Depending on the age of your children there are different levels of safety that you will want to bear in mind when going on an active holiday or any other kind of holiday for that matter. Equipping you children with some safety gear, such as a helmet, for activities such as mountain biking and kayaking is really as much as you can do in that respect. The main issue for most parents is the worry of their kids wondering off without them knowing. With your children in sight the worst that can happen is a bump or graze when trying out some of the fun activities you have planned for your holiday.

So first of all if it’s a toddler you are taking with you on holiday one important thing to do is put an identity band on your child. As you know toddlers love to roam around and are always on the move. This way if your child does manage to stray it will make it a lot easier for someone to reunite you with your child. Note where you are staying and also a contact number which will speed up the process for someone trying to find you.

Use a baby monitor whilst you child is sleeping just to give you that extra sense of security and to make sure nothing goes wrong. Additionally children over the age of three will be able to understand to some degree some of the dangers of talking to strangers. Make sure you teach them to seek out your approval whenever they meet someone new.

All in all active holidays with kids can be lots of fun and doesn’t require much extra planning apart from a few essentials as mentioned above.

Does the opportunity cost outweigh money saved on cheap packages?

Travelling these days is easy with a host of companies offering their travel services and many comparison sites finding you the cheapest deals on hotels, car rental, travel insurance and flights. The travel industry is a competitive arena and picking up a cheap deal isn’t too difficult with companies competing for your business. However if you wish to enjoy yourself and relax, travelling should not be about finding the cheapest deals. It should be about finding the best quality for a decent price.

Don’t just consider the price of doing things but consider the opportunity cost. In other words what are the benefits of upgrading your package? Does paying more on your hotel room mean the added benefits of space, comfort and cleanliness outweigh the extra $25 per night it takes to pay for this privilege?

Long Haul Flights

If you are jetting off half way around the world to get where you are going you need to endure a long haul flight, then make sure you choose your connecting flights carefully. Often cheap connecting flights have a long wait between flights and you will be left to entertain yourself for hours in a cold airport with very few seats providing comfort. Waiting around can make an enduring journey even more testing, therefore check to see how long you have to wait for your onward flight and establish the opportunity cost for taking a more expensive flight

Inclusive Hotel Packages

Going for the all inclusive bed, breakfast and evening meal hotel package may be appealing because of the convenience it provides and the money it saves on eating out, however the value it delivers may not outweigh the opportunity cost. The food might not be up to the standard you wish to eat and your individual tastes aren’t catered for, usually inclusive meals are mass produced for all hotel guests that are expected to eat the same thing at the same time each day. Which if you are late, means you will be left to eat the leftover food marauded by the people there before you. Therefore the opportunity cost might be that it is worth paying extra for eating out rather than going for that inclusive deal and getting more enjoyment and better value for money.

Car Hire

If you are trying to do things on a budget and opt for the cheapest car hire deal you might find yourself regretting your choices. Usually the cheapest car hire deal available will be a small economic car; good for two people but more than two you will be struggling to pack you and your luggage inside, making an uncomfortable journey for everyone. It is best to consider how many people you will travel with, what luggage you will be carting around and how long you will be driving. Perhaps the cheapest car doesn’t seem too appealing once you take these into consideration. Read more car hire advice and car hire tips help you choose which company to book with.

In light of the above it is always better to think carefully of what your holiday means to you and how much you are willing to pay for it. Don’t just go for the cheapest deal as this might not deliver the comfort and enjoyment you are hoping for and paying a little extra might well be worth it in the long run. After all, a holiday is usually for relaxation and enjoyment.

Since publishing the long-haul flights travel tips article a large number of people have asked ‘what is the best footwear for long-haul flights?’  There is no fast and hard answer for this question as it is really down to taste and comfort. However here are some following points to consider.

1. The cabin temperature – Are your shoes warm enough?
2. Comfort – Are your shoes too tight?
3. Breathability – Will your feet sweat?

Cabin Temperature – Are your shoes warm enough?

The cabin temperature on long-haul flights can tend to get cold at times and by keeping your feet warm you will feel warmer all over.  Though most airlines provide free socks on most longhaul flights, it is a good idea to avoid open toe shoes and wear your own socks.

Don’t wear sandals, keep your feet covered and keep warm.

Comfort – Are your shoes too tight?

Sitting for long periods of time and flying at high altitude increases chances of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) due to restricting the blood flow through your body.  Don’t wear shoes that are too tight and shoes that come high up on your leg, also avoid shoes with thin straps that when fastened could restrict your blood flow even more.  Slip on shoes and comfortable loafers are ideal a they are easy to remove when sitting and slip on when you need to get up and stretch your legs.

Read more on  Deep Vein Thrombosis

Breathability – Will your feet sweat?

Do your shoes allow your feet to breath? Not only can it be embarrassing to remove shoes unleashing an odour so powerful penetrating every corner and every orifice of the cabin, making people talk and heads turn, but shoes that aren’t able to let your feet breathe are more likely to make your feet swell causing some discomfort and possibly reducing the flow of blood.  Therefore avoid shoes made from plastic and cheap synthetic materials and buy yourself a nice pair of shoes that let your feet breathe.

