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Aranjuez

Aranjuez is an | historic municipality (population 47,000) at the confluence of the Tajo and  Jarama rivers. It is about 50 km south of Madrid in Spain and difficult for Anglophones to pronounce: aɾaŋˈxweθ sounds something like a'ran'with!

Understand
Nestling in the wide, flat-bottomed valley at the confluence of the Tagus (locally Tajo) and Jarama rivers, in an exquisite natural setting, the town of Aranjuez, has been declared a UNESCO Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site since 2001.

The Royal Estate and Villa was once the exclusive springtime residence of royalty and its 700 families of servants. In 1747 the town started to become the modern thriving city of today, but retaining the outstanding cultural and sporting opportunities for residents and visitors in an environment of great natural interest once reserved to courtiers and their king.

All so-called ribereños still strive to serve everyone as delightfully as they once served the nobility, and especially those who seek know the history, architecture, and the culture that created its incomparably sublime buildings, gardens, and landscapes - Aranjuez offers food for thought combined with serenity, comfort and fine cuisine.

By plane
The main passenger terminal is Madrid–Barajas Airport, to the west of the capital city, which links via a toll-road to the three concentric peripheral routes M-50 (outer) M-40 and M-30 (inner) autovías. There are also direct rail and metro services from Terminal 4.

By train
In summer, RENFE occasionally run the Strawberry train - el tren de la fresa is a steam-train tourist service from Madrid

Madrid region Cercanias C-3 service trains link Aranjuez directly to Madrid The ride takes roughly 45 min to 55 min from Atocha, Sol or Chamartin.

From Atocha RENFE high-speed trains connect directly to the airport and to most Iberian cities. For Paris change from w:AVE to w:TGV at Barcelona

By car
Use either M-50, M-40, or M-30 peripheral major roads around Madrid which connect to A-4 (Autovia Sur/direction Cordoba) use exit at Km 37 (under arched footbridge) to M-305 (regular road direction Aranjuez - take care of tight bend left and 2 lanes converging).

This leads via La Montaña district and automotive sales zone (3 km north of city) and then directly to the royal palace (recommended: use free surface car-park on left immediately after road-width restriction or continue into monumental zone then turn right under arch by church to paid underground parking in Calle Valeras).

For the south (industrial area) of town continue on A4 to next exit (or use toll road R-4).

Walk
Aranjuez is fairly flat and accessible with many fine gardens and parks as well as those of the royal palace complex. For a swift introduction, there is the tourist chiquitren or wagon-train which optionally offers a combined ticket which includes some museum entry and riverboat services. This leaves daily, all year round, from behind the Royal Palace, through the town and around the Jardin del Principe royal gardens, and includes a recorded commentary in Spanish and English. The Jardin de la Isla is a more formal garden with some notable fountains joining the palace.
 * Amble around the town as well as the royal sites - the town is compact and level - ideal for walking - but, this being an historic town with lots of interesting architecture, wheelchair users may need help entering some business premises, but assistance is usually readily available on request.
 * Tourist Walks: the tourist office offers several routes which pass by numbered information boards erected by the municipality near places of interest

Cycle
Aranjuez municipality has a free cycle hire service called Aranbike, but there is a registration fee, and the process is a very clumpy operation and all in Spanish.

Doce Calles
To the north, beyond the rotunda Roseñol cobbled roundabout (near the riverside tourist restaurant 'el Rana Verde) are the royal vegetable gardens (now farmland). A roundabout and rural café ('gango) serves as a hub for 12 royal rides (now mostly restricted to pedestrian and bicycle us). As well as being level, they boast elegant, tree-lined, shade and shingle surfaces. Radiating like a clock from the Doce Calles (12 ways) roundabout/kiosk-bar, some border the river, whilst others lead to a new- park - the steep slope known as talud sur de la Montaña which has an ancient water-wheel and path-extensions all bicycle or wheelchair accessible and suitable for the fitter users.

Throughout its history as a royal estate from 1560, the steep-sided, fertile valley at the confluence of the rivers Tagus and Jarama (known as the Cuenca del Tago) has been cultivated for the amusement and diversion of the nobility as well as for the practical purpose of providing delightful fresh produce for the royal tables. The descriptions below are modern interpretations of extracts from historical documents.

In the 16th century, during the reign of Philip II a vast area in front of the royal palace was a managed garden of ponds or pools in which water-fowl such as ducks and geese were reared. In 1613 he ordered shaded, tree-lined walk-ways and rides known as Doce Calles (12 ways) to be planted with elms, ash, chestnut walnut and mulberry trees. The design is geometric and vaguely astrological in keeping with the then fashionable mystery of majesty.

In 1601 the existing Texeras horticultural garden along the river Tagus was expanded so that by 1604 this area became a substantial kitchen garden for the royal estate.

On the high ground livestock were kept, and from 1599 vegetables were produced on land adjoining the Casa del Matadero, (an abattoir, probably near the present La Finca).

In 1716 a garden for Queen Maria-Louise (wife of Philip V) was created with fountains, musical machines and similar amusing diversions. At the same time the Potaxia del Jardin de la Reina produced more exotic vegetables from the new world such as bananas and pineapples using advanced horticultural techniques.

In 1747 King Fernando VI extended existing woodland with a variety of trees and introduced Iberian plane trees to line calles Rey and Rebollo (King and Oak streets). The 'new' and elegant plane (Platinus hispanica) which now grace calle sin salida. is a cultivar developed by cross fertilization from both oriental and occidental varieties of plain trees

By 1756 a wider variety of fruit and nut trees were incorporated, while Aranjuez strawberries and asparagus began to be commercialized. Hereabouts became renowned for the songs of nightingales, larks blackbirds and goldfinches.

The reign of Carlos III in late 18th century saw a considerable increase in activity with the construction of the cattle ranch (La Finca) the royal farm, winery and hermitage el Cortijo Real and Bodega de Carlos III as well as the main highways linking these sites to the palace with a road from Madrid to Colmenar (now the M305).

During more than a decade from 1772 the cultivation was extended to encircle the palace and the town, which is when El Delete (the delight) was constructed to define the southern margin of the town. Thereafter pleasure gardens and hunting forests gave way to horticulture or agriculture, notably vineyards and olive groves.

At the end of the 18th century, a telegraph office was established atop Parnaso Hill, affording the king rapid communication with every part of his kingdom.

In the 19th century commercial tree plantations were established, and in the 20th century commercial farming took over, with first sugar beet, and later sweet corn as major cash crops. The ruined sugar refinery is near the railway station, which incidentally has extensive cargo sidings intended for transporting bulk agricultural produce. The vast railway infrastructure to the west of the palace is now mostly abandoned although some areas became used as commuter car-parking during the late 20th century.

The last royal resident to use Aranjuez as a springtime residence was King Alfonso XIII who ceded to the Second Republic shortly after his visit in 1930.

La Montaña
Although calle sin salida means "the street with no exit", a strong bridge now extends the route to La Montaña. This was constructed in 2012 to provide convenient access to the hillside for pedestrians, cyclists, various leisure pursuits and rural maintenance activities.

Today these tree-lined walkways known as "doce calles" are highly valued, and each year a different street is selected for renovation, with old trees felled and replaced with saplings where necessary. The wide variety of wood harvested is used in the public interest notably for the conservation of historic artifacts and maintenance of the authentic assets of the Aranjuez world heritage sites.

The adjacent hillside park with its reconstructed Arabic 'noria' waterwheel (which includes a small hydraulic demonstration site) was opened in 2013. Climb the hill, follow the road to the right to a café called La Cazuela del Chiquitin which terrace offers a panoramic view: far left the clock-tower of el Cortijo is visible through the trees the town is to the south and the dome of palace (buried in trees) is the extreme right, immediately below the mountains of Toledo (visible only on clear days). Continue down hill, and find the vía pecuria (sandy drover's road) then follow the tree-lined called Ojalvo (which probably named after a noble courtier) which leads to the Real Cortijo de San Isidro

Chiquitren and boat trip
The tourist road-train Operates all year round from about 10am. with commentaries in Spanish and English but its wagons are open and unheated

Shop
This is a small town which supports independent traders rather than multiple-stores so some unusual finds. There is one major hypermarket (Le Clerc in paseo Delete) and several smaller food outlets including Eroski, Mercadona, Más and two Lidl stores, For best value and freshest local produce, try the central covered market. English is widely understood

Drive
Parking for visitors to the tourist office is a short walk from (free - open) surface car park at entry to town near Hotel Mercedes, or underground (guarded, cooler but paid - about €1 per hour) in Calle Valera - Exit Mariblanca cobbled street to right under arch, and turn left after Hotel Principe de Paz (opposite palace).

Parking in Aranjuez town centre streets is difficult and needs a paid ticket during business hours - but only if the spaces are marked with a blue line.

Double parking is common (especially for newspapers and cigarettes) but illegal. The central streets are very narrow and require drivers to be patient - best avoided - most hotels have reserved spaces.

Royal Site
Within Aranjuez, there are many sculptures and architectural gems - because the town was created by royalty and only royal servants were permitted, the vernacular buildings tend to be of one design in the tightly packed centre, interspersed with noble palaces and grand military installations along the boulevards. Worth visiting are the newly restored railway station and Carlos III theatre, the Queen's stable, now adapted as the municipal cultural centre, the central Abastos market and (ruined) Carlos municipal (plague) hospital. Saturdays there is a substantial open air market for food and clothing in Calle Valeras, which faces the Royal Palace.
 * w:Royal Palace of Aranjuez dates from the 18th century. Some of the famous rooms are:
 * The Porcelain Study
 * Throne Room
 * Jardin de la Isla attached formal gardens
 * Plaza Eliptica oval grassed park, with three radiating walkways with shady trees leading towards the festival ground near the railway station
 * One of the exterior facades of the Palace, the Gardens surrounding the Palace
 * Chiquitren- tourist road-train which visits:
 * Jardin de la Isla - formal gardens adjoining the palace
 * Jardin del Principe - an extensive riverside park with many features, including
 * Botanical Gardens
 * Chinese Garden
 * Real Casa del Labrador
 * Museo de Falúas Reales - Royal Barge Collection
 * Mariblanca - a large sandy square properly called Plaza San Antonio after the Royal chapel at the end.

Old Town

 * Plaza de la Constitución
 * Town hall (casa de los empleados)
 * Central covered market Abastos
 * Bull Ring The first Plaza de Toros built in Spain, contains small museum
 * Palacios Principe de La Paz -the rogue royal favourite who provoked the mutiny of Aranjuez for consorting with Napoleon - near the palace (now a 4* hotel) and also in Calle Principe - now Colegeo de la Sacrada Familia - in front of which the mutiny is re-enacted)

Nearby

 * Heurtas y Jardines Shady tree-lined walks in what used to be the kitchen gardens and orchards
 * Parque Talud Sur: A newly constructed park on the south slope of La Montaña district, near Doce Calles
 *  Parque Pozo de las Nieves, Aranjuez The Snow Well Park

Do

 * Feria de Aranjuez festival about first week of September includes
 * a fun-fair (car park, M-305)
 * sports events (Delete stadium)
 * food and drink stalls (Mariblanca)
 * a concert at the Royal Palace
 * a traditional or Sacrificio Goyesque (in the Plaza de Toros)
 * a dramatic street re-enactment of the attack and burning of Godoy's House, (now Sacrada Familia school in Avenida Principe) with fireworks and costumes inspired by Goya paintings
 * A fun raft-race organized by the pirates of the Tajo

The Motin de Aranjuez took place in March 1808 because Godoy was believed to have colluded with Napoleon to invade Spain on the pretext of attacking Portugal. Subsequently the French forced both the Spanish King Carlos IV and his son to abdicate in favour of Napoleon's brother, Joseph, (José I). The Spanish, aided by British forces under Wellington, ejected José and reinstalled the king's son as Ferdinand VII, the last regular royal occupant at Aranjuez who ruled until his death in 1833.

