text:
Granada

Granada is a city in Granada Province in the Andalucia region of Spain. Rich in history and culture, Granada is a very worthwhile city in Spain for a tourist.

In addition to a rich multicultural history, the Alhambra and other monuments, a student-driven nightlife, and skiing and trekking in the nearby Sierra Nevada, Granada offers a break from the summer heat of other Andalusian cities such as Córdoba or Seville. Spring and Fall are also both excellent times to visit. With much more cultural interest than other cities like Malaga, Granada is never overcrowded (although you should still book tickets to the Alhambra at least 1-2 weeks in advance).

History
Granada has been continuously inhabited by humans for at least 2500 years, originating as an Ibero-Celtic settlement prior to the establishment of a Greek colony in the area. Under Ancient Roman rule Granada developed as an economic center of Roman Hispania, with the construction of aqueducts, roads, and other infrastructure. With the fall of the Roman Empire the city was ruled by the Visigoths before being reconquered by the Byzantine Empire, all the time being maintained as a strategic military and economic center for the region.

The Moorish conquest of 711 CE brought Islamic rule to the Iberian Peninsula and Granada was quickly established as a center of Al-Andalus, the Muslim name for the region. New agricultural practices were introduced as the old Roman infrastructure was put to use for irrigation, leading to a major expansion of the city as it grew from the river valley up to the hills now occupied by the Alhambra and the Albayzín, with a major Jewish settlement, the Realejo, existing within the town. Following the fall of Córdoba in 1236 to the Christian Reconquista, the city became the center of the Emirate of Granada, and for the next 250 years Granada stood as the heart of a powerful and self-sufficient kingdom with the construction of the royal palace and fortress, the Alhambra.

Skirmishes continued between the Emirate of Granada and the Crown of Castile, and in the late 15th century the Christian Reconquista set its sights on Granada. Following a military campaign led by King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, which included a siege of the walled town, King Boabdil of Granada was ultimately forced to surrender the town in 1492, bringing an end to Moorish rule in the Iberian peninsula and marking the end of the Reconquista.

The fall of Granada came at a crucial moment for Christian Spain, as it was that same year that Christopher Columbus made his first voyage to the Americas, bringing back reports of the wealth and resources that could be gained there. Flushed with the success of the Reconquista, Spaniards conquered much of the Americas and brought great wealth to the new Spanish Empire. In the case of Granada, the Christians soon forced the existing Jewish and Muslim residents to convert and began making significant changes to the appearance of the city in an attempt to hide its Muslim character, including replacing the city's primary mosque with the massive cathedral and constructing a large Christian palace in the heart of the Alhambra. Persecution against the Muslims and Jews took its toll, and over time the city began to suffer economically as these populations abandoned their homes in the area.

Granada remained a largely medieval-style city well into the 19th century, going through many economic slumps and seeing much of its architectural heritage destroyed. However, the last half of the 19th century saw Granada incorporated into the national rail network and the first stirrings of tourism thanks to reports of sites like the Alhambra to a global audience. However, the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s sunk Granada's economy, and it persisted largely as a bureaucratic and university town until the late 20th century, when the city underwent a massive period of modernization and development which brought new business and visitors to the city. Today you can still see this modernization in the reconstruction of old buildings in the city center and expansion of the town along the edges of the city.

Climate
Granada has a fairly mild climate; hot summers and short but cold winters with a mild amount of precipitation. The area has a very dry climate, so summers will get hot but not too uncomfortable due to the lack of humidity. From about November to April you will need a jacket and warm clothing, as it does get quite cold. Rain is most common in the fall and early winter months and rain spells lasting several days can occur during this time of the year, but the rest of the year you're likely to see little else but sunshine. Snow is not unheard of in Granada but it is very rare - if you want snow you have to go up into the Sierra Nevada mountains, which remain snow-capped for the whole winter.

Tourist information

 * Granada Tourism website

By plane
The journey into Granada can be made by taxi (about €28) or bus (€3). The airport bus is run by Alsa and has two routes into Granada, each running 11 times per day. The bus to Palacio de Congresos (the local convention center, south of the city center) takes 1 hour. It makes several stops throughout the city centre including Gran Via de Colon (opposite the cathedral); you can catch it back from stop 1a on Gran Via de Colon (next to local bus stop Gran Via 1). The other route is faster, taking you to the bus station in the city's north. Both buses leave roughly on the hour but will generally be hitched up to a plane arrival.

By bus
Regular Movelia and ALSA buses run from Seville, Málaga, Madrid and Cordoba as well as a few direct services to the port of Algeciras. Malaga is well serviced by buses and is a good place to transfer if a direct service is not available. The modern and organized is located about 5 km (3 miles) from the city centre. It takes about 15 minutes by bus (line 33) to reach the city center, or reasonably cheap taxis are also available.

By train
Three RENFE trains run each day on the picturesque line to Algeciras via pretty Antequera and Ronda. Granada is also on a stop on a line between Almeria and Seville, with four trains daily. There are also two daily trains to Madrid via Cordoba, one or two daily to Barcelona via Linares-Baeza and Valencia, and one to Linares-Baeza. For Malaga, take the Algeciras train to Bobadilla and change to a Malaga-bound train there.

The is well served by local bus service: just walk out the front door and continue straight down the street to the main avenue (Avenida de la Constitucion) and turn right - within a block you'll come across a bus stop that will take you to the city center.

Get around
Most places of interest are with walking distance of central Granada. Plaza Isabel La Catolica is just a block west of Plaza Nueva and marks the intersection of Gran Via de Colon (the main drag heading north) and Calle Reyes Catolicos (the main drag heading southwest to Puerta Real, where it splits into Calle Recogidas and Acera Del Darro, heading west and south respectively). The cathedral and royal chapel are just to the northwest of this square. The Alhambra and Albayzin (the Arabic quarter) are on opposite hills on the east side of town with Carrera del Darro and a small river separating them.

On foot
Walking in Granada is definitely the best way to experience the city (especially the older parts), but it can also be confusing at times. Streets are frequently short, winding, narrow, and some put you in very close proximity to auto traffic, to say nothing of the multitudes of scooters that dart down narrow alleyways and around cars and buses. Larger streets have sidewalks separating pedestrian traffic from vehicles, while alleyways have short iron posts along the side to make a small informal sidewalk. With a decent map you can find your way around, but many streets are so short they won't be named on a map. Still, if you keep some of the local landmarks in mind (church towers and hills are frequently good ones) you can maintain a general sense of direction - which is often all you need to find your way around. Additionally, Granada has several hilly areas (most notably the Albayzin and the entrances to the Alhambra) with many stairways and steep streets, and climbing them can be strenuous - buses can take you to the major tourist sights if the climb is too much. Mind your step in the residential areas! Granada has a serious problem with dog excrement, and while the street sweepers do an effective job they won't save you every time (however this is much less of an issue in the heavily touristy areas).

By bus
The local buses cover nearly all sights of interest and run quite frequently. Most city buses travel through the heart of town along Gran Vía (stopping in front of the cathedral). The small red and white minibuses with "Alhambra Bus" printed on the side are the best way to explore Granada, the Albaicín and to get to the Alhambra: route C30 connects the city center to the Alhambra, with the C31 traveling up to Albayzin and the C34 to the Sacromonte. The buses cost €1.40 per trip, but you can also buy a multi-trip card for €5, €10, or €20 (€0.83-€0.87 per trip). Timetables for the individual routes are not available, but major bus stops along the main boulevards will have screens telling you when the next bus arrives. If you're at a smaller stop, you can find out when the next bus is coming by sending a text using the SMS system — directions are printed with images on each bus stop sign, which are easy to follow even if you don't know much Spanish.

By car
Driving in Granada is a nightmare best avoided at all costs. The central district is a mess of narrow, one-way streets and is restricted to buses, taxies, scooters, and tourists with hotel reservations, enforced by a system of traffic cameras that will capture a photo of the license plate and fine violators. Hotels will often recommend not driving in, but if you're insistent you can contact the hotel in advance with your license plate number and they will give you directions to their hotel or a parking garage which you must follow exactly or risk a fine. Outside the historic center streets are wider and travelling by car isn't nearly as much of a hassle, but there are few tourist sights in these areas.

Cheap parking in Granada can be found on parkvia.com. You get a €12 per night rate at Parking HH Maristas in the center of the city as well as unlimited entries to the garage. When you enter, take the ticket from the machine and present it along with the website receipt to the booth attendant.

See
If you intend on visiting many major tourist attractions within a short timeframe, the city's Granadacard may be a good investment. Valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours, it provides direct entry to the cathedral, Capilla Real, Alhambra & Generalife, Monastery of La Cartuja, Monastery of San Jerónimo, Parque de las Ciencias (Science Park) and provides a 25% discount for non-EU citizens who visit the Fine Arts and Archaeological Museum. It also includes 9 urban bus journeys (to the bus station, science park etc.) and 1 ride on the tourist bus (normally €6.80). The prices are €47 for 24h, €49 for 48h, and €57 for 72h.

Central Granada
Oriented around the intersection of Gran Via de Colon and Calle Reyes Catolicos, central Granada is the historic center and bustling heart of the city, with its many shops, restaurants, bars and attractions situated along narrow cobblestone and brick alleys or on the edge of one of the many serene plazas in the area. Walking through you're sure to take in the sights, smells and sounds of superb architecture, good food, and pleasant conversations among residents.

The Alhambra
The Alhambra: Part fortress (the Alcazaba), part palace (Palacios Nazaries), part garden (the Generalife) and part government city (the Medina), this medieval complex overlooking Granada is one of the top attractions in Spain, with many visitors coming to Granada expressly to see the Alhambra. The last Moorish stronghold in Europe, the Alhambra reflects the splendor of Moorish civilization in Andalusia and offers the visitor splendid ornamental architecture, spectacular and lush gardens, cascading and dripping water features, and breathtaking views of the city. This impressive fortress complex is deservedly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Alhambra was a palace, citadel, fortress and the home of the Nasrid sultans, high government officials, servants of the court and elite soldiers from the 13th to the 14th century. Other notable buildings belonging to a different time period are also located within the Alhambra complex, most notably the Renaissance style Palace of Charles V, which houses the Alhambra Museum (with historical artifacts from the site) and the Fine Art Museum.

