Traveling across time zones can seem like literal time travel. At some point during trip planning, you’ve probably considered ‘losing time’ or ‘gaining time’. If a plane crossed a time zone or two flying a few hundred miles, it could land just 30 minutes after departure. But our internal clocks adjust slowly and we suffer temporary periods of jet lag.
Nut allergies, especially tree nuts, are a common allergy found in children and adults. This can cause stress for many people travelling to foreign places. You may not know what kinds of foods you will be eating and how they’re prepared. Plus, many travellers may be in an unfamiliar region where quality healthcare isn’t available.
But, this stress doesn’t have to consume you before and during your trip. A nut allergy shouldn’t disrupt your travel plans. Check out these five ways to enjoy your adventures despite having an allergy.
Itchy throat? Hives? Nausea? Swelling of the tongue? Sound familiar?
A variety of symptoms reflect an allergic reaction to nuts. Knowing your first symptom can help to identify and treat an allergy right away. The longer you wait, the worse it can get.
This will also help you pinpoint the foods that caused the reaction, so you know what foods -or ingredients- to avoid.
Not only should you be aware of these symptoms, but so should your travelling companions.
Known as an EpiPen, Auvi-Q or Adrenaclick, these injections are emergency treatment for any life-threatening allergic reaction.
Make sure you and your companions known when and how to use your epinephrine injection. If used incorrectly, it could actually cause more harm.
Meet with your doctor first to discuss any medical information associated with epinephrine injections.
Research the types of cuisine that are typical in the country you will be travelling. This includes finding out the ingredients that go into those foods. For example, many common pastries may contain nuts as a non-visible ingredient.
Write down and save the names of foods that do contain the nuts you are allergic to. Remember some foods may be prepared in some type of nut oil. You will also want to write down foods that do not contain nuts. This way, you will know what to ask for in a food situation should you not recognize any of the other foods.
But, what if you want to try foods that you didn’t stumble across in your research? You may be unsure of whether a certain dish has nuts. Look no further than the next tip.
Often, restaurants will provide the ingredients of a dish underneath its name. Just knowing the word for “nuts” (or anything in that family) in the regional language can help.
If you’re lucky, these ingredients will be in English. Many restaurants abroad are aware of the language barrier tourists face and are prepared.
If the ingredients aren’t written in English, or written out at all, learn the key words you will need when asking. A few examples follow:
| Language | Word For Nut | Language | Word for Nut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish | nuez | Hindi | akharot |
| French | écrou | Arabic | bandaq |
| Portugese | noz | Bengali | bādāma |
| Chinese | jiānguǒ | Russian | orekh |
| Thai | thạ̀w | Italian | noce |
When looking up how to say these phrases, pay close attention to the accent. Correct pronunciation will help whoever you are talking to understands what you are saying and avoid miscommunication.
This is one of the most important tips to keep in mind as you prepare to travel abroad. The last thing you want is for a nut allergy to go wrong and not knowing how to tackle it in a quick and timely manner. There are ways to prevent this.
Talk to your doctor at home to fill any necessary prescriptions that would be helpful abroad. Ask him to write a prescription just in case you need to refill medicine in a pharmacy in your destination.
Look up pharmacies and doctors in the area you are travelling to. See if they will be able to provide you with the services you may need in the case of an emergency.
Finally, you can put all your worries at ease knowing you have done all you need to do and enjoy your trip. Safe travels!
To learn more about vaccinations or other travel medicine needs, see our main travel medicine page. Passport Health’s travel health specialists are available to help you safely plan your trip. Book today by calling or schedule online now.
Are you a traveller with food allergies? Let us know what has worked best for you in the comments below, on Facebook or via Twitter.
By Johanna Read, TravelEater.net
Montezuma’s revenge. Delhi belly. La turista. The trots. Traveller’s diarrhea. Whatever you call it, getting sick when you travel is one of the last things you want. Luckily there are many ways to avoid it.
But first, you need to assess your own risk tolerance. If you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system, are elderly, or feeding kids under the age of six, you’ll want to be extra careful. If it is your first visit abroad and your first exposure to non-Canadian microbes, you’ll also want to be more cautious. But the average person can take sensible risks in deciding what, where, when and how to eat while traveling abroad.
