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Slyudyanka

Slyudyanka (Russian: Слюд'янка, slyu-DYAN-kah) is a town in Irkutsk Oblast 110 km away from Irkutsk with population of 18,000 people (2018). Coming from Irkutsk, it's where the Trans-Siberian Railway and Trans-Siberian Highway descend by hairpins down the mountain to Lake Baikal, at the lower tip of this halfmoon-shaped lake.

Understand

Whenever you ride Trans-Siberian railway and the train moves slightly south to curve the Baikal, it stops and the passengers pitched by the fish-sellers always get out to buy some smoked Omul then you have arrived in Slyudyanka station. When fish is bought and carriage is oozing with the smell, give a look to the station building. White plates are the same as the gravel under the rails. It's marble. The name Slyudyanka stands for another mineral found here - the mica (slyuda in Russian).

In 1647, at the heyday of the Russian conquest of Siberia, a prison was built at the site of present day Slyudyanka. Shortly after it was moved northwest to where Kultuk is now. The next building to appear, about a century and a half later, was a winter hut built in 1802 to provide shelter for voyagers along the Irkutsk-Kyakhta postal route. Going south up the mountains, the route was part of the Great Tea Road, also known as the Siberian route, along which tea arrived from China to Russia overland. In the middle of the 19th century a road to Ulan Ude (Verkhneudinsk back then) was built. However the arrival of the Trans-Siberian railway in 1905 was what turned the outpost into a settlement and eventually a town. It got the status as a regional center in 1930 and city status six years later.

The railway, and marble mining are the main sources of income; mica mining has stopped and the large fishing and fish processing industries didn't survive the collapse of the Soviet Union. Fishing is still ongoing on a smaller scale but the town is no longer the one and only omul capital it still was at the turn of the millenium.

The older buildings of Slyudyanka is on the strip between the highway (Lenin street) and the lake, southwest of the highway you can find Soviet buildings. A few kilometers to the north is the town of Kultuk - also handled in this article - which has almost grown together with Slyudyanka. From Kultuk the serpentine road and railway rises up the Olkhinsky Plateau towards Irkutsk, whereas the Circum-Baikal Railway follows the coastline east to Port Baikal. Overall Slyudyanka and Kultuk are mostly points of transit, people traveling the Trans-Siberian or around Lake Baikal will pass through here at some point though for few they're the destination. They nevertheless offer attractions to keep a visitor busy for half a day or so.

Get in
There's boat traffic on the lake, but not to Slyudyanka. The nearest passenger airport is in Irkutsk. As such the ways in are by train, bus or car.

By train
Trains on the Trans-Siberian stop at Slyudyanka and they're almost certainly the most common way in. Normal passenger trains usually just stop for a few minutes (as opposed to half an hour back in the day) so to visit even the station you need to continue on a later train train. The journey time by long-distance trains from Irkutsk is 2.5 hours, from Ulan Ude 5.5 hours. From the former you can opt for local trains - elektrishkas - that take three hours but tickets are much cheaper. Both include some of the most beautiful sections on the Trans-Siberian; from Irkutsk the descent from the high plateau to Lake Baikal, from Ulan Ude the southern shore of the lake. Slyudyanka is also the western terminus of the Circum-Baikal railway.

By bus
You can take marshrutka #543 from Irkutsk railway station (₽158, 2 hours). They depart hourly or even more frequently, in addition there are marshrutki from Irkutsk bus station. Marshrutka #103 connects from Baikalsk, and there are also marshrutki from Tunkinskaya Dolina (near the Mongolian border), and Arshan. Finally there are lines passing through Slyudyanka such as Ulan Ude-Irkutsk, though the latter don't have official stops in the city.

By car
Slyudyanka is also at the Trans-Siberian Highway, more exactly at the P258 "Baikal" section between Irkutsk (110 km) and Ulan-Ude (350 km). The road from Irkutsk has a lot of curves and you can expect the drive to take at least two hours. Also, the section between Kultuk and Slyudyanka can take up to 20 minutes because of heavy traffic. From the west, local road A333 comes in from Tunkinskaya Dolina and eventually Khankh, Lake Hövsgöl and Mörön in Mongolia.

Get around
There are local marshrutka minibuses, but since the town is small there is little use for them. Marshrutka 101 goes from the south of town across Slyudyanka and all the way to Kultuk and runs every 20 minutes. The walk from Rudo district in the SW of the town to the centre takes about 20 min. Anyway you can see the bus stops on map on this website.

Downtown

Finally, you can take a stroll among the wooden houses from the first years of the 20th century, these are between the railway and the lake. The simpler houses were inhabited by railway workers whereas the more elaborate ones were for engineers and administrative staff.

Do

 * Hike: Slyudyanka may serve as a base and starting point for walks into nearby mountains.

 * Beach life: The waters of Lake Baikal are too cold to swim in even on the hottest summer days (still many tourists try it), but locals do tan on the beach northeast of the city.

Buy
A shop in Russian is "магазин", so look for this sign.

Eat and drink

In addition to these, there are many roadside cafés open from early in the morning to late in the evening.

Sleep
In addition to the ones listed below, there are also "country hotels" along the road outside Slyudyanka though these are unpractical unless you have a car.

Connect

Megafon has 4G coverage in town, 3G and 2G further out. MTS sistema and Tele2 have 4G coverage also outside town. Beeline VEON has GSM coverage.

Go next

 * The Circum-Baikal Railway starts (or ends) in Slyudyanka. Train 6201 Matanya departs Slyudyanka 4 times a week (M Th F Su) at around 13:20, arriving in Port Baikal 5-6 hours later.
 * Arshan: There is one marshrutka mini-bus daily going to this foothill spa town, leaving at 09:30; price is around ₽250-300. In high season, try to book early.
 * Baikalsk is the next town east on the Transssib. The next city west is a major one, Irkutsk, and the next major one to the east is Ulan Ude.
 * Hikers can hit the trail to Chersky Peak, at 2090 m ASL one of the highest mountains in the Khamar-Daban range. It's a two day hike.

title: Slyudyanka


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Small Carpathians Wine Region

Small Carpathians Wine Region is a region in Slovakia.

Regions
The Small Carpathians Wine Region stretches from Bratislava to Trnava, along the south-east facing gentle slopes of the Small Carpathian Mountain Range, and is named after the ubiquitous vineyards. Wine growing has an old tradition here that remains to this day. The route includes various villages and three bigger towns - Pezinok, Modra and Svätý Jur, all of which were given their status as free royal towns in the 17th century due to the quality of the wine produced.

Get in and get around
By far the most convenient way to access this region is either through Bratislava or Trnava, and you will probably end up passing through one of these two hubs unless you are arriving by the car. Trnava is the more convenient option if you are arriving from the north.

By train/bus: The whole region is well covered by a series of local buses and trains, originating in Bratislava and Trnava. The trains are usually faster, more efficient and comfortable than buses, so if you have the option, they are recommended. Please note that some villages and also Modra are not accessible by train. The easiest way to find local transport connections is through the website CP.sk

By car: This is the most convenient way to explore the region, and all the major attractions are easily accessible. Parking outside the two major cities is usually not a problem.

By foot: The network of hiking trails in the Small Carpathians is extensive and well-marked, in and outwith settlements, and provides an adventurous mode of exploration and many scenic trails. Some attractions may even only be accessibly on foot. Just as for the rest of Slovakia, there are excellent tourist maps available with decent resolution in many kiosks and bookstores. Alternatively, possible routes can be explored online.

However, note that Small Carpathians is a natural reserve protected by the law and camping is only possible on designated camping sites, so plan your itinerary accordingly.

Go next
Slovak Tokaj vineyards

Mutěnice Wine Region

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

title: Small Carpathians Wine Region


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Small Cyclades

Small Cyclades (Μικρές Κυκλάδες), also known as Little Cyclades is a group of small islands in the central Aegean Sea in Greece.

Understand

 * Small Cyclades are located between Naxos, Ios and Amorgos. The Small Cyclades group consists of 32 small islands, 4 of which are inhabited, and numerous rocky islets. Tiny, calm, with Cycladic architecture, great food, golden beaches and turquoise waters - paradise. They have been governed from Naxos since 1994.

Climate

 * Mild Mediterranean, typical of Cyclades islands with summer north winds (called meltemia in Greek) which mitigate the heat.

Islands

 * Donoussa - Area: 13,75 km - Population: 163
 * Ano Koufonisi - Area: 3,5 km - Population: 366
 * Kato Koufonisi - Area: 4,3 km - Population: 2
 * Keros - Area: 15 km - Population: None
 * Schinoussa - Area: 8,51 km - Population: 206
 * Iraklia - Area: 17,79 km - Population: 151

Get in

 * By ferry from Athens (Piraeus port): During the summer there is a daily service from Piraeus to the islands of Small Cyclades by ferry. It takes 6 - 8 hours, depending on which island you want to visit. During the winter the service runs twice a week.
 * By ferry from Naxos: “Skopelitis”, the legendary ferry, runs daily during the whole year round and connects Amorgos and Naxos with Eastern Small Cyclades.
 * By ferry from the rest of Cyclades: The ferry: “Panagia Tinou” provides weekly connections with eastern Cyclades. Every Monday it sets sail from Syros, via Paros and Naxos and heads for the island of Donoussa, Amorgos (Egiali and Katapola), Koufonissia, Schinoussa, Iraklia and then returns via Naxos and Paros to Syros.
 * By air: None of these islands is large enough to have an airport. If you would rather get closer to Small Cyclades islands by air, you can get a flight to Naxos, Syros or Paros. Also you can get to all the islands by helicopter.

