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Maryland

Maryland is a Mid-Atlantic state in the USA. Nicknamed America in Miniature, Maryland has sea and mountain, urban and rural, historic and modern. It ranges from some of the nation's most densely populated areas around Washington, D.C., to bucolic rural areas in the east around the Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore, and in the Appalachian Mountains in the west. Baltimore is the state's biggest city, with literal boatloads of tourist attractions around its Inner Harbor; Annapolis, with its historical maritime charm, is its capital.

Cities

 * — the quaint state (and one-time national) capital, with strong maritime, naval, and seafood traditions
 * — Maryland's largest city, right on the Chesapeake, home to the Inner Harbor, a magnificent Aquarium, Camden Yards, Johns Hopkins University, lots of history, and a vibrant music scene.
 * — the urban-upscale hotspot in the D.C. inner suburbs, with over 200 restaurants and fine architecture
 * — a vibrant college town just outside the D.C. city limits, loaded with cheap eats
 * — railroad town in the Appalachian Mountains and the C&O Canal terminus
 * — Bustling historic city near Harpers Ferry, famous for its antiques
 * — Historic city near Antietam Battlefield at the foot of the Appalachians, famous for its outlets
 * — very popular seaside resort city on a barrier island, with loads of restaurants and night clubs
 * — a small historic town and popular weekend getaway on the Chesapeake at the mouth of the Patuxent River

Other destinations

 * — site of the bloodiest single day in American History, at the first battle of the Civil War in the North
 * — the great Appalachian Trail passes through the Maryland panhandle for a mere 40 miles (60 km), but that includes one excellent and easy hike to the ever popular rock-climbing mecca of Annapolis Rock—it's also just fun to be able to say that you walked across the state of Maryland, which you can do in just a couple of days
 * — a beautiful national park of a barrier island, populated by wild ponies
 * — a big, rugged park centered around Catoctin Mountain, and home to the Presidential retreat of Camp David
 * — the Great Shellfish Bay is a whole travel region of its own, offering fishing, crabbing, swimming, boating, sailing, unique island communities, placid bed & breakfasts, and just plain beautiful sunsets
 * — Maryland's mountain/lake resort and spa
 * — the spectacular Great Falls along the Potomac River, plus endless walking/biking trails along the historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 * — Maryland's original colonial capital and one of the very first British settlements in North America
 * — a big state park with over 32 miles (51 km) of well-marked trails leading to historic and natural sites of interest, all just a half-hours drive away from Baltimore

Understand
The largest and most well known geographic feature of Maryland is the Chesapeake Bay, the world's third largest estuary. At one time it was called the world's protein basket because it produced so much seafood in the form of fish and shellfish, in particular its most famous product, Blue Crabs. Today the bay is a poster child for what happens from overfishing and pollution, but Maryland leads the country in many progressive "Save the Bay" programs to save wetlands, and halt the flow of pollutants from the more than 12 million people who live in its watershed from Pennsylvania to Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay is a magnet for sailing and fishing sports activities.

The state is bounded to the south by the Potomac River, which offers opportunities for boating, and bicycling along the disused Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail, leading from Washington, D.C. to Cumberland.

The western part of the state is much more mountainous than the eastern lowlands, and offers hiking along the Appalachian Trail, whitewater recreation in the Youghiogheny River, and historical sites such as Antietam Battlefield, where the events of the bloodiest single day in American history unfolded.

The Eastern Shore offers a mix of down-home farmer and waterman culture, remarkably well-preserved colonial history, and remote rural beauty that feels like timeless wilderness, if you can find it (and tolerate the humidity and insect life!). In the "mid-shore" region, Chestertown is home to a charming historic district replete with brick sidewalks and quaint buildings from centuries gone by. Streets close for the bustling Farmers' Market every Saturday morning, and festivals crowd the local calendar, notably the Chestertown Tea Party on Memorial Day weekend (yes, tea and people are thrown into the river), and the Downrigging Festival in late fall. Residents are proud of "George Washington slept here" landmarks, and also of the old hotspots where the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and other musicians once performed en route between bigger gigs in Philadelphia and Baltimore. In Queen Anne's County, the brick courthouse in Centreville is the oldest in continuous use in the state of Maryland.

At the tip of the Lower Shore, Ocean City offers an economy that caters to the huge seasonal influx of beach-goers. It has an odd charm in the winter, with discounted hotels, deserted beaches and empty restaurants.

Geography and climate
The state crosses many different geographical zones, from the low, sandy barrier islands of the Atlantic Coast to the fertile, lowlands of the Chesapeake Basin, which rise into the foothills of the Piedmont, and eventually the rugged terrain of the Appalachian Mountains. Maryland has been called "America in Miniature" because of the great difference of landscape one can experience in such a small area.

The climate of Maryland varies as much as its topography. The lower elevation Atlantic Coastal Plain, which surrounds the Chesapeake Bay and includes the major cities of Baltimore, Annapolis, and Salisbury has a mild subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and cold winters with little to moderate snowfall, though winter storms do occasionally bring several inches to a foot or more of snow across Central Maryland. As one moves away from the Bay and higher in elevation, the climate becomes more continental, with milder summers and colder winters including the major cities of Hagerstown and Cumberland. In the mountains of the west summers are cool, and winters can be very cold with heavy snows. The mountains protect the eastern half of Maryland from much of the harsh winter weather experienced in the Great Lakes region.

History
Maryland got its name from Henrietta Maria of France, the wife of Charles I of France. As one of the Thirteen Colonies, the state was central to the early United States history. In 1790, Maryland provided land for the District of Columbia.

Maryland's border disputes with its northern neighbour Pennsylvania were settled in 1760, as the Mason–Dixon line was drawn. The line is a metonym for the North–South divide, as Maryland has traditionally been a Southern state. While Maryland had slavery until the American Civil War, racial segregation was softer than in the Deep South, and the state was among the border states which remained in the Union. Both factions fought hard for Maryland, and especially the 1862 battle of Antietam gave the Union an upper hand.

The state saw industrial expansion in the late 19th century, until the manufacturing crisis of the 1960s. The economy has diversified considerably become a national leader in biotech, healthcare, government services, hospitality and tech among other industries. Much of this wealth is concentrated in neighboring, Washington, D.C. and its suburbs in Maryland, above all, Montgomery, Howard and Prince George's County, which all rank among the most affluent areas in the country. In contrast, Baltimore has struggled to reinvent itself with urban decay a feature outside downtown and the popular tourist neighborhoods.

Visitor information

 * Visit Maryland

By plane
Many international and domestic flights arrive into the state's main airport, Thurgood Marshall Baltimore-Washington International. Many air travelers to Maryland arrive at Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport, both located in Northern Virginia. In addition, regional flights can be booked to Salisbury in the east, or Hagerstown  in the west.

By train
Maryland is well served by rail. Acela Express, the flagship Amtrak train runs hourly from Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. to the largest city in Maryland, Baltimore as well as to the BWI Marshall Airport. The slower Northeast Regional connects the same cities but with additional stops in between, additionally it also runs from several cities in Virginia. It stops in the following cities within Maryland: Aberdeen, Baltimore, BWI Marshall Airport, Cumberland, New Carrollton, Rockville, and Salisbury.

Additionally, several long distance routes serve Baltimore, including the Cardinal (New York-Chicago), Carolinian (New York-Charlotte), Crecent (New York-New Orleans), Palmetto (New York-Savannah), Silver Meteor and Silver Star (New York-Miami) and the Vermonter between Washington, D.C. and St. Albans.

There are also plenty of Washington Metro routes that enter the state.

By car
Maryland is served by several main Interstate highways, and a number of other routes enter the state. Interstates 68 and 70 are the main east-west interstate highways in the state. In addition, US Routes 40 and 50 are major east-west arteries. Interstates 81, 83, 95 and 97 are major north-south routes. In addition, US Routes 219, 220, 29, 11, 15, 1, and 13 are major north-south arteries.

Use of cell phones while driving
Throughout the state, talking on hand-held cell phones (without a hands-free device) while driving is illegal, as is texting while driving.

By foot

 * The American Discovery Trail connects Maryland with West Virginia, Washington, D.C., Delaware and both coasts.

Get around
Information on Maryland Transit can be found here.

 * Maryland Transit Authority for bus, light rail, subway, and MARC commuter train information.
 * Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in the D.C. suburbs are served by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (METRO)

See

Maryland's biggest attractions by way of sightseeing are almost all in Baltimore, centered around the Inner Harbor, including the National Aquarium, historic Fort McHenry, the Maryland Zoo, and a host of great museums. Annapolis is sightseeing destination #2, home to the Maryland State House (which once served as the nation's capitol), the U.S. Naval Academy, and a lovely historic center. Ocean City has its fair share of fun tourist kitsch as well. For more off-the-beaten path sights, look for the National Mormon Temple in Kensington at Christmas time, or visit Cumberland's historic district, set in the beautiful Allegheny Mountains.

Do
The big activities here revolve either around sporting events, or outdoor sports. Sports are a big deal in Baltimore, which is a city utterly mad for Baltimore Ravens football—half the businesses in the city deck themselves out in the teams colors. No less important to the city is the Baltimore Orioles baseball team. Sports are just as big a deal on the college scene at the University of Maryland, in College Park, where the Terrapins draw huge crowds from the counties surrounding the school.

Outdoor sports are concentrated in the east and the west of the state, since the middle is overrun by dense suburbia. Boating and crabbing are the big draws on the Chesapeake Bay, and there's beach camping to be done at Assateague Island. In the west, there is great trekking opportunities in the Appalachian Mountains—Appalachian Trail or otherwise. On the trail in Maryland, is a huge rock climbing draw at Annapolis Rock. The big state parks, like Catoctin Mountain Park and Patapsco Valley State Park, also have loads of really nice woodland hiking trails.

