Seychelles

Summary: The easternmost African territory to the northeast of Madagascar, the Seychelles are a group of 115 islands that have either granite or coral bases; either rocky and hilly or flat and sandy. Ceded to Britain in 1814 and independent in 1976, the Seychelles have an economy based on tourism and fishing with diversification planned to develop farming and light manufacturing. Capital: Victoria Time Zone: UTC+4 Population: 82,247 Languages: English, French, Creole Power: 240V, 50 Hz Currency: Seychelles Rupee - Currently 1 SCR = 0.0701 USD $ Climate: The Seychelles have a tropical marine climate and are usually humid, with a cooler season during the southeast monsoon from late May to September, and a warmer season during the northwest monsoon from March to May. - Currently 94º, Light Rain Shower  DESTINATIONS Victoria: The island of Mah is home to the capital Victoria, a clean colonial settlement made for pedestrians with a small museum, gardens, and nearby Beau Vallon beach, just two miles out of town and with welcoming sand, a walkup bar, and plenty of waves. Outside of town, ecotourists enjoy the Morne Seychellois National Park, with a good hike up Morne Seychellois through jungles, or the Saint Anne Marine National Park, a few miles to the east with excellent snorkeling and rumors of ghosts and buried treasure.

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Praslin: The island of Praslin, around 25 miles away from the capital, is the getaway spot for the Seychellois and attracts tourists for its quiet environment. See the Valle de Mai near the south of the island, a jungle of rare coco de mer palms, or Anse Lazio in the north, the white beach with snorkeling in the nearby reef and lunch in the restaurant. Nearby islands include Cousin Island, a nature reserve with a forest full of rare birds, and Curieuse Island, once a leper colony, and now a park with hundreds of giant tortoises.

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Silhouette Island: About 19 miles northwest of Mah is Silhouette Island populated by a handful of ecologists, agriculturalists and a single hotel. While quiet, you can hike up the Mont Pot Eau to see pitcher plants and coco de mer palm trees, explore caves looking for rare bats, Arab tombs and pirate treasure, or go for some diving or snorkeling around the surrounding reefs, or just relax on the white sandy beaches and enjoy the sun TIPS Local Dress: Visitors find the islands relaxing and the Seychellois friendly and inviting. Keep your bathing suit at the beach, otherwise, casual dress is fine throughout the islands, although locals dress up a bit more than normal for visits to churches. Banking: Credit cards and traveller's checks are widely accepted throughout the islands, and currencies can be exchanged in the banks or hotels on most of the populated islands. When To Visit: The peak tourist season is from December to January and July to August, and prices climb and availability drops, however, traveling in May or October will not only be easier, you'll also find good winds for sailing and clear waters for diving. The Festival Kreol is a spicy weeklong event with music, dance and cooking, held near the end of October. Food: Known for the fine Creole cooking, the Seychelles feast on seafood of all kinds, from shark to octopus to snapper and grouper, but you can also find sausages and other meats, side dishes include rice, spinach, vegetables and fruits, and a range of spices and peppers. Phrases: Yes = oui, no = non, please = s'il vous plait, thank you = merci, do you speak English = parlez vous anglais? Tipping: Check your bill, as a 10% service charge is often included in your bill, otherwise, a 10% gratuity is appropriate for good service and for taxi fares.Security: The islands are considered safe, although a bit more attention is required in the capital Victoria, where it's best to not walk alone at night

 Nigeria

Summary: Nigeria is in western Africa between Niger and the Gulf of Guinea and has plains in the north rising to central hills and plateaus and dropping down to southern lowlands with some mountains in the southeast, all cut by the Niger and Benue rivers. After successfully moving into a democratic system of government, Nigeria has an economy based on oil and subsistence agriculture and is committed to economic reforms through the slow privatization of oil refineries and deregulation of the fuel sector.
Capital: Abuja
Time Zone: UTC+1
Population: 146,255,312
Languages: English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani
Power: 240V, 50 Hz
Currency: Naira - Currently 1 NGN = 0.0064 USD $
Climate: The Nigerian climate varies, from equatorial in the south, tropical in the center, to arid in the north. Seasonally, it has a cooler, dry winter from December to March with dusty Harmattan winds, and a hotter and more humid summer from June to September. - Currently 85º, Abuja Weather Forecasts

Destinations

Abuja: Abuja is the official capital in name, but is still a quiet place with few distractions, including natural rock formations, the Abuja Plant Nursery and the National Arboretum. Around 250 miles to the east is the Yankari National Park, a nature reserve that offers walks and trails to view the elephants, hippos, even a lion or two, swimming in the Wikki Warm Spring, and chalets and a restaurant in case you want to stay overnight.

