Many people dream of traveling to different countries, enjoying the culture and architecture of nationalities with their own eyes, taking pictures near memorable places and against the backdrop of beautiful overseas landscapes, swimming in the seas and oceans, tasting, so to speak, life to the fullest. And upon arrival in their native lands, print travel photos in a family album or send photos of different countries to their friends.
When planning a trip to a distant country, it is important to know all the necessary information about the country where you are going, what you need to take with you, information about the country's currency, and so on, so that your intended vacation does not turn into a nightmare...
What does a tourist need
Before you go on a tourist trip to a particular country, prepare properly and find out the necessary information. What you need to know when going abroad for personal safety?
- The political situation in the country (whether there are wars or any armed conflicts).
- The economic state of the country, prices for hotel rooms, cafes and restaurants, modes of transport, etc.
- Features of the climate (do you normally tolerate high or low temperatures, humidity or dryness of the air, oxygen levels, etc.).
- Habitat of dangerous animals, plants or insects (you may need to get vaccinated before the trip or take the necessary drugs with you to provide first aid for animal and insect bites, or exposure to poisonous plants).
- Rules and customs of the country.
- Find out everything about the customs regulations of the country where you are going to go.
- You need to find out and write down in your diary or notebook the address and phone number of the embassy or consulate of Ukraine in the country where you are going to go on vacation.
- It is necessary to make photocopies of all documents before departure.
- Find out which plastic cards are accepted for payment in the country.
- While already on a trip, when walking or on excursions, it is important to always have a photocopy of your passport, a card of the hotel (in which you stayed) and an insurance document with you. You also need to have with you the so-called guest card, which is a pass to the hotel, as well as a guide for taxi drivers.
- If you lose personal documents in a foreign country, you need to obtain a certificate of return valid for 15 days.
- Be sure to tell your relatives exactly where you are going (country, city, etc.), with whom, when you return. You need to leave your relatives the phone numbers and addresses of the hotels where you plan to stay. Already on a trip, if possible, notify relatives about your trip.
- Take care of your personal safety - do not tell anything superfluous to fellow travelers. Excessive frankness can sometimes hurt.
- Make it a rule to leave your room keys at the counter every time you leave the hotel.
- Before a tourist trip, take care of travel insurance and luggage insurance (usually, travel agencies insure all their customers automatically when purchasing a ticket, check this).
- Be vigilant - refrain from traveling in a private taxi and drinking alcohol with unfamiliar people, do not leave children unattended.
- In some countries, it is customary to always leave a tip for services (taxi drivers, waiters, hotel porters, etc.). Usually it is 10% of the cost of the service itself (invoice), but in each country it is different.
- Drink only bottled water while traveling (be sure to check expiration dates) and be wary of local cuisine.
- Do not keep money near documents. Pack some small amount in different places, so that in case of emergency, at least there is an opportunity to get to the hotel or call from a pay phone.
- Do not buy expensive jewelry on the street. It's most likely a fake.
- Avoid large crowds and demonstrations. Pickpockets and various types and levels of scammers can operate there.
- Avoid intrusive people. They can also be scammers.
- Keep a close eye on your personal belongings.
- You can't wander alone in a city you don't know. Shout "Police" or "Police" when attacked.
What should be in a first aid kit
The first-aid kit of a tourist should contain the entire list of mandatory medicines (which is presented below), as well as additional medicines that a traveler needs when traveling on a trip to distant countries.
Mandatory medicines for tourists:
- Painkillers (analgin, citramon, etc.).
- Antipyretics (paracetamol, aspirin, etc.).
- Remedies for diarrhea and constipation.
- Anti-cold remedies.
- Hydrogen peroxide 3% for wound treatment.
- Ammonia (for first aid in case of fainting - the smell of ammonia brings a person to consciousness).
- Zelenka.
- Allergy remedies.
- Sterile and non-sterile bandages.
- Enzymes and means for the normalization of digestion (activated carbon, etc.).
- Bactericidal patch.
Additional medicines:
- Burn remedies.
- Sunscreens.
- Harnesses (for those who are going to the mountains and the forest).
- Drugs that stop the symptoms of "seasickness" (if the trip is planned by water, that is, by sea, ocean, river).
- Means of protection against insect bites.
