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Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos (Greek: Άγιος Νικόλαος Saint Nicholas) is a city in Crete.

By bus
Local bus service with modern air-conditioned buses.

By ferry
Ferries don't run directly to the town Agios Nikolaos but major ferry lines operate to the port of Herakleion, connecting with bus services at the main bus station near the port. Frequent ferry lines operate to the port of Sitia as well.

By plane
The distance from  near Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos is about. The journey time is 45 – 60 minutes by car or taxi.

Alternatively the distance from  near Sitia is about.

By bus
Local bus service with modern air-conditioned buses.

Elounda, Kritsa, Sitia, Heraklion (and from there, Knossos), Malia and Hersonnisos are easily accessed with a regular bus service which is very good value.

By scooter
Scooters are readily available. Wearing crash helmets is compulsory. Do not ruin your holiday by receiving a large fine.

By hired car
You will not normally need a 4 x 4 to negotiate the roads, most of which are paved. Some places and rental properties are less accessible. Beware of damage to the underside of the hire car on rough tracks.

By taxi
Excellent value. Invariably will be a large, clean and air-conditioned Mercedes. Most drivers speak basic English and have none of the bad habits of many Med taxi drivers (loud local music, smoking en route, etc.)

By quad
Not designed for use on the road, these cause traffic congestion and impatience, leading to many accidents and occasional deaths. Think very carefully before hiring one and using it on the roads.

See
Recommended are the boat trips which are fascinating and have amazing value (do not spend more than €10); they also usually include an ocean swim.

Do
Visit Almyros beach, a long sandy beach with a cold water stream entering the sea at the southern end. Perfect for a cooling paddle if the heat gets too much. About a 20-minute walk from the town centre but worth every step. Alternatively, a taxi from the town centre costs about €8.

If it is windy, consider a pebble beach rather than a sand beach, of which there is no shortage.

Buy
Locally produced fruit and vegetables at the market on Wednesday morning. The tomatoes are superb.

Thyme honey. The bees here take the pollen from thyme and the subtle flavour is transferred to the honey.

Eat
There are a good selection of restaurants and tavernas in the town, ranging from the small and friendly "Grigoris" to the superb "Mediterraneo" on the harbour.

Meze restaurants worth visiting are "Barko" which provides a modern slant on traditional dishes and "Chyssofillis" on Kitroplatia. Just around the corner is "9 Muses", a modern restaurant/cafe bar which is popular with local residents. The "Piato" near Ammoudi beach is an excellent contemporary meze restaurant. Near the taxi rank by tourist information is "Embassy".

For more northern European tastes, "Obelix" is a Dutch operated restaurant near Ammoudi beach which serves large portions with a daily special. Patriko towards Elounda, at Amoudi Beach. Lovely fresh fish and meats. Great Greek ambiance.

Drink
Modern cafe bars on the right of the harbour include "Molto" and "En Plo".

"Puerto" is popular with the young locals and 25 March Street (25 Martiou) is busy at weekends with many of the local student population. Don't be misled by old tales about this street being the hub of the night life for tourists. It is entirely "Greek" and if you don't want to hear modern Greek music you will be in the wrong place.

The bars that have survived the change in tourist tastes over the last few years include "Aquarius", "Sorrento" and "Alexandros". The first two are "British" style tourist bars and the latter is a rooftop garden bar which has a small dance floor.

Also Toedeledokie Bar-Cafe situated in between Coral and Hermes Hotel with candle light and good music.

The small but friendly "Sky Bar" near to the Marina shows televised sport.

title: Agios Nikolaos


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Agios Nikolaos (Chalkidiki)

Agios Nikolaos is a village of Chalkidiki, in the Sithonia peninsula with a permanent population of 2,500.

Agios Nikolaos is 110 km from Thessaloniki, where Sithonia peninsula begins. With more than thirty kilometers of beaches, with beautiful picturesque bays, clean beaches and very clean waters, it is something special. The community is surrounded from north to south by dense pine forests and towards the west by Siggitikos Gulf.

The well-known products of the area are wine, tsipouro, oil, honey, and fish, but the jobs are heavily concentrated in the tourism industry.

See
You can also visit the churches of Saint George and Saint Paraskevi, as well as the country chapel of Saint Nikolaos, Saint George and that of Ormos Panagias.

Do
In the traditional village of Agios Nikolaos you can enjoy a romantic walk to the picturesque paved alleys, and admire the traditional 19th-century houses.

You can also enjoy the magic of the feast that prevails in this square of the village during the three-day cultural celebrations of Agia Paraskevi, which reach their peak on the 26th of July.

Eat
In the central square of the village, the visitor can enjoy a good meal accompanied by the traditional tsipouro of Agios Nikolaos.

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

title: Agios Nikolaos (Chalkidiki)


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Agios Nikolaos (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Agios Nikolaos:

Greece

 * Agios Nikolaos — A city in Crete.
 * Agios Nikolaos (Chalkidiki) — A town on the Sithonia peninsula.

title: Agios Nikolaos (disambiguation)


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Agonda

Agonda is a beach area in the southernmost Canacona taluka of the Indian state of Goa.

Understand
Agonda is a great spot for sunbathing, relaxing and swimming, with still relatively few tourists. This is a nice long pristine stretch of beach. Though the waters here might not be the most ideal place for swimming (you have better beaches with calm waters in Goa), Agonda is definitely a place for those who want to quit on a Monday morning. Most mobile connections do not work here (only Vodafone does), so that is an added bonus for those looking forward to a quiet and relaxed holiday. Or, if you do need to party sometimes, Palolem is just 15 minutes by motorbike (10 km) away - but Agonda is generally cheaper, quieter, hassle-free and has much less "touristic" feel.

Agonda Beach has one long road parallel to the beach line, most rooms and bungalows for rent are either between them or on the opposite side of the road. In the centre of the beach, there is Agonda Church and a local school/college (funnily enough, called Agonda University) to the right of it. Another road goes up from the church, crosses the river shortly after and goes through the village to the junction with a main road from Chaudi and Palolem, which are both to the right. To the left, this bigger road crosses the village until the beach road joins it near the river mouth and northern end of the beach, then continues on in the direction of Cabo da Rama.

Get in
Dabolim airport is about a 90-minute drive away. Agonda by road is 15 minutes from the more famous, busy Palolem beach.

By train
Agonda is only a few kilometres from Canacona station, although main train services stop at Margao station, about an hour’s drive away.

By bus
Regular buses depart from the Canacona bus station for Agonda (about 20 minutes). Buses from Chaudi and Margao are available a few times a day.

From Canacona station, it's about 1 km to the Canacona bus stand, where you can bus the 9 km to Agonda. The bus stand is a large building with a white, curved roof. It is visible from the balcony of the Canacona railway station. To get there, walk up the road away from the train station until you reach the main road. Turn right (there will be a railway bridge to your left), and walk for 300 m, the building will be on your left. Buses start at 7:35AM and run about every hour until 6PM-ish. As with any Indian bus stand, you'll have to ask the people around, although the buses heading in that direction do usually stop near the sign at the bus station that says Agonda.

Agonda buses leave to go back every 30 min from the other side of the road to where you get dropped off. The last bus to Canacona leaves Agonda at 6:30PM. If you miss it, the locals can be persuaded to give you a motorbike ride back to the station for about ₹100.

The bus will drop you off at the northern end of the beach, on a junction near the church.

There are a few more buses on the main road, but this means 10-15 minutes walk from the beach centre. The price to Chaudi is ₹7 or ₹8. To Canacona, about ₹25.

By taxi
Taxis and auto rickshaws are a more comfortable and quicker alternative to the public bus.

Ask any rickshaw driver or taxi driver and they will take you there from Palolem, Patnem or Chaudi.

Get around
One or two autos usually stand near the church during the daytime. As always in India, bargain (the normal price to Chaudi or Palolem should be around ₹50, but many tourists end up paying ₹100 and more).

Motorbikes and scooters are offered for rent, both by house owners and by the auto guys near the church. A nearly-new Honda Activa or similar should cost ₹150-200 a day. (₹200 is a usual starting price, but during the peak period bargaining could be difficult), less if rented for more than a week or two.

See
Agonda's beach is very simple and natural. There are some sunbeds but when the tourist police or Canacona local government officials appear, any beach shades, sunbeds, chairs, etc. which are outside the confines of the shacks disappear pronto and the beach looks even more gorgeous and makes you realise why you went there and not to some built up resort.

Agonda beach is famous as a Ridley turtle nesting site. These animals are endangered. Please keep the noise level and the lights down at night at the beach to give them a chance to nest. The Panchayat ( village administration) is very invested in not allowing Agonda to become another overcrowded Palolem. Anything you can do to minimize waste, safe water or electricity will be much appreciated since the village is struggling to avoid environmental degradation and preserve its beauty for the next generation. It is very quiet place, not suitable for the party crowd.

Do
A typical sun and sand holiday.

 * Local fishermen take you on dolphin rides. Bargain hard and a boat can take up to people, costing ₹800.
 * Hike on the hillocks.
 * Ride through the countryside on the way to Cabo de Rama, Cola Beach with its beautiful river which is always warm.
 * A meeting place for spiritually interested people. Here is Samdarshi's mediation Ashram in wintertime (Eden-Garden close to the north end) with Satsangs, and free Osho mediation techniques, dancing evenings.
 * Cola Beach (or Khola Beach) is a remote, unspoilt beach for those seeking complete peace and relaxation, 10 km north from Agonda. Go north past Agonda, up and down hills, through villages, past the big temple on your left to the place where the bus stops. About 25 m after your exit is the only road sign for Cola Beach. Your exit is a sand and stone road going through the dried out landscape, just follow the main track for a few km’s and you’ll find yourself looking down on Cola Beach. It’s not all that easy to find this place, but it will be worth your effort. You park your bike or scooter where the road ends, and then there’s a 3-minute walk, down to the beach. Cola beach looks beautiful through the trees from the top of the path. The beach is actually three small bays, separated by large rocks. The middle beach covers a lagoon that stretches back into the jungle. When you walk down the stairs you’ll walk straight into the ‘Blue Lagoon’, the only option for eating and drinking on Cola Beach.

Yoga

 * There are a few yoga schools and yoga teacher training centers in Agonda.

Buy
There are stores stocking basic supplies in Agonda, as well as internet, phone and currency conversion services. HDFC Bank ATM is near the church. More shops, a Saturday market and several ATMs are a 20-minute drive away in the local town, Chaudi.

Eat
There are no renowned eateries like the big beaches but you can order for most international cuisines. Not all places where you stay will have a restaurant. Nevertheless there are enough to survive upon. Dersey's on the southern end of Agonda beach is one of the restaurants open even during the low season, serving both Indian and local food. There's another (probably year-round) restaurant on the beach road closer to the northern end, but it seems to be overpriced with rates compared or even more than those on Palolem beach. During the high season, more places are opened, but still not too many.

