Your summer holiday guide

HOLIDAYS can be great, especially if you're heading off to warmer shores but being careless about the amount of sun or alcohol you enjoy can lead to a lot of unnecessary pain. Supporter of responsible drinking, drinkaware.ie has a handy holiday survival guide that has lots of handy hints and information to help make your summer break a more enjoyable one. The guide is packed full of useful tips on making the most of your time away. It includes essential advice on staying safe in the sun, important travel information from the Department of Foreign Affairs on visas, passports and what your local embassy can do for you should you find yourself in need of assistance abroad, top backpacking tips as well as practical advice to help you have a fun but safe holiday. The Guide is available to download for free on www.drinkaware.ie. Dr Graham Fry, Medical Director of the Tropical Medical Bureau said, 'It is very easy to get caught up in the excitement of an upcoming holiday or trip, but planning ahead is essential. If you don't, that dream holiday could become a nightmare.'   â€Â¢ Use the appropriate sun care products for your skin, at least factor 15 or more. Seek shade between 11 am and 3 pm. â€Â¢ Scan and email copies of important travel documents (tickets, passport, ID, emergency contact numbers etc.) to yourself and to someone at home. â€Â¢ Take note of the local laws about alcohol. There are plenty of countries where public drunkenness can cause grave offence. Also, if you're injured while under the influence of drugs or alcohol your insurance almost certainly won't cover you. â€Â¢ Foreign measures of alcohol can be larger than Irish ones, which means two vodka and cokes may be more like five at home - pace yourself and drink plenty of water between drinks. â€Â¢ Mind the creepy crawlies. Spray your room with repellant, in the evening especially, and treat any bites early. Mosquitoes are attracted to alcohol in the blood, so think about that before heading to a full-moon party.