These are just a few tips and points of advice for you to think about before you fly, if you have any other tips please feel free to leave a comment and let our readers know.

1. Do I need to take anti-malaria drugs?
2. Do I need Mosquito Repellent?
3. What type of repellent is best?
4. When is the best time to apply mosquito repellent?
5. What clothes should I wear?
6. Shoul I Keep Cool

Do I need to take anti-malaria drugs?

Mosquitoes that transmit malaria can sometimes lay dormant depending on the time of year and they reside only in rural areas.  So if you plan on staying in the city or your vacation is planned during the dormant season, then the need for anti-malaria drugs is less.

There are different types of drugs on the market that each come with a different price tag and each with different side effects, if you are going to take them it is advisable to check which drugs have fewest side effects.  Do online research about your destination and always ask your doctors advice, especially if you are pregnant.

Do I need Mosquito Repellent?

A simple answer is yes!  Even if you don’t think you get bitten much, you most likely do but don’t show signs of bites.  Some people react differently to the anti coagulant found in mosquito’s saliva which prevents blood from clotting and causes irritable red inflammations.  Just because you don’t have an allergic reaction like some people, doesn’t mean you are safe.  A top tip is to take with you some antihistamine medicine to help reduce the itchiness and risk of infection caused by too much scratching which breaks the skin and can leave you scarred.

“Remember, prevention is better than cure”

What type of repellent is best?

Applying a repellant that contains 25-50% DEET usually works best for keeping the blood suckers and other nasties at bay. The downside to using this is that it can be bad for your skin and contains chemicals which can be toxic.  Avoid these types especially if you are pregnant and don’t use on young children, so check out the natural repellents that are on the market.

When is the best time to apply mosquito repellent?

Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn, so apply your repellent before it gets dark and apply it if you wake up early.  Where Dengue fever is present, use the repellent sparingly throughout the day because the mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever are active during the day.  Sadly these mosquitoes also populate urban areas and being in the city doesn’t mean you are safe.  If you choose to use natural repellents you will most likely have to apply these more often, but always read the instructions before use.

What clothes should I wear?

Avoid dark colours, believe it or not but mosquitoes are attracted by dark colours, for this reason try and avoid wearing black at times of high mosquito activity.  Instead wear Khaki coloured clothing, light brown and light green and cream coloured loose clothing, with long trousers and sleeves to cover yourself properly.  Don’t wear open toe sandals, wear socks and avoid tight clothing.

Should I Keep Cool?

According to research carbon dioxide and lactic acid help mosquitoes hone in on their victims.  Therefore try to keep cool and avoid unnecessary exercise around the times mosquitoes are most active. Good excuse for some of you not to rush about!

For further reading on mosquitorepellents and advice visit:

• http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howthingswork/a/aa050503a.htm
• http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/avoid-mosquito-bites

Choose the right vehicle for the right terrain:

This may be obvious to some, however many in the past have chosen a vehicle that cannot handle the challenges some terrain throws at them during their trip. For example, if you are likely to be off-road a lot, you will need a vehicle with the versatility to handle every situation. A prime example is when driving in snow. In many Scandinavian countries, snow tires are actually compulsory in winter months. Also, don’t be fooled by the appearance of a vehicle that appears to be four-wheel drive. Vehicle manufacturers are aware people buy into the four-wheel drive market for city driving alone. Such vehicles are in-fact practically useless in actual off-road situations. Research the vehicles your car hire company is offering you before merely plumping for the one that looks up to the job. Climate is also something to think about. If you are travelling to a hot country, ensure your vehicle has sufficient air conditioning. The same works in reverse for cold countries.

Make sure your car has enough storage for your equipment:

Looks can often deceive. Just because a vehicle appears to be large in size, it doesn’t mean it can carry all your stuff. If taking ski equipment, hiking gear, tents or other essentials it is important you research the vehicle’s storage space. Consider things like the number of people in your party and whether the car has fold-down seats etc. The last thing you need is to be pulled over by the authorities because your rear-view window is blocked with gear.

Plan your route before leaving:

Adventure holidays will often find you leaving the beaten track. Make sure your map reading skills are up to scratch and know exactly the route you are going to take before just heading out into the great outdoors to see where the adventure takes you. Sat-nav’s are great when on the road, but sometimes not so great at getting you back on track when you’re off it!

Check petrol levels:

True adventure is all about venturing into the great unknown. Therefore, if you are unfortunate enough to get yourself lost, don’t get into the situation where you are about to run out of petrol when trying to get your bearings together. This could be extremely problematic on an adventure holiday to somewhere like the Australian Outback not knowing where on Earth the next petrol station is. If you’re the forgetful type, fill a petrol can before setting off!

Don’t drink and drive!

Probably the most obvious tip of all, but one some people have chosen to ignore in the past. If you are off the beaten track, it doesn’t mean you have totally escaped the eyes of the law and are exempt from driving regulations. Don’t let the liberation of an adventure holiday obscure your senses. Not only is it extremely dangerous, if caught you could end up with more than just a criminal record.
With many car hire firms to choose from, your best bet is to use a car hire broker, who will not only help you find the right vehicle, but also search out the best deal from a selection of car hire companies.