Europe Travel Guide

EUROPE

2009-05-27T02:37:00.000-07:00

Europe encompasses an area of 10,400,000 km2 (4,000,000 square miles), stretching from Asia to the Atlantic, and from Africa to the Arctic. Europe's longest river is the Volga, which meanders 3,530 km (2,193 miles) through Russia, and flows into the Caspian Sea. Europe's highest point is Russia's Mt. Elbrus, which rises to 5,642 m (18,510 feet) above sea level. Western Europe's highest point is Mont Blanc in the French-Italian Alps, which rises to 4,810 m (15,771 feet) above sea level. Other important high mountain ranges include the Pyrenees between France and Spain and the Carpathians that run through Central Europe to the Balkans. Cyprus is also considered part of Europe.

Europe's climate ranges from subtropical near the Mediterranean Sea in the south, to subarctic near the Barents Sea and Arctic Ocean in the northern latitudes. There is much here for the traveller to enjoy, with a bewildering array of diversity and languages and culture, cosmopolitan cities and spectacular scenery, let alone some of the leading cities of the world.

Regions

Balkans

Baltic states

British and Irish Isles

Caucasus

Central Europe

France and the Benelux

Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus

Iberia

Italy, San Marino, Vatican, and Malta

Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus

Scandinavia

See also European Microstates.

Countries

Europe is a continent of many wildly different countries. A subset of these countries are in the slow and painful process of coming together as the European Union (EU).

Not all EU countries have adopted the euro (€), the European Union single currency (see Buy), while a few countries outside the EU have adopted it. Likewise, most — but not all — EU members and a few non-EU countries have have joined the Schengen agreement, which abolished border controls between them (see Get in). Here is a handy reference table, up to date as of 2009:

Country	Symbol	Currency	EU member	Schengen implemented	Time zone3	Eurail	InterRail
Albania	AL, .al	ALL	n	n	CET	n	n
Andorra	AND, .ad	EUR	n	n⁵	CET	n	n
Armenia	ARM, .am	AMD	n	n	+4	n	n
Austria	A, .at	EUR	1995	y	CET	y	y
Belarus	BY, .by	BYR	n	n	EET	n	n
Belgium	B, .be	EUR	1958	y	CET	y	y
Bosnia and Herzegovina	BIH, .ba	BAM	n	n	CET	y	y
Bulgaria	BG, .bg	BGN	2007	n	EET	n	y
Croatia	HR, .hr	HRK	n1	n	CET	n	y
Cyprus	CY, .cy	EUR	2004	n	CET	n	n
Czech Republic	CZ, .cz	CZK	2004	y	CET	n	y
Denmark	DK, .dk	DKK	1973	y	CET	y	y
Estonia	EST, .ee	EEK	2004	y	EET	n	n
Finland	FIN, .fi	EUR	1995	y	EET	y	y
France	F, .fr	EUR	1958	y	CET	y	y
Germany	D, .de	EUR	1958	y	CET	y	y
Greece	GR, .gr	EUR	1981	y	EET	y	y
Hungary	H, .hu	HUF	2004	y	CET	y	y
Iceland	IS, .is	ISK	n	y	WET	n	n
Ireland	IRL, .ie	EUR	1973	n	WET	y	y
Italy	I, .it	EUR	1958	y	CET	y	y
Kosovo⁶	KOS (.rs)	EUR	n	n	CET	n	n
Latvia	LV, .lv	LVL	2004	y	EET	n	n
Liechtenstein	FL, .li	CHF	n	y	CET	n	n
Lithuania	LT, .lt	LTL	2004	y	EET	n	n
Luxembourg	L, .lu	EUR	1958	y	CET	y	y
Macedonia	MK, .mk	MKD	n1	n	CET	n	y
Malta	M, .mt	EUR	2004	y	CET	n	n
Moldova	MD, .md	MDL	n	n	EET	n	n
Monaco	MC, .mc	EUR	n	n⁵	CET	n	n
Montenegro	MNE, .me (.yu)	EUR	n1	n	CET	n	y
Netherlands	NL, .nl	EUR	1958	y	CET	y	y
Norway	N, .no	NOK	n	y	CET	y	y
Poland	PL, .pl	PLN	2004	y	CET	n	y
Portugal	P, .pt	EUR	1986	y	WET	y	y
Romania	RO, .ro	RON	2007	n	EET	y	y
Russia	RU, .ru (.su)	RUB	n	n	MSK⁴	n	n
San Marino	RSM, .sm	EUR	n	n⁵	CET	n	n
Serbia	SRB, .rs (.yu)	RSD²	n	n	CET	n	y
Slovakia	SK, .sk	EUR	2004	y	CET	n	y
Slovenia	SLO, .si	EUR	2004	y	CET	n	y
Spain	E, .es	EUR	1986	y	CET	y	y
Sweden	S, .se	SEK	1995	y	CET	y	y
Switzerland	CH, .ch	CHF	n	y	CET	y	y
Turkey	TR, .tr	TRY	n1	n	EET	n	y
Ukraine	UA, .ua	UAH	n	n	EET	n	n
United Kingdom	GB, .uk	GBP	1973	n	WET	n	y
Vatican City	V, .va	EUR	n	n⁵	CET	n	n

1 Official EU applicant countries.

2 Kosovo uses the Euro as its official currency.

3 Winter time. In summer (last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October): WET › WEST (UTC+0 › +1), CET › CEST (+1 › +2), EET › EEST (+2 › +3)

⁴ Russia uses multiple time zones. EET in Kaliningrad Oblast, MSK (UTC+3) in Moscow, up to UTC+12 on Chukotka and Kamchatka.

⁵ Officially not a Schengen member, but Schengen visa holders are generally allowed entry.

⁶ Independence disputed, claimed by Serbia.

Other territories

Abkhazia (Georgia)
Azores islands (Portugal)
Channel Islands (United Kingdom)
Faroe Islands (Denmark)
Gibraltar (United Kingdom)
Isle of Man (United Kingdom)
Madeira island (Portugal)
Northern Cyprus (Cyprus)
South Ossetia (Georgia)
Svalbard (Norway)
Transnistria (Moldova)
Aland (Finland)

Note: Parts of Russia, Turkey and the Caucasus are sometimes considered to be a part of Asia.

Understand

History

The earliest concrete signs of written European culture can be found in Hellenic Greece. The mythical Homer (800 B.C.?), Hesiod (753 B.C.) and Kallinos (728 B.C.) are three of the oldest poets in Europe. The Romans believed that their city was founded in 753 B.C. Modern archaeologists and historian believe that the area of modern day Rome has been inhabited since at least 1000 to 800 B.C.

From 300 A.D. Christianity in Europe started to spread. Around 500 A.D. the Roman Empire collapsed, with France at that time coming under the rule of the Merovingians. In 714 the Carolian empire was founded and lasted until 911. The period after this date is often called the high-middle ages and lasted until around 1300, followed by the late middle ages which ended around 1500, giving birth to a period of European history normally refered to as The Renaissance or the re-birth. The people of this period actively rediscovered classical Greco-Roman culture.

Between 1492 - 1972 many European nations (like Great Britain, Spain, Russia, France and The Netherlands) ruled or had ruled over most of the known world, with the exception of East Asia (Mainland China, Japan and Tibet) and parts of Antartica. This was called colonialism and was stopped after WWII in favour of a more humane, liberal and cost-effective method called globalism.

The European Union

Europe, prior to the conclusion of the Second World War, was a region ravaged by large-scale "total war". National leaders realized after World War II that closer socio-economic and political integration was needed to ensure that such tragedies never happened again. Starting with humble beginnings, the EU's first inception was the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). The founding group of nations were Belgium, West Germany, Luxembourg, France, Italy and The Netherlands. Impressed with the results of the union, the six countries pressed on and in 1956 signed the treaty of Rome, with the ultimate goal of creating a common market — the European Economic Community (EEC). In 1967 the union was formalized further with a the creation of a single European Commission, as well as a council of ministers and a EU parliament.

Post-1967 the EU continued to rapidly grow; Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom joined in 1973. Greece joined in 1981, Spain and Portugal in 1986 and Austria, Finland and Sweden in 1995. To date, Norway and Switzerland have resisted membership for historical and economic reasons. The EU pressed on with economic integration and launched the Euro(€) across several nations on 1 January 2002. Currently 18 nations, plus Kosovo use the Euro as their official currency. In addition, San Marino, the Vatican, Monaco, Andorra and Montenegro which are also not EU members, have been granted official permission to use the Euro.

In 2004, a further 10 countries joined the EU. These were: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

In 2007 a further 2 countries joined the EU. These were: Bulgaria and Romania.

As of 2009, Macedonia, Croatia, and Turkey are official applicants.

Get in

Rules for entering Europe depend on where you are going. EU/EFTA citizens can travel freely throughout the continent (except Russia, Belarus and the Caucasus), so the following assumes you are not one.

If you are entering a Schengen country and you plan to visit only other Schengen countries, you need only one Schengen visa. Citizens of some non-EU member countries don't need visas if they are traveling for tourist purposes and their stay lasts no longer than 90 days within a 180 day period inside the Schengen area. Under these conditions, citizens of the following countries can enter without a visa: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, El Salvador, Guatemala, Vatican City, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, USA, Uruguay, Venezuela.

It is important to note that the 90 days visa-free stay applies for the whole Schengen area, i.e. it is not 90 days per country as some assume. Citizens of the above countries who wish to travel around Europe for longer than 90 days must apply for a residency permit. This can be done in any Schengen country, but Germany or Italy are recommended, because many other countries require applicants to apply from their home countries.

Non-Schengen countries, on the other hand, maintain their own immigration policies. Consult the country article in question for details. If you wish to visit a non-Schengen country and return to the Schengen area, you will need a multiple-entry visa. It should be noted that Bulgaria, Romania, Ireland, and the United Kingdom are EU members, but they are not part of the Schengen Area. To add confusion Switzerland is not an EU member but since 2009 part of the Schengen area. Similarly, Iceland and Norway are members of the Schengen area, but they are not members of the EU.

The implications of this are simple: countries in the EU maintain similar customs controls. Therefore, one does not need to pass through customs when travelling to a non-Schengen EU country, but they may need to pass through immigration controls. The converse is true for non-EU Schengen countries: you must pass through customs, but not immigration.

By plane

The largest air travel hubs in Europe are, in order, London (LON: LCY, LHR, LGW, STN, LTN), Frankfurt (FRA, HHN), Paris (CDG), and Madrid (MAD) which in turn have connections to practically everywhere in Europe. However, nearly every European city has direct long-distance flights at least to some destinations elsewhere, and other smaller airports can make sense for specific connections: for example, Vienna (VIE) has a very good network of flights to the Middle East and Eastern Europe, while Helsinki (HEL) is the geographically closest place to transfer if coming in from East Asia. Western Europe is the largest air hub in the world.

By train

The Trans-Siberian Railway from Beijing and Vladivostok to Moscow is a classic rail journey. Also after the finalized construction of a railway link between Kazakhstan and China, the New Silk Route is becoming increasingly popular with adventurers, trying to beat down a new path, this new Almaty - Urumqi service runs twice per week, and Almaty is easily reached from Moscow by train. Other options include several connections to the middle east, offered by the Turkish Railways (TCDD) [1]. There are weekly services from Istanbul via Ankara to Tehran in Iran, and Damascus in Syria, as well as a sketchy service to Baghdad.

By ship

It is still possible, but expensive, to do the classic transatlantic voyage between the United Kingdom and the United States. The easiest option is by the historic, and only remaining Ocean Liner operator, Cunard Line[2], but expect to pay 1000-2000 USD for the 6 day voyage between Southampton and New York done around 10 times per year in each direction. If your pockets are not deep enough for this price range, your only other options of crossing the Atlantic are pretty much limited to Freighter travel. There are several lines crossing the Mediterranean, the main ports of call in North Africa is Tangier in Morocco and Tunis in Tunisia (See Ferries in the Mediterranean for more details), but there is also a little known option of going via Cyprus where you can use Louis Cruises crossings to Port Said in Egypt and Haifa in Isreal as a regular ferry service. Keep in mind though, that you can only do this on routes out of Cyprus, and it requires special arrangements - Varianos Travel in Nicosia seem to be the only tour agency offering this option.

Get around

There are no border controls between countries that have signed and implemented the Schengen Agreement. Likewise, a visa granted for any Schengen Agreement signatory country is valid in all other countries that signed and implemented the treaty. Be careful: not all EU members have signed the Schengen treaty, and not all Schengen treaty countries are members of the European Union. See the table above for the current list.

Airports in Europe are thus divided into "Schengen" and "non-Schengen" sections, which effectively act like "domestic" and "international" sections elsewhere. If you are flying from outside Europe into one Schengen country and continuing to another, you will clear Immigration and Customs at the first country and then continue to your destination with no further checks.

Travel to and from a Schengen Agreement country to any other country will result in the normal border checks. Note that, regardless of whether you traveling within Schengen or not, at some airports, airlines will still insist on seeing your ID card or passport.

By train

Main article: Rail travel in Europe

A German high-speed ICE train

Especially in Western and Central Europe, the trains are fast, efficient and cost-competitive with flying. High-speed trains like the French TGV, the German ICE, the Spanish AVE and the cross-border Eurostar and Thalys services speed along at up to 320 km/h (200 mph) and, when taking into account travel time to the airport and back, are often faster than taking the plane. The flip side is that tickets bought on the spot can be expensive, although there are good discounts available if you book in advance or take advantage of various deals. In particular, the Inter Rail (for Europeans) and Eurail (for everybody else) passes offer good value if you plan on traveling extensively around Europe (or even a single region) and want more flexibility than cheap plane tickets can offer.

The most extensive and most reliable train travel planner for all of Europe is the one belonging to the German railways (DB), which can be found here in English.

By plane

EU Passenger Rights

European Union (EU) Regulation 261/2004 of 17. February 2005[3] gives certain rights to passenger on all flights, schedule or charter and flights provided as part of a Package Holiday. It only applies to passengers flying from an EU airport or from an airport outside the EU to an EU airport on an EU carrier.

Denied Boarding

If:

you have a valid ticket
you have a confirmed reservation
you have checked in by the deadline given to you by the airline

Then you are entitled to a compensation, which is:

€250 if the flight is shorter than 1500 km

but only €125 if it is delayed less than 2 hours

€400 if the flight is between 1500 km and 3500 km

but only €200 if it is delayed less than 3 hours

€600 if the flight is longer than 3500 km

but only €300 if it is delayed less than 4 hours

and a refund of your ticket (with a free flight back to your initial point of departure, when relevant)
or alternative transport to your final destination.

The airline also have to cover the following expenses:

two telephone calls or emails, telexes or faxes
meals and refreshments in reasonable relation to the waiting time.
hotel accommodation if you are delayed overnight.

Usually they will give you a prepaid phone card, and vouchers for a restaurant and a hotel.

Refund for delayed flight

If your flight is delayed 5 hours or longer you can get a refund of your ticket (with a free flight back to your initial point of departure, when relevant).

All flights within and from the European Union limit liquids, gels and creams in hand baggage to 100 mL/container, carried in a transparent, zip-lock plastic bag (1L or less). The bag must be presented during security checks and only one bag per passenger is permitted.

Discount airlines

Main article: Discount airlines in Europe

Dozens of budget airlines allow very cheap travel around Europe, often much cheaper than the train or even bus fares for the same journey, although this fact should be balanced with consideration to the enviromental impact of short distant flights and the hassle of the airport experience. Currently the cheapest flights are offered by low cost airlines such as airBerlin, Centralwings, easyJet, HLX, Ryanair, SkyEurope Airlines and WizzAir, with the lowest fares usually found on routes which go to or from cities in the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary. All of these flights should be booked on the internet well in advance, otherwise the price advantage may become non-existent. Always compare prices with major carriers like British Airways, LOT or Lufthansa! Only in very few cases prices are higher than € 80 on any airline when booking a month or more ahead of time (except on very long routes e.g. Dublin - Istanbul). You should also make sure where the airport is located, since some low cost airlines name very small airports by the next major city, even if the distance is up to two hours drive by bus (e.g. Ryan- and Wizzair's Frankfurt-Hahn, which is not Frankfurt/Main International).

By bus

Eurolines[4] connects over 500 destinations, covering the whole of the continent and Morocco. Eurolines allows travelling from Sicily to Helsinki and from Casablanca to Moscow.

Touring[5] (German variant of Eurolines), Sindbad[6] (Polish), Lasta[7] (from Serbia), Linebus[8] (Spanish) and National Express[9] (from the UK) are other options.

For longer distances, travelling by bus often isn't any cheaper than flying with a low cost airline. It's only worth considering if you travel at short notice, wish to see the countryside you are traveling through, have heavy luggage, or are keen on reducing your travel-related CO2 emissions.

By ship

The Baltic sea has several lines running between the major cities (for example Gdansk, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga etc). Most ships are very large, parallelling Caribbean cruise liners in size and in service. This is also true of the Mediterranean Sea where a large number of ferries and cruise ships operate of the coast of: Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Southern France to Corsica, and across the English channel.

Besides ferry connections to and from the UK and other countries, there are also various ferries on the larger lakes and for crossing rivers. Furthermore, there are several regularly running cruise-lines on the larger rivers like the Rhine or the Danube.

Boating excursions within Europe, particularly along the scenic rivers and between many of the islands in the Mediterranean , are an excellent way to combine travel between locations with an adventure along the way. Accommodations range from very basic to extremely luxurious depending upon the company and class of travel selected.

Travel between the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Denmark, Norway and Scotland is possible through Smyril Line whose fairs can be cheaper than flying.

You can also cross Europe from North to South on a river cruise going from St. Petersburg to the Black Sea, which is one of the cheapest ways to see all of Western Russia.[10]

By car

There is a set of traffic signs valid in many EU countries. The most important are described here:

Speed limit A round white or yellow board surrounded by a red ring with a black number in the middle. This is the maximum allowed speed in km/h.¹
End of Speed limit A round white board with a gray number on it (speed in km/h¹), slashed with 4 thin black lines.
Stop A red octagon with 'STOP' in white letters.
Yield A white or yellow triangle surrounded by a red edge standing on one corner.
Priority street A yellow square with a white edge standing on a corner.
End of priority The same, but slashed with 4 thin black lines.
No overtaking A round white or yellow board with a red edge and a red car on the left and a black car on the right inside. Often the sign is only valid for trucks and shows a red truck in this case.²

¹ All speed limits and distances are measured and marked in miles or mph in the United Kingdom.

² In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the red vehicle is on the right.

By thumb

Hitchhiking is a common way of travelling in some parts of Europe, especially in former eastern bloc countries. It can be a pleasant way to meet lots of people, and to travel without spending too many euros. Don't forget to check out the tips for hitchhiking.

Note that in the former eastern bloc, you may run into language problems while hitchhiking, especially if you speak only English. It is not advisable to hitchhike in former Yugoslavia, for example between Croatia and Serbia, because you could run into big problems with nationalists. Between Croatia and Slovenia it's not a problem. In Moldova and the Ukraine, it's better to take train or bus. In western Europe, especially in the Netherlands and Germany, it's easy and fast to hitchhike.

See

Rail

Scenic railway lines in Europe

Itineraries

Two months in Eastern Europe

Buy

The euro (Symbol: €; ISO 4217 code EUR) is the common currency of many countries of the European Union. One euro equals 100 cent; officially referred to as 'euro cent' to differentiate them from their US and other counterparts. Established in 1999 and introduced in cash form on January 1st, 2002, the euro removes the need for money exchange. As such it is not only a boon to pan-European business, but of course also to travellers.

The euro has not been adopted by all EU countries. Those countries which have replaced their own national currencies are commonly called the Eurozone. By law, all EU countries (except Denmark, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) have to eventually adopt the euro, with the next round of enlargement now expected around 2012.

