0:00:05 > 0:00:09Right now, the holiday-booking industry is at its peak.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12Millions of you are flicking through holiday brochures,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15deciding where you're going to spend your two weeks in the sun,
0:00:15 > 0:00:17so that you can dispel those winter blues.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20# The sun is shining in the sky
0:00:20 > 0:00:24# There ain't a cloud in sight #
0:00:24 > 0:00:29When it's our money, we put our faith in the holiday industry in the hope it delivers.
0:00:29 > 0:00:34But things can go wrong and dream holidays can end in disaster.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38This naked flame just lit the alcohol
0:00:38 > 0:00:43- and set my baby on fire in the pram. - She was screaming in agony.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47It was just a complete construction site going on next door.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49It's what you call a holiday from hell.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53We are the holiday hit squad and our mission, quite simply,
0:00:53 > 0:00:55is to ensure you get the best holiday possible
0:00:55 > 0:00:59by sharing with you some of the tricks of the trade.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02I'll be delving in to some downright dodgy hotels
0:01:02 > 0:01:05on a mission to put things right.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08- Got this awful smell coming up. - Oh, that's strong, isn't it?
0:01:08 > 0:01:12Three blind mice could run the hotel better than what it's being run.
0:01:12 > 0:01:18We'll be access all areas in some of the favourite holiday hot spots for British travellers.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Getting an insider view of the perils and pitfalls that face us all.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25Do you think people underestimate the effect that the heat
0:01:25 > 0:01:28can have on them when they're on holiday?
0:01:28 > 0:01:33And I'm turning disasters into dreams come true for some unlucky victim
0:01:33 > 0:01:36- of holidays from hell. - That is amazing.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42Coming up on the programme.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46- Horror on the highways.- There was this bang on the back of the car.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48I didn't know what was going on.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51The Tenerife three-star with unwanted extras.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56They're all over this mattress. All over the floor underneath.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00And the deadly craze that's costing British lives.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03It's very difficult to explain to somebody,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05you have to take them home in a casket.
0:02:08 > 0:02:09But first.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16# We're all going on a summer holiday
0:02:16 > 0:02:20# No more working for a week or two #
0:02:20 > 0:02:24We slave all year to earn the money for our summer fun in the sun.
0:02:24 > 0:02:29Which makes it all the more galling when our digs don't live up to the hype.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34# It's not fair and I think you're really mean #
0:02:34 > 0:02:39So we're travelling the world on a mission to uncover those heartbreak hotels
0:02:39 > 0:02:41and bring them up to scratch.
0:02:41 > 0:02:47Today, I'm joining the four million Brits who head to the Canary Islands every year.
0:02:50 > 0:02:51BELL RINGS
0:02:51 > 0:02:56I've just arrived in Tenerife, a really popular destination for Brits abroad.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00I'm about to check in at Malibu Park, a huge complex of apartments.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04A lot of people who have stayed here don't think it's up to scratch.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06Well, time to see it for myself.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13Set in the hills above Playa de las Americas, the apartments may have a pretty setting.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17But they've drawn online complaints
0:03:17 > 0:03:20ranging from dirty beds and bad smells
0:03:20 > 0:03:23to poor maintenance and rampant cockroaches.
0:03:27 > 0:03:32Rooms cost up to £70 per night. Can it really be that bad?
0:03:32 > 0:03:38Well, for queen and country, I'm prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice to find out.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46Oh, it's quite a big apartment actually.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51So we have kitchen, sitting room, obviously a spare bed.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53TV. Seems all right.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Fairly well done. And in the bedroom.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00Very good. Towel swan. Nice touch.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03There's a slight smell...
0:04:03 > 0:04:05A little bit of that musty smell.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Then the windows open...
0:04:07 > 0:04:12Looks like they do. In fact, there's a cracked pain there.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14And further along.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19It looks a bit dangerous actually. The glass is slightly bent there.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22The bathroom's over here.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Um, yeah.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28Bath has seen better days. Bit grubby around the tiles.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32Not the most inviting place to spend the night.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36The next morning, I called in the big guns.
0:04:36 > 0:04:42Health and safety superman Mike Williams is here to cast his X-ray vision
0:04:42 > 0:04:44over the Malibu Park Hotel and Apartments
0:04:44 > 0:04:47and report back to the owners.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49First stop, one of the apartments.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54But we've been beaten to it by an unwelcome guest.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58Already thinking, I can see cockroaches. A dead cockroach.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- He's twitching, not quite dead. - He's pretty dead.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Cockroaches are a problem because they carry bacteria.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06They're known as a food pest.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11If they come into contact with food, they will eat the food and, from that perspective,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14pass the bacteria onto the food that you are potentially eating.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Cockroaches can pass on all kinds of nasty diseases,
0:05:17 > 0:05:21including salmonella, dysentery, and even typhoid.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- Good rule with a cockroach, never stand on one.- Why not?
0:05:26 > 0:05:30They carry their eggs, when you stamp on one, you'll kill that cockroach,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33but you'll pick their eggs up and spread them around.
0:05:33 > 0:05:39Some species of cockroach can produce up to 20,000 young during their lifetime.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43This is the... This is like a spare bed.
0:05:43 > 0:05:49- Yes. Now, straightaway I can see there's little black spots...- Yeah.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53..on the actual mattress cover. I can't be certain but these do look
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- like cockroach droppings. - They're all over this mattress.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59They're all over the floor underneath.
0:05:59 > 0:06:04Actually, looking further under the bed, there are two dead cockroaches underneath.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06Not a good feeling. If I was staying here,
0:06:06 > 0:06:09I don't know if I'd be on the spare bed but if I was staying here,
0:06:09 > 0:06:12to think that this bed has cockroaches
0:06:12 > 0:06:14- crawling over it. - It's not nice.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Unfortunately for us, cockroaches thrive in warm humid temperatures,
0:06:20 > 0:06:23which is why you will often find them at your holiday destination.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28There's another horror lurking behind the shower curtain.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32Limescale might look harmless but it can be deadly.
0:06:32 > 0:06:37The problem with scale is that the Legionella bacteria needs something to feed off.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40And it will feed off scale, basically.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45So if the shower heads aren't kept clean, then they're a potential reservoir for Legionella bacteria.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47It's a bacteria that lives in water.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52But we only pick it up as a problem if we inhale it into our lungs.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56We can drink a glass of water which is absolutely full of Legionella bacteria,
0:06:56 > 0:06:58straight into your stomach, not a problem.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02But if you manage to breathe it in, then it can be a problem.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07From my point of view, if I'm staying in a bathroom, as I was last night, what can I do?
0:07:07 > 0:07:11I had a shower out of a slightly scaly head. What can I do?
0:07:11 > 0:07:14One of the simple things is, the first time you use the shower,
0:07:14 > 0:07:18take the shower head off, place it in the bottom of the bath and turn it on.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22Leave it to run for a few seconds, maybe a minute. That will help
0:07:22 > 0:07:25clear anything out of the shower head.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29We'd recommend they take the shower heads off, descale them and clean them thoroughly.
0:07:29 > 0:07:35You would hope that daily cleaning would clean the shower head, the external surfaces as well.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39The symptoms of Legionnaires' disease are flu-like, and like flu it can be deadly.
