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Southwestern Tamil Nadu

Southwestern Tamil Nadu is in Tamil Nadu, India. It consists of Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga, Theni and Virudhunagar districts.

Cities

 * — a popular hill resort

 * — the Athens of the East, a place of great historical and cultural importance, and the oldest city in Tamil Nadu

 * — famous dhandayudhapaani (Murugan) hill temple

 * — cracker city of India

 * — a beautiful town with historical background and rich greeneries

 * — famous for oil mills

See

 * Anjaneyar Temple in Anapatti is 5 km from Nilakottai Taluk is quite popular among residents of this area. Nilakottai is 11 km from Batlagundu bus stand and 35 km from Dindigul. This is said to be 300-year-old temple built by Queen of Madurai Rani Mangamma. The idol will be half buried when the water is in full flow here. This temple is near the Peranai bridge (see site below) and regulator constructed by the British.
 * Bodinayakkanur — on the foothills of the West Ghats, west of Theni, this town is popular for cardamom mango and coffee market. Bodi Mettu, a hill resort situated at a height of 4500 feet, it is a most scenic place. It is 26 km from Bodinayakkanur
 * Chinna suruli falls — 54 km from Theni near Kombaithozhu Village. These falls originate in the Megamalai - It is popularly known as Chinna Suruli.
 * Devadanapatti — The main shrine in Devadanapatti is Kamatchi Amman Temple. It is situated on the banks of the Manjal river. This temple is 3 km from Devadanapatti in Theni District. In this temple, the doors to the sanctum sanctorum are never opened, and all the pujas are offered only to the portals.
 * Tirumangalam — A town southwest of Madurai on the banks of river Gundar, a tributary of river Vaigai.
 * Kodlambatti falls or Aruvi — This falls is on the Madurai-Kodaikanal hill route and is 36 km from Madurai city. It is 7 km from Kodalambatti and the height of the falls is approximately 87 feet. During the rainy season, travellers in this area throng to see and bathe in the gushing water. There is a 500-year-old Nachiamman temple here.
 * Kunnuvarankottai Kasi Visalakshi Viswanathar temple — This 300-year-old temple is approximately 8 km from Batlagundu on the Batlagundu-Usilampatti road and is on the banks of river Vaigai. This village is locally known as Kannapatti. An added attraction is the point of confluence of the three rivers Vaigai, Manjalaru and Maruda. It is pertinent to note that the river Vaigai flows northward near this village. This is an important pilgrimage point where devotees take holy bath in the rivers during auspicious days.
 * Lord siva and Draupadi temple — There is a famous Lord Siva and Draupadi amman temple in Melur taluk. It is approximately 30 km from Madurai city. The temple festival is held annually. There is a famous event related to an event in Mahabharata - Biman - Keesakan fight enacted here annually. There are many other festivals that are conducted here.
 * Manjalar Dam — This is a reservoir that stores water from Manjalar river on the foothills of Kodiakanal hillstation. This is roughly 8-10 km away from Batlagundu bus stand. This is a place to visit during monsoons from October to March if the monsoon sets properly.
 * Mavoothu — The main attraction in Mavoothu is the Vellappar Temple. This holy shrine is situated in the Varushanad hill ranges, southwest of Madurai, 20 km from Andipatti. Nestling among the hills, the temple is atop a peak, surrounded by natural vegetation. Transport is available up to the foothills only.
 * Pandi Koil — This temple is famous for outings from Madurai city. Often, the school children are taken for Picnic to this scenic spot and also pray in the temple there. This is approximately an hour's drive from Madurai City.
 * Peranai — It is a reservoir and a fine picnic spot from October to late February, provided the north-east monsoon sets properly and water is released from the Vaigai Dam. Peranai is a unique confluence of waters from several dams — the Vaigai Dam, the Marudanadi Dam in Dindigul, the Manjalar, and Varahanadi Dams in Theni. It is not a separate catchment area but collects and diverts water released from the Vaigai every year. It is in Nilakottai taluk of Dindigul district and approximately 35 km from Dindigul city. It is approximately 15 km from Nilakottai town on the Madurai-Kodaikanal road.
 * Sendraya Perumal Temple — This is an ancient temple of Sri Sendraya Perumal situated in a hill near old Batlagundu. Mr Kannan is a priest in this temple. He is involved in developmental activities like Anna Thaanam (to provide free meals) in the temple. The people of all faiths and religions visit this temple.
 * Siddharmalai — A hillock 2 km from Peranai and near the Vikkiramangalam village on the Usilampatti main road north of Dindigul city. There is a large natural cavern on the southern side of the hillock called the Pancha Pandava Padukkai (Bed of the Five Pandavas'). There are two rows of beds with raised pillows chiselled out of the rock inside. There is an inscription on the rock face that traces the origin of the name of Madurai city — `Mathirai' (City of Walls).
 * Sindhupatti Thiru Venkatachalapthy Koil — This temple is called as "Then Thiruppathi" after the famous Thirupathi temple. This is approximately an hour's journey from Madurai in Thirumangalam district. This temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. There are festivals all the year for Lord Venkateswara.
 * Solai amman temple — This is one of the six of the holiest of Murugan shrines referred to as the Aarupadai Veedugal. Unlike the other five temples, there is no grand edifice surrounding the central shrine of worship. However, this is a holy shrine venerated by the Skanda Puranam and by Nakkeerar's Thirumurugatrupadai of the Sangam period. Arunagirinathar's Thirupugazh also reveres this shrine.
 * Thiruadavur Koil — This temple is 25 km from Madurai city and 5 km from Othakadai in Madurai district. This temple is dedicated to Lord Siva and Parvathy. This is the birthplace of the great Shaivite saint Manickavasagar.
 * Thirumangalam Meenakshi amman temple — In Thirumangalam which is 25 km approximately from Madurai city, there is an ancient centuries-old temple devoted for Chokkanathar and Meenakshi Goddess. It was believed that the town name “Thirumangalam“ was derived from the word “Thirumangalyam” which refers that the “Thirumangalyam“ (Sacred necklace worn by married Hindu women)  of Goddess Meenakhi of Madurai was designed here at Thirumangalam.
 * Thirumogur Koil — This temple is 20 km from Madurai City and 3 km from Othakadai in Madurai District. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Senbagavalli. This is a famous Vaishnavite temple in this district. The phone number of the temple office is 0452–2423227.
 * Thiruvedagam — This is a famous historical place noryhwest of Madurai where the palm-leaf manuscript of Saivite Saint Thirunavakkarasar is believed to have washed ashore floating against the currents of vaigai river (upstream). In the Sekkilar's Periyapuranam, this event is described in detail.
 * Vadipatti - Kulasekaran Kottai — This village is approximately 30 km away from Madurai city. This is an ancient village built by Pandya King (many centuries ago) had built the Meenakshi temple and this village. Kutlampatti falls is near this village.
 * Yanamalai — A scenic beautiful mountain in the Melur taluk near Othakadai town northeast of Madurai . This resembles the shape of an elephant from a distance. There is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha in this place.

Do

 * Jallikattu festival - The most popular sport in Tamil Nadu is part of the pongal celebrations. This game of valour is held in the villages like Alanganallur in Madurai district with great enthusiasm. People from the neighbouring villages throng the open grounds to watch man and beast pitting their strength against each other. This is held in January every year. This is like the Spanish bull fights.

Eat
Virudunagar parota Madura jigartanda Díñdugal biryani

title: Southwestern Tamil Nadu


text:
Southwest Florida

Southwest Florida  is a region in the U.S. state of Florida. It comprises the Gulf Coast counties of Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier.

Cities

 * - Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel and the exotic beaches of Captiva Islands.
 * - Relatively undiscovered small town with beautiful beaches.
 * - Enjoy the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, world class shopping, golf courses and the nearby untamed tropical wilderness of The Everglades.
 * - Popular resort and timeshare destination.
 * - Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel and the exotic beaches of Captiva Islands.
 * - Relatively undiscovered small town with beautiful beaches.
 * - Enjoy the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, world class shopping, golf courses and the nearby untamed tropical wilderness of The Everglades.
 * - Popular resort and timeshare destination.
 * - Popular resort and timeshare destination.
 * - Popular resort and timeshare destination.

Understand
One of the best beach areas in Florida, the Southwest is about as "Florida" as anywhere in the state. This region is densely populated, prosperous, and popular with tourists with its mild winters and suburban feel. Although there are no big cities in this area, many of the mid-sized cities have grown to become metro areas, such as Sarasota, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, and Naples.

Sarasota is just south of the Tampa Bay Area and is at the northern end of the region. One of the adjacent barrier islands, Siesta Key, is an acclaimed tourist destination due to its white sand of its beaches. The smaller town of Venice lies to the south, and beyond it Port Charlotte (and its suburb North Port) and Fort Myers (and its suburb Cape Coral) are two of the largest and most important cities in this region, both stretching across estuaries of two different rivers.

In the south, on the border with the Everglades, the beaches closest to the Everglades' swamps are in Naples and Marco Island. Naples is on the mainland, while Marco Island to the south, the last tourist destination of the Gulf Coast before the Everglades, is on an island that extends into the Gulf.

The climate is a little variable here, with southern winters milder than northern winters, but there is no true "winter" in this region. It is semitropical, like Miami on the other coast, although perhaps slightly more exposed to cold air masses from the north.

By plane

 * Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport, located on the border between Sarasota and Manatee counties.
 * Southwest Florida International Airport, located in Lee County.
 * Charlotte County Airport

By car
I-75 is the main interstate, going from Miami in the southeast to the Tampa/St. Pete area in the northwest.

By ferry
Key West Express offers daily service between Key West and Fort Myers Beach.

By bus

 * is public transportation for Naples, Immokalee, Marco Island and Golden Gate City (Santa Barbara) in Collier County. They also offer connections to LeeTran in Coconut Mall in Lee County via their 'LINC' (R 600) route from Creekside Transfer Center.
 * - Public Transportation in Sarasota and the surrounding areas of Sarasota County. They also operate an intercounty bus service (Rt #99) up to Bradenton from downtown Sarasota (1st & Lemon Station) along US Hwy 41 via airport.
 * operates local bus service between Fort Myers, Ft Myers Beach, Cape Coral, Pine Island (Rt #600) and Lehigh Acres in Lee County.
 * Charlotte County Transit is a shared ride curb-to-curb transit service provided to the general public throughout Charlotte County. Service area consists of all of Charlotte County and includes the Charlotte County portion of Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and the surrounding areas; including Lake Suzy area in Desoto County. Reservations required for pick-up no fixed route services.