If you do not afraid local food (and there's nothing dangerous in it, actually) and/or want to save money, Niki bar on the road to Chaudi (just where the road to Agonda Beach branches from it to the right) serves good fish thalis for a reasonable ₹30 in what seems to be a local eatery and an afternoon (as he closes his place around 5PM) drinking point for a few locals. Foreigners are seen there surprisingly often for such a "local" place.

Some local shops also do have a few tables and prepare basic food (omelettes, fish & veg thalis, tea, juice, etc.) during the high season, but their price tag is usually more "touristic" (less than in restaurants, however, that is ₹50-60 for a thali). One of them can be found 50 m from the church, at the end of the first building with small shops on the left side.

Drink
Agonda is a relatively quiet village, and there are much fewer opportunities for a fun evening out there than in Palolem. But, as it is Goa, buying drinks is not a problem, at least before 9-10PM. Restaurants offer beer at least; also, there is a wine shop around 100-150 m to the right from Agonda church and another one in Dersey's. Just opposite the church on the street leading away from the sea, there is a tiny and cheap local bar (small beer ₹30, big ₹60, they have Old Monk also) which is open till the evening. Don't expect many people there, however; you can easily be the only customer even in the evening.

Sleep
Only basic accommodation options are available for stay in Agonda. Outside the main season which is from November to February, you have to arrange for a stay in a Goan family house. Off-season prices there, however, can be really low - for example, in October (when, while it's still humid a bit, most days are sunny) you can rent a room in a nice Portuguese-style villa from around ₹250 (peak high-season prices for the same could be around ₹600, or less in the wooden bungalows mostly built between the main street and the beach). While locals are mostly genuinely friendly and there's much less hassle from them than, say, in Palolem, some of them won't think twice before asking three or more times the normal price, especially if they see the person isn't used to the local prices. So, if you're asked much more than expected, bargain or better try another place.

Advance booking, however, is neither really needed (maybe except for a few peak days around New Year) nor saves any money (in fact, often you pay more).

 * Madhu Huts Agonda Madhu Huts Agonda is more than just a stay—it's a journey into the heart of Agonda, Goa. India Best Ocean View Huts in Agonda
 * Madhu Huts Agonda Madhu Huts Agonda is more than just a stay—it's a journey into the heart of Agonda, Goa. India Best Ocean View Huts in Agonda
 * Madhu Huts Agonda Madhu Huts Agonda is more than just a stay—it's a journey into the heart of Agonda, Goa. India Best Ocean View Huts in Agonda

Stay safe
Agonda is a fairly safe place. While you should retain your common sense, lock the door and windows when going out, and not to leave your valuables unattended, chances to have any problems in Agonda are very slim. Even sellers offering useless "souvenirs" on the beach are much less annoying and less frequent here than in Palolem or northern beaches.

Go next
Local bus station is in Chaudi. It is useful mainly for going to the south (Karwar, Ankola, Gokarna, Mangalore), east (Hampi via Ankola), or some more remote locations like Bangalore. If you plan to visit North Goa or going somewhere further north - you should go straight to Margao, as from Chaudi it will be your first major stop anyway.

Train station in Chaudi (Canacona) has only a few trains a day stopping on it. Much more trains are leaving or stopping on Margao (Madgaon) station. Check IRCTC web site for details and online ticket bookings.

The nearest (international) airport is at Dabolim, 65 km away. To get there by bus, you'll need to first to Margao, then to Vasco Da Gama or to the airport directly. There is possibly direct bus from Karwar to Vasco/airport also, which stops at Canacona - check in advance whether it's available.

Taxis are advertised in Agonda by some establishments (shops, etc.) on the beach road - mostly for longer trips such as to airport or Margao.

title: Agonda


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Agost

Agost (Valencian pronunciation: [aˈɣost]) is a town of 4,700 people (2018) in the province of Alicante, about 18 km from the provincial capital Alicante. For centuries the town has been known for its ceramics.

Understand
Agost was first settled by the Iberians, and later inhabited by the Moors, who built a now-ruined castle on the hilltop in the centre of town. After the Reconquista, the town belonged to the crown of Castile for a few years, before being incorporated into the Kingdom of Valencia in the late 13th century. Agost gained municipal autonomy at the end of the 17th century.

Due to the rich clay deposits located just outside the city, the town developed into a centre of pottery. Although many of the old workshops have now closed, eleven potteries still remain in town, six of them still producing traditional wares.

Because of its distance from the coast, the town has not been inundated by mass tourism and has retained its local identity. Today its primary economic activity is ceramics production and agriculture.

By bus
From Alicante, Autocares Agostense runs three buses daily, departing at 09:00, 13:58 and 20:30, with the journey taking just half an hour.

title: Agost


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Agoura Hills

Agoura Hills and Westlake Village are cities in the Ventura County region. Though they are a part of Los Angeles County, they share the Conejo Valley with Thousand Oaks and are separated from the San Fernando Valley by the Simi Hills and Santa Monica Mountains.

Get in
Take the 101 North; once you have passed the Lost Hills exit, you are in Agoura Hills. When you have passed Lindero Canyon exit, you are no longer in Agoura Hills.

Los Angeles public transportation has one line in. During the summer, a special bus funded by the city takes passengers to and from Malibu beach.

Get around
Best by automobile, as none of the sites are public transit accessible.

See
North of the 101 Freeway, Agoura Hills is a typically suburban bedroom community and of little interest to most travelers, however, south of the 101 lies the scenic Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area where you will catch sight of breathtaking views.

Do
There are free summer concerts in the park. In the 90s, Agoura Hills was known as a "mecca of music," launching music sensations Linkin Park and Hoobastank.

There are a number of places where you can hire horses to ride.

There are plenty of trails to explore. Chesebro Canyon has some of the best hiking trails in all of Los Angeles. Many begin in Agoura Hills and take you to Pacific Coast Highway. You can hike in the opposite direction and once you reach the top, you'll be at a sulfur spring. There is no shortage of biking trails either.

Eat

 * Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill, Whizin Market Square, 5050 Cornell Rd, +1 818 597-8900. Large menu, some of the best BBQ around Agoura, great staff, easy reservations, easily accessible
 * Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill, Whizin Market Square, 5050 Cornell Rd, +1 818 597-8900. Large menu, some of the best BBQ around Agoura, great staff, easy reservations, easily accessible
 * Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill, Whizin Market Square, 5050 Cornell Rd, +1 818 597-8900. Large menu, some of the best BBQ around Agoura, great staff, easy reservations, easily accessible
 * Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill, Whizin Market Square, 5050 Cornell Rd, +1 818 597-8900. Large menu, some of the best BBQ around Agoura, great staff, easy reservations, easily accessible

Go next

 * Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
 * Thousand Oaks
 * San Fernando Valley
 * Calabasas
 * Malibu

title: Agoura Hills


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Agra

Agra (Hindi: आगरा Āgrā) is the city of the Taj Mahal, in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, some 200 km from Delhi.

Agra has three UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort in the city and Fatehpur Sikri 40 km away. There are also many other buildings and tombs from Agra's days of glory as the capital of the Mughal Empire.

Besides these three sites, the city has little else to recommend it. Pollution, especially smog and litter, is rampant and visitors are pestered by swarms of touts and hawkers at every monument, besides the inner Taj Mahal which, once you are in, is free of scams and touts. The sites are some of the wonders of the world and no trip to India is complete without at least one visit to the Taj. For the vast majority of visitors, a single day in Agra is more than enough.

Understand
While the heyday of Agra (ahg-rah) was as the capital of the Mughal Empire between 1526 and 1658, the city was founded much earlier. The earliest reference to Agra is in the ancient epic, the Mahabharata, while Ptolemy was the first person to call it by its modern name. The recorded history of Agra begins around the 11th century, and over the next 500 years, the city changed hands between various kings, both Hindu and Muslim.

In 1506, Sultan Sikandar Lodi, the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, moved his capital from Delhi to Agra. His son Ibrahim Lodi was the last ruler of the Lodi dynasty, as he was defeated in 1526 by Babur, the first Mughal ruler, in the battle of Panipat. Agra fell too, and became the capital of the Mughals, whose rule over Agra was uninterrupted except for a brief period between 1540 and 1556. In 1540, Sher Shah Shuri overthrew Humayun became the ruler of much of North India, including Agra. After Sher Shah Suri's death his descendants proved unequal to the task of ruling the kingdom, and Hemu, a Hindu general of Suri became the effective ruler who would later crown himself King Hemachandra Vikramaditya just as the kingdom was facing an assault from the reinvigorated Mughals. In 1556, Hemu would be defeated and killed in the second battle of Panipat, and the Mughals regained Agra.

Mughals were great builders. Babur built the Aram Bagh (garden of relaxation) modelled after the garden of paradise, where he was eventually buried after his death. His grandson Akbar refurbished the Agra fort and built the Fatehpur Sikri, an entire city just on the outskirts of Agra. He also renamed Agra after himself, and the city was known as Akbarabad while it was in Mughal hands. Akbar's grandson Shah Jahan would give Agra its most famous monument, the Taj Mahal, which is the mausoleum of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj is constructed in white marble. It took 20 years to construct, and is now universally known as a monument to love. Legend has it that Shah Jahan wanted a replica of the Taj constructed in black marble that would be his final resting place. There is no support for this theory, but even if it were true, it would have been unlikely to be undertaken. His son Aurangzeb was austere and pious, and had no time or inclination for the ostentation of his forefathers, preferring to spend his money on wars in South India. In any case, even during Shah Jahan's reign, which was the period when the Mughal empire was at its height, the construction of the Taj put a strain on the resources of the empire and caused a mini-famine around Agra. Shah Jahan was eventually buried in the white Taj, next to his beloved Begum.

Shah Jahan, in addition to giving Agra its greatest claim to fame, was also responsible for beginning its decline, as he decided to shift his capital to Shahjahanabad, which is now known as Old Delhi, in 1658. Though Aurangzeb ordered a move back, this too was short lived, as he moved his headquarters down south to Aurangabad (present-day Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) to be focus on his wars. Agra declined, and so did the Mughal Empire. The city was eventually captured by the Marathas, who renamed Agra. In 1803, it came under the British, who situated the Agra Presidency there, and when India gained independence, the city was incorporated into the state of Uttar Pradesh, and did not gain even the limited honour of being the state's capital, that distinction going to Lucknow, further east. It is now a tourist town, known for the Taj and a couple of other monuments.

A novel based on the remarkable story behind the Taj Mahal's is Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors. It is an international bestseller, and is being made into a film by Hollywood. Another historical novel is The Taj by Colin De Silva.

Local information

 * Agra District government website

Get in
Agra is 200 km southeast from Delhi and is one of the points of the tourist's Golden Triangle of Agra-Delhi-Jaipur. Agra is also very well connected via rail and road with other nearby cities and tourist destinations and thus suitable for a day trip from Delhi or as a part of a larger itinerary.

