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Parnaíba

Parnaíba is a city in Piauí. Most tourists pass by here for visiting the river delta, or on their way between Lençois Maranhenses and Jericoacoara. However, Parnaíba has its own charm, including nearby beaches, and could be worth a couple of days.

By bus
A modern bus terminal lies on the southeastern outskirts of the city, where Rua Ceará Chaval and Avenida Deputado Pinheiro Machado intersect, about 5 km from the center. Most long distance buses are handled by Expresso Guanabara. There is also a flourishing market for "alternative" buses, at somewhat discounted prices, by the downtown end of Avenida Capitão Claro (a continuation of Avenida São Sebastião).
 * To Teresina (5 hours) via Piripiri (2½ hours) every 2-3 hours.
 * To Tutóia (from where you can move on to Paulino Neves and Lençóis Maranhenses) by São Francisco or Continental. R$ 14, 3 hours bumpy ride. This bus stops by the companies´ own bus station near the center, and waits there for half an hour before continuing.

By boat
The only waterway alternative seems to be renting a motor launch at R$ 400 (up to 4 people). If you are on a budget, go by bus.

Get around

 * Buses run from the bus station to the center via Avenida São Sebastião. Few buses after dark.
 * Taxis don´t have meters, and are fairly expensive, but negotiable. Center to bus station should be about R$ 15.
 * Mototaxis will take you anywhere in town for R$ 3-4, even with a large backpack.

See
The northern part of the center, near the bridge and Praça Nossa Senhora das Graças, is quite pleasant with well preserved colonial buildings.

Do
Take an evening stroll along Avenida São Sebastião, from the Balão (roundabout, also known by its restaurant, O Mirante.) towards the center. Dozens of snack bars.

There is a cinema around the corner from Hotel Delta, showing the most mainstream from Hollywood.

Buy
Local handicraft specialties are made from a certain palm tree's leaves.

Drink

 * The liveliest area is Beira Rio, 1 km north of the center, with several restaurants-come-bars.

Sleep
A few places opposite the bus station, not very convenient unless you are only staying a night or two in between buses: Following Av Dep Pinheiro Machado north there are several more, and then a couple along Avenida São Sebastião: Higher standard options near and in the center, but also a few low costs, including a youth hostel:

Go next

 * There is an hourly bus (packed on Sundays) to the beach Pedra do Sal, about 15 km north of town. Many shacks selling drinks and fried fish.
 * Tours to the delta of the river Parnaíba leave daily at around 09:00 from Porto de Tatus (Sometimes referred to as Morro de Mariana), around 15 km northwest of town (Taxi from center R$ 25), returning around 15:00. Several agencies arrange these at R$ 45, including pick up at your hotel. If you want to stay a night in the delta, Ilha das Canárias is an option, Ilha do Caju another, and Ilha dos Poldros a third.
 * Minibuses leave every half hour or so from Praça Santo Antônio for Luís Correia and the beach of Atalaia, R$ 2, 30 minutes.

title: Parnaíba


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Parnamirim

Parnamirim is a city in Rio Grande do Norte, in the metropolitan area of Natal. It is frequently considered to be part of Natal by visitors, due to the conurbation between the two cities. Among its attractions are the Barreira do Inferno launch center, the Pirangi and Cotovelo beaches, and the largest cashew tree of the World.

Understand
In 1927, the Portuguese land owner Manuel Machado donated part of his lands to Compagnie Générale d´Entreprise Aéronautique, a French aviation company that installed an airport there to be used by aviation pioneers. Parnamirim grew with the airport, which was used as a base for the Americans during World War II and is now a base for the Brazilian Air Force and an international airport.

Beginning in the 1990s, Parnamirim started to grow faster due to the urban expansion of Natal in toward the south, eventually leading to conurbation. The east parts of the two cities, however, remain separated by the airport and the Barreira do Inferno launch center.

By bus
Buses between Natal and Pirangi beach are operated by Viação Campos . Buses depart from either downtown or the intercity bus terminal of Natal (Rodoviária) and can be caught at Ponta Negra. Check the company website for itineraries and other information.

By car or by bicycle
Cotovelo Beach is 10 km from Ponta Negra, in Natal, and can be reached by taking RN-063 (Rota do Sol). A bit further is Pirangi Beach. Due to the short distance, cycling (along RN-063) is also a popular way to reach these beaches.

To go to downtown Parnamirim, take BR-101.

By train
Parnamirim has a train station downtown, close to the airport. However, it is not very useful to tourists, as downtown Parnamirim is quite far from the major attractions.

By plane
The next international airport is Greater Natal International Airport in São Gonçalo do Amarante 30 km north of Parnamirim.

Sleep
Most visitors to Parnamirim stay at Natal, but there is a small range of accommodation at Cotovelo and Pirangi do Norte, mostly pousadas.

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

title: Parnamirim


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Paro

Paro (population 11,500 in 2017) is a town in the south west of Bhutan.

Understand
Paro is a historic town with many sacred sites and historical buildings scattered through the area. In addition, the Paro Valley is wide and verdant and is recognized as one of the most beautiful in all Bhutan. You may prefer to stay in Paro if you are someone who is fond of nature and would like to have a quiet and peaceful time. However, apart from the main street (which is constructed of traditional wooden structures), the bazaar area is a nondescript hodgepodge of concrete buildings that is totally bereft of charm and character. Along with Jakar and Punakha, Paro forms the 'golden triangle' of popular tourist destinations in Bhutan.

By plane
Paro is the site of the nation's sole international airport:. Located deep inside a narrow valley, Paro is often cited as the airport with the most difficult approach in the world. Although this is unlikely to be true, the descent does entail a flight path very close to mountain peaks, which can be unnerving for those on their maiden flight into the airport. Paro is served by two airlines, Druk Air, and Bhutan Airlines, which ply routes between Bangkok, Delhi, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Siliguri, Singapore, and Gaya (from Nov to March only).

By taxi
Taxis from Thimphu are easy to find at the 'bus booking,' and potential customers will be approached by taxi drivers. The journey takes between 45 to 60 mins. Rates - shared: Nu350, reserved: Nu1,400 (as of April 2024).

Get around
As the main tourist sites in Paro are spread out throughout the valley, a vehicle is required to get around. Taxis are available for hire inside the main bazaar.

See

Do

 * Paro Tshechu - a religious festival normally held around Feb-Mar
 * Trek to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger's Nest) - A three-hour trek up to the monastery located high on a vertical cliff. The path is quite clear once you reach the starting point, also there are a lot of people going to/coming back from the same. The trek takes you through very lush green forested areas and very scenic points. Do converse with co-trekkers, especially locals and llamas (monks), as this is a very good way of knowing/understanding/absorbing their beautiful culture. There is a cafeteria at about halfway, in case you need some refreshments or want to have some slightly expensive but tasty meal.

Buy

 * Kiras - The elegant traditional dress comprising of a cloth wrapped around as a skirt with a jacket for the top worn by Bhutanese women. The kiras are a lot cheaper in stores that are "General stores", as this is where the locals shop.
 * Souvenirs - The town is dotted with souvenir shops. Bargaining is recommended, especially if you are purchasing high-value items.

Budget

 * Hotel Peljorling, next to clock tower. . Excellent local and Indian cuisine at reasonable prices.
 * Hotel First Floor, main bazaar. Simple, no-nonsense Bhutanese dishes - large helpings at reasonable prices.

Alcohol

 * Zhiwa Ling Hotel has a nice bar serving most top-notch Western liquors and international beers. Additionally, the hotel has a disco on the ground floor.

Budget

 * Sonam Trophel Inn, The hotel is located in the heart of the city. Sonam Trophel is a familiar and distinctive landmark, traditional wooden architect & paintings apart from the glass and concrete conformity of other hotels. There are 10 rooms including 2 luxury suites. The rooms are furnished with basic modern amenities including spacious attached baths with running hot/cold water, TV with satellite channels, direct dial STD/ISD, laundry. WiFi connectivity and car parking is also available.

Mid-range

 * Hotel KK, nice rooms but extremely slow food service and rude staff.
 * Hotel Jor-yangz, on the hill above the airport. Nice rooms with some of them having beautiful views of the Paro valley, efficient service.

Go next

 * Thimphu - Capital of Bhutan
 * Jakar - The spiritual heart of Bhutan. Around 8-9 hours.
 * Punakha - A beautiful valley. Around 3 hours.

Connect

 * There are a couple of internet cafes in the main bazaar - with the most convenient being on the road behind the main square, next to the bakery. However, internet connections in Paro are notoriously slow so be prepared for a very long wait.

title: Paro


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Paros

Paros is a major island of the Cyclades group. It is one of the most popular holiday destinations for visitors to the Greek islands. Paros is considered as one of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades. It is characterized by the many beaches and also the charming villages: Parikia (the main town), Naoussa, Lefkes, Marpissa and other.

