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Östhammar

Östhammar is a municipality in eastern Uppsala County in Sweden. While the Östhammar town itself has a population of 4,500, the municipality has more than 20,000 permanent residents, and several more during summer.

Understand
Östhammar was granted city rights in 1368 by king Albrecht of Mecklenburg, however, by that date the area was already a trading hub. By the end of the 15th century the waterway into Östhammar had become too shallow. Therefore the burghers decided to move to the nearby location Öregrund, taking Östhammars city rights with them. In 1520 Öregrund was destroyed on the orders of king Christian II of Denmark. As a consequence, Östhammar was repopulated, this time somewhat closer to the coast, and regained its city privileges. Östhammar is famous for the iron industry founded by the Walloons in the 17th century. By the end of the 19th century Öregrund became a popular sea-side resort.

Today Östhammar is a seasonal summer city, with plenty of people and activities during the summer months and a much quieter and calmer atmosphere during the winter. There are a lot of summer cottages scattered around the coast and on the nearby islands. The largest and most well-known of these islands is Gräsö, Sweden's 10th largest island.

Locations

 * Östhammar, the seat of Östhammar municipality
 * Öregrund, a port town. One of the smallest places in Sweden to commonly be referred to as a 'town'
 * Dannemora, a mill town
 * Gimo
 * Gräsö, an island
 * Harg

By public transport
The regional traffic is operated by UL. From Uppsala Centralstation take bus number 811 towards Östhammar/Öregrund. The journey takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes, with departures once every half daytime during weekdays, and once an hour during the weekend.

From Gävle, take UL bus 510 towards Tierp. Get off at "Skärplinge bussterminal" and transfer to bus 835. This route is not operated during weekends.

It is not possible to reach Östhammar by train.

By car
Östhammar is located by route 76 which carry traffic towards Gävle in the north and Norrtälje in the south. To reach Östhammar, make a turn in the "Östhammar roundabout".

Route 288 from Uppsala merges with route 76 by "Börstils kyrka", about south of the Östhammar roundabout.

By bike
Route 76 is narrow and heavily trafficated, especially during the summer, making it hard to travel by bike. "Kustlinjen", or "Skärgårdscykelleden" is a biking route following the Roslagen coast. It is clearly marked with red signs, and follow small biking paths all the way from Stockholm to Öregrund and Östhammar.

By boat
While there are no ferries carrying passengers to Östhammar, both Östhammar and Öregrund have guest harbors if you travel by your own vessel.
 * "Östhammars Gästhamn" +46 173-862 90. Depth: . Room for 15 vessels
 * "Öregrunds gästhamn" +46 173-865 55. Depth: . Room for 80 vessels

By public transport
Regional bus 811, operated by UL, traffic the route between Östhammar and Öregrund. The journey takes about 20 minutes and costs 23 kr if bought with a travel fund, 30 kr if pre-purchased and 37 kr if bought on board.

To Gräsö
The ferry Gräsöfärjan carry passengers, bicycles and cars between Öregrund and Gräsö. There is no fee for the trip, with departures at least twice an hour during most of the day.

See

 * Vallonbruken: The Walloon metal industry
 * Vallonbruken: The Walloon metal industry
 * Vallonbruken: The Walloon metal industry

Buy
The town of Öregrund (located within Östhammar municipality) has some of the essential services in the area, such as the only Systembolaget alcohol shop. In terms of shopping and services, the two towns can be considered one closely liked area.

Go next

 * Uppsala - The largest city in Uppsala County has got the oldest university and the largest church in the Nordic countries
 * Gävle - A port city with an industrial heritage and a famous yule straw goat

title: Östhammar


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Øksfjord

Øksfjord is a town in Finnmark, northern Norway.

Understand
It is the administrative centre of Loppa Municipality.

By plane
The nearest airport is Alta, distance.

By boat
Hurtigruten calls at this port.

High speed ferries 5 days a week from Hammerfest : Snelandia

By bus
Bus from Alta six days a week. Search finnmark.no for bus connections.

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

title: Øksfjord


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Øresund Coast

Øresund Coast is on Zealand in Denmark.

Understand
The Øresund Coast is limited by Helsingør Freeway (E55/E47) to the west and stretches from Tårbæk in the south to Humlebæk in the north. The fashionable Strandvejen runs along the coast through a number of towns and neighborhoods including from south to north Tårbæk, Skodsborg, Trørød, Vedbæk, Rungsted, Hørsholm, Usserød, Kokkedal, Nivå and Humlebæk.

Get in
The coastline is well connected by the motorway E47/E55 from the Danish border town Elsinore in the north and Copenhagen in the south. Rail connects the area as well to Copenhagen and the Swedish border city Helsingborg (on the other side of the coast). Trains leave every 20 minutes. It takes 30 minutes from Copenhagen.

Rungsted marina is well equipped. DKK 150 for a medium sized boat per day.

Get around
The Øresudstog train operates between Copenhagen Airport, the Copenhagen city center, and Elsinore at least every twenty minutes during the day. Many trains do not stop at all stations en route; in particular, Vedbæk, Skodsborg, and Klampenborg are generally only served by trains that terminate at Nivå. After the evening rush hour, trains call at all stops until midnight. There is generally no service between 00:00 and 05:00, except for an hourly train on weekends. Tickets can be purchased from vending machines at all stations or 7-Eleven kiosks inside station buildings.

Kokkedal serves as a coastal bus hub, though most routes are linked to Copenhagen, Lyngby, or Elsinore. The 150S bus is a particularly convenient route to Hørsholm, which lies just west of the train line.

Hørsholm

Do

Eat
The area has numerous restaurants, especially pricey ones. Most are situated around the harbour areas along the coast. Most exciting is Rungsted Havn with quite a few restaurants and a very lively harbour life, especially on warmer days. There are also a few places around Vedbæk Havn. Cheaper places are found further away from the coast, try Hørsholm for a selection.

Bars
The nightlife along the Øresund coast is rather limited. There are some neighbourhood bars near the shopping areas in Humlebæk, Kokkedal, Nivå and Hørsholm. These are of limited interest for travellers unless you are really thirsty.

Sleep
The area has very limited accommodations with only two hotels to choose between. More can be found in nearby Helsingør or Hillerød. Or Copenhagen a bit further away can be used as a base for exploring the Øresund Coast

Go next

 * Copenhagen is just south of the Øresund Coast.

title: Øresund Coast


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Østfold

Østfold is a county in the southeastern corner of East Norway. It borders Akershus to the north and west and Sweden (Dalsland and Värmland) to the east. The name means east of the Oslofjord.

Cities
Østfold has six cities, here listed from biggest to smallest:
 * - enjoyable city with a walled old town and lots of street life by the opposite riverfront in summer
 * - home of the largest waterfalls in Europe, beaches, skiing slopes and several amusement parks
 * – compact city centre with fast trains to Oslo, ferries to Horten and canoeing to the freshwater lake Vansjø
 * - small harbour city with a remarkable fortress above the city centre, and Sweden on the other side of the fjord
 * - industrial town with three hydroelectric power stations, glass wool factory and indoor water park
 * - small city with river trail, trotting course, fortress, micro brewery pub and a cozy Italian restaurant

Other destinations
Østfold has several small villages, here listed following the border to Sweden and then up the Oslofjord:
 * - municipality including border village Ørje with a downtown beach, popular bakery and a channel lock cafe
 * - forest district with canoeing, fishing, elks and the scenic border lake Stora Lee
 * - below the Svinesund bridges connecting Norway and Sweden is this idyllic little spot with only white houses
 * - large beach by Exit 4 from the E6, with several mini golf courses, kiosks, camping and a Sunday flea market
 * - the largest of the 800 islands forming the Hvaler archipelago, connected by ferry to Strömstad in Sweden
 * - an island with Royal traditions that also contains various tennis courses and a resort hotel
 * - between Moss and Fredrikstad is this village famous for a fishing soup restaurant
 * - coastal village near Moss Airport Rygge, with the largest camping site along the fjord

Understand
Østfold is a largely a gentle rolling lowland; nowhere in this county is above in altitude. Highway E6 runs on a natural earth wall that contains a range of lakes dividing the inner and outer part of the county. The northern-most inner part of the county is oriented in direction Oslo and with a very car-oriented culture, while the typical inhabitant of the outer part is more into boats and visits Sweden at least as often as Oslo. The inner part of the county also have a higher-altitude forest that separates the Halden Canal from the rest of the county. This forest is above in altitude and thus have a very different kind of forest and lack of cropland, while the rest of the county is situated on former seabed that quite recently dried up as the land raised when the ice shelf disappeared. Near the coast this process continues and have created an enormous archipelago with thousands of islands and skerries. River Glomma runs through the county from north to south passing by Askim, Sarpsborg and Fredrikstad with all its water from the mountains, while Moss and Halden have their own smaller rivers connecting to the forests of the Oslo region.

