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Skövde

Skövde is a city in Västergötland, Sweden.

Understand
AB Volvo and Volvo Cars each operate an engine manufacturing plant, making Skövde into one of the world's largest producers of engines for cars, trucks and buses, with more than 5,000 workers. The plant is known world-wide for producing the most industrial diesel engines in the world for AB Volvo and also for producing compact inline 5 cylinder petrol engines for Volvo Cars.

The Swedish military has had a large presence in the town for many years and today there are two regiments, a military academy and several military support functions based in Skövde. Parts of the army base are open to the public.

The overall impression is that Skövde is a friendly town to visit and people are less stressed than in larger cities. Dress codes and such are less important and can give the visitor an impression of a more laid back culture. Communication in English poses no problem but a few phrases in Swedish are always appreciated.

The neighbourhoods close to the town centre are amongst the nicest to walk around, whilst the ones further out are what you might call a little scruffier. There isn't a lot in those parts to attract tourists however.

Get in
Situated three hours south west of Stockholm by train and one and a half hours north east of Gothenburg by train, Skövde is perfectly suited to discovering the Swedish countryside and small towns. Public transport is covered by Västtrafik which is efficient at moving people from A to B but is a little pricey. Purchase your bus and train tickets at the train station which is in the middle of town.

By train
High speed trains run hourly from Stockholm Central, taking 2 hours via Katrineholm, and continuing southwest to Gothenburg. Flixtrain serves the city.

The main station is right in the city centre.

By bus
The bus station is connected to the rail station.

By car
Driving from Gothenbourg takes approx. 2 hours, go on E20 to Skara and then go on road 49 to Skövde. From Jönköping it takes approx. 1½ hours, just drive a few kilometres on road 47 and then go by road 26 all the way to Skövde.

Get around
By bike and foot is the best way to experience Skövde. The town isn't large and bike paths are almost as common as foot paths.

See
Due to a city wide garden scheme, parts of Skövde come alive with colour in the Spring and Summer months. Tulips are ubiquitous but there are many others beside.

Do
Skövde goes all the way back in history to the medieval age. Of the medieval houses nothing remains, as a fire in 1759 burned down the entire city except for some houses called Helensgården. These small red houses are right in the middle of town behind the town square and there is a pleasant enough park to sit in with a coffee and snacks bought from the small cafe that's in one of the houses.

Most importantly though, Skövde is situated in the middle of an area in Sweden rich with cultural and historical places of importance, some dating back almost a thousand years. In this sense Skövde is the perfect place to use as your starting point for several day trips to neighbouring towns and villages.

Buy
Shopping in Skövde is no different to shopping anywhere else in Sweden. All the major chains are here, like H&M, plus a few more upscale boutiques. The alcohol store (systembolaget) is in the middle of town in the Commerce building. It closes at 15:00 on Saturday and is closed on Sunday.

Eat
Rådhuset Cafe sitting right on the town square serves surprisingly good coffee and sandwiches. Inside the cafe there are exhibitions of photography and paintings. Central Skövde can at times make you feel like you are surrounded by banks but Rådhuset helps keep the town social and friendly. It's always busy too - even in the winter months.

Drink
Hertig Johans Gata and S:t Sigfrids Gata are the centre of the Skövde entertainment scene. The several bars and restaurants get rowdy late at night but the food is good and the alcohol cheaper than in the bigger cities. For an older crowd try the Bishops Arms Pub in the town square.

Sleep
Skövde offers a wide variety of accommodation with hotels in the town center and at least one camp site just outside of the town. Among the notable hotels are Scandic Billingen and First Hotel Billingehus, as well as Knistad Country Club.

title: Skövde


text:
Skegness

Skegness is a seaside town in Lincolnshire. It has many visitors on a regular basis, mostly to Butlins Skegness. It's very bracing.

By car
Skegness is reached by the A158 from the west or the A52 from the south or north.

By bus
Local bus services run from Boston, Mablethorpe and Lincoln. Long distance bus services, and charters, run from virtually everywhere in Great Britain.

By train
Train services run from the midlands to via Boston.

By plane
The nearest airport to Skegness is Humberside Airport. A distance of 40 miles.

By boat
The nearest ferry port to Skegness is King George Dock in Hull. A distance of 47 miles.

Get around
Local bus services run along the coast at regular intervals.

 * Service 1, 1A: Skegness – Ingoldmells – Chapel St. Leonards.
 * Service 3: Coastal Cruiser open topper.
 * Service 4: Butlins – Fantasy Island.
 * Service 5: Skegness – Butlins.
 * Service 9: Skegness – Mablethorpe – Skegness.

Do

 * Have your palm read by one of the many Romany Clairvoyants on the sea front
 * A must for children is a ride on one of the lovely Skegness donkeys on the beach
 * Fantasy Island is a funfair just north of Butlins on Ingoldmells beach. There are several caravan sites around it.
 * Fantasy Island is a funfair just north of Butlins on Ingoldmells beach. There are several caravan sites around it.
 * Fantasy Island is a funfair just north of Butlins on Ingoldmells beach. There are several caravan sites around it.
 * Fantasy Island is a funfair just north of Butlins on Ingoldmells beach. There are several caravan sites around it.

Buy
The obligatory stick of rock!

Eat
Skegness has many restaurants and cafes. There are many high street chains, and many independent establishments.

Drink
There are many clubs and pubs in Skegness. There are lots in the highstreet. This is "the hub" of most businesses in Skegness.

Sleep

Connect
As of July 2022, Skegness has 4G from all UK carriers, but with dead spots on the approach roads. 5G has not reached this area.

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

title: Skegness


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Skei

Skei is a village in Sogn og Fjordane. It is situated in beautiful surroundings at the Jølstervatnet lake. Surrounded by steep mountains, and the Jostedalsbreen glacier nearby. Skei is the centre of Jølster district and this article covers both.

Understand
Skei village sits in the middle of Sogn og Fjordane county, at the junction of road 5 and road E39 - the two key roads in the region. Jølster lake and its eastern branch, Kjøsnesfjorden, likewise occupies the centre of this rugged and romantic landscape. Jølster lake and Kjøsnesfjorden are looks like and were created like the fjords, except that the ocean does not reach this far. In fact, the lake is more than 200 meters above sea level. The lake's deepest point is some 230 meters. Jølster lake is one of many fjord-like lakes (also known as freshwater fjords) in Sogn og Fjordane county. The Jølster area covers the western corner of Jostedalsbreen glacier and glacial melt water flows through the many rivers of Jølster. The main river is Jølstra that reaches the ocean at Førde. Kjøsnesfjorden is steeper and wilder than the more mellow main lake. Just north of Skei rivers flow north through Breim lake towards Nordfjord.

Virtually all road transport in the area runs through Skei because Jostedalsbreen is a major barrier to the east and the north-south road transport is difficult along the extremely fragmented coast to the west. Skei sits at the upper end of the lake and is the main settlement. Vassenden village sits at the lower end of the lake - "Vassenden" literally means "End of Lake".

By plane
Førde airport, is situated 60 km to the west.

By bus
There are express buses three times a day to Oslo, three times a day to Bergen and two times a day to Ålesund. Local buses to Førde twelve times a day.

By car
Skei is situated at the E39 highway. You can reach Skei along this from Bergen or Ålesund. Or Route 5 from Sogndal.

Get around
The village is rather small so it is possible to walk. But to reach the surrounding attractions a car is necessary.

Taxi:

Go next

 * Fjærland to visit the glaciermuseum.
 * Olden, Loen and Stryn
 * Førde
 * Balestrand via Gaularfjell mountain pass (road 13)

title: Skei


text:
Skeleton Coast National Park

Skeleton Coast National Park is in Kunene, Namibia. Its attractions include a shipwreck at the South West Seal viewpoint, Huab lagoon and the collapsed oil drilling rig.

Understand
Namibia's Skeleton Coast continues to be a synonym for the horrors a sailor could face when his ship sank. Sharp rocks just underneath the water surface and thick fog during dusk and dawn along the entire coast posed a danger to ships, and when a shipwrecked crew did make it to land, they faced a belt of almost 100 km of desert, without any water or food sources and bare of any human settlement. All along the coast are the bodies of ships and there are many stories of sailors dying or only escaping the desert by accident.

Skeleton Coast National Park has its southern boundary at the Ugab river and stretches northward to the Namibian border with Angola. The further north you get the more desolate the area becomes.

Landscape
Rocky desert with occasional sand dunes

Get in
The southern third of the park can be explored independently, but the area north of Terrace Bay is restricted and may only be visited with a certified tour guide that holds the relevant concession. Expect to pay the guide around N$1,000 per day for the privilege, even if they are just a passenger in your car.

There are two entry gates to the park, one at the southern border of the park at the Ugab River mouth and the other on the eastern border at Springbokwasser.

By car
The main coastal road C34 starts at Swakopmund and follows the coast north up to the Ugab River mouth.

An alternative route is to drive west from Khorixas on the C39, and then enter the park on the D3245.

By plane
Since there are few roads in the park, most of the park is inaccessible even to 4x4s, which are the only type of land vehicle allowed in the park. In order to access the inner parts and northern coast, you must book a plane tour, some of which do land in the park.

Fees and permits
You need a permit to enter the park. You can buy it only at a Ministry of Environment and Tourism office which are often co-located at outlets of Namibia Wildlife Resorts. There are offices in Windhoek (corner of Bismarck Street and Sam Nujoma Avenue) and Swakopmund (Uhland Street).

It costs N$80 per person (Namibians N$30, neighbouring countries' residents N$60), children under 16 free, and N$10 per car to enter the park.
 * Entrance fee

If you stay over at one of the government camp sites you must have a permit. Prices are higher than on private camp sites.
 * Camping fee

To catch fish in the Atlantic you need a fishing permit (N$50 pppd), even if you catch-and-release.
 * Angling fee

Get around
The major road in the area is a salt road. These are very slick if wet. Otherwise, they seem like bad pavement. To access the interior regions and the northern-most coast, you must rent a plane and fly out to those areas.

See

 * Examine the lichen fields supported by the nightly fog. At times it is amazing that anything lives in such a desolate area.  Enjoy many kilometers of undeveloped coastline that extends without limit.
 * Over two hundred bird species are regular habitants of the coast line.
 * Hundreds of shipwrecks dotted along the coast.

Do
The coast is considered to be prime surf angling area.

Stay safe
The most common risks posed to anyone travelling to this national park are exposure, the heat, and isolation. Always make sure that you are dressed appropriately, and have put on enough sunscreen on to last you for as long as you are in the park. Even though most of the park is not accessible by 4x4, the entirety of the park is virtually cut off from civilization, save some areas near the park borders. This means that you are on your own if your 4x4 breaks down, so be prepared in case of emergency. Other than threats imposed by nature and geography, there are no crimes against tourists committed in the park.

