text:
Mystic

Mystic is a village that is partly in Groton and partly in Stonington in Connecticut. It is a major tourist destination.

Understand
Mystic is a popular tourist destination because of Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium, the touristy shopping downtown, and its maritime heritage. It is home to many marinas, historic ship-captain's homes, galleries, and traditional boats offering day-sails. Between New York City and Boston, it's easily reachable from both. Mystic is also near Foxwoods Casino.

By car
From either New Haven or Providence, take Interstate 95 to exit 30, or U.S. Route 1. From Worcester, take Interstate 395 to CT Route 85, to Interstate 95/U.S. Route 1.

By train
Amtrak - Mystic Station (MYS), 2 Roosevelt Av. (Rt. 1),. Service across southern Connecticut to New York and points south; to Providence, Boston and points north.

By plane
Larger airports in the area with scheduled flights are Bradley International Airport Windsor Locks, T.F. Green Airport, Warwick (Rhode Island), as well as the smaller, regional Westerly Airport, )

By boat
Follow the Mystic River and dock at one of the many marinas along the coast. Ferries from Long Island, Block Island, and Fisher's Island are available, and many accommodate bicycles.
 * Long Island Ferry service: +1 860-443-5281
 * Fisher's Island Ferry: +1 631-788-7463

Get around
The easiest way to travel Mystic is by car. Many rentals are available if you are from out of town, and taxis are also a good option. One relatively close car rental is on 311 Mitchell Street in the outlying city of Groton. Phone: +1 860-448-0422.

Bicycles are another reasonable alternative. The town offers Mystic Community Bikes, free bicycle use, with many pick up/drop off locations on a refundable deposit basis. Mystic Community Bikes

Since many of the shops in Mystic are relatively close to one another, taking in the sights and sounds by walking throughout the downtown area is also a very enjoyable experience.

See

 * Olde Mistick Village, A fun, outdoor shopping area with food, entertainment, and lots of shopping. With over 60 shops, this is a fun place to go on a family outing if you have nothing to do.
 * Olde Mistick Village, A fun, outdoor shopping area with food, entertainment, and lots of shopping. With over 60 shops, this is a fun place to go on a family outing if you have nothing to do.
 * Olde Mistick Village, A fun, outdoor shopping area with food, entertainment, and lots of shopping. With over 60 shops, this is a fun place to go on a family outing if you have nothing to do.
 * Olde Mistick Village, A fun, outdoor shopping area with food, entertainment, and lots of shopping. With over 60 shops, this is a fun place to go on a family outing if you have nothing to do.

Do

 * Argia Mystic Cruises Three sails every day May through October aboard a traditional sailing ship. See historic Mystic Harbor, Mystic River, islands, and lighthouses. Public sails or charter the whole boat. +1 860 536-0416 -- 15 Holmes St., Downtown Mystic -- http://www.argiamystic.com -- sales@argiamystic.com
 * Upcoming Events: Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, begins at the Seaport and ends on Water Street Downtown Mystic; 50th Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, in Historic Downtown Mystic, over 300 artists and craftsmen display and sell their work; Taste of Mystic, Cottrell Street Downtown Mystic, local restaurants offer samples of Mystic's finest culinary; Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Watch from the docks as a series of boats travel slowly down the Mystic River, each one decorated differently in the spirit of the holidays.
 * Upcoming Events: Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, begins at the Seaport and ends on Water Street Downtown Mystic; 50th Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, in Historic Downtown Mystic, over 300 artists and craftsmen display and sell their work; Taste of Mystic, Cottrell Street Downtown Mystic, local restaurants offer samples of Mystic's finest culinary; Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Watch from the docks as a series of boats travel slowly down the Mystic River, each one decorated differently in the spirit of the holidays.
 * Upcoming Events: Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, begins at the Seaport and ends on Water Street Downtown Mystic; 50th Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, in Historic Downtown Mystic, over 300 artists and craftsmen display and sell their work; Taste of Mystic, Cottrell Street Downtown Mystic, local restaurants offer samples of Mystic's finest culinary; Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Watch from the docks as a series of boats travel slowly down the Mystic River, each one decorated differently in the spirit of the holidays.
 * Upcoming Events: Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, begins at the Seaport and ends on Water Street Downtown Mystic; 50th Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, in Historic Downtown Mystic, over 300 artists and craftsmen display and sell their work; Taste of Mystic, Cottrell Street Downtown Mystic, local restaurants offer samples of Mystic's finest culinary; Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Watch from the docks as a series of boats travel slowly down the Mystic River, each one decorated differently in the spirit of the holidays.
 * Upcoming Events: Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, begins at the Seaport and ends on Water Street Downtown Mystic; 50th Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, in Historic Downtown Mystic, over 300 artists and craftsmen display and sell their work; Taste of Mystic, Cottrell Street Downtown Mystic, local restaurants offer samples of Mystic's finest culinary; Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Watch from the docks as a series of boats travel slowly down the Mystic River, each one decorated differently in the spirit of the holidays.
 * Upcoming Events: Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, begins at the Seaport and ends on Water Street Downtown Mystic; 50th Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, in Historic Downtown Mystic, over 300 artists and craftsmen display and sell their work; Taste of Mystic, Cottrell Street Downtown Mystic, local restaurants offer samples of Mystic's finest culinary; Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Watch from the docks as a series of boats travel slowly down the Mystic River, each one decorated differently in the spirit of the holidays.

Buy

 * Historic Downtown Mystic, Shopping and Dining in the heart of downtown by the Mystic River. Shop for unique gifts, souveniers, and clothing, and stop for a bite to eat along the river. Many events are offered throughout the year such as Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Mystic Stroll, and Harvest Moon Festival.
 * Historic Downtown Mystic, Shopping and Dining in the heart of downtown by the Mystic River. Shop for unique gifts, souveniers, and clothing, and stop for a bite to eat along the river. Many events are offered throughout the year such as Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Mystic Stroll, and Harvest Moon Festival.
 * Historic Downtown Mystic, Shopping and Dining in the heart of downtown by the Mystic River. Shop for unique gifts, souveniers, and clothing, and stop for a bite to eat along the river. Many events are offered throughout the year such as Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Mystic Stroll, and Harvest Moon Festival.
 * Historic Downtown Mystic, Shopping and Dining in the heart of downtown by the Mystic River. Shop for unique gifts, souveniers, and clothing, and stop for a bite to eat along the river. Many events are offered throughout the year such as Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Mystic Stroll, and Harvest Moon Festival.
 * Historic Downtown Mystic, Shopping and Dining in the heart of downtown by the Mystic River. Shop for unique gifts, souveniers, and clothing, and stop for a bite to eat along the river. Many events are offered throughout the year such as Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Mystic Stroll, and Harvest Moon Festival.

Drink

 * Mystic's Bar Crawl, Stop in one of the little t-shirt shops on West Main Street and pick up your shirt to take around to the 13 bars and have each initial by their name. Must be 21 to participate.

Go next

 * New London There is a trolley service that introduces visitors to New London. Ride the trolley all day for $5, catch it at any of the bus stations, ferry landings, or the New London visitor's center. Check out historic Downtown New London's Bank and State Street. Roughly twenty or so bars and restaurants line the "L" shaped heart of the downtown district which once saw Benedict Arnold burn it to the ground as well as the Amistad trial. Located in New London is the Crystal Mall, and two floor shopping mall with many known shops.
 * Stonington Borough A charming village just southeast of Mystic, Stonington offers a slower pace for visitors. Shopping, art, antiques, and museums can be enjoyed within view of 3 states! Stonington is easy to get to, whether by car, boat, or ferry.
 * U.S. Navy Submarine Force Museum, Groton The only submarine museum operated by the U.S. Navy, this is the #1 site for sub artifacts. Be sure to call ahead to verify the hours of operation.

title: Mystic


text:
Mystic-Eastern

Mystic-Eastern is in Connecticut.

Cities and towns

 * — a small, historic town with multiple places on the National Register of Historic Places
 * - the site of Foxwoods Casino and the Pequot Museum
 * - including the villages of Chesterfield, Mohegan, Oakdale and Uncasville
 * - a village lying in Groton and Stonington
 * - home of the United States Coast Guard Academy
 * - home to the University of Connecticut
 * - including the villages of Chesterfield, Mohegan, Oakdale and Uncasville
 * - a village lying in Groton and Stonington
 * - home of the United States Coast Guard Academy
 * - home to the University of Connecticut
 * - home to the University of Connecticut
 * - home to the University of Connecticut
 * - home to the University of Connecticut
 * - home to the University of Connecticut
 * - home to the University of Connecticut
 * - home to the University of Connecticut
 * - home to the University of Connecticut
 * - home to the University of Connecticut

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

title: Mystic-Eastern


text:
Mystras

Mystras is a fortress town in Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece.

Get in
There are local buses from Sparta, right in front of the Archaeological Museum (€1.60). Ask the tourism information there about timetables, specifically about the last return bus. These buses are infrequent, so make sure to know all the relevant information.

The is at a restaurant's parking lot, 10 minutes on foot downhill from the ticket office.

By car, the ruins are about west of Sparta, along the EO84 national road.

Get around
The ruins are along a steep slope with many stone stairs in poor condition. Make sure to wear appropriate footwear and watch your step. Expect to climb about to visit everything.

See
The ticket to visit all the sites is €12 (regular price). Half-price tickets available for the usual conditions.

title: Mystras


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My Tho

My Tho, is the capital of Tien Giang Province in southern Vietnam. It is the first city in the Mekong Delta travellers from Ho Chi Minh City arrive at and hence a popular spot for dropping tourists off for one of the many Mekong boat tours. For its proximity to Ho Chi Minh City everything is more expensive here than at towns further inside the delta such as Vinh Long and Can Tho.

Get in
There are lots of buses daily from Bến xe Miền Tây bus station in Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho's bus station My Tho Ben Xe. Fares are around 60,000 dong for the express bus (2 hours) or 33,000 dong for the local bus (3 hours). From the station to the center of the town should cost 10,000 dong on a motorbike or even less with a local bus.

Get around

 * Everything is within walking distance except the bus station you'll be dropped at.

Do

 * River Islands boat tour: official rate is USD25 per person. Touts on the waterfront will offer tours for less. An old man on a bicycle has best deal, USD10 for two people.
 * Take the ferry to Ben Tre leaving from the west of town and buy some banana candy once you have crossed the river. In Ben Tre province, you can see cacao plantations (off the beaten track). Cacao plantations are run by families.
 * Cai Be floating market: this is a main market in the Mekong Delta. This market is on the Tien River. open all day and into the night. Tourists can find any kind of fruits at this market, and all of them are cheap. Along the river there are many gardens. At night, junks with lighted lanterns which make the river vivid.
 * Take a trip along Tien River: tourists can visit villages along the river.
 * Dong Tam Snake-Breeding Farm: Dong Tam is the centre of snake breeding for taking venom for export, as well as medicinal plant cultivation and the study and treatment of snake bites. There are also crocodiles and other species of birds and animals on hand.
 * Vinh Trang Pagoda: Vinh Trang Pagoda is in a large garden in My Phong Commune. The architecture of the pagoda is a harmonious combination of Asian and European types of architecture, creating the splendid, but simple features of this Buddhist pagoda. Vinh Trang Pagoda is the greatest pagoda of Tien Giang Province.