Other more eccentric local activities include:

 * Duckpin bowling Maryland is one of the few remaining places to experience this dying sport. With smaller bowling balls, funny-shaped pins and three throws per frame, duckpins represent a unique regional experience.
 * Lacrosse Maryland is perhaps the hotbed of high school and college lacrosse -- it became the official state team sport in 2004. Johns Hopkins is a perennial contender for the men's national championship; the University of Maryland has been powerhouse on the women's side. A ticket to one of these matches represents a different sort of spectator experience than you get at a football, baseball or basketball game. Also, the Lacrosse Hall of Fame is located in Sparks, MD (Baltimore suburb) with free admission and free parking (open Monday to Friday).
 * - located in Berlin
 * - located in New Market
 * - located in Berlin
 * - located in New Market
 * - located in New Market

Eat
Local Maryland cuisine is as richly exotic. Unfortunately, it's also under-appreciated or over-fished, and therefore can sometimes be hard to find.

Without a doubt, the state is known first for its Maryland Blue Crabs, fished from the Chesapeake Bay, served in magnificent quantities, drenched in Old Bay (a peppery mix of celery salt, bay leaf, mustard seed, black and red pepper, cinnamon, and ginger), accompanied by copious amounts of beer, and a total, wonderful mess. The blue crab, symbol of the state, adorns drivers licenses and other state paraphernalia, and is a considerable source of state pride—all the more disappointing that farm run-off into the bay from the nine states of the Chesapeake Basin has decimated the local blue crab population, greatly limiting the fishing haul, and meaning that you are often eating crabs from the Gulf of Mexico unless you caught them yourself. The no less magnificent crab feasts continue, though, along and around the Bay in small crab shacks and in restaurants around Annapolis and Baltimore, and throughout the Chesapeake Bay region.

Soft Shell Blue Crabs, another Maryland staple, are available throughout the world in fine restaurants as a high class delicacy; here they're everyday bar food in the summer. The Chesapeake Blue Crabs are a bit of a natural freak, crabs that "molt" annually as they outgrow their shells. The shells grow back, but smart fishermen don't give them a chance. Don't worry about how to eat these crabs—just open your mouth and start biting, and eat it all. And there's a real pleasure to eating a "delicacy" on a humble hamburger bun with some lettuce, mustard, and tomato, while taking a shady respite from the summer sun, by the beach or otherwise.

Further along the Maryland line of crab cuisine is the crab cake, which comes in many varieties. You can find them anywhere in the state, at any American restaurant. But quality varies wildly, and most will leave you thinking, "well, I would have rather just had the crab." For the undisputed best, which Maxim rated one of the top 10 dishes in the world, go to standing-room-only Faidley's in Baltimore's Lexington Market and order a pair of jumbo lumps.

Aside from crabs, shellfish in general are a classic cornerstone of Maryland cuisine, (no surprise, given "Chesapeake" is Algonquian for "Great Shellfish Bay") and raw oysters on the half shell are a local delicacy. They're typically appreciated with a dash of hot sauce, and clams are often served the same way. Steamed mussels can make for a warming winter evening dinner, and Bertha's in Baltimore serves the state's most famous (and tastiest) mussel.

Traditional desserts from the state include the Smith Island cake (a ten-layer vanilla or sponge cake covered with frosting, most often chocolate) and Berger cookies (shortbread cookies covered in a thick topping of chocolate fudge or frosting).

From here, the cuisine gets stranger and harder to locate: Maryland Fried Chicken? Say what? Yes, fried chicken is a Maryland specialty, and you'll find countless places in Kentucky touting the stuff. "MFC" differs from your average Southern fried chicken in that it is pan-fried in only a half inch of lard or oil, giving it a crisp, but not deep fried skin, and is smothered in creamy, peppery gravy. It's very hard to find unless you know some old-time Marylanders on the Eastern Shore, but try looking along US-50 towards Ocean City for unassuming shacks bearing "Chicken" signs, or for a more sure bet, the quintessential old Maryland establishment of Crisfield's in Silver Spring. If you just want some good chicken, head to a Royal Farms gas station (the busier the better), which, for reasons beyond anyone's understanding, serves up fine fried chicken.

The most esoteric Maryland dishes range from roasted terrapin to fried muskrat to roasted eel to boiled raccoon. Good luck finding these, though. Again, Faidley's in Baltimore is a good place to look, although these wildly rare dishes are only available there seasonally. Hopefully top local chefs will come to their senses and start cooking upscale variations on these interesting local dishes, and realize that the Italian-French-American fine dining you can find in any city throughout the country is a little uninventive.

Lastly, there are several Mid-Atlantic foods worth looking for, mostly in diners. A slice of scrapple for breakfast is a fried delicious must, despite its origins (pig organs and scraps), which do terrify the uninitiated and the cowardly.

Drink

The best places around the state to enjoy some nightlife and drinks, unsurprisingly, are in the more metropolitan areas, like Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Takoma Park and above all Baltimore in Fells Point and Washington Square. Many of the clubs and bars in Baltimore's Inner Harbor -- though not all -- tend to be tourist traps with overpriced drinks and cover charges.

Beer lovers will want to try a few of the state's great craft brews. Heavy Seas Beer, DuClaw Brewing, Brewer's Art Resurrection, and Oliver Ales are among the most popular. Local beers offer a variety of styles — stouts, porters, ales, ESBs, IPAs, and Goldens. Also, Wild Goose, Flying Dog, Blue Ridge Ales, Deep Creek, and Foggy Bottom are brands worth sampling.

The great drink of Maryland, however, has all but disappeared since Prohibition — Maryland rye whiskey. The distilleries that once dotted the Baltimore County countryside have all shut down, and production of rye whiskey is now centered around Kentucky, however a few enterprising start-ups are trying to put the spirit back on the map, notably Baltimore's Sagamore Rye. Baltimore hasn't lost its taste for the beverage, and in the city's dive bars you can still order a dirt-cheap and tasty rye 'n soda or rye and ginger. Stores in the area sell "Pikesville Rye" at a great value, which is the only Maryland rye that never ceased production, although the operations have relocated to Kentucky.

Stay safe
In Baltimore, the main tourist areas are very safe (and heavily patrolled by police); one does not, however, have to wander far to find more dangerous areas. The rest of the state, with the exception of some non-touristy parts of Prince George's County and Annapolis, is very safe.

The state's wildlife is relatively non-threatening, with wolves and cougars having disappeared years ago. However, the westernmost four counties have breeding populations of black bears. Deer are very common throughout the state and pose a hazard to motorists.

Respect
Maryland is a culturally and politically diverse state that was very conflicted during the American Civil War. While that was 150 years ago and is thankfully in the past, there is still a cultural divide between the affluent, cosmopolitan central region and some of the areas on the Eastern Shore and along the Western and far Southern edge of the state. These latter parts of the state are relatively more traditional and historically identified with Appalachia and the South, while the far more populous, urbanized center of the state is very much part of the Northeast (with East Coast attitudes to match). This can create tensions when visitors from the 'Western Shore' encroach upon the Eastern Shore, raising prices and causing congestion.

On the other side of the state, the far western panhandle has long identified itself with West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania, than the rest of the state. It's not unheard of to see pick up trucks with Confederate flags or stickers in remote rural regions and people in these areas may not appreciate being judged by urbanites. However, this is rarely an issue in everyday life and most residents get along fine, despite or rather because of the areas impressive diversity. Indeed many things unite Marylanders, notably a somewhat humorous obsession with the state flag (which goes on everything from socks to underwear), Old Bay seasoning and crab cakes.

Go next

 * Delaware — America's second smallest state, Delaware is to the east and north of Maryland along the Chesapeake Bay.
 * Pennsylvania — Located to the north of Maryland, the city of Philadelphia makes an easy weekend trip from most destinations in Maryland, and offers a glimpse into America's Revolutionary War era history.
 * Virginia — Maryland's southern neighbor is bordered by ocean and mountains and has much to offer travelers interested in history and scenic landscapes.
 * Washington, D.C. — The nation's capital is a must-see for most visitors, with a wealth of sites including the Capitol, the White House, the Smithsonian Museum, and a vast array of other monuments and attractions.
 * West Virginia — Maryland's western neighbor is the only state in the USA to lie completely within a mountain range (in this case, the Appalachians).

title: Maryland


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Maryland (disambiguation)

There's more than one place called Maryland:

Liberia

 * Maryland (Liberia) - the southernmost county

Nigeria

 * Maryland (Nigeria) – a neighbourhood of Ikeja in Lagos State

United States of America

 * Maryland - a state in the Mid-Atlantic region

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

title: Maryland (disambiguation)


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Mary Province

Mary Province is in the southeast of Turkmenistan.

Cities

 * — a decent sized city on a dry oasis serving as a natural dry climactic spa.
 * — the major regional city and large industrial center serving as the main tourist base for Merv and other nearby archaeological sites.
 * — an oil town.

Other destinations

 * — an archaeological site on an ancient Indo-Iranian settlement, some 4,000 years old.
 * — this UNESCO World Heritage site was one of the principal Silk Road oasis-cities throughout its inhabited history, and one-time largest city in the world.

Understand
The province is in the south-east of the country and borders Afghanistan to the south-east and south. The Murgab River flows through the south of the province, which seeps into the Karakum desert, and the Karakum Canal also crosses the province.

The province has an area of 87,150 km² and a population of around 1,480,000 in 2005.

Mary is the provincial capital, which is not far from the well-known ancient city of Merv. Other larger towns are Baýramaly and Ýolöten. In addition to the ruins of Merv, there are also traces of a Buddhist settlement in the region of touristic and historical importance, including in Gonur Depe and Ýekedeşik.

