text:
Armutlu (Marmara)

Armutlu is a beach resort in the Southern Marmara Region of Turkey. It's the main town on the olive and cypress-clad Armutlu Peninsula, with a population of 5160 in 2012, and is best known for its hot springs.

Understand
Armutlu means "the place of pears". There are a dozen villages of that name in Turkey alone, with another dozen scattered across the former Ottoman lands, and none of them are notable for their pear production. Armutlu in Marmara Region, the present example, is a seaside town on the south coast of Armutlu Peninsula, looking over the Gulf of Gemlik with the mountains of Mysia rising beyond.

Armutlu is within easy reach of Istanbul and has a pleasant Mediterranean climate, with purple sprays of bougainvillea, and a breeze to offset the summer heat. Winters are mild and rainy, and spring arrives in April, with white irises in bloom.

Most visitors arrive in İskele, the harbour area. One km north up the hill is the old town centre, signposted as Merkez but generally referred to as Köy - "village".

The road west leads through a straggle of second homes on Tavşantepe - "rabbit hill" - then reaches the gates of İhlas. This is a resort village - the name means "fidelity" but it looks more like a Soviet-era spa for Stakhanovites. Much of it is condos and similar long leases, but they have accommodation for passing visitors.

By boat
İDO ferries sail daily from Istanbul. They start from Kadıköy then pick up at Yenikapı - this is just south of Sultanahmet and likely to be the most convenient for international travellers. They take just under two hours to Armutlu (adult single 161 TL, or as little as 121 TL for advance booking, Aug 2022) then continue to Güzelyalı for buses to Bursa. However most sailings from Istanbul are direct to Mudanya or Güzelyalı and don't call at Armutlu. BUDO ferries don't sail here.

is in the main port, 2 km south of town centre. In season, ferries also may pick-up and drop-off at İhlas beach resort (Tatil Köyü) 5 km west at the tip of the peninsula.

By bus
Most routes involve a change at Gemlik, which is on O-5 connecting Istanbul, Ankara and Bursa. (For example Metro Turizm buses run hourly from Istanbul Samindira, east edge of the city, taking 90 min to Gemlik.) Five buses a day run up the peninsula from Gemlik, taking 30 min to Armutlu then another 15 min to İhlas.

Armodies Turizm buses run direct five times a day from Bursa, taking about an hour to Armutlu and continuing to İhlas.

Buses from Yalova putter through the north peninsula villages and olive groves, taking three hours to Armutlu and continuing to İhlas.

Armutlu "bus station" is just a scrummage of minibuses in town centre.

By car
From Istanbul or Ankara take O-5 south over the bridge from Gebze, stay on it to the D575 interchange for Gemlik, then pick up the coast road Cumhuriyet Cd.

A slow route follows the coast from Yalova, interminable ribbon-development in its eastern section then scenic and hairpinning further west.

Get around
Minibuses run between the harbour, the village, west to İhlas, and occasionally up to the hot spring source to the north. Some are run by the town council (Belediye), others are privately operated.

The roads within the town are all well paved, although often narrow and lacking road markings.

The road between İhlas and the village is ratty and has no sidewalk.

See and do

 * Armutlu town is modern ticky-tacky breezeblock. You might find a few old Ottoman houses in the back lanes, but what the earth tremors have spared, the developers have swooped on.
 * Thermal springs bubble out of the hillside at 60 °C. They're similar to the Yalova springs, laden with sulphate, carbonate or chloride of calcium and sodium, to 2 grams per litre. Not much metal content, but don't drink this scalding brine. (It's also radioactive, 1.04 millimicrocuries/litre). The main source (kaplıca) is 4 km north of town but there are dozens of spa hotels along the beach strip. Grand therapeutic claims are made for the waters but as a general rule, any nostrum claimed to alleviate three dozen medical conditions benefits precisely none, especially if it has a ponderous official certificate. Just relax and bask in their warmth.
 * The beach is a narrow strip of shingle near town. A long sandy stretch begins 2 km west, with a smaller beach near the tip of the peninsula. Water quality is acceptable as there's not much urban run-off.
 * Green-Blue Road (Yeşil-Mavi Yol) is a switchback road along the spine of the forested peninsula. It's paved and suitable for 2WD, but signposting is erratic. Eastbound from Armutlu, follow it through Mecidiye, Hayriye, Selimiye and Delmece. Here a side road descends through Karlık to the coast at Esenköy. The main route continues to the Great and Small Bottomless Lakes (Büyük Dipsiz Göl and Küçük Dipsiz Göl, both being craters). Descend via Teşvikiye forest, where eateries (35–100 TL, Aug 2022) overlook a valley with a zipline course (80 TL) over it and a trail leads to Erikli waterfalls, then rejoin the north coast highway at Çınarcık. See Yalova for more on the east section of this route.
 * Cape Bozburun is the breezy tip of the peninsula just beyond the beach resort, with a stubby lighthouse.
 * İmralı is the island seen in the distance west of the Cape. It was inhabited by Ottoman Greeks before the population exchange between Turkey and Greece. It is now a prison island, inaccessible to the general public.
 * Esenköy is a beach resort on the north coast, where you might break a journey towards Yalova.

Buy

 * Migros supermarket is near the ferry pier, open daily 09:00-21:00.
 * Olive oil is produced locally. Specialty olive oil shops are signed zeytinci.

Eat and drink

 * İskele (harbour area) has Çetinkaya Canlı Balık, Urfa Sofrası, Ciğerci Bilo, Acıktım Kebap Lahmacun, Üçyol Lokantasi and Yes My Pizza.
 * Merkez (town centre) has Antepli Şefin Yeri, Eşgel Balıkçılık, and Şehir Pide
 * The beach strip has Kirmizli Beyaz Pide Kebap Salonu, Ybs Kebapevi and Doğan Pide.

Sleep

 * Erdilli Thermal Hotel is near the main spring source 4 km north of town, on a loop of the old highway off Kaplıca Cd. In 2022 it remains closed.
 * Erdilli Thermal Hotel is near the main spring source 4 km north of town, on a loop of the old highway off Kaplıca Cd. In 2022 it remains closed.
 * Erdilli Thermal Hotel is near the main spring source 4 km north of town, on a loop of the old highway off Kaplıca Cd. In 2022 it remains closed.
 * Erdilli Thermal Hotel is near the main spring source 4 km north of town, on a loop of the old highway off Kaplıca Cd. In 2022 it remains closed.
 * Erdilli Thermal Hotel is near the main spring source 4 km north of town, on a loop of the old highway off Kaplıca Cd. In 2022 it remains closed.

Connect
As of March 2022, Armutlu and its approach roads have 4G from Turkcell, but only a patchy signal from the other carriers. 5G has not yet rolled out in Turkey.

Go next

 * Gemlik is an industrial suburb of Bursa and transport hub. Along the way you might explore the old hillside villages of Fıstıklı and Kapaklı, and the small seaside resorts of Narlı and Kumla.
 * Mudanya is a ferry port with a few Ottoman buildings, and Tirilye has an 8th-century Byzantine church.
 * Bursa is a bustling modern place, but as the first city of the Ottoman dynasty it's studded with historic sites.
 * Esenköy and Çınarcık are resorts on the peninsula north coast, heading towards Yalova.
 * Yalova the provincial capital is a port and transport hub. It has hot springs similar to Armutlu.

title: Armutlu (Marmara)


text:
Arnhem

Arnhem is the capital of the Dutch province Gelderland. It was built on both banks of the rivers Nederrijn and Sint-Jansbeek, which were the source of the city's development. The larger area of the municipality of Arnhem has a south-eastern border that is partly formed by the river IJssel. It forms the northern part of the Stadsregio Arnhem Nijmegen. Arnhem had a population of 151,356 in 2014 and is one of the larger cities of the Netherlands.

History
Though the early tracks of settlements showed that the early residents of Arnhem descended from the forests on the hills, Arnhem was not built on the banks of the river Rhine, but a little higher along the Sint-Jansbeek. Arnhem arose on the location where the road between Nijmegen and Utrecht/Zutphen split. Seven streams provided the city with water, and only when the flow of the Rhine was changed in 1530, was the city located on the river.

in 1543, it fell to the emperor Charles V. As capital of the so-called "Kwartier van Veluwe" it joined the Union of Utrecht during the Eighty Years' War in 1579. After its capture from the Spanish forces by Dutch and English troops in 1585 the city became part of the Republic of the Seven United Provinces of the Netherlands.

The French occupied the town from 1672 to 1674, and preoccupied it from 1795 to 1813.

In the 19th century, Arnhem was a genteel resort town famous for its picturesque beauty. It was known as "The Little Hague of the East", mainly because a number of rich former sugar barons or planters from the Indies settled there, as they did in The Hague.

In the World War II, during Operation Market Garden, the British 1st Airborne Division were given the task of securing the bridge at Arnhem. A second battle of Arnhem took place in April 1945 when the city was liberated by the British 49th Infantry Division fighting as part of the First Canadian Army. Much of the old centre had been destroyed, resulting in a modern city arising in its place.

By car
Arnhem is connected with multiple highways.

A12: (west-east) The road connects the city of The Hague, with the German border, connecting to the German Autobahn A3.

A50: (north-south) Is a highway in the Netherlands, stretching from Eindhoven in the southeast up to Zwolle in the northeast of the country.