Understand

Paros is the second largest island of the Cyclades. It has an area of 196 km² and a coastline 120 km long. It is in the middle of the Cyclades near Naxos, Ios, Sifnos and Syros. Most of the ferries to Naxos and Santorini make a stop first at Paros.

The island is the third in popularity of the group. First are Santorini and Mykonos.

Naoussa is an old fishing village turned into a cosmopolitan top holiday destination. The village is characterized by its Venetian port and its many fish restaurants. The architecture of the area is also incredible.

Cities

 * - the capital
 * (Naussa) or Agoussa
 * , a charming settlement located on a green hillside
 * (& Piso Livadi, Marmara, Prodromos, Molos) has well-preserved old houses and a traditional atmosphere
 * (& Golden Coast, Aspro Chorio, Glyfa, Pyrgaki)
 * (& Agkairia)
 * (& Sarakiniko, Kampos)

Talk
In Paros most of the population can speak English except the older generation. In many bars, pubs, restaurants and shops there is somebody who speaks English, Italian, or German.

By sea
Ferries and highspeed catamaran services run daily from Athens (Piraeus), Cyclades and Heraklion, Crete.

Many travelers probably don’t even consider Rafina a possible departure port if they are heading to one of the Cyclades, but if you are arriving at the airport of Athens you are often better off taking a ferry from Rafina than travelling to Athens and get a ferry from Piraeus. Another alternative is to fly to Mykonos (which has loads of international flight arrivals) and then take the 1 hour boat ride to Paros.

The ferry landing is haunted by dozens of room-hawkers, and is manic. If you arrive during a high wind and/or at night, it can all be a bit overwhelming. Know where you're going, and book ahead.

By plane
Olympic Air and AirSea Lines operate a daily air service from Athens. The flight usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. In season there are also daily flights from Thessaloniki on Aegean and Sky Express.

Get around
Within the resorts walking is the best method of transport. Bus services operate between the towns. Car hire is readily available in all towns and is relatively cheap. There are also small scooters and bikes that can be rented and are easily maneuverable if you need to get through some of the small streets.

See
Don't miss the church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, which means The Church of 100 Doors, in Parikia. Naousa (Greek: Νάουσα) is a village in the north eastern corner of the island. There are beautiful beaches and in front of the port unique Venetian castle of the 15th century is situated, built during the dynasty of Sommaripa. As it is half-sunken beneath the surface of the sea remains a remarkable sight. Lefkes village is in the middle of the island with many nice tavernas, and beautiful alleys. From Lefkes you can take a very nice walk at the old stones of the Byzantine Route down to Prodromos.

Do
Paros is also famous for its watersports, specifically wind and kitesurfing. The eastern coastal town of Dryos with neighboring beaches of "chryssi akti" translated golden beach and "tserdakia" known as new golden beach are the most popular surfing destinations. The latter was the site of the 2000, 2003 and 2010 PWA IFCA international windsurfing championships as well as other international events.

A fantastic place to take the kids is Aqua Park. Boats leave hourly from Naoussa and takes approximately 15 minutes.

Tao's is a retreat and meditation centre on top of a hill, overlooking the Aegean Sea and the neighbouring islands. There are on-going daily activities, self-development seminars and a long-stay Work & Study program, along with Oriental-Thai cuisine and Cafe-Bar.

Beaches
The best beach in the island is Chrissi Aktil. Other standout beaches include Kolymbithres, with its huge rocks and sandy coves, Monastiri, and Santa Maria.

For peace and quiet, go to Laggeri, with its lovely sand dunes, while Tsoukalia, Glyfa, and Glyfades are accessible only by a narrow path or by boat.

You'll need to take the dirt road from Molos to reach Kalogeros beach, with its interesting rock formations.

Popular Pounta and Farangas have plenty of amenities, while equally busy Lolantonis is smaller with natural shade.

At Aliki, divers can explore the remains of an ancient town on the seabed.

Visit as many beaches as you can, don't stay in one every day. Every beach has a different feeling. Try Farangas, Parasporos, Krios, Kato yalos, and Agia Irini. Logaras is very nice for families.

Eat
In Parikia's sea front you will find many nice tavernas with excellent food, exactly behind in the old town wander along the narrow streets with the many kind of shops, and the unique cycladic atmosphere. Don't forget to sit in one of the many Ouzeri in Naoussa and taste Gouna fish and octopus in vinegar.

Drink
Resalto bar A very nice bar in the port of Drios, plays the best rock music in Paros.

Stay safe
Paros is generally a safe island.

Be aware of rental scams, especially with agencies working only with motorbikes and ATVs. Using these types of vehicles is very common on Paros and there are a lot of rental agencies. Some of them are ready to cheat. They will offer faulty motorbikes or ATVs for a lower price, but in case of accident they will demand that the customer pay for the whole cost of damage. They are offering only basic insurance but will present it like full insurance. Also, there is a big possibility of serious injuries.

It is possible to recognize these rental agencies by observing them aggressively attracting tourists and offering lower prices than others. Employees in front of these type of agencies will be loud and ready to promise everything until the contract is signed. It is necessary to check the vehicle before making any decision. Their vehicles are in most of the cases dusty, dirty and look old.

Connect
A few minutes walk from the port is Zorba's, a small gyros restaurant with surprisingly fast wifi (20+ Mbps). As you exit the port, cross the street and head left, passing a few other cafés/restaurants.

Go next
Move on by boat to Antiparos, Naxos, Syros, Mykonos, Ios or Santorini.

title: Paros


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Pharping

Pharping (sometimes spelled 'Parping' and also known as Yanglesho) is a small town in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal.

Understand

Pharping is a small town about an hour from Kathmandu. It is the place where Guru Rinpoche is said to have attained full realization, and so it is one of the most sacred sites for followers of Vajrayana Buddhism. Within the area, there are two sacred caves on the mountain side, and a number of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and retreat centers (mostly Nyingma) in and around the town.

It is recorded that when Guru Rinpoche began the practice of Yangdak Heruka with the consort Shakyadevi, daughter of a king of Nepal, at Pharping, powerful spirits caused a three-year drought, with famine and disease throughout the land. To counter these forces, Guru Rinpoche requested his teachers in India to send teachings, and it is said that the very moment the messengers reached Phaping with various tantric texts, the obstacles were immediately pacified and the famine and disease subsided.

Recommended reading:

 * A Buddhist Guide to the Power Places of the Kathmandu Valley – Keith Dowman: http://keithdowman.net/essays/guide-to-kathmandu-valley.html.

 * Yanglesho - Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche (a short article on the significance of the sacred site): https://all-otr.org/short-talks/56-yangleshoe

By taxi
Expect to pay between Nrs1,000 -1,200 for the 45 minute drive from the Kantipath or Thamel areas.

By bus
Buses depart Kantipath (the last in the line of stops - between the Nepal Telecom building and Kathmandu Mall, just in front of the pedestrian overpass). There are no signs in English at the bus stop or on the bus, and so passengers will need to ask around to find the correct one. The fare is Nrs50 and the journey takes around an hour. Pharping is the final stop. (July 2024)

Get around
The town is very small and the bazaar can be covered on foot, though it may require a vehicle to reach some of the outlying monasteries, such as Neydo Tashi Choeling. Taxis are available in the town.

It is a short (ten mins), but steep walk to the Asura Cave, with many stairs to climb.

See

 * Neydo Tashi Choeling Monastery A monastery in the Nyedo Kagyu tradition, and under the directorship of the late Karma Chagme Rinpoche, on the left side of the road (when coming from Kathmandu) some distance before entering the village. The main statue is magnificent and definitely worth visiting.
 * Self arisen Tara images. On the right side when passing Ralo Rinpoche's monastery (just below the Asura Cave) there is a small shrine that contains an image of Ganesh. To the right of the shrine are two small self-arisen Tara images.
 * Vajrayogini Temple. Within the same cave-temple complex, there is a small temple dedicated to Vajrayogini. It is said that Marpa the Translator visited this temple three times when travelling between Tibet to India.
 * Self arisen Tara images. On the right side when passing Ralo Rinpoche's monastery (just below the Asura Cave) there is a small shrine that contains an image of Ganesh. To the right of the shrine are two small self-arisen Tara images.
 * Vajrayogini Temple. Within the same cave-temple complex, there is a small temple dedicated to Vajrayogini. It is said that Marpa the Translator visited this temple three times when travelling between Tibet to India.

Do
Generally, pilgrims to Pharping chant mantras and prayers related to Guru Rinpoche, such as the 'Seven Line Prayer' and Guru Rinpoche mantra: "Om Ah Hung Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hum". As at other sacred sites associated with the Vajrayana form of Buddhism, it is common to light butter lamps, offer incense, and hoist prayer flags for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Buy
A number of shops in the town specialize in religious items.

