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South Gyeongsang

South Gyeongsang  (Korean: 경상 남도 Gyeongsangnam-do, 慶尙南道) is a province of South Korea. The abbreviated name Gyeongnam (경남), formerly Kyungnam, is also used.

Cities

 * - South Korea's second largest city and a major port with famous fish markets and festivals
 * - The capital city of Gyeongsangnam-do
 * - The second largest island in Korea. Known for its gorgeous coast line.
 * - Growing city just west of Busan and home to Busan's international airport.
 * - A well-preserved town known for its ruined fortress.
 * - Country town known for the Miryang "Arirang" and Yeongnamnu Pavilion. On the KTX line to Busan.
 * - Port city with an airport.
 * - A beautiful port city near Geoje with many surrounding islands and good food.
 * - A purpose built corporate city on the coast east of Busan.
 * - City to the north of Busan

Other destinations

 * – Upo Wetlands and Hot Springs. Also known for onions.
 * – Seat of the Ara Gaya. Famous for its watermelons.
 * – Large island in northwest Gyeongsangnam-do. Popular destination for fishing and natural beauty.
 * – Large county bordering Gyeongnam-do in the northwest. Very mountainous region with high peaks.
 * – The famous temple Haeinsa and Gayasan National Park are located in Hapcheon.
 * – Daewonsa and part of Jirisan National Park.
 * – Hosted the Dinosaur Expo 2009. There are a number of fossil sites throughout the county.
 * – The entrance to Jirisan National Park is in Hamyang.
 * – County between Haman and Jinju.
 * – Beautiful rural county known for its wild tea culture. Part of Jirisan National Park is also in Hadong.
 * – home to Haeinsa Temple, one of Korea's Three Jewel Temples and a World Heritage Site
 * – a remote island and tourist spot far to the south of Geoje
 * – a remote island and tourist spot far to the south of Geoje

Understand
On the opposite side of the mainland from Seoul, South Gyeongsang as an important part of the country having been the only area not occupied by the Communist forces during the Korean War and birthplace of many of the nation's presidents.

The main cities of Busan and Ulsan are administratively not part of South Gyeongsang, but are included here anyway from a logical perspective.

Talk
This region has a strong Korean dialect that is distinct from the standard Korean spoken in Seoul.

English is less widely spoken than Seoul, although people in the main towns will likely understand more than those from the countryside areas.

Japanese is more widely spoken here than elsewhere in Korea.

By train
This region is well connected to Seoul via the high speed KTX train. Major stations include Busan, Ulsan and Miryang.

By plane

 * International flights to Busan's Gimhae International Airport airport are from China, Japan and other east Asian countries.
 * Incheon International Airport is also very well connected to this province, with high speed KTX trains getting you to Busan and other major cities within 150 minutes.
 * Sacheon airport flights from Jeju and Seoul–Gimpo.

By boat
There are fast and slow ferries from Japan to the port of Busan.

Cruise ships do sometimes visit Busan as well.

By bus
Towns and cities in the region are very well connected via limousine bus.

By train
Train travel between towns is possible although this will often be a slower option than the bus. There are some high speed KTX train connections between the larger towns.

By car
Car rental is possible, although be careful of the heavy traffic in Busan and the erratic driving style associated with this area.

See

 * View the wonderful coastal scenery on Geoje island
 * Soak up the Korean countryside in Miryang
 * Visit the historic fortress in Jinju
 * Five components of the world heritage site Gaya Tumuli (grave mounds from the Gaya Confederacy ruling the area around the 1st-6st centuries CE) are in South Gyeongsang.

Do

 * Lie on Busan's Haeundae beach in the summer (seemingly sharing it with pretty much every other Korean)
 * Sample some of Korea's best seafood in Busan's Jagalchi fish market
 * Go hiking in one of the many national parks

Stay safe
There are not many safety issues specific to this region. Coastal cities have a minor risk of tsunamis, although for geographic reasons this much less of a concern than in nearby Japan.

Driving standards are generally regarded as less safe than Seoul.

Go next

 * Seoul is only a couple of hours away by high speed train
 * Japan is well connected to Busan via ferry.

title: South Gyeongsang


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South Hadley

South Hadley is a city in the Pioneer Valley area of Massachusetts. It is home to Mount Holyoke College.

By car
Route 116 is the central artery through most of the Pioneer Valley and the most useful for travelling between its cities. Route 47, which runs from South Hadley to Hadley, is picturesque but easy to get lost on. For travel across a broader area of Massachusetts I-91 is recommended.

By bus
Five College buses run between Mount Holyoke, Amherst, UMASS, Hampshire and Smith. While the service is nominally free only to Five College students, IDs are rarely checked and anyone who appears to be college-aged will likely be able to ride for free. If travelling to Smith you may need to change buses at Hampshire; be sure to pick up a schedule at the Mount Holyoke campus center beforehand.

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) buses provide fixed service to other areas of the valley.

Peter Pan buses travel from South Hadley Center to most major cities, but you may need to change buses several times during your trip. Tickets can be purchased at Crazy Moon Fashions in South Hadley Center. Unlike the Five College buses, you will have to show a student ID to get the student rate on Peter Pan bus tickets.

By train
Amtrak provides train service from nearby Springfield to other major cities. Once in Springfield you can hire a taxi or catch a bus to South Hadley.

By plane
The nearest major airport is Bradley International Airport  in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

See
The biggest sightseeing attraction in South Hadley is Mount Holyoke College's beautiful campus. Filled with trees and seasonal flowers, a stroll through Mount Holyoke can be a good way to kill an hour. Many of the buildings also have beautiful and unique architecture, most notably the library. Be sure to visit the art museum, which showcases the art of both current students and classical masters.

Do

 * Mount Holyoke College regularly offers plays, open lectures and art exhibitions for free or at low cost. Of particular note is Vespers, a joint concert put on by all of Mount Holyoke's music groups around Christmas time.
 * Tower Theater in the Village Commons is a small two-screen movie theater. Performances of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Repo! The Genetic Opera with shadow casts are given weekly.

Eat
South Hadley is home to a number of good restaurants, including:

For those on a tight budget, meals can be had at Mount Holyoke's Blanchard Cafe, or in any of the dining halls for guests of Mount Holyoke students. While eating at Blanchard can be cheaper than paying $10 per meal in the dining halls, you get what you pay for. You will get better food (and as many helpings as you like) if you have a friend at Mount Holyoke who can get you into the dining halls.

Drink

 * The Thirsty Mind, offering coffee, tea and custom Italian sodas (soda water with any combination of flavored syrups added) and a selection of beers and wines.
 * Rao's Coffee, inside the Mount Holyoke College library. This little shop has a huge variety of unique offerings, including loose leaf tea and, around Christmas, drinks made with eggnog.

Sleep

If you have a friend at Mount Holyoke who is willing to share her room with you, be aware that guests at Mount Holyoke are limited to seven consecutive days and are not allowed to move between floors in the dorm without a student escort. In addition, there is at least one female-only bathroom in every dorm, so male guests may need to use a bathroom on a different floor. Enforcement of these rules varies from dorm to dorm and from year to year, but as being caught could land your host in a lot of trouble, it's generally better not to risk it.

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

title: South Hadley


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South Haven

South Haven is a city in West Michigan.

South Haven is unique among Lake Michigan beach towns in that the downtown is right next to the beaches and the harbor. It's OK to walk straight from the beach in swimwear to the downtown, although you may want to cover up a bit.

There are about a thousand boat docks in the city as well, most of which are in walking distance to the downtown, so there are plenty of boaters to liven things up.

By car

 * From Chicago, take I-94 to I-196 (at St Joseph). You can also follow the old Chicago Road, now known as M-83 and Blue Star Highway, which starts at New Buffalo and winds along the coast through a number of harbor towns.

From I-196, take Exit 20 (Phoenix Street) west to downtown and then on to South Beach.

You can also take Exit 22 to North Shore Drive and follow it in across the bridge to the downtown.

 * From Detroit, take I-94 to Kalamazoo, and follow M-43 through Kalamazoo to its end in South Haven.

By car
The intersection of Phoenix and Center Streets marks the town center. There is plenty of parking in the downtown parking lots (except for a few festival days) and more parking at the beaches. You can park on most streets, unless you see a no parking sign or yellow curb.

By bike
Park your car and get on your bicycle, South Haven is a bike friendly city and you can get anywhere in just a few minutes.

On foot
Walking works too and it is good for you.

