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Vermont

Vermont is in the New England region of the United States. The Green Mountain State is known for its beautiful fall foliage and its maple syrup. It is a popular destination for hiking and skiing. Tourism is a very large industry in Vermont, as skiers travel to ski resorts up and down the Green Mountain spine during the winter. In summer, the many bed and breakfasts fill up with couples and families wanting to visit the state's small towns and wild areas. Vermont's autumn foliage is known for being the most spectacular in the country, and possibly the world. It occurs quite early — usually mid-September to mid-October.

Cities

 * — the minuscule capital of Vermont
 * — famous for the Bennington Battle Memorial, a 300' Washington Monument lookalike
 * — artsy college town looking for a college
 * — Vermont's largest city and thriving college town
 * — the crossroads of Vermont
 * — upscale outlet shopping destination
 * — refined college town
 * — built by the marble industry, sustained by visitors to Killington Resort
 * — the "Aspen of the East," Vermont's most famous ski town.

Other destinations

 * – Vermont's second tallest mountain, the East's largest ski resort.
 * – Picturesque islands in the middle of Lake Champlain
 * , Woodstock — Preserves a nineteenth century managed forest and dairy farm.
 * (USFS), Green Mountains
 * (USFS), Green Mountains
 * (USFS), Green Mountains

Orientation
Vermont is the second smallest state in terms of population (it has 626,431 residents) and the sixth smallest in geographic area. Lake Champlain, the nation's ninth-largest natural freshwater body lies at the northwest border with New York State and Canada. The state is split north-south by the Green Mountains, which are popular for recreational activities. The eastern border with New Hampshire is defined by the Connecticut River. Vermont is the only landlocked state in New England which leads to its often being short-changed in guides to the region. Its highest point is Mount Mansfield at 4,393 ft, and its lowest point is Lake Champlain, at 95 feet.

The state is extremely rural and green, its valleys littered with farms. Its largest city is Burlington, pop. 42,417. Among the state's major exports are cheese, maple syrup, marble, slate, and granite.

The only time that the visitor might try to plan around is "Mud Season" (March-April), when unpaved ground becomes undriveable during the thaw. Even Mud Season has its charms, though.

History
Vermont was the 14th state admitted to the United States. It was not among the original 13 colonies because of a border dispute between New Hampshire and New York which was originally resolved in New York's favor. Vermont residents, led by Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, fought New York's land claims tooth and nail until declaring independence and soon thereafter being admitted to the union.

Vermont attracted settlers during the early 19th century, but the population remained stagnant as flatter land to the West grew in favor. Significantly deforested by upland sheep farming during the 1800s, the forest has regrown (now covering 80% of the state) since dairy became the predominant form of agriculture.

Vermont's urban areas have always been minuscule compared to the Northeast; the rural state, long the nation's most reliable Republican stronghold, is now considered politically independent, progressive and protective of its environment and rural character.

Natural history
The Appalachian Mountains that enfold Vermont were most likely created during the Taconic Orogeny, when the North American plate collided with the African plate approximately 550 to 440 million years ago. The mountains have subsequently been eroded by ice, water, and wind, such that they are rather humble in their current state (they are suspected of having reached the heights of the Himalayas). Today Vermont is home to many wild habitats and their constituent flora and fauna, including northern deciduous forests, coniferous forests, wetlands, farmlands, powerline greenways, and patches of tundra (most notably on Mount Mansfield). Notable fauna include the black bear, moose, and the pileated woodpecker.

Organization
Vermont is like the rest of New England in that town governments fulfill many of the same functions as cities. The distinction can sometimes be confusing for visitors. Barre, for instance might tout itself as the fourth largest city in Vermont. However if all cities and towns are considered together, Barre wouldn't even make the top ten. Some of the largest and most interesting places in Vermont such as Bennington and Brattleboro are actually towns.

Tourist information

 * Vermont Vacation website

Talk
The conservative (traditional) Vermont dialect uses broad “a” and “e” sounds for vowels. Also, words that end with “r” get an “uh” sound, and one-syllable words are turned into two syllables. Here are some examples of Vermont speak: that is “tha-at”, there would sound like “they-uh” and idea is “oi-dea”. This dialect has lost ground in recent decades, except in the Northeast Kingdom. If you are not a native Vermonter, you will likely be called a “flatlander”. Visitors to Vermont may also be called a "white plater," a reference to the state's green license plates compared with the white license plates of surrounding states. Native Vermonters are also known as "woodchucks." In most of the state, it's unlikely you will come across someone with a strong Vermont accent except for seniors, but it is still possible in the Northeast Kingdom.

A dialect of French that's similar to Quebecois French is spoken as a native language in some areas near the Canadian border.

By plane

 * There are flights from Atlanta, Chicago (O'Hare), New York City (LaGuardia, Kennedy), Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, Washington DC (Dulles and National), and Detroit to the Burlington International Airport (BTV). It is a small airport, which mostly serves regional jets and turboprops for civilian passenger use.
 * Rutland State Airport (RUT) has three flights a day to and from Boston Logan.
 * Another alternative is the Manchester Airport (MHT) in New Hampshire as it serves as an alternate hub for all of northern New England and is a 3 hour or less drive to just about anywhere in Vermont.
 * Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport (formerly Dorval Airport) is another alternative.

By train
Two Amtrak routes serves Vermont. There are no trains from Canada to the state, but during summer the Adirondack train between Montreal and New York calls at Port Kent, a short ferry ride from Burlington. Off-season, the nearest stop on this route is in Plattsburgh.

 * Ethan Allen Express, with daily service between New York and Burlington.
 * Vermonter, with daily service between Washington, D.C., New York and St. Albans. There are eight additional stops in Vermont on this route, Brattleboro, Bellows Falls, Windsor, White River Junction, Randolph, Montpelier, Waterbury and Essex Junction (for Burlington).

By car

 * Driving access to Vermont is Interstate 91 that runs north-south and Interstate 89 that runs northwest-southeast.

By bus

 * Greyhound. Service from Boston, MA, Albany, NY and Montreal, Canada as well as various other New England locations.
 * Megabus. Service to Burlington from Boston and New York City.
 * Bonanza, +1-888-751-8800. Service from New York to Bennington, Vermont.
 * Adventure East, +1 718 601-4707. Service from Manhattan to Vermont ski resorts.
 * Dartmouth Coach, +1-800-637-0123. Service to Hanover, NH (convenient to White River Junction, VT) from Boston South Station and Boston/Logan Airport.

By boat

 * Ferry service is available from three locations in Vermont that provides access to New York across Lake Champlain from Burlington,VT to Port Kent, NY, Grand Isle, VT to Plattsburgh, NY and Charlotte, VT to Essex, NY.

Get around
You will need a car to reach most places in Vermont.

Information on Vermont Transit can be found here.

Vermont Agency of Transportation and Vermont Translines have information of long distance bus routes.

Public transportation can be used in Northwest Vermont using Green Mountain Transit and its commuter services. From Burlington you can reach Montpelier, Waterbury, St. Albans, Middlebury, Vergennes, and Bristol.

Regional transit agencies for other regions are Tri-Valley Transit (Addison County, Orange County, Northern Windsor County), The Bus (Rutland County), Green Mountain Community Network (Bennington County), MOOver (Windham and Southern Windsor County) and Rural Community Transportation (Northeast Kingdom).

Greyhound and Amtrak could be used to travel between some of the larger towns in the state, however service is infrequent and very slow compared with driving.

See
As a predominantly rural state, most of Vermont's sightseeing opportunities are of natural origin. Most of the terrain consists of mountains and valleys so scenic views are around every corner. The Champlain Valley is by far the largest and you can find some pretty flat agricultural areas here. Many people drive up to Vermont from points south to view the fall foliage.

Vermont is an excellent place for fans of wildlife photography. Moose can be found all over the state, but are easiest to find in the wetlands of the Northeast Kingdom. Canada geese are another draw. Large flocks often rest in fields around the state on their way south. The most famous viewing opportunity can be found in Addison where thousands of Canada geese gather all at once.

Vermont's cities, towns, and villages are also a scenic attraction in their own right. The state was a part of the original 13 colonies (although whether New Hampshire or New York owned it was up for debate) and is home to some of the oldest buildings in the country. Federalist architecture can be found around much of the state, but particularly in Bennington. Most of the small towns will have a charming town common surrounded by 200 year old churches and town halls. Covered bridges are another man-made attraction and can be found concentrated in the Upper Valley of the Connecticut River.

Vermont is dotted with art galleries and museums. The largest concentrations can be found in Burlington and Brattleboro. South of Burlington, you will find the Shelburne Museum, the largest collection of Americana in the country.

 * Burlington Waterfront and Church Street, Burlington. This charming pedestrian and waterfront area along Lake Champlain is home to galleries, shops, and restaurants where you can find live music, an excellent sampling of local micro-brews, and great people-watching. Home to what may be Vermont's only "urban" nightlife.
 * Fall foliage During September and October, Vermont's wooded mountains burst into fiery color. Hotels, restaurants, and roads fill quickly during this season, so make reservations early. Columbus Day weekend is usually the most crowded. The small geographical size and rural character of the state make it easy to view foliage from almost any location. Bus and bicycle tours will often guide tourists to the best foliage-viewing areas. Several ski resorts in the region offer foliage-viewing ski-lift rides to mountaintop overlooks. Foliage season begins in mid to late September, with color increasing day by day until "peak" around the first or second week of October. During peak, most deciduous trees will display some color change. Maples will blaze orange and red; birches, ash, and aspen will glow yellow; and oaks will turn a warm purplish-brown. After peak, the leaves drop and color quickly fades from the hillsides over the next week or so. Foliage change is partially triggered by cold, so "peak" will arrive sooner in the north of the state and at higher elevations, moving south and down during the season. Bring warm clothing and an umbrella, as the New England weather can be unpredictable.
 * Manchester Center is a town in southern Vermont, nestled at the foot of 3,816-foot Mount Equinox. It's a shopper's paradise that is completely different from the village with its signs, sights and many shops. Manchester is also home to Hildene, Robert Todd Lincoln's 412-acre summer estate
 * Vermont Toy & Train Museum, Quechee Gorge Village, Quechee. This wonderful collection of more than 100,000 toys is the result of one man’s dream.
 * Vermont Toy & Train Museum, Quechee Gorge Village, Quechee. This wonderful collection of more than 100,000 toys is the result of one man’s dream.

