Belgium Trains

Italy’s vigorous leadership of the Group of Eight (G-8) Counterterrorism Expert’s Group resulted in significant progress on a 25-point plan to guide the G-8’s contribution to the global counterterrorism campaign. The Action Plan has fostered greater counterterrorism coordination among the foreign affairs and law-enforcement agencies of G-8 members. Italy’s work with other European countries to combat terrorism as well as extensive cooperation among Italy, the United States, and several European countries—including Spain, France, Germany, Britain, and Belgium—led to the arrests on 10 October. Moreover, Rome worked with Madrid to improve bilateral efforts against terrorism, agreeing in early November at a summit in Granada to create a joint investigative team to fight terrorism and conduct joint patrols on long-distance trains to prevent illegal immigration. ... [Read More]

American Embassy Dar es Salaam

1 1 For updated information, please see the Tanzanian National website at http://www.tanzania.go.tz/index2E.html. 1 1 TRAVEL BY ROAD: Travel by land within Tanzania is very difficult due to poor 1 road conditions, frequent shortages of spare parts, and dangerous driving practices. Tanzania has a 50,000-kilometer road 1 network of which 40,000 kilometers are unpaved. During the rainy seasons (February-April and October-November), many of these 1 roads are impassable. Public transportation is often irregular and undependable; thefts occasionally occur on inter-city 1 buses and trains. Drivers should exercise extreme care and drive defensively, especially during rush hours, to reduce the possibility 1 of a motor vehicle accident. Think "left" at all times.1 To bring an automobile into Tanzania from a neighboring country, we strongly recommend the traveler obtain a valid 1 carnet, available ... [Read More]

Europe and Central Asia

AlbaniaI. Summary Drug trafficking is a significant problem in Albania, which is a major transit country for heroin from Afghanistan and Turkey destined for markets throughout Europe. Organized crime groups use Albania as a transit point for drug and other types of smuggling due to the country’s strategic location, weak police and judicial systems, and porous borders. The most common illegal drugs are heroin, marijuana, and to a lesser extent, cocaine. Heroin is typically transported through the "Balkans Route" of Turkey-Bulgaria-Macedonia-Albania, and on to Italy, Greece and the Netherlands. Cocaine is smuggled from South America, via the United States, Italy, Spain, Greece or the Netherlands, and ... [Read More]

Portugal

Lisbon Area: Pick-pocketing and purse snatching in the Lisbon area sometimes occur in buses, restaurants, the airport, trains, train stations, and trams, especially tram number 28 to the Castle of Sao Jorge. Thefts of purses, briefcases and wallets have also occurred in hotel lobbies, restaurants and elevators.  At restaurants, items hung over the backs of chairs or placed on the floor may be stolen. There have been reports of theft of unattended luggage from the Lisbon Airport. Special care should be taken in the Santa Apolonia and Rossio train stations, the Alfama and Bairro Alto districts, the Castle of Sao Jorge and the area of Belem. ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

Brussels has an extensive public transportation network comprised of buses, trams (streetcars), and an underground rapid transit (metro) system. Special 10-ride and monthly or yearly tickets for combined Brussels transport facilities are available and afford great savings over the cost of one-ride tickets. Many employees find it more convenient and economical to commute to work via public transportation, which also is available to NATO. Trains run frequently and on schedule. Taxis are fairly expensive, but the service charge or tip is included in the metered fare. ... [Read More]

U.S. Department of State - Washington Hyper File

205 Text: New U.S. Program Trains Scientists in Developing Countries ... [Read More]

Sweden

Public transport in Sweden is of good quality and is the recommended method of travel. Passenger trains, intercity buses, and air flights provide regular service over longer distances. Public transportation in urban centers includes buses, subways, trams, suburban trains, and taxis. Taxis are more expensive than in major U.S. cities. Most local residents use public transport in Stockholm as parking can be hard to find and expensive. The bus, train, and subway systems are relatively safe. ... [Read More]

Tips for travelers to Tanzania - "Dar es Salaam, Tanzania"

1 1 For updated information, please see the Tanzanian National website at http://www.tanzania.go.tz/index2E.html. 1 1 TRAVEL BY ROAD: Travel by land within Tanzania is very difficult due to poor 1 road conditions, frequent shortages of spare parts, and dangerous driving practices. Tanzania has a 50,000-kilometer road 1 network of which 40,000 kilometers are unpaved. During the rainy seasons (February-April and October-November), many of these 1 roads are impassable. Public transportation is often irregular and undependable; thefts occasionally occur on inter-city 1 buses and trains. Drivers should exercise extreme care and drive defensively, especially during rush hours, to reduce the possibility 1 of a motor vehicle accident. Think "left" at all times.1 To bring an automobile into Tanzania from a neighboring country, we strongly recommend the traveler obtain a valid 1 carnet, available from most travel ... [Read More]

Spain and Andorra

In the deadliest terrorist attack in recent European history, on March 11, 2004, Islamic extremists bombed four commuter trains entering Madrid, causing 191 deaths and over 1,400 injuries. The government continues to investigate the attacks and to arrest suspects. ...

CRIME: While most of Spain has a moderate rate of crime and most of the estimated one million American tourists have trouble free visits to Spain each year, street crimes against tourists occur in the principal tourist areas. Madrid and Barcelona, in particular, report increasing incidents of muggings and violent attacks, some of which have been so violent that victims have needed medical attention. Although crimes occur at all times of day and night and to people of all ages, older tourists and Asian Americans seem to be particularly at risk. Criminals frequent tourist areas and major attractions such as museums, monuments, restaurants, outdoor cafes, Internet cafes, hotel lobbies, beach resorts, city buses, subways, trains, train stations, airports, and ATM machines. [Read More]

France and Monaco

Gare du Nord train station, where the express trains from the airport arrive in Paris, is also a high-risk area for pickpocketing and theft.  Travelers should also beware of thefts that occur on both overnight and day trains, especially on trains originating in Spain, Italy, and Belgium.  Additionally, several sexual assaults involving American citizens have occurred in recent years in the immediate vicinity of the Gare du Nord train station. ... [Read More]