text:
Biak

Biak is the main city on the island of Biak, off the northwest coast of Papua, Indonesia.

The largest population centre of Biak island is in this city, meanwhile the rest of the island is thinly populated with small villages.

People
Biak's population consists of, the majority of the native Papuan, and mixed of Chinese-Papuan from Biak (locals called Cina-Biak) and Serui (locals called Cina-Serui) in Kep. Yapen (An island south of Biak), also other Indonesian such as Buginese, Javanese, and so on.

By ship
You can use PELNI passenger ship KM. Sinabung from Surabaya or Makassar.

Get around
You can get around by taksi (minivan) or ojek (motorcycle taxi).

See
There is a World War II monument in Biak, a museum with a cave. The cave was a hiding place for a Japanese soldier.

On the way to Bosnik you can find a bird park and orchid park, the bird park has endemic Papuan fauna, cendrawasih (the bird of paradise), kasuari (cassowary), and mambruk (victoria crowned pigeon).

Nature
There are many beautiful beaches on Biak Island.

Do

 * Boating to Numfoor Island, Rani Island, or Mapia Islands, the islands close to Palau.
 * Cycling. Asana Biak Hotel provides some free bikes to get around the city.
 * Diving on Padaido Islands. There are many spots such as an undersea cave, coral garden, and World War II wrecks below the sea.

Events

 * Festival Biak Munara Wampasi, performances of Biak's artistic and cultural traditions, including snap mor (catching fish in low tide) and apen bayeren (walking on hot rocks).

Eat
Barapen is a traditional cooking method using rocks in Biak. Ikan bakar (grilled fish) has become the main dish because of the abundant seafood. Other Indonesian cuisines are also served in Biak by people who moved there from Java and Sulawesi.

Sleep
There are a couple of fairly good hotels in Biak city.

South

 * Serui, Kepulauan Yapen Regency. An hour away by plane.
 * Waropen, land of a thousand mangroves. By fast boat.

title: Biak


text:
Biarritz

Biarritz is a large beachside town on the Bay of Biscay, on the Atlantic coast in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques département of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, in south-west France. It is known for the Hôtel du Palais, built for the Empress Eugénie around 1855, its casinos, and its surfing culture.

Get in
Biarritz is adjacent to Bayonne and Anglet and 11 miles (18 km) from the border with Spain.

By car
Biarritz is about 7½ hours from Paris, at about 480 miles (775 km). Biarritz is easily accessed via the D911 road, off the N10. These routes are close to the A63 - a road connecting Belin-Béliet to Bayonne to the border of Spain. In a general idea, heading towards Bayonne, and then directing on the local by-roads to Biarritz is the most straightforward route. The following are general roads to follow to reach Biarritz:
 * Paris - A10, N10, A63 (E05)
 * Lyon - A7, A9, A61, N117, A64 (E15-E80)
 * Marseille - A54, A9, A61, N117, A64 (E15-E80)
 * Bilbao - A1 (E70)
 * Madrid - N1, A1 (E70)

By train
Biarritz train station is 3 km (2 mi) from the town centre. The local bus company runs the number 2 bus to the beach front for €1. For information on trains to and from Biarritz, visit the SNCF website.
 * Paris → Biarritz
 * About 5 hours via TGV, trains running direct several times a day. There is also a Paris-Biarritz night train service.

Prices are between 55 and €70 for the TGV full-fare, with night train fares starting at €15 one way.

By bus
Buses arrive on square d'Ixelles, in the centre of Biarritz. There are buses from Bayonne, Anglet, Pau, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Hendaye. Spanish bus company PESA run a twice-daily service (leaving from outside the Biarritz Tourist Office) that follows the coast to San Sebastian and Bilbao in Spain.

By plane
Direct flights from:

 * Charleroi - 2 flights a week with Ryanair.
 * Geneva - one flight operated by Air France during the summer.
 * Dublin - 4 flights per week with Ryanair - flying time 2 hr.
 * London Stansted - daily flights with Ryanair - flying time 1hr 45min.
 * Lyon - daily flights with Air France - flying time 1hr 20min.
 * Marseille - with Air France.
 * Nice - daily flights with Air France - flying time 1 hr.
 * Paris Orly - 4 to 5 flights a day with Air France - flying time 1hr 20min
 * Paris Charles de Gaulle - 3 flights a day with Air France and easyJet - flying time 1hr 20min.

You can get to the city from the airport by bus or taxi. A single bus fare is approximately €1.5.

You can pre-book a Biarritz Airport Transfer with Sea-Lifts - book online or call the English/French/Italian speaking service. Or book a door-to-door transfer with Biarritz Airport Transfers.

On foot
Biarritz is very pedestrianised, and it is easy to get around the town centre, to the beaches, and to the best spots for surfing or shopping. This means whatever your holiday needs is a short and pleasant walking distance away. However, it can be quite hilly in places.

By bus
There is an excellent bus network called Chronoplus ( for timetables and routes), serving Biarritz as well as the neighbouring Anglet and Bayonne (which form a conurbation called 'BAB'). Bus journeys are a flat €1 payable in cash on the bus. This ticket is valid for one hour to allow passengers inter-change between bus services and routes.

Cheaper multiple journey tickets are also available from the bus kiosks at Biarritz Mairie (beside the tourist office) and at Bayonne Mairie, but cannot be bought on the bus. These include a 10-journey ticket (€8); a seven-day travel pass (€11); and a 24-hour pass (€2). These tickets are also sold at 39 tobacco shops/cafes in the Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne (BAB) area.

Bus Line C links the airport with the Biarritz train station at La Negresse and the main Bayonne train station. The slightly less frequent No 8 bus also serves the Airport every 20–30 minutes.

See
Biarritz is famous for its coast and the rocks in the sea. There is the church of Sainte Eugenie, a Russian Orthodox church, and the Museum of the Sea (entrance about €6) with a lot of interesting animals like different kinds of fish, anemones, sharks, and seals in aquariums. Other topics include fishing in the last centuries, birds, catching whales. Then there is a Museum of Asian Art and a lighthouse (entrance €2).

Do
The beaches are excellent and this is a major surf resort. The main beach, Grand Plage, gets very crowded, but there is also a long surfers' beach on the Boulevard du Prince de Galles, called Cote de Basque, that has almost no sand at high tide, but is superb at low tide. The surf beaches at Anglet are easily accessible by bus, and surfboards that aren't too big are allowed on the local buses in the summer at least. There is a small beach by the Esplanade du Porte Vieux that is good for swimming when the surfer's beach is closed.

There are several thalasso-therapy centers, with sea water, seaweed and related treatments.

 * Thermes Marins, Rue de Madrid. Offer a reasonable half-day pass for €17, including use of warm sea water pools, sauna, and steam room. The sauna is rather worn, but serviceable.

Golf

Rugby

 * Biarritz Olympique plays rugby union (15 a side) in the French second level, Rugby Pro D2. They had a long history in the top tier of the French system, Top 14, but haven't been at that level since 2014. BO play home games at the Parc des Sports Aguiléra in town; during their stint in Top 14, they took an occasional home match across the Spanish border to Estadio Anoeta in Donostia-San Sebastián. Ticket information is available here (French only).

There is a large aquarium and a tourist land-train

 * Nature Sport Activities, Rue de la Marne. Rent bike and surfboards. Surfschool, pelote basqua, rafting, sea kayaking, wave ski, and Takamaka.

Buy

 * Central Market, rue des Halles. Has a wide range of fresh food, and is well worth a visit even if you don't want to buy anything. It is only open from 07:30 to 13:30.
 * Galleries Lafayette, Place G Clemenceau. Has a large and decently priced supermarket in the basement.

Drink
There are several places to go clubbing in Biarritz. One example is a great club called Le Copa located in the centre of the town. At the same place you can find many bars, as a pub crawl night is a must if you visit Biarritz. Another good club is the one under the Casino, and the best thing of all is that it is for free and does not close at two or three o'clock like the bars do.

Hotels

 * Hostellerie Victoria, 12 av de la Reine Victoria, 05.59.24.08.21. More expensive hotel in a Neo-Gothic mansion, huge rooms equipped with comfortable beds and iron bathtubs.
 * Hostellerie Victoria, 12 av de la Reine Victoria, 05.59.24.08.21. More expensive hotel in a Neo-Gothic mansion, huge rooms equipped with comfortable beds and iron bathtubs.
 * Hostellerie Victoria, 12 av de la Reine Victoria, 05.59.24.08.21. More expensive hotel in a Neo-Gothic mansion, huge rooms equipped with comfortable beds and iron bathtubs.
 * Hostellerie Victoria, 12 av de la Reine Victoria, 05.59.24.08.21. More expensive hotel in a Neo-Gothic mansion, huge rooms equipped with comfortable beds and iron bathtubs.
 * Hostellerie Victoria, 12 av de la Reine Victoria, 05.59.24.08.21. More expensive hotel in a Neo-Gothic mansion, huge rooms equipped with comfortable beds and iron bathtubs.

Connect
As of March 2024, Biarritz, Bayonne and their approach highways have 5G from all French carriers.

Go next
Bayonne, the Pyrenees, and Spanish border towns such as San Sebastian and Hondarribia are all easily accessible from Biarritz. Saint Jean de Luz is a nice harbour town worth seeing.

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

title: Biarritz


text:
Bibione

Bibione is a seaside town in Veneto, Italy. It's the fourth seaside town in Italy by number of tourists.

By car
From Venice: Take the A4 / E55 east from Venezia and exit at Portogruaro. Take the SS14 and follow the signs to Bibione via SR74 for around 25km.

From Trieste/Udine: Take the A4 / E70 west from Trieste and exit at Latisana. Take the SR 354 and follow the signs to Bibione via SP74 for around 20km or so.

Local roads are relatively well maintained and signposted.

By plane
The nearest airports with regular international connections are the Venice Marco Polo Airport, the Treviso Antonio Canova Airport, and the Ronchi dei Legionari-Trieste airport, all around 100 km from Bibione. It's preferrable to pick up your car at the airport, as, although local transport is available, it's not frequent and direct.

By train
The nearest train station, called Latisana-Lignano-Bibione is located in Latisana, around 20 km from Bibione. It's located along Venice-Trieste railway line. Regional trains from Venice and Trieste and long distance trains (Frecciarossa, InterCity, and Italo) from Rome, Milan, Turin, and Naples stop there.

There are regular bus connections between Latisana railway station and Bibione. Taxis are also available, although expensive.

