MADAGASCAR

The capital Antananarivo (population 2.2 million) is In the heart of the island.Antananarivo means the "town of a thousand men", but is more realistically the town of a thousand steps because of the number of stone stairways and steps of the streets (mazed foot-paths) of this horseshoe shaped hillside town.

HOW TO GET THERE: By direct international flights from Europe and regional east African capital cities to Ivato Airport (TNR).Air Madagascar flies to Nairobi, Comoros, Mauritius, Reunion and Paris.

CLIMATE: Largely tropical, but the highlands skies are clear on an average of 7 months.

29 Rue Ratsimamanga, PO Box 341, Antananarivo 101.

Tel: (2) 202-02.

Type: Moderate first class hotel & casino.

Location: In the city center, near the government offices and Presidential Palace.

Casino Games: blackjack, roulette.

Amenities: 111 rooms & suites, 2 restaurants, tavern & American style bar, bakery.

Credit Cards: AE / DC / EC / MCNISA.

Rates: US$126 - 232.

Service: 10%.

Rue Pierre Stibbe, PO Box 959, Lac Anosy, Antananarivo 101.(2) 26060.

Fax: (2) 26051.

Type: Superior first class tower hotel & casino.

Location: One mile from downtown overlooking Lake Anosy and rice fields.Close to government buildings.

Casino Games: blackjack, roulette.

Amenities: 165 rooms, 3 restaurants, 3 bars, nightclub, business center, pool, health club, tennis.

Credit Cards: AE / DC / EC / MCNISA.

Rates: US$128 - 192 Service: 10%.

Nosy-Be Island (population 8,000) is just off the northwest coast of Madagascar, west of Antsiranana Province.

HOW TO GET THERE: By flights from Antananarivo, Ivato Airport (TNR) to Fascene Airport on Nosy-Be Island.

Plage d'Andilana, PO Box 111, Nosy-Be 207.

Tel: 61176.

TIx: 87206.

Type: Beach hotel & casino.

Location: On The Satellite Island of Nosy-Be known as Perfume Island, 27 km / 16 miles from Hellville Township, 38 km / 24 miles northwest of Fascene Airport.

Casino Games: blackjack, roulette.

Amenities: 122 rooms, 2 suites, restaurant, piano bar, pool, gym, tennis.

Rates: FMG 73 - 103.