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Baise

Baise (百色; Bǎisè) is a city and prefecture in North Guangxi.

Understand
Baise Prefecture is in northwestern Guangxi covering an area of 3,726 km² and holds a population of over 4.2 million (2019). The landscape is dominated by mountains and forests with the highest areas in the northwest. The city is in a bassin in the middle of the prefecture and is encircled by mountains.

Baise has mild and dry winters, and hot and humid summers. In the mountains, especially in northwest of the prefecture, the climate is somewhat cooler.

Baise is worth visiting for its landscape, for being the spot for one of the most famous communist rebellions and for the numerous ethnic groups being represented here.

By train
The railway from Nanning to Kunming runs through the city.

By car
Nanning-Kunming, Shantou-Kunming, and Baotou-Youyi Pass Expressways, State Highway 323 and State Highway 324 run through the city.

Get around
The city has more than ten city bus routes, primarily covering the central part of town. There are also plenty of taxis.

The railway station is at the northeast end of Jinzhan Rd (进站路, bus 1 will take you there, telephone +86 776 2825862). The long distance bus station is at Chengbei 1st Rd (城北一路, many of the local buses will take you there, telephone +86 776 2987262).

Eat
The area grows lots of fruits. Try the mango, hawthorn, fennel and pekoe.

Drink
Dong Ethnicity Liquor（侗族酒）: The Dong ethnic group is a minority in the Baise region, known for its unique culture and culinary traditions. Dong Ethnicity Liquor is likely a locally traditional brewed alcoholic beverage, and its taste may vary depending on the brewing methods.

Dong Ethnicity Rice Wine（侗族米酒）: Rice wine is a common traditional beverage in the Guangxi region, and Dong Ethnicity Rice Wine in Baise is likely crafted from locally unique varieties of rice, offering a distinctive flavor.

Guangxi Sour Plum Soup（广西酸梅汤）: Sour Plum Soup is a refreshing and thirst-quenching beverage made from sour plums and rock sugar. In hot weather, it is a popular choice for cooling down.

Guangxi Longan Sugar Water（广西龙眼糖水）: Longan Sugar Water is a traditional sweet dessert in Guangxi, made by simmering fresh longan fruit with rock sugar and water, providing a delightful and sweet taste.

Bitter Gourd Juice（苦瓜汁）: In some places in Baise, Bitter Gourd Juice is frequently consumed. This refreshing and beneficial beverage is known for its health benefits.

Sleep
Baise Hengyuan Grand Hotel百色恒源大酒店(新兴路店)18 Xinxing Road, Youjiang District, Baise City

title: Baise


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Baishan

Baishan (白山 Báishān) is a city in Jilin Province in China.

Understand
Baishan is neighbor to cities of Yanbian, Tonghua and Jilin. Yalujiang River separates it from North Korea in the south. Baishan is covered with mountains, hills and valleys with rivers winding across. Lava tableland is a special geographic feature of the land.

It is wonderful to visit Baishan in every season of a year. Each year in summer, autumn and winter, the city holds different tourism festivals such as Wild Flowers Festival in spring, Red Leaves Festival in autumn as well as Ice and Snow Festival in winter. Be aware that, owing to its mountainous terrain and northerly latitude, the region has some of the coldest winters in China.

Get in
By train from Jilin city or Changchun city, via Tonghua, however the train is slow and the physical condition is poor.

Eat
The local cuisine is a fusion of North-Eastern Chinese with strong Korean influences. The Changbai mountains are rich in mushroom varieties, many of which are hard to find anywhere else in the world. Some varieties such as cloud ear fungus, lingzhi and ginseng are highly prized in China and also make excellent gifts.

Drink
Songhua River Water (松花江水): As White Mountain City is situated in the Songhua River Basin, you can savor the crisp and refreshing Songhua River water, which is a pure and natural water source.

Songhua Lake Liquor (松花湖酒): Songhua Lake is one of the famous attractions in White Mountain City, and the local area may produce some alcoholic beverages inspired by Songhua Lake, such as Songhua Lake Liquor.

Herbal Tea from Forest Harvest (林区采摘的草本茶): The mountainous areas of White Mountain City likely offer herbal teas crafted from plants harvested in the forests, presenting a fresh and invigorating taste.

Go next

 * Changbaishan National Nature Reserve

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

title: Baishan


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Baitadi

Baitadi (or Baitadi Khalanga) is a town in Nepal. It is 30 km along the road from the Indian border to the west at Kanari, Uttarkhanda, across the Mahakali River.

Get in
Baitadi is a 10-hour bus ride from Dhangadhi.

Get around
The Mid-Hill Highwat (F50) runs through the town.

See
Natural sights and Hindu temples are the main attractions in Baitadi.
 * River Nilgarh

Eat

 * Main Market is Jhulaghat or Gothalapani for Bartoli.
 * Roti & Rice

Sleep
You may find a hotel or 3-4 km east of the town on the Mid-Hill Highway.

Cope
Medical care is available from the Dehimandu Health Post, which sits on the main road.

Ninglashaini Pharmacy and Sunit Bhatta pharmacy also sit on the main road.

Go next

 * Bartoli
 * Kulau

title: Baitadi


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Baja California

 * For the town in Hungary, see Baja (Hungary).

A Mexican peninsula extending into the Pacific Ocean from the southern end of the US state of California, Baja California provides some of Mexico's most dramatic sea and landscapes. This includes everything from vast and remote deserts, dormant volcanoes, and wonderful old mission towns. The first political capital of "old California" is found here as well as many remnants of the colonial past. Camping and hiking opportunities are plentiful, and much of the region is sparsely or even unpopulated. Baja California is also home to world class surfing, sailing and deep sea fishing destinations. Lastly, traditionally the peninsula has provided south-of-the-border fun for youthful miscreants from the USA in both the border region to the north and more recently at the far end of the peninsula in the resort towns of Los Cabos. The Baja California peninsula is one of the longest in the world and offers an interesting mix of cultures with a wonderful combination of Latin American, Spanish, pre-Hispanic, and Anglo influences. It varies greatly even from the Mexican "mainland" with its own lifestyle and identity within Mexico.

Cities

 * — largest city in Baja California and gateway to Mexico, just south across the border from San Diego
 * — a bustling resort town and hub for sport fishermen, cruise ships, handicraft vendors, water sport aficionados and nightlife seekers
 * — "the Beautiful Cinderella of the Pacific" is an important commercial, fishing port, and cruise ship port
 * — the city still holds some glimpses of the old magic
 * — a resort town regarded as one of the best places for fishing
 * — a popular destination for day-trippers from California, just across the border
 * — popular for deep sea fishing, kayaking, cave tours, and bird watching
 * — a major tourist destination that is less commercial than Cabo San Lucas, and has retained its charming historic center

Other destinations

 * — this sport-fishing hot spot provides access to the many islands of this part of the northern Gulf of California
 * – Hot spring oasis out in the wilderness
 * — a remote island that is a destination for diving excursions to see Great White Sharks
 * (Gaudalupe Valley) — Mexico's top wine country
 * - whale sanctuary, desert, and mountains with pre-historic cave drawings

Itineraries

 * Baja Whale Trail - a trip to the breeding and birthing areas of several whale species along the coast of Baja California Sur and in the mid to upper reaches of the Sea of Cortez

Understand
Baja California means Lower California in Spanish, and indeed it is directly south of the U.S. state. Much of Baja's coastline is composed of beautiful beaches. In general, the Gulf of California side is much less exposed to the open sea as the western shore. Therefore, it tends to be less rocky and more sandy than the Pacific side. The Pacific side is ideal for surfing whereas the eastern shoreline is potentially more inviting to beach-goers. The central and southern sections are home to remote and extremely desolate deserts which include substantial mountains, large sand dunes, towering cacti and dormant volcanoes projecting an almost alien landscape similar to parts of the American Southwest. Into A Desert Place is non-fiction account of a circumnavigation of Baja California by foot.

Talk
As in most of Mexico some Spanish can go a long way and is greatly appreciated. Many locals have been to or even worked in the US, so knowledge of English is high, particularly in the north along the border and in the tourist towns of Los Cabos and La Paz. All Mexican school children also receive English education from secondary school on.

By plane

TIJ and SJD are the two largest airports in the Baja California peninsula with frequent flights from all over Mexico. There are also direct international flights from the United States, Canada and Great Britain into San Jose del Cabo and from China to Tijuana as well as surface transport from San Diego California to Tijuana Airport, via multiple bus lines. There are also three smaller, regional airports in Baja California with connections from Mexico and the USA (and seasonally from Canada) which may be closer to your final destination:
 * Smaller airport 178 km east of Tijuana with domestic flights from Mexico.
 * Smaller airport 178 km east of Tijuana with domestic flights from Mexico.
 * Smaller airport 178 km east of Tijuana with domestic flights from Mexico.

By bus
Bus service in Mexico is superior to that of the US, with modern, comfortable buses for long-distance travel. The following are bus companies connecting Tijuana to the Mexican mainland via Mexicali and to the U.S. via San Diego:

See By bus under Get in in the Tijuana, San Diego, San Ysidro and Los Angeles articles for an extended list of bus companies connecting travelers from mainland Mexico, the San Joaquin Valley of (Alta) California and the American Southwest into Baja California via Southern California. See By bus under Get around in below for a list of bus companies serving the Baja California Peninsula.

By car
Border crossings
 * SanYsidroBorderCrossing.JPG Diego (San Ysidro) / Tijuana - The main border crossing for most tourist & local traffic. Buses crossing the border cross through here.
 * San Diego / Otay Mesa - Nearest border crossing to Tijuana Intl. Airport and the industrial zones of Otay Mesa east of Tijuana. Alternative border crossing for travelers, main crossing for trucks going in both directions.
 * CBX / Tijuana Intl. Airport - This border crossing connects the main airport terminal in Tijuana to the CBX terminal in San Diego and is available to foot traffic only. This border crossing allows vehicular "access" to Tijuana Intl. Airport from San Diego without driving across the border into Mexico and then waiting in long tedious lines to return to the United States.
 * Tecate - Access to highway MEX 3, La Ruta Vino, gateway to the Valle_de_Guadalupe wine country. Good crossing for travelers who want to avoid the long lines at San Ysidro.
 * Calexico / Mexicali
 * Mexicali (east) Airport and maquiladoras
 * Yuma / San Luis Rio Colorado

By train
There are no regularly scheduled trains entering Baja California from the USA or through the Baja California Peninsula, but Amtrak has service to downtown San Diego from Los Angeles. From there transfer to the local SDMTS UC San Diego Blue Line Train (trolley) to the other end of the line in San Ysidro where you can cross to Tijuana by foot, and take onward buses to elsewhere in the peninsula (See 'By bus' under 'Get around' in below).

