Algeria visa invitation
May 20, 2017, 2:19 pm
#17
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 643
Heh, I did, a few times. Eventually got a nice guy who told me "don't worry, I got you. If not this week, probably next week." So a little concerned about the timing of it, but doesn't sound lost. Just wondering if anyone else's is similarly delayed.
May 21, 2017, 12:49 pm
#18
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 643
Figure I'd update. On Saturday afternoon the embassy told me that they'd processed it that morning and that they "gave it to the postman." Now, since it was a fedex overnight envelope, the postman wasn't the best person to give it to. Fedex doesn't have it. The consulate doesn't have it. Hopefully, I'll eventually have it. If I ever do this again, I am definitely going to drop it off myself, or use an agent. Fingers tightly crossed.
May 23, 2017, 8:41 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,513
Figure I'd update. On Saturday afternoon the embassy told me that they'd processed it that morning and that they "gave it to the postman." Now, since it was a fedex overnight envelope, the postman wasn't the best person to give it to. Fedex doesn't have it. The consulate doesn't have it. Hopefully, I'll eventually have it. If I ever do this again, I am definitely going to drop it off myself, or use an agent. Fingers tightly crossed.
May 25, 2017, 5:33 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 643
I am at last exceedingly happy to report that my passport came in the mail today, precisely 21 days after I overnighted it to New York. I received a single-entry 90-day Visa. I would suggest that anyone planning to apply for the Visa be prepared for a very long wait time.
May 30, 2017, 7:39 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,513
Thanks!
May 31, 2017, 4:42 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,024
I just returned from Algiers and loved it.
May 31, 2017, 12:38 pm
#24
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,513
A few more follow up questions:
1) Can you send me the name of the Visa agent you used?
2) Have you written up any trip reports or reviews of your trip?
Any info is hugely appreciated-- I see very little about Algeria in English online. We will be going in August!
Thanks for any details/info you can send. Feel free to send me a PM if you don't want to share online.
May 31, 2017, 4:05 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,024
Ok that's great to know.
A few more follow up questions:
1) Can you send me the name of the Visa agent you used?
2) Have you written up any trip reports or reviews of your trip?
Any info is hugely appreciated-- I see very little about Algeria in English online. We will be going in August!
Thanks for any details/info you can send. Feel free to send me a PM if you don't want to share online.
A few more follow up questions:
1) Can you send me the name of the Visa agent you used?
2) Have you written up any trip reports or reviews of your trip?
Any info is hugely appreciated-- I see very little about Algeria in English online. We will be going in August!
Thanks for any details/info you can send. Feel free to send me a PM if you don't want to share online.
Regarding the trip:
I spent this past weekend in Algiers and found it very nice with friendly people. The weather was beautiful. The downside was I arrived at the beginning of Ramadan and the cafe's and restaurants in the city were closed. I had to eat at the hotel. Markets, bakeries and pastry shops were open.
Learn some French or Arabic! I didn't encounter a lot of english speakers on the street or markets. It seems normal for drivers to stop and ask for directions and when I said "English?" they laughed and moved on.
The airport was pretty easy. Kind of reminded me of the Marrakech airport. They are building a new terminal that looks really nice but isn't completed yet.
Prices, well I had to eat at the the Sofitel so that is not a good comparison. I like to use the cost of a bottle of coke. I could buy a 1 liter bottle of coke for 95 Dinars, about 90 us cents. Where I live, that would cost $1. A big round loaf of bread was 30 Dinars. The gondola ride up into the hills was 60 Dinars roundtrip. I used the free hotel shuttle to/from the airport and walked around the city so I can't comment about the cost of a taxi.
Overall Algiers reminded me of Tunis but slightly more laid back.
Oct 23, 2017, 3:10 pm
#26
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: Free checked in bag on UA & DL. Free icecream at Marriott checkin.
Posts: 2,862
Oct 23, 2017, 5:23 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,513
My visa did come fairly quickly too.