0:07:39 > 0:07:45Around 120 Brits picked up this virus on holiday in 2011.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Later, things go from bad to shocking.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52- Being next to a children's play area.- That's just unexcusable.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02With picture-postcard beaches and balmy weather,
0:08:02 > 0:08:06the Balearic Islands are one of our all-time favourite destinations.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Around 3½ million of us visit every year.
0:08:11 > 0:08:17There's a huge infrastructure here dedicated to looking after the Great British holidaymaker.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21And I'll be spending time with some of the professionals on the frontline.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24to learn just how we can keep ourselves out of trouble.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30Today, a little oasis of Britain abroad.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35SIREN WAILS
0:08:36 > 0:08:41I'm heading off to spend the morning with the British consulate in Palma.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45This tiny office has responsibility for the entire Balearic region.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49And it is one of the busiest British consulates in the world.
0:08:52 > 0:08:52# I need help!
0:08:53 > 0:08:54# Hey!
0:08:54 > 0:08:57# I can't do it alone, no! #
0:08:57 > 0:09:03The Palma office deals with a daily deluge of desperate Brits.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07- My bag was stolen.- I lost my passport, money and equipment.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11We'll deal with deaths, we'll deal with arrests, we'll deal with accidents,
0:09:11 > 0:09:16we'll deal with people being imprisoned. And everywhere in between.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20Consul Paul Abrey is at the helm.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23- We're embarking on a voyage of adventure.- Absolutely.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- Who knows what will come through the door?- Let's go and have a look.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30And I don't have to wait long for a crisis.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32I think we've got an unusual case.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36This young man's passport somehow has been chewed up at the airport.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38As a result, he can't get a flight home.
0:09:38 > 0:09:4215-year-old Daniel had been holidaying with his grandad Malcolm.
0:09:42 > 0:09:48On his way home, his passport went in one end of the airport hand-baggage scanner
0:09:48 > 0:09:51but it didn't come out at the other.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Malcolm is desperate to get him home to his mum.
0:09:54 > 0:09:59- They wouldn't let him leave the country?- No.- Even though he had the boarding pass.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03We were surprised about that because we thought they'd got the...
0:10:03 > 0:10:07On the flight records, they've got the passport number and everything.
0:10:07 > 0:10:13But they said they didn't think he'd be able to get out of Gatwick without a passport.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18The consulate will only issue travellers with an emergency travel document
0:10:18 > 0:10:21if they have evidence of a flight home.
0:10:21 > 0:10:26As soon as we can confirm that he's got a flight, the flight is paid for and he's booked on a flight,
0:10:26 > 0:10:30they are the details we can put on an emergency passport and we're done.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32But that's easier said than done.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36It's a bank holiday and the airlines have been booked up for months.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41# We've got to get out of this place
0:10:41 > 0:10:45# If it's the last thing we ever do #
0:10:45 > 0:10:49- At the moment, you don't know how long you're going to have to be here.- No.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56While Paul and his staff scour the airlines for a spare seat back to Blighty,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59the office is filling up with more Brits in a bind.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04Brenda lost her bag the moment she arrived at the airport.
0:11:05 > 0:11:11- Passport you need.- I need a passport.- You've lost your credit cards and everything.- Credit cards.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- You've cancelled all those? - Oh, yes.
0:11:13 > 0:11:18- Do you know where you lost it? - In the gent's toilets. - What were you doing in the gent's?
0:11:18 > 0:11:23We were coming off the plane and the ladies' wouldn't let us in.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26I was with another lady. We went into the toilet.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30I must've put it... Because it was messy. Hung it on the back.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33So glad to get out because it's the men's toilets.
0:11:33 > 0:11:39And then, when I get to the hotel, no bag, no nothing.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43It costs £95 for an emergency travel document.
0:11:43 > 0:11:49And it's only valid for your journey home. But Brenda won't let this ruin her holiday.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53What do I do? I don't smile, do I? No.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55That's it.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59'Attention. Please close the curtain on your left.'
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- Better close this.- 'Press the green button to take the photo.'
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Green button? Where's the green button?
0:12:08 > 0:12:14More than 60,000 British passports are either lost or stolen abroad every year.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19But, in less than an hour, Brenda's temporary passport is ready.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23- There you are. - Oh, thank goodness for that.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26After she finally worked out the machine.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28But where are you going to put this one?
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- Safely in my bag.- And where are you going to put the bag?
0:12:31 > 0:12:35Keep it very close to my body.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41Like many of us, Brenda let her guard down because she was on holiday
0:12:41 > 0:12:45and fell victim to an opportunist thief.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49But what can we do avoid a lost passport ruining our holiday?
0:12:49 > 0:12:52First of all, keep your passport somewhere safe,
0:12:52 > 0:12:55either on your person or in the hotel safe.
0:12:55 > 0:13:02Make copies of you passport, take one with you and store another online in a secure-data website.
0:13:02 > 0:13:08And if the worst does happen, report your loss to the police or consulate immediately
0:13:08 > 0:13:12in order to avoid becoming the victim of identity fraud.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15Later, I'll be finding out about British tourists
0:13:15 > 0:13:19who are deliberately putting themselves in harm's way.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30# Let the sun shine, let the sun shine, baby
0:13:30 > 0:13:33# Let the sun shine #
0:13:34 > 0:13:36I want you to picture the scene.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41You're driving along a Spanish road, enjoying the countryside and view.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45Suddenly, there are horns blaring, someone is trying to flag you down.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48What do you do? Do you wind up the window and just carry on?
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Or do you stop and try to help?
0:13:50 > 0:13:56Helen reports now on the latest scam aimed at British tourists.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00I've been meeting travellers who, through no fault of their own,
0:14:00 > 0:14:05have experienced the holiday from hell and doing my best to repair the damage.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06Hello.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16Having a car abroad can be fantastic.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21You can go to different places, see different sights, and get away from busy tourist resorts.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25But having a British number plate, or a car with hire-car stickers on,
0:14:25 > 0:14:28can mark you out as a target.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33This footage taken from a CCTV camera on a Spanish motorway
0:14:33 > 0:14:36looks like one motorist helping another.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40But there's a more sinister reality.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43It's actually an audacious highway robbery.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56In 2009, keen birdwatchers Joy and Alan Horton
0:14:56 > 0:14:59were heading for a special treat in the Spanish Pyrenees,
0:14:59 > 0:15:01spotting rare birds of prey.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06On the motorway heading past Barcelona, Alan spotted
0:15:06 > 0:15:08another car in his rear-view mirror.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15I was conscious of a car coming up very quickly
0:15:15 > 0:15:19and very close. For a moment, I wondered if I was in the right lane or not.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Then there was this bang on the back of the car.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26I thought, "Oh, my God!"
0:15:26 > 0:15:33It sounded as if either his car had hit ours or ours had hit his.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38Thinking the right thing to do was to stop and exchange insurance details,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41the couple immediately found a spot to pull over.
0:15:45 > 0:15:52The man got out of the car, came round to the passenger-door side,
0:15:52 > 0:15:57when Alan got out and met him round the side of the car.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59I was trying to see what was wrong with his car.