Get around
These islands are small enough to get around on foot. It is possible to take your car on some of the ferries, or to rent one on the islands, but this is not necessary for most visitors. On Koufonisi there is a boat taxi service that takes beachgoers to and from some of the beaches for €2.50 per person.

Drink
Bottled water is recommended. It is available for around €2.50 for a pack of 6 x 1.5L bottles. Please recycle.

Sleep
There is plenty of accommodation available on these islands. This includes hotels and family-run homestays.

title: Small Cyclades


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Small Isles

The Small Isles lie 15-20 miles (25-40 km) off the west coast of Scotland and are part of the Inner Hebrides. Four are inhabited and have a ferry service: Rùm, Eigg, Muck and Canna. There are also numerous uninhabited islets and skerries.

 * is the largest, with its settlement at Kinloch. There's a grandiose Victorian castle, but it's in disrepair and fenced off.
 * is a moorland plateau, with the scarp of An Sgurr brooding over it. It's the only island whose population reaches three figures: 105.
 * is the smallest of the four, but is low-lying and fertile. It has the most accommodation, including the Small Isles' only hotel, and the only yurt.
 * is joined by a bridge to uninhabited Sanday. It has three churches and a collection of ancient sites.

The markers on the map below are for the ferry piers on each island. In each case, that's on the east, sheltered from the worst of the Atlantic weather, and with the main settlement and amenities close by. From each pier, a narrow lane runs for a mile or so before giving out into farm track and rough hill trails. All four islands are covered by Ordnance Survey maps Landranger 39 (2 cm = 1 km) and Explorer 397 (4 cm = 1 km).

Get in
First you need to reach Mallaig, the mainland ferry port. Coming by public transport you need an overnight stay there, as the daily ferry usually sails around 10AM, and the earliest bus or train doesn't get in until afternoon. You might be able to return south without an overnight stay on days when the ferry returns to Mallaig mid-afternoon, in time for the last train around 6PM. With your own car and a very early start from Edinburgh or Glasgow you could catch the morning ferry, and certainly in summer the F Sa & Su afternoon ferries. You can't take (and don't want) a car over there, park in the free lot next to the ferry terminal.

CalMac Ferries sail from Mallaig to different islands on different days. The April-Oct schedule is:
 * Monday: to Eigg, Rum and Canna
 * Tuesday and Thursday: to Muck and Eigg
 * Wednesday: to Rum and Canna
 * Friday: to Muck and Eigg, back to Mallaig, then out again to Rum and Canna
 * Saturday: the interplanetary grand tour of Eigg, Muck, Canna and Rum, then a second run to Muck and Eigg
 * Sunday: to Rum and Canna, back to Mallaig, then Eigg and Muck.

Still following all this? Then the Nov-March schedule is Monday to Eigg, Muck and Rum; Tuesday and Thursday to Rum and Canna; Wednesday and Friday to Eigg and Muck; Saturday to Rum, Muck and Eigg; and on Sunday only to Canna.

The crossings take 90 min to 4 hours depending on the route. Ferries sail on swiftly from each island. In summer day-trips are possible from Mallaig, and between islands on days when the ferry makes a double call. Peruse the Calmac timetable for permutations: the individual island pages offer suggestions. No day trips are possible in winter.

See individual islands for fares, but in 2024 returns from Mallaig are about £11 adult, £6 child. Calmac no longer offer a non-landing round trip. The usual ferry serving the Small Isles is the ro-ro MV Lochnevis, which can carry 190 passengers (and a dozen vehicles for islanders and visiting contractors.) There's a cafe and passenger lounge, plus outdoor seating both towards the stern and (unusually) the bows.

From May to Sept a small boat runs daily from Arisaig, 10 miles south of Mallaig on A830, for day-trips around the islands with some hours ashore. See Arisaig Marine for timetable, fares and facilities aboard. Single and non-day-trip fares may be available if you plan to stay on the islands. Buses and trains to Mallaig also stop at Arisaig, about half a mile from the boat jetty.

Get around
The ferry connects islands before returning to the mainland, see above for routes.

Walking is the best way of getting around. Bikes are welcome, but hardly worth bringing with such a short road network to explore.

Visitors may not bring vehicles to the islands, but you'll see a few residents' cars and contractors' vans.

See
The Small Isles are not places for rushing round ticking off "sights". The main attractions are simply the scenery, environment and wild-life. All of them have excellent bird-watching. There are many ancient remains scattered about, mostly Pictish and Norse, with stones, grave-markers and monastic cells. On Rùm you can admire the exterior of Kinloch Castle (interior closed), and the family mausoleum.

Do
Walking is the main pleasure activity, mode of transport, and source of grief when the weather turns sour. On Rùm, the Cuillin counts as a Corbett, at 812 m. On Eigg, An Sgurr is a pleasant climb.

Eat & drink
Every island has a small cafe. Eigg has a micro-brewery and restaurant, Canna has a restaurant. They're all very small with limited provisions, so phone ahead, otherwise they may either run out or close up early.

Sleep
There's accommodation on all four islands of hostel/bunkhouse standard, plus self-catering cottages. Canna has B&Bs, as does Muck plus the only hotel.

Buy
For self-catering, stock up in Mallaig before you sail, at Spar (+44 1687 460257) or the Co-op (+44 1687 462240). You can also phone an order from the islands, which they'll put on the next available ferry, for a small charge. Orders should be placed before midday on the day before delivery.

Stay safe
The hazards here are natural: cold and wet, rough sea crossings, boggy or slippy ground, and midges.

Go next
All ferry routes lead back to Mallaig on the mainland.

title: Small Isles


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Smangus

Smangus (司馬庫斯) is in Hsinchu County.

Understand
Smangus is a remote Atayal (one of the indigenous peoples of Taiwan) village at 1,500 metres altitude in Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County. It is famous for its ancient cypress trees.

History
The village of 23 families is an experiment in communalism. The system of communal management draws on traditional Atayal culture and ideas from other sources including the Israeli kibbutz.

Before the giant trees in the area were discovered, Smangus was completely cut off from the outside world. The fact that it is so far removed from "civilization" does nothing but promote an air of mystery about the area and the people who live there, which is why it was once known as "Black Village". It is now known as "God's Village".

As far as modern conveniences go, the village has had an interesting history of development. The area didn't have electricity until 1979. Their homes are made mostly of wood or bamboo, in stark contrast to their city counterparts. Making the community even more remote is the fact that the only road to the outside world wasn't even completed until 1995. Before that, the closest road was on the other side of the valley and people had to carry anything they couldn't make in the village on their backs. Children also had to walk three hours across the valley to go to school.

Landscape
The village sits on a ridge at 1,500 metres above the Takechin Creek.

Flora and fauna
Bamboo forests, ancient cypress trees.

Climate
Because of the altitude it gets cold at nights and during winter. It snows in the village about once every five years.

Get around
When you arrive in the village there is a central plaza (24.578583, 121.334683). The building straight ahead against the mountain is the food hall. The building to the left near the entrance to the village is the meeting hall and there are often events here in the evenings. There are various accommodations located on the left and right sides. Follow the road on the right side heading out of the village which will take you past some peach orchards where the road ends at the entrance to the path to see the giant cypress trees. The walk to the trees is another 4-5 kilometers, so you'll need to plan several hours walking round trip. Frequent flash thunderstorms appear on what seem to be nice-weather days, with very large temperature drops, so it's best to prepare an all-weather waterproof jacket just in case. There is one wooden dwelling with bathrooms 2/3 along the path that can provide shelter from storms. Village life is very different than elsewhere because of its isolation, and it's important to book ahead of time, let them know how many people are coming and how many meals you intend to eat. Like an aircraft: if they don't know you're coming there won't be meals or seats available for you.

Eat
Mealtimes are set. Please tell someone as soon as you arrive that you wish to eat communally with everybody else. It is best to let the staff know at least 1-2 days before arrival. If they don't have advanced notice, you won't be able to eat as everything is prepared ahead of time without waste.

Stay safe
The road to and from Smangus can be dangerous at times due to the isolation. It's very important to fill up with gas before entering the mountains. You can do this at the gas station about 2km past Neiwan on a side road on the left side of the highway. The community of Xiuluan is about the halfway mark. You'll need to register at the police booth before proceeding into the mountains past this point, which is for your own safety. After you climb the next mountain, you'll arrive at Taigang which is an Atayal community that extends further and further up this face of the mountain. Check your gas levels and make sure you still have more than half left. If not, you'll need to purchase gas from the locals in water bottles or you can do this on your way back. Expect to pay a premium for the gas though. After descending this mountain, you'll cross over to the next range and cross one more mountain, descend again and cross a bridge at which time you'll make the final ascent up the mountain to Smangus.

title: Smangus


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Småland

Småland is a province (landskap) in Götaland, with more than 700,000 inhabitants. The forested inland is popular getaway for Swedes as well as foreigners.