Long hikes
Be sure always to tell someone (such as your hotel receptionist or host) what you are planning, and throughout the summer use Factor 50 sun block on exposed flesh, and be sure to take (even on short outings). Level walks
 * a large bottle of water
 * a sombrero or sun-hat (with a brim all around)
 * a (fully charged, with credit) telephone:
 * the medical emergency number is 061
 * Other emergencies 112
 * police national 091, municipal 092
 * Doce Calles Take the Madrid road (M-305) northwards. There are twelve shady paths radiating from s a new roundabout with El Kiosco bar/restaurant. Take either Calle Sin Salida or Calle la Montaña - there is a new park constructed on the south bank Talud Sur La Montaña (actually not a mountain, but a plateau).
 * To the left leads to a restored water-wheel and Hospital Tajo.
 * To the right, the level route leads to El cortijo de San Isidro palace (with adjacent cafe-bar),
 * To the right, uphill leads to a residential district of houses and apartment blocks, where, in calle Avila there a great view over the town and the colleges of the Guardia Civil (The Spanish armed police training center). There you will also find a local bar El Cazuela de Chiquitin which is cheap good country cooking and worth a visit, if only for the tapas!
 * Ruta del Sol The other side of the M305 is also a flat, agricultural area, where there are paths leading to a disused hippodrome, the rivers Tajo (Tagus) and Jarama. There are bridges to cross the railway line
 * Los Coroneles (on Google maps:Glorieta Cultural) is the middle of five level paths radiating westward from the palace (Plaza Eliptica) ehich lead to a festival ground near the railway station. Here you will find sone ruined barracks (Antigua Cuarteles) a few isolated housed near the river and some industrial buildings relating to the disused rail-freight yard. The weir of the River Tajo, which facilitates irrigation, is near the Palacio Real.
 * Vía Pecuria a drovers path is marked and leads north of La Montaña through olive groves and glorious countryside to Madrid - but there is not much shade - the entire route is about 80 km (50 miles). Start from Aranjuez center and take either the M305 Madrid (as for Doce Calles) or the M305a, along Jardines del Principe (Avenida de la Reina) over the bridge by the golf course towards:
 * Cortijo de Aranjuez
 * Castillo de Oreja,
 * Titulcia, Vía Pecuaria de los Puentes,
 * Ciempozuelos,
 * San Martín de la Vega,
 * Perales del Rio,
 * Getafe Metro Station (Alonso de Mendoza)

Gamble
There are two casinos:
 * The Casino central near Calle Infantas - in Calle Capitan (Angosto Gomez Castillon - but there is really only one capitan street in this town town!) email: casinodearanjuez@hotmail.com

Sport
As well as golf and canoeing mentioned, most common sports facilities are available at low cost municipal installations, and there are various adventure activities such as outdoor airsoft or paint-ball on the so-called "Hamburger hill" adventure park (south of Aranjuez) and parapente or paragliding on La Montaña (behind schools on Avenida de la Paz de Hiroshima).

Get married
Aranjuez is the wedding capital of Spain - maybe because you are royalty for the day! There are several shops selling or hiring wedding dresses, formal wear etc. and several specialist event organizers, including: Any of the several professional photographic shops in the town can suggest some great/elegant/natural backgrounds for those 'forever fotos'
 * Gran Casino
 * La Finca de Montaña
 * Hotel Barcelo

Buy a home
Yes! Really it is possible - the building bubble burst, and this town is bursting with four-bedroom houses - detached, terraced or semi-detached chalets and apartments from 1 - 3 bedrooms, all soundly built to EC standards but which became toxic assets, now to be sold by Spain's bad-bank - Sociedad de Gestión de Activos Procedentes de la Reestructuración Bancaria (or 'Sareb').

Although good concrete frame construction buildings, the finish is often poor, so the original asking price (c. €400,000) is usually about half the current list price, but what the market will bear is half that. In 2012 a chalet was offered at €167,000, and similar homes could be rented for about €500 because private owners are getting desperate. Aranjuez is pleasant, safe and child-friendly sort of place in which to live. The weather is sub-tropical (rarely freezes, can be 40ºC in high summer). Magical Madrid, Spain's capital city, is 1-hour commuting distance, and the monthly train ticket is around €90.

Eat
There are some excellent restaurants for all budgets (main meal from about €10-100 per person) serving local speciality foods, notably
 * The strawberries of Aranjuez are famous throughout Spain.
 * small artichokes which can be eaten whole and
 * asparagus, which may be mature, white and thick (blanco) or young thin green brotes/trigots.

Unusual
In the noble tradition, seafood and shellfish are widely available all year round, often mixed with other dishes. (If you have allergies - ask! - as many common dishes such as beef steak or green salad are prepared or served with pork products, or else garnished with mariscos which for safety,  are often deep frozen, which locally is believed to destroy any toxins).
 * Paella usually rice with seafood (con mariscos) or variations with meat (mixta) Alternative (nearly) vegetarian recipes include  setas/boletus (types of mushroom) or Valenciana (mixed vegetables).
 * Cocido completo In winter. a rich stew pork dish, The liquid is served as a soup and the strained vegetables and meat (pork sausage, pigs ear) is served as the main course.
 * Gallinejas Fried spirals of pork offal (small intestines, spleen, and pancreas) served with French Fries.

Tapas

 * Zarajos new-born lamb intestines wound on a stick (usually a snack or tapas
 * Patatas Alliolli boiled potatoes in a creamy white garlic sauce
 * Patatas Bravas Fried potatoes in an unctuous red pepper-spice sauce
 * Champinones button mushrooms fried with garlic in olive oil
 * Sorpresa depends on what the chef has to hand - often a mini-main-course in a pot

Cheap
A daily menú is provided at most bars and restaurants at €10 - 20 weekdays and slightly more at weekends, but you may have to ask for it - since La Carta is more expensive. The menu is generally very good value for money, and includes a drink (table wine or soft refresco) and either coffee or dessert (rarely both).
 * Pan Tomaca: toast with tomato, garlic and herbs (Tostada con tomate is toasted bread topped with chopped tomato).
 * Sandwich Vegital despite its name this salad sandwich often has egg, cheese or chicken (Jose Carrillo serves a jumbo version for two).
 * Sandwich Mixta: toasted ham and cheese, usually with a fried egg on top (Jose Carrillo- again, order one for two people).

Grand

 * Caréme, near Palace
 * Gran Casino La Montaña

Steak

 * Ruta Del Sol, right turn then about 50 m off M305 from Madrid between Doce Calles/La Montaña and Aranjues Town Center). Sheltered car parking.
 * Jose Carrillo, Calle Capitan - town center, near Avinida Las Infantes.

Drink
Bars in Aranjuez generally offer a wide selection of internationally known refreshments in generous measure and at prices below the European average price.

In Aranjuez - with alcohol - it is common to be offered a free bar snack or tapas - typically a saucer of olives, a small slice of tortilla or croquettes - sometimes shellfish (Mariscos) -the selection is usually displayed in a glass cabinet on the bar and chosen by the waiter unless you indicate a preference.

Wine
Madrid is a denominated wine production area and some establishments offer local red and white table wines. High quality red wines are generally from Rioja or Ribera Duero region, and white from either Reuda or Rias Baxas - all of those regions are in northern Spain.

Beer
The main supplier is Mahou of Madrid (part of the national Mahou San Miguel group). They provide a wide range of larger type beer, often served in a deep-frozen glass (copa) or half-litre Jarra. Other national and imported beers and ales tend to be more expensive, but price varies according to the locale.

Fortified wine
As well as bottled sherry Jerez many bars in Aranjuez have a barrel or tap (similar to, and alongside the regular beer-tap) - look out for these!

Spirits
Most bars have a very wide and international selection of distilled drinks, and the waiters (camereros) enjoy producing fancy cocktails and amusing tapas.

Soft drinks
Water from the tap (grifo is widely drunk in Spain, particularly by children, and is generally available on request - usually chilled or with ice. Ask for Agua and mineral water is usually served - with ice and lemon.  The usual range of American and European sweet drinks (Coca-cola, Fanta, etc.) are served with lots of ice, and so are usually reasonably priced (often slightly cheaper than in Madrid capital, and much cheaper than in tourist areas).

Sleep
Aranjuez caters for almost every type of visitor and most budgets from backpacker to business traveller:

Special needs, sports & educational vacations

 * Camping, caravanning, and canoeing - use the international camping site (see link below), Aranjuez off M-305 (overnight stays in car-parks and public spaces is not permitted)

Connect
Aranjues Municipal Tourist Information Office have very pleasant staff who speak English, and, as well as orientation, guide books and events calendars. They will also help visitors to the office by telephoning, especially to smaller local establishments whose staff may have difficulty speaking English.

The office is alongside the huge Mariblanca sandy square, in Casa de las Infantas to the left of San Antonio church. and open daily, all year round from about 10:00. , fax, e-mail infoturismo@aranjuez.es

Go next

 * Madrid
 * Toledo
 * El Escorial
 * Alcalá de Henares
 * Segovia

title: Aranjuez


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Aranmula

Aranmula is a city in Kerala in India.

Understand
Aranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, the south western state in India. It is on the banks of the river Pampa. It is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta District. Nearby important places are Pathanamthitta (10 km) and Chengannur (10km).

Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life and sceneries are unique for Aranmula. It is the venue of the annual snake boat race on the Pampa river. Aranmula is also famous for its metal mirrors, known as Aranmula kannadi.

Get in
Buses ply from Pathanamthitta and Chengannur to Kozhenchery via Aranmula. The nearest railway station is at Chengannur and airports are at Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.

Get around
Taxis and autorickshaws offer easy modes of travel.

Buy
Aranmula Kannadi( Metal Mirror)

Eat
Aranmula Valla Sadhya, a feast served at Aranmula temple mainly during Onam season.

Go next

 * Sabarimala

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

title: Aranmula


text:
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is in the Gulf Coast region of Texas, between Corpus Christi and Galveston.

Understand
Aransas is considered the "crown jewel" of the National Wildlife Refuge system. It is the only summering ground for the endangered whooping crane and home to large colonies of birds including pelicans, cranes, herons and egrets. The Refuge has a number of small walking trails and also has a scenic drive through its interior. Wild boar, alligators and armadillos can also be seen at the refuge.

title: Aransas National Wildlife Refuge


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Aranuka

Aranuka, formerly known as Ananuka (the middle of it), is an island in Kiribati. It is unique for its natural beauty as well as being the only island in Kiribati and quite possibly the Pacific region to have tall mangrove trees with heights of more than 15 meters. Evidence of this can still be seen when visiting Aranuka. Aranuka was also known to many as the island in the middle of Kiribati and for the formation and separation of all the islands of Kiribati which was first started by the God of our Ancestors, Nareau. That is why Aranuka used to be called "Ananuka" – the middle of it.