0:15:59 > 0:16:05I couldn't see a scratch, I couldn't see anything. I didn't know what was going on.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09The man was getting angrier and angrier.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14And more aggressive. Because I was so riveted by what was going on,
0:16:14 > 0:16:16and so concerned for Alan's safety,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19I didn't in notice anything that was going on around me.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23And, of course, this is what the scammers were banking on.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27While one of them was causing a distraction, his accomplice
0:16:27 > 0:16:30had gone round to the rear passenger door of Joy and Alan's car.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39The car engine revved and they disappeared at a tremendous speed, leaving us in a cloud of dust.
0:16:39 > 0:16:44And we were sat in the car, looking at one another, wondering what on earth had gone on.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Only to find absolutely everything on the back seat had gone.
0:16:47 > 0:16:52Passports, driving licences, cash.
0:16:52 > 0:16:58- Well, everything that was in our carry bags.- Camera. Everything in our carry bags, yes.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03You just sort of go cold.
0:17:03 > 0:17:10Joy and Alan lost more than £1,000 and their dream of making it to the Pyrenees was smashed.
0:17:10 > 0:17:15But more than that, the experience has taken a terrible emotional toll on the couple.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19Once I got over the initial shock, and there is a shock,
0:17:19 > 0:17:21to the stage where I was shaking
0:17:21 > 0:17:26and sort of not wanting to go out of the bedroom.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29I didn't like the crowds around me.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33I kept putting my hand on my jacket pocket to make sure my wallet was still there.
0:17:33 > 0:17:38Um, it really went quite deep,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41far deeper than I thought it was going to go.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43Alan and Joy are not alone.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47Last year, the British consulate received 140 reports
0:17:47 > 0:17:50of similar incidents across Spain and France.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55And now the Foreign Office is warning drivers to be particularly vigilant.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59Later, I'll find out how you can avoid the highway robbers
0:17:59 > 0:18:03and try to help Alan and Joy overcome their fears
0:18:03 > 0:18:05by taking the couple back to Spain.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09Things like crowds, the heartbeat goes up.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Still.
0:18:14 > 0:18:15BARKS
0:18:15 > 0:18:18MUSIC: "A-Punk" by Vampire Weekend
0:18:21 > 0:18:25Every year, more than 36 million of us fly to different parts of the world
0:18:25 > 0:18:28for our annual summer holidays.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32From the tropical beaches of the Caribbean to the ancient culture of Egypt
0:18:32 > 0:18:38or nightlife of Thailand. It's our annual reward for putting up with our day-to-day lives at home.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40# Ey! Ey! Ey! Ey! #
0:18:43 > 0:18:47But some guest arriving at the Malibu Park Apartments in Tenerife
0:18:47 > 0:18:50feel like they've drawn the booby prize.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54And they've not been shy to air their feelings.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Man!
0:18:58 > 0:19:03So, health and safety inspector Mike and I are investigating what all the fuss is about.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07We've unearthed rampant roaches.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09And hidden health hazards.
0:19:09 > 0:19:14If the shower heads aren't kept clean, they're a potential reservoir for Legionella bacteria.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18Now we want to check out what should be one of the highlights.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24The thing that stands out to me really with the pool tank
0:19:24 > 0:19:28- is, first, there's no grouting in a lot of the tiles.- Right.
0:19:28 > 0:19:33- Secondly, when we look down the edge, there's actually some algae. - Oh, is there?- Yeah.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- These little black marks.- There's loads of it.- Those black lines.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39It's not endemic of saying the pool water's in bad condition.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43But the pool itself clearly isn't fully clean.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47Surely, just giving it a proper scrub will dislodge it.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51The black algae show the pool isn't being cleaned properly.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55Meaning, any harmful bacteria on the bodies of swimmers aren't being destroyed
0:19:55 > 0:19:57and could cause illness.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02The shower tiles look like they need some attention too.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06Missing tiles, sharp edges, potentially cut your feet.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09If you've got kids, you don't want them running around here,
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- potentially cutting their feet open. - No, you don't.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14OK.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18And there are other pitfalls for little fingers and toes.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20If we look here, there's quite a big gap.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24- Yeah. It's a bit raised up, isn't it?- It's a bit raised.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28But just outside the play area, the real shocker
0:20:28 > 0:20:30was the garden lights.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32The wires are actually damaged.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36So much so that we've actually got cables inside.
0:20:36 > 0:20:41- Wow! Definitely not touching that. You can see the copper wiring. - Yes, absolutely
0:20:41 > 0:20:46That's just unexcusable to have potentially live wires like that.
0:20:46 > 0:20:53It's time we confronted the Malibu Park Apartments assistant manager Jacho with the problems.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56First, those dodgy electrics.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01The wiring was fully exposed,
0:21:01 > 0:21:05so quite a big risk of a child getting an electric shock.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07- OK.- You have maintenance guys here, do you?
0:21:07 > 0:21:12- Yeah.- It's probably worth looking at all the lights there
0:21:12 > 0:21:14- to see what's what. - We will try to fix.
0:21:14 > 0:21:20Next, the scaly shower heads that could be a breeding ground for deadly Legionella.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24The shower heads we looked at, there was a lot of scale.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28If you clean the shower heads more often,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31that will remove that problem.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34There is 245 apartments.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39You could maybe have them programme to clean, say, ten shower heads,
0:21:39 > 0:21:43or five per day, every day, just on a cycle.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47And then there's the problem that's really been bugging guests.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52I think you're aware there are cockroaches in the hotel.
0:21:52 > 0:21:58Yeah. We tried to fix that problem every day, every month, every year.
0:21:58 > 0:22:03It's clear to see that you do treat the rooms to kill the cockroaches.
0:22:03 > 0:22:08We found very small, so baby, plus adults.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13What I would recommend is, the treatment that you do,
0:22:13 > 0:22:18is just to increase how often you treat and, hopefully, that will break the cycle.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25Mike also points out the broken tiles and trip hazards in the children's playground.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28We will improve all the things.
0:22:29 > 0:22:36And we want every guest staying here for their holidays
0:22:36 > 0:22:42to enjoy their holidays and repeat their holidays here in Tenerife.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45Jacho seems to be making all the right noises.
0:22:45 > 0:22:50We'll be back later to see if he puts his money where his mouth is.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Still to some on the Holiday Hit Squad.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05I'm back at the consulate with more British travellers who are stranded abroad.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Are you crying on your holiday?
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Oh!
0:23:09 > 0:23:13We check out a Caribbean hotel that doesn't scrub up well.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15I'm not sure what these are
0:23:15 > 0:23:17on this toilet seat.
0:23:17 > 0:23:22And I try to conjure up some magic memories for our victims of the holiday from hell.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26It's just so beautiful.
0:23:29 > 0:23:34It's the last thing that you want but I'm sure that, at some time or another,
0:23:34 > 0:23:39most of us have been on holiday and picked up a mystery bug along the way.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43It can mean you spend an entire week running in and out of the bathroom.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Or snuffling with a sore throat and puffy eyes.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Not a good look to have when you're on holiday.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51But is that just bad luck?
0:23:51 > 0:23:57And what happens if what you assume is holiday flu turns out to be an infection that's a lot more serious?
