text:
Sintra

Sintra is a town in Greater Lisbon, Estremadura, Portugal. Its spectacular setting, 28 km from Lisbon, houses a Royal Palace, used by generations of Portuguese royalty prior to the 1910 revolution. The surrounding hills are surmounted by the remains of the Moorish Castle and by the 19th century Pena Palace.

Near Estoril, the majestic Sintra Mountains cast a veil of mystery over the town nestling on its northern slopes. The hills and the surrounding area have been classified as for their cultural significance and for their outstanding natural beauty.

Understand

The name Sintra (SEEN-truh, /ˈsĩ.tɾɐ/) is derived from the same root as the English word "sun". It is located in a mountain range some north-west of Lisbon, and approximately  from the Atlantic coast in the west. There is evidence of human activity in the area at least since the Paleolithic stone age. The site is famous for the Sintra Collar, a golden neck ring from around the 9th century BC kept at the British Museum in London. During the 8th century it became part of Al-Andalus, Muslim Iberia. The new rulers fortified one of the mountain tops, creating what is today called The Castle of the Moors. The castle remained in Moorish hands until 1147 when it surrendered to crusader troops, one month after the fall of Lisbon. In addition to the mountain top castle the Moors constructed a residential palace further down-hill. This palace, simply known as Sintra Palace, was eventually assumed as the summer residence of the rulers of Portugal. It has been expanded and rebuilt several times, and the oldest sections still standing today is a palace chapel constructed by King Dinis I during the early 14th century, as a gift to his wife Saint Elizabeth of Aragon. Other parts of the building where constructed during the reign of King John I, and King Manuel I, after whom the neo-gothic "Manueline" architectural style is named. King Afonso VI was imprisoned in the palace from 1676 until his death in 1683, after being deposed by his brother Pedro II. The palace was damaged in the great earthquake of Lisbon in 1755, but was later fully restored.

By the end of the 18th century Sintra's exotic and mysterious ruins and nature became renowned and awed by several romantic poets. Lord Byron called it the "Glorioso Eden" while Richard Strauss claimed it to be "a true garden of Klingsor, and there in the heights, a castle of the Holy Grail". It became a routine part of the Grand Tour, which many young nobles made around Europe at the time. As a consequence of its fame it became popular for Portuguese upper class to construct villas in the area, making Sintra something of a village of Chateaus.

The most notable of these residences is Pena Palace; a romanticist castle on a mountain top, constructed by the King-Consort Ferdinand II of Portugal 1838-1854, out of a former Hieronymite monastery. After the death of Queen Maria II, Ferdinand remarried the Countess of Edla. He caused national outrage when he donated the palace to his new wife, but the matter was eventually settled as palace was sold to King Luís in 1890. It was then used as a residence for the royal family until the 1910 republican revolution. After the revolution the palaces were nationalized and opened to the public, and to an ever-growing stream of tourists.

Although it's a freguesia (civil parish) of Sintra municipality, Queluz has its own separate article.

By train
The town proper is a 10-minute walk from the train station. However, city buses to the center can be caught from the small bus stop directly on the right as one exits said station. These are the same buses that take circular routes to all the tourist sites, and offer tickets good for all day, so odds are one would be buying one of their tickets anyway.

 * Queues for the ticket machines may be shorter, but may be equally slow as many machines take coins only, and many tourists may not understand how to operate them. Tell the machine that you want a ticket for two trips; you will need one for the outward and one for the return journey. Remember to validate your ticket by touching it to the checkpoint before boarding the return train. Keep the used ticket, as you can re-charge it for other trips in and around Lisbon.
 * Queues for the ticket machines may be shorter, but may be equally slow as many machines take coins only, and many tourists may not understand how to operate them. Tell the machine that you want a ticket for two trips; you will need one for the outward and one for the return journey. Remember to validate your ticket by touching it to the checkpoint before boarding the return train. Keep the used ticket, as you can re-charge it for other trips in and around Lisbon.

By bicycle
Cycling in Sintra can be an interesting day out for those who are fit and have some experience.

If staying in Sintra and around a local company is a good option for you.

In case you are visiting Sintra then your best bet is to book a tour or rent a bike e.g. in Lisbon, take the commuters train from Rossio station to explore Sintra and/or the Nature Reserve finishing in Cascais, a beautiful day trip on a bicycle, in the end take a train back to Cais do Sodre station in Lisbon where you may drop back your bicycle. Adult return ticket is around 3 or €4 and bicycles travel for free every day of the week.

Companies operating from Lisbon include:

By bus
It's probably best for most visitors to take one or more of the public bus routes. The routes are one-way and circular, with a stop in front of each of the major tourist sights, so keep this in mind when planning the order in which you see each sight. One ticket is good for all day on that particular bus route. Think a relatively cheap hop-on/hop-off bus route, and you have the idea. All the buses stop directly at the train station as well (just to the right upon exiting), so they can be caught immediately upon arrival via train.

There are several of these circular routes, but probably for most the 434 and 435 routes are of greatest interest.

434: Route: Sintra Train Station -> Sintra City Center -> Moorish Castle -> Pena Castle -> return

435: Route: Sintra Train Station -> Sintra City Center -> Regaleira Palace -> Seteais Palace -> Monserrate Palace -> return. The "Linha Monserrate" that picks up passengers in front of the Palácio Nacional de Sintra is only a "sight-seeing" bus, it does not deliver you to Monserrate.

As of May 2024, the charge is now €13.50 for a 24h ticket that allows you to use the 434 and 435, which should give you access to all of the main attractions.

The general frequency of the buses is around 20 minutes. You may purchase the tickets on the buses at any of the stops.

There are also, actual "hop on/hop off" buses (the big red buses one sees in so many cities), but with a significantly higher price, and unclear advantage over their cheaper public equivalents. To get to Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca), the westernmost point of mainland Europe, take the Scotturb 403 bus (Direction = Cascais). The journey takes about 40 minutes.

Check the price of a rideshare e.g. Uber if you have a family or group as it can work out cheaper than the bus.

By tuktuk
The 434 bus is usually completely full by the time it reaches the historic centre of Sintra. Tuktuks are freely available to go up the mountain to the fort, or Pena (ask to be dropped off at the high entrance if you are going to Pena). Then walk back down the hiking trail, which begins at the far end of Pena car park.

By car
Parking is abysmal, the roads narrow & windy, and on a holiday weekend Sintra can be absolutely packed with cars and people. If you must drive to Sintra, park in one of the several parking lots below the town center and walk up into town.

On foot
Why not just get extra exercise and walk it all? If you are fit and only wish to visit the Moorish Castle and Pena Castle, walking the 1.1 km nature trail with a 200-meter elevation gain is a much more pleasant alternative to the crowded buses that often get stuck in traffic. For everyone else, although the bus system is not particularly cheap at €13.50, it provides a convenient way to reach these sights. The walking trail through the woods to the Moorish castle starts above the Sintra city at. It is reasonably well signed, but best to get a map from the tourist office or ticket counter at Sintra National Palace. Once you have made the journey to the castle, it's only few more minutes walk up the hill on the main road to the Pena Palácio. The walk to Monserrate from the Sintra town center is still approximately one hour but is less strenuous.

By tram
The tram of Sintra (Elétrico de Sintra) runs from Largo Dr. António José de Almeida, a square north of the railway line between the Sintra and Portela de Sintra railway stations, to Praia das Maçãs on the coast. The service is operated by restored trams dating from the early 20th century. For the summer of 2016, the tram service ran 6 trips/day between 10:20am and 5pm from Wednesday to Sunday. The tram trip to Praia das Maçãs takes 45 minutes.

Since 2016, the Sintra tram has a station at Largo Dr. António José de Almeida selling tickets, newspapers, postcards, railfan books and even wines of the region. The station has washroom facilities.

The tram line has had a history of full and partial closures for maintenance; thus, one should consult the web site. However, the line has operated in 2015 and 2016.

For more information:

Parques de Sintra sites
Admission prices and opening times of the sites can be found on the Parques de Sintra website, where you can buy tickets. Buy online to avoid a long queue. You get a 15% discount for buying 3 days in advance, and small discounts for buying tickets for more than one site. Sintra can be extremely busy, particularly in summer, and especially at weekends. The main sights are best visited at the start of the day (most open at 09:30) or late afternoon (most are open until 19:00-20:00) to avoid the crowds and queues.

Do

 * Praia das Maçãs is a small, and surprisingly calm, seaside resort about 30 km to the west of Lisbon and about 13 km from[Sintra. Flanked by restaurants, it has a salt water pool, sports facilities and children's playground. Take the tram from Sintra (the stop is next to the Museum of Modern Art) and ride downhill 13 km. The ride takes 45 min and is delightful.

 * On the way to Praia das Maçãs, 8 km on the tram, you can stop at the Adega Regional de Colares, i.e. the Colares Winery for a taste of this very rare wine.

Buy
Souvenirs and Porto wine are all on sale in the Sintra historic district. There are a number of shops that sell standard tourist items (post cards, t-shirts, etc.) and shops that sell ceramics, pieces of art and hand crafts. If you are looking for gifts for friends and family, Sintra has a broad selection of items to choose from.

To get something truly unique and local, consider cork products that range from wallets to umbrellas. These original products wear like leather and are environmentally sound, as well as attractive.

Eat

 * Queijadas mainly the ones from "Casa do Preto"
 * Travesseiros da Periquita

Drink

 * If you have the chance, you should try the Hockey Club, just in the beginning of the street that goes up to the Piriquita (the most well known coffee shop in Sintra due to its marvelous egg sweets).

Go next

 * Lisbon — the capital of Portugal
 * Queluz — home of Queluz National Palace

title: Sintra


text:
Sint-Truiden

Sint-Truiden (French: Saint-Trond) is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg in the Flanders region, near the towns of Hasselt and Tongeren. The municipality includes the old communes of Aalst, Brustem, Duras, Engelmanshoven, Gelinden, Gorsem, Groot-Gelmen, Halmaal, Kerkom-bij-Sint-Truiden, Ordingen, Runkelen, Sint-Truiden proper, Velm, Wilderen, and Zepperen.

The city is in the centre of Belgium's fruit producing region, Haspengouw (French: Hesbaye), and is renowned for its pears, apples (Jonagold), and sweet cherries.

By train
The is about 600 m west of the main square in the centre. From Brussels main station (Centraal/Centrale) the train takes 58 minutes to reach Sint-Truiden. Leaving Leuven the journey takes 31 minutes.

By bus
The Flemish national bus company, De Lijn, has lines to Sint-Truiden from for example Hasselt, Landen and Tienen. More information regarding different timetables (only in Dutch): online.

By bicycle
There are several very well-maintained bicycle networks leading you to the city centre without the need of using the regular roads. It will let you discover the beauty of the region.

By car
You can exit the E40 motorway at exit 25 called Tienen or exit 28 called Sint-Truiden, from both exits it's about 20 minutes to the town.

By plane
Brussels Airport is relatively close and you must change in Leuven to hop on a train to Sint-Truiden. The budget airport of Brussels South / Charleroi is a worthy alternative. To get to Sint-Truiden you must change in Brussels.

Get around
The town centre of Sint-Truiden is compact and can easily be discovered on foot in a short amount of time.

