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Capital: Pyongyang

Time zone: GMT + 9

Telephone services: Country Code: 850 Outgoing Code: Calls go through the operator.

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present

Tourist information: National Directorate of Tourism, Central District, Pyongyang DPR Korea Tel: (2) 381 7201. Fax: (2) 381 7607.

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

Visa information: Required by all. NOTE: Tourism in North Korea is currently permitted only in officially organised groups of 10 persons only.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: No reports of malaria
Yellow Fever: No reports of yellow fever
Other Health Risks: Rabies

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: Won (NKW) = 100 jon.
NOTE: Import and export of local currency is prohibited
Credit cards and Travellers cheques are not accepted.
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: Mismanagement of the economy and the loss of several valuable trading partners has resulted in a shortage of commodities and an increase in prices.

Languages: Korean.

Weather: Hottest: July – Aug which is also the raining season. Dec – Jan is the coldest time. Spring and Autumn are usually dry and mild

Electricity: 110/220 Volts AC 60 Hz.

Post: Approximately 10 days. Outside the capital services are slow and unlimited.

Transport: ROAD: Quality is good. RAIL: Extensive rail network

Special information: Independent travel is prohibited, however there are official tours available, via Regent Holidays, UK. Concessions are made for specific business trips. There is no UK representation, in extreme emergencies British citizens may be able to approach the Swedish Embassy or German presence in Pyongyang.

Capital: Pyongyang

Time zone: GMT + 9

Telephone services: Country Code: 82
Outgoing Code: 001

Emergency telephone numbers: Police: 112; Fire & Emergency: 119

Tourist information: Korean National Tourism Corporation; 20 St George Street; London W1R 9RD Tel: (020) 7409 2100 Fax: (020) 7491 2302.

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. For full details contact the embassy for an up to date list of requirements for different nationalities.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Other Health Risks: Cholera; Japanese Encephalitis.

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: Won (SKW. NOTE: if the amount of foreign currency is greater than US$ 10 000 in value it must be registered on arrival. Export of local currency is limited to SKW 500 000.
All credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques are accepted; but may be difficult to cash in smaller towns. US dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Over 1 000 locations.

Cost of living: Caters for all types of budget. Hotels are government registered. Travellers usually opt to stay in Yogwans; the traditional Korean inn; which are reasonably priced; self-catering is available. Internal travel is inexpensive and reliable.

Languages: Korean.

Weather: Hottest during the raining season = July – Aug. Coldest = Dec – Jan. Spring and Autumn are mild and mainly dry.

Electricity: 110/220 Volts AC 60 Hz

Post: Approximately 10 days. Outside the capital services are slow and unlimited.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Frequent domestic services operate between main centres. ROAD: Excellent motorways link all major cities but minor roads may be poorer quality. BUS: Inexpensive and frequent services operate but are often overcrowded and make no allowances for English speakers. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required.

Special information: Korean culture is unique; incorporating a vivid portrayal of self-identity. Traditional agrarian culture persists in rural areas whilst the cities are a blend of history and technology. Shoes must be removed when entering someone’s house. Use the right hand for passing and receiving.

Capital: Kuwait City

Time zone: GMT + 3

Telephone services: Country Code: 965
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Kuwait Information Centre, 48 Queens Gate, London SW75HR.Tel: (020) 7589 2929 Fax: (020) 7225 0879.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant authority before travelling.

Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates for a stay up to 3 months. Nationals of Saudi Arabia for an unlimited period.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Other Health Risks: Cholera

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

Currency: Kuwait Dinar (KWD) = 1000 fils.
All credit cards and travellers cards are accepted. US dollars are the preferred cheque currency
ATM availability: 180 locations.

Cost of living: Expensive and may be difficult for the budget traveller.

Languages: Arabic. English is generally widely understood.

Weather: Similar to Europe but hotter and dryer. Summer: (Apr – Oct) is hot and humid with little rain. Winter: (Nov – Mar) is cool with limited rainfall.

Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50 Hz single phase. UK-type flat 3 pin plugs are used

Post: Airmail to Western Europe takes about 5 days.

Transport: ROAD: A good network exists between cities. BUS: Reliable and inexpensive service operates between main cities. TAXI: Popular and reliable service, but fares should always be agreed in advance. CAR HIRE: Available. DOCUMENTATION: IDP required. Temporary licence available on presentation of a valid British licence.

Special information: NOTE: 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 British nationals should not attempt to travel anywhere near the border with Iraq. British nationals should register with their Embassy on arrival. All Islamic laws should be respected. Women should dress modestly. Men should not wear shorts or go topless in public. It is greatly appreciated if visitors learn a few words of Arabic. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: There is a danger of unexploded land mines throughout the country. Seek advice before using beaches and venturing out of the city. PHOTOGRAPHY: In theory a photography permit is required.

Capital: George Town

Time zone: GMT – 5

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 345
Outgoing Code: 0

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 911, Ambulance 555. All services – 911

Tourist information: Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, The Cricket Square, Elgin Avenue, PO Box 67, Grand Cayman Tel: (94) 90623 Fax: (94) 94053.

Passport information: A valid passport is required by all except nationals of Canada the UK and the USA, if proof of nationality is provided and return or onward tickets shows that the visitor will leave the Cayman islands within 6 months. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact embassy before departure.

