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Taupō

Taupō, also written Taupo, is a town on the northern shore of Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, in the central North Island. It is a popular tourist destination due to its lake, boating, trout fishing, geothermal attractions, waterfalls, outdoor activities and proximity to the North Island's highest mountains. It is built around the lake's outlet into the Waikato River, the country's longest river.

Understand
The Lake Taupo area is on a volcanic plateau. The lake, famed for its trout fishing and boating, fills the caldera of one of the largest supervolcanoes in the world, in a still active geological region. About 26,000 years ago, the lake area was a volcano that erupted in an enormous explosion that ejected about 1,200 km3 of material, spreading it over the central North Island and forming the Volcanic Plateau. The resulting depression became Lake Taupo after it filled with water draining off the surrounding hills. It last erupted around 180 CE, reportedly turning the skies over China and Rome red. The prehistoric eruption was VEI-8 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index scale, one of the largest ever. The 180 CE blast was VEI-7, still enormous.

Today, Lake Taupo is New Zealand's largest lake by area, covering 616 km². It feeds the Waikato River, New Zealand's longest, with the water to run eight hydroelectric power stations. After leaving town, the river rushes through the tourist attractions of Huka Falls and Aratiatia Rapids.

Climate
Taupō has a temperate climate with distinct seasons, mild summers, cool winters, and regular rainfall. Due to its inland location and relatively high altitude (360 m above sea level), the climate is cooler than in other parts of the North Island and is more akin to the lower half of the South Island.

Visitor information

 * Taupō visitor information website

By bus
Intercity offers coach services to Taupō several times a day from throughout the North Island. Adventure travel networks in the form of Kiwi Experience, Stray and Contiki also visit Taupō (daily in summer).

By car
Taupō is at the junction of State Highway 1 (SH 1), which runs the length of the country, and State Highway 5 (SH 5), which runs south-east to Napier and north to Rotorua and Tirau.

Approximate distances and drive times are:
 * Auckland – 275 km, 4 hr along SH 1 (alternatively, you can leave SH 1 at Pokeno, travel along SH 2 and SH 27 via Matamata and meet back up with SH 1 at Tirau, therefore avoiding Hamilton)
 * Hamilton – 153 km, 2 hr along SH 1
 * Rotorua – 81 km, 1 hr along SH 5
 * Napier – 142 km, 2 hr along SH 5 (there are two electric charging stations en route, but no petrol stations – if you're not driving an EV, check your fuel level before leaving Bay View, on Napier's outskirts)
 * Wellington – 370 km, 5 hr along SH 1

Get around
The urban centre is very compact and is within easy walking distance of most hotels, motels and hostels, as are a number of the more popular activities. To explore further, there are several car rental companies and the popular "Hot Bus" shuttle, which has regular trips to the most popular tourist sites. In addition most activity operators offer a free pick up, drop off service. It is also possible to hire push bikes and motor scooters. Accommodation providers will be able to assist with all transport arrangements.

See
There are many sights of interest in the Taupō region, most of which are free of charge, and you should set a day aside to check out some of the sights. To get around the sights transport is a must: a mountain bike at the very least for people with some fitness or perhaps a rental car or shuttle for those who prefer to relax while on holiday.

 * Lions Walk – A walkway starting in town and heading south for about 5 miles following the lake edge. Paved in places through the efforts of local service clubs.
 * Lions Walk – A walkway starting in town and heading south for about 5 miles following the lake edge. Paved in places through the efforts of local service clubs.
 * Lions Walk – A walkway starting in town and heading south for about 5 miles following the lake edge. Paved in places through the efforts of local service clubs.
 * Lions Walk – A walkway starting in town and heading south for about 5 miles following the lake edge. Paved in places through the efforts of local service clubs.

Geothermal activity
Being in the heart of the Taupo Volcanic Zone you don't have to travel far to encounter geothermal activity. There are several examples and, though not as heavily marketed or developed as those in nearby Rotorua, they provide a fascinating insight into the fragility of our planet.

 * The Wairakei steam field, 10 minutes north of town on Wairakei Rd, can be accessed by car and provides an insight into the tapping of the earth's heat for electricity generation. The 175-MW opened in 1958, the first geothermal plant in New Zealand and only the second commercial-scale geothermal plant in the world. Today, geothermal power stations in New Zealand produce 15 percent of the country's electricity requirements. Further north along State Highway 5 is the newer and smaller, but more prominent, . Its 105-metre-tall natural draft cooling tower, like those typically found at nuclear power stations, stands out from the landscape for miles around.

Do
There is no shortage of activities on offer in Taupō, be it an adrenaline rush or the more sedate. There is something for everyone, from the ever popular bungy, to Taupō being internationally known as a mecca for skydiving, to jet boating, trout fishing, scenic flights, and simple pleasures such as the AC Baths and the one and only Starlight Cinema. Lake Taupo is widely considered to be the rainbow trout capital of the world and the lake's tributaries contain some fine brown trout.
 * Golf: Wairakei GC is north near Craters of the Moon.

Jet boating
With New Zealand's largest river, the Waikato, flowing from Lake Taupo, there is little wonder that jet boating is available and there are three operators providing trips on various sections of the river. Jet boating is a very New Zealand activity and well worth the effort.

Skydiving
Taupō's natural scenery with its lake, forests and volcanic backdrop make for an excellent skydive location. Taupō is New Zealand's skydive Mecca, as people flock here to do a jump at the cheapest prices in the country. One company operates from Taupo Airport: Taupo Tandem Skydiving. They offer tandem skydives from both 12,000 and 15,000 feet and also provide various DVD and photo options to capture the moment. They also cater for experienced solo jumpers and a skydive school operates over the summer months which offers training to beginners.

Cruising and sailing
With a surface area of 616 km², Lake Taupo is the focal point for the town and its people and to truly appreciate it you really need to head out on it. There are many hidden bays and some spectacular views to be had from on the water. Well worth a look are the large Maori rock carvings that can only be accessed by water. Options available range from large powered charter boats to kayaks.

Scenic flights
With the natural beauty of Taupō and its surrounds a scenic flight is well worth considering. There are a number of companies offering flights ranging from 15 minutes to several hours over the town, lake, mountains and volcanic areas. Both helicopter and fixed wing flights are available.

Tramping and walking
There are many opportunities to walk in and around Taupō. Forest, mountains, guided walks and unguided.
 * Mount Tauhara. The mountain sitting on the eastern edge of town can be climbed fairly easily, taking 1½–2 hours (get directions from your accommodation). The views from the top on a clear day are remarkable, so take your camera.
 * Mount Tauhara. The mountain sitting on the eastern edge of town can be climbed fairly easily, taking 1½–2 hours (get directions from your accommodation). The views from the top on a clear day are remarkable, so take your camera.

Events
Taupō hosts a number of major international and national events, including:

Internet access
Accessing the Internet is simple and easy, with Internet cafes and wireless hotspots available in the city centre, motels, restaurants, bars and clubs.

Several wireless hotspots cover a large area.

Go next
Taupō can be used as a base to see the surrounding country, including Turangi, Tongariro National Park, Waiouru and the western bays.

title: Taupō


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Tauranga

Tauranga (population 158,000) is a city 105 km east of Hamilton and 85 km north of Rotorua in the western Bay of Plenty on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is the largest city in the Bay of Plenty and the fifth largest in the country.

Understand
Tauranga sits at the head of a large harbour that extends along the western Bay of Plenty, with Matakana Island sheltering the harbour from the ocean. The volcanic cone and town of Mount Maunganui stand at the entrance to the harbour, 5 km north of Tauranga. "The Mount", as it is known, is a suburb of Tauranga, although it is often regarded as a satellite town. It is one of the major resort cities in New Zealand, famous for its beautiful beaches and surfing.

The name Tauranga comes from Maori and roughly translates to "sheltered anchorage". Due to its sheltered position to the east of the Kaimai Range, Tauranga enjoys a warm, dry climate, which has made it a popular place to retire to. During the summer months the population swells as holidaymakers flock to it.

Much of the countryside surrounding Tauranga is horticultural land, used to grow a wide range of fresh produce for both domestic consumption and export. The area is particularly well known for growing tangelos (a grapefruit/tangerine cross) and kiwifruit. The Port of Tauranga experiences brisk but seasonal shipping traffic and is a regular stop-off for container ships and luxury cruise liners.

Tauranga i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 95 Willow St (NW corner of Wharf St), in the heart of the Tauranga CBD, is the first place a visitor should go for local tourist information, maps, bookings, and tickets. From there, most of Tauranga's top attractions, shopping and dining options are within a 15-minute walk.

By car
Driving routes are State Highway 2 from Waihi, and Auckland via the scenic Karangahake Gorge; SH 29 over the Kaimai Range from the Waikato (also an option from Auckland via SH 27 onto SH 29); SH 36 from Rotorua via Pyes Pa (now sealed all the way); SH 2 from Te Puke, the western Bay of Plenty (and Rotorua via SH 33).

By bus

 * InterCity stops in downtown Tauranga en route from numerous parts of New Zealand.
 * TwinCity Express, part of the local public transportation system, runs a twice-daily bus from Rotorua to central Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.

By boat
The Port of Tauranga is a deep water harbour and a popular cruise hub with over 85 ship visits a year. The cruise port is in Mt. Maunganui, a laid-back beach town 7 km north of downtown Tauranga. From the cruise ship dock at Salisbury Wharf, it’s a 5-minute walk to the Mount's CBD on Maunganui Rd. Many cruise lines provide shuttles to the Mount's CBD (or better yet, to Tauranga's CBD), and all of the attractions in Mt. Maunganui are within a ten-minute radius of the Salisbury cruise port.

