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TRAVEL TIPS

Staying warm when it's cold

Mistletoe and chestnuts roasting by the open fire are all very well. But if you're toes are icy and your nose is runny, even the most romantic Christmas scene will inspire little more than `Bah, humbug!' So if you're planning to storm though London in December, or breeze past Berlin in January, here are some things you should keep in mind.

Wear multiple layers Thermals, your regular clothes and a sweater, followed by a thick trench coat, for example. Layers give you mobility, and the ability to control your body temperature effectively, as you can put on or remove them depending on whether you're ice skating on a freezing lake or drinking cocoa by an open fire. Besides, if you're clubbing in some hip minimalistic joint at least you won't look like a confused mountaineer. Or Bigfoot.

Where to buy? Don't buy all your winter clothing in India. It probably won't be warm enough, and there isn't much variety. Take the basics, and then check out the Christmas sales once you reach your destination. Otherwise, like hundreds before you, you'll end up carting loads of woollens (anyway now you can't carry that much) and then abandoning them for new, and more practical — and stylish — winter clothes.

Accessorise It's not only fun, it's vital. You lose a lot of heat though your head, so you must keep it covered, preferably with a warm woollen cap that covers your ears. Also, keep your throat warm, using scarves in addition to turtle necks and jackets that zip up to you chin. You can buy colour co-ordinated caps, gloves and mufflers, in black, white and red — for example — and rotate them through your stay.

Synthetic fabric You might be the world's biggest advocate of cotton, but when it comes to travelling through grit-your-teeth temperatures, synthetics rule. They're light, easy to wash and relatively compact. More importantly, they dry with body heat, unlike cotton, which tends to absorb sweat and then get freezing cold. Dump your cotton socks and carry woollen ones. And make sure your gloves are made of leather or synthetic fabric.

Slow, the better: You might think you're invincible, but for heavens sake don't just jump off the plane and start rolling in the snow with squeals of delight. Give your body time to adjust to the change in temperature and make sure you're well covered up. Otherwise, you may just spend your fabulous vacation in the hotel room, eating roasted chestnuts, and heartily sneezing by an open fire.

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