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Consett

Consett is a former steel-making town in County Durham, in the hills 14 miles southwest of Newcastle. In 2021 the population was 29,885.

Understand
"Consett" derives from Cunecsheafod, Cunec's headland - it's on a steep bank above the River Derwent at 900 ft / 270 m elevation, distinctly chilly in winter. It was an insignificant hamlet until the 18th century, then mushroomed with industries based on the local coal, iron ore and limestone. Britain's earliest steel industry was here, specialising in "sharps" such as swords and cutlery until Sheffield captured that trade. In the 20th century its main product was steel plates and girders for construction and ship-building, and its skies were a red haze of iron ore dust and furnace smoke. In the late 20th century British steel became uneconomic, in spite of subsidy, and an entire way of life here collapsed when the steelworks closed.

Get in
By road from the south follow A1 to Scotch Corner then A68 to Castleside then A692 into Consett. You could also stay on A1 to Durham then take A690 / A691.

The nearest railway stations are in Newcastle upon Tyne and Durham, both on the London Kings Cross - Edinburgh main line, and with buses to Consett. A taxi from either might cost £40-50 in 2024. There's talk of restoring the railway, axed in 1980, but nothing's happened.

Go Northeast Bus X45 runs from Newcastle every 30 min, taking an hour via Metrocentre, Winlaton Mill, Rowlands Gill, Ebchester, Shotley Bridge and Blackhill. X71 runs hourly and takes an hour via Gateshead`, Lobley Hill, Sunniside, Burnopfield, Medomsley and Leadgate.

Bus X5 / X15 runs from Durham every 30 min, taking 40 min via University Hospital, Witton Gilbert and Lanchester, and continuing to Castleside.

Bus 78 runs from Sunderland every 30 min, taking almost two hours via Chester-le-Street, Stanley and Leadgate.

is central in town. It's a covered mall.

Get around
You need wheels to get out of the grubby town and enjoy the moors and Derwent Valley. Roads are switchback as they cross the valleys of rivers flowing out of the moors - cyclists will especially enjoy screeching on the brakes on A68 below Castleside while contemplating the grinding ascent ahead.

Taxis in town are Atlas (+44 1207 509770) and Consett Cars (+44 1207 502277), both based at the bus station.

See

 * Christ Church is at 62 Middle St, 100 yards west of the bus station. It was built in 1866 with a squat cod-Norman tower, which is at risk of collapse.
 * is a sculpture on the site of Consett Steel Works, closed in 1980. It's two metal structures, a theodolite and an engineer's level, 20 ft tall and visible for miles around. Terris Novalis means "newly cultivated land" and is meant to symbolise the remediation of this brownfield area. It's on C2C coast-to-coast cycle path and accessible 24 hours.
 * is reached by a short but quaggy walk west up the riverbank from the A68 bridge. Gorgeous colours here in autumn.
 * Allensford Foundry is crumbling masonry seen from the riverside going east from the bridge.
 * completely buries a Roman fort and settlement; it's named for Æbbe of Coldingham who only turned up in the 7th century. St Ebba's church is 11th century, re-using stone from the fort.
 * is one of Britain's oldest. An iron works stood here from 1719, but you need to add just the right trace of carbon to turn iron into steel, far stronger. A "cementation" plant was built here in the 1730s, using Swedish iron ore to make high-grade cutlery. Cementation was the main technology in 18th century England until supplanted by "puddling", which reduced rather than added carbon, and which in turn was replaced by Bessemer blast furnaces. Derwentcote closed in the 1880s, as it was obsolete and with poor transport. It's simply a large cottage off A694, free to view outside any time but with no interior access. English Heritage conduct guided walks around this area.

Do

 * Empire theatre and cinema is at 5 Front St, 100 yards south of the bus station.
 * Consett Leisure Centre has a pool, gym and fitness classes. It's on B6308 Medomsley Rd a quarter mile north of town centre.
 * Golf: Consett & District GC is on Elmfield Rd north side of town. White tees 6083 yards, par £71.
 * Football is played in the amateur leagues. Consett AFC play soccer at Bellevue east side of town. Consett RFC play rugby union at the leisure centre. Consett Steelers play rugby league at the leisure centre, with a March-October season.
 * Derwent Walk follows a former railway track for 12½ miles beside the River Derwent. From Consett and Shotley Bridge it heads northeast via Gibside to Derwenthaugh Country Park near Gateshead Metro Centre.

Buy

 * Supermarkets: Aldi is on Front St west of town centre, open M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM. Morrisons is further down the street at the junction with A692 and has a filling station.
 * Knitsley Farm, a farm shop selling fresh local produce. There is an annexed restaurant which is very popular among the locals. Both inside and outside dining options available.

Eat

 * These are mostly just north of the bus station.

 * Sambuca is within Britannia Shops at 27 Victoria Rd, open Tu-Th noon-3PM, 4-9PM, F Sa noon-10PM, Su noon-8PM.
 * The Old Mill, Knitsley serves non-residents, see below.
 * The Old Mill, Knitsley serves non-residents, see below.

Drink

 * Front Street just south of the bus station is the main strip. Here are The Company Row (below), The Barn 2, The Black Horse, Bar 1, The Whistle Blower, Turfed Oot Cafe and Chaplains.

Sleep

 * Derwentside by the A68 bridge at Allensford has long-stay caravan pitches but nothing for short-stay tourers or campers.
 * Derwentside by the A68 bridge at Allensford has long-stay caravan pitches but nothing for short-stay tourers or campers.
 * Derwentside by the A68 bridge at Allensford has long-stay caravan pitches but nothing for short-stay tourers or campers.
 * Derwentside by the A68 bridge at Allensford has long-stay caravan pitches but nothing for short-stay tourers or campers.
 * Derwentside by the A68 bridge at Allensford has long-stay caravan pitches but nothing for short-stay tourers or campers.

 * Lord Crewe Arms further up Derwent Valley gets rave reviews, see Corbridge.

Connect
As of March 2024, Consett and its approach roads have a basic mobile signal from O2, and 4G from EE, Three and Vodafone. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Beamish open-air museum is 10 miles east near Stanley.
 * Hadrian's Wall courses along the Tyne Valley 15 miles north. You can pick up the path at Heddon-on-the-Wall, but Roman ruins are only substantial from Corbridge west towards Brampton.
 * Durham is a must-see for its medieval cathedral and castle perched on a river peninsula.
 * Head into Newcastle for big city amusements and a surprisingly elegant early 19th century townscape.

title: Consett


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Constanța

Constanța (pronounced Con-stan-tza) is a coastal Black Sea city in southern part of Northern Dobruja, Romania, the second most important city in the country and, during summer, a somewhat tourist city. It is the capital of the Constanța county and the Black Sea's largest seaport, a great city to begin to explore the wonders of the sea.

Understand
Constanța, being founded as a city almost 2,600 years ago, is the oldest attested city in Romania, the biggest port on the Black Sea and also the fourth-largest city in Romania, with 400,000 inhabitants. It was founded by the Greeks as a port on the Black Sea Coast for trading with inland people and called Tomis (6th c. BC). The city was renamed later after Constantina, niece of Constantine the Great (274–337). It was still a flourishing port city in the 10th and 11th centuries, trading with the Byzantine Empire and the city of Genoa.

By train

Most of the train connections to Constanța are from Bucharest, which acts as the main railway hub for the region. There are five daily trains to/from Bucharest during off-season and more trains in summer and the trip takes between 2–2½ hr, depending on the type of train. Second class ticket starts at 62 lei, while first class is available from just over 90 lei.

Regional services ply to route along the coast, from as far south as Mangalia, with a journey time of around 1 hr 20 min. Information on trains and schedules: CFR website

By bus

Destinations:

 * Thessaloniki, Greece and Chișinău, Moldova

By car
From:
 * Bucharest – The most popular route is the A2 highway. There is a tax of 11 lei to cross the bridge system over the Danube.
 * Timișoara – Via the A1 and E81, around 9½ hr (781 km).
 * Cluj-Napoca – Via the A3 and E81, around 8¾ hr (683 km).
 * Iași – Via the DN24D, around 6½ hr (452 km).

By boat
Constanța has two yacht harbours, both outside the main commercial harbour basin. The main harbour for tourists is right north of the commercial harbour, by the old town.

Although Constanța is the largest commercial port in the Black Sea, there is no passenger ship that links Constanța to any other port on the Black Sea coast.

By public transport
You can use buses and maxi-taxis. To get to Mamaia you can take the 310 mini van called maxi-taxi for 2 lei one way but it is very crowded during summer. The stop is in front of the main exit of the Railway Station, after the traffic light, on the side with the park. Alternatively you can use line 100 to Tomis III and change to line "City tour 00", which goes along Mamaia strip. You can also take the special bus which takes you to Mamaia and has regular stops around the city and resort, it is a double-decker bus and you can find it as you exit the train station in the bus station. Line 100C covers the route from the train station to the old casino.

Line 00 costs 3 lei per trip (pay the driver), mini buses 2 lei for any trip in Constanta (pay the driver) and other public buses cost 1.50 lei. Bbuy tickets at the kiosk e.g. at the entrance of the train station, and don't forget to validate them on the bus!

You can also get to Mamaia by taking the 40 or 100 buses (3.50 lei, 2 trips), but those two buses will turn at Hotel Delta and from there you must walk. Mini vans continue further north.

A route planner is available online for Constanța.

Also, frequent minibuses leave from the bus station at the railway station to resorts south of Constanța.

By taxi
A legal taxi must be painted yellow and have the fee written with green or black characters on the driver's door. Always insist on starting the meter and try to avoid the cabs with red tariffs right next to the train station who, as in every major city, try to take advantage of tourists. Walk 100 m from the station and only then wave to a cab. The typical fee from the train station to Mamaia is maximum €5—€10 to the end of Mamaia. The typical fee is 1.79 lei/km during the day; 2.15 lei/km during the night, and 2.75 lei/km outside the city limits (October 2011). You can ask in advance the taxi driver how much does he think the ride will cost. If it is more than €10 do not accept. Taxis do not accept credit card payments.

By bicycle
In Constanța there some bicycle lanes on bulevardul Tomis and Mamaia, but it is also safe to ride on secondary roads. There is a free rental service sponsored by Raiffeisen Bank, located in Tăbăcărie Park, available Jun–Oct. You can rent a bike with your ID or passport for 2 hr with the option to extend for another 2 hr.

On foot
Walking in Constanța is one of the great pleasures of visiting the city. It is possible to cross the entire city in only a few hours.

See
Constanța has been continuously inhabited for 2,500 years so there is a lot to see.

