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South America

South America is part of the Americas and a continent of superlatives.

The world's biggest rainforest and the largest river by discharge (Amazon), the highest mountain range outside Asia (the Andes), remote islands (Galapagos Islands, Easter Island and Fernando de Noronha), heavenly beaches (such as in Brazil's Northeastern region), wide deserts (Atacama), icy landscapes (Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego), the world's tallest waterfall (the 979-m Angel Falls, in Venezuela) and one of the largest (Iguaçu Falls, Argentina and Brazil), as well as several other breathtaking natural attractions.

Humans have left their mark on the continent too: from ancient ruins (Machu Picchu and other Inca cities; the Moai in Easter Island) and the oldest rock paintings in the Americas (at the Serra da Capivara) to world-class metropolises (São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Bogotá, Caracas, Santiago, Lima and Rio de Janeiro), outstanding modern and European architecture (Brasilia, Buenos Aires), and charming cities built in the Andes (Caracas, Medellín, Quito, Santiago). Strong African heritage (in Salvador, Rio and Montevideo), genuine indigenous culture (Belém, Manaus, Cuzco, Lima, La Paz), and Eastern influence (São Paulo's enormous Japanese community) mingle with the fingerprints of Iberian colonizers. Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, and some of its biggest festivities, such as Rio's Carnival and Belem's Cirio de Nazaré, the Tango World Championship, and the Vendimia festival in Argentina, are also part of this incredibly diverse and attractive continent.

Cities

 * Bogotá — a city of contrasts with a hectic balance between the new and the old; the most cultural-minded of South American capitals
 * Buenos Aires — the city of tango and most cosmopolitan in Argentina
 * Caracas — full of theaters, malls, museums, art galleries, parks and well-conserved colonial architecture
 * La Paz — built in a canyon, the highest national capital in the world
 * Lima — the sprawling, Pacific coast capital of Peru is a center of cuisine
 * Montevideo — the pleasant capital city of Uruguay, situated on the east bank of the Rio de la Plata
 * Rio de Janeiro — famous for its breathtaking landscape, its laidback beach culture and its annual carnival
 * Santiago — capital of Chile with many museums, events, theaters, restaurants and bars
 * São Paulo — a hive of activity that offers a jovial nightlife and a diverse cultural experience

Other destinations

 * The Andes – the world's longest mountain range, and the highest outside of Asia
 * Canaima National Park – its main attraction are the Angel Falls, at 978 m, the highest waterfall on Earth
 * Easter Island – an isolated Polynesian island famous for its mysterious history and giant stone statues
 * Galapagos Islands – isolated islands with unique wildlife: this is where Darwin saw the evidence for natural selection
 * Iguaçu Falls – breathtaking waterfalls on the border between Argentina and Brazil
 * Machu Picchu – high in the mountains, the lost city of the Incas is a spectacular set of ruins
 * The Pantanal – large wetlands with diverse wildlife
 * Salar de Uyuni – Bolivia's seemingly endless salt flats
 * Tierra del Fuego – islands at the tip of South America, with rugged scenery, boat trips, and winter activities

See also the sections on South America in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

History
Before the arrival of the Europeans in the 16th century, the continent was home to different native American peoples, the most prominent being the Incas, whose empire stretched across much of the Andes, along the Inca Trails that are popular with trekkers today. Warfare and new diseases the colonizers brought with them afflicted the native population. Eventually the entire continent was conquered by Spain and Portugal, with some other countries establishing colonies in the northeast, one of which — French Guiana still belongs to a European nation. The last indigenous polity to hold out was the Mapuche in what is now Southern Chile, who were only conquered after Chilean independence. As a legacy of this, virtually all of the continent is today either Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking; nevertheless, native cultures and languages are still alive, particularly in Andean countries such as Bolivia and Peru, and also in Paraguay, where the Guarani language is co-official with Spanish and spoken by many Paraguayans without any indigenous heritage whatsoever. The continent is also pretty diverse, with almost any ethnicity you can think of having a presence, including Jews, Italians, Germans, Afro-Latinos, Japanese (mostly in Peru and Brazil), Indians (mostly in Guyana and Suriname), Chinese, Arabs, and various combinations of European, African and Indigenous.

Following a series of wars in the early 19th century, the colonies became independent and countries emerged largely in the form we know them today. However, the history of the continent has not been free from trouble, with (civil) wars, coups and periods of dictatorship occurring. Nevertheless, as with North America and Oceania, South America was and to some extent still is a popular destination for immigrants, first from Europe and later on also from other parts of the world.

Geography and climate
Two prominent geographical features of South America are the Amazon rainforest and the Andes. South of the Tropic of Capricorn the landscape is savanna on the east coast and as a rule of thumb, it gets dryer the further west one goes. West of the Andes you can find the driest place in the world — the Atacama Desert. Patagonia, covering much of the southernmost 2/3 of Argentina and Chile is cool and dry with steppe and some forest, somewhat reminiscent of Central Asia or the North American prairie.

Much of the continent is situated in the tropics and in these places the climate is defined by wet and dry seasons and constantly warm or hot temperatures (except for high-altitude locations in the Andes). The further south one goes, the more temperate the climate becomes and in Ushuaia (the southernmost city in the world) weather conditions are even reminiscent of coastal northern Scandinavia.

Culture
Football (soccer) is popular all over the continent, and it is often said that football is not just a sport but a religion. It is common to see children in rural areas and slums playing football in the street, and top level football matches often attract sold-out crowds. By far the most famous rivalry on the continent is that between the two giants of Brazil and Argentina. Men's national teams compete in the Copa América, whose standard of football is generally regarded to be on par with the European Championships. The South American continental championship for clubs is known as the Cope Libertadores, and the standard of football is generally regarded to be good, but lower than in the UEFA Champions' League as most of the top South American footballers play for European clubs.

Linguistically and religiously, the continent is at least superficially homogeneous, with Romance languages and Catholicism being the "norm" in almost all countries. However, in the latter half of the 20th century, U.S.-style Evangelical Christianity and irreligion started making major inroads, the former mostly among the poor and the latter often among urban and university-educated youth. Pockets of indigenous religions survive, too, and every winter solstice, the indigenous people in Cuzco, Peru re-enact the traditional Inca festival of the sun god, Inti Raymi. There is also a following for Yoruba and African Diaspora religions such as Candomblé, especially in Brazil.

Peru and Bolivia are probably the best places to experience pre-Columbian culture with traditional dishes, clothing, handicraft and language still around together with attractions like Machu Picchu or Tiwanaku.

By plane

Getting to South America has gotten much easier due to massive increases in flights to the continent by major global airlines. Although some particular places are still quite hard to reach (e.g. Paraguay, Suriname, northern Brazil), the places that you most likely want to go, such as Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport, are more accessible than ever before.

 * From Africa: the only (reliable) options worth considering would be the South African Airways service linking O. R. Tambo International Airport with São Paulo - Guarulhos; or the Ethiopian Airlines service from Addis Ababa to Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport and São Paulo - Guarulhos. There are also connections between Luanda and Rio de Janeiro, Salvador de Bahia and Recife with Taag Angola Airlines. Do realize that demand between Africa and South America is very limited, so even the aforementioned services are infrequent and fares may be quite high.
 * From Asia: Be prepared for a very long journey, especially if your itinerary includes connecting flights to travel to/beyond the major Asian and South American hubs. São Paulo - Guarulhos is the only destination with flights from the Far East. The Korean Air route between Seoul-Incheon and São Paulo - Guarulhos involves a stop in the United States (LAX) therefore it will require all passengers, including those in transit, to pass through U.S. customs and immigration. Air China flies to São Paulo from Beijing Capital via Madrid Barajas. From the Middle East there are some more alternatives; Emirates (Dubai), Etihad (Abu Dhabi) and Qatar Airways (Doha) all fly nonstop to São Paulo. Of these Qatar Airways continues down to Buenos Aires and Emirates has another line to South America — via Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport to Buenos Aires.
 * From Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific: A somewhat surprising number of options exist. LATAM Airlines serve Auckland and Sydney from their hub at Santiago. Qantas introduced a non-stop service between Sydney and Santiago in March 2012, and Air New Zealand flies direct from Auckland to Buenos Aires. LATAM also operates one of the world's most obscure flights of all - a service linking Santiago-Easter Island-Tahiti. From Perth Emirates provides affordable flights to Buenos Aires with a stopover in Dubai, around 30 hours total flying time.
 * From Europe: The political, social, and economic ties between (former) colonies and their (former) metropoles remain strong. Portuguese flag carrier TAP Airlines is by far the leading foreign carrier to Brazil, serving a slew of destinations in North and East Brazil as well as the Brazilian capital Brasilia which otherwise have only limited or absolutely no other international connections. Spanish flag carrier Iberia flies to most of the former Spanish colonies, although neither Bolivia nor Paraguay are served. KLM flies between Amsterdam Schiphol and Suriname and Air France links Paris-Orly with French Guiana. Of course, such services are not exclusive - KLM also flies to Lima, TAP to Caracas, Air France to Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport and Lima, etc. Other leading European airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss Airlines, and ITA Airways also serve key South American gateways from their respective hubs, while South American airlines also operate into several major European cities as well. Air Europa also flies to many South American cities via their Madrid hub and connecting flights mainly across Western Europe.
 * From North America: Historically Miami airport has been the main gateway to South America from the US, however hubs at Atlanta airport, Dallas/Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Benito Juárez International Airport, New York, Newark Liberty Airport, Orlando, Toronto, and Washington-Dulles offer viable alternatives, with airlines such as Air Canada, United and Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. American discount carriers such as Spirit Airlines and JetBlue now serve Colombia, Brazil and Peru. Latin American carriers such as Avianca, LATAM and Copa Airlines provide good hubs in the region.