- Means that accelerate the adaptation of the body to new environmental conditions and to a different climate.
- Before traveling to a foreign country, be sure to consult with your doctor and if you have any chronic diseases and the doctor prescribes medication, do not forget to strictly follow the doctor's recommendations while on vacation, without violating the medication regimen and dosage.
Traveling abroad for the first time is an ordeal. I would like to have a good rest and avoid troubles that can happen due to ignorance or unpleasant incidents. Here are some tips for a beginner tourist who will teach you what to do if you are still in trouble.
1. The main thing is not to lose your passport. Therefore, make several paper photocopies, and be sure to send a photocopy of the documents to yourself by e-mail.
2. Before the trip, find out the phone numbers of Russian embassies in the countries you are going to visit.
3. Do not keep money near documents, do not carry a lot of money with you. Never put money in your purses.
4. Before crossing the border, find out the list of things and products that cannot be exported. Pay special attention to meat and dairy products when entering the European Union.
5. Don't buy jewelry on the street. 100% of the time it's fake.
6. Avoid demonstrations and large crowds. There will definitely be pickpockets in the crowd. And if this is some other unauthorized demonstration, then in a bad combination of circumstances, you can get into the police, and there no one will be in a hurry to establish your identity.
7. Avoid people who impose themselves on you: they try to show something, to see you off somewhere. Most likely, you will be escorted to the nearest nook, and there they will strip you to your underpants.
8. Do not let go of the camera.
9. Find out about discounts at museums you want to visit. Some museums have big discounts on tickets on certain days of the week.
10. Try to find as much information as possible about the country you are going to before the trip. It is useful to know that in Germany almost all shops are closed on Sunday, and in Arab countries you should never take pictures of women.
11. Always carry your hotel card with you. It usually has a small map, tips on how to get to the hotel. Even if you do not know a foreign language, you can still explain to the locals with gestures that you are looking for a hotel whose name is written on the card.
12. Each hotel at the reception has free maps of the city, these maps usually show the main attractions and how to get to them from the hotel.
13. Be sure to buy health insurance. Treatment abroad is very expensive.
14. You should not play with fate and wander alone through an unfamiliar city. If you are attacked, then run away and shout not "police", but "police".
15. In Arab countries, street vendors are very clingy. They grab tourists by the hands, by the clothes. But it is worth pronouncing the magic word “polis”, “police” several times, as in a second the crowd of traders disperses.
16. Feel free to ask the administrator at the reception how to get there and whether it is worth going there. Administrators will give you helpful tips and even draw a map.
17. If you have been robbed, then just shout “POLICE” on the street, in a few minutes someone will come up to you and show you where the nearest police department is.
18. In the event of an unforeseen situation, one should not explain to representatives of local law enforcement agencies, as well as sign any protocols and other documents in a foreign language in the absence of employees of the consular office of the Russian Federation in the host country, since such testimony under the legislation of a number of countries may be laid the foundation for a criminal charge.
We wish you a safe and fun holiday
“For the first time abroad. What a Newbie Tourist Needs to Know
in the newspaper "Northern Territory"
March 14, 2011
Chief State Sanitary Doctor in the Krasnoselkupsky District
E.Yu. Gerasimov
For the mass Russian tourist, Egypt, along with Turkey, has always been one of the most popular resort destinations. Reasonable prices, year-round heat, a stunningly beautiful sea with a rich underwater world - all this can compensate for any shortcomings in the tourist service, which, however, friendly Egyptians are trying to eradicate from year to year.
Most of the offers from travel agencies are directed to the two main resort centers in Egypt - Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. Almost all major airlines regularly offer flights to these destinations. The capital of Egypt, Cairo, is also very popular.
Climate of Egypt
In Egyptian territory, the climate changes from subtropical in the north in the Mediterranean region, to tropical as you move south. 96% of the territory is desert, active life is concentrated in the delta and on the banks of the Nile. In winter and spring, the temperature does not exceed 33–35 degrees, but strong winds often blow from the desert, and sandstorms are not uncommon in such areas. Temperatures can drop a lot during winter nights, so it's best to bring at least some warm clothes with you. In summer, the temperature rises, and can reach 45 degrees in August, but the sea in summer is truly remarkably warm - up to 27-28 degrees. Although in winter its temperature does not fall below 21 degrees. The swimming season is open all year round. Even intense heat is tolerated normally, since the climate in Egypt is very dry.
