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Cocos (Keeling) Islands

 * For the island in Costa Rica, see Cocos Island National Park.

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Cocos Malay: Pulu Kokos (Keeling), Malay Wilayah Kepulauan Cocos (Keeling)) or simply Cocos Islands or Keeling Islands are a chain of islands in two adjacent atolls, in the middle of the Indian Ocean some 2,750 km northwest of Perth, and around 900 km west-southwest of Christmas Island. The islands are generally considered to be the southernmost point of Asia.

Understand
The Cocos Islands lie approximately 12° south and 96.5° east, locating the islands in the humid tropical zone.

The Cocos Islands are 1.5 hours behind Western Australia Time and 3.5 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) on standard time; they do not observe daylight saving time.

The islands are remote – they're closer to New Delhi, Taipei, Muscat or Antananarivo than they are to Canberra.

History
There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William Keeling discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. Annexed by the UK in 1857, the archipelago was administered from Ceylon and then later the Colony of Singapore before the territory was transferred to the Australian Government from the Colony of Singapore in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island although the Malay population is significantly larger than the European.

Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry.

The people who live on the Cocos Islands are mostly the ethnic Cocos Malay people, whose ancestors were from either Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia, parts of Southern Africa or New Guinea and were brought over as slaves or convicts. Since 2019, they have been seeking approval for "Indigenous Status".

Orientation
There are two inhabited islands in the group, West Island and Home Island. West Island is the capital of the territory with about 120 inhabitants. It is mostly an English-speaking area with the most tourist facilities, a clinic and an airstrip. The largest village is Bantam on Home Island with a population of around 448 (2021), most of whom follow Sunni Islam and speak the Cocos dialect of the Malay language.

The other islands in the archipelago are uninhabited. Horsburgh Island and South Island are among the larger uninhabited islands. Direction Island, a true island paradise, is connected by ferry every Saturday. It includes a beach that's been identified as the best beach in Australia. Finally, there's North Keeling Island, a national park approximately 50 km north of the other islands. Access to this island is only allowed with permission from Parks Australia.

Climate
The Cocos Islands experience two main seasons which tend to overlap: the trade wind season from April/May to September/October and the calmer doldrum season from November through to April. Expect higher rainfall during March through to July. January through to August may also generate the occasional low pressure system (usually between February and April). However these systems do not normally interfere with holiday plans. Rain usually falls in the evenings, bringing glorious sunny days. The average annual rainfall is 2,000 mm. Temperatures are fairly consistent no matter what the season, remaining around a comfortable 29°C with a minimum evening temperature rarely dropping below 20°C.

Landscape
Flat, low-lying coral atolls, thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation.

Get in
As the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is an Australian territory, the entry requirements for Australia apply. Bring the needed documentation.

By plane

There is an airport on West Island. Virgin Australia has two scheduled triangle flights weekly between Perth, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Flights between Perth and the Islands may include a technical stop at RAAF Learmonth (LEA) en route to refuel. Clockwise service operates on Saturdays and anticlockwise service operates on Tuesdays. One-way flights range in price from $531 to $909, with advance purchase returns available for $1054.

By boat
Yachts can dock at the Cocos Islands. Bring required documents. Because of their remoteness and infrequency of boats, all arriving yachts must send a notice to Customs at latest four days (96 hr) before arrival, radio police (VHF channel 20) when arriving, drop anchor at the anchorage at Direction Island, display the yellow 'quarantine' flag, radio again, and await the police. See the required procedures.

Get around
A local bus service from West Island Settlement to the jetty operates approximately 20 minutes prior to the departure of the ferry to Home Island and costs $0.50. The best place to catch the bus is in fact not the designated bus stop on Sydney Highway opposite the airport, as the bus doesn't always go by there. Instead, follow airport employees to the park just north of the terminal at the far end of Alexander Street, and wait on the bench in the shaded area.

On Saturday the ferry diverts to Direction Island to allow tourists and locals access to this remote paradise. The ferry returns in the afternoon to return you to West Island. The fee is $2.50. Timetables are available from the Tourism office or the Duty Free Shop.

Talk
The main language is Cocos Malay, not English. However, almost all the locals (other than some elderly people) can speak English, enough for communication, and most people on the West Island are English-speaking.

See
Take cultural tours with some of the local tour operators or guide yourself around the islands to explore why they call the Cocos Islands a "nature and water lover's paradise".

During the year, as well as the traditional events such as Easter, New Year, Christmas, the Cocos host a number of unique events. These include the annual Lagoon swim, where competitors swim from Home Island across the lagoon to West Island. Individuals or teams may enter and whether you are a serious contender or wish to join in with the Hash House Harriers (who always seem to get themselves disqualified for one thing or another), everyone has a load of fun. It finishes in the evening with dinner and presentations to the winners and boat drivers.

Other unique events are the mid-year Cocos Ball, quiz nights, Music & Wine festival, Ardmona Cup and Cocos Olympics. All visitors are encouraged to join in with these festivities and activities. Dates vary from year to year. Please check with the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Tourism Association before booking for events.

Visitors to the island are also welcome to participate in the School Fete, Sports Carnival and concert events.

Buy
Being an external territory of Australia, the currency used on the islands is the Australian dollar.

As most supplies are shipped by boat or air only a few times per month, everything is on the limited and pricier side. Make sure to bring all your necessities before coming in. If you are bringing in vegetables or fruits, present your receipt to the customs.

Eat
Malay cuisine is a selection of rice, noodles, curry and chilli, featuring chicken, beef, lamb and seafood dishes. Food is prepared to be flavoursome and not particularly hot, unless requested.

Don't want to eat at a restaurant? Usually, every third Friday, the different social clubs of Cocos prepare a "food night" at the Cocos Club. Excellently priced meals are offered along with raffles and good-natured fun. Come along, share a meal. The Cocos Club also offers visitors a great venue to get to know the locals and join in with any activity that is happening.

Stay safe

 * Cyclone season is October to April, but tropical rain may affect the area at anytime. When inclement weather happens, staying inside is your safest bet.

Stay healthy
Fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs.

Respect
Respect Ramadan, although unlike in some other countries, the locals won't really mind you eating in public.

When visiting Home Island, make sure to dress appropriately with your shoulders and knees covered, but also don't overdo it – make sure you're comfortable, as the tropical sun can burn you out. It's also customary to seek permission before photographing the locals. You also cannot enter the Home Island Mosque without being accompanied by a Muslim.

Connect
Mobile phone connections are by a satellite link. Unless you bring your own satellite phone or long-range radio, you need to use the local rather expensive Wi-Fi. Most modern mobile phones allow you to use Wi-Fi for calls by a simple settling, given your provider offers VoIP service for you. You could also install your own Internet telephony app. Mobile phones are available for hire.

You might want to turn off updates and any non-necessary traffic during your stay. Because of the hassle and expensive price, you might want to just go offline.

Cellphones for hire and Wi-Fi vouchers are available from the Community Resource Centre. The Wi-Fi vouchers costs $6.95 per hour, $19.95 per day, or $64.95 per week (check limits on data volumes), or $10/1GB or $25/5GB valid for a fortnight. These can be used at hotspots islands-wide. Mobile phone for-hire are $10/day, $35/week, $60/2 weeks or $100/month.

It is wise to pre-book your phone or voucher by emailing the community centre at cocosislands@crc.net.au@undefined, so that you can retrieve them at your accommodation in case of a flight delay, instead of waiting for next office hours.

Go next

 * The only flight out from Cocos is to Christmas Island, where the plane refuels for its continuing trip to Perth in mainland Australia
 * Daring yachties would venture out further into the Indian Ocean, possibly crossing into Africa or hopping on to neighbouring Indonesia.

title: Cocos (Keeling) Islands


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Cocuy National Park

Cocuy National Park is located in the Andino region of Colombia.

Understand
The park is on the border of the Boyacá and Arauca departments. The two main town to access the park are El Cocuy and Güicán.

Landscape
The Sierra is in the eastern part of the park and is the main tourist attraction. It is a mountain range stretching north to south that contains several snow covered peaks. The western part of the park is low lands tropical forest all the way to the Llanos region and is off limit to tourism because of absence of tracks and guerrilla presence.

Flora
Frailejones, typical of paramo landscapes. Cojines, swamp bushes endemic to the park.

Fauna
Bears, deer (south part of the park), pumas, condors (north of the park) and rabbits.

Climate
The weather is rainy and cloudy most of the year. Temperature does not vary a lot during the course of a year. The best chance for dry, sunny weather is between December and mid-March.

Above 4,000 meters, there may be snow anytime.

Get in

 * From the South: Five direct buses leave from Bogotá daily (COP$45,000, 12 hr). The route goes through Tunja (COP$70000, 9 hr) and Duitama. (Jan 2023)
 * From the North: Coming from Cucuta or Bucaramanga is more complicated and will require changing buses in Capitanejo. As of Jan 2023, the road from Bucaramanga to Malaga is dangerous (landslides in rain sea season) but buses operate, maybe on alternative route.

Libertadores and Gacela - Expreso Paz del Rio operate buses to Bogota, via Tunja, leaving at 4AM, 11AM, 6PM and 8PM (Jan 2023).

Trekking: fees and permits
You may trek in the park under certain mandatory conditions: - having a registered guide. Some are definitely better than others: ask feedback from other tourists. - having registered with the park offices either in El Cocuy or in Güicán. Entrance fees are:

 * COP$71,000 for foreigners,
 * COP$29,500 for residents of the Comunidad Andina de Naciones, aged over 25 years
 * COP$14,500 for residents of the Comunidad Andina de Naciones, aged 5 to 25 years

Concerns by the U’Wa indigenous community, who consider the park sacred, led to the closure of the NP in February 2016. It was reopened in April 2017, however with the following restrictions in effect:

 * Admittance to the park limited to the time between 5AM and 9AM, exit is between 1PM and 6PM
 * All visitors must attend a 10-minute induction speech before the day of your trek. As of Jan 2023, there are two sessions a day: 10AM and 3:30PM, happening on Google Meet. Your guide will provide you with the link.
 * Visitors must keep to three available routes (see printed map or interactive map, total length: 25 km):
 * Ritacuba trail to the snow line of Ritacuba Blanco (up to 4900 m)
 * Laguna Grande trail to one of the park’s most impressive lakes (20 km, up to 4600 m). The longest, but also the easiest.
 * Pulpito del Diable trail to the snow-line of the Pulpito del Diablo peak (16 km, up to 4850 m)
 * No admittance beyond snow lines
 * No overnight stays

Get around
The cheapest option to reach the park is the milk truck or lechero (COP$10,000). It leaves Güicán at 5:30AM everyday, reaches El Cocuy around 6AM and then goes up towards the Sierra to collect milk before going back to Güicán. It can drop you at various location close to the cabanas.