By foot
Popular option, especially in cities and towns.

By bicycle
This is the best way to travel, but often impractical given the extremely long distances between towns and the presence of hot, dry desert conditions.

By car
Many people travel from the USA and Canada to Baja California by car, RV, or motorcycle. The Transpeninsular Highway (Carretera Transpeninsular) (Fed Hwy 1/1D) is well maintained, but it is very narrow and winding in many places. The middle section is the most remote and desolate. Driving it alone can be a serious challenge and driving at night is not recommended. Horses and cows, in addition to other wildlife often cross the road or stray right into the road! This is a serious hazard. The other major hazard are the driving habits of Mexican nationals, who can be very reckless at times. Trucks in particular are very dangerous and be alert whenever anyone is passing, or head on collisions may result. While well kept and clean and friendly, the Pemex stations are not always open or may run out of gas. Always drive on a full tank of gas in Baja California whenever possible! There are numerous checkpoints manned by the Mexican Army along the highway. It is mandatory to stop. The soldiers are only interested in illegal drugs or guns. They are very professional in general. They have the right to search your car or RV and ask what your destination is. Always have your Mexican FMM tourist card and passport ready. Once they have determined you are not a drug smuggler, you will be on your way. They are staffed 24 hours a day.

Mexican auto liability insurance is now required throughout the country.

By plane
Flying is a more reasonable option for crossing large expanses of the Peninsula. Calafia and Volaris connect Tijuana to San Jose del Cabo and Loreto while Alaska Airlines offer connections to San Jose del Cabo and Loreto from Los Angeles and only to San Jose del Cabo from San Diego. American, Delta, Southwest and United offer flights only to San Jose del Cabo from Los Angeles.

By bus
The main bus companies connecting the towns and cities along the Transpeninsular Highway (MX Hwy 1/1D) between Tijuana and San José del Cabo are:

By bicycle
There is a slow but steady trickle of travelers riding their bicycles in Baja California. On the Transpeninsular Highway this is fairly straightforward. It's easy to find the way, and in populated areas small shops or restaurants can be expected almost daily, and there are plenty of good wild campsites, and RV parks. A traditional touring, or hybrid bike is an excellent choice for the Transpeninsular. The middle stretch of the road and the peninsula present regions that are both very mountainous and desolate. Riding a bike on the numerous other roads would certainly require a mountain bike, and would be preferable with a support vehicle due to the difficulty in acquiring basic supplies (the main concern being water) and the difficulty carrying baggage on rough roads. Trying to travel by bike unsupported off the Transpeninsular is for those who don't distinguish between masochism and adventure. Either on or off the Transpeninsular, good quality tires, lots of patches, spare tubes, and other puncture resistant measures are important, due to the large numbers of vicious thorns. Drivers on the Transpeninsular Highway are often very reckless, however most drivers treat cyclists with more respect (perhaps due to their novelty) than cyclists get elsewhere in North America. If one chooses to bike in what is normally a very hot climate and incredibly remote region at times, the whole endeavor should only be undertaken with much prudence and planning.

There are two highways going south from Tijuana: 1 and 1d. 1d is a lot safer safer because it's a toll road so it has a shoulder and few cars. But you're not allowed to ride on it, so the police might tell you to take the next exit. Worth trying anyway, unless you would rather avoid interacting with the police, even if it means taking the highway with heavy motor traffic and no shoulder. Baja California's main highway Number "1" is marked with literally hundreds of crosses marking spots where drivers met their untimely end.

There is also mention on the internet of the "Baja Divide", which seems to be an off-the-paved road, sometimes-sandy journey through Baja for bicyclists.

Right on red is illegal.

By thumb
Most of the people you meet will tell you that you are crazy for hitching, but pick you up none the less. In-town hitching is much more widely accepted and you will often see trucks filled with people in the back. The biggest problem with hitching across Baja California is that the amount of traffic depends heavily on the tourist season. Surfers are a good bet for a ride, at least across Baja California's north. Expect that traversing the entire peninsula will take you between 3.5-4 days, less in the tourist season. Be adamant about not carrying drugs when your driver asks if you are carrying any. Your average wait is about an hour and a half, but do not be surprised if you wait up to four.

Tip your driver. Minimum wage in Mexico is the equivalent of US$11 per day in 2023.

See

 * Bahia Concepcion
 * Petroglyphs
 * Missions
 * The Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California — a UNESCO world heritage site, shared with three other Mexican states

Do

 * Whale watching The waters off Baja California are home to several species of great whales including blue, fin, Bryde's, humpback, orca, sperm, and many others. This is perhaps the richest area in the world for whale and dolphin diversity. The world's entire population of gray whales breeds in the lagoons on the west side of the peninsula.
 * Diving and Snorkeling Excellent scuba, free diving, and snorkeling. Great white shark cage diving off Guadalupe Island. Hammerhead schools over a seamount near La Paz. The Gulf of California holds a fantastic diversity of marine life for accessible to divers and snorkelers. The convergence of tropical influences from the south and temperate conditions from the north bring together an amazing array of species. Local dive shops and charters are available.
 * Kayaking Camping kayak tours of the wilderness islands in the Loreto Marine National Park with access to prime whale watching and snorkeling.
 * Fishing This region has long been regarded as one of the best places for fishing. Marlin, sailfish, tuna, yellowtail, wahoo, roosterfish, and dorado are abundant in the blue waters surrounding the peninsula.
 * Cave Paintings Various archaeological sites can be toured in the rugged mountains.
 * The SCORE Baja 500 and Baja 1000 off-road races explore some of the more remote regions of the peninsula and attract participants and tourists from Mexico and the U.S.

Road trips (routes)

 * Tijuana - Mexicali (Mex-2)
 * Tijuana - Cabo San Lucas (Mex-1)
 * Mexicali - San Felipe (Mex-5)
 * Ensenada - Crucero de Trinidad (Mex-3)
 * Tecate - Ensenada (Mex-3): Do this as a wine tour. There are at least 10 wineries along the route, some with tours and tasting rooms, and additional wine tasting rooms can be found in Ensenada. Salud!

Eat
Fresh seafood is the hallmark of Baja cuisine with excellent ceviche and lobster tails available throughout the peninsula. Baja California is famous for fish tacos; there is some disagreement about whether they were "invented" in San Felipe or Ensenada - try both and make up your own mind! Grilled fish steaks (swordfish, tuna, marlin) is common in many of the sport fishing communities, particularly Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

Traditional Baja cuisine includes some unexpected treats. Grilled quail and pheasant are old-style Baja dishes, as is grilled rabbit. In some places, you may be find restaurants (usually small places that do not cater to tourists) where indigenous dishes are served. This is most likely in Ensenada and the Guadalupe Valley, where you may encounter vestiges of Kumiai, Kiliwa, or Cochimi culture.

Mexicali's Chinese restaurants are well-known. They date from the 1880s when U.S. anti-immigrant racist laws pushed many Chinese across the border into Mexico. The Chinese didn't go far, but rather established a permanent presence in Mexicali. Mexicali Chinese restaurants are credited with beginning the fusion of Chinese cuisine with ingredients common to Mexico, for example, preparing dishes with jicama. Chinese-Mexican fusion cuisine can be found in many parts of Mexico, but Mexicali has a concentrated community of them and the longest history.

Baja Med cuisine is a modern fusion of nuevo Mexican cooking with Mediterranean flavors and ingredients, especially olives and olive oil. This style of cooking is very popular in the Guadalupe Valley.

There are "restaurants" scattered along the length of the Mex-1 highway and on many beaches throughout the peninsula. Most of them are people's houses, where they have a couple of tables set up on a porch. Unless you are proficient in Spanish, expect the menu to be totally foreign with no references to Americanized Mexican food, and expect almost zero translation help from the owners. But, if you just pick something that interests you, chances are it will be delicious and unlike anything you've eaten before.

Drink
Beer is often sold by the case, from local distributors. Keep the empties. The deposit makes up a large portion of the price, and the bottles are not just recycled - they're washed out and reused!

The Tecate brewery is in its namesake city, in the mountains between Tijuana and Mexicali on Highway 2. Small craft breweries can be found almost everywhere in Mexico and in Baja they are in Tijuana, Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe.

Locals distill their own mezcals from various species of agave and similar plants. One common drink called the vampiro is tequila and sangrita (not sangria).

The valleys of Guadalupe, Santo Tomas, and Ojos Negros near Ensenada are known for their great wineries. Ensenada valleys account for more than 90% of Mexico's wine production. Although not yet as famous as their northern neighbor, Baja wines are steadily gaining worldwide recognition.

Stay safe
Scofflaws — gringos getting drunk, using drugs or visiting prostitutes — are the most likely to experience Mexico's legal system. Most laws in Baja California, though less frequently enforced, carry more severe penalties than they do in the United States.

Bandits (Bandidos) are more urban legend than reality, though there are occasional reports of robberies on remote highways. Crime is more common in Northern Baja California, especially between Tijuana and Ensenada. Robberies and carjackings that target U.S. surfers en route to camping spots along the 780-mile Baja California peninsula have occurred.

Violent crimes are rare between San Quentin and Cabos San Lucas, but due to isolation and lack of development this portion of the Baja California has a different set of risks. This portion of the peninsular highway is extremely remote and traveling in a well fueled reliable vehicle is essential. Gas stations often run out of gas or are closed, so never risk driving while low on fuel. Driving at night is not recommended. One of several reasons is due to the risk of livestock and wild horses in the roads. Another is to avoid other intoxicated drivers. Mexican drivers are often overly aggressive while overtaking and Baja California's main highway Number "1" is marked with literally hundreds of crosses marking spots where drivers met their untimely end. Car insurance, though expensive, is highly recommended.

Drug dealers, mostly international, use the remote areas of Baja California for operations; most tourists are unlikely to encounter them. However, because of this problem there are several checkpoints maintained by the Mexican military along the highway. The inter-peninsular border is a particularly sensitive area and expect to ask for your tourist card and or passport when crossing. Soldiers and officials are usually very friendly and courteous provided your full cooperation. Never run through military checkpoints as guards are armed and have the right to shoot! Drug smuggling, any form of firearm (illegal in Mexico) and fruits and vegetables are their main concerns.

