text:
Arkhangelsk

Arkhangelsk (population 350,000 in 2018) is a regional center in Northwestern Russia, located on both banks of Northern Dvina river near its mouth on the White Sea, about 1250 km by road to the north of Moscow and about 1100 km northeast of Saint Petersburg. It is part of the Silver Ring of cultural and historical centers of Northwestern Russia.

Understand
The city was founded in 1584 and became the first Russian port playing the major role in trade with Western Europe until the foundation of Saint Petersburg in 1703. Since then, Arkhangelsk has been developing as a provincial city. The second negative impact on its importance arose with the foundation of Murmansk, a trans-polar non-frozen seaport at Barents Sea, in the beginning of the 20th century. However, honour came to the city during the years of World War II, when Arkhangelsk was the key destination point for Allied sea convoys that helped the Soviet Union confront German aggression.

Arkhangelsk claims to be the capital of Russian North. This is a bit pretentious, but reasonable at least in the matter of cultural life, which is very active compared to most cities of the same size in Russia.

The economy of Arkhangelsk is based on timber trade and the paper industry. The city has a large commercial and fishing port.

Located off the beaten path of major tourist flow, Arkhangelsk can be a transit point during a trip to Solovki, but is also worth a separate visit.

Climate
The most comfortable time to see Arkhangelsk is summer. During May, June, and July the sun seems to stay 24/7 in the sky. This is actually not the case: Arkhangelsk is 300 km south of the Arctic Circle, so it doesn't have polar days or polar nights. But prepare to be awakened by sun peering through your window at 02:00 in the summer. The other side of this is 2-4 hours of light per day in the winter.

Spring is late (snowfalls in May are quite usual), summer is relatively warm (+20 to 25°C); the first snow comes in October or November and winter is harsh (-10 to -20°C and windy). From November to May, the Northern Dvina and White Sea are covered with ice, and ship navigation is possible only with icebreakers.

By plane
Arkhangelsk has two airports: Talagi for interregional flights and Vaskovo for flights within Arkhangelsk region. Talagi airport is about a 25-min drive from the city centre. The going rate for a taxi to the airport is about ₽200 but in the opposite direction, enterprising cab drivers ask for around ₽400. Buses 12 and 12к get you from Talagi to city centre for a mere ₽28 but takes almost an hour and the timetable is not optimal.

By train
A slightly more adventurous traveler will probably opt for the train, which from Moscow's Yaroslavsky Vokzal takes about 23 hours with one to two trains per day. A train journey from Saint Petersburg clocks in at around 27 hours with up to three services per week, other cities with direct trains to Arkhangelsk includes Kotlas and Murmansk. Also, there is one international train service from Minsk, the capital of Belarus, once a week taking three nights. As in most northern Russian cities extra trains to and from the Black Sea usually appears during the summer months, catering to domestic tourists but open for anyone to use. Schedules change from year to year so check beforehand.

By car
1200 km by M8 road from Moscow via Yaroslavl and Vologda, and you are in Arkhangelsk (couple of hundreds km more if you drive from St Petersburg). The road is paved, but its quality could be much better.

By ship
Archangelsk is a significant commercial and fishing port acting as well as a gateway to Northern Sea Path (Северный морской путь). But there are no any regular ship connections with Arkhangelsk excluding river commuter ships.

Get around
Arkhangelsk is spread for 42 km via Northern Dvina river and has even several islands with no bridge connection included into its metropolitan zone. So getting around certain districts can be complicated. But all main attractions are located in the center and can be explored by foot.

Public transportation is represented with buses and marshrutki (shared minibuses). It is difficult to use without knowing Russian.

River transport is active during the summer season to connect river island vicinities with the city center.

Commuter trains service connects several suburbs with the city, but is interesting mainly for locals keeping their dachas. Each destination usually have one train in the morning and one in the evening.

Getting around by car or taxi is probably the best way to explore Arkhangelsk. Taxis are inexpensive and could be found near most attractions. Car rental service is represented by local providers only.

All means of transport including taxis reduce their activity significantly after evening rush-hours. This can be especially sensitive in winter, so do not allow yourself to stay half an hour on a -30 °C frost. Order a taxi by phone.

City Centre
Arkhangelsk had been founded in 1584, but until the 20th century nearly all buildings were wooden. That is why there are not so many examples of old architecture here. Outside of the centre, buildings become very typical, but the core part of the city has some diversity.

Orientation is easy from Lenin Square, where Arkhangelsk's only skyscraper is built. This 24-floor administrative building is seen from many parts of the city and can act as a lighthouse for a traveller. Streets called ulitsa (улица) are positioned perpendicularly to the river, those are called prospekt (проспект) are parallel to the river. The area of interest is limited by Dvina's embankment (Naberezhnaya) in the west, Kuznechevsky Bridge in the north, Obvodny Kanal prospekt in the east, and the Sea and River Station (Морской и Речной Вокзал) in the south. Most of the attractions, e.g. views, buildings, museums, restaurants, theatres, etc., are within this area.

Do

 * Walk through Northern Dvina embankment, see kilometers of water and feel strong wind in any season.
 * Have something to drink in city cafes.
 * Visit one of the city festivals (summer: street theatres from all Europe, winter: ice sculpture festivals)
 * Arkhangelsk is called to be cultural capital of Russian North, so plunge into local culture: pay attention to the natural history museum and the gallery of arts, spend an evening at a classical organ concert in a music hall inside a former church.
 * Try Northern Dvina's beach in summer (bathing is not recommended due to environmental reasons, but still allowed and possible).
 * Spend a couple of hours on a skating-rink or take a skiing day-off in winter.
 * Get out to see severe Northern nature, rural settlements, and wooden temples.

Buy
Shopping infrastructure in Arkhangelsk is being developed, but yet hasn't achieved the level of a regional center. Most of goods are brought from Moscow or St. Petersburg, so they are more expensive than in these cities. There are some local tourist goods to buy:

 * Local wooden souvenirs made of birchbark
 * Northern sweets named kozuli (козули)
 * Picked berries (cranberries, blackberries etc.) and mushrooms. Check local markets in autumn.

Sleep
Most tourists visit Arkhangelsk as a transit point to Solovetsky Islands, so the sleeping infrastructure there is quite scarce and oriented mostly on business visitors.

Budget:

Midrange:

Consulates

 * Flag of Norway.svg

Go next
Solovetsky Islands are a group of islands in the White Sea, about 200 km northwest from Arkhangelsk, famous because of its monastery (Solovetsky Monastery). Its massive stone walls together with severe northern nature form stunning views. The site is included into UNESCO World Heritage List.

During the Stalin era, Solovetsky Monastery was used as a concentration camp and acted as a cornerstone of gulags.

Now the monastery role is back but you still need a permit to visit islands. Expect at least 4 days to spend there, and take a lot of anti-mosquito spray with you during summer.

There is a direct flight from Arkhangelsk's Vaskovo (Васьково) airport to Solovki (1-2 times a week). During the summer season there is also irregular ship connection. Ask local travel agents for more information.

Pinega (Пинега) is a river in Arkhangelsk region (say 300 km from the city), locally known for beautiful gypsum caves on its banks. Pinega is reachable by bus, extreme lovers can try local train No. 666 (the road to hell as it is), but most probably the best way is to organize the trip via local travel agents.