Eating street food is one of the best ways to get to know a culture. Would you be surprised to learn it is often safer than the buffet at your westernized hotel?
A lot of street food is cooked to order, coming off the grill or out of the wok directly to you. Unlike at a restaurant, you can see how clean the food prep area is, watch how long your dish sits before you get it, and make sure the cook isn’t putting your cooked chicken back on the plate that held the raw meat.
While the Public Health Agency of Canada recommends taking additional precautions with street food, go ahead and eat it. But, choose your street food carefully. Pick a busy food stall that has a steady flow of customers, preferably locals, and preferably parents with kids — they won’t go to a seller who makes kids’ sensitive stomachs sick. If the seller doesn’t use disposable plates and cutlery, look carefully to see how these are cleaned before they’re used by the next customer. Wipe them down with hand sanitizer if needed.
While they may be tempting to the budget traveller, avoid the fill-your-plate-for-a-set-price buffet type streets stalls, especially later in the day. While there’s usually a fascinating collection of homemade dishes, you have no idea how long the food has been sitting around letting bacteria grow. And these buffet stalls have the same problems as hotel buffets — your fellow travellers.
Even at the nicest hotels and restaurants, buffets are a food safety risk. While the higher quality places do a good job of keeping food at proper temperatures and replacing dishes often, it’s your fellow travellers who are the big concern. Even if they washed their hands when they arrived at the restaurant, since then they’ve licked their fingers, wiped their noses, scratched their heads, and coughed into their hands. Then they put their dirty hands all over the serving spoons and tongs, and then leave the handles touching the food.
If you can’t avoid a buffet, take food from the back of the tray rather than the front. It’s much less likely to be touched by the dirty handles of the utensils or perhaps a stray finger. When you put the utensils down, put them on a side plate, or at least keep the handles as far away from the food as possible. Or grab a clean fork and spoon and use them rather than the communal serving utensils.
Choose your foods carefully. You know not to eat raw or undercooked foods, and to choose fruits and vegetables that are cooked, or that you peel or wash yourself.
But did you know that one of the most belly-trouble inducing foods is meat wrapped in pastry? Whether it’s a samosa, Aussie pie, curry puff, or bierock, these meat packages often sit around for hours slowly cooling. This makes them the perfect site for microbes to multiply. If you eat them, make sure they’re very hot (not warm) all the way through.
Be wary of places where the food server wears plastic gloves. These gloves tend to be dirtier than hands, because a person will wash their hands when they start to feel sticky and dirty. They don’t notice when their gloves get this way.
Money is filthy. Don’t eat at a place where the same person takes your money, gives you change and then prepares your food, unless you see them wash their hands in between.
Watch out for straws. Some servers will put your straw in your iced coffee or smoothie for you, and put their dirty fingers right on the spot where you put your lips. Sometimes drinking directly from the glass is cleaner.
Often the bugs that make you sick aren’t in your food at all. You’re more likely to have disease-causing microbes on your hands than in the food you’re eating. You’ve been touching door knobs, handrails, tables and chairs, your phone and camera all day. Before and after you eat, wash your hands with soap and warm water or with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Similarly, break the habit of touching your face and you’ll prevent germs causing stomach problems as well as colds and flus from entering your system.
For added protection, take the Dukoral vaccine at least two weeks before you travel. This drinkable vaccine protects you for up to three months against E.coli and for up to two years against cholera.
Johanna Read is a Canadian freelance writer and photographer specializing in travel, food and responsible tourism. She writes for a variety of print and digital publications to promote unique destinations and experiences and encourage sustainable travel. In one year Johanna visited six continents, but since then has only been able to hit five annually (not yet getting back to Australia, with Antarctica still eluding her).
Follow Johanna on Instagram and on Twitter. Links to all her travel stories are at TravelEater.net.
By Johanna Read, TravelEater.net
The Andes Mountains and Machu Picchu should be on everyone’s bucket list. Machu Picchu is a top tourist site for good reason and the surrounding areas have many fascinating ruins that are much less crowded.