See
Gonur Depe is an archaeological site, home to elaborate palaces, temples, and tombs, from the Bronze Age. Merv is another historic site, but is a near present-day Mary, which contain well-preserved ruins that showcase the rich history of the Silk Road era.

title: Mary Province


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Marysville

There's more than one place called Marysville:

Australia

 * Marysville (Australia) - a town in Victoria

Canada

 * Marysville (Ontario) on Wolfe Island - see Thousand Islands
 * Marysville (Ontario) in Hastings County - see Deseronto or Belleville
 * Marysville (New Brunswick) - a town in New Brunswick

United States of America

 * Marysville (California) - a town in California
 * Marysville (Kansas) - a town in Kansas
 * Marysville (Michigan) - a town in Michigan
 * Marysville (Montana) - a town in Montana
 * Marysville (Ohio) - a town in Ohio
 * Marysville (Washington) - a town in Washington

title: Marysville


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Marysville (California)

Marysville is a city in California near Yuba City that is distinctive for being named after a survivor of the Donner Party, Mary Murphy, and being known as the "Gateway to The Gold Fields" during the California gold rush era, as it served as a pitstop for riverboats coming up from Sacramento. Its relevance to that booming industry, not just with the influx of prospectors but also materials, led it to briefly become one of the largest cities in California by 1857. But the glory was fairly short-lived as flooding from hydraulic mining took its toll on the city, along with other factors. Like other gold boomtowns, it attracted a sizable Chinese population, which manifests still today with facets like the Bok Kai Temple.

Eat

 * Lakeside Indian Cuisine Bar and Grill, 900 B St Suite A. When you're wanting a buffet or chaat, this is a place to be.

title: Marysville (California)


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Marysville (Ohio)

Marysville is the county seat of Union County (Ohio).

Understand
Marysville is a city of over 20,000 people founded in 1819.

Get in
Marrysville is on US 33 and US 36.

Get around
Uptown Marysville is easy to walk around in.

Do

Go next
Marysville is an easy drive to Dublin and Columbus

The small village of Magnetic Springs is nearby.

title: Marysville (Ohio)


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Marysville (Washington)

Marysville is a city in the Puget Sound region of Washington State.

Get in

 * I-5.svg Interstate 5 Marysville is accessed from exits #199 ("Marysville") through #208 ("SR-530 Arlington/Darrington") along I-5. There are five exits from I-5 into town. Downtown is accessed through exit 199.
 * WA-529.svg serves as the old Hwy 99 through Marysville as State St. It directly connects into Broadway in Everett and is accessed from I-5 SB at exit 198 going into Everett.

 * WA-9.svg Parallels I-5 along the west side. WA-9 forms the western boundary of Marysville.

Get around

 * Bus routes 201 and 202 travel between Lynnwood and Arlington, making stops along the way in Everett and Marysville.
 * Bus routes 201 and 202 travel between Lynnwood and Arlington, making stops along the way in Everett and Marysville.

title: Marysville (Washington)


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Maryville (Tennessee)

Maryville is a large city in Blount County, Eastern Tennessee.

Understand
Maryville is a beautiful and historic city located at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. It was distinctively abolitionist and pro-Union during the Civil War on account of the presence of the Society of Friends. Maryville has many beautiful parks and historic houses and an unbelievable view of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Get in
The nearest commercial airport is McGhee Tyson Airport which lies a few miles north in adjacent Alcoa.

Coming from the north, the Pellissippi Parkway connects West Knoxville with Maryville and US 129/Alcoa Hwy (Airport Hwy) connects it with downtown "Knoxville. There are also many other smaller highways that connect the two cities.

See

 * Sam Houston Schoolhouse, 3650 Old Sam Houston School Rd. Where Sam Houston taught school from 1811-12 before embarking on adventures that would lead him to become father of the Texas Republic.

 * Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Do

 * Springbrook Pool, 636 Vose Rd, Alcoa. City pool.
 * Walks along Bicentennial Park, a downtown greenbelt with a lagoon.
 * The Palace Theatre, 113 W Broadway Ave. Vintage cinema.

Learn

 * Maryville College

Eat
Maryville has many restaurants for any budget.

Connect

 * Blount County Library, 508 N Cusick St.

title: Maryville (Tennessee)


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Maryville (Missouri)

Maryville is a city in Northwest Missouri. It is home to Northwest Missouri State University.

title: Maryville (Missouri)


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Masada

Masada (Hebrew: מצדה) is a magnificently located fortress site in Israel's stark Judaean Desert, close to the Dead Sea. The last Jewish holdout to fall to Rome in 73 CE, Masada symbolizes the exile of the Jewish nation from the Holy Land. Its violent end has become a symbol of bravery and self-sacrifice since the founding of the State of Israel in 1948.

Understand
Masada, whose Hebrew name means "fortress", is on a breathtaking rock plateau with steep cliffs rising on all sides. Roman client King Herod the Great constructed a fortified palace complex atop of the plateau between 37 and 31 BCE. During the Jewish rebellion against Rome in first century CE, a sect of Jews called the Kanai took refuge in isolated Masada. They were known in Greek as zelotes, or the Zealots. After remaining there for seven years, the Zealots finally fell at the hands of the Roman army in 73 CE. However, rather than be killed or enslaved, the holed up rebels chose to commit a mass suicide, a deed which forever enshrined them in the annals of Jewish history.

Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been granted a special place in the heart of the Jewish nation. Though the actions of the Zealots are still debated, Masada has become synonymous with the tragic and much-mourned downfall of Jewish life in the Holy Land. More recently, this symbol of death has been contrasted with Jewish rebirth, the founding of the State of Israel. Indeed, many Israeli soldiers, sworn in atop Masada, emotionally chant, "Masada shall never fall again."

By road
Most people access Masada from the eastern side near Road 90, which runs down the Israeli coast of the Dead Sea. This is the official entrance which leads to the "Snake Path", the steep and at least 40 min hiking trail up.

The less used option is Road 3199 from Arad to the western side. The road ends at a parking lot, from which there is a comparatively easy 15-20 minute ascent to the top.

By bus
By bus you can get to Masada with line 486 from Jerusalem (₪40, ₪36 with a student discount) or Ein Gedi or with line 421 from Tel Aviv - Terminal 2000 at Arlozorov Street (Su-F 09:00, Su-Th 12:00, 2 hr 30 min, ₪84,20 return; return Su-F 13:13, Su-Th 16:13). Other buses running along the Dead Sea Highway call at Masada, too, and can take you to Ein Gedi (northbound buses) or Ein Bokek (southbound buses). All buses stop at the eastern main entrance. Check departure times from Masada either beforehand or online from the McDonald's restaurant on site as there is no timetable at the bus stop. Beware that buses may run ahead of schedule!

Hours and contact
The site is open seven days a week. The first cable car runs at 08:00. The site closes at 16:00 (October to March) or 17:00 (April to September).

 * Phone: /8, fax: +972-8-6584464

Fees
Entrance fee to the park is ₪28, not including the cable car. Cable car is about ₪25 one way. Discounts are available for students, youth and the elderly.

Since the park does not open before sunrise, coming from the west (Arad), it is possible to get in and up for free that early. Otherwise, if you are hiking to Masada from the west, just take a big loop around the western entrance gate, maybe to the right over the hill next to it.

Get around
If you are really adventurous, you can hike through the valleys to the north or south of Masada, and thus reach it from the "other side". Be aware that due to the steep cliffs and desert terrain, this is dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.

See
The fastest way to reach ascend Masada is via cable car. However, the cable car does not begin running until 08:00, meaning the option is not available to those wishing to experience sunrise at Masada.

The other two routes up are the so-called "Snake Path" or the Roman Ramp.

The Snake Path (actually a combination of tracks and steps) is accessible from the eastern side of Masada via the Dead Sea Highway. It consists of a series of switchbacks 'snaking' all the way up to the summit. The climb can take anything from 40 minutes to 2 hours or more depending on stamina/speed. Because of the difficulty of the climb, and the path's exposure to the sun, the Snake Path is usually closed from 10:00, and many choose to ascend before sunrise.

The Roman Ramp is not accessible from the Dead Sea Highway and must be approached from Arad in the west—a 40-minute detour for those coming from the Dead Sea Highway, but considerably less strenuous than the Snake Path.

Once there, the Herod's palace complex, replete with Roman-style mosaics and bath houses, can be toured. Also viewable are the zealot's synagogues, storehouses, and homes. From Masada, the remnants of the Roman encampments are clearly visible. Also, the stark natural beauty of the Judaean Desert and nearby Dead Sea can be fully taken in from high atop Masada.

The visitor center on the eastern side holds a small exposition on the discovery of Masada and shows some of the pieces found there. There is also a museum centred on the main excavator of the site.

Sometimes you can see a few ibex while you are going up to Masada.

Do

 * Sunrise – Climb the "Snake Path" at 04:00 in the morning and enjoy the sun rising over the Jordan Mountains. The gates are usually open even at this early hour since this is part of the Israeli national pride. If you come from the west, even 06:00 will do, since the climb is only about 15 min – you might even save the entrance fee that early from that side.
 * At the Bar Yehuda Airfield (see listing) near the road to Masada you can book scenic flights above the area.
 * Behind the Guest House to the east towards the highway, there is a good hike through the canyons there. Make sure it doesn't rain. You can walk back the road north of where you get out at the highway to get back to the car park. If you continue east for another 100 m from the highway, there is a channel connecting to the Dead Sea, which looks great and might even allow for a swim – take the usual precautions.
 * Behind the Guest House to the east towards the highway, there is a good hike through the canyons there. Make sure it doesn't rain. You can walk back the road north of where you get out at the highway to get back to the car park. If you continue east for another 100 m from the highway, there is a channel connecting to the Dead Sea, which looks great and might even allow for a swim – take the usual precautions.