By car
Although it looks like there is a land connection with the Pan-American Highway, there are actually no roads connecting Panama with Colombia through the infamous Darien Gap and hence it is not possible to drive from Central America. People overcome this problem by shipping their cars from Colon (Atlantic side in Panama) to Cartagena or Barranquilla (Colombia), or from Panama City (Pacific side of the Panama canal) to Buenaventura (Colombia) or Guayaquil (Ecuador).

Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru and Brazil have good roads. Night time driving is generally dangerous on this continent.

By train
There are no railroads between Panama and Colombia, so you can't enter the continent by train.

Around South America trains are not often the best option or even an option, as most lines have been neglected for most of the last decades. Some lines do however offer the chance to see amazing scenery.

By boat
There are a couple of ferries linking Panama and Colombia, and they are also the only way to get a car from Central to South America.

Some cruise liners cover the towns in the lower Caribbean (Cartagena, Santa Marta, Margarita Island). Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Princess Cruises, spanish line Pullmantur

Visas
The Union of South American Nations gives visa-free access and a customs union between all countries in South America. With the exception of Suriname, visitors from industrialized countries generally do not need visas anywhere in South America. Exceptions are mainly in off-the-beaten-path countries; for instance, American, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand citizens need a visa on arrival for Paraguay as a tit-for-tat for fees Paraguayan citizens pay for those countries' visas. Also, citizens of Russia, Turkey and some Asian countries don't need visas in most of South America, and very few nationalities have to obtain a visa for entering Ecuador. Yellow fever vaccinations may be necessary to enter some countries.

By plane
For longer distances, consider flying. In South America international flights are usually from capital to capital with domestic flights from the capital (the exceptions to this are São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro with flights to all over the continent). Some airlines, like Aerolineas Argentinas have remarkable discounts on domestic connections if arriving on their intercontinental flights. The oneworld alliance offers an flight pass which might be a smart choice if you plan a longer South American tour. South America has thus far not seen the explosion of low cost airlines that have happened in Europe, Asia and even Africa to some extent and - mostly for political reasons - international flights can be surprisingly expensive. A flight within the continent can be as expensive or even more expensive than an intercontinental connection to get you to South America in the first place.

By train
There are no cross-country train services in South America, and with the exception of Argentina and Chile, domestic networks are quite limited. Unfortunately for most of the second half of the 20th century networks have been cut and service has been reduced. There has been a renaissance of sorts, but in most cases it has thus far (2015) resulted in more talks than actual construction. There are a number of very scenic "tourist trains" though, including the 445-km Quito-Guayaquil route in Ecuador. The spectacular "tren a las nubes" (train to the clouds) running on a route that formerly connected Argentina and Chile, but only on a portion within Argentina, is the highest train in South America.

By bus
Buses are the main form of land transportation for much of the continent, they represent an economical but slower alternative to flying.

Beyond very cheap chicken buses, long distance buses fall under 3 general comfort levels: Semicama, Cama, Cama Suite. These names tend to shift from country to country.

Be aware that although most of the violence of the Cold war era is over some parts of some countries are still not entirely safe and crossing them by bus might not be a smart idea. For more on that issue read the stay safe sections of the respective country, region or city articles.

By boat
You can go from Montevideo to Valparaiso by cruise, touching Falkland Islands, Ushuaia and Puerto Montt. Or with an extension to Antarctica.

Also along the South American coast from Buenos Aires up to Brazil. You can do all the Amazon River by boat, starting in Peru, through all Brazil.

Between Argentina and Uruguay you can cross Rio de la Plata by ferry.

There are also all kinds of boat along the Amazon river.

Talk
Spanish is the official language in all countries except Brazil, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, and is widely spoken even in the countries that are not historically Spanish speaking. The dialect varies between countries although all are noticeably different from the 'Castilian Spanish' standard found in Spain or the Mexican dialect taught to many students in the Southwestern US.

Portuguese is the official language in Brazil, which comprises about half the population and land area of the continent. Note that the dialect is very different to that of Portuguese spoken in Portugal. Spanish and Portuguese are closely related and knowing one will provide you some basic communication ability in the other.

In the border area between Uruguay and Brazil some people are fluent in an ad hoc mishmash of Portuguese and Spanish known as portuñol and it is certainly viable for crude communication if you don't speak the other language, though Portuguese speakers tend to have an easier time understanding Spanish than vice versa.

Much like the English language, expressions and slang terms can change dramatically from country to country or even city to city. As words that have a totally innocuous meaning in one place can have a vulgar or "dirty" meaning elsewhere, it is good to do some research before using words like "coger" (meaning "take" in Spain, and a vulgar reference to sexual intercourse in most of Spanish America) or "bicha" (meaning "a line of people waiting" in Portugal, but a very derogatory way of referring to a gay man in Brazil) in the wrong context and possibly offending people or causing puerile snickering instead of getting a serious answer.

There are also many indigenous peoples living in South America who speak their own languages, and if you are really going off the beaten track, you might have to learn them too. The most notable Native American languages in South America are Quechua (Bolivia and Peru) and Guaraní (80% of the population of Paraguay). In the Falkland Islands and Guyana, English is the official language, while in Suriname and French Guiana, the official languages are Dutch and French respectively.

With the exception of Suriname, second-language English proficiency tends to be poor throughout the continent. That said, many people working in the tourism industry, as well as business people who regularly deal with foreign clients, speak a conversational level of English.

See
A sizable number of the world's largest, longest or highest natural wonders are located in South America. Perhaps the first thing you will notice when looking on a map of the continent is the world's largest rainforest, the Amazon, covering much of Brazil. Moreover it also features the world's largest wetlands, Pantanal, Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall as well as the better known Iguaçu Falls. Other bodies of water worth mentioning include the Amazon river (by some measures the world's longest river and the one with the largest drainage basin), the world's highest commercially navigable body of water Lake Titicaca, and the wide Rio de la Plata (between Uruguay and Argentina) which is more like a bay of the Atlantic Ocean.

In the west lies the "backbone" of the continent — the Andes. This mountain chain, which is the longest in the world, contains Aconcagua which at a height of almost 7,000 m is the highest mountain outside Asia. As the Earth is at its thickest at the Equator, the peak of Chimborazo (6,268 m) is the point in the world furthest away from the center of the Earth. Right next to these mighty mountains lays the Atacama desert which is the driest and possibly oldest in the world. The white spot that can be seen on satellite footage is the Salar de Uyuni. Located at 3,656 m above the sea level it is — you guessed it — the world's largest salt flat.

The Galapagos Islands, 1,000 km off the coast, feature a unique and fearless fauna (see Galapagos wildlife). There are several iconic and unique animals on the mainland too (see South and Central American wildlife), including llamas and other camelids, jaguars, capybaras, opossums and monkeys and on the other hand less pleasant creatures that are poisonous or spread tropical diseases. Another, equally famous island in the Pacific is Easter Island.

While most people would think of South America as rainforest or desert, this is mostly but not entirely true — Los Glaciares National Park in southwestern Argentina will prove otherwise. Overall the climate and landscape of the far south actually recalls Norway or parts of Canada. Here you can find Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city and a gateway to Antarctica. South America also holds the record for the world's highest national capital La Paz.

It's certainly not only in modern times that people have lived and worked in the Andes even at altitudes where you are likely to contract altitude sickness. Particularly in Peru and Bolivia, you will find many beautiful and famous archaeological sites from the age before the Europeans, connected by pre-Columbian Inca Trails if you want to get around the traditional way. Among them the most famous is undoubtedly Machu Picchu, but places like Chan Chan and Tiwanaku are also deservedly inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Peru also features the Nazca lines, constructed 1500 years ago for an unknown purpose and only visible from air.

The European heritage includes mining towns in the mountains, unsurprisingly a lot of churches and missions and other colonial architecture along the coasts. Of course, in places like São Paulo, Buenos Aires and Santiago you can also see skyscrapers archetypical to any metropolis in the world. And let's not forget about Rio de Janeiro with its world-famous beaches Copacabana and Ipanema with the Sugarloaf mountain, Pão de Açúcar, in the background.

South America offers a variety of cultural experiences. In the Andes, native traditions and languages still live strong. The east and south of the continent is more of a blend of cultures that immigrants from Europe, Africa and other parts of the world have brought with them; probably the best example of this is the Brazilian carnival.

Itineraries

 * Buenos Aires to Machu Picchu overland
 * Caminhos do Imigrante
 * Colombia to Patagonia overland
 * El Choro Trek
 * Estrada Real
 * Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos
 * Inca Trail
 * Paraguay River
 * Voyaging along the Amazon River

Do

 * Tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay
 * Travel the wilderness in a Jeep on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
 * Cycle down the Death Road outside La Paz, Bolivia
 * Soak up the sun on the famous beaches of Brazil
 * Explore the pristine jungle in the many nature reserves of the Amazon rainforest
 * Bike through old Dutch plantations in Suriname
 * Ski on the Andes in Chile or Argentina
 * Experience a football (soccer) match anywhere in South America

Hiking
As home to the Andes, the longest mountain range in the world, South America is a huge destination for hiking and trekking. The Andes are magnificent and breathtakingly beautiful, and their terrain varies from snowy peaks to stark passes to lush forests. Peru is probably the most famous trekking destination, including the world-famous Inca Trail and many lesser-known but equally rewarding journeys. Bolivia also has many popular peaks climbable by non-experienced mountaineers on tours, and a lot of unknown but equally beautiful 1- to 12-day hikes through the mountains and into the rain forest. Argentina and Chile, with their long Andean border, have a wide variety of hikes as well. In fact, almost every country on the continent has beautiful mountains with great hikes, the exceptions being low-lying Paraguay, Suriname, and Uruguay.

