How to Prepare for Your Summer Vacation
Alvin Adriano • June 7, 2018

The sun is out and it’s that time of the year when we all can’t wait to leave the house and stay out all summer. Day trips, outdoor adventures or even an oversea vacation – we all have been pent up through the winter and just can’t wait to be free.

As you make your plans it is important to be prepared to avoid any health and safety risks. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for those long-awaited trips and to keep you and your family safe.

BEING PROACTIVE

Find out details about your destination – Do some research about the places you plan to visit and acquaint yourself with new and important health risks. If you are traveling abroad, make sure to check travel.state.gov or https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel, for vital information about required vaccinations, travel advisories and possible diseases.

Get a check-up – It is always recommended that you pay a visit to your health provider and get a routine check-up before you travel. Make sure you are in tip-top shape and that you are up to date on vaccinations like measles and influenza.

  Prepare a first aid kit – Make sure to pack an emergency travel kit that holds important prescriptions and medicines that you may need while traveling. Pack basic supplies like bandages, alcohol, hot/cold compresses and gauze. Don’t forget to pack a copy of your health insurance card as well.

Be SMART – If you are planning a trip oversees, make sure to register with the US Embassy or Consulate through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get the latest updates and alerts before and during your trip. This also helps the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency.

Prepare for the unexpected – Make copies of your travel plans and documents with a family member and/or upload them to a cloud-based storage system in case you lose them while traveling. Verify that your health insurance covers medical care abroad – most plans don’t, so be sure to get travel insurance. Travel insurance covers health and medical expenses while offering a wide variety of additional services like travel delay, lost baggage and lost passport service.

 

WHILE TRAVELING

Be careful what you eat and drink – Always make sure you know how your food is handled. Contaminated food or drinks are the easiest way to spread diseases which can cause traveler’s diarrhea.

  1. Always eat food that is cooked through and served hot.
  2. Always drink bottled water, sodas and drinks that are sealed.
  3. Eat fruits and vegetables that are washed with safe water and that you have peeled yourself.
  4. Avoid ice that is made with tap water.

Protect yourself from the sun – Double check that your sunscreen is at least SPF 30 to protect yourself from harmful UV rays. I always recommend Blue Lizard, which is a mineral based sunscreen that uses natural ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Read the label and reapply as needed.

Prevent insect bites – Always use insect repellents especially in developing countries to prevent you from serious diseases. Use an EPA-registered insect repellant with one of the following ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone.

Always buckle up and choose safe transportation – Nearly half of medical evacuations back to the United States are the result of a car crash, and a medical evacuation can cost upward of $100,000.

  1. Don’t ride motorcycles. If you must, make sure to wear a helmet.
  2. Avoid overcrowded, overweight, or top-heavy buses or vans
  3. Be alert when crossing the street. Know local traffic laws to avoid collisions.
  4. Always wear a seat belt and lock your doors.

 

AFTER YOU RETURN

  Keep a close eye on your health – Symptoms can arise after you return home, so make sure to watch yourself closely. If you begin to feel ill, see a doctor immediately and inform your doctor where you have been and what you did during your trip. This will help your doctor when giving you a diagnosis of possible infections from other countries.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Applying For Your Passport in 2022

By Sherry Silapheth • March 1, 2022
Obtaining a PASSPORT: The dreaded chore… My experience and pro tips! The first thing you need in hand before vacationing is PASSPORTS. As a family of 6, I pushed this off for as long as I could. But 2022 was the year I wanted to really travel! So, we gathered all documents and we did it! And I wanted to document our process to … Read More Applying For Your Passport in 2022 The post Applying For Your Passport in 2022 appeared first on Travelwise International.

Tell Congress to Advance the Deployment of the Vaccine to the Philippines

By Alvin Adriano • April 2, 2021
I know many people have been affected by the ongoing travel restrictions imposed by the Philippine government due to the surging cases which continues to plague our country. We all have family, friends and reasons to go home, however hospitalization rates are up and we are on the brink of concern. We need your help to advocate and push for the quick response of … Read More Tell Congress to Advance the Deployment of the Vaccine to the Philippines The post Tell Congress to Advance the Deployment of the Vaccine to the Philippines appeared first on Travelwise International.
Blurred photo of an official government memo with a letterhead and numbered bullet points on white paper

By Alvin Adriano • March 17, 2021
On March 16, 2021 The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases released a memorandum circular

What is the Balikbayan Program for the Philippines?

