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Sosnowiec

Sosnowiec is a city in the Silesian Voivodeship of southern Poland, with a population of 189,178 in 2022. It's industrial, and part of the GZM metropolis centred on Katowice 10 km west.

Understand
Sosna means pine forests, and a series of small towns emerged in the woods of Upper Silesia in the 12th century and fortified themselves. They only grew and coalesced from the 18th century with industries based on wool, coal and iron: the shallow coal deposits were soon worked out so the miners had to dig down 1000 m, but the deeper seams were rich. Even richer grew the mill and colliery owners, so Sosnowiec was embellished by their fancy mansions, plus the occasional church to show off their spiritual wealth. These smokestack industries dwindled in the late 20th century but the heritage of mansions and churches survives.

By plane
Katowice-Pyrzowice airport is 24 km north of Sosnowiec in Pyrzowice. It has domestic and European flights plus holiday destinations around the Med & Red, plus the Gulf States. ZTM Bus M19 runs direct to Sosnowiec hourly round the clock.

Kraków John-Paul II Airport 70 km east has a far greater range of flights. Take the train or Bus 300 into Kraków and change, there's no direct transport to Sosnowiec.

By train
is the main railway station, in city centre.

Trains from Warsaw run every two hours (many starting from Gdańsk) and take 2 hr 30 min via Zawiercie. They continue to Katowice then to Gliwice, or to Bielsko-Biała, or via Ostrava and Olomouc to Prague or Vienna. From Poznań, Wrocław, Kraków or Berlin change at Katowice - altogether three trains an hour connect to Sosnowiec, taking 11 minutes.

From Częstochowa trains run hourly, taking 80 min via Zawiercie and Dabrowa Gornicza, and continue to Katowice and Gliwice.

From Kielce two or three trains a day take 1 hr 45 min via Zawiercie and Dabrowa Gornicza, and continue to Katowice.

From Sedziszow trains run every 2-3 hours on a slow line to Katowice, groaning to a halt at Sosnowiec Kazimierz, Dańdówka, and Południowy south side of the city. They don't stop at Sosnowiec Główny and you're unlikely to use these stations.

By bus
Flixbus runs overnight from Gdańsk via Toruń and Łódź (which has connections from Berlin and Warsaw) and Katowice Airport. It continues to Katowice town and Bielsko-Biała.

Bus M4 runs between Katowice and Sosnowiec every 20 min, taking 20 minutes. The bus station is opposite the railway station on 3 Maja.

By road
From Kraków take A4 west (90 km), and from Wrocław take A4 southeast (205 km). A4 has tolls.

From Warsaw take E67 southwest (300 km). From the Czech Republic follow A1 past Ostrava to join A4 near Gliwice then head east.

Sosnowiec has no Park & Ride or big car parks but there are many small car parks along the roads into city centre.

Get around
ZTM is the transport combine for the Katowice conurbation, covering Sosnowiec, Gliwice, Będzin, Mysłowice, Chorzów, Dąbrowa Górnicza and others. Use their travel planner to reach outlying points such as Będzin Castle.

Rover Bike Share is available by registering online. You pay 10 złoty upfront, and hire via your mobile.

See

 * is nowadays a courthouse so you can only admire (or puzzle at) the exterior, at 1 Maja 19. Oskar Bruno Schön (1867-1905) was an industrialist who appears to have thrown a large wad of money at the designers and told them to include every major architecture style. He was shot during the 1905-07 uprising against Russian rule and harsh living conditions, and in 1919-21 the building was the headquarters of another uprising.
 * is nowadays a courthouse so you can only admire (or puzzle at) the exterior, at 1 Maja 19. Oskar Bruno Schön (1867-1905) was an industrialist who appears to have thrown a large wad of money at the designers and told them to include every major architecture style. He was shot during the 1905-07 uprising against Russian rule and harsh living conditions, and in 1919-21 the building was the headquarters of another uprising.
 * is nowadays a courthouse so you can only admire (or puzzle at) the exterior, at 1 Maja 19. Oskar Bruno Schön (1867-1905) was an industrialist who appears to have thrown a large wad of money at the designers and told them to include every major architecture style. He was shot during the 1905-07 uprising against Russian rule and harsh living conditions, and in 1919-21 the building was the headquarters of another uprising.
 * Sielecki Park stretches south of the castle for almost a km. It's a bosky green space with a small canalised river running through, pleasant for strolling or jogging. It's open 24 hours and has multiple access points from 3 Maja the boulevard on its west flank.
 * starts one km northeast of the castle. It's extensive, with open and wooded areas. At its east corner is a sports complex including the football stadium, and a ski tow.
 * is a redbrick neogothic structure at Mariacka 18, built 1904-11.
 * Dietel Park is west of the Palace.
 * Schön Park is north of the Palace Museum. Within it, Pałac Wilhelma is a neo-baroque mansion built in 1900. It suffered a fire in 2010 and has been closed for renovation ever since.
 * Dietel Park is west of the Palace.
 * Schön Park is north of the Palace Museum. Within it, Pałac Wilhelma is a neo-baroque mansion built in 1900. It suffered a fire in 2010 and has been closed for renovation ever since.
 * Schön Park is north of the Palace Museum. Within it, Pałac Wilhelma is a neo-baroque mansion built in 1900. It suffered a fire in 2010 and has been closed for renovation ever since.

Further out

 * 5 km south of Sosnowiec is a separate large city. If you're passing through, you might visit the medieval Farna Church, Holy Cross Church, the Jewish cemetery and the Museum of Firefighting.
 * at the south edge of Mysłowice is a former tripoint, at the confluence of the Black and White Przemsza rivers. (The Black is stained by flowing over outcrops of coal.) Poland was carved up by the Great Powers in 1772, and from 1871 to 1918 the three banks of the confluence lay in different empires: the German, the Russian Empire, and Austria-Hungary. Germany made a thing of this, erecting the Bismark Tower here and organising river cruises to admire it. All three empires collapsed at the end of the First World War and the spot lay within re-unified Poland, while the tower was neglected and fell down. There's a small monument but what would more improve the area is a footbridge, to re-unite a park that still feels partitioned.
 * (Millennium Park) is a large woodland park at the west edge of town.
 * (Millennium Park) is a large woodland park at the west edge of town.
 * (Millennium Park) is a large woodland park at the west edge of town.

Do

 * Muse Art Cafe has rock and other live music. It's at Warsawska 2 next to the railway station.
 * is on Stawicki lake, one of a series of lagoons and reservoirs west edge of the city. Wake Zone Stawicki is a wake-boarding centre here.
 * Football: Zagłębie Sosnowiec were relegated in 2024 and now play soccer in II Liga, the third tier. Their home ground Zagłębiowski Park (sponsored as ArcelorMittal Park, capacity 11,500) was completed in 2023. It's in Środula sports complex 3 km east of town centre, and occasionally hosts big games by other clubs whose regular stadium is too small.
 * Ice hockey: KH Zagłębie Sosnowiec play in Polska Hokej Liga, the top tier. Their home rink is within the sports complex.
 * Ski: Stok Środula is a ski tow at the north end of Środula park. The longest run is only 450 m. It relies on natural snowfall, there's no artificial surface.
 * Fun Festival is held in June in Zagłębiowski Park.
 * Ice hockey: KH Zagłębie Sosnowiec play in Polska Hokej Liga, the top tier. Their home rink is within the sports complex.
 * Ski: Stok Środula is a ski tow at the north end of Środula park. The longest run is only 450 m. It relies on natural snowfall, there's no artificial surface.
 * Fun Festival is held in June in Zagłębiowski Park.
 * Fun Festival is held in June in Zagłębiowski Park.
 * Fun Festival is held in June in Zagłębiowski Park.

Buy

 * Supermarkets: lots of medium-sized stores in town centre, Żabka and Biedronka are the main chains.
 * Designer Outlet Sosnowiec or Jęzor Centrum is 10 km south beyond Mysłowice, at the junction of S1 south and Highway 79 east.
 * Designer Outlet Sosnowiec or Jęzor Centrum is 10 km south beyond Mysłowice, at the junction of S1 south and Highway 79 east.
 * Designer Outlet Sosnowiec or Jęzor Centrum is 10 km south beyond Mysłowice, at the junction of S1 south and Highway 79 east.

