We all know how easy it is to over-indulge whilst on your travels, whether your weakness is Pina Coladas or buttered croissants – normal rules don’t seem to apply when your passport is in your back pocket. Unfortunately, a tighter-than-usual waistline can compound the post-holiday blues – so he we’ve gathered a handful of tips to help you stay in tip-top shape on your travels, without diminishing the fun and the experience.
Hydration is King
It’s not hard to satiate your thirst on your travels, just reach for another ice cold beer to battle the heat. Sadly, booze will only serve to dehydrate your body so it’s important to temper the pints of lager with pints of water.
However, it’s important to check whether the local water is safe for consumption. If not, break open the bottle water as a chaser.
Lifehacker posted this gem of an infographic, with a basic guide to the counties where you can drink the water.
Pace Yourself in All-Inclusive
There can be a temptation to get your money’s worth if you’ve plumped for an all-inclusive package, but in the grand scheme of things this may not be the great value it appears. If you’ve gone hell for leather on your first day and filled your plate with all and sundry, chances are you’ll feel pretty lousy that evening and the next day.
Specialist travel agent, Cruise1st, recommends: “On an all-inclusive cruise, do a lap of the buffet and read through the entirety of the all-inclusive menu and stagger the dishes you want to try throughout the duration of your trip.”
Walking and Cycling Tours
Great when visiting the old capitals and major cities of Europe, walking and cycling around the must-visit sites is a great way to keep active and have fun on your travels. Explore.co.uk features over 600 walking and cycling routes throughout the world, separated by location, experience and suitability. This is great way to really earn your dish of the local speciality in the evening, enjoying it with none of the guilt.
Pack Ginger Sweets and Ginger Tea
If you’re prone to bouts of nausea and travel sickness, don’t let these cast a shadow over your travels. Ginger has been found to battle feelings of nausea and sickness, so pack a packet of ginger sweets or a box of ginger tea bags for your travels. Even if you don’t need them, their presence in your rucksack can give you a little peace of mind.
Consider Local Measures
In the UK, standard spirit measures are 25ml or 35ml and standard large wine measures are 250ml – and these rules are widely followed by pubs, bars and restaurants. Some countries on the continent and further afield do not always follow these rules so stringently – so make sure you know the measurements before ordering a round.
Haphazard swigging may just lead to embarrassing dancing and slurring nine times out of ten, but more serious consequences such as alcohol poisoning could occur.
Compare Travel Insurance Policies
It has never been easier to find a huge range of insurance policies, thanks to the wonders of the WWW. We’d recommend using Compare the Market as the service allows you to personalise the travel insurance to your specific needs, plus any policy taken with the site will entitle you to Meerkat Movies – offering you 2-for-1 cinema tickets every week for a year. And have you seen the prices at the cinema recently?
And Pack for Safety
Worried about exceeding your baggage weight limit? Don’t even think about skimping on the safety essentials. Alongside basic first aid kits, you should also pack insect repellent, sunscreen, aspirin, Alka-Seltzer, Imodium and all your personal prescriptions.
We’d also recommend you ask your GP for a copy of any prescriptions, so you can grab some refills if you run out or lose your medication whilst on your travels. If needs be, these may have to come at the packing expense of shoes.
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