The uninhabited islets of the island also provide the world class swimming and snorkeling spots for visitors. Its white unspoiled sandy beaches and sparkling blue waters also offers a soothing and relaxing atmosphere. Its greenish surroundings and the smiling faces of the people also bring safety and harmless environment for first time visitors.

Geography
The island is located in the central Gilbert Islands just north of the equator with an area of 15.5 km² and a population of 1125 (2015).

This triangular atoll is formed by three islets called Buariki, Takaeang and Baurua. Buariki and Baurua are the largest and form the base of the triangle while Takaeang being the smallest forms the top corner. The islets are connected by sandbacks especially on the northern side and an underwater reef crest on the southern side. There is also a wide pass to the lagoon in the center.

The main administrative center is located at Buariki. A Junior Secondary School and the main clinic center are also located here. Two other clinics are located in Takaeang and Baurua.

History and culture
Aranuka has four villages: Buariki is the largest,neither about 500 people in 2010, followed by Takaeng with 250, Bauruavwith 210, and Kauake with 90.

In its modern history, it was known by many that Aranuka Island was first sighted by two Europeans namely Thomas Gilbert and John Marshall in 1788. Later between 1860 and late 1880s, the island was conquered by Karotu, the King of Abemama, and then the ruling power was passed on to Binoka (Karotu’s nephew) who was also a ruler of Abemama and Kuria and was recognized as paramount. It was also understood that the customary law still survived in some contexts and so did the traditional authority. On Aranuka, the hegemony of a high chief and families was also recognized and remained a formidable force in island politics.

However, since the introduction of colonization, the ruling system changed and chiefs no longer have power to control, regulate and impose decisions regarding the community.

Nowadays, the Mayor (formerly known as Chief Councilor) and the elderly men are working in collaboration with each other as key decision makers of the island.

With respects to clothing, it is mostly preferable that men and women should use casual wear. Particularly, women are not allowed to walk around with bikinis, mini skirts or shorts. A skirt or short covering your legs down to your knees, or wrapped around sulus and T-shirts are preferable.

Get in

Charter boat services are also available.

See

 * Firstly, leave gifts or mweaka at a kainga (clan) of Ababoou or Atin Tabuariki.
 * Tour around Aranuka is opened to everyone.
 * Escorted around the island in any manner or any ways that visitors feel comfortable with.
 * Visit Maungan Te Tongo to see tall mangrove trees
 * Visit remaining well, bathroom and toilet of Riiki and his sons at Kauake

Do

 * Escorting of visitors after leaving mweaka at Ababoou or Atin Tabuariki
 * Trip around the island
 * Boat trips to islets (be ready to bear extra cost for boat trips to islets. (Prior arrangement is required with Island Council)
 * Snorkelling (provide your own gears)
 * Swimming (only done at islets)
 * Beach games (only done at islets)
 * Demonstration of traditional skills (requires prior arrangement with Island Council when there is a need from visitors)
 * Local dances or entertainment (requires prior arrangement with Island Council)
 * Nature walking

Sleep
Accommodation may be available at the Island Council guesthouse.

Stay safe
Facilities and services are limited and the island is remote in nature. You will need flexibility in your plans to allow for instances where there may be transport delays. Accommodation is basic and food will be what is available locally. Take additional supplies of drinking water. Medical facilities are limited on the islands to a local clinic and village nurse. Pharmaceuticals are not available and you will to ensure you have any medications you may require and basic medical supplies. Advise family and friends of your travel plans and when you expect to return.

Communications while on the island may be limited, however most villages will have a public phone. A sign of respect you must leave offerings at a number of the shines you visit. Tobacco/cigarettes are the traditional offering.

If you are interested in participating in any cultural activity, have it arranged prior your travel or you can ask around the local people and they are usually most obliging.

title: Aranuka


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Aranyaprathet

Aranyaprathet (อรัญประเทศ, also Aran Yaprathet, Aranya Prathet, or just Aran) is a border town in Eastern Thailand (Sa Kaeo province). Nearby is Poipet; Cambodia's busiest land crossing, which is the most popular tourist route for travel between Bangkok and Siem Reap (and the Angkor Archaeological Park).

Understand
The border is 6 km to the southeast of the town. It is open 08:00 to 20:00. There is no time difference between the two countries. Immediately next to the Thai immigration facilities is Rongkleu Market, which hosts banks, cafes, a convenience store, money exchanges, and buses. The market, like the border and the town itself, is the scene of industrial-scale visa scams for unwary travellers. Immediately on the Cambodian side of the border is Poipet, a much maligned, grotty hole that appeals to those with a warped aesthetic.

For the traveller, Aran's focus is the crossroads near the train station. Clockwise the roads go to the train station (northeast), to the border (southeast), to the clock tower and the town centre (southwest) and to the bus station (northwest). The town can serve as a staging point for journeys to various points in both Thailand and Cambodia, though the Bangkok-Siem Reap trip is the one that most travellers will undertake.

By bus
There are two bus stations in Aran, the main one is in the town about 400 m northwest of the crossroad and a less busy one is in Rongkleu Market.

In and around Rongkleu Market touts offer taxis (1,900 baht) to Bangkok, and slightly more for other Thai cities. Sharing a taxi might be a good idea.

A few metres beyond this, in the market, there are air-con minibuses to Bangkok (250-300 baht). The drop-off point may range from exactly where one wishes to in front of a Skytrain station (Victory Monument is popular). The market bus station also has buses to Bangkok's Mo Chit bus station and Suvarnabhumi airport. There are also buses from the market to other Thai towns, such as Nakhon Ratchasima and Chachoengsao (which is useful for Pattaya and other destinations on that coast). Such buses allow travellers to avoid Aranyaprathet town, though the main bus station is better connected.

From the bus station in town, there are reliable and inexpensive government bus services to many destinations, including Bangkok (frequent), Buriram (frequent), Chachoengsao (frequent), Chanthaburi (frequent), Mukdahan, Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) (frequent), Pattaya, Rayong, Surin, and Udon Thani. For Trat, go via Chanthaburi.

Bangkok's Northern Bus Station (Mo Chit) is the best choice for buses to Aran. First class and second class buses leave from the ground floor of the terminal approximately every half hour (4-5 hr, 207 baht and 160 baht respectively). A first class ticket may include a snack and drink. The last bus to Bangkok leaves Aranyaprathet at around 18:00.

Bangkok's Eastern Bus Station (Ekamai) also has buses to Aran leaving every hour or two (4.5-5.5 hr). Ekamai service: 06:15, 08:30, 10:30, 12:30, and 16:30. 200 baht, not a VIP bus, but an OK air-con bus. Phone, +66 2 7135335. Ekamai can also be reached by going via the Suvarnabhumi Airport bus terminal.

The roads to Aranyaprathet have checkpoints and most buses will be boarded at least once by uniformed military/immigration personnel looking primarily for illegal immigrants from Cambodia. Westerners are rarely bothered, but keep your passport handy. If you've overstayed your visa it may be worth using a less busy crossing like Ban Pakard/Phsar Prom.

From Suvarnabhumi Airport
Buses run between Aran and Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport bus terminal regularly throughout the day but not the night.

The Suvarnabhumi Airport bus terminal can also be a good way to connect with other destinations, including Ekamai and many other points in Bangkok served by Suvarnabhumi's extensive and frequent local bus services.

From Don Mueang Airport
To reach Don Mueang take a bus to Mo Chit and ask to get off when as it passes the airport. When going to Aranyaprathet, it may be possible to save time by boarding the bus at Rangsit, though the 1st class buses won't stop there if all seats are already taken.

From Khao San Road
Khao San Road tourist buses are more expensive and less comfortable than government services; those to destinations in Cambodia always involve a change of vehicle at the border, and are usually full of irritating people, plus plenty of scams are awaiting you.

By train
Two trains a day in each direction connect Aranyaprathet with Bangkok's Hualamphong Train Station. To Aranyaprathet (i.e., towards Cambodia), trains depart at 05:55 and 13:05, arriving at 11:20 and 18:05 respectively. To Hualamphong (i.e., to Bangkok), trains leave at 06:40 and 13:55, arriving at 12:05 and 19:55, respectively. The fare is 48 baht; the surcharge for a bicycle is 80 baht. Aranyaprathet Station is in the middle of town, about 6km from the border. If you intend to cross the border immediately after getting off the train, be sure to get off an Ban Klong Luk, which is right at the border with Cambodia, not Aranyaprathet.

All trains are 3rd-class, which means no air-con (windows open for a substantial breeze). There are toilets and sinks. Seats are a mixture of padded benches, padded bucket seats, and wooden benches. If taking the afternoon train try to sit on the shady (north) side of the train (i.e., left from BKK, right to BKK). The morning sun isn't so bad and doesn't so greatly affect the early departures. The train is a great opportunity to watch people, countryside and wildlife. During the dry season, smoke and ash can blow through the windows from the burning rice fields.

Food and drink vendors work the cars, providing cheap sustenance and refreshment. Many of the things wrapped in banana leaf are fish/chili based and peculiar to Western palettes; Khao San Road pad Thai it ain't. If you're fainthearted, stick to the grilled chicken that can be found close to the station at either end. The thick bamboo tubes contain the imaginatively named "bamboo rice", a mildly sweet and savoury sticky rice, most easily eaten with chopsticks.

The train can provide cheap and scenic, but slow and often late connections with Suvarnabhumi airport. Go to Lat Krabang (ลาดกระบัง, about 1 hr from Bangkok). The station there abuts the airport and is directly under flight paths. Either walk upstairs to the Airport Rail Link train which will take you to the terminal (15 baht) or take a taxi (50 baht). If you miss Lat Krabang, Tab Chang, Hua Mak, and Makkasan also connect with the Airport Rail Link

For Don Mueang, you'll have to switch trains at Hualamphong, which given the congestion on the lines in Bangkok is only for serious train freaks.

Crossing the border
Entering Thailand from Poipet is straightforward for travellers who do not need a visa or have obtained one in advance. Visa-free entry is for 15 or 30 days, depending on passport, though a few countries' citizens get longer. Check official lists and consider getting a visa in advance if longer is required. Thailand allows only two visa free overland entries per calendar year.

Nationals of countries not permitted visa-free entry but who are entitled to a visa on arrival require proof of onward transport out of Thailand and a 1,000 baht fee. The visa is likely to be valid for 14 days (not 15 as sometimes stated).

Many Thais cross the border in the morning on one-day trips to gamble at the casinos in Poipet. However there's a separate line for non-Thais which moves quickly, except during the midday log-jam of tourist bus arrivals.

On the Thai side near the queues for immigration (both arrivals and departures) are vats of cool drinking water for anyone with a bottle to fill.

Heading to Cambodia, the formalities of leaving Thailand are simple enough. Those of entering Cambodia are another matter and are dealt with on the Poipet page.

