The study compared 47 cities using five equally weighted factors linked to feeling good while away: annual sunshine, conditions conducive to quality sleep, the proportion of restaurants classified as healthy, green space per resident, and walkability between major attractions. The methodology was developed with guidance from Harvard-affiliated clinical psychologist Natalie Dattilo-Ryan, according to the index.

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Lisbon’s strength lies in its balance. It records 2,828 hours of sunshine a year, offers 49 square metres of green space per resident, and is compact enough for visitors to explore on foot, even if its steep streets demand sensible shoes. Nearly one in ten restaurants in the city is categorised as healthy—the second-highest share in the survey—while fresh seafood, neighbourhood tascas, and varied international options help make eating well relatively accessible.

Its urban appeal also benefits from its proximity to the coast. Cascais and Costa da Caparica can be reached by public transport in under an hour, allowing a city break to combine hillside viewpoints, parks, and waterfront time. Lisbon tourism officials said the result supported a strategy centred on distinctive experiences while protecting the qualities valued by residents as well as visitors.

Second-placed Helsinki stood out for calm surroundings, efficient transport, and proximity to nature. The Finnish capital leads the index for low noise and light pollution and provides around 126 square metres of green space per person. Orlando, in third place, pairs its theme-park energy with 2,930 annual sunshine hours, more than 148 parks, gardens and recreation areas, and extensive lakes and wetlands.

European cities dominated the remainder of the top ten. Athens placed fourth, followed by Edinburgh, Madrid, Vienna, Budapest, Oslo, and Vilnius. Surprisingly, for a city once notorious for traffic problems, Athens received the highest walkability score, while Edinburgh’s mix of parks, pedestrian-friendly sightseeing and healthy dining helped offset its comparatively limited sunshine.

The findings point to a broader shift in how destinations are marketed. Rather than treating wellbeing as a specialist retreat product, the index frames everyday features—daylight, movement, restorative sleep, nutritious food, and access to nature—as part of a mainstream city break. BookRetreats co-founder Sean Kelly said travellers are increasingly choosing places according to how they aspire to feel when they arrive.

As with any composite ranking, the result is a guide rather than a guarantee: personal preferences, season, budget, and the character of an individual trip will shape the experience. Still, Lisbon’s first-place finish underlines a persuasive proposition for international visitors—a European capital where culture, coastline, and daily outdoor life are intricately connected.

L’article Lisbon named world’s happiest holiday destination in new global index est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The conference is designed as a strategic platform connecting public institutions with healthcare and wellness providers, travel agencies, wellness and retreat facilitators, medical and wellness tourism operators, international experts, investors, destination management organisations and destination development partners.

Beyond promoting Azerbaijan’s existing offer, the event aims to encourage partnerships between the tourism and healthcare sectors, attract international expertise and investment, and support the development of new medical and wellness tourism products.

The conference comes at a particularly significant moment for the sector. Health tourism has recently been formally incorporated into Azerbaijan’s national tourism priorities under the country’s newly approved State Programme on the Development of Tourism for 2026–2030.

Health tourism enters Azerbaijan’s 2030 strategy

Approved by President Ilham Aliyev, the five-year programme provides a new framework for the development and diversification of Azerbaijan’s tourism industry through the end of the decade.

Health tourism is specifically addressed in the programme, which foresees the preparation of a dedicated strategy and action plan for the sector.

The country also plans to improve regulatory and legal acts governing the accreditation of medical institutions, with a particular focus on medical tourism. At least five facilities providing medical tourism services are expected to participate in international accreditation processes by the end of the programme period.

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Importantly, the organisation of an annual Health Tourism Conference is itself included among the programme’s targets, giving the Baku event a formal role in Azerbaijan’s longer-term tourism development plans.

The wider 2026–2030 programme also envisages creating a tourism product centred on the Great Silk Road, launching eight cultural tourism products and organising four domestic and one international promotional event, including festivals. Restoration of monuments and infrastructure development in state historical and cultural reserves are also planned.

