Sudan, Greenland and Mongolia have emerged to be the top-voted holiday destinations by travel magazines readers. All three are unlikely locations, but all were voted in the line-up of first, second and third out of a list of ten hotspots voted by the readers of “Wanderlust.”

The destinations were announced as part of 2012’s “Travel Awards,” along with the selection other locations that also appear on the list included: Tajikistan, Pakistan, the Cook Islands, Taiwan, Lebanon and Fiji. Iran was voted in 10th position and is probably the hardly location to imagine being flocked with tourists.

However, it has been noted that adventure tour operators are already adding some of these unlikely countries to their trips!

From this we can definitely see that the travel map is changing fast and unlikely destinations are being to grow in popularity.

‘’I totally agree with Sudan at top place in this category. I was lucky enough to discover this first-hand last year and experience its warm welcome, layers of history and few tourists. With more pyramids than Egypt it is a one to watch for the future especially as South Sudan opens up too.’’
The “Travel Awards” have also indicated in the past, the travellers are not put-off by disaster prone areas. Japan won first place last year despite its recent tsunami and after-radiation scare, winning with a whopping 97% of votes, while earthquake-effected New Zealand made third place and Burma, came fourth. Cambodia and Rwanda, both ruined by horrific genocidal histories, also proved popular and among the top 10, as well as areas such as: Namibia, Laos, Argentina and Madagascar. 

If done responsibly, and with the correct type of tourism, visiting countries after a disaster can widely benefit them.

It was also voted that Luang Prabang in Laos is the top ever city, followed by Japan’s city of Kyoto and Italy’s very famous Siena.

South Sudan independence

Picture courtesy of sidelife

The sizzling sun would be the perfect thing to assist you in enjoying your relaxing holiday, whilst chillaxing with a cool beer on the poolside. Being outside in the sunlight might appear to be a good thing, since it provides are skin with vitamin D a crucial vitamin for sturdy bone growth. It even provides us with an amazing tan! But an excessive amount of sunlight or limited protection from the sunlight can be extremely harmful too!

So what specifically makes the sun so threatening…?

The sun is dangerous because it emits invisible UV rays that are continuously striking our skin when we are in daylight.  This can cause a big issue when being out in the sun for long intervals, as UV rays continuously hitting out skin can lead to sunburn.

Why then, is sunburn a problem?

Many people do not see sunburn as a major problem in the UK. Sunburn is exceptionally bad because once burnt; it means staying inside and missing out on the rest of the holiday, staying covered and an increase in wrinkles. Sunburn often leads to sunstroke and over-exposure to UV lights it the prime cause of skin cancers.

So, how do I protect myself?

There are many methods that can be completed to ensure that you are under maximum protection from the sun, these include: Wearing the right protection, (sun cream, sunhat, sunglasses and when thinking about your wardrobe, choose stylish, but sensible clothing options.) taking regular breaks from being outside and making sure you are inside during the hottest times (mid-day.) Water is also essential when attempting to protect yourself from dehydration.

Which sun cream is right for me?

Various people burn at different rates. Red-haired and blonde people with light-coloured eyes are more inclined to burn faster than dark haired people. This is because ‘Blondes’ and ‘RedHeads’ have a lower amount of melanin in their skin (the stuff that protects you from the sun!) Thus, the type of sun cream you need entirely depends upon your own individual needs.

Sun creams are ranked in accordance to SPF (sun protection factor.) -The higher the SPF number the stronger protection. Whatever SPF you opt for, just bear in mind, sun cream must be applied at least once every two hours and if you find yourself swimming or sweating a lot, it needs to be applied even more.

When selecting your sun cream you should also consider the unique properties of the sun creams available. There are a variety of different types of sun cream available including: waterproof, all day sun creams and invisible sun creams making applying the sun cream more enjoyable and manageable without ruining your ‘flow.’

When you go on holiday, you find yourself with a whole list of travel essentials you need to take and if you’re travelling abroad, especially to hotter climes for your summer holiday, well the list just keeps on going! For your ease we have a list of travel health essentials that you should make sure you have before you go.

Sunscreen – Very important for hot holidays and anywhere where your exposed to sunlight, you should make sure you have enough to last your holidays and that it is a high enough factor.; For children you should be putting on factor 50 and similarly as adults if you have fair skin, experts say factor 30 is suitable for most adults and anything lower should be avoided.

Sunglasses – Not just to finish off your holiday ensemble, sunglasses protect your eyes from the harmful UVA’s too  many cheap fashion pairs do not provide adequate protection for your eyes and should be avoided, look for pairs which have a at least 70% UVA protection, however 100% is best, especially for young eyes.