A325: The highway between Arnhem and Nijmegen

By train or bus
Arnhem has four train stations to its name: is the main station of Arnhem, opened in May 1845. The station, which with 40,000 passengers per day is the ninth busiest station in the Netherlands, has two exits, one of which, Sonsbeekzijde, is on the northwest side of the train station, and can be identified as the elevated walkway across the tracks. As the exit's name implies, it is closest to Park Sonsbeek and has a smaller bus halt at which international buses, most notably FlixBus, stop. The city side exit is found on the east side, and has escalators and steps going down. Here you'll find on-the-go shops, though these are quite expensive compared to their counterparts outside of the station. The city centre is a few minutes away by foot. Optionally, you could take a (trolley) bus from the bus station, which is incorporated into the train station. It too can be found on the city side of the station. Arnhem Centraal is on the Amsterdam — Frankfurt am Main InterCity Express (ICE) line, as well as an international stopping train to Dusseldorf (RE 19) serviced by Abellio. The Deutschlandticket is valid for rides between Arnhem and North Rhine Westfalia in the RE19. Sprinters and Intercity's connect to 's-Hertogenbosch, Utrecht, Amsterdam, Schiphol, Ede-Wageningen, Wijchen, Zutphen and many more. Stoptreinen serviced by Arriva and Breng will get you to Doetinchem, Winterswijk or Tiel.

The other three stations in Arnhem which connect to more urban areas of the city are:
 * , on the south bank of the river Rhine,
 * , near the shopping centre of the same name; and
 * , near the Steenstraat and the Klarendal Fashion Quarter.

By plane
Arnhem is near several airports:

Amsterdam-Schiphol airport, The largest airport in the Netherlands, and the fifth largest in Europe. It is 110 km to the northwest. The train takes about 75 min, and will cost one way. Schiphol airport gets served by most major carriers, and has an excess of 100 flights per day to the United States alone.

By car: Take the A12 to Utrecht, Then heading to Amsterdam via A2 and then A9 to Schiphol Airport. Expect this to take anywhere from 60–75 minutes in regular traffic.

Weeze Airport, 80 km southeast of Arnhem just across the border with Germany, near the village of Weeze (Germany). Although Ryanair (the biggest airline serving the airport) and the airport advertise with the name Düsseldorf-Weeze, the airport isn't near Düsseldorf. The city of Düsseldorf is 80 km to the southeast of the airport. Weeze serves over 50 destinations across Europe, Northern Africa and Western Asia.

The only direct public transportation from Weeze to Arnhem is a taxivan costing €16 euro one-way, and you will have to make a reservation beforehand. For timetabling see the taxivan's website. Journey time will be about 70 minutes. Pick-up and drop-off in Arnhem will be at the Gelredome Stadium/McDonald's. If your plane lands shortly before the bus is scheduled to leave give them a quick call on the tarmac and they will wait for you.

Otherwise, the more adventurous can take a bus from Weeze to Kleve, then a train to Nijmegen, where you can catch a connecting train to Arnhem. This journey can take between 2.5 and 3 hours.

Eindhoven Airport, 85 km to the southwest of Arnhem. From the airport you take bus 401 to Eindhoven Central Station and then a train to 's Hertogenbosch (which is the same as Den Bosch). In 's Hertogenbosch, change trains and take the train to Arnhem. This journey will take you approximately 100 minutes by public transportation.

When driving, take the A50, (Zwolle-Eindhoven) which skirts the west of the metropolitan area to the Eindhoven ring road (A58/A2) Airport exit is exit 29 on the A2.

Flughafen Düsseldorf, about one-third the size of Amsterdam-Schiphol, but with plenty of international connections, including to the US, and gets served by all the major airlines in Europe. Although it doesn't get nearly as many flights as Amsterdam does, it's cheaper, doesn't have nearly as many congestion problems, and generally much less hassle at the airport.

From Arnhem's main train station you can take the ICE train to Düsseldorf Hbf, where you can take S1 to Flughafen terminal. The train to Düsseldorf Hbf will take around 70 minutes.

By bicycle
Arnhem is on EuroVelo 15 and LF-3.

For information on the adjacent German section, see Rhine Rad Weg.

By bus
Arnhem is the only city in the Netherlands that uses trolleybuses as a means of public transportation. The bus station is next to the train station in the city centre. There is a fast and frequent trolleybus network. From here you also can take a local bus or buses to cities like Apeldoorn (bus 91 and 231) and Nijmegen (331 stops only on the main stopping places, also 33 but he takes a longer route). Timetables and prices can be found here.

By bicycle
There is a bike rental at the Stationsplein (Station square) next to the exit of the Station. The rate per day is €5.20, per week (5 days or longer) it's €21.

At the bike rental a deposit of €25 per bicycle is required. Payment by credit card is accepted. It is possible to take out a bicycle insurance. The premium amounts to €0.50 a day per bike. The deposit amount is doubled when a bicycle insurance is not taken out.

By taxi
There are several taxi services in Arnhem. The most common service is Taxi Arnhem, they can be reached 24/7 at. You can also arrange for the taxi to pick you up from Schiphol Airport or Eindhoven Airport.

Taxis can be found waiting near Arnhem Central Station. Taxi drivers in Arnhem do not use Uber, Lyft, or a similar service, so you have to phone a taxi to book one.

By car
There are several car rentals in Arnhem:

 * Europcar, Boulevard Heuvelink 5.
 * Hertz, Bergstraat 2.
 * KAV, Stieltjesweg 17.

Events

 * The Living Statues exhibition is one of the great summer attractions for the city, with around 250 competitors from around the world. The event takes place during the last weekend of August and dates back to 1996. On Saturday the catwalks belong to child performers, whilst adult actors perform on Sunday afternoon.
 * The Airborne March is an annual Dutch commemorative event of remembrance that began in 1947 and takes place on the first Saturday in September in Oosterbeek near Arnhem. Over 34,000 people took part in the 65th march in 2011.
 * King's Day (formerly Queen's Day) is a national holiday celebrated on 27 April. Festivities will be held in the city centre.
 * Other national holidays, such as Sinterklaas and Carnival, are also celebrated publicly with events and parades throughout the city.

Sports

 * Football: SBV Vitesse were relegated in 2024 and now play soccer in Eerste Divisie, the second tier. Their home ground Gelredome (capacity 21,000) is 2 km south of town centre, use Bus 7. It also hosts concerts and events such as the truck show Monster Jam.

Buy
The city center in Arnhem has four major shopping areas, that are connected with each other. They are the Roggestraat, Ketelstraat, Vijzelstraat, and the Rijnstraat. It's a pedestrian zone and has a length of approximately 1.5 km. These streets are paved with shops and boutiques, and form Arnhems main shopping area.

Just outside the city centre near the Arnhem Velperpoort train station is the Steenstraat, a well-known shopping street.

Eat
Typical to Arnhem are the Arnhemse meisjes ('Arnhem girls'), a local type cookie. You can also enjoy a wide variety of traditional Dutch treats, such as stroopwafels, at many vendors and stores in Arnhem's city center. There's a wide variety of restaurants, especially in and near the city center, but also in the Kronenburg shopping center.

Budget
If you don't have a Taco Bell in your country, there is one near the central train station. Burger King has plant-based burgers for the same price as the ones with meat, including hamburger and cheeseburger.

The following eateries are in the city centre:

Drink
For Arnhem's nightlife visit one of the many pubs, clubs and bars on and near the Korenmarkt, including The Cavern, Bloopers, Jules, Aspen Valley, The Manhattan and The Move. The nightlife in Arnhem is predominantly active on weekends after midnight; on weekdays or before 12 on weekends you can expect to find most clubs mostly empty.

Sleep

 * Hotel de Bilderberg, Oosterbeek
 * Hotel de Bilderberg, Oosterbeek
 * Hotel de Bilderberg, Oosterbeek
 * Hotel de Bilderberg, Oosterbeek
 * Hotel de Bilderberg, Oosterbeek
 * Hotel de Bilderberg, Oosterbeek
 * Hotel de Bilderberg, Oosterbeek

Connect
As of July 2022, Arnhem has 5G from all Dutch carriers.

Go next
From Arnhem, the Hoge Veluwe National Park and Veluwezoom National Park are just a hop away to the north. There are accommodations for the parks in the towns and cities surrounding it.

Arnhem and Nijmegen have very close ties, as a result, travelling from Arnhem to Nijmegen can be done with ease, whether you're travelling by car (via A325) or train (direct line).

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

title: Arnhem


text:
Arnhem Land

Arnhem Land is an isolated reserve that covers in the Top End of the Northern Territory. It's in the middle of Australia's northern coast and bounded by Kakadu National Park, the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria. The region has been a reserve since 1931, taking its name from Matthew Flinders, who named the region after the 1623 Dutch ship exploring the coast named De Arnhem, the boat in turn is named after the Dutch city of Arnhem.

Understand
The main settlement is Nhulunbuy with a population of over 4,000 people, actually the fourth largest settlement in the Northern Territory. The area belongs to the Yolngu Aboriginal people who have lived on and taken care of the land for more than 40,000 years. Nhulunbuy is one of the most isolated areas of Australia, surrounded by beautiful beaches and is a popular adventure fishing spot. The town was built in the early 1970s to service a bauxite mine and alumina refinery, operated by Alcan. However it has also assumed a role as a centre for service provision to Arnhem Land. Its isolation has meant that its natural attractions have had little visibility in the mainstream tourist market. Nhulunbuy is often referred to as "Gove", however Gove is actually the peninsula on which the town is located.