Together, the measures point to a broader effort to diversify Azerbaijan’s tourism economy and develop specialised segments capable of attracting new international markets.

Building an international health tourism platform

The Health Tourism Conference has been developing alongside those ambitions, bringing together stakeholders from Azerbaijan and abroad to examine opportunities across medical and wellness tourism.

The first Health Tourism Conference was held in Shusha in 2024, establishing a platform for discussions around Azerbaijan’s potential in the sector. The initiative has since expanded as the country seeks to develop stronger links between tourism, healthcare and wellness.

Through panel discussions, networking and business meetings, the event seeks to create stronger connections between healthcare institutions, tourism businesses, investors, facilitators and destination developers.

Azerbaijan has a range of natural resources that could support this positioning, including mineral and thermal waters, therapeutic muds and the country’s distinctive Naftalan oil, which has a long history of therapeutic use. These assets are increasingly complemented by spa, wellness, medical and recreation facilities.

The objective is not simply to attract people travelling for medical procedures, but to develop a broader health tourism ecosystem incorporating prevention, rehabilitation, wellness, balneotherapy and nature-based experiences.

Azerbaijan strengthens European health tourism links

As Travel Tomorrow reported from Varna earlier this year, Azerbaijan showcased its growing health tourism ambitions at the HEALTHXCHANGE Summit 2026, organised by the European Spas Association (ESPA).

Representing the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, Deputy Chairman Teymur Suleymanzada presented the country’s health tourism potential to European stakeholders, highlighting its mineral springs, therapeutic muds, favourable climate conditions and expanding network of spa and recreation facilities.

A significant development during the summit was the Azerbaijan Tourism Board joining ESPA as an advisory member, providing a platform for closer cooperation with European destinations and experts on issues such as quality standards, certification and destination management.

The move is particularly relevant as prevention, longevity and wellness become increasingly important elements of European tourism discussions.

Part of Azerbaijan’s wider tourism transformation

The increased focus on health tourism comes against the backdrop of a broader transformation of Azerbaijan’s visitor economy.

This growing focus on health tourism is part of Azerbaijan’s broader efforts to establish itself as a leading tourism destination in the Caucasus, diversifying its international offer across culture, nature, winter sports, gastronomy, wellness and other tourism segments.

The newly approved 2026–2030 tourism programme now provides a framework for taking that diversification further.

Within that context, the Health Tourism Conference in Baku represents more than an industry gathering. Combined with a dedicated national health tourism strategy, plans for international accreditation and growing cooperation with organisations such as ESPA, the annual event is becoming part of Azerbaijan’s efforts to build an internationally competitive medical and wellness tourism sector.

L’article Azerbaijan to host Health Tourism Conference in Baku as sector gains strategic importance  est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

A new study by researchers at the University of Southampton has found a small but consistent association between social jet lag and anxiety among adolescents, raising questions about whether school schedules sufficiently reflect teenagers’ biological sleep needs.

Published in Sleep Medicine Reviews, the research examined the relationship between social jet lag and anxiety among young people aged between 12 and 18. The researchers conducted a systematic review of 18 studies and combined the results of 12 comparable studies involving more than 230,000 participants in a meta-analysis.

The results showed that teenagers experiencing greater social jet lag were more likely to report higher levels of anxiety, and vice versa.

Although the researchers stress that the findings demonstrate an association rather than proving that irregular sleep causes anxiety, the pattern was consistent across the studies analysed.

What is ‘social jet lag’?

Social jet lag describes the mismatch between a person’s biological body clock and the schedule imposed by school, work or other social obligations.

For teenagers, this can mean waking up early throughout the school week despite naturally wanting to go to sleep and wake up later, before shifting their schedule at weekends to compensate for lost sleep.

“During puberty, the body’s internal clock usually shifts back by a few hours, meaning teenagers naturally don’t start feeling sleepy until later and would ideally wake up later too,” explained Dr Sarah Chellappa, co-author of the study at the University of Southampton.