Did a 12-day trip in August. We used a travel agent for a few day tours. Constantine 3 nights (Marriott is FANTASTIC), day trip from there to Djemila, the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Roman Ruin about 90 min from Constantine, is a must see.
We also did a day tour of Algiers, and a day tour to the coastline Roman Ruin about an hour out of Algiers.
Finally, we did a 3-night trip into the Sahara Desert, a highlight of the trip.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Totally loved the trip, pretty much a secret destination for foreign tourists.
Did a 12-day trip in August. We used a travel agent for a few day tours. Constantine 3 nights (Marriott is FANTASTIC), day trip from there to Djemila, the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Roman Ruin about 90 min from Constantine, is a must see.
We also did a day tour of Algiers, and a day tour to the coastline Roman Ruin about an hour out of Algiers.
Finally, we did a 3-night trip into the Sahara Desert, a highlight of the trip.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Totally loved the trip, pretty much a secret destination for foreign tourists.
Oct 28, 2017, 3:07 am
#28
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
My visa did come fairly quickly too.
Did a 12-day trip in August. We used a travel agent for a few day tours. Constantine 3 nights (Marriott is FANTASTIC), day trip from there to Djemila, the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Roman Ruin about 90 min from Constantine, is a must see.
Finally, we did a 3-night trip into the Sahara Desert, a highlight of the trip.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Totally loved the trip, pretty much a secret destination for foreign tourists.
Did a 12-day trip in August. We used a travel agent for a few day tours. Constantine 3 nights (Marriott is FANTASTIC), day trip from there to Djemila, the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Roman Ruin about 90 min from Constantine, is a must see.
Finally, we did a 3-night trip into the Sahara Desert, a highlight of the trip.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Totally loved the trip, pretty much a secret destination for foreign tourists.
Oct 28, 2017, 9:32 am
#29
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,513
Overnight trips:
3-night Sahara trip to Taghit (flew to Bechar and then had a full tour-- Camel rides, dune climbing, local meals, stayed at the Hotel Saoura Taghit-- it was an amazing trip)
Day Trips:
Day trips from Constantine to Djemila Ruins(90 min away)-- DO NOT MISS- and also to a smaller Ruins just outside of Constantine.
Day trip from Algiers to Tipasa Ruins-- beautiful coastal Roman Ruins an easy day trip.
Day trip -- Algiers City Tour
The Day trips were all around US$100-150 total for 2 people.
The 3 day trip was more expensive and will be dependent upon your lodging choice, whether you want local or international meals, which daytime activities you do, etc.
Oct 28, 2017, 12:37 pm
#30
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
No just the places I listed below, all with guides.
Overnight trips:
3-night Sahara trip to Taghit (flew to Bechar and then had a full tour-- Camel rides, dune climbing, local meals, stayed at the Hotel Saoura Taghit-- it was an amazing trip)
Day Trips:
Day trips from Constantine to Djemila Ruins(90 min away)-- DO NOT MISS- and also to a smaller Ruins just outside of Constantine.
Day trip from Algiers to Tipasa Ruins-- beautiful coastal Roman Ruins an easy day trip.
Day trip -- Algiers City Tour
The Day trips were all around US$100-150 total for 2 people.
The 3 day trip was more expensive and will be dependent upon your lodging choice, whether you want local or international meals, which daytime activities you do, etc.
Overnight trips:
3-night Sahara trip to Taghit (flew to Bechar and then had a full tour-- Camel rides, dune climbing, local meals, stayed at the Hotel Saoura Taghit-- it was an amazing trip)
Day Trips:
Day trips from Constantine to Djemila Ruins(90 min away)-- DO NOT MISS- and also to a smaller Ruins just outside of Constantine.
Day trip from Algiers to Tipasa Ruins-- beautiful coastal Roman Ruins an easy day trip.
Day trip -- Algiers City Tour
The Day trips were all around US$100-150 total for 2 people.
The 3 day trip was more expensive and will be dependent upon your lodging choice, whether you want local or international meals, which daytime activities you do, etc.