By bus
There are regular bus connections with other towns in Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. They are managed by ATVO:

 * Venice - Mestre - Marco Polo airport - San Donà di Piave - Portogruaro - Latisana - San Michele al Tagliamento - San Filippo - Cesarolo - Marinella - Bevazzana - Bibione
 * Portogruaro - Villanova - Vado - Giussago - Lugugnana - San Michele al Tagliamento - San Filippo - Cesarolo - Marinella - Bevazzana - Bibione
 * Sacile - Fontanafredda - Pordenone - Corva - Azzano Decimo - Villotta - Cinto Caomaggiore - La Sega - Portogruaro - Bibione
 * Udine - Pozzuolo del Friuli - Mortegliano - Castions di Strada . Muzzana del Turgnano - Palazzolo dello Stella - Latisana - San Michele al Tagliamento - San Filippo - Cesarolo - Marinella - Bevazzana - Bibione
 * Pordenone - Bibione direct bus

All intercity buses depart from the bus station located in Via Maja.

By boat
From May to September (every day) and during weekends of April and October there are regular ferry connections with Lignano Sabbiadoro ("X River" service, across Tagliamento river mouth) and Caorle and Vallevecchia ("X Lagoon" service, across Caorle lagoon). It's allowed to take your bicycle on those ferries.

Private boats can dock at Marina Porto Baseleghe, in the western part of the town.

By bicycle
Cyclo-tourists can easily reach Bibione via one of the following cycleways:

 * "GiraLagune": it runs along Venetian coast from Punta Sabbioni to Bibione
 * "GiraTagliamento": it runs along the west bank of Tagliamento river from San Michele al Tagliamento to Bibione
 * FVG 6: it runs along the east bank of Tagliamento river from Latisana to Lignano; from there you can go to Bibione via the bridge or the X River ferry
 * FVG 2: it runs along Stella river and Marano lagoon from Precenicco to Lignano

By car
Being a modern town, it's fairly easy to get around by car. However, during high season, expecially on weekends, parking spaces are scarcer. Many parking spaces require payment between late April and late September.

By bicycle
It's very easy and pleasant to get around by bicycle, as there are many cycleways around, including a 10-km scenic cycleway along the entire lenght of Bibione beach from the lighthouse at Tagliamento river mouth to Bibione Pineda.

There are many business that rent bicycles, e-bikes, electric scooters and ricksaws.

By bus
During summer there are 2 regular urban bus routes connecting different parts of Bibione. They are managed by ATVO:

 * Line 1: Bibione bus station (Via Maja) - Piazza Fontana - Terme - Via delle Colonie - Lido del Sole - Via Baseleghe - Bibione Pineda Viale dei Ginepri - Marina - Porto Baseleghe
 * Line 2: Bibione bus station (Via Maja) - Piazzale Keplero - Via Venere - Via Rigel - Via Procione-Lino delle Fate - Via Procione-Faro - Corso Europa-Piazza Orione - Corso Europa-Piazza Copernico - Corso Europa-Piazza Fontana - Corso Europa-Piazza Treviso - Terme - Piazzale Po - Via Orsa Maggiore (amusement park) - Bibione bus station (Via Maja)

See
Punta Tagliamento lighthouse: active lighthouse near Tagliamento river mouth. Built in 1913, it now hosts a little museum about the history of the lighthouse itself. It's open to public everyday between May and September, during April and October weekends and some days around Christmas. It can only be accessed by foot or bicycle (2 km from the eastern part of Bibione).

Do
Being a beachside town, Bibione's main attractions are its beach and its sea. Most hotels are along the waterfront and the entire beach is sectioned off with each hotel having hundreds of umbrella/chair/deckchair units neatly arranged along the beach. Other umbrella/chair/deckchair units are available to rent to anyone, even without a hotel reservation. There are also free spaces where you can put your own umbrella and chairs.

The very wide sand beach and shallow water are very suitable for families with children.

On the beach there are many playgrounds for children, volleyball pitches, animation events, pedal boats rentals and windsurf schools.

Along the main pedestrian street of the town (Viale Aurora and Viale delle Costellazioni) you will find many restaurants, bars, and shops, that during summer are open until late at night. That street is very lively in summer evenings, and is packed with Italian and foreign (mainly Austrians and Germans) tourists on their holidays. Street concerts and shows are often held there during summer evenings.

If you're looking for a spa, go to Bibione Thermae. It offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools, saunas, Turkish baths, and other wellness treatments. It's open year-round except in November.

Despite the urbanization, Bibione has still several natural areas that offer opportunities to walk and cycle also outisde summer season: the area near Tagliamento mouth, the botanical garden near Bibione Thermae spa, Baseleghe forest in Lido del Sole and the Mediterranean garden in Bibione Pineda near Capalonga camping.

Bibione every year hosts several big sport events, especially in spring and fall, when the beach and the town aren't packed with tourists and the weather is nor too hot and neither too cold for outdoor activities.

Kids can have a good time in the "Luna Park Adriatico" amusement park, open every evening between June and September.

Buy
Most tourist-oriented shops are along the main pedestrian street of the centre (Viale delle Costellazioni and Viale Aurora) and along Viale dei Ginepri in Bibione Pineda district. Large supermarkets are located outside the town.

Drink
There are bars all over the town, but most of them are along the main pedestrian street of the centre (Viale delle Costellazioni and Viale Aurora), that is the hearth of Bibione nighlife.

Mid-range
Hotel Montecarlo, Via Veneto, 27 - 30020 Bibione lido del Sole, VE Ph. +39 0431 43541 Hotel Victoria, Via Venere, 14 30020 Bibione, Ph. +39 0431 43497
 * Princess ApartHotel, Via Del Sagittario 28, 30020 Bibione, Venezia. Ph. +39 3431 438905 Fax. +39 0431 438907. Four star hotel in Bibione, near the Adriatic sea.
 * Princess ApartHotel, Via Del Sagittario 28, 30020 Bibione, Venezia. Ph. +39 3431 438905 Fax. +39 0431 438907. Four star hotel in Bibione, near the Adriatic sea.
 * Savoy Beach Hotel & Thermal Spa, Corso Europa, 51 (Sea front), ☎ +39 0431 430144, fax: +39 0431 439311, hotel@etgroup.info. Luxury hotel open all year. Connected to the Bibione Thermae spa center via a sensory gallery. The Savoy Beach Hotel offers rooms and suites with private SPA, two restaurants and a bar also accessible to external guests, a brand new heated Sky Beach Terrace & Fitness, and a conference centre. Outside there is a large swimming pool park with solarium and private beach.
 * Laguna Park Hotel, Via Passeggiata al Mare, 20, ☎ +39 0431 43315, hotel@etgroup.info . 4-star S hotel that offers a wellness center called "Laguna SPA" with saunas and Turkish baths. The hotel also has a private beach together with an entertainment service for adults and children.
 * Hotel Luna, Corso Europa, 78, ☎ +39 0431 43198, hotel@etgroup.info . The hotel is located in the immediate proximity of the beach, the lively city center and the spa, with a large hydromassage pool and an exclusive private beach for guests. It also offers entertainment for children and adults and a gourmet restaurant with local and international specialities.
 * Hotel Olimpia, Corso del Sole, 262, ☎ +39 0431 43113, hotel@etgroup.info . The Hotel & Aparthotel Olimpia is located in the heart of Bibione, just 50 meters from the sea, a few minutes from the pedestrian area and just 900 meters from the spa. It offers ideal accommodation for both singles and couples as well as large families.
 * ApartHotel Holiday, Corso Europa, 49, ☎ +39 0431 437010, info@etgroup.info . ApartHotel Holiday offers 130 comfortable and elegant apartments directly on the sea just 50 m from the spa center and 150 m from the shopping street. It also includes reserved beach space and daytime and evening entertainment for adults and children.
 * Imperial ApartHotel, Via del Sagittario, 30, ☎ +39 0431 438620, hotel@etgroup.info . Apart Hotel Imperial in Bibione is an apart-hotel that offers 120 apartments with hotel service, a swimming pool area, direct location on the beach, a restaurant with child-friendly menus and entertainment.
 * Pineda ApartHotel, Via del Sagittario, 36, ☎ +39 0431 43118, hotel@etgroup.info . Centrally located, just 150 meters from the beach, ApartHotel Pineda offers 54 comfortable apartments and a buffet breakfast. It also includes a reserved beach spot for guests.
 * Lino delle Fate Eco Village Resort, Via Lattea 1, ☎ +39 0431 439202, linodellefate@etgroup.info . Lino delle Fate Eco Village Resort, with 316 residential units including rooms, suites and bungalows in a natural setting, is a project in the Northern Adriatic that aims to revitalize the area. It offers children's club, restaurant, swimming pool; dogs are allowed.
 *  ApartHotel Planetarium . Via Alfa 29, ☎ +39 0431 430144, hotel@infogroup.info . 1300 m from the beach, reachable by a free shuttle bus, and 300 m from the pedestrian area, the ApartHotel Planetarium is a complex made up of 9 buildings. It has 4 large swimming pools of varying depths, hydromassage, children's games and water slide. The village is also equipped with an amphitheater for events and evening entertainment, a children's playground and a pastime room.
 *  Villaggio Marco Polo , Via delle Nazioni 13, ☎ +39 0431 430144, hotel@etgroup.info . The Marco Polo village, made up of 100 completely independent terraced houses, is located in the heart of a new tourist residential area, It is 650 m from the beach and It is connected to it by a cycle/pedestrian path. It has large swimming pools, playground, games room and entertainment for the little ones.
 *  Villaggio Marco Polo , Via delle Nazioni 13, ☎ +39 0431 430144, hotel@etgroup.info . The Marco Polo village, made up of 100 completely independent terraced houses, is located in the heart of a new tourist residential area, It is 650 m from the beach and It is connected to it by a cycle/pedestrian path. It has large swimming pools, playground, games room and entertainment for the little ones.

Stay safe
Being a family-oriented seaside town, Bibione it's very safe regarding crime. Just follow common sense precautions you would follow anywhere.

The sea is very safe for bathing, even for children, elderly, or people who can't swim, as you need to go very far away from the beach to find deep water. Just don't swim at both extremities of the beach (where Tagliamento river on the east and Lovi canal on the west flow into the sea), as there may be strong currents, and it's forbidden anyway.

Don't walk over rocky or wooden breakwaters, as they may become very slippery due to water and algae.

Carabinieri police station: Via Maja 20 - tel. + 39 0431 438888

Local police station: Via Maja 84 (same building of the tourist office) - tel. + 39 0431 444800

Stay healthy
During summer season an emergency room is active in Via Maja 22 (tel. + 0431 439803). Closest hospitals are in Latisana and Portogruaro. There are several pharmacies open during summer.