Mexicans are mostly traditional and Catholic, therefore nude (and for women, topless) sunbathing is illegal in Mexico (except in Zipolite, where the practice of naturism was legalized in 2016) - while you often will get away with it on remote beaches, many of the locals strongly disapprove, and there are reports of large fines.

The water in restaurants is generally bottled and purified. As in most of Mexico, do not drink tap water.

Connect
Some if not all USA cell phone services can be set to call USA numbers just like any other long distance call. High roaming charges may apply. See your cell phone service provider for details. Portions of Baja California include some of the most remote parts of North America so service will only apply to major cities.

To call USA numbers from a local pay phone or local private phone, use a calling card. Calling the USA via numbers suggested on payphones are outrageously high. All Mexican pay phones require a pre-paid plastic phone card. For longer term travels, SIM cards can be purchased cheaply that allows various plans for calls to both Mexico and the United States. It is virtually impossible to call 800 numbers from Baja California; therefore it is prudent to carry a non-800 number alternative. Directory assistance calls are rapaciously expensive, so jot all important numbers in advance of your trip.

Go next

 * Mazatlán in the state of Sinaloa on the Mexican mainland is a socially and economically diverse city, with more than 350,000 welcoming people of all races. It is a popular vacation and retirement destination for Europeans, Canadians and Americans, and also provides opportunities for working immigrants. It is connected to La Paz BCS by overnight ferry which is not cheap!
 * Los Mochis, also in the state of Sinaloa, is the terminus of the Baja overnight ferry. (Los Mochis is also accessible by air from La Paz or San Jose del Cabo. From Los Mochis, you can catch the Chepe train through the spectacular Copper Canyon.
 * Surprise, surprise — Southern California to the north. This is the location of Los Angeles, Orange County (home of Disneyland), San Diego and other cities in between. Interstate 5 is the continuation of Mexico Federal Hwy 1/1D (main highway through Baja California) into the United States and goes northwards to L.A. and beyond. Inland from coastal Southern California there are the vast California deserts consisting of palm trees, Joshua trees and quirky resorts which provide excellent opportunities for hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
 * Las Vegas Known as "The Entertainment Capital of the World", Vegas is known internationally for its adult entertainment venues including extravagant casinos and nightclubs, world class restaurants, golf, gambling, and its history with the Manhattan Project.
 * Use Adventure Cycling Association maps if you're looking for vetted bicycle routes in the US. There are several that connect to Baja at the US border. The most popular route is to go north along the Pacific coast all the way to Canada.  This is best done during the right season so you get a tail wind. Autumn gives you a tailwind going north along the coast.  It is beautiful but with coastal fog it can get cold and wet with low visibility sometimes.

title: Baja California


text:
Baja California (state)

Baja California state is the northern half of the Baja California peninsula. Known for beaches and the rowdy border city of Tijuana---the world's busiest border crossing. The state capital is Mexicali.

Cities

 * — the state capital is a popular destination for day-trippers from California, just across the border
 * — a beach town between Colonet and El Rosario, about 2 hours south of Ensenada
 * — nearby are some cave paintings and a field of giant rocks, mixed with desert vegetation
 * — "the Beautiful Cinderella of the Pacific" is an important commercial, fishing port, and cruise ship port
 * — "Lobster Capital of Baja"
 * — beautiful coastline, sandy beaches, cliffs, a beautiful climate
 * — a resort destination with a dramatic tide: the sea recedes by up to 2 km
 * — a border city best known for Tecate beer
 * — largest city in Baja California and gateway to Mexico, just south across the border from San Diego

Other destinations

 * — this sport-fishing hot spot provides access to the many islands of this part of the northern Gulf of California
 * — Hot spring oasis out in the wilderness
 * — a remote island that is a destination for diving excursions to see Great White Sharks
 * (Guadalupe Valley) — Mexico's top wine country
 * — Remote park with a highland lake set in a pine forest
 * — Remote marine environment with five islands in the Sea of Cortez
 * — Remote coastal beach area on San Quintin Bay
 * — Rugged mountain park, home of bighorn sheep and condors

Geography
Baja California encompasses a territory which exhibits diverse geography for a relatively small area. The Peninsular ranges of the California cordillera run down the geographic center of the state. The most notable ranges of these mountains are the Sierra de Juarez and the Sierra de San Pedro Martir. These ranges are the location of forests reminiscent of Southern California's San Gabriel Mountains. Picacho del Diablo is the highest peak in the whole peninsula. Valleys between the mountain ranges are located within a climate zone that are suitable for agriculture. Such valleys included the Valle de Guadalupe and the Valle de Ojos Negros, areas that produce citrus fruits and grapes. The mineral-rich mountain range extends southwards to the Gulf of California, where the western slope becomes wider, forming the Llanos del Berrendo in the border with Baja California Sur. The mountain ranges located in the center and southern part of the state include the Sierra de La Asamblea, Sierra de Calamajué, Sierra de San Luis and the Sierra de San Borja.

To the east, the Sonoran Desert enters the state from both California and Sonora. Some of the highest temperatures in Mexico are recorded in or nearby the Mexicali Valley. However, with irrigation from the Colorado River, this area has become truly an agricultural center. The Cerro Prieto geothermal province is near Mexicali as well (this area is geologically part of a large pull apart basin); producing about 80% of the electricity consumed in the state and enough more to export to California. Laguna Salada, a saline lake below sea level lying between the rugged Sierra de Juarez and the Sierra de los Cucapah, is also in the vicinity of Mexicali. The highest mountain in the Sierra de los Cucapah is the Cerro del Centinela or Mount Signal. The Cucapah are the primary indigenous people of that area and up into the Yuma, Arizona area.

There are numerous islands on the Pacific shore. Guadalupe Island is located in the extreme west of the state's boundaries and is the site of large colonies of sea lions. Cedros Island exists in the southwest of the state's maritime region. The Todos Santos Islands and Coronado Islandsare located off the coast of Ensenada and Tijuana respectively. All of the islands in the Gulf of California, on the Baja California side, belong to the municipality of Mexicali.

Climate
Baja California's climate varies from Mediterranean to arid. The Mediterranean climate is observed in the northwestern corner of the state where the summers are dry and mild and the winters cool and rainy. This climate is observed in areas from Tijuana to San Quintin and nearby interior valleys. The cold oceanic California Current often creates a low-level marine fog near the coast. The fog occurs along any part of the Pacific Coast of the state.

Temperate winds from the Pacific Ocean and the cold California Current make the climate along the northwestern coast pleasant year-round. As a result of the state's location on the California current, rains from the north barely reach the peninsula, thus leaving southern areas drier.

The change of altitude towards the Sierra de Baja California creates an alpine climate in this region. Summers are cool while winters can be cold with below freezing temperatures at night. It is common to see snow in the Sierra de Juarez and Sierra de San Pedro Martir (and in the valleys in between) from December to April. Due to orographic effects, precipitation is much higher in the mountains of northern Baja California than on the western coastal plain or eastern desert plain. Pine, cedar and fir forests are found in the mountains.

The east side of the mountains produce a rain shadow, creating an extremely arid environment. The Sonoran Desert region of Baja California experiences hot summers and nearly frostless mild winters. The Mexicali Valley (which is below sea level), experiences the highest temperatures in Mexico, that frequently surpass 47 °C (116.6 °F) in mid-summer, and have exceeded 50 °C (122 °F) on some occasions.

Get in
There are several border crossings in the north with the state of California. Most of these are the continuations of U.S. Interstate Highways, such as the Interstate 5 (I-5).

By plane

Alternatively, you can fly to San Diego and take a taxi or bus to the I-5 (San Ysidro) border crossing.

By car

 * Carretera_federal_1.svg & Carretera_federal_1D.svg Mexican Federal Highways 1 & 1D are the main north-south highways in Baja California.

Kilometer markers track the distance along Fed 1 through Baja California in four separate improved segments The first of these is the 109-km (68 mi) length from Tijuana to Ensenada, which is known informally as Mex 1 Libre to distinguish it from Fed 1D, the parallel toll road. The second portion of signed road runs 196 km (122 mi) from Ensenada to San Quintín. The third segment comprises 128 km (80 mi) from San Quintín to the Parador Punta Prieta junction. A final segment stretches 128 km (80 mi) from Punta Prieta to the border of the state of Baja California Sur near Guerrero Negro. The total route of Fed 1 in Baja California is 713 km (443 mi). Mexican Federal Highway (Hwy) 1D is a 4 lane highway ('freeway-like') serving as the main toll highway between Tijuana and Ensenada while Hwy 1 straddles along side serving as a 'libre' road with access to multiple local side streets.

 * Carretera_federal_5.svg Mexican Federal Highway 5 begins in the border city of Mexicali at the western border crossing. It has four lanes from there for about km 80. At this point it becomes a two-lane highway (with little or no shoulder in most areas) until km 160, about 18 km (11 mi) south of the junction with Mexico Federal Highway 3, and about 40 km (24 mi) north of San Felipe. From there, the highway is a broad, divided, four-lane highway with a median and ample shoulders, until it ends in San Felipe.

 * Carretera_federal_2.svg from Carretera_federal_15.svg Mexican Federal Highway 2 serves as the main east-west road along the US/Mexican border from the Mexican side. It connects Tijuana to Hwy 15 in Santa Ana, Sonora (110 km south of the border in Nogales) through Tecate, Mexicali, San Luis Rio Colorado and Sonoyta.

 * Carretera_federal_3.svg Mexican Federal Highway 3 from Tecate to Ensenada is the main route through Mexico's wine country of the Guadalupe Valley, it is also an important alternate route from the US/Mexican border, connecting to Mexican federal highway 1 to points south of Ensenada.

By bus
The main bus companies connecting the towns and cities along the Transpeninsular Highway (MX Hwy 1/1D) between Tijuana and San José del Cabo are:

In addition to the above the following offer east-west service between Tijuana, Mexicali, San Luis Rio Colorado and points in between on Hwy 2 in Mexico and between San Diego, Calexico and Yuma along I-8 in the United States:

Eat
See Mexican cuisine.

Drink
While Mexico is not usually seen as a wine-drinking country, wine-making has been increasing both in quality and in quantity since the 1980s, and the Baja California area produces 90% of Mexico’s wine.

The “Ruta del Vino” (Wine Route) connects the wine producing areas of the municipality of Ensenada, such as the Valley of Guadalupe, the Valley of Llano Colorado, Valley of Santo Tomás and the Valley of San Vicente with the port city of Ensenada and the border cities of Tijuana and Tecate. The Route connects over fifty wineries, along with upscale restaurants, hotels, museums and other attractions of this part of Baja California state. The route is marked by “Ruta del Vino” signs on the roads and highways to promote the area for enotourism, especially from the U.S. border.