Getting to the border
Aranyaprathet is the scene of some of the world's great border scams, a major local industry. The Thai police are paid off to turn a blind eye, so will be of no help. Those heading into Cambodia may be subject to any of these:

 * At the train or bus station you will be told you need to board a "government bus" to take you to "the right place" for your Cambodian visa.
 * A man will approach you at the reception desk of your hotel, saying he works for Thai Immigration and can expedite your exit from Thailand and/or visa into Cambodia.
 * A tuk-tuk driver will want to take you to a special visa office, to get a faster, easier, or cheaper visa.
 * There are offices set up to sell you Cambodian "visas" right next to the border (see Poipet article).
 * If you need a passport photo (as you usually do for Cambodia) a tout at the border will take you to a "scanning shop" that will sell you a photo and fake visa, requiring a payment of US$35.

There are many more variations, both in town and at the border itself. Most of Aramyaprathet's hotels and tuk-tuk drivers are in on these scams.

The result? Lots of time and money lost. For example, instead of a 15-minute journey to the border, you will find yourself driven in circles - sometimes for as long as seven hours - visiting offices, shops and restaurants owned by relatives of the scam operators: and paying at each for spurious paperwork, fake visa stamps, food and drink. (To ensure the latter, your driver will simply disappear for an hour.)

All this can be easily avoided. Once you arrive in Aramyaprathet, getting into Cambodia is simple:

 * 1) Find a tuk-tuk to take you to the border. This should cost 60 baht, and will take 15 minutes maximum. Better still, take the songthaew (15 baht, see ) which will go past all the scam offices and straight to the border.

 * 1) Go up the escalator and exit Thailand through Thai Immigration, go down another escalator, cross the bridge, get a Cambodian visa (tourist visa US$30) at the official Cambodian office across the street and about 50m onward, and then enter Poipet in Cambodia (ie, get your entry stamp) at the  Cambodian Immigration another 100m further on.

That's it.

Negotiate any tuk-tuk fare in advance, and insist the driver take you to the border (everyone knows that word). Refuse to get out at unplanned stops. Keep saying "Border!" A fallback is to say "Mee visa laeo!" (I already have a visa) or "Ba!" (Go!). This should ensure they drop scamming attempts. Hundreds of fresh victims arrive every day, and it doesn't pay for them to waste time on the non-credulous.

Bottom lines:
 * 1) No customs or immigration formalities take place anywhere but the border, and then only after you have entered Thai Immigration.
 * 2) Crossing from Thailand to Cambodia does not require intermediaries of any kind.

Get around
The town is fairly small and easily covered on foot. Twenty baht for a tuk-tuk ride within the town may be slightly generous.

Extra large size songthaews run between the 7-Eleven in Rongkleu Market and central Aran. A ride costs 15 baht, and they can be flagged down anywhere along the main road between the Aranyaprathet Railway station and the border market.

A tuk-tuk should cost 60 baht to the border after haggling and a motorbike taxi should be 40 baht after a haggle.

Motorbikes can be rented from several shops inside the Rongkleu Market at the border. Rates are usually between 100-300 baht (for 3 hours, 6 hours, or 10 hours, from 08:00-18:00). Bicycles and golf carts can also be rented at the market. Be careful when driving back to Aranyaprathet on Highway 33 (occasionally corrupt police set up road checks, and might confiscate your driver's license for a fee/bribe, regardless of whether you're driving legally or not). Better to drive on one of the side roads (running parallel to the highway).

See

 * Bus Station, watch the departures to far and wide. There is also a market.
 * Cement reservoir, a central focal point where people gather to drink and eat at food stalls.
 * Rongkleu Market, a market next to the immigration office at the border. Traders are mainly Khmer from neighbouring Poipet.
 * Train Station, never a dull moment train spotting. Each of the station's two daily departures have different rolling stock: a diesel railcar in the morning and an engine-hauled train in the afternoon.

Buy
Central Aran has several banks with ATMs and foreign exchange. When the banks are closed changing money is difficult in the town, though there should be traders at the border willing to exchange money. Over the border in Poipet, baht and dollars can be changed with market traders all day and well into the evening.

Eat
If you're looking for breakfast in the morning there are half-a-dozen cheap noodle restaurants (open from 08:00): walk along Jidsuwan Road north to south (4 blocks; from hwy 33 to a 7-11 store @ corner of Jidsuwan / Mit Samphan). There are also fruit sellers in the market and some other convenience stores in town. Numerous restaurants are open in the afternoon and evening.

 * Night market - 2 blocks east of Aran Garden 2 Hotel, beside the 'cement reservoir', and offering the usual range of Thai food.

Drink
Real coffee (at least for farangs) can be found at Coffee Break on the road heading southeast from the clock tower. Free Wi-Fi.

Sleep
Near the train station there are some expensive but basic guesthouses aimed at people who don't know what they're doing. However, cheaper basic accommodation and better quality hotels can be found elsewhere. Also, going 1.5 km north of Hwy 33 (on '348' road) and east towards 'Aranyaprathet district park' (turn right after 'Caltex' gas station), are several bungalow motels (200-300 baht for 3 hours or 350-550 baht for 24 hours).

Connect
There are more than 6 Internet cafés in the centre of (0.5 kilometre radius) Aranyaprathet. They have broadband and are reliably fast. 20 baht/hour, or 40 baht /3 hours. The post office is on the road from the train station to the clock tower.

Go next
A not so well-known diversion (it will add about 24 hrs to the trip) on the Bangkok-Aran route is Nang Rong, which is near some rather groovy Angkorian temples. From Aran, take any north-bound bus, e.g., to Buriram, Korat, Si Saket or Ubon Ratchathani-all of which have train stations (approximately 100 baht to Nang Rong). Fortunately, Nang Rong is easy to pronounce so the bus people will know where you're heading and tell you when it's time to get off. Nang Rong is well-connected by bus to Bangkok's Mo Chit terminal (5 hr); or for train connections, head to one of the above towns.

title: Aranyaprathet


text:
Arapahoe Basin

The Arapahoe Basin (known universally as A-Basin, even on signs) is a resort area in the state of Colorado. It is a great destination for those on a budget not looking for tourist traps, but for more of a local scene. While not as large as the nearby resorts Keystone and Breckenridge down the valley, A-Basin still has lots of diverse terrain and plenty of trails. A-basin is also situated very high on the crest of Loveland Pass making it very much appealing not only its spectacular scenery, but late and early season snow cover and extreme vertical including rock cliffs and bowls that can be hiked!

A-Basin expanded over 80% in the 2006-2007 season by finishing the back half of their mountain - now called the Montezuma bowl.

Cell-phone warning: Most cell phones have no service anywhere at the A-Basin. If you're planning to meet somebody, make sure to pick a meeting time and place beforehand.

From Denver
Take I-70 to exit 205, then head along Colorado rt. 6 for 12 miles.

Parking
Parking at A-basin is more limited than most of the resorts. It's not common for lots to fill by 11AM on Saturdays and Sundays.

Get around
Arapahoe Basin is not directly in a town. To get to A-basin, you'll have to drive or take the Summit Shuttle.

Sleep
Camping not allowed as of 2008.

Go next
Arapahoe Basin Official site

title: Arapahoe Basin


text:
Araraquara

Araraquara is a city of 238,000 people (2020) in São Paulo Brazil, known for its oranges and sugar cane.

By car

 * SP-310 - Washington Luís Highway (Rodovia Washington Luís) links the city to São José do Rio Preto in the northwest and São Carlos to the southeast
 * SP-255 -  (Rodovia Antonion Machado Sant'Anna) connects to Ribeirão Preto in the northeast via a stretch known as the Antonio Machado Sant'Anna Highway, and to Jaú and Bauru, via a stretch known as the Comandante João Ribeiro de Barros Highway.

Go next

 * São Carlos

title: Araraquara


text:
Ararat

There is more than one place called Ararat:

Armenia

 * Ararat Marz - A province of Armenia.

Australia

 * Ararat (Victoria) - A town in the Grampians region of Victoria.

Turkey

 * Mount Ararat - Turkey's highest mountain is where Noah's Ark is believed to had stranded. The base town for a visit is Doğubayazıt.

title: Ararat


text:
Ararat (Victoria)

Ararat is known as the Gateway to the Grampians. It's in western Victoria, 200 km northwest of Melbourne, in Australia.

Understand
With a population of around 10,000, Ararat is the centre of a sheep and wheat farming area and is becoming well-known for its burgeoning wine industry.

Get in
200 km west of Melbourne on the Western Highway. Accessible by road, rail or bus. V-Line have train services 3 times daily (M-F) or 2 times daily (Sa, Su) from Melbourne's Southern Cross Station (on Spencer St). There are 3 trains weekly to and from Adelaide (The Overland), stopping at Murray Bridge, Bordertown, Stawell, Horsham, Dimboola and Nhill along the way. V-line also have buses to towns further west such as Stawell, Halls Gap and Horsham.

See

 * Take a tour of the old "J Ward" - former home of the criminally insane.
 * Revisit Ararat's Chinese heritage at the Gum San Museum in Lambert Street
 * Check out the lookout on One Tree Hill, and for a different perspective also the lookout on Flint Hill.

With huge horizons, it is a spectacular place for sunrises and sunsets with views:
 * East to Mt. Langi Ghiran, Mt.Cole and the Pyrenees ranges.
 * West there are dramatic hillscapes preceding the Grampians.

Do

 * Swim in Norval Dam.
 * Check out Rocky Point.
 * Go to the World Rabbit-Skinning Championships at Moyston.
 * Drive the Pyrenees Highway from Ararat to Avoca and back, there are few more enjoyable drives in the country.
 * Fish in the Hopkins river.
 * Watersports, fishing and swimming at Green Hill Lake.
 * Walk up the track to Langi Ghiran reservoir.
 * Cycling at the Velodrome.
 * Go Soaring at the airport
 * Quiet roads make the district an excellent area for exploring by bicycle.
 * The Ararat Regional Park has old gold mines and is excellent mountain biking territory.

Buy
Do yourself a favour and get your hair styled by one of the amazing staff at Hair 6ty in Barkly Street.

Artworx Tattoo Studio and its owner/artist Nifty are gaining a fast growing reputation as one of the best young studios/artists in Australia. Sessions are by appointment only.

Eat
At night, Sicilians' Restaurant is good for Italian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Two of the better hotel dining rooms are the Shire Hall Hotel and the Court House Hotel. The RSL on High St has reasonable bistro food with a pleasant view of the civic precinct and town hall.

There are a number of good cafes open during the day in the main shopping precinct. The best lunch venue is the Vines Cafe at the "Paris End" of Barkly St.

Drink
The town has many old pubs. The Hippo Bar in Barkly Street has a large fireplace for cold winter nights and is a venue for live music.

Go wine touring- there are several wineries within 30 mins drive of Ararat including Cathcart Ridge, Langi Ghiran, Montara, and (at Great Western, 10km west) Seppelts, Bests and Garden Gully.

title: Ararat (Victoria)


text:
Aruvankadu

Aruvankadu, is a small town located in The Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu in India between Coonoor and Ooty, at distances 5 km and 12 km respectively. It houses the Cordite Factory, one of the 40 Indian Ordnance Factories, and one of the oldest, established in 1903. It is also the place where Robert Hanbury Brown, a British astronomer and physicist was born.

Understand
Aruvankadu means the forest full of snakes in literary Tamil, and the town enjoys a very pleasant climate round the year much in comparison with Ooty, the queen of the Hills. It is surrounded by lush greenery, tea gardens, eucalyptus plantations. It is well connected by Road and Rail.

