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Seville

Seville (Spanish: Sevilla) is Andalusia's capital. With heritage from the Arabs and from the Age of Discovery, as well as the flamenco scene, Seville is a diverse destination. Tourist facilities are top-notch and the city is buzzing with festivals, color and a thriving nightlife scene.

Understand
With more than 685,000 inhabitants (2021), and 1.5 million in the metropolitan area, it is Spain's fourth-largest city, dominating southern Spain.

The smooth, slow Guadalquivir River flows through Seville, known as Betis by the Romans and as Betik Wahd-Al-Khabir by the Arabs. Since it is hard to navigate upstream from Seville, the cereal-producing region starts here, and Seville has been a busy port from Roman times, under Muslim rule, and exploding during the Age of Discovery. As the monopoly was broken and Cádiz largely took Seville's place, the city entered a period of relative decline.

In the 19th century Seville gained a reputation for its architecture and culture and was a stop along the Romantic "Grand Tour" of Europe. Seville has built on its tourism industry since, playing host to the International Exposition in 1992, which spurred the construction of a new airport, a new train station, a bullet train link to Madrid, new bridges and improvements to the main boulevards.

For classical music buffs, Seville is the setting of many famous operas over the years, such as Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni, Beethoven's Fidelio, Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia and Bizet's Carmen.

By plane
Ryanair flies from some 50 destinations (some seasonal) within Spain, across Europe (especially from Italy, Germany, UK and Ireland), and from Morocco. Iberia, Vueling and other carriers fly from Madrid, Mallorca, Asturias, Bilbao, Barcelona, Valencia, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Melilla in Spanish North Africa, and other European cities. It's only worth flying here from Madrid if you have a connecting flight, as the trains from the capital are so fast.

Getting there/away:
 * Tussam Bus EA (for "Especial Aeropuerto") runs daily every 15 min from 05:00 to 00:30. One-way ticket €5, same-day round trip €6 (March 2024). buy tickets from ticket machines next to the bus stop or on the bus. It runs from outside Arrivals, down Av de Kansas City to the main railway station, then loops with four stops around the south edge of city centre to the main bus station at Plaza de Armas. Total journey 35 min.
 * Ride apps Use the local Cabify app, Uber or Bolt. Their designated pick-up area is on the ground level of the parking garage right next to the left outside of arrivals.

 * Taxis to the town centre really shouldn't cost more than €25 for two of you, though they'll make out it's more today for the fiesta of St Strabismus and because your luggage is left-handed. However, taxi fares are officially regulated.

Jerez de la Frontera Airport is south of Seville and can be reached in 1 hour driving. Other airports around are in Faro and Málaga.

By train
AVE trains blur across Spain hourly from Madrid Puerta de Atocha, taking 2 hr 40 min to Seville via Ciudad Real, Puertollano and Cordoba. From Malaga its a single train ticket, with a stop to reverse direction in Cordoba. Travel from Jaen, Granada and Algeciras (for Morocco) usually means a change. Travel time from Cordoba is normally under 50 min, but an occasional slow train takes 1 hr 40 min and continues to Jerez de la Frontera and Cadiz. There are no trains across the nearby border with Portugal.

By car
Driving is also always an option for long distance travel in Spain, but isn't as convenient or as useful once in town. Public transportation works fine in the city, and most of the main tourist points are walking distance, so it is recommended finding a lodging with a garage or else researching the area for parking places before the trip.

Driving in the old city is tricky but possible.

There is very cheap parking available across the street from Av. de Málaga, 12. The lot is unguarded and if there is no agent in the booth then the entrance to the lot is free of charge. Do not give money to the panhandlers loitering outside pretending they are lot attendants. If they have not receipt to give you then its a scam. Be sure leave absolutely nothing in the car. Seville in general is known for car break-ins.

Another very common option is using carpooling such as BlaBlaCar, a safe transportation method used by many locals.

By bus

There are direct buses from Madrid (six daily, 6 hr), Valencia (two daily, 12 hr), Córdoba (six daily, 2 hr), Granada (hourly, 3 hr), Malaga (six daily, 3 hr), Cádiz and Jerez de la Frontera (hourly, 1 hr, as part of longer TGM lines to Cartagena, Almeria and Granada), and from Portugal four daily from Faro (2 hr 15 min) and Lisbon (7 hr).

Buses may also run to (or call at) the railway station. The airport bus calls at all three stations.

Buy in advance (online or at the station) especially at busy times, as buses can sell out. Bus companies:
 * Alsa
 * Damas
 * Socibus
 * Flixbus
 * Royal Express
 * Rede Expressos

On foot
Walking is the best option for sight-seeing: Seville is a large city but the points of interest are in the compact old centre. Strolling and coming across fine old churches, charming cafes and hidden plazas is part of the experience of being here.

By bus
Buses run frequently and cover the majority of the city in their routes. You can either pay the €1.40 single fare price or purchase a rechargeable card named bonobus. The minimum recharge is €7 plus €1.50 as a deposit. With the card the fare is €0.35 or €0.38 including a transfer. Bonobuses can be bought at most kiosks and tabacarias (tobacco shops). Regular service is kept until around 23:30, after which night buses run, with different routes, on the hour until 02:00

The Hop-on-Hop-off bus service is available in Seville for €26 (March 2024). It has 14 stops on both sides of the river. Great for a multilingual overview for first time visitors.

By scooter
Scooters are available for rent for €30 for the day and €120 for the week. These are a cost-efficient way of getting around and a driver's license is not necessary.

By tram
Trams run from Prado de San Sebastian at the south end of the centre, up Av de la Constitución past the cathedral, to end at Plaza Nueva. So it's barely 2 km of track, through an area that you'll probably prefer to walk. Extension west to Triana and north to the railway station may happen in some indefinite mañana.

By metro
You are unlikely to use it as it does not run near the old town, or other sights or accommodation. Its sole line follows an arch, from the southwest burbs to south end of city centre stopping at Plaza de Cuba, Prado de San Sebastian and San Bernardo, then out to the southeast burbs. It runs Su-Th 06:30-23:00, until 02:00 on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets are €1.30 for a single zone or €4.50 for all 3 zones unlimited trips.

By taxi or ride-app
Taxis are easily accessible throughout the city. Many offer decent rates, but some cabbies are crooked. If in doubt, use the local app Cabify to order one via app. Uber and Bolt are also widely available.

By bicycle

 * Sevici bikes are a system of automated bike rentals with stations all over town. You need to install the smartphone app, pay €10 for the week, and can use any bike that's available. You drop it off at the station nearest to where you're going. Once you're registered, trips of 30 minutes or less are free. If you go over 30 minutes, it's €1 for the 1st hour, €2 for each additional hour. Seville is building many bike paths: one pleasant route covers most of the east bank of the river.

Landmarks

 * Barrio Santa Cruz is the old Jewish Quarter, the winding narrow lanes just east of the cathedral and north of Alcázar. It's the most charming part of the city, with lots of bars and eating places, but it's also the most touristy.
 * Barrio Santa Cruz is the old Jewish Quarter, the winding narrow lanes just east of the cathedral and north of Alcázar. It's the most charming part of the city, with lots of bars and eating places, but it's also the most touristy.

Museums and galleries

 * Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo on the west side of the river hosts modern art in an interesting building. Free or low cost.
 * Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo on the west side of the river hosts modern art in an interesting building. Free or low cost.
 * Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo on the west side of the river hosts modern art in an interesting building. Free or low cost.
 * Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo on the west side of the river hosts modern art in an interesting building. Free or low cost.

Sevilla Card
The Sevilla Card is designed to aid city exploration and save you money. The card includes free admission to most Seville museums and monuments, unlimited use of public transportation (TUSSAM Buslines, but only for Cards with Public Transport), a guided visit of the Real Alcazar of Seville, unlimited use of sightseeing buses, boat rides on the Guadalquivir river and admission to the Isla Mágica Theme Park. The card also allows access to significant discounts in shops, restaurants, shows and leisure centres for adults and children. The Sevilla Card is accompanied by a guide and city map. However, the Sevilla Card cannot be used for trams and buses.

The Sevilla card comes in three denominations of 1, 2 or 3 days’ duration in blocks of 24 hours from the time of first activation when inserted into the electronic validation terminal of the suppliers associated with the Sevilla Card Programme (be careful not to activate too soon).

Prices: 1 day €50 (with transport €53), 2 days €60 (with transport €66), 3 days €65 (with transport €72). The 2- and 3-day options attract a discount of €3 per card when purchased on the website.

The Sevilla Card can be purchased by the following means: online ticketbar; by ; and, once in Seville, at tourism offices, the airport, the train station, travel agencies and through national and international tour operators (check the website for addresses).

A less expensive version, the Sevilla Card Cultura, is valid only for museums (1 day €28, 2 days €32, 3 days €36). 5% less if purchased online.

Do

 * Cruises, an hour in duration, leave from beneath the Torre del Oro and travel a circuit on the Guadalquivir river.
 * Horse-drawn carriage rides found near the cathedral take you to the nearby park and other sites of interest. For the sake of the animals, try to avoid carriage rides in the heat of the day in summer.

Flamenco
Flamenco is very popular in Spain and is not just for tourists; however finding the right place is hard. Poke around the neighbourhood of El Arenal, following the sounds of flamenco music to find a place.

Sport and outdoor activities

 * Football: Seville has two soccer teams playing in La Liga, Spain's top tier.
 * Climb to the top of the Cerro de Carambolo for a view of the whole city. The hill is outside of the town but can be reached on the M-170, M-171, and M-173 from the Plaza de Armas bus station.
 * Skydive Spain are based at La Juliana Airfield 15 km southwest of the city.
 * Climb to the top of the Cerro de Carambolo for a view of the whole city. The hill is outside of the town but can be reached on the M-170, M-171, and M-173 from the Plaza de Armas bus station.
 * Skydive Spain are based at La Juliana Airfield 15 km southwest of the city.
 * Skydive Spain are based at La Juliana Airfield 15 km southwest of the city.

Learn
Take some Spanish classes or do activities in Spanish to get in touch with the locals.

Buy
Seville is home to many beautiful artifacts, some of the more popularly known are plates and Spanish tiles. Triana offers many ceramic factories where one can buy various tiles from authentic craftsmen. There are stores that custom design plates and tiles near the cathedral, especially in Calle Sierpes, but across the river in Triana are other worthwhile pottery stores. Depending on the time of year, but especially leading up to Christmas, there are a number of artisan fairs throughout the city.

 * Wander through an open-air market. Vendors in many parts of the city sell on the streets, but on Sunday, when everything else is closed, a few spots really fill up. One market is behind the Alcampo shopping centre at Ronda del Tamarguillo on Avenida de la Paz (Bus lines 30, 36 from Prado de San Sebastian), but it is easily outdone by a large flea market, selling clothes, furniture, trash, books, shoes, CDs, food, tools, and probably everything else just northwest of Triana near Avenida Carlos III (off of the left-hand side of most tourist maps).