Don’t expect to trek in the park on that day, you’ll get too late. However, it is a good thing: you will be able to spend the night in one of the fincas, or in your tent, and it will leave you enough time for acclimatation.

If you miss the milk truck or want to go later, you can hire someone to drive you in a private car, but this is a much more expensive option (COP$90,000, gringo price: COP$180,000, Jan 2023).

See

 * Peaks: Ritacubas, Pan de Azucar, El Castillo and Pulpito del Diablo.
 * Lagunas: Los Verdes, Laguna Grande de la Sierra, La Isla, La Plaza y El Avellanal

Do
Although there is no official bike renting business, there are some nice routes for mountain biking. You may informally rent bikes to individuals, for example via the local MTB club.

Buy
You may buy all kinds of equipment for your treks in El Cocuy city centre. Beware of the gringo prices which may be applied in unreasonable proportions.

Eat
El café de mi tierra serves good coffee and cakes. A restaurant serves food at night in the same court. You may ask for vegetarian options even if they’re not on the menu (patacon is great).

Drink
There is a bar and nightclub at the esquina on the left of the main church.

Stay safe
Beware of mountain sickness, it is common that north-western tourists plan treks in the park before being appropriately acclimated. It is advised to spend a day resting in the village on arrival, and doing a physical exercise (trek, bike) at intermediates altitude before trekking in the park. A good option is to spend the night at one of the fincas / cabanas (3500 - 4000 m) at the entrance of the park before trekking.

When trekking, bring sufficient amounts of water, and food. Do not underestimate ultraviolet light: bring a hat and gloves (you may buy some in town), or other sun protection. Walking sticks may also be especially useful while trekking at high altitudes (you may rent them in town).

There is a hospital with good medical equipment on the outskirts of the village. If you have an issue related to a trek in the park, the insurance may cover your expanses.

There are also two pharmacies on the main places.

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

title: Cocuy National Park


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Cody

Cody is in Northwest Wyoming, close to the east side Yellowstone National Park. Unlike Jackson, with its pet spas and high-end shopping, Cody is more authentically cowboy. Cody is famous for its rodeo, which occurs nightly during the summer, and for its proximity to fantastic wilderness adventures in Yellowstone and in the national forests surrounding the park.

By car
Car trips to Cody are a bit long, but you're rewarded with beautiful scenery.

 * From the north - MT 310 connects I-90 with WYO 120 from Billings, Montana. Or, for a prettier alternative, drive from Red Lodge, Montana take the Beartooth Scenic Byway - US-212 is one of the top 20 drives in the country. The highway is open summer months only. US-212, the Beartooth Highway, leads to WY 296 - the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway. Here take US-212 to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park, or take WY 296 to WY 120 and on to Cody.
 * From the northeast - Over the Big Horn Mountains via Powell and Lovell on the Medicine Wheel Passage on US-14A. Open summer months only.
 * From the south - I-25 to Casper, US-20 to Thermopolis, and WYO 120 to the hamlet of Meeteetse and then Cody.
 * From the east - Across the Big Horn Scenic Byway on WYO 14 from Sheridan, Wyoming to Greybull on WYO 14-16-20. Through Buffalo, Wyoming on WYO 16 the Cloud Peak Skyway through Ten Sleep and Worland to WYO 16-20 to Greybull and on to Cody.
 * From the west - Through Jackson, Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park on WY 191 to WY 14-16-20, the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway to Cody.

Get around
Given Cody's rather remote location and the activities you've come to Cody to enjoy, you will want a car to get around.

Do

 * Hike. Cody is one of the jumping-off points for Yellowstone National Park. You don't have to go that far though to find beautiful trails, particularly in the Shoshone National Forest.
 * Dude ranches. There are several ranches in and around Cody that offer horseback riding and ranching experiences. Many of them are close to Yellowstone National Park, so you can piece together two different types of trips. One of the many ranches is K3 Guest Ranch.

Buy
There are a large number of excellent outfitters and merchants in Cody appealing to the visitor and resident alike. These include the Yellowstone Gift Shop, Sunshine Outfitters, Legends Bookstore, the Chamber of Commerce local artists co-op, and many more, mostly along Sheridan, which is the main drag through town.

Cody also offers the only Walgreens and Wal-Mart within 90 miles, both of them very well stocked and staffed.

Albertsons is the grocery store where the locals shop, and it has wonderful selection. The daily fresh-made guacamole is to die for.

Wyoming is a 24/7 alcohol sales zone. Libations near Walgreens is open every day of the year and has good selection of bottled goods and slushy machines full of frosted cocktails.

Sleep

 * This hotel is a favorite of tour groups. They have a great team. They have handled the gamut of customer situations and needs. It's vintage Holiday Inn (no free breakfast, but Granny's is practically across the street and another Cody institution). Not cheap. You can often get a better deal if you stay in one of their cabins (free standing units in back). The Cody Holiday Inn sits on old camp and rodeo grounds from before trees in Cody. Convenient to everything in the downtown.
 * This hotel is a favorite of tour groups. They have a great team. They have handled the gamut of customer situations and needs. It's vintage Holiday Inn (no free breakfast, but Granny's is practically across the street and another Cody institution). Not cheap. You can often get a better deal if you stay in one of their cabins (free standing units in back). The Cody Holiday Inn sits on old camp and rodeo grounds from before trees in Cody. Convenient to everything in the downtown.
 * This hotel is a favorite of tour groups. They have a great team. They have handled the gamut of customer situations and needs. It's vintage Holiday Inn (no free breakfast, but Granny's is practically across the street and another Cody institution). Not cheap. You can often get a better deal if you stay in one of their cabins (free standing units in back). The Cody Holiday Inn sits on old camp and rodeo grounds from before trees in Cody. Convenient to everything in the downtown.
 * This hotel is a favorite of tour groups. They have a great team. They have handled the gamut of customer situations and needs. It's vintage Holiday Inn (no free breakfast, but Granny's is practically across the street and another Cody institution). Not cheap. You can often get a better deal if you stay in one of their cabins (free standing units in back). The Cody Holiday Inn sits on old camp and rodeo grounds from before trees in Cody. Convenient to everything in the downtown.
 * This hotel is a favorite of tour groups. They have a great team. They have handled the gamut of customer situations and needs. It's vintage Holiday Inn (no free breakfast, but Granny's is practically across the street and another Cody institution). Not cheap. You can often get a better deal if you stay in one of their cabins (free standing units in back). The Cody Holiday Inn sits on old camp and rodeo grounds from before trees in Cody. Convenient to everything in the downtown.

Go next

 * Sleeping Giant Ski Area, 48 miles west of Cody

title: Cody


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Coeur d'Alene

Coeur d'Alene is the largest city in Northern Idaho.

Understand
A century ago Coeur d'Alene was at the epicenter of bitter mining and timber-forestry labor disputes which dominated the state's early history and politics. Fortunately for visitors, much of that blight is long gone. Today the city is known as a tourist haven for outdoor pursuits. Coeur d'Alene also features a renowned golf course with a free-floating island green, the only such hole in the world. Several other public and private golf courses abound. World class skiing is within a 90-minute drive of downtown Coeur d'Alene. Lake Coeur d'Alene offers boating and water-skiing as well as fishing for bass, trout, and salmon.

Often referred to by locals as simply "CDA," Coeur d'Alene, while an anchor of a metro area in its own right, is often considered the easternmost edge of the greater Spokane area. Like much of northern Idaho, Coeur d'Alene often relates more to eastern Washington than it does to southern Idaho and the capital.

As a result of its close ties to the Spokane area, Coeur d'Alene and an area known as the Idaho Panhandle follow Pacific Time (UTC−8 during the winter, UTC−7 during the summer) instead of Mountain Time (UTC−7 during the winter, UTC−6 during the summer) like the rest of Idaho.

By plane
The Spokane, Washington International Airport is just 40 minutes west of Coeur d'Alene with non-stop flights arriving daily from cities including Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Boise, Vancouver, Calgary and others. There is ground transportation available from the Spokane Airport to Coeur d’Alene. The following airlines provide service to Spokane International Airport: United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Horizon Airlines, Air Canada, Big Sky Airlines, and America West Airlines. The Coeur d'Alene Airport serves private aircraft and is located just north of Coeur d'Alene.

Airport Shuttles Call Omnibus for ground transportation from Coeur d'Alene to the Spokane Airport.

By train
Amtrak is stationed in Spokane, WA, 30 miles west of Coeur d'Alene. For information, call Amtrak at 800-872-7245 or visit Amtrak.com.

Get around
City Link provides free bus transportation to select areas, including the movie theatres and casinos

Buy

 * The Village at Riverstone, 2151 N Main St. A corridor of upscale shops and restaurants near the lake.

Sleep

Go next

 * Route of the Hiawatha scenic bike trail (operated by Lookout Pass Ski area) is a 15 mile, mostly downhill rail-to-trail. There are 10 dark tunnels and 7 sky-high trestles.
 * Kalispell, Montana
 * Glacier National Park (243 mile north east) has glaciers, alpine meadows, lakes, and over 700 miles of trails. Scenery unlike anywhere else plus diverse wildlife make this wilderness area a must see for outdoor enthusiasts.
 * Glacier National Park (243 mile north east) has glaciers, alpine meadows, lakes, and over 700 miles of trails. Scenery unlike anywhere else plus diverse wildlife make this wilderness area a must see for outdoor enthusiasts.

title: Coeur d'Alene


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Coffee Bay

Coffee Bay (Koffiebaai) is a town in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Although the source of fond memories for many South Africans and tourists alike, the town has fallen on to hard times as of late, with crime increasing and buildings falling into disrepair.

By bus
Coffee Shack and Bomvu Backpackers offer a shuttle service from the Shell Ultra City in Umtata. Take one of the following buses to the Shell Ultra City Umtata:
 * Bazbus Baz Bus - hop on hop off backpacker bus service from Port Elizabeth or Durban. +27 21 439 2323
 * Intercity coaches: Greyhound, City to City, Translux, SA Roadlink.

By plane

 * SA Airlink has daily flights from Johannesburg to Umtata FlySAA. You can hire a car from Umtata airport with Avis

See

 * Hole in the wall, a beautiful 11 km hike or half hour drive. The Hole is a large cliff jutting into the sea through which waves have carved a large hole.

Do
Coffee Shack offers a wide variety of activities and some of the cheapest professional surf lessons in South Africa. Every day they do a different hike or activity.