History
Arnhem Land is home to the oldest living culture in the world. There are hundreds of different languages, customs and laws, each woven together to tell a story that is more than 50,000 years old. Sharing and learning about Aboriginal art and culture is central to the Arnhem Land experience.

Geography
This Aboriginal-owned expanse is made up of wild coastlines, deserted islands, rivers teeming with fish, lush rainforests, soaring escarpments and savannah woodland. This land is one of the last great unspoiled areas of the world. Its small population is predominantly indigenous, whose traditional Aboriginal culture remains largely intact. The didjeridu originated in Arnhem Land, and the area is also world-renowned for its distinctive Aboriginal art.

Flora and fauna
Arnhem Land is one of the best fishing destinations in the world, mainly owing to its rarely fished waters.

The World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Land, the Mary River and the Gove Peninsula are home to around 280 bird species, equating to about a third of all bird species found in Australia, making the region a drawcard for bird watchers.

The apex predator of Arnhem is the saltwater crocodile. Dugongs and killer whales also reside in the eastern end of the region.

Climate
The most popular time to visit Arnhem Land is in the dry season (April to September) The wet season sees extremely dramatic weather conditions. Unless you are an experienced adventure traveller, then booking a tour to visit the area in the dry season is the usual way to travel there.

Throughout the year, Kakadu and Arnhem Land's landscapes undergo spectacular changes. Bininj/Mungguy recognise six different seasons, as well as subtle variations that signpost the transition from one season to another. This knowledge of nature is fundamental to the culture of the Aboriginal people. Bininj/Mungguy have lived with the changing landscape for tens of thousands of years, adapting and using the land for food, shelter and general well−being.

Yegge: Cool weather time, May to June. The wetlands are carpeted with water lilies. Drying winds and flowering Darwin woolly butt tell Bininj/Mungguy to patchwork burn the woodlands to encourage new growth.

Wurrgeng: Early dry season, June to August Most creeks stop flowing and the floodplains quickly dry out. Magpie geese, fat and heavy after weeks of abundant food crowd the shrinking billabongs.

Gurrung: Hot dry season, August to October Hunting time for file snakes and long-necked turtles. White-breasted wood swallows arrive as thunderclouds build, signalling the return of Gunumeleng.

Gunumeleng: Pre-monsoon, October to December Streams begin to run, water birds spread out as surface water and new growth becomes widespread. Barramundi move from the waterholes downstream to the estuaries to breed.

Gudjewg: Monsoon, December to March. The heat and humidity generate an explosion of plant and animal life. Spear grass grows to over two metres tall and creates a silvery-green hue throughout the woodlands.

Banggerreng: Harvest time, April. Clear skies prevail, the vast expanses of floodwater recede and streams start to run clear. Most plants are fruiting and animals are caring for their young.

By car
Access by road to Nhulunbuy is only possible via the Central Arnhem Road which connects to the Stuart Highway south of Katherine. A permit to travel this road is required by the Northern Land Council. The Central Arnhem Road is approximately 650 km of mainly gravel road with numerous river crossings. The drive should only be done in a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle. Caravans are not permitted on the road. There is limited fuel available along this route.

By plane
Helicopter tours and light aircraft flights are available.

There are daily Qantas flights to Nhulunbuy (Gove Airport) from both Darwin and Cairns. Airnorth flies from Darwin 6 days a week as well. Gove Airport (GOV), is approximately 13 km from Nhulunbuy and 7 km from Yirrkala.

Fees and permits
Anyone wanting to venture into Arnhem Land needs to apply for a permit through the Northern Land Council (+61 1800 645 299) and discuss the best spots to camp with the regional permit officer. Call or check website for up to date details on pricing etc.

Nhulunbuy is surrounded by land that is under the control of the local Aboriginal landowners, the Yolngu. Permits are required to enter Yolngu land. During the wet season a proper 4WD should be used to get to some of the camping spots.

Get around
Many travellers fly in or visit Arnhem Land on a four-wheel drive tour, but to really test your driving skills, obtain a permit and experience the networks of four-wheel drive tracks yourself (April to September only). Scenic flights are another way to really take in the vast scenery.

Organised tours are really the best way to experience Arnhem Land. A knowledgeable guide will lead you through the area and answer any questions you may have.

To Groote Eylandt
To get to Groote Eylandt, you can either catch a ferry or cross the gulf by boat or alternatively, fly to Groote Eylandt from Darwin, the Gove Peninsula (within Arnhem Land) or Cairns.

See
There are a number of indigenous art galleries in and around Arnhem Land. The art centres can arrange visitor permits and advise when is the best time of day to watch local artists and craftspeople create their work.

As access can be affected due to high tides, please check with Dhimurru Land Management Land Corporation for details. Travellers must also obtain a recreation permit from Dhimurru prior to visiting the area.

The beaches around Nhulunbuy are absolutely spectacular. Beautiful sand and water that you can swim in most of the year, of course being cautious about sharks and other dangers. The bush here is great as well. Beautiful animals and types of plants you see all along the way to the spectacular waterholes. They have clear pristine water.

Do
You can learn about and view the many world-famous rock art galleries on a guided tour or through the comprehensive interpretative signage at many art sites.

Tours led by Aboriginal guides explore the spectacular bush environment, searching for traditional foods and medicines while others cruise rivers and billabongs or tell you the story of the didgeridoo.

Buy
The art sites and galleries sell original Aboriginal arts and crafts.

Collect Aboriginal Artoffer small, tailor made flying tours to remote Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land, Central Australian and beyond, to view and purchase authentic Aboriginal art. Focusing on their belief, ‘the first rule when collecting Aboriginal art is to spend time where it’s created’, these fully escorted tours will provide you with a rich cultural experience. The Arnhem Land Art Tour runs for 3½ days and visit remote art centres. This tour costs from $8600 to $9220. Private charters are also available.

Eat
Exploring the area through a tour is most recommended. The tours will provide you with all your food needs. Bush tucker tours show visitors how the indigenous people live from the land. Basic food is available at the sporadic rest stops and museums throughout the park.

Drink
Make sure you drink plenty of water when trekking through Arnhem Land, at least one litre of water for every hour of walking.

Lodging
Accommodation is limited, but there are some facilities scattered over Arnhem Land, two of them in Nhulunbuy.

Camping
You can then sleep under the stars at one of Arnhem Land’s many secluded camp spots. Discuss the best places to camp with the regional permit officer.

Stay safe

 * Crocodiles Estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles are dangerous. They have attacked and killed people. They inhabit most areas of water in Kakadu National Park including floodplains, freshwater billabongs, creeks, rivers and coastal areas. In most locations, crocodile warning signs tell you not to enter the water and to keep away from the water’s edge. Obey signs warning of crocodiles. If you do not see a warning sign, assume that crocodiles are present. Do not enter the water unless you are sure it is safe to do so.
 * Swimming Due to the risk of estuarine crocodiles in the park, the only public place you should swim is in the Jabiru swimming pool. Some visitors choose to swim at their own risk, in selected natural plunge pools and gorge areas such as Gubara, Maguk, Jim Jim Falls, Gunlom, Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge) and in creeks on the plateau above Twin Falls, Jim Jim Falls and Gunlom. These areas are surveyed for estuarine crocodiles prior to opening each dry season. There remains some risk that estuarine crocodiles may move into gorges and plunge pools during the dry season. Read the crocodile warning signs in each plunge pool and gorge area and consider their information carefully.
 * Some of the most poisonous snakes in the world inhabit Kakadu, but luckily for visitors they are all very shy and are very rarely seen, let alone confronted. These species include the Taipan, Death Adder, and King Brown. They are seldom active during the day, hunting at night. Do not hike off any trails after dark.
 * Feral animals have become relatively common in Kakadu, some of which may pose a threat if harassed. Asian Water Buffalo and Wild Horses can cause serious injury or death if they charge.
 * Cliffs Climbing rock ledges and cliffs and walking or standing near cliff edges can lead to serious injury or death, especially when rock surfaces are wet. Keep well away from all cliff edges.
 * What to wear During the heat of the day, you will be most comfortable in loose covering clothing which is cool but protects you from sunburn and insect bites. Use sunscreen and wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses. Mosquitoes can carry viruses such as the Ross River virus, so if they are biting, use a repellent.
 * Dehydration Early symptoms include feeling thirsty, excess sweating, headache, dizziness and nausea. If dehydration continues, it can result in seizures, a loss of consciousness and even death.
 * Preventing dehydration Limit your activity to the cooler parts of the day (mornings and late afternoons) and drink plenty of water. Most people need between 4 and 8 litres of water per day so start drinking water early (coffee, tea and alcohol don’t count!). For every hour you walk, carry at least one litre of water per person.
 * First aid Lie the person down in a cool shaded area. Give them water in small quantities at a time (creek water is alright if you have no other water). If the person cannot keep the water down, or does not recover quickly, seek medical assistance. Contact the medical centre at Jabiru on.
 * Emergency Call Devices [ECD] are available in remote locations throughout the park. Instructions on use are written on the ECD. These are for emergency calls only. See maps for locations.
 * Flash flooding Sudden rises in the levels of waterways can quickly cut off the return route from the top of waterfalls such as Gunlom and Jim Jim. Fast flowing water can be deceptive, creating strong currents and dangerous swimming conditions.
 * Driving hints Top End roads can be hazardous. Plan ahead and allow sufficient time for travel. Slow down! Roads can become slippery in the wet. During the dry, dust from other vehicles can obscure your vision. When using 4WD tracks, put your vehicle into 4WD. Read your vehicle instructions: many vehicles need their front wheel hubs physically locked, before engaging 4WD from the driver’s seat. At flooded crossings read the signs, look at depth markers and observe how quickly the water is flowing, before deciding whether to cross. Sometimes it is safer to wait until the water recedes. Remember crocodiles may be present. In the event of fires, make sure you park your vehicle in cleared areas rather than in flammable long grass. Use vehicle headlights if driving through heavy smoke, and drive slowly. If stopping, park well off the road and use hazard lights. Do not park on bridges or causeways at any time. Always check road access.
 * Make sure you have all the correct permits.