Museums

 * The Sea's Museum with the Genovese Lighthouse, behind the statue of Eminescu, on the sea front. Although built between 1858-1860, on the rock of the southeast corner of the Tomitane Peninsula, by an English company, the Lighthouse is called "Genovese Lighthouse" in memory of another time Lighthouse merchants having a white light, last time running being in 1913, and a few years later, in 1948, was restored for the last time and gave to the tourist circuit.
 * The Ion Jalea Sculpture Museum, Arhiepiscopiei Street, 26. Ion Jalea Museum is arranged in a building built in the interwar period by architect C. Pariano in Brancoveanu style. Museum shows more than 120 donated works in bronze and plaster by artist Ion Jalea to his hometown.
 * The Dolphinarium – Began its activity on June 1, 1972, being the first museum form of this kind in Romania and the first one in the S-E of Europe at that time. The exhibition presents the world of the shell fish living in diverse seas. The shows are organized in the amphitheatre with a pool, with dolphins from the Phocaena relicta species and Delphinus delphis ponticus species, with seals from the South Atlantic. Shows hours: 11:00, 15:00, 19:00. Entrance fee: 50 lei for adults; 25 lei for students. Children under 5 free.
 * The Planetarium – A world beyond us, made up of stars, planets, galaxies and other things are disclosed to you, but you are assisted to learn how to travel among them using the constellations, the “Sky” that needed no renovation in the last 2000 years contributing to the realization of this picture. Shows hours: 10:00, 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:00, 18:00 and 19:30.
 * The Exotic Birds Exhibition – On a 100 m² covered surface, in large bird houses, with adequate compartments for food, nesting, flying and rest, one can admire the representatives of different bird species from Asia, Africa, Australia, New Guinea and South America.
 * The Micro Delta – The patrimony of this objective has the aquatic avifauna (pelicans, swans, ducks and wild geese), the terrestrial avifauna (peacocks, pheasants) and mammals (mouflons, fallow deer, harts), that can be found in the Danube Delta’s Biosphere Reservation and the Negureni Reservation. Most part of these exemplars are natural monuments and rare species with a scarce representation in the natural biotopes. Some exemplars were obtained by exchange with the other Zoo Gardens and others were purchased or donated.
 * The Aquarium – The exhibition space is marked out for the presentation of the permanent aquatic flora and fauna exhibition in 57 tanks, and also for the temporary exhibitions with aquatic biological and ecological themes. An inedited museum institution for natural sciences in our country due to its exhibition patrimony made up entirely of living organisms, the aquarium in Constanța also has naturalized collections of marine and fresh water fish and invertebrates belonging to different geographical areas of the Earth. To facilitate the presentation of aquatic life and the visitors’ access to information, the exhibition patrimony consists of over 100 species (1300 exemplars) aquatic creatures and is structured into several sections. The distribution of aquatic organisms into sections is based on ecological and bio-geographical criteria, and within the sections the taxonomic criteria was taken into account for placing the different species into the tanks. Open hours: 09:00-20:00. Entrance fee: 20 lei for adults; 10 lei for students. Children under 5 free.
 * The Planetarium – A world beyond us, made up of stars, planets, galaxies and other things are disclosed to you, but you are assisted to learn how to travel among them using the constellations, the “Sky” that needed no renovation in the last 2000 years contributing to the realization of this picture. Shows hours: 10:00, 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:00, 18:00 and 19:30.
 * The Exotic Birds Exhibition – On a 100 m² covered surface, in large bird houses, with adequate compartments for food, nesting, flying and rest, one can admire the representatives of different bird species from Asia, Africa, Australia, New Guinea and South America.
 * The Micro Delta – The patrimony of this objective has the aquatic avifauna (pelicans, swans, ducks and wild geese), the terrestrial avifauna (peacocks, pheasants) and mammals (mouflons, fallow deer, harts), that can be found in the Danube Delta’s Biosphere Reservation and the Negureni Reservation. Most part of these exemplars are natural monuments and rare species with a scarce representation in the natural biotopes. Some exemplars were obtained by exchange with the other Zoo Gardens and others were purchased or donated.
 * The Aquarium – The exhibition space is marked out for the presentation of the permanent aquatic flora and fauna exhibition in 57 tanks, and also for the temporary exhibitions with aquatic biological and ecological themes. An inedited museum institution for natural sciences in our country due to its exhibition patrimony made up entirely of living organisms, the aquarium in Constanța also has naturalized collections of marine and fresh water fish and invertebrates belonging to different geographical areas of the Earth. To facilitate the presentation of aquatic life and the visitors’ access to information, the exhibition patrimony consists of over 100 species (1300 exemplars) aquatic creatures and is structured into several sections. The distribution of aquatic organisms into sections is based on ecological and bio-geographical criteria, and within the sections the taxonomic criteria was taken into account for placing the different species into the tanks. Open hours: 09:00-20:00. Entrance fee: 20 lei for adults; 10 lei for students. Children under 5 free.

Parks

 * Tabacarie Park
 * The Archaeological Park – Right in the center of the city is a nice place for a walk if you're in the area.

Do

 * Walk – You can stroll the city's streets, the historical peninsular area which has a special charm, the sea coast, the Tomis marina or one of the many parks, on the lake-side or through the ruins of the ancient Greek colony Tomis.

 * Beach – You can sunbathe or swim in the Black Sea. There is a large beach called Modern right in the middle of the city, which is favored by locals and is near the marina. Very very shallow waters (you can walk for 20–30 meters and the water won't pass your knees) so it's suited if you want to take your kids there and let them play safely in the water.
 * The best beaches are in the Mamaia resort which is in the north part of Constanța. It consists of about 6-7 km of sandy beaches with absolutely no rocks; the width of the beaches vary from 20 to 150 m. It's also full of hotels, clubs and bars and extremely popular and fashionable in the summer. Moreover, in the off season (September–April) they are a great place for taking pictures walks, or rides with the ATV or enduro motorcycle and there are some centers for renting ATVs near the Cleopatra bar at the beginning of the resort. If you arrive by car not registered in the county of Constanța from May/June to September expect to pay an entrance fee of 3 lei at the entrance ticket booth for your car. The ratio of free parking/paid parking is around 25%/75% and the parking lots with the fee are guarded and not that expensive (3 lei per hour) and a good alternative especially if you are on a motorcycle because people will climb your bike to take pictures on it. The paid parking places are marked with a white P on a blue background. The unpaid parking lots are on the sides of the main boulevard.

 * Football – Farul (meaning "lighthouse") play soccer in Liga 1, Romania's top tier. Their home ground is Stadionul Viitorul (capacity 4550) in Ovidiu 10 km north of city centre.

 * Resorts – To the south are a string of summer resorts: Eforie Nord/sud, Costinesti, Neptun, Olimp. Neptun is recommended because it has a more relaxed atmosphere and for its lush forests that end near the sea.

Theatres

 * Sea tours – Sail from the Tomis marina.

Shopping
You can shop downtown, on the Ştefan cel Mare street where most big shopping centers are situated, including Tomis Mall, but also in the new, modern and bigger City Park Mall, in Tabacarie Park. Other shopping centres are TOM and VIVO! Constanța.

You can also do your shopping at other shopping centres:'
 * Selgros 391, Bulevardul Tomis – Warehouse club
 * Kaufland Bulevardul Aurel Vlaicu 218 – Another supermarket
 * Mega Image Bulevardul Tomis 310A – Another supermarket
 * Doraly Mall Șoseaua Mangaliei 84

Eat
A typical meal at a restaurant is around €8-10 per person including drinks. Waiters usually know some English and menus are usually written in English. International cuisine is present. You should try the wines which are very good and not that expensive.

You will find a lot of fast food places selling kebab and shawarma (a nice mixture of grilled chicken, salads, French fries and sauces wrapped in a lipia (a sort of thin pancake used as a substitute for bread by Turks), very good and not that expensive (around 7 lei for a small one and 10 lei for a big one).

Budget
All these are in the city center:

Bars and clubs
There are many bars and clubs open in Constanța. However, some of them are closed during the summer, as Mamaia resort opens. You can go to: Phoenix  (a rock club), Domino, or Doors.

Budget

 * Dobrogea, B-dul Alexandru Lăpuşneanu, Nr. 194; Tel. - +40 241 655 556 (~96 lei) Kind of dank and stodgy, like a pair of old slippers. Has a bar though!
 * Florentina, Bulevardul I. C. Brătianu 119 (near train station); Tel. +40 241-512-535; Fax - +40 241-510-202 (in springtime €35/night 2p-room w breakfast) Hygiene not too great here.
 * Hotel London, Strada Viceamiral Ioan Murgescu nr 42; Tel. +40 241-697-638; Fax. +40 241-697-638 (157 lei) Kind of basic amenities in this low-rise tower, but it does have a restaurant and garden anyway.
 * Hotel Turist, B-dul Mamaia, Nr. 288; Tel. - +40 241-831-006; Fax - +40 241-831-006 (165 lei) This one is excellent if you're seeking to relive the old Soviet/Iron Curtain feel. Lots of gaudy red neon lights and furniture. Clean though and has a nice restaurant.
 * Casa Harghita, Sat de Vacanţă, Tel. +40 241 513 738. Kind of a low-key place with a restaurant on-site.
 * Hotel Turist, B-dul Mamaia, Nr. 288; Tel. - +40 241-831-006; Fax - +40 241-831-006 (165 lei) This one is excellent if you're seeking to relive the old Soviet/Iron Curtain feel. Lots of gaudy red neon lights and furniture. Clean though and has a nice restaurant.
 * Casa Harghita, Sat de Vacanţă, Tel. +40 241 513 738. Kind of a low-key place with a restaurant on-site.
 * Casa Harghita, Sat de Vacanţă, Tel. +40 241 513 738. Kind of a low-key place with a restaurant on-site.

Some hotels in Mamaia are open in the winter and you can get very good deals on accommodation in the off season.

Mid-range

 * Cora, B-dul Mamaia, Nr. 201; Tel. - (469)-428-2533; Fax - +40 241-613-179. Basic hotel with breakfast; could be some issues with a/c and hot water though.
 * Guci, Str. Răscoalei din 1907, Nr. 23; Tel. - +40 241-695-500; Fax - +40 241-638-426. Free breakfast and wifi; restaurant on top floor with view of the sea.
 * Intim, Str. N. Titulescu, Nr. 7-9; Tel. - +40 241-617-814; Fax - +40 241-618-285. It occupies a historical landmark and serves as a sort of social club, may be undergoing restoration.
 * Maria, B-dul 1 Decembrie 1918, Nr. 2D; Tel. - +40 241-611-711; Fax - +40 241-616-852. This one comes with wifi and a/c and a breakfast buffet so that's a pretty good deal.
 * Millennium, B-dul Mamaia, Nr. 135; Tel. - +40 241-607-317; Fax - +40 241-607-341. Hotel has a glassy exterior and your room may come with a view of the sea. There's a limited breakfast and the maintenance can be a little off at times.
 * Adrys Boutique Villa, Strada Gheorghe Economu 30; Tel. +40 724 855 811. It's very homestyle: has a restaurant and a down home feel.
 * Oxford, B-dul Alexandru Lăpuşneanu intersecție cu B-dul Aurel Vlaicu; Tel - +40 241 606 510. Almost has a resort feel with restaurant and bar and atrium and proximity to beach. Breakfast included.