Do

 * Football: Sint-Truidense VV play soccer in Pro League, Belgium's top tier. Their home ground is Stayen (capacity 14,600) 1 km west of town centre.

Connect
Sint-Truiden has 4G from all Belgian carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not reached town.

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

title: Sint-Truiden


text:
Sion

Sion (German: Sitten) is the capital of the canton of Valais in Switzerland. With a population of 35,000, it is the biggest city in the canton and a regional centre. The cantonal administration as well as many of the higher schools are located here.

Get in
The train is probably the easiest way to make it into Sion. Half-hourly trains arrive to from Brig and Geneva passing through all major towns in Valais. Regional trains also depart half-hourly in either direction. Eurocity trains on the Geneva - Milan line and seasonal TGV trains from Paris stop here at irregular intervals.

Sion lies on the A9 highway and has two exits (Sion-Est and Sion-Ouest) either of which can be used to access the city centre.

Get around
There are public buses running around the city, however, the frequencies are not that great and a big part of the historical core of the city is not accessible by bus. The city is largely walkable and as such walking might be the most convenient way of getting around the city.

See
The Basilique de Valère and the Château de Tourbillon are the two most prominent sights in Sion. They stand on two neighbouring hills and can be see from far. Nevertheless they are relatively easy to walk to from the city centre and the views are breathtaking.

Do

 * Football: FC Sion were promoted in 2024 so they play soccer in Swiss Super League, the top tier. Their home ground Stade Tourbillon (capacity 14,300) is 1 km west of city centre. In 2025 it hosts games in the UEFA Women's Euro Finals.

Buy
While Sion might seem like a bit of a backwater town to outsiders, it is actually the biggest city in the region. Here you can find a couple of the very few departmental stores of the Valais as well as well stocked supermarkets. If you rented a self-catered apartment in the mountains and count on cooking anything with non-basic ingredients, this will be the place for you to stock up.

Eat
Most of the traditional restaurants are located within the old town around the pedestrian area. However there are also quite a few choices outside the centre or closer to the railway station, so it pays of to have a walk around.

Sleep
Plan wisely, this area can be a little expensive depending on the time of year. And during the winter months many Hotels and Hostels will be closed so if one is planning on making Sion more than a day trip, try to come after April.

Go next

 * Anzère is a mountain resort 15 km north of Sion. Take the bus from Sion main station (40 min) for skiing in winter or hiking in summer.
 * Crans Montana is the larger resort further east.
 * Venture further up the main valley into the German speaking towns of Visp and Brig.
 * Montreux is an attractive town on Lake Geneva, with Chillon Castle perched on an islet.

title: Sion


text:
Sioux City

Sioux City is on the western edge of the state of Iowa. It is on the Missouri River and many parts of Sioux City are among the unique Loess Hills formations.

Understand
Sioux City sits on the cusp of the westernmost reaches of the industrial Midwest. Most of the rest of the United States between it and Denver is dominated by wide expanse of sparsely populated prairie. Sioux City is proud of its frontier history and you can find markings all over town dedicated to the western exploration done by Lewis and Clark. The Sioux City metropolitan area (Siouxland) covers portions of three US states; it is primarily in Iowa, but extends westward into South Dakota (North Sioux City) and Nebraska (South Sioux City).

Orientation
Sioux City sits on a major bend in the Missouri River and this dominates its geography. The state boundaries are marked by rivers. The Missouri River divides Nebraska on the South side from Iowa and South Dakota on the North Side. The Big Sioux River divides Iowa on the east side from South Dakota on the west side. Interstate 29 (I-29) runs along the Missouri River in Iowa until it enters South Dakota where it then follows the Big Sioux River. I-29 is the major highway used to access Sioux city. In Sioux City, Gordon Drive divides Sioux City into North and South. Lewis Blvd is the main thoroughfare that runs North and South on the East Side of town while Hamilton Boulevard is on the west side of town. In Sioux City street numbers increase as you move north away from the river. In South Sioux City, Nebraska street numbers increase as you move south away from the river. U.S. Hwy 20/75, sometimes referred to as "the bypass" is on Sioux City's easternmost side and curves around the mall area eventually crossing into Nebraska.

By car
Sioux City is accessible by a number of highways. Interstate 29 connects Sioux City to as far north as the Canadian border, and as far south as Kansas City. Highway 75 extends to the northeast and southwest of Sioux City, to cities such as Le Mars, Iowa, and Tekamah, Nebraska. Highway 20 brings motorists for the east or west to Sioux City, all the way from Indiana and Wyoming, respectively.

By boat
Yes, it sounds crazy but you can arrive in Sioux City by boat from any coastal city on the planet. Sioux City sits at the northernmost reach of the navigable Missouri River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River which is the only in the lower 48 to be longer than the Mississippi itself. This means you can take your boat (or perhaps shallow draft luxury yacht) from Sioux City all the way to the Gulf of Mexico by way of the Mississippi River through St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans. From the Gulf it is to anywhere you are adventurous enough to go.

Public transit

 * Taxi Service-several taxi companies operate in the Siouxland area.
 * Taxi Service-several taxi companies operate in the Siouxland area.

On foot

 * Trails- Sioux City, Iowa and the major suburbs of South Sioux City, Nebraska, and North Sioux City, South Dakota, all maintain a network of walking trails that connect to each other through Sioux City. Trails are walking and bicycle friendly and include a connection over the Siouxland Veterans Memorial Bridge which connects downtown South Sioux City, Nebraska, to downtown Sioux City, Iowa.
 * Trails- Sioux City, Iowa and the major suburbs of South Sioux City, Nebraska, and North Sioux City, South Dakota, all maintain a network of walking trails that connect to each other through Sioux City. Trails are walking and bicycle friendly and include a connection over the Siouxland Veterans Memorial Bridge which connects downtown South Sioux City, Nebraska, to downtown Sioux City, Iowa.

Ride sharing
Lyft and Uber operate in the Siouxland Region.

Car rental
Many car rental companies operate at Sioux City Airport and throughout town.

See

 * Sergeant Floyd Monument, 2601 S Lewis Blvd. Obelisk honoring the fallen Lewis and Clark expedition member with great views over the Missouri River and into Nebraska.
 * Sergeant Floyd Monument, 2601 S Lewis Blvd. Obelisk honoring the fallen Lewis and Clark expedition member with great views over the Missouri River and into Nebraska.
 * Sergeant Floyd Monument, 2601 S Lewis Blvd. Obelisk honoring the fallen Lewis and Clark expedition member with great views over the Missouri River and into Nebraska.
 * Sergeant Floyd Monument, 2601 S Lewis Blvd. Obelisk honoring the fallen Lewis and Clark expedition member with great views over the Missouri River and into Nebraska.
 * Sergeant Floyd Monument, 2601 S Lewis Blvd. Obelisk honoring the fallen Lewis and Clark expedition member with great views over the Missouri River and into Nebraska.
 * Sergeant Floyd Monument, 2601 S Lewis Blvd. Obelisk honoring the fallen Lewis and Clark expedition member with great views over the Missouri River and into Nebraska.

Live theatre
Sioux City has a robust performing arts scene including multiple theater companies and many venues to catch a live performance.

title: Sioux City


text:
Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls is a city of about 184,000 (2019) in Southeast South Dakota. Founded in 1883 in what was then known as the Dakota Territory, Sioux Falls has grown from a sleepy Midwestern town into a resort for shopping and tourism in the northern Great Plains. It is widely recognized as the largest urban center between Minneapolis and Denver.

Understand

 * Experience Sioux Falls website

Get in
Sioux Falls may be traveled by car, but also has courier and taxi service, as well as trolley service downtown in the summer. There is a municipal bus service, but it shuts down rather early in the evenings. The Sioux Falls Airport (FSD), 2801 N. Jaycee Lane, is the major airport in the area. The Sioux Falls Bus Terminal (SXF), 1500 W Russell St, serves virtually the entire continental North America.

By car
Sioux Falls is at the intersection of two major interstates, I-90 and I-29. Another interstate, I-229, travels from the southwestern part of the city to the northeastern part. This forms a loop around the city.

From Chicago, travel west on I-90 to Sioux Falls. Approximate travel time is eight hours.

From Denver, travel east on I-76 into Nebraska until the I-80 interchange. Merge east onto I-80. Stay east on I-80 until you reach Omaha. From there, go north on I-29 to Sioux Falls. Approximate travel time is nine hours.

From Kansas City, travel north on I-29 to Sioux Falls. Approximate travel time is five hours.

From Minneapolis, travel south on I-35, and then west on I-90 to Sioux Falls. Approximate travel time is four hours. An alternative route would be US Highway 169 southwest of out the western suburbs of Minneapolis. Travel south on Minnesota State Highway 60, just west of Mankato. Travel southwest to Worthington, and travel west on I-90 to Sioux Falls. Approximate travel time is four hours.

From Fargo, travel south on I-29 to Sioux Falls. Approximate travel time is four hours.

From Montana, Wyoming, and Rapid City, Travel east on I-90 to Sioux Falls. Approximate travel time from Rapid City is five hours.

Once in Sioux Falls, the interstate exits are:

 * Exit 75/I-29: Intersection with I-229, which runs from the southwest to northeast corner of the city
 * Exit 77/I-29: 41st Street, a key area for shopping, restaurants, and hotels
 * Exit 78/I-29: Louise Avenue/26th Street, another link to the shopping area around the Empire Mall
 * Exit 79/I-29: 12th Street, another major east-west street that leads to the downtown area
 * Exit 80/I-29: Madison Street, the exit to reach the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds
 * Exit 81/I-29: Russell Street/Maple Street, the Arena/Convention Center/Falls Park exit with numerous hotels
 * Exit 82/I-29: Benson Road, exit to new housing development on the northwest side
 * Exit 83/I-29: 60th Street North, the airport exit
 * Exit 84A/I-29: Intersection with I-90 East
 * Exit 84B/I-29: Intersection with I-90 West
 * Exit 395/I-90: Marion Road
 * Exit 396A/I-90: Intersection with I-29 South
 * Exit 396B/I-90: Intersection with I-29 North
 * Exit 399/I-90: Cliff Avenue, exit to the airport, as well as Falls Park
 * Exit 400/I-90: Intersection with I-229

By bus
Jefferson Lines provides bus service into Sioux Falls from a number of U.S. and Canadian cities, including Dallas, Tulsa, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Chicago, Billings and Winnipeg. Connections with Greyhound and numerous other bus companies mean Sioux Falls is accessible from anywhere within the continental USA, Canada and Mexico. Fares range from $50-200 round-trip, depending on your point of origination. All buses arrive and depart from the Sioux Falls Bus Depot.

The terminal has been described as one of the nicest in the country - it is clean, comfortable with a TV lounge, internet cafe, souvenir gift store and snack bar.

 * Sioux Falls Bus Depot, 1500 W. Russell Street, . It is within walking distance (less than a half-mile) to the Sioux Falls Arena & Convention Center and the surrounding hotels.

Onward car transportation from the bus station to all parts of South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota from Sioux Falls by Cross Courier & Dispatch.

By car
While there is some public transportation in Sioux Falls and taxis are generally available, the easiest way to get around the city is by car. Roads are generally well-maintained (with the occasional summer road construction) and traffic is quite light by typical North American standards, especially considering the exponential growth of the city.