But in order to fully appreciate the unique architecture of the Alhambra set within the surrounding landscape, it is advisable to see the Alhambra for afar as well as up close: several locations in the Albaizín (most notably the San Nicolás Viewpoint) or Sacromonte, both covered below, allow you the opportunity to truly admire the Alhambra's spectacular location, lying just above the city of Granada.

The Alhambra is a vast complex, composed of many structures and gardens on its lush grounds, which alone are worth exploring; it is free to do so and they are open nearly all hours of the day. There are four primary attractions: the Alcazaba, the Palace of Charles V, the Palacios Nazaries and the Generalife.

Official web site at www.alhambra-patronato.es, where you can buy tickets online. Mar-Oct every day 8:30-22:00 plus F/Sa 22:00-23:30; Oct-Mar every day 8:30-18:00 plus F/Sa 20:00-21:30 (ticket office closes one hour before attraction, evening visits to Palacios Nazaries only). €14 combo ticket for Palacios Nazaries, Alcazaba and Generalife, €7 for just the Alcazaba and Generalife, €8 for an evening visit to the Palacios Nazaries, and €5 for an evening visit to the Generalife. Palace of Charles V free.

Reservations: It is strongly recommended that you book tickets to the Alhambra in advance, as the number of visitors allowed inside the Palacios Nazaries is limited and tickets tend to sell out. These can be booked online via the official website, by phone (+34 902 888 001), or in person at the main entrance to the Alhambra or at the Tienda de la Alhambra shop on Calle Reyes Católicos in the city centre. Note that the online and phone reservation services require a credit card (which you must bring with you to the Alhambra ticket office to pick up your tickets) and charge an extra 10% fee on top of the cost of admission. Online tickets are usually sold out many days or even months in advance, but every day more tickets are put on sale: that means you can get an online ticket by checking the website daily, the refresh happens at midnight. Several hundred tickets are reserved for sale on the day but these usually require arriving early and queuing for an hour or two. As of September 2023, it's been reported that no tickets are available to purchase on site when they are sold out on the official website. The "Granada Card" or "Doble de Oro General" can still be available after the regular tickets have sold out. Failing that, quite a lot of the grounds are accessible without a ticket. This general caution applies to cruise ship land tours (e.g., from Malaga); failure to book Alhambra tours early (before or during cruise) may mean no tours or buses are available.

Note that the Palacios Nazaries can only be accessed for a half-hour time window (shown on the ticket) within your visiting period. The rest of the Alhambra can be visited the full day without any time restrictions.

Getting there: From central Granada, the C3 bus offers a direct connection to the Alhambra from Plaza Isabel La Catolica. There are three stops for the Alhambra: Generalife (closest to the ticket office), Carlos V (closest to the Palace of Charles V) and Puerta de la Justica, the fare is €1.40. A taxi from the central district (head to the stand on Plaza Nueva) costs around €6. On foot, you can walk up to the Alhambra from Plaza Nueva (about a 30-minute hike) by taking Cuesta de Gomerez and heading straight; the ticket office is on the far side of the grounds, near the Generalife. If coming by car from outside the city, you can bypass the historic district by taking the Ronda Sur-Alhambra exit (A-395) from the highway and following the signs to the parking lot (€1.75/hour).

 * . The ruins of a massive fortress perched atop the crest of the hill overlooking the city, this is the oldest part of the Alhambra and offers some of the finest views of anywhere in the complex, with an expansive panorama from the top of the prominent tower that gives you a spectacular view of nearly the entire city and the Sierra Nevada mountains. Within the fort's walls are the ruins of a town which once held soldier's homes and baths, though today only the outline of these rooms remain.
 * (Palacio de Carlos V). A more recent addition to the Alhambra, this 16th century building was commissioned following the Reconquista by Charles V as a royal residence close to the Alhambra palace. The square two-level structure is done in Renaissance style with an impressive circular courtyard ringed by a colonnade within. The building is also home to two museums, the Museo de la Alhambra on the lower floor with a collection of artifacts and art from the Alhambra, and the Museo de Bellas Artes, a small fine art museum on the upper floor, as well as a couple of changing museum exhibits which regularly feature art with some connection to the Alhambra.

 * . The Nasrid royal palace and the primary (and thus most crowded) attraction of the Alhambra complex, the palace is an impressive, at times breathtakingly beautiful work of architecture. Visitors get to see spectacular archways and windows, carved wooden ceilings, intricate molded-plaster work and colourful ceramic tiles at nearly every turn as they meander between lovely rooms and lush courtyards. Everyone starts their tour in the Mexuar, a set of administrative rooms with a beautiful prayer room and a small square courtyard with the golden Façade of Comares, before emerging in the Court of the Myrtles, a rectangular courtyard with a long pool of water flanked on each side by a myrtle hedge (hence the name). At the end of the courtyard you can enter a room to view the twelve Lion Statues from the fountain in the Court of the Lions, which is undergoing renovation. Cross to the other end of the Court of the Myrtles to enter the Ship Room, with its spectacular carved wooden ceiling in the shape of an upside-down hull, and the Chamber of the Ambassadors, the palace's largest and perhaps most spectacular room, which once functioned as the throne room and features a star-studded wooden ceiling, intricately carved stucco walls and beautiful arched windows. From here you'll pass through a series of small rooms, including the Washington Irving Room, where Washington Irving wrote Tales of the Alhambra, as well as down an open-air hallway with an excellent view of an adjacent courtyard (the Court of Linda-Raja) and the Albayzín. Passing by the old bath house you'll enter the Hall of the Two Sisters, a spectacular domed room with an intricate stucco ceiling and lovely views of the Court of Linda-Raja. From here you can navigate around the edge of the Court of the Lions (under renovation) to the Hall of the Abencerrages, structurally similar to the Hall of the Two Sisters. At this point you can exit the palace, which will place you near the entrance to the Partal Gardens.

 * . The lush and gorgeous gardens of the Nasrid kings, the expansive Generalife is the finest set of Moorish style gardens in Andalusia, positioned on a hill situated at the rear of the complex overlooking the Alhambra palace. Within you'll find beds of colorful flowers, more exquisite architecture, leaping fountains and cool shade. There are two entrances to the Generalife, one at the ticket booth on the east side of the complex and another next to the Palacios Nazaries which will take you through the, a collection of palace gardens with flowing water streams and a large pool of water which reflects a nearby portico. From the Partal you can follow the Promenade of The Towers, the remains of the main wall and its adjoining towers that separate the Alhambra palace grounds from the Generalife. As you cross a bridge over a small canyon you'll enter the Generalife proper, where you can follow a promenade past the amphitheater to the Lower Gardens, a collection of hedge rows with rectangular ponds at the center and colorful flower beds throughout. Past this is the , the white structure sitting atop the hill and the highlight of a visit to the gardens, for it is within that you will find spectacular views, lovely architecture, and the much-photographed Court of the Main Canal, with its crossing jets of water that arc over the rectangular pool. Nearby is the Soultana's Court, another picturesque courtyard with leaping fountains. Above the palace are the High Gardens, where you can find a gorgeous long pergola and the Water Stairway, which true to its name is a beautiful stairway with water flowing down its parapets. The gardens are huge, but the layout is simple as everything in the Generalife can be seen along a long, circular path.

These are the four primary attractions, but the grounds hold many secondary sights as well, some of them quite splendid in their own right and many off the beaten path. If entering the Alhambra on foot from Plaza Nueva, you'll travel up Cuesta de Gomerez through the, an ornamental archway which marks the entrance to the grounds. From here you can continue straight into the Bosque (forest), a delightfully lush and shady wooded area in the canyon beneath the palace complex with streams running along the footpaths, fountains and statues and, in the summertime, fragrant smells from the trees. If you take the rightmost path up the hill and make a right up the next path you find, you'll come across the, an outpost of the Alhambra on the very edge of the complex, with massive square towers perched on a hill over the neighborhood of Realejo. The towers themselves are locked up and mostly in ruins, but the views of Granada and the Alhambra are splendid. If you take the leftmost path from the Granada Gate you'll travel up to the (Puerta de Justica), an imposing Moorish-style archway and entry that served as the primary entrance to the palace complex in days of old.

Within the main palace complex, just above the Justice Gate is a lovely courtyard area, the (Plaza de los Aljibes) between the Alcazaba and the Palace of Charles V next to the Wine Gate (Puerta del Vino), another picturesque horseshoe-shaped archway which once protected the grounds. Continuing along the small road past the Palace of Charles V to the upper part of the palace complex, you'll come across a row of woodworking and souvenir shops, the prominent, the ruins of a village and the. Though most of the Parador is a restaurant and hotel, parts are still open to the public, including the lovely courtyard entryway and the ruins of a Franciscan monastery, which holds the lovely remains of a small chapel with a view into the hotel's lavish patio area.

Above the main palace complex, to the east of the Generalife, are a number of visitor facilities, namely a large parking lot. A short hike uphill from the parking lot is the, the ruins of a guard outpost directly above the Generalife Palace. While it requires an uphill hike and is isolated from the rest of the grounds, the Silla offers what may be the most spectacular view in all of Granada, giving you a rare opportunity to look down at the Alhambra palace, as well as a sweeping vista of the city, the valley and the surrounding mountains, with the added benefit of not being nearly as crowded as the San Nicolas Viewpoint in the Albayzín or requiring admission like the Alcazaba.

Albayzín
Situated on a hill above the center of town and across from the Alhambra, the Albayzín (also spelled Albaicín, Alayzín, and Albaycín) is an ancient Muslim neighborhood popular with visitors - and rightly so. Among its narrow, winding streets one will find beautiful white-washed old buildings, splendid Arabic shops and restaurants, scenic gardens, and marvelous views of Granada and the Alhambra. Today part of a UNESCO World Heritage site (along with the nearby neighborhood of Sacromonte and the Alhambra, covered below), Albayzín dates back to the fourteenth century and was built as a defensive town and thrived as one of the centers of Granada under Muslim rule.

