Country Information

Capital: Basse-Terre

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 590
Outgoing Code: 19

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 112, Ambulance – 434. All services – 911.

Tourist information: Police – 17, Fire and Ambulance – 18

Passport information: All travellers must have a valid passport except: EU Nationals and nationals of Andorra Liechtenstein, Monaco and Switzerland, who may travel holding an expired passport provided it expired within the last 5 years, or a valid national ID card. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact the Embassy before departure.

Visa information: See France, but specify Guadeloupe when making application.

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

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

Currency: French Franc (Ffr) = 100 centimes.
All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in French francs are welcomed.

ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: Expensive due to a 15-30% tax levied on services depending on the time of year

Languages: French. Patois and English are widely spoken.

Weather: Warm weather all year round. Main raining season June – Oct. High humidity at times.

Electricity: 110/220 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: Post will take Approx. 1 week to Western Europe.

Transport: SEA: Regular ferry services move around the island. BUS: There is a good bus service. CAR HIRE: Many companies are present. DOCUMENTATION: National driving licence is sufficient. One years driving experience is required. IDP is advised.

Special information: Guadeloupe is a French overseas department and the French culture is clearly evident.

Capital: Malabo

Time zone: GMT + 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 240
Outgoing Code: Operator assistance may be required.

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present

Tourist information: The Centro Cultural Hispano-Guineano gives out good maps of the Island and mainland.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant consular authority before finalising travel arrangements.

Visa information: Required by all Business and Tourist.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination Required.

Malaria: Precautions required. Falciparum exists throughout the country and resistance to chloroquine has been reported.

Yellow Fever: Vaccination certificate will be required by all travellers.

Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, River blindness in unchlorinated water, oriental lung fluke (recently reported) and Cholera 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: CFA Franc (CFA Fr) = 100 centimes.
NOTE: Export of local currency is limited to CFA Fr3000. CFA Franc can not be easily exchanged outside of the CFA Fr area

Diners Club is accepted on a limited basis in large towns only. Travellers cheques are not accepted.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Tourists can expect to pay high prices for services.

Languages: Spanish, African dialects including Fang and Bubi are spoken.

Weather: Tropical climate throughout the year. Rainfall throughout the year although less falls between Dec and Feb.

Electricity: 220/240 Volts. AC

Post: Approximately 2 weeks

Transport: FLIGHTS: Advisable to book in advance. ROADS: There are few tarred roads and car hire companies are unavailable but taxis can be hired. SEA: there is a ferry between Malabo, Bata and Doula, allow 12 hours for the trip.

Special information: Although the current situation is calm caution should be exercised. Travelling after dark should be avoided. Visitors have recently experienced problems with corruption and petty theft. Europeans are likely to be met with curiosity and even suspicion. Foreign cigarettes are often accepted as gifts. PHOTOGRAPHY: A photo permit, available from the embassy is essential.

Capital: Athens

Time zone: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in September)

Telephone services: Country Code: 30 + 1 for Athens, 31 Thessaloniki, 81 Heraklion, 661 Corfu.
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services. Additional local numbers:-Police – 100, Ambulance – 166, Fire – 199.

Tourist information: National Tourist Organisation of Greece (GNTO), 4 Conduit Street, London W1R 0DJ Tel: (020) 7724 5997 Fax: (020) 7287 1369.

Passport information: Passports are required to be valid for at least 6 months required by all except: EU Nationals with a valid ID card who have sufficient funds for the length of their stay. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant authority before travelling.

Visa information: Visas Required by all except: Nationals of Great Britain, Australia, Canada, USA, EU, Japan for a period of 3 months. Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Korea, Switzerland, St Christophe, Taiwan (China) for a period up to 3 months. Nationals of Brazil, El Salvador, and Uruguay for a period of up to 2 months. Nationals of Peru for a period up to 1 month. Nationals of Singapore for a period of up to 2 weeks. NOTE: Visitors using chartered tickets, leaving Greece on an overnight trip to another country, may risk having their return ticket invalidated by the authorities.

