China
A tourist indicated to us that he was bitten by a dog in Daju. The doctors who later on cured him stated that the dog had rabies emphasizing the fact that it fairly common and that rabies is one of the main died causes of death in the country. Perhaps they exaggerated, but be careful of dogs.

China
Salt Lake, Turpan: be careful to where you enter the lake! The quicksand in some points can be dangerous. The danger is not marked neither by signs nor from the local guides.

Columbia
Attention at Cucuta bus terminal. Tourists are pushed to contract travel insurances. In order to fill correctly the form tourist are demanded to show the money at the counter.  Various notes disappear in this way! -3/99

Cuba
The roads of Havana are not as safe as in the past. Travellers tell us of thefts in broad daylight by highway bandits.

Cuba
The police is more and more present and today it is difficult for tourists to avoid the frequent controls. 3/99

Czech republic
Do not forget to stamp the train ticket in Praga before the departure. This particular is only marked in the local language and fines are high. -3.99-

Egypt

If you intend to assist to the show " Sounds and lights " in the temple of Karnak, I suggest you to change your plan: the cost is decidedly   high and all it is limited to a big crowed of tourists runnning and chatting along the main avenue of the temple while a most annoying recorded voice narrates in pseudo-poetica shape the history of Tebe (the sound) and of the reflector lights illuminates some monuments. Better is a day in the valley of the king, also at 40°C! -07,00- Marta

If you visit the Valley of the King, avoide to enter in the Tuthankamon tomb, in particular if you have little time. With my great disappointement the archeologists have damaged  the tomb in order to enter it faster. What you see does have nothing to to see with that Carter saw! Beautifulst instead is the Tutmhosis III tomb. Guido. -03,00-

England
Easyrentacar, refused to rent me a car (reserved two weeks in advance) since I forgot my passport in my hotel and I had to come the next day to pick the car again and got no apologize for that. Sela. -12.00-

France

Corsica. Attention to the rests, the change and to the prices of Hotels and restaurants: every time they have tried to increase the room rate with absurd excuses. Erica. -05.00-

Corsica attention!  Tourists are victim of thefts. I was unaware and I have been robbed of the car and today, although all the possible searches, I do not have any news. The vacation costs me a lot but what it makes more anger is that the local police seems does not collaborate. Fact is that if you want to go in Corsica you need an assurance! Also boat and motorboats disappear from the bays! Mauro. -04.00-

Galapagos Isl.
At my arrival I was shocked to hear about a new entrance tax to the national park of 100 $ to pay only cash. Even the agencies in Quito are not informed yet of this change! -07,00-

Germany
Using handy phone on the aircrafts of Lufthansa is forbidden (like other airlines). The german justice will sanctioning high fines or detainment (untill two years)! -2.99-

Guatemala

Some money exchange offices of Chinamas, on the border with El Salvador try, changing  Quetzals with Colons, in place of multiplying the amount with the exchange rate to divide it! -11.00-

San Francisco el alto. Attention: thives!!!! They tighten to you in a heap and force you to pass in between,  they succeed to take your socks out!!!! Umberto, 120 Kg, has been raised from earth of ten centimeters, moved in the heap for some meter, and he came out without camera. To me they blocked the arms and the hands in the crowd, end emptied all the pockets. Fortunately we had left all the value to the driver ... Annamaria. -04.00-

Avoid the organized tours to the Pacaya volcano stanting in Antigua, it is dangerous. The local agencies "forget" to tell to the customers about the various incidents that already have taken place - 4.99

Kenya
Do not sleep under trees inhabitated by monkeys. An unpleasant experience is occured close to Lake Nakuru: at 5.30 am the monkeys began to bomb excrements on the poor campers.