Eat

 * Bar Mleczny serves inexpensive trad fare at Warszawska 3 opposite the station. Their delivery service is useless but sit-down meals are okay. They're open daily 08:00-17:00.
 * Bar Mleczny serves inexpensive trad fare at Warszawska 3 opposite the station. Their delivery service is useless but sit-down meals are okay. They're open daily 08:00-17:00.

Drink

 * The main pub strip is Małachowskiego, which courses south off 3 Maja near the railway station. Don't get too ratted, as trams hurtle along it.

 * Chicago is a retro US diner and bar next to Księgarnia at Małachowskiego 26, open daily to 23:00.
 * Nora Bar at Małachowskiego 28 is open Th-Su 17:00-00:00.
 * Ministerstwo Śledzia i Wódki at at Małachowskiego 32 calls itself a gastropub but has limited food. It's open Su-Th 16:00-00:00, F Sa 16:00-02:00.
 * Ministerstwo Śledzia i Wódki at at Małachowskiego 32 calls itself a gastropub but has limited food. It's open Su-Th 16:00-00:00, F Sa 16:00-02:00.

Sleep

Learn

 * Humanitas Academy offer intensive Polish language courses for foreigners.

Connect
As of March 2024, Sosnowiec and its approach highways have 5G from all Polish carriers.

Go next

 * Katowice 10 km west is the regional capital and transport hub with much industrial heritage.
 * Auschwitz-Birkenau 33 km southeast is two of the many concentration, labour and extermination camps established by the Nazis during the Second World War.
 * Bielsko-Biała 80 km south has a cosy old town and many beautiful buildings from Austro-Hungarian times.
 * "Eagle Nest Castle Ruins" stand in the Jura in Ogrodzieniec, Olsztyn, Rudno, Mirów and Ojców.
 * Częstochowa: the monastery of Jasna Góra is a major pilgrimage site, displaying the icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa, the "Black Madonna".

title: Sosnowiec


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Sospel

Sospel small town in the Alpes-Maritimes Département of France.

Get in
Sospel lays about 30 minutes from Nice and 15 minutes from Menton on the autoroute A8 with exit Menton in the Alpes Maritime (365m above sea level) Bus service from Menton line 910 service every 1 - 2 hours depending on the time of day and the fair is cheap at €1. Train from Nice 5 or 6 a day is €5.80 single.

Get around
By car is best. Buses are cheap and the train is not to bad either but the service are not always conveniently timed

See
Loads of architecture from Roman to renaissance and beyond. There are many maginot line forts to visit around the town many open just at weekends or during the week in the summer months. Fantastic walks and horse rides in spectacular scenery.

Do

 * Horseback riding
 * Walking
 * Mountain biking
 * Paragliding
 * Rock climbing
 * Canoeing,
 * Nature walk

Buy
Market day is on Thursday. There are loads of stalls particularly if the weather is good. Local products include honey, pesto, olives, fruit and veg. Property here is cheap compared to the coast.

Eat
Best Pizza La Cabanon by the Post Office. Best is Corsican Pizza house is L’Estabi in rue St Pierre. The Mordangne does some really great galletes and steaks too. For a snack try Suota Loggia in place St Nicolas by the Pont Vieux. And maybe the PMU Bar in Place de la Cabraia.

Drink

 * Bar de Rome, Rue St Pierre. Most evenings this is where many of the local Brits and other English speakers go.
 * Bar du Marche The terrace here is where you’ll see the world go by during daylight hours and on into the evening in the summer.

Sleep
It's a really top notch place to stay. Fashionably tatty on the outside but a joy on the inside with extra large rooms and just the right amount of attention.

To discuss bookings, call 01273 771 636.
 * For something slightly off the beaten track, go to the loft of le Mas des Oliviers, an independent studio attached to the 250 year old mas, with all mod cons including aircon and english free to view t.v. and your own kitchenette, easy access in a 2 hectare olive grove.
 * Very private and charming house: Sospel Nature,, 5 minutes from the center of the Village with a beautiful backyard and small river going through (Bevera). Perfect for family vacation. Can sleep 6 people
 * For somewhere traditional, private and looked after by an English family that have lived in Sospel for 30 years, stay at The Apartment, 27 Boulevard de Verdun. An apartment in a traditional French villa, perched on the side of the valley overlooking Sospel, just a short walk from the centre. Fabulous views, self catering, sleeps 5 (perfect for families).

Go next
Menton is only 30 minute by car or bus. Monaco is only 45 minutes by car and Nice is about 50 minutes by car or train.

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

title: Sospel


text:
Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei is the main attraction of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The word vlei is an Afrikaans word that means "pan" and Sossusvlei is a clay pan between large sand dunes. The name of the 'town' (i.e. petrol station) is Sesriem, also the name of a nearby canyon.

The Namib
Deserts, though they are very harsh, are a delicate ecosystem with a surprising amount of life living around and underneath the dunes. Keep this in mind when roaming around and driving in the area.

The Namib Desert is the oldest desert in the world and stretches over 1,500 km from the Orange River in the south into Angola in the north. There is a wide range of landscapes in the Namib, from gravel, to rocky mountains to huge dunes in varying colours of sand. The sandy part of the Namib is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Namib Sand Sea.

Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is a mud pan created by the Tsauchab River that flows through the Namib every 5 to 10 years. Even in very wet years it does not reach the Atlantic Ocean but gets blocked by sand dunes, and then slowly evaporates. The clay that the Tsauchab deposits has created Sossusvlei and, centuries ago with a different river course, the Dead Vlei. Sossus means "place of no return" (note: there are other explanations, this is the one given by local guides), and a vlei is Afrikaans for 'clay pan'.

Dead Vlei
The mud from the river stacks up at Sossusvlei and after some 1000 years the river searches its way through the next row of dunes. This is how the place called Dead Vlei was created, here the river used to drain away many years ago. Because of the lack of water all the trees in this valley have died, so the meaning of "Dead Vlei" becomes clear.

What makes the sight of the Dead Vlei so remarkable is that there is not even moisture enough for normal decomposition to occur. So all the trees here, though dead, have been nearly perfectly preserved for centuries.

Get in
Sesriem is the better part of a day's drive from Windhoek. As you pass from the Great Escarpment down into the Namib Desert you need to choose a mountain pass. The easiest one from Windhoek is, reachable via Rehoboth, the most spectacular one is , the steepest in Namibia, forbidden for trucks and trailers. Spreetshoogte requires some nerves and some patience, do stay in first gear, or your brake disks might burn. On the way back (uphill), (on the C26 between Windhoek and Walvis Bay) can be tricky without good ground clearance and tire grip, and Spreetshoogte might be a challenge for cars with little torque.

Sesriem is still some 65 km from the Sossusvlei, and the gates open at sunrise and close at sunset. The only way to be at the dunes at sunrise is to stay at the Namibia Wildlife Resort accommodation (either the upmarket Sossus Dune Lodge or the Sesriem Campsite, both listed below) which are inside the gate. There are several private lodges that claim they are closer to Sossusvlei, but this is essentially a rip-off: While they might be geographically closer they have to pass the gate like everyone else.

Several tour companies operate tours from Windhoek and Swakopmund to Sossuvlei, so then you don't have to worry about the driving at all.

Sossusvlei is inside Namib-Naukluft National Park so a permit is required to enter. Permits can be purchased at the park office just inside the gate at Sesriem.

Get around
The road from the accommodations in Sesriem to Sossusvlei is 65 km and tarred for all but the last 5 km. The road is well maintained, and driving is easy. Driving from the gate to the 4x2 parking area will take an hour. The last 5 km are through deep soft sand. For this last section you will need a 4x4 to drive it, but if you have no experience driving off-road this is probably not the track to gain some. Inexperienced tourists burying their rented car in the deep sand are a major entertainment for professional guides and locals alike! Alternatively, take one of the shuttles that regularly run between the end of the tarred road and Sossusvlei (for 150N$, kids free, September 2019). The shuttles have two stops, and Deadvlei and Sossusvlei. It may be possible to walk the 10km return between the carpark and Sossusvlei, but there are no facilities for walking, you would just be following the road.