Entering the Albayzín is simple enough - from Plaza Nueva it's just a matter of walking north (uphill), or proceeding east along the Rio Darro (to the Paseo de los Tristes, covered below) and turning north on any of the side streets. However, if coming from the cathedral or anywhere else in central Granada, the best entrance is via (near bus stop Gran Vía 1), a stepped cobblestone street lined with Arabic restaurants, tea shops, bakeries and shops selling imported goods from North Africa. However once inside the Albayzín you'll find the layout of the streets very confusing, with many steep sections and stairways - though this is indeed part of the charm of the neighborhood, always with a new path to explore or a hidden surprise waiting to be discovered. However, if the climb or the confusing layout sound like too much, you can also take the C1 minibus to the top of the hill from Plaza Nueva.

Below the Albayzin is Carrera del Darro, a narrow street winding from Plaza Nueva along the meandering Rio Darro. This is one of the most scenic walks in Granada, packed with pedestrians strolling the cobblestone way, who have to squeeze to the side every few minutes as a taxi or a minibus passes by. Old shops, apartments, and other buildings cluster up the hill in the Albayzin on one side, and across the Rio Darro along the other side is the steep hill upon which is the Alhambra. Along the street are beautifully preserved buildings, remains of Arab houses, stone bridges crossing the Rio Darro, and plenty of nice restaurants.

Sacromonte
Locals often consider the Albayzín a world away from the rest of Granada, but even the Arabic quarter can't hold a candle to the relative isolation and uniqueness of Sacromonte, a gypsy (Roma) district situated east of the Albazin, demarcated by the road Cuesta Chapiz. The neighborhood is noted for its many cave dwellings built within the sides of the hill poking out here and there between the scrubby bushes and cacti. The district is also famous for its flamenco shows popular with tourists and the amazing views of the Alhambra.

To get to the neighborhood, you can walk or take the C2 minibuses up Carrera del Darro to Paseo de los Tristes. From there walk up Cuesta Chapiz until you reach Peso de Harina (where you'll find a small plaza with a statue of a man with a strange hat, Chorrojumo, who was regarded as the king of the gypsies). From there walk along the Camino del Sacromonte.

North Granada
Stretching north of central Granada, the north side of town encompass a set of newer neighborhoods with wide boulevards, modern and grand classically-designed buildings and lovely urban parks. This section of town is defined to a great degree by the presence of the local university (Universidad de Granada), government buildings, and two of the main points of entry into Granada - the train station and the bus depot.

South Granada
Defined by its proximity to the Rio Genil, the main river through Granada, the south side of town is an interesting mix of old and new. To the east, on the foothills beneath the Alhambra, sits Realejo, once the Jewish district under Muslim Granada and now a sleepy neighborhood with many scenic villas and gardens among its narrow streets. To the west, closer to the center of town, lies bustling. Surrounding the intersection of Calle Reyes Catolicos, Calle Recogidas and Acera Del Darro, Puerta Real is the center of modern Granada, a district of grand classical and modern buildings and the city's primary shopping destination. South of the river is a modern section of town with many apartment highrises and office buildings.

Do

 * Football: Granada CF were relegated in 2024 and play soccer in Segunda División, the second tier. Their home ground Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes (capacity 19,300) is 2 km south of city centre. Their women's team plays in Liga F (their top tier) at the training ground 5 km north of city centre.
 * Football: Granada CF were relegated in 2024 and play soccer in Segunda División, the second tier. Their home ground Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes (capacity 19,300) is 2 km south of city centre. Their women's team plays in Liga F (their top tier) at the training ground 5 km north of city centre.
 * Football: Granada CF were relegated in 2024 and play soccer in Segunda División, the second tier. Their home ground Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes (capacity 19,300) is 2 km south of city centre. Their women's team plays in Liga F (their top tier) at the training ground 5 km north of city centre.

Learn
For those wishing to make a real attempt at learning the language, there are plenty of Spanish language schools in Granada.

Buy
As in much of Spain, be aware of siesta; most shops close in the afternoons, which depending on the business can be anywhere from 13:00 to 17:00. The main exceptions to this are large department stores and chain stores. However, nearly everything is closed on Sundays.

The area surrounding Puerta Real serves as the city's main shopping district. , Spain's department store chain, has a large store between Calle Acera del Darro and Calle Carrera de la Virgen just south of Puerta Real, while and the adjacent pedestrian streets between Puerta Real and the cathedral are home to a large number of fancy clothing and gift stores. If you're looking for postcards or other tourist wares, the Alcaiceria south of the cathedral (see above under See) is chock full of souvenir shops, although you can also find plenty of souvenir shops along Cuesta de Gomerez on the way up to the Alhambra from Plaza Nueva. If a mall is more your speed, the nearest one to central Granada is the, on Calle Neptuno next to the freeway (take Calle Recogidas west from Puerta Real).

Every third weekend of the month you will fine a handcraft market on Calle Chirimías.

Eat
Granada is notable as most of its bars will serve free tapas with each drink, which makes eating out in Granada inexpensive: a blessing for the local student population. Lunch is generally from 13:00 to 16:00 and dinner from around 20:00 till late (though even at 20:00 most tapas bars will be deserted, as locals eat dinner very late).

There are many popular restaurant areas where you are sure to find something good. Just about every plaza in the city has at least one outdoor restaurant. Calle Elvira and the adjacent streets north of Plaza Nueva have perhaps the largest concentration of tapas bars in the city. Plaza San Miguel Bajo is an area of outdoor fairly low priced restaurants in the Albayzín district and Calle Navas running south from the city hall in the center of the city is a pedestrian street lined with a wide variety of restaurants.

Drink
If you want to try a local wine ask for "un costa", the quality is extremely variable and it is more like sherry (but not fortified) than a table wine. Another option is "tinto de verano", or "summer wine", which is red wine and lemon Fanta. Delicious and refreshing.

The local beer is Cerveza Alhambra, an excellent lager from a local craft brewery which you can get just about anywhere in Granada. Alhambra Premium is the most common, but you can also get other varieties like Alhambra Especial and Alhambra Negra, which are darker with a slightly higher alcoholic content.

Most bars serve tapas for free, so there is no need to eat a huge meal before you go out

During summer many locals go to the coast and university students go home, leaving the nightlife quite dead.

Connect
Granada has 4G from all Spanish carriers. As of Sept 2021, 5G is starting to reach the city but is patchy.

Stay safe
Violent crime is not usually an issue. However, be very careful about your belongings: As in any city, there are many thieves & pickpockets in Granada (especially in tourist areas and around the cathedral). Sometimes thieves use distractions and work in teams. Police officers generally do not speak English. If you are robbed, they will probably direct you to the police station and find an interpreter. You will need a police report to claim the value of the items stolen for your travel insurance.

Beware of women, particularly around the cathedral (though you may find them in other tourist spots), who "offer" you sprigs of rosemary. They'll hold one out to you, but take it and they'll demand payment. If that's not bad enough, they consider coins bad luck so they won't accept anything less than €5. Though not really a threat, their persistence can be quite alarming. Avoid eye contact, firmly but politely say "No, gracias" and don't let them shove anything into your hands.

Go next

 * Cordoba is just a few hours' drive, train or bus ride to the northwest. If you've seen the Alhambra and want to see more architecture from the height of Muslim civilization in Spain, visit the Mezquita with its peppermint striped arches, wander the old streets of the Jewish quarter or visit the nearby Medina Azahara archeological site.
 * The Sierra Nevada Mountains lie to the south of Granada and offer skiing within thirty kilometers of town (accessible by bus from the main station) in the winter as well as good hiking or mountain biking in the summer.
 * Beyond the Sierra Nevada range, the Costa del Sol offers sun and sea just a couple of hours from Granada. The nearest beach towns to Granada are Salobreña, Almunecar and Nerja, each of which offer pleasant beaches without the massive crowds of much of the rest of the Costa del Sol. To the west sits Malaga, the largest city on the Costa del Sol and home to a handful of lovely cultural attractions as well as beaches.
 * Seville is a few hours west of Granada, possible as a long day trip but better as an overnight or weekend excursion, and home to many incredible cultural attractions, most notably the massive Cathedral and the Alcázar.

title: Granada


text:
Granbury

Granbury is a city in Hood County, near the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas.

Get in
Granbury is located approximately 30 miles Southwest of Fort Worth, Texas on US Highway 377. Take the Granbury 377 business exit off of 377, which will take you straight into the historic square.

Get around
A car is the best way to get around, but the Granbury stretch of US 377 can be quite clogged around noon and rush hour.

 * Brazos Carriage Company, on the Square on Bridge Street, +1 817 723-2322. Offers horse-drawn carriage tours of Granbury's historic district.

Buy
Shop at many little shops around the square.

Eat
There are 70+ restaurants and fast food chains to choose from in Granbury.

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

title: Granbury


text:
Granby (Colorado)

Granby is a town in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. It is home to the ski resort, SolVista.

Understand
Granby and SolVista try very hard, and often succeed, in catering to families. There are programs for every age that should keep everyone in the family happy.

title: Granby (Colorado)


text:
Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is the third largest island in the Canary Islands and has the largest population. It's often described as a "continent in miniature" because it has so much variety to offer.

Other destinations

 * — archaeological  containing prehistoric cave dwellings, temples, and granaries attributed to the pre-hispanic culture of the Canary Islands.

Understand
The capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in the northeast of the island, is one of Spain's largest cities. The south coast of the island is now dominated by the tourist resorts which generate most of the island's economy. The centre of the island is mountainous, with the remains of ancient pine forests on the peaks. Maspalomas in the south of Gran Canaria is the tourist zone, with the largest variety of options for enjoying the island. For tourist information or specific help, the TI Center is in Yumbo Center.

Talk
The official language of Gran Canaria is Spanish. However, one hears many people speaking English and German in the tourist areas.