Siyskiy Monastery is about 200 km to the south from Arkhangelsk, accessible by car. Beautiful site inside taiga.

Severodvinsk, pop. 200,000, is the capital of Russian nuclear submarine production. The city is 35 km away from Arkhangelsk and is easily reachable by car or by bus. If you're not a Russian citizen, you probably need a permit to enter Severodvinsk. There is nothing exceptional in the city's typically Soviet view unless you have a governmental pass to see submarine wharf. White Sea coast is packed into an ugly embankment.

title: Arkhangelsk


text:
Arkhangelsk Oblast

Arkhangelsk Oblast is a region in northwestern Russia, which borders Karelia to the west, the White Sea to the north, Nenetsia to the northeast, Komi Republic to the east, Kirov Oblast to the southeast, and Vologda Oblast to the south.

Regions

Mainland Arkhangelsk Oblast can be divided into 3 parts from north to south:
 * Northern part - the White Sea coast and Northern Dvina's delta. Home to biggest cities (Arkhangelsk and Severodvinsk), but less populated in rural areas outside the delta.
 * Middle part - the less populated part, with worst roads, a gap between North and South. Plesetsk Cosmodrome is located there.
 * Southern part - agricultural and more populated part with an array of old towns, as Kargopol, Velsk, Solvychegodsk, and Kotlas.

Also the Franz Josef Land far north in the Arctic Sea and Novaya Zemlya, halfway there, are part of the Oblast.

Cities

 * — the region's capital, chief sea port of medieval Russia, which houses Europe's largest museum of wooden architecture (Malye Korely). Claims to be the cultural capital of Russian North.
 * – the administrative center of Novaya Zemlya
 * — the second-largest city in the Oblast, 35 km from Arkhangelsk, at the White Sea coast. Home to the military Russian Northern Fleet and a principal submarine base and construction site.
 * — a 1000-year-old town in the south-west of the region, near Kenozersky National Park, notorious for sasquatch/bigfoot sightings
 * — Lomonosov's birthplace, a historic village with a museum and few abandoned churches.
 * — an important rail junction in the region's southeast, transit point to Veliky Ustyug.
 * — a military town, forbidden for tourists, home to the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.
 * — a small, old port and a base for tours heading out to Kiy Island.
 * — a historic town on the Vychegda River with an impressive Blagoveshchensky Cathedral and Vvedensky Monastery
 * —a small subpolar town in the northern part of the Oblast.

Other destinations

 * — home to a hauntingly beautiful monastery which has served as a Russian fortress in numerous wars for the past 500 years as well as one of the first Soviet gulags; a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 * — at the border with Karelia, near Kargopol.
 * — also at the border with Karelia, but more remote from roads.
 * — a beautiful river, a small town, and the only Oblast's national reserve, famous for its caves. Golubinsky Proval — the biggest cave at Pinega, open for tourists, best to visit in winter.
 * — an uninhabited island in the White Sea that is a popular tourist destination for its disbanded Kiysky Monastery
 * (also Bolshaya) — a Northern Dvina's riverside village on the road from Arkhangelsk to Kotlas, famous for a beautiful wooden church and local handicraft.
 * — is an archipelago in the Arctic far north. There are only a few marks of civilization in the whole archipelago, and most of the islands are covered by ice and snow.
 * ("Red Hill") — the highest point of Arkhangelsk oblast near Pinega with beautiful Krasnogorskiy Bogoroditskiy monastery ruins. The only alpine skiing place in the Oblast.
 * — is a group of islands were a couple thousand people live; it is a mountainous island group with a history of nuclear testing.
 * Narrow-gauge railroads — lost in taiga, they are partly abandoned, and partly operated by timber producers. Often constructed by prisoners, started to operate in Stalin's Gulag times. Going deeper into taiga, it's possible to find abandoned gulag locations and even small unpopulated towns.
 * — village with a beautiful lakefront Antonievo-Siysky monastery nearby

Understand
Locally called Pomorye, Arkhangelsk Oblast is a very large region (about the same size as France) in the Russian north. Sparsely populated (1.5 million for all this area), it is filled with taiga, beautiful lakes, wide rivers, and vast swamps. The nature is kin to Finland, especially its subpolar part. Most famous destinations are Arkhangelsk (regional capital) and the Solovetsky Islands, where a beautiful northern monastery/citadel served as a brutal gulag prison during the Soviet years. There are other less-visited, but very picturesque towns in the Oblast (Kargopol, Solvychegodsk), but the main reason to visit the region is to discover its severe beautiful nature mixed with wooden rural architecture. There are 2 national parks and 1 natural reserve, which are truly worth to be seen in Arkhangelsk Oblast'.

Talk
Russian is spoken everywhere. Outside of Arkhangelsk city center it's hard to find English-speakers. See the Russian phrasebook.

By plane
Flights arrive at Arkhangelsk airport from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Riga, and Tromso. The airport is served by Aeroflot, Utair, Nordavia, Rossiya air companies, and also by low-costs, as Avianova and Air Baltic.

By train
The overnight train ride from Moscow takes 21 hour, from Saint Petersburg a full 25 hours.

By bus
There are no regular interregional bus services to Arkhangelsk Oblast.

By car
It's the most interesting way to enter and explore the region. M8 road connects Arkhangelsk with Moscow and Saint Petersburg through Vologda. It is paved at all distance, but some parts are in poor condition. There are about 700 km from Moscow to the region's border, and more than 500 km after it to the north to reach Arkhangelsk.

Another way to Archangelsk Oblast is through Veliky Ustyug (Vologda Oblast). The road is not so good as M8, but still available for all types of cars, allowing to see picturesque villages beaded at river Northern Dvina's high bank.

The road from Karelia via Kenozersky National Park is unpaved at regional border, and hardly passable by non 4x4 cars, unless it is winter.

By boat
There are no regular ship service to the region, yet Arkhangelsk is a seaport, so it's possible to reach it by a commercial ship.

By plane
The main Arkhangelsk airport serves a regional flight to Solovetsky Islands (2 per week in winter, 4 per week in summer), while the other airport Vaskovo has local regional flights to remote locations inside the Oblast.

By train
It's possible to reach by train from Arkhangelsk such destinations as Severodvinsk, Onega, Plesetsk, Nyandoma (transit point to Kargopol), Velsk, Kotlas, and Karpogory (at Pinega river). The quality of trains is poor compared to interregional Russian trains.

By bus
Regular buses departure from Arkhangelsk to Veliky Ustyug, Kholmogory, Severodvinsk, Kargopol, Velsk, Yemetsk (transit point to Antonievo-Siysky Monastery), Kotlas, and Pinega.

By car
There are no international car rentals in Arkhangelsk, but it's possible to rent a car via local agencies.

By taxi
Taxi can be a good alternative for short distance rides, like from Arkhangelsk to Severodvinsk (35 km), or where other transport is not developed (e.g. from Nyandoma station to Kargopol). Most destinations inside the Oblast are quite distant, so expect very expensive taxis.

By boat
Navigation period lasts from mid-May to mid-October. There is regular commuter ship service from Arkhangelsk to neighboring locations, mainly to isolated island villages in Northern Dvina's delta.

There are many points in the Oblast that are accessible only by riverboats.

By thumb
Hitch-hiking is very possible in the region with general safety precautions. But most drivers will hardly understand English.

