Algeria?
 

I am in the very, very early stages of researching a trip to Algeria, likely focusing on Algiers and the surrounding UNESCO sites. I'm partly motivated by my interest in seeing the casbah, especially after watching "Battle of Algiers" (my second favorite movie), and I have also read the recent Lonely Planet, which indicates that its pretty easy to reach several UNESCO sites as day trips from Algiers.

Any info, hints, visa difficulty, etc.? I'm having difficulty deciding on a trip for next February, and Algeria is a top candidate (second place is San Andres, a Colombian island in the Caribbean, so I'm all over the map; right now I don't have a candidate in third place).

Michael

Well, Algeria is out -- I'm going to pair it with Libya when I have more time, so I'm looking for a long weekend destination.

Michael -

I was in Algeria some years ago, and I was surprised at how westernized its cities (Oran, Algiers) were compared to, say, Morocco. [The exception in Morocco being Casablanca.] Not to say that Algeria isn't an interesting enough place to visit, but I'd go back to Marrakesh or even Tangiers before going back to Algiers.

Thanks, I've been to Morocco, albeit more than 10 years ago, and at that time I found it very frustrating -- the most aggressive touts I've encountered.

I'd like to visit every country, so I even need to visit the less interesting ones -- I'll be in Andorra in November and Guam in December, both about which I've read mixed reviews.

So, even if Algeria is not that appealing to some, its still on my list -- and there are a lot of UNESCO sites, and I've been disappointed in only a few that I've visited.

Did you get to the casbah in Algiers?

We did go to the casbah for a short while, but admittedly were extremely tired at the time.

QUOTE<<<<I'd like to visit every country, so I even need to visit the less interesting ones -- I'll be in Andorra in November and Guam in December, both about which I've read mixed reviews.>>>

I've always wondered about this. I started thinking you were working on seeing particular places when, over the years, I noticed you were visiting a lot of islands. If you want to see everywhere there sure are al ot of islands!

We're heading off on a RTW to Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, in less than two weeks.I know you did Central Asia on FF mile and I still can't believe UA considers Ashgabat Europe. CA will be followed by India, the Maldives and back via Kunming where I'm visiting a friend.

As to your weekend what about Cartegena? Though you may already have been there.Cuba could be fun. Greenland could also be an option from the East coast though perhaps February is not the best time of year! It's hard to beat the Caribbean in February.

With the direct flights from NYC to Dakar you could do west africa (gambia or mali, etc) for an extended long weekend....but I'm guessing you have already been to those places.

welltraveledbrit, sounds like a great trip -- Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are incredibly interesting, with Turkmenistan perhaps being one of the strangest places I've visited (Ashgabat is the only place where I've had the police ask me to scroll thru my digital photos so they could make sure I didn't take any photos of the presidential palace -- I later took lots of photos of it from the top of the earthquake monument, the one with the revolving Turkmenbashi statue).

I've been to Cartegena and Cuba (both great recommendations) and I'm saving Greenland for a Summer trip (trying to coordinate with the new Air Greenland flights from BWI). I'm also trying to visit the distinctive island (and island groups) -- next up is Easter Island and French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moreea and Rangiroa) in May. My definition of "countries" is pretty broad.

Cruisenred, I've been to West Africa, but not to those countries, but I'd like to visit that part of Africa when I have two weeks or so -- there's a lot to see. I'd be willing to spend a long weekend (say five days) in Algeria b/c I think its less safe outside the capital, so I would use Algiers as a base. In any event, I think I'm going to pair Algeria and Libya, and will save that trip for the time when independent travel is simpler (and when securing visas is guaranteed).

San Andreas - a hidden secret. But lots of European and Canadians here, especially during their winters.

Flying via Panama, Colombia or one of the charters out of Canada?

Contact me!

Sandi, I'm likely going to visit San Andres via Panama -- if I can add some days, I'll extend my trip to visit the San Blas islands, an autonomous community along the Panamania coast (it used to count as a separate country on the Travelers Century Club list, and even though they've dropped it, I haven't). I was at the Barnes & Noble in your neighborhood today, and some good info on San Andres in the Lonely Planet to Colombia.

Michael - I got your email and replied. We should do brunch and catch up!

Did you ever make it to Algeria? Looking to go there and Libya later this year if they open up for US tourists. I'm working on visiting the TCC list 'countries' as well.. was just in San Andres a few weeks ago.

hauteboy, no, haven't made it yet to Algeria. Funny how things change -- I started this thread when I was planning a trip for February 2009, and at that time I was considering either Algeria or San Andres: I ended up in El Salvador. The Algeria visa is tough.

I finally think I'll make it to San Andres and Providencia (visiting both islands) next July -- I'm just waiting for the seats to open on Copa and I'll grab them with 35,000 Continental miles.

I hope you get to Algeria some day, Thitcho. What's your favorite movie if "Battle of Algiers" is #2?

Lynn, the best movie (by far) that I have ever seen is "Soy Cuba" (English translation = I am Cuba).

So, my top 5 would be (I could watch any of these many times):

Soy Cuba
Battle of Algiers
City of God
The Bicycle Thief
Cinema Paradiso (trite, but I never tire of watching it)