Eat

 * Sour soup and dried fish Nam Bo
 * Special My Tho noodle
 * Field crabs
 * Tan Thanh sea foods
 * Dong Thap eels
 * Southern field mouse
 * Shellfish
 * Baked chicken with clay
 * Tan Phong shellfish

Restaurants

 * Chuong Duong Restaurant. 10, 30/4 St, 1st ward
 * Cuu Long Restaurant. 28, 30/4 St, 1st ward
 * Que Huong Restaurant. 03, Lanh Binh Can St, 1st ward
 * Trung Luong Restaurant. Trung Luong St

Sleep

 * Cong Doan Hotel. 61, 30/4 St, 1st ward
 * Chuong Duong Hotel. 10, 30/4 St, 1st ward
 * Hong Phuc Hotel. 246/8, Ap Bac St, 5th ward
 * Huong Duong Hotel. 33, Trung Trac St, 1st ward
 * Minh Quan. Mid-range hotel, clean, air-con, Wi-Fi, quiet, cable TV. 550,000 dong.
 * Minh Tai. Clean, freshly renovated, fan/air-con 150,000-210,000 dong. Top floor is very breezy so air-con is not required.
 * My Tho 1 Hotel. 67, 30/4 St, 1st ward
 * Phuc Thinh Hotel. 60 national highway
 * Rang Dong. 25, 30/4 St, 1st ward. Two locations. Old dingy rooms. 150,000 dong. Normal rate is 200,000-400,000 dong.
 * Song Tien. 101, Trung Trac St, 1st ward. Friendly staff and decent rooms. Air-con room including Wi-Fi. 300,000 dong.

title: My Tho


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Mytilene

Mytilene (Μυτιλήνη; also written Mitilini) is the main port and capital of Lesvos.

Understand
Mytilene is an early Greek city, probably inhabited since the 10th century BC. Ancient Mytilene was an islet, just to the east off the coast of Lesvos, where now the medieval castle stands, separated from the larger island by the channel of Euripus, which connected the north harbour (also called the "old harbour") and the south harbour (now called the "new harbour"). The channel was later filled, thereby joining the islet to the larger island. The south harbour is the main harbour, protected by a long pier; it has an outer part containing the marina and commercial port on one side and the ferry port at the other side, with in between an almost circular small inner harbour whose waterfront is formed by P. Kountouriotou street (Π. Κουντουριώτου).

Get in
See Lesvos.

Get around
Mytilene is not very large (about 30,000 inhabitants) and lies partly on a flat ground although the western side of town is on a hill that rises to the ancient theatre; a good way to explore the city is by walking. Rent a car from Economy car hires, P. kountouriotou 87 Mytilene,. Hire a car from Lesvos rent a car, kountouriotou 87 Mytilene,

See
Information can be obtained from the municipal

 * The "old" Archaeological Museum, located at Argiri Eftalioti street 7, close to the statue of liberty at the main harbour. (The museum is temporarily closed but the New Museum a short distance away up the hill is open.) Open 08:30–15:30, closed Mondays.

Do

 * Just walk around and enjoy the architecture, combining many styles from different periods. There are even Byzantine and Ottoman archaeological remnants around the medieval castle and elsewhere.
 * Don't miss the Agora (center market place). The New Archaeological Museum presents a fine collection of sculpture, pottery and mosaic panels; most of it is labelled in English and in Greek.  The church operates a small but well organized Byzantine museum across from the fine baroque church of Hagios Therapon, a local saint.

Eat
Several taverns can be found on the pedestrian-only pier at the far south side of the inner south harbour (as it were the continuation of Kountouriotou street lining the inner harbour, officially called Christouyennon 1944 street). Another row of taverns is found at the north harbour, lining the stretch of Navmachios Ellis boulevard between Ermou and Mikras Asias streets.

An excellent and inexpensive taverna near the North Harbour at the end of Ermou Street is To Kastro; George, the owner, is a talented magician as well as a pleasant host and speaks some English.

title: Mytilene


text:
Mytishchi

Mytishchi is a mid-sized industrial city in North Moscow Oblast, which borders Moscow to the southwest. It is perhaps Moscow Oblast's principal industrial center, particularly for machinery and armaments.

Get in
A convenient elektrichka route (in fact, the first elektrichka route in Russia) runs frequently all day between Mytishchi and Moscow's Yaroslavsky Train Station. Rapid trains (Sputniks) bound to Pushkino and Bolshevo also stop here.

You can also get here pretty easily by taking the Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya metro line to the end at Medvedkovo and there catch a bus or marshrutka to the Mytishchi center from the metro station.

See

 * An 18th century Aqueduct, commissioned by Empress Catherine II to bring water to Moscow
 * Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin (Церковь Благовещения Пресвятой Богородицы) — a beautiful church just to the west of New Mytishchi
 * Vladimir Church (18th century)
 * Water Pipe Monument

Do
There is one of the biggest ice Arenas in Region (appr. 8 500 visitors) for ice hockey.

At summer: several pay beaches at Pirogovo water reservoir. Malibu pay resort (yachts, cafes etc)

Go next

 * Pushkino is just a little farther along the rail and elektrichka lines running from Moscow through Mytishchi.

title: Mytishchi


text:
Mzuzu

Mzuzu is the largest town in the North of Malawi. For most it's just a stop for cash and internet en route to or from Nkhata Bay or further south, and the Tanzanian border.

Get in
The town is well-connected to the north and south by bus. The AXA bus line provides quite civilized transport at a reasonable price. There are also cheaper, rickety buses available, as well as the usual minibuses which hold up to 20 people - scary but cheap.

If coming from Mbeya, Tanzania be careful of well established scam artists selling fake bus tickets. One of the scam artists even has an office in the main transit area in Mbeya. He also has professional looking lists of prices, services, etc. He may even use a cell phone to check availability of seats for you. As of September 2008 there were no buses running from Mbeya to Mzuzu or any other town on the Malawi border.

Instead, to get to Mzuzu from Mbeya, take a minibus to the border town of Kyela, Tanzania. Then walk 5 to 10 minutes across the border to the Malawi side. After the border, it's necessary to get to the transit center of a small town called Karonga. There may be minibuses at the border, but they are infrequent. A taxi can be hired for about $15USD. Once in Karonga there will be buses and minibuses headed to Mzuzu which take 3 hours. AXA city buses go to Lilongwe. Travel time 5 hours. The journey by car from Lilongwe is 5 hours.

Swiftair which operated scheduled flights from Lilongwe to Mzuzu and Karonga ceased trading in 2012.

Get around
Mzuzu is small and navigable on foot.

Buy
Other than typical African market goods, Mzuzu does however have many ATM's, good if you've just come from Tanzania or find yourself staying longer in Nkhata Bay than planned.

Eat
A-1 Restaurant - located on the street behind the main banks and groceries in a commercial strip. Certainly the best food in town with a menu focusing on Indian fare with some Chinese selections. Extensive choice of dishes that are generally quite good. Prices are fairly steep for Mzuzu, but very reasonable by western standards.

Obrigado Leisure Park - centrally placed with hideous red and yellow advertising for Celtel. Inside the fence you will find a beautiful garden with tables interspersed throughout. The food is typical Malawian restaurant fare, including nsima or rice with your choice of meats or relishes. A bit of a beer den at night, it seems.

There is also a pizzeria near the bus station on a side street serving decent thin crust pizzas cooked in a wood fired oven. It is run by an extremely entertaining couple named Paolo and Emanuelle. Next door is Paolo's trading post stocked with some western luxuries such as M&Ms and decent toilet paper.

Connect

 * Internet is available via sim card.

Go next
Nkhata Bay is about an hour away by bus or pickup truck.

title: Mzuzu


text:
N'Djamena

N'Djamena (pron. en-jah-may-nah) is the capital of Chad. It is by far the country's largest city, with a population of 1 million people. It lies directly on the border of Cameroon, and is on the confluence of the Chari and Logone rivers. The city has been at the centre of many heated rebellions and revolts, and in February 2008 was entered by rebel troops.

Get in
There are limited flights from non-African cities such as Paris (by Air France) and Istanbul. Destinations in Africa include Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Tripoli, Cairo, Cotonou, Bangui, Lagos, Casablanca via Niamey and Khartoum. Historically, the main entry to the city was by boat up the Chari and Logone rivers, but today this is rarely done. The city has no railway links.

The rudimentary is located slightly north of city centre.

Taxis
During the day, taxis charge 3,000 CFA. At night, taxi fares increase to 5,000 CFA. Agree on the price before you step in the car. Pay when you reach the your destination. It's your responsibility to have exact change.

Moto-Taxis
Fares range from 250 CFA to 1,000 CFA, depending on the distance. Do negotiate. Only take moto-taxis that are from official taxi stations, usually on the corners of major intersections.

See

As a Muslim city, there are many mosques to see in the city, as well as a cathedral and the presidential palace. And do not forget the views across the river. Sunset can be quite spectacular.

Do
Go shopping in the local markets, even if only for an afternoon snack, that are scattered throughout the city. This lets you experience the everyday life and culture of Chad, and also helps contributes to the country's poor economy.

Buy
N'Djamena was ranked as the 80th most expensive city in the world for expatriates according to Mercer's Cost of Living Ranking for 2022.

Drink
Chad is a predominantly Islamic country, so do not expect alcohol to be as widely accepted as in some other countries.

Stay healthy
The following medical facilities have a decent reputation:
 * L'Hôpital Général de Référence National de N'djaména
 * L'Hôpital de la Liberté (Hopital Chinois)
 * L'Hôpital de Walia
 * Clinique Sao
 * Clinique Providence
 * Clinique la Rose
 * Cabinet La Samaritaine
 * Cabinet Médical Espoir
 * Cabinet Médical Artine
 * Cabinet Dentaire Arbre de Vie
 * Cabinet Dentaire Acropolis

Embassies

 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇪🇬 Egypt
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States

Go next
Gaoui is a pretty village lying 10 km north east of N'Djamena. It is said to have been the capital of the Sao civilisation and is now known for its traditional architecture and pottery manufacture. It is also home to a museum.

N'Djamena has the only international airport in Chad. Leaving the main city may be dangerous, as high levels of civil unrest are being experienced in the country. Travelling to the Tibesti Mountains is not safe, either, as this is a militarily sensitive zone. As in all third world countries, stay safe and have caution in your actions.

title: N'Djamena


text:
Na'in

Na'in (also known as Naein and Naeen) is a pre-Islamic town, more than 2,000 years old, on the edge of the Central Desert of Iran in the Isfahan province of Central Iran. It is known for extremely fine carpets.