Sioux Falls is at the intersection of I-29 and I-90. Another interstate, I-229, runs from the southwest to northeast corner of the city, meaning that the vast majority of Sioux Falls is accessible via an interstate.

Most of the major attractions, shopping areas, and dining establishments are located near two major east-west roads - 12th Street and 41st Street. Minnesota Avenue also has a large selection of restaurants and shopping places.

By bus
Sioux Falls Metro operates 15 bus routes throughout the city. Fares are $1 for adults with books of 10 available for a 15 percent discount.

Buses generally run every half-hour during the day, but nearly all routes stop running by 7PM and bus service on weekends is very limited.

By ride share
Lyft, ride share service has been available in the Sioux Falls area since 2017. (Uber is not).

By taxi
There are a handful of taxi services that operate in Sioux Falls. Fares are reasonable by U.S. standards:

 * Best Taxi - Affordable Airport Taxi, +1 605-496-3751.
 * Reliable Taxi Service Sioux Falls South Dakota, +1 605-653-2754.

By trolley
Sioux Falls Transit operates a trolley that operates Monday through Saturday from 10AM-8PM during the summer, and on Saturdays through the fall. The trolley operates through downtown Sioux Falls from Falls Park to the Washington Pavilion.

Falls Park
The natural wonder that gave Sioux Falls its name, Falls Park offers multiple viewing areas and a five-story observation tower. From there, you can view not only the impressive waterfalls but some of the city's earliest and most historic buildings.

Do

 * - located in Sioux Falls
 * - located in Sioux Falls
 * - located in Sioux Falls

Golf
Sioux Falls has a surprising range of golf options for a mid-sized city, with courses of varying degrees of difficulty and comparably low greens fees. It is important to call early for tee times, especially in the spring and early summer.

There are two other golf courses in town, associated with the Minnehaha Country Club and Westward Ho Country Club, but they are rarely open to non-members.

Sports
Sioux Falls is home to a number of professional sports teams that play a variety of sports. It is also home to two NCAA Division II schools and one Division I conference, with the conference holding its men's and women's basketball tournaments in the city.
 * The University of Sioux Falls Cougars and the Augustana Vikings college sports programs are based in Sioux Falls.
 * The University of Sioux Falls Cougars and the Augustana Vikings college sports programs are based in Sioux Falls.
 * The University of Sioux Falls Cougars and the Augustana Vikings college sports programs are based in Sioux Falls.
 * The University of Sioux Falls Cougars and the Augustana Vikings college sports programs are based in Sioux Falls.
 * The University of Sioux Falls Cougars and the Augustana Vikings college sports programs are based in Sioux Falls.
 * The University of Sioux Falls Cougars and the Augustana Vikings college sports programs are based in Sioux Falls.

Outside of town
If you're interested in a night of gambling, Grand Falls Hotel & Casino is less than 15 minutes east of Sioux Falls on Highway 42 and Royal River Hotel & Casino is less than one hour north of Sioux Falls in Flandreau.

Eat
Sioux Falls offers many ethnic restaurants throughout the city, offering ethnic Balkan, Italian, Ethiopian and eastern Asian cuisine. You can also find all of the usual chain restaurant suspects (everything from Outback Steakhouse to Olive Garden) the number of remarkable independent restaurants is small. However, there are a few eateries in the budget (less than $10), mid-range (less than $20) and splurge (more than $20) categories to get you by.

Splurge

Drink
Sioux Falls does sport a variety of nightclub options:

Sleep
Accommodations in Sioux Falls are plentiful. Budget accommodations will generally run less than $60 per night, while a mid-range hotel shouldn't cost more than $100. Since most hotels cater to business travelers, weekend deals are frequent and it doesn't hurt to call the hotel directly to try to get the best rate.

Go next
Sioux Falls is an ideal launching pad for several day trips.

 * The two major state universities in South Dakota. South Dakota State University in Brookings and the University of South Dakota in Vermillion are each within an hour's drive on I-29.
 * Just a few miles west of Sioux Falls on I-90, Buffalo Ridge offers a cowboy ghost town experience.
 * The town of Mitchell is approximately one hour west of Sioux Falls on I-90, and is home to several attractions including the world-famous Corn Palace.
 * The Black Hills are approximately a four-to-five-hour drive west of Sioux Falls, which makes the city a convenient stopping point either going to or coming from that tourist destination.
 * Palisades State Park is northeast of Sioux Falls (Exits 406 and 410 off I-90). Buy a day pass into the park and explore the beautiful pink cliffs and rocks. You can even rock climb there if you have your own equipment.

title: Sioux Falls


text:
Sipadan

Sipadan Island (Pulau Sipadan in Malay) lies off the east coast of Malaysian Borneo. The island is known above all for some of the best scuba diving anywhere in the world. You can visit the island on a day trip, but it is no longer possible to stay on Sipadan.

Understand
Together with the nearby island of Ligitan, Sipadan was long the subject of a territorial dispute between Malaysia and Indonesia. In 2002, the International Court of Justice awarded both islands to Malaysia.

Get in
Getting in requires some effort. Most visitors fly to Tawau from either Kuala Lumpur (3 hours) or Kota Kinabalu (50 minutes), continue by minivan or taxi to the port town of Semporna (1-2 hours) and from there to Sipadan itself (1 hour by fast boat).

Get around
Walking along the beautiful sandy beaches, snorkeling sites on all sides of the island can be reached. Scuba divers usually will take a boat a few minutes from the beach to their dive site.

The beautiful sandy beaches and the coral reef are rich with marine life. On the island, there are large monitor lizards (over long) that sometimes come out onto the beach or even into the water.

Diving
Sipadan claims to be the world's best dive site. While this is a big claim, the diving here is certainly world-class. Sipadan used to have resorts but to protect the environment these were closed in 2002. To dive on Sipadan you have to stay somewhere nearby, such as on Mabul or in Semporna, and take a boat to the island.

Because Sipadan is now a protected site, only a few hundred divers are allowed daily. It's best to make reservations as early as possible to increase your chances of getting on the list. Sipadan dives are capped at two per person per day (as of October 2022).

From the main beach of the original resort, it is a mere 20m wade over the reef to reach the top of the reef wall dropping –. Sipadan is surrounded by very rich reef life consisting of both hard and soft coral as well as all manner of reef fish. Sea turtles and white-tip reef sharks can be seen on almost every dive and hammerhead and leopard sharks can also be seen at times. Visibility ranges from to  and above.

A barge accident in 2006 did some damage to the reefs at Sipadan, crushing a portion of the reef on the old pier and Barracuda Point and dumping its cargo of gravel in the area. This was not one of the best dive areas, but clean-up operations and other repercussions did restrict diving in the months since.

The rate for three dives at Sipadan is around MYR 560. Rates vary slightly among different operators. Boat transfers and packed lunches are included. Permits are limited to 120 per day and are typically obtained by the dive operators. You should verify that the diver operator you choose is diving at Sipadan with permits, as some companies have been caught diving on the island without permits.

Check diver reviews of dive operators in the area before choosing. Many have had customer complaints regarding faulty equipment.

Dive shops include:

 * North Borneo Dive & Sea Sports located in Semporna.
 * Seaventures Rig Resort a converted dive platform, PADI 5* IDC Centre and resort 2 minutes off Mabul Island.
 * Uncle Chang's Sipadan Mabul Dive Lodge on Mabul island. The office is near Dragon Inn in Semporna.
 * Seaventures Rig Resort a converted dive platform, PADI 5* IDC Centre and resort 2 minutes off Mabul Island.
 * Uncle Chang's Sipadan Mabul Dive Lodge on Mabul island. The office is near Dragon Inn in Semporna.
 * Seaventures Rig Resort a converted dive platform, PADI 5* IDC Centre and resort 2 minutes off Mabul Island.
 * Uncle Chang's Sipadan Mabul Dive Lodge on Mabul island. The office is near Dragon Inn in Semporna.
 * Uncle Chang's Sipadan Mabul Dive Lodge on Mabul island. The office is near Dragon Inn in Semporna.
 * Uncle Chang's Sipadan Mabul Dive Lodge on Mabul island. The office is near Dragon Inn in Semporna.

Snorkeling
For non-divers snorkeling is an option on Sipadan. From the beach, the reef is easily accessible, and parts of the reef further out can be reached by boat. A wide variety and number of reef fishes, corals, and with a bit of luck, sharks, barracuda and turtles can be seen without leaving the surface. Note that currents and boat traffic (especially if duck diving) are the major hazards in offshore areas, and cryptically colored stonefish may be a hazard in the shallows.

A buoyed-off area from the 'safe' side of the jetty gives snorkellers the safest and potentially most productive snorkeling area. Note that the phenomenal drop-off that makes this island so special, starts where the jetty ends.

Several dive tour operators bring snorkelers to the island at an all-inclusive rate of around RM490.

Buy
With all resorts closed down, there is nothing to buy on the island.

Eat
There are no restaurants, and dive tours bring their own lunch and snacks with them.

Drink
Dive tours bring their own water and drinks with them.

Sleep
All resorts on Sipadan have been closed in order to preserve the island in a pristine state. Diving is still permitted and possible by day-trips from the nearby town of Semporna.

Alternatively, there are also resorts on the nearby islands of Mabul (25 minutes by boat) and Kapalai (15 minutes by boat).

Another possibility is to "live aboard" in Semporna on MV Celebes Explorer with 8 cabins and a guaranteed Sipadan permit.

Stay safe
The islands used to be disputed between Malaysia and Indonesia, leading to instability and a highly publicized case of 20 tourists being kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf rebels in 2000. However, an International Court of Justice decision sided with Malaysia, and the area is now regularly patrolled by the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Go next

 * Mabul Island is home to high-end hotels and a few hostels. The entire island is an interesting mix of local communities living on fishing and supporting the tourist industry. The island is a great base for diving and there is a hotel oil rig off the island. All places to stay there require pre-booking and you will be transferred.

title: Sipadan


text:
Sipalay

Sipalay is a city in Negros Occidental. Population, including rural areas administered as part of the township, is around 70 thousand.

Understand
Sipalay's beaches, coral reefs, caves and waterfalls are little-known, making it one of the best destinations for a trip off the beaten path. You'd find its white beaches deserted. Locals know about it — it is a popular destination for city dwellers from Dumaguete or Bacolod who want peace and quiet for a change — but tourists generally do not.

Get in
Sipilay is down on the southern coast of Negros Island, near the border of that island's two provinces. It is usually reached via either of the provincial capitals, Bacolod or Dumaguete, both of which have busy airports and sea ports. It is connected to both via a coastal highway and is roughly equidistant between them. There is also an inland highway to Dumaguete with some pretty mountain terrain and some rather scary driving.

The cheapest way to get there would be on a series of jeepneys, for example one from Dumaguete to Zamboanguita then others onward to Sipalay. This may be appropriate if you are on a tight budget or want some intermediate stops, but most travellers choose buses because they have air conditioning, much better seating, and better facilities for luggage.

By bus
There are many buses going to and from:
 * Bacolod, 168 km away.
 * Kabankalan 66 km.
 * Bayawan, 76 km.
 * Dumaguete, 165 km.