Medication – If you are on medication it is advisable to speak to your doctor before you go to make sure there isn’t anything you should be avoiding and also make sure if you’re visiting certain countries that your vaccinations are also up to date. You also need to make sure that you have enough medication with you, that you need, and a reminder for women who are on birth control pills make sure you take enough to last you and some spares if you lose any. It’s also advisable to make sure you pack basic drugs such as paracetamol, laxatives and diarrhoea tablets just in case.

First aid – It may not be first on your list for holiday essentials but a first aid kit is can come in handy, especially when you’re out and about, small scissors, bandages, antiseptic cream/wipes and plasters will probably be enough, even if you’re staying in a resort. Blisters anyone, from new sandals? Insect repellents and insect bite cream also will be useful especially if mosquito’s like to dine from you. 

For the airplane – If you’re travelling by air even just for a couple of hours you need to be aware of DVT, flight socks are an easy travel essential that can be packed into your hand luggage, ready for your flight and they can help prevent DVT and are a must on long haul. Also avoiding alcohol or anything that dehydrates you will also help.

Getting on top of your weight problem and combating it is a huge milestone for anyone who is overweight, the next one is keeping up with your healthy diet and lifestyle, and this is where many people struggle. Anyone who has had weight problems knows only too well that once you have lost the weight you need to keeping it off is very hard and trying not to go back to your old bad habits.

As summer is upon us one thing that many people worry about is sticking to your diet when your away, if you don’t you run the risk after enjoying ‘treats’ whilst away not been able to get back into your old routine. Just because you are on a diet or you are on a new healthy eating plan doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your holiday whilst keeping your healthy eating habits intact and lose pounds.

Because you are away, either here in the UK or abroad you will have to modify your eating habits and be creative and smart about your choices, you will find yourself dining out a lot, eating at different time to when your body is use to or just having a huge range of food in front of you.

The main thing to remember is that you are on holiday and your are there to enjoy yourself, and being on a diet shouldn’t stop that, you just need to make good choices such as go for foods that are baked, grilled or barbequed and never anything that is deep fried, if you’re going somewhere tropical, make the most of the fresh foods available such as fruit, salad, vegetables and fresh seafood. You also need to remember portion control especially if you are dining at a buffets tempting as it maybe to put all this lovely fresh food on your plate you need to remember your intake, especially if you are doing less exercise than you would do at home.

You can also make the most of exercise when you are away, bring your trainers and explore where you are by foot, or if you have a hotel gym make the most of it, you don’t have to do as much as you would at home but a little is better than nothing, but most of all remember to have fun and don’t let your diet dominate your holiday.

If you are suffering from erectile dysfunction don’t worry you are not alone, it’s estimated that half of all men in the UK between 40 and 70 will experience erectile dysfunction at some point. There are now many treatments available such as Viagra or Levitra however it can be useful first to look at the causes, as many men do not understand how their lifestyle can affect them.

Problems can stem from many areas including other medications, a chronic illness, poor blood flow to the penis, consuming large amounts of alcohol or being too tired, a change in your lifestyle could affect the problems you are suffering in the bedroom, as well as medications and other holistic treatments. You just need to find one that suits you.

Not treating erectile dysfunction can also lead to other health problems, for example it’s not uncommon for men suffering from ED to feel upset and angry as well as unsure of themselves, and if these feelings are not properly dealt with it could lead to depression. You need to be honest with yourself, partner and doctor about your problems, and then you will be able to find a suitable solution because problems like these just don’t go away.

Stress can also be a huge factor in the causes of erectile dysfunction, so if you find yourself getting worked up you must learn how to relax to be able to deal with ED, learning to relax can also have positive benefits in other areas of your health, so it’s worth while taking this into account, especially when you aren’t feeling well. Relaxation exercises can help, try rhythmic breathing, if it is short and quick try slowing down to a gentler pace, also try deep breathing to focus yourself you could also try and relax with the aid of soothing music.

Very few people we imagine would argue that waxing is not the best way to remove body hair, it is, and it is a known fact that it is an excellent way to deal with most hair removal. Any dermatologist will tell you that waxing leaves the area smoother than shaving; this is because it pulls the hair out from below the top layer of skin.

This determined, you would want to find the best waxing London salon for you to have treatment undertaken and although it is possible to wax at home, the results can be indifferent and the cost of having professional treatments using a waxing London salon will usually give better results and you will look and feel better. There are many waxing London professionals that can be accessed online, where you can see the full range of waxing treatments available. You will find that a reputable waxing London salon would also undertake other beauty treatments, these are regarded are places of health and beauty, with waxing, facial, massage and other beauty treatments.

Getting a bit bored with the usual spa treatments you receive? Have a look below for some more unusual treatments available around the world.

Brewery spa – There are a number of brewery spas in Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic, in these you can have a good soak in a small swimming pool filled with beer, it seems that the vitamins and yeast in beer are quite cleansing for the skin, as well as indulging in the twenty minute dip in dark beer which is mixed with carbonated mineral water, yeast, hops and aromatic herbs, afterwards you can enjoy some relaxation time or an optional massage or treatment involving hot stones or being packed in hot grains.