See

The beach towns have the most sites, including some attractive commercial areas. On the mainland there are a few historic sites.

 * Marco Island, Captiva Island, and Sanibel Island in Southwest Florida.
 * Fakahatchee Strand State Park for wild orchids

Do
Find a boat tour around the intracoastal waterway or the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico if you can.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Southwest Florida


text:
Rivierenland

Rivierenland, also known as the Betuwe, is a region in Gelderland. The Betuwe is known for its fruit farms and blossom trees. Tiel is the population center, with Geldermalsen and Culemborg making up the other larger towns in the region. The name under which its municipalities operate, Land of rivers, explains exactly what you will find here.

Destinations

 * — The main city of the region, which as well as the region as a whole, is best known for its fruit production.
 * — Historic trading city founded in 1315.
 * — One of the oldest cities in the region, founded in 850. Common starting location for the annual "Bloesemtocht".
 * — Historical fortified city in the south-west of the region.
 * — A royal city due to its historic affiliation with the Dutch royal family, and home to several museums.
 * ― Having been a dominion since the middle ages, Druten is a town with its own distinct identity.
 * — Rural heart of the region, centred around relatively conservative Christian towns.

Understand
Rivierenland is partially in the so-called Bible Belt of the Netherlands and may tend to be a bit more religious and conservative than the rest of the country. This applies mostly to the West-Betuwe and Neder-Betuwe. The general span can be seen on the.

The name of the region most likely means something along the lines of great soil. In contrast, the somewhat more northern Veluwe means terrible soil. Another possible explanation of the name may be that the name is deducted from the Germanic Batavi tribe, which inhabited the region during Roman times. During this time the border of the Roman Empire was located along the Old Rhine and Nederrijn. In multiple locations archaeological digs have uncovered Roman settlements. In Elst alone, three temples were uncovered.

During the later medieval times, the region mostly belonged to the Nijmegen Quarter, one of the four regions of the Duchy of Guelders. Excluded from the Nijmegen Quarter were the Duchies of Buren and Culemborg, as well as the Clevian exclave of Huissen.

Due to the region's location, floods can happen, but generally speaking the area is well protected by dikes. The region only had to evacuate due to a flooding once, which happened in 1996. 140.000 people were evacuated due to high water levels in the rivers.

Geography
Rivierenland is quite centrally located, which makes it a convenient location to access the rest of the Netherlands. It has the Waal river crossing right through the region, with the Amsterdam Rijnkanaal connecting to the Waal next to Tiel. The area is not densely populated at all, with the cities Geldermalsen, Culemborg, and Tiel functioning as the main population centers while small towns and farm fields fill up the rest of the region.

Aside from the blossom trees that show up during spring, the region is known for it's orchards that can be seen frequently.

Traditions
A tradition that can be found in Tiel is the "kermiskoek", a piece of cake that can be gifted to spread love. It is a tradition that stems from the 19th century but the cake can still be bought today and can be used for the same purpose.

Just like in nearby regions like the Achterhoek, "carbidschieten" is popular during new year's evening or during special events like weddings. Milk churns are filled with carbid, which is then heated up to either fire off a ball or the lid. The goal is often to create the loudest explosion possible, which is also why it's often done in grass fields, rather than fireworks which are ignited close to homes.

Every year, the National Red Cross organises the "bloesemtocht", which is an event that has been organised since 1992. The event is organised to raise money for charity, but is commonly visited to take in the beauty of the blossom trees that show up all over Rivierenland. Tourists also frequently come to the area to cycle and see the trees.

Climate
Just like in the rest of the Netherlands, the climate has cool summers and mild winters. The rainfall is consistent throughout the year, with the least amount of rain falling in the spring months. Despite that, the weather can still be cold and subzero temperatures are not uncommon.

During the summer, heatwaves are rare and often just last a couple of days every summer, often ending with thunderstorms. The weather tends to exceed its peak in July, August and September, with temperatures of 25+ degrees happening frequently. In winter, temperature during the nights often hits below zero, with some anomalies where the temperature on a day could reach below -10°C.

Talk
Dutch is the main language. German is understood by some people and English is spoken by most, especially younger people in the area. In areas below the Waal river, a softer dialect similar to that in North Brabant can be heard more often.

By train
Plenty of places in Rivierenland are easy to access by train, with the biggest train stations being Tiel Railway Station, Geldermalsen Station and Culemborg Station.

From Amsterdam and Schiphol
To get to Culemborg, Geldermalsen and Tiel from Amsterdam/Schiphol, take the Intercity for Arnhem/Nijmegen at --:22 or --:52, and change in Utrecht for the commuter train to Tiel, which leaves at --:28 and --:58. Travel time is 51 minutes to Culemborg, 58 minutes to Geldermalsen, and 73 minutes to Tiel.

From Arnhem
Arnhem is located more towards the east of the Netherlands, but travelling from there is just as accessible as other options. A single train between Arnhem Centraal and Tiel Railway Station allows you to access places in Rivierenland like Kesteren, Opheusden, and Dodewaard. You can take the train at Arnhem Centraal at --:38, which allows you to get to Tiel in 35 minutes.

By car
Two major routes run through the Betuwe. These are the A2 (E25) and A15 (E31) highways. The latter, together with the N322, run the entire length of the Betuwe.

When travelling from Amsterdam, take the A2 southward, heading for Utrecht. When travelling to Geldermalsen, take exit 15 on this highway. For Zaltbommel, keep on this highway and take exit 17. When travelling to any other location, use Knooppunt Deil located between exits 15 and 16 to turn onto the A15 heading for Tiel.

When travelling from Rotterdam, use the A15 to go east, heading for Dordrecht. The exits 30 through 37 all service the Betuwe. Again, Knooppunt Deil can be used to get to Geldermalsen and Zaltbommel.

To get onto the N322 from either of these places, head for Zaltbommel (exit 17 on the A2). Once off the highway, you will find yourself on the N322. Turning away from Zaltbommel leave the Betuwe in front of you, ready to be explored.

Get around
Due to the small size of most towns and cities in Rivierenland, public transport may not be the ideal way of going around, but places like Tiel, Geldermalsen, Culemborg and Zaltbommel are still easy to reach by train. Smaller villages are often possible to reach by using busses, which go every 30 minutes or 60 minutes depending on the location.

Cycling
The Betuwe is also a popular cycling location and just like most places in the Netherlands, cycling infrastructure is some of the best in the world and is a viable mode of transport to make your way around. The area also has plenty of ferries which will get you across the Waal river, like the ones connecting Tiel and Wamel, or Varik and Heerewaarden.

By car
Most places in Rivierenland are easy to access by car, as they are connected by the A15 highway, and several national roads. The A15 highway allows easy access to Gorinchem, Geldermalsen, Tiel, Ochten, Dodewaard and plenty of other places. The A320 national road connects places like Culemborg, Beusichem, Maurik and Kesteren. On the other side of the Waal river, the N322 will give you easy access to plenty of small villages found in Rivierenland, with Dreumel, Beneden-Leeuwen and Druten being the biggest one among them.

There is various car rental services available if you don't have a car available already. Getting your car delivered to a train station or any other location may be possible after calling the company of choice, though if you happen to arrive on, for example Schiphol Airport, then renting a car near said airport may be a better choice. A couple of available options are:

Public transport
Though the larger towns are easy to reach by train, the small towns rely on busses that go every 30 minutes or an hour, depending on the location. Bus services are usually provided by Arriva.

When cycling or walking, plenty of ferries will get you across the Waal and Maas rivers. Those connections are found in the following places:

 * Tiel — Wamel Ferry, Veerweg 2, Tiel. 07:00 - 18:20. This ferry leaves from Tiel every -:00, -:20, and -:40, while leaving from Wamel on -:10, -:30, and -:50. On foot, crossing will cost, while cyclists pay.
 * Varik — Heerewaarden Ferry, Waalbandijk 8, Varik. 10:00 - 17:45. This ferry does not have scheduled times. On foot, crossing will cost, while cyclist pay.
 * Druten — Dodewaard Ferry, Oude Veerweg, Dodewaard. 10:00 - 17:45. This ferry does not have scheduled times. On foot, crossing will cost, while cyclist pay.

See
There are plenty of museums in Rivierenland, for example Metropole Druten, which is a classic car museum in Druten, and the Marechaussemuseum, which is a museum of the Royal Dutch Navy. Another common thing in the region are "Landwinkels" (farmland stores), usually small vending machines or stands that sell fresh fruit produced by farmers in the region. Depending on the product, these "landwinkels" can be cheaper than regular supermarkets.

The village of Acquoy has a famous church, nicknamed the "leaning tower of Acquoy", it is more famous than other churches in the region due to the way it leans over slightly. This was caused by several floodings by the Linge river, which resulted in the soil underneath the church washing away. To stop the tower from toppling over completely, several layers were removed.

Do

 * The region of Rivierenland is a popular cycling area. There are many cycle routes following the various rivers and dikes.
 * Every year, Tiel is home to the biggest free music festival of the Netherlands, called "Appelpop". The event is always held in the second weekend of September.
 * Since 1961, Tiel is also home to "Fruitcorso" in September, a parade of floats decorated with fruit designed by towns and cities in the area travel through the city.

Eat

 * The city Tiel is known for its raspberry jam, which is mainly due to its mascot Flipje and the large amount of fruit production in the region.
 * The Betuwe is also known for the large amount of cherries it produces, which can be seen in the orchards that are quite common in the region.

Drink

 * Rivierenland has plenty of local breweries and their beers can be found in various supermarket and liquor stores. An example is "Brouwerij de Betuwe", named after the region. It is based in Maurik and sell various special beer types.

title: Rivierenland


text:
Southwest Harbor

Southwest Harbor is a town in Maine.

Eat

 * The Fiddler's Green 411 Main Street. Delicious, fresh, always something new. Call for reservations.
 * The Fiddler's Green 411 Main Street. Delicious, fresh, always something new. Call for reservations.
 * The Fiddler's Green 411 Main Street. Delicious, fresh, always something new. Call for reservations.
 * The Fiddler's Green 411 Main Street. Delicious, fresh, always something new. Call for reservations.
 * The Fiddler's Green 411 Main Street. Delicious, fresh, always something new. Call for reservations.

title: Southwest Harbor


text:
Southwest Iceland

Southwest Iceland is the region of Iceland where the majority of the country's population lives, in and around the capital.