By plane
Air service is no longer available.

See

 * Coca Cola wreck

Do
Dive the coral reefs.

Go next

 * Bayawan
 * Kabankalan
 * Bacolod
 * Dumaguete

title: Sipalay


text:
Si Phan Don

Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands, Lao: ສີພັນດອນ) is a group of islands in the Mekong River in Southern Laos.

Islands

 * Don Det
 * Don Khon
 * Don Khong

Understand
The Four Thousand Islands have three main destinations for travellers：Don Khong (ດອນໂຂງ) is the biggest, but apart from the usual chill and look there's nothing great to do there. Most people head to Don Det (ດອນເດດ) or Don Khon/Don Khone (ດອນຄອນ), where accommodation is cheaper, you can walk to one of the big Mekong-Falls by yourself, and biking and walking and swimming in the river is just the same as in Don Khong.

Drugs such as marijuana and mushrooms are available in Don Det and are tolerated by some of the patio restaurants by the river. But though it is not uncommon to see people passing joints around at some restaurants, do not just assume that marijuana is fine anywhere.

Get in
Take a bus going down Rte 13 towards the Cambodian Border, for example from Pakse to Ban Nakasang, and take the river ferry at Ban Nakasang that crosses over to Don Khong and Don Det. A "jumbo" from Pakse to Ban Nakasang cost 70,000 kip, and a ferry from Ban Nakasang to Don Det is 15,000 kip per person if there are multiple people going, or 30,000 kip for just a single ticket. In comparison, joint tickets including a minibus ride from Pakse to Ban Nakasang and a ferry ticket to Don Det cost 65,000 kip.

Coming from Cambodia you can take a van from Kratie (US$15) or Stung Treng (US$12) which includes the boat trip to Don Det or Don Khong. Some guesthouses in Kratie may try to sell you the ticket for US$50. The border crossing is in the middle of forest and there is pretty much nothing else there than a few customs officials and a bad road on the Lao side. So you definitely want to get a ride all the way to Four Thousand Islands. You may not find any transportation at the border and if you do it's probably a rip-off.

There is a bus from Phnom Penh that leaves in the morning to Don Det. It takes around 7 hours to get there with minimal stops on the VIP bus (once in Kratie and once to stop for lunch). Near the Lao border, an employee of the bus will ask for passports and the fee for the Laos visa. No need to step out of the bus to immigration, the worker takes care of everything. Don Det is another 30 min away. Most get it for US$30-35, but citizens of a few countries have to pay more. Oddly for Canadians it is US$42.

You can arrive also by boat from Stung Treng. The boats leave in the morning. Many tourists have been made to pay around US$50 after the border for transportation to Four Thousand Islands. So again it's best to book the trip all the way to your destination if possible.

Be careful: Travel agents will give you cash to pay for the boat ride from Ban Nakasang to Don Det. They might only give you as little as 5,000 kip. The fare is at least 15,000 kip (depending on the number of people going).

Get around
It's mostly people power. The islands are small enough that you can walk, although to get to some of the more far-flung destinations a bicycle will be nice. They can be rented everywhere. If you're feeling super-lazy, you might convince a local to take you on the back of their bike for a small fee. There is one British man with a Lao wife and son who rents a 100cc motorbike for 90,000 kip (2012) for 24 hours, passport required. The road in Don Det is very rutted and muddy in some areas so one should take caution, either on a bike or motorbike.

See
A beautiful set of islands, set against a lazy and winding section of the Mekong. Be sure to check out the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia, and have conversations with the friendly locals. Outside of the tourist town, one can get a glimpse of local people, rice farms and plenty of farm animals, including lots of cows and chickens as well as some ducks, pigs, and water buffalo. There are also several temples about of average quality, however, it is interesting to get away from the tourists to see the locals and their life. Be sure to take off your shoes, just as in the rest of Laos.

Do
There isn't much to do in Si Phan Don, but that's the point. The islands are laid back, with small huts mixing in with guest houses along the banks of the Mekong. But, if you get a bit restless, try these:

 * Rent a bike for about US$1.50 and pedal around the two main islands.
 * Li Phi Falls (entrance fee) are easily accessible on Don Khon.
 * Khon Phapheng Falls (30,000 kip), the largest waterfalls in Southeast Asia, are accessible by tuk-tuk from Ban Nakasang on the mainland.
 * Take a boat tour around the area. These start at around US$5, or just ask a local boatman if you want to go somewhere specific.
 * Some visitors take candles, guitars and drums to the north beach (boat landing) on Don Det for a beach parties. These parties are met with little enthusiasm by the authorities, the locals and other visitors. Your guesthouse may offer alternative sunset parties at more remote locations reached by boat.
 * Pink Dolphin Tours are very popular day trips on the island. For around US$10, you get taken by bus and boat to a small patch of sand, which is in Cambodia. There you drink beer—Angkor, not Beer Lao—and watch small pink spots bop in the distance. It's not bad, and usually includes a stop at a nearby waterfall to round off the afternoon.

Buy
Not too much. Stock up in Pakse or if you forgot something, look around in Nakasang before boarding the boat to the islands. That is your last chance for forgotten items. There are some items for purchase on the islands, including sunscreen and other items. Don Det also has small markets with other items

Eat
A standard menu of Laotian food and backpacker favourites (banana pancakes, garlic bread, pad Thai) are on top at most places. Some try to get fancy with special pizzas and exotic smoothies. It's very hit and miss, but never terrible and the service is friendly. You'd be hard pressed to spend more than US$3 on a meal here.

Eat the Lao food. It is delicious and everything is handmade. Keep in mind the food will be spicy unless say otherwise. Try to avoid "Western" food because the quality will be lower. Don't eat the pizza, happy or not.

Drink
Beerlao on the Mekong. Available about every 200 m on the island, big bottles for 10,000 kip. Head toward the west part of the island (where there are only a few guesthouses) for a great view of the sunset.

Fruit shakes on every menu. About 15,000 kip (February 2024).

The Don Det community, like most of Laos, closes down at around 23:00. There is usually one place that might stay rocking for another hour or so.

Sleep
Guesthouses galore, at prices that are dirt cheap even by SE Asian standards. Most of these guesthouses have bungalows by the river, and include a mosquito net, double bed and porch. Toilets and showers are mostly shared. There's electricity, though it may go out occasionally. Most options cost about 50,000 kip per night. Up-scale bungalows are available with hot water showers and air-conditioning, which of course cost much more.

Don Det: Select from dozens of options that are more or less the same - however, there might be some differences with things such as mattresses and condition of mosquito nets.

Cambodia
Those going to Cambodia can buy bus tickets on all of the islands. The prices might seem a bit expensive, but this is due to the fact that travelling in Cambodia is more expensive than in Laos.

There are two companies that offer transport to Siem Reap, Kratie, or Phnom Penh. The international bus from Pakse to Phnom Penh will take you straight to its destination, without much trouble (departure at Ban Nakasang around 09:45, arrival at 19:30 depending on the weather, costs about US$14), for Siem Reap you change into a less comfortable looking bus somewhere 70 km north of Phnom Penh (arrival around 21:30). The other company, whose tickets are sold everywhere in all the hostels and restaurants on Don Det, takes you with a small van or bus to the border, where you change, after another hour or two waiting in the heat, to another bus or minivan. Later on, for Siem Reap switch again into bus or van. Those tourists getting stuffed in the minivan at the border had to sit later on in the aisle of the bus on plastic chairs or had to just stand for half an hour. Prices for this trip are generally US$2 less when booking from the border, but definitely not worth the waiting, changing and discomfort. Make sure not to take the regular tourist bus. If you don't find this international bus, better choose going back to Pakse and take a bus from there. Best is probably to take a flight from Pakse.

Ticket price should include the fare of the boat as well. Don't be tempted to buy a ticket going only to the border since it is very hard to get a ride from there.

Buses leave early every morning from across the river. It's about an hour to the border, but that's only the first stage in what's sure to be a long day of travel. After paying a US$1 "stamp tax" on the Laotian side and on the Cambodian side another US$23 for the visa plus US$1 for "processing" (and another US$2 if you forgot a photo). There is also a US$2 health check which is a hassle. Some people are able to skip this as there is no check later on. There is usually a "VIP" (tourist-minibus) leaving around noon at the border, but better have that organised before as the border is not much more than a street, two barriers and some bored guards in the middle of the jungle. If you want to break your travel, consider stopping at Kratie, which is a nice little city on the Mekong.

If you really want to take the bus to Cambodia then make sure to split the trip to Siem Reap and take a rest in Kratie where you will arrive in the early evening. After Kratie the ride in the regular buses gets worse as they make several stops in the middle of nowhere and drinks and food are very expensive at those stops. You will be switching buses again at approximately 22:00 after waiting for another hour. Then you get stuffed again into an overfilled bus where there will be no space left. You will arrive at Siem Reap between 01:00-02:00, which makes a travel time of 18 hours and not 12 as claimed on the posters.

Realize that time has not much meaning here so leaving the dock at 11:00 means that one goes about 11:30 or when the next boat is full. Some of the boats are better than others, the worse being long canoes. Upon reaching the "mainland", one has to wait with a group of other foreigners for transportation going their way, with the boss squeezing as many people as he possibly can. Leaving Don Det requires patience and a cool head. Give yourself plenty of time.

Pakse and Champasak
Tickets sold on the island, departures are daily at 11:00, are 60,000 kip including both bus and boat.

title: Si Phan Don


text:
Siping

Siping (四平; Sìpíng) is a city in Jilin Province.

Eat & Drink

 * Darts tournaments, daily Happy Hour (7pm-8pm) and a friendly, English speaking staff will make any Westerner feel at home in this pleasant bar - not to mention the luxurious restaurant that sits above it.
 * Darts tournaments, daily Happy Hour (7pm-8pm) and a friendly, English speaking staff will make any Westerner feel at home in this pleasant bar - not to mention the luxurious restaurant that sits above it.

title: Siping


text:
Sipsey Wilderness

The Sipsey Wilderness, part of Bankhead National Forest in northwestern Alabama, is the third largest Wilderness area east of the Mississippi River. The wilderness has an abundance of waterfalls, and the color of the water in the streams is opal blue. The Sipsey Wilderness has a good deal of camping, hiking and canoeing options.

History
Much of the wilderness was once logged, but new growth forests have now taken hold in the logged areas. Some old-growth forests can also be found in the wilderness. The most significant are about 260 acres (110 ha) along Bee Branch Gorge and Buck Rough Canyon. Faults in the 1964 Wilderness Act made it essentially impossible to designate a wilderness area anywhere east of the Mississippi River. Mary Ivy Burks of Birmingham worked to establish a Sipsey Wilderness Area in the Bankhead National Forest at a time when many believed that "The Wilderness Act" should apply only to the western part of the United States. She was in the forefront of what became known as the Eastern Wilderness Movement. Her work to secure the Sipsey Wilderness in the Bankhead National Forest was her crowning achievement.Alabama would be the agent of change, as a strange union of environmentalists, loggers, bird watchers, and others joined together to push to change the Act to allow for the designation of Sipsey as a wilderness area. Thanks to a bill introduced by Senator John Sparkman, the Eastern Wilderness Areas Act of 1975, the wilderness was finally designated with an original size of 12,000 acres (4,900 ha). The wilderness would be expanded in 1988. Thanks to the changes made to the Act, dozens of wilderness areas have been designated across the United States. The Sipsey Wilderness helped to show that a smaller plot of restored land in the eastern US could be a wilderness just as much as a larger tract of virgin land in the west.

