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Are you thinking about going on a group trip, but concerned about the best way to make it work? Many people when they think about group travel immediately conjure up ideas of fall outs, disagreements, and hard work - often preferring to travel on their own or with just their immediate family. That being said, there’s a lot of fun that can be hand on a group trip - and electing to stay out of the fun alltogether is a surefire way of missing out on what could be some of the best memories. In fact, there are some really...

When backpacking in a foreign country, there are many safety concerns to be aware of and minimise responsibly. Often, backpackers are prepared with lockable bags and money pouches, equipped with the knowledge to travel in pairs and be mindful of their belongings, and they know to take trails well-travelled to avoid getting lost...However, one risk that’s so often forgotten is the risk of mosquitos and other biting bugs. With some of the world’s most deadly diseases passed along by these pesky insects, like the Zika and West Nile Virus, it’s essential that backpackers are aware of the risks and mitigate...

When it comes to avoiding mosquito bites – or treating them once you’ve got them – there are lots of conflicting opinions, and reading any blog online will give you all manner of advice. For example, a simple Google will bring up people who swear by DEET-based repellents, and people that argue against them in their entirety. Natural repellents are available these days which are just as effective as DEET but with many other health benefits. What it also shows is that people can’t decide between the advice, and so end up buying a protection that might not work for...

What is the virus?The West Nile virus was first identified in the West Nile region of Uganda in 1937, but has attracted greater attention from Western countries in recent years. West Nile can potentially (though very rarely) cause a fatal neurological disease in humans; but the biggest concern when it comes to West Nile is the fact that 80% of infections in humans show no symptoms, making it incredibly difficult to diagnose. With no vaccine currently available for humans, the best way to reduce risk of contracting West Nile is mosquito control. What is the risk?Unfortunately, prevention is definitely the...