text:
Southlake

Southlake is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region of Texas. It was once chosen as the best place to live within the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Get in
From Dallas, take TX-114 W toward Grapevine, take the exit toward FM-1709/Southlake Blvd. From Fort Worth, take TX-121 N, exit at William D. Tate Ave. From Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, take TX-114 W, exit at Southlake Blvd.

Get around
To get around Southlake you'll definitely want to have a car. Taxis services to the airport (which is less than 10 minutes away) are available.

Do

 * Shop, in Town Square and around the rest of the town.
 * Fish, at Lake Grapevine or Bob Jones Park.
 * Attend a Football Game, at Dragon Stadium.

Eat
Southlake Town Square, has many restaurants on all budget levels.

Drink
The nearby town of Grapevine has a few wineries; hence the name.

Sleep
Many other hotels are near the airport, within minutes of Southlake.

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

title: Southlake


text:
South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe is a city in the Lake Tahoe region of California in El Dorado County. South Lake Tahoe, the largest town around the lake, sits on the south shore, and offers beautiful views of mountains covered with fir and pine trees, deep blue water year-round, and a wealth of outdoor activities. A popular location for skiers and snowboarders during the snowy winter season, Lake Tahoe is also home to miles of beaches for sun-tanning, boating, water skiing, and swimming in the summer.

Understand

Located at the meeting point of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in the world. The north and south shores offer plenty of hiking and biking trails and retreats for campers. On the Nevada side of the town (Stateline, NV), is a long stretch of more than ten casinos — a haven for those looking for a world-class gambling experience.

Originally a town of several smaller communities, South Lake Tahoe has developed into one large area consisting of approximately 21,000 permanent residents. The population fluctuates massively in the winter, and triples around New Years, as there is a massive influx of tourists visiting for the holiday season. There are two main parts of South Lake Tahoe: the Western part of town, centered on "The Y" - the X-shaped intersection of US Highway 50 and California state highway 89, and the Eastern part, centered around the CA-NV state border. The former is distinctly residential, and the latter is distinctly commercial - it is the home of all the casinos and larger hotels, and Heavenly's Gondola starts in this area.

Traveling from "The Y" toward Stateline, motels, hotels, resorts, and small businesses line Highway 50, before arriving at 'Heavenly Village' a town center at the foot of the Heavenly ski resort's gondola. Heavenly Village is comprised of shops, restaurants and two Marriott resort hotels. There is also a multi-story parking garage at Heavenly Village. Heavenly Village is the center of activity for the majority of visitors to the South Lake Tahoe region, and is bustling with activity year-round.

One block northeast of Heavenly Village is the official California-Nevada state line, and the unincorporated settlement of Stateline, Nevada, which is home to four major resort casinos, and two smaller local casinos.

Get in
The most common route into South Lake Tahoe is via the nearest major city, Reno, Nevada. Reno International Airport provides transit to and from the Tahoe basin for a minimal fee.

International and transcontinental travelers typically fly into San Francisco International Airport, and make the journey via Sacramento on I-80 and US-50, though Sacramento International Airport and Reno International airport are also viable hubs for shorter-distance travelers.

US Route 50 accesses Lake Tahoe via Echo Summit, a windy mountain grade that descends nearly 1,000 feet before entering the unincorporated community of Meyers, California. Alternately, Highway 89 enters the Lake Tahoe Basin via Nevada, winding over Luther Pass. SR-89 and US-50 intersect in Meyers. Highway 50 continues through Carson City, NV, ascending over Daggett Pass, before merging with Nevada Highway 395.

Entering from the northern side of the Lake is Interstate-80, which provides access from both Sacramento and Reno.

During Tahoe's cold, snowy winters, road closures and traffic are not uncommon, as ice poses a hazard, as does the risk of avalanche, particularly on Highway 89, which wraps around the Western shore of the lake. Inexperienced winter drivers, coupled with mandatory chain-installation stops create highway backups during inclement weather. As snow has been reported 12 months a year, vehicles with four-wheel drive are a necessity for locals, and an important option for visitors to have on their vehicles.

Get around
Bus service around the South Lake Tahoe area is provided by BlueGo, which operates a fleet of environmentally-friendly buses, and in the winter, both the Heavenly and Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resorts have their own bus services, which are free and meant to shuttle skiers to and from their hotels and motels. There are also several taxi services, however these are in very high demand in the winter, and waits of 30-60 minutes are not uncommon in peak times.

During summer months, BlueGo offers transportation around the South Shore both by their bus service, but also by several streetcar-like trolleys under the name "Nifty Fifty Trolley", in reference to US Route 50, South Tahoe's main road, and the route upon which they travel.

All major locations around the Heavenly Village area such as the stateline casinos, are within walking distance (one quarter mile) of each other. There are underground walkways between the major casinos.

See

 * Take the Heavenly Gondola to see a beautiful view of Lake Tahoe (Winter and Summer).
 * During summer, a number of trails of varying difficulties will provide incredible views of the South Lake area as well. For a strenuous, but entirely worth it, day hike, hike to Star Lake from High Meadow Trail (roughly 6 miles uphill to 9000 ft) for an incredibly serene lake which is great for fishing and/or camping (be sure to get a fire/campstove permit from USFS!) If that hike doesn't tire you out, continue the extra two miles west on the Tahoe Rim Trail to the Freel Saddle, where you can begin the steep 1.2-mile ascent to the top of Freel Peak (10,886 ft) which is the tallest peak/best view in the Lake Tahoe basin. If you so choose, you can walk an easy few miles across the range to Job's Sister at 10,600 ft for impressive views of the Carson range.
 * Drive to Emerald Bay, which features the only island on the lake.

Do

 * In Summer, hike the Heavenly trails or take a day hike on a section of the Tahoe Rim Trail for some incredible views of the lake and surrounding areas. Find a bike rental and explore the town and the beaches, or head into a marina and take a boat out on the lake. DL Bliss state park offers some great swimming and cliff jumping; there are many other beautiful spots to take a break from boating at as well.
 * Lake Tahoe has a ton to offer mountain bikers of all skill levels. On the South side of the lake, Powerline, Gunmount, Incense Cedar and Sidewinder are good trails for intermediate riders. More advanced riders will enjoy Corral Trail, which starts at the same place as Sidewinder (3 miles up Fountain Place/Oneidas Rd). Ride the extra mile past Corral Trailhead on the paved road for a fun, technical downhill called Armstrong Connector, or keep going on the singletrack uphill for Armstrong Pass/Tahoe Rim Trail. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is the most technical downhill trail in South Lake, located on Highway 89 near Luther Pass.
 * In winter, ski or snowboard at one of the resorts nearby. Heavenly is on the stateline of California and Nevada (right by the casinos); Sierra is about 20 minutes away just west of Meyers, CA; Kirkwood is roughly 45 minutes south of the lake located on Highway 88.
 * Try the casinos; Dottie's Casino — the entire casino is no-smoking. Harrah's and Harvey's feature an underground walkway to keep you from having to cross the street or venture out into the cold. Lakeside Casino (just a short walk east from the bigger casinos) has an Apres Ski special everyday; get a free pint from 4-7PM with a lift ticket or ski pass.
 * Go to Bally's Casino and play one of the few Sigma Derbys remaining in the country. Quarter horse racing.
 * Explore points of interest like Camp Richardson and the spectacular view at Emerald Bay. (If you don't have a car, the Nifty-Fifty trolley (local transit) makes the journey during the summer)
 * Explore points of interest like Camp Richardson and the spectacular view at Emerald Bay. (If you don't have a car, the Nifty-Fifty trolley (local transit) makes the journey during the summer)

Buy

 * As a large tourist area, there are an abundance of T-shirt and other novelty stores, mainly centered around the CA-NV state line, with the more upscale stores being in the Heavenly Village development.

Drink

 * There are plenty of bars in the casinos. This is where most of the night life is situated.
 * Just outside the casinos is the Heavenly village, home to Base Camp Pizza Company, Fire & Ice, and Stateline Brewery -- all serving various drinks and great happy hour specials.
 * Of all the Heavenly Base Lodges, make sure you take a look at Boulder on the Nevada side, up Kingsbury Grade. It has one of the friendliest bars on the mountain.

Go next

 * Sacramento - California's state capital.

title: South Lake Tahoe


text:
Southland

 * For the American South sometimes called as 'Southland', see South (United States of America)

Southland is the southernmost region in the South Island of New Zealand. It boasts stunning landscapes from the high mountains and icy glaciers to green and lush grasslands on the plains where agriculture is king. The linchpins of the economy are farming, forestry and horticulture.

The population within the Invercargill Council area is around 52,000, within the Southland Council area 30,000 and within the Gore Council area 13,000 making a total of 95,000.

It has about 1600 sunshine hours per year with an average temperature of 15°C.

Cities

 * – southernmost point and home to the country's best oysters.
 * – world's capital of brown trout fishing, and New Zealand's capital of country music.
 * – the country's southernmost city, and the commercial heart of Southland.

 * – brown trout fishing, and a local museum.
 * – gateway to southern Fiordland, particularly Doubtful Sound.
 * – stopover town along the way to Te Anau and Fiordland.

 * – the attractions of the Lake Te Anau area, and gateway to Milford Sound and northern Fiordland.

Other destinations

 * – forest, beaches and wildlife
 * , including Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound – home to NZ's fiords.
 * Milford Road – scenic highway linking Te Anau and Milford Sound.
 * – the most southerly of New Zealand's three main islands with bush walks (including the Rakiura Track), birdwatching and kayaking

Talk
Many Southlanders, influenced by their Scots ancestry, speak with a Southland burr, in which they roll their rs. This is the most distinctive regional accent in New Zealand.

By plane
Air New Zealand flies to Invercargill Airport from Christchurch and Wellington.

By boat
Cruise ships visit Fiordland and Stewart Island.

By car
Rental cars are available at Invercargill Airport.

See
By far, most travellers visit Southland to explore Fiordland National Park. Make time to see Milford Sound (the most well-known and accessible of the fiords). If you have extra time and money, consider also exploring Doubtful Sound, the deepest fiord in NZ.

If you're in Invercargill, enjoy the Victorian era architecture.