Stay safe
Constanța is a pretty safe city even by European standards, but as a precaution avoid taking taxis near the train station and insist that they turn the meter on. If you visit the historical peninsular area at night, try to do this in a group. Unlike some other cities in Romania, people from Constanța are well used to foreigners and are generally helpful. Walking at night is okay even alone, though you should avoid walking with your camera around your neck and be mindful of pick pockets when using public transportation. Your religion is not of concern since a lot of locals come from very different ethnic and religious backgrounds, but refrain from commenting on religious matters. The local Muslim population is pretty secular and don't have a problem with western culture or habits.

Stay away from dodgy small casinos and avoid exchange offices especially those located in Mamaia. They have hidden commission (written with small letters) or separate exchange rates for travel checks and cash. Use only trusted exchange offices, like Balkan Exchange. If you are unsure go to a bank, Your best bet is to exchange money at banks, which are located throughout the city. Although banks don't have good exchange rates, they are still better than the rip-offs).

As with Bucharest and other big cities in Romania your biggest safety concern could come from feral dogs. If confronted by a group of barking dogs don't lose your cool and back away since they are usually territorial and won't chase you. If they get too close, pretend you are picking a rock from the ground. Whatever you do, don't run.

Women will not be permitted access in churches or mosques if they wear short skirts.

Connect
Constanța has 4G from all Romanian carriers. As of Aug 2022, there is patchy 5G from Digi and Vodafone, and wide coverage of 5G from Orange.

Go next

 * Vama Veche – To the south, close to the Bulgarian border is a former hippie/bohemian beach village turned into a commercial venture over the years but still one of the few places on the Romanian coast where camping is still hip (although there have been agents patrolling the beaches asking for a 10 lei fee from people they find at the tent. Just say it's not your tent and you'll go look for the person who's tent you are watching. They'll go bother someone else.)
 * Limanu cave – Near Mangalia there is a 3,200 m long cave unique in Romania. The only way to reach it is by personal car. Entrance to the cave is closed off but there are some phone numbers on the door that will get you in touch with a guide. A good measure to keep the bat population happy and to keep the vandals out. Guide and entrance fee is 3 lei.
 * Bucharest – Throughout the day every 45 minutes from the Bucharest Railway Station. The trip takes about 3½ hr on the A2 highway. Tickets costs 50-55 lei, which is 10-15% less expensive than the train. Though buses are slightly slower than the train, they are clean and comfortable and the newest ones have free Wi-Fi, which the train does not.
 * Istanbul, Turkey – There are also several daily buses leaving from Constanța to Istanbul. The duration is less than 12 hr including time spent crossing borders and the prices for 2011 are 200 lei a return ticket, including 1 night accommodation in Istanbul.
 * Bulgaria – Direct to Varna, or you take a bus to Ostrov-Vama Veche (€5), which is a town near the border with Bulgaria, cross the border and you are in Silistra, a town in Bulgaria. From there there are several connections to other Bulgarian cities such as Ruse, Dobrich, and Sofia.

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

title: Constanța


text:
Constance

There is more than one place called Constance:

Europe

 * Lake Constance - A large lake on the German-Austrian-Swiss borders.

Germany

 * Constance - A large city also known as Konstanz in Baden-Wuerttemberg, on the German-Swiss border.

United States of America

 * Constance (Arkansas) - A town in Arkansas.
 * Constance (Kentucky) - A town in Kentucky.
 * Constance (Kentucky) - A town in Nebraska.

title: Constance


text:
Constantine

Constantine (Arabic: قسنطينة, Qusantinah; Berber: ⵇⵙⵏⵟⵉⵏⴰ, qsnṭina) is a city in Northeast Algeria and the capital of Constantine Province. It is a famous tourist spot known for its breathtaking canyons, magnificent bridges, and picturesque location.

Understand
Constantine is one of the world’s oldest cities. Founded by the Phoenicians, it became the capital of the Numidian Kingdom under the name Cirta.

Etymology
The city was renamed to "Constantine" in 313 AD by the Romans, in honour of Constantine the Great.

History
Completely destroyed by Maxence in 311CE, it was rebuilt shortly afterwards by Emperor Constantine who named it after himself. Constantine has preserved the historic relics of three millennia of Numidian, Roman, Muslim, Ottoman and colonial occupation. The ancient city has been listed as an Algerian national heritage site since December 2004.

By plane
. The main airport of Constantine, which is situated 12km from the city centre.

 * Air Algérie (Basel, Istanbul, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Paris CDG, Paris ORLY)
 * Air Algérie Seasonal (Toulouse and Nancy)
 * Tassili Airlines (Strasburg)
 * Transavia (Lyon, Montpellier, Paris ORLY)
 * Tui Fly (Charleroi)
 * Tunisair (Tunis)
 * Turkish airlines (Istanbul)
 * Volotea (Marseille)

By train
The train station is near the city centre and it connected to several Algerian destinations.

By car
The distance between Constantine and Algiers is 318 km. The road distance is almost 400 km.

By bus
There are regular buses coming in from Algiers (5 hours) and Sétif (2 hours).

Buses and shared taxis coming from Sétif arrive at the Gare Routière Ouest south of town. There's a tram stop nearby. Taking it to the terminus would cover about half the distance to old town.

Transport from Batna arrives as the Gare Routière Est.

By boat

 * Skikda port: 80 km from the city center; connected to Marseille (France).
 * Annaba port: 150 km from the city center; connected to Marseille (France).
 * Tunis port: 250 km from the city center; connected to Naples, Genova & Rome (Italy).
 * Algiers port: 450 km from the city center; connected to Marseille & Sete (France), Naples (Italy), Barcelona & Alicante (Spain).
 * Bejaia port: 250 km from the city center; connected to Marseille (France)

By tram
There's a long tramline starting south of the city center and passing by the Emir Abd Elkader mosque and gare routière ouest before crossing the river. Tickets should be bought at a kiosk near the stops.

See

The city is framed by a deep ravine and has a dramatic appearance. The city is very picturesque with a number of bridges and a viaduct crossing the ravine.
 * The city center bridges: this city is very famous for 7 bridges, especially the Gantaret El Hibal (also called Sidi M'Cid) bridge which is the 2nd highest suspended bridge in the world. It's a perfect place to do a bungee jump. Also the pedestrian has great views.
 * the
 * the
 * the

Nearby are the Roman city of Tiddis and the megalithic monuments and burial grounds at Djebel Mazala Salluste.

Budget
These food are cheap and can be brought for no more than 150 dinars.
 * Local pizza. As in all northeast and central Algeria, pizzas in these regions is different. Pizzas in Constantine usually served with tuna, chicken, cheese, or vegetables. Pizzerias in Constantine usually don’t serve ketchup or mustard but instead harisa (a spicy sauce) or mayonnaise.

 * BBQ. BBQ, usually known as shewa by locals, is a variety of barbecue and grills. Can be meat or vegetables. And if you want. It can be served as a sandwich.

Mid-range
These food are usually sold for not an expensive price nor cheap price. And the quality is good.
 * Bouzelouf. A very popular meal in the city. Served with meat, chickpeas, and tomato soup. Can be found in the city center.
 * Baklava. Locals pronounce it as Baklawa. is a layered pastry dessert made of filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with syrup or honey. usually served In cafeterias.

Splurge
Here are the best food you can find in Constantine. Usually expensive than other types of food or dishes.
 * Couscous. An Algerian meal made from small steamed granules of rolled durum wheat semolina that is usually served with vegetables and a portion of meat.
 * Shakshuka. Shakshuka is a simple dish made of gently poached eggs in a delicious chunky tomato and bell pepper sauce. Said to have originated in Tunisia, this breakfast recipe is popular in many parts of North Africa and the Middle East. It is so satisfying, you can serve it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Drink

 * Tea with mint. Usually called (Atay) by locals.
 * Leben. A kind of heavy milk, it looks like liquified yoghurt.

Splurge

 * and are the closest accommodations to the "Casbah" or old city.
 * and are the closest accommodations to the "Casbah" or old city.

Stay safe
Constantine is somewhat considered a safe place. And common sense will alleviate 99% of problems: try to look as little like a tourist as possible, do not flash large quantities of cash, and so on. Faux guides are much less of a problem here than in the rest of Algeria and are limited mainly to the area around the city. It is inadvisable to walk alone in Constantine at night. Sole women, as in all Algerian cities, should dress modestly to avoid harassment (which almost always consists of lewd comments, but nothing physical).

Pickpocketing and moto-drive-by theft seem more to be a problem here—hide your valuables!

Go next

 * , a Roman city and one of the most important archaeological sites in the region.

title: Constantine


text:
Controguerra

Controguerra is a communal city in the Province of Teramo in the Abruzzo Region. It rises on the hills of Val Vibrata where Abruzzo borders the Marche.

Get in
It is 35 km away from Teramo and 25 km from Ascoli Piceno.

By car
A14 motorway, San Benedetto del Tronto - Ascoli Piceno exit; from here for a short stretch on the Ascoli Piceno - Porto d'Ascoli motorway link towards Ascoli until reaching the Monsampaolo del Tronto exit; then provincial road 1 of the Tronto and 1A connection for Controguerra.

By train
Italian traffic signs - fs.svg station iconStation on the Adriatic line: Alba Adriatica-Nereto-Controguerra

By bus
Bus lines managed by ARPA - Abruzzesi regional public bus lines

Buy
Controguerra wine (red and white) received the DOC designation in 1996.

In its territory an excellent olive oil is produced; Controguerra is part of the National Association of Oil Cities.

Eat

 * Biscus restaurant, Contrada Giardino 5, ☎ +39 0861 89638.
 * Traini, Via Mattonelle 26, ☎ +39 0861 89408.

Drink

 * Festa del Vino - yearly town sagra (festival) dedicated to the production and tasting of local wines. Held in early July.

Economy

 * Giardino Bed and Breakfast, Via San Fedele 2, +39 0735 84903 Collina Abruzzese (TE)

Connect
Post office, via Guglielmo Marconi 100, +39 0861 89267

title: Controguerra


text:
Conversano

Conversano (Italian: Conversano) is in the province of Bari in Italy.