Sea water is very clean and safe for swimming. Bibione has been awarded of several "Blue Flags" for environmental quality. The sea may not look like very transparent because of fine sand in the bottom and algae brought by currents, but it doesn't mean that it's dirty.

Don't touch jellyfish: even if those living in the Adriatic sea aren't dangerous to your life, they may still hurt your skin.

Tap water is of a good quality and very safe to drink.

Respect
Along the entire beach of Bibione it's forbidden to smoke, except in designated and signposted areas scattered along the beach and equipped with ashtrays.

If hiking or cycling in natural areas, don't wander outside existing trails, in order to not disturb local flora and fauna. In particular, the vegetation that grows on sandy areas along the beach is very fragile and should never be walked over.

Pets aren't allowed on the beach during summer season, except that in the designated area in Lido dei Pini ("Spiaggia di Pluto" resort and the free area east of it).

Sort your waste correctly, you'll find different colored bins on the beach.

Don't shower with soap or shampoo on the beach, as there is no sewage and chemicals will pollute the sand.

Don't buy anything from illegal sellers on the beach or on the streets, as you will finance the illegal economy and damage the legal one.

Walking bare-chested is acceptable on the beach and in bars inside the beach, but not on the streets.

Cope
Tourist information office: Via Maja 84 - tel. +39 0431 444846 - info@comunesanmichele.it

Taxi: https://www.taxiservicebibione.com/ and https://www.taxibibione.com/

Bibione tourism website: https://www.bibione.com/it/

Go next

 * Venice
 * Portogruaro
 * Concordia Sagittaria
 * Caorle
 * Lignano Sabbiadoro
 * Trieste
 * Marano Lagunare
 * Palmanova
 * Aquileia
 * Grado
 * Cividale del Friuli
 * Udine
 * Treviso

title: Bibione


text:
Bicaz

Bicaz is a town in Moldavia.

Understand
A relatively new mountain town located near Piatra Neamţ, Bicaz is a good base for trips to Bicaz canyon, into the Ceahlau massif or to the large Bicaz (Izvorul Muntelui) reservoir.

By bus
There are very frequent buses from Piatra Neamţ (a half hour trip), several buses from Gheorgheni (1½ hours) via the Bicaz canyon, 4-5 buses from Iaşi (3 hours), two from Cluj (7 hours) and Târgu Mureş (5 hours), one from Bucharest (6 hours). Most of their schedules are available on autogari.ro.

By train
Bicaz is reached by two commuter trains from Piatra Neamţ (travel time around 45 minutes) and one direct train from Bucharest (a 7-hour trip). Timetables can be found on the railway operator [https://www.cfrcalatori.ro/ CFR website].

Get around
The town is walkable.

Do

 * Boat trips on Bicaz lake

title: Bicaz


text:
Bicester

Bicester (pronounced Bistur) is a market town located in the north-east of the English county of Oxfordshire, some miles north of the university town of Oxford. It has become a popular destination on account of its being the location of Bicester Village, a large factory and designer outlet shopping village (see below, ).

Understand
Bicester has a traceable history of over a thousand years and was recorded in the Domesday Book. Like Banbury further north, it is experiencing growth and prosperity from its proximity to the M40 motorway linking London with Birmingham via Oxford.

The English writer Flora Thompson based her popular Lark Rise to Candleford trilogy on the area north-east of Bicester, encompassing the nearby villages of Juniper Hill, Cottisford, Fringford and Hethe.
 * Discover Bicester visitor information

Get in
Bicester is only a one-hour car or train journey from the cities of London and Birmingham. Exit Junction 9 of the M40 Motorway.

By car
For fastest access, take the M40 Motorway to Junction 9. Follow the A41 for 2 miles towards Bicester. If you've come for the shopping village, follow the signs to 'Village Retail Park' and 'Bicester Village Outlet Centre' Don't miss the excellent Bicester Avenue home and leisure shopping outlet.

Bicester can be reached from Oxford by following the A34 northwards out of the city (12 miles/18 km).

There is also a park and ride on the A41 from the A34 with regular service via the S5 bus to Bicester Village and Bicester town centre as well as a shuttle service during busy hours to Bicester Village.It is advised at busy times to use the park and ride for Bicester Village, which is advertised as being free.

Parking is available in the town centre, with it being mostly short stay(up to 3 hours).A long stay car park does exist at cattle market, which can be found on Victoria Road.

By coach
Stagecoach runs a regular and reliable bus service from Oxford to Bicester up to every 15 minutes with service number S5. The trip takes about 35 minutes from Oxford city centre and stops near Bicester Village(By the new section known as the mansion, the stop is about a 5-minute walk from Bicester Village) and in Manorsfield Road Bus Station in the town centre. Some buses are extended to the glory farm estate or go via Kingsmere(and does not stop at Bicester Village). Stagecoachs's X5 cross-county coach service from Oxford to Bedford also stops in Bicester. It's slightly faster, normally taking 25 minutes but can only be picked up at Gloucester Green in Oxford and only runs hourly, with half-hourly service at peak times.

Limited service also exists from Aylesbury(Red Rose 17) and Banbury via Brackley(Stagecoach 500).

By bicycle
Bicester is on National Cycle Route 51 running mostly E-W running Colchester to Oxford via Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge.

Get around
The town is small enough to get around on foot. Some local buses run between the suburban estates and villages.There are also taxis available at Market Square and both rail stations. Most buses leave from Manorsfield road in the town centre.

The town is friendly to walking with both rail stations being less than a 10-minute walk from the town centre.It is also only a 10-minute walk from the town centre to Bicester Village shopping centre.

There is also a shuttle bus between Bicester North rail station to Bicester Village shopping centre, avoiding the town centre.

Eat

Those looking for a night out, the top venues are Yates in Sheep Street and G's Wine Lodge (which has a stripper in the week). There are a variety of pubs both on the estates and in the town centre.

Go next

 * Woodstock (Oxfordshire)
 * Buckingham
 * Banbury
 * Oxford

title: Bicester


text:
Bicheno

Bicheno is a small coastal town in Eastern Tasmania, home to a colony of fairy penguins and a good base for visiting Freycinet National Park.

Get in
Bicheno is on the Tasman Highway. North from Hobart, take the signposted turn at Campbell Town if coming from Launceston or Devonport.

There is a daily bus from Hobart to Bicheno.

Get around
There is a waterfront track all the way from Diamond Island, past the Gulch, and up to the blowhole. Probably over an hour to walk from end to end.

There is a cycleway from town out to Diamond Island, and the beach.

Of course, you can drive anywhere you want to go as well. Careful of penguins on the road after dark, particularly around the Diamond Resort section of the Tasman highway.

See

Do

 * Dive. There are a couple of sites for snorkeling and scuba around the rocks and beaches. There is a large marine reserve on the far side of the Gulch.
 * Swim. The weather can be mild during summer, but the water is cold. A short dip can be fine, but most locals wear wetsuits to swim or surf.
 * Diamond Island lies just off the coast, and its possible to walk there through shallow water at low tide, or take a surf ski. Careful of currents and tides. The island has clear rock pools, and is a penguin sanctuary.
 * Walk up to the

Buy

 * Local produce includes wine, cheese, seafood and fruits. Makes a perfect spread for a picnic.
 * There is a supermarket, that sells a good range of products, open 7 days. Fuel is available at reasonable prices from a major chain.

Eat
Food is available at the one of two cafes, the bakery, the pub, the winery, and a handful of other restaurants. There is also a French/Australian restaurant on the main street. Quite a lot of fresh seafood is available. The local speciality is what the locals call crayfish, but is actually southern rock lobster. Caught locally.

Many of the hotels, motels and resorts have restaurants. The IGA supermarket has some ready to eat meals but closes at 6:30PM.

Drink
There is a pub, with water views, on the high (western) side of the Tasman Highway.

Connect
Only Telstra offers mobile service in Bicheno. Internet access is available at the pancake restaurant in the middle of town, or there is a paid WiFi hotspot at the motel at the end of the main street (White Dog cafe).

Go next

 * Coles Bay, the gateway to Freycinet National Park
 * Swansea
 * Douglas-Apsley National Park

title: Bicheno


text:
Bicol

Bicol is a peninsula at the southern end of the largest Philippines island of Luzon.

Cities

 * - Center of the "Rinconada district" in Camarines Sur.
 * — Regional center, and capital of Albay
 * - Small city further inland in Albay.
 * — Capital of Masbate province.
 * – Commercial and economic center of Camarines Sur
 * - Capital of Sorsogon province.
 * - Little port city, has the ferries to Catanduanes
 * Nabua

Other destinations

 * – A small beach town in Camarines Sur
 * – An active volcano, known for its almost perfect cone, in Albay.
 * Misibis Bay (Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay)
 * Misibis Bay (Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay)

Understand
The region is largely fertile lowland, dotted with volcanoes.

The local people are called Bicolanos, which are well noted for their spicy local cuisine.

Climate
Bicol, by and large, has a tropical rainforest climate, with no clearly defined seasons. While the rainforests have mostly disappeared save for small patches, it generally rains at any time of the year in the region. The rainiest months are generally November and December.

The region is regularly struck by typhoons, some of them devastating. When combined with explosive volcanic eruptions, rain from those storms can create devastating lahar, mudflows that form when rainwater and lava mix. The last major typhoon that devastated much of Bicol was Typhoon Durian ("Reming") in 2006, which made landfall while Mayon was erupting.

Talk
Most Bicolano speak one of the various Bikol languages, which form a continuum with the Visayan languages. There are generally three major Bikol groups:

 * Coastal Bikol, includes Central Bikol (Bikol proper), the most commonly spoken and understood variety, and Southern Catanduanes Bikol, spoken around Virac.
 * Inland Bikol, includes Rinconada and the Albay Bikol languages like Buhi, Libon and the Miraya varieties.
 * Pandan Bikol or Northern Catanduanes Bikol which is distantly related to Southern Catanduanes Bikol, is both a group and a language in itself.

To a similar degree as Chinese dialects or the major European languages, Bikol languages are notable among Philippine languages for its wide variation between dialects. Regions of provinces, cities and towns may have their own dialects, many not mutually intelligible.

A group of Visayan languages influenced by the Bikol languages called "Bisakol" is spoken in southern Sorsogon and Masbate. Masbatenyo, a language mutually intelligible with Hiligaynon, is spoken and widely understood in Masbate. Hiligaynon is widely spoken natively in Masbate's southeastern tip. A Waray dialect influenced by local varieties of Bikol is spoken in the southern tip of Bicol, around the towns of Matnog, Bulan, Bulusan and Irosin. One Bikol dialect spoken in Sorsogon have a lexicon heavily influenced by Hiligaynon.

