The summers are cool here but the winters are severe with some chances of snowfall. Rainfall can be expected in any month of the year. Dutch is the official language here. English, French and German are the other languages that are spoken, out of which English is widely spoken. Incase of emergency call 112.

Culture

Handshake is the commonly practiced form of greeting. Although tipping is not mandatory, but it’s better to pay rounds figure in restaurants and taxis. A humble gift should be taken to the host’s house always when invited for a meal. Informal clothes are worn on a daily basis, but people are expected to turn up in formals at social functions and smart restaurants.

Shopping

Pottery of Delft, Makkum and Workum is a must buy. Silverware from Schoonhoven, crystals from Leerdam and diamonds from Amsterdam are highly recommended.

Site Seeing

Apenheul Primate Park is a place to visit which is a home to more than thirty species of mammals. It remains closed during the winter. De Hoge Veluwe is the oldest and largest park of Holland. Bicycles can be used to explore the 5,500 hectares of the park. Paleis Het Loo is a magnificent Palace surrounded by gardens and remains open year round except on public holidays.

Electricity

230 V and 50 Hz

Travel

The national airline that operates in Holland is KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines. It connects to almost all the major cities of Europe, North America and Asia. Amsterdam Airport is the hub for many international and local flights. It is located at 15 km away from the city and it takes 20 minutes to reach there by train. The Airline, KLM, provides bus service every 15-30 minutes which takes passengers to some of the famous hotels of the city. Public buses can be availed too, to reach destination. Trains connect to Amsterdam’s Central Station and Zuid Station. Taxis take tourists to almost any location. The Airport features duty free shops, banks, showers, business center, baby rooms, and car hire.

Rotterdam airport and Eindhoven airport are 8km away from the city. Trains and buses operate every 15 minutes to transport passengers to their hotels. Facilities such as duty free shops, eateries, car rental, and internet can be availed at these airports. No departure tax is implemented on passengers at any of these airports.

The main sea ports are Hook of Holland, Vlissingen and Rotteradm. Stena Line, P&O ferries and DFDS seaways provide ferry service to get to Holland.

If traveling by railway, Eurostar provides the best service and connects to all the major cities of Europe. It provides high grade services. Good offers are provided on regular basis and to utilize them they should be monitored from time to time. Unused tickets are easily refunded. The Inter-Rail pass can be bought to avail the unlimited second class train travel within 29 European countries.

Top class road network connects Holland to majority of cities in Europe. They are well maintained and signs are posted every where for safe driving. 120kph is the speed limit while driving on highways. Many car dealing agents exist if opting for car-rental. Some of them are Avis, Europcar and Budget.

Cycling is also a major means of transportation in Holland and is part and parcel of daily life. Tourists can hire cycles from the airport or other service providers with some money-deposit.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco
2. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
3. 1liter of liquor or 2liter of sparkling wine or liquor wines and 2liter of non-sparkling wine
4. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract
5. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract

Being one of the earliest civilizations known to human kind Greece is a country with rich history, heritage and culture. It is the place where Byzantine Empire once ruled and also great Ottoman Empire. It is also considered to be as the birth place of Democracy. Athens is the capital city of Greece. The Olympic games originated in Greece. Not only that, it was the world center for western philosophy, political science, astronomy, mathematics, major scientific studies and what not. It is also known as a Mediterranean country as it has Mediterranean Sea in the south. It is a popular destination for world tourists in that region known for its beautiful beaches, reach history and charming villages. The Greek islands are one of the most wonderful places to be explored by Cruise or Yacht. The trip of Greece will definitely be one of the most memorable to remember in one’s life.

Population & Languages

The population of Greece is around 11 million and the official language being spoken is Greek. The other popular languages are English and French.

Electricity

The voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are round pin with attachment, round pin with ground, Round pin plug and receptacle with male grounding pin and “Schuko” plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

It is located in Southern Europe bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea between Albania and Turkey. It is situated in the southern side of Balkan Peninsula. It is also bordered by Bulgaria and Macedonia in the southeast.

