Tips for Healthy, Happy Travels

By Rick Steves, Tribune Media Services on Oct 27, 2009

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It was my last day in Athens after spending several weeks producing two exciting television shows on Greece. My brain was fried. I was concerned I was getting a cold, and I felt that getting sick was God's way of telling me to slow down. Instead of heading out on a shoot, I ditched work and spent the day lounging poolside on the rooftop of my hotel. Thankfully, it worked. The next day, I felt recharged.

After 30 years of travel, I've figured out what I need to do to stay healthy when traveling. For me, wellness starts at home. An early-trip cold used to be a given until I learned this trick: Plan as if you're leaving two days before you really are. Keep that last 48-hour period sacred (apart from your normal work schedule), even if it means being frenzied before your false departure date. You'll fly away well-rested -- and 100 percent capable of enjoying the bombardment of your senses that will follow.

Anyone who flies through multiple time zones has to grapple with jet lag. It's simple to spring your wristwatch six to nine hours forward, but body clocks don't reset so easily. After crossing the Atlantic, your body wants to eat when you tell it to sleep and sleep when you force it to go to the Louvre. You can't avoid jet lag, but you don't have to condemn yourself to zombiedom either. On the flight over, I eat lightly, drink lots of water, avoid coffee and alcohol, and minimize sugar. The in-flight movies are good for one thing -- nap time. With two or three hours' sleep during the flight, you'll be functional the day you land.

On arrival, plan a good walk. Jet lag hates fresh air, daylight, and exercise. Stay awake at least until the early evening. You'll probably awaken very early on your first morning. Get out and enjoy a "pinch me, I'm in Europe" walk, as merchants set up in the marketplace and the town slowly comes to life. This will probably be the only sunrise you'll see in Europe.

As in the United States, Europe is also dealing with the H1N1 flu. Just be smart and heed the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, regularly wash your hands with soap and water, try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth, and get vaccinated if the shot is available to you.

To stay healthy, it's crucial to get enough sleep. Most people need seven to eight hours a night. It's tempting to go, go, go while you're in Europe. As if channel-surfing on a great TV with an infinite number of channels, there's always something enticing beyond what you can comfortably experience. The best way to stay healthy is to pace yourself and know your limits. Rather than a marathon of museum visits, I punctuate my sightseeing with cafe stops.

Now, a word about European water. I drink tap water and any water served in restaurants. Read signs carefully, however: Some taps, including those on trains and airplanes, are not for drinking. Look for a decal showing a glass with a red "X" over it, or a skull and crossbones. Even with safe drinking water, you may still get sick. Our bodily systems -- raised on bread that rips in a straight line -- are the most pampered on earth. Some travelers struggle with the bacteria in European water, which are different from those in American water.

If you do get sick, be proactive. Get help to get better quickly. For minor ailments, a good first stop is the neighborhood pharmacy. European pharmacists diagnose and prescribe remedies for most simple problems. They are usually friendly and speak English, and some medications that are by prescription only in the United States are available over the counter (surprisingly cheaply) in Europe. For more serious problems, ask about local clinics. Visits are usually free, covered by the national health care. If you're unable to leave your room, the hotel receptionist can usually summon a doctor who makes "house calls" -- for less than you might expect.

Don't let the fear of getting sick paralyze your travels. Earlier this year, I flew to Europe -- a bit nervously -- one week after a hernia operation. My doctor said there was no hurry to get it fixed, but I didn't want to risk getting worse while on the road. So I got the operation and packed even lighter than usual (20 pounds was about all I could hoist). After a month on the treadmill of Iberia, I felt as fit as a flamenco guitar. It turns out Europe was exactly what the doctor ordered.

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Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. E-mail him at rick@ricksteves.com, or write to him c/o P.O. Box 2009, Edmonds, Wash. 98020.