To reach the city of Tauranga, you can ride the public BayBus Routes 1 or 2 from Mount Maunganui to Tauranga CBD. Bus 1 runs along Maunganui Rd and bus 2 starts on Salisbury Ave, and it takes about 30 (#1) or 45 (#2) minutes to get to the middle of the Tauranga CBD. You should get off at the Tauranga i-SITE visitor centre at Willow and Wharf Sts. From there, all of Tauranga's top attractions, shopping and dining options are within a 15-minute walk. You can also take a taxi (~$20) for the 10-minute ride to Tauranga. Or, there is a ferry service between Salisbury Wharf and the Tauranga waterfront, run by Tauranga Water Transport.

The Tauranga cruise port is also convenient for day trips to Rotorua, where steaming geysers and geothermal wonders create a fascinating, otherworldly landscape. Many cruise lines offer shore excursions that provide transport for the one-hour journey to Rotorua.

By bus
Bayhopper bus system is a reliable service that covers the Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, Papamoa & surrounding areas. Cash fares (Dec 2017) are $3.40 for an adult, or $2.00 for a concession, and these tickets are valid for any transfer within 60 minutes of issue. A Daysaver pass costs $7.80/$5.60, and allows travel on any bus for the day of purchase. If you plan on using the buses a lot, investing in a SmartRide card may be a good idea. These cost $10 and are available from the bus driver, or the central Tauranga i-Site, and save you 20% on single-ride fares.

By boat
Tauranga Water Transport operates harbour scenic cruises and historic tours, daily service on the Matakana Ferry between Omokoroa and Opureora, ferry service between Salisbury Wharf in Mount Maunganui and The Strand in the CBD, and other charter services.

Do
In summer, holiday-makers travel to "The Mount" to make the most of the beautiful beaches and the great surf. The waters off the coast of Tauranga are good fishing areas.

 * Mauao or Mount Maunganui Summit Track. The volcanic peak at the mouth of the harbour is considered by many the peak to climb. Offers fantastic views of the beach-side suburb named after it (Mt Maunganui or The Mount), Tauranga, and the entire Tauranga harbour area and coastlines. Mauao (meaning “caught by dawn”) is an historic reserve owned by Maori and managed by Tauranga City Council. Tramp to the top or walk around the base track. There are several tracks to the summit. The summit is 232 m high – it takes about 40 minutes to get to the top. A circular track at the base of the volcanic cone offers views of the harbour, the ocean, and the town and takes about 40 minutes to complete. Stroller and wheelchair accessible. The summit tracks are just a bit more challenging with plenty of stop overs to catch your breath.

 * Walks. The free Tauranga City Walkways pamphlet from the i-SITE Visitor Information Centre details walks around Tauranga and Mt Maunganui. There are also beautiful walks further afield.
 * Waterfalls In Tauranga - With already an abundance of things to do in Tauranga, adding to the beauty and wonder of such a beautiful city are its waterfalls. There are a number of waterfalls throughout the Tauranga region where all are worth a visit. You have McLaren Falls, Kaiate Falls, Whataroa Falls, Omanawa Falls and Wairere Falls ( Wairere Falls being on the other side of the Kaimai ranges).
 * Walks. The free Tauranga City Walkways pamphlet from the i-SITE Visitor Information Centre details walks around Tauranga and Mt Maunganui. There are also beautiful walks further afield.
 * Waterfalls In Tauranga - With already an abundance of things to do in Tauranga, adding to the beauty and wonder of such a beautiful city are its waterfalls. There are a number of waterfalls throughout the Tauranga region where all are worth a visit. You have McLaren Falls, Kaiate Falls, Whataroa Falls, Omanawa Falls and Wairere Falls ( Wairere Falls being on the other side of the Kaimai ranges).

Buy
There are two main shopping centres in the Tauranga region - Bayfair at 'The Mount' and central Tauranga, or 'town'

Eat
People in Tauranga love to eat out. There is a large selection of restaurants to eat at, especially on 'The Strand', which is regarded as the restaurant central of Tauranga.

Drink
As with eating, people in Tauranga love cafes. You will also find numerous pubs around the area. A double spirit will cost $6-7.

'The Strand' is the main area for Tauranga's nightlife consisting of a strip of bars, clubs and restaurants.

Go next

 * Te Puke
 * Waihi Beach
 * White Island – boat tours operate to New Zealand’s only active maritime volcano from Whakatane and there are helicopter and plane tours also, although tours are suspended as of Dec 2019
 * Hobbiton movie set, about an hour from Tauranga, near the town of Matamata in the Waikato, provides a fun and fascinating experience of this famous location in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films.

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

title: Tauranga


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Tavarnelle Val di Pesa

Tavarnelle Val di Pesa is a city in Chianti, in the heart of Tuscany. The Chianti territory is famous all over the world for its picturesque landscapes and the produce from its land, such as the excellent red wines.

Understand
Tavarnelle Val di Pesa is a small town located about 15 kilometres from Florence and 40 km from Siena which has conserved all its ancient splendor over the centuries.

title: Tavarnelle Val di Pesa


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Taveuni

Taveuni is the third largest island in Fiji. It has the distinction of being one of the few places (other than Northeastern Russia and Antarctica) where the 180th meridian crosses land. It rains here a lot, so be prepared and do not wait until it stops raining. Do not trust weather forecasts.

Cities
Taveuni is large enough to only support one significant settlement, the twin villages of Somosomo and Naqara. This is the location of the Meridian Cinema featured in the 2004 movie Reel Paradise.

Other destinations
Matagi Island

Understand
Taveuni, also called the "garden island" of Fiji, is rugged, verdant and pristine. It lies about 7 km off the south east coast of Vanua Levu and is 42 km long and averages about 12 km wide.

Taveuni is an archetypally beautiful tropical island, thick with vegetation and resplendent with tropical flowers. Pristine rainforest covers much of the island and around 80% of this is protected by forest reserve and the Bouma National Heritage Park. Taveuni offers the visitor a rich natural history, in particular, a fine array of birdlife. Fortunately, unlike the rest of Fiji, the mongoose was never released or introduced to Taveuni and consequently many birds that have disappeared on the Main Islands still thrive here on Taveuni.

Taveuni was once home to fierce warriors; Taveuni locals still exude pride and confidence in their personalities and are called one of the most friendly people in the islands of Fiji - which is saying quite something!

Taveuni has a population of about 12,000 inhabitants, and is sparsely populated. Virtually all of the local residents live in traditional villages. Once known for its coconut plantations, Taveuni's attractions include world-class diving, dozens if not hundreds of waterfalls and an array of indigenous flora and fauna.

By ferry
You can take a ferry from Suva or Nadi via Savusavu to Taveuni. The road journey from Savusavu airport to Natuvu Jetty takes 90 mins, which then connects you to Taveuni.

See

 * Bouma National Heritage Park. Aimed at conserving the rainforest of Taveuni and the Vanua Bouma (the land, the sea and people of Bouma). The Park was established in 1990 not only to protect the forest but also as a means of generating an income for the four villages whose land is bounded by the park. Technical assistance for the project is provided by the New Zealand Official Development Assistance (Fiji Ecotourism) Programme and the Fiji Native Land Trust Board. For more information you can contact the Tavoro Waterfalls Visitor Centre on +679 888 0390.
 * Lavena Coastal Walk. Give yourself at least half a day or more to experience Lavena's wild and scenic coastline and waterfalls. A well formed track takes you from Lavena village along the coast (great for swimming and snorkelling) to an idyllic swimming hole and waterfalls. Allow four hours return to complete the walk which is mostly flat with plenty of places to stop and swim. Walk costs $15. You have to swim about 100 m to the waterfall pit, so take swimming suit and waterproof camera.
 * Tavoro Waterfalls. Walking, swimming, picnicking and taking in the views – it's all possible at Tavoro Waterfalls (also known as Bouma Waterfalls). These are the most accessible waterfalls and a classic must do. There are three falls to choose from. The lower waterfall is an easy 15-minute walk, the middle fall is a moderate walk for 45 minutes and the upper fall can be reached in another one hour moderate to challenging walk. At over 30 m high, the lower fall is the most spectacular and has the biggest swimming hole. There are fantastic views on the track from the lower to the middle fall, so don't miss this one.
 * Vidawa Rainforest Hike. If you want a challenging full day hike into the heart of the forest, this is it. Knowledgeable local guides will take you to archaeological sites, great view points and into the deep rainforest where you will see the traditional uses of the forest and lots of birds. Cost: $40 (with guide), booking in advance necessary. Full-day trip is 7 km, you need to take some lunch with you (take some more for the guide). You can drink water from the streams, so a 1 L bottle should be enough for 2 persons. The walk ends at lower Tavoro waterfall.
 * Waitabu Marine Park. Established in 1998 in an agreement of over 7 Fijian communities not to fish or anchor in the 1 km of selected fringing reef. Aside from the small tourism business this Marine Protected Area (MPA) has provided for the community of Waitabu, who owns and operates it, it has also provided a first hand example of the power of conservation, generating larger fish catches and increased biodiversity in the surrounding waters.
 * Warrior Burial Cave/Southcape Blowholes. Created by a lava tube, this cave is about 350 m long and terminates at the ocean's edge. In former times, Fijians used this site as a secret burial cave for warriors. It is believed that Taveuni's greatest warriors were buried here to keep their remains hidden from enemies. Most of the large bones were removed in the 1950s after the cave was discovered.
 * Waitavala Waterslide. This is a picturesque spot, secluded and fun. Swim in pure refreshing cool waters and slide down the natural slipper dip. To avoid injury at best wait for some locals, they will show you where to start sliding and make sure there is enough water.
 * Wairiki Mission. The most architecturally interesting edifice on Taveuni. Situated on the edge of a splendid coconut plantation, it is also known as the Taveuni Catholic Church. It is a good example of the British colonial Romanesque architecture. Located on a hill, it overlooks the historic site where Taveuni warriors turned back thousands of invading Tongans in a battle that was fought in canoes just off the beach. It was this particular battle that turned the tide in a war that had seen Tongans stakes over much of Fiji. The locals celebrated the victory by cooking and eating their enemies with breadfruit.
 * Des Veaux Peak. Access to this place is by hike or four-wheel drive only. It is 1196 m above sea level and is home to the famous tagimocia flower, a beautiful red bloom with a white centre – it grows nowhere else in the world and is Fiji's national flower. Des Veaux Peak, Fiji's second highest mountain, has spectacular birdlife and flora. Orange breasted doves, silktails, ferntails and parrots are just a few surprises. Lake Tagimocia is perhaps the famous landmark on Taveuni. It is situated in an extinct volcanic crater, at a height of 832 m; the lake is filled with floating masses of vegetation.
 * Wairiki Mission. The most architecturally interesting edifice on Taveuni. Situated on the edge of a splendid coconut plantation, it is also known as the Taveuni Catholic Church. It is a good example of the British colonial Romanesque architecture. Located on a hill, it overlooks the historic site where Taveuni warriors turned back thousands of invading Tongans in a battle that was fought in canoes just off the beach. It was this particular battle that turned the tide in a war that had seen Tongans stakes over much of Fiji. The locals celebrated the victory by cooking and eating their enemies with breadfruit.
 * Des Veaux Peak. Access to this place is by hike or four-wheel drive only. It is 1196 m above sea level and is home to the famous tagimocia flower, a beautiful red bloom with a white centre – it grows nowhere else in the world and is Fiji's national flower. Des Veaux Peak, Fiji's second highest mountain, has spectacular birdlife and flora. Orange breasted doves, silktails, ferntails and parrots are just a few surprises. Lake Tagimocia is perhaps the famous landmark on Taveuni. It is situated in an extinct volcanic crater, at a height of 832 m; the lake is filled with floating masses of vegetation.