The county of Østfold was merged into a bigger county in 2020, but separatist movements emerged. The parts of the county which is nearest to Oslo, Moss and inner Østfold with all its train commuters, did not want to reinstall Østfold, while the southern parts of the county was more eager to create the county once more. As of 2022 no decision about the future county borders have been made, but Østfold is still a separate area for public transportation pricing as well as election district to the parliament. The parts of the county that want to reinstall it is also the same parts of the county that speak a certain dialect quite different from the Oslo dialect, considering the short distance of only 1 hour drive from the capital.

By plane

 * Oslo Airport, located 100 km north of Østfold. A major international airport with flights from the USA and major European cities. Use trains to get to Oslo and then to Østfold, or direct buses serving Moss and Fredrikstad in around 2 hours travel time.
 * Copenhagen Airport: Some daily direct buses connect Østfold to Copenhagen, with flights to more inter-continental destinations than Oslo. The travel time is between 6 and 7 hours.

By train

 * NSB's intercity trains run hourly between Oslo and Halden. Three daily trains continue to/from Gothenburg in Sweden.

By bus

 * Some buses from Gothenburg in Sweden stop at E6 near Sarpsborg and Moss. Operators Swebus or Nettbuss.
 * There are hourly local buses from Strömstad in Sweden to Halden (popular among Norwegians doing shopping). Tickets by credit card onboard or prebought.
 * There are hourly local buses from Strömstad in Sweden to Halden (popular among Norwegians doing shopping). Tickets by credit card onboard or prebought.

By train

 * NSB's trains stop every hour at Moss, Rygge, Råde, Fredrikstad, Sarpsborg and Halden and is the fastest way to travel between the cities in outer Østfold. Another line connects the cities of Mysen and Askim to smaller Østfold villages Skotbu, Tomter, Knapstad, Spydeberg and Slitu every hour. Some daily trains to Eidsberg, Heia and Rakkestad. The travel time from Fredrikstad by train to the other cities is 15 minutes to Sarpsborg, around 30 minutes to Moss and Halden and around 2 hours to Mysen and Askim (change trains at Ski). Train tickets start at 44 NOK and could cost up to 200 NOK per hour inside the train.

By bus

 * Østfold Kollektivtrafikk is the company responsible for planning and for ticket sales for local buses in Østfold. Their website is in Norwegian only, but all routes are integrated with Google Maps. Except for routes from Fredrikstad to Sarpsborg and Sarpsborg to Mysen and Askim, train is a quicker alternativ than bus for inter-city travel. Internal bus routes in the cities typically go once or twice an hour. Pricing is very cheap compared to trains. Purchased via the app it costs only 30 NOK to travel anywhere in the county by bus.

See

 * Fortresses Fredriksten (fjord view above Halden), Gamlebyen (moated old town of Fredrikstad) and Høytorp (in Mysen)
 * Galleries Soli Brug in Sarpsborg, F15 in Moss and Aisato in Skjærhalden
 * Almost car-free islands Isegran, Hankø, Sandøyene, Herføl and Lauer connected by frequent ferries
 * Halden Canal: Four sets of locks allows boats to travel parallel to the Swedish border for 75 km
 * Østfold's county museum Borgarsyssel with 36 historical buildings, built around the ruins of the 12th century St Nicholas church.

Do

 * Golf courses Moss & Rygge (by the fjord) and urban Gamle Fredrikstad is both recognized among Norway's best, classical Borregaard is Norway's second course, and the county also have Fredriksten by the fortress, pay-and-play course Øya on an island in river Glomma and six forest courses
 * Water parks Østfoldbadet (both indoor and outdoor in Askim) and Superland (activity centre at Quality Hotel & Resort Sarpsborg with climbing and minigolf in addition to the indoor water park and spa)
 * Skiing centres Kjerringåsen (4 slopes, lighted cross-country courses and mountain biking during summer) and Middagsåsen (3 slopes)
 * Inspiria: Science centre that provides an adventure in mathematics, science and technology, whereby visitors learn by experimenting and explore phenomena of nature, environment, health and technology
 * Dive in mystical Klaretjern in Aremark, crystal clear water down to depths of 45 meter, due to high, but not dangerous levels of aluminium
 * Surf at Sarpsfossen which have a river surfing wave that occurs every spring, due to the fact that the water flow through the falls make it the largest water fall in Europe

Local specialities
Østfold are famous in Norway for some of its dishes:
 * Makrell-i-tomat, breakfast favourite consisting of mackerell in tomato sauce placed on open-top sandwich, invented in Fredrikstad
 * Leverpostei, liver paté in a small, yellow box is another industrial success of Fredrikstad, popular with cereal bread
 * Fiskesuppe, fish soup served in Engelsviken, Fredrikstad
 * Stallmesterbiff, horse main course from Dickens, Sarpsborg
 * Potetstappe, home made mashed potatoes, signature course at Rich Bar, Sarpsborg (also famous for biffsnadder, beef in small pieces)
 * Rosa softis, pink soft ice now served in Isi Bar, Sarpsborg, invented at a now defunct yearly festival in Mysen
 * Pølse i vaffel, hot dog in waffle, local speciality invented in Moss, popular football food
 * Purke, a local speciality in the bakeries of Halden, Sweden-inspired bread rolls with sugar and a sunken middle
 * Ørjebolle, another Swedish-inspired pastry with cinnamon, filled with vanilla cream and almond glaze

In a national poll the people of Østfold voted for "flesk & duppe" as its favourite course, bacon with yellow turnip mash in a white sauce. The northern part of the county voted heavily on this, while the southern part shared its votes on deep water shrimp and fish soup with fresh ingredients from the Skagerrak. Østfold's interior is also a source of food. Elk are all over the woods, while two of the longest rivers boasts salmon. The floor of the woods is often filled with lingonberry, which is used in troll cream, a red dessert with sugar and egg whites. When King Harald visited the interior of the county in 2013 he was served a local menu consisting of beaver paste with spruce tip jelly, elk with quail egg, venison with chanterelle, pike cakes and zander with crayfish. When the Norwegian and Danish queens visited the coast of the county in 1999 they vere served zander filet with chanterelle and mussels, goose breast with root vegetables and turnips glazed in heather honey and for dessert blueberry mousse with apple snow on a bed of nuts.

City Restaurants
Listed below is restaurants which combine a Top 3 TripAdvisor ranking in the city, a 4.5+ rating in Google, at least 100 reviews in those places and 1 000 Facebook page likes:

Pollys is the lunch alternative, La Moss cater the village feeling while Slippen is cosmopolitan, Sarpen and Art more budget friendly and Curtisen and Munch straight out luxurious.

Fredrikstad has the most varied food scene of the Østfold cities, which become clear when lowering the bar of mentioning to Top 30 county ranking in TripAdvisor. Combined with above-mentioned criterion the following five restaurants then deserve a mention:

Marina
Something extraordinary about the restaurant market in Østfold is all the marina and pier restaurants in the archipelago outside the cities. Especially popular among boat owners, but also accessible by public transportation. Some places are seasonal, others year-round open due to proximity to small villages. These are the Top 10 TripAdvisor ranked marina restaurants in Østfold:

Drink
Listed in this category is places with live DJ in the weekends or at least 10 beers on tap or a specialization in either cocktails or wine.

Go next
Cross the border into Sweden for cheap meat, liquor or cigarettes. Østfold is midway from Germany to the fjords of Western Norway. The bordering regions of Østfold is:

 * Värmland: Home of Ørje's twin village Töcksfors, liquor store city Årjäng and Karlstad, the biggest city situated by Vänern, the largest lake i the European Union
 * Dalsland: A very rural landscape of Sweden, with tiny land strips between an endless row of canoe-friendly lakes connected to the Atlantic sea via 37 locks and an aqueduct.
 * Bohuslän: The region between Østfold and Gothenburg provide very salt water and a pearl row of more than 20 fishing villages with restaurants and a handful of mid-sized cities
 * Vestfold: Østfold's twin region on the other side of the fjord have the same long chain of mid-sized cities, as well as ferries from Larvik to North Jutland.
 * Oslo region: Parts of Østfold is below 30 minutes from the capital, and even closer to Tusenfryd amusement park and pittoresque suburban city Drøbak

Surrounding the strait of Skagerrak together with Østfold is also:
 * Gothenburg: A 1 million city (metropolitan area) only 100 minutes by car from the border of Østfold. Home of Volvo, Liseberg, Gothia Cup and Scandinavia's largest port.
 * North Jutland: Aalborg is the largest city of this outpost region of Denmark, but ferries from Norway connect in Frederikshavn and Hirtshals further north.
 * Telemark: The closest mountain region of Østfold. Only 3 hours away from Østfold is majestic Gaustatoppen with an interior train to the top of the mountain.
 * Agder: The very south of Norway is home to several popular zoos and festivals, and in the interior of the county a heritage railway runs.

title: Østfold


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Ústí nad Orlicí District

Ústí nad Orlicí District is one of 4 districts Pardubice Region of East Bohemia consists of.