India

The encefalite extends in India, in the last month 145 persons died, for the greater part children. Travellers in these places are advised to vaccine. -04.00-

To smoke in public places has been declared illegal in the state of the Kerala (South India). The fines are of approximately 500 Rps (12 USD), the weekly salary of a local  worker -01,00-

Indian government in Agra has emanated a warning. Recently many theft have been registered. Be prudent with the choice of guides and with invitations in restaurants (drugged foods). - 9.99 -

In Dehli I did not succeed to take a train! The taxidrivers are bringing you to their agencies (commissions!) and not to the station! Be hard and if necessary give tips, otherwise you risk to turn around the all day. Arianna - 7.99

Attention regarding long duration visa for India (a year). The embassies are falling to inform that in case  of continuous stay up to 180 days, additional recording is necessary. Already several travellers had trouble leaving the country after they had already carried gone through Check in.  -2.99-

The police of the region of Goa seem to need money. Particularly in small guesthouses unexpected night inspections are not unusual. For restitution of some of your belongings you must pay a tip.

Indonesia

Bali is safe, but it is necessary some precautions because of the recent political problems: beyond Timor, also in the area of Aceh in Sumatra, Ambon, in the south of Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, Irian Jaya and East Flores. -02,00-

Do not exceeded the period of two months previewed from the tourist visa. The endorsements could be heavy. -02,00-

Do not trust bank employees who in order to change traveller's chèque demand a photocopy of your credit card, just giving the reason that your document is not sufficient.

Krakatau volcano is activ and nobody is allowed to near more than 5 km from the coasts of the island. Consequently all the excursions on the island have been cancelled. -7.99-

Attention to your baggage transiting in the X-ray tunnel in the airports of Surabaya and Banjarmasin. The trick: after you have placed the baggage on, two invading persons pass you, the first one takes your baggage from the tunnel and escapes while the second one delays your passage passing with metallic objects in the pockets into the detector gate. When you finally pass, it will be much too late.

Israel

Attention while bathig in the Dead Sea. It can happen to be dragged offshore. It is difficult to swim in that water and it can be dangerous. -8.99-

Israel (Sinai)

Attention in the programming the climb to the summit: it is not only laborious, but sometime it is even impossible to people who has more than 20 years, are using the car habitually, who are leaving the writing desk only occasionnally and living normally under the 600 m. of altitude or who does not have a great equilibrium and is not in perfect physical conditions. Annamaria - 06.00-

You can pay with any currency, but attention to the change rate. The prices are generally high, highest for mineral water and drinks generally ( in lodge and restaurants), impossible for beer and wine. -06,00- Annamaria

Italy

Venice. Attention to the Caffé Ristorante Roma near the train station! We paid last month of June for one small beer and one large 29'000 Liras! Tavellers who arrive, and do not know the place, or those that are in order to leave hurriedly do not have any possiblity to protests. They answered with a smile!.  - 04.00-

The Ostia Antica visitors must pay particular attention to the choice of a guide. It has taken place that tourists of guided groups have been taken to isolated historic places and robbed.

Italy
At the airport of Milan Linate you can have a nasty surprise leaving the car in the wrong place in the old north-west parking. In fact, the old metallic structures o rain days cause water mixed with rust to fall on auto bodies thus damaging the finish.

Japan
Do not give gift in number of four or nine: it is considered to be of bad taste. The word four in Japanese also means dead, while nine also means suffering.

Jemen
Visas can be obtained nearly in all the countries without problems before the departure. An extension possible only in  Sana' to and it cost 1000 Rial but you need ... an AIDS test!  -7.99

Libanon
Attention if you are leaving the main paths. Aggressions to travellers are not rare. -8.99-

Laos
Entry visa for Laos at Vientiane airport. It is only possible to pay in dollars (50 USD) and cash, no other currency (FCH, DM, FF) or credit card is accepted.

Madagascar
The famous market of Antananarivo (Zoma) enjoys a  bad reputation. Small bands of young people are very active. You have to hide your wallet and cameras and avoid crowded areas. The best (safety and less crowdy) days are Wednesday and Thursday.

Malawi
Lake Malawi, in the south of Africa, was considered for many years a bathing paradise. But today the cases of infections from bilarziosis are more and more frequent. These dangerous worms afflict more than 5000 tourists annually. Also, the most famous locality Cape Mclear is infested as well.