Understand
Na’in lies 170 km north of Yazd and 140 km east of Isfahan and the population is about 75,000.

With an area of almost 35,000 km2, Na’in lies at an altitude of 1545 m above sea level. Like much of the Iranian plateau, it has a desert climate, with a maximum temperature of about 41°C in summer, and minimums of -9°C or so in winter.

More than 3,000 years ago the Persians learned how to construct aqueducts underground (qanat or kariz) to bring water from the mountains to the plains. In the 1960s this ancient system provided more than 70 per cent of the water used in Iran and Na’in is one of the best places in all the world to see these qanats working as they were intended.

Unique to Na’in are some of the most outstanding monuments in all of Iran: the Jame Mosque, one of the first four mosques built in Iran after the Arab invasion; the Pre-Islamic Narej Fortress; a Pirnia traditional house; the Old Bazaar; Rigareh, a qanat-based watermill; and a Zurkhaneh (a place for traditional sport).

Besides its magnificent monuments, Na’in is also famous for high-quality carpets and wool textiles.

Some linguists believe the word Na’in may have been derived from the name of one of the descendants of the prophet Noah, who was called "Naen". Many local people speak an ancient Pahlavi Sasani dialect, the same dialect that is spoken by the Zoroastrians in Yazd today. Other linguists state that the word Na’in is derived from the word "Nei" (“straw” in English) which is a marshy plant.

By bus
From Isfahan, travellers can use the Jay terminal and take the Na'in bus or mini bus (100,000 rials). An alternative is the Isfahan-Yazd bus, which leaves the terminal once every hour, if they inform the driver that Na'in is their final destination and the fare is 80,000 rials.

From Yazd, travellers can take the Yazd - Isfahan buses from Yazd terminal and ask the driver to stop in Na'in which costs 150,000 rials.

From Tehran, there are two terminals available: Jonub terminal, with buses leaving at 10:00 and 17:00; Beihaghi (Arjantin) Terminal, with one bus departing at 23:00. The ticket price is 260,000 rials.

In Na'in, there are regular buses to Isfahan departing on average every round hour, from the only in town. Private taxis are available 24 hours a day at the ("Falake Esfahan"). Departing the town to Yazd is possible by waiting for the buses to Yazd at the "Falake Esfahan" or by taking a taxi to the Yazd Road police station.

By train
While there is a railway station called Na'in, it is almost 40 km outside the city and sees very limited service.

Get around
The old town is quite small and walkable. For destinations like Mohammadieh neighbourhood or bus station there are plenty of taxis plying the streets, both rides cost 50,000 rials (as of 2017).

See

Mohammadieh village
Mohammadieh — village adjacent to Na'in in about 3 km east of it.

Do

 * Desert trekking and camping is one of the possibilities for sightseers in this desert town, since a desert with moving sand dunes surrounds Na'in. It's desert trekking on real moving sand dunes, since there are sand hills from 5 to 62 m high that are always moving when the wind blows - the highest sand dunes in Iran. Also sleeping (camping) on the moving sands and having dinner and breakfast there is possible through the local tour agents. There is no regular desert transport, so a private taxi or car should be rented.
 * Mountaineering: There are some desert-type mountains west and north east of Na'in. The one to the north east (as you see in the middle and lower photo) is worth a visit. There are some unpaved roads that lead there. A downhill bicycle is recommended, but use of a tour guide is advised. Also there is a walking tour called survival tour available in the mountainous area in distances of 5 km, 10 km and 15 km.
 * Cycling: Bicycle rentals are available through some of the tour agents.

Buy
There are a number of banks where one can exchange currency for the official rate; otherwise, use commercial exchange office with rates 10-15% higher than the official one.

A fine art of weaving carpets began in Na'in about the time of World War II. Because carpet weavers from Na'in worked with thinner wools, they began to weave rugs of much higher quality. Since the number of carpets produced was low and the quality of carpets was exceptionally high, the weavers found a profitable market. Carpet-weaving in Na'in has a history of using non-Iranian wools and of using local, traditional designs with unique colouring, thus drawing the attention of the world market. Na'in style carpet is woven in different places in Iran - but the quality will be very different in each place. One reason that carpet actually woven in Na'in is so popular, is that it uses predominantly natural and traditional colours rather than synthetic dyes. Other reasons include the sheer quality of the weft obtained from using mainly wooden looms. This all means that Na'in can easily claim that it is one of the best producers of hand woven carpets in all Iran. Woolen textiles are also available in Muhammadieh, where you can buy the handicrafts directly from the producers.

Eat
There are a bunch of fast food cafes (at least 8-9 of them) on the Imam Khomeini street between Jahangardi Hotel and Gholami Guest House. Jahangardi Hotel and Gole Narges Hotel have restaurants.

Drink
Doogh (دوغ) is a sour drink made from yoghurt, salt, and water; sometimes carbonated and sometimes flavoured with mint or other plants. It is an acquired taste but will rehydrate you quickly in the heat of Iran's summer. It is the same as Turkish ayran.

Sleep
Rooms at all four hotels can be booked in advance and at a discount, depending on the season.

Go next

 * Isfahan — former capital with stunning architecture, great bazaar, and tree-lined boulevards. Most popular tourist destination in the country. There's a Persian saying, "Isfahan is half the world."
 * Yazd — a remote desert city – circumstance influenced special architectural themes where water streams run in underground rooms in houses and wind-towers to keep them cool.

title: Na'in


text:
Namakkal

Namakkal is a small historic city in Tamil Nadu in Southern India.

Understand
Although a historic city, Namakkal is nowadays also famous for lorry body building and egg production.

Get in
Namakkal is 55 km from Salem on the Salem-Madurai highway. There are buses almost every minute from Salem to Naamakkal.

There are frequent buses from Erode also.

See
Namakkal is famous for the large Anjaneya statue temple. Lord Arthanarishwarer Temple is located in Thiruchengode which is under Naamakkal district. Kolli Hills is the most famous group of hills in Namakkal.

title: Namakkal


text:
Naantali

Naantali (Swedish: Nådendal, Latin: Vallis Gratiæ) is a town near Turku in Western Finland. It is a very popular tourist destination in the summer. The municipality now includes much of the northern Archipelago Sea (former municipalities Merimasku, Rymättylä and Velkua).

The official summer residence of the President of Finland is located in Naantali.

The municipality is unilingually Finnish. English is well understood.

Understand
Naantali is one of the six medieval towns in Finland (with Porvoo, Rauma, Turku, Ulvila and Vyborg). It originated in 1443 as a Bridgettine convent. The Latin name of the convent was Vallis Gratiae, The Valley of Mercy. In Swedish this was Nådens Dal which turned into Naantali in the mouths of the Finnish speaking laymen.

After the Lutheran reformation in 1530s the convent was laid down and the town faced hard times. The convent had taught handicraft skills to the locals and especially the women had learned to weave. During the years after abolishment of the convent, the town received significant income by selling long socks which had become a very popular men's garment those days. The church was repaired by governor general Per Brahe in 1660. The depression continued until the mid-18th century, when the town got a customs chamber and new vitality.

The customs chamber was marked with a large copper sun so that no one could say they didn't find the place where the customs fee must be paid. This led to a well known Finnish proverb that something "is shining like the Naantali's sun" (loistaa kuin Naantalin aurinko). Today the proverb has positive meaning.

In 1723 professor Peter Elfving came to conclusion that water from the Viluluoto spring can cure many illnesses, and finally in 1837 a spa was established at the spring. However, the location was awkwardly remote, and fairly soon the spa was relocated by the sea next to the church but its fame had spread. The era of tourism in Naantali had started.

Modern day Naantali does not live from tourism only. The town has a busy freight port, in fact one of the busiest in Finland. There is also some heavy industry. However, you have to stray away quite a bit from the tourist areas to notice those.

Get in
The main road to Naantali leads via Raisio outside Turku, which is just 17 km away. Passenger train service has been terminated

By bus
There are frequent buses from Turku (30 min; buses number 6, 7 and 7A; €3/1.50: local ticket with two hours free transfer as usual in the Föli area). The is at the border of the old town, walk through it to get to the church, the shore and the Moomin world.

By boat
From Turku a much slower and more expensive but far more scenic is the Ukkopekka steamship twice daily straight to the Naantali old town, not far from the Moomin World. The journey winds through the gorgeous archipelago and takes two hours each way (€20/25 one-way/return, operates June–Aug only).

From Sweden there are the daily ropax ferries of Finnlines, from Kapellskär (in Norrtälje), some of them via Långnäs (in Åland). This is the shortest and cheapest way directly across with a car (about €60 including driver, buffet meal included), but the ferry is considerably more bare-bones than those floating palaces that operate between Turku and Stockholm. Finnlines carry only passengers with a vehicle.

Naantali has a quite popular guest harbour, but the biggest sailing yachts cannot enter due to bridges (three routes, highest 16.5 m, shortest 11 m).

There are several guest harbours farther away in the archipelago, some of which have usable bus connections to the town.

By car
Naantali is situated at the western end of Turku's ring road, Highway 40. If you're driving from some other city than Turku, follow the signage towards Naantali when you are to cross the ring road. From the center of Turku, drive towards Pori on Highway 8 (E8) and take regional road 185 to Naantali.

In addition to the big ferries directly from Sweden, there is a connection with smaller ferries from north-eastern Åland via Brändö and Kustavi.

By bike
There are cycleways from Turku. From elsewhere you may have to use also normal roads, sometimes with options for more quiet ones. Naantali can be reached by the Archipelago Trail (choose the route via Rymättylä or Merimasku).

Get around

 * See Turku for information about fares and tickets

The town itself is not too big. The old wooden old town is well worth a walk. Most of the archipelago is reachable by bus or car. Naantali has its own local bus network which belongs to Turku-area Föli transport system. Public transport is sparse, though.

From late summer 2019 some local buses are flexible (tickets €3/1.50 as usual): call the driver and negotiate route and timetable. Line N1 serves the centre and some nearby areas weekdays 10:20–12:00, N7 the Luonnonmaa island, also to the centre, school days M W F 10:10–11:15 and 11:50–12:50 , N11 Rymättylä down to Röölä school days M W F 08:25–11:30 , N6 Merimasku according to timetable with only minor deviations in route ( or ). Check holiday and summer schedules.

By taxi

 * Taxidata, Taksi Länsi-Suomi, iTaksi: see Turku
 * Smartphone apps: 02 Taksi, Valopilkku

See

Naantali is very much a summer town, and many attractions are closed outside the June–August peak season.

Do

Buy
There are lots of small shops in the old town. Nearly all now feature Moomin products, but also traditional handicraft or similar souvenirs can be found in many of them.

Go next

 * Turku, Finland's former capital
 * The Archipelago Trail, taking you out around most of the Archipelago Sea

title: Naantali


text:
Naarden

Naarden is a small town surrounded by large 17th-century fortifications, among the best preserved in Europe. The typical star shaped form is a spectacular sight from the air and on a satellite picture. The town centre itself has kept its historic character.

