and want to have your mind blown by the triple-humped camel of Uzbekistan, the double-beaked blue booby of the Galapagos and that icon of Australiana, the platypus, get yourself a round-the-world ticket.

There are no fixed routes for round-the-world trips, and you can decide for yourself exactly where you want to stop and for how long. Your travel arrangements can take the form of a combination of flights, overland travel by train or bus and boat or ferry. The only condition usually is that you can travel for no more than a year.

The cheapest flights - around £700 or sometimes below - usually book out months in advance, though you can often get bargains very close to your intended time of departure - it just depends on how much time you have to spare if flights gets delayed and just how ragged your nerves are - some people can handle not knowing if they're leaving tomorrow, next week or next month.

Once you've got a vague idea where you want to go, look at sites like Lonely Planet or Rough Guide who have basic facts about costs, when and where to go and that all-important climate.

Next step is finding a travel agent you like and talking to them about where you've thought of going. They'll tell you how realistic your plans are, and the most economical way of getting there. If they're worth their wage, they'll advise you on the visa and health requirements for each country you'll pass through as well.

A couple of the big travel agencies specialise in young people with lots of time but seldom loads of money.

STA Travel is the obvious choice with 250 branches worldwide, and an office in most of the more popular countries young people visit. Their website is one of the most user-friendly for young travellers.

Trailfinders bills itself as the UK's largest independent travel operator, and has excellent staff all waiting to show you how you can slice a few pennies off the price of your ticket. Ring them on 020 7938 3303.

— Clay Lucas 11.09.00