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Volusia County

Volusia County, Florida is bordered on the west by the historic St. Johns River, and by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and therefore is found within a fairly compact area. But as a county with a substantial population, it's substantially varied from one city to another, and could almost be seen as a miniature Florida — urban areas, palm trees, beaches, golf courses, motorsports, and forested wilderness are all found within a few miles of each other.

Cities

 * — hardly typical of Volusia County, it's best known for having a large number of psychics and "Spiritualist Mediums."
 * — the business and tourism capital of the county, it's famous for speedway and baseball player Jackie Robinson, and is the location of Volusia County's main airport, with regular flights from to the Delta hub in Atlanta.
 * — the coastal portion of Daytona Beach
 * — the southern suburb of Daytona Beach
 * — the county seat, with a relatively long history and a private university
 * — location of Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge and DeLeon Springs State Park
 * — in the southwest closer to Orlando
 * — town south of New Smyrna Beach in southeast Volusia County, on the western shore of the Intracoastal Waterway
 * — during most of the year, the most important destination for tourists due to the beach; "NSB" — as the city is called — is on the southern side of the county closer to Cape Canaveral.
 * — small community south of Edgewater on the Intracoastal Waterway
 * — a small city south of DeLand.
 * — an upscale suburb north of Daytona Beach
 * — it and several villages to its north include upscale homes and the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse.

Other destinations

 * — famous for manatees
 * — to the south of New Smyrna Beach. A small part of it lies within Volusia County, but much of it is within the Space Coast to the south.
 * — lake and surrounding area between New Smyrna and Daytona
 * — lake west of DeLand
 * — rural area north of FL-44 popular with bikers during Daytona Bike Week

Understand

Volusia County is named after the community of Volusia, which today is a tiny, unincorporated community on the east bank of the St. Johns River where State Road 40 crosses. However, when Volusia County was carved from Orange County by the Florida legislature in 1854, the community was a prosperous steamboat landing and the largest town in the county, with the entire population of Volusia County barely exceeding 600 people at that time.

The community of Volusia began as a trading post sometime in the first or second decade of the 1800s. It was located where an Indian trail intersected with the St. Johns River. This location was later developed as an important supply depot for the military during the Second Seminole War in 1834-35. When commercial steamships started to travel up and down the St. Johns, the community grew and was listed as one of four post offices in the County. With the introduction of regional railroad systems in the 1880s, the community of Volusia was bypassed, and thus, its era of prosperity ended.

There are three theories describing the origin of the word "Volusia":

 * The name derives from a word meaning "Land of the Euchee." When the Timucuan Indian cultures died out in the early 1700s, the land in the area was uninhabited until some of the Indian tribes to the north began to migrate into the area (much like the people that have become known as Seminoles). The Euchee Indians were a tribe originally from an area in South Carolina.
 * The name was taken from the name of a British plantation which was located on the St. Johns River in the late 1700s. However, no one has explained where the plantation owner came up with the name.
 * The name is derived from the last name of one of the employees at the trading post. He is described as being well-liked and of Belgian or French descent. The story goes that his name was something like "Veluche," which was pronounced "Va-loo-shay." The post became known as "Veluche's Place," hence the eventual creation of "Volusia."

There have been proposals by county officials to rename Volusia County to either "Daytona County" (similar name to its most famous city) or "NASCAR County" (reflecting its famous attraction, Daytona International Speedway). These proposals have been opposed by county residents.

Roughly the size of Rhode Island, the county is northeast of Orlando, north of the Kennedy Space Center, and south of Jacksonville.

Talk
English is the official language of the state. However, the Spanish language is making inroads throughout the state and a minority of Volusia County residents speak Spanish.

Native-born Floridians will usually speak in a southern accent. However, after the migration of millions of Americans from other states to Florida, the southern dialect is becoming diluted with other American-English accents.

 * Daytona : Refers to Daytona Beach and suburbs, and not specifically to the city of Daytona Beach.
 * Fun Coast : The name for Volusia County's Atlantic coastline, referencing the fact that the area code "386" spells "fun."

By plane
The largest airport in Volusia County is Daytona Beach International Airport, which is served by Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. Some other cities in the county have municipal airports — such as DeLand, New Smyrna Beach, and Ormond Beach — but these are used by private aircraft. Spruce Creek, a neighborhood in Port Orange, is well-known locally for its "Spruce Creek Fly-In," a private airport which most tourists are unlikely to visit.

By train
Amtrak offers the Amtrak Auto Train service with its southern Terminus located in Sanford (Florida), a few miles west of Volusia County. The Amtrak Auto Train carries passengers and automobiles between Sanford and Lorton, Virginia, effectively serving as a car-rail link from Florida to the Washington, D.C. Metro Area. You can easily drive your car into Volusia County after departing from the Auto Train.

Amtrak offers regular passenger service with the closest stop being near the city of DeLand. This stop is rather remote and is not recommended as an option.

By bus
Volusia County is served by Greyhound Bus Lines, which has scheduled stops in Daytona Beach. The bus depot in DeLand has ceased operation and is now a coffee house called the Stetson Station. The Greyhound routes connect with hubs in Jacksonville and Orlando.

By car
It is easy to drive to Volusia County, as several major highways pass through the area.

, & : From Tampa and Orlando, I-4 leads northeast, reaching its eastern terminus in Daytona Beach. I-95 passes through the eastern portion of the county, connecting it with Jacksonville to the north, Miami to the south, and various other cities along the Eastern Seaboard. It parallels US-1, though of the two highways I-95 is significantly faster. US-1 is a local route with direct access to lodging and restaurants, and therefore goes by local names as well as a highway designation, such as New Smyrna Beach's "Old Dixie Highway" and Daytona's "Ridgewood Avenue."

& are also important U.S. highways in the area.

By bus

 * Votran is the name of the local Volusia County bus service. It is a cheap way to get around and is handicap accessible. The buses offer service throughout the county, Monday through Saturday, from 7AM to 7PM. Some limited bus routes are offered in East Volusia in the evenings and on Sundays. The website provides maps and timetables. Buses travel to most sites and places of interest. Cost: $1.25 per trip, or $3 for a one-day bus pass (Valid for all routes).
 * A1A Beachside Trolley operates from January to Labor Day (September) along Atlantic Avenue on the beachside. They are air-conditioned and handicapped accessible. $1.25 for one trip, or $3 for a one-day pass (can be used on all Votran buses).

By car
Roads are usually paved and several state and county highways wind through the area, although the county has more than its fair share of reckless and aggressive drivers, especially on interstate routes, and drivers often ignore speed limits.

FL-A1A connects destinations along the coast within towns, but unfortunately it does not cross Ponce Inlet, and therefore is not a continuous route following the coast. US-1 connects the cities immediately west of the Intracoastal Waterway — such as Daytona and New Smyrna Beach — but does so with average speeds around 40 miles per hour due to intersections, entrances to businesses and traffic.

A large number of other state routes exist, including FL-40, FL-44, FL-5A, FL-421, FL-11, FL-400, FL-483, and Volusia County Road 4164. Florida has designated many of the major roads in the county, and some of those that were missed by the state received the designation of "county route," which in practice is little different from a state road; and in practice, as there are many wide roads throughout the county, whether or not they are designated by the state/county makes little difference to their use by vehicle traffic.

The Volusia County Parking Garage is located at 701 Earl Street at North Atlantic Avenue (A1A) in Daytona Beach. The garage is strategically located, next to the Ocean Center, Daytona Lagoon, and across the street from the Hilton Hotel and Ocean Walk Shoppes. Over one thousand parking spaces are available inside the garage. Price for parking varies at different times of the year.

There is also a VOTRAN transfer station (Intermodal Transit Facility - ITF) located inside the garage area.

See
Daytona International Speedway and its Daytona 500 Experience motorsports attraction are in Daytona Beach and are world-famous, and are a crucial factor bringing tourists to the area. However, speedway is not limited to Daytona Beach, as New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach and Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville are also within the county.

Jackie Robinson was from Daytona Beach, and therefore the Jackie Robinson Ballpark is named after the African-American baseball player. The Bethune-Cookman University is named after Mary McLeod Bethune, as is a beach in New Smyrna. This university and others in the county, although not particularly notable to tourists, are an important part of the region's economy, as demonstrated by the picture of the Emery-Riddle University.

Other points of interest include Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum in Ponce Inlet and [Daytona Beach#Ocean Center|The Ocean Center]] in Daytona Beach. The lighthouse is named after the explorer Ponce de Leon, who visited the region and is associated with St. Augustine's "Fountain of Youth" in the St. Johns/First Coast region.

There is an itinerary, the Lake Ashby Boardwalk, on the northern shore of Lake Ashby between New Smyrna Beach and Deltona.

There are various other, lesser-known points of interest throughout the county, and details about these can be found in the individual city articles.

Water recreation
The beaches of Volusia County are its major attraction. The beaches are found along the Atlantic Ocean's coastline across the Intracoastal Waterway from the mainland, and they are frequented by tourists to Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach. Many of the beaches, though not all, are large and some even allow cars as of 2020, while going south toward Cape Canaveral the beach is narrower, with more varied topography. Rip currents are a minor issue, and the beach areas are evacuated during bad weather, particularly hurricanes.

Along Daytona and NSB's beachfronts are many condos and hotels, which vary from two-floor condo buildings to luxurious hotels with ten or more floors. Typically these offer direct access to the beach.

NSB is known as the "shark capital of the world" for its notoriously high rate of shark attacks.

If you swim in the Atlantic Ocean or in the several rivers that pass through Volusia County, you do so at your own risk. The dangers presented by sharks and alligators are serious, and preferably you should not swim in any body of water. Alligators live in even the smallest, innocent-looking lakes, which should be avoided whenever possible.

You're unlikely to suffer a shark attack if you go a short distance into the water, that being when you can stand and your head still be above the water, but going out farther is dangerous due to the relatively high chance of shark attacks, especially in the world's shark attack capital New Smyrna Beach; rip currents are also a danger.

Boating
Boats can be rented at several marinas, located along the Halifax River (Intracoastal) and St. Johns River (inland). Boat tours from New Smyrna Beach along the Intracoastal Waterway are available. Fishing boat charters usually originate from Ponce Inlet or New Smyrna Beach.

Diving
The area has an extensive artificial reef program just off the Atlantic coast, and several inland springs offer freshwater and cave diving opportunities. Beware of sharks and alligators. Diving is not a major activity in the region, likely due to the risks posed by the sharks. Only a Steve Irwin would dive in the lakes and rivers in this area!

Surfing
The area has plenty of surf schools and shops, and New Smyrna Beach has a small surfing community. The Mexican restaurant on Flagler in NSB often shows pictures of surfers, although the activity hasn't caught on like it has in other regions of the country because during normal weather, the sea isn't very rough.

Outdoor life
Several parks and recreation areas in Volusia County, especially inland, offer horseback trails. A region between the coastal cities and metropolitan Orlando includes forested land in which there are some horseback riding possibilities, such as Pioneer Trail in Samsula. Hiking is possible in the region with several parks and preserves found throughout the county.

Golf
Over two dozen golf courses can be found throughout Volusia County, including the world-famous LPGA golf course in Daytona Beach. Golf courses are typically found in urban and suburban areas of the eastern portion of the county. Some of them are oriented toward the local community, and the quality of maintenance and golf club restaurants can vary. Golf clubs in more rural areas, as opposed to municipal golf courses, are more scenic.