See

 * The main attraction in Conversano is the Medieval castle

Mid-range

 * Hotel Palazzo D'Erchia, Via Acquaviva d'Aragona, 116, Conversano 70014, tel. +39 080.4950350 fax. +39 080.4950350. . Hotel Palazzo d'Erchia welcomes guests with old world charm, 30 km from Bari and 9 from Polignano a Mare, in the historic heart of Conversano.

title: Conversano


text:
Conway

This name is an Anglicisation of the Welsh name "Conwy", which is a river and town in north Walers. There is more than one place called Conway:

United States of America

 * Conway (Arkansas) - a city in Arkansas.
 * Conway (New Hampshire) - a town in New Hampshire.
 * North Conway - a metropolitan area in New Hampshire.
 * Conway (North Dakota) - a town in North Dakota.
 * Conway (South Carolina) - a town in South Carolina.
 * Conway (Texas) - a town in Texas.

title: Conway


text:
Conway (Arkansas)

Conway is a college town in the Central region of Arkansas, northwest of Little Rock. Do not be deceived into thinking Conway is just another suburb of Little Rock. The "City of Colleges" has crafted its own unique identity, with beautiful college campuses, peaceful nature trails, access to two gorgeous lakes, one impressive river, and plenty of restaurants and shops to boot.

By car
Interstate 40 travels around the eastern and northern portions of Conway, with four exits allowing access to city itself. Exit 129 empties onto the southern divided highway, Dave Ward Drive, which is the fastest way to get to the University of Central Arkansas campus. Exit 127 and Exit 125 both provide relatively easy access to Hendrix College and Central Baptist College, as well as the historic downtown area. Though Exit 124 is labelled as an exit for Wooster, it can be a convenient way to bypass the occasional downtown traffic to reach destinations in West Conway. On Dave Ward Drive, please take care to follow the posted speed limit, especially when empty roads may tempt you to continue at interstate speeds, as this is a favorite spot for Conway PD to catch unsuspecting motorists.

By bus
One Greyhound Bus each morning can take you from North Little Rock to Conway, and another one can take you back to the capital in the evening. The Greyhound station in North Little Rock is located near Riverfront Park, while the stop in Conway can be found in front of the Flash Market, a difficult and somewhat treacherous walk away from most points of interest.

Other
If you are a student at one of the universities, be on the lookout for carpooling options or shuttle buses, especially around school breaks. It is possible to take an Uber to or from Little Rock for around $30, and a taxi would be more expensive. If you have connections in the area and time to plan ahead, it is usually best to pay a friend or acquaintance to take you to or from Little Rock.

Get around
By far the best way to get around town is via car or bicycle. Conway has its fair share of cyclists (Conway Advocates for Bicycling), and the city has made great efforts to become more bike friendly. Bicyclists may be pleased with the availability of bike lanes and planned bike routes.

See

 * The mascot of the high school football team is a 'Wampus Cat'. A statue exists at the football stadium.

Do
Annual Events
 * The Faulkner County Fair takes place every fall, usually September. It takes place a little ways outside town at the Expo Center and Fairgrounds. It also includes a parade through downtown.
 * Conway Composers' Concert is a free concert that takes place twice per year.
 * ArtsFest is an annual festival.
 * Conway Composers' Concert is a free concert that takes place twice per year.
 * ArtsFest is an annual festival.
 * ArtsFest is an annual festival.

Seasonal Events
 * There is a corn maze southwest of town on Lollie Rd where 89N turns north into Sand Gap Rd. The maze is open in the fall season and has various supporting activities such as fair-style food and a children's playground.
 * The Pumpkin Patch is southwest of town on Lollie Rd where 89N turns north into Sand Gap Rd. It is open in the fall season with various children's rides and such - and of course pumpkin-picking. It's much more popular than you might expect: there were dozens of cars in the parking lot one October Saturday afternoon.
 * During football season UCA has tailgating for several hours before each home game on Bruce Street.

Other Events
 * The UCA physics department has monthly showings in both their planetarium and observatory.
 * Science Night takes place one per month in downtown. It features panel discussions on topics in science. (As of September 2014; it will likely follow the academic year schedule as it is organized by the UCA society of physics students) The venue has changed from time to time: first it was at "The Locals", but as of 2016 it has been at "Kings".
 * Family-friendly bike rides take place on the last Sunday of every month. They start at 2pm in Simon park, and are organized by the group "Conway Advocates for Bicycles".
 * Family-friendly bike rides take place on the last Sunday of every month. They start at 2pm in Simon park, and are organized by the group "Conway Advocates for Bicycles".

Year-Round
 * The preserve behind Hendrix village. These are unpaved walking trails that meander through the woods behind Hendrix village and the Wal-mart at Harkrider. The woods is actually an engineered basin to handle runoff waters from the local shopping centers, so there are numerous boardwalks and levees.
 * The Jewel Moore Nature Reserve. These are unpaved walking trails that meander through the nature preserve at the southern end of UCA.
 * The Stone Dam Creek Trail is a short paved trail following the creek through some residential areas and into UCA campus. There is no crosswalk when it crosses Dave Ward Dr.
 * There are at least two disk golf courses in town. One is at the southern end of UCA near the Stone Dam Creek Trail and Jewel Moore Nature Reserve. The other is just north of town at Beaver Fork Lake; it's park of a park near Kinley Dr (as of 2014 the park is not labeled on Google Maps).
 * There are at least two disk golf courses in town. One is at the southern end of UCA near the Stone Dam Creek Trail and Jewel Moore Nature Reserve. The other is just north of town at Beaver Fork Lake; it's park of a park near Kinley Dr (as of 2014 the park is not labeled on Google Maps).

Buy
The downtown area is small, but fairly pedestrian friendly. Many small-town shops exist, including a mix of clothing and antique stores.

Sleep
Virtually all of the hotels are near the two main interstate exits (125 and 127), probably around a dozen or so total.

title: Conway (Arkansas)


text:
Conway (Missouri)

Conway is a city in Central Missouri.

Sleep
There is very little lodging in Conway. Several hotels are located in Marshfield (about 20 minutes north) and Lebanon (about 20 minutes south).

title: Conway (Missouri)


text:
Conway (New Hampshire)

Conway is a town in New Hampshire.

Get in
Route 16 enters Conway from the north, running south from Berlin and Gorham. Route 302 enters Conway from the east, running west from Fryeburg Maine. Routes 112 and 113 enter Conway from the west.

title: Conway (New Hampshire)


text:
Conway (South Carolina)

Conway is one of the oldest cities in South Carolina, being founded in 1732 under Royal Governor Robert Johnson.

By taxi
There are several private cab services in the area which can run up to $50 for a trip across the Grand Strand. The rate is $2.80 a mile $1 for extra passenger, rates are set by the City of Conway, SC. Serving all of the Conway area is Yellow Cab Taxi (843) 606-1000. Taxi cab rates are not regulated by the city of Conway, SC. You should always call and get a flat rate quote in the areas of Horry county. Two good services for flat rate rides are Godfather's Taxi +1 843 855-4085 and Myrtle Beach Discount Taxi +1 843 450-6233.

Or better yet, just use the local transit service, Coast RTA at +1 843 488-0865 and not have to worry about all that.

See

 * Conway Marina

Do

 * Golfing at one of the numerous courses around Coastal Carolina University, like Wild Wing Plantation or Myrtle Beach National.
 * Golfing at one of the numerous courses around Coastal Carolina University, like Wild Wing Plantation or Myrtle Beach National.
 * Golfing at one of the numerous courses around Coastal Carolina University, like Wild Wing Plantation or Myrtle Beach National.
 * Golfing at one of the numerous courses around Coastal Carolina University, like Wild Wing Plantation or Myrtle Beach National.

title: Conway (South Carolina)


text:
Conway (Texas)

Conway is a town in Texas Panhandle.

Get in
Conway is a tiny community on I-40 about 15 miles east of Amarillo. Farm road 207 connects it with Panhandle to the north and Claude to the south.

Go next

 * See more of Historic Route 66 to the east in Groom, Alanreed, McLean, and Shamrock.

title: Conway (Texas)


text:
Conwy

Conwy is a small walled town on the coast in North Wales. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and a perfect base for exploring everything North Wales has to offer. The gateway to Snowdonia and easy access to the Island of Anglesey, the Victorian seaside town of Llandudno and the timeless Llyn Peninsula. In 2011, it was home to 15,000 people.

By car
Half way along the A55 Chester - Holyhead road.

south of the castle.

By train
Conwy is readily accessible by train with direct services to Llandudno Junction from throughout the UK and London Euston (about 3 hours). From Llandudno Junction to Conwy it is a 5-minute taxi ride. There is smaller rail station in the centre of Conwy which is on the main Holyhead line with a taxi rank outside the station.

By bus
Arriva buses available from Bangor - Llandudno (5/X5) and Betws y Coed - Llandudno (19). Nation Express coaches serve Bangor and Llandudno from other parts of the UK.

Get around
The town is small and easy to walk about.

If you are venturing out of the town centre area, you may want to catch a bus. There are various day and rover tickets available that enables you to hop on and off buses and trains for the area. Booklets can be found at the tourist info centre (right near the train station).

See

Do

 * Golf: Conwy GC may be the oldest course in Wales, first laid out in 1869. White tees 6647 yards, par 72, visitor day-ticket £130.
 * Golf: Conwy GC may be the oldest course in Wales, first laid out in 1869. White tees 6647 yards, par 72, visitor day-ticket £130.
 * Golf: Conwy GC may be the oldest course in Wales, first laid out in 1869. White tees 6647 yards, par 72, visitor day-ticket £130.
 * Golf: Conwy GC may be the oldest course in Wales, first laid out in 1869. White tees 6647 yards, par 72, visitor day-ticket £130.
 * Golf: Conwy GC may be the oldest course in Wales, first laid out in 1869. White tees 6647 yards, par 72, visitor day-ticket £130.

Buy
There are a number of independent specialty shops, including one that has a goth clothing department in its basement. There are a few art shops and a high-end chocolate shop. Just opened is a surf-style clothing store on the high street. Also on the high street is an almost-always-busy butcher's shop that sells baps and fresh-made sausages, Welsh Oggies and Welsh Rarebit. Bangor Road has a patisserie, a high-end chocolate shop, a chip shop and a barber shop (just before the gate exiting the town's main road, past Lancaster Square).

Eat
The town has several great fish and chip shops with places to eat and an Indian restaurant that serves good food.

The bakery on the main street has wonderful scones in the morning, if you're lucky and also does lovely giant cream cakes, that are just too nice!

The town is not allowed to have any fast food franchises but does have a little kebab shop.