Landscape
Sipsey's rugged landscape is what has kept it wild. The wilderness covers land where a low plateau has been carved into a thickly forested maze of canyons and hollows. These canyons and hollows are not that deep, but they are quite steep. When you add this fact to Alabama's heavy rainfall, you get the wilderness's specialty: waterfalls.

Flora and fauna
Much of the wilderness was once logged, but new growth forests have now taken hold in the logged areas. Some old-growth forests can also be found in the wilderness. The most significant are about 260 acres (110 ha) along Bee Branch Gorge and Buck Rough Canyon, which include old Eastern Hemlock, American Beech, Sweet Birch, White Oak, and Tulip Poplar.

Get in
The Wilderness lies roughly 2 hours east of Huntsville, the closest commercial airport. From Huntsville, take I-565 to Decatur. When 565 ends, continue onto US-72 going east. After about 5 miles, take a left onto US-72. Take another left onto AL-24 (Moulton St) after about a mile. Follow for 18 miles, then left onto AL-33 and follow for another 14 miles. Take a slight right onto Cranal Rd and after another 4 miles you will arrive at the Sipsey River trailhead and parking area.

Fees and permits
$3 at the 209-Sipsey River Trail Head, other trails and parking areas are free of charge.

Get around
Being a wilderness area, the only way to get around in Sipsey is your own two feet.

See
The wilderness area has several waterfalls that can be reached by its network of hiking trails.

Do
Camping, hunting, fishing, and horseback riding are allowed in the park.

Eat
Haleyville and Moulton are the closest towns to Sipsey, with many of the national and regional fast food chains being present. Nesmith's on Court St in Moulton is a family-owned place serving tasty burgers and the typical American fare.

Sleep
Backcountry camping is allowed throughout. There are no designated campsites in Sipsey itself, but a primitive campground called Wolfpen is located off of Cranal Rd past the Sipsey River trailhead. The closest campground with RV hookups is about 45 minutes away on Bear Creek Lake near Haleyville.

There is a Days Inn in Moulton with rooms from $55. There is a motel in Haleyville with cheap rooms, a large residential population, and a poor local reputation.

Stay safe
One of Sipsey's biggest draws, its high bluffs, is also one of its biggest dangers. The bluffs are often hidden behind thick brush. Watch where you walk.

Venomous Copperhead snakes are quite common in the Sipsey Wilderness. Watch where you are stepping, and you should not have any problems with them.

Go next
The Jesse Owens Museum and Memorial Park, dedicated to the sprinter who won gold for the US at the 1936 Olympics, and the Oakville Indian Mounds Site are both located in Oakville about an hour east of Sipsey.

The longest natural bridge in the Eastern United States can be found about 50 minutes to the south at Natural Bridge Park, off of US-278.

50 minutes to the east lies Dismals Canyon. The nature preserve is known for "Dismalites", strange glowworms that can be seen on night-time tours.

title: Sipsey Wilderness


text:
Siquijor

Siquijor is a small island province in the Visayas lying some 22 km east of Southern Negros. While the coastline is mostly white sand beaches fronting the ocean full of tropical marine life, the interior is mountainous.

Understand
The Spanish named it Isla del Fuego due to the intensity of its fire flies. Legend has it that Siquijor rose from the sea during a tremendous thunder storm and one can still see fossils and shells on Mount Bandila-an, Siquijor's highest point.

Get in
Siquijor has only a small airport with few scheduled flights; it is about 5 km west of Siquijor town. Construction to expand it into a full airport capable of handling international flights is underway as of March 2020.

The nearest reasonably large airports are in Dumaguete and Panglao Island. Dumaguete Airport has no international flights but is well-connected to domestic destinations including all the main airports for international arrivals. Panglao Airport has international flights from South Korea, China, and Japan. The main air hub of the region is Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Metro Cebu. Panglao airport in Bohol Province also handles international flights. From any of those, one generally reaches Siquijor by ferry.

There are frequent passenger ferries from Cebu City (Cebu Island), Dumaguete (Negros island), Tagbilaran (Bohol) and Plaridel (Mindanao):
 * There are many ferries daily from Dumaguete to . Ferries cost and are operated by "Delta shipping lines" and "GL shipping lines". There is also a slow car ferry that costs  and takes 2 hours, operated by "Montenegro shipping lines".
 * Fast ferry from Cebu City run by 'Oceanjet' takes 5 hours to reach Siquijor town, it makes interim stops in Dumaguete and Tagbilaran. Price from Cebu -, from Tagbilaran - (2016).
 * Slow ferries from Plaridal and Tagbilaran dock at, both operated by "Lite Shipping lines". Ferry from Tagbilaran costs , takes 3 hours, leaves Tagbilaran on M W Sa at 8PM. in the opposite direction leaving Larena on Tu Th Su at 7PM (2016).
 * There is a direct ferry from Larena port to Liloan port in Santander at the southern tip of Cebu Island. the ferry departs liloan Port going to Larena Port at 10AM every day. Ticket costing . From Liloan port there are many buses going to Cebu City and some along the island's west coast to Moalboal.
 * There are also Ceres buses plying Siquijor from Cebu South Bus terminal.

Get around
There is a paved road running around the coast of the island.

San Juan is the main tourist area, though there are lots of other options. Within San Juan you can walk to some places, but the town is spread out along several km of seaside so for many trips you will need a trike or jeepney.
 * Hire a motorbike for per day (2016). Available at the port in Siquijor town, San Juan town and almost all resorts. However, resorts generally charge higher prices and very often require customers to return bikes before 6PM in order to force guests to have dinner at resort's own restaurant.
 * Hire a tricycle. For instance, price from Siquijor town to San Juan town is, while a day tour of the island is (2016). If you arrive by boat in Siquijor Town, then on your left as you walk off the pier toward where the tricycles congregate there is a large sign showing prices for various journeys. Drivers may ask for more, but the sign gives you a fine tool for bargaining and a lower limit below which you know the drivers will not go.
 * Jump on a jeepney; prices are very low, Siquijor town to San Juan - (2016). Although they run fairly rarely, mainly departing when full.

San Juan

Do

 * Visit Bolo Bolo healing ritual, Shamans and witches

Scuba diving
There is really good diving around the island, especially the southern end. Dive shops on the island also make trips all the way to the Apo Island (excellent) and Baligasac.

Banks & ATMs

 * PNB bank ATM in Larena (but only Visa cards are accepted).
 * Metro Bank ATM in Siquijor town, on the main road. (It accepts MasterCard and Visa.)

Eat

 * Rastaman Grill and Seafood. In the center of San Juan. Chicken, pork, seafood and vegetarian dishes. European and Filipino style, price low to midrange but great taste. Friendly staff and some nights have live music.

Sleep
Most people stay in some resort next to the beach around the island like San Juan. One quiet and remote option is the northwest tip of the island.

Budget

Stay safe
Power outages happen every couple of days and last for 1-3 hours (2016).

Connect
Most hotels and restaurants have WiFi with generally very slow internet. Cliff Side resort near Larena has high-speed 10mbps internet (March 2017).

Mobile coverage is limited to larger towns and villages where a full 3G signal can be acquired. And it's patchy or nonexistent in remote/sparsely populated areas (2016).

Cope
Many hotels prohibit guests from bringing in outside food, this way trying to increase their own restaurants' income.
 * Generika Drug Store. National Highway Corner Caridad Street Siquijor town. lower prices.

Go next
There are ferries to several nearby places:
 * Metro Cebu, the regional transport hub
 * Dumaguete in Negros Oriental, quite close
 * Tagbilaran on Bohol

Moalboal is a popular diving destination on Cebu Island. It can be reached via Dumaguete; see directions at Moalboal. Alternately, there is a ferry direct from Siquijor to Santander, the southernmost municipality on Cebu Island and buses from there to Moalboal.

title: Siquijor


text:
Si Racha

Si Racha (ศรีราชา) is in Eastern Thailand, between Bangkok and Pattaya, and is the gateway to the island of Ko Si Chang.

Understand
Si Racha, (Siracha, Sri Racha or Sriracha), Chonburi Province. Si Racha district is about one hour's drive from Bangkok. Si Racha's port and nearby Laem Chabang, the largest port in the country serving the eastern seaboard industrial provinces. Pattaya is 30 km south. 10 km north of Si Racha is Bang Saen, a seaside resort popular with locals. Chonburi Province is one of the more industrialised provinces of Thailand, although most of the province is hilly, agricultural plantations.

Many Japanese and Korean expat workers live in the area and work on the nearby industrial estates. The town itself has a newly redone waterfront, but doesn't have much in terms of sandy beaches.

Get in
Most buses between Bangkok and Pattaya that run along Sukhumvit Rd stop at Robinson's or at Tukcom. A modern eight lane motorway has been built connecting the eastern seaboard with Bangkok, as well as to U-Tapao International Airport. It is the only airport in southeast Thailand to have direct flights, bypassing Bangkok. Older Sukhumvit Road road goes through downtown Si Ratcha to Chonburi and Pattaya, but is often congested.

Buy
The town has a Robinson's department store and a cinema.

Eat
Si Racha is famous in Thailand for its seafood, served with a fiery chili sauce known as nam prik si racha (น้ำพริกศรีราชา Si Racha spicy sauce).

Sleep
There are a few guest houses for 400 baht/night on the stinky waterfront.

Go next

 * Take the boat to Ko Si Chang.

title: Si Racha


text:
Sirigu

Sirigu is a little village in Ghanaian Northern Plains.

Understand
Sirigu a scenic village in the Upper East Region of Ghana, in a fairy-tale savannah landscape with beautiful, typical Northern traditionally decorated houses, trees, and farmlands.

The people of Sirigu are mostly farmers, growing sorghum, millet, groundnut and keeping cattle, goats and fowl and livestock. Several years of intensive farming and poor rainfall has degraded the land to the extent that even subsistence farming in threatened. This is made worse by low prices of farm produce and unreliable rains.

Sirigu is well known for its basketry, pottery, traditional architecture, and wall paintings. Many children owe their education and healthcare to income generated from the handicraft and traditional arts produced by the women of Sirigu. Consequent decline of yields form farm has made it even more urgent to revive these artforms and to leverage it as an important source of income for the women for the upkeep of their families.

Women in Sirigu are socially and economically disadvantaged in the community due to the largely male-dominated traditional system; the have a low literacy rate and have to combine household chores with the heavy farming workload. Pottery-making, basketry, wall-painting and canvass painting therefore provide the only means for them to earn their own income and also serve as a platform to develop and express their age old individual potentials and identity.

