Monaco


Summary: Monaco is in western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy, and is hilly, rugged, and rocky. Its mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation center, as the kingdom has passed down power through the Grimaldi family since 1297.
Capital: Monaco
Time Zone: DST +0200 UTC
Population: 32,796
Languages: French, English, Italian, Monegasque
Power: 220 V, 50 Hz
Currency: Euro - Currently 1 EUR € = 1.3189 USD $
Climate: With some great scenery, Monaco has a typical Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. - Currently 54º, Fair 

Destinations

Place du Casino: This is one of the primary reasons for visiting Monaco - its casino and adult playground fun which the name Monte Carlo alone conjures up visions of high rollers, black tuxes, and James Bond. Entry fees may be very high, so be sure to carry some Euro in cash, and dress appropriately as this is a swanky place.

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Palais du Prince: The Grimaldis allow tours of the Prince's Palace on the Rock, where you can watch the changing of the guard, and stroll through the gardens outside, or pay an entrance fee and see the Throne Room, and the small Musée des Souvenirs Napoléoniens, with some of Napoleon’s possessions on display. This was also the site of Prince Rainier's wedding to Grace Kelly, and for that reason will always be treasured by locals.

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Musee Oceanographique: Even though the contents don’t seem to fit in with the stunning Roman architecture of the building itself, this museum is home to famed deep-sea explorer Jacques Cousteau's research institute, and is considered the best aquarium in Europe. With examples of live coral and tank after tank of fish and other squirmies, the museum is open year-round except for the day of the Grand-Prix. Tips Fast Drive: Being so small, Monaco can be driven quickly through, perhaps in about 30 minutes. To help with photo-taking, there are occasional outjuts in the road where you can pull in to take pictures of the view. On a Budget: Hotels can be very expensive in Monaco. If you want to save a lot of money, stay in neighboring France, as it is so easy to get back. When To Visit: Because of the Grand Prix, May is probably the best time to visit, otherwise, a day in spring or summer is enough to get a good feel for Monaco. Phrases: Yes = oui, no = non, please = s'il vous plait, thank you = merci, do you speak English = parlez vous anglais? Tipping: Most hotels and restaurants include a 15% service charge into their bills. Taxi drivers also expect a 10-15% tip.

Ghana

Summary: Located in western Africa against the Gulf of Guinea between Cote d’Ivoire and Togo, Ghana is mostly low plains with sections of plateau in the south central part of the country and has Lake Volta, the largest artificial lake in the world. The first country south of the Sahara to gain independence, in 1957, and once the Gold Coast colony, Ghana has natural resources feeding its growing economy of mining, timber and agriculture but still relies on international debt relief.
Capital: Accra
Time Zone: UTC
Population: 23,382,848
Languages: English, Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, Ga
Power: 230V, 50 Hz
Currency: Cedi
Climate: Ghana has a tropical climate, warm and comparatively dry along the southeast coast, hot and humid in the southwest, and hot and dry in the north. - Currently 77º, Mostly Cloudy 

Destinations

Accra: Not only is Accra a good entry point to the country, but it has its own attractions and beaches nearby to make spending time here easy. See Makola Market, filled with artwork and handicrafts, the National Museum, with a wide collection of Ghanian art, and the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, which remembers the country’s first elected president. Not too far outside the city is the Shai Hills Game Reserve, worth a full day for a visit with the local wildlife, and the Academy of African Music and Arts is only 19 miles away in Kokrobite which has free weekend concerts.



Elmina: On the countries western coast and site of the first Portuguese settlement in Ghana, in the 15th century, you can visit Fort Saint George, the 16th century Fort Saint Iago built by the Dutch, and the 17th century British Cape Coast Castle built originally by the Swedes a few miles away in Dixcove. Elmina itself is a nice resort area featuring markets and beaches and home to the Bakatue Festival on the first Tuesday of July, while Busua is great for swimming because of the protected water currents.



Aburi: In the Akwapim Hills 20 miles north of the capital are the Aburi Botanical Gardens, first opened in 1890 by the local British settlers. There are a wide variety of plants and trees, including silk cotton trees, and a 150 year-old kapok, the only originally standing tree, with a great view along the central avenue overhung with trees. Nearby, Ada is a great spot for a day trip where the water is safe and swimming great, and Songow Lagoon, where birdwatchers can get secluded spots to watch the local species.


Kumasi: Kumasi was the capital of the Ashanti people and still seats a king in the Palace, although many visitors also enjoy shopping in the Arts Center marketplace, which sells handicrafts and kente cloth. Although the Cultural Center has the best collection of pieces on the Ashanti history, you can also view the Living Museum, an open air village where traditional methods and crafts are worked, and the nearby Manhyia Palace also has a museum and a courtyard with statues of previous Ashanti kings and queens.

