Country Information

Capital: Damascus

Time zone: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 during the summer)

Telephone services: Country Code: 963 Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Contact hotel operator

Tourist information: Ministry of Tourism, rue Victoria, Damascus, Syria Tel: (11) 223 7940 Fax: (11) 224 2636

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of Lebanon holding valid ID cards. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania,Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia; Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Health information: Malaria: Exists in the vivax variety in tiny pockets of the Northern border areas between May and October.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from passengers arriving from infected areas
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Visceral leishmaniasis and Hepatitis A and B occur.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: Syrian Pound (S£) = 100 piastres NOTE: The export of local currency is prohibited
Amex and Diners Club are the most commonly accepted. Some hotels accept MasterCard and Visa. Travellers cheques are accepted but can not always be exchangeable at Damascus airport.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Can be expensive in the high season, especially in Damascus. Savings can be made by purchasing local food from the markets.

Languages: Arabic. French and English may also be spoken.

Weather: Summers are hot and dry whilst nights are often cool. Winter is cold.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz

Post: Airmail to Western Europe takes up to 1 week. Parcels sent from Syria should be packed at the post office.

Transport: ROAD: Well over half the roads are tarred. Those that aren’t are unsuitable for the wet season. BUS: There are orange and white air-conditioned buses which serve terminals in city centres. Seats must be booked in advance. TAXIS: Shared taxis operate and are available to all parts of the country. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required. Insurance is required by law and a customs certificate is needed.

Special information: Because of the situation of global and regional insecurity at present, travellers should exercise extreme
caution and make only necessary journeys to this country. If you intend to travel depite this advice you should be aware that Syria has been one of the safest places to travel in, but visitors should keep in touch with developments in the Middle East. Most people are friendly and hospitable. It is illegal to change money on the streets. Beach-wear should not be worn away from the pool or beach. Conservative casual clothes are suitable. PHOTOGRAPHY: Ensure you do not photograph anything connected with the military.

Capital: Bucharest

Time zone: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 during the summer)

Telephone services: Country Code: 40

Outgoing Code: Dial 971 for international operator assistance.

Emergency telephone numbers: Ambulance – 961, Police – 955, Fire – 981

Tourist information: Romanian National Tourist Office (Carpati), 83A Marylebone High Street, London W1M 3DE Tel: (020) 7224 3692.

Passport information: Valid passports with a minimum validity of 3 months after return require by all. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all. Heavy penalties are imposed for incorrect or expired visas. Visas should be obtained in advance if travel is by train otherwise visas are obtainable on arrival at airports and land crossings.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Other Health Risks: Cholera reported – travellers may want to take precautions. An epidemic of entrviral meningitis is currently affecting some parts of the country including Bucharest. The ministry of health does not consider visitors to be at risk.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Do NOT bathe in lakes and rivers. Drink bottled water.

Currency: Leu (plural Lei) = 100 bani Exchange: Visitors are advised to take hard currency, particularly US Dollars. Sterling can be easily exchanged in most resorts. Visitors are advised to shop around for the best rates of exchange. Do not use the black market as it is illegal. NOTE: The import and export of local currency is prohibited.
Major credit cards are accepted in large hotels only. Travellers cheques can only be used at the tourist office and for paying hotel bills. US dollar cheques are preferable
ATM availability: Over 60 locations

Cost of living: Romania remains relatively inexpensive, since the move to modernise the economy following the 1989 revolution.

Languages: Romanian. Hungarian and German in border areas. English and French may be spoken by those involved with tourism.

Weather: Summer: inland is hot but the exterior is cooled by a sea breeze. Snow can fall throughout the country. Winters are mildest along the coast.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Plugs are of the 2-pin type.

Post: Airmail to Western Europe takes up to 2 weeks.

Transport: RAIL: ‘Romanian State Railways’ run efficient and cheap services. Seats must be reserved in advance for express and rapid trains. ROAD: COACH: Local services operate to most towns and villages. TAXI: Can be hailed in the street or called from hotels. Prices are relatively low but drivers expect a tip. CAR HIRE: Available at hotels and at the airport. Driving is very erratic so it may be wise to hire a driver. DOCUMENTATION: National driving licence or International Driving Permit and ‘green card’ insurance is required

Special information: Fines for expired visa’s are being levied on travellers, with the possible addition of an exclusion order. Ensure you extend your visa at least three days before it is due to expire. Petty crime in large towns especially Bucharest is on the increase, particularly incidents by pickpockets and bag snatchers in crowded areas near exchange shops, on buses (especially to the airport), main railway stations and inside airport areas. Changing money on the streets is illegal. Visitors should be aware that some policement may be bogus and they should not hand over identification documents or money but should go with them to a police station. PHOTOGRAPHY: Some tourist attractions charge visitors who wish to take photographs. Dress tends to be quite conservative but casual clothes are usually suitable.