Do

 * Southern Scenic Route, drive the coastal route from Invercargill to Dunedin.
 * Drive to Tuatapere and walk the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track. Stroll through Riverton, known as a historic fishing town and popular holiday spot.
 * Then on to the Catlins and enjoy views over native forest towards the Pacific Ocean. Make a detour to Curio Bay to see its 160 million year old fossilized forest.
 * Celebrate finishing the route in Dunedin with a Speight's in the many pubs and cafés.
 * There are many other walks on the route.
 * Explore The Catlins and walk through the native forest and along the coast. Look out for the fur seals, Hector's dolphins and yellow-eyed penguins.

Sleep
Backpacker hostels are a cheap alternative to motels. Most offer double, single, twin or shared rooms.

Go next

 * Otago
 * Queenstown-Lakes

title: Southland


text:
South Lebanon

South Lebanon is in Lebanon.

Cities

 * - capital of the south and main coastal city
 * - larger countryside town and capital of Nabatiye Governorate
 * - another important coastal city
 * - larger countryside town and capital of Nabatiye Governorate
 * - another important coastal city

Understand
Southern Lebanon is a historian and archaeologist’s delight, with a history dating back to the Assyrians over 6,000 years ago. The region’s rolling hills sloping down to sandy Mediterranean beaches are dotted with Biblical sites, Roman and Phoenician ruins, remnants of the crusades, and the major Phoenician trading centers of Sidon and Tyre. The ancient cities of the region are like one-stop-shops to explore the ancient civilizations and history of the Mediterranean, with remnants of Egyptian, Assyrian, Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, and Ottoman civilizations.

Talk
Like the rest of Lebanon, Arabic is the main spoken language. English and French are sometimes spoken in cities and larger towns.

Get in
Regular intercity transport buses (dubbed "Pullmans") serve as the main public transport between Beirut and Sidon and Tyre. The fare is LL1,500 (US$1) for a one-way trip from Beirut to Sidon.

Get around
The easiest way to get around outside urban areas is with a private rental car. 'Service' taxis are present, but not as pervasive or reliable. Inside urban areas, Service taxis are inexpensive ways of getting from one area to another. One service fare is LL2,000 for each passenger. Longer distances will require more than one fare per person, but the driver will indicate so before you board.

See
There are a few Crusader castles in Southern Lebanon - in Tibnin lie the ruins of Chateau Tibnin and in Arnoun you can find the ruins of Chateau Beaufort. There are also some smaller ruins available, but they are close to the 'Blue Line' between Israel and Lebanon and located on areas previously used by Hezbollah in their fight against the Israelis.

Climbing up the slopes of Mt. Hermon on the Lebanese side, not far from the Cheba Farms area (a highly populated Muslim Sunni area), you can find the holiest place in the Druze religion. Also in the small Christian and Druze populated villages you can find the footprint of the dragon that St. George killed and an ancient Roman temple.

South Lebanon is also bizarrely home to a risque lingerie industry that Hezbollah have failed to fully crack down on. Forbes Magazine accurately described the Syrian-made lingerie as "wire-bras with feathers, some with battery-powered bird-tweeting sounds; others that glow in the dark; panties with flickering lights--an entire subculture of outré underclothes..."

Do
You can visit the restaurants and enjoy the scenery but you must exercise caution.

Stay safe
Always be careful not to draw too much attention to avoid being targeted by pickpockets. Following common sense, it is advisable to carry only the essentials during any excursions. The southern border area is patrolled and controlled by UNIFIL peacekeepers. It is generally considered wise to stay on well-travelled roads outside urban centres.

Stay alive, stay on the roads, avoid the vicinity of the 'Blue Line'. Paved roads are to be considered safe, all dirt tracks / non-paved roads are to be treated as possibly mine-infested. The fact that the locals use the non-paved roads daily is simply because they have to do so to make a living. The sad but true fact is that the areas close to the 'Blue Line' can be your last sight of Southern Lebanon because of the numerous years of fighting and sowing of all kinds of instruments of destruction across the otherwise beautiful landscape.

Avoid conversations about religion and politics for your own safety. South Lebanon is Hezbollah's main area of support, with the group winning a majority in Southern Lebanon in the 2009 parliamentary elections and several previous ones.

title: South Lebanon


text:
South Limburg

The Dutch sometimes call South Limburg (Dutch: Zuid-Limburg) a "piece of abroad in the Netherlands". Starting with Sittard in the north and covering the southern tip of the country from there, South Limburg sets itself apart through its un-Dutch hilly landscapes, embracing local culture and dialects. It's a popular holiday destination for Dutch and foreign tourists alike and generally considered one of the most beautiful parts of the Netherlands.

Bustling middle-point is of course the famous city of Maastricht, with its charming, Burgundian atmosphere and European allure. Nevertheless, the region has numerous other picturesque villages and historic towns worth a visit. Although it is of course a German town, the historic city of Aachen just across the border is widely considered part of the region's draws and strongly embedded in the tourist trail.

Cities

 * — a historic and cobblestoned city centre with a rich cultural heritage that includes old houses and cathedrals but also a tradition of fine dining.
 * — with some of the oldest prehistoric farm remains, Geleen's history goes way back.
 * — a modern and bustling city with plenty of cultural events and shopping opportunities; for those willing to dig in deeper, there are some interesting historic heritage sites.
 * — it were the monks of Rolduc, the biggest monastery complex in the Netherlands today, that started the mining tradition here; now known for its music festivals.
 * — one of the oldest cities in the region, with a large variety of historic buildings and museums; the terraces on the bustling market square are a great place to sit back and enjoy.

Small towns

 * — lovely scenery and lots of timber framed houses, a popular hikers destination
 * — right in the heart of the Heuvelland, a friendly town that boosts some of the best landscapes, castles and a lovely town centre
 * — although otherwise unexciting, Hoensbroek's large castle and annual sand sculpture festival are major attractions in the region
 * — many of the world's most famous artists come here to perform at the annual Pinkpop festival and you'll also find Europe's largest indoor ski resort here
 * — a small village and adjoining hamlet worth a quick stopover or good as a hiking destination
 * — the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, where 8701 American soldiers have found their final resting place, will leave a lasting impression on any visitor
 * — home to an interesting castle and a compact but pretty castle that received popes and famous lords throughout the ages
 * — called the Gateway to the Mergelland, its train station serves as headquarters for the heritage steam train called Miljoenenlijn
 * — the Dutch, German and Belgian borders come together at the tripoint here; the surrounding area holds some of the best scenic routes in the country with wide views and typical black and white timber framed houses all around
 * — a popular tourist destination for decades; Marlstone quarrying left the town with a series of underground caves and you can visit the ruins of its old city wall and castle
 * — charming little hill-top village surrounded by forests, hamlets and wonderful landscapes
 * — a tiny town but a proud one, famous in the Netherlands for its beer

Understand
The gently rolling landscape that characterizes this region is caused by its location on the outskirts of the Belgian Ardennes and the German Eifel. With the 322.7 meters Vaalserberg being the highest point, the South Limburg hills aren't nearly as high as those low mountain ranges just across the borders. Nonetheless, it provides lovely scenic views and a strong contrast to the strikingly flat lands that define the rest of the Netherlands.The river Meuse runs through the region, from south to north. It is called Maas in Dutch and several towns, including the Limburgian capital Maastricht, are named after it. The Meuse depositions account for a large part of the South Limburg surface.

However, the tourist appeal of the region doesn't lie in its landscape alone. The South-Limburg countryside is dotted with charming villages, farms, ancient churches and a good number of castles. In many villages and most of the cities, old buildings in the historic centre remain. As it has been a relatively popular destination for many decades, tourism has become a main source of income for the region. Not only hotels and restaurants are plentiful, but attractions and events looking to entertain the many visitors are all around as well. In summer, small towns come to life and not a weekend goes by without another festival, fancy fair or cultural event happening somewhere.

 * VVV Tourist Information Zuid-Limburg. Major cities like Maastricht have a specified tourist information office but even in small villages you will usually find a VVV information point with maps and leaflets, e.g. in a local supermarket. There's a specialized VVV website for the whole South Limburg Region, where you can also find information on the local offices.

History
The earliest evidence of human life in the Netherlands was found in the South-Limburg region, in the form of Neanderthaler camp remains near Maastricht. The oldest traces of farming in the Netherlands were also discovered in this region, where the fertile loess grounds led to farming initiatives long before the rest of the Netherlands. In Roman times the region was Romanized throughout. The Romans laid the foundations for Maastricht and Heerlen, now two of the main cities in South Limburg. Christianity was introduced in 384 by Servatius and would play a major role in the further history of the region. This later canonized bishop became the patron saint of the city Maastricht and his grave became a popular pilgrimage destination.

The mostly Catholic population of South Limburg, like the rest of Dutch and Belgian Limburg, strongly opposed its absorption by the Reformist Northern provinces and fought alongside the Spanish. Still today almost 75% of its population is Catholic, although ever fewer people actually practice their faith.

Throughout its history, South Limburg was a mostly rich and flourishing area. It was constantly disputed between regional duchies, the French, the Prussians, the Dutch and the Spanish. From around 1900 to the 1960s, the economy blossomed as coal mining activities developed. The closure of the mines in the mid-1960s led to severe unemployment, as up to 15% of the population had been working for pr in the mines. The South Limburg administration has invested heavily to change and renew the local economy. Beside the fast development of tourism, the region has also tried to established itself as a European cooperation hub, especially focusing on its central position in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion.

Talk
A large part of the South-Limburg population speaks a form of Limburgish, a dialect that shares many characteristics with both Dutch and German. People from different villages all speak their own specific variety of the dialect, but are still well able to communicate amongst each other. In villages and small towns you'll find that Limburgisch is the main colloquial language used by locals in every day life. This often extends to interaction with locals just across the German and Belgian border, as they too speak versions of Limburgish.

In the Netherlands, Limburgish has been recognised as an official regional language and it therefore enjoys a certain level of protection under chapter 2 of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. However, the validity of that status is an ongoing subject of debate among linguists.

Of course, Dutch remains the official language. You'll find that everyone speaks it, although many people do so with an accent. Virtually all written information (including menus and signs) is in Dutch. As in the rest of the Netherlands, English levels are fairly high and many Limburgish people also speak German rather well. In the main tourist destinations and especially in those close to the border, it's not uncommon to find menus and other information in German.

Get in
Getting in is easy as there are many road and public transport connections to the rest of the Netherlands, as well as to Germany and Belgium. If you're flying in, several small and large airports are within reasonable travel distance.