At the same time, teenagers face competing demands ranging from early school starts to spending time online in the evening, potentially reducing the amount of sleep they get during the week.

Many consequently sleep longer at weekends in an attempt to catch up. But researchers warn that repeatedly switching between weekday and weekend schedules can further disrupt the body’s internal clock.

The phenomenon is comparable to travelling between time zones, except that instead of boarding a plane, teenagers are effectively moving their sleeping patterns backwards and forwards every week.

Anxiety and sleep may reinforce each other

The findings are particularly significant given the prevalence of anxiety among young people.

According to the World Health Organization, around 4.4% of 10 to 14-year-olds and 5.5% of 15 to 19-year-olds worldwide experience an anxiety disorder.

The Southampton research suggests that sleep patterns could be one of several factors associated with those difficulties. Importantly, however, the relationship may work in both directions: greater social jet lag was associated with higher anxiety, while higher anxiety was also associated with greater social jet lag.

Another meta-analysis published earlier in 2026 similarly found an association between social jet lag and both anxiety and depression among adolescents and young people. However, its authors rated the certainty of the available evidence as very low and called for further high-quality longitudinal research.

Together, the findings add to growing research examining how the timing of sleep, rather than simply the number of hours spent in bed, could affect young people’s wellbeing.

Should schools start later?

The researchers argue that addressing the problem should not be reduced to simply telling teenagers to go to bed earlier.

“The findings highlight the importance of maintaining regular bedtimes and wake times throughout the week, even at weekends,” said Dr Hannah Ravenhall, lead author of the Southampton study.

But individual habits are only part of the equation.

“It’s important to look beyond what individuals can do alone and recognise how broader societal systems can influence sleep,” Ravenhall added.

That includes considering whether secondary schools should start later to better accommodate the biological changes that take place during adolescence.

The combination of teenagers naturally becoming more inclined towards later sleeping hours and institutions requiring them to wake early can create a mismatch between biological and social time.

Researchers therefore suggest that public health guidance should place greater emphasis on regular sleep timing, while schools, families and policymakers could consider structural measures that make healthier sleep patterns easier to maintain.

With the new school year getting underway across Europe, the findings provide another reminder that catching up on sleep at the weekend may not fully compensate for disrupted routines during the week. When it comes to teenagers’ sleep, consistency could matter almost as much as quantity. 

L’article ‘Social jet lag’ linked to higher anxiety levels among teenagers, study finds est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

For many a traveller, long-haul flights are a necessary evil when discovering the world. Although alternatives do exist – including train travel and cruise trips – some destinations are just easier to reach by flight. But spending endless hours in a (cramped) aeroplane seat can leave its mark, from a stiff neck to sleeping feet and everything in between. The human body is not designed to spend too much time staying inactive.

“If you sit at work all day, if you sit at home a lot, then you should be really mindful of trying to take a break from your sitting habits as often as possible – at least every 30 minutes. Even if you exercise, you still should be mindful of taking breaks and be moving throughout the day, because exercise is not enough to overcome the risks of sitting, and sitting in long bouts,” said Keith Diaz, co-author of a 2017 study from Columbia University Medical Center that suggested movement ‘snacks’ every 30 minutes.

Walking the aisle every now and then is a great way to stay active during a flight, but it isn’t always possible and, depending on the seat you managed to secure, it may soon start to bother your neighbours. In-seat exercises can be a valuable alternative or simply an add-on to those aisle laps. But where to find inspiration?

Pilates, invented by Joseph Pilates in an effort to help World War I soldiers recover from their injuries, offers a large number of exercise options that can easily be done in a seated position. At home, they can help you deal with the long hours spent behind a desk; when travelling (by plane), they may prevent you from spending the first days of your trip feeling all shattered due to the voyage.

Five plane-friendly pilates exercises

Pelvic tilt

An immobile pelvis can cause quite a lot of lower back pain and other uncomfortable issues, as it has a tendency to go into an anterior or posterior position instead of staying neutral. To resolve this issue and to activate the pelvic region, pelvic tilts are a great exercise that can be done from a seated position.