0:23:57 > 0:24:02So this week in the lab, we're looking at viruses and infections.
0:24:06 > 0:24:11The rhinovirus, common cold to you and me, attacking our bodies.
0:24:11 > 0:24:16It takes just ten hours from entering our system to take full effect.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22# When you put your arms around me
0:24:22 > 0:24:27# I get a fever that's so hard to bear, you give me fever #
0:24:27 > 0:24:29With the aid of some food colouring,
0:24:30 > 0:24:36Dr Chris van Tulleken is going to show me just how to avoid picking one up.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39And it all starts with a sneeze.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41SNEEZES
0:24:41 > 0:24:45- Ugh!- Sorry about that. - That is disgusting.
0:24:45 > 0:24:50It is very disgusting. That was particularly violent because I was making myself sneeze.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53I think you could put a frame on that and sell it to the Tate Modern.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58But I get the message. It goes a long way and it scatters.
0:24:58 > 0:25:03In fact, your body can sneeze at over 100mph.
0:25:03 > 0:25:09What comes out contains around 40,000 droplets of mucus loaded with bugs.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11So, rule number one.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Keep your germs to yourself.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Sneeze into your elbow or into your hankie.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20If you must sneeze into your hands, wash your hands afterwards.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22Catch it, kill it and bin it, that's what we say.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27But you can't bank on others being so responsible.
0:25:27 > 0:25:32Around three quarters of people admit to not covering their mouths when they sneeze.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35So you could pick up a bug when you least expect it.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40We go on holiday and we think we got a bug on holiday.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42In fact, the plane getting to the holiday,
0:25:42 > 0:25:46that's a really good place to get bugs, You're in a confined space,
0:25:46 > 0:25:50breathing the same recirculated air as another 2-300 people.
0:25:50 > 0:25:56We've shown serious infections like SARS, swine flu, these things are passed on on planes.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01And you don't even need to be sneezed onto pick up something deadly like bird flu.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04All it takes is a tray table harbouring germs.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11How do they actually get into our systems?
0:26:11 > 0:26:14One of the good ways is through the very sensitive passages
0:26:14 > 0:26:18in your nose and in your mouth. Very often, you touch something,
0:26:18 > 0:26:23- then pick your nose. Probably, you don't pick your nose. Some of us do.- Try not to.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26These passages are a good way of getting in.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30It's a good idea to carry anti-bacterial gel and keep your hands clean.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Keeping the hands clean. A major port of entry. Not someone
0:26:33 > 0:26:38coughing on your face, that can happen if you get an aerosol of bugs that you inhale.
0:26:38 > 0:26:44In the interests of our health, Dr Chris has offered up his own hooter to show us the way.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47And this is a wonderful breeding ground, is it,
0:26:47 > 0:26:51- for bugs in the nasal passage?- The bugs want to get in these passages.
0:26:51 > 0:26:57One of the reasons they want to do that is because, once they're in there, they can spread.
0:26:59 > 0:27:05To help your nose to keep the body's defences up, using a saline spray before and during your flight
0:27:05 > 0:27:09can boot the germs out and add a layer of protection.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13- Airports, airplanes.- Yep. - Bad place to pick them up.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16What about once you're on holiday? Are you safe then?
0:27:16 > 0:27:23Reasonably safe. But there are some risks from bugs that cause throat infections and breathing problems.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26One of the big ones is Legionella, so Legionnaires' disease.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30This is a bacteria that loves wet warm environments.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34So it loves air-conditioning systems, it loves Jacuzzis, a Jacuzzi
0:27:34 > 0:27:36is an almost perfect bacterial broth.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40It's full of protein in dead skin flakes, which bacteria love to eat.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44- I don't think I'll ever go in a Jacuzzi again. - You have to worry about spas.
0:27:44 > 0:27:49In this country, spas, Jacuzzis, air conditioning is all pretty well looked after.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51You can't always be sure of that when abroad.
0:27:55 > 0:27:59So, what can we do to avoid becoming sick on holiday?
0:27:59 > 0:28:05Carry and alcohol-based hand gel with you. And use it regularly
0:28:05 > 0:28:07to stop you picking up any nasty bugs.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11Use a saline nasal spray before your flight.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14It could block those harmful bacteria from taking hold.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17And check the Foreign Office website
0:28:17 > 0:28:21for reports of any outbreaks of disease where you're travelling.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29Every year, tens of thousands of us take our car south
0:28:29 > 0:28:33to explore the rugged beauty of France and Spain.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35But it's not always an easy ride.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37Earlier on, we met Joy and Alan
0:28:37 > 0:28:41who had a terrible experience on a Spanish motorway.
0:28:41 > 0:28:46The couple became the victims of a modern form of highway robbery.
0:28:48 > 0:28:54The car engine revved and they disappeared at a tremendous speed, leaving us in a cloud of dust.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58Only to find absolutely everything on the back seat had gone.
0:28:58 > 0:29:03This footage shows another couple suffering the same fate.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06It's a crime that's on the increase all across Europe.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09And they're targeting visiting holidaymakers.
0:29:10 > 0:29:15To find out how we can avoid becoming victims of the same crime,
0:29:15 > 0:29:17I'm off to the British consulate in Malaga.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Roadside robbery, how big of a problem is it?
0:29:23 > 0:29:27Roadside robbery, when people are driving down through France and Spain is a big problem.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31Last year, there were 140 cases reported to the consulate teams.
0:29:31 > 0:29:36And it's people being stopped on the motorway, seemingly innocently,
0:29:36 > 0:29:40and finding within a few minutes everything's gone out of the car.
0:29:41 > 0:29:46This footage from the Spanish police shows exactly how it's done.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48The robbers may bump into the back of your car,
0:29:48 > 0:29:51or start flashing their lights,
0:29:51 > 0:29:55to persuade you to pull over to deal with the bogus problem.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58Then, while one man distracts everyone in you car,
0:29:58 > 0:30:02another jumps out to grab your treasured possessions
0:30:02 > 0:30:05before making a quick getaway.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13Presumably, some people might want you to stop in all innocence.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17- What should drivers do?- Drivers need to not stop at the side of the road.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21Stop somewhere safe like a garage. Stop at the rest area where there are people.
0:30:21 > 0:30:26If you've got a hire care or a car with British plates, most people will know it's a tourist car.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29The thieves will expect there to be stuff in the car.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33Like cameras, passports, etcetera. If you then think,
0:30:33 > 0:30:37"OK, I'm getting out. I feel confident." Even at that stage,
0:30:37 > 0:30:41I would still grab the bag with the passports in or the money
0:30:41 > 0:30:44- and take that with me.- 140 roadside robberies last year alone.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47- Yeah.- Is that enough to stop people driving?
0:30:47 > 0:30:49- Would you advise they don't drive? - No.
0:30:49 > 0:30:55Of course not. Millions of people drive through Spain and France every year without incident.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58What we do is highlight the things that come to our attention.