Go next

 * Darwin
 * Kakadu National Park
 * Katherine
 * Tennant Creek

title: Arnhem Land


text:
Arnprior

Arnprior is a town of about 9,600 people (2021) on the Madawaska and Ottawa rivers in Eastern Ontario.

Understand
Arnprior, aka "the Prior", is the gateway to tourism in the Upper Ottawa Valley and the Western gateway to Ottawa and Canada's National Capital Region.

Arnprior takes its name from the village of Arnprior Stirlingshire, Scotland (UK) from where its founding fathers came. It is known for lumber, hydro power generation, aerospace, and farming.

History
In May 1613 European explorers, led by Samuel de Champlain, first visited the Ottawa River valley, home of the Algonquin tribe of First Nations (Aboriginal) people.

In 1823, a 1,200-acre (490 ha) surveyed block was ceded to Archibald McNab and given the eponymous name, McNab Township. McNab had approval from the Family Compact to treat the settlers on his land in the feudal manner practised in Scotland. In 1831 the town was named by the Buchanan Brothers after McNab's ancestral home of Arnprior, between Stirling and Drymen, Scotland.

Tired of the harsh treatment, the settlers revolted and, after a government investigation, McNab was forced to vacate the area in 1841. Arnprior, Braeside and McNab township grew as separate communities and boomed when they became integrated into eastern Ontario's massive timber industry.

One of the most successful businessmen of the upper Ottawa was Daniel McLachlin, who built a massive sawmill at the confluence of the Madawaska and Ottawa Rivers, and expanded the community of Arnprior. The lumber industry maintained a significant position until the closing of the Gillies Mill. The forests of the period are represented in the Grove which is an excellent example of indigenous forest, grown after a fire in the 18th century. With individual specimens reaching 175 feet (53 m), these are the tallest white pines in Ontario.

By car
Arnprior is on Highway 417 (Trans-Canada Highway), about 45 km northwest of Ottawa. If driving from Ottawa, take highway 417 westbound. West of Arnprior, the highway stops being a freeway and is renumbered Highway 17, and is part of the Trans-Canada Highway.

Get around
There is no public transit in Arnprior.

Taxis:
 * Grab-A-Cab +1 613-623-5601
 * A-1 Taxi +1 613-623-3522
 * Murry’s Taxi +1 613-622-0677

Do

Go next

 * Almonte — a town that formed around a major textile mill, and has since preserved many historic buildings. The inventor of basketball, Dr. James Naismith, was born here, and the local museum holds some of his memorabilia.
 * Calabogie — a lakefront town, with ski and golf resorts, and a motorsports park.
 * Carp — a small village, home to Canada's Cold War Museum in the "Diefenbunker".
 * Renfrew — the birthplace of the National Hockey Association, the predecessor to the National Hockey League. The story is told by a small museum in the town's arena.

title: Arnprior


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Arona

Arona is a town near on Lake Maggiore, near its southern end, in the Piedmont region of Italy.

Get in
Arona is 25 km north of Milan's Malpensa International Airport, closer than Milan itself. It is also connected to the railway network, being one of the main stops in the important link between Milan and Switzerland that passes Domodossola (another parallel link travels through Como). Arona is also the last station for two minor rail lines, connecting Arona to Novara and Santhià; the latter uses single-car diesel trains.

Arona is near a confluence of motorways, and from there one can head for Milan, Genoa, and Gravellona Toce (where the motorway becomes a simple highway to Domodossola and continues into Switzerland). Whereas there is a motorway exit named after Arona, the exit at Castelletto Ticino is usually more convenient for the traveller coming from the direction of Milan.

Arona is the southernmost port on Lake Maggiore, and transportation by boat or hydrofoil is available to both sides of the lake up to the Swiss city of Locarno.

Get around
Due to the town's size there is no public transport, but some bus companies connect the town to its frazioni of Dagnente, Campagna, Mercurago and Montrigiasco, and to neighbouring municipalities.

Go next

 * Stresa – take a ferry or drive north to this town and the Borromean Islands

title: Arona


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Aroostook

Aroostook is the northernmost region in Maine. It is coextensive with Aroostook County.

Cities

 * — home of the BigRock Mountain Ski Center
 * — home of the BigRock Mountain Ski Center
 * — home of the BigRock Mountain Ski Center
 * — home of the BigRock Mountain Ski Center
 * — home of the BigRock Mountain Ski Center
 * — home of the BigRock Mountain Ski Center
 * — home of the BigRock Mountain Ski Center
 * — home of the BigRock Mountain Ski Center
 * — home of the BigRock Mountain Ski Center
 * — home of the BigRock Mountain Ski Center
 * — home of the BigRock Mountain Ski Center

By plane

 * Northern Maine Regional Airport at Presque Isle, 650 Airport Drive, Presque Isle, +1 207-764-2550. Served by PenAir.
 * Northern Aroostook Regional Airport, near Frenchville, has no scheduled flights.

Stay safe
Aroostook County is one of the safest places in the U.S. People feel safe enough to leave their car running while they go in the store. And many people who live in rural houses leave their doors unlocked.

title: Aroostook


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Arovudi

Arovudi is a small coastal village on Ovalau Island, Lomaiviti Islands, Fiji.

Get in
There are daily transports by plane or ferry from Suva to Levuka - Ovalau Island

Once on Ovalau transport to Silana can be by taxi from Levuka town anytime you want. This takes about 30 min, cost is approximately $20.

Alternatively, for the real Fiji experience take the local carrier and travel as the Fijians do. Departs around noon and around 4PM, cost is $3 and its takes as long until you there.

See

 * Local village life
 * White coral sand beaches
 * Crystal clear waters,
 * The ruins of the Bure Kalou (temple of spiritual worship) and ancient Tribal grounds up high on the hill
 * Local church life

Do
Relax, swim, snorkel, kayak, sunbathe, go hiking up the mountains to see ancient ruins, wander around the local village and see what life is like, go fishing, ......

Eat
Local fare including Lovo - a traditional Fijian meal cooked slowly in the ground.

Sleep

This is a great out of the way place. Next to Arovudi, on the opposite side of Ovalau to the historic Leveka town. Authentic cheap food cooked by Seru and Sala. The beach is fine white coral, with great snorkelling right out front.

Accommodation options with shared facilities include tents, dorm or cottage. There is also a self contained cottage available. This place is a must if you want to stay of the tourist trail with plenty to do including relaxing.

title: Arovudi


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Arraial do Cabo

Arraial do Cabo is a small city (population approximately 26.000), located in the Lakes Region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, near Búzios. It is recognized as the best diving spot in the state, with clear turquoise water beaches.

Get in
You can reach Arraial do Cabo from the state capital, Rio de Janeiro. Rio's the site of Galeão/Tom Jobim International Airport, which receives lots of international flights. You can rent a car in the airport and drive for about two hours to Arraial do Cabo, through the following the roads: Ponte Rio-Niterói, RJ 104, RJ 106, RJ 132 and RJ 102. The roads around Arraial have frequent speedbumps, some of which are not marked and hard to see at night. Note that (like elsewhere in Brazil), car rental requires a passport, and car rental agencies won't accept copies.

Another way of going from Rio to Arraial do Cabo is getting a bus in Rodoviária Novo Rio (Rio's tourism bus terminal). Auto Viação 1001 has several daily departures to Arraial do Cabo. The one-way ticket costs about R$ 65, as of February 2015.

The Cabo Frio airport, near Arraial do Cabo, receives flights from Belo Horizonte's Pampulha and Rio de Janeiro's Santos Dumont airports. The flights are operated by Trip Airlines.

Get around
As of January 2020, Uber works well. Most supermarkets, shops and dive schools are located on the high street Rua Leonel Mouro Brizola. The 1001 bus stops here behind a gas station.

See
The beaches are stunning. Praia do Grande is largest but the water can be cold compared to elsewhere in Brasil. Praia do Forno is to the north of the town. Praia dos Anjos has a marina and a couple of restaurants. Praia Brava is located on the other side of the peninsula, and is accessed via steep crumbling steps and a short cliff walk. If driving, there is space to park 5 cars on the road. It is often deserted but for some surfers. The water here is cold.

There are no significant sites in the town except for two local churches: Igreja Sagrado Coração de Jesus, and Igreja Nossa Senhora dos Remédios.

