Departures: Violent worlds

THE TRAVEL advice unit (071-270 4129) of the Foreign Office is warning travellers to the African state of Ivory Coast that it is unsafe to be in Abidjan without accommodation. 'In the run-up to the late President's funeral, accommodation in Abidjan and in Yamoussoukro will be heavily booked, and, from 2 to 7 February, likely to be unobtainable.' The Ivory Coast is 'generally safe for visitors, but has its full share of street crimes and, particularly after dark, armed robbery'.

The unit says that violent street crime is increasing in major cities in Venezuela, particularly Caracas, Maracay, Valencia and Maracaibo.