Diving
Beneath the surface of sea, in the coral reefs that fringe the island, is an extremely rich eco-system that rivals the bio-diversity found on the surface. Fed by rich nutrients that emerge from the depths of the Tongan trench, Taveuni is famous for its multitude of tropical, pelagic fish. However, if there is one trademark or signature species in the area, it is soft coral, which billows and undulates in the currents.

Soft coral comes in dramatic, sometimes electric hues of orange, red, pink and white, which is fringed by purple.

While the diving in the Taveuni area is stunning and virtually unscathed by the 21st century, it is not generally a place to bring absolute novice divers. The currents can be strong and unwieldy for those unaccustomed to them and one should have some prior experience as a diver before venturing here. This is true when diving the Somosomo Strait, a relatively narrow waterway located between Taveuni and Vanua Levu. Along the southeast shore of Vanua Levu one will find a barrier reef continually fed by micro-organisms washed by the currents driven by the narrowing of the fun eel-like strait.

Protruding into the strait from the Vanua Levu side to about 3km from the shores of Taveuni is a magnificent reef, called Rainbow Reef.

Here one can find one of the most famous dive sites in the South Pacific, the Great White Wall. It is named because of the unusual soft coral that inhabit the area. Starting at a depth of about 15 m and continuing to over 65 m, this underwater escarpment is covered with an almost luminescent white coral tinged with lavender. There are a great number of other dive sites sprinkled throughout the area and new attractions are found all the time. It is estimated that only 5% of the entire reef system in the Taveuni area has been explored by divers and it's not unusual to see pelagics such as dolphins, turtles, eagle rays and a number of species of shark.

Fishing
Pristine and abundant waters surround your home base of Taveuni Island, Fiji. All the various prime fishing habitats are here and begin five minutes after launching, opening up to a vastness of virtually virgin fishing grounds in every direction.

You can expect to find the Somosomo straits and outlying areas to be dotted with acres of birds and teeming baitfish, primarily skipjack, small Yellow Fin Tuna, big eyed scads, regular scaddies, flying fish, mackerel and ballyhoo. Within the day range, anglers can expect to find all types of pelagic and reef fish as the topography is varied with ribbon reefs, pinnacles, islands, channels, outer reefs, straits and sandy flats. Every direction is full of possibilities for an exciting, productive day of fishing of world class trophies. Depending on the anglers' preference they can fish for Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Swordfish, Sailfish, Wahoo, Mahi-mahi, Yellow fin, Big Eye Tuna and Albacore and depending on the fates they will catch them. For the reef fisherman who enjoys casting there is Giant Trevally, Blue fin Trevally, Barracuda, Walu, and Dogtooth Tuna.

Buy
YanuyanuART in Matei, where you can purchase or even hand print your own sulu with designs carved from wood. Carving, artworks, jewellery, commissions and good conversation also available.

Eat
On Taveuni, all but one restaurant are attached to a hotel.

title: Taveuni


text:
Tavira

Tavira is a city in the Algarve region of Portugal. Crossed by the Gilão River, it is one of the most monumental cities in Portugal, with its 37 churches.

Understand

Tavira (tuh-VEE-ruh, /tɐ.ˈvi.ɾɐ/) municipality has 26,167 residents (2011), with about 13,400 living in the city proper. Fishing settlements Cabanas de Tavira and Santa Luzia lie about 6 km to the east, resp. 3 km to the west of Tavira, with apartment resort Pedras de El-Rei further 1.5 km west from Santa Luzia. Tavira and all there settlements provide access to the Ria Formosa National Park islands Ilha de Tavira and Ilha de Cabanas and their beaches.

History

The city was founded in 1890 BC under the name Talábriga. During the Arab occupation, it became, together with Faro and Silves, one of the most important cities in the Algarve. It was conquered by the Christian army in 1242.

During the 17th century it was considered one of the main cities in the Algarve, although signs of decay were beginning to appear. The activity of its port reduced and the city lost importance as a strategic and economic point. Today the city is thriving thanks to the economic boost that the tourism sector has received since the 1960s across the Algarve.

Climate
Tavira has a mild climate, with hot summers and humid winters, with more rain in the months of November and December.

By train
Tavira is connected to Faro (12 trains daily on weekdays and 10 on weekends, around 40 mins) through where you can connect with other major cities like Lisbon or Porto. There is no train connection from/to Spain in the south of Portugal — that's only doable from Lisbon (or by bus from Faro). Train tickets can be acquired online, at the train station, or on board (no surchage).

There are two stops serving Tavira proper:

Further east, Conceição stop serves the settlements of Conceição and Cabanas de Tavira.

All trains to/from Faro serve both Tavira stops, Conceição, as well as all the stations to the east up to Vila Real de Santo António at the easternmost end of the Algarve line.

By plane
The nearest airport is in Faro which is a 45-min drive away, with many daily flights connecting many European cities. Seville Airport is the second-closest airport, although it takes a 2-hr drive. Lisbon's airport is a 3-hr drive away.

By bus
There are daily buses by Vamus Algarve and Rede Nacional de Expressos. ALSA runs buses from Faro to Sevilla in Spain.

Get around
Tavira is a small city and perfectly walkable. On the main square (Praça da República) you can find the Tourism Information Center which can provide you with maps, leaflets and tips.

It's possible to catch a small tour train which goes around the city most interesting landmarks. There are also electric tuk-tuks available which can be a quiet and comfortable way to visit the natural park area.

See

 * Castelo de Tavira - Of Muslim origin and rebuilt after the Reconquista, there are only a few sections of the wall left in the castle. From the top of the walls you have the best views of the city.
 * Igreja da Misericórdia (Rua da Galeri ) - Considered the best example of Renaissance architecture in the Algarve, it has an interior of three naves, separated by arches based on columns. The altarpiece is of gilded wood carved from the 18th century.
 * Church of Santa Maria do Castelo (Alto de Santa Maria) - It is located inside the castle. Built after the Reconquista and rebuilt after the 1775 earthquake, only the portico and the twin window remain of the primitive Gothic church.
 * Roman Bridge (Avenida 5 de Outubro) - It is the best known bridge in Tavira. It dates from around the 16th or 17th century. Rebuilt in 1992, after a flood in 1989.
 * Praça da República - The most central area of the city, where the City Hall is located.

Do

 * Tavira Horse Carriage Tours See Tavira from a different perspective. Feel its history and discover the beautiful architecture which typifies Tavira.
 * Praia do Barril - Beach near Tavira, next to the village of Pedras de El-Rei. It can be reached by a small train that takes you to the beach in a few minutes. On the beach you can see Boca Cava-Terra and Long-legged crabs.
 * Tavira Island - It's Tavira beach, you have to go by boat where you can catch in the center next to the Ribeira market, or in the area of 4 Águas.
 * Tavira Island - It's Tavira beach, you have to go by boat where you can catch in the center next to the Ribeira market, or in the area of 4 Águas.

Eat
Folhado de Tavira - It is a puff cake wrapped in sugar, not to be missed.

title: Tavira


text:
Tavistock

Tavistock is a town in Devon on the edge of Dartmoor. It was the birthplace of Sir Francis Drake. The name comes from the River Tavy, which runs through the town.

By car
Tavistock is on the A386 from Plymouth to Okehampton, the B3357 from Princetown and the A390 into Cornwall.

By bus
Tavistock is also served by various DevonBus (+44 8706-082-608) routes:
 * 79: from Callington via Gunnislake
 * 83/84: from Plymouth via Yelverton
 * 85/86: linking Plymouth and Barnstaple via Tavistock
 * 98: from Yelverton via Princetown
 * 185: Bere Ferrers/Bere Alston to Yelverton via Tavistock
 * 186: from Okehampton via Launceston

By train
Regular trains run to Plymouth from London and Elsewhere (a change in Bristol may be needed). The nearest station is, which is on the Tamar Valley branch line from Plymouth. It is around 4.5 miles (6 km) from Tavistock, with direct buses between them.

