Last year, we asked you to tell us your dreams - if you could take a Grown-Up Gap Year, where would you go and what would you do? Were you thinking of strapping on a backpack to go exploring? Taking time out to write that fantasy novel? Looking for adventure?

We had hundreds of responses and selecting a Grand Prize Winner wasn't easy. But in the end we found Martine Bailey, whose entry struck a chord. She's won a round-the-world air ticket, a travel pack, and a four-day luxury stay at the Earl's Regency Hotel in Kandy, Sri Lanka. We wish Martine all the best with her mission "to take on the world"!

Martine Bailey

'I am Martine Bailey the lucky winner of the Hill Station Grown-up Gap Year. I am 47 and a self-employed writer and consultant living in Chester. I have worked for many years as a HR and Development manager and work and family have been the main focus of my life. Now I finally have the time to indulge in my passions - travel, writing and food. Winning a Round-The-World ticket means that I can plan trips to places I would never think of travelling to: Japan, Sri Lanka and remote parts of the globe like Flores in Indonesia.

Part of my journey will be spent alone but I also hope to meet up with my sisters to see my great grandparents' former house on Java and celebrate Christmas with my husband and son in New Zealand. It is a thrilling time planning such a huge trip and I look forward to posting my updates as soon as the itinerary is ready.'

Congratulations to all our runners up.
Each has received a copy of Lonely Planet's "The Career Break Book".

Theresa from London, Helen from Dumfries, Liz from Leeds, Peter from Crowborough, Victoria from London, Shirley from Reading, Eric from Leicester, Eleanor from Glasgow, Sean from Burwell, Ayesha from London.