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Rauma

Rauma (Finnish) or Raumo (Swedish) is a town in Satakunta. The wooden houses in the centre of the old town are a UNESCO World Heritage site, as is the Bronze Age burial site Sammallahdenmäki about 20 km east of the centre. Rauma is the third oldest town in Finland, and has almost 40,000 inhabitants (2023). It is a historic seafaring town but in the 20th century paper milling became its main industry. The Olkiluoto nuclear power plant in nearby Eurajoki municipality is a major regional employer.

Understand

Rauma is one of the six medieval towns in Finland (with Naantali, Porvoo, Turku, Ulvila and Vyborg). It has a lot of seafaring history. It also developed a reputation for high quality lace. These traditions are actively being marketed by the tourism industry, though in day-to-day life they are no longer mainstream (except for the port operations, as Rauma is still a major port in Finland). Folk culture, tourism and older people try to preserve much of Rauma tradition, but as everywhere, Finland is gradually becoming homogenized due to the influence of mass media. Younger generations in Rauma these days hardly differ from those in most other Finnish cities.

The post-World War II years were mainly driven by pulp and paper milling, which cast its ugly (and sometimes smelly) shadow on the town. However, the wood industry also brought prosperity and compared to many other similarly sized towns, Rauma has done pretty well. Environmental impact (including the abovementioned smell) is now rather small due to modern technology. Most of the 'smoke' you see coming from the factory area (tucked into the outskirts of the town) is actually water vapour.

Rauma had important ship building industry in the age of sails, and this was revived by the 1940s' war reparations. In the 2010s the surviving shipyard was building corvettes for the Finnish marine and a cruiseferry for the Vaasa route. Combined with the wood industry and other metal industry companies, Rauma really has a blue-collar history.

Because of the construction of the new nuclear power plant (Olkiluoto 3, built 2005–2022) by a Franco-German company, there has been an influx of engineers and their families from Central Europe. This has contributed positively not only to the economy but also to the offerings of restaurants and cafés.

The neighbouring municipality of Lappi was merged into Rauma in 2009.

Talk
The locals are mainly Finnish speaking. Rauma has a peculiar dialect of its own. Rauma giäl ("Rauman kieli", or the language of Rauma) is characterized by many lonewords from Swedish and a slightly more guttural intonation than standard Finnish. It was one of the first Finnish dialects to get literature: Hj. Nortamo wrote several books in this tongue around 1900. Its most extreme form is, however, mostly reserved for traditional folk events or touristic marketing. The day to day language is mostly standard Finnish mixed with some Rauma idioms, words and pronunciation. If you know Finnish, you'll understand practically everything. However, you may have to ask your interlocutor to speak slower, because the way of speech is also quicker and more verbose than in many other Finnish dialects.

As in most of Finland, anybody born since 1965 knows at least some English.

By plane
The nearest airport, Pori airport is located in the neighbouring city of Pori. Another option is Turku airport, which may have slightly better connections abroad. The main option from abroad is still Helsinki Airport. For the remaining distance, it may be faster to transfer to train or coach than to wait for a connecting flight.

By bus
Rauma is well connected to other cities by coach and most tourists arrive this way. The bus station (Linja-autoasema) is in the city centre, by the old town. Coaches arrive every 1–3 hours except during the night, from e.g. Helsinki (3½ hr, mostly via Turku), Turku (1½ hr), Tampere (2½ hr), Vaasa and Oulu.

Coming via Tallinn or Stockholm, there may be coach connections from the ports of Helsinki with arranged transfer, mostly via Kamppi. Coming via Turku harbour, there may be a direct service from the ferry terminal.

Timetables can be found on the website of Matkahuolto.

By train
There is no passenger rail traffic directly to Rauma. There are train stations in Harjavalta Pori ), Kokemäki ), Turku ) and Tampere ), which, except perhaps Kokemäki and Harjavalta, have good coach connections to Rauma. Using the train may be faster than a direct coach service, depending on time of day and other factors.

By car
There are easy road connections from Helsinki (via Huittinen in the east, ), Tampere (likewise via Huittinen, 145 km), Turku (in the south, 94 km) and Pori (in the north, 49 km). There are no roads going west since that way lies the sea. If you drive from Helsinki, you can also use the old route, via roads 1, 110, 280, 52, 10, 213, 204 and 12.

By boat
There is no commercial passenger traffic by sea but many tourists, especially Finns, arrive in Rauma with their private yachts. There are a couple of guest harbours around Rauma.

Get around
Since Rauma is a small town, walking around the city, and especially the old town, is easy. Bringing your own bicycle would be convenient.

The local buses are by Koiviston Auto (timetables and Matkahuolto route planner).

The local bus system is extremely limited and services only the handful of most important routes. You'll find the main bus stop near the old town, at Savila, a couple of blocks from the intercity bus terminal.

By bike
Easybike offers city bikes for rent.

By scooter
You can rent electric kick scooters for use in the centre from Finnish Joe Scooter and Finnish Swup.

By taxi
Taxis operate widely around the city and you can flag a cab when you see one or call +358 2 106-400.

 * Apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Taksinappi

See
Most of Rauma's sights are conveniently located within a walking distance of the centre.

Old Rauma

(Vanha Rauma) is the largest uniform wooden town in the Nordic countries, and is a since the 550th anniversary of the city. The oldest inhabited buildings date back to the 17th century. Some of the architecture may make you think you're in southern Sweden or Denmark (e.g. the city hall with its straight yellow walls and brick roof), or the Baltics (the wooden houses with their decorated details). Compared to the wooden old town of Porvoo, the streets are wider and the houses tidier but because of that it also seems less livelier/busier.

Archipelago of Rauma
The archipelago is not very extensive, still hundreds of islands and islets, several of which have some service for visitors. The Bothnian Sea National Park stretches along the coast, mostly in the sea off the archipelago, but including some of the islands. Many islands are protected as nature reserves or otherwise. In summer, when the weather is fine, the islands offer nice day trips.

In peak tourist season, there are regular boat connections to each of these islands. In most winters, it is also possible to walk, ski or skate over the frozen sea. Be sure to ask locals whether the ice is thick enough, never embark alone, and avoid shipping routes with potentially thinner ice. There are few or no tourist services available on the islands during winter.

Churches

Other

Do
The Culture and Leisure Centre operates an information service called Fyyr which helps to find things to do and see, and may be able to help with more information about any of these opportunities. Their service is available in Finnish and English, at Nortamonkatu 5,, and on their website.

Rauma Regional Tourist Office will also be able to help especially with the more touristy services. Their office is at Valtakatu 2,.

Festivals
Despite its small size, Rauma hosts numerous festivals, mostly during summertime. For exact dates and program, check the City of Rauma website.

Buy
In Old Rauma you can still find plenty of traditional lace on sale and at the main square you will find the seafarers' museum containing some impressive stuff. The old town also has shops selling for example second-hand goods and art. The newer parts of the city have more "everyday" shops and in the north of the city there are two hypermarkets next to each other (Prisma and Citymarket).

Eat
There are a couple of local foods which are borne of the seafaring past: lapskoussi (mashed potatoes and salted meat) and topseilvellinki (raisin soup, usually served with pancakes).

Budget
Budget choices are largely limited to fast food. In addition to McDonald's and its Finnish imitator Hesburger, Rauma has a bunch of pizza and kebab places, where a meal typically costs around €4.5-8.

Self-catering
You can buy fresh and smoked fish and fruits and vegetables at the market, in the heart of Old Rauma. Also, Rauma has many supermarkets. The biggest (and cheapest) two are Citymarket (Karjalankatu 5) and Prisma (Porintie 4). They both are within a five minutes walk northwards from the Church of the Holy Cross. In addition, the large shop at ABC gas station (Unajantie 2) is open 24/7.

Mid-range

Many of the better hotels have restaurants of their own.

Drink
Rauma has its own drink, Puksprööt, made of juniper-rowan liqueur and white wine, served with a tar-infused rope. Some bars do not use juniper liqueur, in which case you might want to add some gin.

A common perception among young Raumans is that there is absolutely nothing to do in Rauma. This perception is shared to such a degree that if a Rauman teenager asks another if there's anything happening in Rauma, the other one starts outright laughing. As usual, teenagers have somewhat of an extremist view and also are not fully aware of all their options – still, there is some truth to their opinions. Rauma is not a happening party town. There are a couple of night club options and a number of seedy bars, and each usually has their own clientèle where everybody knows each other. It might be difficult to find a place that fits you in Rauma, and if you do, it might be difficult to get to know the people who already know each other.

Bars and clubs are concentrated in Old Rauma and west of Old Rauma. Main party days are Friday and Saturday, Wednesday coming as third.

Cafés
There are a number of nice cafés (kahvila) in the Old Rauma, some in the inner yards of the old wooden houses, sometimes with live music or art galleries - obviously patios are usually only open in summertime. The best option is to walk around and pick the one you like.

Cafés are typically Finnish-style. American style tall lattes are hard to come by, and surprisingly many offer light-roasted drip coffee only (no espresso). This is, however, slowly changing.

Some established cafés include

Sleep
Most of the accommodation available in Rauma is mid-range. The only real budget option is the camping ground.

