Travel Tips.

Good planning is essential to the success of any journey.  That's why, as a wise traveller, you have consulted a professional: your Travel Agent—knowledgeable, and dedicated to the success of your vacation or business trip.

PASSPORT
It is recommended that all passengers travel with a valid passport, regardless of their destination. All passengers, regardless of nationality and destination, must check with their travel agent and the consulate of the country they are visiting to find out the most accurate entry requirements.

10 IMPORTANT HEALTH TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS
Here are a few tips that may keep you happy and healthy. Travel precautions vary from country to country, urban to rural areas and short-term to long-term travel.

1. Consult with a Health Care Professional
· Make a appointment with a health care professional six to eight weeks prior to your planned departure date.  Depending on where you are travelling, you may need routine, required or recommended immunizations.
· While travelling, always carry your immunization records, any prescribed medicine and a photocopy of prescriptions.
· Medications for diarrhea and malaria should also be considered, especially if you are travelling in South America, Asia or Africa.
· Medical insurance plans are an important consideration! A worldwide directory of English speaking physicians can be obtained from :
The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers
1287 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto, ON   M6E 1B9 416-652-0137

2. Acclimatize and Be Prepared
· Take along enough sunscreen (15 SPF or greater), hats and sunglasses.
· Drink plenty of safe fluids.
· If travelling across several time zones you may experience jet lag.
· If going by boat, train or small plane, be prepared for motion sickness. You may want to consider using Scopolamine, Bonamine, Dimenhydrinate, or Sea Bands.
· Heading to the mountains?  Be prepared for colder temperatures and altitude sickness on those big climbs.

3. Protect Yourself from Insects
· Insects are carriers of disease in many countries. Mosquitoes can spread malaria, yellow fever, encephalitis and other serious diseases.
· Wear insect repellent that contains 30-50% DEET, long pants and sleeves. Mosquito netting provides important protection in sleeping areas.

4. Wear Protective Footwear
· Proper footwear protects from cuts and reduces the risk of tetanus (lock-jaw).
· Emergency care in foreign countries can put you at risk for contact with infected needles and diseases like AIDS or hepatitis B virus!
· Infections from direct skin contact with sand or soil contaminated by dog or cat feces is common when walking barefoot. Sand on foreign beaches can contain parasites.

5. Make Sure Your Water is Safe
· Contaminated water is a leading cause of illness.
· Drink ONLY bottled or boiled water and carbonated drinks.
· Water can be purified with a number of devices available at hiking stores or travel clinics.
· Five Star Hotels are not a guarantee of a safe water source.
· Be careful of ice-cubes.  Remember that a block of ice is a cube of water.

6. Eat Well-Cooked Food
· Food that is well cooked will lower your risk of becoming ill.

7. Wash it, Peel it or Forget it!
· The skin of fruit and vegetables, especially leafy vegetables like lettuce, can carry disease.  Wash with safe water; peel all fruits and vegetables. Avoid watermelon altogether.

8. Remember to Protect Yourself
· Take prescribed malaria medications if there are recommended.
· Condoms can protect you from sexually transmitted diseases like HIV and hepatitis B.

9. Avoid Swimming in Fresh Water
· The ocean and pools with chlorine are fine.
· In some areas, fresh water such as lakes and rivers can harbour harmful parasites.

10. Consider your Means of Transportation Carefully
· Observe the rules of safety and of the road. Studies have shown that a great majority of deaths of overseas travellers are caused by motor vehicle accidents.
· Motorcycles or mopeds can especially pose risks.