Get around
Tavistock is a great centre for a holiday, particularly if you have a car.

A few bus services run through the town from the main station to housing areas and along Plymouth Road and Whitchurch Road, but the town centre is very small so can be walked easily.

See

Specific sights are not part of the town's appeal, it's just a thoroughly pleasant market town with good shops in a fine position.

 * The Pannier Market In the centre of the town, full of interesting stalls during the daytime.
 * The Viaduct Above the town, is also the start of a pleasant walk along the old railway line.

Do
There aren't a lot of activities in Tavistock, as it is a small town.

Buy

 * Pannier Market is the town marketplace. The Farmers Market is second and fourth Saturday of each month.
 * Goose Fair is held on the second Wednesday in October.

Eat
There are small restaurants and takeaways in Tavistock.

Pasties are for sale in various places and are better than those in Cornwall, according to some, though don't say that within earshot of a Cornishman!

Sleep

 * Various Bed and Breakfasts are situated along Plymouth Road.

Connect
Tavistock and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. As of Sept 2023, 5G has not reached this area.

Go next
Tavistock is a good base for exploring Dartmoor National Park and the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as it borders both.

The road to Princetown provides great Moorland scenery all the way and passes the Dartmoor Inn at Merrivale.

A number of villages listed under Dartmoor are within easy access.

Brentor is a small village near Tavistock with a picturesque church on the top of a hill.

title: Tavistock


text:
Tawang

Tawang is a town in the Himalayas in the far west of the state of Arunachal Pradesh in North-Eastern India. The second-largest Buddhist monastery (gompa) in the world is here, and was built in 1681.

Understand
Tawang has a population of 11,000 and is the administrative headquarters of Tawang district.

Permits
All visitors require a permit to enter Arunachal state. This means an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Indians, which can be obtained online from eILP, and a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for non-Indians, which can be obtained in person from the Office of the Deputy Resident Commissioner of Arunachal Pradesh in Guwahati if you're an independent traveler.

By land
If entering by land from the direction of Tezpur, as most tourists do, you will be required to show your permit at the police checkpoint at the state border in Bhalukpong.

It is advisable to break your journey at either the mountainside town of Bomdila or better still, the charming little valley town of Dirang. The highest point of the road, the Sela Pass between Dirang and Tawang, is notoriously difficult, and heavy snowfall (mostly during winter) could force you to stay on either side.

By car or motorcycle
Tawang town is about a 16-hour drive from Guwahati. The road is long and winding, rising far up into the mountains, back down again, and back up more than once. As of April 2023 the road is mostly well-paced up to the Sela Pass between Dirang and Tawang (except for short sections of construction), but with long bumpy stretches after the pass. There are many fantastic views along the way, especially around Sela Pass, and the benefit of having your own vehicle (or a reserved taxi) is that you can stop wherever you want to enjoy the scenery. Small cars and motorcycles both make the trip regularly, though drivers with 4WD will probably be grateful for it.

By Sumo or bus
The most common mode of public transit to Tawang is by shared Tata Sumo SUV from Tezpur in Assam (4 hr. drive from Guwahati). They leave only around 5:30-6:00am from Tezpur's ASTC bus station, and it's recommended that you book a day in advance as they can sometimes fill up. It's also possible to take a Sumo direct from Guwahati. Prepare to be packed in like sardines (up to 15 people in one car), and for your luggage to be tied to the top to make room for more passengers. As of April 2023, the price for a shared Sumo to Tawang was ₹700 from Dirang, ₹1300 from Tezpur, or ₹1700 from Guwahati.

There is also a bus running once a day between Tawang and Guwahati, which takes 17 hours and costs ₹1500.

By air
Arunachal Pradesh Government provides Helicopter services from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati to Tawang. The flying time from Guwahati to Tawang is 1 hour 20 minutes. For bookings, contact sales counter of Arunachal Pradesh Civil Aviation at Guwahati Airport. Before booking one may note that the flight may be cancelled due to many reasons. As of April 2023, the price appears to still be ₹3,500 one way, but you should call to double check. Note that there is a 10kg baggage limit.

Get around
Getting around in Tawang can be divided into two categories. The first one is travel to local sites like Tawang Monastery, War Memorial, Emporium, etc. This can be done by booking a taxi (mostly Maruti OMNI) for half a day. Walking is also possible, but some sites are quite far. The second category is travel to sites outside Tawang, which include P T So lake, Shungetsar (Madhuri) lake and a visit to India-China border at Bumla. A bigger vehicle like a Tata Sumo or Mahindra Bolero should be hired for this, as roads are in bad shape. An entire day is enough to cover these sites.

See
]]
 * Gorsam Chorten, Zemithang Gorsam Chorten (Stupa) is at Zemithang 90 kms from Tawang. It is a 100 ft high stupa built in 12 century AD by Monk Lama Pradhar. It is built to resembles 5 century AD, Boudhnath Stupa in Nepal. Chendebji Chortan in Bhutan is of similar design.

Do

 * Trekking. Tawang is an undiscovered trekker's paradise, offering breathtaking views, fresh mountain air, chill weather, and challenging or leisurely treks. For a rigorous trek (classified as hard), take the Jang - Thingbu - Mago - Goi ichen Base Camp - Mago (Back) - Luguthang - Sena Chakra - RA-I route. The easier trekking routes include the Mukto - Gongkhar - Gyamdong - Khet - Kharung - Bongleng - Kungba - Namsring - Kharteng - Lumla route, and the Tawang Gonpa - Gyangong Ani Gonpa - Bhramadongchung Ani Gonpa - Tawang routes. You can also trek along the Namet Village - Zarmang Ani Gonpa - Khromten Gonpa - Geshila - Klimta - Bomla - Y. Junction - Tawang route, which takes you close to the Chinese border outpost at Bomla. Trekkers are advised to come fully attired and prepared for the worst.
 * Visit the 400 year old Tawang Gompa. Turn the prayer wheels dotted outside small gompas. Meet and chat with the friendly lamas.
 * Take excursions around town to visit beautiful glacier lakes and smaller gompas with big histories.
 * Take a nap on a hillock if it's sunny but be prepared to be awoken by a grazing yak.

Buy
Tawang has a good range of tourist souvenir shops which sell Buddhist prayer wheels in colourful wood, chadars (wrap skirts worn by local women), beautiful bags, shawls, brassware and Buddha statues. Look for shops in Old Market as well as in the Tibetan settlement.

Eat
Tibetan delicacies like thupka, momos or simple and delicious paratha-sabzi eaten hot from the roadside shacks on cold misty days are a treat! Most restaurants in Tawang serve these. A small shack called Annapurna serves delicious alu (potato) chips.

The traditional Monpa cuisine uses a generous amount of chillies and fermented cheese, which has a strong flavour and is not for the faint hearted.

Some of the best food is found at the small, nondescript, sometimes not very hygienic, eateries, that serve authentic dishes at very affordable prices. They are sure to be authentic food of the region as they are most frequented by locals.

Traditional Arunachal dishes
The famous momo, widely eaten in the north east and other Himalayan regions, is made by stuffing minced pork and onions into a dough and then steamed in a three layer steamer, or fried.

The thukpa is a soup filled with noodles, minced meat, and vegetables, also known as der thuk. Ashum thukpa is made of maize, beans and meat.

Zan is the staple dish of the Monpa tribes. It is usually made of millet flour, usually with vegetables or meat to which is added fermented cheese, soya beans and herbs.

Khura is a pancake, had with tea.

Gyapa khazi is a kind of pulao made of rice, fermented cheese, small dried fish or shrimp, chillies ginger and other spices.

Sleep
Unfortunately, Tawang like most hill stations in the North East is far from developed, so finding good accommodation here may be a challenge. However, the flip side is the lack of tourism leaves the place more virgin and unexplored.

Apart from Tawang Inn which is the most modern and comfortable option in Tawang, most other options are pretty basic. Hotel Tawang View has the best views from their second-floor basic rooms of both the Gompa and snow topped mountains. Most hotels are in the market area. It is worth trying your luck at the government rest-house, or if you are lucky, the Circuit house.

Go next

 * Assam via Bhalukpung Orchid Sanctuary. An amazing variety of orchids grown in gardens and under glass.

title: Tawang


text:
Tawau

Tawau is the third largest town of the state of Sabah, on the island of Borneo. A relatively new town in Malaysia, boomed in early 1980s for its lumber and cocoa farming industry, has become a bustling place, and a transit point to all neighbouring islands such as Sebatik, Nunukan, Tarakan, Jolo and Semporna islands.

By plane

As of 2023, there are no international routes connecting Tawau.

Getting there/away: Airport taxis are available and charge RM45 for one way trip into town. There is also an airport bus service operated by Kasah Transport (S) Sdn. Bhd. (Tel: +6089-950208) to the city for RM10. The departure times of the airport bus from the city to the airport are as follows: 5:40AM, 8AM, 8:30AM, 10:30AM, 1PM, 2:30PM and 5PM.

By coach
There are daily buses from Kota Kinabalu's North City Bus Station, but it's a long nine-hour journey. There are half a dozen companies and the fare is RM55.50. (Tel: +60 13 879 7779)

There are also bus from Lahad Datu, 2.5 hours away. Departure at 3:30PM, RM15.

There are mini busses from Semporna, starting near the Shell station.

By ferry
The only ferry connection is to the Indonesian citiy of Nunukan in North Kalimantan province.