1. Sit up tall and inhale, slightly arching your lower back and pulling your pelvis backwards.
2. Exhale, drawing your belly toward your spine while pulling your pelvis upwards.
3. Repeat this rolling motion for a couple of minutes.

@alignwithwellness #pelvictilt #pelvic #tilt #MyCostume #exprESSIEyourself #MicellarRewind #chiropracticadjustment #chiropractor #maine #yarmouthme ♬ Faded (Instrumental) – Alan Walker

Shoulder rolls

Shoulders generally don’t agree well with flying. Especially if you have a tendency to get stressed on the plane, chances are you’re unconsciously putting a lot of tension on your shoulders and neck. Shoulder rolls offer some much-needed relief in a matter of seconds.

1. Sit up tall, with your hands and arms relaxed along your sides.
2. Pull your shoulders slowly towards your ears, then backwards and upwards again, making a circular motion.
3. Repeat a couple of rounds before reversing the direction.

@yuta_bodymaking Muscles Stretched: Shoulders, traps, upper back #stretching #warmingup #shoulders #gym #fitness #fyp ♬ Die With A Smile – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars

Spine stretch

Can’t shake the feeling that you’ve been sitting for too long, even after taking a little walk and doing the previously mentioned exercises? A spine stretch might be just what you need to get everything realigned and ready for the rest of your voyage.

1. Sit up tall and inhale.
2. Exhale, meanwhile slowly bending forwards. Keep your sitting bones grounded and stay in control of the movement.
3. Once you can’t go any further, inhale, slowly stacking your spine again into a seated position.
4. Repeat if needed, and if you want and can, use your (stretched) arms to accompany the movement.

Knee lifts

What if you can’t walk around but are desperately longing to get those legs moving? Well, you do a very convincing walking impression while staying seated. Not as good as the real deal, but it will get those muscles going.

1. Sit up tall and put your feet firmly on the ground, bending your knees at a 90° angle.
2. Lift one foot from the ground, keeping that knee in a straight angle.
3. Hold for a couple of seconds before slowly putting your foot on the ground.
4. Repeat with the other foot and go on as long as you want.

@gloveractive Try today's exercise of the day: Seated knee lifts! This gentle, effective exercise strengthens hip flexors, lower abdominal muscles, and quadriceps. They improve hip mobility, support functional movements like walking or climbing stairs, and help alleviate lower back pain. This exercise is ideal for beginners and seniors. #Exercise #Fitness #Health #Mobility #Strength ♬ Take My Space – nimino

Seated ABCs

If the previous exercise isn’t enough of a challenge or if those legs just won’t wake up, don’t hesitate to combine the knee lifts with some ABCs. If the alphabet is too long, just spell out your name and switch to the other foot.

1. Sit up tall, both feet on the ground.
2. Slightly lift one foot and start writing out the alphabet, moving your foot and toes but staying immobile with the rest of your body.
3. Switch to the other foot and repeat as long as necessary.

L’article Five pilates exercises to stay supple during a long-haul flight est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Anaphylaxis, also known as a life-threatening allergic reaction caused by food, medicine, insect stings, or environmental factors, is a widespread condition. In the United Kingdom, for example, some 2.5 million people suffer from this severe allergy, according to the Food Standards Agency.

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As the UK’s fifth-busiest airport, welcoming 17.5 million travellers in 2025, London Luton undoubtedly receives its fair share of anaphylaxis patients. In order to be able to react as quickly as possible in case of an allergy-related emergency, the airport has become the first in the UK to install ten wall-mounted anaphylaxis kits.

“London Luton Airport serves millions of passengers each year, and our teams across the airport play a vital role in ensuring that everyone is safe. We’re proud to be the first UK airport to install Anaphylaxis Kits. Initiatives such as this form a key part of our wider partnership with East of England Ambulance Service which sees LLA’s Fire and Rescue service trained to respond to the most serious medical emergencies within the airport boundary and ensures LLA staff are equipped with the skills to offer immediate medical support while waiting for ambulance crews to arrive,” commented Dan Cartwright, Head of Airfield Operations at London Luton Airport.

