Travelling with kids can be different than your usual trips. Considering their age and needs, you need to adjust your itinerary accordingly, especially when it comes to their hygiene. Here are a few tips by expert

Travelling is enjoyable but when it comes to travelling with your family, especially with children, it is easy to imagine why some people start worrying. One has to factor in a ton of uncontrolled occurrences that can pop up while the food, drink and air in a new place require some getting used to. Additionally, children are susceptible to issues brought on by travel, with illnesses like diarrhea and motion sickness. Planning and smart packing can help you keep your family well prepared while travelling. Dr Chaman Ram Verma, Dean at NIMS University in Jaipur, revealed to Zarafshan Shiraz a list of must-have items to keep in mind when travelling with kids.

1. Box of supplies in an accessible bag - It is very important that parents have an easily accessible bag of all major supplies including medicines, power bank, safety pins etc, when traveling with children and parents as well.

2. Medical kit - Whether at home or travelling, a first aid kit or kit has been one of the most useful yet underrated items in many cases. Usually, people do not realize its significance until they experience a medical emergency. So, it’s a good idea to carry some pain killers along with basic first-aid essentials including bandages, antiseptic disinfectant liquid, antibacterial creams, small scissors etc. Don’t forget inhalers, allergy medicine and insulin, if needed/prescribed by your doctor.

3. Germ protection wipes - While travelling via road or air, you come in contact with multiple surfaces that will be handled by others too. Also, there are instances where one does not have access to water. A germ protection wipe will come in super handy for this. Get one which is easy to carry and is re-sealable. A travel pack of germ protection wipes would be perfect to clean away the germs from your mobile phone, wallet, chair arms and any other surface. The best part? The wipes are truly multi-purpose: safe to use on hands, body and surface (glass, marble, wood, plastic, and stainless steel) even gadgets. Germ protection wipes have a skin-friendly pH. They are soft and gentle on skin.

4. Comfortable car seats or cushions - Depending on your child (and age), some parents are more comfortable with the child in their car seat during the flight. Being in their car seat can bring them a level of familiarity and can even be comfortable enough to fall asleep.

Whether you’re travelling across diverse landscapes, lounging on sunny beaches, or experiencing bustling cities, a well-rounded skincare routine will keep your skin looking its best

Travelling can be an exhilarating experience, exposing you to new cultures, climates, and environments. However, the toll it takes on your skin is often underestimated. Whether you’re exploring bustling city streets, trekking through nature, or lounging on a tropical beach, your skin is constantly exposed to different elements that can affect its health. Here are some effective ways to take care of your skin while travelling, ensuring you return home with a radiant complexion.

Stay Hydrated

Travelling can lead to dehydration, both internally and externally. Changes in climate, long flights, and exposure to the sun can strip your skin of moisture. Make sure to stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout your journey. Additionally, invest in a good moisturiser to keep your skin supple and prevent it from drying out.

Check The Weather

Before embarking on your travels, a crucial step in skincare preparation is checking the weather of your destination. Different climates necessitate adjustments in your skincare routine. For instance, humid conditions may require lighter moisturisers, while dry climates may demand extra hydration. Hot, sunny destinations mandate heightened sun protection, whereas colder environments may necessitate a richer moisturiser to combat dryness. By understanding the weather forecast, you can tailor your skincare regimen to the specific challenges posed by your destination, ensuring that your skin remains resilient and well-protected throughout your journey. Always be adaptable and attentive to your skin’s unique needs in diverse climates.

Keep Towelettes Or Facial Wipes On You

An essential item to include in your travel skincare arsenal is a pack of towelettes or facial wipes. These convenient, on-the-go products are invaluable for a quick refresh during long journeys or on busy days exploring. Use them to wipe away sweat, remove excess oil, and cleanse your face when access to water is limited. Opt for wipes with gentle, hydrating ingredients to avoid irritation. Keeping these handy ensures you can maintain a clean and refreshed complexion throughout your travels, promoting skin health even amid bustling activities and unpredictable conditions.

Remember To Use Moisturiser

Never underestimate the power of moisturiser while travelling. Regardless of your destination, your skin is prone to dehydration due to air travel, climate changes, or even exposure to air conditioning. Packing a reliable moisturiser is non-negotiable. Opt for a product that suits your skin type: a lightweight gel for humid conditions or a rich cream for colder climates. Regular application nourishes your skin, prevents dryness, and protects against external elements. Don’t skip this essential step in your skincare routine; your skin will thank you for the consistent hydration, ensuring a healthy and radiant complexion throughout your journey.

