JET-SETTING and go-getting -- more women than ever before are packing in their jobs, packing up a suitcase and heading off to distant continents to explore the world.

The number of women boldly venturing off into the unknown far outweighs the number of men. But why the sudden taste for travel? Former teacher Charlotte Maudsley, 25, from Lammack, Blackburn, readily admits to being one of this burgeoning breed of independent-minded females.

Charlotte, currently a learning co-ordinator at Manchester's Urbis Centre, sets off for Peru and Mexico in November to embark on a programme of teaching, exploring and conservation work.

She said: "I have a real sense of adventure and I want to give something back to the countries I'm visiting.

"I'd much rather do this than go on holiday to the Costa Del Sol for two weeks."

But how does Charlotte explain the trend for travelling that seems to be blossoming among women?

"In this day and age, we women are standing up and saying, 'Hang on -- it's our turn now'," she said.

"Just because all the famous explorers and discoverers were male, doesn't mean that we can't take on these challenges too.

"There are all these people coming through like Ffyona Campbell and Ellen MacArthur who are really inspiring for women.

"We're not settling down until our mid-30s now and we'd rather use our 20s to build up experience in our careers and see the world.

"I feel now is the time to do something a little bit different with my life."

Another decisive factor in many 20-somethings' decision to travel is the fact that they usually have more control over how they spend their time and their money than a married 30-something. Many of the off-the-beaten-track adventures they embark on require huge sums of money, both for funding travel costs and for aiding the charities which organise the trips. Emma Dixon, 26, from Oswaldtwistle, is travelling with her friend Joanne Clegg, 24, to the Great Wall of China in October. They have so far managed to raise more than £7,000 for Cancer Research for the 10-day trek, thanks to fund-raising brainwaves like a James Bond fancy dress party.

"You have to be tremendously organised to raise the money," said Emma. "I don't know if that's a more female quality -- if we're the more organised gender! I don't think you could contemplate doing something like this if you had children and a full-time job. You just wouldn't have the time and energy."

Burnley-born author and journalist Diana Appleyard has written books and articles that deal with the subject of women abandoning the structures of their everyday lives to head off into the unknown.

She said: "When I started researching my new novel -- Every Good Woman Deserves A Lover -- I discovered that many women are starting out on a brand new phase of their lives and the sky is, quite literally, the limit. They are taking on amazing adventure challenges and take life by the scruff of the neck.

"The big question is, 'Are men keeping up with these firebrand women?' The answer I found is that, sadly, many are not!"

To sponsor Charlotte's trip, call 07711 520874. To donate to Emma and Joanne's call (01254) 392997.