See

 * Take a walk on the South pier out to the lighthouse. When waves are washing over the pier, stay off, people have lost their lives this way. When it is calm, look for fish on the south side of the South Pier. Ice may form in the colder months, watch out for ice.
 * Sunset, Viewing the sunset is a ritual for visitors. Any beach will do, many people like to walk out to the lighthouse to watch the sunset over the water.
 * Monroe Boulevard Bluff, Spectacular view of the lighthouse, pier, catwalk and Lake Michigan horizon.
 * , A drawbridge connecting the north and south sides of the city with lots of boat traffic in the summer. The bridge opens on the hour and half hour, don't get caught in the traffic jam!
 * Storm Watching, Many of the storms that come in over the Lake are quite dramatic. If you notice a front coming through, stop at one of the beaches or Monroe Boulevard Bluff and watch nature's power. When it is windy, the Lake furiously pounds the pier and Lighthouse with waves. Winter snowstorms are especially dramatic.
 * Iceberg Watching, After it has been cold for some time, mountains of ice build up on the pier and along shore. The ice looks like a craggy mountain range. Sometimes, storm waves will move the ice around and spray bursts up into the air as storm waves hit the icebergs. Do not walk on the ice, it is very dangerous, the ice shifts and moves, and the waves undercut the ice from the lake side.
 * , A drawbridge connecting the north and south sides of the city with lots of boat traffic in the summer. The bridge opens on the hour and half hour, don't get caught in the traffic jam!
 * Storm Watching, Many of the storms that come in over the Lake are quite dramatic. If you notice a front coming through, stop at one of the beaches or Monroe Boulevard Bluff and watch nature's power. When it is windy, the Lake furiously pounds the pier and Lighthouse with waves. Winter snowstorms are especially dramatic.
 * Iceberg Watching, After it has been cold for some time, mountains of ice build up on the pier and along shore. The ice looks like a craggy mountain range. Sometimes, storm waves will move the ice around and spray bursts up into the air as storm waves hit the icebergs. Do not walk on the ice, it is very dangerous, the ice shifts and moves, and the waves undercut the ice from the lake side.

Do
Go to the beach. South Haven has two main beaches:

Both are directly adjacent to the piers. The South Beach is known as a more family beach, while the North Beach is the favorite of students, especially from Western Michigan University. There are other beaches too, drive along North Shore Drive and there are a number of street ends and small trails leading to public beach accesses.

Fishing - in early spring, around late March and April, salmon and lake trout are running and can be caught from the piers. Some people like to use flashing spoons and some like deep diving Rapalas. Spawn bags also work well. Other times of the year, people still fish, there are perch, bass and other fish taken from the piers and various fishing sites upstream as well.

Harborwalk - there is a sidewalk route that will take you from the South Pier at the South Beach, along Riverfront Park and the harbor, through the downtown, across the Bascule Bridge, past the Maritime Museum and the marinas, and out to North Beach and the North Pier.

Pick Blueberries - there are a number of blueberry farms in the area where you can pick your own blueberries (and eat lots while you pick). You can also get a quart or two at the farmers market, or a number of roadside stands.

Ride:

The Kal-Haven Trail is a rails to trails bike path linking Kalamazoo and South Haven. If you don't want to ride the full 40 some miles, ride just a ways out of town to the covered bridge and the overlook of the north and south branches of the Black River. A trail pass is required.

Sleep
South Haven is extremely popular as a resort town, and lodging is not cheap. Renting a house by the week is probably the most popular type of lodging, but there are bed and breakfast inns, and hotel/motels too.

There is a campground out east of town on Phoenix Street (CR 384), along the Kal-Haven Trail. There are several RV parks on the north side.

There is a small public campground (bicycle access only) along the Kal-Haven Bicycle Trail on the bluff just east of the covered bridge.

Go next
Take a drive along the Blue Star Highway to Glenn and Saugatuck.

title: South Haven


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South Henan

South Henan is the southern part of Henan Province, China. This region has a distinctive Southern China style of climate and culture in the Northern China province of Henan.

Cities

 * Zhumadian West Station 2022.jpg (南阳)
 * (信阳)
 * (驻马店)

Other destinations

 * Danjiangkou Reservoir (丹江口水库)
 * Xixia Dinosaur Relics Park (西峡恐龙遗迹园)
 * Nanyang Wuhou Temple (南阳武侯祠)
 * Government Office of Neixiang County (内乡县衙)
 * Neixiang Baotianman (内乡宝天曼)
 * Source of River Huai in Tongbai (桐柏淮河源)

 * (鸡公山国家公园)
 * Nanwan Reservoir (南湾水库)
 * Chaya Mountain National Geology Park (嵖岈山国家地质公园)

Eat
Most people in Henan like to drink silly noodles in autumn and winter. The so-called silly noodles are boiled in the pot with soybeans, peanuts, and a variety of dried vegetables in the summer. Such as dried wild vegetables, dried beans, dried Chinese pumpkins, carrots and white radishes, etc., and then throw some corn grits, a little noodles, and finally put salt, seasoning and so on. It's the kind of silly noodles that people want to drink when they get home from a long trip.

title: South Henan


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South Hero

South Hero is a small town off the coast of Lake Champlain in Vermont. It is the southernmost town among the Lake Champlain Islands.

By car
If coming from the south and southwest areas of the U.S., Route I-87 will take you up the east side of New York which parallels the west side of Vermont and Lake Champlain. If not taking the ferry, you can drive all the way up to the last exit on I-87 to Rouse's Point, which will take you across a bridge that goes over Lake Champlain, then you would continue down the islands on Route 2 southward where you will start to see signs for South Hero. If coming from areas in Southern New England and anywhere in New England, Routes 89, 91 and 93 will get you to the Burlington area which from there you will be able to get to South Hero by following signs for Lake Champlain Islands on I-89.

By ferry

 * Lake Champlain Ferries. There are three exits off of I-87 that will get you to ferry ports that will take you to the Vermont mainland. These three ports are in Essex, NY, Port Kent, NY, and Plattsburgh, NY and take you to Charlotte, VT, Burlington, VT, and Grand Isle, VT, respectively. The one that will take you right to South Hero is the port in Plattsburgh. However, if you take the other ferries to Vermont you will be able to get to South Hero by taking Route 2 north.

By plane

 * Burlington International Airport is not too far out from South Hero. You can book a flight into Burlington, rent a car and then drive into South Hero by using I-89 and Route 2.

Get around
Most of the roads in South Hero are dirt roads, especially in back-roads or developments. The two main roads in South Hero are Route 2 and County Road 314 otherwise known as Ferry Road. Route 2 will take you across the Sandbar Bridge into the mainland of Vermont while 314 will take you to Grand Isle, North Hero and Alburg. Most people use cars to travel around while others will take the occasional walk or bike ride along the shoreline. Since you're on a lake, boat travel is very popular. With the right amount of gas, you can get from the southernmost point of South Hero to Burlington, Plattsburgh or Mallet's Bay in a little over an hour.

Go next

 * Albany
 * Burlington - The city of Burlington, 20 minutes away, is worth seeing when you're visiting any part of Vermont, with many different shops and restaurants, the beautiful campus of the University of Vermont, and a lovely harbor waterfront where you can stare off into the lake as the sun sets and see the boats coming and going.
 * Lake George
 * Montreal
 * Plattsburgh

title: South Hero


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South Hesse

South Hesse, Südhessen, is a region in the Hesse state of Germany.

Understand
This area is more or less equivalent to one of the former Hessian states "Hesse-Darmstadt", named for its residence and its ruling house.

Cities

 * (Hessische Bergstraße)
 * (Hessische Bergstraße)

Villages

 * Dreieich (Hessisches Ried)
 * Erzhausen (Hessisches Ried)
 * Heppenheim (Hessische Bergstraße)
 * Michelstadt (Odenwald)
 * Roßdorf (Hessisches Ried)

By train
Darmstadt is the area's main hub, with regional trains connecting it mostly to Frankfurt and the other big cities of Hesse.

See

 * Künstlerkolonie Mathildenhöhe (art nouveau) in Darmstadt

Itineraries

 * Bergstraße

Go next

 * Rheingau
 * Wetzlar (Middle Hesse)
 * Aschaffenburg (Lower Franconia)
 * Weinheim (Baden-Württemberg)
 * Mainz (Rhineland-Palatinate)
 * Heidelberg

title: South Hesse


text:
South Holland

South Holland (Dutch: Zuid-Holland) is a province in the Netherlands.