Transport and guided tours to and from Sossusvlei are also provided by some of the lodges for their guests.

See

 * and in two valleys side-by-side in the Namib. One has living trees. The other is completely cut off from all water sources and the trees are just dead stumps.
 * Wildlife isn't the main reason to come to Sossusvlei, but it isn't unusual to see springbok, gemsbok (oryx) and ostrich.
 * and in two valleys side-by-side in the Namib. One has living trees. The other is completely cut off from all water sources and the trees are just dead stumps.
 * Wildlife isn't the main reason to come to Sossusvlei, but it isn't unusual to see springbok, gemsbok (oryx) and ostrich.

Do

 * Climb one of the dunes. The view from top is spectacular.
 * Watch the sunrise. This sounds like a see activity, but is actually very much a do thing. Climb dune 45 (or any other) in the dark and then watch the sunrise in the world's oldest desert. Note that this is only possible if you stay in accommodation run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. For all other visitors the gate only opens at sunrise. Dune 45 takes another 45 km to drive, that's where the name comes from, and about an hour to climb.
 * Hike in the Namib. Hike from the end of the tarred road in to Sossusvlei. Get some nice close contact with dried mud flats, dunes, and the odd animal. Don't get lost.

Eat
There is a small general store at the Sesriem petrol station, offering light meals like sausage and hamburger. The NWR campsite has a bar, a shop, and a restaurant. The restaurant at the Sossus Dune Lodge is a must and is also accessible if you're not staying there.

Drink
There is a bar at the Sesriem campground where people hang out after a hard day of hiking in the desert.

Sleep
There are a number of luxury resorts in the surrounding area but only from inside the park gate can Sossusvlei be reached at sunset:

Stay safe
Don't get lost while wandering in the desert. And remember to drink plenty of water (as you should be doing throughout your time in Namibia, as it is a very dry country). All of the usual desert safety protocols apply.

title: Sossusvlei


text:
Sost

Sost is a town in Upper Hunza. It is the last town on the Karakoram Highway in Pakistan. It has a dry port and immigration office, which gives the town a bustling feeling with goods and people coming and going.

By bus
Buses to and from Tashkurgan stop in Sost, with the driving time taking roughly 5 hours.

The seems to be where busses crossing the border arrive and leave from. You will have to go through the entry and exit process here as well as fill out a health declaration form. It can be quite a busy and chaotic place, so arrive here with plenty of time before your scheduled departure time and don't be surprised if it leaves late!

Buy

 * There are several general stores along the highway to stock up on food and drinks.
 * Car and motorcycle mechanic workshops
 * Souvenir shops

Eat

 * There are many restaurants and street food vendors along the Karakoram Highway.

Connect
There is SCOM cell signal in the town, although the speed of the internet connection is very slow during peak hours.

Go next

 * Tashkurgan
 * Chapursan valley
 * Passu

title: Sost


text:
Sosúa

Sosua is in the Puerto Plata province of the Dominican Republic. Sosua is famous for being a top destination for the single male. The many nightclubs crammed into this small area is ideal for bar-hoppers and party goers. During the day, the Sosua Beach is the ideal destination for those looking to relax, swim, or sober up from a night of drunken debauchery. The residents are very friendly and are always willing to give a hand.

Understand
German Jews settled this little pueblo in the early 1940s. Many streets are named for Ashkenazic Jews.

By plane
Most visitors will fly in to Puerto Plata's airport. Before going through immigration, you'll have to purchase a "tourist card" for US$10 (think of it as a tourist tax). When leaving the airport you'll immediately be greeted by vendors, money changers and taxi drivers. Since everything is much more expensive at the airport, neither change money nor buy anything.

The taxi fare for the 10-minute ride from the airport is fixed at US$25 per car with little to no room for negotiation. If you already booked your accommodation, ask them for a transport to save a few dollars.

If you arrive at Santiago, Santo Domingo or Punta Cana, you'll have to take a bus to Sosua since there are no domestic flights within the Dominican Republic.

By bus
Caribe Tours buses leave every full hour from Santo Domingo, via Santiago and Puerto Plata to Sosua. They stop along the way in all the major cities and towns (about 5 stops). Buses are comfortable, modern, air conditioned (usually turned up to arctic levels) and have a restroom (though usually without toilet paper - bring your own!) The trip takes about 5 hours and costs RD$450 (as of Mar 2019) for a one-way ticket. Motoconchos and taxis wait at the bus station to bring you to your accommodation.

By car
From Santo Domingo's airport, either turn left into Santo Domingo and follow the road until just until after the elevated express way ends, turn right towards John F. Kennedy Avenue (follow the sign), turn left on John F. Kennedy Avenue and stay on that road for about 3 to 4 hours until you reach Puerto Plata. In Puerto Plata just keep going until you see the first road signs to Sosua.

Alternatively, just when leaving the airport turn right towards La Romana, Bahia and Punta Cana. After a few kilometers take the exit towards Samana (beware, it is on the left side of the road - you go down a ramp and through a tunnel!) and then take the toll-road to Samana for about 2 hours until you reach the point where you either go to the right towards Samana or left towards Nagua, Rio San Juan, Puerto Plata. The overall toll is about RD$420 for a small car - obey the speed limits there, they regularly set up speed traps because the road makes you want to go much faster. In Nagua turn right towards 4 o'clock at the traffic lights where you have to chose between right and left again. Keep on going for another 2 hours through the aforementioned towns (sanity check: water should be to your right!) Nagua itself can be tricky to navigate, if in doubt, ask a local for directions to Puerto Plata.

From Punta Cana you first have to go to Santo Domingo, thus the same two options listed above apply.

From Santa Barbara de Samana take the road towards Santo Domingo until you see signs for Nagua, then follow those. See above for how to proceed from there.

Get around
The town is relatively small and walkable. You can also get around using the motoconcho, where you are basically hitching a ride on the back of someone's motorcycle. The price within the El Batey area of Sosua is RD$20 during the day and RD$40 at night, though you will certainly be quoted more if you ask them firsthand. Simply tell the driver where you want to go, hop on, and hand the driver the exact fare when you arrive at your destination and walk away. The motoconcho drivers are everywhere and will actively solicit you for a ride. Do not hop a concho while you are inebriated.

The cheapest way to move between Sosua and the surrounding cities and towns of Puerto Plata, Cabarete and Rio San Juan, as well as the tourist resorts in between, is by guagua (Caribbean Spanish slang for bus), which are small mini-vans operating on the main highway between Puerto Plata and Rio San Juan. At peak hours they pass every five or ten minutes. Short distances (i.e., Sosua to Cabarete) should cost no more than RD$20 to Cabarete, to RD$30 to Puerto Plata. They will pack in up to 25 people per mini-van (this is not an exaggeration!), with passengers almost in each other's laps. Watch your wallet! You may even have someone's cage of roosters deposited on you lap. Then the merengue starts up on the radio and half the passengers pitch in, singing from memory.

Tourist taxis are plentiful but expensive when compared to the other modes of transportation in Sosua. As of March 2009, tourist taxi from Caribe Tours bus station to El Batey run RD$150. A taxi from Sosua to Puerto Plata airport will charge US$25 for the car. Many taxi drivers will attempt quote US$25 per person, so be aware. Note that it is possible to get a ride for as low as US$10, however, you must #1 dress the part #2 speak good Spanish. Leave your luggage at your place of stay, and go out dressed like a local (shirtless & sandals) towards the taxi hub. Ask around where for the taxi meeting point. After a few minutes of asking around, a local with a car will eventually ask you where you want to go. Say you want to go to the airport, and that you will pay US$10. Most locals will think this is a good price and take you in their private pickup/car. Included in this price is the 1-3 block drive to your place of stay (to pick up your luggage). Give them the money once at the airport. This is a little more difficult to do with legitimate taxis at the taxi hub.

The taxi ride from the airport to almost any point in Sosua is less than 10 minutes. You will pay about US$15 from Sosua to Cabarete but this is a complete ripoff when the guagua runs through town and charges RD$20 pesos per person. Guaguas and publicos run through the main roads. You have to flag them down so they will stop for you.

Car rentals may be had locally and if you prefer to deal with the international chains, stop by the Puerto Plata airport. An economy car may be rented for US$30 per day. Check with your credit card company first to see what coverage they provide because this price is not inclusive of insurance. Local insurance is expensive so most simply rely on the coverage provided by their credit card.