Health information: Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from visitors over 6 months of age coming from infected areas.

Food & drink: Water is of variable quality. Bottled water is widely available.

Currency: Drachmar (Dr)
Currency can be changed at banks and money exchangers. NOTE: Import of local currency is limited to Dr100000 and export to Dr20000 for non-residents and Dr40000 for residents.

All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques are accepted in all major currencies, and can be easily changed at banks.

ATM availability: Over 1500 locations.

Cost of living: Tourist centres can be very cheap when compared to other European countries.

Languages: Greek. Most people connected with tourism will speak some English, German, Italian or French.

Weather: Warm Mediterranean climate. Nov – Mar is when most rain falls. Winters are mild in the South but much cooler in the North.

Electricity: 220 volts AC 50 Hz.

Post: All postcards and letters for overseas will be sent by airmail. Poste Restante is available at the post office.

Transport: RAIL: Regular trains operate between Athens and the main cities. There is a 20% discount on return fares and other offers available. ROAD: Good road network. BUS: Link Athens and all the main towns in Attica, Northern Greece and Peloponnese. TAXI: Run on a shared basis. Rates are reasonable an based on a Km basis. There is an extra charge on journeys from / to airports, ports, stations. CAR HIRE: Most firms operate throughout Greece, DOCUMENTATION: A national driving licence is acceptable for EU nationals.

Special information: Diverse traditions and customs prevail throughout Greece but a sense of unity prevails. The Greek Orthodox church has an important place in the community. Throwing back the head is a negative gesture. It is offensive to sell your belongings doing so can lead to arrest.

Capital: Cairo

Time zone: GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 20
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present

Tourist information: Egyptian State Tourist Offic, 170 Piccadilly, London, W1V 9DD Tel: (020) 7493 5282 Fax: (020) 7408 0295. Opening hours Mon. to Fri 0930 – 1630.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all and must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay in Egypt. Return Ticket Required. requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the appropriate consular authority before finalising travel arrangements.

Visa information: Required by all except: nationals of Malta, and Jordan (if holding a passport valid for at least 5 years) for a stay not exceeding 30 days. Nationals of Bahrain, Djibouti, Guinea, Libya, Mauritania, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen for a stay not exceeding 90 days. Tourist and Business, single or multiple entry types granted.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination Required.
Malaria: No risk in Cairo or Alexandria but falciparum and vivax varieties exists from June to October in the El Faiyoum area.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required if arriving from infected areas. Check with embassy as to which areas Egypt considers infected.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Malaria, 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: Egyptian Pound (£E) = 100 piastres
There are 5 national banks and 78 branches of foreign banks.
All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in US dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: 88 locations

Cost of living: Tourists can expect to pay higher prices than locals.

Languages: Arabic, English and French are widely spoken

Weather: Hot and dry during the summer with dry winters with chilly nights. Dusty winds from the Sahara prevail during April.

Electricity: 1220 Volts 50 Hz are most common. 110/380 volts AC may also be used.

Post: Approximately 5 days by airmail. There are Post Restante facilities at the main post office in Cairo. a small fee is charged when the mail is collected.

Transport: RAIL: A good rail network exists. TAXIS are available in the cities and are metered although it is advisable to agree the fare in advance.

Special information: NOTE: Because of continuing tensions in the region travellers should keep themselves informed of developments. Within Egypt itself, recent attacks in the last few years by extremist groups have been aimed at police and local institutions but have also been aimed at tourists. Care should be taken when travelling in the southern part of the country in Luxor and beyond in the Nile Valley. Take advice from local security authorities.

Capital: Asmara

Time zone: GMT + 3

Telephone services: Country Code: 291
Outgoing Code: Operator assistance required for outgoing international calls.

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present

Tourist information: Eritrean Tour Service (ETS) PO Box 889, 61 Harnet Avenue, Asmara, Eritrea Tel: (1) 124 999 Fax: (1) 126 366 or 127 695

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant consular authority before finalising travel arrangements.