Do
You can take a boat tour to the nearby beaches, departing from Praia dos Anjos. If you go to the north end of the beach, you'll see tour vendors offering boat tours, or just ask at any dive shop. During the weekend, the beaches are pretty crowded, especially in high season. Find a tour that leaves early in the morning, so you can see the Grota Azul, renowned for the intense blue color of the waters around it. Unfortunately, diving or snorkeling are not allowed at Grota Azul. Some tours depart later in the day (2pm - La Barca I), but they only go to 2 or 3 beaches, and not to Grota Azul. Boat tours also drop by Pedra do Macaco (The Monkey Stone), a rock resembling a gorilla face.

Arraial also has several hikes and lookout points with spectacular views of the beaches and the ocean:
 * The Ponto de Observação dos Pescadores lookout point overlooks Praia Grande and can be accessed from a trail starting at the south end of Praia Grande
 * Mirante do Pontal to Atalaia is 10 minutes south-east from Ponto de Observação dos Pescadores and offers views of the ocean
 * The confusingly named Pontal to Atalaia is further south-east, near the Pedra do Macaco

There are several dive schools located in Arraial; some speak English.

Buy

 * Princesa Supermercado - small supermarket

Eat

 * Bacalhau do Tuga

Go next
If you travel to Arraial do Cabo, you can use the opportunity to visit its famous neighbors Búzios and Cabo Frio, and also small towns like Araruama, Saquarema, Iguaba and São Pedro da Aldeia.

title: Arraial do Cabo


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Arras

Arras (Dutch: Atrecht) is an attractive town in the Hauts-de-France region of France. It was much fought-over in World War I and is mainly visited by tourists travelling from or to the nearby ports of Calais and Boulogne. It is also a good starting point for a visit to the Canadian National Vimy Memorial (see Lens).

By train
There are regular TGV inOui trains from Paris' Gare du Nord. The journey takes less than an hour and tickets become much more affordable when bought more than a week in advance. The train will arrive at Gare d'Arras, which is only a 15-minute walk from the center area of the city.

Get around
Walking is probably the best way to explore Arras given its small size. A car rental is recommended in Hauts-de-France generally, though, due to the relative distance between towns in this region.

See

 * Les places ( et ) - Like many town centres in France, Arras is made of cobblestone. Both main squares measure 17 000 m². The town's two great squares are quite splendid providing a collection of 155 unique façades of Flemish baroque architecture. In 1492 Arras had become part of the Spanish Netherlands and this helps explain the style of the architecture (Arras was only retaken by the French in 1640 at the time of Louis XIII). These large town squares were designed to accommodate large markets which in different periods contributed largely to the prosperity of the city.

title: Arras


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Arriving in a new city

When arriving in a new city, it's often good to make some practical preparations. If you're visiting friends or family, asking them to pick you up can make your arrival much smoother and may also make immigration formalities (if applicable) a lot easier, as your "I am visiting X" story is much less likely to be doubted.

Understand
Arrival can be the hardest part of a trip. It's late, you're jet lagged or road-weary, and everything is new and strange. You need an affordable place to sleep, something to eat and drink, and probably a way to get around. Whether it's the first stop on a trip or the fifth city in as many days, every traveller feels a little overwhelmed stepping onto a new street in a new city. The sense of excitement and potential for discovery ends up in the shadow of practical matters. It's enough to make you wish you were back in your home town. If your first thought is "What am I doing here," don't panic. You will soon have a good checklist of arrival essentials that lets you head out into the unknown, free to focus on the real adventure.

Prepare
Thanks to the Internet and sites such as Wikivoyage, you can do all the homework you need and the city won't be as intimidating.

If you came by air, the first thing you want to lock down is how will you leave the airport. The most common options are family or a friend, taxi or public transport (bus/train). Now there are also drive sharing options such as Uber, Lyft and whatever else the local versions are.

Get informed about the timetable of your means of transport, and avoid arriving in a foreign city in the middle of the night. Obvious? Yes, but when you get there at 2 AM, it's too late: you can't do anything. You will have to choose between spending the night in the train/bus station or at the airport or searching for a hypothetical hotel open at this late hour. Sometimes you can avoid a late arrival by using an overnight ferry or sleeper train, or just leaving the last leg for the next day.

If you're arriving early in the morning, especially after an overnight journey, you might want to arrange an early check in with your hotel. If you cannot get to your rooms right away, do check if the hotel or bus or train station has lockers or a guarded luggage room or similar where you can store away your bulkier belongings. In that way you can spend a few hours sightseeing without having to carry around everything. If you need to sleep, there are fewer opportunities for pickpockets and other thieves if your stuff is locked away rather than next to you sleeping. If the city isn't awake yet, find out where you can spend your early morning. For those flying in, the airport is often an option.

How will you be getting around? Do you want to buy a 24- or 72-hr travel or tourist card right away? Can you trust taxis? Is public transport safe and comfortable? Is the city centre small enough for just walking? Check beforehand whether there are any particularly dangerous places in the city along your intended route of travel – for example the districts right outside São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport are reportedly not places to explore for a tourist.

If you will travel across time zones, consider the implications, including jet lag. Flying east, you might arrive late in the night, but feel like early evening, and flying west you may be long over bedtime even if the local clock shows early evening. Similar in the morning, but you probably did not sleep well on an overnight flight. And a two-hour difference between when you start from Murmansk and when you arrive in Kirkenes doesn't mean that the voyage takes two hours.

Cash for two days. No matter what city in the world you are arriving in, you won't get too far on an empty wallet. A good rule of thumb is four times your hotel cost for one night. Know in advance how hard it is going to be to get cash. Try to find out whether it is usual to pay for things in the city by cash or by card. Sure, the guidebook may claim there is an ATM, but is it on the other side of town? Not a problem in New York City, Bucharest or Barcelona, but potentially a tricky question in Cairo or Vernazza. Will your hotel accept your credit card? Also know what money you will need — a stack of bills won't help you buy a bottle of water that costs 3 coins. Public transportation or even small guest-houses often won't have or won't give you change for large bills. Make sure to ask for some small denominations at the exchange counter or break large bills at the airport.

Check whether your phone and internet connection will be working. If you need a local phone or SIM, know where you will get them, and whether you need to survive without them for some time (you downloaded the map and guidebook, didn't you?). Research whether you need to purchase an adapter or transformer to charge your electronics or to use your appliances. If you crossed a border, your destination might use a different voltage, different plugs or otherwise have a different electrical system.

Some idea about things to see, do and experience in the city and their locations can also be a good idea. Even if you arrive with an open schedule and aren't in a hurry to move on, you'd probably still want to have a thing or two to look forward to.

Your trip and its purpose will influence your schedule. It could range from flying in for a meeting and flying out the same day to spending multiple weeks there specifically to sight-see. If you are in a hurry, you will want to know whether there is an attraction or activity that you definitely want to see or do. If you have more time, you may still want to plot out a basic schedule of when to do and see a number of particularly interesting things. For a longer visit, it may make sense to visit two or more nearby attractions on the same day, or to spread out similar attractions over a number of days. Some attractions may require some planning to fit into your schedule, or may be at their best on a certain day. When you know that the "musts" will fit, you can more easily fit in time to be spontaneous.

Of course another possibility is to be completely spontaneous. It all depends on how you most enjoy traveling.

Get around
Don't count on an open tourist office, if there is one at all. Try to have a map or at least a rough idea of the city layout.

Virtually any city in the world will have some sort of map available somewhere on the Internet (try starting at your favorite search engine). Check country specific options, which may be tailored to what is relevant locally (but may have other deficiencies). OpenStreetMap, which is open-source software, can be accessed freely and often has better coverage than the commercial competition. It usually loads quickly, though sometimes the quality of mapframe images is a little pixeled, particularly on Safari. Google or Bing Maps can be accessed through any modern web browser, and Google Maps Mobile is a very useful, standalone application available for Android and Apple devices, although it requires a steady internet connection either through your cellular provider or otherwise, unless you download an offline city map before your trip. Apple Maps is an alternative, though in its early years it gained a reputation of being full of glaring inaccuracies. Map apps have search features that accept queries ranging from "nightclub" to a specific address, and they can also locate your current position based upon network and satellite data. The location feature is fairly accurate on modern smartphones when you are in a city and have a good Internet connection. Additionally, although it requires a high-speed internet connection and a fairly fast computer, Google Earth (basic version) is a standalone application available as a free download, displaying many overlay maps (and in some cities, 3D imagery) of cities and towns worldwide, some of which is impossible to find elsewhere. In case you're concerned the city doesn't have good internet accessibility, paper maps, such as those that can be printed via travel guides on the internet, are an option, although in many cases these are not to scale. They provide the advantage of focus upon the areas a tourist is likely to visit, while the downside is the inability to proportionally measure distances between parts of the city and, therefore, travel times. The best tourist-oriented maps use clear icons showing an extensive list of restaurants, hotels, and attractions. A common technique among map-makers is to use numbered, color-coded markers for these destinations, with a legend listing the names of destinations with the corresponding number.

In any case, make sure the map is detailed enough for the part of town you will be in, as often 'Old Towns' or pedestrian areas are just a mess of squiggly lines on a city-wide map. When traveling in a country that uses an alphabet you can't read, a bilingual map is invaluable—it will also help any locals trying to help you. For locals, knowing a landmark near the hotel area—and how to pronounce it—should suffice.