Go next

 * Etosha National Park
 * Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
 * Namib-Naukluft National Park
 * Swakopmund

title: Skeleton Coast National Park


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Skellefteå

Skellefteå, called Skellefte by locals, is a town in Västerbotten County, Sweden, at the Baltic Sea, with around 33,000 inhabitants. Skellefteå municipality, Skellefteå kommun, has 72,000 inhabitants in total.

Settlements

 * Skellefteå town
 * Skelleftehamn, the harbour of Skellefteå
 * Boliden, known for its gold mine
 * Burträsk, known for Västerbotten Cheese

Understand
Skellefteå is built on natural resources; gold and other metals from the mine at Boliden, forestry, and hydroelectric power. As of the 2020s, the city expands fast.

By plane

The airport shuttlebus to Skellefteå costs 80 kr each way. From the city it departs a certain time before take-off. E.g., from Stadshotellet (City Hall) it is 65 minutes.

By train
Arriving by train is not possible, in fact Skellefteå is the largest city in Sweden without passenger traffic. Most convenient is to hop on night trains to either Umeå or the small town of Jörn where connecting buses (lines 26 and 205) will take you to the city center. Bus from Bastuträsk to Skellefteå for connection to the arriving train is Länstrafiken's regular bus service, line 260.

By bus
Long-distance buses is a cheap alternative and runs daily towards Umeå or further north in Norrland.

Tapanis Buss has a route going from Stockholm to Tornio, Finland stopping at Skellefteå. Ticket from Stockholm 845 kr, from Tornio 300 kr.

By car
European route E4 runs along the coast.

By bus
Skellefteå Buss offers local transport.

By taxi

 * Smartphone apps: Uber

Buy
Nygatan is the pedestrian shopping street.

title: Skellefteå


text:
Skellig Michael

Skellig Michael (Sceilig Mhichíl) or "Great Skellig" is a small uninhabited island 12 km off the coast of County Kerry in southwest Ireland. Its twin crags, rising to 218 m (714 ft), have the remains of an ancient monastery perched above an often-roiling sea. The place is named for the Archangel Michael, as one of the few beings that could alight upon such a remote spot, and it's inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Understand
Sceilig in Irish means "splinter" and that's a good description of this line of sharp pyramidal islets off the Kerry coast. They were formed of Devonian sandstone and shale some 360-375 million years ago, as were Macgillycuddy's Reeks near Killarney. A period of folding 300 million years ago sundered Ireland's southwest coastline into a series of mountain peninsulas and deep inlets. Rising sea levels and erosion then detached a chain of islets that starts with Puffin Island close to shore and ends with Skellig Michael 12 km out. At some point, erosion shattered Skellig Michael's centre and left it with two peaks, joined by the plateau of "Christ's Saddle".

Skellig Michael was probably visited but uninhabited until a monastic settlement was founded here. This could have been as early as the 6th century, in the first great wave of religious settlements around these coasts. It's first reliably documented as suffering a Viking raid in 823 AD. The complex expanded, especially from the 11th century, and affiliated to the Augustinians. It was never a large community, perhaps 12 monks and an abbot, living and praying in their little beehive huts, tending their vegetable patches, then convening for mass. They built the Monastery on the east peak, the Hermitage on the south peak, and vertiginous paths up from the island's three landing points. In the 12th century they abandoned the place and decamped to Ballinskelligs Abbey on the mainland; the medieval climate deteriorated around that time, so their precarious settlement became untenable.

From the 1500s, Skellig Michael was a pilgrimage destination but had no permanent residents. In the 19th century two lighthouses were built so the island was again inhabited by a rota of lighthouse keepers. The second lighthouse still operates; it was rebuilt in the 1960s and automated in the 1980s. So the keepers left but tourists began to arrive: there are still no permanent residents or visitor facilities here but in summer there's a ranger, whose first task each morning is to advise the mainland boat operators whether it looks safe to come.

The island supports large numbers of gannet, fulmar, kittiwake, razorbill, common guillemot, Atlantic puffin, Storm petrels and Manx shearwaters. They mostly nest on the ground where they would be very vulnerable to predators. There are rabbits and mice here but no rats, and it's essential to keep it that way. The monastic structures are well-preserved in a remarkable scenic setting, and in 1996 Skellig Michael was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although no great religious leaders or exiled Napoleons have been based here, in the 2010s it served as the refuge of none other than Luke Skywalker, in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi Star Wars movies.

Get in
The island can only be reached by a small boat on a calm summer day; dogs, small children and anyone with impaired mobility may not land. is the usual departure point, for a 45-min crossing. Boats sometimes sail from elsewhere along the Kerry coast.

Boats sail May-Sep, and only 15 licensed boats may land per day, with a maximum 12 passengers, so that's only 180, to limit the footfall on the island and especially its precarious paths. Midsummer the boats are fully booked and with a waiting list, yet trips are often blown out by sea conditions, with no capacity to re-book those passengers for later. Each boat has a landing and re-embarkation slot that it must adhere to. It will therefore sail some time between 8:30AM and 10AM. You have 2-3 hours on the island, then the return crossing is 45 min, so you'll return to harbour around 2-3PM.

By contrast, the non-landing trips (marketed as "eco-trips", though they burn the same amount of marine diesel) have a more relaxed schedule and sail later in the day. They've more flexibility to change route or go follow a dolphin pod. And there are more of them, so you're likelier to get on, but should still book ahead. Expect to pay €100 pp for a landing tour and €40 for non-landing.

Licensed operators in 2021 include:
 * from Portmagee: Casey's and Skellig Michael Cruises.
 * from Derrynane: Skellig Tours.
 * from Valentia Island, Ballinskelligs or Waterville.

Other boat operators are reputable but don't seek Skellig licences, as there are plenty of other places they can offer to take you, with less risk of sad headshakes and refunds all round.

landing point is the piratically-named Blind Man's Cove near the northeast tip. If conditions are doubtful, the boat will just circle the island and not attempt a landing, or offer an in-shore Plan B trip, or not leave harbour at all. Disappointing if you've come a long way in hopes of a visit, but ask yourself this: would you rather be on the mainland jetty wishing you could have gone out, or upchucking into the Atlantic wishing you'd stayed ashore?

Get around
There are no vehicles on the island, nor any concessions to visitors with impaired mobility.

A narrow trail, the "Lighthouse Road", starts at Blind Man's Cove (or East Landing) and skirts the east and south base of the cliffs. The monastic East Steps from this cove are impassable, since their lower section was dynamited during 19th century construction of the landing stage and trail. 200 m brings you to Cross Cove and South Landing, no longer used. There's a helipad and the start of the South Steps, the set you use to reach the monastery. The shore trail continues to the lighthouse, then to the disused lighthouse - they were built at the same time to create a double light that wouldn't be mistaken for any other - but this is closed to the public.

The South Steps are in a reasonable condition, but they are old, uneven and steep, with no safety rail against the precipitous drop, and there are 618 of them. (There were more below the Lighthouse Road to South Landing, but now impassable.) They bring you onto Christ's Saddle between the two peaks. The East Steps and the North Steps from the third landing area also lead here but are impassable, so the North Landing is nowadays a "blind cove" with no path out. From the saddle a cliff-edge path continues to the monastery on the east peak. The route to the hermitage on the south peak is impassable and that area is off-limits. Archaeologists have found traces of other steps around the island.

See

 * Ashore in Portmagee before you sail, the Skellig Experience is a good introduction to the island. If the weather turns against you, it may be all you get to see.
 * Marine life: on the boat, always be looking, you never know what might fleetingly appear. Seals and dolphins are not unusual, other cetaceans are rare, but what about that vast creature that left its footprints on Valentia Island - it must come up for air soon? Even if nothing shows, those beasties are doing you a favour, because gazing towards the middle distance and horizon will help to minimise sea-sickness.
 * From the boat on the non-landing trips you see several features not visible from the island paths, such as the disused lighthouse, and other monastic stairways.
 * Wailing Woman is a rock formation along the South Steps.
 * Christ's Saddle has spectacular views of the South Peak.
 * The Monastery and the monks' beehive huts are found towards the East Peak.
 * Sea birds swirl all around, orbiting the great crags and gulfs on sharp wings.
 * has 35,000 pairs of gannets. The islet is a nature reserve with sheer cliff sides, so landing is neither permitted nor possible. It was long supposed to be utterly uninhabitable, but in 2020 archaeologists found remains of an oratory and dwellings for one or two monks. No steps were found, they must have used a grappling hook and knotted rope to get ashore.
 * the last of the trio is a 20-m stone fang. In the legend of St Brendan the Navigator, he came across a lonely wave-dashed outcrop bearing Judas Iscariot, who was granted one day's leave per year from hell to perch upon it. That rock's GPS coordinates couldn't be read from the original manuscript but this place seems a good candidate.
 * Puffin Island is geologically the east end of the chain, but it's very close to the mainland and quite a different experience. Other boats visit but if a trip advertised as "Skelligs" brought you here, you'd have cause to grind your gums; even that red-haired hitchhiker you picked up at Lemon Rock would be complaining.

Do

 * Consider Plan B before you even go to the jetty. Trips are not infrequently called off so think of other attractions you could swiftly move on to, without wasting the morning pouring over maps and guidebooks, even this one.
 * Have a last loo break before setting out. Only the seabirds are allowed to poop on the island, a right they vigorously exercise.
 * May the 4th be with you: Star Wars Day is on that date, for obvious reasons. There are worldwide cosplay events, which sometimes include Skellig Michael because of its use as a film location. The landing tours only start later in that month but you could join a non-landing trip or get up a group for a charter, and marvel that even Chewbacca manages to turn green as he feeds the fish with his breakfast.

Buy
The island is a retail-free zone. That's maybe why the monks chose it.

Eat
There are no catering facilities on the island.

Bringing a picnic is a good idea but don't eat it around the monastery or Christ's Saddle, else the birds will mob the place and cover it in guano. The base of the steps near the helipad is a good sheltered spot.

Drink

 * Carry water or other drinks with you, there's no water supply on the boats or island.
 * Lots of pubs in Portmagee and elsewhere for when you return, but go easy on the drink the evening before your boat trip: think about that heaving ocean.

Sleep
There is no accommodation on Skellig Michael and camping is not permitted.

There's lots of mainland accommodation in Portmagee and the nearby villages of Ballinskelligs, Waterville, and Knightstown on Valentia Island.

Further out you could look in Caherciveen or Killorglin to the east, or south towards Kenmare.