Clothing
Seville offers a wide variety of retail clothing, although generally at high prices. The main shopping district is home to all the big international and Spanish clothing lines (such as Zara who has at least 4 separate stores in Seville). The winding streets and alleyways of the Santa Cruz area (around the Cathedral) do a roaring trade in Spanish- and Andalusian-themed T-shirts and inexpensive flamenco dresses for little girls. The Corte Ingles (translated literally to "The English Cut") is a large chain of department stores throughout Spain selling clothes in the "American style".

 * Toro de Fuego, Hernando Colon, 38 local 3, . An above-average and tasteful T-shirt boutique, offering a large number of variations on the popular "bull of fire" theme. Printing is high quality, the fabric is good quality and proprietor María Gutiérrez is friendly and helpful. T-shirts average €16 for all sizes.
 * Bershka, Popular with the younger generation, Bershka has significant presence due to their clothing line with a distinct urban, or street culture feel.
 * Blanco is particularly popular with young women in Spain and Europe. The trendy and free designs are colourful, comfortable and affordable.
 * El Corte Inglés, The main building in Plaza del Duque has several floors of clothing. The same for the Nervión Plaza location outside the historic centre.
 * Massimo Dutti, Men's and women's fashion chain caters to a more modern feel of clothing. The designs are formal but quite trendy and utilize excellent fabrics with urban and cosmopolitan details.
 * Stradivarius, Known for its original, constantly changing fashion, the designs follow the latest trends in clothing and accessories.
 * Zapatos de baile flamenco and Roberto Garrudo, Flamenco and equestrian fashion accessories since 1970 fashion. C/ Córdodoba 9.

Eat
Seville, like most Andalusian destinations, is known for its tapas. "Tapa", while it is associated with certain dishes, is actually a size and many restaurants or bars will offer a tapa, media ración (half serving, although sometimes enough to make a meal) and ración (serving) of the same dish. There are many great tapas places around the foot of the cathedral in the centre of town. You can't go wrong; simply order one of everything to find your favourite! Some typical tapas include tortilla española (potato omelet), pulpo gallego (Galician octopus), aceitunas (olives), patatas bravas (spicy potatoes), and queso manchego (sheep's milk cheese from the region of La Mancha in central Spain). Also be sure to try the jamón (ham), which you often see hanging above the bar. Most of the restaurants kitchens do not open before 20:30 in the evening. Though usually some easy to prepare meals are available before that time.

As the quality of food is considered of a great importance in Seville, most local bars will have very good food at a low price. For an authentic and interesting meal, stop at one of the many bars, especially one which doesn't offer English menus (the prices are likely to be lower!).

Some bars near the river, such as Pedalquivir and El Faro de Triana, offer a nice view but aren't as good of a deal in terms of the quality of the food. Another would be El Patio San Eloy (San Eloy 9, Sevilla) where the tapas can be a little hit and miss, but where the cool staggered seating steps, fabulous décor and fruity sangria; provide a wonderful respite from the heat of the day.

A good deal can more easily be had at less characteristic places such as Sloppy Joe's Pizza Inn and Papasá.

If you would like to purchase your own food, head down to one of the markets close to the centre of the city, such as in Plaza Encarnación. El Corte Inglés is a larger more popular department store that you can go to for almost every need.

Don't eat the oranges from the trees on the street, they have been sprayed to repel birds and taste awful.

If you're vegetarian, make sure you specify that you eat no fish or tuna as vegetarian only implies no meat here.

The supermarkets M.A.S. and Dia are two very popular grocery stores and have everything you need for much less money than El Corte Ingles. Additionally, Dia has its own discount brand on a lot of items. Though they are closed on Sundays (like most everything else in Sevilla) they are found throughout the city and are very easily accessible.

Budget
All these are in the Old Town:

Drink
The nightlife of Seville is fantastic; no other European city has so many bars per inhabitant than Seville. In summer go to Isla Cartuja and find out why the Spanish night doesn't stop before 07:00. There you can find plenty of open-air discothèques. Other nightlife spots include Calle Betis in Triana, La Alamede de Hércules, and Plaza Alfalfa.

 * There are quite a few teterias in Triana across the river offering teas, shakes and middle eastern pastries in a cozy cushion filled environment.
 * Across from the cathedral sits a coffee shop called Cafe de Indias where you can buy delicious chocolate shakes and coffees. Down the street is a patisserie shop selling chocolate covered palmeras, a wonderful afternoon treat after a long day touring the sites. There are many coffee shops and patisserie shops in Seville, particularly in Calle Asunción in Los Remedios. Café de Indias, Starbucks and other franchises have descended lately on the city and are a good option in an emergency, but you can get a decent coffee in most local bars. For an up-market classic, visit La Campana, at the end of calle Sierpes.
 * Don't miss Cervecería La Internacional, one of the best beer shops in Spain. More than 250 types of beer, wonderful tapas and good connections. It's in Calle Barcelona, 1 minute away from Plaza Nueva, near the Town Hall. However, do not get confused, it is international, meaning, not typically Sevillano.
 * Sangría (an alcoholic fruit punch) is often sought by tourists, but Tinto de Verano (a mix of red wine and lemon or orange soda) is more authentic, has less alcohol, and is often cheaper.
 * Cruzcampo, the local beer, is worth trying. Compared to other Spaniards, Sevillanos consume more beer and less wine.
 * The tap water in Seville is good.
 * Agua de Sevilla is sometimes thought of as a popular drink in Seville, but you will never see a person from Seville drinking it, despite all the tourists drinking it as if it were something popular.

Most cafés or cafeterías in Sevilla serve slightly longer shots of darkly roasted coffee, and even cortado is quite large compared to what one might expect to get e.g. in Valencia. Speciality coffee connoisseurs will probably prefer one of the cafés serving single-origin or organic coffee:

Sleep
Most places have air conditioning but be sure to ask in summer, you'll need it. You will probably pass the siesta (early afternoon) in your room to escape the heat.

Sevillanos are well-known for their nightlife so if you don't plan to be out at all hours yourself, then seek accommodation on a street without lots of bars and restaurants, or ask for a room set back from the street.

Connect
As of Sept 2021, Seville has 5G from Orange and Vodafone, and 4G from Masmovil / Yoigo and Movistar.

Local administration runs a free (1 hr) internet cafe right next to the tourist office in the centre. Alternatively, most coffee places and certain bars will have Internet connection free for customers. If the Internet connection is a priority, make sure you ask about it before sitting. Also, chains like McDonalds, Starbucks or Cafe de Indias offer Internet access.

Internet can also be accessed in cyber-cafes or "locutorios". In these businesses, you can have access to a computer and an Internet connection, paying by the minute or hour. They are not so prevalent nowadays, due to the pervasiveness of hand-held devices with Internet access, but they can be still found in some locations:

Consulates

 * There are also consulates in the city for Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Morocco, Portugal and Sweden.

Go next

 * Sierra de Aracena. Towards the North West of Sevilla, it is one of the most famous places for Jamón in Spain and full of lovely small villages to discover. Great for walking around, eating and exploring this Natural Park. There are numerous buses from Plaza de Armas Bus Station.
 * Sierra Norte. Towards the North of Sevilla, it makes for a nice change from the monotonous landscape of the Guadalquivir Valley. It is an area of steep relief, olive groves, and deep river valleys. Deer, wild boar and other large animals are often seen from the car. The area is well known for its cured meats.
 * Cordoba: remarkable old city with its moorish Mezquita, white-walled Jewish quarter and Medina Azahara archeological site; less than an hour by train.
 * Granada has the must-see Alhambra palace and gardens.
 * Cádiz has an attractive old town, the seaport that Christopher Columbus sailed from. It's easily reached by train or car.
 * Huelva. Discovering a 19th-century British town in the middle of this Andalusian city is definitely remarkable. Huelva has an interesting history. Columbus left from Puerto de Palos and La Rabida Monastery, where he spent a few months it is well worth the visit. The wide and white beaches around, like Punta Umbria or Islantilla are also a good reason to visit and try fresh fish. Buses from Damas Bus Company every hour from Plaza de Armas Bus Station.
 * Italica. A partially excavated Roman city, only a brief bus ride from Seville on the M-172 (from Plaza de Armas Bus Station). Most of it is lost under the village of Santiponce, but several streets and the footings of houses and public buildings with mosaic tiled floors can be seen. The highlight is one of the largest known Roman amphitheatres with seats for 25,000.
 * In the summer, cruises are offered from beneath the Torre de Oro to Sanlucar de Barrameda at the mouth of the river.
 * Madrid: the buzzing capital is less than 3 hours away by train.

title: Seville


text:
Seville (province)

Seville is a province in Andalusia, Spain.

Cities

 * — with heritage from the Arabs and from the Age of Discovery, as well as the flamenco scene, Seville is a diverse destination.
 * — a large city just south of Sevilla, hometown to the guys that wrote the Macarena
 * — drenched in ten thousand years of history; today its Baroque bell towers are known to grace a post card
 * — once a hotbed of protest, Lebrija is known for its pale Manzanilla sherry
 * — alluring and atmospheric, television show Game of Thrones did some filming in the area
 * — a town near the ruins of Roman city of Italica.
 * — an area of small and picturesque villages, and dramatic landscapes.

Other destinations

 * Parque Natural de la Sierra Norte de Sevilla
 * Carmona is famous for being one of the most beautiful towns in Andalusia.
 * Écija is known as the City of Towers for its bell towers, and is one of the hottest places in the entire peninsula.
 * In Estepa they originate and make mantecados, a traditional Christmas sweet from Spain.

Climate
Seville has a warm Mediterranean climate with an annual average temperature of 18.5 °C. Winters are generally mild while summers are hot. The maximum temperatures in summer often surpass 40 °C. The village of Écija is popularly known as the “Frying Pan of Andalusia” for its torrid summers.

Get in
Seville is very well connected to the rest of Spain and the world via motorways, railways and airports.

By plane
Sevilla Airport is 10 km northeast of centre of the city of Seville on the A-4 highways. It has flight connections from over destinations around Europe and Northern Africa, and serves as a base for the low-cost carriers Vueling and Ryanair.

By train
Seville is connected to the high-speed AVE network operated by Renfe (state railway company). You can quickly reach Seville from Madrid, Barcelona and many other cities.

By bus
You can take the bus to Seville from almost all cities in Andalusia.

By car
The A-4 highways to Córdoba, A-92 to Málaga and Granada, A-49 to Huelva, A-66 to Mérida and Cáceres and AP-4 to Jerez de la Frontera and Cádiz run through the province.

See

 * Santa Maria Cathedral
 * Real Alcázar
 * La Plaza de España

Eat
The cuisine of Seville brings together all the specialties of Andalusia. It combines the special spices from the south of Spain. Special dishes in Seville are gazpacho and tapas made with locally sourced ingredients.