Eat
The main bazaar area has a number of local restaurants serving Nepali, Tibetan, and Indian food.

 * Kunzang Restaurant. After taking a right off the main highway, the restaurant is on the right, just before the turning to the road leading to the caves. Specializes in Tibetan and Bhutanese dishes. Also serves Western favourites such as pancakes with honey. Lemonade and mint is recommended. Fast and friendly service. Reasonable prices. Dull and uninspired interior design.

Drink
There are a number of cafes serving instant coffee and tea in the main bazaar.

Go next

 * Kathmandu - a one-hour journey by bus.
 * Patan - an historical city 45 minutes from Pharping

Pharping Commons:Category:Pharping

title: Pharping


text:
Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata

Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata is in Matanzas province of Western Cuba.

Understand
The national park is one of the best birdwatching areas in the world. Plus it has scuba diving and beautiful beaches. It's on Cuba's south coast, in the middle of the country, about a two-hour drive from Havana.

History
The Bay of Pigs is where the Cubans defeated an American invasion in 1961. The communist propaganda billboards along the road from Australia to Playa Larga may be the best in Cuba. Support for the government is strong on the Peninsula de Zapata because it was the poorest region in Cuba before the revolution, and the first area that the communists developed, with roads, schools, and a hospital. It is also one of Fidel's favorite areas because of the 1961 victory.

Landscape
The Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata is similar to the Everglades National Park in Florida.

Get in
Viazul has bus service from Havana to Playa Larga and Playa Girón, and then on to Cienfuegos and Trinidad. There is a bus from Viñales but it will drop you at the restaurant of Pío Cuá because after the lunch break they use the autopista to go to Trinidad. Check beforehand to avoid surprises. When dropped at the restaurant either hitch hike the 20 km (pay CUP0-20) or get a taxi.

Get around
You will need a car to get around the national park. Maybe a four-wheel drive.

Local bus runs (at least) twice daily between Playa Larga and Playa Girón.

See

 * Criadero Cocodrilo – The Criadero Cocodrilo, or crocodile farm, is halfway between Australia and Playa Larga. Everyone likes it, especially the under-twelve-year-olds. You get to see lots of crocodiles, and hold a baby crocodile, and eat crocodile meat in the restaurant.

 * Guamá – The other tourist attraction at the crocodile ranch is a boat ride to Guamá. This is an island in a lake, the Laguna del Tesero (Treasure Lake). Fidel Castro enjoyed vacationing on the island and commissioned the building of a Taíno native village and 32 sculptures depicting native life. A sign at the ticket office says, in English, that the Taíno village is "the most exciting place on Earth—don't miss it!" Guamá was pleasant and relaxing, but "exciting" it wasn't. The boat ride was also fairly expensive. If you are short on cash and/or time you might want to skip Guamá.

Do

 * Beaches – Playa Maquina, just east of Playa Larga, is a beautiful beach. The sand is white coral. The water is warm, clear, shallow, and calm. Palm trees and limestone cenotes line the shore. You'll probably have the beach to yourself. The guidebook calls this beach "Caleta del Rosario."

 * Birdwatching – The Ciénaga de Zapata is one of the best birdwatching areas in the world. You can see the Tocororo (Cuban Trogon), which is the national bird, and the Bee Hummingbird, which is the world's smallest bird and is found only in the Ciénaga de Zapata, the Cuban Pygmy Owl, Cuban Toady, Great Lizard Cuckoo, Black-Cowled Oriole, Osprey, Cuban Blackbird, Greater Antillean Grackle, Cuban Bullfinch, Striped-Headed Tanager, American Redstart, Yellow-Headed Warbler, Palm Warbler, Red-Legged Thrush, Cuban Crow, Black-Whiskered Vireo, Cuban Vireo, Loggerhead Kingbird, La Sagra's Flycatcher, Cuban Peewee, Fernandina's Flicker, West Indian Woodpecker, Cuban Green Woodpecker, Cuban Parrot, Smooth-Billed Ani, Zenaida Dove, Common Ground Dove, Grey-Haired Quail Dove, Laughing Gull, Common Moorhen, Northern Jacana, American Kestral, Turkey Vulture, Blue-Winged Teal, Wood Stork, Cattle Egret, Green Heron, Little Blue Heron, Neotropical Cormorant, Emerald Hummingbird, Great Blue Heron, Brown Pelican, Cuban Screech Owl, and the Black and White Warbler. The best guidebook is Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba, by Orlando H. Garrido, Arturo Kirkconnell, and Roman F. Company.

Scuba diving and snorkeling
There are 2 nice spots to snorkel in the Bahía de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs) right next to each other. The Cueva de los Peces is a flooded tectonic fault and is best visited at noon to have more light reaching into the depth of 70 m and to see (some) fish. With your own gear snorkel around for free.

A much better spot is right at the beach on the other side of the road. You can already see some fish from the beach. It's said to be one of the best spots on the main island. The reef consists of mostly hard coral 'hills' that are spread over the sandy area with distances between 1-10 m of each other. Some several meters long, others are just a big stone with corals atop. The corals are rather colorless but include big blue coral leaves and are inhabited by a good number of colorful fish. From time to time there is a swarm in the ocean and with luck a barracuda can be seen. Visibility is almost 100%; the sea is calm. The area is quite big and also hides a wreck (swim out straight for a good distance and a little bit to the right). Out there you will only see the wreck and hardly any fish because it's to deep (maybe 15 m). If you don't find it follow the divers or snorkeling groups.

Diving including equipment at the Cueva de los Peces costs ~US$25 per dive plus ~US$10 for the first introductory dive. This is probably one of the best deals you can get on the island.

There is a diving center at Playa Larga that offers diving tours as well es snorkling. A snorkeling tour including transport and gear rental costs ~US$10.

If you have your own gear get on a local bus (often denied by people working in tourism business) that leaves 09:00-10:00 from the main junction (3 roads: one north, one to Caletón, one to Playa Girón) and passes Cueva de los Peces 15 min later from where it goes back to Playa Larga around 16:30. Fare: CUP1. Or, taxis will be eager to drive you there.

A restaurant is next to the Cueva de los Peces. Sunloungers available for rent at the beach. The beach is some 20-30 m long consisting of only stones (no sand) and meadow between the stony part and the street.

Eat
Dinners at the casa particular "Susurros de Mar" in Caletón include a choice of chicken, fish, lobster, crocodile (cocodrilo), or jutía—giant tree rat! Everybody likes crocodile meat. Jutía is, shall we say, the choice of the adventurous traveler.

And if you want to make friends with Cubans, do not eat lobster. It is illegal for Cubans to eat lobster so they might be resentful.

Drink

 * "El Chino" makes a sarsaparilla drink that beats any root beer (not alcoholic).

Lodging
In Caletón, the village just west of Playa Larga, the casa particular "Susurros del Mar" ("whispers of the sea") is on the beach, a few feet from the water. The rooms are nice, the food excellent, and the large living room is sort of the local pub for the neighbors. ~US$25 per night, ~US$10 for supper, and ~US$4 for breakfast. Contact: Nivaldo Ortega, Caletón, Cicuaga de Zapata, Matanzas; telephone +53 15 225 2021.

Across the street Cubans can stay in an unlicensed casa particular for CUC15 per night for two bedrooms. (The government license to rent a room to tourists costs ~US$260 per month. So the casa owner has to rent each room 11 nights a month just to break even. The neighbor across the street did not pay for the license so she could only rent to Cubans, but she kept all the money she earned.)

In Caletón you won't struggle to find a casa. Just show up and knock on a door with the blue symbol.

In Playa Giron - Casa Particular Lidia y Julio - nice clean room with flat screen TV, DVD player, fridge, bathroom en-suite - CUC25. Excellent food provided. Julio is a diving instructor and may also make all necessary arrangements for interesting dives in the area. Telephone: +53-45-984135

Go next

 * Cienfuegos and Trinidad by Viazul. Check with the Viazul office beforehand as in Jan 2015 the office in Playa Larga was closed. Or ask around.

title: Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata


text:
Sete Cidades National Park

Sete Cidades National Park (Portuguese: Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades) is in Piauí, Brazil.

History
Created as a national park mainly because of the paintings, although most visitors find more pleasure in rock formations and wildlife.

Climate
Rainy season from January to June, March to May being the wettest. This leads to somwhat lower temperatures and more wildlife, but you could get your day completely ruined by walls of water.

Get in
The nearest sizeable towns are Piripiri and Piracuruca, both about 25 km away. You must (can) take a taxi or mototaxi to the park from either of these two. A taxi from Piripiri which included the circuit within the park could cost R$150 (Dec 2017).