Know how much a taxi, bus or train would cost and how long it should take (sure a bus is half the price, but see if it doesn't add two more hours to your travel time). If you are traveling alone or at night, find out about any safety issue for that town: is the subway patrolled by security officers? Is it a cultural issue for a woman to ride alone in a bus or taxi? If you have a reservation at a hotel or guest-house (see below), ask if they offer an airport or train station shuttle. Even if they don't, they may be able to send someone to meet you. This can turn the chore of getting to town into a guided tour. Also, while you are at the airport or train station it might be a good idea to check out possible bus lines or other traffic connections you will use when returning for departure.

Finally, read up beforehand about some common scams you may encounter when you arrive. Places where travelers arrive, such as airports and railway stations, are magnets for touts advertising transport services, accommodation, tours and such.

Do
Sometimes you arrive in a city at times where there is not much to do, such as late at night or early morning. As many venues (museums, restaurants, shops etc) are closed until well into the day, you might need to find alternate activities. Some venues which are commonly open in early mornings are market halls, fish markets, bakeries and breakfast-serving restaurants. Parks and natural attractions are often available around the clock, and early morning may be a good time to visit. This also depends on the time of year you are visiting. For instance, a number of amusement parks aren't open during winter months.

Eat
Knowing the typical opening hours of your arrival city is also important for getting yourself fed. Before you arrive, it's worth knowing how early and how late the typical café or restaurant is open and whether there are certain days of the week when many places are closed. Or, if you don't wish to eat out on the first night, either because you'll be too tired or are on a restricted budget, find out where the nearest food shops are in relation to your accommodation and again check those opening hours!

If at all possible, avoid arriving during a public holiday or festival, as the chances of finding a supermarket that's open or a restaurant that isn't fully-booked could be slim to nil. In areas where religious beliefs are important or workers' rights are strong, this may also apply to a specific day every week (Friday in Islam, Saturday in Judaism, Sunday in Christianity). Eateries and shops at airports, railway stations and the like may be open during times other places aren't, as they fulfil travel needs but lines may be long and/or prices high on days when they are the only shops open.

If health, religious, ethical or other reasons limit what you can eat and drink, it's even more important to inform yourself about what options there are beforehand. Especially when travelling with children you might want to check whether your standard food items are available, or what you could substitute for them. You might want to pack a first meal.

Sleep
If you are arriving after dark or after noon during the high season, having a lodging reservation for the first night can save a lot of running around. Some countries' immigration arrival forms ask where you will be staying for the first night - having an address can simplify this. Remember, you can always go somewhere else in the morning.

Try to confirm your reservation a few days in advance and ask about transportation options—maybe the hotel has a shuttle. Be sure to inform them of your arrival time in case there are any special instructions; in many countries and particularly at smaller hotels and smaller towns the front desk is not staffed 24 hours a day. Having a reservation doesn't require staying in a ritzy hotel. All over the world local guest-houses, hostels, and even alternative accommodations such as working farms are part of on-line reservation systems. Always print out a copy of your reservation, and make sure you have the name and address of the hotel in the native language and script.

Talk
If you are arriving in a country where you don't know the language and they don't know yours (presumably English if you're reading this), learn six phrases - "Hello", "Please", "Thank you", "Sorry", "Yes", and "No". Next numbers, and after that, get yourself a good language app or podcast for the flight in. Translation and dictionary apps are very useful. If you might not have a reliable Internet connection the first day, get apps that work offline. Make sure to check out Wikivoyage's phrasebooks too, which can be downloaded as PDFs and printed.

Stay safe
Although you should never let your guard down completely when travelling, during the first few hours in a new place you should be especially careful: you'll likely be tired from the journey, will probably still have all your luggage with you and may not entirely know where you're going, so are potentially vulnerable. Some unscrupulous people wait in the vicinity of train stations and airports specifically looking for new arrivals who look lost or unsure of their surroundings.

title: Arriving in a new city


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Arrow Rock

Arrow Rock is a village in Missouri. The entire town is a National Historic Landmark for its relationship with the Santa Fe Trail, Lewis and Clark, Boonslick region, and George Caleb Bingham.

By car

 * I-70 (Exits 89 & 98) and Missouri Route 41 are the main roads to town.

Get around
The best way around is on foot. There are no gas stations in the Blackwater or Arrow Rock area. The closet cities with fuel stations are Boonville and Marshall. The closest ATM's are in Blackwater itself.

Events

 * A full schedule is available at
 * A full schedule is available at
 * A full schedule is available at

Blackwater

 * Blackwater Treasures, 104 Main
 * Blackwater Treasures, 104 Main

Go next

 * All of these cities contain beautiful history sites and the Missouri River. So go explore central Missouri and shop, dine, historicize, enjoy nature, even enjoy the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville!
 * Marshall
 * Glasgow
 * Boonville

title: Arrow Rock


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Arrowtown

Arrowtown is in a village in the Queenstown-Lakes region of the South Island.

Understand
Arrowtown is a picturesque gold mining town in the Wakatipu Basin. Set at the edge of the Otago goldfields, Arrowtown was one of New Zealand's biggest gold towns in its day. These days Arrowtown relies on its determinedly preserved heritage to attract tourists - miners' cottages, historic wooden buildings, tree lined streets and 19th century-style shops, still stand as they did during the gold rush.

It is a 20 minute drive from Queenstown, and is often taken in on a day trip from there. It also has its own accommodation and eating options, and can be used as a base for exploring or skiing in the region, if you are after a quieter alternative to Queenstown. It has a quiet village feel outside of the historic main street, and a number of the properties in the town are holiday houses for locals.

History
Arrowtown is believed to have been founded in 1862, when a rush to the district followed a rich gold strike by a prospector, William Fox. It is said that within a few weeks the first parties had taken 200 lb of gold out of the Arrow Gorge.

The mining settlement became known as Fox's, but soon afterwards was changed to Arrowtown after the nearby river (named the Arrow because its point of junction with Bush Creek resembled the outline of an arrowhead). With the exhaustion of gold the settlement declined. Arrowtown was constituted a borough in 1867. Its population dwindled to 171 in 1961, but has since climbed back up following the growth of tourism in the region.

By road
Arrowtown is located on the banks of the Arrow River approximately 5 km from State Highway 6. There is also road access directly to Queenstown via the Shotover Gorge and a third route via the picturesque Lake Hayes.

By bus
There are buses from Queenstown about once per hour between 6AM and 10PM. The bus costs $2 with a GoCard or $5 with cash.

Get around
Due to its small size Arrowtown is easily explored on foot.

Do

 * Walking tracks - Tobin's Track, Big Hill, Sawpit Gully to name a few.
 * Trip into Macetown (old mining village, scattered remains left) - Mountain bike, trail bike or 4WD into Macetown. Many river crossings. Stunning scenery.
 * Try your hand at goldpanning - pans are available for hire or purchase from the Museum.
 * Fishing in the Arrow River

Buy
Arrowtown features a number of small antique and craft stores to explore, mostly on Buckingham Street.

Eat
Arrowtown has some great eateries nestled on and just off its historic main street. The two best known are the bakery, which is famous for its gourmet pies, and Saffron, one of the best restaurants in the region.

Sleep
Unlike Queenstown, Arrowtown does not have a large number of hotels. Instead it features a number of boutique places, including bed and breakfasts and historic cottages, or rooms in the historic New Orleans hotel for visitors to stay in. There are also a number of motels available, and the five star Millbrook resort and golf course lies just out of the town.

Go next

 * Glenorchy
 * Kingston
 * Queenstown
 * Wanaka

title: Arrowtown


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Arroyo Grande

Arroyo Grande (population 17,000) is in San Luis Obispo County in the Central Coast region of California. It is part of the Five Cities Metropolitan Area which also includes Oceano to the south-west, Grover Beach to the west, and Pismo Beach and Shell Beach to the north-west.

Get in
San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority provides bus service from San Luis Obispo, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, and other parts of the area.

Go next

 * Pismo Beach - Arroyo Grande's neighbor to the northwest is a tourism-focused coastal town that has more than 65 restaurants and 30 lodging options, and draws visitors with its beautiful coastline, annual clam festival, and the thousands of monarch butterflies that gather to spend the winter in a grove at the edge of town.

title: Arroyo Grande


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Ar Rutba

Ar Rutba (Arabic: الرطبة ar-Ruṭba, also Romanized Rutbah) is a city on the high plateau of the Iraqi Desert. With about 30,000 inhabitants, it is the westernmost town of any real size, also described as the most isolated town of any size in Iraq. The town has a hot desert climate. it receives 114.3 mm (4.5 inches) of rain annually, which is considered plenty in this region.

The population is Sunni. The city occupies a strategic location on the Amman–Baghdad road, and the Kirkuk–Haifa oil pipeline. During the Anglo-Iraqi War in 1941, Ar Rutba was the site of a clash between British forces, including the Arab Legion, and Iraqi forces loyal to Rashid Ali al-Gaylani. The town was important as a stopover for flights between India and the Persian Gulf, and as a watering spot at the road. In the 1990–1991 war it was part of an air defence system.

Get in

 * The highway from Baghdad comes in via Fallujah and Ramadi. West of the city it forks into one highway leading to Jordan and one to Syria.