Do
Outdoor activities abound in the Green Mountain State. Excellent hiking can be found along the spine of the Green Mountains in the center of the state. Smaller mountains to the east or west of the main range also offer good hiking opportunities.

Camping is another popular activity. Campsites can be found in the numerous state parks and more rustic sites can be found along some of the popular hiking trails.

Vermont is home to many lakes, the largest being Lake Champlain. Boating, swimming, kayaking, and fishing are all popular lake activities. In the winter, you can try your hand at ice fishing or take a high speed snowmobile ride across the ice. Be sure to check the thickness of the ice beforehand.

Skiing and mountain activities
This is what brings most visitors to Vermont. Vermont has some of the finest skiing conditions in the country. The state's ski areas range from small family operations with a single lift to some of the largest resorts in the country. Vermont is home to the most popular ski resorts in the eastern United States.
 * Bolton Valley, in Bolton
 * Bromley, in Manchester (Vermont)
 * Burke Mountain, in East Burke
 * Jay Peak, in Jay
 * Killington Resort, in Killington
 * Mad River Glen, in Waitsfield
 * Magic Mountain, in Londonderry
 * Mount Snow/Haystack, in Mount Snow.
 * Okemo in Ludlow.
 * Pico Mountain, in Rutland.
 * Smuggler's Notch, in Jeffersonville
 * Stowe Mountain Resort, in Stowe
 * Stratton Mountain, in Jamaica.
 * Sugarbush, in Warren
 * Suicide Six, in Woodstock.
 * Hike the Long Trail or Appalachian Trail
 * Explore Green Mountain National Forest
 * Watersports on Lake Champlain

Stargazing
As a rural state with little light pollution, Vermont is also a great place to watch the night sky. Particularly in the winter, there is also a chance of seeing the Northern Lights, though you shouldn't expect them every night.

Eat
Maple syrup products and cheddar cheeses are the foods for which Vermont is most famous.

Creamees: Basically soft serve ice cream. Try a maple one.

Sugar on Snow: Maple syrup poured on chunks of snow so it forms a taffy like substance. Often served with a pickle.

Ben & Jerry's: The world famous ice cream maker is based in Waterbury.

Vermonter sandwich: Many delis will serve a sandwich called a Vermonter, usually consisting of maple ham, sharp cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and hot honey mustard.

Michigans: A hot dog topped with a slightly spicy meat sauce, onions, and mustard.

There are many outstanding restaurants throughout Vermont that use local produce. Burlington, the largest population center in the state, has the greatest variety of restaurants, but there are gems hidden even in the smallest towns, like Hardwick and Plainfield. Montpelier, the Route 100 corridor from the Mad River Valley through Stowe, and Manchester are other areas with high concentrations of quality restaurants. Vermont also offers a variety of ways to see the farm to table connection, from guided tours of the people and places behind the flavors of Vermont to on-farm lodging.

Microbreweries
Vermont is home to some very original and high quality breweries. When in the Green Mountain State, stop by for a tour or look for titles from some of these fine companies:

Vineyards and Wineries
Vermont is also home to a growing number of vineyards and wineries. Although the climate is very cold, winemakers have found ways to make quality wines with cold hardy grapes. Vineyards located in the Champlain Valley can take advantage of a slightly milder climate due to the presence of a large lake.

Cider
Vermont is home to a number of both regular and hard cider producers including Woodchuck, the largest hard cider producer in the U.S.

Stay safe
Vermont has one of the lowest crime rates of any state in the country. Outdoor hazards are much more common. Avoid wilderness areas during hunting seasons (November) when accidental shootings can occur. Always stay on marked ski trails while skiing. The areas around resorts may be trackless wilderness, and the cold is potentially deadly. Use good outdoor safety practices when hiking, boating, and biking.

Vermont does not require licenses for the open or concealed carry of handguns. Visitors to Vermont who wish to bring handguns to the state are advised to avoid New York State entirely. This advice is especially valid for air travelers, because Albany International Airport in New York serves travelers going to and from Vermont.

Go next
The northern part of Vermont is close to Montreal. There are also nearby mountainous areas in New York (the Adirondacks), New Hampshire (the White Mountains), Massachusetts (the Berkshires), and Maine (the Speckled Mountains), all of which have their unique charms.

 * New Hampshire - Vermont's eastern neighbor is a fiercely independent state that offers the rugged White Mountains, idyllic lakes, and a handful of ocean resorts.
 * Massachusetts - The birthplace of America's revolution, the state's southern neighbor is home to historical towns, the vacation hotspot of Cape Cod, and the always-interesting city of Boston. The Berkshires are a southerly continuation of the Green Mountains, and Berkshire County shares much in common with southern Vermont.
 * New York - Upstate New York is home to the Adirondack Mountains, due west across Lake Champlain from northwestern Vermont. Conversely, the upper reaches of the Hudson Valley are a short drive to the west of southwestern Vermont. Further south are the bright lights of New York City. Quite a bit to the west, the Finger Lakes region is a popular outdoor and wine-growing area.
 * Quebec - Vermont's northern neighbor is Canada's French-speaking province, home to a unique culture, distinctly European feel - and even more maple syrup.

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Vernal

Vernal is a city of 10,000 people (2019) in Northeastern Utah. Tourists are drawn to Vernal by the town's roots in the Old West and because of a large site of dinosaur fossils. Vernal and the surrounding area are popular among outdoor enthusiasts as they are near plentiful spots for fishing, fly fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities.

Understand
Vernal is the second largest town in Northeastern Utah. Vernal's economy is based on extracting natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, phosphate, and uintaite (more commonly known as Gilsonite). This has led to the establishment of branch offices of companies such as Halliburton and Schlumberger.

Get in
Vernal has an airport, Vernal Regional Airport (VEL) but it is very small. Great Lakes Airlines flies from Vernal to Moab and Denver. Vernal is also along a Greyhound Bus route between Denver and Salt Lake City (possibly discontinued now) and along a Salt Lake Express route with two daily round-trips between Vernal & Salt Lake City (both the airport and Downtown). The best way to get to town is by car, along US Highway 40.

Vernal is served by
 * the Basin Transit Association Vernal - Roosevelt route (connection available to the Duchesne route in Roosevelt), Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) 6 times a day, and
 * a Salt Lake Express route from Salt Lake City, which arrives at the Quality Inn, 1684 W Highway 40.

Get around
The scale and road layout of Vernal means the most practical way around is by personal auto.

The Vernal Circulator bus provides transit within the town Mondayto Friday, excluding holidays, 12 times a day.

Do
Vernal is a beautiful town known for its outdoor activities such as white water rafting and fishing the Yampa and Green Rivers, water activities at Flaming Gorge Recreation Area (207,000-acre reservoir), four-wheeling and hiking. If you love the outdoors, you will love Vernal.

Nearby Dinosaur National Monument exhibits some of the oldest dinosaur artifacts ever found, as well as beautiful desert mountain scenery. The dinosaur theme is plentiful throughout Vernal as well.

Buy
On the west side of downtown, there is a retail district with many big-box stores.

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

title: Vernal


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Vernazza

Vernazza is the next to northernmost town and perhaps most picturesque of the five towns of Cinque Terre in Italy. Colorful, antique homes cling to impossible cliffs. A lovely small harboir nestles under the shadows of an ancient castle and a dramatic seaside church.

On October 25, 2011, Vernazza was struck by torrential rains, massive flooding and mudslides that left the town buried in over 4 metres (over 13 feet) of mud and debris, causing over €100 million worth of damage. The town was evacuated and in a state of emergency for many months. Vernazza returned with hard work and help from people around the world, and is as lovely as ever.

Understand
Vernazza has the only proper harbor in the Cinque Terre and is a charming, small fishing village. Vernazza was founded about 1000 AD, and was ruled by the Republic of Genoa starting in 1276. Vernazza's medieval castle, Belforte, towers above the harbour and was built in the mid-1500s, primarily to protect the village from pirates.

Vernazza's historic wealth is evidenced by the elegant style of its houses and streets, which are decorated with tower forms, open galleries, refined arcades and elaborate doorways. The Village is surrounded by very steeply-terraced Olive groves which are said to produce among the finest Olive oil in the country.

Vernazza is a quaint, tiny place, with a population of about 1,000. The entire Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Since the train and Rick Steves have brought droves of tourists to the Cinque Terre, most business owners speak enough English to satisfy the typical visitor. A woman may come out of her house in the evening to ask if you need a room for the night. Be cautious as the only English word she may know is "room." She may also ask if you need a "zimmer" (room in German)" The language barrier is not a problem for Vernazzans even if they don't speak English. Play along and it won't be a problem for you either.

Get in
Taking the local commuter/milk trains (they used to deliver milk and mail to the cities) to Vernazza from Genoa or La Spezia is a magnificent experience. You will ride along the cliffs, overlooking turquoise waters and olive trees. Tunnel after tunnel, the air cools and heats in the sun. There is no car traffic in Vernazza, which definitely adds to the village's charms. There is a small parking lot about a quarter mile north of the village.

Pisa International Airport is 80 km away.

Get around
The milk train provides easy access to each of the five towns. Trains run very frequently. The station in Vernazza is about a 10-minute walk above the harbour. The cobblestone main street from the station to the harbour is classically beautiful, lined with colourful buildings that house small shops, cafes, and residences.

The town is very small and only accessible on foot.

See
There is a small rustic church worth a look near the waterfront. For a great view, walk up to the top of the castle. The walk takes no more than a minute or two and is well worth it.

Do
The hike northwest from Vernazza to Monterosso (or vice versa) creates indelible memories of incredibly beautiful cliffs and seascapes. The hike takes about 90 minutes each way, but you can hike one way and return on the train. The trail begins on the north side of the main street between the train station and the harbor (it is not well marked, you may need to ask). The Vernazza-Monterosso hike involves some climbing, about 250 metres total.