Sleep

 * The guesthouse inside the SWOPA compound which consists of five rooms, decorated in the traditional style, with beautiful frescos in relief inside. Each room is fully mosquito proofed and has double beds. One of the rooms is self-contained; the remaining four rooms have a shared bathroom and toilet.

title: Sirigu


text:
Sirkazhi

Sirkazhi is a small town in the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

It is situated near the banks of the river Kollidam (Coleroon). This picturesque town has a beautiful and spotlessly clean Shiva temple. Brahmapureeshwarar (Shiva)- Thirunilainaayaki (Parvathi) are the main deities. On the banks of this temple's tank was where "Thirugyanasambandhar", one of the great Saivite saints, as an infant was fed the milk of wisdom by Goddess Parvathi herself. The temple's cleanliness is noteworthy. The temple is maintained spotlessly clean sadly, in stark contrast with other temples in India. Yet another famous temple town of Vaitheeswaran Koil, famous for its Shiva temple as well and its "Nadi Jyosiyam", a unique way of astrology is situated less than 5 km from Sirkazhi.

This article also covers Vaitheeswaran Koil.

See and do
This temple has extensive landed properties including 1176 acres of dry lands and 6105 of wet lands. Jewels to the value of ₹1,60,750 are kept here to adorn the deities during festival days, and many additions like silver and gold cover for the images, and gem-set crown, have been added to the collections by the devotees and the head of the Dharmapuri Adheenam.
 * Kalai koodam In Poompukar
 * Kaazhicheeraama Vinnagaram - Vishnu Temple, one of the 108 divya desams. Trivikraman, the deity here is Vishnu in his avatar as Vamana, wherein he asked for 3 footsteps of Land and went onto measure all 3 worlds. This temple is situated in this town.
 * Navagraha Temples
 * Poompukar Beach
 * Thirunangur Divya Desams - There are 12 Divya Desams (temples of Lord Vishnu) which are situated in and around Thirunangur, which is about 20 km from Sirkazhi. One of them, Tirunagari is the birthplace of Thirumangai Azhwar. The Thirunangur divya desams come alive during the Thai Amavasai (New Moon day in the month of January) during which the 12 Deities of these divya desams are taken in procession on Garudan. One of the most beautiful sights to be seen.
 * Trancebaur Fort
 * Tirupulliruku Velur, popularly known as Vaitheeswaran Koil, is one of the most important Saivite shrines of Tanjore District. It's enclosed within tall granite walls, in the centre of the town.

There is a big car to take the image in procession during the Chitra festival and it was constructed at a cost of ₹12,000. Many silver and gold trays have also been endowed by the rich devotees and are used during the important festivals. This temple is administered ably by the Dharmapuri Adheenam.

The birth place (Avathara Sthalam) of the great Vaishnava saint-poet Thirumangai Azhwar (also called Kaliyan) called ThirukkuRaiyalur is situated near Sirkazhi. The exact birth location where the great Azhwar was born is marked with a small statue of his, just outside the thirukkuRaiyalur Narasimha temple.

Buy
You can buy Artistic works of poombuhar those made of kilinchal, and sea items.

Eat
You can eat South Indian vegetarian cuisine, including puliyotharai, pongal in Hotel Anantha Cafe or your non vegetarian cuisine in Katta Mudaliar or in Murugan Kadai Parotta or Ayarpadi Mess.
 * Sri Thaiyal Nayaki Vilas Hotel near the main entrance of the temple. It's an old traditional Brahmin's Hotel.
 * Sri Thaiyal Nayaki Vilas Hotel near the main entrance of the temple. It's an old traditional Brahmin's Hotel.

Drink
Don't miss the Thunder which is available near to Peria kovil.

Sleep
You can go to lodge which is very famous in sirkazhi, Sri Balaji Tourist home
 * Sri Akshardham Hotel food is good. Check-in and check-out 24 hr. So be sure you check in late if you have a connecting train or bus next day. The place is at the center of 4 of the 9 Navagraha Sthala's. Charges are around ₹900 per day and room service.
 * Sri Guru Lodge, Amman Sannathi, Ph: 94435 65208. The contact person is Mr.Kumar - Mobile: +91 9443565208.
 * Sri Thaila Lodge, Amman Sannathi. Ph: +91 04364 -279405. Mobile: +91 94439-85979, 99448-86682.
 * Sri Vishwa Lodge, Amman Sannathi. Ph: +91 043-64279132. Mobile: +91 94882-15132/94435-64207.

Go next

 * Chidambaram
 * Pondicherry

title: Sirkazhi


text:
Sisaket

Sisaket (ศรีสะเกษ, sometimes Si Saket) is a town and a province in Isaan, Thailand.

Understand
With a long history, the area around Sisaket has had a strong culture and a prosperous economy since the Khmer era over one thousand years ago. Moreover, many ethnic tribes settled here such as the Suay, Lao, Khmer, and Yer. Sisaket became a town in 1759 during Ayuthaya period. In the reign of King Rama V, or around a century ago, the town moved to its present location.

With plenty of Khmer Ruins, Sisaket is an interesting destination to visit. It is also the gateway to visit the world famous Preah Vihear ruins, a cliff-top Khmer sanctuary most of which is just across the border in Cambodia. The province grows a wide variety of fruits, such as rambutan and durian. These are typically available at the beginning of rainy season around May. Much of the local population are near-subsistence farmers earning an average of about 100 baht or USD3 per day.

By car
From Bangkok, use Hwy 1 (Payolyothin Rd) then Hwy 2 (Mitraphap Rd) from Saraburi. Near Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) take Hwy 24 (Chock Chai-Det Udom) to reach Sisaket. This route is 571 km.

By bus
Buses and air-conditioned coaches leave the Northeastern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) in Bangkok for Sisaket daily. The journey takes 8 hours. For more information, visit The Transport Co., Ltd. or call +66 2 9362852-66 or Sisaket Bus Terminal at +66 45 612500.

By train
Ordinary, rapid, and express trains regularly leave Bangkok and Bang Sue Station for Sisaket. The route is 515 km. For more information, call the State Railway of Thailand at 1690, +66 2 2204334, +66 2 2204444, and Sisaket Railway Station at +66 45 611525.

For getting around in Sisaket City, tricycles are readily available. Moreover, there are buses from downtown Sisaket to other towns as well as provinces nearby.

Get around
There are no meter-taxis or tuk-tuks, but you can hire a motorbike-taxi or take a samlor (three-wheeled bicycle-taxi).

See
Sisaket Province is famous for its ruins dating to the Khmer Empire.

 * Tamnaksai ปราสาทตำหนักไทร (Tamchan ปราสาททามจาน) Khmer ruins – This is a single stupa of brick on a sandstone base. The stupa is rectangular. There is door on the east, while the other three sides have entrances with a door frame carved into the brickwork.

 * Bas relief – Carved on the red sandstone cliff, this depicts three gods in Khmer style. Khmer craftsmen probably practiced here first before doing the actual carving for Preah Vihear Temple sanctuary.

 * Sra Trao or Huay Trao – This stream runs through rock at the foot of Preah Vihear Mountain, before entering a tunnel strengthened by rock walls. It is assumed that the lowland was once used as a barai, a Khmer reservoir.

 * Sra Kampaeng Noi (ปราสาทสระกำแพงน้อย) – These Khmer ruins include a laterite stupa and chapel with a big pond at front, all within a laterite wall. In the 13th century, additions were made in the Bayon architectural style. It once contained a community hospital known as the Arokaya Sala.

 * Sra Kampaeng Yai (ปราสาทสระกำแพงใหญ่) Khmer ruins – This is the largest and most complete Khmer complex in the province. The site includes three stupas on the same north-south axis and facing east. It was originally a shrine dedicated to Shiva, but was converted to a Mahayana Buddhist temple in the 13th century.

 * Huay Tap Tan (ปราสาทห้วยทับทัน) or Ban Prasart (ปราสาทบ้านปราสาท) Khmer ruins – This consists of three brick stupas on a laterite base aligned on a north-south axis. They stand inside laterite walls with arch gates.

 * Plang Ku (ปราสาทปรางค์กู่) Khmer ruins – The stupa of this Khmer ruin complex was built in gigantic size. In front of Plang Ku is a big pond which is home to ducks and geese, which gather from February.

 * Ban Samor (ปราสาทบ้านสมอ) Khmer ruins – This small Khmer ruin is in Moo 2 Ban Tamchan, Tambon Samor. Built in the 13th century, its stupa houses a carved statue.

 * Taleng (ปราสาทตาเล็ง) Khmer ruins – This features a single stupa standing on a rectangular base. The stupa's base faces east. Only the front wall and some side walls remain.

 * Wat Maha Buddharam (วัดมหาพุทธาราม) – This Buddhist temple's vihara houses Luang Por To, the sacred icon of Sisaket. Dating back to the Khmer era over a thousand years ago, the statue was carved from stone.

 * Somdet Sri Nagarin Park (สวนสมเด็จศรีนครินทร์) – With a landscape of rolling hills, the park is nourished by two streams, Huay Poon Yai and Huay Poon Noi that meet north of the park. The area is rich in "Lamduan" or Lamdman trees, making it a botanical excursion.

 * Khun Ampai Panich Building (ตึกขุนอำไพพาณิชย์) – The building belongs to Sisaket nobleman Khun Ampai Panich (in Naga-siharat). It is renovated and preserved, and won gold medal for conserving urban architecture in 1987.

 * Namtok Samrong Kiat (Namtok Pisad) (น้ำตกสำโรงเกียรติ [น้ำตกปีศาจ]) – Originating in Kantung Mountain in the Bantad Range, this medium-sized waterfall turns vibrant from September to February.

 * Namtok Huay Chan (Namtok Kantrom) (น้ำตกห้วยจันทร์ [น้ำตกกันทรอม]) – Originating on Phu Salao Mountain in the Bantad Range, the waterfall cascades beautifully before meeting the Mun River.

 * Sisa Asoka (ศีรษะอโศก) – is a model of communal self-sufficiency, showcasing people who live a Buddhism-centric lifestyle. Its success attracts numerous organisations to study its story.

Phra Viharn National Park

 * Khao Phra Wihan National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาพระวิหาร) – The park features dry evergreen forest, mixed dipterocarp forest, and deciduous dipterocarp forest with tree species like Pterocarpus macrocarpus, Shorea siamensis, and Xylia xylocarpa. It is home to wildlife such as boars, deer, barking deer, rabbits, squirrels, gibbons, and civets. Phra Viharn National Park features interesting sights including:

 * Mo E-Dang – One of the best viewpoints in the northeast, the red rock cliff face is on Thai-Cambodian border.

 * Don Tuan – Built during the 10–11th centuries, the Khmer ruins in Ban Phume Sarol are 300 metres from the Thai-Cambodian border. Legend has it that a lady known as Nang Nom Yai or Nieng Non dor (Khmer), stopped to rest here on her way to visit a king.

 * Double Stupas – Two sandstone stupas, or phra that, cube-shaped with round tops, are west of Mo E-Dang cliff. The stupas house items that indicate the prosperity of the Khmer period.

 * Namtok and Tham Khun Sri – The three-tiered waterfall, above the cave, is west of Sra Trao close to the trail to Phreah Vihear. Khun Sri Cave is of gigantic proportions and was believed to have been the accommodation of Khun Sri, a nobleman who controlled rock cutting at Sra Trao at the time of the construction of Preah Vihear sanctuary.

 * Namtok Phu La-Ō (น้ำตกภูละออ) – In Phanom Dongrak Wildlife Sanctuary, Tambon Sao Thongchai, the small waterfall turns vibrant from September to February.