Regions
South Holland consists of the southern half of the historic county of Holland. It can roughly be divided into six regions:

Cities

 * — "judicial capital of the world", seat of the government and plenty of attractions
 * — one of the oldest cities of the Netherlands with prehistoric remains and museums
 * — old town famous for its Delftware ceramics
 * — historic town with numerous museums
 * — famous for its Gouda cheese and the cheese market
 * — vibrant student town with the oldest university of the country
 * — Europe's largest port, modern architecture and an impressive skyline
 * — largest and most popular beach resort of the country, officially a district of The Hague
 * — historic town known for its jenever, a Dutch alcoholic drink, and the five largest windmills of the world

Other destinations

 * — one of the last freshwater tide areas in Europe
 * — a high-tech engineering project of dams and sluices; a show case of the Dutch and their endless struggle against the sea
 * — each spring more than 800,000 travelers visit this flower garden
 * — the windmills at Kinderdijk show the typical Dutch landscape in all its glory

Get in
Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam Airport are the primary ways for flying in internationally. NS railways provide multiple connections from various cities domestically. Trains run every 30 minutes or less, especially to and from larger cities.

Get around
There are several operators for local bus services in the area. HTM and RET also have tram services within The Hague and Rotterdam. Rotterdam has a metro subway service extending as far as The Hague. For towns with direct rail connections, taking the train is usually faster between cities and towns.

See

 * The windmills of Kinderdijk (on the Unesco heritage list)

Do

 * Go sailing on the Kager Plassen.
 * Go cycling through the polders or the coastal dunes or from historic town to historic town.

Go next

 * To the west, United Kingdom (by sea).

title: South Holland


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South Iceland

South Iceland is the region of Iceland along the North Atlantic Ocean. South Iceland's charm lies in its many large and impressive waterfalls and glaciers, unique geology and fascinating medieval history. The eastern part of South Iceland is dominated by the glacier Vatnajökull and the water systems linked to it. Big rivers flow from the glacier in all directions and have created large flood planes along the southern coast. The glacier and some of the surrounding areas form Vatnajökull National Park, the biggest national park in Iceland.

Towns

Towns are listed in a west-east order.

 * — located in a geothermal area, less than an hour from Reykjavík by car.
 * — beautiful old village on the south coast. Also worth visiting are nearby Stokkseyri and Þorlákshöfn.
 * — the largest town in the south.
 * and Hvolsvöllur — two neighbouring villages in the agricultural heartland of western South Iceland.
 * — a town and an archipelago just south of Iceland. The biggest and main island Heimaey is known for its 1973 volcanic eruption that destroyed part of the town, and for the Atlantic puffin colonies. Millions of birds spend summer and breed in the island's cliffs. It is possible to visit Heimaey as a day trip from Reykjavik.
 * — a small village home to the mighty and beautiful Skógafoss waterfall, the picturesque Kvernufoss waterfall, and one of Iceland's most famous museums, Skogar Folk Museum.
 * — a coastal village famous for its puffins, black sand beaches, impressive basalt columns and strange rock formations in the ocean.
 * — a village in the sparsely populated Skaftárhreppur, in the eastern part of South Iceland.
 * — a village in the sparsely populated Skaftárhreppur, in the eastern part of South Iceland.

Other destinations

 * — this is the most popular national park in Iceland and a UNESCO World Heritage site, approx. 40 km east of Reykjavík. The valley is mentioned in many famous Icelandic sagas and is where one of the oldest parliamentary institutions of the world, the Althing, was founded in the year 930. Tectonic activity can be clearly seen here: the continental drift of North-American and European shelf plates has identified and scarred this area for thousands of years. The valley is the result of this activity and is getting wider every year. Free parking.
 * — a rural area in the north-western corner of South Iceland. Home to some of the most famous tourist destinations in Iceland including Gullfoss and Geysir.
 * — a natural pearl situated in a valley, tucked in between two glaciers. There are many hiking opportunities in the area, with its large network of marked trails. There is a lovely camp ground and several mountain cabins and little bungalows. Road access is by F-roads only and requires a large 4x4 as there are a number of river crossings (see offroad driving).
 * — one of the great jewels of Iceland in the Southern Highlands is Landmannalaugar. The area's incredible natural beauty and extreme contrasts have been attracting visitors for centuries. It's a mountainous area rich in minerals, which results in strong colours, and its impressive volcanic geology brings you to massive, old lava fields and natural hot springs. There's a mountain hut operated by Ferðafélag Íslands, and a simple, rocky camp ground is there as well. There is a simple mountain shop/café where snacks and coffee can be bought, as well as fishing license to the nearby lakes, where you can catch mountain trout. There is also one horse rental operated by Hraunhestar, ranging from 2 to 10 hours in length through the spectacular valleys and many marked hiking trails, one leading all the way south to Þórsmörk.
 * (formerly Skaftafell National Park) is a part of Vatnajökull National Park and contains the Skaftafellsjökull glacier and the Svartifoss waterfall.
 * (Glacier Lagoon) is a glacial lake with icebergs floating out to sea. Diamond Beach across the road is a well-known beach where pieces of ice glint in the sun like diamonds.

Understand

The area is the setting of some of Iceland's most popular sagas and home to many of their heroes. Njáll's saga, one of the most famous sagas, is largely set in South Iceland with the title character Njáll living at Bergþórshvoll and the hero Gunnar hailing from Hlíðarendi in Fljótshlíð near Hvolsvöllur. These farms still exist, but don't expect to see medieval ruins. Icelandic building materials were not made to last, and the farms you see today are twentieth century constructions. However, the nature and the scenery remain as impressive.

The region also contains two of the most important seats of power of medieval Iceland: Skálholt was the location of the bishop of Iceland from 1056 until 1106, when north Iceland received a bishop of its own but Skálholt remained the seat of a diocese covering east, south and west Iceland until 1801. Þingvellir was the meeting place of the Alþingi, the joint parliament and court founded in 930. Alþingi lost its legislative functions in 1662 but remained a court held at Þingvellir until 1800. Alþingi was revived in 1845 as advisory and later legislative assembly in Reykjavík. It was also at Þingvellir that, on 17 June 1944, Iceland was declared a republic.

Unlike these rest of Iceland's coast, the south is not a fishing area because it has practically no natural harbours. The southern coastline from Þorlákshöfn in the west to Höfn in the east contains an almost unbroken sand beach open directly to the treacherous Atlantic Ocean.

By car
Taking the Ring road east from Reykjavík will very quickly lead you into South Iceland. This is how by far most locals will choose to travel and as with the rest of Iceland, having a car of your own will give you a lot more options for exploring the region than relying on public transport. When entering from Reykjavík, you also have the alternative of taking the road through Þingvellir to enter South Iceland. Drive up on the ring road through Mosfellsbær (a town on the outskirts of Reykjavík), as if you were heading for West Iceland, and following the signs indicating Þingvellir (road nr. 36).

If you're entering the country by ferry and bringing your own car, you will drive off the ferry in Seyðisfjörður in East Iceland. Once you get to the ring road, head southwards and you should be able to reach South Iceland in a few hours. It may be best, though, to stop somewhere around Höfn in the southeast before heading further, as the distances are big.

By plane
Mainland South Iceland is not served by any flights, domestic or international. On the western side, it's within reach of Reykjavík, which has a domestic airport that connects with some of the towns in different parts of the country. The eastern half of South Iceland can be reached by flying from Reykjavík to Höfn (a town in the southeast) with Eagle Air. This is close to Vatnajökull National Park, Jökulsárlón and other popular destinations.

Vestmannaeyjar has a domestic airport with flights from Reykjavík with Eagle Air.

By bus
Scheduled buses run along most of South Iceland operated by Sterna Travel. Reykjavík Excursions also has some scheduled services and a number of guided tours.

The Reykjavík area bus system (Strætó) reaches all the way to Selfoss. Take bus nr. 51 from Mjódd, which goes over Hellisheiði to the town of Hveragerði and then terminates in Selfoss.

By car
The south is well served by the ring road, which goes through the region from west to east serving most of the population centres on the way. The western part of the south is one of few regions in Iceland where populated areas are found far inland, and this area has a good road system as well. Further east the interior turns into highlands and glaciers, and should only be reached by 4x4s.

By bus
As in the rest of Iceland, public transport can be quite difficult to navigate and cannot take you everywhere. However the bus system is slightly more developed in the south and there is a bus that travels daily along the entire southern section of the ring road. There are also buses that travel between the upcountry towns in the western part of the south. Most of these are operated by Sterna Travel or Reykjavík Excursions, but it may also be worth it to ask around locally as there may be different seasonal options.

