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Arctic

The Arctic is the area around the North Pole, including the Arctic Ocean and nearby land.

The Arctic is formally defined as either the area within the Arctic Circle (at 66° 34′ N), or all northern areas normally colder than 10°C (50°F), year-round. The latter definition includes inland areas south of the Arctic Circle, and excludes some areas north of it. Unlike Antarctica around the South Pole, the Arctic is sea covered in a floating ice sheet surrounded by dry land. In Antarctica the situation is exactly reversed.

Countries
The northern edges of North America, Europe and Asia are within the Arctic Circle.
 * United States: Arctic Alaska
 * Canada: Northern Canada (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut)
 * Most of Greenland
 * Norway: Northern Norway, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
 * Sweden: Norrbotten County
 * Finland: Finnish Lapland
 * Russia: Northwestern Russia, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Yakutia and Chukotka
 * Islands of the Arctic Ocean

Cities

The Arctic is sparsely populated. Many settlements are or have historically been associated with fishing, whaling (now sometimes replaced by whale-watching), mining and other resource extraction, the military or research. Some major centers of population are:

 * – seat of Nordland county, Norway
 * – Alaska's second-largest city, junction of several major highways
 * – capital of Nunavut, Canada
 * — a mining town, Sweden
 * — largest city in the Arctic and important military harbor, Russia

 * — capital of Greenland
 * — the capital of Finnish Lapland

 * – historically a starting point for many Arctic expeditions and one of the biggest cities so far north, Norway
 * — the northernmost town in the USA

Other destinations

 * — Alaska's highway to the Arctic Ocean
 * — one of the most beautiful areas in Norway
 * — the largest national park in the world
 * — there's not much here, as – unlike the South Pole – it sits on ever shifting sea ice
 * — one of Finland's best national parks
 * — Canada's northernmost national park

 * — you're in luck as you won't need a visa getting there (though you might need one to get to Norway where almost all flights here depart from
 * — the last wooly mammoths lived on this desolate island some four thousand years ago
 * — almost two million hectares of pristine nature in an isolated mountain range

Understand
The Arctic is antipodal to Antarctica. And to get this out of the way: Polar bears: Arctic. Penguins: Antarctica and other places in the Southern Hemisphere. Both: Nowhere but zoos.

Within the Arctic Circle, the sun stays above the horizon during parts of summer (Midnight Sun), and beneath the horizon during parts of winter (Arctic/Polar Night).

Anywhere north of the Arctic Circle is suitable to see the Midnight Sun in Midsummer (all summer if close enough to the poles) – unless a hill is covering the view – and most of the accessible Arctic is good for seeing the Northern Lights during winter.

The sun is low also when seen, 47° above the horizon at noon in Midsummer at the Arctic Circle, 23.5° at the North Pole. There are few truly warm days and temperatures below freezing (32°F or 0°C) are possible even in the summer. Winters are extreme in many areas.

The climate differs significantly by latitude – but also by longitude. Due to the Gulf Stream (from the Sargasso Sea), Scandinavia has a much warmer climate than Alaska, Northern Canada or Siberia at the same latitudes. In fact, the coldest temperatures aren't experienced at the North Pole, but at the Pole of Cold, slightly south of the Arctic Circle in the Russian Far East.

Much of the vegetation is tundra, where only the uppermost layer of soil thaws in summer and no deep-rooted plants can thrive. As evaporation is low in the cool, bogs, mires and lakes are common. There are also areas with just lichen and other hardy species growing on the rocks – and areas covered in perennial ice. Still, in the short summer, there can be an amazing wealth of flowers, insects and birds, and some regions are home to caribou, reindeer, musk oxen and the like, a number of smaller mammals like the lemmings, and Arctic foxes, wolves and bears.

In contrast to Antarctica which is terra nullius, virtually all dry land in the Arctic is national territory.

Talk
English is the dominant language at international expeditions. Besides national languages (English, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish and Russian) there are several indigenous languages such as Greenlandic, Inuktitut, the Sami languages, Nenets and Sakha. People in the Nordic countries are famously excellent at foreign languages and many Canadians speak a bit of the other national language of their country, even though full bilingualism is rare. Russians rarely speak anything but Russian. Speakers of indigenous languages increasingly speak the metropole language and often a foreign one, too; see minority cultures of Russia.

Get in

There are regular flights to most towns – and regional flights also to many minor settlements. Some towns, such as Murmansk, have connections by rail, and some regions have decent road connections. Many railways were built with mining goods in mind, not people, so you may be in for a slow and bumpy if usually picturesque ride. There are even four EuroVelo cycling routes to the Barents Sea (to Nordkapp and Kirkenes).

As of 2022, Russia has strict border controls, and most direct flights between Russia and Western countries are shut down.

The only guarded borders in the Arctic are Russia's border to Finland, Norway and USA, and the Alaska-Canada border. You should still check formalities.

Get around
Scheduled transportation through the Arctic is limited, and travellers need to rely on chartered or private vehicles in most areas. Many places – even what qualifies for cities so far north – are only accessible by boat or plane and even that may be possible only seasonally. Prices tend to reflect that, even where direct or indirect subsidies keep a service alive that would otherwise not be commercially viable.

Arctic Europe is generally significantly easier to get around in than Arctic Asia or North America.

See

 * Northern lights
 * Whale watching — in regions of the seas that are not frozen
 * Midnight sun — in the northern parts of the Arctic, the sun does not set for most of the summer (of course, the downside is that it doesn't rise in the winter)
 * Ice and snow — in many parts of the Arctic, ice and snow is present year-round.
 * Eurasian wildlife or North American wildlife
 * Norrbotten Megasystem
 * Arctic wildlife

History
Sir John Franklin's 1845 lost expedition perished trying to map the Northwest Passage from the North Atlantic to the Bering Strait. Between 1903 and 1906, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen was the first to complete the journey.

Do

 * Cross-country skiing
 * Wilderness backpacking
 * Ice breaker cruises. There are tours from Murmansk to the North Pole (perhaps late summer only) and shorter tours through sea ice in Kemi, Finnish Lapland (in winter). Kemi is not in the Arctic, but perhaps close enough.

Eat
Traditional cuisines rely heavily on fish and meat (including seal and whale in many places), vegetarians beware. Most other food has to be imported from the south, so prices tend to be high. There are still berries growing locally, some of which may be new acquaintances, and edible herbs such as the Norwegian angelica.

Drink
Alcohol has been a problem in many communities in the Arctic, when brought in from the south, and it may be strictly regulated.

In the real cities, such as Murmansk, Rovaniemi and Tromsø, there is nightlife as in other cities. Resort towns have seasonal nightlife. However, elsewhere it is often lame because of sparse populations – look for occasional parties you could join instead.

In much of the Arctic there is plenty of potable water, as evaporation and microbial activity are low in the cold. That's not the full picture though: the water may be spoiled locally for natural reasons or because of human activities, such as mining and oil industry.

Stay safe
The cold, polar bears and desolation are the main dangers. Despite the cold temperatures you can get sunburn too, especially when snow and ice are reflecting the sunlight. Sun on snow can cause snow blindness.

Go next
The only way out of the Arctic is south.

title: Arctic


text:
Arctic Alaska

Arctic Alaska, also referred to as Far North Alaska, is a vast region of Alaska extending from around the Arctic Circle to the Arctic Ocean.

