Traveling during the monsoon season can be both exhilarating and challenging. The rain-soaked landscapes and cooler temperatures offer a refreshing change, but the increased humidity and dampness can take a toll on your skin. As a young, modern dermatologist, I’m here to share essential skin care tips to keep your skin healthy and glowing during your monsoon travels.

Essential monsoon travel skin care tips

1. Pack Waterproof and Lightweight Products

When traveling in the monsoon, it’s crucial to pack skin care products that can withstand the humidity and rain. Opt for waterproof and lightweight formulas, such as gel-based moisturizers and sunscreens. These products provide the necessary hydration and protection without feeling heavy or greasy on your skin.

2. Keep Your Skin Dry and Clean

The constant exposure to rain and humidity can make your skin a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Always carry a soft, absorbent towel to pat your skin dry whenever it gets wet. Using antibacterial wipes can also help keep your skin clean and fresh throughout your journey.

3. Use Antifungal Powder

To prevent fungal infections, especially in areas prone to sweating, apply antifungal powder. Focus on regions like the feet, underarms, and groin. These powders help absorb moisture and reduce the risk of infections, keeping your skin healthy and comfortable.

4. Stay Hydrated and Moisturized

Even with the humidity, your skin can get dehydrated due to travel stress and changes in climate. Drink plenty of water and use a hydrating facial mist to keep your skin fresh and moisturized. A light, non-comedogenic moisturizer will help lock in moisture without clogging your pores.

5. Choose the Right Clothing

Wear loose, breathable clothing made from natural fibers like cotton. This allows your skin to breathe and reduces the chances of sweat accumulation and irritation. Avoid tight clothing and synthetic fabrics that can trap moisture and cause discomfort.

Inputs by Dr. Sonali Kohli, Consultant Dermatology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital

Taking your time, exploring a new region while respecting it, is easy in Brittany – and all while keeping the kids entertained. Brittany’s rich natural heritage has plenty in store for families, whether on land, on foot or by bike, at sea or in the forests.

Make some new marine friends

Brittany’s coasts, bays and archipelagos are home to numerous marine mammals and birds, which can be observed in their natural environment very discreetly, while respecting them at all times. Some species, such as the bottlenose dolphin, live in Brittany all year round. These impressive mammals can be observed all year round in the Normandy-Brittany Gulf, and over 400 pass through the Bay of the Mont-Saint-Michel! This is also the case for the grey seal, which has taken up residence in the Iroise Natural Marine Park, home to the largest colony in France. On land or at sea, young and old alike will be amazed to meet these animals.

Play adventurers on a heritage sailing boat

Stretching between the Channel and the Atlantic, the Breton coastline is yours for the taking. It’s the longest coastline in France, exquisite and ever-changing with the seasons and tides. What about taking the whole family on a voyage of discovery aboard an old sailing ship? Famous for having answered the call of 18th June, the ‘Corbeau des Mers’ will teach you about traditional navigation and the Gulf of Morbihan. This 1931 lobster boat has been completely renovated. Eric, a passionate skipper, will tell you about the maritime history and the wonders of the Gulf while involving you in the sailing and manoeuvres. You’ll fall under the spell of this pearl of Southern Brittany, a recognised Regional Natural Park. Perfect for making lasting family memories.

Choose accommodation that teaches kids about the environment

In Brittany, you can teach your children about the planet while enjoying some quirky accommodation. There are several choices for families who want to get closer to nature and its values. The La Belle Verte ecolodges have been entirely designed to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible, are a real haven of peace in the middle of nature. Tempted by farm stay? Little ones will love the eco gîtes and guest rooms at the Coet Kra farm, as they can feed the animals here too. For a bit of fun, head to La Belle Folie, a hybrid place where you can relax and meet people, with a nod to the environment at the same time. Sleep in a caravan perched on a menhir, in a woven house or a cactus, while enjoying the guinguette restaurant with its local, seasonal dishes.

Go for a pretty bike ride

Time to explore Brittany by bike! With its ‘voies vertes’ (green ways), the whole family can cycle with complete peace of mind – these are secure routes reserved for pedestrians, cyclists, rollerbladers and sometimes horses. Nine routes criss-cross Brittany over more than 1,700km and through very different landscapes. The Nantes-Brest Canal, for example, links the two cities and will take you along several rivers and past even more locks, trees and animals! You can also cross an old railway line, the Bay of the Mont-Saint-Michel and the Bay of Quiberon. A fun and enjoyable way to experience Brittany, at your own pace.

Take a breath of fresh air in a forest of legends

Who hasn’t heard of the legend of King Arthur? But what you may not know is that it has its roots in the magnificent Brocéliande Forest. This is a magical site to explore as a family, accompanied by a guide to truly immerse yourself in the legends of the fairy Viviane and Merlin. Don’t miss the Door of Secrets, an exhibition area with audio guides in various languages, offering an amazing show trail. Listen to the sounds of the forest and wander through the Korrigans Cave. And you’ll be bewitched by the menhirs of Monteneuf, set in an expanse of gorse and heather. These hundreds of megaliths and dolmens make up a large part of Brittany’s remarkable archaeological heritage.

Planning a vacation involves a ton preparation. One of the most important things to plan out is your vacation finances. Having the money for your hotel, transportation, food and spending cash can easily make or break your trip. Once the trip is arranged, it’s still important to keep tabs on your currency and know what to expect while you’re traveling.

