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Federal Way

Federal Way is a city in King County in the Puget Sound region of Washington State. With a population of 96,000 (2016), Federal Way is one of Seattle's largest suburbs. Federal Way is home to the world headquarters of Weyerhaeuser and World Vision.

Get in
Federal Way is less than 10 miles south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It is on Interstate 5 and reaches to Puget Sound.

By car

 * I-5.svg Interstate 5 (I-5) Federal Way is accessed from exits #142 A & B("SR 18/S 348th St") through #147 ("S 272nd St") along I-5. There are four exits from I-5 into town. The Federal Way Commons (closest thing to a 'downtown') can be accessed from Exit #143 ("S 320th St") from both directions of I-5. The S 317th St exit & merge lanes (accessed from the left lanes of both directions) are restricted to carpools (2 or more) and buses. Nearest for other users is through S 320th.
 * WA-99.svg Pacific Highway S passes through town as Pacific Hwy from Kent/Des Moines in the north and Fife in the south. It runs parallel to I-5 with multiple stores, restaurants, malls and motels along the road. SR-99 provides direct connection between Federal Way and the airport in Sea-Tac where it becomes International Blvd.
 * WA-18.svg State Route (SR) 18 into S 348th St Connects Federal Way and I-5 corridor to the I-90 corridor in North Bend and Snoqualmie Falls (Exit 25 of I-90) through Auburn, Covington, Maple Valley and Issaquah. SR-18 ends at its junction with I-5 and becomes S 348th west of the I-5 corridor in Federal Way. It is the shortest way to reach Snoqualmie Pass and anywhere east via I-90 from Federal Way, Tacoma and anywhere south along I-5 WITHOUT going into Seattle or Bellevue.
 * WA-161.svg Enchanted Pkwy S Connects Federal Way to Mount Rainier via Edgewood, Puyallup, South Hill and Graham in Pierce County. It goes through town as Enchanted Pkwy S which becomes 16th Ave S north of its intersection with S 348th. It ends at its intersection with SR-99 at S 340th Pl.
 * WA-509.svg SW Dash Point Dr/East Side Dr Connects the SR-99 corridor at the 29700 block into downtown Tacoma via Dash Point State Park and Port of Tacoma Tideflats / Fife. It goes around Federal Way through local residential neighborhoods offering a scenic drive and views of the Sound in some places. Going north from the 29700 block, SR-509 runs concurrent with SR-99 to its intersection with Kent Des Moines Hwy (SR-516) in Des Moines. It is Dash Point Dr in Federal Way and becomes East Side Dr in NE Tacoma.

By bus
For intercity bus service outside of the region, travel to Seattle or Tacoma.

By car
Federal Way's street designation is a continuation of King County's street designation system in South Seattle (S) and West Seattle (SW), beginning at 1st Ave S & Yesler in Seattle. The major roads are somewhat in a grid, with north-south roads called Avenues that suffix the directional and east-west roads being Streets that prefix the directional. There are occasional irregularities: Ways are long roads that don't always conform to the grid, Drives are long, circuitous routes, and there are the very short Place or Court that dead ends on one end of the road. Most roads are numbered with a few that are named.

Federal Way lies approximately between S 272nd St (27200 block) and S 373rd St (37300 block) south of Seattle (Yesler), which run east and west. 1st Ave S (goes north-south) divides 'South' (east of 1st) from 'Southwest' (west of 1st) as it goes from S 291st St (29100) at Redondo Beach to S 368th St (36800) as a major throughfare. It does not connect Federal Way to Seattle. Roads south of the King-Pierce County line, south of Federal Way, change to a Northeast (NE) directional (in the suffix) which is based on Tacoma's directional system as that part of town is in Tacoma but is closer and more connected to Federal Way then it is to Tacoma. The house numbers decrease from south to north; and from the east and from the west towards 1st Ave S.