To/from Nunukan: Multiple departures daily from Tawau, Tawindo Express, Labuan Express, including around 10AM and 3PM. From Nunukan, departures are around 9AM and 2PM. Tickets cost RM 130 one-way including port tax and journey time is 1 hour.

Ticket sales end half an hour before departure, due to border formalities.

By taxi
Taxi fares around town would cost around RM5, and to housing area at RM7 at most. Grab (the Southeast Asia equivalent to Uber) is easily available throughout the town area.

By bus
RM 2 to travel within town areas. And about RM2 to the rural areas like Balung and Merotai.

Talk
Tawau's large Bumiputera community mainly speaks Bahasa Melayu but in certain accents for examples Bugis, Bajau, Timor, Suluk and many more. Tawaurians fortunately can understand or speak English pretty well. As with the Chinese in other parts of Sabah, Tawau's Chinese community is majority Hakka speaking but most can understand and speak Mandarin as well as Cantonese. The lingua franca among Tawau's various races is Bahasa Malaysia (Malay), but most residents, especially the locals, are able to understand and speak basic English as well.

Diving
Within the region of Tawau, tourists can also dive from the islands of Roach Reefs or take an hour drive to Semporna to dive at popular destinations like Mataking, Mabul, Pompong, Kapalai and the Great Sipadan - The only oceanic island in Malaysia, rising about 5000 feet above seabed. Popular dive shops and agents in Tawau includes: JUNGLE TREKING Tawau Hill Park is about 30 minutes from Tawau center. it is a wonderful nature reserve with jungle and clean water river for trekking, swimming, a lot of wildlife viewing. it has good and cheap hostel accommodation.

Buy

 * Tawau Bazaar opposite to Marco Polo Hotel is the best place to buy goods such as Batik sarongs, merchandises, Sabah T-shirts, handicrafts, branded cosmetics with cheaper price.

Eat

 * Sabindo Hawker Center offers a variety of seafood stalls at Sabindo centre. From Chinese, Malay and Thai tom yum seafood stall, it is just located along the waterfront in town. The stalls offer very competitive prices for the selective catch of the day.
 * Makanan Laut 101 serves excellent crab and shellfishes with vegetables at incredibly low prices.

At night, numerous stalls set up around the town. Many sell

 * Sulawesi Coto Makassar (Makassarse beef soup), a Bugis specialty; Saggar/Pisang Goreng (banana fritters), Ubi Goreng (fried tapioca), Onde-onde (glutinous rice with savoury taste roasted in banana leaves), Kuih Pandan (Pandan rice cake), Karipap (Curry Puff), Kuih kacang (peanut pancake spread with coconut jam), Bubur Chaca(a dessert broth with tapioca, sweet potato and sago), etc.
 * Nasi Kuning or yellow rice is an Indonesian specialty that cannot be found anywhere else in Malaysia. The rice is cooked with coconut milk and turmeric (known as kunyit in Malay), which in turn made the rice look yellow in colour. In Tawau it is usually served with a piece of fish deep-fried in dried chilli sauce. This can be found in almost any Malay restaurants or stalls around Tawau but sometimes also sold in some Chinese coffeeshops. To further enhance the taste, the rice is usually wrapped in banana leaves. Price ranges from RM 0.40 to RM 3.00 per serving.
 * Mee Tauhu or tofu noodles, a classic Sabahan breakfast. Noodles served with several variations of tofu sauce.

Sleep

 * Promenade Hotel
 * De Choice Hotel, Phone: +60 89–776655, +60 89–776761, +60 89-776760
 * Kingston Hotel Phone: +60 89–702288, +60 89–702388, +60 89-702588
 * De Choice Hotel, Phone: +60 89–776655, +60 89–776761, +60 89-776760
 * Kingston Hotel Phone: +60 89–702288, +60 89–702388, +60 89-702588
 * De Choice Hotel, Phone: +60 89–776655, +60 89–776761, +60 89-776760
 * Kingston Hotel Phone: +60 89–702288, +60 89–702388, +60 89-702588
 * Kingston Hotel Phone: +60 89–702288, +60 89–702388, +60 89-702588

There are many hotels in Tawau, a few of which you can book online, but often there are promotions available when you walk up. One comprehensive website to check for hotels is http://www.etawau.com/Hotel/index.html which also lists prices. There are apparently no hostels in Tawau. Also, be aware that in many of the hotels the internet connection is sporadic, only available in the lobby, or not available at all. There is one gaming internet location in the hotel area called Command open until midnight.

Budget

 * Hotel Murah - RM41 for double room.
 * Hotel Monaco 2000

Mid-range
Jalan Haji Karim, 91000 Tawau, Sabah, has decent double rooms for 77RM and up but bad wifi connection.
 * Kingston Hotel, TB4581 - 4590, Lot 6-15, Ground Floor,

 * Heritage Hotel, TB 210–213, Jalan Bunga, Fajar Complex, Tel: +60 89 762222, (Fax: +60 89 767222, E-mail: info@heritagehotel.com.my),.
 * Belmont Marco Polo Hotel, Jalan Clinic, Phone: +60 89 777 988. The best hotel in Tawau, large room with reasonable price.Comfort and clean pillows and beds! The location also strategic, at the town center of Tawau.
 * Heritage Hotel, TB 210–213, Jalan Bunga, Fajar Complex, Tel: +60 89 762222, (Fax: +60 89 767222, E-mail: info@heritagehotel.com.my),.
 * Heritage Hotel, TB 210–213, Jalan Bunga, Fajar Complex, Tel: +60 89 762222, (Fax: +60 89 767222, E-mail: info@heritagehotel.com.my),.

Stay healthy
There are a number of medical and dental clinics available. Majority of them only operate until 5PM but some open until 10PM. Klinik Famili have courteous doctors at 5 branches around Tawau and its branch at Kompleks Tanjung operate until 10PM everyday including weekend and public holiday. Other clinic, Sabindo and Sabindo Square open until 9 and 8PM respectively. Tow other clinic, Fajar and Jalan Paya opens until 5PM. In case of emergency, please contact 089-767878 during office hour or 089-760817 if you need help after office hour.

General Hospital Tawau has 24x7 ER department open to all who need it.

Go next

 * Nunukan - an island in North Kalimantan, Indonesia, is just one an hour away by ferry. 2 departures daily from Tawau port.
 * Tarakan - a town on an island of the same name in North Kalimantan, which is about 120km south of Tawau. As of 2023, no direct ferry connection exists anymore, you have to go to Nunukan first.
 * Semporna - a town famous for its many dive operators offering dives to Sipadan island.

title: Tawau


text:
Taxco

Taxco is a beautiful city in Mexico built on a hill in Guerrero. It is rich with old and new silver mines in the surrounding areas with narrow winding streets and hundreds of silver shops. If you are looking for a side trip that is the place to go. Taxco is renowned for its more than baroque-style church (completed in 1758), the Santa Prisca Cathedral.

Get in
It is off the toll way (Hwy 95D) but it is worth the drive, it is between Acapulco and Mexico City. There is regular bus service to the town from Cuernavaca by Estrella Blanca.

There are also buses there from Mexico City from the South Bus Station (Autobuses del Sur). A one-way ticket costs M$130 (pesos) and they usually leave every half hour. The bus will take you through very scenic mountain views and drop you off in the middle of the town. Since it is a mountain town, you can either walk uphill to the Zocolo (square) where many shops and the famous church are, take a taxi, or any bus that says "Zocalo".

The following serve Taxco:

The last bus out of Taxco back to Mexico City is 8PM

Get around
Walking is the best way to get around Taxco and.

Taxis (Volkswagen Beetles) are relatively inexpensive (M$20-30). Collectivos or combis (Volkswagen Bus) are also a good option to get around town -- most go through the Zocalo and a local can help you find the right one.

See
At the center of the city lies the Santa Prisca Cathedral and several museums housed in historic building surrounding it: Ten kilometers to the south is Taxco el Viejo (Old Taxco). In pre-Hispanic times, the village was the most important area of the Mesoamerican indigenous community.

Do
Get a lot of exercise walking up the steep streets.

There is a gondola (teleferico) that can take you up to a fancy hotel called Monte Taxco, with great views and a decent bar/restaurant. There is not much else to see/do up there.

Taxco is known for its Holy Week celebration in April.

Buy
Silver! There is very beautiful silver, mostly all engraved with "MEXICO 925" or "TAXCO 925" The silver shops away from the centro are where you can bargain. You will be charmed and ecstatic at all the beautiful silver, but will get tired of looking at it in 4 hours or less. You will also be approached by men, women, and children selling you items in the centro (plaza centrál). If you are not interested in being bothered, do not give them any eye contact. Once one finds you are slightly interested, all the other vendors will come try to sell their goods.

Eat
Try the Pozolé. It is a soup-like dish of large corn pieces called hominy, pork rind/fat, avocado, and some crispy tortilla crumbles. Try it at the top of the hill above the small covered market which sells silver. It's cheap, tasty, and filling. It's a great dish to try if you want to experience Mexican food. Thursdays are the traditional pozolé days during which the red and green varieties are typically served. The white style is served the other days of the week.

For adventurous diners, try the jumiles, small edible insects that are harvested from November to February and sold in the markets of Taxco. Some healers attribute painkilling and healing properties to them. They are served on a tortilla as a taco. jumiles-in-taxco

Sleep

 * Hotel Casa Grande is the cheapest digs in town (US$15 for a single with shared bath). It is a 400-year-old building just off the Plazuela and is about a block from Santa Prisca and the Zocolo.  Rooms are arranged around a courtyard, some are great, some are a little scruffy with semi-functional bathrooms, so ask to see a few.  The rooftop terrace is really great for relaxing and looking out at the city.
 * For a little fancier accommodations the Hotel Santa Prisca is a beautiful place with a fountain and lush court yard.
 * The Agua Escondida is right on the Zocalo and has a nice pool. Ask for the cheaper rooms at M$350.