By boat
A ferry called Herjólfur, operated by Eimskip, runs between the mainland and Vestmannaeyjar. A new harbour has been created in Landeyjar, shortening sailing times significantly, but as it frequently fills with sand the old harbour at Þorlákshöfn is also in use. Add to this the fact that high waves often occur on the route and you get very irregular travel times, so it's best to check the status of the ferry before showing up at the pier. If you're traveling by car, it can also be brought to the islands with the ferry.

See

 * Seljalandsfoss is one of South Iceland's many falls, falling off a 60-m-high cliff. west of Skógar.
 * Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is one of Iceland's most popular canyons, located near Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

Itineraries
A Golden Circle tour generally includes – at a minimum – Geysir, Gullfoss, and Þingvellir. Various companies offer day coach tours, or a better alternative is to rent a car for a day; this will let you see many more sights and often save money, especially if you have two or more people in your group. This also lets you vary the time you want at each attraction, linger at the geysers, or have a stop at Kerið.

Do

 * Fimmvörðuháls — a popular hiking trail, from Skógar to Þórsmörk, between Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull.
 * Laugavegur trail (or Laugavegurinn) is another popular hiking trail from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, 55 km long, takes around 4 days, with huts and campsites on the way where you can stay overnight (Brennisteinsalda — Hrafntinnusker — Álftavatn or Hvanngil — Emstrur (Botnar) — Þórsmörk (Langidalur)). Caution: it could be dangerous during bad weather conditions: several people got lost or died on the route. Each summer the trail is host to a cross-country marathon called the Laugavegur Ultra Marathon is held on the route. Don't confuse it with the shopping street of the same name in Reykjavík. It is possible is to hike Laugavegurinn and Fimmvörðuháls together, as they both lead to Þórsmörk.
 * PXL 20210807 142844432.jpgPXL 20210806 142658351.jpg (or Thorsmörk) hiking trails. Highlands area with good public transport options. Buses depart from the parking lot at Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Southcoast Adventure also offers regular bus service from the campground next to Seljalandsfoss and from Hvolsvöllur. Self-driving is only possible with a larger 4x4 as there are a number of river crossings.
 * River rafting is possible in both Hvítá and Markarfljót, close to Selfoss and Hvolsvöllur respectively.
 * Glacier tours — travelling with specially equipped trucks onto Vatnajökull offers incredible views of the white desert that is Europe's largest glacier.
 * Take a swim at the Seljavallalaug swimming pool west of Skógar. It is one of the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. The pool is heated by geothermal water. The view and experience are great.

Eat
The western part of South Iceland is in many ways Iceland's agricultural heartland, and hosts many traditional Icelandic farms with sheep, cattle, horses and other animals. It's one of the main dairy producing regions of the country, producing most of the milk consumed in the capital region. Further east, aquaculture and fresh-water fishing plays an important role. Arctic char from Kirkjubæjarklaustur is known in Iceland as a delicacy. Also worth mentioning is the farm Þorvaldseyri, the only place where wheat is grown in Iceland. You can buy it direct from the farmer.

Awareness of the value of local produce is increasing, and farmers markets are becoming ever more common in South Iceland. You should also ask in restaurants whether they have some local specialties, chances are that they do.

Drink
There isn't much in the way of nightlife in South Iceland outside the main towns. Of the towns it should be no surprise that Selfoss, being the largest town in the region, has the most active nightlife.

South Iceland is home to one of Iceland's smaller breweries, called Ölvisholt Brugghús. It's located in a rural area about 10km outside Selfoss and their three main beers are called Skjálfti, Freyja and Móri.

Stay safe
The major concern for safety in South Iceland are the roads. The roads leading inland from Selfoss are very narrow and drivers should take special precaution. The national road from Reykjavík to Hveragerði, a mountain pass called Hellisheiði, can be particularly dangerous in winter, as blinding snow storms, icy roads and strong wind is common.

As the southern coast is open directly to the Atlantic Ocean, it's important to be very careful when on the beach. Appearances can be deceiving, and tides can be strong. Tourists have been killed when suddenly swept out to sea.

Go next
Continuing east out of South Iceland will bring you to East Iceland, with the stunning East Fjords. To the west is Southwest Iceland including the vibrant capital Reykjavík and the international airport in Keflavík. Alternatively you could choose to head towards the Interior, the expansive highland region which can only be accessed in 4x4s but offers some incredible rugged landscapes. You could cross via Kjölur or Sprengisandsleið and reach North Iceland on the other side of the island, but for this you need to be very well equipped and do good research on both road conditions and weather before setting off.

title: South Iceland


text:
South Island

The South Island (Māori: Te Waipounamu) of New Zealand is characterised by grand, open landscapes and a great sense of freedom in the sparsely populated areas away from the Christchurch and Dunedin conurbations of the east coast. Divided by the backbone of mountain ranges aptly called the Southern Alps, the South Island is renowned for spectacular snow-topped peaks, fiords, large beech forests, golden sand beaches and fertile, broad plains. There are no active volcanoes – but hot pools abound. The South Island is more than just stunning scenery though. Go hiking (or tramping, as the locals say) through unspoiled valleys, lay down fresh tracks at the many ski fields, get your adrenaline going at a bungee jump or kayak to golden sand beaches. Your visit to the South Island can be as tame or as adventurous as you want.

Regions
The regions, in approximate north to south order, are:

Cities

The biggest cities and some smaller towns of particular interest to travellers, listed from north to south:
 * – sunshine city with gold medal winning wineries and craft breweries
 * – gateway to the Marlborough Sounds
 * – sauvignon blanc central
 * – whales and beautiful scenery
 * – lively city with great restaurants, beaches and walks; a cycling and paragliding haven
 * – lakeside town with skiing and scenery
 * – stunning setting between lake and mountains, and adventures for every taste
 * – little blue penguins and a Victorian streetscape of limestone buildings
 * – proud of their Scots heritage, beer, rugby and student shenanigans

Other destinations

 * – stunning beaches
 * – New Zealand's highest mountains
 * – a haven of Canterbury mountains.
 * – sea lions, largest east coast native forest meets the sea
 * – several great hikes and Milford Sound
 * – the largest land snails in the world and some of the deepest and most extensive cave systems in the southern hemisphere
 * – scenic drowned river valleys, a boaties' paradise
 * – vintage boat regattas on Lake Rotoroa, easy to moderate tramping
 * – glaciers, ice, luscious bush and the wild sea

Understand
The South Island of New Zealand is the larger of the two main islands and is sometimes referred to as the 'Mainland' (especially by South Islanders) despite having just 1.2 million of New Zealand's 5.2 million population – or about 20 per cent of NZ's population. Geographically the South Island is dominated by the Southern Alps which divide the island and affect both climate and flora. Most of the South Island's national parks are strung out along this main divide.

Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and Nelson are the main settlements, but many attractions are outside the cities. All four cities are very different. Christchurch is the largest and had a certain English feel to it until earthquakes and shopping malls took their toll. Nowadays it is definitely a New World city. Dunedin was settled by Scottish Presbyterians and is very proud of those roots. It also feels older than other cities in NZ because it was built by gold rush money in the late 19th century but has since been surpassed by bigger and brasher cities to the north. Invercargill has been steadily losing population for many years but the warmth of that southern welcome will astound you. Nelson is still very young by European standards (although it was the second founded city in New Zealand) but still has its own symphony orchestra and a fine collection of Victorian stately homes. It has a very South Pacific feel with palm trees and a huge and beautiful white sand beach. However, beautiful beaches are a dime a dozen in the South Island and some of the best do not average even one visitor per day.

Climate
The South Island generally has a more invigorating climate than the North Island; all the major weather records in New Zealand have been set in the South Island.

The sea and the Southern Alps are the main contributors to the island's climate. The moist westerly air flow from the Tasman Sea rises as it hits the mountains. This causes orthographic rain which is dumped on the West Coast of the island; most areas receive over 2000 mm of rain per year here. This rain does have its benefits though, supporting the lush, temperate rain forests of Fiordland.

With very little moisture left in the air after crossing the Southern Alps, eastern areas of the South Island are generally dry, with the Pacific Ocean the only main influence on the moisture. Coastal Christchurch receive only 620 mm of rain per year, while Alexandra, over 100 km away from the ocean in central Otago, receives just 360 mm of rain per year.

Temperatures generally become cooler the further south you go – but you can still experience the classic New Zealand "four seasons in one day" in any part of the island. Coastal regions are generally milder because the sea buffers temperatures. The hot and dry northwesterly winds off the Southern Alps can push temperatures in Canterbury into the mid-to-high 30s and even the low 40s during summer. Rangiora, 25 km north of Christchurch, holds the national record with a high of 42.4 °C (108.3 °F) on 7 February 1973. Elevated regions in the centre of the island have a more alpine climate, being cooler in winter and hotter in summer. Many of the mountains themselves are permanently capped with snow.