Connect
There are no internet cafes in Rauma since most people have broadband access at home. However, you can access internet free of charge at public libraries, such as:

Go next

 * Olkiluoto nuclear power plant is in neighbouring Eurajoki. It has a visitor centre, open daily (but mind security procedures, you may need to register in advance). Occasionally there are bus tours from Rauma.

title: Rauma


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Rautalampi

Rautalampi is in North Savonia. Its vast forests and numerous lakes make it a very beautiful area.

Understand
Rautalampi is the west-most village in Eastern Finland. It has about 3,500 inhabitans. In the summer there is a significant increase in the population as people come to their summer cottages. The whole municipality can be travelled around by water and also the town centre is surrounded by lakes.

Rautalampi has a rich cultural history; many authors, musicians and artists, such as the Finlandia Prize awarded author Kari Hotakainen, have their roots in Rautalampi.

By train
The nearest railway station is in Suonenjoki about 20 km east of Rautalampi. There is a bus connection from there.

By plane
The nearest airports are Rissala in Kuopio, 70 km north-east of Rautalampi and Tikkakoski (near Jyväskylä) 90 km south-west of Rautalampi.

By car
National road 9 between Jyväskylä and Kuopio passes near the town.

By boat
The Rautalampi waterway (draught 2.4 m, height 5.5 m) from Pielavesi to Laukaa, connected to Päijänne, passes through the municipality, at Kiesimä, Kerkonkoski and Vaajasalmi. Konnekoski is reachable from it by an official boating route (1.8 m).

The parish village is surrounded by lakes of the Rautalampi route, but the navigable waterway bypasses it by the Kiesimä Canal by the village Kiesimä, also part of the municipality. The parish village is still reachable by canoe from Konnekoski and Vaajasalmi.

The Rautalampi route is suggested as a national water route because of its beauty and the combination of wilderness-like landscapes with old parish villages and cultural landscapes. Because of this (and the popularity of boating overall), there are significant services for boaters and canoeists along the route, including on side trips.

Konnekoski lies on southern Konnevesi, 7 km from the parish village by road or by canoe, over. Most islands in southern Konnevesi (south of the bridges of road 69) belong to Southern Konnevesi National Park (see Do below).

Kerkonkoski and Vaajasalmi lie on, 18 and 11 km from the parish village by road

Get around
Public transportation is only available on the main roads. To get around and see something else than the main village, a car or bike is strongly recommended.

By taxi

 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi

See

Southern Konnevesi National Park
The park features open waters and labyrinths of rugged islands and offers possibilities for canoeing and boating as well as hiking. The trails are often steep and rugged, but a not-so-smooth 300-m trail is accessible by assisted wheelchair in season (ask for the lock code to access the parking) and there is an accessible jetty on Lapinsalo far out in Konnevesi.

Suggested canoeing routes range from 3 to 20 km, hiking trails likewise.

The information boards at the parking lots are in Finnish and English.

Camping is allowed according to the Right to access in the Nordic countries, but camping by infrastructure, such as cooking shelters, is recommended. Some of the shelters are suitable for overnight stay. Bring your own toilet paper. Water from lakes and rivers should be boiled before consumption.

There is firewood at the rest spots of the park. At most of them it needs to be chopped (saw and axe provided). There are also rest spots on adjacent protected private or municipal land, where you mostly should bring your own. Carry out your waste (small amounts of clean paper can be burnt, food scraps can be put in the composing toilets).

Bars and nightclubs
There are at least three pubs in Rautalampi.

Sleep
There is a youth hostel in Rautalampi and a camping site. Also available are a few mansions.

Go next

 * Kuopio – the region's biggest city
 * Pieksämäki – major train junction in South Savonia, with a railway museum
 * Varkaus – closest town to the Linnansaari National Park in an archipelago of Saimaa
 * Jyväskylä – the main city of Central Finland
 * Suonenjoki – the strawberry capital of Finland

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

title: Rautalampi


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Ravangla

Ravangla is a relatively new tourist spot in South Sikkim. It is a small picturesque town on the highway from Gangtok to Gyalshing at an elevation of 8,000 ft. Ravangla is one of the few places in Sikkim which offer undisturbed views of the Greater Himalayas (Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Pandim, Mt. Sinialchu, Mt. Kabru).

Understand
In April and May lots of flowers are in full blossom. The weather in Ravangla is very volatile, so always be prepared for rains.

Get in
Ravangla is situated about 65 km west of Gangtok and 52 km east of Pelling. It is directly accessible from Gangtok (2 hr 15 min), Siliguri (126 km - 4 hr 30 min), Darjeeling and Kalimpong. If you want to reach Ravangla by evening, make sure you book or hire a taxi by afternoon. Beyond afternoon, one can reach Ravangla by traveling to Namchi and from there another taxi to Ravangla.

By jeep or taxi
Jeeps arrive at and leave from the crossing at the southern end of the market. A few taxis go directly to Pelling, but normally you will have to change cars at Gyalshing.

By bus
Buses to Gangtok leave at 9AM, to Gyalshing at 11AM. There are two buses to Namchi at 9AM and 1pm. If you want to go to Darjeeling, you will have to take a bus or taxi to Jorethang first and change cars there.

See

Do
Ravangla serves as basis for moderate treks to Menam (3,200 m) and Tendong (2,575 m).
 * Menam trek. The ascent to the Maenam is about 12 km long with a difference in altitude of about 1,000 m and takes about 3 to 4 hrs. Weather permitting it offers splendid views on the steep peak of Mount Narsing (5,825 m), Kanchenjunga, and other prominent peaks of Sikkim. It is not easy to find the path, therefore a local guide (₹1000-1500, group of 4 in 2015) is highly recommended. A small brick hut at the few minutes before the top can be used as accommodation. The hut can accommodate up to 5 people and can be managed for even 6 people. No availability of water at the top. There is a small Gompa (a small Buddhist temple) at the peak. The path winds through a forest of oak, chestnut, magnolia and rhododendron trees. There are few trees along the trek whose barks have unique property of glowing in the dark. The guide will get you one if you ask, but its effect is short lived (2 to 3 days) and not sure if it glows until you carry it back to your place. There are two types of paths along the trek, one which is made as a footpath for easy and gradual climb and another is a very rough short route which goes very steep crossing the footpath at many places. Only sufficiently fit people use the short route according to the guide. Flowers are in full blossom in April and May. The area is the natural habitat of the red panda, Himalayan black bear and many species of deer and is designated as a Wildlife Sanctuary. Before starting the trek one must register his/her name in the forest barrack which is just near the entry point of the trek. If guides are not available to anyone, the person in the forest office will either help you find one or he himself will come as a guide. The forest entry fees is ₹25 (2015) per day. The entry point to the trek is near the Buddha Park entry gate and any local will assist you to the forest office on asking for it.
 * Tendong trek starts with a 13-km drive to Damthang and 2 hr 30 min trek. Tendong peak (8,500 ft, 2,575 m) offers a spectacular view of the mountains of Sikkim and the distant plains of North Bengal.

Eat
Be sure to have your dinner in hotels before 8PM as most of the hotels start closing by that time.
 * best momos in town

Sleep
Good accommodation options include Hotel Meeenamla and the Mt. Narsing Village Resort.

Go next

 * West Sikkim
 * Gangtok
 * Nathula Pass

title: Ravangla


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Ravello

Ravello is a town and commune in Salerno, Italy. A peaceful area with a small population, Ravello offers stunning views of the Mediterranean. Visit their renowned gardens, Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo, and their spectacular Duomo, the Cathedral of Ravello in Vescovado Square. During summer months the city hosts the annual Ravello Festival, an event started in 1953 in honor of Richard Wagner and continued as a celebration of local art and music.

Get in
Ravello is in the hills above Amalfi. If you arrive by bus or boat from another city and plan on staying late for a concert, you will need to arrange return transportation. Your hotel should be able to arrange a car and driver to get you back to your hotel. This is a pricey option although it may be your only choice. The nearest airport is Napoli-Capodichino International Airport, and for trains you'll have to go to Salerno.

By boat
The closest point for Ravello with boat and ferry arrivals is Amalfi, which shuttle between the coastal towns of Positano, Salerno, Sorrento or Naples. In good weather, the views are spectacular from the water. Coop Sant Andrea run the service between Amalfi, Salerno and Positano. For private and luxury charters, Amalfi Coast Yacht are based in Amalfi, service the entire coast and specialise in transferring guests who are staying in Ravello's five-star retreats.

By car
Ravello is accessible by car, although cars are not allowed into Ravello proper and there is only one parking lot near the main square.

The main highways in this region that traverse the Amalfi Coast are SS145, SS163, and SS373. Continue on Via Castiglione to arrive at Ravello.

Get around
The small town of Ravello is easily explored on foot. SITA buses run frequently between Ravello and Amalfi (which is the main bus terminal on the Amalfi Coast for connections) and taxis are available near the main bus stop in Ravello.

Cruises
Down in Amalfi, you can take a full-day Amalfi Coast to Capri Boat Excursion, which departs everyday from Amalfi, Minori and Maiori. It includes village sightseeing along the Amalfi Coast as well as a chance to check out wondrous marine caves, grottos and rock formations. You'll circle Capri, then dock and spend three hours exploring the island. Don't forget your swimsuit, because the day will wrap up with a swim in the Mediterranean. A ticket costs €79, and advance booking is strongly encouraged. Or If you're short on time, you can opt for half-day Amalfi Coast to Positano Boat Tours, with departures in the morning or the afternoon. You'll see marine caves and grottos, and you'll pass by the towns of Ravello, Maiori, Amalfi, Minori, Scala, Praiano, taking a two-hour stop in Positano. A ticket is €49, and advance booking is strongly encouraged.