The beaches of Egypt
The shores of the Red Sea with sandy beaches are the real pride of Egypt. The best coastal resorts - Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Soma, Makadi Bay, Safaga, El Gouna are famous for their incredibly blue, as well as gentle and warm sea. The water in the Red Sea is very clean and salty (which is often suitable for tourists who come to restore health). Not a single freshwater river flows into the Red Sea, which maintains its constant salinity at a very high level.
On the beaches of Egypt, they always offer a wonderful opportunity to do water sports, scuba diving, and go on a yacht. Every tourist will find entertainment for every taste.
The beginning of the journey. customs control
For citizens of the former CIS, an Egyptian visa worth $25 is issued at the airport (a special stamp is affixed to the passport). A visa for children with a foreign passport is also paid.
Customs in Egypt has its own specific requirements. Corals and shells cannot be taken out of Egypt. Foreign currency is imported without restrictions, for personal use it is allowed to import 250 grams of tobacco, a liter of alcohol or 50 cigars. You can take out 2 liters of alcohol bought in duty-free shops.
Transport in Egypt
You can move around by local shuttle buses (2 pounds per person) or by taxi (depending on the distance of the route). It is advisable to agree in advance with the driver about the price and not deviate from the agreed amount. It is better not to rent a car, it is not very safe due to the low traffic culture in the country.
Safety regulations
As for the rules of conduct, first of all they concern beautiful ladies. Egypt is a Muslim country. Miniskirts and open blouses will not be the best choice, although the Egyptians, in principle, are accustomed to foreign tourists. It is not worth flirting with the locals, as well as openly swearing and insulting them.
When swimming in the sea, you must remember that corals can injure the unwary tourist, and you can meet marine life on them, which should not be disturbed. Don't drink the tap water in the hotel - it can cause severe indigestion. Money and valuables must be kept in a safe. Cases of theft, unfortunately, happen in Egypt quite often. Currency exchange is best done in a bank. You can also do it at the hotel, but it is unlikely to be profitable. After the exchange, it is important to check the money received. Clever Egyptian scammers sometimes replace large bills with smaller ones, using banknotes that look similar.
Types of local population
While traveling in Egypt, you may meet interesting types of locals. Surely during the excursions you will see extremely annoying Egyptians begging for "baksheesh". Most often these are children, but adults do not disdain begging. Offering a variety of services, from photographing to the services of a guide or conductor, and in any case, the result will be the same - you will be asked with a smile to give the assistant a “baksheesh”. If you do not want to part with your finances more often than necessary, it is better to be on the alert. Also, a simple-minded tourist at every step will be waiting for local merchants and "fans to ride something." Often merchants invite him to his shop, claiming that he will simply show the goods, and there is no need to buy anything. But be sure, they are not going to let you out of there without a purchase. Therefore, if you do not need this or that product or service, be firm and do not respond to the begging of the locals. Remember - tourists are one of the main ways of earning for them.
Tipping in Egypt is also a different story. Be prepared for the fact that you will ask them for any, even a minor service, and it is considered bad form not to give a small reward. It is better to have a certain amount of small money with you, in local or foreign currency. It will suffice to give one or two Egyptian pounds, depending on the situation.
If you have any problems with the locals, there is a special tourist police in Egypt. These are people in black uniforms with a machine gun or a pistol. They can be found almost everywhere in the resort towns. You can always turn to them for help. One mention of the tourist police often silences even the most lively local.
Egypt Hotels
All of them are almost 100% all-inclusive. For comparison, there are much fewer such hotels in the resorts of Turkey and Greece. Usually there most often offer the terms "breakfast included" and "half board". It happens that a hotel in Egypt is located far from the settlement, but they all have a well-developed infrastructure. A large number of all kinds of services: restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, entertainment venues are most often located right on the territory of the hotel. Many services are offered for free, but there are always those for which you have to pay extra. This needs to be clarified as you arrive at a particular hotel.
The payment system in hotels may vary. Some use a magnetic card system that records the amount of paid services during the holiday, and some use a check system. Any checks issued by the hotel staff must be kept with you and not thrown away until the final check-out. Some services may be paid for in cash.