Outside the EU, Kosovo and Montenegro have unilaterally adopted the euro, but all other countries still retain their own currencies. Euros are widely accepted in European countries outside the Eurozone, but not universally, and at shops and restaurants the exchange rate is rarely in your favor. (Many hotels, though, price and accept payment in euros.) Money changers will generally give good to excellent exchange rates for the euro, and in a pinch they will be accepted by nearly everybody.

Since it has been only a few years since the introduction of euro cash, some people will still use the old national currency names. For example, it is entirely possible that a German would still refer to "marks" and "pfennige". They mean euros and cents, so just substitute the two mentally.

It's a VERY BAD idea to accept any of the obsolete currencies. While several countries' banks will still change them into euros, it's a lot of hassle and there is no guarantee that this will be possible everywhere or on short notice. You should also expect to leave your personal information with the bank as a precaution against money laundering.

ATMs

Throughout Europe, automatic teller machines are readily available. They will accept various European bank cards as well as credit cards. However, be prepared to pay a fee for the service (usually a percentage of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of few euro). Read the labels/notices on the machine before using.

European ATMs do not usually have letters on the keypad. PINs longer than 4 digits are generally no longer a problem.

Credit cards

Credit card acceptance is not as universal as in the United States, especially in Eastern Europe, but growing steadily. Some countries mandate that merchants check your ID for purchases of as little as €50, and many shops will insist on ID for any credit card transaction.

An increasing number of European countries, notably the UK, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and the Nordic countries, have moved to a chip and PIN system, where credit cards all have a chip built in and you have to punch in your PIN code instead of signing a receipt. Any store that displays Visa, Mastercard, Amex etc logos is required to accept "traditional" sign-and-swipe cards, so be persistent if they initially refuse, although you may need to escalate to the manager. (With most terminals, swiping your card and simply waiting 20 seconds without entering the PIN will cause them to print out the signing slip.) However, with self-service like gas pumps and ticket vending machines, you may be out of luck.

Stay safe

The biggest risks to your safety in Europe like in any major tourist area are pickpockets and muggings. Using common sense and being aware of your surroundings can help to greatly reduce the risk of these occurrences.

Most European countries have very low levels of violence. The few "trouble areas" that should be avoided eg. particularly certain areas in the UK, France and some places in eastern and southern Europe do have much higher violent crime rates, and can be very dangerous for non locals, but these areas shouldn't be of interest to the average tourist. Central Europe is generally the safest region.

For more information see Common scams which contains many Europe-specific scams.

Stay healthy

There are no specific precautions required for staying healthy in Europe as most restaurants maintain high standards of hygiene and in the majority of countries tap water is safe to drink. However, for more precise details on these matters as well as for general information on emergency care, pharmaceutical regulations and dentistry standards etc, please consult the 'Stay safe' section on specific country articles.

NORTHERN IRELAND

2009-05-26T03:38:00.001-07:00

Overview

Northern Ireland is located on the island of Ireland and is one of the four constituent nations of the United Kingdom. Despite its former reputation as being violent and dangerous, the political situation is currently stable and the province is safe to visit. Northern Ireland has a vast array of attractions which are of interest to tourists, from stunning landscapes and scenery to vibrant cities and interesting remnants of the country's past.

Understand

Climate

The weather in Northern Ireland is notoriously unpredictable, and it is not uncommon to experience a full range of meteorological conditions in a single week. As with the rest of the island of Ireland and Great Britain, the province is particularly susceptible to rain. Similarly to England, the weather is a common topic of conversation.

History

Roughly speaking, the population of Northern Ireland is largely made up of two groups. Although there had always been population movements between the west of Scotland and the north-east of Ireland, during the 16th and 17th centuries, there was an organised settlement of people from Scotland known as the Plantation of Ulster; most came to work on new plantations which had been established in the area. The indigenous Irish population was predominantly Roman Catholic (at a time when this was the only Western Christian religion), whilst many Scottish settlers from after the Reformation are predominantly Protestant.

The religious difference turned into a political split: most Protestants are unionists' or (a stronger term) loyalists, supporting continued union with Great Britain, while most Catholics are nationalists or Republicans. Nationalists and Republicans both want a united Ireland, but Nationalists (politically affiliated with SDLP political party) stop at violence; whereas the Republican movement (politically affiliated with Sinn Fein political party) included violence as a means to a united Ireland up until 2004. Although segregation always existed, the situation reached boiling point in 1969 when the campaign for Civil Rights turned violent as a result of British Forces having fired live rounds rather than plastic bullets at unarmed peaceful civilian protesters. After the smoke had cleared 14 were laid to rest, on a day that has become known worldwide as "Bloody Sunday". The British Government gave reparations to the families of the victims. This was a major turning point in the support for the Republican movement as the civilian population felt they had no where left to turn. This also effectively re-polarised segregation along religious lines. Previously inactive paramilitary groups became re-established in the province, which sat precariously on the brink of civil war for many years.

In 1998, after years of sporadic negotiations between the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and the paramilitary groups and local political parties, the Agreement was signed, signalling the end of violence in the province. This is often called the Belfast Agreement or the Good Friday Agreement after the place or day on which it was signed. Although there was an almost immediate drop in the level of terrorist acts and rioting, it took several years for stability to settle on the region and for agreement to be reached concerning the devolved government.

People

Most people visiting have heard of the varying allegiances of its people. However, to a traveller the people of Northern Ireland are friendly and warm towards visitors. You get the feeling that the people know the allegiances of each other, but to a traveller it can be hard to ascertain (at least until after the second pint of Guinness).

People can self-identify as Irish or British solely or Northern Irish. Similar divides exist in referring to place names (for example, to Republicans and many nationalists, Londonderry is Derry). while, to Loyalists and many unionists it is Londonderry.

Regions

	County Antrim (Contae Aontroma) - Belfast is situated in County Antrim, as is the stunning North Coast and Giant's Causeway.
	County Armagh (Contae Ard Mhacha) - Formerly the most militarised territory in Western Europe and home of the Navan Fort.
	County Londonderry (or County Derry) (Contae Dhoire) - The city of Londonderry is located here.
	County Down (Contae an Dúin) - The beautiful coastal resort of Bangor is found here. Also the Mourne Mountains - an area of outstanding natural beauty.
	County Fermanagh (Contae Fhear Manach) - Largely rural county adjacent to the Irish border, famed for its numerous lakes.
	County Tyrone (Contae Thír Eoghain) - A rural county, home to the Sperrin Mountains.

Cities and Towns

Northern Ireland is home to numerous cities and towns. Below is a list of nine of the most notable. Other urban areas are listed on their specific county article.

Cities

Belfast (Béal Feirste, "the Big Smoke") - The capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. It is also the second largest city on the island of Ireland (after Dublin, the capital of the Irish Republic), and the fifteenth largest in the United Kingdom. Shattered by more than three decades of paramilitary conflict, Belfast has undergone a renaissance in recent years and is now a vibrant, buzzing city. It has been voted the fourth best city in the UK for a city break in the Guardian/Observer travel awards.

Armagh (Ard Mhacha) - Ecclesiastical capital of Ireland; containing the headquarters of both the (Anglican) Church of Ireland, and the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland.

Derry (Doire, "the Maiden City") - (officially known as Londonderry) The second city of Northern Ireland and fourth city of Ireland is worth a visit for its famous stone city walls (which date from the 16th century and are the only complete city walls in Ireland).

Lisburn (Lios na gCearrbhach) - became a city as part of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations in 2002.

Newry (Iúr Cinn Trá)- became a city as part of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations in 2002.

Towns

Bangor (Beanchar) - A beautiful coastal resort in North Down with Ireland's largest marina and good shopping.

Coleraine (Cúil Raithin) - Situated on the River Bann in County Derry, 5 km from the sea and with an impressive history dating back to Ireland’s earliest known settlers, Coleraine today is a major gateway to the popular Causeway Coast area. Coleraine is an excellent shopping town and also has a major performance theatre located at the University of Ulster in the town.

Enniskillen (Inis Ceithleann) - picturesque main town of County Fermanagh, perfect for exploring the lakes around Lough Erne.

Omagh (An Ómaigh) - The Ulster American Folk Park is located here. This is an outdoor museum which tells the story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Other Destinations

North Coast (Causeway Coast) - The north coast of Northern Ireland has some of the best scenery in Europe and has to be seen to be believed. This coastline is of outstanding natural beauty where breathtaking and rugged coastline merge into the romantic landscape of deep silent glens and lush forest parks. There are also spectacular waterfalls, dramatic castles and mysterious ruins. The world famous Giant's Causeway (Northern Irelands only UNESCO World Heritage site) with its array of hexagonal basalt columns and tales of ancient Irish giants, and 'Old Bushmills', the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, are just two attractions, which are a must for every visit to Northern Ireland. There are fantastic golf courses located at Portstewart, Castlerock and most notably at Portrush (Royal Portrush). Beautiful, unspoilt sandy beaches also extend along the coast.

The Mourne Mountains (Na Beanna Bóirche) - The Mourne Mountains are a walker’s paradise where old mountain tracks take you past lakes, rivers, woodland and up to the many fine peaks and the famous Mourne Wall. The Mournes also offer fine rock climbing opportunities. Slieve Donnard standing at 852 m (2,796 ft) is the highest mountain in the Mournes range and also the highest mountain in Northern Ireland. It offers spectacular views from the summit towards England, and Scotland.

Rathlin Island (Reachrainn) - Northern Ireland's only inhabited off-shore island, connected to the mainland by a regular ferry service.

Get in

Immigration and visa requirements

Northern Ireland has the same immigration and visa requirements as the rest of the UK.

Citizens of the European Union do not require a visa, and have permanent residency and working rights in the UK.

Citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland also have permanent residency rights, but may require a work permit in some circumstances.

Citizens of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States do not require a visa for visits of less than 6 months.

Most other countries will require a visa, which can be obtained from the nearest British or Irish Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

There is no passport control on the land border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Visitors must carry the document that permits them entry to the UK (passport, visa, identity card or documentation, depending on nationality).

The UK also operates a Working Holidaymaker Scheme for citizens of the Commonwealth of Nations, and British dependent territories. This allows residency in the UK for up to 2 years, with limited working rights.

For more information of UK Immigration and visa requirements, see the UK's Home Office website [1].

By air

Northern Ireland's international gateway is Belfast, which has two commercial airports. A third airport in Derry has only a few short-haul commercial flights.

George Best Belfast City Airport [2] (airport code BHD): just 2 miles from Belfast city center, with magnificent views of the city of Belfast or Belfast Lough offered to passengers on approach and departure. The airport principally serves routes to domestic UK and Ireland, however bmi offers interline connections to its flights and those of the Star Alliance through Heathrow. These flights are code-shared with British Airways, therefore offering interline connections to its flights and those of the One World Alliance. Airlines using the airport include:

Aer Arann [3] to Cork

Air France [4] to London (City)

bmi [5] to London (Heathrow)

British Northwest Airlines [6] to Blackpool and the Isle of Man (Ronaldsway)

flybe [7] to Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Doncaster Sheffield (Robin Hood), Edinburgh, Exeter, Galway, Glasgow, Guernsey, Jersey, Leeds/Bradford, Liverpool (John Lennon), London (Gatwick), Newcastle, Paris (Charles-de-Gaulle), Southampton, Manchester, Newquay and Rennes.

Ryanair [8] to Nottingham (East Midlands), Glasgow (Prestwick), Liverpool (John Lennon) and London (Stansted).

The terminal is served every twenty to thirty minutes from 06.00 - 22.00 by the 600 Airport bus [9] (L1.30 single, L2.20 return). Depending on traffic, the journey to Belfast's Laganside and Europa Buscentres should take no more than fifteen minutes. Ask at the airport information desk for a free shuttle ride to the near-by Sydenham railway station for trains towards Bangor, Belfast and Portadown. Considering the airport's proximity to the city, taxis cost less than L10 to most parts of the city and are an economical choice for small groups.

The Airporter is an hourly shuttle from Belfast's two airports to Londonderry/Derry. The journey to Belfast City Airport takes roughly a two hours.

Belfast International Airport [10] (airport code BFS) (locally known as Aldergrove Airport) further away from Belfast City Airport (it is close to the town of Antrim), but offers significantly more international destinations.

Aer Lingus [11] to Amsterdam, Arrecife, Barcelona, Budapest, Geneva, Faro, London-Heathrow, Malaga, Milan, Munich, Nice, Paris (Charles-de-Gaulle) and Rome (Fiumincino)

Air Transat [12] to Toronto (Hamilton)

bmibaby [13] to Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester and Nottingham (East Midlands)

Continental Airlines [14] to New York (Newark)

Easyjet [15] to Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin Schoenefeld, Bristol, Edinburgh, Faro, Gdansk, Geneva, Glasgow, Ibiza, Krakow, Liverpool (John Lennon), London (Gatwick), London (Luton), London (Stansted), Malaga, Newcastle, Nice, Palma-de-Mallorca, Paris (Charles-de-Gaulle), Prague, Rome (Ciampino) and Venice

Globespan [16] to Orlando (Sanford) and Toronto (Hamilton)

Jet2 [17] to Barcelona, Blackpool, Chambery, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Leeds (Bradford), Malaga, Milan (Bergamo), Murcia, Palma-de-Mallorca, Pisa, Prague, Tenerife (South) and Toulouse

Manx2 [18] to the Isle of Man (Ronaldsway)

Wizz Air [19] to Warsaw and Katowice

Zoom [20] to Toronto, Vancouver and Halifax

The terminal is served up to thirty minutes from 05.35 - 23.20 by the 300 Airport bus [21] (L6 single, L9 return) to Belfast Laganside and Europa Buscentres. Depending on traffic, the journey to Belfast's Laganside and Europa Buscentres takes about forty-five minutes. Taxis should cost no more than L25-L30 to Belfast City Centre.

The Airporter is an hourly shuttle from Belfast's two airports to Londonderry/Derry. The journey to Belfast International takes ninety minutes.

City of Derry Airport: the regional airport serving Derry, Tyrone, and Donegal in the Republic of Ireland.

British Airways [22] to Dublin and Glasgow (International).

Ryanair [23] to London (Stansted), Liverpool (John Lennon), Glasgow (Prestwick), Nottingham (East Midlands) and Bristol.

By train

Despite decades of underinvestment and service cutbacks, Northern Ireland Railways [24] (a division of Translink, Northern Ireland's public transport operator) manages to maintain a small but increasingly reliable passenger rail network around the province, with four 'domestic' lines radiating out from Belfast.

Belfast - Bangor
Belfast - Portadown
Belfast - Larne
Belfast - Coleraine - Londonderry/Derry or Portrush

Service is most frequent and reliable on the Portadown - Belfast - Bangor corridor, on which new trains offer frequent and fast suburban service. The line to Londonderry/Derry is exceptionally beautiful as it passes along the north coast after Coleraine, however travellers should note that the railway line is slower (two hours or more) than the equivalent Ulsterbus Goldline express coach (one hour and forty minutes). Contact NIR for information on tourist passes for exploring Northern Ireland by bus and train: with integrated bus and train stations in most major towns, the North is easily explored without a car.

The cross-border service to Dublin (with connections to other destinations in the Republic of Ireland) is offered by the Enterprise, a modern, comfortable and relatively fast train jointly operated by Northern Ireland Railways and Iarnród Éireann (who operate trains in the Republic of Ireland). The journey to Dublin takes around two hours, and there are eight trains a day, offering two classes of service.

By car

Roads link Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland. However, pay particular attention to road signs when driving in border areas. In some places the border, being based on county boundaries, runs along the middle of the road while in others it's possible to cross into the South and then back into the North again within several hundred yards. Fortunately both jurisdictions drive on the left though road signs and speed limits in the Republic are now metric (kilometres) while road signs in the North are all imperial (miles).

There are currently no border checks and there is complete freedom of movement between the North and Republic without a passport.

By Ship

Sailings across the Irish Sea connect Northern Ireland to Great Britain, via Larne or Belfast. All the operators listed below offer special promotions throughout the year, and some also offer through ticketing with rail and bus services at each end.

Stena Line offer two types of service from the Port of Belfast to Stranraer in Scotland, with up to six sailings a day. The HSS Stena Voyager is a high speed catamaran (the fastest ferry from Northern Ireland to Great Britain) and the Stena Caledonia is a more traditional and slower ferry. Stena offer 'rail and sail' tickets with Scotrail train connections to destinations in Scotland from Stranraer: the railway station is directly adjacent to the ferry terminal in Stranraer.

Stena Line also offer up to three sailings a day from Larne (accessible from Belfast by train or bus) to Fleetwood, near Liverpool.

Norfolk Line offer daytime and nightime crossings to Birkenhead, near Liverpool. Cabins and meals are available.

Seat61.com offers informed and independent advice on how to book combined train and ferry tickets from any railway station in Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

P&O also offers ferries into Larne. These depart from Troon and Cairnryan in Scotland.

Get around

By car

Northern Ireland's motorway system connects Belfast to Dungannon, Ballymena and Newtownabbey. All large towns and cities are well connected by road. The speed limits are:

Motorways and Dual Carriageways - 70 miles per hour (c. 112 km/h)

Other roads (outside urban areas) - 60 miles per hour (c. 96 km/h)

Urban areas (towns and cities) - 30 miles per hour (c. 48 km/h)

There is a comparatively high incidence of road accidents in Northern Ireland, and the province employs slightly different driving laws to the rest of the UK. One notable difference is that newly qualified drivers can be identified by 'R' plates which are displayed on the car for the first twelve months after their licence is issued. These plates are mandatory. Drivers displaying these plates are limited to 45 miles per hour (c. 72 kilometres per hour) on ALL roads, including dual carriageways and motorways. As with 'L' plates in the rest of the UK, drivers displaying 'R' plates are often the target of road rage and are not awarded a great deal of patience.

Car rental

Northern Ireland is not as well served by car rental companies as is the Republic. Some Irish car rental companies offer a drop off option in Belfast while others have locations in Belfast City.

Avis Rent a Car Ltd - 69-71 Great Victoria Street
Dan Dooley - Belfast International Airport. Offers meet and greet service at Belfast City Airport and in the Belfast Docks.
Budget Car Rental Belfast - Have 3 locations in Belfast including the International Airport, George Best Belfast City Airport and an office on Great Victoria Street
Europcar - 105 Great Victoria Street
Thrifty Car Rental Northern Ireland - Drop off option at Belfast International Airport
Northern Ireland Car Hire Northern Ireland Car Hire.
Northern and Southern Ireland Car Hire .

By bus and train

See also Rail travel in Ireland

Translink operate the Northern Ireland public transport system.

Talk

English is spoken everywhere. There are slight variations of regional dialects. Ulster Scots and Irish are used in some small communities. Do be aware though that the Northern Irish tend to speak quite rapidly compared to most English speakers, and have a huge arsenal of local words that are frequently dropped into conversation by speakers of all ages and groups. Expect to become acquainted with words such as 'aye' (yes), 'wee' (little), 'cowp' (turn over, capsize, fall, pass out, fall asleep), 'thole' (be patient, wait, tolerate) 'wean' (literally 'wee one', meaning child), and 'crack' (spelled in Irish Gaelic as "craic", meaning a good time/fun/a laugh, with no connotations of any controlled substances whatsoever).

While conversations between local friends and acquaintances can seem brash or even rude to North Americans, it is usually all in good fun. Northern Ireland people are generally quite open, in comparison to other peoples across the rest of the British Isles. Don't be surprised if a complete stranger rushes to open a door for you, gives you a smile and a friendly "Hello", or even engages in friendly conversation. This can happen quite randomly, and anywhere - at bus stops, in shopping queues, while dining. However, it is generally wise to avoid expressing opinions on local politics. Additionally, while Northern Irish people can be quite cynical about where they are from, and are renowned for their 'black humour', this should not be taken as an invitation to join in the criticism! Silence is foreign to those from Northern Ireland, and in casual conversation you will rarely find yourselves with nothing to talk about.