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

title: Seville (province)


text:
Sevlievo

Sevlievo is a city of 24,000 people in Bulgaria at the foot of the northern side of the Balkan mountains. Rositsa river crossing it, and Alexander Stamboliyski dam (a few kilometers away from the town) make up Sevlievo's waterscape.

Get in
Bus is the most popular way to get to Sevlievo. There are buses departing from Sofia all over the day from 08:00 to 18:00. Usually the itinerary takes up to 2½ hours. Average ticket cost (depending on the company):.

Sofia's central bus station schedule (last update 9/12/2011)

Hitchhiking from Sofia is often easy if you depart before noon. You need to take tram N.22 from Poduyane rail station and take off at the next stop. From that stop you change to bus N.90 and take off after coming out of the subway. Then you hit the highway.

There is no railway.

Do
In summer, Rositsa River is an attractive spot for strolling, fishing or getting a natural peeling provided by little fishes eating the dead skin of your feet.

Eat
Club "Coffee Theatre". An underground pub (literally) where you can eat, drink and smoke while listening to pop and rock from the 1980s and 90s. Spacious enough to shelter 150 people. Address: 10, Al. Batemberg str. The keeper's name is Bobby and you can reach him on or.

title: Sevlievo


text:
Sewanee

Sewanee is a small town in south-central Tennessee. It is known primarily for its natural scenery and association with the University of the South. There are roughly 2,500 residents, of whom about 1,500 are students at the University. Sewanee is positioned about halfway between Nashville and Chattanooga. The town and the roughly 13,000 acres surrounding it -- all of which are owned directly by the University -- are quaintly called "The Domain" by residents.

Get in
Sewanee is accessible primarily by automobile. University Avenue (the town's primary street) intersects Tennessee Highway 41A at two locations. Some travelers may also take advantage of the small airport nearby.

Get around
The town is small enough to be explored on foot or bike, and this is how many residents (and most University students) move around. Cars are only truly necessary to leave the town and explore the nearby mountain roads.

See
The University of the South(commonly called just "Sewanee") is renowned for its scenic campus, which consists largely of pink-sandstone Gothic architecture. It is one of a very few American college campuses which attempts Oxford-style architectural principles, though there are plenty of modern buildings which disrupt that atmosphere. Of particular interest is the gorgeous All Saints' Chapel and the University quadrangle.

The other major attraction in Sewanee is the natural landscape. Due to its location on the Cumberland Plateau, there are many scenic vistas overlooking nearby valleys. Some are accessible by car (such as University View on Tennessee Ave., and Green's View on Green's View Rd.), but most are accessible only by foot or mountain bike. University View and its large Memorial Cross are worth a drive down Tennessee Ave. for any visitor. There are also a number of unusual rock formations and other natural oddities in the area, which are outlined in local hiking guides.

None of the above involve an entry fee, and all can be experienced year-round.

Do
Camping and hiking are major activities in the area, and can be done comfortably almost year-round. The best times of year are the late fall and mid-spring, when the natural beauty is at its peak. Camping during the winter is not advisable due to severe weather (usually involving dense fog and snow).

The mountain trails are generally open to bikers and rock-climbers; however, it is a good idea to inquire about whether a particular location is suitable for your activity. Many trails feature steep drops and climbs that are not practical for biking, and some climbing areas can be tricky or even downright dangerous. There are also some accessible caves scattered across the area, but attempting to navigate them without a guide is highly discouraged. Questions regarding trail access and other outdoor activities should be directed to the Sewanee Outing Program.

Most social activities in the area are organized either by the University or local church groups. There are also a few local bars which may have musical guests on any given weekend. It is worth inquiring whether the University is hosting any special exhibits, performing artists, or lectures during your stay. On almost any given day there will be something interesting happening in Sewanee; however, the scale of these events can vary wildly and many are not open to the public. If you arrive during a "dead" time, there is a small movie theater located in the back of Thompson Union on University Ave. that usually shows second-run and foreign films.

University sports are always an option for entertainment. Football games have been played in the stadium for well over a century (making it the oldest field in the South), and are a very unusual sight to behold. There is also a golf course (with unusual sandstone outcroppings) on University Ave., which is reasonably priced.

Holidays are generally the best times to visit, as they typically involve community festivals. The Fourth of July involves a small parade and fireworks, and usually attracts many people to the area for a few days. Christmas, Easter, and University events such as Homecoming, Commencement, and Parents' Weekend also attract local artisans and performers to provide entertainment.

The Sewanee Summer Music Festival provides concerts on the University of the South campus for five weeks each summer.

Buy
There are a few small stores in Sewanee, but most shopping is found in nearby Monteagle. The University Bookstore has an exceptional collection of books and gifts, especially for those with academic interests. If you are only looking for souvenirs, you can find them in Sewanee; for "real" shopping, you will need to leave town.

 * Something L's Art of Jewelry, 90 Reed's Ln., 931-598-0037. Small jewelry shop near the cluster of restaurants.
 * Moral Fibers, 90 Reed's Ln., 931-598-9896. In the event that you should need liturgical clothing (i.e., you are conducting a religious service and forgot your vestments), this is the place to go. Otherwise it's worth peeking in the window just to see the beautiful fabrics.
 * Sewanee Market. 28 Lake O'Donnell Rd., 931-598-5993. Small grocery store at the intersection of University and Hwy 41. Not a large selection; true grocery shopping is usually done in Monteagle.  However, the Market is good for immediate needs such as bread, cereal, or beer.
 * Something L's Art of Jewelry, 90 Reed's Ln., 931-598-0037. Small jewelry shop near the cluster of restaurants.
 * Moral Fibers, 90 Reed's Ln., 931-598-9896. In the event that you should need liturgical clothing (i.e., you are conducting a religious service and forgot your vestments), this is the place to go. Otherwise it's worth peeking in the window just to see the beautiful fabrics.
 * Sewanee Market. 28 Lake O'Donnell Rd., 931-598-5993. Small grocery store at the intersection of University and Hwy 41. Not a large selection; true grocery shopping is usually done in Monteagle.  However, the Market is good for immediate needs such as bread, cereal, or beer.
 * Sewanee Market. 28 Lake O'Donnell Rd., 931-598-5993. Small grocery store at the intersection of University and Hwy 41. Not a large selection; true grocery shopping is usually done in Monteagle.  However, the Market is good for immediate needs such as bread, cereal, or beer.

Eat
Due to the town's economic reliance on both tourists and students, there are more good restaurants nearby than one might expect. Of particular interest is Shenanigans, located in an old building at the intersection of Highway 41 and University Ave. A student favorite and generally good source of refreshments, it is in a building that has a noticeable lean due to its old age. Almost all restaurants are located within walking distance of the University/Hwy 41 intersection.

 * Julia's Fine Foods. A great place to go for gourmet food in a relaxed environment. Great specials everyday for reasonable prices and an excellent beer selection.
 * Stirling's Coffeehouse. Located on Georgia Ave. across from the University Library. Run entirely by students, offers an excellent variety of hot and cold coffee and other drinks.  Also serves decent light-fare foods, such as croissants and sandwiches.  Great place to soak up the charm of campus life, and includes artwork for sale.
 * Crust, 90 Reed's Ln, 931-598-9880. New pizza restaurant located near the intersection of University Ave. and Hwy. 41.  A creative menu and funky atmosphere make this a solid alternative to Shenanigans.  Serves beer in cool glass goblets.
 * Stirling's Coffeehouse. Located on Georgia Ave. across from the University Library. Run entirely by students, offers an excellent variety of hot and cold coffee and other drinks.  Also serves decent light-fare foods, such as croissants and sandwiches.  Great place to soak up the charm of campus life, and includes artwork for sale.
 * Crust, 90 Reed's Ln, 931-598-9880. New pizza restaurant located near the intersection of University Ave. and Hwy. 41.  A creative menu and funky atmosphere make this a solid alternative to Shenanigans.  Serves beer in cool glass goblets.

Drink
Crust and Julia's Fine Foods offer a good selection of beer and have incredible food. Shenanigans used to be the best place in town to buy a pitcher of beer. Unfortunately now the prices are expensive and the food is mediocre. There are also several bars in nearby Monteagle and Cowan.

Sleep
The Sewanee Inn is the only hotel of consequence in the town of Sewanee, but there are several bed-and-breakfasts and many cabins located nearby. For other accommodations, see Monteagle.

Cope

 * Beauty By Tabitha, 91 University Ave., +1 931-598-5800. Hair salon.
 * Hair Gallery, 237 Lake O'Donnell Rd., +1 931-598-0668. Another salon, located on the road behind the Sewanee Market.
 * Real Estate Marketing, 91 University Ave., +1 931-598-9244.

or

 * Tate & Co. Real Estate, 115 University Ave., +1 931-598-0044.

Land leases in Sewanee are notoriously difficult to attain, so your best bet is to talk to a real estate agent soon after deciding to look for a home there.

 * Regions Bank, 69 University Ave., +1 931-598-9512. The town's only bank branch. Conveniently, they will cash checks from the University.
 * Sewanee Auto, 76 University Avenue, +1 931-598-5743. Sewanee's only auto shop. Offers limited services, but can be helpful in a pinch.
 * Sewanee Dry Cleaners, 36 Ball Park Rd., +1 931-598-0116.
 * Sewanee Family Practice, 1314 University Ave., +1 931-598-5648. Located next to the hospital, and good for treating minor illnesses.
 * Sewanee Pediatrics, 1310 University Ave., +1 931-598-9761. Also next to the hospital.
 * Bennett Bridgers-Carlos, LCSW, 91 University Ave., Psychotherapy (text or call +1 828-331-9928 for appointment).

Go next
Many visitors will end up making trips to nearby small towns. Give particular consideration to visiting quaint towns such as Tracy City and Cowan. For additional shopping and/or dining needs, Monteagle is the nearest sizable town.

title: Sewanee


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Seward

Seward ("SOO-word") is a small port city (population ~2,700) located at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula in Southcentral Alaska. Seward was named in honor of William H. Seward, President Abraham Lincoln's Secretary of State, who was responsible for negotiating the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867.

Understand
Founded in 1903 as the ocean terminus of what is now the Alaska Railroad, Seward prides itself, not only on its natural beauty, but as Alaska's only deep-water, ice-free port with rail, highway and air transportation to Alaska's interior and major urban population centers.

By car
Seward is located 127 road miles south of Anchorage. The Seward Highway is a very scenic 2.5-hour drive from Anchorage to Seward, but can be slow in peak summer.

In 2017, the Alaska Department of Transportation announced a Milepost 75-90 Rehabilitation Project to make major safety improvements to a busy crash-prone section of the Seward Highway from Girdwood to beyond the Portage curve toward Turnagain Pass. In July 2015 a tour bus crash at Milepost 79 (Portage Glacier Road and Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center) killed one man and critically injured several others, causing a 10-hour traffic jam. During the summer months, up to 15,000 vehicles use this 15-mile stretch of Seward Highway daily.

