It's summer time and . . .

It's summertime in the Northern Hemisphere. While Ms Budget Travel does not expect that to alarm or amaze anyone it is incumbent on her, as the protector of travel, to mention a few hot-weather precautions that budget travelers might want to take to insure a happy journey.

Most folk in the industrialized world get most of their sun exposure before they blow out 18 candles on their cakes. It doesn't take much to figure out why, when we enter into the Adult Life Trip we promptly begin spending most of our time in climate-controlled buildings --- then, vacation comes, or we take off to travel and sun happens. .

Oh, Ms Budget Travel hears you, you are telling her that you tend to spend your free time trolling for urban treasures, wandering through museums or getting quietly drunk in a sidewalk café. You do not need to haul gooey grease with an SPF of 800 in your carry-on.

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Even urban vacations require a tad more time outside than the normal routine of most people's lives. In your home city you might pop into the car for a two-block jaunt to get a take-out meal --- if you are on someone else's turf you're more likely to trot. And before you feel superior to beach bunnies, the glare from buildings can work up a nice little burn if you are on the sidewalk six hours a day.

(Ms Budget Travel reluctantly confesses that a few years ago when London was in the grip of a "heat wave" she sneered at all the people fanning themselves with newspapers and sucking frozen treats. "Heat wave," she sniffed. "This is mildly warm, pleasant even . . . where's my sweater?" Well, gentle readers; Ms Budget Travel got quite a nice little sunburn without leaving London's city streets. That's right, a peeling nose from a week in London. Over cast skies. . . frequent rain . . . and sunburn.)

Here's a handy British site that will give you the facts on sun protection --- http://www.bupa.co.uk/healthy_living/lif... and if you are headed for the tropics, this Belize based site http://www.ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/... can assist you in planning your sun strategy.

It isn't just sunburn that spoils traveling --- you'll find out about the additional harmful effects of exposing your skin to sun here http://www.skinexpert.net/conditions/c_s...

And, the Travel Doctor over at http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/sunburn.htm explains the special dangers children face from sun and reminds Ms Budget Travel that it isn't only during summer that we need worry about SPF goo --- skiers beware --- the sun can fry your face . . . .

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