Lagos : No longer the capital, Lagos still has the hustle, bustle and attractions of the second biggest city in Africa. Take a trip to Ikoyi or Victoria Islands, the nicer pair of islands with colonial houses make these elite areas comfortable, then to Lagos Island, the heart of the city, with night clubs, shopping malls, restaurants, and the National Museum, with a surprisingly good collection of antiques and artifacts. Take a day trip 100 miles northeast to Oshogbo for the Oja Oba Market, with Yoruba art and juju handicrafts, and to wonder at the shrines and statues in the Sacred Forest. Kano: Once an Arab trading center, Kano sits 200 miles away from Abuja on the edge of  the Sahel and dates back a thousand years. Admire the ruined mud wall that still surrounds the city, and the main Kofar Mata Gate that still stands. In the same area, you can see the Central Mosque, although closed to non-Muslims it is a beautiful work of art, and the Emir’s palace, from the outside, at least, then enter the Gidan Makama Museum, a restored 15th century building worth a visit, or just shop in the Kurmi Market.

Tips

Local Customs: In the northern Muslim areas, modest dress and behavior are expected, particularly from women, who should cover their arms to the elbow and legs. In the south, the British colonial influence means that more casual dress is accepted and handshakes are common. In all cases, respect the beliefs you encounter and avoid figuratively stepping on anyone's toes and you will find the locals friendly and generous.
Cash on Hand: Because of the potential for fraud, leave your credit cards behind. Banks are open weekdays until the early afternoon and will help exchange currencies or cash traveller’s checks. Cash, in particular, is important to have, so keep some on hand to help negotiate either a good purchase or a bad situation.

Bribery: Bribery is still common throughout the country, from customs employees to police officials or military roadblocks. Of course, at night, it can be hard to tell who is who, but handing over a few dollars will make them go away. Bringing an extra copy of your passport may help in some situations in case yours gets taken.

When To Visit: The cooler temperatures of winter make travel the easiest, and the Muslim festivals marking the end of Ramadan and Tabaski are popular and colorful, and the Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival in mid-February is fun to attend, with barehanded fishermen and water sport competitions.

Food: Nigerian cooking is based on rices, stews and soups, with palm wine a popular local concoction. Buka, or roadside stalls, are the best and cheapest place to get local dishes, which can include the simple efo, or vegetable soup, to tuwo, a porridge-like dish of maize and or millet often served with a soup or sauce, to egusi, a spicy stew with red peppers and beef.

Tipping: Follow standard tipping rules and add a 10% gratuity if a service charge hasn’t already been added to your bill, and negotiate the tip into the fare when hailing a taxi.

Safety and Security: Be cautious when traveling near the Cameroon border and in the north of the country and don’t travel at night. Keep a low profile and avoid any overt displays of wealth, and be particularly vigilant in larger cities and around the southern river delta. Always ask before taking a picture, and be careful when dealing with the military or police. At the airports, keep a constant eye on your baggage and don't act in a hurry.

Top 10 Worst Travel Mistakes to Avoid

1. Forgetting your passport - or not having at least 6 months validity left. This has happened to more of us than care to admit it.

2. Checking baggage. Most seasoned road warriors will only have carryon luggage - you'll never see them waiting at the carousel.

Getting annoyed with airport security. Unfortunately they hold all the power and occasionally you'll encounter someone who abuses it.

3. Getting frustrated or angry won't help get you through to your gate any faster - in fact, you can end up missing your flight. Under no circumstances mention the word bomb anywhere in the airport.

4. Not checking stopover duration. Getting stuck in an airport for 8 hours isn't much fun and will have you wishing you'd spent the extra few hundred dollars to fly direct. Use something like to visually compare how much agony each flight entails.

