As researched January 2008 by Millie Ball, travel editor of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Ball's Blog

Where to begin planning a foreign vacation -- or even to figure out where to go? Here are some places to look for foreign travel information. Taken from a number of sources, it's not all-inclusive by any means, but it's a place to start.

For a list of countries that have an embassy, consulate or tourist office in the United States (with addresses, phone numbers and Web sites), go to www.intltravelnews.com/Tourist__offices.htm. Note that Web sites and phone numbers change frequently.

GENERAL RESOURCES

U.S. State Department: www.state.gov. Click to the bottom for links to passport information; (877) 487-2778 for a recording about passports, travel warnings, and a list of countries.

Lonely Planet: www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide. Basic information about countries around the world.

NEARBY

Mexico: www.visitmexico.com, (800) 446-3942

Canada: www.explore.canada.travel

EUROPE

European Travel Commission: www.visiteurope.com/us. List of 36 countries in Europe, with links to individual country Web sites.

Europe.Org: www.europe.org. Another site with links not only to specific countries, but also to major cities in Europe.

Rail Europe: www.raileurope.com/us/index.htm. Find train schedules and book tickets.

Rick Steves' Europe through the Back Door: www.ricksteves.com. All sorts of travel tips and advice from the host of the public television show on budget travel to Europe. For his favorite links, go to www.ricksteves.com/plan/links_menu.htm

France: www.franceguide.com, (514) 288-1904

Britain: www.visitbritain.us, (800) 462-2748

Croatia: www.us.croatia.hr/home, (212) 279-8672

Germany: www.cometogermany.com, (800) 651-7010

Greece: www.gnto.gr, (212) 421-5777

Ireland: www.discoverireland.com, (800) 223-6470

Italy: www.italiantourism., (212) 245-4822

Portugal: www.visitportugal.com, (800) 767-8842

CARIBBEAN

Caribbean Tourism Organization: www.caribbeantravel.com. Links to islands and countries in the Caribbean. (212) 635-9530 (includes Bermuda and the Bahamas, even though they're in the Atlantic, not the Caribbean)

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

Belize Tourist Board: www.travelbelize.org, (800) 624-0686

Costa Rica: www.tourism-costarica.com, (800) 343-6332

Guatemala: www.visitguatemala.com, (888) 464-8281

Honduras: www.letsgohonduras.com, (800) 410-9608

Panama: www.panamatours.com

Argentina: www.sectur.gov.ar, (212) 603-0443

Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands: www.ecuadortouristboard.com, (800) 328-2367

Brazil: www.braziltourism.org, (800) 727-2945

Chile: (866) 937-2445

Peru: www.peru.org.pe

AFRICA

The Africa Guide: www.africaguide.com/ embassy.htm. List of tourist offices and embassies for African countries.

Egypt: www.egypt.travel, (877) 773-4978

Morocco: www.visitmorocco.org, (212) 221-1583

South Africa: www.southafrica.net, (800) 593-1318

ASIA, SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIA

Pacific Asia Travel Association: www.pata.org, click on About Asia Pacific, then maps, destination profiles

China: www.cnto.org, (888) 760-8218

Hong Kong: www.hkta.org, (800) 282-4582

Japan: www.jnto.go.jp, (212) 757-5640

Nepal: www.welcomenepal.com

Philippines: www.tourism.gov.ph, (312) 782-2475

Singapore: www.visitsingapore.com, (800) 283-9595

South Korea: www.tour2korea.com, (800) 868-7567

Taiwan: www.taiwan.net.tw, (415) 989-8677

Thailand: http://tourismthailand.org, (800) 842-4526

Vietnam: www.vietnamembassy-usa.org or www.vietnamtourism.com, (202) 861-0737

India: www.incredibleindia.org, (800) 953-9399

Indonesia: www.indonesia-tourism.com

Malaysia: www.tourismmalaysiausa.com, (800) 336-6842

MIDDLE EAST

Israel: www.goisrael.com, (888) 774-7723

Dubai: www.dubaitourism.ae, (888) 584-7070

Jordan: www.seejordan.org, (877) 733-5673

SOUTH PACIFIC

Australia: www.australia.com, (800) 333-0262

New Zealand:www.newzealand.com; they do not accept phone calls, but you can write for information: Tourism New Zealand, 501 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 300, Santa Monica, CA 90401 Attention: Information

Tahiti: www.tahiti-tourisme.com

Bali: www.bali-tourism-board.com

Fiji: www.bulafiji.com, (800) 932-3454