Regions
The name Småland means the small lands. The lands, or sub-provinces, were Finnveden, Värend, Njudung and others.

Småland is divided into three counties: North-western Jönköping County, south-western Kronoberg County, and eastern Kalmar County (including Öland).

Jönköping County

 * — One of the most well preserved traditional wood towns in Sweden.
 * — The biggest city in Småland is located on the shores of lake Vättern. Known as "Sweden's Jerusalem".
 * — Known for polkagrisar (peppermint candy) and the Andrée Museum (of a balloon expedition to the North Pole)
 * — An industrial city once known for its furniture manufacturing.
 * — Known for the morass Store Mosse National Park and the Old West-themed themepark High Chaparral.
 * — Known for the morass Store Mosse National Park and the Old West-themed themepark High Chaparral.

Kalmar County

 * — Famous for its pop festival.
 * — Famous for its medieval castle, where the Kalmar Union was founded in 1397.
 * — Centre of "Glasriket" (the realm of glass), Småland's historical glassworks, whereof several are still active today.
 * — A coastal town with a nearby archipelago.
 * — Home of Astrid Lindgren and seat for the Astrid Lindgren's World theme park.
 * — Tjust is a traditional province dominated by the port town of Västervik, known for Lysingsbadet, one of the largest camping and bathing areas in the Nordic countries.

Kronoberg County

 * — Seat of Kronoberg County, the episcopal see of the Diocese of Växjö, and home to the main campus of Linnaeus University.
 * — Town close to lake Bolmen surrounded by deep forests.
 * — The first IKEA store, and birthplace of Carl Linnaeus.

Understand
Småland is a very hilly province, with deep forests, abundance of lakes but with poor and rocky soils. Except for the Baltic coastline, Småland has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Its northern and western parts contain highlands, and have a climate which is more similar to that of northern Sweden than its surroundings.

Due to the limited opportunities for farming, Småland was not united like other Swedish provinces, but was rather divided into several minor political units collectively known as the small lands, and hence the name Småland. When incorporated into Sweden, they were merged into one province.

Until the 17th century Småland was a border province between Sweden and Denmark, and the stage for several wars and civil uprisings. Småland's poor soils have forced waves of emigration, not least during the 19th century, when many inhabitants left for North America. During the 19th century the Free Church movement grew strong in Småland, especially in the area surrounding Jönköping, giving it the nickname "The Swedish Bible belt". In modern times, Småland is known for entrepreneurship, with glass manufacturing as well as the world-famous furniture retailer, IKEA.

The stereotype of the Småland people being frugal, hard-working and pious has to some extent been formed by writers such as Astrid Lindgren (see also Astrid Lindgren tourism) and Vilhelm Moberg.

By plane
In Småland, there are airports at Jönköping, Växjö and Kalmar. International travellers can use the Copenhagen airport and connect by train.

By train

 * SJ runs high speed trains between Malmö and Stockholm, some going from Copenhagen. They stop at Nässjö and Alvesta, where there is transfer to local trains.
 * SJ also has trains between Gothenburg and Kalmar.
 * Öresundståg - Trains from Copenhagen, stopping at Malmö, Lund, Alvesta, Växjö ending in Kalmar.

By bus
FlixBus from Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. Västervikexpress from Stockholm and Gothenburg.

By train and bus

 * Öresundstag — Trains Malmö-Alvesta-Växjö-Kalmar
 * Jönköpings Länstrafik — around Jönköping
 * Länstrafiken Kronoberg — around Växjö, buses only
 * Kalmar Länstrafik — around Kalmar

By car
The larger roads E4 and E22 both head in a north-south direction; E4 through the western part of Småland and E22 by the eastern coastline. The intermediate area lacks major highways but have a web of smaller country roads.

See

 * Astrid Lindgren tourism: Astrid Lindgren was one of the world's most successful writers of children's books. Many of her stories are set in or near her native Vimmerby, which has now a theme park: Astrid Lindgrens värld. Some of the film settings can be found nearby.

Do
Småland has deep forests, hard to find anyway closer to the middle of Europe. They have great opportunities for outdoor life. In summer there are several major music festivals; including Emmabodafestivalen, focusing on electronic and indie music, and This is Hultsfred. The southernmost of Swedens large winter ski resorts is Isaberg Mountain Resort next to Hestra when following national road 26 from either Gislaved or Jönköping

Eat
Kroppkakor is a traditional dish, most popular along the eastern Småland coast. They are best described as potato-dumplings, about the size of a tennis ball, with filling made of pork and onion. They are served with lingonberry jam, butter and cream. It is similar to the dish palt, which is popular in Norrland, but contains some other ingredients.

Sleep
The countryside contains many old farmhouses and cabins for sale or rent.

Go next

 * Öland, Sweden's second largest island, is just a bridge away from Kalmar.
 * Gotland, Sweden's largest island

title: Småland


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Smiltene

Smiltene is a town in Valka District, Latvia with approximately 6,000 inhabitants.

Get in
There are plenty of buses from Riga, see 1188.lv.

Get around
The town is small enough to be explored on foot..

Do

 * Swim in Lake "Niedrājs"
 * Cross-country skiing around this lake in winter, where there are pine woods and a Nordic feeling.
 * There are some bicycle rental places and routes in neighbouring forests.

Go next

 * Cēsis – One of the country's oldest towns. It has an impressive castle complex of Livonian Order origin, a charming city centre with some cobblestoned streets, and historic wooden buildings.
 * Valmiera – Features the only professional theatre in the region.
 * Smiltene manor barn ruins.jpg – Founded in 1953 in an uninhabited area, it still embodies the pomp of Communist and Stalinist shock-work aka architecture. Nearby a vast man-made peat bogs nature area can be found, and is not to be missed. Both occurrences are historically tied to each other.
 * Alūksne or Gulbene – The start and destination of a 33-km long narrow-gauge railway, at the picturesque Lake Alūksne.
 * Cesvaine – This nearby village of is home to the Cesvaine Palace and ruins of medieval castles.
 * Madona – A scenic town surrounded by hills, forests and lakes, and a winter sports centre.

title: Smiltene


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Smith and Ross Islands

Smith and Ross Islands are in the Andaman Islands of India.

Understand
It is questionable whether it's legal to visit these islands, although it has been in the past, and day trips were easily arranged from Diglipur.

Get in
Diglipur is the entry point for these islands.

See

 * Ruins on Ross Island
 * There is a lighthouse on Ross Island that was commissioned in 1973. It sits on the slope of Bopung Hill at an altitude of 40 metres (130 feet).
 * Smith Island is home to the Olive Ridley turtles. If you are there at the right time, you can see the turtles nesting.

title: Smith and Ross Islands


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Smithers

Smithers is an alpine town in the North Coast-Nechako region of British Columbia. With a population of 5,350 residents (2016), Smithers is the perfect base for exploring the surrounding wilderness.

Understand
Smithers has adopted an alpine theme, which is drawn from the geography of the area. A town bylaw requires businesses in the downtown area centred on Main Street to construct their buildings in an alpine style. A fibreglass statue of a man blowing an alpine horn, commonly referred to as the Alpenman or Alpine Al, is located at the entrance to the main street and has become the town symbol. Similarly, the Smithers chamber of commerce displays an Alpine Al costume at community events and in television advertisements for the town's businesses.

Residents of Smithers are called "Smithereens" which remains a more popularly accepted demonym than the sometimes used "Smitherite".

History
The Bulkley Valley in which Smithers is situated was inhabited by the Wet'suwet'en First Nation. Smithers was founded in 1913 as the regional headquarters for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. The new community was named after the railway's chairman of the board of directors, Sir Alfred Smithers.

Climate
Winters are cold and cloudy but highly variable with a January average of −8.9 °C (16.0 °F). Snow is the main type of precipitation during winter. Warm spells can push temperatures above freezing during the winter months, while cold weather systems can reduce the temperature to less than −30 °C (−22 °F). The average annual snowfall is 204 cm (80.3 in) with maximum accumulations of snow tending to happen in February when the snow depth is around 36 centimetres (14.2 in) and there are many months when the snow depth reaches or surpasses 20 cm (7.9 in). Summers are warm with a normal highs of just below 30 °C (86 °F) and an extreme high of 38.5 °C (101.3 °F). Nighttime temperatures are often cool with normal nighttime lows under 10 °C (50 °F). Depending on the year there may be very little or a lot of precipitation. Spring and fall are short transition seasons. Smithers receives an average of 513 mm (20 in) of precipitation a year with February through April being the driest months. Smithers receives 1651 hours of bright sunshine a year, ranging from a minimum of 13% of possible sunshine in December to a maximum of 48% of possible sunshine in August.

By car
Smithers is approximately halfway between Prince George and Prince Rupert. The town is 68 km (42 mi) east of New Hazelton, on Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway), and 370 km (229 mi) west of Prince George.