However, because many of these sites are at altitude, you need to plan carefully to see them without risking altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is serious. Many people experience the more minor symptoms of headache, loss of appetite, and, at any exertion, a racing heart and breathing like they’ve just run a sprint. More severe symptoms are vomiting, distorted vision, difficulty thinking clearly, heart failure, and cerebral and pulmonary edema. Some people die.
Once you are at 2438 metres (8000 feet) above sea level, altitude sickness is possible. Minor symptoms can be felt below this height. The secret to avoiding altitude sickness is acclimatizing slowly.
This means that you need to plan your Peru trip carefully. Many visitors to Machu Picchu don’t. They make the mistake thinking they need to acclimatize in Cuzco before they go to Machu Picchu. Once you look at the altitudes, it is easy to see why this is a mistake:
| Location | Altitude (m) | Altitude (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu base town) | 2042 m | 6700 ft |
| Machu Picchu | 2430 m | 7972 ft |
| Altitude sickness possible above | 2438 m | 8000 ft |
| Machu Picchu’s Sun Gate | 2700 m | 8850 ft |
| Huayna Picchu | 2720 m | 8920 ft |
| Start of the Inca Trail | 2750 m | 9000 ft |
| Ollantaytambo (train departure point) | 2792 m | 9420 ft |
| Cuzco | 3400 m | 11,150 ft |
| Puno / Lake Titicaca | 3812 m | 12,507 ft |
| Highest point on the Inca Trail | 4200 m | 13,780 ft |
| Everest base camp | 5000 m | 16,000 ft |
Both Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes, the base town where you sleep, are below the altitude sickness danger zone, so your risk of altitude sickness is very low there. Travelling straight from Lima (essentially at sea level) and staying in Cuzco first is a recipe for feeling sick.
My recommendation for the ideal itinerary to see Machu Picchu without getting sick follows. It lets you acclimatize to the altitude more slowly and has you stay in towns that are great bases for exploring. Because it takes three days to acclimatize to any given altitude, stay three nights in at least one — if not all — of the Sacred Valley towns if you can.
My itinerary adds on an optional stop at Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Under no circumstance should you travel to Lake Titicaca without acclimatizing first at lower altitudes. Your best case scenario is being too tired to enjoy the floating islands.
Note: if you plan to hike the Inca Trail, which ranges from 2750-4200 m (9000-13 780 feet), you will need to acclimate more slowly and spend more time in the Sacred Valley and in Cuzco before you start your hike.
Day 1: Arrive in Cuzco. Immediately take the train, taxi or collectivo (shared mini van) to the town of Ollantaytambo, the last town accessible by road. Then take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. Trains are busy in the mornings and at high season — book ahead.
Night 1: Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Day 2: Explore Machu Picchu. To see the sunrise or climb Huayna Picchu (separate ticket required), you’ll need to be in the queue for the bus up to Machu Picchu by about 5:15 a.m.
Night 2: Stay one more night in Aguas Calientes, or take the train back to Ollantaytambo right away.
Day 3-5: Explore Ollantaytambo and take it easy while you adjust to the 2792 m (9420 feet) altitude.
Nights 3-5: Ollantaytambo.
Day 6-7: Travel back toward Cuzco and higher up in the Sacred Valley to Urubamba, at 2863 m (9420 feet). Acclimatize and explore.
Night 6-7: Urubamba.
Day 8-10: Return to Cuzco’s 3400 m (11,150 feet), rest and explore.
Nights 8-10: Cuzco.
Day 11-12: Fly to Juliaca, and then take a taxi or shuttle to Puno / Lake Titicaca. You’ll need at least a day to see the floating islands. Don’t forget lots of sunscreen — the sun up there is bright!
Night 11-12: Stay in Puno or along the shores of Lake Titicaca before returning to Lima.
Depending on the time of year you visit Machu Picchu, you’ll need bug spray. There’s a tiny biting no-see-um that loves ankles, especially in Aguas Calientes. While the bug doesn’t carry diseases, many people have an allergic reaction to it which causes their ankles to swell painfully for several days.