Buy
ATMs can be found throughout Volusia County. Usually larger hotels and convenience stores will have a "generic" ATM available; however, be forewarned about hidden service fees.

There are some souvenir shops in the more tourist-frequented streets such as Flagler Ave in New Smyrna, but not all that many. The mainland areas, beside chains such as Tractor Supply, grocery stores, and Dollar General, have few local shops to offer as much of the suburban areas lack extensive commercial districts.

For groceries, Publix and Winn-Dixie stores are numerous in this county, of course charging higher prices than Walmart.

Eat
Cuisine across Volusia County is generally a mix between traditional "Southern" style and "Caribbean" style cooking. Sometimes a blending of the two styles is found, called "Floribbean." The area has easy access to fresh seafood and many eateries offer a wide variety of seafood dishes.

Some favorite dishes in the area include:
 * Conch (pronounced "conk") - These chewy clams are served tenderized with lime juice, raw, and chopped in salad. Also chopped, breaded, and fried as conch fritters and in conch chowder (usually red and spicy).
 * Mahi Mahi - A firm, white fleshed fish; delicious when served grilled, blackened or Cajun-style.
 * Grouper - One of the mildest fishes available; served fried, blackened, broiled, or grilled as an entree. Fried grouper sandwiches are also popular.
 * Yellowfin Tuna - A firm, flavorful semi-dark meat fish often served grilled, broiled, or blackened.
 * Florida Lobster - Known as a spiny lobster, the Florida lobster has no claws like Maine lobster. Florida lobster tails are broiled and served with melted butter.

Drink
Volusia County is a "wet" county in Florida. Alcoholic beverages are sold in both taverns and liquor stores. The Florida State Alcoholic Beverage Control (Police) frequently conduct raids for underage drinking in tourist areas, particularly during Spring Break. There aren't many places around the county for clubbing, except in the beach tourist areas. However, there are many biker bars around the area because of periodic motorcycle rallies.

Tropical drinks
Some tropical drinks that are popular in Volusia County include:
 * Planters Punch - 1 oz. lemon juice, 1/2 oz. lime juice, 1 oz. passion fruit juice, 1 oz. pineapple juice, 1 1/2 oz. rum. Combine ingredients over shaved ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint.
 * Rum Runner - 1 1/2 oz. rum, 3/4 oz. blackberry brandy, 3/4 oz. creme de banana, splash of grenadine, splash of lime juice.
 * Bahama Mama - 1 oz. orange juice, 1 oz. pineapple juice, 1/2 oz. grenadine, 1/2 oz. rum, 1/2 oz. coconut flavored rum, 1 cup crushed ice. Garnish with a slice of pineapple and a cherry.
 * Pina Colada - 1 shot rum, 2 oz. coconut milk, 3 oz. pineapple juice, 1 cup ice. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
 * Cuba Libre - 2 oz. rum, Coca Cola, lime wedge.

Stay safe
Florida has a high occurrence of hurricanes which may produce heavy winds and rain between, mostly in the summer months. You might want to check the Hurricane safety page if you are visiting Florida. Beware of lightning in the central part of the state. Also, during severe weather, there may be tornadoes, so check the Tornado safety page.

Volusia County is known for a high number of shark encounters, most of which are minor in nature and due in large part to the large number of swimmers on this highly-accessible shoreline. Steer clear of fishermen and schools of baitfish, which swimming.

As in all areas, Volusia County has varying crime intensity from city to city, so it's always a good idea to travel in pairs/groups. Tourist areas rarely have violent crimes, but theft is an occasional occurrence, so be sure to lock your car and hotel room.

The Volusia County Sheriff is in charge of law enforcement throughout the county, which includes Sheriff's Deputies and Beach Patrol Officers. The Sheriff's Department provides patrols where there are no city police forces organized.

The 911 number for fire, police, and medical emergencies is in effect throughout Volusia County.

Connect

 * Seven digit dialing is in effect for local calls within each of the three regions in Volusia County. "1" and the Area Code must be used when phoning into a different region. The local area code is (386).

Internet
It is common for many of the larger hotels and lodgings in the area to offer free internet access for their guests.

Newspapers

 * Daytona Beach News-Journal - Online edition of daily newspaper covering the Greater Daytona Beach Area.
 * DeLand Beacon
 * Avion Online Newspaper - Student college publication of Embry-Riddle University in Daytona Beach.
 * Daytona Beach Pennysaver - Weekly publication with coupons and classified ads.
 * Volusia/Flagler Business Report - Biweekly publication that covers the business community in Volusia and Flagler counties.

AM

 * WNDB, 1150 AM, Daytona Beach, News/Talk/Sports
 * WSBB, 1230 AM, New Smyrna Beach, Standards
 * WYND, 1310 AM, DeLand, Religious
 * WROD, 1340 AM, Daytona Beach, Standards
 * WELE, 1380 AM, Ormond Beach, News/Talk
 * WMFJ, 1450 AM, Daytona Beach, Religious
 * WTJV, 1490 AM, DeLand, Spanish Language
 * WPUL, 1590 AM, South Daytona, Talk

FM

 * WEAZ, 88.3 FM, Holly Hill, Contemporary Christian
 * WKTO, 88.9 FM, Edgewater, Religious
 * WJLU, 89.7 FM, New Smyrna Beach, Religious
 * WAPN, 91.5 FM, Holly Hill, Contemporary Christian
 * WKRO, 93.1 FM, Edgewater, Country
 * WCFB, 94.5 FM, Daytona Beach, Urban Adult Contemporary
 * WLGM, 95.3 FM, Edgewater
 * WHOG, 95.7 FM, Ormond-by-the-Sea, Classic Rock
 * WJLU, 97.3 FM, Deland, Religious
 * WJHM, 101.9 FM, Daytona Beach, Mainstream Urban
 * WVYB, 103.3 FM, Holly Hill, Pop music
 * WOCL, 105.9 FM, Deland, Alternative rock

Go next

 * Space Coast — Brevard County to the south is known for the Kennedy Space Center and Canaveral area
 * Lake County — to the west, can be reached by car via DeLand and has some nice towns including Mount Dora
 * First Coast — encompasses Flagler County and metro Jacksonville, and includes the oldest city in the U.S.
 * Greater Orlando — to the southwest is a metro area with theme parks, cosmopolitan districts and nightlife

title: Volusia County


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Vorarlberg

Vorarlberg is the westernmost federal state of Austria, sharing borders with the countries of Germany (Bavaria), Liechtenstein, and Switzerland and the Austrian federal-state of Tyrol. Vorarlberg also enjoys a small window on Lake Constance via its capital city of Bregenz.

Vorarlberg is well-known for its mountainous landscape which tourists enjoy all year round.

Cities

 * — State capital. Lake Constance is great for water sports, sailing or day-trips to one of the islands

Understand
The state is almost entirely mountainous and enjoys one of the highest standards of living and income levels in Austria due to its proximity to Switzerland. It is about four times the size of Vienna, and two-thirds of its land area lies at an altitude of more than 1000 metres. The biggest town is Dornbirn, followed by Feldkirch and the capital Bregenz. Sometimes Vorarlberg is referred to in German as the "Ländle", which translates as the "statelet" or "tiny province". Vorarlbergers are a very proud and hardy people and work hard to protect and preserve their identity and history.

Landscape
Although the province of Vorarlberg is quite small the landscape is quite varied. When you arrive in Bregenz, the capital, you reach the lake region and Rhine valley, which stretches down to Feldkirch along the Rhine. From Bregenz, you also have access to the Bregenz Forest, which is a narrow valley that leads to the Arlberg, the mountain range that separates Vorarlberg from Tyrol. The Kleinwalsertal also belongs to Vorarlberg, but it can only be accessed by road from Germany and Bavaria due to the mountains. From the end of the valley, you get access to the Alpine region of Bludenz and the Walgau Valley, which stretches from Feldkirch to Bludenz. From Bludenz, you also have access to the Montafon Valley.

Other valleys in Vorarlberg are: the Klostertal (stretching from Bludenz to the Arlberg), the Walsertal which connects the Walgau and the Bregenzerwald, the Brandnertal in the Montafon region, the Laternsertal which connects the Rhine valley (Rheintal) with the Bregenzerwald, the Laiblachtal (close to Bregenz) and the Lechtal in the Arlberg region.

Alpine culture
Voralberg's culture and traditions are deeply intertwined with the Alpine agriculture and way of life. For centuries, cheese making has played an important role in Vorarlberg.

Climate
Vorarlberg is among the wettest and coldest regions in Austria. The climate largely corresponds to German weather conditions. The best time to travel is from June to September due to the warmer temperatures. During the months of July and August, you are most likely to experience good days with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20 °C (68 °F) and 25 °C (77 °F).

The winter time from December to February is suitable for winter sports enthusiasts. December is generally a very cold month with max. daytime temperatures around 1 °C (34 °F). In the Rhine valley, 25 to 30 cm of snow can be expected once per winter. Between 700 m and 1000 m, about 100 cm are usually recorded in a normal winter. In the snowiest zone of the country (in the Winterstaude-Fontanella-Hochtannberg triangle), the annual maximum is almost twice as high.

Accessibility & barrier-free travelling
The ÖZIV (Landesverband Vorarlberg), an association for individuals with disabilities, has run a resource and support centre in Bregenz for many years. Wheelchairs, e-cars, stair climbers, Scalamobil, walkers, etc. can be affordably rented here. Pick-up and delivery costs (in case the support resource cannot be picked up in Bregenz) can be passed on directly and no rent is required for just a few days. Contact: ÖZIV Vorarlberg, St.-Anna-Straße 2a, A-6900 Bregenz,, e-mail: oeziv.vorarlberg@oeziv-vorarlberg.at.

The ENJO is an independent wheelchair club within the Vorarlberg sports association for the disabled. The club organises various friendly and competitive sporting events such as basketball, tennis, Alpine and mono ski, Nordic cross-country-skiing, hand biking, shooting, table tennis and billiards. Contact: ENJO Vorarlberg, Achstraße 8, A-6844 Altach, call, e-mail: office@rollstuhlclub.at

 * City buses: The majority of regional buses as well as those in Bregenz, Dornbirn, Feldkirch and Bludenz are outfitted with ramps designed for wheelchair accessibility.
 * Train: Austrian Railways Mobility-Service Centre: +43 5 1717 for special information, reservations and registration for special assistance. For ticket booking, especially wheelchair or handicap spots, special equipment such as lifts or other aids for entry and exit, contact msz@pv.oebb.at.

Visitor information

 * Vorarlberg Travel website

By train
Major train routes go from Switzerland and Tyrol to Feldkirch or Bregenz. The train route Munich to Zurich goes right through Vorarlberg. A lot of Eurocity, Intercity and ICE trains go to either Bregenz or Feldkirch.

Vorarlberg is easy to reach from important neighboring cities within a relatively short time:
 * From Zurich: ~ 1.5 hr
 * From Innsbruck: ~ 2.5 hr
 * From Munich: ~2.5 hr

Direct train connections to Vorarlberg:
 * Austria: From Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz, Vienna on OEBB or Westbahn
 * Germany: From Munich, Frankfurt am Main, Dortmund, Köln, Mainz, Mannheim, Ulm on DB

The nightjet goes from Hamburg-Altona directly to Innsbruck, from there you can take a railjet or EC to Vorarlberg.