Airlines

 * Operates flights to Smithers from Vancouver (1.5 hours).

Get around
The only taxi service in Smithers ceased operating on January 31, 2020.

Do

 * Spearfishing along the Bulkley River or the nearby lakes
 * Spearfishing along the Bulkley River or the nearby lakes

Eat

Go next

 * Prince George, 4 hour and 15 minutes east on Highway 16
 * Terrace, 2 hour and 20 minutes west on Highway 16

title: Smithers


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Smithfield (Rhode Island)

Smithfield is a small town in Northern Rhode Island that was founded in the 1600s. The town still has the charm of an old farming village with orchards and farms scattered throughout, but it has been modernized to a mid-size suburban town. The town is a great place to visit especially in the autumn months for its farms and orchards (known for their apple orchards especially). It is also has many unique places and family-owned businesses that make visitors feel like they are home no matter how far they’ve traveled from.

Understand
Smithfield is a small town in Northern Rhode Island that was founded in the 1600s as a farming town. Smithfield was named after John Smith, "The Miller", who was granted land by the founder of Rhode Island, Roger Williams. Prior to his arrival, Smithfield was known as Wionkhiege by the Wampanoag Tribe who utilized the land for its vast hunting and fishing land.

The town is also known for its historic mill history. It is made up of six historic villages including Georgiaville, Mountaindale, Esmond, Greenville, Hanton City, and Stillwater.

By plane

 * T.F. Green Airport, 2000 Post Road, Warwick. . Rhode Island's major airport is 19 miles from Smithfield, and about a 20-minute drive on the highway.

By train

 * Amtrak, 100 Gaspee Street, Providence. . This is also a 15-20 minute drive to Smithfield depending upon traffic which is abundant in Providence, especially, around 5PM and 6-9AM

By bus

 * Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), 265 Melrose Street, Providence. . Routes to and from Smithfield. The cost is $2 per ride. Bus lines include:
 * Line #9 Pascoag-Wallum Lake
 * Line #52 Admiral-Branch
 * Line #58 Mineral Spring - North Providence
 * Line #90 Smithfield Commons Park N' Ride

By car

 * Take 295, then exit 7A or 7B
 * Route 44 is a major highway that runs through Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the heart of Smithfield.
 * Route 7 is another major highway that runs through Connecticut and Rhode Island, just outside of Smithfield. It provides access to Bryant University and the outskirts of the town of Smithfield.

Get around
The easiest way to travel in Smithfield is by car or taxi. Biking is a reasonable alternative, but walking is not suggested. Car rental services are limited within Smithfield, but near-by city Providence has all of the major car rental corporations including: Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis.

Car rental

 * Hertz Rent A Car, 380 Jenckes Hill Road,.

Do

 * Stump Pond. Also known as the Stillwater Reservoir, this is a great local spot for fishing and kayaking.  A fishing license must be obtained for about $20.  Licenses are sold in Dick's Sporting Goods in the Smithfield Crossings.
 * Apple picking. (Seasonal) The town has many farms for apple picking in the fall. They each have their own charm, whether it is apple picking, peach picking, pumpkin picking, historic stone walls built by early farmers, hay rides, homemade pies and cider and many more great seasonal treats. Here is a list of orchards to check out. Steere Orchard 150 Austin Ave, which claims to be the largest apple orchard in Rhode Island. Knight Farm on Rt. 116 , Jaswell's Farm on Swan Road , and Appleland Orchard on Smith Avenue .  Some of the orchards have picking and their other activities available by appointment only.
 * Georgiaville Pond. It is a small town beach right on Georgiaville pond, which is open in the summer months for families and friends to go swimming. It is a small beach with town lifeguards to escape on a hot summer day. There is also a boat launch perfect for small fishing boats, canoes, or kayaks. There is a natural freshwater waterfall if you take a walk past the beach and around the water's perimeter.
 * Deerfield Park. This is a beautiful park with recreational facilities such as basketball courts, soccer fields and a baseball field. There is also a playground for children. Every Fourth of July there is also a great fireworks display put on by the town in this park.
 * Conservation areas. Smithfield has several conservation areas where locals can bike, walk, and see all of the woodland scenery. Mowry Conservation Area. You can enter this walking path along Old Forge Road which is located between Farnum Pike and Log Road. Connors Farm Conservation Area. This neighborhood area called Connors Farm is located off of Mann School Road and there is a sign at the entrance of the pathway towards the middle of the U-Shaped development that leads to the conservation area. Both conservation areas possess clear signs at the entrances and there are pathways so you do not have to worry about trespassing onto private property.
 * Conservation areas. Smithfield has several conservation areas where locals can bike, walk, and see all of the woodland scenery. Mowry Conservation Area. You can enter this walking path along Old Forge Road which is located between Farnum Pike and Log Road. Connors Farm Conservation Area. This neighborhood area called Connors Farm is located off of Mann School Road and there is a sign at the entrance of the pathway towards the middle of the U-Shaped development that leads to the conservation area. Both conservation areas possess clear signs at the entrances and there are pathways so you do not have to worry about trespassing onto private property.
 * Conservation areas. Smithfield has several conservation areas where locals can bike, walk, and see all of the woodland scenery. Mowry Conservation Area. You can enter this walking path along Old Forge Road which is located between Farnum Pike and Log Road. Connors Farm Conservation Area. This neighborhood area called Connors Farm is located off of Mann School Road and there is a sign at the entrance of the pathway towards the middle of the U-Shaped development that leads to the conservation area. Both conservation areas possess clear signs at the entrances and there are pathways so you do not have to worry about trespassing onto private property.
 * Conservation areas. Smithfield has several conservation areas where locals can bike, walk, and see all of the woodland scenery. Mowry Conservation Area. You can enter this walking path along Old Forge Road which is located between Farnum Pike and Log Road. Connors Farm Conservation Area. This neighborhood area called Connors Farm is located off of Mann School Road and there is a sign at the entrance of the pathway towards the middle of the U-Shaped development that leads to the conservation area. Both conservation areas possess clear signs at the entrances and there are pathways so you do not have to worry about trespassing onto private property.
 * Conservation areas. Smithfield has several conservation areas where locals can bike, walk, and see all of the woodland scenery. Mowry Conservation Area. You can enter this walking path along Old Forge Road which is located between Farnum Pike and Log Road. Connors Farm Conservation Area. This neighborhood area called Connors Farm is located off of Mann School Road and there is a sign at the entrance of the pathway towards the middle of the U-Shaped development that leads to the conservation area. Both conservation areas possess clear signs at the entrances and there are pathways so you do not have to worry about trespassing onto private property.
 * Conservation areas. Smithfield has several conservation areas where locals can bike, walk, and see all of the woodland scenery. Mowry Conservation Area. You can enter this walking path along Old Forge Road which is located between Farnum Pike and Log Road. Connors Farm Conservation Area. This neighborhood area called Connors Farm is located off of Mann School Road and there is a sign at the entrance of the pathway towards the middle of the U-Shaped development that leads to the conservation area. Both conservation areas possess clear signs at the entrances and there are pathways so you do not have to worry about trespassing onto private property.

Learn

 * Greenville Public Library- 573 Putnam Pike, Greenville. . This library consists of a children’s area, a senior citizens area, an adult section, and teen zone. The library has all major reference books and has a computer lab. There are also a variety of programs offered to children and adults including multicultural classes, art classes, and library use classes.
 * East Smithfield Public Library- 50 Esmond Street. . This library is in the small village of Esmond offering a good selection of books and quiet place to read.
 * East Smithfield Public Library- 50 Esmond Street. . This library is in the small village of Esmond offering a good selection of books and quiet place to read.

Buy

 * The Crossing at Smithfield. Putnam Pike. This is an outdoor shopping center that has many nationally acclaimed retailers such as Target, Barnes & Noble, Home Depot, Kohl’s, FYE, Old Navy, The Gap, American Eagle and Dick’s Sporting Goods, as well as others.
 * Apple Valley Mall. Putnam Pike. This is a strip mall where you can find the movie theater as well as stores such as TJ Maxx, CVS and Radio Shack.

Eat
Smithfield has many chain restaurants and fast food restaurants as well as some unique family run establishments. Most of these restaurants are just off of Putnamn Pike. Most are off of Putnam Pike.

 * A&W. 460 Farnum Pike. . This is a chain restaurant but the only A&W root beer location in Rhode Island. It is also the only "car-hop" service restaurant in Rhode Island with tray on the window service. It is a fun place to pull up and get some great hot wieners! Every Tuesday during the summer months, local classic car collectors bring their vintage vehicles to showcase them at A&W. There are menu specials every day; and the restaurant opens at 11AM daily.
 * Del's Lemonade. 109 Pleasant View Ave . Del’s frozen lemonade is a Rhode Island exclusive. A summer time favorite of almost everyone in the state, there are multiple stores and even more carts and cars located all around the state. To truly experience Rhode Island during the late spring and summer, a cup of Del’s is a must. This particular store has a drive through, and a walk up window, and sells soft serve ice cream.
 * Such-a-bagel. 445 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI (Near the Apple Valley Mall). . This is a small café that makes a variety of fresh bagels everyday. You can go there and sit down and eat some freshly toasted bagels and coffee or take home a dozen to your family along with their own cream cheeses.
 * The Powder Mill Creamery. 777 Putnam Pike, Greenville. . A hot spot in the summer months for homemade ice cream in original flavors. It sits across from the scenic Waterman’s Lake.