Get in
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway runs through Aruvankadu, the Railway station is located in a picturesque location at the border of the Cordite Factory near Hubbathalai village. The main highway of the Nilgiris NH-67 runs through Aruvankadu on the way to Ooty from Coimbatore and Coonoor.

title: Aruvankadu


text:
Arbanassi

Arbanasi (Bulgarian: Арбанаси) is a small village close to the city of Veliko Tarnovo in the north-central part of Bulgaria, notable for its preserved 19th century architecture and old churches.

Get in

From Veliko Tarnovo you can take taxi to Arbanasi, which should cost 3-5 levs. There is also an infrequent local bus. The hike from Arbanassi to Veliko Turnovo is especially scenic.

Get around
It is easy to walk all around town.

See
Several churches. The most impressive one is the Nativity Church, entirely covered with frescos.

There are also museum houses. In the central square of Arbanasi you can find a tourist info board with map.

Go next
There are taxis in central square. There's also one bus stop in the center, and there are bus time tables, so if you are lucky you can take a cheap bus journey.

title: Arbanassi


text:
Arberesh phrasebook

The Arberesh language (Arbëresh, Arbërisht, or Arbërishte) is similar to the Albanian spoken in Albania and less similar to the Albanian of Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro. Arberesh is derived from the medieval form of Albanian with the same name from which both Arberesh and Albanian are derived. It's mainly spoken by Albanian communities in Southern Italy and Sicily, who migrated there in medieval times.

Learning some basic Arberesh expressions could always come in handy; however, knowing either Italian or Sicilian should be enough for a tourist visiting the Arberesh communities, since all Arberesh people are trilingual.

Pronunciation guide
For some Arberesh sounds, there is no easy transliteration.

Vowels

 * a : like 'a' in "apple"
 * i : like 'ee' in "cheese"
 * u : like 'oo' in "pool"
 * o : like 'o' in "door"
 * e : like 'e' in "bed"
 * ë : like 'i' in "bird" or 'u' in "pull", at the end of a word it is silent

Easy Consonants

 * b : like 'b' in "bed"
 * c : like 'ts' in "cats"
 * ç : like 'ch' in "church"
 * t : like 't' in "top"
 * h : like 'ch' in Scottish "loch" (or German "nach")
 * d : like 'd' in "mad"
 * dh : like 'th' in 'then'
 * r : like 'r' in Scottish "row"
 * z : like 'z' in "haze"
 * s : like 's' in "sing"
 * sh : like 'sh' in "sheep"
 * f : like 'f' in "fun"
 * k : like 'k' in "kitten"
 * l : like 'l' in "love"
 * m : like 'm' in "mother"
 * n : like 'n' in "nice"
 * j : like 'y' in "yes"
 * xh : like 'j' in "jam"
 * zh : like 's' in "pleasure"

A double 'r' 'rr' is pronounced the same as a single 'r'.

Difficult Consonants

 * ll : like 'r' in French "rire"
 * g : as 'll' in the above example
 * hj : like 'ch' in Scottish "loch" followed rapidly by a 'y' in "yet"
 * gj : like 'g' and 'y' in "dogyard"
 * q : like 'k' and 'y' in "dockyard"
 * x : like 'dz' in "adze"

When j comes at the end of a word, it is always pronounced in the same way as 'hj'. When b, d, dh, g, gj, ll, x, xh, z, and zh come at the end of a word or before another consonant, they always devoice, e.g.

b - p d - t dh - th g - k gj - q ll - h x - c xh - zh z - s zh - sh

Phrase list
Some commonly understood Arberesh phrases, use either Italian or Sicilian words; these have been shown in quotes below to avoid confusion.

Basics

 * Hello. : Falem
 * Welcome! : Mirë se na jerdhe (single); Mirë se na jerdhët (plural)
 * How are you? : Si rri? (informal), si ë zotrote (strote)? (formal)
 * (I'm) fine. : U rri mirë
 * Good : Mirë
 * Very well : Shumë mirë
 * And you? : E ti? (informal), e zotrote (strote)? (formal)
 * What is your name? : Si të thonë? (informal), Si i thonë? (formal)
 * My name is ______ . : Mua më thonë ______.
 * Nice to meet you. : Gëzonem të të njoh (informal), Gëzonem të i njoh (formal), Pjaçir!
 * How old are you? : Sa vjeç ke?
 * Please. :Pi fauri
 * Thank you. :Të haristis/Ghracji
 * You're welcome : Mosgjë
 * Welcome (welcoming someone). :Eja, eja rtu (come, come here)
 * Really? : Më ftet?
 * Yes. : O£, or Arà, or ëj
 * No. : Jo
 * Maybe : Ommce, Mëndjetë
 * Excuse me. (getting attention) :Perdono
 * Excuse me. (begging pardon) : Lip ndjesë
 * I'm sorry. :Skuza
 * Goodbye : Falem
 * Goodbye (informal) :Çau!
 * I don't speak Arberesh [well]. : Ngë flas [mirë] t'arbërisht
 * Do you speak English? :E flet ngliz?
 * Is there someone here who speaks English? :Isht njeri rtu çë e flet ngliz?
 * Help me! : Më ndih!
 * Okay : Mirë
 * Look out! : Shih!
 * For sure/Of course! :Çertu!
 * Good morning. : Mirë menatë
 * Good evening. : Mirë mbrëma
 * Good night. : Natën e mirë
 * I don't know. : Ngë di
 * Where is the toilet (bathroom)? : Te ku ë rritreu?
 * Where is the restroom (in a restaurant)? : Te ku janë rritrenjët?
 * I : U
 * You : Ti (informal), Zotrote (pronounced "strote") (informal)
 * I understand :Drëngonj (or) Kapir
 * I do not understand :Ngë drëngonj (or) Ngë kapir
 * Sweetheart : Zëmbra
 * You're the prettiest of them all : Je më e bukura se të gjithëve!
 * Where are you from? : Ka vjen?

Problems

 * Leave me alone : Bëjëm të rri me paqë
 * Stop it: Basta!
 * Don't speak to me! : Mos më flit!
 * I'll call the police. : Ka thërres te poliçia
 * Stop! : Sose!
 * Can you help me? : Mënd më ndihësh?
 * I got lost/I'm lost : U zborëm
 * I lost my bag. : Kam zbier thesin
 * I'm sick : Jam sëmurë
 * I want a doctor. : Dua një dutur
 * Can I use your phone? :Mënd lluzar telefoninin tot?

Numbers

 * 1 : një
 * 2 : di
 * 3 : tre
 * 4 : kartë
 * 5 : pesë
 * 6 : gjashtë
 * 7 : shtatë
 * 8 : tetë
 * 9 : nëntë
 * 10 : dhjetë
 * 11 : njëmbëdhjetë
 * 12 : dimbëdhetë
 * 13 : trimbëdhjetë
 * 14 : kartëmbëdhjetë
 * 15 : pesëmbëdhjetë
 * 16 : gjashtëmbëdhjetë
 * 17 : shtatëmbëdhjetë
 * 18 : tetëmbëdhjetë
 * 19 : nëntëmbëdhjetë
 * 20 : njëzet

For numbers between 20 and 100, Arberesh people use Sicilian numbers according to Arberesh phonology.

 * 21 : Vintunu
 * 32 : Trintadui
 * 43 : Kuarantatri
 * 54 : Çinkuantakuatru
 * 65 : Sesantaçinku
 * 76 : Setantasei
 * 87 : Otantaseti
 * 98 : Novantotu
 * 100 : Qind

 * number _____ (train, bus, etc.) : numbri _____ (tren, autobus)
 * half : gjimpsë
 * less : manku
 * more : më

Time/Qiròi

 * now : naní
 * later : mëtardu
 * before : përpara
 * morning : menatë
 * afternoon : ditë
 * evening : mbrëma
 * night/nights : natë/netë

Clock time/Hera

 * What time is it? : Çë herë bën?
 * one o'clock: jan l'unu
 * one fifteen: jan l'unu e një kuart

 * two o'clock AM: jan i dui dhi menatnet
 * two thirty: jan i dui e mencu
 * noon: mjesdita
 * one o'clock PM: një ditën
 * two forty five : jan i tri manku një kuart
 * two o'clock PM: jan i dui dhi ditën
 * midnight: mjesnata

Days/Ditët

 * today : sot
 * yesterday : dje
 * tomorrow : nestrë
 * this week : këtë javë
 * last week : java çë shkoi
 * next week : java çë vjen

 * Sunday : dieli
 * Monday : e hënia
 * Tuesday : e martë
 * Wednesday : e mërkurë
 * Thursday : e injtja
 * Friday : e prëmptja
 * Saturday : shtunë

Months/Muajtë

 * January : jinar
 * February : shkurte
 * March : mars
 * April : prill
 * May : maj
 * June : kërshor
 * July : korrik
 * August : gusht
 * September : setembri
 * October : otubri
 * November : novembri
 * December : diçembri

Colors/Kullurët

 * black : i zi (masculine) e zeza (feminine)
 * white : i barth (masculine) e bardhe (feminine)
 * red : i kuq (masculine) e kuqe (feminine)
 * blue : axurru
 * yellow : xhall
 * green : virdhi
 * orange : portokall
 * brown : kafe

Bus and train

 * How much is a ticket to _____? :Sa kustar një biletë pë' ...
 * One ticket to _____, please. :Një bilet pë' ...
 * Where does this bus go? :Te ku vete këtë posta? ...
 * Does this bus stop in San Giuseppe? :Kjo postë qëndron Murtilat?
 * When does the bus for leave? :Kur ka vete posta?
 * When will this bus arrive in Belmonte? :Kur arrëhet Mixanji?
 * Where are you going? :Ku ka veç?

Directions

 * How do I get to _____ ? :Si arrënj _____ ?
 * ...the airport? :...l'arjuportu?
 * ...Piana/Santa Cristina? :...Hora?/Sëndahstinë
 * ...the hotel? :...l'alberghu?
 * Can you show me on the map? :Mënd e më shohësh te a mapa?
 * street :strata
 * Turn left. :jec tek e shtrëmbra
 * Turn right. :jec tek e drejta
 * straight ahead/in front :dreq
 * towards the _____ :fina _______?
 * past the _____ :pranë _____
 * before the _____ :përpara _____
 * up: alarta
 * down: aposhta

Money/Ghranet

 * Do you accept Credit Cards? :Mirrni karta krediti?
 * Can I pay in cash? :Mënd paguanj me ghranet?
 * That's cheap! :ë frëng!
 * Expensive! :shtrejtë!

Eating/Të Ngrënit

 * A table for one person/two people, please. :Një triesë pë' një/di.
 * Can I look at the menu, please? : Mënd shoh menu?
 * Can I look in the kitchen? : Mënd shoh te kuçina?
 * Is there a house specialty? :Isht një speçialità të shpisë?
 * I'm a vegetarian. : Ngë ha mishtë
 * I don't eat pork. : Ngë ha mishtë derri
 * Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter) : Mënd i ziesh me pak vaj/gjalpë
 * breakfast :kulacjuni
 * lunch :pranxu
 * I want _____. : Deja ______
 * chicken : pule
 * meat : mishë
 * fish : pishq
 * ham : mish derri
 * sausage : likënkë
 * cheese : udhos
 * eggs : vezë
 * salad : ncallatë
 * vegetables : virdhurë
 * fruit : frutë
 * bread : bukë
 * toast : tost
 * pasta : brumit
 * beans : fasolla
 * prosciuto : hjiramer
 * May I have a glass of _____? :Mënd më japësh një qerq ________?
 * coffee : kafeu
 * tea : te
 * juice : lunk
 * water : uja
 * beer : birra
 * red/white wine : vera kuqe/bardhe
 * salt : kripë
 * black pepper : mustur
 * butter : gjalpë
 * I'm finished. : kam sosur

Bars

 * Do you serve alcohol? : Jipni alkol?
 * Is there table service? : Isht një shërbim te triesën?
 * A beer/two beers, please. :Një/di birrë, pi fauri
 * A bottle, please. :një butijë, pi fauri
 * One more, please. : Një pameta
 * When is closing time? : Kur mblluin?