Eat
The below the fortress contains a small food court including a McDonalds.

Drink
Bring lots of water, since the climb is hard and the sun is burning the whole day. Water is available on top of Masada and at the visitor centre to refill your bottles.

Sleep

For more and cheaper options try Arad Tandem (₪95) in Arad, about 25 km to the west or:

Luxury and more expensive (but in off-season also bargains) accommodation can be found in Ein Bokek at the Dead Sea, 16 km south of Masada.

Go next

 * The Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and the Dead Sea are not far away and worth a visit.
 * Judaean Desert – Visit its various attractions, next to Masada and the Dead Sea.
 * Arad – A good and central location for destinations into all directions, including the ones listed here.
 * Mitzpe Ramon – Great site, hikes and views on the edge of a giant crater.
 * Eilat – Holiday town in the far south with border crossings to Jordan and Egypt.

title: Masada


text:
Masasi

Masasi is a town in the Pembwe and the Southeast region of Tanzania.

Get in
Buses to Dar es Salaam (at least 9 hours) depart early in the morning. Get a seat near the front as part of the road is unpaved.

Minibuses to Lindi, Mtwara and Newala leave throughout the day. To Lindi and Mtwara the road is paved.

For transport heading further inland ask around at the bus stand.

Towards Tunduru there is a modern road as far as the village of Mangaka but the next section is not yet built. If you want to see the Unity Bridge which goes over the Ruvuma River to Mozambique there is a well made murram (or laterite dirt) road towards the bridge from Mangaka.

See
There is reported to be a rock art site within walking distance of Masasi.

Do
There are a few small hills around Masasi and it is possible to hike up them.

Sleep
There are no tourist guest houses, but the town is a major centre in the cashew nut trade so there are a lot of guest houses in the Tsh 4,000-30,000 range. You will get what you pay for.

Go next

 * Ndanda is a village 37 km NE of Nasasi along Highway B5. It has gradually built up around the, a German mission station and hospital founded in 1905. Any buses running between Masasi and Lindi, Mtwara or Dar es Salaam will pass through Ndanda and will drop you off here.

title: Masasi


text:
Masaya

Masaya is a small city in Nicaragua, midway between Managua and Granada. The town sits perilously close to the Volcan Masaya, an active volcano with constant plumes of sulfuric smoke. The volcano is the main feature of a national park.

Get in
From the airport in Managua you can take a taxi for US$20-30. Also, many cities in Nicaragua have buses that take you directly to Masaya. There are also public minivans known as microbuses that will take you from Managua (UCA terminal) to Masaya for a bit less than US$1. There are also slower standard (read: old American Bluebird) buses going to and from Masaya at a slightly lower price.

Most buses arrive to the huge and disorderly "bus station" at the edge of Masaya's new market. Google Maps also show the existence of a separate terminal, a few blocks to the west, for buses running between Masaya and UCA (Universidad Centroamericana, in Managua).

Get around
The parts of town that are interesting for tourists are mostly walkable. Taxis can get you to the malecon and anywhere else you might want to go to.

Inside the old town
Other churches from the 19th century's colonial period include San Jerónimo, San Juan and San Miguel.

Buy
The Mercado de Artesanias sells a wide variety of handicrafts.

Masaya is famous for hammocks. The street connecting the city center to the malecon is lined with hammock shops. A decent hammock can be had for under US$20.

Fresh produce in abundance, as well as bread, sweets, etc, can be found in Masaya's new market, on the city's west side. There are also several Palí supermarkets around the city, including one in the city's central square.

Eat

 * There's a variety of food stands on the Plaza Central.

Go next

 * Laguna de Apoyo
 * Granada
 * San Juan del Sur via Rivas
 * Ometepe via bus to Rivas and boat from San Jorge

title: Masaya


text:
Masbate

Masbate is a largely rural island province, part of Bicol region in the Philippines. It consists of three major islands: Masbate island proper, Ticao and Burias. It is grouped with Bicol administratively, but its local culture and languages are Visayan rather than Bicolano.

Cities

 * — provincial capital
 * — port town, known for its seafood and natural attractions

Understand
Masbate, lying off between the southern tip of Luzon and the islands of the Visayas, is the melting pot of Bicolano and Visayan cultures. Masbate residents are called Masbateños, and while the province is grouped with Bicol, Masbateño culture is more Visayan than Bicolano.

Masbate has the oldest known settlements in the Philippines, being settled at around 4000-3000 BC. The island is colonized in 1569 by Spaniards seeking its gold mines and Masbate (then spelled Masbat) served as a major waypoint for the historic Manila-Acapulco galleons. Until it became its own province, Masbate was part of Albay, and also Sorsogon, for a decade between 1908 and 1917 after being ravaged by a typhoon.

Masbate's economy is reliant on livestock, copra and gold mining, but poverty is widespread across the province, with 33% of the population living below the poverty line in 2018. Most products sold in Masbate have to be imported from other islands.

Talk
The main language in Masbate is Masbatenyo (Minasbate, also spelled Masbateño), a Visayan language with Bikol influence, and forms the so-called Bisakol group. Hiligaynon and Cebuano are also spoken; the former being the native language of residents at the southeastern part of Masbate Island. Masbatenyo and Hiligaynon are mutually intelligible, and both languages have similar vocabularies.

By bus

 * Daily bus trips via roll-on, roll-off ships are available from Cubao and Alabang to Masbate via the following ports and bus lines:
 * Bicol Isarog Bus Lines: route from Cubao via Port of Pio Duran. Rates are: for deluxe trips,  for regular aircon trips and  for ordinary trips.
 * Raymond Transportation: route from Cubao via Port of Pio Duran, Albay.
 * Elavil Tours Phil. Inc.: route from Cubao via Port of Pio Duran, Albay
 * Superlines, Inc.: newest route from Cubao-Masbate via Port of San Andres, Quezon; one lay-over at Burias Island.
 * Montenegro Shipping Lines and RORO Bus from Cebu Province. The Montenegro shipping lines RORO ferry departs from Cataingan port south of Masbate city going to Bogo on Cebu Island. The ferry departs Cataingan port every day at noon. the trip takes six hours.
 * There is an A/C bus which goes to the Montenegro booking office in Masbate City port from Cebu City every day at 8:30AM. The fare is to Cebu City and  to Bogo City.

By plane
The province's only airport is in Masbate City, served by a daily Cebgo flight every morning.

By ferry

 * From to Pilar in the province of Sorsogon. By fastcraft or RORO ferry, Montengro Shipping Lines fast ferries takes 2½ hours, and the Montenegro RORO ferry takes 4½ hours. The fare for the fastcraft is +  port fee. For the RORO ferry the fare is  +  port fee  from Pilar port gate there are vans from Legazpi City (one hour) with a fare of.
 * From Cebu City Cokaliong Shipping Lines, c/o First Choice Travel Agency Masbate port gate, tickets for sale Monday to Saturday 8AM-5PM. Cokaliong has a ferry from Cebu city once a week on Saturday at 7PM. Non-A/C fare: each way. The tourist class A/C fare is  each way.
 * From Mandaon port a van ride.
 * There are pump boats from Roxas in Panay.

Get around
Outside of Masbate City, transportation is limited to tricycles for short distances and buses and UV Express vans for longer distances. Buses make stops at various points along the two-lane paved highway that runs from Masbate City to the western and southern points on the island, while UV Express do the route without stopping, though there are also illegal services that stop practically anywhere and must be avoided. There is a bus station in Masbate City where you can catch a van or buses going to most places in Masbate Island. The van fare from Masbate City to Mandaon is.

For buses going northbound in the province (i.e. Aroroy, Baleno, Milagros, Mandaon, and Balud), ordinary bus rates will range from, depending on distance covered.

For faster travel, UV Express reach most towns in mainland Masbate, with point-to-point fares starting from.

Do

 * Bituon Beach is a small private beach south of the barangay of Mobo where guests can stay overnight in bungalows.
 * Rodeo Masbateño is held annually.
 * Magcaraguit island in Dimassalang, Masbate offers white sand beaches.
 * The Rodeo Masbateno is held annually every 2nd week of April. Unlike the US rodeo, the Philippine rodeo is more of a ranch practice in handling the cattle that was turned into a game. The events consist of casting down, carambola, steer roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, load carrying and whip cracking. There are two categories for participants: student and professional. Under each category, there are women’s and men’s divisions.
 * The Rodeo Masbateno is held annually every 2nd week of April. Unlike the US rodeo, the Philippine rodeo is more of a ranch practice in handling the cattle that was turned into a game. The events consist of casting down, carambola, steer roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, load carrying and whip cracking. There are two categories for participants: student and professional. Under each category, there are women’s and men’s divisions.
 * The Rodeo Masbateno is held annually every 2nd week of April. Unlike the US rodeo, the Philippine rodeo is more of a ranch practice in handling the cattle that was turned into a game. The events consist of casting down, carambola, steer roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, load carrying and whip cracking. There are two categories for participants: student and professional. Under each category, there are women’s and men’s divisions.

Go next

 * Cebu Island via Cataingan
 * Albay via Pilar
 * Panay via Mandaon

title: Masbate


text:
Maseru

Maseru is the capital of and largest city in Lesotho and is very close to the north western border with South Africa. Although there isn't a huge deal to see in Maseru, it is well worth stopping here upon entry into Lesotho to stock up before venturing further in (where there are very, very few Western-style shops).

By car
You can get into Maseru by car through the entry point from South Africa.

By bus
Maseru Bridge Border Post is a drop off point for most South African national coach services, from where you can catch a taxi into Maseru.

By taxi
Being the transport hub of Lesotho, anywhere in Lesotho that's connected by road to here will have a Minibus taxi service to Maseru. For more information on taxis, see here.

