As researched January 2008 by Millie Ball, travel editor of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Where to begin planning a foreign vacation -- or even to figure out
where to go? Here are some places to look for foreign travel
information. Taken from a number of sources, it's not all-inclusive by
any means, but it's a place to start.
For a list of countries that have an embassy, consulate or tourist
office in the United States (with addresses, phone numbers and Web
sites), go to www.intltravelnews.com/Tourist__offices.htm. Note that Web sites and phone numbers change frequently.
GENERAL RESOURCES
U.S. State Department: www.state.gov.
Click to the bottom for links to passport information; (877) 487-2778
for a recording about passports, travel warnings, and a list of
countries.
Lonely Planet: www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide. Basic information about countries around the world.
NEARBY
Mexico: www.visitmexico.com, (800) 446-3942
Canada: www.explore.canada.travel
EUROPE
European Travel Commission: www.visiteurope.com/us. List of 36 countries in Europe, with links to individual country Web sites.
Europe.Org: www.europe.org. Another site with links not only to specific countries, but also to major cities in Europe.
Rail Europe: www.raileurope.com/us/index.htm. Find train schedules and book tickets.
Rick Steves' Europe through the Back Door: www.ricksteves.com.
All sorts of travel tips and advice from the host of the public
television show on budget travel to Europe. For his favorite links, go
to www.ricksteves.com/plan/links_menu.htm
France: www.franceguide.com, (514) 288-1904
Britain: www.visitbritain.us, (800) 462-2748
Croatia: www.us.croatia.hr/home, (212) 279-8672
Germany: www.cometogermany.com, (800) 651-7010
Greece: www.gnto.gr, (212) 421-5777
Ireland: www.discoverireland.com, (800) 223-6470
Italy: www.italiantourism., (212) 245-4822
Portugal: www.visitportugal.com, (800) 767-8842
CARIBBEAN
Caribbean Tourism Organization: www.caribbeantravel.com.
Links to islands and countries in the Caribbean. (212) 635-9530
(includes Bermuda and the Bahamas, even though they're in the Atlantic,
not the Caribbean)
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
Belize Tourist Board: www.travelbelize.org, (800) 624-0686
Costa Rica: www.tourism-costarica.com, (800) 343-6332
Guatemala: www.visitguatemala.com, (888) 464-8281
Honduras: www.letsgohonduras.com, (800) 410-9608
Panama: www.panamatours.com
Argentina: www.sectur.gov.ar, (212) 603-0443
Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands: www.ecuadortouristboard.com, (800) 328-2367
Brazil: www.braziltourism.org, (800) 727-2945
Chile: (866) 937-2445
Peru: www.peru.org.pe
AFRICA
The Africa Guide: www.africaguide.com/ embassy.htm. List of tourist offices and embassies for African countries.
Egypt: www.egypt.travel, (877) 773-4978
Morocco: www.visitmorocco.org, (212) 221-1583
South Africa: www.southafrica.net, (800) 593-1318
ASIA, SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIA
Pacific Asia Travel Association: www.pata.org, click on About Asia Pacific, then maps, destination profiles
China: www.cnto.org, (888) 760-8218
Hong Kong: www.hkta.org, (800) 282-4582
Japan: www.jnto.go.jp, (212) 757-5640
Nepal: www.welcomenepal.com
Philippines: www.tourism.gov.ph, (312) 782-2475
Singapore: www.visitsingapore.com, (800) 283-9595
South Korea: www.tour2korea.com, (800) 868-7567
Taiwan: www.taiwan.net.tw, (415) 989-8677
Thailand: http://tourismthailand.org, (800) 842-4526
Vietnam: www.vietnamembassy-usa.org or www.vietnamtourism.com, (202) 861-0737
India: www.incredibleindia.org, (800) 953-9399
Indonesia: www.indonesia-tourism.com
Malaysia: www.tourismmalaysiausa.com, (800) 336-6842
MIDDLE EAST
Israel: www.goisrael.com, (888) 774-7723
Dubai: www.dubaitourism.ae, (888) 584-7070
Jordan: www.seejordan.org, (877) 733-5673
SOUTH PACIFIC
Australia: www.australia.com, (800) 333-0262
New Zealand:www.newzealand.com; they do not accept phone calls, but
you can write for information: Tourism New Zealand, 501 Santa Monica
Blvd, Suite 300, Santa Monica, CA 90401 Attention: Information
Tahiti: www.tahiti-tourisme.com
Bali: www.bali-tourism-board.com
Fiji: www.bulafiji.com, (800) 932-3454
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