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Capital: Kingstown

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 809 Outgoing Code: 0

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 999

Tourist information: St Vincent and the Grenadines Department of Tourism, PO Box 834, Bay Street, Kingstown, St Vincent Tel: 457 1502 Fax: 456 2610.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of the UK holding a driver’s licence or birth certificate. Nationals of the USA and Canada holding a driver’s licence, birth certificate or voter’s registration card. Nationals of France holding a national ID card. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact embassy before departure.

Visa information: Not required length of stay decided by immigration authority on arrival. If necessary check with Consulate or High Commission before finalising travel arrangements.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas.

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

Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) = 100 cents. All major credit cards are widely accepted. All major currencies are accepted in travellers cheques.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Caters or all types of budget. Accommodation varies from luxury hotels to rugged log cabins in the interior.

Languages: English

Weather: Tropical climate with trade winds cooling the hottest months, which are June and July.

Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: Up to 2 weeks.

Transport: SEA: Yacht chartering is easily arranged and one of the bet ways to explore the Grenadines. ROAD: BUS: Services run regularly throughout St Vincent. TAXI: These are shared and charge standard rates (fixed by the government) CAR HIRE: Easily arranged by a number of national and international firms. DOCUMENTATION: A local licence is required and can be obtained on presentation of a local licence at the airport or the police station in Bay Street, Kingstown.

Special information: Good West Indian cuisine is found on St Vincent.

Capital: Washington D.C.

Time zone: USA has 6 time zones ranging from GMT – 5 on the East coast to – 10 in Hawaii

Telephone services: Country Code: 1
Outgoing Code: 001

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 911

Tourist information: United States Travel and Tourism Administration, Room 1860, 14th Constitutional Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 Tel: (202) 482 3811 or 482 2000 Fax (202) 482 2887

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of Canada arriving from anywhere in the Western hemisphere with at least 1 proof of identity and residents of Canada or Bermuda who have a common nationality with the nationals of Canada or with British subjects in Bermuda who are arriving from North, Central or South America. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of: EU countries (except nationals of Greece and Portugal who do require visas) if not exceeding 90 days and with a valid passport, British subjects resident of the Cayman Islands or Turks and Caicos Islands who arrive directly from those islands. Japan, Andorra, Brunei, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, and Switzerland who have a valid passport and are not staying for more than 90 days. NOTE: It may be worthwhile to check with the relevant consular authority before finalising travel arrangements as visa/passport regulations my be subject to change at short notice.

Health information: Health Risks: Rabies

Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.

Currency: US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange: Most hotels do not exchange foreign currency and only a few major banks are willing to do so. It is advisable to take US$ Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted, preferably in US dollars
ATM availability: Over 135000 locations

Cost of living: Food and accommodation and petrol are cheaper than Western Europe allowing budget travel to be a possibility.

Languages: English. Many other languages are also spoken.

Weather: Varies considerably with region.

Electricity: 110/220 Volts 60 HZ. Plugs are of the flat 2-pin type.

Post: Up to 1 week

Transport: A variety of convenient modes of transport exist. When driving IDP is recommended.

Special information: Since the tragic events of Sept 11, 2001, higher than normal vigilance is required when travelling particularly by air. As airport procedures are now much tighter travellers should allow an hour or two longer for check in formalities. Do not carry sharp objects in hand luggage (including manicure scissors and little nail clippers). Inappropriate jokes about these or otherrestrictions could result in a traveler being unpleasantly detained. Within the USA a wide variety of cultures and customs are prevalent which co-exist within a diverse topography. Crime rates vary from state to state.

Capital: London

Time zone: GMT (+1 during the summer time)

Telephone services: Country Code: 44
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services. Additional local numbers:-999 for Police, Ambulance, Fire

Tourist information: British Tourist Authority and British Tourist Board, Thames Tower, Black’s Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9EL Tel (020) 8846 9000 Fax: (020) 8563 0302

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of EU countries with a valid ID card for tourist visits not exceeding 3 months. Nationals of Iceland Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Switzerland with valid ID cards for tourist/social visits of not less than 6 months and in possession of a British Visitor’s guide available from travel agencies. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant authority before travelling.

Visa information: Visa Not required by EU nationals and citizens of Australia, Canada, USA and Japan.

Health information: There are periodic outbreaks of meningitis.

Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.

Currency: Pound (£) = 100 pence
Exchange: banks, exchange bureaux and many hotels All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques are widely accepted, preferably in Pound sterling
ATM availability: Over 22 000 locations

Cost of living: London and major tourist centres can be especially expensive.

Languages: English. Welsh is spoken in areas of Wales. Gaelic is spoken in parts of Scotland and N. Ireland. French and Norman French are spoken in the Channel Islands. There are a variety of ethnic minorities (Hindi, Urdu, Turkish, Greek, Cantonese and Mandarin).

Weather: The climate is temperate with warm, wet summers and mild, wet winters. It is variable throughout the year and the country as a whole.

Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50 Hz. Square 3 pin plugs are used

Post: Post destined for outside Europe should be sent airmail.

Transport: There is a comprehensive nation-wide rail and bus network

Special information: Although a cease-fire is currently in place in Northern Ireland, sectarian violence still persists. If visiting avoid discussions on religion and politics. Normal social courtesies apply.