Cities

 * Bald Head Summit (a mountain) is on the north shore of Norton Bay, NE of Elim.
 * — very small town, although an important stop with services on the Dalton Highway
 * /Prudhoe Bay — town of oil operations at the northern end of Dalton Highway, just a few miles south of Arctic Ocean coast
 * is a historic point at the mouth of Kwiniuk River on the north shore of Norton Bay, 8 northeast of Elim.
 * is the major city on the Seward Peninsula with a population of about 4,000 people, about half of whom are Alaska natives. It is the transportation and commerce center for Northwest Alaska and the western terminus of the Iditarod Trail.
 * — small town between Nome and Council, along the Nome-Council Road and Iditarod Trail
 * - large town along the Iditarod Trail and Norton Sound
 * (Barrow) — the northernmost town in the United States
 * — small town 3 miles off Dalton Highway, with several historical buildings
 * — small town between Nome and Council, along the Nome-Council Road and Iditarod Trail
 * - large town along the Iditarod Trail and Norton Sound
 * (Barrow) — the northernmost town in the United States
 * — small town 3 miles off Dalton Highway, with several historical buildings
 * (Barrow) — the northernmost town in the United States
 * — small town 3 miles off Dalton Highway, with several historical buildings
 * — small town 3 miles off Dalton Highway, with several historical buildings

Other destinations

 * is accessible from the tiny native settlement of
 * - home to six wild and scenic rivers that offer opportunities for unparalleled wilderness experiences
 * — the westernmost point of North America (Save for the Aleutian Islands) is a small island in the Bering Strait almost on the International Date Line
 * Western Arctic National Parklands - Western Arctic National Parklands is a unit which includes:
 * - During the Ice Age the people of Beringia were separated.
 * - stretches 70 miles along the Chukchi Sea shoreline
 * – Ancient arctic sand dunes and a sub-arctic river that traverses the boreal forest, this park harbors archeological sites more than 10,000 years old, and supports small communities of inland Inupiat peoples.
 * – As one of North America's largest mountain-ringed river basins with an intact ecosystem, the Noatak River environs features some of the Arctic's finest arrays of plants and animals.

Talk
Native Inuit and Yupik languages are spoken in many small towns. However, English is the primary language, spoken by most Alaska Natives except perhaps the most elderly. There are only a handful of persons fluent in any other languages.

By plane
The main method of arriving to Arctic Alaska is by air. Alaska Airlines offers almost daily commercial flights to the cities of Barrow (Utqiaġvik), Deadhorse , Kotzebue , Nome Airport while Ravn Air only offers service to Unalakleet from Anchorage. Additionally,Bering Air offers small turboprop services to additional towns/airstrips throughout the region, such as Anaktuvuk Pass Airport, Buckland Airport , Elim Airport , and Unalakeet from Nome, Anchorage and each other in this region. Additional destinations in the area and to/from Canada, the lower 48, and the Russian Far East can be made on a chartered basis.

By car
See also: Tips for road trips and Winter driving.

 * Alaska 11 shield.svg The Dalton Highway (SR-11) connects Deadhorse and the Prudhoe Bay oilfields with Fairbanks. The highway is one of only two roads across the Arctic Circle in North America and provides a unique experience, running through the Brooks Range, Atigun Pass, North Slope and Coastal Plain. The highway can be accessed via the Steese and Elliot highways from Fairbanks. There are no roads connecting between Prudhoe Bay to Utqiaġvik (Barrow) along the north coast or anywhere in the region.

Get around
Small planes, including ones with skis or pontoons, are the best way of accessing this remote and vast region. Most small towns have an airstrip or are located near a lake. Air travel in this region provides spectacular views of remote terrain and the only thing available to get around the vast distances of the region.

The Dalton Highway runs through the Brooks Range, North Slope, and Coastal Plain to Deadhorse. This road is a great way to view these remote areas without a plane. Additionally, several roads extend outward from Nome into surrounding areas.

Sled dogs may be used in wintery months, but the extreme cold of this region in the middle of the winter can be very treacherous. Most commonly, snowmachines are used to get from place to place in the long, dark winter of the Alaskan Arctic.

See

 * Inupiat Heritage Center - On the rooftop of the world, the Iñupiat Heritage Center in Utqiaġvik tells the story of the Iñupiat people
 * The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes - Left behind by the last great Ice Age, these sand dunes in the upper Kobuk Valley stretch over 100 square miles and appear for all the world to be a piece of the Sahara in the middle of Arctic tundra.

Itineraries

 * Dalton Highway
 * Iditarod Trail

Drink
It is important to note that many villages in this area of Alaska are dry, meaning that it is illegal to possess or to drink alcohol in them. This varies on a village by village basis, and is less common in the larger cities, so it is important to be aware of the rules in each village on your itinerary.

Sleep
In remote villages or towns too small to have hotels, it may be possible for schools to accommodate visitors, sometimes in classrooms converted into makeshift sleeping quarters.

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

title: Arctic Alaska


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Ardabil

Ardabil is a tourist and historical city in Ardabil (province) in Azerbaijan region of Iran.

Talk
Azerbaijani or Azeri, a Turkic dialect, is the primary language spoken by most Ardabilis, although many people, especially the younger generation, can communicate in Farsi and English up to some level.

By train
Ardabil is not linked to the national railway network, however a line is under construction. Opening dates have been pushed forward several times, but as of 2022 the official date for opening the line is sometime around 2025.

By bus
Extensive access to local spots are available through the bus station. Main destinations sorted by popularity are Tehran, Tabriz, Rasht, Mashhad as well as closer cities like Khalkhal, Astara, Meshkinshahr, Pars-abad in the bus station. You will find different companies in the main station serving transfer to different cities in the country. The cost does not chang highly between different companies, only you need to check about the timing of the departure. Don't be surprised if you find different buses heading same destination in the same time scheduled by different companies. Buses are in general very comfortable, as there is competition between companies to provide better services. You may be offered different options according to the comfortability of the buses, but don't worry if you are paying more as due to competition prices are fairly low and services are good. is located northeast of the city centre.

By car
Unlike many countries you will find several taxi and private cars providing service to transfer passengers to cirties in the region. To explain it easier, it is very much similar to blablacar with no internet. You may find private car proposing ride to cities. They are usually safe as I did not hear any record of crime about that. Some of the providers are professional, if you want faster and more comfortable transfer, you may need to choose this option. Cities such as Tabriz, Astara, Khalkhal, Meshkin-shahr and Pars-Abad are the popular destinations, but you may find services towards Tehran as well. There is no main terminal for this purpose, as they are used to serve from four historical gates of the city (so called Astara gate, Meshkin-shahr gate, Tabriz gate and Khalkhal gate) so you might need to ask locals to find how to get access. Prices may vary according to destination and type of the car/taxi.

Get around
Ardabil is a tourist city visited for several reasons such as its climate, historical significance, its geopolitical situation and its nature. Hence you will find variant spots according to the motivation.

See

 * Masjid Jameh Ruins of once magnificent and unique Mosque.
 * Mirza Ali Akbar mosque and school This comlex dates back to Qajar period
 * Ardabil bridges Ardabil host numerous historical bridges namely Pol-e Gilandeh, Pol-e Nayer, Pol-e Haft Cheshmeh, Pol-e Panj Cheshmeh and Pol-e She Cheshmeh and Qarah Soo Bridge, most were built during Safavid era.
 * Imamzadeh Saleh mausoleum The mausoleum of Imamzadeh Saleh who is a descendant of a Shia Imam was built 250 years ago.
 * Saint Mary church This Armenian orthodox church has a beautiful wooden main door and painted dome built in 1876.
 * Babadavood anbaran- Friday mosque
 * Shorabil lake

Buy
The city is famous to have more hand-crafted products than industrial ones. You will find many artisanal products offered all along the city; different types of carpets, honey, different local sweets, stone jewelry, creme and dairy products famous as souvenirs from Ardabil.

Eat
lots of good food

Sleep
Arta hostel not far from the bazaar is cheap and clean but very simple

Go next
The town Sarein, some 30km from Ardabil, has thermal springs. It is a popular vacation destination for Iranians, a bit crowded as well. There are several public swimming pools, even saunas and steam baths (of course, all gender segregated).

title: Ardabil


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Ardèche and Drôme

Ardèche and Drôme are the two southernmost departments of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-central France. They feature rolling hills and low mountain ranges, deep canyons, an almost Mediterranean climate and vegetation.

