Travelling in winter when you have respiratory issues poses a big challenge. But with these expert tips, you can travel safely and enjoy your winter escapades.

Travelling in winter, especially to mountains with respiratory issues like allergies and asthma is no ballgame. You are exposed to cold air, dryness, and not to mention dust mites and mould, which makes your condition worse and your vacation a disaster. If you want to make the most of your trip and bring back sweet memories instead of a sore throat then here are the top 5 tips for travelling safely and enjoying your winter escapades provided by Dr. Vinod Chauhan, Consultant Chest Physician & Pulmonologists, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani, Navi Mumbai

How To Survive Winter Holidays When You Have Allergies And Asthma

Here are some expert tips on how to avoid flare-ups during your winter holidays when you have allergies and asthma:

Pack Your Medications

“Always have your prescribed inhalers, antihistamines, and decongestants on hand. Just bring extra of everything, in case of delays, and have it all readily available, especially in your carry-on. If necessary, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet,” said Dr Vinod.

Minimise Triggering Environments

“There is dry, cold air that can precipitate asthma symptoms. Be cautious not to stay outdoors too long in really very cold air,” said Dr Vinod. Use a scarf or mask that you cover your nose and mouth with when outdoors. This can help warm the air a little before your lungs receive it.

Choose Allergy-Friendly Accommodations

When booking hotels or rentals, prioritise allergy-friendly options by selecting non-smoking and pet-free locations. This helps minimise allergen exposure. Additionally, if you have specific allergies, request special accommodations, such as hypoallergenic bedding and tailored cleaning services.

Stay Hydrated

Dry winter air can severely irritate your nose and lungs. To combat this, drinking plenty of water is crucial to keep your airways moist. Also, using saline nasal sprays helps maintain open and hydrated nasal passages, further alleviating discomfort. By staying hydrated and using nasal sprays, you can effectively protect yourself from winter’s harsh dryness.

Be Mindful Of Indoor Allergens

“Some allergens, such as the dust mites and mould stirred up by indoor heating, can trigger an asthma attack or allergic reaction. Use of air purifiers and also staying in well-ventilated spaces is recommended. Avoid carpets which are thick and furniture covered with fabrics, which retain allergens,” said Dr Vinod.

Thus, a fun and safe winter vacation is achievable even if you have allergies and asthma using the above tips.

Capturing travel photos is not as difficult as it seems. With these easy tips, we’re sure you’ll be able to take perfect shots and make your Instagram a visual treat for your followers.

Travelling is all about exploring and creating beautiful memories. And the best way to hold onto these memories is by capturing them through the lens of your camera. While travelling, we all like to take countless photos, ensuring we don’t miss out on anything. After all, we’d like to revisit the memories and upload the photos on Instagram once we’re back, right? But imagine scrolling through your phone gallery only to realise your photos didn’t turn out well. They may lack proper lighting, be too zoomed in, or appear blurred. This could be a real bummer, and we’re sure you wouldn’t want to be in such a situation. But don’t worry, you can avoid this in the future. Below are six travel photography tips that will help you take picture-perfect, Instagram-worthy travel shots. The best part? You don’t need a professional camera for this.

Here Are 6 Easy Tips To Take The Perfect Travel Photos:

1. Get To Know Your Camera

Treat your camera like your best friend. Just like how you’d inquire about the details of your friend’s life, do the same with your camera. Figure out the megapixel count of the lens and check if it offers any additional features such as high dynamic range (HDR) or pro mode. By getting to know your camera well, you’ll take a step closer to capturing perfect travel photos. And if you feel confused at any stage, go ahead, and watch a tutorial on YouTube.

2. Use Leading Lines

Leading lines are one of the most popular photography techniques. In this, you use lines in a scene to guide the viewer’s eye toward the subject. For example, if you wish to capture a mountain, use a nearby road or river as your leading line. This helps create depth in the image and adds a unique aesthetic. It also makes the viewer feel like you’re telling a story.

3. Follow The Rule Of Thirds

Another technique to keep in mind while taking travel photos is the rule of thirds. This involves dividing your camera frame into nine equal parts. Now, place your subject off-centre, on one of the intersecting points. By practicing this, you’ll notice that your photos turn out more balanced and visually appealing. The best part? Your phone likely has this feature built in.

