Country Information

Capital: Budapest

Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 in the summer)

Telephone services: Country Code: 36
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 107, Ambulance – 104, Fire – 105

Tourist information: Tourinform (Hungarian Tourist Board), H 1052 Budapest, Süt? u. 2, Hungary Tel: (1) 117 9800 Fax: (1) 117 9578.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of France and Germany holding a national identity card . All passports must be valid for at least 6 months. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of Canada, USA, Japan for a stay of up to 90 days. Nationals of the UK for a stay of up to 6 months. Nationals of Austria, Finland and Spain for a stay up to 30 days. Nationals of Argentina, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Iceland, Israel, South Korea Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Poland, Seychelles, South Africa, Switzerland and Uruguay for a stay up to 90 days. Nationals of CIS (with the exception of citizens of Uzbekistan who do need a visa), Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Nicaragua, Romania, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) for at stay up to 30 days. Nationals of Singapore for a stay up to 14 days

Health information: Other Health Risks: Rabies

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

Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF) = 100 fillér
Exchange: banks, hotels, airports, railway stations, some restaurants. NOTE: Import and export of local currency is limited to HUF 10000. Retain all exchange receipts.
All major credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. German DM is the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Over 1000 locations.

Cost of living: Westerners will not experience great disparity in local and Western prices

Languages: Hungarian (Magyar). German is widely spoken. Some English and French may also be spoken, mainly in the West.

Weather: June – Aug. is usually very warm. Spring and autumn are mild and winters are very cold. There is rainfall throughout the year and snow in winter.

Electricity: 220 volts Ac, 50 Hz.

Post: 3 – 7 days to other European destinations.

Transport: RAIL: All main cities are connected by regular services but facilities are often inadequate. Concessions are available to groups of six or more and the young and elderly. ROAD: Generally the road system is good. Zero alcohol is permitted when driving. BUS: Services link Budapest with the major provincial towns. CAR HIRE: Available at large hotels and the main airports. DOCUMENTATION: Pink national UK licence is accepted but IDP is required if a green licence is held.

Special information: Petty crime is rife in Budapest especially in tourist areas. Only carry a photocopy of your passport. Do not carry large amounts of money. Very few people speak English outside of large hotels and restaurants. A knowledge of German is very useful. Usual social courtesies apply. Both Christian and surname should be used in introductions. PHOTOGRAPHY: Do not take photographs of anything connected with the military. Other restrictions will be sign posted.

Capital: St George’s

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 473
Outgoing Code: International operator must be used.

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

Tourist information: Board of Tourism, PO Box 293, Burns Point, St George’s, Grenada Tel: 440 2001 or 440 2279 or 440 3377 Fax 440 6637.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all except: Nationals of Great Britain, Australia, Canada, USA, EU countries, Japan. Those who continue their journey to a third destination, providing they hold onward tickets and are travelling within 14 days of arriving. Nationals of commonwealth countries (except nationals of Cyprus and Pakistan who do need a visa). Nationals of Bulgaria, Chile Czech Republic, Iceland, Israel, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Norway, Poland, Slovak Republic, Switzerland, Taiwan, (China) and Venezuela. Visitors holding a re-entry permit.

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

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

Currency: DEastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) = 100 cents.
All travellers cheques and major credit cards are widely accepted. US dollars are the preferred currency.

ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Moderate to expensive. Hotels need to be booked well in advance. Prices may vary with seasonal changes and specific events. Duty free shops exist with an international market.

Languages: English

Weather: Tropical climate. Rainy season June – Dec. Dry season Feb – May.

Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: Post will take approximately 14 days to reach Europe.

Transport: SEA: Round island trips are very popular, small to large boats can be hired. ROAD: They are narrow and winding. CAR HIRE: A large variety if vehicles can be hired. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is recommended. BUS: Cheap but slow service operates.

Special information: Beach-wear is not acceptable in town.

Capital: Jakarta

Time zone: GGMT + 7 -West, + 8 – Central, + 9 – East.

Telephone services: Country Code: 62

Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 110, Fire – 113, Ambulance – 118.

Tourist information: Indonesian Tourist Promotion Office, 24 Hour Brochure & Information Line Premium (Higher) Charges Apply 3 Hanover St, London, W1R 9HH Tel: 0891 600180.

