I used to get badly bitten when we went away, but then tried a tip from a friend. Basically, 2 weeks before your holiday, start taking a good B vitamin supplement daily. The idea is that when you've got too much B vitamin in your system, your body excretes it in your sweat which makes you smell unattractive to mosquitos. It sounds a bit unlikely I know, but I swear it works for me (and my children, aged 5 & 7). We just don't seem to get bitten as much and if we do get bitten, it doesn't itch so much. Good luck next time!