Brasileira is a small town about 9 km from the park entrance. You can walk to the park from there. Yet taxi from Brasileira will cost you R$30-100, might double up as a transport/guide in the park.

Fees and permits
A guide is mandatory, from R$25 for three hours. A guide for cities 2, 5 and 7 would cost R$80 (Dec 2017).

Eat
Once inside the park, your only option is the hotel. There are several suitable places for picnics along the trails.

Drink
They sell some soft drinks at the visitors' centre. Here they will also refill your water bottles.

Lodging
There is one hotel within the park: , and another just outside. Otherwise, sleep in Piripiri(better if you rely on public transport) or Piracuruca.

Camping
At the hotel for R$10 per person.

Backcountry
Camping or hiking without a guide is probably illegal, discouraged (at least by a guard at the gate with a gun) and dangerous -- some kind of scary animals inside the park, yet there are people living just outside the fence.

title: Sete Cidades National Park


text:
La Güira National Park

La Güira National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional La Güira) is in Pinar del Rio (province) of Cuba.

History
The national park had been the estate of a wealthy landowner and politician, José Manuel Cortina, who traded precious woods and was forced into exile in 1959 and his properties confiscated. His mansion and formal gardens are now in ruins.

The Cuevas de los Portales was the home of Che Guevara during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

Landscape
The national park consists of of mountain wilderness, in the Sierra de los Órganos mountains.

Get around
The road from La Güira to the Cuevas de los Portales is about 15 km. It looks like it goes through the highest mountains, and is said to be very scenic. However, locals said that it's impassable by car. It might be a good hike or mountain bike ride.

A better, but longer, way to drive to the Cuevas de los Portales is on the highway from Entronque de Herradura to La Palma, about 20 km.

See

 * Cuevas de los Portales – This is one of the most beautiful places in Cuba, and certainly one of the least visited. A river cuts through a mountain, forming three joined caves. The caves are big and open so you don't need flashlights or a guide. The jungle outside the caves is wilderness. Che Guevara lived in the cave in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He figured that if the Americans bombed the rest of Cuba, he'd be ready to lead the fight against the invaders. In and around the cave are plaques explaining that he played chess on this bench, wrote letters on this table, fired his rifle at that tree for practice, etc.

Eat
The restaurant near the mansion accepts only CUP, not CUC.

Camping
At the Cueves de los Portales, the government built a nice campismo or campground for Cubans to vacation. The cabins looked nice, if spartan. No one was camping there, just the caretaker. The bar and restaurant were closed due to mass disease in the area.

title: La Güira National Park


text:
Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí

Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí is a national park in the Gulf of Chiriquí in the Pacific West of Panama.

Understand
Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí was founded in 1994 to protect 14,730 hectares or 36,400 acres of coral reef, mangrove swamp and marine meadow. This area of the gulf is also dotted with islands covered in forests and white sand with air that is clean and temperate; making the islands the epitome of tropical paradise. Due to the many North American expatriates and retirees settling in the nearby tourist hot spot of Boquete, it may not be a secret for long.

Flora and fauna
The Marine Park is home to many of Panama’s 900 species of birds, 1200 orchid varieties and 100 butterfly varieties. The park is known for its green iguanas, humpback whales (from August to October), hammerhead sharks, dolphins, multiple species of sea turtles on the island beaches and giant rays.

Get in
The transport hub for the gulf is Boca Chica. From here boats can be hired to bring you to the various islands.

Get around
The archipelago is only accessible by boat.

See
The islands are home to an astonishing array of land and water creatures; a naturalist's dream come true. The PNMGC consists of the archipelago of Islas Paridas.

Do
There is plenty to do at Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí. In addition to scuba and snorkeling in the turquoise waters, there is renowned sport fishing to be had further out into the Chiriquí gulf, just beyond the park. Sport fishing is especially popular near Hannibal Bank, Islas Ladrones, Islas Secas, Boca Brava and Isla Palenque.

Eat and drink
There are restaurants in Boca Chica and on Boca Brava. Isla Palenque has a private resort.

Sleep
"Camping" is allowed in cabins on the main island in the park, Islas Paridas. Otherwise, all kinds of accommodation exist in Boca Chica and on the backpacker-friendly Boca Brava island. Isla Palenque has an expensive resort. And Isla Saino is good for camping.


text:
Parque Tantauco

Parque Tantauco (Tantauco Park) is a 1,180-km² privately owned park on Chiloé Island, Chile. Tantauco Park is an attractive ecotourist destination due to the remarkable biodiversity of its nearly untouched Valdivian temperate rainforest and the rather easy public access. Some of the endangered species that can be seen in the park include Guaitecas cypress, Huillín otter, Chilote fox and the Blue whale

Understand
There is an office in Quellón at Avenida La Paz 068 that can answer your questions. They also have a booklet with much more information than the website about the park that they can email (try calling or emailing them) or print out for you.

Parque Tantauco is owned by the Chilean billionaire businessman Sebastián Piñera, who served as president of Chile from 2010 to 2014 and 2018 to 2022. It was created in 2005, when Fundación Futuro decided to build a nucleus of local development in order to conserve the region’s unique ecosystems while boosting Quellón district and Chiloé Province.

In May 2005, advised by the Chile Ambiente corporation, Fundación Futuro began developing the "Management Plan for the Conservation of Parque Tantauco." In September of that year, after the first infrastructure works were well underway, building of the Inio lodge, Tantauco’s center of operations, began.

In February 2006, the Parque Tantauco offices opened in Quellón. As well as serving as the park’s administrative headquarters, the offices also serve as an information center for visitors. The park is comprised of two campgrounds; 120 km of hiking trails; Chiloé Island’s southernmost museum, Museo Parque Tantauco; and various facilities for visitors wishing to enjoy nature and the zone’s beautiful landscapes.

Landscape
The natural barriers separating Chiloé from Chile create special conditions that enable the existence of unique and valuable species and marine and land ecosystems on the Island.

In this context, public access to Parque Tantauco is an important opportunity given that its territory is located on one of the world’s 25 Biodiversity Hotspots Moreover, its surface is part of “Sitio Chaiguata”, defined by Chile’s CONAMA (National Environmental Commission) as a priority spot for the conservation of wildlife.

Flora and fauna
The park’s flora includes species such as the Guaitecas cypress (Pilgerodendron uviferum) and the coastal Olivillo (Aextoxicum punctatum); its fauna includes the huillín otter (Lontra provocax), the chilote fox (Pseudalopex fulvipes) and the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus).

Climate
The Parque Tantauco climate is governed by its latitude, its altitude, the cold Humboldt current and the location of the territory as regards the sea. The zone’s climate can be classified as rainy cold temperate maritime climate on the western coast. Its distinguishing features include a permanent environmental humidity and high probability of precipitations throughout the whole year.

Maximum temperatures observed during summer stand at 27 °C. Although in general, the weather during summertime is pleasant, rain and cold temperatures are also to be expected. Average annual precipitation stands at approximately 2500 mm.

Get in
The northern sector is accessed via 40 km of unpaved road (the first 18 good quality, the rest 4x4 is recommended) off of Ruta 5. The southern sector is accessed by boat (lancha) which carries personnel and supplies (and tourists) from Quellón. There is limited space on the boat, reserve your spot with the guardaparques office in Quellón.

Fees and permits
Entrance cost 3500 pesos per adult and 500 pesos per child (Jan-Mar 2018).

Lodging
There is a guesthouse in Caleta Inio (60,000/70,000 pesos for double room with shared bathroom/private bathroom. Cabins for up to 8 people cost 84,000-98,000 pesos. (High season rates Jan-Mar 2018 - up to 1/3 less in low season)

Camping
Camping costs 15,000 pesos (high season Jan-Mar 2018 - up to 1/3 less in low season).

Backcountry
A system of 60 km of trail link refugios throughout the interior of the park.

title: Parque Tantauco


text:
Parrsboro

Parrsboro is a small town of 1,200 people (2016) on the shore of the Minas Basin in Nova Scotia. The community is known for its seasonal theatre productions, fossil and rock hounding attractions, museums, high tides and heritage buildings.

Understand
As with much of rural Nova Scotia, the primary industry in Parrsboro is tourism. The cliffs along the Minas Basin to the east and west of Parrsboro contain fossils of prehistoric animals and plants. Many fossils are on display in local museums.

History
Before the arrival of European settlers, Parrsboro was a portage point for Mikmaq travellers along the Minas Basin and Cumberland County river systems. The native inhabitants called the region "Awokum," meaning a 'short-cut' or 'passing-over point.'

