5 Travel tips for venturing out in the Winter.

 

1. Put some extra clothing and emergency items in your vehicle; these will come in handy if you break down in very cold weather. It doesn't take much -- assemble a basic kit including an extra pair of gloves, weather-resistant pants and/or coat, maybe an old pair of boots, a blanket, jumper cables and a flashlight with some extra batteries, and you should be in good shape if you somehow get stranded with just your car out on the open road. It may be a while before anyone is able to come along and help you out!

 

2. Before booking any accommodation on your winter holiday, check if that accommodation is prepared for the cold conditions. Heaters in your hotel room will be sorely missed if you arrive during a cold front. Think about keeping an extra blanket or electric blanket in your luggage when you travel.

 

3. If you’re going to be flying, cold weather, especially in areas where there tends to be heavy snowfall, may cause delays at the airport. be prepared to either wait for your delayed flight or make sure you have accommodation planned if all flights are cancelled. if you’re traveling to the Northern Hemisphere to experience the winter there, be prepared to be plagued by snow storms and long waiting periods.

 

4. If you’re driving in the cold, make sure you drink enough water to stay hydrated, and eat enough food to keep your body from using all your stored energy for heat. Avoid sugary snacks, however, because these will give you quick bursts of energy, but will drain you quicker afterwards. If you do feel fatigued when driving in the cold, it is even more important to take a break to keep yourself awake and fully alert when driving, you reaction times need to be faster to compensate for slower movement and hazardous conditions.

 

5. Know how to recover from skids. When braking on a slippery road, it’s all too easy to “lock up” your wheels by stepping on the brakes a little too hard. If you start to skid, steer the vehicle gently in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go and don’t touch your brakes.