Stay safe
This is a wilderness outing to an uninhabited Atlantic island with no visitor facilities, including toilets. Bring food, water, stout clothes and shoes, and any necessary medication.

The boat won't go out in poor conditions, but even on a decent day it can be choppy, and landing and re-embarking is tricky as the boat rolls about by the landing stage.

There are no safety rails on the paths up to the monastery. In 2009 two tourists were killed in separate incidents by falling from the same spot near the head of the steps.

Connect
There is no mobile signal on the boat crossing or on the island. Finish up any calls at Portmagee.

Go next
Back to Portmagee or your other departure point it must be. From there continue round the Ring of Kerry either anti-clockwise towards Kenmare (the usual direction) or clockwise to Caherciveen and Killorglin.

title: Skellig Michael


text:
Ski

Ski is a municipality in Akershus. It is situated just south of the capital Oslo.

Understand
The town derives its name not from skiing equipment (which predictably is a Scandinavian invention in its modern form), but rather from skeið, Old Norse for "horse racing track".

By plane
There are three airports within reasonable distance: Moss Airport, Rygge is 47 km (approx. 43 mins) away. Oslo Airport, Gardermoen is 70 km (approx. 56 mins) away. Sandefjord Airport, Torp (Ryanair branding Oslo Airport, Torp) is 78.5 km (1 hr 41 mins including ferry) away.

By train
The three daily international trains Oslo - Gothenburg stops here, two of these corresponding during low season with trains to Copenhagen and the European continental railway network. The journey to Gothenburg takes about 4 hrs and to Copenhagen takes about 8 hrs. There are several train connections to Oslo per hour and at least one service per hour southbound towards various cities in Østfold (Mysen, Halden and Moss).

By car
European Route 6 and 18 are nearby. There are local buses to Drøbak, Ås operated by #Ruter.

Get around
On foot; there are also bus service(s).

Drink
Bowlers and Krydder are respectable establishments at Flamenco Bar & Grill you can meet the local people.

title: Ski


text:
Skiathos

Skiathos (Greek: Σκιάθος, Skiáthos) is the entry point and main island of the Sporades Islands. Although it is neither the biggest nor the most attractive of the Sporades islands, because it is the first port of call for most ferries and possesses the sole airport, most tourists don't venture beyond Skiathos. For most, why would they want to? There are great beaches, good accommodation on offer, and decent public transport. In season, the 6,000 or so natives are vastly outnumbered by tourists from around the world.

It is undoubtedly the most tourist-intensive island of the Sporades, with beautiful scenery, quaint tavernas and lots of luscious green terrain great for strolling and hiking.

There is one town on Skiathos which is literally called "The Village" by the locals, or Skiathos town, on the east end of the island with the airport, port, and a variety of shops, bars and clubs on the waterfront.

By boat
Skiathos is accessible via ferry from Volos, Agios Konstantinos, and Thessaloniki. Cruise ships dock at the port in the centre of Skiathos town.

By bus
Public buses operate on one line that runs from the port to Koukouniares along the southern side of the island. The port station is 200m to the right of the port. Tickets are bought on the bus from the conductor. Stops are marked with a sign and a number.

By taxi
Taxis are easy to get from the port to anywhere on the island.

By car or motorbike
It is not worth the hassle to bring your own car to the island, although it is in theory possible. You can rent a car or a motor scooter. Asphalt roads run across the south of the island. Roads in the interior turn out to be little more than dirt paths.

Motorbikes and mopeds are popular alternatives to cars. Especially mopeds are frequently used by local youths and can go to many places that cars cannot go - for example the twisted narrow streets of Skiathos city. An additional advantage is that they are cheap to rent - €10-15 a day is the usual price.

If you start a day-trip with a moped, make you sure you do so on a full tank, as gas stations are sometimes hard to find. An extra stop at a gas station can save a lot of nerves. When renting a moped, check if the profile of the tyres is ok if the brakes work properly, lights, turn indicators and petrol gauge. If it doesn't look good don't be bothered to rent it, it could be the one that needs a repair badly. it can cause you a lot of troubles if it breaks down. Make sure the insurance stands on the contract. Helmets are required on Skiathos.

See

Do

 * Most people come to Skiathos for the beaches. Let's face it, there is not much else to do on the island. However, there is a large, forested interior that can be explored.
 * Yachting. Skiathos has a large port from where one can charter yachts either for day trips or longer periods to explore the surrounding islands.

Beaches
There is a good variety of beaches on Skiathos with over 60 in total. The south side of the island has sandy beaches with calm waters. Beaches on the north are less crowded. The wind mostly comes in from the north and also the sea tends to be somewhat rougher to the north.

 * Koukounaries. Covered with umbrella pines is the most famous beach on the island.
 * Lalaria. Beach only accessible by daily boats, crystal clear water and large stones on shore.
 * Big Banana. Next to Koukounaries is the beach for young people.
 * Small Banana. Next to Big Banana
 * Asselinos. Large and quiet undeveloped beach.
 * Kanapitsa. Amazing beach, water sports, and a nice taverna.

Plane spotting
The island's airport as discussed above has a 1600 m-long runway. As land reclaimed, for the construction of the airport, the landing path of the airplanes passes just above the spotters heads, and an asphalt road passes right in the spot, making that location ideal for experiencing the same effects as Saint Marteen, with more safety in the absence of jumbo jet airliners

Buy

 * Jewelry stores are common.
 * Colorful sea shells are a popular souvenir item, but very many of them are imported, and have no connection to the island.
 * Many brand name products for sale in the tourist shops may be fakes and/or unlicensed (t-shirts, towels, hand bags, and so on).

Eat
Besides the following listings, there are numerous Souvlaki (Greek kebab sellers) dotted around the island, and frozen yoghurt is increasingly available on Papadiamanti St.

Drink
The tap water is not drinkable (and even ice in restaurants is provided via special procedure from companies) and restaurants will serve glasses of ice water upon request. Local drinks include beer and Ouzo.

There are various hot club locations, though most famous clubs are located north-east of the port at around 300 m, by the seashore.
 * Ginfish Cocktail Bar
 * Ginfish Cocktail Bar
 * Ginfish Cocktail Bar
 * Ginfish Cocktail Bar

Stay safe
Skiathos is a generally safe destination. As with all Greek islands, the summer sun is very strong all day. You should not take the risk of dehydration, sunburns or even heat strokes lightly. Wear appropriate clothes, a hat and sunglasses; use sunscreen; bring enough water on excursions and know when to stop exhausting yourself and seek the shade of a tree. Greeks take it easy in the middle of the day, from 2–5, often only venturing down to the beaches in the late afternoon and early evening.

Then aircraft taking-off, the engines are in full thrust, directly on you. So then an airplane taking-off get a cover behind the wall on the other side of the road, or if you are adventurous person grab the Armco barrier and low your profile, the exhaust gasses can throw you hundred meters away. Cover your face also, very often the gasses lifting items like a tiny gravel, you don't want such an encounter that could ruin the enjoyment.

Go next
Obvious next destinations are the remaining Sporades, Skopelos and Alonissos, although Evvia is not far, nor is Pelio, (via Volos.)

Flights to Athens are short, and daily.

title: Skiathos


text:
Skiatook

Skiatook is a city of 8,450 people (2019) in the Green Country region of Oklahoma.

Understand
The word is Cherokee in origin, and means "Big-Indian-Me" or refers to something of large size. An Osage trader, Skiatooka is also cited as influencing the town's name.

Get in
Skiatook is in the northeastern part of the state, approximately 20 miles north and west of Tulsa.

See

 * The Healing Rock
 * Woodland Christmas Tree Farm
 * Skiatook Statuary, the World's largest ornamental concrete
 * Skiatook Lake

Do

 * The Pioneer Days Festival has with a parade, fly-in, Chili cook-off, art show, tractor show, car show, food from various vendors, rides, vintage planes, and a rodeo.
 * The "Fantasy in the Sky" Fourth of July celebration has concerts, food, and fireworks at the local airport.
 * The Bluegrass Festival.
 * Christmas parade.
 * Osage Trail walking trail is 14.5 miles long, starting in Skiatook.
 * Osage Trail walking trail is 14.5 miles long, starting in Skiatook.

title: Skiatook


text:
Skibbereen

Skibbereen is a village in the southwest of County Cork, Ireland. An Sciobairín means "the little boat harbour" - it would have to be a small boat to get this far up the River Ilen. Skibbereen was one of the worst affected places during the Famine of 1845-52, and it's reckoned that up to 10,000 victims are buried in the mass grave here, with a similar number fleeing to an unknown fate. The village is nowadays a small resort, with a population of 2900 in 2022.

The Tourist Office is in village centre, open W-F 10AM-2PM.

Get in
Skibbereen is on N71, about 85 km west of Cork. Bus Eireann 237 runs daily every two hours from Cork main bus station via Inishannon, Bandon, Clonakilty, Rosscarbery and Leap, taking 1 hour 45 min to Skibbereen. Here the service branches, with four buses running to Baltimore (10 min), and three to Ballydehob and Schull (30 min).

Bus Éireann Route 270 launched in 2023 with five daily services from Skibbereen north to Killarney via Bantry, Kenmare and Killorglin, operating year round.

A local bus plies M-F to Bantry, setting off at 8AM and taking an hour via Ballydehob and Durrus, and setting off back around 4PM.

The village is on Bridge St. Buses also stop on North St by the cathedral and council offices.

Get around
You need a car, as many places of interest are several km out. The local taxi firm has gone out of business.

is the ferry pier for Heir Island. It sails daily year-round every 2 hours, adult return €6, child €3, foot passengers only. See Baltimore for ferries to Sherkin Island and Cape Clear; this also has a summer service to Heir Island and trips to Fastnet. See Schull for ferries to Long Island.

See

 * The Maid of Erin is the statue in village centre expressing heartfelt thanks that rebellions against the British were defeated, in 1798, 1803, 1848 and 1867. Surely it was only for lack of room for further dates that they didn't add 1916 for the Easter Rising.
 * : see separate page for this harbour village.
 * : see separate page for this harbour village.
 * : see separate page for this harbour village.
 * : see separate page for this harbour village.
 * : see separate page for this harbour village.
 * : see separate page for this harbour village.
 * : see separate page for this harbour village.
 * : see separate page for this harbour village.