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

Visa information: Tourist visas required by all except the following: (providing their stay does not exceed 60 days) Nationals of EU countries except Portugal. Nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Egypt, Hungary, Iceland, South Korea, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and Yugoslavia. Nationals of any country travelling for conference purposes who have documentary proof of approval from the Indonesian government.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists in the Falciparum variety everywhere except the main tourist resorts of Bali, Java and large cities.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from those arriving from infected areas.

Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Rabies.

Food & drink: Outside of urban areas 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: Rupiah (Rp) = 100 sen.
Exchange: Not a problem in tourist areas, may be more difficult in less commercialised areas. NOTE: Import and export of local currency is limited to Rp 50 000.
Travellers cheques are easily exchanged in large hotels and banks. Preferred cheque currency is US dollars. Visa MasterCard and Amex are all accepted. Diners Club has a more limited use.
ATM availability: Over 1300 locations.

Cost of living: Tourist resorts are more expensive although cheap accommodation can be found in the form of bungalows in the main resorts. Provisions may be difficult to find in rural areas.

Languages: Bahasa Indonesian and 250 local dialects. Dutch and English are also spoken.

Weather: The climate is tropical and varies from area to area. Jun – Sept is the Easter Monsoon which brings the driest weather. The Western monsoon brings the main rains from Dec – Mar. However rainstorms can occur all year round.

Electricity: 110 Volts AC 50Hz, but may vary between areas,

Post: Up to 10 days.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Good internal air system. ROADS: Good roads within Java but less so in Bali and Sumatra. The other islands have poor road systems. TAXI: Available in all main cities, all are metered. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required.

Special information: EXTREME RISK: in some areas (Aceh – Maluku Provence – please see FCO site for further details) because of ethnic tensions. There is a risk of disturbance and unsettled conditions though not as problematic as anticipated. Travellers should exercise caution and avoid large crowds which can turn into demonstrations Please consult the FCO website for details of specified areas of the country where you should not travel. Never pass or accept anything with your left hand as this is insulting. Foreigners are regarded as walking bank accounts. Pickpockets are common. Visitors are advised to avoid crowds and not to travel alone. British nationals are advised against all non-essential travel to Ambon and Maluku Province; East Kalimantan (East Borneo); Lombok; North Aceh; Pidie and East Aceh Regencies; West Timor and East Timor. Permits are required to travel to Most of Irian Jaya where there is an independence movement.

Capital: Djibouti

Time zone: GMT + 3

Telephone services: Country Code: 253 Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Office Nationale du Tourisme et de l’Artisanat (ONTA), BP 1938, place du 27 juin, Djibouti, Djibouti Tel: 353 790 Fax: 356 322.

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

Visa information: Required by all except nationals of France for a maximum stay of 3 months. An extension may be granted in Djibouti on request to the headquarters of the Police Nationale. Entry and Transit Visas are granted

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination Required.
Malaria: Take precautions as Falciparum variety exists throughout the year. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: Required. A vaccination certificate is required for visitors over one year of age arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Cholera.

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: Djibouti Franc (DFr) = 100 Centimes.
Credit cards are accepted by airlines and large hotels only. French is the preferred currency in travellers cheques, but they are only accepted if marked as an External Account or Pour Compte Etranger. Sterling and US Dollars also accepted.
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: Expensive and should be avoided by those with tight budgets.

Languages: Arabic and French. English is spoken by hoteliers, taxi drivers and traders.

Weather: Very hot and dry between June and August. Slightly cooler between October and April with occasional rain.

Electricity: 220 Volts Ac 50 Hz

Post: Approximately 1 week to Europe by Airmail

Transport: TAXIS: Fares increase 50% after dark. CAR HIRE: 4 -wheel drive is recommended. Water and petrol supplies must be carried. RAIL: There is only 1 service to Ethiopia which tourists and business people are prohibited from using.

Special information: NOTE: HIGH RISK All but essential travel to Djibouti should be avoided. Do not use land border crossings Areas of the country are closed, and risk of banditry and fighting is prevalent in certain areas. Check with the Foreign and Commonwealth Travel Advice unit before departure. Visitors should register with their Embassy or Consulate shortly after arrival. Despite Djibouti being a Muslim country, casual wear is acceptable. However beach-wear should not be worn in the towns.