Sun Protection

UV rays are one of the primary causes of skin damage. Whether heading to a tropical paradise or a snowy destination, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 before stepping out. Reapply it every two hours, especially if you’re swimming or sweating. Don’t forget to protect often overlooked areas like your neck, ears, and the back of your hands.

Get Enough Sleep

Quality sleep is vital for overall health, including the health of your skin. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night, even when adjusting to different time zones. Consider using a sleep mask to block out light and promote restful sleep.

Be prepared for anything and everything.

The classic road trip is a touchstone of American travel culture. But do you know what to do if you get hit by wintry weather along the way?

Travelers should keep safety in mind whenever they get behind the wheel, but driving in the winter requires particular care. Road conditions can be more dangerous in the snow, and unprepared drivers run the risk of getting stymied by icy streets and freezing temperatures. To help you drive your best this winter, we’ve rounded up advice from auto experts across the world — and their top tip is simply to take things slow.

“The most important thing to remember is to drive slowly and steadily,” Anthony King, CEO of Transport Executive, shared with Travel + Leisure via email. Driving too fast on snow or ice, he added, can lead to skidding — a scary experience, but one you can avoid or control with careful driving. “In the event of a skid, stay calm and avoid slamming on the brakes, as this may cause you to lose control of your vehicle. The ideal method is to take it easy on the pedal and shift slightly into the skid before slowly accelerating.”

Here are five more tips for driving in snow that will help keep you safe on any winter road trip.

Warm up your vehicle before driving.

Thomas Brown, a driving instructor from Fairbanks, Alaska, with 30 years of experience, shared a piece of advice both you and your car will appreciate: if you’re in a cold environment, let your vehicle warm up before leaving the driveway.

“Wait 30 seconds to a minute after the engine starts before driving,” he explained. Not only will this give you some time to blast the heater and warm up, but it will also allow your engine to perform at its best. The optimal engine speed, Brown said, is between 2,000 and 3,500 RPM, and putting your car into immediate motion when it’s cold can force the engine out of that range — especially if you plan on driving fast. “Wait until the engine temperature rises to a normal operating temperature, then raise the speed.”

Install skid chains or snow tires.

If you’re traveling to a snowy area, Brown also suggested installing skid chains or a set of snow tires.

“Both of these items can enhance the grip of the vehicle to avoid skidding, but the skid resistance of snow tires is much better than the chain,” Brown said. “If you live in an area that has more than three months of snowfall a year, I recommend getting a new set of snow tires for your vehicle. If the snowfall doesn’t last long, installing a set of skid chains is adequate.” If you don’t feel like this is a task you can do alone, visit your local auto shop for a little help.

Perform some basic vehicle maintenance.

According to Ferenc Elekes, founder and editor of the vehicle-travel advice forum Overlandsite, it’s crucial to take care of your car so it can take care of you when driving in snow.

“First and foremost, maintenance is very important,” Elekes said. “Your car must be ready for the challenges winter conditions throw at it.” Winter road trippers should be sure to check all the basic systems of their car before heading out, he said, including the tires, brakes, battery, radiator, wiper blades and fluid, lights, defrost and heater, and other fluids. Running diagnostics is smart too. “Having your car in tip-top shape will not only increase your safety, but it will also give you peace of mind, which will make driving in winter more relaxed.”

Elekes also added that it’s a good idea to spend a little more on some upgrades if you can. “Changing the oil, upgrading tires, using different fluids, adding interior protection, and washing and waxing your car add extra protection for you and your vehicle, functionally and aesthetically.”

Pack for emergencies.

As Murphy’s Law states, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” You can prepare for this by considering potential issues and packing your car accordingly.

“For your safety, it’s advisable to pack some emergency essentials,” Elekes said. Also, choose specific items to pack for a winter road trip. “Depending on the length and style of your trip, essentials can range from the bare minimum, like a hazard triangle, ice scrapers, and tire chains, to being prepared for anything with tow straps, an extra battery, a shovel, tools for small repairs, and ice melt and traction materials.”

It’s also smart to have basic survival items on hand, such as food, water, and blankets, in case you get stuck by the roadside changing a tire or waiting on a tow.

