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Capital: Dhaka

Time zone: GMT + 6

Telephone services: Country Code: 880
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police central control point Dhaka 866 551-3, Ambulance and Fire Service Head Office Dhaka 9 555 555.

Tourist information: Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (National Tourism Organisation) 233 Old Airport Road, Tejgaon, Dhaka 1215, Bangladesh Tel: (2) 817 855 Fax: (2) 817 235.

Passport information: Valid passport required. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except: Holders of re-entry permit issued by Bangladesh. Those continuing their journey on the same day by the same or first connecting aircraft without leaving the airport do not require a visa.

Health information: Seek Advice from GP before travel.
Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists throughout the year in the whole country with the exception of Dhaka City. The falciparum variety is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required if arriving from an infected area.
Other Health Risks: Cholera, Rabies, Filariasis, Visceral leishmaniasis, Dengue Fever, Dysentery and Hepatitis A, B and E are present.

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: Bangladeshi Taka (Tk) = 100 poisha. Exchange: Many shops in the cities will offer better exchange rates than the banks. NOTE: All currency exchange must be entered on a currency declaration form.
Diners Club and Amex are accepted. Visa and Mastercard accepted to a lesser extent Travellers cheques can be exchanged at Dhaka Airport major hotels and banks. Passport required for card transactions.
ATM availability: Limited availability.

Cost of living: You are expected to bargain for everything. Cost of Living can be cheap if willing to sacrifice luxuries.

Languages: Bengali (Banga). English is spoken in Government and commercial circles.

Weather: Generally a hot humid climate with a monsoon season from June to October. Temperatures are highest in April and May when it is generally dry. The cool season is November to March.

Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, 60 Hz. Plugs are of the British 5 an 15 amp, 2 or 3 pin 9 (round) type. Supply is erratic and subject to load shedding.

Post: Airmail takes 5 days to Europe. Surface mail can take several months and is not secure.

Transport: Many roads and railways are still damaged from the floods, but there are many ferry crossings. NOTE: Poor driving and vehicle maintenance as well as unlit buses and lorries are the cause of frequent accidents. You are recommended to hire a driver when travelling outside of Dhaka BUS: Services serve between all major towns, fares are generally low. TAXI: Available at airports and major hotels. Agree fares in advance. CAR HIRE: Available at airports and major hotels. There is little mass transport available within towns RICKSHAWS and AUTO RICKSHAWS are available for transport in Dhaka but caution is advised when travelling by Rickshaw and is not recommended after dark. DOCUMENTATION: IDP or national licence is accepted.

Special information: NOTE: New arrivals should register with the High Commission in Dhaka. Money must not be given as gifts as it causes offence. Religious customs should be respected by all visitors. Because of the recent flood disaster safety and health precautions are necessary when travelling. PHOTOGRAPHY: In rural areas people are unused to tourists and therefore respect should be shown. Do not take photographs of military installations. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: Visitors should avoid demonstrations and crowded places where outbreaks of violence have occurred. Major roads between towns are subject to night time armed banditry. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise that sporadic demonstrations are a problem at present. Avoid political gatherings. Avoid travel after dark.

Capital: Brussels

Time zone: GMT + 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 32
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services. Additional local numbers:- Police – 101, Fire, Ambulance – 100, or from a mobile phone – 112.

Tourist information: Belgian Tourist Office, 5th Floor, 29 Princes Street, London W1R 7RG Tel: (0891) 600 255 or (0891) 887 799 (recorded message 50p/min.) Fax: (020) 7458 0045.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all: except nationals of EU countries and nationals of Andorra, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, San Marino and Switzerland providing they carry a national ID card. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of Great Britain, Australia, Canada, USA, EU, Japan, Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey (if resident in an EU country and have a residence permit valid for a further 4 months), Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela

Health information: Other Health Risks: None at present.

Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food. In January 1999 Dioxins entered the food chain in Belgium – visitors are advised to take advice on eating pork, chicken or dairy products

Currency: Belgian Franc (Bfr) = 100 centimes
Credit cards and Travellers cheques are widely accepted. US dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Over 2000 locations.

Cost of living: Relatively expensive, similarly to other Western European countries.

Languages: Dutch and French.

Weather: Warm May – Sept, and snow likely during the winter months.

Electricity: 220 Volts AC 50 Hz. Plugs are 2 pin.

Post: 2- 3 days to other European destinations. Poste Restante is available in the main cities.

Transport: RAIL: A dense, regular service operates. A reduced rate card can be purchased for unlimited discounts for 1 month period.

Special information: “Flemings” often prefer to speak English; rather than French, to Foreign visitors.

Capital: Ouagadougou

Time zone: GMT

Telephone services: Country Code: 226
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Unavailable

Tourist information: Direction de l’Administration Touristique et Hôtelière, BP 624, Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso Tel: 306 396

Passport information: A valid passport is required by all. Return Ticket Required.

Visa information: Visa required by all.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Take precautions as Falciparum variety present.
Yellow Fever: R. with vaccination certificate if arriving from an infected area. OTHER: Bilharzia, Rabies, Cholera, River Blindness and Sleeping Sickness.
Other Health Risks: A meningitis epidemic has affected West Africa – 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: CFA Franc (CFA Fr).
Visa and MasterCard have limited acceptance. Travellers cheques are accepted on a limited basis. French francs are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Burkina Faso is the sixth poorest country in the world

Languages: French with several indigenous languages.

Weather: Tropical climate. Dec – Mar are the best months. rainy season = Jun – Oct. Winds blow Nov- Feb which brings cool and dry weather.

Electricity: 220/380 volts AC 50 Hz. Plugs = 2 pin.

Post: Up to 2 weeks by airmail. There are few post offices. Poste Restante is available with a mail- charge for collection of letters.

Transport: ROAD: Most are impassable during the raining season. Police check points often cause delay. FLIGHTS: there are few domestic flights. DOCUMENTATION: Temporary driving licences are available from local authorities if you present a valid national driving license.

Special information: Most visits to Burkina Faso are trouble free, but criminal incidents do occur and care should be taken, particularly after dark. Customs should be respected especially in traditional rural areas. Clothing can be casual and should be appropriate for the hot weather.

Capital: Sofia

Time zone: GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 359
Outgoing Code: 00, some calls go through the international operator.

Emergency telephone numbers: Ambulance – 150, Fire – 160, Police – 166

Passport information: A valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity at time of departure is required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the relevant authority before finalising travel arrangements.

Visa information: Visa required by all.

Health information: No information available at present.

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

Currency: Lev (Lv) = 100 stotinki. Exchange: A bordereau receipt will be given and must be kept until departure. NOTE: Import and export of local currency is prohibited. Amounts of currency over US$ 1000 have to be declared. Diners Club American Express and Visa have limited acceptance. Traveller’s cheques can be exchanged in major banks. US dollars and Pound sterling are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Over 100 locations (MasterCard/Cirrus only).

Cost of living: Inexpensive when compared with Western Europe.

Languages: Bulgarian. English is spoken in resorts. Turkish, Russian, French and German may also be spoken.

Weather: Summers are the warmest with some rainfall. Winters are cold with snow. Rain falls frequently in the Spring and Autumn.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Plugs are 2 pin.

Post: 4 days to 2 weeks to Western Europe

Transport: FLIGHTS: Air travel is only slightly more expensive than rail and more convenient. RAIL: Reservations are essential, 1st Class is advisable. ROAD: Speed limits are strictly enforced as are drinking and driving penalties. CAR HIRE: Can be arranged through hotels. DOCUMENTATION: AN IDP should be obtained although foreign driving licences are acceptable for short journeys. A ‘Green’ card is compulsory.