Do

 * - hiking
 * - skidoo rides (in winter)
 * - alpine and plain skiing (in winter)
 * - fishing

Eat

 * Kulebyaka - a local pie with fish.
 * Kozuly - local sweets.

Stay safe
Northern Russians are kind and hospitable, but a foreign tourist looking significantly richer than locals can provoke someone for a robbery.

Use general safety precautions and keep low profile while surfing the region with no Russian guide. Avoid wooden part of Arkhangelsk at the left bank of Northern Dvina and keep out of unattended dark places in cities at night.

Go next
Arkhangelsk is the main transit point for those who go to Nenetsia (regular flights to Naryan-Mar and Amderma).

Travelers heading to Komi Republic and Salekhard by rail are passing through Kotlas.

In the late summer, it may be possible to get on a ship heading east along the north coast of Russia towards Nenetsia and Yamalia.

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

title: Arkhangelsk Oblast


text:
Arles

Arles is a town in the Provence in the southeast of France. Remote, uneventful, but definitely no waste of time, Arles is absolutely steeped in Provençal culture, and features a collection of Roman archaeological sites. Arles is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Understand
The museums are small, but have some interested artifacts. Unfortunately there are no Van Goghs to be found in the city, despite the fact that his residence in Arles was his most productive. Chico Bouchiki, co-founder of the Gypsy Kings, as well as the rest of the band, is from Arles. Take a lazy stroll along the Rhône, dip into a café and continue strolling.

By bus
There are several bus lines from towns all over the Bouches-du-Rhône. You can always buy your passage from the conductor.

By car
Take the Autoroute from Salon or yet another from Marseille, but give preference to the smaller routes and Alpilles towns like Fontvieille, Paradou, les baux, etc.

Get around
Arles is for the most part small enough to enjoy by foot, if you aren't lazy. Otherwise, rely on taxis and buses.

By bicycle
Rent bicycles or a motor wheel for day trips in the alpilles around Arles.

Beyond the city
Each of the following or some combined can be visited on a day tour by bicycle from Arles.

Do
The Market and definitely think about researching for expositions and other events of the sort.

Buy

 * Markets and brocantes.
 * Check out the Saturday market for sure.

Eat
Saucisson d'Arles (traditionally made with a bit of donkey meat), marinated olives from the market, Languedoc cheeses from the market, etc. Other dishes: Gardianne de Boeuf, Daubes, Fougasse d'Arles (with duck confit inside)

For restos, check out the menus on side street restaurants.

Drink

 * Pastis, the local wines are good with food. Take advantage of the proximity of Nîmes for wines.
 * There's the touristy Café Van Gogh, painted to look like his Night Café painting and located at the site of his original painting.
 * Check out some of the other cafés in place du Forum, Rue Wilson, etc...

Sleep
If you plan on camping in this area, keep in mind that Arles is surrounded by rivers, streams, and marshes which all have mosquitoes. Another favored alternative is sleeping in the streets. Place de la Libération offers a hospitable sidewalk with a boulder, dedicated to two American WWII pilots shot down over Arles, under shelter of which you may sleep.

Mid-range
There are a few hotels apparently built within parts of former abbeys, such as Hôtel du Cloître by Saint Trophime. Also, there are tons of hôtels de tourisme.

Connect
As of July 2023, Arles and its approach roads have 5G from all French carriers.

Go next
Arles is centrally located. The town straddles Provence and the Languedoc. Profit from its positioning and enjoy the great nature that surrounds: the Camargue and beaches to the south, the Alpilles to the east, etc.

 * Aix-en-Provence the city of Cézanne and the Montagne Sainte-Victoire.
 * Avignon
 * Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
 * Saint-Martin-de-Crau
 * Tarascon

title: Arles


text:
Arlington (Massachusetts)

Arlington is a town of 46,000 people (2020) in Massachusetts. It is a largely residential town; many of its residents are employed in Cambridge, Boston and surrounding towns. It has several historical sites that reflect its history that dates back to the early 17th century.

Belmont is a town with a population of 27,000 (2020).

Understand
The town was settled by European colonists in 1635 as a village within the boundaries of Cambridge, Massachusetts, named Menotomy, an Algonquian word meaning "swift running water". A somewhat larger area, including surrounding land, was incorporated on February 27, 1807 as West Cambridge. In 1867, the name "Arlington" was chosen in honor of those buried in Arlington National Cemetery; the name change took effect that April 30. Mill Brook, which historically figured largely into Arlington's economy, flows through the town. In 1637 Captain George Cooke built the first mill on the brook. Subsequently, seven mills were built along the stream, including the Old Schwamb Mill, which survives to this day.

Paul Revere's famous midnight ride to alert colonists took him through Menotomy. Later on that first day of the American Revolution, more blood was shed in Menotomy than in the battles of Lexington and Concord combined. Minutemen from surrounding towns converged on Menotomy to ambush the British on their retreat from Concord and Lexington. All in all, 25 colonials were killed in Menotomy (half of all Americans killed in the day's battles), as well as 40 British troops (more than half their fatalities). The colonial soldiers are buried in Arlington's Old Burying Ground/

The Jason Russell House, a yellow colonial, is today a museum which remembers those twelve Americans, including Russell himself, who were killed in and around the house on April 19, 1775. Bullet holes are visible in the interior walls to this day.

In its early years, Arlington was a thriving farming community and had its own lettuce that was quite popular. Arlington had a large ice industry on Spy Pond from the mid-19th century until the advent of refrigeration. The farms were subdivided in the mid-to-late twentieth century. In 1979, the first spreadsheet software program, VisiCalc, was developed by Bob Frankston and Dan Bricklin in the attic of the Arlington apartment rented by Frankston.

By car
Arlington is bounded on the south by Route 2, a major transportation route allowing access to Boston and the western part of Massachusetts. Arlington is also a short distance from Interstate 93 and 95. Other major routes that go through the town are Routes 2A and 3.

By public transit
The MBTA Red Line stops at Alewife station on the Arlington border. From there, you can take the 67 bus which runs to Arlington Center. The Commuter rail Fitchburg Line has two commuter rail stations in Belmont.

The popular 77 Bus runs though Arlington on Massachusetts Avenue. Other, less frequent bus routes in Arlington include the 62, 67, 78, 80, 87, and 350 buses. Belmont is served by MBTA bus 73, 74, 75, and 78.

Get around
The Minuteman Bikeway is a well-used bicycle and pedestrian path built on a former railroad right-of-way. It connects Bedford and Lexington to the west, runs through Arlington Heights, crosses Massachusetts Avenue at Arlington Center, and leads to Alewife Station on the MBTA, making it very popular with commuters.

Drink
Arlington's liquor laws allow alcohol to be served only with a meal. In practice this means that all bars are part of a restaurant and that after your second drink, even sitting at the bar, you'll be asked to order some food.

title: Arlington (Massachusetts)


text:
Arlington (Texas)

Arlington is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex metropolitan area, in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. With a population of almost 400,000 (2019), it is Texas' seventh largest, and the third largest in the Metroplex. Arlington is south of the sprawling DFW International Airport.