Tagalog is also spoken around areas near Quezon, and has largely supplanted Bikol in Camarines Norte. Tagalog in Bicol is mostly of the Tayabas (or Quezon) dialect, but standard Tagalog (Filipino) is also understood, which is also spoken by Bicolanos as second language. Bikol spoken in northwest Camarines Sur, Naga and Camarines Norte are heavily influenced by Tagalog.

By bus
Multiple bus companies provide service to destinations in Bicol, and a trip usually takes 8-11 hours. All involve a major layover at Lucena in Quezon Province, and multiple meal stops along the way.

From Manila, the terminal for buses headed for Bicol is at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), though you can catch one from Alabang in Muntinlupa and Calamba in Laguna.

 * Philtranco has ordinary and air-conditioned buses to Daet, Legazpi, Naga, Sorsogon City and Tabaco, as well as various small towns from Manila. Philtranco subsidiary Amihan also has services to Tabaco and Tiwi.
 * DLTBCo. has regular air-conditioned and deluxe buses to Daet, Legazpi, Naga, Sorsogon City and Tabaco. Buses onward to Samar and Leyte also provide service to towns along Maharlika Highway beyond Sorsogon City on the direction of Matnog.
 * Peñafrancia Tours operates luxury buses to Naga, Legazpi and Tiwi.

By train
There's no available train route from Metro Manila going to Bicol Region.

By plane
Bicol International Airport is the main entry point by plane, and is served by PAL Express and Cebu Pacific (and regional carrier Cebgo).

The three other airports with regular flights, Moises B. Espinosa Airport, Naga Airport , and Virac Airport , are only served by the regional airline Cebgo.

By ferry
Roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) ferries from Samar call at Matnog port, at the southeastern tip of the mainland, and takes about an hour. Another ferry route connects Masbate (at Cataingan) with Cebu (at Bogo), and takes 6 hours. Both ferries are part of the Nautical Highway system, and you can bring your vehicle with you.

By train
Philippine National Railways' Bicol Commuter runs between Sipocot, Naga and Legazpi.

By bus
Provincial buses are plenty, and all the cities and key towns are served by bus. Most major highways are well paved. Between Naga and Legazpi, you can take the train, but service is limited and quite slower than the bus.

By ferries
Ferries and outrigger boats connect Catanduanes, Masbate and some other smaller islands with the mainland.

See
The first thing that comes to mind when most Filipinos hear of Bicol is the Mayon Volcano and the Cagsawa ruins commonly depicted in postcards, but the region abounds in many other hidden wonders, both historical and natural. These include many Spanish-era churches at most cities and towns, dormant volcanoes such as Mount Bulusan, Mount Iriga and Mount Isarog, the whale sharks of Donsol, Lake Buhi and the world's smallest commercially grown fish, the black sand beaches at the Partido region of Camarines Sur, and views of the Pacific from the coastal highway connecting Tabaco with the Partido region of CamSur.

Do

 * Hang out at Bagasbas Beach, Camarines Norte's best known surfing and kitesurfing spot.
 * Wakeboard in Naga City after landing in Naga Airport.
 * Walk around Naga City to see 15th-century churches that has served as witness to Philippine History.
 * Meet friendly Nagueños as you walk around the city center.
 * Shop around Naga City with several malls and night bazaars.
 * Celebrate nightlife in Naga City by visiting the Magsaysay Avenue, the most vibrant street, and the center of nightlife in Bicol.
 * See various animal species at Albay Park and Wildlife in Legazpi City or ride a rubber boat by yourself.
 * Enjoy riding a raft while watching the perfect view of Mayon Volcano at Sumlang Lake in Camalig, Albay.
 * Island hopping is so much fun in Cagraray Island. Misibis Bay offers water activities to guests.
 * View the perfect cone-shaped volcano named Mount Mayon up close at Lingyon Hill in Legazpi City and/or Mayon Skyline in Tabaco City.
 * Swim and interact with 'whale sharks' the largest fish in the world in Don Sol, Sorsogon.
 * Ride the waves at Lola Sayong Surfing Camp in Gubat, Sorsogon.

Eat
Bicolano cuisine is distinctive for its heavy use of spices, especially the wild red chili and the long green chili. Coconut milk is the most important ingredient to be added during the cooking. Typical main dishes will be pork, seafood or poultry.

Some common Bicolano dishes are:

 * Bicol Express — Named after the eponymous passenger train, it is pork and pig's intestine slow-cooked in coconut milk, vinegar and some spices.
 * Kandingga — a Bicolano version of the Tagalog dish called bopis. It is water spinach (kangkong) cooked in vinegar with pork innards.
 * Pansit Bato — It is raw noodles which is the specialty of the town of Bato in Camarines Sur. It is cooked either with or without soup.
 * Laing - Pronounced LAH-eeng, it is taro leaves cooked in coconut milk.
 * Pinangat - overlapping taro leaves with pork inside and cooked in coconut milk and is sold locally in Camalig, Albay.
 * Kinalas - is a dish consisting of noodles garnished by scraped meat from pork or beef's head and other parts, enhanced with a thick deep-brown sauce coming from the brains of a cow or pig. The dish is further flavored with spices and served in hot broth. Boiled egg added is optional.
 * Inon-on – Round scad (Bikol: sibubog, Tagalog: galunggong) or any saltwater fish cooked with vinegar or lemon juice, garlic, onions with generous amount of oil and as little water as possible.

Go next
You can go north to Calabarzon or Metro Manila northward by land, or south to Samar or Leyte by ferry.

title: Bicol


text:
Bidar

Bidar (Kannada: ಬೀದರ, Urdu: بیدار) is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. Once a citadel of Badri Shahi and Bahamani empire Bidar still houses the remains of a gigantic fort along with a couple of tomb complexes.

Get around
The attractions of Bidar are best explored through a combination of walk and auto rides

See
The following are the major places of interest: Guru Nanak Jhira Gurudwara, Place where Guru Nanak Dev ji has produced the spring of drinking water by touching a rock with his Toe. Another well known place is Hazrath Shamsuddin Quadri Shrine popularly known as Multani Badshah. Another well known place of visit is Choukhandi.The popular barid shahi tombs and a Jail made by the British before independence. Narasimha Zarna (Lord Narasimha Temple), Papnash (Shiva Temple), Bidar fort at Bidar, the great Friday mosque at Bidar, Nayee kamaan (fell down – so no more), Madarsa (university) of Mehmood Gawan, choubara (watch tower)at Bidar, several dargahs (mausoleums) of local Islamic saints, Basvesvara Temple, Barid shahi garden, Tomb of Mehmood Gawan, Kalyani shariff, 12th Century Cave, Kalyan shariff, Kalyan Fort, Kalyan shairff, Bidri Art Materials at Old City.

 * Gates: The citadel has mulitple gateways
 * Gates: The citadel has mulitple gateways
 * Gates: The citadel has mulitple gateways
 * Gates: The citadel has mulitple gateways
 * Gates: The citadel has mulitple gateways
 * Gates: The citadel has mulitple gateways
 * Gates: The citadel has mulitple gateways
 * Gates: The citadel has mulitple gateways

Buy
Bidriware as mementos. Bidriware are objects made from metals unique to Bidar. They have Geographical Indication tags.

Connect
You can find internet cafes and telephone shops all around Bidar. Do a bit of research with the telephone shops because most have a focus region in the world. Many restaurants and cafes offer free wi-fi for their guests.

The mobile network (4G LTE/3G/GPRS/GSM) covers the whole city. If you are coming from a non-GSM standard country (e.g. the United States) check your mobile phone for GSM compatibility. B.S.N.L (Cellone) provides mobile connectivity in this region.

Go next

 * Hampi
 * Pattadkal
 * Badami
 * Aihole
 * Bijapur
 * Lakkundi
 * Bhadra Tiger Reserve
 * Dharwad
 * Ballari
 * Karwar

title: Bidar


text:
Biddeford

Biddeford is a city located in southern Maine. It was once a booming town full of textile mills, the service and manufacturing industries are the major city employers. Approximately 33% of the population speaks French, due to the influx of French-Canadian immigrants to the city's mills in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

title: Biddeford


text:
Biei

Biei (美瑛) is a town in Kamikawa subprefecture, Hokkaido. Beautiful flowers, rivers, trees, and snow are all what astonishes visitors. Biei is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Hokkaido.

Understand
Biei known as the "Hills town". It looks like a patchwork from a distance, field of different crops have been planted, called "Hills of patchwork". Many photographers gather.

Some hills were used for commercial advertising. Hill of them is named "Hill of Mild Seven", "Tree of Seven Stars", or "Tree of Ken and Mary".

Such as Shirogane hot springs, the eastern part of the town is included in the Daisetsuzan National Park.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a partly multilingual guide site.

Get in

Biei is located between Asahikawa and Furano.

By plane
The closest airport to Biei is in Asahikawa, about 30 minutes away by bus or car.

By train
Biei Station is served by the JR Furano Line, which connects Asahikawa and Furano. Local train runs 18 round trips to Asahikawa, and 11 round trips to Furano everyday.

By bus
"Express Lavender" (快速ラベンダー号) runs via Biei, from Asahikawa to Furano with 8 round trips everyday.

Get around
The town center is easily covered by foot, but a car can be convenient to see the tourist spots. Bicycle can be rented, and bus/train are available as well.

By train
There are 3 stations by JR Furano line in the town. From north to south,

East area

Go next

 * Higashikawa
 * Kamifurano
 * Nakafurano
 * Furano
 * Asahikawa
 * Kamikawa
 * Shintoku
 * Ashibetsu
 * Aibetsu

title: Biei


text:
Biel

Biel/Bienne (Biel in German, Bienne in French) is the 10th largest city of Switzerland and is located on the northern edge of the canton of Berne. Famous for watchmaking, and home to Rolex, Omega and Swatch among other famous makers.

The city lies at the foot of the first mountain range of the Jura Mountains area, guarding the only practical connection to Jura in the area, and on the northeastern shores of Lake Biel (Bielersee, Lac de Bienne), sharing the eastern tip of the lake with its sister city, Nidau.

The city has more than 50,000 inhabitants and the agglomeration more than 100,000.

Talk
Biel/Bienne is one of the few places in Switzerland to be fully genuinely bilingual, with German as the majority language and French as the minority language, though in practice, Swiss German is the main language, with French being second. However, German is very widely spoken as it's used in lots of media and is taught in schools, even in French-speaking ones. English is also prevalent.