You may also simply take guaguas which are the carro publicos along the main road which are affordable and overcrowded. For instance a taxi between Sosua and Cabarete from the official stop will cost upwards of US$20 while a guagua will cost about US$1.50. Similarly you can get to the airport for US$30 from a taxi at one of the stops which has set fares or take the carro publico for less than US$2.

Propinas
Before you venture out on your own, or even with a group of people, be aware of men or boys who are looking to help you find what you need. While walking you will be approached with offers of help with changing your money, finding a restaurant or finding a nice bar or gift shop. On the beach you will be offered assistance with getting a lounge chair or having a drink or food from one of the many beach stalls fetched for you.

In the vast majority of cases these folks are harmless and can be a wealth of information. If you decide to use their services you will be charged a small fee above the asking rate for any item you purchase, eat or drink, and that fee will be passed to your helper after services are rendered. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Sosuans are accomplished capitalists and they also are a lot less well off than you! If you already know exactly what you want and a "tag-along" Sosuan is starting a conversation with you while you are walking along, be firm in telling him that you need no help! If you are first timer offer the propina man a small fee up front for an hour or for the day and he will become a wealth of information for you.

Do not, under any circumstances, use a propina man for money changing. Money changing operations are well signed and easy to find.

See
Playa Sosua is the town's main beach. It is a fun, colorful and lively beach which is approximately one kilometer long, with a row of shacks along the back, selling food, drinks and souvenirs. At one end of the beach is the El Batey neighborhood, which was founded by a community of about 600 Jews exiled here from Eastern Europe during World War II. It contains the small synagogue, still occasionally used by Jews from the surrounding communities, as well as a small museum documenting the history of the Jewish community in Sosua, both set in a tidy tropical green lawn adjacent to Casa Marina Resort. The synagogue has services on Friday evenings about once per month - check with the museum whether there are services the week you are there. Batey no longer has an active Jewish community; it is now the tourist section of town, containing several all-inclusive resorts, as well as a number of smaller hotels and guest houses.

At the other end of the beach is Los Charamicos, which is the locals' neighborhood and somewhat more run-down and lively than Batey. For an authentic cockfighting experience go to Club Gallistico, in Charamicos. It is along one of the main streets but you will have to ask for directions. Cockfights are on Saturday afternoons and sometimes on other days of the week. It is best not to venture alone into the alleyways of Charamicos as they are unsafe. The main streets are OK during daytime but care should be taken at night.

The beach is very popular and offers the best local option for the snorkeling enthusiast - snorkelers should swim out to the reef that lies about 100 m from the shore. A beach chair rental should cost about RD$60. Refuse to pay any more. Equipment can also be rented there. There are lots of gift shops where you will be quoted absolutely laughable prices (see the "Buy" section below).

There are two other beaches in town. Playa Alicia is accessible from the On the Waterfront restaurant. This beach is quieter and more sterile than Playa Sosua, and is thus a good option for those who want to trade a bit of local color for a more relaxed experience. The town's third and smallest beach is accessible from the Sosua by the Sea hotel.

Do
As in the other towns on the North Coast, tour operators offer numerous excursions to surrounding sites and nearby adventure activities at reasonable prices. These include whale watching (December to March), jeep tours, waterfalls and swimming holes, deep sea fishing, whitewater rafting, snorkeling, mountain biking, horseback riding, interesting beaches, as well as tours of Puerta Plata, Santiago, Santo Domingo and the border area of Haiti. Check with a tour operator near your hotel for available excursions. The range of tour options and the trips themselves are almost identical among the various tour operators.

Buy
Tourists are always quoted prices inflated by a factor of at least 2, sometimes even 5 or 6. A good rule of thumb is consider how much you would pay at home for a similar item. If you are tired of haggling, just offer a price and walk away if they don't agree. Chances are they will run after you and sell for the price offered.

Most of the souvenir shops sell the same ubiquitous Latin American fare. Sosua also has a large number of Haitian paintings for sale. Many of these oil paintings are the same in each shop. Occasionally some good quality artwork can be found.

Cigars of course are popular but prices vary. Very good Dominican cigars (torpedo size) can be bought for US$3 per piece if bought directly at the factory and with lots of haggling, add US$1 or US$2 markup for the local vendor to arrive at a realistic price - but you will without doubt be quoted US$10 to US$15 and have to haggle a lot. Only buy cigars at souvenir stores, stands on the beach or from beach vendors if you really know cigars and can tell real ones from fakes. Cuban cigars may be purchased but beware that many of the Cuban name brands also have Dominican manufacture, though the quality is said to rival that of Cuban ones. When buying boxes, always inspect their content before paying or you might end up with cigars made from worm-punctured leaves even when the factory itself has a good name.

Authentic leather goods are not available in any tourist oriented shop or beach shack in Sosua. Imitation leather is the rule of the day. Authentic leather goods are more commonly found in Santo Domingo.

If you head away from the beach to the main road there is a large supermarket where the prices for lots of goods are a lot cheaper, except for fruit which is best bought in dedicated fruit stores.

Eat
Sosua has a lot of restaurants and you can find authentic German food, Italian food, English fare, and of course, if you look for it, traditional Dominican cooking. Many Dominicans can cook food rivaling New York City restaurants on not much more than a hot plate and an open flame. Service time varies in between restaurants and in between different nights. Often the same restaurant will be very slow one night (coincidentally when the boss in not around) and excellent the next.

Drink
Presidente and Bohemia, once virtually the sole choice besides rum drinks, are now being challenged by Brahma, another locally brewed beer (of Brazilian origin), and by Quilmes (an Argentinian beer). Several of the bars now stock European and American beers at a premium price. Brugal, the local rum with its company headquarters on the eastern outskirts of Puerto Plata, will be placed in your rum drinks unless you have the savvy to ask for the Barceló (another local rum which is of far superior quality.) Mixed drinks tend to be rum based and cost more than beer but "when in Rome." Many of the restaurants and bars have a happy hour from 4-7PM which is often 2-1 drinks.

On the beach, there is an endless array of restaurants (along with the souvenir shops stuffed with the same goods) which serve drinks and each small swath of beach has a different person who provides concierge service for a modest fee (US$0.30 per drink). As one leaves the beach there are a number of expatriate bars and restaurants clustered towards the end of Pedro Clisante closest to the beach. The Checkpoint Pub is popular during the day. The Brittania restaurant has an excellent Happy Hour. Beside that is "The Jolly Rogers", owned and operated by a pair of Canadians, Patti and Kelly. They offer weekly trivia and bingo, a happy hour, live music, and sports on TV. Rudy's has a weekly karaoke night. There is a substantial international community who frequents these establishments which lends a cosmopolitan feel to this end of town.

As one heads away from this expatriate area, Pedro Clisante is dominated by discos and bars which are companionship friendly. This end of town rather than being reminiscent of San Sebastian in Spain harkens to the nightlife of Manila. The Club Classico is the fountainhead of Sosua nightlife with the burgeoning Sosua Life just a few blocks away. Sosua is a friendly Town, prices and ambiance vary greatly within the town.

Sleep
Budget hotels start at around US$25 per night, while the all-inclusive resorts can range in price up to several hundred dollars per night. Most hotels will agree on a discount when you book for a week (10-20%) or a full month (up to 50%), especially in off-season. Since sex-tourism is a major factor in town, hotels are divided between a strict "no working girls"- and a very liberal policy - ask before booking about their "guest policy" so you can make sure you stay in a place that floats your boat.

Most hotels offer free WiFi, though, if you book after arrival, it makes sense to check connectivity and speeds in the offered room because not all have reliable/fast connections.

Splurge

For additional nearby options see Cabarete and Puerto Plata.

Stay safe
Be prepared for the heat. The Dominican Republic is sub-tropical and warm all year.

Prostitution is common in Sosua, so men should expect to be propositioned by women offering "massages" with extra favors. In general these individuals will not be overly aggressive, so if you keep walking and say "No, gracias" there shouldn't be any problems. In bars, men will have lots of women vying for their attention - keep in mind that they are not smiling at you and grabbing at you because they are suddenly in love with you.