The first European settlers were the Acadians in 1670 at the western mouth of the Parrsboro Harbour, near Partridge Island. After they were expelled in 1755, they were replaced by New England Planters. The centre of settlement gradually shifted from Partridge Island to the sheltered estuary of the Parrsboro River where a harbour and surrounding mills grew. The settlement, at first named Mill Village, was renamed Parrsboro in honour of Nova Scotia Governor John Parr in 1784.

Parrsboro thrived in the mid 19th century as the hub of a string of shipbuilding communities from Economy to Advocate collectively known as the "Parrsboro Shore". The town became a port of registry in 1850 for over 115 locally built schooners and giant square riggers, culminating in the largest, the ship, Glooscap, in 1891. In its peak years of the 1890s, over 1646 ships arrived and departed annually.

The Springhill and Parrsboro Railway began service to the town from the coal mining town of Springhill on July 1, 1877; Parrsboro became a coal shipping port for the Springhill mines, primarily serving Saint John, New Brunswick. Railway service to Parrsboro was abandoned in 1958, following several years of declining shipments, several months before the 1958 mining disaster.

In 1984, Parrsboro resident Eldon George found the world's smallest dinosaur footprints at Wasson Bluff, a series of cliffs to the east of Parrsboro Harbour. The prints are now on display at the Parrsboro Rock and Mineral Shop and Museum, owned by George.

Get in

 * From the east (Halifax, Truro), take Highway 2 to Main Street
 * From the north (Amherst), take Highway 2 to Main Street
 * From the west, take Highway 209 to Main Street

Get around

 * Main Street runs the length of town, most attractions are right off this road.

title: Parrsboro


text:
Parry Sound

Parry Sound is a town in the Near North of Northern Ontario that is a popular summer cottage destination for Torontonians. It is also the world's deepest natural freshwater port. The town is home to several cultural festivals, including the Festival of the Sound classical music festival, an annual dragonboat race, and a buskers' festival which takes place as part of the town's Canada Day festivities.

Understand
Parry Sound is a town in Ontario's near north roughly half way between Toronto and Sudbury. Parry Sound has approximately 7,000 year-round residents (2021), and the summer influx of cottagers increases its seasonal population significantly. There are about 21,150 people in the wider Parry Sound area.

The town is on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay and is the heart of what locals call The 30,000 Islands. The islands along the shoreline, stretching from Midland to French River form one of the largest freshwater archipelagos in the world, and are designated the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve.

History
Long before the European explorers, Parry Sound was inhabited by the Ojibwe who referred to it by Shining Shore. Captain Henry Bayfield surveyed its waters in the 19th century and named the town after the Arctic explorer Sir William Parry. Years later, rail service made Parry Sound a valued depot along the rail lines to Western Canada.

During the early part of the 20th century, Parry Sound attracted artists such as Tom Thomson and others from the Group of Seven. Historically, the town competed with a nearby rival lake port at Depot Harbour; that community is now a ghost town.

Climate
From spring to mid-summer, lake waters are cooler than nearby land areas, resulting in less precipitation, but alternation of low clouds and fog resulting from warmer air passing over snow-covered ground, frequent into May most years with occasional sunshine, especially once the long winter's snow cover has melted (mostly May through July). Parry Sound's average driest month is July; here, thunderstorms are rare, due to cool lake waters inhibiting the combination of heat and humidity that fuels thunderstorm activity over areas like the central, southern and eastern United States.

From September to January, nearby waters release their stored warmth from the summer season, and increasingly strong polar and Arctic air outbreaks pass over these still-relatively-warm waters before hitting Parry Sound. This results in heavy cloud formation, unstable rain showers (in September and October), transitioning toward heavy snow showers and squalls as temperatures continue to drop from November to January. December, the wettest month, sees heavy snowfall, followed by more in January.

Visitor information

 * Town of Parry Sound

By car
Parry Sound is 225 km (140 miles) north of Toronto on Highway 400; exit on Bowes Street (exit 224). From Sudbury and the Trans-Canada Highway mainline, go 160 km (100 miles) south on Highway 69 (2hr 15 min) to Parry Sound Drive. A branch of the Trans-Canada Highway passes through the area, traveling between Sudbury and Kanata (near Ottawa) on Highway 69 and 400, then Highway 12, then Highway 7, then Highway 417.

By train

 * Operates The Canadian between Toronto and Vancouver with stops in both directions in medium to large cities and tourist destinations such as Sudbury, Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper, and Kamloops. In Parry Sound, there are two stations about one kilometre apart, as the railroads through Parry Sound use directional running:

By plane
Scheduled flights are available 185 km away at the Greater Sudbury Airport.

Do
The Seguin Trails are perfect for a hike or a bike ride. You can also stretch your legs and take in the sites along the Waterfront Fitness Trail.

Outdoor sightseeing
Several providers take you into the wilderness landscape surrounding Parry Sound and the shores of Georgian Bay.

Provincial parks
Several provincial parks provide access to the unique natural areas here, and provide a variety of activities or camping experiences, from one of Ontario's most popular parks for car camping, or backcountry canoeing and camping through a rugged part of the archipelago.

Depot Harbour
is an abandoned ghost town, of which little remains but ruins and foundations, had been a busy Georgian Bay lake port as the western terminus of the Ottawa, Arnprior & Parry Sound Railway. Ottawa lumberman John Rudolphus Booth established a port and railway roundhouse on expropriated native land, building a railway to send trainloads of western grain through Algonquin Provincial Park to Ottawa on its way east to Atlantic ports. By 1898 the town had a hotel, rail yards, two large grain elevators, a school and three churches. In 1904, Booth sold the line to the Grand Trunk Railway for $14.2 million; in 1923, the bankrupt Grand Trunk became part of Canadian National. CNR closed Depot Harbour's roundhouse. The Welland Canal, a competing transportation route, was rebuilt in 1932. An ice-damaged rail bridge in Algonquin Park severed the line in 1933 and was never repaired. A World War II cordite maker in nearby Nobel stored its wares in the railway's dockside freight sheds; an August 14, 1945 fire and explosion destroyed much of the town. The docks, briefly used for coal shipments in the 1950s, later loaded pelletized iron ore from the Low Phos Mine at Sellwood. The last of the town's homes was abandoned in 1964; the mine closed in 1979 and the railway tracks were removed in 1989. The Anishinaabe reclaimed their lands in 1987, but little remains of the town except the loading docks, a bank vault and the foundations of what was once a village. One building remains in use as a cottage, and a fishery has since opened on the docks.

Go next

 * Barrie — on the western shore of Lake Simcoe, and at the cross-roads of transportation links between Toronto and Muskoka, and destinations throughout Simcoe County.
 * Gravenhurst — to the southwest in Muskoka, part cottage country on the Highway 11 corridor.
 * Midland — a popular summer vacation town on Georgian Bay, and home to Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, a living history museum depicting missionary life in the 17th century.
 * French River — a rural area north of Parry Sound, along the historic French River waterway, providing a corridor for canoeing, fishing and backcountry camping between Lake Nipissing and Georgian Bay.
 * Sudbury — the largest city in Northern Ontario, and a transportation and service hub along the Trans-Canada Highway.

title: Parry Sound


text:
Parsippany

Parsippany is a city in Morris County, New Jersey. There is a lot of history in the town dating back to the 1700s. Many old buildings and houses have been preserved and kept in the town such as the 1870 Condit house, 1790 Littleton School house, and the 1783 Isaac Beach House.

Understand
Parsippany has a diverse population of 52,000 (2019) and was once rated the 13th-best place to live in the United States by Money Magazine. The town holds 29 recreational parks with roller rinks and turf fields, two 18-hole golf courses, a 12-theatre movie complex, and several fine restaurants.

Get in
If traveling by car, Parsippany intersects a lot of major roadways including Interstates 80, 280 and 287, US Routes 46 and 202, and NJ Routes 10 and 53.

The nearest train station is located in Mt. Tabor, a neighborhood of Parsippany and offers service to the New Jersey Transit Morris & Essex Line, which travels to and from New York Penn Station and the Hoboken Terminal. The closest airports to Parsippany include Newark International Airport in Newark NJ, and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.

Get around
The free transit system in Parsippany allows for travel all throughout the town and the buses run Monday through Friday from 9AM to 4PM. Transit phone number is +1 973-263-7093.

Events
The town is known for its seasonal parades and events including the Memorial Day Parade (held on route 202), the Fourth of July Fireworks (Parsippany Hills HS), and the Summer Concert Series.

Eat
Bar and grill

 * Reservoir Tavern, Parsippany Rd. +1 973-334-5708. Known for its pizza, this restaurant is a great place to go to for moderately priced meals. Open Tu-Sa 11AM-11PM.
 * Tipperary Pub, 285 US Highway 46 +1 973-515-2000. Located in the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel, Tipperary Pub offers traditional pub fare, including Irish favorites. A wide variety of beers are available by the bottle or on tap.