Buy
Some national currencies experience volatility from time to time, in the 2010s most notably Venezuela, where the official exchange rate of the Bolivar is laughably disconnected from reality. In most countries the US dollar often used alongside local currencies, and prices of goods worth over a few hundred dollars may actually be quoted in US dollars.
 * In Ecuador, the official paper currency is the US dollar, while the government mints its own coinage, set equal to the US coins. In much of South America, US gold dollar coins are used commonly, and are often included in transactions.
 * With respect to Venezuela, the Bolivar fuerte is worth much less than its official value and you basically have to use the black market if you don't want your stay to become very expensive.
 * There is also limited use of euros (in French Guiana) and British pound sterling (in the Falkland Islands). Currencies other than US dollars tend to be of little use and hard to exchange outside their immediate area of use and adjacent border areas.

Eat
South American cuisine is as diverse and colorful as its people. The continent's wide range of terrains brings forward a broad selection of food products and its many people all have their own ways of cultivating and preparing the land's goods.

After the “discovery” of America, European settlers, African slaves and immigrants from other parts of the world all brought their own food traditions with them, adapting them to include local ingredients and cooking techniques. They also introduced a new set of meats, crops and spices to the culinary blend. The result is a most interesting mix of flavors. World-famous dishes include feijoada, ceviche, empanadas and of course Argentina and Brazil's barbecued steaks. Widely used ingredients include corn, potatoes, chilli peppers and lima beans.

Less well-known in the rest of the world but much used by the indigenous people of South America are grains like quinoa and kiwicha, queso fresco (a fresh cow’s milk cheese) and yuca (also known as cassava). For a taste of traditional Andean meats, try alpaca or guinea pig (cuy - pronounced kwee). To top it all off, enjoy one of the many very sweet desserts, often combined with delicious tropical fruits that grow here.

Drink
South America offers a wide variety of drinks, some of which you can only legally consume in their country of origin (that would be coca tea, made from the leaf of the coca plant, supposedly a good way to combat the problems high altitude brings with it). Other drinks include yerba mate, a hot tea-like infusion, and Inca Cola, an alternative to the iconic American soft drink brand.

Keep in mind that coca leaves, sweets, beer, tea (bags) and other products are illegal in some countries in South America, including Brazil and Paraguay, and in the vast majority of countries outside South America. So be sure to get rid of any and all traces of coca tea or leaves before crossing international borders or otherwise leaving the few countries where coca is legal.

Sleep
The types of lodging available are the same as in North America and Europe. For the backpackers the best option is hostel or camping. However, hotel rooms (like most other non-imported goods and services) are with a few exceptions rather affordable compared to North America and Western Europe. Pests are a risk if you are sleeping outdoors, especially in the tropical parts of the continent.

Work
Many countries have specific working needs, requirements and conditions (e.g. visa). Check each country individually.

Volunteering
Working as a volunteer, learning Spanish and seeing the country on a shoestring is popular with many travellers in South America. Mostly people with lot of time opt for this kind of travelling, getting to know the country and its people.

Volunteering can be done as part of a large organisation, or for local families. When working with or for local families, they often provide you with food and accommodation for about 3-5 hr work per day. Such engagements can be found with any of the following websites, which differ by length and type of stay: Workaway, HelpX, Wwoof, and Worldpackers. The website generally demand a small commission or a yearly fee.

Use the rating system of these websites to determine good and reliable hosts. And beware, many locals just use those websites to find cheap labour, offering a terrible experience, sometimes no food or no decent accommodation. Avoid such offers, which are just badly managed businesses, and opt for placements that really depend on volunteers (like green farming, education, NGOs, etc.).

Avoid paying for volunteering. You can also contact a bunch of international NGOs and let them know you are interested in working for them. Sometimes you can also get a paid job after doing some volunteer work. Just be clear that you are able to stay a fixed amount of time for unpaid work, and that you would need some money to continue your work.

Cope
You will find many other travellers in South America, often doing the same route as you. It is fun and useful to travel together with others; rent a car together to save money, hike together for a more secure experience, or just share your knowledge on the way about dangers, volunteering, secret gems, or any other valuable information. Relying on this information and help is useful and important, as can be seen with this travel guide.

Facebook, for instance, has many local country groups available, like the Argentina & Chile Backpacker / Traveler group and the Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay Backpacker / Traveler group where you can find other travellers and up-to-date information on the country. Also, hostels often have black boards available where you can sell and find stuff, or contact local travellers. Otherwise, just talk to the people that look like they need help or if you are trying to find help yourself.

Stay safe
South America has some reputation for crime, including armed robberies, with Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela being noted as the most dangerous. Read up beforehand about the individual destinations you're planning to visit. As with anywhere else in the world, the right travel planning can mitigate any dangers.

Wearing or carrying items which may identify you as an affluent tourist can be a mistake. You shouldn't pack anything that you would be upset to lose. Leave expensive jewelry, watches and other items of value at home and only carry what you need. That goes for credit cards and other documents as well; if you have no need for them leave them behind in the hotel safe, only take what money you are likely to spend with you.

While tropical storms are rare, flash floods do occur in various parts of South America. Earthquakes and to some extent volcanic eruptions are a risk in the Andean countries, especially Chile.

Stay healthy
Tap water in many countries is not drinkable; it's wise to purify your own or buy bottled water. The countries with safe tap water are Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. In Colombia, the tap water is drinkable in Bogotá, but it is not recommended to drink tap water in drier regions of the country.

Malaria, dengue and yellow fever can be a risk as well on the continent, so check with a travel clinic or your doctor before heading out to see if you'll be in a high-risk area, and receive any vaccinations and medication required.

The Andean countries include areas at high altitudes, making altitude sickness a risk. This is especially a concern in several popular destinations in Peru and Bolivia.

Connect
The reliability of postal services in South America tends to be iffy. If you have something important to send, it's wise to use a private company rather than the government-run services. Also, some countries' governments impose heavy import taxes or significant limitations on imports, which may cause problems if you or your friends back home try to send packages to the continent.

Internet access is widespread, but speed varies. Government internet censorship is rare.

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

title: South America


text:
Southampton

Southampton is the largest city in Hampshire, on the south coast of England. A busy cruise ship and container port, Southampton is the European end of the last Transatlantic ocean liner route, the Queen Mary II to New York, and in 1912 was the point of departure for the Titanic.

Understand
Southampton has been a settlement since Roman and Saxon times. In Saxon times the town was known as Hamwic. The Roman ruins are situated in a suburb called Bitterne Manor - which was known as Clausentum in Roman times. Its privileged position on England's south coast made it Britain's premier trading post. The town became walled in the medieval era, and some remnants of these defences remain throughout the city, most notably the Bargate in the middle of the city centre. Southampton was devastated by bombing during the Second World War, meaning that much of the city and its heritage was destroyed. As such the town and its architecture has quite a modern feel to it.

Southampton has grown rapidly and is the largest city in Hampshire. The two universities (Solent University and the University of Southampton) mean that there is a large student population.

Visitor information

 * Visit Southampton website

By plane
, a short distance to the north in Eastleigh, receives regular services from many airports across the British Isles, including Belfast City, Dublin, Edinburgh, Manchester, and the three main Channel Islands. KLM operate a year-round feeder service from their hub at Amsterdam Schiphol, but other services from continental Europe are seasonal. A railway station adjacent to the airport is served by regular trains into Southampton Central; the journey takes about 8 min. National rail connections include Bournemouth (45 min), Reading (45 min), London Waterloo (1 hr 15 min), Birmingham New Street (2 hr 30 min) and Manchester Piccadilly (4 hr).

Much bigger airports are within easy reach of Southampton by rail, car or bus. The most convenient are:

 * London Heathrow Airport is the UK's largest airport, and Europe's primary international hub. It is about  drive from Southampton via the M4 (westbound), M25 (anti-clockwise) and the M3 (southbound). There is a RailAir coach service to Woking station, where mainline trains to Southampton can be boarded. National Express offers scheduled bus service from the Central Bus Station at Heathrow, between Terminals 2 and 3, to Southampton Coach Station.
 * London Gatwick Airport is the UK's third largest airport. It is about  drive from Southampton via the M23 (northbound), M25 (clockwise) and M3 (southbound) motorways. Monday to Saturday there is an hourly direct train service to Southampton from a rail station in the airport terminal complex, taking just under 2 hours; on Sundays at least one transfer is necessary resulting in travel times between 2 and 2½ hours.
 * Stansted and Luton, both north of London, have a good range of budget flights but are harder to reach from Southampton: you either have to crawl around on the congested M25, or take a train into London then out again.
 * Bournemouth Airport is  west of Southampton along the M27 and A31. It only has a few holiday flights to the Med.

By train
Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in Great Britain

Southampton's main station is, on the north-west edge of the city centre. The station has entrances from Blechynden Terrace (north side) and the Western Esplanade (south side), with both providing equal access to concourse and all platforms. From the station, it is a short walk to the city centre, or you can use the free CityLink bus service, which runs every 15–30 minutes during the day and up to about 8PM. The CityLink bus runs from the station via the Westquay shopping centre to Town Quay, where the catamaran to the Isle of Wight and the ferry to Hythe depart.