By plane
Moshoeshoe Airport is located 18 km from Maseru. South African Airways operates a couple of daily flights from Maseru to Johannesburg, which typically cost around M 2,200. Luggage is lost very regularly and there is no lost luggage reporting system. You should arrange taxi pick-up in advance as there are no taxis at the airport. Taxis charge around ML100.

Mission Aviation flies from the smaller Moeshoeshoe I airport just off Airport Road, 2 km from central Maseru. They offer charter flights to amongst other places, Mokhotlong, Thaba-Tseka and Katse, and are contactable on +266 2232 5699. Flights are fairly expensive, their little planes can be cramped, but they fly to most airstrips in Lesotho.

Get around
Google Maps now have very detailed maps of Maseru and Lesotho.

By taxi
The bus stop on Moeshoeshoe Rd is the main taxi station, but private cabs are available from the price of M50.

Public cabs travelling around the city cost M6.50 and they are available in stations around town.

For information on catching taxis in Lesotho and Maseru, call Comfort Taxis and speak to Khosana on +266 6274 5199.

For information on catching taxis in Lesotho, Moonlight taxis are on +266 22312695.

See
There is not a huge deal to see in Maseru, as the city is essentially a base for expeditions and travels deeper into Lesotho.

 * The Mokorotlo. One of the country's most monumental buildings, the Mokorotlo is the traditional hut built in a modern sophisticated style, it is a virtual museum where you can learn more about the cultures and tradition of the friendly Basotho nation.
 * Thetsane is worth having a wander around on a weekday - two kilometres south of Maseru on Pioneer Road (past the Pope's Podium) are a cluster of factories that churn out t-shirts and jeans for numerous US chain stores, including Children's Place and Gap (if you've ever bought an Old Navy top chances are it was stitched together here). The chaotic hustle and bustle of Thetsane contrasts sharply with the slow pace of life elsewhere in Lesotho, and it's a fascinating place to see what African industrialisation looks like.
 * Lesotho National Museum. A museum that holds traditional sculptures and a wide range of traditional art and historical artifacts devoted to Lesotho's history.

Do

 * The Lehakoe Club and Gym, Moshoeshoe Road (next to the Central Bank, near the Houses of Parliament) Excellent gym by any standards, with 2 swimming pools, tennis & squash courts, steam rooms and sauna. M400 per month membership, also daily and weekly membership available.
 * Lesotho National Tennis Courts Kingsway bypass, functional and cheap tennis courts, tuition available.
 * Maseru Golf Course, play a round with some alcoholic expats.
 * Moeshoeshoe Day is celebrated in Maseru in early March with colourful processions through the city centre.
 * Hike up the Hill behind the casino. Behind the hotel is a rocky hill (where Chinese built the parliament building - Lesotho supports the One China policy). Should take about 30 minutes to climb but is well worth the effort - go before sunset and take your camera!
 * Hike up the Hill behind the casino. Behind the hotel is a rocky hill (where Chinese built the parliament building - Lesotho supports the One China policy). Should take about 30 minutes to climb but is well worth the effort - go before sunset and take your camera!
 * Hike up the Hill behind the casino. Behind the hotel is a rocky hill (where Chinese built the parliament building - Lesotho supports the One China policy). Should take about 30 minutes to climb but is well worth the effort - go before sunset and take your camera!

Supermarkets and food

 * Pick n Pay, Pioneer Shopping Centre, Pioneer Road - Well-stocked South African supermarket and liquor store.
 * OK Shoprite, Kingsway (LNDC Centre, behind the Vodacom shop) - Good stocking up place before you head to the mountains
 * OK Shoprite, Moeshoeshoe Rd - again a good stock up place.

Crafts

 * Basotho Hat, Kingsway - a government run craft store which stocks locally made crafts. Large variety of beautiful hand-made jewelry of copper and ceramics, dresses, wire push toys. Worth poking your head in just to enjoy the unusual architecture.

Budget

 * White Box Food, not a restaurant, but a good budget eating option - on Kingsway at lunchtime lots of food vendors are cooking up chicken, pork, rice and papa and serving it to the office workers in town for around M12-15 a box - very tasty and very filling.
 * Peace Restaurant, Moeshoeshoe Rd (just down from Nando's) - at the back of a Chinese grocery shop the Peace Restaurant offers an authentic Chinese eating experience - good food, plastic chairs, Chinese karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights! You can almost believe you are in Chin.a
 * Good Times Cafe, LNDC Centre, Kingsway (above the Vodacom shop) - the only nightspot in Maseru also serves up adequate South African fare - OK for lunch if you have 1.5 hours or more. Tends to be empty in the evenings except for a few expats. Big screen for live football.

Mid-range

 * Lancer's Inn, Kingsway - good food but slow service.
 * Mohokare Restaurant, at Avani Maseru Hotel, has regional fare and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Drink

 * Good Times Cafe LNDC Centre, Kingsway (above the Vodacom shop) - the only non-hotel bar in Maseru likely to appeal to the tourist - can be very lively at weekends especially after pay-day (at end of the month) with live music and many of Lesotho's young and rich in attendance - but can be quiet on week nights.
 * Lesotho Sun - Pool bar - Great for sundowners. Buy-1-get-1-free on Fridays 5PM-7PM (very popular)
 * UN Club - the opening times are a little unpredictable, but worth a try for the more adventurous - it's next to the Sparrows bar and gas station behind Lancers Inn (GPS / Google Earth coordinates 29°18'57.63"S 27°28'48.57"E)
 * Local bar in the suburbs - want to get off the tourist trail and see some suburban Maseru life? Try this bar - safe and friendly (and cheap), with a pleasant beer garden out back used for hosting the occasional wedding reception.  About 2 km southeast of the cathedral traffic circle, just off main south (GPS / Google Earth coordinates 29°19'40.17"S  27°30'24.83"E)

Budget
Many backpacker types pass through Maseru en route to Semonkong Lodge or Malealea in the mountains, or head to Ladybrand in South Africa. However do not discount Maseru as a budget overnight destination - there are affordable accommodation options, the best of which is probably the Lesotho-Durham link.

The following budget accommodations were built as training centres although they do cater for travellers if you ask in advance!

Internet access
In Maseru, there are several internet cafes, although fairly cheap (usually LSL0.20-0.50 per min) they are pretty slow at best. The main internet cafés are:
 * 999 Internet, Kingsway (opposite the Post Office). The best value in Maseru
 * Leo Internet, (near the Basotho Hat)
 * The Lesotho Sun, very expensive.

Mobile phones
Cellphones are available for hire from various shops in Maseru. If visiting Lesotho (or anywhere in Southern Africa) then bring an unlocked cellphone with you and buy pay-as-you-go SIM cards in each country you stay - a good way of staying connected. Most towns in Lesotho have cellphone coverage.

Parking
A guarded parking can be found at the corner of Pioneer Rd and Kingsway (enter from Pioneer Rd). Hourly rates.

Post
There is a large Post Office on Kingsway. Post is unreliable and can take up to a month to reach its destination, but usually more likely to take a fortnight. Sending a letter by airmail will cost you approx M2.40.

Embassies and consulates

 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇺🇸 United States

Go next
In Lesotho:
 * Leribe - town in the north of the country
 * Semonkong - pony trekking in the Highlands and to the impressive falls
 * Malealea - pony trekking in the Highlands from the large lodge
 * Thaba Bosiu - historic mountain fortress of the Masotho

In South Africa:
 * Ladybrand - the closest town across the border. A nice place to escape to if you are living in Lesotho and are craving Western-ness!
 * Bloemfontein - the nearest cinema (again, will only be useful to know this if you are living in Lesotho!)

title: Maseru


text:
Mashhad

Almost everything about Mashhad relates to its role as the holiest city in Iran, even its name (literally: burial place of the martyr). As the capital of Iran's Khorasan province, Mashhad's year-round cool temperatures and fascinating insights into the Shi'ite heartland have much to offer visitors.

Understand
Mashhad started life out as Sanabad, a village pitstop for trade caravans headed towards Turkmenistan. But in the ninth century, the eighth Shi'ite Imam Ali Bin Moosa Al Reza, the great-grandson of Imam Ali who was the cousin & son in law of Prophet Mohammad was poisoned by the jealous caliph of the time. Imam Reza was buried in Mashhad, and his shrine became one of the holiest sites to the Shi'ite Muslims after the Holy Kaaba in Saudi Arabia and Karbala in Iraq.

Over the next thousand years, the shrine complex was levelled, ransacked and rebuilt a number of times depending on the ruling army of the day. Today the shrine is the most important place in the city and in the whole of Iran.

Dress code for women is strict, as it is in any part of Iran, however a self encompassing chador is not a must for any lady in public place in city. For women, a simple headscarf or roo-sari, with a trenchcoat and pants are fine. Men are also not allowed to wear shorts. These rules are the same for any and all cities and villages in Iran; it is national law.

By plane
A taxi from the Holy Shrine area to the airport should not cost more than 150,000 rials.

By train
The is located just north of the Holy Shrine area. There are several regular trains from Mashhad to Tehran, both day trains and overnight trains. They vary in speed, price and quality, the fastest do the trip in 8 hours. There are night trains to Isfahan (one or two per day, 18 hours) and many other destinations.

You get here from Turkmenistan. There are trains from Ashgabat and Merv to the Sarakhs border. And at the other side of the border there is a daily train from the Sarakhs border to Mashhad.

By bus
There are mostly night buses to Mashhad from other important cities. There are no international buses from Ashgabat or anywhere in Turkmenistan. From the terminal walk outside to pay less for taxis. Alternatively, take the busway just in front of the terminal (10,000 riald) to connect to the metro.

Get around
Mashhad has a rapid transit system, which operates from 06:00-22:00 and cost 20,000 rials per trip.