Naarden is about 15 km east of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Outside the fortifications, the town expanded southward, and merged into one urban area with Bussum.

History
In the 9th Century AD, at the time of the Vikings, a small town of fishermen and traders, called Naarden was first mentioned in documents. But it was not situated on the present location, as the original Naarden drowned.

During the 13th and 14th Centuries a couple of monstrous storms swept over Holland. Hundreds of thousands acres of land were washed away, and a giant inland sea was created: the Southern Sea (Zuiderzee). Like many others places the old town of Naarden, also heavily damaged during one of the many wars of the time, was abandoned and "given to the sea" in the year 1350.

Surprisingly swiftly the refugees created a complete new town, a couple of miles inland on higher ground. It rapidly became the regional capital, and a prosperous merchant town and centre of textile industry.

Being of strategic importance, Naarden suffered much more destruction and misery by war. Like in the beginning of the Dutch Eighty-Years-War of independence, in 1572, when an invading Spanish army on a punitive expedition burned it to the ground, and massacred most citizens. Women and children included.

A few years later the town was built up again, and gradually surrounded by an elaborate defense system to protect the eastern flank of Amsterdam.

The town saw much more fighting, but by miracle the old centre within the city walls has kept intact its unique 17th Century atmosphere. Today Naarden is one of the best preserved fortified towns in Europe, with its typical star shaped form a spectacular sight from the air and on a satellite picture. One of the bastions is home to the Dutch Fortress Museum.

Get in
Naarden is easily reached by train: Naarden-Bussum station is 21 minutes from Amsterdam Central, and 31 minutes from Utrecht via Hilversum. The fortified town is about 20–30 minutes walk from the railway station (called Naarden-Bussum). Bus line 101, from Amstel Station in Amsterdam, stops at Koningin Wilhelmina laan, about 10 minutes walk from the old town.

Bus 110 connects Naarden with Weesp and Muiden.

You can cycle from the centre of Amsterdam to the centre of Naarden, at an easy pace, in about 2 hours. Most of the route has separate cycle lanes.

You can also rent a bicycle at the station in Weesp (15 minutes from Amsterdam Central), and cycle a round trip Weesp, Muiden and Naarden.

Do

 * Boat-trips around the fortress.
 * Climbing the bell tower of the gothic Saint Vitus Church.
 * Bicycle Day Trip: Rent bike at railway station in Weesp. Cycle to Naarden along natural reserve Naardermeer, and visit other fortified towns Weesp and Muiden (with medieval castle). Marked bicycle-route Boerenlandroute (25 miles), available at tourist office VVV. There's also this link-page about bicycle day trips in the region. Bike rental at train station Naarden-Bussum is another option.
 * Bicycle Day Trip: Rent bike at railway station in Weesp. Cycle to Naarden along natural reserve Naardermeer, and visit other fortified towns Weesp and Muiden (with medieval castle). Marked bicycle-route Boerenlandroute (25 miles), available at tourist office VVV. There's also this link-page about bicycle day trips in the region. Bike rental at train station Naarden-Bussum is another option.

title: Naarden


text:
Naas

 * See Canberra/Tuggeranong and Country ACT for the Naas in Canberra

Naas is the county town of County Kildare. It's within 30 min travel of Dublin and has become a commuter suburb for the city. The main reason to visit is for Punchestown Racecourse.

Understand
Naas was founded as Nás na Ríogh — "meeting place of the kings", meaning the petty kings or landowners, under the High King of Leinster. Along with Dublin it was colonised by the Normans from the 12th century; many of these were Welsh hence the dedication of the medieval church to Saint David. Naas was fortified with town walls when the native Irish counter-attacked; in the 13th and 14th centuries they ousted the Normans from much of the midlands but Naas was part of the "Dublin Pale" which held firm. Nothing remains of these fortifications.

It was sufficiently secure in the early modern period to evolve into the county town, astride the roads to Waterford, Cork and Limerick. Newbridge and Kildare had the military bases and Maynooth became a religious centre but Naas had the county courts and administration. It was also connected by canal then by railway to Dublin and the rest of Ireland. By the 20th century it was part of the Dublin commuter belt, boosted by better trains and the M7. It lost its town council when these were abolished nationwide in 2014 but it remained the seat of Kildare County Council. In 2016 the population of Naas was about 21,000.

By train
Commuter trains from Dublin Heuston run hourly to Sallins, taking 30 min with stops at Dublin Park West & Cherry Orchard, Clondalkin, Adamstown and Hazelhatch (for Celbridge). They continue from Sallins to Newbridge, Kildare, Monasterevin, Portarlington and Portlaoise. Inter-city trains don't stop here, change at Kildare for trains towards Cork, Limerick, Galway and Westport. A walk-up single from Dublin was €5 in 2021: see Irish Rail for timetables, fares and online tickets.

is 3 km north of Naas town centre. On race days a shuttle bus plies to the racetrack.

By bus
Dublin Coach 726 / N7, aka "The Green Bus", runs hourly round the clock from Dublin Airport via Red Cow Luas (for Dublin city trams) to Naas, taking an hour. It continues to Newbridge, Kildare, Monasterevin and Portlaoise.

GoAhead Commuter Bus 126 runs every 30 min from Dublin Docklands and Heuston station via Rathcoole and Kill to Naas, taking an hour, and continuing to Newbridge and every hour or two to Kildare.

Kyanitedale Bus 826 runs M-F every hour or two from Monasterevin to Kildare, Newbridge and Naas.

JJ Kavanagh Bus 139 runs every couple of hours M-Sa from Corduff and Blanchardstown at the northwest edge of Dublin to Castaheaney, Leixlip, Maynooth, Clane, Sallins and Naas.

There isn't a bus station. The is on Main St by the Post Office.

By car
From Dublin follow N7 to junction 9. This section hasn't been upgraded to motorway but is a fast dual-carriageway, 30 min should do it.

Get around
Naas is a small town and most places are within walking distance, including Naas Racecourse though not Punchestown.

There are taxi ranks in Poplar Square and by the town hall on Main St. Operators include N Town +353 45 831 010, Tom Clancy +353 45 879 664, Eights Taxis +353 45 888 888, and MW Taxi +353 87 116 5600.

Enterprise Car & Van Hire have a base south of town centre on Kilcullen Rd R448, tel +353 45 895 756.

Europcar are based west on R445, tel +353 45 257 441.

See

 * : the Naas Branch is a spur off Grand Canal completed in 1788. It branches off at Soldier's Island near Sallins 3 km north, runs into town ascending 3 locks to the basin, then makes a hairpin turn and heads west towards Corbally. It carried mostly mill goods; its extension into Wicklow never happened. It remains navigable (but check with Waterways Ireland) from Sallins to the basin and 1 km west then is blocked by R445. Beyond for 3 km is in water but derelict, acting as a feeder, then it disappears altogether beneath the motorway.
 * St David's Castle next to the church was built in the early 13th century. It's a three-storey turret.
 * Church of Our Lady and St David is the Roman Catholic church nearby on Sallins Rd, built from 1827.
 * was decommissioned in 1998 and became an industrial estate and council buildings, but its fine arch and clocktower survive. In 2021 the land was sold for housing and is fenced off as a construction site.
 * is the scrappy ruin of a mansion built in 1630 only to be wrecked in the Confederate and Civil wars of the 1640s. It's on Newbridge Rd west side of town.
 * Punchestown Longstone is a standing stone 7 m tall, just off Craddockstown Road at the north edge of the racecourse. It's of local granite and is a burial marker from the Beaker era, say 2000 BC. It toppled over in 1933 to reveal a burial cist, and in 1981 another cist was discovered 700 m east. Craddockstown or Forenaghts Great Stone at the racecourse entrance is 5 m tall and of similar date, as the wristband found in its burial cist was typically Beaker. The Topographia Hibernica of 1188 AD would have you believe that "giants brought it from the furthest parts of Africa into Ireland and set it up, partly by main strength, partly by artificial contrivances, in an extraordinary way...."
 * , 2 km north of the railway station, has the ruin of a 14th-century church, an outpost of Great Connell Priory at Newbridge. It's best known as the burial place of Theobald Wolfe Tone (1763-1798), leader of the United Irishmen, who sought to liberate and reform Ireland along the lines of the republican United States and France. But their rebellion of 1798 was already crushed when Wolfe Tone was captured in a French landing attempt in Donegal: he was sentenced to hang but committed suicide. A remembrance parade is held around his birth date, 20 June.
 * is a village 9 km north of Naas. Its ruined abbey was built from 1272 over a monastery of 520 AD. It is now a garden and community centre, which you can stroll around. Its 7th century Saint Ultan was so unspeakably holy, he kept a stone in his mouth throughout Lent, little realising that he was sounding just like an English aristocrat. He can't be buried here as claimed, as he went to East Anglia and established a monastery, which was attacked so he fled to Namur. King Mesgegra's Mound on Moat Commons south end of the village is a bosky knoll, once a palisaded motte. Mesgegra was a mythical king of Leinster beheaded here, whereupon his brain-from-Clane (once slain) embarked on even weirder posthumous adventures than that of Einstein.
 * is a village 9 km north of Naas. Its ruined abbey was built from 1272 over a monastery of 520 AD. It is now a garden and community centre, which you can stroll around. Its 7th century Saint Ultan was so unspeakably holy, he kept a stone in his mouth throughout Lent, little realising that he was sounding just like an English aristocrat. He can't be buried here as claimed, as he went to East Anglia and established a monastery, which was attacked so he fled to Namur. King Mesgegra's Mound on Moat Commons south end of the village is a bosky knoll, once a palisaded motte. Mesgegra was a mythical king of Leinster beheaded here, whereupon his brain-from-Clane (once slain) embarked on even weirder posthumous adventures than that of Einstein.

Do

 * What's on? For local events listen to KFM Radio on 97.6 and 97.3 KM, or read Leinster Leader or Kildare Now.
 * Walk: alongside the Naas canal is a busy, narrow road, mostly with no sidewalk, so it's not much fun to stroll or jog. A quieter circular walk in town starts at Fairgreen and follows the park and ponds south, then returns along a former railway track, about 2.5 km.
 * Cinema: the Odeon is on Dublin Rd near the N7 junction.
 * Moat Theatre is on Abbey Road, box office +353 45 883 030.
 * Golf: several courses are nearby, all parkland in nature:
 * - Naas GC is 2 km north of town, follow R407 north to the canal then turn right.
 * - Killeen GC is another 2 km northeast on Barberstown Rd.
 * - Millicent GC is south side of Clane, with Clane GC north side.
 * - The K Club is a championship course further northeast, see Maynooth.
 * - Castlewarden GC is 10 km northeast off N7 towards Dublin.
 * - Craddockstown G C is 2 km southeast of Naas on R410.
 * - Newbridge GC: see Kildare, but it's closer to Naas.
 * - Newbridge GC: see Kildare, but it's closer to Naas.