Other activities

Buy
Small boutiques and outdoor markets abound in Ravello. The town has long been famous for attracting artists and craftsmen, and this is reflected in the handmade items available for sale. Many shops will ship your purchases home - but beware of your own country's customs procedures first! Because Customs will charge you money to check and search your purchase at their major custom's hub when it arrives from Italy and will only release your package (ceramic table top, dinner set, etc.) when you pay the customs import costs. And this can go into the thousands as it is calculated by weight.

Eat
Food in Ravello is characterised by fresh, flavourful ingredients prepared by chefs who are passionate about their country's cuisine and determined to provide an authentic, welcoming eating experience. Be prepared for long, personal talks with your server, and for the owner to come out and greet you with open arms!

Drink
The vineyards that cling to the hillsides below Ravello primarily produce white wines; two local DOC white wines of note are Vigna San Lorenzo from the Episcopio winery at the Hotel Palumbo and Selva delle Monache from the Ettore Sammarco winery, both located in town. To sample the area wines, make sure to tour a local winery, either independently or through a tour company. Those travelers looking for something a little stronger should visit the bars located in Ravello's luxury hotels and enjoy a cocktail in high style. Espresso and other coffee drinks can be found in cafes near the town center.

Cafés
Most cafés in Ravello are located in or just off of the Piazza Duomo and offer espresso drinks, a quick bite to eat, and outdoor seating.

Go next
Nearby destinations include:

 * Amalfi: This is the heart of the magnificent Amalfi coast and a beautiful seaside setting. Home to the Duomo di Amalfi and a once strong maritime republic. Visit the Chiostro del Paradise, a famous graveyard dating back to the 1200s that also houses ornate statues and columns.
 * Positano: A city marked by fragrant citrus groves and brilliant white buildings stacked in tiers on the cliffs of the Amalfi coast. Positano offers lovely beaches, historic architecture and spectacular views.
 * Sorrento: Partake from a wealth of cafes, restaurants and shops. The town showcases striking architecture, and is a stop on the Circumvesuviana railway—a perfect diversion before visiting other locations such as Pompeii and Ercolano.

title: Ravello


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Ravenna

Ravenna is a city in the Romagna zone of Emilia-Romagna.

Understand
Ravenna is the home of the Mosaic Basilica, with a delightful small town atmosphere plus other UNESCO World Heritage listed early Christian monuments.

By plane
The nearest airport to Ravenna is in Forli (about 20 km), but as of 2016 there no commercial flight to there. The other relatively close airports are in Bologna (about 80 km) and Rimini.

In season there is a shuttle bus service – CRAB – operates between the Bologna airport and Ravenna (continuing to Cervia).

By boat
Ravenna is one of top twenty ports of Italy.

There is a ferry line to Catania. It takes 40h to reach destination.

Nearby, at the resort of Marina di Ravenna, there are 2 yacht marinas.

By car
Ravenna is easy to get to from the A14. Follow the signs for A14D from the A14 East. The A14D ends some kilometres before Ravenna, but the roads to the town are clearly signposted. Once in the town, head for the centre (Centro). The town streets vary (as in all Italian towns and cities) with the main routes being large and navigable, the back streets being small and unsuited to large vehicles. As there are a number of ways in, make sure you have a town map before getting to the town, although this is good advice for any Italian town.

Parking is easily attained, some free away from the old town centre, and typically 3 euro for 2.5 hours on the main street near the entry to the old town within 200 metres of the Basilica.

Get around
Walk. The old town is a mainly pedestrian area with cafes and bars on every corner and some hidden away through small access alleys. Note that everything is a little more expensive near the Basilica.

Mi Muovo is an integrated public transport pass for the region. Short-stay visitors might use "Mi Muovo Multibus", a 12-trip bus ticket, see Emilia Romagna.

Mosaics of Ravenna
The early Christian monuments of Ravenna are included into UNESCO World Heritage list.

Do
Take the time to walk around. The town is full of the most charming surprises, be it a cafe or the outstanding fashion shops.

Buy
As a city of mosaics in Ravenna you can buy ceramic souvenirs in mosaic style, stylish fashions from all over Italy are available in the small boutique style shops. You won't find big stores here as you would in Milan or Rome, but there is a small town charm to them.

If you want to do any shopping, be aware that the shops in Ravenna observe a siesta from about 12:30 to around 16:00 when the only things open are small bookshops and cafes.

Eat
You are in Italy; eat Italian food. There are many small pizzerias and trattorias in the town that serve excellent and inexpensive fare. A typical meal of pizza and a beer will cost €10-15. In the main square, the cafe serves excellent Cappuccino for about €2. The self-service cafe in the (just north of the main square and the Hotel Byron) is excellent for lunches (€7.50-10).

title: Ravenna


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Ravenna (disambiguation)

There's more than one place called Ravenna:

Italy

 * Ravenna - a city in the homonymous province in the Emilia-Romagna region
 * Ravenna (province) - a region in the Emilia-Romagna region

United States of America

 * Ravenna (Ohio) - a city in Portage County, Northeast Ohio

title: Ravenna (disambiguation)


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Ravenna (Ohio)

Ravenna is a city of 11,000 people (2019) in and the seat of Portage County.

By car
Ravenna is connected by I76 and SR5.

Get around
Ravenna is a walkable and very bikeable town. In spring, summer, and fall nearly anywhere in town can be reached easily by bike.

The PARTA bus service runs back and forth from Ravenna to Kent every 45 minutes or so all day from 6AM to about 10PM, Monday through Saturday.

Do

 * West Branch State Park, 5708 Esworthy Road. 29 full service camping sites, 155 camping sites with 50-amp electric hook-ups, 14 non-electric sites, heated showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities, 700-foot sand beach, showerhouse, change booth, snack bar, year-round fishing, hunting, 2,650 acres lake, 12 miles of hiking trails, 20 miles of bridle trails, horse camp, playground and volleyball court.

title: Ravenna (Ohio)


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Ravensburg

Ravensburg is a city in Baden Württemberg, Germany. Its main claim to fame is the board game company named after the town.

By plane
Ryanair offers direct flights from London, Liverpool and Dublin to Friedrichshafen airport, which is about 20 minutes away by train. However, Memmingen Airport, roughly one hour by car in Bavaria, offers a wider range of destinations with Ryanair and Wizzair.

Most major European airlines offer regular scheduled flights to Stuttgart, Munich and Zurich airports, all of which are approximately 3 hours away by train. There are many intercontinental flights to Munich and Stuttgart has a direct connection to Atlanta in the USA.

By car
Ravensburg has fast road connections to Ulm and Friedrichshafen. The nearest motorway (Autobahn) junctions are at Wangen (32 km, 20 miles) and Ulm (100 km, 60 miles).

By train
Ravensburg station is on the Württembergische Südbahn Ulm–Friedrichshafen and the Bodensee-Oberschwaben-Bahn lines. The city's is a ten-minute walk from the main pedestrian precincts.

By train and bus
Being a small city, Ravensburg's public transport network consists solely of an excellent bus network and a regional train (Bodensee Oberschwaben Bahn). The main bus station is next to the train station, however, most bus routes also travel across the main square ("arienplatz).

By foot
As most of the sites and places to stay are found in the city centre and the public transport network serves the city's suburbs, visitors to the city should be able to see everything without having to use the network.

The centre of the city is mainly pedestrianised. It is easy to explore the narrow streets, as the city centre is fairly compact. Some of the streets are quite steep.

See
Ravensburg's historic city centre is completely intact, due to the city being able to escape bomb damage during World War II.

Ravensburg is famous for its many towers and church spires. Two of the towers ("Blaserturm" on the main square and "Mehlsack" at the top end of the city centre) are open to the public for a small fee, however, there are many steep stairs to climb to get to the top.

Ravensburg offers a fantastic amount of ancient buildings and churches, some of which are used for retail and some of which are open to the public.

There are several museums dotted around the city and several churches, all of which are open to the public.

Do
There is plenty to do in Ravensburg, there is a fantastic amount of shops, cafes and bars, which are all located on and around the main square.

Buy
Ravensburg is famous locally for being a shopper's paradise. There are several large department stores, all located just off the main square. There is also a small shopping centre ("Gänsbühl"), which is a short walk from the main square.

There are also many smaller shops selling everything one can think of, however, many of these, particularly the clothes and shoe shops, are very expensive, offering expensive designer articles.

Eat
The centre of Ravensburg is absolutely full of restaurants. There is a fantastic Balkan restaurant located at the bottom end of the "Bachstraße" shopping street. Other restaurants include American, Chinese, Indian, Italian and German establishments. Restaurant food in Germany is very reasonably priced and is usually accompanied by a wholesome salad. There are some "all you can eat" establishments, mainly in Grüner-Turm-Straße, where there are also lots of Ethnic fast food restaurants.

Drink
The city centre of Ravensburg is crammed full of bars and pubs. Most of the pubs and cafés on Marienplatz are fashionable and a bit expensive. In summer and also on sunny days in winter, hundreds of people sit in the outdoor areas on the square and it can become difficult to even get a seat.