Buy

 * Afritude funky locally printed clothing.

Eat

 * Papazellas - great pizza & good company. At the Greenhouse. Bookings essential.  Ask for Phil or Luke.

Go next

 * Port St Johns

title: Coffee Bay


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Coffin Bay

Coffin Bay is a town on the Eyre Peninsula, just under an hours drive from Port Lincoln.

Understand
The bay's name is another legacy of Matthew Flinders, who named the town after his friend Sir Isaac Coffin.

The town has calm water, boating and fishing. It is a popular summer tourist destination on the peninsula.

Get in
Coffin Bay is just off the Flinders Highway and is well signposted from Port Lincoln and surrounding areas. There is no public transport to Coffin Bay. The closest airport and coach service is in Port Lincoln, where you can hire a car. Coffin Bay is around 8 hours drive from Adelaide and 40 minutes from Port Lincoln.

Get around
There is a nice walkway around the shoreline. There is no public transport.

See

20 km of sealed road leading outward from the town entrance provides easy access to picturesque local destinations.

 * Avoid Bay
 * Point Avoid
 * Almonta Beach
 * Yangie camping ground

Buy
There is an ATM in the general store, which will dispense up to $200.

There is a pizza place.

Eat
The town is world famous for Coffin Bay Oysters. You can see the Oyster farms on the drive into town and sample fresh ones in the restaurants.

 * Oysterbeds serve delicious local seafood. Their pepper baked Tuna is fantastic.

Connect
Telstra has strong 4G and 3G coverage. Optus has only 4G, but is patchy with some areas having no coverage. Vodafone is hopeless here.

Go next

 * Lock
 * Elliston
 * Port Augusta
 * Whyalla
 * Arno Bay
 * Tumby Bay
 * Port Lincoln

title: Coffin Bay


text:
Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is a city on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, approximately two thirds of the way from Sydney to Brisbane.

Understand
Coffs is one of the original family holiday destinations on the Australian east coast. Today the city attracts parents and grandparents bringing their children to the same destination they visited as a child, as well as many travellers between Sydney and Brisbane, including backpackers staying for a week or so. Less trendy than Byron Bay or Noosa, the town still has great beaches, a huge variety of accommodation, and a well developed tourist industry that has been one of the mainstays of the community since the 1950s.

By car
Coffs Harbour is a 530 km drive north of Sydney and 350 km south of Brisbane on the Pacific Highway. As always on the Pacific Highway, take care. The road quality varies dramatically, and there are normally traffic build-ups during peak holiday periods.

By train
After years of financial neglect, line closures and discount airfares, Coffs Harbour (probably along with Dubbo) remains one of the few places in country New South Wales where the train still offers a reasonable service and a competitive price.

It is a nine-hour train ride on NSW TrainLink (132232) from Sydney, but it is a nice view out of the window as the train travels out of Sydney and up via the  Central Coast, Newcastle and Kempsey. There is a choice of trains daily, and the trains even arrive and depart at relatively sociable hours during the day. The train station is in the south of the town near the jetty area and is walking distance to the beach and to some accommodation. There are taxis available to get to resorts or the other accommodation around town. Buses also run close by at the jetty village shopping centre.

Some of the trains continue on to Brisbane, which is 6 hours away by rail.

There is also a railway station in Sawtell that is in the Coffs Harbour vicinity.

By bus
All the coaches travelling the route between Sydney and Brisbane make a stop in Coffs. Dorrigo Transit operates a Regional Shuttle, Tamworth - Armidale - Dorrigo - Coffs Harbour. Bookings Essential.
 * Premier
 * Greyhound

By plane
A bus runs into town from the airport. The service is operated by Sawtell Coaches. Taxis can also be hailed to the city centre.

There is an off-road cycleway that runs outside the airport into town and the riding into town is quite practical.

By bus
Busways run regular services around the city to make up a local transit network. Buses also run to Nambucca Bellingen and surrounding areas.

By taxi
Coffs Harbour has a local taxi network that will run you up and down the Coffs Coast.

See

 * The Big Banana Complex adjacent to the fruit, offers fun rides, ice skating, and a real snow slope (indoor). Take a tour of the real bananas as well.
 * There is a Creek-side Boardwalk through mangroves near the jetty area and a quite extensive Botanical Garden nearby.
 * Shearwater nesting on Muttonbird Island. Muttonbird Island is a peninsula extending out from the marina area. It is completely treeless, but is a nesting site for the migratory birds call wedge-tailed shearwaters, or muttonbirds. Birds complete their courtship in November and the eggs hatch towards the end of summer. On the eastern side of Muttonbird Island, there is a great view out to sea and whales can also be seen at some parts of the year. Walking over Muttonbird Island is a short walk (10-20 minutes), but it's also steep and there is no shade. Wear a hat, cover your shoulders, and take a bottle of water with you.
 * There is a Creek-side Boardwalk through mangroves near the jetty area and a quite extensive Botanical Garden nearby.
 * Shearwater nesting on Muttonbird Island. Muttonbird Island is a peninsula extending out from the marina area. It is completely treeless, but is a nesting site for the migratory birds call wedge-tailed shearwaters, or muttonbirds. Birds complete their courtship in November and the eggs hatch towards the end of summer. On the eastern side of Muttonbird Island, there is a great view out to sea and whales can also be seen at some parts of the year. Walking over Muttonbird Island is a short walk (10-20 minutes), but it's also steep and there is no shade. Wear a hat, cover your shoulders, and take a bottle of water with you.
 * Shearwater nesting on Muttonbird Island. Muttonbird Island is a peninsula extending out from the marina area. It is completely treeless, but is a nesting site for the migratory birds call wedge-tailed shearwaters, or muttonbirds. Birds complete their courtship in November and the eggs hatch towards the end of summer. On the eastern side of Muttonbird Island, there is a great view out to sea and whales can also be seen at some parts of the year. Walking over Muttonbird Island is a short walk (10-20 minutes), but it's also steep and there is no shade. Wear a hat, cover your shoulders, and take a bottle of water with you.

Do

 * Swim at Coffs' beaches.
 * Park Beach is the main beach in Coffs, and is just to the north of the mouth of Coffs Creek. It is a surf beach and the swimming can be a little rough.
 * Just inside the mouth of Coffs Creek is a small sheltered beach. Families with small children swim here and there are lots of fishermen.
 * There is another calm beach between the jetty and the wharf area that is popular with families.
 * Go on a dolphin or whale watching cruise. Whale season is June to November each year, and dolphins are seen in the area year round. Spirit Cruises takes a large day boat of whale or dolphin watchers out daily at 9:30AM. On weekends and holidays there is also a luncheon cruise at 1pm. The boat has a bar and, for the more active participants, there is a waterslide and pool set up in the ocean. Cruises are popular so book in advance, phone bookings are preferred.
 * Helicopter scenic flights over the stunning beaches and rainforest with Precision Helicopters, 77 Aviation Drive, Coffs Harbour. +61 2 6652 9988. Flights start at $80.  Half-hour learn-to-fly lessons over the coast - spectacular!
 * Rally Australia is the Australasian leg of the World Rally Championship, held (from 2016) in late November. Moving between the stages isn't overly easy but if you are a petrol-head it is definitely a trip worth taking.
 * Go on a dolphin or whale watching cruise. Whale season is June to November each year, and dolphins are seen in the area year round. Spirit Cruises takes a large day boat of whale or dolphin watchers out daily at 9:30AM. On weekends and holidays there is also a luncheon cruise at 1pm. The boat has a bar and, for the more active participants, there is a waterslide and pool set up in the ocean. Cruises are popular so book in advance, phone bookings are preferred.
 * Helicopter scenic flights over the stunning beaches and rainforest with Precision Helicopters, 77 Aviation Drive, Coffs Harbour. +61 2 6652 9988. Flights start at $80.  Half-hour learn-to-fly lessons over the coast - spectacular!
 * Rally Australia is the Australasian leg of the World Rally Championship, held (from 2016) in late November. Moving between the stages isn't overly easy but if you are a petrol-head it is definitely a trip worth taking.

Markets

Harbourside Markets are a craft and produce market featuring handmade and local products only, there is also live music. The markets offer a beautiful setting under shaded trees a 5-min walk to the beautiful beaches located at the popular Jetty Foreshores area every Sunday.

Shopping centres

 * Park Beach Plaza, intersection of Pacific Highway and Park Beach Road. The Park Beach Plaza is a giant shopping centre with the usual assortment of useful shops including a Woolworths supermarket, JB Hi-Fi, Target, Big W, IGA and many other specialty stores.
 * Coffs Central, in the CBD of Coffs Harbour with more than 60 stores including Big W, fashion and specialty stores. It is undergoing extensive renovation to add new dining facilities and stores.
 * Centro Toormina. A shopping centre in the suburb of Toormina that has had extensive renovations and includes a Kmart in the list of new stores.
 * Promenade. Combines fine dining with fine shopping boutiques.
 * Promenade. Combines fine dining with fine shopping boutiques.

Eat
There is a group of eateries in the Jetty area, mostly on Harbour Drive. This area is known as having the best eating in Coffs.

 * Park Beach Bowling Club Park Beach Road. For great wholesome food home cooked food at cheap prices. Get there early though as it does get quite busy.
 * Split Cafe and Espresso Bar - located at First Avenue in Sawtell (south of the Coffs Harbour township), Split Cafe and Espresso Bar offers fresh juices, brilliant coffee and a lunch and breakfast menu that caters to all tastes. Split is open early (about 7:30AM) 7 days a week and is also open Friday and Saturday nights, with reservations being recommended as tables are very popular. Split offers a great small community feel that is complemented by the quiet and relaxed village atmosphere of Sawtell.
 * Outback Jacks, Bar and Grill. Largest selection of steaks in the world, Ribs, shanks. Service is fabulous, a wonderful country atmosphere. winner of tourism award for Coffs Harbour. It can be somewhat expensive.
 * Park Beach Bowling Club Park Beach Road. For great wholesome food home cooked food at cheap prices. Get there early though as it does get quite busy.
 * Split Cafe and Espresso Bar - located at First Avenue in Sawtell (south of the Coffs Harbour township), Split Cafe and Espresso Bar offers fresh juices, brilliant coffee and a lunch and breakfast menu that caters to all tastes. Split is open early (about 7:30AM) 7 days a week and is also open Friday and Saturday nights, with reservations being recommended as tables are very popular. Split offers a great small community feel that is complemented by the quiet and relaxed village atmosphere of Sawtell.
 * Outback Jacks, Bar and Grill. Largest selection of steaks in the world, Ribs, shanks. Service is fabulous, a wonderful country atmosphere. winner of tourism award for Coffs Harbour. It can be somewhat expensive.