Special information: A nod of the head means “No” and shaking the head means “Yes”. Dress should be conservative but casual. It is advisable to register with the police, a hotel or guest house within 48 hours of arrival. Do not accept food or drink from strangers. Exercise caution in Sofia particularly at night.

Capital: Manama

Time zone: GMT + 3

Telephone services: Country Code: 973
Outgoing Code: 0

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 999

Tourist information: Bahrain Tourism Company (BTC) PO Box 5831, Manama, Bahrain Tel: 530 530. Fax: 530 867

Passport information: Valid Passport required Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure

Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Citizens of the UK for a maximum of 4 weeks (providing their full passport is valid for 6 months).

Health information: Health Risks: Cutaneous leishmaniasis, typhoid fevers and hepatitis A and B occur

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

Currency: Dinar (BD) = 100 fils All credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted. US dollars are the preferred currency
ATM availability: Over 60 locations

Cost of living: Can be relatively cheap if you travel around by foot and make purchases from the souk. Accommodation ranges from the deluxe to cheaper family-run guest houses

Languages: Arabic. English may also be spoken

Weather: Summers are very hot. Winters are much cooler. Rainfall is only likely in the winter. Spring and autumn are pleasant

Electricity: 230 volts AC, single phase and 400 volts, 50 Hz. (Awali – 100 volts AC, 60 Hz. Plugs are normally the 13-amp pin type

Post: 3 – 4 days to Europe

Transport: SEA: Transport between the smaller islands is by motor boat or dhow. ROAD: Manama is served by an excellent road system. BUS: Routes now serve most towns and villages. TAXI: Identifiable by their orange and red colouring. Those waiting outside hotels may charge more and between midnight and 0500 – fares increase by 50 %.

Special information: Because of the situation of global and regional insecurity at present, travellers should exercise extreme
caution and make only necessary journeys. Normally Bahrain is relatively liberal in comparison to other Gulf countries. Non Muslims may not enter mosques except during prayer times. Violent crime is quite rare but visitors should avoid village areas especially after dark. It is polite to drink 2 small cups of tea when offered.

Capital: Bujumbura

Time zone: GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 257
Outgoing Code: 90

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

Tourist information: Office National du Tourisme, BP902, 2 ave des Euphorbes, Bujumbura, Burundi Tel: (2) 24208 or 22202 22023 Fax: (2) 29390

Passport information: A valid passport is required by all. Return ticket required. Regulations may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the Embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all. Tourist and Business. Passengers arriving at Bujumbura airport will be issued entry stamps, providing they have previously informed their travel agency of their passport number and identity.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Take precautions as Falciparum variety exists of which resistance to chloroquine has been reported. The recommended prophylactic is mefloquine.
Yellow Fever: Strongly recommended. If arriving from an endemic area a vaccination certificate will be required. proof of vaccination against meningococcal meningitis.

Other Health Risks: Cholera, Bilharzia, Rabies, Meningitis present.

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: Burundi Franc (BIF) = 100 centimes.
Unlimited import of foreign currency, subject to declaration, export limited to amount declared on import. Import and Export of local currency is limited to BIF 2000.
Limited acceptance of MasterCard and Diners Club. Travellers cheques are not currently accepted
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: Due to the coup of 1996 the country’s economy has been all but wiped out.

Languages: French and Kirundi, Kiswahili is also spoken.

Weather: The climate is mostly mild and pleasant, although a hot equatorial climate is found near lake Tanganyika and in the Ruzizi river plain.

Electricity: 220 Volts 50 Hz

Post: There is a main post office in Bujumbura. Delivery times uncertain.

Transport: FLIGHTS: There are no regular internal flights. ROADS: Most are sealed but often impassable during the raining season. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required.

Special information: NOTE: EXTREME RISK. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to Burundi. People outside the cities may not be used to visitors. Therefore respect should be shown for local traditions. Dress should be conservative.