Sleep
Ravensburg offers the traveller some good hotels.

Go next

 * Bad Schussenried
 * Bodensee
 * Tettnang
 * Wangen im Allgäu

title: Ravensburg


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Rawa

Rawa (Malay: Pulau Rawa) is a small, beautiful island located 16 km (10 mi) off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Surrounded by clean blue waters with jungle vegetation struggling for a foothold on the craggy cliffs, the island would have been bypassed by the tourist trade altogether were it not for the soft white sands fringing its western shore. Owned by the Johor Sultanate, the island has been sensitively developed with just two small resorts. For people seeking a secluded, weekend getaway, you can't find a more idyllic location than this one.

Get in
The only way to get to Rawa Island is by boat, normally from Mersing. From Mersing, Rawa island is a 30 mins speed boat ride or a 1 hour ferry ride. During the peak season (April-October) there are a lot of ferries and speed boats moving between Mersing and Rawa, but during the off season there will be just 1 or 2 rides per day. So better check the ferry time in advance and plan the trip accordingly. Ferries and overnight stays can be booked with the resort office on Jalan Abu Bakar in Mersing, or booked in advance.

It may also be possible to come here on the way back from another island, such as Tioman.

If you enter Mersing by motor cycle you may have some luggage and equipment that you do not want to leave in your bike. Rawa resort office, where you buy your boat tickets, is close to the jetty from where boats take you to Rawa. You can leave part of your luggage, helmets and jackets in the office.

When booking your stay you can also book the taxi drive from the major cities nearby (KL, Singapore). The taxi from Singapore should cost SGD 130.

Get around
Given its small size, there is no local transportation on this island. You can walk up and down the beach along the island's western side within 15 minutes. There is also a steep path leading to the peak of the island which takes a similar amount of time to walk. The other sides of the island consist of inaccessible rocky cliffs.

If the sea is calm you may want to rent a canoe and paddle around Rawa Island, for a different view of the island, including cliffs and caves on the eastern coast. The eastern coast should be avoided in bad weather as there is no safe harbour on this side of the island and waves and wind may push you towards open sea.

See
Rawa boasts no monuments, no historical sites, no museums and no tacky tourist traps. The island itself, a small rocky peak surrounded by clear blue sea, is the attraction.
 * The beach in front of the resorts has beautiful white soft white sand and azure water
 * A little farther offshore sits the living coral reef and a fantastic array of marine life
 * A climb up steep steps to the top of the island reveals the steep, craggy cliffs of the island's eastern shore. In the other direction, there are panoramic views towards the coast of Johor, and the other tiny islands of the Johor Marine Park.

Do

 * Snorkeling just off the western beach. The resorts rent out snorkeling gear in case you don't carry your own (Le Club Rawa provides snorkeling equipment and life jacket for free, however in limited quantity). There is a coral reef belt stretching all the way north to south parallel to the beach at a distance of about 20-30 m (66-100 ft) from shore. Although there are some dead coral, there are large areas of healthy hard coral growth, and a variety of tropical reef fish. However, corals are deteriotating and diminishing. Beware of jellyfishes.
 * Swimming in the clear sea water.
 * Beach volleyball is available from both resorts, although it appears to be most popular at the Le Club resort.
 * Windsurfing at the Le Club resort.
 * Sailing a Hobie cat at the Rawa Safaris Resort.
 * Fishing tours can be arranged by the resorts.
 * Canoeing in steady and durable plastic boats that you can rent at the resort.
 * Taking a nap or Reading under the trees/coconut trees while enjoying the sea breeze.

Buy
Besides a pricy souvenir shop at the Rawa Safaris Resort, there is no shopping on the island, which is actually nice.

Eat
The two resorts each have a restaurant, with hefty prices. At the Le Club, a simple fried rice/noodle costs RM 13+, white rice RM 3+, curry fish RM 28+, tomyam soup RM 25+ and other western food cost more than RM 20+. Rawa Safaris offers buffet style at a high price (although the full board option is available). Buffet dinner is RM 58++. There are no other restaurants on the island.

Normally the grill dinner buffet is served in the open, under the palm trees. Guests are called to dinner with bell chimes. In the dark nights the atmosphere is nice as there never are too many people due to low accommodation capacity. One easily becomes acquainted with visitors from mainland, Singapore or from far away countries.

Le Club Rawa offers breakfast with the choices of toast with eggs or pancake with syrup combined with free flows of coffee and tea (if order a pot).

Drink
The two resorts sell drinks, again at hefty prices. A 1.5 L bottle of mineral water costs RM 7 at the Le Club, several times what it costs on Tioman island or on the mainland. A can of beer at Le Club is RM 10. A can of Coke or 100 Plus cost RM 4+.

Rawa Safaris offers wider choice of drinks, from hard liquor, cocktails to mineral waters.

You are strongly recommended to bring your own drinking water, as both the resorts don't provide any drinking water.

On average, two bottles of 1.5 litres per person per day.

Sleep
There are just two options. Book well in advance, especially at high season

If you stay overnight at Rawa Safaris you may pay your bill in Mersing in the Safari resort office where you buy your boat ticket. It is handy not to carry any cash nor credit cards when staying on the island. Alang's Rawa take only cash, but you can pay via Paypal in advance if you prefer.

Go next
Take a boat to Mersing. The trip should be arranged in advance, best before coming to the island, otherwise through the resort or by yourself by phone.

title: Rawa


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Rawai

Rawai (หาดราไวย์ Hat Rawai) is a seafront village in Phuket. The northern part of Rawai is known as Hat Mittraphap (หาดมิตรภาพ), and has some beachfront, while the southern portion is the urban area and a port called Laem Ka (แหลมกา).

Understand
Rawai is at the southern tip of Phuket. It is much less touristy than nearby Kata and Patong Beaches. This palm-fringed sea front is best known for sea gypsies, a formerly nomadic fishing minority believed to be of Melanesian descent.

You will often see references to "Rawai Beach". Forget it. There is no beach in Rawai, at least not of the type you can swim in, except at the north end, where few tourists will venture. Why bother, when you can go to Nai Harn Beach? The tides in Rawai are pronounced. Boats moor, then are beached when the tide recedes. It is picturesque, but it's not a beach.

Get in
Along with Chalong Bay, Rawai is one of Phuket's three main ports and has connections to many of Phuket's islands.

Get around
Rawai is quite spread out and a motorbike is highly recommended. The longer your hire period, the cheaper it becomes, and is possible to hire one for around 120 baht/day. Otherwise expect to pay 150-200 baht/day depending on the type of bike.

Do
Rawai Beach itself is only used to moor fishing boats, longtails, and speedboats, used for snorkelling and sightseeing trips to Phuket's neighbouring islands. The new pier is not used for boats, but makes a nice walking/fishing pier.

There is a sea gypsy village just north of the pier with shops and longtail boats for rent, and lots of seafood restaurants on the waterfront. This is where Phuket Town comes on the weekend for a beach party. There are a few popular cocktail bars on the beach for a limited but fun night life.

Learn
Rawai has plenty of muay Thai gyms. If you're interested in a one day lesson or a six month training stint, it's a good place to look. Two gyms below, but there are at least half a dozen more within a 4 km radius.

Drink
Rawai has many beer bars along the seafront. They close at 02:00. Clubs/discos such as Laguna stay open past 02:00 every night and are popular with local bar girls when they finish work.

Go next

 * Ko Bon is 10 min away by boat and has a good beach and restaurant.
 * Nai Han Beach is only a few minutes away by motorbike or taxi or local bus and is one of the nicest beaches on the island.

title: Rawai


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Rawalakot

Rawalakot (Urdu: راولا کوٹ) is a town and is one of the most beautiful valleys in Azad Kashmir.

Understand
Rawalakot is the capital of the Poonch District of Azad Kashmir. It is in a saucer-shaped valley at elevation 1615 metres (5300 ft), and 76 km from Kohalla. There is also a road connection with Rawalpindi and Islamabad via the neighboring districts of Azad Pattan and Dhalkot, and with Muzaffarabad via Kohalla and sudhangali. There are many people around the world that have connections of some sort to this part of the world. South East England has a number of people that emigrated from Rawalakot to places such as London and Sussex.

There is an interesting place in District Poonch which is Tattapani, this is the only one place in the world from where 110 Degrees Celsius clean water comes from the earth.

Get in
There is an airport which used to serve the city and nearby locations but it is non-operational and has been closed down. Rawalakot is connected with Islamabad and other big cities by Guoien Nalla road that runs between Rawalakot and Azad Pattan, also you can travel Goin Nalla to Mong to Rawalakot.

It is located 120km away from Islamabad. By road It takes two to three and a half hour to Rawalakot which is also famous by the name of "Pearl Valley" its specialty is natural beauty of peaks and warm people.

Rawalkot has regular connections with major cities. By bus it takes at least 5 hours and by wagon it takes almost three and a half hour.