4. Make The Most Of Golden Hour

For a photographer, golden hour is the most special time of the day. It’s the brief period just before sunrise or sunset, when the light is softer and warmer compared to the rest of the day. When on vacation, try to take your photos during this magic hour, especially if you’re capturing a popular tourist spot. Trust us, you’ll be amazed at how good your photos turn out.

5. Try Different Angles

The angle at which you take your photo can be a real game-changer. Avoid sticking to the same angle and feel free to experiment. After all, photography is all about being creative, isn’t it? If you wish to make the subject appear larger, try capturing the photo from a low angle. On the other hand, if you want to make it appear smaller, click the photo from a high angle.

6. Don’t Zoom In

Many of us have a habit of zooming in while taking travel photos. While it may work at times, it’s not the best technique for capturing Instagram-worthy photos. Instead, try to move closer to the subject. This way, you’ll be able to capture the intricate details without losing image quality. So, remember to always zoom out and physically move closer to the subject instead.

Capturing travel photos is not as difficult as it seems. With these easy tips, we’re sure you’ll be able to take perfect shots and make your Instagram a visual treat for your followers.

From rebooking to getting a cash refund, here are some pro tips.

Flights may get canceled for any number of reasons, from airline staff shortages to standard weather delays. Unexpected issues could arise any time you fly, but that’s the (small) price you pay for the countless joys of travel. Even when your flight is canceled or delayed, there are a few things you can do to turn the day around. From rebooking to requesting a refund, travel expert Scott Keyes, the founder of Going, shares his tips for surviving hectic times in air travel.

How to Find Out If Your Flight Is Delayed or Canceled

If you’ve provided sufficient contact information, Airlines should notify you about delays and cancellations by email, text, or through their apps, but tech issues may lead to communication mishaps. Always check your flight status on your airline’s website in the 24 hours leading up to your flight. When you’re at the airport, check the departures board for the latest information.

What to Do If Your Flight Has Been Canceled

If your flight is canceled, don’t panic — your airline might automatically rebook you on the next available flight. But there’s always a chance that might not happen, or even if it does, that the new flight won’t work with your schedule. Try visiting your airline’s website to see if it gives you flight options for rebooking. If not, call or text your airline. The wait times might be long, but talking to a customer service agent often gives you the most flexibility.

If your flight gets canceled while you’re at the airport, you might have better luck visiting the airline’s help desk. In fact, Keyes recommends trying both methods at once: “Stand in line and pull out your phone. Gate agents aren’t the only ones who can help re-accommodate you — phone agents can as well,” he says. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket; you may get through to an agent on the phone before you reach the front of the line at the airport.”

And don’t forget about your checked luggage — if you’ve already checked a bag for a flight that’s been canceled, speak to an airline representative about how to retrieve it.

How to Rebook Your Flight

The three main options for rebooking are in person at an airport help desk, over the phone, and via text. (Some airlines might be able to provide assistance through social media, too.) Bear in mind that the response times can be exceptionally long, so try reaching out by all means possible to find out which method is quickest.

But here’s a hot tip. “The easiest way to get in touch with an airline quickly is to call their international phone lines,” Keyes says. “Take American Airlines. They don’t just have their main U.S. hotline; they’ve got hotlines in Mexico and the United Kingdom and Australia and dozens more. While 99 percent of U.S. passengers call the main U.S. hotline and endure long waits, you’ll typically get right through at a foreign office, and agents there can handle your reservation just the same.”

While airlines always want to rebook you on one of their own flights, Keyes says there is a chance they can rebook you on a different airline. “It’s not common, but in some cases — like, say, it’s the last flight of the day and you’d otherwise have to stay overnight in a connecting city — airlines will do it with a carrier they have an interline agreement with,” he says. “Full-service U.S. airlines have these interline agreements with one another, but budget airlines rarely do. The lack of interline agreements is the primary reason I tend to avoid budget airlines when possible.”

How to Get a Refund, Travel Credit, or Other Compensation

As of April 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to automatically and “promptly” issue refunds for certain travel disruptions. You are now legally entitled to a cash refund if your flight from or within the U.S. has been canceled or delayed. Delays must be at least three hours for domestic flights or six hours for international flights.