Connect
The restaurant of the Hotel Agua Escondido has free WiFi - ask for the WEP-Key or 'contraseña', in Spanish.

Go next

 * Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park (Caves of Cacahuamilpa) is a protected natural area that is home to an infinite systems tunnels and caverns that connect to chambers and underground halls that were once used by the Chontales tribes to worship the gods of the underworld. You can explore the underground river from February through April. 30 km from Taxco. Open daily. Admission charged.
 * Zoofari Safari Park in Teacalco, Amacuzac, Morelos at Kilometer 55 on the Taxco-Cuernavaca highway. 1500 species of animinals, many in a natural setting. Access by automobile only, with taxis available in Amacuzac and Puente de Ixtla. Open daily. Admission MXN$199. Zoofari page in Spanish (March 5, 2019)
 * Iguala is an historic city of 110,000 35 km (52 minutes) south of Iguala. The treaty ending the Mexican War of Independence was signed there in 1821. Iguala is best known for its huge flag. The 19th-century church of San Francisco is worth visiting, and the lake (Laguna de Tuxpan is known for its beauty. You can buy gold in Iguala.
 * Chilpancingo is the capital of the state of Guerrero and its second largest city with 187,000 people. Chilpancingo played important roles in both the War of Independence (1810-1821) and the Mexican Revolution (1910-1921). There are prehispanic ruins in Chilpancingo also.
 * Acapulco was once Mexico's premier resort city. Although it has been eclipsed by newer communities such as Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and Cancun, Acapulco still offers great beaches, fantastic hotels and restaurants, a rich history, exciting nightlife, and the breathtaking cliff divers.
 * Morelos State offers historical haciendas (many of which are hotels and restaurants open to the public today), colonial monasteries, prehispanic archaeological sites such as Xochicalco, and world-class water parks, in addition to its beautiful capital, Cuernavaca.

title: Taxco


text:
Talk:Taxila/Old version

Taxila is an ancient city in Pakistan, just 30kms north of Islamabad.

Get in
By road, it is located 30kms north of Islamabad. You can hire a taxi or a car.

Get around
Via taxi or car

See
The museum costs 200 rupees for foreigners, or about $2.50. To get entrance to the archeological site, it's an additional 200 rupees. You may pay at the museum or the archeological site entrance.

At the archeological site, self-deputized tour guides may begin to show you around. Frequently their English is not very good and they don't really tell you anything you can't read from the signs, then strongly imply that they want a tip. If you want some local color, go ahead, but otherwise tell them to thanks immediately. You may be approached by numerous "guides" at each site. In addition, people selling trinkets like small statues and allegedly old coins may come up to you.

 * Taxila Museum dedicated mainly to the remains of Gandhara civilization.

 * Mughal Garden

Buy
Along the main highway to and from the various ruin sites there are a number of shacks selling trinkets, pots, and a local phenomenon nicknamed the "Disco cat." The disco cat is a plaster statue of a cat or panther, covered in small square pieces of mirror, much like a disco ball. Small ones should run you 600 rupees, while larger ones can be 2,000 or more. They make a great conversation piece or gift.

Sleep
No separate accommodation is needed for Taxila, one can easily stay in Islamabad and visit Taxila. But If you still need accommodation in Taxila then there is PTDC motel which is located in front of Museum and certain other rest houses in Taxila.

 * PTDC Motel Though the rooms are basic and can use some extra cleaning, it's an acceptable lodging.

Go next

 * Islamabad

Taxila

title: Talk:Taxila/Old version


text:
Taylors Falls

Taylors Falls is a town in Chisago County in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota. It abuts the St. Croix River which separates Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Get in
Taylors Falls is located at the junction of U.S. Highway 8 and Minnesota Highway 95.

Do

 * - located in Taylors Falls

Go next

 * Pine City, just a 40 minute drive away along the St. Croix Scenic Byway

title: Taylors Falls


text:
Taymyria

Named after the Taymyria Peninsula on the Arctic Sea, Taymyria (Russian: Таймы́рский автоно́мный о́круг tigh-MYHR-skee uhv-tah-NOHM-nyh OH-krook) is an impressively remote, vast region in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia. To the north, Taymyria borders the Arctic Ocean, to the southeast Yakutia, to the south Evenkia, and to the southwest the Krasnoyarsk region and Yamalia.

Other destinations

 * (Russian: о́стров Большеви́к OH-struhf buhl'-sheh-VEEK) — an island that is a common starting point for trips to the North Pole
 * — a UNESCO World Heritage site encompassing subarctic and arctic ecosystems in an isolated mountain range, including pristine taiga, forest tundra, tundra and arctic desert systems, as well as untouched cold-water lake and river systems. A major reindeer migration route crosses the property, which represents an exceptional, large-scale and increasingly rare natural phenomenon.
 * Rarely visited. Reaching there could be considered as an expedition.

Understand

Although over half of Taymyria's population is ethnic Russian, about one quarter of the population is comprised indigenous Siberians, including Dolgans, Nenets, Nganasans, Evenks, and Enets. Taymyria's lone incursion into American pop culture occurred when parts of the American film White Nights took place in Norilsk.

Get in
Special visas may be necessary for all nationals wishing to travel to Taymyria.

 * Alykel Airport

Stay safe
Dangers include polar bears, extreme cold, and lack of food.

title: Taymyria


text:
Tây Ninh

Tay Ninh is the capital city of Tay Ninh Province, in Southern Vietnam.

Understand
Tay Ninh is the birth place of the Cao Dai religion and the home of the Cao Dai Holy See, the centre of Cao Daism. Tay Ninh is also known for the Ba Den mountain, the highest mountain in southern Vietnam, and the Dau Tieng reservoir, the largest reservoir in Vietnam.

Tay Ninh is hot and humid all year with an average temperature of 27.5 °C, and rainfall of 1,724 mm. The dry season normally lasts from Dec-Apr and the rainy season from May-Nov.

Get in

 * From Ho Chi Minh City: Tour buses run every day from HCMC, which is 96 km to the southeast. Tours, which usually include a stop at Cu Chi to see the Cu Chi Tunnels, cost about USD7-9 (140,000-180,000 dong).
 * From Cu Chi: You can go either by Bus 702 (18,000 dong, ~1.75 hr) or Bus 701 to Gau Dai (10,000 dong, ~1 hr), then Bus 4 to Tay Ninh (12,000 dong, 45 min).
 * Minibuses depart every 15 minutes from An Suong Bus Station (Intersection Hwy 1A/ Truong Chinh St) in Hoc Mon, Ho Chi Minh City to Tay Ninh Bus Station. One way ticket is around USD3 (60,000 dong, ~2.5 hrs).
 * Another way to get to Tay Ninh would be by a charted taxi. An all-day return trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Tay Ninh and Cu Chi would cost you about USD45. Find any taxi and negotiate a round-trip price.

Get around
The hub of activities in Tay Ninh city is centred around two main streets, Cach Mang Thang Tam and 30 Thang 4, where most of the government buildings, banks, and businesses are. At the intersection of these two streets is the Tay Ninh roundabout, which is considered the centre of the city. The Cao Dai Holy See is approximately 3 km from the roundabout.

Getting around Tay Ninh is easy with a short ride via taxi and "xe om" motorbike taxi. Mai Linh taxi operates here and "xe om" can be found at most intersections.

See

Buy
As a rural province, Tay Ninh isn't much of a shopping destination. There used to be a popular duty-free shopping mall at Moc Bai border crossing that is now closed. Worthwhile buying are some Tay Ninh specialties that visitors can take home as gifts.

Eat
Tay Ninh goes to bed early. By 21:00 most of the city quiets down. The area around Cau Quan bridge (a short walk from Tay Ninh roundabout), however, remains active until late at night. In the evening, the area is brightly lit with shops lights advertising their wares. Eateries are crowded with diners. Drinks and snacks joints are teeming with customers. There are many dining options in this area. Find a seat on the promenade beside the creek and watch the bustling activities.

Drink
Tay Ninh is hot and humid year round. Fortunately, there are plenty of places that offer cold drinks and sanctuary from the heat. Drive around and one can find more than 10 coffee shops on any given street. Coffee shops are abundant here and there is no trouble in finding a nice place to chill, nonetheless, there are a few noteworthy places:

Sleep
There are a couple of hotels more or less close by 30/4 Thang near the roundabout. A hotel room typically comes with air-con and hot shower.

Go next
Tay Ninh offers a quick one day get-away from the big city. Most visitors come to see the Cao Dai Holy See and Ba Đen Mountain. A few would venture to Dầu Tiếng Reservoir. Most would head back to HCMC for other destinations. There isn't much to do in Tay Ninh after a day or two of sights seeing. Border crossing to Cambodia is at Mộc Bài.
 * Ho Chi Minh City

title: Tây Ninh


text:
Taynuilt

Taynuilt is a village in Argyll and Bute in the Highlands of Scotland. It's on the south shore of Loch Etive, at a point where the loch is pinched, so for centuries it was a ferry crossing. The ferry closed in 1966 when Connel Bridge downstream became the main route north. Taynuilt is set among scenic hills, but the main reasons to visit are two industrial sites: the 18th- to 19th-century ironworks, and 10 miles east is Cruachan power station deep within the mountain. The population in 2023 is somewhere about 800.

Get in
By road from central Scotland follow A85 / A82 through Crianlarich and Tyndrum then west on A85 towards Oban.

By bus: Citylink 975 / 976 / 977 runs six times a day from Glasgow Buchanan station, either via Arrochar and Inveraray, or via Crianlarich and Tyndrum. These take 2 hr 40 min to Taynuilt village crossroads and continue to Oban, another 25 min.

