Practical Travel Guides & Insider Tips

1. Tunisia, Morocco & Algeria: Entry Rules, Closed Currencies, Taxis & Sahara Tours

North Africa's Maghreb region brings together three standout destinations offering short flights from Europe, millennia-old heritage, and exceptional purchasing power:

• Traveling to Tunisia in 2026: A valid passport is mandatory for all visitors (visa-free up to 90 days for EU, UK, US, and Canadian citizens). The currency is the Tunisian Dinar (TND, non-exportable). Budget €45–55/day for mid-range comfort in Tunis, Hammamet, Sousse, or Djerba. To book certified excursions (Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, El Jem amphitheatre, Kairouan, Tozeur/Chebika oases, Sahara desert camps in Douz, and Matmata troglodyte homes) as well as private airport transfers, use the trusted local platform uzitatravel.com.
• Traveling to Morocco in 2026: Valid passport required (visa-free up to 90 days). Cash Moroccan Dirhams (MAD) remain essential in the medinas of Marrakech, Fez, and Essaouira: always carry 20, 50, and 100 MAD notes for metered petit taxis, souks, and tips.
• Traveling to Algeria in 2026: Consular visa required prior to departure (or visa-on-arrival strictly for authorized southern Sahara tours to Djanet/Tamanrasset). From Algiers to the suspended bridges of Constantine and the Oran seafront, Algeria's Roman ruins (Tipaza, Djemila, Timgad) offer an authentic experience off the beaten path.

2. Thailand, Egypt, Greece & Turkey: Visas, ATM Fees & Practical Tips

• Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket): 60-day visa exemption for 93 nationalities with a passport valid at least 6 months. Remember two golden rules: Thai ATMs charge a mandatory 220 THB (~€6) fee per withdrawal (exchange crisp €50/€100 notes at SuperRich instead), and e-cigarettes/vapes are strictly illegal nationwide.
• Egypt (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada): Visa required ($25 USD cash at airport bank kiosks upon arrival or official e-Visa). Ticket offices at the Giza Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), and Valley of the Kings now accept Visa and Mastercard payments exclusively.
• Greece (Athens, Crete, Cyclades) & Turkey (Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya): Accessible visa-free for 90 days. In Istanbul, buy a rechargeable Istanbulkart right at the airport to cut your public transit costs (metro, tramway, and Bosphorus ferries) by 75%.

3. Airport Customs, Low-Cost Carry-On Baggage & Traveler Safety

Regardless of your departure airport, always check the exact cabin bag dimensions included in your ticket (often limited to a 40x20x25 cm or 40x30x20 cm under-seat bag on basic low-cost fares), keep lithium powerbanks in your carry-on, and respect the strict ban on drones in North Africa and Egypt. Our full guides above walk you through every step.