By train
Agra is on the main railway line between the Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Chennai routes, and many trains connect Agra with these cities every day. Some east-bound trains from Delhi also travel via Agra, so direct connections to points in Eastern India (including Kolkata) are also available. There are close to 20 trains to Delhi every day, and at least three or four to Mumbai and to Chennai. Agra and Delhi are notorious for their thick winter fog which reduces visibility to almost zero. In late December and early January (the fog season), because of the reduced visibility, all trains slow down and travel time goes up. The Bhopal Shatabdi, for example, may arrive in Agra well after 10AM, and might return to Delhi well after midnight. From a safety point of view, it is always preferable to travel by train during the winter.

At Agra station, you can hire "UP Tourism" conducted tours on air-conditioned luxury coaches. Also, organized tours are available from Delhi. If you travel during the high season, you must book your tickets a few days to a few weeks in advance if you wish to make it a day trip, i.e. travelling early in the morning and coming back at a reasonable time at night.

Train tickets can be booked online through the Indian Railways website paying by debit or credit cards, although those issued by foreign banks are often declined. For more information how to book tickets online, visit the article Rail travel in India.

Stations
There are several railway stations stations in Agra. However, tourists only need to concern about Agra Cantonment and Agra Fort as almost all mainline trains calls here.

Lines
Also train number 2965 from Agra Cantonment to Jaipur at 5:40PM. The train arrives at 10:15PM. ₹300 air-con carriage.
 * Delhi to Agra — Close to 20 trains connect Delhi and Agra each day with journey times varying from 2-5 hr. The best options include the Rani Kamalapati Vande Bharat Express (fastest), Rani Kamalapati Shatabdi Express (departs New Delhi at 6:15AM arriving Agra Cantt at 8:12AM; departs Agra Cantt at 8:30PM arriving New Delhi at 10:30PM, daily except Friday; meal and water included in air-con carriage) and the Taj Express (departs Hazrat Nizamuddin at 7:15AM arriving Agra Cantt at 10:07AM; departs Agra Cantt at 6:55PM arriving Hazrat Nizamuddin at 10PM, daily).
 * Agra to Jaipur - The journey to Jaipur (station code: JP) takes around 4 hr by train no. 2988 which leaves Agra Fort at 6:25PM and reaches Jaipur at around 10:20PM.

 * The Luxury train — Palace on Wheels stops at Agra on its 8-day round trip of tourist destinations in Rajasthan and Agra.

By bus
There are several buses to Agra originating from Jaipur, Delhi, Ajmer, Lucknow etc.

From Delhi
The highway between Delhi and Agra has a toll, so most buses do not take it. Rather, they take the local roads, which makes the trip significantly longer than the express trains (4-5 hr). It is possible to make it by bus and minibus to Agra by the smaller roads, however you must ask around where the buses to Agra depart from, preferably from a trusted local or the staff at your hotel or hostel. Indian bus stations are, most of the time either large pavement areas situated under flyovers, very crowded and without no further indications of which bus goes where or stands of private bus companies, which will offer a more comfortable trip at a higher price. This option is for the ones who feel adventurous, as your journey can be halted by a sudden breakdown of the bus or a road closure due to a local protest or other form of gathering. Note that this is by far the cheapest way to get to Agra, as it should not cost more than ₹60 the normal "bus" and ₹200 for a more coach-type bus.

From Agra
There are three interstate bus stands:
 * Idgah Bus Stand is the primary bus stand for travelling towards Rajasthan/Madhya Pradesh, in the heart of the city, 8 km from the Taj.
 * ISBT at Transport Nagar, 12 km from the Taj, is an inter state bus terminal. Most of the buses pass through here, except for buses originating from Idgah Bus Stand and going towards Rajasthan.

If you wish to travel with these buses which are government-run, you must insist to your rickshaw driver that he gets you there. If you only ask for the buses to Delhi, he will probably take you to a private bus company, from which he gets a cut. It will be slightly more expensive for you and these buses tend to stop at random places and drop you at random places as well, as these buses are not direct.

By taxi
You can either book a taxi from hotel or directly book one outside the railway station. There is usually a government authorised taxi stand, however it may be hard to find and the locals present at the station (looking for gullible tourists) will not help you find it. ₹1500/day for 8 hours. It maybe more costly to book through hotel as hotels do have their in the fares. It is better to negotiate with the driver directly or book trough some online car rental portal.

Cars are not allowed near the Taj Complex, but the rest of Agra is easily discovered by car.

By car
NH2 Highway: The primary access to the highway is along Mathura Road in Delhi but, if coming from South Delhi or Delhi Airport, it is easier to take Aurobindo Marg (Mehrauli Road) and then work up to NH2 via Tughlakabad. While the highway is divided, it is important to keep an eye out for trucks, cars, and bullock carts heading the wrong way. It is possible to hire a car with a driver (a big car for five persons from/to the Delhi airport costs ₹3500). Moreover, both online and offline options are available for tourists. But beware, if you need to get from Agra to the airport in order to catch a flight, ensure you have plenty of time for the trip, as traffic conditions may increase the drive time significantly. Also, it is wise to know your driver. There are situations when he may take over five hours to cover the distance, and you cannot force him to drive any faster than an autorickshaw (tuk-tuk).
 * From Delhi: Yamuna Expressway, connects the 210 km distance from Delhi to Agra. The drive is typically 3.5 hours. The expressway runs from the city of Greater Noida to Agra. The highway has a toll.

 * From Jaipur: National Highway 11, a four-lane divided highway, connects Agra with Jaipur via the bird sanctuary town of Bharatpur & Fatehpur Sikri. The distance of around 255 km can be covered in around 4 hours.
 * From Gwalior: A distance of around 120 km, takes around 1.5 hours on the National highway 3 (Agra- Mumbai Highway).
 * From Lucknow / Kanpur: NH2, the divided modern highway, continues on to Kanpur (285 km, 5 hours) and from there to points East ending in Kolkata. From Kanpur, NH25 heads for the city of Lucknow (90 km, 2 hours).
 * From Lucknow] Agra-Lucknow Expressway, the longest expressway in India, connects the 302 km distance from the state capital, Lucknow to Agra. The drive is very smooth and takes 3 hours. It is a tolled highway.
 * From Greater Noida : Perhaps the best route as it connects to Agra directly by the Yamuna Expressway, 165 km, which can be completed in 1.5–2 hours because it has less traffic. The road is very smooth.

By metro
The first section of the Agra Metro is now open, conveniently connecting the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal with Agra Fort. Tickets are ₹30 and trains run from 6 am till 10 pm.

By bus or auto
Tongas, electric buses and electric tempos are readily available, and the best way to get to the Taj, where no cars are allowed. Auto-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available every where, remember to agree on fares clearly in advance. Foreigners should bargain everywhere and bargain hard. Generally things are available at 40% of the initially quoted fares. Normally Charges for e-rickshaws are ₹150-200 per e-rickshaws which can accommodate up to 4 people. Tempos have been replaced by auto-rickshaws, which mainly run on CNG (Compressed Natural Gas).

UP State Road Transport Corporation operates some non-air conditioned and air-conditioned buses but those run only on specific routes. The best way to experience the city is to take a walk on the Mall Road (Sadar). The street is full of handicraft and leather goods shops. You will also find plenty of food items quite unique to the city.

As polluting vehicles are banned around Taj Mahal, one needs to use Tonga or electric auto while travelling in the range of Taj Mahal. Camels are also available. As a guide, an auto rickshaw from Agra Cantonment station to the Taj is about ₹200 (at least in off season); and a cycle rickshaw from the Taj to Agra Fort is ₹40. You can also walk between the Taj and Agra Fort, in about 30 minutes.

See
Agra's top two sights by far are the incomparable Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal has a life of its own that leaps out of marble once you understand that it is a monument of love. The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore called it a teardrop on the cheek of eternity, while the English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, said it was Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor's love wrought in living stones.

Although it is one of the most photographed edifices in the world and instantly recognisable, actually seeing it in person is awe-inspiring. Not everything is in the photos. The grounds of the complex include several other beautiful buildings, reflecting pools, and extensive ornamental gardens with flowering trees and bushes, and a small gift shop. The Taj framed by trees and reflected in a pool is amazing. Close up, large parts of the building are covered with inlaid stonework.

There is an apocryphal tale that Shah Jahan planned to build an exact copy out of black marble on the opposite side of the Yamuna river. His plans were foiled by his son, Aurangzeb, who murdered three of his elder brothers and then overthrew and imprisoned his father to acquire the throne. Shah Jahan is now buried alongside his wife in the Taj Mahal.

Because the Taj is white, your camera may underexpose your photos. Overexposure by 1 or 2 stops is recommended.

The Taj is located in the middle of the city. Expect a queue to get into the grounds. There are three gates: The western gate is the main gate where most tourists enter. A large number of people visit on weekends and public holidays and entry through the western gate may take hours. The southern and eastern gates are much less busy and should be tried on such days.

Once inside, expect long queues to enter the Mausoleum. There are two lines depending on the type of ticket that you've purchased. At the base of the monument, turn to your right for general (Indian) entry and turn to your left for high-value (foreigner) tickets. The general line can wrap around the building several times by the afternoon, whereas the foreigner line is typically empty. Helpful guards can direct you if you get lost.

Mosquito repellent is advisable in the warmer months.

Opening times
Open daily (except Fridays) from sunrise to sunset (6-7AM until 6-7:30PM, depending on time of year).

Get there as early as possible to beat the crowds, and plan to visit the Taj at least two different times during the day (dusk and dawn are best) in order to experience the full effect of changing sunlight on the amazing building. Note that entry to the monument closes 30 minutes before sunset.

Night view
There are night viewing of Taj Mahal sessions on the nights of a full moon and the two days before and after (so five days in total). Exceptions are Fridays, the Muslim sabbath, and the month of Ramadan. Tickets cost ₹510 for Indians and ₹750 for non-Indians; tickets can only be purchased online at Archeological Survey of India website and are usually sold out very quickly. Opening times: 9PM-midnight; attendance is split into 30-minutes slots, 50 visitors group for each slot. A visitor must arrive 30 min prior to viewing hours for a security check at the Taj Mahal ticket kiosk at the East Gate. However, the night view is likely not worth spending the money as the visitors are kept far from the Taj Mahal (nearly 200 m away) and there is not sufficient light for viewing or photography.

Tickets
Entry to the Taj Mahal costs ₹50 for Indians and ₹1100 for foreigners/NRI(Non-resident Indians). To enter inside the mausoleum (the main structure of the Taj Mahal), you must pay an additional ₹200 (March 2024).

The Taj Mahal ticket fee for foreigners includes a small bottle of water, and disposable shoe covers for entering the mausoleum. You may also enter the mausoleum barefoot, so consider refusing the disposable shoes covers and going in barefoot. There are shoe racks to keep your shoes just outside the mausoleum.

You can buy tickets from 3 entrances: the South, East and West gates. The West gate (opens 6am) is typically the busiest (you could be queueing for hours) but closest to the city. The south gate is less busy but opens later at 8am. The East gate (opens 6am) is the furthest from the city but also generally the least busy.

Online ticketing
The Indian government also provides online ticketing for the Taj Mahal.