0:30:58 > 0:31:04These can be nasty. An elderly couple, confident drivers, coming down to spend some time in Spain,
0:31:04 > 0:31:08can have their confidence completely ripped from them. It's about being safe and driving
0:31:08 > 0:31:11safely in Spain and overseas in general.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14But I would say, just think, be careful and think.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17Don't leave your brains back in the UK.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19Bring them with you and use them.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24Despite the alarming number of recent incidents in France and Spain,
0:31:24 > 0:31:27this form of highway robbery occurs all over the world.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31It pays to lock your valuables in the boot of your car
0:31:31 > 0:31:35and only stop in a safe and well-populated spot.
0:31:39 > 0:31:44Now I want to try and rebuild Alan and Joy's confidence in travelling.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47To break them in gently, I've brought them to Andalusia
0:31:47 > 0:31:50in southern Spain.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02Eight miles away from the spectacular historic town of Ronda,
0:32:02 > 0:32:05I'm putting the couple up in the heart of the countryside.
0:32:05 > 0:32:10It's quiet, beautiful and a world away from the busy highway.
0:32:10 > 0:32:15But I'm worried that, even here, Alan and Joy can't forget their highway hell.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22- How does it feel to be back in Spain? - I suppose we're a bit apprehensive.
0:32:22 > 0:32:27Things like crowds and being on a crowded motorway.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29The heart beat goes up.
0:32:29 > 0:32:35Still. I get... Yeah. I'm not very good with uncertainty.
0:32:35 > 0:32:40If I'm in a situation where I don't know what's going to happen, it gets me a bit nervous.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43Well, we didn't want you to be put off travelling after last year.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47We wanted you to come here, have a good time, we've got a few things planned.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49- Oh, right. - First things first.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54- We're going to a nature reserve where, hopefully, you'll see Griffon vultures.- Wonderful.- Terrific.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58Later, I'll find out if this new holiday can make them
0:32:58 > 0:33:01feel confident about travelling again.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05I'm hoping that this trip is going to make them fall back in love with Spain.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15Look at that. It's just horrible.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18- Mucky mattresses. - Look at that!- Oh, my goodness!
0:33:18 > 0:33:19Rank refrigerators.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23- You need to stop using that fridge. - OK.- Definitely.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25And pesky pets.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29That's not what I want to see in the same kitchen as my lunch.
0:33:29 > 0:33:30End of.
0:33:30 > 0:33:35Just some of the many delights my inspectors and I encounter in our quest
0:33:35 > 0:33:39to improve hotel standards for Brits abroad.
0:33:39 > 0:33:44That's the reason for the smell. It's been like that since 10am. Absolutely disgusting.
0:33:44 > 0:33:50And tonight, our brave inspector may be facing a Caribbean catastrophe.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59The Dominican Republic.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04Around 170,000 of us make the flight here every year
0:34:04 > 0:34:07in search of sparkling waters, white sands
0:34:07 > 0:34:10and that relaxed Caribbean vibe.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17But you've been complaining that one of the hotels here might just be
0:34:17 > 0:34:20a little too laid back.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24The El Cortecito Hotel in Punta Cana
0:34:24 > 0:34:26has been slated in online reviews.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30Complaints of filthy rooms and bad disrepair.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34Rooms cost around £38 per night.
0:34:34 > 0:34:41Following such negative comments, assistant manager Herman has invited us to see for ourselves.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44The hotel was built in 1995.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48It's 17 years old. We have 75 rooms.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52We want to show the hotel to all the world
0:34:52 > 0:34:56because some people write different things on the internet.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58But we want to show you the real.
0:34:58 > 0:35:04So we've parachuted in our hotshot environmental health officer Marva.
0:35:04 > 0:35:10# Hey, hey, hey! I'm sending out an SOS
0:35:10 > 0:35:12# Sending sending #
0:35:12 > 0:35:15- How are you?- Good and you? - I'm here to do an inspection.
0:35:15 > 0:35:20- Yeah. Good.- Shall we go?- Let me show you.- Thank you. Thank you.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24Marva has 22 years' experience as an environmental health officer.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28I have many pet peeves.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31Sanitation, pool hygiene.
0:35:31 > 0:35:36And around the beds, it's about the bedbugs, do we have any?
0:35:36 > 0:35:40Marva starts her inspection in one of the hotel's 75 bedrooms.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43So this is one of the bedrooms.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47- I want to have a quick look at the beds.- OK.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49We expect to have nice clean linen.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53We expect to have a protector on your mattress. Oh.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57- There's nothing there. No protector.- No.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01We would expect to have at least a protector on this mattress, yeah?
0:36:01 > 0:36:05With no protector, the mattress could be carrying germs,
0:36:05 > 0:36:09skin and hair particles from every single previous guest.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12So this is the bathroom.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15Right. You've got quite a bit of mould.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19- You've got hot water, have you? - Yes.- All right.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22There doesn't seem to be any hot water. It's taking a long while.
0:36:22 > 0:36:27We don't have hot water. The warmer thing is off.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32I would recommend that in here you pay some attention to the seals.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36You can get pests hiding and breeding behind here.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39Also, ensure that the hot water is constant, yeah?
0:36:39 > 0:36:44- Not just on and off but there's a constant supply of hot water to the basin.- I see.
0:36:44 > 0:36:45OK.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49- I want to look on the inside.- Yeah. - I'm looking for hygiene points.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53I'm not sure what these are, yeah,
0:36:53 > 0:36:58on this toilet seat. I'm not sure what it is.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00Quite shocking really.
0:37:00 > 0:37:06The sanitation and cleaning is not happening as it should in the bedrooms. We hope it gets better.
0:37:06 > 0:37:11The Dominican Republic is renowned for its picture-postcard beaches.
0:37:11 > 0:37:17El Cortecito's restaurant and grill should be a highlight for guests.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23OK, we're going into the grill area.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26It's run for the hotel by a neighbouring business.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28The head chef is Pablo.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30- Hello. - Hi, chef, how are you doing?
0:37:30 > 0:37:33Can you tell me what you prepare here? What sort of food
0:37:33 > 0:37:37- Here I prepare seafood. - Yes.- Only seafood.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39- Oh, seafood? - Yeah.- OK. Good.
0:37:39 > 0:37:44- This only meat. - There's very good separation between the dishes in here.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48- We've got fish and meat. - Yes.- Excellent.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52But the good news ends there.
0:37:53 > 0:37:58I've seen evidence of droppings over here, in this area over here.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02That indicates that we've got a slight problem
0:38:02 > 0:38:05with pests in this area.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09Tropical diseases are found in Caribbean countries like the Dominican Republic
0:38:09 > 0:38:16because the consistently warm humid atmosphere is the perfect climate for disease-carrying pests to breed.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21# Come Mr Tally Man, tally me banana #
0:38:21 > 0:38:25We do have some vegetables on the floor, bananas.
0:38:25 > 0:38:30Do we not have a vegetable rack for those to keep vegetables off the floor?
0:38:30 > 0:38:33So you don't get contamination issues.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36Yeah. OK.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39- We've got quite a bit of work in here to do, don't we?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43And if it's that bad in a kitchen that's on public view,
0:38:43 > 0:38:47I dread to think what Marva will find behind closed doors.
0:38:47 > 0:38:53# I'll keep you my dirty little secret, dirty little secret
0:38:53 > 0:38:57Maintenance. You can see that. Lots of it.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59# Who has to know?
