Keeping the valuables safe as well as having an emergency plan is essential to stay safe while holidaying abroad, especially for elderly travellers.

Travel experts from Panache Cruises shared their top 10 tips on how holidaymakers can stay safe this summer. Some of their most crucial recommendations for senior travellers include using safety mobile apps, sharing the location with family, knowing where the local hospital and police stations are and having the emergency phone numbers for each country.

1. Inform people of the location

Before going on holiday, travellers should always let friends and family know they are going away and keep them updated with any changes.

Keeping in regular contact and having the mobile’s live location app turned on is essential so people at home know where they are at all times.

2. Create an emergency plan

Being prepared for an emergency is key but this doesn’t have to be complicated. Travellers could simply familiarise themselves with the local hospital, police station and other useful spots in the town or city.

It could also be useful to “learn key phrases such as ‘I need help’ or ‘ring for an ambulance’ in the local language as well as the emergency phone numbers,” the experts explained.

3. Protect valuables

Thieves often target holidaymakers so it is advised not to pack anything expensive or of sentimental value unless is really necessary.

Travellers should also keep items like credit cards, local currency, passports and mobile phones hidden “in a secure bag out of sight at all times”.

Secure bags are great for senior travellers and these can be purchased on Amazon for less than £10.

4. Protect themselves against crime

Holidaymakers can be safe from local crime and tourist scams by researching the destination beforehand. Read up on travel guides and news sites, and talk to friends and family who have visited the area to learn about any potential risks.

5. Book solo accommodation

When travelling alone, it is recommended tourists always book solo rooms. Although shared accommodation such as hostels is more common among young travellers, seniors may be tempted to stay there to save money, however, the travel experts warned against this practice.

6. Choose accommodation with caution

Similarly, checking that the hotel is in a safe location and close to public transport and restaurants is key, even when travelling with family and friends.

“Travellers should also check the accommodation’s check-in timings to not spend time waiting around in an unknown environment,” they added.

7. Travel insurance

Travel insurance is essential to protect tourists from unforeseen events and interruption insurance “can help recover damages from issues such as weather and natural disasters”.

“Medical insurance can cover unexpected costs, while luggage insurance can help recover losses from theft or delays,” the experts added.

8. Study the local language

Learning a few words in the local language can be handy, especially if travellers need to ask for help.

9. Be respectful of local culture

“To reduce vulnerability and avoid drawing attention” it is advised travellers dress “appropriately” to respect the local culture. “Some countries may require hair to be covered up and not too much skin to be on the show,” for instance.

10. Never tell strangers if they are travelling alone

Finally, solo travellers “should never share too much with strangers” or they risk “becoming a target”. Instead, they should say that friends are “waiting up ahead or back in the hotel room”.

Begin with creating a list of the things you can’t leave home without.

If you want to make the most of your next trip, consider adopting a minimalist approach to your travel. By bringing only what you need, choosing versatile items, and opting for lightweight and small items, you can travel comfortably and enjoy your experiences.

Here are some tips to help you think like a minimalist:

Stay in guesthouses or hostels

Instead of luxurious hotels, consider staying in guesthouses or hostels. These simple accommodations can be more affordable and give you the basics, allowing you to enjoy the experience of your trip without unnecessary luxuries.

Just take what you need

Create a list of essential items you cannot leave home without, such as your visa, wallet, phone, and a few changes of clothes. Avoid packing too much or bringing items you don’t need.

Choose clothes that can be worn in different ways

Pack clothes that can be styled in different ways, allowing you to wear them more than once. For example, choose clothes that can be dressed up or down, and pack a thin scarf that can be used as a wrap.

Use a carry-on bag or vacation backpack

Opt for a lightweight backpack or carry-on bag instead of a big, heavy bag. This will make it easier to get around and fit things into small areas.

Use packing containers

Use packing containers to organize your clothes, toiletries, and other items more efficiently, and pack items like jackets and sweaters that take up a lot of space.

Make a plan

Before you start packing, make a checklist of the items you need to bring. This will ensure you don’t pack too much and don’t leave anything important behind.

Use travel-sized toiletries

Use travel-sized toiletries to save space and weight, instead of packing full-sized bottles.

Travelling with diabetes isn’t always easy. Right from what to pack to what to eat, there’s so much you need to be careful of. Here are some helpful tips if you are going on a family holiday with diabetics.

If you are planning a solo trip and have no major health issues, you can just look for the right mode of transport, make reservations and set out! Yes, a lot of planning goes into travel, but the to-do list can get longer if you are travelling with someone with a chronic disease like diabetes. Preparing for a family holiday and thinking of diabetes management for your loved one can be challenging. But that doesn’t mean that a diagnosis of diabetes should come in the way of your family member’s wish to explore the world. Before travelling, you just have to ensure that their condition is under control and you have packed everything that a diabetic would need while travelling. Come, let’s find out some tips for people travelling with diabetes.