 * Preah Vihear (ปราสาทเขาพระวิหาร) sanctuary – The famous cliff-top Khmer sanctuary is in a disputed area between Thailand and Cambodia. It was listed as an antique architectural site by the Royal Thai Fine Arts Department, with an announcement in the Royal Gazette on 11 October 1940. The ruins were claimed by Thailand to be on the Thai side of the natural watershed which, according to the agreed determination between France and Siam in 1907, would place them inside the borders of Thailand. However, on 15 July 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled that the Hindu sanctuary belongs to Cambodia, citing Thailand's acceptance of the map of the 1907 determination which clearly showed the temple to be on Cambodian soil. Access must still be made through Thailand, since it is difficult to reach from the Cambodian plains 100 meters below. An area of 4.6 square kilometres adjoining the temple is claimed by both countries and has been the scene of sporadic clashes between Thai and Cambodian border patrols.

Festivals

 * Dok Lamduan Festivals (งานเทศกาลดอกลำดวน): Held annually between 15–17 March at Somdet Sri Nagarin Park when lamduan trees in the park are in full bloom, The fair consists of cultural performances by four local ethnic groups: Khmer, Suay, Lao, and Yer. Visitors can view handicrafts, local products, and watch reenactments of Sisaket's history.

 * Sisaket's Rambutan and Durian Fair (งานเทศกาลเงาะทุเรียนศรีสะเกษ): The fair is held every June on the field before Kantaralak or Khun Harn. Fairgoers can marvel at the fruits of Sisaket: rambutan, durian, lanson, mangosteen, stink beans and enjoy flower floats, documentary exhibitions, and a fruit tasting caravan.

 * Half- and Quarter-Marathon to Mor E-Dang (การแข่งขันวิ่งฮาล์ฟและควอเตอร์มาราธอนสู่ผามออีแดง): Held annually on the third Sunday of December, the half- and quarter-marathon proceeds from Ban Phume Sarol to Mor E-Dang Cliff, on the way to Preah Vihear.

Buy

 * Sisaket is known for silk and cotton cloth woven in khit pattern, which is produced mainly in Bung Boon and Uthumporn Pisai.

 * Salted eggs from Prai Bung, red onions, garlic, and preserved garlic in honey are generally available. Sisaket is also known for its tropical fruits. Fruit orchards in Kantaralak District bear fruit such as durian, rambutan, and mangosteen from May to July.

Eat
Sisaket is in the heart of Isaan. You will find excellent Isaan food everywhere. There are quite a few good restaurants in Sisaket. But maybe the best offer in town is the lively evening market adjacent to the railway on the south side of the train station. There you will find a wide variety of cooked, baked and barbequed food for reasonable prices. The evening market opens at 17:00 and closes at 21:00.

Local dishes
Grilled chicken on madan (mangosteen) skewer or kai yang mai madan is one of the most popular dishes in Sisaket Province. Chicken is skewered on a stick of madan wood. Madan, being mostly found in Huai Thap Than District, is used by local people because of its aroma, is hard to burn and gives a slightly sour taste. Kai yang mai madan is promoted as the local OTOP (One Tambon (meaning sub-district) One Product) of Thailand.

Ma kuear soup is not a soup. It is a combination of Thai eggplant, fish meat, red onion, chili, and Thai herbs. It looks gluey like nam prik. This dish consists of vegetables and herbs, so it is simple for local people to find the ingredients. The dish is served with fresh vegetables like cucumber, coriander, and cow-pea beans.

Drink
There are a few places you can go in the evening or night life. One of the most famous being Sugars on Lak Muang Rd. Then you could go off to the Nona Disco on Kuang Heng Rd, and last but not least, to the I-Bar in the Prompiman Hotel on Lak Muang Rd, not far from the train station. In the I-Bar you can meet the trendy young locals and listen to live music. Dress properly, no beachwear, or you will be refused at the door.

Go next

 * Anlong Veng — to the south in Cambodia
 * Preah Vihear — ancient Khmer temple, about two hours to the south
 * Surin — about two hours to the west, known for the annual Elephant Roundup
 * Ubon Ratchathani — provincial capital of Ubon Ratchathani Province, about an hour to the east

title: Sisaket


text:
Si Satchanalai

Si Satchanalai (ศรีสัชนาลัย) is a city in Lower Northern Thailand, close to Sukhothai. Si Satchanalai, which literally means "City of Good People", was founded in 1250 as the second center of the Sukhothai Kingdom and as a residence of the crown prince in the 13th and 14th centuries. The ruins and monuments of Si Satachanali are maintained by the Fine Art Department of Thailand. Si Satchanali along with Sukhothai and Kamphaeng Phet are UNESCO World Heritage Sites

By train
Si Satchanali is not connected with the rail network. The closest train station is in Phitsanulok, about 100 km away.

By car
By car, from the provincial city of Sukhothai, take Hwy 101 (Sukhothai–Sawankhalok-Si Satchanalai route) to km18–19. Turn left to cross the Yom River. Then, turn right for another 1.5 km. The total distance is 68 km. Alternatively, a Sukhothai–Si Satchanalai bus is available.

From Sukhothai
Buses are available from Sukhothai Bus Terminus to Si Satchanali. The buses travel from Sukhothai to Chiang Rai and stop at Si Satchanali. The distance is 55 km, takes about an hour and costs 50 baht. Buses are available from the morning till about noon. For the return journey buses are available from noon and the last bus leaves at about 16:00 (though confirm that).

Get around
Si Satchanali is can be covered by a day trip from Sukhothai or as an independent destination.

Cycle
From

Cycles are available on rent for 20 / 30 bhat. The shop is located next to the bus stop. From the shop cycle southwards and cross the Yom River on a rickety suspension bridge

to reach the ruins.

Walk
The ruins inside the city walls of Si Satchanali can be covered by foot. Other sites would be best visited with a vehicle.

Tram
An electric tram operates only within the walled complex.

See
The monuments of Si Satchanali are divided into two groups"
 * Inside City Wall
 * Outside City Wall

Inside City Wall
The walled city lies along the bend of Yom River. The wall have 6 gateways. Among the six the Ramnarong Gate is the most accessible with the

next to it. There is a toilet and bicycle rental 30 baht. Foreigner entrance is 100 baht and 10 baht for bicycle. A map of the sites is provided. The walled complex has several other minor sites like ,, , . Also present are several name lees monuments denoted just by numbers , ,

Buy
Outside the Si Satchanali city walls are a number of vendors selling drinks, snacks, ice cream, and other small things popular with the numerous school groups that visit.

There are also silver and antiques shops along the road to the historical park.

Eat
There are a number of local restaurants selling Thai food on the road into the historical park.

Beer Garden: large restaurant that can cater for the number of school/university groups that visit. On the river with nice views. There are two caged "rescued" gibbons at the entrance for some reason.

Go next
Back to Sukhothai on the same road.

title: Si Satchanalai


text:
Sisian

Sisian is a city in Southern Armenia, in Syunik region. It is a good base to visit multiple attractions in the area such as the Ughtasar mountain, and the thousands of petroglyphs on top, the monastery of Vorotnavank, Tolors reservoir and the church inside it, Zorats Karer, Shaki waterfall and others.

Understand
Sisian is on river Vorotan with a weather always cooler than Yerevan.

By bus

 * Yerevan – Several marshrutkas a day. The ride takes about 4 hours.
 * Goris – 1 or 2 a day (2,000 dram, 45 min).

By taxi
Taxis can be found at the bus junction. They can drive to nearby attractions for quite reasonable prices and also to Goris for 6,000 dram and to Yerevan for 4,000-5,000 dram.

Get around
Walking around town is easy enough.

See

Do
Bike, hike, swim, explore.

Buy
The art school has some kids arts and crafts on sale sometimes, and Ashot, the well known local painter who is heavily influenced by the petroglyphs also sells his paintings out of his studio.

Eat
The hotels are the best place to have a bite, or a barbecue joint. Hatsatun by Sisian Ceramics is another place to have a lunch or a dinner.

Go next

 * Goris — the last major town in Armenia for travelers continuing to Karabakh and also entering point to Tatev Monastery.
 * Jermuk — spa town where much of the country's mineral water comes from.
 * Kapan — not the most interesting town. Vahanavank Monastery is in its close proximity.
 * Yeghegnadzor — small town close to spectacular canyon and monastery in Noravank, the impressive Smbatabert Fortress/Tsakhats Kar Monastery area and the old silk road caravanserai of Selim.
 * Tatev — a small village with a major monastery of Tatev located there on the edge of a cliff. Devil's bridge and Tatev Hermitage are also nearby. There is a cool 2-day hiking route from Sisian to Tatev.

title: Sisian


text:
Sisimiut

Sisimiut  (Danish: Holsteinsborg) is a town in Western Greenland.

Get in
Sisimiut has a small airport to where Air Greenland operates flights from Kangerlussuaq and Nuuk daily, several times a week also from Ilulissat, Maniitsoq and Aasiaat.

There is a very simple road for 4x4 vehicles from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut.

Get around
Since the distances are very small, everything is walkable. However, a bus runs a loop through the town every 20 minutes. The airport is reachable by taxi.

title: Sisimiut


text:
Siskiyou County

Siskiyou County is in the Shasta Cascades region of California. The county is dominated by 14,179 ft Mount Shasta, the west coast's second-tallest volcano, towering nearly 10,000 ft above its surroundings.

Cities

 * — a small town off I-5 along Old Highway 99
 * — a small town off I-5 along Old Highway 99
 * — a small town off I-5 along Old Highway 99
 * — a small town off I-5 along Old Highway 99
 * — a small town off I-5 along Old Highway 99
 * — a small town off I-5 along Old Highway 99

Other destinations

 * - Lava Beds National Monument is a volcanic landscape created by the Medicine Lake volcano, which has erupted intermittently for approximately half a million years and was last active 900 years ago. While the above-ground landscape is impressive, it is underground where the park truly shines, as past eruptions have formed over 800 lava tube caves, many of which can be explored, and some of which extend for more than a mile.
 * — one of the sites where Japanese-Americans were interned during World War II

Get around
Siskiyou County is served by STAGE bus service.

Do

 * Mount Shasta Ski Park, located 12 miles from Mount Shasta, California.