 * The Curragh is the other famous nearby track, between Kildare and Newbridge. Meetings are flat-racing April to October, including all five Irish classic events.
 * The Curragh is the other famous nearby track, between Kildare and Newbridge. Meetings are flat-racing April to October, including all five Irish classic events.
 * The Curragh is the other famous nearby track, between Kildare and Newbridge. Meetings are flat-racing April to October, including all five Irish classic events.

Buy

 * Tesco in town centre is open M-F 7AM-10PM, Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 9AM-9PM.
 * Tuckmill Gallery at 3 Dublin Rd has crafts and giftware. It's open M-Sa 09:30-18:00.
 * Newhall Retail Park is 3 km west at the junction of R445 and M7.
 * South Main Street has large chain stores and small businesses also. There is lots of second hand charity shops
 * South Main Street has large chain stores and small businesses also. There is lots of second hand charity shops

Eat

 * Others along Naas Main St are Regatto's, Rustic, Lemongrass, Amaya Fusion and Swapna.
 * Others along Naas Main St are Regatto's, Rustic, Lemongrass, Amaya Fusion and Swapna.
 * Others along Naas Main St are Regatto's, Rustic, Lemongrass, Amaya Fusion and Swapna.
 * Others along Naas Main St are Regatto's, Rustic, Lemongrass, Amaya Fusion and Swapna.
 * Others along Naas Main St are Regatto's, Rustic, Lemongrass, Amaya Fusion and Swapna.
 * Others along Naas Main St are Regatto's, Rustic, Lemongrass, Amaya Fusion and Swapna.

Drink

 * Main St also has O'Connor's, Tommy Fletcher's, the bar of Court Hotel (see below) and One New Row.
 * Main St also has O'Connor's, Tommy Fletcher's, the bar of Court Hotel (see below) and One New Row.
 * Main St also has O'Connor's, Tommy Fletcher's, the bar of Court Hotel (see below) and One New Row.
 * Main St also has O'Connor's, Tommy Fletcher's, the bar of Court Hotel (see below) and One New Row.
 * Main St also has O'Connor's, Tommy Fletcher's, the bar of Court Hotel (see below) and One New Row.

Connect
As of July 2021, Naas has 5G with Eir and Three, and 4G from Vodafone.

Naas Public Library may have internet access. It's a block west of town centre on Harbour View.

Go next

 * Blessington 12 km southeast has grand Russborough House, a Palladian mansion with a big-name art collection.
 * Glendalough across the Wicklow mountains from Blessington is a medieval monastic complex in a scenic valley.
 * Trains and buses for the west of Ireland come through Naas / Sallins - you may have to change, but you can quickly reach Athlone, Galway, Limerick and Cork.

title: Naas


text:
Nabadwip

Nabadwip (Bengali: নবদ্বীপ Nabadbīp) is a pilgrimage site in the Nadia district of West Bengal and the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a Vaishnava saint.

Understand

Nabadwip (NAW-bohd-dihp) is a holy tourism and pilgrim place in West Bengal. It is the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Many scholars, Sadhakas and Tantriks were born here. Nabadwip was referred to as the "Oxford of Bengal". Most of the popular festivals of Nabadwip are Shakta Rash, Dol Yatra, Rath Yatra, Gaura Purnima, Durga puja etc.

Prior to Gour, Nabadwip was the capital of Sena dynasty during the reigns of Ballala Sena and Lakshmana Sena. They ruled Bengal from here in the period from 1159 to 1206. During the medieval period, in 1202, Nabadwip was attacked by Bakhtiyar Khilji. In the period of Muslim rule, temples and Subarnabihar appear to have been destroyed and many Buddhist monks and Sanskrit scholars were killed. Latter in the time of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Nabadwip got his own glory. Many scholars, Pandits and tantriks were born in the Chaitanya and after that period and Nabadwip became a great center of learning and intellectual powers.

Name
The word Nabadwip derives from Bengali word Naba (new) and Dwip (island), meaning New-Island.

Climate
Being a part of lower deltaic Bengal, the climate condition of Nabadwip is generally Tropical savanna climate (Aw/As) with precipitation varying considerably by the month. The average highs are between 26 °C (79 °F) and 37 °C (99 °F). The average lows are between 12 °C (54 °F) and 26 °C (79 °F). Nabadwip has 125 rainy days per year and records 1,469 mm (57.8 in) of rainfalls annually. With an average relative humidity of 52%, March is the least humid month

The weather is quite pleasant, the summers and winters are moderate. The level of moisture increases during summers.

Seasons

 * The dry season is from mid-November to mid-January, when the rain falls for 4 days and typically aggregates up to 1mm (0") of rain.
 * The rainy season is from mid-June to mid-September. July is the month with the most rainfall. Rain falls for 23 days and accumulates 377 mm (14.8") of precipitation.
 * July and August are most humid months with an average relative humidity of 83% whereas March is the least humid month with an average relative humidity of 52%.
 * December has the shortest days of the year with an average of 10.7 h of daylight and June has the longest days with an average of 13.6 h of daylight. But July is the least sunshine with an average of 3h of sunshine.

By bus
There are good bus services in Nabadwip. Nabadwip is connected with Krishnanagar, Shantipur, Phulia, Ranaghat, Chakdaha, Bardhaman, Tarapith Via Katwa, Durgapur, Asansol, Siliguri, Dinhata Via Berhampur, Malda, Cooch Behar, Bolpur, Purulia, Bankura, Suri, Gangarampur.

Get around
Moving in and around Nabadwip is cheap. Cycle-rickshaws, Electric rickshaws are easily available in almost every part of the city. Both the Cycle-rickshaws and Electric-rickshaws can be hired to move around within the radius of 1-2 km.

See

Sweet shops
Nabadwip-er Lal Doi is one of the most famous types of confectionery in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent, originating in present-day West Bengal, India. Nabadwip is also famous for Misti Doi.

Buy

Do

Go next

 * Krishnanagar - residence of Raja Krishnachandra, a great patron of art and culture in Bengal medieval period. It is the headquarters of Nadia district in West Bengal on the bank of the Jalangi river.
 * Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary – large population of spotted deer (chital), jackal, Bengal fox, porcupine, and common langur can be seen here. Bird species include parakeets, Indian cuckoos, barbets and other smaller birds also seen here.
 * Mayapur — the headquarters of ISKCON at the opposite bank of the Bhagirathi River.
 * Palashi — famous for historical Battle of Plassey between Nawab Siraj-ud Daula and British East India Company.
 * Murshidabad - historical and cultural location, former capital of Sube Bangla.

title: Nabadwip


text:
Nablus

Nablus (Arabic نابلس, Hebrew שכם, Shechem) is a large city (population approximately 300,000) within the Palestinian Territories, in the Central Highlands of the West Bank, some 63 km north of Jerusalem.

Understand
Nablus is one of the oldest cities in the world, possibly established 9,000 years ago. It was called "Shechem" by its Canaanite and Israelite inhabitants. Shechem was the first capital of the northern ancient Israelite kingdom. The Romans built a new city (Flavia Neapolis, in honor of Flavius Vespasian) a short distance from Shechem. The name Nablus comes from Neapolis. The old city of Nablus is on the site of Neapolis, but in modern times the city has grown to include the site of Shechem as well.

Nablus is distinguished by its location in a narrow valley between the two mountains Gerizim and Ebal. This makes for an impressive view when you are in the city.

Schools were established in the middle of the 19th century during the short reign of Ibrahim Pasha, but maintained their existence in the following years when the Ottomans regained control of the region. On 11 July 1927 the town suffered a major earthquake. Much of the consequent damage to buildings was never repaired, and the ruinous condition of many of them may well have encouraged the inhabitants to move outside the old city to build their new houses, although some new building to the north and west of the old city had already been undertaken before 1927. The arrival of the motor car has increased emigration to the slopes of Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, where new roads allow vehicles the easy access denied them in the hilly and partly-stepped streets of the old city.

During the British Mandate (1917–1948), Nablus became the core of Palestinian Arab Nationalism, and it was the center of resistance against the British. After the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, Nablus came under Jordanian rule, and two refugee camps were built near the city. In 1967, Nablus was occupied by the Israeli army for years, which caused much damage to the city. Three refugee camps were added to accommodate the people who fled to the city.

Nablus was invaded and occupied in 2002 during the Second Intifada, and has been raided frequently ever since. Nablus has a particularly high concentration of open anti-Israeli sentiments for a major West Bank city; you can see many memorials to Palestinians killed during Israeli attacks in the old city, and the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and Palestinian militants occasionally clash in some parts of greater Nablus such as the refugee camps. There are many damaged buildings and debris-filled fields around Nablus, the result of past Israeli aerial bombing, but the residents of Nablus have been working hard on repairing their city and the visible damage lessens every day. Israeli restrictions on the city are generally looser than they used to be, and a visit to Nablus in the daytime is a safe and worthwhile trip.

Get in
As of July 2010 there were no checkpoints for buses and service taxis (aka servees) entering Nablus from other West Bank cities, although you will need your passport and visa stamp to enter back into Israeli territory upon your return.

By bus
Ramallah and Jerusalem: From Jerusalem, take the #18 bus to Ramallah. The bus departs from the bus station off Nablus Road north of Damascus Gate and the Old City. A #18 bus leaves every 10 minutes throughout the day, and it costs ₪7. This bus will drop passengers off at the main street in Ramallah, but stay on until the main bus station. From the Ramallah Bus Station, a bus runs to Nablus (₪10.5) but the last bus leaves early, often around 4PM. If the last bus has already left a servees taxi will take you to Nablus from Ramallah for around ₪17. There are at least four bus stations in Ramallah, so ask around if you get off/start at the wrong one.

Other West Bank cities: Servees taxis are easily found to Nablus from all major west bank transportation centres including Jenin (₪20), Tulkarm, Jericho, and other cities.

By plane
Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) is the main international airport serving Israel and the West Bank. From Ben Gurion it is cheapest to take a "sherut" (shared taxi) to the bus station on Nablus Road by Damascus Gate, and then follow the directions above to Nablus. A sherut from Ben Gurion to Jerusalem costs ₪50 and runs constantly 24 hours a day.

Get around
Most of the urban area of Nablus is small enough to be navigated on foot. It is not recommend that you wander around too much as there are a number of neighborhoods in Nablus that may have troubles with IDF raids and public unrest. However, the tensions have eased, but you should still check for the latest situation.

The public transportation in Nablus is informal, and is normally done by sharing service taxis (aka servees). The black-and-yellow taxis (sometimes with a Hebrew "Monit" sign on top) will take you anywhere in Nablus, and it's easy to find people to share the taxi with for many locations.

See

 * The Souq (The q is silent) is a typical colorful and loud Palestinian vegetable market located right in the center of town. Look for the tent roofs.
 * The Souq (The q is silent) is a typical colorful and loud Palestinian vegetable market located right in the center of town. Look for the tent roofs.

