For many, it’s a once in a lifetime experience. For the very lucky, they may do it twice. Some people love it so much that they want it all the time.

What am I talking about? It can only be a round the world trip. This is a unique, exhilarating and potentially life-changing travelling experience. And, let’s face it, you’re not going to embark on a life-changing experience without a bit of planning, are you?

So, together with a few of our most trusted Travel Experts, I’ve put together a stress-free guide to organising the perfect round the world trip. Read it, and I guarantee the rewards will start rolling in before you’ve even booked. Ready? Let the planning commence.

 Get your backpack ready - it's time get get planning! | Image by _val_

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We love them with lemon and sugar; or a smear of Nutella. We lap them up with bananas, or golden syrup, or ice cream, or all three. I can only be talking about one thing, and that’s right, I’m talking about the humble pancake.

Flat. Round. Simple. Tasty. There can’t be that many way to reinvent the pancake, can there? Bring your frying pans this way, people, I’m about to take you on Pancake Day tour of batter-powered goodness, as we wade through a world of pancakes.

The world's tiniest pancake chef. | Original photo by jonathanb1989

Whatever you thought you knew about pancakes, scrub it. Whatever you thought you liked about pancakes, scoff it. Whatever you thought was your grandmother’s secret recipe for making the perfect pancake, scrap it. Because, coming up is a round up of pancakealicious pancakes, that will toss your perceptions of pancakes into the air.

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Polish your havaianas, buff your backpacks, we’re getting geared up for this Sunday’s Oscars. With Oscar-style awards up for grabs in seven “Best Picture” categories, you could earn global acclaim from your travelling peers by landing one of the inaugural STA Travel Oscars! (Plus it’s fun).

Pictures are the perfect way to show-off your favourite travel experiences, so we’re extending that feeling right the way through this year’s awards, as we welcome you to submit your favourite photos from your travels.

This is the time to let your hair down, and stretch your creative wings by inspiring fellow travellers with your take on our wonderful world.

ANYONE can win at the STA Travel Oscars! | Photo by marc falardeau

Coming up are the all-important entry categories, which are completely open to interpretation. Be as creative as you like; there are very few rules in the STA Travel Oscars, other than those of common sense, such as “You must have taken the original photograph yourself!”

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It’s Friday! Here at the STA Travel Blog, we’re quite excited by this. Why? Because it’s time to Ask the Experts to share their wisdom and answer one of your travel questions.

This week’s question is on a topic that we get lots of enquiries about: volunteering abroad. Not only is volunteering a great way to give something back, it’s also a chance to enjoy a really unique experience on your travels.

Remember, if something travel-related has got you all in a fluster, email us with your question for our Experts.

Now, without further ado, let’s hear this week’s question, courtesy of Andrew in Edinburgh:

I’m looking for somewhere to travel, but also to give back by doing some volunteering. Where do you recommend? Andrew in Edinburgh

Can our Experts inspire Andrew to take the volunteering path? Can they find him that perfect balance between giving something back and travelling? There’s only one way to find out – over to you, Experts!

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The Roundhouse Rising is well into its second week, and continues to deliver some of the most exciting emerging music on the scene from some of London’s freshest venues, including the legendary Roundhouse venue in north London.

Tonight sees one of the most anticipated events of the music festival, the Roundhouse Remixed, which brings together a “wildly eclectic night of new music”, featuring Krar Collective in collaboration with the Roundhouse Experimental Choir, and today’s interviewee, Tres B, performing tracks from his latest EP, Lonely Man.

Tres showed musical talent from an early age, performing and improvising with his friends from the age of 9, as well as singing in his church choir and a musical dance troup.

When his parents fled the political violence in the Congo, Tres travelled to the UK and lived in foster care at the age of 16. At 18, Tres was moving between hostels, sofas and the streets, a period of his life which is the inspiration behind the newly relased single, ‘Lonely Man’, that you played above.

You can see a live performance from Tres B tonight at Rich Mix, on London’s Bethnal Green Road, as part of the 2012 Roundhouse Rising, supported by STA Travel. Tickets are just £5, and more details can be found on the Roundhouse Rising website.
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