Understand
The city was founded in 1875 and is named after Lee's Arlington House (of present-day Arlington County, Virginia). After the arrival of the railroad in 1876, Arlington grew as a cotton-ginning and farming center, and incorporated in 1884. The city could boast of water, electricity, natural gas, and telephone services by 1910, along with a public school system. By 1925 the population was estimated at 3,031, and it grew to over 4,000 before World War II.

Large-scale industrialization began in 1954 with the arrival of a General Motors assembly plant. Automotive and aerospace development gave the city one of the nation's greatest population growth rates between 1950 and 1990. Arlington became one of the "boomburgs," the extremely fast-growing suburbs of the post-World War II era. U.S. Census Bureau population figures for the city tell the story: 7,692 (1950), 90,229 (1970), 261,721 (1990), and 365,438 (2010). DFW Airport opened in 1974, which also contributed to unparalleled growth in the region.

By plane
All the major American carriers, and many international ones as well, provide scheduled passenger service into the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, located about 12 miles north of Arlington on Hwy. 360.

By train

 * There are two Amtrak routes which serve Dallas/Fort Worth, the Texas Eagle between San Antonio and Chicago, and the Heartland Flyer between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City. The closest stations are in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Cleburne.
 * The Trinity Railway Express (TRE) travels between Dallas and Fort Worth, skirting the northern Arlington city limits. The nearest station is CentrePort/DFW Airport.

By car
Well served by major highways, if you are coming by car, you will more than likely arrive via a major interstate highway. East/West Interstate 20 is directly south of town. North/South Interstate 35, which splits to an east (35E) and west (35W) highway near Waco, are within a few miles of the city.

By bus
Turimex Internacional, a Mexican trans-border bus line with services to various points in Mexico, has a bus stop at 2105 Sherry St. in Arlington.

Arlington has no Greyhound bus terminal.

Get around
Travel within Arlington essentially requires a car; the city does not operate a public transportation system.

Arlington On-Demand is Arlington’s citywide rideshare public transportation service.

For people staying at hotels within Arlington, there is a free shuttle bus, the Arlington Trolley, which connects major hotels with local food/drink and entertainment venues (Downtown Arlington, Six Flags theme park, the Texas Rangers stadium, etc.). The front desk of participating hotels can provide a pass to use the service.

Uber offers rideshares in the city.

Learn

 * University of Texas at Arlington

Shopping malls
Many hotels with shuttle service will offer rides to the closest mall.

Stay safe
Arlington is a generally safe town, though the areas of Dalworthington Gardens, Pantego, and the areas north of IH-30 are MUCH better developed and safer than other parts of the city. Six Flags Over Texas, Hurricane Harbor water park, Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium are in a highly modernized, pleasant location along IH-30; as you travel immediately south from there, the area is quite industrialized and deteriorated. One would be wise not to venture through East Arlington on foot at night. The 'danger zone' essentially is surrounded by IH-30 to the north, IH-20 to the south, Cooper Street/FM 157 to the west, and State Hwy. 360 to the east.

Located on the north side of IH-20, Arlington's main shopping centers - The Parks at Arlington Mall and the Arlington Highlands mall - are very safe zones that are constantly bustling with people due to all the restaurants and commerce in this area.

If you are visiting the campus of UT Arlington during the day you shouldn't run into any problems, though after hours (even before sundown) assault and robbery are not uncommon on the campus outskirts, particularly south and east of campus. As mentioned before, West Arlington (Dalworthington Gardens and Pantego) are by far the safest areas of the city, though they are mostly residential.

title: Arlington (Texas)


text:
Arlington (Vermont)

Arlington is a historic village in Southern Vermont.

title: Arlington (Vermont)


text:
Arlington (Virginia)

Arlington (along with the cities of Falls Church to the west and Alexandria to the south) forms part of the urban conglomeration around Washington, D.C. - inside the beltway. In Northern Virginia, and directly across the Potomac River from D.C. proper, Arlington is one of America's most densely populated regions. It has a land area and a population of 230,000. Despite its density, Arlington mixes the best of both big city and suburban environments. Like the greater Washington area, Arlington has grown over the last several decades in part due to growth of the federal government.

Districts
Arlington is broadly divided into North Arlington and South Arlington, separated by Arlington Boulevard (US-50). You can often tell what section a location is in by its address. Locations in North and South Arlington will often have, respectively, a "North" or "South" (or "N" or "S") before the street name (e.g. 1234 S Example St, Arlington, VA). Within each the visitor can find several commercial districts of interest.

Parkland lines the Potomac along almost Arlington's entire riverfront, though there are few amenities or facilities for visitors. The parks and overlooks are accessible by driving along the George Washington Memorial Parkway or walking along the Potomac Heritage Trail and Mount Vernon Trail in their respective sections.

Understand
Arlington and "Old Town" Alexandria form part of the original "ten miles square" which the U.S. Constitution dedicated as the District of Columbia, the nation's capital. It was one of the District's original two counties; Alexandria County was the part on the Virginia side of the Potomac River, and Washington County (present day Washington, D.C.) was the part on the Maryland side. The law creating the District prohibited building government buildings on the Virginia side, leaving it to be used for gambling and other vices. In 1846, as a result of issues relating to congressional representation, worries by Arlington residents that D.C would ban slavery, and an economic downturn as a result of the fact that Federal government offices were located on the northern side of the Potomac River, the U.S. Congress returned Arlington and Alexandria to Virginia.

While no longer part of the capital proper, Arlington's proximity to it has made it home to various national monuments and federal installations. Most travelers to Arlington will visit both Washington, D.C. and Arlington, and the two cities are seamlessly linked together by the Metro system.

Whatever your purpose in coming to Arlington, you'll find the area a friendly and convenient place to visit and explore.

While Arlington is legally a county (hence why it's often called Arlington County), maps and this article refer to the area as a city.

When to visit
Most tourists come to the D.C. area during spring and summer weekends. If you want to avoid the crowds, consider visiting between November and March. Hotels are generally more expensive during the week due to business travel. One of the busiest times to visit the Washington area is during the National Cherry Blossom Festival in early April. The springtime cherry blossoms are a must-see, but hotel rooms fill up quickly.

By plane

 * Dulles International Airport is in Dulles, Loudoun County approximately 15 miles (a 45 minute drive during rush hour) outside of Arlington. The airport has its own Metro station on the Silver Line.
 * Dulles International Airport is in Dulles, Loudoun County approximately 15 miles (a 45 minute drive during rush hour) outside of Arlington. The airport has its own Metro station on the Silver Line.

By bus

 * Greyhound, MegaBus, and several other companies serve Washington, D.C. Vamoose Bus and Tripper Bus operate direct service between New York City and Arlington. Pickup/drop-off points are near the Rosslyn Metro Station.

By train

 * The closest intercity train station is Union Station in Washington, DC, located 10–15 minutes away by taxi or about 30 minutes by Metro. One of the busiest passenger rail terminals in the U.S., Union Station is serviced by Amtrak, VRE, and MARC. For southbound trips, Amtrak and VRE serve the smaller Alexandria Station, south near the King Street Metrorail station on the western edge Old Town Alexandria.
 * Both VRE lines serve Crystal City, a surface station on Crystal Drive about one block from the Crystal City Metro station at the north end of Crystal City Water Park.
 * The Washington Metrorail has 11 stations in Arlington. The Orange and Silver Line stops are East Falls Church, Ballston-MU, Virginia Square-GMU, Clarendon, Court House, and Rosslyn. The Yellow Line serves Pentagon, Pentagon City, Crystal City, and Reagan National Airport. All Yellow Line stations in Arlington are also served by the Blue Line, which continues from Pentagon to Arlington Cemetery and Rosslyn into Washington. Be aware that the Metro closes at 11 PM Sunday nights, 11:30 PM Monday-Thursday nights, and 1 AM on Friday and Saturday nights. The time of the last train is posted in each station. Metro buses operate longer hours, but on a greatly reduced schedule outside of rush hour.

