A POPULAR TV presenter has revealed the key hotel habits she swears by to avoid getting sick on her travels.
Catriona Rowntree, 53, is a seasoned traveller having presented Australia’s Getaway for 27 years but has now revealed her top hotel hacks she swears by.
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One of her key tips is how to avoid getting sick when staying overseas – and that’s to turn off the air-con “immediately” in order to avoid catching a cold.
She also told Escape that you should never drink the water.
Catriona also recommended the best time to travel was in the shoulder season – the period between high season and off-season.
For anyone wanting a more authentic experience while abroad the TV personality recommended using a local travel concierge.
If you don’t want to get hit in the wallet, always avoid the mini bar as they’re always overpriced.
Catriona also recommended taking a little sample of your favourite coffee or tea with you.
She also said to always be nice to whoever is checking you in as “a genuine smile and kindness is always rewarded”.
A quirky tip she also revealed was to take an egg cup from home if you like a boiled egg because “no one ever seems to supply them”.
Another useful tip was to photograph where you parked the car at the airport as “I guarantee you’ll return pooped and forget where you left it”.
Catriona also had advice for those going on a cruise.
She recommended booking a salon treatment the moment you get on board so you can get all the “location goss” from the beautician.
The Getaway star also said to never take candles or hair straighteners/tongs on a cruise ship.
Catriona also revealed the three essential items she always took with her on her holidays.
Firstly, she always packed a pair of earplugs as she said she was always wakened by bumps in in the night.
Another thing she always had with her was a wool scarf, which she said could serve a number of purposes, from keeping her warm on flights, to covering her hair and shoulders if she went to visit a religious site and also to use as a cover for her pillow if she was staying at a “dodgy hotel”.
The third item was a shower cap as she said not every hotel had them.
Not only does it keep your hair dry but she used them to cover her shoes if they go dirty.
Not only that but they were also ideal for wrapping her “wet cozzie in” having gone for that last holiday swim.
Catriona also shared her top tips for flying long haul.
She said that she always dresses in layers and never wore a belt in order to stay comfortable.
The experienced travellers also said she used packet wipes to remove any makeup, so she could do it sat in her sea.
She also advised to try to watch a film made in the country she was going to.
A quirky thing she revealed was that she never touched alcohol whilst watching a sad movie on a plane.
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Catriona said: “The low air pressure and high altitude make me cry like a baby.
“Consider yourself lucky you weren’t sitting next to me when I watched Bridges over Madison County, when drinking a red vino. SO embarrassing.”
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