Tour guides and audio guides
Official guides are available for Agra for ₹1200 for a half day (including Taj Mahal & Agra Fort). Ask at your agent for details. Any guide that charges less than that is probably an unlicensed tour. Most unlicensed touts have fake IDs and focus more on taking you shopping rather than on presenting accurate information. You can book a local Govt. approved guide by logging www.tajtourguide.com or online search.

You can purchase a self-guided audio tour (allows two to a device) from near the ticketing booths. Cost is ₹100 in English and foreign languages and ₹60 for Indian languages.

You can also consider downloading a free audio guide such as the CaptivaTour Travel Audio Guide, which has a reasonable free 45-minute audio guide for the Taj Mahal.

Agra Fort

Emperor Akbar, king at 14, began consolidating his empire and, as an assertion of his power built the fort in Agra between 1565 and 1571, at the same time as Humayun's Tomb in Delhi. Emperor Shah Jahan added to the fort and ended up a prisoner in it. The fort has a beautiful view of his masterpiece, the Taj Mahal, on a clear day.

You can get to the fort by Rickshaw from Taj Mahal for around ₹45-50. Entry to the fort is ₹600 plus a levy of ₹50 if you have not already paid for the Taj Mahal.

There are left luggage services at Agra Fort where you can store your bags at no cost. A fine of ₹5,000 applies if you lose your luggage ticket. Eating is not allowed.

There are also audio guides available at Agra Fort which you can rent for a cost of ₹100 in English and other foreign languages (German, French, Spanish) or ₹60 in Indian languages such as Hindi or Bengali.

Temples

 * Sheesh Mahal, within the Agra Fort, is a stunning palace adorned with intricate mirror work and glass mosaics. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan, it served as a royal dressing room and exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of the Mughal era.
 * Sheesh Mahal, within the Agra Fort, is a stunning palace adorned with intricate mirror work and glass mosaics. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan, it served as a royal dressing room and exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of the Mughal era.
 * Sheesh Mahal, within the Agra Fort, is a stunning palace adorned with intricate mirror work and glass mosaics. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan, it served as a royal dressing room and exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of the Mughal era.
 * Sheesh Mahal, within the Agra Fort, is a stunning palace adorned with intricate mirror work and glass mosaics. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan, it served as a royal dressing room and exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of the Mughal era.
 * Sheesh Mahal, within the Agra Fort, is a stunning palace adorned with intricate mirror work and glass mosaics. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan, it served as a royal dressing room and exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of the Mughal era.
 * Sheesh Mahal, within the Agra Fort, is a stunning palace adorned with intricate mirror work and glass mosaics. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan, it served as a royal dressing room and exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of the Mughal era.
 * Sheesh Mahal, within the Agra Fort, is a stunning palace adorned with intricate mirror work and glass mosaics. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan, it served as a royal dressing room and exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of the Mughal era.
 * Sheesh Mahal, within the Agra Fort, is a stunning palace adorned with intricate mirror work and glass mosaics. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan, it served as a royal dressing room and exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of the Mughal era.
 * Sheesh Mahal, within the Agra Fort, is a stunning palace adorned with intricate mirror work and glass mosaics. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan, it served as a royal dressing room and exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of the Mughal era.

Do

 * City Walks: Other than the monuments visits, one can also stroll in the local markets in old city area. Its a nice experience to have a walk in one of the oldest parts of the city.

Buy
Agra has many shops selling stone products, from jewellery to small boxes and plaques with inlay work resembling that on the Taj. The best of these are wonderful, and even the run-of-the-mill ones are rather pretty. Agra is also famous for its leather goods. Consider spending time in Sadar Bazaar for some shopping and cheap food. These markets have gemstones, both precious and semi-precious, cut and polished but unset, and finished jewellery. You can also find chic boutiques, classy leather goods, culturally-designed clothing, and marble markets.

Beware of being overcharged. Do not let anyone lead you to a shop, lest the price go up to cover their commission, typically 50%. Be very wary of the promises these people make. Bargain hard. Be prepared to walk away, you can nearly always get the same items in another shop or order items you liked during your visit over the Internet after you return. Expect to encounter petty and greedy shopowners who will resort to every lie in the book to make a sale (with initial markups of 1,000-10,000%).

There are many local markets: Sadar Bazar. a sophisticated market, Raja ki Mandi market, Sanjay Place for all the offices, Shah Market for electronics. All of these markets are situated along the M G Road. Hospital Road Market and Subhash Bazar for clothes situated near Agra Fort railway station. Rawatpara market is for spices. Besides these there are many branded shops along the M G Road.

Many wholesale marble products are available at Gokul Pura Market near Raja Mandi on M. G. Road which can be easily reached by auto rickshaw, the price of most items are nearly 25% in the retail market.

Be careful when buying jewels: lots of stones are fake and the price is comparatively high.

Eat
Agra specialities are petha, a type of very sweet candy, and Dal Moth, a spicy lentil mix. Both are also popular souvenirs.

 * Chaat - Agra is a heaven for any Chaat lover. Chaat can be of various types but there is one thing common among them all is that they are spicy and you will find crowd outside virtually every chaat stall, especially popular places like Double Phatak (near Sikandra) for Mangores. You'll find quality Bhallas and Panipuri at Sadar and Belangunj. Samosa and Kachori are found at every sweet shop that flood the city. Some typical chaat items are Aloo Tikki (made by roasting mess made out of boiled potatoes), paneer tikka (cubes of cottage cheese baked in a tandoor with spices), pani puri or golguppa (small round hollow shells filled with a potato-based filling and a spicy sweet blend of sauces), mangores, Samosaes, Chachori, etc. If you want to savour the typical Agra breakfast have a bite of one of those spicy Berahi and round it off with sweet Jalebies.
 * Sweets - There are quite a few good sweets shops. The best for the famous petha of Agra are at Hari Parwat, a short distance from Agra Fort. Amongst the well-known shops are Panchi's, Bhimsain BaidyaNath and The Pracheen Petha store. There are many types of petha available but, for the authentic experience, try either the plain one (ivory white) or Angoori flavoured (rectangular and yellow pieces soaked in sugar syrup). Other shops in Agra include: Bikanervala, Deviram, Munnalal Petha, Gopaldas, and Ajanta Sweets, Kamla Nagar. You can round off your meal with a Joda (pair) of Pan unique to the city.
 * There is also an abundance of Korean food.
 * There are several restaurants in the Taj Ganj area, catering for the many tourists staying around the Taj Mahal.

Drink
A bottle of Indian beer costs around ₹70-100 in a hotel, but there is virtually no nightlife in Agra outside of cultural shows at some of the larger hotels and restaurants. After getting off the streets of Agra and into your hotel, you will not want to go back anyway.

Splurge
Thanks to heavy competition, Agra's five-star hotels are good value compared to most other cities in India.

 * Four Points by Sheraton
 * Four Points by Sheraton
 * Four Points by Sheraton
 * Four Points by Sheraton
 * Four Points by Sheraton

Stay safe

 * Don't leave cash or any valuables in the hotel room. Cross check all hotel, restaurant and lounge bills for errors.
 * Never pay anyone for anything upfront, including taxi drivers.
 * Beware of pickpockets.
 * If you decide to purchase anything, beware that most items are cheap replicas of original items and not likely to last long. The toys are really poorly put together so do not buy them!
 * During the winter season, the weather of Agra is unpredictable and temperature may go as low as freezing; be well prepared.
 * Some unscrupulous dealers of carpets use the classic 'bait and switch'. If you buy something, insist on carrying it yourself else what arrives in the post might not be what you bargained for. A carpet shop named 'Kanu carpets' is particularly infamous for this. It is prudent to steer clear of shady looking establishments.

Connect
BSNL, AirTel, Vodafone and Idea provide GSM (triband) and Reliance and Tata provide CDMA services.

Internet
There are several Internet cafés for sending email or uploading digital photos.
 * Sify Iway also offers broadband connectivity at different locations spread all over the city.

Many cheap cafés, such as the Taj Café, offer free Wi-Fi.

Go next

 * Bharatpur is about 56 km from Agra and houses the famous bird sanctuary in which you can see thousands of rare birds including Siberian Crane. The Lohagarh Fort remained invincible despite several attacks by the British. Just 32 km from Bharatpur is the Deeg Palace. This strong and massive fort was the summer resort of the rulers of Bharatpur and has many palaces and gardens.
 * Fatehpur Sikri ghost city is a UNESCO world heritage site about 40 km from Agra. Built in the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, the "City of Victory" was the capital of the Mughal Empire for a brief decade and was abandoned in 1586 due to inadequate local water supplies and proximity to the Rajputana areas in the North-West, which were increasingly in turmoil. It includes one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid. Full of well preserved palaces and courtyards, it is a must see for anyone visiting Agra. In order to get a full idea of this site it is better to take a guide (₹450 for 2h for its free entry part) or have a good printed guide. Entry to the site of the mosque (even to the yard) is only without wearing footwear. The vehicle parking is about a kilometre away and Agra Development Authority (ADA) runs some rickety non air conditioned buses to the site entrance, fare is ₹10 per person one way. Entry to the fort area where the palaces are located is ₹610 for foreigners.
 * Mathura is said to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. There are many beautiful temples in Mathura, including the one built at Shri Krishna's birthplace.
 * Nandgaon was the home of Shri Krishna's foster father, Nand. On the top of the hill is the spacious temple of Nand Rai, built by the Hat ruler Roop Singh. The other temples here are dedicated to Narsingha, Gopinath, Nritya Gopal, Girdhari, Nand Nandan, and Yasodha Nandan, which is half-way up the hill. Nandgaon springs into action every year around March for the festival of Holi, when many tourists flock to the city for the famous "lath mar holi".
 * National Chambal Sanctuary, (70 km away) is a natural sanctuary and the home of the endangered Indian gharial (a relative of the crocodile) and of the Ganges River Dolphin (also endangered).
 * Vrindavan is also a religious place around 50 km from Agra, and quite close to Mathura. There are many temples here devoted to Lord Krishna, a few of the more famous of which are Banke Bihari and the Iskcon Temple.

title: Agra


text:
Agrigento

Agrigento (Sicilian: Girgenti or Giurgenti) is the capital of the eponymous province on the Italian island of Sicily.

Understand
Agrigento is primarily famous for the Valley of Temples, impressive remains of Greek Doric temples. Since 1997 the Valley of Temples and the other ancient sites in the area have been included in the UNESCO's World Heritage List.

During the golden age of Ancient Greece, it was known as Akragas (Ἀκράγας). One of the leading cities of Magna Graecia, it was the hometown of philosopher Empedocles. Later on, it became Agrigentum in Latin, and Kirkent or Jirjent in Arabic.

Agrigento is the birthplace of the novelist, poet and playwright Luigi Pirandello who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1934.

Climate
Similarly to nearby Gela, Agrigento has a semi-arid climate, with just enough precipitation to avoid being classified as a desert climate. It features hot summers and mild winters. The winter months usually present mild to warm daytime temperatures and the weather is mostly sunny. Summer presents a pronounced aridity in which sunny conditions are virtually assured every day.