See

Giant's Causeway- World Heritage Site and National Nature Reserve. The Giants Causeway is essentially an area of coastline and cliffs with very unusual and distinctive volcanic stone formations. The name comes from the local Legend of Finn McCool, as it was said that the rocks were once part of a bridge (or causeway) which ended in similar rocks directly across the sea, in Scotland. It is an interesting site to see but come prepared for a long and intense walk. (Best to wear waterproof clothing and strong sneakers). Giant's Causeway is split up into six sections in walking order : 1. The Camel 2. The Granny 3. The Wishing Chair 4. The Chimney Tops 5. The Giant's Boot and 6. The Organ. All six parts of Giant's Causeway are different in shape and form and truly are a sight to be seen.

Carrick-A-Rede- The name literally means the rock in the road. Carrick-A-Rede is a bridge in between two rocks that is a tourist attraction. There is a small fee to cross the bridge but the sight is amazing. After crossing the bridge, there are beautiful greens and it is a spot for great pictures. This attraction must be done during the day, it closes soon before sun-down. On a good day, the coast of Scotland is clearly visible.

Ulster American Folk Park- Northern Ireland Visitor Attraction in County Tyrone open air museum explaining story of emigration from Ulster to North America in 18th and 19th centuries. There is an Old World and New World in site. Sites include the Weaver's Cottage, A Blacksmith's forge, Crop Fields, log cabins, smoke houses, and herb gardens. Museum restaurant available, open daily for snacks and full meals.

Buy

Currency

The official currency of Northern Ireland is the pound sterling. Bank of England notes are used but the four Northern Irish banks print their own versions, which tend to be used more often (Bank of Ireland, Northern Bank, Ulster Bank, and First Trust). Northern Irish notes, while acceptable, are often refused in the rest of the UK due to lack of familiarity. For convenience they should be exchanged for specifically Bank of England notes before departure for the British mainland, and for Euros when departing to the Republic of Ireland.

Northern Ireland does a large amount of trade with the Republic of Ireland (where the Euro is used) and therefore many outlets in border areas and urban centres accept Euro.

Virtually all shops and pubs in Derry and Newry will accept Euro as payment. In addition, many major pubs and shopping outlets in Belfast city centre now accept euro. In particular, the pub company Botanic Inns Ltd and the shopping centre Castle Court can be cited as accepting payments for goods in Euro. Many phone kiosks in Northern Ireland also accept Euro, but by no means all outside Belfast itself.

Eat

A popular dish is the 'fry', called the Ulster Fry. It consists of eggs, bacon, tomatoes, sausages, potato bread and soda bread. Some versions include mushrooms or baked beans. Fry's are generally prepared as the name suggests, everything is fried in a pan. Traditionally lard was used, but recently due to health concerns, it has been replaced with oils such as canola and olive. Historically, it was popular with the working class.

Some shops sell a local delicacy called dulse. This is a certain type of seaweed, usually collected, washed and Sun-dried from the middle of Summer through to the middle of Autumn.

The cuisine in Northern Ireland is similar to that in the United Kingdom as a whole, with dishes such as Fish and Chips a staple. Local dishes such as various types of stew and potato-based foods are also very popular.

Drink

The legal drinking age in Northern Ireland is 18. People at and above the age of 16 will be served beer and wine with meals as long as there is a consenting adult present. In general, restaurateurs are generally strict about this rule, while the operators of small local pubs and bars tend to be more relaxed.

Depending on their license, most bars stop serving alcohol at either 11PM or 1AM. Some clubs serve until later, and some bars have (illegal, but widely overlooked) "lock-ins" where the doors are locked at closing time, but people can stay and drink for longer. This only takes place at the discretion of the bar owner, and such events operate on an invitation-only basis.

Bushmills whiskey is made in the town of the same name on the north coast, and distillery tours are interesting and enjoyable. Belfast produces its own range of ales.

Stay safe

Despite a reputation as unsafe, Northern Ireland has one of the lowest crime rates among industrialized countries. According to statistics from the U.N. International Crime Victimization Survey (ICVS 2004), Northern Ireland has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe (lower than the United States and the rest of the United Kingdom), and even during the Troubles, the murder rate was still lower than in most large American cities. In fact, the results of the latest ICVS show that Japan is the only industrialized place safer than Northern Ireland. Almost all visitors experience a trouble-free stay.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland [www.psni.police.uk] (formerly the Royal Ulster Constabulary or RUC) is the police force in Northern Ireland. Unlike the Garda Síochána in the Republic, the PSNI are routinely armed. Also, it is common to see the police using heavily armoured Land Rover vehicles, which can be alarming to some visitors. There is a visible police presence in Belfast and Derry, and the police are approachable and helpful. Almost all police stations in Northern Ireland are reinforced with fencing or high, blast-proof walls. It is important to remember that there was, at one time, a necessity for this type of protection and that is merely a visible reminder of the province's past.

It is important to note that visitors are highly unlikely to be involved in any matters related to the past conflict in Northern Ireland. Since the 1998 Belfast Agreement, all of the major paramilitary groups have either declared an end to their armed campaigns, or have declared permanent ceasefires. However, there still remains a minor threat from smaller offshoot groups such as the Real IRA (RIRA) who oppose the peace process and have carried out attacks since the signing of the Agreement (such as the 1998 bombing of Omagh). According to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, there were six recorded incidents where explosives posed a threat to life in 2006/2007.

As with most places, avoid being alone at night in urban areas. In addition, avoid wearing clothes that could identify you (correctly or not) as being from one community or the other (for example Celtic or Rangers football kits). Do not express a political viewpoint (pro-Nationalist or pro-Unionist) unless you are absolutely sure you are in company that will not become hostile towards you for doing so. Even then, you should be sure that you know what you're talking about! It would even be better if you acted that either you don't know about the conflict or don't care. Avoid political gatherings where possible. Many pubs have a largely cultural and political atmosphere (such as on the Falls Road, the mostly Republican main road in West Belfast, and the Newtownards Roads in predominantly Loyalist East Belfast), but expressing an opinion among good company, especially if you share the same view, will usually not lead to any negative consequences.

Traffic through many towns and cities in Northern Ireland tends to become difficult at times for at least a few days surrounding the 12th July due to the Orange Parades and some shops may close for the day or for a few hours. The parades have been known to get a bit rowdy but have vastly improved in recent years.

Contact

If you are dialling from one telephone in Northern Ireland to another, you do not need to add any area code. If dialling from the rest of the UK use the code (028). If dialling from elsewhere you can dial a Northern Ireland number by using the UK country code 44, followed by the Northern Ireland area code 28. If dialling from the Republic of Ireland, you can use the code (048), or you can dial internationally using the UK country code.

International phone cards are widely available in large towns and cities within Northern Ireland, and phone boxes accept payment in GBPL and Euro.

Respect

Generally speaking, people from NI are welcoming, friendly and well-humored people, however that does not mean that, on occasion, there are no taboos. It is sometimes apparent in some of the more geographically 'politicised' areas of the Northern Ireland, that an insistence on a politicised conversation, especially concerning religious affiliation, may cause offence. Further on that issue, avoid bringing up issues like the IRA, UVF, UDA, INLA etc., or political parties as it will fare similarly as the above taboo. Other than that, there are no real dangers to causing tension among the Northern Irish people. As with virtually all cultures, don't do anything you wouldn't do at home. Also, Northern Irish people have a habit of gently refusing gifts or gestures you may offer them, do not be offended, because they really mean that they like the gesture, also you are expected to do the same, so as not to appear slightly greedy, it is a confusing system but is not likely to get you in trouble.

The terms which refer to the two communities in Northern Ireland have changed. During the Troubles, the terms 'Republican' and 'Loyalist' were commonplace. These are seen as slightly 'extreme', probably due to the fact that they were terms used by the paramilitaries. It is more common to use the terms 'Nationalist' and 'Unionist' today.

Social Issues

The people in Northern Ireland are generally warm and open - always ready with good conversation. Of course, being such a small, isolated Province has also led to a decidedly noticeable lack in social diversity.

Gay and lesbian travellers should be aware that Northern Ireland is not the most accepting place when it comes to homosexuality. This is not necessarily due to the people being adverse to it, but rather the fact that there are virtually no examples of any Gay and Lesbian communities outside Belfast. It should be noted, however, that parts of the capital (for example the University Quarter) are perfectly safe and accepting of Gay and Lesbian people, with both of Belfast's universities incorporating active LGBT societies.

It is also worth noting that the majority of people you will encounter will be white. It isn't unusual to go a few days without encountering any multiculturalism, apart from other visitors. Racism is not generally an issue. However, due to the openness and rather frank humour in Northern Ireland, small, sarcastic comments may be made about the issue, in jest, if a local encounters someone outside of his or her own nationality. It is best not to react to this, as it is most likely just a joke, and should be treated as such.

However, there have been issues of more severe racism in parts of the province in recent years. Belfast is the most ethnically diverse area, but even so the city is over 99% white. Typically, incidents of overt or violent racism have been confined to South Belfast, which has a higher mix of non-white ethnicities due to its location near Queen's University. The local rumour is that a recent speight of violence directed at people with a Chinese or South-East Asian appearance was the result of a Chinese Restaurant's refusal to pay protection money to the UDA (Ulster Defence Association) paramilitary group. Whether this is true or not, the fact is that non-white travellers should exercise a greater degree of caution in certain parts of Belfast. Visitors should remember that there are places to avoid in all cities and as Belfast is smaller than most, those areas may come to view more than in others.

WALES

2009-05-26T02:59:00.000-07:00

Overview

Wales (Welsh, Cymru. [1]) is one of the four "home nations" that make up the United Kingdom. It lies on a western peninsula of the island of Great Britain, bordered on the East by England.

Wales is rich in history and natural beauty and has a culture distinct from the rest of the UK. Travelers are attracted to Wales because of its beautiful landscape, the wide open spaces of its stunning national parks and the wealth of history and culture.

Quick Facts

Capital: Cardiff
Government: Devolved administration within a Constitutional monarchy (UK)
Currency: Pound Sterling (L)
Area: total: 20,779 sq km

water: 1.9%
Population: 2,903,085 (2001)
Language: English,Welsh,
Religion: 80% Christian, 18% none, 2% other
Calling Code: +44
Internet TLD: .uk
Time Zone: WET (UTC; UTC+1 in summer)

Get in

Immigration and visa requirements

Wales has the same immigration and visa requirements as the rest of the UK.

For more information of UK Immigration and visa requirements, see the UK's Home Office website

By air

The main airport is Cardiff International Airport, located nine miles south of the city. This is the only major airport in Wales, and is served by the following airlines.

Air Southwest operate domestics to Manchester and Newquay.
bmibaby operates domestic services to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Jersey and Belfast, and international services to Alicante, Amsterdam, Faro, Ibiza, Malaga, Murcia, Palma de Mallorca and Prague.
KLM operates services to Amsterdam 4 to 5 times a day.
Aer Arann operates services to Dublin, Cork and Galway in Ireland and also to Nantes in France.
Flybe operate multiple daily serices to, George Best Belfast City Airport, Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport, Newcastle Airport, Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow Airport.
Zoom operates direct services to Toronto and Vancouver (Operations have been suspended since August 28, 2008 - see website).
Eastern Airways operate flights to Newcastle.
Thomsonfly operate flights to Jersey, Barcelona and many airports in Spain and other parts of the world.

There are regular bus services from Cardiff city center to the airport. Alternatively, you can also get to the airport using a bus service from Barry Station, which is closer to the airport and on local rail lines. In 2005, a nearby railway line was reopened, including a station at Rhoose, where there are shuttle buses to the airport.

It could be easier to fly to an airport in England such as one of the London airports when visiting South Wales, as a greater range of airlines and cities flown from are available from there to destinations across the world, with services from many airlines. However London is over 2 hours from Cardiff, and longer from many other places in Wales. Other cities served by international airports in England which offer reasonable access to parts of Wales include Bristol (for south Wales), Birmingham (for mid Wales), Liverpool and Manchester (for north Wales).

By car

South Wales enjoys good motorway connections with the rest of the UK

The M4 links London with Bristol, and via the Severn (toll) Bridge, Newport, Cardiff, Swansea, and Carmarthen
The M50 links the Midlands with South Wales

North Wales has no motorway connections. However there are still good road connections with the rest of the UK

The A5, followed by the M54 after Shrewsbury, to London and the Midlands takes you through the spectacular Snowdonia National Park
The island of Anglesey is along the A55 road along the North Wales coast. If you are approaching from the south try the A5 which is a scenic route that takes you through the mountains of North Wales.

There are no internal border controls within Great Britain and you may not notice the border if entering Wales from England via a minor road. As a general rule, you will see a sign notifying you when you have crossed the border.

By train

For those unused to the vagaries of the UK rail network, Wikitravel has a useful guide to Rail travel in the UK.

South Wales

Main line rail services connect south Wales (especially Newport, Cardiff and Swansea) with all parts of the UK, via Virgin Trains (to Birmingham and the North East, including Scotland), Central Trains (to the Midlands), Arriva Trains Wales and First Great Western (to London Paddington).

North Wales

The North Wales Coast Line links Manchester, Crewe and London (in England) with the northern seaside resorts of Rhyl and Prestatyn, the city of Bangor, the isle of Anglesey and the port of Holyhead. Through tickets to Dublin (Ireland) are available, which include the ferry from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire. Services are run by Arriva (from Manchester) and Virgin Trains (from London and Crewe)

The Conwy Valley Line stretches from Llandudno Junction along the Conwy Valley via Betws y Coed to Blaenau Ffestiniog, and connects with trains on both the North Wales Coast line and the Ffestiniog Railway.

The beautiful Cambrian Coast Line runs from Shrewsbury (in England), across Mid-Wales through Machynlleth, and through the coastal towns of Tywyn and Barmouth, through the south part of Snowdonia, Harlech and Porthmadog, and along the south coast of the Lleyn Peninsula to Pwllheli.

The Borderlands Line runs between Shrewsbury, Wrexham and Bidston, linking various Flintshire towns and villages with the Wirral, Shrewsbury and Wrexham. A new rail service is planned to link Wrexham, Oswestry and Shrewsbury to London

Arriva Trains Wales.

Mid Wales

Arriva Trains also run the famous Heart of Wales Line from Swansea to Shrewsbury

The Cambrian Line takes the same route as the Cambrian Coast Line as far as Machynlleth, where it goes southwards along the coast through Borth to the university town of Aberystwyth.

Train timetables

See National Rail's website for train timetables, or The TrainLine's website for tickets.

By motorbus

National Express operates coach services around the UK including to and from many parts of Wales.

By boat

Regular ferry services operate between Holyhead in North Wales and Ireland, (Dublin and Dun Laoghaire), and is provided by two carriers. Stenaline and Irish Ferries both offer multiple daily service between the two ports for passengers and vehicles. Bookings can be made through their respective websites.

Rosslare in South Eastern Ireland is connected to two ports in Pembrokeshire. Stena operate the route to Fishguard, (including a fast ferry service), Irish Ferries operate the route to Pembroke Dock.

Cork in Ireland to Swansea. Currently suspended, this service will resume in March 2010 Fastnet Line.

Get Around

General

Due to Wales' topography and historic development, most travelling in Wales is done along an East-West axis rather than a North-South Axis. Rail and road links between centres in South Wales, and along the North Wales coast are by and large quick and efficient, especially along the M4 and A55. An important exception to this is M4 J32 (the interchange with the A470) during peak morning rush hour, which gets congested with Cardiff Commuter traffic. The roundabout at junction 32 is the largest in Europe. Through to 2010 roadworks between J29 (A48(M)) and J30 (Cardiff Gate) may add time to your journey. Most places in South Wales are within a one and half hour drive of each other.

Travelling between the Cardiff and the other main population centres, Swansea and Newport is very straightforward.

Although only approximately 170 miles from coast to coast, due to the topography North South links are more difficult in terms of time. By land journey times are comparable to flight times accross the North American continent! However the journey itself is something a visitor may wish to undertake in order to see the scenery.

Traveline Cymru - bus, coach and rail journey planning and timetable information

By air

Wales is a small country and flying is not a common mode of internal transport. There is in fact only one domestic route, Cardiff International Airport to Anglesey Airport. This is probably the quickest way by far to travel between North and South Wales.

This route is served by two services each way per day. The journey costs approximately L50 each way, takes about an hour. Although of course time taken getting to and from the airport needs to be factored into the travelling time for such relatively short air journey. This option is most useful for those travelling between North West and South East Wales.

The service is provided by a firm based in Scotland called Highland Air [2]

By car

Driving between North and South Wales takes approximately 5 to 6 hours, although the journey takes in some spectacular scenery, especially for journeys on the more Western route through Snowdonia via Corris, Dolgellau, Blaenau Ffestiniog, the Crimea Pass and the Conwy Valley. The two main North South roads are the A470 Cardiff to Llandudno and the A483 Swansea to Chester.

By train

Due to historical reasons there is no true "Welsh railway system". Basically there are three separate Welsh limbs which are part of the British system- although there have been moves in recent years to improve intra Wales railway services. The limbs are basically a North Wales line to Holyhead, a line to Aberystwyth in the Centre, and a main line in South Wales, forming an extension of the London Paddington to West of England main line.

Arriva Trains Wales provides most train services within Wales.

Two cross border train companies may also be of use for internal train journies within Wales. First Great Western provide the bulk of cross border services between England and South Wales. Their flagship High Speed Service generally go as far west as Swansea, and a there are even a limited number to destinations further West. Their "local" services go no further west than Cardiff. Arriva Trains Cross Country provide services as far west as Cardiff.

Regular train services connect the South Wales' three main cities, Cardiff, Swansea and Newport. Services between Cardiff and Swansea are usually half hourly, and even more frequent between Cardiff and Newport.

Cardiff is also the hub of the Valley Line network which serves a number of (former) coal mining towns. This railway system originally built to carry coal, is now mainly a commuter network but is useful to vistors to the Valleys, or indeed for local travel within Cardiff.

Swansea and Llanelli in the West are linked to Mid Wales via the Heart of Wales railway, whilst not a quick journey it is well worth considering for its scenery.

Rail connections between North and South Wales in fact cross into neighbouring England, although there are a number of direct services between Cardiff and North Wales along the Marches line via several places in England. There is one high speed service a day between Holyhead and Cardiff, which only stops in a limited number of stations in England.

For destinations and starting points in South Wales West of Cardiff, those thinking of travelling by train to North Wales need to consider the fact that their journey will involve a change in Cardiff or Newport and start off travelling in a eastwards direction before they turn north at Newport, meaning that valuable time is being used whilst not actually travelling in the intended direction of travel!

Arriva Trains Wales operates most local rail services in Wales
[3] operates cross border services between South Wales and Western England- and a connect a number of major Welsh destinations.

By Bus and Coach

The First Cymru Shuttle coach service is usually quicker than the train for journies between Swansea and Cardiff, although at peak times, the train doesn't get stuck in traffic!

Traws Cambria services connect North, Mid and South Wales.

Arriva operates a large amount of bus services in North Wales
First Cymru operates services in South West Wales
Trawscambria long distance bus network connects North, Mid and South Wales.
Stagecoach operates services in South Wales
Cardiff Bus operates services in Cardiff
Veolia Transport Cymru operates services in Cardiff and South Wales

Talk

English is spoken throughout the country, but Wales also has its own language, Welsh (Welsh: Cymraeg), which is spoken by some 26% of the population (though this varies geographically, from under 7% in the southeast to over 60% in the northwest). Most Welsh speakers (but note, not all) are also fluent to near fluent in English and do react well if you show an interest in their language and culture. Additionally, according to Census 2001, some 39% of all 10-15 year olds can speak, read and write some Welsh, due to the fact the language is compulsory in schools in Wales. Although there are also several Welsh-language television and radio channels, English remains the main language spoken in Wales. Many older people, who do not speak Welsh, still have a strong emotional bond with the language, due to the fact they may have had a Welsh speaking parent or grand-parent. There was a time when the language was discouraged in schools and many parents refrained from speaking their native tongue with their children.