By train
Biel/Bienne has connections to many Swiss cities. All the fast trains stopping here are called ICN as instead of the normal inter city trains, special tilting trains are used on this stretch. The most important connections are: Some more regional lines connect to surrounding villages.
 * One hourly ICN from Geneva airport (1h 40min) and main station (1h 30min) via Yverdon (35 min) and Neuchatel (15 min)
 * One hourly ICN from Lausanne (1h) via Yverdon and Neuchatel
 * One hourly ICN from Basel (55 min) via Delémont (30 min)
 * Two hourly ICN from Zurich (1h 10min) via Olten (50 min) and Solothurn (15 min). One of these comes from Saint Gallen (2h 30min), Winterthur (1h 50min) and Zurich airport (1h 30min) while the other one passes by Aarau (45 min)
 * From Berne two RE (25 min) and two S3 (35 min) hourly
 * One hourly RE (40 min) and R (55 min) from La Chaux-de-Fonds
 * One hourly R from Delémont (30 min) and Saint-Ursanne (45 min)

By car
Biel/Bienne is well connected with highways in each direction: To the east A5 starts just outside the city and connects to A1 near Solothurn, which comes from Zurich. The west A5 only continues at the end of the lake. It comes from Neuchatel and goes along the northern shore of lake Neuchatel from Yverdon where it joins A1 in direction of Lausanne. To the south A6 comes from Berne and the Bernese Highlands, while to the north A16 goes to Delémont and France.

By boat
As Biel/Bienne is located at the end of Lake Biel, it can be reached by boat from other villages along the lake with a handful of trips every day. There are also special trips which come from the Lake of Neuchatel and the Lake of Murten. A third option is to take the ship along the Aare river from Solothurn. The time tables for all boat trips change by season, with no boats running along the Aare during winter. Boats still run on the lake, but with very limited trips available.

Public transportation
The city has a highly efficient, clean and safe public transport system. It includes trams, buses, S-Bahn (local trains) and even boats for the lake and river. Tickets must be purchased from a ticket machine before boarding or from one of the ticket selling kiosks.

By foot
It is possible to visit the main touristic sights of Biel/Bienne on foot. It's safe and not far.

Architecture
Biel offers quite a collection of architectural styles. The oldest buildings can be found in the historic medieval town centre (Bieler Altstadt / Vieille ville de Bienne). The newer town centre (Bieler Neustadt / Nouvelle ville de Bienne) offers international and Bauhaus styles, as well as the neoclassic style rail station. For a more modern Biel, you can head to the urban and busy squares of Zentralplatz and Guisanplatz.

Do

 * Go swim in the Lake Biel (Bielersee)
 * Take a look and stroll to the historic medieval town (Altstadt).
 * Lake Promenade at the Strandboden.
 * Do a cruise on Lake Biel.
 * Go to the Taubenloch Canyon (Taubenlochschlucht) and explore the cascade.
 * Pick up a bike and take a ride around the lake or the Jura mountains. If you can, take a look at the vineyards: you´re going to find many medieval constructions and some good restaurants serving fish from the lake and local wine.
 * During ice-hockey season visit a game of the EHC Biel.
 * August 1st is the national day of Switzerland, and watching the fireworks on a boat is a good experience.
 * In the summer, there is a music festival at the old town.

Buy
The main shopping district is in the middle of the city. The main shopping streets are the Bahnhofsstrasse and the Nidaugasse. Both car-free! For example: Buy a watch made in Biel/Bienne (ex: Omega, Swatch, Rolex, Candino and a lot more)

Eat
You should definitely try some of the food sourced regionally, such as the freshwater fish (especially perch and luce) from the lake Biel, the cheese from the nearby Jura mountains and the vegetables from the Seeland region, which Biel is part of.

Drink

 * Famous white, red and rose wine from the vineyards at lake Biel. Or taste one of the beers from the region.

Go next

 * Berne
 * Geneve
 * Neuchatel
 * Solothurn

title: Biel


text:
Bielawa

Bielawa (German: Langenbielau) is a mountain resort in the Sudetes in Lower Silesia, in southwestern Poland. The town lies on the foot of the Owl Mountains.

title: Bielawa


text:
Bielefeld

Bielefeld is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany with around 300,000 citizens.

According to a German internet meme (which originated as a tongue-in-cheek take on various conspiracy theories), this city does not exist. Incidentally this is the one thing almost all Germans know about the town.

Understand
While the bizarre conspiracy theory of it not existing is the first thing most Germans will tell you about the city, it actually has a rather long history, dating back to a first mention in the 9th century and it was first called a city in a 1214 document, the 800-year anniversary of which was celebrated - naturally - under the headline "Das gibt's doch gar nicht" which can mean "That's unbelievable" or more literally "That doesn't exist". While a lot of the old town was destroyed in World War II, there are still some nice buildings left.

By plane
The nearest major airport is in Hanover ; other than that the greater Ruhr area, as well as Cologne which are served by various airports are easily reachable by train.

Get around

Bielefeld is served by a Stadtbahn which can be classified as a mixture of light rail, tram and metro. (see the network plan on the right). Where the Stadtbahn doesn't go, there is an extensive bus network. With headways as low as ten minutes. As is usual in Germany, tickets for bus and Stadtbahn are integrated with each other and operate on the proof of payment system.

Do

 * Football: Arminia Bielefeld were relegated back-to-back in 2022 and 2023, and now play soccer in 3. Liga, Germany's third tier. Their home ground is Bielefelder Alm (capacity 27,300), 1 km northwest of town centre.
 * Football: Arminia Bielefeld were relegated back-to-back in 2022 and 2023, and now play soccer in 3. Liga, Germany's third tier. Their home ground is Bielefelder Alm (capacity 27,300), 1 km northwest of town centre.

Go next

 * Gütersloh
 * Minden
 * Paderborn

title: Bielefeld


text:
Biella

Biella is the largest town (population of over 44,000 in 2017) and capital of the province of Biella in Piedmont, in northern Italy.

Understand
It lies in the foothills of the Alps, in the Bo mountain range near Mt. Mucrone and Camino, an area rich in springs and lakes fed by the glaciers, the heart of the Biellese Alps irrigated by several mountain streams: the Elvo to the west of the town, the Oropa river and the Cervo to the east. Nearby natural and notable tourist attractions include the Zegna Viewpoint, the Bielmonte Ski Resort, Burcina Natural Reserve, and the moors to the south of town. The Sanctuary of Oropa is a site of religious pilgrimages, and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Biella is an important wool processing and textile centre.

Get in
Biella is about 80 km (50 miles) northeast of Turin and the same distance west of Milan.

By plane
The nearest airports are:
 * Milan Malpensa 60–70 minutes drive via SS roads or highway (directions)
 * Milan Linate 70-80 drive via highway (directions)
 * Turin's Caselle about 60–70 minutes drive via highway (directions)

There is also a little airport at Verrone, in Biella province.

By car

 * SS n. 135 Vercellese
 * A4 highway Torino - Milano (Santhià or Carisio exits)
 * A5 highway Torino - Aosta (Viverone or Ivrea exits)
 * A26 highway Genova - Gravellona Toce (Romagnano Sesia exit)

By train
Biella town is connected with the stations of Santhià and Novara on the Torino - Milano line.

Trains are run by Trenitalia, with one train every hour. The trip takes about 1 hr 30 min.

Biella has two railway stations. The main one, Biella San Paolo railway station is the junction of the Biella–Novara and Santhià–Biella railways. A second railway station, Biella Chiavazza, is in the district of Chiavazza, a short distance along the line towards Novara.

Get around
The town is not large, and most of the sights can be seen comfortably on foot. Getting to Biella Piazzo (the upper town) can be quite tiring on foot. The Biella funicular (funicolare) connects a lower station on Via Curiel, in the city's Biella Piano quarter, with an upper station on Via Avogadro in the city's medieval Biella Piazzo quarter.

There are bus lines running through the city and connecting Biella to nearby towns and cities.
 * Trip planner
 * Interactive map of bus lines

For information about specific lines and timetables:
 * Biella city area
 * Funicular service
 * Suburban lines

See
Biella has a great and important heritage in architectural, artistic and archaeological fields. From the findings of the Roman era preserved in the Museo del Territorio (Museum of the Biellese Territory), to the Romanesque architecture, to the splendid Baptistery and by the bell tower St. Stephan, Biella offers many interesting historical sites.

The medieval village of Piazzo, built at the top of a hill, differs from the rest of the city because of its very old buildings, arcades and paved streets. You can still view the ancient doors once used to close the village off.

Piazzo is host to a small but beautifully restored synagogue, at the top of a medieval house in the historic Jewish quarter. In rare occasions, it is open to visit to the public.

Below Piazzo lies the rest of Biella. Here one can explore some good examples of Renaissance architecture: the Basilica and the cloister of St. Sebastian (the latter is a magnificent example of the Renaissance architecture, richly frescoed inside) the Baroque church of the Holy Trinity (facing the busy pedestrian street) and not very far from the Baptistery. Along the Cervo river are some imposing structures, evidence of the 1800s industrial era starting Biella's fabric industry.

The Museum of the Territory of Biella represents an ideal starting point to discover what this area is all about. Here you can visit various collections of local interest. One archaeological site worth noting is a goldmine of the Roman era in the Bessa Natural Reserve.

The territory surrounding Biella is home to Sanctuaries devoted to the Virgin Mary: they are among the most beautiful and well known of the Piedmont region.

The most famous, Oropa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is in a picturesque valley and is devoted to the Black Madonna (Black Virgin of Oropa).

According to popular tradition, it is thought that St. Eusebius, bishop of Vercelli in the 4th century AD, started this Christian site, and carried the wooden statue of the Black Virgin, made by St. Luke, from Jerusalem to Oropa. From a single building, the devotional complex now has a cloister with the Old Basilica, a new Basilica and its side buildings, where more than 300 rooms host pilgrims and tourists alike. The sanctuary is part of the CoEur devotional path.

The Library and Historical Archives are open to the public upon request. While at the Sanctuary, one can also visit The Museum of the Treasures and the Royal Apartments, or walk through the botanical garden.

Along with Oropa, other Sanctuaries surround the city of Biella: the Sanctuary of Graglia started in 1616 as the 'New Jerusalem' for pilgrims coming back from Palestine. Most of the chapels that were built are now part of a bigger basilica. On top of the hill near the Sanctuary, the valley produces an echo that repeats words up to eleven syllables.

The Sanctuary of Andorno is a hospice-sanctuary set up between 1602 and 1606 and devoted to St. John the Baptist. It is not a crowded place: solitude and silence allow visitors to enjoy the beech forest and the grey-stone church.