Go next

 * - Siskiyou County's eastern neighbor is in California's northeast corner and is home to only about 10,000 people, or slightly more than two people per square mile. Modoc County's northern and western portions have been shaped by volcanism, as evidenced by the many lava flows, cinder cones, hot springs, and volcanic mountains that visitors will encounter, while the Warner Mountain range and its many alpine lakes are found in the county's eastern side.  The county is home to several wildlife refuges where bald eagles, peregrine falcons, goshawks, golden eagles, mule deer, elk, wild horses, wild burros and pronghorn antelope can be seen.
 * - Siskiyou County's southeastern neighbor is a land of mountains, lakes and rivers. Massive Shasta Lake, California's largest reservoir, is the "houseboat capital of the world", with rentals available for those who want to vacation on the water.  Several spectacular waterfalls can be found in the county, including the 129 ft Burney Falls, which Theodore Roosevelt described as "the Eighth Wonder of the World", and McCloud River Falls, which is actually three scenic waterfalls.  In the county's southeastern corner, Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to a geologic hotspot highlighted by  10,457 ft Lassen Volcano.  The mountain can be summitted via a steep trail, but plan to do so in the summer - the park's 600 - 700 in of annual snowfall make it the snowiest place in California.
 * - One of only three California counties with no incorporated cities, rugged Trinity County lies among the Salmon and Klamath Mountains along the Trinity River. The county seat of Weaverville is home to some of California's oldest buildings, with the state's second oldest courthouse (built in 1856), a drugstore that has filled prescriptions since 1852, and California's oldest Taoist Temple (operating since 1873).  Those looking for outdoor adventure will find numerous opportunities for camping, backpacking, rock climbing, boating, rafting/kayaking, hunting, and fishing, with Trinity Lake in particular a favorite spot for houseboat rentals.
 * - Located to the southwest of Siskiyou County, rural Humboldt County is a land of giant trees, seaside mountains, and quirky towns. Redwood National Park lies in the county's northern region and is home to the world's tallest trees; a walk among the redwoods is an experience that won't soon be forgotten.  Backpackers will delight in hiking the remote 25 mile Lost Coast Trail in the county's southwestern corner, a three-day trek through the Kings Range along a roadless and undeveloped section of rugged coastline.  For those looking for more urban activities, the towns of Arcata and Eureka feature an impressive number of Victorian homes that date back to the late 1800s.
 * - Located west of Siskiyou County, California's northernmost county is known for its rivers, rocky coast, and redwood forests. It is where the famous footage of Bigfoot was captured on film in 1967, and became the home of the Ewoks when portions of Return of the Jedi were filmed in the county in 1982.  Visitors today won't want to miss Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, where an easy stroll among thousand year-old redwoods in Stout Grove is sure to refresh the soul.  There are two historic lighthouses that were built in the mid-1800s near Crescent City, one of which is accessible at low tide via a short hike.  Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy the many protected areas in the county, where herds of Roosevelt elk, sea lions, seals, whales, and 431 species of birds can all be seen.
 * - Located west of Siskiyou County, California's northernmost county is known for its rivers, rocky coast, and redwood forests. It is where the famous footage of Bigfoot was captured on film in 1967, and became the home of the Ewoks when portions of Return of the Jedi were filmed in the county in 1982.  Visitors today won't want to miss Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, where an easy stroll among thousand year-old redwoods in Stout Grove is sure to refresh the soul.  There are two historic lighthouses that were built in the mid-1800s near Crescent City, one of which is accessible at low tide via a short hike.  Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy the many protected areas in the county, where herds of Roosevelt elk, sea lions, seals, whales, and 431 species of birds can all be seen.

title: Siskiyou County


text:
Sisophon

Sisophon, also "Serei-sophon" or "Svaysisophon", is a small town in North-western Cambodia. It is the capital of Banteay Meanchey Province. Stueng Sisophon is a medium-sized river that meanders round the southern circumference of the town.

Understand
Control of Sisophon has often passed between the various regional powers. It is now part of Cambodia thanks to the French, whose sabre rattling forced the Siamese into relinquishing it (along with Siem Reap, Battambang and much of North-western Cambodia) in 1907. The town had been Siamese since 1867, thanks again to the French who gave it (and Siem Reap, Battambang and much of North-western Cambodia) to Siam in exchange for unobstructed French control over the remainder of Cambodia. Before then, a nominally independent Cambodia existed as a vassal state of Siam and Vietnam.

Sisophon is a transport hub that almost every overland visitor to Cambodia will unknowingly visit for at least 15 minutes. It is at the junction of two main routes: National Highway 5 (running south to Battambang and west to Poipet) and National Highway 6 (running east to Siem Reap).

The town's main tourist draw is the Banteay Chhmar temple complex, which offers a more remote and atmospheric alternative to the Angkor Archaeological Park.

The town is sufficiently large to benefit from modern technological advancements not found in the countryside but is largely untouched by foreign influences, which makes it an interesting representation of modern Cambodia. There's a smattering of aspiring English speaking students, mentally unsound Khmer Rouge survivors, peasants and provincial townsfolk which give those who care to spend any time in Sisophon a glimpse of people that are not found in the more visited, more urbane cities.

By bus
Several bus companies' offices can be found on the north side of the shared taxi stand. This is where they pick up and drop passengers, though a new, less centrally located bus station is also used, with buses now often stopping at both.

Buses buses connect Sisophon with:
 * Battambang (90 min; US$2.50 from Battambang)
 * Poipet, for the border with Aranyaprathet in Thailand (1 hr; US$2.50 from Poipet, US$1.25 to Poipet)
 * Siem Reap (90 min; US$3.75 in either direction). The most convenient company Capitol runs daily buses to central Siem Reap (not an out of town bus station) at 09:30, 11:00 and 14:00. On Sundays the company runs an additional bus at 16:00.
 * Samraong, for the O'Smach/Chong Chom border with Thailand.
 * Bangkok, tickets to Bangkok will involve changing buses in Poipet.
 * Phnom Penh

The milestones along the main roads on the approach to Sisophon have it labelled as Banteay Meanchey.

By train
Royal Railway Cambodia runs trains twice a week to Sisophon from Poipet, Battambang, and Phnom Penh (Feb 2020).

Get around
The town is small enough to be comprehensively covered on foot. Even the nearest attraction beyond the town, the lookout tower on Phnom Bak, can be reached on foot from the town.

Phnom Jorn-Tien is perhaps within walking distance, though the major road and unforgiving climate make taking a motodop the best way to enjoy it.

Motorbikes can be rented at the Golden Crown Guesthouse for US$10 per day, ideal for a solo trip to the Banteay Chhmar temples.

Do
Climbers have been reported to have scaled Phnom Jorn-Tien but there is no equipment hire.

Buy
There are several ATMs, including at Canadia Bank, which does not charge commission.

Sisophon Market (Psar Sisophon) is to the north of the shared taxi stand. Its stalls sell many necessities from toothpaste to basic meals.

English language newspapers and stationary can be obtained from the Apsara Book Shop near the market on the street north from the shared taxi stand.

Drink
There are a number of Khmer 'karaoke' clubs dotted around. Otherwise, a can of beer at the shop is usually US$0.50.

Committed winos will find solace in the rather pretentious supermarket on Hwy 56 that surprisingly stocks well-priced plonk for ~US$7/ bottle. It's within walking distance of the town centre.

Sleep
On the shared taxi stand's south side is a row of cheap, basic guesthouses with box rooms (US$2.50).

Botoum Hotel (US$15 air-con walk-in, clean) and a few other new looking places are at the junction of highways 5 and 6.

Pyramid Hotel, colonial house look. Road 2. +855 54 668 8881

Connect
There are several Internet cafes in town. Two are centrally located: one opposite the Golden Crown Guesthouse and the other just around the corner on the street that runs approximately north from the market's east side. Both are US$0.50/hr.

Go next
The Banteay Chhmar temple complex is 60 km (1 hour) north of Sisophon on Hwy 56. As of September 2015 the road is wide and paved all the way. Self-drive motor bikes (US$10/day) or tuk-tuk drivers (US$30/8 hr) can be arranged at the Golden Crown Guesthouse. Banteay Chhmar is 50 km west of Samraong, the road to which is also paved.

There are no bus services to Banteay Chhmar.

title: Sisophon


text:
Sisteron

Sisteron is an attractive town ('commune') in France, in the département of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Its population in (1999) was 6,964 and in the région of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. The inhabitants are called the 'Sisteronnais'.

Understand
It is situated on the banks of the River Durance just after the confluences of the rivers Buech and Sasse. It is sometimes called the 'Porte de la Provence' (The Gateway to Provence) because it is in a narrow gap between two long mountain ridges (Baume/Gache and The Lure/Moulard). It is 135 km from Marseille, also 135 km from Grenoble and 180 km from Nice.

Get in
Sisteron is served by the A51 autoroute, which now by-passes the town, eliminating it as a notorious 'bottle-neck' for traffic. However the A51 autoroute from Grenoble has not been completed and so on Saturdays in July there are very severe traffic jams from Grenoble to Monestier until 2007. There is also a railway station on the line from Marseille to Briançon and to Grenoble.

Get around
Parking is generally easy and cheap. After that, just walk about. There is a tractor which tows a train of carriages up to the Citadelle for those who prefer not to walk up. It starts in the square by the mairie (Hotel de Ville).

See
The town has several important buildings including the mediaeval citadelle and the small 12th century cathedral. Many tourists also visit the town because of its climate (300 days of sunshine each year), its quaint narrow streets and the beautiful surrounding countryside. There is an annual festival with many events throughout the summer months and a market every Wednesday.

Do
The beautiful surrounding countryside have many opportunities for walking. A long distance walk, the GR 6 (Grande Randonnée) passes east-west through Sisteron. There is a large artificial lake near the river slightly south-east of the town centre with a free, spacious lido which has many pleasant facilities. The river at the Gorge de Meouge (about 10km north west of the town) is another good place to swim and sun-bathe on the rocks.

The airfields at Vaumeilh, Motte du Caire and Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban are major centres for the sport of gliding. Climbers, rafters, canoeists and canyoners also use the local mountains and streams extensively. The Tourism Office in the marie can provide information about other local activities such as riding. In winter there are skiing resorts within easy range (less than an hour).

Buy
Rue Sauniere contains a selection of shops selling local souvenirs such as pottery, art, lavender honey, nougat and other local produce.

Eat
'Pieds and paquets' (sheep's feet and tripe) follows the French policy of eating the entire animal. However the 'fougasse' (like an anchovy flavoured pizza) is highly recommended. The Hirondelle Patisserie near the top of Rue Droite is another must, including probably the best tartes aux framboises (raspberry tarts) in France.

The best restaurants in the town are: Les Becs Fins and the Hotel de Cours, but there are many other reasonable places such as Hotel de la Citadelle, Ratelier, Hotel du Tivoli and Lou Pebre. Hotel des Chenes to the north of town is also good. The nearest starred Michelin restaurant is the Bonne Etape at Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban but its offshoot next door called Au Gout de Jours is much better value.

You might just wish to give the restaurants a miss, however, and stop at the wood-oven pizza cart in the parking lot in the center of town to partake of the best 4-cheese pizza known to mankind. The secret is the amazing local cheeses used on the pie.

Drink
Bars are not a major feature; most drinking is done while eating. The local wines: Cotes de Luberon & Pierre Vert are highly drinkable. Rosé wines are excellent from the South of France and deservedly do not suffer from the 'Mateus' image prevalent in Britain.

Sleep
The Hotel du Rocher provides good basic accommodation and there is an inevitable Ibis just to the north of the town. Hotel du Cours is probably the best hotel in the town, though the Bonne Etape also has accommodation. Hotel des Chenes to the north of town is medium priced.

Go next
The outlying region is on the edge of the Alps and has magnificent scenery. Places such as Manosque, Dignes les Bains and Gap are interesting enough for brief visits. The Grand Canyon de Verdon is a large gorge which can be driven round or pedalled through. The Lac de Serre Poncon is a large artificial lake with many watersports. Not far to the south are the famous towns of Provence such as Aix and Avignon.

title: Sisteron