Authority

 * I haven't done anything. : Ngë bëra gjë
 * I want to talk to a lawyer. :Deja të flisja me një avukat

Asking about language

 * How do you say _____ ? : Si thuhet ...?
 * What is this/that called? : Si thërritet?

title: Arberesh phrasebook


text:
Erbil

Erbil (Hawlêr in Kurdish and also transliterated as Arbil) is the capital and largest city in Iraqi Kurdistan, and the fourth-largest city in Iraq. It is one of the oldest continually-inhabited sites of human civilization, and is also a rapidly-growing and urbanizing center for the oil industry and NGOs in the Middle East.

Districts

 * Old Erbil The historic and geographic center of the city. Home to most major tourist sights, including the Citadel, Qayseri Bazaar, and museums, as well as many government offices.
 * South Erbil Neighbourhoods immediately south of the old city include Minaret Park, Shanidar Park, and Iskan Street.
 * Northwest Erbil Brand-new developments between 60 Meter Road and 100 Meter Road, west of Ankawa include many of the city's restaurants and hotels, as well as Sami Park and many upscale villa and apartment communities.
 * Northeast Erbil Developments east of Ankawa and outside 60 Meter Road include Erbil's three major shopping malls, hotels and restaurants, and sprawling, brand-new villas and apartment towers.
 * American Village On the eastern outskirts of Erbil, this community contains a large number of foreign companies and workers as well as a popular bar.
 * Komari Where the stadium is located.
 * Ankawa Christian suburb to the north of the city and close to the airport, home to most of the city's bars, many hotels, and a large expatriate community.

Climate
Erbil has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Csa), meaning it has extremely hot summers and cool wet winters. January is the wettest month.

Visas
Comprehensive and up to date info on visa requirements and cost can be found in the article Iraqi Kurdistan under Get in.

By plane

 * Austrian Airlines has flights between Vienna and Erbil on a daily basis.
 * Turkish Airlines and Iraqi Airways fly to Istanbul daily or almost-daily. Pegasus flies three times a week to Ankara; Turkish and Pegasus also fly to Antalya during summer.
 * Middle East Airlines flies to Erbil from Beirut on 7 flights per week.
 * Royal Jordanian has daily flights to Amman, while Iraqi Airways has several flights a week to Amman.
 * Qatar Airways flies 4 times a week between Erbil and Doha.
 * FlyDubai has flights to Dubai daily, while Emirates flies twice a week to Dubai.
 * Lufthansa flies two weekly round-trip flights from Frankfurt.
 * Lufthansa flies two weekly round-trip flights from Frankfurt.

Other destinations are served with less frequent flights. In Europe, destinations with at least weekly flights include Berlin (Iraqi Airways), Dusseldorf (Iraqi Airways), Copenhagen (Iraqi Airways), London (Iraqi Airways). Egypt Air has flights four times a week to Cairo, while Mahan Air has three flights weekly to Tehran. Iraqi Airways provides frequent flights to other parts of Iraq, but the security situation in these places is rarely safe even for experienced travellers.

By bus

There are many Iranian bus companies that run services connecting Iran to Erbil. This is about 916 km or 10 hours. There are many cities in Iran that connect to Erbil by bus including Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, Shiraz, Kurdistan, and Ahwaz. The VIP buses travel from Tehran to Erbil every day, 2 buses per day. If you move to Erbil by bus, you should stop in Piranshahr city, at the Iran-Iraq border, to show your passport. If you have an Iranian passport, you don't need a visa to cross the border. Companies include
 * Seyr O Safar (Seyr O Safar : +982144648484)

Bus companies also connect Erbil to Diyarbakir in Turkey (10–15 hours) and Istanbul (36–48 hours). You can find ticket offices of most of these companies at Erbil International Terminal. Arrival time depends on border formalities (around 1 hour from Turkey to Iraq in May 2019 and 2 hours back to Turkey).

 * Cizre Nuh (Tel Erbil: 0750 340 47 73)
 * Can Diyarbakir (Tel Erbil: 0750 895 62 17-18-19)

Get around
Public transportation is available in the form of taxis and some bus routes, but automobiles are the main mode of transportation. Compared with other cities in the Middle East, shared taxis and buses are very infrequent and impractical. If you don't know your way around or have a guide with local knowledge it is inadvisable to try public transportation alone. In terms of taxis there are several choices:

Talk
Almost everyone can hold a basic conversation in Arabic. Many people (especially the young) can also speak English, and may well prefer this, as some regard Arabic as a colonialist language, associated with painful episodes in Kurdish history.

See

Parks

Do

 * Stroll around in the deserted city inside the citadel in the centre of Erbil. Hundreds of houses that appears to have been abandoned in a hurry. Walk into the court yards, sleeping rooms and bed rooms or up to the rooftop terraces to enjoy a spectacular panorama of Erbil or ponder what life might have been in this place before the inhabitants were repopulated.
 * In season, see the Erbil SC football team play a match at Franso Hariri Stadium, south of the city center. Erbil SC is a regular winner in the Iraqi Premiere League, runner-up in the Asian Football Cup, and beloved by many locals.
 * Explore Erbil's nascent local art scene at the Shanadar Gallery, in Shandar Park, then take in Kurdish, Arab, and Persian music at one of the many restaurant/show venues in the city.

Eat
Many good restaurants exist in Erbil. However, the vast majority serve kebabs and chicken, with some Lebanese and Turkish restaurants. Options for foreign food are limited. Most restaurants, except those in high-end hotels, do not serve alcohol or accept credit cards.

Drink

You can buy a wide variety of beer, wine and liquor at pretty reasonable prices in Ainkawa, the Christian suburb of Irbil. Just look for any of the local liquor stores. A litre of Jack Daniels for about US$22 is cheaper than in Tennessee where it is bottled! Remember that Erbil is a predominantly Muslim city: drinking in public is unacceptable and public drunkenness is frowned upon.

In addition, the bars at the major luxury hotels (such as the Divan and the Rotana) are popular gathering spots.

Sleep
There is an active couchsurfing community in Erbil, which offers a low cost alternative for hotels if you only plan to stay a few days in Erbil.

Consulates

 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇷🇴 Romania

Go next
Sulaymaniyah is an easy 2-3 hour drive. Described as the centre of education and culture in Kurdistan. The city features the best museums in Iraqi Kurdistan, good hotels and a number of pleasant parks including Chavvy Land.

title: Erbil


text:
Arboga

Arboga is a town in Västmanland. Arboga, with its well-preserved medieval character, is a beautiful and charming town. The ancient cobblestones of Västerlånggatan (the riverside street, lined with period wooden houses) have been trodden by the feet of many locals and travellers throughout the ages.

Understand

 * Kära Örebroare. Förlåt, Arboga.
 * "Dear people of Örebro. Sorry, Arboga." — King Carl XVI Gustaf, 1985, at the 550-year anniversary of Arboga Riksdag.

The town holds a prominent position in Swedish medieval history, and the country's first parliament (riksdag) was held here in 1435. Today, Arboga is a quiet town with a population of around 12,000.

An exciting period in Arboga’s history was when the Franciscan monks settled here during the 13th century; Gråbröderna (the grey brotherhood), as there were called, were known for participating in communities which they thought had the potential to expand and develop. This was true of Arboga and the town owes a lot to the work of the monks, e.g. the monastery they built which later became the church of the Holy Trinity in Arboga. The monks also tended to the poor and the sick, and taught reading skills to children. There are many stories of an old network of underground passages in which the monks could move around the town in secret. The monks stayed in Arboga until the 16th century, when King Gustav Vasa broke with the Roman Catholic Church, took over all the monasteries and drove the monks out of Sweden.

Arboga was an influential town during the middle ages; the Arboga River gave the town a trade route to Stockholm and the rest of the world. The iron ore trade was also an important commodity during Arboga’s history, where it was weighed and stored at Ladbron. Unfortunately the trade route was discontinued after construction was completed on the Hjälmarkanal (Hjälmar Canal), but then the new canal did have some positive effects on Arboga.

Arboga was also host to a number of important historical events including Engelbrekt’s first assembly of the Swedish parliament in 1435. The town was also a residence for monarchs – during the 16th century Gustav Vasa and his daughter, Cecilia, lived here. Cecilia later became Countess Cecilia of Arboga and lived in the church building Helge And, which later became the town hall and remains so today.

Get in
Direct trains from Stockholm Central Station.

Get around
The city is very small and is best seen by foot. You can park very close to the city centre, free of charge. But you can also go by car in the city center. To go to sights outside of the town you can go by car, bike or taxibus.

Do
Historical city walks and Jädersbruksdagarna (market, veteran vehicles, music & exhibits) are but a few of the events that draw a large audience.

Arboga’s rolling landscapes and close proximity to lakes and forests provide many opportunities for a wide range of thrilling outdoor activities.

There are several art galleries, many exiting boutiques, interesting shops and cosy cafés, all in the well-preserved heart of the medieval city center.

Events

 * Arboga is known for the Medieval Days in August
 * The Carneval, Kanalens Dag (canal event), Summer entertainment by the river

Eat
There are several nice restaurants in Arboga.

Drink
There are some nice pubs and restaurants in the beautiful medieval city center.

Sleep
There are several different housings if you want to stay over night. You can choose from hotels, B&Bs, motels, stay on a farm-living and hostels.

title: Arboga


text:
Arborfield

Arborfield is a small town in East Central Saskatchewan.

Understand
The Town of Arborfield is nestled on Highway #23 nine miles west of the Pasquia Hills in which summers are spent swimming, golfing and camping. Winters are enjoyed on the many snowmobile trails throughout the forest reserve. The area also provides down-hill and cross-country skiing, curling, hockey, and skating. The nearby forest reserve affords avid hunters many hours of recreation.

Get in
Arborfield is 260 km northeast of Saskatoon on Highways 41, 3 and 35.

Buy

 * Pick your own Saskatoon berries in season at Thesen Berry Farms (+1 306 769-8673) or Deer Ridge Berry Farm +1 306-769-8903.

title: Arborfield


text:
Arbus

Arbus is a town in Sardinia.

The town of Arbus is located in the Sardinian southwest coast and it is famous for its uncontaminated coastline, known as Costa Verde (Marina di Arbus). The region of Arbus, the Arburese, is also known for its many archaeological sites, from the Phoenician and Roman ruins to the industrial archaeology of the mines of Montevecchio and Ingurtosu.

By train
It is possible to get a train to S. Gavino from any of the main railway stations of Sardinia (such as Cagliari, Oristano, Sassari, Olbia). Get off at S. Gavino. From S. Gavino, take a bus to Arbus.