Cities

 * — the capital of Iceland and focal point of the Southwest
 * — just north of Keflavík
 * — on the south coast of Reykjanes, Grindavík is perhaps today best known for its proximity to the Blue Lagoon, but it's also an important fishing centre
 * — previously a separate fishing and trading town, today a suburb of Reykjavík and the second centre of gravity within the capital area
 * — the main town on the Reykjanes peninsula and the location of Iceland's main international airport
 * — Iceland's second most populous town, known for its iconic hilltop church
 * — a small town on the western edge of Reykjanes, by the Atlantic ocean

Other destinations

 * — amazing geothermal spa with the water temperature around 40°C (104°F) all year round, even in freezing conditions
 * — also called Leif the Lucky's (or Brú milli Heimsálfa) Bridge is a pedestrian bridge over the Álfagjá rift valley connecting symbolically the European and American continental plates. It is a part of the Mid Atlantic Ridge where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are continuously drifting apart with an average rate of about 2.5 cm (1 in) per year. The place can be reached by road 425 about  south of Hafnir. Once on the American side of the rift, you are politically still in Europe, but on the North American plate.

Understand
Economically Southwest Iceland is dominated by Reykjavík and the capital area (Icelandic: Höfuðborgarsvæðið). It could be argued that all other towns in the Southwest today function partly as suburbs of Reykjavík. Geographically, however, the capital area is at the eastern fringe of a peninsula known as Reykjanes, which juts out from the west coast into the Atlantic Ocean. This peninsula is one of the youngest landscapes in Iceland and is mostly covered by a field of lava, making it very inhospitable away from the coastline. Between Reykjanes and Snæfellsnes (in West Iceland) is the Faxaflói bay.

Southwest Iceland has historically been considered part of South Iceland, and it was only over the last century or so that it gained the position of absolute dominance over other regions that it has today. The Southwest is home to over two thirds of the population of Iceland and in addition to some important fishing harbours, it is the location of most economic activity in Iceland other than primary production.

As in many other countries, there is a level of animosity (or at least competition) between the capital area and the rest of the country. Some would argue that the "real" Iceland is not found in the Southwest. Nevertheless it is the most area most visited by tourist, being home of popular destinations such as Reykjavík and the Blue Lagoon and with easy access to the Golden Circle.

Get in

 * See: Reykjavík

By plane
Keflavík International Airport is the main international airport in Iceland, and the point of entry for most people arriving in Iceland. It has direct flights to various destinations in Europe and North America. Reykjavík also has an airport with flights to locations in all parts of the country, as well as to Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Keflavík and Reykjavík airports are separated by about, and although the international airport is often referred to as Reykjavík Airport in international flights, in Iceland Reykjavík Airport will be understood to be the domestic airport.

By ferry
If you arrive in Iceland on the ferry from Denmark or the Faroe Islands, you will find yourself in Seyðisfjörður, East Iceland. From there, it's a 700-km drive to the Southwest. It can be very complicated to get from East Iceland to Southwest Iceland via bus, and you will likely need to stay a night in Höfn, but if you're arriving with the ferry you can bring along a car.

By bus
There are buses from most of the main towns in West Iceland, South Iceland and North Iceland to the Southwest.

By bus
The greater Reykjavík area is served by a public bus system, Strætó. The towns further out on the Reykjanes peninsula are connected to each other and Reykjavík by bus routes run by SBK. Reykjavík Excursions operate the FlyBus service, connecting Keflavík International Airport to BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavík.

Bus prices are 490 ISK (as of March 2022) and can be paid either by cash or through an app. Ask for an exchange ticket if you pay with cash. Both the ticket from the bus driver and the ticket in the app are valid for 75 minutes. Cards are available and provide a small discount. After midnight another bus system takes place, where busses run from Reykjavik centrum to the outskirts and neighbooring cities within the capital area. All buses that connect other areas stop running at midnight.

By car
Southwest Iceland is not on the ring road, and mainly connects to it via Reykjavík. The primary road on Reykjanes is no. 41 (known as Reykjanesbraut, the Reykjanes route) and connects Reykjavík and Keflavík. There are also roads along the south and west coasts of the peninsula, connecting with Reykjanesbraut in several locations. Compared to other lowland areas, Southwest Iceland has a very sparse road system. This is because nobody lives in the middle of a lava field, and most of Reykjanes is one big lava field, despite it being mostly lowlands as well.

See
Southwest Iceland has some of the youngest lava in the country. Many who land there compare it to landing on the moon or on Mars. Nevertheless most people only visit the Blue Lagoon and Reykjavík, travelling to other regions to experience Icelandic nature. This is a shame, because the young lava is in fact quite spectacular and the Reykjanes peninsula absolutely fascinating. Sights include Kleifarvatn, a shallow lake which tends to shrink or expand as a result of geological activity, and the geothermal area of Krýsuvík. The south-western tip of Reykjanes, known as Reykjanestá (the Toe of Reykjanes) has large wave-beaten cliffs, beautiful beaches are dotted around other parts of the coastline. Despite the very ugly aluminium smelter next door, the area around Straumsvík (on the western edge of Hafnarfjörður) is a lush green bay for nice tranquil walks.

Do

 * Lava walking - You don't have to hike a mountain, a walk in the young lava of Reykjanes can be just as fun and just as exhausting due to the difficult surface. One location to spot in the lava is a symbolic bridge between the European and North American continents by the road along the eastern coast of Reykjanes.

Eat and drink
The Southwest is a fishing area with almost no agriculture so it's ideal to try to eat locally caught fish. The country's very small whaling industry is more or less based in Reykjavík and the whales are hunted in Faxaflói, the bay to the north of Reykjanes. There are very few dining options outside the main towns, but the Blue Lagoon (see above) has a restaurant, and there are of course several eateries at Keflavík International Airport.

Kaffitár is one of Iceland's main coffee companies, both as a roaster and a chain of cafés. It's based in Keflavík and their factory also has a nice café.

Reykjavík is of course known for its nightlife, and Keflavík has several good pubs. Apart from that, don't go to Southwest Iceland looking for nightlife.

Stay safe
As the Southwest contains larger urban areas than any other parts of Iceland, more care needs to be taken with regards to crime than in other parts of the country. On the southern and western coasts of Reykjanes it is especially important to be mindful of the sea, which is the Atlantic Ocean itself with its strong tides and currents. Be careful in the geothermal areas by Krýsuvík and Kleifarvatn, as there may be empty spaces beneath what seems to be solid land.

In 2023, a swarm of earthquakes occurred near the town of Grindavík at the Reykjanes Peninsula, and The Blue Lagoon Blue Lagoon was closed as a safety precaution. It has reopened as of January 20, 2024. Experts continue to monitor for seismic activity in the area. Check the latest reports before you go.

Go next
Southwest Iceland connects with the rest of Iceland through the ring road in Reykjavík, and with the road along the south coast from Grindavík to Eyrarbakki and the neighboring towns.

Many choose to explore to sights of Southwest Iceland and the Golden Circle in South Iceland together, and indeed this is probably the simplest way to get as much as possible out of your time in Iceland.

title: Southwest Iceland


text:
Southwest Iowa

Southwest Iowa is in United States of America.

Other destinations
• Harlan • Avoca

Understand
This region includes the counties of Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, Pottawattamie, Cass, Adair, Mills, Montgomery, Adams, Fremont, Page, and Taylor.

The biggest city in the area is Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, across from Omaha on the eastern edge of Nebraska.

Get in
If you fly into this region, you may want to fly into Omaha, which is just across the border to the west.

If you're driving, Interstate 29 runs along the western border of the state, and Interstate 80 runs east and west through this region.

See

 * Albert the Bull, in Audubon, is the world's largest bull statue. He gazes at drivers as they "mooooove" north on Highway 71. Worth a stop and a photo op.

title: Southwest Iowa


text:
Southwest Ireland

Southwest Ireland is a region of Ireland comprising County Cork and County Kerry. With a population of 740,000 in 2022, it is a tourism region, not a unit of local government. Historically it's part of the kingdom or province of Munster, which occupied the southwest quarter of Ireland.

Towns

 * is the region's large and lively city, with lots to see and do, and nearby historic Blarney and Cobh.
 * exemplifies lowland Cork, with the race-track and castle ruins.
 * has two forts guarding its historic harbour; it's the south end of the Wild Atlantic Way.
 * is a good base for all three of Cork's main peninsulas.
 * the county town of Kerry has a well-preserved 19th century centre.
 * is a very scenic place, with the lakeside castle and mountains rearing up beyond.
 * is the usual starting point for boats to Skellig Michael.

Other destinations

 * is the most northern of this region's five major peninsulas. Its chain of mountains culminate in Mount Brandon, near the main village of Dingle.
 * is the name given to the 214 km circuit of Iveragh Peninsula. Trips usually start from Killarney.
 * is the most remarkable but the hardest to reach of the region's many islands. A medieval monastic complex teeters on its twin peaks, 12 km out in the Atlantic.

Understand
Great tides of influx and emigration have marked this region, and they literally were tides for the earliest settlers landing in small coves and creeks to populate the lowlands. Celtic tribes coalesced into petty kingdoms then into the entity of Munster. Vikings and Normans staked their claims but didn't get much beyond Cork before being repulsed, so it was only in Tudor times that England took a grip. Munster in the 12th century had fractured into a north and south kingdom: Deasmhumhain or South Munster, hence "Desmond", resisted long and hard until subdued in the 16th century. It only remained to divvy up the best of the land to loyal English nobles, which was how Sir Walter Raleigh came to be mayor and landowner in the east of County Cork through into Waterford.

The rugged southwest was ignored: by boat you could get around it or go fishing but inland had poor farming and no mineral resources, all it was good for was breaking your cart axles. It had a precarious, subsistence way of life even in the good years, so the famine years struck very hard. Those who could, fled. Population outflow continued even after the famine, as much by "pull" of the British and North American city economies as by the "push" of poverty. It was for those emigrants that Titanic called at Cobh westbound.

What brought people back was tourism. This was attempted as early as 1750, but it only took off in the 19th century with the arrival of the railways, the growth of a middle class with time and income for leisure, and the Romantic movement which re-painted a barren, stony landscape as fine scenery. Postcards, railway posters and tea-towels publicised the area, and the Irish diaspora became its ambassadors. Cork, Blarney Castle, Killarney and its lakes, and the Ring of Kerry, all became established on the tourist circuit, and they still are.

South West Ireland is one of the eight regions of Ireland for statistical and planning purposes, and more snappily known as "IE053 - NUTS Level III".