Depending on your own nationality, you may find it very difficult to understand the English language being spoken in a heavy Welsh accent (sometimes Coloquially referred to as 'Wenglish') - but don't be worried to ask for someone to repeat something. Many distinct colloquialisms are used in Welsh-English which have the potential to cause confusion to a foreigner; a few examples of these are 'Aye', which is very commonly used to indicate 'yes' and 'Ta-Ra' can be said instead of 'Goodbye' (especially in an informal conversation).

See

Wales has many significant attractions, and listed below are a few of the most notable. For more details about these attractions plus information on other places of interest, check under specific regional sections.

National Parks

Brecon Beacons National Park (Mid Wales) - spectacular mountain scenery and castles
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (South Wales) - stunning coastal scenery
Snowdonia National Park (North Wales) - national park covering Wales' highest mountains

Areas of Outstanding Natual Beauty

For more details on Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB's) see the National Association for AONB's[4]

The Isle of Anglesey- has one of the most distinctive, attractive and varied landscapes in the British Isles. Anglesey was designated as an Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in 1966 in order to protect the aesthetic appeal and variety of the island's coastal landscape and habitats from inappropriate development. The AONB is predominantly a coastal designation, covering most of the island's 125 miles coastline (including LLanddwyn), it contains rocky headlands, golden beaches, dunes, heaths and fine green countryside. Some of the beaches are recognised as being amongst the best in Great Britain and Europe. The AONB supports a wealth of wildlife such as choughs, grey seals, sea lavender and silver studded blue butterflies. There are also many areas protected for their nature conservation value, such as Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve, and several Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Gower Peninsula (South Wales) - UK's first designated area of outstanding natural beauty - under the jurisdiction of the City and County of Swansea
Lleyn AONB. The peninsula sticking out westwards beyond Snowdonia, in the north-west of the country
Clwydian Range AONB. A range of hills running southwards from the coast at Prestatyn, Denbighshire in the north-east of the country, close to the border with England.
The Wye Valley AONB is one of Britain's few lowland AONB's. It straddles the southern end of the England/Wales border between Hereford and Chepstow

Landmarks

Blaenavon Industrial Landscape - a UNESCO World Heritage site, Blaenavon.
North Wales Castles - UNESCO World Heritage site, built in the decades after the invasion or conquest of Wales by England in the thirteenth century. They represented the most advanced military technology of the time. They have been compared with the Crusader Castles of the Middle East.

National Museums and Galleries

The National Museum [5], Cardiff
St Fagans National History Museum [6], Cardiff - includes many historic buildings, relocated from their original site.
The National Slate Museum [7], Llanberis
Big Pit [8] - the National Coal Museum, Blaenafon
The National Woollen Museum [9], Dre-fach Felindre, Carmarthenshire
The National Roman Legionary Museum [10], Caerleon.
The National Waterfront Museum [11], Swansea - examines Wales' maritime and industrial past.

Do

Cultural Events

Brecon Jazz Festival, Brecon [12]
Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, Cardiff
Guardian Hay Festival, Hay-on-Wye. [13] A literary festival, which Bill Clinton aptly described as 'The Woodstock for the Mind.'
Dylan Thomas Festival, Swansea An annual event held between 27 October and 9 November (the dates of the poet's birth and death) to commemorate the works of Thomas. In addition, the festival hosts the awards' ceremony for the winner of the Dylan Thomas Prize [14] - a biannual writing competition for most outstanding literary talent in English, aged under 30.
Dylan Thomas Fringe, Swansea. [15]. Compliments the main events at the Dylan Thomas Festival and is held at various venues throughout the city.
Faenol Festival [16] is organised by the internationally renowned opera singer Bryn Terfel, and takes place on August Bank Holiday weekend every year at Y Felinheli, between Bangor and Caernarfon.
International Eisteddfod, Llangollen. [17] An international festival of traditional music and dance.
National Eisteddfod (Eisteddfod Genedlaethol) [18]. First week of August. A Welsh Language event that is hosted by a different town each year, alternating between north and south Wales. In 2009 it will be held in Bala, North Wales, and 2010 is slated for Blaenau Gwent.
Sesiwn Fawr [19] World Music Festival takes place every July in Dolgellau. With 6 stages, there's something for everyone.
Swansea Bay Film Festival, Swansea. [20]. The UK's largest international indie film festival.
Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts, Swansea. [21]. An annual (October) three week bash of culture at various locations in Swansea, and the second largest such festival in the UK.
Wakestock [22] is a music festival combined with a wakeboarding contest, which takes place in Abersoch every July.

Golf

Wales has a long golfing history, with many top-quality courses, however it offers golf courses which tend to be less crowded, and less expensive than the other Western European destinations.

There are high quality courses of all sorts throughout Wales, both well established and recently built.

As a very rough rule North Wales tends to have the better Links courses, and the South the better parkland courses, although it is well worth playing both sorts of courses in both parts of Wales just to find out! There is a relatively density of courses in the Vale of Glamorgan area, between Cardiff and Bridgend, due to the proliferation of course in the last fifteen years, serving the Cardiff Commuter Belt. There is also a high density of courses in the Conwy and Llandudno area.

Further details can be obtained from the Welsh Assembly Government's official golf tourism website, as well as on pages concerning the specic areas of Wales.

Wales's most prestigous courses include:

The Celtic Manor Resort [23] - located in Newport, Monmouthshire, it has three courses, and is the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup.
Conwy (Caernarvonshire), Conwy, Caernarvonshire - this Links hosted a final qualifying round for the 2006 Open Championship
Machynys Golf and Country Club [24], Llanelli, Carmarthenshire - Links, opened in 2005 Wales' first and so far only Nicklaus-designed course.

Heritage Railways

These are more generally thought of as pleasurable attractions rather than ways to get around, although the Ffestiniog Railway from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog can be used to link places on main rail lines, and the planned extension to the Welsh Highland Railway will create a useful link between Caernarfon, Beddgelert and Porthmadog. They are all historic lines that have been either preserved or restored and steam is a major feature on these lines.

Bala Lake [25]
Brecon Mountain [26]
Ffestiniog [27] - initially depended on gravity and horse power.
Llanberis Lake [28]

The Snowdon Mountain Railway [29] must be the best known of all.

Talyllyn [30] - The World's first heritage railway
Welsh Highland [31]
Vale of Rheidol Railway [32] runs from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge.
Welshpool and Llanfair [33]

Outdoors

Wales' offers some spectacular coastal and mountainous scenery. Which offers the opportunity for various activity holidays.

Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales and offers ideal hiking opportunities.
Cadair Idris, close to the Mid-Wales coast, overlooking Dolgellau to the north and Bro Dysynni to the south-west is another very popular mountain. It has good rail access on both North and South sides from the Cambrian Coast Line, but this is virtually at sea level. The actual summit is 893 m or 2,930 ft above sea level. This makes for a strenuous walk which takes most of the day.

Six Nations Rugby Tournament

Cardiff's Millennium Stadium hosts two or three matches per year as part of the premier Northern Hemisphere Rugby Tournament. As well as the match itself, Cardiff will host many visitors attending the game. Tickets and accommodation would generally need to be bought well in advance. If you are able to see a match then it is a valuable insight into Welsh culture, whether watching in a pub or in the Millennium Stadium.

Eat

Wales is not famous for its cuisine, but there are a few specialty dishes that you might like to try:

Cawl or Lobscouse (North) - a lamb broth.
Welsh Rarebit - a melted cheese dish, often spiced with ale and herbs and served on toasted bread.
Laver bread (pronounced "lar-ver") is not, as the name implies, bread, but a purée made from seaweed (the same kind that is used in the preparation of Japanese nori). It is generally rolled into small cakes mixed with oatmeal and served at breakfast alongside bacon rashers, though it is delicious simply heated and served on buttered toast. This dish is only available in the Swansea area and can be purchased raw at Swansea Market.
Ice-cream - due to an influx of Italians into Wales, the area boasts some of the best cones and tubs in the country. The following are UK national award winners: Frank's Ice Cream in Carmarthenshire, Joe's Ice-cream [34] in Swansea and Fecci & Sons Ice Cream in Tenby. La Belle Rouge [35] in Aberystwyth is also very highly recommended.

See the more general article on eating in the UK.

NB: Smoking in enclosed public areas, which includes restaurants and cafes, is illegal in Wales, and there is an on-the-spot fine of L50 for those who violate the ban.

Drink

Whisky - After an absence of over 100 years, Wales rejoined the club of Celtic countries that produce whisky in 2004 with the launch of the Welsh Whisky Company[36]. This distillery is based out of the village of Penderyn, near Brecon in South Wales. Penderyn whisky has received a number of awards and makes an interesting addition to the world of whisky. The distillery visitor centre opened in June 2008.

See the more general article on drinking in the UK, with information on pubs and real ale.

NB: Smoking in enclosed public areas, which includes pubs and cafes, is illegal in Wales, and there is an on-the-spot fine of L50 for those who violate the ban.

Sleep

Wales is very tourist-friendly, so finding hotel accommodation, a self catering holiday cottage or a place to pitch a tent should not be a problem. However, you might need to make prior reservations during the summer season in tourist areas such as Anglesey, Llandudno, Llangollen, Lleyn, Rhyl, Swansea/Mumbles and Tenby, or around the time of important sporting events in Cardiff.

Learn

Universities

Wales has ten major universities, all of which have large foreign student populations:

Aberystwyth [37]. A university overlooking the sea - excellent facilities.
Bangor [38]. A relatively small university, but with a good reputation.
Cardiff [39]. The largest and highest ranked of the universities.
Glamorgan [40]. A large university, set in the South Wales Valleys.
Glyndwr University, Wrexham [41]. Wales' newest university, constituted in 2008 from the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education.
Lampeter [42]. The third oldest university in England and Wales, behind only Oxford and Cambridge, based in the small town of Lampeter in West Wales. Home to the oldest rugby and hockey teams in Wales.
Newport [43]. Contains the well-renowned Newport Art School.
Swansea [44]. A large university located on the sea-front - often voted the top university in the UK for student experience.
Swansea Metropolitan [45]. This university is located at several campuses throughout the city, and it is famous for its courses in stained glass design [46] and digital media [47].
Trinity College, Carmarthen [48]. A small, but historic University, based in beautiful national park.
University Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) [49]. The self styled Cardiff metripolitan university.

Colleges and institutes

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff [50]. A college focusing on music and drama.

English (as a second language)

English Study Centre, 19-21 Uplands Crescent, Uplands, Swansea SA2 0NX. Tel:+44 1792 464-103. Email: info@escwales.co.uk [51]

Stay safe

In any emergency call 999 or 112 and ask for Ambulance, Fire, Police or Coast Guard when connected.

Wales is considered to be one of the safest parts of the United Kingdom, though visitors should be aware that criminal activity including violent crime is not uncommon. As in many British towns and cities, there are ongoing problems with alcohol related anti-social behaviour. It is perfectly safe to drive on Welsh roads, though visitors should take extra care on single-carriageways and single-lane roads.

Respect

Referring to Welsh people as English is incorrect and is likely to cause annoyance. The geo-political ties between England and Wales are strong, although some light-hearted anti-English sentiment is common, particularly in the patriotic North West of the country. It is common to hear the Welsh language being spoken in some parts of the country, though locals will rarely expect visitors to attempt to speak it. Using words like Bore Da (Good morning) and Diolch (Thank-you) will be appreciated in some parts of the country, but will sound strange in others -- this is due to some areas having almost exclusively English speaking populations (such as areas near the English border, along the Northern coast, the South Wales Valleys, Swansea and South Gower, South Pembrokeshire and Cardiff).

Contact

See Contact entry under United Kingdom for national information on telephone, internet and postal services.

See Contact entries under individual cities for local information.

GEORGIA

2009-05-26T01:41:00.000-07:00

Overview

Georgia (Georgian: Sakartvelo) [1] is a country in the Caucasus. It lies at the eastern end of the Black Sea, with Turkey and Armenia to the south, Azerbaijan to the east, and Russia to the north, over the Caucasus Mountains.

Quick Facts

Capital: Tbilisi
Government: Republic
Currency: Lari (GEL)
Area: 69,700 km2
Population: 4,677,401 (July 2006 est.)
Language: Georgian, other
Religion: Georgian Orthodox 83.9%, Roman Catholic 1.2%, Muslim 9,9%, other 0.8%, none 0.7%.
Electricity: 220V/50Hz (European plug)
Calling Code: +995
Internet TLD: .ge
Time Zone: UTC +4

Get in

Passports, Visas, and other documents

For citizens of Ukraine, the US, Canada, EU, Japan and Israel, a visa will not be required upon entry, A valid passport is sufficient.

Citizens of some other countries can apply for an "urgent entry visa" upon arrival at Tbilisi airport (35 USD cash).

See the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website [2] for more information.

By plane

There are flights to Tbilisi from a number of European, North American and Asian cities, including London (bmi [3]), Paris (Georgian Airlines), Vienna (Austrian Airlines), Kiev (Georgian Airlines), Koln/Bonn (GermaniaExpress [4]), Munich (Lufthansa), Athens (Georgian Airlines), Riga (airBaltic, [5]), Istanbul (Turkish Air). Flights from Prague by Czech Airlines were canceled; however you can still fly from/to Prague via Georgian Airlines. Just recently, KLM also canceled their flights to Tbilisi but just as in Prague case you can fly with Georgian Airlines from/to Amsterdam. Belavia (Belarusian National Airlines [6]) is now offering direct flights from Minsk to Tbilisi at great rates. Please note that Georgian Airlines (AirZena) [7] has many flights from many different cities. See also airBaltic for cheap flights to many European destinations.

May 26, 2007 saw the reopening of the airport in Batumi. Turkish Airlines [8] flights run every day between Batumi and Istanbul. Other destinations serviced by the Batumi airport include Kharkov and Kiev. The Batumi airport is located about 10km south of the city center and is accessible by marshrutka and taxi.

Georgian Airways resumed flights to Moscow. The flights will be operated daily (at 18:30). (Besides Moscow regular flights will be launched to Saint Petersburg and Sochi).

By bus

There are direct bus services from Istanbul, Turkey, which stop at various places on the route and terminate in Tbilisi. There are also several non-stop bus services between Tbilisi and Baku, Azerbaijan.

By minibus

There are many minibuses (sing. marshrutka; pl. marshrutki) that operate international routes to and from cities and large towns in Georgia. Minibuses run between Georgia and Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran, and Iraq. In Tbilisi, these routes usually originate and terminate at bus stations and the Didube market. Outside Tbilisi, minibus routes may stop at either bus stations or central locations (town squares).

By train

There are train services from Baku, Azerbaijan which stop at various places on the route and terminate in Tbilisi. Note that the "BP train" has been canceled. Construction of railroad linking the Georgian town of Akhalkalaki to the Turkish city of Kars is underway and will be finished sometime in 2009. This will establish a direct link from Tbilisi to Istanbul and farther to Europe.

By boat

There are boat services to Batumi and Poti from Istanbul and Odessa. At the time of writing the Turkish Black Sea port of Trabzon was closed to passenger services. Be also aware that Georgian port of Sukhumi is closed for any cargo or passenger boats apart from those with humanitarian purposes. All vessels going to Sukhumi must undergo border check with Georgian coast guard in nearby port of Poti.

Get around

Taxi

Taxis in Georgia are the most convenient method of travel, and they are very cheap. Trips within Tbilisi range from 3 to 5 lari, depending on distance, but you can always negotiate a price with the cab driver. The vast majority of taxis in Georgia are unofficial "gypsy cabs," driven by anyone looking to make some money. Unmarked taxi service in Georgia is exceptionally safe and widely used by foreigners living and visiting the country. Drivers will, however, exaggerate the price for foreigners -- it is best to establish your destination and price before getting in the cab.

Minibus

Minibuses are locally called marshrutki, and they operate on established routes. After finding out the number of your route, flag down a marshrutka on the street.

There are also minibus lines from city to city. Their routes end usually at bus stations and city markets. Their destination is written in Georgian, on a sign in the front window. Ask marshrutka drivers if you can't find the minibus you are looking for.

City Bus

There are new Dutch buses operating in Tbilisi. More or less comfortable (they have no air conditioning), they are the cheapest way to go around (for 40 tetri). However, the buses are old and slow in the Georgian countryside and outside Tbilisi.

Mountain Travel

To get to the more remote regions of Georgia (e.g., Dusheti, Khevsureti, etc.) without a tour company, buses and taxis will only take you so far. At some point it will become necessary to hike, catch a ride on a goods-transporting truck, or hire a jeep. Catching a lorry requires that you are flexible in your travel plans. Hiring a jeep can actually be quite expensive because of the high cost of gas caused by scarcity in the remote regions. To find out about either option, ask around at the bus station or central market of the last town on the bus or marshrutka line.

Talk

Languages: Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7%
note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia

Alphabet: Georgian uses the Mkhedruli alphabet, which is unrelated to both Latin and Cyrillic alphabets.

For language fans, Georgian and its related languages are a real treat. For everyone else, they could be a nightmare. Georgian is a Caucasian language which is not in any way related to any languages spoken outside of Georgia. The combination of its formidable consonant clusters and its original alphabet make Georgian a hard language to acquire.

While everyone who visits should attempt to learn at least a few Georgian words, it is possible to get by in most areas with Russian. People most likely to understand Russian include: older generations, non-Georgian citizens (Russians, Armenians, Ossetes, Azeris, etc.), members of the elite (who likely also speak English), and taxi drivers. In rural areas, however, it is often more difficult to find Russian speakers (look for the oldest person around!). The younger generation, largely due to hostility towards Russia, now prefers to study English, but because access to good quality English instruction in province is so low, it is generally not possible to use English to communicate outside of major cities. When in Tbilisi and in need for help, look for younger people; they are more likely to know some English. Finally, signs in Georgia are rarely bilingual (apart from Tbilisi metro) or some stores; however, most road signs are in both the georgian and latin alphabets. Basic knowledge of the Georgian alphabet is very useful to understand road signs, store/restaurant names, and bus destinations. Those traveling without knowledge of Russian or Georgian may have an easier time with a guide.

Buy

Gold & Other Jewelry - Gold, silver, handmade & other misc. jewelry, precious stones are very cheap in Georgia and quality of the precious stones, gold and silver is superb. Many foreigners visit Georgia to buy jewelry, because of its cost and quality.
Art & Paintings – Georgian artists, such as Pirosmani, Gigo Gabashvili, David Kakabadze, Lado Gudiashvili, Korneli Sanadze, Elene Akhvlediani, Sergo Kobuladze, Simon Virsaladze, Ekaterine Baghdavadze and others, are famous for their work. In Georgia you will find many various art shops, paintings and painters who sell their works on the streets. Their work is high quality and are often very good values.
Antiques & Other Misc. Gifts – in Georgia you will able to find many antiques not only from Georgia, but Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Russian and European as well.
Georgian wine, as much as you can. Georgia is the cradle of wine making, and with 521 original varieties of grape you will be sure to find excellent wines.
Cognac. Georgian cognac is unique as it's made from Georgian wine. Try Saradjishvili 'Tbilisi' cognac.
When heading outside the cities, you might find an original hand-made carpet for sale.
Georgians love to drink, so the country has an seemingly infinite amount of beers, wines, liquors and distilled drinks. To take home, buy a bottle of chacha, a potent grape vodka somewhat similar to Lebanese Arak.

Note: Georgian export commodities (especially wine and mineral water) are widely counterfeited in the domestic and CIS market. For example, the Borjomi bottling plant produces roughly one million bottles of Borjomi per year, but there were three million bottles sold in Russia only! To be sure that you are getting the real thing, you will need to buy from the source.

Recent update (Dec 2007): government together with business circles has initiated a wide-scale fight with counterfeit wine and mineral water so the percentage of counterfeit products have almost been eliminated. However when stocking with bottled wine it is best to buy it at large supermarkets which have better control of their procurement compared to smaller stores. Such supermarkets are Goodwill, Big Ben or Populi. Same applies to mineral water.