Italian

 * Goodfellas, 281 Littleton Rd, +1 973-334-9192. Small restaurant with a lot of taste. The prices are moderate to high but the food is worth it. The service is very friendly and knowledgeable and allows for the customer to bring their own wine.
 * Bistecza, 281 Littleton Rd, +1 973-402-8080. Restaurant gives good sized portions for the price of the meal. The atmosphere is relaxing. Anyone looking for a place close to home but a little different should try this restaurant.

Japanese

 * Mizu, 156 Parsippany Rd, +1 973-386-9200. Chic modern atmosphere with really friendly service. Menu is very big with a lot of choices to choose from. Good place for an intimate date or a night out with friends.
 * Sakura Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, 949 Us-46, +1 973-335-8818. This restaurant offers a variety of cuisine including hibachi, steak, sushi and seafood. Sakura has a great happy hour for after work drinks. The chefs are entertaining and fun to watch.

Mexican

 * Moe's Southwest Grill, 1131 Us-46, +1 973-335-6637. Great American/Mexican restaurant with a fused cuisine. Atmosphere is fun and upbeat. Also offers wifi for business lunches.
 * El Rincon Colombiano, 295 Parsippany Rd, +1 973-428-5115. Old-fashioned Mexican food with old-fashioned owners. This restaurant is authentic Mexican cuisine straight from Colombia. If willing to try something new, El Rincon is the place to go.

Sleep

 * Days Inn Parsippany 3159 Route 46 East, Clean and quiet atmosphere at affordable rates. Offers free wireless highspeed internet. Free continental breakfast included.
 * Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott 3535 Route 46 East. Clean, comfortable rooms with affordable prices. Start your da off with a complimentary deluxe continental breakfast.
 * Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites 707 Route 46 East. Heart of the business district and minutes away from surrounding towns. Located near shopping malls, universities, and restaurants. Offers complimentary van service.
 * Howard Johnson Express Inn 635 Route 46 East. Public transportation to NYC available near hotel. Offers free wireless internet.
 * Ramada Limited 949 Route 46 East. Accessible to all major highways. Minutes away from all office parks and corporate offices.
 * Red Roof Inn Parsippany 855 Route 46 East. Redesigned rooms with more comfort and added amenities such as T-Moble wireless internet access. Offers coffeehouse style service.
 * Staybridge Suites Parsippany 61 Interpace Pkwy. Offers suites that are perfect for relocation into Parsippany area. Located in business district.

title: Parsippany


text:
Partij-Wittem

Partij-Wittem is a village in South Limburg, the southernmost part of the Netherlands. The village comprises the two hamlets of Partij and Wittem. As a whole, it is part of the municipality of Gulpen-Wittem.

Understand
The village is situated along the small river Geul. The history of the village dates back to at least the 12th century, when Wittem is first mentioned in official records. The castle of Wittem dates to the 13th century. The monastery of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in Wittem is a major point of interest in this area too.

Lying along the old road from Maastricht to Aachen, Wittem, and the castle especially, received a number of very prominent guest. Among them was Charles V, ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, who granted Wittem Imperial immediacy, making it a so-called "Vrije Rijksheerlijkheid". Since the emperor was far away and Wittem was small (like neighboring territories), its lords had a rather free life without interference from outside, apart from the constant quarrels with adjoining lords. Other important historic visits (or rater, overnight stays) included those of Charlemagne, Pope Leo III (on his way to Tongeren), Peter the Great and William the Silent.

Get in
The old Roman road from Maastricht to Aachen runs through the village. Nowadays, the N278 is the main road connecting Partij-Wittem to those places as well as villages on route, such as Margraten and Vaals. The N258 connects Partij-Wittem to Valkenburg.
 * Bus 21 connects the village to Gulpen and Heerlen via Brunssum
 * Bus 50 runs through it on its way from Maastricht to Aachen and back
 * Bus 58 provides another connection to Heerlen and Gulpen.

Get around
If you don't mind a good walk, you can explore the area on food. A bike or car is convenient if you want to explore more of the area, but there are no renting possibilities in the village itself.

Buy
As Wittem is a rather well-known pilgrimage destination, all kinds of religious goods are available as souvenirs. Next to the monastery there's a small shop with a divers collection of Christian books, arts and souvenirs. The monastery also has an adjoining bookstore.

Eat
There are a few restaurants, but some of the best ones are part of a hotel. Therefore, see the sleep section for more options.

Drink
When visiting Wittem, you should of course try the local monastery's beer: Gerardus Kloosterbier. You'll find it in all the café's and restaurants in the village.

Connect
For internet and postal services, you'll have to head to nearby Gulpen. Cellular reception and mobile internet are okay for most providers. Your lodging will typically have (slow) wifi available.

Go next
Nearby destinations include:

The old German city of Aachen and the Belgian Liège aren't far either, and make great day trips.
 * Maastricht, the capital of the whole province of Limburg and one of the most beautiful historic cities in the country
 * Gulpen, the main village in the municipality to which Partij-Wittem belongs
 * Valkenburg, the main tourist destinations in South Limburg
 * Vaals, right on the border with Germany
 * Simpelveld

title: Partij-Wittem


text:
Partizánske

Partizánske is an industrial city of 22,000 people (2018) in Western Slovakia. It was founded in 1938 to provide housing for workers in a Bata shoe factory.

Understand
Partizánske, formerly called Baťovany, is one of the famous serial cities built and financed by Jan Antonín Baťa in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Great Britain, and more than a dozen other countries. The name change from Baťovany was done to Partizánske was to commemorate the place where the Slovak Uprising began and where more than 250 Baťa residents lost their lives defending the city from the Waffen SS in 1944.

History
The city is in the upper part of the valley of Nitra River in a beautiful and interesting regions of Slovakia. Partizánske is a shoemaking metropolis, also called the entrance gate of upper Nitra's region. Strážovské Mountains and Vtáčnik Massif surround the city. Partizánske has plenty of parks, flowered streets, and trees.

The city was established in 1938-1939 by Jan Antonín Baťa who founded a shoemaking factory and town originally called Baťovany. At its pre-World War II peak, Baťa became one of the best known brands of shoes, tires and other manufactured goods.

Partizánske's symbol is a blazon with a shoe between two roses and a seal of Šimonovany, the historical part of the town. The city also has its own flag and seal.

Go next

 * Bojnice

title: Partizánske


text:
Parumala

Parumala is a small town in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala in India. This is an island in Pampa River. Mannar is a small town across the Pampa river near Parumala.

Get in
Chengannur Railway Station is at a distance of 10 kilometers. The place is well connected by buses from Thiruvalla, Chengannur and Kayamkulam.

Get around
Taxis and auto rickshaws are available at affordable rates.

See
This temple is related to Kadamattathu Kathanar.

Drink
Thomson Bakers & Hotel

title: Parumala


text:
Pasadena

Pasadena is one of the oldest cities adjoining Los Angeles and is the main population center of the San Gabriel Valley in Southern California. Known as the City of Roses, Pasadena is most famous for its New Year's Day Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game.

Understand
Pasadena is located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, just northeast of Downtown Los Angeles. Over a million people flock to Pasadena every year after Christmas, as visitors come from all over to decorate and view the floats, and to attend one of the most famous college football bowl games of the year. Pasadena also boasts the renowned California Institute of Technology, whose alumni and faculty have garnered 32 Nobel Prizes.

Pasadena has become the most exciting place for nightlife in the San Gabriel Valley. Old Pasadena has many boutiques, national retailers, restaurants and clubs in the western section, with chic shopping and dining on South Lake and abundant services in the eastern area.

As the birthplace of Julia Child and home to numerous restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, Pasadena is a good destination for foodies. Adding to its culinary credentials, one of only 15 Le Cordon Bleu-affiliated culinary schools in the United States resides here. In addition, the first Trader Joe's market opened its doors in Pasadena in 1967. That same store on Arroyo Parkway is still serving customers today.

By plane
The closest and most convenient airport is the Burbank/Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, which is from Pasadena. Other nearby airports are in Los Angeles, Ontario , and Orange County.

The best way to get to Pasadena from Burbank/Bob Hope Airport is via Prime Time Shuttle or Xpress Shuttle. There are a couple of ways to get to Pasadena from LAX, which is from Pasadena. A taxi from LAX will cost approximately $80. Prime Time offers shared-ride vans which serve the Pasadena area from LAX. Stand under the orange "shared ride vans" sign in the center concrete island outside the airport. Tell a customer service representative that you need a ride to Pasadena. They are easy to identify by their red jackets. If no representative is available, then flag down a red van with a "Pasadena" placard in the windshield. Approximate cost is $25 per person. Approximate time to Pasadena is 1 hour.