By train
Frequent trains run from the station near the centre of town to Palermo and Caltanissetta, less frequently to Enna (but not that useful - the station in Enna is about 5 km below the town). The journey to/from Palermo takes 2 hours and costs (as of March 2023). Connecting with the east of Sicily by train is not easy, and takes a long time. The train station is at Piazza Marconi, on the southeast corner of the old town.

By bus
Frequent buses run to Palermo (Down the street from Stazione Centrale), Caltanissetta, Catania, Sciacca and close(ish) to Eraclea Minoa. A few also run to Gela and Trapani via Mazara del Vallo, Marsala in 2 hr 20 min | (Salvatore Lumia Bus) and Castelvetrano (for Selinunte).

By boat
There are daily boats and hydrofoils in summer (fewer boats and no hydrofoils in winter) from Agrigento's port 3 km away - Porto Empedocle to the islands of Lampedusa and Linosa. See SIREMAR and Ustica Lines. There are frequent local buses from Porto Empedocle into Agrigento.

On foot
The town centre and its medieval streets can easily be reached on foot from the train station.

By bus
Frequent city buses run from outside the train station, stopping at the Archeological Museum and slightly further downhill, the main entrance of the Valle dei Templi. Take buses 1, 2 or 3 for the Archeological Museum and slightly further downhill, the main entrance of the Valle dei Templi.

Valle dei Templi

The Valley of Temples is a string of five Greek temples stretching along a ridge to the south of the city. It is a sight worthy of comparison to the Acropolis in Athens. The temples are usually divided into two zones: the Eastern Zone and Western Zone each side of the main entrance and the road from the city centre. It can get punishingly hot in summer and there is little shade other than some olive trees along the ridge. There is a shuttle bus that runs through the site (€3 for one stop, Nov 2019). Parking costs €1 for 30 min to a maximum of €5 (Nov 2019).

An audio tour is available at the entrance to the temples. (Some ID is required as security for these, which means walking back the entire length of the site just to give the guide back).

To put all these sights in context, it is well worth visiting the Archeological Museum (half way back into the city centre) and the adjacent Roman Quarter (with a few nice mosaics).

Historical centre
The old centre of Agrigento is also worth a visit.

Events

 * Festa del Mandorlo in Fiore (almond Blossom Festival) towards the end of February is to be commended.

Eat
Sample the Greek-influenced cuisine, especially eggplant (aubergine) and olive oil-based dishes.

Splurge

 * Hotel Dioscuri bay Palace, Set in a very nice bay, on the promenade of San Leone. The hotel has 102 rooms, all with balcony over the sea or the hinterland. Bedrooms are decorated uniformly in soft colors. All rooms offer modern amenities such as hairdryer, frigo-bar, telephone, TV color and balcony. Bathrooms are provided either with bathtub or shower.
 * Hotel Dioscuri bay Palace, Set in a very nice bay, on the promenade of San Leone. The hotel has 102 rooms, all with balcony over the sea or the hinterland. Bedrooms are decorated uniformly in soft colors. All rooms offer modern amenities such as hairdryer, frigo-bar, telephone, TV color and balcony. Bathrooms are provided either with bathtub or shower.

Go next

 * Porto Empedocle – a port town very close by which forms a conurbation with Agrigento; also famous rocks of Scala dei Turchi and Villa Romana next to it
 * Heraclea Minoa – on the coast 25 km to the north-west
 * Caltanissetta – inland to the north-east
 * Gela – on the coast 64 km to the south-east

title: Agrigento


text:
Agrigento (province)

Agrigento is a province on the southwestern coast of Sicily, Italy, that stretches from the south coast into the mountainous hinterland. The province faces the Channel of Sicily in the south and is known for its beaches. Torre Salsa's beaches have been designated natural reserves and are protected due to their environmental importance.

Cities

 * — to the south and particularly noted for the Valle dei Templi (Valley of Temples)
 * — hilltop village outside Sciacca
 * (Eraclea Minoa) — Greek ruins above an attractive beach
 * (Marina) — port town close to Agrigento
 * — quiet south coast port town
 * — Working class city between Caltanissetta and Agrigento

Other destinations

 * (Isole Pelagie) — most southern, in the Mediterranean Sea

Understand
Gela inhabitants founded the province in the 6th century BCE as Akragas. The Carthage destroyed the province in 406 BCE but was later ruled by the Romans, Goths, Byzantines, and Arabs. The Arabs rebuilt several parts of the province. Several ancient Doric temples were constructed during the 6th and 5th century BCE to worship Hercules, Olympian Jupiter, Juno, Castor, Pollux, and Demeter. They are located in the Valley of Temples (Valle dei Templi). The ancient temples and other architectural structures were built using the stones of the hills near Capo San Marco.

Climate
In summer it can be unbearably hot in Sicily with its arid Mediterranean climate, in winter the temperatures are often pleasant and snow hardly ever falls. In spring and autumn, the temperatures are very pleasant, apart from the sometimes heavy thunderstorms.

By car
From the A19 Palermo - Catania motorway to Caltanissetta, then on the SS640, through the mountains to the south coast. Alternatively on the southern coastal road SS115, which runs along the entire southern coast of Sicily from Trapani to Siracusa.

By train
Ferrovia Palermo - Agrigento - Porto Empedocle line or Agrigento - Caltanissetta line and then connection to the Palermo - Catania line.

Get around
The region can be easily travelled by car. With larger vehicles or mobile homes, caution is advised in narrow towns, scooters can get through everywhere without any problems.

As in all of Italy, people drive in Sicily quite "impulsively" and quickly. As a rule, it is important to be very attentive at all times, but this also applies to local road users: in rural Sicily, the right-of-way is often not stubbornly insisted on — a vehicle is sometimes allowed to enter from a turner or stopped for a left turn, the traffic partners mist clearly see what you are planning to do.

Travelling in the region by public transport is challenging, railway connections are rare, all towns and cities are connected by a dense bus network, the website of the Sicilian bus company AST seems a bit confusing and is written in fluent Italian.

See
Near Agrigento, the Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) has many temples from Greek antiquity. Eraclea Minoa is an archaeological site with a Greek theatre. Capo Bianco, near the bathing beach of Cattolica Eraclea and Scala dei Turchi, a rocky coast with stepped white marl formations, are both recommended.

Eat
The Sicilian cuisine in the southern provinces is similar to that of Italy: fish and fresh seafood are mainly offered in the port cities, in the mountain areas ham and mountain cheese are instead on the appetizer plate.

Drink
The province is well known for its vineyards and wines. Around three-quarters of the Sicilian land devoted to growing Fiano grapes is in the province. Some of the important municipalities known for their vineyards include Sambuca di Sicilia, Menfi, and Santa Margherita di Belice.

Stay safe
Security in southern Sicily is not much different from other rural areas of Italy. Pickpocketing and car break-ins are to be expected if valuables are left in the vehicle. However, the risk is no greater than in large cities in northern Europe.

title: Agrigento (province)


text:
Agritourism

Agritourism means travel organized around farming, small-scale food production or animal husbandry. Visiting a working farm or ranch for the purpose of enjoyment and education are key parts of this often rural experience. Farmer's markets, wine tourism, cider houses and corn mazes all constitute examples of agritourism. Travelers who participate in this type of vacation frequently desire to see how food is grown and prepared or to learn how animals are raised.

Understand
"The small landholders are the most precious part of a state"

- Thomas Jefferson

Sometimes spelled "agrotourism," agritourism is the idea of bringing urban residents to rural areas for leisure travel and spending.

In an increasingly mechanized world, many people have lost touch with how their food is produced, or the region where it originated. Agritourism offers tourists a chance to reconnect with the land, providing a "hands on experience" with local foods. Agritourism activities include picking fruits, tasting wine, tending bees, milking cows and other educational pursuits.

Agritourism immerses visitors in the heritage of a particular culture. Take the time to stop by a working farm or ranch, you will most likely discover people with an intimate knowledge of the history and traditions of their region. A traveler to Agros in Cyprus who helps the villagers gather roses in May, will learn something about the area's history producing rose water. Horseback riding on a dude ranch in Montana offers a glimpse into the lives of cowboys from the "Old West" of the U.S.. A visit to a food museum such as the Musee de la Boulangerie Rurale in Luberon can teach about the history of rural breadmaking in the Provence region of France.

For the most iconic agritourism areas, safeguarding the integrity of their products is nothing less than a source of national pride. In the European Union, Protected Designation of Origins (PDOs) look after the integrity of a wide variety of foods, such as Champagne wine in France, Asiago cheese in Italy and Melton Mowbray meat pies in England. All these regions are eponymous with the foods they produce, while a tourism industry has sprung up around that particular food's production.

Like sustainable travel, agritourism focuses on travel that is low-impact and empowering to local communities, both socially and economically. Recognizing the need to diversify their farm products and supplement their agricultural incomes, many farmers consider agritourism as a viable option for the long-term sustainability of their farms. Agritourism can prop up an agricultural economy when local producers can no longer compete economically. The tourism takes place in a farm setting and is secondary to the primary agricultural operation.

Overnight stays
This can be as sophisticated as a bed and breakfast stay at a winery or as rustic as camping. One common variation is a farm stay, where guests help feed the animals and harvest the crops.

Farms
In Europe, it's referred to as "schlaf im Stroh" in German, "aventure sur la paille" in French, or "sleeping in the hay" in English. Spend the night on a farm and help out with domestic chores and demonstrations of native crafts. This could be an overnight stay in a rustic hayloft in Switzerland, a remote cabin or outbuilding in Austria, or even a full-blown apartment and rooms for daily or weekly rent on a farm in France. Here are a few resources:
 * FarmStayPlanet — A directory of farmstay vacation providers worldwide, though with the vast majority in Europe. Some vineyards and ranch stays too.

 * World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) — A chance for a farmstay combined with social activism and ecological practices.
 * Help Exchange — Organization that connects holiday backpackers to farms, ranches and stables in exchange for labor. Travellers agree to a few hours of work for lodging. It is a sometimes rural version of a hospitality exchange.
 * Hungarian Farmhouses — "Village Tourism" is popular and very well developed in Hungary, and can be a remarkable experience. Start your research with 1Hungary, National Federation of Rural and Agrotourism and Centre of Rural Tourism.
 * Kibbutz Program Center — Nonprofit work studies program for young adults between 18 and 30 to work on a kibbutz farm in Israel.

Not every farm visit is work related or educational. A common variation is an "entertainment farm." These rural amusement parks offer barrel rides, haunted houses, inflatable bounce and jumps, crop art, displays of old farm equipment and other forms of recreation.

Dude ranches
Dude ranches, or guest ranches, are resorts patterned after a ranch in the Western U.S., featuring camping, cattle wrangling, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities. See also Old West.

 * Dude Rancher's Association — Created in 1926, the DRA is the governing body of the U.S. West’s dude ranch industry.

Wineries
Winery stays are popular on every continent save Antarctica. Given the romance, history and cachet of wine, many view vineyard retreats as a "high-end" agritourism experience.

