Tap water may be safe to drink in Singapore, but those in certain developing countries like Ukraine, Cambodia and Mexico can often carry loads of diseases and germs that your stomach might not be able to fight off on its own. Therefore, the best way to avoid a stomach upset is to err on the side of caution and consume bottled, boiled or filtered water.

Whether it’s the ice cubes in your drink or the water from your hotel, it’s best to avoid the tap waters in developing countries.

Did you know that the tray table, and NOT the bathroom, is the dirtiest part of the plane? This is according to a 2015 study, which reports that there are 2,155 bacteria colony-forming units per square inch – yikes!

Make like supermodel Naomi Campbell (see video above) whose pre-flight ritual involves “deep cleaning” her entire seat area with wet wipes, from the arm rest to the digital screen. “Clean anything you touch… anything that you put your hands on,” she says.

READ MORE: 10 Dirtiest Spots In Airports And Airplanes

When transiting between airports or flying, it’s wise to wear a mask, especially if you already feel a tickle at the back of your throat.

Besides shutting out viruses and germs, it also creates a warm and humid environment around your mouth and nose area, which is great for combating dry cabin air.

Some hotel cleaning staff might not clean these glasses as thoroughly as we think so it’s best to either wash them yourself or simply don’t touch them.

READ MORE: 8 Shocking Hotel Secrets From Behind The Front Desk

When you’re on a long haul flight, drinking water is super important. Your body tends to become more susceptible to viruses and diseases when it’s dehydrated.

It goes without saying that you should always wash your hands after using the washroom and before every meal. But in case you’re in a place where there’s no bathroom nearby (such as nighr markets or street food areas), or where soap is nowhere to be found, it’s good to have a hand sanitiser on you.

Hand sanitisers are the first line of defense when tackling bacteria and diseases when you’re travelling so be sure to load up on a bottle or two for yourself and the kids.

Whether it’s lake or a river that looks beautiful and refreshing, try to purge the urge to swim in it. You don’t always know the sort of bacteria that could be lurking in it.

But what about hotel pools? The amount of chlorine used typically kills most germs in minutes, but avoid jumping in if you had just recovered from a bout of diarrhoea.

According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third of pool-related disease outbreaks between 2000 and 2014 started in hotel pools and hot tubs.

While it’s ultimately a risk you choose to take, you should also definitely think twice if the water is discoloured, cloudy or unclear, and if it doesn’t seem to be circulating properly.

You might think that you can get all your medication while you’re there or as and when you start to feel sick but, some medications might not always go by the same name when they’re overseas.

So, it’s best to pack a reasonable amount of your own medicine. Here are 10 medications to consider bringing along on your next trip.

Reading up allows you to be prepared with the right medications and essentials. It’s best to visit the country’s health ministry website or the national newspaper’s website to see what’s going on.

Travelling is fun but it sure can be exhausting. You also tend to walk a lot more on holiday, so it’s no wonder your legs are filled with aches and pains at the end of the day. Since your body does a lot of recovery when you get enough sleep, be sure to get proper rest every night to recharge before the next day’s activities.

READ MORE: 21 Simple Things You Can Do For Better Sleep This Year

It can be very tempting to want to see and do everything when you’re on holiday, but a jam-packed itinerary with no room to slow down and breathe can take a toll on your body.

Make sure to space out activities and leave lots of buffer time for resting.

One of the best parts about traveling is indulging in the amazing and delicious food that you can’t get back home but make sure you’re not going overboard on the unhealthy food.

Be sure to get in your greens and vitamins so your body is still able to function normally.

Unless you prepared themselves or are dining in a reputable location, it’s best to avoid or be careful of food items like cold salads, raw vegetables and fruits, raw or reheated foods, or buffet food that has been left out for a long time.

Reduce your risk of falling sick or contracting harmful diseases abroad when by scheduling in a flu shot in the weeks ahead. Click here to read what a doctor has to say about getting vaccinated for a trip, and the best time to do so.