See
Apart from Imam Reza shrine there is a number of large parks, the tombs of historical celebrities in nearby Tus and Nishapur, the tomb of Nadir Shah and Kooh Sangi park and Mellat Park that have modern attractions for children such as the tallest Ferris wheel or fanfar in Iran and Koohestan Park-e-Shadi Complex that includes a zoo, where many wild animals are kept and which attracts many visitors to Mashhad. It is also home to the Mashhad Airbase (formerly Imam Reza airbase), jointly a military installation housing Mirage aircraft, and a civilian international airport.

Some points of interest lie outside the city: the tomb of Khajeh Morad, along the road to Tehran; the tomb of Khajeh Rabi' north of the city where there are some inscriptions by the renowned Safavid calligrapher Reza Abbasi; and the tomb of Khajeh Abasalt, a distance of  from Mashhad along the road to Neishabur. (The three were all disciples of Imam Reza).

Among the other sights are the tomb of the poet Ferdowsi in Tus, distance, and the summer resorts at Torghabeh, Torogh, Akhlamad, Zoshk, and Shandiz.

The Shah Public Bath, built during the Safavid era in 1648, is an outstanding example of the architecture of that period. It has been restored, and is to be turned into a museum.

Buy
Mashhad has three large bazaars. Interesting things to buy include Khorassan crafts, fur-cloak, jewelry, perfume, saffron, and religious souvenirs.
 * Sara-ye Bazaar-e Reza Mostly a fabric and textile bazaar.
 * Kuwaiti Bazaar, on the 17th Shahrivar Square.
 * Bazaar-e bozorg-e markazy, on the corner of shirazi Av. and akhond-e khorasani st.(Shohada crossroad).
 * Shargh-Zist Trade Center All things with best prices, Tabarsi Sqr, north side of Holy Shrine.
 * Proma Trade Center, Janbaz Sqr.
 * Almas-e Shargh, Northern Khayyam Blvd.
 * Zist Khavar, Shariaty Sqr.
 * Zist Khavar, Shariaty Sqr.

Money
A few line up on Imam Khomeini Blvd., this is where rates are competitive. Hotels change at much worse rates, if at all.

Eat
Iranian cuisine is one of the best in the world. They do not eat spicy food but even then their food is very tasty. Chello Kebab is a very popular dish as well as Bakhtiari Kebab. There are also different kinds of breads available. So eating will be an assured good and affordable experience in Mashhad

You can find lots of great restaurants and all kinds of fast-foods are available. The most advertised restaurant of Mashhad (and one of the most expensive) is 'Padide Shandiz'. There are also numerous other decent restaurants in Shandiz. Full meals with rice cost US$5-20.

Padide Shandiz address: Shandiz town.

You can find a kind of ice-cream named ice pack "Persian: آیس پک" in mashhad. it's really great to taste it. There are lots of Ice Pack bars in Mashhad. The main one is placed at "Shariati Sqr". This kind of ice-cream can be found with all kinds of flavors like chocolate, apple, cherry, strawberry, coffee, peach and all kind of fruits. This type of ice-cream was invented in Iran, is even getting popular in the United States of America.

Sleep
Mashhad attracts huge number of visitors specially during the summer months, so be sure to make travel reservations in advance. Mashhad can also be very cold during winters, hence heavy woolens are required during winters. Even in summers nights are pretty cold and requires light woolens.

Hotels
Five-star hotels in the city are: Pars Hotel, Ghasr Talaee international Hotel, Ghasr International Hotel and Pardisan Hotel. There are also couple of good hotels near the Imam Ali Bin Moosa Al Reza Shrine, namely Khayyam Hotel, Ghadir International to name a few. The Shrine is 10 min. walk from the Khayyam Hotel and the rent for double bedroom with attached bath is US$100-120 per night. but the rent for Ghasr Talaee Hotel is very expensive about US$400 per night. But there are lots of rooms for rent around the shrine which are pretty cheap and suitable to rent, they are ranged from US$30-90 per night depending on the distance from shrine.

Stay safe

 * In crowded places and places of worship, such as the Holy Shrine, be careful about pick-pockets. Take care of your possessions as there's a small risk of theft by pick-pockets.

Emergency services

 * Police: 110
 * Fire department: 125
 * EMS: 115
 * Road EMS: 115 or 112

Cope
The following countries have consulates in Mashad:

Inside Iran
You can easily use ground transportation and visit these ancient cities in a short period of time:
 * Tous — the hometown of Ferdowsi, the great Iranian poet of the 10th century (AD) and the author of Shaahnaameh, a great Iranian epic masterpiece.
 * Nishapur — hometown and the place of tombs of Khayyaam and Attaar, two poets and polymaths. Khayyaam was also a great mathematician and astronomer.
 * Torghabeh — beautiful countryside.
 * Torghabeh Shandiz — beautiful countryside.

Turkmenistan
Since no public transportation goes across the Turkmen border, to get to Ashgabat in Turkmenistan, the following option is the most convenient:
 * Take a bus to Quchan: every 2 hours from 06:30. Cost: 8,000 rials. Duration: 2 hr 30 min.
 * From Quchan, take a private taxi to Bajgiran (village at the border). Cost: 60,000 rials for 2, or less if you can. Duration: about 1 hr.
 * At Bajgiran, go to the border (opening time: 07:30 - 15:30 Iran time). Crossing the border can take up to 2 hours. Turkmen police will ask for an entry tax of $10 (per person) + $2 of bank fees (per group), to be paid in US dollars only.
 * On the Turkmenistan side, take a taxi to Ashgabat, which can cost up to US$15 per person. Duration: about 1 hr.

Afghanistan
Herat in Afghanistan is a few hundred kilometers from Mashhad.

title: Mashhad


text:
Mashiko

Mashiko (益子) is a rural town in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Mashiko is famous for its pottery, known as Mashiko yaki (益子焼). Mashiko is the site of Saimyoji temple, one of the oldest temples in Tochigi prefecture, and the shrine of the Utsunomiya han, located in Kami-Oba (上大羽).

Understand
Large noborigama kilns were first founded there in 1853, by immigrant potters from the neighboring pottery community Kasama in Ibaraki prefecture. Simple and rustic in style, the main glazes are a clear wood ash glaze, a white rice husk ash glaze, black and kaki (persimmon), sometimes decorated with enamel red, yellow and green. These are worlds apart from the courtly ceramics of Kyoto but yet very Japanese.

Pottery has been made since Jomon times (over 10,000 years ago) in Mashiko, but modern Mashiko yaki dates only to 1853. The style was popularized by the potter Shoji Hamada. He was designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (so-called Ningen Kokuhō, Living National Treasure) in 1955. Because of Hamada, Mashiko yaki has been viewed as a good example of Mingei (Folkcraft) pottery.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a bilingual guide site.

Get in
Mashiko is a convenient day trip from Tokyo, and it is easy to get there by car, train, bus, or some combination of all three.

By train
The fastest route is to take the JR Utsunomiya Line from Ueno to Oyama, which takes 42 min by Shinkansen or 82 min by normal train. Change here for the Mito line to Shimodate (21 min), then change yet again to the private Mōka Railway line to Mashiko (41 min). By normal train, the total cost is ¥2360 and the trip takes around three hours one way with transfer time factored in.

An alternative approach not much different in time or price is to take the JR Jōban line from Ueno to Toride, then change to the private Kantetsu-Jōsō line to Shimodate.

Note that the Mōka Railway (真岡鉄道) runs steam locomotives (coded as "SL" on schedules) once a day in each direction on Saturdays. The SL fare is about double the regular fare of ¥740 between the two stations. The railway station at Mōka is shaped like a giant steam locomotive.

By bus
Another alternative is to take the train to Utsunomiya and continue from there by Toya bus directly to Mashiko. The bus stops are in front of the main entrance to the train station. Look for bus station number 14 to Mashiko. Buses leave approximately hourly, take one hour and cost ¥1100. Remember, you don't have to be at a bus stop in the Jonai shopping area: just raise your hand and get the driver's attention and they'll stop and let you on.

Get around
While Mashiko is small enough to get around on foot, there are also many special attractions surrounding the town, such as pottery studios and workshops, shrines and temples, and noodle shops and gardens hidden up the mountains and valleys. It's sufficiently stretched out to make it a bit of hike, from the train station to the pottery area, but along the way if you look carefully you can see the remainders of the old commercial district, such as the tatami and basketmaking shops. It's possible to rent bicycles at the train station for a cost of ¥800 per day, or ¥400 for two hours, plus ¥100 for each additional hour.

Maps and English brochures are available from the tourist information office to your right as you exit the platform at Mashiko station.

See
The town consists of many different pottery workshops, kilns and retail shops. It also has an excellent selection of restaurants as well. The twice-yearly weeklong Pottery Markets (陶器市 Tōki-ichi), held in April–May and November, are good times to visit. Many workshops in town set up stalls throughout the town, and stores large and small hold sales of specially discounted work. There are also several matsuri throughout the year, the one in late July being the largest and best attended, featuring laquered wagons carved in Kanuma by the workers who built Nikko many generations ago.

Buy
The primary thing to purchase in Mashiko is pottery. The main street from the station to the center of town is filled with shops and boutiques offering all kinds and all price levels of ceramics. If you look closely, you'll also discover the indigo dyeing workshop and other handcrafts as well.

Twice a year, coinciding with the Golden Week Holidays in the first week of May, and again for the first week of November, there is a pottery and crafts festival where potters and craftsmen from Mashiko and surrounds come to the town and set up stalls. A great chance to pick up some stunning pottery and other crafts including woodwork, leatherwork, glass, jewellery and textiles, and great bargains.