By public transit
The transportation hub (bus station) in Federal Way is the on South 317th St and 23rd Ave S. The FWTC offers routes with service to Sea-Tac Intl. Airport (A, 574); Downtown Seattle (177,577,578); First Hill (193); Univ of Washington in the U-District (586); Tacoma (500,501,586,574); Puyallup (402,578); Auburn (181, 578).
 * Offers local bus service on the following routes:
 * 181 Twin Lakes P&R, Federal Way, Outlet Collection Seattle, Auburn, Green River College. Goes down towards Twin Lakes P&R via S 320th & 21st Ave S
 * 182 Northeast Tacoma, South Federal Way, Federal Way Transit Center
 * 183 Federal Way, Camelot neighborhood, and Star Lake towards Kent.
 * 187 Federal Way Transit Center, Twin Lakes via S 320th, 47th SW/Hoyt Rd, etc
 * DART 901 Federal Way, Mirror Lake
 * DART 903 South Federal Way, Twin Lakes
 * RapidRide Line A operates frequently to Tukwila, including the airport, from Federal Way Transit Center on Pacific Hwy/International Blvd (Hwy 99)

 * Pierce Transit offers additional local service to areas south of S 320th on their way into Pierce County.
 * 63 Connects downtown Tacoma to 45th St NE & Nassau in NE Tacoma during weekday rush hours. Goes to NE Tacoma in the afternoons and towards Tacoma in the morning. No service to Federal Way Transit Center. At other times take the 574 bus from Tacoma to Federal Way and the 182 into NE Tacoma.
 * 402 Travels along Meridian (via multiple stops) from the Federal Way Transit Center to Puyallup through Milton.
 * 500 Continues south from Federal Way to downtown Tacoma on Pacific Hwy (Hwy 99) through Fife.
 * 501 Goes down towards Tacoma through Edgewood, Milton, and Fife on different turns onto various roads.
 * Bus routes serving Federal Way include routes 574, 577, 578, 586).

If possible you'll probably want a car to get around more quickly.

See
The City of Federal Way has a huge population of Korean Americans and used to host the annual Hanwoori Korean Festival, which was a huge event sponsored by the City of Federal Way, Washington State, and various business organizations.

Do

Buy
Federal Ways's main shopping "district" is the Pacific Highway (SR-99) corridor from S 272nd to S 356th and along S 320th from I-5 to Pacific Hwy. It consists of a variety of small stores, small strip malls, large malls and small standalone restaurants along the road. The closest thing to a "downtown" is the area bounded by Pacific Hwy in the west, S 324th on the south, I-5 on the east and S 312th in the north. This area consist of The Federal Way Commons, a variety of strip malls, standalone stores/restaurants, hotels and the Federal Way Transit Center (bus station) separated from each other by massive parking lots.

Eat

Federal Way is best known for its Korean cuisine, thanks to the high concentration of Korean Americans living in the city.

Recommended Korean restaurants:
 * Mirak, Shin Sung, Kokkiri

Recommended Japanese restaurants:
 * Akasaka, Koharu, Hanabi

Connect
The area code for the Federal Way and South King County is 253.

By mail

title: Federal Way


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Federated States of Micronesia

The Federated States of Micronesia is a country in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, composed of four major island groups just north of the equator.

Climate
Tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage; Natural hazards are typhoons (June to December).

Terrain
The 607 islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; there are volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Truk.

 * Highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m

History
Austronesian seafarers settled on the islands around 2000 BC. From 1500 BC, new maritime empires emerged, including the Yapese Empire and the Saudeleur Dynasty. European explorers discovered the Carolines up until the late 19th century. In World War II, the U.S. bypassed the islands in its leapfrog campaign across the northwest Pacific.
 * National holiday : Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
 * Constitution : 10 May 1979

In 1979, the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. On 3 November, 1986, independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US; economic provisions of the Compact are being renegotiated. Previously, the area had been colonized by the Japanese, the Germans, and the Spanish

 * Independence : 3 November, 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)

Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.

Culture
Each of the four states has its own culture and traditions, but there are also common cultural and economic bonds that are centuries old. For example, cultural similarities like the importance of the traditional extended family and clan systems can be found on all the islands. The islands are known for their stick dancing traditions.

Visitor information

 * official tourism website

Regions
There are 4 states:

Cities

 * - Capital

Ports and harbors

 * - (Pohnpei)
 * (formerly Moen)
 * (formerly Moen)

Other destinations

 * The remote atoll of Kapingamarangi is the southernmost island group in FSM.

