Country Information

Capital: Dublin

Time zone: GMT

Telephone services: Country Code: 353
Outgoing Code: 16

Emergency telephone numbers: Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services. Additional local numbers:-All services – 999

Tourist information: Irish Tourist Board, 150 – 151 New Bond Street, London W1Y 0AQ Tel: (020) 7493 3201 Fax: (020) 7493 9065.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of EU countries providing they carry a national ID card, persons born in the United Kingdom travelling directly from the United Kingdom. Nationals of Liechtenstein, Monaco and Switzerland providing they carry a national ID card. 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 Australia, Canada, USA, EU, Japan. Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, South Korea, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, San Marino, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela, Western Samoa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Health information: No information available at present.

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

Currency: In common with12 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 and travellers cheques are accepted throughout Ireland.
ATM availability: Approximately 1 000 locations.

Cost of living: Food and drink can be quite expensive. However ‘Bed and Breakfast’, or camp sites offer cheaper accommodation.

Languages: Irish (Gaelic) is the official language and is mainly spoken in the west. English is more widely spoken.

Weather: Rain falls all year. Spring and autumn are very mild. Summers are warm, winters are much cooler.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: Irish postage stamps must be used on all mail. Poste Restante correspondence is available.

Transport: RAIL: Extensive network between the main cities. ROAD: The network links all parts of Ireland. TAXI: Services available in the main cities. BUS: A nation-wide network of buses serves all the main cities but services to remote areas will be infrequent. CAR HIRE: Available from the major air and sea ports and large hotels. DOCUMENTATION: Owners taking their own cars into Ireland require the vehicles registration book, nationality plates, insurance for the Republic and a full EU licence or IDP. A ‘green card’ is strongly recommended.

Special information: The Irish are a very gregarious people and usually have very close community bonds. Visitors will find people very friendly. Casual wear is acceptable.

Capital: Banjul

Time zone: GMT

Telephone services: Country Code: 220
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: 495 133 (Embassy)

Tourist information: Ministry of Information and Tourism, The Quadrangle, Banjul, The Gambia Tel: 228 496 Telex: 227 753.

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

Visa information: Visas for Tourist and Business are granted. Required by all except nationals of Commonwealth countries. Nationals of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Fiji, Guinea Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Togo. Nationals of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Spain and the UK, for the purpose of tourism only for visits no longer than 3 months. Nationals of Finland, Iceland, Norway, San Marino, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, for visits up to 3 months.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: vaccination recommended.

Malaria: Present throughout the year in the falciparum variety. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.

Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by all visitors over 1 year of age travelling from infected areas. Vaccination is recommended to all visitors planning to travel outside the urban areas.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera and Rabies are present. 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: Gambian Dalasi (Di) = 100 bututs
NOTE: currency must be declared on arrival and export of foreign currency is limited to the amount imported. Black market currency exchange is strongly discouraged.

MasterCard and Visa are accepted in large towns only. Travellers cheques are accepted, US dollars and pound sterling are the preferred currency.

ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Services and prices for tourists will generally be expensive.

Languages: English

Weather: Generally recognised to have the most agreeable climate in West Africa. Mid Nov- Mid May = dry in coastal areas. June – Oct = Raining season. Inland the cool season is shorter and day time temperatures are very hot between March and June.

Electricity: 220 Volts AC 50Hz. Plugs = either round or square 3 pin.

Post: Information Unavailable.

Transport: ROADS: Few paved roads of which most are impassable during the raining season. Road improvements programmes are in place. TAXIS: Fares should be settled in advance. CAR HIRE: Possible check with company before travelling. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required. RIVER: Ferries operate on a frequent basis along the river which connects Barra Point to Banjul. A weekly ferry operates between Banjul and Basse.

Special information: NOTE: There is an uncertain political outlook therefore security could change without warning. Contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice Unit before departure. Beach wear is not suitable for towns. Visitors should respect the local laws and customs. Sea swimming can be dangerous.

Capital: Jerusalem

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

Telephone services: Country Code: 972 Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Fire / Police – 100, Ambulance – 101

Tourist information: Ministry of Tourism, PO Box 1018, 24 King George Street, Jerusalem 91009, Israel Tel: (2) 675 4811 Fax: (2) 56 25 34 07 or 56 25 08 90.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. They must be valid for 6 months after the intended date of arrival. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: All nationals require a stamp on arrival. Visas are required by all except: Nationals of Australia, Canada, USA, and EU countries (except Germany if born before 1928 and nationals of Spain who have to pay a stamp fee). Nationals of Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Central African Republic, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Gibraltar, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Jamaica, South Korea, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Philippines, St Kitts & Nevis, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, Suriname, Swaziland, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, and Uruguay. All other nationals must obtain visas prior to arrival.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Other Health Risks: Rabies

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

Currency: New Israeli Shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot.
Exchange: Foreign currency can only be exchanged at authorised banks and hotels. Payment in foreign currency exempts tourists from VAT on certain purchases.
All major credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted.
ATM availability: Over 1000 locations.

Cost of living: Relatively expensive when compared with other middle Eastern countries, excluding Kibbutz.

Languages: Hebrew and Arabic. English is spoken in most major centres. French, Spanish, German, Yiddish, Russian, Polish and Hungarian may also be spoken.

Weather: Summers are hot with winds from the Mediterranean. Winters can be cool in the North. Spring and autumn are usually pleasant.