Go next
The nearest towns are Puerto Plata to the west and Cabarete to the east. Further eastward it is possible to see Dominican Republic without the expatriate crowd. As you leave the civilization of Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete, European-style restaurants and supermarkets become rare as to other first world conveniences such as the internet cafes which abound on every third corner in Sosua.

If you are looking for a less trammeled vacation experience, drive out to Samana (4 hours) or consider staying in Las Canas, which is 35 minutes to the east but feels like it is a million miles from civilization. Private villa rentals are available with a beach that you can walk on for hours without seeing anybody.

Read section "Get around" above for ways of finding US$10 fare to Puerto Plata airport.

 * Cabarete - 10 minutes to the east, this town offers a massive number of resorts and some of the best kitesurfing and windsurfing in the Caribbean.
 * Puerto Plata - 15 minutes to the west, this town is the area's largest.
 * Santa Barbara de Samana - about 3 hours to the east, famous for whale-watching but in itself a worthwhile destination

title: Sosúa


text:
Soudanian Chad

The Southern Savanna is one of the most hospitable and populated regions of Chad.

Cities

 * — the country's second largest city and the cultural centre of the - N'Gambaye people
 * — this major transportation hub is home of the Sarh National Museum
 * — the country's second largest city and the cultural centre of the - N'Gambaye people
 * — this major transportation hub is home of the Sarh National Museum

Other destinations

 * — home to a huge and impressive mix of mammals and birds, and a popular place for safari excursions
 * — home to large mammals and a diverse bird population
 * — home to greater kudu, lions, and the reintroduced African buffalo
 * — home to half of the world's population of Kordofan giraffe, a critically endangered subspecies, and a birding paradise with nearly 400 species having been recorded

Understand
The humid Soudanian zone of Chad includes the southern prefectures of Mayo-Kebbi, Tandjilé, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Moyen-Chari, and southern Salamat. Between April and October, the rainy season brings between 750 and 1,250 millimeters of precipitation. Temperatures are high throughout the year. Daytime readings in Moundou, the major city in the southwest, range from 27 °C in the middle of the cool season in January to about 40 °C in the hot months of March, April, and May.

The growth is lush here during the rainy season but turns brown and dormant during the five-month dry season between November and March. Over a large part of the region, however, natural vegetation has yielded to agriculture.

Get in
Sarh Airport, Moundou Airport.

title: Soudanian Chad


text:
Soufriere

Soufriere is the former capital of Saint Lucia.

By boat
There are water taxis that stop in Soufriere coming from both the northern and southern part of the island.

By bus
Local bus 3F runs here from Castries and local bus 4F from Vieux Fort

By car
Soufriere lies along the main road that goes around the country. It takes around 1.5 hours coming from the north from Castries/George F.L. Charles Airport and around 1 hour coming from the south from Vieux Fort/Hewanorra Airport.

Get around
The minibuses which depart regularly for Vieux Fort will drop people on the road for either the volcano, the estate or the Pitons, but some walking may be required afterwards. In the town the only form of transport is walking.

See

 * Morne Cabouril Estate - a working plantation which gives different tours such as a waterfall hike, ziplining and chocolate making.
 * Morne Cabouril Estate - a working plantation which gives different tours such as a waterfall hike, ziplining and chocolate making.
 * Morne Cabouril Estate - a working plantation which gives different tours such as a waterfall hike, ziplining and chocolate making.

Beaches

 * Anse Chastanet Beach - Along a coastal and hilly route out of town to the north, (though not on the main highway), this leads to a quiet beach. The beach is public although there is a hotel there.
 * Anse Mamin Beach - A quieter beach right next to Anse Chastanet Beach. It is about a 10 minute walk, accessible via Anse Chastanet Beach. There is one restaurant there.
 * Jalousie Beach - Located between the two Pitons. Entrance is via Sugar Beach Hotel. One of the few Saint Lucian beaches with white sand (imported from elsewhere). The price for two chairs and an umbrella is 115 USD, and sometimes they are only reserved for hotel guests.
 * Soufriere Beach Park - Located right in Soufriere. Multiple restaurants around the area but very limited beach amenities. On Sunday night there is a beach party.

Hiking
There are multiple hiking trails around the area ranging from an easy walk to a technical climb. For some trails, it is recommended to use the services of a guide.
 * Tet Paul Nature Trail - A much easier hike that gives you a view of both Pitons. The whole trail takes around 45 minutes with a guide. Entry fee is 10 USD or 27 XCD.
 * Pitons - These geological features can be climbed, but it is recommended to leave early and travel with a guide. The "Pitons Management Area" is an UNESCO World Heritage site. While Gros Piton is higher, the actual hike is easier than Petit Piton which is more technical and has some parts where ropes and upper body strength are necessary.

Waterfalls
There are multiple waterfalls around the Soufriere area, all of which are different. Some require a bit of hiking to get to, some require an entry fee and some have thermal properties.
 * En Bas Saut Falls - A waterfall located deeper in the rainforest which takes around 30 minutes of hiking one way to get to. The trailhead is hard to get to, it is strongly recommended to drive via SUV and use the coordinates in Apple Maps.
 * Piton Falls - Below the trailhead for the Pitons is this waterfall fed by warm volcanic waters. Entry fee is 3 USD or 7.50 XCD.
 * Sapphire Falls - Part of Morne Cabouril Estate. There is an entry fee of 35 USD which includes a guided hike and access to the thermal baths in the area.
 * Superman Falls - Another waterfalls located around the area, made famous from Superman 2.
 * Toraille Falls - One of the more fmaous waterfalls around the area.

Buy
There are many local goods produced, though it is relatively rare for people to approach you. Many of the "local" necklaces are actually produced in China. It is worth to look in some of the tourist shops to see what is available and not produced locally.

Eat
Many rum shacks offer some cooking as well. It is best to ask around as different places will have different dishes available daily based on availability. There is a short stretch of restaurants along the waterfront just to the West of the town square. As well many of the more expensive hotels and resorts allow access to their restaurants.

Drink
There are many rum shacks around town. Most are welcoming to visitors.

Sleep
There are numerous hotels and apparments scattered throughout the town.

Go next
Local bus 3f runs to Castries. Beware as the last service to Castries leaves quite early at about 15.00. The local buses to Vieux Fort tend to run more frequently. A taxi to Castries should cost around 80 USD

title: Soufriere


text:
Soulac-sur-Mer

Soulac-sur-Mer is a small town and beach resort in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. In July and August it is crowded with ten of thousands of tourists, mainly French, some Dutch, some German and some from the UK.

Understand
In the past, Soulac sur Mer was a small town which sold wine to English people. But in 1741, neighborhoods were submerged by sand, so people evacuated "Vieux Soulac" to go to "Jeune Soulac". Therefore there are still today 2 Soulac. If you go to the beach, you can see blockhouses due to the German Occupation during the Second World War.

Get in
To go to Soulac you can take the train. Indeed there is a station in the city. You can also take the bus, there are many bus lines. Of course you can take the car. In addition you can take the plane to Bordeaux, then take the car, the bus or the train. The distance between Bordeaux and Soulac is short, only 90km.

Get around
In Soulac sur Mer you can take your car but it is difficult due to the many pedestrian streets, so it is not the best solution. But you can ride a bike because there are many bike lances. You can also walk, indeed there are plenty of pedestrian streets.

See
In Soulac you can see Notre-Dame Basilica in the center and Notre-Dame Church in "Jeune Soulac". If you go to the seafront, you can observe a copy of the Statue of Liberty. If you like gambling you can go to the casino and if you like to tan you can go to the beach. On the beach you can observe blockhouses due to the German Occupation during the Second World War. And if you go to Soulac on 14th July you can see the famous fireworks with a beautiful view on the ocean.

Do
Soulac lies directly next to the beach. The main shopping street ends at the beach. There you find a youth club, where you can do sports. In Soulac you can take an icecream, indeed there are plenty of icecream makers. You can also do shopping in the many pedestrian shopping streets or take lessons of surfing. There is the market every day in the summer in the morning and in the evening. You can do surfing in the waves and play volleyball in the sand. If you go to Soulac, you can have a walk to see the "maisons soulacaises" and their poetic names. In the summer you can see artists, like painters and singers, in the streets and you can give them money.