 * South West Ireland tourism information

By plane
north across the Shannon estuary is a major portal of entry into Ireland. It has many flights from Europe, UK and the United States, with US border pre-clearance, and in summer from Toronto. The largest operators are Ryanair and Aer Lingus. There are several car rental agencies.

is midway between Tralee and Killarney. It has daily flights from Dublin, and year-round from London Stansted and Luton, Manchester, Frankfurt-Hahn, plus seasonal Med destinations.

has a range of flights from the UK and Europe but is too small for transatlantic traffic.

Dublin Airport is often a good option because of its wide range of flights and competitive fares, compensating for the extra drive.

By train
Trains run hourly from Dublin Heuston, taking 2 hr 40 min to Cork via Kildare, Portlaoise, Ballybrophy, Thurles, Limerick Junction (for Tipperary or Limerick) and Mallow. A branch-line from Mallow connects to Killarney, Farranfore (for Kerry Airport) and Tralee.

By bus
Buses run hourly from Dublin Airport and Busáras to Cork, with three operators competing on the route.

Dublin Coach M7 runs hourly from Dublin city via Limerick, Adare, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale to Killarney and Tralee.

City Link runs every 3 hours from Galway via Shannon Airport and Limerick to Cork city centre and airport. The slower Bus Éireann 51 runs hourly from Galway via Ennis, Shannon Airport, Limerick and Mallow to Cork.

Expressway Bus 40 runs hourly from Rosslare harbour (for ferries from Wales and the Continent) via Wexford, New Ross, Waterford, Dungarvan and Youghal to Cork, where it takes a break then continues west to Macroom, Ballyvourney, Killarney, Farranfore and Tralee.

By train
Commuter trains fan out from Cork to Fota (for the wildlife park) and Cobh, to Midleton (for Jameson Distillery) and to Mallow (for Cork racecourse).

There's usually one direct daily train from Cork to Killarney and Tralee, otherwise change at Mallow for the branchline service.

By bus
See above for the inter-city routes from Dublin airport and city, Limerick, and Wexford / Waterford. Expressway Bus 40 trundles right across Ireland, and within this region links Youghal, Cork, Macroom, Killarney and Tralee. Other services from Cork are Bus 251 for Blarney, 220X for Crosshaven, 226 for Kinsale, 237 for Clonakilty, Skibbereen, Baltimore and Schull, and 236 for Bantry, Glengarriff and Castletownbere. Cork also has an extensive urban network.

Killarney has buses to Kenmare and to Tralee, which in turn has buses to Dingle, Listowel and Ballybunion.

That leaves some major gaps, the most gaping being between the Kerry and Cork coasts. A bus runs between Glengarriff and Kenmare in summer but there's no other connection over the hills between them - it doesn't help that the tunnel on the main road is too small for HGVs and coaches. So to bus from Killarney to Bantry normally means backtracking all the way to Cork city. There is likewise no service that circles the Ring of Kerry or its offshoot Ballinskellig Ring. If you want to explore these areas and don't have your own wheels, best join a coach tour - these run from Cork, Killarney and even Dublin.

See individual towns for details of local buses. Away from the radial main roads these are sparse, sometimes only one day a week. For instance the bus from Tralee along the north Dingle peninsula to Castlegregory and Cloghane only runs on Friday, and there's no onward transport to Dingle on the tip.

By road
Most visitors bring their own car. The airports are better for car hire than the towns, but have small fleets so you should pre-book.

See

 * Cork highlights include St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Shandon bells, the public museum, Fota wildlife park and Barryscourt Castle.
 * Youghal is an old walled port at the east edge of County Cork where Sir Walter Raleigh was once mayor.
 * Glengarriff is the unlikely spot for Italianate gardens, reached by a short boat ride.
 * Killarney is the tourist capital of Kerry. It's got the lot: a well-repaired castle by the lake, an atmospherically shabby abbey, grand gardens and a museum of country life, Ogham stones inscribed with runes, and Ireland's highest mountains rearing up to the west.
 * Prehistoric sites are clustered near Dingle. Ardfert near Tralee is an extensive early Christian site, but the most remarkable is isolated Skellig Michael.

Do

 * Boat trips: Fungie the dolphin is no more, but he sparked wildlife tourism in this region. Dolphins, porpoises, orcas and basking sharks patrol the coasts.
 * Kiss the Blarney Stone, or to be historically faithful, just invent a whopper about doing so.
 * Go to the races at Mallow, Listowel or Killarney.
 * Hike: Mount Brandon above Dingle is one of many scenic ascents, the culmination of an ancient pilgrim trail.
 * The Wild Atlantic Way is a long-distance motoring and cycling route along the entire western seaboard of Ireland. See county and city pages for more detail, but basically if you follow the coast you're on the right track.

Eat

 * Cork has the widest selection. The best of the rest of County Cork are Max's in Kinsale, An Súgán in Clonakilty, Customs House in Baltimore, O'Connors in Bantry, Breen's in Castletownbere and Ballymaloe House near Midleton.
 * Kerry eating is often pub meals, but Killorglin has two good restaurants, Bianconi's and Jack's.
 * Catch it if you can: Cable & Co is a shocking pink food truck on Valentia Island.
 * Mulcahy's and Lime Tree in Kenmare get great reviews.

Drink

 * Lots of village pubs in County Kerry, the most unusual being "The South Pole" in Annascaul, founded by the Antarctic explorer Tom Crean.
 * Kerry has breweries in Killarney, Kenmare, Portmagee, and Ballyferriter near Dingle. There are distilleries in Dingle and Caherciveen, and one a-building in Portmagee.
 * Cork city has a wide selection of pubs. Moby Dick's pub in Youghal was used as a base and location in the 1956 film Moby Dick.
 * The best known distillery in County Cork is Jameson's in Midleton. Others are in Kinsale, Skibbereen and Cape Clear Island off Baltimore.

Stay safe
Natural hazards are the wild Atlantic, large lakes, and mountains where the mist or sleet can suddenly descend upon you.

But the biggest hazards are man-made, so always beware traffic, safeguard valuables and steer clear of louts.

Go next

 * County Clare north across the Shannon has old castles and abbeys inland, cliffs along its coast, and the sparse haunting Burren uplands.
 * Limerick city is a lively miniature Dublin, with lots of sights and visitor amenities.
 * County Limerick is often overlooked, but there's picturesque Adare, a flying boat museum at Foynes, and a prehistoric complex at Lough Gur.
 * County Waterford is lush lowland country, with a fine castle at Lismore, and the rich heritage of Waterford, Ireland's oldest city.

title: Southwest Ireland


text:
Southwest Missouri

The Southwest region of Missouri is in the Ozark Mountains.

Cities

 * - fifteen minutes from Eureka Springs, Arkansas
 * - fifteen minutes from Eureka Springs, Arkansas
 * - fifteen minutes from Eureka Springs, Arkansas
 * - fifteen minutes from Eureka Springs, Arkansas
 * - fifteen minutes from Eureka Springs, Arkansas
 * - fifteen minutes from Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Talk
Where Midwest meets the south. A transition zone.

Get in
Joplin Regional Airport

title: Southwest Missouri


text:
Southwest Montana

The Gold West Country or simply Southwest Montana is what many people think of when they imagine Montana. Rugged and mountainous and interspersed with clear rivers and streams it is the kind of area that ranchers still ride horses and elk and bear wander the mountains.

Cities
Gold West Country has many small historic towns that look like they are straight off of a western movie set.

 * — the state capital.
 * — known for its giant smoke stack.
 * — former mining town, once the largest city between Chicago and Seattle, famous for the Berkley Pit, the largest Superfund site in the nation.
 * — small town, long-time home of the state prison, now converted into a formation of museums.
 * — Small rural town.
 * — small town located on the southern tip of Canyon Ferry Reservoir.
 * — old style Wild West town, scene for a number of movies.
 * — tiny town located in the Gates of the Mountains, one of the most spectacular canyons in Montana.
 * — old style Wild West town, scene for a number of movies.
 * — tiny town located in the Gates of the Mountains, one of the most spectacular canyons in Montana.

Other destinations
This area offers a wide variety of open spaces and protected lands to explore.

 * Bear Trap Canyon Wilderness
 * Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
 * Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area
 * Scapegoat Wilderness Area

Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park is found on Highway 2. The tour covers about 2 miles in 2 hours and operates from May through September. Hiking and biking trails and camping are available as well.

By car
There was a short time when Montana experimented with eliminating its speed limits to help cope with the long distances between towns. This proved to be too risky as drivers that were unfamiliar with the area were taking unnecessary risks. The good news is that its almost impossible to find an area that does not provide breath taking views of staggering natural beauty so there is no reason to be in a hurry.

 * I-90 connects Billings with Bozeman, Livingston, Butte, Missoula and Idaho.

By foot
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (in short Continental Divide Trail) is a United States National Scenic Trail running 3,100 miles between Mexico and Canada. It follows the Continental Divide of the Americas along the Rocky Mountains and traverses five U.S. states; Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.

By plane
Bert Mooney Airport, Helena Regional Airport

By car
Like the rest of Montana Gold West Country can be vast with gas stations being great distances apart so its best to plan accordingly and be watchful of wildlife on the roadways especially at dusk and night time when they are hardest to see.

Stay safe
During the winter, smaller secondary roads are often closed entirely, and even the Interstate can shut down rapidly when the weather turns poor. Verify weather conditions and road status before setting out, and travel with emergency supplies. Unpaved roads are typically impassable for over half the year.

title: Southwest Montana


text:
Southwest New Mexico

Southwestern New Mexico is the state's most diverse region, though not its most populous. It includes Las Cruces, second largest metropolitan area in the state; the Gila Wilderness, a vast roadless area popular with hikers; and a great deal of desolate territory near the border with Mexico.

Cities

 * - A small town along I-10 that has some interesting rock formations nearby and is home to an annual quirky "duck race."
 * - The largest city in southern New Mexico, home to New Mexico State University, some historical attractions, and a gateway to the Organ Mountains east of town.
 * - A tiny settlement along I-10 near the Arizona border; nearby are some ghost mining towns from Old West times.
 * - A small town in the desert that's the nearest community to the Very Large Array radio telescope.
 * - A tiny community near the very southwestern corner of the state, with desert scenery in the vicinity.
 * - The primary gateway to the Mogollon Mountains, with some historical attractions from the town's mining past.
 * - A town along I-25 that serves as the gateway to a few interesting attractions in the vicinity, namely the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, where vast flocks of sandhill cranes winter.
 * - A small town along I-25 that took its curious name from a vintage television show, home to a hot spring and near a pair of prominent lakes along the Rio Grande.

