OUR DESTINATIONS
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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Africa
- Ethiopia
- Addis Ababa
- Mercato
Mercato
The Mercato is the largest outdoor market in Africa and Addis'
most colourful sight. There are tinkers, tailors, spice merchants,
camel traders, and purveyors of just about every possible commodity
under the sun - including, of course, wonderful Ethiopian coffee.
Needless to say, it is a great place to pick up souvenirs. Mercato
really is an exhilarating place to visit although probably not for
the faint hearted. With animals wandering the streets, vendors
hollering, the pungent aromas of local dishes and a riot of colour
and sensations, you will find a visit here to be a memorable
experience.
This is a pick-pocketing hotspot though, so be careful with your
valuables. Wear a money belt under your clothes rather than keeping
cash in an accessible place. Bargain hard as prices are enormously
flexible and foreigners are routinely charged 3-4 times the going
rate. Be careful of purchasing antiques and historical artifacts as
without a certificate they may be confiscated at the airport.
Information & Facts
Language
Amharic is the official language, although over 80 local
languages are also spoken. English and Arabic are widely spoken as
well as some French and Italian.
Money
The official currency is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB), which is
divided into 100 cents. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks
and authorised hotels. Credit cards have limited usage outside of
Addis Ababa, and even in the capital they are only accepted by
major establishments. Visitors should carry a supply of travellers
cheques or hard currency with them, preferably in US dollars. ATMs
are sparse, but banks are usually open every day except Sundays
from 8am to 11am and 1pm till 4pm.
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