Maledive
Bad news for diving friends! It seems that "El Nino" has caused serious damages to the cost of the Maldive. Therefore they have lost some of their undewater interest. 5.99

Morocco

To avoid: Meknes, Tiznit, Taroudant, Agadir (Moroccan Rimini) the begging, the children who ask pens, "bon bon", dirhan, the charmers of snakes of Djemaa public square el-Fna (attention for photo you will pay till  200dh (25USD). -11.00-

Marrakech: "La place". Jema El Fna, wonderful in the evening but attention: young peoples, even French, invite you to play a game. Surprise! You will winn a vacation of 1 week in Morocco for two persons, hotel 5 stars. Then they ask you to follow them and with a free taxi (also for the return) they bring you in a real estate agency. After that they try to sell you an apartment in construction building.   -10,00-

In Morocco the sacred mosques (except that one of Hassan II in Casablanca) and places are prohibited to non muslims.

If invited to lunch, washing your hands in a small basin - is a gesture of friendship -, and begin eating only after the head of household. Only eat with your right hand.

Mauritius
Attention renting boats for excursions to other islands. Always verifie the safety equipments on the boats. Fabrizio  - 3/99

Mexico
The Mexican police enjoys the reputation of being very corrupt. Experts advise to avoid every contact, cases of holdups and theft are hardly ever resolved. The risk of becoming a victim of blackmail or threats from agents is high.

Mongolia
Attention in the choice of a local public transport to Tsetserleg, the Capital of the province of Arkhangai. There are many other localities with a similar name! -03,00-

Namibia
There is a difficult and dangerous situation in the region of the Caprivi. The Namibia has authorized the military forces of Angola (MPLA) to use this area in order to fight the rebellious forces (UNITA). The beginning of this month, in one of the bloody attacks 3 young French tourists have been brutally killed. It is recommended not to enter this zone. 95% of the Namibia (and it is an immense nation!) it is still sure for the tourist. - 01.00-

Nepal

Nepal
Since the 1. of February it is no more possible to acquire the permission at the Check point of the national park of the Annapurna. All the permissions have to be obtained in Pokhara or Katmandu. If you are  a member of a organized tour you will not have problems, but independent travellers could be not informed about the change. -12.00-

In Katmandu (but not only) tourists are approached from young people. The relationship tcan appear of pure sympathy but is meant as job to be payed. The service can be interesting but at the moment to pay remembered that the avarage monthly salary of a hotel employee is approximately 1500 Rps. -11.99-

The Chitwan national park is to avoid in the months of October to December. Too many tourists visit it and, in spite of the promises of the agencies, not every one is admitted to the Park. Moreover the vegetation is therefore high that it is nearly impossible to see animals. -11,99-

Do not undertake trekking on your own or in small groups. There are increasingly more attacks in remote areas by armed groups of bandits.

New Zeland
A warning when traveling with gas stoves (for camping). When entering customs inspectors allow entry but when exiting the stoves are confiscated for security reasons, without possibility of reimbursement! Same problem at times for camping batteries.

Pakistan
In the Swat-Valley I was traveling around by jeep crossing Ushu and Matiltan when I have been stopped by 3 armed persons. I have been adviced not to continue and for whom that inted make a trekking it is indispensable a armed bodyguardssupply. The region is splendid. -11,00-

Peru

A new trick in some lodges of Puno. If you pay in advance with a banknote it is possible that the day after they will rendered you the note with the pretest that it is false. The one you get back is really false (not yours)! -03,00-

It is advised for visitors of Machu Pichu to request a list of the operating trekking agencies at the office INDECOPI that collects all complaints.

In case of thefts or holdups is better not to go to the local police, but to the tourist police, open 24 hours a day in Lima. Tel./Fax (01) 224 78 88

Aeroperu is overbooking every flight. Therefore it is easy to remain without place. The only solution: to reach the airport a lot of time before - 4.99

Philippines
Manila in Rizal Park: if you encounter a group of young people that are having a birthday party, which invite you to join them, be careful. Usually after a while, the party will continue in a private house and you will be robbed of everything.

Philippines
Beware of the "policemen" traveling on limousine. The true policemen are not traveling on limousine, rarely identify themselves and carry a gun. The plates of the official cars are white, written red and the first letter is S.

Philippines
At the office of the Philippine Airlines in Manila a pregnant woman accompanied by a girl contacts the tourists kindly and after gaining their confidence invites them to go for a ride around the city and then to her house. Many unsuspecting tourists have benn robbed in this way.