Sleep
The high season in Coffs Harbour is the summer school holidays, from late December until the end of January each year. Some accommodation on the spot is likely to be available even at those times.

In addition to the usual hostel/motel/hotel accommodation, Coffs has a large number of motel-like facilities that call themselves 'holiday apartments'. These are typically large motel-like flats with 2 or 3 bedrooms and some cooking facilities. They are designed to be booked on a week-to-week basis but are often available for shorter bookings.

Splurge
Coffs also has some of the best beachside resorts in New South Wales. Pacific Bay, Opal Cove and Nautilus are all resort style accommodation near the beach in the Coffs area.

Stay safe
Coffs Harbour is reasonably safe but the main thing is to keep vigilant at night in the CBD. Also it is unadvisable to walk the park beach area at night near the Hoey Moey Hotel. Toormina is not a safe place to be during the night. Be particularly vigilant to avoid making eye contact, or attempting to interact with KOB Gangs (kids on bikes) at all times, especially in the popular scenic day trip village towns of the Orara Valley region such as Coramba and Nana Glen.

Some Coffs hotels and resorts advertise and are proud of their beachfront settings. However, not all Coffs beaches are patrolled, and paying for accommodation near to the beach, and then finding it may not be one that is safe to swim at can be frustrating if that was your plan.

Go next
Continue north up the coast to Byron Bay, or inland follow the spectacular Waterfall way through Bellingen to Armidale, or south down to the Forster, and Port Macquarie.

The scenic village towns of Coramba and Nana Glen are a scenic 30 minute drive North-East of the main center of Coffs Harbour. Check out Mountain Ash pottery and gallery in Coramba and the local bakery for the valley's best pies and desserts. Visit the local winery in Nana Glen as well as the Kookaburra Cafe for lunch with its unique tram carriage dining area. Along your drive, be sure to purchase some local produce sold at roadside stalls!

title: Coffs Harbour


text:
Cohasset

Cohasset is a small seaside town in Massachusetts.

By plane

 * Logan International Airport in Boston

By car
Cohasset is on Route 3A. From Boston follow Interstate 93 South to Exit 7 (Route 3 South). Follow Route 3 south to Exit 14, Route 228, (Hull, Nantasket, Rockland), at the bottom of the ramp go left. Follow '''Rt. 228 North about 7 miles then go right onto 3A'''.

By train
MBTA Greenbush Line.

title: Cohasset


text:
Cohoes

Cohoes is a city in Albany County on the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers, where the Mohawk forms several channels and islands.

Understand
Cohoes, just northeast of Albany and across the Hudson from Troy, is a beautiful city that's full of lovely historic architecture. Founded by the Dutch, it flourished during the 19th century as a center of textile manufacturing. The power for the now-historic textile mills (the largest of which — the vast Harmony Mill No. 3 — you can see on the right side of the pagebanner) came from the Cohoes Falls on the Mohawk River, still the town's foremost attraction. Now a quiet town, Cohoes may feel to visitors like an ideal movie set for a drama set in the 19th or early 20th century. Most of its attractions are walkable from each other, but there's a lot to see, so consider allotting 2 hours or more if you are an architecture or history buff.

Get in
Cohoes is easily accessible by car from nearby cities such as Albany, Schenectady, Troy and Waterford.

The Capital District Transportation Authority provides bus service from the Albany Bus Terminal and Troy (4th St and Fulton) into Cohoes on Route 182 every half hour M-F and every hour Sa and Su.

Get around
The historic districts in Cohoes are walkable. There is ample free 2-hour parking in both historic districts.

Sleep
Accommodations can be found in nearby Latham or Troy.

Go next

 * Troy
 * Watervliet (New York)

title: Cohoes


text:
Coiba National Marine Park

Coiba National Marine Park in the Gulf of Chiriqui in the Pacific West of Panama.

Understand
Frequently referred to as the Galapagos Islands of Central America for its abundance of rare species in both the water and on land, the park consists of the island of Coiba (the largest island in Central America) and 37 surrounding islands and islets, all of which are about 50 km off the Panamanian coast in the Gulf of Chiriquí.

Coiba is known for its superior diving and was said to have the best diving "to be found along the Pacific Coast from Colombia to Mexico".

Coiba is also home to various endemic species and subspecies. The Coiba spinetail (Cranioleuca dissita), a small bird, and the Coiba agouti (Dasyprocta coibae) only occur on Coiba island. The Coiba howler monkey (Alouatta coibensis) occurs on Coiba and in the Cerro Hoya National Park. Coiba island is also home of the last population of scarlet macaws (Ara macao) in Panama.

History
From 1919 to 1991 this island was a penal colony and quartered political prisoners and some of the most dangerous criminals in Panama. Known as Panama’s Devil’s Island, the government closed the penal colony in 1991, and turned it into the largest marine park in Central America. Some of the central offices and cell blocks have been resurrected and can be visited. Others are crumbling away rather rapidly. Nearby, a coast guard station has been built.

UNESCO named Coiba National Marine Park a World Heritage Site in 2005 identifying more than 800 marine species in the waters surrounding the park.

Get in
Though its remote nature has helped to preserve the flora and fauna, it also served to deter visitors. It is about an hour long boat ride from the coastal town of Santa Catalina or two hours from the fishing village of Boca Chica, but most travelers rely on tour operators to reach the island. This journey’s inconvenience is negligible, however, compared to the opportunities for scuba, snorkeling and sport fishing Coiba offers.

Alternatively, you can travel to Mariato or Malena on the west coast of the Azuero peninsula and hire a boat there. The trip on sea will be longer, but you spend less time on the bus from Santiago to Mariato.

Get around
There are no roads and few trails on the island. To get from the only camp site to trailheads, dive sites and snorkeling sites, you need a boat. So you will need to hire a boat for your entire trip.

See and do
Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have proclaimed Coiba an unparalleled destination for discovering new species. Rachel Collin, a Smithsonian project coordinator said, "It's hard to imagine, while snorkeling around a tropical island that's so close to the United States, that half the animals you see are unknown to science.” Its unique location protects it from the damaging winds and other effects of El Niño, allowing it to sustain the uninterrupted evolution of new marine species including whale and tiger sharks, sperm whales, sea turtles, angel rays and giant schools of fish. Coiba is home to several endemic species and subspecies. The Coiba agouti is distinctly different from it s counterpart on the main land. Whether the Howler monkey that occurs on Coiba is a separate species, subspecies or variety is still debated by taxonomists. The park is gaining a reputation for being what the Moon travel book calls a “Garden of Eden”; touting the second largest coral reef (Bahia Damas Reef) in the Pacific.

To get a good impression of Coiba, you should plan to stay there for at least two days. Snorkel at Granito de oro with White-tipped reef sharks and turtles, walk de Sendero de monos to get an impression of the forest on the island, visit the rehabilitated prison and the mangrove forest nearby and you will have an idea of what Coiba is about. On your way back, stop at Wahoo rock to see of the whale sharks are around. August is a good time to visit because during this period, humpback whales visit Coiba waters. The females give birth here and mother-calf pairs can be seen frequently.

Eat and drink
There are no restaurants at Coiba National Marine Park.

Try Boca Chica, Boca Brava, or any of the resorts in Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí.

Sleep
The ANAM ranger station on Isla Coiba has closed its accommodation for tourists for rehabilitation. There are two tour operators that offer tented accommodation on Coiba Island. Otherwise, Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí offers multiple accommodation options, just a short boat ride nearby.

title: Coiba National Marine Park


text:
Coimbatore

Coimbatore is an industrial city of 2 million people (2020) in Tamil Nadu, often likened to being the Manchester or Detroit of Southern India. It's famous for the manufacture of motor-pump sets and varied engineering goods.

Understand
Coimbatore, also known as Kovai is known for its various industries, engineering goods, textile mills, educational institutions, health care facilities, pleasant weather, friendly culture and hospitality. There is a significant minority of people of North and West Indian origin in Coimbatore, making it cosmopolitan. The Tamil spoken here is called Kongu Tamil. Other languages spoken include English, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada. The citizens are friendly and courteous. It has pleasant, moderate weather throughout the year, with the exception of summer, and so, is similar to a resort town. It is an information-technology hub with new initiatives from the state government. Coimbatore is an orthodox city. It has developed in terms of wealth, however the general populace is still down to earth. People here don't have a flashy lifestyle. Most of all the Coimbatoreans are known for the respect displayed in language towards everyone.

Talk
Tamil is the mothertongue of the majority of the people in Coimbatore though there are people who speak Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada Hindi and Urdu. Unlike other cities in India, few people in Coimbatore can speak Hindi. English is usually understood and spoken.

Get in
The city has six major arterial roads and three National Highways, NH-47 (Kanyakumari-Salem), NH-67 (Nagapattinam-Ooty) and NH-209 (Bangalore-Dindigul) passing through the city. The city has a civil airport at Peelamedu and an Air Force base at Sulur. Broad-gauge trains connect it to all parts of India. A bypass tollway was built to avoid unnecessary traffic into the city.

By train
Coimbatore Junction, the major station in the city is well connected by trains to Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram. Other train stations in the city include Podanur Junction and Coimbatore North Junction.
 * Southern Railway
 * Indian Railway reservations

By bus
There are five major bus stations in Coimbatore from where bus services are available to all major places in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Pondicherry and Andhra Pradesh. All bus stations are inter-connected with local bus services throughout the day.
 * Central Bus station at Gandhipuram (for buses going east and north east to Erode, Gobichettipalayam, Tirupur, Salem, Sathyamangalam and surrounding areas)
 * Singanallur Bus station (for buses to Madurai, Trichy, Karur, Tanjavur and nearby towns)
 * Moffusil Bus Station at Gandhipuram (for express buses to other states and Chennai, Bangalore, Hydrabad, Pondicherry and Tirupati)
 * Ukkadam Bus station (for buses to Palakkad, Trichur, Cochin, Trivandrum, Palani, Pollachi, Udumalpet and other nearby places)
 * MTP Road Bus station (for buses to Mettupalayam, Ooty and Gudalur)

Get around
Getting around Coimbatore is easy. There are public transport buses, auto rickshaws and plenty of taxis available. The minimum charge for cabs is ₹40 and ₹16/₹12 per kilometre for different operators. Public transport is available through buses operated by the state-owned TNSTC and other private operators.