South Western Railway run every 30 min to Southampton from London Waterloo via Basingstoke and Winchester, as well as from Portsmouth and the towns between them along the south coast. Many of these trains continue beyond Southampton to Bournemouth and Weymouth via the New Forest.

Southern Railway run services via a longer and slower route from London Victoria, but have the advantage of serving London Gatwick airport on the way.

CrossCountry run longer distance services from the north of England via Birmingham and Reading.

Great Western Railway runs services from Cardiff, Bristol and Bath via Salisbury.

Local rail connections to nearby towns are described at Three Rivers Rail

Train times can be found on National Rail or by calling 08457 48 49 50 from anywhere in the UK.

By car
The M3 links Southampton with the M25 and London. The M27 leads west towards Bournemouth and the West Country, and east along the coast towards Brighton and the rest of the south of England.

Car parking is relatively easy with many pay-and-display sites in the city centre. There are also car parks that are free up to 2 hours, and if you're willing to park a little further out you can find free on-street parking.

During the period of the Boat Show there is a Park-and-Ride scheme operating from Junction 1 of the M271 motorway with frequent buses to the show entrance.

There is also a Park and Ride for ticket holders to Southampton Football Club matches. This is easily found and well signposted from Junction 8 of the M27. For more information on either of the Park-and-Ride schemes see National Park and Ride Directory.

By bus
Megabus run a twice daily bus service from London Victoria Coach Station to Southampton from £1.50 for the cost of a single ticket.

National Express also run a regular coach service direct to/from the Southampton Coach Station from/to London Victoria Coach Station as well as from/to the Heathrow Airport Central Bus Station. Ticket prices may be as low as £20 for a scheduled return.

The Quayconnect bus service costing £1 runs every 15 minutes between Southampton Central Station and Town Quay via the city centre. This service is free for National Rail, National Express and Red Funnel ticket holders, as well as Senior Citizen bus pass holders.

By taxi
Southampton-based taxi companies providing long distance transfers from major airports, towns, bus and rail stations to Southampton: West Quay Cars, URBAN Taxi, Jewels Airport Transfers, iRide Taxis, Soton Taxi, Southampton Airport Transfer Taxi, Southampton Taxi Co, and New Forest Taxi provide online taxi booking facility.

By boat
Southampton is a busy port city, and as such has sea links to countries around the world, however the port is mainly used for freight container ships and cruises.

There are no international ferry services: these call in Portsmouth about to the east. However, regular vehicle and passenger ferries operate to Southampton from Cowes on the nearby Isle of Wight and the village of Hythe in the New Forest.

Southampton is also Cunard's main port, being the eastern end of Queen Mary 2’s transatlantic liner service to and from New York City. Cunard also serves other destinations.

Get around
My Journey is a website funded by the Department of Transport as a hub for travel information in and around Southampton.

On foot
Southampton City Centre is fairly spread out along a north-south axis, however it is easily possible to walk from the popular Bedford Place student area on the Northern fringe of the central area to the waterfront, much of the route being pedestrianised.

By bike
Southampton has a few dedicated cycle routes; they are not particularly well linked but cyclists should not have a problem navigating the city centre. The city centre is mostly flat; Hampshire tends to undulate.

Sustrans Cycle Map

By bus
Southampton has a good network of bus services, with some principal services operating as often as every 7 minutes during the day. Most of the services radiate out from the city centre but there are also some cross-city routes. Some services also extend to settlements outside the city. Buses accept cash (also giving change) and contactless card payment.

 * Bluestarz
 * Xelabus
 * Uni-link
 * Wheelers Connect
 * Salisbury Reds

By train
Southampton's main station is Southampton Central, on the north-west edge of the city centre. Southampton Central, Southampton Airport Parkway and Eastleigh are all served by regular trains on the South West mainline. Other stations in Southampton receive only less-regular stopping services, these stations are Redbridge, Millbrook, St Denys, Swaythling, Bitterne, Woolston, and Sholing.

See

 * , established in the 19th century, form a line through mid-city. South to north these are Hoglands Park, Houndwell Park, Pamerston Park, East Park and Watts Park. At the top end of East Park near the Guildhall and Art Gallery, note the two memorials to those lost aboard Titanic: one for the engineers and one for the musicians.
 * , established in the 19th century, form a line through mid-city. South to north these are Hoglands Park, Houndwell Park, Pamerston Park, East Park and Watts Park. At the top end of East Park near the Guildhall and Art Gallery, note the two memorials to those lost aboard Titanic: one for the engineers and one for the musicians.

Do

 * For up to the minute information on what to do in Southampton, visit the city's Events & What's On calendar.
 * Visit one of the many Theatres.
 * Odeon Cinema at Leisureworld
 * Cineworld Cinema at Ocean Village has a wide choice of films.
 * The Harbour Lights Picture House overlooking the Ocean Village Marina, which shows independent and European films.
 * Live music is at "The Brook", "The 1865" and "The Joiners".
 * Cineworld Cinema at Ocean Village has a wide choice of films.
 * The Harbour Lights Picture House overlooking the Ocean Village Marina, which shows independent and European films.
 * Live music is at "The Brook", "The 1865" and "The Joiners".
 * Live music is at "The Brook", "The 1865" and "The Joiners".
 * Walk the Old Town Walls - follow the signposted original course (pdf) of the historic old town walls, gatehouses and towers, which are among the most complete in England; as around half of the original one-mile circuit still survives, including the famous Bargate at Bargate Street and High Street.
 * Take a walk on Southampton Common - of grass and woodland, including an Urban Wildlife Centre, paddling pool, play area and fishing lake. Very busy during summer months, and a popular afternoon hang out for students.
 * Take a ride on the Hythe Ferry from Town Quay to Hythe Pier, viewing the shipping in the docks.
 * There are a large number of sailing schools based in and around Southampton, particularly on The Hamble. Most if not all offer courses based around the Royal Yachting Association's certificates. A start sailing weekend costs in the region of £200 for two nights and two days sailing.
 * Football: Southampton FC aka "The Saints" were promoted in 2024 and now play soccer in the Premier League, England's top tier. Their home ground (capacity 32,380) is at Britannia Rd SO14 5FP, one mile east of the city centre.
 * Cricket: is home to Hampshire County Cricket Club, one of the 18 "First Class Counties", the top tier of English cricket. County matches normally last 3-4 days. The Ageas Bowl (formerly called the Rose Bowl) also frequently hosts international or "Test Matches", lasting up to five days. Also here are Southern Brave men's and women's teams playing The Hundred short game. The stadium is on the northeast edge of the city, use Jct 7 of M27.
 * is a large farm with many activities in nearby Bursledon.
 * Southampton Fringe Festival is a new event over three days in July 2024.
 * Southampton Boat Show is a big event in September - the city is booked out when it's on. The next is 13-22 Sept 2024.

Learn
Southampton has two universities: the and.

Buy
Southampton sells itself as the shopping capital of the South Coast and the Westquay Shopping Centre does nothing to dispel you of that opinion.

 * Above Bar Street is the main pedestrian thoroughfare joining the shopping centres to each other with even more retailers, large and small. You won't be surprised to find that the same stores as are on most British high streets such as TK Maxx, HMV, Topshop and Primark have made this their home. Above Bar Street is also the home of special shopping events. The German Market runs in December, and the area around the Bargate has the Farmer's Market on the second Saturday of each month.
 * Above Bar Street is the main pedestrian thoroughfare joining the shopping centres to each other with even more retailers, large and small. You won't be surprised to find that the same stores as are on most British high streets such as TK Maxx, HMV, Topshop and Primark have made this their home. Above Bar Street is also the home of special shopping events. The German Market runs in December, and the area around the Bargate has the Farmer's Market on the second Saturday of each month.
 * Above Bar Street is the main pedestrian thoroughfare joining the shopping centres to each other with even more retailers, large and small. You won't be surprised to find that the same stores as are on most British high streets such as TK Maxx, HMV, Topshop and Primark have made this their home. Above Bar Street is also the home of special shopping events. The German Market runs in December, and the area around the Bargate has the Farmer's Market on the second Saturday of each month.

A short walk to the north of Southampton's main city centre are Bedford Place and London Road. By day and night, the bars, coffee shops, pubs and restaurants are a hive of activity.

Southeast of the city centre, Oxford Street hosts independent boutiques, salons, bars and restaurants and maintains a more historic feel.

Eat
There are two main areas for eating out in Southampton; the first is Oxford Street (towards Ocean Village) and the second is around Bedford Place (just north of the city).

The choice in Bedford Place is rather more varied; ranging from Moroccan and Mexican at the southern end of the road through student style curry houses and a Chinese to some late night kebab and chip shops. In terms of value for money the Pride of India is one of best Indians in the city, but most of the restaurants are good value, if not exactly awe-inspiring taste-wise.

Walking distance from Bedford Place is the area of town that used to be known as Hungry Hill; Commercial Road where the existence of the Mayflower Theatre has meant a thriving trade for various restaurants in pre- and post-theatre eating. Again the choice is varied although generally the quality to cost ratio is not as high as it might otherwise be; although Buon Gusto (Italian) and Cafe Pattaya (Thai) are particularly recommended.

Budget
There is the usual range of fast food chains spread throughout the city. In the city centre you find the chain restaurants of Tortilla, Greggs (bakery), Franco Manca and the IKEA restaurant.