Close-by popular sights of the West Bank (read here) are Sebastia Archaeological Park (conveniently located if you go north towards Jenin), Awarta village, Kifl Hares and Aqabah with the twin minaret.

Do

 * Climb Mount Gerizim or Mount Ebal on either side of Nablus for a beautiful view of the city. A small Samaritan community, one of only two left in the world, resides atop Mt. Gerizim, and you can get a look at their temple on the mountaintop. Mt Gerizim is the most holiest place for the Samaritan religion, believed by the Samaritans to be the first piece of land ever created by God, and the Samaritan community there offers a tour of their community to visitors. If you can come for their Passover (not necessarily the same date as the modern Jewish Passover!) you will see a colorful festival involving the consumption of lamb and goat sacrifices, comparable to Jewish practices 2,000 years ago. Check for opening hours.

Turkish baths
Nablus has a living bathing culture which includes the oldest hammam in Palestine, the Hammam ash-Shifa. Enjoy a day getting pampered. Prices are between ₪50-70. Notice that bathing is gender segregated, usually 1-2 times per week is reserved for women while it's men-only on other days.

Buy

 * Olive oil in Nablus is some of the best olive oil you can find anywhere. It can be purchased in several shops in the old city. Keep in mind that the olive oil you purchase will be handed to you in a leftover coca-cola bottle or in a few layers of plastic bags.
 * Nablus's Old City also has numerous candy factories, and spice markets.
 * Nablus's Old City also has numerous candy factories, and spice markets.

Eat
Kunafa/Kenafeh (sugary couscous pastry on top of melted goat cheese) is one of the most popular Palestinian treats. Nablus residents boast that Kunafa Nablusy is the best in Palestine, and no trip to Nablus is complete without it.

You can get other sweets from Nablus as well, ha-lawa (baklava) and zalabya (sweet fried pastry) are very delicious.

Drink
Alcohol is difficult to find in Nablus. Try one of the many fine sheesha (water pipe) cafes downtown instead. You can buy alcohol in the samaritan village at Gerizim.

Sleep

If you don't know their addresses, you can ask anybody in the street or get in a taxi and tell the driver to take you to any one of these hotels.

Go next
Shared minibus taxis (sherut/servees) leaving Nablus tend to congregate around the center of town and along the two-sided Al-Gazalah (Al-Hadadeen) Street going southeast out of town. Ask the waiting drivers which cities they're going to until you find yours or they point you into the right direction.

 * Ramallah – Not so exciting, but the de facto seat of government of the Palestinian authority. There is a bus that goes to Ramallah (₪10.5) from the station, but the last bus leaves at 4PM. A servees taxi to Ramallah costs ₪15, and from Ramallah the bus to Jerusalem is ₪7 and leaves from the main bus station in Ramallah.
 * Jerusalem – Besides the Dead Sea, a central focus for most people coming to this region.
 * Bethlehem – The biblical birthplace of Jesus and hometown of David, surrounded by Mar Saba Monastery and Herodium (Herodion) Park.
 * Jericho – One of the oldest settlements in the world and the Middle East, and a great starting point for Kalya Beach at the Dead Sea.
 * Jenin – Its name's meaning is The spring of gardens.
 * Tiberias – A large Israeli town in the north and great starting point for Galilee and Golan. To get there by hitchhiking, take a sherut to Tubas (₪7.50) and from there hitchhike east through Tayasir and Aqabah to the highway #578 or #90, and then north past the Israeli checkpoint.

title: Nablus


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Nabran

Nabran is a city in the Northeastern region of Azerbaijan, 45 km north of Khachmaz, close to the Russian border.

Understand
Nabran is a favorite summer resort for beach lovers. During the summer, the parties and mosquitoes enjoy late hours. On weekends, the population swells with out-of-towners from Baku and surrounds. From early fall until mid/late spring, Nabran is a skeleton lacking all its summer vibrancy.

Get in
From Baku's Shamahinka bus stop a van/mini bus costs 4 manat (summer prices may jump to 5 manat).

Get around
Nabran is small enough that you can walk everywhere. Taxis can be hard to find.

See
Watch a sunrise over the sea: with the sea to the east of the beach, watching a sunrise over the Caspian Sea is very beautiful.

Do
Visit the beach: Nabran is a popular resort for beach lovers of Azerbaijan. The sea waters are the cleanest you can find in Azerbaijan. You can actually swallow a small quantity without getting deathly ill, though this is not advised. The Caspian Sea is a very polluted body of water.

Eat
Many road stands offer good food for the price. Quick, hot and tasty; a perfect way to take a break from the beach or dance floor.
 * Aqua Park CTF Company - a restaurant and discotheque
 * Azeravtoyol - a café
 * Alinka	- is a restaurant
 * Dalqa rest-zone - a restaurant
 * Daniz-neft - a cafe
 * Dostluq tourist base - has a restaurant and discotheque.
 * Elvin - a restaurant
 * Karvan rest-zone - a restaurant.
 * Greenville rest-zone - a restaurant and discotheque.
 * Qafqaz	- a restaurant and discotheque.
 * Lotos rest-zone - a restaurant and discotheque.
 * Mayak rest-zone - a restaurant and discotheque.
 * Khan-Chinar rest-zone - has a restaurant
 * Khazar tourist base - a café and bar
 * Meshabeyi Evi-rest zone - has a restaurant
 * Mirvari - a restaurant.
 * Ober lux-rest zone - has restaurant and pool.
 * Palma rest camp - has pool, restaurant, conference hall, sports playgrounds and discotheque.
 * Palermo tourist base - has restaurant, discotheque and bar.
 * Politekh Holiday Hotel - has restaurant and discotheque.
 * Rabitachi Holiday Hotel - has café.
 * Sattarkhan Holiday Hotel - has café
 * Shafa Holiday Hotel - has restaurant
 * Shahin Holiday Hotel - has café
 * Salam - has restaurant, discotheque, bar.
 * Shahdaq Holiday Hotel - has restaurant
 * Shams Tourist Base - has restaurant and discotheque.
 * Tabib Holiday Hotel - has café.
 * Chanlibel Rest-Zone - has restaurant.
 * Elay - a restaurant.

Drink
Nabran is popular for its all-night dance clubs. DJs don't stop playing dance music until the early morning hours (around 04:00).

Sleep
It's common to find a local with a guest house. Prices will be negotiable. You might be able to talk the landlord into 10 manat per person, but it may not be worth the hassle if you have the money. Prices should be lower out of the peak summer season.

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Nachikatsuura

Nachikatsuura (那智勝浦町 Nachi-katsura-chō) is a town in Wakayama Prefecture.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a bilingual guide site.

Get in
From Nagoya, take JR Kansai and Kise Line for 3 hours and 20 minutes from Nagoya Station to Kii-Katsuura Station. From Osaka, take JR Hanwa and Kise Line for 3 hours and 40 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station to Kii-Katsuura Station.

Go next

 * Shingu
 * Tanabe
 * Taiji
 * Kushimoto
 * Kozagawa
 * Shirahama
 * Kumano
 * Kiho
 * Mihama

title: Nachikatsuura


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Nacogdoches

Nacogdoches is a city in the Piney Woods of Texas. It is the oldest city in the state.

Understand
After periodic settlement dating back 10,000 years, Nacogdoches first became a permanent village around 1300, settled by the mound-building Caddo people. After Europeans began exploring the area, Nacogdoches was an important trading post for French and Spanish pioneers. Permanent Spanish presence began here in 1716 with the establishment of a mission, and the city remained the most important city in East Texas for over a hundred years. In its history it has flown the flags of three abortive republics in addition to the six flags that have flown over the rest of Texas.

By car
US 259 south of Longview.

By bus
Greyhound buses stop at 4010 South St.

Get around
Public transportation is available, but very limited. On demand and scheduled trips are possible through the Brazos District transit authority.

See

Eat

 * East College Cafeteria, on the Stephen F Austin University campus along College St across from Steen Hall. Relive those college days by trying out the all you can eat cafeteria on campus. You might get some stares from the students, but supposedly it's open to the public and friendly on your wallet. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F 11AM-8PM, Su 8AM-8PM. +1 936-468-5208.

Drink

 * The Shack Attack is a well known drink, ordered by the pitcher.

Bed and breakfasts
Nacogdoches has a lot of historic homes, many of which have been converted into bed and breakfast accommodations.

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Nacula

Nacula is one of the most northern Yasawa Islands and is arguably home to some of the most beautiful beaches on earth. The sand is white and the water is crystal clear. This place is as near to paradise as one can find.

Do
Beyond snorkelling and enjoying the beautiful water a range of activities are available either independently or often organised by a resort. These include: hikes across and around the island, village visits, blue lagoon trips, fishing trips, volleyball and craftwork. As with most resorts throughout the Yasawas, they also usually organise some sort of evening activities/entertainment.

Eat
Eating is restricted to the resorts on the island. However on the beach just down from Nabua Lodge you were able to get cake and hot drinks every afternoon. The flavour of cake varied from day to day and were baked daily by the two women from the local village who ran the cafe. Several basic benches and tables overlooked the ocean.

Sleep
Nabua Lodge is one of 4 or 5 lodges/resorts on the Island. Being owned and managed by Fijians it had the most 'Fijian' laid back atmosphere of the resorts. The bungalows at the time could've done with some maintenance but you overlooked arguably one of the best beaches on the island and at half the price of the other resorts, Nabua Lodge was great value. The staff were very friendly and were happy to organise a variety of activities such as trips to the Blue Lagoon, village visits and fishing trips. The food was unpredictable, the bbq was great but sometimes the food combinations were a little perplexing (sausages and noodles for example) but when asked, they made a great traditional Fijian breakfast. There are several walking tracks on the island so you get some very panoramic views of the island and the Yasawas as well as being able to walk to other resorts (30-60 minutes).

title: Nacula


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Nadi

Nadi (pronounced as "Nandi") is the airport town on the west coast of Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island. However, there are still enough points of interest and things to do to spend a few days here before you get on board the ferries or helicopters to the smaller islands or head back home.

Understand
Nadi is known as the point of transit for the rest of Fiji. The major airport was built here instead of the capital Suva because of its relatively drier climate.

The main street of Nadi is Queens Road. It is where all the hustle and bustle is and connects the town with the rest of Viti Levu. As you walk around the town, shopkeepers will occasionally approach you and do their best to make you enter their shop. However, the sales staff are not very persistent nor threatening, so don't worry too much about it.

Often when there is traffic or road work going on at Queens Road, the best road to travel across the town is Nadi Back Road.

You may encounter an underlying air of ethnic tension between the Indian and native Fijian populations, but this rarely comes out in the open.

By bus and car
Nadi is a 4-hour bus ride or a 3-hour taxi ride from Suva. Buses stop at.

Get around
Nadi has reliable local buses that let you explore the town and beyond. Just wave to the driver and you will be able to hop on from anywhere along the route. The comfortable, airy buses cost a fraction of that of a rental car. The bus clearly states where it is travelling from and to but you can also confirm with the driver. To get off, just ring the bell and the driver will stop anywhere along the route even if there is no official bus stop nearby.