Sleep

 * Holiday Inn Express & Suites Smithfield - Providence 1010 Douglas Pike. . Clean, quiet, and cheap. The bathrooms are a bit on the small side, but this hotel has a friendly staff, good breakfast, a fitness center, and it's close to Providence.
 * Holiday Inn Express & Suites Smithfield - Providence 1010 Douglas Pike. . Clean, quiet, and cheap. The bathrooms are a bit on the small side, but this hotel has a friendly staff, good breakfast, a fitness center, and it's close to Providence.

Go next
Visit Newport, Narragansett or Providence.
 * Lincoln Mall- This is a strip mall about five minutes from Smithfield on George Washington Highway. It has several stores including a Target, Starbucks, Marshalls, Home Goods, Stop and Shop, and several restaurants. It also includes Cinemaworld, a large stadium-seated cinema where movie tickets go for about $10.

title: Smithfield (Rhode Island)


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Smith Island

Smith Island is a small inhabited island in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay. It is the only off-shore inhabited island in the state of Maryland and is accessible only via boat.

Understand
For centuries, Smith Island was isolated. Tourists arriving by ferry can sleep in a local bed and breakfast or guest cottage and enjoy seafood meals. Visitors are also charmed by the islanders' hardy fishing livelihood and devotion to the Methodist church. One visitor, the author William Least Heat-Moon, described his conversations with islanders in his best-selling book Blue Highways. The Island has no banks, law enforcement, or medical facilities on site. There are no ATMs, movie theaters, or fast food restaurants. Residents survive and thrive by fishing, crabbing and tourism.

Get in
People traveling to Smith Island can only access it by boat. Passenger-only ferries connect Smith Island at Ewell to Point Lookout, Maryland, to the west, and Crisfield, Maryland, to the east. A private marina offers boaters the opportunity to travel and stay on the Island.

Get around
Because the island is so small, visitors must walk or bike. There are no cars for hire, but informal transportation arrangements can be made with the residents.

Talk
The most notable feature of the island is the local dialect which is like the dialect of the West Country of England. The dialect contains some relict features indicative of its origins but is not, as is often claimed, a surviving pocket of Shakespearean era English. This dialect is like the Ocracoke Brogue, sometimes referred to as the Outer Banks Brogue off the coast of North Carolina.

Because of recent exposure to the neighboring Eastern Shore (Maryland), the dialect has become more southern in sound, than its other isolated neighbor, Tangier Island.

Do
Visitors delight in exploring the Island, and talking with the residents who are known to be warm, friendly, and inviting. The Island is safe and has no law enforcement, but it is not needed since there is no crime on the Island. The Island is a kayaking dream. Visitors travel from all over the world to kayak what is known as the best untouched trails on the East Coast of the United States, The 4 square mile island can be easily navigated on foot, bicycle, kayak or canoe. Many residents navigate the island via a skiff, bicycle, or golf cart. Visitors can wonder the tree lined streets, dine in local restaurants, or visit the gift shops or quilting store. An outdoor Tiki Hut is open on weekend summer evenings serving non-alcoholic beverages. Wildlife, crabbing, birdwatching, fishing, and artifact tours are available for visitors who wish to explore the waterways of the Island.

Eat
Smith Island has its own region-specific traditional cuisine, which is now the official dessert of the state of Maryland. The most famous dish is a locally produced cake featuring 7 to 15 thin layers filled with creme, frosting and/or crushed candy bars. The cake is iced with a cooked chocolate icing. The cake is often made using a recipe that has been handed down for generations with unique additions such as condensed milk. The most common flavor is yellow cake with chocolate icing but other flavors such as coconut, fig, strawberry, lemon, and orange are also common. Known simply as the Smith Island Cake, the dessert is baked for any occasion and not reserved only for holidays.

Never mind the "grocery store" names; in addition to the B&Bs, you can get full meals at the following:

 * Bayside Inn Restaurant, 4065 Smith Island Rd, Ewell, MD 21824, 410-425-2771
 * Bayside Inn Restaurant, 4065 Smith Island Rd, Ewell, MD 21824, 410-425-2771

Sleep

 * Michele's House, 20807 Severn Rd, Ewell, MD 21824 1-410-425-2650, email: innkeeper@smithislandinn.com. Always open. A renovated Cape Cod that sleeps 12. Comfortable master bedroom and full bath on main level with bunk-style accommodations on the second floor with another full bath. Bikes, kayaks, and canoes complimentary with rental. Handicapped accessible with a wheelchair ramp and handicapped bath. Three bedroom, 2 full baths.
 * Grant's Handi-Hideaway, 20908 Severn Rd, Ewell, MD 21824, 1-410-425-2650 email smithislandinn@gmail.com. Always open. A renovated one level completely handicapped/wheelchair accessible cottage with open floor plan, two bedrooms, a handicap bath with roll-in shower. Wheelchair access via a ramp with 36 inch pocket doors and lowered light switches. Completely renovated with a coastal decor.
 * Oystermen's Pearl, 4029 Tyler Rd. Ewell, MD 21824, 1-410-425-2650. email: smithislandinn@gmail.com. Always open. A completely renovated Victorian home on a tree-lined street featuring a magnolia and fig tree on the property. Three light-filled, large bedrooms provide a perfect retreat. Renovated with beautiful American cherry hardwood flooring, the home features a large and open living and dining area. A fully equipped kitchen provides plenty of room for entertaining. Bicycles, kayaks, and canoes included in rate.
 * Oystermen's Pearl, 4029 Tyler Rd. Ewell, MD 21824, 1-410-425-2650. email: smithislandinn@gmail.com. Always open. A completely renovated Victorian home on a tree-lined street featuring a magnolia and fig tree on the property. Three light-filled, large bedrooms provide a perfect retreat. Renovated with beautiful American cherry hardwood flooring, the home features a large and open living and dining area. A fully equipped kitchen provides plenty of room for entertaining. Bicycles, kayaks, and canoes included in rate.

title: Smith Island


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Smiths Falls

Smiths Falls is a pleasant small town near Ottawa. Its population is about 10,000.

Understand

Several manufacturers were based in Smiths Falls, perhaps the best-known being the Canadian operation of the Hershey Company (opened 1963, closed in December 2008). Other former large manufacturers include RCA Victor (closed circa 1980), Frost and Wood/Cockshutt and the 'Beach' toolbox factory (acquired by Stanley Tools, ultimately closed in 2008). In 2014, the former Hershey facility was purchased by medical marijuana company Tweed Marijuana Inc.

History
The town is named after Thomas Smyth, a United Empire Loyalist who in 1786 was granted 400 acres (1.6 km²) in what is present-day Smiths Falls. The Heritage House Museum (c. 1862), also known as the Ward House, was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1977

The disruption of industry caused by the building of the Rideau Canal was only temporary, and Smiths Falls grew rapidly following construction.

In the 1850s the major railway companies were looking to build main trunk lines linking Toronto, Kingston and Montreal. The two major companies at the time, the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Grand Trunk Railway, were competing for the easiest routes to lay track. At one point a fledgling third national railway, the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR), was also trying to squeeze itself into the busy Montréal-Ottawa-Toronto corridor.

For a number of geographical reasons, and also due to the proximity of the Rideau Canal, the town of Smiths Falls became a major focal point for the CPR and the CNoR. Each used a mix of existing regional rail lines and new construction to build their networks. CP purchased the 1859-era Brockville and Ottawa Railway, a line from Brockville-Smiths Falls-Sand Point/Arnprior with a branch Smiths Falls-Perth (the latter joining CP's Ontario and Quebec Railway line to Toronto). CNoR built a 1914-era main line from Ottawa-Smiths Falls-Sydenham (to join an existing Bay of Quinte Railway line extending westward via Napanee-Deseronto). By 1887, the CPR had extended its Toronto-Smiths Falls mainline to reach Montréal; in 1924, 1600 CPR workers were employed in Smiths Falls.

This gave the town direct rail lines in half a dozen directions (Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, Brockville, Napanee and Arnprior) on two different rail companies.

During World War II, Axis prisoners of war (POWs) were transported to Canadian POW camps via the railway. It was near Smiths Falls that German soldier Oberleutnant Franz von Werra jumped from a POW train and escaped to the United States, eventually reaching his homeland. Von Werra was, reputedly, the only escaped Axis POW to successfully return home during the war and his story was told in the book and film entitled The One That Got Away.

Both the Canadian Pacific and the Canadian Northern (later part of Canadian National) had established stations in the town, however, with the creation of Via Rail, the CNoR station was abandoned and all passenger traffic routed though the CPR station until a new Smiths Falls railway station opened in 2010. The CNoR station has been renovated and is now home to the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario; the historic CP station is a live theatre. The railway station, along with the nearby railway bascule bridge, comprise the town's two National Historic Sites of Canada. The Cataraqui Trail now follows the former CNoR railbed southwest from Smiths Falls toward Napanee, starting from a parking lot at the end of Ferrara Drive.