Outdoor activities

 * Trekking itineraries
 * Other outdoor activities
 * Free climbing and trekking

Ski

 * Cross Country at Bocchetto Sessera
 * Ski at Bielmonte

Natural parks

 * Bessa Natural Reserve
 * Zegna Oasis
 * Burcina Natural Reserve
 * Baragge Orientated Reserve
 * Oropa Botanical garden

Itineraries

 * The Wine Routes - The itinerary through the lands and wines of the Biella district departs from Lake Viverone, a popular resort surrounded by the slopes producing the Doc wines of Canavese and Erbaluce. In addition to the water sports offered by the resort, the lake's natural environment is perfect for pleasant rambles on foot, bicycle or horseback. Roppolo Castle, headquarters of the Enoteca Regionale della Serra, is nearby where all the region's wines can be tasted and purchased. From there, Biella is within easy reach by road, where it is possible to visit the town's medieval centre, Piazzo, try Canestrelli, the town's delicious traditional sweet, or Ratafià, a characteristic liqueur produced in nearby Andorno, before visiting Europe's third largest Sanctuary at Oropa, a monumental place of pilgrimage. This is also an obligatory culinary pause to enjoy the Sanctuary's renowned hot chocolate, or a plate of polenta concia (maize porridge with fondue cheese) in one of the numerous nearby restaurants. From Biella town you can visit the small town of Candelo, known for its beautifully preserved late medieval fortification, the Ricetto. Spread over 13,000 square metres, the Ricetto (the Italian name means "refuge") is listed as one of the best conserved in Europe. Candelo itself is surrounded by one of the district's nature reserves, the Riserva Naturale della Baraggia, a wild and evocative apparently flat plain linking Biella with the Po valley. From Candelo, the itinerary proceeds toward the east of the district, along the modern highway between Biella and Cossato, to visit the district's other Doc wine producing areas, Lessona, Bramaterra and Coste del Sesia. This is the green heart of the district stretching from Masserano, where a visit to the medieval centre is a must-do, to Sostegno, an enchanting little village immersed in the green hills. Well known among mushrooms hunters, the area is also the ideal place for rambles through its beautiful vineyards in any seasons, along the footpaths that lead to the Valsessera, a mountainous area between Biella and the Sesia valley. This wonderfully uncontaminated environment is still home to chamois, deer and marmot. Naturally, the area has a good number of restaurants offering the district's traditional dishes, accompanied by the wines these splendid sun-kissed hills produce each year.

In town

 * Via Italia - a characteristic Northern Italian main street with historical building winding through the old town, lined with shops and cafes.
 * Mosca butcher shop - Wonderful selection of cheeses, meats, local products, and prepared meals (Via S. Filippo, 16).

Buy
Biella is internationally known for its production of high quality wools and yarns, so business is taken very seriously here. Well equipped hotels and top quality conference centers are widely available for meetings and conventions that are set in a historical-environmental context of great importance.

More than 50 outlet stores are found alongside Europe's most prestigious textile companies. Here quality and good prices come hand in hand; what could be a better souvenir from Biella than a cashmere coat or a beautiful piece of fabric purchased at cost?

Eat

 * Cheeses - The Biellese is rich in cheeses, one of the best known of which is toma, a hard cheese made of cows' milk that has a long tradition across Alps. It is produced using full-cream (Maccagno) or partially skimmed milk, and also the cheeses of the Biellese valleys are protected by a D.O.C. warranty mark of the Piedmont Region. Beddu, a cheese made of skimmed milk that is as wide as toma but only two fingers high, is typical of the area around Pralungo: it is eaten fresh or after being matured on straw. The fresh cheeses are characterized by their quality and variety (sordevolo, ricotta, tumin), and this is also true of the goat cheeses, be they fresh, mature or variously flavoured.
 * Salamis - The most widespread are salam 'd l'ula, (i.e. preserved in fat), which are prepared using pork, salt, pepper and, sometimes, red wine: equally characteristic are salam 'd vaca (beef), salam d'asu (donkey), and those made from goat's meat. More localized examples include salam 'd patata (which includes boiled potatoes and little blood) and paletta di Coggiola, a shoulder of ham flavoured with salt and pepper, that is then packed into bladder skins and left to dry in the air. Cheeses and salamis can be found in specialist shops, and during weekly markets and village fairs.
 * Sweets - Torcetti (sugar-coated biscuits made of a crispy and buttery pastry), paste 'd melia (made of cornflour) and turcetùn (large torcetti made using a less rich pastry) are still produced according to traditional recipes by some confectioners (particularly in Andorno, Pollone and Biella). The confectioners of Biella and Cossato make canestrelli (fragrant wafers made of chocolate and hazelnuts). At Crevacuore, it is possible to find home-made canestrej, which are chocolate wafers cooked between the plates of a red-hot grill and prepared according to a recipe that dates back to the 17th century. In Mongrando, palpiton is a typical bread and apple cake, often prepared for the town celebrations.
 * Honey and fruits mustards - The large variety of blossoms in the area make it possible to choose from among a wide range of honeys, the most common of which are acacia, chestnut, linden, rhododendron, dandelion and mountain flower. In the Biellese, as well as being used as a sweetener, honey is traditionally served with polenta. During the course of village markets and festivals, it is still possible to find apple and grape mustards, which are prepared by slowly boiling the fruit (sometimes for more than 12 hours) in order to create a thick, dark syrup to accompany boiled meats, fresh cheese, polenta and paletta.
 * Primi piatti - Together with dairy products, the real protagonists of this originally genuinely rustic cuisine are its soups, broths and polenta, a type of corn-meal mush. One of the traditional dishes of the Oropa valley (but whose fame haas now spread beyond the borders of Biellese) is "pulenta cunscia", a soft and creamy corn mush cooked for a long time in a special copper pot called "paiolo", in which a large quantity of local cheese is melted and mixed with tasty dairy butter; and the same condiments are used to flavour "ris an cagnùn", a dish of boiled rice mixed with toma and lightly fried butter. Both of these simple and ancient preparations bring together the resources of the Alps and the plain. Rice is also a fundamental ingredient of "mactabe", a thick soup that made up the evening meal for many generations of the people in the Biellese, "ris e riundele" (rice and malva), and "minestra marià" (rice with beets or wild spinach), to name just some of the primi piatti which, depending on the season and the valley, contribute towards the gastronomic repertoire of the province. The bread-based soups also have a wide variety of flavours, and include the excellent "supa mitunà" which, in the spring, is enriched with the unpredictable - sometimes sweet, sometimes bitterish, sometimes very marked - taste of wild herbs and, in the winter, is completely transformed by the use of leeks and savoy cabbage.
 * Secondi Piatti - Meat, which was once only rarely and triumphantly presented (stuffed hen, rabbit in "scivé" and stuffed "sacoccia" were reserved for special occasions) now enters as a timid ingredient, together with eggs, vegetables and garden herbs, in roulades of "capunet" - wrapped in beet or cabbage leaves - squash flowers and onions. There are many different types of salami (one of the most common being "salam 'd l'ula": i.e. preserved in fat), which are also used in the preparation of such traditional dishes as "frità rugnusa" (a type of salami omelette) or "verzata" (a rich soup of savoy cabbage and salami that is almost a meal in itself). The trout of the mountain streams and the whitefish of the Lake Viverone are justly renowned for their delicacy.
 * Specialties - Although every village has its own particular sweet, one that is typical of the Biellese as a whole is "l'arsumà", a soft mousse of egg and sugar diluted with milk or wine, which should be eaten with torcetti and biscuits fresh from the oven, or with the thin cornflour wafers called "miasce". The mineral waters of the Biellese are famous for their exceptional lightness (the water Lauretana, low in mineral content, today is the heir of an ancient hydrotherapeutic tradition), but there is also no lack of wine, including some well-known D.O.C.; Biella is also the home of Menabrea, one of the best lagers in the world. Finally, particular mention should be made of Ratafià di Andorno, a drink made of wild cherries steeped in alcohol according to a 500-year-old recipe.

Restaurants in town:

Restaurants at the Sanctuary of Oropa:

Wines

 * Bramaterra - Born from the fortunate combination of the Nebbiolo vine and the particular nature of the terrain of this region, which provides its natural habitat, it is a formidable wine, full of flavour, velvety, with a characteristic garnet red colour and a pleasantly bitterish undertone. Its production area lies between Masserano, Brusnengo, Curino, Villa del Bosco and Sostegno. An ideal companion for: game and red meats in general. Grape: Nebbiolo (Spanna) 50/70%, Croatina 20/30%, Bonarda and Vespolina, alone or together, up to 20%. Minimum alcohol content: 12%. Ageing: obligatory 2 years, of which at least 18 months in wooden barrels.
 * Canavese - Established as a D.O.C. in 1996. The appellation "Canavese" is divided into "Red", "Rosè", "White", "Nebbiolo" and "Barbera". Production area: Cavaglià, Dorzano, Roppolo, Salussola, Viverone, Zimone.
 * Coste della Sesia - Established as a D.O.C. in 1996, the wines of this appellation are divided into: "Red", "Rosè", "White", "Nebbiolo", or "Spanna", "Bonarda" or "Uva rara", "Croatina" and "Vespolina". Production area: Lessona, Masserano, Brusnengo, Curino, Villa del Bosco, Sostegno, Cossato, Mottalciata, Candelo, Quaregna, Cerreto Castello, Valdengo and Vigliano Biellese.
 * Lessona - A rare and precious wine, this is produced in the hilly area from which it takes its name, a few kilometres from Biella. A garnet red colour with hints of orange as it ages; intense bouquet, fine and delicate, reminiscent of violet; dry, pleasantly tannic flavour, agreeable, with great character and a persistent after taste. An ideal companion for: game and red meat in general. Grape: Nebbiolo (Spanna), Vespolina and Bonarda may also be present up to 25%. Minimum alcohol content: 12%. Ageing: obligatory 2 years, one of which in wooden barrels.
 * Erbaluce - One of the Region's few white wines. Production area: the province of Turin, with Caluso as its epicentre, extending up to the Canavese and Biella districts. In the province of Biella it can be found in Viverone, Roppolo and Zimone, where the terrain is of glacial origin and ideally exposed.
 * Erbaluce di Caluso - Intense straw-yellow with hints of gold; subtle, delicate bouquet, reminiscent of flowers of the field; dry, agreeably acidic persistent taste. An ideal companion for: appetizer and fish. Grape: Erbaluce 100%. Minimum alcohol content: 11%. Ageing: not contemplated.
 * Caluso Passito - A brilliant yellowy-gold colour with a hint of shadow; characteristic ethereal, delicate bouquet; its flavour is sweet, harmonious, full-bodied and velvety, the result of a long process which demands that the grapes are hand-borne to the press to avoid damage by lying them on straw lined gratings. Before pressing, the grapes are left to "appassire" (a kind of drying process) for a few months (hence the name "passito"). Grape: Erbaluce, sometimes with local Bonarda (5%). The grapes must be naturally dried to give a sugar content no lower than 30%. Minimum alcohol content: 13,5%. Ageing: obligatory for 5 years, blending with wines from other vintages is allowed in this time.
 * Erbaluce Spumante Brut (sparkling) - Part of the Erbaluce family, this wine is slightly sparkling with a pale straw colour; light evanescent froth and fine, persistent perlage; characteristic delicate bouquet and dry, fresh, fruity flavour. Grape: Erbaluce 100%. Minimum alcohol content: 11.5%. Ageing: none.