By plane
Maastricht-Aachen Airport is the only airport in the region. It is about 9 km south-west of Maastricht in the town of Beek. It's mainly a cargo hub but also serves some (partly seasonal) international flights, operated by discount carriers and mostly headed to southern Europe. Summer time destinations include Antalya, Tenerife South, Alicante, Girona-Barcelona, Milan Malpensa, Faro, and Porto.

Locals often turn to other airports in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium to get in and out of the region. Some options (including travel times) are:
 * Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, 2½ hr by direct train to Maastricht
 * Eindhoven Airport, 1½ hr by train and bus to Maastricht (change once in Eindhoven)
 * Brussels National Airport, 1 hr 45 min by train to Maastricht (change once in Brussels)
 * Düsseldorf Airport, 2 hr by train and bus to Vaals (change once in Aachen)

By train
If you're coming from the north, direct Dutch intercity trains lead to South Limburg from the direction of Amsterdam, Utrecht, 's Hertogenbosch and Eindhoven. Within the South Limburg region, fast intercity trains stop in Sittard, Maastricht and Heerlen. Regional trains and buses can take you further to several smaller towns. These regional trains are operated by Veolia, as are the buses.

From Brussel take an intercity train to Liège and change there for the regional trans border train to Maastricht. Furthermore, there's a regional train connection between Aachen (Germany) and Heerlen.

By car
Local roads make border crossing from Belgium or Germany straightforward. The main highway connections are listed below.
 * The E14/A76 is an important thoroughfare from Belgium to Germany and vice versa and passes through the South Limburg cities of Geleen and Heerlen. On the other sides of the border, it connects to Aachen (Germany) and Maasmechelen (Belgium).
 * The E25/A2 connects Maastricht directly to Weert and Amsterdam in the north, and to Liège and Luxembourg in the south.

By bus
Maastricht is a stop on the Flixbus routes, allowing for bus travel to and from many parts of Europe. Their stop is at terminal H on the main bus station of Maastricht, which is right next to the train station. South Limburg is served by an extensive network of regional bus lines, reaching into every village and even many hamlets. As trains are not quite as widely available, buses will be useful to get in to a smaller destination, but to first arrive to the region from anywhere in the Netherlands, trains are usually more convenient. Head into Sittard, Maastricht or Heerlen, and take a bus from there.

Get around
There are plenty of options to make your way around. Biking and hiking are a popular way to see the best of the region, but if your time is limited you might consider renting a car. Bus and local train connections are a useful alternative as well.

By bus
Public bus transport is operated by Arriva. You can buy an OV-chipkaart on all major bus and train stations. You can also purchase a ticket from the driver. While that is more expensive for single journeys, it's a good option for day trips. After 09:00, "dagkaarten" or day tickets are available for €6.50, and with a €2.50 surcharge, it allows travel on the regional trains as well. The Euregioticket is a €16/day ticket, valid on all buses and on the regional Arriva Heuvelland train line (between Maastricht and Kerkrade). In weekends and holidays, this same ticket is valid for up to 2 adults and 3 children.

The bus network is extensive and will take you to almost every village in the region. Use the national online 9292 journey planner to plan your trip. Some of the smaller hamlets are served by minibuses, but they leave from the regular platforms at e.g. Valkenburg and Gulpen station.

By bicycle
You can rent a bike at tourist offices in larger towns but many hotels and campings offer bike rental as well. The tourist information offices have a full list of rental places, can assist you when renting and also have a range of routes and maps including trails for mountain bikers, through hamlets and towns, around asparagus fields and more. Take into account that the region is not as flat as the rest of the Netherlands and some stamina is required when using a traditional bicycle. For that reason, electrically supported bikes are an increasingly popular way to get around, allowing for all the benefits of biking, but making it a lot easier to climb the hills. Countless establishments on the road have installed charging points, allowing you to recharge your battery if needed, while you enjoy you lunch or coffee. Ask for an up to date list of these places at your rental company or tourist information office. Rates are typically around €25 per day and many smaller hotels can arrange for one to be delivered to you if you make arrangements in advance.

If you still don't feel up for biking, consider renting a vespa for the day in Maastricht. All tourist information points sell maps and routes. Also make sure to ask them about the good number of (free) marked routes available.

See

 * Timber framed houses, or vakwerkhuizen in Dutch, are built after an old construction technique. The white or yellow houses show dark wooden construction beams in their walls. Although fairly common in the region, this building style is rarely used in the rest of the Netherlands. The often old houses form a picturesque sight in the green countryside.
 * Maastricht is a charming city on the banks of the river Meuse, filled with monumental buildings, cathedrals and the ruins of what was once its city wall. Exploring this historic city for a day is an excellent way to spend your time. Its main sights include the 11th-century Basilica of Saint Servatius, the 12th-century Basilica of Our Lady, the Helpoort, which is the oldest remaining city gate in the country, and the Sint Pieter Castle on top of a hill. The Bonnefanten Museum is the most prominent fine and contemporary arts museum in the province.
 * The Miljoenenlijntje (literally "Millions Line") is a tourist train connection between Kerkrade and Valkenburg. A second line runs from Simpelveld to Vetschau, Germany. It derives its name from the steep costs of its construction in the 1920s, then intended for cargo and regular passenger transport. It is now operated by the South Limburgian Steam Train Company, a non-profit that is headquartered and runs a small museum in the Simpelveld train station. Historic trains and railbuses are used for the Miljoenenlijntje and a tour on it provides a fun way to see the South Limburg countryside. (Check schedule for actual operative days.)
 * The World War II Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial is the final resting ground for 8.301 American soldiers who lost their life in this region during the Second World War. It is located on a hill in Margraten, along the ancient road from Maastricht to Aachen. Viewing the thousands of white crosses on the green fields and the tall Walls of the Missing, with the names of another 1722 missing American soldiers engraved, is a humbling and impressive experience. (10 km east of Maastricht, on the road to Margraten).

Castles, caves and fortifications
A good number of fortifications and castles remind the visitor of times long gone, when South Limburg's lands were scattered over many different fiefdoms, all with their own respective lords and manors. Even small villages boast fine examples of Ancien Régime housing and medieval strongholds. Some are now private property or not open for the public but others house upscale restaurants or even a museum. Some great examples are the large Kasteel Hoensbroek, (now a museum), the picturesque castle Schaloen in Valkenburg, the castles of Eijsden and Gulpen (all no entrance). The two castle buildings in Vaals and of course the main chateaus near Maastricht are beautiful and house restaurants and hotels. Quite something else, but with the same sense of force, are the different kinds of underground caves and mines. The casemate of Maastricht is a fine example of underground caves, cut out to hide people and weapons. In Valkenburg, not much remains of the city castle, but underground you'll find a full-fledged replica of Roman catacombs created in the extensive network of former marl quarries.

Museums & art
Maastricht is known as a centre of culture and arts and home to many arts galleries and events. There is also a good number of museums, some with a focus on arts, but also with collections on culture, history and nature. The Bonnefantenmuseum is the prime museum in the city, displaying modern and medieval arts from the area. The Museum aan het Vrijthof is smaller, but in a nice way intimate and home to a good collection on Maastricht history through arts and artefacts. The Natural History Museum is a whole different kind of museum, but quite interesting, also for kids. Other cities in the region have fine options too. In Kerkrade, the Discovery Centre Continium is a science museum with lots of things to do for kids. In Heerlen, there's the Thermenmuseum, displaying the remains of Roman heritage in the area and foundations of Roman bathhouses.

Itineraries
The Mergelland route is perhaps the finest and best marked tourist route in the Netherlands, and an initiative of the Dutch Automobile Organization ANWB. There's a version for bikers (125 km) and one for motorised traffic (110 km). Many tourists pick just a piece of it or take the full route in parts. Of course you can find different accommodation for each part. If you're taking the route by car however, heading back to a single hotel every evening is an option as you're never more than half an hours drive away (if taking the main roads, of course). Any tourist information office can provide you with maps and more information.

Do

 * Touring - the Heuvelland by bike, car or motorcycle is perhaps the most popular activity around. The famous Mergelland Route leads along some of the regions most interesting places but it's also easy enough to cherry pick on your own. Enjoy the calming views and make sure to stop at some of the friendly villages for a coffee on a local terrace. See the section on getting around for more details.
 * Hiking - is another highly popular pasture in all parts of the region. The area between Vaals and Gulpen was even voted the most beautiful natural region of the country and the villages around there make good bases from where to start. In the tourist season, it's hard to find a countryside trail without encountering at least a handful of other hikers. Locals and visitors alike love to explore the fields and forests on foot, enjoying the scenery and many little village cafés on the way. There are countless colour-marked routes, maps and GPS trails. The tourist information offices (VVV) are the best place to start. Many of their paid maps and routs are produced on a non-profit base and cost between €1-5. They include routes per subregion and per theme. Larger villages usually have at least an information point for tourists where some or all of these are available, and many can be ordered or downloaded online. For trained hikers several walking events are organized each year, including the Night of Gulpen, a 70 km nighttime hike through the Heuvelland.
 * Mountain biking - the large forests and hilly landscapes make the South Limburg area one of the most interesting Dutch places for mountain bikers. Routes are available from the tourist information offices.
 * Snowworld Landgraaf - the largest indoor ski resort in Europe is a great place to learn to ski or snowboard, whatever the weather holds. There are 2 fairly long pistes and a snow board fun park. Rates drop in summer, especially for private lessons. However, the fastest piste isn't available during summer as it is used by professionals to practice. There's a hotel, too.
 * Pinkpop is an annual rock festival, first organized in 1970 and therefore the longest running pop/rock festival in the world. In the course of its history it has received over 500 performing artists, including many world famous music icons. The event lasts 3 days, is held in Landgraaf and receives over 60.000 visitors per day. (Usually held during the Pentecost Weekend.)
 * Art lovers shouldn't miss the TEFAF art fair in Maastricht. It's held annually in Spring and is the leading fair of its kind in the world. It features a vast collection of arts and antiques and attracts many international visitors.

Eat
With 8 Michelin stars awarded in just a 20x20 km area, South Limburg (and the Maastricht area in particular) maintain a reputation for fine dining opportunities. Notable restaurants include the 2-star restaurants Beluga in Maastricht and De Leuf in Ubachsberg. For a royal haute cuisine experience, try the 1-star restaurants in Chateau St. Gerlach or Chateau Neercanne.