Not to be missed is the first part of the hike southeast from Vernazza to Corniglia. This hike literally offers postcard views (like the photo above) of the town, the castle, and more. The trail starts just above the train station (it is well-marked). The most amazing views are within the first 10 minutes of walking from the station as the trail wraps around the watchtower of Vernazza's castle. You will definitely want your camera. The full hike to Corniglia, which is the greenest hike in the Cinque Terre as it meanders through olive groves, takes about 90 minutes. For info on hiking to all five villages see the Cinque Terre page.

Therapeutic Massage  to relieve aches and pains or simply relax deeper into your vacation is highly recommended while in Vernazza. To schedule an appointment contact Stephanie at email: [mailto:stephsette@gmail.com] or call.

Buy
Most stores accept major credit cards, but there is an ATM in town if needed. Some basic amenities include an internet cafe, a laundromat and countless vendors selling postcards. There is a good wine shop a little ways from the beach. Besides various miscellaneous stores, one can't pass by the gelato shop without trying a new flavor of ice cream. Wine can be purchased in the Oenoteca shops but it is more expensive there. Try buying it in the Mercato (market) where you can get local vino tavola (table wine) from €3 for a bottle, red or white.

Eat
Pesto "sauce" was invented in the Cinque Terre. Any visit without a slice of pesto pizza is an unfulfilled visit! You can get it throughout the Cinque Terre.

Drink
The Vino de la Cinque Terre is a surprisingly bold-tasting white wine that gets its characteristics from the high mineral content of the soil and the fresh, salty sea air. It can be found in any pub throughout the Cinque Terre. Combine it with some pesto for a truly amazing taste experience.

If you feel like something stronger, try the Ananasso Bar down at the harbour, with his bright yellow umbrellas and chairs. Taste the Kaypiroska, a cool mix of vodka, fresh fruit (raspberry, strawberry, plums...) and cane sugar.

Sleep
There aren't any traditional full service hotels in Vernazza, but a wonderful assortment of guest houses, vacation rentals, and boutique hotels. Staying in one of these smaller establishments is the way to soak up the real Vernazza-- don't be put off by the lack of larger hotel properties.

Go next
Vernazza is all about relaxation and enjoying a slower pace to life. There is no need to "get out" in Vernazza. Enjoy a stroll on the main street or let the sound of the waves on the breakwater lull you into an Italian euphoria. Become a Vernazzan and embrace the bliss of life on the Italian Riviera. It is a nice place to stay and spend time with the family. The beaches are the best.

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Vernet-les-Bains

Vernet-les-Bains is a village in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southwest France. It is in the Pyrenées Orientales department. Some guidebooks make it sound as if its attractions were somehow in the past but it has features that make it special today as a place to stay for a week or more in a stunningly beautiful mountain area.

Vernet's links with Rudyard Kipling and the Entente Cordiale

Walks near Vernet and to the summit of Canigou mountain

Get in
Vernet shares a station with Villefranche-de-Conflent, easily reached from Perpignan, but, whereas Villefranche is near the station, Vernet is a fair trek and uphill on a road so a bus or taxi is necessary.

Get around
From the station the Petit Train Jaune follows its scenic line over numerous impressive viaducts to Latour du Carol.

Bus or walk to the nearby hamlet of Casteil at the top of the road beyond Vernet.

See
The village takes pride in being the first 'village-arboretum' in France. There are certainly some wonderful trees and many signs describing them. Walks range from the ascent of the 'Pic du Canigou' to easy strolls suitable for children. Unfortunately the TIC only sells the walks guide in summer, which starts by decree on June 1 - but hotels are likely to have copies that you can see at other times.

Do
Go to the casino if you must but in any case don't miss the geological museum where the owner gives a most informative tour in several languages.
 * Visit the Abbey of St Martin du Canigou near Casteil but don't take an expensive land rover trip until you've weighed up the walk from Casteil. If it's too much for you, on no account take the trip from further away. It will cost you far more and you can easily reach Casteil by bus.
 * There is a small zoo in Casteil that appeals to children.

Eat
Bistrot le Cortal. It's very small so book beforehand. Food and views to die for.

Connect
As of Jan 2024, Vernet-les-Bains and its approach highways have 4G from Bouygues, Orange and SPR, and 5G from Free.

Go next
If you've not arrived from Perpignan, it's certainly worth a visit.

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Vernon

There is more than one place called Vernon:

Canada

 * Vernon (British Columbia) - A city in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia.

France

 * Vernon (Eure) - A town in the Eure department in the Upper Normandy region.

United States of America

 * Vernon (Alabama) - A town in the state of Alabama.
 * Vernon (California) - A town in the state of California.
 * Vernon (Connecticut) - A town in the state of Connecticut.
 * Vernon (Florida) - A town in the state of Florida.
 * Vernon (New Jersey) - A town in the state of New Jersey.
 * Vernon (New York) - A town in the state of New York. See Rome (New York) and Utica.
 * Vernon (Texas) - A town in the state of Texas.
 * Vernon (Vermont) - A town in the state of Vermont.

title: Vernon


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Vernon (British Columbia)

Vernon is a city of about 45,000 people (2016) in the north end of the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. Vernon is known for its lakes and beaches in the summer, and skiing and hockey in the winter. It is therefore a year-round tourist destination and weekend getaway for people from Vancouver and Calgary.

History
The site of the city was discovered by the Okanagan people, a tribe of the Interior Salish people, who named the community Nintle Moos Chin, meaning "jumping over place where the creek narrows". This name refers to a section of the Swan Lake that passes through Downtown Vernon, the community's central business district. Some of these were part of the Okanagan Indian Band, a First Nations government part of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. This name was followed by Priest's Valley, which serves as an Indian reserve, and its present name, in honour of Forbes George Vernon, a pioneer member part of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Yale. The Okanagan people settled around the city's two lakes, Okanagan Lake and Swan Lake, obtaining seasonal sources of food.

In 1811, fur traders began travelling around the area. After one of these, David Stuart, began working with the Pacific Fur Company, which was bought out by the North West Company; Luc Girouard became the first white settler. The North West Company was forced to merge with the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821. A number of fur traders decided to camp in Vernon, which started to develop in 1863, following a gold discovery at the Cherry Creek, Monashee Mountains, Mission Creek and the east side of Okanagan Lake. After the development began, numerous ranches were constructed. Centreville, the community's original central business district, was formed in 1885. That same year, a post office, hotel, general store, and school house was constructed. A Hudson's Bay Company store was established in 1887, in a rough wooden structure. Historically a major economic hub destination in the Okanagan, Vernon was home to many cattle ranches and fruit orchard areas, attracting British families.

Vernon's growth accelerated beginning in 1891, after the Canadian Pacific Railway was opened. Fruit trees were planted in Vernon, which first grew by the early 1890s. In 1908, the Okanagan Mounted Rifles military program was formed in it, thus bringing a number of people to the area during World War I and World War II for lessons.

By car
Vernon is accessed from the north or south by Hwy 97. It is a 30-40 minute drive from Kelowna and just over an hour from Kamloops. Travel time from Vancouver (via Kamloops and the Coquihalla Hwy 5) is 4½-5 hours. Hwy 6 connects Vernon to Lumby, the Slocan Valley and Nelson to the east.

By plane
Vernon has a very small airport but no commercial flights. Kelowna International Airport is about 30 min to the south if Vernon, and has regular scheduled flights.

Get around
Vernon is quite spread out. Many of the restaurants and hotels are located close to the town center while the attractions are often at the edge of town. Having a car will be the most efficient way to get around and see the sights.

By public transit

 * Operates bus route 60 from Monday to Saturday that travels between Vernon and Enderby with stops in Armstrong. Travel time to Vernon from Enderby is about 65 minutes and from Armstrong is about 35 to 40 minutes. On Wednesdays, BC Transit (Shuswap Regional Transit System) operates bus route 41 between Enderby and Salmon Arm.
 * Operates bus route 90 multiple times daily between Vernon and Kelowna (51 min) with a stop along the way in Lake Country.
 * Operates bus route 90 multiple times daily between Vernon and Kelowna (51 min) with a stop along the way in Lake Country.

Do

 * Enjoy Kalamalka & Okanagan Lakes
 * Enjoy Kalamalka & Okanagan Lakes

Golfing

Buy

 * Lots of shopping including most of the big box stores (Walmart, Home Depot, Best Buy).
 * Lots of shopping including most of the big box stores (Walmart, Home Depot, Best Buy).

Eat

 * Food Court at the Village Green Shopping Centre (see "Buy")
 * Food Court at the Village Green Shopping Centre (see "Buy")
 * Food Court at the Village Green Shopping Centre (see "Buy")
 * Food Court at the Village Green Shopping Centre (see "Buy")

Go next

 * Head south on Hwy 97 to see the rest of the Okanagan including Kelowna and Penticton.
 * Head east on Hwy 6 to see the mountains and lakes of the West Kootenays, including Nakusp, New Denver and Nelson.
 * Head north on Hwy 97 to the 97A and 97B to see the Shuswap lakeside towns of Salmon Arm and Sicamous.

title: Vernon (British Columbia)


text:
Vernon (Connecticut)

Vernon is a town in Connecticut.

Understand

 * Taken from this Wikipedia article.

 * Vernon was incorporated in October 1808, from Bolton. Vernon was named after George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. Vernon contains the former city of Rockville, incorporated in January, 1889 and consolidated in January 1965.

Get in

 * I-84

Get around

 * Vernon has a small bus line.

 * The sidewalk infrastructure is minimal; however, walking is common and viable.

 * Cars are the main mode of transport.

See

 * Arts Center East
 * Belding Wildlife Property
 * Gene Pitney Exhibit in Town Hall
 * New England Civil War Museum
 * Rails to Trails
 * Rockville Community Alliance
 * Rockville Farmers Market
 * Talcottville Historic District
 * Talcottville Ravine
 * Valley Falls Park
 * Vernon Historical Society
 * Victorian homes
 * Henry Park/Fox Hill Tower

Drink
Watch out for shady liquor stores.

title: Vernon (Connecticut)


text:
Vernon (New Jersey)

Vernon is a city in northern New Jersey.