The local inhabitants speak Canario, a Spanish dialect characterized by a slightly more singing tone than the mainland, less clear pronunciation and incorporation of different verb tenses. Even for foreigners with a basic knowledge of Spanish, the varieties spoken on the islands can take some time getting used to. On Tenerife however, the pronunciation seems to be more neutral, and leans a bit more toward normalized Spanish. In a way is very similar to Chilean Spanish. Canarian is known by;

 * loss of ending 's' in most plural unstressed words into a "h" or "sh" sound (relojej instead of relojes),
 * diphthonging words and verbs (callao for callado, pesao for pesado),
 * emphasis of the H sound when normally mute (hediondo pronounced jediondo and not ediondo),
 * different verb tense (ayer juguemos un partido instead of ayer jugamos un partido),
 * use of Haiga instead of haya (as the verb "to have") and
 * use of simple past tense instead of past participle tense, resulting in the occlusion and almost non-existence of the latter.

Get around
The public transportation system is well organized and economical. There are regular buses that go all over the island, most of the ones useful for tourists run through Avda. Tirajana in Playa del Inglés and head north to the Atlantico shopping centre or Las Palmas or along the coast towards Puerto Rico. To travel from Maspalomas to Las Palmas the fastest bus is 50, which also stops at the airport. From Playa del Ingles to and from the airport the fastest routes are 66 and 90. Contactless payment is accepted on all routes. Most buses have luggage compartments that are opened remotely by the driver, some older vehicles still have traditional latches which you need to open yourself. Never try to make a bus driver smile either as they have the most stressful job on the island. You can find out why by taking the Playa-del-ingles bus towards Amadores. If you are scared of heights and fear falling of cliffs do not take this bus.[Once the highway is complete this route will be altered]

Do not be afraid to take a taxi. Sometimes you can get somewhere a lot quicker for a few euro more than you would spend on a bus. Why not walk past a bus station and ask somebody to share a taxi? All taxis on the island are metered and easily identified. Avoid taxis without a meter as they will certainly be uninsured.

Rental cars are available in all resorts, both from local companies and large international car rental companies. Most of the large ones such as Avis and Hertz have offices in Playa del Inglés. They initially offer very competitive prices on their websites, but in reality you are forced to buy a tank full of gasoline and return the car empty (which is impossible). You are also expected to take additional insurance coverage unless you have already pre-arranged equivalent cover before your visit. (You should do this). This makes the price almost double from what is advertised. You can also rent a car at the airport. The rental offices are on the ground floor on the new wing for international departures.

Rental companies (always compare!):

 * AutoReisen – Only available in the Canary Islands. Cheap, reliable and no deposit—from €9/day. Though, apparently not very well known and not listed on the common price comparison websites. Pickup and drop-off only at the airports. Ask around and you will see that people are very happy with them.
 * PlusCar Rent a Car – Conditions are similar to AutoReisen—sometimes cheaper, sometimes more expensive. Likewise no deposit.
 * Cabrera Medina – Around 20 branches all over the island, though not all are always open. Reliable and well-known.
 * CICAR – Similar to Cabrera Medina.
 * PaylessCar – Affordable and good.
 * TopCar – From €12/day, but many people complain about consecutively being charged for fuel and cleaning. Deposit: €500.
 * Goldcar, Dollar, Interrent – Not worth the stress—they are well known for ripping off their customers.
 * Avis, Europcar, Thrifty, Hertz, Enterprice – Probably not worth the extra money, unless you have a membership thing or get a good discount.

There are no trains in Gran Canaria. There is an autopista (motorway/highway) that covers much of the island. Speed cameras operate along the length of all the major roads, beware.

To go to the other islands is quite simple, the nearest island, Tenerife, is only 2½ hours away by ferry (http://www.world-nomad.com/gran-canaria-to-tenerife/)

Climate
The climate is subtropical semi-arid for most locations, but it may vary a lot depending of where you are going. For the main touristic resorts the weather is mostly comfortable.

In Maspalomas there is normally 28-33°C in July at daytime, which drops to 21-24° by night. In winter, day temperature is normally 23° and by night 16-17°. Bad weather can occur, especially between mid-October and March. Temperatures can then drop to 11-12° and be quite windy.

Arguineguín has the best climate, with the least wind, and is, due to its protected location, among the driest in winter too.

Las Palmas has a bit of a different climate, and is sometimes clouded and rain might occur, even in May or June, but it is not very common. If you travel in winter take at least a thick jacket or two. If you plan to travel to the mountains bring or buy a scarf and gloves. The freezing point can be reached on Pozo de Las Nieves.

In summertime, always bring a bottle of water during the day. If winds from Sahara occur and temperatures rise above 40 °C, try to stay in the shadows, close to climatized air and always drink plenty of water.

See
The sand dunes in Maspalomas (ask for "Las Dunas de Maspalomas").

San Bartolomé de Tirajana.

Hiking
Gran Canaria is a paradise for hill walking with its inhabited cave villages, lake side walks, spectacular mountain scenery and wonderful flora & fauna especially in the Spring. There are a great variety of hikes on outstanding trails, many of these are off-the-beaten-track and the climate is excellent for trekking.

Beaches
The south of Gran Canaria is famous for the variety of beaches. The longest beach is "Playa del Inglés" and "Maspalomas", the almost 4 km stretch of beach between Playa del Inglés and Meloneras is a serviced nudist beach. In the Mogán area there are other famous beaches, such as "Amadores", "Anfi del Mar", "Puerto Rico", and "Playa de Mogán."

Surfing
Described as the "Hawaii of the Atlantic", the surf on Gran Canaria can be incredible. On the right day the surfers will put on a free and spectacular display, often in the north of the island but also in the south on the right conditions - Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés and Arguineguin.

It is also a great place to learn to surf with fantastic beaches and a couple of really good surf schools.

Golf
The island is home to Spain's oldest golf club plus eight newer courses, mostly in the south of the island.

Scuba diving
The south part of the island has many great diving locations and many dive centers. Most arrange daily trips Monday to Saturday with hotel pickup and reasonable equipment rental prices. Most travel guide books suggest one or two dive centers.

Near Maspalomas, Let's go diving arranges boat tours to natural and artificial reefs with a variety of fish and other species. A wreck dive is also possible within 20 m depth. You may find flashier rental equipment but you will hardly find better personnel.

In Arquineguin, Scuba Sur Diving Center, inside the Time Share Resort Anfi Del Mar, organize daily diving trips, free scuba diving try every day in the different pools, all PADI courses till Instructor Development Course; three times a week snorkeling trip to the Pristine Bays of Gran Canaria from amazing beach of Patalavaca and the small and wonderful private marina, from where boats are leaving.

Eat
Besides many good restaurants of different nationalities, the Canarian Cuisine is especially worth trying.

Most restaurants serve local wines as well as Rioja.

La Casa Vieja:  (North area of Maspalomas) serve Canarian meals like Gofio, fish, squid rings, octopus with vinegar, Papas arrugadas con mojo (salted potatoes with a spicy mix), and grilled meat.

In Las Palmas there are many excellent fish restaurants, specially along the coast near Las Canteras beach and El Confital in the neighborhood of La Isleta. An exquisite dish is Chancletes al limón, but many other local fresh fish are excellent too.

Restaurant Ciao Ciao near the beach in Las Meloneras serves an Italian cuisine with good pizzas, meat and fish dishes.

Restaurante Olivia in Puerto de Mogán serves well prepared local dishes near the yacht harbour in Puerto de Mogán.

As an aside, when staying in the area of Playa del Inglés, expect to be regularly solicited by "waiters" who want you to eat at the restaurant they are working for. It can't be avoided but becomes slightly less annoying over time.

Drink
The Yumbo Centrum dominates the centre of Playa del Inglés. It has dozens of restaurants, bars and clubs, many catering to the gay community, particularly on the higher floors.

Some of the cheaper bars are on the Western side of the ground floor.

Busy gay bars are Construction on the ground floor and Terry's Show and XL on the first floor. The top floor has dance bars such as Mykonos and Mantrix that are a mix of bar and clubs, and tend to be more expensive. Heaven also has a club here, on the third floor. A selection of real English teas can be found at Café Florín, also known as the Internet Cafe one minute from the Yumbo, down the hill towards the Playa del Inglés beach.

Stay safe
There is relatively little crime in the resorts, the main annoyance is drunks causing trouble. As anywhere, one should not leave valuables unattended on the beach.

In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, applying common sense for large cities is advisable. Some of the streets can be badly lit and the area around the harbour can be a bit threatening.

In the south, young male pickpockets operate and often target older tourists.

On the beach, African women vendors may try to put a bracelet on your wrist and then charge an exorbitant fee for it. Some of these women can be aggressive however, so always be on your guard. Scream "molestado!" if you have to and if you are forced into having to pay for bracelets, make sure you have a few small bills or change and convince them it's all you have.

Male sex workers may approach male travellers for prostitution purposes.

If you've been to Tenerife, you may be familiar with the so-called Lookey Lookey Men. Since they are not as common in Gran Canaria, they are usually not seen as problem, but can be annoying as they try to sell cheap items which are usually bootlegs.

title: Gran Canaria


text:
Grand Bahama

Grand Bahama Island is an island of the Bahamas.

Regions

 * West
 * South
 * Freeport/Lucaya
 * East

Understand
The 6 ecosystems of Grand Bahama Island are:

 * Pine Forest
 * Blackland Coppice
 * Rocky Coppice
 * Mangrove Swamp
 * Whiteland Coppice
 * Beach/shoreline

Talk
Cellular service available from BTC and Aliv. Coverage is fairly good, but roaming can be pricey. Check your plan before you enable data roaming.

Get in
Numerous flights are available from South Florida to Freeport. American Eagle offers daily flights from Miami, Charlotte, Philadelphia and New York. Bahamasair, United, and Spirit Airlines all offer daily flights from Fort Lauderdale. Delta Connection offers flights from Atlanta. Another frugal option is to take a Discovery cruise ship to the island. The Ship drops passengers off in the mornings and then return for them in the evenings.

Get around
Taxis are typically waiting for visitors at the airport and sea port. They are also easily summoned by phone. Please be aware that there is NO such thing as a "service fee" or "bag handling fee," as some unscrupulous taxi drivers insist. You only pay the fare, and a tip if appropriate.