5. Drinking too much alcohol on the flight. Airplanes already dehydrate you - drinking will make that worse, stop you from sleeping properly and leave you more susceptible to catching a bug.

6. Leaving your iPad / phone / wallet in the seat pocket in front of you.

7. Missing a meeting because you slept in because of jet lag. Check your alarm clock - know what it sounds like and then put it out of reach so you can't simply turn it off. Also ask for a wake up call as a backup.

8. Missing flights because you misjudged traffic conditions. Ask your hotel concierge about peak traffic hours and if anything special is going on in town. A marathon can cut a city in half - leading to delays of over an hour.

9. Forgetting your reading glasses.

10. Religiously sticking to one airline or network to maximise points/miles. The reality is they are often difficult to redeem and expire quickly yet many road warriors go out of their way to fly on an airline, even when it's more expensive, takes longer and is less convenient.

Bonus 2

1. Not having adequate insurance coverage. You should consider medical, car, flight and belongings.

2. Not having an online backup of all your files. If your laptop gets stolen, the trip won't be a total waste.

Have we missed any of your top 10?

TOURISM

They call me Mr Tourist
And my wife Mrs Tourist
Our son they call Junior Tourist...
If only they know
These are not our real names…

They say our work
Is to travel from place to place
In far away lands,
To see animals and new people
Mountains and rivers
If only they knew that’s only a hobby……

They say we’ve lots of money
To board in top class hotels
And to buy expensive gifts
For our friends and loved ones
If only they knew
It is our life-long savings……….

They claim we benefit more from the visits
We’d like to think they benefit more
From the landing and departure fees
Game park entry fees, etc.
Anyway, why don’t we all agree
That the benefits are all ours?

Sam Mbure

 Antigua and Barbuda


Summary: Officially discovered by Columbus in 1493, these islands had been inhabited as early as 2400 BC. Mostly coral and limestone, making for a low-lying terrain, there are some higher volcanic areas that help to give the islands a varied coastline with many harbors and beaches. The economy relies on tourism, and roughly a third of all visitors are from the US.
City: 84,522
Capital: Saint John's
Time Zone: UTC-4
Population: 68,320
Languages: English
Power: 230 V, 60 Hz, with 110 V near the airport.
Currency: East Caribbean dollar - Currently 1 XCD = 0.3704 USD $
Climate: Antigua and Barbuda have a pleasant tropical climate with little seasonal temperature variation. - Currently 81º, Mostly Cloudy 


Destinations

Saint John's: Saint John's has sights to see just below the surface, and nice hotels in town ranging down to less expensive inns a little further on the outskirts. Among the places to visit are the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Divine at Redcliffe Quay, and the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, which was previously a courthouse built in 1750. Enjoy a walk through St. John's Market on a Saturday morning, get ready for the beach at the Trading Post, and note that cruise ship tourists pack into the Heritage Quay shopping complex.

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Barbuda: Located about 40 kilometers north of Antigua, many tourists leave Barbuda unexplored, that only means that the sights are less crowded. There are caves to explore, along with the great view from Martello Tower, but ecotourists will love to snorkel and admire the coral reefs or walk through the wildlife preserves.

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Beaches: There are over 300 small beaches and coves that make up the coast of Antigua, enough to give you sunburn if you see them all. Among the best are Half Moon Bay, Runaway Bay and Dickenson Bay, all in the same general area of the island. Keep your camera, snorkeling gear, and wallet handy. The views are great, the water is turquoise, and the vendors along Dickenson Bay offer t-shirts, snacks and other items of interest. Tips

Dress Codes: While there typically aren't codes per se, beachwear should be kept to the beach. Some of the nicer restaurants may require pants, jackets, or other smart casual attire.
When To Visit: Most tourists come from mid-December to mid-April, so costs are obviously lower at other times. Summer can get a few degrees warmer than the winter months, so most off-season visitors come during late April to June, and November to mid-December to miss out on any potential tropical storms.
Phrases: English is spoken everywhere, although a few local patois words and phrases slip in. Among them, fig means banana.
Tipping: Check your bill carefully, as a service charge of 10% may already have been added to your bill. If not, and check twice to be sure, standard tipping rules apply for 10% - 15% percent on top of the bill or taxi fare. The taxis have no meters as Antigua has fixed the rates.
Banks: Banks are open for the weekday mornings, but only open Friday afternoons, so keep that in mind if you run short of funds.