Cities
All towns and their population:

 * Česká Třebová 16 426
 * Ústí nad Orlicí 14 864
 * Vysoké Mýto 12 480
 * Lanškroun 9 791
 * Choceň 8 965
 * Letohrad 6 190
 * Žamberk 6 021
 * Králíky 4 660
 * Jablonné nad Orlicí 3 099
 * Brandýs nad Orlicí 1 434

Understand
Ústí nad Orlicí District borders Poland in the north. In lies mostly in the historical land of Bohemia, but the eastern edge lies in Moravia.

The landscape is very rugged and varied. While in the west there are plains, in the east there is mountainous terrain.

Get around
All above mentioned towns are connected to the rail net. Česká Třebová, Ústí nad Orlicí, Brandýs nad Orlicí and Choceň lie on the main corridor line connecting Prague, Brno, Wienna and Ostrava. However, most modern and fast IC and EC towns stop in Česká Třebová only. In Ústí nad Orlicí and Choceň most of express trains(rychlík) stop. In Ústí nad Orlicí you can switch to trains going further to Letohrad. In Choceň you change for Vysoké Mýto and Litomyšl railway.

See
The most important monuments in the district, protected as national cultural monuments, are:
 * Theatre in Ústí nad Orlicí

title: Ústí nad Orlicí District


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Ürgüp

Ürgüp is a town in Cappadocia in central Turkey, in a landscape of soft volcanic tuff that has eroded into hoodoos or "fairy chimneys", and that has been excavated into cave dwellings. In 2022 the population was 24,600.

Understand
Ürgüp has been settled since ancient times, but there are scant remains until the 11th century AD, when the Selçuks established it as a trading centre. By the 1880s its population numbered much the same as today; some 15% were Greek Orthodox, who called the town Prokopi, built fine mansions and adorned their churches until they were deported in 1923.

Western and domestic tourism discovered the area in the 1980s, and flocked to its landscape of "fairy chimneys" and cave dwellings, many nowadays converted into hotels.

There isn't a "Tourist Information Centre" - places so named are simply selling tours, which may be what you want.

Get in
By road from Ankara follow O-21 (toll) then D300 east into Nevşehir, then D302.

Inter-city public transport is usually to Nevşehir, which has buses from Istanbul, Ankara and elsewhere, then you change to a local dolmuş: a swarm of these connect all the small towns of Cappadocia. However Metroturizm have two direct buses a day from Ankara, taking almost four hours via Nevşehir, Göreme and Avanos.

is central in town.

Get around
Sights are spread over a broad area, but most are near main roads with frequent dolmuşes.

See

 * is the knoll in town centre, riddled with cave dwellings.
 * Cumhuriyet Meydanı is the main town square just south of the knoll. Its drab architecture may have you wondering how much we've advanced from cave-dwelling days.
 * Dutlu Mosque west side of the square is a 250-year old mansion, with a minaret added after the Greeks were deported in 1923.
 * on 5th Sk is the largest in town, built in traditional Ottoman style in 2012.
 * (Üç Güzeller) are rock formations 2 km west of town along D302 to Nevşehir, looking like outcasts from a TV dating show for giant petrified mushrooms.
 * is 2 km north of Ürgüp along the road to Avanos. This has "fairy chimney" rock formations, with one shaped like a camel. These haven't been carved out into dwellings.
 * is a spectacular landscape of rock-carved dwellings, entered via a turnoff for Ortahisar, 2 km south of Ürgüp on the road towards Mustafapaşa. The highlight is the richly-frescoed 11th century Pancarlık Church, 20 TL to enter.
 * is reached by a hiking trail southwest of Mustafapaşa. It's a higgledy-piggledy jumble of outcrops carved into dwellings; Alakara Church is the first you reach.
 * is reached by a hiking trail southwest of Mustafapaşa. It's a higgledy-piggledy jumble of outcrops carved into dwellings; Alakara Church is the first you reach.
 * is reached by a hiking trail southwest of Mustafapaşa. It's a higgledy-piggledy jumble of outcrops carved into dwellings; Alakara Church is the first you reach.

Do

 * Ballooning: every travel agent in town will try to sell you a balloon ride. These are for 60-90 min early morning or towards sunset when the winds are lightest and shadows cast the rock formations into contrast: see Cappadocia.
 * Hiking tours are likewise touted by every travel agent: look in on a few, and trust your instincts. These might be a good choice for outlying valleys where it's better to let the tour jeep suffer the rough track than your rental car, and the guide knows the easiest trails. His attention to your safety is sharpened by his urge to deliver the group into his uncle's kilim shop as quickly as possible.
 * Hiking tours are likewise touted by every travel agent: look in on a few, and trust your instincts. These might be a good choice for outlying valleys where it's better to let the tour jeep suffer the rough track than your rental car, and the guide knows the easiest trails. His attention to your safety is sharpened by his urge to deliver the group into his uncle's kilim shop as quickly as possible.

Buy

 * Stores are clustered south of Castle Hill: Bim, Şok and A101 are the main chains.
 * Carpet and kilim stores along the main street are reasonably priced.
 * Saturday market is on Ahmet Asım Yolaç Cd, 500 m south of town centre.

Eat

 * Beware stews cooked in a wood-fire in pottery - these may be prepared days in advance then left to fester.

 * Cheap eats and patisseries are along Atatürk Blv near the bus station.

Drink

 * Wine: Turasan Vineyard has a shop at Tevfik Fikret Cd 6, west side of town, with paid-for tastings; the reds slide down nicely. It's open daily 09:00-19:00.
 * Wine: Turasan Vineyard has a shop at Tevfik Fikret Cd 6, west side of town, with paid-for tastings; the reds slide down nicely. It's open daily 09:00-19:00.

Sleep

 * For an unforgettable stay pick one of the cave hotels, mostly located northwest in Esbelli district. Some are mansions extended into the hillside, with a mix of masonry and cave rooms. East side of town are conventional modern hotels.

 * Taskin Hotel opposite Janet gets rotten reviews.
 * Taskin Hotel opposite Janet gets rotten reviews.
 * Taskin Hotel opposite Janet gets rotten reviews.
 * Taskin Hotel opposite Janet gets rotten reviews.
 * Taskin Hotel opposite Janet gets rotten reviews.

Connect
Ürgüp and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2024, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.

Go next

 * Goreme is a lively tourist centre, with cave dwellings and "fairy chimneys".
 * Avanos and Ortahisar are less-visited nearby towns.
 * Uchisar Castle is a pinnacle riddled by caves.
 * Remarkable underground cities were built by 1st-8th century Christians - 40 are known, many more remain to be unearthed. The two best are Kaymakli and Derinkuyu on the highway south from Nevşehir.

title: Ürgüp


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Þingvellir National Park

Þingvellir National Park (pronounced Thingvetlir) is a world-heritage national park in South Iceland. The park is home to the world's longest-running Parliament, which was established in 930 AD. It has a dramatic landscape formed as a result of sitting along the border between the North American and European tectonic plates. Parts of the Game of Thrones TV series were shot in this park.

History

The history of Þingvellir is closely linked with the history of Iceland. It is where the parliament of Iceland was founded around the year 930 and where it continued to meet until 1798. The history began in the Age of Settlements (c. 870-930) when large numbers of settlers arrived in Iceland, mainly from Norway, Ireland and the Scottish islands, and claimed land in most of the country. At first, the settlers controlled their respective areas of land, but as the Age of Settlements wore on, people began to establish a formal system of government. District assemblies were set up with a general assembly, the Alþing, which first convened at Þingvellir just before 930. This laid the foundation for the Icelandic Commonwealth, which was largely controlled by chieftains (goðar) with some participation by ordinary people.

The Alþing was Iceland's legislative and chief judicial authority for the duration of the Commonwealth, until 1271. Executive power was in the hands of the chieftains and parties to individual cases at each time. This proved to be quite an adequate arrangement for as long as the balance of power remained in the hands of the Alþing but was gradually transferred to the Norwegian and later Danish rulers until the King of Denmark became absolute monarch of Iceland in 1662.

Þingvellir was conveniently situated on ancient travel routes and was hardly a day's journey on horseback from the main districts of south and west Iceland. Fairly easy routes could be taken from the most populated districts of north Iceland. People from the northeast and east Iceland could cross the highlands, while Þingvellir took 17 days to reach from the farthest flung parts of east Iceland.

