A round-the-world ticket, voluntary work or lazing on the beach, Isabel Choat finds a range of options for those seeking the ultimate career break.
Made any New Year's resolutions yet? If recent research is any indication, among the usual list of guilt-induced promises - no more booze, cigarettes, fatty food - a significant proportion of us will be vowing to quit our jobs and take some time out next year. Not that we're turning into a nation of drop-outs; it's just our priorities are changing. In spite of - or perhaps because of - Britain's long-hours work culture, increasing numbers of employees are opting out of the rat race to fulfil their dreams.
With a host of websites and more guides on the subject than ever before, there's no shortage of ideas; if you've made a resolution to do something different next year, your biggest problem will be deciding exactly what, so here are some suggestions to get you started:
Learn a New Skill
Evening classes are all well and good, but learning Spanish or salsa dancing one night a week can be a hard and uninspiring slog. Taking up the language in the country turns a chore into an adventure. Cactus Language has a huge range of overseas courses, many of which are combined with an activity like dance lessons or volunteer work, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the local community. New options for 2004 include a French and surfing course in Biarritz, French and wine tasting in Bordeaux, Italian and Cooking in Siena, and Spanish, flamenco and Spanish guitar in Andalucia. These tend to last two-weeks but Cactus can tailormake longer stays.
How Much
Choose from 16 languages in 42 countries offered by Cactus Language (0845 1304775). A 12-week 'mini-group' (maximum three students per group) Spanish course in Havana costs £679; 12 weeks' half-board with a host family in Havana costs £1,946; a cheaper option is the lovely colonial city of Antigua in Guatemala where 12 weeks' tuition is £789 and the corresponding stay with a family £720, full-board.
For more information, log on to www.cactuslanguage.com or call 01273 725200.