Costs

Currency: Lari, 100 tetri=1 lari
Currency code GEL
Exchange rates:
1 USD = 1.65 GEL (November 2008, at banks and kiosks)
1 EUR = 2.13 GEL (November 2008, at banks and kiosks)
1 GBP = 2.54 GEL (November 2008, at banks and kiosks)
When exchanging money in banks be sure to present your ID. With small exchange cabines available almost anywhere in the country this is not necessarry. These cabins may also have slightly better exchange rates. When traveling out of Tbilisi and in need of Georgian laris, be sure to exchange money before the trip as exchange rates are more discriminative in rural areas. The Georgian Lari is a closed currency, so be sure to change the remainder of your money back before leaving the country.

If you visit Georgia for one week, you would have a great time if you bring $700-$800 USD with you. With this amount you will be able to stay in a good hotel, have wonderful sightseeing tours and eat good food. All other items such as gifts & jewellery might require more. For more details try searching and contacting travel & tourist agencies.

A budget traveler would have little difficulty getting by (and staying very well fed) on less than 150-200$ per week, even in the capital. Allow another 30-50$ for travel and sightseeing. (November 2008)

Eat

Eating khinkali like a local

Eating khinkali is not like what you're used to doing with dumplings. First of all, you use only your hands. (There's a real reason for this, because cutting the large dumpling would spill the juice and ruin the taste.) Grab the dumpling however you like, from the top "handle" if it pleases you, and take a small bite out of the side to slurp up the juice. Don't let any juice fall on your plate, or the Georgians watching you will start chuckling. And you'll get your chin messy. Then, still holding the khinkali, eat around the top, finishing the dumpling and then placing the twisted top on your plate—it's considered an extreme mark of poverty in finances and taste to eat the doughy top. It's also nice to look with pride upon all your tops once, with practice, you get into the double digits with these dumplings. Wash them down with a Qazbegi beer, or a "limonati" of whichever flavor you prefer.

The cuisine of Georgia is justly famous throughout the region (visitors to Moscow will have noticed the amount of Georgian restaurants). The two "national" dishes are "khachapuri" (A cheese filled bread, it more resembles cheese pie) and khinkali (minced, spiced meat in a dumpling, served in enormous quantities). While the khachapuri comes with every meal (and it's very possible to get tired of this), khinkali is usually reserved for its own separate meal, where Georgian men will down 15 huge dumplings like it's no big deal.

Shashlik, a tasty grilled kebab with onions, is another staple. But this is by no means the end of the list of wonderful dishes, usually flavored with garlic, coriander, walnuts, and dill. A traditional Georgian feast (supra) is truly a sight to behold, with a spread that no group could finish, accompanied by at least 20 toasts set to wine or brandy.

For a quick snack you can try all variety of "pirozhki," pastry stuffed with meat, potatoes, cheese, or other ingredients, usually sold by babushkas in markets and on the side of the street. Be aware of western-style dishes (pizzas, hamburgers etc) though, which are usually a pale copy of their true selves. It is much better to try local food.

The fruit and vegetables here will spoil your taste buds forever—you may not be able to stomach the produce you get at home forever. Whatever it is here—the lack of any processed foods, a special quality to the soil, the fabled tale of God tripping on the Greater Caucasus mountains and dropping his lunch here—the produce is bursting at the seams with flavor. And it's very cheap. Even if you only speak English and stand out as a foreigner like a slug in a spotlight, you can get fruit and vegetables in the market for a mere fraction of what you would pay in, say, Western Europe. Grabbing a quick meal of tomatoes, fresh cheese, puri (bread), and fruit is perhaps the most rewarding meal to be had in the country—and that's saying a lot.

If you can, try and get yourself invited to dinner at someone's home (this is not too difficult in Georgia, owing to their hospitality and general desire to stuff foreign visitors full of all the food they can afford). The food in restaurants is an odd set piece of the same dishes over and over. But Georgian cuisine is far richer, and has an untold number of dishes to try, prepared from scratch with fresh, locally grown products (supermarkets have barely touched this country). Try and get your hands on ajabsandali, a sort of vegetable ratatouille, made differently according to each family's recipe, and which is wonderful.

Drink

ChaCha

Chacha is a clear fruit homebrew, which is sometimes called “vine vodka”, “grape vodka” or “Georgian vodka”. ChaCha is made of grape pomace (grape residual left after making wine). It can also be produced from non-ripe or non-cultured grapes and in some cases fig, tangerine, orange, or mulberry. Since ChaCha is not really commercially made, it is not regulated or sold in real stores. It is usually packaged in used soda bottles {normally Fanta}. It can be purchased in Mom and Pop corner markets, Farmers Markets, back alleys and basements throughout Georgia. Generally a bottle {450ml}costs around 2 Lari {$1}. The term "ChaCha" is used in Georgia to refer to any type of moonshine made of fruits.

Wine

Georgia has one of the oldest wine-making traditions in the world and has been called the birthplace of wine (also as "Cradle of Wine"), due to archaeological findings which indicate wine production back to 5000 BC. Due to this fact, Georgians have some of the best wines in the world. Thanks to the ancient tradition of wine production and amazing climate, Georgian wine holds its strong competition with French and Italian. Definitely try out Georgian wine. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to export home-bottled wine, which is often the best kind. Georgian wines are actually quite famous. It may be true that they are little known in the West, but this definitely does not include some 280 million people in the former Soviet Union where Georgian wines remain a welcomed drink at any dining table.

Red

Saperavi (sah-peh-rah-vee)
Mukuzani (moo-k'oo-zah-nee)
Khvanchkara (khvahnch-k'ah-rah) - semi-sweet
Kindzmarauli (keendz-mah-rah-oo-lee) - semi-sweet

White

Tsinandali (ts'ee-nahn-dah-lee)
Kakheti (k'ah-kheh-tee)
Tbilisuri (tbee-lee-soo-ree)

Imports of Georgian wine and mineral water have been suspended by the Russian government, because of the political tension between the two counties.

Beer

Georgia produces a number of local beers. A beer tradition has existed in Georgia since ancient times in the mountainous regions of Khevsureti and Tusheti. After independence from the Soviet Union, Georgia revived its beer production and introduced its high quality beers to the market. The first and most popular of Georgian beer was Kazbegi. As of today, beer production in Georgia is still growing, offering high quality beers (thanks to the high quality mountain spring waters in Georgia and to German designed beer factories). There are also many foreign beers like Heineken, Bitburger, Lowenbrau, Guinness, etc.

Georgian Beer

Kazbegi (q'ahz-beh-gee)
Aluda
Natakhtari
Lomisi
Bavariis Herzogi
Argo
Khevsuruli
Tushuri

Mineral Waters

Georgian mineral waters have exceptional and interesting tastes - very different from French and Italian varieties. The most famous Georgian mineral waters are Borjomi (bohr-joh-mee) and Nabeglavi (nah-beh-ghlah-vee). But there is a plethora of less well-known springs located in small towns and alongside roads throughout the country that is worth sampling.

Lagidze Waters (Soft Drink)

Mitrofan Lagidze (lah-ghee-dzeh) is a surname of a very famous Georgian businessman of the 19th century who produced very popular soft drinks in Georgia. Nowadays these waters are called “the Lagidze Waters.” Lagidze soft drinks are made only with natural fruit components, without any chemical, artificial sugars or other additives. The most popular flavors are tarragon and cream&chocolate. You can find them bottled in stores.

Sleep

Outside of Tbilisi (where there are numerous options for 3 star plus accommodation thanks to the NGO presence in the country) western-style hotels have not made much inroads and crumbling Soviet infrastructure remains the mainstays of most hotels. Accordingly, outside the capital private homes are always the cheapest and most enjoyable option. If you can master a little basic Russian, going to the central square or market will probably land you a lovely big bed and some amazingly fresh home-made food for an agreed price.

Update 2008: A number of high-quality luxury hotels have been opened in Batumi. Additionally a popular skiing resort - Gudauri offers trendy accommodation in a Marco Polo hotel.

Learn

There are a handful of universities in Georgia which offer degrees or exchange programs taught in English:

University of Georgia [9]
Grigol Robakidze University [10]
International Black Sea University (English exclusively) [11]
Caucasus University [12]
Georgian American University (English exclusively) [13]
European School of Management-Tbilisi [14]
Kutaisi University of Law and Economics [15]

Work

Georgians are hard-working people in general, but they also like to have enough free time to enjoy life. Work can start at 10AM or 11AM and end at 6-7PM. Georgians like to take an hour lunch break and enjoy their food while socializing with their co-workers. People often take two weeks or a whole month off work to enjoy vacationing with family. It is an attitude in many ways similar to southern Europe and Mediterranean ones. Approaches to punctuality are very relaxed - don't be surprised or offended if your Georgian companions don't show up right on time!

Stay Safe

Most of Georgia is safe for travelers. Scammers and thieves do not usually single out tourists, maybe because there are usually not that many tourists in Georgia. Within cities, usual street-smart caution applies.

Corruption, once a big hassle for tourists, has become far less visible since the Rose Revolution. It is now safe and reasonable to trust the Georgian police, as the infamous and corrupt traffic police have been disbanded. (Currently there is no traffic police in Georgia.)

The greatest danger to visitors of Georgia by far is the road traffic. Georgian norms of driving are dominated by a macho, chivalric code that disregards the use of seatbelts and, after dark, headlights. Drivers do not give way to pedestrians, so be very careful when crossing the street.

Tbilisi

Things in Tbilisi and the surrounding countryside have calmed down a lot in the last 2 years or so. Although Tbilisi sometimes has been singled out for its (not always deserved) reputation for street crime, mugging is rather a rare phenomenon. However, in the past few years there has been an increase in muggings targeting Westerners in Tbilisi. Usual urban caution should apply -- avoid walking alone after dark while being aware of your surroundings. The safest way to travel around the city after dark is by taxi, which is very affordable. Locals insist that muggings are likely to happen in the suburban, mountainous areas of Tbilisi.

Other crime-related hazards in Tbilisi are the apartment break-ins and carjacking. There is no evidence indicating these crimes would target travelers, but carjackers certainly do target good looking and expensive cars. Pickpocketing and purse-snatching are also a local nuisance that can be avoided by keeping an eye on one's belongings. This type of crime is especially common on the crowded public transportation.

Kutaisi

The available evidence indicates that Kutaisi, the second largest city in Georgia, suffers from crime rates significantly higher than the national average. It is very important to exercise caution in Kutaisi after dark.

Adjara

The separatist conflict between Adjara and the central government has ended with little violence, and it is now perfectly safe to travel throughout the region. The once rampant corruption should now be a rarity for travelers. Passing through customs at the Sarpi-Hopa border crossing is now routine and uneventful for most tourists.

The Mountains

The mountainous areas of Georgia are remote and lightly policed. The safest and most easily to visit regions of the Georgian Upper Caucasus are Kazbegi and Racha. The biggest security hazard in these regions is altitude sickness.

Previous worries of instability in the Georgian northeast, near the border with Chechnya, have subsided, and the Pankisi Gorge is certainly not considered as dangerous a region to visit as Abkhazia or South Ossetia.

Svaneti is perhaps the most romantic and mysterious of all Georgian regions, but its inhabitants, the Svans, have a reputation for fierce independence and distrust of outsiders (as well as legendary hospitality for accepted guests). Travelers should exercise special caution when visiting Svaneti, which is best to see with a local guide.

Tusheti is the most secluded part of the Caucasus range in Georgia. The access is only possible from June to October because of the big quantity of snow. Only few families live there all the year. It remains the most authentic place in Georgia.

Separatist Regions

It is not safe to travel to Abkhazia or South Ossetia. These regions are not under the control of the national government and are marked by violence between the Georgian military and separatist militant groups, who since Summer 2008 are backed up by Moscow-controlled Russian troops who are considered to be occupiers by the Tblisi government. The area's high rate of crime/lawlessness is facilitated by the absence of the central government's police and legal jurisdiction. Foreign tourists are known to have been kidnapped in the 2 separatist regions, where you'll have no recourse in case your passport is stolen. If traveling to these areas, it is advisable to bring an armed escort.

Stay healthy

In Georgia, especially in Tbilisi you will be able to find many gyms and fitness centers with swimming pools and brand new training equipment, where you will be able to work out. Facilities include:

Vake Fitness, Chavchavadzis Gamziri 49b. It is a large, modern place with a big swimming pool.
Tbilisi Marriott Hotel, Rustavelis Gamziri 13.

Giardia is a common threat to foreign visitors. Contraction is most likely via:

tap water
swallowed water from lakes, rivers, pools, or jacuzzis
raw fruits & vegetables
unpasteurized milk or other dairy products

Respect

Georgians are hospitable to a fault (and beyond). If a Georgian invites you somewhere it will be almost impossible to pay for anything and even raising the subject of who will cover the bill can be embarrassing for your host. If invited to a private home for dinner, make sure you arrive amply stocked with wine or sweets because your hosts may well be bankrupting themselves on your behalf.

If traveling in small towns (and in the quieter parts of Tbilisi) it is customary to greet almost everyone who passes you with a friendly "Gamarjobat" (Hello). After years of isolation followed by war and economic turmoil foreigners are still regarded with undisguised curiosity and a casual greeting in the street could land you in the middle of the best dinner party of your life.

It is a very ingrained and idiosyncratic characteristic of Georgian hospitality that Georgians wish nothing more than to hear that foreigners are enjoying their experience in Georgia. Expect to be asked whether you enjoy Georgia and its cuisine. And it is expected that you respectfully reply in the affirmative. Otherwise your "hosts" will look terribly dejected as if expressing a feeling of collective failure to show visitors enough hospitality.

Dress conservatively when visiting churches. Shorts are not recommended. For women, head covering and dress or skirt are usually required; in some places, these are provided.

Contact

By phone

Georgia uses GSM (900 MHz and 1800 MHz) for mobile phones and there are three providers, Geocell [16] (pre-paid LaiLai card), Magti [17] (two prepaid brands "Bali" and "Mono"). Coverage [18] and BeeLine. Service provided by the first two is exceptionally good and you should be able to use your phone in most non-mountainous areas provided is supports the afore-mentioned technologies. Check with your mobile provider to ensure that they have roaming agreements with at least one of the Georgian operators. Both, Geocell and Magti have UMTS/3G service including video call and high speed data. Roaming is possible if you own a UMTS capable mobile phone. Geocell has cheapest mobile internet solution over its network.

Internet

DSL is available in Georgia.

Caucasus Network
Georgia Online

By net

In major hotels WLAN service is available.

Internet cafés are common and cheap. Some places offer free WLAN to their customers. The places I know of are Café Nikala on Rustavelis Gamziris, and the Fashion TV Bar, also on Rustavel.

AZERBAIJAN

2009-05-26T01:13:00.000-07:00

Overview

Azerbaijan [1] is a Turkic state in the Caucasus of Southeastern Europe and Asia. Most inhabitants are Shia Muslim, a faith it shares with neighboring Iran. It achieved independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. It has borders with Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Russia and Turkey as well as a Caspian Sea coastline.

Conflict has been ongoing with neighbouring Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, and the country is regarded by some as something of a kleptocracy. The ruling Aliyev family and their allies are making limited democratic concessions to posture for a potential European Union accession bid along with their neighbor, Georgia, but at the same time have consolidated greater power among themselves.

Quick Facts

Capital: Baku (Baki)
Government: Republic, becoming somewhat autocratic
Currency: Azerbaijani manat (AZN)
Area: 86,600 km2
Population: 7,961,619 (July 2006 est.)
Language: Azerbaijani (Azeri) 91%, Russian 3%, other 6%
Religion: Muslim 95.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.8%, other 1.8%; note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower
Electricity: 220V/50Hz (European plug)
Calling Code: +994
Internet TLD: .az
Time Zone: UTC+4

Get in

Visa Requirements

To enter Azerbaijan, an entry visa is required for most countries. If you have the luxury of time and are planning your visit from your home country, it is a good idea to try to get your visa from an Azerbaijani consulate. Single entry tourist visas can also be obtained at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku. You will need to have two passport size photographs ready for this visa. For Information on visa requirements visit the relevant page in the web site of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.[2]. Those of Armenian ancestry are regularly denied entry, no matter what passport they hold, so just showing up without a visa is not always a good idea.

Note that if your passport shows any evidence of travel to the separatist republic of Nagorno Karabakh, such as a Karabakh visa, Azerbaijani consulates will deny you a visa. Even if you already have an Azerbaijan visa, you will be turned away and deported, or possibly arrested, if you attempt to enter the country with a Karabakh visa in your passport. If you do intend to visit Karabakh, the authorities there can issue the visa on a separate piece of paper at your request, although sometimes they forget to do this even if instructed to do so.

By plane

National air company AZAL (Azerbaijan Airlines) is the main carrier which flies to Ganja, Nakhchivan, Yevlakh, Lenkoran, Tbilisi, Aktau, Tehran, Tel-Aviv, Ankara, Istanbul, Trabzon, Antalya, Aleppo, Dubai, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kiev, Nizhniy Novgorod, Rostov-na-Donu, Urumqi, Mineralniye Vodi, Milan, London and Paris. BMI flies seven days a week to Baku. Lufthansa also has several flights a week to Baku. Turkish Airlines is another carrier connecting Baku with and via Istanbul. Also, there are several Russian, Ukrainian, Uzbek, Iranian, and Austrian airlines connecting Baku with several cities of the world.

Never pay more than 15 Manat for the taxi to the center. Negotiate in advance. Go out of the airport and ask the cabbies in the parking lot. Ignore all people offering a ride to you in the airport building. A normal price to the center is 10, 12 or 15 Manat. Don't let cabbies renegotiate the price with you. Insist on the price agreed in advance.

For 5 Manat you can take a cab from the airport to Metro Azizbeyov. From there it's four to six stations to the city center - but only from 6 am until midnight.

By train

There are trains that run daily from Georgia to Azerbaijan.

By car

There are roads to all cities of Azerbaijan. They are not really wide and most of them have only two lanes. Local travel agents can arrange private cars to the borders. Some Georgian travel agents such as Exotour can arrange pickup in Baku to delivery in Tbilisi. Although more expensive than bus or train, it will be faster and can be combined with sightseeing along the way.

By bus

There are buses that run daily from Georgia, Turkey, Iran and Russia to Azerbaijan.

By boat

There is a ferry to Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.

Get around

By car

Highways: total: 36,700 km
paved: 31,800 km (includes some all-weather gravel-surfaced roads)
unpaved: 4,900 km (These roads are made of unstabilized earth and are difficult to negotiate in wet weather.) (1990)

Buses, minibuses (marshrutka), and taxis connect most cities. There is often a hub such as a bus station near the bazaar in these cities. The fares for buses and minibuses are posted usually in both old and new manat(qupik). Taxies on the other hand require negotiating skills, and this usually takes a proficiency in the language that ordinary non-Azeri/Russian/Turkish speakers do not have.

Talk

Azeri is the official language. This is a Turkic language, related to Turkish itself. However, English is spoken in some places frequented by Westerners. Many people also speak Russian (which is now declining and slowly being replaced by English), especially in the capital city, Baku.

Buy

Currency: New Azerbaijani manat (Yeni Manat)

Currency code: AZN

Exchange rates (approximate, mid-feb 2009):

€1 = 0.97 manat
US$1 = 0.85 manat

Keep in mind that import and export of manat is strictly forbidden.

Economy - overview: Azerbaijan's number one export is oil. Azerbaijan's oil production declined through 1997 but has registered an increase every year since. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $60 billion to oilfield development, should generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company, began in November 1997. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its long-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced. An obstacle to economic progress, including stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector, is the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance while trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new pipelines in the region and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its oil wealth.