Þingvellir was the centre of Icelandic culture. Every year during the Commonwealth period people would flock to Þingvellir from all over the country, sometimes numbering in the thousands. They set up booths with walls of turf and rock and temporary roofing and stayed in them for the two weeks of the assembly. Although the duties of the assembly were the real reason for going there, ordinary people gathered at Þingvellir for a wide variety of reasons. Merchants, sword sharpeners and tanners could all sell their goods and services, clowns performed and ale-makers brewed drinks for the assembly guests. News were told from distant parts; games and feasts were held. Itinerant farmhands looked for work and vagrants begged. Þingvellir was a meeting place for everyone in Iceland, laying the foundation for the language and literature that have been a prominent part of people's lives right up to the present day.

Lögberg, the Law Rock, was the focal point of the Alþing and a natural platform for holding speeches. The Lawspeaker, a kind of chairman of the assembly, recited the law of the land. Before the law was written down he was expected to memorise the laws and recite them from the Law Rock over the course of three summers. Inauguration and dissolution of the assembly took place at Lögberg, where rulings by the Law Council were announced, the calendar was confirmed, legal actions were brought and other announcements made which concerned the entire nation. Anyone attending the assembly was entitled to present his case on important issues from the Law Rock.

In effect the Law Council served both as a parliament and as a supreme court. Laws were passed and approved there, and rulings made on points of law. Unlike the Law Rock, the Law Council was a closed body in which only certain people enjoyed full rights: chieftains who held the office of "goðar", their advisers and later also bishops. However, everyone at the assembly was entitled to watch and listen to the Law Council work.

When Iceland became part of the Norwegian realm in 1262, the structure of the Alþing was changed, and when the legal code "Iron Side" was adopted in 1271-73 the Law Rock lost its function. Assembly duties were then largely confined to the Law Council.

When Iceland swore allegiance to the King of Denmark as absolute monarch in 1662, the last vestiges of independence disappeared. From then on, the Law Council mainly performed a judicial function. Harsher punishments were adopted and Þingvellir became an execution site. Many names in the landscape give testament to the cruelty of those times.

Although the Alþing had largely lost its function Icelanders continued to visit the assembly to keep informed and socialise, although they were no longer obliged to attend. Thus Þingvellir to some extent preserved its role as the focal point of Icelandic social life right until the end of the 18th century. During the struggle for independence the site became an important symbol of national unity. It became a symbol of a unified, independent nation. It was the scene of Iceland's most glorious and darkest moments and still serves as a forum for commemorating major events.

Þingvellir was declared a national park in 1930. A law was passed designating Þingvellir as "a protected national shrine for all Icelanders, the perpetual property of the Icelandic nation under the preservation of the parliament, never to be sold or mortgaged."

Landscape
The Þingvellir area forms part of the volcanic fissure zone running right through Iceland, In turn, this zone is part of the tectonic plate boundaries of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which extend the length of the Atlantic from north to south.

The Þingvellir plains are the westernmost part of a rift valley stretching from the mountains in the northeast and down towards lake Þingvallavatn. The horsts delimiting the valley are the cliffs of Almannagjá fault to the west and the Heiðargjá fault to the east. Over the past 10,000 years the valley’s appearance has been shaped by the spreading and sinking of the Earth’s crust. The tectonic plates west of Almannagjá and east of Heiðargjá are gradually moving apart by an average of 3 mm per year. Measurements suggest that the graben (the floor of the valley) has widened 70 m in the space of 10,000 years, and sunk by 40 m at the same time – the difference between the top of Almannagjá and the plains below.

As well as moving gradually, the land displaces at intervals of several hundred years. In 1789 Þingvellir was struck by a wave of earthquakes lasting ten days. The valley floor between Almannagjá and Heiðargjá sank by almost 2 m then, mostly in the middle, and spread considerably too.

Lake Þingvallavatn
Þingvallavatn is the largest natural lake in Iceland, with a surface area of 84 square kilometers. It lies at an altitude of around 100 m above sea level. At its deepest point it measures 114 meters, while the average depth is 34 meters. There are three islands in the lake. Almost nine-tenths of the water inflow comes from springs and fissures on the bed of the lake or at its shore. The wide underground catchment area for water extends as far as Langjökull glacier. Only one-tenth of the inflow is surface water from brooks and rivers, the largest of which is Öxará. Average outflow at the only drainage point, the river Sog, is around 110 m³ per second.

The Lake Þingvallavatn biosphere clearly testifies to the fact that it straddles on the border between the continents of Europe and North America. The great northern diver, a bird native to North America, breeds around the lake and gathers in flocks at the lake in autumn. Other migrant birds from North America are barrow’s goldeneye and the harlequin duck. White-tailed eagles nested on the slopes of Dráttarhlíða and Arnarfell in olden times, but are rarely seen now. Mink live by the lake, preying on small birds and foxes make occasional appearances.

The greatest biological wonder at Þingvallavatn, however, is its fish population. No other lake in the world supports four separate species of arctic charr. At the top of the food chain is the brown trout. Some brown trout are known to have weighed more than, but even at their peak, the average was around. However, the fish stocks in the lake went into serious decline after the upper Sog river was harnessed for hydroelectricity production in 1959, which disrupted the largest spawning grounds of the brown trout. Large brown trout can still be seen in Öxará, however, during the autumn spawning season.

Flora and fauna
Birch woodland is characteristic of the Þingvellir area, indicated by the original name of the area in Icelandic: Bláskógar (literally "Blue Woods"). In the National Park, 172 species of higher plants have been found, or about 40% of the Icelandic flora, so variety is not wanting. Birch, along with willow, plants of the heath family, and dwarf birch, transform the appearance of Þingvellir in autumn, and many make their way there to enjoy the beauty of its pastel colours.

Lake Þingvallavatn is particularly deep and thus does not attract as many waterfowl as do shallower lakes such as Lake Mývatn. Generally, 52 bird species live by the lake, while 30 others come and go. The most famous bird is the great northern diver, which nests in a few places by the lake. It's grouchy and protects its territory energetically. Iceland is the easternmost point for the great northern diver, which has its roots in North America.

Fox sneaks around hillocks and high spots. It has shared the countryside with humans since the settlement and can be found by Lake Þingvallavatn, as well as elsewhere in Iceland. The newest resident of Lake Þingvallavatn is probably the mink, which was first brought to Iceland in 1931 for its fur. Soon afterwards, a few mink escaped from their cages, and now mink can be found everywhere around the country. Like so many other creatures, the mink thrives at Þingvallavatn and can often be seen by the shoreline of the lake.

Climate
Þingvellir is generally considered to be one of the "weather paradises" of Iceland. This is due to the fact that when the weather is good it is usually best in this area. The weather, like everywhere else in Iceland, is swift to change though. The temperature drop from day to night is considerable and even though the day was sunny and warm the night might be quite cold. During winter it can snow quite a lot and those driving smaller vehicles are advised to familiarise themselves with the road conditions before heading out.

Get in
The national park is an easy one hour trip from the capital Reykjavík. If driving from Reykjavík it is necessary to drive to route 1 via Mosfellsbaer. From there it is possible to access route 36 which runs through Þingvellir.

Buses also run from BSÍ bus terminal in the centre of Reykjavik during the summer season. The fare (in 2008) is 1,700 kr and the bus departs in the morning and leaves for Reykjavík in the late afternoon.

Fees and permits
Entrance into the park is free of charge. Fishing permits are sold in the Service Centre and cost 1,500 kr for the day.

Get around
By car or tour bus on the roads. Elsewhere, on foot.

See

The most popular site in the national park is the old parliament site. There are no real visible remains there but signposts and a visit to the visitor's centre give a good feel for the area.

The lava field in the fault valley is also home to several deserted farms. The farms are reached by fairly easy hiking routes and are a good chance to see a different side of this much visited park.

Do
Have a look inside the visitor centre. It is in a new building close to the view spot at Hakið, where a footpath leads down into the great Almannagjá fault. The exhibition in the visitor centre is almost exclusively based on interactive multimedia and is the first of its kind in Iceland. The exhibition is therefore quite modern in design, although good care has been taken to make it easily accessible to the visitors. The history and nature of Þingvellir and its surroundings literally "come alive" on large TV monitors, playing a wide variety of illustrative video and audio material. Using conveniently placed touch screens, you can choose narrative (and subtitles) in four different languages: Danish, English, German, French and Icelandic (a wider selection of languages will be added to the program later) then decide for yourself which particular sections of the multimedia program you want to view. For instance, you might be prompted to "dive into" the habitat of lake Þingvallavatn and view unique close-up footage of fish in the lake, such as the brown trout. It takes about 40 minutes to view the whole multimedia program, but, as indicated before, visitors use the touch-screen interface to select which parts they prefer to view. Each program section is intended to provide the general national park visitor with some interesting and useful information about the subject at hand.

