Staying Safe in the Sun.

Just now the temperatures are ridiculously high in Spain, here is a recent photo from Lloret with the beach so packed there's hardly room for another beach towel. This is the main pass time for just about everyone that comes to the Costas for their annual holiday.
Everyone likes to have a nice tan for when they return home, but by following these few guide-lines may save you from being badly burnt as some of the holiday makers we see walking about in Lloret!

• Always carry a bottle of water with you, even if your not intending to go far. Just a few sips of water every half hour or so will stop you from dehydrating, usual first signs of this are headache & sickness. As soon as you feel any symptoms get out of the sun and have a good drink of water, you'll be surprised how quickly you'll soon feel better! Any other symptoms such as dizziness, cramp, chest pains or confusion will need medical attention.
  
• The best time to apply sun lotion is before you leave your hotel room, this gives your skin time to absorb the cream and always use at least factor 20 for your first few days in the sun. Sun cream does NOT stop you getting a tan it only prevents you from getting burnt. Also by using sun-cream you'll find your tan is much more even.
  
• For your first day in the sun don't try to lay there for too long in order to get a tan straight away, doing this will probably mean you getting burnt then having to stay out of the sun for the next few days until the soreness has gone.
• Always where sunglasses, which will prevent you having to screw your eyes up in the sun. This again could cause headaches. Also if you are prone to headaches in the sun a hat may also help, But the best tip is as soon as you start to feel uncomfortable in any way get out of the sun till you feel better.
• Babies and young children should be kept completely out of the sun, their skin can not take the sun or can it tolerate sun cream. I will always remember seeing a baby of only a few months old being pushed in a pushchair by its parents and it had obviously had too much sun as it was burnt red...what a sickening sight!
  

Staying Safe on Holiday.

As in all places at home and abroad, unpleasant things can spoil your holiday, here are a few tips to follow which may help you to avoid such things.
A nice relaxing holiday not always turns out the way you intended. Pick pockets can easily pick out a tourist and know that they will always be carrying a nice sum of cash and one or two credit cards. Unfortunately too many holiday makers let down their guard too much and forget to keep an eye on their personal belongings. As a consequence this can sometimes lead to being the target of a pickpocket while out and about.

Your hotel should have safety deposit boxes for you to hire, these may seem expensive but you do get the majority of the cost back when you return the key at the end of your break. Well worth the cost for peace of mind and it can save you hundreds of pounds and a lot of hassle in the long run.

Obviously you have to carry cash around but try to keep this to a minimum, by leaving your passports, bank cards and cash in your safe. If you need to carry a large amount of cash then try to split it into different pockets, preferably inside pockets so your cash is not all in the same place.

For the ladies who carry a hand-bag, don't carry a flashy designer one that just makes you stand out in a crowd...this gets you noticed but not for the reason you want! Its best to carry a small bag which will just hold essentials you need, and make sure its always fastened. Don't hang it on the back of a chair if you are out in a restaurant or bar, never let your bag out of your sight.
If its a shoulder bag try to wear it across your body. Always carry your bag on the side of you which is farthest away from the road, or if you are walking along side your husband or partner then carry your bag in between you. This makes it more difficult for the bag snatchers.

While waiting for public transport always be aware of the people around you. If you have travelled abroad before you'll know that not everyone forms a queue as we do! As the bus approaches the bus stop, everyone crowds around, this is when the pick pocket strikes with everyone pushing to get on, their hands could be in your pocket or bag and before you know it you are on the bus minus your cash and the thief is still back at the bus stop waiting for their next victim!