By train
The Alaska Railroad offers daily rail passage between Anchorage and Seward in the summer, May 13 to Sept 14. The trip between Anchorage and Seward -- the Coastal Classic -- is arguably its most scenic section, and you can take the train one-way. The train parallels the Seward Highway along the Turnagain Arm, but also heads up into the mountains away from the road, pass glaciers and alpine meadows you won't be able to see by car. Adventure Class (with shared access to older vista dome railcar) Round Trip/One Way fare: $178/$105 adults, $89/$53 children (2-11); GoldStar Service (New Dome Railcar) Round Trip/One Way fare: $363/$213 adults, $215/$126 children.

Passengers are required by TSA to check-in at the ticket window (an hour before at Anchorage, 30-45 minutes before at Seward) and show a government issued photo ID (for those age 18 and older) to receive boarding passes. If you have luggage (2 pieces max), it must be checked through to your destination. At depots, boarding for trains occurs 20-30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

Southbound
 * 6:45AM - Depart Anchorage Depot - 411 West 1st Avenue
 * 11:05AM - Arrive Seward Depot - 410 Port Avenue (short walk to small boat harbor; about 1/2 mile to cruise ship dock)

Northbound
 * 6PM - Depart Seward Depot
 * 10:15PM - Arrive Anchorage Depot

By bus
The Park Connection, 1-800-208-0200, offers twice daily bus service between Anchorage and Seward in the summer, mid-May to mid-September. Check in 15 minutes prior; luggage 2 pieces max. In general, the trip by bus is faster than by train, but slower than by car.

Southbound AM Southbound PM
 * 7AM - Depart Anchorage - Egan Center: $55
 * 9:45AM - Arrive Seward Small Boat Harbor
 * 3PM - Departs Anchorage Museum: $65
 * 5:45PM - Arrive Seward Small Boat Harbor

Northbound AM Northbound PM
 * 10:30AM - Depart Seward Small Boat Harbor: $65
 * 1:30PM - Arrive Anchorage Museum
 * 6:30PM - Depart Seward Small Boat Harbor: $55
 * 9:30PM - Arrive Anchorage Museum

By ship
The Dale R. Lindsey Alaska Railroad Seward Intermodal Terminal ("cruise-ship dock" to locals), 913 Port Ave, is where cruise ships moor. Ships tie up directly to the dock, and no tenders are used to transport guests between the ship and shore. The Alaska Railroad uses this facility for freight.

From May to September, about 50 ships arrive and depart Seward's port as part of the popular 7-14 day Alaska cruises, round-the-world itineraries, and special charter cruises.

The ferries of Alaska Marine Highway call at Whittier, from where you should be able to take a train (or drive).

By plane
Anchorage airport is usually used to travel to the area.

Get around
Seward is a great place to walk around. For those needing a ride, here are some options.

 * Summer Shuttle Bus, +1 907-224-4020, is operated daily by the city of Seward during the summer months when the cruise ships are in town. The shuttle runs a loop starting at the cruise ship dock to the Alaska SeaLife Center, and circulates approximately every 15-30 minutes.  Free (tips appreciated)
 * Tidewater Taxi +1 907-727-1929. Water taxi servicing Resurrection Bay, Kayakers Cove, Alaska State Park Cabins and elsewhere.
 * Hertz of Seward, 907-224-4378. Rentals for a day or longer with one-way drop off in Anchorage available.
 * Seward Bike Shop, 411 Port Ave., 907-224-2448, sewardbikeshop.com. Rents bikes by the hour or day. There is a bike path along the water from the harbor to the front of town.
 * PJ'S Taxis, 907-224-5555.

See

Do
Seward's highlights are the neighboring Kenai Fjords National Park, sport fishing (for salmon, halibut, ling cod and salmon shark), glacier and wildlife day cruises, kayaking, sailing, hiking and mountain biking, quaint and quirky townsfolk, 4th of July celebrations and the Silver Salmon Derby.

 * - located in Seward

Eat
There are a ton of great places to eat in this little town; from hearty breakfast joints to fine dinner dining.

Go next
Seward is a great gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. If you want to spend a bit more money to really get out there, consider staying at some of the wilderness camps in Resurrection Bay.

Seward is also one end of the Iditarod Trail, running for a thousand miles to Nome, mostly through wilderness via small settlements.

Wilderness Lodges
Sometimes you want to go someplace just a little more remote than a small town....if you do, consider staying at these wilderness lodges. You will need to take a water taxi or float plane to reach these, but they are truly stunning.

Towns

 * Moose Pass, the first rural town on the Iditarod Trail, if going west
 * Valdez, the next town on the Alaska Marine Highway, if going east

title: Seward


text:
Sewickley

Sewickley, located 20 minutes by car outside of the city of Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania, is a quaint resort town offering many boutique shops, services, and restaurants.

Get in
The town of Sewickley is located 20 minutes from Downtown Pittsburgh and close to many major routes of transit. The Pittsburgh International Airport is also a short simple 15 minute commute.

It is located off of route 65 North, right up Broad Street Across the Sewickley Bridge.

Coming from Downtown Pittsburgh by car take 279 North to Route 65 and follow all the way until the Sewickley Bridge and make a left into the downtown shopping district on Beaver Street. It is a very small town with many shops and things to do.

Get around
The village of Sewickley is easily walkable, and definitely encouraged.

It is recommended to have a car though to view the Estates in Sewickley Heights as the area is very hilly and quite expansive.

Parking in the town can sometimes be a pain, the metered spots on the streets are 25 cents per half hour and you are likely to find a spot in the parking lot located across from Safrans Supermarket off of Thorn Street.

Also parking on the residential streets is free, but requires a walk, but once again this is recommended.

See
There is much to be seen in Sewickley.

 * Fern Hollow Nature Center, Glen Mitchell Road. Nice place to spend a day in the park. Also in September it is host to the Sewickley Fall Music Festival, with sounds of country, folk, and blue grass music.
 * Houses up around Sewickley Heights. There are many large estates with great houses. Many very old with classic looks to them. You can also find the homes of many local celebrities as well, such as Lynn Swann, Franco Harris, and Mario Lemieux.
 * Houses up around Sewickley Heights. There are many large estates with great houses. Many very old with classic looks to them. You can also find the homes of many local celebrities as well, such as Lynn Swann, Franco Harris, and Mario Lemieux.

Art galleries
There are many art galleries in Sewickley as well all with different tastes in art.
 * Gallery Walk - Held in the beginning of fall and spring, with each gallery featuring something special and restaurants featuring specials as well. Check the Sewickley Chamber of Commerce website for upcoming dates.
 * Gallery Walk - Held in the beginning of fall and spring, with each gallery featuring something special and restaurants featuring specials as well. Check the Sewickley Chamber of Commerce website for upcoming dates.
 * Gallery Walk - Held in the beginning of fall and spring, with each gallery featuring something special and restaurants featuring specials as well. Check the Sewickley Chamber of Commerce website for upcoming dates.
 * Gallery Walk - Held in the beginning of fall and spring, with each gallery featuring something special and restaurants featuring specials as well. Check the Sewickley Chamber of Commerce website for upcoming dates.
 * Gallery Walk - Held in the beginning of fall and spring, with each gallery featuring something special and restaurants featuring specials as well. Check the Sewickley Chamber of Commerce website for upcoming dates.

Do
You can spend a full day in town just walking through the Business District and walking through all the stores.

The town is definitely looked at as a cute resort town.

Spas
While in the village, why not stop at one of the many spas located in the Business District.

 * Sewickley Spa is probably one of the most well known spas in town, with nationally-known small business owner Dorothy Andreas Tuel, they offer all kinds of spa services from massages to a basic manicure and pedicure.
 * Esthetics of Sewickley is a neat little spa located on the second floor of a building on the corner of Thorn and Beaver Streets, get a manicure overlooking the bustling business district. Facials here are really great as well as inexpensive compared to other places in town.
 * Vans Aveda Salon, featuring a store with all Aveda Products and a Spa on the Second Floor
 * Vita Hair Salon on Thorn Street, is also a place to go for a fabulous haircut. Great service, great location, and great decor.

Eat
Many restaurants are located throughout Sewickley. All of them offering different menus, so you are bound to be find something you will enjoy.

 * Sewickley Cafe offers American Bistro style food and a great wine and drink list. Opened in 1998, the restaurant has always been acclaimed in town. The back patio is open in the summer for garden dining on their terrace, great for any meal, breakfast, lunch, or dinner and is open 7 days a week.
 * Sewickley Confectionary which offers several types of homemade gelato as well as ice cream.
 * Sewickley Hotel is also American Bistro, but offers more of a bar crowd, but in a very nice atmosphere. Open 7 days a week and on Sundays for brunch from 11 until 7.
 * Tony R's Pizza offers some great pizza pies for delivery, and they have been rated best pizza in town for years.
 * Ultimate Pastry Shoppe - Has been around for 20 years and they have great cookies and Bill. one of the owners. makes some really fun cakes. Ask about his Zebra Cake with Airbrushed icing.
 * Vocellis Pizza, Great for those looking for a late night food delivery as they deliver until 1AM.

Drink
All of the restaurants in town have a full bar.

The Sewickley Cafe is good for its 30 bottle wine list with everything by the glass, as well as full bar with great cocktail list. The Bar is great for a pre dinner drink or for stopping by for a glass of wine after work.

The Sewickley Hotel has a dive bar feel to it, but definitely very diverse clientele.

PIzza Roma is the neighborhood watering hole. Bands every so often and typically packed every night with locals, stop by and you will definitely meet someone to talk to.

Sleep
There are no hotels in the small town, the Sewickley Country inn was shut down years ago. The inn was used in the movie shooting of Jack.

Across the river in Moon township on University Boulevard you can find lots of chain hotels and things to do as well to make your visit to the Sewickley area enjoyable.

Connect
Check out the Boroughs site for any links or the chambers website for lists of all the businesses in the area You will find that many of the locals in town offer help to anyone in need. This seems to be a trait of the people of Sewickley. Always looking out for others.

title: Sewickley


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Seyðisfjörður

Seyðisfjörður is a city in East Iceland.

Understand
The city is mostly notable for being the place where the ferry to/from Denmark and the Faroes makes landfall and as the set of the Nordic noir series Trapped which was shot here, in Reykjavik and in Siglufjörður.

By boat
There is a weekly ferry run by Smyril line from the Faroe Islands (duration: 1-2 days) and to Hirtshals, Denmark (3-4 days). The ferry departs once per week on Wednesday 20:00 during the low season (April-June and August-October), and on Thursday 10:00 during high season (June-August). A return journey to Denmark for instance costs €280-590 with a car or €120-250 per passenger, depending on the season, excluding a supplement fare for a cabin or bed. Book in advance as prices vary considerably.

