Health Tips for Travellers

Travel is fun. Travel is exciting. Bui it's not fun or exciting if you get ill. You may think, "Not me I won't fall ill on my holiday." But, for many people, that is what happens.

Of course, you do not want to spend your holiday ill in bed. So what can you do to stay in good health? There are three things you should remember when you travel: relax, sleep and eat well.

A holiday is supposed to be a time for relaxing. But to our regret very often it is not. Think about what you do when you are a tourist. There are so many places to visit: museums, shops, parks and churches. You may spend most days walking around these places. This can be very tiring. Your feet may hurt. You've got a terrible headache after a few hours. If this is the way you feel, you should take a rest. Do not ask your body to do too much. A tired body means a weak body. And a weak body gets ill easily. So sit down for a few hours in a nice spot, in good weather, look for a quiet park bench. Or you can stop at a cafe. You can learn a lot by watching people while you rest.

You should not forget about sleep. If you want to stay healthy you need to get a good night's rest. You may have trouble sleeping at night when you travel. Your hotel may be noisy, the bed may be uncomfortable. If this is true, don't hesitate to change rooms or hotels. Or you may not get enough sleep for another reason. In many cities the nightlife can be very exciting. You may want to stay out late at night. In this case you should plan to sleep for an hour during the day. That extra hour can make a big difference.

Finally, if you want to stay in good shape, you must eat well. That means eating the right kinds of food. Your body needs fresh fruit and vegetables, and some meat milk or cheese. No doubt, when you are in a new country, you will wish to try new food. But you need to be careful about how much you eat. Try to avoid eating lots of rich food.

So, remember: if you want to enjoy your holiday, take good care of yourself. Give your body some rest. Get enough sleep and eat good, healthy food.

Your Favourite B&Bs

The new wave of British guesthouses was identified - and below are 25 places that you are highly recommended.

South-east

Barons Grange, East Sussex

Stay here or in the centre of Rye? No contest! A wonderful old house, lovely, bright bedrooms and a garden to die for. After the homemade biscuits in the room, you know the breakfast next day will match the accommodation.

Joy and James Ramus, Barons Grange, Readers Lane, Iden. £25-£30pppn.

Conquerors B&B, East Sussex

Relax in the comfortable elegance of large bedrooms with discreet adaptations in this Grade II single-storey building. Breakfast in the airy dining room overlooking the accessible garden. Discover the splendours of the south coast.

Kate and Terry Short, Conquerors B&B, Cowbeech Hill, Herstmonceux. £50-£75 pppn.

Worples Field, Kent

This warm family home with its stunning rural views is a perfect base for lovers of historic houses and gardens. Sue Marr's enthusiastic welcome, fresh flowers in the bright but restful bedrooms and delicious home-made jams are just some of the treats in store.

Sue Marr, Worples Field B&B, Farley Common, Westerham. £50pr pn (per room, per night). Non-smoking.

Moortown Cottage, Isle of Wight

Quiet, private annex to a thatched cottage on the spectacular south-west coast of the Isle of Wight. Four-poster bed plus your own sitting room with fridge, microwave and TV. Special touches include complimentary chocolates and fresh fruit salad for breakfast.

Denise Kaill, Moortown Cottage, Moortown Lane, Brighstone, Newport. £23-£28pppn.

The Town House, Bath

The Bath Town House is centrally located in a beautiful tenement, giving the romantic feel of the times of Jane Austen. It is decorated with deep, comforting colours and furnished with a sense of luxury. The owners are wonderfully welcoming, serving up a gourmet breakfast. A perfect stay.

Alan and Brenda Willey, The Town House, 7 Bennett Street. £78-£90pr pn.

Sampford Manor, Devon

A sense of history and quiet seclusion in the depths of Dartmoor. Dating back to before the Domesday book, Sampford Manor at Sampford Spiney has thick granite walls and slate floors. Situated right next to a church and graveyard, it's perfect for misty, wintry evenings.

Rosalind Spedding, Sampford Manor, Sampford Spiney, Yelverton. £24-£44pppn.

The Old Forge, Devon

Near the bottom of Totnes high street with its many individual shops, The Old Forge is warm and welcoming. Comfortable and prettily decorated rooms and an excellent breakfast. Conservatory for bar drinks holds a hot-tub sensitively surrounded by climbing plants!

Christine Hillier and David Miller, The Old Forge, Seymour Place, Totnes. £56-£76prpn.

Grey Cottage, Devon

Brilliant fresh produce at breakfast; great choice; fantastic hospitality; lovely, comfy ensuite rooms; wonderful Georgian cottage; lovely setting/garden approximately one mile from picturesque village; dinner also available (superb).

Julia Waghorn, Grey Cottage, Lee, Ilfracombe. £26-£30pppn.

The Georgian Guesthouse, Suffolk

Luxurious suite bedrooms, even equipped with a DVD player! Imaginative and appetizing breakfasts provide a cornucopia of fresh and beautifully cooked food. Relaxing library, licensed lounge with bar meals obligingly produced, and a garden hot-tub! Friendly, solicitous attention from the owners. Great for Snape and the Aldeburgh Festival.

Claire Hutchinson, The Georgian Guesthouse, 6 North Entrance, Saxmundham. £65-85pppn.

Grove Farm, Norfolk

Arriving at the 17th-century home of Clare Wilson, I felt I had come to stay with a friend. Clare shares her beautiful rooms, delightful garden, delicious cooking and her time with energetic and natural charm, while her family and friendly dog come and go as they please.

Clare Wilson, Grove Farm, Back Lane, Roughton. £40pppn.

Old Vicarage, Yorkshire

Beautiful Georgian house in the centre of Easingwold. All rooms are suites with nice touches like magazines by the bed. Gorgeous breakfast - a huge buffet plus anything you want from full English. John and Christine welcome you as friends staying overnight.

Christine and John Kirman, The Old Vicarage, Market Place, Easingwold. £60prpn.

Knabbs Ash, Yorkshire

Soft white bathrobes/slippers, crisp blue tablecloths, scrumptious breakfasts using freshly collected free-range eggs and delicious preserves. Home baking before the fire. Discover freedom, relaxation and superb walks. Knabbs Ash is in blissful contrast to the pace and pressures of everyday life.

Sheila and Colin Smith, Knabbs Ash, Skipton Road, Felliscliffe, Harrogate. £30pppn.

Prudom Guest House, Yorkshire

Gertrude Jekyll meets Le Corbusier in this stunning house with roots dating back to 1150. The present 1750 dwelling is a delightful mix of old-fashioned charm, stylish contemporary design and luxury fittings. A warm welcome, and the glorious North York Moors beckon.

Jenny and Jules Looker, Prudom Guest House, Goathland. £35pppn.

Raise View, Cumbria

Raise View is cosy and welcoming, and the views of the fells and farmland are sublime - what an inspiration on waking each day. The freshly prepared food was so good: the breakfast a feast, changing each day. Just a five-minute stroll to the village. A perfect haven. Exceptional.