 * Taxis are a convenient way of getting around with reasonable fares. Remember to haggle with the driver before getting in. It is a good idea to ask your tour guide or hotel on the typical prices between two locations. Alternatively, if you are patient and experienced with bargaining, ask multiple taxi drivers what they charge for key locations and haggle down the price.
 * There are hire cars available within the airport as well as in town. The internationally recognisable brands including Hertz, Thrifty, Avis, Europcar, and Budget are easy to find. There are local brands too though not all of them are reliable. In order to hire a car, you need to possess a valid driver's licence and, either be over 21 or 25 years of age (the precise age will depend on the rental service you use).

Buy
Shopping in Nadi is two-sided. There are the modern, mini-department stores catered to tourists and there are the traditional local markets. Shopping in the former is much like shopping in a Western country while the latter reveals the real Fiji and requires skill in bargaining and sometimes, holding your own against pestering sellers. The currency in Nadi as it is in all of Fiji is the Fijian dollar.

Drink
The drinking and clubbing scene is pretty much confined to the Martintar precinct.

Sleep
Accommodation in Nadi generally tends to be budget to mid-range while the lavish and luxurious resorts are usually further out west in Denarau Island.

Stay safe
You may hear about some stories of scams and pickpocketing in Nadi. Crime is on the decline however, and whatever crime exists is mostly petty. There is a police station in the centre of Queens Road if you have any problems.

Although Nadi is on the drier, western side of Viti Levu, the climate is still very warm and humid. If you are walking around for a long time during the day in unshaded areas, it is likely that you will sweat profusely. As such it is important to stay hydrated and take regular breaks in shaded areas.

Most of Nadi's roads are well developed and maintained but you should be wary of a few big potholes on the smaller roads around the outskirts of town.

Go next

 * Hop on a local bus for $2 to Lautoka and visit a Fijian city away from the tourist eye. The bus terminates at the local markets, where you can buy tonnes of fresh produce.
 * Head down south to Sigatoka and begin your journey along Viti Levu's famed Coral Coast.
 * Air conditioned buses go from Nadi International Airport to the capital Suva two times a day (at 7:30AM and 4PM). You can request the bus to stop at any points of interest along the route.
 * Many ferries suitable for days trip leave daily from Port Denarau just west of Nadi to the outer island groups such as the Mamanucas and Yasawas. The ferries start from 9AM to 4PM daily.
 * Venture east into the sparsely populated Nausori Highlands. Experience traditional Fijian village life while being surrounded by spectacular views.

title: Nadi


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Nadiad

Nadiad is a city in the Kheda district of Gujarat, in Western India.

Get around
Santram Mandir is a popular pilgrimage location for Hindus. Whilst a Hindu temple, it is a respected by all religious groups. Santram Mandir has a large community of volunteers, donors and devotees. All the donations are spent on public health care, food banks, seniors, education, recreation and many other social and cultural activities.

Buy
There are quite a few good restaurants in Nadiad. Papad and Mathias very famous of Nadiad.

Drink

 * JaiKishan Lassi - lassi, sweet yoghurt drink, at this decades old place near Railway Station.

title: Nadiad


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Nafplio

Nafplio (or Nafplion, Nauplio, Nauplia or Nafplia) is a small town in Peloponnese (Greece). A romantic downtown with cozy streets, a great place to stay for radial travelling around Peloponnese.

Understand
The name is either a reference to its mythical founder, Nafplios the Argonaut, or the remnant of the old Venetian name "Napoli di Romania", from the Greek "nea poli"="new town" of Romania, the name of the area during the late Byzantine times. Nafplio was briefly the capital of Greece before the seat of power was shifted to Athens. It is a historical city due to its Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman heritage, as well as its meaning to the Greek Revolution. It has a beautiful centre with small neoclassical historical houses, squares and churches.

It is the capital of the prefecture of Argolida.

History
According to Greek mythology, Nafplio was founded and named after the hero Nafplios, father of Palamidis. It was later under Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian and Ottoman rule. In 1829, after the Greek War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire, Nafplio was chosen as the first capital of the newly-founded state under Governor Kapodistrias. His mansion (Palataki, or "Little Palace") was on the square in front of today's town hall. In 1833 the capital moved to Athens, and Nafplio remained the capital of the prefecture of Argolida.

Orientation
The town is built in two parts, the old, covering all the peninsula and the new, expanding to the north and the east. Upon your arrival you will probably drop off at the central bus station, which is at the east end of the old town, or at the port, hosting a large parking area, at the north seaside of the town.

It is sometimes confusing to some that the hill overlooking the town is on the south of the town and the sea on the north. But once you notice it is easy to walk around the orderly shaped blocks.

The major reference point of the old town is Syntagma square, a very large square, with many Venetian-style buildings all around.

Just two blocks north and west is the Philellinon square, by the sea and at the end of the seaside part of the road. Here lies also the old Customs building.

The reference point for the whole town, new and old, is the conjunction of the road coming from athens (Argous street) and the one going east to Epidavros and Porto Heli (Asklepeou street). It is named "endekate", meaning "eleventh", after the bus-stop numbering system of old times. It is from here that a large park starts, covering the old train route, leading to the beginning of the old town.

By car
From Athens the trip is 1½-2 hours by car (147 km). Follow the signs to the harbour where you'll find a large parking area which is free of charge (as of July 2022). If your accommodation is within the old town, it should be easily reachable within 10 to 15 minutes by foot.

By bus
Buses connect the town with Athens, Salonica and all the major cities of Peloponessos.

From Athens, there are 12 to 14 daily buses (from the Eleftherios Venizelos airport take the X93 bus till the last stop). The buses of KTEL  leave Athens from Terminal A in Kifissos central bus station. The journey takes about 2 hours and the price is €13.1 one way, €23 return (July 2022). You can buy tickets online.

There are buses from the Corinth-Channel Bus Terminal to Nafplio via Argos (July 2022), priced €6.5 one way, but not from Proastiakos Corinth Train station, due to their competition.

By sea
the town has a good protected port which can host several yachts providing them with all facilities.

By train
As of 2022, train services to Nafplio are suspended and it's unclear when they will return. Nearest city with passenger services is Corinth.

Get around
All the major sights are within the old town and can easily be covered by walking. The municipality is providing free bicycles for a day, just in front of the Town Hall, by the KTEL bus station.

See
At a first glance, Nafplio looks like an Italian city because of its architecture and the colourful houses. More fundamentally, Nafplio has quite an interesting architecture, with many traces of 18th century European towns, Byzantine and Ottoman influences. Many of the old town's buildings date back to two hundred years ago.

Curiosities
At the other end of the gulf there is the undersea fountain of Anavalos, protected by an in-sea dam, hydrating all the area.

Due to the quality of the soil there are some interesting dolines (sinkholes) in the general area, some of which are hosting various old relics.

Do
Strolling in the old city of Nafplio

One of the best characteristics of Nafplio is that everything in the Old Town is within walking distance. In fact you can walk from one end to another in less than 15 min, and that's why you can see couples in love, happy kids, and large groups of friends everywhere in the town, at the port, in the alleys, always walking around and enjoying every part of the town. Because of the small distances and the paved ways, there are few areas cars are allowed to pass, and there is no bus service in the old part of town, only the central station that takes you to the new part of the town and the rest of the prefecture. So, leave the car in the parking and enjoy walking around Nafplio all year round. Alternatively, you can take the horse carriage or the small train for a tour in the town.

Some distinguished buildings are
 * the First New Greek Gymnasium (built 1833)
 * the old Town Hall building (Iatrou building)
 * the house of the Viceroy
 * the Alevras-Lambiris building (1830)
 * the old train station (1890)

Palamidi

Climb 999 (in reality 857) stairs to the castle of Palamidis. You may get tired but the view is said to be worth it. We walked the paved road down to the crossing and went right down to "Karathona Beach". From "Karathona Beach" there is a walking path along the coast-line back to "Arvanithia Beach" and Nafplio. Its a nice scenic walk and takes about 1 hour.

Psaromachalas During your strolls in Nafplio, it is worth adding 15 minutes to your schedule to walk around Psaromachala (meaning fishermonger's), the area under the rocky hill of Acronafplia. In contrast with the large, classical style mansions and open spaces of the main parts of the old town, here you will see small, white houses, with yards filled by flowers, narrow alleys and stairways, cats lurking and mewing, and in general the feeling of a small, traditional neighborhood, reminding to many the Greek islands. Add to the picture some larger mansions that have been renovated and turned to guesthouses and hotels and you have a unique part of Nafplio, with great view and good hospitality.

Enjoying the sea

Very close to the town is the quiet sandy beach of Karathona, just south of Palamede castle hill. There the locals gather to enjoy swimming in this blue flagged clean beach.

At the back of the castles, 10 minutes' walk just south of the town, is also the Arvanitia beach.

Even more south, approachable by local bus or car, there is a series of marvelous beaches, very popular during the summer.

Daily Cruises in the Argolic Gulf

If you have time you van try this cruise, giving you the pleasure to enjoy the sea and the seaside attractions of the area, including a bath stop! On the promenade where the boats for Bourtzi depart, usually once a day in summertime.

Entertainment
In the town there are two cinemas, both on 25 Martiou Str,
 * One serving during wintertime, by the fire brigade, near the bus station and
 * One serving during summertime, a must go open air, well in the Greek open air cinema tradition. Usually it hosts all latest productions. It is located at the other end of the 25th Martiou str, at the east end of the park, just underneath Palamede castle. Usually starting at 21:00. Tel 2751068855.

There is also a theater, the Trianon, on Syntagma Sq., serving various plays during all year long.

Festivities
Around Holy Easter (moving fiest) there are several local festivities:
 * 50 days before, Apokria fiest (the Greek Carnival), with masqueraded parades, music and events around the town
 * 49 days before, the Kathari Monday (the Greek Mardi Gras), with outdoor picknicking, kite flying, music
 * 7 days before, start of the Holy Week, having one of its most beautiful moment on
 * 2 days before, Holy Friday, a large parade out of each of the three main churches of the town, leading to
 * day 1, the Holy Easter Sunday
 * 7 days after, Sunday, the burning of Judas, at the nearby Asini Village
 * 50 days after, the Monday of the Holy Spirit, a celebration of two days (starting on Sunday) in the nearby village of Lygourio and of Agia Triada.

Other festivities are:
 * 25 March, National day celebration and religious fiest
 * The first Sunday of May is the fiest of artichoke, in the nearby village of Iria
 * On the last week of June, the Nafplio Festival, a week of classical music concerts in the historic sites and castles of the place, very much worth attending.
 * On the 15th of August, the day of Madonna, a large fiest with religious parade around the town,

Buy
Nafplio has a history of Greek traditional culinary products, based on the tradition of locally produced crops.

