Vacation planning tends to focus on where you’ll go and the cool things you’ll see. But what happens if things don’t go according to plan? Preparing for some of the “what ifs” can be time well spent and may help bring peace of mind.

“We hope to be healthy on vacation and have everything go off without a hitch, but we’re not always that lucky,” said Dr. Amit Arwindekar,medical director at UnitedHealthcare Global. “Before you leave, think about what you’d do if you or someone you’re traveling with gets sick or is injured.”

Even if there aren’t health concerns, weather problems, airline delays and other unforeseen issues can mess up plans and turn vacations into costly nightmares. It all points to the importance of being prepared.

Here are five tips to think about to help minimize potential problems:

1. Protect against potential health issues. Consider a wellness checkup with a primary care doctor to talk about your travel plans and the possible need for vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers vaccination recommendations by country, along with their current travel health advisories.

2. Refill medications. It is a good idea to refill prescriptions before a big trip. When traveling by air, always pack medication in carry-on luggage in case your checked bags go missing. Also, be sure to check prescription drug restrictions for each country you’ll visit on an international trip to help avoid having your medications taken away upon arrival.

3. Tackle jet lag. Airline passengers can be hit by jet lag when passing across two or more time zones. This time-hopping can cause fatigue, difficulty concentrating and stomach troubles. Drink plenty of water — before, during and after flights — to lessen the dehydrating effects of cabin air and soak up the sun during the day to help reset your body clock and promote better rest at night.

4. Stay active. Exercise can help to lower stress and improve mood, both of which are keys to an enjoyable vacation. Sightseeing by foot can help to keep you active, as can a digital fitness app that offers on-the-go exercise classes and relaxing meditation sessions. Making time for exercise may help promote a sense of routine amid a busy schedule and offset the effects of typical vacation indulgences.

5. Verify protection. Take time to go over your health insurance plan and confirm what it covers, especially when leaving the country. Some plans only offer network access to local health care professionals, and most insurance policies do not extend overseas. If that’s the case with your coverage, consider a travel medical plan with in-person and virtual care options. Think about adding trip cancellation coverage to help with expenses caused by family emergencies, travel delays and cancellations.

“As they say, plan for the worst while you hope for the best,” Dr. Arwindekar said. “It may help make it easier to relax before and during your time away — knowing you’re protected if you face a health crisis or other vacation complications.”

Affordable and easy to use, the country’s high-speed train network makes it easy to visit its beautiful, lesser-known regions and cities

Forget checking in two hours early and stuffing your belongings in a tiny suitcase or battling traffic and wasting time finding a prized parking spot; taking the train is by far the most relaxing way to travel. In Spain, it’s also often the quickest way to get around. With 3,100km of track, the Spanish high-speed train network is the longest in Europe. Running at speeds of up to 310 km per hour, this extensive network means you can quickly zig-zag your way across the country. You can, for example, whizz from Madrid to Barcelona on the train in just two hours 45 minutes, while doing the same trip by car would take around six-and-a-half hours.

With the majority of fast-speed trains in Spain running on electricity from renewable sources, it’s also a no-brainer when it comes to planning an environmentally friendly trip. The stats speak for themselves – rail transport emits between five and seven times less CO2 than road transport and seven to 10 times less than air transport. In Spain, the transport sector is responsible for about 26 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions, while trains contribute just a tiny 0.3 per cent of this figure. The evidence is clear – you really are doing your bit when you take the train.

Considering the current economic climate, it’s a bonus that train travel is also very affordable in Spain. The introduction of low-cost lines run by the likes of Renfe, Iryo and Ouigo has made travelling between the major cities – including Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga and Valencia – both speedy and cheap. Book in advance and you could get fares as low as €9 (£7.90) one way. Even better, these routes keep growing. For example, this March, Iryo launched a new route between Madrid and the Andalusian cities of Córdoba and Seville.

Travelling by train is also one of the best ways to see the country. Whether you’re rolling through the lush green hills of Asturias or the dramatic desert-like landscapes in Andalusia, the journey is as important as the destination. There are options aplenty when it comes to exploring by train in Spain and taking the train opens you up to creative itineraries and places you might have otherwise missed. While there are routes between all the big cities, middle-distance and local trains make travelling to smaller places also very easy.

Madrid, and the beautiful Atocha station, is the starting point for a vast range of routes. If you like a culture-packed city, head north west to the Castile-León region with stops in Valladolid and Zamora. The former is a mediaeval city with impressive Renaissance architecture and a stellar line-up of museums, while the latter, on the banks of the Duero river, is a pretty city of important Romanesque artistic heritage.

If food experiences are high on your list, the Basque country and neighbouring Cantabria does not disappoint. By train you can take a pintxos tour in the port city of Bilbao (with a stop at the iconic Guggenheim Museum), sample the world-famous restaurants in the beachside town of San Sebastian and enjoy a local seafood feast in the fishing village of San Vicente de la Barquera.

Of course, the sunny south with its beautiful beaches always appeals and the white sand beaches of the Costa De Luz can easily be reached from Cádiz. You can combine a visit to this historic city – one of the oldest in the world – with a train trip that delivers the full Andalusian experience with stops in Jerez de La Frontera, the home of sherry, and Seville, the city of flamenco and rich architectural history.

However you like to travel, Spain’s vast range of landscapes, culture and experiences are likely to offer an itinerary that ticks you boxes – and chances are, it will be an even easier, cheaper and magical trip by train.

Create new Spanish memories

From sustainable city breaks to little-known towns and unsung culinary capitals, take the road less travelled in Spain. Discover the best places to visit for home grown, authentic experiences and slow travel trips that will help you uncover the unknown and see Spain’s most popular destinations in a whole new light.