FlyAway + A Line
The cheapest method to get to Pasadena from LAX is to use the Union Station FlyAway bus (which is available 24 hr a day) and the Metro A Line light rail (which is available from 3:40AM to 11:56PM daily). At LAX, stand under the green "FlyAway, Buses and Long-Distance Vans" sign in the center concrete island outside the terminal (the bus stops in each terminal). Board a blue FlyAway bus heading to Union Station; $9.75 one way (a trip lasting from 45 minutes to 1h30, depending on the traffic). It is a large charter-style bus and is occasionally not labeled. FlyAway buses operate 24 hours a day, every half hour (except from 1AM to 5AM where they run hourly). Note that you may need to pay once the bus arrived in Union Station. In that case, do not forget to pay at the little kiosk near the bus stop.

Once you arrive at Union Station, walk behind the ticket counter and proceed down the stairs. Follow the path and enter Union Station on the left. Walk to the Metro A Line (yellow signs), which is located at track 1 in Union Station. Inside the track 1 terminal is an automated kiosk for purchasing tickets. Buy a one-way ticket (as of 2015: $1,75 + $1 if you do not own a TAP card). Consider a day pass ($7 as of 2016) if you will be traveling by Metro again in the same day, which provides unlimited use of the entire system until 2:30 AM. Proceed up the stairs to the trains. Be sure to board the northbound (Sierra Madre Villa) trains. The A Line stops in Pasadena at Filmore, Del Mar, Memorial Park, Lake, Allen, and Sierra Madre Villa stations. The travel time is almost 30 minutes, depending on system congestion.

The entire trip from LAX to Pasadena using FlyAway + A Line lasts about 2 hours.

By train
Pasadena is approximately 20 minutes from Union Station in Downtown L.A. via the Metro A Line light rail. There are six stops in Pasadena. Filmore is the first stop, Del Mar and Memorial Park stations are located in Old Pasadena on the west end of town, and three stops (Lake, Allen, Sierra Madre Villa) are in the median of the 210 Freeway. The line continues east towards Azusa from Sierra Madre Villa.

By car
From Downtown L.A. or other southern cities take the 110 freeway north until it ends. The 110 freeway ends at the south end of Pasadena. From the east and west Pasadena can be reached via Interstate 210. California Highway 134 East is the most direct way from Glendale and Burbank.

By train
The Metro A Line serves the Arroyo Seco Parkway, Old Pasadena, and East Pasadena. Visitors can take it to connect to other Los Angeles-area rail lines or Amtrak, or go east towards Azusa.

By bus
Pasadena is primarily served by the county-wide Metro and the local Pasadena ARTS network. Additional (mostly commuter) service is available from Foothill Transit, Montebello Bus Lines, and LADOT.

Metro's 780 Rapid bus goes from Pasadena to visitor-oriented areas of Hollywood - it's an (often interesting) ride that takes about an hour.

By bicycle
Metro operates a bike share system, with numerous stations scattered across Pasadena. Single trips are $3.50 for 30 minutes of use (credit or debit card required), or you can load a monthly pass onto a TAP card for $20 which gives you free rides shorter than 30 minutes and $1.75 for every thirty minutes after that.

On foot
Pasadena as a whole is large enough to require use of a car or public transit, but it is a very pedestrian-friendly city. Many hotels and motels are located within easy walking distance of major shopping and entertainment areas like Old Pasadena, the Playhouse District and South Lake Avenue.

See

Do
The San Gabriel mountains above Pasadena offer some excellent hiking opportunities. Of specific interest are some of the hikes along the abandoned Mount Lowe Railway in the Angeles National Forest. You can pass the site of the White City, Echo Mountain, the site of an old observatory, and Inspiration Point. Start at the northern end of Lake Avenue. As with any hiking excursion, let someone else know where you are going and when to expect you back again. Stay on the trails and most especially, do not attempt to go to the "second waterfall" in Eaton Canyon. Many people are killed each year attempting to climb up the loose rock slopes. In the summer months, be on the lookout for rattlesnakes and be sure to bring plenty of drinking water.

Old Pasadena and the Playhouse district have a number of theater and movie houses and are a good place to see some of the latest independent or foreign films.

 * If you are camping out, the most crowded area is on Colorado Blvd. between Orange Grove Blvd. and Lake Ave. To avoid the congestion, try to find a space on Colorado east of Allen Avenue. On average, more than 150,000 people attend the parade, so parking is at a premium. It is suggested that you purchase parking in advance. Colorado Blvd. shuts down to all traffic the night before the parade. The north/south streets shut down at various times the morning of the parade.Keep in mind that the parade starts at 8AM on the west end of town and lasts for two hours. If you're sitting farther east, the parade will begin and end later.
 * If you go to the beginning of the parade at about 2AM on the morning of the parade, you can see the floats up-close as they stage themselves on South Orange Grove Blvd. It will likely be quite cold, so dress warmly.
 * If you go to the beginning of the parade at about 2AM on the morning of the parade, you can see the floats up-close as they stage themselves on South Orange Grove Blvd. It will likely be quite cold, so dress warmly.

Eat
As the birthplace of Julia Child, Pasadena was destined to be a foodie's paradise. The city is home to more than 500 restaurants, offering cuisine from around the world.

Sleep
Pasadena has a wide range of hotels to accommodate all budgets. The full-service hotels tend to cluster around downtown Pasadena, which provides ready access to shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Pasadena also has motels in the eastern part of the city, some of which are along the Rose Parade route.

Hotels

Motels

Stay safe
Much of the city of Pasadena is inhabited by students, professors, scientists, and many other kinds of professionals, and is generally very safe. During your visit, you will probably need to take only basic safety precautions. Most amenities for visitors can be found in and around the hotels and shopping districts, including Old Pasadena, Playhouse District and South Lake Avenue. These areas are all located south of the 210 Freeway. As with much of the Los Angeles area, however, there are areas that a visitor should be cautious about entering. In large measure, Northwest Pasadena should be approached with caution, as this is the heart of Pasadena's longstanding, and frequently violent, gang-related activity. Police and emergency services can be reached by calling 911. Pasadena also borders the Angeles National Forest, a wonderful place to explore if you are prepared. There are many hazards in the forest, however, including rattlesnakes. Also, summer heat can reach into the triple digits Fahrenheit (well above 38 degrees Celsius), so it is *critically* important to take plenty of water with you should you plan to hike in the forest. Stay on established trails and let others know where you are going.

Go next
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where the Mars rovers are built, is also just a 10-minute drive north in La Cañada Flintridge and is sometimes open for tours.

Most visitors to the area will not want to miss the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, located in neighboring San Marino, which features a large art collection but is more famous for its of botanical gardens that have been used as a backdrop for many Hollywood films.

Drive to the northern end of Lake Avenue for a spectacular view of the San Gabriel Valley.

During Christmas time, see amazing light displays at: 1) the Balian House at about 2000 N. Allen and 2) Hastings Ranch (go north on Michillinda, about past Sierra Madre Blvd. and make a left; about a  of residents in the area decorate their properties!).

Enter the Eaton Canyon Nature Preserve just north of the intersection of Altadena and New York. Great hiking, and during the spring, a pretty good river to hike next to (though with the current years-long drought, assume nothing and inquire before hiking). Go far enough up and you will get to a waterfall that is well known to locals. Do not, however, attempt to climb to the "second waterfall." Believe the posted signs that there is *no* safe trail beyond the first waterfall.

Take the Metro A Line south to Downtown Los Angeles.

Nearby Alhambra, San Gabriel, and Monterey Park are home to some of the largest Chinese-speaking populations outside China and Taiwan. There you will find authentic restaurants specializing in dim sum, dumplings, roasted duck, and many other specialties of regional Chinese and Taiwanese cuisine. A visit to any large Chinese supermarket in the area might be a treat (or shock) for the uninitiated.

title: Pasadena


text:
Pasadena (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Pasadena:

California

 * Pasadena - A city in California.

Texas

 * Pasadena - A city in Texas.

title: Pasadena (disambiguation)


text:
Pasadena (Texas)

Pasadena is in the North Barrier Coast of Texas.

Understand
Pasadena is known for its plethora of oil refineries. As such, it is often referred to as "Stinkadena" by the neighboring locals.

See
A futuristic, dystopian silver skyline of refineries that seems to stretch for miles.

title: Pasadena (Texas)


text:
Pasargad

Pasargad is a historical site near Shiraz, in Fars province. It is the site of the tomb of Cyrus the Great.

Get in
Bus to Saadatshahr, from there savari to Pasargad.

Get around
The sights are a few kilometers apart, so you might want transport in between.