Another major tourism draw is the Fiesta de la Vendimia (Vintage Festival), which takes place in Ensenada and the Valley of Guadalupe every year in August. The festivals include wine tasting and contests, winery tours, fishing tournaments, cook-offs, gourmet food and concerts. These events are sponsored and/or organized by the area’s wineries. Since the event occurs in the summer, afternoon temperatures can hover around 38 °C (100 °F). Some of the events include “Noche de Cofradia en Ensenada”, which features wine and food tasting from about thirty wineries and restaurants, matching local wines with local culinary specialties.

Stay safe
Baja California is generally safe for tourists, but drug cartels are present, particularly in the border area near Tijuana, and theft and petty crime is always a risk, particularly in crowded areas. South of the U.S. border region, tourist areas like Ensenada and the wine growing areas of the Guadalupe Valley are extremely safe.

Go next

 * Baja California Sur
 * El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve
 * California

title: Baja California (state)


text:
Baja California Sur

Baja California Sur (South Lower California) is the southern half of the Baja California peninsula. The state is known for its remote beaches, sport fishing, and breeding waters for whales and other marine mammals.

Cities

 * — state capital and the city made famous by John Steinbeck's novella, The Pearl, a story about paradise lost, the city still holds some glimpses of the old magic
 * — a bustling resort town and hub for sport fishermen, cruise ships, handicraft vendors, water sport aficionados and nightlife seekers
 * — best known for the whale watching, and producing salt
 * — a resort town regarded as one of the best places for fishing
 * — a traditional Baja village that hasn't been overtaken by resorts (yet)
 * — popular for deep sea fishing, kayaking, cave tours, and bird watching
 * - fishing, surfing, sea kayaking, whale watching, and doing absolutely nothing at all
 * — has a beautiful old mission, and is the gateway to the wintertime sanctuary of the Pacific gray whale
 * — a major tourist destination that is less commercial than Cabo San Lucas, and has retained its charming historic center
 * — more of a mining town than a tourist destination, it has a church designed by Gustav Eiffel
 * — famous for Hotel California, it is small and quaint with many artists and galleries; south of Todos Santos is one of Baja's better surfing destinations, Cerritos Beach

Other destinations

 * — a charming little village in the mountains behind Loreto. Most Baja visitors stick to the coast and miss a lot of the charming, very rustic little villages located in the interior backcountry. There's an impressive church, a few places to eat and drink, and a basic hotel. You can drive to San Javier, but the best way to go is to hire a horse or mule for the journey from Loreto.
 * — home to the oldest of only three coral reefs on the west coast of North America
 * - marine mammal sanctuary with great scuba diving and kayaking
 * - 11,000 year old cave paintings in a remote mountain range.
 * - Huge protected natural area that includes desert, Pacific coastal areas, and Sea of Cortes coastal areas. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and.

Understand
Baja California is one of the regions with the lowest rainfall in the world, so prehistoric settlement is concentrated in the vicinity of water holes along the coast. Even today, Baja California is sparsely populated, around ten people per square kilometer. Settlement is concentrated in the cities on the coast, of which Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are among the fastest growing resorts in Mexico.

Climate
The west side, facing the Pacific with its cool temperatures, is impressively more pleasant than the east side facing the Gulf of California. Here the water temperature is up to 26 °C and it gets very hot during the day. The east side should therefore not be visited until November.

By plane

 * La Paz International Airport
 * Loreto International Airport
 * Palo Verde Airport
 * San Jose del Cabo International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional de Los Cabos)

By boat
Cruise ships frequently visit Los Cabos. Ferries cross the Sea of Cortez from ports in Sinaloa.

Get around
There is minimal public transportation in BCS and it is relatively complicated to use (e.g. Google Maps does not have the routes and schedules). Renting a car or using a car service is relatively convenient.

Rental Cars
To rent a car, make a reservation (ideally prepaid) before arrival. After you have your bags, exit the airport building entirely – without talking to the salespeople inside the terminal who will swear they can call your car rental agency for you, but are actually trying to upsell you on tourism packages – and cross the street to the first median where the taxis line up. There you will see a variety of people with car rental agency shirts (Hertz, Avis, etc.). These representatives will have your name on a clipboard and can get you to the car rental agency quickly and at no cost. Once at your car rental agency's building (there is a different building for each company but they are all on the same street) you will have to go through a long check-in process and will be asked to prepay for insurance, gas, tours, etc. You can decline everything except for third party liability insurance which is mandatory in Mexico. Since this is mandatory, it may be worthwhile to book a car that has it included rather than added on after you are already captive to that rental company. Though the company will try to sell other insurance to you, your credit card (e.g. premium cards for U.S. customers) may already include a collision damage waiver or other insurance packages at no cost.

There are a few tolls you may cross in BCS. Google Maps will warn you of them and they can be avoided by selecting the "avoid tolls" option in your navigation settings. Be sure to have some cash with you (e.g. 100 MXN) to pay the toll.

Car services
Uber is widely available in Cabo San Lucas and at the airport. For other destinations, it may be preferable to get an airport transfer from your resort or hotel. Book this in advance of your arrival and bring cash for gratuity. U.S. Dollars are widely accepted for gratuity in Mexico.

See
Some of the main attractions in this state are the beaches, whale sightings, observations of dolphins, sea lions and other marine species.

The rock paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco are cave paintings and petroglyphs that form a set of pre-Columbian murals representative of the "Great Mural" style that flourished in the center of the Baja California peninsula. The cave paintings have been a World Heritage Site since 1993. The paintings are found in different parts of the Sierra de San Francisco, within the El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve.

Do
Whale watching is a popular activity. The waters off Baja California are home to several species of great whales including Blue, Fin, Bryde's, Humpback, Orca, Sperm, and many others. This is perhaps the richest area in the world for whale and dolphin diversity.

Diving and snorkeling is excellent because of the fantastic diversity of marine life. The convergence of tropical influences from the south and temperate conditions from the north bring together an amazing array of species. Local dive shops and charters are available.

Kayaking tours of the wilderness islands in the Loreto Marine National Park provide access to prime whale watching and snorkeling.

There are opportunities for surfing on many of the beaches on the Pacific coast, with the appropriate infrastructure such as surf schools and equipment rental.

This region has long been regarded as one of the best places for fishing. Marlin, sailfish, tuna, yellowtail, wahoo, roosterfish, and dorado are abundant in the blue waters surrounding the peninsula.

The Cabo San Lucas Flora and Fauna Protection Area is a protected area that is part of the UNESCO Natural Heritage that belongs to the group of islands and protected natural areas of the Gulf of California. The Arch of Cabo San Lucas and Cerro El Vigía are in this protected area.

Bahía de Loreto National Park is a protected natural area that is located in the Bay of Loreto to the south of the city of Loreto where you can see dolphins, sea lions and manta rays.

Cabo Pulmo National Park is a great place for diving, sport fishing, boating, rowing and kayaking. It is 63 km west of San José del Cabo.

El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve and the lagoons of Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio on the Pacific coast in the north of the state are a retreat for whales. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.

Stay safe
Although generally safe, it is probably wise to camp with others or in organized campgrounds.

Go next

 * Baja California
 * Sinaloa
 * Mazatlan

title: Baja California Sur


text:
Bajawa

Bajawa is a city in the central highlands of Flores, Nusa Tenggara in Indonesia.

Understand
At 1,200 m (about 3,800 ft) above sea level, Bajawa is much cooler than the coastal lowlands. Bring a sweater for the chilly nights. Bajawa is the Center of Ngadha ethnic minority interesting local villages.

By bus
All buses from Labuan Bajo stop here for the night before leaving the next morning, but you might as well stay an extra day and make a tour of it. The cheapest option from Labuan Bajo appears to be the Gemini bus (Rp150,000), which leaves at around 05:30 from the ferry jetty — free hotel pick-up can be arranged. Expect a long and bumpy ride with little comfort. However, the incredible scenery and friendly passengers and passers-by compensate a lot.

Gunung Mas offers the ride from Labuan Bajo for Rp200,000, or Rp110,000 from Ruteng in a quite luxury 12 to 15-seat busses (as of Nov 2018).

Public buses stop at the junction from where bemos wait to take you the 2 km into town. Expect to be asked to pay Rp10,000 although less should suffice. Bus to Ende is Rp50,000.

By car
Shared taxi or travel will take about seven hours by road from Labuan Bajo, to the west; or four hours from Ruteng, from Ende to the east, 120km (3h 13 min).

By car/motorbike
You would need to hire a car or motorbike to explore the Bajawa area. Your accommodation would be able to help you with these. A motorbike should be Rp100,000 per day (as of Nov 2018).

See
There are many "tourist guides" in Bajawa. None of them are in any way trained, and their primary skills are speaking English and overcharging. The best you can do is stay clear of them and just hire a motorbike (Rp100,000) or charter a bemo for the day (Rp300,000) and see the villages at your own pace.

There is an official, and very helpful, tourist information service in the mayor's office. There are also many touts that have shops with "Tourist Information" signs printed on them. Don't be fooled by them: the real tourist information will not try to sell you anything.

Eat

Drink
Just like Ruteng, Bajawa is also a great place that produces Kopi (coffee). Never order instant coffee when you are here. Remember that by default here coffee is served with sugar, so please request in advance if you would like to have less or no sugar.

Also, just like the cold area Ruteng, arak is popular drink (also called moke here).

Sleep
As of Mai 2018, accommodation in Bajawa is increasing, many new homestays are opening and others are under construction in the street behind the Edelweiss Hotel (Lorong Ditos): Marselino's Homestay, Queen's Homestay, Edelweiss Homestay (different from the hotel) and Kristian's Homestay at the end of the road offer pretty much the same services with free Wifi, breakfast included, tourist info, laundry service, and motorbike rental. Expect Rp150,000—250,000 for a double/twin room in such a homestay.

In the hills above Bajawa;

Go next
There is a bus station near the market, but the buses will just as happily pick you up from your hotel at the same price. Be prepared to circle the town a few times picking up passengers (until full) before actually leaving for your destination.

