Country Information

Capital: Dushanbe

Time zone: GMT + 5

Telephone services: Country Code: 7 (followed by 3772 for Dushanbe) Outgoing Code: International calls have to go through the operator.

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present

Tourist information: Intourist, Intourist House, 219 Marsh Wall, Isle of Dogs, London E14 9PD Tel: (020) 7538 8600 Fax: (020) 7538 5967

Passport information: 10-year passport valid for at least 6 months prior to departure required by all. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Reports have indicated there may be a risk of malaria near the Southern border in the vivax variety
Other Health Risks: There is a Diphtheria epidemic. Cholera and Rabies also exist. NOTE: Medical advice should be sought before travelling bearing in mind the potential medical risk when travelling in Tajikistan.

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: Rouble Exchange: The preferred hard currency is the US Dollar although others are acceptable. All bills are usually settled in cash. NOTE: The import of local currency is prohibited.
Visa card has limited acceptance in some hotels in the capital. Travellers cheques are not accepted.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: High inflation has resulted in lower prices.

Languages: Tajik. Russian and English (by those involved in tourism) are also spoken.

Weather: Temperatures vary between 12ºC min in the winter to 45ºC max in the summer.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: Mail can take anything between two weeks and two months to reach Western Europe or the USA.

Transport: ROAD: During poor weather conditions the roads are mainly impassable. During the winter the roads from the capital are often closed because of the snow. TAXI: Agree the fare in advance and use the old and new street names, which have been created since independence. Officially marked taxis are safe but sharing with strangers should be avoided. BUS: There are services between the major towns when the roads are open. DOCUMENTATION: IDP and insurance are required.

Special information: EXTREME RISK NOTE: The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to Tajikistan. Outbursts of fighting continue and the potential for terrorist incidents targeted against the Russian military continue to exist. There is no British mission in Tajikistan. British travellers are advised to check local conditions with the German or US Embassies. Do not travel alone or on foot after dark. Be vigilant and dress down. Shorts are rarely seen and if worn by females they are likely to create unwanted attention from the local men. Do not travel out of Dushanbe or Khojand unless with persons from an international organisation.

Capital: Ashgabat

Time zone: GMT + 5

Telephone services: Country Code: 7 (3632 for Ashgabat).
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 03

Tourist information: Intourist, 219 Marsh Wall, Isle of Dogs, London E14 9PD Tel: (0171) 538 8600 Fax: (0171) 538 5967.

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

Visa information: Required by all except holders of valid passports of CIS countries. Visas should be obtained well in advance of intended travel and be specifially valid for ‘travel throughout Turkmenistan if you intend to leave Ashgabat. Visitors are usually asked to produce hotel bookings or a letter of invitation if on business.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Has been reported
Other Health Risks: Cholera is a particular risk in Turkmenistan, medical advice is recommended. Diphtheria and Rabies are also potential dangers.

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: 1 Manat = 100 tenge
Exchange: The preferred hard currency is US Dollars. Visitors may find it hard to change other currencies. A cash only economy exists.
NOTE: Import of local currency is prohibited.
Credit cards are not accepted. Only travellers cheques drawn on banks with special arrangements with the Turkmen National Bank are accepted. ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Exploitative for the traveller.

Languages: Turkmen. Russian is also spoken.

Weather: Extreme Continental climate. Summers are very hot and dry and winters are very cold.

Electricity: 20 volts AC, 50 Hz. Plugs are usually the round 2 pin type.

Post: Mail to the USA and Western Europe can take anything from two weeks to two months.

Transport: ROAD: Roads outside of the cities are in poor condition. BUS: Services are available to all major towns. TAXI: They can be found in all major towns. Many are unlicensed and fares should be agreed in advance. As many of the street names have changed since independence it is advisable to use both old and new names. DOCUMENTATION: When car hire is available an IDP will be required.

Special information: Carry your passport at all times. Bread should never be placed upside down. Shoes must be removed on entering someone’s home. Shorts are rarely seen. If worn by women they may attract unwelcome attention. In common with other Moslem countries drunkeness is not approved of and could be punished.