0:39:00 > 0:39:03# Who has to know? #
0:39:05 > 0:39:10- What happens in here? Is that for washing up?- Yes.- OK.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14- We wash. This side is sanitation. - Right, right, right.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17This is a very good concept here
0:39:17 > 0:39:21because we do need this three-compartment sink.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24But if you look at this.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27This is used for cleaning.
0:39:27 > 0:39:33Each square centimetre of a soiled dishcloth can contain one million bacteria.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36Making it dirtier than a toilet seat.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40Right. Do we have any hot water here at all?
0:39:40 > 0:39:42- Is there any hot water? - The water? No, no, no.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45- No hot water. - We cook here and there.
0:39:45 > 0:39:50- OK. But this is your main cleaning, washing plates and all that?- Yeah.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54In here? There's no hot water. OK.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58That kitchen was very shocking.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01If I was an enforcement officer, I would consider closure, yes.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05Following her inspection of the Cortecito Inn,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08Marva was expecting to meet the manager to present her findings
0:40:08 > 0:40:11and make some recommendations for improvement.
0:40:11 > 0:40:16But, out of the blue, the hotel turned her down.
0:40:17 > 0:40:22They say they intend to give the hotel a complete overhaul in seven months' time.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28They do have a seven-month plan to refurbish.
0:40:28 > 0:40:34But I think that plan needs to be reviewed because they have some serious urgent issues.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38I wouldn't stay as a guest in this hotel at the moment.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40Ask me again in seven months' time.
0:40:46 > 0:40:52Back at the British consulate in Palma, Majorca, 15-year-old Daniel and his grandad Malcolm,
0:40:52 > 0:40:57are still desperately trying to organise a flight and an emergency passport.
0:40:57 > 0:41:02He was stateless for a while until grandparents came to the rescue.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05Well, I haven't succeeded in rescuing him yet.
0:41:06 > 0:41:11But the bank holiday rush means that flights are few and far between.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15They're trying to find a flight, any airline to anywhere in the London region,
0:41:15 > 0:41:18to get him home today or tomorrow.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22The consul, Paul, is pulling out all the stops.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26Our travel agent is searching for a flight as we speak. We've just spoken to them.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30Anywhere in London is what we've asked them.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33They'll come back to us, hopefully with a flight.
0:41:33 > 0:41:38Meanwhile, another of Her Majesty's subjects is also in trouble.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41Katie, what brings you to the consulate today?
0:41:41 > 0:41:45The other night, I think I picked up my passport and left it on the beach.
0:41:45 > 0:41:50And then I searched my hotel for it and I couldn't find it anywhere.
0:41:50 > 0:41:5420-year-old Katie was on holiday with friends but they all fell out.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58So, all alone for four days, she just wants to get home.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00Are you crying on your holiday?
0:42:00 > 0:42:02Oh!
0:42:02 > 0:42:04Oh, dear.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06You'll be all right.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- Yeah.- Yes? - Yeah.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13- No more tears. - No more tears. No.- No.
0:42:13 > 0:42:18# Everybody hurts #
0:42:19 > 0:42:23Staff here in Majorca are used to seeing young Brits in a mess.
0:42:23 > 0:42:28But they recently had to deal with a particularly upsetting new craze.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31One that's hit the high-rise hotels of Magaluf.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36'Make sure you hit the water or you're dead.'
0:42:36 > 0:42:39It's been dubbed "balconing".
0:42:39 > 0:42:41'LAUGHTER'
0:42:43 > 0:42:48Young people have been leaping from hotel balconies to the pool below.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51Sometimes, with fatal consequences.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55Lots of times, unfortunately, people don't meet the pool.
0:42:55 > 0:43:01In 2012, there were three deaths and six serious accidents in Majorca
0:43:01 > 0:43:04as a result of either misjudged leaps to the pool
0:43:04 > 0:43:06or climbing between balconies.
0:43:08 > 0:43:13It's difficult to explain that they fell because they thought it was fun to jump to the pool.
0:43:13 > 0:43:19Now you're going to have to take them home in this condition.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22Or, indeed, take them home in a casket.
0:43:22 > 0:43:28Part of the problem is the incredibly cheap price of alcohol in modern holiday resorts.
0:43:28 > 0:43:33With shots of dodgy vodka costing as little as 80 pence,
0:43:33 > 0:43:37and many hotels being all-inclusive drink-all-you-can venues,
0:43:37 > 0:43:42it's no wonder that young people are getting involved in tragic accidents.
0:43:44 > 0:43:49The problem is so serious that the Foreign Office has issued the following advice.
0:43:49 > 0:43:51Don't take unnecessary risks,
0:43:51 > 0:43:54especially under the influence of alcohol.
0:43:54 > 0:44:00And do be aware that your travel insurance is unlikely to cover you if you have been drinking.
0:44:00 > 0:44:03Even medical evacuation is not covered
0:44:03 > 0:44:08under the reciprocal arrangements between Spain and the UK.
0:44:08 > 0:44:13Luckily, it's not just the consul who's looking out for us Brits abroad.
0:44:19 > 0:44:23We deal with absolutely every single problem.
0:44:23 > 0:44:25We do traffic regulations. We do crime.
0:44:25 > 0:44:28We protect the people on the beach. We rescue people.
0:44:28 > 0:44:32Everything you can imagine that you need the police, that's what we do - the local police.
0:44:32 > 0:44:36Day in, day out, the Majorca police force patrol
0:44:36 > 0:44:41the holiday hotspots, doing their best to us safe and crime free.
0:44:41 > 0:44:45These bobbies on the beach face a set of challenges
0:44:45 > 0:44:48that are unique to holiday destinations.
0:44:48 > 0:44:51Whether it's unlicensed masseurs.
0:44:55 > 0:44:57Or beach thieves.
0:44:57 > 0:45:03We went to lunch, when we got back, we saw they took my bag.
0:45:03 > 0:45:08The cops are there trying to make sure that our holidays are hitch-free.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11If you don't want things stolen, make a deal with your neighbour
0:45:11 > 0:45:15at the beach to take care of your stuff while you are at the water.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17When you come back, you do the same for them.
0:45:17 > 0:45:22A daily problem is a group that's been called "the scourge of Spanish beach resorts."
0:45:22 > 0:45:26Nicknamed "looky looky men", they are elicit traders
0:45:26 > 0:45:31that pester holidaymakers with low-quality counterfeit products.
0:45:31 > 0:45:35To start with, it's an illegal matter because they haven't got permission.
0:45:35 > 0:45:41Also it's annoying for the tourists sitting on a sunbed and one comes up and another and another.
0:45:41 > 0:45:43We are trying to stop that.
0:45:43 > 0:45:47You actually take away what they're trying to sell.
0:45:47 > 0:45:51To recover it, they have to pay the fine. If not, they cannot have it back.
0:45:51 > 0:45:56And they're becoming a problem at beach resorts all over the world.
0:45:56 > 0:45:58It's not only here.
0:45:58 > 0:46:04It's all... Everywhere. Wherever they are in Europe or other countries, you know,
0:46:04 > 0:46:06there is a Mafia behind them.