.
 * Ruteng — Rp110,000, four hours, cold area with plenty of rice field and Manggarai villages
 * Labuan Bajo — Rp120,000 to Rp200,000 and ten hours to the west by bus, or seven hours by car. Gateway to the islands of Komodo National Park
 * Ende — Rp50,000 and four hours by bus, ferry to Sumba island
 * Moni — four hours away, Rp80,000 by bus, for the colorful crater lakes of Mount Kelimutu, the main attraction in Flores

title: Bajawa


text:
Bajgiran

Bajgiran is an Iranian village located at one of three border points between Iran and Turkmenistan. It is located 75 km from Quchan (Iran) and about 40 km from Ashgabat, capital of Turkmenistan.

Get in
No public transportation gets to Bajgiran.

The best solution should be to rent a taxi from Quchan (about 30 000 rials per person).

See
Some old mud-houses. The landscape is wonderful, but pay attention to the fact that the small road going into the mountains can cross the border with Turkmenistan without any warning.

Buy
Post office, bank, some small shops, where you can change Iranian rials into Turkmen manats, at a correct rate.

Eat
The only option seems to be the restaurant in the hotel left when you enter the city. 50 000 rials for the day meal, including drink.

Some food in the small shops, more expensive than in the rest of Iran.

Sleep
Bajgiran is only a small village, and it seems there are only two places to sleep in.

There is another hotel, with much more simple rooms (shared toilets outside!), 500m further on the road, at the middle of the village.

Connect
No Internet café in Bajgiran. Cell phones can be used with no problem.

To Quchan
Take a taxi going down from the border. Bargain the price!

To Mashhad
Take a taxi to Quchan. From here, buses leave every two hours (8,000 rials) to Mashhad.

To Turkmenistan
As no public transportation goes across the Turkmen border, to get to Ashgabat in Turkmenistan, the following option is the most convenient:
 * Go to the border (opening time: 7.30-15.30 Iran time). Crossing the border can take up to 2 hours. Turkmen police will ask for an entry tax of $10 (per person) + $2 of bank fees (per group), to be paid in US dollars only.
 * In the Turkmenistan side, take a taxi to Ashgabat, which can cost up to $15 per person. Duration: about 1h.

title: Bajgiran


text:
Bajío

The Bajio is a mountainous region in central Mexico. A rich silver-mining area in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Bajio saw an explosion of fabulous wealth for the time, and the cities there grew to be large and spectacular. By the 19th century, though, the silver lodes were emptied, and the cities became depopulated. They retain their amazing architecture and traditions, however, making them a joy to visit. Travelers in search of "the real Mexico" will find what they're looking for here. The region is full of colonial history, cultural traditions, and natural wonders with many quaint small towns that have been designated as Pueblos Mágicos.

Cities

 * – Large state capital with a fascinating history of colonial, revolutionary, and industril progress...but the thermal waters aren't very hot.
 * – Imagine a beautiful valley filled with a Spanish colonial city in a three-dimensional maze of passageways, underground romantic tunnels and a rim road along the clifftops. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 * – The city is known for its leather works. Leon is also famous for its State Fair in the second half of January through the middle of February, the international Hot Air Balloon festival in Oct, and its beauty as a modern Mexican City.
 * - Colonial churches and plazas in a city rich with history and charm, a commercial hub known for a large festival during holy week. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 * – An old mining ghost town and the area where the Huichol Indians make their traditional pilgrimage for visions and the gathering of peyote.
 * - State capital and important regional hub with charming colonial core filled with old churches, plazas, and museums.
 * – A high-elevation city of immense colonial charm. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 * – Expensive but charming town with narrow hillside streets and a large arts community.
 * – Mexico's cradle of independence where Father Hidalgo issued his famed cry for freedom. A hub for ceramics production.

Other destinations

 * - mountainous region of tropical forests and rivers, traditionally populated by the Huastec indigenous culture, but today home to an even larger number of Nahua
 * - silver mining road stretching from Mexico City north to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in use from the 16th through 19th centuries. UNESCO World Heritage site.

Understand
In the pre-hispanic era, the Bajio was home to the semi-nomadic Chichimeca people, who were regarded by other Mesoamerican civilizations as "barbaric". The Bajio was a region without large permanent settlements, until the Spanish discovered silver in the mountains in the 16th century. Mines, cities, churches, and roads were built as immigrants flooded the area. Major cities were built as the mines generated fabulous wealth. The boom continued for nearly two centuries until the big silver lodes were depleted.

The Bajio is an area rich in history. In the 17th and 18th century, it was the backbone of Spain's route to the riches of the New World as the Camino Real was blazed (Camino Real de la Tierra Adentro (a UNESCO World Heritage site) begins in Queretaro and extends north into what is now the United States, ending in Santa Fe, New Mexico). In the early 19th century, the Bajio was central to Mexican Independence. In 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo proclaimed freedom in the Bajio town of Dolores (now known as Dolores Hidalgo. In 1867, the illegitimate empire of Maximilian I was ended in Queretaro, where Meximilian was tried and convicted and then executed by firing squad. The Bajio saw its share of political machinations and outright battles during the Revolution of the early 20th century. In 1915, Pancho Villa's Division del Norte was defeated at Celaya.

By plane

 * Aeropuerto Internacional de Guanajuato (Aeropuerto de Bajio) is the largest airport in the Bajio region. It is centrally located, midway between Guanajuato and Leon. The airport has flights to most major Mexican airports and receives international flights from Houston, Dallas, and Chicago.
 * Queretaro Intercontinental Airport offers domestic flights to major Mexican airports and international flights to Houston and Dallas. QRO is the hub airport for regional carrier TAR.
 * San Luis Potosi Aeropuerto Internacional Ponciano Arriaga is a regional airport serving major Mexican hubs and international flights.

Although not part of the Bajio region, Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) in Mexico City can be a good gateway airport for travelers to the Bajio region because the airport has an in-terminal bus station with frequent direct buses to cities in the Bajio.

By bus
Bus service is outstanding throughout the Bajio region. All major cities have large central bus stations with frequent service throughout the region. Buses to cities in the Bajio region depart Mexico City from the Terminal del Norte. Several regional lines serve smaller towns.

By bus
Bus service in the Bajio region is excellent. Major bus lines operate executive-class and first-class buses between all major cities in the region. The only cities that are a bit inconvenient for buses are Queretaro (which has its main bus station outside the core downtown on an outlying trunk highway) and San Luis Potosi (which doesn't have one single Central de Autobuses, but instead has different company specific terminals on the outskirts). See the Mexico article for general information about using buses in Mexico.

A variety of second-class lines operate local buses to all small cities and will stop for passengers almost anywhere along a major highway.

Here's a few representative routes with fares in January 2023:

Guanajuato to Queretaro - 2-1/2 hours, M$300, ETN
 * Leon to/from Guanajuato, Aguascalientes, or Zacatecas - 2-1/2 hours, M$300-400, executive and first-class buses on each of these routes operate about every 15 minutes (ETN, Futura, Primera Plus)
 * Aguascalientes to San Luis Potosi - 3 hours, Estrella Blanca buses run every couple hours, M$150 on a second-class bus (Rojo de los Altos) to M$500 on an ejecutivo-class bus (Futura Select)
 * Queretaro to San Miguel de Allende - 1-1/2 hour, M$200, buses go every hour (Futura Select, ETN)

By taxi
Taxis are the best option for getting around within a given city, but they might work out for longer distances too. Many of the cities and tourist sites are close enough that the convenience and flexibility of the taxi might be worth the price difference of the bus.

See

 * Franciscan missions in the Sierra Gordo of Querétaro. UNESCO World heritage site.
 * Colonial city centers, many historic silver mining cities, such as that in Zacatecas, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 * San Marcos Fair (es: Feria Nacional de San Marcos), in Aguascalientes. The unofficial national fair of Mexico. Held for three or four weeks beginning around the end of April.
 * Las Siete Luminarias in Valle de Santiago.
 * Camino Real de Tierra Adentro is the historic "Royal Road" silver mining road, passing through numerous charming towns (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Do

 * Bullfights - San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas are known for having some of the best bullfights (as well as the best bulls and matadores) of any Mexican city. The bullfighting season is generally centered around the summer and fall months. Tickets should be purchased in advance as the fights typically sell out.
 * San Marcos Fair (Feria Nacional de San Marcos) - Aguascalientes hosts Mexico's biggest and boldest festival for 3 weeks in late April (San Marcos Day is April 25). The fair includes a carnival midway, a livestock show, bullfights, a beauty pageant, numerous concerts from top performers, and food stands galore.

Eat
There are some wonderful restaurants in the colonial silver mining towns that make up the Bajio region. Most restaurants serve food that is similar to food in other parts of Mexico, but there are some regional specialties to be aware of.

 * queso guaje - an artesanal cheese from the Huasteca Potosina region
 * cajeta - a caramel sauce made from goats milk, popular throughout Mexico, it originates from Celaya
 * empanadas de picadillo - pastry stuffed with spiced ground beef
 * enchilados mineros - enchiladas stuffed with diced potatoes, grated cheese, and a guajillo chile sauce, a specialty in Guanajuato, but served throughout the Bajio
 * cuete encacahuatado - a hearty, and very unusual main dish, thick-sliced roast beef is covered in a peanut and tomato sauce spiced with cloves, pepper, and cinnamon
 * pipian is a type of mole originating in Oaxaca, but it's become the dominant kind of mole in the Bajio

Drink
Mexico is generally a beer drinking country, and the Bajio region is no exception. The big national brands can be found everywhere, but more interesting are the beers being produced by the young craft brewers opening up local brewpubs and regional craft breweries. The phrase to use when asking waiters for a good, local beer is cerveza artesanal. Quite a few restaurants and bars serve craft beers, you just need to ask.

In Bajio, brewpubs and beer bars are in all the major cities. Some are chains, like "The Beer Company" (at least 5 locations in Bajio), but there are also many locally owned pubs serving unique beers that are often quite distinctive.

Artesanal craft breweries are generally located in Queretaro or Guanajuato. The breweries may offer tours (see the "Drink" section in individual city articles in this region for details). Regional craft beers available in the Bajio as of 2023 include beers from Hercules, Toro, and Tlaxco.

Wine is becoming increasingly popular in the Bajio, where several young winemakers have built cellars in various parts of the region. Queretaro is particularly interesting with three very large wine producers centered around the town of Ezequiel Montes and a growing number of artesanal wineries in the same area, which the state is now promoting as the Ruta del Vino. The state has an annual wine and cheese festival in the town of Tequisquiapan.

Stay safe
Most of the Bajia region is relatively safe for travelers, but normal precautions are wise. You should also research current events for any region you travel to in order to find out about recent safety concerns. See the main Mexico article for country-wide safety concerns. As of December 2022, the U.S. State Department advises against travel in Zacatecas and to use caution in Guanajuato's southern cities (such as Celaya, Irapuato, and Salamanca).