Get in
Vernon is accessible from NYC via rt 287, to rt 23, to rt 515, which will place you right in the heart of town. NJTransit also services Vernon and the surrounding hamlets by bus. A round trip ticket on the 195 Skyline Express bus from Port Authority is about $14 (2007) and places you in the nearby small town of Warwick, NY.

Get around
Vernon is excellent for hikers and ski bums. If you plan on staying in town, you can access just about everything on foot. Mountain Creek provides enough within their borders to keep you busy, and you can venture out to the trails and nearby restaurants with ease.

See
Vernon isn't a big historical town. The past, in fact, is almost wiped away by the arrival of mega-corporate Mountain Creek resort. Although Intrawest has gone through great lengths to give the appearance of a French-Alps quaint ski village, the truth is, everything has been built within the last 5 years. The building designs are artificially varied in color and architecture to give the appearance of being built over time. Most of the sights are natural, and are only a mountain hike away through the local highlands. If you're into history, the nearby old town of Warwick, New York offers true heritage, with each building in town required to select from paint colors that won't upset the traditional style of the older buildings nearby. There you can find parks, points of interest, and even a few small, interesting museums and 'historical houses' dating to the 1700s. Warwick and Vernon are kissing cousins, with the town limits bleeding into each other across state lines. Often, the two separate towns are distinguishable only by road-signs. Warwick is about 10 up Rt. 94N.

Do

 * Hidden Valley ski area: Hidden valley is a bit smaller than Mountain Creek, but it is appropriately cheaper. If you've skied yourself out on Creek's 3 peaks, you can stop by Hidden Valley and vary your terrain. Often a better choice for less crowded ski lessons, Hidden Valley offers shorter lift lines, similar quality, and a nice lodge at the bottom.
 * Appalachian Trail: Perhaps the best but most overlooked feature of Vernon is its small leg of the Appalachian Trail (AT). The trail is s bit long for small children, but very easy, with man-made rock steps leading the way up the side of Vernon's border peaks. There is a mid-way stop at a natural rock outcrop, but hike further and you will be rewarded with some of the nicest views in the Hudson Valley that can be had in an easy day's walk. There is a large rock face with ample flat space to set up a lovely picnic for two and enjoy some local breads and cheeses. Alcohol is prohibited, although not likely to be noticed if enjoyed quietly and maturely. An excellent distraction on an autumn day, about an hour at a lazy pace ascending and descending. The trail is accessed by taking Rt. 94 towards Warwick and the Hidden Valley farms. There is a small parking area which accommodates about 6 cars, and in peak season you may find yourself pulled up on the side of the road. Exercise caution with pedestrians about! Often, though, you will be alone to enjoy the solitude of nature, just an hour's drive from the metropolis of New York.
 * Minerals Resort/Spa: Minerals is a great destination to unlock those stiff joints from a long day of skiing. It's no shabby Japanese hot-spring hole in the ground, rather it's a chic and upscale gym and spa, catering to the type of people often found in Vernon: wealthy urban escapists. However, getting in is reasonable, and grants you access to a full gym, indoor track, indoor basketball, tennis, handball/squash, indoor lap pool, a large hot tub, a large hot tub, a cold tub, sauna, indoor waterfall, and swim-through to an outdoor heated pool, with its own outdoor waterfall jump and diving area. If it sounds over-the-top, it's because it is. Not super-exclusive with hot rock massage and large Turkish men named Francois, but still with a giant variety of relaxations. Nearby restaurant/bar 'Kites' offers fare and tipple within a short walk.
 * Minerals Resort/Spa: Minerals is a great destination to unlock those stiff joints from a long day of skiing. It's no shabby Japanese hot-spring hole in the ground, rather it's a chic and upscale gym and spa, catering to the type of people often found in Vernon: wealthy urban escapists. However, getting in is reasonable, and grants you access to a full gym, indoor track, indoor basketball, tennis, handball/squash, indoor lap pool, a large hot tub, a large hot tub, a cold tub, sauna, indoor waterfall, and swim-through to an outdoor heated pool, with its own outdoor waterfall jump and diving area. If it sounds over-the-top, it's because it is. Not super-exclusive with hot rock massage and large Turkish men named Francois, but still with a giant variety of relaxations. Nearby restaurant/bar 'Kites' offers fare and tipple within a short walk.

Buy
The Bobolink Dairy on Rt. 94 is an old-world style craft baker and dairy farm. There are numerous varieties of original cheeses, milk, and other dairy products for sale, as well as stunningly good, fresh breads. Pick up a braided loaf and some spreadables and enjoy the local flavor.

Eat
Like any small North Jersey town, there are a variety of small, authentic dining establishments, as well as the usual spatting of chain restaurants. A drive up or down the main drag of Rt. 94, or the road towards Mountain Creek will yield quite a few choices in varying price ranges. Mountain Creek resort's 'village' also offers a few places to grab a bite, although expect resort pricing.

Drink
There are numerous watering holes in Vernon, including those within Mountain Creek. The local favorite, though, is the Vernon Inn (again, on trusty Rt. 94N towards Warwick), it's just on the edge of the village proper of Vernon, on the right hand side. What was once a seedy bar and grill has been renovated under new ownership to a reasonably nice tavern. Typical pub faire is to be had, as well as the standard selection of American brews, with an increasing number of craft beers the likes of Stella Artois or Hoegaarden. Order on a lucky day and you can often get your Stellas served in a real Stella glass, and if you ask nicely, you'll likely be invited to take it as a souvenir (Just be sure it's empty!).

Sleep
There are a few small bed and breakfasts nearby, and the Mountain Creek staff can assist you in finding lodgings, if you haven't arranged it with them.

title: Vernon (New Jersey)


text:
Vernon (Texas)

Vernon is a city in the North Central Plains region of Texas. Years ago, the Great Western Cattle Trail passed through here, a corollary of the more popular Chisholm Trail to the east. On a more contemporary note, it was the birthplace and childhood home of Roy Orbison. It is the closest town to the Waggoner Ranch, the biggest cattle ranch in the USA under one fence.

Get in
Vernon lies on US Highway 287 between Quanah and Wichita Falls. Alternately, you can take US Highway 283 south from Altus, Oklahoma, or US 70 east from Crowell.

Get around
Like most Texas towns, you are best off with a car at your disposal.

Go next

 * Doan's Crossing, 15 miles north on Hwy 283 near the tiny community of Fargo. Six million cattle were driven along the Western Texas-Kansas trail which crossed the Red River at this point. Corwin Doan built a small adobe store here in 1881 to provide for the cowboy's needs. The building still stands today, along with a historical marker engraved with the brands of famous ranches around Texas.
 * Lake Kemp, 25 miles south off route 183. This lake is popular for sport fishing.

title: Vernon (Texas)


text:
Vero Beach

Vero Beach is a city of 18,000 people (2019) on the Treasure Coast in Florida. It has three beaches, and the Indian River Lagoon, passing through Vero Beach, is a hub for boating, fishing, water skiing, diving, kayaking and other small-craft waterborne activities.

By plane
Next nearest airports for commercial flights are:
 * Melbourne Orlando International Airport in Melbourne is the nearest large airport at  north via I-95 or US Hwy 1 (1 hr drive north).
 * Larger airports are Orlando International Airport  north and west via I-95 & FL-528; and Palm Beach International  ( south) which are 1 1/2 - 2hr drive away.

By car
Route 60 (20th Street) goes into town from Exit 47 of Interstate 95.

By boat
The Intercoastal Waterway. Visitors can stop in at the city marina at marker 139. It’s a City Service center.

By car

 * Florida 60.svg US 1.svg State Road 60 (20th St) intersects US-1 (8th Ave), which are both main roads in the city. US 1 curves north and west on 21st St and continues north as "Rt 1".
 * Florida A1A.svg serves as the main thoroughfare along the beach on the key. FL-60 and 656 connects the key to the mainland via causeway.

By bus
The Go-Line IRT is the local transit system, serving all of Indian River County and Fort Pierce in St. Lucie at the IRSC.

The Treasure Coast Connector is the local bus service of St. Lucie County, but it now has a route running from the Fort Pierce Intermodal Station to South Point Plaza on 43rd Street in Vero Beach.

Do

 * Paddles By The Sea, 3321 Bridge Plaza Dr (Marina at Riverside Cafe), +1 772 444-7871, Paddle board and kayak rentals, tours and lessons.

Go next

 * Sebastian to the north.

title: Vero Beach


text:
Verona

Verona is an historic city with a population of about a quarter of a million in north-eastern Italy's Veneto region. It's most famous as the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Understand
Though close to the more popular tourist destination of Venice, many people consider Verona a more relaxed and pleasant place to visit. There are many tourists, but the number of tourists per square metre is lower.

By plane

Connections to the city:
 * If you have a rental car the trip to Verona isn't difficult: take the A4 towards Padova (Padua) and follow all the way to Verona (approx 7 km).
 * If you have a rental car the trip to Verona isn't difficult: take the A4 towards Padova (Padua) and follow all the way to Verona (approx 7 km).

Venice Marco Polo Airport is further but has far more flights. From there take the shuttle bus to Mestre railway station (25 min), then the train to Verona (1 hour).

Also within a couple of hours of Verona are Venice Treviso and Bergamo airports. These have no obvious advantage.

By train

 * Some local trains (regionali) also stop at another station in Verona,.
 * Some local trains (regionali) also stop at another station in Verona,.

By car
Verona is the meeting point of 2 of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) corridors and as such is easily reachable by car from a number of surrounding European countries.

Get around
City bus schedules available online, via google maps and through the "ticket bus Verona" app. The 11, 12 or 13 bus on weekdays will get you from the train station (Stazione Porta Nuova) to the Arena (Piazza Bra). Sunday and holiday schedules differ with a separate numbering system. You can pay the fare at the automatic machines, online with the previously mentioned app, from every cigarette or lotto shop (look for blue "T" signs) and, as a last resort, directly on the bus by asking the driver (cash only and with an €0.80 surcharge - quite a lot if your ticket is only €1.30).

See
Verona was a Roman city, and many Roman ruins have been preserved, notably the Arena. The ancient city was badly wrecked by the earthquake of 1117 AD, which led to a flurry of re-building. Therefore, most of the historical sights on view today date from the past 800 years, while the Roman city lies 6 metres below you.