Snake massage – Not for those who suffer from ophiophobia (fear of snakes) with this treatment you have various non-venomous snakes like California king, Florida king, milk and corn varieties slithering and sliding over your body to sooth aching muscles and joints. You can experience one of these treatments in Talmei Elazar which is in North Israel.

Geisha facial – You can now have a facial treatment that gives you the complexion of a geisha, the facial which uses the geisha skin care routine is available in New York and uses the secret ingredient geishas use, nightingale excrement (i.e. bird droppings). During the treatment you have a facemask made from the excrement which has been dried and sterilized, called uguisu no fun which exfoliates, nourishes and brightens the skin.

Cactus massage – This may sound like a very painful treatment however it’s not as prickly as you may think. This massage does involve Nopal paddles however they are spike free, they are used to massage in a mixture of prickly pear cactus, pulque (an alcoholic beverage similar to tequila but made from agave) and tuna (the cactus blossom, not the fish). These ingredients are known for their healing properties, removing toxins as well as moisturising the skin.

An extravagant facial – For those with an expensive and luxurious taste why not try a caviar facial or full body caviar treatment. You are covered in green gunk that contains sevruga fish eggs) extracts and “spirulina algae”, hence the colour. Another wallet busting treatment is a 24K Gold facial which involves covering your face with gold leaf or gold dust ala Cleopatra. The gold is thought to remove blemishes and purify the skin, and it apparently has anti-aging properties.

caviar

Picture courtsey of star5112

Travel sickness is caused by the vestibular system in your inner ear not understanding the visual clues it is getting, basically your eyes telling you one thing and the balancing system in your ears telling another. It leaves you feeling sick, looking pale and clammy and also gives you a headache. A lot of people suffer travel sickness from a young age and generally grow out of it however for those who don’t there a couple of things you can do to help avoid travel sickness.

There are a few over the counter drugs that can prevent motion sickness however you do generally have to take them about 30 minutes before you travel.

There are also herbal remedies you can take, many people believe ginger can help in preventing motion sickness and with herbal remedies you won’t get any side affects unlike the over the counter drugs.

There are other options as well that don’t involve taking anything, you can get special wristbands the work by controlling your pulse or try simple things such as sitting by the window looking at the distance may help. Do not read books, watch videos, or play on a games console. Listening to story tapes is a good alternative. Do open a window.

It’s that time of your again when many of us will be heading off to the slopes of Austria or Canada for our well earned ski holidays. And whether you’re a seasoned skier or a first-timer, a bit of preparation beforehand can definitely help your skills and stamina, and also add to your enjoyment of the holiday.

There’s nothing worse than spending the first day of your ski holiday enjoying the slopes and the next two days in bed with a bad back or other painful aches. To make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun, the trick is to get in shape before setting off. If you want to get the most benefit and enjoyment  from your valuable time on the slopes, then start training at least 4 weeks before you go by targeting the muscles that control your skiing and snowboarding. Most of us hit the slopes and plan on skiing all day, even if it’s been months or years since we last skied and by afternoon, you get so tired that you lose focus. This is often the time when injuries and accidents happen as the more tired you are, the more your concentration suffers and muscles become increasingly slower and weaker to respond.

What makes skiing holidays such great exercise is that it uses all of your muscle groups, although some muscles are used more than others and these are the ones you want to concentrate on when it comes to your pre-holiday training.  The primary muscles used in skiing are your calves, quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, inner and outer thighs, abs and back and your arms

To build stamina and prepare your heart and body for long-term skiing, you need to have a cardio programme in place at least 4 weeks before you go which should include 3 to 5 days each week of your favourite activity (the best for skiing include running, step aerobics or cross trainer).  Try to have a variety of workouts lasting from 20 to 45 minutes. As you get closer to your trip, you can also add time to one of your workouts so that you have one long workout each week.             

If you are already planning on next year’s holiday, you need to be aware of the vaccines needed for foreign travel. A recent survey found that 56% of travelers did not know what medicine or injections were needed for certain destinations, while 31% did not know what they had already been vaccinated against.  Many people are also unaware that tetanus and hepatitis A vaccinations were recommended for travel to European destinations such as Slovenia and Bulgaria or that when travelling to destinations in Thailand such as Phuket and Koh Samui, there are various vaccinations required.

A lot of people also don’t realise the risks they are taking by not getting vaccinated, not only do you leave yourself unprotected against various illnesses like Diphtheria, tetanus and hepatitis A, which could result in a stay in hospital but also it could mean your travel insurance is invalid. Many people seem to be unaware that most of the jabs needed for foreign travel are free on the NHS, as well as information of what precautions you need to take and where, which is available on the NHS website.

injection

Picture courtesy of alvi2047