Go east
While the headline-writers have been scaring us all to death with tales of how expensive Europe is, salvation lies in the east. Both Eurozone countries like Slovenia and Slovakia and places with their own currency such as Bulgaria and Romania still offer the cheap food and drink and excellent value accommodation travellers have long associated with eastern Europe. Your spending money will go further here than anywhere else on the continent.
Volunteering
Want to travel, learn some new skills and meet people? Then include some volunteering in your travel plans. Europe is a much happier hunting ground for volunteering opportunities than many people think, and it's easy to get your hands dirty doing everything from social care to conservation. Start your research at Worldwide Volunteering.
Backpacking in India
Backpacking in India during the summer months means clashing with the monsoon season. This needn't stop you. Sure, it's going to rain, possibly heavily, but crowds and costs are low at this time of year and provided you don't mind humid conditions it can be a great time to be there. Plus, this is prime trekking season in the Himalayas.
South-east Asian odyssey
Still the world's best region for budget travel, south-east Asia has enough for a whole summer of fun. From diving in the Andaman Sea off Thailand to temple-hopping in Laos you'll find plenty of opportunities for adventure. Street food is cheap and budget lodging is plentiful. Plus flight prices are almost as low as it's possible for them to go, with returns to Bangkok hovering around £350.
Cycling in the UK
Life on two wheels is cheap and wildly cheerful. You are your own transport and can wander the UK or Europe at will, stopping at campsites, hostels or cheap B&Bs. The National Cycle Network is a good place to find everything from day rides to week-long routes. Touring on a bike will get you fit and help you discover what's on your doorstep.
South Africa
Coming soon as the hottest destination around, South Africa is a superb introduction to the rest of the continent.
The Rand is excellent value against the pound meaning that a summer exploring Cape Town and the surrounding winelands or the wildlife of Kruger National Park and points in between can be easily done on a student budget. Consider popping into Namibia if time allows.
Working holiday
Whether you make those funds go a little further by working in a few different places or make an internship or placement the focus of your trip, there are several different ways to work while overseas.
Britons can work legally anywhere in the EU, and while holiday resorts tend to be happy hunting grounds any city where you've got language skills to make yourself heard could yield gainful employment.
Student work visas for North America and Australian and New Zealand Working Holidaymaker visas also offer up the promise of earning while you travel.
Cool camping
Camping is in vogue like never before, with leaky tents giving way to Cornish teepees and Scottish bothies with open fires. You don't have to be at a festival to love a tent-shaped holiday. Just grab some mates, head to the coast, the mountains or the woods and you'll have a cheap and fun holiday while exploring the UK.
Inter Rail
Still the ultimate summer jaunt, an InterRail pass opens up a month of unlimited rail travel in Europe.
For £369 you have a whole continent to explore for thirty days, from Arctic Norway to Turkey's eastern frontiers. What will be most memorable will be the people you meet on the way, the wild nights and heady days of utter freedom. Grab a pass, get to Paris and see where the iron road takes you.
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