Verona showcases the transition of Western European art from late medieval to early renaissance styles, with its rich offering of 12th-century churches and art museums. Verona's military importance has also left city fortifications and an excellent castle. Look out for architectural details related to the Scaligeri (or della Scala) family, who ruled the city from the 12th to 14th century, e.g. their family emblem is a ladder, scala in Italian.

Top sights are the Arena, Castelvecchio, the churches of St Zeno and of Sant'Anastasia, and the cathedral. Much of the pleasure of Verona comes from simply strolling the medieval centre, especially in the evening when the day-trippers have departed. The Arena hosts performances by the world's top singers, and when these are on the whole city, not just the Arena, will be booked solid.

A little further out across the river, find the Castel San Pietro, the Giusti gardens, and the other amphitheatre. The walk along the riverside is usually enjoyable, but in 2016/17, the pavement between the Roman Bridge and the Garibaldi Bridge was under reconstruction, with no end in sight.

Do

 * Wander around Carega block (just ask for 'Carega', close to the Duomo), near Garibaldi Bridge, and experience traditional wine bar and cosy restaurants.
 * Hire a tourist guide for a guided sightseeing tour or a wine tour in Valpolicella or Soave.
 * Football: Hellas Verona play soccer in Serie A, Italy's top tier. Their home ground Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi (capacity 39,000) is 2 km west of city centre.
 * Visit the Christmas markets during your winter holidays
 * Football: Hellas Verona play soccer in Serie A, Italy's top tier. Their home ground Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi (capacity 39,000) is 2 km west of city centre.
 * Visit the Christmas markets during your winter holidays

Eat

The Veronese are keen eaters of horse-meat (cavallo), a local speciality. Pastisada de caval, is a dish of braised horse meat, as is Picula de Caval.

Pizza is not traditionally eaten locally, but pasta dishes feature widely on restaurant menus. Try Pizzocheri (buckwheat pasta with cheese and sage), casoncelli (a type of ravioli) or bigoli (thick spaghetti).

Casoela is a pork casserole, and a bollito misto is a mixture of boiled meats, usually served with mostarda, a traditional accompaniment of fruit and vegetables in mustard.

Budget
All these are in the city centre:

Drink
Avoid the hordes of tourists in Piazza Bra and head to Piazza delle Erbe. At least slightly more genuine, this Piazza has a number of good bars where you can sit and enjoy a coffee or an "aperitivo" in the sun. Great for your coffee in the morning and your drinks into the evening.

Sleep
Verona is frequented annually by millions of tourists, so you'll be able to choose among a lot of different accommodation options, all a lot cheaper than nearby Venice. However it is essential to have booked hotel accommodation on days when the annual arena opera performances are taking place between July and August months in advance. Turn up on spec or late and it is possible to find every bed in the city taken - cheaper alternatives might be found in nearby Vincenza or Padua.

Budget
There are three youth hostels in Verona, all within walking distance of the town centre and a short bus ride from the main train station (Porta Nuova). A tourist map, available from the station's tourist information centre, will point you to their locations. The northeasternmost hostel of the trio, near Piazza Isolo (regular buses from Porta Nuova) has a stunning converted Renaissance complex complete with porticoes, verandas and a huge forested garden, dorm beds for only €15 per person, with a passable breakfast included.

Also consider several small bed and breakfasts in the immediate province, after all a car rental for €30/day and a substantial saving on the nightly fee is an acceptable turnaround. Especially if you need the car to visit the surroundings.

There is also a campsite:

Connect
As of June 2022, Verona has 5G with all Italian carriers.

Go next
The surrounding area around Verona offers access to some of Italy's most spectacular scenery - to the north you have rolling hills with vineyards and small towns, to the west the Lake Garda (Lago di Garda).

 * Other cities and towns worth a visit and easily done as a day-trip by rail from Verona include Vicenza, Padova, Mantova and of course the big draw Venice.
 * Drive to the nearby valley Valpolicella, famous for its renowned Amarone, Recioto and valpolicella wines as well as for its ancient villas.
 * Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) can be easily reached from Verona for a day trip. There are frequent regional trains to Peschiera del Garda, the ride from Verona Porta Nuova takes only 15 Minutes, however it is by far not the nicest of towns at the lake. Your best and fastest (meaning 2 hours with mediocre traffic) bet would be bus 185 to the town of Garda at the eastern shore of the lake (from which other lines run all the way up north). Busses 164 and 165 also run to Garda, albeit on a less direct route, however both go via Verona Airport. All lines depart from infront of the main train station in Verona. Tickets can be bought on the bus. Get a timetable (orari) from the tourist office or from APTV transport website (Lake Garda is in Zone C), they are also clearly marked at the central bus station.

title: Verona


text:
Verona (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Verona:

Canada

 * Verona (Ontario) - A town in Ontario

Italy

 * Verona - A city in Veneto
 * Verona (province) - A province in Veneto

United States of America

 * Verona (Wisconsin) - A town in Wisconsin

title: Verona (disambiguation)


text:
Verona (Ontario)

Verona is a small town of about 1,800 people in the heart of cottage country, north of Kingston in Ontario.

Understand
Verona is on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, surrounded by dozens of lakes that attract fishing and boating enthusiasts, including Rock Lake, Howe's Lake, Eagle Lake, Bob's Lake, and Desert Lake.

History
European settlers arrived in the area in the early 19th century. They had a difficult time getting to the village because of the poor surrounding conditions, which included crossing the Cameron Bog, a 5,000-acre swamp.

During the mid and late 19th century, the construction of the Kingston & Pembroke Railway brought prosperity to the area. The area was home to many sawmills exporting goods out of the region. As a result, Verona was also known as Buzztown, because of the saw and grist mills. Verona became a centre of commerce, as it was the only crossing place over the Cameron Bog.

Get in
Verona is accessed by Highway 38. Kingston is a half-hour drive and Ottawa is 2 hours away by car.

There is no bus or train.

The nearest airports are in Kingston (regional) and Ottawa (international).

Get around
Verona is small enough to walk around, but you will need a car to explore the region. Most roads in the region are paved, but smaller rural access further out are via gravel roads.

Do

 * Verona has a beautiful beach area with summer swimming lessons, parks to play in, hiking trails and a beautiful countryside.

Buy
Verona has a post office, grocery store, drug store, restaurants, gas station, convenience stores, liquor store, and a hardware store.

title: Verona (Ontario)


text:
Verona (province)

Verona (province) is a province in Veneto, a region in northeast Italy.

Other destinations

 * - a world famous wine producing region north of the city of Verona. The name means "valley of many cellars."

title: Verona (province)


text:
Versailles

Versailles is a city on the western edge of the French capital city Paris, now part of the sprawling metropolis within the Ile de France region. Versailles is best known for being the site of the vast royal palace and gardens built by King Louis XIV on what had been the grounds of a royal hunting lodge. It is also one of the wealthiest cities near Paris.

Understand

Versailles served as the de facto seat of government on multiple occasions throughout French history, and acted as a retreat during periods of revolutionary insurrection in Paris, notably during the years of the Paris Commune in which a leftist government was established in Paris itself, forcing the government of the French Third Republic to move to Versailles.

The Palace of Versailles, also known as the Château de Versailles, has been the scene for several historic events, not the least of which was the signing, on 28 June 1919 in the Hall of Mirrors, of the Peace Treaty between defeated Germany and the Allies that brought the First World War formally to an end. The signing of the treaty at Versailles, of course, mirrored the proclamation, in 1871 within the same long hall, of the establishment of the German Empire under the Prussian king, subsequently the Kaiser. The palace started out as a simple hunting lodge built by Louis XIII. However, after that Louis XIV decided he wanted to build the palace that we know today at that location. In 1789 the palace lost its seat in power, but today hosts the Museum of France's history.

The palace area consists of the main palace, a large garden, an extensive park, as well as a number of annex buildings which all are of historic and cultural interest. Seeing all of this in the pace it deserves, as well as the transport between different sites, take time. If you have only one day to spend at Versailles, make a plan and prioritize what you want to see, and take into account that there are large distances between some of the interesting locations and possibly also lines to wait in at the entrance. Versailles palace is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Get in
The easiest way to get to Versailles palace and avoid queues is to buy the ticket directly from the Château de Versailles website and to book a time entrance for the palace, either with a Palace Ticket or with a Passport Ticket: the former includes an audioguided tour of the Chapel and Opera House, the King's and Queen's State Apartments, the Dauphin's and the Mesdames' Apartments, the latter adds the Trianon palaces and estate, and the Jardins musicaux or Grandes eaux musicales when shown. The Coach Museum is free and the temporary exhibitions are included on the tickets.

However, you can get to the Palace easily by train and buy tickets for each attraction once there. This may be the best approach if you want to see something in particular or just want to explore the enormous gardens.

By train
There are three train stations in Versailles: Versailles Château Rive Gauche, Versailles Rive Droite and Versailles Chantiers. The Versailles Château Rive Gauche station is the one closest to the Palace (5-minute walk), though the other two stations are not all that much further away (about a 15-minute walk).

 * From Paris Montparnasse: Take Transilien N or TER Centre-Val de Loire to (€3.55), the trip will take either 25 minutes (a train every 15 minutes) or 12 minutes (roughly a train every hour), but the walk is not very nice from that station. If your train isn't non-stop, it will call at Viroflay Rive Gauche, where you can change for a line C train to Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche (see below).
 * From Paris: RER C line, direction Versailles Château Rive Gauche (train called VICK or VITY), get off at ' station (€3.55). The station is the closest one to the Palace so this makes it the fastest way of reaching the Palace from many locations in central Paris (37 minutes from Saint-Michel - Notre-Dame, 26 minutes from Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel). Be careful not to get off at Viroflay Rive Gauche! The name looks somewhat the same, but it is not the right station! The RER C7, direction Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, stops at Versailles Chantiers (train called SARA or SLOM). Do not take RER C terminating at Versailles-Chantiers (train called CIME or CITY) as this takes a long tour of the southern suburbs of Paris before reaching Versailles.
 * From Paris Saint Lazare: Take Transilien L to (€4.35). You will reach Versailles in 33 minutes, with the opportunity to see (or visit) La Défense on the way. The walk from that station can be very pleasant.