Switzerland and France: From Zurich and St.Gallen on SBB, on weekends from Rorschach to Bregenz via S-Bahn Bodensee.

From Paris and Straßburg you can go directly to Zurich or Basel on SBB or SNCF.

Netherlands: From Amsterdam or Utrecht direct Nightjet connections to Innsbruck.

Or check the Europe railway planner.

By car
Highways are connected to Munich, Zurich and Innsbruck. Austrian and Swiss Autobahns charge toll. Austrian Autobahns allow for buying sticker for only a short period of time, whereas in Switzerland you are stuck buying the whole year regardless of how long you will stay. Don't get caught without one!

The Vignette is the toll sticker for Austrian highways. You can get the physical Vignette at most gas stations. There is also the option to buy a digital Vignette online via the Asfinag App or online; however, the digital Vignette is only valid from the 18th day after purchase. Prices: 10-day-sticker: €9.90, 2-month-sticker: €29 as of 2023. The part of highway A14/E60 between Hohenems and the German border can be used without a Vignette, allowing transit from Switzerland to Germany through Vorarlberg without buying one.

By plane
Nearby international airports include Zurich, Munich and Innsbruck. Other airports are located in St.Gallen/Altenrhein in Switzerland (direct flights to Vienna) and Friedrichshafen in Germany (direct flights from London, Dublin, Spain, Turkey, etc.), both of which are near Lake Constance (Bodensee).

By public transport
Vorarlberg has a very efficient public transport system and you are encouraged to use it. The railway from Bregenz to Feldkirch and the Arlberg is the backbone of the system, and around 160 bus routes take you to all the other places. The use of public transport is included in the regional Inclusive Cards in summer and in the multi-day ski passes in winter. Connections can be checked using the vmobil route planner (DE) or the "cleVVVer Mobil" app.

If you don't have an inlusive card or a multi-day ski pass, you can check individual prices on the tariff table (EN) or use the FAIRTIQ app.

By boat/ferry
The Vorarlberg Lines ferry runs several times a day from Easter to October from Bregenz to Constance via Lindau, Wasserburg, Nonnenhorn, Kressbronn, Langenargen, Friedrichshafen, Immenstaad, Hagnau, Meersburg and Mainau Island. Check the online timetable.

The S-Bahn takes you around the Lake Constance area all year round. Bicycles are allowed on board. Check the online timetable.

For sightseeing, there is the option of a hop-on, hop-off bus that will take you all over the county. A "maximo" day pass (for the whole county) costs €16.80, children under 6 travel free, half price for children aged 6-14 (2024). Use your cleVVVer Mobil app.

By bike
Vorarlberg is a very popular mountain biking region and has extensive paved and off-road bike paths.

See
Diedamskopf, Au and Schoppernau

Buildings and ruins

 * Alt-Ems and Neuburg castle ruins near Hohenems
 * Ramschwag castle ruins near Bludenz

Nature
Hausberg Pfänder: The Pfänder mountain is the most famous vantage point of the region. From the top, you can get a unique view of Lake Constance and 240 alpine peaks of Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the German foothills of the Alps. Restaurant at the top of Pfänder, serves Austrian and international dishes as well as snacks. A cable-car carries people to the top from 08:00 until 19:00. The bottom station of the cable-car is approximately a 15-min walk away from the Bregenz railway station. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Großes Walsertal, Tourismusbüro Raggal, Nr. 220, 6741 Raggal,, info@walsertal.at. The Biosphere Reserve Großes Walsertal is a protected nature park which covers 19,231 ha. There are 3,420 inhabitants and around 180 farms (42% of which are organic). The reserve strives for a sustainable economy and tourism in the region.

The Nagelfluhkette Nature Park is a cross-border nature park between Germany and Austria. The mountain landscape has a dense network of well-developed and uniformly signposted hiking trails. The "Naturparkzentrum" is the hub of the nature park (Naturparkzentrum Nagelfluhkette, Seestraße 10, 87509 Immenstadt, Germany). The Centre offers free entry for the exhibition on the natural and cultural landscape, open in the summer: M-Sa 10:00-12:00 & 13:00-18:00, Sunday 10:00-12:00 & 13:00-16:00,, info@naturpark-nagelfluhkette.eu. In the Naturparkcafé, one can enjoy coffee, cake and regional snacks.
 * The Walderlebnispfad Marul ("forest adventure trail of Marul") is a hiking trail with games of skill, points of interest for nature, information about flora and fauna and culture and history about the mountain environment. Hikers can choose between the short (3.4km length, walking time approx. 1½ hours, approx. 300 m in altitude) and the long route (5.6km in length, walking time about 2½ hours, about 450 m in altitude).
 * The biosphärenpark.haus is the visitor center of the biosphere nature reserve. There is a shop for artisanal products and a little bistro for snacks. Upon request, one can book a workshop, a guided tour, breakfast or a cheese tasting for a group of people there,, Website - in German.
 * The Deanery St. Gerold has been in the possession of the Benedictines since the 10th century. At the bottom of the deanery, a footpath leads along lakes through the forest.
 * Diedamskopf offers easy and challening hiking trails, paragliding, a view of Lake Constance, a restaurant at the top with local cuisine, interactive exhibition "Bergwelt zum Sehen und Staunen" (mountain world to see and marvel at), partly buggy-friendly hiking trails and a cable car that brings you to the top. Website e-mail: info@diedamskopf.at
 * Nature Reserve Rheindelta: Where the Rhine flows into Lake Constance lies the most species-rich nature reserve in Vorarlberg. https://www.vorarlberg.travel/en/rhine-delta-nature-reserve/
 * Gottesackerplateau Kleinwalsertal: This plateau sets you back to a different geological era. The rugged limestone surfaces are the 120-million-year-old remains of coral reefs and other marine creatures from the Tethys Sea. Big hike! https://www.vorarlberg.travel/en/route/gottesacker-plateau/

Art, culture & museums
Vorarlberg has a lot to offer in the world of art: museums, music festivals, art festivals, exhibitions, literary conferences and so on. The biggest, best known and most important events are the Bregenz Festival on Lake Constance, the Schubertiade and the Poolbar Festival. These and many other festivals attract an international audience to visit the region every year. For more info about festivals, see under
 * Vorarlberg museum in Bregenz, Kornmarktplatz 1, 6900 Bregenz,, info@vorarlbergmuseum.at. It is the national art and culture museum of Vorarlberg. It specialises in history, art history, archeology and Vorarlberg folklore.
 * Angelika Kauffmann Museum in Schwarzenberg, Tourismusbüro Schwarzenberg,, museum@schwarzenberg.at. It is dedicated to the life and work of the Classicist painter Angelika Kauffmann. A local history museum is in the same building.
 * Juppenwerkstatt Riefensberg. It is a textile craft workshop in Riefensberg (Bregenz Forest). The craftswomen manufacture traditional Vorarlberger garb in the old-fashioned way. For booking a guided tour, call.

 * Kunsthaus Bregenz KUB, KUB exhibits contemporary art of international and national artists and musicians. Karl-Tizian-Platz, Postfach 45, 6900 Bregenz, +43-5574-485 94-433, kassa@kunsthaus-bregenz.at
 * Werkraum Haus Andelsbuch: The "workroom" is an association and cooporation of craftsmen and traders in Andelsbuch/Bregenz Forest.https://www.werkraum.at/en +43 5512 26386, info@werkraum.at
 * The Walserherbst is a music, literature and culinary festival located in the nature reserve, held every other year in autumn for three weeks.

Public art

 * Silvretta Bielerhöhe: Light installations, sculptures, in a tunnel there is a four hour long weather forecast shown through light and soundl, in winter an avalaunch warning system is visualized
 * Ready Maid: This is the 6,90m tall bronze sculpture outside the Bregenzer Festspielhaus, made by Bregenz' artist Gottfried Bechtold. Bechtold's work shows the image of a forking tree trunk, which in its inversion resembles a walking creature.
 * Hommage an Brigantium: A three meter tall and wide bronze sculpture by Austrian artist Herbert Albrecht, which represents Roman times in the former Brigantium.
 * KUB Billboards: The KUB Billboards are located along the Bregenzer Seestraße and are an integral part of Bregenz Kunsthaus.

History
Skimuseum und Bergschau Hirschegg: An interactive indoor experience of the world of mountains, conveying geology, nature and culture of Kleinwalsertal. The ski museum exhibits the history of skiing and its beginning in 1895.
 * Wälderbähnle or Bregenzerwald Museumsbahn (Bregenzerwald Railway). It is a narrow-gauge heritage railway that today links Schwarzenberg to Bezau amidst picturesque alpine scenery.
 * Jewish Museum Hohenems, it focuses on the history of the Jewish community in Hohenems from their settlement in the 17th century to their deportation in the 20th century. In addition, the diaspora and the European immigration society are central. The permanent exhibition includes a collection of everyday objects and personal documents.
 * Women's Museum in Hittisau, It is the only women's museum in Austria and the only women's museum in the world to be located in a rural region. Changing exhibitions are dedicated to women-specific topics from cultural, social, art or architectural history. The museum has received numerous awards, including the Austrian Museum Prize and a Special Commendation from the European Museum of the Year Award 2020.
 * FIS Skiing and Mountaineering Museum in Damüls, it exhibits more than 100 years of Vorarlberg's skiing history.
 * Baroque Master Builder Museum: This museum portrays the history of around 800 buildings, which were constructed in the 17th/18th century by workers of the Bregenz Forest. info@barockbaumeister.at, +43 5515 25561, Rehmen 39, 6883 Au
 * Museums of Montafon: info@montafoner-museen.at, +43 5556 74723, http://www.montafoner-museen.at/
 * Heimatmuseum Schruns: This museum, which is in a house that is over 500 years old, shows how people of Montafon used to live. Kirchplatz 15, 6780 Schruns
 * Bergbaumuseum Silbertal: The Mining Museum Silbertal is located in an old school house and focuses on the history of mining in Montafon in the 14th, 15th and 16th century. Dorfstraße 8, 6782 Silbertal
 * Alpin-und Tourismusmuseum Gaschurn: The Alpine and Tourism Museum of Gaschurn is located in a historical house of Montafon and focuses on the history of tourism in the alps of Montafon. Dorfstraße 9,6793 Gaschurn
 * Museum Frühmesshaus Bartholomäberg: The early mass house dates back to the establishment of the Bartholomäberg early mass foundation in 1657. Dorf 11, 6781 Bartholomäberg
 * Schubertiade Museums: There is the Franz Schubert Museum and the Schubertiade Museum, both depicting the life and works of Austrian composer Franz Schubert. Opening hours in 2024 are: 28 April - 1 May, 16-23 June, 12-14 July, 25 Aug - 1 Sep, 3-6 Oct, +43 5576 72091, info@schubertiade.at

Natural science

 * Inatura in Dornbirn, Jahngasse, 19 (Stadtbus 7 direc tion Hatler Kirche; or Stadtbus 1 direction Messepark, Steggasse exit), . Daily 10:00-18:00; closed 25 Dec and 1 Jan. The Inatura is a natural history museum which includes a documentation centre about nature in Vorarlberg, along with an interactive exhibition. Also has a gift shop, library, and restaurant. €11 adult, €9.30 senior/student, €5.50 child 6-15.
 * Vorarlberger Museumswelt (museum): The "world of museums" is a unique project, where seven museums and collections are combined in one location. For any age appropriate, it displays natural science and technique on an area spanning over 2500m2., +43552251816, office@museumswelt.com, Obere Lände 3b, 6820 Frastanz

Other

 * Rolls-Royce Museum in Dornbirn, Gütle 1a (take Stadtbus 5),, fax: +43 5572 52652-6, contact@rolls-royce-museum.at. Apr-Oct: Tu-Su and holidays 10:00-18:00, Nov-Mar: Tu-Su and holidays 10:00-17:00; closed 24-26 Dec, 1 Jan, 07-31 Jan. This museum is the most extensive of its kind in the world. Founded in 1999, it houses more than 1000 exhibits, including several dozen classic vehicles, in a space of about 3000 m². The museum also organises special rides. €9 adult, €4.50 child 6-16, €10 photography permit.
 * Brewery museums: Mohren Biererlebniswelt in Dornbirn and Brewery Museum Fohrenburg in Feldkirch.