Eat
While thirty years ago Mashiko was a veritable desert of ceramics, that is not the case today. You can find many different restaurants and a broad selection of interesting things to eat whatever you're interested in, running the gamut from katsukare to a broad assortment of local, organic, vegetarian restaurants. It's easy to find ramen and gyoza inexpensively at "PePe" next to Moegi, excellent tonkatsu at Restaurant "Kotori", handmade soba at Azuman, and while it's a little known secret, there's an Italian woodfiring bread on a little back road that's served on the tables of some of the finest restaurants in Tokyo! The collection of shops known as Starnet also has a cafe and restaurant up the hill which is worthwhile. Kamakura soba tops a mountain overlooking the town and has an excellent view!

"Mashiko no Sato" is a traditional cake made in Mashiko city. It taste like sweet potato, and is very popular as souvenirs. The price is about ¥120 a piece. It is sold in most large souvenir shops in Tochigi.

Sleep
Many people make Mashiko a daytrip from Tokyo or go onto Nikko for the night, but there are also several Ryokan, Minshuku and Onsen to stay at in Mashiko.

Connect
Mashiko's tourism office is at the train station. Open daily 08:00 to 20:00, tel. +81 285-72-8846 (or +81 284-72-2111 on weekends and holidays). With advance notice, they can arrange pottery classes for you.

Go next

 * The shrines and parks of Nikko are within easy striking distance of Mashiko.
 * Moka
 * Motegi
 * Ichikai
 * Chikusei
 * Sakuragawa
 * Kasama
 * Haga
 * Utsunomiya

title: Mashiko


text:
Mashonaland

Mashonaland is a region in northern Zimbabwe. It is inhabited by the Shona people.

Cities

 * - the capital of Zimbabwe
 * - with the Chinhoyi Caves
 * - at the entrance to the Eastern Highlands
 * - birthplace of former president Robert Mugabe
 * - birthplace of former president Robert Mugabe

Other destinations

 * – a flooded quarry that is a dive site

title: Mashonaland


text:
Mashpee

Mashpee is in Massachusetts on Cape Cod. It includes the village of New Seabury. Purchased in 1660 to be a reservation for the Wampanoag tribe and later revoked and incorporated as a town. Until the 1960s, Wampanoags made up the majority of the population.

Get in

 * From Boston take Route 3 south to the Sagamore Bridge and continue on Route 6 to Route 130 which leads to Mashpee.
 * From Providence take Interstate Route 195 to 495 and cross the Bourne Bridge. Proceed on Route 28 to Route 151.

Sleep
Compared to other Cape Cod towns, Mashpee does not have a lot of lodging.

title: Mashpee


text:
Masirah Island

Masirah Island is in Central Coastal Oman.

Understand
Masirah is an Indian Ocean island off the east coast of Oman and is 95 km long and between 12 and 14 km wide. The population is estimated to be 12,000. It contains an Omani air base, a fish factory, and a few small towns.

The island slowly started to appear on the traveller radar in the 1990s and it holds interest for anyone seeking a real desert island experience. Its deserted beaches and interesting wildlife are the main draws. There is also great potential for watersports here with the winds being especially attractive to kite surfers.

The rugged terrain of the island and surrounding rough coastline has led to the appearance of many wrecked dhows on the beaches of the island, most of them well preserved by the salt water and intense heat.

By ferry
[http://www.nfc.om/index.php? The National Ferry Company] runs regular vehicle ferries from (or Shannah, tel. +968 2521 6161) on the east coast of the mainland, which take about 1½ hours to arrive in  (tel. +968 2550 4884). The ferries are old converted tank landing craft, and run four times daily from 09:00 until 18:00 but only at high tide (the waters are very shallow). Passengers one way: OMR 3/1.50 (adult/child); cars one way: OMR 16/20 (passenger car/4WD)

By car
51 traverses most of this island.

Beaches
The east coast beaches are wild and windy whilst those on the west coast are calmer and most suitable for swimming. Dhow wrecks are all around the island and there is a very accessible 250-ton example which was wrecked on the east coast in 1993.

Turtles
Four species breed on Masirah's beaches, including the largest number of Loggerheads anywhere in the world with at least 30,000 nesting females on the northern beaches. The shallow offshore waters are great for snorkelling, and you will easily come across turtles this way as well as on the beaches at night as they come ashore to lay. Other hatching areas for green turtles are the beaches at Ras al Hadd (close to Sur) and nearby Ras al-Jinz.

Sleep
Camping is probably still the most common way of experiencing Masirah but there are also a handful of small, new hotels.

Camping
Camping is popular on Masirah Island and there are few restrictions about where. Beaches are naturally the most popular choices.

Go next

 * Duqm
 * Muscat, around 5 hours by car

title: Masirah Island


text:
Masjed Solayman

Masjed Soleyman (Persian: مسجدسليمان; also Romanized as Masjed Soleymān, Masjed-e Soleymān, Masjed Soleiman, and Masjid-i-Sulaiman) is a city in Khuzestan Province, Iran.

See
Masjed Soleiman's most interesting parish is Tembi, and historical and ancient site is Sarmasjed Temple in the northeast. Sarmasjed temple is on the verge of Sarmasjed terrace, in ancient time fire had been continuously flaming inside it. And according to historians was the capital of Achaemenian Reign. Among other Masjed Soleiman ancient relics, is the ancient Temple of Bard-e-Neshande.

title: Masjed Solayman


text:
Maslinica

Maslinica is a village situated on the west coast of the island of Solta. It's characterized by beautiful scenery, making it the picturesque cove and pinewood in the southern side and the immediate surroundings with deep, well-protected cove Šešulom and archipelago of seven islands.

The largest among them was raised in a V-VI centuries old Christian church with a monastery, of which up to now of remains. The natural meaning of Maslinica complete historical landscape architectural and environmental values of baroque castle and picturesque vernacular houses.

Maslinica was established in 1703 when an aristocratic family Marchi asked from a Venetian governor approval for a new settlement and build a castle with towers for defense of frequent pirate attacks. The castle is now converted into an attractive and well-known restaurant "Conte Alberti".

Today, Maslinica is very attractive for tourists who want complete peace during day and night.

Get in
Ferries and boats line do not come here, so it is connected with Split through Rogač.

title: Maslinica


text:
Mason

There is more than one place called Mason:

United States of America

 * Mason City (Iowa) — A town in Iowa.
 * Mason (Michigan) — A town in Michigan.
 * Mason (Ohio) — A suburb of Cincinnati, in Southwestern Ohio.

title: Mason


text:
Mason (Ohio)

Mason is a suburb north of Cincinnati in Warren County, Ohio.

By car
From Interstate I-71 northbound, take Ohio Exit 24 (Western Row Road/Kings Island). At the end of the exit ramp, turn left (West) on Western Row Road/Tylersville Road. Stay right on the three lane road to stay on Tylersville Road. At the intersection of Tylersville Road with Mason-Montgomer Road, turn right (north). One mile north, Mason-Montgomery Road intersects with Main Street (State Route 42). You are now in downtown Mason, Ohio.

From Interstate I-71 southbound, take the Kings Mills Road exit. Kings Mills Road west. At a T-intersection, Route 741 turns north, Kings Mills turns south. Kings Mills Road curves through a residential neighborhood before turning back to the west. Kings Mills Ts into Main Street (State Route 42). Turn left (west) on Main Street about 3 blocks to the intersection of Main Street with Mason-Montgomery Road. You are in downtown Mason, Ohio.

From Interstate I-75, take the Tylersville Road exit. Drive east to the intersection of Mason-Montgomery Road with Tylersville Road. Turn left (north) onto Mason-Montgomery Road. One mile north, Mason-Montgomery Road intersects with Main Street (State Route 42). You are now in downtown Mason, Ohio.

By bus
SORTA, Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, provides bus service from downtown Cincinnati to a parking lot at Western Row Road and Columbia Road and along Bus Route 71/72 (I-71/Columbia Road/Montgomery Road/Fields Ertel Road).

By plane
Mason served by three major airports:
 * John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Columbus.
 * Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport [ http://www.cvgairport.com/].
 * James M Cox Dayton International Airport, Dayton.

Each airport can be accessed from Mason with at least some portion of interstate driving.

Estimated driving time from Mason to the airports are:
 * Mason to CVG: 45 minutes; I-71 South to I-75 South to I-275 West to Airport Exit.
 * Mason to CMH: 90 minutes; I-71 North to I-670 East to Airport Exit, Exit #9.
 * Mason to DAY: 60 minutes; Tylersville Road to I-75 North, through downtown Dayton, to I-70 West to Airport Exit.

Stay safe
Be alert for drunk drivers on the weekend.

Go next

 * Cincinnati
 * Dayton
 * Hamilton
 * Lebanon
 * Maineville
 * Monroe
 * Morrow
 * Pisgah
 * West Chester

title: Mason (Ohio)


text:
Mason City

Mason City is a city in Iowa, renowned for its collection of architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright and other Prairie School architects, considered the most significant concentration of such architecture outside of Oak Park, Illinois.

By car
U.S. Highways 18 and 65 go through Mason City. Interstate 35 runs through the nearby town of Clear Lake, about 7 miles west of Mason City.

Get around
Public transportation is close to non-existent in Mason City. There is a paratransit van service available but no public bus system in place.

Eat
The Northwestern Steakhouse is locally famous for its steaks. Birdsall's ice cream is also locally well-known for its delicious shakes, malts, and ice cream and is a local landmark, unchanged for decades.

title: Mason City


text:
Mason City (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Mason City:

United States of America

 * Mason City (Iowa) - A city in North Central Iowa.
 * Mason City (Illinois) - A town in Illinois.
 * Mason City (Nebraska) - A town in Nebraska.

title: Mason City (disambiguation)


text:
Masouleh

Masouleh is a small mountain village in Caspian Iran.