Visa information: Required by all. Business and Tourist granted. Ensure that all visa’s remain current throughtout your stay. Transit passengers who do not leave the airport do not need a visa.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.

Malaria: Exists throughout the year and high resistance to chloroquine has been reported.

Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by all arrivals over one year of age arriving from infected areas. However everyone is advised to have the vaccination for travel outside the urban areas.

Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera, Hepatitis, Rabies, Meningitis are present. Tetanus injection is also recommended.

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: Ethiopian Birr (Br)
used in Asmara and the South. The Sudanese Dinar is in circulation in the North and West. US Dollars in cash is the best form of currency.

MasterCard and Diners Club have limited acceptance.

ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Prices are generally lower in Eritrea than in surrounding countries.

Languages: Arabic and Tigrinya. English and Italian also spoken.

Weather: Hottest period is Apr to Jun but it can be very cold at night. June – Feb raining season depending on the area of the country.

Electricity: 110 Volts AC in Asmara different voltage exists outside the capital. There are occasional power surges.

Post: Delays should be expected

Transport: FLIGHTS:No internal flights or railways. ROADS: Reasonable between tourist and business centres. Improvements are being made. BUSES: Connect all larger towns and cities. TAXIS: Can be found in the capital and at the airport; fares should be agreed in advance.

Special information: EXTREME RISK: Foreign & Commonwealth Office strongly advises against all travel should be avoided at present. For further information see FCO site.

Capital: Madrid

Time zone: Mainland Spain and Balearics GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 during the summer)

Telephone services: Country Code: 34 Outgoing Code: 07

Emergency telephone numbers: Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services. Additional local numbers:-Police – 091, Fire / Ambulance (Bomberas) – 085

Tourist information: Spanish Tourist Office, 22-23 Manchester Sq., London SW1A 1LD Tel: (020) 7486 8077 (Customer services or 0891 669 920 brochure request line charged at 50p/min. Fax (020) 7486 8034.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of EU countries with valid national ID cards and nationals of Austria, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Portugal whose passports expired less than 5 years. Nationals of Germany and the UK with passports expired less than 1 year. Nationals of Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Netherland Antilles and Switzerland holding valid national ID cards or expired passports (maximum 5 years). Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure. It is advisable to have a return ticket. If you have no return ticket you may be asked of sufficient proof of funds to finance your stay.

Visa information: Required by all except Nationals of Aruba, Bolivia, Bonaire, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curacao, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Singapore, Suriname and Venezuela for up to 3 months. Nationals who do not require a visa to visit a country which is a signatory to the Schengen agreement.

Health information: No information available, please seek medical advice prior to travel

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

Currency: In common with 12 Member States of the European Union (EU), here the Euro is the currency. There are seven different banknotes and eight coins of the Euro. Each participating EU country has coins with one common side and a reverse side specific to each country, while the banknotes look the same throughout the euro area. All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in Sterling pounds can be easily exchanged. ATM availability: Over 35 000 locations.

Cost of living: Similar prices to other Western European countries.

Languages: Spanish (Castillan), Catalan, Galician and Basque

Weather: Varies from Temperate in the North to hot and dry in the South. The best months are from April to Oct although it can be excessively hot between July and August except at the coastal regions. The central plateau can be extremely cold during the winter.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz

Post: 5 days. Poste Restante facilities are available at main post offices

Transport: RAIL: Most cities are well served. It is mainly a radial service with connections between Madrid and all the major cities. The Spanish rail system is one of the cheapest in Europe. Discounts and special concessions can be found. ROAD: Motorways are well maintained and connect North and South. Trunk roads between major cities are general well maintained. BUS: Services run between towns and are cheap and efficient. CAR HIRE: all major companies have agencies. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required or a translation of national driving licence. Insurance is required and a ‘green card’ is strongly recommended.

Special information: The Spaniards are a very hospitable nation, where courtesy is valued. Conservative casual dress is suitable, but some larger hotels may insist that men wear a jacket. Beach-wear should be confined to the beach / pool. Street crime can be a problem in some of the tourist areas and large cities.