Photo by admin

Sun

The sun can do a lot of damage and since it is so easy today to avoid these kinds of problems, why not take the right precautions? If you are going to be spending a lot of time in the sun, be sure to wear sun tan lotion with an adequate SPF factor. Just a few minutes of direct sun can cause a burn which can lead to dry, damaged skin, or worse, skin cancer. The heat of the sun is another danger to be wary of. Even if you are in the best of health, if you exert yourself extensively in the hot sun, you can suffer from sunstroke. Limit strenuous activities in the direct sun, make sure you drink plenty of water and get in the shade every chance you get.

Food and drink

Food poisonings are rare, but it never hurts to take precautions when it comes to the food you eat during the hot weather. With all of the great and convenient types of coolers, from individual thermal bags to keep you lunch in to big boxes for the whole gang, there is no reason to take any chances. Keep meats and salads chilled at all times, and throw away any food that has been sitting out in the heat for more than a half an hour. As for drinks, outside of milk or drinks made from milk, you don’t have to worry about them going bad with the heat. What you do have to worry about are alcoholic drinks. Fun in the sun and alcohol go together in a lot of people’s minds, but it is actually a dangerous combination. Alcohol dehydrates the body, and in the heat your body needs to be well hydrated at all times. Alcohol also raises the blood sugar level, making you more prone to heat strokes on a hot day. Finally, alcohol impairs your judgment, and driving home from the beach or a barbecue after one too many is a recipe for disaster.

Creatures and critters

Bugs and other critters are out in force once the weather warms up, and you need to protect yourself from them. Most of the time, it is just an inconvenience to be in a buggy and end up with a rash of mosquito bites. But often it can be more serious than that.  Use an insect repellent if you plan on being outdoors, especially in or near a wooded area. Remember that standing water is an incubator for mosquitoes, so avoid it. If you are stung, putting some of the insect repellent on the sting will usually stop the itch. Avoid scratching, since you can easily get an infection, especially since you are outdoors and your hands may be dirty.  Fire ants can really do damage to your skin, especially because you won’t even realize they are on you until after they have started biting you. Be careful to watch for the telltale mounds and avoid walking near them. Another living danger in the summer months is the presence of snakes. Depending on where you live, you may have dangerous poisonous snakes in your area.  Copperhead snakes and rattle snakes are poisonous and usually hide in underbrush or low lying water. Do not step into heavy vegetation, or wade into unknown waters when you are out picnicking or fishing.

Enjoy the summer, but keep it safe!

Want to know what’s the best background check service for conducting investigation on suspicious individuals? My article might help.

The post Summer is Here! Get Ready to Enjoy It appeared first on Europe Explored.

Gran Canaria, Spain / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Hector Garcia

Clear waters can be tough to come by, but clear waters which contain points of interest are even tougher to find. The shores of Gran Canaria are home to some of the best scuba diving in the Canary Islands and certainly worth exploring whether you are splashing about with a snorkel or are a serious diver. The warm sub-tropical waters are teaming with wildlife both exotic and varied, so when you’re taking a dive there’ll be plenty to see.

For something a little more action-packed, Gran Canaria sees itself as one of the world’s best windsurfing locations and in previous years has produced many a champion surfer and been home to competitions and championships which draw in the world’s windsurfing communities.

The winds which lend so well to windsurfing also produce some of the best waves for surfing and bodyboarding, leading it to be referred to the ‘European Hawaii’ by experience surfers. You can look forward to waves up to 5m in size when the conditions are right, some awesome conditions begging to be tamed. When staying at Anfi Beach Club you are only a few moments away from access to all the equipment and tuition you might need to spend your time away on or in the water.

No matter where you are in Gran Canaria you’re never far from the vibrant and energetic nightlife so many seek out after sundown. For the most vigorous club atmosphere you should head to the South of the island, near the Playa del Inglés or Maspalomas; the area is home to hundreds of bars, clubs and discos which cater for just about every taste you can imagine.

Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by kismihok

For those staying at Anfi Beach, which is about 20km west of Maspalomas, you are still within travelling distance if you still want to experience the main hub of clubs and bars, however, you’re also far enough out to escape from it completely should you wish. The nightlife surrounding the Anfi Beach is slightly lower key the Maspalomas, but you still have access to bars, restaurants, live entertainment and clubs, both onsite and offsite in the surrounding areas.

If you are more inclined to leave your resort and explore the island, Gran Canaria is home to some of the most dramatic and picturesque scenery of the Canary Islands. Because of the island’s volcanic beginnings the terrain is largely rocky and far from flat giving any one with a passion for hiking or trekking plenty to explore as well as some breathtaking vistas which really must be seen to be believed.

So whether it is just for the beaches or the waters, the nightlife or the nature – there is really something to be found for everyone on Gran Canaria, all within easy reach of Anfi Beach Club.

About the Author:

C Green is a long-time blogger covering many diverse subjects from travel tips, to art and house sitting. He currently writes for Travel & Leisure Group, trusted timeshare resellers of over 20 years.

View Making the most out of your stay at Anfi Beach Club, Gran Canaria in a larger map

The post Making the most out of your stay at Anfi Beach Club, Gran Canaria appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Kevin Poh

Italy Summer Festivals

One thing Italians enjoy is being Al Fresco. Throughout the summer Italian towns and cities make the most of the warmer days and evenings by holding a range of outdoor concerts and music and art festivals. The venues for the festivals are exciting and innovative and range from ruins to public spaces. The type of music on offer varies from classical composers and opera shows to new live music.

Festival dei Due Mondi

Translated as “The Festival of Two Worlds”, this performing arts festival takes place in Spoleta and showcases a broad spectrum of artistic disciplines, from ballet, opera, films and art. The festival has been running for over 60 years, and celebrates the amalgamation of European and American art. Festival dei Due Mondi usually takes place in June and July each year.

Soundlabs Festival

Usually in August, Soundlabs is a more contemporary festival that celebrates the international independent music scene in the rural area of central Italy. Soundlabs usually hosts popular acts from the UK, US and Italy and is popular with European tourists.

Verona Opera

The Verona Opera series is a true taste of authentic opera in Italy’s most elegant open air arena – the Roman amphitheatre of Verona. Shakespeare fans will be pleased to visit this popular town to be steeped in history and rich Italian poetry in motion.

Summer Accommodation in Italy

Unless roughing it and making most of the camp sites at some of the more alternative music festivals appeals, there is a good choice of accommodation in Italy to suit all budgets. The most popular cities to stay in are Rome, Florence and Venice, and all of these areas have large (and expensive) hotel chains such as Hilton and Grand that can provide luxury and convenient accommodations.

For those wanting to break away from the confines and expense of a hotel room, clever travellers opt for schemes like LoveHomeSwap.com that offer home exchange Italy services allowing owners of holiday apartments and second homes to swap locations for their holidays in whichever cities across Europe and elsewhere in the world they choose to visit and can find a suitable swap in.

Summer Sight Seeing

A trip to Italy can be finished off with a trip to the leaning tower of Pisa to see it for real. The Tower is open until 11pm in the summer, and in the same trip tourists can also visit the Cathedral, Cathedral museum and Baptistery.

The post An Italian Summer of Festivals appeared first on Europe Explored.

The fort is protected by the state since 1904, first as a national monument, and later as a place of cultural interest. The castle itself was rebuilt in the 20th century. It was built of red bricks which is typical for that area.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by MANUEL ZALDÍVAR

Castillo de la Mota has two main parts, its own citadel of three massive stone towers guarding the original Muslim town, and the dilapidated abbey of Santa Maria Mayor. Here we find the Gothic church of Iglesia San Miguel with a Renaissance facade and painting by El Greco and a mosque rebuilt in 1341 to the Church of Santo Domingo de Silos. If a hot weather is not a problem for you, you could climb to the tower of the fort where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the whole neighbourhood and the ancient town walls.

View Castillo de la Mota – beautiful medieval fortress in Spain in a larger map

The post Castillo de la Mota – beautiful medieval fortress in Spain appeared first on Europe Explored.