 France


Summary: Located in western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK, and bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain, France is mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in the north and west, and the remainder is mountainous, especially the Pyrenees in the south and the Alps in the east. France is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations, with a rich history, fantastic wines, and intriguing culture.
Capital: Paris
Time Zone: DST +0200 UTC
Population: 64,057,792
Languages: French
Power: 230 V, 50 Hz
Currency: Euro - Currently 1 EUR € = 1.3224 USD $
Climate: The climate features generally cool winters and mild summers, but milder winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean coast. France has occasional strong, cold and dry north-to-northwesterly winds known as the Mistral. - Currently 41º, Fog 


DESTINATIONS

Paris: Paris figures as one of the leading cities of the world for its culture, its food, and its attractions, most of which are central to the core and very walkable. Sights scatter the city, most notably the Champs-Élysées, leading from the Arc De Triomphe, to the Louvre, and of course, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the array of stalls, or bouquinistes, along the Seine. Almost every visitor to Paris takes a day trip 20 miles to the west to the Versailles, a huge castle and park with beautiful landscaped gardens.

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Nice: With something to offer everyone, Nice is a popular choice because of the views along the Promenade des Anglais, the main waterfront with beaches that go from sandy to pebbled to stony, and the fact that it is part of the Côte d'Azur and so close to Cannes, Marseilles and Monaco. Among the sights are the churches and squares in the old part of town called Vieux Nice, art galleries like the Musée Matisse and the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain, and the cafés and shopping near the waterfront.

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Vineyards: France is the home of the birthplaces of so many household wines and foods that any wine lover should enjoy ticking off their list one at a time the cities of Bordeaux, Chambord, Cognac, Sauternes, Brandy and Champagne. The Loire Valley with its castles and the walled towns like Vézelay in the Burgundy region to the south of Paris are good places to start your journey, and be prepared to tour wineries and see museums on your journey.

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Strasbourg: Sitting so close to the border between France and Germany, Strasbourg has ping-ponged between the two countries, and still draws 3 million tourists every year looking for beauty on the Rhine. The Petit France quarter hides houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, trip over or down the canals, or snack in the Cathedral Plaza and see the elaborate clock of Strasbourg's Notre-Dame Cathedral.

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Lyon: Lyon is the closest large French city to the Alps, and with its history as the capital of Gaul during the time of the Roman Empire, it can offer great sites to see in this both ancient and modern metropolis. Of special note are an ancient, and partially ruined, amphitheater still in use, and the Musee des Beaux-Arts as France's second largest museum, behind the Louvre, which displays items from Monets to mummies. TIPS

Prime Meridian: The Prime Meridian, also known as the "Rose Line", once passed directly through Paris, France. Brass markers bearing the name "Arago" can be found in the streets of Paris that trace this line. The line passes directly through the church of Saint-Sulpice, the Observatory of Paris and the Gardens of the Palace Royal.
Churches: As religion has been a large part of the regional culture for millennia, there are many churches to see.
Dans le Jardin...: Speaking French is an excellent way to break the ice.
When To Visit: Virtually any time of year is good - Skiers in winter can choose the Alps or Pyrenees, sunbathers in summer the east or south west coasts. Shoppers and wine aficionados are welcomed year-round.
Food: France gave birth to foie gras, truffles, Roquefort cheese, café au lait, the croissant, and arguably the best wine in the world.
Phrases: Yes = oui, no = non, please = s'il vous plait, thank you = merci, do you speak English = parlez vous anglais?
Tipping: Tips are regularly included in your restaurant and hotel bills, but it is customary to leave staff a couple of Euro extra.

Toll Highways: As through much of Europe, there are two kinds of roads that travel the countryside: direct, toll highways, and winding but free roadways. Keep a supply of change and bills handy, as small stretches can cost 1-3 Euro and large ticketed sections can cost upwards of 20 Euro.