Other destinations

 * is New Mexico's largest county and very rural, home to beautiful high desert scenery far from the beaten path, much of the Gila National Forest, and a set of ghost towns that stand as reminders of the region's mining past.
 * The covers a vast portion of the Mogollon Mountains north of Silver City and offers excellent opportunities for hiking and backpacking. Hot springs in the backcountry are reachable via trails.
 * , deep within the Mogollon Mountains north of Silver City and near the Gila Wilderness, preserves a set of ancient cliff dwellings near the headwaters of the Gila River.

Understand
For the purposes of this article, the southwestern region is bounded on the:
 * West, by the Arizona state line;
 * North (indistinctly), by US 60 and the area surrounding Socorro;
 * East (indistinctly), by the western slopes of the Sacramento Mountains (White Sands National Park is considered to be in the southeastern region);
 * South, by the Mexican border and Texas state line.

This is a geographically complex region that has a great deal in common with the basin-and-range country of Arizona and Nevada from a geological standpoint. Much of it is mountainous, with some comparatively recent volcanism in a few places. The combination of rugged terrain and low rainfall has limited the number and size of cities and towns here, except in the valley of the Rio Grande, which contains most of the region's population, including the comparatively large (population just over 100,000) community of Las Cruces.

Talk
English, although Spanish is the first language of some residents of the region. The presence of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, with a reasonable number of international students, means that your chances of running into people who speak other major European and Asian languages are better here than in some regions of the state.

Get in
The only airport in this region with scheduled commercial service is at Silver City, with extremely limited commuter service to Albuquerque and Phoenix. The nearest significant airports are in Albuquerque and El Paso, Texas. Interstate highway 25 passes through the region north-south from Albuquerque to its junction with I-10 at Las Cruces. Bus lines follow this route, with some digressions into small towns in the region, but service is generally fairly limited. Amtrak's Los Angeles - New Orleans Sunset Limited route passes through the region, stopping in Deming and Lordsburg.

Although the region has a long border with Mexico, (legal!) entry from Mexico is only possible at a few locations. The entries in the region itself are crossings at Santa Teresa in Doña Ana county and at Columbus in Luna county. Much more traffic enters from Juarez near El Paso and heads north from there. There are checkpoints along the major arteries from El Paso/Las Cruces where the Border Patrol may check for illegal immigrants, smuggled goods, etc. They generally don't hassle travelers on routine business; don't break any laws and you won't have any problems there.

Get around
Drive; there is little public transportation in the region except in Las Cruces. Most Interstate, US and state highways are routinely driveable year-round by all ordinary vehicles. However, SR 152, one of the main routes into Silver City and the attractive mountains around it, has a number of hairpin curves that are enervating for drivers of large recreational vehicles. If you're in an RV and bound for Silver, consider getting there via a different route.

Itineraries
The following two driving itineraries encompass much of the region and will give you a good taste of this part of the state.
 * Southbound on I-25 along the Rio Grande from Albuquerque in the central region of the state will take you through most of the region's largest communities. The trip from Albuquerque to Las Cruces, allowing time to explore the sights along the way, will likely take a full day on its own; allow another day to explore Las Cruces and the surrounding area.
 * Follow I-25 to Socorro at the northern edge of this region, and continue beyond to exit onto US 380 at the village of San Antonio. In San Antonio, turn south (right) on NM 1 and proceed to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Try to be there immediately after dawn, as the birdwatching is excellent first thing in the morning. A loop road circles through the refuge and offers good spots to stop and watch ($5 fee/car; NPS pass applicable); have binoculars handy.
 * Continue south on NM 1 to a side road to Fort Craig National Historic Site. This ruin from frontier days will give you a sense of the desolate life experienced by the 19th-century soldiers in the (then) New Mexico Territory. This is a fairly undeveloped site with a short interpretive trail. Return to NM 1 and continue south to rejoin I-25 and on to Truth or Consequences, locally called "T or C".
 * There is a small museum (Geronimo Springs Museum) in T or C that explains how the town got its curious name, with some other cultural artifacts. You can either stop here, catch a quick dip in one of the town's hot springs, or simply keep going south -- T or C isn't a great tourist site.
 * En route to Las Cruces, pause in Hatch, the chile capital of the world, to pick up some chile (see under "Eat").
 * If you have time before getting to Las Cruces, digress to Fort Selden Historic Site, another site preserving a 19th-century fort (open W-Sa 10AM-4PM, closed Su-Tu and holidays; $3 admission). If you've had your fill of forts but still have some daylight left, consider leaving I-25 at Dona Ana to cross the Rio and drive south to Las Cruces along local roads through pecan orchards.
 * Las Cruces is home to several small museums, the New Mexico State University, and the historic district of Mesilla, with nearby hiking in the Organ Mountains east of town. If you have time, White Sands National Park in the southeast region is less than an hour's drive east. When you're ready to move on, either leave the region via I-10 eastbound to El Paso or westbound to Arizona, or return to Albuquerque.
 * If you want to get off the beaten path and into the rugged backcountry, you can drive west from Socorro and into the Mogollon Mountains, through some remote and beautiful country, continuing on to Southern Arizona or looping back through Silver City.
 * Leave I-25 at Socorro; you can take a moment to enjoy the plaza and get some good New Mexico food. This is also a good opportunity to fill up your gas tank; you're heading into some very rural country.
 * Take US 60 west to Magdalena, an Old West town noted as the end of a famous cattle drive from Arizona. West of Magdalena is the striking Very Large Array, a set radio astronomy telescopes spread across this broad valley. A free visitor center on the grounds has some exhibits on the facility.
 * A little further on you'll cross into the very remote Catron County, New Mexico's largest and one of its most isolated. At the town of Datil, take NM 12 southwest into the Mogollon Mountains. You'll cross the Continental Divide and enter the Gila National Forest about halfway between Datil and the town of Reserve, the Catron County seat.
 * A few miles west of Reserve, NM 12 ends at its junction with US 180. Turn south (left) and you'll pass through a forested area with great views of the mountains.
 * At the town of Alma you can detour a few miles east on NM 159 to the old mining town of Mogollon (trailers not advised, nighttime travel discouraged). Mogollon is lively on summer weekends, quiet at other times.
 * Back on US 180 just south of Alma is Glenwood, a peaceful town with several motels and restaurants. A road leaves here for the nearby Catwalk, a trail through a narrow canyon perched above a cool stream (1-1½ hour round trip); it's a spectacular place, but the trail is occasionally closed because of flooding. As of May 2019, the trail is open, but parts are under construction or unmarked. South of Glenwood along US 180 is Leopold Vista, an expansive viewpoint on the west side of the highway.
 * Farther south, you'll exit Catron County and can turn west onto NM 78 (watch for the sign!), which leads past the tiny town of Mule Creek to Safford, Arizona, from which you can continue on to other destinations in Arizona (long vehicles not advised for the or so west of Mule Creek) Or, stay on US 180 to Silver City.
 * Silver City is an old mining town with some interesting historical attractions, as well as a useful place to spend the night. From here, you can continue south on US 180 to I-10, Las Cruces, El Paso, and beyond. Or you can head north on winding NM 15 into the heart of the Mogollon Mountains and see the ancient cliff dwellings of Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Or head east on US 180 and then along the winding and slow NM 152 through the almost-ghost towns of Kingston and Hillsboro back to I-25, from which you can return north to Socorro or continue south to Las Cruces.

Do
Both the Gila Wilderness near Silver City and Organ Mountains near Las Cruces are great places for hiking and backpacking. Another excellent hiking place in this region is City of Rocks State Park, off NM 61 south of Silver City, where you can hike through rock formations similar to those of the better-known (and more extensive) Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona. A rarity is Rock Hound State Park, near Deming via NM 11, in that this is a state park where you are encouraged to remove parts of the park -- specifically, samples of the several unusual-but-not-precious minerals found there; this park is best visited at times other than summer, when it's beastly hot.

When you're done hiking, go for a soak in a hot spring. The geologically recent volcanism that's widespread in this region has left a legacy of hydrothermal activity and a number of satisfactory hot springs, some developed, some in nearly pristine shape. Some hot springs in the region are:
 * Truth or Consequences — formerly called "Hot Springs," in fact — has several developed, commercial springs in town.
 * The San Francisco Hot Springs on the San Francisco River north of Silver City are a set of wild hot springs located in a designated day use only forest area. The springs are all underwater, lining the sides and bottom of the San Francisco River. Some people have stacked small rocks to form small pools where warm water can collect along the shores of the river. Reaching the springs requires a hike of a mile or two, and the trail often disappears along the way. Caution: dangerously pathogenic amoebae have been found in these wild springs, and in fact have caused a death or two. Make sure not to get spring water in your nose here (good advice at any "wild" hot spring).
 * There are some other "wild" springs around the Gila Wilderness. Go exploring, and if you want some tips, a useful guidebook is Craig Martin's "Enchanted Waters: A Guide to New Mexico's Hot Springs," ISBN 0871088916. Note that this book is getting somewhat dated (1998), and ownership of developed springs, as well as access to backcountry ones, may have changed; inquire locally.
 * - located in Sunland Park
 * - located in Sunland Park

Eat
Las Cruces is the only community in the region with a significant number and variety of restaurants (although Silver City also has a few), but there's one seasonal alternative that's not to be missed. The small town of Hatch, about 40 miles (65 km) north of Las Cruces, is the chile-pepper capital of the United States, if not the world. Great fields of chiles surround the town, which becomes a major center of chile commerce in late summer and early fall, with a Chile Festival in early September. The tiny town can swell in size by a factor of ten or more (from 2,000 up to 30,000!) at festival time. If in the vicinity then, definitely go to the Festival and see how much spice you can handle. Shops in Hatch have chile paraphernalia at other times of the year.

Stay safe
This is not a high-crime area, with possible exceptions for Las Cruces and along the border. All of New Mexico has trouble with drunk drivers, but this region has perhaps fewer problems than some others, with one notable, localized, seasonal exception. Every fall, when students return to New Mexico State University, there are misfortunes when incoming students who are underage for drinking in the United States decide to take advantage of the lower drinking age in Mexico, make pilgrimages to nearby Juarez to indulge, and have alcohol-related accidents coming home. Be wary if driving on I-25 near Las Cruces, and on streets in the city, in the wee small hours of this time of year. Otherwise there are no unusual driving hazards apart from reduced visibility due to dust storms on the bleak stretch of I-10 between Las Cruces and the Arizona state line.

Most other weather-related hazards here have to do with sun and heat. When hiking or doing other outdoor recreation, take extra water (and drink it), use sunscreen, and wear a cap or hat, preferably one with a full brim. If driving, have water in the car, particularly if your vehicle is prone to overheating.