Do your homework on the route.

Odds are, when planning a road trip, you’ll likely research your destination, including things like accommodations, attractions to see, and places to eat. But Kyle Kroeger, founder of ViaTravelers, recommends taking things one step further by looking up snow conditions as well.

“Do research on the area you’re visiting and speak to the locals for advice on places to avoid and places you can visit most safely,” Kroeger said. Furthermore, it can be a good idea to research gas stations along your route and the distances between them. “Make sure you never run out of gas,” Kroeger warned. “If you’re at all concerned about running out, turn back immediately.”

Professional travel photographer Jordan Banks, shares his top tips for getting the most out of your travels, suitable for home and abroad.

For landscape lovers

Research

Research is an essential part of taking great travel photos and is about 80% of my process in producing a great landscape photo. I will ensure I visit at the best time of year for the shots I am looking to take. I will know almost exactly where I need to place myself and at what time and angle the sun will be rising and setting.

Get it right in camera

With the advancements in technology there is a tendency if something isn’t quite right to just say ‘I’ll fix it in post’. I am a big believer in getting everything correct in camera. For me this is the purest form of landscape photography and will help improve your skills as a photographer.

Master filters

Filters are an essential part of my workflow and I would highly recommend using them to control and harness the light in your landscapes.
From neutral density grads to even out your exposure, polarisers to increase reflection or add a punch to your images, and neutral density filters when you require a slow shutter speed to smooth out that water.

Break the rules

We all know the classic rules of composition such as lead-in lines and the rule of thirds, but like any rules these can be broken. As long as you understand the more traditional rules you can play around with your composition and find your own unique style and adaptation of photography’s rules.

Scout locations

I use my downtime on a shoot to scout new or existing spots. This saves me time later and confirms, or in some cases disproves, that it’s a location worth revisiting. Scouting locations isn’t always possible which is where Google Earth comes in. Google Earth 3D allows me to recce locations and even compose shots from the comfort of my office.

Be patient

Good things come to those who wait and this has never been truer than with landscape photography. Conditions can change in a heartbeat so if things aren’t looking great then be patient. I can’t tell you the number of times when I was about to pack up and something magical happened. The last thing you want, is to see this happen just as you get back to the car.

Look for something different

It’s very easy to head to that classic viewpoint that you have seen before but this isn’t pushing your creativity. Try to find a new and unique angle that hasn’t been done before or, even better, a completely unique image from a location.

Don’t be afraid of technology

Landscape photographers can be very old school in their approach but with the development of smart tech have come a range of apps that are incredibly useful. My favourite is PhotoPills which incorporates AI tech to allow me to track the sun, moon and even Aurora Borealis in real time.

Arrive early and stay late

Showing up on location early will give plenty of time to scout your location for the perfect spot to shoot from. It doesn’t matter if I am shooting a sunrise or sunset, I will stay until the light has fully gone. The early morning light following sunrise can still offer some great conditions, as can the blue hour after the sun has set.

Include people in the landscape

Try including a person in your landscape photography to add a sense of scale and place to your image. Adding a person in to your landscape will not only highlight the grandeur of a scene but also help the viewer connect with your image. If you are alone then try including yourself in the shot using a remote shutter release.

For urban enthusiasts

Move slowly

With the fast-paced nature of most cities, it is easy to get caught up and move around too quickly. Take your time and look around to truly take in your surroundings. I guarantee you will find shots that you may otherwise have missed.

Travel light

In general photographing cities will include a lot of walking, so only pack the equipment you are going to need for that day. The last thing you need is to feel so exhausted from carrying a bag full of kit around with you that you don’t need, that you are too tired to shoot when the light is right.

Shoot in bad weather

Don’t be afraid of adverse conditions. Often, we photographers hate the rain but a wet, moody city can look just as appealing as it normally would. The damp streets reflecting the light on the floor add a new dynamic to your shots or a puddle could be used to capture reflections.

Get off the tourist trail

There is a tendency to stay in the traditional tourist areas where we feel comfortable, but there is much more to any city than these places. If you really want to capture the true essence of a city look to visit less popular and more local parts of town. Search out events, markets and unique venues.

Have your camera at the ready

With all the hustle and bustle a city brings, you never know what’s going to happen next. Always have your camera to hand, ready to capture the moment. While I am wandering about, I am very aware of my surroundings so I can see the shot before it happens.