Do

 * Atlantic Sea Kayaking have two locations: Reen Pier near Union Hall, and Loch Hyne, where one specialty is a night kayak trip.
 * Golf: the golf course is 2 km southwest on R595 towards Baltimore.
 * The Wild Atlantic Way is the coastal driving route from Cork away up to Donegal. It starts at Old Kinsale Head and heads west via Clonakilty, Rosscarbery, Glandore and Leap to Skibbereen. If time allows, turn aside to Baltimore and the islands of Roaringwater Bay. Then continue west through Ballydehob and Schull to Mizen Head; then north to Bantry and into County Kerry. Only another 2000 km to go.
 * Carbery Show is an agricultural show held in Skibbereen in July.
 * Skibbereen Arts Festival is in September.

Buy

 * Aldi in village centre is open M-Sa 9AM-10PM, Su 9AM-9PM.
 * The three banks have ATMs.
 * Farmers' Market is held on the car park outside Aldi Sa 9:30AM-2PM.

Eat

 * Church Restaurant in village centre is a reliable choice, open W-Su noon-8PM.
 * Kalbo's Cafe at 26 North St does good light meals and snacks. It's open M-Sa 9AM-5PM.
 * Kennedy's in the West Cork Hotel serves daily 5:30-9PM, see Sleep.

Drink

 * Pubs in Skibbereen include Paragon Bar, Tanyard, Kearney's Well, Horse and Hound, Fairfield Bar and Corner Bar.
 * West Cork Distillers at 16 Castletownshend Rd was founded in 2003 and produces whiskey, gin and vodka. The shop is open M-F 8AM-5PM; tours by arrangement.

Sleep

 * B&Bs include Glencora, Annie May's, and Ilenroy House.
 * B&Bs include Glencora, Annie May's, and Ilenroy House.
 * B&Bs include Glencora, Annie May's, and Ilenroy House.
 * B&Bs include Glencora, Annie May's, and Ilenroy House.

Connect
As of March 2023, Skibbereen has 4G from Eir and Three, and 5G from Vodafone. Coverage is patchy on the approach roads and in the countryside.

Go next

 * Baltimore just down the road south has marine activities and ferries to the islands.
 * East the countryside becomes gentler towards Clonakilty and Cork.
 * West is Schull and Mizen Head.
 * Bantry is a good base for all three of the southwest Cork peninsulas.

title: Skibbereen


text:
Skibotn

Skibotn (Northern Sami: Ivgubahta, Kven/Finnish: Markkina or Yykeänperä) is a village in Troms. It used to be an important meeting place between Norwegians, Sámi and Kven (and Finnish) people, with a yearly market.

Skibotn is on the shore in the innermost part of the fjord Lyngen (which is about 100 km long), surrounded by large mountains including Nallagais, Imagais, Steindalsbreen, Balggesvarr and Storfjellet. The river Skibotnelva empties into the fjord at Skibotn.

Get in
Skibotn is near two highways, E8 and E6, which merge just south of it. The nearest airport is in Tromsø, a 2-hour drive from Skibotn. You can also drive north from Kilpisjärvi, Finland which is a 45-minute drive, although the nearest airport in that direction is in Hetta, 2½ hours away.

If using the route from Finland along E8 in winter, be aware that it is often closed in bad weather. Beginning in 2018 there is a project with many sensors and weather stations for anticipating the need for closure and thus minimizing disturbance. This testbed for "intelligent roads" is a bilateral project, "Aurora " in Finland (from Kolari northward) and "Borealis" in Norway.

There are coach services by E6, and from Finland daily in summer and in weekends in spring. Connection from Rovaniemi, Finland is operated by Eskelisen Lapinlinjat.

See
Due to its favourable position in the auroral belt, and also being one of the driest places in Norway, Skibotn is a superb location to watch Northern lights. A good spot is for example near the astrophysical observatory.

title: Skibotn


text:
Skidaway Island

Skidaway Island is in Coastal Georgia. The area is home to the gated community of The Landings, which is home to over 8500 residents, over half of whom are over 60; hundreds of short term guests visit each year.

Get in
Skidaway Island is 40 minutes from the Savannah-Hilton Head Airport. From Savannah take highway 204, which leads to Diamond Causeway, the only road to the island. Once on the island, cross over the crossroad to the main gate.

To enter the Landings you'll have to clear security at the main gate. Longer term residents may add a bar-code to their vehicles to expedite border formalities.

Do
The Landings offers:

 * Six PGA official golf courses
 * Two sets of tennis courts
 * A 48,000 sq. ft. fitness center
 * Swimming pools - many and varied, indoor and out

 * Skidaway Island State Park, 52 Diamond Causeway, Savannah. The natural side of the island, with marshes and lookout tower. Tel: +1 912-598-2300. Hours: Daily 7AM-10PM.

Eat
The Landings includes various clubhouses such as The Plantation, Oakridge, Deer Creek and Marshwood, offer meals. Smith Village grocery store sells groceries. There is a small snack bar at Franklin Creek.

Sleep
Within the Landings community houses and condos are available for short term letting. There are also hotels nearby, plus camping at the state park.

title: Skidaway Island


text:
Skien

Skien is a town in the county of Telemark with a population of 70,000.

Understand
Skien and Porsgrunn are twin cities along the mouth of Skien river. The Skien river is the outflow of the Telemark river system. The Skien river is also the end of the Telemark canal.

Skien is one of Norway's ancient cities and only one of six cities that has existed since the middle ages.

By train
From Oslo Central Station - 3 hours. Train often terminates at Larvik, and the last leg to Skien is then serviced by bus.

See

 * The canal from Skien passing up to upper Telemark. Smaller cruise ships will take you all the way during summer season. Highly recommended!
 * Ibsen's Venstøp. The house outside the city of Skien where Henrik Ibsen spent a few years of his childhood. The attic is said to be his inspiration to "Vildanden" (The wild duck).
 * Brekkeparken. Nice park with old historic buildings, and a museum.
 * Skagerak Arena. Hosting Odds Ballklubb, one of the greatest Norwegian football clubs and all-time winner of the Norwegian cup. It's also the arena for the longest goal scored with a header, performed by Jone Samuelsen during a Tippeliga match.

Buy
Skien has four shopping malls.

 * Handelsbyen Herkules (65 stores, 5 food places)
 * Arkaden Skien Storsenter (44 stores, 6 food places)
 * Lietorvet Senter (29 stores, 2 food places)
 * Klosterfoss (10 stores)

Eat
As with most medium sized Norwegian cities, there is no abundance of restaurants in Skien. There is decent Chinese cuisine available, as well as Greek, Italian and pizza restaurants. The area around "Langbryggene" has the highest density of eating and drinking establishments.

Stay safe
Though Skien is still relatively safe, statistically it has one of the highest crime rates in Norway. The chances of becoming a victim of one of these crimes are low as long as you refrain from provoking anyone, especially drunk people. There are no areas in Skien that need to be avoided; however, it is important to take certain safety measures while walking in the low-income areas of Gulset and Klyve. Also watch your back around midnight when walking through the city centre or the neighbourhood of Moflata, as those areas might have a few drunk people.

Go next

 * If you are tired of the congested "big city" life in Skien, go to the nearby cosy small town of Porsgrunn.

title: Skien


text:
Skiing in Lebanon

Every visitor to Lebanon has heard that in this country one can ski on snow in the morning and swim in the waters of the Mediterranean in the afternoon. This is due to the fact that Lebanon's mountain range rises up above a very narrow coast. Even the highest resorts are only a short drive from the coast. On clear days a particularly spectacular view can be seen from the top. From the top of Mzaar, the highest point above the resort of Faraya, the Bekaa Valley and the Anti Lebanon mountain range can be seen to one side, and to the other, the city of Beirut and other towns along the coast.

Understand

 * Lebanon Ski website
 * Lebanese Ski Federation and
 * Mzaar Ski Resort
 * Lebanon Slopes website

History
In 1935, the French Army established the first ski school at Le Grand Cèdre Hotel in the Cedars forest in northern Lebanon.

The school moved two years later to a high mountain barrack that later became known as the Military ski School.

Michel Samen, in 1947, raised the Lebanese flag at the championship in Chamonix. One year later, Mounir Itani, Jean Samen, Abdelwahab El Rifai and Ibrahim Geagea, competed in the Winter Olympics at Saint Moritz.

1961 saw the official establishment of the Lebanese Ski Federation under President Dr. Emile Riachi. It started the golden era of Ski in Lebanon that lasted almost 30 years.

Lebanese skiers participated in the Olympic games and World Championships: Innsbruck (1964), Greece (1967), Sapporo (1972), Innsbruck (1976), Grenoble (1969), Lake Placid (1980), Calgary (1988) and Albertville (1992).

In 1967 and 1972 the Lebanese Army team won the World Championship of Military Ski.

From 1962 until the eruption of the civil war in 1975, a World Cup Competition named “Semaine Internationale du Ski aux Cedres” took place yearly in The Cedars and attracted the world’s most prestigious champions

Lebanese skiing history was at its peak in 1967 when the 26th annual International Ski Federation (ISF) conference was held in Beirut.

Cross country skiing
Nordic skiing or cross-country skiing in Lebanon has become more popular after the year 1990 and is also being adopted by the young Lebanese generation, seeking tranquility, away from the crowded ski slopes. Amazing as it sounds, high plateaus in Mount Lebanon are ideal for cross-country skiing, and most of them lie in the neighborhood of the ski resorts. The average skiing period stretches four months easily as from mid December. Two amazing off-piste are available for cross-country skiing lovers:

 * Grande Coulée: The Grande Coulée slope can be seen from Beirut on the sannine mountain. You can start your Journey to the Grande Coulée from the Faqra or Faraya-Mzaar resorts up to the Mzaar peak (at the top of the Mzaar chairlift) where you will find an old stone church and the remains of a Roman temple. Follow the crest with, at your right hand, the 1000 meters cliff and the wonderful scenerey at your feet. Ounce you arrive at the peak known as "The Chamber of the french" (altitude 2600 m) you can start your descent on a woundeful silky snow until you reach the orchards of Sannine (altitude 1500 m).
 * Mount Hermon:

Resorts
Lebanon has six ski resorts with groomed slopes, catering to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Beyond the skiable domains await you kilometers of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails waiting to be discovered; Lebanon has something for everyone. Each of the ski resorts has a different flavor; however, it is Faraya Mzaar (Kfardebian) that offers the best infrastructure and facilities for the tourists. The Cedars resort is ideal for nature getaway seekers, and Laqlouq is suitable for families with levels up to intermediate.

Cedars
The Cedars area is utterly beautiful but it is better as a cross country ski resort. People enjoy The Cedars for the ambience and the spectacular views particularly on the Kadisha Valley. The Cedars is at the north end of the Mount Lebanon Range. The resort is a 2 hour drive from Beirut, but only an hour from Tripoli, which is definitely worth a visit. The drive up to the Cedars is through some of the most beautiful scenery in Lebanon.