Bus 978 runs daily from Edinburgh, taking 3 hr 30 min via Edinburgh airport, Grangemouth, Stirling, Doune, Callander and Crianlarich, and continuing to Oban.

Trains from Glasgow Queen Street run up the West Highland Line via Dumbarton, Helensburgh and Crianlarich to Taynuilt, taking 2 hours 45 min and continuing to Oban. (Unless you fall asleep in the wrong portion of the train, which divides at Crianlarich for Glencoe, Fort William and Mallaig.) There are six M-Sa and three on Sunday. One other train in term-time M-F is effectively a local school bus, from Dalmally to Taynuilt, Connell and Oban.

is a simple platform halt with no ticket office, machines or any facilities. Buy your ticket on board from the conductor if your journey starts here. There is step-free access to Platform 1 (towards Glasgow). Reach Platform 2 (towards Oban) either by a level crossing or a ramp from the lane.

Get around
The ironworks can be reached by foot, car or bicycle; a lane branches off A85 to run through the village. Buses and trains run along the valley with stops at Dalmally and Falls of Cruachan but you really need a car to visit the outlying sights.

See

 * Cruachan Dam outside is free to access.
 * is a hotch-potch of every architectural style known to the Victorian / Edwardian era; it's really only lacking a drawbridge and minaret. It's on the main road A85, open daily Apr-Sept 9AM-6PM, Oct-Mar 9AM-5PM, suggested donation £3.
 * Cruachan Dam outside is free to access.
 * is a hotch-potch of every architectural style known to the Victorian / Edwardian era; it's really only lacking a drawbridge and minaret. It's on the main road A85, open daily Apr-Sept 9AM-6PM, Oct-Mar 9AM-5PM, suggested donation £3.
 * is a hotch-potch of every architectural style known to the Victorian / Edwardian era; it's really only lacking a drawbridge and minaret. It's on the main road A85, open daily Apr-Sept 9AM-6PM, Oct-Mar 9AM-5PM, suggested donation £3.

Do

 * Golf: Taynuilt GC is a scenic 9 hole parkland course just north of the railway line.
 * Dalmally GC is 18 holes. It's near the turnoff for Kilchurn Castle.

 * Taynuilt Highland Games are held on the sports grounds in late July.
 * Loch Etive is a sea loch almost 20 miles long. Its scenic upper reaches have no roads and can only be accessed by boat. Boat trips sail in summer but these depart from Dunstaffnage marina near Oban; it may be possible to negotiate a pick-up in Taynuilt. Boat hire is available at TFC Boats just west of the village.
 * Fearnoch Forest is a walking area accessed off the A85 two miles west of Taynuilt.
 * Ben Cruachan is a "Munro" of 1126 m / 3694 ft, the highest peak in Argyll. The trail starts from Falls of Cruachan railway station and is steep but straightforward.

Buy

 * Graham's is the village store, incorporating the B&B and tearoom. It's open M-F 7AM-10PM, Sa 7AM-8PM, Su 10:30AM-10PM. For a supermarket head for Oban.
 * Inverawe Smokehouse east of the river prepare smoked salmon and similar delicacies. They're open M-F 9AM-5PM.

Eat

Drink
Taynuilt has no stand-alone pubs or hotel bars.

Sleep

 * B&Bs are Taynuilt Guest House at the crossroads, Brander Lodge on A85 east of the village and Ceo Mara Croft a mile west.

 * Self-catering: several, for instance Bonawe House Cottages near the old furnace, and static caravan sites at Curacao in village centre and Loch Awe Holiday Park on A85 two miles east.

Connect
As of June 2023, Taynuilt has 4G from all UK carriers, but the signal is patchy along the A85. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Oban west is the nearest proper town, with ferries to Mull and other Hebridean islands.
 * Crianlarich east is the route to the lowlands.
 * Inveraray with its palatial castle is south via A819 across the hills.

title: Taynuilt


text:
Tayrona National Park

The popular Tayrona National Park lies on the Caribbean coast near Santa Marta in Colombia. It has some of South America's loveliest coastline. This little, delightful spot has beautiful beaches, hammocks to rent for the night, food, water and surf (be careful, though; there is a strong riptide - experienced surfers only!) Additionally, you can get a guide to take you to a native village in the nearby mountains. For finding the entrances and going around, OsmAnd or Mapy.cz cover the area better than Google Maps.

History
The concession of the Tayrona National Park was created in 1964 and it is on the Caribbean Coast in the north of Colombia, 34 km from the city of Santa Marta. It has not only an immense natural importance in this region, but it is also a cultural treasure. The Koguis are descendants of the Tayrona People living there today.

Flora and fauna
The park offers a big variety of flora and fauna because it includes two ecosystems between the mountain and the sea. It boasts fascinating wildlife including black howler and titi monkeys, red woodpeckers, iguanas, jaguars (which are rarely seen as they hunt at night), a variety of lizards, tropical marine life, and more than 400 species of birds, such as eagles, condors and the odd pet parrots kept at the restaurant at Arrecifes.

The vegetation is characterized by the ecological influence and the rain depending on the sector, from tropical dry forest to coral reefs.

Climate
The temperature varies between 25°C and 30°C, depending on the location and elevation. There are two rainy seasons from May to June and from September to November. The climate is temperate and hot.

By bus
From Santa Marta take a white bus from the corner of Calle 11 with Carrera 9, by Mercado Público. It leaves about every 15min and costs COP$8,000 (Mar 2023). Ask the bus driver to drop you off at the park entrance, it is about one hour and can't be missed. From the park entrance it is another 4 kilometers to Cañaveral. You can either walk, take a van for COP$3,000 (June 2019) or try to hitch a ride. From the entrance to Arecifes is about 1.5 hours on foot, but you can see monkeys and other wildlife along the way.

By car

 * A taxi from Santa Marta or Taganga might be an alternative for groups of 3 or 4 persons. It should cost around COP$70,000.
 * GPT offers low emission rides from Santa Marta to the Tayrona Park and other destinations in this area.

By boat

 * From Taganga there is a daily boat leaving early in the morning at about 9:30AM to El Cabo San Juan and returning at around 3PM. The 1 hour boat ride can be really rough in the open ocean. Protect your belongings with plastic bags, because especially in the back of the boat you get all wet. There is a fix price of COP$50,000 each way. The entrance fee has to be paid at the beach. The boat drops you straight at El Cabo, so if you are planning to stay there it is ideal. You can always take the boat to El Cabo and spend some time trekking to the end and then getting a bus out.
 * With a large number of people it might work out cheaper to rent a boat from Santa Marta or Taganga. You get dropped off at one of the park's beaches and this way you avoid the entrance fee.

Fees and permits
The entrance fee depends on low/high season and is
 * COP$62,000/73,500 high season (Mar 2023) for foreigners
 * For Colombians the fee additionally depends on the age and whether you were born in Santa Marta.

The entrance can be booked in advance on the park website. That allows to avoid the queue at the entrance and to be sure to be able to enter in the park since the number of entrances are limited. Bags and personal belongings are checked for drugs and glass bottles at the park entrances.

In addition to the entry fee, there is a COP$6,000 insurance for every day that you spend in the park. It’s used to support the seven first-aid tents scattered throughout the park

The prices for food and water are very high inside the park compared to Colombian standards. For example a can of coke costs COP$6,000, a beer COP$7,000 and a 1-liter bottle of water is COP$7,000, although prices do vary from site to site (Cabo is a bit cheaper, Arecifes a bit more expensive since many more people stay there).

Get around
A jeep or other vehicle can be caught from El Zaino entrance which will take you to the start of the hiking trail. Mules and donkeys can be hired to transport you and your luggage to Arrecifes, but are mostly used for transporting groceries (fruit, food, drink and water) to the local restaurants in the park. The walk to Arrecifes is about 45 min-1 hour, depending on how much you stop to observe the local fauna and flora. It is recommended that hiking boots or trainers are worn for the duration of this walk, as it can get really muddy and slippery during the rainy season.

The walk from Arrecifes to La Piscina is about 15-20 min, the majority of the walk is along the beach and sea edge with some palm forested areas. The walk from La Piscina to El Cabo is another 30-40 min, but well worth it once you arrive.

To avoid the crowds, enjoying a more solitary experience (if not more adventurous), you can hike in from the entrance at Calabazo and exit at El Zaino. This also avoids you having to retrace your steps. The route is about 18 kilometers with 582 meters elevation gain. More details and a GPX track can be found here.

Eat
Food in Tayrona is a bit more expensive than other places in Colombia, especially considering the meals' quality. An average meal in the park can cost COP$50,000 (Mar 2023). A seafood-focused menu, the costs of transporting ingredients to the park, and marking up for tourists means eating on the beach is not cheap.

Travelers can get food from the different native or local restaurants present in Arrecifes, El Cabo and La Piscina. There is a variety of sea food, such as the tropical fish plate with rice and salad. Seafood dishes are also usually served with pataconés (fried plantain). Similar to bananas, plantains are usually firmer and not as sweet, with a neutral flavor like a potato. They are usually cut, fried and smashed into small pancake shapes, when they are fried again and served with food or as a snack on their own.

The local restaurants have a varied menu which includes breakfasts (with scrambled egg as the basis) seafood, meat (particularly steak and chicken), chips (papas fritas) and pastas. It is advisable to get in early, to avoid the disappointment of being told the restaurant is out of the meal you requested. Meals are ordered and paid for before receipt.