Drink
There are a few small pubs. Some feature pub trivia in the evenings.

On the other side of Bodlondeb (a short walk around the riverside, or even shorter drive), there is Conwy Marina where you can find an upmarket pub with vast outdoor seating overlooking the marina.

The local Conwy Brewery makes several good beers.

Sleep
There are a number of small B&Bs, and some luxury B&Bs and hotels, available. If you can, reserve a room ahead of time at a Visitor Centre (most Visitor Centres can reserve rooms for you throughout the UK). Alternatively there are many self-catering cottages in and around Conwy.

Stay safe
Conwy is a safe and tourist-friendly beautiful little town.

Go next

 * Snowdonia is very close, with many small villages to explore and mountains to climb, as well as the spectacular Snowdon Mountain Railway.
 * Caernarfon the Welsh town and castle with royal connections
 * Llandudno Victorian-era seaside resort situated on the picturesque north coast of Wales.

title: Conwy


text:
Conwy (county borough)

Conwy is a county borough in North Wales. Several of Wales' top attractions are concentrated in this small area, including Conwy Castle, the resort of Llandudno, and a large part of Snowdonia National Park. Snowdon itself is usually accessed from Betws-y-Coed here, though the summit lies in Gwynedd.

Towns

 * – Walled town which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site
 * (Welsh: Bae Colwyn)
 * Kinmel Bay (Welsh: Bae Kinmel
 * – Genteel Victorian seaside resort
 * (Cyffordd Llandudno)
 * – unspoilt seaside resort
 * Towyn
 * Towyn
 * Towyn
 * Towyn

Villages

 * – Gateway to Snowdonia and Wales' busiest inland tourist resort.

By train
North Wales Coast Line from Chester, Crewe and Holyhead

By car
A55 road Chester - Holyhead, also known as the North Wales Expressway (Welsh: Gwibffordd Gogledd Cymru), A5 from Shrewsbury and the A470 from Cardiff.

By bus

 * Arriva

By bus

 * Conwy council bus and train timetable
 * Llew Jones Buss Services

See

 * Conwy castle and the walled town of Conwy as well as the Elizabethan town house Plas Mawr.
 * Bodnant Gardens - these National Trust gardens south of Conwy are often considered among the finest in the UK.
 * Dolwyddelan Castle - in the village of the same name in the south of the county borough, near Betws y Coed.
 * 15th century fortified manor house Gwydir Castle in Llanrwst

Itineraries

 * Wales Coast Path

Go next

 * Gwynedd
 * Clwyd

title: Conwy (county borough)


text:
Conyers

Conyers is a city in the Piedmont region of the U.S. state of Georgia.

Connect

 * City of Conyers, 1184 Scott Street, +1 770 483-4411

title: Conyers


text:
Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy, (pronounced Coober Peedy), is a small town in South Australia north of Adelaide on the Stuart Highway with a population of 3,500.

Understand
It is self-described as the "opal capital of the world" and the opals are the only reason why there is a town. Located in the Outback, it is hundreds of kilometres from the nearest settlement. The harsh summer temperatures and the dominant industry mean that most residents live underground, that is, in caves bored into the rock of the hills around the town. There are houses and other buildings on the surface but the advantage of being in a cave is that the temperature remains fairly constant. Surface living requires air conditioning.

By plane
Regional Express flies between Adelaide and Coober Pedy three times per week using turboprop aircraft. Fares start at $300 for the 2 hour flight.

By bus
Greyhound Australia operates 365 days a year service to and from Coober Pedy. Adelaide to Coober Pedy - departs 7:45PM arrives 6:15AM. Alice Springs to Coober Pedy - departs 10:30AM arrives 6:30PM.

By car
The Stuart Highway
 * From Adelaide 846 km driving the Stuart Highway, fuel is available at Pimba and Glendambo villages between Port Augusta and Coober Pedy
 * Alice Springs 685 km Fuel available at Cadney Park, Marla, & Kulgera in NT.
 * Darwin 2,170 km
 * Port Augusta 535 km
 * Tennant Creek 1,173 km
 * Yulara 725 km

The Painted Desert Road (Kempe Rd) is a formed sand road linking Coober Pedy to Oodnadatta. Although only a days drive (194km), take the precautions for remote area driving, and takes about 3 hours. This road has very light traffic. Always carry adequate water. Check road conditions carefully, and do not continue if the road is closed.

By train
Coober Pedy can be accessed by rail via the Ghan route from Adelaide to Alice Springs. Transportation from Manguri Siding, 47 km from Coober Pedy, has to be arranged prior to departure from Adelaide or Alice Springs. Departs Adelaide on Sundays & Wednesdays and arrives at Manguri Siding on Mondays & Thursdays. If you are alighting at Manguri, especially in the winter months, make sure you have warm clothing as the train arrives very early in the morning.

Get around
Coober Pedy is small, with most shops on Hutchison St and everything else fairly close by. You can generally walk around town from hotels, as long as you can handle the heat.

Fuel costs around 30c/litre more than on the coast.

See
Some of the interesting attractions in Coober Pedy include:

 * Mines It is dangerous to wander among the diggings. You could fall down a shaft or be mistaken for a thief. Miners in Coober Pedy are a secretive lot and suspicious of interlopers. It is much safer to go to a worked out mine that has been opened as a tourist attraction. The owner collects bras and one of the attractions is his collection of bras together with photographs of the donors. Apparently the first bra in the collection was donated by Tina Turner when the mine was used as a set during the filming of Mad Max Beyond The Thunderdome.

 * One of the tours takes you to a mine dump where you can legally fossick for opals among the waste rock.

 * Graveyard This is a fascinating site where you will see headstones for a large number of nationalities. The town is a veritable "united nations" and the graves reflect this. One intriguing monument is an empty beer keg which acts as a headstone for a miner who left his fortune to his mates for them to have a drink on him. Unfortunately his debts exceeded his assets. However, his mates saw him off as he wanted and the keg serves as a reminder of the wake and the man.
 * Churches The Serbian Orthodox Church is bored out of solid rock and its beautifully ornamented interior is a must see. The Catholic Church is not quite as intricate or as large but is still a significant site.

 * The stars The night sky in the Outback has to be seen especially on a moonless night. The stars and planets are awe-inspiring. At about 20km from town there is no electric light pollution and you can see by starlight. The constellations and planets appear to move across the sky and if you can get on a tour with a local expert it is a learning experience not to be missed.
 * Other The first tree ever seen in the town was welded together from scrap iron and sits on a hillside overlooking the town. The golf course is completely free of grass and golfers take a small piece of "turf" around to use for teeing off.

There are a number of shops selling opal jewelry and single stones.

The town of Coober Pedy is the setting for the film Opal Dream  (2005) which tells the story of a young girl and her imaginary friends. The countryside around Coober Pedy has also featured as a backdrop to some movies including Mad Max Beyond The Thunderdome and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Some of the film props from Mad Max are still to be seen in town.

Do
The Opal mine tour is a great experience for all.

Buy
You can buy opals just about everywhere in Coober Pedy, however don't necessarily expect bargain prices. Sellers are not likely to rip you off but check a few places to be sure of appropriate prices.

The IGA is located on the Northern of Hutchison Street. There is a Cellarbrations located on the Southern side of Hutchison Street. When purchasing alcohol, have photo ID (passport, drivers licence, proof of age card) ready. There are limits involved on the amount of alcohol per day as Coober Pedy is a dry town. The limit, however, seems to be a bottle of spirits and two bottles of wine per day.

Eat
Many restaurants are located underground. The Opal Inn serves many tourists with unique food.

Drink
There is the Opal Inn, the Desert Cave Hotel, the licensed restaurants and bottle shops next to the both of the supermarkets, including Cellarbrations bottle shop at the IGA Fresh Supermarket.

Coober Pedy has a major problem with alcohol and various restrictions apply to sales. As of 2023, liquor can only be sold after midday, you can only make one purchase per day, you are only allowed to buy one bottle of wine per person per day to take-away, and you will have to provide ID for scanning. Of course, you can buy unlimited beer (or maybe only a case, still a lot more than wine). You can also drink in the pub with no problem.

Connect
Telstra and Optus have mobile phone reception in town, but not Vodafone.

Stay safe
There are many signs in the area warning visitors to avoid falling into an abandoned mineshaft. Never walk backwards.

Coober Pedy suffers from a high crime rate, with frequent break-ins targeting cash and alcohol. These target businesses more than tourists though, and street crime is rare.

Go next
You can head north along the Stuart Highway to the Red Centre.

title: Coober Pedy


text:
Cooch Behar

Cooch Behar (Bengali: কোচবিহার Kocbihār), also spelt Koch Bihar, is a town in the Northern Plains of the Indian state of West Bengal. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and the remnants of its royal heritage. Being one of the main tourist destinations of West Bengal, housing the Cooch Behar Palace and Madan Mohan Temple, it has been declared a heritage town.

History
Surprisingly enough, Cooch Behar (কোচবিহার KOHCH-bih-hahr) is the only planned town in North Bengal. It was the capital of a princely state under the Koch Dynasty of the Kamata Kingdom. During the British Raj, Cooch Behar was the seat of the Cooch Behar State, ruled by the Koch Kingdom, often described as the Shiva Vansha, tracing their origin from the Koch tribe of North-Eastern India. In 1896, the then King of Koch Bihar Maharaja Nripendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur issued a gazette renaming the town from Koch Bihar to Cooch Behar. Under an agreement between the ruler of Cooch Behar and the Indian Government at the end of British rule, Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan transferred full authority, jurisdiction, and power of the state to the Dominion of India, effective 12 September 1949. Eventually, Cooch Behar became part of the state of West Bengal on 19 January 1950.

Climate
Cooch Behar has a moderate climate characterized by heavy rainfall during the monsoons and slight rainfall from October to March. The town does not experience very high temperatures at any time of the year, but the humidity makes it feel hot. The daily maximum temperature is 32.2 °C (90.0 °F) in August, the hottest month and the daily minimum temperature is 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) in January, the coldest month. Due to the action of strong winds from the Bay of Bengal towards North-Eastern India, the town experiences intense thunderstorms occasionally with ice pellets during the months of March and April.

Read

 * The Cooch Behar State and Its History of Modernity (1839-1950) by Joydeep Pal. This book is great for people who are really keen about knowing the history of this town. (ISBN 9789350742778)
 * Thirty-Seven Years of Big Game Shooting in Cooch Behar, the Duars, and Assam by Bhūpa, Nṛipendra Nārāyaṇa. Written by the former king of Cooch Behar, it provides a wide look at the way the royals used to spend their time, especially hunting. (ISBN 9780282103545)
 * Language History Of The Kamta And Cooch Behar Region by Matthew Toulmin. Presents a glimpse of the language spoken in the former state of Koch Bihar. (ISBN 9788175968974)

Talk
As in most of West Bengal, Bengali is the main language in Cooch Behar. However, the Bengali language spoken in the region is different from Standard Bengali and is known as Rajbanshi or Kamtapuri. The dialect features different pronouns for "I" (মুঁই muĩ) and "we" (হাম hām).