By train
Smiths Falls has long been a divisional point on the Canadian Pacific Railway, which operates a single-track mainline through Perth and Smiths Falls for freight between Canada's two largest cities, Montréal and Toronto. The town was once the crossroads for rails radiating in a half-dozen directions (Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, Brockville and formerly Carleton Place and Napanee); local streets bear names of key figures like Sir William Cornelius Van Horne (February 3, 1843 - September 11, 1915), the CP line's president.

The historic 1887 CPR passenger station became the Station Theatre in 2010; The historic east-west CP main line locally only hauls freight. Few trains stop in Smiths Falls for passengers today; those that do follow CN's 1856 Grand Trunk line from Toronto to Brockville, then turn north through Smiths Falls to Ottawa.

 * Train operators:
 * Operates between Ottawa and Toronto including stops in Smiths Falls, Brockville, Gananoque, Kingston, Napanee, Bellevile, Trenton, Cobourg, Port Hope, and Oshawa. Operates daily.

By boat
Smiths Falls serves as midpoint and de-facto headquarters of the UNESCO-listed Rideau Canal, which joins Kingston to Ottawa. Built under the direction of Colonel John By after the War of 1812, this waterway allows shipping to bypass the St. Lawrence River between Kingston and Montréal, whose location directly on the US border leaves it perilously vulnerable to attack. From Ottawa, the Ottawa/Outaouais river is navigable to Montréal.

With the exception of one modern "combined lock" which bypasses three of the original 1800s locks in Smiths Falls itself, all of the locks on the system are original. Their historic integrity has been preserved.

By motorcar
By car, Highway 15 approximately follows the Rideau Canal from Kingston through Smiths Falls. It meets Highway 7 (to Ottawa) at Carleton Place.

From Brockville, old Highway 29 (401 exit 696) becomes the downtown main street of Smiths Falls after a 50km (30mi) drive northward.

From Kemptville and Merrickville, old Highway 43 extends westward through Smiths Falls to Perth. Access to Smiths Falls from the 416 is also possible from North Gower via Ottawa Regional Road 6 (Lanark 4), which meets Highway 15 in the north end of Smiths Falls.

From Perth take CR 43 (old Highway 43) approximately 20km (12mi) eastward.

By plane
The closest major airport with passenger service is Ottawa's Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.

Buy

 * There are several craft shops downtown near the river, including one with quite nice silver work.

Connect

Wi-fi is also available at McDonald's (81 Lombard St) and at all three Tim Horton's locations (76 Beckwith St.,111 Lombard St. and 5 Toulon St).

title: Smiths Falls


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Tobacco

Tobacco smoking is an activity that has come under fairly stringent controls in most countries. Smoking is prohibited in most or all indoor public spaces and inside public transport such as aircraft, buses and trains. Restrictions and enforcement vary considerably from place to place; for details see the rest of this article and our articles on particular destinations.

Related products, such as e-cigarettes are also regulated in many countries, and some of the liquids sold for them are outright illegal in some places. Smokeless tobacco products are also regulated in most parts of the world.

Tobacco
Many countries have restrictions on the quantity of cigarettes or tobacco that can be brought into the country. In many countries, tobacco products are taxed heavily, so those importing more than a few packets of these products should expect to pay import duties. On the other hand, many countries also have facilities that permit departing travellers to purchase these same products, duty free, at the border, as they leave the country. Tobacco products vary enormously in price around the world, mainly because different countries or states tax them differently. For example, the price of a pack of Marlboro (converted to US dollars) ranges from about $2.50 in the Philippines (where they are common, made locally under license) to well over $14 in Canada (where they are an imported luxury, subject first to duty and then to stiff taxes). In both cases, local brands are considerably cheaper.

It is common for smokers visiting countries with lower costs to stock up, and even non-smokers may buy cheap cigarettes as gifts.

Import restrictions and the penalties for violating them also vary considerably; check local information for each planned destination. The commonest rule allows a carton of 200 cigarettes (in some places, plus other products such as cigars) provided you have been out of the country at least a few days. Some places are much stricter; Hong Kong, for example, allow only one pack (20 cigarettes), apparently because the government wants to protect its tax revenue. This restriction is mainly to keep out the much cheaper cigarettes from China and enforcement concentrates on Chinese visitors; travellers from other places are rarely bothered.

Within the European Union, there is in theory no restriction on how many cigarettes and grams of tobacco can be moved across borders. In practice, anything upwards of 800 straights or 1kg of tobacco will attract raised eyebrows at border control.

Other smoking products
People who smoke products other than tobacco should be aware that cannabis is prohibited in many countries, while opium and crack are banned more-or-less everywhere, and other recreational substances tend to be banned as soon as the authorities become aware of them.

In most legal systems having some item with traces of a drug, perhaps a used pipe or a pouch with few milligrams left in the bottom, counts legally as possession of the drug; if you do smoke such things and are travelling, do a thorough clean-up before any border. The safest course is to give away or throw away any item that might have traces. In some places even having "drug paraphernalia" is illegal; just carrying an unused pipe can get you in trouble if the authorities decide it is a hash pipe. If you are going to cross a border with such a pipe, it is a good idea to smoke some tobacco in it first.

Many countries impose severe penalties for attempting to import even a small quantity of an illegal drug. Even countries where marijuana is legal often ban importation because the government wants to control quality and/or to protect its tax revenue. Canada also bans exportation. Penalties range up to quite long prison sentences and, in a few countries, even to a death sentence, which applies even if you are unaware that drugs are in your possession. At the very least, in most countries, you will not be permitted to cross the border with the products still in your possession. Know the local laws.

Smokeless tobacco
Some tobacco products are consumed without smoking, such as chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco (snus) or snuff. They can function as a replacement where smoking is prohibited, but they are usually regulated, and in some cases prohibited.

These products are also not nearly as widely available; you can get cigarettes almost anywhere and cigars or pipe tobacco in many places, but chewing tobacco or snus are hard to find once you leave the areas where they are commonly used.

No smoking
Most countries now forbid smoking indoors in public places, and on most or all public transport. See our individual destination articles for details, or consult the many "Smoking in ..." articles on Wikipedia. Other restrictions are fairly common as well; for example, many hotels forbid smoking in some or all of the rooms to protect the cleaning staff and the next customer from the smell and/or the health risks. Some places have stricter rules in play. Ottawa, for example forbids smoking within 9 m (30 feet) of most building entrances and in any part of a bar, even an outdoor patio; this makes smokers thoroughly miserable during the city's cold winters. Hong Kong prohibits smoking in most public parks, and Dumaguete bans it on the streets.

Bhutan and Turkmenistan are the two countries that completely banned the sale of all tobacco products. They also heavily restrict (or outright ban) the use of tobacco products in most public areas.

In many cases, police and other authorities can punish unauthorized smoking with a fine issued on site (or just a reprimand, if the smoker is lucky). At high-risk locations, such as gas stations, aircraft and industries, smoking can be relatively harshly punished, even leading to a prison stay. Manipulating ventilation or smoke detectors on commercial aircraft to allow smoking, is prohibited.

Heavy smoking
In Asia, particularly in China, smoking is still something of a social activity, at least for men. Anyone with cigarettes will offer them around before he lights up; having an expensive brand is a status symbol. Female smokers may be thought odd; more men and fewer women smoke in Asia than in Western countries. Restaurants do not usually have non-smoking areas; many do not have ashtrays either. Areas such as bus stations may have "no smoking" signs, but these are often ignored. Non-smokers should be prepared to endure smoky rooms. Even in China, though, this is slowly changing. Smoking is now forbidden in many restaurants, at least in major cities.

In Europe, smoking is most prevalent in the southeastern part of the continent: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Greece and Turkey. These countries also have rather low levels of smoking ban enforcement, especially Bosnia and Herzegovina, so be prepared to cope with smoke-filled public spaces.

Tobacco products around the world
Though tobacco is today grown around the world, the Caribbean and the southern United States have a rich tobacco heritage. In some areas tobacco or related products are commonly bought by tourists; two well-known examples are Havana cigars and meerschaum pipes picked up either at the source in Eskişehir or in the Istanbul bazaar.

Both the cost and the available brands of smoking products vary greatly from place to place, partly because taxation and import rules vary hugely. A few brands such as American Marlboro or British 555 are quite widely available, but in many countries those will be expensive imports and all the cheaper smokes will be brands most visitors would not recognise. In some places, the local products may taste quite different as well; for example, the popular French brands Gitanes and Gauloises are far stronger than most smokers will be used to.

Some countries have unusual tobacco products. India has small, hand rolled cigarettes called beedies, mainly smoked by those who cannot afford standard cigarettes. Indonesia has clove-laced cigarettes called rokok kretek (which means "clove cigarettes").

Travel for smokers
Tobacco is of course addictive, which is why it is so profitable both for companies and governments, and addicts may become quite uncomfortable when deprived of their drug. In particular, long air journeys can make heavy smokers downright miserable (see flying and health), especially since large parts of most airports are non-smoking as well. The withdrawal symptoms are quite genuine, and reflecting that the addiction is self-inflicted just makes it worse.