You may be a long way from help if your engine overheats (or if you do yourself), and cellular phone coverage in the region is spotty. When you're in the remote southwestern regions of the Gila, there can be long distances between gas stations and other visitor services, so plan ahead!

Go next
Two large cities lie just beyond this region: Albuquerque just to the north in the central portion of the state, and El Paso just to the south across the state line in Texas. To the west is Southeast Arizona, with its stark desert scenery and reminders of the Wild West, while to the east is Southeast New Mexico, with its famed white sands and deep caverns.

title: Southwest New Mexico


text:
South West Nigeria

South West Nigeria is a region of Nigeria. It is mostly a Yoruba-speaking area, although there are different dialects even within the same state.

Cities

 * – Africa's second largest city and a major economic hub for West Africa
 * – Africa's second largest city and a major economic hub for West Africa
 * – Africa's second largest city and a major economic hub for West Africa
 * – Africa's second largest city and a major economic hub for West Africa
 * – Africa's second largest city and a major economic hub for West Africa
 * – Africa's second largest city and a major economic hub for West Africa
 * – Africa's second largest city and a major economic hub for West Africa

Climate
The weather conditions vary between the two distinct seasons in Nigeria; the rainy season (March - November) and the dry season (November - February). The dry season is also the bringer of the Harmattan dust; cold dry winds from the northern deserts blow into the southern regions around this time.

Get in
Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Get around
Intercity Lagos-Ibadan Railway trains operate several times per day between Lagos and Ibadan. The new higher-speed railway line is expected to be extended northwards during the early 2020s.

Itineraries

 * Lagos-Ibadan Railway

title: South West Nigeria


text:
Southwest Virginia

Cities and towns

 * — country music town.
 * Largest City, called "Star City"
 * — country music town.
 * Largest City, called "Star City"
 * — country music town.
 * Largest City, called "Star City"
 * Largest City, called "Star City"
 * Largest City, called "Star City"

Other destinations

 * Carter Family Fold.
 * Crab Orchard Museum and Pioneer Park.
 * The Crooked Road.
 * The Trail of the Lonesome Pine.

Get in

 * Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport

Drink
The region is home to a significant amount of wineries.

title: Southwest Virginia


text:
Southwest Washington

Southwest Washington is a lush, forested region of Washington.

Cowlitz County

 * (largest city in Cowlitz County)
 * (seat of Cowlitz County)

Clark County

 * — oldest permanent settlement in the Pacific Northwest and seat of Clark County; not to be confused with Vancouver, BC (Canada)
 * (second largest city in Clark County)

Lewis County

 * (largest city in Lewis County)
 * (seat of Lewis County)
 * (Heart of East Lewis County)

Pacific County

 * (seat of Pacific County)

Skamania County

 * (seat of Skamania County)

Wahkiakum County

 * (seat of Wahkiakum County)

Other destinations

 * - a gem of a park whose story as an economic and cultural center fascinatingly portends that of the modern-day Pacific Northwest
 * - 12 park sites located on a 40-mile stretch of the Pacific coast from Long Beach, Washington to Cannon Beach, Oregon
 * site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in known United States history.
 * The North Head Lighthouse is located along the coast.
 * The North Head Lighthouse is located along the coast.

Understand
The Southwest Washington region includes the Cowlitz, Clark, Lewis, Pacific, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties.

Southwest Washington is bordered to the south by the mighty Columbia River and the scenic Columbia River Gorge. To the west, it is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and includes many broad sandy beaches and popular tourist towns.

Southwest Washington includes mountains and volcanoes such as Mount Saint Helens, which experienced one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the known history of the United States.

Talk
Like the rest of Washington state, English is spoken with a Pacific Northwest accent very similar to the General American standard accent (native to the Midwest), popularized in the 20th century by radio, TV and movies. People in the area generally have little to no problem understanding different accents of the English language. The Pacific Northwest attracts tourists from around the world, and it is common to hear many foreign languages being spoken in public in major tourist areas.

By air

 * Portland International Airport is quite convenient for this region, being just across the river from Vancouver. Flights to many major US airports and a few international connections.
 * Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is located about 2 hours north of Kelso by car. Greater number of international flights than Portland.

By car
Interstate 5 connects the region to Seattle and Portland. If coming from the Columbia Plateau/Central Washington, take US-12 or SR-14 west. From the Oregon Coast, take US-101 across the Columbia River on the Astoria Bridge.

By train
The Amtrak Cascades and Coast Starlight services stop in Lacey, Centralia, Kelso and Vancouver, WA.

By bus
Bus services operate on limited schedules and routing but is doable between some of the major cities and towns:

By car
Distances between gas stations can some times be vast so make sure your aware of your fuel level before heading out. I-5 travels north south through the east side of this region and is a major connector for the entire west coast. US Highway 101 is closer along the coast as a two lane highway for a slower more scenic pass through the area. There are different roads that connect the I-5 corridor to the US Hwy 101.

By bus
There are county operated buses serving the cities and towns of southwest Washington. Some only offer in-town public transportation while others offer transport across rural areas, between cities and towns. The intercity services operate on less frequent schedules, check schedules:
 * Rt #2 Goes from Tumwater Square along Old Hwy 99 SE to Tenino and east towards Rainier along Sussex Ave E
 * Rt #3 Goes from Tumwater Square along I-5 and Case Rd Sw to Grand Mound P&R (Exit #88 from I-5) and then west on US Hwy 12 to Rochester and the Chehalis Tribal Center on the Chehalis Indian Reservation.
 * Rt #4 goes from Centralia to Grand Mount P&R, to Tenino (Tenino Library), Bucoda and back to Centralia from Bucoda.
 * Rt #3 Goes from Tumwater Square along I-5 and Case Rd Sw to Grand Mound P&R (Exit #88 from I-5) and then west on US Hwy 12 to Rochester and the Chehalis Tribal Center on the Chehalis Indian Reservation.
 * Rt #4 goes from Centralia to Grand Mount P&R, to Tenino (Tenino Library), Bucoda and back to Centralia from Bucoda.

Do
Southwest Washington is an outdoorsy place that offers an intimidating variety of places to experience nature.

 * Beach combing is hugely popular along the Pacific Coast, however due to its size and vast expanses between towns it is easy to find your own isolated patch to explore. Be warned that sea shells and driftwood are considered part of the natural environment and should not be removed. Be gentle with sea creatures and keep a wide distance away from nesting birds, seals and other shore animals and always put back anything removed from the shoreline.
 * Boating The Pacific Northwest is one of the most popular places for recreational boating in America. Breath taking views of the snow-capped mountain ranges mingle with thick forests and clear bays and streams to create a humbling cacophony of natural sights for area boaters.
 * Hiking and Backpacking are very popular throughout this region, especially in along the coast but other opportunities for hiking/backpacking can be found nearly everywhere including the areas many state parks.
 * Sea kayaking as a sport developed in the Pacific Northwest and the area offers hundreds of miles of convoluted shoreline to explore.
 * Scuba diving the cold waters of Pacific Northwest takes a bit more gear and training than other warm water locations, but the rewards are incredible. The area contains some of the best diving in the world and many dive sites are completely covered with colorful sea creatures that defy description.
 * Whale watching is good along the coast in spring and fall during the Grey Whale migration and Orca Whales can also frequently be seen. Many professional tours are available or check online for recent updates from various whale watching groups.

Eat
Fresh fish such as salmon, crab and other seafood are regulars along the coast. But Northwest regional cuisine is known for more than just seafood. Local chefs are noted for their use of seasonal abundant locally gathered ingredients. Wild mushrooms, cranberries, and blackberries are frequently used alongside plentiful local organic produce.

The areas mild climate, rich soil and abundant water resources have created a bountiful climate for local farmers. Farmers markets are common in both urban and rural areas and a great way to experience local culture and foods.

Coffee
Coffee is hugely popular all across the Pacific Northwest including Southwest Washington. Look for small road side espresso stands even in small towns.

Beer
Like the rest of Washington State, microbreweries and beer in general is hugely popular, and the area has many to offer for beer enthusiasts. Some brews can only be found in local stores or bars (some notable brewers don't even bottle their product). Ask your servers for local beer recommendations and search out regional microbrews in stores. Southwest Washington borders Oregon and benefits from the many larger brewers are located just across the border such as Full Sail Brewing in Hood River and are therefore plentiful in the area.

Wine
When people think of regional wine it's usually about Eastern Oregon and Washington. Areas such as the Columbia River Plateau of Washington and the Willamette Valley in Oregon are both close to Southwest Washington and it's easy enough to be happy with those selections. However Southwest Washington wines are a well kept secret as several dozen wineries dot the area including Chehalis and Vancouver.

Tsunamis
Being on the Pacific Rim means that earthquakes and even tsunamis are a possibility; no matter how remote the chances are, it’s best to be aware and prepared. Areas along the coast have tsunami evacuation routes well marked and should be followed in case of an emergency.

Volcanoes
There are also several large volcanoes in the region such as Mount St Helen's which in 1980 was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded American history. The risk of a volcanic eruption is very low however and usually comes with weeks if not months of warning. Simply using common sense and heeding any warnings should be more than enough to keep any traveler safe. Lahars are a type of volcanic mudslide associated with an event and cities near volcanoes have Volcano Evacuation route signs that should be followed in case of an emergency.

Go next

 * The Puget Sound region lies to the north
 * The Olympic Peninsula is also to the north, along the coast
 * Over the Cascade Mountains to the east is the Columbia River Plateau
 * Across the Columbia River in Oregon are the Oregon Coast and the Portland Metropolitan Area

title: Southwest Washington


text:
Southwest Wisconsin

The region of Southwest Wisconsin is in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Wisconsin.

Cities

 * - city along the Wisconsin/Illinois border
 * - charming city with circus roots and natural wonders in the Baraboo River Valley
 * - "Wisconsin's Park Place" on the Rock River
 * - city along the Mississippi River and home to unique topography
 * - capital of Wisconsin and home to the University of Wisconsin's flagship campus
 * - considered, along with its neighboring city, Sauk City, to be the 'gateway to the Lower Wisconsin River'
 * - home of architect Frank Lloyd Wright and the mysterious House on the Rock.
 * - unique suburb of Madison with Norwegian Heritage
 * - a major tourist draw focused on natural and man-made attractions
 * : A small town on the eastern edge of Columbia County.
 * : Beaver Dam is named after an old beaver dam created on the river.