Other airports
Other airports near Cooch Behar include Rupsi Airport in Lower Assam and Bagdogra Airport  in Siliguri.

By train

By bus
Cooch Behar is the headquarters of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) and there are numerous government and private bus services that connect Cooch Behar to the neighbouring cities.

By car
Cooch Behar is well connected by national and state highways. NH 17 and NH 27 are the principal highways and are the best ways to get here from Siliguri or Guwahati.

Get around
Getting around Cooch Behar can be quite hectic. There are rickshaws, public transport like buses and rental cars. Operators of electric rickshaws, locally known as totos, can charge huge fares on seeing a tourist. Usually, toto rides are short and cost ₹15-20 per person (as of 2024). It is recommended to use totos instead of public transport to get around in the town as public transport vehicles are packed with people, at least most of the time. Walkarounds are usually safe and can be done easily. Cycling is a good option but it's not at all like Copenhagen.

Events
It seems there is nothing much to do for visitors unless it's the festive season. The festive season is from October-January and there is a lot of fun around the town. Visitors would surely enjoy the festive season, especially the Ras Mela and Durga Puja.

 * Trade fairs are organised alternatively every month by the state government.
 * Cooch Behar Yearly Book Fair – hosted by the state government every year. It hosts a wide range of books of all genres. So, book lovers are also welcome.

Learn
Cooch Behar has the Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University which provides many courses related to science, arts and commerce. There are numerous colleges, the most popular being the A.B.N. Seal College which also provides distance education services for IGNOU.

Work
Cooch Behar has experienced massive economic development. There are always vacancies in jobs. There are not many work opportunities for foreign travellers but both international and domestic visitors can help out NGOs and educational institutions.

Buy
There are almost all kinds of stores in the town. There are multinational stores like Reliance Trends, Max, Adidas and many more. For authentic Bengali outfits in the town, Laxmi Narayan Bastralaya is suggested. Here are some stores where you can buy some quality stuff. There are many automated teller machines (ATMs) in and around the town on every corner. All ATMs accept foreign cards as well. There is only one foreign exchange in the town.

Clothing

Shopping malls

Street markets
If you're not afraid to haggle and bump elbows in bazaars, street markets are for you. You can find everything at a cheaper price than in the malls. Like in other cities, scams and touts exist in Cooch Behar, and so caution is advised. As single-use plastic bags are banned in the town, bring your own bag.

Eat
Many restaurants are scattered throughout the town. The food, mainly a mixed Bengali cuisine though North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, etc. can also be found. Prices are quite affordable though may have minor variations.

Drink
You can have some beer and other drinks at most of the bars. Note that drinking in public is normally frowned upon. For refreshments, a cup of tea is the best. You can visit cafés for some espresso and soft drinks are available almost everywhere.

Sleep
There are many hotels to stay in Cooch Behar. They aren't that pricey and provide great services. Most of the hotels are within the town but you can also find smaller hotels on the outskirts. Booking the hotels online is a good option as booking in person might be hectic.

Splurge

Cooch Behar Police
The Cooch Behar Police is the police force serving the Cooch Behar district and they will always help you. In case of emergency, dial 100. Otherwise, there are police outposts spread everywhere. Civic Volunteers are present on almost every street and can be asked for help.

Stay healthy
Summer starts in late April and continues till early July. It is very sunny here, meaning that proper hydration is of the utmost importance. Keep yourself covered in summer to avoid a heat stroke. Drink a lot of water — around 3 litres a day — particularly in the summer. The temperature usually exceeds. Don't forget sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Drink only bottled water or packaged water to avoid water-related illness and eat well-cooked food.

Connect
Cell phone coverage in the town is excellent. There are three major service providers offering a wide variety of plans. Among them are Airtel, VI (formerly Vodafone) and Jio. Airtel is the preferable one as it provides high-quality calls and great internet speed all across the town.

To call Cooch Behar from abroad you will need to dial the international prefix for your country, followed by India's country code +91. If you want to dial a landline no. from a mobile, then you have to add the area code of Cooch Behar, 03582 before the number.

Internet services are unreliable in some parts of the town. Most stores have broadband connections. Both the railway stations have high-speed Wi-Fi services but you need an Indian mobile number to register and receive the One-time password.

Postal services
India Post has wide coverage in Cooch Behar, providing both domestic and international services. Apart from this, private courier services are also available which also offer fast domestic and international services. Some of the popular ones are DTDC and Blue Dart (part of DHL). Services of FedEx can also be availed at a slightly higher cost, as its nearest hub is located in Siliguri.

Cope
Power outages are common in the town, mostly in the summer. For power-related issues, you can contact the power department through their helpline 19121 and or docket your complaint at their website. Most of the hotels and stays have power backup facilities, so you won't stay in the dark. Google Maps is a reliable source for navigating around the town.

Newspapers
Local newspapers can be handy and reliable sources for day-to-day updates about the town. The town has a number of newspapers and other publications that list local happenings. There are different options for newspapers including daily, weekly and bi-weekly. Some of the popular newspapers are Uttarbanga Sambad, Bartaman, Anandabazar Patrika and The Statesman.

Go next

 * Jaldapara National Park — a great place to view wildlife. It has the second-largest population of one-horned rhinoceros after Kaziranga National Park.
 * Gorumara National Park — in the Dooars region of the Himalayan foothills, it is a medium-sized park with grasslands and forests. It is primarily known for its population of Indian rhinoceros.
 * Alipurduar — on the east bank of Kaljani River on the foothills of the Himalayas, the town is a gateway to Bhutan and the northeastern states of India.
 * Jalpaiguri — famous for its traditional handicrafts especially cane and bamboo crafts.
 * Phuentsholing — a border town in southern Bhutan and is the main entrance point to the Himalayan nation.
 * Siliguri — in the foothills of the Himalayas, surrounded by tea gardens. There are many large shopping malls and restaurants offering international cuisine.

title: Cooch Behar


text:
Cookeville

Cookeville is a small city in north central Tennessee and home of Tennessee Tech University. Cookeville is the largest city in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee.

Understand

 * Cookeville City Council website

By car
Cookeville is 80 miles east of Nashville, 100 miles west of Knoxville, and 80 miles north of Chattanooga at the intersection of Interstate 40 and Highway 111.

Go next

 * Drive a few hours west to the capital of Tennessee, Nashville and visit the Grand Ol' Opry or Opry Mills Mall. You can also take in a Tennessee Titans NFL game or Nashville Cats Arena Football League game.
 * Drive a few hours east to the home of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Also nearby are the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the resort towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
 * Drive a few hours south to Chattanooga, the Scenic City. This is where you'll find such attractions as the Tennessee Aquarium, Lookout Mountain and Rock City.

title: Cookeville


text:
Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are an island country in free association with New Zealand, located in Polynesia, in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. It is an archipelago with 15 islands spread out over 2.2 million km2 of ocean.

With the same time zone as Hawaii, the islands are sometimes thought of as "Hawaii down under". Though smaller, it reminds some elderly visitors of Hawaii before statehood without all the large tourist hotels and other development.

Cities
The Cook Islands do not have any large cities. The capital and largest town, Avarua (pop. 5000), is on the north shore of Rarotonga.

Other destinations

 * – Cook Islands' only national park
 * – Cook Islands' only national park

History
First settled by Polynesians around 1000 CE, the islands are named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770. The islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. New Zealand handles defence, foreign affairs (including passports), and currency; otherwise the islands are self-governing. This includes immigration, which is strictly controlled—even for non-Cook Island New Zealanders.

People
Many Cook Islanders will tell you how there are more Cook Islanders living in mainland New Zealand and Australia than in the Cook Islands. The population of the Cook Islands is less than 15,000 but there are over 50,000 Cook Islanders living in mainland New Zealand, and over 30,000 in Australia. Those remaining have often spent time in Auckland, Brisbane or Sydney before returning home.

Climate
The climate is tropical, moderated by trade winds. Rarotonga has average maximum temperatures of 25 °C in winter (May–October) and 29 °C in summer (November–April); temperatures in the northern islands are several degrees higher. Most rain falls in summer, usually in the form of afternoon storms. Cyclone season is November to March, but there's a large cyclone only once every five years or so.

Terrain
The Northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls. The Southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives.

Tourism
Tourism facilities are well developed on Rarotonga and Aitutaki, and information is available. However you won't see a single tout, and tourist scams are unheard of. If you want to organise something, it usually isn't hard to do, but you will need to make the first move.

Talk
There are five living languages in the Cook Islands with English and Cook Islands Māori the official languages. Cook Islands Maori is often called Rarotongan after the capital island and is the most widely spoken version of Maori in the Islands. Others are Penrhynese, unique to the Northern group island of Penrhyn and rapidly disappearing, and Rakahanga-Manihiki, spoken by about 2,500 Cook Islanders, only half of whom on the two islands from which it takes its name.

On the remote Northern group island of Pukapuka, the islanders have a unique language of their own called Pukapukan of which there is no written version. It is more like Samoan, and some of it cannot even be understood by other Cook Islanders. But even there, English is spoken, albeit not widely. Children, though, are taught it in school.

At the very least, the visitor will quickly learn the usual greeting, "kia orana" which means "may you live long".

Get in
When you book a flight to the Cook Islands you must also book your onwards ticket. The Cook Islands issue entry permits, not visas. On arrival a bona fide visitor is granted a 31-day entry permit that may be extended up to a maximum of 6 months by application to the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration. You are not permitted to work if you are in the Cook Islands as a visitor.

Departure tax is included in your outwards fare and no tax is paid at the point of departure.

On arrival
It is best to have accommodation pre-arranged as there are no public camping areas in the Cook Islands and camping is actively discouraged. Most accommodators will arrange transfers from the airport.

By plane
Rarotonga International Airport is the main gateway. There are daily services to Auckland (3½ hours) and weekly services to Sydney, Los Angeles, and Honolulu. The only international flights are operated by Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, and Hawaiian Airlines. Air New Zealand has code share arrangements with other Star Alliance members including United Airlines and Rarotonga is a popular stopover on round the world flights.

See the Rarotonga article for airport details.

By boat
Rarotonga and Aitutaki are regular stops for cruises operating from Tahiti. Other cruise companies stop by occasionally.