In 1935, French entrepreneurs established the first ski school at Le Grand Cèdre Hotel in the Cedars forest in northern Lebanon. The school moved two years later to a high mountain barrack and became known as the Military ski School. In 1959, the Lebanese army established the first one seat chairlift that extended to 2700m. Later on, more ski lifts were built by the Keyrouz family and the Cedars became a destination for the Lebanese and International Gotha in the 1960s and early 1970s (until the break out of the civil war in 1975). Famous international movie stars, Presidents and Kings (including the Chah of Iran) have enjoyed the pleasures of skiing in the Cedars and clubbing in the mythical "le Chalet" Hotel (Closed since 1975)and its eccentric owner, Dede Taleb.
 * History

The resort is in a huge basin and it is impossible to get lost. Half a dozen of ski chairs and ski lifts have been upgraded and more lifts are expected in the future. The resort is at 2150m with a chairlift that extends up to 2800m, leading to a wonderful plateau, with an altitude between 2800m and 3100m.
 * Skiing Area

The off piste around the basin is challenging, with a circuit leading  to the old  “Chalets” quarter passing  through the multi-century old cedars forest.

With this resort there are wonderful hikes in the Kadisha Gorge. People can treck along the side of the gorge and climb into the ancient Maronite chapels (built in caves in the rock face), which is an experience in itself.
 * Natural Sites

Faraya Mzaar
Faraya Mzaar Kfardebian or Faraya-Mzaar (Arabic: فاريا مزار), also known as Ouyoune el Simane or Aayoun Al Simane, is a ski area in Lebanon.

Faraya-Mzaar was founded in the late 1950s by Cheikh Salim El Khazen who built the Mzaar hotel and the chair lift initially known as "Le Telesiege". Simultaneously, a group of pioneers, including Sami Geammal, Robert Nassif, Dr Georges Zebouni and Pr Emile Riachi, started the development of the ski resort, building the first ski lift, the mythical "Le Refuge". The group started building the first residential "Chalets" designed by architect Raoul Vernet, kicking off a period of continued real estate development in the whole area of Kfardebiane. In the early 1980s, the Saudi-Lebanese al-Mabani Group led by Fouad Rizk and Nehme Tohme acquired the majority of its shares and took over the development of the resort.
 * History

The ski resort has 42 slopes and 80 kilometers of groomed tracks. The skiing season in Lebanon is similar in length to that of the Alps stretching over a period of 4 months]. The peaks of the Faraya Mzaar mountain range vary between heights of 1913 and 2465 meters. The tallest peak, Mzaar, as well as the Nabil and Warde peaks, offer challenges for the experienced skier or snowboarder. Three other peaks are well suited for beginners, and even more are adapted to skier of intermediate level. Skiing ranges between heights of 1310m at Faraya, 1850m (Ouyoune el Simaan) to 2465m on the peak above Mzaar. In addition, there are a number of cross-country trails. From the top of Mzaar, there is a view over the Bekaa valley, Mount Hermon of the Anti-Lebanon and other peaks like Laqlouq and the Cedars. Coastal towns and the capital Beirut can be seen on a clear day. Situated at an elevation of 1550m at the feet of Faraya-Mzaar, Faqra has monuments which included: temples, columns, altars and rock cut tombs. The temple of Faqra is partly cut out of the living rock. On the way to the ruins of Faqra, one can see a bridge called "Jisr al-Hajar" or the "Stone Bridge" with an arch measuring thirty eight meters.
 * Skiing Area
 * Natural and Historical Sites

Faqra

 * Distance from airport: 43km
 * GPS coordinates: N 33°58'51" / E 35°48'37"
 * Base altitude: 1735m/5690ft
 * Top altitude: 1980m/6494ft
 * Number of lifts: 4
 * Suitable for beginners: Yes
 * Maximum difficulty: Red
 * Restaurant: Yes
 * Clubs/Bars: Yes

Laqlouq

 * Distance from airport: 62km
 * GPS coordinates: N 34°7'48" / E 35°50'58"
 * Base altitude: 1650m/5412ft
 * Top altitude: 1920m/6298ft
 * Number of lifts: 9
 * Suitable for beginners: Yes
 * Maximum difficulty: Red
 * Restaurant: Yes
 * Clubs/Bars: No

Qanat Bakish

 * Distance from airport: 45km
 * GPS coordinates: N 33°57'44" / E 35°49'18"
 * Base altitude: 1910m/6263ft
 * Top altitude: 2050m/6724ft
 * Number of lifts: 3
 * Suitable for beginners: Yes
 * Maximum difficulty: Red
 * Restaurant: Yes
 * Clubs/Bars: No

Zaarour

 * Distance from airport: 54km
 * GPS coordinates: N 33°55'17" / E 35°48'43"
 * Base altitude: 1700m/5576ft
 * Top altitude: 2000m/6560ft
 * Number of lifts: 7
 * Suitable for beginners: Yes
 * Maximum difficulty: Red
 * Restaurant: Yes
 * Clubs/Bars: No

title: Skiing in Lebanon


text:
Skippack Village

Skippack Village is located in Montgomery County in the US state of Pennsylvania. It is a charming little town full of boutiques, shops, restaurants, and a beautiful rustic Italian hotel. Great for a day trip or a weekend getaway and close to Philadelphia, King of Prussia, and others, without the feel of the city.

Get in
Skippack village is in the heart of Skippack in Montgomery County. It is right off of Route 476 (the Blue Route) and easy to get to from the Philadelphia International Airport. It is about a 45-minute drive from the airport without traffic and located on Route 73. If travelers are planning on flying into Philadelphia, there are many transportation options for them to be able to get to Skippack such as car rental services and taxis. The hotel that they are staying at would be happy to set up a service to pick them up from the airport, train station, or anywhere else that further transportation would be necessary.

Get around
To get around Skippack Village, visitors don't need more than their own two feet! The wonderful stores, boutiques, and restaurants are all within walking distance of each other. If traveling with young children, a stroller is recommended as little tykes can get tired easily. Feel free to bring your dogs! Most stores and restaurants either allow dogs or provide outdoor seating so that your dog can enjoy a wonderful day with you! As long as fellow customers are okay with it, treat your dog to lunch! It is easy to get around the village and enjoy a day or weekend away from home.

Do
Between spas, shopping, dining, the Skippack Days, and the nearby parks, there's never a dull moment. There is an entrance to the Perkiomen Valley Trail where families can go for a nice walk or bike ride on a nice fall day. Skippack Days are weekends in which local vendors set up through Skippack Village to sell their merchandise and have a fun-filled day for everyone. Skippack Village also holds seasonal events such as Oktoberfest, a scarecrow competition, summer concerts, Illuminaire Nights, and the annual lighting of the Skippack Christmas Tree. During many of these events, some shops stay open late and offer hot apple cider, Christmas cookies, and Santa makes an appearance.

Eat
The types of restaurants range from casual diners and pizzerias to nicer Italian, French, and Asian cuisine. Most of these restaurants have bars and offer outdoor seating. Others are also B.Y.O.B. so be sure to call, check their website, or email to inquire about it.

Sleep
The Hotel Fiesole is the most central lodging in town. While other hotels in the nearby town of Kulpsville and Collegeville may offer better rates, they will require car or taxi service to get to and from the hotel to wherever you may want to go.

title: Skippack Village


text:
Skipton

Skipton is a market town in North Yorkshire, 27 miles northwest of Leeds. The name means "Sheep Town" and the town's wool trade was boosted by its position in the "Aire Gap" - the river valley that together with the Ribble creates a low-level route through the Pennines. The castle was built to protect the trade and route, and later the canal, main road and railway all came this way. With a population in 2011 of 14,623, Skipton now earns its living from tourism, as it's at the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales. This page also includes the settlements of Gargrave and Bolton Abbey.

The TIC (+44 1756 792809) is at 35 Coach St, just north of the branch canal bridge. It's open M-Sa 9:30AM-4PM.

By train
From London, the Midlands and beyond, travel to Leeds and change. That's swiftly done as trains from the south usually pull in a few steps from the Skipton trains.

Skipton has two trains an hour from Leeds (40 min) and from Bradford Forster Square (40 min); these may also stop at Shipley, Saltaire (for Salts Mill), Bingley and Keighley (for Worth Valley steam railway). Skipton is just outside the West Yorkshire Metro travel zone, so you may find a better fare by split-ticketing to the edge of the zone, e.g., to Keighley or Steeton & Silsden.

Most trains terminate (as does electrification) at Skipton, but every couple of hours a train from Leeds continues north through the Dales via Gargrave, Hellifield, Clapham, Bentham and Carnforth to Lancaster, thence to Morecambe or Preston. Another 3 trains a day from Leeds run to Gargrave, Settle, Horton and the Ribblehead viaduct, Kirby Stephen, Appleby and Carlisle.

In summer a tourist train runs between Skipton, Settle and Appleby. The timetable and fares for 2021 are not yet announced.

is quarter of a mile west of town centre. There is level access to Platforms 1 & 2, and a steep ramp to the island Platforms 3 & 4. There's a small cafe, no waiting room, but a short walk to facilities in town.

By bus
Bus X84 runs from Leeds every two hours via Headingley (for the University), Otley and Ilkley to Skipton. From Leeds Bradford Airport, take the airport bus to Otley and change, you don't have to go into city centre. From Bradford take the frequent bus to Keighley then change for Transdev 66 which runs every 30 min to Skipton.

In summer, Dales Bus X59 runs between Harrogate and Skipton; but it's not running in 2020.

Dales Bus 580 runs hourly from Settle via Gargrave to Skipton. There is a connecting bus from Lancaster through Kirkby Lonsdale and Ingleton to Settle.

is right in town centre.

By road
Driving from the south, it's usually best to stay on A1(M) beyond Wetherby then take A59 west. This goes through Harrogate, but is less traffic-snarled than routes via Leeds or Bradford.

Get around
The town is best explored on foot, but you need wheels to reach Bolton Abbey. Gargrave is on the bus and railway routes.