By car

 * Highways entering Arlington include I-395 from the Southwest, I-66 and US-50 from the West, George Washington Memorial Parkway from the Northwest and South, and US-1 from the South. All connect to the Washington beltway (I-495). In addition, there are five bridges that cross the Potomac River to DC: Chain, Key, Roosevelt, Memorial, and 14th Street.

Get around

If you plan to stick to the urban areas, park your car and only travel on foot and public transport. Arlington has an excellent public transportation system, which includes 4 Metrorail lines, a public bikeshare program, and 2 bus systems. Driving an automobile can bring more troubles than it is worth, as many of Arlington's attractions suffer from a dearth of parking spaces, and the area is notorious for expensive parking tickets.

Most destinations in suburban Arlington are accessible by bus, but a car is viable option.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is the regional transit operator. Its contactless smart card, the SmarTrip, costs $2. The SmarTrip is rechargeable and, if registered, has its value protected if lost or stolen and can be refilled online. The SmarTrip and its interchangeable Baltimore-area counterpart, the Maryland Transit Administration's CharmCard, are accepted on Metrorail and all regional bus operators. For more information on riding the Metrorail and other DC-area public transportation, including buying a SmarTrip card, see Washington D.C..

By train

 * Washington DC Metrorail. The Orange, Silver, Blue, and Yellow lines of the Metrorail serve the major commercial districts in Arlington as well as most major attractions in Washington, D.C. Fares start at $2 and are based on distance and time of day.

By bus
All the public bus systems serving Arlington accept WMATA's SmarTrip card, which allows free bus-to-bus transfers (excepting certain express commuter routes) and a $0.50 rail-to-bus and bus-to-rail discount.

 * Metrobus. Metrobus operates throughout the Washington area, and for longer hours than the rail system it complements. You must have exact change for the fare of $2.00, or use a SmarTrip card. Buses can also accommodate up to two bicycles, at no additional charge. An easy Metrobus for tourists and locals alike is the Bus #38B, which begins at Farragut Square in downtown Washington and takes you through Georgetown, Rosslyn, Courthouse, Clarendon, Virginia Square and Ballston. Other buses of potential interest include the Pike Ride routes along Columbia Pike (mainly Metrobus 16), and the 23A/B/T, connecting Crystal City and Shirlington.
 * Arlington Transit Buses (ART). Arlington operates its own independent bus system, filling in some gaps in Metrobus coverage. Arlington uses natural gas powered buses painted distinctive green. Like Metrobus, the fare is $2.00 and buses can also carry bicycles. Children under 5 ride free.
 * DC Circulator operates distinctive red and yellow buses every 10 minutes or so between the Rosslyn and Dupont Circle Metro Stations via Georgetown.

By taxi
Seven taxi companies are licensed to operate in Arlington. Arlington taxis are available at taxi stands around the city, by phoning the taxi company directly, and by mobile app. It is possible to hail cabs on the street in certain areas at certain times of the day; for example, on weekend evenings in Clarendon. All taxis are metered; fares are $3 plus $2.16/mile and $0.36/minute. A $1 surcharge is charged for each additional passenger age 12 and over.

By transportation network company
Uber and Lyft are very popular in Arlington.

By Zipcar
Zipcar operates short term car rental service throughout Arlington.

Driving your own car
For information on parking, see Parking In Arlington County. If you decide to drive your own car in Arlington, first check with your hotel about parking arrangements. Some hotels offer free parking and others charge per day.

Arlington provides a list of public parking garages. Many parking garages operate 24-hours and offer discounted rates on weekends and evenings. Parking meter fares vary and are as high as $1.75/hour. On-street metered parking is possible in business districts; rates and restrictions vary. Many meters accept credit cards.

Parking in residential districts is restricted to residents during weekday working hours. Arlington's parking regulations are strictly enforced and improperly parked cars will be ticketed.

By foot
Arlington's wide sidewalks, well-labeled intersections, and modern transportation system make it ideal for walking. Arlington's transportation systems and sidewalks are also fully accessible to the disabled. You can easily walk over the Key Bridge into Georgetown from Rosslyn— but watch for aggressive drivers, even in marked crosswalks.

By bicycle

Many major roads feature dedicated bike lanes. You can cross any of the bridges into Washington using your bike, but be aware that the Teddy Roosevelt Bridge has a very narrow path with barely any protection from the interstate right next to you. The Mount Vernon trail, which runs along the Potomac River all the way to Alexandria, makes for a beautiful ride.

Note that people aged 14 and under are required to wear helmets, and it's probably a good idea for adults as well.

Capital Bikeshare has many bike stations in Arlington, mostly within a few blocks of Metro stations.

The Bike Arlington website has a network of dedicated bicycle/pedestrian paths that crisscross the city. The paths are well labeled and patrolled regularly for safety. They also offer beautiful scenery and the chance to ride your bike or walk without interruption from motorized vehicles.

See
Many people come to Arlington as part of a trip to Washington, D.C. Still, Arlington itself is home to several destinations.

Work

The prospects for employment in Arlington are excellent. The bedrock of Arlington's economy remains the Federal government, the military, and companies that directly do business with the government. The process to start a career with the government is considerably longer than the typical entry process in the private sector. Those seeking Federal government employment in Washington, D.C. or elsewhere can generally apply from their current location, anywhere in the U.S. Note that the Arlington rental housing market is generally very strong and rents are generally just as high as those in Washington, D.C.

Buy

Arlington's main shopping districts are along the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor and in the Pentagon City-Crystal City area. Arlington has just about every type of shop an upscale urban area would have.

Fashion Center at Pentagon City is a must visit for shoppers.

Eat

You won't go hungry in Arlington. Arlington has over 1,000 restaurants to fit every budget and taste. Arlington's diverse, well educated population has led to a plethora of ethnic restaurants.

The Clarendon neighborhood probably has the largest concentration of restaurants. Within a few blocks of the metro station you can find all types of restaurants—from hole in the wall establishments to pubs to casual dining restaurants.

For a slightly less crowded area, try the Shirlington neighborhood, which has about two dozen restaurants ranging from Thai to contemporary American. Note that Shirlington is not served by a Metro rail line.

Crystal City has many fine restaurants for every budget. Some choices include Hamburger Hamlet, Bailey's, and Tapas. Make sure to venture west of Jefferson Davis Avenue on 23rd street to get a few smaller but equally as good choices. Some shopping malls, such as The Underground, also have full-service restaurants, as well as food courts.

Drink
In Arlington, the drinks can get pricey, but the bars are plentiful. Ballston Quarter has several pubs, while the Clarendon-to-Courthouse corridor has enough watering holes for a bar crawl. The entire area also has a high density of coffee houses.