Capital: Montevideo

Time zone: GMT – 3

Telephone services: Country Code: 598
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 999 (Police – 109, Ambulance – 105, Fire – 104, in Montevideo only)

Tourist information: Ministerio de Turismo, Avenida Libetador 1409, Montevideo, Uruguay Tel: (2) 904 148

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of Uruguay who arrive from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay with a valid ID card, and foreign residents of Uruguay arriving from Argentina with an ID card or residence permit valid for 3 years. Nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay with appropriate identification for stays of up to 90 days. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all except the following for stays not exceeding 3 months: Nationals of Great Britain, EU countries, USA, Japan, Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Seychelles and Switzerland, and holders of re-entry permits.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Recommended for Typhoid, incidents of Polio have not been reported
Other Health Risks: Rabies

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

Currency: Uruguayan Peso = 100 centesimos
Exchange: Hotels not recommended as they tend to give unfavourable rates – use gambios and banks. NOTE: Inflation tends to lead to wide fluctuations in exchange rates All credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in US dollars are acceptablec
ATM availability: Over 60 locations

Cost of living: The coastal resorts tend to be more expensive than the capital. Travellers are advised to book well in advance if visiting Uruguay. More people visit Uruguay than any other South American country.

Languages: Spanish. English may also be spoken.

Weather: Mild summers and winters. Summer is Dec – Mar and the most pleasant time. Nights are often cool.

Electricity: 220 Volts AC 50 Hz. Plugs are continental flat 3 pin or round 2 pin.

Post: Airmail to Europe takes 3 – 5 days. Postal rates are reasonable but the service can be unreliable. It is recommended that important items are sent by registered mail.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Domestic flights are operated between major centres but can be very expensive compared to other modes of transport. RAIL: Services operate between the capital and the major towns. Buffet service is available, air conditioning isn’t. ROAD: 80% of roads are suitable for all weather. BUS: Services connect all the main towns and border points. CAR HIRE: Available in Montevideo. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is recommended but not required. A temporary driving licence must be obtained from the town hall.

Special information: Although Uruguay is relatively peaceful, visitors should be wary of street crime, especially in Montevideo. Shaking hands is the usual social greeting. Normal social courtesies should be applied.

Capital: Kyiv

Time zone: GMT + 2 (GMT+ 3 during British summer time)

Telephone services: Country Code: 380
Outgoing Code: 810

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present

Tourist information: Intourist, 219 Marsh Wall, Isle of Dogs, London E14 9PD Tel: (020) 7538 8600 or 538 5902 Fax: (020) 7538 5967

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Regulations may change at short notice and you are advised to contact the relevant consular authority before finalising travel arrangements.

Visa information: Valid visa required by all. Mediacl insurance is required before a visa application can be made. Visas must be obtained before departure.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Not required
Malaria: Not present
Yellow Fever: No
Other Health Risks: Cholera and Diphtheria, Tick borne encephalitis (in forested areas).

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Boil tap water before drinking it.

Currency: Hryvnya Banks and currency offices will exchange money.
Credit cards are not widely accepted. The preferred currency for traveller’s cheques is US dollars.
ATM availability: only a handful

Cost of living: Less expensive than Western Europe

Languages: Ukrainian is the official state language. Russian is also widely spoken.

Weather: Temperate with warm summers, crisp sunny autumns and cold, snowy winters.

Electricity: 220 volts Ac 50 Hz.

Post: Services are erratic. Letters to Western Europe can take up to 2 weeks.

Transport: AIR: not recommended as flights are far from comfortable and buying tickets is extremely difficult. RAIL: as buying tickets is difficult it is advisable to pre book through Intourist in London. BUSES: exist but are not recommended TAXIS: are available and fares should be agreed in advance. DOCUMENTATION: International driving licence is required to drive in Ukraine.

Special information: All visitors must register with the Ministry of Internal Affairs within three days of arrival. A room in a private home is an excellent accommodation option in the Ukraine as the people are friendly and hospitable. Carry your passport at all times.

Capital: Kampala

Time zone: GMT + 3

Telephone services: Country Code: 256
Outgoing Code: International calls must go through the operator

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present

Tourist information: Uganda Tourist Board, PO Box 7211, Parliament Avenue, Kampala, Uganda, Tel: (41) 242 196 fax: (41) 242 188 Uganda National Parks and Wildlife Authority Office Tel 232 971

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

Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Angola, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Cyprus, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Hong Kong, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Lesotho, Libya, Kuwait, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Madagascar, Mauritius, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, St Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, Sudan, Swaziland, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Vanuatu; Zambia, Zimbabwe. Transit passenger with a connecting flight. With effect from 1 March 1999, British nationals require a visa to enter Uganda. British nationals travelling up country should consult the British High Commission in Kampala (Tel: 257 054/9)

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists all year throughout the country. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported
Yellow Fever: Vaccination is strongly recommended to all passengers and a vaccination certificate is required by passengers arriving from infected areas
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Meningitis, Rabies. There is a very high prevalence of AIDS/HIV. Visitors should seek medical advice before travelling.

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: Uganda Shilling (Ush) = 100 cents
Exchange: central bank, commercial banks and exchange bureaux. NOTE: Import and export of local currency is prohibited
Visa is widely accepted, but other credit cards have limited acceptance. Travellers cheques, preferably in US dollars are accepted
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: Since a new privatisation programme was introduced in the last few years, the cost of living has risen

Languages: English and Luganda and Kiswahili is also widely spoken

Weather: The higher altitudes can be quite cool. There is heavy rain: Mar – May, Oct – Nov

Electricity: 240 Volts Ac 50 Hz

Post: Airmail to Europe can take 3 days to several weeks

Transport: FLIGHTS: Domestic flights operate regularly between major cities. ROAD: Vary in quality and are sparse in the North. DOCUMENTATION: A national driving licence or IDP is required. RAIL: Passenger facilities are limited and timetables can be erratic although regular services operate. BUS: Services are often overcrowded and unreliable

Special information: HIGH RISK Consult the Embassy before travelling. The South and West are not safe for travel after recent kidnapping. Safety can not be guaranteed in the North and Northeast. Risk remains elsewhere of armed robbery and car-jackings. Do not travel after dark. Taking photos of anything connected to the military is prohibited.