Water

 * Few people know that Biella is home to one of the lightest waters in Europe. Lauretana, the mineral water company, bottles it at the source and distributes it around the world.

Go next
Other places of interest in the Biella area

 * Oropa - one of the most important Catholic sanctuaries in Italy
 * Lago di Viverone small beautiful lake in Biella province
 * Valsesia Mountains, rafting, trekking
 * Lake Orta Beautiful and romantic lake in Verbania province

title: Biella


text:
Bielsko-Biała

Bielsko-Biała is a city in the Silesian Voivodeship of southwest Poland, with a population of 170,000 in 2020. It's post-industrial but has many interesting old buildings and museums, and sits at the foot of the Beskidy mountains.

Understand
Bielsko is on the west bank of the Biała River and Biała on the east: they only merged administratively in 1951. These names mean "white", indicating clear water. Bielsko was founded in the 13th century, with its hilltop castle, and Biała in the 16th. Both were textile towns, processing wool, but when Poland was partitioned the river became the border: Bielsko as part of Silesia was ruled by Bohemia then Austria, while Biała as part of Lesser Poland lay within the Hapsburg Empire, until Austria annexed it in 1772. Both cities had a large German population but joined reborn Poland in 1918. During World War II the Nazis seized the cities and sent its Jewish population to extermination at Auschwitz. The Red Army liberated the cities in 1945 and its German residents were expelled, to be replaced by ethnic Poles leaving areas that had become part of the USSR.

Traditional industries of textiles, metal-working and car manufacture collapsed in the late 20th century, with social unrest that helped bring down Poland's communist government. Service and education-related industries have partly filled the void, and Bielsko-Biała has become a tourist centre for its proximity to the mountains.

City Tourist Information Centre (Miejskie Centrum Informacji Turystycznej) is at Plac Ratuszowy 4 next to City Hall, open M-F 08:00-18:00, Sa Su 09:00-15:00.

By plane
Katowice Airport is in Pyrzowice 80 km north of Bielsko-Biała, and John Paul II Kraków Airport  is in Balice 65 km east. Both have a wide range of budget flights across Europe but are far side of their cities for reaching Bielsko-Biała, so take their airport bus downtown and change. With a group (and especially young children) you might do better with a taxi direct transfer.

By train
Four trains a day are direct from Warsaw, taking 4 hr 30 min via Piotrków Trybunalski, Częstochowa and Katowice.

Hourly regional trains from Katowice take 70 min via Tychy, Pszczyna and Czechowice-Dziedzice. They continue south to Zywiec and Zwardon.

Three trains a day are direct from Kraków, taking 2 hr 30 min via 40 little places you've never heard of, but it's quicker to take the train to Katowice and change.

From Berlin and Wrocław, change at Katowice. From Vienna, Budapest, Prague and Ostrava, change at Czechowice-Dziedzice.

is the main railway station, in city centre. It's a charming building of 1890, mostly clean, with the standard facilities. There are seven small outlying stations served by the regional trains which you're unlikely to use.

By bus
Flixbus runs once a day from Gdańsk, taking 8 hr 30 min via Toruń, Łódź and Katowice airport and city. Two buses from Warsaw take 7 hours via Kielce and Kraków.

Lajkonik Bus runs hourly from Kraków, taking 2 hours via Tychy. Most of these continue to Cieszyn on the Czech border but three per day are for Skoczów, Ustroń and Wisła.

The bus station is across the street from the main railway station.

By road
The main approaches to Bielsko-Biała are:

 * from Katowice go south on S1 motorway.
 * from Kraków either take A4 to Katowice then S1 (110 km), or cut through Wadowice (70 km) on Highway 52.
 * from Wrocław take A4 to Katowice, then S1 south.
 * from Warsaw follow S1 / E67 southwest, 350 km.
 * from the Czech Republic head for Cieszyn then stay on S52 east.

Get around
There's an extensive bus network, operated by MZK Bus Company. In 2024 a single ride is 4 zł, a one-hour ticket is 5 zł and a 24-hour ticket is 14 zł. Buy them from kiosks and validate them immediately on first entry.

Taxis wait at the bus and railway station. Firms include Taxi Bielsko-Biała (+48 608 209 722) and Lider (+44 33 300 3020).

See

 * is the historic market square, now pedestrianised. The buildings are from about 1840, when the town was restored after fires. Picturesque streets running off are Podcienie east and Schodowa south.
 * Church of the Saviour is on Plac Marcina Lutra (which translates as Martin Luther Square) 200 m north of Rynek. The church is from 1782 but much modified in the 1880s; it and its neighbourhood of Bielski Syjon are Lutheran.
 * (Ratusz) the seat of local government is a neo-Renaissance building from the 1890s, on Plac Ratuszowy.
 * (Kamienica Pod Żabami) is a fine Art Nouveau building at Łukowa 12 / Plac Wojska Polskiego, built in 1903. One frog over the entrance plays a mandolin while another lounges with a pipe, and beetles skitter about the walls. It's private apartments so you only see the exterior.
 * (Kościół Opatrzności Bożej) is a baroque church of 1793, richly decorated. It's at the corner of Stojałowskiego and Żywiecka, open most daytime hours.
 * (Ratusz) the seat of local government is a neo-Renaissance building from the 1890s, on Plac Ratuszowy.
 * (Kamienica Pod Żabami) is a fine Art Nouveau building at Łukowa 12 / Plac Wojska Polskiego, built in 1903. One frog over the entrance plays a mandolin while another lounges with a pipe, and beetles skitter about the walls. It's private apartments so you only see the exterior.
 * (Kościół Opatrzności Bożej) is a baroque church of 1793, richly decorated. It's at the corner of Stojałowskiego and Żywiecka, open most daytime hours.
 * (Kościół Opatrzności Bożej) is a baroque church of 1793, richly decorated. It's at the corner of Stojałowskiego and Żywiecka, open most daytime hours.

Do

 * Other theatres are Teatr Grodzki and Teatr Banialuka.
 * Cavatina Hall is a large concert hall on Dworkowa 2, east bank of the river.
 * Bielsko Cultural Centre stages live music and other events. It's at Słowackiego 27, west of the railway station.
 * Cinemas are Kino Helios within Galeria Sfera by the railway station, and Kino Studio at Cieszyńska 24, 200 m west of the cathedral.
 * ascends 1000 m up the mountain south of town. There's skiing in winter and hiking trails all year. Bus 8 runs to the base station.
 * ascends 1000 m up the mountain south of town. There's skiing in winter and hiking trails all year. Bus 8 runs to the base station.

Eat

 * Paparazzi is at Rynek 30.
 * Browar Miejski is a brewery and restaurant at Piwowarska 2.
 * Karczma Rogata is trad Silesian fare at Leszczyńska 40.
 * Lunita is a Georgian restaurant at Jana III Sobieskiego 50 by the Weaver's House.
 * Nowy Świat is modern European fare at 11 Listopada 25.
 * Ebisu Sushi is at Stojałowskiego 8a.
 * Ebisu Sushi is at Stojałowskiego 8a.

Drink

 * Rynek has Celna 10, Craft Bar, Chmielowe Podcienia, Grawitacja, Azyl and Shot Bar Szybka Lufa. Several more towards the station.

Buy

 * Chinski Market is at 1 Maja 12a south of Rynek, open M-F 09:00-15:00, Sa 10:00-14:00.
 * Galeria Sfera is 100 m east of the railway station on Mostowa, open M-Sa 09:00-21:00.

Sleep

 * Dom Turysty PTTK is another budget place 200 m west of the station at Krasińskiego 38.
 * Rynek has three former hotels which nowadays operate as self-catering apartments: By Bogunia, Ventus Rosa and Rynek 7.
 * Rynek has three former hotels which nowadays operate as self-catering apartments: By Bogunia, Ventus Rosa and Rynek 7.
 * Rynek has three former hotels which nowadays operate as self-catering apartments: By Bogunia, Ventus Rosa and Rynek 7.
 * Rynek has three former hotels which nowadays operate as self-catering apartments: By Bogunia, Ventus Rosa and Rynek 7.

Connect
As of May 2024, Bielsko-Biała and its approach roads have 4G from Orange, and 5G from Play, Plus and T-Mobile.

Go next

 * Cieszyn is an interesting old town on the Czech border.
 * Szczyrk is a winter sports resort in the Silesian Beskids.
 * Żywiec is another mountain resort with a small but pretty old town.
 * Katowice is far from scenic but has a rich industrial heritage.

title: Bielsko-Biała


text:
Bietigheim-Bissingen

Bietigheim-Bissingen is a small city with 42800 inhabitants in Ludwigsburg district, Baden Württemberg, Germany.

See

Medieval city centre

Do

Go next

 * Vaihingen an der Enz
 * Ludwigsburg

title: Bietigheim-Bissingen


text:
Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Big Basin Redwoods State Park is the oldest state park in California, and one of the best places to see old growth coastal redwood trees (sequoia sempervirens) near the Bay Area.

History
As the population of the Bay Area grew in the 19th century, demand for timber led to large-scale logging of the redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. In 1902, a group of prominent citizens, led by the painter and photographer A.P. Hill, convinced the state legislature to establish a state park to preserve one of the last areas of virgin redwood forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Flora and fauna
The park is famous for its magnificent coastal redwoods, but it also features knobcone pines and other native species. The larger mammals in the park include mule deer, bobcats and (rare) mountain lions.

Climate
A large valley in the Santa Cruz mountains, the "big basin" is a watershed whose streams flow into the Pacific Ocean. The mountains trap the coastal fog and rain, providing an ideal climate for the redwoods. Though wet and chilly in the winter, the forest is warm and dry during the summer and fall months.

Get in
The park is less than an hour from San Jose and the cities on the Peninsula. Highway 236, also called Big Basin Way, runs from Highway 9 through the park, to rejoin Highway 9 about 10 miles south in the town of Boulder Creek. The north entrance to the park is about 9 miles from Highway 9, and the south entrance is about 9 miles from the town of Boulder Creek. The road is narrow and very twisty, and is crossed by bridle trails at a number of points.