Climate

It has three distinct climates namely Alpine, Mediterranean and temperate climate with mild and wet winters and also hot and dry summers due to Mediterranean affect. Alpine system is seen in mountainous regions. The temperate climate is seen near border along Macedonia. Athens has both temperate and Mediterranean weather.

Local Customs

The Greece is a place with strong historic and cultural background. There are different traditions and customs in different parts of the Greece. The throwing back of a hand is considered to be a negative gesture here in Greece. Casual dress can be worn most of the times. Smoking is prohibited in public transport services and public buildings. Tipping 12 to 1 percent is customary in restaurants, hotels and taxis.

Attractions
* The Olympic Games in Athens (the spot of the historic 2004 Olympic Games)
* Mardi Grass Celebrations in February
* The Parthenon in Athens
* Skiing in Arahova Mountains between October and March
* Easter Celebrations
* Thessaloniki’s White Tower and country’s rich Byzantine culture
* The south of Corinth
* The beaches in Lesvos
* The wine vineyards in the countryside
* The islands near the Aegean Sea
* The wildlife preserve in Alonissos (Sporades Marine Park)
* The famous, Moni Panagia Chozoviotissa, a Byzantine monastery in Amorgos

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Greece is Olympic Airlines. Many popular airlines like British Airways and Delta Airlines operate daily flight from Athens. The biggest airport is newly constructed Athens International Airport which is located like 17 miles northeast of the city. The other international airports of Greece are Heraklion (Crete), Thessaloniki (Macedonia) and Corfu (Kerkira).

By Sea – The popular Greek ports include Corfu, Heraklion, Igoumenitsa, Patras, Piraeus (Athens), Rhodes, Thessaloniki and Volos. Shipping vessels and ferryboat lines link these ports with Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, Russia and Turkey. Some of the popular cruises operating in Greece are Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Festival Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Silversea and Swan Hellenic.

By Rail – If one is coming from UK, the best way is to take Eurostar train to Brussels or Paris and from there take connecting train to Greece.

Duty Free Items
1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 250 gm tobacco
2. 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars
3. 1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine
4. Perfumes – 50 gm or 250 ml
5. Gifts up to €175

Prohibited Items

Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Cyprus is an island located in the Mediterranean Sea. It is inhabited with mountains on the north and south and the south coast is covered with plains. The temperatures are really hot indicating Mediterranean climate. Winters are cooler. Nicosia is the capital city of Cyprus. The currency used here is Cypriot Pound.

Culture

Greek, English and Turkish are the languages spoken here. There is a mixed culture of Greek and Middle East. The locals are very friendly and welcome outsiders with an open heart and make them feel at home by offering them with something to drink. To greet someone a handshake will do. It is customary to offer the guest a small gift when invited for dinner. One can dress casually, but the swimsuits must be confined to the beaches only. Social functions call for formal dressing.

Site Seeing

The country is full of vineyards, 12th century buildings, orchards and monasteries. Be careful when photographing outside. It is forbidden in military areas and special permission must be taken for taking pictures in places like museums and art galleries. Most of them do not allow flash photography. Taxis can be hired to move around the big towns in Cyprus, which charge according the government regulated meters. Tipping the drivers is customary.

Electricity

240 V, 50 Hz

Getting There

Port of Famagusta at Ammochostos and Port of Kyrenia, and airport of Ercan, have been declared as illegal ‘ports of entry’, so check it out while planning to get there.

The national airline is Cyprus Airways. It connects most of the major cities of Europe. Other forty airlines, too, serve at the airport of Larnaca, which are 5 km away from Larnaka and 50km away from Nicosia. Taxis can be hired to reach any destination from there as there is lack of buses and trains services at the airport. The other services that are offered at this airport is duty-free shops, bank, tourism and hotels information, restaurants, car hire, post office and reservation office. The other airport, Pafos, is 15km away from the city and it takes about 35 minutes to reach the city from the airport. It provides the same facilities like the Larnaca airport.

The major ports of Cyprus are the Limassol port and Larnaca port which connect other ports of Middle East and Greek. Not only ferry services are provided here, even cruise services are provided here.