See

 * Poonch River 35 km from Rawalakot City. The river is half inside in the Indian part and half in the Pakistan side. There are quite a few spots along this route presenting exquisite views of water front. The water passage is quite wide at locations and hence has the potential which may be exploited in developing water based recreation. Weather is hot in summer and cold in winter.
 * Tatta Pani 45 km from Rawalakot City, Tatta Pani offers a unique experience, Hot Water Springs oozing out of the ground fall into the Poonch River. These are sulfur water springs with water temperatures approximately 86°C in summers and 65°C in the winters. Existing hot water baths were destroyed during the flood in River Poonch. However, there are a couple of Rest Houses at the site. Weather is hot in summer and cold in winter.
 * Tatta Pani 45 km from Rawalakot City, Tatta Pani offers a unique experience, Hot Water Springs oozing out of the ground fall into the Poonch River. These are sulfur water springs with water temperatures approximately 86°C in summers and 65°C in the winters. Existing hot water baths were destroyed during the flood in River Poonch. However, there are a couple of Rest Houses at the site. Weather is hot in summer and cold in winter.
 * Toli Pir is a hilltop, 40 km from Rawalakot City. It is the highest mountainous location and the most attractive point in the north-eastern area of Rawalakot. Tolipir offers outback time on wide spread grassy fields and aspiring views as it is the origin point of three different mountainous ridges. The tourism rest-house on the way to tolipir is also located on a very scenic location. Abbaspur, Bagh and Poonch River can be viewed from Toli Pir. There are some old remains of a Mazaar at the highest top of Tolipir. Weather is pleasant in summer, but becomes colder from October through March. when it starts to snowfall in winter. The area's natural beauty is at its peak from April to August during summer time.

Do

 * Rock climbing
 * Mountaineering
 * Trekking
 * Camping

Buy
The town has few good bazaars.
 * Handicrafts: Carpets, silk woolen clothing, woolen shawls, wood carving, Papier Mashie, rugs
 * Other products and fruits: mushrooms, honey, walnuts, apples, cherry, medicinal herbs & plants, resin, Deodar, Kail, Chir, Fir, Maple and Ash Timbers etc.

Drink
Pink Kashmir Special Tea

Green Tea

Sleep
There are various guest houses, rest houses, motels and hotels at most of the tourist spots which can be booked in advance from their offices in Rawalakot.

title: Rawalakot


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Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi is a city of 2.1 million people (2017) in Pakistan. It is a bustling town strategically located between the Punjab and Azad Kashmir. It has a strong colonial influence and possesses a large military cantonment with the headquarters of the Pakistan Army. It is the sister city of Islamabad, essentially its older sister. To locals, it is simply known as "Pindi".

For the visitor Pindi offers a slice of real Pakistan (in contrast to Islamabad) - however there are few tourist attractions of note in the city. Satellite Town, Capital City, New Metro City, & Bahria Town, wealthy suburbs to the south of Pindi, offer a couple of attractions that warrant an excursion.

By plane
Islamabad International Airport has daily flights from various international and local destinations. It is accessible via GT Road, Motorway M2 at Pind Ranjah, and is a 30-minute drive from Saddar area.

By train
Rawalpindi has its own central railway station, with regular services to many destinations within Pakistan.

By road
Rawalpindi has extensive road networks, linking it directly to various major cities such as Lahore, Peshawar and Taxila to the north. Apart from that Rawalpindi has a complete structure of travelling around in the city through local buses. However, this is not a recommended mode of transport to tourists. Taxis are cheap, and you'll be looking at around Rs300-400 or so for a trip from Ghakar Plaza to the outer sectors of Islamabad, so travel within Rawalpindi will be around Rs100-250 per trip - very affordable for a foreign tourist. Make sure you agree the price before getting into the taxi.

By bus
Skyways, Daewoo travels are one of the nicer long-haul operators. Skyways offer some direct services from Islamabad and Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi. Daewoo has its own terminal on the road from Islamabad just outside Rawalpindi. You can call the Daewoo Station in advance for booking. They shall confirm a seat for you. . You can travel to Peshawar, Lahore, D I Khan, Murree, Sialkot, Abottabad, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Multan. They have a service between Karachi and Hyderabad.

Coach is a very comfortable way to travel in Pakistan, and is very popular for travellers between Rawalpindi and Lahore. You will receive a small meal on the coach, and a first class ticket is Rs800-3000.

Get around
Rawalpindi is a large sprawling city - however the centre, focused on Raja Bazaar is walkable - but easy to get lost, so a GPS or compass isn't a bad idea. To get from one part of town to another (e.g. Raja Bazaar to Saddar) its best to hop in a taxi. Buses are an option for going up or down Murree Road, but working out how to get a bus to more far flung parts will require some Urdu. A trip to Bahria Town is best done in your own car or a taxi (and armed with a map). Along with this, you can also explore the adjoining areas including Mandra, Gujjar Khan, Sohawa, which are also very friendly and modern-minded.

See
Rawalpindi is not blessed with an extensive architectural history. However the city is an interesting place to wander, especially if you are based in Islamabad and are looking for some hustle and bustle.

Do
There are various things you can do in Rawalpindi. A few of them are:
 * Plan a trip to Raja Bazar, Bara Bazar and Murree Road. Although the traffic gets horrible at times, but you will find such amazing stuff at amazing prices that you'll forget the pain. Be careful in Raja Bazar in particular - it is not recommended for lone female travellers.
 * Go to Ayub Park, have a pleasant walk around, it will give you hours of walk in green meadows without having to worry about anything else. If you take the family along, you can eat snacks and even take you own for added fun !
 * Head to Bahria Town to the south of Pindi - this new-build suburb offers mini-golf, karting, a luxury spa, and a strange copy of Trafalgar Square in Safari III.
 * Plan a visit to Rawat Fort 15 km away off the Grand Truck Rd

Buy
Saddar Bazar is the most versatile, modern and easily approachable market place of Rawalpindi. Its connected to Mall Road on one side, City to the other, and Railway station on the 3rd side.

Saddar Bazar has certain good looking plazas, banks, fun houses for children and has a few recreational parks for children and elderly

Gakkahr Plaza is one of the most renowned shopping markets in Saddar Rawalpindi. You can buy leather jackets, trousers, all sorts of garments, kameez salwar, khussas, sandals and all gents garments from Gakkahr Plaza. In 2008, Gakhar Plaza was completely gutted down by a huge fire.

Close to Gakkahr plaza, you will find Jabbar Tailors which is one of the oldest tailors in Rawalpindi. Mostly busy with military uniform stitching.

Computer and Mobil Phone: Plazas at 6th Road, and Sadar are the major markets, where one can find many computer items and other electronic items.

College Road near Liaqat Bagh holds electronic components for electronic enthusiasts.

The most economical market in rawalpindi is Raja Bazaar where you can find most things at very economical rates.

Zircon Plaza Saddar: Zircon Plaza is an area of Saddar filled with amazing shops. Most of the shops here are high-end Pakistani brands with amazing Western and Eastern varieties of clothes and shoes.

Singapore Plaza Saddar: Next to Zircon Plaza is Singapore market from where you can buy mobiles related stuff.

Gold Market: Two famous places for gold shopping are Murree Road and Sarfa Bazzar. The Roads to these areas are filled with traffic but it's easier to get to Murree Road than Sarafa Bazaar.

Eat
A visit to Rawalpindi makes a pleasant change from Islamabad's restaurant scene. As you might expect Pindi offers some excellent places for top-notch Pakistani food, and offers better value than you find in Islamabad. You'll almost certainly be the only non-Pakistani customer, and you can expect the staff to go out of their way to be hospitable.

Fast food
In Pakistan there is a big fascination with these large fast-food chains, particularly "Pizza Hut", "McDonalds", "KFC", and "Subway". As a tourist, it is recommended to try the local food, as these fast food chains do not live up to their hype, although they are cleaner establishments than local restaurants. They are also quite overpriced, with combo meals costing around Rs 300 compared with Rs 7 you could expect to pay for a naan bread at the local market.

Eating in these chains is more of a statement of status in Pakistan than anything else, and you will notice that there is usually quite a fashion parade in many of these establishments.

In Rawalpindi, do as the pindites do! Grab a bag of the most yummy and juicy local sweet called "jalebee" from Gratto on Murree road, the luxuriously garnished icecream from "Chaman" at saddar, the famous 'samosas' from 'karim hotel', 'fresh from the pan' halwa poori from satelitown and 'rabri' (milky drink) from 'nirala' in saddar.

Drink
Alcohol in Pakistan is forbidden but you can find drinks at many modern hotels like Pearl Continental (PC), Shalimar Hotel and Flashman Hotel. There are no bars and night clubs in Rawalpindi city but all the big markets are open til late-night.

Drinking culture in Pakistan is essentially soft-drink culture, where Pepsi is traditionally the drink of choice. It is impossible to avoid Pepsi advertising throughout Pakistan. Be warned as a traveller about the cleanliness of bottles - always drink from a straw, and always request that bottles be opened in front of you, as a cleanliness measure.

Drinking culture also revolves around tea, called 'chai' in Urdu, and this is available everywhere and anywhere. Coffee is not impossible to come by, however iced coffee tends to be the popular coffee drink of choice.

The Locally available drinks are: Do not drink from places with flies.
 * Sharbat of Imli and Alu Bukhara (Plums)
 * Shakar Kola (Drink made from Brown Sugar)
 * Sugar Cane Juice.
 * Lemonade.

Sleep
Rawalpindi has one 5-star hotel called the Pearl Continental but often known by its acronym PC. Other that this you can go to Hotel Shalimar and others.

