Here are some handy hints that may prove useful for any holiday:

• Some empty film canisters make brilliant containers for use as travel toiletries such as shampoo, moisturiser etc which also take up less room than the large bottles.
  
  
• Avoid wearing sunglasses for a couple of days after arriving, it will help you adjust to the daylight more quickly and help you to get over the effects of jet lag.
  
  
• A sarong is useful for many reasons; as it can be used as a skirt, head scarf or head rest whilst travelling.
  
  
• Before you purchase bottled water abroad, turn the bottle upside down, if it leaks it may have been filled with untreated or tap water.
  
  
• Avoid eating unwashed salad and melons. Locals have been known to pierce holes in the melons and put them into the river to absorb water. This makes them look fresh and juicy, however they could also be contaminated.
  
  
• To avoid getting dehydrated when visiting hot countries, drink sweet fizzy drinks and eat crisps or salted nuts for their salt content.
  
  
• Photocopy your passport and carry them separately in case you lose your real one.
  
  
• Lemon is a known natural antiseptic. Lemon juice can be dabbed on insect bites, which will take away the itch, burn and help to dry it out.
  
  
• Eating garlic and drinking stout is also said to help repel insects.