Buy
If you go to Soulac you can buy the "Noisettine du Médoc" which is a famous homemade chocolate hazelnut spread. In Soulac sur Mer they also sell wine, especially red wine. There are plenty of memory stores so you can come back home with nice souvenirs.

Eat
In Soulac, there are plenty of restaurants and bars. For example there is "The Grill Océan" a French food restaurant. It is near the ocean so if you go at night you can admire the sunset. There is also "La Table Médocaine" a French food restaurant too. But it is in the center of the village so there is a cosy atmosphere with music.

Drink
If you want to go in a bar, you can go to "Le Comptoir du Vin", a wine bar in the shopping streets.

Sleep
In Soulac there are many accommodations ranging from low budgets to high budgets. For example you can go to "L'Ecume des Jours", a two star hotel. It is in the central square and you have a view on the basilica. One night in this hotel costs €76. You can also sleep at "Le Neptune" which is near the shops. It has a view on the ocean and a beach access. One night in this hotel costs €66. And if you want to be away from the center you can go to "Résidence Las NaÏadas". One night costs €60. There are also other hotels and there are many guesthouses.

title: Soulac-sur-Mer


text:
Sounio

Sounio is a national park in Attica, the historic region of Athens city-state. It is a popular day trip from Athens because of its splendid Temple of Poseidon.

Get in
A bus from Athens costs a little over €5. The buses drive from a terminal near the southeast corner of the Areos Park a few blocks east of Victoria Metro station (there are more bus terminals in the area - for more information ask in the KTEL kiosk). Buses arrive every hour, but they make a few other stops in Athens. The bus terminal in Sounio is just below the temple. The last bus back to Athens starts at 21:00 in Sounio, late enough for the famous sunset over the temple. A one-way drive takes about two hours.

See

 * The temple of Athena, 300 m northeast of the temple of Poseidon, is built on a low hill. It was built in 470 BC. The temple of Athena was demolished in the 1st century AD, and little remains.
 * Fortress: In 413 BC, during the Peloponnesian War against the Spartans, the Athenians fortified the site with a wall and towers to prevent it from falling into Spartan hands.
 * Fortress: In 413 BC, during the Peloponnesian War against the Spartans, the Athenians fortified the site with a wall and towers to prevent it from falling into Spartan hands.

Eat
There is a taverna just below the temple, next to the bus stop. It is rather expensive and not very impressive.

title: Sounio


text:
Sounkyo Onsen

Sōunkyō Onsen (層雲峡温泉) is a hot spring resort nestled in the Sōun Gorge (層雲峡 Sōun-kyō) of the Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido, Japan. It is in the municipal area of Kamikawa town (上川町).

Understand
Given its location deep in a national park and a name meaning Cloudy Gorge, for many visitors the actual Sounkyo Onsen is a disappointment. The curse of development is indeed evident: the modern town with its multi-storey concrete hotels is an eyesore, and the endless procession of tour groups through the gorge itself doesn't exactly enhance the wonders of nature.

With lowered expectations Sounkyo Onsen does fulfill what it promises: it's first and foremost a hot spring resort, with cool mountain air and steam rising from the vents in the streets, and it's an excellent base for starting (or, better yet, ending) treks through the national park. Much of the center of the town has been landscaped with a fairly pleasant, mildly Swiss-flavored touch.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

By bus
The only means of public transport into the gorge is bus. Departures to the nearest major city Asahikawa are fairly frequent.

Bus 81 leaves from the bus terminal at Asahikawa JR Station (booth 7) at 09:15, 10:45, 12:15, 14:35, 15:45, 16:35 and 18:40. The ride takes about two hours with a brief stop at Kamikawa JR Station and costs ¥2100 per way. Buses back to Asahikawa leave Sounkyo at 06:20, 7:45, 8:40, 10:55, 13:30, 15:40 and 17:30. This schedule may change on certain public holidays (e.g. New Year), so make sure to read posted signs.

Another option is to take a JR train from Asahikawa to Kamikawa and then change to the bus, with more departures than the one mentioned above.

Get around
Sounkyo Onsen and its nearby attractions are best covered on foot, although you might want to rent a bicycle for visiting the gorge itself. A cable car runs most of the way up neighboring Mount Kurodake.

See
Sounkyo Onsen is known and named after the nearby gorge, which runs for 24 km along the Ishikari River and features some pretty waterfalls and interesting lava formations. The gorge is to the east of town, an easy walk or bike trip of a few kilometers along a disused highway. Entry is free, so head here early in the morning to beat the tour bus brigade... or just head further down into the gorge, past the few falls frequented by everybody.

 * Ginga Waterfall (銀河の滝 Ginga-no-taki), literally "Galaxy Falls", is a series of thin, silvery rivulets cascading down the mountainside.
 * Ryusei Waterfall (流星の滝 Ryusei-no-taki), literally "Shooting Star Falls", is a powerful fall seemingly bursting out of solid rock.
 * The gorge has a number of lava tubes and other odd rock formations, many of which look not a little like concrete. Best known are the aptly named Big Box (大箱 Obako) and Small Box (小箱 Kobako), although the path near them is often closed after rain due to the danger of landslides.

Hiking

Sounkyo Onsen is a popular starting point for hikes into the Daisetsuzan National Park. Be sure to stop off at the Visitor Center, next to the cable car station, before heading up.

 * Mount Kurodake (黒岳, 1984m), or "Black Peak", is located immediately to the south of town. For ¥950/1750 one-way/return a cable car takes you from Sounkyo Onsen to the Fifth Station (五合目), while a chair lift will carry you up to the Seventh Station (七合目) at 1740 meters for ¥400/600 one-way/return.  From here it's 244 m vertical and 1.7 km horizontal to the summit.  In autumn there is some fairly spectacular autumn foliage to be seen here and you may even spot a deer or two.  From the summit, which is watched over by what must surely be one of Japan's most bizarrely placed police boxes, trails to other mountains lead in a number of directions.

Skiing

 * In wintertime, the Kurodake chair lift serves its original purpose of ferrying skiers up the mountain. Five trips is ¥1,800, while a day pass is ¥3,600.

Hot springs
If hiking or skiing sounds like too much hard work, try resting your weary bones in one of the many hot springs in town. The visitor information center (where the bus stops) can give you a map with all hotsprings, opening times (mostly 12:00-17:00) and prices (¥600-1000).

Eat & Drink
There are a number of basic restaurants in town.

 * Ajikko Ramen (味っ子ラーメン), in the center of town, serves up a pretty good bowl of noodles. Try their artery-clogging Hokkaido speciality butter ramen!
 * The local microbrew, Hokutō Kōgen Beer (北斗高原ビール), is the perfect thirst-quencher after lolling about in hot water for an hour or two.

Sleep
There is no shortage of fancy hot spring accommodation in towns, but fortunately there's one pretty good budget option as well.

Stay safe
While there are bears in the surrounding Daisetsuzan National Park, they're generally smart enough to stay far away from town.

title: Sounkyo Onsen


text:
Sousa

Sousa is a town in western Paraíba state Brazil, known for its fossile sites. From lack of other sights and activities, you might consider to arrive in the morning and hit the road again in the afternoon.

Get in

 * To Campina Grande by Guanabara, 6 daily, 5 hours, R$ 41.
 * To Juazeiro do Norte by Guanabara and Gontijo, 5 daily, 3 hours, R$ 25.
 * To Mossoró by Gontijo.

Get around
Mostly walkable. Mototaxis at R$ 3 anywhere within the city.

See

 * A wall of the city's main church collapsed without warning a few years ago, and still there is budget for rebuilding. The effect is rather surreal.

Go next

 * Vale dos Dinossauros has its visitors' centre and main attractions some 4 km outside town. No public transport. A taxi from the bus station is R$ 14. The area is also good for a picnic.

title: Sousa


text:
Sousse

Sousse (سوسة Susa) is one of the older cities in Tunisia, possessing an authentic medina, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Understand
Located on the coast, it has good beaches and a clear turquoise sea. It is a popular tourist destination, particularly with Russians, Serbs, Croats, British, Germans and East European people.

You will be surprised to see many empty hotels and hotel clubs (permanently closed) along the beach front north of the centre. However, Medina and beach areas are still lively.