Versailles is in public transport zone 4, so all passes (Navigo, Mobilis, Paris Visite, Ticket jeune...) that include zone 4 are valid. A ticket t+ is not valid for the train, you need to purchase a specific ticket. However, you can use the train ticket from Paris for a metro or RER (but not a bus or tram) ride in Paris to reach the train, and similarly in the other direction.

By bus
Route 171 travels between Pont de Sèvres (at the end of Métro line 9) to Versailles. The bus journey from the station to the château takes approximately 30 min. This is slightly cheaper than the train, but slower. You can use a ticket t+ (ordinary métro/bus ticket) on the bus, but you need to use a separate ticket for the bus and for the métro.

By bike
It's a nice bike ride from Paris via Bois de Boulogne and Parc St Cloud. It's a bit tiring to combine with a Palace visit though (45 km with a few hills).

Get around
The main city is easily traversable on foot, however a good network of buses run throughout. Tickets t+ (the same tickets as for Paris buses and métro) are valid on Versailles city buses.

Once inside the palace it's possible to hire bikes and battery-powered golf carts (see section below).

Château de Versailles

Check temporary closures as some rooms may occasionally be closed, either for renovation or to accommodate state functions (the palace is sometimes used to host visits of foreign dignitaries or joint meetings of the National Assembly and the Senate).

Another famous "must see" location on the western outskirts of Paris. Not only does it have enormous historical significance but also it is a very beautiful building. Do other tourists a favour: do not use your mobile phones inside as it ruins the atmosphere. Selfie sticks are prohibited inside the palace. Some parts of the palace are usually partially covered by scaffoldings due to the constant maintaining works in progress.

Since June 2020, a booking is mandatory to enter the palace - even if you have Museum pass or benefit from free entrance (under 26 (EU only), under 18 (everywhere else), or with an EU student visa over 6 months). Slots can be booked online or on spot, and guarantee an entrance within 30 minutes from the entrance slot booked. Book early to be sure to entrance the palace on the time you want. Missing the booked time does not necessarily mean losing your money, as the personnel at the ticket office will try to allow you to entrer later in the day, provided there are still slots available.

There is no time slot to visit the gardens, park and Trianon, so you may choose to visit one of these spots and the palace on a different order.

As a result, the long lines meandering over the entire square in front of the entrance do not exist anymore.

 * Alternatively, especially if you have young children, access to the grounds is free.
 * Note that it is often free to access the park from the Rue de la Paroisse entrance (leads to the Bassin de Neptune), or if you are walking, from the Boulevard de la Reine (next to the four-star hotel Trianon Palace).

If you are travelling with children then beware that you are not allowed to bring the baby trolley inside the palace. However, there are plenty of chairs around the palace that can be used to have a rest.

Other attractions on the palace grounds include:

 * If you are in Versailles between the beginning of August to late September, you may have the opportunity to view a show put on at 21:30 by the French government. The show includes fantastical fireworks, classical music, and about 200 people dressed in period costume.
 * If you are in Versailles between the beginning of August to late September, you may have the opportunity to view a show put on at 21:30 by the French government. The show includes fantastical fireworks, classical music, and about 200 people dressed in period costume.
 * If you are in Versailles between the beginning of August to late September, you may have the opportunity to view a show put on at 21:30 by the French government. The show includes fantastical fireworks, classical music, and about 200 people dressed in period costume.
 * If you are in Versailles between the beginning of August to late September, you may have the opportunity to view a show put on at 21:30 by the French government. The show includes fantastical fireworks, classical music, and about 200 people dressed in period costume.
 * If you are in Versailles between the beginning of August to late September, you may have the opportunity to view a show put on at 21:30 by the French government. The show includes fantastical fireworks, classical music, and about 200 people dressed in period costume.
 * If you are in Versailles between the beginning of August to late September, you may have the opportunity to view a show put on at 21:30 by the French government. The show includes fantastical fireworks, classical music, and about 200 people dressed in period costume.
 * If you are in Versailles between the beginning of August to late September, you may have the opportunity to view a show put on at 21:30 by the French government. The show includes fantastical fireworks, classical music, and about 200 people dressed in period costume.
 * If you are in Versailles between the beginning of August to late September, you may have the opportunity to view a show put on at 21:30 by the French government. The show includes fantastical fireworks, classical music, and about 200 people dressed in period costume.
 * If you are in Versailles between the beginning of August to late September, you may have the opportunity to view a show put on at 21:30 by the French government. The show includes fantastical fireworks, classical music, and about 200 people dressed in period costume.

Others
Historic buildings are scattered in the west part of the town. See for instance:

Do

 * Consider taking an audioguide tour of the château, available in several languages from various reception points within the palace and grounds. The day pass price includes the audio tour.
 * Within the grounds in the Summer there are a number of activities including a train ride, rowing boat and cycle hire. The mini-train is really the only time efficient way to get an overview of the entire grounds, which include his and hers residence palaces, which otherwise are at least a 30-minute walk each way from the main palace. The mini-train also stops along the, where there is a cafe and a snack shop.  For €30 it is also possible to hire a golf-style buggy for one hour in order to explore the expansive grounds.
 * Consider taking a guided tour of Versailles that will allow you to bypass the regular entrance line and visit the palace and grounds with your own guide. There are several companies that are known for their Versailles Tours, departing from Paris: Aeon Tours of Paris, Oui Paris Tours, Classic Walks, and Gray Line. If you prefer to go by train (RER C) to Versailles, you will find just outside the railway station Versailles Rive Gauche a local company called Guidatours that offers either entrance tickets or guided tours of the Palace of Versailles at very attractive rates:
 * Additionally, a short walk into town can provide a welcome contrast to the hectic, tourist-filled château. The town is like most others in France, with a couple of small, historic churches and lined with small shops. While eating on the grounds of the château can save time and walking, finding food at a small café, patisserie, or sandwich shop in the town is less expensive and an authentic experience. Eating a picnic along the lake at the château is a pleasant experience, and you can find a couple of small grocery stores in town to pick up things like bread, sandwich meat, cheese, wine, etc. to take back for a picnic at the château.
 * Look into taking a private tour around the city. There are websites that provide information on tour companies that will provide tourists with personal tours and introduce them first hand to the beauty and culture Versailles has to offer.
 * Look into taking a private scooter tour from Paris to Versailles for a guided tour of the castle and to ride inside the park (2 Wheel Tours).
 * Shopping is one way to spend some of your time visiting Versailles. The Palace of Versailles contains its own giftshop as well as other souvenir shops outside the Palace. If you're looking for shopping other than souvenir scavenging there are several shops located around the city centre. Most of these shops are located along the Boulevard de La Reine, the Rue Chantiers, Rue Mar Foch, and the Rue Mar Joffre.
 * If you are looking for a relaxing time, you can head down to the Cinema Cyrano. It offers patrons showings of films, motion pictures, events. This is a great place to go for everyone whether you are travelling alone, or with the family. It offers tickets at a good price including discounts for students, seniors, and happy hour.

Eat
Versailles (the town) has any number of good places to eat whilst visiting. Once you have made it into the palace grounds, however, it is far more convenient to eat there — the alternative is to hike back into the town, before returning to the Palace (time better spent viewing the rooms and grounds). The grounds are also perfect for picnicking in warm and/or dry weather.

A number of other options exist:
 * In the Château, there is a Ore restaurant (managed by Alain Ducasse) on the 1st floor (access on the Royal Courtyard), an Angelina restaurant close to the Battles Gallery, on the 1st floor, and a cheaper Grand Café d'Orléans is on the ground floor not far from the Royal Courtyard.
 * Within the formal gardens, there are 2 informal restaurants, La Flottille and La Petite Venise, on Petite Venise (from the Château, head back directly through the gardens to the start of the canal - Petite Venise and the restaurants can then be found to the right).
 * Several kiosks serving snacks and fast food can be found in the gardens (Bosquet du Dauphin & Bosquet de la Girandole) and an Angelina Terrace near the Petit Trianon.

There are also restaurants outside of the palace that are also enjoyable such as:
 * Monument Café, a new innovative restaurant where you'll find excellent all-you-can-eat buffets (brunch, cold dishes, hot French specialities, desserts) in an atmosphere that will show you a virtual visit of Versailles, with high tech tools. They also organize guided tours and wine tastings.
 * A wonderfully quaint bistro called Le Resto du Roy. (Closed) Here one can find many delicacies commonly found in France. However, don't be afraid, the chef also makes more commonly recognizable dishes such as scallops or salmon.
 * There are many bakeries (boulangerie) throughout the city. During lunch hours many bakeries in the town center operate a fast food service to allow customers the ability to get in and out during which people can get already prepared foods such as pizza and sandwiches. If you're looking for a quick and easy lunch, this is definitely a good spot.
 * The Broadway Café is also known as the American Café because it is decorated with stars and stripes. The Broadway Café offers a variety of foods many of which are more common to American tourists. It offers foods such as burgers, lasagna, pizza, and sandwiches. This is a great place to go if you're looking for an easy, relaxed atmosphere.
 * The Broadway Café is also known as the American Café because it is decorated with stars and stripes. The Broadway Café offers a variety of foods many of which are more common to American tourists. It offers foods such as burgers, lasagna, pizza, and sandwiches. This is a great place to go if you're looking for an easy, relaxed atmosphere.

Drink
Versailles might not be the best town in which to party. However it is fairly easy to mix with the locals.

There is a little concentration of bars (and restaurants) on the Place du Marché (at the junction of the Rue de la Paroisse, and Rue du Maréchal Foch). This is where most young people go out at night. Tables outside the terraces are plentiful in the nice months. Exploring the walking alleys from the Place du Marché can also reveal less know restaurants.

Another popular bar with Versailles' youth is the O'Paris, on the Avenue de Saint-Cloud, very close to the Château's Place d'Armes (on the right-hand side when facing the Château). They often play sport events inside. Tables outside are also available when it is warm enough.