Visa information: A visa is required by all except: Nationals of the countries referred to above. Nationals of Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Iceland, India, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho. Liechtenstein, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad, & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended

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

Currency: Cayman Islands Dollar (CI$) = 100 cents.
Exchange: Us currency circulates freely.
Major credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques in US dollars are widely welcomed
Credit cards are not accepted.
ATM availability: 4 locations.

Cost of living: Extremely expensive.

Languages: English. Local dialects are also spoken.

Weather: Warm tropical climate throughout the year. Wet season – May to Oct with generally brief showers

Electricity: 110 volts 60 Hz. American style (flat) 2 pin plugs are used.

Post: 5 – 7 days

Transport: ROAD: A good road network connects the coastal towns of all three main islands. BUS: A cheap but infrequent bus service operates between George Town and the West Bay. CAR HIRE: By far the best way to get around. DOCUMENTATION: An IDP is required in addition to insurance. Drivers must be over 21 years of age.

Special information: Beach-wear should be kept to the beach / pool.

Capital: Vientiane

Time zone: GMT + 7

Telephone services: Country Code: 856
Outgoing Code: Telephone link exists with Bangkok.

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: National Tourism Authority of Laos People’s Democratic Republic, BP 3556, Avenue Lang Xang, Vientiane, Laos Tel: (21) 212 248 Fax: (21) 212 769.

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. Transit passengers are exempt.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists all year throughout the country in the Falciparum variety which has been reported as being highly resistant to chloroquine.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Rabies. Medical services are limited, comprehensive insurance is recommended. Seek medical advice before travel.

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: Laotian New Kip (Kp) = 100 cents
Exchange: Banks and hotels in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. NOTE: Import and export of local currency is prohibited. Both credit cards and travellers cheques are not accepted
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Laos is one of the poorest countries in the world. The foreign traveller would expect to pay very little for local items. As hotels are only located in the capital prices may fluctuate.

Languages: Laotian, French, Vietnamese and some English may be spoken.

Weather: Cooler weather in the highlands. Most of the country is hot and tropical, May – Oct has the highest temperatures and is the raining season. Nov – Apr = the dry season.

Electricity: 220 Volts AC 50 Hz.

Post: Restricted to Vientiane.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Domestic air services run from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, Pakse and Savannakhet. ROAD: Few roads are suitable for all-weather driving. Do not travel off the main roads. BUS: Services link only a few major towns. CAR HIRE: Arrangements can be made through hotels. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is recommended although not legally required. RIVER: Safety of river craft in the rainy season (when the river is in full spate) is in doubt.

Special information: Laos has only been accessible to foreign visitors since 1988. Tourists should avoid travelling outside the capital independently as bandits are likely to attack. Religious beliefs must be respected. Avoid all topics relating to politics. Laos nationals should not be touched on the head. Dress neatly and remove shoes when entering religious buildings. Buddha objects are religious images so do not pose in front of them and do not drink or sit on them. Common sense precautions should be followed with regard to personal safety.

Capital: Beirut

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

Telephone services: Country Code: 961
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 386 440 425 (Emergency police – 16), Fire – 310 105, Ambulance – 386 675

Tourist information: Lebanon Tourist and Information Office, 90 Piccadilly, London W1V 9HB Tel: (020) 7409 2031 Fax: (020) 7493 4929.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of Syria arriving from their country with valid national ID. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the estimated duration of stay. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except: Syrians, Nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates can obtain their visas on arrival at Beirut airport. Do not enter with Israel stamps on your passport. Obtain a visa in advance – three month visa costs 100,000 Lebanese Lira. If you have an Israeli stamp in your passport you will be refused entry to Lebanon even if you have a valid visa.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Cholera, Rabies.

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

Currency: Lebanese Pound (L£) = 100 piastres.
Credit cards and travellers cheques have limited acceptance
ATM availability: Over 30 locations.

Cost of living: Relatively expensive. Accommodation can be especially expensive for the traveller looking for a cheap place to stay. Food, however can be cheap if purchased from sandwich and snack bars.

Languages: Arabic. French and English are spoken. Kurdish and Armenian are spoken by a small minority.

Weather: Summer (June – Sept) is hot along the coast and cooler in the mountains. Winter (Dec to mid Mar) is mostly rainy with snow in the mountains. Spring and Autumn are cool and pleasant.

Electricity: 110/220 volts, AC 50 Hz.

Post: Usually 5- 6 days to Europe, up to 8 days to the USA.

Transport: BUS: Intercity buses are cheap and efficient but may be uncomfortable. TAXI: Fares should be agreed in advance. They are usually shared and a 50% surcharge will be added after 2200 hours. CAR HIRE: chauffeur-driven cars are recommended although self drive cars are available. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is recommended although not legally required.

Special information: Because of the situation of global and regional insecurity at present, travllers should exercise extreme caution and make only necessary journeys to this country. If you intend to travel despite this advice you should be aware that you should always carry ID. Muslim traditions and practices should be respected. Casual must modest dress is suitable for day-time clothing. The main danger spots are in the south which can be subject to Israeli shelling or air raids. Do not travel in the Israeli Occupied Zone. PHOTOGRAPHY: Only take photographs at obvious tourist sites.