0:46:06 > 0:46:12Some European police forces recommend tourists not buy anything from the looky looky men
0:46:12 > 0:46:16as it encourages them and the criminal organisations behind them.
0:46:16 > 0:46:19Because, obviously, they don't want to do what they do.
0:46:19 > 0:46:21They're kind of forced to do it.
0:46:21 > 0:46:26We feel sorry and pity for them, we feel bad, we understand what they're going through.
0:46:26 > 0:46:29So it's not a personal problem with them obviously.
0:46:29 > 0:46:34But it's not just the beach irritants that the holiday cops have to deal with.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37Sometimes, it's a matter of life and death.
0:46:37 > 0:46:40The sea might look inviting.
0:46:40 > 0:46:43But the police regularly have to deal with victims
0:46:43 > 0:46:45of drowning.
0:46:45 > 0:46:49You know what's the worst thing you can see? If they're children.
0:46:49 > 0:46:53To a child trying to do RCP, trying to save their life.
0:46:53 > 0:46:56And you can see there's not a lot you can do.
0:46:56 > 0:46:58That's the worst thing you can find.
0:46:58 > 0:47:02I don't know how to describe it. It's really hard. It's really tough to see.
0:47:02 > 0:47:09309 Brits drowned on holiday between 2006 and 2010,
0:47:09 > 0:47:12of which 55 were children.
0:47:12 > 0:47:17But it seems that some incidents involve people who really should know better.
0:47:17 > 0:47:19SIREN WAILS
0:47:19 > 0:47:25Officers Rosado and Pilar have just received an urgent call.
0:47:31 > 0:47:34Holidaymaker Ian Rennie raised the alarm.
0:47:34 > 0:47:38I was just walking into the sea, going for a swim, and I noticed
0:47:38 > 0:47:43this lady swimming around just using one arm.
0:47:43 > 0:47:45I thought it was very strange.
0:47:45 > 0:47:50Then, suddenly, she turned completely over, facedown in the water.
0:47:50 > 0:47:53And I thought, "She's going to drown."
0:47:53 > 0:47:57Luckily for the lady, Ian is a doctor.
0:47:57 > 0:48:00I got her to breathe and then we pulled her out.
0:48:00 > 0:48:03But she was very confused. When she first came out,
0:48:03 > 0:48:08she was... She said very little.
0:48:08 > 0:48:10We'd wondered if she'd had a stroke.
0:48:10 > 0:48:13But then, suddenly, she coughed a bit more water up
0:48:13 > 0:48:15and she became a bit more compos mentis.
0:48:15 > 0:48:17Then she started to laugh.
0:48:17 > 0:48:20And I wondered if she'd been drinking.
0:48:20 > 0:48:24Drowning is the second biggest risk faced by holidaymakers.
0:48:24 > 0:48:27It comes just behind road accidents for danger.
0:48:27 > 0:48:30British embassies in resorts all over the world
0:48:30 > 0:48:34have reported an increasing problem with our over-55s
0:48:34 > 0:48:40over indulging in food and drink and then becoming unstuck in the water.
0:48:47 > 0:48:49She was very lucky, I have to say.
0:48:49 > 0:48:52If I hadn't noticed her and happened to be there,
0:48:52 > 0:48:54she was absolutely facedown.
0:48:55 > 0:48:59The advice is that sun, sea and booze
0:48:59 > 0:49:02are not a good mix.
0:49:02 > 0:49:05Although dazed, the woman is given a clean bill of health.
0:49:05 > 0:49:07Bien.
0:49:14 > 0:49:18It's a month since Mike and I carried out our inspection of the Malibu Park Apartments
0:49:18 > 0:49:21in Playa de las Americas in Tenerife.
0:49:22 > 0:49:27We left a list of improvements that urgently needed addressing.
0:49:27 > 0:49:30Now we're back to see what we've achieved.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33# If I had a hammer I'd hammer in the morning #
0:49:33 > 0:49:38Assistant manager Jacho has clearly taken our advice seriously.
0:49:38 > 0:49:42We discovered broken tiling. But it's already being fixed.
0:49:45 > 0:49:48We need to do it and we are doing it.
0:49:48 > 0:49:53We were worried that the limescale in the shower heads could be harbouring the Legionella virus.
0:49:53 > 0:49:57But Jacho is addressing this concern.
0:49:57 > 0:50:00We've replaced a lot of the showers.
0:50:00 > 0:50:03It's important to be perfect.
0:50:04 > 0:50:10And after I discovered cockroaches in the bedroom, he's increased the frequency of pest control.
0:50:10 > 0:50:15If our guests find a cockroach in his apartment,
0:50:15 > 0:50:18it's really a problem because
0:50:18 > 0:50:21the babies like our complex.
0:50:21 > 0:50:25We are trying to fix this problem.
0:50:25 > 0:50:30We've set poisons, poisons, poisons.
0:50:30 > 0:50:35Jacho has also fixed the broken window in the room where I spent the night.
0:50:35 > 0:50:37The window it's OK.
0:50:37 > 0:50:39Repaired.
0:50:39 > 0:50:46Our biggest concern is the exposed wiring in the garden light next to the children's playground.
0:50:46 > 0:50:49But, thankfully, Jacho has heeded our warnings.
0:50:49 > 0:50:53There was a defective light near the playground area.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56And he's fixing it right now
0:50:56 > 0:50:59because it's not safe for children.
0:50:59 > 0:51:05And electricity and children can't be mixed.
0:51:05 > 0:51:10So, as you can see, he's fixing it.
0:51:12 > 0:51:16It's really good to see that our advice has been taken so seriously.
0:51:16 > 0:51:20And that, following our visit, Jacho has significantly improved
0:51:20 > 0:51:23the safety and cleanliness of this hotel.
0:51:30 > 0:51:34Back in Spain, I'm trying to help keen birdwatchers Joy and Alan Horton
0:51:34 > 0:51:36get over their holiday from hell.
0:51:36 > 0:51:41A robbery on the Spanish highway has left them nervous travellers.
0:51:41 > 0:51:47So I've brought them to the beautiful countryside of Andalusia to try to rebuild their confidence.
0:51:49 > 0:51:54- We're got a few things planned. - Oh, right.- First, we're going to a nature reserve
0:51:54 > 0:51:57- to Griffon vultures.- Brilliant. - That'd be wonderful.- Terrific.
0:51:57 > 0:52:02A bit of twitching is what Joy and Alan had planned before they were robbed.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05I'm taking them to Sierra de Grazalema Nature Park,
0:52:05 > 0:52:10home to one of the largest Griffon vulture colonies in Europe.
0:52:12 > 0:52:16# Rescue me Oh, take me in your arms #
0:52:16 > 0:52:20We're going to climb the Coros peak today. It's a very gentle climb.
0:52:20 > 0:52:25This one is famous for beautiful landscapes, gorgeous views and the Griffon vultures.
0:52:25 > 0:52:27- Brilliant. - Whenever you are ready.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30- OK. Let's go. - When you're ready.
0:52:30 > 0:52:36It is kind of ironic. I feel a bit like a mum sending her kids off to school on the first day.
0:52:36 > 0:52:40Which is bizarre because Joy and Alan have so much more life experience than me.