Sleep
Many people visiting Washington, D.C. choose to stay in Arlington. Arlington hotels located along the Metro lines are just as convenient— indeed, sometimes more convenient— than hotels in Washington proper, and often more reasonable in price. If you are staying in Arlington primarily to see Washington sights such as the Smithsonian, it would be more convenient to leave your car parked at your hotel and ride the Metro to Washington.

Stay safe

Arlington is a very safe city with considerably less crime than its neighbor, Washington, D.C. While you are unlikely to be the victim of a crime here, you should take normal precautions that you would in any urban area, such as keeping your car and hotel room locked at all times. If you have a problem, dial 911 to contact the Arlington Police.

Cope
Arlington has info for LGBT travellers.

Go next

 * Major regional (and national) attractions and fine dining in The National Mall and Georgetown are just across the Potomac via Arlington Memorial Bridge (or the Metro Yellow Line) and the Key Bridge respectively.
 * Alexandria — the former hometown to famous American heroes and rebels that claims some of the richest history in the DC metro area is just south of the Reagan National airport, accessible via the Metrorail Blue and Yellow lines.
 * Fredericksburg and Manassas — sites of key Civil War battles, including the first major battle of the war. Also in the area are the Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania battlefields.
 * Great Falls — home to a rather pleasant national park.
 * Mount Vernon — George Washington's home and gardens.

title: Arlington (Virginia)


text:
Arlington (Washington)

Arlington is a city in the Puget Sound region of Washington State.

Get in
Arlington is located along Interstate 5.

Get around

 * Bus routes 201 and 202 travel between Lynnwood and Arlington, making stops along the way in Everett and Marysville.
 * Bus routes 201 and 202 travel between Lynnwood and Arlington, making stops along the way in Everett and Marysville.

Go next

 * Enjoy island life on nearby Camano Island, which is accessible from Highway 532, accessed by traveling on Interstate 5 north of Arlington.

title: Arlington (Washington)


text:
Arlington Heights

Arlington Heights is a city in northeastern Chicagoland. The 2010 Census put the population at 75,101, the largest for a village in the United States. Arlington Heights is known for the Arlington Park Race Track as well as a large Japanese community, third in the state behind neighboring Schaumburg and Chicago proper. Some notable people have come from the village as well, including Walter Payton, Ted Nugent, and Ray Kroc (founder of McDonald's).

By car
Interstate 90 (The Jane Addams Memorial Tollway) serves as the fastest way into and out of Arlington heights, and makes up the southern border of the city. This is also the fastest way to and from Chicago and O'Hare International Airport. Illinois 53 makes up another thoroughfare on the westside, and leaving south on that expressway will eventually lead you to Interstate 290 (an alternate route to downtown Chicago) and Interstate 355 (towards Joliet). Other major arteries include U.S. 12 (Rand Road), U.S. 14 (Northwest Highway), Illinois 62 (Algonquin Road), and Illinois 68 (Dundee Road).

By train
Arlington Heights is served by two stations on Metra's Union Pacific Northwest Line: Arlington Heights and Arlington Park. Frequent service (as well as some express trains) between 6:40am and 1:15am during the week, with less frequent service on weekends, can allow for a side trip to Chicago or any other suburb on the line. No service to Arlington Heights is provided by Amtrak or the CTA.

By bus
Pace bus is the sole provider of bus service of any kind in Arlington Heights. Routes 594, 606, 616, 690, and 696 make up all of the routes that are within city limits. Routes 594 and 696 have stops at the Arlington Heights Metra station, making connections to and from the train possible. no buses stop at the Arlington Park station, however, route 696 does stop at the actual race track. Bus intervals are infrequent, and you should plan to spend an extra hour or two at least in bus transit times. Route 594 is a dial a ride service for Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows, and vehicles are timed to meet Metra trains. No intercity buses stop in Arlington Heights.

By car
Like most of the suburbs, driving is the easiest way to get around. Interstate 90 (The Jane Addams Memorial Tollway) serves as the fastest way into and out of Arlington heights, and makes up the southern border of the city. This is also the fastest way to and from Chicago and O'Hare International Airport. Illinois 53 makes up another thoroughfare on the westside, and leaving south on that expressway will eventually lead you to Interstate 290 (an alternate route to downtown Chicago) and Interstate 355 (towards Joliet). Other major arteries include U.S. 12 (Rand Road), U.S. 14 (Northwest Highway), Illinois 62 (Algonquin Road), and Illinois 68 (Dundee Road).

By train
Arlington Heights is served by two stations on Metra's Union Pacific Northwest Line, however trying to use the train as a means of transportation may not work out to your benefit, unless your destination is Arlington Park. The train does not reach most areas, due to the size of the village

By bus
Pace bus is the sole provider of bus service of any kind in Arlington Heights. Routes 594, 606, 616, 690, and 696 make up all of the routes that are within city limits. All of these routes extend beyond Arlington heights, so trying to get from suburb to suburb, or say, Woodfield mall, is made easier by using these regional routes. Tying to move around Arlington Heights is more difficult, as no routes reach further north than the Arlington Heights Metra station.

Go next

 * Elgin, to the west, is a large city along the Fox River and a buffer town between Chicagoland and Northern Illinois. There's a casino downtown, a large park with museums, and beautiful Victorian homes.
 * Schaumburg, Arlington Height's sister village to the south, has the humongous Woodfield Mall, which is the most visited tourist attraction in Illinois.
 * Des Plaines is the home of the first McDonald's opened under the direction of Ray Kroc.

title: Arlington Heights


text:
Armação dos Búzios

Armação dos Búzios (often shortened to just Búzios) is a coastal city in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro.

When to go
High Season is from November till March and June to July (local school holidays. Low season is from March till May and August till October. May and April can be a very good months to go because they are dry and quieter for families looking to relax.

December is the busiest month and it is great for parties, although you may face some lack of basics (water and food supplies) and prices rise substantially. Avoid going in March because it can be quite wet.

Get in
Búzios is 176 km from Rio de Janeiro and 600 km from São Paulo.

By bus

 * Buses connect the city to those capitals and neighboring cities (especially Cabo Frio). Long distance buses are operated by 1001.

By car

 * Buzios lies on the BR-101 highway.

See

 * Beaches - Geribá, Azeda, Azedinha, João Fernandes, Forninho, etc.
 * Rua das Pedras - restaurants, shopping and nightlife

Do

 * Boat trips through the beaches. A three-hour schooner trip goes round the beaches and out to an island. Fresh fruit is served, and it often stops for an optional swim in the ocean near a beach, and then stops at the beach itself. More than one company provides such tours, and they are easy to find. Just go out on the long dock from downtown and people will be there promoting the next trip with flyers, or go into any of the local travel agencies. It cost R$ 40 in January 2013.
 * Scuba diving - There are two excellent and certified scuba diving instruction schools, both of which offer daily trips for beginners and experienced divers. They are located across the street from each other on the main street by the beach downtown.
 * Surf Lessons at Geriba beach. There are about 10 surfing schools that teach all ages, as well as one girls' surfing school, "Surfer Girls".
 * Annual Jazz Festival - Goes for 4 days around 22 July every year. About 6 of the nightclubs and the pagado have live jazz music throughout the night. Most of them are free throughout the festival (a few require reservations).

Buy
Alfredo's Arabic bikini shop on the beach side of the main street downtown is an excellent store for homemade bikinis. Many shops are locally owned, and a chat with the owners can reveal a lot of great connections and recommendations around town.