As you board the train for Machu Picchu in Ollantaytambo, spray your feet and legs with insect repellent and try to keep them covered with clothing too. It is because of the no-see-ums (and the lack of charm in Aguas Calientes) that I recommend your stay there be as short as possible.
Though you’ve minimized the chances of getting sick by moving gradually to higher and higher elevations, you will feel the effects of the altitude at each step of the itinerary. To make the altitude easier on your body:
With these tips, you should have enough energy to see Peru’s Andean sites and not get altitude sickness.
Johanna Read is a Canadian freelance writer and photographer specializing in travel, food and responsible tourism. She writes for a variety of print and digital publications to promote unique destinations and experiences and encourage sustainable travel. In one year Johanna visited six continents, but since then has only been able to hit five annually (not yet getting back to Australia, with Antarctica still eluding her).
Follow Johanna on Instagram and on Twitter. Links to her writing and photographs are at TravelEater.net.
Travelling is a rich and rewarding experience but it requires preparation—a whole lot of it! Whether you’re travelling for leisure, work, as a volunteer, or something else, the health and safety of you and your loved ones should be the number one priority. Here are 10 health and safety tips to tick off before embarking on your next adventure abroad:
If an emergency or crisis occurs in the country you’re travelling to, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, government officials will alert you with important instructions, updates and information regarding the emergency. This is a free service provided to Canadian citizens. It’s quick and easy to register online.
First, it’s extremely important to know which vaccines and medications should be considered for the country you’re travelling to. From traveller’s diarrhea and waterborne illnesses to deadly diseases such as rabies and typhoid fever, the health risks you’re exposed to while travelling can vary from country to country. In some cases, you are required to provide proof of yellow fever vaccination for travel to and from certain countries.
It’s also very important to book your travel health appointment in advance. Some vaccinations and medications require time to take effect (days or even weeks), and sometimes you will need to schedule multiple follow-up visits to receive booster shots for maximum protection.
If you’re planning a trip, book an appointment with your Passport Health Travel Medicine Specialist in order to take the necessary health and safety precautions.
If you lose your passport while travelling and need to visit the Canadian embassy, it will be very helpful if you can present them with a photocopy of your passport.
Carry photocopies of your passport with you in different places (i.e., handbag, suitcase, wallet, etc.). Ask a trusted friend or family member to keep a copy with them too. In addition, it is strongly recommended that you share a detailed itinerary and contact information with someone who is not travelling with you.
As a safety measure, memorize the following information, if possible:
Travellers are often surprised when they discover that some countries’ ATM machines are restricted to a four-digit Personal Identification Number, or PIN. If your card’s PIN is longer than four-digits, you could face complications when attempting to withdraw money during your trip. Before travelling, ensure you update your credit and debit card PIN and call your providers to notify them of your travel plans.
Before booking your ticket, consult with your insurance provider to gain a good understanding of exactly what is covered in case of an emergency during travel and if there are restrictions. Do not gamble with your life—ensure you have appropriate coverage prior to travelling.
If your passport date is near expiry, you may be rejected from entry into another country—even if it hasn’t expired yet. It can take up to 20 business days to renew your passport depending on the method you choose. Express and urgent services are available at some locations but may cost you extra fees.
In addition, ensure you apply for any required country visas in advance. Any delays in the processing of your visa can cost you your trip. When applying for visas online, be wary of visa scams and ensure you are visiting a reputable website.
At best, losing your suitcase can be a minor inconvenience. At worst, it can be a major setback. Print two separate pages with your contact information, home address, hotel address and hotel phone number. Place one inside your suitcase where it’s easy to spot, and one in the outer pocket. In the event your tags get ripped off, airport staff will have a chance at returning your luggage to you.
Carry essentials and a change of clothing in your carry-on, and never pack any valuables in your suitcase.
If you plan to travel far distances within your destination country, consider booking bus and train rides (especially overnight ones), and domestic flights in advance. Depending on where you’re travelling and the time of year, these can fill up days or weeks in advance. Do not risk being stranded in an unfamiliar area.