In winter, snowfalls are common in central, elevated regions (occasionally leading to the temporary closure of roads). During winter, snow also occasionally falls down to sea level and even coastal region temperatures can often drop below zero overnight (32°F) – although rarely by much.

By plane
Christchurch's airport has flights from the most international locations, with services from countries in and around Australia, the Pacific, and from Dubai, Singapore and Guangzhou. Dunedin and Queenstown also have international flights, but only from Australia.

There are scheduled flights from the North Island to (listed north to south) Picton, Blenheim, Nelson, Takaka, Westport, Timaru and Invercargill, plus the three international airports. Christchurch also has flights from the Chatham Islands and Invercargill has flights from Stewart Island.

By boat
Bluebridge and the Interislander ferry companies sail across Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton through the Marlborough Sounds. They take bikes, cars, buses and trains, and the scenery on a good day is spectacular. The ferries are substantial ships designed for the sometimes rough conditions and the journey takes between 3 and 3.5 hours.

By plane
As getting around the South Island is a scenic experience, you may not be interested in local flights, but they can be convenient when connecting to other flights, or save spending a full day in a coach.

Air New Zealand fly from Christchurch to Invercargill, Dunedin, Queenstown, Hokitika and Nelson. Sounds Air fly from Christchurch to Blenheim. Queenstown has fights to Milford Sound. At the premium end of the market there are various short scenic flights and helicopter trips.

By bus
Buses are a cheap way to get around the main centres. There are a range of types of services, from a luxury coach service to minivan shuttles. Shuttles that service a local area can be found in the articles for the regions and towns that they service.

By road

The South Island has a vast and varying road network. Having less traffic than the North Island, there are very few motorway-standard roads (just in the whole island) with all motorways being in either Christchurch or Dunedin, so most inter-city driving is done on two-lane undivided highways. The road network also has a large number of one-lane bridges.

Rental cars are available in most sizeable towns. The best range (and hence lowest prices) are in Picton (just off the Cook Strait ferries) and Christchurch.

Internet based rideshare and carpooling systems are growing in New Zealand as fuel prices rise and people recognise the social and environmental benefit of sharing vehicles and travelling with others. While some systems are quite informal, others have trust systems which give greater security when choosing a ride.
 * Jayride is a New Zealand ridesharing and hitch hiking website. Their focus is on providing a variety of ride options, for flexibility and cost savings.

By train
The South Island has two outstanding train services. The daily TranzAlpine runs across the island from Christchurch to Greymouth and back, crossing the Southern Alps at Arthur's Pass, and is one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. The Christchurch–Picton Coastal Pacific crosses the Canterbury Plains before hugging the Kaikoura Coast then travelling through the Marlborough wine region and returning daily (from Oct–Apr only).

See
There are not many places in the world where you can ask "Where's the nice scenery?" and be answered "Pretty much everywhere", but the South Island is one of them. Simply driving from one town to another can reveal stunning views that many locals take for granted. From snow-capped mountains to wild beaches to ancient fiords to natural forest, the South Island features a remarkable number of varied and stunning landscapes in such a small package. Some highlights from an island full of them are:
 * The forest-lined shores of the Marlborough Sounds
 * Abel Tasman National Park with its warm weather and sandy bays
 * Kaikoura with its rugged coast and mountains dropping almost straight into the sea
 * The vast open spaces of the Canterbury Plains with the backdrop of the snow-capped Southern Alps
 * The beautiful and sparse Mackenzie Country, with Mount Cook (New Zealand's tallest mountain) and picturesque lakes
 * The dry, open landscapes of Central Otago
 * The popular towns of Queenstown and Wanaka, nestled beside lakes with stunning mountain scenery and offering some of the best hiking, kayaking, skiing, jet boating and mountain biking in the country
 * Milford Sound, the most popular and accessible of the many glacial fiords in Fiordland – the highway to get there, State Highway 94, was voted one of the 10 most scenically stunning road journeys on the planet.
 * The wild and wet West Coast, complete with easily accessible glaciers
 * Wildlife – including seals, sea lions, whales, dolphins, penguins, albatrosses and other unusual native birds

Do
Numbering almost as many as the varied natural attractions are the possible ways to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

Cycling
The South Island is a great cycling destination, featuring on road, off-road, and serious downhill mountain biking tracks. Cycling is a popular way to explore both the whole island and individual regions. For some it can be the method of choice for getting around the island and it's not uncommon to see intrepid travellers cycling on South Island highways.

There are a number of specially constructed cycle trails in the South Island and a national project to build a network of world class cycle trails is underway. Of the 18 "Great Rides" planned that will compose the New Zealand Cycle Trail (Nga Haerenga), ten are in the South Island.

 * Off-road - highlights include:
 * The original Otago Central Rail Trail, begun in 1994, a 150 km trail on disused railway lines between Clyde, Alexandra and Middlemarch for walking, cycling and horse-riding.
 * Tasman's Great Taste Trail
 * Tasman's Great Taste Trail

Fishing
Fishing is another draw card. The South Island contains world famous fly fishing destinations such as the Buller, D'Urville, Goulter, Gowan, Karamea, Motueka, Owen, Mokihinui, Pelorus, Sabine, Wairau and Wangapeka Rivers in Nelson Bays using either local guides and accommodation or specialist luxury lodges. Sea fishing is particularly scenic and sheltered in the Marlborough Sounds but the choice is endless.

Kayaking
Kayaking is rewarding in many areas throughout the island; it's a particularly popular and well organized tourist activity in the Abel Tasman National Park and Cable Bay in Nelson Bays

Mountain climbing
Mountain climbing often centres around the Mackenzie Country and Wanaka for the Alpinist variety.

Skiing
All those mountains provide ample terrain for snow enthusiasts, so it's not surprising there are many ski fields in the South Island. While not as large as the resorts in North America or Europe, they provide a good mix of terrain. The largest and most commercially developed ski areas are near Queenstown, Wanaka and Methven. Small "club" fields – with fewer facilities but less crowds – can be found in the Mackenzie Country and Nelson Bays. "Top dollar" heli-skiing is also available in many locations.

Tramping
The South Island is a renowned tramping (hiking) area, with many tracks ranging in length from minutes to weeks. These include some of the finest walks in the world, called the "Great Walks": Abel Tasman Coastal Track and Heaphy Track in Nelson Bays, and the Kepler, Milford and Routeburn Tracks in Southland. Most tracks pass through public conservation land and are marked and graded in difficulty by DOC.

Although there are typically no entrance charges to national parks for either NZ residents or overseas visitors, this is under discussion, as some feel that NZ taxpayers are subsidising foreign tourists. Start planning your trip before admission charges kick in!

Adventure tourism
The South Island has become the natural home of adventure tourism. That is, ordinary people being encouraged to do crazy things; such as jumping off a bridge with a rubber band tied to their ankles, riding in a jet boat or rubber raft.
 * Nevis Valley South of Cromwell in Central Otago you can drive on New Zealand's highest public road to this isolated valley which was once a hive of gold-mining activity. While a car is OK for the upper valley, a 4WD is recommended for the many fords further down the valley
 * Nelson Bays and Queenstown are both hubs for adventure tourism. Canyoning, skydiving, bungie jumping, paragliding, rafting, jetboating and canyon swinging are just a few of the possibilities on offer

Eat
The South Island's regional specialities reflect New Zealand's island nature, and the agricultural character of the regions. They include:
 * Crayfish - from the sea around Kaikoura
 * Lamb - most notably from Canterbury
 * King salmon - farmed in the Marlborough Sounds, and in the Mackenzie Country
 * Mussels - in the greenshell mussel capital of Havelock
 * Oysters - from Bluff near Invercargill
 * Scallops - from the seabed off Nelson
 * Stonefruit - especially cherries, plums, apricots and nectarines from Otago
 * Venison (deer meat) - farmed throughout the South Island
 * Whitebait - from the wild West Coast

Drink

 * Beer – Nelson grows all of the hops and has a thriving export business, so it's not surprising that it has both the pub that was voted "Best in New Zealand" but is also the craft brewing capital. Other regions all have local beers, and also feature their own smaller craft breweries.
 * Fruit juice – in Central Otago or boysenberry spritzers in the Upper Moutere.
 * Wine – the varied climate of the South Island provides for a number of different climates suitable for growing different varieties of wine. Although the most well known are the Sauvignon Blanc producing region of Marlborough and the Pinot Noir producing region of Central Otago, many of the Gold medals at national and international tasting competitions are often won by lesser known regions such as Nelson Bays and the Canterbury/Waipara regions.