See

 * Craven Museum and Art Gallery is within Town Hall on High St. In 2020 the entire Town Hall is closed for refurbishment.
 * is on the 127-mile Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The canal took over fifty years to complete (1770-1822), clambering across the Pennines and vaulting over dales and gullies, but being broad it soon surpassed the earlier narrow canals. It's navigable and has a good firm towpath throughout its length from Mersey to the Humber, and with links south via Trent or Cheshire to the rest of the English network. At the basin, a branch canal goes north for half a mile into the gloomy ravine below the castle, where it captures a little river. It's called Springs Branch or Thanet Canal, as it was built by Lord Thanet as a loading wharf for his limestone quarries. Boat trips sail from the basin along the main canal but they don't go as far as Gargrave, see below.
 * Skipton Boat Trips Wharf Office, Waterside Court, Coach Street, Skipton BD23 1LH. Running passenger boat trips from March to December. Public and Private Cruises from one-hour to five hours in duration. Public Afternoon Tea Cruise, Roast Dinner Cruise, Evening Fish & Chip Cruise being the most popular. During the summer one-hour trips run daily from the Wharf Office 10:40AM, 11:50AM, 1PM, 2:10PM. Ticket prices are adult £8.50, child £5.
 * St Stephen's just north of the castle is the RC church, opened in 1842.
 * The Strid: the woods on the Bolton estate are an ancient forest of sessile oak. The Strid itself, a short walk from the Abbey car park, is where the River Wharfe suddenly narrows into a deep torrent six feet wide, so you could almost stride across, but not quite. The name is fatally misleading, it's from Old English stryth meaning "don't try to stride across, you'll be killed to death." The whitewater difficulty rating is 5-ish because of underwater ledges where the current traps anyone who falls in. With high water it's 5- and a kayak might scoot through; with lower water it's 5+ and you'd better portage.
 * is the shell of a 15th C hunting lodge; it was a ruin by 1800 and is unsafe to enter. The Priesthouse adjacent is an event space often used for weddings.
 * would be an attractive village if only it had a bypass, but it's thudding with vehicles on the A65. The main attraction is the towpath along the canal, which here rises through five locks westbound. It crosses the River Aire on Priest Holme Aqueduct then has another six locks at Bank Newton. As if drawing breath, it then hews to the contour line for a long stretch across into Lancashire, but isn't quite at the summit: 3 more locks at Greenberfield near Barnoldswick lead into the summit pound. Gargrave is on the Pennine Way, see Do, and has accommodation. The railway station is half a mile south of the village on Church St.
 * Yorkshire Dales: the most accessible from Skipton are Wharfedale, ascending through Grassington, and Airedale above Gargrave to Malham.
 * The Strid: the woods on the Bolton estate are an ancient forest of sessile oak. The Strid itself, a short walk from the Abbey car park, is where the River Wharfe suddenly narrows into a deep torrent six feet wide, so you could almost stride across, but not quite. The name is fatally misleading, it's from Old English stryth meaning "don't try to stride across, you'll be killed to death." The whitewater difficulty rating is 5-ish because of underwater ledges where the current traps anyone who falls in. With high water it's 5- and a kayak might scoot through; with lower water it's 5+ and you'd better portage.
 * is the shell of a 15th C hunting lodge; it was a ruin by 1800 and is unsafe to enter. The Priesthouse adjacent is an event space often used for weddings.
 * would be an attractive village if only it had a bypass, but it's thudding with vehicles on the A65. The main attraction is the towpath along the canal, which here rises through five locks westbound. It crosses the River Aire on Priest Holme Aqueduct then has another six locks at Bank Newton. As if drawing breath, it then hews to the contour line for a long stretch across into Lancashire, but isn't quite at the summit: 3 more locks at Greenberfield near Barnoldswick lead into the summit pound. Gargrave is on the Pennine Way, see Do, and has accommodation. The railway station is half a mile south of the village on Church St.
 * Yorkshire Dales: the most accessible from Skipton are Wharfedale, ascending through Grassington, and Airedale above Gargrave to Malham.
 * Yorkshire Dales: the most accessible from Skipton are Wharfedale, ascending through Grassington, and Airedale above Gargrave to Malham.

Do

 * Walk: lots of choice. The best walking map is OS Outdoor Leisure Map 10 (Yorkshire Dales South, yellow covers, 1:25,000). Skipton teeters on the southern margin of this map, but it covers the nearby dales. For anything south of town such as the approach of the Pennine Way, use OS Landranger Sheet 103 (Blackburn & Burnley, maroon covers, 1:50,000). Skipton is in the northeast corner of this, for Bolton Abbey use Sheet 104 (Leeds & Bradford).
 * The Pennine Way is lowland in this district. Northbound from Earby on A56 in Lancashire, cross the fields to Gargrave on A65. The Way then heads northwest, cutting over Eshton Moor and back into the Aire valley at Airton, thence north. At Malham you reach attractive karst scenery, the best being Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janet's Foss.
 * Narrowboat hire for day-trips and canal holidays can be arranged via Pennine Cruisers or Canal Trips both at the basin.
 * Craven Leisure Centre is on Gargrave Rd half a mile northwest of Skipton town centre. It has pool, gym and fitness classes.
 * Sandylands Sports Centre on Carleton New Road just south of the station has playing pitches, indoor facilities etc but no drop-in activities.

 * Plaza Cinema is on Sackville St just off High Street.
 * Skipton Little Theatre is on Clifford St next to the retail park.
 * Mart Theatre is by the cattle mart on A629 at the north edge of town. As well as their own programme, they run four art festivals in the district.
 * Skipton Charity Gala is on the second Saturday in June. The next is on Saturday 8 June 2024
 * Skipton Sheep Day hosts ovine festivities on the first Sunday in July.

Buy

 * Market days are M W F Sa 8AM-5PM
 * Lots of tourist-trippy stuff along High St, but the retail park with Tesco, Morrisons etc is just west of centre in the angle between canal and railway.
 * Marks & Spencer have a "Simply Food" store one block east of High Street, open M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 11AM-5PM. That's fitting because Tom Spencer, co-founder of M&S, was born in Skipton in 1858.

Eat

 * Bizzie Lizzies serve excellent fish & chips from two locations: Swadford Street (by the Belmont Bridge) and High Street car park (which is a sit-in cafe, not just a van). They're both open daily noon-8PM.

Drink

 * Copper Dragon Brewery was established in Skipton in 2002, but in 2015 relocated to Keighley, the home of Timothy Taylor. Neither of them offer brewery tours.
 * Copper Dragon Brewery was established in Skipton in 2002, but in 2015 relocated to Keighley, the home of Timothy Taylor. Neither of them offer brewery tours.
 * Copper Dragon Brewery was established in Skipton in 2002, but in 2015 relocated to Keighley, the home of Timothy Taylor. Neither of them offer brewery tours.
 * Copper Dragon Brewery was established in Skipton in 2002, but in 2015 relocated to Keighley, the home of Timothy Taylor. Neither of them offer brewery tours.

Sleep

 * B&Bs near town centre include Highfield House on Keighley Rd, Townhouse off High St, and Boutique 25 on Newmarket St.
 * B&Bs near town centre include Highfield House on Keighley Rd, Townhouse off High St, and Boutique 25 on Newmarket St.

Connect
As of March 2024, Skipton and the roads out to Gargrave and Bolton Abbey have 4G from EE, Three and Vodafone, and 5G from O2.

Go next

 * Yorkshire Dales: Ribblesdale and Lonsdale can be easily reached by public transport.
 * Harrogate is a genteel spa town with fine gardens.
 * Leeds for big city attractions.

title: Skipton


text:
Skipton (disambiguation)

There's more than one place called Skipton:

Australia

 * Skipton (Victoria) - is a small town just west of Ballarat in Victoria

United Kingdom

 * Skipton - a town near Leeds in England

title: Skipton (disambiguation)


text:
Skipton (Victoria)

Skipton is a small town in Goldfields region of Victoria

Understand
Skipton is a small town of around 300 people on the banks of the Emu Creek. It is in sheep grazing country.

Get in
Around 65 km west of Ballarat on the Glenelg Highway.

V/Line coaches from Ballarat to Mount Gambier stop in Skipton.

Bicycle Victoria runs an occasional shuttle from Ballarat to Skipton for people cycling the Ballarat to Skipton railtrail. The railtrail itself is a 45km offroad cycle from Ballarat, bicycle hire is available in Ballarat.

Get around
Public transport is out of the question. Get by with a bike, car or on foot.

See

 * Platypus at Mt Emu Creek - the best time to see them is around dusk. There is a pathway and viewing platform with interpretative signage in Stewart Park.
 * Mt Widderin Caves are one of several volcanic features around the area, formed by the crust of a lava flow. They are 6km south from Skipton town on the Lismore road.

Mt Emu creek provides some pretty ponds and billabongs. There is a suspension pedestrian bridge over the billabong in Stewart park. Out by the swimming pool there is a pretty small lake, with birdwatching opportunities.

Eat

The pub serves meals daily, and has a range of $10 specials.

Drink
The pub serves drinks, every night.

Connect
No problems with mobile reception on all the networks. There is a post office open business hours. Public phone outside the pub.

Go next

 * Linton
 * Smythesdale

title: Skipton (Victoria)


text:
Skokie

The village of Skokie is a suburb in the Chicagoland area.

By train
Skokie is accessible by the CTA Yellow Line (also called the Skokie Swift), with stops at and . The Yellow Line has only these two stops, and is used to transport passengers from Skokie to the Red/Purple Line terminal at Howard. If you take the "Swift" to Skokie, check out the historic old Northshore Line train station adjacent to the Dempster terminal.

By car
I-94 (the Edens Expressway) has exits at Touhy Avenue and Dempster Street in Skokie.

US-41 is called Skokie Boulevard through most of Skokie and in the North Shore suburbs to the north, though it turns to follow Lincoln Avenue near Skokie's border with Lincolnwood.

Get around
Pace and CTA buses run through Skokie, forming connections at Old Orchard, Skokie CTA Station and Downtown Skokie and the Village Crossing Shopping Center.

CTA buses and Pace buses cost $2 per ride. CTA buses add $0.25 for a transfer. 1-day, 3-day and 7-day CTA bus passes are available for $10, $20 and $28.

Combined 7-day passes for the CTA and Pace are available for $33.

Eat
As Skokie is historically Jewish, it is arguably the best place in the Chicago metropolitan area to find kosher food.

title: Skokie


text:
Skopelos

Skopelos  (population 4,960 in 2011) is the largest of the Northern Sporades Islands. Skopelos is one of the greenest islands in the Aegean Sea. The island has a wide range of flowers, trees and shrubs. The local vegetation is chiefly made up of forests of Aleppo Pines, Kermes Oaks, a small forest of Holm Oaks, fruit trees and olive groves.

Understand
It lies east of mainland Greece, northeast of the island of Euboea and is part of the Prefecture of Magnesias in the Periphery of Thessaly. Skopelos is also the name of the main port and the municipal center of the island. The other communities of the island are Glossa and Neo Klima (Elios). The geography of Skopelos includes two mountains over 500 meters; Delphi (681 meters) in the center of the island, and Palouki (546 meters) in the southeast. With an area of 95 km² (36.6 mi²) Skopelos is slightly larger than Mykonos (85 km²) and Santorini (73 km²). The nearest inhabited islands are Skiathos to the west and Alonissos to the east.