Temples
Temples in and around Coimbatore are:

 * Asia's biggest statue of Lord Ganesha temple in Puliakulam.
 * Perur Pateeswarar Temple (Tamil: அருள்மிகு பட்டீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில்) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at Perur.
 * Sri Naga Sai Temple in Sai Baba colony Matupaliyam Road (the oldest Sai Baba temple in south India)
 * Sri Ranganathar temple in Karamadai,
 * Then Thiruppathi is near Mettupalayam.
 * Velliengiri hills and temple are famous and historic, which is also known as South Kailash.
 * Perur Pateeswarar Temple (Tamil: அருள்மிகு பட்டீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில்) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at Perur.
 * Sri Naga Sai Temple in Sai Baba colony Matupaliyam Road (the oldest Sai Baba temple in south India)
 * Sri Ranganathar temple in Karamadai,
 * Then Thiruppathi is near Mettupalayam.
 * Velliengiri hills and temple are famous and historic, which is also known as South Kailash.

Other temples are Ayappan Pooja Sangam in Ramnagar and Ayyappan temple in New Siddhapudur, Sringeri Saradha Koil, Shirdi Sai Baba temple in Saibaba colony, Koniamman temple and Ramar temple in Ramnagar near Gandhipuram bus stand. Isha Yoga Center's Shiva temple - worth visiting -20 km from city.

Do

 * There are three good water theme parks Black Thunder (near Ooty foot hills), Kovai Kondattam (en route to Siruvani Dam), and Maharaja Water Theme Park (near Neelambur, Avinashi Road). The entry fees are ₹300 to 350 for adults, while children get a discount of ₹50-100 per head.

Buy
ATMs are available throughout the city, with most concentrated in the commercial areas like R.S.Puram, Trichy Road and Avanashi Road.

Shopping in Coimbatore is concentrated in the areas of RS Puram, Cross-Cut Road and the Town Hall Area (Oppanakara St, Big Bazaar St, Raja St). Coimbatore, known as the Manchester of South India, is famous for textiles. Shops sell Kanchivaram, Benares and designer sarees at Cross-Cut Road. Coimbatore is also known for its numerous jewellery stores situated along Cross-Cut Road and Town Hall Area. Lee, Arrow, United Colors of Benetton, Levi’s, Reebok, Adidas, Puma, Crocodile, etc. have retail outlets in D.B. Road. There are several huge textile showrooms in the city (RmKV, Pothys, The Chennai Silks, Shree Devi Textiles, Sri Ganapathy silks, Kalyan Sarees, PSR Silks) that sell ethnic wear for the whole family.

Brookefields Mall in Brooke Bond Road is the biggest shopping mall in Coimbatore has branded shops for cloths, apparels, foot wears, eateries (including KFC), cloth showrooms (RmKV), etc. It has a six-screen multiplex cinema.

Nilgiris is South India’s leading chain of retail stores. They have an outlets in R.S. Puram and at Trichy Road. They stock most of the up-market food items like frozen and tinned foods, offering a wide range of grocery, general merchandise and personal-care products. They also offer Gouda, Colby, Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Havarti, Feta, Haloumi and Camembert cheeses made by Acres Wild Cheesemaking Farm, which is in Coonoor.

Sri Krishna Sweets specializes in Indian sweets and is famous for its Mysurpa (a sweet made from lentil flour and ghee).

Eat
When visiting Coimbatore, taste the food and "Siruvani Water". Coimbatore is an ideal stop to rest while on the way to Ooty, Bangalore or Kerala. Sample the best of South Indian Idlis, Dosas, Vada, Chutney and vegetarian rice meal from the Annapoorna Chain of Veg Restaurants, Shree Anandhaas Chain of Veg Restaurants, Aaryaas Veg Restaurant and non-vegetarian food from Kovai Biriyani Hotel, Angannan's, Anjappar, Sampoorna, Rayappas and Thalappas restaurants. Try Krishna Sweets, too, the sweets chain started in this town. Western coffee pubs and fast food outlets Subway, Domino's, Pizza Hut, Baskin Robbins, Marry Brown, Barista, Cafe Coffee Day, and Boomerang are present, too.

Drink
Liquor cannot be found in the department stores or malls. It is regulated by the state government of Tamil Nadu and available through retail outlets controlled by state-owned body TASMAC and in some star hotels and bars. These shops usually close around 22:00, and it is hard to find an overnight party house in the city.

Siruvani water in Coimbatore is considered one of the tastiest natural unprocessed waters on the planet.

Budget
There are many budget hotels near the railway station and bus stand with single rooms between ₹150-350/day.

Splurge

There any many 4- and 5-star hotels in Coimbatore, including:

Stay safe
Coimbatore is safer than other cities in Tamil Nadu. Beware of pickpockets at bus stands. While travelling by bus, keep your valuables safe.

Picnic spots

 * Coimbatore is surrounded by hill ranges and hence several picnic spots for day trips exist. Some of them are: Kovai Kutrallam waterfalls (45 km), Monkey falls (75 km), Athikadavu stream (40 km), Kallar river banks (55 km), Topslip town (90 km), Malampuzha dam (60 km), Thirumurthy waterfalls near Udumalpet(65 km), Dhyanalinga Yogic temple and Isha Yoga centre (35 km), Velliangiri hill temple (37 km), Marudhamalai hill temple (20 km), Vydehi waterfalls (35 km), Bhavani Sagar (55 km), Kodiveri (75 km) and Karunya (32 km). Most of them are not very well known to outsiders and if you go on a working day, the tranquility would be an added advantage. And most of these roads are good, compared to Indian standards.

Other places

 * Mysore, a city of palaces and gardens.
 * Botanical Garden opposite to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, on the way to Marudhamalai temple.
 * Crocodile Park in Amaravathi is near Udumalpet (65 km). There is also a dam nearby.
 * Hill stations are Ooty (80 km), Valparai near Pollachi has sightseeing and picnic spots, Kodaikanal (180 km).
 * Sanctuaries are Mudumalai Wild Life Sanctuary(150 km), Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary (100 km), Top Slip.
 * Silent Valley national park inside Kerala is one hour's drive from Coimbatore.
 * Tea plantations at Ooty or Munnar.

title: Coimbatore


text:
Coimbra

Coimbra is the traditional capital city of Central Portugal's historic Beira Litoral region. With over 140,000 inhabitants (2021), it is the largest municipality there and one of Portugal's four largest metropolises. An important urban and administrative centre since the birth of the Portuguese nation, the city has amassed vast cultural and architectural heritage and is the seat of one of world's oldest universities, a.

Understand

Coimbra (koo-EEM-bruh, ) was settled by the Romans as Aeminium in the 1st century CE.

By plane
The most convenient airports for Coimbra are (in order of distance):
 * Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport - Porto
 * Portela Airport - Lisbon

By train
Coimbra has two main train stations:

By car
The principal motorway serving Coimbra is the A1 (Autoestrada do Norte), with several exits that will be put you about 10 min away from the city centre. Driving from Porto takes about 1 hr, and Lisbon is about 2 hr away.

The A13 motorway (Autoestrada do Pinhal Interior) provides a link from Entroncamento and Tomar.

The A14 motorway (Autoestrada do Baixo Mondego) provides access from the coastal city of Figueira da Foz.

The IP3 road serves Chaves and Viseu.

By bus

Some buses (e.g. Flixbus) don't use the bus station, but leave from a parking lot further up the same road, underneath the flyover, opposite the Audi car showroom by the roundabout. Halfway between the bus station and Coimbra-B railway station. No ticket office. No benches. There is a bar just across the road and a 24 hour hamburger place 2 minutes away towards the town centre.

By shared shuttle
There are a few companies providing door-to-door shared shuttle service to Coimbra from either Lisbon or Porto. It is a budget option with more personal service than the bus. You can get to Coimbra from your hotel in Lisbon or Porto with shared shuttle, and get off by the square Largo da Portagem, which is the area visitors ususally start their touring. If you are coming from airports, you can go with Coimbra airport shuttle. It is recommended to book ticket in advance to guarantee a seat.

By foot
Most of the things to see and do in Coimbra and most of the places to eat, drink, and sleep are within reasonable walking distance of each other and of the rail station in Baixa. There are several hotels, restaurants, cafés, pastry shops, and nightclubs.

Most monuments are in Baixa and Santa Clara (across the Mondego river). Smaller shops, restaurants, and hotels are mostly in Baixa and Santa Clara. Major shopping malls are in Alta, by Solum, and near the municipal stadium/pool.

By bus
The SMTUC (Serviços Municipalizados de Transportes Urbanos de Coimbra) operates several bus routes in and around Coimbra.

The "Pantufinhas" or Linha Azul (Blue Line) provides transport in the historical city centre, and a link between the lower and upper town.

By elevator
There's an elevator (Elevador do Mercado) that connects Rua Padre António Vieira with Rua Olímpio Nicolau Rui Fernandes (next to Mercado Municipal D Pedro V). A valid SMTUC ticket is necessary to gain access.

By car
Coimbra is a hard city to drive in as it was built around medieval structures. Also, finding a parking spot can be difficult. The best option for visiting Coimbra is to find a hotel with parking or to park near the city centre and then walk around. The main attractions are in the city centre and within walking distance of each other.

Coimbra Baixa is the lower city (downtown). Alta is the highest part of the city, which is also difficult to drive around.

Do
Have a walk up to the top of University Hill from the Mondego river (one of the three great rivers of Portugal), a gorgeous view.

Fado
There are two kinds of fado in Portugal: fado from Lisbon and fado from Coimbra, neither should be missed (fados are nostalgic songs accompanied by Portuguese guitar).
 * Coimbra Fado group Verdes Anos

Student life
There is always a lot going on in the student community, go and find out what's up. There are two student festivals held every year:
 * Festa das Latas
 * Queima das Fitas

Get lost
The centre of Coimbra is a great place to get lost, Coimbra is a small city but it is full of interesting spots, such as museums (Machado de Castro), Torre d'Anto, etc.

Buy
The mediaeval centre of Coimbra is unusual in retaining a number of independent bookshops, boutiques, toy shops, galleries, antique and food shops. There are several bookstores, cafes, restaurants, esplanadas. If you are even just a bit into pottery, the traditional pottery is a must.

Eat
Having a meal is not really a problem in Coimbra, since the city has a lots of restaurants, some featuring regional cuisine, in the old city (Baixa). Rua de Azeiteiras, a street in Baixa, has lots of nice traditional restaurants.

Budget
Three reasonably big shopping centres serve the standard fast food meals you can find everywhere. They are located in key places in the city, but not necessarily close to the tourist attractions of the city.