Our world has been thoroughly explored, however, it still has a lot of secrets that we have yet to discover. When it comes to islands, they are some of the most mysterious places on the planet because they’re isolated from the world and it takes a long time to discover and research them.

Some islands that were discovered very recently are extremely strange, and the public is not that familiar with them. Here are 7 of the weirdest islands on Earth that will definitely amaze you.

7. Diego Garcia: Indian Ocean

Two thousand people used to live on this small island until they were relocated by force in the 1970s. Britain leased the land to the USA and a navy base was established on the island.

The location of the island was important strategically because the army had access to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. In recent years, rumors started circling that the island was used as a prison camp for years by the CIA and that many political prisoners were there, however, these rumors were never confirmed.

Another strange thing about this island is that some conspiracy theorists believe that MH370, the Malaysia Airlines plane that went missing in 2014 either landed or was shot down near Diego Garcia.

6. Earthquake Island: Arabian Sea

Located on Pakistan’s coast, the island was formed in 2013 after a strong 7.7-magnitude earthquake which destroyed the land and took the lives of around 40 people.

Several locals were present at the moment of the island’s creation, however, scientists were unable to determine precisely what caused the island to form. The island disappeared completely in 2016 and was never seen again.

5. Floating Eye: Parana Delta

Several islands make up the delta of the Parana River in Argentina, and one island stands out because it has the shape of a perfect circle.

This island has a diameter of almost 400 feet, and there is a channel around it which makes the island look like an eye. The island floats and rotates, and it was discovered by a movie director named Sergio Neuspiller.

4. Magic Island on Saturn’s Titan Moon

NASA’s astronomers were comparing new and old photos of Saturn taken by the Cassini probe when they noticed a weird phenomenon. They saw a sudden change in the seas of Saturn’s moon, Titan, and named it “magic island.”

Although astronomers think it’s a small island, the anomaly could also be a storm or a change in the waves. NASA proposed to build a special raft or submarine to explore Titan’s seas and prove if the mysterious “magic island” exists.

3. Socotra Island

Socotra Island belongs to Yemen, and it has an unnatural appearance, resembling an alien world. The island is isolated, and its temperatures are extreme, but 700 of its plant species can’t be found anywhere else on the planet.

The plant life is so unique that more than 70% of Socotra Island was closed off and turned into a national park. The Dragon’s Blood Tree is among the strangest trees on the island, with red sap flowing out of the branches.

Other plants look like they were taken from another planet and planted here on Earth. In addition, large caves can be found all over the island, and the walls of the caves are filled with mysterious carvings in many languages. The locals of Socotra Island have unique DNA, and they claim that the island used to be the location for the Garden of Eden.

2. The Lost Island of Bermeja

Isla Bermeja was shown on maps in the 16th to 20th centuries, and it was located in the Gulf of Mexico. It was the farthest distance away from any island in Mexico, which means that the island would have extended the country’s territory as well as its offshore oil claims.

However, research from 2009 concluded that Isla Bermeja could not be found. Some conspiracy theories about this island claim that it was bombed or somehow destroyed due to global warming.

1. Partridge Island

This island is located in the Bay of Fundy, Canada, and almost two centuries ago, it was used as a quarantine station for immigrants.

More than 2,500 immigrants from Ireland were sent to this island in the 1840s. The immigrants who were ill were not allowed to leave the island, and many people died and were later buried on the island.

The grass over the mass grave they were buried in was darker than anywhere else on the island. Partridge Island was closed off in 1941 and is still off-limits to visitors.

For most people, the monsoon season is very appealing. The weather is ideal for travelling and exploring new locations as it is neither too hot nor too cold. We all enjoy rainy days, the sound of raindrops hitting the ground, and the warmth of a hot cup of tea. But without the right precautions, the season can bring illness, and even cause accidents. However, this should not prevent you from travelling and exploring the country. In order to help you plan your tour during the monsoon, here are a few tips that can come in handy.

1. Always check the weather forecast: Most parts of India are drenched in rain during the monsoon. Therefore, before you plan out your trip, the most crucial thing to do is verify the weather prediction for the region. This is especially useful in challenging terrains, such as mountain ranges, where the chances of landslides and cloudbursts are very high. Check the weather forecast 3-5 days before and after your departure date to avoid such instances.
2. Carry Medicines and repellents: The monsoon months are a time when mosquitoes and insects are at their highest. In your travel kit, make sure to include a spray and lotion-based repellents that secure the room and your body. Additionally, carry a first-aid kit, as injuries on wet and damp roads can happen frequently. Also, along with your regular medicine, put some emergency pills that you might require on your journey. For example, for a cold and fever, if you get drenched in the rain.
3. Waterproof clothes: While taking a trip during the monsoon, pack synthetic fabric, which is easy to dry. They are light, and at the same time, if you get drenched, they will dry up quickly, so you will not have to halt your journey as well. Further, when planning a trip in the rainy season, you should pay extra attention to footwear. Investing in decent waterproof shoes will allow you to walk easily and comfortably. Also, ensure that your shoes are anti-skid to prevent you from losing balance on wet and slippery roads.
4. Take care of your food: The monsoon season is also renowned for the outbreak of waterborne illness. Food is one of the most crucial considerations for any traveller during this season. Avoid eating food from open stalls or counters because they are especially prone to contamination during the rains. Also, try to drink packaged water and not from any community taps.
5. Monsoon accessories: These would include an umbrella, raincoat, and hairdryer. While you can omit these during other seasons, during the monsoon they are a must. You can opt for foldable umbrellas that are lightweight and will not take up much space in your luggage.