London Luton Airport is proud to be the first airport to install life-saving anaphylaxis kits with @kittmedical

With around 2.5 million people in the UK having a known allergy*, the introduction of wall-mounted anaphylaxis kits at 10 locations across the terminal sets a new… pic.twitter.com/JMCBPpGa2y

— London Luton Airport (@LDNLutonAirport) August 24, 2026

The emergency kits can be found at locations throughout the airport, including the Security Hall, the Departure Lounge, Immigration, and Baggage Reclaim. The roll-out of the kits is accompanied by mandatory training for all airport staff, but the wall-mounted Kitts also come with full instructions inside, allowing anyone to use them in case of an emergency scenario.

London Luton purchased the so-called ‘Anaphylaxis Kits’ from Kitt Medical, a company launched in 2023. The kits were designed as an allergy alternative to the defibrillator and come with a subscription supply of emergency adrenaline pens and online CPD-accredited training. Since their launch, over 5,000 Kitts were installed at schools and qualifying businesses across the UK, while over 65,000 people were trained to use them.

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“As a young boy growing up with allergies – and still to this day as an adult- passing through an airport and flying can be one of the scariest things to do. Knowing that there are emergency adrenaline pens and trained staff as a result of our Anaphylaxis Kitt rollout across Luton Airport provides me – and I hope the millions of other allergy sufferers across the UK – with a great deal of comfort. I am immensely proud of what we have done here, and a huge thank you to David and the rest of the team at LLA for working so hard to put our Kitts in place,” said Zak Marks, Founder of Kitt Medical.

Although the kits were initially ordered by Luton to keep staff who are at risk of a severe allergic reaction safe, the airport specified that they can be used to save a life in an emergency for any passenger or airport visitor who has a severe reaction.

L’article London Luton becomes first UK airport to install emergency anaphylaxis kits est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Lifeguards in the southern French departement of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and city authorities in San Sebastian, Spain are advising against bathing on some regional beaches, using white flags to indicate the man o’ war’s presence and a red flag to prohibit swimming.

Not, as commonly thought, a jellyfish, but a siphonophore, the man o’war is recognisable on shorelines and in the sea as a transparent purplish balloon, with a pink-tinted head-dress and long violet-blue tentacles. Named for a supposed resemblance to an 18th century Portuguese warship, it is not in fact one single creature since it is a “colonial hydrozoan,” or a group of smaller “animals” that share food and act as one living unit. Their tentacles, which cause extremely painful burns to humans, can extend to 10 metres in length, with records hitting around 30 metres.

@.extremenature The Creature That Looks Like a Jellyfish — But Is Actually a Colony (Portuguese Man O’ War) It looks like a harmless jellyfish drifting on the ocean surface. It isn’t. The Portuguese man o’ war is a floating colony made of specialized bodies called zooids. Some keep it afloat. Some digest food. Others form tentacles that can extend more than 30 meters below the surface. Along those tentacles are thousands of microscopic harpoons loaded with venom. Most people only see the blue sail. They never see the weapon beneath it. Did you know this wasn’t actually a jellyfish? Follow for more from the depths. #OceanScience #MarineBiology #PortugueseManOWar #Educational #NatureDocumentary ♬ original sound – Extreme Nature

It is the partly the reach of the tentacles that makes the man o’ war rightly feared, since they can be spotted bobbing on the surface of the water some distance away yet still inflict agonising injury.

Authorities advise exiting the sea straight away and alerting a lifeguard but even that should be done carefully since the man o’ war’s capacity to wound continues even after the creature has died, been washed up on the sand, or its tentacles have been separated from the body.

Wounds usually appear as red whiplash marks where the venom has broken down local tissues in a process known as cytolysis. Authorities advise anyone who believes they have been injured by a Portuguese man o’ war to rinse any welts with seawater, or a mix of food vinegar and warm seawater at a 1:3 ratio.