If you're planning to sail to the islands you must enter through one of the five designated ports of entry. These are Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Atiu in the Southern group, and Penrhyn and Pukapuka in the Northern group.

By plane
Domestic inter-island service is provided by Air Rarotonga. Although you can book flights through Air New Zealand, it is usually cheaper to do so directly with Air Rarotonga. This has become much easier in the past few years, now that they offer online booking. Unless you're a member of Air New Zealand's "Airpoints Dollars" program, you won't receive any airline miles for Air Rarotonga—and then only if you book through Air New Zealand, often at a higher price. Star Alliance mileage for Air Rarotonga is not available.

Most of the outer islands have only unpaved runways. However, landing won't be much rougher than that of a paved runway. If you've never landed on an unpaved runway before, it's nothing to be overly concerned about, and you've probably had a few rougher landings on a paved runway.

By boat
The intrepid traveler can visit all inhabited islands by inter island freighters, but these can be weeks apart or worse if you want to get the really remote islands. Details of services are published in local island newspapers.

There are no generally scheduled boat or ferry services between the inhabited islands.

There are two uninhabited islands - Takutea and Manuae. The only easy way for a visitor to get to Takutea is on the research vessel Bounty Bay operated by Rarotonga-based Pacific Expeditions, which has special permission to run occasional eco tours.

See
One of the cultural shows/dancing at one of the larger resorts. Cook Island Christian Church, Rarotonga The CICC is a fine old white-coral building, much in the same mould as other CICCs in the Cooks. It was built in 1853, when Aaron Buzacott was the resident missionary. Travellers are welcome to attend services but are expected to dress respectfully.

Anatakitaki, Aitu The most famous of the many caves on Atiu, which is riddled with limestone caverns complete with stalactites and stalagmites, is Anatakitaki, also known as the 'Kopeka Cave'. A hauntingly large and beautiful cave, it is the home of the kopeka, a rare bird, similar to a swift, which lives only on Atiu.

Beachcomber Gallery, Rarotonga One of the best arts and crafts galleries on the island, the Beachcomber Gallery has a great selection of jewellery, carvings, pearls, craftwork and paintings locally sourced in the islands. You can sometimes visit the workshop behind the main building to see how the black-pearl jewellery and shell carvings are made.

Sir Geoffrey Henry National Culture Centre, Rarotonga Conceived by former prime minister Sir Geoffrey Henry, the National Culture Centre comprises six cultural divisions: the National Auditorium, the National Museum, the National Library, the National Archives, Performing Arts, and the Anthropology Unit. A number of government ministries are also based here.

Do
Scuba Diving & Snorkelling, Rarotonga The Cook Islands is a beautiful place to explore both on land and in water. Scuba diving & snorkeling is available inside the calm protected waters of the lagoon as well as outside the reef in the open ocean. There are dive sites all around the island of Rarotonga which host an incredible amount of tropical reef fish as well as larger animals such as turtles, eagle rays, eels and reef sharks such as White Tips, Grey Reefs and Hammerheads, in addition to the beautiful hard coral formations, sand passages, swim-throughs and drop offs. Pacific Divers is a PADI 5* Dive Center in Muri Beach on the South-East side of Rarotonga and offers snorkel trips & scuba diving 7 days a week for all levels of diving, from beginners to advanced divers and professionals. Various options are available, from half day excursions to 3 day courses to become a fully certified diver. They also offer a professional internship where they train divers up to the professional Dive Master level over the course of a few months.

Muri Beach, Rarotonga Muri Beach, on Muri's lagoon on the southeast side of the island, is particularly beautiful. The shallow water has a sandy bottom dotted with countless sea cucumbers and some coral formations.

Cooks Larger Brewery, Rarotonga See the brewing process first hand and enjoy a sample testing of Cook Island brews. As one of only two breweries on the island, the brewery tours are a truly unique tourist attraction.

Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruizes, Rarotonga Join the crew of the famous Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruizes on glass bottom boats for a memorable fun day you will never forget.

Aitutaki Lagoon, Aitutaki Aitutaki's marvelous lagoon, dotted with sand bars, coral ridges and 21 uninhabited motu (lagoon islets), is colourful and full of life. Maina Motu offers great snorkelling on the coral formations near its shore and around large powder-white sand bars.

Teking Lagoon Cruises, Aitutaki Teking Lagoon Cruises are small and intimate, ensuring a more personal experience. Local guides share their knowledge of the islands, their history and the culture that is Aitutaki, Cook Islands.

Money
The currency used in the Cook Islands is the New Zealand dollar, denoted by the symbol "$" or "NZ$" (ISO code: NZD). It is divided into 100 cents. In this guide, the "$" symbol denotes New Zealand dollars unless otherwise indicated.

The Cook Islands also issues its own currency, the Cook Islands dollar, which includes the unusual $3 note, the triangular $2 coin and the 12-sided $5 coin. Cook Islands dollars can only be used within the Cook Islands.

Coins of the Cook Islands come in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 cents, 1, 2 and 5 dollars. Banknotes of the Cook Islands come in one denomination, 3 dollars, and banknotes issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand circulate throughout the Cook Islands.

There are a handful of ATMs in Rarotonga and two on Aitutaki. There are no ATM facilities on any of the other islands.

Shopping
Black pearls, these can be found in the main town and some resorts.

Economy
Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture and tourism provide the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled some investment and growth.

Prices
Overall, much cheaper than nearby Tahiti, although anything imported will be expensive. This especially applies to fuel and milk. There is no fresh milk made on the islands, and the only fresh milk available is air-freighted from New Zealand daily, and costs around $7 for 2 litres. Locals generally use powdered or UHT milk.

Calling home can be expensive, due to the need of having a large satellite dish and related equipment on each sparsely populated island. Don't expect significant savings by Skype-in or VOIP callback, as the rates using these services tend to be the most expensive anywhere in the world. However, some hotels and resorts have free direct Skype connections (in addition to a regular telephone number) which can be used for reservations.

Eat

Don't eat pizza in the Cook Islands before you have tried the local stuff (which is admittedly hard to find):

 * ika mata (raw fish) with coconut milk, finely chopped vegetables. It is delicious!
 * umu food (prepared in the traditional earth oven)
 * curried eke (octopus in coconut curry)
 * rukau (Taro leaves, usually cooked with coconut cream)
 * poke (cooked fruit pudding) (banana, pawpaw,...) with coconut milk.

Some of these are available every day at the market in Avarua. Every two weeks there is a "Go Local" market where locals sell their products.

Drink
There are two microbreweries in the Cook Islands – Matutu and Cook Islands Brewery, located in Rarotonga, both of which produce a range of delicious beers. Imported beer, spirits and wine are available from major supermarkets Foodland and CITC Liquor, both located in the main town of Avarua – expect to pay a premium price. There are a number of bars and restaurants in Rarotonga and, to a lesser extent, in Aitutaki serving up beer, wine and delicious fresh cocktails. Options are extremely limited on all other outer islands.

Sleep
Most of the outer islands turn off the entire electric system (blackout) overnight. Bring a flashlight (torch) with batteries. See the individual islands for accommodation listings. Rarotonga and Aitutaki have various kinds of accommodation to choose from and are serviced with power 24hrs a day. Luxury accommodation can cost upwards of $700 a night, but comfortable lodgings can be found much cheaper and backpackers can also be accommodated in the Cooks.

Learn
Five day courses in traditional fibre arts are available.

Work
Non-residents, even New Zealanders, require work permits. The Cook Islands has a problem with people of working age leaving the islands. Jobs are generally available in the tourism and hospitality sector.

There is also a possibility of volunteer work, in education and care.

Stay safe
There are no major hazards in the Cook Islands. There are no poisonous wild or marine life in the Cook Islands other than sharks in the far northern island groups. Crime is rare but does occur most likely in the form of petty theft. Police are contactable on the emergency number 999.

Though the locals often go barefoot (they are experts at it) it's not recommended beyond sandy beaches due to the sharp coral rocks. Use caution when climbing stairs that connect the lower parts of an island near the sea to the upper part above the cliffs. Some do not have railings on the edge, including platforms. Only the most acrophobic would be uncomfortable with this (they're plenty wide enough and not vertically "open"), but for children, the blind, and someone who's had too much to drink, the risk is extreme. On the platforms, avoid getting too close to the edge, especially if you need a rest from climbing.

Motorcycle and scooter accidents have caused injuries and fatalities in the past. Driving after dark has additional hazards due to poor visibility due to inadequate lighting and road condition. Driving/Riding is especially dangerous on Friday and Saturday nights where drunk driving is prevalent. Always wear a helmet even though the locals may not.

Stay healthy
Medical and hospital facilities on Rarotonga are limited and serious cases will most likely require medical evacuation to Auckland for treatment. Facilities on the outer islands are extremely limited. There are no decompression chambers on any island and serious cases of pressure sickness will require a MediVac to Auckland. It is extremely important to take out comprehensive travel insurance before travelling to the Cooks.

Ambulance emergency is on 998.

Tap water can be trusted for drinking in Rarotonga, although after extended heavy rain it is recommended that tap water should be boiled before consumption or stick to bottled water. All water should be boiled before consumption on all other islands.

Do not eat reef fish when in the Cooks, for example snapper fish, they may give you ciguatera poisoning. Most restaurants do not serve reef fish; only locals consume them.

Mosquitoes are a nuisance especially on Aitutaki. There have been outbreaks of dengue fever, chikungunya and zika fever, all mosquito-borne diseases. Use insect repellent spray and other precautions against mosquito bites. There are no other serious tropical diseases reported in the Cook Islands.

There are very low instances of infectious diseases in the Cook Islands, however, it is wise to consult your doctor about vaccinations prior to travel.

Respect
Like New Zealand, tipping is quite unusual in the Cook Islands — better to graciously thank the person for their service or hospitality. On the outer islands with little accommodation, it is likely you will be staying with a family within a village. Purchasing a pig and presenting it as gift to the chief of the village and/or the family is considered extremely good form and will gain you the respect of the people.

Haggling for goods is considered taboo and rude in the Cooks. Expect a cold, emotionless face from local vendors if you make more than one attempt at doing so. Pay the ticket price of goods; there is no mark up to come down as you may experience in other countries.

The Cook Islands inhabitants are in no way behind the times. They have TV and Internet and regularly keep up with news and events local and abroad. Respect their view on the world and feel free to chat with the locals over a cool drink.

As in every country, respect the religious beliefs of the local people. If you are staying with a family or visiting a local village, you may be requested to join in saying grace before eating. Although some people may find this uncomfortable, make an effort to join in and see is it as a cultural experience. Most Cook Islanders adhere to the Christian faith and attend church on Sundays. Most places are closed for business with the exception of a few bars, restaurants and shops.