Poland
The Warzawa train station in not so safe any more. 7.99-

Russia

Dear friends: Take care of your wallet at the Nevski Prospect metro station in Sain Petersburg (Russia). Never, never, never carry your wallet into the pockets of your trousers. If not, you won't see it any more .-11.03-

In the Pribaltiskaya Hotel of S. Petersburg do not eat in the European restaurant Edem: it is the most expensive, the waiter are discourteous and the food is poor. You can visit instead the restaurant in style U.S.A. always in the same hotel. -07.00-

Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam
The possession or the use of drogs involve heavy consequences (until death), it does not made any distinction wich kind of drug. If you carry some medicine you need for your health, have also a medical certificate that attests your use of the medicines. Claudio. -10.99-

South Korea
When changing money on the black market, be careful of counterfeit banknotes (US Dollars). Often it is sufficient to give the impression of carefully checking the quality of the banknotes in order to frighten the money changer.

Syria
Credit cards are practically useless, cash is better (USD). The banks do not take cash deposits cash and only the rare lux hotels accept some credit cards.

Switzerland
Tour by bus to Innsbruck (and Swaroski factory) with travel operator Domo: very poor service and lodging, many pressures for the purchase of products of the visited factory. -2/99

Tanzania
Arusha is the point of departure of all safaris of the region (Ngoro Ngoro, etc.) and many organizations offer services in this field. Do not trust the agency Prince Kili and its manager David; it seems it has the habit of abandoning the customers in the national parks. A good system to save costs after having naturally already taken money the customers.

Tanzania (Zanzibar)
In Zanzibar a permit is necessary a permission in order to rent a motorbike. However nobody tells the the lessees. The risk is in being stopped and fined by the police.

Thailand
At the airport of Bangkok is active a gang of thieves that offers taxi services taxi at interesting. Claudio. - 10.99-

Thailand
During the period of the monsoon ferries from Krabi to Phi Phi and from Sarat Thani to Kho Samui circulate in irregular way, to to the conditions of the sea. Also on the way to Phuket and Phi Phi. The flights of the Bangkok Airwais to Kho Samui from BKK and HKT often are delayed in this period. Claudio. -8,99

Thailand
Those people who rent a car or a moped should know that an international license is necessary. In fact, vehicles can be hired without problem but the police controls are frequent and fines relatively high.

Tibet
Traveling by bus between Golmud and Lhasa takes between 36 and 56 hours and the most of the passengers suffer of oxygen problems and it can be very cold. -8.99 -

Tibet
This year visitors must be prepared for more controls and bureaucracy. The reason: exactly 40 years ago, in March of 1959, the Dalai-Lama escaped from the Chinese towards India. This fact seems to disturb the Chinese authorities. It is possible therefore unexpected modifications regarding the permissions of access to the different regions. 5.99

Uganda
Security in Uganda is relatively stable. The districts of the north Arua, Kitgum, Moyo and Nebbi should be avoided.

USA

More cyclones (and stronger) are expected for the next autumn. As the National Hurricane Conference has emphasized that is because of the increase of temperature of the Atlantic Ocean. -08,00-

It seems that the bears of Yosemite-Park have become more enterprising. Various cars have been damaged. It is absolutely adviced not to leave the food in the cars. There are boxes where you can deposit your food. -01,00-

Foreigners who directly rent a car in the USA, may have some disadvantages. In case of incident the renting company can recharge the administrative costs (expensive!) on the person whom the car has been rented, even if this is not guilty. -9,99-

There are already 16 airports using new security machines that are harmful to photographic material (film). Since it is an innovative system for the control of explosive material, it is probable it will be adopted by other big airports. Source: Pima (the biggest producer of film in America) suggest having the film checked separately.

Venezuela
Walking around with bags in Caracas has become dangerous. At night it is advised not to exit at all, also the inhabitants do not like to go out on the roads.

Vietnam

Back from Vietnam we inform that currently the entire road network is under costruction. For the route from Hanoi to Hue (800 km) we needed more than 20 hours. The same time is the necessary by train. We suggest to fly. -08.00-  Barbie Oscar

In the north of the country it can be also cold during the   the winter. In Hanoi and Halogang Bay you can be confronted with continuous rain and low temperatures. -01.00-

    
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