Capital: Tunis

Time zone: GMT + 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 216 Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present

Tourist information: Tunisian National Tourist Office, 77a Wigmore Street, London, W1H 9LJ Tel: (020) 7224 5561 Fax: (020) 7224 4053

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 except nationals of Australia, Algeria, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Gilbert Islands, Guernsey, Guinea Republic, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Former Yugoslavia, Republic of Macedonia, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Monaco, Montserrat, Morocco, Niger, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Romania, St Helena, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Not present.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for visitors over one year of age travelling from infected areas.
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: Tunisian Dinar (TD) = 1000 millimes
Exchange: All banks and most 3 star and above hotels. NOTE: Import and export of local currency is prohibited.
All major credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques are accepted in major international currencies.
ATM availability: Over 35 locations.

Cost of living: Tourists can expect to pay more then locals but bargains can be found at the Souks. Traditionally Tunisia has been considered inexpensive, but large hotels are now comparable with Southern Mediterranean prices.

Languages: Arabic, English and French are widely spoken.

Weather: Warm climate throughout the year with higher temperatures inland which can be very hot. Winter has the highest rainfall.

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

Post: 3-5 days airmail to Europe. Poste Restante operates in the main cities.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Regular daily domestic flights operate. ROAD: Extensive road network. The Garde Nationale will assist breakdowns free of charge. It is forbidden to drive in the Sahara without first contacting the Garde Nationale. DOCUMENTATION: log books, valid national driving licence and green cards are required. RAIL: Regular trains operate between Tunis and the major cities. Tickets must be purchased before the journey or double far will be charged.

Special information: 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 dress can be informal but Islam conventions must be respected when visiting religious monuments. PHOTOGRAPHY: Do not take photos of military installations.

Capital: Nuku’alofa

Time zone: GMT + 13

Telephone services: Country Code: 676 Outgoing Code: 0

Emergency telephone numbers: All emergency services – 911.

Tourist information: Tonga Visitor’s Bureau, PO Box 37, Vuna Road, Nuku’alofa, Tonga, Tel: 21733 Fax: 22507.

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

Visa information: Visa are issued on arrival to nationals of all countries.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from passengers over 1 year of age arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Competent medical and dental facilities are available. Hepatitis A and B occur. Health insurance is recommended.

Food & drink: Water outside of Nuku’alofa is untreated and not safe to drink. Dairy products are pasteurised.

Currency: Pa’anga (T$) = 100 seniti
Credit cards have limited use. Travellers cheques are accepted at some hotels and tourist shops. Australian dollar cheques are preferred.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Relatively cheap

Languages: Tongan and English

Weather: Marginally cooler than most tropical areas. The best time is May to November. Heavy rains occur between Dec and Mar.

Electricity: 240 Volts Ac 50 Hz.

Post: 10 days

Transport: FLIGHTS: Royal Tongan Airlines operate regular flights between the main cities. SEA: Ferries sail between all the island groups. Schedules are subject to change according to demand and the weather. ROAD: A good network of metalled roads exists. Horses are often used. CAR HIRE: May be arranged through a number of agencies. DOCUMENTATION: A local licence is required from the police traffic department on production of a valid international or national driving licence, the fee and a passport. Min driving age = 18.

Special information: Shorts are not acceptable in towns. Visitors are not expected to tip.

Capital: Ankara

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

Telephone services: Country Code: 90 Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Ambulance – 112, Fire – 111, Police – 155

Tourist information: Turkish Tourist Office, First Floor, 170 – 173 Piccadilly, London W1V 9DD Tel: (020) 7629 771 Fax: (020) 7491 0773.