Fees and permits
Day-use fees are $10 per vehicle. Pay at the park headquarters.

Get around
Once you've arrived at the park headquarters, there's not much use for your car, unless you're driving on to one of the park's picnic areas or campgrounds.

On foot
The park has trails for all types of visitors, including wheelchair-accessible paths, and short trails that have no vertical gain whatsoever. Many of the trails from the park headquarters rise up to the ridge of the basin, and proceed down toward the ocean. These trails are good for hikes, with moderate uphill climbs.

The Skyline to the Sea Trail begins at Castle Rock State Park, to the east of Big Basin. The second half of the trail passes through Big Basin, and runs all the way down to the Pacific Ocean at Wadell Beach.

By bike
Bicycles are not allowed on the trails, but the park has several miles of paved roads that are closed to cars, and are in excellent condition.

See

 * A small park museum is directly adjacent to the park headquarters. Open from 9AM-5PM, admission is free.
 * The Redwood Nature Trail, a level walk near headquarters, passes some of the park's largest trees.

Do
Despite the park's lean budget, the rangers lead a number of activities for visitors, including educational classes for children, evening campfires, and guided hikes. Docents also lead educational hikes for visitors curious about the flora, fauna and history of the park.

Buy

 * There is a small grocery store near the park headquarters, which sells food, firewood, and camping supplies. The store is open from 10AM-4PM daily, and is closed during December and January.
 * A small gift shop at the park headquarters sells souvenirs and books.
 * There is no gas station in the park. The closest gas station is in Boulder Creek.

Lodging
Big Basin Tent Cabins are a very popular way to stay at the park. Each tent cabin has two double platform beds with mattress pads and a wood stove. Tent cabins cost $50 per night, with a 2-night minimum on weekends. The cabins are managed by a private company. For reservations call +1-800-874-TENT (8368).

Camping
Because of its proximity to the Bay Area, camp sites at the park are usually reserved far in advance during the summer months. Plan ahead if you want to stay at the park during the summer. Family campgrounds and group campgrounds can be reserved up to 7 months in advance.

Family campgrounds provide sites for tents or RVs. The park has 146 camp sites distributed among four campgrounds. Most campgrounds have parking right at the sites, so they are suitable for either tents or RVs. Some campgrounds are "walk-in" sites, so they are only suitable for tents. Some of the family campgrounds have coin-operated hot water showers. Site fees are $35 per night. Reservations are handled through California State Parks.

Four group campgrounds at the park can accommodate groups of 40 or 50 people. Reservations for group campgrounds are also handled through Reserve America.

Backcountry
Four trail camps are also in the park, mostly along the Skyline to the Sea Trail. You must have a reservation to camp at the trail camps, and cannot camp two consecutive nights at the same site. Reservations can be made up to two months in advance, through the park headquarters, tel. +1 831 338-8861. Hours for trail camp reservations are M-F 9AM-5PM. The site fee for trail camps is $10.

Stay safe
Be aware of rattlesnakes sunning themselves on trails during the morning heat.

Go next

 * Santa Cruz is the most obvious place to go next, if you didn't come from there in the first place.

title: Big Basin Redwoods State Park


text:
Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake is a city in the middle of the San Bernardino National Forest in San Bernardino County in Southern California.

Understand
Parking within city limits does not require a permit. Parking in the forest areas surrounding the city requires the purchase of an Adventure Pass. Adventure Passes can be purchased at the Big Bear Discovery Center (see below) or any sporting goods store within the city.

History
Big Bear Lake, previously known as Yuhaviat, was discovered by people of European origin back in 1845. Benjamin Davis Wilson and a crew of twenty men rode into Yuhaviat Valley chasing Native Americans who had been raiding their ranches in Riverside, CA. While in the valley, the men discovered that it was teeming with grizzly bear. Thus, Wilson came up with the name, Big Bear Lake, for the valley.

Before Big Bear Lake became a popular vacation spot, it was known as a gold mining mecca. In 1860, a bear tracker named William Holcomb discovered a creek filled with flakes of gold while tracking a bear's blood trail. Word soon got around that there was gold in the valley. From 1860 to 1875, Big Bear Lake was swarming with prospectors in search of gold.

Climate
The average maximum annual temperature for Big Bear Lake is and the average minimum annual temperature is. The average annual snowfall is 62.1 inches. During the winter months, temperatures usually range from 20 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit. And during the summer, it is anywhere between 40 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

By car
Hwy 330 through Redlands - Easiest route from most Southern California locations.

Hwy 38 through Redlands - It is a bit longer, but is the most scenic.

Hwy 18 through Crestline/Running Springs - Shortest way if you are coming Hwy 210 Eastbound.

Hwy 18 through Apple Valley - Least amount of traffic, longest way (if you are coming from I-15 Northbound from Cajon Pass) and least amenities en route (just north of Big Bear at the Hwy 247 Junction, Lucerne Valley limited to gas and grocery only).

While travel time to Big Bear is quick, approaching Big Bear from the Inland Empire valley floor (near Sea Level to 1,000 ft elevation) to Big Bear Lake/City (approx. 5,800-6,000 feet) requires a vehicle in good repair (rentals are fine) and favorable road conditions. Approach during considerable inclement weather (winter storms, heavy rainfall/landslide risk) is not advised.

By plane
The nearest large airports are LA/Ontario International Airport and Palm Springs International Airport. Tiedown rentals are available. Car rentals are also available.

By foot
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a well known trail that extends along the West coast of the United States, from Mexico to Canada. It passes through California, Oregon, and Washington State.

Get around
It is very easy to navigate Big Bear Lake by car. The city is very good about keeping the roads clean and free of snow in the winter. Big Bear Lake also has an incredible amount of hiking and biking trails available for public use. This can be a great way to explore the outdoors and also get where you need to go. The public is also free to use boats, jetskis, canoes, and other water apparatuses on the lake itself. The Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority (MARTA) is the primary public transportation provider for Big Bear Lake. It provides local and off-the-mountain bus services for its patrons.

Do

 * - located in Big Bear Lake

Winter
Arcade In-door Fun, camping and RV parks, cross country skiing and snow shoeing, discovery center, hiking, horseback riding, laser tag indoor fun, off road tours, skiing and snowboarding, snow play, tours, trails, ziplining, and zoos.

Summer
Alpine slide, arcade in-door fun, biking, boating and water sports, camping and RV parks, discovery center, fishing, golf, hiking, horseback riding, jet boat rentals, jet skiing, kayaking and canoeing, laser tag in-door fun, marinas, mountain biking, museums, off road tours, paddleboarding, parasailing, tennis, trails, wakeboarding and waterskiing, ziplining, and zoos.

Stay safe
Wildfires sometimes occur during the summer, when it is dry.

title: Big Bear Lake


text:
Homewood (Pennsylvania)

''This article is about the borough in Beaver County. For the neighborhood of the same name in Pittsburgh, see Pittsburgh/Strip District-Lawrenceville.''

Homewood is a borough in the North Pittsburgh Region, Pennsylvania.

Get in
Homewood is located near the junction of I-76 and I-376, about 2 miles southeast of Big Beaver.

title: Homewood (Pennsylvania)


text:
Big Bend

There is more than one place called Big Bend:

Canada

 * The Big Bend of the Columbia River in Glacier National Park. Until 1962 the Trans-Canada Highway followed the river, and the road (mostly gravel) is still there, but now the highway cuts across the base of the Bend via the Rogers Pass.

Eswatini

 * Big Bend (Eswatini) - A region in Eswatini (Swaziland).

United States of America

 * Big Bend (California) - A town in California.
 * Big Bend Country - A region in Texas.
 * Big Bend National Park - A national park in the Big Bend region of Texas

title: Big Bend


text:
Big Bend (California)

Big Bend is a city in Shasta County in the Shasta Cascades region of California.

By car
The only way into Big Bend is to go by car. From CA Hwy 299 (east of Redding), turn north on Big Bend Road. When you get to the intersection at Nelson Creek Road, you're in Big Bend.

Get around
As Big Bend is such a small town, the only plausible way to get around is by car.

See
The area of the Pit River near Big Bend is good for boating and nature viewing.

Fishing
This river is excellent for trout fishing, but is extremely hard. Only fish here if you are physically fit to do so.

Eat
There are no restaurants in Big Bend, so be sure to bring your own meals.

Sleep
If you stay here, you must bring a tent; there are no motels or RV sites of any kind in Big Bend.

title: Big Bend (California)


text:
Big Bend Country

Big Bend Country is a region in Texas. It is also referred to as the Big Bend region.

Cities

 * -Odessa
 * -Odessa
 * -Odessa
 * -Odessa
 * -Odessa
 * -Odessa
 * -Odessa

Understand
The Big Bend area of Texas represents one of the last vestiges of open frontier that once encompassed the entire state. Outside of the major cities the area is largely unmolested by development; one can experience a small taste of what the unexplored state once resembled. Geography varies widely, from wide open prairie grasslands, to vast desert expanses. Far western Texas is quite mountainous; it is home to Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas. The flatlands of the Permian Basin remain a center for petroleum production for the US. The wildlife is also representative of an outsider's expectation; during the daytime hours it is not unusual to see a roadrunner or armadillo wandering alongside the road, and at night the far away wail of a coyote is commonplace.

Far western Texas, in contrast to the eastern portion, is quite sparsely populated. For example, Loving County, which is on the New Mexico state line, is the least populous county in the United States, claiming a mere 56 residents. Brewster County, in the Big Bend, is larger in land area than the state of Rhode Island yet is home to only slightly more than 6,000 residents; over 4,000 of whom live in the county seat of Alpine. Keep in mind when vacationing in the area that towns and cities are often a hundred or so miles apart, so embarking on a drive in the open Big Bend country without a full tank of gas and necessary provisions is not advised.

Get in

 * Del Rio International Airport at Del Rio.
 * El Paso International Airport at El Paso.
 * Midland International Airport at Midland, considered the gateway to the Big Bend region.
 * San Angelo Regional Airport at San Angelo.
 * There is also an airport for private planes at Lajitas.

Get around
As stated before, cities and towns are few and far between. There are two major interstate highways which cross the area, I-10 and I-20, but most of the remaining roadways are two-lane blacktop and tend to be quite desolate. These highways are fairly easily navigable and are for the most part paved, so a full tank of gas and a map or GPS should suffice in keeping a visitor to the area on track.

Do
This area is popular for hiking and camping due to its national parks.

title: Big Bend Country