In the last decades it has also become famous for its kombolois Worry beads, or else worry-beads, made from amber and other materials. There is a museum for kombolois as well as many such shops.

Snack
One has to try some of the goodies served in the various traditional bakeries around the town.
 * Alevri+Zahari, at the middle of Sid. Merarhias str. The bakery-pastryshop, another local hit.

One should also try the locally made ice creams.

Budget

 * Zorbas the Greek: family run, staff very nice. Salad, drinks and main for two persons about €27.
 * Nafplios, best known as "Karamalis", at the port and near the start of the old town

There is also the usual choice of the Greek fast restaurants, best exemplified by Goody's, at the west end of the park, just before the end of the old town, a hundred meters from the bus station. Of course also numerous souvlaki and pizza spots, most around the north of the park area.

Mid-range
There are many restaurants with medium quality, usually targeted around the Greek tradition. A lot of them are spotted across Staikopoulou str. in the old town, or in the streets near the promenade. A few proposals:
 * Omorfo Tavernaki is a good medium priced choice (if you manage to get a table), at the first parallel behind the port, Kotsonopoulou and Vas. Olgas str,
 * Allaloum next to the Saint Nicolas Church.
 * La Gratella Pizza and pasta. Next to St. Nicolas Church (Vas.Olgas str. 44)
 * Aiolos Tavern, Vasillis Olgas 30. Greek cuisine.
 * Aiolos Tavern, Vasillis Olgas 30. Greek cuisine.

Drink

 * Iliostasio a cafe & cocktail bar opposite to bourtzi, a beautiful and romantic place, at the west end of the promenade,
 *  The cafeterias in the Syntagma Sq, a quite atmospheric place for all times, where a lot of locals gather,
 * The cafeterias by the sea, west of Philellinon Sq, offering superb views of the Bourtzi castle and the sea, but a little more pricey,
 * The train station cafe, within the park, not very much known, but keeping something from the old times of the area.

Budget
The best choices might be found in the new town, north of the train station/park, or along the Argous street. In the villages around there are various choices also, ranging from rented rooms, camping sites, to small hotels.

Mid-range
A lot of good choices in this range, most of which are around Syntagma sq., offering views of the old town and local mood.

Connect
Nafplio Bus Station 27520 27323

Nafplio Post Office 27520 24855

Nafplio Taxi Station 27520 24120

Nafplio Tourist Office 27520 24444

Nafplio Port 27520 22974

Nafplio Hospital 27520 27309

Nafplio Tourist Police 27520-28131

Stay safe
There is almost zero violence or mobbing in the city, except the occasional pick pocket when you relax too much under the sun. Nights are safe, you can walk around at all times with no danger. It is considered one of the safest places in Greece.

Begging children can be sometimes seen in the street but won't bother them after a strict "no!"

Go next
at the start of the old town is located the local bus station, Ktel. It is the same very spot at the old times one could find carriages and horses. From here depart local buses for all the villages and attractions of the area, on a tight schedule and very low fare.

If you plan to stroll around, Nafplio is a good base to head out to the numerous archeological sites surrounding it. The Epidaurus theater, Mycenae and Tiryns (all UNESCO World Heritage sites) are just some of them. Nearly all towns villages and tourist spots are serviced by local buses at all times.

The bus station is at the end of the park, just before the old town, at Sygrou str 8. It is here you may catch the bus to the ancient (but still servicing) theater of Epidaurus, the ancient town of Mycenae.

Very close it is Argos, the most ancient town of Europe, now a quiet agricultural town. It has a castle overlooking the town, the ruins of its theater and the remainders of ancient settlements, and some interesting nearby monasteries.

It is also worth exploring the quiet nearby fisher-villages such as Vivari (with its lagoon and its wonderful sandy beach Kondyli), Hermioni town, Porto Heli with the ancient port of Aliis, the small fisher port of Koilada with its adjacent prehistoric Frahthi cave and the miniature churches in the doline wells near Didyma.

4 daily KTEL buses travel to Kranidi (30 minutes) and then to Kosta (to connect with local ferry to Spetses, about 10 minutes) through Porto Heli (high-speed ferry to Spetses, about 15 minutes), or to Hermioni (high-speed ferries to Hydra, about 30 minutes, and on to Poros and Athens (Piraeus port), about 2 hours). The schedule is designed to coincide with the ferry departures.

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Naga

Naga is one of the largest and most important cities in the Bicol region, being its center of almost everything. It is the center of commerce in the province of Camarines Sur, and is the core of the organized Metro Naga.

Understand
Naga used to be known as Nueva Cáceres, after the city of the same name in Extremadura, Spain, and was one of the major cities during the Spanish rule in the Philippines.

It is home to the seat of the Archdiocese of Caceres, one of the oldest dioceses in the Philippines. The city is also the center of devotion to the Our Lady of Peñafrancia which is one of the largest Marian devotions in Asia.

Naga City is the economic, commercial, trade, tourism, medical, technological, religious, cultural, industrial, educational, financial, and social center of the Bicol Region. It is also Camarines Sur's most populous city. It is home to large international companies, high-rise hotels, and condominiums.

Known as the Convention City of Southern Luzon, Naga City is the cultural center of Bicol Region because of large convention centers, and most cultural food, festivals, and poetry are located in the city, as well as the second largest coliseum in the Philippines, the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum.

By plane
Naga's airport (and the only one in Camarines Sur) is in Pili, away. From the airport you need to walk to the main highway, where you can take a 30-minute jeepney or bus ride to get to the downtown, and costs. Cebgo flies to/from Cebu -Mactan Airport; Manila-Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Sunlight Air flies to/from Manila-Ninoy Aquino International Airport

By car
Naga City is by road from Manila, and is along Asian Highway 26.

By bus

Naga City has a good bus station, also the largest and busiest in the region. There are stalls selling local food and there are signs that direct you to bays serving buses that headed for a certain destination: e.g. to Manila, to Daet.

There are buses that travel to Naga City from Metro Manila via Lucena and the journey takes 8-10 hours.

By UV Express
There are UV Express vans which go to Naga from Legazpi, Daet and Tabaco.

UV Express arrive and depart at these terminals:

By ferry
To get to Virac in the Catanduanes Island you take a minivan from the Naga van terminal to Tabaco city (2 hours, ). A fast ferry departs Tabaco port every day at noon. The ferry takes 1.5 hours and the fare is.

Get around
Navigating Naga is easy by car. Public transportation is provided by pedicabs, jeepneys and tricycles (motorcycles with a sidecar). Taxis are available.

Historical landmarks

 * Calle Via Gainza, now Peñafrancia Avenue, used to be known as Via Gainza in honor of Bishop Francisco Gainza, O.P. (1863–1879), the 25th and considered as the greatest Spanish bishop of the See of Caceres.
 * Calle Real, now Elias Angeles Street, was one of the earliest streets in Spanish Nueva Caceres laid out at the close of the 16th century. The street figured as a historic backdrop to the events of September 1898, which established the Filipino revolutionary government headed by Elias Angeles.
 * Calle de Legazpi at the western portion of Panganiban Drive, was established in 1839 after the Naga River was straightened as a short cut from Calle Real to the new western bank of the river.
 * Casa Real site on General Luna Street. The Casa Real, the government building of Nueva Caceres, was established at this location in 1588.
 * Casa Tribunal site on Elias Angeles Street was the original site of the Casa Tribunal or "common house" which provided free rooms to travelers until 1839.
 * Casino Español site at the corner Elias Angeles and Arana Street, was the location of Casino Español, a spacious building of piedra china and wood that served as the social and recreational center of the male Spanish population of Nueva Caceres and neighboring towns.
 * House of Tomas Prieto site at the corner Panganiban Drive and Peñafrancia Avenue was the home of the Bicolano martyr, Tomas Prieto, who was executed on January 4, 1897 at the Bagumbayan Field in Manila together with ten others, collectively known as the "Bicol Martyrs."
 * The Naga City Police Station on Barlin Street was the site of the Cuartel General of the Guardia Civil in Camarines that was constructed in 1870, but was razed by fire caused by faulty electrical wiring.
 * Puente de Naga, now Lt. Delfin Rosales Bridge, the massively designed concrete bridge was constructed in 1847 and was known as Puente de Naga, and until the 1920s when the bridge was renamed in honor of Bicolano Jose Maria Panganiban. It was renamed again in 1989, to honor Lt. Delfin C. Rosales in World War II, during the battle for Naga in April 1945.

Monuments

Museums

 * The Holy Rosary Minor Seminary Museum showcases Bicol's ancient relics and artifacts like burial jars, ancient china wares, rare stones and ritual objects. The museum also features local church history where old Church vestiges and sacred objects are displayed.
 * The Penafrañcia Museum contains sacred vestiges related to Marian devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia.
 * The University of Nueva Caceres Museum is one of the oldest museums outside Manila and recognized by the International Association of Museum. It houses historical artifacts of the ancient Bikol, its people and culture.
 * Bicol Science and Technology Centrum is a science museum established in 1993 in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology to cater to the science and technology education for the young, professionals, teachers andenthusiasts alike. It features an exhibit of interactive gadgets, a skywatch gallery, a sci-cubby hole for the kids, an audio-visual room and a cybercafé for internet users.
 * The Naga City Art Gallery, established by the Salingoy Art Group in partnership with the Naga City government, houses traditional and contemporary art works of Bicolano artists.
 * The Mariel Daculoo's Art Gallery, was established by American friar named Fr. Kris B. Amador in 2014 in partnership with the 555 yuna foundation, Their gallery are more about ancient, nature, etc.

Do

 * Naga City Civic Center Swimming pool fee per person. Cottages.
 * Wakeboarding at Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC)
 * The Panicuason Hot Springs, in Barangay Panicuason, is a 15-minute drive up Mt. Isarog's slopes. There are about five pools with different temperatures, which are surrounded by lush foliage of a tropical rainforest.

Buy

Stay healthy

 * Bicol Medical Center. DOH Hospital. BMC Road, Concepcion Pequeña, Naga City. phone +63 54-4723434.
 * Social Hygiene Clinic. City Health office. City hall Compound. free STD/HIV testing.

Cope

 * Bureau of Immigration Naga Office. 2nd Floor. Phonecian Building. Panganiban Drive. Corner of Isarog Street.

Go next

 * Daet
 * Virac
 * Legazpi City
 * Lucena
 * As the center of commerce in Camarines Sur, Naga City serves as the hub for other cities and municipalities in the province. The Central Bus Terminal offers one the means to get to other areas of Camarines Sur. One may take buses or filcabs. Buses make frequent stops to every town they pass through to pick up passengers. Filcabs are vans whose original seats are removed and refitted to accommodate more passengers. They are usually faster way to get to your destination but they have a practice of filling up all the seats before they leave.
 * Buses from Naga City to Manila normally start from 5:30AM. Ask to be routed through Pasay City or nearby EDSA for more convenient travel to downtown Manila.

title: Naga