Capital: Copenhagen

Time zone: GMT + 1 (+2 from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in September.)

Telephone services: Country Code: 45 Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services. Additional local numbers:-Police and Ambulance – 112 (in Copenhagen).

Tourist information: Danish Tourist Board, 55 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9SY Tel: (020) 7259 5958/9 Fax (020) 7259 5955.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland in Possession of a national identity card. Nationals of Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden in possession of identification papers if travelling entirely within Scandinavia. Nationals of Bosnia-Herzegovina in possession of a valid identity card valid for at least 6 months beyond length of stay with a valid visa. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of the UK with full British Passports. Nationals of Australia, Canada, the US and Japan. Nationals of EU countries. Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Kiribati, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, St Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uruguay, Vatican, City and Venezuela Nationals of Bermuda carrying a British Dependant Territories Passport.

Health information: No information available at present.

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

Currency: Danish Krone (Dkr) = 100 øre
Exchange: Eurocheques are cashed by hotels and banks and may also be used at most restaurants and shops. Personal cheques can not be used by foreigners in Denmark. Some banks may refuse to exchange large foreign bank notes
All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques can be cashed by banks and hotels, and can be used at most hotels and shops. US dollars and Deutschmarks are the preferred forms of currency
ATM availability: Over 2500 locations.

Cost of living: Slightly cheaper than other Scandinavian countries but still relatively expensive.

Languages: Danish. English, German and French may also be spoken.

Weather: Summer June – Aug. Winter Oct – Mar which is wet with period of frost. Feb is the coldest month. Spring and Autumn are generally mild.

Electricity: 220 volts AC 50 Hz. Continental 2 pin lugs are used.

Post: 2 – 3 days to rest of Europe.

Transport: PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Extensive service provided. SEA: There are frequent ferry services between the islands. RAIL: The main cities on all islands are connected by the rail network. Express trains operate and ‘Inter-Rail’ and ‘Nord-Tourist’ pass (which can be used throughout Scandinavia) can provide good value. ROAD: CAR HIRE: Available to drivers over the age of 20. DOCUMENTATION: National driving licence is acceptable. Visitors taking their own car are advised to obtain a ‘Green Card’ as without will limit their insurance coverage.

Special information: Usual social courtesies should be observed. Casual dress is suitable for most places. Railway porters and washroom attendants will expect a tip.

Capital: Roseau

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 767 Outgoing Code: 1 (for the USA, Canada and most Caribbean Islands), 011 for other countries

Emergency telephone numbers: 999

Tourist information: Caribbean Tourism Organisation, 42 Westminster Gardens, Artillery Row, London SW1P 1RR Tel: (020) 7222 4335 Fax: (020) 7222 4325.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of Canada and the USA who must have suitable ID and onward travel tickets. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact embassy before departure.

Visa information: Not required by: Nationals of commonwealth countries for stays of up to 6 months. Nationals of the USA for up to 6 months. Nationals of all other countries for stays of up to 21 days. Enquire at the nearest Embassy or High Commission for the latest, complete list of regulations regarding visas.

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: East Caribbean Dollar (EC$) = 100 cents. Travellers cheques are accepted in most hotels – US Dollars preferred.
All major credit cards have limited acceptance.
ATM availability: 1 location

Cost of living: Not as expensive as some of the other Caribbean islands.

Languages: English. Creole French is spoken by most of the population.

Weather: Hot, subtropical climate all year round. Raining season June – Oct, which is also the hottest time

Electricity: 220/240 volts AC 50 Hz.

Post: Post to Europe takes approximately 14 days. There is no Poste Restante service.

Transport: ROAD: There are more than 700km of well maintained roads on the island, although even these can be difficult when driving. BUS: Service exists but is unpredictable. TAXIS: Are the most efficient means of transport. CAR HIRE: Available but driving can be difficult. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is recommended. A valid foreign licence can be used to get a temporary visitors licence.

Special information: Beach wear should be kept to the beach or pool side. PHOTOGRAPHY: Permission should be asked before taking photos of local people.