Weddings and honeymoons
Many farmers and ranchers are supplementing their income by offering wedding and event venues. Rehearsal dinners, barbeques and other activities can combine with the wedding ceremony. If there is an inn or bed and breakfast on the premises, newlywed couples can make a rural experience a part of their honeymoon travel.

Hayrides
A ride in a wagon, flat bed trailer or truck piled high with loose straw or bales of hay. A traditional autumn, harvest time activity in North America.

Horseback riding
Includes rodeos, horse farms and trail riding, the latter often directed by professional guides or outfitters.

 * Hungarian Equestrian Tourism Association — Countryside tourism in Hungary, as viewed from the back of a horse.
 * British Horse Society — Charity in the United Kingdom with a large number of resources for equine tourism around the globe.

Corn mazes
A labyrinth or hedgerow made out of a corn/maize field, or some other kind of tall growing grain. There are two main methods for creating a corn maze: growing it from the ground up using special seeding techniques plotted out from a GPS-linked grid map, or to cut the maze pattern through a regular field of corn.

 * Maize Maze Association of United Kingdom and Ireland

Milk and cheese
Visit a place where milk, cream and other dairy products are processed and sold.

Vegetable gardens
They are "Schrebergartens" in Germany, "dachas" in Russia, or vegetable garden plots and simple country homes where city dwellers plunge their hands into the soil on the weekends. It's possible to rent these allotment gardens in many countries as an alternative stay to a hotel or youth hostel. There is no central directory or database for finding allotment garden lodging; the information must be ferreted out of the various national and regional agritourism bureau websites.

 * Ruralis — A consortium of rural and agritourism boards in Istria, Croatia. The Roman Emperors used to reward their legionaries with "latifundia", or little stone farm houses and garden plots. You can still stay in a handful along the Dalmatian Coast.

Heritage Gardens — Legacy or heritage gardens preserve the biodiversity of heirloom vegetables that may have fallen out of favor.

 * Medicinal Plants and Vegetable Gardens — List of herb garden and vegetable garden museums in Wallonia, Belgium from the Belgium Tourism Office.

Grain production

 * Society for the Preservation of Old Mills — With the colorful acronym of SPOOM, this organization offers visitor information on historic watermills, stone windmills and grist mills throughout the U.S.
 * Native Seeds — In an effort to preserve agricultural genetic diversity, this nonprofit group seeks out rare heirloom seeds adapted to the arid climate of the Southwestern U.S. and Northwestern Mexico. The group needs volunteers to help out on their conservation farm near Patagonia, Arizona. Tasks include weeding, repairing equipment, planting and harvesting.

Orchards

 * Trat — This Thai province is famous for its array of seasonal fruits such as durian, mangosteen, rambutan, Long Kong, santol and zalacca, which are available right from the orchard.
 * Sukhothai Cycling Route Through the Orchards — Also in Thailand. Enjoy cycling around and tasting a variety of fruits like pomelo, santol, sapodilla, coconut, star fruit, various kinds of bananas, as well as the tasty and fleshy plum mango (Bouae Macrophylla) with its chicken-egged size.

Ground fruits

 * Malang — In East Java, Indonesia. See tea, orange, apple, strawberry, vegetables in Lawang and Batu highlands
 * Kanchanaburi — In Thailand. Province features seedless raisin vineyards, as well as a mixed cultivation farm with organic vegetables and plants of various kinds of processed agricultural products such as corn milk, vegetable juice, dehydrated banana and jack-fruit.

Maple sugar
Celebrated in places like New England and Eastern Canada. In Quebec, February marks the maple syrup festivities in the sugar shacks, as the maple trees awaken from the winter cold and prepare for the forthcoming springtime. These "cabanes à sucre" often feature restaurants serving maple syrup-inspired cuisine.

Coffee
Coffee makes mornings possible, and coffee plantations on sun-drenched mountains grow the beans that make your morning cup possible. Traditional coffee plantations often offer tours or tastings.
 * Colombia is probably the world's most famous coffee producer and its Zona Cafetera is a recognized in the heart of the Andes. You can visit plantations, see how the beans are grown, harvested, and roasted, and enjoy a cup on the tour. Some plantations have traditional haciendas and offer rooms for overnight guests.
 * Costa Rica has several coffee plantations offering tours and tastings. In the Central Valley (near San Jose are Cafe Britt (with a 1-1/2 tour and a 6-hour tour) and Hacienda Alsatia (Starbucks). In the Central Pacific (Costa Rica) region, near Monteverde, Don Juan offers several tours daily that also feature chocolate and sugar cane in addition to coffee. In Guanacaste, the Tío Leo Coffee Tour is offered from 8am - 11am.
 * Jamaica is famous for its Blue Mountain coffee, grown in a small area at an altitude of 3,000 - 5,5500 feet. The Craighton Estate in Irish Town St Andrew offers tours and tastings.
 * Mexico has three main coffee growing regions in the states of Veracruz, Chiapas, and Oaxaca. Coffee plantations with tours in Oaxaca include Pluma Hidalgo, Finca Copalita, Finca el Pacifica, Finca La Gloria, and  Finca las Nieves. In Chiapas, Finca Hamburgo offers coffee tours and tastings, they also have rooms for overnight guests. Finca Argovia also offers tours, tastings, and overnight accomodations. Finca Irlanda stresses sustainable practices with eco-friendly growing practices. That's not necessarily unique though. Mexican coffees are almost always certified-organic and appeal to a knowledgable, eco-friendly buyer. In Veracruz (state), coffee growing centers on the town of Coatepec, which is famous for its Mexican Altura coffee. Several local fincas offer coffee tours and tastings.

Wine
Wine is the most sophisticated beverage (according to wine-drinkers!), and winemaking has thousands of years of tradition around the Mediterranean Sea.

Alpaca or llama
These pack animals from South America are now raised around the world. Many farms offer tours and sell clothing made from the animal’s lightweight, insulating wool.

Agricultural shows
An agricultural show is a public event exhibiting the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. The largest comprise a livestock show (a judged event or display in which breeding stock is exhibited), a trade fair, competitions, and entertainment. The work and practices of farmers, animal fanciers, cowboys and zoologists may be displayed. The terms agricultural show and livestock show are synonymous with the North American term county fair or state fair.

Agricultural shows are an important part of cultural life in small country towns, and popular events in larger towns and cities. Shows range from small events in small country towns usually lasting two days, through medium-sized events of three days, to large Royal Shows, which may run for up to two weeks and combine elements of an amusement park with those of an agricultural show. Although increasingly under pressure due to finances and insurance concerns, all main towns in the United Kingdom have a Show Society and in some areas, several towns and villages in the area all have an annual show. Larger shows often include live entertainment and fireworks in the main arena.

Farmer's markets

 * National Farmers' Retail & Markets Association (FARMA) — A co-operative of farmers, producers selling on a local scale, and farmers markets in the United Kingdom. Info on farmers' markets, farm shops, or pick your own farms in the U.K.

North America
Canada

Alberta
 * Alberta Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

British Columbia
 * British Columbia Agritourism Alliance

Manitoba
 * Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives

Quebec
 * Agrotourisme Québec

United States of America

Europe
The European Federation of Rural Tourism

{|
 * style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" |
 * style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" |

Austria

 * Farm Holidays

Belarus

 * Rural Belarus

Belgium

 * Logeren in Vlaanderen Vakantieland
 * Gîtes et Chambres d'hôtes en Wallonie

Bulgaria

 * Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism

Cyprus

 * Agrotourism

Denmark

 * The National Association for Agritourism

Estonia

 * Eesti Maaturism

Finland

 * Gofinland Agritourism

France

 * Gites De France 47

Germany

 * Bauernhof in Deutschland

Iceland

 * Icelandic Farm Holidays (accredited by the national tourist board)

Ireland

 * Country Holidays Inn & Suites

 * style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" |

Italy

 * Guide to quality farm holidays in Italy
 * Agriturist

Latvia

 * Lauku Celotajs

Lithuania

 * Atostogos kaime

The Netherlands

 * Dutch Farmholidays

Portugal / Madeira

 * Madeira Rural

Romania

 * Antrec Romania

Spain

 * Andalusian Network of Rural Accommodation

Sweden

 * Bo på Lantgård Sverige

Turkey

 * TaTuTa — volunteering and overnighting in eco/organic farms in Turkey

United Kingdom

 * Farm Stay
 * }

South America

 * Brazil - Associação Brasileira de Turismo Rural

Asia
India
 * Agritourism India.

Oceania

 * Australia - www.agritours.com, www.caloundraaccommodation.com
 * New Zealand - www.ruraltours.co.nz

Stay safe
During a visit to a working farm or ranch, you will most likely encounter farm equipment and animals. Supervise your children around both and encourage them to use some restraint. Any visit to a rural area may include mud and manure, so wear boots or old sneakers. Beware of pests.

title: Agritourism


text:
Agros

Agros (Greek: Αγρός) is a village in Limassol district, Cyprus.

Understand
Situated on the Troodos mountains, Agros is a tourist destination, both for locals and foreigners, mainly during the warm, summer months. It has maintained a fame as the "Rose village" due to the extensive cultivation of this flower in the area.

By car
Nicosia-Agros

Exiting Anthoupoli, passing the private Grammar School head towards Nicosia-Palaichori highway. Keep straight ant you will pass the villages of Arediou, Malounta, Agios Epiphanios and the area of Agia Koroni, covered in green. After passing the villages of Apliki and Palaichori, head towards the village of Agros with the magical scents of roses. You can advise street signs to reach Agros. This route lasts almost 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Larnaka-Agros

Exiting the National Larnaka Airport you will reach a roundabout. Direct towards the Halan Sultan Mosque-Dromolaxia road. After a ten-minute drive you will reach the roundabout of Kalo Chorio and then the roundabout of Aradippou, where you have to enter Larnaka-Nicosia highway. You will reach the roundabout of Pera Chorio Nissou fifteen minutes later, and you will have to direct towards Nicosia. Take the exit for Tseri and where the road is “T-shaped”, turn left. After reaching the church dedicated to Saint Andronicos, the Primary School, turn left directed towards Kato Deftera. At a distance of three kilometers stands Nicosia-Deftera highway. Where the roads are “T-shaped”, turn left heading towards Pano Deftera and Anageia. After passing Pano Deftera and Anageia, you will reach a “T-shaped” road, where you have to turn left, entering Palaichori-Agros highway. Keep straight and you will reach the villages of Arediou, Malounta, Agios Epiphanios, and the area of Agia Koroni, covered in green. After passing the villages of Apliki and Palaichori, you will reach the picturesque village of Agros, one of the most beautiful villages in Cyprus. Enjoy the amphitheatrically formed landscape, the picturesque neighborhoods and the enchanting scents of roses. There are helpful street signs along the way. This route lasts almost 1 hour and 30 minutes

Limassol-Agros

Starting your journey from Mesa Geitonia roundabout, head towards Palodia-Agios Ioannis-Agros. Keep straight and you will reach the villages of Palodia, Paramytha, Zoopigi, Agios Ioannis (Pitsilia) and the beautiful village of Agros, famous for its natural beauty and its pink roses. You will need almost 1 hour to reach Agros.