Eat

Cabbage, grape leaves, and eggplant wrapped meat (kelem, yarpaq, badimjan - dolmasi), kabab (kebab), rice with chicken and other stuff (plov - It is said that plov is the king of Azerbaijani cuisine), gutabs and meatballs (kufta) are some of the specialties of Azerbaijan. Bread is a staple, and is quite revered by the people of Azerbaijan.

Drink

Some local drinks include ayran (a yogurt drink based on sour milk) and sherbet (made from rose petals or saffron). There are also different sorts of quite decent wines produced from local grapes and a wide array of mineral waters from natural springs. In some areas of Azerbaijan the markets offer lemonades (limonat/dushes) made from pears, antibiotics and green tea.

Sleep

Rental apartments might be a good choice as they are cheaper than hotels and sometimes are even more comfortable. There are a lot of hotels in the capital of Azerbaijan - Baku: Hyatt Regency, Park Inn, Absheron Hotel, Excelsior and a lot more. Prices for the hotels start from $60 and higher. There are some hostels in the regions too. In Baku there is only one hostel, namely Thousand Camels, centrally located in the Old City. The hostel is the cheapest place and costs $20 per night.

Learn

You can get the information you need about Azerbaijan from the hotels where you will stay. They have different guides for Azerbaijan. Also at some new bus stations in Baku there are maps of the capital.

Work

There is a great deal of work to be done in Azerbaijan from teaching and NGO work to work in the oil and tourism sectors.

Stay safe

Legal system: based on civil law system

Corruption is widespread. Carry some money to keep you out of trouble. Only use licensed taxis. Watch out for beggars. Also, the international soft drinks (Coca-Cola, Pepsi, etc.) may be homemade and contaminated, so watch out when buying such drinks. To make sure they are safe, buy them from big supermarkets and stores.

Stay healthy

Make sure to get your shots a couple weeks before departure. The air in the cities where oil is produced isn't as clean as in other countries so that results in diseases. Some meats are also old or spoiled, so make sure to buy them from a clean, respected place and watch out for roadside sellers.

Respect

When going to someone's home, make sure to bring them a gift. Anything is fine from wines to flowers to chocolate. When you arrive at the house take off your shoes and if you really want their respect, compliment their yard or house. When inside the house, don't ask for anything for they will surely offer it. The host will make sure to make you feel at home, so don't take advantage of their kindness. Most people in Azerbaijan respect older people, so in a bus or in a subway young people will always offer you a place to sit if you are an older person, or if you are pregnant or have kids with you. Azerbaijan has a Turkic and majority-Muslim population.

Religions: Muslim 95.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.8%, other 1.8% (1995 est.)
note: Religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower.
Ethnic groups: Azeri 92%, Dagestani 3.2%, Russian 2.5%, other 2.3% (1998 est.)
note: Almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region

Contact

There are three mobile operators: Azercell, Bakcell, Nar Mobile. Azercell is the first and largest one. To dial an Azercell number you need to dial (050) and then the number. Only with Azercell can you talk in the metro(subway) in Baku. Nar Mobile is pretty cheap but doesn't work in some regions. For dialing Nar Mobile numbers you need to dial (070) and then the number. Bakcell is ok. It works almost everywhere and is cheaper that Azercell. To dial a Bakcell number you need to dial (055) and then the number. The numbers have a 3 digit code (different for each operator) + 7 digits number. For example (050)xxx xx xx, or (055)xxx xx xx, or (070)xxx xx xx You can buy cards for use with different operators almost in every store.

Area Codes

City Code Agjabedi 113 Agdam 192 Agdash 193 Agsu 198 Agstafa 244 Ali-Bayramli 197 Astara 195 Babek 136 Baku 12 Balaken 119 Berde 110 Beylagan 152 Bilesuvar 159 Dashkesen 216 Devechi 115 Fizuli 141 Gedebey 232 Genje 22 Goranboy 234 Goychay 167 Hajigabul 140 Horadiz 141 Imishli 154 Ismayilli 178 Jebrayil 118 Jelilabad 114 Julfa 36 Kelbejer 137 Kurdemir 145 Lachin 146 Lenkeran 171 Lerik 157 Masalli 151 Mereze 150 Mingechevir 147 Nabran 156 Naftalan 255 Nakhchivan 136 Neftchala 153 Oguz 111 Ordubad 136 Gakh 144 Gazakh 279 Gazi Memmed 140 Gebele 160 Gobustan 150 Guba 169 Gubadli 133 Gusar 138 Saatli 168 Sabirabad 143 Shahbuz 136 Salyan 163 Shamakhi 176 Samukh 265 Sederek 136 Sheki 177 Shemkir 241 Sherur 136 Siyezen 190 Sumgayit 18-64 Shusha 191 Terter 246 Tovuz 231 Ujar 170 Khachmaz 172 Khankendi 162 Khanlar 230 Khizi 199 Khojali 102 Khudat 172 Yardimli 175 Yevlakh 166 Zagatala 174 Zengilan 196 Zerdab 13.

ARMENIA

2009-05-26T00:41:00.000-07:00

Overview

Armenia (Armenian: Hayastan) is the only country remaining from 3,000 year old maps of Anatolia. It became the world’s first Christian country 1,707 years ago in 301 AD, and has a large Diaspora all over the world. As a former Soviet republic lying in the Caucasus region, straddling Asia and Europe, Armenia has an ancient and rich culture. The country has Islamic and Christian neighbors and is one of the most homogeneous populations in the world. Armenia is very easy to experience, thanks to very hospitable people.

Landlocked, Armenia is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, Iran to the south, Azerbaijan to the east, and Azerbaijan's Naxcivan exclave to the southwest. Five percent of the country's surface area consists of Lake Sevan (Sevana Lich), the largest lake in the Lesser Caucasus mountain range. The many mountains and mountain valleys create a great number of micro climates, with scenery changing from arid to lush forest at the top of a mountain ridge.

On a trip to Armenia, you will frequently be reminded that Armenia was the world's first officially Christian country. You will have a hard time forgetting this as a tourist, since countless monasteries are among Armenia's premier tourist attractions. Fortunately for those who might otherwise suffer monastery fatigue, many of these monasteries are built in places of incredible natural beauty, making the sites of monasteries like Tatev, Noravank, Haghartsin, Haghpat and Geghard well worth a visit even without the impressive, millennia old monasteries found there.

Since 2001, when Armenia celebrated the 1,700th anniversary of the nation’s conversion to Christianity, the growth in the number of tourists has grown by about 25% every year. Straddling Europe and Asia in the lesser Caucasus Mountains, an ex-Soviet state, with a culture over 3,000 years old and examples of ancient architecture and art all over the countryside, this McDonald's-free country offers something exotic for many tourists.

Quick Facts

Capital: Yerevan
Government: Republic
Currency: Dram (AMD)
Area: 29,800 km2
Population: 2,976,372 (July 2006 est.)
Language: Armenian 98%; Yezidi Kurdish, Russian, other 2%
Religion: Armenian Apostolic 94%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (Zoroastrian/animist) 2%
Electricity: 220V/50Hz (European plug)
Calling Code: +374
Internet TLD: .am
Time Zone: UTC +4

Regions

Central Armenia
The political center of Armenia contains much of the country's museums and cultural venues in Yerevan, the religious center of Echmiadzin, the 4100 m high volcano Aragats and the Monasteries of Geghard and Khor Virap. Much of this region consists of the flat and dry Ararat valley, though the hidden beauty of Khosrov Preserve is rarely visited.

Lake Sevan Region
This region is centered around beautiful, 2,000 meter high Lake Sevan, which itself is surrounded by ancient monuments, churches, and monasteries, as well as popular beaches. Highlights include the largest khachkar cemetery in the world, the beaches near Sevanavank Monastery, and the countless fish and crayfish restaurants along the shores. Recently windsurfing was reintroduced to the list of recreational activities.

Northern Armenia
Bordering Georgia to the north, this mountainous region includes numerous, wonderfully beautiful, and isolated churches and monasteries. The Debed River Canyon contains many of these, and the remote Shamshadin region is a glimpse of a virtually unvisited and beautiful Armenia.

Southern Armenia
A particularly beautiful section of Armenia stretching south to the Iranian border with interesting caves and more remote, beautiful Christian monuments. Highlights include Tatev Monastery, Noravank Monastery, Mozrov Cave, Selim Caravanserai and the thousands of petroglyphs atop Ughtasar Mountain.

Nagorno-Karabakh
Although internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh is de facto independent from Azerbaijan, comprised mostly by ethnic Armenians and only accessible via Armenia. Aside from the rolling green hills, high mountains, hiking trails and excellent monasteries, tourists are drawn to the vast ruined city of Aghdam, and the partially repopulated city of Shushi - both ruined during and after the Karabakh war. Its capital is Stepanakert, home to approximately 40,000 of the region's 140,000 residents.

Cities

Yerevan - The capital, and by far the largest city
Gyumri (Shirak Marz) - Second city
Vanadzor (Lori Marz) - Third city
Dilijan (Tavush Marz) - Popular forest resort known as the "Little Switzerland" of Armenia.
Jermuk (Vayots Dzor Marz) - famous for its mineral waters, which come out at very high temperature and can be enjoyed at the spas. Ski lifts are under construction.
Tsaghkadzor (Kotayk Marz) - Armenia's ski destination.

Other destinations

Bike Armenia Tour Route [1] - Great route mapped out to see Armenia (and optionally Karabakh) by bike.
Karabakh - Although this self-declared republic lies officially in neighboring Azerbaijan, your only access to this Armenian enclave is via Armenia. The exotic Karabakh visa is available at the representative office of Karabakh in Yerevan, or in Stepanakert upon arrival.

Understand

History

Armenian history extends for over 3,000 years. Armenians have historically inhabited the "Armenian Highlands", a vast section of mountains and valleys across eastern Anatolia and the Southern Caucasus. Armenian vassal states, principalities, kingdoms and empires would rise and fall in different parts of this highland during history. They were only unified once, just before the time of Christ in the empire of Tigran the Great, stretching from the Caspian to the Mediterranean Sea. Much of the history was spent under the domination of the great powers of the region. The western parts of Armenia were for long periods under Byzantine or Ottoman Turkish rule, while the eastern parts were under Persian or Russian rule. These empires often fought their wars on Armenian territory, using Armenian soldiers. It was a rough neighborhood, but Armenians managed to hold on to their language and church, and prosper whenever given a chance. Being located on the silk road, Armenians built a network of merchant communities and ties extending from eastern Asia to Venice. Eventually, with the onslaught of nationalism, Armenians paid a heavy price for their religion and their envy-inducing wealth.

Armenian Genocide

After a number of protests by Western powers over their poor treatment of Armenians, Ottoman Turkey decided they did not want Armenians in Anatolia any longer, seeing the risk of foreign intervention or an independent nation rising in the middle of Anatolia. Their decision to kill and deport the entire Armenian population created the huge Armenian Diaspora community that exists all over the world today, and since that time has locked Turks and Armenians in conflict as one seeks to deny the crimes for which the other demands international recognition. To this day Turkey refuses to establish diplomatic relations with its neighbor over this, and the Karabakh Conflict (see below).

Soviet Armenia

In many ways, the Soviet period was a golden one for Armenians. The price they paid for it was extraordinarily high, with arbitrary borders being drawn between Armenia and Azerbaijan (setting the stage for future conflict), with hundreds of thousands dying in WWII, defending Russia and with countless Armenians lost to the gulag and KGB. Economically however, the country boomed, and culturally, within the strict limits, there were heavily subsidized cultural education and activities. Those who did not toe the government line however were often victims of car crashes or worse. Yerevan mushroomed from a dusty garrison town of 20,000 to a metropolis of 1 million.

Karabakh Conflict

In the early 1990s Armenians in Karabakh fought for independence from Azerbaijan with support from Armenia, and the Armenian Diaspora. The war was won militarily, but with no diplomatic solution reached. A ceasefire has been held since 1994, with minor exceptions. This should not affect the average traveler who should avoid contact lines (obviously!). The only way to reach Karabakh is via Armenia, but if you plan to travel on to Azerbaijan after a visit to Karabakh, get the Karabakh visa on a separate piece of paper. The Armenian/Karabakh borders with Azerbaijan are closed, and Turkey has closed its land border with Armenia in support of its Turkic-Azeri neighbors.

Culture

As Armenia straddles Europe and Asia, East and West, so does the culture. Armenians without a doubt view themselves as European, but their social conservatism in some realms hasn't been seen in Europe proper for a few decades. The collapse of the Soviet Union has opened up many of these channels again, and change is coming rapidly, but much more so in Yerevan than in the rest of the country. The small and very homogeneous (about 99% Armenian) population is strongly family oriented. The people are across the land very hospitable, and place a lot of pride in their hospitality. Show up in a village without a penny, and food and a place to stay will flow - along with drinks and endless toasts.

Religion

Many visitors will be surprised to know that Armenia is not just a Christian nation but it is the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion. It took place in 301 AD. One can find thousands of churches and monasteries in Armenia. Armenians are Apostolic Christians and have their own Catholicos (religious leader, like the Pope for Catholics).

Geography

A small and mountainous, landlocked country, Armenia almost never fails to surprise visitors. The mountain passes, valleys and canyons make it feel much larger, and Lake Sevan provides a welcome sight, with endless water in sight when you're on the southern shores. With all of the geographic variation, the climate varies a great deal as well - be ready for everything from barren lunar landscapes to rain forests to snow-capped peaks and a vast alpine lake. There are places where a few of these are visible at once.

Get in

Almost all visitors arrive by plane, though some trickle at the border points with Georgia and Iran.

Visas

Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, USA and EU countries can buy a visa when they arrive at any entry point to Armenia. A 120 day visa costs 15,000 dram (about $40/30 Euro). A bill is under consideration to introduce a $10 visa, and plus there is a 3 day transit visa option for 10,000 Dram.

Visitors from the CIS do not need a visa for up to 90 days. Visitors from other countries must apply for a visa at their nearest embassy/consulate before arriving[2].

For convenience at the Yerevan airport, there is a change booth and ATM before customs and immigration. There is also a hefty surcharge of approximately USD $10 for changing traveler's checks, which in general are not widely used in Armenia. You have to pay the Visa in Dram and can not pay in USD, therefore change at the change booth or ATM before customs.

By plane

The national carrier is Armavia [3]. In addition a variety of other airlines fly to Yerevan, amongst which are European airlines BMI (based in the UK), airBaltic, Czech Airlines, Air Arabia, Air France, Lufthansa, Aeroflot & Austrian Airlines. Syrian Airways from the Middle East also has direct flights.

By train

There is a train once a day to Tbilisi, Georgia. The train links with Nakhchivan and Azerbaijan are severed.

By car

It is possible to drive to Armenia via Iran or Georgia. The borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan are closed. Local travel agents can arrange transport to the border; some Georgian agents can arrange transport all the way through to Tbilisi. Although more expensive than train or bus, private car may be more comfortable and combined with sightseeing along the way.

By bus

Turkey

There are no direct buses from Turkey due to closed borders, but there are direct buses to Yerevan from Istanbul passing Trabzon via Tbilisi, Georgia.

Georgia

There is minibus (Marshrutka) service from Tbilisi for about $17.

Iran

There is daily modern bus service to Yerevan available from Tehran or Tabriz for about $60/$50; check travel agencies for that. Otherwise the only Iran/Armenia land border at Nuduz/Agarak is very badly served by public transport. On the Armenian side you can get as far as Meghri by one Marschrutka a day from Yerewan. In both directions the Marshrutka leaves quite early in the morning. Kaplan and Karajan are more frequently served by marschrutkas but it is a long and mountainous (and therefore expensive) stretch to the border from there. From Meghri it is around 8 km to the border and hitching or taking a taxi is the only option. On the Iranian side the closest public transport can be found around 50 km to the west in Jolfa, so a taxi (around 10-15$) again is the only (commercial) choice. The border is not busy at all, so when hitching you have to mainly stick with the truck drivers and Russian or Farsi helps a lot here. Consider for yourself whether this is a safe option.

Get around

By day tour

One of the best options for getting to the major tourist sites - some of which have infrequent public transport - are the many day tours advertised throughout Yerevan. Starting at $6, you can choose from a variety of half to full day trips which include a good number of the country’s major attractions. Some of the more remote and exotic destinations, such as the Petroglyphs of Ughtasar and many of the caves for example require special planning.

By mini-bus or bus

Public transportation is very good and inexpensive in Armenia. It can also be tough to get to more remote sites outside of populated areas. The system could be described as a hub and spoke system, with each city offering local transportation to its surrounding villages and each city offering connections to Yerevan. Most inter-city travel is by minibuses or buses. Yerevan has a few bus stations that serve the whole country so depending on where you want to go you must find out what bus station services the area to which you wish to go. Note, that unlike many countries in Eastern Europe, Armenian mini-buses do not sell tickets beforehand, and do not issue tickets at all. You simply pay the driver, at any point in the trip (though some will collect at the beginning). Exact change is never required, but a 20,000 note for a 1,000 dram ride might present a problem. Tips are unheard of on public transportation.

By taxi or car

For the average western tourist, you can hire a taxi to go most anywhere in the country on very short notice. If you have decided to travel heavy by bringing big bags, then going by taxi will be the best option. Prices are about 100 drams (33 cents) a kilometer. Most taxis have meters, and for day trips might negotiate a slightly lower rate.

You can rent cars, but if you are used to driving in the West and have not driven outside of America, Western or Central Europe, you should hire a driver when you rent your car. Driving in Armenia for the average tourist can be a different undertaking. But if you are decided to rent a car, there are a growing number of car rental companies, including Europacar (office at Hotel Yerevan), Lemon Rent-a-car, Hertz, and others throughout the central Yerevan.

By thumb

Not as common as in the days of the post-Soviet collapse, hitching is still perfectly safe and acceptable. Drivers often don't expect anything, but offer anyway, and sometimes they'll take the marshutni fare. Flag cars down by holding your arm in front of you and patting the air. This is how taxis are flagged and buses and marshutnis as well.

By bicycle

Bicycling is not a that common mode of transport as it is in the rest of Europe. Otherwise it's a great way to see and experience much of the countryside if you can handle the inclines.

By train

There are trains that move around Armenia, although they are Soviet style trains and a little slow means of transport to move around the country. Trains can be taken up to Gyumri and from there on to Alaverdi and Georgia, or they can be taken up to Lake Sevan, all the way to the far side.

By plane

Domestic flights are not an option as there are only two working airports in the country and there are no internal flights in this small country. Intermittent service to Karabakh has been available in the past.

By tour operator

Aside from the plentiful day tours, you can take a package tour of Armenia.

Talk

Armenian is the only official language in Armenia, which is one of the most unique languages in the world. However, Russian is spoken by most people, due to Armenia formerly being part of the Soviet Union. English is becoming more widely spoken, particularly in Yerevan, however, most people will still not speak much or any English.

Buy

Armenian carpets, cognac, fruits, handicrafts and Soviet memorabilia are some of the most popular things people take home from Armenia. Most of these are plentiful at Vernissage, a seemingly never-ending weekend flea market next to Republic Square with the more touristy stuff in the back half, further from Republic Square.

Currency

The Armenian currency is known as the ‘’dram’’, and the currency is abbreviated as AMD (Armenian Dram). The dram is accepted everywhere, and often the dollar will be accepted for larger purchases - though the dram is the only legal currency for commerce. Dollars, Euros and Rubles can be exchanged almost anywhere in the country, with other major currencies also easy to exchange. Exchange booths do not charge a commission and rates are almost always quite competitive.

ATMs (Bankomats) are widely available in larger towns, though outside of Yerevan you should have a major system such as Visa Electron on your card for it to work.

Credit cards are not widely accepted yet, though they will get you pretty far in Yerevan.

Exchange rates

Exchange rates (approximate, August 6, 2008):

€1 = 464 dram
US$1 = 301 dram
CAN$1 = 287 dram
GBP1 = 586 dram
RUB1 = 13 dram

Trading hours

Most shops/restaurants are open every day and offices and schools are open Monday to Saturday. Mornings usually are slow, and places don't tend to open early, or even on time.