Entry requirements
If you are going to be in the FSM for less than 30 days you do not need an entry permit. Anyone who will be staying longer than that needs an entry permit. For citizens of the United States, Palau, and the Marshall Islands, this entry permit lasts 1 year. For everyone else, it lasts 60 days. You can get your entry permit on arrival, but if you're traveling for a purpose other than tourism, you need to apply for it in advance.

Most people will need to prove their citizenship with a passport that has at least 120 days of remaining validity, but if you're from Palau, Marshall Islands, or the United States, you can use your birth certificate or an FSM entry permit in lieu of a passport (but a passport still works, too).

If you need to apply for an entry permit on arrival, you must present an FSM Arrival and Departure Record. This is furnished by a carrier before entering the FSM. You will need a completed application form in addition to this.

By plane
United Airlines operates a thrice-weekly "island hopper" flight (CO956 eastbound, CO957 westbound) traveling Honolulu—Majuro—Kwajalein—Kosrae—Pohnpei—Chuuk—Guam and vice versa. The full flight is fourteen and a half hours, leaving in the early morning and terminating in the evening, with a stop of about one hour on each island. There are also nonstop flights from various islands to both Honolulu and Guam.

Honolulu is the most direct gateway into the islands from North America. Guam is the most direct gateway from most places in Asia and Australia, although it is also possible to fly into the islands from Manila via Palau.

By boat
The major international ports are; Chuuk, Pohnpei and Yap. There are inter-island trading ships based in these major ports which visit the outlying islands.

By bus
Even though there are no scheduled bus services on the island, some buses are available to hire or charter. Also, on Yap there is a school bus that runs twice daily from Colonia to the villages.

Taxi
Taxi services are available throughout the islands and are inexpensive.

Car hire
There are self-driven cars available in the major towns of the islands. However, It is required to have a National Driver's License or International Driving Permit.

Talk

 * Languages : English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi

See
Micronesia, an island nation, is full of vast pristine tropical beauty and traditional culture is very much alive, like in most of the western Pacific.

The countless islands are largely undeveloped and their sheer remoteness and Robinson Crusoe like-atmosphere are a major draw for visitors. There are gorgeous sea views all around, and the islands' scenery treats vary from beautiful beaches to lush jungles. There's world of colour under water and if you're willing to dive, there are some great opportunities to see underwater life.

The ruined city of Nan Madol on Pohnpei is a true highlight and the site of ancient rituals, politics, and royal dwellings of the Saudeleur dynasty. It's a collection of 92 man-made islets connected with tidal canals, which gained it the obvious name of Venice of the Pacific. It's a magnificent archeological attraction, covering 18km2 partly reclaimed by nature. There are huge basalt pillars and stone structures which create an image of the temples, bathing houses, vaults and pools that once formed the centre of life here for centuries.

Of later date but still quite old are the ruins of Lelu, connected with a causeway to Kosrae. Constructed in the 13th and 14th century, this was the centre of the local royalty. Today, it's the stuff of adventure movies: tucked away in thick jungle and largely overgrown. The original purpose of several of the remaining structures is known, and on-site signs help to get a good idea.

The main island of Yap is famous for its stone money, which is still used for ceremonial gifts or payments. Sometimes huge in size, these stone "coins" are a sight in itself. Stroll to the village of Balabat to see the stone money bank and keep your eyes out for traditional houses. Although available on most islands, the village Bechiyal is home to Yap's oldest faluw (or men's house). Yap is also the place to see the best of the region's indigenous arts, as it houses the excellent Ethnic Art Village.

Do
Some popular activities are:

Diving, Viewing, Traditional culture, Swimming

Money

The ancient Yapese may be known for their rai stones ("stone money"), but the official currency of the FSM nowadays is the U.S. dollar ("$", ISO currency code: USD). It is divided into 100 cents.

Eat

 * Kelaguen is a traditional dish of grilled meat marinated in lemon juice, salt, and hot peppers. After grilling, it is topped with coconut and scallions.