See

 * Persian Gardens, one of nine world heritage listed Persian gardens in Iran.
 * Irrigation of the royal garden, interesting to see how advanced they were then
 * Irrigation of the royal garden, interesting to see how advanced they were then
 * Irrigation of the royal garden, interesting to see how advanced they were then
 * Irrigation of the royal garden, interesting to see how advanced they were then
 * Irrigation of the royal garden, interesting to see how advanced they were then

Eat
There are no restaurants on site.

Drink
Buy your bottled water near the ticket office.

Go next

 * Isfahan
 * Persepolis — another Persian capital 60 km south of Pasargad
 * Shiraz
 * Yazd

title: Pasargad


text:
Pasay

Pasay is a city in Metro Manila. Just south of Manila, this city houses the Ninoy Aquino International Airport which serves the region, and the Bay City development which hosts SM Mall of Asia, also part of Manila's tourist area. Pasay displays huge contrasts, from the relative sterility of the Bay City development to the urban blight in the rest of the city. The relative lack of sights make this rather a minor destination, except for spots like SM Mall of Asia and Star City, all within the more stable Bay City area, built on land reclaimed from Manila Bay.

Understand
Pasay's growth is generally connected to Manila's outward expansion.

Orientation
The city is roughly divided by Roxas Boulevard into two parts, showing sharp contrasts. The Reclamation Area is the more sterile part of Pasay, where the obvious visitor attractions are found; east of it is the rest of the city which is a concrete jungle, a mix of high-rise condominiums, multistory apartments, ordinary one to two-story houses, and rickety slum residences. EDSA Rotunda is an area at the interchange between Lines 1 and 3 and a land transport hub, also seedy not only for street vendors and petty crime, but also for prostitution and a row of no-tell motels, lending its reputation as a red-light district outside Manila city proper. The southeastern corner of Pasay contains Villamor Airbase, Newport City, and the airport.

By plane
Ninoy Aquino International Airport lies in the southern part of Pasay.

Terminal 1 is principally used by the majority of international carriers; Terminal 2 is exclusively used by Philippine Airlines flights (domestic or international). Terminal 3 is used by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines (some domestic flights), Air Asia, ANA, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, KLM, and Singapore Airlines. Terminal 4 is used by domestic carriers using smaller aircraft.

There are yellow airport meter taxis waiting outside the arrival areas, each dispatched when one departs. Beware of scams, especially those using a device that tampers the meter (batingting), and insist on using the meter.

White taxis are not officially sanctioned by NAIA, but their drivers are more honest, with a base fare of. But most only serve the departure area, and are not allowed to pick up passengers.

By bus
Pasay is served by these numbered bus routes since June 2020:

 * Route E EDSA Carousel: A BRT-like service which plies EDSA, and supplements MRT operations.
 * Route 2 Monumento-PITX: Runs from Monumento in Caloocan via Navotas and Roxas Boulevard.
 * Route 6 Quezon Avenue-EDSA-Taft: Travels from the intersection of EDSA and Quezon Avenue via Manila's University Belt and Taft Avenue
 * Route 17 Monumento-EDSA/Taft: North-south route ending at Pasay Rotonda that supplements LRT Line 1 operations.
 * Route 18 PITX-NAIA loop: Airport shuttle route which runs clockwise via EDSA and Andrews Avenue. Buses stop at Mall of Asia and the Pasay Rotonda.

As of 2021, provincial buses from both north and south no longer terminate at Pasay; those now terminate at North Luzon Express Terminal (NLET) in Bocaue, Araneta City Bus Port in Cubao, Quezon City or Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in Parañaque.

By train
Pasay is the at terminus of the LRT Line 1 (LRT-1) and MRT Line 3 (MRT-3).

Get around
For public transportation you may use sakay.ph , it will show you commute directions to your destination. However, note that some routes are not up-to-date.

Jeepneys are the main form of transportation in Pasay, just check the front and side signs displaying route & destination info. Additionally, there are tricycles & tuktuks available but be mindful of potential price gouging as fares shouldn't exceed.

Even for locals, public transportation isn't the safest and most comfortable. Using ride-hail apps for cars or motorcycles are still the best options.

As with most of Metro Manila, it is inadvisable to drive around Pasay due to heavy traffic, limited parking options, and aggressive street behavior amongst local motorists. The major thoroughfares are EDSA, Roxas Boulevard, Gil Puyat Avenue, Taft Avenue, Macapagal Boulevard, Arnaiz Avenue, and Harrison Avenue, however, congestion along these routes continues to worsen and remain troublesome without viable alternatives present.

Go next
Parañaque, another city, is not too far from the airport.

title: Pasay


text:
Pasco

Pasco is a city in the Columbia River Plateau in Washington State. Pasco together with Kennewick and Richland are known as the "Tri-Cities" of Washington.

By plane
(3601 N 20th Ave) is the major airport for the Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland), Walla Walla and the Columbia River Basin area 3½ mi (5.6 km) northwest of downtown Pasco. The airport is accessed from I-182/US Hwy 12 at Exit #12B (along N 20th Ave). Major airlines serving the Tri-Cities are:
 * Avelo : (Burbank)
 * Alaska/Horizon Air (Portland, Seattle-Tacoma)
 * Allegiant: (Las Vegas, Mesa AZ, Los Angeles (seasonal))
 * Compass and Skywest as Delta Connection: (Salt Lake City, Seattle, Minneapolis/St Paul)
 * Skywest operating as United Express: (Denver, San Francisco)

The Grape Line Bus operates regularly scheduled (bus) service to Walla Walla from the airport via Amtrak/Greyhound station in Pasco (see below under By bus) while Ben Franklin Transit (local public transportation company) operates a taxi feeder (on contract with Tri City Taxi) to the 22nd Ave Transit Center in Pasco for connections to their fixed route buses. See this link for a list of car rental companies at the airport (recommended) and local taxi companies for door to door service.

By train

 * Train operator:
 * Route serving Pasco:
 * Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago.

By bus
Except for Fronteras del Norte which has its own bus station, the bus station for the other long distance buses is at the Pasco Intermodal Train Station at 531 N 1st Ave. See below:

Do

 * Take a walk down the Sacajawea Heritage Trail along the Columbia River, winding for 23 miles through the Tri-Cities.

Go next

 * Yakima is a quick drive northwest on I-82.
 * The Columbia River Gorge is half an hour south, drivable on the north side along SR-14, and the south (Oregon) side along I-84.

title: Pasco


text:
Pas de la Casa

Pas de la Casa is a town in Andorra, a small mountainous country in the Pyrenees mountains in Europe. It is located on the Andorran - French border quite high in the mountains.

As a result it has the best snow reliability in Andorra. It is a fantastic ski resort which also has a variety of different bars to visit during the evening.

Get in
From Toulouse or Barcelona, there are buses from Toulouse Airport, Toulouse-Matabiau train station and Barcelona Airport which make stops at Pas de la Casa. In addition, public bus depart twice daily (one at 08:50, one at 19:45) from Gare d'Andorre-L'Hospitalet train station, which is connected to the SNCF train service from Toulouse-Matabiau and Latour-de-Carol stations. It is not recommended to take a train from Toulouse or Latour-de-Carol and connect to the public bus at the Gare d'Andorre-L'Hospitallet train station in the morning because the bus departs half an hour before the first SNCF train arrives at this station. The only suitable train-bus connection is the daily train from Toulouse that arrives at Gare d'Andorre-L'Hospitallet at 19:21 and the bus departs at 19:45. An alternative option from the train station is to take a taxi to Pas de la Casa (~€30).

There is a free shuttle between Gare d'Andorre-L'Hospitalet and Pas de la Casa provided that the guest has a hotel booking or a ski pass. Otherwise you cannot take this shuttle. The shuttle leaves Gare d'Andorre-L'Hospitalet for Pas de la Casa at 09:00, 11:30 and 16:30. It returns from Pas de la Casa to Gare d'Andorre-L'Hospitalet at 10:00, 12:00 and 17:00. Shuttle runs daily except Tuesday.

Within Andorra, Pas de la Casa is served by the local bus (L4 and L4B) up from Andorra la Vella about every 30 min daily.

Andy runs private transfers from Barcelona city centre and El Prat airport. Price starts at €279 to Pas de la Casa for a 4-passenger sedan.

Do
Pas de la Casa is the highest and sunniest resort in Andorra, perched right on the French border within the extensive Grandvalira ski area.

Good snow often lasts until the first week of May, and Pas de la Casa is linked to nearby Grau Roig, making this the best resort in Andorra for advanced skiers. Grau Roig is within a bigger skiing area, Grandvalira.

Buy
Due to low tax rate in Andorra, it is frequently visited by cross-border shoppers from France. Electronics, alcohol and tobacco are popular items being sold here.

Eat
As this is a mainly resort town, there are plenty of restaurants for food and drinks.

Drink
There are a number of bars in this resort town.

title: Pas de la Casa