Corruption and kidnapping may be common fears but it’s petty crimes such as pickpocketing and overcharging that are more likely to dampen your trip. Do your due diligence and thoroughly research your destination. Here are some suggestions:
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, there is evidence to suggest that Zika virus is transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitos. If travelling to countries affected by Zika, strict mosquito bite prevention measures should be followed.
We recommend using insect repellent that contains the active ingredient DEET. Trusted brands are available at your nearest Passport Health clinic.
Schedule an appointment at your local Passport Health clinic so you can take the necessary health and safety precautions, and receive customized travel advice. Our Travel Health Medicine Specialists will provide you with the help you need to stay safe on your journey. Book your appointment today.
Have more helpful travel tips to share? We’d love to hear them! Comment below or share them via Facebook or Twitter.
By Johanna Read, TravelEater.net
An all-inclusive holiday is an ideal way to relax — it’s easy to plan and it’s easy to do. But sometimes you want a longer trip that gets you out exploring. How do you make planning for this kind of trip easy?
Travel writer Johanna Read — who travels to five or six continents every year — gives her top planning tips.
First, consider the kind of trip you want, and, if you’re travelling with someone else, the kind of trip they want. I recommend that each person identify two things (per week or per city) that they really want to do, as well as three or four things they’d like to do if there is time.
It’s perfectly ok to separate for the day to do your own thing; then you’ll have lots to talk about at dinner! Don’t try to plan more than one thing per day. You’ll enjoy your trip more if you leave time for discovery, relaxation and serendipity.
Yes, it’s important to get a good deal, but it’s not worth it to spend days on the internet finding the absolute best flight and hotels. Good enough is probably good enough. If you’re travelling in high season, you’ll need to make more effort. Timing your travels for low or shoulder season means better deals and less of a need to book everything in advance.
Travel.gc.ca is one of my favourite travel resources (though you do need to put their safety advisories in context). Check travel.gc.ca for:
Buy travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your plane ticket. If a health issue arises between then and your trip, it probably won’t count as a pre-existing condition.
Book at least the first two nights’ accommodations, ideally in a neighbourhood within walking distance to some of the sites you want to see. Make sure you know how to get from the airport to your first hotel (cost, logistics, scams to watch out for).
Check if you need adapters for electronics. Note most battery and phone/computer chargers have a built in voltage converter, you just need the right plug shape.
Write down a few basic phrases in the local language(s). People will so much more appreciate you and your questions if you can say “hello”, “please” and “thank you” in their language.
Check whether any banks at your destination are members of the Global ATM Alliance. Using these bank machines with your Scotiabank or Tangerine card means you can avoid the $5 foreign transaction fee in 40 countries.
Avoid using currency exchanges; their rates are terrible (especially at airports). For the best rates, withdraw cash from an ATM at the airport when you arrive and use your credit card for big purchases.
Advise your credit card company and bank that you’ll be using your cards abroad. Find out what your maximum withdrawal is in the countries you’re visiting. Ask to have it raised if you think you’ll need it, especially if you’ll have a $5 fee for every withdrawal.
If you’re sharing expenses with other travellers, figure out a system in advance (e.g. alternate withdrawing cash from the ATM; have one person pay for everything and square up at the end). It takes the fun out of a holiday if you’re constantly figuring out who owes what at the end of every meal.
The lighter you pack, the easier your trip will be, especially if you’ll be moving around a lot. It is easy to do laundry in your hotel sink, or to find a local launderer to do it for you (generally $1-2/kilo). No one cares if you keep repeating the same outfits.
Consider both weather and culture when deciding what clothes to bring. Laundry dries slowly in humid countries, so you might need to bring a few more pairs of underwear. If you’re going to a Muslim or Buddhist country, both men and women should wear street clothes that cover shoulders, knees and everything in between. If you wear less, you might be restricted from entering some sites. Plus you’ll stand out as a tourist; your experiences will be much better if you blend in and show respect by dressing more like locals.