See
Ar Rutba was the site of a large part of the old Iraqi air defence warning system, housing a number of military personnel there. The warning station was destroyed in the 1990–1991 Gulf War. It was seized by ISIS in 2014. Iraqi administration returned in 2016. Unfortunly, the historic Fort Rutba, site of a major battle of the Anglo-Iraqi War, was destroyed some time in 2015 or '16.

Remnants of ISIS rule are likely still present in the city, as are ruins from the ensuing battles.

Buy
Ar Rutba is home to a traditional Iraqi market, but its present state is unclear.

Eat

 * Levant Restaurant

Go next
The border with Jordan is nearby.

title: Ar Rutba


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Arshan

Arshan (Russian: Арша́н ahr-SHAHN) is a small hot spring resort located at the foot of the Sayan Mountains in Buryatia. Arshan was hit by flood and mudslide in early July 2014. Although it doesn't seem to affect much town's functionality, the mess it left can be seen anywhere.

By bus

 * From Ulan Ude one bus departing in morning — a 5-6 hour journey. (return bus departs at 7:30AM). There are probably more mini-buses departing, depending on how many people want to go.
 * From Irkutsk one bus departing in morning — a 4-5 hour journey (return journey departs at 8AM). There are probably more mini-buses departing, depending on how many people want to go.
 * From Slyudyanka one bus departing at 9:30 in the morning, a 2-3 hour journey. Price is around ₽300. A taxi is for ₽2000, shared minibus taxi for ₽500 pp.

See

 * Buddhist Temples. There are two temples (constructed in the Buryat-Mongolian style). One is located a 10min walk to the west from north part of the town (from bus station), second is in the south part of town near the main road.
 * Waterfall - to reach the waterfall, walk around 30 mins north from the town, following a river. Some parts of path may be damaged because of floods. (Depending on weather) there may or may not be someone to collect a ₽50 fee.

Do

 * Hot springs: There are two sanatoriums located at opposite ends of the town, which offer drinking water from hot springs.
 * Hiking in nearby Sayan Mountains

Buy
There are few shops located on a main Traktovaya (Трактовая) street, just look for a sign saying "магазин".

Eat

 * There are few restaurants located on the main street - Traktovaya (Трактовая). Some of them have only a written menu outside, some have only pictures of meals, some have both. In Poznaya (позная) they offer traditional Russian and Buryat cuisine, with pelmenye, bliny, poozy and plov, price around ₽100-150.
 * Vegetarian meals are available at the yoga camp (see 'Sleep' section)

Sleep

 * Most houses on Traktovaya Street offer rooms at around 70R — 250R per person.
 * As soon as you get off a bus, you will be approached by many women offering accommodation. The price begins at ₽300-400 (as of 2014), but probably you can bargain for less. They mostly offer a stay in small garden houses (a bedroom with a hallway), with electricity but no running water. Drinking water is available at the garden, dry toilets are outside too.
 * Camp near the Kynryga River. Tents and sleeping bags can be rented at the site and there are free yoga sessions. Vegetarian meals are also available.

Go next

 * Sayan Mountains
 * Lake Baikal — a 3 hour bus ride (2 hours by car)
 * During (summer) morning there leave quite a few minibuses bound for both Irkutsk and Ulan-ude. But it seemed that if you've bought a ticket from a ticket office, drivers suddenly lost interest in you...

title: Arshan


text:
Artashat

Artashat is a city in Central Armenia.

Understand
This small town is more like an overgrown village, with little to offer in terms of tourist sites and infrastructure. The only popular tourist site in the general area is Khor Virap Monastery. A very distant second are the ruins of Dvin, an ancient capital of Armenia.

By marshrutka
Marshrutkas depart from Yerevan's Southern Bus Station behind the rail station to Artashat regularly throughout the day. Take bus #453, #467 or #468 for 350 dram–#467 stops 1.5 km from the Khor Virap Monastery.

For just Artashat bus #452 is 250 dram.

By taxi
Taxis in Yerevan are usually happy to take you there for 100 dram per km.

By tour
Day tours from Yerevan are offered by some companies by van with other tourists, including guide and sometimes lunch which include the most popular destination of the area, Khor Virap (often combined with the much further Noravank in Southern Armenia or other sites).

Get around
Foot, bike, taxi.

Sleep
Artashat is only about 30 min from Yerevan. Accommodations are best arranged in Yerevan.

Go next

 * Yerevan – Along the highway by Artashat you can catch marshrutkas and shared taxis heading to Yerevan, or even private cars by thumb.
 * Yeghegnadzor — A small town south of Artashat, close to spectacular canyon and monastery in Noravank, the impressive Smbatabert Fortress/Tsakhats Kar Monastery area and the old silk road caravanserai of Selim.

title: Artashat


text:
Artemisa

Artemisa is the capital of Artemisa province in Western Cuba. Before 2011 it was a part of Havana province.

Get in
There are two trains per day from Havana, but knowing the unreliability of Cuba's train system, don't count on it. Hiring a car is your best option. There are also collective taxis along the carretera central.

Get around
There is no public transport.

Sleep
Options are very limited. There is one hotel. Ask locally about a casa particular.

title: Artemisa


text:
Artesia

There is more than one place called Artesia:

United States of America

 * Artesia (California) - A town in California.

 * Artesia (New Mexico) - A town in New Mexico.

title: Artesia


text:
Artesia (California)

Artesia is a small town about 15 miles southeast of Los Angeles, also known as "Little India" as it's home to the second largest ethnic Indian population in the country, just behind New York City.

There's a similar (lack of) atmosphere to neighboring Norwalk and Cerritos, but it's a great place to pick up an embroidered sari, woof down a tasty masala dosa, and catch a recent Bollywood flick on the large screen.

Get in
The 605 Freeway runs through Artesia and connects to the 5, 91, and 105 freeways. South St is the Artesia exit.

Get around
The Little India stretch of Pioneer Blvd only runs for a couple blocks and is easily walkable. If you're straying off of Pioneer Blvd, you'll probably want a car, or catch an occasional bus.

Buy
You can find a number of Indian grocery and clothing shops along Pioneer Blvd.

Eat
While Indian food dominates, there are also several Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian and Bangladeshi restaurants scattered around off the main parts of Pioneer Blvd and South St.

title: Artesia (California)


text:
Arthur

Arthur is a suburban town in the Red River Valley of North Dakota. It has a population of about 400 people. Coordinates are latitude 47.10 N, longitude 97.22 W.

Understand
When it was first incorporated in 1880, Arther was named Rosedale. Two years later it was renamed in honor of the 21st President of the United States, Chester A. Arthur.

Get in

 * By car: exit 79 off I-29, for Argusville, then west about 13 miles on County Highway 4. Finally, north on State Highway 18 for about 4 miles.

title: Arthur


text:
Arthur's Pass National Park

Arthur's Pass National Park is a major national park in the heart of New Zealand's South Island. The park is a popular stop from the TranzAlpine train and has hikes both long and short. Arthur's Pass village is a small village within the park and is the location of the train station, motels, cabins and a few places to eat.

History
Arthur’s Pass National Park was established in 1929 and was New Zealand’s third national park and the first one in the South Island.

Arthur's Pass was first surveyed in 1864 by Arthur Dudley Dobson to establish which pass was most suitable to build a road to the Goldfields of 'West Canterbury' in Hokitika. The road was built and opened in 1865 with stage coaches operating until 1923 when the Otira rail tunnel was opened. It has a significant place in the history of New Zealand as the rail tunnel was the longest tunnel in the British Commonwealth when it was opened.

The rail line and road to Arthur's Pass were considered to be major accomplishments which opened up the west coast of New Zealand to settlement.

Landscape
The landscape is typical of the Southern Alps of New Zealand.

Forests
On the east side of the main divide (which divides streams and rivers flowing into the Tasman Sea or the Pacific Ocean), the predominant forest cover is made up of different varieties of beech. The most common is mountain beech, but silver, red and black beech can also be found. The west side of the main divide predominantly has mixed podocarp forest, on account of the heavier rainfall.

Mountains
The mountains are primarily composed of graywacke and rise approximately 1,600–2,000 metres above sea level. The highest peak is Mount Murchison at 2,400 m. The mountains receive heavy snowfalls in winter, but are generally snow-free in summer, apart from small glaciers, such as the Crow, on the flanks of Mount Rolleston.

Rivers
Several large rivers flow out of Arthur's Pass. On the eastern side of the divide, they tend to become large alluvial rivers. The best, and largest, example of this is the Waimakariri. On the western side, the rivers tend to be more rugged and have a larger number of gorges. Travel through these river systems can be very difficult.

Climate
Located in the mountains of the South Island, Arthur's Pass can be colder than elsewhere in New Zealand due to its high elevation. However, this should not stop you from visiting the park any time of the year, as long as you are adequately prepared for the temperature. In the spring and autumn, mornings and evenings can be brisk. Winters can be a wonderland of snow.

Visitor information

 * Department of Conservation information on the park.

By train
The Tranzalpine train is considered to be one of the most beautiful train rides in the world, and offers daily trips to Arthur's Pass. The train begins its journey early morning departing Christchurch, and arrives at Arthur's Pass mid-morning. After Arthur's Pass, the train continues to Greymouth on the west coast.