There is many casual fashion stores in the area. One thing to be aware of is that pants are usually sold by waist size and not by length. You are expected to have them altered to your size, and the store may very well not provide that service. If you do not know the language, it may be difficult to get it done. Suggestion: do not buy the pants until you have secured the service.

Across the street is an internet café that will let you hook up your notebook for hourly fees (around R$ 6/hour), or use their computers.

The good thing is that most shops stay open until midnight.

Eat
Búzios is notorious for its sophisticated and therefore expensive restaurants. The new big thing in Búzios is pay-by-the-kilo restaurants; the original was a place called Boom and now there are about 20 of them. Boom's the good one.

Drink
Nightlife is huge in Búzios. One of the best nightclubs in town is Privilege.

Buzios has a particular timing for going out. As a beach destination, most tourists stay on the beach till after the sunset, which during summer can mean after 20:00. Because of that bars and restaurants stay pretty much empty until something like 22:00 and clubs normally only open after 00:00 and go on till the sunrise.

If you are in Buzios you must make sure you visit Takatakata, a bar on the main Rua das Pedras run by a crazy Dutch guy called Kaiser. He only lets about five people into the bar at any one time but it's definitely worth a visit - make sure you try the Takafire cocktail!

Sleep
Buzios has several options for accommodations from stylish guesthouses to 5-star hotels.

Go next

 * Arraial do Cabo

title: Armação dos Búzios


text:
Armadale (Skye)

Armadale (Gaelic: Armadal) is the ferry port and main village of Sleat peninsula, the gently rolling southern part of the Isle of Skye. To the south it merges with Ardvasar (Gaelic: Àird a’ Bhàsair), and a lane continues to dead-end at Aird of Sleat. The main road A851 follows the coast north, with a straggle of accommodation and amenities, notably at Saasaig and Isleornsay. Points north of there are described under Broadford.

Get in
is the landing point for Calmac ferries from Mallaig on the Scottish mainland. They take 45 min and sail daily, Apr-Oct every hour or two 8AM-6PM but only 2 or 3 per day Nov-March. Until end of March 2025 return fares are £23.30 per car, £7 per adult including driver, and £3.50 per child aged 5-15. This was the usual route to Skye before the bridge opened, and it's still a good route if you want to take the Road to the Isles via Glenfinnan. But don't come this way on a whim or because Satnav has misdirected you to Mallaig instead of the bridge - you could face a long wait for a ferry space if you haven't booked.

Stagecoach Bus 52 runs 3 or 4 times daily from Armadale pier (connecting with the ferries) to Broadford, Sligachan and Portree. In Broadford it connects M-F with Bus 50 to Kyleakin and Kyle of Lochalsh bus and railway stations.

By car you follow A851 the same road as the bus, joining A87 the main cross-island road at Broadford.

Get around
It's a short walk between the pier, the two villages and Armadale Castle, but you need wheels to get elsewhere around Sleat.

Car rental is available from Drive Skye.

See

 * Views from the village and pier towards the mainland are attractive.
 * is ten miles north of Armadale, take the lane west to Tokavaig then hike. It's a fragmentary medieval ruin on an outcrop of rock on the wild west coast of the Sleat Peninsula. A drawbridge once connected the outcrop to the mainland; you can still scramble across or climb from the beach, but both ways are hazardous, only nettles await you, and the views are just as good from shore.
 * is reached by driving south to the end of the public road at Aird of Sleat, then it's a clear (though occasionally rough or boggy) 3-mile trail to the Point, crossing the beach at Camas Daraich. The lighthouse is just a small metal gantry, you come for the views towards the Small Isles (which are inhabited, and reached by ferry from Mallaig).
 * is reached by driving south to the end of the public road at Aird of Sleat, then it's a clear (though occasionally rough or boggy) 3-mile trail to the Point, crossing the beach at Camas Daraich. The lighthouse is just a small metal gantry, you come for the views towards the Small Isles (which are inhabited, and reached by ferry from Mallaig).

Do

 * Wildlife: always be looking out for it, including on the ferry.
 * South Skye Sea Kayak organise tours and tuition. They're at Kilmore 4 miles north of Armadale.
 * Gaelic culture: Sabhal Mòr Ostaig a mile north of the castle teaches degree-level courses solely in Gaelic. They have residential shorter courses for learners, but it's not the place for beginners. However look out for music and other cultural events that even a Sassenach can nod along with.

Buy

 * Armadale Stores and Post Office is open M-F 8AM-5:30PM, Sa 8AM-3:30PM.
 * Craft shops and galleries near the pier are Nigel Grounds, Under the Rowan, Maggie Zefara, Ragamuffin Store, Skyelark / Grumpy George, Julia Christie, Scouting for Buoys and Patricia Shone Ceramics. Aird Old Church Gallery is at Aird, at the end of the public road south.

Eat

 * Stables cafe at the entrance to Armadale Castle is open daily 10AM-4PM.
 * Stables cafe at the entrance to Armadale Castle is open daily 10AM-4PM.

Drink

 * The Inn is the only public bar in Armadale. Gasta by the castle entrance has closed.
 * Torabhaig make whisky four miles north of Armadale. Tours available May-Oct, adult £15. Shop hours are M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa Su 10AM-3PM.
 * Gaelic Whisky at Isleornsay sells niche blended whisky and gin. They blether on about Skye tradition but are coy about where the stuff's made.

Sleep

 * Armadale Castle (above) has self-catering lodges and suites.
 * B&Bs cluster south of the ferry pier, and include Knoydart, Homeleigh, Bracken Brae andMorar, and Vinahus up the hill. There's nothing further south down the dead-end lane to Aird of Sleat.
 * B&Bs cluster south of the ferry pier, and include Knoydart, Homeleigh, Bracken Brae andMorar, and Vinahus up the hill. There's nothing further south down the dead-end lane to Aird of Sleat.
 * Saasaig village has self-catering cottages.
 * South Skye Motorhome Park has five hard-standing pitches but no camping area. It's south edge of Isleornsay and open all year.
 * Off the Hill is a B&B at Duisdale Beag, by the turn-off for Hotel Eilean Iarmain.
 * Skye Yurts are 100 yards south of Duisdale House.
 * See Broadford for Kinloch Lodge just across the bay.
 * Skye Yurts are 100 yards south of Duisdale House.
 * See Broadford for Kinloch Lodge just across the bay.
 * See Broadford for Kinloch Lodge just across the bay.

Connect
As of June 2024, Armadale and A851 towards Broadford have 4G from O2 and Vodafone but a very poor signal from EE or Three. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * The road north leads you to Broadford. From there you could return to the mainland on A87 via Kyleakin, the Skye Bridge and Kyle of Lochalsh, or continue north to the most scenic part of Skye beyond Portree.
 * Or take the ferry to Mallaig on the mainland to reach the Small Isles, Glenfinnan and the Ardnamurchan peninsula.

title: Armadale (Skye)


text:
Armagh

Armagh is a city in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, with a population in 2011 of 14,700. It's regarded as the ecclesiastic capital of all Ireland by both Protestants and Roman Catholics. It's no longer a "county town" as there's no such unit of governance in Northern Ireland, but since 2015 it's formed part of the Armagh-Banbridge-Craigavon "super-district" covering the northern half of historic County Armagh.