Formerly Burger King and McDonalds faced each other across the Bargate like petulant children with the gate acting like a peace-making mother, but McDonalds gave up the fight and fled to the Westquay shopping centre in which you can also find a large selection of 'sit-down' restaurants like Pizza Hut, Nando's, Pizza Express, Yo Sushi!, Wagamama and Cafe Rouge.

Furthermore, there are many takeaways in Southampton that do delivery and allow you to pick up the food yourself. Typical meals range from £7-15. Check with your hotel/hostel if they allow food orders.

Splurge
Oxford Street has a selection of higher class (and therefore more expensive) restaurants.

Drink
As is to be expected of a large port with two universities, there are a lot of places to drink in Southampton. The city centre features two pubs dating from Tudor times, the Red Lion in High Street in particular is steeped in history.

Portswood is the drinking area of choice for students at the university, so keep away from places like The Hobbit, ("Jesters"),  and if you want to avoid students. While The can be studenty, it is definitely worth a look as it is a quirky pub with a massive beer garden and live music every night of the week. The Shooting Star (previously known as Kolebka) is a relaxed jazz bar with live music every Friday night. Further up on Porstwood Road, The Brook is a dedicated venue for bands.

The Polygon (also referred to as "Bedford Place") is where most of the clubs and bars in the city lie, such as (a club/bar with a wider variety of music) and  (a retro-themed nightclub).

The Marina area has a good (albeit expensive) selection of seafront bars.

The For those looking for something more lively, The nearby on the waterfront is an excellent bet as it features live jazz and blues music and a superb selection of local real ales.

, next to one of the central parks, is an excellent 'local' type pub in the city centre featuring a free drinks quiz and friendly landlord.

The city centre also has the usual spattering of chain pubs, including and four Wetherspoon's. For those looking for a more alternative atmosphere, there is also Nightclub, with cheap drinks, friendly staff and customers with a varied spectrum of music from metal/industrial, indie and general rock music.

Outside of the city centre are the usual local pubs, some of which are excellent and others which are best avoided. The in Shirley and the  and  in Freemantle all have an excellent range of real ales. Nearby and next to St Denys railway station are two more excellent pubs, the and. The in Bevois Valley is brilliant: it has a great selection of beers, whiskys and rums, and the selection of food is vast, including plenty of vegan options, ever-changing and of impeccable quality.

Sleep
The Hilton Southampton provides 4-star luxury in a pleasant environment, you can expect comfortable and stylish guestrooms.

3-star hotels are much easier to come by, the sits in the middle of a city centre roundabout, the, , Holiday Inn and  are all perfectly adequate for providing a night's sleep.

If you feel the need for a less generic hotel experience, Mercure hotel and  are both on the High Street in traditional coaching inn buildings and will make you feel less like you're just a commodity.

If you're on the cheap, or feel like a more personal stay, then there are plenty of bed and breakfasts; most cluster around the bottom end of Hill Lane which is close to the train station. Wander out from the station's main exit (if you see Toys 'R' Us opposite you're on the wrong exit) and take the path by the left side of the HSBC office block. Hill Lane leads up the small hill from the traffic lights. Keep going up the hill until you find one worth staying at; don't forget to check the side streets too.

Tourist Information will almost certainly be able to find you somewhere to stay if you're stuck.

Stay safe
Levels of crime in Southampton are fairly similar to other UK cities; serious crimes are uncommon, but alcohol-related crimes and muggings can happen. There is a strong police presence in the city centre at night time, especially around the clubs and pubs. A night bus service is available to allow people to get home safely. Pollution levels can get rather high particularly when one of the larger cruise ships is in harbor.

Go next

 * The New Forest is perfect for a walk in the countryside and is one of the nicest rural retreats in England.
 * Salisbury is a historic city and its cathedral boasts the tallest spire in England.
 * Winchester is a nearby ancient cathedral city and the former capital of England, with lots to see.
 * Portsmouth is Hampshire's second most populous city and has a proud naval heritage, and the £21-million Spinnaker Tower, offering great views of the South Coast.
 * Bournemouth in the neighbouring county of Dorset, is famous for its golden sandy beach and is perfect for a seaside getaway, shopping and the nightlife.
 * The Isle of Wight has many beaches and attractions to visit.
 * The Borough of Eastleigh has many small villages and hamlets.

title: Southampton


text:
South Asia

South Asia, also known as the Indian subcontinent (or "the subcontinent"), is a triangular landmass bordered by the Himalayas in the north, the Indian Ocean in the south, and the Ganges and Indus river valleys in east and west. Home to 1.75 billion people, South Asia has the world's tallest mountains, and is the origin of some of the world's oldest civilizations and the wellspring of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sanamahism, Sikhism, and Jainism.

Associated destinations
The following destinations are sometimes considered part of South Asia, although are categorized elsewhere in Wikivoyage:

 * Afghanistan can be considered part of the region; although it is mostly considered to be part of Central Asia, it often involves itself in the South Asian regional organizations.
 * Iran is occasionally considered part of the region, but more often considered to be in the Middle East or Central Asia.
 * Myanmar (formerly Burma) may be considered part of South Asia for its long-standing historical and political ties to India, although it is usually considered part of Southeast Asia.
 * Tibet is sometimes considered to be part of South Asia.

Cities

 * — largest city of Sri Lanka
 * — capital of India, a culturally diverse city
 * — thriving cultural melting pot that is Bangladesh's capital
 * — capital of Pakistan
 * — capital of Nepal
 * — a culturally diverse and cosmopolitan city in Pakistan's south
 * — densely packed island city, gateway to the Maldives
 * — most eclectic and cosmopolitan city of India, famous for the Bollywood film industry
 * — capital of Bhutan, surrounded by mountains

Other destinations

 * — hill district in Bangladesh with trekking through unspoilt forests
 * — one the longest sea beaches in the world
 * — the northern Himalayan region of India
 * — one of the more stunning and popular parts of Pakistan's high mountain areas
 * — the southernmost point of mainland India
 * — a spectacular, fascinating and important archaeological site of ruins of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation.
 * — the world's tallest mountain straddling the border of China and Nepal
 * — one of the best places in South Asia to see tigers
 * — the incomparable marble tomb in Agra

See Islands of the Indian Ocean.

Understand
Some commonalities exist to this area, mainly climate and culture.

Climate
Apart from the Himalaya, the climate is tropical, with monsoon in summer and dry winter. However, you have the extremes of this climate, i.e. in western Pakistan, monsoon is quite non-existent and in Southern India, it lasts for six months. Sri Lanka even has two monsoons, one in May, one in October/November.

Culture
The influence of historical Indian culture can be seen everywhere. Four major world religions have their origins within South Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. Islam was introduced by invading Arabs starting around the 7th century and rose to prominence during the Mughal Empire. There are also ancient Jewish and Christian communities in India that date back some 2,000 years, and there has been a Parsi (Zoroastrian) presence in the Subcontinent since at least the 10th century.

An additional layer of South Asian cultural unification derives from the influence of British culture, and especially the frequent and growing use of the English language, as a result of India having formed the "Jewel in the Crown" of the British Empire before Independence in 1947; see British Raj.

Population density
South Asia is one of the world's most densely populated regions - approximately 1.6 billion people (or roughly a quarter of humanity) call South Asia home. The average population density of 305 people per square km is 7 times the world average.

Talk
The region does not have a lingua franca. However, as much of South Asia was under British rule, and even the nominally independent areas were under some form of British suzerainty, English is widely spoken by educated people. Hindi and Urdu are spoken over much of India and Pakistan. As the two languages are mutually intelligible, if you have to learn one before visiting, pick one of these. Hindi will also help you in Nepal, as the Nepali language is quite similar, while Nepali is also the main language in some bordering areas of India such as Sikkim. Bengali is another major language spoken in Bangladesh and West Bengal and understood in some other eastern states of India. Other languages that straddle international borders include Punjabi, which is spoken in parts of the India-Pakistan border region, and Tamil, which is spoken in southern India and northern Sri Lanka.

Other than these, South Asia has a fascinating diversity of languages. India, in particular, is home to hundreds, and Pakistan also has quite a few. In the major cities and tourist destinations, you will be able to get by with English with varying degrees of difficulty.

In the recent years, it is very rare for a young local in South Asia to be conversant in any Western European language other than English. You may notice elderly Portuguese speakers in Goa (who have grown up during Portuguese colonial rule over Goa, especially pre-1961). However, some of the elderly in Pondicherry when they grew up during French colonial rule (French India) can still know French, but this number is very rare nowadays, as most elderly in Pondicherry who are fluent in French die over time, and in the recent years, English replaced French as the common second language in Pondicherry.

Overland
Getting in overland to South Asia can be a challenging task. From the west it's relatively easy, especially from Istanbul, Turkey to New Delhi, India (also known as Hippie Trail).

In the northwest, South Asia borders Afghanistan which has been a war zone for several decades. Entry from China is possible either along the Karakoram Highway or to Nepal, though you will need a special permit to travel through Tibet. Quite a lot of bureaucracy is reportedly required to travel overland from Myanmar.

By plane
Major international airports include:

 * Bangladesh — Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet
 * Bhutan — Paro (near Thimphu)
 * India — Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kochi
 * Maldives — Male
 * Nepal — Kathmandu
 * Pakistan — Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Multan, Quetta, Sialkot
 * Sri Lanka — Colombo

Many flights from the west coast of North America arrive via Singapore and Bangkok, while flights originating on the east coast usually have a stopover somewhere in Europe depending on the airline.