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

Visa information: Visa required by al except: Nationals of Barbados, Belize, Chile, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Iceland, Iran; Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Morocco, New Zealand, Northern Cyprus, Norway, Oman, Qatar, St Lucia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Vatican City for stay of up to 3 months. Nationals of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia for stays of up to 2 months. Nationals of Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and South Africa for stays up to 1 month. Tourists from the following countries can obtain their visas on arrival for a fee, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and the USA for visits not exceeding 3 months. CIS, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic and Taiwan (China) for visits not exceeding 1 month. Albania, Guatemala, and Georgia, for visits not exceeding 15 days.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Potential risk in the vivax form exists during period throughout the year in various areas.
Other Health Risks: Cholera incidents have not been evident over recent years but simple precautions when eating and drinking are advised. Rabies is present.

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

Currency: Turkish Lira (TL)
Exchange: Certificates of exchange must be retained to prove that legally exchanged currency was used. Money can be exchanged at all PTT branches.
Major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in US dollars can be easily exchanged.
ATM availability: Over 5 000 locations.

Cost of living: Relatively inexpensive. The Ministry of Tourists advised tourists to stay in approved guest houses (Cost US$20+).

Languages: Turkish, Kurdish. French, German and English are also spoken.

Weather: The coasts have a hot Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: Airmail to Europe takes 3 days.

Transport: ROAD: There is an extensive road development and maintenance programme. Care must be taken if driving as accidents can lead to serious complications and delay your travel. RAIL: Fares are comparatively cheap. COACH: Many companies provide services between major cities. CAR HIRE: Available in all main towns. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required for visits over 3 months.

Special information: Do not deface or tear up currency it is an offence. There are risks of terrorism. The PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) has warned tourists against visiting Turkey but have kept a low profile recently – this may alter at any time. Avoid all travel to Eastern Turkey and do not attempt to climb Mount Ararat in Eastern Turkey. Respect the Islamic traditions. Particular care should be taken while the tensions in the Middle East are heightened. Women should dress modestly and cover shoulders and arms. Informal wear is accepted but beach wear should be confined to the beach or pool. Drunkenness is not really tolerated. PHOTOGRAPHY: Do not take photographs of anything connected with the military.

Capital: Port of Spain

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 868 Outgoing Code: 01

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 999, Ambulance/Fire – 990

Tourist information: Trinidad and Tobago Tourist Office, TIDCO’s UK representatives, Morris-Kevan International, International House, 47 Chase Side, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 6NB Tel: (020) 8342 0225 or (0800) 960 057 Fax: (020) 8367 9949 or 623 3848.

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 EU countries for stays not exceeding 3 months. Nationals of Canada and the USA for stays not exceeding 3 months. Nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Colombia, Cyprus, Dominica, French Guiana, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Malawi; Malaysia, Malta, Martinique, Mauritius, Nauru, Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Pakistan, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Zambia and Zimbabwe for stays not exceeding 3 months. Nationals of Venezuela arriving from Venezuela for stays not exceeding 14 days.

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

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

Currency: Trinidad & Tobago Dollar (TT$) = 100 cents Exchange: Foreign currency can only be exchanged at authorised banks and some hotels. NOTE: The export of local currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival.
Both credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. Any international currency is acceptable.
ATM availability: Over 100 locations.

Cost of living: Caters for all types of traveller whatever their budget.

Languages: English. French, Spanish, Hindi and Chinese are also spoken.

Weather: Tropical climate with cooling trade winds. Hottest June – Oct.

Electricity: 115-220 volts Ac 60 Hz. Continental two pin plugs are standard although variations may occur.

Post: Up to 2 weeks

Transport: SEA: A regular passenger service operates between Port of Spain and Tobago. ROAD: The network of roads between major towns is good but traffic around Port of Spain can be difficult. BUS: Services operate in most town, although they are cheap they can become crowded. TAXI: Official Taxis can be identified by ‘H’ symbol. Some taxi fares are fixed rate but others aren’t so it is advisable to find out the price before undertaking the journey. CAR HIRE: Available from the city or hotels. DOCUMENTATION: National driving licences are valid for 3 months. NOTE: Travel documents stating date of entrance to Tobago should be carried when driving.

Special information: Attacks on travellers, especially in Trinidad around the Port of Spain have risen over recent years. Tobago the smaller of the two islands enjoys a relatively crime-free existence.