Local cuisine
If your budget doesn't allow for such a splurge, a taste of traditional local cuisine is a good alternative. The laid-back restaurants on the town squares make an excellent place to try some of South Limburg's favorite local foods. Local cuisine is clearly influenced by those of nearby German and Belgian regions. You'll find a good deal of sweetness, and many sweet and sour dishes. The story goes that the use of sugar, apple syrup and other sweeteners resulted from the close ties of Maastricht and the surrounding area to Liège. As Liege was one of the main Belgian pâtisserie cities, young boys would grow up in a sweet environment. When they would grow up to be cooks later, they would integrate their love for sweet tastes in savory dishes.

 * Zuurvlees - this sweet and sour stew is made with horse meat or beef and is usually served with fries or cooked potatoes. In the South Limburg region you will also find zuurvlees as a sauce option in any "friture" (snackbar). As common as that is here, you're unlikely to see it anywhere in the more northern provinces.
 * Tête de veaux - this dish has French origins and consists of veal with champignon mushroom in a tomato sauce.
 * Sour Rabbit - despite the name, it's a rather sweet and sour than sour dish.
 * Head cheese - also called brawn in English comes in a red, sweet variety and a slightly sour, grey variety. Originally made of the left over cuts of pork. It's eaten on bread, with cold buffets or as a starter, usually with mustard or vinegar.
 * Koude Schotel - a particular kind of salad olivier, with the ingredients usually very finely chopped or even practically mashed.

Sweet dishes
Popular sweet treats include Limburgse vlaai, a pie or tart with a fruit or pudding filling, originally from the North Limburg city of Weert but a very common sweet dish here as well. Nonnevotten or poefelen are a deep-fried sweet pastry originally associated with carnival celebrations, but now available year round.

Drink
For long the South Limburg region has been known for its beer making traditions. Still today, a number of South Limburg breweries exist and produce beers that are popular throughout the rest of the country. The most prominent examples are the old Brand-brouwerij in Wijlre, de Gulpener-brewery in Gulpen, Leeuw-brewery in Valkenburg and the Alfa-brewery in Thull. Many bars in the region serve one of these beers as a standard beer and if you're interested the breweries themselves often offer beer tasting activities and tours.

Wine making is becoming increasingly popular in South Limburg. Experiments have been undertaken since the 1980s, trying to establish which grape varieties would be most suited for the local climate and soil. The Apostelhoeve near Maastricht is the largest vineyard in the Netherlands. Also notable is the vineyard of the beautiful Château Neercanne, again near Maastricht. This is the only Dutch vineyard with an actual castle, and able to use the term "Château". Its wines are available in the upscale castle restaurant.

Stay safe
Travellers will encounter no specific dangers here and common sense will generally be enough to keep you safe. For Dutch standards, Limburg is quite densely populated and petty crime numbers are in line with that. Drug-related crimes are slightly more widespread than in some other Dutch areas, due to Limburg's location on the German and Belgian border and the associated smuggling potential. If you do not seek contact with drug traffickers however, you are unlikely to notice any of it.

Pick pocketing isn't nearly as much of a problem as it is in, e.g., Amsterdam, but keep an eye on your personal items nonetheless. As in other Dutch regions, you might meet an occasional wanderer on the streets, asking for small change. The social welfare system is pretty well arranged and begging (which is illegal) is often related to drug addiction. Kindly declining is usually enough to send them off. An exception are homeless people selling "street newspapers" ("straatkrant"), often at supermarket entrances. This is a legal and organised initiative in the Netherlands which you may support, but sellers should visibly be wearing an ID card.

Go next
The German city of Aachen is just at the other side of the border and makes a great day trip. You can take a train from Heerlen or a bus from there, Maastricht or Vaals. To the Belgian side, Liège is close and well connected. To go further, train times from Maastricht include:
 * Roermond, 30 min, direct train
 * Weert, 45 min, direct train
 * Amsterdam 2 hr 30 min, direct train
 * Paris, 2 hr 50 min, change once in Liège
 * Brussels, 1 hr min, change once in Liège

title: South Limburg


text:
South Lombok

South Lombok is a region of Lombok, Indonesia.

Towns

 * — a surfing mecca like its Bali namesake, but that's where the similarity ends
 * — Off the beaten path in southwest Lombok, this area is fast becoming a tourist destination.

Other destinations

 * Tanjung Aan — almost impossibly beautiful isolated bay in the southeast which is earmarked for high end resort development.
 * Banko Banko — on the south west tip of the island. Can be a bit challenging to get there. Allow plenty of time and travel with a friend.
 * Gile Gede — a small island nestled in the picturesque bay off Perambag beach and west of Sekotong. It is orbited by several smaller island
 * Scenic beaches and bays — the south coast is a maze of inlets and headlands with beautiful secluded white sand beaches. Some locations are quite difficult to access. Well worth your while is the short distance from the Lembar harbor west to the next bay at Labu.
 * South coast — many surfing destinations some better known than others

Understand
The central inland part of South Lombok is generally low-lying with undulating hills and is commonly utilised for rice paddies and growing tobacco leaf. Toward the southern coast it is dryer and more denuded with some undulating hilly areas of between 100-355 m above sea level.

This part of the island remains essentially agrarian in activity. The central south is more fertile and productive and the southern coastal areas are less fertile due to lower rainfall, land clearing and soil degradation. Toward the south west coast it becomes a little less dry and a little more fertile than the south central coastal margins. Mount Rinjani supplies a rainfall catchment area to the north of the region and several rivers flow into central Lombok from the mountains southern slopes. Villages on the lower slopes of Rinjani support activities such as traditional weaving, pottery and handicraft production. The sea off Lombok's southern coastline supports a small local fishing industry, a fish market, a pearling industry and seaweed harvesting.

The south of the island is not heavily populated and many areas are quite remote and can be quite difficult to get to. The southern areas of Lombok are becoming increasingly popular with international visitors and the surf beaches of the southern coastline are popular with more intrepid international surfers as well as a growing number of local people on Lombok.

Talk
The language of the south of Lombok is a dialect of the indigenous Bahasa Sasak language of the Sasak peoples of Lombok. Bahasa Indonesian is spoken by many people especially the younger generations. In the tourism areas some people may speak limited English. In the larger Kuta hotels and tourism establishments there is more likelihood of English speakers being available.

Get in
Lombok International Airport (BIL) is south west of Praya in south central Lombok. This new international airport will provide facilities for wide bodied aircraft and more modern terminal facilities and cargo facilities.

Please see the main Lombok article for more details on the new international airport and connecting services to South Lombok.

Public buses and bemo run to and from the west coast and the city of Mataram. Similar services are available to connect through from the north of the island via Pusuk pass from Pemenang near the small Bangsal harbour that serves as the primary access point from Gili Islands.

If arriving at Labuhan Lombok by ferry from Sumbawa only limited services are available on the east coast to connect to Praya in Central Lombok, south toward Kuta or west toward the city of Mataram and West Lombok. To use public buses and bemo serving the southern region a traveller would need to have a good understanding both of the area and the vagaries of the interconnections and services. It would be far easier and more expedient to either use a taxi, rent a car and driver or to use a service such as that provided by Perama tours to access the south of Lombok.

Vehicle and passenger ferries: South Lombok is serviced from both the east and west coast of the island.

From the east coast Labuhan Lombok has basic facilities to receive the ferries that ply the Alat Strait from Sumbawa.
 * Alat Strait: Labuhan Lombok - from: Pototano, Sumbawa with 8 ferries providing 18 crossings per day.

From the west coast Tanjung Lembar seaport provides facilities for the passenger ferries from Bali, passenger carrying ships visiting Lombok, small freighters and fishing boats.
 * Lombok Strait: Lembar, Lombok - from: Padangbai, Bali, with 12 ferries providing 24 crossings per day.

Metered taxis normally operate in the southern area of Lombok however they will be hard to find in the more remote areas. Bookings can be made in advance by calling their radio dispatch service.

 * Bluebird *
 * Express *

Airport pick-up: The established hotels and resorts of the Kuta area may offer pickups and transfers to and from the airport or other locations in Lombok. You will need to inquire at the hotels for this service and ensure you book ahead. But please inquiry first how much the airport transfer facility is, free or not, compulsory or not.

Get around

 * Take a guided tour of a village or a section of the forest with a local guide
 * Walk on your own and explore the western coastline
 * Rent a bike in Senggigi or some of the hotels supply them
 * Rent a car
 * Rent a motor bike
 * Please see the main Lombok article article for more detailed information on driving in Lombok and ensure you obtain and use a helmet when riding a motor bike.

See

 * Batu Bolong
 * Namarda
 * Tangung A'an
 * Sekotong area
 * South coast beaches

Do
In 2010 the Kuta area had 16 hotels catering to domestic and International tourists. There are many places to see and visit and many people like to stay in the region either to relax or to explore the beaches of the southern coastline.

The south of Lombok features white sandy beaches, some of them quite isolated, remote and with limited access.

Notable beaches are:
 * Pantai Gerupuk,
 * Pantai Awang,
 * Tanjung A'nn,
 * Pantai Seger,
 * Kuta Beach,
 * Selong Belanak,
 * Mawi Beach,
 * Pantai Tomang,
 * Are Guling Beach,
 * Pantai Pengatap,
 * Rowok,
 * Torok Aik Belek,
 * Pantai Mawun.

Surfing is very popular with local and international visitors and the south coast has some popular destinations for international surfers and travellers. Fishing villages, grouper fish cultivation, pearl cultivation, the traditional fish market and coral reefs also attract visitors to this part of Lombok.

Other attractions lie in the hills of central lombok rising toward Mount Rinjani.

South Lombok supports an industry of traditional weaving and handicraft production. Individual tourists or tour guides often arrange small personalised tours or private visits to see traditional weaving and other handicraft production or to see religious and cultural ceremonies. Mount Rinjani is at the northern flank of nearby Central Lombok. The foothills of Mount Rinjani are a popular tourist attraction and activities include trekking, study of rare tropical flora and local fauna. Objects of cultural heritage in this part of the island include Sade Hamlet, Hamlet NDE, a location of a traditional housing, traditional villages, local arts and traditional ceremonies. Mosque Mount Pujut is a historic local mosque. Other historic attractions are the tomb of King Pejanggik, the tomb of Nyatok, and Clack Tomb and Mausoleum, the tomb of Serewe Islamic religious figures.