Cyprus Island is not connected by roads to other countries, but roads run across Cyprus connecting all the cities and villages. Buses run on roads except on Sunday but they run late in the mid-night during summers. Tourists can get on to rural buses to surf through the remote villages, but they are very slow. If planning to hire car, advanced booking is recommended, especially in summer as the booking is full most of the times. Do remember to carry a National driving license or International driving permit.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
2. 1l of spirits (over 22 per cent volume) or 2l of fortified wine or sparkling wine
3. 2l of still wine; 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
4. 800 cigarettes or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco
5. 10l of spirits, 20l of fortified wine, 90l wine, 110l beer

Most of the food items and items relating to agriculture are prohibited. Explosives and fire arms are a strict no-no.

Belgium is located in the west of Europe. Land here mostly comprises of flat coastal plains in the northeast, and southeast is occupied by Ardennes Forest. Dutch, Flemish, French and German are official languages of Belgium, the Netherlands is in many spoken followed by French. The weather here is pretty predictable. April to September is the warmest. If the weather is pretty humid and the sky is gray, that explains why umbrellas and raincoats are a part of dressing. So, if the visit is planned for the holidays during the rainy season, we must not forget to carry sufficient cover for maximum protection, as this is a coastal region. In the case of an emergency call 100 or 112.

Culture

Belgians are English-friendly and will make every effort to speak English with foreigners. Do not forget to bring a small gift or at least flowers especially when invited over dinner. Wearing clothing that will be mentioned in the invitation, when invited to the party. Smoking in public is acceptable.

Shopping

Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, Ostend, Namur, Mons, Liege, Ghent and Mechelen are major shopping centers. Belgium is known ceramics and hand beaten copperware from Dinant, laces from Bruges, crystals from Val Saint Lambert, woodcarvings from Spa and Belgium’s finest chocolates. In jewelry, diamonds from Antwerp is a high demand.

Eating Out

Specialty of the restaurant is the most horse and rabbit meat dishes. Although visitors can find a variety of ethnic food, but the most famous are frites and mayonnaise and mitraillette; mitraillette is a large bun filled with fried food, donair meat sauce and garlic, Vegetarians can ask for a veg. donair of the meat. While eating in a restaurant, tip is considered customary along with the value of the tax. In the cinema, leaving € 0.50 tip for the present and € 0.25 after using public toilets.

Electricity

Voltage is 230 V and frequency is 50 Hz.

Travel

Delta Air Transport has inaugurated a new European airline SN Brussels Airlines recently. It flies to more than 58 goals in Europe and also worldwide. At the Brussels airport Zayentem twelve kilometers from the city and within 35 minutes to reach the city from the airport. Airport has facilities such as shops, duty-free, parking, taxi booking, car rental, banks, post offices, restaurants, and medical assistance. Internet and fax service is provided to passengers. Airport City Express train Transports passengers to three main railway stations – Brussels North, Central and South. One can avail a bus which runs regularly from the airport, a taxi can also be hired which wait outside the arrival hall. Tipping taxi drivers is considered customary. Trains run every 15 minutes.

Other airports, Brussels South Charleroi, is 5 km from Charleroi and 46 km from Brussels. Ryan air serves as the local airline here and very cheap to some European destination to and from Charleroi. Facilities provided here is a bus service and trains, cafes, car hire, shops and duty free.

Ostend airport is 5 km from the city and car parking, car rental, shops, duty-free, and a restaurant that provided here.

Antwerp airport is only 2 km from the city. Buses run to the Brussels Central Station every few minutes.

Liege is located on the distance of 5 km from the city. Buses run at regular intervals here.

Departure tax in Brussels Zayentem is € 20.93, Brussels South Charleroi is € 3.49, Ostend and Antwerp is € 10, and at Liege is € 7.

Network have high-speed train, operated by Thalys, from Belgium to France, connecting Brussels with other purposes such as Bordeaux, Chambéry, Cannes, Marseille, Lyon, Nice, Valence Perpignan, and Rennes. Pemesanan harus dilakukan di muka untuk kereta. The national railway operates through the day providing service every few minutes to a goal such as Andorra, Austria, France, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, UK and the Netherlands. Insiders can avail the Inter-Rail pass which allows visitors to travel almost 29 European countries. This service is for residents who have lived there for more than 6 months.