Stay safe
Rawalpindi is not necessarily as safe as its sister, Islamabad. Islamabad has higher foreign tourist traffic, and thus has become accustomed to it, however foreign tourists are somewhat rare in Rawalpindi. Pakistan on the whole is not recommended to lone young female travellers, however Pindi is relatively safe for larger groups of females, or mixed gender paired-travellers. For female travellers, it is highly recommended to purchase a shawl upon arrival in Pakistan (even better to bring one over on your flight, for airport arrival purposes). It is not necessary or expected for you to wear this on your head at all times, however to avoid unwanted attention, and gain local respect, cover your chest with this shawl (i.e. drape it across your neck). Also wear a long shirt/top, that covers your backside region - this again, will draw away unwanted attention.

Avoid flashing large amounts of cash around - Rs 1000 notes are commonplace, however the haggling process is often easier when you show the limited cash you have (e.g. "I only have Rs 200 on me"). Keep your larger notes on the inside, and only allow small notes to be seen, for example, when paying taxi drivers, purchasing items, etc.

Do not feel compelled to give money to all beggars, no matter how young or needy. Of course exercise discretion, and it not unacceptable to give them money.

Emergency numbers
In the case of an emergency, call police by 15 from any landline phone. If you found yourself in serious trouble and need any type of emergency rescue or help then feel free to dial 1122. The name of the emergency service is "Rescue 1122".
 * Ambulance Access To get an ambulance in case of an emergency, dial 115 from any landline or cellphone.

Go next

 * Islamabad - Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, is very near to Rawalpindi. You can plan your trip by visiting both Rawalpindi and Islamabad in the same day.
 *  Khanpur Dam - You can go to Khanpur Dam for paragliding and watersports
 * Murree If you have more time on your hands, go to Murree. Murree is one of the hottest attractions (attraction wise; in temperature, it's very cold) where you can spend even weeks if you like.
 * Archaeology lovers can visit the ruins of Taxila, 28 km from Rawalpindi. Taxila houses many ruins of Buddhism, most important is that of Julian University. A beautiful museum holds the artifacts of that time. Taxila also offers many beautiful stone utensils.
 * Gujar Khan
 * Rawat Fort
 * Stupa in Mankiala

title: Rawalpindi


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Rawanduz

Rawanduz or Rawandiz is a city in Northern Iraq. Rawanduz is multicultural hub of trade tucked away between tall mountains and deep river gorges.

History
Rawanduz has a long history dating back to the Neo Assyrian Empire when it was part of the Nineveh trade route. It served as the capital of the Soran Emirate from 1399 to 1835. The second half of the 19th century brought misfortune, which escalating conflicts with neighbouring emirates leading to bloody wars. Assyrian towns Tel Keppe and Alqosh were annexed, and the territory expanded steadily until the First World War when a coalition of Russian and Assyrian forces occupied the city. An onslaught of the Muslim population ensued, and by the time of the city's liberation by Nikolai Baratov's Cossacks, 80% of its inhabitants had bled or been killed. From then onward, the Soran Emirate went into a steep decline from which it would never recover.

After being occupied by the Turks in 1922, the British Army moved in to demarcate the border between Turkey and Iraq. Expecting a genocide by the Turks if left unguarded, the British established a base in the region and started infrastructure works which helped the revival of Rawanduz. From 1928 to 1932 commissioned New Zealand engineer A.M. Hamilton to oversee construction of the much needed highway connecting Erbil with Piranshahr, a Persian city now to which Hamilton gave his name. The road connection caused trade to flourish, and Rawanduz grew rapidly.

Get in
Shared taxis (and probably also minibuses) run frequently from Soran Garage in Erbil (next to Family Mall on 100m Street) and cost about 10,000 dinars per person when full.

To get back to Erbil, take a taxi to Erbil Garage on Barzani Street in Soran. From here, there are shared taxis and minibuses (6,000 dinars) leaving to Erbil. Make sure to be here before sunset as later services are less likely.

Do
The Pank tourist Resort, which was opened in 2007 by Hazem Kurda, a former refugee of Saddam Hussein's regime, is the first such resort in Iraq. It includes a ferris wheel and other rides, including a toboggan. When complete it will include a five-star hotel, restaurants, swimming pools, saunas, tennis courts, helipads and mini golf.

Eat
While not everyone's favourite, the region is famous for raisins.

Stay safe
See the warning in the Iraq article.

title: Rawanduz


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Rawene

Rawene is a town in Hokianga, New Zealand. It is the third-oldest European settlement in New Zealand.

Understand
It is a picturesque village on a peninsula jutting into the Hokianga Harbour, about half-way up the harbour. It is known as the town where the sun both rises and sets. Dolphins and orca are often seen here, sometimes following the ferry that crosses the harbour to Kohukohu.

Get in

 * From the south, approach on SH12, then turn onto Rawene Road and drive 6 km north.
 * From the north, take the vehicle ferry across the harbour from the terminal near Kohukohu. The ferry is hourly in each direction, except that there are additional services early morning, and at peak periods a shuttle service operates. Timetable.

Do
Take a walk along Rawene's streets, using the free guide and map obtainable at most outlets.

Tide permitting, there is a small beach beyond the Boatshed Cafe on Clendon Esplanade. You can launch a canoe or small boat from the ramp. Take care of the river current.

Buy

 * Rawene Market, first Sunday of the month at the Town Hall
 * Craftwork, artwork and books by local authors at the Boatshed Cafe.
 * Groceries, wine and beer at the Four Square Store & Post Shop.
 * Fruit, meat, vegetables and lunch at Wardy's.
 * Medical supplies at Rawene Pharmacy.
 * Petrol, diesel, tyres and service at Rawene Service Station.

Go next

 * Take the ferry to Kohukohu.
 * Drive east to Waima Valley or west to Koutu and Opononi.

title: Rawene


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Rawlins

Rawlins is a city of 8,500 people (2019) in Southeast Wyoming.

By road
Rawlins is on Interstate 80, the primary east/west road in the lower part of the state. There is a Greyhound bus station in town.

See

 * South of Rawlins about 35 miles is the Medicine Bow National Forest. This is a large and very beautiful national forest with lots of wildlife, scenic views and some of the most undisturbed nature in the United States. This forest extends south all the way into Steamboat Springs Colorado. There are a few camping sites with more on the way.
 * South of Rawlins about 35 miles is the Medicine Bow National Forest. This is a large and very beautiful national forest with lots of wildlife, scenic views and some of the most undisturbed nature in the United States. This forest extends south all the way into Steamboat Springs Colorado. There are a few camping sites with more on the way.

Wireless Internet

 * The Lodge hotel has free WiFi throughout the hotel and restaurant, secured by a really long WEP key.

Go next
Cheyenne- 80 East. About 2 1/2 hours away.

Denver- 80 East to 25 South. About 4-5 hours away.

Yellowstone- 287 North. About 5 hours away. Be careful driving in the winter!

Rock Springs- 80 West. About 1-2 hours away.

title: Rawlins


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Raxaul

Raxaul is a border town in the Mithila region of the state of Bihar, India.

Understand
Raxaul, or Raxual (a common misspelling) is a border town on the Indian side of the Nepal/India border. Its sister town just across the border in Nepal is Birgunj. There is little to recommend about the town apart from its border, and no reason to stay longer than needed to cross the border. Beware that travelling up and down the main road, as is required to enter or exit India, will involve lots of dust coming off huge trucks and the inevitable deafening horns of loud trucks at ear height.

Get in
Bus; Frequent bus services from Patna and Motihari. Buses usually stop at the beginning of the main road (600m south from the centre of town).

Train; Raxaul has a station with infrequent connections to major cities including Kolkata, Varanasi, Lucknow and New Delhi.

Nepal; The border can be crossed on foot both ways. For information on exiting India, see the 'Go next' section below and the Nepal main page.

Get around
The town is small enough to walk anywhere. However cycle rickshaws are the other mode of transport, it should be about ₹10 to get anywhere on the main road. Make sure you have change.

See

 * Manokamna Maai Mandiir; the temple is of Mata Durga. It is situated at the entrance of the town.
 * Jama Masjid; The Raxaul Jama Masjid is a mosque situated on the National Highway NO. NH-28A beside the Raxaul Police Station. It is the central mosque of Raxaul sub-division.
 * The Sun temple is a temple to the sun god, which is surrounded by water. It is near the police station, situated just beside the market.
 * There are other temples like Mata Mandir, Ramjanki Mandir, Sato mai Mauje and Naga Math.
 * NaukaTola Jama Masjid is a beautiful mosque of Naukatola Village of Hardiya Panchayat, located between National Highway NH28A and Raxaul.

Do
There are three cinemas in town if you need to wait. Sona and Pankaj cinema halls are on the main road at the very south end of the city, and Krishna cinema hall is right up near the train tracks crossing at the north of the main road.

Buy
All the shops are on the main road, or just a few meters down side roads coming off the main road. Besides the usual small stores, there's little to attract a tourist's eye.

 * General stores; There are a few 'larger' general stores up towards the train tracks on the main road, including ones that sell toilet paper, but they're still little more than corner stores.
 * Money change; to exchange rupees (or other main currency) for USD (necessary for a Nepali visa at the border), there is a general shop that can do money change on the main road about 100m before the train tracks on the right (as you walk towards Nepal). Just ask around a lot. Alternatively, the Indian police at the border can change small amounts of ₹(INR) for $(USD) for a 30% commission above the real market price (about ₹70(INR) = $1(USD)). As any Indian rupee notes over ₹100 (i.e.. ₹500's and ₹1000's) are illegal in Nepal, there are many stalls out on the road just near the train tracks that will give you change (for a fee of about 3%) - they also change between Nepalese and Indian rupees for ok-ish rates.