Sleep

 * The Ibis Chateau de Versailles Hotel is in the centre of town. It has 85 air conditioned rooms, three of which have been altered for disabled patrons. It includes a 24-hour bar, complimentary parking, and Wi-Fi.
 * The Pullman Versailles Chateau is a luxury hotel which includes a pool, their restaurant, the LM Cafe which serves Mediterranean cuisine, 24-hour room service, free Internet access, a bar, and a 24-hour fitness center and sauna.
 * The Residence Du Berry is the place to stay if you are looking for an old century feel with the amenities of a modern luxurious hotel. 5-minute walk from the Parc de Versailles.
 * The Ibis Chateau de Versailles Hotel is in the centre of town. It has 85 air conditioned rooms, three of which have been altered for disabled patrons. It includes a 24-hour bar, complimentary parking, and Wi-Fi.
 * The Pullman Versailles Chateau is a luxury hotel which includes a pool, their restaurant, the LM Cafe which serves Mediterranean cuisine, 24-hour room service, free Internet access, a bar, and a 24-hour fitness center and sauna.
 * The Residence Du Berry is the place to stay if you are looking for an old century feel with the amenities of a modern luxurious hotel. 5-minute walk from the Parc de Versailles.
 * The Pullman Versailles Chateau is a luxury hotel which includes a pool, their restaurant, the LM Cafe which serves Mediterranean cuisine, 24-hour room service, free Internet access, a bar, and a 24-hour fitness center and sauna.
 * The Residence Du Berry is the place to stay if you are looking for an old century feel with the amenities of a modern luxurious hotel. 5-minute walk from the Parc de Versailles.

Go next

 * Giverny - Visit the house and gardens of the Impressionist painter Claude Monet.
 * For all of the history buffs, jump on the train for a quick ride to . This is the location where aristocrats were taken during the time of the French Revolution to be beheaded at the guillotine. Also, famous aristocrats, King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette, were beheaded here. Today it has been replaced by a fountain and an obelisk.
 * Saint-Cloud, Rueil-Malmaison and Rambouillet are also major destinations for those interested in French royal history.

title: Versailles


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Verviers

Verviers is a city in the province of Liège in Wallonia in Belgium. It used to be an important industrial centre and nowadays is a beautiful city of 55,000 located on the foot of the Ardennes.

Understand
Verviers has been an early industrial centre thanks to ample supply of water power and developed into a major production hub for textiles and especially wool products. While the light industry mostly disappeared in the latter half of the 20th century, Verviers retains quite a bit of industrial heritage, a museum dedicated to it and is still a seat of water management bodies for the region. It is also quite a beautiful town thanks to its picturesquely hilly landscape and elegant 19th-century buildings in the centre. Finally, Verviers lays the claim to being the origin of tarte au riz, a pie popular in the region and one of Belgium's culinary highlights.

By train
The easiest is to take a train. Direct destinations from Verviers include Liège, Brussels, Ghent, Ostend, Leuven and Kortrijk. A local line connects Verviers to Aachen in Germany and Spa. Travel time from Brussels is under 1,5h and just around 20 minutes from Liège and 30 minutes from Aachen.

The is the main station of the city. There is also a smaller station called.

Get around
TEC operates a number of bus lines crossing Verviers, most of which continue to neighbouring municipalities. The hub is the Gare Centrale railway station.

See

Buy

Eat
A regional speciality of the Verviers region is the tarte au riz. Its golden appearance and rice cooked in creamy milk make it an exquisite dessert to try out. In Verviers you can buy tartes au riz made by local producers in the following places:

Go next
Verviers is not a very large city and you may find yourself running out of things to see and do. Fortunately, in this densely-populated region of Europe, there are many interesting destinations within about half an hour by train:
 * Verviers is one of the few Belgian cities with a direct train connection to Spa - yes, the original spa, with a Formula 1 racing circuit to boot!
 * The same trains continue in the other direction to the historic German city of Aachen
 * Liège, the provincial capital and largest city of Wallonia is also within 20 minutes by train

title: Verviers


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Verzasca Valley

The Verzasca Valley is a long narrow valley located in Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. This valley offers a wild and fascinating landscape, with the Alps on one side and a lake on the other. The river has an emerald green color, and thanks to its good visibility, it is famous as a river diving destination.

Villages around the valley

 * Mergoscia - Altitude = 731m
 * Corippo - Altitude = 563m
 * Vogorno - Located at an altitude of 490m, Vorgono is the main village of the Verzasca Valley. It is where the famous dam is located. The dam belongs to the hydroelectric power station and is 380 metres long and 220 metres high.
 * S.Bartolomeo - Altitude = 490m
 * Lavertezzo - At the altitude of 536m, this village is the preferred spot for sunbathers, swimmers and divers.
 * Aquino - Altitude = 592m
 * Motta - Altitude = 615m
 * Brione (Verzasca) - Altitude = 756m
 * Gerra (Verzasca) - Altitude = 826m
 * Frasco - Altitude = 885m
 * Sonogno - At the altitude of 919m, this is the last village situated at the end of the valley.

Get in
The nearest big city would be Locarno and the nearest town just at the end of the valley is Tenero.

By public transport
There is no train service in the Verzasca valley. The nearest train stations are in Tenero and Locarno. From both of those stations, there are buses going to the valley.

The postal bus leaves approx. every 2 hours from Locarno or Tenero. Having 18 stops around the valley, the bus passes all villages and the surrounding area, making it easy for travellers to hop in and out at any point. In Lavertezzo, the bus stops near the church tower.

An exception to this is the village of Mergoscia which is reachable by a bus from Locarno operated by FART. There are around 10 trips a day.

By car
Coming from both north or south, take A2 (or A13) and exit at Bellinzona south, from there drive to Tenero and follow the signs to Valle Verzasca.

On foot
There are several hiking paths along the valley. Hiking from Tenero to Sonogno takes 10-11h, from Sonogno to Mergoscia 4:45h. The path is suitable for practised walkers.

By bus
Postal bus passes the villages approx. every 2 hours. Swiss Pass is valid.

By car
To go all the way to Sonogno, one should take the road on the east side of the valley. The road on the west side only goes up to Mergoscia. There are possibilities to park in some areas along the road.

In Gerra

 * The bell tower

In Frasco

 * The Efra waterfall

Do

 * Hiking is suitable for practised walker. No mountaineering skills required. The postal bus stops at several places along the valley, making it possible to hop in and continue your trip whenever you feel tired. Ask for a hiking map at the Tourist Information in Tenero, Locarno, or Bellinzona.
 * Hiking is suitable for practised walker. No mountaineering skills required. The postal bus stops at several places along the valley, making it possible to hop in and continue your trip whenever you feel tired. Ask for a hiking map at the Tourist Information in Tenero, Locarno, or Bellinzona.
 * Hiking is suitable for practised walker. No mountaineering skills required. The postal bus stops at several places along the valley, making it possible to hop in and continue your trip whenever you feel tired. Ask for a hiking map at the Tourist Information in Tenero, Locarno, or Bellinzona.
 * Hiking is suitable for practised walker. No mountaineering skills required. The postal bus stops at several places along the valley, making it possible to hop in and continue your trip whenever you feel tired. Ask for a hiking map at the Tourist Information in Tenero, Locarno, or Bellinzona.

Buy
Souvenir shops can be found in Sonogno or nearby the dam.

Eat
Restaurants can be found adjacent to hotels. Sandwiches are offered in the shop next to the dam.

Stay safe
The river may be very inviting, but it is known that the current can be dangerous. The rocks are sometimes slippery. Make sure to look for any warning sign and ask locals for information on safe areas for swimming.

Go next

 * Locarno
 * Ascona
 * Tenero is a small town situated on the shores of Lake Maggiore.

title: Verzasca Valley


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Vesterålen

Vesterålen is an archipelago in northern Norway, north of the Lofoten islands. Most of the islands are wilderness.

Regions
Vesterålen consists of the following municipalities:

and is located on the following islands: plus several smaller islands.
 * – Norway's 10th largest island.

By air
Since Vesterålen is in northern Norway, far away from the largest cities in the southern parts of the country, you will probably need to travel by air if you want to get to Vesterålen quickly.

The largest airport in Vesterålen is the Stokmarknes Airport, Skagen. This airport has several daily direct flights by Widerøe to both Bodø and Tromsø, from where you can get to Oslo. The Skagen airport is classified as "regional", with only short regional flights, but is one of the largest "regional" airports in Norway (100000 passengers per year). There are plans to expand the airport and open up direct flights to Oslo and Trondheim, but for now, you will need to transfer in Bodø or Tromsø. Airport buses connect the town of Sortland with the airport.

A larger airport, about two hours east with bus or car from Sortland, is Evenes airport (primarily serving Harstad and Narvik). Both Norwegian and SAS have direct flights to Oslo. In addition, there are flights to Bodø, Tromsø and Trondheim. There are a few airport busses between Sortland from Evenes Airport as well.

By boat
The coastal steamer Hurtigruten has three stops in Vesterålen, at Stokmarknes, Sortland and Risøyhamn. Ships run up and down the Norwegian coastline between Bergen and Kirkenes offering daily departures.

By bus
Sortland has bus routes to several towns in Northern Norway, including Bodø in the south (7 hours). From Sortland, a number of bus routes spread out throughout Vesterålen.

Do
Whale watching tours to the nearby continental shelf, where sightings of sperm whales are common, are arranged from Andenes and also Nyksund.

title: Vesterålen


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Vestfold

Vestfold is a county in East Norway.

The county administration is in Tønsberg. Vestfold is located west of the Oslo Fjord, as the name indicates. It includes many smaller, but well-known towns in Norway, such as Larvik, Sandefjord, Tønsberg and Horten. The river Numedalslågen runs through the district. Many islands are located at the coast. Vestfold County has a total of 14 municipalities

Cities

 * is a nice town with a charming harbour. Its nice to stroll in the harbour, or if you prefer woods and hills - its possible to go for long walks by foot in the countryside or in the winter its very good conditions for skiing]
 * is a nice town with a charming harbour. Its nice to stroll in the harbour, or if you prefer woods and hills - its possible to go for long walks by foot in the countryside or in the winter its very good conditions for skiing]
 * is a nice town with a charming harbour. Its nice to stroll in the harbour, or if you prefer woods and hills - its possible to go for long walks by foot in the countryside or in the winter its very good conditions for skiing]
 * is a nice town with a charming harbour. Its nice to stroll in the harbour, or if you prefer woods and hills - its possible to go for long walks by foot in the countryside or in the winter its very good conditions for skiing]
 * is a nice town with a charming harbour. Its nice to stroll in the harbour, or if you prefer woods and hills - its possible to go for long walks by foot in the countryside or in the winter its very good conditions for skiing]

By plane

 * Sandefjord Torp Airport near Sandefjord has flights to some major and minor cities around Norway and Europe, including Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London, Warsaw, and some tourist destinations in southern Europe. There is a free transfer bus to a nearby railway station.
 * Oslo Airport, located 150 km northeast of Vestfold. Major international airport. See the below how to get in from Oslo.