Duty Free Items

Visitors can bring alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes, coffee and tea without getting customs duty levied on them, but only the goods should be limited. Check out prior to the limit to bring the goods like that. Food items that are not preserved are better avoided.

Located in central Europe, Austria celebrates world’s best music festivals such as Salzburg Festival, Haydn Festival in Vienna, and the International Chamber Music Festival. Vienna is the capital of Austria and the music capital of Europe. Music and art are full flare here after centuries of hardship and innovation. Vienna, which explains the birth of Mozart. Horse dance is also part of this festival. Because it snows in winter, snow-covered Alps is the place to be visited during the winter. Austria experiences that are hot. Rain can be expected throughout the year. Incase an emergency call 120 or 123.

See site

Romantic enough to make the palace you astounded. Schloss Durnstein provides a magnificent view besides the Danube river. A 10% tip should be paid to the taxi driver, which is the custom here.

Culture

Germany, Hungary, Slovène, and Croatia is the language used by local residents. To greet with local residents, who will make the handshake. When meeting with someone for the first time, who better to lead them with the last name, but once known they can be overcome by first name. When in the community, “said Guten Tag or Gruß Gott to greet people and while leaving said Auf Wiedersehen. Bringing flowers and when that happens to someone’s house. Local here that has a passion for horse riding. Answer the art world to ride a horse can be found here is as old as 400 years and to watch the horses perform at the schools; tickets must be booked in advance. Although this service is charged on restaurant bills, the extra 5% to be paid as a tip.

Getting there

Three national airlines operate in Austria, Austrian arrows, Austrian Airlines and Air Lausda, working in collaboration with the Austrian Airlines Group. The airport in Vienna is 18 km from the city. Passenger bus transportation to the airport and South Western Railway Train Station. Trains, cars and driven a taxi service is also provided at the airport. Duty free shops, post office, bank, restaurants, left luggage, tourist information, conference hall, nursery, car rental and parking facilities provided to passengers at the airport.
Salzburg airport is 4 km from the city and bus, train, taxi and hotel bus shuttle passengers to and from the airport. Facilities such as shops, duty-free shop, post office, currency exchange, left luggage, conference rooms, a restaurant and have to rent a car at the airport. Check out the other airports such as Klagenfurt airport, Graz airport and Linz airport for more details. All airport fixed rate for porter service.

For international tourists to Austria by Austrian Federal Railways, if you plan to travel by train. Has a large network that connects major cities in India and also outside Austria. Travelers can find connections to / from Germany, Russia, Greece, Romania, Turkey Brussels, Paris and Italy. International rail passes or Eurail pass can be purchased for travel around Austria as it provides unlimited travel and other offers also.

A good network of roads here provides interesting journey. Take Eurotunnel when crossing the Channel Tunnel when traveling by car. Bookings must be made in advance. Cars can be rented at the airport and railway station and drive a car if you own documentations like UK driving license or national driving license and car registration papers. Toll booths are installed on the motorways and ‘S’ roads, so if changes were made in advance will ensure that no delays in travel. Registration document must be brought together at any time while driving. Must be turned on the lights while driving, in the city or outside, at any time. There are laws that strictly for seat belts and drinking while driving. If using the motorbike, high visibility jacket and helmet must be used, it’s a compulsion for both passengers and drivers. Many federal, private companies and local governments to provide bus service. Coaches are provided to move around the city.

Wurm and Kock provides cruise passengers. Along with the cruise trip, packages include stay at the hotel. Check out, before hand, to offer. There are many Ferry service providers too.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco or a combination of proportional products
2. 1L spirits over 22 per cent or 2l of fortified wine or spirits up to 22 per cent or 2l of sparkling wine or liquor and 2l of still wine
3. 500g coffee or 200g of extracts, essences or concentrates coffee, and tea or 100g of tea extracts from 40G
4. medicinal products sufficient for the journey
5. 50g of perfume or eau de toilette
6. All items mentioned above must be made by persons more than 17 years.