Cities

 * — capital of Ardèche
 * — capital of Drôme
 * in the Gorges de l'Ardèche
 * in the Gorges de l'Ardèche
 * in the Gorges de l'Ardèche
 * in the Gorges de l'Ardèche
 * in the Gorges de l'Ardèche
 * in the Gorges de l'Ardèche
 * in the Gorges de l'Ardèche
 * in the Gorges de l'Ardèche
 * in the Gorges de l'Ardèche
 * in the Gorges de l'Ardèche
 * in the Gorges de l'Ardèche
 * in the Gorges de l'Ardèche

Other destinations

 * — 30-km-long canyons along the Ardèche river, cut deeply into the limestone plateau, paradise for canoeists
 * — massif of the Prealps at the north end of the Drôme.

Understand
Unlike the rest of the former Rhône-Alpes region, Ardèche and Drôme are usually considered to be part of Southern France, in terms of both climate and culture. A popular French rhyme goes: « c'est à Valence que le Midi commence » ("The South begins at Valence"). Especially in Drôme, lavender fields (that are commonly associated with Provence) are not an unusual sight.

By plane
The closest major airport is Lyon-Saint Exupéry. There are direct TGV high-speed trains from the airport to Valence Ville (downtown station), taking 30 minutes.

By train
Valence is served by the TGV high-speed rail link Paris–Lyon–Marseille. Going from Paris to Valence takes 2 hr 10 min, from Lyon 35 minutes, from Marseille one hour. At Valence you may connect to regional trains.

By car
Ardèche and Drôme can be reached by car with motorway (autoroute) A7 from Lyon or Avignon and Marseille, which runs in north-south direction along the border shared by the two departments, passing Valence, Privas, Montélimar. Northern Drôme is also accessible via A 49 from Chambéry/Grenoble.

Eat

 * Picodon — a cheese made in Drôme.

Go next
Neighbouring departments and regions:
 * Isère to the northeast
 * Loire to the north
 * Vaucluse to the south
 * Gard to the south
 * Lozère to the west
 * Auvergne to the northwest

title: Ardèche and Drôme


text:
Arden Hills

Arden Hills is a suburb in the Twin Cities of Minnesota

Understand
Arden Hills is a small suburban city surrounded by New Brighton and Roseville. It is the home of the Knights from Irondale High school and the Mustangs from Moundsview High School. Just a short distance away from St. Paul and Minneapolis it is conveniently close to many of the Minnesota sights.

Get in
Interstate 35W, Interstate 694, and US-10.

Get around
In Arden Hills there is a cab company. Some adjacent suburbs have bus service to Minneapolis and St. Paul.

See

 * Shoreview Tropics Center (a swimming park)
 * Lake Johanna

Buy
There are lots of malls around and little shops. Nearby is the Rosedale Shopping Mall and Har Mar Mall.

Sleep

 * Hilton Garden Inn Shoreview
 * Hampton Inn Minneapolis-St. Paul North
 * AmericInn Mounds View

Go next

 * Pine City, just north on I-35. Tip:  get off the freeway and take Old Highway 61 aka. the St. Croix Scenic Byway. A nostalgic drive, and town!

title: Arden Hills


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Ardennes

The Ardennes (French: Ardenne) is a hilly forested region of Europe split between France, Belgium, and Luxembourg:

Belgium

 * The Chimay region in the south of the province of Hainaut.
 * The extreme south of the province of Namur.
 * The province of Luxembourg (except the extreme south which is part of Lorraine).
 * The eastern half of the province of Liège.

France

 * The north of the Ardennes department which is part of the Grand Est region.

Luxembourg

 * Éislek - The Luxembourg Ardennes

title: Ardennes


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Ardmore (Oklahoma)

Ardmore is in the Chickasaw Country region of Oklahoma. It is a regional center for the area and offers lodging and restaurants, as well as performing arts centers. Ardmore can serve as a base for exploring the nearby region and the Arbuckle Mountains.

By car
Ardmore is on Interstate 35, approximately 1.5 hr south of Oklahoma City and 2 hr north of Dallas, Texas.

By plane
There is no local commercial airport; or  are the nearest airports.

By train
Amtrak serves Ardmore, the city is situated along the Heartland Flyer route that runs once-daily between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City. is located at 251 E Main St.

By bus
Greyhound Bus service.

Get around
Sadly, like many Mid-West cities, a vehicle is almost a necessity in Ardmore; there is no public transportation and with the exception of the few blocks of historic downtown, most of the city is not walkable (in some places, there aren't even sidewalks). Most of the hotels and many restaurants and services are clustered either around the freeway or around Commerce Avenue, some way from the historic part of the city.

See
Ardmore has a number of regional performing arts centers, where you can catch a show. (The nearby casinos, especially Winstar, also have concerts).
 * There is a weekend farmer's market in the summer.

Do

 * Turner Falls Park, at I-35 & US 77 north of Ardmore, has a magnificent horsetail-type of waterfall, camping, a lodge, and outdoor activities.
 * Turner Falls Park, at I-35 & US 77 north of Ardmore, has a magnificent horsetail-type of waterfall, camping, a lodge, and outdoor activities.

 * For in-town recreation, Ardmore has a newly updated movie theater, a roller skating rink, and a community water park.

Eat
Ardmore sports several sit-down restaurants as well as fast food.

Sleep
Ardmore offers many hotels, mostly along I-35 on the western edge of town. They may be fully booked when there is an event in town or during heavy travel periods (such as the holidays).

Go next

 * Davis (Oklahoma) has a 1500-acre park run by the city, which includes the largest waterfall in Oklahoma, as well as many springs, recreation areas, and some important geological features
 * G.W. Exotic Animal Park, located west of Wynnewood. This is a 16-acre park and has exotic animals such as tigers, lions, bears, reptiles and monkeys. It is also a refuge for many species.
 * Thackerville- Home of WinStar World Casino, the world's largest casino

title: Ardmore (Oklahoma)


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Ardoch

Ardoch is a small town in the Red River Valley of North Dakota. It has a population of about 80 people (2019). Coordinates are latitude 48.21 N and longitude 97.34 W. Its elevation is 825 feet.

Understand
Originally named Claire when it was founded in 1881, it was later renamed Kimball. The first postmaster, John Stevenson, finally renamed it Ardoch, after his home town in Canada.

Get in

 * By car: about 25 miles northwest of Grand Forks on US highway 81.

title: Ardoch


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Ardrossan

Ardrossan is a port in Ayrshire on the Clyde coast of Scotland. It's part of the "Three Towns" conurbation of Greater Ardrossan, which also includes Saltcoats and Stevenston. The town has few sights and amenities, and the main reason to visit is to catch the ferry to the Isle of Arran.

Understand
While nearby towns such as Largs and Troon developed as beach resorts in the Victorian era, the Three Towns have always been industrial. Trades included salt extraction, shipping, quarrying and mining, and in the early 20th century Stevenston produced military and commercial explosives. Little of these now remain and various regeneration projects have faltered, so the towns have fallen back on being slightly grubby beach resorts, and commuterland for Irvine. The population in 2020 was 10,500 for Ardrossan, 12,250 for Saltcoats, and 9050 for Stevenston.

By car
From Glasgow, follow M8 west. Just past Glasgow Airport, exit at Jcn 29 onto A737, following signs for Irvine. With a light vehicle (and with a caravan or RV is okay), at Dalry take the signposted shortcut onto B780. (With fields and hills all around, it'll feel like you're many miles from the coast. But then you glimpse a line of wind turbines, as if an enormous aircraft was taxiing on the far side of the ridge; finally the sea and harbour come into view.) Otherwise stay on A737 to join A78 further south.

From England, take M6 then A75 to Dumfries, then A76 to Kilmarnock, then A71 west to join A78.