Tax

Included in prices (except sometimes hotels).

Purchasing customs

Bargaining is uncommon in Armenian stores, though when purchasing expensive items or bulk, they may be amenable to it. In markets however, bargaining is a must!

Tipping is increasingly common in Armenia, especially at cafes and restaurants. Many Armenians will simply round up their checks, or leave ten percent. Some café staff are only compensated in the tips they earn, though you cannot always tell by the service they provide. Many restaurants have begun to charge a ten percent “service fee” which they usually do not share with the waiters, and it is not clear for what it is used. This fee is often not clearly stated on the menu, so you should ask if you want to know. Tipping is usually not expected in taxis, but again, rounding up is not uncommon.

Markets

Vernissage - every Saturday near Republic Square there is an open market with great shopping for tourists and locals alike. You can buy everything from a 300-year-old carpet to a 1970s Soviet phone to Russian nesting dolls.

The "covered market" on Mashtots Street has fresh fruits and vegetables along with great dried fruits.

For Armenian- and Russian-speaking visitors, a visit to the underground book market can be quite interesting. Located in an underground passageway under Abovyan Street, close to the medical school and the Yeritasardakan Metro Station, vendors sell thousands upon thousands of books. Bargaining is a must!

Eat

Khorovats (BBQ) which can be pork, lamb, chicken or beef. Usually it is flavored with onions and other Armenian spices. Tomatoes, eggplant and bell peppers are also part of the khorovats meal.

Borscht is a vegetable soup. It is traditionally made with beetroot as a main ingredient which gives it a strong red color. It is usually served warm with fresh sour cream.

Khash is a traditional dish, originating in the Shirak region. Formerly a nutritious winter food for the rural poor, it is now considered a delicacy, and is enjoyed as a festive winter meal.

Dolma (stuffed grape leaves; a variety with stuffed cabbage leaves, bell peppers and eggplants also exists).

Armenian fruits and vegetables are special. One should definitely try them and will never forget the taste of Armenian apricot, peach, grapes, pomegranate, etc.

Armenian bread is very tasty as well. There is a vide range of different types of bread, starting from black and white till lavash (a soft, thin flatbread) and matnaqash.

Don’t miss trying milk products! Along with ordinary milk products, there are some traditional and really tasty and refreshing ones. Matsun (yogurt) is a traditional Armenian dairy product that has centuries of history. It contains a number of natural microelements which have high biochemical activity. It’s really refreshing, especially when you try it cold during hot summers. Okroshka - cold soup with kefir and cucumber and dill. It is a healthy and refreshing dairy product. Spas is really tasty hot kefir soup with grains in it.

Café culture rules in Armenia, and the best places to have a cup of coffee and people-watch are sidewalk cafés. Any place near the Opera is certain to be jumping late into the summer nights. A popular chain is "Jazzve" (several locations throughout the city, including near the Opera and off Mesrop Mashtots Avenue), which offers many varieties of tea and coffee as well as great desserts.

Drink

Alcoholic: Vodka, tutti oghi (mulberry vodka), honi oghi (cornelian cherry vodka), local beer (Kilikia, Kotayk, Erebuni), wine (can also be made of pomegranate), brandy.

Other: Tan (yogurt combined with water and salt), Jermuk (carbonated water), masuri hyut (rose hip juice), chichkhani hyut (sea buckthorne juice), bali hyut (sour cherry juice), Armenian coffee, herbal teas.

Smoke

Smoking is illegal in many public places. But bear that in mind that Armenia has the highest rate of cigarette smoking in Europe.

Do

Hiking
Rock Climbing
Wind Surfing
Sun Baking
Camping
Skiing
Monastery hopping

Sleep

Across Armenia, you can find bed and breakfasts that are pleasant and will give you a true taste of Armenian culture. The language barrier will be significant in the rural areas of Armenia if you do not speak Armenian or Russian but if you take a phrase dictionary with you, you should have no trouble, as people are patient. The best way to access the true Armenia, away from the westernized hotels and "Armenian branded" hotels is to find a reliable travel agent based in Armenia. Levon Travel is a reputable organization as well as many others in Yerevan. Other local agents such as Menua Tours, Hyur Service and 7Days can arrange serviced apartment stays.

In Yerevan, there is a hostel called Envoy which offers reasonably cheap accommodation.

Outside Yerevan, there are a few main recreational areas that offer very reasonable accommodations but you will be required to live without some western conveniences. At the high end are the Tufenkian Heritage Hotels on Lake Sevan and in Northern Lori Marz (50 kilometers from the Georgian border). Here you will miss nothing, but you will pay western prices for the accommodations. Around Lake Sevan, there are numerous types of cottages and hotels. Prices are reasonable and start at about $10 per day for a cottage with electricity and within walking distance from Lake Sevan. The city of Sevan, due to its proximity to Yerevan, is the most popular place on Lake Sevan but the history, culture and non-western feel of the accommodations change as you go south on Lake Sevan.

Tavush Marz is a wonderful place to summer. Dilijan and Ijevan are wonderful towns in which to be based, with day trips to the many ancient churches that pepper this remote region. Costs are very reasonable and Dilijan is known for its sanatoriums from the Soviet era. Do not expect hot water all hours of the day but you can have a lovely room that will accommodate a family including food for about $20 a day. Take another $20 to hire a car for the day to visit the surrounding historical sites.

Tzaghkadzor is a well-known winter retreat. It has many lovely hotels and is popular year round. Check with a travel agent to find the best deal depending on what activity you are looking to undertake. Jermuk, made famous by the bottled water of the same name, is a wonderful get away but will again require you to leave your western expectations behind.

Work

Career Center [4] has job listings. For volunteer work see these links: [5], [6], http://www.fullercenterarmenia.org/].

Stay safe

Overall, Yerevan is not a particularly dangerous city. Theft and pickpocketing are on the increase, particularly targeting foreigners, utmost care is essential. Use common sense when walking on the street at night, especially after drinking. There are well knows scams operating on some ATM machines, particularly those acepting VISA cards, where no money is issued but the cash is nonetheless withdrawn from the account.

Female visitors should be aware that unaccompanied women are an unusual sight after dark. A single woman walking alone at night may attract attention.

Stay healthy

As with any traveling experience, eat well but do not overeat. If you are dining with Armenians, they will feed you until you cannot eat any more. The food is generally safe even from the roadside khorovats stands. There is little worry about food safety in Armenia.

The tap water is generally safe but you may also purchase bottled water. You can get both mineral water with gas and normal spring water on almost every street corner. This water is available in both the rural areas and the capital.

Respect

Armenians are much like any other Europeans in their manners and lifestyle.

The issue of the Armenian Genocide, in which the Armenian people and a majority of Western scholars believe up to one and a half million Armenians were killed by the Young Turk government during World War One, is a sensitive one, and respect should be shown when discussing the subject. Although widely taught at school for years, the Soviet Union officially recognized the genocide of the people of one of its republics in 1965.

One can find out more about the Armenian Genocide by visiting the Genocide Memorial 'Tzitzernakabert'. There is also a museum near the memorial.

Having been liberated by the then-Russian Empire in 1916, Armenians are partly Slavophiles; ask as many questions as you like about soccer and Soviet TV programs. Respect is generally shown for Slavs, including Russians. People often have no problem talking about the Soviet Union. Most Armenians will not be offended if you speak to them in Russian, although it is not a standard.

It is very common to give up your seat for an elderly passenger on the public transport. It is also considered polite to let women first to the bus or train or to enter a room, the "Lady's first" rule.

When visiting churches, women are expected to dress modestly and cover their heads with a scarf, although this is not strictly enforced for tourists. Lighting a candle is always a nice gesture.

Contact

Yerevan is full of internet cafes and internet phone offices. These are beginning to pop up in a number of towns outside of Yerevan as well. International calling is available through prepaid mobile phone cards. Short-term mobile phone rental is also possible. Regular calls can always be made from the post office, and is cheap within Armenia, but a bit expensive for international calls. Try to find a phone office that uses the internet for much cheaper rates. There are 2 Mobile Operators: Viva Cell(dominant in this field) and BeeLine (former ArmenTel), also video call is available. The third operator Orange is the key brand of France Telecom, one of the world's leading telecommunications operators, is coming soon. Armenia uses GSM 900/1800, UMTS(video call) GSM Coverage Maps for Armenia

SCANDINAVIA

2009-05-25T00:43:00.000-07:00

Overview

Scandinavia[1] is a European region north of the Baltic Sea. At almost 1.2 million square kilometres (463,000 square miles) it's the largest region in Europe, but home to only around 24 million people, accounting for a mere 4% of the population.

Countries

Denmark
The smallest, flattest and most continental of the Scandinavian countries.

Norway
Famous for deep fjords, trolls and wooden churches.

Sweden
Scandinavia's largest country.

Finland
Hundreds of thousands of islands and lakes to explore in this bridge to the east.

Iceland
Spectacular scenery of volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, and waterfalls on this North Atlantic island.

Territories

Faroe Islands — administered by Denmark
Svalbard — administered by Norway
Aland — administered by Finland
Greenland is sometimes associated with Nordic Europe, because of its relationship to Denmark and its membership in the Nordic Council. Technically and culturally it is part of (native) North America.

Cities

There is a constant and long going rivalry between Copenhagen and Stockholm over which city can claim the title as Scandinavia's unofficial capital. Depending on how you count, both cities are the largest, most visited, and the target of most investment. However, after the completion of the Oresund bridge, and subsequent integration of Copenhagen and Malmö - Sweden's third largest city, this region is fast emerging as the main urban centre in Scandinavia, while Stockholm arguably grabs the title as the most beautiful.

Understand

The name Scandinavia comes from the Skandage body of water that lies sandwiched between Norway, Sweden, and the Jutland peninsula of Denmark. Strictly speaking, the term covers only those three countries, but here we use it in its broader sense to cover all of Nordic Europe (Norden).

The Scandinavian nations share many cultural traits including similar flags and many related languages. The region is known for its natural beauty and more recently its liberalism. Denmark, Finland and Sweden are EU members. Oil and gas rich Norway and Iceland are not.

The Nordic countries all enjoy a relatively strong economy. Norway and Iceland has in particular profited from an abundance of natural resources. Sweden and Finland also have their share of natural resources but are in the international marketplace mostly famous for strong brands like Volvo, Saab, Ericsson (Sony Ericsson) and Nokia. Alhough Denmark has developed sophisticated business in a number of industries, it is above all the leading agricultural country in Scandinavia. Strong economies and relatively small social differences translates into high prices for visitors.

Elaborate welfare states are a common characteristic of the Nordic countries. Most things are generally highly organized and tourists should expect everything to proceed according to plans, rules and timetables. According to Transparency International, the Nordic countries are the least corrupt in the world (matched only by a handful of countries including Canada, New Zealand and Singapore).

Geography

Denmark borders on Germany, while Finland and Norway border on Russia, but otherwise the Nordic countries are separated from their neighbors by the Baltic, the North Sea or the Atlantic itself. An abundance of land, water and wilderness is a common characteristic of the Nordic countries (except Denmark where most of the country is farmland or settlements). For example, Sweden is one of the largest countries in Europe in area but only has some 9 million inhabitants. The landscapes and nature does however vary across the Nordic countries. Denmark is a flat lowland like the Netherlands and Northern Germany. Iceland is both vulcanic and arctic. Norway and Sweden share the Scandinavian peninsula which is highest on the Atlantic coast and gradually becomes lower until Sweden meets the Baltic sea. The Scandinavian mountains running from Southern Norway and passed Tromso in Northern Norway are steep and rugged on the Atlantic side, gentle on the Eastern side. Finland is relatively flat and characterized by lakes scattered over the entire country. Large parts of Sweden and Finland (as well as parts of Norway) are covered by deep pine tree forests that are essentially the western branch of great Russian taiga. Galdhopiggen in Norway's Jotunheimen national park, is with it's 2.469 meters the tallest mountain north of the Alps, while Kebnekaise, 2104 meters tall, is the highest mountain in Sweden.

Climate

Due to the high latitude, summer nights are very short and in the northern most part there is even midnight sun in the summer. While central parts of Scandinavia (the Oslo-Stockholm-Copenhagen triangle) are more densely populated, vast areas in the north or in the mountains are hardly populated at all. Sweden is in fact one of Europe's largest countries in terms of area, and Norway is the size of Germany, despite its modest population of some 4.5 million. Because of this, space, light and nature are key characteristics of Scandinavia (except Denmark).

Despite the high latitude central parts, the Nordic countries have a mild climate, at least much warmer than would be expected at this latitude. Northern parts have subarctic climate, while southern parts and coastal areas enjoy a temperate climate. Denmark and coastal areas of Southern Norway, Iceland and Western Sweden experience only occasional frost and snow during winter. Summers in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland are pleasantly warm with day temperatures 15 to 30 degrees C. In the mountains and along western coasts, the weather is generally more unstable. Finland has the most stable sunny weather in summer. In general, the further inland, the bigger the difference between summer and winter. The Baltic side is generally colder in winter than the North Sea side. Western Norway and the Atlantic Islands have the smallest difference between summer and winter.

Talk

Communicating in Scandinavia is easy, as virtually everybody under 50 speaks at least basic English, and younger people tend to be near-fluent. German is also fairly widely spoken, especially in Denmark.

Danish, Norwegian and Swedish are closely related to each other and mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Icelandic and Faroese, while also related, have been kept in a linguistic freezer since the 13th century and are largely unintelligible to other Scandinavians.

The outlier is Finnish, which belongs to the Finno-Ugric family and is entirely unrelated to the Scandinavian languages. However, Finland has a 5% Swedish minority and all Finns learn Swedish in school. The Saami language also belongs to the Finno-Ugric family and is an official language in a few municipalities in the far North.

Get in

By plane

Due to the large distances and the water surrounding most of the Nordic area, airplane is often the most effective way of getting to the Nordic countries. All the main cities have international airports, and even smaller cities like Haugesund and Alesund serve some international flights. Almost all European airlines service Scandinavian airports.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines [2] (Denmark, Norway Sweden) - Scandinavia's largest carrier and the flag carrier of all 3 countries, main hubs is Copenhagen and Stockholm Airports.

Chicago, Seattle, Washington, D.C, New York, Dubai, Delhi, Bangkok, Beijing and Tokyo

Finnair [3] (Finland) - Finland's flag carrier, flying out from i's main base in Helsinki, with a strong presence on Asian routes.

New York, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka

Icelandair [4] (Iceland) - Leverages on its strategic location midway between Europe and North America to maintain a strong presence on North American routes.

Minneapolis-St Paul, Orlando, Boston, New York, Toronto, Halifax

Atlantic Airways [5] (Faroe Islands) - Flies to many destinations in the North Atlantic, including Britain, Greenland and Iceland.

Besides the regional airlines, there are also serveral major international airlines which offers direct routes to Scandinavia. Singapore Airlines and China Eastern fly to Copenhagen, Air China and Qatar Airways to Stockholm, while US Airways, PIA (Pakistan), Thai, Delta, and Continental Airlines all service several intercontinental routes to Scandinavia. Alternative low cost airlines in the region include Blue1 [6] in Finland, Norwegian [7] in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, Cimber Sterling [8] in Denmark and Iceland Express [9] on Iceland. All of these airlines has routes to one of the London airports, and hence London is a good entry point, if you can find a cheaper flight there, which is often the case. Many of the low cost airlines mainly service routes between the cold Scandinavia and the sunny Mediterranean, hence you can also often find bargain flights from Spain, Italy, etc.

By train

Denmark is well-connected to the German rail network. The direct connection to Copenhagen is, however, by the Puttgarden-Rodby ferry. Sweden is connected to Danish railways via the Oresund bridge between Copenhagen and Malmö or to the German capital by a bi-daily night train during the summer, bypassing Denmark via the Trelleborg - Rostock ferry. Due to the barrier provided by the Baltic sea, the only other connection to the European mainland, is via Moscow or St Petersburg in Russia. For interrail pass holders most of the ferries crossing the Baltic and North seas offers discounts (25-50%), but only the Scandlines ferries are completely included in the pass.

Copenhagen, (Denmark)

Copenhagen, (Denmark))

Malmö, (Sweden

Arhus, (Denmark)

Helsinki, (Finland)

DB City Night Line [10], 16 hours (night)

DB City Night Line [11], 15 hours (night)

DB City Night Line [12], 15 hours (night)

DB Deutsche Bahn [13], 5 hours (day)

SJ Berlin Night Express [14], 81 hours (night)

DB Deutsche Bahn [15], 81 hours (day)

VR Finnish Railways [16], 141 hours (night)

VR Finnish Railways [17], 7 hours (day)

By ferry

Norway is served by ferries from Denmark and Germany. To Sweden, there are ferries from Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. Iceland is connected to Denmark and the Faroe Islands by ferry. To Finland there are ferries from Estonia and Germany.

Oslo (Norway)

Gothenburg (Sweden)

Helsinki (Finland)

Malmö (Sweden)

Gedser (Denmark)

Helsinki (Finland)

Stockholm (Sweden)

Ystad (Sweden)

Copenhagen (Denmark)

Esbjerg (Denmark)

Color Line[18], 191 hours

Stena Line[19], 14 hours

Finnlines [20], 27 hours

TT Line [21], 71 hours

Scandlines [22], 13 hours

Tallink Silja line [23], 26 hours

Many operators, 2-4 hours

Tallink Silja line [24], 17 hours

Tallink Silja line [25], 17 hours

Polferries [26], 18 hours

Polferries [27], 61 hours

Polferries [28], 9 hours

DFDS Seaways [29], 18 hours

By car

Denmark is directly connected to the continental road network. From Denmark it is possible to cross to Sweden over the Öresund bridge. There are also many ferry connections from Denmark, most of them takes cars. The only overland alternative to the Öresund bridge is to enter via Russia to Finland or Norway. Save a few short stretches of regular road, you can drive all the way to Stockholm or Oslo on highway from the German ones, but keep in mind that the tolls on the two Danish highway bridges you need to pass to get to Sweden are heavy, and you could easily be saving money taking a more direct route with a ferry. Virtually all Scandinavian roads are toll free, but some larger cities (most notably Stockholm) have introduced congestion charges when driving in the centre, and some of longer bridges and tunnels levy tolls to pay for their construction.

Speed limits are uniform, 50kph in cities and 80kph on rural roads unless otherwise indicated. Motorways range from 100 in Norway, 110 in Sweden, 120 in Finland to 130 in Denmark, again unless other speed limits are signposted. Keep in mind that while Scandinavians routinely disregard speed limits, fines are heavy and if you don't benefit from the high Scandinavian wages, they will feel even more steep, so you will in essence probably be gambling with your holiday budget. Speeding in city zones are considered a severe offence, and there are many unmarked automatic speed traps installed in such zones.

Winter driving skills are essential through much of the year, when roads are treacherously slippery, winter tyres are mandatory and speed limits are reduced.

Get around

By ferry

Major coastal cities of the Baltic Sea are connected with ferry lines; e.g. Turku-Stockholm and Helsinki-Tallinn. Many of the ferries are large and quite elaborate. Some of the Major routes are

Oslo (Norway)

Varberg, (Sweden)

Göteborg, (Sweden)

Larvik, (Norway)

Kristiansand, (Norway)

Bergen, (Norway)

Sey?isfjör?ur, (Iceland)

Sandefjord, (Norway)

Helsinki, (Finland)

DFDS Seaways [30], 161 hours

Stena Line [31] 41 hours

Stena Line [32] 2-4 hours

Colorline [33], 4 hours

Colorline [34], 31 hours

Fjordline [35], 191 hours (via Stavanger - 111 hours)

Smyril line [36], 69 hours (via the Faroe Islands - 44 hours)

Colorline [37], 21 hours

Tallink Silja line & Viking line, 161 hours (via Aland islands - 11 hours)

In addition to these lines, the Hurtigruten line, running all along Norways amazing jagged coast line, from Bergen to Kirkeness - offers a unique and very Scandinavian experience.