Flights from Europe arrive via Dubai, Doha and several other major airline hubs.

The number of direct flights between India and the U.S. and the U.K. are increasing.

By boat
Some cruise ships visit the region. It is also possible to enter on smaller vessels, but make sure to do your research thoroughly before planning a trip, because part of the region overlaps with the area frequented by Somali pirates. An encounter with them is to be avoided at all costs.

By train
Although most of the region was under the British rule, the rail transport in South Asia varies by country. India has the most extensive rail network in South Asia (see Rail travel in India), while the rail network of Pakistan is mostly underdeveloped. Sri Lanka's train network is efficient and cheap, and includes routes with beautiful hill country and tea plantation scenery. Bangladesh is famous for its overcrowded trains, while the Maldives, Nepal, and Bhutan have no trains at all.

Nature
With the world's tallest mountains, as well as coastal regions with the world's highest rainfall, South Asia's nature is dramatic, but pressured by demographic and economic growth. South Asia is part of the Indomalayan wildlife region, with iconic species such as Asian elephants, tigers and peacocks.

Especially Nepal and Kashmir are world renowned for mountaineering.

Religion and spirituality
South Asian religious movements such as Hinduism, Buddhism have a long history, and an intercontinental appeal since the 20th century. Many visitors come to South Asia to learn yoga, a group of physical, mental and spiritual practices from ancient India.

Itineraries

 * Istanbul to New Delhi overland
 * On the trail of Kipling's Kim
 * Grand Trunk Road
 * Karakoram Highway
 * World Heritage Sites Tour in Sri Lanka

Historical topics

 * British Raj
 * Mughal Empire
 * Shimla
 * Jaipur

Sports

 * Cricket is a huge business in South Asia, with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka boasting world class national teams.
 * Football (soccer) is not as popular as cricket, but has a niche following in parts of South Asia, especially in the city of Kolkata

Do

 * Polo in Manipur
 * Scuba diving in Asia
 * Trekking in Nepal

Buy
For most countries in the region, bargaining is essential while shopping.

Both India and Pakistan have a long history of carpet manufacture. The region produces a huge range of other arts and crafts items, often at attractive prices because of low labour cost. See the country articles for details.

Eat
You will not be able to experience the best of South Asian culture until you have consumed its flavourful food. India alone has some of the best cuisines in the world; however, you can find something that will suit your taste buds anywhere throughout the region.

Drink
Tea (chai) is a common beverage consumed throughout the region. In addition, while alcohol is banned or restricted in Muslim communities and some Hindu-majority areas of India such as Gujarat, fruit juices are ubiquitous.

Stay safe
Much of the region is considered a safe place to visit, with the exceptions of Northwest Pakistan close to the border of Afghanistan and parts of Kashmir. Northwest Pakistan is a war-zone and is often controlled by extremist militant groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban; it should be avoided as much as possible.

title: South Asia


text:
South Atlantic Coast (Morocco)

The South Atlantic Coast of Morocco, home to some great beach towns, is more laid-back than its northern counterpart.

Towns

 * - best-known for its beaches, the town is a nice example of modern Morocco, with less emphasis on history and culture. Take the local bus for a few cents and go 2 or 3 villages north, where there are more beaches.
 * - an ancient sea-side town newly rediscovered by tourists. From mid June to August the beaches are packed but any other time and you'll be the only person there. Good music and great people.
 * - usually visited to see the Cascades d'Immouzer.
 * - more industrial city but worth a day trip to see the pottery quarter.
 * and its neighbouring towns of Tamraght and Aourir (the latter two also known as "Banana Village").

By bus
The cities at the south Atlantic coast are not connected by train, so your other option is the mostly reliable bus network operated by several companies (see Morocco overview page). A trip from Marrakech to Agadir takes about 3½ hours.

By road
If you are travelling with a car, you can easily access the south via the stable road network.

By plane

 * Essaouira-Mogador Airport

Get around
Between Essaouira and Agadir it is very easy to catch an intercity bus anywhere along the way. During the day there is one bus about every hour. While CTM and Supratours are not allowed to pick up additional passengers, local intercity buses do not have such a restriction. This is a great way to explore the coast including places like Taghazout, Aourir and others between these two cities without issues. The regular price for the full distance is 50 dirham, 2.5 hr.

title: South Atlantic Coast (Morocco)


text:
South Australia

South Australia has much to offer in terms of city life and culture in Adelaide, with world-class wine and other produce, friendly people, unspoilt environment and a very relaxed pace of life. Its famed vineyards are a short drive from the city, and there are spectacular nature and Aboriginal cultural experiences further out. South Australia is also home to Kangaroo Island, an internationally renowned wildlife haven. South Australia has remained culturally vibrant throughout its history and is known for its festivals.

Regions
South Australia covers a vast amount of area, from coastal towns to arid desert. The more settled areas are in the southeast of the state, hence the smaller regions around that area.

Cities

 * — the state capital
 * — opal mining and underground houses
 * — in the south-east of the state, home to the famous Blue Lake
 * — centre of South Australia's farming area
 * — at the top of Spencer Gulf at the very east of the Eyre Peninsula, gateway to the Flinders Ranges
 * — at the bottom of the Eyre Peninsula and a good base for seeing this part of the state
 * — desert frontier town, the old Ghan railway use to pass through here
 * — coastal playground to the south of Adelaide
 * — mining town halfway down the Eyre Peninsula

Other destinations

 * – this wilderness protection area has almost nothing for kilometres on end
 * — the mouth of the Murray River, the world's longest beach and a significant place for the local indigenous people
 * – the Yorke Peninsula's main point of interest is a fine example of a coastal wilderness
 * – dry, desolate town, far from any civilization with less than 50 people, this town holds a secret gem
 * – UNESCO World Heritage Site home to some of the largest collections of mammalian fossils, most which are not seen anywhere outside Australia or New Guinea
 * – one of the most important reserves of Australasian wildlife and a dry lake that occasionally fills up
 * – the most visited park in South Australia's most iconic mountain range
 * – home to Australia's largest sea lion populations and one of the most magnificent spots for whale watching

History
South Australia's colonial history is a bit of a weird and unusual one, because unlike all other states of Australia, it was never a convict settlement, and all early European residents were free settlers, not convicts. Similarly, terra nullius was not claimed in South Australia, but it was recognised from the start that Aboriginal people had lived in South Australia for a long time. It was first split off from New South Wales and proclaimed a colony in 1834. Besides Great Britain, the white settlers in South Australia also hailed from many other parts of Europe, most notably Ireland, Germany, Italy, Greece, Poland, Serbia and Albania.

Geography
South Australia covers a large territory in the lower middle part of the country, with a small population of 1.7 million. Of that population, around 80% live in the state capital of Adelaide and its surrounding areas. Most of the state is arid, although the southern part hosts a great deal of agriculture. With nearly 1.6 million people, however, the state comprises less than 10% of the Australian population and ranks fifth in population among the states and territories. However, the state covers a vast amount of land area, including some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of 983,482 square kilometres (379,725 sq mi), it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories. The state also includes Kangaroo Island, Australia's third largest island which lies off the coast of the mainland in the southeast of the state.

While not the tourist magnet that its northern neighbour is, South Australia offers a different perspective on Australia from many of its different parts.

Time zone
South Australia is half an hour behind the east coast cities. It is 9 hours and 30 minutes ahead of the Universal Time Coordinated (UTC). Daylight Savings time is 10 hr 30 minutes ahead and is observed from the first Sunday of October to the first Sunday of April the following year.

The only exception is the western most village of Border Village, in where it follows UTC+08:45 and UTC+09:45 in the summer.

Climate
South Australia is generally characterised by being a hot, and dry climate all year around. It rarely rains in South Australia, and snow is only found on Mt Lofty in the Adelaide Hills — and that's not every winter. However, flooding can occur, often once every 10 or so years, and it's the only time when dry Lake Eyre fills up.

Tourist information

 * South Australia tourism website

Talk
Like everywhere else in Australia, English is the main language in South Australia. The local dialect of English does not differ much from the English spoken in other parts of Australia, but is somewhat more conservative, having retained some British terms that have been abandoned in favour of American ones in Australia's other states.

In Adelaide, due to a history of immigration, you may encounter other languages in specific suburbs, such as Italian, Vietnamese, Polish and Cantonese. Aboriginal languages can be heard among Aboriginal people in remote outback communities.

Get in
There are quarantine rules if you are travelling to South Australia from other Australian states, and certain types of food may not be brought into South Australia, which differs depending on which state you are travelling from. In addition, the Riverland and Kangaroo Island are special agricultural quarantine zones that have additional restrictions. Check the Australian Interstate Quarantine web-site for more details.

By plane
South Australia's main air gateway is Adelaide Airport,, which has most domestic and all international flights direct into the state. International flights direct into Adelaide include those from Denpasar in Indonesia, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Auckland in New Zealand. There are regular domestic flights into Adelaide from all Australian capital cities and some interstate regional centres such as Broken Hill in New South Wales, Alice Springs in the Northern Territory and Townsville in Queensland.

Mount Gambier Airport, in the far south-east of the state has services from Melbourne in Victoria, flown by Regional Express (REX).