I also change my exposure settings as the light and conditions vary. This saves me valuable seconds when a shot presents itself as I then don’t need to adjust my settings to make sure I capture the moment.

Tripod

I am surprised by how many photographers discount the use of tripods when photographing cities. Granted, using tripods is slower than shooting handheld but sometimes that’s just what you need. If you want to add some movement or light trails to a scene you will need a tripod to compensate for those slow shutter speeds. Tripods are also handy for busy scenes when you need to clone out elements and require multiple identical compositions to blend in post.

Shoot at night

At night cities come to life, the lights come on and people come out. This can offer a completely new take on what may have been a relatively boring shot a few minutes ago. Play with light trails, look for pleasing colour combinations and shoot at small apertures (f/16) to achieve that starburst effect.

Tell a story

Cities are brimming with life so try to portray this in your images. Get under the skin of a city and find out what makes it tick. Try to avoid just photographing those hero shots and include people, buildings, interiors and details to provide a true sense of place. Setting yourself the challenge of a photo essay is a good practice to keep you focused on your end goal of producing thought-provoking and powerful imagery.

Get creative

You are never more than a stone’s throw away from an element of your surroundings that can offer a creative composition. Cities offer unparalleled textures such as the lines of a building, cobbled streets, reflections and foreground details that can all add that bit of flair to your photographs. Don’t be afraid to get down low or jump up on a ledge to get a slightly more creative angle.

Unique and new views

Cities are constantly changing and evolving, thus providing photographers with fresh new points of interest to shoot. This could be in the form of a new vista from a viewing platform, a new art installation or interesting landmark – so make sure to include these in the planning stages of your trip. People are always more interested in images they haven’t seen before.

For portrait fans

Multiple compositions

Experiment with multiple angles. The majority of travel portraits are a one-time deal so make sure to really work the scene and get everything you can from it. This doesn’t mean rush but rather spend a little more time and make sure you nail it. Most people are more than happy to stick around for a pleasant experience.

A difficult-to-interpret expression

When shooting travel portraits, we first need to understand what makes a great portrait. For me this is a difficult-to-interpret expression. I want there to be multiple views on what my subject is thinking and who they really are. If you can capture this depth to a person’s personality you will have a very strong portrait.

Environmental portraits

Environmental portraits use the subject’s normal surroundings as the backdrop, typically their home or workplace. What makes environmental portraits so powerful is their ability to give the viewer an insight into that person’s life by providing the photograph with far more context.

Connect with your subject

Compliment them, smile and talk, even while shooting. Ask open-ended questions to get your subject engaged. This will make them relax and forget about you. Instead of asking to ‘take a picture’ use terms like ‘make your portrait’ which sounds more creative and collaborative. This allows you to get the best from your subject as they are now part of the creative process.

Capture the action

Once you have a person talking, continue to shoot a range of different expressions. You never know which photograph will be the hero shot, and the more you shoot the more likely it is that you will produce a great portrait. Try to avoid reviewing your camera’s LCD screen, as this breaks your flow and only acts to make your subject self-conscious or think you are done.

Interesting faces and people

Keep an eye out for interesting faces that tell a story and inspire you to photograph them. Do they encapsulate the local population and tell a story that adds to your work? If so, then be sure to concentrate on the areas of their persona that initially spoke to you and not just fire off a quick snap and be on your way.

Don’t be afraid to approach people

Act while you can, as the chance won’t come again. If you see someone who inspires you to make a portrait, then approach them and ask for their permission. In my experience it is better to be rejected than to not ask. Approach people in a relaxed manner with a smile on your face and offer to send them a copy of the image as an extra incentive, as this usually works.

Wear light-coloured clothes

Wearing a white or light top when you are shooting natural portraits is a great little tip to help light your subject. The light colour from your top acts as a sort of reflector to cast a little extra light on your subject’s face. This is especially useful when you are shooting backlit portraits.

Remove clutter

Look for clear and non-distracting backgrounds that allow you to highlight your subject and don’t be afraid to ask your subject to move to a more desirable location. Take care to avoid distractions such as messy foliage, powerlines or a lamppost coming out of someone’s head.

Look for the light

As with backgrounds don’t be afraid to ask people to move in to a more flattering or interesting light. Very rarely will people decline the chance of being made to look better once they have agreed to let you photograph them.