Stay safe
The changeable weather and imprecise forecasting are key dangers. Great care must be taken, especially when tramping in remote or alpine regions, as the weather can change from benign sunshine to life-threatening, hypothermia inducing conditions of gales and snow in a matter of hours (even in summer, in the high country). Even on day trips you should check the weather forecast, make sure you know your route, make sure someone knows where you are going and carry some rain and cold weather gear and supplies. Many places are very remote and far from help and care is recommended – every year New Zealand search and rescue teams are called in to find tourists missing in remote regions and every year, at least a few end up as hospitalised casualties.

Go next

 * North Island
 * Stewart Island
 * Chatham Islands

title: South Island


text:
South Jeolla

South Jeolla (전라 남도, 全羅南 - Jeollanam-do) is the southwesternmost province of mainland South Korea.

Regions
Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla) is a province in the southwest of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the southern half of the former Jeolla province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea. Gwangju was the capital of the province, until the provincial office moved to the southern village of Namak, Muan County in 2005.

Cities

 * - South Jeolla's administrative capital
 * - South Jeolla's main city, nicknamed "the City of Light".
 * - Home of the famous Korean butterfly festival.
 * - City of folk village, wet lands, and beautiful mountains.
 * - Beautiful islands and beaches, site of Expo 2014.
 * - City of folk village, wet lands, and beautiful mountains.
 * - Beautiful islands and beaches, site of Expo 2014.
 * - City of folk village, wet lands, and beautiful mountains.
 * - Beautiful islands and beaches, site of Expo 2014.

Other destinations

 * Large island near the end of the peninsula
 * One of South Korea's most remote islands and national park, reachable by boat from Mokpo
 * Town of bamboo and literature
 * Remote islands briefly occupied by the British in the 19th century
 * A scenic area with many tea plantations.

Understand
The province is part of the Honam region, and is bounded on the west by the Yellow Sea, on the north by Jeollabuk-do Province, on the south by the Jeju Strait, and on the east by Gyeongsangnam-do.

There are almost 2,000 islands along the coastline, about three quarters of which are uninhabited. The coastline is about 6,100 kilometers long. The regions produces some of the most popular marine products in South Korea, in particular oyster and seaweed cultivation.

The province is only partially mountainous. The plains along the rivers Seomjin, Yeongsan and Tamjin create a large granary. There is abundant rainfall in the area, which helps agriculture. The province is also home to the warmest weather on the peninsula. This helps to produce large amounts of agricultural produce, mainly rice, wheat, barley, pulses and potatoes. Vegetables, cotton and fruits are also grown in the province. A small amount of gold and coal is mined in the province.

By plane

 * Gwangju airport has a limited selection of domestic flights to Seoul Gimpo, Yangyang and Jeju island.
 * Yeosu airport has many flights to Seoul Gimpo and a couple of weekly flights to Jeju island.
 * Yeosu airport has many flights to Seoul Gimpo and a couple of weekly flights to Jeju island.

By train
South Korea's high speed train, the KTX, now has two separate lines running through South Jeolla:
 * Honam Line: Seoul all the way to Jangseong, Gwangju, Naju and Mokpo (3 hours)
 * Jeonla Line: Seoul all the way to Gokseong, Guryegu, Suncheon, Yeocheon and Yeosu

See

 * Boseong County is noted for its Green Tea production.
 * The Hwasun Dolmen sites (prehistoric burial sites), that are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List
 * Two of the four components of the natural world heritage site Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats are in South Jeolla; the Shinan Getbol and the Boseong-Suncheong Getbol.

title: South Jeolla


text:
South Jutland

South Jutland is the southern part of the Jutland peninsula in Denmark. It is known as Sønderjylland in Danish (or rather Synnejylland in local dialect), and forms a large part of the administrative Region of Southern Denmark that also includes Funen.

Cities
In the South Jutland region described in this article, Esbjerg and Kolding are the only real cities; all other settlements have less than 30.000 residents.

 * - The city sprung up around the big harbour constructed here in 1868, after Denmark lost a lot of land, including the big harbour in Altona (now Hamburg), in the 1864 war with Germany. Considering South Jutland's other towns and long history, Esbjerg is regarded as a newcomer and modern city in the region. Esbjerg is an important commercial port for all of Denmark, the city counting 71.500 residents as of 2024. Off-shore industry, transport, energy, and commercial fishing forms the backbone of the city, but there are cultural attractions here as well to experience.

 * - Historic, yet modern, city with a charming urban core and good shopping opportunities. Kolding is commonly associated with what is known as Trekantsområdet along with Vejle and Fredericia, both in the East Jutland area of central Jutland.

Towns

 * - Sønderborg is the cultural capital of South Jutland and the Borderland region. At just a little more than 28.000 citizens, it is half the size of Kolding, yet its historic importance and cultural assets are impressive. Built around the namesake Royal fortress since the 1100s, Sønderborg offers many culture and history sites of interest, and the surrounding countryside is very beautiful.
 * - Education and administrative center in a productive agricultural region. The town originated as a trading post on the Baltic Sea in the 1100s and has been a significant administration center since the 1200s when the Haderslev cathedral was built.

Smaller towns
Important and interesting small towns, with less than 10.000 inhabitants, includes:

 * - Rural railway town in the South Jutland interior. Situated right on the ancient Ox Road (Hærvejen), formerly used for herding cattle and soldiers to Germany, Vejen has always been an important transport junction for the region.
 * - Small beautiful old town with cobblestone streets and old houses galore. Despite its relatively small size with about 8.300 residents, Ribe is home to a large medieval cathedral and is perhaps the oldest known town in Denmark, founded in the 700s AD in the Viking Age.
 * - Another picturesque town of old preserved houses and cobblestone streets. At about 7.500 residents, Tønder is a small town, but has plenty to offer visitors.
 * - Beautiful village with a unique architectural appearance, founded and built in the 1700s by a Moravian Church order.
 * - Although a tiny town at only a little more than 1000 residents, Højer is famous for its local handicrafts. Beautiful old thatched roof houses.

Other destinations

 * — the largest of Denmark's national parks covers the Danish part of the Wadden Sea from Ho Bugt to the German border, and includes the islands of Fanø, Mandø and Rømø, Skallingen, the Varde Å valley, and many marshlands
 * — has some interesting wildlife, nature conservancy, ornithology, and mud-flat exhibitions (some seasonal). Trips from here on to Koresand sandbank, which has a seal reserve, are also possible and take around 3 hours. It can only be reached at low tide from Vester Vedsted.

Understand
What unites the different areas of South Jutland, is the close proximity to Germany, which has influenced the local culture in both good and bad ways through the centuries. Today, Denmark are on good terms with its giant neighbour in the south, and South Jutland cooperates on many levels with the German side of the Jutland peninsula.

See
The landscape and history varies across South Jutland, and presents lush nature, woodlands and calm fjords around Sønderborg and Åbenrå in the east, rural countryside with a long agricultural history in the midlands, flat Wadden Sea coastlands with endless beach meadows in the west, and coastal islands with a long proud history of global seafaring also in the Wadden Sea area.

Nature

Culture and history
There are many well-preserved castles and manor houses in this region, and the Danish Royal family have strong ties to South Jutland. The many military conflicts with Germany through the centuries, has also left its marks in the region, with many historic military sites to experience.

Do
The region presents several interesting nature hikes, some of which are among the very best in Denmark. Embark on the truly epic long-distance hikes of Nordsøstien, along two-thirds of the Jutlandic coast, or Hærvejen, leading up through the entire Jutland peninsula for 500 kilometres, or take in the natural scenery and historic sites of the Flensborg Fjord along the shorter five day hike of Gendarmstien.

Eat
Apart from restaurants and regular eateries, South Jutland presents many local specialities.