0:52:40 > 0:52:45But, from what Alan said, that robbery has really knocked his confidence.
0:52:45 > 0:52:50And I'm hoping that this trip is going to make them fall back in love with Spain.
0:52:53 > 0:52:55You can see it on the top of that...
0:52:55 > 0:52:57- Oh, yes. - Top right.
0:52:57 > 0:53:02Happily, it looks like Joy and Alan's spirits are soaring.
0:53:03 > 0:53:06That is just so beautiful. Oh, wow!
0:53:07 > 0:53:10Joy and Alan seem comfortable in the mountains,
0:53:10 > 0:53:13but I want them to be confident in town too.
0:53:13 > 0:53:18I've managed to persuade them to come into historic Ronda with me for a bit of exploring.
0:53:20 > 0:53:22It's just amazing, isn't it?
0:53:22 > 0:53:24Imagine discovering somewhere like this.
0:53:24 > 0:53:27- It must...- Reminds me of a jelly mould.- It does, doesn't it?
0:53:27 > 0:53:29LAUGHS
0:53:29 > 0:53:33But will this new holiday be enough to soothe the couple's fears?
0:53:36 > 0:53:39You said you were a little nervous after what happened last time.
0:53:39 > 0:53:43- It has had an effect on you.- Yes. - How do you feel at the end of today?
0:53:43 > 0:53:48I feel comfortable. I think maybe if we'd had been in a big town,
0:53:48 > 0:53:52it would still be a bit difficult, but here I've thoroughly enjoyed it.
0:53:52 > 0:53:54It's been a complete revelation.
0:53:54 > 0:53:56And we've marked some places in our minds
0:53:56 > 0:54:01that we'd like to be able to come back to and explore in more detail.
0:54:01 > 0:54:04You would come back to Spain if you've mapped places you want to go?
0:54:04 > 0:54:08- Yes.- I might drive past Barcelona but I'll keep the doors locked.
0:54:08 > 0:54:13I'm thrilled to see Alan so much more confident about holidaying again.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16That calls for a celebration.
0:54:16 > 0:54:20- Thank you for letting me gatecrash your holiday. - Thank you for showing us around.
0:54:20 > 0:54:25- To many more adventures.- Thank you. You've been a delight.- Happy days.
0:54:30 > 0:54:32At the consulate in Palma, Majorca,
0:54:32 > 0:54:36it's also a happy ending, of sorts, for our Brits in trouble.
0:54:36 > 0:54:41They may have had to pay for emergency passports
0:54:41 > 0:54:43but at least they're going home.
0:54:43 > 0:54:48For Katie, who had a miserable holiday after falling out with her travelling companions,
0:54:48 > 0:54:51it's a relief to be on her way back to her parents.
0:54:53 > 0:54:57I was so worried, panicking, and didn't think I would get home tomorrow.
0:54:57 > 0:55:03But now I'm just so glad, so happy I'm going home tomorrow.
0:55:03 > 0:55:04So excited.
0:55:04 > 0:55:07And, finally, it's also good news for Daniel
0:55:07 > 0:55:10whose passport was swallowed up by the airport scanner.
0:55:10 > 0:55:13His grandad, the consul and the travel agent
0:55:13 > 0:55:18have pulled out all the stops and found him a flight home via Germany.
0:55:18 > 0:55:25So, how can we all avoid needing to throw ourselves on the mercy of the British consulate?
0:55:25 > 0:55:27First thing, look after yourself.
0:55:27 > 0:55:30Lots of the incidents are because of misadventure.
0:55:30 > 0:55:35The second thing would be, when you're in a group, take care of the members of that group.
0:55:35 > 0:55:38Don't leave them on their own and make them vulnerable.
0:55:38 > 0:55:40Look after your belongings.
0:55:40 > 0:55:44Particular tip for girls. Look after your drinks. In terms of
0:55:44 > 0:55:47preparation, be aware, research where you're going.
0:55:47 > 0:55:51Think about local customs. For example,
0:55:51 > 0:55:55walking along the street without a T-shirt on is not necessarily acceptable. Ultimately,
0:55:55 > 0:55:59have a bit of a back-up plan. Have a contingency.
0:55:59 > 0:56:02Bring some extra cash, put it in an extra bag.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05Have another credit card. Have someone at home you can call.
0:56:05 > 0:56:09And the final thing is, let people know where you are.
0:56:09 > 0:56:13The amount of calls from feverish parents or friends saying,
0:56:13 > 0:56:17"We've lost, whoever it might be, we don't know where they are."
0:56:17 > 0:56:19So tell people where you are going.
0:56:20 > 0:56:23- Paul, thanks very much indeed. - Thank you very much.
0:56:23 > 0:56:26What have we got? Very simple. Take care of yourself.
0:56:26 > 0:56:28Take care of each other. Take care of your belongings.
0:56:28 > 0:56:30Take care of what you drink.
0:56:30 > 0:56:33Make sure that you've got a Plan B,
0:56:33 > 0:56:36with a copy of your passport, an extra credit card.
0:56:36 > 0:56:41And, most importantly, stay safe.
0:56:41 > 0:56:45Let somebody know where you are, Then, if there is a problem,
0:56:45 > 0:56:50you won't have to come and rely on Paul and his team, brilliant as they are,
0:56:50 > 0:56:55because you won't need them because you'll be having a great holiday with no problems.
0:57:01 > 0:57:04As millions of you prepare to book your summer holiday,
0:57:04 > 0:57:09what are the Holiday Hit Squad's top tips for ensuring that you really do have the perfect break?
0:57:09 > 0:57:11Well, be warned, things can go wrong.
0:57:13 > 0:57:17Flames rushed out of this bottle straight in Kirsty's face.
0:57:17 > 0:57:20Absolutely everything on the back seat had gone.
0:57:21 > 0:57:23I heard the bones in my legs break,
0:57:23 > 0:57:25And then I passed out.
0:57:26 > 0:57:32Over 700,000 of us made a claim on our travel insurance last year.
0:57:32 > 0:57:37So make sure that yours is comprehensive and up to date.
0:57:37 > 0:57:39Watch out for dodgy hotels.
0:57:40 > 0:57:46'This is horrible. A used plaster and it's definitely not mine.'
0:57:46 > 0:57:50Sadly, there will always be some hotels that are either dirty,
0:57:50 > 0:57:53dangerous or decrepit.
0:57:53 > 0:57:56It was just a complete construction site going on next door.
0:57:56 > 0:58:01Check the online reviews to ensure that your stay is comfortable,
0:58:01 > 0:58:02clean and safe.
0:58:02 > 0:58:05And, finally, if things do go wrong,...
0:58:05 > 0:58:08Oh, please don't be broken.
0:58:08 > 0:58:12I've got nothing to live on until I get my flight and nowhere to stay.
0:58:12 > 0:58:19..be aware that there is an army of professionals on hand to get your holiday back on track.
0:58:19 > 0:58:21That's it from the holiday hit squad.
0:58:21 > 0:58:23Wherever and whenever you go on holiday...
0:58:23 > 0:58:26..take care and make sure you have a good one.
0:58:26 > 0:58:30- From us, goodbye. - Goodbye.- Goodbye.
0:58:32 > 0:58:34Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd