Your Basic Guide to Armenia Holiday and Vacation

pstrongCOUNTRY DESCRIPTION:/strong limitergt;Armenia is a nation still recovering from its Soviet past. Armenias borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey are closed due to the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. Long transportation routes and economicinstability restrict the availability of goods to an from the country. Tourist facilities, especially outside of Yerevan, the capital, are not highly developed, and many of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries may be difficult to get./p
pstrongPassport and/or Visa Requirements:/strong You will be required for a visa and passport. If you need additional information on entry requirements get in touch with the Armenian Embassy at the following address: 2225 R St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20008 tel. (202) 319-1976. You can also get in touch with any representative from nbsp;the Armenian Consulate General in Los Angeles at 50 N. La Cieneja Blvd., Suite 210, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, or by calling them via telephone at (310) 657-6102.nbsp;/p
pstrongTravel Warnings, Advisories and Areas of Instability: /strong Since 1988, armed conflict has taken place in and around the self-proclaimed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway province of Azerbaijan. Starting from 1994, a ceasefire between the two countries has been in effect, although minor violations have been reported sometimes. Travelers should exercise caution near the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and consult the Consular Information Sheet for Azerbaijan if considering travelling to Nagorno-Karabakh if youre coming from an Armenian territory. Armenias land borders with Turkey, Azerbaijan, and the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan remain closed and continue to be patrolled by armed troops who stop all foregieners trying to pass over the country. nbsp;/p
pstrong/strongstrongArmenia Holidays:/strongnbsp; The country has several holidays that it celebrates throughout the year. If you are thinking of going on a trip, look for a nbsp;world holiday calendar that will help you plan your trip before you go. ConocoPhillips gives awaynbsp;stronga href=http://aglobalworld.com target=_blankpromotional calendars/a/strongnbsp;that are a great resource when making a trip around the world. The ConocoPhillips world holiday calendar has all the holidays around the world and it is a free gift to clients. If your business buys anbsp;stronga href=http://aglobalworld.com target=_blankpromotional calendars/a/strong, then consider trying something new and different for advertising to your customers. nbsp;Because Armenia is a Christian country, it observes many Christian, Muslim, and non-religious holidays but Armenia also observes several other public holidays that you need to find out before you go travelling. nbsp;/p
pstrongMEDICAL INFORMATION:/strong The countrys medical care is limited. The U.S. Embassy have a list of medical practitioners who speak English in the area. There is a severe deficiency of basic medical supplies, including antibiotics, anesthetics, and disposable needles. Visitors, especially the elderly, and those with existing health problems may be at risk because of insufficient medical facilities. Hospitals and doctors usually expects patients for an immediate cash payment for medical services performed. U.S medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.nbsp;Thenbsp;Medicare/Medicaidnbsp;program does notnbsp;provide payment fornbsp;medical services outside thenbsp;country./p
pCheck with your own insurance provider to clarify whether your plan applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will receive reimbursementnbsp; later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance plans also include coverage for treatment of psychiatric diseases and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Some really beneficial information on medical emergencies outside the country including insurance programs outside the country, is provided in the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, accessible via its home page at travel.state.gov and autofax service at (202) 647- 3000.nbsp;/p
pInformation on vaccinations and other health warnings may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions international travelers hotline, at tel: 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax: 1-888- CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or by checking out the CDC Internet home page at www.cdc.gov.nbsp;/p
pstrongUnstable Areas, Advisories, and Travel Warnings: /strong Armenia has a rare heinous crime, but common street crime has elevated, especially during the night. Crime on board train service to Georgia is an increasing problem. The theft or loss abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local authority and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The Department of States brochure entitled A Safe Trip Abroad provides useful information on guarding valuables and securing personal security while traveling outside the country Additional information on the region can be found in the pamphlet Tips for Travelers to Russia and the Newly Independent States. Both publications are accessible from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at www.access.gpo.gov/su docs or travel.state.gov. nbsp;/p
pstrongPENALTIES ON ILLEGAL DRUGS: /strong Americans are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for trafficking, use, or possession of illegal drugs are rigid and guilty offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. nbsp;/p
pstrongTRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:/strong While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions which differ very much from those in the US. The information below regarding Armenia is listed for purpose of general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular circumstances or location. nbsp;/p
pPublic Transportation and Safety:nbsp;Fair/p
pUrban road condition/ maintenance:nbsp;Fair/p
pMaintenance and Condition of Rural Road Condition:nbsp;Poor/p
pRoadside Assistance Availability: Poornbsp;/p
pExercise caution when travelling to Armenia. Public transit may be unreliable and uncomfortable. It is not advisable to travel at night during the winter season and it can be extremely hazardous in areas of higher elevations such as the mountain areas. The roads outside the urban areas are frequently choppy, with sporadic stretches of missing pavement and large sink or pits. Secondary roads are commonly in poor condition and its advised to be avoided. Truck traffic is not heavy except on the main road that links the countrys capital to the Iranian border. nbsp;/p
pstrongAVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: /strongAs there is no direct commercial flight at present, or economic resources to support the operation of such service, between the U.S. and Armenia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not evaluated the compliance of civil aviation authority of Armenia with the safety standard set by the International Aviation for oversight of the countrysnbsp; operation of air carrier. For further information, visitors may get in touch with the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or checking out the FAA Internet website at www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign flight service companies or providers for suitability as official air service providers. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific air flight service providers, travelers may contact the Pentagon by calling (703) 697-7288.nbsp;/p
pBecause of the concerns regarding the safety of flight and reliability of service, U.S. diplomatic couriers are exempted from flying Armenian Airlines.nbsp;/p
pstrongCURRENCY REGULATIONS:/strong Armenia remains largely a cash-only economy, andpayment methods such as credit cards are accepted at some businesses, but not by hotels. There are insufficient machineries exist for cashing travelers checks and electronic transfer of money into the country. Dollars can be exchanged immediately at market rates.nbsp;/p
pstrongEMBASSY LOCATION AND REGISTRATION: /strong Travelers are encouraged to register themselves at the embassys consular section and get for themselves updated information on security and travel within the country. The U.S. Embassy in capital is located at 18 General Bagramian Street, or can be reached by calling in 011 (3742) 151-551 and fax 011 (3742) 151-550.nbsp;/p
pDepartment of State travel information publications can be accessed at Internet address: travel.state. gov. Travelers may hear recorded information by calling the Department at (202) 647-5225 through a touchtone telephone, or receive information by automated telefax by dialing (202) 647-3000./p