Check-out at all hotels is at 12.00, check-in at 14.00.
It is worth repeating about the safe for storing money and valuables. You should definitely use it and keep the code from it secret from strangers. It can be free or offered for a separate $1-$3 surcharge.
Food
In Egypt, you can choose for yourself: eat in a restaurant for tourists or in canteens and catering for local residents. The choice of food in the dining rooms of a restaurant is usually very diverse, but it is better to give preference to dishes that are more familiar to a Russian person, without "exotics". Tap water should not be drunk, it is recommended to drink only water from tightly sealed bottles. If you prefer local eateries, choose the ones with more people. Locals will not go to a canteen where they cook poorly or wash dishes. Eating with the left hand is not accepted in Egypt, this hand is considered "dirty, unclean." In local eateries, you should bargain moderately, the prices there are low initially.
Purchases
If you want to buy souvenirs from the country of the pharaohs for yourself or your family, you will always be offered various figurines depicting gods, papyrus paintings, figurines made of alabaster, basalt or granite, hookah, perfumes made from aromatic oils. The prices of the vast majority of stores are either approximate or far from the truth. Bargaining in stores should be "until you lose your pulse" - the price can be brought down several times! Bargaining must be deliberate, unhurried and not embarrassed. Those who buy without haggling are not very respected in Egypt. If you hear a price of 300 pounds, feel free to offer 10! The cost of the goods will be clear already in the process of bargaining. It is also necessary to check the quality of goods on site. For example, stone figurines may not be stone at all, but made of painted plaster, on which it is easy to leave a white stripe. Aromatic oils should be bought only at specialized factories. Check-in to such a factory is often included in the cost of the tour. Shops on site most often buy these oils and dilute them. The quality of the papyrus also varies. Poor quality and short-lived factory stampings are sold cheaply, at 1-3 pounds each, but high-quality papyrus drawings will cost much more. They are easy to distinguish by the neat drawing technique and, if possible, crumple and fold without damaging. You should check the purchased hookah, often come across souvenir hookahs, the use of which for their intended purpose is very difficult or impossible.
Sights of Egypt
Egypt is a country with a rich and ancient culture. Millions of tourists come here every year to see the ancient pyramids, temples, museums of antiquities. The bulk of the sights are concentrated in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. In Cairo, on the central Tahrir Square, there is a world-famous museum of Egyptian culture, and if you are in the capital, be sure to visit it. If you are a student or schoolchild, by issuing an ISIC international student card, you can save up to 50% of the ticket price. In addition, you will have an additional international document on hand, which can be useful in case of an emergency, for example, losing other identity documents or getting into the police. Also in Cairo, in the Giza district, are the well-known Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. It will be interesting for every tourist to see one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. You can get there by local minibus, which can be found on the square (if you are traveling on your own).
You can go on excursions by ordering them from the guide of your travel agency, which you will always find at the hotel. But it is worth remembering that tourists traveling on an excursion with such a guide do not have the right to move between cities, as they are tied to a particular hotel! You can easily organize your trip on your own and get to the cities of interest from the bus station of Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh. True, you should always remember that unknown guides should not be trusted. You need to keep money and documents with you and keep track of them, it would be best to buy a special bag for them, which is hung around your neck.
In addition to Cairo, Luxor deserves special attention - a city in southern Egypt, one of the most interesting for fans of Egyptian culture. This is one of the ancient capitals of Egypt, which was called Thebes. The city is divided by the Nile into eastern and western parts, in ancient times the eastern was considered the city of the living, in which ordinary people lived, and the western - the city of the dead, and the Valley of the Kings is also located there, and the dead pharaohs were buried in it. On the east bank of the Nile is the ancient temple of the sun god Amun-Ra, where hundreds of unique statues, columns and murals have been preserved, the age of which reaches 4.5 thousand years. On the west coast you can visit the tombs of the ancient pharaohs, the entrance ticket entitles you to 3 such visits. Also within Luxor you can visit the beautifully preserved temple of the ancient queen of Egypt Hatshepsut.
In the very south of the country, on the border with Sudan, is the city of Aswan, famous primarily for its temple of Abu Simbel. Also in Aswan, tourists are offered an unforgettable trip on sailing boats along the Nile, excursions to local tombs, a cozy botanical garden, the mausoleum of the Aga Khan. Entrance fees to any of the temples do not exceed $4 per person.
The Egyptians themselves prefer to relax in the summer in Alexandria on the Mediterranean Sea, and in the winter - in Aswan.
Conclusion
Egypt is not only an ancient country with a distinctive and mysterious culture, but, undoubtedly, the main "health resort" and a place of tourist pilgrimage for residents of the post-Soviet space. Be that as it may, this country is truly captivating. Despite the peculiarity of local customs, flaws in the tourist service and an unusually hot climate for a Soviet person, a visit to this country will bring a lot of unforgettable impressions, pleasure and reveal all the facets of the exotic beauty of the East.
Recently, travel enthusiasts are increasingly beginning to plan their own tour and do not turn to the services of travel agencies. Many people are afraid because they think they might get lost, get into trouble, or something else. In fact, you just need to be well prepared and know a few simple rules that will help you on your trip.
Don't forget about insurance
Medical insurance, as a rule, is already included in the price of a package tour, so tourists do not pay attention to it. When it comes to independent travel, most remember only about tickets and remember about insurance only in case of emergency. In fact, you need to buy it in advance and always keep this in mind. It will be just fine if you don't need it, but in case of illness or accident, it will make life much easier for you and your loved ones, and it will also save a lot of money.
Consider a transfer
Tourist groups are met by a group transfer, where all travelers are loaded, and then taken to hotels. When traveling independently, you need to lay a route from the airport to the hotel. It's good if you're flying into a major metropolitan airport and it has a metro, but sometimes it can be difficult to get to the city. In order not to panic and order an expensive taxi, study in advance the options for how you can get to the airport.
Compare prices
Remember that you are not assigned to a tour operator and can buy excursions anywhere. Most tourists themselves travel within the country and buy tickets for attractions. As a rule, they will cost less if you buy them online. There is another option for those who do not like to bother. These are tour groups in the city. Local agencies collect a group of tourists from one country and collect an excursion, only "in the city" it will cost less than a guide.
Each country has its own rules and it is always better for travelers to familiarize themselves with them in advance than to fall under a fine or even worse responsibility for this or that act. In this article, we will discuss Vietnam. A country that is always popular with Russian tourists, a country where the cuisine is not for the faint of heart, and the death penalty still appears in the laws, so be careful and familiarize yourself with some of the rules and laws of this Asian country.
Protect the environment.
The Vietnamese take their nature very seriously. The country prohibits the purchase, sale, killing of wild animals. Under the ban falls to take plants from nature, all the more you can not take them out of the country. The sale of plants is carried out in strictly certified outlets. The penalty for violation is a large fine or criminal liability.
Traditions and culture.
The Vietnamese are a very calm people and their respect can be lost once and for all if you swear loudly at someone or wave your arms. Also in this country it is not supposed to shake hands. You may be asked to leave the restaurant if you start calling the waiter by gesturing with your hands. You should not touch the Vietnamese for them this is an insult or a potential threat, the answer can be very different, up to contacting the local police, who can issue a fine.
You will be fined if you disrespect the Buddha in all its manifestations, it can be a statue or, for example, a keepsake. Also, when visiting Buddhist temples, be sure to take off your shoes. When leaving the temple, observe local traditions - you need to go out facing the shrines.
Appearance.
Being drunk in public places is not recommended, if a person attracts attention, he can be taken to the station. A positive blood alcohol test may result in a fine.
A visitor to a Buddhist temple must necessarily cover his shoulders with clothes; for men, no shorts, only trousers and other trousers that completely cover the legs. Women can be in the temple provided that the skirt or dress is above the knees.
Prison.
Vietnamese laws are very harsh on those who photograph military installations. This is best avoided. You may come across a condescending policeman, but he will not risk his head because of the tourists. Punishment can be very harsh, up to imprisonment.
Do not sell electronic cigarettes in Vietnam, this may entail administrative or criminal liability. Moreover, the import of electronic cigarettes is allowed.
Jail or death penalty for drugs. Vietnam is sensitive to harmful substances. So the use can end in prison, the distribution or production of that is more severe - the death penalty. So-called counterfeit drugs or relaxants are offered to tourists on the streets, the use of which is extremely dangerous for health.
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