Public transport on the island consists mainly of minivans that ferry locals to and fro. It is a dollar to take the local bus line anywhere on the island. They typically run about every 15 minutes however they will often wait until they have a full load before departing. It's unclear whether these are government run or privately owned.

Hotels often have their own shuttle services to various points of interest around the island.

Car, motorcycle, and buggy rentals are readily available. However be cautioned that the roads are driven on the left and locals drive aggressively.

Do

 * Scuba diving — see the Freepirt article for listings.
 * Live music and dancing are available at a number of places. Most bands play a mixture of Bahamian "Rake 'n Scrape" and American standards. Venues include Count Basie Square in Port Lucaya, most evenings, Bikini Bottom Bar in Williamstown (near the Island Seas resort) on Thursdays and Saturdays, Tony Macaroni's Conch Experience on Taino Beach, Wednesdays and alternate Sundays, and Sabor Restaurant in the Pelican Bay resort on Saturdays.

Buy
Bahamas Dollars (BSD) are equal in value to the American Dollar. American currency is accepted (sometimes even preferred) everywhere.

VAT is payable on most goods and services if purchased from a business large enough to be registered. Posted prices should include VAT, but often don't. VAT free shopping is available in some stores selling high value items to tourists if foreign travel documentation is provided. Most revenue is collected through local import tariffs.

Duty-free items such as liquor, perfume, and jewellery often surprise tourists for being so inexpensive. It is not uncommon, for example, to find a bottle of your favorite perfume for less than half of what you could expect to pay back home. This is the advantage and convenience of duty-free shopping.

Eat
Grand Bahama offers a wide variety of international cuisines for all tastes. The local Bahamian cuisine consists mainly of seafood, poultry, or pork, typically fried, steamed, or curried, with various kinds of rice and salads. Spices are used in abundance. Finding authentic, quality Bahamian food in touristic areas can be rather hit-or-miss, so asking friendly locals their personal recommendations will go a long way to ensuring an experience your taste buds won't forget.

Conch (a type of large sea mollusk, pronounced 'kongk') is a quintessentially Bahamian food served in various forms. Island favourites include: conch salad, infused with citrus and served cold; cracked conch, tenderized and lightly batter-fried; and conch fritters, small balls of deep-fried batter mixed with minced conch and served with dipping sauce.

Check your bill carefully. A 15% service charge is included in some restaurants and bars. If not a standard 15% tip is appreciated.

Fish fries are like the Bahamian version of a neighbourhood barbecue, serving fried fish with various side dishes. Some fish fries cater specifically to tourists, but these are generally grossly overpriced (from $50, compared to local-run fish fries which cost less than $10 per plate) and the food pales in comparison to those run by locals, for locals.

The Port Lucaya area has a wide array of dining experiences for all budgets, at all times of the day. See the Freeport article for listings.

In West End area dining options include Dockside Bar & Grille for dinner and Teaser's Tiki Bar for breakfast and lunch, both located at Old Bahama Bay Resort - (242) 350-6500.

Sleep
See listings in the Freeport article.

Stay safe
The Bahamas, though well known for its festive culture and friendly people, does have a high crime rate amongst its people that reflects severe social disparities. Areas that cater to tourists are heavily policed and kept exceptionally safe, but foreigners should not venture outside these areas alone. (A desolate beach at night is incredibly romantic, but be sure to tell the security guard at your hotel where you are going, just to be safe.)

Bahamian culture is intolerant of public displays of affection between same-sex couples. Such displays are typically seen as an affront to local values and may be met with hostility. Please exercise modesty in public areas.

While the idea of being swept off one's feet by a good-looking local may sound romantic to some, serious caution is advised. Local men in particular often frequent the beaches near hotels, wooing foreign women as a hobby. It is imperative that safe sex be practiced. The Bahamas as a nation holds the third-highest rate of HIV and AIDS infection in the world.

title: Grand Bahama


text:
Grand-Bassam

Filled to the brim with French colonial charm, Grand-Bassam is a town in the Lagunes region of Côte d'Ivoire.

Understand
Grand-Bassam (or "Bassam" as the locals call it) was the capital city of the French colonies in the region from 1893 until 1896, until the administration was transferred to Bingerville after a severe bout of yellow fever. The city's inhabitants recovered, and it remained a key seaport until the growth of Abidjan from the 1930s, which crushed its golden era. By independence in 1960, Grand-Bassam was little more than a ghost town, until a surge of tourism in the 1970s led to its resettlement.

Today, 5,000 people call the town their home, although some areas remain largely abandoned.

Get in

Grand-Bassam is 45 km east of Abidjan and the trip will take about 45 minutes by road.

Bush taxis from the Gare de Bassam in Abidjan are the best option, and will cost about CFA 500. Buses are an alternative, which leave from Gare Routière d'Adjamé in Abidjan for CFA 500.

Grand-Bassam's is in the centre of town, just beside the Place de Paix roundabout.

Get around
The town is largely divided into two distinct halves. On the south side of the Ébrié Lagoon is Ancien Bassam, the old French town where most of the colonial buildings and attractions are located. Nouveau Bassam lies to the north of the lagoon, and grew out of the old servant quarters to become the main business centre. The two are connected by a small bridge.

The main area of town is quite compact, so walking is an easy way of getting around. If you feel like venturing further, you will need to organise a bush taxi.

See

Buy

The (Marché) is next to the Place de Paix roundabout. It mostly serves produce, but you may be able to find a souvenir or two. A much better option is the hundreds of that thrive on the western edge of town, lining the road from Abidjan. Local art is also for sale in Maison des Artistes, described in the See section.

Eat
There are some options to eat in and around the central market as described above, as well as the eateries within the hotels. A more interesting alternative is the along the northern, lagoon edge of Ancien Bassam, which serve local and traditional African cuisine. The cost is cheap, hovering between CFA 1900 and 2300.

Drink
Most hotels and even some restaurants have their own bars that are popular with locals on the weekdays and holidaymakers from Abidjan on the weekend. There are a couple of nightclubs in the north of the town including:

Sleep

Connect
There is a on the eastern side of the Place de Paix roundabout. Many of the larger hotels have free Wi-Fi.

Go next

 * Abidjan - The country's economic capital is only a short drive down the road.
 * Assinie - Another beach town that is popular among locals.

title: Grand-Bassam


text:
Grand Bay

Grand Bay (Grand-Baie) is a city in Mauritius.

Understand
A shopping and leisure paradise, Grand Bay is also where Mauritians go when they want a fun-filled night out (restaurants, bars and discos).

Get in
Express bus from Port Louis's Northern Bus terminal.

Get around
Grand Baie is small enough that you can walk anywhere. Walking along the coast is especially pleasant.

Go next

 * Triolet

title: Grand Bay


text:
Grand Beach Provincial Park

Grand Beach is in Eastern Manitoba.

Understand
Grand Beach is a provincial park on the shore of Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba. Its fine white sand has made it an attractive summer destination since the early years of the 20th century when the Canadian Northern Railway established an excursion line to the area.

Dunes 12 metres high and kilometres of warm sand beach. It draws thousands of people from miles around.

Available activities include excellent bird watching, cycling and hiking trails, boating, fishing, kiteboarding and berry picking (saskatoons, chokecherries, and blueberries). In the winter the park offers snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

There are numerous tourist attractions, which include food and merchandise vendors, recreation facilities, bike, hiking, and ski trails, a fishing dock, a boardwalk, and camping facilities.

History

The park was established in 1961 on the site of a former resort. It was popular in the "Grand Old Days" before the highways, when the railway was the main transportation to the resort.

The resort developed by the railway included many amenities including a dance hall, piers and a carousel. Most of the visitors were Winnipeg residents travelling by train and returning to the city the same day. The increase in car ownership and concurrent road improvement after the end of World War II resulted in a declining number of customers for the excursion trains. The railway did not rebuild the dance hall when it burnt down in 1950 and in 1963, the tracks were removed.

Flora and fauna
The park is a sanctuary for the piping plover, an endangered species of bird that nests on the beach. Bald eagles, bears, sea gulls, terns, and pelicans are among a wide variety of species that inhabit the area.

Get in
Leaving Winnipeg, take PTH 59 north, 80 km (50 mi) to the Grand Beach turnoff. Follow PTH 12 west 6 km (3.7 mi).

Fees and permits
(as of June 2019) Vehicle fee: $5/day, $12/3 days.

Campsites: basic services $11.55-23.10/day, electrical services $15.75-27.30/day

See

 * The Boardwalk: From the Locomotive Kiosk, stroll along the Boardwalk. Interpretive signs with archival photos help you look into the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s at this railway resort.
 * Piping Plovers: The beach is ideal habitat for this rare and endangered bird species. To provide some measure of protection, piping plover sites are fenced during the June nesting period. Interpreters and volunteer plover guardians provide opportunities for visitors to safely view the birds, without disturbing them. For more information on plovers and the guardian program contact the park office.
 * Plover viewing at the Channel: At this site, which separates the east and west beaches, water flows back and forth between the lake and the lagoon. This creates extremely dangerous currents in the water. Wading and swimming are prohibited. Please use the footbridge to cross the channel.