By train

Trains are an adequate way of traveling around Scandinavia. International connections between Denmark, southern Sweden and southern Norway are good, but up north services are sparse and there's a short gap in the network between northern Sweden and Finland, although most railpasses allow free use of the connecting bus service. Iceland has no trains at all.

The previous night train connection between Copenhagen and Oslo has been retired, and this route now requires a change in Gothenburg, on the other hand day time connections has become much more frequent after the opening of the Oresund bridge (81 hours). Between Copenhagen and Stockholm up to 7 X2000 express trains runs directly every day (51 hours), and the daily night train only requires an easy change in Malmö (71 hours). Further north there is two daily connections between Oslo and Bodo (17 hours) - the northernmost stop on the Norwegian railway network, and two daily night trains (regular & express) between Stockholm and Umea/Lulea (16-20 hours) in the northernmost part of Sweden. In the summer Lapplandstaget [38]- Scandinavia's longest railway journey, will take you directly all the way from Malmö (& Copenhagen) in south to Narvik in the north via Sweden.

The ScanRail pass was retired in 2007, but visitors not resident in Europe can opt for the very similar Eurail Scandinavia Pass [39], which offers 4 to 10 days of travel in a 2-month period for €232-361. For residents of Europe, the all-Europe or single-country Interrail passes are also an option.

Major railway companies in Scandinavian include DSB[40] & Arriva[41] in Denmark, NSB[42] in Norway, SJ[43] and Veolia[44] in Sweden and VR[45] in Finland.

By bus

If you are not using a rail pass, long distance buses will often be a cheaper alternative, especially for longer journeys. But since highways are almost exclusively centred around the southern half of Scandinavia, journey times become increasingly uncompetitive the further north you get, on the other hand, rail services also get increasingly sparse in northern Scandinavia. There is no dominant company like Grayhound is in North America, but a host of local, regional and national bus companies, some of the major companies include; GoByBus [46] and Eurolines [47] and Swebus [48] which all service routes in the Scandinavian triangle between Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm. In addition the major national intercity bus companies are Abildskou [49] in Denmark, Nor-Way [50] and Nettbuss [51] in Norway and Matkahuolto [52] in Finland.

See

See the Northern Lights (Latin: Aurora Borealis; Scandinavian: Nordlys/-ljus (Swedish: Norrsken))
See the famous Tivoli Gardens theme park in Copenhagen
Visit the unusual free city of Christiania in Copenhagen

Do

Relax in a hot spring in Iceland

Cruise a Norwegian Fjord, Geirangerfjord is a world-famous beauty while Sognefjord is the greatest
Experience the endless summer days, and even 24 hour sunshine in the north
Go to Legoland in Denmark
Hike for days in Europe's biggest landscapes.
Go cross country skiing in huge forests
Stay in the hostel of the af Chapman, a sailing ship moored in Stockholm, Sweden
See the amazing Vasa Museum in Stockholm, displaying an entire flagship that sunk in the harbor nearly 400 years ago
Visit Santa Claus in Rovaniemi, Finland
Go skinny dipping from a sauna in the Land of a Thousand Lakes (Finland)
Experience the Arctic in the northernmost settlement at Svalbard

Eat

The cuisines of all Scandinavian countries are quite similar, although each country does have its signature dishes. Seafood features prominently on restaurant menus, although beef, pork and chicken are more common in many everyday dishes. Potatoes are the main staple, most often simply boiled, but also made into mashed potatoes, potato salad and more. Spices are used sparingly, but fresh herbs are used to accentuate the ingredients.

Famous pan-Scandinavian dishes include:

Herring, especially pickled
Meatballs, served with potatoes, berries and creamy sauce
Salmon, especially smoked or salt-cured (gravlax)
Smörgasbord, a popular lunch option with bread, herring, smoked fish, cold cuts and more

Bread comes in dozens of varieties, with dark, heavy rye bread a specialty, and Scandinavian pastries are so well known that the word "danish" has even been imported into English.

Drink

Vikings were famously heavy drinkers, and despite continuing government efforts to stamp out the demon drink through heavy taxation, today's Scandinavians continue the tradition. Bring in your full tax-free allowance if you plan to indulge, since in Norway you can expect to pay up to 60 kr (€9) for a pint of beer in a pub, and Sweden and Finland are not far behind. To reduce the pain, it's common to start drinking at home before heading out to party. The drinking age is 18 in all Nordic countries, but many bars and clubs have their own age limits.

The main tipples are beer and vodka-like distilled spirits called brännvin, including herb-flavored akvavit. Spirits are typically drunk as snaps (pron. "shnapps"), or ice-cold from shot glasses.

Sleep

Throughout Scandinavia, with exception of densely populated Denmark, Allemansrätten, or Every Man's Right in English, is an important underpinning of society, and guarantees everyone the right to stay or camp on any uncultivated land for one or two nights, as long as you respect certain norms, stay out of sight of any residents, and leave no traces of your visit when you leave. If you enjoy the great outdoors, this can help make the otherwise expensive Scandinavian countries, become quite affordable.

With so much incredible nature outside the doorstep, it should be no surprise that the Scandinavian countries have a well developed Hostel network, named Vandrerhjem/Vandrarhem in the Scandinavian languages - literally translating into wanderers home. While the rules are often quite strict, it's cheap, and with almost 800 hostels available, you can find one almost anywhere. The respective national organisations are called Danhostel [53] in Denmark, STF [54] or SVIF [55] in Sweden, Norske Vandrerhjem [56] in Norway, SRM [57] in Finland and finally Farfuglar [58] in Iceland.

IBERIA

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Overview

The Iberian Peninsula is the westernmost section of the European continent, lying between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is separated from France by the snow capped Pyrenees mountains.

Countries

Andorra

Portugal

Spain

Other destinations

Gibraltar

Understand

History

Separated from France by the Pyrenees mountains, its history has frequently taken a different path from the rest of Europe, giving the region a separate identity. The Basque people settled here millennia ago, retaining their culture to this day. The Roman Empire expanded into it in the 3rd century BCE, before being supplanted by the Germanic tribes in the 5th century. The peninsula again took on a non-European character when the Islamic Berber and Arabic Moors took over in the 8th century, ruling parts of it as recently as the 15th century. As Christian rule gradually took back the peninsula from the Moors, its people then looked outward, seeding the Americas – and more – with their languages and laws. Although their then-dictatorial governments kept them out of World War II, Spain and Portugal are now full members of the European Union.

Talk

Spanish - The official language of Spain, and widely spoken in Portugal.
Portuguese - The official language of Portugal
Basque - A minority language unrelated to any other European language, spoken in the Basque Country in the northern part of the peninsular
Catalan - Another minority language mainly spoken in Andorra, the Balearic Islands, Catalonia and northeastern Spain

English is not widely spoken or understood outside the small British exclave of Gibraltar, where it is the official language. As elsewhere in the world English proficiency improves the closer you get to major tourists centres, especially in the coastal resort cities along the Mediterranean coast and in Barcelona, where English proficiency is much higher than in the rest of the country. English language is more frequently spoken in Portugal, as Portuguese in European context is a minor language, and people who enrolled in school after transformation to democracy in 1974, usually have some English proficiency.

Get in

By plane

The Iberian peninsular is by far Europe's main hub to South and Central America, Madrid's Barajas airport is the most important of the hubs, while Portela airport in Lisbon is the main gateway to Brazil due to the two countries historic ties. The situation is much the same with the two flag carriers: Spain's Iberia [[1]] has an impressive South/Central America network, and Portugal's TAP [[2]] flies to 8 destinations in Brazil and 9 African cities with colonial ties to Portugal.

Madrid Barajas
Barcelona
Lisbon Portela
Faro
Porto

By train

From France to Madrid and to Lisbon

BENELUX

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Overview

Benelux is an economic union comprising three neighbouring monarchies, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The name is formed from the beginning of each country's name. It is a precursor of the European (Economic) Union and as such, borders here have been 'open' for many more years than in the rest of the EU.

Countries

Netherlands

Belgium

Luxembourg

Cities

Understand

Luxembourg and the East of Belgium is a hilly area.

The rest of the area is what is known as the The Low Countries; this is the delta of the rivers Scheldt, Meuse, Rhine and Ems. Originally swamp land, enterprising fishermen discovered a flair for trade when trading routes started to emerge between the grain markets of the Baltic Sea and the renaissance-bitten luxury goods markets of northern Italy. Here is where stocks were invented.

This attention to trade made Bruges one of the largest cities in Europe in its day, and the mediaeval town is still well preserved. When the secession war with Spain progressed, French and Flemish alike fled to Amsterdam, which became the new world capital of trade, which is still witnessed in the many 'Houses of the Lords' lining the famous canals.

Talk

Dutch (or Flemish) is the main language in the Netherlands and in the north of Belgium (Flanders) plus Brussels. French too is spoken in Brussels and in the south of Belgium (Wallon). On the east side of Belgium there are a few German speaking communities. Luxembourg has three offical languages: Luxembourgish, French and German. Many, especially in the Netherlands, speak English. Frisian is spoken in Friesland (Netherlands).

See

Much of the swamp land in the Low Countries has been reclaimed, resulting in some of the largest water works in the world, and in other attractions such as the wind mills of the Kinderdijk in Noord-Holland. Much has not been reclaimed, resulting in interesting biotopes, such as the Zwin on the coast of Belgium and the area around the Waddenzee in the North of the Netherlands.

Do

You will find white-water canoeing in Luxembourg and the East of Belgium.

There are some excellent golf courses in Luxembourg and the East of Belgium.

Rent a "bike" and explore Amsterdam.

Eat

Try Moules et frites - Belgium's answer to fish and chips.
Try speculas, the famous Dutch cookies.
Belgian chocolate is some of the best on the planet.
Eat the Dutch almond fingers, rich with sugar and marzipan.

Drink

Try the famous Belgian brewed beers!

CENTRAL EUROPE

2009-05-22T03:09:00.000-07:00

Overview

Central Europe is a region in the heart of Europe. It includes the German-speaking countries, four former Warsaw Pact member states that have joined the European Union, and Slovenia, a former Yugoslav republic, now also a member of the EU. Only Switzerland and tiny Liechtenstein are not EU member states but share close economic and cultural ties with the region.

Countries

Austria

Czech Republic

Germany

Hungary

Poland

Cities

Central Europe has some of the oldest and best preserved cities on the continent. Below is a list of nine of the most notable:

Berlin - The capital of reunited Germany since 1990, it was divided for 45 years during the Cold War. It has emerged as an important cultural center and an area of rapid development since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Budapest - The capital of Hungary has a wealth of grand architecture and culture, as well as one of the oldest metro systems in the world.

Geneva - The largest city in Francophone Switzerland. This urban banking center is home to many international agencies like the Red Cross and the United Nations.

Kraków - The cultural center and former capital of Poland. It is famed for its charming medieval architecture and one of the largest old-town market squares in Europe.

Ljubljana - The charming capital of Slovenia. Can be seen as a "smaller, alpine version of Prague".

Munich - The capital of the southern German federal-state of Bavaria. This gateway to the Alps is famous for Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival.

Prague - The world-famous capital of the Czech Republic is one of Europe's most attractive and well preserved cities and an expatriate melting pot.

Vienna - The elegant capital of Austria. This imperial capital has countless classicist sights.

Warsaw - The political and business center of Poland with a completely re-built old-town and castle square.

Other destinations

Alps - probably one of the most important winter destinations in the world. Home to summer resorts too.
Tatra Mountains - beautiful and unspoilt mountain range peaking at 2600 meters above sea level in located on the Polish-Slovak frontier.
Baltic Sea- Germany and Poland share the Baltic Sea coast of Central Europe with hundreds of miles of sandy beaches and resorts.
North Sea- Germany has many tourist islands in the North Sea.
Black Forest- smalller mountain range in southwest Germany known for its scenery and history.
Harz Mountains - low-lying mountain range in central Germany home to the legend of the witch.
Adriatic Sea - Slovenia has a relatively small, but beautiful coastline on the north-eastern tip of the Adriatic.

Understand

While ethnically different, the countries of Central Europe share a similar culture and history throughout the ages. Two of the most important political units in the region were the German and Austro-Hungarian empires. Ethnic conflict was a major problem for hundreds of years in Central Europe and culminated in the horrors of the Second World War. With the peaceful reunification of Germany and the recent expansion of the EU to encompass the former Warsaw Pact states in the region, this problem finally seems to have been solved.

It is a common mistake by outsiders to label all the former Warsaw Pact states in the region as being in Eastern Europe. Almost uniformly, inhabitants of Central Europe will be flattered and pleased if you correctly describe their countries as "central European". Conversely, they may be upset if you lapse into Cold War stereotypes. East and West Germany were countries so better to call it eastern and western Germany. Reunification is all but a thing of the past and seen in a positive light by most there and in all of Central Europe so try to avoid labeling Germans by their recent past. Lastly, Remember Germans are Germans but Austrians, Liechtensteiners and most Swiss speak German, but are not German!

While they are not currently considered part of Central Europe, Kaliningrad Oblast (Russia) and Alto-Adige province (Italy), are sometimes also considered Central European either due to their current ethnic makeup or past political histories.

Talk

Central Europe, because of its rich heritage of nationalities, likewise is home to many languages. Some languages enjoy national status and thus are taught in schools and used widely in the media. Others however are only regional languages or minority languages and thus are sadly in danger of eventual extinction even though efforts are underway to try to preserve them.

German has the largest number of native speakers in the region and is the official language of Austria, Germany, and Liechtenstein, as well as the dominant language in much of northern, central and eastern Switzerland. There is a small German speaking minority in Poland and Hungary. It is also spoken outside Central Europe in eastern Belgium and France, and northern Italy. South the Main River, spoken German becomes very diverse and appears in many different colorful dialects.

Czech and Slovak are very closely related and are mutually intelligible.

Polish is the dominant language in all regions of Poland and in a tiny border region of the Czech Republic. Kashubian, a regional Slavonic language, is spoken in the region around Gdansk in northern Poland.

French or Italian are spoken by the majority of the population in the southern and western regions of Switzerland, while Swiss German is commonly taught as a second language.

In the Swiss Canton of Graubünden or Grison, Romansh is spoken as a regional language. It is closely related to Ladin which is spoken in northern Italy. Hungarian is one of the most difficult languages for other Europeans to learn, as it originates from a different language family and is related to Finnish and Estonian. A Hungarian speaking minority can also be found in southern Slovakia.

Slovenian is the official language of Slovenia, but it is also spoken by the Slovenian minorities in southern Austria, northeastern Italy and western Hungary. There is also a small Croatian minority in Austria's Burgenland. Sorbian, Frisian and Low German are Germany's three native minority languages. Sorbian is related to Polish and Czech and can be found spoken in the eastern states of Saxony and Brandenburg. Frisian is related to English and Dutch and is spoken by tiny communities in Schleswig-Holstein and Niedersachsen.

Lastly, Low German is spoken by rural communities or as a second language in most federal states of northern Germany and still has a significant role to play in the city states of Bremen, Hamburg and Berlin and in the states of Niedersachsen, Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. All three are endangered languages. Efforts are underway to preserve the languages and their culture.

Finding people who speak and understand English is not a problem in most regions of Central Europe, especially in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. In Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic, English is widely spoken in the larger cities and by younger people; German and Russian are also spoken and understood by many older people in these countries. Russian, since the end of the Cold War and the unification of Europe is in steady decline. Today German remains important, more for financial and economic reasons instead of cultural or political reasons, as was the case in the past.

Get in

The largest gateway for airline travel is Frankfurt Main airport.

Get around

All of the countries located in Central Europe are now signatory to Schengen Agreement, which means that you can cross the borders unimpededly, much as you'd cross the U.S. state borders, save for random police checks. One remaining, and important exception, is the Swiss airports, which are not expected to implement schengen procedures before March 29th, 2009.

See

The English Garden and the huge Deutsches Museum in Munich
The massive Dom in Cologne
The modern architecture of Berlin's Potsdamer Platz
The modern skyline of Frankfurt and Warsaw
The natural skyline of the alps in Innsbruck
The natural beauty of Lake Constance and its three national shorelines

Do

Ascend the Reichstag Dome in Berlin
Hike the mountainous area "Saxon Switzerland" south of Dresden
Walk around historic Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Visit a beer hall, the Olympic Park, BMW museum and the central pedestrian zone in Munich
Visit Hitler's infamous Eagles Nest in Berchtesgaden
Tour the Black Forest and maybe buy a cuckoo clock
Cruise the Rhine River
Ride the monorail in Wuppertal
Stroll through the old towne center of Salzburg and visit the impossing fortress
Float down the river with the locals in Berne
Ride a cable car up to Gimmelwald, eat at the Piz Gloria restaurant, go out on the Jungfrau glacier, see a churning waterfall, or hike a Swiss mountain ridge
Stroll historic Vienna and visit Prater
Go skiing or snowboaring in Switzerland, Austria or Bavaria
Go up Castle Hill in Budapest
Relax in a Hungarian Turkish style spa
Visit the world's largest castle complex and tour the old and new towns of Prague
Visit the historic and elegant port city of Gdansk and it surrounding resorts
Spend a night camping under the stars and moonlight on the German Baltic island of Ruegen
Stroll Warsaw's old town and old Jewish Ghetto, and take a glace at the Soviet inspired Palace of Culture and Science
Tour the historic old town and castle of Krakow, and visit the Soviet worker's suburb of Nowa Huta
Be moved by a visit to a Nazi concentration camp and memorial such as Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen, Dachau or Treblinka
Tour the Old Town of Dresden and see the reconstructed "Frauenkirche"
Visit the historic spa town of Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) in the Czech Republic and "take the cure"
Experience the wild nightlife in Berlin, Prague and Budapest until the wee hours of the morning if you can!

Events

Jazz fans will enjoy two big jazz festivals in Poland:
- "Jazz nad Odrą" in Wroclaw
- "Jazz Jamboree" in Warsaw

Dixieland Festival Dresden

Drink

Beer -The golden beer drunk throughout the world was developed in this region, and arguably it is here that it is still at its best. The Czech Republic has a grand brewing heritage and Plzen (Pilsen) is the place were the technique was pioneered, creating the Pilsner style that is reproduced around the world. The low cost of beer in the Czech Republic makes it easy to get a taste of many of the beers, from the well known Pilsner Urquell, Budvar (Budweiser) and Staropramen, to local favorites such as Kozel, Bernard and Gambrinus. Many have a few different varieties and a Cerny Pivo (Black Beer) these can be as good if not better than the standard beer. Slovakia has many beers of high quality with Zlaty Bazant being highly regarded. Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia all have very good national examples sometimes on a par with those from the Czech lands.Germany, Austria and Switzerland have a similar brewing heritage, but can throw in several different types of beer. Weissbier (Wheat Beer) is a refreshing style popular in summer but drunk year round. There are a huge amount of varieties and local specialties are nearly always worth seeking out. Gernerally, the further north one travels in Germany, the more bitter or hoppy the beer becomes adding to the north-south cultural divide. Bavaria, "the Holy Grail of Brewing", located in southern Germany, has over 600 breweries alone and even more accompanying beers to sample!

Wine- The region produces a wide range of wines from superb world famous regions, down to inexpensive local plonk. Possibly the finest region in the area is Tokaj, world reknowned for it sweet desert wines as well as more standard whites. Germany has several wine regions the Rhine, and Mossel Valleys are well known for their fragrant white wines. Austria and Switzerland also produce some very high quality products. In the other countries like Hungary and Slovenia local wines can throw up some very good varieties and it is always worth investigating local produce.

Vodka- A Polish specialty, the quality of Polish Vodka is amongst, if not the, best in the world. The high quality product can be very different to the industrial stuff you may buy in your local shop and is well worth a try. Zubrowka is a variety of vodka flavored with a cinnamon like grass and is delicious when combined with apple juice. Some claim it to be so good it produces no hangover!