Though the survey form given on arrival (and collected at departure) is optional, the airport staff will be very disappointed if you do not complete it. In case you've misplaced it, additional ones are available at the airport at departure.

Connect
Not all islands have internet, and some not even mobile phone reception. Check the appropriate island articles.

title: Cook Islands


text:
Cookstown

Cookstown is a town historically in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, but since 2015 part of Mid-Ulster district. It's named for Dr Alan Cooke who founded it circa 1620 as an Ulster Plantation town, but for 150 years it didn't get going. Then it grew with the linen industry, acquiring its famously long wide main street, and the railway arrived. The 20th century collapse of textile trades and the sectarian Troubles fed upon each other and Cookstown slumped. In the 21st century it's slowly reviving through the Good Friday Agreement peace and as a commuter town for Belfast but remains a work in progress; in 2021 it had a population of 12,500.

Medieval Kings of Tyrone, the O'Neill dynasty, were inaugurated a couple of miles south at Tullyhogue. Notable local people include "Typhoid Mary" Mallon and the politician Bernadette Devlin McAliskey.

Get in
See Belfast for long-distance travel routes by air or sea. If you're flying in and hiring a car, there are two Belfast airports, and Dublin Airport is almost as convenient as it's north of the city, you turn straight onto the M1 north. From Belfast follow M1 west to Dungannon then A29 into Cookstown. From the ferry ports at Belfast or Larne it's quicker to join M2 west to Magherafelt then A31. From Dublin branch off the motorway at Newry to follow A28 to Armagh then A29 to Dungannon and Cookstown.

By bus
Bus 209 runs from Belfast Europa station via Lurgan, taking 1 hr 40 min to Cookstown. There are five M-F, three on Saturday and two on Sunday.

It's often more convenient to take the hourly Goldline Bus 273 from Belfast to Dungannon (heading for Omagh, Strabane and Derry). From there, Bus 80 runs to Cookstown every hour or two, for a total journey of around two hours.

Ulsterbus 110 / 210 runs from Antrim via Randalstown, Castledawson, Magherafelt and Moneymore, taking 70 min to Cookstown. They're every two hours M-F, with only four on Saturday. On Sunday only two buses run, but they start from Belfast Europa station.

Bus 89 also runs twice M-F from Magherafelt, but takes a roundabout route via Arboe and Killycolpy.

Bus X4 runs once a day from Dublin Busáras and Airport via Armagh and Dungannon, taking 3 hours to Cookstown, and continuing via Maghera to Londonderry. The X3 between Dublin and Londonderry runs via Omagh and doesn't serve Cookstown.

Goldline Bus 278 runs in university term-time, with one bus Su-F from Monaghan via Armagh, Moy, Dungannon, Cookstown, Magherafelt, Garvagh and Coleraine to Ulster University, Portstewart and Portrush.

is on Molesworth Street a block east of main street.

Get around
Cookstown's sights are scattered widely around the countryside with no public transport. Tullyhogue is a couple of miles walk but you need wheels for the others, eg the bus for Beaghmore and the beetling mill only runs twice a day. Consider hiring a taxi for a few hours, and the driver will know which obscure country lane to turn up, and yarn about how his great-grandmother used to milk the cows there.

National Cycleway 95 runs mostly on-road from Armagh to Dungannon, Cookstown and Strabane, while Route 94 circles Lough Neagh.

See

 * Cookstown main street is the longest in Ireland, 1.25 miles long and 135 feet wide, laid out in the 1790s in an attempt to out-shine Dublin's O'Connell Street. It goes by various names along its length and its buildings are mostly Victorian, springing up when the railway arrived in 1856. Handsome examples along it are Holy Trinity Church and Derryloran Parish Church (both below), the former Courthouse, the First Presbyterian Church and the Methodist Church. On Molesworth Street find another Presbyterian Church and the old railway terminus.
 * Derryloran Parish Church (Church of Ireland) was built in 1822 to a "First Fruits" design by John Nash, but extended almost beyond recognition as the town's population grew.
 * Derryloran Old Church and graveyard is half a mile west along Drum Road, junction with Sandholes Road. It was built in 1622 replacing 15th-century churches. In the 19th century it was abandoned for the Nash church in town centre.
 * Derryloran Old Church and graveyard is half a mile west along Drum Road, junction with Sandholes Road. It was built in 1622 replacing 15th-century churches. In the 19th century it was abandoned for the Nash church in town centre.
 * Donaghrisk walled cemetery is half a mile southwest of the Fort, a circular enclosure in the field far side of B520 Tullywiggan Road. It's the ancestral graveyard of the O'Hagans, chief justices of Tyrone under the O'Neills.
 * has a mix of woodland, heath and blanket bog. There are mountain-bike trails.
 * , meaning "red fort", is an unusual burial cairn in a horseshoe ring, probably Bronze Age from 2000 BC. The walls are still six foot high; nowadays a tree grows in the middle. It's on private land on Crockyneill Hill so only approach with the farmer's permission.
 * stands by a lane 1 km southwest of Dun Ruadh. It's not much to look at, but such stones were erected 5th-6th century AD as memorials. The inscription reads ᚛ᚇᚑᚈᚓᚈᚈᚑ ᚋᚐᚊᚔ ᚋᚐᚌᚂᚐᚅᚔ᚜ which (in case your Ogham's a bit rusty) transcribes as "Dotetto, Mac (ie tribe of) Maglani".
 * may be 5000 years old. It's 200 yards west of Loughmallon Road, watch for the signpost, but the farmer may block access if there's livestock in the field.
 * is six miles north of town along B162. It's a reservoir lake, angling is permitted, and there's a firm walking trail around it of 2.5 miles. On the lane northeast is Ballybriest, a dual court tomb from perhaps 3500 BC, and Corick stone circle is further up the hill. Rising above is Slieve Gallion, the eastern summit of The Sperrins: see Magherafelt.
 * is a little village on the shore of Lough Neagh. Its main attraction is the 10th century High Cross, the oldest in Ulster, 18 foot tall and elaborately carved. There was a monastery here from the 6th century, founded by Saint Colman, but nothing remains. A mile north at the junction of Annaghmore Rd and Aneeterer Rd is Coyle's Cottage, a 250-year-old fisherman's cottage. It's occasionally been open to visits.
 * stands by a lane 1 km southwest of Dun Ruadh. It's not much to look at, but such stones were erected 5th-6th century AD as memorials. The inscription reads ᚛ᚇᚑᚈᚓᚈᚈᚑ ᚋᚐᚊᚔ ᚋᚐᚌᚂᚐᚅᚔ᚜ which (in case your Ogham's a bit rusty) transcribes as "Dotetto, Mac (ie tribe of) Maglani".
 * may be 5000 years old. It's 200 yards west of Loughmallon Road, watch for the signpost, but the farmer may block access if there's livestock in the field.
 * is six miles north of town along B162. It's a reservoir lake, angling is permitted, and there's a firm walking trail around it of 2.5 miles. On the lane northeast is Ballybriest, a dual court tomb from perhaps 3500 BC, and Corick stone circle is further up the hill. Rising above is Slieve Gallion, the eastern summit of The Sperrins: see Magherafelt.
 * is a little village on the shore of Lough Neagh. Its main attraction is the 10th century High Cross, the oldest in Ulster, 18 foot tall and elaborately carved. There was a monastery here from the 6th century, founded by Saint Colman, but nothing remains. A mile north at the junction of Annaghmore Rd and Aneeterer Rd is Coyle's Cottage, a 250-year-old fisherman's cottage. It's occasionally been open to visits.
 * is a little village on the shore of Lough Neagh. Its main attraction is the 10th century High Cross, the oldest in Ulster, 18 foot tall and elaborately carved. There was a monastery here from the 6th century, founded by Saint Colman, but nothing remains. A mile north at the junction of Annaghmore Rd and Aneeterer Rd is Coyle's Cottage, a 250-year-old fisherman's cottage. It's occasionally been open to visits.
 * is a little village on the shore of Lough Neagh. Its main attraction is the 10th century High Cross, the oldest in Ulster, 18 foot tall and elaborately carved. There was a monastery here from the 6th century, founded by Saint Colman, but nothing remains. A mile north at the junction of Annaghmore Rd and Aneeterer Rd is Coyle's Cottage, a 250-year-old fisherman's cottage. It's occasionally been open to visits.

Do

 * Burnavon Arts Centre puts on theatre, music and panto. It's on Burn Rd in town centre.
 * Cinema: Ritz Multiplex shows main film releases. It's on Burn Rd opposite the Arts Centre.
 * Lanyon Hall is a live music venue on Molesworth St near the bus station.
 * Cookstown Leisure Centre on Fountain Rd has a gym, fitness classes and 25 m pool.
 * Golf: Killymoon GC is at the castle, see above. White tees 6153 yards, par 70, visitor round £30.
 * Lough Neagh is the large freshwater lake in the centre of Northern Ireland, bordered by five of the six traditional counties. Most of the marinas are on the east (Antrim) side towards Belfast. On the west shore near Cookstown there is road access at Aughnamullen, Brockagh and Ardboe, but the best facilities are at . This has a marina, a camping and caravan site, a woodland park for strolling, and a couple of pubs.

Buy

 * Station Square and Molesworth Place are two shopping malls bracketing the bus station.
 * Gortalowry is the principal retail area along main street, south towards the river.
 * Broadfields Retail Park 200 yards west of main street has big stores such as Tesco.

Drink

 * Try also the bars at Royal Hotel and Glenavon Hotel, see Sleep.
 * Clearsky Brewing Company produce a small range of ales. The brewery is a few miles south along the road to Dungannon; no tours.
 * Try also the bars at Royal Hotel and Glenavon Hotel, see Sleep.
 * Clearsky Brewing Company produce a small range of ales. The brewery is a few miles south along the road to Dungannon; no tours.
 * Try also the bars at Royal Hotel and Glenavon Hotel, see Sleep.
 * Clearsky Brewing Company produce a small range of ales. The brewery is a few miles south along the road to Dungannon; no tours.
 * Try also the bars at Royal Hotel and Glenavon Hotel, see Sleep.
 * Clearsky Brewing Company produce a small range of ales. The brewery is a few miles south along the road to Dungannon; no tours.

Sleep

 * Drum Manor camping and caravan site (see above) is open mid-Mar to Oct, £20 per unit per night.

Connect
As of Aug 2021, Cookstown has a mobile and 4G signal from all UK carriers, but there are dead areas in the surrounding countryside. 5G has not reached this area.

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 * Armagh has always been the ecclesiastic capital of Ireland and has two cathedrals.
 * Belfast: don't just hurry through its transport hub, it deserves a couple of days to explore.

title: Cookstown