Understand
Locally, the region is referred to as being one of two separate regions: South Central Wisconsin or Southwestern Wisconsin. South Central Wisconsin is anchored around Madison, while Southwestern Wisconsin is much more rural and is anchored around La Crosse and the Mississippi River.

Get in
Southwest Wisconsin is most easily accessible by I-90 (from Rockford or LaCrosse), I-94 (from Milwaukee or Eau Claire), US 151 (from Dubuque, IA or Appleton) or US 12 and 14. I-43 terminates in Beloit. Madison is served by a regional airport. Portage, Columbus, and Wisconsin Dells have daily Amtrak service.

Get around
Much of Southwest Wisconsin is only accessible by car but can be reached relatively easily from the interstates or US 151. Madison, Janesville and Beloit have local public transportation systems as well.

Itineraries

 * Craft brewery tour of Southwest Wisconsin

title: Southwest Wisconsin


text:
Southwest Wyoming

Southwest Wyoming is a region of Wyoming.

By foot
For the dedicated long-distance hiker the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (in short Continental Divide Trail) is a United States National Scenic Trail running 3,100 miles between Mexico and Canada. It follows the Continental Divide of the Americas along the Rocky Mountains and traverses five U.S. states; Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.

Byways & Backways

 * Big Spring Scenic Backway - This rugged 68-mile, mostly dirt road from Kemmerer to Cokeville winds past homesteads, emigrant trails and through the Tunp Mountain Range.
 * Bridger Valley Historic Byway - A 20-mile loop that was once the crossroads of the California/Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, the Pony Express Route, the Transcontinental Railroad and the Lincoln Highway.
 * Flaming Gorge - Green River Basin Scenic Byway - The beginning of the redrock country of the Green River-Colorado River drainage basin.
 * Mirror Lake Scenic Byway - Runs 42 miles through the Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
 * Muddy Creek Historic Backway - Twenty-five miles of backroads from the Western ghost town of Muddy Creek.
 * Red Gulch/Alkali Scenic Byway - This 34-mile, unpaved route winds through a colorful landscape of canyons, caves and table rocks and along the Red Gulch Dinosaur Track Site.

title: Southwest Wyoming


text:
South Windsor

South Windsor is a small town in Connecticut it is 5 miles (8 km) NE of Hartford, Connecticut and SW of Boston, Massachusetts. The town is inside the Hartford metropolitan area.

Understand

The Podunk Indians were the original inhabitants of the area now known as South Windsor. In 1659, Thomas Burnham purchased the land on which sit the modern towns of South Windsor and East Hartford. Other settlers from Windsor, Connecticut, arrived in this area in the mid 17th century. South Windsor was incorporated as a town in 1845. The area began as a farming community, and developed into a suburban town in the 1950s.

Get in
From 84E: 84E to exit 62; take a left onto Buckland Road. Go approximately 2 miles to a 4-corner intersection (sixth traffic light). Sullivan Avenue, Route 194, goes straight, Town Hall is on the right.

From 84W: take exit 62. Turn Right at the bottom of the ramp. at the first light (Buckland Road) turn left. Follow Buckland for approx. 2 miles until you come to the intersection of Rtes 30 and 194. Go straight on Rte 194, Town Hall is on the right.

From 91N or S: I-91N to exit 35A (Bissell Bridge, I-291); Take exit 4 (Route 5, East Hartford, South Windsor) at end of ramp go straight on to Ellington Road. Follow Ellington Road to sixth light and take a left onto Sullivan Avenue (Route 194). Town Hall is on the right.

Get around

 * Avery Cab, 24 Chatham Ln, +1 860 648-1669
 * Ace Taxi, Vernon Rockville, +1 860 244-9999

See

 * The Michael Donnelly Land Preserve/Park: A view of the open grassy landscape along with seasonal trees, picnic tables and a great walking path. The Michael Donnelly Land Preserve is dedicated to Major Michael Donnelly who was a United States Air Force major and veteran of the first Gulf War. Medically retired in 1996 following a diagnosis of Lou Gehrig's Disease, he became a leading activist for sufferers of Gulf War Syndrome. Donnelly died of his disease in 2005. The Major Michael Donnelly Land Preserve is named after him.
 * Old Main Street: A Historical street that is located near the Connecticut River. It is the center of South Windsor's historical district that is filled with open farm land and ancient buildings such as The Wood Memorial Library, Ellsworth School, and the nation's oldest continually operating post office(picture on right).
 * Nevers Park: Consists of a 2 mile walking/running trail, soccer fields, and a pavilion with picnic tables. Nevers park also has what is called a "Boundless Playground" which is a unique playground structured where children and adults of all abilities can play, including people who may have difficulty with mobility.

Buy

 * The Promenade Shops of Evergreen Walk: This shopping plaza offers a collection of over 60 retailers and restaurants. The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk resembles a traditional New England village
 * The Promenade Shops of Evergreen Walk: This shopping plaza offers a collection of over 60 retailers and restaurants. The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk resembles a traditional New England village

Eat
Lena's Restaurant & Pizza, Alexia's Restaurant & Pizza, Teddy's Pizza Restaurant, The Red Onion,Campions Pizza: There are many pizza places in South Windsor. Campions has really good flat crusted pizza. Alexias has a good sauce.

 * Burtons Grill: It has a seasonal outdoor patio for late afternoon drinks or to have a dinner outside. Burtons has contemporary American cuisine, and is kind of pricey.
 * Ted's Montana Grill: Classic American Grilled comfort food. They are best known for their entrees including steaks, "Beer Can" Chicken, Cedar Plank Salmon and Bison Meatloaf.
 * The Red Cabin: A breakfast & Lunch sit-down diner. It has the appearance of an actual old red cabin. Many people come here for the home-made pancakes and waffles.
 * Moes Southwest Grille: A fast-casual establishment that serves a wide variety of fresh, made-to-order southwest Mexican food. The food is made right in front of you, their "homewrecker" burritos are very popular as well as their chips, salsa and queso.
 * The Red Cabin: A breakfast & Lunch sit-down diner. It has the appearance of an actual old red cabin. Many people come here for the home-made pancakes and waffles.
 * Moes Southwest Grille: A fast-casual establishment that serves a wide variety of fresh, made-to-order southwest Mexican food. The food is made right in front of you, their "homewrecker" burritos are very popular as well as their chips, salsa and queso.

Drink

 * The B&G Bar and Billiard: This bar has been around for a very long time. It's a small bar near the center of town, if you go here you will probably see only people who are from South Windsor, everyone knows everyone there. They sometimes have fun bands that play. It's kind of dark inside and smells of cigarettes.
 * Club 645 Pub: A small bar with an outdoor patio/smoking area. Many rock bands play here on the weekends.

Go next

 * The Buckland Hills Cinema 99 Redstone Rd. Central Manchester, +1 860 646-9800. Extremely expensive. Along with movie-showings, there is an arcade, a sitting area to eat food, and a bar.
 * Golf Land, 95 Hartford Turnpike Route 83 Vernon, +1 860 643-2654. Miniature golf, bumper carts, batting cages, go-karts, arcade

title: South Windsor


text:
Southwold

Southwold is an unspoilt seaside town in Suffolk.

Understand
Described in the Doomsday Book as a fishing port, over time a shingle bar built-up across the harbour entrance preventing the town becoming a major port. A fire in 1659 severely damaged the town and even today the town has many village greens where some destroyed areas were never rebuilt.

Today the town is well known for the Adnams Brewery which is the town's largest employer.

By road
Southwold is about 35 miles from Ipswich and a similar distance from Norwich. 6 miles E of the A12 main road, 14 miles S of Lowestoft.

By train

 * Darsham station is not linked to Southwold by public transport so you may need to pre-book a taxi. Alternatively you can travel by train to Halesworth or Beccles where there are connecting bus services to Southwold.

By bus
Southwold is served by First Norfolk & Suffolk bus services 99 from Lowestoft and 99a from Bungay and Halesworth, and by Border Bus services 146 from Norwich and 524 from Halesworth, both also serving Beccles.

By bicycle
The town is at the south end of Regional Cycle Route 31 which runs north to Beccles where it joins Regional Cycle Route 30 (to Lowestoft to the east and to Harleston and beyond to the west). This also joins National Cycle Route 1 (Shetland Islands to Dover) to Norwich and beyond to the north and Ipswich and beyond to the south.

Get around
The town is small enough to walk around by foot.

Do
Walk along the pier and visit the lovely shops along it, or stop for lunch or a snack in the restaurant.

Walk to the river and take ferry over to Walberswick.

Shop in the many boutiques, gift shops, delis etc. There is a lovely Adnams Kitchen shop which sells a huge variety of wines, as well as unusual kitchen equipment. There is also a nice cafe at the back.

Take a walk on the beach.

Play golf on the very pleasant nine hole course. Visitors welcome and does a very good fish and chip meal.

Visit The Sailors’ Reading Room. Ship figureheads, pictures and portraits of local fishermen and seascapes, model ships and maritime memorabilia offer a fascinating history of Southwold’s connections with the sea.

Visit The Alfred Corry museum. The museum building is the 1923 ex-Cromer Lifeboat shed and it houses 'Alfred Corry', the Southwold No1 Lifeboat built in 1893.

Eat

 * Mrs T's Fish & Chips is on the harbour shore, open Tu-Th Su noon-3PM, F Sa noon-7PM.
 * Mrs T's Fish & Chips is on the harbour shore, open Tu-Th Su noon-3PM, F Sa noon-7PM.
 * Mrs T's Fish & Chips is on the harbour shore, open Tu-Th Su noon-3PM, F Sa noon-7PM.
 * Mrs T's Fish & Chips is on the harbour shore, open Tu-Th Su noon-3PM, F Sa noon-7PM.

Drink
There are several wonderful pubs. Many are run by Adnams Brewery, which is based on East Green.

Connect
As of July 2022, Southwold and its approach roads have 4G from EE, O2 and (in patches) from Vodafone, but no signal from Three. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Lowestoft
 * Beccles and Bungay
 * Harleston
 * Saxmundham with RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve
 * Aldeburgh

title: Southwold


text:
Southworth (Washington)

Southworth is a town on the Kitsap Peninsula in the Puget Sound region of Washington state.

A seaside playground for the Suquamish Indians in the 19th century, Southworth became a vacation retreat in the 20th century for Seattle residents and serves as a gateway to the Kitsap Peninsula and Port Orchard.

Docks constructed to serve the Mosquito Fleet vessels and private boat ownersat the northern end of Colvos Passage before roads were developed in the 1920s now await the large state ferries bound for West Seattle and Vashon Island.