Electricity: 220 volts Ac, 50 Hz. 3 pin plugs are standard.

Post: Airmail to Europe takes up to a week.

Transport: RAIL: Regular services provided between Tel Aviv and other major centres. All services are closed between sunset on Fridays and sunset on Saturday and during religious holidays. ROAD: There is a good road network. BUS: Services are cheap, quick and efficient. DOCUMENTATION: Full national driving licence and insurance is required. IDP is recommended.

Special information: HIGH RISK: THE FCO ADVISE AGAINST TRAVEL TO THE WEST BANK AND GAZA WE ALSO ADVISE AGAINST ALL HOLIDAY AND OTHER NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TO JURUSALEM. Visitors to Israel whould be extremely vigilant. The northern border with Lebanon (Western and Upper Galilee) should be avoided. In general because the regional security situation can change rapidly, you should keep aware of events and check the FCO travel website. Visitors should always be vigilant with personal possessions, travel documents and valuables especially on the beaches. There are restrictions on movement in and out of the Gaza strip. Dress is casual except in Holy places. In many restaurants and hotels it is considered an insult to smoke. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: Do not drive through the occupied territories. Do not hitch-hike. Avoid the centre of Hebron.

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.

Capital: Santa Domingo

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 809
Outgoing Code: 011

Emergency telephone numbers: 711/809 472 7111

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. Must remain valid for 6 months following date of departure. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact Embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of Argentina, Austria, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Israel,Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Norway, Sweden, the UK, and Uruguay as tourists only for a maximum of 90 days. Nationals of Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal and foreign nationals who are legal residents of Denmark, France, UK, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain in possession of a valid passport and tourist card. Nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA and Peru in possession of a legal tourist card valid for 60 days from point of entry. NOTE: Refer to the nearest consulate for a complete, up to date list of regulations for all countries.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination Required. – Polio is endemic.
Malaria: Exists throughout the year in particular areas in the Falciparum variety, which has been reported as being highly resistant to chloroquine.
Other Health Risks: Rabies, Bilharzia Dengue Fever and Hepatitis

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: Dominican Republic Peso (RD$) = 100 centavos.
NOTE Import and export of local currency is prohibited.
All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques, in any international currency, are accepted by some banks.
ATM availability: Over 100 locations.

Cost of living: The best buys are the island’s own handicrafts, such as amber jewellery and decorative pieces encasing insects, leaves or dewdrops. Other bargains are wood-carvings, limestone carvings and Dominican turquoise.

Languages: Spanish. English is also spoken.

Weather: Hot tropical climate. Rainy season June – Oct when possible hurricanes may also occur.

Electricity: 110 volts AC 60 Hz.

Post: 7 days. Advisable to post all mail from the central post office in Santo Domingo.

Transport: ROAD: There is a reasonable network of roads although not all are all weather and 4 wheel drives are recommended for wet weather. BUS: Cheap and efficient service runs from the capital to the main towns. CAR HIRE: Several car hire companies are present. DOCUMENTATION: IDP or national licence can be used. NOTE: Min. age for driving is 25. Credit cards are recommended when paying for car hire.

Special information: The Dominican Republic is now a major tourist destination. A variety of activities are available for all types of traveller, from a Las Vegas-style review and casinos to classical concerts. Store valuables in hotel safety deposit boxes. Unaccompanied women should exercise vigilance at night around hotels.

Capital: Algiers

Time zone: GMT + 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 213
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not available at present.

Tourist information: Algerian Consulate 6 Hyde Park London SW7 5EW Tel: (020) 7589 6885 Fax: (020) 7589 7725

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the Consulate before travelling.

Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of the following countries: Argentina, Benin, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Croatia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea Republic, Libya, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovenia, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, Serbia and Montenegro.

Health information: Polio Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Limited Risk
Yellow Fever: Recommended. Certificate is required if arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia present.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Take local advice and normal precations with food.

Currency: Algerian Dinar (AD) = 100 centimes
NOTE: when exchanging money a receipt is required that should be presented on departure. Foreign money must be declared via a declaration form and stamped at arrival.

Very limited acceptance of credit cards. Travellers cheques can only be changed in 4-star hotels. French francs are the preferred currency.

ATM availability: Over 100 locations.

Cost of living: Visitors should expect to pay much more than local people.

Languages: Arabic French and English are spoken in tourist centres.

Weather: During the Summer the temperatures can be very high with humid weather in the North. Travel delays can be caused by sandstorms and coastal towns are also prone to storms.

Electricity: 127/220 Volts. Plugs = European 2-pin

Post: Airmail from the main cities takes 3-4 days from elsewhere it takes much longer.

Transport: RAIL: Daily services between the main centres. COACH: Not recommended for long journeys. ROAD: Most are in good condition. NOTE: For desert travel vehicles must be in good working order as breakdown facilities are virtually non-existent. Water and petrol supplies must be carried. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required. If your own car is used a Carnet de Passage also be required. Insurance must be purchased at the border. Proof of ownership is essential.

Special information: HIGH RISK. The Travel Advice Unit of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against travel to Algeria unless on essential business. There have been a number of attacks on tourists. Because of the situation of global and regional insecurity at present, travellers who intend to travel despite this advice should exercise extreme caution and make only necessary journeys in Algeria.