By boat
There are car ferries:
 * Moss-Horten
 * Strömstad(Sweden)-Sandefjord
 * Hirtshals(Denmark)-Kristiansand (Vest-Agder)

By car

 * From Oslo or Kristiansand use road E-18.
 * If going from Sweden, Denmark or Germany, use one of the car ferries or drive through Oslo.

By car
The main thoroughfare through Vestfold is the E-18, which will get you where you want to go quickly, but the view is mostly tunnels and forest. To go sightseeing, make detours from E-18, for instance the Hortensveien/Midgardsveien between Horten and Tønsberg along the coast. Or take the road from Larvik to Stavern. A good map is your best friend!

See
The Mølen tumuli near Larvik are several hundred burial mounds or tumuli made from boulders. The largest are around 30 m wide and 5 m tall, presumably made during the bronze age from 1500 years BC until the Viking age.

title: Vestfold


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Vestmannaeyjar

Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) is a town on the island of Heimaey. Heimaey is the largest of 15–18 islands in the Westman Islands archipelago, just off the south-west coast of Iceland's mainland. Vestmannaeyjar has a population of around 4,200.

Many visitors are attracted to the island in order to discover the effects of the 1973 volcanic eruption. An interactive exposition takes visitors to the "Pompeii of the North".

Understand

The Westman Islands were formed by submarine volcanic eruptions along a 30-km-long fissure lying south-west to north-east. The largest island is Heimaey, 13.4 km². Most of the islands have steep sea cliffs, and are well vegetated. Bird-hunting and egg-collecting are traditional to the islander's culture.

Read
Read John McPhee's The Control of Nature to understand Heimaey's volcanic significance.

From Landeyjahöfn
The car and passenger ferry Herjólfur has scheduled trips daily between a harbour, on the mainland coast south of Hvolsvöllur, 11 km from Heimaey. When weather and harbour conditions permit, Herjólfur operates on this much shorter run, making four or five return journeys daily. Fares are lower on this faster route, and the one-way trip requires approximately 30 minutes. The ship takes up to 500 passengers and 50 cars. On board there is a cafeteria.

Buses from Reykjavik to Landeyjahöfn via Selfoss are operated by Sterna:.

Telephone: or  E-mail:  Website: www.herjolfur.is (in English)

From Þorlákshöfn
When meteorological conditions are not suitable, and the vessel can not reach Landeyjahöfn, which occasionally happens in the winter time, Herjólfur operates between (pronounced "Thorlawkshoefn") and Vestmannaeyjar. Herjólfur's trip on this route takes 2 hr 45 min and sleeping quarters can be booked. This journey is more expensive.

To get to Þorlákshöfn, either drive west from Reykjavík through Þrengslin to the south coast, or take bus 3a from the BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavík. The bus leaves Reykjavík approx. 1 hour before Herjólfur leaves dock.

By plane
Eagle Air (Ernir; ) flies a daily scheduled air service in the summer between Westman Islands and Reykjavík. The flight time is 25 minutes.

Get around
Heimaey is a rather small island, only 7×4 km, so everything is within walking distance. There are hiking paths all over the island so any reasonably fit traveller should be able to enjoy the sightseeing on foot.

Cars can be hired at the airport or in the town. Prices start from about 8 000 kr a day.

Guided bus tours, boat tours and hiking tours around the islands are also available. Information on these tours can be found at Víking Tours and Eyjaferðir.

See

Drop by, the place by the harbour where past and present meet, where the lava flow stopped in 1973. There you will find a Norse timber church, the only one of its kind in Iceland, a gift from the people of Norway, and Landlyst, the second oldest building on the islands, now housing a small medical museum.
 * , the only natural history museum in Iceland worthy of the name: watch fish and other creatures from the sea swim, crawl or creep in their aquariums, a fine display of stuffed birds and one of the best collections of Icelandic minerals anywhere.
 * , the only natural history museum in Iceland worthy of the name: watch fish and other creatures from the sea swim, crawl or creep in their aquariums, a fine display of stuffed birds and one of the best collections of Icelandic minerals anywhere.

In case you have a helicopter at hand, you can see a lonely lighthouse -. Built in 1939 on top of a high rock, there's no way to access it from the sea or land.

Do

 * Hike up to or the smaller  volcanos, where you can still smell sulfur fumes and feel warm ground.
 * Hike up to or the smaller  volcanos, where you can still smell sulfur fumes and feel warm ground.
 * Hike up to or the smaller  volcanos, where you can still smell sulfur fumes and feel warm ground.
 * Hike up to or the smaller  volcanos, where you can still smell sulfur fumes and feel warm ground.
 * Hike up to or the smaller  volcanos, where you can still smell sulfur fumes and feel warm ground.

Take a walk on Iceland's most recent lava field, many meters above the street level and buildings that used to be, where you will find signposts to mark their former place and aid the imagination. A fine walk would include the “geothermal” area, where the returning islanders constructed a heating system for their houses using the heat from the cooling lava, then eastward to Prestavík and Viðlagavík and then end in Gaujulundur, a lava garden, an oasis in a desert. A part of the lava field is used for Motocross, so take care when you walk there.

Whale watching/sea angling: sightings of whales, dolphins and puffins (depends on season) are frequent around Vestmannaeyjar. Trips can be booked directly with companies at Vestmannaeyjar Harbour.

Climb (Home rock), the highest rock formation on the islands. Its highest peak is no more than 283 m. It is not a lengthy or arduous climbing as ladders have been placed in the most difficult areas. And the view from the top is magnificent, whichever direction you prefer to look.

Go round the on your own two feet or by car and have a look around one of the cleanest harbor areas in Iceland. The harbour is usually teeming with activity, not least Friðarhöfn (Peace harbor) when the catch of the day is being landed.

Visit Landakirkja, the local Lutheran church and the oldest building on Heimaey. It is a church with a pulpit in the centre, right above the altar. On Sundays, everyone is welcome to attend the service.

Visit the scene of Tyrkjaránið (the Turkish plunder): Lyngfellisdalur, Ræningjatangi (Robbers spit), Prestasteinn (Priest rock) Sængurkonusteinn (Childbirth rock), Fiskhellar (Fish caves) and Hundraðmannahellir (the Cave of Hundred). The local theatre company does a production of Tyrkjaránið 1627.

Horse riding is a popular activity amongst locals as well as visitors. Two companies offer 1- to 5-hour-long trips.

See the volcano film.

Annual social events

 * Þjóðhátíð, Vestmannaeyjar's national festival, is unquestionably the best known festival in Iceland, attracting the greatest number of mainland visitors. Held in Herjólfsdalur on the first weekend in August, it is a 3-4 day outdoor festival where having a good time is everyone's easily fulfilled aim. The whole weekend is packed with entertainment of all description, including the traditional bonfire, fireworks and the famous "hillside sing-along". Specially built structures fill the valley, not to mention the large white tents of the locals who literally move house during the festival and prove their famed hospitality by welcoming guests to coffee, smoked puffin and other delicacies.

 * Celebrating the end of the eruption has become a fixed event in Vsetmannaeyjar's social life. It is held on the weekend following 3 July, the day in 1973 when the eruption was officially declared at an end. On Saturday night the island's pubs open their doors and floors to musicians of all descriptions who are encouraged to sing and play to their hearts delight. A great number of former islanders choose this weekend to come back home for a visit.

 * The thirteenth day of Christmas is traditionally a festive day in Vestmannaeyjar. A torch-lit parade of fascinating creatures: The ancient Icelandic ogress Grýla and her less than lovely husband and sons, as well as elves, fairies, demons and trolls join the locals at a huge bonfire and splendid fireworks.

 * Sailor's Day, although a national day of festivities, has always been particularly dear to the hearts of the people of Vestmannaeyjar, not surprisingly so, considering their history. Festivities are held on the first weekend of June with a full programme on both Saturday and Sunday, emphasising seamanship connected sports as well as various entertainment for the general public.

 * 17th June, Iceland´s national holiday. This day was for a long time not given as prominent a place in Vestmannaeyjar as on the mainland. The islands' own national holiday in August was a considerably more important event in islanders' minds. Iceland's national holiday is now celebrated with a parade and outdoor festivities.

 * The puffling time is an annual event, unique to the Westman Islands and a particular favourite time of year for the children. It is impossible to put a more precise date to it than early to mid-August, as it is determined by the pufflings themselves. Leaving their cliff nests, they fly into town attracted by the electric lights and discover a harder and considerably more complicated world than they have been used to. Everywhere, however, saviours are waiting: The local children, armed with their cardboard boxes, prepared and ready to gather the lost and totally bewildered pufflings, rescue them and take them down to the shore to release them into the sea. Families have visit Heimaey to take part in the puffling adventure, a unique event, full of joy.

Sleep
Among various B&Bs, there's also the right next to the golf course.

Surtsey Island
is a small island created by a submarine volcanic eruption lasting between 1963 and 1967. In fact you probably won't be able to put your foot on the island, because it is kept as a natural laboratory in order to study its colonization by flora and fauna, so only a limited number of scientific visits is allowed. For the same reason, it was inscribed to the UNESCO world heritage list in 2008.

However, you can spot the island on a clear day from the top of Stórhöfdi Hill in the southern tip of Heimaey, probably one of the windiest places on our planet. If you are arriving in Heimaey by plane, this might be another opportunity to see this young piece of land.

Another option to observe Surtsey from a slightly closer distance is to join an organized tour (try to ask at Víking Tours in advance, as this tour is not in a standard offer).

title: Vestmannaeyjar