Villages

 * Skopelos town, on the southeast side of the island, is the main port and municipal centre of the island. The town is noted for its architectural heritage.
 * Glossa, on the north west side of the island, sits just above Loutraki harbour with an elevation ranging from 200 to 300 m. It is 25,4km from Skopelos town. Typical and tranquil village with traditional houses. The village faces Skiathos and the mainland.
 * Elios is a village constructed after the great 1965 earthquake to resettle the displaced residents of the severely damaged village of (Old) Klima. It is by the coast on the west side of the island, between Milia beach and Klima village. It is 3 km from Klima village, 6 km from Glossa village and 19 km from Skopelos town. The village had 415 inhabitants in the 2001 census.

Talk
Greek is the native language of the people of Skopelos. However, many people also speak passable English and some speak German or other European languages.

By boat
Skopelos is accessible via ferry from Volos and Agios Konstantinos. In summer there is a ferry to and from Thessaloniki and Kymi in Euboea.

There are also passenger hydrofoils and catamaran service from Volos and Agios Konstantinos.

It has two ports, one in Skopelos town and one in Loutraki. On windy days hydrofoil service diverted from Skopelos town to Agnontas.

Cruise ships dock at the Skopelos town and Loutraki Port.

By plane
There is no airport in Skopelos. However, in summer months there are some flights from within Greece and from other European destinations to the airport on the neighbouring island of Skiathos, from which you can usually find a boat to Skopelos the same day, if you arrive in Skiathos early in the day, or else the next day.

By bus
Skopelos has one main road around the island which runs through almost everywhere the visitor would want to go, including the main villages and beaches. Buses are very frequent in the high season (July and August) and fairly frequent in the shoulder season.

By taxi
There's a taxi stand on the Skopelos town waterfront near the bus station. Taxis have fixed rates to various destinations. Note that despite the fact that the first daily boats routinely leave Skopelos port around 07:00, you may have trouble booking a taxi to take you and your bags to the port then: most Skopelos taxi drivers seem to consider snoring the morning away more important than getting up for an early fare.

By car
It is not worth the hassle to bring your own car to the island, although it is in theory possible. You can rent a car or a motor scooter. Asphalt roads run across the west coast of the island. Roads in the interior turn out to be little more than dirt paths.

By motorcycle
Motorbikes and mopeds are popular alternatives to cars. Mopeds, specially adapted to be very loud are frequently used by local youths to scare tourists and can go to many places that cars cannot go - for example the twisted narrow streets of Skopelos town. An additional advantage is that they are inexpensive to rent: €10-15 a day is the usual price.

If you start a day-trip with a moped, make you sure you do so on a full tank, as gas stations are sometimes hard to find. An extra stop at a gas station can save a lot of nerves. When renting a moped, check if the profile of the tyres is ok and if the brakes work properly. If it is the last vehicle in store, be suspicious - it could be the one that needs a repair badly. Greek law requires helmets while on a motorbike or moped. The fine for not wearing a helmet is €350.

See
The island has more than 360 churches and chapels. Most are closed through the years except for the feast day of whomever the church has been dedicated to. Most have been privately built. The oldest existing ecclesiastical structure is the basilica of Agios Athanasios, built in the 11th century and located in the Kastro area.

Do

 * Sunbathing
 * Swimming
 * Walking

Beaches
Skopelos has excellent beaches. The south-west side of the island has sandy beaches with calm waters. The wind mostly comes in from the north and also the sea tends to be somewhat rougher to the north.

Going clockwise around the island, the main destinations for the sun-swim-and-sand seeker are:

 * Staphylos Small sandy beach with a couple of basic changing rooms and a small snack bar. Can be crowded.
 * Agnondas Small beach, not much developed, with a small settlement with stores, etc.
 * Limnonari With Milia, the best beach on the island. Get off the bus at Agnondas and walk along the road through Agnondas in the same direction the bus was going for about ten minutes until you read the end of a hairpin turn, where there are prominent signs pointing out the way to Limnonari.  About twenty minutes walk along this path lies Limnonari; you won't see the beach until you're almost there.  Limnonari is not much developed but has one very basic taverna.
 * Panormos An excellent gravelly beach and the most built-up of the island's beach resorts, with numerous tavernas and hotels.
 * Milia Excellent pebbly beach with a beach bar and a couple of simple tavernas and hotels.

Buy

 * Jewellery stores are common
 * Colourful sea shells are a popular souvenir item, but very many of them are actually imported, and have no authentic connection to the island whatsoever.
 * Many brand name products for sale in the tourist shops may be fakes and/or unlicensed (t-shirts, towels, hand bags, and so on)

Eat
Plums, which grow in profusion throughout the island, are a characteristic ingredient of many dishes. You can find them dried, as sweets, or in the local specialty pork with plums, served in many tavernas.

Drink
The municipal water is good quality. Like most natural source water in limestone environments, the water has a high calcium content.

Sleep
Skopelos town has a large number of rooms and studios, ranging from basic to near luxury. Outside of July and August there's no problem in finding a room. Panormos is the only beach which has a good selection of accommodations, though many of the other beaches offer a few simple rooms. The village of Glossa also has a few rooms to rent.

Stay safe
Skoplelos is a generally safe destination. In the summer there are occasional reports of sexual assault. Numerous motorbike accidents occur during the summer season.

 * The summer sun tends to get very strong. You should not take the risk of dehydration, sunburn or even heat stroke lightly. Wear appropriate clothes, maybe with a hat and sunglasses; use sunscreen; bring enough water on excursions; and know when to stop exhausting yourself and seek the shade of a tree.

Go next

 * There are daily excursions via boat to other Sporades Islands.

title: Skopelos


text:
Skopje

Skopje (Macedonian: Скопје, Albanian: Shkup, Turkish: Üsküp) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of North Macedonia. Skopje is city of many cultures and many centuries. The various groups that have controlled the city through its history have each left visible reminders of their reign: multiple Dardanian and Roman-era archaeological sites dot the city; Byzantine and Serbian Empire churches and monasteries can be found around the outskirts; a great wealth of Ottoman heritage fills the Stara Čaršija; commieblocks and other Soviet-style structures recall the Yugoslav era; and the current ruling party is erecting countless historicist neoclassical-style buildings in Centar. All of this comes together to form quite an interesting city.

Skopje's location on the Vardar and its nearby tributaries amongst towering mountains makes it a place of scenic beauty as well. Mount Vodno's highest peak at 1,070 m (3,500 ft), capped by the Millennium Cross, stands visible throughout the city and is a major recreational destination. The Treska River cuts through the mountains of southwest Skopje, forming the stunning landscape at Matka Canyon.

Understand
In the Povardarie region, Skopje is the financial and political center of North Macedonia and by far its biggest city. The city population is around 800,000, however unofficially during working-days it can almost reach more than 1 million, which is more than half of the population of the country. The most diverse in the country, Skopje houses many ethnicities; besides the majority Macedonians, many Albanians, Turks, Roma, Serbs, Bosniaks and others call Skopje home.

26 July 1963 is one of the worst dates in the history of Skopje. An earthquake struck the city at 05:17. 75% of the buildings in the city disappeared in just a few seconds. After that, the big rebuilding project began, trying to make Skopje the model city of the socialist world. The plan was drawn by the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, who also designed the new railway station. The plan was never fully carried out. Many reconstruction projects have started. Some towers of Kale Fortress and the old cathedral are being reconstructed, and the old theater is also under reconstruction. Skopje is an eclectic mix of Christian and Islamic culture, with both vying to make themselves visible. However, this cultural mix has also spawned a lively and varied society. You can see people playing chess in the morning in the numerous cafés and green spaces in the summer. In the evening, Skopje comes to life as the locals dine in the cafés before heading to the bars and live music clubs, most of which are open until 01:00 or later.

History
Apart from being the capital of North Macedonia, Skopje has always been a center of power long coveted by various empires, and occupied by a long list of them, evident by the several Byzantine churches and monasteries around the city, also by a few Roman sites, such as Scupi and Skopje's Aqueduct. The city founded by the Paeonians in the 3rd century BCE under the name ‘Skupi’ was prized for its strategic location, in a long valley between two hills, situated on the banks of the Vardar River, a vital trade route. Under the Romans, Skopje was made administrative center of the Dardanian Province. The city’s prestige grew when the Orthodox Church made it an episcopal seat during the early Byzantine Empire. The arrival of migrating Slavic tribes from the Carpathians in the 6th century CE changed the city’s name and the composition of its people were assimilated by the Slavic newcomers. Throughout the remaining Byzantine centuries, Skopje continued to be an important mercantile center, situated as it was at the crossroads of Balkan trade and communications routes. It was celebrated for its urban life and fortress, and renowned for having the most beautiful church in the region. In the 14th century, Skopje became the capital of the Empire of Serbia, which was one of the largest and strongest countries in Europe during that period. However, the group that left the greatest mark on Skopje were the Ottomans. At the very end of the 14th century, Skopje and all of Macedonia fell under the rule of the Ottoman Turks, who ruled Macedonia for over six hundred years and built a large number of mosques and other buildings. In the ensuing centuries, the look of the town changed with the construction of many mosques, Turkish baths, bridges, and other buildings attesting to the new Oriental influence. Today, the Ottoman legacy remains extremely visible in Skopje’s architecture and small Islamic minority. After North Macedonia was liberated from the Turks in the early 20th century, became a part of Kingdom of Serbia, then it became a republic of the Yugoslav Federation, with Skopje as the capital. At that time, the prosperous city boasted many ornate, Neoclassical buildings laid out harmoniously in a more or less Central European style. However, in 1963 a disastrous earthquake leveled much of the regal old city, and Skopje was reborn in the imaginative, futuristic style in vogue at the time. Today, Skopje is a modern city and North Macedonia’s major political, economical, educational, and cultural center.

Visitor information

 * Visit Skopje tourist information

By plane

Pristina (the Kosovo capital) may offer cheaper deals than flying directly into Skopje on some routes. There is public transport connecting it with the Pristina bus station for €3 and then you can take a €8 bus ride to Skopje on the top of the flight fare. International Airport of Pristina is 3 hours away by bus from Skopje.

