Summer travel guide Planning a holiday this summer? Here are some tips and tricks to make it enjoyable
What to pack Bikini and swim shorts Bikini or swim shorts are perfect for lazy days on the beach or a swim in your hotel’s infinity pool on sweltering days. T-shirts Pack a few T-shirts to pair with jeans or shorts. They’re also handy when there are unforeseen accidents that require a change of clothing. Sunscreen Protect your skin from the sun by applying sunscreen before you step outside. Be generous with it! A good moisturiser Summer is the perfect time to moisturise and hydrate your skin. Ask your dermatologist to recommend the best products for you. A shoe for every occasion Pack a pair of sandals, a good pair of running shoes and something formal. Road safety l Ensure that the vehicle is roadworthy. Check that the lights, windows and wipers, wheels and tyres, brakes, suspension, battery, belts and chains, cooling system, filters and fluids, safety and warning equipment and child car seats work in perfect order. l Plan out the route of their road trip. Consider how long the trip will be, the number of pitstops, and whether you will need to book accommodation along the way. The plan will help guide your spending habits. Be mindful of your families needs and preferences as not all travellers are the same. l Eating out can be expensive, so opt to pack food and beverages. Depending on the duration of your trip, set daily food budgets to ensure that you are not overspending.
The budget can be for purchasing groceries, snacks or even takeaway if cooking isn’t your thing. l Create a playlist with everyone's favourite music or podcasts.
Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time. John Lubbock
Holiday rental tips l Make sure hot electrical appliances, toxic substances and sharp objects are locked away or out of reach of children. The same applies to matches, paraffin and lighters. l Search the home for objects that may cause harm. Read the labels on items you’re not sure about. l Don’t let children near candles, fireplaces or the braai unless there is continuous supervision. l Keep cabinets locked, especially ones where you keep chemicals. l Be wary of little ones being near the bath or geyser. l Keep toxic indoor plants out of reach. l Make sure the pool cover is secure whenever the pool is unattended. Beach safety While you may want a spontaneous beach day, planning is vital. When at the beach, swim only where and when lifeguards are on duty and swim between their red and yellow flags. Rip currents are the greatest cause of drowning accidents along the coast. A rip current is a section of water that flows fast out to sea against the incoming waves. Anyone caught in a rip current will realise they are being swept out to sea faster than they can swim towards shore. If you are caught in a rip current, here's what to do: l Do not panic and do not try to swim against the current. Let the current take you out to sea. It will not take you more than a few 100m and will not pull