Starting your journey from Polemidia roundabout, head straight towards Platres. At a distance of six kilometers you will reach Polemidia dam and at a distance of eight more kilometers you will reach the village of Alassa. Enjoy the magnificent view of Kourris dam and keep straight passing the villages of Lania and Trimiklini. At a distance of one kilometer take the exit for Pelendri-Potamitissa located on your right. Keep straight. After passing Pelendri and Potamitissa you will be lead to the beautiful and picturesque village of Agros. You will need almost 45 minutes to reach Agros from Polemidia roundabout.

Both routes are indicated by helpful street signs.

Paphos-Agros

Starting your journey from Konia roundabout, head towards Limassol. After Mandria roundabout, exit the highway, entering the old Limassol-Paphos highway. Keep straight towards Limassol until the exit for Nikoklia-Agios Nicolaos. Turn left towards Nikoklia and you will reach the villages of Nikoklia, Souskiou, Phasoula, Mamonia, Agios Georgios, Kidasi, Kedares, Pretori. Keep straight until you reach Mandria-Kato Platres crossroad, where you have to follow the direction towards Pera Pedi. Reach Sayttas crossroad and turn right. At a distance of almost 500 meters turn left heading towards Potamitissa. The beautiful village of Agros lies at a distance of only three kilometers after Potamitissa. This route lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes.

By bus
Limassol-Agros

Bus #50 starts from the EMEL central station in Limassol and arrives in Rodon Hotel in Agros. The route passes through various villages in Limassol district, before it reaches Agros and the trip lasts about 120 minutes. Single ticket costs, while there is a whole day ticket for all Limassol District busses for.

From EMEL station (Limassol to Agros):
 * Weekdays: 07:30, 12:00, 13:40, 16:15, 18:15
 * Saturday: 06:00, 07:00, 09:00
 * Sunday: 09:30, 16:00

From Rodon Hotel (Agros to Limassol):
 * Weekdays: 05:15, 06:00 , 07:00 , 09:00 , 14:30
 * Saturday: 07:30, 12:00, 13:30
 * Sunday: 11:00, 17:00

Nicosia-Agros

Route #157

title: Agros


text:
Agua Blanca

Agua Blanca is a very calm village close to Puerto Lopez and part of the Parque Nacional Machalilla. It is a catholic community and they manage the little tourism they get communally. The main attraction is a pre-incan 70% sulphur bath and the archeological sites of the Mantena people.

The entrance fee is $5 and includes a local guide who will show you around the village for about 3 hours.

Get in
You can get a direct motortaxi for $4 from Puerto Lopez or take a bus (0.5$), drop off at the entrance of Agua Blanca, and start walking. It's 5km, but the few cars on this road usually stop and take you if you put up your thumb or you can take a mototaxi for $1.

See

 * There is a nicely maintained pool called "Aqua Blanca" which consists of 70% sulphur. Bring your bathing suit and don't worry you will not smell like rotten eggs, the baths do not leave a smell on your skin. Fantastic for anyone suffering from skin irritations. There are freshwater showers and toilets at the laguna.
 * The small local museum shows artifacts and bits of the history of the "Manta" people who inhabited this area before the Incas.
 * There are many archeological sites of the Manta times.

All this is usually included in the little tour with your guide.

Do
Longer treks into the mountains and rainforest are possible.

Buy
There is a little shop near the museum, where prices are not too inflated.

Eat
Food is a bit overpriced ($5 for a meal). First negotiate or bring your own if you can.

Sleep
You can rent a cabaña for $10 a night or camp at the dedicated campground for $2 (no water at the campsite, but freshwater showers and toilets are available at the lagoon).

Go next
Same as get in. Pay too much for a mototaxi or start walking and hitch a ride.

title: Agua Blanca


text:
Aguadilla

Aguadilla, Garden of the Atlantic, is a city in the Porta del Sol region of Puerto Rico. Aguadilla has beaches, an airport and hotels and casinos.

Get in

 * San Juan: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
 * Aguadilla: Rafael Hernández Airport
 * Ponce: Mercedita Airport

By plane

Prinair also serves this airport with charter flights from the Dominican Republic.

By car
From the airport take Puerto Rico Highway 107 South to Interstate PR-2. Exit towards Aguadilla Centro.

By bus
Blue Line offers service to and from all municipalities to the Public Transportation Terminal.

On foot
Walking along the roads of the city center, will offer you a great experience. This way you get to stop and try different foods, shop, and enjoy the beautiful bay views and beaches.

By públicos
Públicos depart from the Public Transportation Terminal to all barrios. The different routes include Aguadilla-Borinquen, Aguadilla-Ramey, and Aguadilla-San Antonio with a price tag of $1.25 per trip.

By taxi
Taxi service is available from the airport, and hotels.

By road
Aguadilla is serviced by Interstate PR-2. I-PR-2 to the East connects it with Isabela, Quebradillas, Camuy, Hatillo, and eventually to San Juan via Arecibo. To the south, it connects it with Aguada and Añasco. Other roads include PR-110 and PR-107 to Ramey. It is also connected by PR-111 to Moca, San Sebastían, Lares, and Utuado and PR-115 to Aguada and Rincón.

See

 * Aguadilla City Hall "Alcaldia" - Built in 1918, and reconstructed after the 1918 earthquake.
 * Banyan Treehouse "Casa del Arbol" - Wooden house around a Banyan tree. None of its parts touch the tree.
 * Campanitas de Cristal Fountain
 * San Carlos Barromeo Cathedral
 * Christopher Columbus Monument - This monument was built to commemorate Columbus' entrance to Puerto Rico through Aguadilla Bay. It consists of a cross originally made of marble. It also had to be rebuilt after the earthquake.
 * El Crashboat - A beautiful beach with white sand and crystal waters along with a ship wreck at the far corner of the beach.
 * El Merendero - A beautiful view of Aguadilla Bay and site of beautiful sunsets.
 * El Parterre Jose de Jesus Esteves "Ojo de Agua" - Historic plaza where a natural spring and former source of water for Spanish soldiers is located.
 * Fisherman's Monument
 * Jardin del Atlántico Square - A beautiful square with fountains and gathering spot of local merchants
 * Old Sugar Pier -
 * Parque Colón - A public park with an enormous tree house, fountain, swings, playgrounds, street vendors, and a typical Puerto Rican atmosphere. It is located across the street from the beach were the first Spanish ships landed in Puerto Rico and the park is were Christopher Columbus and the Taino were said to have first met.
 * Paseo Miguel Garcia Mendez
 * Punta Borinquen Lighthouse - Built by the US Armed Forces in 1920 to substitute the one built by Spain and destroyed by the earthquake.
 * Punta Borinquen Lighthouse Ruins - Site of the old lighthouse built by Spain in 1889 and site of beautiful pictures.
 * Rafael Hernández Monument - A monument honoring world-famous composer Rafael Hernandez-Marin.
 * Rafael Hernandez Square - This is the Main Square.
 * Tribunal Supremo (Old Courthouse)
 * Wilderness Beach - A beautiful beach with amazing cliffs. It was once part of the Ramey Military base. Here you can see the old Spanish ruins. And its secluded location is great to escape the crowds. (This beach is only accessible by 4X4 vehicles on rainy days.)
 * Youth Fountain Juan Ponce de León Park
 * Youth Fountain Juan Ponce de León Park

Do

 * Aquatica Underwater Adventures - A scuba diving, surfing, and stand up paddle boarding shop. You can sign up for lessons, certifications, and tours here as well as rent or buy equipment.  Located on PR-110 at km 10.0, Gate 5 Maleza Alta.  +1 787-890-6071,
 * Aguadilla Bowling Center - A bowling alley that features 18 computerized lanes, with a bar, cafeteria, and a gameroom. It is off Interstate PR-2, at Plaza Victoria
 * Aguadilla Ice Skating Arena - The only ice skating facility in the Caribbean
 * Aguadilla Skating Park - A skateboarding facility in Downtown Aguadilla
 * Caribbean Cinemas 6 - Cinema in the Aguadilla Mall
 * Cristobal Colón Park - Family park with kiosks, a boardwalk with a beautiful view of the city, playground, and a beach
 * Las Cascadas (The Waterfalls) Water Park - Many water attractions. Among them the Crazy River, Wave Pool, and lots of slides
 * Punta Borinquen Golf Course - An 18-hole golf course built for U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower.
 * Ramey Skating Park - The only concrete skateboarding facility in Puerto Rico, in Ramey Village (former military base)
 * Zazones Creole Cuisine Restaurant/Lounge - Restaurant that serves authentic Creole dishes, and has a touch screen bar top (2066.5 Avenida Pedro Albizu Campos Suite 6)
 * Zazones Creole Cuisine Restaurant/Lounge - Restaurant that serves authentic Creole dishes, and has a touch screen bar top (2066.5 Avenida Pedro Albizu Campos Suite 6)

Beaches

 * Columbus Beach
 * El Canto de Las Piedras Beach
 * Rompeolas Beach
 * Tamarindo Beach

Available for surfing

 * Crash Boat Beach
 * Crash Point Beach
 * Gas Chambers Beach
 * Surfer's Beach
 * Wilderness Beach
 * Wishing Well Beach

Buy
Aguadilla is the commercial district of the region. It has four strategically located commercial centers along Interstate PR-2.

 * Aguadilla Mall
 * Aguadilla Shopping Center
 * Plaza Ferram
 * Plaza Victoria

There are also stores along the highway, in the downtown area, and along PR Highway 107 including Plaza Borinquen.

Drink
There are numerous bars and clubs all over the area.

Sleep

 * Hotel El Faro, 4000 Av. Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos, a prominent hotel with beautiful beach views.
 * Hotel Vista Azul, 84 Ave Montemar, a hotel with beautiful views of Aguadilla Harbor and the historic Old Sugar Pier.
 * Parador El Faro
 * Parador El Faro

Go next

 * Aguada
 * Añasco
 * Camuy
 * Hatillo
 * Isabela
 * Lares
 * Las Marías
 * Maricao
 * Moca
 * Quebradillas
 * Rincón
 * San Sebastián

title: Aguadilla


text:
Agua Prieta

Agua Prieta is a city of 91,000 people (2020) in Sonora on Mexico's border with the United States across from Douglas, Arizona.

Understand
The name comes from the word ópata bachicuy, which means 'black water'. This is due to the fact that in the place, the water with which the ranchers of the late nineteenth century watered their cattle turned dark, due to the nature of the terrain.

Its territory is generally mountainous, located between the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental with nearby mountains such as Agua Prieta, San Bernardino, Guadalupe, Gallardo, Pitáicachi, La Cabullona, San Luis and Xitahueta. It is in the basin of the Yaqui River. The Punta de Agua stream, which rises in the San José mountain range, in the Naco municipality, penetrates its territory, continuing east until it joins the Agua Prieta river; this and the Cajón Bonito stream join the Batepito river, which continues south, to discharge into the Bavispe river.