By private boat
There is a small craft boat launch nearby to the north at Yukon Harbor/Harper.

By car

 * From I-5: Take exit 132 and proceed west on Hwy 16 approximately 35 miles to Hwy 160 exit. Take Hwy 160 (Sedgwick road) exit, turn right onto Hwy 160 at stop sign and proceed approximately 7 miles to yet another stop sign. Turn right; ferry dock straight ahead. Parking is located to the right of terminal.
 * From Bremerton, go east on Hwy. 16 to the Sedgewick Rd. (Hwy 160) exit. Turn left onto S.E. Sedgewick Rd and proceed 7.3 miles to S.E. Southworth Dr. Turn right onto S.E. Southworth Dr. and proceed to the toll booth.

Get around
The rolling hills and thick forests of southern Kitsap are popular not only for exploring by car but are popular with bicyclists coming over from Seattle and even the occasional horse can be seen moving along the road so motorists should use caution when driving. Popular and scenic suggested bike routes in the area can be found online.

See

 * Look for the family of goats that greet visitors along with the 'Welcome to Southworth' sign near the ferry terminal.
 * The tiny post office next to the Southworth Grocery still has a horse tie up area which speaks to just how rural this area is.

Beach combing
What Puget Sound beaches lack in white sand and warm water is more than made up for in the amazing scenery as the clear waters play against wild coastlines and snow peaked mountains scatter on the horizons. Nearby Manchester State Park is an excellent place to start a beach combing adventure offering 3400 feet of beaches from the rugged to the sandy smooth. Small crabs, moon snails, sea stars and sand dollars are common sites and tide pools can offer hours of exploration and its a great area to watch nearby ferry and boat traffic.

Be warned that sea shells and driftwood are considered part of the natural environment and should not be removed, however the often rocky and wild shores are havens for creating and revealing beach glass and anything artificial found is fair game for removal. Be respectful of private property and gentle with sea creatures. Keep a wide distance away from nesting birds, seals and other shore animals and always put back anything removed from the shoreline.

Sea kayaking
Sea kayaking can be a rewarding way to explore the Kitsap Peninsulas nearly 400 miles of coastline allowing the paddler a closer and slower look at their surroundings and making Kitsap one of the most popular areas to kayak in Puget Sound. Thick forests of majestic pine and deciduous trees and hundreds of creeks and estuaries dot the coastline. Southworth is the southernmost point on the Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails and with its convenient ferry terminal is an excellent area to launch an adventure on either the trail or over to Blake Island State Park. Nearby Manchester State Park has several camping spots reserved for non motorized campers such as sea kayakers. Launch from Yukon Harbor/Harper small craft boat launch just to the north of Southworth. Harbor Seals, Otters, Sea Lions, Bald Eagles and Blue Herons are common sites while the occasional viewing of an Orca or Grey Whale is not out of the question.

Kayak trails
Organized trails offer overnight camping options and maps of appropriate lengths and scenic travel destinations.

Sleep
Southworth serves as a launching point for exploring the Kitsap Peninsula and does not provide any lodging, however nearby Port Orchard has a variety of convenient hotels and cozy bed and breakfasts. Camping is also available at nearby Manchester State Park.

Go next
Olalla lies to the south, Manchester and Manchester State Park are to the north, Port Orchard and the rest of the Kitsap Peninsula lies to the west, Vashon Island and Seattle lies to the east via Washington State Ferries.
 * Manchester State Park Port Orchard, Manchester (Washington)

title: Southworth (Washington)


text:
South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire is the southern county of Yorkshire in the north of England. Much of it is industrial, but its western reaches in the Pennine hills have lonely moorlands and scenic valleys.

South Yorkshire marks the beginning of "The North" - neighbouring areas just south are in the Midlands. It's nowadays a county in name only, as it's divided into four "unitary" or metropolitan districts, with no county level of government. It's convenient here to consider it in terms of those four, as visitor amenities cluster and transport routes radiate accordingly.

City and towns
The four metropolitan boroughs are Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster.

 * the "Steel City" is especially renowned for fine steel products including cutlery. There are many visitor attractions and amenities, and two large universities. Sheffield is the birthplace of Arctic Monkeys, Human League and Pulp.
 * is a smaller steelmaking town.
 * is a former mining town.
 * is industrial but has a famous racecourse, and there are several museums and manors in the surrounding countryside.

Understand
Yorkshire was the largest county in England, so in Danelaw times from the 9th century it was divided into thirds - in Old Norse Þriðungr hence "ridings". These were the North, East and West Riding, with the city of York a sort of Capital District of its own. The division was formalised into counties in 1889. There never was a "South Riding" - most of the present area was in West. It became heavily industrialised from the 18th century through iron ore and rich seams of coal, the ingredients for forging steel. South Riding was the title of a 1936 novel by Winifred Holtby, depicting life during the 1920 / 30s Depression, but the bigger slump was late 20th century when coal and steel became unprofitable.

In 1974 there were widespread changes to local government in Britain, and a large chunk of West Riding was separated to become South Yorkshire. As a County Council this only lasted until 1986, when its four large conurbations became metropolitan boroughs, with no intermediate layer between them and national government. South Yorkshire remained simply as a "ceremonial" county. Its industrial towns have much in common with each other, so it continues to make sense for travel purposes to describe them collectively.

By plane
Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) closed in Nov 2022.

Manchester Airport has global connections, competitive fares, and is only 80-90 min from Sheffield and Doncaster by hourly direct train.

You never fly between London and South Yorkshire, it's too close. Flying into the London airports involves travelling into central London then taking the train north, but that's a quick way to Doncaster.

East Midlands Airport near Nottingham has flights from across western Europe and the Med.

Leeds Bradford has similar flights to East Midlands, but it's the wrong side of congested Leeds, with no rail link.

By train
Direct trains run every 30 minutes from London St Pancras to Sheffield (2 hours). They run at least twice an hour from London King's Cross to Doncaster (1 hr 40). For Rotherham or Barnsley, travel via Sheffield or Doncaster.

Cross-Country trains run hourly from Derby, Birmingham, Bristol and Plymouth in the south, and from Leeds, York, Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne, Edinburgh and Aberdeen in the north.

East Midlands Trains and Transpennine Express both come from Manchester Piccadilly in the west, and the former also links Liverpool.

Get around
Walk or use bus within each town. Between towns there are buses but train is much quicker, with a frequent service. Trams link Sheffield and Rotherham.

See

 * Abbeydale industrial hamlet in Sheffield depicts the early mill era, powered by waterwheels. Then they discovered steam power, fired by coal.
 * Later Industrial technology is on display at Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham and Kelham Island Museum in Sheffield.
 * Ill-gotten gains: this area lay above the South Yorkshire coalfield, which was thick and easily mined hence immensely profitable, as was the iron and steel industry those coals supported. The owners converted their lucre into vast mansions, and (with a wave of their patrician canes at auctions) bought up freighter-loads of Italianate and Grecian art. Meanwhile their busy colliers dug beneath so industriously that the mansions subsided and fell down. A well-preserved example is Cannon Hall near Barnsley.
 * Castles: the best is Conisbrough near Doncaster, paradoxically preserved by falling into ruin, and which launched the modern TV and movie career of Robin Hood. Many 17th / 18th century mansions had no defensive purpose but are described as castles, such as Wentworth near Barnsley, where m'lord swept away the earlier structure, only to painstakingly recreate its picturesque ruin on his front lawn.
 * Street art: every urban area has graffiti, but Sheffield has some two dozens murals and similar that rank as works of art.

Do

 * Watch football: pro soccer teams play most winter Saturdays, with home stadiums at Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster.
 * Walk, bike or boat along the River Don, which is canalised and navigable. South Yorkshire's canals, built to carry away coal, connect to the sea at Goole, and to the Aire-Calder system across the Pennines.
 * Go to the races at Doncaster, where the big event is the St Leger in September.
 * Sing mass in ancient Egyptian: the Coptic Orthodox Church of St Anthony is in Rotherham. Liturgy is little changed in thousands of years and long pre-dates Arabic.
 * Go down a coal mine: the National Mining Museum is just over the boundary into Wakefield, West Yorkshire, but you'll descend into the same coal seam mined in Barnsley and across South Yorkshire.

Eat

 * Sheffield has the most cosmopolitan choice, in all price ranges.
 * Barnsley Steak is actually lamb. It goes well with green beans and new potatoes, and a big chug of red wine.

Drink

 * This is beer-drinking country. Lots of pubs, and the national chain JD Wetherspoon has earned grudging northern admiration for its commitment to real ale, good grub and customer service.

Stay safe
Standard advice about road safety and valuables. The county is mostly low-lying with few natural hazards.

Go next

 * Attractive limestone scenery lies a little way southwest in the Peak District.
 * York preserves its medieval walls and has many visitor attractions, as does Lincoln.
 * Lively Manchester is little over than an hour away.
 * Sherwood Forest, enfolding the village of Edwinstowe, is 30 min drive south. Its best-known inhabitant Robin Hood got his big break at Conisbrough near Doncaster, thanks to Sir Walter Scott's novel "Ivanhoe".

title: South Yorkshire


text:
South Zealand

South Zealand is in Denmark.

Cities

 * - small town close to Sorø
 * - town close to the large estates, Gisselfeld Abbey and Bregentved Estate
 * - a nice well preserved old city center. The beautiful Vallø manor and the 15 meter Stevns chalk cliffs within easy reach
 * - the largest city in the region
 * - coastal town in southeastern Zealand
 * Rødvig, Fishing village, with popular marina.
 * Rødvig, Fishing village, with popular marina.
 * Rødvig, Fishing village, with popular marina.
 * Rødvig, Fishing village, with popular marina.

See

title: South Zealand


text:
Sovata

Sovata (Hungarian Szováta) is a spa town in Szeklerland.

Understand
Located in a hilly area next to the Gurghiu mountains in eastern Transylvania, Sovata is a mid-size resort known for its salt lakes.

By bus
The resort is reached by frequent buses from the regional hub Târgu Mureş (one hour-one hour and half travel time), at least one bus from Cluj (three hours and half travel time) and Iaşi (five hours and half).

By train
Sovata is located on a secondary railway with limited service: 4-5 trains daily from Blaj on the Bucharest-Brasov-Cluj mainline (three-four hours travel time). The railway is operated by the private company Regiotrans .

Get around
The resort is walkable.

Sleep
Accommodations are available in numerous guesthouses (prices starting around €15/night) and several hotels (from €20/night).

title: Sovata