Many travelling smokers just suffer through this or try to sleep. Some dose themselves with tranquilizers or large amounts of alcohol, which may help some but is not recommended since those substances have their own dangers: mixing booze and tranquilizers can be fatal, and it is a very bad idea to be stoned or hung over when trying to deal with border controls.

A better solution is to look on a long flight as an opportunity to quit. If you can resist the urge to light up the instant that becomes possible on arrival, instead go shopping, sightseeing or partying, or just fall over and sleep off the jet lag, then you are well on your way to quitting. The first few days are by far the worst and a flight gets you through one day without requiring any willpower from you. Consider going the rest of the way yourself.

Whether or not you are quitting, it is a good idea to carry nicotine gum for long flights. The gum is marketed mainly as an aid to quitting, a way to reduce nicotine addiction pangs in new non-smokers. However, it can also be used by unrepentant addicts to help deal with long flights. Chewing any sort of gum also reduces the chance of ear problems due to pressure changes during a flight. Nicotine patches are another alternative.

Have a method for safely getting rid of stumps without littering. This is a good idea anywhere and in some places, such as Singapore, there are hefty fines for littering. In many places there are ashtrays here and there, but hardly at every place where you might want to light a cigarette. A small box with a tight lid can be usable as portable ashtray.

Stay healthy
Of course the best way to stay healthy when it comes to tobacco products is to not use them. Nearly all doctors advise people not to, and many can provide advice or treatments that may help those who smoke quit. Many governments also run programs to help their citizens quit.

There are lower risk alternatives to cigarettes — switching to chewing tobacco or to a vaporizer device, or using nicotine gum or patches. These are believed to reduce some of the risk of cigarettes while partially satisfying the craving for nicotine. Of course all have their own risks.

Using e-cigarettes when abroad
If you're a vaper and travelling abroad, check before you travel whether or not vaping is legal in your destination. Laws vary on sales of devices and possession of them, and many countries have laws on nicotine strength and sales of e-liquid with flavouring. A good guide to check is the UK government's Foreign Travel advice; select your destination and visit Local Laws and Customs - here you can see what's there in regards to cigarettes and vaping.

E-cigarette use is in some way banned in the following:

 * Some South American countries including Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Venezuela and Uruguay
 * Some Asian destinations including Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan
 * Some Middle-East destinations including UAE, Brunei, Egypt and Oman

E-cigarette use is in some way restricted in the following:

 * Some European countries including Denmark, Finland, Norway and Hungary
 * Parts of Asia including Hong Kong and Japan

Before travelling ensure to check what you can pack in your carry on luggage and checked luggage. Batteries for one must go in carry-on luggage, never in checked luggage. Consult your airline before travelling if you are unsure.

title: Tobacco


text:
Smolensk

Smolensk (Russian: Смоленск) is a city in Central Russia.

Understand
Smolensk is one of the oldest cities in Russia. The city has been taken over by different countries more times than any other city in Russia, so has its own cultural background. Therefore there are many monuments from different epochs: huge Kremlin, many buildings dated back to the 18th to 19th centuries. There are also 3 churches that were built before the Tatar-Mongol invasion, which is rare. Due to many wars some of these buildings have been destroyed. The city leaves different feelings, but it is hard to leave the city feeling indifferent.

History
The first recorded mention of the city is in 863 AD. It was the capital of Slavic Krivichs tribe in the ninth century. Smolensk is a city with great history. Since the XII century it was a capital of the princedom, but since 1522 it became a city of the Moscow kingdom. In 1596 the great fortress was built to protect people. Now this fortress is the most interesting sight of the city. It's bigger than Moscow's fortress (the Kremlin). The length of its walls is about 6.5 km.

By plane
Although there are two airports, they are used by military only and civil planes are not accepted. There are discussions to revert them to civil airports, but the projects are still on hold.

By train
From Moscow several trains from Belorusskiy train station reach Smolensk in 5-6 hours. Some of them reach into Europe as far as to Paris and Nice (in summer only). The same trains can be used to reach Smolensk from Belarus. Daily express connects Smolensk with Bryansk. Railway Station Inquiry Office: 27-15-20, 39-52-85

By bus
Several times a week there are buses connecting Smolensk with European towns, such as Berlin, Warsaw, Madrid, Riga and some others, the timetable is subject to change, though. Other buses run to Mogilev, Kaluga, Velikiye Luki, Kursk and Tver. Daily buses run to Mstislavl, Belgorod, Bryansk, Moscow, Oryol, Saint Petersburg and Tula. Bus Station Inquiry Office: 27-09-52

By car and by thumb
Smolensk is situated on the M1/E30 and A141 highways. Both are good for hitchhiking as well, though note, that M1 is about 6km from the town.

Get around
The city has three kinds of public transportation: buses, trolleybuses and trams. It is most convenient to use trams in the city center using one of 4 routes. The cost is ₽19 (2018) and needs to be paid to check-taker in the tram. It is also common to use taxis which is not really expensive - an average trip within the city would cost 130 RUR.

title: Smolensk


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Smolensk Oblast

Smolensk Oblast is a region in Central Russia, which borders Bryansk Oblast to the southwest, Belarus to the west, Pskov Oblast to the northwest, Tver Oblast to the north, Moscow Oblast to the east, and Kaluga Oblast to the southeast.

Cities

 * — the region's capital is one of the oldest cities of Russia (9th century) and home to examples of 12th century architecture, a large kremlin, and a particularly important Cathedral of the Assumption; the historic center was rebuilt after the destructive Battle of Smolensk in WWII
 * — an ancient town, worth a visit for nearby monasteries and churches
 * — an old market town, now a small city
 * — a small city with a long history, largely rebuilt after the German occupation in WWII, home to the stunning three-tented Hodegetria Church, as well as numerous baroque churches, a monastery, and city cathedral

Understand
Smolensk Oblast is home to some of Russia's oldest cities. It is also the site of much of the most fierce warfare Russia has experienced, from the Mongol conquest, to Medieval wars for supremacy between Russia, Poland, and Lithuania, to the Napoleonic Invasion, to the two World Wars of the 20th century. Few original structures have survived these centuries of conflict, but Russia has faithfully rebuilt the most important of Smolensk Oblast's cultural monuments. The capital, Smolensk, is a major tourist destination in its own right, and is a convenient hub for exploring the region.

Talk
You should expect that few residents of Smolensk Oblast outside of the main university have anything greater than a rudimentary command of any languages other than Russian.

Get in
Smolensk is a short (by Russian standards) train ride away from Moscow and a fairly easy trip from Saint Petersburg. No major airlines fly into Smolensk airport (LNX).

Go next
Nearby Pskov Oblast is a similar destination—a historic borderland region—that makes a fine complement to Smolensk travel. Trains also depart from Smolensk to Minsk, Belarus.

title: Smolensk Oblast


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Smolyan

Smolyan is a town in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria. It occupies the narrow gorge of the Cherna River in the East Rhodope Mountains, and has 34 000 residents. Once the Slavs' tribe of smolyani inhabited the area and gave the name of the settlement. The magnificent nature, mild climate, its closeness to the mountain and the Pamporovo resort attract tourists all year round. It became a town in 1960 after unifying three villages- Smolyan, Raykovo and Ustovo.

Get in
It lies 12 km from the Pamporovo resort, 45 km from Devin, 102 km from Plovdiv and 260 km from the capital Sofia.

See
Numerous houses and churches from 17th-19th centuries have been preserved up to the present day. Some of them are: "Pangalov’s house" (1860), "Sgurov’s house" (1866), "Alibeev’s town- hall" (1751), "Kelev’s house" (1860), etc.

The architectural and ethnographic reserve called Cheshitska mahala is located in the district of Raykovo.

Do
There is a planetarium and a Drama Theater

Go next
Smolyan is a starting point for many mountain routes. The Smolyan lakes and the Smolyan waterfall are located not far from the town.

title: Smolyan


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Smyrna

There's more than one place called Smyrna.

Turkey

 * The original Smyrna is now called Izmir.

Greece

 * Nea Smyrni ("New Smyrna") is a suburb of Athens, founded by settlers from Smyrna.

United States of America

 * Smyrna (Tennessee)
 * New Smyrna Beach, Florida

title: Smyrna


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Snagov

Snagov is a village in Muntenia.

Understand

Snagov is a village that is part of a commune, located 40 km north of Bucharest in Ilfov County, Romania. According to the 2002 census, 99.2% of the population (population: 6,041) is ethnic Romanian and 0.4% are Roma. The commune is composed of five villages: Ciofliceni, Ghermăneşti, Snagov, Tâncăbeşti and Vlădiceasca. Located next to a large lake, Snagov was once a popular weekend destination. Snagov area is also a natural reservation, with two natural protected areas for fauna and flora, Snagov Lake and Snagov Forest.

The main attraction of Snagov is now the Snagov monastery, one of the alleged burial sites of Vlad the Impaler (famous for having inspired Bram Stoker's character Dracula), which is located on an island on the northern part of the lake. Other tourist sites include Lake Snagov, Siliştea Snagovului, Snagov forest and the Imre Nagy monument.