The exhibition is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00. Admission is free.

Take a walk around the old parliament seat and have a look inside the church which is open daily during the summer months. Every Sunday in the summertime there is mass in the church at 14:00 and all visitors are welcome.

Diving
Diving is permitted in two submerged rifts in the park, Silfra and Davíðsgjá. Silfra is one of the best spots for diving in Iceland and many people find the rift unique on an international scale.

The reason for its fame is the astounding visibility in the clear, cold ground water and the magnificent surroundings. Davíðsgjá is in the north-eastern part of Lake Þingvallavatn. The rift is in the lake itself and to reach it you have to swim some distance. It is quite shallow nearest to the bank, but deepens and widens further out.

Divers have to fulfil all regulations and conditions regarding qualification and equipment for diving. They must abide by all rules concerning diving and agree to respect the National Park regulations. It is prohibited to dive alone, to enter caves while diving and to dive to a greater depth than 18 m. The minimum age for scuba diving is 17 years according to Icelandic laws, younger persons can join snorkelling tours. You need to contact a guide if you wish to go diving in the rifts or obtain a diving permit from the National Park. Diving is entirely at the divers' own responsibility and risk.

Buy
A fishing permit and have a go at the fish in the lake. You might catch charr for dinner or even one of the lake's famous brown trout.

Eat
A small café is in the Service Centre which sells hot dogs, soft drinks, sandwiches, cookies, ice cream and candy. The hotel has a restaurant and a café and is located on the outskirts of the main attraction (but it burned down in 2009), the old parliament site. The café/book-shop is a few kilometers past the visitor information center (if coming from the direction of Reykjavik).

Drink
You can drink as much as you like; there is no restriction any time anywhere.

Lodging
No lodging in the national park is available but park rangers in the Information Center can provide information about lodging in the general area.

Camping
Camping is only permitted in two areas in the National Park. At Leirar, which is a 5-minute walk from the Information Center, and in Vatnskot, by lake Þingvallavatn. At Leirar there are four camping grounds: Fagrabrekka, Syðri-Leirar, Hvannabrekka and Nyrðri-Leirar. The Vatnskot camp ground is situated at an abandoned farm site by the lake.

Camping and angling permits should be obtained at the Information Center on arrival.

Children under the age of 13 can stay overnight, free of charge. Groups (10 adults or more) get a 15% discount if they pay in one sum at the time of reservation. The cost of camping is 1000 kr per person per night. If staying for more than three nights the fourth night is free of charge and every other night after that.

The camping grounds are mowed each week and the toilet facilities are cleaned at least once a day. Garbage does not have to be sorted before being put into the disposal cans, except that special containers for aluminum soda cans, glass bottles and plastic bottles are provided. Charcoal and ash from the barbecues should also be disposed of into separate containers.

During the summer Park Rangers look after the camping areas every day and during the weekends they keep nightshifts, to make sure everything is quiet after midnight.

Stay safe
When hiking in Þingvellir, you may encounter a variety of spectacular fissures in the ground. It might be tempting to lean over the edge and look into them, but be careful - the rocks near the edge may be unstable. Use your best judgement and watch out for your kids.

title: Þingvellir National Park


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České Budějovice

České Budějovice (also known as Budweis in German or English) is in South Bohemia, in the Czech Republic. The town has since grown into the metropolitan centre. It is the largest town in South Bohemia region and it has approximately 96,000 inhabitants.

The picturesque village of Holašovice, 16 km west of České Budějovice, has a well-preserved folk Baroque centre and is a UNESCO site.

Understand
This South Bohemian metropolis was founded in 1265 by the Czech King Premysl Otakar II on the confluence of the Vltava and Malse Rivers. The Square of Premysl Otakar II is 133 m by 137 m, and is one of the largest squares in Bohemia. It has arcades and a range of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque burgher's houses. The other important town monuments include the Town Hall, the Samson's fountain and the 72-metre-high Black Tower which provides a beautiful view of the town and surroundings.

The town is an excellent place to visit if you want to escape the large numbers of tourists in Prague or nearby Český Krumlov. Its well-developed transport links make it the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding region. There are many historic towns and villages nearby, numerous hiking trails, and a vast cycle path network. The most famous cycle path is No. 12 which connects České Budějovice and Hluboká nad Vltavou.

Get in
České Budějovice a nice place to stay: its good connections with the surrounding region make it an excellent place from which to explore South Bohemia. The buses and trains run on time and are cheap and relatively easy to understand. The bus station is on the roof of Mercury Centrum and tickets are bought on the bus. Train tickets can be bought before boarding.

By bus
Buses leave frequently from "Na Knížecí" and "Roztyly" bus stations in Prague to here. The trip takes approximately 2½-3 hours. There is also the Yellow Bus line offered by Student Agency, which takes 2 hr 20 min for a similar price. The bus junction in České Budějovice is at the "Mercury Centrum", a two-storey shopping mall with the bus station on the roof, just outside the city center. It is 100 m down the street from the train station. For rates and schedules, visit the official transport website IDOS.

Shuttle bus transfer Budweis-shuttle operate comfortable daily bus service between České Budějovice and the following cities: Prague (1½ hr, 1,000 Kč): From Austria: Salzburg (3 hr, 1,100 Kč), Vienna (3 hr, 1,100 Kč), Linz (1½ hr, 450 Kč), Hallstatt (2½ hr, 1100 Kč). From other countries: Munich, Germany (4 hr, 1,600 Kč), and Bratislava, Slovakia.

By train
From Prague, train is probably better than bus, as it is often more comfortable, cheaper, faster, and goes from centre to centre. Trains connect from Prague to here every hour. The trip from Prague takes 2-2½ hr. Standard fare sold at the ticket office is 222 Kč for single person (133 Kč second person, 111 Kč other), but it is often much cheaper when bought in advance or online.

There are two types of train: rychlík (R) and express (Ex), with the latter being faster and more comfortable (both are the same price). Other useful destinations reachable by direct train are Český Krumlov, Jindřichův Hradec, Tábor, Brno, Třebíč, Plzeň and Linz in Austria (connections to Salzburg, Vienna and other cities in Austria). Timetables and tickets at the Czech Railways website. As of August 2022 the station is under renovation and there are no left luggage facilities.

By car
The road from Prague is not very good, half of it is a new dual carriage highway, but the other half is a heavily congested two-lane road. Avoid travelling on this road on Friday and Sunday evenings. You have to pay for parking in the wider centre of the city, with the amount depending on the part of the city. There are parking machines on the street - you have to enter your license plate number when buying a parking ticket.

On foot
The historical centre of the city is completely walkable, but it is also possible to walk from the more distant parts of the city, even though it is likely to take more time.

By bicycle
The city is bicycle-friendly with many bicycle paths. You can rent the bike at the railway station or some hotel if you want it for a long term, but if you want it just for trips across the city, it is probably better to use bike-sharing app Rekola. The best maps for cycling are OsmAnd or Mapy.cz in outdoor mode.

By bus
There is an extensive network of public buses and trolleybuses that run quite frequently during the day. The ticket costs 16 Kč and is valid for one hour; there are ticket machines on the stops. Ticket inspectors are common, so it is better to have a valid a ticket. You have to validate your ticket in the bus. For timetable, you can use IDOS, if you want to find a route on the map, use OsmAnd or Mapy.cz.

By taxi
The world-wide app Taxify is working in České Budějovice. The biggest legacy taxi company is Taxi Budějovice, 0042014014.

By car
Common traffic jams and difficult parking zones make getting around by car a poor means of transport across the city.

Events

 * Múzy na vodě, traditional festival which can be seen at the confluence of the Vltava and Malše Rivers, every year at the beginning July.
 * Bread Basket, international agricultural fair. One of the most popular agricultural fairs in Czechia. The Bread Basket offers: renewal and rural development technology, plant and animal production, agricultural technology, food production, forestry and water system, gardening and breeding, services for agriculture, other.
 * Ema Destinnová - musical festival is a series of concerts of classical music taking place during August and September. The festival is organised in the centre of town and in churches, theatres.
 * Traditional Christmas Markets take over the main square from the beginning of period Advent. There are free concerts and performances, warming foods and traditional crafts ranging from blacksmith-work to the finest beeswax and honey products and a lot more.