Go next
If you follow the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (historic silver mining route), you could go north into the wide open spaces of Northern Mexico, or southeast into Central Mexico, with its wealth of museums and cultural attractions.

title: Bajío


text:
Bajram Curri

Bajram Curri is the largest town in the Tropoja District of northern Albania, near the border with Kosovo. It is an important gateway to the spectacular Valbona valley and the breathtaking ferry ride across Lake Koman.

Understand
The town is named for the national hero of the same name, Bajram Curri, a freedom fighter who fought for ethnic northern Albanian interests, first against the Ottoman Empire and later against the new Albanian government. He shot himself near the town in order to avoid capture, and the town was renamed after him.

Due to its physical and cultural proximity to Kosovo, the area was adversely affected by the conflict in Kosovo, with many of its residents involved either directly in combat or in assisting and housing refugees from Kosovo.

The Tropoja area is culturally and historically closer to Kosovo than to southern Albania.

Bajram Curri is an important hub for the traveller, as you are likely to change minibuses (called "furgons") here from 3 directions. They all tend to depart around the same times, so with luck you can transfer straight from one to another:
 * Gjakova and Prizren in Kosovo
 * Shkodra via Kukës, and onward to Tirana
 * Valbona

Get in
Minibuses/furgons leave Gjakova and Prizren in Kosovo for Bajram Curri in the morning (€2.50 from Gjakova). Like the rest of Albania their schedules depend on demand.

Minibuses from Shkodra bring you to the scenic ferry across Lake Koman (500 lek). They leave Shkodra at about 06:30 and Tirana at about 05:00. The ferry leaves Koman at 09:00 and arrives in Fierze at about 12:00. You will there be picked up by minibuses that bring you to Bajram Curri (costs a few Leks extra).

From Tirana, minibuses using the ferry leave at about 05:00. Other minibuses go by road via Kukës or Gjakova. From Gjakova or other close Kosovan cities there are minibuses available.

Get around
The town is small enough to walk and see the buildings, enjoy the fresh air etc.

Do

 * Visit the Valbona valley. The village of Valbona is less than an hour away by taxi and can be enjoyed in a day. The nature of this park is full of varieties suitable for tourism, fishing, relaxation, amusing and mountain climbing as well as winter sports Mostly you can walk among the wonderful nature, make excursions and exercise different sports as hunting (during the season), climbing, trekking, and riding horses. The camping is another pleasure but you have to be informed about the right places. Valbona is one of the most beautiful places in Albania and the segments of the Valbona river can be a real challenge for the impassioned of the extreme sports.
 * Visit the Dragobia Cave near of Valbona Valley, at Dragobia village
 * Visit the Canyon of Shoshan, near Shoshani Bridge, at Valbona Valley
 * Visit the Historical Museum, in the centre of Bajram Curri town
 * Visit the Ice Cave near Valbona Valley
 * Visit Mic Sokoli Tower, at Bujan near the Bajram Curri town
 * Visit Statue of Bajram Curri, in the centre of the town
 * Visit the Valbona Sports Palace, in Bajram Curri town

Buy
You can buy souvenirs, handmade items, maps or tourist guide on shops near the Historical Museum of Bajram Curri.

Eat

 * There are restaurants serving Albanian food, traditional dishes of town and pizza along Rruga Syleiman Vokshi (the road starting from the statue). "Byrektore" (sweet cakes and desserts) and cafes are plentiful around the town. Hotels Ermali and Vllaznimi have restaurants.
 * Chestnuts. The region is known in the whole of Albania for holding the largest chestnut plantations in the country.
 * There is Bar Restaurant Nezaj in front of Agim Ramadani street, a place that serves all of traditional dishes of Tropoja.
 * Fli is a traditional dish usually served in the city. It consists of multiple crepe-like layers brushed with cream and served with sour cream. The name translates to "sacrifice".

Drink
There are many of clubs where tourists and residents can enjoy Albanian (traditional) drinks like raki, boza or vere musht (a special wine that people made). There you can find other drinks like Albania 'Kaon Beer', 'Korça Beer', 'Tirana Beer', 'Stela Beer', etc.

Connect
There are internet cafes around the town for 60 lek an hour or so. It is also possible to tap into one of the many unsecured Wifi networks near the town centre.

Stay safe
The Tropoja area has an undeserved reputation as a wild lawless region beyond the control of the government and ruled by the Albanian mafia. Unexploded ordnance from the Kosovo conflict is also an issue when wandering off the beaten path. Note that the UK, Australia and Canada have travel advisories in place advising against travel to the northeast region of Albania, including Tropoja district and Bajram Curri.

The law and order situation has improved greatly, however, and travellers are likely to meet nothing other than friendly and generous locals.

Go next

 * Take the Lake Koman ferry out if you didn't come by that way. It is a breathtaking journey through massive gorges on Lake Koman.
 * Prizren, Kosovo
 * Theth, Albania
 * Gjakova, Kosovo
 * Gjakova, Kosovo

title: Bajram Curri


text:
Baker

There's more than one place called Baker:

United States of America

 * Baker (California) - a community in San Bernardino County, California
 * Baker (Louisiana) - a city in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana
 * Baker (Missouri) - a village located in Stoddard County, Missouri
 * Baker (Montana) - a city in Fallon County, Montana
 * Baker (Nevada) - a community in White Pine County, Nevada
 * Baker (West Virginia) - a town in West Virginia.
 * Baker City - a city in Baker County in the Eastern region of Oregon

title: Baker


text:
Baker (California)

Baker is a tiny town located along I-15 in the desert of the state of California. The town is usually a rest stop for those traveling to Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park, or the Mojave National Preserve.

By car
Most travellers get to Baker by car, from I-15 between Barstow and Las Vegas. From Baker, State Route 127 heads north to Death Valley.

By bus
Baker, Mojave National Preserve's only Amtrak stop, was served by Amtrak's bus service until the stop was discontinued in November 2010 due to low ridership. The bus can still be seen driving by on the freeway from the former bus stop, even though it no longer stops.

Get around
Baker Boulevard serves as the main road through town, connecting to I-15 at both ends.

Buy
As Baker is somewhat isolated in the middle of the Mojave Desert with little else for quite a distance in any direction, this tiny town is overrun with no less than seven gas stations. Fuel up here if you think there is the least chance you might run out of gas within the next 50 miles.

Sleep
Based on many on-line guest reviews of all of the motels listed here, Baker should not be your first choice when picking a place to sleep.

Go next

 * Mojave National Preserve - Located just across the highway from town, this preserve protects a massive area of California's desert.
 * Death Valley National Park - Located about two hours (by car) north of town, Death Valley national park is the largest national park in America's lower forty-eight states and protects amazing desert scenery.
 * Barstow - Located approximately 60 miles to the southwest of Baker on I-15, Barstow is located on the former Route 66 and offers visitors several historic and natural attractions ranging from the 200,000 year old Calico early man site to the Western America Railroad museum.
 * Las Vegas - Most visitors to Baker are travelers en route to Sin City, America's playground.
 * Primm - A town on the California–Nevada border, with a few casinos.

title: Baker (California)


text:
Baker (Nevada)

Baker is a tiny community (68 inhabitants, 2010) in White Pine County, Nevada, just outside of Great Basin National Park.

Get in
From US Highway 50 (the Loneliest Road in America), take Nevada State Route 487 five miles to downtown Baker.

Get around
Baker is small, but to get to the various hotels and attractions, you will need to drive several miles.

Do

 * Lehman Caves, also in the park.
 * Lehman Caves, also in the park.

Go next

 * Great Basin National Park - Wheeler Peak and Lehman Caves can be found within this national park near Baker.
 * Western Utah - Baker is a few miles from the Nevada-Utah state line, and Western Utah is just over the state line.

title: Baker (Nevada)


text:
Baker City

Baker City is a small city in Eastern Oregon located on the I-84 about 40 minutes south-east of La Grande.

Get in
Most people will arrive on the I-84 which runs from Portland through to Boise and beyond. Highway 7 runs west to John Day and Highway 86 goes east as the Hell's Canyon Scenic Highway.

Connect
The Baker County Library located near the downtown has Internet access with wireless capabilities. The Library is well-appointed and an attractive place to spend some time.

title: Baker City


text:
Baker County

There's more than one place called Baker County:

United States of America

 * Baker County (Florida) - in Florida
 * Baker County (Georgia) - in Georgia
 * Baker County (Oregon) - in the Eastern Oregon region of Oregon

title: Baker County


text:
Baker Island

Baker Island is an uninhabited unincorporated territory of the United States—one of the smallest U.S. Minor Outlying Islands. It is in Polynesia, a region of the Pacific Ocean, north of Kiribati, roughly halfway between Hawaii and mainland Australia.

History
The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization was begun on this island—as well as on nearby Howland Island—but it was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The island is now a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US Department of the Interior; there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast.

Landscape
Low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef. Treeless, sparse and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife.

Flora and fauna
Animal life includes ruddy turnstones, bar-tailed godwits, sanderlings, Pacific golden plovers, albatross, bristle-thighed curlews, Gray Reef Sharks, Spinner dolphins, monk seals, seals, hermit crabs, Green turtles and hawksbill turtles.

Climate
Equatorial: scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun.

By plane
There is an abandoned World War II runway of, completely covered with vegetation and unusable.

By boat
There is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast.

Get around
The island is only, you should easily be able to get around its entire area on foot.

Fees and permits
Public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service and generally restricted to scientists and educators.

See
There is a cemetery and remnants of structures from early settlement near the middle of the west coast.

Do
Birdwatching and other wildlife observation is one of the few reasons to come here besides the sheer novelty.

Buy, eat and drink
There is no economic activity on Baker Island.

Sleep
There is no accommodation on Baker Island.

Stay healthy
There are no natural sources of fresh water on Baker Island—come with some distilled water and purification tablets. The island is barren and exposed so be cautious of the sun and elements.

Stay safe
You are miles from any kind of emergency services here so come prepared and don’t do anything stupid or needlessly risky.

Go next
Howland Island is relatively nearby.

title: Baker Island


text:
Bakersfield

Bakersfield is a city in Kern County in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Bakersfield is famous for being the home of country music singers Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, and has the nickname "the country music capital of the West Coast."