History
The name Snagov is of probably Bulgarian origin, from the word sneg (meaning "snow"). It might also derived from the Bulgarian snaga, meaning "human body". Archaeologists have confirmed human presence in Snagov since 400 BC. The first written record of the village, dated 1408, is found in a document from the court of Mercea cel Bătrân.

The village was built around the Snagov monastery, where it is believed that Vlad Ţepeş, or Vlad the Impaler, was killed by the Janissaries during a battle between Wallachian and Ottoman forces and then buried within the grounds surrounding the monastery. In 2002 the Romanian government decided to build in Snagov a Disneyland-style theme park, "Dracula Park", but the project's future has been uncertain as of 2005, and in 2006 the government canceled the project.

Get in
Frequent minibuses (departing from the public transport terminal at Presei Liberei square) link Bucharest with Snagov and the other localities around the lake. To get to Snagov monastery preferably use the minibuses heading to Siliştea Snagovului (a one hour trip), there's now a bridge linking this village to the monastery's island. It can also be reached by boat (rented from locals, as there aren't any ferries) from Snagov itself.

See

Do
In the Snagov area there are two natural protected areas: Snagov Lake and Snagov Forest with 4 main habitats and about 171 rare and protected species.

What you can do:

 * a trip by motor boat on the 16 km long lake while listening on audio guide (English, Romanian) a set of short stories
 * rent a bike and go on one of the 5 recommended circuits on the nearby oak forests
 * rent a kayak and do an (assisted) trip of one to tree hour's trip through the natural protected area
 * visit the Snagov Collections (located at Snagov Foundation). Here you can see the biggest collection related to Vlad Țepeș the Impaler (about 500 items)
 * visit the Vlad Țepeș island and tomb
 * watch and touch dozens of species (plants, fish, frogs, snails, crayfish, and insects) from the special built pond (located at Snagov Foundation)

title: Snagov


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Snæfellsjökull National Park

Snæfellsjökull National Park is a national park located on the tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland. The park is home to the ice-covered volcanic crater that was the setting for Jules Verne's book Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Understand

The national park encompasses the tip of the peninsula, including the Snæfellsjökull volcano. It is perhaps the most easily accessible park from Reykjavík, only 3 hours away by car.

Landscape
Expect a huge variety of natural beauty, ranging from towering sea stacks to sandy beaches. The volcano is ice-capped year round.

Get in
The northern entrance to the park is just outside Hellissandur. Ólafsvík is otherwise the main town on this part of the Peninsula.

Get around
Most of the roads on the Western and SW-most parts of the peninsula are unpaved (to road 54). Road 574, Utnesvegur, leads around the park more or less by the coast, while road 570, Jökulhálsleið, leads east of the glacier outside of the park but close to the glacier. F575 between Utnesvegur and Jökulhálsleið leads over the highland, but requires four wheel drive.

Several companies offer tours to the summit.

Do
Walking, skiing, and/or snowmobiling will take one to the top of Snæfellsjökull. Beware of crevasses.

Lodging
Hotels exist in Hellissandur and Ólafsvík. The Hotel Hellissandur (with a restaurant) appears more reliable than Ólafsvík.

Stay safe
Beware crevasses. And weather.

title: Snæfellsjökull National Park


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Snohomish

Snohomish is a city in the Puget Sound region of Washington (state). It has a charming, touristy historical downtown area.

See

 * Snohomish National Historical District

Buy
1st Street has a lot of antique shops, restaurants, bars and little shops. There are buildings from the 1800s, and some used to be brothels.

Eat
There's a Twin Eagles cafe open 6am to 2pm. There's a Thai Kitchen very very good Thai food. There's a Tex Mex restaurant along with some other restaurants and the usual chain eateries.

title: Snohomish


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Snoqualmie Pass

Snoqualmie Pass is a ski resort in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State

Get in
Snoqualmie Pass is on Interstate 90 with easy access to Spokane in the east and Seattle in the west.

Get around
Interstate 90 is the only road access to and through the pass, about 55 miles from both Seattle to the west and Ellensburg to the east. The traffic is usually not a problem once you pass the edges of Seattle's suburban sprawl outside Issaquah, except during major holiday weekends. Weather conditions can be a different story, particularly during the winter months when heavy fog, rain, and snow are all commonplace. During ski season, traffic is often delayed or temporarily stopped near the summit for avalanche control work. Weather conditions on either side of the pass can differ sharply; check the pass conditions before setting out. During particularly heavy snowstorms, the pass may close entirely for a day or two.

Summer driving is usually pleasant, with good conditions and sweeping forest views on the west side of the pass. The east side is undergoing road construction and widening through 2016, with routine hour-long closures in both directions on summer weekday evenings for rock blasting.

Mountains to Sound Greenway
The corridor of I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass is known as the Mountains To Sound Greenway, and offers many sightseeing and exploration opportunities, only a short distance from Seattle. You can print out and take along a PDF "Geo-Tour" of the MTSG.

Summit At Snoqualmie
With four alpine base areas summit ski slopes that vary from beginner to advanced. Nights skiing is also available

 * Summit Central Has a large terrain park and a halfpipe.
 * Summit East
 * Summit West
 * Alpental Offers everything from beginner to deadly (quite literally) terrain. The in-bounds area at Alpental contains a several-hundred foot tall cliff that's pretty great to ski off of, but check the landing for plenty of snow first, and do this only if you're an expert skier.  Pay attention to, and believe the double black diamond signs.  The Alpental backcountry is quite impressive and readily accessible; make sure to obtain a Backcountry Pass from the Ski Patrol (at their Shack atop Chair 2) before exploring.  Drive east on Interstate 90 from Seattle, approximately 1 hour.  The road is an active interstate highway, and is therefore plowed and sanded all winter long, but snow tires or chains may be required.

Hiking
There are numerous hiking opportunities around the Snoqualmie Pass area. This is not an area that much solitude will be found on the hike.
 * Snow Lake A good hike from July to early October. A moderately strenuous hike, trailhead can be reached parking at the Alpental ski resort parking lot (A Northwest Forest Pass may be necessary). Traverses through forest, reaches an Alpine Lake. Stay and relax, consider a swim. Continue along the trail, go to Gem Lake, and beyond.

title: Snoqualmie Pass


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Snow Canyon State Park

Snow Canyon is a state park in the Dixie region of Utah. It has strikingly beautiful scenery and offers excellent opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

History
Snow Canyon had been inhabited by Ancestral Puebloans for hundreds of years prior to the mid-1800s. It was "discovered" again by Mormon pioneers in the 1850s. Like a lot of famous landmarks in the west, Snow Canyon was discovered by ranchers searching for lost cattle. The state park was created in 1959 and named after Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, who were prominent Utah political and religious leaders from the region.

Landscape
Snow Canyon was formed hundreds of millions ago when quartzite sand blew in, creating gigantic sand dunes. Eventually these sand dunes were covered with sediments and cemented into the red and white Navajo Sandstone that makes up much of the park. Water cut through the rock, creating canyons.

Volcanoes were quite common in the area as recently as 10,000 years ago. Lava flowed through the canyons, filling them with basalt and creating new canyons in the park. Look for the extinct volcano cones near the northern end of the park.

The park is at the intersection of the Mojave Desert (which continues to the southwest into California), the Great Basin Desert (which continues to the north and west into Nevada), and the Colorado Plateau (which continues to the east, stretching to New Mexico and Colorado).

Flora and fauna
Snow Canyon is in the high desert, so the flora are desert-hardy species, like scrub, sagebrush, and yucca. In the spring and fall, you may find a lot of desert flowers in the park. Some of the wildlife residing in the park include coyotes, roadrunners, lizards, and sidewinders.

Climate
Your typical high desert climate. Summer can get very hot during the day (highs above 100°F are common in July and August). Winters are mild, but it gets pretty chilly during the nights.

Get in
Snow Canyon is located eight miles north of St. George. Take Utah State Road 18 north and turn left on Snow Canyon Parkway, then turn right on Utah State Road 8 and enter Snow Canyon. You can also access Snow Canyon from the north via Utah State Road 18.

Fees and permits
Day passes are $10 per vehicle (up to 8 people). Camping sites are $25 with water/electric hookups, $20 without hookups.

Get around
Driving along the single road at the bottom of the canyon is the easiest way to access the trailheads and many of the sights of Snow Canyon. However, you can also hike, bike, or rollerblade on the Whiptail Trail, a 6-mile long paved trail running alongside the road. It is the only bike trail in Snow Canyon, but a fantastic one.

Eat
There are no restaurants around Snow Canyon. You'll have to eat in St. George.

Lodging
Lodging is available in St. George.

Camping
You may camp in the designated area next to the Park Office. There are about 30 sites, and about half of them have water and electric hookups. Fees are $18 for a full-hookup site, $15 for a site without hookups.

You can camp only in the designated campground. No backcountry camping.

Go next

 * Zion National Park, the most popular national park in Utah, and one of the most beautiful in the country.

title: Snow Canyon State Park