Climate
Its climate is classified as hot semi-arid (BSh) but is close to hot-summer Mediterranean (Csa). Rainfall is mainly in colder months.

By plane
The most convenient airport is Monastir which is to the south on the coast, 20 minutes away and frequently used by holiday charter flights.

By train
Sousse is on the main line from Tunis in the north down to Sfax and Monastir to the south. Since it sits at the railway network's center, it is well placed to reach most of the rest of the network, even as far south as Gabes on the coast and Tozeur on the edge of the Sahara. Example fares from Tunis to Sousse are 12/10.9/6 DT in Grand/1st/2nd class. The main train station is directly north of the Medina (~5-10min walking). Tunisian railways are mainly for goods traffic with passenger traffic taking something of a back seat so don't expect to find yourself rattling along at 100 mph; 50 to 60 mph is more likely and the standard of the rolling stock (carriages) can be poor. That said rail services are generally reliable and above all are very cheap, even for the top class (Grand Classe Confort). They can be an excellent way to get about the country, just don't expect Pullman style travel. The national railway company, SNCFT has a workable website that includes timetables and fares. See also Tunisia for a map showing Tunisian rail network.

By car
Highway A1 connects Sousse with Tunis. A toll applies for using the highway. Additionally, Sousse is crossed by National Road 1 (RN1), connecting the city with the south of the country, and Libya. Roads are in very good condition. Additionally, a car ferry connects Sousse with Trapani in Italy once a week i the summer months.

By bus
Buses connect the city with most other parts of Tunisia. The far bus station (Gare Routière) is in some distance to the west of the Medina at the Souk El Ahad ("Camel Market") - the local bus station is next to the Medina in the town center. Prices are slightly lower than those of second class train tickets, but many buses do not have air conditioning.

By louage
Louages (shared-taxi) connect Sousse with other cities and towns in Tunisia. The louage station is to the south of the Medina (~30 minutes walking) on Rue El Masjed El Aksa. Louages run frequently to and from Tunis Moncef Bey louage station (11.9 DT, ~1½ hours) from this point. The louage station is well-signed compared to other louage stations and prices are posted by the ticket booths to various cities and towns in Tunisia. Other destinations include Sfax (11.9 DT), Gabes (19.5 DT), Djerba (30.8 DT) and Monastir (2.1 DT).

By boat
Car ferries and express boats connect Sousse with Trapani (only in the summer months, once a week for cars and passengers) and Mazara del Vallo via Pantelleria 3 times a week, only for passengers. It takes up to 7-8 hours to Trapani and 5 hours to Mazara del Vallo. Private boats and yachts can use the marina at Port El Kantaoui (a resort about 12 km north of Sousse).

Get around
Taxis in Sousse have a bad reputation and the best advice is to agree a price before getting in and ensure that the price is not 'per person'. If you are unsure of what a reasonable price should be ask at your hotel reception. The taxis do have meters, but the drivers are often reluctant to use them; be firm and insist it is reset to the 0.500 dinar "standing charge" at the start of your journey. One favourite trick is to leave the previous fare on the meter so that it will be added to your fare before you even set off. Always check that the meter has been reset before setting off and that it is on the correct setting for the time of day. Between 21:00 and 05:00 rates are higher than daytime rates at 0.510 DT/km. However, many drivers have altered their meters, and use "special rates" for tourists. A typical daytime fare between Sousse and Port El Kantaoui, with a proper meter, is about 4.100 DT, but, in most cases, with a "special rate" on the meter, the fare will be about 7 DT. You can, however, agree the fare before getting in the taxi. Expect to pay about 5-6 DT if you do. Taxis are yellow, and have a taxi license sticker on the windshield.

In August 2016, as a single voyager, no problems were encountered with taxis here; all taxis taken used their meters straightaway and did not attempt to play with the rates. - Can not confirm this for April 2019 though.

Shared taxis (louages) are large cars or minibuses/people carriers which start their journey when they are full. Well used by the locals, expect to pay 10% of the price of a taxi. Shared taxis can take you further than regular taxis, connecting the city with most bigger towns in Tunisia. Shared taxis for destinations in the same or a closely adjacent city (e.g. Hergla, Chott Mariem) are also yellow with a blue stripe on the middle of the taxi. Shared taxis between cities (far connections) are white with a red stripe. In Sousse, there are also white taxis with red, black, blue and yellow stripes serving destinations in the greater Sousse area (e.g. Akouda, Hammam-Sousse, Port El Kantaoui, Chott Mariem). They leave from the "Station Louage" which is best reached by normal taxi (see above).

Light rail connects central Sousse by the medina to Mahdia via Monastir. It stops along the way in various neighborhoods in southern Sousse and the Monastir airport (Station Aeroport Skanes Monastir). Tickets cost 1 DT from Sousse to Monastir.

Tuk-Tuk's and Mini-trains can get you a fun ride to Port El Kantaoui, which is about 12 km away. They are open, shared transports and start their journey when they're full (or almost). Expect to pay 2 DT per journey at the first and 2.5 DT at the latter. Tuk-tuks are bright purple.

Horse-drawn carriages provide another option for a fun ride to Port El Kantaoui at no more than double the price of a taxi (if you bargain).

See

All of Sousse's main sights are located within the labyrinthine medina in the heart of the city. Walk around and get lost in the western residential areas, which have beautiful surprises. There are signboards with a "cultural walk" marked out that you could follow. Up on the western side, the medina goes unto higher ground and you can see the sea.

Do

Play golf. There is no golf course in Sousse, but one in Port El Kantaoui and two in Monastir.

Walking around the fishing boats at the port is a pleasant way to spend time, and families with children may wish to take a trip on one of the 'pirate' ships which offer fishing and other nautical activities.

Buy
Don't expect to have language issues as merchants speak almost anything common (French, English, Spanish, German...) - you can mix all languages if you want.

 * Medina including the souk located in the center of the city. The old section of the city containing the local bazaar, expect to haggle or bargain.
 * Soula Centre just outside the souk has fixed prices, it is useful to establish values before bargaining in the souk (of course there is no fun).

Everything is pretty cheap, but merchants won't hesitate to quote outrageous prices, so haggling is necessary. Take it all light-heartedly though and have fun whilst haggling. Obviously, there is a large quantity of counterfeit designer goods available in the Medina.

Don't waste your and their time if you don't intend to buy anything and if you are only interested in taking a look, make it clear from the beginning. Say nicely and with a smile that you are not interested or that you don't have any money left. However don't feel obliged to buy if you can't agree a price.

Don't keep thinking about the price after you buy something. Think on the good deal that you have made and the price that you would've paid in your home country.

Eat
You can have a nice meal for around 10 DT or less (depends on the place), but prices are generally low. For this you don't have to negotiate prices.

Budget
Restaurant du Peuple. Next to Hotel de Paris. Good couscous, comes with salad starter, and watermelon and tea at the end. COunt about 10 DT per person.

Burgerplace "PLAN B" in the hotel area, near Riadh Palms Hotel and opposite Tej Merhaba Hotel on street Avenue Taïeb Mehiri, Sousse, Tunesien. Lively - cheap sandwiches and burgers, delicious and juicy. 8.5 DN incl. french fries. Many teenage locals here in the afternoons. Modern clean place. (April 2019)

Mid-range
Restaurant Lido; excellent fish restaurant by the port, opposite the 'pirate' ships. 15 DT for a spiced and grilled fish fresh from the port, a reasonable 3 DT for a beer.

Drink
Drinking tap water is generally not harmful - some people and almost all tourists prefer, though, to use the bottled water that you can find everywhere (very cheap, for around 0.200-0.400 DT per 1/2 liter, 0.300-0.650 DT for 1.5 liter). Non-carbonated (non-sparkling) water is the most popular, and is called "mineral water". Carbonated water is available as well, but you must specifically ask for water with gas (eau avec gaz) or Garci (the most popular brand).

Expect to find a Coke for around 0.800 to 1.5 DT (depends if in a supermarket or hotel).