It is possible to make a day trip of Arthur's Pass if coming from Christchurch. The train drops you off around 10:15AM, then continues on to Greymouth, then turns around and heads back to Arthur's Pass around 4:15PM and back to Christchurch. Best way to see Arthur's Pass if your time is limited; however an overnight of at least one night is recommended.

By bus

 * West Coast Shuttle departs Greymouth at 8AM and arrives in Arthur's Pass about 9:30AM and can be caught to travel to Christchurch (via Christchurch airport 11:30AM). From Christchurch at 3PM (Christchurch airport 3:15PM) and arrives in Arthur's Pass about 5:15PM and can be caught to travel to Greymouth arriving at 7PM

By car
State Highway 73 goes through Arthur's Pass. The road is majestic and beautiful but can be test of nerves for the driver. Particularly in winter, when snow and ice may cover the road and chains are recommended at times. Consider taking the train or coach to Arthur's Pass instead.

Fees and permits
Entry to the park and village is free.

Get around
Arthur's Pass is a small village built along Highway 73. You can easily walk to anywhere in town. Highway 73 is one of only three crossings to New Zealand's west coast. Vehicles on the highway drive at speed, so when walking please stay on the pavements (sidewalks).

See

 * The Arthur's Pass Visitor's Centre is larger than most i-SITEs in New Zealand. In addition to information about the hikes and safety, it has museum-quality displays about the pioneers who settled the area as well as dioramas showing the surrounding mountains and shelters.
 * The Arthur's Pass train station has an elaborate mural in its waiting room.
 * Mountains, rivers, forests – even if you are not a hiker, there are several short walks right around the town that afford great views of the surrounding scenery.

Do
There isn't much else to do in Arthur's Pass besides Hiking. Starting from the village you will find everything from one hour hikes to the Devil's Punchbowl falls, to challenging overnight hikes.

If it is nice summer weather and you are fit enough to hike up 1100m height over rough terrain, then go up Avalanche Peak, which has the only marked large mountain loop track (6-8 hours return, up Avalanche Peak Track, down Scott's Track). On the summit you will have a great view and also probably meet Keas waiting for you, trying to make friends and steal your food.

Ask the i-site about the weather and which track they would recommend you.

Buy
Try to bring what you need from outside of Arthur's Pass. The village is quite small, the only shop is at the Arthur's Pass Cafe and Store, which offers a small selection of groceries and other supplies for about three times the price you would pay in a Christchurch supermarket. Besides that the i-site sells dried camping food.

 * Possum fur pelts. The visitor's centre sells fur pelts made from brushtail possums – an invasive, introduced pest in New Zealand. Buying them helps support small-scale hunters and trappers who control the population of destructive possums without the use of poisons.

Eat
There are three options for eating in Arthur's Pass National Park village.

Some B&Bs also offer breakfast or other meals; make arrangements with your host.

Drink
All of the restaurants listed above are fully licensed to serve drinks. The Wobbly Kea has happy hours on Tuesday and Friday nights.

Camping
There is a DoC campground just across the road from the Visitor's Centre. Suitable for both campervans and tents, there are grassy spots to pitch a tent. There is an indoor shelter with cold running water and bathrooms. $6 a night.

Stay safe
Amongst both the tramping and the permanent Arthur's Pass communities, it is felt that the combination of harsh alpine terrain and easy accessibility combine to contribute to the high death and injury rate in this National Park.

The mountains around Arthur's Pass contain some very challenging terrain. The marked day walks in the park, all easily accessible from the Arthur's Pass village car parks, involve vertical ascents of around 1000 metres (3000 feet) and will include several hours well above the tree line. The peaks are highly exposed to the weather, the tracks are often very steep (steep enough to require the walker to pull themselves up with their hands in some places) and are often marked only by poles strung across a rocky landscape. Below the tree line the bush is dense and thick. In common with many alpine areas the weather is subject to frequent and sudden change. There are frequent bluffs and cliffs and most creeks running down the mountains tumble over waterfalls in one place or another. Further, there are a number of harder routes within the park that require a high level of mountaineering skill and the use of ropes and other alpinist equipment. In short, safely traversing this terrain requires at least a moderate level of experience, knowledge and equipment since it is true 'back country'.

Arthur's Pass National Park is also within a few hours' driving time of Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand. This easy access for visitors to NZ, as well as the immediate access to the mountain trails from the village (unlike many other parts of the Southern Alps where getting to the mountains requires a day or more tramp over more gentle terrain, which tends to dissuade the less prepared tramper) appears to lead to larger numbers of unprepared people overstepping their abilities and getting into mortal peril. Common scenarios are: getting caught above the tree line in bad weather with insufficient clothing or food and then being incapacitated by hypothermia; attempting a climb without either the required knowledge or equipment and then becoming stuck on a ledge or cliff, unable to climb back or continue on due to the steepness of the terrain, often then facing problems of bad weather or hypothermia; attempting a climb that really requires knowledge and specialised equipment that are both sadly lacking, with an attempted manoeuvre then resulting in a serious or fatal fall; becoming lost or disoriented, often due to change of weather, losing the trail or attempting to take a short cut and then suffering a serious or fatal fall.

If you are walking alone or just want to be careful, fill out a ticket stating your route and itinerary and leave it at the office in town. Wardens check these nightly. You do, of course, have to return to remove it on schedule to prevent a search and rescue. It's usually best to let someone else know as well.

If you plan on doing substantial overnight hiking around Arthur's Pass or elsewhere in New Zealand you should consider investing in a radio beacon transmitter. The Arthur's Pass visitor's centre has information about renting or buying a transmitter as well as instructions on how to use them.

Avalanches can be a concern during winter hikes. Familiarize yourself with avalanche safety and warning signs if you are hiking high in the mountains in winter.

A police station is located about 450 m east from the visitor's centre.

Connect
The Arthur's Pass post office is probably one of the world's tiniest staffed post offices, with service hours from 10AM to 10:30AM daily.

Arthur's Pass Web Scape is a non-commercial community site which lists all information about Arthur's Pass in one place. Highly recommended.

Go next

 * Greymouth
 * Springfield
 * Christchurch

title: Arthur's Pass National Park


text:
Artigas

Artigas is the capital of Artigas Department in the northern interior of Uruguay, located on the Brazilian border.

Get in
Buses are available from Montevideo and from nearby cities such as Salto and Tacuarembó. The city is located across the Brazilian border from Quaraí, and there is a bridge connecting the two cities.

Consulates

 * 🇧🇷 Brazil

Go next

 * Bella Unión – known for its duty-free shops, located near the tripoint of Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina
 * Rivera – located on the Brazilian border and forms a pretty large metro area with its Brazilian counterpart of Santana do Livramento. It's known for great shopping and cultural influence from Brazil
 * Salto – hot springs and a giant international hydroelectric dam
 * Tacuarembó – a center of gaucho culture and possible birthplace of Carlos Gardel

title: Artigas


text:
Artyom

Artyom (Russian: Артём) is a satellite city 50 km north of Vladivostok. It has the only civil airport in Primorsky Krai, called "Vladivostok International Airport". The population is approximately 100,000, and the city is 5 km from the airport.

Understand
The name "Artyom" honours Artyom Sergeyev, a revolutionary. It used to be a mining town, with huge reserves of lignite deep underground, which were used to generate power for much of the Primorsky Krai, but now the richest coal seams are mostly exhausted, with the remainder being rather uneconomical to mine, so nowadays it has refound itself as a support town to the growing Vladivostok Airport and a cheaper bedroom community for the Far East southern capital.

By train
Elektrichkas pass through the city from Nakhodka twice a day or from Vladivostok on a more frequent schedule.

By bus
Public buses and marshrutkas to/from Vladivostok and Ussuriysk depart from the airport square or the bus station on 45/1 Frunze st.

By plane
Vladivostok airport with both domestic and international flights is next to the city.

Get around
The city is rather sprawled and quarters are at some distance from each other, so it may be problematic to move around on foot.

There are about 20 public bus routes. Taxis are more common to use.

Sleep
Hotels are located around the airport.

Connect
Internet is present as pay Wi-Fi in the airport lobby. Cards can be bought at the locker-room (камера хранения).

Another internet point is a post-office at 2, Oktyabrskaya st.

title: Artyom


text:
Arua

Arua is a city in Northwestern Uganda.

Get in
Daily flights from Entebbe Airport exist with Eagle Air. there are buses from Kampala 10 hours. Pakwach, Gulu.

Get around
Taxi from Airport.

See
Ajai Game Reserve, Albert Nile, Murchison Falls National Park.

Do

 * Rhino Camp is a small trading center about 62 km east from Arua on the west bank of the Albert Nile. It's the former site of Theodore Roosevelts safari camp and there are some abandoned facilities from that time around. Many people have turned up in this small town asking the locals the location of the Rhino Camp for accommodation! There is no commercial accommodation in this small town. There are remains of an old cotton ginnery that was established in the 1940s when Rhino Camp was a town bustling with activity and had a steam ship stop over station for the route Butiaba-Nimule. The Ajai Game Reserve is located 10 km to the south.

Eat
There are many restaurants in Arua.

Sleep
In Arua there are Oasis Inn, Heritage Park, Heritage Court and The White Castle Hotel. Outside Arua is the river camp operated by Bahr-el-Jebel Safaris.

title: Arua