Architecture
The Bregenzerwälder House characterises the landscape of the Bregenz Forest. The Bregenzerwälder House combines the farmer's residential building, the stable and the barn under one roof. The oldest houses of this type were built in the 15th century. In the centre of Schwarzenberg are a few well-preserved and relatively uniform Bregenzerwald houses, all built around the same time – after the great fire of 1755.

Skyspace Lech in Tannegg/Oberlech, info@skyspace-lech.com. It is a walk-in art installation by James Turrell in the mountainous landscape of Lech am Arlberg. A skyspace is an enclosed space that can be opened through a large hole in the ceiling or in a dome. During sunrise and sunset in summer, visitors can watch the colour-changing light on the walls. The bookable program starts 50 minutes before sunrise or at sunset. The light performances last for about 50 minutes during which visitors are able to spot the Biberkopf summit and the village Bürstegg on one side and on the other the Omeshorn.

There are 7 architecture trails throughout Vorarlberg, created by the Vorarlberger Architektur Institut (VAI) and the Vorarlberg Tourist Board. The non-guided tours take visitors to urban and rural regions, allow for plenty of time to take a walk, visit a museum or other public buildings and for culinary breaks. The architecture trails are:

Schattenburg castle in Feldkirch, is a 13th-century castle, on a hill to the east of the town and impossible to miss. It was once the seat of the Earls of Montfort. Today, it is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Central Europe. BUS:STOP Krumbach: The BUS:Stop Krumbach is a construction project of seven bus stops designed by architects in Krumbach in the Bregenz Forest.
 * “New impressions – A tour of Vorarlberg’s cities”, start of tour: Bregenz, end of tour: Feldkirch, 44 km, approx. 6 hr by foot
 * “Art and culture – From Bregenz to Feldkirch", start of tour: Bregenz, end of tour: Feldkirch, 40.20 km, approx. 6 hr by foot
 * “Timber and loam – From the Rheintal valley and Walgau to the Grosses Walsertal valley”, start of tour: Klaus, end of tour: Ludesch, 47.46 km, approx. 6 hr by foot
 * “Old and new – In the Rheintal and Walgau valleys", start of tour: Dornbirn, end of tour: Nenzing, 48.17 km, approx. 6 hr by foot
 * “Revitalised villages – From Lochau and Wolfurt to the Bregenzerwald", start of tour: Lochau, end of tour: Schwarzenberg, 62.09 km, approx. 6 hr by foot
 * “Architecture and landscape – From Lake Constance to Montafon", start of tour: Lochau, end of tour: Tschagguns/Vandans, 80.35 km, approx. 6 h by foot
 * "Craft and innovation – In the Bregenzerwald region", start of tour: Riefensberg, end of tour: Bezau, 38.74 km, approx. 6 hr by foot

Krumbach Chapel Salgenreute: This little chapel also received various archtitecture prices.

 Culture Pavilion Blumenegg: The pavilion was erected on the ruins of Blumenegg castle. Made of wood, glass and steel, the structure features a wooden rooftop terrace and is an ideal venue for cultural events in addition to a meeting place for local associations. It is also co-host for the Walserherbst Festival.

Propstei St.Gerold: Propstei is located in the Walsertal and was founded in 960 as a monastery. Nowadays it serves as a spiritual retreat center offering church services, organic cuisine, therapy horses, an education centre, art exhibition, a swimming pool and a lot of nature.

Stadtbibliothek Dornbirn: The public library in Dornbirn shows various architectural details, such as ceramic bricks reminding us of book shelves, or a path, which is reminiscent of the existing "beaten track" between Schulgasse and Jahngasse, and leads through the building allowing it to be experienced as a public space.

Messequartier Dornbirn: The huge exhibition and event halls of Dornbirn received the "Holzbaupreis", a Vorarlberg price for constructions made of wood, for rebuilding 4 of its halls.

Islamischer Friedhof Altach: The Islamic cemetery in Altach was built according to islamic traditions and relgion and holds around 700 tombs.

Public swimming pool Dornbirn: It was renovated in 2005 and received various prices for its architecture.

Vorarlberg museum, Kunsthaus Bregenz

Do
Vorarlberg offers various summer and winter sport facilities (mountain biking, cycling, inline skating, skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing) and there are also a lot of cultural events throughout the year including carnival towards the end of winter.

 * Themed hikes: You can find a list here.

Winter sports
In the cold season, winter sports enthusiasts will find ideal conditions for their favourite sport: skiing, cross country skiing, freeriding, snowboarding, ice skating, sled dog rides, carriage rides, tobogganing, snow and fun parks.

Many top winter sports resorts are located throughout Vorarlberg. Most of them are organized in regional ticket federations such as 3taeler Pass. This means several day tickets are valid in all participating resorts and include free transportation with ski buses. Some of the larger winter sport areas are:

The ski resorts Silvretta Montafon and Ski Arlberg (which is partly located in Tyrol) are the two largest ski areas in Vorarlberg. Ski Arlberg is the largest connected ski area in Austria. It offers 305 km of slopes and 111 lifts and includes the pistes in Lech, Zürs, Oberlech, Warth, Schröcken, Stuben and in the Tyrolean municipalities of St. Anton and St. Christoph.
 * Ski Arlberg
 * Stuben am Arlberg
 * Lech-Zürs and Oberlech
 * Warth and Schröcken (part of 3taeler Pass)
 * Silvretta Montafon (part of Montafon Card)
 * Kleinwalsertal
 * Brandnertal (part of Montafon Card)
 * Damüls-Mellau (part of 3taeler Pass)
 * Diedamskopf (part of 3taeler Pass)
 * Großes Walsertal/Fontanella-Faschina
 * Klostertal

The towns of Lech and Zürs are known for their exclusivity and luxury, which is why many celebrities (such as the Dutch royal family) visit these ski resorts.

Damüls-Mellau is a notable ski area in terms of reliable snow conditions. In 2007, Damüls was named 'snowiest village in the world'.

The Ski Ride Vorarlberg is a combination of skiing, touring and freeriding while crossing Vorarlberg. The route starts in the Kleinwalsertal in the north, continues through the Bregenz Forest, across mount Arlberg and the Klostertal to the Montafon valley in the south. The guided tour usually takes up to 7 days and is intended for experienced skiers.

Sporting events
Vorarlberg has been the host to some of the most important sporting events in the world, mainly in winter. Some of these are:

White Ring (Der Weiße Ring). It is a 22-km ski race from Lech to Zürs. The route is named after its ring-shaped track and the snowy conditions in this region. It is considered to be particularly difficult: it is the longest ski round trip in the world, features 5,500 m of altitude difference and comprises 5 downhill runs, 6 lifts, piste ascents and a cross-country ski run

SBX World Cup Montafon (part of FIS Snowboard World Cup). It takes place annually in December in the Montafon valley. The races are held in the Silvretta Montafon ski area, starting a little below the Hochjoch summit and finishing near the cable car's mountain station.

Hypo-Meeting is an athletics competition which is held annually in May/June in the Mösle stadium in Götzis.

Montafon-Arlberg Marathon. It is a mountain marathon with 1,500 m in altitude in the middle of the European protected area Verwall.

Dornbirn district
Dornbirn is quite lively in the evening when it's warm. It's definitely worth a visit then.
 * The Rappenlochschlucht and Alplochschlucht are among the biggest canyons in Central Europe.
 * Travelling with kids: Visit the Inatura Museum (interactive natural history museum). The museum includes a documentation center about nature in Vorarlberg, along with an interactive exhibition.
 * Go to the Jewish quarter in Hohenems and visit the Jewish Museum that tells the story of the city's Jewish history.
 * Rolls-Royce Museum, Kunstraum Dornbirn (art gallery)
 * In Lustenau: Take a ride with the narrow gauge steam railway along the river Rhine and visit the Rheinschauen museum, telling the story of the river.
 * Mohren Biererlebniswelt in Dornbirn (brewery museum)
 * Rhein-Schauen Museum: This museum tells the history of the river Rhein, particularly the part, which is the border between Vorarlberg and Switzerland. For all ages. Open from 27th April - 26th October 2024, Höchster Straße 4, 6890 Lustenau, +43 5577 20539, https://www.rheinschauen.at/

Feldkirch district

 * Lichtstadt Feldkirch, Montfortplatz 1, 6800 Feldkirch. At the light art festival Lichtstadt Feldkirch, international artists fill the old inner city of Feldkirch with light objects, projections and sculptures. Its first edition was held in 2018 and attracted 30,000 visitors. The festival takes place every other year.
 * Montforter Zwischentöne: It is an interdisciplinary festival in Feldkirch that takes place three times a year. Each series is based on a specific topic which is artistically and dramaturgically interpreted without genre-orientated boundaries. There are contributions from the fields of music, poetry, architecture, science, dance etc. The festival addresses issues of social and personal development on site and provides impetus for urban and regional development.
 * Poolbar Festival, Altes Hallenbad im Reichenfeldpark (near the Music Conservatory),, ahoi@poolbar.at. Jul to mid-Aug. The festival features pop/jazz/electronic/rock/hip hop music, exhibitions, poetry slams, fashion and an architectural prize. The festival attracts around 20,000 visitors.
 * POTENTIALe Feldkirch, design fair and festival in Feldkirch, Schlossergasse 1, 6800 Feldkirch,, potentiale@feldkirch.at. Around 110 exhibitors present their products and ideas on an exhibition space of 3,400 m². In addition to a vintage market, there are workshops and discussion groups, a 'design laboratory', photography exhibitions, as well as the presentation of music and films.
 * Brewery Museum Fohrenburg
 * Visit the Schattenburg castle which was built between the 13th and 15th centuries. Today, it is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Central Europe. It features a restaurant and a museum about Feldkirch's city history. Weapons from the Middle Ages to the World War II are on display in the castle guard.
 * Shopping & cafés: Marktgasse/Marktplatz: Cobblestones, romantic arcades and beautifully painted house facades characterize the market square, the heart of the historic old town of Feldkirch. The Johanniterkirche is at the top of the square. Markets have been held in this square on Tuesdays and Saturdays since the 13th century. Restaurants, cafes and a variety of shops invite you to linger.