By bus
From Cagliari, you can take a bus to Arbus. In Cagliari, the bus station is located next to the railway station, in piazza Matteotti (the big square between via Roma and the harbour area). The bus company which gets to Arbus and to the neighbouring cities is called ARST.

By car

 * From Olbia, take the SS 131 D.C.N., take the SS 131 (heading towards Cagliari) onto the exit Marrubiu-Terralba, then take the SS 126 onto Arbus.
 * From Cagliari, take the way SS 131 (heading toward Sassari) until km 46, then choose the exit Sanluri-Guspini-Arbus. Take the SS 197 (heading towards Guspini). When in Guspini, take the SS 126 to Arbus.
 * From Porto Torres-Alghero, take the SS 131 (heading towards Cagliari) and continue onto the exit Marrubiu-Terralba. Then, take the SS 126 onto Arbus.

See
The town of Arbus presents several attractions such as:

Churches

In the nearby, it is possible to visit several archaeological sites. The most famous is the Montevecchio mines, notable example of industrial archaeology.

In the territory of Arbus, it is also located the Monte Arcuentu (785 m, 2575 ft), mountain noticeable for its peculiar natural environment, but also for its relevance in Sardianin history and its place in local folklore and legends.

Do
Climb the nearby mountains:

title: Arbus


text:
Arcachon

Arcachon is a beach resort near Bordeaux in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of Southwestern France. It has a fine beach and a mild climate said to be favourable for invalids suffering from pulmonary complaints.

History
Arcachon is a popular bathing location on the Atlantic coast 55 km (34 mi) south-west of Bordeaux in the Landes forest.

Arcachon is known for the "Arcachonnaise", the local name for an Arcachon villa, which is the architectural style of many of the older houses built there. It is a type of Victorian architecture, and was criticized for generations, but is now considered to be charming and deeply human.

The town of Arcachon was founded in 1857, when Emperor Napoleon III authorized its creation. It had been just a forest of pine trees, oaks and strawberry trees (arbutus), with no road links, and home - mostly when the weather was expected to be warm, and more in wood huts than in real houses - to fewer than 400 people, mostly fishermen and peasants.

In earlier years, when some hygienists began to recommend sea bathing, three sea establishments were laid out by some entrepreneurs (the Pereire brothers) especially for the Bordeaux bourgeoisie and other wealthy people. This was the beginning of a new lifestyle, and some of the locals got the opportunity to claim their independence from La Teste-de-Buch, which owned their properties, in order to found a "free" new town, Arcachon.

The town was built around four districts, each corresponding to a season of the year: the Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter cities. The Winter city was especially prized by wealthy people coming from all Europe to enjoy Arcachon's mild climate during winter. It however fell out of fashion after World War I.

Starting in the 1970, as elsewhere in France, Arcachon and its surroundings have undergone a massive wave of urban development, with high-rises and urban sprawl somewhat spoiling the original architecture and natural landscape, though fortunately not to the same extent as on the Mediterranean coast.

Arcachon remains a somewhat wealthy resort, living mostly off tourism and being home to a sizeable retiree community. Several French celebrities and famous people have villas in the neighbouring town of Cap-Ferret, though they tend to remain hidden and secluded from public view, in stark contrast to the glamorous Mediterranean resorts of the French Riviera.

Arcachon is an important fishing port and is quite proud of its maritime history. Arcachon is also famous for its oysters which are grown in special oyster farms visible all around the Bay.

Geography
Arcachon lies on the southern bank of Arcachon Bay, a large triangle-shaped bay of the Atlantic Ocean, linked to the sea on its south-west corner by a narrow channel which has a reputation of being quite challenging to navigate. The landscape of the Bay is strongly dependent on tides and may change dramatically during the course of a single day.

The Bay is home to a rich and diverse wildlife, especially birds and waterfowl, which can be observed year round. Many parts of the Bay are protected by natural preservation reserves and restricted-access areas.

At its southern entrance from the Atlantic ocean, Arcachon Bay is crowned by Europe's largest sand dune, the Dune du Pilat (also spelled Pyla), nearly 3 km long, 500 m wide, reaching 107 m in height, and moving inland at rate of 5 m a year.

The Bay is surrounded by the Landes forest and its vast expanses of maritime pine trees.

Climate
The weather is generally mild and comfortable with abundant sun during the entire year. Rain is frequent year round; annual precipitation varies around 900 mm. Summers tend to be moderately hot and dry, with a temperature rarely exceeding 30°C. Winters are mild and somewhat rainy, with occasional strong winds. Snowfall is almost nonexistent.

Tourism information
The tourist season reaches its peak from June to late August, during which the population swells considerably. Many people from Bordeaux own vacation houses here and the place is very popular with locals, to the point that on sunny days it feels as if the entire population of Bordeaux has left the city and spilled into Arcachon Bay. Late May and September are lovely times to visit Arcachon, as the weather is quite pleasant and most locals have returned to work or school.

By car
Coming from Bordeaux, the best way to enter Arcachon is to drive down the A63 highway until exit 22 and then follow the A660 highway. The A660 highway is the main road artery serving southern Arcachon Bay and thus is extremely congested during peak hours and during the entire summer season.

By bus
Long distance intercity bus service is provided by major European bus companies such as Flixbus, at least during summer.

A local public transportation system between Arcachon and the surrounding areas is operated by TransGironde.

By train
Arcachon's train station is right at the center of the town, and most beaches and points of interest are quite accessible by foot or bicycle from there.

There are regular train connections from Bordeaux (typically one train per hour in each direction) operated by SNCF as part of the regional TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine network. In some circumstances, regional trains may be replaced and/or supplemented by intercity buses, operated by the same company, which run along the same route and usually stop at the same railway stations. The price is the same, however some restrictions may apply (e.g. carrying bicycles is often impossible in buses).

In summer, Arcachon is also served by TGV high-speed trains coming from Paris Montparnasse station.

By boat
Boat shuttles are operated year round between Arcachon and the neighboring town of Cap-Ferret. Tickets can be bought online in advance and until 15 minutes before departure. Boarding takes place at the pier.

Get around
Lovely surroundings of Arcachon becomes horrendous in summer if you try to drive anywhere — it takes nearly 3 hours to get from Arcachon to Andernos Les Bains in the early evenings. In fact, if you want to go anywhere in the area in summer, you'd better start early in the morning before 08:00. This is not a place for those preferring laziness in the mornings while on vacations.

The town is easy to explore on foot and there are many pedestrian-only avenues in the old town and along the waterfront.

Bicycles are a good alternative for moving around the Bay and beyond.

There is also a small local bus network operating under the name Baïa.

Connect
Arcachon is well served by all French telecommunication operators and there is usually good mobile coverage (GSM, 3G and 4G) as long as you stay in the urbanized areas. Obviously coverage may be quite spotty in the surrounding forests or at sea.

As everywhere in France, public phone booths have been completely removed several years ago.

Many restaurants, hotels and campings usually provide WiFi access.

Stay safe
Arcachon is rather safe and there are no major crime-related issues, although usual common sense applies.

When swimming in the Atlantic ocean (though not in the Bay itself), great care must be taken regarding the Baïne, a unique local natural phenomenon occurring during rising tide and which has claimed many lives over the years. Even experienced swimmers may be taken by surprise. Always be mindful of the information and warnings given by the local lifeguards.

Go next

 * Bordeaux
 * Biscarrosse
 * The neighboring Landes forest and coastline
 * Biarritz and Bayonne

title: Arcachon


text:
Arcadia (California)

Arcadia is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California.

Get in
Arcadia is accessible by Interstate 210. There are three exits: Baldwin Avenue, Santa Anita Avenue, and Huntington Drive.

From Interstate 10, get off at Temple City Blvd. (Westbound), Baldwin Avenue (Eastbound), or Santa Anita Avenue and head north for about 4.5 miles. Alternatively, switch from the Interstate 10 to the 605 N, exit Live Oak Ave, and head north from there.

Get around
The easiest way to get around Arcadia is via private automobile, as it is a primarily residential suburb in the Los Angeles area. Metro, the transportation agency of Los Angeles County, and Foothill Transit, another public transportation agency, run bus routes on major roads, such as Santa Anita Ave., Duarte Rd., Baldwin Ave., and Huntington Dr., but the buses run infrequently (about an hour's wait between buses for most routes), especially on weekends and holidays. Metro also operates the Gold Line light rail service to west to Pasadena and Downtown L.A. and east to Asuza, which stops in Arcadia at 1st Avenue and Santa Clara Street.

Buy

 * Westfield Shoppingtown (commonly known as Arcadia Mall) is on the northeast corner of Baldwin Avenue and Huntington Drive. It is right beside the famous Santa Anita Park.
 * American Life Plaza: Also in the same plaza as Joann, next to the Au 79 Tea House. Sells Asian trinkets, CDs, DVDs, and souvenir items.

Drink

 * Dave and Busters: in Westfield Shoppingtown, across from the AMC movie theater on the second floor. Contains a bar and an arcade.

title: Arcadia (California)


text:
Arcadia (Greece)

Arcadia is a region in the central and eastern part of the Peloponnese, Greece.

Regions
Kynouria — The coastal region of Arcadia

Cities

 * — A stone-built traditional settlement at an elevation of 1000 meters.
 * — A town with a small harbor on the Argolic Gulf.
 * — A stone-built village with remarkable mansions, set on a mountain slope at an elevation of 950 meters.
 * — A medieval town and a protected traditional settlement known as the "Greek Toledo".
 * — A traditional settlement at about 1000 m elevation, known in Greece as the "Hanging Village" (kremasto chorio).
 * — One of the most beautiful villages in Arcadia
 * — Arcadia’s capital and main transportation hub at the center of the Peloponnese.
 * — A popular vacation spot for inhabitants of Tripoli and other parts of Greece.
 * — At 1160 m elevation, Zygovisti is one of the highest villages in Greece.

Other destinations

 * — A deep, narrow gorge popular amongst hikers.
 * — An ancient city that was the site of two significant battles in Classical Greek history.
 * — Vestiges of one of the most powerful cities in ancient times mentioned by Homer, Strabo and Ovid.

title: Arcadia (Greece)


text:
Arcadia (Michigan)

Arcadia is an historic township on the northwestern shore of Northern Michigan. Its moderate climate has made it a popular summer retreat since the 1920s with good beaches, fishing and hiking.

Get in
There are many ways into town. Lake Arcadia is connected to Lake Michigan and offers travelers by boat for a comfortable place to dock and stay a while.

There is a small airport in Frankfort, about 12 miles (19 km) north of town, for those with their own aircraft.

Most visitors tend to travel in via car and a search on MapQuest or Google maps will show the best route from your home.

Get around
The best way to get around town in Arcadia is either by foot or by bike. The town is quite small and scenic, so unless you have a disability, you will more than likely be compelled to get around without the car. You will, however, need a vehicle to get to the nearest towns (Frankfort, Bear Lake, Onekama, etc.) for groceries and supplies not available in Arcadia.

Do

 * Golf: Arcadia has two golf courses. The first being the nationally renowned Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course, built in 1999 in the south of the township.  The second is the unheralded, yet challenging Chestnut Hills Golf Course which is just west of town.  Chestnut Hills is a very charming "mom and pop" owned course.  You will enjoy chatting with Doug (owner) and you will occasionally be paid a visit by Elvis, the family dog.