Eat
The south has quite a few restaurants, some catering to tourists, more so in the Kuta area. The region has many small warungs and local eating houses selling local food at very reasonable prices. Be cautious with hygiene and ensure you are clear about what you are ordering.

Drink
Licensed premises such as hotels and some restaurants may serve alcohol. Do not expect a bar service or alcoholic drinks to be served in other than the larger hotels and please respect local sensibilities by avoiding drinking openly in public whilst in Lombok. Local coffee, tea, fruit juices, coconut juice and softdrinks (sodas) are normally readily available.

Sleep
Kuta is only 17 km from Lombok International Airport, while Senggigi in West Lombok is 47 km away from the airport. Kuta has several hotels near the beach, for 300 meters walk or less with price around Rp 300,000. If you want to sleep in a 2- or 3-star hotel with beachfront for around Rp 300,000, you'd better go to Sekotong Beach, about 70 km, from Kuta or more than 55 km from the airport. In Nusa Dua Bali, there are many 4- to 5-star hotels with beachfront, but the price is Rp 1,000,000 or above. It's better to sleep one day in Kuta and one day in Sekotong. Since Sekotong Beach is about 25 km long, and the hotels are far spread each others and also the restaurants, you should hire a car. There are no mini markets in Sekotong Beach.

Stay safe
Try to keep off the roads at night and avoid travelling in the more remote areas on your own.

Lock up your possessions and never leave your luggage or personal items unattended.

Please see the main Lombok article for more details on health and safety.

Connect
South Lombok has varying terrain from urban townships to remote valleys beaches and coastal bays. Accordingly mobile telephonary varies from reasonable to patchy to non-existent. The towns and built up areas normally have reasonable to good coverage from the two main operators.
 * Telkonsel is operated by Indonesia's Telkom. They provide GSM 2G and in some areas 3G reception and broadband wireless connections may be possible.
 * XL is also provides a wide coverage of 2G and in some areas 3G coverage.

Post office services are available in Mataram at the central post office. It may be prudent to use the main office in Mataram at Jalan Sriwijarya, Mataram, if required.

Post offices are described as Kantor Pos in Indonesia.

Go next

 * Mataram, including Sweta, Cacranegara, historic Ampenan
 * Lombok International Airport (Bandara Internasional Lombok)
 * West Lombok, including Batu Bolong, Lembar, Senggigi beach, Mangsit beach, Klui beach and further to the north Tanjung
 * Gili Islands
 * North Lombok including Senaru, Mount Rinjani, Bayan
 * Central and East Lombok including Tetebatu, Praya and Labuhan Lombok
 * Sumbawa
 * Bali
 * Java
 * Komodo
 * Flores
 * Singapore
 * Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hospitals and medical clinics

 * Please see the Lombok main article for a more comprehensive list of medical facilities available in Mataram.

Emergency service

 * Ambulance In emergency dial - 118
 * The reality is that unless within the confines of the main city of Mataram/Ampenan/Cakranegara an ambulance is normally too far away to provide prompt transport in the case of a true emergency. Most often a taxi, police vehicle or a private car is used to get someone requiring urgent medical attention to a hospital. The ambulances in Lombok are more often used in the role of assisted patient transport rather than for first responder/paramedic supported emergency assistance and transport.

title: South Lombok


text:
South Luangwa National Park

Considered to be one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, South Luangwa National Park is one of Zambia's main draws. This 9050 km2 park is centered on the Luangwa River and is home to one of Africa's largest concentrations of wildlife.

Understand
Thanks to its inaccessible location, South Luangwa manages to combine immense density of wildlife with limited visitor numbers, and it's also one of the few national parks that allow night safaris. However, visitor numbers are steadily marching upwards, and the best time to visit is right now — before it becomes the next Kruger or Serengeti.

Landscape
South Luangwa is dry woodland, watered by the meandering Luangwa River and its many oxbow lakes. The dominant tree is the mopane, but stately baobabs also dot the landscape here and there. In the dry season, most plants and trees seem to shrivel up and wildlife congregates around watering holes, allowing excellent viewing.

Flora and fauna

South Luangwa is home to a dazzling array of wildlife. You'll see hippos and crocodiles as soon as you cross the bridge over the Luangwa River, and elephants are hard to miss along the river's banks. Thornicraft's giraffe, with white legs and faces, and Crawshay's zebra, without the brownish "shadow-stripe" of common (Burchell's) zebra, are endemic to the park and easily spotted. Herds of buffalo roam the park, along with several prides of lions. The density of leopards is among the highest in the world, although spotting these nocturnal creatures can be tricky. All sorts of antelopes abound: impala are ubiquitous, the puku — rarely seen outside Zambia — is almost as common and there are plenty of waterbucks and bushbucks too.

South Luangwa is a dream come true for birdwatchers, with over 400 species recorded. Depending on who you ask, the best times to go are November-December (when the rains start), April-May (when they end) or August-September (when the water levels are at their lowest).

Climate
The peak travel season is May to October. May to August it's still pleasantly cool and dry. September and October are very hot and the humidity is building up, but these are the best months to spot the game as they gather close to the river and watering holes. November to December is hot and humid and January to April is the rainy (or "green") season, some lodges close during this period, other give reduced rates. The rainy season is the best time to go birdwatching. From March to June is the best time to spot the elusive African wild dog.

Get in
There are two major access points for the park: Mfuwe Gate, near the village of Mfuwe and connected by bridge, and the less used Nyamaluma 50 km to the southwest, where a pontoon ferries vehicles across the river.

Most tour groups will offer either the option to fly into Mfuwe or have a private vehicle pick you up (e.g., from Lusaka, Chipata, Lilongwe). Although these options offer the most convenient and comfortable means of getting to the park, they are not the only means of entry--and one can also access Mfuwe by means of public transport through much of the year.

By plane
The nearest airport is in Mfuwe, which offers flights to Lusaka, Livingstone, and Lilongwe (Malawi). Flight schedules are cut down in the green season. The airport is about 30 minutes away by car from the park entrance, and most lodges offer free transfers.

By car
Mfuwe is 123 km by car from Chipata and mostly paved (2014), though road quality varies. It's possible to complete the journey in as little as 2 hours in the dry season in a high clearance vehicle (longer if a public vehicle is being used), but travel is more difficult, occasionally even impossible, in the wet season. Trucks ply the road, but can take more than seven very bumpy hours. In 2008 the journey took 2½ hours in a high clearance 4x4 private vehicle.

From Chipata, it's 1½ hours (2-3 hours public transport) to Lilongwe depending on the time it takes to cross the border and 8-10 hours to Lusaka.

There is a rarely used very scenic track from Petauke down the escapement and along the Luangwa northward to Mfuwe, but it's best not attempted unless you're traveling in convoy and can repair any problems that crop up. Expect 8 hours for this unforgettable trip of 180 km.

By public transport
South Luangwa remains one of the few national parks suitable for budget travelers. Lodges offer relatively cheap rates (some with dorms), and the park can be accessed by public transport as well. Although as has been mentioned above most travelers access the park by way of plane or private vehicle (and most tour companies only have information about these two methods), it is also possible to reach by public transport from Chipata.

To Chipata from Lilongwe: Either (a) Take a minibus from the Lilongwe minibus stand toward Mchinji (~2 hr: 1000 kwacha in 2012), then a taxi or shared taxi to the border (15 min, 500 kwacha). After crossing the border, take a taxi or shared taxi to Chipata (15 min, 15,000 kwacha). (b) Take a bus from Lilongwe to Lusaka, but depart at Chipata. 'Zambia-Malawi' is a reputable company.

To Chipata from Lusaka: Take a bus to Chipata (~7 hr, 130,000 kwacha in 2012). Buses depart from InterCity Bus Terminal. Zambia-Malawi, Johabie, and possibly Juldans operate on a fixed time schedule (often referred to as 'time buses' by locals), but other coaches operate closer to minibuses (leave when enough passengers have boarded, which may take several hours or all day). If in doubt, ask locals or staff members, though the latter are more likely to mislead you. You will need to catch the first bus out of Lusaka in order to arrive in time to catch the same-day minibus to Mfuwe. If you do this, it is advisable that you coordinate with the minibus driver so that he anticipates your arrival.

Once in Chipata: There are nearly daily minibuses that run from Chipata to Mfuwe, the town just outside the entry to the Park. The PPDAZ minibus departs in the early afternoon (14:00) after collecting passengers and sometimes goods (i.e., to deliver to Mfuwe stores), and takes 3-3½ hours. There are other minibuses that may also bring passengers to Mfuwe, but, as opposed to the PPDAZ minibus (which leaves at a fixed time), are passenger-dependent and will only leave when full. The ride from Chipata to Mfuwe costs 60-70 kwacha (2014), though you may pay more if you request to be dropped off directly at your lodge or simply for being a 'muzungu.' To confirm your spot on the minibus and coordinate its pick-up (can pick you up pretty much anywhere in Chipata), call the driver (John--a very friendly and honest Zambian) at if calling from Malawi). Call 1-2 days in advance.

There are generally two ways of returning from Mfuwe to Chipata. The PPDAZ bus leaves early in the morning (05:30), and will arrive mid-morning/noon in Chipata. Alternatively, the more traditional minibus tends to leave around 18:30-20:00 (~4 hr to Chipata by night) and costs 60-100 kwacha (2014). The minibus will drop you at the Chipata bus stand. If you are doing this with the intention of taking a morning bus to Lusaka, it is possible to buy your bus ticket when you arrive at the Chipata bus stand, then sleep on the bus until it departs in the morning. This is a safe (though can be cold) way to avoid the hassle of finding a hotel late at night upon arriving in Chipata.

Fees and permits
As of 2016, the basic park fee is US$25 per day for non-Zambians. Extra fees are levied for bringing in your own vehicles ($15 foreign reg or 12,500 kwacha for locals). Complete list of fees here.

Entry permit is valid for a single calendar day (06:00 - 18:00).

By car
Most visitors tour South Luangwa by car, either on safari drives organized by their lodge, or by their own 4WD vehicle. If going on your own, there are plenty of trails but the signposting can be a little haphazard, so pick up a map from the gate.

 * It is possible to rent 4WD open top Land Cruiser from a local company in Mfuwe (Hardies Engineering, near airport).

By boat
During the dry season the water levels in the Luangwa River are too low to permit travel by boat. In the green season, however, some operators arrange canoe safaris, but trying this on your own is not recommended due to the large number of hippos (which capsize canoes) and crocodiles (which attack capsized canoes) in the river.