Restaurants

 * Vendetta – An excellent value bar/restaurant on the main square and very nice freshly made pizzas.
 * Restaurace Karla IV. (Karla IV. 4) – A stylish Czech restaurant with large choice and the interior is decorated with Middle Ages legends.
 * Green House (Biskupská 3) – Healthy bio cuisine including vegetarian dishes, vegetable salads and soups.
 * Bar Lanovka (Lannova třída 2) – There is a climbing wall and popular healthy restaurant.
 * Green House (Biskupská 3) – Healthy bio cuisine including vegetarian dishes, vegetable salads and soups.
 * Bar Lanovka (Lannova třída 2) – There is a climbing wall and popular healthy restaurant.

Drink
Knock back a pitcher of Budweiser beer, as this is after all, its hometown (see also Pivovar Budějovický Budvar, above). The best option to experience this is to visit one of the pubs operated by the brewery itself as there you can find the widest selection of beers including any specials. Masné krámy and Malý Pivovar are located in the old city centre near the main square. Pick one of these without doubt, the other choice: Budvarka pub is in the brewery complex, further from the city centre to the north.

Pubs
In the main square Přemysla Otakara II. There are a lot of pubs and visitors from which can choose, e.g., B26, and Fantom.
 * Singer (Česká 55) – Irish-style pub in the old town. The name is derived from old school Singer sewing machines on the tables inside.
 * Potrefená husa (Česká 66) – A branch of another Czech brewery Staropramen franchise pubs. Select the place on the roof top terrace during the hot summer days to sip the beer or cocktail while look over the river Malse to Stromovka recreational park.

Cafés
You can get free Wi-Fi internet connection in almost all places listed below as one of the local ISPs provides the internet connection almost everywhere.

 * Kotva (Lidická 2110) – Café sharing the building with a small cinema.
 * Cafe au chat noir (Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II. 21) – Small cafe right on the main square near with awesome views on what's happening on the square as it is on the first floor (don't give up and walk through the stores on the ground floor to the stairs if you want to enter).
 * Cafe Placidus (Na Mlýnské stoce 11) – Modern café with Davidoff coffee and wide selection of cakes and other desserts.
 * Manon (Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II. 11) – Café on the west side of the main square with highly decorated interior purely in black & white tones. Good coffee, views of the square, but a bit lack of atmosphere.
 * Café Plaza (Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II. 7) – "New kid on the block" right next to the city hall. One of the pluses here are particularly quite late opening hours every day.
 * Café la Storia (Panská 26) – Café in one of the oldest buildings in the city near city walls. In the hot summer day don't sit outside, but try to find your chair inside in small yard between the buildings where you can avoid the sun and where the temperature stays always comfortable. Take one of the Lavazza coffee magazines to learn something new.
 * Café Ionia (Plachého 16) – Small place with a bar, two tables outside during the summer and less frequent coffee brand which also gives a name to this place.
 * Rolo and Café – If you want cake then head here! There is one opposite the train station, another on the main square and another just off the main square on the way to Tesco.

Clubs

 * Modrý dveře (Biskupská 1) – Trendy styled pub/restaurant with occasional live jazz music.
 * Velbloud (U Tří lvů 4) – Small alternative music club near city centre. The program contains mainly rock, punk & alternative, but it is regularly mixed with other modern styles.
 * Horká vana (Česká 7) – Café and club in modern space and it organizes regular performances every month.
 * SUD (Hroznová 8) – Small theatre which is very popular among university students.

Go next

 * Český Krumlov – A UNESCO World Heritage landmark and an extremely popular tourist destination. Buses to Český Krumlov leave every half hour or so from the main bus station at Mercury Centrum and takes about 45 minutes (32 Kč). Train is usually slower (55 minutes) and more expensive (49 Kč, although you get discount from the second passenger).
 * Hluboka nad Vltavou – A nearby village with large 'Windsor-style' castle up on the hill and an old church. Follow the cycle path 12 along the Vltava River north of the city (about 10 km) and it will bring you right into Hluboka.
 * Holašovice – A small rural village which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List for being the best preserved traditional Central European village. Its square is lined with unique houses decorated in the 'Folk Baroque' style. There is also a small pond and chapel. Two of the buildings house pubs and there is also a Tourist information office.
 * Kleť – This is the highest point in the nearby region and offers relaxed forest walking, cycling and 360° panoramic view of South Bohemia from the top. It also has an observatory on top. To get there take the train from main station to Holubov village, from where you will see the mountain. The train goes from the main station and you need to be in the end carriage to be able to get off at Holubov. On the way back visiting the ruins of gothic Divci Kamen castle is a few kilometers short trip in the area below the mountain (see Get Out section of Český Krumlov).
 * Telč – A UNESCO World Heritage small but extremely charming city. Around 2 hours and 105 Kč by local bus.
 * Trebon – A picturesque town with a castle, the Regent brewery, fish lakes and a lovely town square. There are also various walking and cycling paths. It takes about 45 minutes on the bus from Mercury Centrum through some lovely scenery.
 * Zlata Koruna – This beautifully-restored monastery is set in a stand of ancient oaks. The bus to Cesky Krumlov stops here.

title: České Budějovice


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Český Krumlov

Český Krumlov (German: Krumau) is a beautiful town of 14,600 inhabitants in Southern Bohemia, in the Czech Republic. Like Prague, the town is situated on the Vltava River and is full of Baroque buildings housing cafes and bars, features a spectacular castle (the second largest in the Czech Republic), and an old-town square. The town's appearance is little changed since the 18th century and the buildings have been well maintained and restored. In 1992, Cesky Krumlov was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The town is very popular among tourists, who outnumber the local population in the summer and are still a notable presence during Christmas time.

By train
Český Krumlov lies on regional railway line České Budějovice – Černý Kříž, going from regional capital to National Park Šumava via Český Krumlov.

Taking a train to Český Krumlov is possibly the most comfortable way how to get there. Czech Railways operates one direct long-distance Ex "Jižní expres" train from Prague and back, departing from Praha hl.n. in 8:01 and arriving in Český Krumlov in 10:55, on the way back it departs in 14:07 and arrives in 16:57. The SuperAction ticket costs from 195 CZK, Ordinary ticket costs 283 CZK, for more details see Rail travel in the Czech Republic. Three hours are not really enough to see the town (as there are more sights and the railway station is not in the center), so it is more advisable to sleep in Český Krumlov or take a train with a transfer.

You can use connections with transfer in České Budějovice. The train leaves every 1-2 hours, the trip takes 2h50min-3h40min. For more details look at IDOS. You will need to buy two separated tickets because regional Os trains from České Budějovice are operated by GWTR. These tickets can be bought at both railway stations or from the conductor onboard (which incurs an extra fee).

The train station is north of the main square and the castle; the walk to the center is 15–20 minutes downhill. Taxis often wait in the parking lot for tired travelers - it may be worth the 100Kč ride into town, especially at night. To make sure you get a taxi if you have heavy luggage, it's better to book it in advance. You can find the contacts in their websites. Some local buses although travel between the train station and the bus terminal (that isn't much closer to the old town though, but may be closer to your accommodation). Price: 10Kč. Walking is however the best option if you are reasonably fit.

By bus
From Prague, and other nearby cities or towns of Bohemia, getting to Český Krumlov by public bus can be sometimes faster and cheaper than by train.

Regiojet runs plenty of buses daily between Český Krumlov and the Na Knížecí bus station in Prague, near the Anděl metro station. A one-way journey takes ~3 hours and costs 200 Kč. The bus stops at Pisek and České Budějovice. Cheaper and more comfortable than other public buses. Ticket can be bought online.

A local bus from České Budějovice takes 45 minutes and costs 32 Kč.

Upon arriving in Český Krumlov, there are two bus stops: the first is north of the castle, the second is the main terminal and is located east of the main square. Both stations are about a five to ten minute walk from the main square—from the north, walk down Latrán ulice, from the east, head westward and look for Horni ulice off the main road. Check which stop is closest to your accommodation before your trip.

Green Shuttle offers transfers between Cesky Krumlov and many European cities/destinations like Linz, Vienna, Hallstatt, Salzburg, Budapest, Bratislava, Munich, Prague, Dresden, Berlin and more.

By car
It's possible to park in one of the paid north-west of the old town. Or if you arrive very early and are lucky, you may be able to take one of the few spots along the main road.

By boat
Canoe, kayak or raft are the most popular vehicles to reach Český Krumlov in summer (especially among Czech people). The boat trip usually starts at Vyšší Brod, a small town with historic monastery just beneath the Lipno dam. There are numerous boat renting companies in Vyšši Brod that will collect the boat anywhere lower the river. The usual boat trip goes from Vyšši Brod to Boršov (a village one train stop from České Budějovice) with Český Krumlov just in the middle. If you want to see the city, it is a good idea to camp in Český Krumlov for two days (there numerous camps both up and down the river from the center). Note that the river is severally overcrowded during summer (especially end of June, July and August). No tours are necessary, just google reputable boat renting in Vyšši Brod a they will sort everything out for you. If you are only interested in the Český Krumlov section of the river, see Do section of this article.

