Diwali, often referred to as the festival of lights, is one of the most famous and celebrated Indian festivals in the world. In Sanskrit, ‘Diwali’ means ‘row of lights’ and the festival is a celebration of triumph of good over …
Bathe Yourself in Brilliant Blues of the Philippines
With over 7000 tropical islands, the Philippines makes a fantastic beach holiday, with clear blue seas, year round warm weather and plenty of diving and snorkelling opportunities. The Philippines is extremely budget friendly, so is an ideal destination for backpackers …
Thailand: Avoid the world’s deadliest creature!
So what is the world’s deadliest creature? The shark? The snake? The crocodile? Wrong! The world’s deadliest creature by far is the mosquito! These insects are vectors for many deadly diseases. There are vaccines available for some of these diseases, but sadly not all – …
Travelling to Visit Friends and Relatives Overseas
All travellers should prepare themselves when travelling to countries where there are potential health risks, but those visiting friends and relatives have a particularly high risk of acquiring infections.
A Guide to India's Best Festivals
India is a very spiritual country and religious festivals paint a true picture of Indian culture. They are a huge part of what makes this country unique. With so many exciting celebrations it can be a tricky task knowing which to visit. This guide to India’s best festivals includes information on our favourite festivals and advice on how to stay healthy while you’re there.
Chikungunya fever: Signs, symptoms and what to do
Chikungunya fever is a viral disease transmitted via bites from infected mosquitoes. The disease has been identified in parts of Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia. At present, the Caribbean and Central America are experiencing a number of outbreaks. The illness …
Staying safe in the sun
When travelling to hot and sunny destinations it is vital that you do all you can to protect yourself from harmful rays of the sun. Excessive sun exposure can cause skin cancer and skin ageing. A high factor sun cream (no …
Yellow Fever: the vaccine and possible side effects
Yellow fever is a viral infection that is transmitted by mosquitoes found in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America. If you’re travelling to sub-Saharan Africa or tropical South America, here is everything you need to know about yellow fever and the vaccine.
Dengue Fever: What you need to know
Dengue fever is a virus which is spread by mosquito bites. The recent development of a vaccine against Dengue fever marks a pivotal advance in the ongoing battle against this disease, offering a beacon of hope for effective prevention alongside …
Mosquito nets for the tropics
If you are backpacking around the tropics, a good quality mosquito net is a vital item to add to your packing list. Many low budget hostels and hotels abroad do not have air conditioning or provide mosquito nets for guests. It …