PHILEAS Fogg tried to go round the world in 80 days but Saga Holidays could teach him a thing or two as they are sending travel writer Bridget McGrouther all over the planet in 50 days. 

Bridget will celebrate her 50th birthday by spending 50 days sampling Saga Holidays’ worldwide destinations to celebrate her 50th birthday.

Jules Verne's character Fogg was a studious diary keeper but Bridget will be using the latest social media advances to highlight the far-flung adventure holidays offered by the over 50s specialist through a blog, on Facebook and Twitter.

In preparation for the once-in-a-lifetime experience, she has got into shape with a top personal trainer, Mark Carter, and delighted in a hair makeover with celebrity stylist Errol Douglas MBE.

A specially curated reading list has been uploaded to her iPad by the team at Penguin Books so Bridget she had plenty to read when she set off from Heathrow on Tuesday.

Bridget’s first destination is Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil where she is currently sampling the delights of Sugar Loaf Mountain and some of the best beaches in the world.

Bridget she has been counting down the sleeps before she says goodbye to her husband Simon and dog Minnie for over seven weeks.

She said: “I still can’t believe this is happening to me but I am now all prepared and ready to tweet my way around the world.

“I have been surfing the Saga Holidays’ website to see which countries I might be visiting during this magical, mystery tour but at least I now know the first destination. Rio! How exciting is that? Saga has promised an action-packed itinerary so I can’t wait to be up, up and away on this incredible journey.”  

To follow Bridget’s travels visit website: www.saga.co.uk/50at50 Twitter: @SagaHolidaysUK and @50_at_50 Facebook: sagaholidays.