By foot
Ambling around the town's crooked ulices is the best way to get lost in Český Krumlov's 750 years of history. Bring solid walking shoes for the uneven cobblestones.

Český Krumlov is a jumble of 750 years of architectural design, and for this reason was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Part of the fun is to get lost in its maze of cobbled ulices, while the Vltava River rushes along from almost every direction, adding to the confusion. Walking the length of Latrán from Budějovická Gate to the town square, Náměstí Svornosti, up Horní and across the bridge to the Barbakán, will take about an hour if you’re interested in stopping and gawping at sites.

By bike
Many good biking paths lead you to and from Český Krumlov, but you're not encouraged to ride through the streets once you get here. Park and lock your bike and enjoy not pedaling for a while.

By boat
No tours are necessary, boat rentals will sort everything out for you. If you are only interested in the Český Krumlov section of the river, it's about 2 hours long trip. Night rafting is also possible with some rental services.

Do

 * Drehbare Zuschauer-Bühne 3.JPG
 * Drehbare Zuschauer-Bühne 3.JPG
 * Drehbare Zuschauer-Bühne 3.JPG
 * Drehbare Zuschauer-Bühne 3.JPG

Eat
There are no bad places to eat in Český Krumlov, but some are better than others. A good rule of thumb is to stay away from the tourist restaurants that charge more than 30Kč for a half-liter of beer. The following restaurants are good value:

Bars
Don't be afraid to walk into a pub alone. Locals are friendly, menus are in English, although a bit of Czech please (prosím) and thank you (děkuju) can go a long way. A night on the town (5 half-liters of excellent Czech beer) will cost you less than 200Kč.

Sleep
The good news is that all accommodation is within an easy 10-minute walk to the town square. The bad news is that accommodation tends to be on the smaller side, so in the busy summer months you will need to book ahead. The Infocentrum on the town square or Unios Travel Service at the 1st Castle Courtyard are happy to book hotels or bed and breakfast accommodation (also known as pensiony) for a nominal fee.

Go next
The Infocentrum on the town square has a wealth of information of where to go next, and are happy to provide maps, train and bus schedules and even book you a bed to your next port of call. Do your homework: Sometimes it’s a good idea to keep your bed in Český Krumlov and go on day trips to the following places (listed alphabetically):

 * České Budějovice. Boasting a massive town square, nam. Přemysl Otakar, is replete with shopping and dining opportunities. Off the town square, you’ll find many hidden nooks and special places of interest. It is definitely worth the day trip from Český Krumlov by either bus or rail, but not worth staying overnight, unless you have to make some sort of early train or bus connection. Ask for the schedules at Infocentrum or go to
 * Kleť. This is the highest point in the nearby region and offers relaxed forest walking, cycling and 360° panoramic view of South Bohemia from the top. It also has an observatory on top. It can be climbed right from Český Krumlov. You can rent kickbikes for 11 kilometres long downhill ride on asphalt route in beautiful nature in national park. This experience could be all- or half- day long, if you are hiking to the top of the mountain.  Or if you don’t want to hike or if you want just 2 hours long trip, scooter rental could take you from Český Krumlov to the top by minibus. There are 3 different final destinations – Český Krumlov, Zlatá Koruna and Krásetín (under the cableway).
 * Kramolín Ski Resort . Open November through April, this small ski resort is perfect for learners and children. At the base of the main ski lift are quite a few shops that rent and sell gear and a few nice restaurants and cafes to while away the time. The ski bus runs to and from Kramolín from Český Krumlov. See their website for prices and ski bus schedules.
 * Lipno dam Slideland & Aquaworld. 32 km southwest of Cesky Krumlov. This artificially-made lake harnesses the power of the Vltava River at Lipno Dam. In the summer, there are campsites at Černá v Pošumaví, Frymburk, Horní Plána and Lipno nad Vltavou. In the winter, cross-country ski trails alongside Lipno Lake beckon. Aquaworld, next to the Marina, houses an attractive modern swimming pool and aquapark. The bobsleigh track, Slideland, across the road, is a fun for kids and parents alike.
 * Rožmberk Castle. This idyllic town, featuring a picture-perfect castle built in 1253, was the official seat of the Rožmberk family, whose power stretched over the region of South Bohemia. A tour of the lovingly maintained castle is worth the 30 minute trip by car or bus from Český Krumlov.
 * Šumava, the Bohemian Forest, a spot for nature lovers, and one of the best places in the country to hike, bike, and cross-country ski.
 * Vyšší Brod. One of the best things to do in the summer months is to rent a boat from Vyšší Brod, visit the monastery, and then navigate your raft for 8–10 hours all the way back to Český Krumlov. This can take one or two days, depending on your fitness level and flow of the river. Along the way, there are a few good camping areas to pitch a tent. To book your boat in the high season, try Ontario boat rentals or Maleček Boat Rentals.
 * Zlatá Koruna. 7 km from Český Krumlov, this beautifully-restored monastery is set in a stand of ancient oaks. You can reach the Monastery by rafting from Český Krumlov with Ontario boat rentals or Maleček Boat Rentals, or you can take a local bus from the main bus station. Or you can do interesting trip on a kick-bike from Kleť mountain and take 11km long downhill ride to Zlatá Koruna.
 * Dívčí Kámen Castle. Just a short train ride from Český Krumlov (take the local train to Třísov) and hike the 1.5 km through the forest opposite the train station. You may start to feel lost as you trek along the dirt path and down a hill covered with exposed tree roots, but the river should be just below you and the castle might start peeking out between the trees from the opposite hill. The alternative is an easier 3 km walk from the next stop on the train, Holubov, where you can get directions from the information office just up the hill from the station.

Also see the Get Out section of České Budějovice.

title: Český Krumlov


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Čičmany

Čičmany (German Zimmermannshau, Hungarian Csicsmán) is a village in Central Slovakia.

Understand
Čičmany is one of the few folk villages which remain intact in Central Europe. It represents a local vernacular style of architecture characterized by the use of dark wood and its white ornamentation in floral patterns similar to gingerbread. This is still a living tradition and such houses are drawn over again and again.

Get in
The is a sparse bus connection from Rajecke Teplice. Otherwise it is a 30-40 minutes drive from Žilina.

Get around
The village is small and manageable on foot.

See
The village main attraction is its folk architecture. There are two souvenir shops vending local crafts. It is also possible to visit the inside of two of the houses.

Do
Hike in the nearby woods.

Eat
There are two restaurants and two bars operating in Čičmany.

Sleep
There are two hotels operating in Čičmany.

title: Čičmany


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Gjakova

Gjakova/Gjakovë (Albanian) Đakovica (Serbian) is a city in western Kosovo with about 101,000 inhabitants. Gjakova is a centre of culture and learning in Kosovo.

Understand
It was established as a trading town, sporting the largest bazaar in the Balkans, called Çarshia e Madhe (the Grand Bazaar). The tradesmanship spirit and some of the trades practiced still remain in the city. The city is centrally located in the Dukagjin Valley of western Kosovo, equal distance between the cities of Prizren to the south and Peja to the north. It also has a historic link to the Gjakova Highlands, now across the border in northern Albania.

The townspeople pride themselves in their sense of town music practised, humour and sarcasm which distinguish it from the rest of Kosovo and enforce the local character. Gjakova has contributed several important leaders to the history of Kosovo, such as World War II partisan and post-war leader Fadil Hoxha and communist Yugoslav Presidency Chairman Mahmut Bakalli, as well as to the cultural scene.

Gjakova was badly hit by the Kosovo War of 1998–99, fought between Kosovo Liberation Army guerrillas demanding the independence of Kosovo and Serbian forces. Around 75% of town's population was driven out by the Serb Army during the war, and many of the city's homes and important monuments were burnt down or otherwise destroyed. After the war, much of town's ethnic Albanian inhabitants returned (who make up to 98% of the population). Many of the stores in the old-town area, locally known as Çarshia e Madhe, were rebuilt.

While in Gjakova, make sure you talk to the locals, especially the young ones, since they are more proficient in English. And you will hear a story about every corner of the city.

The town has sizable diasporas in Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium. Especially during the summer months, you might see many expensive foreign cars from these countries circling around town. The foreign family members return here for vacation as well as for marriages because this way the whole family can join the wedding. The Çarshia e Madhe has many shops specialized in wedding attire.

By bus
The inter-city bus station is at the entrance of the town when coming from Pristina, with easy access to the town.

If you are in Pristina, a bus heads to Gjakova every half an hour (€4, 1.5 hours), also from Prizren (€2, 1 hour) and from Peja (€2, 40 minutes) every 15 minutes.