By plane
The nearest airport in Egilsstaðir, about 30 minutes away, has regular flights to the capital.

By bus
There are several buses a day to Seyðisfjörður connecting with the flights stopping in central Egilsstaðir on route. From central Egilsstaðir there are one or two additional departures per day during the summer, as well as the option to change to several bus lines connecting to other parts of Iceland. The buses are run by Ferðaþjónusta Austurlands which has no website, but the  city administration website maintains an updated schedule.

Do

 * Lots of hiking paths, from half an hour to several days.

Buy

 * 24/24 ATM in the bank, about 100 m in front of the ferry terminal
 * Post office next to the bank
 * Supermarket

Connect

 * Free Wi-Fi at the information centre, right in front of the ferry terminal.

Go next

 * Egilsstaðir

title: Seyðisfjörður


text:
Seychelles

The Seychelles (Seychellois Creole: Sesel) is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar and east of Kenya. It consists of 115 islands, of which the largest are Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. The capital and largest city is Victoria, located on the island of Mahe.

Seychelles is known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life. It is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. The economy is largely based on tourism and fishing, and the country has made significant progress in developing its infrastructure and promoting sustainable development.

Seychelles is also home to a unique biodiversity, with many species of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. The Aldabra Atoll, a, is the largest raised coral atoll in the world and is home to over 150,000 giant tortoises.

Inner Seychelles
The vast majority of the Seychelles' population lives on these granite islands, home to the bulk of the country's resorts.

Outer Seychelles
The Outer Seychelles are corralline and mostly uninhabited. Visitors are rare, and will find themselves traveling either by private yacht or between remote airstrips on small local planes.

Cities

 * – the capital city
 * - district in Seychelles
 * - district in Seychelles

Other destinations

 * – one of the last few expanses of pristine tropical rainforests

Understand
The Seychelles tourism industry offers a wide range of activities for visitors, including snorkeling, diving, fishing, hiking, and island-hopping. The country is home to several stunning natural attractions, such as the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, which is a and home to the iconic coco de mer palm tree. Seychelles also boasts several national parks and marine reserves, such as the Sainte Anne Marine National Park and the Curieuse Marine National Park, which offer opportunities to see a variety of marine life and unique bird species.

History
Maldivian and Arab traders were the first to visit the uninhabited Seychelles. The first European to arrive at the islands was Portuguese Admiral Vasco da Gama who passed through the Amirantes in 1502 and named them after himself (Islands of the Admiral). They became a waypoint on the Cape Route.

The Seychelles were disputed between France and Great Britain during the age of colonialism, with Britain ending up in control in 1814 after the Napoleonic Wars. The islands achieved independence in 1976; however, free elections did not occur until 1993.

The politics of this island group remain in something of a state of flux, although this should not bother the tourist seeking a relaxing beach vacation.

Climate
Seychelles is hot and humid, with an average yearly temperature of 84°F (29°C), and average sea temperature rarely dropping below 81°F (27°C). However, the heat is usually mitigated by refreshing sea breezes, especially by the beaches. The cooler season in Seychelles is during the southeast monsoon season (May to September) and the warmer season is during the northwest monsoon (November to March). April and October are "changeover months" between the two monsoons, when the wind is variable. The northwest monsoon season tends to be warmer with more rain, while the southeast monsoon season is usually drier and cooler.

Tourist information

 * Seychelles Tourism website

Talk
Languages spoken in the Seychelles are Seychellois Creole, English and French. You'll be able to get around just fine with just a little French. A couple of basic polite words will go a long way to get a smile from the friendly and helpful locals.

Get in
Visas are not required, though all foreigners must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months, and must have proof of accommodation bookings before arrival (these may be checked). All foreign travelers must apply for an https://seychelles.govtas.com/ Electronic Border Travel] permit to enter the Seychelles.] An initial entry permit is granted for 1 month but can be extended for up to 3 months at a time to a maximum of 1 year.

By plane

 * Seychelles International Airport . The only international gateway to the Seychelles near the national capital, Victoria. Air Seychelles is the country's flag carrier and flies from Cape Town, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Paris, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg, Mauritius and Antananarivo. International service is also available from Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Nairobi (Kenya Airways), Dubai (Emirates), Abu Dhabi (Etihad), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways), and regular charter services from Frankfurt (Condor) and Zurich (Edelweiss)

By boat
The strict controls imposed on cruising yachts in the early 1990s have been gradually lifted and rules and regulations are no longer so complicated. However, some restrictions remain in force, mostly for the sake of environmental protection as most of the islands are surrounded by coral reefs near the surface.

By plane
Air Seychelles operates multiple daily flights between Mahe and Praslin. Over two dozen flights vary in frequency from 15-minute to 2-hour intervals, depending on time of day.

Air Seychelles also operates once daily or several times per week between Mahe and the islands of Bird, Denis, Fregate, Desroches and Alphonse. Assumption Island and Coetivy can be reached by air charter.

By helicopter
Zil Air provides charter helicopter flights to/from most of the inner and outer Seychelles Islands. It is the only scenic flight operator in the Seychelles. Scenic flights can be booked to cover the main islands of Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and the surrounding smaller islands of (among others) Cousine, Félicité, Grande Seour, Curieuse and Bird Island.

By boat

Cat Cocos operates catamaran ferries that provide several daily crossings between Mahe and Praslin and a daily crossing extension to La Digue. The sailing normally takes one hour. Non-residents should budget between SCR1,300 and SCR1,820 per person (price at February 2021) for a one way ticket from Mahe to Praslin. Tickets can be purchased from the Cat Cocos office, opposite the pier, on the same day before travel subject to availability.

Similarly, Inter Island Ferry operate a route between Praslin and La Digue with 8 daily departures taking 15 min to cross. Tickets cost around €15 for an adult single (July 2013). The schedule usually allows for onward connections to Mahe with Cat Cocos at Praslin harbour.

It is also possible to take small boats from Mahe direct to La Digue, although departures can be unreliable, there is limited wet weather cover and the journey takes about 3 hours (but that's cheaper than an Indian Ocean Island cruise!)

As of June 2013, online bookings with live seat availability and e-ticketing are possible for Cat Cocos and Inter Island Ferry by Seychellesbookings.com.

By car
Driving in Seychelles is on the left side of the road. The roads on Mahé are low-traffic, mountainous, and narrow, so caution is advised.

That said, renting a car is really a good idea and makes life much more simple. For as little as 100 rupees worth of gas you can see the entire island of Mahe in a couple of hours, including stops at beaches and whatever else catches your eye. There is free parking in 'downtown' Victoria on Mahe, and if you go with a B&B or self-catering option for accommodations its by far the easiest way to pick up groceries. A car will also allow you access to the larger stores where locals do their shopping, which are much cheaper than the convenience stores along the beaches. There is no substitute for running your vacation on your own schedule.

You can only rent on Mahé and Praslin. You can find a small car (e.g., Hyundai Atos) for €35-45 per day, but keep in mind that renters must be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver's license, and have at least three years of driving experience. There are several car hire counters outside the arrivals hall at Mahe international airport, which provide a convenient way to compare prices from different hire companies. Prices can be negotiated, with the better rate available for rental periods of 3 consecutive days or more. The 'excess' payable by the customer in the event of a claim, ranges from €300 to €1000 depending on the company, so choose carefully and ask the right questions.

Taxis are also a popular means of transportation for both short trips and day rental and can be obtained almost anywhere. Taxi prices for non-residents (approx. 20 rupees per km in Sept 2010) on a relatively long trip, can easily exceed the cost of hiring a small car for a day.

By bus
Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) runs daily bus services on the islands of Praslin and Mahe from morning to evening on nearly every available road on the island. The bus usually passes by every 15 minutes. On Mahe you can easily use the SPTC bus to travel to and from the airport so long as you have local currency in small bills.

Although the bus will get you there, the schedules aren't tight and the drivers are a bit bold on the very narrow roads if you're a nervous passenger.

See

 * Visit the beaches. Many of the beaches are seemingly untouched by human influence and are refreshingly uncrowded. They offer clear blue skies and a tranquility you will rarely find. A hike along the coastline from Beau Vallon to Anse Major will take about 1.5-2 hours and your reward will be a small deserted beach that's fit for a king. The scenery along the hike is breath-taking. Not all beaches are suitable for swimming depending on the time of year, due to the seasonal winds. Do not ignore warning signs indicating that a beach is hazardous for swimming, no matter how appealing the waters may look.
 * Vallée de Mai is a national park and World Heritage Site, home to amazing flora and fauna, including the world's largest seed: the coco de mer. Entrance fee: Free for residents, 315 rupees for foreigners (Sep 2010).
 * Aldabra Atoll: The world's largest coral atoll that stretches about east to west and encloses a huge tidal lagoon. Aldabra is the original home of the giant land tortoise, and tiger sharks and manta rays can also often be seen here.
 * Cousin Island is an internationally owned island and belongs to Birdlife International.
 * Victoria, the capital on Mahe Island, has several good museums including the Natural History Museum, where you can hold the famed coco-de-mer, and the National Museum of History with good photo displays and a video presentation.

Do
Water sports: The warm Indian Ocean waters make Seychelles the perfect place for water enthusiasts. Explore on the board of a yacht, power boat, catamaran or sailboat. Windsurfing is also popular and the best time for this activity is usually around May and October, at the start and end of the trade winds.

Scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing are also extremely popular and can be done almost anywhere in Seychelles. Baie Ternay is superb and easily accessible by glass bottom boat tour from Beau Vallon beach - leave yourself an empty day and walk the beach for a 'last minute' booking - great deals can be bargained. Snorkeling (provided you have your own gear - some hotels lend masks, snorkels and fins to guests) is free and there are many great spots: off some of the small beaches at Glacis, past Mouse Island at Anse Royale, along the reef at Port Launay (near Ephelia Resort). Often spotted are a wide array of tropical fish, sea turtles, eagle rays and more!

Land sports: Golf, tennis, squash, badminton, horseback riding, biking and hiking are some of the recreational activities available on the Seychelles Islands. Bike rentals and walking tours are great ways to sightsee and since distances are relatively short and the scenery is beautiful, walking is probably the best way to see the smaller islands (La Digue, Praslin), while walking along the main road can be quite intimidating as the roads are narrow and local cars/busses drive quite quickly. On Mahe it is not advised to ride bicycles, and there are no rental shops within sight. Bird watching is also popular and the islands are home to many of the world's rarest species of animals. The best place to do so is Cousin Island which although only 1 km (0.6 miles) in diameter, is home to more than 300,000 birds, but many unique species can be found on Mahe.

Seychelles also has numerous markets, art galleries and shops, colonial Creole-style plantation houses, and the main island of Mahé has six museums, a botanical garden, and several national monuments. The market downtown Victoria has a good selection of local produce, and spices for sale that are all grown locally and 100% authentic.