Bludenz district

 * Alpinale Short Film Festival: This open air festival happens every year in August in the town of Bludenz. Raiffeisenplatz, office@alpinale.at +43 699 81446705,
 * Bludenz has a lovely old town. It is home to a Milka factory and a brewery too.
 * Golf: two 18-hole (Bludenz-Braz and Brand) and two 9-hole (Schruns, Partenen) are available. These courses are very scenic and worth playing.
 * Brandnertal – Bludenz – Klostertal – Großes Walsertal: 3 valleys around the town of Bludenz, where you can go hiking, climbing, enjoy traditional and high quality meals, snowshoeing and visit gorges and mountain lakes
 * Bludenzer Tage zeitgemäßer Musik: This festival showcases contemporary music in any genre. It takes place in October. +43 664 500 55 36, info@allerart-bludenz.at, Remise, Am Raiffeisenplatz 1, 6700 Bludenz, https://www.allerart-bludenz.at/bludenzer-tage-zeitgemer-musik
 * Villa Falkenhorst: Villa Falkenhorst is a location that features various concerts, talks, exhibitions, movies, a Christmas market with programs for children and teens as well. https://www.falkenhorst.at/veranstaltungen/?page=2
 * Bürser Schlucht: This canyon is considered one of the most beautiful of the Alps with a forest resembling the jungle. It is 2,6km long and it takes about 2h to walk through.Open 1st May - 31st Oct. +43 5552 62812

Bregenz

 * Bregenzer Festspiele (Opera on the Lake), Platz der Wiener Symphoniker 1,, fax: +43 5574 413-413. Opera on the Lake is the best known opera and musical festival of the region and has been posing one of Austria's cultural highlights since 1946. It annually takes place outside in the months of July and August. With operas and musicals such as Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), West Side Story and Carmen, the Bregenzer Festspiele draws hundreds of thousands of spectators every year. Noteworthy is the Seebühne, an impressive stage located on Lake Constance.
 * Bregenzer Frühling, Platz der Wiener Symphoniker 1,, fax: +43 5574 4959-69, tourismus@bregenz.at. Mar-June. Bregenzer Frühling is a dance festival in Bregenz that has been held since 1987. Dance ensembles from all over the world perform their new productions, along with Austrian premieres. All performances are staged in the Bregenz Festival House (Festspielhaus Bregenz). Tickets are available at the tourist information office and online, €34-67 (each presentation). https://www.bregenzerfruehling.com/
 * Klassik Krumbach, a small and new festival for classical music., klassik@krumbach.at.
 * Museums: Kunsthaus Bregenz, Vorarlberg museum
 * Künstlerhaus Palais Thurn und Taxis, the exhibition house for the professional association of visual artists in Vorarlberg and the city of Bregenz. It is a bit outside of Bregenz, thus it is great to visit on a stroll (not barrier-free).
 * BeachBar directly at Lake Constance
 * Lake Constance Cruises: From April to October, daily trips to the loveliest destinations on Lake Constance. During high season, you can enjoy attractive afternoon and evening tours with music and dance (lake fireworks displays) and round trips in the bay of Bregenz. Christmas tours and New Year cruises available in December. http://www.vorarlberg-lines.at/en There are also historical cruises: https://www.vorarlberg.travel/en/activity/historical-ships-on-lake-constance/
 * Georunde Rindberg: "Nature in Motion" is the theme of this hike. In 1999, the village in the Bregenzerwald was affected by a gigantic landslide: on an area of around 1.6 square kilometres, the mountainsides on the Rindberg plot started moving, with 18 buildings sliding down to the valley, some houses moving from their original spot by up to 240 metres.This walk is a reminder of twhat happened, and raises awareness amongst locals and guests that they are part of nature.https://www.vorarlberg.travel/en/konrad-stadelmann-georunde-rindberg/

Bregenz Forest

 * Schubertiadef43 5576 7550, info@schubertiade.at. The Schubertiade is a classical music festival dedicated to the Austrian composer Franz Schubert., ce annually in Hohenems (spring & autumn) and in Schwarzenberg (June, August/September).
 * :alpenarte: Another young festival for classical music that also features photography and culinary delights. Every year in October in Schwarzenberg. info@alpenarte.eu
 * Hohenemser Chor- und Orgeltage: Annually in October, you can listen to spiritual music played on the Gollini organ and performed by choirs in the church St.Karl.
 * Wälderbähnle or Bregenzerwaldbahn (Bregenz Forest Railway), a 5km museum railway which links Schwarzenberg to Bezau amidst picturesque alpine scenery.
 * Architecture: typical Bregenzerwälder houses in the inner centre of Schwarzenberg
 * Angelika Kauffmann Museum (Kauffmann was a classicist painter)
 * Women's Museum in Hittisau, It is the only women's museum in Austria. Changing exhibitions are dedicated to women-specific topics from cultural, social, art or architectural history.
 * Alpsennereimuseum in Hittisau (museum about alpine farming and cheese making)
 * Juppenwerkstatt Riefensberg (a place where traditional Vorarlberger garb is still manufactured)
 * Franz Michael Felder Museum (Felder was a social reformer, author and farmer)
 * Emsiana Hohenemser Kulturfest: The Emsiana Culture Festival of Hohenems takes place on a weekend in May. It celebrates music, food, history, art and culture. stadtmarketing@hohenems.at, +43 5576 7101 2000, https://www.emsiana.at/emsiana
 * Village Walks: This is a walk through 13 villages in the region to experience landscape, people's culture and homes and regional products. Guided tours are available Jan-Oct. It is possible to walk the paths individually in winter, however, not all of them may be accessible. https://www.vorarlberg.travel/en/umgang-bregenzerwald/

Montafon Valley

 * Montafoner Resonanzen, info: Montafon Tourismus GmbH, Montafonerstraße 21, 6780 Schruns,, info@montafon.at. It is a music festival in the Montafon region. It is a series of events held annually on weekends in August and September. Each weekend is dedicated to another genre (classical, jazz, Austrian folk musik, organ, cross-over). The locations vary each year. Guests may combine hiking and eating out with the concerts, considering the musical performances are held at extraordinary locations like the Tübinger Hütte at 2,191 m (Gaschurn) or the Panoramagasthof Kristberg.
 * Guided Snowshoe - Hike Silvrettasee (Lake)
 * Tobogganing
 * Sunny Balcony Tour (e-bike) in Bartholomäberg

Kleinwalsertal
 * Breitachklamm: The deepest canyon in Central Europe. It attracts over 300.000 visitors each year and is open all year around. https://www.breitachklamm.com/
 * Trailrunning
 * The literary festival Kleinwalsertal takes place every other year. The next one will be in 2025. https://www.kleinwalsertal.com/en/Activities/Culture-and-Culinary/Festival-of-literature
 * Walserherbst: This festival offers literature, visual art, music, theater, cinema, culinary delights and traditional culture. During 3 weeks everything and anything is transformed to art. It also takes place every other year, the next one in 2025. https://walserherbst.at/walserherbst-festival/das-festival/
 * Skimuseum und Bergschau Hirschegg

Lech Zürs & Stuben am Arlberg

 * The White Ring (Ski Circuit)
 * Art Installation Skyspace Lech
 * Literaricum Lech: Every year during a few days in July, you authors perform readings all around Lech Zürs am Arlberg at the Literaricum Lech literary festival. https://www.lechzuers.com/en
 * Tanzcafé Arlberg Music Festival: During two weeks in spring musicians in the genre of Pop, Electroswing and Jazz take stage at the Tanzcafé Arlberg Music Festival. https://www.tanzcafe-arlberg.com/en

Buy
The vast majority of shops and grocery stores are closed on Sunday. Exceptions are some shops in train stations, flea markets, and tourist oriented souvenir shops. If you plan to visit anything on Sunday, be sure to check if it will be open.

POTENTIALe Feldkirch, design fair and festival in Feldkirch, Schlossergasse 1, 6800 Feldkirch,, potentiale@feldkirch.at. Around 110 exhibitors present their products and ideas on an exhibition space of about 3,400 m². In addition to a vintage market, there are workshops and discussion groups, a 'design laboratory', photography exhibitions, as well as the presentation of music and films.

In the Bregenzerwälder Käsehaus in Andelsbuch, Feldkirch and Sulzberg, up to 60 different types of hard, semi-hard, cream and soft cheese made from cow's, goat's or sheep's milk are offered. It is the central marketplace for the entire regional variety. Visiting one of the cheese shops is a great opportunity to get gifts and souvenirs for cheese enthusiasts back home.

Waelderspielzeug in Bezau is a very special toy store that only offers regional and sustainable toys. The assortment ranges from local wooden toys to organic cotton dolls. All products are made exclusively from natural materials.

Eat
Vorarlberg's cuisine has a strong Alemannic influence. Cheese and other dairy products play a major role in traditional Vorarlberg meals. The region has a long history of cheese manufacturing in the Alpine environment.

Regional cheese

 * Bergkäse ("mountain cheese"): hard cheese produced in the low mountain range. Example: "Walserstolz" (Bergkäse from the Großwalsertal)
 * Alpkäse ("mountain pasture cheese"): seasonal hard cheese from the high mountain range, made exclusively in summer when the cattle is fed with fresh grass (vs. Bergkäse which is produced year-round). Example: Vorarlberger Alpkäse
 * Sura Kees ("sour cheese"): originally from the Montafon valley, soft low-fat cheese with a mild aroma reminiscent of cream cheese with salty undertone, it is usually served with vinegar, oil and onions, or alone on black bread or eaten with potatoes

Typical dishes from Vorarlberg

 * Käsknöpfle or (Käse-)Spätzle: noodles of flour and eggs with cheese and onion, very heavy but delicious, served with golden-brown onion rings

 * Riebel: is another typical dish in Vorarlberg, dish of corn and wheat semolina, served savoury or sweet.
 * Flädlesuppe: (broth with savoury pancake strips)
 * Grumpara mit Käs: (peeled potato with cheese, optionally bacon)

The KäseStraße Vorarlberg is a 75-km culinary theme route through the Bregenz Forest. Along the route, tourists can visit cheese producers and show dairies, attend cheese tastings, buy cheese at local shops, visit a beekeeper's hut and explore other traditional and artisanal Vorarlberg crafts.

Restaurants
Vorarlberg has more than 40 restaurants that have been distinguished by Gault Millau. Therefore, visiting Vorarlberg can also be a culinary delight:

 * Restaurant Hotel "Adler" in Au: Being part of the Bregenzerwälder Käsestraße (Bregenz Forest Cheese Route), the restaurant serves Bregenz Forest cheese specialities. À la carte menu between 18:00 and 21:00, closed on Tuesdays.
 * Hotel und Gasthof "Hirschen" in Sibratsgfäll: The host family Dorner has been running the Gasthof Hotel der Hirschen in Sibratsgfäll for 5 generations.
 * Hotel und Restaurant "Bibers" in Warth: The love child of alpine lifestyle and urban zeitgeist presents itself with a cosy, stylish ambience and interactive cuisine. The young team passionately creates new culinary innovations to match the season. Located at the valley station of the Warth cable car, it is suitable for après ski.

Drink
BeachBar in Bregenz, Seepromenade 2,. Every year, the BeachBar in Bregenz presents itself as a trendy summer meeting place. During the day, the cozy beach bar invites you to chill and relax. In the evening, it turns into an absolute party location. Sandy beach, sun loungers and refreshing cocktails give you that holiday feeling. DJs provide the right atmosphere, so that people like to move from the deckchairs to the dance floor. Lake Constance itself is only a few steps away.