Getting there and away:
 * By bus – TAV Airport Express goes by Capitol Mall, the Bus Terminal and the Holiday Inn. Timetable see website—rule of thumb is that the buses depart about 15-30 min after a landing, just outside of the exit gates. It takes 25 min to the city and costs 199 denars one-way. Tickets need to be bought from the office next to the exit gate. Credit cards and Macedonian denars are accepted. If you exchange money first, exchange as little as possible—€4 is enough for a single ticket—as the rate at the exchange offices in the airport are terrible.
 * Upon returning to the airport, buy your ticket from the dedicated TAV airport bus office inside the bus station, and catch the bus from the stop signed "Airport Bus" on the street underneath the viaduct of the train station (Kuzman Josifovski Pitu Кузман Јосифовски Питу), in front of the Zegin Pharmacy (Аптека Apteka). Buses are scheduled to arrive about an hour prior to a flight, so you'll have plenty of time for exchanging back your left-over denars, check-in, passport control, security check, and boarding in Skopje's quiet airport.

 * By taxi – Hailing a taxi would cost approximately €15-25 to centre, or arranging private hire beforehand for a lower price. According to a display board outside of the airport, the standard fare to Skopje is €25 (as of 2022). Standard taxi fares are established to other cities within North Macedonia as well.
 * By car – 20 km southeast. The airport is accessed by the main highway Belgrade-Skopje-Thessaloniki which connects it directly with the city.

By train

Check the Macedonian Rail website for train connection from and to Skopje, including Pristina, Kosovo (daily, 3 hr, €5). Though, the Kosovo train seems not to be running as of end of 2022. It is not possible to buy a train ticket with a credit card, but there is an exchange desk in the bus station in the same building.

The train Belgrade-Skopje-Thessaloniki has been cancelled indefinitely (Oct 2018). Check for instance Seat61 for up-to-date info.

By bus

Buses to cities and towns in North Macedonia leave many times daily. There are also buses to other major European cities.

 * A company running between Skopje and Sofia from the main bus station is Kaleia Travel with two departure per day, 07:00 and 17:30 (both ways). The ticket is about €25 (50 лв), and they take 5½ hr. You can also check the Sofia bus terminal website for any update to available options.

 * Pristina can be reached a few times per day (10:00, 11:45, 12:30, 15:00, 16:30, 18:10), 550 denars (steep increase in fall 2022).
 * Tirana is at least twice per day, 09:00 and 21:00, 600 denars.

By bus
Skopje has a vast, frequent and efficient bus network. A ride with the public (red in colour, run by the Skopje Public Transportation Agency (Јавното сообраќајно претпријатие Скопје)) and private buses (all the other colours) cost 35 denars if you pay with a Skopska card, or 40 denars if you pay by a mobile phone. There is also an option to ride in the buses with the application Skopska, where you can buy rides. The Skopska application (iOS, Android) has an English interface.

Also, there is a daily ticket which cost 120 denars for the city lines and 150 denars for all the lines.

Hotels will help with info, and the odd taxi fare can be saved!

As of April 2023, private buses are not running, but they are returning. All lines are operated by JSP.

By taxi
Taking a taxi in Skopje should normally not cost more than 300 denars. An example journey is from City Centre to Biser (a shopping centre with many bars and cafes that is popular with young people) which should take about 5-10 mins and cost around 150 denars.

From the train station to the center of the city is 2 km and should cost 50 denars. Never let yourself be talked into going somewhere where you did not plan to go in the first place. Like many cities in Europe, if you seem unsure and foreign, the charge will probably be higher so appear confident about the price and if the taxi driver still insists on a ridiculous price, find another taxi—there are plenty.

Many taxis have and will use their meter, so there should be no discussion about the price.

See

The largest concentrations of sights in Skopje are found in Centar and the Stara Čaršija (Old Town). The former is the modern hub of the city and contains newer attractions, while the latter is home to many of the city's historical sights. Outer Skopje is home to larger sights that are more spread out.

The Skopje Fortress stands above central Skopje, on the right bank of the Vardar. Much of the exterior walls, including several towers, remain, while excavations continue on the interior. The Stara Čaršija sits below the fortress to the south. Countless Ottoman-era structures makeup the historic district. Minarets from mosques like the 15th-century Mustafa Pasha Mosque dominate the district's skyline. The oldest of these mosques dates from 1436. Of the remaining Turkish baths, two are in good condition and now serve as museums. The three caravansaries in the Old Bazaar feature lovely courtyards and are open to the public as cafes or museums. While Islamic buildings are prevalent in the Stara Čaršija, it is also home to central Skopje's most important church, St Saviour Church, known for its wood-carved iconostasis.

One of the main symbols of Skopje, the Stone Bridge connects the Old Town to Centar on the left bank of the Vardar. Centar is home to the main government offices of North Macedonia. It is also home to Macedonia Square, the city's central square. The face of the square has changed with new buildings constructed in older architectural styles, as well as the addition of massive monuments like that of Alexander the Great, the centerpiece. Another major piece of the changes to Centar is Porta Macedonia, a large triumphal arch. The city's best museums are found in Centar, such as the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, the Holocaust Museum, and the Mother Teresa Memorial House, dedicated to the Skopje native.

Some of Skopje's best sights are found outside the city centre. Matka Canyon is one of North Macedonia's gems, both culturally and naturally. It is home to numerous medieval churches and monasteries, often hidden in the scenic mountains. Mount Vodno is capped by the Millennium Cross, overlooking the city and reachable via a cable car. In addition, archaeological sites dot the area, like the 55-arch Skopje Aqueduct. The Skopje Zoo contains a few hundred animals.

Do

 * Football – The national soccer team play at Toše Proeski National Arena, which is also the home of FK Vardar and FK Rabotnički. Several other club teams play in the city, the most recent Macedonian Football league winner being FC Shkupi.
 * Football – The national soccer team play at Toše Proeski National Arena, which is also the home of FK Vardar and FK Rabotnički. Several other club teams play in the city, the most recent Macedonian Football league winner being FC Shkupi.
 * Football – The national soccer team play at Toše Proeski National Arena, which is also the home of FK Vardar and FK Rabotnički. Several other club teams play in the city, the most recent Macedonian Football league winner being FC Shkupi.
 * Football – The national soccer team play at Toše Proeski National Arena, which is also the home of FK Vardar and FK Rabotnički. Several other club teams play in the city, the most recent Macedonian Football league winner being FC Shkupi.

Learn

 * Ss. Cyril and Methodius University - The Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje was founded in 1949 consisting three faculties and today it represents a family of twenty-three faculties, ten institutes and other institutions. The present structure of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University can be illustrated with the following figures: over 36,000 students from North Macedonia as well as over 700 foreign students are enrolled at all faculties; over 2,300 teaching and scientific staff and associates are engaged in the teaching, educational and scientific process at the faculties and over 300 at the institutes.
 * University American College Skopje - an institution for higher education that combines American and European methods.

Eat
North Macedonia’s capital offers something to satisfy all modern tastes and appetites. Make sure to try the famous Macedonian foods such as burek, Shopska Salata, and others.

Skopje’s eateries are plentiful and offer a diverse range of local and international flavors. International cuisine is well represented in Skopje with Chinese, Italian, Indian, Greek, Mexican, Middle Eastern and French restaurants all found within the city center. In addition, pizza and fast food places abound, as do small bakery cafes selling pastries such as the ubiquitous burek (a flaky filo pie stuffed with meat, cheese or spinach).

Cafes
It is not hard to find good cafes but a good place to start is by the riverside near the old bridge, and at night this becomes a lively party area as well.

Stay safe
Skopje, just like the rest of Macedonia, is a relatively safe place. But, the usual rules about common sense apply here as they would anywhere. The places where crime occurs most often are in the places where tourists have little reason to be at. Night time in the old market may have roving bands of youth and areas just east of it. Exercise a higher level of caution in these areas or avoid this area at night.

Like many other parts of Eastern and Central Europe, there are people who will beg around the major tourist sites, they especially target tourist-looking people, and sometimes may engage in pickpocketing.

Newspapers

 * Дневник (Dnevnik) – Was a daily newspaper in North Macedonia, published every day except Sunday. The first issue of Dnevnik was published on March 20, 1996.
 * Нова Македонија (Nova Makedonija) – The oldest daily newspaper in North Macedonia. It was established with decision of the presidium of ASNOM and remained a state owned newspaper, promoting the government line. The first edition was in 1944, in Gorno Vranovci, and contitutes the first document written in the literary standard Macedonian language.
 * Утрински Весник (Utrinski Vesnik) – The first issue of Utrinski vesnik was published on June 23, 1999. Its current editor is Erol Rizaov. It is published every day except Sunday.
 * Шпиц (Spic) – Was a daily newspaper in North Macedonia.
 * Вечер (Vecer)
 * Skopje Diem – Provides daily news from North Macedonia in English, as well as many useful info for expats in the country. The Team used to be NATO Press Centre in Skopje, and provides daily info on Macedonian matters for almost all embassies, international organisations and foreign media.
 * Skopje.IN – An electronic guide and news portal in English that publishes more general news about Skopje and North Macedonia.

Go next

 * Tetovo — Just 1 hr away, Tetovo is the site of the unique and beautiful Painted Mosque, and offers an opportunity to brush up your rusty Albanian skills
 * Ohrid – With its highly scenic hillside location overlooking the lake, no trip to North Macedonia is complete without a visit to Ohrid, the city of a thousand churches, or the "Balkan Jerusalem"
 * Kokino – If you want more hill and less lake. A beautiful scenic drive past Kumanovo takes you to a stunning paleolithic solar observatory discovered in 2001 atop a small mountain.

 * Kosovo – If you decided that what you need is yet another stamp on your passport, the "newest state of Europe" would be happy to arrange one for you, with its border just half an hour away from Skopje. While the national capital, Pristina, offers little beyond a convenient hub to travel around the country, the historic city of Prizren in southern Kosovo, nearer to the Macedonian border, is well worth a visit. While both cities can be managed as a quick day-trip from Skopje, Pristina is quite accessible by bus while Prizren is more complicated.

 * Thessaloniki, Greece – Around 4½ hr by bus is the second-largest Greek city with a long history and a popular destination for Macedonians looking for beaches.

title: Skopje


text:
Skovorodino

Skovorodino (Russian: Сковородино́, skuh-vuh-ruh-dee-NOH) is a town in Amur Oblast, Russian Far East.

Understand
The town is on the upper part of the Bolshoy Never River and has a population of around 11,000.

During Stalin's rule a well-known Russian priest and philosopher Pavel Florensky lived and worked here in exile.

By train
Skovorodino is connected by the Trans-Siberian Railway. It is also connected by a branch line north to Tynda on the Baikal-Amur Magistral Railway (BAM). It is also the proposed terminus for the first phase of the East Siberia Pacific Ocean (ESPO) oil pipeline, which is under construction by Transneft.

Buy
There is a gas station, grocery store and a small pharmacy on the main road Skovorodino St (ru: ул Сковородино).

title: Skovorodino