On foot
Independent travel on foot is not permitted, but you can join a walking safari (see next section).

See & do

The thing to do in South Luangwa is, of course, to go on safari. All lodges organize game drives, where a trained guide takes visitors around by a safari jeep. Safaris are typically arranged at the crack of dawn (wake-up call before 06:00), in the evening past 16:00 when temperatures have started to cool, and at night after sunset when high-powered spotlights are used to locate nocturnal animals like leopards, hyenas and civets. High-end lodges include drives in the price, but independent travellers pay US$20-25 each if you can rustle up 3-4 others to go.

Some lodges organize walking safaris, where you walk through the bush on foot and track animals with the help of a guide — an altogether different experience. Walking safaris can be as short as 4 hours, but multi-day treks where you stay overnight in "bushcamps" (usually far more luxurious than you'd think from the name) are more rewarding. You will not, however, save any money this way: costs are generally US$300-400 per person per day.

Buy, eat & drink
There are no public shops or restaurants in the park. Safari lodges usually provide three meals a day.

 * How Bazaar Shop and Dog and Gat Bar, Flatdogs Camp (on the road to main park entrance). Sundry shop, bar and restaurant.  Promises to satisfy enormous appetites, quench unbearable thirsts and guarantee monumental hangovers.  Open all day.

Sleep
In the July-September peak season demand often outstrips supply, so book in as far advance as possible. During the green season, however, many lodges close down and those that are still open can offer steep discounts.

Lodging
Unless otherwise noted, all rates below are per person per night and include all meals, two game drives per day, park fees and airport transfers.

Camping

 * Wildlife Camp (info@wildlifezambia.com) US$10 p.p.p.n. peak season. Offers a scenic site to camp and relax next to the Luangwa river. Swimming pool, bar, electricity and warm showers available. Game drives & restaurant is optional. Campers planning on bringing their own food to eat should be entirely self-sufficient as there are limited to no cooking facilities (i.e., a kitchen for backpackers to use) at the lodge.
 * Wildlife Camp (info@wildlifezambia.com) US$10 p.p.p.n. peak season. Offers a scenic site to camp and relax next to the Luangwa river. Swimming pool, bar, electricity and warm showers available. Game drives & restaurant is optional. Campers planning on bringing their own food to eat should be entirely self-sufficient as there are limited to no cooking facilities (i.e., a kitchen for backpackers to use) at the lodge.

Bushcamps
Bushcamps are scattered throughout the camp, but are generally accessible only on exclusive safari tours costing US$300-400 per night. The largest operators are The Bushcampcompany Robin Pope Safaris, Norman Carr Safaris and Kafunta Safaris.

There is also a barebones camp site at the Nyamaluma pontoon, but using it is only practical if you have your own 4WD.

Connect
Mobile phones do work in the national park and nearby Mfuwe has GSM. However, all safari lodges and camps, as well as the airport, are set up with a radio system for local communication.

 * CyberDog Internet Café, Flatdog Camp. Two terminals available at US$1 per 15 minutes.  Open from 07:00 to 21:30.

Stay safe

Walking in the bush at night is extremely dangerous, and lodges provide escorts to take their guests even around lodge grounds. Hippos, crocodiles, lions and buffalo kill many people every year — although the victims are mostly unfortunate locals, not tourists.

Go next

 * Mfuwe — village just outside the park, with some attractions of minor interest
 * North Luangwa National Park — a short flight (or arduous drive) away, offers wilder game and fewer visitors.

title: South Luangwa National Park


text:
South Moravia

South Moravia is a region of the Czech Republic.

Understand
Brno aside, Southern Moravia is most famous for its wine. Except for the Czechs though, this fact is not very well known, so not many tourists make the trip to the region. The area has experienced a sharp decline since the 1990s, leaving many towns derelict. However the area from Kyjov to Hodonín is particularly wealthy in both vineyards, private cellars and manor houses. For a weekend adventure, the Mutěnice Wine Region is particularly enjoyable. The rural area outside of Brno though has particularly high unemployment and also has done little to attract foreign tourists so contact with the English and German speaking world is a lot more rare than in Prague. Expect to use your phrase book and knowledge of Czech a lot more than you may be used to. Also expect a lot of friendly hospitality.

Talk
In contrast to Prague or Brno not many people here speak English. Like most Czechs though, they do like to study and most people will be willing to make a strong effort to communicate in the English that they do know.

Wine Region

 * By car
 * You can drive on the motorway from Brno to Bratislava and about 15km before the border exit towards Hodonín.

 * Bus
 * The best way to get to the wine region is to take a bus to Hodonín from the Brno bus station. The cost is under 50 Kč, the buses run almost hourly and the trip takes under an hour.  You can either get off in Hodonín and catch any number of local buses from there, or get off in Mutěnice about 5 km outside of Hodonín which will put your right in the middle of the wine region. The bus does not take the motorway, but instead travels the old back road. Feel free to hop off in any of the villages that suite your fancy.

 * There should also be frequent buses and trains to Kyjov from Brno.

Get around
The local bus system in Southern Moravia is quite extensive. The bus tables are a bit confusing at first so be sure and ask for assistance, but once you've mastered the bus system you can get from village to village very easily.

Eat
South Moravia is famous for pickled gherkins, made around Znojmo. Various dishes from pork and cabbage are eaten in the region, as well as pies with plum jam and sweet cottage cheese. The favorite drinks are wine and apricot brandy. See an article about South Moravia specials

Drink

 * Other traditional wine cellars in the wine region
 * Other traditional wine cellars in the wine region
 * Other traditional wine cellars in the wine region

title: South Moravia


text:
South Moscow Oblast

South Moscow Oblast is a region in Moscow Oblast.

Cities

 * — a large town near the Davidov Monastery, the wealthiest monastery in Russia
 * — a major industrial city and the largest in Moscow Oblast; former location of Lenin's country estate
 * — an old city to the south of Moscow, which has its own kremlin, Vysotsky Monastery, and Vladychny Convent
 * — another historic town with a limestone kremlin and 17th century Saint Nicholas Church
 * — another historic town with a limestone kremlin and 17th century Saint Nicholas Church
 * — another historic town with a limestone kremlin and 17th century Saint Nicholas Church

title: South Moscow Oblast


text:
Agder

South Norway, in Norway called Agder or Sørlandet, is the southernmost region of Norway. The coast of southern Norway (Skagerrak) is often called the Norwegian Riviera. The picturesque towns and the enchanting archipelago is surrounding the Skagerrak - coast, inland is perfect for hiking and the mountains there are good opportunities for skiing in winter. All surrounded by beautiful nature scenery. The climate, particularly along the coast is mild for this latitude. Southern Norway has the highest number of recorded hours of sunshine per day in Norway. The south coast is a popular area for holiday homes and some of Norway's most expensive properties are in this area.

The secluded interior is a different place and the interior, notably Setesdal valley, is home to well-preserved traditional culture that is included on UNESCO world heritage list.

Cities

 * – Coastal town
 * – provisioning before entering Setesdal
 * – Coastal town, known for its rich architecture
 * – Coastal town in southwest
 * – Largest city and centre of the area
 * – A pleasant small town by three fjords
 * – A cozy small coastal town
 * – A small town in the souternmost part of Norway
 * – Coastal town, known for white wood houses
 * – Narrow streets lead down to a small harbor.

Other destinations

 * – a major valley in middle of the interior from Kristiansand to the uplands at Hovden
 * – ski centre in Setesdal
 * including the main town of - Norway's oldest lighthouse with a museum on the southern tip (South Cape) of the country.
 * including the main town of - Norway's oldest lighthouse with a museum on the southern tip (South Cape) of the country.

Understand
The coast is lined with picturesque white-painted wood towns surrounded by lovely archipelago (skjærgård). The south coast is a favorite vacation area for many Norwegians in the summer. Although formally part of Telemark, Kragerø is often counted among the towns in Agder because of a similar style and popularity as a summer resort. It's easy to travel between the coast towns. Outside the towns, however, public transport is infrequent.

The inland is less visited, but those interested in trekking to pretty solitary lakes or whitewater activities should give it a try. Relatively lowland of the coast gradually gives way to big valleys and high plateaus and real mountains. The interior and the coast has different character and were in fact separate counties. Due to difficult transport the interior valleys, notably Setesdal, was long relatively isolated from the coast. Setesdal still takes care of its cultural heritage in terms of dialect, music, traditional clothing (for special occasions only) and silverware. Traditional costumes are easily recognized. Setesdal's intangible cultural heritage like traditional singing, folk dance and folk music in 2019 was inscribed on UNESCO world heritage list.

Setesdal is 150 km and cuts sharply into the bedrock with characteristic steep, polished cliffs rising abruptly from the relatively flat valley floor. Some 40 km of the valley floor is occupied by the Byglandsfjord-Åkrafjord lakes. These are two separate lakes that appear as one. They appear as fjords and are indeed called "fjord" according to local naming convention. The river often widens to what appears as lake.

The coast is heated by the ocean and winters are relatively mild, while in the interior winters can be cold and heavy snowfall is common. Compared to the iconic fjords of West Norway and great Oslofjord, there are only minor fjords in Agder typically stretching a few kilometers inland while the longest are some 10 to 15 km. The coast is fragmented by countless skerries, peninsulas and islands as well as a tangle of bays, fjords and straits. There are few sandy beaches (one important exception is Sjøsanden at Mandal) and there are mostly cliffs or polished rocks known as svaberg in Norwegian. Such svaberg are quickly heated by the sun and ofte the favorite spots among locals enjoying the sun or going for a swim.

Population is concentrated along the coast close to the water where the towns are. In the interior there are only villages. Agder was divided in two administrative areas - Vest-Agder and Aust-Agder counties, that is, West and East Agder. The two counties merged into one, Agder county in 2020.

The western part in particular has strong ties to USA because of emigration and many emigrants that returned. This is most visible in Lista, Vanse, Farsund and Kvinesdal areas. American cars, American diners, "Brooklyn Square" make this the closest you get to USA in Norway. Many emigrants returned and brought US style houses home, some even with US voltage (120 V). Some 10% of the inhabitants are US citizens.

Talk
Most people will respond in English to any question you may have. Some Norwegians also speak some German, due to the proximity of the language, and that they study it in school.