 * Kålpølser — A special type of smoked sausage made with both beef and pork meat. Grilled, fried, or boiled and served with a number of traditional dishes. This type of sausages is a local delicacy originating from South Jutland, but is widely available across all of Denmark.
 * Grønlangkål — Stewed, creamy kale with several variations. Traditionally served with sausages (kålpølser), slices of pork saddle, caramelized potatoes, pickled beets, and strong mustard.
 * Snysk med Flæsk — Crumbed and crispy fried pork belly served with stewed summer vegetables
 * Birnen, Bohnen und Speck — Smoked pork belly cooked with green beans and pears.
 * Surrib — Jellied slices of pork rib roast, flavoured with vinegar, black pepper, and laurel leaf. Served cold with Danish rye bread, fat, pickled beets, and strong mustard.
 * Solæg — Hard boiled eggs in brine. Eaten cold with a variety of condiments along with a good glass of beer.
 * Torsk i Fad — Cod stewed with clams.
 * Sønderjysk Kaffebord — At private afternoon gatherings, oftentimes, an impressive selection of cakes are served with coffee. A well-known trademark of this region.
 * Christianfelder Honningkager — Honey cakes from the town of Christiansfeld. The cakes are made with a honey-fermented heavily spiced dough, and typically covered in a dark chocolate coating, but with other variations as well.
 * Brødtort — Laycake made with rye bread, nuts, black currant jam, and whipped cream. One of many local cake specialities.

Drink

 * Bryggeriet Fuglsang - Historic brewery from Haderslev. Their beers are available all over Denmark.

title: South Jutland


text:
South Kalimantan

South Kalimantan (Kalimantan Selatan, often abbreviated Kalsel) is on the Indonesian side of the island of Borneo.

Cities

 * – capital of South Kalimantan
 * – capital city of North Hulu Sungai Regency
 * – the largest city in South Kalimantan, famous for its floating market
 * – capital city of Central Hulu Sungai Regency
 * – capital city of Tanah Bumbu Regency
 * – capital city of South Hulu Sungai Regency
 * – an island city in the south eastern of Kalimantan selatan which has many small islands, pristine beaches, and good spots for fishing, snorkeling and diving.
 * – the diamond city
 * – capital city of Tapin Regency
 * – capital city of Balangan Regency
 * – capital city of Tabalong Regency

Other destinations

 * – the gateway to Meratus mountainous range
 * – the wetland town

Understand
By land area South Kalimantan is the smallest province in Kalimantan but the capital province (Banjarmasin) is the largest city in a whole Kalimantan. There is no active volcanoes in South Kalimantan. Its highest peak is Gunung Besar with 1,892 metres. The biggest outlying island is Pulau Laut (Sea Island) located in Kotabaru Regency. The major ethnic is Banjarese, with some small ethnic of Dayak and Bugis. South Kalimantan is the origin of Austronesian peoples who arrived in Madagascar between the 3rd and 10th century, and are most closely related to Dayaks living near the Barito River although locals mostly don't know about it.

Talk
Banjarese is the native's language in South Kalimantan although Bahasa Indonesia is widely spoken. English is not commonly used.

By plane
Syamsudin Noor Airport, is the biggest airport in South Kalimantan. Airline services are available from major cities in Indonesia.

The airport has a fixed fare Airport Taxi service. You will need to buy a taxi coupon at the stand just outside the arrivals hall. A taxi ride to Banjarmasin is about 45 minutes, to Banjarbaru about 15 minutes. Another alternative is to prearranged an airport pickup with your hotel.

Gusti Syamsir Alam Airport

By bus
There are buses providing connections from Samarinda and Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, and from Palangkaraya, Sampit and Pangkalanbun in Central Kalimantan to Banjarmasin.

The main bus/minivan terminus in Banjarmasin is located 6 km from city centre, hence the name of the terminus is Kilometre 6 Terminus, locals just call it "Terminal Pal Enam".

Get around
"Taksi" (taxi) in South Kalimantan can be confusing for some people since locals call almost all the public transportation taksi except for buses. There several types of taksi:
 * Taksi argo, usually sedan type taxi which is metered
 * Taksi kota/angkot/bamikro, is a name for minivan
 * Taksi antarkota, is a name for inter-cities minivan (usually using Mitsubishi Colt L300 and its variants).

All public transportation are using yellow registration plate.

By taksi argo
Taksi argo only available in Banjarmasin and Banjarbaru but if you are lucky you also can find it in Martapura. You can find taxi easily near by established hotels (such as Swiss Belhotel, Hotel Arum).

By taksi kota/angkot/bamikro
Taksi kota usually only serve routes within the city. Banjarmasin, Banjarbaru and Martapura all have taksi kota. You can hail and stop it anywhere along the routes. The fare is based on how far you travel. To hail and to stop a taksi kota, just raise your hand and they will stop. When you're inside and want to stop, just say kiri (key-ree) or simply 'stop' out loud. You need to know the place you want to go. Make sure you have exact money to pay the taksi kota, handout to the driver when you get to your destination. Usually taksi kota drivers don't speak English.

By taksi antarkota
Taksi antarkota with orange color serve route Banjarmasin-Martapura via Banjarbaru, and vice versa. Taksi antarkota with colors other than orange serve other routes (such as Banjarmasin-Kandangan, Banjarmasin-Barabai). You can hail and stop it anywhere along the routes. The fare is based on how far you travel. To hail and to stop a taksi antarkota, just raise your hand and they will stop. When you're inside and want to stop, just say kiri (key-ree) or simply 'stop' out loud. You need to know the place you want to go. Make sure you have exact money to pay the taksi antarkota, handout to the driver when you get to your destination. Usually taksi antarkota drivers don't speak English.

By becak
Becak (rickshaw or pedicab). You have to be good negotiator if you want to ride on becak, fare depends on the destination (near or far). It's a good choice for a short ride. Usually becak drivers don't speak English, but a map and lots of pointing will get you to the right place. You need to know the place you want to go.

By ojeg
Ojeg is transportation by motorbike. You can find ojeg almost everywhere in South Kalimantan. Choose ojeg with spare helm for you, make sure they know the place you want to go and negotiate the fare before riding. Handout the money to the ojeg rider when you get to your destination. Usually ojeg riders don't speak English.

See

 * Floating markets
 * Museums in Banjarmasin and Banjarbaru.
 * Visiting some old mosques

Do

 * Exploring wetland area with Jukung/sampan at Nagara
 * Visiting Dayak traditional house at remote village at Meratus mountainous area
 * Bamboo rafting at Amandit river
 * Hiking around Meratus mountainous range
 * Canal tour at Banjarmasin

Eat

 * Soto Banjar is Banjarese chicken soup served with rise or rise noodle.
 * Ketupat Kandangan
 * Lupis
 * Masak habang
 * Bingka kentang
 * Kasturi
 * Lamang
 * Apam Barabai

Drink
Islam is the religion of the majority of South Kalimantan, so alcohol (beer, wine, spirits) are not widely available.
 * Fruit juices are plentiful, varied and delicious.
 * Coconuts.
 * Teh manis is tea with sugar.
 * Apam Barabai

Stay healthy

 * Bottled water is recommended, but if you can't find one, you should boil your own water.
 * Mosquitoes can be abundant in some areas and cities, especially during the rainy season. Buy/bring some insect repellent.
 * Consult your travel doctor about precautions against malaria. Get vaccinated and take preventive and curative medication with you before you go.
 * Bring some maskers as peat and forest fires can be a problem, and will drastically reduced air quality, caused mainly by slash and burn techniques adopted by farmers as the cheapest and easiest means to clear the lands for traditional agriculture.

Stay safe
South Kalimantan is a fairly safe province. However, you must do some precautions:
 * Be prepared for drivers to violate traffic laws even to the extent of going in reverse on highways to back up to a missed exit or driving on a sidewalk. Also expect occasional road debris (a piece of wood or torn out tire) to be laying in the roadway.
 * Be vigilant of your personal property and be aware of your surroundings.
 * Be on your guard in crowded places such as markets, because pickpockets often steal wallets and cellular phones. Keep a close eye on your valuables and choose your transportation options carefully, especially at night.
 * Be careful when crossing the street. Keep an eye on the locals and cross together with them.
 * Bring your own life vest as the jukung/sampan or speedboat doesn't provide it.

Respect
Most Banjarese are religious but fairly open and secular points of view are not uncommon. The people are in general very hospitable, and a few precautions will keep it this way:
 * Always use your right hand to offer or receive anything.
 * Mosques are sometimes off-limits to non-Muslims. Inquire with someone at the mosque before entering and before taking any pictures. Cover your head and arms and legs, and take off your shoes before entering.
 * Keep in mind that South Kalimantan sees only a tiny number of foreign visitors, and most locals will be genuinely curious about you, watch your every move and expression. Don't underestimate how impressionable some can be, make sure you're leaving good ones!

Go next

 * Bali - by far is the most famous destination in Indonesia
 * Jakarta - the capital and the biggest city of Indonesia
 * Surabaya - city of heroes
 * Makassar - the gateway to Sulawesi
 * Balikpapan

title: South Kalimantan


text:
South Karelia

South Karelia (Etelä-Karjala, Södra Karelen) is in Southern Finland, by the southern shores of the lake Saimaa. South Karelia's population is about 136,000.