List of Vorarlberg's best cocktail bars selected by Falstaff (2022)

 * Licca Lounge im Aurelio in Lech: In the heart of the Hotel Aurelio, the elegant and cozy bar attracts guests from all over the world from 10:00 until late in the evening. You sit around the open fireplace, enjoy an aperitif of the best quality, a fine glass of wine (including rarities) or a cocktail - the selection is large. Courteous team.
 * Bemelmans-Bar in Lech: Writer Ludwig Bemelmans, a regular guest until the 1950s, appreciated the charm of this bar – and the quality of the drinks. To this day, guests from all over the world come here for après-ski, aperitif time or for a glass of excellent (sparkling) wine or classic cocktails.
 * Kreuz Bar in Bregenz: A drinks menu that celebrates diversity: In Christian Pfeiffer's bar you are spoiled for choice – it's a good thing that the trained team is happy to give good advice. The selection of whiskey, rum and brandies is large, the "all time favorite cocktails" are mixed with know-how. Plus: Lounge guest garden.
 * Bunt in Feldkirch, Marktgasse 1 (south end of Marktgasse, in the courtyard),, info@bunt-bar.at. M-Th 16:00-02:00, F Sa 09:00-04:00, friendly bar in the heart of Feldkirch. "Bunt" means "colourful". The focus of the extensive menu is on cocktails, which are regularly supplemented with creative signatures. Drinks like "Giselle loves Anjola" can be enjoyed on the vaulted ground floor, on the first floor or in the outdoor dining area.
 * Cuba in Bregenz: A place for pleasure seekers since the year 2000. A café during the day and a cocktail bar in the evening, where drinks such as the "CubaTa" with seven-year-old rum, cola and lime or the equally good non-alcoholic cocktails are served at the bar or on the open balustrade on the first floor.
 * Vernissage - Die Bar im Dorf in Egg: Meeting point for all ages: All age groups feel at home in the charming bar in Egg. This is due to the uncapricious, relaxed atmosphere and the good drinks. Signatures such as "Pink Russian" with vodka and guava or "French Kiss" with Beefeater Gin, Blue Curaçao, lemon and Prosecco.

Après-ski – by ski resort
After a long day of exploring pistes, some enthusiastic skiers like to party at Après-ski huts. Après ski comes in many different forms: You'll find anything from table dancing to sophisticated wine and charcuterie on cobblestone streets. The parties at the huts usually get going when the lifts stop operating in the afternoon. There is no dress code. Dancing in your ski boots is part of the Après-ski experience.

A Schirmbar is a type of bar that is erected under an enormous umbrella. These bars are usually round, have large see-through windows and are heated. Most Schirmbars have an attached outdoor area with tables, seatings and deck chairs.

While some Après-ski spots are located in the valley, others are located at a higher altitude. If you're looking to finish your day at a ski hut on the piste, be careful because you will have to descend into the valley, possibly without lighting.

Ski Arlberg (St. Anton, St. Christoph, Stuben, Lech,,Zürs, Warth, Schröcken)
The most popular après-ski parties are held in St. Anton on the Tyrolean side of the Arlberg. Numerous rustic huts invite you to celebrate throughout the ski area. If you also want to hit the slopes at night, there are numerous pubs, bars and discotheques in the valley where you can party until the early hours. Visiting the other side of the Arlberg will pay off if you are a party animal but make sure to make plans how to get back to your accommodation in advance.

You have to pack a little more change if you want to celebrate with the well-heeled crowd in Lech. The parties here are not quite as loud as in St. Anton, but are much more stylish. The two most popular places to go for champagne after the last ski descent are the bar of the 4-star hotel "Tannbergerhof" and the Krone bar of the 5-star hotel "Die Krone von Lech". There is a great party mood here even long after the lifts have closed.

Those who prefer a dignified stop will find the right places in Zürs, Warth and Schröcken. The offer ranges from gourmet restaurants to rustic taverns. If you search a little or ask locally, you will also find one or the other bar in the quiet places on the Arlberg, where you can end a successful day of skiing comfortably.

 * Mooser Wirt (on the valley run to St. Anton in Tyrol): For many, the Mooser Wirt is a legendary top spot for après-ski in the Ski Arlberg ski region. Regularly great atmosphere and usually packed inside and out. Note: The Mooser Wirt is located on the Tyrolean side of the Arlberg.
 * Krazy Kanguruh (on the valley run to St. Anton in Tyrol): A classic. Note: Located on the Tyrolean side of the Arlberg.

 * Steffisalp Schirmbar (at the Steffisalp-Express valley station in Warth): In Warth, you can stop off at the Schirmbar of the Hotel Steffisalp and have fun after skiing.
 * S1 Salober Schirmbar (at the Salober valley station on the Hochtannberg pass in Schröcken at 1660 m): Après-ski events with live music take place regularly in the S1 Ski Lounge.
 * Après-ski bar of the Romantik Hotel Krone (at the valley station of the Schlegelkopf lifts in Lech): The après-ski bar spoils with oysters and champagne. Après-ski is offered here in an exclusive setting. The K.Club also belongs to the Hotel Krone. At a later hour, the nightlife awakens here.

Damüls-Mellau

 * Heike's Schirmbar (at the Walisgaden double chairlift): In the middle of the ski area, you can already switch to après-ski in the early afternoon. But be careful, because you still have to descend into the valley.

Silvretta-Montafon

 * Ur monti (at the valley station of the Hochjochbahn in Schruns): At the end of the HochjochTotale, you can switch to après-ski in the Ur monti. There is always a good atmosphere here.
 * Sonnenbar Kapellrestaurant (at the mountain station of the Hochjoch and Zamangbahn) The umbrella bar with a good atmosphere before you go down to Schruns by ski or train. You can also enjoy a wonderful view over the Montafon.
 * Limo (at the Valiserabahn/Grasjochbahn valley station in St. Gallenkirch): It is a classic, also with the Montafon youth of today and in the past. Après-ski until well after midnight with own bowling lanes.
 * Alte Talstation (near the valley station in Gaschurn on the valley run): In the Alte Talstation, you can end the day with good music at the bar or on the roof terrace. The name ("old valley station") has historical significance. In the middle of the last century, the first chairs of the former gondola Versettla Bahn drove in and out here.
 * Gamsjöchli (at the valley station in Gaschurn): The Gamsjöchli is a cult and original après-ski bar.
 * Brunellawirt (on Garfrescha mountain at an altitude of 1500 m): Après-ski is longer on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the Brunellawirt. Then you can sled down the illuminated toboggan run into the valley.
 * Edelweiss Alm (at the end of the 20e valley run just before the Valisera valley station): The Edelweiss Alm is a popular après-ski location with good music.

Stay safe
Vorarlberg's crime rates are significantly lower than in most Western countries. Street crime is rare, even late at night. Women traveling alone should have no problems.

Tap water is of exceptional quality and safe to drink. The drinking age for beer, wine and cider is 16 while the age for any other alcohol is 18. The public consumption of alcohol in Vorarlberg is legal, so do not be alarmed if you see a group of teenagers drinking a six-pack on public property; this is by no means out of the ordinary and should not be interpreted as threatening.

In mountain areas, be sure to inquire about weather conditions at the tourist information office or local alpine huts as you head out in the morning. They should be well informed about severe weather conditions and will advise you about possible avalanche areas.

 * Keep your distance and watch them as you would watch wild animals, especially when there are mother animals with their young. Cows won't attack you out of the blue but they will protect their offspring.
 * Keep your dog on a leash.
 * Don't feed them.

Go next
It is possible to travel along the lakeshore by railway to both Switzerland and Germany.

 * Liechtenstein — the fourth smallest country in Europe. Bus and train service is available daily from Bregenz to the capital city of Vaduz. The trip is about 1.5 hours.
 * Mainau Island — in Germany, "The Flower Island" is known for its warm climate and beautiful botanical gardens.
 * Tyrol - Tyrol is the neighboring Austrian county to the East of Vorarlberg. You can easily travel there by train.
 * Switzerland - To the West of Vorarlberg. Great connection by train.

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

title: Vorarlberg


text:
Vordingborg

Vordingborg is a city on the southernmost part on the island of Zealand in Denmark.

Get in
The Danish State Railways (DSB) runs trains two train per hour Copenhagen (1-1½ hours) and Nykøbing Falster (30 mins) throughout most of the day.

If you are heading Towards Møn and the cliffs, You can connect to Movia] line 62 towards Stege, the main city - where you can change to bus 632 to reach the cliffs, this connection is possible every 2 hours during daytime.

title: Vordingborg


text:
Vorkuta

Vorkuta is a coal mining town in Komi Republic.

Understand

The town of Vorkuta is closely associated with Vorkutlag, one of the most notorious forced labour camps of the Gulag. It was established in 1932 after massive depots of coal was found in the vicinity. By the early 21st century many mines had closed as problems with the high costs of operation plagued the mine operators. This has resulted in a decline in population.

Climate
Vorkuta has subarctic climate, with very cold winters. Temperatures can easily reach -40 C during January and February. Summers are short and cool, with an average high of 10-15 C.

By plane
There are flights several times each week with Moscow and Syktyvkar, the capital of Komi Republic.

By train
Train connections are available daily from Moscow, taking two nights. Long-distance services with Saint Petersburg and Nizhniy Novgorod are more irregular, usually departing 1–2 times per week. Regional night trains also link Vorkuta with Pechora and Syktyvkar. During holiday season sporadic services from the Black Sea appear, serving mostly domestic tourists.

Go next

 * Salekhard. Just across the Ural Mountains and into Asia, the train journey will take you through the remote wilderness to Labytnangi, across the water from Salekhard.

title: Vorkuta


text:
Vormsi

Vormsi is a small island in Estonia.

The island is called Ormsö in Swedish.

Understand
Historically Vormsi was inhabited by coastal Swedes and before World War II more than 2500 people lived on the island. During the Soviet period Vormsi was a closed border-zone, where guests could arrive only with government permission. There are approximately 240 inhabitants.

Nature
The nature on the island is very diverse. Vormsi Nature Reserve has been brought to life to protect the numerous plant and bird species supported by coastal grasslands, reed beds, alvars, forests, bays and lagoons.

By ferry
You can take a ferry to the island from Rohuküla port (108 km from Tallinn and ~10km from Haapsalu) to Sviby in Vormsi. The trip takes 45 minutes and can be booked via phone or online.

If you're going by car, make sure you refuel, because there aren't any petrol stations on Vormsi.

Get around
Vormsi is best toured by bicycle or on foot. Both bikes and boats can be rented on the island.

Sleep
The island has several dedicated places for camping - either for free or for a fee. There are also several guest houses.

The official Estonian tourism website provides an extensive list of options for accommodation in Vormsi.

Go next

 * Haapsalu – "Venice of the north", and a major seaside resort and medium-sized port city, good for visiting spas, taking mud baths, sailing and swimming. But also interesting monuments of the middle ages, like the cathedral and the Ruins of Haapsalu Castle, and a famous and picturesque Railway Museum can be seen here.
 * Pärnu – Estonia's 4th largest city and the summer capital of Estonia, popular for its balneo-therapy complexes and spa centres, surrounded by numerous beaches.

title: Vormsi


text:
Voronezh

Voronezh is a city in Voronezh Oblast, about 250 km from the Ukraine border, in the heart of Chernozemye. It is located on the Voronezh river and is an important railway junction with lines to Moscow, Rostov-on-the-Don and Kyiv. Due to its relatively large population (about 1,050,000 in 2020), it is often considered as the capital of Chernozemye.

