North Africa | Discover Algeria

Algeria: Living Life to the Fullest

No matter where a person is, it’s always important to live life to its fullest. Create fun, take advantage of every opportunity and travel as much as possible. Having an active, full life is important to our mental and physical well being, and for the well being of entire families.

Holidays are great opportunities to travel since many people have time off from their jobs and schools. Try taking the family on ski holidays 2012-style by going to Algiers in North Africa. Many of the ski resorts offer group prices, which can help those with several children.

Here are a few of the extras that some of the ski resorts offer for groups:

Free name changes on charter flights
Pre-booked specially priced ski passes and ski packs
Free lift passes for group leaders
Free ski hire or carriage hire for group leaders
Flexibility on airport departures
Low deposits
Free gifts, such as a case of Virgin Wines with reservations made before July 11, 2011 for ten or more at certain resorts.
Two for one lift packs

Most ski deals offer on-site ski instructors and schools, equipment rentals and sales, and ski apparel, such as hats, coveralls, boots and sun goggles. Easily found everywhere are both the four-star and family restaurants, so there‘s something for everyone.

Hotels are plenty, but so are the houses for rent. Live life to the fullest in a real home with laundry facilities, a fireplace and a full pantry. Many of them have several roomy bedrooms and they’re close to restaurants, clubs, one-of-a-kind boutique shopping and fitness facilities.

Filed Under: Algeria, Living Tagged With: Algeria, Algiers, North Africa

Simple Guide on Algerian Food and Drinks

Algeria is the home for cork oak, olive tree, and large evergreen forests. Most part of this land is desert. Algerian foods have its roots to several countries that traded, visited, or ruled this country. Traditional foods show the influence of Arab, French, Berber, and Turkish taste. Algerian foods contain different types of flavorings and it can be mild or very spicy. Restaurants in Algeria mostly serve Italian or French-style foods along with their traditional foods.

Fresh couscous with vegetables and chickpeas

Image via Wikipedia

Fish dishes are very popular in Algeria. There are certain things that should be known while in Algeria. Alcohol is not available for sale in the country and it can be found only in the expensive hotels and restaurants. The hotel bars remain open as long as there is custom. Though the country is famous for its good wines, only few are served in the own country.

Some of the special food items in this country are brochettes, couscous, stews, and traditional diet. Normally, brochettes are sold in French bread with spicy sauce. Couscous is a type of pasta and it looks like semolina, this is prepared from cracked wheat and this food is normally consumed by most people in this country as well as in most of the North African countries.

Most popular stews are shakshuka and tajine. Shakshuka is served with vegetables whereas tajine is served with chicken or lamb. This is also another everyday dish. The desert people in the country prefer pressed figs, dates, and hard cheese during their travel. The most popular drinks are sweet coffee and golden colored mint tea.

Filed Under: Culture, General, Traditions & Customs Tagged With: Algeria, Food, North Africa

Problems Visitors Face When Visiting Algeria

Algeria is a county that has been on the brink of a civil war for a number of years. If you are considering traveling to this African country you will need to know what you can expect to experience while in Algeria. Here is a look at some of the common concerns and problems that will arise for travelers to Algeria.

Fake Roadblocks. Fake roadblocks are a common problem in the outskirts of Algeria. People will set up roadblocks that look like a normal roadblock that are put up by the government. When the people stop at the fake roadblocks the people will rob them and sometimes kill them. This is why it is recommended that you always travel with an Algerian guide as they will know how to avoid these roadblocks.

Car Jacking. Car jackings are very common in Algeria. Sometimes these occur by having the people set up fake roadblocks. Other times the people just walk right up to the car and will take the car. Many times it is recommended to just let them have the vehicle as these people have been known to murder or kill over the vehicle.

Car Bombings. Car bombings have become a regular problem in Algeria. While there is nothing that you can do to prevent a car bombing attack you can try to stay in well known hotels and off the streets at night.

Terrorist Attacks. Algeria is still at risk of terrorist attacks even in the city capital. These attacks are done from the back of wheeled vehicles and include multiple guns and shootings.

Kidnappings. Kidnappings are a major concern for travelers. Terrorist groups will often try to kidnap overseas visitors in an attempt to gain notability and the attention of the Algerian government. It is advised to travel in groups through Algeria due to the concern over kidnappings.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Algeria, North Africa

A Basic Guide to the Government Structure of Algeria

The country of Algeria is a democratic republic that uses a presidential government model.

Algeria is a north African country that is influenced by both French and Muslim customs, traditions and laws. Because Algeria was under French rule for a long period of time many people in Algeria speak French. However Arabic is the official language of Algeria as Islam is the religion of state. The majority of Algerian people are of the Muslim faith and this influences some Algerian laws.

The laws of Algeria have their origin in the French colonies that previously occupied Algeria. The French invaded Algeria in 1830. Before this event statutory law had already existed. When the French invaded they applied French statutory law to Algeria. This lasted until Algeria gained independence in 1962.

There are a few sources that Algerian law is based upon. Some of these are the habit, Islamic law and the natural rights and rules of equity.

The legal system that Algeria uses distributes political and legal activities between their three branches of government. The president of Algeria and his administration implement the law. Parliament is left responsible for dealing with both civil and criminal legislation and the court system makes the decisions on civil and criminal cases brought before them.

Due to the history of French rule in Algeria the current legal system is very similar to that of European countries. It even has some similarities with the legal system of the United States of America. Although the legal system is governed in a style that comes from foreign influence Algeria makes a strong attempt to preserve the culture and traditions of the country. This is shown by the fact that Algeria tries to create laws that keep the rights of the people of Algeria intact without interfering with the way that the government works.

Filed Under: Algeria, Law Tagged With: Africa, Algeria, North Africa

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Law and Rights in Algeria

: Image via Wikipedia

The lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual population in Algeria face legal issues that heterosexual Algerians do not have to deal with.

In Algeria same-sex sexual acts are illegal for both males and females. Anyone who is found guilty of a same-sex act in Algeria can be punished with a prison sentence that can last anywhere from two months to two years.

Algeria is well know for its fundamentalist laws. An example of this is that Algeria bans Algerian people from converting their religion. Many people in Algeria believe homosexuality to be against the Islamic faith. Due to this there is little tolerance for homosexuality in Algeria.

There are many groups that fight for the rights of gay men and lesbians in Africa. These groups believe that the Algerian attitudes towards homosexuality can be violent. Gay people in Africa can become the targets for fundamentalists. They have also been the targets of honor killings by their family, friends and neighbors.

However many people in Algeria are becoming more accepting of homosexual people. The President of Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika stated at one point that if homosexual people behave well they will be given freedom and remain unharmed.

Many people in Algeria wish the constitution of Algeria to be revised in order to take out the segments that demonstrate inequality to both women and gay citizens of Algeria.

The currently laws of Algeria tend to favor the heterosexual male. Although there are many people who are lobbying for this to change it is unlikely to change in the near future. The Islamic faith plays a large part in the culture and laws of Algeria. It is the aim of the government to do its job without taking anything away from the religious customs, beliefs and traditions of the citizens of the north African country Algeria.