By train
Adelaide is the main hub for Journey Beyond, the main operator of long-distance rail services in Australia. Note that Journey Beyond's services are aimed at luxury tourists and are a trip in themselves rather than a practical means of transportation. This means that they are more expensive than flying and slower than driving yourself. All of Journey Beyond's services pass through or depart from Adelaide. Train services include:

 * The Indian Pacific, (between Perth & Sydney, normally once a week in each direction)
 * The Ghan, (between Darwin & Adelaide, twice a week in each direction in the winter months)
 * The Overland, (between Melbourne & Adelaide, three times a week in each direction)

From Adelaide, Brisbane can be accessed by the Indian Pacific to Sydney and changing for the XPT service to Brisbane. To get to Cairns, you will need to change trains a second time in Brisbane, this time onto the Spirit of Queensland.

V/Line have a daily coach service from Adelaide connecting to the NSW Trainlink XPT Service in Albury to Sydney.

By bus
Interstate bus services are provided by Greyhound Australia, Firefly and VLine, these services also serve multiple intrastate destinations on route.

Transfers are available to Adelaide airport and Adelaide Parklands interstate rail terminal from the Adelaide Central Bus Station.

By car
There are main road connections through to the other states and territories. The main routes are:

 * From New South Wales:
 * via the Barrier Highway (A32), west of Broken Hill

 * Crossings from Victoria but are mainly used by motorists from NSW:
 * via the Sturt Highway (A20), east of Yamba
 * via the Mallee Highway (B12), east of Pinnaroo

 * From Victoria:
 * via the Dukes Highway (A8), east of Bordertown
 * via the Princes Highway (A1), east of Mount Gambier (coastal road)

 * From the Northern Territory:
 * via the Stuart Highway (A87)

 * From Western Australia:
 * via the Eyre Highway (A1)

Note that South Australia has a very large land area with most settlements in the south-east of the state. Driving to the Northern Territory and Western Australia are very long drives. From Adelaide to Perth is 2,700 km and will take at least 2 days, probably 3. It is the sort of trip that even most locals only do once or twice in their lifetime. Driving from Adelaide to Darwin is just over 3,000 km and travels through some very remote parts of Australia. A minimum of 4 days is recommended. Sydney to Adelaide takes about 14-15 hours to drive, and Adelaide to Melbourne is around 8-11 hours depending on the route taken. Allow 2 days to admire the towns on the way.

By ship
Adelaide's Overseas Passenger Terminal is at Outer Harbor on the LeFevre Peninsula in the north of Adelaide. Visiting cruise ships often dock here.

Get around
In addition, the Riverland and Kangaroo Island are special agricultural quarantine zones, meaning there are restrictions on bringing in agricultural products even from elsewhere in South Australia. Do no carry fresh fruit, vegetables or honey with you if you are travelling to those areas.

By car
The state has a well developed highway system; however, in the northern and western regions many roads are gravel or dirt roads and extra care must be taken, but very few actually drive these roads. The article on driving in Australia has some useful information and guidance. Road traffic laws and regulations, including speed limits, are vigorously policed in South Australia and visitors should familiarise themselves with the local conditions and requirements prior to planning a trip by road in South Australia. There are no toll roads in South Australia.

Though the state has a good network of highways, the state's freeway (or expressway) network is well under par compared to other states, both in the metropolitan areas of Adelaide, and in regional South Australia. It has the least kilometres of freeways of any state, including Tasmania. All up, it has less than 200 km of freeways, and all freeways begin in the outer suburbs of Adelaide and end in the nearby country towns – for comparison, the length is comparable to tiny countries like Singapore or Cyprus. Due to the state's limited freeway network, there are only two major freeways that head well out of Adelaide: the M1 South Eastern Freeway towards the southeast of the state and towards Victoria but only for 70 km before it becomes a two-lane undivided highway (single carriageway) and the M2 Northern Expressway/A20 Sturt Highway northeast towards NSW and Mildura, and that too, only for around 65 km before it becomes a two-lane undivided highway. A third freeway, called the M2 Southern Expressway, runs for 18.5 km through the southern suburbs of Adelaide, and is useful for getting to Victor Harbor and Kangaroo Island but ends just before the Onkaparinga River. There is another road that is not exactly a freeway, but a four-lane undivided highway (dual carriageway): the A1 Port Wakefield Highway northwest from the outer north of Adelaide to Port Wakefield which is about 70 km.

While the state's freeway network is limited, it shouldn't significantly affect your travel times. Outside the Fleurieu Peninsula, nearly all rural roads have a speed limit of (including roads on Kangaroo Island), which is the same that you would find on freeways, and most roads have barely any traffic on them, so not going on a freeway does not necessarily mean you're going slower. However, extra care needs to be taken as you will have to move into the lane with oncoming traffic to overtake slower traffic.

School zones are , regardless of where you are. This is contrary to all other states and territories where most school zones are (and sometimes higher in rural areas). Speed limits are strictly enforced and speeding in a school zone can land you with a hefty fine.

By bus
Statewide regional and intrastate routes are provided by several bus companies and they serve the Adelaide Hills, Mid and Far North, Mid North, Barossa, Murray Bridge, Eyre Peninsula and Far West, Riverland, Fleurieu Peninsula, South East, Kangaroo Island and Yorke Peninsula.

 * Premier Stateliner Operates to Adelaide Central Bus Station, Ceduna on the west coast, Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Whyalla, in the Iron Triangle, Port Lincoln, Eyre Peninsula, Murray Bridge, Berri, Renmark, and Loxton in the Riverland, Keith, Bordertown, Kingston, Robe, Millicent, Naracoorte and Mount Gambier in the South East, Victor Harbor and Goolwa on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
 * Link SA. Operates to Adelaide Central Bus Station, Murray Bridge, Mid Murray and Barossa Valley
 * Mid North Passenger Services, (operated by Yorke Peninsular Coaches), . Operates to Adelaide Central Bus Station and destinations in the Mid North of the state including Clare, Burra, Peterborough, Orroroo, Blyth, and Gladestone.
 * Yorke Peninsula Coach Services. Operates to Adelaide Central Bus Station, throughout Yorke Peninsula, Copper Coast, Balaklava, Mid North, Southern YP-Intertown, Upper North YP-Intertown, Port Pirie, Port Augusta and Peterborough.
 * VLine, neighbouring Victoria's bus and rail system also connects some South Australian centres, including Adelaide Central Bus Station, Adelaide Hills Bordertown, Broken Hill (NSW), Geranium, Murray Bridge, Mount Barker, Mount Gambier, Pinnaroo and Tailem Bend.

By train
The state is served by a limited passenger rail network with services only provided to limited stops within South Australia that fall on the interstate routes. The Overland to Melbourne, operated by Journey Beyond, stops at Murray Bridge and Bordertown between Adelaide and the Victorian border. The other interstate trains pass through but do not stop at other regional towns on their way to Adelaide, though the Indian Pacific makes a refuelling stop at the ghost town of Cook on its way to Perth, during which you can get off the train and walk around the town.

Adelaide Metro operates the suburban and local train and tram services in and around the capital city and details are available in the Adelaide article.

Several historic rail journeys are available. The SteamRanger preservation group in the Adelaide Hills has restored a number of steam and diesel locomotives for tourist services, and the Pichi Richi Railway based in Quorn operates on part of the former Central Australia Railway.

 * The Southern Encounter runs from Mount Barker to Victor Harbor during winter, utilising most of the remaining broad gauge branch from the main Adelaide to Melbourne line.
 * The Bugle Ranger runs from Mount Barker to Bugle Ranges using a Redhen railcar set. Services operate one Sunday each month from late April to October
 * The Highlander operates from Mount Barker to Strathalbyn using steam locomotives when possible. Operates on the second Sunday of each month from June until the end of November (excluding October).
 * StrathLink, from Goolwa to Strathalbyn using a restored heritage "Brill" railcar. Operates during school holiday periods.
 * Transcontinental, Quorn to Woolshed Flat. After a brief stop, on to Port Augusta, arriving in time for lunch. There is ample time for a stroll around the nearby area, including a range of food outlets, before the 2:30PM departure back to Quorn.
 * Pichi Richi Explorer, Quorn to Woolshed Flat (32 km) and return. Uses a historic Barwell Bull railcar 106, built in 1928 that spent most of its working life based at Peterborough working services between Terowie and Quorn., as well as steam services during school holidays and long weekends using historic South Australian Railways carriages, some dating from the 19th century.
 * Afghan Express turns the clock back to the 1930s when the famous old Ghan travelled through the Pichi Richi Pass. Wherever possible, the Afghan Express uses distinctive timber-bodied carriages built in the late 1920s for the narrow gauge old Ghan train service, and restored old Ghan steam locomotive NM25. The Afghan Express is the name railwaymen gave to the passenger train that ran from Terowie to Oodnadatta, through Quorn, in 1923.
 * Afghan Express turns the clock back to the 1930s when the famous old Ghan travelled through the Pichi Richi Pass. Wherever possible, the Afghan Express uses distinctive timber-bodied carriages built in the late 1920s for the narrow gauge old Ghan train service, and restored old Ghan steam locomotive NM25. The Afghan Express is the name railwaymen gave to the passenger train that ran from Terowie to Oodnadatta, through Quorn, in 1923.

Note: The National Railway Museum is the largest undercover railway museum in Australia and is situated in Port Adelaide.

By plane
Scheduled air services connect Adelaide with several major regional centres in South Australia. The main destinations are Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Port Augusta, Ceduna, Mount Gambier, Coober Pedy and Broken Hill (NSW). (note: many support services for Broken Hill in western New South Wales are supplied from South Australia)

The two main regional operators in South Australia are Rex Regional express and QantasLink.

The state also has a General Aviation sector including charter operators and wet lease operators such as National Jet Systems Cobham and other smaller operators that service the airline industry, private individuals, tourism and the fly-in, fly-out services for the mining, oil and gas production industries active in the state.