Learn
The University of the Seychelles has a medical degree for Americans.

Public education has been free and mandatory for children aged 6-16 since 1980. There is a teacher training college and a polytechnic institute, and as mentioned above, the University of Seychelles - American Institute of Medicine does exist. Because of the absence of higher education facilities, many students study abroad, mostly in the United Kingdom.

Work
Working and doing business in the Seychelles can be difficult due to the humidity and heat. Forget about wearing a suit; rather, opt for a light cotton shirt and pants. The atmosphere in the Seychelles is relaxed and it can take a lot of effort to achieve very little.

Tourism is one of the most important sectors of the economy. In fact, about 15 percent of the work force is directly employed in tourism, and employment in banking, transportation, construction, and other activities is closely tied to the tourist industry.

Money
The islands' currency is the Seychellois rupee, denoted by the symbol "SR" or "SRe" (ISO code: SCR). ATMs usually have the best conversion rates; however, airports and banks also exchange money.

Coins of the Seychelles are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents, 1, 5 and 10 rupees. Banknotes of the Seychelles are issued in denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 rupees.

There is no longer a black market in currency.

Shopping
The best place for shopping is Victoria, the capital, and more specifically the market at the city centre, Seychelles Buy and Sell. There are also a few outlets on the island, Praslin, but few shopping areas on the other islands. Larger hotels have boutiques but shopping in Seychelles is not one of the major attractions.

While visiting, be sure to buy the classic and traditional Seychelles souvenir, the coco-de-mer, or the 'nut of the sea,' a nut from trees native to the islands in the Seychelles - but this requires an export licence. Other locally made souvenirs, although not as unique, can be purchased like sea shell and pearl jewellery, textiles and straw hats, in addition to needlework and crochet, paintings by local artists and woodwork.

Tipping
Most service providers already include a service charge of 5–10%. Tipping is not obligatory in the Seychelles; however, any extra change is greatly appreciated.

Eat
Seychellois cuisine has been greatly influenced by the islands' rich cultures. Creole cooking, varied seafood dishes, coconuts and curries are the most popular. The main product of the country, fish, is cooked in a variety of ways. The red snapper is very tasty and well known to visitors.

There are restaurants that serve Chinese, Indian and Italian food as well as local cuisine.

Cheapest food: Collect coconuts on the beach and learn how to open them (not the shell, that's easy; they have a thick cover of natural fibres; to open it: hit the coconut very strongly many times on the edges, sooner or later the fibres break up).

Drink
Seychelles offers a fantastic nightlife scene that caters to tourists. The active nightlife is mostly located around the larger hotels and in addition to theatres, cinemas and discos, there are numerous fun and trendy restaurants.

Nightlife: Do not miss most popular nightclub "Lovenut" in the centre of Victoria, 100 metres walk from central taxi station. Also entertaining are "Tequila Boom" at (Bel Ombre) and "Katiolio" (near Anse Royale) night clubs. "Katiolio" was one of the first nightclubs to open on Mahe and is open-air beside the ocean.

If you enjoy a good beer, try the local Seybrew beer; it tastes similar to a light Bavarian-style beer and helps you through those balmy days. You can save yourself a packet buying the beer from stores on the side of the road like the locals do rather than from hotels.

A dark Takamaka rum on the beach under the stars is the best way to end a day on the Seychelles.

Sleep
The Seychelles are not tolerant of backpackers turning up at the airport without accommodation booked. In such a situation, you will likely be taken to a counter where you will have to book & pay for accommodation for the duration of your trip before being allowed through immigration. Visitors need to provide details of their accommodation on their landing card (Hotel Name, address, phone number), and additionally, will be questioned by the immigration officer about their accommodation details ("Is your booking at hotel  confirmed?", etc.)

The common perception of Seychelles only offering expensive accommodation is unfortunate as it is possible to find accommodation to fit most budgets. Some establishments will offer you a double room for two people starting at €65. At this price point you can expect a basic room, but you will have the Creole hospitality that has made this island so famous. However, most accommodation is relatively expensive and some islands have only one hotel. In fact, some of the islands aren't even permanently inhabited and accommodation can be found on fewer than 10. Your best bet for a budget bed is renting an apartment or bungalow, which are available at better rates. Also keep in mind that hotel prices greatly increase and accommodation can be hard to find during the peak seasons from December to January and July to August. Holidays such as Easter can also get very busy.

Most resorts can be found on the main islands of Mahe and Praslin. A few (very) high end ones, like the North Island, have their own private islands. Additionally, you will find an array of 'small hotels' which can feel exclusive.

Stay safe
Try to avoid any dark lanes, and always be careful not to leave your bag unattended. Swimming alone on isolated beaches is not advisable. If you sail, avoid bringing valuables; if you have no choice, become adept at finding great hiding places.

There is some sketchy activity along a shady secondary road behind Beau Vallon beach (left from the Boathouse restaurant) on Mahé, but locals mostly seem content to admire their flashy cars and mostly ignore passers-by.

There are tourist police stationed at every beach on Mahé and are easily recognizable by their blue or white golf shirts, with a tourist police badge sewn on. They are very friendly and more than willing to help keep a good eye, even though you may not see them. They are honest and freely offer advice. Potential thieves are obvious (mostly due to lurking and just stand out from the locals) and tend to hide just off the beach or across the narrow streets near more out of the way beaches. Jail terms are stiff and are strictly enforced since the island makes lots of money from tourism.

Stay healthy
Chikungunya virus is a disease spread by mosquitoes, and causes flu-like symptoms. It is increasing in concern and although it is rare to die from it, the joint pain it causes can last for months. Insect repellent can help deter mosquitoes but not much else can be done as a precaution. The disease is native to East Africa and occasionally is introduced and quickly eradicated.

Tap water is safe to drink in most areas of the Seychelles, but water quality is variable in undeveloped areas. It is recommended to drink bottled water only and to avoid bodies of fresh water like lakes, rivers, ponds, etc.

Limited medical services are available outside the capital city of Victoria.

Respect
The environment is a treasured aspect of Seychelles and there are more than 1,000 recorded species of fish around the islands and Aldabra, just one of the islands, is home to the largest population of giant tortoises in the world. Do the effort of respecting it and leaving it clean for visitors to come.

Connect
The Seychelles Tourism board is a great point of reference and they will be able to answer any and all questions you might have. Their website is www.seychelles.travel

Embassies and consulates
There are only six embassies and High Commissions, and another dozen or so consulates. The Chinese embassy is an attraction itself while the multilevel, colonial-era Victoria House on the corner of Francis Rachel & State House Streets is home to several of these consulates.

 * 🇧🇪 Belgium
 * 🇫🇷 France
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇮🇳 India
 * 🇲🇺 Mauritius
 * 🇳🇱 Netherlands
 * 🇳🇴 Norway
 * 🇸🇪 Sweden
 * 🇨🇭 Switzerland
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States

Go next

 * Try Comoros, Mauritius, and Madagascar. Many tourists travel to these alternative destinations because of their similarity and because accommodation and travel are less expensive there.

title: Seychelles


text:
Seychellois Creole phrasebook

Seychellois Creole (kreol or seselwa) is a language of the Seychelles.

Vowels
A - a (pronounced like the a in cat) E- e (pronounced like the a in date) I - i (pronounced like the i in kit) O - o (pronounced oh) U - u (pronounced like oo in zoo)

Consonants
B = b as in bait ; D = d as in date; F = f as in fate ; G = g as in gate ; K = k as in Kate ; L = l as in late ; N = n as in nate (unless preceded by a vowel and not followed by a vowel or another n in which case sounds like French nasal n) ; M = m as in mate ; P = p as in paste ; R = r as in rate ; S = s as in sate ; T = t as in Tate ; V = v as in vacate ; W = w as in wait ; Y = y as in Yate ; Z = z as in xylophone ;

Basics

 * Good morning : "Bonzour"
 * Goodnight : "Bonnwit"
 * Good evening : "Bonswar"
 * Hello. : . "Alo"
 * How are you? :  "Koma sava?"
 * Fine, thank you. :  "Byen mersi, ?"
 * What is your name? : "Ki mannyer ou apele?"
 * My name is [name] . :  "Mon apel [name]"
 * Nice to meet you. [Pleasure] : "Plezir"
 * Please. : "Silvouple"   Silvouple is pronounced Seelvooplay
 * Thank you. : "Mersi"
 * Yes. : "Wi"
 * No. : "Non"
 * Excuse me. : "Eskiz mwan"    Mwan is pronounced bluntly, similar to mwuh
 * I'm sorry. : "Pardon"     Pardon is pronounced bluntly, not like pardonn
 * Goodbye : "Orevwar"
 * Goodbye (informal) : "Bye"
 * I can't speak Seychellois Creole [well]. : "Mon pa konn koz kreol [byen]"
 * Do you speak English? : "Eski ou konn koz Angle?"    Angle (English) is pronounced as Anglay
 * Is there someone here who speaks English? : "Eski i annan en dimounn la ki konn koz Angle?"
 * Help! : "Ed mwan!"
 * Look out! : "Atansyon!"
 * Have a good evening. : "Pas en bon sware."     Sware is pronounced swaray
 * I don't understand. : "Mon pa konpran"
 * Where is the toilet? : "Oli twalet?"
 * What's up? : "Ki dil?"
 * What are you doing? : "Ki ou pe fer?"
 * Okay: "O.K"
 * Why? : "Akoz?"
 * What? : "Kwa?"
 * Who? : "Lekel?"
 * Where? : "Oli/kote?"
 * When? : "Kan"   like cuh sound in cousin, not like can.
 * Wait for me. : "Esper mwan"
 * How much is this? : "Konbyen sa?"
 * Hospital : "Lopital"
 * Hotel: "Lotel"
 * I'm sick : "Mon malad"
 * I got hurt : "Mon'n ganny blese"  Blese is pronounced blaysay
 * Don't touch me!
 * "Pa tous mwan!" Tous is pronounced Toos

 * I'm lost. : "Mon'n perdi."
 * I don't want that. : "Mon pa le sa."   Le like "la" in late.

