- The best way to prevent colds and most upper respiratory infections, believe it or not, is to wash your hands often, especially when you are living and eating among large groups of people. This prevents transfer of germs from hands to mouth.

- On one recent trip to Europe I went for an eighteen-mile stroll up and down hills on the third day of my trip. Needless to say, I got a set of blisters that made strong men sick when they saw them. I got them because I was stupid and lazy and didn’t prepare for my trip by getting away from my computer and out into the world. Learn from my mistakes. You will be walking a lot on any trip to Europe, even if you’re not going hiking: there are literally miles of corridors in the Louvre, for example. Take the time to get out and walk a bit before you go, preferably in the shoes and with the pack you are going to take with you, or you may be hobbling for your entire trip. Once I saw the UfEzi Gallery in Florence with a hole in the front of my right foot exactly the size, shape, and depth of two stacked quarters. It was not fun.

- A blister is a natural sterile dressing for the injured area. If you do get a blister, hard as it may be, leave it alone, and it will eventually take care of itself. Not always possible, I know, but still advisable.
Sunburn, like blisters, can make your trip utterly miserable if you overdo it at the beginning. Some of the English and Irish tourists you’ll see in Spain and Greece look like they’ve been sprayed Day-Glo pink. An extra hour spent in the sun can result in days of suffering. Sunscreen costs the earth in Europe, so bring a good-sized bottle of factor fifteen or better, and use it, particularly for the first few days.