By train
Many trains from Moscow every day. The most suitable options are the day train no. 45 (less than 8 hours) and the night trains nos. 25 and 81/83. You can also travel from other Russian and Ukrainian cities. The main station is Voronezh 1, but most of the trains going to the south via Voronezh stop only at Pridacha station, which has marshrutka connection with the city centre.

By bus
The cost of the bus from Moscow is approximately the same as the cheapest train ticket (and the latter provides more comfortable travel conditions). You can catch a bus to Voronezh near Moscow Paveletskaya train station. In Voronezh the bus stops near Pyramide (Pamyatnik) and terminates near Voronezh 1 train station.

By car
Voronezh is about 500 km south of Moscow on the M4 motorway.

Get around
The public transport includes buses, marshrutkas and a small number of trolley-buses.

See

 * The monument Kitten from Lizyukova street.
 * The office of South-Eastern Railways (SERW), in Russian: YU-VE-ZHE-DE.
 * The park Koltsovskiy skver.
 * Monuments to such writers and poets as Koltsov, Nikitin, Mandelshtam, Esenin, Pushkin, Platonov, Bunin; to Lenin and tsar Peter the Great.
 * Various Orthodox churches.
 * The monument Kitten from Lizyukova street.
 * The office of South-Eastern Railways (SERW), in Russian: YU-VE-ZHE-DE.
 * The park Koltsovskiy skver.
 * Monuments to such writers and poets as Koltsov, Nikitin, Mandelshtam, Esenin, Pushkin, Platonov, Bunin; to Lenin and tsar Peter the Great.
 * Various Orthodox churches.
 * Various Orthodox churches.

Do

 * Visit the Puppet Theater and the Kamerny (Russian for "chamber") Theatre.

Buy

 * The shopping centers include Grad (one of the largest in Russia), Mezhdunarodny (in the very centre of the city), Arena, Maximir, Yugo-Zapad, Tvoy Dom, Metro, Moskovskiy Prospekt, Armada, Solnechnyy Ray, Petrovskiy Passage, Aksioma.
 * Souvenirs can also be bought on Prospekt (e.g. in Liki Voronezha shop).
 * Apart from matryoshkas etc., a good local one is the Kitten from Lizyukova street.

Eat
You can find an appropriate restaurant or fast-food, but (if you don't eat everything) it requires some time. If you need a supermarket in the center of the city, you may go to the Soviet style Utyuzhok, modern Poisk shopping center or Tsentrtorg supermarket in the midway between Utyuzhok and SERW.

The well-known restaurants are:
 * Stary Gorod, Russian and European
 * Irish pub
 * Tanuki, Japanese
 * Furusato, Japanese
 * Pivasiy, Russian
 * Burger Haus, German
 * Tiflis, Georgian and European
 * Praga, Russian, Czech and French
 * Chernogoriya, Yugoslavian
 * Mediterra, European
 * Dolce Vita, coffee

Drink
Lipetskaya Mineral Water discovered by Peter the Great (you can find it in Moscow as well, but here it would be an almost local drink). Fair vodka is produced in Voronezh and the small city of Buturlinovka. The local beer is not very good. Some grapes grow in the area, but there is no wine industry, some people make small amounts of home wine.

Sleep
2* - 5* hotels are available. (in the centre)
 * Art Hotel 5* (in the centre) -
 * Benefit Plaza Congress Hotel 4* -
 * Yar 4* -
 * Petrovskiy Passage 4* (in the centre) -
 * Sputnik 3* -
 * Rossiya 3* (in the centre) -
 * Faraon 3* -
 * Premium Hotel 3* -
 * Brno 3*

Local destinations

 * Ramon castle of Princess Oldenburgskaya.
 * Divnogorye reserve and cultural landscape (competed for Seven Wonders of Russia).
 * Zadonsk (an Orthodox pilgrimage destination: monastery and more).
 * Khrenovoe stables.
 * Kostenki, plenty of cultural remains of modern humans up to 50,000 years old!
 * Voronezh reserve (beavers, etc.).
 * Earl Venevitinov Estate.

Further destinations

 * Lipetsk, mud and balneological resort, an industrial hub, centre of an oblast.
 * Kursk, centre of an oblast.
 * Belgorod, centre of an oblast.
 * Tambov, centre of an oblast.
 * Uryupinsk, the symbol of Russian "glubinka" (provincial "depths").
 * Stanitsa Veshenskaya (the State Museum-Reserve of M. Sholokhov, author of And Quiet Flows the Don).
 * Elets, an old-fashioned city.
 * Borisoglebsk, the second largest city in Voronezh oblast (after Voronezh).
 * Stary Oskol.

title: Voronezh


text:
Voronezh Oblast

Voronezh Oblast is in Russia's Chernozemye region, bordering Ukraine to the southwest, Belgorod Oblast to the west, Kursk Oblast to the northwest, Lipetsk Oblast to the north, Tambov Oblast to the northeast, Ulyanovsk Oblast to the northeast, Volgograd Oblast to the east, and Rostov Oblast to the south.

Cities

 * — the regional capital is a major cultural, economic, and transit hub for the surrounding regions and a center of the contemporary Russian Communist movement (due to very high unemployment); be sure to visit the excellent collection of Western and Russian art at the Kramskoy Museum; the city is also the birthplace of many famous Russians, including writers Ivan Bunin and Andrei Platonov (the poet Osip Mandelshtam was exiled here also), as well as the great Russian painter Ivan Kramskoi
 * — a village on the Don River by the Divnogorye Museum-Preserve, an open air museum full of interesting sites, including the ruins of a chalk fortress of the Jewish Khazar Khaganate and a Cossack cave monastery and church, cut from the side of Chalk cliffs and surrounded by natural chalk pillars
 * — a village famous for its Orlov Stallion rearing stud farm
 * — a small village surrounded by early Stone Age archaeological sites containing the huts and burial sites of mammoth hunters

Other destinations

 * — a successful preservation story of the last European Beaver population; on-site natural history museum
 * — a successful preservation story of the last European Beaver population; on-site natural history museum

Understand
Voronezh is considered the heart of the "Black Earth Region," a rich soiled region in the south of Central Russia. In its post-Soviet history it has also come to be known as the heart of Russia's "Red Belt," the center of contemporary Russian communism, owing to its high unemployment levels. An interesting read for visitors is Black Earth City, an account written by Charlotte Hobson, a foreign student visiting the capital in 1991–92.

Talk
Chances are high that you will need either some knowledge of Russian or a competent guide in order to travel outside of Voronezh.

Get in
Voronezh Airport is served by flights from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Munich, Prague, and Yerevan. Voronezh, being the major rail hub between Central and Southern Russia, is also easily accessible by train from, Moscow, Rostov-on-Don and other major cities in these regions.

title: Voronezh Oblast


text:
Voss

'Voss' is in a municipality in the inner part of Hordaland, between the great fjords of Sogn and Hardanger. Voss is known to be the adventure capital of Norway. Voss is also the major winter destination in Hordaland with two ski resorts and long skiing traditions. Voss village is are surrounded by rivers, mountains, fjord and lakes, and there is a wide range of challenges at all levels. A web of valleys converveges at Voss village, locally known as Vossevangen, which is also the centre of the municipality. The village sits at the eastern end of Vangsvatnet lake. Voss village is a station on the Bergen-Oslo railway line little over 1 hour by train or car from Bergen. Voss village is a transport hub as key roads and the railway intersect.

Understand
Voss is the wide interior district in Hordaland county. Even if not directly at one of the great fjords, Voss is still a good base for a visit to fjords of Norway. From Voss the great Sognefjord and the romantic Hardangerfjord in less than 1 hour. Voss village, Vossevangen, sits a lovely lake, Vangsvatnet, and is a key station on the Bergen railway as well as a hub for roads Bergen-Oslo and roads north-south in the fjordland. A web of valleys converge at Voss village and Vangsvatnet is the confluence of several rivers. Below the lake Voss is connected to the inner fjord through a narrow valley. Voss river, Vosso, flows through the narrow valley through Evanger lake and drains into Bolstadfjorden. Vosso is known for its large salmon, average has been over 10 kilogram and records at 30 kg. The unique Vosso salmon is largely extinct. Evanger lake and Bolstadfjorden are narrow and complicated. Voss lake and village is only 50 meters above sea level. Voss is the only notable village in West Norway not situated at a salt water. From Voss the uplands at Myrdal and Finse is only an easy train ride away, areas that are available by train only. From Voss village several valleys stretches into the hinterland: Raundalen (with Bergen railway), towards Granvin and Hardanger, towards Myrkdalen, Vik/Vangsnes (road 13), and Opheim-Stalheim (road E16 to Gudvangen and Flåm). Raundalen valley cuts right east into the bedrock and the Raundal river partly flows through gorges, the road is dead end only the railway continues through a tunnel (Gravhalstunnelen) to Myrdal in Flåm district. The Gravhalstunnel from Raundalen to Myrdal is more than 5 kilometers and was the longest tunnel north of the Alps when completed in 1905. This railway tunnel was an engineering achievement as work began from both sides and workers missed by only 4 centimeters deep in the bedrock. The British army for many years used Raundalen area for winter training.

In the area you will also find a wide range of activity providers - including rafting, paragliding, mountain walking and guided excursions. Year-round there is a lot of cultural events, the most famous being The Extreme Sports Week - the world's biggest extreme sports festival.

Voss is sheltered by surrounding mountains giving relatively dry and warm summers and relatively cold winters. As Bergen has unstable weather and little snow, many travel from Bergen to Voss for skiing. Voss has a drier and more stable weather, winters are colder and summer warmer. In the Myrkdalen there is often heavy snowfall making the new ski resort there popular. Myrkdalen in 2018 was ranked as the 5th best ski resort in Norway, up from 9th in 2017. Good off-piste options and children's area.

Voss has a long history, and have been welcoming international tourists for almost 200 years. Visitors come to experience the magnificent scenery - never-ending vistas of mountains and nearby glaciers and fjords, lakes and fast-flowing whitewater rivers - and to have plenty of active fun year round.

Get in
It is easy to get to Voss by train, bus and car from gateways such as Bergen and Oslo with a number of international arrivals. The town is centrally located in South West Norway, only somewhat more than 1 hour from Bergen, 6 hours from Oslo and ”In the Heart of Fjord Norway”, between the famous fjords Sognefjorden and Hardangerfjorden.

Bergen is the main gateway for both international and national arrivals to this part of Western Norway, for arrivals by plane, bus or boat. If you are on a round trip without a car, there are several destinations in the region that have connections to Voss by public transport. Here are the main gateways:
 * Bergen
 * Sognefjord area: Sogndal, Flåm/Gudvangen and Vik in Sogn
 * Hardanger area: Ulvik, Kvanndal, Norheimsund

By plane
Bergen Airport Flesland is the closest airport to Voss, with non-stop international flights from larger scale European airports such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, London, Stockholm and Reykjavik. Low-cost airlines also operate non-stop flights to Bergen from international airports such as Paris, Berlin, Prague, Warsaw, Riga and London.