Norwegian
The south coast has characteristic dialect with for instance "d" is often used where other Norwegians use "t", while "b" is often used instead of "p". This gives the southern dialect a notable softer tone similar to Danish. Those interested in dialects, can also observe a remarkable difference in Setesdal compared to the Danish-sounding Kristiansand dialect, to the very different north valley dialect that sounds more like Gaelic.

In several inland municipalities, a writing form of Norwegian usually associated with West Norway known as Nynorsk is the official form. Closer to the coast, the general rule is that people tend to speak a dialect more and more similar to East Norwegian dialects the further east you travel. East of Tvedestrand, a rolling r is applied while western areas use the voiced uvular fricative like in French and German.

By plane
There is one major airport of South Norway: Kristiansand .There are scheduled flights to four domestic destinations as well as international flights to Alicante, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and London-Stansted. Connecting bus and coach services operate to Kristiansand, Lillesand, Arendal and Grimstad. When buying plane tickets, don't mix up the city with Kristiansund much further north in Norway.

Other airports:
 * Skien Airport, 120 km east of Arendal. Flights only from Bergen. Access by taxi to central Skien and local buses, rutebok.no.
 * Sandefjord Torp Airport, 120 km east of Arendal. International low fare flights. Access by local buses, rutebok.no.
 * Oslo Airport, 300 km northeast of Arendal and 370 km of Kristiansand. Major international airport. See the below how to get in from Oslo.
 * Stavanger Airport, 125 km northwest of Flekkefjord, 230 km of Kristiansand and 295 km of Arendal.

By bus
Coach connections to Oslo and the towns along the western shore of the Oslo Fjord is excellent. Nor-Way Bussexpress has 9 daily connections between Kristiansand and Oslo, Konkurrenten.no between 4 and 7 departures while Lavprisekspressen runs twice daily. You are guaranteed a seat - if the bus is full, the bus company will add an extra bus. Lavsprisekpressen provides online ticketing only. These express buses are usually just as fast as the trains to Oslo. To towns like Larvik, Tønsberg and Sandefjord you might arrive several hours later if you go by train. There's also infrequent express bus connections to Stavanger and up along the Setesdalen, with connections to cities such as Bergen and Haugesund. Regional buses run frequently along the coast, from Lyngdal and Lista in the west to Arendal in the east, run by several different bus companies.

By boat
The ferry company Color Line operate car ferries to Denmark, 2 times each day (3 times on Saturday - Monday) to Hirtshals. The trip takes 3 hours and 15 minutes, with the Superspeed ferry operating the route. Prices soar in the summer. Fjordline compete on the same route seasonal from May to August.

By car
Main entries by car:
 * The E18 is the main road between the area and Oslo. Constructed partly as high speed motorway, partly as semi-motorway.
 * Road E39 is the main entry from Stavanger and West Norway.
 * Route 9 is an entry through the interior and the natural beauty of the Setesdal Valley from Haukeligrend at the edge of Hardangervidda (Hardanger Plateau). Road 9 connects to E134 at Haukeligrend. From the east E134 is the access from Drammen and Kongsberg through Telemark. From the west E134 is access from Haugesund and Hardanger in West Norway.

By rail
Regional trains connect Kristiansand to other cities and towns along the Southern Railway Line (Sørlandsbanen). Up to 8 trains daily depart for Stavanger, while up to 6 daily trains leave for the country's capital, Oslo. The trip from Kristiansand to Stavanger takes about 3 hours and the trip Kristiansand- Oslo is 4½-5 hours. Unlike other railway lines in Norway, the Southern Railway largely runs perpendicular to valleys (particularly west of Kristiansand) with many bridges and tunnels. Trains both westwards towards Stavanger and eastwards to Oslo follow an inland route, meaning that travel to the towns along the coast (except Kristiansand) is quite inconvenient by train. From Nelaug station, however, there is a corresponding local train to Arendal. There are lots of nice forest views and rural settlements, though.

The station in Kristiansand is situated right next to the town centre, the ferry terminal, and the bus terminal. Kristiansand station is a terminus (french: cul-de-sac) and trains have to reverse from the station..

Get around

On foot, by car, bus, bike, motorcycle - or make your way at sea. Taxi is a rather expensive alternative. Local buses, tickets and info by Agder kollektivtrafikk.

By boat
Travel by small boat among the many small islands and straits is popular. In 2007 the Spangereid canal was created to allow small motor boats a short cut across Lindesnes peninsula. The trip around Lindesnes peninsula is much longer and the open sea can be rough. This canal was constructed in the Viking era around year 700, but was at some point abandoned until opened again in 2007.

See
The beautiful landscapes of South Norway
 * Norwegian coast of Skagerrak (part of the North sea), also called "The Norwegian Riviera", known for the beautiful archipelago. Suitable for boating, sailing, discovery and swimming in the summer.
 * Setesdal and the inland, with forests and mountains, hiking terrain, ski resorts, in addition to lakes and rivers suitable for fishing, rafting, canoeing and kayaking.
 * Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement park
 * Lindesnes Lighthouse
 * Setesdalsbanen heritage railway, Vennesla -8 km preserved steam powered railway that once connected Kristiansand and Setesdal via Byglandsfjord.

Itineraries

 * [[Image:Tabliczka E18.svg|30px]] E18 Risør - Tvedestrand - Arendal - Grimstad - Lillesand - Kristiansand
 * [[Image:Tabliczka E39.svg|30px]] E39 Kristiansand - Mandal - Lyngdal - Farsund - Flekkefjord
 * Stamvei 9.svg Norwegian National Route 9 Kristiansand - Evje - Setesdal - Hovden
 * Norwegian-road-sign-775 - Ferry.pngFerry Hirtshals, Denmark - Kristiansand

Do

 * Water based (Boating, Sailing, Diving, Canoeing, Fishing etc.)
 * Land based (Hiking, Skiing, Cycling, etc.)
 * Island hopping
 * Lighthouse holiday
 * Steam boat trip with D/S Bjoren on the lake Byglandsfjorden
 * Train ride with the Setesdalsbanen heritage railway line
 * Visit Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park

Eat
Norwegian cuisine is known for eclectic food with a good supply of many local ingredients. Try Norwegian seafood!

Restaurant Under in Lindesnes is the first seafood restaurant below the ocean surface in Norway and one of the first in the world. In addition to the experience, delicious seafood is served. The restaurant is awarded a star in the 2020 Michelin Guide.

Drink
Local Norwegian beer, aquavit and cider. Along the Skagerrak coast several local breweries and microbreweries are brewing beer that are definitely worth tasting, although prices are high. Or simply drink clean and fresh tap water.

Sleep
There is a wide range of accommodation available.
 * Campsites for tents, separate caravans, motorhomes, small apartments and cabins for rent in the summer season.
 * Norwegian Trekking Association (Norwegian: Den norske turistforening, DNT Sør): simple accommodation for rent for hikers in the mountains.
 * Holiday Centers
 * Private room rental
 * Hotels: Most located in urban settlements. Available in several price ranges.

Stay safe
Apart from those associated with outdoor activities, there are few dangers. There is little crime in the district of Agder, but for your safety it is advisable to take good care of your belongings. You are generally not getting into trouble if you do not seek it out.

Every year there are reports of foreign visitors that get into trouble in small boats at sea, fatal incidents also occur. Beyond the protective islands and skerries lining the coast, the sea is unpredictable and can be rough.

The high moor-like plateaus can be difficult to navigate, particularly in bad weather. Map, compass and appropriate clothing are needed on hikes. Weather in the mountains and on the high plateaus can be very different from the coast and low-land weather. Mosquitoes can be a nuisance in the interior lowlands, but are not dangerous.
 * Ticks (flått) are common in Agder during summertime. They can transmit Lyme's disease (borreliosis) or TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) through a bite. Both can be very serious. The risk areas for TBE are mainly along the coast from Oslo to Trondheim. Although incidents are relatively rare and not all ticks carry diseases, it's advisable to wear long trousers rather than shorts if you plan to walk through dense or tall grass areas (the usual habitat for ticks). You can buy special tick tweezers from the pharmacy that can be used to remove a tick safely if you happen to get bitten. You should remove the tick from your skin as soon as possible and preferably with the tick tweezers to reduce the risks of getting an infection. If the tick bite starts to form red rings on the skin around it or if you experience other symptoms relating to the bite, you should go visit a doctor as soon as possible. Since ticks are black, they are more easily found if you wear bright clothes. It is adviseable to inspect the skin after a day out, particularly on children. Dogs that run around in grass and bushes often attract lots of ticks.

 * NO road sign 116.svg Winter driving: While the coast is relatively mild, heavy snowfall and difficult driving is common also along roads E18 and E39. Driving in the interior in winter requires skills and experience. In the interior and uplands temperatures can drop to -20°C or lower, January average at Hovden is -10°C. The road from Hovden to Haukeli (junction with E134) is exposed to rough weather and can get closed in winter. Winter tires are recommended from November to mid April, but studded winter tires are not allowed outside the winter season. Bring plenty clothes and something to eat and drink during winter drives particularly through the uplands and interior.

 * 0bnsc-146 1.svg Animal collisions: Moose ("elg"), row deer ("rådyr") and grazing sheep are relatively common in the forest areas of Agder. Drivers should be cautious at dusk and dawn where road runs through pine forest.

Emergency numbers

 * If you are unsure which number to call, is the central for all search and rescue services and will put you in contact with the correct department.
 * For non-emergencies, the police is to be called on or Agder Police District at.
 * For treatment of casualties or serious illness (non-emergencies).
 * The hearing impaired using a text telephone can reach the emergency services by.
 * Roadside assistance. In case of traffic accident you are supposed to call the police only if individuals are injured or if the crash causes a traffic jam. The police will not get involved if there are damages on the vehicles only.
 * For treatment of casualties or serious illness (non-emergencies).
 * The hearing impaired using a text telephone can reach the emergency services by.
 * Roadside assistance. In case of traffic accident you are supposed to call the police only if individuals are injured or if the crash causes a traffic jam. The police will not get involved if there are damages on the vehicles only.

Go next

 * Rogaland with Stavanger in the west.
 * Hardanger and southern Hordaland through Setesdal
 * Telemark - mini-Norway, Kragerø is often included among the south coast towns
 * Denmark

title: Agder


text:
South Odisha

South Odisha is in India.

Cities

 * —

 * — capital of Odisha, home to Lingaraja Temple and Nandankanan Zoo

 * —

 * — often known as the "Kashmir of Odisha" for its resemblance to the famous Himalayan region.