Do

 * Berry Picking: Openings in Grand Beach's mixed forest nurture an abundant growth of berry producing shrubs. Saskatoon berries (or service berries or June berries) ripen towards the end of June. Chokecherries and blueberries are ready in August.
 * Hiking: Grand Beach offers a wide variety of walking or hiking opportunities. These include informal "trails" like The Boardwalk and the 3-km beach; almost 30 km of backcountry trail networks let you stroll connecting routes to your heart's content. Self-guiding trails offer interpretive information on the area you are exploring.
 * Wear long pants to help prevent contact with poison ivy; in summer, bring insect repellent; on the beach, wear sunglasses and protect yourself from intense sunshine with appropriate sunscreen lotion and clothing.
 * Boating: Boating on Lake Winnipeg is permitted beyond the swimming area but is often adversely affected by strong winds and large waves. The lagoon, which is sheltered and relatively calm, is recommended for boating, waterskiing, boardsailing and other water-oriented sports. For safety, part of the lagoon has been designated for non-motorized watercraft.
 * Fishing: The most popular fishing spot in the park is by the causeway bridge. Catches include perch, walleye, northern pike, silver bass, carp and the occasional catfish.
 * Swimming: Swimming is permitted along the east and west beaches within the marked area. Swimming is at your own risk so please ensure that children in your company are constantly supervised. Lifeguards are not provided. Beach safety officers are on duty during peak beach use periods. Swimming or wading are strictly prohibited in the channel area between the two beaches due to dangerous currents.
 * Tennis: Tennis courts are provided for public use on a first-come, first-served basis. They are open daily, 8AM to sunset.
 * Cross-country Skiing: In winter, five designated routes begin and end at the same staging area. Each is rated for different skill levels: the Jack Pine (2.6 km) and Blueberry (3.2 km) trails are recommended for novices; intermediate skiers will enjoy the Boulder Hill (6.1 km) and Beaver Pond (13.3 km) trails; and expert skiers will find the Squirrel Run (2.6 km) challenging.
 * Snowmobiling: Snowmobile trails skirt the park boundaries and loop through the forested eastern section. They connect with other regional trails that lead snowmobilers to Belair Provincial Forest, Pine Falls, Lac du Bonnet and the Can-Am International Trail. Winter recreation maps are available from the park office.

Buy, eat and drink
There are food and merchandise vendors in the park.

Sleep
There is a huge campground 350 sites toward the east end of the park. The campground has very wooded sites. There are both electrics and non-electric sites. There are 48 seasonal camp sites, all of which have electricity. There are 306 casual campsites, in all about half offer electricity.

title: Grand Beach Provincial Park


text:
Grand Bend

Grand Bend is a community of about 3,000 people (2021) in Huron County on the shores of Lake Huron.

Understand
The main strip is the centre of activity in the town, with shopping during the day and night life venues during the evening drawing crowds. The atmosphere of Grand Bend has given the town a reputation of being Florida north.

Grand Bend acts as a regional cultural centre, boasting art galleries in the town and the Huron Country Playhouse on the outskirts.

Grand Bend's year-round population swells to about 50,000 in the summer months on holiday weekends.

Visitor Information

 * Grand Bend Area Tourism

History
The settlement began in the 1830s when a group of English and Scottish settlers bought lots from the Canada Company, a land development firm. The villagers were mainly the families of the millhands and fisherman. Their homesteads were built on the south side of the present village.

For 20 years, the settlement, then called Brewster, was an isolated lumbering community. Until the opening of the highway to Goderich in 1850, people and provisions had to travel by water. Once road connections were complete, the village was no longer solely dependent on the forests for its livelihood and opportunities for new businesses emerged.

Early French Canadian settlers in the area referred to the present location of the village as "Aux Croches", 'at the bends'. Grand Bend survived as a name, perhaps because it was the most appropriate—the tight hairpin turn in the original Ausable River where mills were established.

Improved roads and the arrival of the automobile near the turn of the century had the greatest influence on the growth of Grand Bend. Businesses were established to serve visitors and travelers along the highway and with the beach, "The Bend" became a summer destination.

By car
Grand Bend is 68 km from London, Ontario, north on Highway 4, west on County Road 4, then north on County Road 81.

Get around

 * Grand Bend Taxi +1 519-238-8790
 * That Girl Taxi Services +1 519-238-1080
 * Star Taxi +1 519-238-7827

Do

 * Hike the marked and maintained hiking trails.

title: Grand Bend


text:
Grand Bruit

Grand Bruit (often pronounced "Grand Brit") is an abandoned small coastal village in Southern Newfoundland. It used to be accessible by ferry. The community, which had a population of 31 when it was abandoned in 2010, was divided down the middle by a waterfall, hence the name "Grand Bruit" which is French for "great noise."

Understand
Grand Bruit is on the rugged and sparsely-populated southern coast of Newfoundland, an area whose topography (largely fjords) is ill-suited to road building. A tiny outport reachable only by sea, Grand Bruit relied heavily on the Atlantic cod fishery. The collapse of cod stocks in the early 1990s brought economic decline and local population dropped sharply. The nearby village of Petites, accessible only by sea on the coastline between Rose Blanche and Grand Bruit, was abandoned in 2002.

By 2007, the Grand Bruit village schoolhouse was closed. In 2010, the provincial government paid the last inhabitants to leave, implicitly extending a controversial pattern in which three hundred tiny Newfoundland outport villages in awkward, difficult-to-service locations were abandoned as ghost towns between 1954-1975.

Unlike most earlier outport abandonments (where wooden saltbox houses were loaded onto barges and moved to other outports by sea), Grand Bruit's 31 residents left houses and furnishings behind; some return seasonally to use the buildings as cottages.

Get in
The road eastward from Port aux Basques ends at Rose Blanche. It was once possible to continue east to Grand Bruit by provincial coastal ferry, but (as of July 8, 2010) the boat no longer stops here. There are at least two main docks in the village; one served the local fishery and the other the coastal ferry. Access remains possible by cruising on small craft.

Get around
There were no cars or automobile roads in Grand Bruit, but lovely paved walking roads. There were a few 4x4 ATV's in the village when it was a populated place; these are now gone.

See

 * A number of small ponds surround the community, including one that feeds the prominent local waterfall.
 * "Cramalot Inn" was a local gathering place where you could bring your own drinks. The building is little more than a former 10' x 10' wooden fishing shed, white with red trim.
 * A Grand Bruit All-Grade School, a church and cemetery are abandoned but still standing.

Do
There is excellent hiking around Grand Bruit. Paths are often absent or not in great shape, but many are marked.

Buy, eat and drink
There is no store, restaurant, bar or discotheque in Grand Bruit. The last store closed its doors in 2007.

Sleep
There are several great camping spots in Grand Bruit. Next to the village church, which is adjacent to the waterfall, a small camping spot is available that can fit a 2 to 4-person tent.

The closest operational B&B is in Rose Blanche.

Connect
The village post office closed in 2008, electric power was removed when the village was abandoned in 2010. Grand Bruit is off the grid.

Go next

 * Rose Blanche and Port aux Basques to the west
 * Sandbanks Provincial Park and Burgeo to the east

title: Grand Bruit


text:
Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is in northern Arizona, and is one of the great tourist attractions in the United States as well as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The massive canyon encompasses several distinct areas, most famous of which is Grand Canyon National Park, a national park and a. Visitors to the national park have many options, including: the remote North Rim; the more accessible (and therefore more crowded) South Rim; parts of the canyon, such as Phantom Ranch or the Colorado River, upon which many boating trips are made. In addition, parts of the southwestern end of the canyon are within the borders of two Indian reservations: the Havasupai Indian Reservation and the Hualapai Indian Reservation (which includes the development known as Grand Canyon West). Lastly, part of the southeastern end of the canyon is within the borders of the Navajo Nation. Except for the Navajo Nation portion, all sections of the canyon offer amenities for visitors. However, the national park, and in particular the South Rim, is by far the most popular destination and the best equipped to handle the millions of yearly visitors.

Understand
"The Grand Canyon fills me with awe. It is beyond comparison—beyond description; absolutely unparalleled throughout the wide world."

- Theodore Roosevelt

The canyon is an overwhelming experience, and nothing can prepare a visitor for the sight. The Grand Canyon is a massive canyon carved over several million years by the Colorado River. Grand Canyon National Park boasts an elevation change of nearly 7,000 ft from Point Imperial (at nearly 9,000 ft) to the banks of Lake Mead (at just over 2,000 ft). The canyon is over a mile (1610 m) deep, from rim to river. In spots the rock layers exposed in the canyon display over two billion years of geologic history.

History
Grand Canyon National Park was founded as Grand Canyon National Monument in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt, and became a national park in 1919. Today the park contains over 1.2 e6acre, slightly less than the entire state of Delaware, and in 2018 received about 6.4 million visitors.

Landscape
Throughout the past century, hundreds of authors have attempted to depict the enormous landscape that is Grand Canyon. Not surprisingly, words most often fail to invoke the sense of awe and wonder that many visitors experience. Edward Abbey, a noted Southwest author, once penned: "Those who love it call it the canyon.  The canyon.  As if there were no other topographic feature on the face of the Earth".

There are, of course, other canyons on the planet. Some are longer, others wider, and there are even some that are deeper. Canyon visitors are often surprised to learn that Grand Canyon sets no records for sheer size. It is, however, simply regarded by most as the "grandest" canyon of them all.

Geologically, the canyon extends from Lees Ferry near the city of Page and the Arizona/Utah border to the Grand Wash Cliffs near Las Vegas, a distance of. It ranges in width from about a quarter mile to over wide. In places the canyon is over a mile (1.6 km) deep.

However, it is not the statistics that define this landscape as "grand", but rather a combination of factors. The desert environment and a lack of herbaceous ground cover reveal a geologic story that is unparalleled. Surprisingly, the rock layers displayed at Grand Canyon show little sign of wear. The layers have been preserved almost perfectly, as though they were layers in a cake. Nowhere else on Earth displays so many volumes of the planet's history in such pristine condition.

The resulting landscape provides visitors with some of the most magnificent and unsurpassed vistas on the planet.

Flora and fauna
The most famous animal in the park may be the rare California Condor. They can occasionally be seen flying near Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. Common bird life includes Canyon Wrens, Stellar's Jays (with their peaked caps), swallows, hummingbirds, and the playful and entertaining raven.

Mule deer are common. Some of the largest elk in North America can be found in the national park, and in the adjacent Kaibab National Forest. Desert bighorn sheep are also seen on occasion, mainly in the inner canyon.

You'll often spot coyotes no matter where you are in the park, and if you're lucky, you'll get to hear them sing. Other predators are cougars (aka mountain lions and many other names) and bobcats. Black bears are rare, and they generally stay away from the inhabited areas.