Dr B.M. Makkar, Senior Diabetologist, President, Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in Delhi, India. Shared some tips.

Going on a trip can help to unwind, but it can also affect a person’s health if he or she is a diabetic. Dr Makkar says that travel exposes diabetics to unfamiliar environments, which is why you should be well prepared.

Packing tips if your loved one is travelling with diabetes

1. Schedule an appointment with doctor

After you are done with booking tickets, cabs and hotel rooms, you should schedule an appointment with your family member’s doctor. This should be done at least a month in advance of the trip for an updated assessment of glycemic control. You should also procure a prescription describing your loved one’s medical condition, and medication.

2. Carry extra medicines

Availability of medications may be an issue in the place where you are going. So, it is important to carry a list of all medications with generic name and their dosages. Taking extra amount of medicines will be a great idea.

3. Information about climate and environmental conditions of the destination is a must

You should have an idea of how the climate and environmental conditions of the destination will be like. Extremes of weather can adversely affect the health of your family member with diabetes. People with diabetes are quite susceptible to environmental stressors such as increase incidence of heat exhaustion, cold exposure, or foot ulcers, says the expert.

4. Pack healthy snacks

Food options for diabetics may be limited during travel, so packing healthy snacks in carry-on luggage can take care of disrupted dietary patterns.

Healthy snacks you can pack

• Almonds
• Cashews
• Walnuts
• Pistachios
• Avocado
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Tuna salad
• Black bean salad
• Low-fat cheese and whole grain crackers
• Yogurt
• Boiled eggs

5. Take correct syringes

If you are going abroad, you should know that insulin concentration varies from country to country. So, use the correct syringes as per the demands of the country.

6. Insulin pump therapy

If your loved one is on insulin pump therapy, get in touch with the manufacturing company. Dr Makkar advises to disconnect the pump during takeoff or landing as change in cabin pressure may lead to excess insulin delivery.

7. Take travel health insurance

Medical documents are very important if you are travelling with someone with diabetes. Travel health insurance is one of them. You should have the physician’s prescription, health insurance policy, medications and prescriptions for them.

8. Airport security checking

Airport security requiring patients on pump or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to go through scanners should be warned from doing so. It may cause radiation-induced malfunction, and these devices should not be removed.

9. Encourage diabetics to stand and walk during long flights

Those with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in deep veins in the body, generally legs), so they should be encouraged to stand and walk during long flights.

Blood sugar must be measured more frequently, and make sure they wear comfortable footwear to avoid ulcers and infections. With these tips, travelling with a diabetic can be easy.

When travelling, skincare is usually the last item on your mind after deciding which clothes to carry and where to go. Here are some quick ideas to help you maintain healthy skincare habits when you travel this summer

When you are travelling, skincare is the last thing you think about after contemplating the type of outfits to pack and places to visit. Travelling can damage your skin, if not taken care of, especially if it’s a summer destination. Due to constant exposure to the sun, your skin looks dull and dehydrated from the humid hot weather. Simple and effective skincare is vital for you during your summer travel. Here are some easy tips for you to have a good skincare routine, while you travel during this summer season.

1. Every place is not the same:

Don’t think you will find the same type of environment everywhere; so you cannot follow the same skincare routine always. You need to decide the type of moisturisers and creams to pack before you travel. Select the skincare regime according to the climate you are travelling to. For instance, you cannot follow the skincare routine of a humid place in dry or cold climates.

2. Ready from the start:

Don’t wait to reach your destination to start your skincare routine. Be ready from the beginning. Prep your skin on the journey to keep it well-moisturised and protected at all times. Pack some cotton pads and water to keep your skin clean and fresh. To reduce fatigue and dullness, try soothing it with moisturiser and a hydrating sheet mask before you leave for your journey.

3. Sunscreen is mandatory:

It is extremely important for you to carry sunscreen in your bag. Travelling in summer leads to dry and dull skin if not protected from exposure. Try not to leave before applying sunscreen, no matter what the weather is outside. Keep accessories like sunglasses handy, while you travel to summer destinations.

4. Beware of random products:

Don’t try any new or random skincare product you find in the hotel room or a shop in the place you visit. Skin is the most sensitive part of our body, which can have an allergic reaction when it comes in contact with an incompatible product. Each person has a unique skin texture, where some products work and some don’t. Try to have your own set of skincare products, which you have been using for a long time.

5. Stay hydrated:

Carry a water bottle around while travelling during the summer season. It helps you stay active and avoids weakness due to dehydration. It also helps in washing away a lot of toxins from the body.