 * Camp Arcadia, a Lutheran family retreat center founded in 1922, draws thousands of visitors each year.

 * Arcadia Daze: Each year the Arcadia Lions Club sponsors Arcadia Daze, a community celebration and fund raiser that is held the 3rd weekend in July.

 * Nature preserves and hiking: The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has very nice nature preserves with hiking trails north of town. The Arcadia Dunes: the C.S. Mott Nature Preserve (3,000 acres), the Upper Herring Lake Nature Preserve (163 acres), Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve (240 acres), and the Fruithaven Nature Preserve (176 acres) provide hikes that range from easy to difficult and all offer views that are breathtaking.

 * Beaches on Lake Michigan: The town runs a public beach. Lake Michigan is always a fairly cold water lake, but in late July-August water temperatures are most desirable.  Lake Arcadia is an option for swimming, but most opt not to due to its proximity to the bluer, Lake Michigan.  There is also a very small public beach on Lake Michigan in the unincorporated community of Pierport, which is 5 miles to the south of Arcadia.  Some people choose to swim at the South pier.  Clean up after yourself and keep the dogs on a leash and you won't disturb the beauty.  Just south of Arcadia, the land is owned by Amway, and they frown upon trespassers.

 * Fishing: Lake Arcadia boasts relatively good fishing for a variety of fish. Bluegill, Rock Bass, Perch, Northern Pike, Freshwater Drum, and Smallmouth bass are plentiful year round. There are certain times of year that salmon and trout from Lake Michigan head into Lake Arcadia, too.  At one time, Lake Arcadia held the North American record for the largest Brown Trout.  It still holds the state record.

 * There is a public fishing dock in town in addition to an area around the M22 bridge that provide adequate places to fish without a boat. There is a public (free) boat launch and a nicer launch with a dock that charges a nominal fee to launch there.  Boat rentals are available at the local campground in town as well as numerous opportunities to go on a charter trip out to Lake Michigan.

 * Five miles north of town are Upper and Lower Herring lakes. Lower Herring lake has earned the nickname "Walleye Lake", due to its reputation for fantastic walleye fishing

 * Gravity Hill: One of the few gravity hills in Michigan is in Arcadia at the intersection of Putney and Joyfield Roads. Park at the bottom of the hill by the white church on Putney road, put the car in neutral and watch your call roll "uphill".

Buy

 * Arcadia Marine and Lilly Pad Gift Shop: You can buy Arcadia souvenirs, a fishing license, fishing gear, bait, and boat supplies here.  Attached to the gift shop is an ice cream shop that has phenomenal ice cream and home made waffle cones.

Next door to the Arcadia Marine and Lilly Pad Gift Shop is the town's only gas station. Full service gas is still alive here as an attendant will happily pump for you. Inside of the gas station you can purchase chips/snacks, hotdogs, coffee, and select M22 memorabilia.

title: Arcadia (Michigan)


text:
Arcadia (Oklahoma)

Arcadia is a very small town in Greater Oklahoma City on Route 66 inside the city of Edmond. Edmond entirely surrounds the city of Arcadia.

Get in
From downtown Edmond, take 2nd Street east (Route 66) a couple of miles.

Get around
You'll need a car. There is no bus service.

Do
Arcadia gives its name to Lake Arcadia. This artificial lake, which is popular for fishing, boating, and picnicking, is in the city of Edmond.

Drink
Pops offers over 700 different sodas (see above).

Sleep
There are no hotels in Arcadia.

title: Arcadia (Oklahoma)


text:
Arcadia Wildlife Management Park

Arcadia Wildlife Management Park is the largest recreational area in Rhode Island, United States. The park is actively managed for hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

Understand
The Arcadia Management Area includes an extensive network of marked and maintained trails. Trails are commonly used for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Fishing and boating are permitted at Breakheart Pond, however swimming is not allowed. The Wood River provides Class I and Class II rapids for Kayakers and canoeists. Horseback riders can camp at the Reynold's Horseman Area.

Climate
Arcadia has a humid continental climate with warm, rainy summers and chilly winters. The highest temperature recorded in Rhode Island was 104 °F (40 °C), recorded on August 2, 1975. The lowest recorded temperature in Rhode Island was −25 °F (−32 °C), on February 5, 1996. Monthly average temperatures range from a high of 83 °F (28 °C) to a low of 20 °F (−7 °C).

By car
Arcadia can be accessed from I-95 in Rhode Island, or I-395 in Connecticut.

From I-95, take exit 5A to RI-102 S. Follow 102 south .8 miles to State Route 3 South. Follow 3 south 1.2 miles, and turn right onto State Route 165 West. Follow Route 165 West approximately 1.4 miles to Arcadia Road. Turn left and follow Arcadia Road about 3 miles, turning left at the stop sign. The Management Area Headquarters building will be on your right. You will pass the Browning Mill Pond Recreation Area on your way to the Headquarters.

From I-395, take exit 86 for CT-201 S, towards Hopeville. After approx 14 miles, turn left onto CT-138 E. After approx 3.5 miles, CT-138 E becomes CT-165 E.  Follow CT-165 into Rhode Island, where it becomes RI-165 E.  RI-165 E passes through the middle of Arcadia Management Area shortly after entering Rhode Island.

Get around
The park is over with many paved, gravel, and dirt roads. There is no public transportation in the area, so you will have to depend on car or bike to get around.

title: Arcadia Wildlife Management Park


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Arcata

Arcata is a city in the North Coast of California. Arcata is a small university town on the north end of Humboldt Bay. It is well known for its hippie counter culture, progressive politics, and vegetarian restaurants. Arcata is the perfect place to relax while enjoying fresh air, the ocean, and the tallest trees on Earth. The pace of things is quite calm here, with usually as many bicyclists or people on foot as cars go by.

Understand
Sometimes referred to as being "behind the Redwood Curtain", Arcata has a unique culture that prides itself on all things alternative, and on localism and self-reliance above most everything else.

Due to its tolerant residents, Arcata attracts a large transient population. Most of these people are harmless "dharma bums". Expect to be asked for change every so often, but don't feel pressured to give any.

By car

 * US 101.svg & California 299.svg: There are two highway to Arcata: the 101, which runs north and south. Arcata is 7 hours south of Portland and 5 hours north of San Francisco. Highway 299 runs to Redding, 3 hours east, where it connects to Interstate 5.
 * Check to see if there are road closures before traveling in and out of the area. In the winter months heavy rains can cause flooding and mudslides on the 101.

By bus
, is Arcata's central bus station for the local city buses (A&MRTS) and other bus lines. The station is located at 925 'E' St, a couple of blocks east of the central plaza along 9th St. It is served by:

By plane

 * is a regional airport located north in the town of McKinleyville serving McKinleyville, Arcata, Eureka and other cities and towns in Humboldt County. The airport is served by Skywest Airlines as United Express to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver, and by Avelo to Burbank and Las Vegas.

Get around

 * Arcata is the perfect walking town. Park near the Arcata Plaza and walk to numerous book stores, shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, coffee shops and banks, all within a few blocks of each other. Walk a little further to visit Cal Poly Humboldt, the Arcata Community Forest, or the Arcata Marsh. A remarkable walking experience would be walking in the Community Forest alongside The Jolly Giant stream. Remember respecting Nature, it's precious here!
 * Bike lanes abound. Drivers are generally used to and tolerant of bicyclists sharing the road, but as always, ride safely.  If your bike breaks down, then Revolution Bicycle Repair is probably your best bet to get it fixed.
 * The Arcata and Mad River Transit System (A&MRTS) operates the Red, Gold, and Orange bus routes in Arcata. The Red and Gold routes operate on Monday-Friday, and the Orange route operates on Saturday.  There is no bus service on the A&MRTS on Sunday.

See

 * Every Saturday morning in the spring, summer, and fall there is a farmers market on the central plaza.
 * People-watching on the Plaza is always a popular choice. Feel free to kick back on the grass and view a cross-section of the people who make Arcata Arcata!
 * Arcata is filled with vintage Victorian homes that are well cared for. Drive through the streets of Arcata for a tour.
 * Right behind the university is the Arcata Community Forest. If you see one thing in Arcata, this should be it.  The transition from the university housing to a rainforest filled with ferns, rare birds and other animals, and crisscrossing footpaths along and over wooded streams coursing around older-than-ancient redwood trees, is truly awe-inspiring.

Do
Arcata is less than 10 minutes from several scenic beaches, which are perfect for family outings, surfing, skimboarding, and all other beach activities.

You can go on a stroll of Downtown and take a tour of the public sculptures.

Night life
Arcata's nightlife is condensed into a few square blocks, which is great because you can bar hop without ever having to drive your car; the police like this as well.

There are a couple local venues to catch live music in town some nights, including a couple of the bars on the plaza and Humboldt Brewery (10th & I).

Listen

 * KSLG. Humboldts New Rock - Tune into stream
 * KHUM. Radio Without the Rules - Tune into stream
 * KHSU. Diverse Public Radio - Tune into stream
 * KMUD. Redwood Community Radio - Tune into stream

Go next

 * Redwood National and State Parks is only a 45-minute drive to the north, with the southern boundary near Orick. Arcata is a great jumping-off point for visiting the ancient ecosystems that are protected inside the park boundary.

title: Arcata


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Archangelos

Archangelos (Arhangelos) is a town on the island of Rhodes, Greece. It is approximately mid way between Lindos in the south and Faliraki to the north. It is serviced by the highway running down the east coast of the island

A peaceful place perfect for families which travelling with children. Great hospitality from the locals which are ready to help you in any case.

Car
Around 33 km from Rhodes Old Town and around 27 km north of Lindos

Bus
Rhodes Town—Arhangelos departs- 06:45, 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30, 15:00, 16:30, 18:00, 19:30, 21:15

Arhangelos—Rhodes Town departs - 06:20, 06:40*, 07:20, 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 11:20, 11:50, 12:35, 13:30, 15:00, 15:50, 16:50, 17:35, 18:20, 19:35,

Price: €3.00 1 way

Get around
By car, or walk around. It's not that big.

See

 * Church of the Saint Micheal Archangel Closed until 5PM.
 * Castle of Saint John ruins
 * Cave of Koumellos
 * Epta piges 7 springs A few km north of the town and a little inland behind Tsampika beach.
 * Panagia Tsampika Monastery, monastery north of town with a nearby hill station from which you can enjoy grand views of Tsampika Beach and beyond.

Beaches

 * Tsampika beach
 * Stegna beach
 * Agathi beach

Buy
Reasonable prices at local supermarkets.

Go next

 * Afandou - One of the big villages on the island. The golf course of Rhodes is situated in this area along with a long beach
 * Kolympia
 * Stegna
 * Malona
 * Lindos
 * Faliraki Rhodes' "action resort". Go there to party, everything else is better somewhere else - although the hotels north from Faliraki are much quieter. Nice beaches, not as windy as on the west coast and served by good public transport. Hotels near the water park are family friendly and not so popular with the 'clubbers'.
 * Rhodes Old Town The biggest city on the island and seat of the local government, also the oldest inhabited medieval town in Europe.

title: Archangelos


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Arch Cape

Arch Cape is a city in Oregon.

title: Arch Cape