Culture

Albania culture is majorly influenced by the Greek mainland, especially in urban areas; nodding intellect means’ no ‘where as shaking the head means’ yes’. To greet someone, handshaking is a choice, though Shoku (Comrade) was used previously, which has long been forgotten now. People dress informally here. Swim suit that is meant for the beach, if the woman is not expected to dress in a revealing outfit. When someone Zoti handle prefix (Mr) or Zonja (Mrs) before a name and always remember to bring some gifts when visiting someone, although not a lot of interest received. Guests are served with coffee, raki or sweets. Smokers do not need to worry much, but they should avoid it where they see signs Ndalohet Duhani or Ndalohet pirja e duhanit.

Travel in the land

Buses with relatively cheap fares operate in the main cities in the country or taxis are another option that some services provided to major hotels.
Visit Dajti Mountain and experience Dajti Express Cable car to the unforgettable 15-minute ride through Dajt Oark to reach Tirana. Route around 4.2 kilometers long and cost € 6.5.Alpha provides increased yachting crewed yacht, which is luxury itself. Tirana Bank the best place for withdrawing money as it allows access to a Visa card.

Eating Out

Restaurants are not always quite hot, so always wear warm clothes if out in the night during the Winters. Foreigners are charged more than the local community. The two notes as well as the cost of merchandise will be on a higher scale, so better not to reveal the fact that you are a foreigner when out on the streets.

See site

If you enjoy canoeing, this is the right place to be. There are places right outside Tirana is a site not only for canoeing, but also rock climbing, hiking, and camping.

Accommodation

If you want the 5-Star atmosphere, try the Sheraton Tirana Hotel and Towers, located in the middle of a shopping and entertainment. There are about 151 rooms and 56 suites. So, along with convenience, we can shop at once convenience here. Other hotels that provide all modern facilities the hotel is in the world. It is located 1000 m far from the city and is a good example of traditional architecture.

Getting There

One of the best and easiest way is to go to air. Albanian Airlines is the national airline that is working in collaboration with Tyrolean Airways, and provides services to almost all major cities Europe. Airport, Mother Teresa, is 16 miles or 26 kilometers from the capital city. A tourist bus is available every 3 hours to get to the city center and takes about 30 minutes to get there. Taxis are available twenty four hours. While waiting for transport service, tourists can see the shops, duty-free shop, bank, restaurants and rent a car at the airport. A departure tax of $ 10 USD is imposed on all foreigners. Check out www.flyalbanian. Com for flight times and offers.

If you want the sea to get there, try the ferry services provided by the Adriatic Line and Agoudimos. Is the main port Durres (has ferry connection to Italy, Bari, Brindisi, Trieste, and Ancona), Vlora (has ferry connection to Bari and Brindisi), Saranda (has connection to Corfu), Shen Gjini (has ferry connection to Bari) . Check out www.adriatica.it and www.aqoudimos-lines.com for more information.

Business is the choice. Buses start from Istanbul, Athens and Sofia. Internal passengers have lots of options with bus services provided. If traveling by road in private cars, there is a road network to the Kosovo region, but they are too dangerous to use because of political tensions in the region. Crossings at Hani I Hotit, Bllata, Oafa e Thaes, Tushemisht, Gorica, Kapshtica, and kakavija can be taken. If tired one can take halts at hotels or other designated place. There are 18,000 km network, of which only 7,450 km are main roads, for local tourists. 2138km stretch of this road is in poor condition and pot holes, and full safety precautions must be taken when driving on the road like that. Speed limit should be strictly followed in the road and in the city. Driving at night should be better avoided because of the absence of a street lamp in the street unless the urban areas. Vehicle traffic should be on the right. There are gas shortages in rural areas, so fill the gas tank completely when passing through urban areas and is recommended because of lack of national recovery system; tourists should be prepared for an emergency or breakdown before hand. One must bring the documents required, such as International Driving Permit and a national driving license.

Duty Free Items

The following are the items that can be carried without customs duty is levied on them:
1. 1liter from the spirit or wine 2liter
2. 250ml of eau de toilette
3. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco
4. 50ml of perfume.

Prohibited Items

Things that are forbidden to conduct firearms, narcotics and ammunitions. Special export permit must be taken for precious metals, books, antiques, works of art, or national or historical value.