“Under federal law, if an airline cancels or significantly changes your flight, you’re entitled to a full cash refund. Period,” Keyes explains. “Doesn’t matter if it was a non-refundable ticket. Doesn’t matter if the cause was bad weather or a global pandemic. You’re entitled to a cash refund if you no longer wish to travel; you don’t have to take a flight credit or travel voucher.”

Whereas airlines have historically been known for making passengers overcome hurdles to get their money back, this law means they must now issue refunds automatically (no pesky paperwork hidden in the depths of their websites) and in cash, not vouchers or travel credits. Other scenarios that might warrant a refund are class downgrades or a change of airport or the number of connections.

You’ll also get your money back for luggage that’s been delayed by 12 hours or more and any other add-on service you purchase that isn’t provided on your trip. These are the rules for flights departing from the U.S. or traveling domestically only. If you’re flying from Europe, a compensation law called EU 261 is in place.

“If you’re traveling in Europe, many delays or cancellations do entitle you to compensation up to 600 euros, in addition to keeping your flight,” Keyes notes.

Can You Avoid Canceled Flights?

There’s no sure way to avoid flight cancellations or delays, but there is one way to increase the chances that your flight departs on time: “The earlier your flight, the better your odds,” Keyes says. “That’s because weather is generally better in the morning, and also because the plane is usually already at the airport, rather than arriving from elsewhere, and thus at risk if that inbound flight were to get canceled.”

Additional Air Travel Tips

Opt for nonstop flights whenever possible, and try not to check a bag. “If your flight gets canceled or you miss a connection, it’s easier to get re-accommodated if the airline doesn’t have to also locate and transport your checked bag to a new flight,” says Keyes.

Travelling is one of the most memorable experiences to have, yet there are some challenges you might face if you’re not prepared before travelling. Factors like unpredictable weather and emergency alarms are not in our control, and when winter arrives, flight delays and cancellations are common. During winter, air travel will be a little challenging, especially if it’s foggy outside. To ensure your vacation takes a good start, here are essential winter travel tips to follow while flying in the winter season.

Make Your Travel Schedule Flexible

Ensure that you’re aware of the possibilities of delays or cancellations of your flights so that you can manage your arrival time. Plan your flights if you can’t miss meetings with family, friends, or any profession-related work. This also means you can travel a day before; an extra day of travel should be kept in mind while booking the flight.

Prefer Non-Stop Flights

Always prefer non-stop flights, especially if it’s winter. If your destination requires connections, then try combining other modes of travel. Suppose you only have the option to travel by connecting flights and prefer to drive to an airport near your current city that has direct flights to your destination. It is one of the must-follow winter travel tips that you shouldn’t avoid.

Visit Airport Earlier than Usual

During winter, heavy fog and traffic jams can delay your travel to the airport, which eventually means you need to stand in the queue to check-in. To avoid this, prefer going to the airport early as it would be already cool so everyone would be wearing multiple layers of clothes, which means more time in security checkings. If you are thinking about what to wear on a long-haul flight in winter, then consider the best woolen clothes.

Check-In Online

Online check-in is helpful as it helps you to skip the check-in lines at the airport and you can also head directly to the security when you arrive if you don’t have check-in bags. Almost every airline allows check-in before 24 hours on the flight timings.

Stay in Touch with Updates

Many winter-related events like fog and freezing rain result in flight delays and cancellations. To avoid waiting at the airport or early arrival, consider checking the flight status updates an hour before starting from your home. Also, keep an eye on the weather forecasts several days in advance for the airport you’re planning to travel to. This will help you spot delays even before your airline officially updates you.

Plan Before to Minimize Risk

Always plan your flight journey according to the weather pattern of the city you stay in to avoid unnecessary delays and cancellations. It is ideal to book your flight tickets as early as possible. It is one of those winter travel tips that you should follow to make your flight journey smoother.

Buy Travel Insurance

Having travel insurance is very important, as many people won’t know, but it offers compensation for weather delays and cancellations. It also includes emergency medical care and much more. These were some of the best travel tips for winter that you must follow to avoid any last-minute hassle and make your journey smoother.