A number of actions are no-nos since they risk releasing more venom. Fresh water and ice packs are to be avoided, as should rubbing or scratching the wound. Never touch the tentacles bare-handed, even to remove parts of them from a victim – a process that should be done with tweezers. Never rinse with urine (despite the advice in a popular episode of Friends), or apply any creams, or gels.

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Medical attention should be sought if the discomfort does not subside. In the worst cases, victims may also experience headaches, high temperatures, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, respiratory difficulties, and cardiac problems, to which, again, a doctor or medic should be alerted.

The usually tropical man o’ war’s arrival on Basque and Cantabrian shores may be linked to warming sea currents amid a summer of multiple heatwaves that experts agree are worsened by climate change. Elsewhere the same phenomenon has cause mass coral bleachings, multiplied flesh-eating bacteria at European beaches, and supercharged sargassum blooms in the Caribbean in a series of environmental impacts that tell a tale of warming planet.

L’article Portuguese man o’ war swarm French and Spanish beaches est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The cyclospora parasite can be found worldwide but usually occurs in low-income, tropical, and sub-tropical countries where it is often endemic. It can contaminate soil and other surfaces, water, and fresh food, and humans contract it through the “oral-faecal” route, usually by swallowing contaminated water or eating contaminated fresh produce.

Travelling to Mexico this summer? We've seen a sharp rise in cyclospora infections linked to the destination.

The tiny parasite is picked up through contaminated food, even at high-end all-inclusive resorts and causes explosive diarrhoea. pic.twitter.com/dPIRLJdYxC

— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) July 30, 2026

Symptoms of the infection typically appear around a week after exposure and are described by the World Health Organization as “watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, weight loss, anorexia, myalgia, fatigue, and occasionally vomiting and fever.”

Around 18,000 people across 45 US states have contracted the parasite since May 2026, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak has been traced to iceberg lettuce grown in Central Mexico by a supplier to the fast-food chain Taco Bell. Two people in Michigan are reported to have died after the infection was compounded by underlying medical conditions. However, authorities emphasise the infection is rarely fatal and often resolves by itself or, in particularly severe cases, with antibiotic treatment.

Health authorities in the United Kingdom have also reported an increase in travel-related infections. Between 30 April and 15 July 2026, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recorded 67 cases, 48 of which affected people who had recently returned from holidays in all-inclusive resorts in the Riviera Maya and Cancun regions of Mexico. As a result, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice for Mexico to include information on the outbreak.

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While no widespread outbreaks have been reported elsewhere, the rise in cases serves as a reminder that travellers can be exposed to food- and water-borne illnesses even when staying at high-end resorts. Contaminated fresh herbs, salads, and soft fruits are among the most common sources of cyclospora outbreaks. Health experts also stress that the parasite is not spread directly from person to person.

Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Travel Health at UKHSA, said travellers to regions where the parasite is common “can reduce their risk by following good food and water hygiene measures, including drinking bottled water and eating thoroughly cooked food, even when staying in high-end all-inclusive resorts. We also advise avoiding certain foods such as fresh uncooked berries and herbs, unpeeled fruit, and salad items.”

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The advice is relevant to travellers regardless of nationality, particularly those visiting destinations where Cyclospora infections are known to occur. Veal added: “If you develop symptoms after returning from travel, such as watery diarrhoea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, bloating, increased wind, nausea, fatigue or other flu-like symptoms, please seek medical attention and inform your healthcare professional of your travel history.”

Travellers should also consult their national travel health authorities before departure and follow local food and water hygiene recommendations while abroad. The TravelHealthPro website has more information on the steps travellers can take to keep themselves and everyone in their party well.

L’article Stomach parasite outbreak linked to Mexico prompts new travel health advice est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Under the Comprehensive Plan for the Prevention and Control of Tobacco Use 2024-2027, the new laws promise to prohibit smoking by under-18-year-olds, bring vape and shisha pipe rules in line with those governing tobacco, crack down on marketing activities, and increase the number of places designated as smoke-free areas.