If you are in Tirana, there are buses available directly to Gjakova, which leave at 06:00 and 15:00, and costing around €15.

If you are in Shkodra, you can have an adventurous route via Lake Koman. Get a furgon (minivan) at 06:00 from Shkodra to Koman. There you can catch the passenger or car ferry to Fierze, then get a furgon to Bajram Curri and another furgon to Gjakova, arriving around mid-day in Gjakova.

If you are in Skopje, take the bus going either to Pristina or Prizren, then from there take another bus to Gjakova.

By plane
Pristina International Airport Adem Jashari is 65 km away from Gjakova. There you can get a taxi or walk to the roundabout in Fushë Kosovë on the outskirt of Pristina and wait there for the Gjakova bus passing by from Pristina.

By car
From Pristina, Gjakova is 90 km away on a partly highway road. The road from Montenegro will take you first to Peja, Gjakova is another 36 km to the south. If you come from Albania, the easiest way is through the highway Durres - Kukes - Prizren, then taking the Gjakova exit with another 25 km on the Prizren-Gjakova regional road.

On foot
Since the city is not that big, the best way to get to see it is by walking.

By bicycle
Gjakova is the bike capital of Kosovo, and itself is quite suitable for biking.

By taxi
Taxis are quite inexpensive: you can get around the city for €2-3 at most.

See
Some monuments in Gjakova had to be repaired or rebuilt after their destruction during the war. Enjoy the walk through the scenic old town. There, you should visit the guesthouse/restaurant Hani i Haraqisë which sits on a small street with shops specialized in woodwork. The church and the main Hadum Mosque have also been rebuilt and can be visited (opening times change).

The Grand Bazaar

 * Some of the main handicrafts:
 * Production of arms - Gunsmiths
 * Silversmiths
 * Tailors (“Terzinjtë")
 * Curriers (“Tabakët)
 * Woolen white hat (“Qeleshe”) craft
 * Woolen white hat (“Qeleshe”) craft

Traditional houses
The houses below are characterized by interesting and unique architecture, of mainly traditional and oriental style.

Do
Gjakova is surrounded by beautiful hikable mountain trails lush with greenery and water.

Guided tours

Buy
Metal handicrafts, utensils and engravings can be bought at various places around town, including at the Grand Bazaar. Plis, the white traditional Albanian hat, can also be bought starting at €5.

Eat
Cuisine in Gjakova is not very diverse, but offers the traditional Kosovo cuisine in a modest setting and at reasonable prices.

Drink
Çarshia e Vjetër pedestrian area has numerous cafes and is the main place where young people gather.

Outside the town, in the Shkugëza Forest, several cafes are located. Locals walk to the area and drink their espressos or machiatos. Standard food is also available.

Sleep
Several choices are available for sleeping. The costs of sleeping ranges from €20-50 per night.

Connect
Wireless Internet is widely available in cafés and restaurants throughout the city, although it's a good idea to ask if one is available before you sit down. Free public Wi-Fi is also available around the city through PTK (username: ptk, password: telekomi) and Fibrelink hotspots (no login). Internet cafés are also available at a cost of €0.60/hour with drinks served.

Several private phone calling shops with long-distance calling are available. You may also use the state telco company PTK main Gjakova branch downtown or several of its kiosks around the city to buy calling credit and use phone cabins.

Mobile telephony providers Vala and Ipko provide 3G and 4G internet telephony.

Nearby

 * The Junik area is home to traditional stone houses called kullas. Inquire at the Tourism Office about guided tours
 * White Drin Canyon – An interesting canyon 5 km beyond Terezi Bridge.
 * Deçan – 20 km northwest of Gjakova you'll find one of Kosovo's four UNESCO World Heritage Sites; the Visoki Decani monastery.
 * Rahovec – Kosovo's prominent wine-making region. Inquire at the Tourism Office about guided tours of the area.
 * Mirusha Waterfalls — About 20 km from Gjakova on the road to Kline/Pristina road. Beautiful water fall cascades and exciting hike at its end.
 * Valbona National Park, Albania – It is just across the border in the mountains of northern Albania, and is one of the most prominent natural beauties of northern Albania and quite visited by tourists.

title: Gjakova


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Đakovo

Đakovo is a small city in Slavonia, eastern Croatia.

By car
The town is located on the railway line between Osijek and Doboj in Bosnia, and close to the E73 Highway (also known as the Pan-European corridor X).

By train
Connections from Osijek, Zagreb, Budapest and Sarajevo. The is located on the northeastern edge of the town.

By bus
Good connections from Osijek, Zagreb, Vukovar, Slavonski Brod, Belgrade, Tuzla, and weekly buses to Salzburg and Zurich

Get around
Walk! It's a compact enough town and gives great opportunities to take in the sights on offer.

Do

 * Training of the Lipizzaner horses on the edge of the city (a great morning's viewing).
 * Every year in July is the annual folk and embroidery festival which attracts visitors from far and wide.

title: Đakovo


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Łańcut

Łańcut (pronounced: Wine-tsoot) is a town in the Polish part of East Galicia in the outskirts of Rzeszów.

By plane
The closest international and domestic airport is Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport near Rzeszów, about 25 km from Łańcut.

By train
From Rzeszów city centre, you can take either train or coach (bus). Travel time equals 20 and 30 minutes respectively. The is out of town centre and you have to walk about 2 km to the centre. You can find also bus stop about 200 m from railway station and take a bus to the city centre. Train tickets start from 5.30 zł for the slowest (ordinary) train (normal ticket, 2nd class).

By bus
A more convenient way is to take a bus from Rzeszów. There are two main bus stops when you can catch the bus.

From Central bus station ('Dworzec Autobusowy' or 'Dworzec PKS') - it is located just next to the railway station. Buses are operated by private companies. The cheapest tickets are offered by local carriers, Veolia and PKS Leżajsk - about 3 zł (may differ in peak hours). Some buses terminate in Łańcut (Łańcut 'Dworzec PKS'), but many go further with stop in Dworzec PKS, so you can take also these ones (say to driver 'Łańcut' and if it runs through this town, the driver will sell you a ticket). Buses depart in Rzeszów from stand nr 6 and 7. They usually stop at all bus stops on the way from Rzeszów to Łańcut.

You can also take one of the private carriers from the bus stop near famous Rzeszów monument - Revolution Act Monument. Buses departs from the same bus stop as local city's buses (the yellow ones). There is a number of bus carriers: Guliwer, Pola and others. They terminate at different location (Łańcut, Leżajsk, Przeworsk, etc.), but all stops in Łańcut. Travel takes also 30 min and costs also around 3 zł. Connection may be served either by typical buses or smaller vans (look for carrier's brand on the bus and sign with destination marked usually on windscreen). In most cases, buses from here stop in different bus stop in Łańcut than for PKS buses. They stop in other bus station called by locals 'Ruski Rynek' (Russian Market) at Cetnarskiego Street.

The bus stations and railway station are located in different places in Łańcut, so it inconvenient to change the bus/train which departs from different station. The is very close to the town centre, all highlights can be reached easily on foot. 'Dworzec Autobusowy (PKS)' has waiting room and bar, while next to 'ruski rynek', there is a market with clothes and food stalls.

Full timetable (covers almost all carriers): e-podróżnik

You can also go to Łańcut by long-distance buses. Check the section 'Get in by bus' in Poland.

By car
Łańcut is 17 km from Rzeszów, so road connections are almost the same. In Łańcut you can find car parking free of charge and paid.

Get around
By foot. There is no public transportation since Łańcut is rather small and cosy town. If you need, you can find local buses (which operates to/from villages nearby) departing from both bus stations. For example, if you want to travel from town centre to the railway station, look for buses going northbound (to Leżajsk, Rakszawa, Żołynia, Białobrzegi, Wola Mała/Dalsza etc.) and get off the bus near railway station.

The Tourist Information Centre is in PTTK, ul. Dominikańska 1 (+48 17 225 31 84)

Events

 * Łańcut Music Festival in May.
 * Łańcut Town Day

Buy
Buy Polish vodka! Łańcut has its own distillery, which produces different vodkas (Biała Dama, Łańcut, Polonaise), liqueurs (egg, chocolate, almond, coffee, cherry, etc.) and rosolis (35-40% liqueur: rose, coffee, herbal).

Eat
Some supermarkets such as Biedronka or Lidl can be found at ul. Józefa Piłsudskiego.

Go next

 * Jarosław, Przemyśl and Leżajsk are in the area as well as plenty of small and beautiful villages (always served by bus, check the timetables mentioned above).
 * In the nearby village of Markowa (9 km southeast) is a beautiful open air village museum (Skansen) which may be an interesting activity when the weather allows.

title: Łańcut