All approaches eventually follow A78, which bypasses Ardrossan, so ferry traffic loops round to the north of town then approaches the harbour along Eglinton road. (Don't follow what looks like a shortcut along A738 unless Stevenston or Saltcoats is your destination, you don't want to be part of the congestion on this road.) The final turn onto Glasgow St towards the harbour comes up with little warning, so when you reach the sign to the ferry, turn promptly.

There's long stay parking next to the ferry terminal, plus an Asda supermarket - stock up on fuel and supplies before crossing to Arran.

By bus
Stagecoach Bus X36 runs from Glasgow Buchanan station every couple of hours daily, taking 90 min, with a bus at midnight, 3AM then 7AM. (But don't get on the X36 operated by First Scotland East, or you'll end up in Cumbernauld!) You can also reach Ardrossan just as quickly by taking the X34 (for Beith and Irvine), and changing at Kilwinning for Bus 11, which is the frequent Kilmarnock-Ardrossan service. A third option is to take the X77 (for Ayr) and change at Prestwick for Bus 585.

The latter bus, Stagecoach Bus 585 or "Clyde Coaster", runs between Ayr and Prestwick Airport in the south, through Saltcoats and Ardrossan, and on to Largs (for Great Cumbrae), Weymss Bay (for Isle of Bute) and Greenock. It runs every 30 min M-Sa and every two hours on Sunday.

By train
Trains run from Glasgow Central every 30 min M-Sa, hourly on Sunday, taking 40 min via Paisley Gilmour Street (for Glasgow Airport), Dalry, Kilwinning (for Irvine, Prestwick Airport, Ayr and Stranraer), Stevenston and Saltcoats to the main railway station. Alternate trains then either continue north to West Kilbride and Largs (ferry port for Great Cumbrae) or take the short branch line to Ardrossan Town and Ardrossan Harbour, which is next to the ferry terminal. These Harbour trains connect with the ferries to Arran.

Ardrossan South Beach and the Harbour are a mile apart, so if you're coming here to catch the ferry and have only light luggage, it may be quicker to take the "wrong" train and walk the last stretch, than wait another 30 min for the "right" train. The last train to and from Glasgow is after 11PM, long after the ferries have stopped sailing. If your train is delayed and you risk missing your ferry, make your plight known to the conductor, and the ferry may be held. Combined rail + ferry tickets are available.

Ardrossan South Beach and Saltcoats have staffed ticket offices and machines. The others don't, so if you start your journey from Harbour, Town or Stevenston, buy on board from the conductor. All have step-free access to platforms but no toilets.

By boat
has Calmac ferries to Brodick on the Isle of Arran, taking 55 min. Apr-Oct they sail M-Sa 7AM-7PM every 90 min, Su every 2-3 hours; Nov-Mar there are only 4 or 5 per day. For fares see Isle of Arran.

If you travel with a camper van or caravan, in summer be prepared at check-in to show a pitch reservation on Arran, else you may be turned away. All the Scottish islands have a problem in summer with visitor vehicles camping illegally on the verges and passing places.

Calmac ferries sail three days a week May-Sept to Campbeltown in Kintyre, taking 2 hr 30 min. From there a foot-passenger ferry runs in summer to Ballycastle in Northern Ireland; there are no car ferries between Kintyre and Ireland.

Ferries may divert to Troon in bad weather, when the usual ferry berth at Ardrossan can be exposed. Until 2024 there was a back-up here, the "Irish berth", but this has become worn and unsuitable for use, so the back-up is now to sail to and from Troon. So check ahead if bad weather is expected. This is separate from the intended diversion to Troon during upgrade of Ardrossan harbour - that project is on hold as costs have spiralled.

Clyde Marina east side of the ferry harbour has facilities for private boats, with mooring, dry berthing, cleaning, marine diesel and marine fuel. On approach, beware of Horse Isle one mile out: it has a day-mark but no light, and there have been several wreckings.

By plane
Glasgow Airport is 8 miles west of central Glasgow on the M8. Dozens of airlines fly to destinations in the British Isles, Europe, North America and the Middle East. From the airport you can travel into central Glasgow then change, but it's quicker to take the bus the two miles to Paisley Gilmour Street, see Glasgow.

Prestwick Airport is much closer to Ardrossan but has very few flights. Ryanair is the only passenger airline, flying to Med holiday destinations. From the airport either take the train, changing at Kilwinning for Ardrossan (reckon 45 min), or Bus 585, see Prestwick.

Get around
Walking will get you around town. The train and Bus 585 (above) connect Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston.

Taxi operators in Ardrossan are Mainland (+44 1294 463556) and P&H (+44 1294 480089), and in Saltcoats are Steve's (+44 7900 291178), Central (+44 1294 464646) and West Coast (+44 1294 605605).

See

 * Sculpture Garden is rather a grand name for the cobbles set down on a checkerboard on the breakwater pier north of the marina. It's the work of Hideo Furuta (1949-2007), born in Hiroshima and settling in Creetown Kirkcudbright, who made much use of the granite from a disused nearby quarry.
 * Barony St Johns (now a training centre) and St Peter in Chains (RC) are good examples of old and new styles of church architecture. They're close together at the north end of South Beach.
 * is seen half a mile out from the harbour - or not seen, as it's low-lying and close to the navigation channel, causing several wreckings. The 52-ft tower was built in 1811 to act as a day-mark but has never had a light. The island is now an RSPB nature reserve.
 * is just a stump of masonry, all that remains of a 16th-century tower. Cromwell's not to blame for this ruin however, as it was stripped of its stone in the 19th century to build a dam for a mill at Montfode Farm. You see it first from the bypass A78 just before this reaches the coast. For a closer look, turn onto the coast road then immediately right into the lane.
 * is just a stump of masonry, all that remains of a 16th-century tower. Cromwell's not to blame for this ruin however, as it was stripped of its stone in the 19th century to build a dam for a mill at Montfode Farm. You see it first from the bypass A78 just before this reaches the coast. For a closer look, turn onto the coast road then immediately right into the lane.

Do

 * Beaches along this coastline are:
 * - Ardrossan South Beach, just south of the main railway station, is the principal traditional seaside area.
 * - Ardrossan North Beach, north of the harbour, is quieter. Best views are at sunset as the light drops over the mountains of Arran. Listen out for the story of how the Earl of Eglington was horribly slain here. No spoilers, but if you seize a cartload of contraband rum on a fine smugglers' beach like this, then beware reprisals, even if you let them keep the cart.
 * - Saltcoats South Beach is another traditional seaside strip, close to Saltcoats railway station where hordes alight from Glasgow.
 * - Stevenston Beach further south is much quieter, but the tide comes right in and with the wind behind the sea it can become hazardous.

 * , a short way inland from Ardrossan South Beach, is a relaxing grassland for recreation and walking.
 * Golf: Auchengarvie GC is nine holes. It's by the loch half a mile east of Saltcoats. See Kilwinning for Ardeer GC.
 * Sail the ferry to Arran even if you're not staying on the island. You can take a day-trip to Brodick and visit the castle, or just cruise there and back without stepping ashore. Have a scenic lunch on the way, or look for marine life in the Firth of Clyde.
 * Ardrossan Highland Games are held on the second Sunday in June on Memorial Playing Fields. The next are probably on Sunday 11 June 2023, tbc.
 * Sail the ferry to Arran even if you're not staying on the island. You can take a day-trip to Brodick and visit the castle, or just cruise there and back without stepping ashore. Have a scenic lunch on the way, or look for marine life in the Firth of Clyde.
 * Ardrossan Highland Games are held on the second Sunday in June on Memorial Playing Fields. The next are probably on Sunday 11 June 2023, tbc.
 * Sail the ferry to Arran even if you're not staying on the island. You can take a day-trip to Brodick and visit the castle, or just cruise there and back without stepping ashore. Have a scenic lunch on the way, or look for marine life in the Firth of Clyde.
 * Ardrossan Highland Games are held on the second Sunday in June on Memorial Playing Fields. The next are probably on Sunday 11 June 2023, tbc.