Drink

 * There is a lot of quality wine production in the regions surrounding Coimbra, try some Bairrada wine.
 * Don't miss the licor beirão, a national sweet liquor drink created and made in the region.
 * Try the different varieties of aguardente (firewater). One is made only from grapes while the other is made from mixed fruit. Each have a unique and different after taste.

Cafés

 * The bars in the City Park are open all day long.
 * The bars in the City Park are open all day long.

Night out
The bars in the Parque Verde do Mondego are a good place to go for a drink during spring and summer. The bars around the Praça da República are full of the spirit of the students of the University, mainly during weekdays in autumn, winter and spring.

A warning: the students in this town seem to prefer Tuesday or Thursday night to go out. On weekends, this city is sleepy as many students go home to their families.

Budget
There are several cheap hostels around the city centre.

Go next

 * Aveiro — city with canals, often compared with Venice
 * Condeixa-a-Nova — ruins of the ancient Roman settlement of Conímbriga
 * Fátima — major pilgrimage destination where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three children in 1917
 * Figueira da Foz — beaches and a casino about away
 * Leiria — city settled since ancient times, with a Medieval castle
 * Lousã — a mountain town
 * Mealhada — famous for its Leitão, roast suckling pig
 * Pombal — city with a 12th-century Romanesque castle
 * Tomar — city with several Knights Templar sights
 * Viseu — important Beira Alta city, a good base from which to explore that region

title: Coimbra


text:
Cojedes

Cojedes Cojedes state is located in central-western Venezuela. Its northern border of Lara, Yaracuy and Carabobo, west to the Portuguese state, the south by the state of Barinas, Guarico state east. Its capital is San Carlos. Cojedes is a word of Caribbean origin, meaning "people of ceramics" or "village of potters". The state was named in 1855 in honor of the Cojedes River, which originates in the state of Lara in the name of Rio Turbio and Portuguesa River, and empties into the south of the village of El Baul.

Cities

 * (capital)

Other destinations

 * — To the east of El Baul is the Hato Piñero, private ecotourism development where free wildlife diversity is combined with activities and agro-livestock farm and where visitors can participate in the same activities performed by the Llano del Hato. This herd is visited by tourists and foreign researchers of various nationalities.
 * (Balneario Boca Toma National Park) — It is located in avenida Ricaurte, via a hospital in San Carlos. There you can enjoy the mountain climate and enjoy a swim in its crystalline waters, its banks since the Balneario Boca Takes cottage offers its facilities and barbecue pits to prepare the traditional stew in an atmosphere of calm and greenery. The original name of the river is a river mouth takes Tiriguá, but is best known as Boca River Takes. The seasons where there is more influx of tourists to this pleasant river are Carnival, Easter and school holidays (July to September). Wellness Park Takes In Mouth performed various sporting events.
 * (Tirgua National Park) — Located between Cojedes and Yaracuy has an area of 12,200 ha. Protected ecosystems and important natural attractions: Deciduous forests and semi-deciduous.

Understand
With a relief dominated by vast plains is a state devoted mainly to livestock and agriculture with approximately more than 500,000 head of cattle and more than 5,000,000 copies of pigs and poultry. In terms of agricultural production are the major rice and corn snuff.

Being a largely rural state its main tourist attractions lie in the beauty of nature, among the most remarkable is the Hato Piñero cattle herd that is bordered by 3 rivers and a chain of mountains, where hundreds of species of wild animals live free and protected by an ecological foundation. It also highlights its capital city San Carlos, known for its autodromo, where he ran 4 World Championship, and bullfights.

See

 * Autodromo de San Carlos The Autodromo Internacional de San Carlos, is located at the entrance of the city, is home to numerous major national and international racing car and motorcycle racing. Cojedes State is known for the Autodromo Internacional de San Carlos, where he ran 4 motorcycling world between 1976 and 1979. Also the 4 kilometer long has this track is witnessing important events of Formula 1. There have been promising sports figures here, such as Francesco Pellegrino who has given many victories to the region, winning national and Latin American motorcycling.
 * Aguas termales la Aguadita Located in Tinaquillo, about 1km from the village of Aguadita. Type waters are sulphurous.
 * El Salto In the River Tinaco, is a stream of clear water.
 * Embalse Conchinche On the river Pao, irrigation serves an area of 600 hectares and provides water supplies to the city of Valencia.

title: Cojedes


text:
Colac

Colac is a town on the Princes Highway in the Great Ocean Road region of Victoria.

Understand
The Princes Highway goes directly through the centre of this pretty Victorian country town. Shops line the strip, and there is a pretty central part with shade and fountains. The lake and botanical gardens are a short walk or drive from the centre of town.

Colac is the major town of the diverse Otways region, which has landscapes to appeal to everyone. With spectacular natural scenery, mighty timbers and magnificent waterfalls, the lush green hills roll down to long stretches of sandy beaches of the Great Ocean Road. There's also the volcanic lakes, craters and wetlands of the Hinterland.

The region encompasses smaller villages including Gellibrand, Forrest, Birregurra, Cressy, Beeac, Beech Forest and Lavers Hill. There are also the seaside hamlets of Wye and Kennett River, Cape Otway, Johanna Beach and the relaxed beach resort of Apollo Bay.

The Colac Visitor Information Centre can assist with all enquiries regarding this unique and diverse region.

Get in
Trains between Melbourne and Warrnambool stop at Colac. There are around 3 services a day. There are bus connections to the coastal towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road.

See

 * Lake Colac. Lake Colac is a pretty view, shallow and reflective.  It is the largest freshwater lake in Victoria.  It is a good spot for birdwatching in the wetlands.  The lake is suffering the effects of a long drought in the region.

Sleep
There is a campground by the lake, and motels on the roads into town.

title: Colac


text:
Colby

There is more than one place called Colby:

United Kingdom

 * Colby (Cumbria)
 * Colby (Isle of Man)
 * Colby (Norfolk)

United States

 * Colby (Kansas)
 * Colby (Wisconsin)

Also:
 * South Colby in Washington
 * Colby College, a liberal arts college in Waterville, Maine.

title: Colby


text:
Colby (Kansas)

Colby is a city in Western region of Kansas. Colby is called "The Oasis on the Plains".

title: Colby (Kansas)


text:
Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon is in Peru's Southern Sierra region, near Arequipa.

Understand
The Colca Canyon in southern Peru's Arequipa region is an area of astounding scenic beauty, and one of Peru's top tourist destinations. It is best known as one of the world's deepest canyons, reaching a depth of 4,160 m (13,640 ft), whose depth can most easily be appreciated from the Cruz del Condor, a viewpoint where Andean Condors can be seen most days throughout the year. It also offers a vibrant indigenous culture, high-quality handicrafts, and a range of activities from adventure sports to mystical tourism and tourist home-stays. The valley also features an incredible amount of Inca and pre-Inca agricultural terraces and the irrigation systems necessary to operate them.

Chivay is the hub of the valley, 160 km from the regional capital, Arequipa, and most visitors will want to take advantage of the La Calera hot springs 3 km outside of town. Between Arequipa and Chivay, visitors will enjoy passing through a range of unique ecological zones, from desert to altiplano to dry tundra. Animals spotted en route or in the valley include herds of vicuñas (a wild relative of llamas and alpacas) and a variety of birds, of particular interest the giant hummingbird, eagles, Andean geese, flamingos (September through March), and of course the mighty Andean Condor, which can usually be spotted at Cruz del Condor.

A journey to the Colca Valley usually takes about 3½ hours via public bus, across the high Andean plateau, reaching a high point of 4800 meters (15,800 ft) — so take care with altitude and cold — at the "Mirador de los Volcanes," which offers fine views of several volcanoes that soar to more than 6,000 m (20,600 ft).

Tourists generally arrive in Chivay, a nice and very friendly town at the beginning of the canyon, with plenty of hotels and hostels, and restaurants--as well as La Calera hot springs. Chivay is a good place to look for high-quality, locally-produced crafts, in particular goods hand-knitted from 100% alpaca fiber, and elaborately embroidered goods produced by hand on sewing machines (hats, coin purses, belts, etc.) Such crafts are also available in some of the miradors (scenic overlooks) along the highway, and in surrounding towns, but do not be confused by cheaper, industrially-produced knock-offs.

Other towns in the valley offer a range of cultural, adventure sports, archaeological, and other activities. Between Callalli, at the high end of the Colca valley, and Tapay, in the depths of the Colca canyon, you'll find a range of accommodations and activities, as well as microclimates that vary with altitude. In the cold, dry, highlands, livestock production predominates, focused on alpaca and llamas; in the middle zone, agriculture is more important, featuring products such as corn, quinoa, barley, beans, and a variety of potatoes, as well as dairy production; in the canyon, due to the warmer climate, fruit production is possible, including avocados, lucuma, peaches, and apples.

History
The Colca valley was first populated by hunters and gatherers, probably about 6,000 years ago. Cave art at Mollepunku, near Callalli, is thought to represent the domestication of the alpaca at about that time. There is little evidence of continual habitation until two cultures arrived at about the same time, about a thousand years ago: the Cabanas, Quechua-speaking descendants of the Wari culture, and the Collaguas, Aymara-speakers from the Puno/Lake Titicaca region. They constructed vast expanses of agricultural terraces in the valley, creating irrigation systems to water their crops.

The region takes its name from the qolqas (colcas) that are found throughout the valley, mud and stone granaries built into cliffs or caves where the dry, cool climate makes for an ideal "refrigerated" storage for crops or seeds. (These can be seen at various places throughout the valley, but most easily at the "Puente Sifon" in Yanque.)

In the late 14th century, the Inca arrived, taking the Colca valley into their empire through intermarriage. They helped to perfect the construction of irrigation channels and terraces, and their influence is visible, too, in the stonework of some of the archeological sites.

With the Spanish conquest in the 16th century came the "Toledan reductions," in which the local governor demanded that the population be concentrated in a few major towns throughout the valley, instead of dispersed in their small settlements. This was the origin of most of the towns that are found today. The churches in each town were mostly built between the 16th and 19th centuries.

The Colca first became known to the outside world after the 1981 Canoandes rafting expedition, in which a group of Polish adventurers made the first successful descent of the canyon, and first publicized the possibility of its being the deepest in the world. The construction of Project Majes, a 100-km canal that takes water from the Colca river to irrigate the Majes region, brought hundreds of workers to the area in the 1980s, and a 1991 article in National Geographic magazine all combined to kick off a tourism boom that began in the early 1990s, and hasn't stopped growing yet.

Landscape
Volcanic.