Among the main industries are the maquiladoras: it has 33 maquiladoras that employ around 14,000 people, whose main lines of business are: clothing, wooden furniture, electronics, material and equipment for hospitals, sports, and computer components for radio communication and television, among others.

The Agua Prieta II Solar Thermal Project is an integrated combined cycle solar system (ISCCS) with solar parabolic trough technology. Agua Prieta II is the first plant of its kind to enter the electricity market in Mexico and Latin America.

Climate
The predominant climate in the municipality is temperate, the maximum monthly average temperature is 35.0 °C in the months of June and July and the minimum monthly average is −0.7 °C in the months of December and January; the annual average temperature is 17.5 °C; the rains occur in the months of July, August and September with an average annual rainfall of 355.2 mm; there are thaws in the north in the months of December and February.

Get in
Agua Prieta is 4.3 km from Douglas, Arizona.

It is linked to the rest of Mexico by Federal Highways 2 and 17. It is 380 km from the state capital, Hermosillo.

By bus
Where you get dropped off or catch a bus depends on which bus line you use. Generally, the stations are pretty grim with dirty facilities, no handicap access, and no parking. Most buses go to Hermosillo.

See
Architectural and historical monuments
 * Our Lady of Guadalupe Temple, contemporary building
 * Customs building portal topped by a tower, built in 1918
 * Plaza Azueta, built in 1911-1912
 * Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, contemporary building
 * Dedication to General Plutarco Elías Calles, commemorating the battle of Agua Prieta
 * Monument to Zaino
 * Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
 * Old Military Barracks, built between 1924 and 1928
 * Former Federal Finance Office, built in the 1920s

Festivals

 * April 17-19, Cultural Festival of the Border
 * Month of May, Spring Fair
 * September 13-16, National Holidays
 * December 20-24, Local Christmas Festival

Eat

Stay safe
As of July 2021, the U.S. State Department warns that Sonora is a key location used by the international drug trade and human trafficking networks. Americans have been victims of kidnapping.

Go next

 * Banámichi
 * Ures
 * Hermosillo

title: Agua Prieta


text:
Aguascalientes

Aguascalientes is a city of 950,000 people (2020) in the Bajío region of Mexico. Aguascalientes means hot water in Spanish; the name comes from the abundance of hot springs in the area.

Understand
Located in central Mexico, Aguascalientes borders the states of Zacatecas and Jalisco and is located about 537 km northwest of Mexico City. There are five traditional neighborhoods in Aguascalientes. Those neighborhoods are La Estacion, La Salud, El Encino, Guadalupe, and San Marcos(where the annual San Marcos Fair is held). Aguascalientes was founded in 1575. The city is very Spanish in nature and is known for its pottery, embroideries and woven goods. Aguascalientes, Mexico is the capital city of Aguascalientes state. Historically, the Spanish chose this city as an outpost to guard against the Chichimec Indians who once resided in the area. It was an outpost against the Indian tribes until 1857 when a state of republic was created under the same name as the state, Aguascalientes. From 1910 to 1920 the city was a major rail junction between Mexico City and the silver mines of Zacatecas.

Natives call Aguascalientes "the perforated city" or La Ciudad Perforada due to its intertwining passages, or catacombs beneath it that the pre-colonial Indians carved from rock. Their origin and reason is unknown and they are not open to the public.

It is ranked among the top three safest cities in Mexico, and one of the best in quality of life for its inhabitants.

Climate
The climate in Aguascalientes is warm and dry year-round. Rainfall season is from May until November, although rain is very seldom here. When it does rain it's fierce and brief in the late afternoon leaving the evenings cooled off and dry.

By plane

Nearby airports in the Bajio region include:
 * Leon-Guanajuato Airport, the nearest alternative
 * San Luis Potosí Airport
 * Zacatecas Airport with a few offered routes

By bus
The bus station, is on the south side of the first ring, 5 km (3 miles) from main square, at Av de la Convención de 1914 Sur 408, Las Américas. A bus ride from Mexico City will usually take about six hours. There is an overnight bus that runs from Mexico City to Aguascalientes that leaves around midnight and arrives in Aguascalientes around 06:00. This type of bus trip is perfect for those who just want to spend a full day in Aguascalientes.

There are also stops on the north side for Omnibus de Mexico (on MEX 95, near the university) and Turistar (on MEX 45).

First class services ETN and Primera Plus serve Aguas.

Local buses M$6 (pesos) run from outside the bus station into the centre. Look for "Centro" on the windshield, meaning they go downtown. Combis also operate on major thoroughfares in Aguas.

By car
To get to Aguascalientes from Mexico City by car, take the MEX 57 as far as Querétaro, then take the MEX 45 via Salamanca. Aguascalientes is located on Federal Highway 57/45 in Mexico. It is a 300 mile trip and will take at least 5 hours.

On foot
It is safe to walk during the day and at night around the tourist areas and downtown, to get on a cab or public transportation. Most people show their hospitality when they realize you are a tourist, always willing to help, give you directions or help you with the language.

By e-hailing
Uber, Didi and Bolt serve Aguascalientes.

By bus
Moovit covers the city for taking the bus from one place to another.

By taxi
Taxis are a safe option for getting around in Aguascalientes. You can arrange for a taxi from your hotel although street cabs are usually much cheaper. All taxis have meters that indicate the fare to pay. It is not required to speak Spanish or negotiate the fare. Check that the driver turns on his meter. Most places in the city can be reached for M$40 or less.

By sightseeing tour
Tranvía - Right across the main square, you can get a ride on a streetcar around the most important tourist sights with this government-provided service. Cost is M$36 for adults, M$18 for children and senior citizens (April 2022). On board, the tour guide gives you descriptions and facts about the sights in English and Spanish. Hourly departures.

By car
Aguascalientes is very accessible by road so renting a car is a good option to see all the historic sites and architecture that Aguascalientes and its surrounding areas have to offer, however, it is recommended that you have some experience driving in Mexico, because the rules and customs can vary significantly from those from other countries.

Sports
There's a huge sports complex of professional venues and public athletic facilities on the east side of Aguascalientes at the intersection of Av. Adolfo Lopez Mateos Ote. and Av. Ferrocarril. Venues include:

 * – Football (soccer), home of "Necaxa", colloquially called the "Hidrorayos"
 * – Baseball, home of the AAA Mexican League team, Los Rieleros
 * – Basketball, home of the Panteras

Architecture
Walk through the beautiful Parque de San Marcos, and then continue to the gorgeous Palacio de Gobierno with its central courtyard and murals. This is the most outstanding colonial building in Aguascalientes. On the west side of the main square lies the 18th-century baroque cathedral. This cathedral is filled with gorgeous paintings by colonial painter Miguel Cabrera. More interesting places to see include:
 * The Government Palace - Built of tezontle stone and gorgeous with its Neoclassical facade of red
 * The Municipal Palace - Built out of pink quarry
 * El Jardin de los Palacios (Palace Gardens)- A lovely fountain is on display here to honor the artist Jesus F. Contreras who was the creator of two of the relief sculptures decorating the square. Interesting to know is that Contreras sculptures represent the God of hunting "Camaxtli" and the God of Abundance "Centeotl." But perhaps even more impressive is the Patio De Las Jacarandas on the opposite side of the Plaza Patria where a canopy and more fountains and, yes, jacarandas await.
 * La Plaza Patria - Holds spectacular views of an iron tower built in 1808.
 * Legislative Palace

Do

 * Golf - Aguascalientes has two golf clubs. The Country Club Pulgas Pandas has a 6,420-yard-long course, while the Club Campestre de Aguascalientes has an 18-hole course with a 7,535-yard-long course.
 * Golf - Aguascalientes has two golf clubs. The Country Club Pulgas Pandas has a 6,420-yard-long course, while the Club Campestre de Aguascalientes has an 18-hole course with a 7,535-yard-long course.

Out of town trips

 * – 60 km. A walking and hiking trail runs through the Huejucar Canyon.
 * (45 km) and the (40 km) which are ideal for water skiing and fishing.
 * – 40 km. A perfect place for adventure sports, including rock climbing and rappelling.
 * The best sites to hike and climb are at:
 * – 15 km. There should be regional buses running through the area. From the federal road it's a 35 min hike to the mountain top. Google Maps shows the trail. Nearby is the Mirador Los Arqueros.
 * – 30 km
 * – 80 km
 * – 80 km and
 * – 80 km.
 * Fishing: A few kilometers outside of Aguascalientes is where the best fishing occurs. The Jocoqui, El Llanero, and Abelardo Rodríguez Reservoirs are the best places for sport fishing.

Buy
You can check out little curios along the main plaza (Plaza Patria).

Markets

 * Mercado Teran

Malls

 * Centro Comercial El Parian
 * Centro Comercial El Dorado
 * Centro Comercial Villasunción
 * Centro Comercial Galerias
 * The Centro Comercial Plaza de Vestir - This shopping center carries blouses and tablecloths produced by local craftsmen, puppets, wooden toys, and ornaments.
 * Centro Comericial Espacio opened in 2015, is a mall in the eastern part of the city, includes a cinema complex, food court and stores like Office Depot and Soriana supermarket. It sits right beside the Ojo Caliente spa.
 * Centro Comericial Espacio opened in 2015, is a mall in the eastern part of the city, includes a cinema complex, food court and stores like Office Depot and Soriana supermarket. It sits right beside the Ojo Caliente spa.

Flea markets

 * Tianguis de la Purisima
 * Linea de Fuego (on Sundays) mainly for used items, tools.

Eat
The best food to try while in Aguascalientes include the • barbacoa de olla • biznaga tamales • candied guava • caramel sweets and • ladrillos; which is a delicious flaky pastry.

in the city center:

 * There is a mercado near 5 de Mayo (probably, otherwise nearby Mercado Juárez) specialising in delicious roast lamb served with tacos.
 * For cheap eats such as burritos.

Drink
There are many nightclubs and bars in Aguascalientes. But don't head there early. Locals usually begin to show up at the bars around 11pm. They don't leave or even start dancing until 5am through 7am. So if you want to drink and party like a local do not head home early!

If you want to party visit Aguas during la Feria de San Marcos. The city transforms into the largest open-air cantina in Mexico, with an abundance of places selling cocktails (M$50) or 2L beers (also M$50). You are also able to buy beer in cans, bottles, 16 oz and 1L varieties. Usually drinking on the street in Mexico would be problematic, However, during the Feria many enterprising people open public bathroom, all costing M$5.

Clubs and a casino also open specially for the Feria.

Camping
Within a short distance from the city of Aguascalientes you can go camping in the mountains of El Pinal, Guajolote, Laurel, and Sierra Fria.

Budget

These budget hotels have decent ratings on Google Maps and cannot be reserved on booking.com:

in the south-east

 * León
 * Guanajuato
 * San Miguel de Allende
 * Querétaro

in the east

 * San Luis Potosí

in the north

 * Zacatecas

in the south-west

 * Guadalajara

title: Aguascalientes