By Alvin Adriano • February 15, 2021
The Balikbayan Program as instituted by Republic Act 6768 (amended by Republic Act 9174) was launched by the Philippine Government to attract and encourage overseas Filipinos to come and visit their motherland. This is in recognition of their contribution to the economy of the country through the foreign exchange inflow and revenues that they generate. The program allows visa-free entry to the Philippines for a period … Read More What is the Balikbayan Program for the Philippines? The post What is the Balikbayan Program for the Philippines? appeared first on Travelwise International.

Why Book With Travelwise

By Alvin Adriano • January 12, 2021
 “The goal of a company is to have customer service that is not just the best but legendary.” – Sam Walton We Are a Member of ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors) The American Society of Travel Advisors was established in 1931. It is the world’s largest and most influential travel agency trade association. Travelwise International has proudly been a member of ASTA for over the … Read More Why Book With Travelwise The post Why Book With Travelwise appeared first on Travelwise International.

Updated: Modified Step-by-Step Arrival and Quarantine Procedures Entering the Philippines (Dec 30 – Jan 15)

By Alvin Adriano • January 4, 2021
Here are the most updated arrival procedures for entering the Philippines. BEFORE YOU FLY AND DURING CHECK-IN 1. As early as 3 days prior to your departure, register and accomplish the Electronic Case Investigation Form and save the confirmation e-mail and QR code at https://bit.ly/MNLPHRedCrosseCIF 2. For land-based OFWs, create/update your account on the OFW Assistance Information System (OASIS) at http://oasis.owwa.gov.ph/ 3. Upon check-in, sign the … Read More Updated: Modified Step-by-Step Arrival and Quarantine Procedures Entering the Philippines (Dec 30 – Jan 15) The post Updated: Modified Step-by-Step Arrival and Quarantine Procedures Entering the Philippines (Dec 30 – Jan 15) appeared first on Travelwise International.

Travel Tastemakers

By Alvin Adriano • December 28, 2020
At Travelwise International, we don’t just book trips—we curate journeys designed around you. From intimate escapes to grand adventures, every itinerary we create reflects your unique style, interests, and aspirations. Our elite team of seasoned travel consultants are more than planners—they’re passionate storytellers, destination insiders, and experience designers. Each member brings deep expertise in specific regions and styles of travel, from luxury cruising to … Read More Travel Tastemakers The post Travel Tastemakers appeared first on Travelwise International.

Quality of Service

By Alvin Adriano • December 21, 2020
Who We Are Travelwise International has been a leader in the travel industry for over 30+ years.  We have been serving clients and organizations through all the changes in travel and in our world, and we will be serving them far into the future.  We are travelers.  We know that all vacations are not created equal and that the clients that seek us out … Read More Quality of Service The post Quality of Service appeared first on Travelwise International.
Two yellow sparkles on a white background

Transformative Experiences

By Alvin Adriano • December 21, 2020
Travel that awakens your senses, inspires your spirit, and stays with you for a lifetime. At Travelwise International, we believe that travel should do more than take you places—it should change the way you see the world. Today’s traveler craves more than a vacation; they seek authenticity, meaning, and impact. That’s why we craft journeys designed to engage all your senses, ignite your curiosity, … Read More Transformative Experiences The post Transformative Experiences appeared first on Travelwise International.

Top 20 Safest Airlines in 2019

By Alvin Adriano • January 7, 2019
Let’s be honest, 2018 wasn’t the best year for aviation, but it doesn’t mean that you should stop flying. You will just need to make sure that you are flying on one of these safest airlines ranked by AirlineRatings.com. AirlineRatings.com compiled an annual list of the safest airlines based on specific criteria that include: “audits from aviation’s governing and industry bodies; government audits; airline’s … Read More Top 20 Safest Airlines in 2019 The post Top 20 Safest Airlines in 2019 appeared first on Travelwise International.