Cities

 * – an industrial town of 30,000, known for the rapids of River Vuoksi
 * – the regional centre of South Karelia

Towns

 * Lappeenranta countryside - the municipalities of, , and
 * Lappeenranta countryside - the municipalities of, , and
 * Lappeenranta countryside - the municipalities of, , and
 * Lappeenranta countryside - the municipalities of, , and
 * Lappeenranta countryside - the municipalities of, , and

Understand
The Karelians were a significant Fennic people, on the border between the Russian and Swedish realms. The Finnish part of Karelia is mostly in the regions of South Karelia and North Karelia. Most of Karelia is in Russia, mainly in the Republic of Karelia and on the Karelian Isthmus. Karelians in Finland speak Finnish and most inhabitants of the Russian Karelia are Russians who immigrated there in the 20th century. Karelian, mutually intelligible with Finnish to some degree, is still spoken by a minority; the Finnish broadcasting company sends news also in Karelian and Russian newspapers in Karelian can be found in some libraries. Much of the Finnish national epic Kalevala was collected in what is now the Republic of Karelia.

Large parts of what was the Finnish part of Karelia was ceded to the Soviet Union after World War II and the inhabitants resettled in the rest of Finland. Thus people with Karelian roots are found all over the country. There is a widespread nostalgia for the lost Karelia.

After the fall of the Soviet Union, tourists from Russia gave a much needed surge to the local businesses, especially in Lappeenranta. However, in 2022 relations between EU and Russia deteriorated and Russians are no more allowed to cross the border to EU without a "valid reason".

The region lies along the southern shores of the labyrinthine lake Saimaa, Finland's largest and Europe's fifth largest lake, with waterways covering more or less one third of the Finnish Lakeland. There are thousands of summer cottages along it shores and on its (thousands) islands.

Talk
Finnish. As elsewhere in Finland, nearly everyone also speaks English. As the area receives many visitors from Russia, service in Russian is available in some places, especially in Lappeenranta. Swedish proficiency is much weaker than in Finland in general, although anybody born after 1965 has studied Swedish in school.

Get in
Lappeenranta airport is Ryanair's hub in Finland so there are a couple of direct flights to odd airports in Europe. Trains from Helsinki towards Russia (Saint Petersburg and Moscow) and Joensuu pass through the region. Bus routes from Russia are available, for example from Saint Petersburg and Vyborg. Lappeenranta and Imatra are connected by bus to major cities in eastern Finland as well as Helsinki, and as with most of rural Finland, car is always an option.

The following OnniBus.com route serves the province:
 * M6 (Helsinki—Kouvola—Lappeenranta—Imatra—Joensuu)

Saimaa is reachable from the sea by the Saimaa Canal, and much of the region is along this lake and connected waterways. There are cruises from Lappeenranta to Vyborg, which you may be able to use also for getting in.

Get around
Trains of the national operator VR can be used.

Coaches are the main public transport, see Matkahuolto for timetables. Matkahuolto Reittiopas is a route planner for regional travel, except for local routes of Imatra.

By bicycle
Saimaa Archipelago Route (Saimaan saaristoreitti) is a popular 154 km long cycling trip in the southern Saimaa region. The route passes through the centres of Taipalsaari, Ruokolahti, Imatra and Lappeenranta and offers cyclists numerous great views of the Finnish Lakeland. It is worth booking several days for the route, as there is a lot to see, such as several Saimaa Geopark destinations. The main geological feature is the Salpausselkä ridges, formed by the Ice Age and separating the Lakeland from the coast. The route is marked with blue signs and stickers and printed with map signs. Information about cycle ferries can be found from Saimaa Cycling website and from Routes and Tickets mobile app.

By boat
There are cruises on several routes on Saimaa and the connecting waterways.

For getting around by own vessel, see Boating in Finland.

By taxi

 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Menevä, Taksi Saimaa

See

 * Imatra Rapids in the river Vuoksi (once the main attraction of the region, now free-flowing only at special occasions)
 * Kotkaniemi in Luumäki, home to P.E. Svinhufvud, president of Finland in the 1930s.
 * Taavetti fortress in Luumäki
 * Kollaa Museum — a museum in Miettilä, Rautjärvi, focused on the battles of Kollaa during the Winter War; also including special exhibition dedicated to the deadliest sniper in history, Simo Häyhä.
 * Parikkala Sculpture Park — a somewhat eerie park with 550 sculptures by Veijo Rönkkönen.

Do

 * Cruises on Saimaa.
 * Cruises along the Saimaa Canal, from Lappeenranta.
 * Indoor water amusement park in the Imatra Spa.

Eat
The fast food in Lappeenranta has been influenced by the local university of technology, thus you can get meat pies such as vety ("hydrogen").

Stay safe
South Karelia is a safe region. Mind ice safety in winter.

title: South Karelia


text:
South Kingstown

South Kingstown is a town in the South County region of Rhode Island. South Kingstown showcases some of Rhode Island's oldest buildings, including the campus of the University of Rhode Island in the central village of Kingston.

By car

 * 95 South — Take Exit 9 towards North Kingstown. Take Exit 5B off Route 4 and a left at the light.
 * 95 North — Take Exit 3A towards Route 138 and URI's Kingston Campus. Stay on Route 138 and you will be brought directly into town.

By bus
RIPTA has a route that runs through Kingston, making stops at the train station in Kingston, the University of Rhode Island and others. Bus number 66 will take you to these places as well as to Galilee for a fee of $2.00.

Get around
Route 138 runs east and west through the heart of Kingston. But you can also use route 2 (also known as the South County Trail) and Route 1 which intersects with 138.

 * RIPTA (Rhode Island Public Transportation Association) is a cheap and efficient way to bus around Kingston, Rhode Island. Offering services from the train station to all around URI campus, the bus was originally meant for students but it is open to the general public for the fee of $1.00.

See

Do
There is a variety of beaches within 20 minutes of anywhere in South Kingstown, however, here are some fun spots right here.
 * URI Theatre, Upper College Road (Fine Arts Center), Kingston, . Live theatre productions, Concert Choir and University Chorus performances, student recitals, the music department's semesterly Opera, and occasional non-URI performances.
 * URI Theatre, Upper College Road (Fine Arts Center), Kingston, . Live theatre productions, Concert Choir and University Chorus performances, student recitals, the music department's semesterly Opera, and occasional non-URI performances.
 * URI Theatre, Upper College Road (Fine Arts Center), Kingston, . Live theatre productions, Concert Choir and University Chorus performances, student recitals, the music department's semesterly Opera, and occasional non-URI performances.

Parks
There a number of parks located in or near South Kingstown available to use for sports recreation, family events, playgrounds, swimming and other such activities. These places are generally surrounded by, if no located in, woodsy areas so it is important to have bug spray and be aware of plants and wildlife around the locations.

Buy
More shops can be found in nearby Wakefield on Main Street or in the Wakefield Mall.

Eat
There are many places to grab a quick bite to eat, as well as a few nicer restaurants. Higher-end restaurants are found along the waterfront in neighboring towns such as Narragansett or Newport, but here are some places offering good food and services.

Go next

 * The historic town of Newport offers all sorts of places to see and things to do. Classy restaurants, shops and boutiques downtown, parks, and beaches are only naming a few. Be sure to take a tour of the Newport mansions or take a stroll along the Cliff Walk. Take Route 1 N and merge onto RI 138 E. Take RI 238 S and that will lead you into Newport.
 * The city of Providence is another place you may be interested in visiting. There are a number of restaurants along Federal Hill or Thayer's Street with a variety of menus and fancy dining. Bars and night clubs are popular and there are plenty to be found throughout the city. The Providence Place mall has a wide range of stores varying from designer to discount. Take Route 4 N onto 95 N you'll be lead into Providence.
 * If you're looking for a broader range of restaurants and bars, Narragansett is right next door. Looking for a nice restaurant? Check out Coast Guard House, Amalfi's, Arturo Joe's, Spain or Turtle Soup. Looking for a popular bar? Charlie O's, Coast Guard House, Bon Vue, Pelly's and Pancho O'Malley's are a few good spots to try.
 * Foxwoods Resort & Casino, 39 Norwich-Westerly Road Ledyard Center, CT +1 860 312-3000. The largest casino in the United States is home to thousands of games and four hotels on site.
 * Mohegan Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard Uncasville, CT +1-888-226-7711. This aesthetically pleasing casino is home to plenty of games, a hotel, and the very popular Mohegan Sun Arena which plays host to concerts and sporting events.

title: South Kingstown