Understand
Armagh was a religious and secular power centre even in pagan times. In 432 AD St Patrick literally capitalised on this tradition by building his first stone church here and declaring it to be the country's Christian capital. (Or at least, he did so in any history controlled by the Armagh church: earlier christianising missionaries elsewhere in Ireland were studiously ignored, so today they have local observances but don't get to stop the New York traffic with a big annual parade.) The site of that 5th century church is now Saint Patrick's Cathedral, the seat of the Church of Ireland (ie Protestant) Archbishop & Primate of All Ireland. Here as elsewhere, the Protestants ejected the Catholics from their churches, and forbade them to build anew. Only in the 19th century was that prohibition abolished, so on the neighbouring hilltop was built St Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral, the seat of the RC Archbishop & Primate of All Ireland.

The religious divide was exacerbated by the national divide: after the Irish partition Armagh found itself in Northern Ireland, but with a large population who were Catholic and supportive of the republican cause, and with a nearby porous border with the Republic. "The Troubles" of 1969-1998 were very bitter hereabouts, with 86 deaths, and the place became run-down as business and individuals took flight.

Armagh lost its city status in 1840 but this was restored in 1994 - it's ceremonial, and the place continues to feel like a medium-sized town. After "The Troubles" were calmed by the Good Friday Agreement, Belfast and Londonderry successfully relaunched themselves as lively destinations for travel and business, but Armagh hasn't yet done so. It's still worth visiting for itself and as a base for exploring the county.

Visitor information

 * Visit Armagh website

Get in
Armagh has no railway service. Goldline Express Bus 251 runs hourly from Belfast Europa bus station via Portadown, taking 70 min to Armagh.

Ulsterbus 72 runs every two hours between Dungannon and Armagh, 40 min.

Ulsterbus 40 runs every two hours between Newry and Armagh, one hour.

Ulsterbus 70 runs every couple of hours to Armagh from Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland, 40 min. Twice a day Bus 270 from Belfast connects Portadown, Armagh, Monaghan and Cavan Town.

Goldline Bus 278 runs in university term-time, with one bus Su-F from Monaghan via Armagh to Moy, Dungannon, Cookstown, Magherafelt, Garvagh, Coleraine, Ulster University, Portstewart and Portrush.

By car from Belfast and the ferry ports follow M1 west to Craigavon then A3 through Portadown. From Dublin follow M1 / N1 / A1 north across the border to Newry then A28 to Armagh.

Get around
Armagh is small enough to explore on foot. Ulsterbus 73 passes Navan fort on the road to Killylea and Caledon, but it's a sparse service.

National Cycleway 91 runs mostly on-road from Portadown to Armagh, Monaghan and Enniskillen. Route 95 runs from Armagh to Dungannon, Cookstown and Strabane.

See

 * is a ruin just south of town centre. It was founded in 1263 but dissolved in 1542 by Henry VIII.
 * Other notable buildings in town are the Gaol (primarily a women's prison, it closed in 1986), the Market House which is now a library, and the Archbishop's Palace, chapel and stables which are now council offices.
 * is a ruin just south of town centre. It was founded in 1263 but dissolved in 1542 by Henry VIII.
 * Other notable buildings in town are the Gaol (primarily a women's prison, it closed in 1986), the Market House which is now a library, and the Archbishop's Palace, chapel and stables which are now council offices.
 * Other notable buildings in town are the Gaol (primarily a women's prison, it closed in 1986), the Market House which is now a library, and the Archbishop's Palace, chapel and stables which are now council offices.
 * Other notable buildings in town are the Gaol (primarily a women's prison, it closed in 1986), the Market House which is now a library, and the Archbishop's Palace, chapel and stables which are now council offices.
 * Other notable buildings in town are the Gaol (primarily a women's prison, it closed in 1986), the Market House which is now a library, and the Archbishop's Palace, chapel and stables which are now council offices.

Do

 * Omniplex Cinema is on Market Street.
 * Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre is just behind the cinema, Box Office +44 28 3752 1821
 * County Armagh Golf Club is at 7 Newry Rd, south edge of town.
 * Gaelic games: the County GAA team plays Gaelic football and hurling at the Athletic Grounds (capacity 18,500), off Killylea Rd half a mile west of town centre.
 * Football: Loughgall FC were promoted in 2023 and now play soccer in the NIFL Premiership, the top tier in Northern Ireland. Their home ground is Lakeview Park (capacity 3000) in Loughgall village five miles north of Armagh.
 * There are fitness and leisure centres at Armagh City Hotel, Orchard LC on Folly Lane, and Cathedral Rd.
 * The big Orange Order Parade in Armagh is 12 July each year, but see the Parades Commission listing for smaller events throughout the year.
 * The big Orange Order Parade in Armagh is 12 July each year, but see the Parades Commission listing for smaller events throughout the year.

Buy

 * The main shopping centre is The Mall. Sainsbury's here is open M-W Sa 8AM-8PM, Th F 8AM-9PM, Su 1-6PM.

Eat

 * There's a slew of other cheap eateries along English Street.
 * There's a slew of other cheap eateries along English Street.

Drink

 * Pubs along main drag include Red Ned's, Turner's (24 hours), Toni's, Mulberry and Hole in the Wall.

Connect
Armagh has good mobile and 4G coverage from all UK carriers. As of Aug 2020, 5G has not reached this area.

If you venture near the border, take care that your mobile doesn't latch on to an Irish carrier, which may incur extra charges.

Go next

 * Belfast is a great city destination, with lots to see and do.
 * Cookstown has several nearby prehistoric sites, and the "Beetling Mill" where linen was given its fine finish.
 * Newry won't detain you long, but it's on the route to Drogheda, Dublin and the Mourne Mountains.

title: Armagh


text:
Armavir

Armavir is a city in Central Armenia, past Echmiadzin.

Understand
Armavir is the capital of the Marz (state) of the same name, though it is probably still called more frequently by its old communist name of Hoktemberyan (in honor of the October Revolution) than by Armavir, the ancient Armenian capital whose ruins are nearby.

Get in
Vans (called marshutni) depart from Yerevan to Armavir regularly throughout the day. Taxis in Yerevan are usually happy to take you there for 100 dram per km. Along the highway from Armavir to Yerevan you can catch vans and buses heading to Yerevan, or even private cars, but if you are west of Armavir your options are more limited, as there is much less traffic.

Day tours from Yerevan are offered by some companies by van with other tourists, including guide and sometimes lunch which include the most popular destination of the area - Sardarapat.

Get around
Armavir is not a very big town, and is very flat. Walking is an option, or a taxi.

See
The main site near Armavir is Sardarapat, the site of the monument dedicated to the victory over Turkey, with an attached huge ethnographic museum - the best in Armenia. Aside from that there are the ruins of a few ancient cities, listed below.

Eat
There are a few places to eat in Armavir, mostly fast food restaurants or cafes, and Armenian barbecue (khorovats). A few more barbecue places are found on the main highway.

Drink
Drinking options are the offered at the same places as food, detailed above.

Sleep
Armavir has a huge old Soviet hotel which has not been renovated. You can try it for an interesting and potentially cheap option, but Armavir is close to Echmiadzin and Yerevan, where all of the tourists tend to stay. Few even venture off of the highway into this small town.

title: Armavir