It is the last point that is causing the most debate. The extent of the proposed smoke-free zones is sweeping, from eateries to beauty spots and sports centres, and beyond. Visitors to Spain should be aware that, if greenlit, the laws will mean no smoking or use of e-cigarettes on “the terraces of bars, restaurants and other hospitality establishments, sea and river beaches, public swimming pools, sports facilities, national parks, work vehicles, except when used exclusively for personal purposes, as well as venues where public events are held.”

What’s more, simply standing outside the establishment and lighting up will no longer be possible, thanks to protection zones of 15 metres around cultural centres, hospitals, libraries, museums, playgrounds, schools, sports facilities, and other public buildings.

Amid fears that smokers will stay away from hospitality venues instead of going out and spending, Spanish stakeholder groups have issued criticism of the proposals, arguing they “would ⁠have very limited effectiveness, as it could drive smokers indoors to places such as private homes, thereby increasing exposure to ​second-hand smoke.”

El Consejo de Ministros aprueba el proyecto de ley del tabaco y el proyecto de ley del medicamento. pic.twitter.com/OrsdLblive

— Ministerio de Sanidad (@sanidadgob) July 21, 2026

But, pointing to Spain’s 50,000 annual smoking-related deaths, Health Minister Mónica García explained: “Anyone who wants to have a coffee or enjoy their leisure time freely on a terrace should be able to do so without the smoke from nearby tables becoming part of the menu.”

Holidaymakers in Spain should be aware that, if the reforms come into force, the penalties for offenders will range from €200 to €600,000, depending on the breach. It is important to note that for the first time, it is not only suppliers who can fall foul of the rules. Under 18s who consume tobacco or tobacco-related products can be ordered to perform community service, or be fined too, upwards of €200, which could send a significant part of the holiday budget up in smoke.

L’article Travelling to Spain? New law set to ban smoking in wide range of public places est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Leg edema

Leg edema, or swollen ankles or lower legs, is caused by fluid build-up in the body, and is very common, occurring in around 97% of long-haul flyers (journeys over seven hours), according to a May 2021 clinical trial review.

It is remaining sedentary for long periods that reduces blood flow to the legs, so this side-effect of flying can be minimised by simply moving around during flights, finding regular opportunities to walk around the plane, and to keep ankles mobile, and raise and lower toes and lower legs, even when sitting. Many aircraft configured for long-haul flights now provide wellness areas for passengers to get their steps and movement in.

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DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)

Blood clots can break off and travel through the bloodstream, causing deep vein blockages or pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal.

Stay aware of how tight clothing or jewellery feels, whether any swelling is one-sided, or stays indented when pressed, and of temperature levels. Some people at high risk of blood clots are recommended to try compression socks, and all flyers should keep an eye out for blood clot symptoms, such as swelling in only one limb, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

If a blood clot is suspected, immediate medical attention should be sought.

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Ear popping

Babies are often heard crying on descent and ascent phases of flights, and this is to do with the way human bodies regulate pressure through the ears, which is easier for adults to manage.

Dr Asimah Hanif, a general practitioner with the United Kingdom’s NHS GP, has worked with travel insurance provider Staysure to raise awareness of common health issues that can be triggered by flying, and to share tips on how to minimise them. “Ear popping is quite common and is caused by changes in the cabin pressure which affects something called the eustachian tube,” Hanif explains.

As pressure changes within an aircraft cabin, the eustachian tube, connecting the middle ear to the throat, tries to balance the ear pressure by draining fluid and drawing air. Blockages and pain from the stretched or flattened eardrum can be felt by anyone on a flight as a result of this process, but adults can try frequent swallowing, yawning, and chewing to help relieve the discomfort.

For stubborn cases, Hanif suggests gently trying the Valsalva maneuver “where you take a breath, close your mouth, pinch your nose and then gently blow out.” This can help to make the ears “pop,” alleviating the feeling of fullness.

Ear pressure, discomfort, and residual tinnitus from air travel should resolve within 24 hours of flying, so if it does not, a doctor’s visit should be the next step.