Call in advance

Before you leave be sure and call your credit card companies and bank to let them know you will be traveling. This will help to ensure your bank won’t flag any of your vacation purchases as possible fraudulent activity, which would leave your credit card unusable until verifying those charges.

Know the fees

If you plan on using more than just cash while you’re traveling (and most people do) check out what fees may be associated with using your card internationally. This can help you figure out if it’s best to use your card or if you should consider converting your cash to foreign currency.

Separate your money

At home you most likely keep all your credit cards and cash in one place, like your wallet. When traveling separate out your money sources. Try keeping one credit card and some cash on you for day trips, and leaving the rest behind locked safely in your hotel room. This limits your risk of being left with no money if you experience theft or lose your wallet.

Stash it safely

To avoid possible pick-pockets or your wallet accidentally falling out of your back pocket unnoticed, keep your wallet in your front pocket. If it’s in a front pocket you’ll be more aware if it’s suddenly missing. Alternatively, you can try one of several kinds of money belts that allow you to hang your money around your neck and inside your shirt – safely tucked away.

Currency exchange

Know where you plan to convert your U.S. cash to foreign currency if you’re traveling internationally. You can convert your money at your home bank before you travel, at currency exchange stations periodically as you travel, or by using ATMs abroad. Taking into consideration fees associated with each option and the amount of time you’ll be traveling can help you decide what will work best for you.

“We’re closer than ever to an iPhone camera being a replacement for a DSLR camera,” (when it comes to travel photos) Tiffany Nguyen says.

Tiffany Nguyen didn’t set out to become a professional photographer. She, like many of us, started simply by snapping photos on her iPhone 4 to document her everyday life. Slowly but surely, she learned a few tricks of the professional trade, using tools available on her mobile, which have now made her one of the most respected travel photographers in the game.

“I was in my first year of dental school, and I hadn’t started my photography career yet. Fast forward to 12 years later, and I’ve transitioned to a career as a full-time photographer,” Nguyen told Travel + Leisure. “The iPhone was definitely an integral part of my journey as a photographer and made me realise how much I enjoy taking photos and creating something unique.” She added, “I didn’t take the straight line path that I expected to take in life, but I hope [talking about it] encourages others to chase their passions as well.”

With the release of the latest iPhone 14, Nguyen shared that she’s been “so impressed with the image quality” thanks to its 48-megapixel RAW capability, that she says “can stand up next to DSLR images better than ever before. There is so much information contained in each image which allows for much more in-depth adjustments when editing.” She added, “I think we’re closer than ever to an iPhone camera being a true replacement for a DSLR camera.”

To help others step up their game, Nguyen shared a few pieces of critical advice to level up when it comes to travel photos right from your phone and shared a few of her favourite photos from Los Angeles taken on her device to help inspire you to get out and shoot more too.

How to take travel photos like a pro

Try shooting in RAW

“A lot of people don’t realise that you can shoot in RAW, which allows you to have more information to work with in order to maximise your editing capabilities,” Nguyen explained. RAW is an uncompressed file format that allows your camera (or, in this case, your phone’s camera) to capture as much data as possible. This way, when you go to edit an image, you can do so in much greater detail. (The only downside is that shooting in RAW takes substantially more data space.)

“With 48 megapixels to work with, you have so much flexibility and can really bring an image to life with editing. Being able to lock your exposure and focus when shooting also helps you to capture the scene exactly as you envision it,” Nguyen added. “Dialing in your exposure in camera and making sure it’s as close to ideal as possible can make the editing process a lot easier.”

Get to know the basics of composition

Taking great photos isn’t just about having fancy equipment. It’s also about understanding a few basics of composition.

“I would recommend shooting close to sunrise or sunset to capture your images during the most ideal light,” Nguyen shared, pointing to the time commonly known as “golden hour” to give off those dreamy warm tones.

“Having a strong composition can really make or break your image,” Nguyen added. “Some of my favourite composition techniques include leading lines, negative space, symmetry, the rule of thirds, and using layers. Utilising these techniques along with shooting during periods of soft light will really help take your iPhone photos to the next level.”

Pick a subject and practice, practice, practice

Nguyen’s favourite thing to practice with when it comes to travel photos is cityscapes, as evidenced by these gorgeous L.A. shots. Picking a favourite, she explained, helps people want to get out and practice even more.

“The best camera really is the one you have in your pocket, and the iPhone allows me to quickly capture moments in high fidelity while I’m on the go,” she said. “There’s so much that goes on around you when you’re walking through a city, and shooting on an iPhone lets me stay fully immersed in the moment while still being able to capture high-quality images of my favourite sights and memories.”

Learn how to edit on the fly

Yes, taking stellar pics is key, but learning to edit travel photos, Nguyen noted, is also a big part of levelling up.

“Editing is half the fun and is where I really get to bring my images to life,” she said. “I edit all of the images taken on my iPhone with the iPhone as well. The apps I typically use are Lightroom Mobile and Touch Retouch. It’s the quickest and easiest way to edit my images when I’m on the go and gives me almost the same editing capabilities as compared to editing on my laptop. I’m always amazed at what I’m able to create 100% on my iPhone.”