Eat
There are very few restaurants in Raxaul, only street vendors selling fruit, pre packaged snacks, sweets and omelettes.

Sleep
Should you need to stay overnight, there are a few hotel options, all in the lower to midrange price and quality range. Most of them are located on the main road of town between the train tracks at the north, and Sona Cinema Hall in the south. Some of these hotels may tell you they are full, or don't take foreigners, if they don't feel like doing the requisite paperwork.

Go next
Buses are available daily to a limited number of places in the country. This is not the tourist connections hub of other Nepali border crossings.

 * Patna; The buses sometimes require a change in Motihari whether they say they're direct or not. ₹35 to Motihari and ₹105 Motihari to Patna, or about ₹125 all the way Raxaul to Patna.
 * Kolkata; Quickest way is by train. Buses also available.
 * Nepal; The border is open 6am-10pm, however if you need a visa and do not already have one, the Nepali visa issuing booth is only open 6am-6pm. Nepali visa's can only be paid for using USD, meaning you'll have to change money in Raxaul or elsewhere before you attempt the border crossing. To cross the border as a foreigner, simply keep walking north along the main road. On the right about 100m past the train crossing, and opposite a larger customs building, there is an Indian police check point (that's quite easy to miss). Go inside this one room building and fill in the small form to register your departure from India - leave 15 minutes for this step. The police officers inside often ask for a ₹100- ₹500 per person 'fee'. There is no such thing, and they are trying to make a bribe/tip sound official. Asking for a receipt before payment, or saying you have no money usually makes them stop asking. Once you've been signed out, continue north over the bridge until you see a large gate. Twenty meters past the gate on the left is a small one room (again very easy to miss) Nepali immigration office. This is the place to get your visa on arrival. Once you have your visa, again keep walking north until you see boom gates across the road. Keep left and walk through them, then be prepared to show your visa to one of the Nepali police officers in a blue camouflage uniform. Despite all the trucks going through unchecked, they will probably do a quick search of your bags, which is often nothing more than looking at the top two items. Congratulations, at this point you've made it to Nepal! The centre of town this side of the border is a further 1km up the road. Walk or take a cycle rickshaw/tonga (hours drawn cart) for about ten Nepalese Rupees.
 * Kathmandhu; Read the 'Nepal' details above to cross the border from Raxaul to Birgunj, then to get to Kathmandhu from Birgunj, you can take a bus of a jeep (sumo). Buses leave 6am-10am, then 7pm-10pm, with a 'deluxe' bus leaving daily at 7pm. Sumo's/Jeeps's can usually be taken from 6am-3pm, and cost 500 NPR per person in a packed shared Jeep, or 6000 NPR for a whole private jeep to yourself or your travelling companions. See the Birgunj main article for more information.
 * Varanasi; The well-timed Sadbhavna express leaves Raxaul five nights a week and stops at Varanasi and Lucknow en route to Delhi's Anand Vihar Terminal

title: Raxaul


text:
Raxruja

Raxrujá (sometimes misspelled as Raxruha) is in the Northern Lowlands region of Guatemala. It is known as a caving destination.

Get in
Minivans from Sayaxché and Coban, the latter on two routes.

If you are going to Semuc Champey next, be sure to go the route to Lanquin via Sebol, not via Coban first.

See
The ruins at nearby Cancuén. There is a minivan that leaves with some regularity for La Union. There was evidence of at least one passenger pickup still doing that route as well in February, 2007. For the minivan, coming from El Amigo, turn left and walk a bit past the small downtown and look and ask for the minivan. To arrange the boat ride get off at the tienda next to the Cancuen sign and look for someone to help you. Do NOT walk down to the embarcadero unless you have time to kill before arranging the ride.

Do
There are two internet places in town. One is at Hotel Cancuen near the edge of town to the north. The other is on a side street downtown. Ask around.

If you are going to the ruins and are using mass transit, check in and leave your packs at El Amigo and head downtown to find the minibus that goes to La Union.

Eat
There are a couple of comedors downtown.

Drink
A small tienda across the road from El Amigo sells cold beer.

title: Raxruja


text:
Ray

There is more than one place called Ray:

Iran

 * Ray (Iran) — a city in Tehran Province

United States of America

 * Ray (North Dakota) — a town in North Dakota

title: Ray


text:
Ray (Iran)

Ray is the oldest existing city of Tehran Province in Iran. It is best known for being the birthplace of Abbasid caliph, Harun al-Rashid.

Get in
Ray is served by both metro and commuter rail.

See

 * Ray Bazaar located to the north of Shah-Abdol-Azim's shrine, it comprises two sections and a crossroad is formed at their intersection. It has long been a center for the sale of spices, traditional herbs, and commercial goods which were imported by traders via the Silk Road. The structure of the bazaar is constructed from plaster, brick, raw mud brick and mud. It dates back to the Safavid era and is approximately 500 years old.
 * Anyanaj Tower, an octagonal tower known as Naqareh Khaneh stands on the slopes of Tabarak mountain. A cellar is linked to the tower from underneath though a vestibule erected outside. The tower, which is constructed by stone and plaster and decorated by brickwork and zigzag vaults, dates back to the Saljuk era.
 * Gebri Crypt where Zoroastrians lived in this area, who used to leave the corpses of the dead in the open air usually on a structure known as a Dakhma (Persian: دخمه) or Tower of Silence. According to their traditions, once the flesh had decayed, the remaining bones would be buried. The ancient Zoroastrians disapproved of contaminating the earth (Zam) with a corpse through regular burial, or contaminating fire (Atar) through cremation (An afront to Armaiti and Asha respectively) due to the belief that corpses are nasu (unclean and impure). Gebri crypt was built as a high circular structure, six meters high, which was constructed by stone and mortar. It dates back to the 1st millennium BCE, around 3,000 years ago and was earlier called by different names, such as Khamoushan tower, Ostvaran, Ostkhan-ran, Marg (Death) tower and Sokout (Silence) tower.
 * Paintings of Monarchs on Ashkan Mountain. At the order of Fath Ali Shah Qajar, a slide was erected on the Ashkan mountain as a sliding and recreation tool for the monarchic family. At the southern slopes of the mountain, a rough image of the Sassanid kings has been carved on a rock, which was leveled for this purpose. The image was left incomplete. Later at the order of Fath Ali Shah the image was erased to be replaced by his own portrait, while he had a crown on head and a spear in hand targeted at a lion.
 * Ray Bazaar located to the north of Shah-Abdol-Azim's shrine, it comprises two sections and a crossroad is formed at their intersection. It has long been a center for the sale of spices, traditional herbs, and commercial goods which were imported by traders via the Silk Road. The structure of the bazaar is constructed from plaster, brick, raw mud brick and mud. It dates back to the Safavid era and is approximately 500 years old.
 * Anyanaj Tower, an octagonal tower known as Naqareh Khaneh stands on the slopes of Tabarak mountain. A cellar is linked to the tower from underneath though a vestibule erected outside. The tower, which is constructed by stone and plaster and decorated by brickwork and zigzag vaults, dates back to the Saljuk era.
 * Gebri Crypt where Zoroastrians lived in this area, who used to leave the corpses of the dead in the open air usually on a structure known as a Dakhma (Persian: دخمه) or Tower of Silence. According to their traditions, once the flesh had decayed, the remaining bones would be buried. The ancient Zoroastrians disapproved of contaminating the earth (Zam) with a corpse through regular burial, or contaminating fire (Atar) through cremation (An afront to Armaiti and Asha respectively) due to the belief that corpses are nasu (unclean and impure). Gebri crypt was built as a high circular structure, six meters high, which was constructed by stone and mortar. It dates back to the 1st millennium BCE, around 3,000 years ago and was earlier called by different names, such as Khamoushan tower, Ostvaran, Ostkhan-ran, Marg (Death) tower and Sokout (Silence) tower.
 * Paintings of Monarchs on Ashkan Mountain. At the order of Fath Ali Shah Qajar, a slide was erected on the Ashkan mountain as a sliding and recreation tool for the monarchic family. At the southern slopes of the mountain, a rough image of the Sassanid kings has been carved on a rock, which was leveled for this purpose. The image was left incomplete. Later at the order of Fath Ali Shah the image was erased to be replaced by his own portrait, while he had a crown on head and a spear in hand targeted at a lion.

title: Ray (Iran)


text:
Rayalaseema

The Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh in India consists of the districts of Annamayya, Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool, Nandyal, and Sri Sathya Sai.

Cities

 * — a city well connected by road and rail with the city and nearby attractions
 * — a village
 * — a village in an area famous for diamond deposits
 * — close to the revered temple of lord Balaji and Horsley Hills
 * (Kadapa) — picturesque city with several important temples
 * — village within the Gandikota Fort complex
 * — several temples and wonderful area for trekking
 * — tamous temple of Lord Vinayaka
 * — the site of Konda Reddy Fort
 * — known as 'Majestic Cow', this village is famous for its temple's freshwater pools
 * — a temple of Sri Raghavendra Swamy
 * — a town surrounded by nine temples
 * — place of Satya Saibaba (Shantinilayam)
 * — home to one of the Jyotirlinga temples

Other destinations

 * — a network of natural underground caves in shale/slate rock partly explored
 * — a hill station and summer residence of British governors

Talk
The major language is Telugu. Some people can understand Hindi and English. At Ahobilam, people can understand and talk in Kannada/Tamil.