Between La Piscina and Arrecifes you can find a bakery called Panaderia. There they sell freshly made bread with cheese and chocolate filling. During the day someone travels through the park and sells some of the baked goods, if you are lucky you can catch them for a nice breakfast at the beach.
 * Jenna - On the hike from the entrance to Arrecifes, there is a campsite just before you reach Arrecifes. Here they make fantastic bread with chocolate or dulce de leche (caramel) baked in and it only costs COP$2,000.

Drink

 * The restaurant at Arrecifes sells delicious freshly squeezed juices. Try a fruit juice mix of 'lulo' (a fleshy yellow fruit indigenous to the Caribbean coast) and banana or maracuya (a local brand of grenadilla or passion fruit).
 * The restaurant at Cabo has a bar section where a few cocktails are offered at a price of around COP$25,000-30,000.

Sleep
When you arrive at the park entrance, you may be approached by several persons offering you information; however, their main goal is to sell you accommodation. If you know where you want to stay, pre-purchasing accommodation will guarantee there is room for you but, despite what they may tell you, is not required.

Cañaveral

Arrecifes

El Cabo

Other destinations

Stay safe
It is prohibited to swim in the sea near Arrecifes due to the danger of strong riptides.

It has been known for local thieves to listen to see if people are asleep in their tent and then open the tent and steal what they can find. Make sure to either use the lockers, keep valuables close to your person or do not bring them at all.

Go next
There are both hostels and private rooms in:

 * In the south of the Tayrona National Park along the Highway 90 are the villages Las Tinajas, Calabazo, El Zaino and Los Naranjos. Being there does not require the entrance fee.
 * Guachaca. It lies directly at a river and not far from an unspoiled beach.
 * Buritaca in the east also at a river.
 * Taganga - a backpacker and hippie haven in a one-time peaceful little fishing village just north of Santa Marta
 * Minca – somewhat cooler 20km in the south of Santa Marta. It's 580m above sea level towards the mountain top Cuchilla San Lorenzo
 * Santa Marta
 * Palomino 45km away

title: Tayrona National Park


text:
Tayshet

Tayshet (Russian: Тайше́т tigh-SHEHT) is a city in Irkutsk Oblast.

Get in
Tayshet is an important railway junction, as it's the starting point for the Baikal-Amur Mainline on the Trans-Siberian Railway.

title: Tayshet


text:
Taza

Taza is a city in Morocco, provincial capital of the region ("wilaya") Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate.

Understand
Taza has always been of high importance because of its strategicly favourable location as a passage between the Rif and the Middle Atlas.

Taza is divided into two parts: the Medina (Taza-Haut), built on a plateau, and the Ville Nouvelle(Taza-Bas) in the valley, set up by the French after the occupation in 1914.

At the Medina the more "touristic" sights of Taza are located: the Great Mosque ("Jemaa el-Khebir"), the Medersa Bou Abul Hassan, the Andalusian Mosque and the souks with the "Jemaa es-Souk", the Market Mosque.

The heart of the Ville Nouvelle (Taza-Bas) is the Place de l'Indépendance. From there you can easily access the two main shopping streets, the Avenue Mohammed V and the Rue Allal Ben Abdullah. Here you find all sorts of shops and cafés. Most of the cafés are only visited by men, but there are some where you can feel comfortable as a woman. In the morning and at noon you will meet the Tazi women, who do their shopping and errands. In the early evening the streets of the city are full of men and women, but later the streets are left to the men.

The young Tazi you will meet at the cinema or in one of the local internet-cafés, where they enjoy an evening out to chat and meet their friends. Like all over the world also in Taza surfing the web and chatting has become a common pastime. So more and more internet-cafés are opening, mainly in the Ville Nouvelle.

History
It is always pointed out that Taza's history and daily life was stamped by its geographical situation as the prominent passageway from east to west. Legend has it that the Meknassi tribe founded Taza at the end of the 7th century. But 25,000-year-old prehistoric findings near the Medina (Kifan el-Khomari) show that people have settled here as early as the Palaeolithic.

In its history the town has been made capital several times, so under the Almohades, when Sultan Abd-el-Moumen conquered Taza in 1141 and had the Great Mosque built. Also the first Alaouite ruler, Moulay er-Rachid, the ancestor of the present king, started his conquest of Morocco from here. After his death in 1672 Taza lost its status as a capital once and for all, with the exception of the interim "reign" of the rebel Moulay Muhammed, called Bou Hemara ("man on the donkey"). He had gained the support of local Berber tribes and had himself proclaimed sultan in 1902 in Taza, but was imprisoned by Sultan Moulay Hafid and executed a few years later. The house of Bou Hemara still can be seen at the Medina.

Apart from adding to the mosques and medersas, each of the dynasties expanded and enforced the fortifications. So when Taza was occupied by French troops in 1914, it was almost naturally made a garrison town. In the first period of the French Protectorate Taza served as a base and starting point for raids against the Berbers in the Rif and the Middle Atlas, who tried to found independent states.

In 1956 Taza regained some local administrative importance, when it was made the provincial capital of the region.

By train
An easy and comfortable way to get to Taza is by the trains run by the Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) - oncf.ma website (in French & Arabic). The train station (Gare de Taza) is situated in the north of the Ville Nouvelle (Taza-Bas), Avenue de la Gare.

By bus
Amongst the various bus-companies the most reliable and comfortable way of travelling by bus to Taza might be with the Compagnie de Transport au Maroc (CTM) - ctm.co.ma website (in French & Arabic). They stop at the Place de l'Indépendance, and have quite a high standard, but sometimes arrive late.

By taxi
To get to nearby towns like Fez and Oujda you also can take the grands taxis. They are faster and cheaper than buses or trains. These cabs are usually shared with other passengers, or - if you are willing to spend a little more money - you can negotiate with the driver to get one by yourself. If you want to travel with children you should consider that the grands taxis often are without seat-belts. They arrive and depart near the train station in the Ville Nouvelle.

Medina

 * Medina Walls - a very beautiful promenade is the way around the Medina walls. Along the route around the Medina there are some points with a beautiful view on the surrounding valleys. The largest part of the fortification walls has been built in medieval times under the Almohades. But the Merinides and Saadites have added and reinforced. Nowadays part of the ancient Medina walls has crumbled. The city tries to start reconstruction. The works however progress slowly because of a lack of financial means.
 * Tour Es-Sarragine - while strolling around the western part of the Medina walls you will come across the Tour Es-Sarragine, the so-called Saracen tower. From here you have a pleasant view on the Middle Atlas. The tower, unfortunately crumbling, has a curious construction: square at the base, and round at the top. The adjacent fortifications date from Almohade times.
 * The Gates of Taza-Haut. From the ("Gate of the winds"), above the Medina, you have a beautiful view over the whole valley and the olive groves below. On one side you see the Middle Atlas and on the other the Rif-Mountains. As the name indicates it might be a bit windy at times, but in the summer-time that's a welcome refreshment. Apart from the most famous gate at the Medina, the Bab Er Rih, you will find other gates from where you can have a splendid view around:, ,  (or Friday Gate).

 * 14th-century madrasa (Coranic school)

Modern part of the city (Ville Nouvelle)
In the less touristic quarters in the Ville Nouvelle at Taza-Bas you will find mostly new buildings and little houses. Though the buildings are nothing extraordinary, you can sometimes find a house "in the making" and get an idea about construction works in Morocco.

Buy
An advantage of shopping in Taza is the fact that it is not as overrun by tourists as the larger cities in Morocco. You can take your time and enjoy the calm and the ambiance of small town life.

At the Medina you can get what most tourists take home as souvenirs: arts and crafts or the typical Moroccan "babouches" and clothing. The main shopping streets in the Ville Nouvelle are the Avenue Mohammed V and the Rue Allal Ben Abdullah. Here you can get everything, that you need for everyday life.

At the corner of the Place de l'Indépendance, not far from the Hôtel du Dauphiné, there is a bookstore. You can also buy French and Arabic books at a small tent-like stand near the central market ("marché central") and the Mouritania mosque.

Eat
There are not many options to eat in Taza.

Internet
Mahlabat Annas, 3 Rue Esmara, Bit Ghoulam; tel. +212 3567-4344 - small Internet-café with 9 PCs, headphones and microphones. While chatting or surfing the web you can enjoy the local home-made yoghurt ("raibe") or munch some sweets. Very friendly service who helps with all difficulties concerning the net and even gives some tips about chatting. It is open 7 days a week from morning to midnight (hours vary according to season). 4 dirham/hour.

Post
Taza has three post offices, one at the Medina (vis-à-vis the Place Ahrrach) and two in the Ville Nouvelle, at the Place de l'Indépendance and near the train station.

Medina (Taza-Haut):
 * Bureau de Poste Taza-Haut, Place Moulay Al Hassan; tel. +212 35-27-0182

Ville Nouvelle (Taza-Bas):
 * Bureau de Poste Taza-PPAL, Place d'Indépendance; tel. +212 35-67-2883
 * Bureau de Poste Taza-Gare, Avenue Bir Anzarane Al Adarissa; tel. +212 35-28-0963

The post offices are usually open from 8AM to noon and from 2.30PM to 6.30PM but the opening hours can change during the summer and Ramadan.

For information about the postage for letters and parcels (in French and Arabic): http://www.bam.net.ma (click "Votre Courrier" > "Choisissez votre courrier" > "Calculer vos tarifs" and follow the instructions).

If you want to send a parcel abroad you have to leave it open when you go to the counter.

Cope
Laundry: Out of the summer-season the weather might become somewhat wet and rainy in Taza. After visiting the Medina you might be looking for a cleaners. The dry-cleaners ("Pressing") are quite cheap, about 10 dirham a piece, for example in the Avenue Mohammed V (Ville Nouvelle). Normally you can pick up your clean clothes the following day. The staff speaks French and Arabic.

Go next
Fez

title: Taza