Flora and fauna
The canyon is home to the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), a species that has been the focus of worldwide conservation efforts. The condors can be seen at close range as they fly past the canyon walls, and are a popular attraction. The Andean Condor typically lives about 60-70 years, and has a wingspan of 2.1-2.7 m (7-9) feet. It is commonly referred to as the "Eternity Bird," as the bird is a symbol of long life and eternity. 'Cruz del Condor' is a popular tourist stop to view the condors. At this point the canyon floor is 3,960 feet (1,200 m) below the rim of the canyon.

Other notable bird species present in the Colca include the giant hummingbird, the largest member of the hummingbird family, as well as the Andean goose, Chilean flamingo, and mountain caracara. Animals include vizcacha, a rabbit-sized relative of the chinchilla, zorrino, deer, fox, and vicuña, the wild ancestor of the alpaca.

Climate
The climate is generally cool and dry. The Andean summer (November through March) is reliably dry, with sunny days and clear, cold nights. Be prepared for temperatures below freezing, particularly in June, July, and August. The rainy season begins, usually, in December, and lasts through April, with February being the wettest month. Temperatures remain cool, with rain or rain showers most days. The valley is at its most beautiful in April and May, when the fields are green and the mountains snow-capped.

By bus
From Arequipa: Buses to Chivay frequently depart from the Terminal Terrestre in Arequipa (3.5 hr, S/15 in 2019). The journey traverses several high passes before arriving in the valley. The road is paved but it is possible to encounter snow or sleet at higher elevations.

It is also possible to book a bus all the way from Arequipa to Cabanaconde (6 hr, S/18 in 2019) but most buses have a 30-minute stop in Chivay.

From Cusco: There is at least one company providing private buses to and from Cusco. However, departures are limited to certain days and tickets are much more expensive than public buses.

Fees and permits
Visitors are required to purchase the Boleto Turistico (Tourist Ticket) for S/70, administered by Autocolca, the regional tourism authority. The Boleto Turistico provides access to the tourist circuit of the Colca, which includes the entire region, both below Chivay (Cruz del Condor, Colca canyon) and above it (Tuti, Sibay, Callalli). The money collected goes for tourism promotion and infrastructure, and development of community-based tourism.

Get around
The individual towns and villages in the valley are small enough to explore on foot. Larger centers such as Chivay and Cabanaconde also have taxis and trucks for hire.

Public buses departing approximately every 1.5 hours service the length of the canyon from Chivay to Cabanaconde, stopping at the major towns along the way (2-2.5 hr, S/5 in 2019). Collectivos may offer more frequent departures to less popular destinations.

See

 * Malata Museo (apparently closed, as of 2014) is a small yet interesting insight into village life in the Canyon. S/1 or so. Worth the 15-minute presentation, in English, Spanish or Quechua.
 * Yanque Museo: Located by Yanque`s plaza de armas, this small museum run by the Catholic university of Santa Maria, offers an interesting insight to the valley's historical and cultural heritage. Entrance: S/5 (students S/2.5).
 * Yanque Museo: Located by Yanque`s plaza de armas, this small museum run by the Catholic university of Santa Maria, offers an interesting insight to the valley's historical and cultural heritage. Entrance: S/5 (students S/2.5).

Do

 * Colca Canyon Tour: the Colca Valley is an area of astounding scenic beauty, with giant Andean terraces and a deep canyon that reaches a depth of . A journey to the Colca Valley will take you through high Andean plateau, crossing a pass which offers fine views of the volcanoes. Along the way, visitors can enjoy unique natural scenery, as well as animal life; such as herds of vicuñas (a wild relative of llamas and alpacas) and various types of birds, including the giant hummingbird, eagles, geese, and the mighty Andean condor. If you like adventure tours, the canyon also offers wonderful treks down to its button, descending throughout huge mountains, exploring oasis-like valleys, thermal springs, and camping outdoors. A basic two day, one night tour from Arequipa costs S/350-450 (2022) and includes transport, meals, and overnight accommodation at the bottom of the canyon (generally not included is lunch on the second day or the entrance fee). Tours depart around 03:00 and return in the evening on the final day.

Independent trekking
Although it will likely cost more than a package tour, an independent trek can allow you to escape the crowds and have a more relaxed pace.

Suggested itinerary: get bus to from Arequipa (5 hours, S/17). Stay the night in Cabanaconde. Next morning take the 06:30 truck to Cruz Del Condor (S/4), watch condors. Get the 09:30 bus back to Cabanaconde (S/1-2). Next, walk down the canyon to the and eat lunch and swim in one of the 5 pools there. At 16:00 or so walk up to either or  and stay and eat at the Museo or Marizio's respectively. Next morning walk to and stay there and sit in the hot springs. Next morning get out at 06:00 and walk to Cabanconde to take the 11:15 bus back to Arequipa (or walk to Solo and take the 06:00 truck and then the 09:00 bus from Cabanaconde to Arequipa). No guide required. The only bit you might get lost on is finding the right path to Llahuar from the thatch rest area (it's straight down), and the last day route to Cabanaconde after the bridge (it's a small path near a big rock - ask!).

Eat
Food is more expensive in the canyon bottom than the major towns. You will have to budget around S/20 per meal in the canyon and around S/12 at the rim such as in Cabanaconde or Chivay.

In Oasis de Sangalle a high sulfur content makes tap water unsuitable for drinking, even with purification tablets for a UV filter. A 2.5L bottle of water costs S/12.

Drink
There are good drinks by the Lomo Dam Station.

Sleep
In the Colca Canyon there is an abundance of cheap hospedajes in Chivay, Cabanaconde and at the bottom of the canyon, such as in San Galle, Malata, Cosñirhua or in San Juan de Cuccho. Price range around S/8 per night and person.

 * One of the more luxurious accommodation options is Las Casitas del Colca, an all inclusive luxury hotel by the Orient-Express group. Deep in the heart of the Colca Canyon, the hotel boasts twenty individual casitas featuring private heated plunge pools and private terraces with fantastic views of the canyon. Facilities include a luxurious spa, fine dining restaurant, cocktail bar, swimming pool, a vegetable garden which supplies the restaurant kitchen and a small farm home to horses, cows, llamas and baby Alpacas. The hotel can also arrange a variety of activities for guests on or off site, including horse riding, cookery courses, trout fishing, treks, star gazing, local volunteer work and trips to see the famous Andean Condors, all of which are included in the stay price.
 * The Colca Lodge is a great place to stay in the Colca Canyon area. The lodge sits near the bottom of the canyon near the Uyo Uyo ruins. You can walk to the ruins from the hotel. They also have their own thermal baths with a small bar nearby so you can sit in the hot springs and order a drink while watching the river flow by. The lodge itself is nicely done with thatched roofs and beautiful grounds. The location is very peaceful and the food is magnificent.
 * The Colca Lodge is a great place to stay in the Colca Canyon area. The lodge sits near the bottom of the canyon near the Uyo Uyo ruins. You can walk to the ruins from the hotel. They also have their own thermal baths with a small bar nearby so you can sit in the hot springs and order a drink while watching the river flow by. The lodge itself is nicely done with thatched roofs and beautiful grounds. The location is very peaceful and the food is magnificent.

Stay safe
Some of the trails descending into the canyon are steep with sections exposed to falls. When hiking, ensure you carry enough water as the trails can be very hot in the afternoon and strenuous given the altitude.

If you injure yourself or don't feel up to hiking out of the canyon, mules departing at 06:00 and 15:00 can be hired for S/60 (2019) from Oasis de Sangalle. A bus also runs along the north side of the canyon from Malata to Cabanconde.

title: Colca Canyon


text:
Colchester (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Colchester:

United Kingdom

 * Colchester - A town in Essex in the East of England.

United States of America

 * Colchester (Connecticut) - A town in Connecticut.
 * Colchester (Illinois) - A town in Illinois.
 * Colchester (New York) - A town in New York.
 * Colchester (Vermont) - A town in Northwest Vermont.
 * Colchester (Virginia) - A town in Virginia.

Also:
 * Colchester County, Nova Scotia.

title: Colchester (disambiguation)


text:
Colchester

Colchester is a city in Essex, East Anglia. Home to the University of Essex, the Colchester Institute and an Army Garrison, and with its attractive old buildings, Roman wall, castle and proximity to Constable country, Colchester is an interesting place to visit.

Understand
Colchester is a picturesque provincial city in the county of Essex, and the geographical region of East Anglia. It is commonly regarded as the "oldest recorded town" in England (due to being mentioned by Roman author Pliny).

It was the capital of the Celtic tribe Trinovantes until it was conquered by Claudius's army in 43 AD and became the first Roman capital - and Britain's first city. Known as Camulodunum, it was burned to the ground by Boudicca's Iceni tribe approximately two decades later.

Boudicca and her 100,000-strong army were soon defeated, but Colchester never returned to prominence in Roman Britain, becoming instead a settlement for ex-legionaries.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Colchester then passed through the hands of the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans and was home to the royalists during the month-long siege of the English Civil War. Some modern historians often speculate that "Camelot" could actually be a misspelling of "Camulod(unum)" by an early chronicler unaware of the name change to "Colchester".

The city's main attraction is the Norman castle, founded by William the Conqueror himself, on the foundations of the earlier Roman Temple of Divine Emperor Claudius. It bears similarities to the Tower of London, which was built at the same time.

The city also boasts Roman walls, Saxon and Norman churches, countless timber-framed houses, buildings still showing bullet-holes and scars from the Civil War, and also the oldest Victorian water tower in Britain, known locally as Jumbo.

Visitor information

 * Visit Colchester website

By train
Colchester is served by 5 train stations.

By bus
The two main operators in the city are First Essex and Network Colchester, with Chambers (services from Sudbury), Hedingham Omnibuses (services from surrounding areas), Beestons (services from Dedham), and New Horizon (services from Great Bentley). Most services run from the Temporary Bus Station on Queen Street but will pick up at other stops around the city centre.

By coach
National Express coaches serve the bus station (and various other stops) on route 484 between London Victoria and Clacton-on-Sea (three journeys daily), 350 between Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Peterborough, Cambridge (and other towns and cities) and Clacton (1 journey daily) and route 250 between Ipswich, Stansted and Heathrow Airports (every two hours round-the-clock daily).

Network Colchester (airportbybus) operates limited-stop bus service 133 from Colchester Bus Station, the University of Essex and Colchester North Rail Station to Braintree and Stansted Airport (every hour daily).

By car
Colchester can be reached by car either via the A12, which links up with the M25 from the south, the A14, which links up with the M1/M6 from the North or the A120, which connects to the M11.