Capital: Moscow

Time zone: Moscow and St Petersburg + 3 (GMT + 4 during the summer) Other regions vary.

Telephone services: Country Code: 7
Outgoing Code: 810; in smaller cities international calls may have to go through the operator.

Emergency telephone numbers: Fire – 01; Police – 02; Ambulance – 03

Tourist information: Intourist Travel Limited; Intourist House; 219 Marsh Wall; London E14 9PD Tel: (020) 7538 8600 Fax: (020) 7538 5967.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except for nationals Bulgaria; Czech Republic; Hungary; North Korea; Mongolia; Poland Romania; Slovak Republic; Vietnam and Yugoslavia. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure. All travellers are advised to contact the nearest Russian Embassy or Consulate for up to date details.

Visa information: Required by all except nationals of Bulgaria; CIS; Cuba; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Hungary; North Korea; Mongolia; Poland; Romania; Slovak Republic and Vietnam.

Health information: Polio; Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Other Health Risks: Cholera has been reported in Daghestan. Rabies is present.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.

Currency: Rouble (Rub) = 100 Kopeks Exchange: Only at official bureaux. All transactions must be recorded on the CURRENCY declaration form issued on arrival. It is wise to keep all your receipts. NOTE Import and Export of local currency is prohibited; all remaining local currency must be reconverted on departure.

All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques are preferred to cash but you should also take some hard cash. US dollar cheques are recommended.
ATM availability: Over 350 locations

Cost of living: Moderate to expensive; since the change to free-market economy

Languages: Russian. English; French or German are spoken by some people

Weather: North and Central European Russia – Variable climate. Summer sunshine may be up to 9 hours a day whilst winters can be very cold. Siberia- Very cold winter with the possibility of pleasant summers. There is considerably seasonal temperature variation. Summers are usually short and wet. Southern European Russia – Winters are shorter than in the North.

Electricity: 220 volts AC; 50 Hz.

Post: Airmail to Western Europe takes over 10 days

Transport: AIR: Aeroflot runs services from Moscow to major cities. RIVER: Many companies offer cruises along several rivers. The Volga towns; The Golden Ring and Moscow – St Petersburg are popular routes. RAIL: The rail system is a vital part of the infrastructure due to the poor road system. Only a few long distance routes are open to use by visitors and reservations must be made on all journeys. NOTE: Do not leave possessions unattended at nay time. OAD: The European part of the Russian Federation depends heavily on it’s road network. The few roads in Siberia and further East are impassable during the winter. It is worthwhile to plan your route in advance and arrange motoring holidays through Intourist or another reputable agency.

Special information: EXTREME RISK: The Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against travel to Chechen Republic and some other areas, check with FCO. Each specific region has its own code of dress and traditions which may be different to those in the West. NOTE: Carry ID at all times. Incidents of violent mugging; theft and pick pocketing in all cities continue to occur. Keep all valuables out of sight.

Capital: Kigali

Time zone: GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 250
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All travellers should consult the foreign office in their country of residence regarding emergency assistance.

Tourist information: Office Rwandais du tourisme et des parcs nationaux (ORTPN), BP 905, Kigali, Rwanda Tel: 76514 Fax: 76512

Passport information: Valid passports required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: A passport and evidence of yellow fever immunization are required. Visa generally required except for American citizens entering Rwanda for less than 90 days and citizens of Burundi, DRC, Uganda and Tanzania; Those requiring a visa must obtain these in advance of travelling.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists throughout the year. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by all travellers arriving over one year of age.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Rabies. There is a very high prevalence of AIDS/HIV. Visitors should seek medical advice before travelling. There are periodic outbreaks of meningitis.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: Rwandese Franc (RwFr) = 100 centimes NOTE: Import and Export of local currency is limited to RwFr5000.

There is limited acceptance of MasterCard. Travellers cheques have limited acceptance. French francs are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: Due to recent civil unrest, the economy has been decimated

Languages: Kinyarwanda and French. Kiswahili is also spoken

Weather: Rwanda is cool due to its high latitude, but warmer in the lowlands. Mid Jan – Apr and mid Oct – Dec are the raining seasons.

Electricity: 220 Volts AC 50Hz. There is no electricity supply at present but some hotels have their own generators.

Post: Approximately 2 weeks.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Internal flights are operated by the national airline to the main towns. ROADS: Most roads are unsealed and in bad condition. BUS: Services operate and a timetable is available. DOCUMENTATION: An IDP is required.