Some of the smaller creatures that can be found in the inhabited areas of the park are the ringtail (called a cat, but not in the cat family), which like to live in the rafters of some of the historic buildings on the rim. They are quick and stealthy, but they often forget how visible that tail is, and you'll see it hanging out over a beam.

A favorite with visitors is the Abert's squirrel with their tufted ears. Other varieties of squirrels and chipmunks are also popular. They seem tame and like to beg for food behind the Bright Angel Lodge, near the Ice Cream fountain. But heed the warnings and resist the urge. One of the most common injuries in the park are squirrel bites.

You might also see the common striped skunk, and if lucky, you might even see the rarer western spotted skunk (usually at lower elevations). Skunks here are also habituated to humans and may seem tame, but they will react as all skunks do, so don't come up on them suddenly!

For the reptile family, there are variety of small lizards, and a few snakes. The most striking (in more ways than one) is the Grand Canyon rattlesnake; with its reddish (almost pink) coloring it neatly blends into the rocky terrain of the canyon. They are interesting to see as long as it is at a safe distance. Rattlesnakes are more afraid of you than you are of them. If given the chance, they will avoid any contact with humans. Most rattlesnake victims are young males that are chasing or trying to capture a snake.

Do not feed the animals. It is unhealthy for them, and may be unhealthy for you. A seemingly tame squirrel might bite you – they carry plague, rabies, etc. A deer or elk can charge at you without warning. If the animal is aware of your presence, you're too close.

Climate
Temperatures and weather within the canyon vary greatly by location. Temperatures on the North Rim are often 20–30°F (11–16°C) cooler than at the river. This is a land of extremes. It can be snowing at the rim, while others are comfortable sunbathing at the river. Conversely, it can be cool and comfortable at the rim in the summer, while temperatures at the river exceed. It is not unusual for local canyon guides to encounter neophyte hikers in desperate shape. Some die. An unusual number of fatalities occur among young people who overestimate their abilities. Due to the high altitude, snowfall is a regular occurrence on the rims during the winter months. The North Rim closes during the winter season.

July and August are monsoon season in Arizona and strong thunderstorms can sweep in quickly with lightning strikes every few minutes and sudden downpours. Flash floods can occur suddenly, even in areas where there is not immediate rain; rain can originate upstream and quickly rush downstream. Due to the elevation of the Grand Canyon rims, people are struck by lightning fairly regularly so take shelter indoors during storms.

Visitor information

 * Park website

By car

The majority of visitors to the South Rim of the park arrive from the south on Arizona Route 64 (AZ 64, conjoined with US highway 180). Or, you can enter the South Rim from the east on AZ 64.

For the south entrance: from Flagstaff, you can take US Route 180 (US 180) northwest to Valle where it joins with AZ 64, and continue north to the South Rim; or take I-40 west toward Williams to the junction with AZ 64 and continue north to the South Rim. Both routes are approximately 80 mi. The approximately 60 mi on US 180 is a narrow 2-lane mountain road through a heavily forested area. The I-40 west is a wide multi-lane interstate for approximately, to AZ 64 which is a slightly wider, less mountainous 2-lane highway, and the recommended route during winter weather. There are two lanes at this entrance reserved for pass and prepaid entrance fees (now lanes 1 and 4), which can be pre-purchased outside of the park at the National Geographic Theater/Visitor Center.

For the east entrance, take US 89 south from Page, AZ or north from Flagstaff to the junction with AZ 64 at Cameron. It is approximately from the junction to the east entrance of the park, and approximately  from the east entrance to the South Rim village area.

Visitors to the North Rim use ALT US Route 89 (US 89A, not to be confused with AZ 89A south of Flagstaff) to AZ 67 (closed in winter). While the average distance across the canyon is only 10 mi, there are no roads or bridges or ferries, meaning the trip by car is a five-hour drive of.

People visiting the Havasupai Indian Reservation use AZ 66, turning onto Indian Road 18 (which may appear on maps as BIA 18, or Hualapai Hilltop Highway) for approximately. The road dead ends at Hualapai Hilltop, which is the trailhead for the town of Supai and its waterfalls (permit required in advance; it has reopened for 2023, but no new permits are available until 2024). There are no services along this route.

South rim

 * Tusayan – Primarily used by private aircraft and companies who provide Grand Canyon air tours. Grand Canyon Airlines has flights from Boulder City in Nevada and charter flights to Page, AZ.

 * Flagstaff  is the nearest commercial airport to the South Rim.

Many Grand Canyon visitors fly into one of two major metropolitan airports within half a day's drive of the South Rim:

 * Las Vegas  – 275 mi west then north from the South Rim.
 * Phoenix  – 230 mi south from the South Rim.

North rim

 * Page – 125 mi east from the North Rim, with flights to Las Vegas and Phoenix.
 * Las Vegas – 275 mi west from the North Rim (via southern Utah).
 * Phoenix – 360 km south from the North Rim (east around the canyon).

By bus
There are no commercial bus lines offering transportation to either rim, but several tour companies offer guided tours originating in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and other locations, either directly to the South Rim or that include the South Rim as part of an itinerary, and a few offer tours which include a visit to the North Rim. There is a small shuttle service, Groome Transportation, which does carry passengers and luggage from the Flagstaff Amtrak station. The tickets for this shuttle may also be purchased from Amtrak.

By train
The Grand Canyon Railway operates a train ride from the town of Williams to the Grand Canyon Village (travel time is 2½ hours in each direction). The terminus at Grand Canyon Village is within walking distance of some accommodations. The train features a historic steam locomotive during the summer season, restored Pullman cars, and a staged old west style shootout. However, the Grand Canyon is not visible from the train. It is simply another option for traveling to the canyon, and takes about twice as long as driving to the canyon.

Amtrak's Southwest Chief, with trains operating daily between Chicago and Los Angeles, stops at Williams Junction 3 mi east of Williams town, with connections to the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams. There is a Thruway bus shuttling passengers from Williams Junction to Williams town.

Fees and permits
Entrance fees for Grand Canyon National Park are valid for seven days – you do not need a fee for the other Indigenous reservations. Fees as of 2020 are:
 * $20 – individuals on foot or bike.
 * $30 – motorcycles.
 * $35 – private vehicle.
 * $70 – Grand Canyon National Park Annual Pass.

South Rim
Several viewpoints and trailheads in the park have limited or no parking and must be reached using the park shuttle system. The National Park Service runs an extensive shuttle service on the South Rim with three interlocking routes. The service is free, and generally runs from before sunrise until after sunset, depending on the route. Service is more frequent from May through September and includes additional routes. In addition, during the summer the park service operates a shuttle from Tusayan into the park.

Horse and mule riders are required to follow a number of rules and restrictions while in the park, and must get a permit from the park service to keep animals in the park overnight.

West Rim
From March to November the West Rim Drive is not accessible to most private vehicles (handicap vehicles may request a variance at the entry gate). The park service runs a shuttle during this time. The shuttles are frequent but long lines form during the busy summer months.

Rim-to-Rim
Between the North and South Rims, there is no easy connection. By shuttle bus (for a fee), Trans-Canyon Shuttle offers a seasonal daily rim-to-rim shuttle, which runs from rim to rim, through Vermillion Cliffs, with a stop at Marble Canyon. By car, the shortest route is a five-hour drive around the east of the canyon and crossing the river by a bridge near Lees Ferry. By foot, it is a two-day hike across the canyon.

South Rim
There are several other viewpoints along the road between Hermit's Rest and Grand Canyon Village (West Rim) or Desert View and the village (East Rim).

North Rim
from the South Rim by air, is the. The North Rim is a, 5-hr drive from Grand Canyon Village. At the elevation of the North Rim is approximately  higher than the South Rim, and as a result it features more coniferous trees and cooler temperatures. The roads to the North Rim are open only during the summer (from about 15 May to the first fall snowfall), while the in-park facilities usually close by 15 Oct, regardless of the weather. With far fewer visitors, this area can be a great place to enjoy the peace and majesty of the canyon. The main viewpoints are Bright Angel Point, Cape Royal (where the Colorado River can be seen), and Point Imperial (the highest viewpoint in the park).

Havasupai Indian Reservation

, part of the Havasupai Indian Reservation, are a popular destination that lie southwest of the park's Grand Canyon Village.

Havasu Canyon is subject to flash floods. Some areas remain off-limits to visitors due to flooding in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

Havasupai can be loosely translated as "People of the Blue-Green Water". Entry into this remote portion of the canyon requires an entry permit, purchased in advance. Entry permits are $110 per person, and are only available to those people with reservations at either the Lodge (an additional $440 per room per night) or the campground ($300 to $375 per person for a required three night reservation, which includes the permit fee); day hikes are not allowed. Full payment is due when campground reservations are made; transfers may be offered on the Havasupai website for a ten percent fee. Lodge reservations require a $100 per night deposit, and may be cancelled up to two weeks in advance. Those venturing into Havasu Canyon are greeted by spectacular world class waterfalls. Although the Havasupai Reservation is somewhat impacted (trashy), the incredible canyon below the village of Supai is worth the visit. Access to Havasu Canyon is from Hualapai Hilltop north of Peach Springs, in Route BIA 18 (also known as Hualapai Hilltop Highway; no services along this route). Visitors must park at Hualapai Hilltop and hike or fly to Supai Village near the waterfalls. It is an hike to Supai Village and a further  to the campground. Helicopter transportation to and from the village is available on a first come basis four days a week (to fly from the village to the hilltop, sign up early in the morning). On occasion the wait may be many hours in length; service may terminate due to high winds, at which time you would still need to hike out. An extremely rustic lodge is the only public accommodation available in Supai. A large mile long campground is down canyon between Havasu and Mooney Falls. Both the campground and the lodge are extremely crowded most of the year; advance reservations are a necessity, and are very difficult to obtain. A hike further north from the end of the campsite (Mooney Falls) to the Colorado River is a further, which will often have you bushwacking and in the water.

