Staying Healthy While Traveling
(388 Reviews)
98% Recommended
Pam MacIntyre
Maple Grove, MN
Australia & New Zealand Specialist
New Zealand
In all my years as a Travel Professional, with curiosity I've asked several the question "What are your must see countries?" I was hard pressed to find one that did not list New Zealand! I mean who wouldn't wa...
New Zealand
In all my years as a Travel Professional, with curiosity I've asked several the question "What are your must see countries?" I was hard pressed to find one that did not list New Zealand! I mean who wouldn't want to experience this majestic part of the world?
Recently I was able to explore several areas of this amazing country, being fortunate in visiting both the North & South Island. What I love is New Zealand can be mellow or action-packed, yet it will still always be epic!
From the endless national parks, dynamic Maori culture, to experiencing the sounds aboard a yacht while gazing upon dolphins. And let’s not forget about laying witness to the majestic beauty of a sperm whale off the coast of Kaikoura.
Wait, did you say you enjoy wine? They have some of THE best in the world....how do I know? Because how could I go all the way to New Zealand and not visit a winery or two. New Zealand offers the deliciousness of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnays, Pinot Noir, Merlot and many more!
I really could go on and on, but no need if you're reading this you already KNOW you want to explore this part of the world. I would love to help you create the best version of New Zealand for you!
Australia
Let me start by saying, I have been wanting to go to Australia since I was a child. Why you ask? Well to pet a kangaroo of course! And I did! Not only did I pet kangaroos, but I fed 4 simultaneously! It was a childhood dream come true, and I cannot wait to go back and repeat the experience.
I was in Sydney during the spectacular International lights and music festival, Vivid Sydney. It was their 10th year, and all I've got to say is WOW! Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought Australia would be so perfect to visit during their winter season. Although being from Minnesota it was more like our fall temperatures. So again, perfect! It was extra special to experience VIVID Sydney and see the iconic Sydney Opera House light up. If you travel during this time of year, it truly is a must see.
The Blue Mountains region of Australia was truly lovely to walk amongst. Then headed to Hunter Valley (to locals known as "The Hunter") where wine in this region was flowing plentifully and was quite delicious!
After making a visit to Australia I now understand why many choose to go there for 2 - 4 weeks on a vacation. It's truly hard to grasp the sheer size of Australia until you have been there yourself. To give you an idea, think about the USA. Sydney would be in Florida; Cairns (Great Barrier Reef) would be in Maine; Uluru (Ayers Rock) would be in Kansas; Melbourne would be New Orleans; and Perth would be Los Angeles.
If you're looking to visit the world's largest Great Barrier Reef, immerse yourself in Aboriginal communities, swim with whale sharks or gaze upon the Uluru (Ayers Rock) the possibilities really are endless in Australia!
Together we'll create your dream trip to Australia that you'll remember for the rest of your days!
Can Be Reached At
1-763-231-8893
"To Travel Is To Take A Journey Into Yourself"
Many of us have our own tips, tricks & rituals before & during travel.
Here are a few of my personal recommendations:
Sleep:
This area I'm STILL working on getting better on. With 20 years of extensive traveling, and I'm an absolutely terrible packer. I'm generally the person that gets like 2 hours of sleep before taking off and then crash on the plane. The older I get the more I'm realizing the importance of enough sleep before traveling for both my health and having a more enjoyable start to my trip. You can always consider taking a motion sickness tablet such as Dramamine. This will make most people sleepy to help get that important rest. Before taking any over-the-counter medications it's recommended to speak with your doctor. If you cannot sleep on a flight, it’s important to at least rest your eyes.
Healthy Snacks:
Some travelers opt to bring their favorite snacks vs. the airplane options. Airplane snacks have more salt & sugar in them. This is because you can't taste sweetness or saltiness nearly as well on an airplane due to altitude and pressure, as well as a lack of humidity.
My personal snack choices:
- BelVita Breakfast Biscuits (Several flavors, so delish!)
- Trail Mixes from Trader Joes
- Nuts
- Crackers
- Candy
- Fruits
- Protein Bars (Kirkland Brand from Costco, comparable to a Quest Bar and a lot less expensive)
It's important to note: When arriving into an International Destination, you are unable to bring any organics into the country. Items such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, meats, etc. If you do, you'll risk either being fined and/or jail time. Just plan accordingly for what you'll eat on the flight. Other food items, such as crackers, candy, chips, etc. would all be alright bringing into the country. When in doubt, throw it out or enjoy it before landing!
Zinc Tablets & Lozenges:
Zinc is known to help boost your immune system. I can't tell you the number of common colds I've avoided by popping zinc lozenges on the doorstep of an illness. Prior to traveling—we increase our zinc intake about a week before, just to give us that extra immunity boost. Since starting this, I've personally never been sick in destination. *Knock on wood* Zinc tablets take longer to absorb, so for the instant zinc boost we opt for the Zinc Lozenges. We personally purchase the Ultra Zinc Lozenges at GNC (green box), however I'm sure there are other ones that work just the same.
Walking Around:
I've been on flights where people have not moved for 5 to 14+ hours. It's so important to get up, even if you do not have to use the restroom to keep your circulation moving. I have a client who now will ONLY travel in business class due to a blood clot forming from his long flight. He admitted he was one though that rarely got up from his seat. So as long as you're mindful of moving around, even taking a cruise up & down the aisles or standing in place that'll be sufficient. If you're at an increased risk for blood clots, you may wish to speak with your doctor regarding your long flight for recommendations to keeping you healthy & safe.
Surfaces & Seat Pockets:
Tray tables are well known to be quite unsanitary. I always travel with antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer. Be mindful when using them. Example: If I drop a piece of food on that tray, for me the "5 second rule" never applies.
I also personally avoid the seat pockets like the plague now. I once left my iPad in the seat pocket, and was LUCKY to get it back! I travel with a bag specifically to store all my snacks, book, glasses, electronics, etc. This is much cleaner, as those seat pockets are rarely cleaned. It also greatly reduces the chances of leaving a valuable item left on the plane. I was told by the airlines, me getting my iPad back was highly unlikely ... so again, I got very lucky. Once you start planning accordingly when flying, you'll be happy you do.
Insider Tip: On longer flights to places such as Asia, Australia, New Zealand, etc. during the flight be sure to get up and walk around to check out the snacks they put out for passengers during flight. They do this to allow people to continue to sleep more soundly, yet it also encourages you to get up and walk during flights to keep the circulation moving. Check back more than once, as they seem to change them up too.
Now that you're all set with some tips 'n tricks, adventure awaits and I'm here to help you get there!