Special information: Most of this ‘beautiful country of a thousand hills’ is now trouble free but visitors should take particular care on the eastern borders with DRC because of the conflict across the border. Elsewhere visitors should take the normal safety precautions with regard to money and street safety. Normal social courtesies apply. Travel after dark is not recommended because of the state of the roads. The traditional way of life is based on agriculture and cattle.

Capital: Riyadh

Time zone: GMT + 3

Telephone services: Country Code: 966
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Saudi Arabia Information Centre, Cavendish House, 18, Cavendish Square, London W1M 0AQ Tel: (020) 7629 8803 Fax: (020) 7629 0374.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except Muslim Pilgrims holding ‘Pilgrim Passes’, tickets and other documents for their onward journey entering the country via Jeddah or Dahran. All passports must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended period of stay. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: Visa should be obtained in advance of travel and are required by all except: Nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and holders of re-entry permits issued by the Saudi-Arabian government.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists in the falciparum variety throughout the year within certain areas. Cerebral malaria has been reported in the Jizan area.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from all travellers arriving from countries where any parts are infected.
Other Health Risks: Rabies, Bilharzia, Meningococcal Meningitis

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR) = 100 halalah. All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in, preferably, US dollars are accepted.
ATM availability: Over 1 000 locations.

Cost of living: Generally expensive and prices increase by 25% during the summer months and hotel charges double in Medina and Mecca during the pilgrimage season. Cheap accommodation and food can be found by the budget traveller.

Languages: Arabic. English is spoken in business circles

Weather: Desert climate. Jeddah is warm most of the year. Riyadh is hot in the summer and cooler during the winter. This is one of the driest countries in the world.

Electricity: 125/215 volts AC, 50/60 Hz.

Post: Airmail to Europe takes up to 1 week

Transport: FLIGHTS: There are 19 domestic airports and flying is the most convenient method of travelling around the country. ROAD: The system is continually being updated and expanded, however standards of driving are erratic and many driving offences carry an automatic prison sentence. TAXI: Available in all centres but are very expensive. Few have meters and fares should be agreed in advance. CAR HIRE: The major international companies have agencies in Saudi Arabia. Minimum driving age is 25. DOCUMENTATION: A national driving licence is valid for up to 3 months. An IDP with translation is recommended.

Special information: Because of the situation of global and regional insecurity at present, travellers should exercise extreme
caution and make only necessary journeys to this country. If you intend to travel depite this advice you should be aware that dress codes and behavioural codes are strictly adhered to. Penalties for drug offences are severe and include the death penalty. Non-political criminal activity is minimal, mainly due to the strict implementation of Saudi law. Extreme care must be taken when driving as the blame for accidents may be apportioned in an unexpected basis which may appear to be ‘wrong’ to western visitors. Visitors should be aware that innocent contact with veiled women can be misinterpreted. In view of three car bombings targeting British nationals towards the end of 2000 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice [FCO] should be reviewed before any travel plans are confirmed.

Capital: Honiara

Time zone: GMT + 11

Telephone services: Country Code: 677 Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Refer to the Consulate.

Passport information: Passport valid for at least 6 months required by all. Return Ticket Required. Regulations may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa Not required for stays of up to 3 months except for nationals of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka who do require a visa. A Visitors Permit is required by all other nationals and will be issued on arrival at the airport. A multi entry visa for Australia is advised for long term stays on the Solomon Islands.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists throughout the year in particular areas in the Falciparum variety, which is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers arriving within 6 days of leaving or transiting infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Immunisation against Hepatitis A recommended. Hepatitis is endemic. Filariasis, Dengue fever, and Typhoid.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Boil water before mixing with powdered milk. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: Solomon Islands Dollar (SI$) = 100 cents. NOTE: Export of local currency is limited to SI$ 250.
Credit cards are not accepted. Australian dollar travellers cheques can be exchanged.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Accommodation can be quite expensive due to the small number of hotels. However, in the Reef accommodation is cheaper.

Languages: English and Pidgin English and over 87 local dialects are spoken.

Weather: Mainly Hot and Humid with little variation throughout the year.

Electricity: 240 Volts AC 50Hz, Australian-type, flat 3 – pin plugs are commonly used.

Post: Approx. 7 days to Europe.

Transport: FLIGHTS: National airline runs services between main islands and towns. SEA: Large and small ships provide the best means of travelling between the islands. Services are run by the government and a host of private operators. ROAD: General condition is poor resulting in limited use. TAXI: Available in main cities, advisable to agree the fare in advance.

Special information: EXTREME RISK: Because of local tension we advise against travel to Guadalcanal. Permission is required before use of beaches – footpaths etc. Beachwear should be kept for the beach. Swimming is not advised in the sea around Honiara because of the presence of sharks – bristle-worms – stinging corals and sea urchins. Health insurance is essential. PHOTOGRAPHY: Always seek permission before taking photographs of locals.