There are also, of course, direct flights from several Norwegian airports, including daily departures from Oslo Airport Gardermoen with SAS and Norwegian airlines.

By train
Voss is a central stop on the Bergen Railway between Oslo and Bergen. The service to Bergen by train is fairly frequent, with several local trains making the run. The journey from Bergen takes about 75 minutes and costs kr 189 for one adult. Timetables available on the Norwegian State Railways (NSB) website.

At the time of construction the Bergen-Voss and Voss-Finse-Geilo stretches of railway were engineering achievements.

By bus
Busses from Bergen are operated by NOR-WAY and Skyss and take about 100 minutes.

By car
Voss is centrally located on the main road network in Western Norway. On Route E16 between Oslo and Bergen and on the North/South inland route RV13.
 * Bergen - Voss:
 * Route E16 via Arna and Dale (100 km, 1 hr 20 min)
 * Oslo - Voss:
 * Route E16 via Filefjell (420 km, 7 hr)
 * Route 52 via Gol and Hemsedal (400 km, 6 hr 30 min)
 * Route 50 via Hol and Aurland (380 km, 6 hr)
 * Route 7 via Hardangervidda (400, 6 hr)
 * Route 7 via Gol and Geilo (360, 5 hr 30 min)
 * From Førde and Balestrand: Road 13 including ferry Dragsvik-Vangsnes.
 * From Hardanger including Eidfjord:
 * Road 13 through Granvin
 * From Granvin lake scenic detour via old road through Skjervet

Get around

 * Ski lift to Mt Hanguren (return ticket: kr 100). The gondola lift to Hanguren has been dismantled. A new lift is expected to open in 2019.
 * The railway runs east-west through Voss district serving Raundalen valley to the east and Evanger to the west.
 * Northern part of Voss district (Stalheim, Oppheim and Myrkdalen ski resort) is available by bus and car.

Winter
With two ski centres and long skiing traditions, Voss is a popular and one of the most established ski destinations in Norway. It is not without reason that World Cup Events are frequently held here. Voss is also one of the most natural snow-reliable ski destinations in Norway. On altogether some 50 kilometers of well prepared alpine slopes, you can ski in varying terrain from nursery slopes to demanding terrain for the most experienced. There are also great possibilities for cross-country skiing in Voss, in close proximity to the ski centres as well as in the wider Voss area. Services and facilities in the two ski centres include: terrain parks, ski schools and ski rentals, children's play areas, food & drink facilities and areas for cross country skiing.

Go next
Voss is a convenient place to stay while exploring the Hardangerfjord to the south of Voss. As it is located on the Bergensbanen railway, a stay here can also be combined with a day-trip to Flåm with the Flåm railway (starts on Myrdal station on Bergensbanen).

 * Route 13 over the mountain to Vik, and further to Balestrand.
 * Other destinations on Sognefjord: Gudvangen, Flåm and Aurland
 * Romantic Hardanger
 * Bergen
 * Geilo in Hallingdal

title: Voss


text:
Vothonas

Vothonas is a town in Santorini.

Understand
Vothonas is a small rock village and very strange architecturally, for that reason alone it is worth a visit. A tangle of paths lead from the village up to the houses that are built into the cliffs. Much as the villagers did in Caldera, the residents built their homes in the rocky walls of the ravine. An interesting place to see while here is the church of St. Ann which was built in 1827 and is the oldest in the village. The wooden screen it has is decorated with pictures from the Old Testament.

On Mesaria there is a small market on the road every morning with fresh fish. Do not miss the Argiros Estate to see a 19th-century house fully rebuilt.

title: Vothonas


text:
Vourvourou

Vourvourou is a village in Sithonia, Greece. Vourvourou is not a typical village: it has no square or history. Rather it is a 'strip' of shops, tavernas and rooms to rent, and is almost an exclusively seasonal area with few year-round residents.

title: Vourvourou


text:
Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park is a national park near International Falls, Minnesota.

History
The voyageurs (French for travelers) were among the earliest Europeans to explore North America, from the mid-1600s onward. They travelled mainly by canoe and provided the main transport for the fur trade. The coureurs des bois (runners of the woods) handled getting furs by trading with the Indians and doing some trapping themselves while Montreal merchants did the marketing, mainly export to Europe.

Of course the French did not invent canoes and mostly did not explore new routes. Native traders had been using these methods for a thousand years.

The voyageurs explored much of what are now Western Canada and the Western US. Traces of them can be seen in French names all over the map: Detroit, Joliet, Des Moines, Fond du Lac, Cadillac, Louisville (named for a French king), Saint Louis (for an earlier king), Boise, Grande Prairie, even as far as the Picketwire River (from French Purgatoire) in Colorado. An entire region in southern Manitoba has French names for all the villages and many French-speaking inhabitants; what was once its main town, Saint Boniface, is now a suburb of Winnipeg.

Places where canoes had to be carried (French portager) around rapids or between rivers often have portage in their names, for example Portage la Prairie and Grand Portage. Another portage was Sault Ste Marie, French for "Saint Mary's leap" to describe some rapids. Today there are towns with that name on both sides of the river, Sault Ste Marie (Michigan) and Sault Ste Marie (Ontario).

Fort William Historical Park, in what is now Thunder Bay, is a site where voyageurs coming up from Montreal in large freight canoes used to meet and trade with those who ventured further west in smaller canoes. The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough (Ontario) and the Virtual Museum of New France (an online museum run by the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa) both have voyageur-related exhibits. Saint Boniface hosts a Voyageur Festival annually in January.

Climate
There are four distinct seasons in Voyageur country. The air is temperate during June, July, and August when periods of fine, mild weather prevail. The frost-free season averages 120 days from June to mid-September. The average ice-out date is May 3 but varies year to year. Annual precipitation (rain and snow) averages 25-28 inches in the park and snowfall ranges from 55-70 inches, but is highly variable. The first measurable snowfall occurs in late October and the last in late April or early May.

Visitor information

 * Park website

Get in
Voyageurs National Park is located in Northern Minnesota. The park shares its northern boundary with Canada and lies just west of the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness. The park visitor centers are accessible by car but in order to truly experience the park, one must leave their vehicle behind and access the park by boat.

Fees and permits
There is no fee to enter Voyageurs National Park.

Eat

 * The only restaurant of any kind is at

title: Voyageurs National Park


text:
Vratsa

Vratsa is a city of 53,000 people in North Bulgaria. It's at the foot of the Vrachanski Balkan, and is the starting point for numerous caves, waterfalls and interesting rock formations. The most famous of them are the Ledenika Cave, Skaklya Waterfall and the Vratsata Pass.

Get in
Vratsa can be reached by train, bus or car.

By train
The main railway station connects the city with the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, and also with the cities of Vidin, Lom, and Mezdra. The train frequency is acceptable. An express first-class-only train runs once a day from Plovdiv (via Sofia) and back.

By bus
The omnibus station is near the railway station. Buses connect Vratza directly with Sofia, Vidin, Kozloduy, Lom, Oriahovo, and many other cities. Nearby villages are also connected via bus links. The bus frequency to and from Sofia is very good, from early morning to the late afternoon. In summer, there are also bus lines to some Black Sea resorts. There are also buses to Spain and Portugal, but not as often as the inter-Bulgaria connections.

By car
Vratsa is on the international E-79 route, and thus easily accessed from Vidin (2 hours), Sofia (1.5-2 hours), etc. Road signs are mostly written in the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets.

By plane
There is no regional or international airport in Vratsa. The nearest civil/international airport of entry is in Sofia.

By boat
There is no boat transportation to Vratsa. The nearest ports are in Oryahovo and Kozlodui (Danube River).

By walking
Most sites in the centre of Vratsa can be reached by walking. Remote places can be reached by a taxi, a bus or a trolleybus.

By bike
Some remote places can also be reached by bike (like Hizhata), see it like a nice work-out. Cycling on the road can be dangerous, since not all car drivers keep distance and tolerate bikers. Cycling through the main street in the rush hour or in the weekend can be quite challenging when trying to avoid crashes with the huge number of pedestrians. Some pedestrian areas are forbidden for bikers.

There is a ski and bike rental shop on Ul. Polk Buyukliyski (2 лв/hour). Ring the buzzer if you can't find the shopkeeper, someone upstairs might help you or at least say something out the window. The shopkeeper is often not there, so maybe not a good idea to rent here if you need your passport back by a certain time.

By taxi
The yellow cabs can be spotted very often and are rather cheap. The prices are shown on the windshield of the vehicle. Mind that there are different fees (like call fee) that are added to the regular kilometre fee.

By trolleybus or bus
This kind of transportation connects the remote parts of the city and the centre. Although rather slow it is a good and cheap alternative to the taxis. This is the means of transportation that is most often used by the locals.

Connect
The two biggest squares in the city offer a free but rather unreliable Wi-Fi access. Most cafés along the main pedestrian street offer also free wireless access. Or you can use the sometimes few crowded internet cafés. The mobile network coverage is good.

Go next

 * A day trip to the Ledenika Cave (16 km away from the city) combined with a barbecue or horse riding (rent-a-horse) afternoon in the mountains is a very pleasant experience, especially in summer. Make sure you have warm clothes and watertight shoes, since the temperatures in the cave are rather low. There was a local bus line servicing the area around the cave, but a better option is to organize your own transportation (rent-a-car or bikes). As of October 2010, there is no bus line going to Ledenika Cave; everyone in town says taxi was the only way.  It takes about 2 hours to bike to the cave, with the majority of the time spent on the climb between the two forks (head right at both, at kilometers 2 and 12).  Save a little energy as the last 2-3 kilometers to the cave are a steep downhill, which you have to climb back up after the tour.  There also appeared to be a chair lift heading in the direction of the cave from the first fork—it is not possible to see where it ended especially in the foggy days, but it isn't running anyway. Your mountain trip can be extended over two or more days: there is a small budget hotel near the Ledenika Cave. A pre-booking is useful.

title: Vratsa


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Vrbnik

Vrbnik is a picturesque town on high cliff above the sea. It is a place of good wine "Vrbnička žlahtina".

Get in
From the Krk bridge follow the signs for Baska. After about 30 km you will see signposts for Vrbnik.

Get around
On foot! Vrbnik is hilltop town with small narrow streets not suitable for cars.

Buy
"Vrbnička žlahtina" wine. It is grown on the fields around Vrbnik and it is one of the best white wines in Croatia.

Sleep
Go to a man called Osipic. Everybody knows him in town. He's a fisherman and rents out apartments to tourists. Definitely the best place to stay and should not miss his famous grilled fish.

title: Vrbnik


text:
Vrbovec

Vrbovec is in Zagreb county, Croatia, 43.37 km northeast of Zagreb. The town has a population of about 16,000, as of the 2011 census.

Understand
Vrbovec is the birth place of Ban Petar Zrinski, a Croatian hero from the Middle Ages.

For all who would like to meet with typical way of Croatian life, Vrbovec offers peaceful staying and feeling like at home.

By car
Well connected by the A4 highway, then by D28 expressway, it takes only 25 minutes by car from Zagreb.

By train
It takes 35-54 minutes by train from main train station in Zagreb.

By bus
It takes 45 minutes by bus from main bus-station in Zagreb.

title: Vrbovec