The expert gave advice on collecting first-aid kits for vacation trips

Before traveling, you should not only think over the route, but also properly equip your first—aid kit - especially if your vacation takes place by the sea, in the mountains or abroad. A pre-assembled set of medications helps to avoid stress in emergency situations and makes rest safer. Dmitry Gurov, pharmacist and head of the SBER EAPTEK pharmacy, told Izvestia about this on May 31.

"Saving on a first-aid kit is not the best option, especially when it comes to long-distance travel and trips abroad. Although some medicines can be purchased on the spot, a pre—assembled first-aid kit with the necessary funds is a guarantee of peace of mind and confidence in case of unforeseen situations. It is better to be safe and take more medicines with you than to regret the lack of the necessary drug at the right time," said Gurov.

He stressed that the first—aid kit must include medicines that a person takes on a regular basis, as well as drugs that are difficult to access abroad, from strong painkillers to medicines for chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension and asthma.

For trips to the sea, experts recommend taking food poisoning medications with you, as such cases are the most common in resorts. Recommended products include nifuroxazide, loperamide, smectite, sorbents, activated charcoal, pancreatin enzymes, and preparations based on polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate. It is also important not to forget antipyretics with ibuprofen and antiviral drugs.

For outdoor enthusiasts, experts advise adding sterile and elastic bandages, antiseptics (iodine, chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, zelenka), drotaverine—based pain and cramping products, antihistamines and captopril to the first-aid kit to reduce blood pressure. A universal cosmetic kit should include sunscreen with SPF 50+, hygienic lipstick, thermal water, moisturizer and antiseptic spray.

Everything is excluded: Russians are more likely to organize holidays with children on their own

Parents are most worried about convenient transportation and acclimatization in a new place.

According to an analysis by the online hotel and apartment booking service Ostrovok, Russians have grown in interest in cultural and educational tourism this summer. The company told Izvestia that the demand for trips to Yekaterinburg increased by 51%, to Pskov by 36%, to Novosibirsk and Vladimir by 27%, and to Nizhny Novgorod by 23%. In addition, the popularity of tours to neighboring countries is growing: to Kazakhstan — by 2 times, to Belarus — by 57%, to Armenia — by 56%.

Beach destinations are still in demand. The most noticeable increase in bookings was recorded in Crimea, as well as in Vietnam and the Maldives, where demand doubled. There is also a high interest in active recreation: Makhachkala, Irkutsk, Arkhyz, Murmansk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Gorno-Altaysk entered the top.

Elena Kosheleva, Director of Sberbank Insurance projects, told Izvestia on May 7 that it was important to prepare carefully before traveling to exotic countries in order to avoid health and document problems. The specialist explained that dangerous infections such as malaria, Dengue fever and Zika virus are common in some regions.