Tips
Local Customs: There is a distinct separation between military personnel and civilians, as a result, casual dress is accepted anywhere so long that it does not look like military clothing: no camouflage pants or fatigues. Don’t take pictures of airports or military institutions, and greeting others with their title or honorarium is the norm, as is shaking hands.
Banking and Cash: Traveller’s checks and credit cards have fairly wide but sporadic acceptance around the country, with cash advances possible against credit cards if you’re stuck. Foreign exchange bureaus, called Forex, will help currencies, with rates that are roughly equivalent to the banks, which are opened Monday to Saturday in the morning to early afternoon.
Women's Line: There are few societies that trace parentage through the females in the family line, however, the Ashanti tribe is one. They are known for their craftwork and the colorful kente cloth woven by the males, typically worn during festivals and other happy events in Ghana’s south.
When To Visit: The weather is consistent enough that visitors come year round with only a mild peak from June to September. Parades can be spectacular events involving the local chiefs, including the Bakatue Festival at the beginning of July in Elmina to celebrate the beginning of the fishing season, and the Fetu Festival at the beginning of September in Cape Coast.
Food: Ghana’s dishes are based on starches like rice or corn with soups or sauces and meats and vegetables. Among the plates you can find are jollof, rice mixed with tomatoes and spices, forowee, a soup made from beef, fish, onion, tomatoes and spices, and kelewele, a sweet and spicy dessert item made with fried plantain coated with red pepper and ginger and sprinkled with roasted peanuts.
Tipping: Tipping has not been standardized, however, adding 5% to 10% for good service is a good rule of thumb.

Bermuda
Summary: Located in the Atlantic east of North Carolina, Bermuda is mostly low hills on an island that is only 24 miles long, and around 1 mile wide, with no rivers or lakes. From its early days of being settled in 1609 by shipwreck survivors, Bermuda has long been a tourist destination away from the Caribbean with which it is usually grouped, adding international finance and investment to build to a strong economy.
Capital: Hamilton
Time Zone: DST -0300 UTC
Transportation: Drivers take the left side of the road, opposite to mainland North America, and mopeds are frequently used by tourists to self-navigate around the island. Cruise ships often use Hamilton or Saint George as a port of call, and international flights are frequent.
Population: 66,536
Languages: English, Portuguese
Power: 120 V, 60 Hz
Currency: Bermudian dollar - Currently 1 BMD = 1.0000 USD $
Climate: Bermuda has a subtropical climate that is mild, humid, with strong winds that are relatively common in the winter. It has never snowed on record here. - Currently 72º, Light Rain

Destinations

Hamilton: Hamilton is defined by Front Street, one side of which is dedicated to the cruise ships that dock there, and the other to pastel colored storefronts with white-washed roofs. Bring good shoes, because these streets are very walkable, from the courtyard outside the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, with classic pictures of Queen Elizabeth II's visits, to the courtyard outside of city hall, as well as the restaurants and shops behind the main strip.

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Beaches: Bermuda's beaches are pink, made from the fish that eat away at the large coral reefs that surround most of the island. Elbow Beach, Long Beach and Horseshoe Beach are among the island's finest and are all fairly close to town. Not too far from Horseshoe Beach is Gibb's Hill Lighthouse, which dates back to 1846 and offers a spectacular view of the entire island, as well as some nice tourist kitch in the shop at its base.

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Saint George: The far eastern part of the island, about 30 minutes by moped from Hamilton, St. George was the original capital of Bermuda and dates back as a settlement to 1610. Its cobblestone alleys between shops and restaurants, the waterfront area by King's Square, and the Bermuda National Trust Museum are worth walking around for a few hours to enjoy. See Saint Peter's Church if you can, as it dates back to 1612 and has old iron candle-lit chandeliers.

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The Dockyard: Located on the far western tip of the island, about a 45 minute moped ride from Hamilton, the Dockyard is an old naval stockade that has been turned into a great place for tourists. You can catch a movie, watch a dolphin show, stroll through the museum and its surrounding park, and take pictures of the great scenery. If you're hungry, try the Frog and Onion Pub - it has the best hamburger anywhere. Tips

US Dollar: The US Dollar is accepted at par at almost everywhere you can go, but ask if you want US change.

Friendly Folks: Bermudians are generally outgoing and friendly. They toot their horns to say hello and aren't afraid to wave back or say hello to another friendly face.

When To Visit: May to October are the more expensive high tourism months, so visiting in April can save you some money.
Food: Bermuda's fresh fish are high quality and cooked in many international styles. Some of the best include the chowder, with peppers and black rum, and the grilled wahoo, cooked with butter, bananas, lemon and almonds. Try a Rum Swizzel at the Swizzel Inn, any hamburger at the Frog and Onion, and the food at Portofino's.
Phrases: Tourists are called Touries by the locals.
Tipping: A service charge may have been included in your bill, otherwise, standard tipping rules of 10% - 15% are applicable.

ADVICE FOR TRAVELERS

Don't leave home without

There are two ways of organising a holiday. The first is to decide on the spur of the moment to head off, and do just that. It's a valid option, but you will probably have to maintain that frame of mind or you might start getting irritated at the things you forgot to organise and pack.

The more usual way is to plan ahead a bit, thus ensuring that you won't have any unpleasant surprises. Check your passport isn't about to expire, check whether you'll need visas, organise travellers' cheques well in advance, organise travel insurance and medical insurance. Check your flight details and don't forget to confirm them – including onward connections and returns. Don't forget to order special meals on flights, or children's meals, if necessary.

How can I protect myself from traveler’s diarrhea while traveling abroad?                         
                                                                                                                              When you are traveling abroad, don’t forget that drinking another country’s water can be dangerous.
Stick with bottled or boiled water and carbonated soft drinks.
Remember that the ice in your drink turns into water, so order them with out ice.
Wipe off the tops of cans before you drink from them.

“Travel does what good novelists also do to the life of everyday, placing it like a picture in a frame or a gem in its setting, so that the intrinsic qualities are made more clear. Travel does this with the very stuff that everyday life is made of, giving to it the sharp contour and meaning of art.”