Buy

 * ASDA is the big store by Ardrossan Harbour, open daily 8AM-1PM. Stock up on essentials here before sailing to Arran, especially fuel (24 hours) — it's a big island and you may do more miles than you expect.
 * Tesco on A738 through Saltcoats and Lidl on B780 east through Stevenston are the other main stores.

Eat

 * Lauriston Hotel does bar meals and restaurant food, see "Sleep". It's best value before 6 pm.
 * Lauriston Hotel does bar meals and restaurant food, see "Sleep". It's best value before 6 pm.
 * Lauriston Hotel does bar meals and restaurant food, see "Sleep". It's best value before 6 pm.
 * Lauriston Hotel does bar meals and restaurant food, see "Sleep". It's best value before 6 pm.

Saltcoats has a huge number of places to eat.

 * Indian restaurants in Saltcoats are Motherland Spice and Abid's Tandoori, both just south of the railway station.
 * Indian restaurants in Saltcoats are Motherland Spice and Abid's Tandoori, both just south of the railway station.
 * Indian restaurants in Saltcoats are Motherland Spice and Abid's Tandoori, both just south of the railway station.
 * Indian restaurants in Saltcoats are Motherland Spice and Abid's Tandoori, both just south of the railway station.

Sleep

 * See Kilwinning for Red Squirrel at the junction of A78 and A738.
 * See Kilwinning for Red Squirrel at the junction of A78 and A738.
 * See Kilwinning for Red Squirrel at the junction of A78 and A738.

Connect
As of Sept 2022, Ardrossan has 4G from all UK carriers, but the signal from O2 is patchy. 5G has not reached this area.

There is no land-based mobile signal on the ferries. Switch off, or check what they plan to charge you to use the ferry's connection.

There's free internet access at Ardrossan Library.

Go next

 * The top attraction is the Isle of Arran, which can be done on a day-trip but deserves a longer stay.
 * A short train-ride brings you to Largs, with a ferry to Great Cumbrae - and a day-trip will be enough there.
 * Nearby Kilwinning has a ruined abbey, castle and country park.
 * Visit Ayr, and especially Alloway, for the Burns Heritage Park.

title: Ardrossan


text:
Ardrossan (South Australia)

Ardrossan is a coastal town on the eastern side of Yorke Peninsula and is a popular tourist destination. Ardrossan is an easy 90-minute drive from Adelaide.

Understand
The town of Ardrossan was proclaimed in 1873 and named by Governor Fergusson after Ardrossan in Ayrshire, Scotland.

Get in
The town is about a diversion from Pt Wakefield via the  and  taking approximately half an hour. There's no public transport, buses or trains that run to Ardrossan so car is your only option. There are also occasional ferries from Adelaide that come here.

Do

 * Blue Swimmer Crabs can be caught along the coastline from Ardrossan to Stansbury, and are a favourite delicacy. Crabs can be caught by net from jetty or boat, or raked in the shallow. A general guide for crabbing is that its best in the months that have an 'r' in them, as the water is warmer.
 * Blue Swimmer Crabs can be caught along the coastline from Ardrossan to Stansbury, and are a favourite delicacy. Crabs can be caught by net from jetty or boat, or raked in the shallow. A general guide for crabbing is that its best in the months that have an 'r' in them, as the water is warmer.

Eat

 * The Ardrossan Bakery makes bread, pies, pasties, sausage rolls, vanilla slices, etc.

Connect
Cellular (mobile) telephone network reception may not be available in many areas especially those distant from cellular network repeater towers normally located along the major highways and near larger townships. Hilly terrain will also effect reception. In an emergency seek higher ground. Some networks provide a poor coverage in regional and rural areas. It is generally considered that the best reception is available from either Telstra or Optus when in areas such as Yorke Peninsula.

For emergency services including police, fire services and ambulance call 000 from any telephone and ask the operator to connect you. Such calls are placed without charge to the calling party.

title: Ardrossan (South Australia)


text:
Arecibo

Arecibo is a municipality of 88,000 people (2020) on the north coast of Puerto Rico, and was best known for its giant radio telescope, which collapsed in late 2020.

Understand
The limestone karst landscape along the Northern coast (Arecibo included) form some of the most distinctive Puerto Rican geographical features and make for scenic panoramas.

Get in

 * San Juan: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
 * Aguadilla: Rafael Hernández Airport
 * Ponce: Mercedita Airport

By car
Arecibo is about 80 km (an hour's drive) west of San Juan along PR-22.

Go next

 * Barceloneta
 * Ciales
 * Florida
 * Hatillo
 * Ponce lies southeast of Arecibo and is a two hour drive through the Cordillera Central, the mountain range that crosses Puerto Rico from east to west. That is not easy driving. An easier drive is 2 hours and 20 minutes long, via the western coast on PR-2 west then South, then east, to avoid driving through the mountain range.
 * Utuado

title: Arecibo


text:
Areguá

Areguá is a town 31 km outside of Asunción in Paraguay.

Understand
Areguá is easily accessible by many paved roads and public bus lines. It contains many historic and natural attractions that make it a great weekend getaway. In August and September they hold a strawberry festival.

By bus
Take any bus line in Asunción going to "Shopping del Sol" - it will say so on the windscreen. Line 28 and 30 both go there from Cerro Corá road. Get off at Shopping del Sol and board any bus saying "Areguá" on the screen. Buses cost Gs.2,200. Get off after you see the ceramics stores on either side of the street (can't miss them). You are in the centre (and close to the Tourist office (Casona de SENATUR) on 515 Nstr. Señora de la Candelaria c/ Mcal. Estigarribia).

Some buses that pass to neighboring towns such as Ypacarai and Itaguá also pass through Areguá. Main bus lines that go through Areguá include No. 111 Aregueña, the No. 11 San Augustine, and the No. 56 Cerro Koi. Make sure to ask the bus driver if they go into the center of town (el centro), instead of the outlying rural areas (las companias).

By car
Areguá is accessible from Ruta 2, going east outside of Asunción. When you get to the ''Colegio Militar Mcal. Francisco Solano Lopez outside of the centre of Capiatá, turn left at the stop light on km 27 marker, and follow the road called Ruta Areguá'' until you reach the town centre.

Get around
The town is pretty compact - best to go by foot. Distances are short. On one end (right, uphill from the centre) there's the church on the hill overlooking the town, on the other end is the beach and the lake.

Do
Nowadays, the lake is polluted by factories, and swimming and eating fish here is not possible anymore. You can tell from the color of the lake's water that it is far from OK.

 * The town is a nice and relaxing treat from the hectic Asunción, with beautiful colonial buildings.
 * The town is a nice and relaxing treat from the hectic Asunción, with beautiful colonial buildings.

Buy

 * Garden gnome style ceramic figurines (from Snow White and Princess Fiona to Saints and Jesus) and pots for plants in all sizes can be bought on the street to Luque (Nstr. Señora de la Candelaria)

Eat
For the size of the town there are quite a few restaurants around. Hamburgesas can be bought in the evening at the main plaza. A few guys sell doughnuts near the petrol station in the centre.

Drink
The usual small bars blaring Latin music can be found around the place.

Sleep
The motels on the road to Luque are likely to be hourly hotels. The options listed are on Estigarribia/Panchito López towards the lake which is passing by the train station.

Go next
Several interesting and picturesque sightseeing destination worth the trip lie in close distance from Areguá (by bus):
 * The
 * The
 * The
 * The
 * The and  in Yaguarón
 * and the a little further away.

title: Areguá


text:
Aremark

Aremark is a municipality in the southeastern part of Norway.

Get in
Bus or car from Halden.

See

 * Scenic lake Store Lee.
 * Historical partisan border crossing point from WWII.