Get in
Tirupati Airport

Eat
Mostly rice, pappu, and also famous for ugani bajji in Kurnool.

Stay safe
Be careful while travelling at night. Many roads in this area are isolated and dark during the night.

title: Rayalaseema


text:
Rayen

Rayen is a city in Kerman (province). Rayen is everything Bam used to be before the earthquake. Rayen has a historic Arg (fortress) built entirely of sun-dried mud bricks. Its historic city has countless mudbrick houses, some of them decaying, but it is this decaying charm that makes the city even more attractive. Feel like an explorer. Be welcomed like a king. See a city whose beauty is overpowering. Meet people, who enjoy every visitor.

Bus
Traveling by bus is the easiest way for getting in this city.

Car
The way from Kerman to Rayen is open for buses and cars.

Train
Some distance from the city, there's a railway station if you are coming for Bam or Zahedan.

Get around
Everything is in walking distance.

See

 * The Arg, the beautifully restored historic fortress. Open 08:00-13:00.
 * Old houses around town feel like an explorer finding the old mudbrick houses
 * Desert landscape climb one of the hills and see how ingenious this oasis was built in the desert

Do
See the citadel, but be cautious not to damage the mud brick construction.

Buy
Inside the 'arg' is a small workshop where a craftsman manufactures for sale tools and knives made from wood and steel.

Eat
There are small supermarkets between the main square and the 'arg'.

Restaurants are around city in main streets.

Drink
Non alcoholic malt beverages and all other standard drinks are available in the town.

Sleep

 * Rayen Arg Tourist Hotel, turn right at the roundabout right when getting into town and a couple of hundred meters further, you will see the ultra-friendly Rayen Arg Tourist Hotel. Prices are negotiable.

Go next
Buses only leave in the direction of Kerman, but you can hitchhike to Bam. Shared taxis are available at the main square and will leave when full. There is a military/police checkpoint between Rayen and Kerman, and there may be 'sniffer dogs' looking for drugs.

title: Rayen


text:
Rayne

Rayne is a small city in the Acadiana section of Louisiana.

Do
The yearly Rayne Frog Festival serves up tasty frog dishes and other cuisine, along with entertainment.

Stay safe
The city inexplicably has its public housing project located on the main road going through town, so the line between the well-kept tourist area and the underdeveloped neighborhood is blurred.

title: Rayne


text:
Rayong

Rayong (ระยอง) is a city on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand. Modest beaches dotted around Rayong Province are tranquil paradises for sea lovers who seek hideaways near the capital. Mind the oil refinery.

Understand
This city of 64,000 people (2016) sits 179 km from Bangkok.

Much of Rayong sits on the low coastal plain. The province has two national parks. The province is part [|Eastern Economic Corridor], which plays an important role in Thailand's economy. There are many industries in Rayong, one of which is The Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, the country's largest industrial estate.

Rayong has a tropical savannah climate type as classified in the Köppen climate classification. The city experiences seasonal monsoons from May to October. Various fruits including tropical fruits, particularly durian, rambutan, and mangosteen, as well as rubber farms are commonly cultivated and sold here.

By bus
Buses leave the Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekamai to Rayong and its districts via many routes. You can select to go to Rayong, Ban Phe, Klaeng, Laem Mae Phim, Map Ta Phut, or Prasae. For more information, Tel. 0 2391 2504, Rayong Bus Terminal, Tel. 0 3861 1379. Rayong Tour Co,Ltd., a privately-owned bus, operates a faster bus service via Hwy 7. For more information, Tel. 0 2712 3662 or Rayong branch at Tel. 0 3886 1354 – 5, Cherdchai Tour Co.,Ltd., Bangkok, Tel. 0 2391 2237, Rayong branch, Tel. 0 3867 4144. Buses serving Rayong are also available from the Northern Bus Terminal Tel. 0 2936 1216, 0 2936 0199

Rayong is the gateway from the east to the north and northeast of Thailand. As such, there are many regular bus services connecting Rayong, Bangkok, and other provinces such as Chiang Mai, Nong Khai, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Ubon Ratchathani.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is east of Bangkok, 150 km from Rayong. Transport by car/taxi or bus takes about 2 hours. To get to Rayong from Suvarnabhumi Airport, take a shuttle bus from Suvarnabhumi Airport at Level 2 or 4, Entrances 3, 6, and 9 to the Public Transportation Center. Then, go to the Intercity Bus Counter and buy a ticket to Rayong. The bus runs from 06:00 - 21:00 (9:00 pm).

There is also a minibus that leaves from Victory Monument. It arrives approximately every 45 minutes. The ticket is available in the basement of the mall, and the minivans are parked at the Century Mall. The minivan ends at the Clock Tower in Rayong.

By car or taxi
Driving from Bangkok to Rayong
 * 1) By Sukhumvit Rd, Hwy 3. This route goes through Bang Pu, Bang Pakong, Bang Saen, Si Racha, Pattaya, Sattahip, and Ban Chang before arriving at Rayong. This route is 220 km long.
 * 2) By Motorway Route 7. There is direct access from Suvarnabhumi Airport. From there, take Hwy 7 West heading toward Chon Buri. Then, take a Hwy 36 interchange (Pong interchange) toward Rayong. The road will directly lead to Rayong. This route is 175 km long. Keep in mind that this is a toll-freeway.
 * 3) By Bang Na-Trat Rd, Hwy 34. This route goes through Bang Phli and Bang Bo districts of Samut Prakan province before entering Hwy 3 at km70 marking in Bang Pakong. Then, continue in the same direction as the first route. The route is 220 km long.

Other highways to Rayong
 * 1) Hwy 3 goes through the heart of Rayong. Highway 3 starts in Bangkok and ends at Trat-Cambodia Border.
 * 2) Hwy 36 diverges out of Hwy 3 near IRPC company in Eastern Rayong and ends north of Pattaya City. This route is often used to get to Hwy 7 motorway and to Pattaya City.
 * 3) Hwy 344. This route starts in Chon Buri and ends Klaeng district of Rayong. This route is 180 km in distance and suits those who are going to visit attractions in Klaeng or continue their journey to Chanthaburi and Trat provinces. From the end of route 344 in Klaeng, Rayong city is {Convert|42|km|mile}} away.

Alternatively, a taxi from the Bangkok area to Rayong is also an option. The price usually costs about 3,000 baht.

See

 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.
 * Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.

Festivals

 * Rayong Fruit Festival (งานเทศกาลผลไม้และของดีเมืองระยอง) In May of each year Rayong's fruit reaches its peak season. The venue changes between Mueang and Klaeng Districts. This festival occurs at Tapong market area in Mueang District in May–July for about one week. Rayong Fruit festival has a lot of activities such as musical performances, fruit eating competitions, poetry readings and heritage exhibitions. Vendors sell OTOP products from Rayong and popular fruits such as durian, rambutan, and mangosteen. This festival has special shows such as the fruit parade and The Miss Fruit Gardener contest.
 * Sunthon Phu Day (งานวันสุนทรภู่) This is held on 26 June of each year at Sunthon Phu Monument, Klaeng District, to honour the great poet.
 * Changing the robe for Phra Chedi Klang Nam (งานห่มผ้าพระเจดีย์กลางน้ำ) The annual event is held during the full moon night of the 12th lunar month, or in November. The robe blanketing the pagoda in the middle of the Rayong River, in Mueang District, will be changed. People celebrate the event along with the Loi Krathong Festival with boat racing and local entertainment.
 * Thot Pha Pa Klang Nam (Waterborne Robe Offering Ceremony) (งานทอดผ้าป่ากลางน้ำ) During the Loi Krathong Festival each year, or on the full moon night of November, people living near the mouth of the Prasae River prepare a monk's robe at the pier. After completing the ceremony on the boat, a monk will come to get it. Normally, the robe-offering ceremony is held at the temple. This special tradition has been celebrated for over a century.

Buy

 * Fruit (ผลไม้) During May and June, orchards in Rayong produce durian, rambutan, mangosteen, etc.
 * Products from sedge mat (ผลิตภัณฑ์เสื่อกก) The in-house industry of Tambon Kram, Klaen District has quality products.
 * Crystal products (ผลิตภัณฑ์เครื่องแก้วคริสตัล) The crystal factory in Pluak Daeng District, produces export-quality crystal works.
 * Crystal products (ผลิตภัณฑ์เครื่องแก้วคริสตัล) The crystal factory in Pluak Daeng District, produces export-quality crystal works.

Go next
There are two bus stations: No. 1 (centre of town) and No. 2 (out of town). Bus 9904 goes from Rayong Bus Station to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) (starts from No. 1 bus station and calls at No. 2, ends up at Mo Chit). Cost to airport is about 150 baht, time to airport 3.5 hr. Minivans go to BKK from Ban Phe. Songthaews to Ban Phe from Rayong Bus Station cost 25 baht and take about 20 min.

title: Rayong