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What to wear for the Inca Trail

[ 0 ] December 30, 2010

Planning to hike the Inca Trail in Peru? Shorts and flip flops won’t cut it. With 25 miles to cover in 4 days, you’ll need good walking shoes, thermal underwear and plenty of stamina.

Not only is it cold at night (temperatures can plumet to below zero), it may rain heavily even in the dry season. So get prepared with our checklist:

Inca Trail in Peru - Gap Adentures - Fabulous Travel Guide

* Walking shoes

Good walking shoes are essential for the Inca Trail. Go for light-weight, waterproof trainers that have ankle support. You might want to go up a size to make sure they feel comfortable with thick socks.

TOP TIP Walking boots can be expensive – especially if you only plan to use them a couple of times. Try eBay for second-hand trainers – I snapped up a pair of Rockport walking boots for just £14.

*4 x thick socks

Blisters can be agony on a trek so make sure you wear thick walking socks. Take plenty of plasters, too.

* Rain poncho

Whatever the season, there’s bound to be the odd rain shower so don’t get caught out. Have a poncho rolled up in the bottom of your bag to pull out in a hurry. Primark sells them super-cheap or you can buy them locally.

* Zip-off hiking trousers

Zip-off trousers are ideal for the Inca Trail – they’ll keep you nice and warm on frosty mornings, but they can be unzipped if you get warm later on.

* Fleece top

As well as several t-shirts, be sure to bring a fleece or warm jumper. It’s best to layer up, rather than have one heavy winter coat.

* Thermal underwear

Make sure you bring warm underwear. It may not sound very appealing but it gets super cold at night..

* Wooly hat and gloves

It can be windy at high altitude and cold in the mornings, so a hat and gloves are a good idea to keep warm.

*Sunhat/sunglasses

Make sure your sunglasses have total UV protection and it’s worth buying a sunhat as this can prevent sun stroke.

* Extra clothes

Bring a spare pair of trousers and shorts. Extra socks are also a must as you’re bound to want fresh ones by day 3…

NEXT: What to pack for the Inca Trail>>

Visit Gap Adventures to book a place on the Inca Trail or pop into your local STA Travel to chat to an expert. Already booked? Get in touch via Twitter!

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How to avoid catching malaria

[ 0 ] November 2, 2010

Malaria is a serious and sometime fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes in many tropical and subtropical countries. Every year there are 250 million cases across the world and nearly 1 million deaths according to the World Health Organization

Fortunately, there are loads of precautions you can take to prevent getting bitten – just remember to be sensible and follow these simple rules:

How to avoid catching Malaria | Malaria travel advice | Fabulous travel guide

1) Research where you’re travelling to

Check out Fit for Travel – a brilliant website that tells you all the health information you need to know. You can see which areas are prone to malaria and even find out what vaccinations you need.

2) Ask your doctor about antimalarial tablets

This is important if you are visiting high-risk areas, remote from medical facilities. Talk to your doctor to discuss what you need.

3) Avoid getting bitten by covering up

Wear long sleeves and trousers when in tropical areas, such as the jungle. Investing a mosquito net is worthwhile, too.

4) Lather yourself in insect repellent

When your skin is exposed wear insect repellent and reapply every few hours.

5) Seek immediate medical care if you develop a fever

Malaria can develop even up to 12 months after exposure, so be aware of the symptoms.

Need more travel advice? Check out the Staying Safe Abroad section and don’t forget to register with LOCATE before you go. And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter!

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Bermuda on a budget

[ 2 ] July 6, 2010

Bermuda is a little slice of paradise that seems to have slipped off the radar here in the UK.

Okay, it may be a little pricey, but with dramatic coastlines, crystal clear waters and pink sand beaches, surely you can’t blame the locals for hoicking up the prices? And honestly, it’s worth it. It’s clean, refreshing and utterly ravishing. Flowers tumble over garden walls, tiny white sails flutter on the horizon and painted stone cottages nestle into the countryside…

The best part is, it’s only 6 and a half hours from the UK. So you can arrive fresh faced and bushy tailed and dive straight into the sea. Bliss.

Bermuda | Elbow Beach | Fabulous travel guide

Elbow Beach - Bermuda

Where to stay

While we can’t all afford to stay at Elbow Beach, like the celebs, there are still a couple of other options to tickle your taste buds:

Dawkins Manor is a little gem, just minutes from Elbow Beach. The apartments are a little on the frilly side (think floral bedlinen and heavy curtains) but they are set in pleasant grounds right on the beach.

Best of all they offer self-catering facilities (great if you’re short on cash), a fresh-water swimming pool and air-con. A one-bedroom apartment starts from $250 (£164) per night during the summer months.

Dawkins Manor - Bermuda

The Paraquet apartments are perfect for those looking for a no-frills bargain break. Don’t expect too much from these little rooms – they are basic and slightly old fashioned. But they are super-clean, have a kitchenette and terrace, and are just a stone’s throw away from Elbow Beach.

There is a nearby supermarket and even an American diner on the doorstep (slightly strange but worth a peep inside). Twin rooms cost from as little as $176 (£108) per night to $220 (£135) with self-catering facilities, including kitchenette and fridge/freezer.