Do

 * Fishing, canoeing, elk and deer hunting.
 * Every two years in Aremark there is a relatively large festival: Elgfestivalen (elk festival). It is held in a festivity area at Kirkeng Camping. It has been arranged every two years since September 1998. The festival begins Friday afternoon and lasts until Sunday afternoon.

Eat
Elk specialities at the yearly Elk festival.

title: Aremark


text:
Arendal

 * Arendal is also a neighborhood in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Arendal is the biggest city in Aust-Agder, Norway, with a population of 40,000.

It is a pleasant tourist destination, where its main attractions are its picturesque old town, and, in the summer months, its popular harbourside restaurants, bars and music festivals.

By plane
Kristiansand airport is around 45 minutes away by car, and also has frequent bus service to Arendal. Frequent flights with Widerøe from Copenhagen, Bergen, Stavanger and London-Southend, with SAS and Norwegian from Oslo, KLM from Amsterdam.

Sandefjord-Torp is around 2 hours away by car.

By bus
The bus from Oslo takes around 4 hours for the 260 km journey.

By train
A sideline takes you from Nelaug Station by the Sørlandet Line (Sørlandsbanen), where it is necessary to change the train to the local train bound for Arendal Station. The railway Sørlandet Line follows an inland route from the larger cities Oslo (to the east), Kristiansand and Stavanger (to the west).

On foot
The city center is quite compact, which means that everything is within walking distance.

By bus
Setesdals Bilruter operates the white city buses.

By car
Parking might be difficult in the city centre, try the parking houses.

By motorcycle
In the city and especially in the outskirts of the city, motorcycle often is the best mode of transport. There are many winding but picturesque country roads to explore. Remember to be aware and follow the speed limits.

By taxi
Please note that using a taxi in Norway is not cheap.

Hove Festival
The Hove Festival is one of Norway's biggest music festivals featuring big international acts in every music genre. It is at an island called Tromoya, just outside the city centre. The festival mixes large international acts with Norwegian bands in the unique setting of an island outside Arendal city. Besides music, there is art, cinema and food to enjoy. Children under 12 are admitted free.

In 2010 the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph named Hove Festival as the best festival in Europe. The festival is easy to reach from Arendal. There will be buses and ferries every 15 minutes from the city centre.

Shopping malls

 * The city centre

Connect
There are many Wi-Fi hotspots scattered around town, including many eateries, cafes and various hotels.

Go next

 * Grimstad is a city west of Arendal, known as the residence of the famous Norwegian authors such as Henrik Ibsen and Knut Hamsun, its picturesque wooden houses and for good swimming spots for families with children.
 * Evje is a village northwest of Arendal towards Setesdal. Here you can go rafting in small rivers and for those who are interested in geology, a visit to  the Mineral Park in Evje should be mandatory.

title: Arendal


text:
Arenzville

Arenzville, Illinois is a village near Jacksonville best known for its annual Arenzville Burgoo.

Sleep
There's no lodging in Arenzville; the nearest motels are in Jacksonville.

title: Arenzville


text:
Arequipa

Arequipa is a city in the Southern Coastal region of Peru just below the edge of the Altiplano, at above sea level and surrounded by three impressive volcanoes. It's Peru's second most important city (after Lima), and the second most popular among tourists (after Cusco).

Understand
The city is part of the so-called "Southern Peru Tourist Corridor", together with Nazca, Puno and Cusco. In contrast to these other cities, Arequipa is an example of the Spanish and mestizo culture developed in Peru. There are no Inca artifacts or ruins in the city.

In the winter it is warmer than in the summer. It is nicknamed the 'white city' (la ciudad blanca, in Spanish), because many of the buildings in the area are built of sillar, a white stone. This rock was quarried from the many volcanoes that surround the city, including the towering El Misti. Ask for local help to identify Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu, the three volcanoes surrounding the city.

Arequipa embodies a rich mix of the indigenous and Spanish colonial cultures. With almost 500 years of history since its founding, examples of Spanish colonial architecture can be found throughout the center of the city and several surrounding districts; UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage site. Catholic churches are scattered throughout the center of the city. Some old houses have been refurbished by the local authorities and serve as living museums. An example of this are the so-called "Tambos" located at Puente Bolognesi Street.

By plane
By far the easiest way to get to Arequipa is by plane,
 * Latam (Lima, Cusco)
 * JetSmart (Lima, Cusco)
 * Sky Peru (Lima)
 * Sky Peru (Lima)

A taxi from the airport to the Plaza de Armas costs a flat-rate of S/25 (soles). Signs are posted with this rate, but depending on the size of the car, the size of your bags and your bargaining skills you could pay less. No public transportation is available to/from the airport.

By bus
There are two terminals serving the city, Terminal Terrestre and Terminal Terrapuerto. They're next to each other, about from the center. A taxi should cost around S/8.

Try to avoid cheap buses — the more you pay, the higher the quality of service, and safety. Some of the more reputable companies are Cruz del Sur, Ormeño, Excluciva (full 180º beds with meals served, S/130 ), Oltursa and Cromotex (S/70 to Lima, good value and security), Flores (a good budget option, but only with their "super dorado" and similar services, their economic is best to be avoided for safety reasons (high accident rate). Their station is across the street from Terminal Terrestre.) If you take the night bus make sure the bus is air-conditioned. There are cheap companies like Julsa which don't heat their buses, meaning the temperature can sink close to 0°C, and some don't have bathrooms. Compare prices between booking online, in the office or via an agency since it can vary up to 100% for exactly the same seat and service.

From Lima (S/30-130, 16–18 hours) it's advisable to take non-stop express buses — though more expensive, they tend to be safer. Oltursa and Excluciva buses depart from dedicated VIP terminals in the San Isidrio area of Lima.

Peru Hop offers buses to Arequipa, as well. Unlike other buses that provide a direct service with nothing to see along the way, Peru Hop bus passes include stops where you can choose to hop off along the way to Arequipa. Their stops from Lima to Arequipa include Paracas, Huacachina and Nazca. Peru Hop offers free hotel and hostel pick-up and drop-off.

There are several buses per day from Cusco (9 hours, S/30-120), Puno (5–6 hours, S/25-50), Pisco (12–14 hours, S/50-150), Nazca (9 hours, S/50-150) and Tacna (near the border with Chile, 6–8 hours). If you take a Peru Hop bus from Cusco to Arequipa you can choose to hop off in Puno.

La Paz Ormeños has direct buses leaving at 01:00 every day, passing through Puno at 06:00 (S/40) and arriving in La Paz at 12:00 ($60).

By train
Charter trains to Juliaca and Puno are only available for groups of 40 or more.

By foot
The city has an urban area that can be explored on foot. The historical center is a 5-block area around the main square and it's very easy to visit following one of the many maps available at the hotels or any information office. Some ancient districts like Yanahuara and Cayma are also within walking distance.

By taxi
If you want to take a taxi, you should take a "safe one". Rules to recognize them: they have signs on the roof. The more common the sign, the bigger the company and the safer the taxi. Another tip is to take one that has just set down a passenger. Avoid taking taxis that are stationary and obviously waiting for passengers.

Prices are per ride. A ride from the main square to any place in the central district will be S/4-7. A taxi from the bus station to any hotel, S/8. From the airport, the price varies between S/20-30. Some cab drivers try to rip you off by saying prices are per head but price is always per ride for all passengers. Allow for a minor extra charge for luggage (usually half a sol per large piece).

By car
You can rent a car with a driver included and go all around Arequipa for just $6 an hour. There are many taxi companies that can be trusted like Panataxi, Taxitel, Turismo Arequipa and Megataxi. For your safety, if you leave a restaurant or disco late night and want to come back to your hotel in a taxi, ask the restaurant to call a safe taxi.

