by ·Comments Off on Visa Requirements to Visit Mexico

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Mexico, please make sure you know your rights as a traveller. We hope this articles helps and keeps you informed of whether you are prepared.

As a tourist you don’t need a visa, but you do need a tourist card, which you can get on arrival by completing an immigration form available at border crossings or on-board flights to Mexico. Immigration officials at the port of entry may ask to see proof of your departure plans from Mexico before allowing you entry to the country, although this isn’t a formal entry requirement.

If you’re crossing the border into Mexico from the US, there won’t be an immigration officer at the port of entry, but you’ll need to identify the nearest immigration office and clear your immigration status before you continue your journey into Mexico. The immigration office can usually be found close to the border area, and customs officials at the border should be able to tell you where to find it. If you fail to clear immigration at this point, it is often more complicated to do so once you have left the border area.

You need a tourist card to leave the country. If you lose your tourist card you can get it replaced at the immigration office at any international airport in Mexico. The cost of a replacement is approximately $300 Mexican Pesos, which is payable at a bank.

by ·Comments Off on Respecting the Laws and Customs of Azerbaijan

The most important factor to bear in mind is that most of the population of Azerbaijan is Muslim. Azerbaijan is a largely secular society, and religion is usually considered a private matter. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they don’t offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.

In the tourist hotspot of Baku, local and foreign women usually dress in western-style clothing. It is now more acceptable for men in Baku to wear shorts in the summer months but outside of Baku it can be frowned upon and attract unwelcome attention.

Possession or use of illegal drugs of any kind carries stiff penalties, including fines and long prison terms. The usual penalty for smuggling drugs is a prison term of between 3 to 7 years and/or a heavy fine. Police sometimes carry out checks of identity documents. You should carry your passport at all times. Keep it secure and leave a photocopy of the details page separately in a safe place.

by ·Comments Off on Tobago – the Caribbean island that has it all

The small but exquisitely stunning island of Tobago is well-known for its pristine coastline, transparently clear waters and coral reefs. For those with a keen interest in diving and snorkelling, there are plenty of spots on the island’s Buccoo Reef to appreciate the beauty of aquatic life undersea. If you prefer to watch the sealife in a more relaxing way, then there are many operators running tours from glass-bottomed boats allowing you to see the wonders of life underwater through glass instead.

For bird watchers, Tobago is a paradise of more than 200 unique bird species and the inland rainforest is wonderful for hikers and adventurers. Follow the steep hiking path through the jungle which leads to the terraced pools of the beautiful Argyll Falls.

Golfers will find stunning, landscaped courses at Mount Irvine Bay and Tobago Plantations and, of course, Tobago’s beaches are a haven for watersports, including kayaking and wind-surfing. After a day or afternoon relaxing on the beach, you can then try the Creole and Caribbean specialities served up in many of the beach side restaurants and bars.

If you need a break from the beaches, then spend a day touring the island’s ancient forts or wander around the quaint fishing villages of Castara or Scarborough.

If you are searching for party scenes and really vibrant night-life, then you could take a boat to Trinidad 25 miles away, but you probably won’t want to – happy to enjoy the beauty of Tobago instead.

by ·Comments Off on Staying in a traditional African rondawel

If you are keen to stay at one of the safari camps within the confines of Kruger National Park, then you may want to consider staying in a rondawel at Satara Camp. A rondawel is the name for the traditional circular hut with a sloping thatched roof which can be found throughout Africa. At Satara Camp, it’s possible to stay in one of these for a very reasonable price, making a safari holiday an affordable option for many holiday makers on more modest budgets.

The rondawels are arranged around the edge of large circles with a green, open area in the middle. Each rondawel has an open-air kitchen area with a small table and chairs and basic kitchen equipment including a hob, microwave and sink plus cutlery, crockery and other utensils. The fridge-freezer is located in an airy, but lockable, cupboard in order to discourage raids from monkeys and honey badgers! The bedroom and bathroom areas are located inside the rondawel and all have air conditioning.  Everything is simply furnished and the huts are clean and comfortable and have an old-fashioned charm which cannot fail to please.

by ·Comments Off on Camping on the continent

Traveling abroad with a young family in tow is never the cheapest holiday option but, in order to save money, you could consider a camping holiday. If you are already sighing and imagining the car packed full of pots and pans, bedding and tent plus two boxes of favourite foods and hot, grumpy children squashed amongst the suitcases, then do consider staying on a site where the tents are already erected and the equipment is already supplied.

There are several companies operating from the UK which offer these sorts of holidays in a number of European countries. Some have tents set up on large bustling sites with children’s clubs, games rooms, bars and restaurants, food outlets and even a swimming pool. Other sites are smaller and more intimate and are often located away from large tourist resorts at riverside locations or in mountainous areas. If you are able to travel outside of the school holidays, then you can really pick up a bargain, often with good deals such as paying for two weeks and staying a third week for free.