Numbers

 * 1 : Enn
 * 2 : De
 * 3 : Trwa
 * 4 : Kat
 * 5 : Senk
 * 6 : Sis
 * 7 : Set
 * 8 : Wit
 * 9 : Nef
 * 10 : Dis
 * 20 : Ven
 * 50 : Senkant
 * 100 : San
 * 200 : Desan
 * 500 : Senksan

Clock time
midday - midi pronounced mee jee ; one o'clock - enn-er(er pronounced like air); two o'clock - dez-er (pronounced as days air); three o'clock - trwaz-er(as in Trois heure); four o'clock - kat-er(pronounced as cat were) ; five o'clock - senk-er(pronounced as sank air); six o'clock - siz-er(pronounced as seas air); seven o'clock - set-er (pronounced sayt air); eight o'clock - wit-er ( pronounced as weet air); nine o'clock - nef-er (pronounced knave air); ten o'clock - dis-er (pronounced jeez air); eleven o'clock - onz-er(pronounced oz air); midnight - minwi (pronounced mean wee);

bomaten - morning pronounced beau-mah-ten (blunt n); apremidi - afternoon pronounced ah-pray-me-dee ; aswar - night pronounced ass-waar ; lannwit - night time pronounced la-nou-hit ; lizour - daytime pronounced lee-zoor ; gran maten - early morning pronounced gran-mah-ten(blunt n)

Days

 * Lendi : Monday
 * Mardi : Tuesday
 * Merkredi : Wednesday
 * Zedi : Thursday
 * Vandredi : Friday
 * Sanmdi : Saturday
 * Dimans : Sunday

Months
January - Zanvye

February - Fevriye

March - Mars

April - Avril

May - Me

June - Zen

July - Zilyet

August - Out

September - Septanm (pronounced Sayp-tum)

October - Oktob

November - Novanm (pronounced No-vum)

December- Desanm (pronounced Day-sum)

Colors
rouz - red pronounced as wooze ; blan - white as in blunt, the n is silent ; ver - green pronounced as vair ; ble - blue pronounced blay ; zonn - yellow pronounced zohn ; nwanr - black pronounced nou arh ; gri - brown ; somon - pink prononced as so mon with a silent n ; oranz - orange pronounced as owanz

Bus and train
'Where is the bus stop?' 'Oli bus stop?'

' Which bus goes to....?Ki bis ki al......?'

Directions
l'es - east ; was - west ; nor - north ; sid - south ;

Taxi
' I want to go to....Mon le al....' (pronounced mo-lay-al)

' How much is it to.....Konbyen pou al.....' (pronounced comb-ye poo al)

Money

 * 1 Coin- "en roupi"
 * 5 Coin- "senk roupi"
 * 10 Coin- "dis roupi"
 * 25    - "vennsenk roupi"
 * 50    - "senkant roupi"
 * 100   - "san roupi"
 * 500   - "senksan rpupi"

Eating
' Where is a good restaurant?Kote ki annan en bon restoran?' (pronounced cotay-ki ana eh bon restowuh)

' What restaurant would you recommend?Ki restoran ou rekonmande?' (restaurant pronounced as 'restowuh' and 'rekommuhday')

Bars
Where is the ........ bar? 'Oli bar ......?' (you'd insert the name of the bar)

'Is there a local bar?' 'I anan en bar lokal?' (pronounced ee-ana eh bar lokal)

'Where is it?' 'Kote i ete?' (pronounced cotay ee aytay or cotay-yaytay)

Shopping
laboutik - shop Mon pe al laboutik - I am going to the shop

In side the shop (If you want to know the price for anything just ask them) konbyen sa?- how much is this?

Dir mwan? - Tell me

Mon bezwen sa enn,de - I need this one, two.

Donn mon en kouver - Give me a cover

Mersi - Thank you..

Ou kav fer moi en bon pri? - Could you make me a good pricing offer?

Driving
Cars drive on the left side of the road. Bus seem to have the right of away most of the time. Try not to get in its way.

Learning more
{Go there - they virtually all speak English!}

title: Seychellois Creole phrasebook


text:
Seymour

Seymour is a city in Southern Indiana. It is the "small town" home of rocker John Mellencamp.

By car

 * Interstate 65
 * U.S. Route 50
 * U.S. Route 31
 * Indiana State Highway 11
 * Indiana State Highway 258

Do
Shieldstown covered bridge. Built in 1876. Crosses the white river.

By phone
Most telephone numbers in Seymour consist of +1 812 plus a seven-digit number, but the entire 812 area is now served by an overlay complex of two area codes, with +1 930 being the second. A local or in-state telephone call now requires all 10 digits of the local number be dialed (omitting just the leading +1 from a local landline call).

Signage on many established businesses may still display the original seven-digit numbers; dial 812 before these if no area code is indicated.

Go next

 * Brown County,

title: Seymour


text:
Seymour (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Seymour.

Australia

 * Seymour (Victoria) is a town around 100km to the north of Melbourne on the Hume Freeway to Sydney

United States of America

 * Seymour is a small town in Indiana
 * Seymour is a town in Connecticut

title: Seymour (disambiguation)


text:
Seymour (Victoria)

Seymour is a town in Victoria about 100km north of Melbourne on the Hume Freeway.

History
The Taungurung (Daung wurrung) people are the traditional owners and inhabitants of the area Seymour now occupies. Specifically, it is the land of the Buthera Balug clan who occupied the area when Europeans first settled the region in the early 1800s. In 1824, Hume and Hovell on their return from Port Phillip, camped by the Goulburn River not far upstream of Seymour. In 1836 Major Thomas Mitchell crossed the Goulburn at Mitchellstown and soon afterwards overlanders and other early settlers began to use this crossing place on the Melbourne–Sydney route (now known as the Hume Highway). The mail service between Melbourne and Sydney had been operating for just a year when it was found that a better route was available using the "New Crossing Place".

The Robert Burns Inn was operating there by the end of 1839. In 1841 the Government decided that the new crossing place was the likely spot for a town. Plans were laid before the Executive Council of NSW and Mitchell proposed the name Seymour which was approved on 21 December 1843. The town was named after Lord Seymour, the son of the 11th Duke of Somerset. The Post Office opened on 1 July 1844. The railway arrived in 1872 along with substantial infrastructure to support it, establishing the town as an important rail hub for the Goulburn Valley, the Melbourne–Sydney railway and North Eastern Victoria. It was one of the first Victorian examples of the railway town phenomenon, in the heyday of the railway it employed 400 men and along with their families comprised one-third of the town, or 1500 people.

Climate
The climate of Seymour is usually around 10-20 all year around, but can get to the high 30s in summer and negatives in the winter

By train
There are three V/line train lines that run to Seymour, with one being the Seymour line itself, and the other two being the Albury line and the Shepparton line. Bookings are not required for trains terminating at Seymour, and myki cards are valid.

By car
Seymour is about a two hour drive from Melbourne via the Hume Fwy and a 1.5 hour drive from Albury. It's a full freeway road to get here though.

See

 * Wineries
 * Wineries

title: Seymour (Victoria)


text:
Sfax

Sfax is on the east coast of Tunisia, approximately midway on the highway between Tunis and the border with Libya.

By car
A highway connects Sfax to northern cities like Tunis and Sousse.

By train
Train connections are available from the train station in the centre of Sfax to most major Tunisian cities. The main station, is located just north of the city centre.

Trains go south to Gabes for the Ksour district or sites where Star Wars was filmed, or north to El Djem, Sousse or Tunis. Trains have 3 classes of travel: 2nd class, 1st class and Confort. The last is recommended, especially when the train is crowded, since the inspector will move passengers out of seats where they don't belong. The Confort class is a separate section within one of the 1st class coaches, the smaller section, with about 24 seats. (Often locals do not realise this, and will sit there until moved on by the inspector, or wiser souls.)

By bus
There are two has bus stations in Sfax. Soretras, which is the regional bus company, and may not offer A/C buses, is on Rue Commondant Bejaoui, a few blocks past the central market.

SNTRI Bus station, which offers long distance buses, may be marked incorrectly on some travel guide maps. It is not across from the regional bus station, but is roughly 400 m to the south, over the train tracks. It is probably best to take a taxi there, especially in the summer (less than 2 DT from the Medina/Blvd Republique). The bus station is in the same building as the Tunisair office.

By louage
The louage is a minibus of about 9 passengers. The is located beyond the western end of Avenue Bourguiba, about 1½ km from the railway station (and so is worth a taxi fare). The louage driver will wait until the bus is full, which may mean an hour or more at quiet times, or to infrequent destinations. A wait for a ride to Tunis, El Djem or Sousse should not take too long, but if you are in a hurry and there is only one or two seats left, offer to pay for an extra seat or two.

By boat
Sfax is the gateway to the Kerkennah Islands, 20 kilometers off the coast. Sonotrak has up to eight daily departures. The is located on 5 Ave Mohamed Hédi Khefacha.

Get around
Public transport is easily available in Sfax.

Taxis are economical, and getting around in the downtown area should cost less than 2 DT per ride. For example, this would include from Bab Bhar (south of the Medina) to Sfax Jdiid (north of the Medina), or from the Railway station to Hotel Syphax.

Buses are rarely used by tourists, since they are irregular, slow and crowded. If you are going to a destination on one of the roads that radiate out of the city, a taxi might cost about 3.500 DT to kilometer 8, for example. A bus would only cost 0.510 DT. These buses depart from locations around the Medina (mostly to the north or to the east). The site www.ecfi-t.com has a useful map of bus routes, and other information about Sfax.

See

 * Dar Siala and Maison de la photographie (Dar Kammoun), cultural centres and art galleries
 * Dar Siala and Maison de la photographie (Dar Kammoun), cultural centres and art galleries
 * Dar Siala and Maison de la photographie (Dar Kammoun), cultural centres and art galleries
 * Dar Siala and Maison de la photographie (Dar Kammoun), cultural centres and art galleries
 * Dar Siala and Maison de la photographie (Dar Kammoun), cultural centres and art galleries

Do
Wander around the fascinating Medina (which has an easily mastered and logical layout) where life and business go on much as they have for years and where tourists, although welcome, are few and far between.

Ride to Kerkenna on the ferry, with 8 trips a day costing about 800 millimes each way. In Kerkenna, get a taxi to the Hotel Cercina where you can walk the beach, or sit on their patio and enjoy tea looking over the bay. Check the times of the ferry's return, and make sure you get a taxi back in time! From the Grand Hotel you an also walk the beach, with your destination, the old Bourj, visible in the distance. About 1½ km each way, so give yourselves time to enjoy it. The Roman ruins beside the Bourj are opened to public as well.

Buy
You can find a lot of shops in downtown area.

Eat

 * Chez Chouaib, sea food restaurant in the medina.
 * Chez Chouaib, sea food restaurant in the medina.
 * Chez Chouaib, sea food restaurant in the medina.
 * Chez Chouaib, sea food restaurant in the medina.
 * Chez Chouaib, sea food restaurant in the medina.

Drink

 * Café Lemdina, a cultural coffee shop in the medina as well
 * Café Lemdina, a cultural coffee shop in the medina as well
 * Café Lemdina, a cultural coffee shop in the medina as well
 * Café Lemdina, a cultural coffee shop in the medina as well
 * Café Lemdina, a cultural coffee shop in the medina as well

Budget
Budget accommodations include several hotels immediately inside the medina from the main gate (Bab Diwan), just off to the right. Of these, Hotel Besbes is considered as the least worst of these.