You can rent a truck at a very low rate including a driver (just US$55 per 8 hours plus diesel expenses), call or email: fbedregal@yahoo.com, and go ahead and visit Arequipa's outskirts and places such Colca River, Majes, and the beaches at Camana and Mollendo.

See
Many of the almost 250 colonial buildings named as Human Heritage by UNESCO, are close to the main square. Some have been turned into banks, stores, restaurants and private residences.

Churches are among the most beautiful buildings preserved. They are all Catholic and you can visit them but always with a respectful eye towards the people there who may be worshiping. Most of the population still practices the Catholic religion. La Compañía de Jesús, San Francisco, La Merced and the Cathedral are some of the most famous.

A good place to watch the sunset in Arequipa is from any of the third floor restaurants on the main square. Make sure you arrive a little in advance because there will be others as well. The view of the mountains and the main square is amazing.

Adventure

 * Ride in Peru - address : Calle San Rafael 0-2 (between house 504 and 534), urb Los Angeles, cercado, Arequipa - phone : 214444 / 974211440 - email : reservas@rideinperu.com - Imagine Peru offers horseback rides and tours in the Colca. They have Peruvian Paso Horses and a lot of different rides to try in these splendid Colca landscapes. Opened to beginners and confirmed riders. Departure everyday.
 * Downhill volcano biking - Offered at several levels of difficulty. Half day adventure managed by professional guides. S/70-80. They provide all the required equipment. Very safe. Great countryside views.
 * Volcano climbing - Two options: an excursion to Misti or a real climbing to the more difficult Chachani. Two-day tour. The first one with low difficulty level the second one with medium difficulty. Altitude is usually the worst enemy for visitors. Chachani is over 6,000-meter altitude. Book with professional operators. Price around US$90/person.
 * Whitewater rafting - Arequipa has some of the best rivers of the world. A typical half-day tour with some 90-min of rafting will cost you about S/70.

Spanish language
Because of its weather, its friendly people and lower prices when compared to Lima or Cusco, Arequipa is a great place to learn Spanish. Several schools are available, most of them with excellent programs. Classes are usually offered on a per week basis and with accommodation packages included.

Cooking lessons
This is an excellent opportunity to share with local cooks and work with them in preparing delicious local cuisine. The experience starts with selecting the products, then preparing and cooking them. After that, you can serve and enjoy the results in the form of a good traditional meal.

Buy
Arequipa is called the world's capital of the alpaca, a wool that comes from these Andean camelids and is considered very fine and valuable. Big factories and several boutiques offer fine products at great prices. A good quality alpaca sweater will be S/70-180 according to colors and designs. Some handicraft stores offer very cheap alpaca, often of a lesser quality.

Most typical handicrafts come from the Chivay area. Colorful embroidery called Maquinaza style, representing daily activities or nature scenes.

There are some interesting shops geared towards tourists, including Patio del Ekeko, free Wi-Fi included. The old Jesuit convent, half a block from the Plaza de Armas, is free to enter and has very good shops for fine Alpaca garments and local products. The place itself is very nice. There is also a square near La Compañía featuring a number of more expensive handicrafts shops.

Eat
Arequipa features some of the most varied and flavorful cuisines in the country. Meals are robust with soups as one of their main dishes. Local food is usually served at lunch time but you can also find it in locals for tourists during dinner time. The better restaurants are near the Plaza San Francisco. Spicy food is very popular. Locals use rocoto (Capsicum pubescens) to provide the hot taste to their foods. This flavour is different than the spiciness in Indian or Mexican cuisine. One dish made with this ingredient is rocoto relleno con pastel de papa, a large stuffed pepper with potato pie. Ask beforehand if it has been made for tourists or if it is the original, quite hot, style; if the last one, be careful, it can be extremely hot!

Another Peruvian dish to try is alpaca steak. This meat, very low in fat, is juicy and very tender. It is presented in the same manner as traditional beef.

If you prefer fish and seafood – Arequipa is only three hours away from the sea, so many fish restaurants are available. If you have not tried ceviche in Peru yet, this is a great opportunity. There are also many other sea delicacies. The city is also the best place in Peru to eat river shrimps. They are presented in several ways, the most popular being Chupe de Camarones, a thick, savory soup featuring many shrimps in it. Beware, the plates here are big.

Budget
Local restaurants are called picanterías. They are still very popular among locals. Some are within the urban area and some others on the outskirts of the city. In the Arancota neighborhood, you can find many of these restaurants. Some of them are huge (600 tables or more) and they are usually full of locals. The main food attraction in this area is chicharron (fried pork with corn). Menu's are usually set, consisting of a hearty soup followed by a main dish. Drinks are often included. Prices are generally very cheap, ranging from S/5 to S/10.

As with all Peruvian food, local delicacies are heavy and sometimes very hot. Proceed with caution when eating here, especially since the height of the city makes digestion slow. Take a mate de coca, coca-leaf tea, after meals: it helps digestion and makes the altitude more bearable.

A selection of budget restaurants can be found on Calle Bolognesi, west of the Plaza de Armas.

In addition to the places listed below, there are dozens of other vegetarian restaurants scattered throughout town. Most offer a set lunch (menú) for around S/10.

Mid-range
The places overlooking the Plaza de Armas and behind the cathedral, while decent, are overpriced relative to the quality of the food. Their tours will show you their à-la-carte menus with mains for S/30-40, but you can ask for their menú del día which will give two courses and a drink (pisco sour, chicha morada, or Coke) for S/20 (Mar 2018).

For dinner, you can find the best restaurants in the city around Calle San Francisco.

Drink
Most bars and clubs for tourists are on Calle San Francisco, uphill from the main square. Many have happy hour specials until 22:00. Moreover, there is an area of the city called Calle Dolores, with discothèques, karaoke bars, and salsa ball rooms usually attended by locals but usually safe enough for travelers. A taxi is needed to get there.

The most popular Peruvian alcohol product is Pisco. Arequipa is the cradle for the Acholado type, a Pisco derived from a blend of several grapes. Locals drink it pure, in little sips. Chilcano is another way to drink it, Pisco with white soda. And of course, the Pisco Sour, which is a must for any visitor. A famous local alcoholic product is Anis Najar. Chicha, a slightly fermented corn beer and Pisco Sour are also considered traditional drinks.

On the non-alcoholic side, try the local soft drink, Kola Escocesa, not as sweet as Inca Kola. There is also a popular mineral water called Socosani. Energina is a yellow soft drink produced with this water. Some other soft drinks area available from the same factory.

Mid-range

Splurge

Stay safe
Don't flaunt your valuables or your money; there are occasional robberies reported. Do not walk alone after 23:00 in the downtown area! All the usual advice given for Peru applies here as well. When taking standard precautions, Arequipa is a safe city, and like most of the other major Peruvian cities, there is always a fairly large police presence.

In the downtown area, there is a fairly large presence of tourist police, wearing white shirts. Ask them for help.

The most common form of crime involving tourists is when a foreigner takes a no-name cab and a robbery occurs. To be safe, don't just hail any old cab that passes by. Always take reputable large company taxis (of which you can see plenty). Several of these taxi companies are very careful about the owners and drivers they take on. Consequently, they are very reliable. The best of these is the "Turismo Arequipa" company with a green and white logo (watch out for fakes). "Taxitel" is also good.

The safest way to call a taxi is to ask your hotel or hostel to do it for you. Like in all Peru, most all hostels and hotels have a relationship with a taxi company whose drivers are known and trusted.

Cope
As an exception to the rest of Peru, Arequipa uses electricity of 220 V at 50 Hz.

Nearby
The rural area is a whole attraction in itself. With gorgeous terraces, Spanish mills, palaces and an unobstructed view of the volcanoes from wherever you are.

A great way to visit most of the tourist spots from the rural and urban area is to take a bus tour. These special buses are available at the main square and you can book the tour at your hotel or directly with the bus driver. In two or four hours, depending on the tour you book, you will visit most of the famous viewpoints of the city. A great experience (from US$6-10).