Hualapai Indian Reservation
The borders the Colorado River, with Grand Canyon National Park to the north. Tribal headquarters are in the impoverished town of Peach Springs. The Grand Canyon Resort Corporation is a collection of tourist enterprises wholly owned by the tribe. Activities include motorized rafting trips on last few miles of white water in the canyon, and pontoon boat rides on the smooth waters of Lake Mead. Grand Canyon West (in the remote northwest corner of the reservation) is a collection of viewpoints overlooking the last few miles of Grand Canyon and the stagnant waters of the Colorado River as it flows into Lake Mead. The Hualapai have partnered with dozens of commercial tour operators from the Las Vegas area, and a tour package purchase (ranging from $29–109 per person) is required for entry to the Grand Canyon West area. Helicopter flights are available from Las Vegas to the canyon rim. Extra cost options include the Skywalk, and a helicopter flight to the bottom of the canyon, next to the Colorado River.

Hiking
Hiking in the Grand Canyon is unlike anywhere else on Earth: trails range in difficulty from 15-minute loops to multi-week treks, and all offer spectacular views. In addition, there are numerous unmaintained trails throughout the park for the more adventurous. For people who prefer guided hikes a variety of outfitters offer options. While most canyon hikes entail significant elevation change, less-strenuous hiking options include nature walks along the rim trail which offer great views without requiring much exertion.

Take water.

Respect the heat.

Watch for storms.

Know your limits.

All hikers should take trail warnings extremely seriously. Temperatures in the canyon may vary by 50–70°F depending on elevation and time of day, and unlike most places, the most challenging portion of a hike in the Grand Canyon will always be the end, meaning that if you run out of water you will get heat stroke, and if you get too tired you will be unable to get back to the trailhead. Carry more liquid than you think you'll need, and know your limits. It is far too easy to overextend yourself hiking in the canyon, and each year over 250 people require rescue due to underestimating the heat and difficulty. Also be aware that trails may be icy during the winter – if you have crampons for your shoes or hiking poles you should bring them or consider purchasing them from a local shop.

From the south side it is possible to do a loop going down the South Kaibab Trail and up the Bright Angel Trail. You can leave a vehicle at the Bright Angel Trail head and take public transit to the South Kaibab Trail head. While often not recommended as a day hike, if you are fit it can be done in between 6 and 10 hours.

Whitewater rafting
Whitewater rafting expeditions depart daily during the summer months from Lees Ferry. Commercial trips range from 3–18 days and cover from 87 - 300 mi. Trips book up fast so be sure to book your trip about a year in advance or you will have to get lucky with cancellations. The most popular section of river for the "true" Grand Canyon river experience lies between Lees Ferry and Diamond Creek.

Private (non-commercial DIY) river permits are also available for river trips up to 30 days in length. The new Colorado River Management Plan has changed a 12-20 year wait list to a new weighted lottery.

Flightseeing
Airplane and helicopter tours are offered by providers outside of the South Rim in Tusayan at the Grand Canyon Airport, and also from Las Vegas. Scenic flights are no longer allowed to fly below the rim within the national park. However, some helicopter flights land on the Havasupai and Hualapai Indian Reservations within Grand Canyon (outside of the park boundaries).

Buy

All types of tourist trinkets relating to the Grand Canyon, Native American Indians, and the American Southwest are available in shops in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. The South Rim is overflowing with shopping options. The North Rim has only one shop, which is at the North Rim Lodge.

South Rim
Additional cafeterias are in the Maswik and Yavapai Lodges. There is a grocery deli at Market Plaza inside the grocery store, as well. Just outside the park, in the gateway community of Tusayan, are a number of dining selections.

Sleep
There are a variety of hotels, lodges, and campgrounds inside and outside of the park on the North and South Rims. As lodging at the Canyon fills early and is fairly expensive, many visitors base themselves just outside of the South Rim in Tusayan. For those willing to stay further from the park the cities of Williams or Flagstaff offer additional options.

South Rim
The following lodges are inside Grand Canyon National Park. Reservations can be made by contacting Xanterra for the first five lodges, and Delaware North for Yavapai.

Camping
There are campgrounds at the North and South Rims. Reservations are highly recommended, especially at the busier South Rim. Outside of the park, Kaibab National Forest has numerous undeveloped campsites and "at large" camping is allowed for up to 14 days. Due to extreme drought conditions, check for closures and camp fire restrictions.

South Rim

Backcountry
Any camping below the rim in Grand Canyon requires a backcountry permit. Permits must be obtained through the Backcountry Country Office (BCO) at Grand Canyon National Park. Permits are not available online or via telephone. They are only available in person, by fax or by mail. There is limited water available within the canyon, so backpackers should plan on carrying sufficient water with them. All backcountry users are asked to follow "Leave no Trace" principles.

Permits are limited to protect the canyon, and become available on the 1st day of the month, four months prior to the start month. Thus, a backcountry permit for any start date in May becomes available on 1 Jan. Space for the most popular areas, such as the Bright Angel Campground adjacent to Phantom Ranch, generally fill up by the requests received on first date they are opened to reservations. There are a limited number permits reserved for walk-in requests available on a first come, first served basis.

There are a number of outfitters that provide fully guided backpacking trips (including permits and gear) at Grand Canyon.

Stay safe
Hiking at the Grand Canyon often surprises people who attempt Inner Canyon trips. It can be hotter than you'd expect, colder than you'd expect, drier or wetter. A prepared hiker is better able to survive the extremes of the canyon. Even for short walks into the canyon keep in mind that it is a seducer: it seems easy hiking down into it but when you come back up you find that you have over-extended yourself. It's the opposite of climbing up a tall mountain, where you can stop and turn back when you get tired, knowing that the descent will be much easier.

Take water.

Respect the heat, plan for heat.

Check the weather forecast, watch for storms.

Take a paper map with you, and know how to read it. If using maps on your phone, download maps before you go.

Cell phone service is unreliable in the wildness. You may be able to call 911 from some locations, but there is no guarantee. But in an emergency, always try 911: even if you have no service 911 may still connect with another carrier.

Tell a responsible person not in your party where you are going and when you expect to return, so they can alert authorities in case of emergency.

Know your limits.

In particular, do not attempt to hike to the bottom of the canyon and back in one day. Hundreds of hikers each year have to be rescued from the Inner Canyon due to exhaustion and dehydration. While the temperature on the canyon rim is cool due to its elevation, below the rim it can be very hot. The vertical distance from the bottom back up to the rim is nearly a mile straight up (1.5 km), in addition to the distance you travel horizontally. If you plan to go to the bottom of the canyon, spend the night (permit required), and take enough food, water, shelter, and other backcountry camping equipment to keep yourself safe and sound. If you don't have the equipment, don't go.

For an eye-opening look at the dangers of hiking in and around the canyon unprepared, Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon by Thomas M. Myers (long time resident doctor at the South Rim), and Michael P. Ghiglieri (biologist and river guide), describes the various ways in which visitors have lost their lives at the canyon. (ISBN 097009731X).

Don't throw rocks or coins from the rim – these can injure hikers below, and the metal in coins can poison wild animals.

If you're injured or need medical attention, the (1 Clinic Road; ) at the South Rim provides urgent care.

Connect
Cell phone service is unreliable in the wildness. You may be able to call 911 from some locations, but there is no guarantee. But in an emergency, always try 911: even if you have no service it may connect with another carrier.

If using maps on your phone, download maps before you go. Take a paper map with you, and know how to read it.

Go next
While literally getting out of the chasm may be the most difficult part of your visit, getting out of the national park is relatively easy.

The Grand Canyon is part of the Grand Circle, which includes the Monument Valley, Mesa Verde National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, Grand Canyon–Parashant National Monument, Hovenweep National Monument, Arches National Park and many other attractions in Northern Arizona and Utah's Canyon Country.

From the North Rim, destinations include include Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks and the Grand Circle. The nearest major airport is in Las Vegas.

From the South Rim, travelers often head toward Flagstaff or Sedona. Further south is Phoenix, home to hiking at Camelback Mountain, golfing, MLB Spring Training and super hot weather. West is Las Vegas, home to casinos, shows and nightlife; Hoover Dam is enroute to Las Vegas.

Nearest major airports are in Phoenix and Las Vegas; however, there are small airports in Flagstaff and Page (for North Rim) as well.

title: Grand Canyon


text:
Grand Case

Grand Case is in the northern coast of Saint Martin. The Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean. Grand Case is located on the French side of the island. From Grand Case you have a beautiful view of Anguilla, the neighboring island. The island is split between the French and the Dutch. The French side is more known for its cuisine while the Dutch side is known for its nightlife and entertainment.

By plane

 * Princess Juliana International Airport . This airport is the largest airport on the island and is located on the Dutch side. You can get direct flights from most major airlines. Most people come to the island by the use of this airport. From there you can get your rental car and head on over to Grand Case.
 * Princess Juliana International Airport . This airport is the largest airport on the island and is located on the Dutch side. You can get direct flights from most major airlines. Most people come to the island by the use of this airport. From there you can get your rental car and head on over to Grand Case.

Get around
You can get around the island by means of a taxi or a rental car. If you plan on staying just in Grand Case you really do not need a car almost everything is in walking distance or a taxi ride. If you plan on exploring on your own by the means of a rental car, it is suggested that you get a SUV rather than a standard Sedan. The roads in St Martin are very narrow and often include sharp turns and hills. Also keep in mind that there are hardly any signs in St Martin and if there are they are often hard to see. People will give you directions via landmarks rather than street signs since there are hardly any.

Do

Don't just stay in Grand Case, get out and explore the island. There are many things to do on such a small island. Take a scenic tour around the island, it only takes about an hour to two hours to circle the whole entire island. Don't forget to make a shopping stop in Philipsburg where you can also visit the Zoo, known for its child-friendly activities.

Eat
Grand Case is famously known for it's delicious French Gourmet food. People come from all over the island to these restaurants that are located all along the Grand Case Boulevard. Late at it night it tends to be crowded and a lot of restaurants are closed on Mondays. Many of the restaurants offer you free shots of their homemade rum after you are done your meal or if you order dessert.

Drink
Many of the restaurants on the Grand Case Boulevard have a bar attached and most weekends there is a live band playing. There also are many beach bars such as Zen It that you can sit back and relax at.

title: Grand Case