Masouleh architecture is unique. The buildings have been built into the mountain and are interconnected. Courtyards and roofs both serve as pedestrian areas similar to streets. Masouleh does not allow any motor vehicles to enter, due to its unique layout. It is the only village in Iran with such a prohibition. However, the small streets and many stairs simply also wouldn't make it possible for vehicles to enter.

The spectacular architecture of Masouleh is well-known as "The yard of the above building is the roof of the below building".

Yellow clay coats the exterior of most buildings in Masouleh. This allows for better visibility in the fog.

Buildings are mostly 2 stories (1st floor and below floor) made of adobe, rods and bole. Small living room, big Guest room, winter room, Hall, WC and Balcony are usually found in 1st floor. Cold closet, barn and stable are located at below floor that attaches to the upper floor by several narrow steps inside the building.

There are four main local communities at the village named: "Maza-var" (meaning: beside the Mosque) at the south, "Khana-var" (meaning: beside homes) at the East, "Kasha-sar" (meaning: stretched on top) at the North, and, "Assa-mahala" (meaning: Assad community) at the West. Apparently down-town is the Market (Bazaar) area and also the main mosque of the village, named: "O-ne-ben-ne Ali".

Get in
Minibus or savari from Fuman which is reachable by same mean of transport from Rasht. There are daily buses from Rasht to Tehran. There is also a direct bus connection from Tehran to Fuman and back but it might be harder to find.

Do
Hiking

There is a path on the other side of the village. It is a very nice walk.

Eat
There are restaurants catering for tourists. Also, you can buy tasty fresh made bread from market, other supplies from a couple of shops and prepare something to eat yourself.

Sleep
Many people in the village rent out rooms and this is probably the cheapest and most atmospheric way to spend the night. There is a couple of small hotels which have decent size rooms with bathroom and kitchen. In the bottom of the village there is a larger hotel but it is not recommended.

Connect
There is no internet cafes but there are public telephones available.

Go next
Masouleh Natural Springs

Masouleh has more than 2 natural springs, the most important of which are:

Whispering fountain

This fountain is located near the Masuleh River and because of its location near an iron mine, it has a very bitter iron taste.

The water color of this spring along the route to Masuleh River is seen in orange and the locals drink it after adding sugar. It is said to have a significant effect on the treatment of gastrointestinal and pulmonary diseases.

Ali Zakhuni spring

This spring is one of the most important mineral springs of Gilan, which is located above Masuleh market and is used for drinking water. The water of this spring is rich in bicarbonate and therefore it is effective in treating disorders of the human digestive system.

title: Masouleh


text:
Mazowieckie

Masovian Voivodeship (Polish: województwo mazowieckie [vɔjɛˈvutstfɔ mazɔˈvjɛtskʲɛ]) is one of sixteen provinces of Poland. The largest city and the capital of Mazowieckie - Warsaw is also the capital of Poland.

Understand
Masovia is located in central Poland and has many faces. For many centuries it was outside the main Polish areas, but gained importance with the Vistula river trade in the 15th century and Warsaw becoming the seat of Polish kings in the late 16th century. Nowadays the Warsaw Metropolis is the wealthiest area in the country with high life standards. More rural areas, especially in the northern part, are considered to be one of the poorest though.

The borders of the voivodeship do not correspond to the historic ones. This is why some Masovian areas around Łomża, Skierniewice or Łowicz are outside it, while important parts of Podlachia and Lesser Poland around Siedlce and Radom are incorporated.

History
Masovia was a part of Poland from the 10th century. At the beginning of the 12th century Płock in Masovia was for a short time the capital of Poland and two Polish princes from that period are buried in the Płock Cathedral. In 1138 Poland was divided in duchies united by the rule of the senior from Kraków and Masovia, with the capital in Płock, became one of these duchies ruled by Bolesław IV the Curly, the later senior of Poland, and his descendants from the local branch of the Piast dynasty. One of them was Konrad I of Masovia, who was the ruler who summoned the Teutonic Order to fight against the Old Prussians tribes in 1226. The duchy was divided into three smaller states ruled from Płock, Czersk (since 1413 Warsaw) and Rawa Mazowiecka. When the Polish kingdom was restored in 1295, the Duchy of Masovia remained first independent, but in 1351 the dukes of Masovia became vassals of the Kingdom of Poland. After the death of the last Masovian ruler, Janusz III of Masovia, in 1526, Masovia became an integral part of Poland.

15th and 16th centuries are considered to be the golden age of Masovia, as well as Polish Kingdom. Along major rivers cities were flourishing, especially Warsaw, Płock, Łomża, Ciechanów, Pułtusk. In the 16th century it was a densely populated, but weakly urbanised area. Many settlers from the region moved to the neighbouring regions of Prussia and Lithuania. Masovia was annexed by Prussia in the 1795 during the third partition of Poland. In 1807 it became part of the Duchy of Warsaw during the Napoleonic Wars and later part of the Congress Poland after the Congress of Vienna. In 1918 Masovia was included within the newly formed the Second Polish Republic. During World War II Nazi Germany occupied Poland and Masovia was divided between the General Government and the Province of East Prussia. It was subsequently restored to Poland after the war.

In 1999 the new Masovian Voivodeship was formed. Despite its name, the new borders aren’t historic ones.

Cities

 * – a small city in the north of the region known for the gothic castle ruins and the regional brewery Ciechan
 * – a small city in the north-eastern Masovia in the middle of Kurpie folkloristic region
 * – old Medieval centre of Masovia with many historic sites, located on a picturesque hill above the Vistula river
 * – a city within the historic Lesser Poland region, but integrated in 1999 into Masovia. Historic centre and several museums
 * – a small baroque city on the border between historic lands of Lesser Poland, Podlachia and Masovia.
 * — the capital of Poland, a city of unique, long and turbulent history is nowadays one of the EU's new thriving business centers. The Old Town has been rebuild according to classicist paintings of Canaletto after the destruction of World War II

Other destinations

 * — a historic town on the Vistula River known for one of the best preserved romanesque churches in Poland
 * — a spa resort on the Vistula River
 * – small historic town south of Radom in the historic Lesser Poland region
 * was the birthplace of the pianist Fréderic Chopin
 * has several 19th century vilas, with one shaped like a railway locomotive
 * has several 19th century vilas, with one shaped like a railway locomotive

Talk
Being home to Warsaw, travelers here will find the most diverse population group of Poland in Masovian Voivodeship and with that the most diverse collection of languages can be found here too. Naturally, Polish is the most widely spoken language, but following that, people will also find a multitude of Poles and foreigners who speak other languages such as English and German. Russian, Ukrainian, and Czech can be understood by a fair amount of Slavic language speakers. Some Poles will also be able to speak Spanish and French. Outside of Warsaw Metropolitan Area, the accessibility of information in other languages may be a bit lower. As it is common in Poland, knowledge of English is more widespread among the people under 40.

Get in
Due to the central location of Warsaw, the region is fairly easily accessible from all around the world by plane, train or car.

By plane
There are three airports with regular passenger traffic in Mazowieckie, two major ones serving Warsaw, and a small and new one in Radom.

Warsaw's Frederic Chopin Airport is the major airport, an intercontinental hub served by most of Europe's traditional airlines, including the national carrier LOT Polish Airlines (who offers direct flights to Chicago, New York, Toronto and Beijing), as well as Emirates and Qatar Airways. From the Chopin Airport you can reach most other major European airports directly, and with transfers you can easily reach other continents or smaller airports in Europe. Most domestic airports in Poland also have connections to the Chopin Airport via LOT's short-haul subsidiary, Eurolot.

The Modlin Airport to the north of Warsaw was opened in 2012 to serve low-fare airlines, and WizzAir and Ryanair offered a rich variety of connections. In late 2012, Modlin was closed temporarily due to technical problems. For at least the first half of 2013, all WizzAir and Ryanair flights were rerouted to Chopin Airport because of that. Airport is reopened and has low-fare airlines again (WizzAir and Ryanair)(May 2019).

Łódź Lublinek Władysław Reymont airport is about 1.5 hours drive from Warsaw and close to many destinations in Southern and Western Mazowieckie.

Get around
Public transportation is a great way to move around the major cities as well as between them. More rural areas are often more car dependent though.

By train
Koleje Mazowieckie is the regional train company in Masovia. The main routes within the region are from Warsaw to Skierniewice, to Kutno, to Łuków, to Małkinia, to Dęblin, to Skarżysko-Kamienna, and to Iłowo.

See

 * Royal Castle in Warsaw
 * One of many museums in Warsaw
 * Płock cathedral
 * A small town of Pułtusk
 * Masovian Village Open Air Museum in Sierpc
 * Castle in Czersk
 * Historical center in Góra Kalwaria

Stay safe
In Warsaw and other cities, commonsense precautions should prevail - don't flash large amounts of cash around, ensure the safe keeping of valuables, and the like. In rural areas, you'll need to take a few more precautions to save yourself time and hassle. Outside of Warsaw, you'll have a much more difficult time finding doctors or police. In some places, there won't be any gas stations or populated places around for many kilometers. So, you'll want to bring a map so as not to get lost.

Go next
Masovian Voivodeship borders six other Polish voivodeships:
 * Podlaskie,
 * Warmińsko-Mazurskie,
 * Kujawsko-Pomorskie,
 * Łódzkie,
 * Świętokrzyskie
 * and Lubelskie.

Masovia

title: Mazowieckie


text:
Massa

Massa is in Tuscany.

Go next

 * Carrara

title: Massa


text:
Massa-Carrara (province)

Massa-Carrara is a Province of the Tuscany Region of Italy.

Cities

 * – Capital of the Province

Other destinations

 * – A region within Massa-Carrara.

title: Massa-Carrara (province)