Understand
Bakersfield is one of the fastest growing larger cities in the United States. Bakersfield has a population of approximately 323,000 and a metropolitan area of approximately a half million. Bakersfield is also the birthplace of Korn, one of the best selling and most popular heavy metal bands of the last 25 years. Bakersfield has also produced its share of American football players such as Joey Porter, Frank Gifford, and David Carr. Bakersfield is a very conservative, religious city compared to most of the state.

By plane

 * Mesa Airlines dba American Eagle: (Phoenix and Dallas-Ft Worth)
 * Skywest dba United Express: (Denver and San Francisco)

Meadows Field is also an international airport, although there are no international carriers. However, the airport is capable of handling international private planes, both arriving and departing.

Rental car facilities are available at the airport. Taxis, Uber and Lyft are available outside the terminal. There is no bus service to the airport.

The primary alternative for arrival by plane from more destinations, with multiple airlines is   south in Los Angeles. Airport Valet Express, and Chennai Express provides direct bus service between LAX and Bakersfield. Other nearby airports are Bob Hope Airport  south, in Burbank); and Fresno Yosemite International Airport   north, in Fresno), both of which are accessible by Greyhound and Flixbus. See By bus in the below for a list of bus companies, including airport shuttle companies connecting Bakersfield to LAX and other cities in the San Joaquin Valley and the Los Angeles Metropolitan area.

Private air service
Private aircraft that are traveling to Bakersfield can land either at Meadows Field, or (in South Bakersfield). In addition, there are a variety of other general aviation airports in the region. These include: Delano Municipal Airport, Kern Valley Airport, Lost Hills Airport, Minner Field (Shafter), Taft Airport, Tehachapi Municipal Airport, and Wasco Airport.

By train
Amtrak also serves Bakersfield, with a nice main terminal downtown. Bakersfield is the southern terminus of the San Joaquins route, which travels north through the Central Valley to either Sacramento or the Bay Area. Bakersfield is also served by a number of Amtrak Thruway bus routes, which connect San Joaquin passengers to many southern California cities, as well as Las Vegas, Nevada.

By bus
Many bus lines pass through Bakersfield.

 * Greyhound, runs service along the 99 corridor to Fresno, Los Angeles, and beyond, as well as 58 toward Las Vegas.
 * Flixbus, cheap service to Sacramento, Bay Area, and Los Angeles.
 * Amtrak, runs bus service to various destinations in Southern California.
 * Intercalifornias, Mexican bus company with service to Sacramento, Bay Area, and Tijuana.
 * Kern Transit, service from towns around Kern County, as well as Lancaster and Santa Clarita (with connections to Metrolink commuter rail to Los Angeles).
 * Tufesa, Mexican bus company.
 * Airport Valet Express, scheduled shuttle service from Bakersfield to LAX.

By car
Bakersfield is at the junction of California State Routes 99 and 58, about north of The Grapevine at the junction of CA-99 and Interstate 5 and about 115 miles north of Los Angeles

By car
Bakersfield is a car-based city with poor mass transit options, so driving your own car or renting one is probably wise. However, if you are intrepid and determined to save money, the city bus can be used.

By bus

 * Kern Transit also runs limited stop service through Greater Bakersfield on the way to neighboring towns in Kern County.
 * Kern Transit also runs limited stop service through Greater Bakersfield on the way to neighboring towns in Kern County.

By bike
Biking is not a typical mode of transit, but it can be done. However, most bike lanes are on arterial roads with multiple car lanes and high speed limits.

By foot
The downtown core of Bakersfield is very small and walkable, with shopping centers and parks.

Do
This city will never be a premier tourist destination, but there are things to do. Ethnic food and culture festivals - including Scottish, Indian, Basque, and Greek - occur in the spring and summer.

Buy
Large shopping centers and strip malls are abundant. Small, locally owned antique shops are found in the Downtown and Old Town areas.

Eat
There are numerous chain restaurants throughout the city and in its shopping centers, but there are also plenty of delicious local places to sample. Good Basque food is easy to find. Bakersfield has what is most likely the largest single cluster of Basque restaurants in California. --try Benji's, The Pyrenees or Woolgrowers. Italian food fans might enjoy Rosa's, Luigi's, or Uricchio's. There are several Thai restaurants that have opened in the last couple of years, while Japanese and Indian cuisines are popular as well.

Drink
Bakersfield's bar and club scene is primarily centered in the downtown area around the intersection of 19th St & Eye St, but most microbreweries are bit further out. There is a Brewery Trail with prizes after checking in at a few breweries.

Stay safe
Bakersfield is a relatively safe city with a murder rate that has been mostly on the decline since 2005. Most of the homicides happen within area code 93307. Property theft and drug activity have seen a sharp increase within the city and there are certain parts of the city that are dangerous even during the daytime. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive (formerly named Lakeview Ave, and turns into Cottonwood Rd), Union Ave, parts of East Bakersfield and areas surrounding the Kern County fairgrounds and South High School are plagued by gang violence and can be very dangerous. The Bakersfield suburb of Oildale (which shares its borders with Bakersfield at the Kern River) has a bad reputation for racism and poverty. However, attitudes towards minorities have improved significantly over the years in Oildale. Drug use and related crimes are still an issue.

Go next

 * Fort Tejon State Historic Park – A visit to the early days of European settlement is provided by Fort Tejon which dates back to 1854 and is easily accessed from I-5, lying between the shops of Grapevine and the hamlets of Lebec and Frazier Park.
 * Keene – Located east on Highway 58, Keene is home to the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument, which contains the headquarters and grave site of the famous labor leader. Another attraction is the Tehachapi Loop, which is just outside of town and is a favorite of railroad fans around the world since the engineering wonder is one of the few places where a train can be seen passing over itself.
 * Kern River Canyon – A scenic drive via Highway 178 follows the lower Kern River.
 * Tehachapi – Further east on Highway 58, Tehachapi is home to a massive wind farm.
 * Wasco – Bakersfield's neighbor to the northwest is known as the city of roses, with 55% of all roses grown in the USA grown in and around Wasco. Its annual spring Rose Festival attracts visitors from all over southern California.
 * McFarland – North of Bakersfield on Highway 99, McFarland is a small farming community that may be best known for the high school cross-country team that inspired the 2015 movie McFarland, USA.
 * Buttonwillow – This town is west of Bakersfield on Highway 58, offers lodging options and services, and is home to the Buttonwillow Tree, a state landmark that gave the town its name.
 * Taft – An oil town southwest of Bakersfield that offers food, gas, and lodging services. Taft is also home to the West Kern Oil Museum and a replica of Sutter's fort that was built in 1940 as a Depression-era project.
 * Maricopa – This oil & agriculture town is southwest of Bakersfield and was the site of one of the largest oil spills in history when the Lakeview Gusher unleashed nine million barrels of oil onto the surrounding countryside.
 * The Grapevine – The Grapevine is a corridor along I-5 that is south of Bakersfield and is home to the outlets at Tejon and a slew of traveler-focused restaurants and hotels for the thousands of cars traveling on the interstate.
 * Lake Isabella – About an hour's drive east of town on Highway 178, the Kern River/Lake Isabella area is popular for fishing, kayaking, camping, and boating activities, and in winter there is downhill skiing at Alta Sierra-Shirley Meadows.
 * Los Angeles – The second biggest city in the United States is less than a two-hour drive south of Bakersfield on Highway 99 then Interstate 5. Take Amtrak, Greyhound or Flixbus to the City of Angels.

title: Bakersfield


text:
Bakewell

Bakewell is a picturesque historical market town in the heart of the Peak District National Park, Derbyshire famed for its Bakewell Puddings and Bakewell Tarts. There are several shops claiming to hold the 'original recipe'. So be sure to try at least one Bakewell pudding whilst you're here.

It is an immensely popular destination for weekend visits because of its beautiful Peak District location, and its "typical country town" feel.

By bus
Frequent buses from Sheffield, Chesterfield, Derby and Manchester, although some of the services stop early in the evening. There's even a direct coach from London Victoria run by National Express.

By car
Easy access from Manchester, Sheffield and Chesterfield (town is on the A6) half way between Matlock and Buxton as well as Nottingham, Derby and the Midlands.

Get around
Compact town, completely walkable (church and museum up a hill).

See
A typical Peak District stone town, with the usual Church, Museum, Shops, River, Old Bridge.
 * Near Chatsworth in Pilsley is Chatsworth Farm Shop: plays heavily on noble connection: "Duke's cure bacon", "Duchy of Cornwall Biscuits", etc. (Mrs Bucket would shop here) but also popular because of huge range of good fresh fruit, veg and meat, and some exotic stuff not so easy to obtain elsewhere (venison, boar, etc.). Includes a tea shop.
 * Monsal Dale. A deep picturesque dale complete with the Monsal trail, a disused railway line providing easy walking, cycling and horse riding. Enjoy going through the old tunnel and exiting on the 70-ft-high viaduct over the River Wye.
 * Near Chatsworth in Pilsley is Chatsworth Farm Shop: plays heavily on noble connection: "Duke's cure bacon", "Duchy of Cornwall Biscuits", etc. (Mrs Bucket would shop here) but also popular because of huge range of good fresh fruit, veg and meat, and some exotic stuff not so easy to obtain elsewhere (venison, boar, etc.). Includes a tea shop.
 * Monsal Dale. A deep picturesque dale complete with the Monsal trail, a disused railway line providing easy walking, cycling and horse riding. Enjoy going through the old tunnel and exiting on the 70-ft-high viaduct over the River Wye.

Do
Museum, riverside walks, a weekly market on Monday and the agricultural market on various other days. Bakewell is a great base for a Peak District walking weekend, with lovely walks all round (easy riverside, meandering field paths, gentle hill walking, or strenuous crag hopping). Bus to Rowsley for trip on "Peak Rail" steam train to Matlock

Buy
Usual "country" things: good outdoor shops, discount books, fresh food. Excellent shop specialising in Scotch Whisky. Take home an original "Bakewell pudding" or "Derbyshire oatcakes".

Eat

Lots of pubs, some feel traditional, some a little more "mass market". Nearly all serve real ale. Plenty of choice, all the central pubs and hotels offer food.

Sleep
Many B&Bs in town, or in surrounding farms. Many pubs do accommodation.
 * 2 Everton Holiday Cottage. Haddon Road. A spacious yet cosy Edwardian cottage just a short stroll from the centre of Bakewell. Sleeps 7. +44 7967755801.
 * 2 Everton Holiday Cottage. Haddon Road. A spacious yet cosy Edwardian cottage just a short stroll from the centre of Bakewell. Sleeps 7. +44 7967755801.