The favorite beverage of the locals is tea, with many tea based specialties being available at the many cafes and restaurants around town. A favorite amongst locals is the au menthe (tea with mint leaves and sugar) and the aux ammandes (tea with crushed almonds and almond essence). Most locals will drink it while smoking from the chicha (the local name for a hookah). Expect to be offered tea while buying things of relatively high value (over 60-70 DT) from shops in the souk.

Being a city in a Muslim country, alcohol may be rather hard to find and quite expensive, because of little demand. Some cafes and stores will sell wine and beer, since many locals also drink these beverages. Expect to pay 2-3 DT for a 0.3 bottle of local beer (invariably Celtia brand), and 2-12 DT for a bottle of local wine in a store (double in a bar). Hard alcohol is very hard to find and extremely expensive (more expensive than even in the Nordic Countries), since most locals avoid it. Your best bets are hotel bars (3-6 DT for 50 ml of vodka or gin) and Magasin General supermarkets (state owned stores, the only ones authorized to sell hard liquor - one is located on 7 November avenue, near the Sousse Palace hotel). A bottle of gin or whiskey is about 80-120 DT. No alcohol is sold on Fridays.

Sousse is one of few places in Tunisia with somewhat animated nightlife (mostly during high season though). There are 2 kinds of places: normal bars, clubs, discos (upscale) and dodgy cabarets (low scale). The last ones are local oriented (music and crowd), and though might represent some interest as a phenomenon, are often frequented by hustlers, which, mixed with a cheap beer, tend to end up in arguments and mass fights (quickly resolved however). Many bars and discos are located in hotels, though most famous ones are standalone venues.

 * Living/Banana/Saloon disco. Free entrance, 5 DT beer, party time 0:00 - 04:00 everyday. Conveniently located in Sousse hotel zone near Samara hotel and Movenpick, these venues although themed differently (ambiance and music), share the same positioning ("VIP") and owner ("Bora-Bora" open air disco). More chilled touristic crowd; dress smart.
 * Be One/B1 club disco. Free entrance, 5 DT beer, party time 0:00 - 04:00 everyday. Located in Port Kantaoui near Houria Palace hotel and Vincci Resort. A sophisticated venue with nice relaxed and partying more Tunisian crowd, European and Arabic dance music, lots of couches, 2 bars, dancefloor and a high platform for cheeky girls to dance in the middle. In low seasons tends to get crowded by 02:00. Dress smart.
 * Edge bar. 4 DT beer, party time 23:00 - 02:00 everyday. Located in Cesar Palace hotel between Sousse and Port Kantaoui, Avenue 14 Janvier, near Les Oliviers. One of the many hotel bars (with separate entrance), this one though is somewhat classy with nice and relevant (4 stars hotel) more Tunisian crowd, mixed European and Arabic music. A good place for pre-party on your way to B1. Dress normal.

Sleep
Don't compare the category directly to european hotels, expect to take a star (or even two) from these hotels.

Stay safe
A terrorist attack at the end of June 2015 killed 38 mostly British tourists. The UK government still recommends against all but essential travel to Tunisia as a whole, though it has no stronger warning against travel to Sousse as of August 2016.

There's no danger from street crime from walking alone at any time. Most streets are very busy till late night. Respect the locals and you will be respected. Crime is nearly non-existent, even if some of the neighborhoods of the city may look shabby or feel dangerous.

Expect some hassle in the souk (medina) and this is most normal. Merchants always try to show their goods/shops and see what you like. You have to get into the spirit to enjoy, always be nice and have a smile on your face. Even if sometimes annoying, this is absolutely not dangerous.

Women may want to avoid the red light area in the north west of the medina, reached through two overlapping walls which screen that street from the rest of the medina. Single women walking alone may be stared at, but, again, this is not dangerous, but rather a curiosity of some local men.

Most people who come up and speak English to you in the streets will be hoping to sell you something, no risk but end the conversation quickly to avoid them getting indignant when you don't buy, a simple 'non, merci' should suffice.

Go next

 * El Jem — with its Roman Amphitheatre, approx 70 km due south of Sousse which is preserved arguably better than that at Rome. It was the location for some of the filming in Gladiator. A UNESCO World Heritage site.
 * Kairouan — an important centre of Islamic pilgrimage and history, west of Sousse. A UNESCO World Heritage site.
 * Monastir — beaches and the largest Ribat in the Maghreb.
 * Port El Kantaoui — purposely built tourist resort featuring a marina. Said to be both fake and 'touristy', nonetheless  caters well for tourists' needs with a good range of restaurants and bars. It has a zoo, but the one at Figuiera is better, and a water park.
 * Friguia Zoo — near the town of Enfidha Well cared for animals. Although not in an authentic setting, see lions and elephants in Africa!
 * Sahara Explorer — two-day, one-night "safaris" to the south of the country can usually be arranged via Tour Companies, local Travel Agents or hotel receptions. Three-day, two-night "safaris" are usually arranged via local Travel Agents or hotel receptions. Essentially they are tourist adventures to the edge of the desert which may include, variously, visits to El Djem and its Roman amphitheatre, Berber Arab cave dwellings, the Chott el Jerid - a massive salt lake - and a sunset camel ride in the Sahara amongst other attractions. The three day, two night "safaris" are generally the less frantic of the two and allow more time to look around at leisure.

title: Sousse


text:
Souss-Massa National Park

Souss-Massa National Park (Parc National de Souss-Massa) is about 60 km south of Agadir in Morocco. It is most famous for its variety of birds.

Understand
The park is 33,800 hectares on the Atlantic coast of Morocco between Agadir to the north and Sidi Ifni to the south. The estuary of the Oued Souss is the northern limit of the park, and that of the Oued Massa is near the southern end. 30,000 ha of land near Aglou, south of the park, is included in the site because it is sometimes used as a feeding area by the northern bald ibis. The habitat is grazed steppe with dunes, beaches and wetlands.

Fauna
The park has three of the four Moroccan colonies of the endangered northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita). Between this park and a fourth site at nearby Tamri, Morocco has 95% of the world's wild breeding birds of this species. The ibis colonies and roost-sites are located on coastal cliffs in the National Park, and the coastal steppes and fields are used as feeding areas.

The Oued Massa holds water throughout the year and has breeding marbled ducks, a threatened species. It is the only known Moroccan breeding site for the glossy ibis. The two estuaries are important for migrants, especially waders and gulls. European spoonbill and Audouin's gull spend the winter in the park. Other notable breeding bird species are red-necked nightjar, thick-billed lark, Tristram's warbler and Moussier's redstart.

Souss-Massa has captive-breeding programmes for four threatened North African animals: scimitar oryx, addax, dama gazelle and dorcas gazelle. These are kept in separate enclosures within the park. The park is also reintroducing the ostrich, which is extinct north of the Sahara.

Get in
It is not convinient to get to Souss-Massa by public transport. The most accessible entrance is from Massa. Take bus 60 from Innezgane (see Agadir, 20 dirham) until the end, which is just a little further than the grand taxi station (25 dirham to Agadir). The entry is about 5 km from the bus stop, just continue the road until a sign leads you to a non-sealed road close by the river.

There is very little traffic, don’t rely on getting a lift there.

From the entry it is about 3 km to the river mouth and the dunes.

Fees and permits
Arriving on foot, entry is free of charge.

Guides are available at the entrance.

See
The park has a nature trail at Oued Souss and a visitor centre at Oued Massa.

title: Souss-Massa National Park


text:
South (Brazil)

The South is the southernmost region of Brazil. Its attractions range from the historic Jesuit ruins of Missões to the excellent beaches of Santa Catarina and the unmissable Iguaçu Falls.

Cities

 * - a huge Oktoberfest is held here

Other destinations

 * (Florianópolis) — between São Paulo and Porto Alegre, this island is one of the top travel destinations in south Brazil, with its 42 beaches and incredible landscape
 * (Florianópolis) — between São Paulo and Porto Alegre, this island is one of the top travel destinations in south Brazil, with its 42 beaches and incredible landscape
 * (Florianópolis) — between São Paulo and Porto Alegre, this island is one of the top travel destinations in south Brazil, with its 42 beaches and incredible landscape

Understand
The South is the smallest of Brazilian regions, and also, economically speaking, one of the most developed. It borders Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. It also received most of the immigrants from Italy, Germany and other European countries such as Poland and Ukraine in the 19th century.

title: South (Brazil)