 * —

 * —

 * —

Get around
Public transport in South Odisha is among the poorest in the state. Taxies are readily available but may cost more than other regions of Odisha. Given that it's a hilly and forested landscape, the roads are in bad condition.

title: South Odisha


text:
South Ossetia

South Ossetia is a self-declared and de-facto republic with limited recognition which has seceded from Georgia. It is under the control of Russia, that can be considered an occupying power fully responsible for "border control" and military defense. Its mountainous, wild isolation gives South Ossetia both reasons to visit and reasons to think twice about it. There was a lot of damage inflicted during the 2008 war, and rehabilitation of the region is slow and stifled by corruption; government control is weak. Nearly 89% of the region is above 1,000 m; the southern lowlands are influenced by the same subtropical climate that blesses lowland Georgia.

Cities

 * — the capital and the largest town in the region, home to the government of South Ossetia
 * (Russian & Ossetian)/ Akhalgori (Georgian) — a small town that was under Georgian control until 2008, home to the Lomisi Brewery
 * — nominally the administrative center of Georgia's Java district, but not under Georgian control

Understand
Central Georgia's Kartli region lies to its south and east and the Rioni Region to its west. To the north is the ethnically identical North Ossetia-Alania region of Russia's North Caucasus. The only UN members that recognize the Republic of South Ossetia are Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru, and lastly Syria.

A person of Ossetia (oh-SEH-tee-ah) is an Ossete (oh-SEET). The ethnicity and language are Ossetian (oh-SEH-tee-ahn). The Ossetes belong to the ancient nation of Alans, which was located on the north side of the Caucasus mountains and is distinctive from the Georgians. Both communities have mixed together in the past in the area now known as South Ossetia.

History
Shortly after the Soviet Red Army conquered independent Democratic Republic of Georgia in 1921, South Ossetia was created as an autonomous region within the Georgian SSR of the Soviet Union. The boundary drawn in the 1920s caused many (ethnic) Georgian communities and lands to be included in the autonomous region, the consequences of which can still be witnessed today. In the late 1980s and early 1990s the Soviet Union was undermined by strong nationalist feelings among its various peoples, and the South Ossetians moved to secession from Georgia, opting a merger with their North Ossetian neighbors in Russia. The Georgian government overruled this by abolishing the autonomy in late 1990 which led to the 1991–1992 civil war between South Ossetian separatists and the Georgian national government. A Russian-brokered ceasefire in 1992 resulted in Russian peacekeeping deployment in the region under the Joint Control Commission (JCC).

After the civil war, South Ossetia was effectively independent; the Georgian government had little control over the highly autonomous region, which was ethnically cleansed of its Georgian population. Georgia's Rose Revolution of 2003 established a government keen to regain the lost control over Ajara, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, a region which had a similar separatist post-Soviet history.

Georgia's handling of the situation derailed in 2008 when Georgia shelled South Ossetia's capital Tskhinvali to assert its authority through a military campaign after a period of Russian-backed Ossetian provocations. This backfired when the Russian army entered the region through the Roki Tunnel and overran much of Georgia proper. A "6-point ceasefire agreement" was brokered by the EU between the Russians and Georgians. Eventually the Russian forces withdrew to the boundaries of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, leaving them well beyond Georgian control. Meanwhile both regions were quickly recognized by Russia as independent countries, citing the Western-pushed Kosovo independence earlier that year as a precedent.

In effect this enabled Russia to legitimize its continued military presence, circumventing the ceasefire agreement which stipulated that Russia should withdraw its forces from Georgia to pre-conflict positions: Russia does not recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia as part of Georgia anymore and thus renders repeated international calls for compliance with the ceasefire agreement void. Since 2009 Russia has constructed a dozen military bases along the boundary line monitoring the boundary zone and enforcing a so called "international border" upon the local community, frequently arresting and detaining "violators".

The de facto South Ossetian government has since tried to merge the region with Russia, but so far this hasn't happened despite far reaching integration agreements signed with the Kremlin, just short of formal annexation.

Politics
While the separatist conflict between the de facto Ossetian authorities and the Georgian central government has cooled to a much lower level than during the 2008 war and despite a heavy Russian military presence, security and government control are both weak. The Ossetians are largely grateful for Russia's military intervention against Georgia. Many Ossetes from North Ossetia crossed the border to join militias fighting against the Georgian military during the war.

However, it is mostly the remaining Georgian community of several thousand that bear the brunt of the aftermath of the war: increased boundary enforcement as "international border" by Russian and Ossetian troops means freedom of movement principles for local civilians are restricted. Local communities on both sides of the boundary have been separated, risking arrest and detention when trying to visit their farmland or relatives. Since 2013 fences and barbed wires have been constructed, sometimes right through villages.

Demographics
According to the last Soviet census in 1989, the region had a population of 98,527 of which 65,233 (66%) Ossetian and 28,544 (29%) Georgian. According to unofficial estimates the population declined to roughly 70,000 by 2007 (~45,000 Ossetians and ~17,500 Georgians respectively). As result of the 2008 war and subsequent restrictive policies by the de facto South Ossetian authorities, the Georgian community in the region has been decimated by 2015 to 7% (or 3,966 - down from 4,600 or 9% in 2012) on a total population of 53,532. Most remaining Georgians in the region live in Leningor (Akhalgori) district, others live scattered in villages along the southern section of the boundary line.

Talk
The main language spoken in the region is Ossetian, though most people also speak Russian.

Given the ongoing Georgian-Ossetian conflict, most ethnic Ossetes will find it offensive to be addressed in Georgian.

English is spoken by almost nobody. For this reason, the independent traveller requires a solid knowledge of Russian or Ossetian to get around.

Get in
It is not possible to visit South Ossetia from Georgia. The only way to go to Tskhinvali is via Vladikavkaz in Russia. All roads from Georgian controlled territory to South Ossetia are closed for foreigners, including between Ergneti and Tskhinvali, and to Akhalgori (Leningor). All three active Ossetian-run checkpoints (Sinaguri, Kardzmani, Leningor) are only selectively open to locals.

However, it is possible to get very close to the demarcation line and to view Tskhinvali a few km away. People come to Ergneti with goggles to try having a look at South Ossetia, which is fine as long as no Georgian military equipment or soldier is filmed.

Via Russia
From Georgia head to Vladikavkaz in North Ossetia-Alania (Russia) via the Georgian Military Highway through Kazbegi. Buses between Tbilisi and Vladikavkaz take roughly seven hours.

From Russia, head to Vladikavkaz in North Ossetia-Alania (there are trains and planes from Moscow).

From there, go onward by a mountain road that passes through the Roki Tunnel. There are buses. You will be at the mercy of the Russian authorities, but they are willing to let some people in, including journalists. If they allow you in, simply drive into the tunnel from Russia. When you exit, you will be in South Ossetia. Consider engaging the services of a guide/tour operator, who will say the right things and pay the right people at the right times.

Visas and permits
If travelling from Russia, the South Ossetian embassy (9 Kurcovoi Pereylok, ) in Moscow should be able to arrange your documents. A South Ossetian Consular Agency in Vladikavkaz is at 43 Krasnodonskaya Ulitsa. Foreign access is restricted but not impossible. An invitation should be arranged according to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Ossetia: "foreign citizens arriving to the Republic of South Ossetia for tourism must address the Committee on youth policy, sports and tourism of the Republic of South Ossetia and ask to write an official invitation letter."

You must have at least double entry visa to Russia. There is no way out to the rest of Georgia: you have to re-enter Russia. Also, the Georgian Law on Occupied Territories applies to foreigners as well: this means that unwarranted visits to South Ossetia through the Russian border section are considered an illegal entry onto Georgian territory, as no Georgian immigration has been passed. Make sure your visit cannot be traced in your passport if you are going to Georgia afterwards.

Tours
Various companies run tours to the region. They offer a good advantage of sorting out all your paperwork and permits for you.

Kavkaz Explorers - offers week long itineraries. In the summer you can be driven around the main sites. In the winter you can trek across the mountain snow to remote hill stations. From US$700 per person per week (does not include transport to Vladikavkaz in Russia).

Abchasien Reisen  - Abkhazia specialists that also run week long trips to South Ossetia. From €1,390 per person per week (includes flights from Europe to Vladikavkaz).

MarkoPoLo - Abkhazia, Nagorno Karabakh, Transnistria, Somaliland unrecognized country tour operator provides 3-7 day tours in each destination as well as custom tours

See

 * In Tskhinvali there are sights related to the Russian-Georgian war of 2008.
 * Mountains - South Ossetia is in the Caucasus mountains, and most of the region is over 1,000 m above sea level.

Money
The Russian ruble is the commonly used currency in South Ossetia.

Eat
Ossetian food, a Caucasian cuisine similar to but significantly different from Georgian cuisine, is delicious. Be sure to feast on Ossetian pie, a dish similar to khachapuri, but with meat and mushrooms instead of cheese.

Stay safe
South Ossetia is not dangerous anymore, but it's not yet easy to visit, due the absence of standardized formalities. If you can get an "approval to visit", you can go without hassle.

The Ossetes are understandably jumpy, and may arrest travelers taking photographs of, well, anything. Likewise, officials may believe that, by taking pictures, you are spying on their country. It's also a bad idea to voice your political opinions regarding the conflict; better to listen to locals' perspectives and to be vaguely sympathetic.

Stay healthy
While the war and conflict has ended, the situation is far from over and medical supply is not always going to reliable and efficient. Heating, electricity, plumbing are basically commodities owing to years of failing infrastructure due to lack of investment. Likewise, the healthcare system is dilapidated - be sure to bring the necessary medical equipment and only buy bottled water.

Go next

 * The only legal way in and out of South Ossetia is via Vladikavkaz in the province of North Ossetia in Russia. The roads from and to Georgia are closed to foreigners. There are buses and taxis going every day between Vladikavkaz and Tskhinvali
 * The Russian border crossing at the Roki Tunnel is a formal border crossing. Very often the security officers call foreign visitors leaving South Ossetia for a "quick" interrogation. When asked them why they do this interrogation on these particular borders and not, for example, Abkhazia or Mongolia, they explain that these are sensitive borders and they have to do this frequently. Nevertheless, the young officers, when finished doing their duty, may be very friendly. The Russians and South Ossetians pass through the checkpoint without any delay.

title: South Ossetia