Decant small amounts of creams and liquids into contact lenses cases; you don’t need to bring the whole bottle of moisturizer or hair gel. In humid countries, store your electronics in ziplock bags with a pack of silica gel. Bring extra ziplocks for dirty laundry, wet bathing suits, to keep snacks fresh, and to compression pack purchases.
Keep jewellery at home; don’t risk having it lost or stolen. Don’t bring contingency items — you can buy almost everything you need almost everywhere.
Photocopy your passport ID page and write your email address and home emergency contact info on the back. Put a copy in your wallet, day bag and your luggage. If anything gets lost it will have a better chance of finding its way back to you. In some countries you’ll need your passport as ID to show police, to buy train tickets or rent a vehicle. Keep the original in your hotel safe and just use the photocopy.
Enjoy!
Once you arrive at your destination, don’t forget to ask people “where would you have dinner tonight?” to get the best eating advice.
Johanna Read is a Canadian freelance writer and photographer specializing in travel, food and responsible tourism. A former Government of Canada executive, she worked several years in food safety before retiring early to pursue her passion for travel. She writes for a variety of print and digital publications, and in 2016 hopes to repeat her six-continents-in-one-year travel feat.
Follow Johanna on Instagram and on Twitter. Links to all her travel stories are at TravelEater.net.
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Recognized for its striking beauty, the picturesque town of Florence, Italy attracts around 13 million tourists each year. It is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany, and home to breathtaking architecture such as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (the city’s most iconic landmark), magnificent and expansive botanical gardens, and some of the world’s most famous art museums, such as Uffizi Gallery.
Artistic masterpieces from the Renaissance are located in Florence, including work by the great artist Michelangelo Buonarroti, sculptures by Donatello, paintings by Sandro Botticelli, and many others.
For those aspiring to pursue a career in fine arts, there are excellent opportunities for training and education, including advanced courses offered at the Florence Academy of Art, a premier world-renowned institution. In the Piazza della Signoria, you will find the school’s students sketching and performing, inspired by the marvelous sculptures that surround the square.
If you find yourself in Florence, be sure to sample the mouth-watering homemade pasta and the artisanal gelato. Take in the panoramic views of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo, located at the top of a hill, and witness the splendid sunsets Florence is known for.
The best way to explore this small, pedestrian-friendly city is by foot. Leave some time to get lost in the beautiful winding lanes, and to shop the art galleries and souvenir shops built along the Ponte Vecchio bridge—a medieval stone bridge that overlooks the Arno River.
Florence is generally considered a safe city. Exercise normal security caution when visiting and be wary of minor offenses such as pickpocketing. Take caution with your valuables and always zip or fasten your handbag shut, carry personal belongings securely, and do not place your wallet in your pocket or on counters.
When traveling to Italy, there are certain health risks you may be exposed to. If you’re planning your next trip abroad, be sure to book your Passport Health appointment in advance. Our Travel Medicine Specialists will provide you with the important information you need, and help you take the necessary health and safety steps in preparation for your travels.
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that people traveling to Italy consider the following vaccinations:
If you are planning a trip to Italy or any other destination, don’t forget to visit your local Passport Health clinic. Our Travel Health Medicine Specialists will provide you with the expert care you need to stay safe on your journey. To schedule an appointment at your local Passport Health clinic, or book online today.
Travelling to Italy? Already been? What was your favourite place? Let us know in the comments below, on Facebook or via Twitter.
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In the Mexican state of Chiapas near the border of Guatemala lies a vibrant town called San Cristobal de las Casas. This colourful small city is nestled in the valley surrounded by hills. To get to it, you would need to drive 78 kilometers from Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport. San Cristobal de las Casas embodies the passion and artistic expression emblematic of Mexican heritage.
Vietnam is extraordinarily rich in culture and natural beauty. The landscape, way of life, architecture and cuisine vary immensely across the country, although it only spans 329,569 square kilometers–roughly the same size as Germany.
The islands of the Caribbean are some of the most beautiful locations in the world. Every year, nearly one-million Canadians travel to the Dominican Republic alone and the combined total of travelers to the Caribbean region exceeds the number traveling to Mexico, France, Italy and many other popular destinations.