Splurge

 * Dar Baya, a restored old house in the medina of Sfax.
 * Dar Baya, a restored old house in the medina of Sfax.
 * Dar Baya, a restored old house in the medina of Sfax.
 * Dar Baya, a restored old house in the medina of Sfax.
 * Dar Baya, a restored old house in the medina of Sfax.

Go next

 * Catch the ferry out to the Kerkennah Islands, where traditional fishing methods are still practiced today.
 * Head south for Tataouine and its Berber influences.
 * If you have a visa which permits, continue on the coast road into Libya.
 * Travel southwest (via Gabes) to the town of Matmata and its Star Wars film-set hotel.

title: Sfax


text:
Sfântu Gheorghe

There is more than one place called Sfântu Gheorghe in Romania:

 * 1) Sfântu Gheorghe (Covasna) - a city in Covasna county, Transylvania
 * 2) Sfântu Gheorghe (Tulcea) - a village in Tulcea county, Danube Delta

title: Sfântu Gheorghe


text:
Sfântu Gheorghe (Covasna)

Sfântu Gheorghe (in Romanian) or Sepsiszentgyörgy (in Hungarian) (English: Saint George; Deutsch: Sankt Georgen; Yiddish: סנט דשזארדזש) is a municipality and city in the central Romanian region of Transylvania. It lies on the Olt River in a valley between the Baraolt and Bodoc Mountains. Sfântu Gheorghe is the capital of Covasna County. The villages of Chilieni/Kilyén and Coşeni/Szotyor are also administratively part of Sfântu Gheorghe Municipality.

Get in
Sfântu Gheorghe lies about 220 km from Bucuresti, 1,790 km from Berlin, 990 km from Wien, 780 km from Budapest, 280 km from Cluj Napoca, 32 km from Brasov, and 66 km from Miercurea Ciuc.

By train
You can get to Sfantu Gheorghe by train very easily. There are direct trains from Bucharest, Brasov, Cluj-Napoca, Baia Mare, Satu Mare, Miercurea Ciuc, Targu Mures, Iasi, and Suceava.

Trains are either called IR (Inter Regio) for long distance trains that stop only in major towns or Regio for commuter trains. Some IR trains have sleeper coaches.

There are two international trains stopping in the city, both providing a direct link with Budapest, Hungary.

By car
From Brasov - on national road DN 11, then take left in Chichis (Kokos) to DN 12.

From Targu-Mures (Marosvásárhely) - on national road DN 13, take a left at Feldioara (Barcaföldvár) to DN 13E.

From Miercurea Ciuc - on national road DN 12.

By plane
Wizz Air operates international flights to several countries from Transylvania Airport at Targu-Mures, a 2½-hour drive from the town. Bucharest Henri Coanda Airport is also about the same distance from the city, serving many international flights operated by regular and low-cost airlines. Sibiu airport is also at the same distance.

By bus
Even if the town is quite small, a ride with the bus will take you quick from one point to another. The ticket for one journey is 1.30 lei, but usually, you may buy a 2-journey ticket for 2.60 lei. There are several lines that will take you through the town: number 1 - Simeria - Central Park - Rail Station; number 2 - Simeria - Central Park - Ciucului - Rail Station; number 3 - Central Market - Central Park - Rail Station and other buses will take you in the villages round the town: number 4 - Simeria - Central Park - Ciucului - Rail Station - Campu Frumos

By taxi
If you want to take the taxi, it will take you in a short time - about 5-10 minutes - anywhere in town you like. If you want, you can take the taxi outside the town, but it is more expensive. There are many taxi hubs, in the city centre there is one directly across the theater, another one in front of Sugas department store.

By car
Due to the size of the city, it doesn't make much sense to use a car. Parking in the center can be problematic and relative expensive (3 lei/hr). Traffic is not bad, except a few minutes in the morning and afternoon in certain places, mostly around schools. Just walk or if you are in hurry or have to travel from one end to the other, use a taxi.

There are a few local car rental offices, but there are no multinational, big rental companies in the city. See at Mida (pages only in Romanian).

See
The area has almost 40 species of endemic orchids that can be seen. If you wish to see them, contact the Romanian Orchid Lovers Club, based in Rasnov 20 km from Brasov.

Do
Going out in town, you will find pubs with good music and nice atmosphere. A nice walk in the central park will be very relaxing. You can visit the surrounding villages and take a look at the fortified churches typical of the area.
 * Football: Sepsi play soccer in Liga 1, the top tier. Their Sepsi Arena (capacity 8400) is 2 km north of town centre.
 * Hiking, trail running and mountain biking: there are many marked hiking trails, mountain bike routes used around the city. Beware of the bears, make noise, have a pepper spray and the shepherd dogs.
 * Hiking, trail running and mountain biking: there are many marked hiking trails, mountain bike routes used around the city. Beware of the bears, make noise, have a pepper spray and the shepherd dogs.

Buy
There are several hypermarkets and supermarkets along the Olt river bench (Str. Lunca Oltului / Oltmező utca) where you can buy food, clothing, electronics, tinkering stuff, etc., but they are not served by local buses.

Eat
Kürtőskalács are a type of Hungarian sweet pastry. There is good ice cream in the Aria sweet shop and patiseria (close to the Sugás shopping center). Some other good sweet shops are around the central park.

Drink
Palinca or Pálinka is the best known alcoholic beverage in town like in all Transylvania. Beer is also one of the favourite drink in the town. There is a tea house (Tein) near the central park, and several pubs around the city, some with parties at weekends.

Go next

 * Arcuș (Árkos) a village nearby with a castle and castle garden (closed to the public as of May 2023) and a lake
 * Târgu Secuiesc (Hungarian: Kézdivásárhely) the second biggest town in the county with a nice central square and unique street architecture around it
 * Lake St. Ann (Lacul Sfânta Ana / Szent Anna tó) the only crater lake in Romania and one of the few in Europe
 * Sulfur Cave close to the above lake, near the Hotel Bálványos
 * Brașov the biggest city in the area

title: Sfântu Gheorghe (Covasna)


text:
Sfântu Gheorghe (Tulcea)

Sfântu Gheorghe is a village in the far south east corner of the Danube Delta in Romania, approximately 1 km from the Black Sea coast.

Understand
In this small and remote village lies a remarkably large cinema-resort, which is home to the Anonimul International Independent Film Festival which is held for a month during summertime. Few people - most of them young and beautiful - get there to be young and beautiful. It's about having found a haven for cinema-lovers from all over the world, gathered together in a rather remote place, which gives the town some special atmosphere.

If you want a mini-trip to dip in the Black Sea briefly and go 'see the Delta' for one hour, Sfântu Gheorge is not the best place to go.

Get in
The village can only be reached with a minimum 2-hour river boat trip (on the fast ferry, €10) from Tulcea on Mondays and Wednesdays leaving at 1:30PM returning at 7am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The slow ferry also leaves at 1:30PM from Tulcea to Sfantu Gheorghe on Tuesdays and Fridays and returning on Wednesdays and Sundays to Tulcea. The slow ferry costs €6 and takes about 5½ hours to reach the village. The boats only sails 3 times per week / direction. Only passengers, no vehicles except bicycles (limited). All ferries are operated by Navrom. See Navrom Delta for the boat schedule (choose Tulcea - Sfantul Gheorghe).

Get around
Hardly any paved streets. Its a very small village, and you can walk over the dirt road to the beach.

There is also a semipublic traffic for the 2,5 km on the main street from center of village to the beach with trailers drawn by tractors or SUV. Some cars extended to certain accomodations. Fee is 2023 5 Lei per ride / person.

Buy
There is no ATM in the village, so take a few Lei from onshore, but on most points of sale you can pay even small amounts with card or better with mobile payment.

Buying things is generally limited, don't expect any touristical choice except for beverages. One very small supermarket. Several even smaller 'magazin mixt'. Many visitors bring hoarded supplies with the ferry (carried by foot, 3-wheel-bike transport in village available).

Eat
Sturgeon. This fish is offered on almost any eatery in Sfãntu Gheorghe, there must be harvest in abundance. The several species are endangered and therefore not in menu on the continent, but if you pass on it, they would not capture less. Sturgeon is mainly served as steak, it has nearly no small bones.

Sleep
At the cinema resort are also a campsite and an extremely high-prized hotel (more than most 5* in Bucuresti). The campsite has approximately 50 huts called 'casuta' to let for a small rate, each 2 beds, electricity, no water, instead accumulated individual bathrooms. In main season better make a reservation! Crowded by families. Evening: disco or blockbusters in open air movie.

There are few further hotel-style 'pensiunea' as well as many b&b pensiunea, which need booking in advance, because spontaneous accommodation may fail: owners are not present on site.

title: Sfântu Gheorghe (Tulcea)


text:
Shaanxi

Shaanxi (陕西; Shǎnxī), pronounced roughly Shahn-see, is a north-central province of China, and includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River as well as the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of the province.

Cities

 * - Capital city of Shaanxi Province, starting point of the ancient Silk Road, known for its army of terracotta warriors.
 * - center of Chinese revolution in 1937, nicknamed the "Cradle of the Revolution"
 * - garrison town on the Great Wall of China in the time of the Ming dynasty
 * - garrison town on the Great Wall of China in the time of the Ming dynasty
 * - In historically, Hanzhong for a time became a place where armies fought, such as Liu Bang, Zhu Geliang etc
 * - The origin of the Zhou-Qin Dynasty, "the town of Chinese bronzes"

Other destinations

 * (Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor)
 * (Hukou Falls at Yellow River)
 * in Lintong
 * in Heyang (Qiachuan: Locally pronounced Hechuan)
 * in Baoji
 * in Baoji

Understand
Shaanxi is a land-locked province in the middle reaches of the Yellow River. During a span of 1,100 years, 13 dynasties had their capital cities in Shaanxi, with a total of 73 emperors ruling supreme there. The land of Shaanxi is dotted with 60 paleoanthropologic, Paleolithic and Neolithic sites, 72 large-scale tombs of emperors, 20 or so imperial palaces, 2,604 ancient buildings, and 1,200 old temples and monasteries. Overall, you could say that Shaanxi Province is a colossal natural and historical museum for the world to visit.

Get in
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport

Eat
Shaanxi has its own cuisine which is rather different than the more commonly experienced Cantonese, Beijing, Shanghai or Sichuan cuisines. Shaanxi cuisine is particularly noted for its noodles, which come in many shapes and sizes and come accompanied with many different types of sauce. One is noteworthy for its name: biangbiang noodles (面, biángbiáng miàn), very wide, thick, chewy noodles in a sauce and topped with lots of hot chili peppers, have a name that can't even be written on most computers! The character for biáng — which refers to the sound made when stretching the noodles by pulling them and slapping them on the table — is arguably the most complex Chinese characters that's in frequent use, and hasn't been added to standard computer character sets yet.

Go next

 * Gansu
 * Ningxia
 * Inner Mongolia
 * Shanxi
 * Henan
 * Hubei

title: Shaanxi