Britons have named the Dominican Republic as the world's dodgiest holiday destination, according to a new survey.
The Caribbean island is closely followed by Egypt, Tunisia, the Maldives and Cuba.
Biggest gripes include the appalling hygiene standards, bad food and shabby hotels.
The list of holiday horrors, based on thousands of complaints from all over Britain, has been put together by specialist law firm Irwin Mitchell.
Currently, the company is dealing with 8,000 compensation claims against travel firms.
Spokesman Clive Garner said: "Although efforts have been made to clean up the Dominican Republic since mass outbreaks of illness during the late 1990s, the upsurge in similar cases over the last 10 months is causing concern.
"Frustratingly what links most of these complaints is the lack of basic hygiene. Time and again we find the same problems - poor food preparation and storage.
"Tour operators should be doing more to insist on high standards when these hotels are first inspected and listed in their brochures and that they are maintained for the entire season."
He added: "However, it should be stressed that the vast majority of holidaymakers who visit these countries will not suffer illness or injury.
"But holidaymakers with any concerns should contact their GP for advice about vaccinations and other health precautions before they travel."
HOW TO COMPLAIN
Don't be afraid of calling a tour firm if things go wrong.
Always read the small print of your travel insurance.
Don't be put off by a tour firm saying it's not their fault.
Complete a written complaints form and keep a copy.
Gather evidence of any complaints while you're there.
Swap contact details with others with same problem.
Take photographs or videos to use as evidence.
Dominican Republic
Top of the list of dodgy destinations is the Dominican Republic, visited by more than 200,000 Britons last year. It is marketed as a dream destination for honeymooning couples.
Yet legal firm Irwin Mitchell are investigating more than 1,000 complaints about one hotel alone.
Holidaymakers who stayed at the Bahia Principe Hotel in the resort of San Juan were struck down with gastric trouble last August.
Guests complained about cockroaches in the restaurant and food that was poorly cooked and served lukewarm.
Among those who fell ill were Sharon Oxford, 45, her husband Andrew, 43, and 10-year-old twins Jack and Lydia. The family, of Tamworth, Staffs, came down with stomach cramps, diarrhoea and sickness.
Sharon said: "We had an awful time."
Egypt
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Number two on the list is Egypt where a million Britons head each year to see the pyramids, join a Nile cruise or go scuba-diving in the Red Sea.
Legal expert Clive Garner said: "It has now become one of the worst places for serious food-borne illnesses, including e-coli and salmonella."
Alex Holland, 43, wife Linzie, 44, son Ryan, 10, and stepdaughter Janine Bleasdale, 21, became ill at the Holiday Village Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, which was still being built when they arrived last June.
Alex, of Blackpool, said: "A cinema and entertainment area were not ready, a beach bar was not open, there were uncovered manholes - and flies in the food."
The family are among a number of holidaymakers taking legal action against the tour operator after falling ill.
Tunisia
The North African country, visited by 400,000 Britons last year, is number three on the list thanks to poor hygiene at a number of hotels.
Clive Garner said: "A number of holidaymakers, including young children, have recently returned to the UK suffering from serious gastric illness, some of which have been salmonella."
Office clerk Debbie Bowers, 39, and her carpenter husband Robin, 50, from Bristol, are among five couples taking legal action against the tour operator.
The couple and children Harley, eight, Taylor, 15, and 16-year-old Mason fell ill at Houda Golf and Beach Hotel in Skanes last October Debbie said: "It was an awful experience. Food seemed uncooked and fresh food was added on top of old food. There were insects on salads."
Maldives
The fourth worst place to go on holiday are the Maldives.
Famous for their beautiful beaches, the Maldives attract 95,000 Britons last year.
At least four couples fell ill while staying at the four-star Huduranfushi Island Resort during a luxury break in the islands earlier this year.
The resort was also hit by power cuts and problems with the water supply.
Mark Pooler, 42, and wife Julia fell ill with diarrhoea, severe abdominal pain and sickness only a few days in to a trip to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.
The symptoms became so severe they had to be admitted to hospital. Julia, 44, of Trowbridge, Wilts, said: "We've still not recovered.
"Food at the hotel appeared to be left uncovered for long periods and we were shocked to find flies buzzing around the restaurant and landing on the food."
Cuba
Cuba comes in at No 5 on the list of places to avoid.
It was visited by 200,000 Britons last year and is becoming increasingly popular with families as well as couples and honeymooners.
Irwin Mitchell are dealing with complaints about an outbreak of gastric problems at Gran Caribe Hotel in Cavos which guests have blamed on poor hygiene.
Tracy and Kevin Redhead, both 47, and their 16-year-old daughter Janine, from Welling, South London, flew out last July.
Both Kevin and Janine suffered gastric illness. On the third day of their trip Kevin needed treatment from a hospital doctor.
Tracy said: "The hotel had an outside barbecue and flies were constantly landing on the bread rolls and cheese.
"We were so ill. It was a holiday we wished we had never taken."