Parafield Airport is the state's principal general aviation airport. General aviation services including charter operations are operated from both Adelaide Airport in West Beach and Parafield Airport in the suburb of Parafield, 18 km north of the Adelaide Central business district (CBD) and adjacent to the Mawson Lakes campus of the University of South Australia. Parafield Airport is Adelaide's second airport and the fifth busiest airport in Australia by aircraft movements.

By boat
Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Yorke Peninsula and Eyre Peninsula have, or have planned ferry operations.

 * Sealink to Kangaroo Island connects Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. Ferries carry cars and passengers. Bus links are provided to Adelaide on the mainland and to Kingscote on Kangaroo Island.

 * Spencer Gulf Searoad, (Sea SA Car & Passenger Ferries) offers a shortcut between Wallaroo on Yorke Peninsula and Lucky Bay on Eyre Peninsula when the service is running, but it gets suspended frequently.

By bicycle
South Australia has a vibrant bicycle culture and the capital city of Adelaide has many established cycle paths and bicycle travel networks and regional trails. Adelaide and regional cities have well stocked bicycle shops and many clubs and associations. In Adelaide the City Council provide at several locations.

By taxi
South Australia has a number of taxi companies that serve both the main city of Adelaide, regional cities and regional areas.

See
It is also known for its wine. The Barossa Valley is Australia’s richest and best-known wine region. Premium wines, five-star restaurants and cellar doors abound among the hills and vineyards. Local winemakers include household names such as Seppelts, Penfolds and Peter Lehmann. South Australia also offers other world-class wine regions, including the Clare Valley, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra.

Visit the world-heritage listed Naracoorte Caves, or awesome Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges – one of Australia's first official national landscapes.

Swim with wild sea lions at Baird Bay on Eyre Peninsula and with dolphins at Glenelg, and cage dive with Great White Sharks at the Neptune Islands near Port Lincoln.

South Australia is also known for its exciting events, like the international cycling race Tour Down Under. Lance Armstrong made it his comeback race in 2009. Adelaide hosts the Clipsal 500, a thrilling V8 race through a city circuit. The Adelaide Fringe is an annual feast of comedy, music, theatre and fun. And the fabulous and captivating Adelaide Festival of Arts takes place every year.

In Adelaide, South Australia's capital city, you will find stylish architecture, boutique shopping, sandy swimming beaches, fabulous arts events, nightlife, fine dining, and some of Australia's best café strips.

It is easy to navigate your way around South Australia, with most of the regions just an hour or two drive from Adelaide.

There are about 28 South Australian national parks in the state. Each protect something unique in their own right.

Itineraries

 * Highways and tracks:
 * Anne Beadell Highway
 * Birdsville Track
 * Eyre Highway
 * Oodnadatta Track
 * Stuart Highway
 * Strzelecki Track

Diving
While tropical dives sites like the Great Barrier Reef or those in Southeast Asia are more popular, those who are more adventurous should consider diving in South Australia, which offers some very good temperate dive sites. Those of particular interest include Rapid Bay, which is home to leafy sea dragons, a type of seahorse which is only found in the temperate waters of Australia. Point Lowly near Whyalla is known for the colourful displays made by male cuttlefish to attract females during the mating season in the winter.

Wine tasting
South Australia is the largest wine producer among Australia's states, and it is known for some of the best wines in Australia. Wine regions in the state which are well known among wine connoisseurs include the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and Coonawarra.

Eat
South Australia has a good reputation for high quality fresh food and produce.

The Adelaide Central Market has an enduring reputation for fresh market produce as well as cheeses, smallgoods, fresh seafood, fresh butchered as well as processed meats and a huge range of culinary specialty items bearing an Australian, European and Asian food heritage. The Central Market precinct is the location of Adelaide's small Chinatown and has many Asian food outlets and restaurants. Many cafes, restaurants and retail food outlets line the streets around the Market complex.

The state produces citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit, stone fruits such a nectarines, peaches and plums, apples, pears, and table grapes such as sultana and muscatel.

Wheat, barley and oats are staple grain crops, legumes such as peas and many bean varieties are also produced. The state has an extensive market garden industry growing a wide range of vegetables in all seasons. Nuts such as almonds and walnuts are grown near Adelaide and the state has a vibrant high quality olive oil industry.

Seafood is both farmed in sea-water pens, grown in onshore tanks and caught in the wild by line fishing, trolling and trawling. South Australia has a well developed tuna, scale fish, oyster, crayfish (lobster) and abalone industry. The cold fresh waters of the Southern Ocean and the two gulfs has historically been bountiful but due to overfishing stringent controls have been brought to bear upon both commercial and recreational fishing. Historically, inland waterways such as the Murray river and the Coorong were also highly productive but have declined drastically due to environmental impacts and degradation.

The state also has a highly developed viticulture and wine making tradition. The industry produces many wine varieties for local, national and international markets.

South Australia also has a good reputation for rearing beef cattle for veal and beef meats, dairy production including milks, yoghurts, fresh and matured cheeses. The state has a strong history of sheep meat production including mutton and lamb. Local game meats include kangaroo and rabbits, which are wild harvested, normally in the mid-north and far north of the state. The poultry industry is well developed and provides both battery farm, free range and 'organic' eggs, chicken, ducks and turkeys.

Adelaide especially has an excellent reputation for restaurant and cafe dining. Other areas, including the Clare Valley, Barossa Valley and Kangaroo Island have strong regional cafe and restaurant industries that exploit the high quality fresh produce available in those areas.

South Australia's wineries are also excellent places to dine, with many of them operating restaurants where you can have lunch overlooking the vineyards, and have wine parings with each dish of your meal.

The ethnic culinary influences and production skills borne by many generations of immigration has helped the development of the food and produce industry in South Australia. Italian, Greek, Polish, German, Malaysian, Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants to the state have had particularly strong influence on the state's food culture.

Drink
The legal drinking age is 18 years. It is illegal either to purchase alcohol for yourself if you are under 18 years of age or to purchase alcohol on behalf of someone who is under 18 years of age. The only legally acceptable proof-of-age is an Australian drivers licence, state-issued proof-of-age card, Keypass card or a passport, and it would be wise to carry one if you want to purchase alcohol or tobacco and look under 25 - vendors will frequently ask for ID for anybody who looks to be 25 or younger. In South Australia, foreign drivers licences and foreign ID cards are NOT legally acceptable as proof of age documentation, and people who are unable to produce a passport or valid Australian ID will be refused service. Only actual ID documents will be accepted - photographs or photocopies will NOT be accepted.

Beer

 * Coopers Beer is an icon of South Australia. It is often described as the biggest small brewery in Australia. It is still family-owned. All Coopers products claim to be made by "natural" methods. There is a range of products from crisp lager styles to dark stout. South Australian pubs will often have Coopers Pale Ale on tap, which while not as distinctive as a craft beer, certainly gives the beer aficionado a tasty beer option not widely available in other states.
 * West End is the local mass-produced lager, on tap just about everywhere.
 * Southwark Premium was produced by mass-produced Lion Nathan, at a smaller brewery in Thebarton. However Lion Nathan closed this brewery in mid 2021 due to falling sales.

Beer measures in South Australia are the schooner and the pint. A schooner is a smaller measure, known variously as a middy or a pot elsewhere in Australia. A pint isn't a pint at all, and is a larger size known as a schooner everywhere else in Australia. In most pubs in SA a pint of pale will return you a reasonable measure of Coopers Pale Ale.

Wine
South Australia is particularly known for its world-class wines. Some wineries provide free tastings of their wines in expectation of a sale. Many also have restaurants on their properties where you can have lunch overlooking the vineyard. There is still one winery within the Adelaide metropolitan area, operated by Penfolds, which produces an expensive premium red wine, and is home to a posh fine dining restaurant. The following wine regions are of particular note:
 * Barossa Valley
 * Clare Valley
 * McLaren Vale
 * Coonawarra

Stay safe
While South Australia is relatively safe, make sure you stay hydrated. It can get hot in the outback sometimes, and water is crucial.

Go next

 * Barrier Highway to Broken Hill and on to western New South Wales
 * Birdsville Track to Birdsville and on to Queensland and the Simpson Desert
 * Eyre Highway (A1) to the Nullarbor Plain, Eucla and on to Western Australia
 * Eyre Peninsula and on to the Great Australian Bight
 * Ouyen Highway to Victoria and on to Albury/Wodonga
 * Princes Highway (B1) to the southeast of the state, the Coonawarra wine region in the south east of the state, Mount Gambier and on to Victoria
 * Stuart Highway, Coober Pedy with its opal mining and underground houses, and on to Alice Springs and the Northern Territory
 * Sturt Highway (A87) and on to the Riverland, Mildura, Victoria and New South Wales
 * Dukes Highway (A8) (Western Highway) to Bordertown and on to Ballarat and Melbourne
 * The Coorong at the mouth of the Murray River and on to the Limestone Coast including the Coonawarra, Robe and Mount Gambier then on to the Great Ocean Road in Victoria
 * Kangaroo Island, Australia's 3rd largest island, due south from Yorke Peninsula and accessed by aircraft from Adelaide or by ferry across the Backstairs passage from Cape Jervis on Fleurieu Peninsula

title: South Australia


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Southaven

Southaven is a city in Mississippi. Known as the "Top of Mississippi," the city is the gateway to the Mississippi Delta and minutes from Memphis.

title: Southaven