Connect
As of March 2024, Bakewell and its approach roads have 4G from O2, Three and Vodafone, and 5G from EE.

Go next
Bakewell is the local centre, so has very good connections with local towns and villages (lots of small buses). It is situated in superbly beautiful limestone ("White Peak") scenery: green fields, stone walls, sheep, rounded hills topped by horizontal lines of limestone crags. Some of the best walking country in England, makes local places easily accessible on an afternoon stroll.
 * Many, many nearby villages nearly all worth a trip by bus or car or on foot, and most have a pub or tea shop. Examples include Over Haddon, Monyash, Ashford in the Water and Youlgr(e)ave with two names.
 * Matlock is 15 minutes by car, and there are also buses, and a steam train from Rowsley. Another Peak District town, a little less cute than Bakewell (preferred by some because of that), with usual shops and pubs and a pleasant riverside town park with a little lake (try lawn bowls – "Crown Green Bowling").
 * Matlock Bath is just beyond Matlock. Strange "seaside" feel, almost as far inland as you can get in England, cable cars to hilltop caves and popular meeting place for motorcyclists at the weekend, worth visiting to see hundreds of bikes lined up along the main street.
 * Cromford is a mile beyond Matlock Bath. A tiny town in a green setting, yet its main draw is "Arkwright's Mill" from the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, the first large factory (water-powered cotton spinning mill) in the modern world. Also the Cromford Canal is a lovely waterway in a very rural setting – but not yet reconnected to the English canal network, so few boats.

title: Bakewell


text:
Bakhchysarai

Bakhchysarai (Russian, Ukrainian: Бахчисарай) is in Crimea. Once the capital of the Crimean Tatar Khanate, it is undergoing a steady cultural rebirth since the Tatars were allowed to return from Uzbekistan in the early 1990s.

Understand
By no means overrun with tourists, the majority of visitors that do make it are from Russia, Ukraine, or Turkey. As is the norm in the Crimea, very little English is spoken or understood. A working knowledge of Crimean Tatar, Russian, or Turkish will be useful.

History
The history of the town is closely linked with that of the Crimean Khanate. The Khanate emerged from the Golden Horde (one of the fragments that Genghis Khan's empire splintered into), gaining its independence in the 15th century. Its first capital was at Staryi Krym and its first ruler was a descendant of Genghis Khan. Soon after, the Khanate's capital moved to Bakhchisaray and the town became a centre of political and cultural life of the Crimean Tatars. After the first Khan's death, the region a become an Ottoman protectorate and so shared that empire's fortunes. The declining Ottomans lost the Crimea in 1774 when it became independent but was then annexed by Russia in 1783 and the town lost its administrative significance. In 1944, it also lost its Crimean Tatar population in the Sürgün-Stalin's brutal mass deportation of the Crimean Tatars to Uzbekistan.

The Crimean Tatars were allowed to return to Crimea in the 1990s and the town is still coming to terms with its newly regained cultural history. The Khan's palace, several mosques, and the surrounding town are being gradually restored after extended neglect.

Get in
Long-distance trains to Sevastopol - from cities such as Kyiv, Donetsk and as far away as St Petersburg - often stopped in Bakhchisaray until the 2014 Russian takeover of Crimea, which cut off such service from or through Ukraine, so check on whether service has resumed.

The station is also served by local trains that run between Simferopol (40 min) and Sevastopol.

Buses also connect the bus station with Simferopol, Sevastopol and Yalta (2½ hours).

The train station is near the central market, from where local buses will take you to the Old City (Старый Город) and the New City (Новый город). Local bus number 2 starts at the train station, goes on to the bus station before doubling back on itself and going to the palace and old town. Taxis also wait at the bus and train stations.

Get around

From the train station, it's about a 30-minute walk to the Khan's Palace or a 10-minute ride on local bus no. 2.

If you want to get somewhere a bit farther and don't feel like hiking and no bus seems to service the route try approaching a local with a car down at the main square where the bus and trains run from, for a price (usually USD 6-10) they'll take you for up to a 30 minute car ride.

See

 * Kachi Kaleon - A Greek cliff city with several cave churches, this is also a short bus ride out of the city.
 * Tash Ayeer - This is another hiking area very near Kachi Kaleon.
 * Kachi Kaleon - A Greek cliff city with several cave churches, this is also a short bus ride out of the city.
 * Tash Ayeer - This is another hiking area very near Kachi Kaleon.
 * Kachi Kaleon - A Greek cliff city with several cave churches, this is also a short bus ride out of the city.
 * Tash Ayeer - This is another hiking area very near Kachi Kaleon.

Do

 * Hiking! - At any number of the street vendors you should be able to buy yourself a great topographical map, don't expect to find any such map outside of the Crimea, you'll have to buy it there.
 * Smoking - If you are in the center of Crimean Tatar civilization you should try water pipe. Except traditional one filled with water, you can also smoke through the dry vine or brandy. Try it in the restaurants and clubs near the Khans palace.

Buy
Any number of cheap trinkets are on sale at little booths manned by locals in front of all of the tourist attractions in the town.

Near the palace is a store called Usta (Crimean Tatar for "master") that sells things made by Crimean Tatar artisans. Several masters work in the workshop there. Of particular interest is the silver master who often has television crews interviewing him.

In front of the Khan's palace you can get some wonderful baked goods, including samsa, (Tatar) baklava and chibureky.

Eat

 * Cafe Meyhane (Кафе Мейхане) (on the main road, about 1 km from the Hansaray, 50 m to the right of the Ismail Gasprinsky monument- down towards the small river running through the town). Excellent value Tatar/Uzbek restaurant. Shashlyk, salad, tea and lepyoshka. Lovely outdoor setting with Central Asian takhtas to sit on. No English is spoken but the pretty/flirty Tatar girls working as waitresses are very helpful in trying to help with the menu. Plov, manty, lagman, sarma, shashlyk, samsa, shurpa, cheburek Tatar baklava, chak-chak are all available.

Near the Hansaray (the Khan's Palace) are several restaurants:

 * Cafe Aliyeh (Кафе Алие) near the Pushkin monument. They feature a full menu of Tatar/Central Asian cuisine including Lagman, Manty, Cheburek, Shashlyk, Dolma, Sarma and Plov, a variety of salads, beer, wine, juice, Turkish coffee, tea and American sodas. (If they are out of a particular beverage, it is perfectly acceptable to run across the street to the store "Fontan" and bring something back.) They feature indoor and outdoor seating and have hookas as well.
 * Pushkin (across from the Hansaray) considered the finest restaurant in Bakhchisaray. They feature an international menu. The desserts are a particular highlight, especially the apple struddle.
 * Caravan (halfway between the Khan's palace and the Uspensky monastery) A superb Tatar restaurant. Expensive for the area (USD10 for one) and no alcohol is served but the food is excellent. As an additional bonus one of the waiters speaks excellent English, so not only can you ask about the food and know what you're getting ahead of time, he'll tell you a bit of history of the region while you are there.

Less refined budget Tatar restaurants are near the train station. They offer excellent Lagman and Chebureky. There are also Sharma stands in this area.

Drink
Wine tasting is available at a store just passed the Khan's Palace. Sample the different varieties of Crimean wine, but beware when bus loads of Polish\Ukrainian tourists wander in all at once.

Sleep
Rooms and apartments are available in varying levels of comfort from a very basic place without running water and with a toilet in the garden. Owners can be extremely friendly and helpful. For a few extra dollars they'll wash your clothes for you (by hand).

There are two hotels (one in Old City, the other in New) in the city as well as a hostel (in old city near the palace, behind the store Usta) owned by a Polish man.

The cheapest hostel bed is €8: ask for it at the otherwise unhelpful tourist information office.

Go next
A spectacular 2- to 3-day hike can be made following this route. Having a map will probably help:

 * 1) From Bakhchisaray (alt. 166 m) head 10 km by road to the village of Bashtanovka (Russian: Баштановка, Ukrainian: Баштанівка, 44°41′19″N, 33°53′41″E, alt. 180 m). Spend some time refreshing yourself in the lake above the village.
 * 2) Follow trail number 82 to the village of Visoko. The first 5 km will be nice and smooth through pleasant fields. When you get to the orchards below the two reservoirs verge right across the stream and over into the orchards. Be sure to veer right and do not be tempted by the clear trail up to one of the lakes that is on marked the map: it doesn't exist. From here the uphill hiking starts. Once you cross through the orchards (about 400 m of walking) you'll need to hang a left (after having done a lot of uphill walking). Another 300 meters and you should reach a large reservoir, which makes for a pleasant swim and snack break.
 * 3) Visoko (Ukrainian: Високе, 44°38′10″N, 33°57′22″E, alt. 380 m - 530 m) isn't named high for nothing. This village is a complicated mess of houses that starts at the base of a mountain and wanders up its side. To make it through the mess, head south-east and uphill on the road through the village. Otherwise, you'll be asking for directions at every turn: if lost, ask for directions to Sonyachnosillya. There is a food shop somewhere in the village but it is in a private house and has no sign (why does it need a sign? Everyone knows where it is, silly). As you approach the end of the village you'll come to a large field that extends up the mountain. Follow the path through the field. When you reach the tree line, follow the tree line to the left. You'll then come to a nice path heading into the forest and you'll have reached the walk's high point (alt. 650 m). You are now over the mountain and on your way down towards Sonyachnosillya.
 * 4) The views on the other side of the mountain are wonderful and makes this a great area to camp. After coming across the wonderful view, if you follow the trail another 300 m you'll lose the view as you head back up the hill but reach a secluded field that is a decent spot to pitch camp. You are close to a horse ranch though so don't be surprised if a Crimean cowboy comes through the field with his herd.
 * 5) Sonyachnosillya (Ukrainian: Сонячносілля, 44°36′25″N, 33°56′54″E, alt. 350 m) is almost entirely populated by extremely old people tending their cows. There is a small shop where you can buy some food.  The women working in it has a Czech grandmother, so if you're Czech she'll be very happy to see you. From here just continue down the road until you reach Aromat
 * 6) Aromat (Ukrainian: Аромат, 44°34′39″N, 33°56′20″E, alt. 220 m) is a town on the road that runs from Bakhchisaray to the Bolshoi Canyon and on to Yalta. It has a hospital of some sort smack in the middle of town, which has fairly decent toilets you can use. From here you can keep hiking, pickup a car to the Bolshoi Canyon or catch a minibus to Bakhchisaray or Yalta.

title: Bakhchysarai