By bicycle
The city is on National Cycle Route 1 from Ipswich, Norwich and on to the Shetland Islands to the north and to Chelmsford, London and on to Dover to the south.

On foot
The city centre is easily walkable and much of it is pedestrianised. The city core is encircled by High Street, Queen Street, Osbourne Street, St Johns Street and Head Street. Castle Park covers much of the north-eastern city centre and makes for a pleasant traffic-free stroll out of the city centre.

By car
Driving around Colchester isn't too much hassle, although traffic tends to come to a standstill during the rush-hours. Within the city-centre, parking on the street is illegal, or at least limited to short-stay (i.e. no more than 20 minutes) meaning that you will need to use a public car park. When approaching the city centre, digital displays on the road-side will tell you the availability of parking spaces in each parking building, saving you from having to search hard for a space. Generally, surface car parks such as Vineyard Street or the Britannia Building are the cheapest (about £1.50 per hour), Colchester City Council multi-storey parking buildings are a little more expensive (about £2.20 an hour) and are open 24 hours, whilst NCP parking buildings are the most expensive. In most cases you will be given a ticket upon entry from the automatic barrier, and the fee should be paid at the payment machine before returning to your car in order to exit the car park. Parking on residential streets close to the city centre requires a residents parking permit, so it's not advisable to park there as you may incur a parking penalty.

By bus
Local buses have limited use to the average visitor as almost everything is within walking distance, although they can be useful to reach further-afield attractions such as Wivenhoe, the university, Highwoods Country Park, and Colchester Zoo. All buses serve the city centre via the inner one-way system, which can be confusing, e.g. if you enter the city centre from the rail station, you will alight on High Street (this is the first stop in the city centre), however to return to the station you have to board in Head Street. It's advisable to always check the schedule (available from the bus information centre on Queen Street) to make sure you don't board in the wrong place and head off in the opposite direction.

Most routes run at 10-30 minute intervals from 5AM–6PM and run less frequently in the evening up to 11PM. Fares start at around £1.50 for a single ticket (or £2.50 for a return) although if you plan to make more than a couple of journeys, a £3 day rover ticket is a useful investment as it gives you unlimited journeys for 1 day. Change is usually available but drivers will usually be reluctant to change anything bigger than a £5 bill. Useful routes are:
 * 61/62: which serve the University and Wivenhoe
 * 75: which goes to Colchester Zoo
 * 65: which goes to Highwoods Country Park
 * 67/67A: which goes to West Mersea

By bicycle
Colchester is an attractive place to cycle, and 2 National Cycle Routes pass through the city. Due to heavy traffic and narrow roads, cycling in the city centre is a little hairy and there are few cycle-lanes, however there are plenty of cycle-paths away from the main roads when you get away from the city centre. Some bike stores such as Colchester Cycle Stores on St John's Street may allow you to rent a bicycle. Many National Cycle Routes run off-road and are not suitable for certain bicycle types, e.g. road bikes.

By taxi
Metered taxis are a little hard to find although they can usually be picked up from taxi ranks on the High Street or outside North Station (north exit). However, it's usually cheaper and more convenient to call for a minicab. The most useful operators include:
 * Five Sevens: +44 1206 577777
 * Hawaii 5-0 Taxis : +44 1206 543210
 * Towncar Minicabs: +44 1206 515515

See

 * [[File:ColchesterAll Saints Church Natural History Museum tower andwar memorial from Castle Park.jpg|thumb|War Memorial]]

Museums and galleries
Colchester is home to 3 museums, each one housed in a different beautiful old building and offering a different insight into the history behind Colchester. It is also home to 2 galleries, each offering a distinct approach to the presentation of art and housed in beautiful neighbouring buildings, one contemporary and one historic:

Mersea Island
A small island in the estuary of the River Blackwater. The northern end of the island is mostly made up of marshland but there are three settlements on the southern half - Barrow Hill (which consists of several houses along a road), East Mersea (a small collection of farms, a post office, a pub, a couple of holiday parks and an outdoor youth centre) and West Mersea, a small fishing town most notable for it's seafood, fish and chips, countless pubs, a few small independent shops and a Co-op supermarket. It is quite a pleasant place to wander around with many miles of beaches. The island can be reached by car along the B1025 from Colchester (approx 9 miles) and crossing the Strood causeway (which was built by the Romans) onto the island.

During high tides, the causeway is likely to flood which effectively cuts off the island from the rest of society as it is the only road access. Only spring tides (as opposed to neap tides ) will flood the Strood and these normally occur when high tide is midday/early afternoon though weather conditions can affect the times, height and duration of the access being flooded. Bus service 67 runs every 30 minutes from Colchester Bus Station to West Mersea High Street. Journey time is roughly 30–40 minutes depending on the route taken and the time of day.

The island is also known for its oyster beds and local oysters are served several specialist restaurants on Coast Road, West Mersea.

 * The Company Shed is another close by, W-Su 10AM-5PM.
 * The Company Shed is another close by, W-Su 10AM-5PM.

Wivenhoe
Once a small fishing town on the River Colne to the south of Colchester, Wivenhoe is separated from Colchester by the University of Essex. It has grown considerably over the last few years as it has become a popular place for London commuters to live because of the good rail links. However, the waterfront area and the High Street are still very traditional with lots of small independent shops, restaurants, pubs, a fish and chip shop and a Co-op supermarket. Wivenhoe can be reached in about 20 minutes by car by taking the A133 out of town past the university and then taking the Wivenhoe exit. There is free parking just off of the High Street and outside the Co-op supermarket, as well as long-stay Pay and Display parking at the train station. (Note that cars cannot use Boundary Road at the University as a shortcut as barriers restrict access to buses and university traffic). Trains run every 30 minutes from Colchester North to Wivenhoe, and every hour from Colchester Town. Buses 61 and 62 run every 10 minutes from Colchester High Street to Wivenhoe. Service 61 takes a very indirect route. Wivenhoe can also be easily reached by foot or cycle along the Wivenhoe Cycle Trail which starts from Colchester Castle Park, runs through the Hythe and along the river, ending up at Wivenhoe Station.

Do
Colchester is served by two cinemas; the Odeon on Head Street and the newer Curzon on Queen Street. The Odeon is usually cheaper, but the Curzon is superior in terms of comfort, service, and variety of films.

There is also a theatre, the Mercury, which puts on shows throughout the year.

Colchester is also home to a large number of important historic and archaeological sites, including Britain's oldest Roman city walls; the ruins of St. Botolph's Priory and St. John's Abbey; the oldest Roman gateway in the country, and Britain's only discovered Roman Circus (chariot race track).

For an overview of the city, you can pick up a hop-on-hop-off tour with the Colchester City Sightseeing open-top bus, which can be found at the gates of Castle Park.

Buy
Colchester has a large selection of shops, ranging from those you would find in any large town (Marks & Spencer, Debenhams etc.) to many small individual shops. The High Street is the place to start: it is here you will find a large and modern Fenwicks department store (formerly Williams & Griffin). However, if you take one of the small turnings on the right as you go down the High Street you will find yourself in a warren of small semi-pedestrianised roads full of interesting things to buy. You can create and dress your own teddy bear at Build-a-Bear in Culver Square or treat yourself to some chocolates from Godiva in Eld Lane. There are some lovely old buildings and plenty of cafes to refresh the heavy-laden shopper.

On weekends there is a market along the High Street, and on the first Sunday of every month there is a farmers' market in the grounds of the Mercury Theatre.

If you are looking for appropriate souvenirs of your stay, the shop in the Castle Museum has plenty to buy with a Roman theme.

Eat
Outside of the eateries listed above, Colchester boasts an impressive range and variety of independent restaurants and cafes including the Three Wise Monkeys microbrewery & restaurant.

Stay safe
Proclaimed by some as the safest town in the UK, Colchester is safe and you should take the usual precautions. Petty crime is quite rare. Be careful where you leave your car, particularly after dark, as car theft can be a problem. Several downtown multi-storey car parks are open 24 hours and are much safer than the surface lots around the edge of the city centre (which are unstaffed and often meeting points for illegal street racers). The 'loop' road around the city centre (Cowdray Avenue, East Hill, Southway and Balkerne hill) becomes an impromptu race-track for illegal street racers at night; be on the lookout for people driving dangerously. The city centre can become rowdy on Friday and Saturday nights around pub-closing time so try to avoid getting into fights and stay in big groups. Fortunately taxis are cheap and easy to find at this time. There are a couple of areas that can be dangerous, particularly after dark. Most notable are Greenstead (a large council housing development in the east), the area around Harwich Road known as 'White City', and the Monkwick estate near the Army Garrisson in the south; however these areas have little to offer for tourists.

Connect
As of Feb 2023, Colchester has 5G with EE, O2 and Three, and 4G with Vodafone.

Go next

 * Ipswich - gateway to Suffolk
 * Lavenham - picturesque medieval village
 * Frinton-on-Sea - quiet sea side town
 * London - trains to London Liverpool Street depart frequently
 * Chelmsford

title: Colchester


text:
Colchester (Vermont)

Colchester is a town in Northwest Vermont. It is home to Saint Michael's College. Colchester is primarily a bedroom community of Burlington. The town is very spread out, with most businesses and residences clustered in three villages: Colchester village, Mallet's Bay, and Severance Corners. St. Michael's College is located in the southeast corner of the town near Winooski and Essex Junction.

By car
I-89, US Route 7, and US Route 2 all pass through town. Colchester is a 10-20 min. drive north of Burlington, 2 hours south of Montreal, and 3.5 hours northwest of Boston.

By plane
Burlington International Airport is a 10-20 minute drive from most parts of Colchester. You can rent a car at the airport.

Get around
You will need a car to get around Colchester.

Do
Outdoor activities include sailing - rent a boat and go sailing on Mallet's Bay.

Buy
There are few shops in Colchester.

Eat

 * McGuillicuddy's, 18 Severance Green, +1 802 871-5480. Bar and restaurant with patio.
 * McGuillicuddy's, 18 Severance Green, +1 802 871-5480. Bar and restaurant with patio.
 * McGuillicuddy's, 18 Severance Green, +1 802 871-5480. Bar and restaurant with patio.
 * McGuillicuddy's, 18 Severance Green, +1 802 871-5480. Bar and restaurant with patio.
 * McGuillicuddy's, 18 Severance Green, +1 802 871-5480. Bar and restaurant with patio.
 * McGuillicuddy's, 18 Severance Green, +1 802 871-5480. Bar and restaurant with patio.

Drink
Rozzi's and Spanked Puppy also have bars attached to the restaurant.

title: Colchester (Vermont)