Headaches

Headaches are not an unusual aspect of flying and can be caused by the reduced oxygen in the cabin, pressure changes affecting the sinuses, as well as other factors that tend to occur during travel, such as disturbed sleep and stress.

While not all of these are in flyers’ control, a top culprit for headaches is dehydration, and drinking plenty of water is something all passengers can do. Hanif says that aside from doing everything possible to avoid colds and promote health before your departure date, staying hydrated, and avoiding alcohol and coffee during flights, can make a real difference.

Dry skin, dry eyes, a cough

“Cabin air has low humidity compared with normal indoor environments which can increase fluid loss and contribute to dehydration,” explains Hanif. “That’s why people often find that they get dry eyes, dry skin and even a dry airway that can lead to a tickly cough.”

Again, staying hydrated is the answer here and eye drops, topical creams, or balms can help with the symptoms of dryness. Avoiding creams with strong fragrances is a courtesy to other flyers.

Dizziness or light-headedness

While these symptoms can also come from dehydration, fatigue, or even too much alcohol, dizziness and light-headedness can also be caused by anxiety, which for some people can be an unwelcome companion on a daily basis, let alone during travel and flights.

Some airlines offer services to acclimatise and assist anxious flyers, which could provide benefits here. Unless prescribed by a doctor, avoid self-medication with alcohol or drugs, which can make matters worse. Move slowly and cautiously on board to prevent falls and injury.

L’article How flying affects our bodies and how to manage the effects est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The researchers studied particulate matter (PM) collected from different areas of the Port of Southampton, on the United Kingdom’s south coast. The findings, published in Environment International, say the samples were “highly enriched” with tracers of heavy fuel oil combustion and were “markedly more pro-inflammatory” than particulate matter from other sites. Three metals found make it easier for viral infections such as rhinovirus-16 and SARS-CoV-2 to replicate.

The scientists conclude that particulate matter emissions from heavy fuel oil combustion may have disproportionate health effects compared to PM from other sources and lead to poor viral infection outcomes. As yet, such emissions are unregulated.

Matthew Loxham, professor of respiratory biology and toxicology and senior author of the study, explained: “the ultrafine particles contained in these ships’ emissions can penetrate deeper into the lungs than larger sizes of particulate matter, and may be able to enter the bloodstream, but particles of this size are essentially unregulated and generally not monitored. We found that exposure of cells to these particles, and vanadium – the most enriched element in the particles – was both pro-inflammatory and facilitated the replication of viruses.”

Dr. Nat Easton, lead author of the study, noted the pollution in question “increases in concentration when the wind was coming from the direction of the cruise ships, and when cruise ship presence was higher,” and suggested the higher concentrations at the cruise terminal compared to the rest of the port could be due to ‘hoteling’ cruise ships as well as differences in fuel origins and berth occupancy times.”

Responding to the findings, a spokesperson for Associated British Ports (ABP), operator of Southampton’s port, highlighted the cruise sector’s contribution of “around £1bn a year to the economy of Southampton and the wider region.” Describing the Port as “a major employer and a responsible neighbour,” the representative said they “are proud of the role we and the wider port community have played in accelerating air quality improvements in Southampton.”

The Port was the first in the UK to introduce large-scale shore power connections so vessels can shut off their engines for zero emissions at berth in the port. The Port also says it conducts “state of the art real time air quality monitoring” that “demonstrates that emissions like nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter are well within National Air Quality Objective mean annual limits.”

Pushing back further about the research results, the Port said it is “concerned about some important aspects of the methodologies of the study and the strength of inference of some of findings that have been presented to the media.”

Similarly, a representative for Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) defended the sector, saying: “Cruise lines are committed to responsible operations and continue to invest in environmental technologies and practices in pursuit of net-zero emissions by 2050.”

Meanwhile the researchers are calling for current regulations to be “strengthened” to include particulate matter variations, and ultrafine particles in general, “to better mitigate health effects resulting from exposure.”

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