Further away
There are many travel agencies, but only a few tour operators without commissions. The best operators are Andina (Jerusalen 402A), PeruSchweizExplorer (Jerusalen 314) for Colca Canyon Tours (around 150 Soles for a 3D/2N trip) and Quechua Explorer (San Francisco 218) for hill climbing.

 * The Colca Canyon: Theoretically possible as a day trip but not recommended; count a minimum of two days. Many people opt for at least one night in Chivay or Cabanaconde outside the Canyon, others stay in one of the lodges inside the canyon. Close-up views of flying condors and beautiful landscapes are two of the many highlights on these trips. You can visit the canyon with a tour or hire a guide. Trekking Colca Canyon without a guide or a tour is also possible and costs less.
 * The Cotahuasi Canyon: not as visited as Colca Canyon, but surely as interesting. Cotahuasi Canyon claims to be the deepest in the world, and the mixture of wilderness, pre Hispanic ruins and Andean villages make it a fantastic 4-7 days escape.
 * Chachani 6,057 m above sea level. Arrange transport with one of the adventure tour guides in town and be prepared for a 2-hour bumpy, swerving, scary drive around sharp curves up steep mountain roads. The base camp is at slightly over 5,000 m and the views are spectacular. If you are well-acclimated and have gear (ice axes and crampons) you should be able to summit from high camp in just over 8 hours. Otherwise just hike up the switchbacks to high camp (don't stay there, you can't sleep well at that altitude. Heed the mountaineer's motto: "Hike high, Lie low") and then on to the col, from which you can see the beautiful view of Arequipa and surrounding mountains. The trek beyond can be dangerous if you're not an experienced mountaineer. If you are, be prepared for a tough slog up dangerous scree and a trecherous traverse, and make sure you feel up to the return trip.
 * El Misti 5,822 m above sea level it is a 2-day climb. There are a lot of agencies in Arequipa offering the climb for around US$50. The first night camp is at approx 4,600 m so it gets very cold. You wake up at 01:00 to make the summit for sunrise. Not at all a technical climb, as you can pretty much walk to the top. It helps to be acclimatized, or you will feel the effects of the altitude.
 * Andagua at the head of the Valle des Volcanes is reachable by a direct (though long and bumpy) bus trip from Arequipa. Well off the tourist trail, it provides a fine opportunity to see beautiful altiplano scenery and experience an area of Peru scarcely touched by tourism.
 * Umacollo

title: Arequipa


text:
Arezzo

Arezzo is a city in Tuscany, Italy that was an important Etruscan town. Nowadays, Arezzo is an agricultural trade centre; has machine, clothing, gold, and jewellery industries; and is a tourist centre.

Understand
Arezzo's origins as a place of human habitation date far back into the Stone Age. Its history begins no later than the 4th century BC, when it was called Aretim and was one of 12 hill towns of the Etruscan League (the list also included what are now called Perugia, Chiusi, Cortona and Volterra). After the Romans took over Etruria, they called this city Arretium. In the 11th century, Arezzo was made a free commune, siding with the Ghibellines. Arezzo is also famous for Guido d'Arezzo, the Medieval abbot who originated solfeggio (the mnemonic music system known to many from the song in The Sound of Music that starts "Doe, a deer") at the Duomo in the early 11th century.

By plane
Arezzo can be reached by flying to Italian major international airports in Rome or Milan, or to the two airports in Tuscany:

 * Pisa International Airport Galileo Galilei, 1.5 km (1 mile) south of Pisa city centre.
 * Florence Airport Amerigo Vespucci, 4 km from the centre of Florence.

By train
Arezzo's train station, which is at the edge of the historic old town, offers frequent connections to cities like Florence and Rome.

By bus
There are bus connections with other important destinations in Tuscany, including Florence and Siena.

Get around
Arezzo's historic old town is small enough to explore on foot. If you have a rental car, you can park in one of the municipal lots for under €10 for the entire day, then walk up into the historic centre. Note that Arezzo is atop a steep incline, and you will feel as though you are walking uphill pretty much everywhere. Wear comfortable shoes.

ATAM runs the city bus service (there is also a "Centro Storico" line that covers the historic old town).

The taxi service is efficient and not too expensive.

See

 * Piazza Grande, the most beautiful square in Arezzo, is surrounded by marvelous old buildings and hosts the Giostra del Saracino (see "Festivals" under "Do" below) twice a year.

Churches

 * Arezzo Cathedral (Duomo), Piazza del Duomo. Daily 07:00-12:30 and 15:00-18:30.
 * Church of San Domenico, Piazza San Domenico 7. Daily 08:30-18:00. A Gothic church famous for the painted Crucifixion by Cimabue. Also has beautiful 16th-century stained glass windows.
 * Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, via S. Maria delle Grazie 1.
 * Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, via S. Maria delle Grazie 1.
 * Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, via S. Maria delle Grazie 1.

Museums

 * Museo del Duomo, (on the back side of the Duomo).
 * Museo Archeologico "Gaio Cilnio Mecenate", Via Margaritone 10
 * Museo Statale d'Arte Medievale e Moderna, Via San Lorentino 8

Of cultural interest

 * Casa del Petrarca Only open if you knock and ask nicely if you can come in; this is the home of famous Italian medieval poet Petrarch. Hours vary depending on the mood of the proprietor, but it is totally worth it.
 * La Vita è Bella Roberto Begnini's Academy Award-winning film was shot here in Arezzo, and as you proceed through the city centre, you will see colorful signs featuring pictures from the film at the specific locations of actual filming. Spend at least an hour wandering from sign to sign.

Do

 * The Antiques Fair that occupies Piazza Grande and many of the streets leading to it, with an array of some 500 stalls by which is fun to browse though. Arriving by car it's best to leave it in the Pietri free parking lot and go up to the Duomo on the escalator.
 * Dates: Takes place on the first Saturday and Sunday of every month.

 * Not being a big touristic city like Firenze it is most recommended to stroll in the charming old city center along the small alleys and enjoy its quiet streets. A good panoramic view of the city can be seen from the tower of "Palazzo dei Priori" in Piazza della Libertà, or walking through "Il Prato" park up to the Medicea Fortress.

Festivals

 * Arezzo is home to an annual medieval festival called the Joust of the Saracens (Giostra del Saracino). In this, "knights" on horseback representing different areas of the town charge at a wooden target attached to a carving of a Saracen king and score points according to accuracy. Virtually all the town's people dress up in medieval costume and enthusiastically cheer on the competitors.
 * Dates: The third Sunday of June and the first Sunday of September.

Eat
Arezzo is famous for its cuisine too. The most famous dishes of Arezzo are Acquacotta, a bread soup made with porcini mushrooms and Ribollita, a bread soup made with many different vegetables. But you can also taste the wonderful Chianina Steak and all sorts of pastas. Arezzo's wines are also very much appreciated all around the world.

Drink

Go next
Cortona and Lucignano are both within a short drive. Florence can be easily reached by train, and Siena by bus or car.

title: Arezzo


text:
Arezzo (province)

Arezzo is a province of the Tuscany region in Italy.

Cities

 * – Capital of the Province
 * - founded by the Etruscans, who called it Curtun in their language. The city was also important during Roman times.
 * , including San Giovanni Valdarno and Terranuova Bracciolini
 * - founded by the Etruscans, who called it Curtun in their language. The city was also important during Roman times.
 * , including San Giovanni Valdarno and Terranuova Bracciolini
 * , including San Giovanni Valdarno and Terranuova Bracciolini
 * , including San Giovanni Valdarno and Terranuova Bracciolini

title: Arezzo (province)


text:
Argalasti

Argalasti, Kalamos, Paou are in South Pelion. Since these villages are close to each other, they are considered as a single travel destination

Do
Swim on Kalamos and Paou beach

title: Argalasti