F3 doctors have a unique opportunity to create a year that completely fullfills their wishes and dreams. By working as locums, they can design a work-life balance that perfectly suits their needs, and offers the flexibility for travel, personal interests, or mini-breaks, while still earning a competitive salary. 

F3 doctors can give themselves the freedom to explore the world, indulge in luxury, or take up new hobbies. The possibilities are endless when you have the power to manage your own schedule. So whether you’re looking for an epic once-in-a-lifetime adventure, a chance to learn something new, or to treat yourself to a luxurious getaway, check out our list of amazing trips you can take in your F3 Year. 

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🩺  Working holidays

If you love to learn and explore, working holidays are an excellent way to combine work and travel. Consider opportunities to work abroad in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, or Canada, where you can experience different healthcare systems and cultures while earning a better salary than in the UK. 

Alternatively, sign up to attend (or even better, present at) conferences or courses in exotic locations. This will allow you to grow your knowledge and skills, bolster your portfolio, and network with fellow professionals while taking in the sights. 

If you want to do something outside of medicine, you may find you can stretch your holidays by working for hostels, a house-sitter, a nanny, or volunteering at charities that offer a place to stay. Or for something closer to home, consider volunteering at Gastonbury Festival if you can’t get tickets.

🥾  Activity holidays

If you're looking for an adventure, an activity holiday might be just what you need. Why not try a wildlife safari in Tanzania, a hike in the Alps, travel by hot air balloon over Cappadocia, cycle across Vietnam, or white water raft in Colorado? Activity holidays are a great way to challenge yourself physically and mentally, while also experiencing different cultures and meeting new people.

You may be able to combine the trip with some kind of qualification or certificate, for example:

🎿  turn a ski season into training to become a ski instructor in Canada or Switzerland 
🤿  explore the Worlds most beautiful reefs and wrecks while getting a PADI rescue diver qualification,  
🏄🏻  visit the beaches of Portugal or Hawaii while also mastering surfing or kitesurfing
🧘🏽  realign your chakras while certifying as a yoga teacher in India or Costa Rica
🧗🏾  reach new heights while training as a rock climbing instructor in France

🛎  Luxury holidays

After all the hard work of foundation training, you may just want to treat yourself to a luxury holiday. There are plenty of destinations around the world that offer five-star accommodation, exquisite cuisine, and unparalleled service. 

For a beach getaway, consider the Maldives, Bali, or the Caribbean. Alternatively, explore the architecture and culture of European cities such as Paris, Rome, or Barcelona (make sure to travel responsibly). If you are planning to head back into training at the end of the year, a luxury holiday is the perfect way to unwind and recharge before returning to work.

Indulge in your hobbies and enrich the experience of travel by investing in classes so you can bring home more than just memories. 

If you have a passion for cooking, there are so many foodie holidays in Morocco, Italy, India, Thailand, and France (to name a few) where you can immerse yourself in the local culture and cuisine while learning from expert chefs. 

If you enjoy photography, you can find photography workshops and tours in some of the most picturesque locations like Morocco, Japan, Patagonia, and Iceland to help you improve your skills and capture stunning images of your travels. 

If you have a knack for languages, consider an immersive language course for a unique perspective on another cultures. Meet locals and make lasting friendships, while perhaps setting yourself up for a career in a foreign healthcare system if that appeals to you! You can join great language courses for adults, ranging from beginner to advanced levels, in many locations including Spain, France, Korea, and Hong Kong. 

📆  Once-in-a-lifetime opportunities

Now, for the really exciting bit. As an F3, you have the rare opportunity to time your trips perfectly, to experience some of the rarest and most special experience that life has to offer. From cultural festivals to natural phenomena, here are a few examples of experiences that you could attend:

👉  Northern Lights in Iceland: Witness the breathtaking aurora borealis in a remote part of Iceland where you can view the lights in all their glory.
👉  Rio Carnival in Brazil: One of the most famous festivals in the world featuring samba parades, colorful costumes, and lively music. It's a vibrant celebration of Brazilian culture that you won't forget.
👉  Holi Festival in India: This Hindu celebration of Spring involves throwing colored powder and water on each other, in a celebration of the triumph of good over evil.
👉  Tour de France: Witness the World's most famous cycling race, or even participate in a cycling tour yourself.
👉  Carnival in Venice: A world-renowned festival featuring elaborate masks, costumes, and parades. It's a unique and visually stunning celebration that you won't want to miss.
👉  Oktoberfest in Germany: A beer festival in Munich that celebrates German culture and beer, and features traditional food, music, and rides.
👉  Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan: This beautiful and peaceful event celebrates the beauty of nature by featuring thousands of cherry blossom trees in full bloom. 
👉  Burning Man in Nevada, USA: This annual festival in the Nevada desert is a unique and unconventional event celebrating art, community, and self-expression.
👉  Summer Solstice at Stonehenge: A mystical and spiritual event that takes place on the longest day of the year. People gather at the ancient site to watch the sunrise and celebrate the changing of the seasons.
👉  Camino de Santiago: A walking pilgrimage, accessible to all levels of hiker, to the shrine of the apostle St. James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. This unique and spiritual experience allows you to disconnect from the fast pace of modern life and immerse yourself in a journey of self-discovery. 
👉  Pacific Crest Trail hike across USA: Traverse the length of the USA on this 2,650-mile trail running from Mexico to Canada. This epic adventure goes through some of the most stunning wilderness areas in the United States; crossing deserts, mountains, and forests, and offering incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Nevada mountain range. 
👉  Visit Machu Picchu: An ancient Incan city (and UNESCO World Heritage Site) located in the Andes Mountains of Peru. This iconic site takes you back in time to the height of the Incan Empire and is only accessible by the Inca Trail, making the journey to Machu Picchu is just as unforgettable as the site itself.
👉  Dia de los Muertos: Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that honors deceased loved ones with colorful parades, traditional foods, and ofrendas, or altars, to honor the dead. 
👉  F1 Grand Prix: An adrenaline-fuelled high-speed car race held in Monaco. Experience the sound of roaring engines and the thrill of watching the world's best drivers compete for the championship. 
👉  Hogmanay Festival in Edinburgh: This three-day celebration of the New Year features street parties, concerts, fireworks, and traditional Scottish customs, such as the first-footing tradition, where the first person to enter a home after midnight brings good luck for the coming year. 
👉  Mardi Gras in New Orleans: A time of revelry, excess, parades, beads, costumes, and music. Mardi Gras is a chance to let loose and celebrate life, with a festive atmosphere that is both fun and welcoming.
👉  Albuquerque Balloon Festival, USA: The largest hot air balloon festival in the world features hundreds of brightly colored balloons taking to the skies, with morning and evening balloon launches, as well as concerts, food vendors, and other activities. 
👉  Chiang Mai Lantern Festival, Thailand: The festival of lights where thousands of glowing paper lanterns are released into the night sky. It is a time of reflection and renewal, with lanterns symbolizing the release of negative emotions and the pursuit of happiness and good luck. 

In conclusion, being an F3 doctor (and particularly a locum doctor) gives you the flexibility to travel and experience new places and cultures. Whether you choose a working holiday, an activity holiday, a luxury holiday, or a once-in-a-lifetime experience, there are plenty of options to suit your preferences and budget. So pack your bags, book your flights, and start exploring the World!

You can learn more about working as a locum doctor by browsing the articles in our Locum Doctor Hub or learn about other contracted roles in our F3 Hub. 

We would love to know your thoughts on this, so please feel free to get in touch with us at support@messly.co.uk if you have any questions or comments about this article.

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