Work
U.S. citizens may live and work freely in Micronesia.

Stay safe
The Federated States of Micronesia is generally one of the safest countries to visit. However, there has been some reports of crime in Weno, the capital of Chuuk. Crime is certainly a problem in Weno.

Stay healthy
Don't drink the tap water.

Respect
Some islands are very traditional, especially Yap state. Be sure to respect their culture.

Connect
Cell service is available with a locally purchased (or rented) SIM card.

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

title: Federated States of Micronesia


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Fedje

Fedje is an island off the coast of West Norway. It's in an unsheltered position, far from the mainland or other islands, so it has a rough, coastal climate, with mild winters and cool summers. Fedje is also the name of the archipelago of over a hundred islands that surrounds the main island, and the name of the municipality that administers the islands.

Sleep
The two lighthouses in Fedje are both rented out to visitors for several weeks a year.

title: Fedje


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Feilding

Feilding is a town on the Manawatu plain in New Zealand. Feilding is well placed geographically, just two hours drive from most of the southern half of the North Island including Wellington (NZ’s capital) providing a gateway to the South Island. The Manawatu District's location offers easy access to four seaports, seven airports, an airforce base and two large military bases.

By car
Feilding is just off State Highway 1 about 160 km north of Wellington at a town called Sanson. If you're traveling from Auckland, turn off at Bulls.

By bus
Intercity bus prices start at $35 one way from Wellington and $65 from Auckland. There is also a local bus that runs from Palmerston North to Feilding – cash fare is $5 one way and GoCard fare is $3.50.

By train
The Northern Explorer train will stop here but only for groups of 10 or more. It starts at $49 from Wellington and $69 from Auckland

By plane
Palmerston North airport is 15 min drive away.

Get around
The main ways to get around Feilding is driving, biking and walking. It takes about 45 mins to walk from the outside of town into the center and around 10 mins to bike.

There is also a taxi service (06-323 7117) and a bus before it heads off to Palmerston North. You can find the bus timetable on the Horizon Regional Council website.

Feilding's lay-out was based on Manchester.

Buy
The main central shopping area in Feilding radiates from Manchester Square.

New commercial buildings contrast with carefully preserved heritage styles, and the broad thoroughfare of Kimbolton Road emphases the overall effect of dignified charm of this rural servicing town. With many owner/operator businesses, the shops offer a uniqueness and variety of choice not seen in the city. The friendly customer service complements the ongoing upgrading of the central streets recognising the rural and heritage history of Feilding. With no traffic lights or parking meters, shoppers are encouraged to park as long as they wish while enjoying their relaxed shopping experience.

The rural atmosphere is particularly evident just 100 meters from shopping centre, when the twice weekly sheep and cattle sales are held in the saleyards. The biggest saleyards in the Southern Hemisphere attract farmers and interested parties from all over New Zealand. There is also a local market which is held in the square very Friday where you can buy food and beauty products which have been grown and made in the area.

Cafe/restaurants

 * Essence, 46 Manchester St.

Bakeries

 * Rosebowl, 56 Kimbolton Rd.

Sleep
As well as quality hotel and motel accommodation, the Manawatu District offers a variety of farmstay/homestay properties. These provide an opportunity to meet the ‘locals’ and experience the real rural New Zealand.

Enjoy sharing warm hospitality, home cooked meals, beautiful gardens, heritage homesteads and joining in with farm activities.

Go next

 * Whanganui

title: Feilding


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Feldkirch

Feldkirch is a historic city in Vorarlberg, Austria. It is on the border to Liechtenstein and can easily be visited on an afternoon. It is nestled in a picturesque place where three valleys meet and includes a well-preserved old town and the dominating edifice of the ancient Schattenburg Castle. While small, it is the best preserved and most scenic of Vorarlberg's cities. Many people make the mistake of passing through Feldkirch on their way to Liechtenstein or Innsbruck without exploring its wonderful charm. Don't make this mistake!

Get in
Feldkirch lies in the Rhein Valley bordering Liechtenstein to the south and Switzerland to the west.

By plane
The closest international airports are in Friedrichshafen (46 km), Zurich (124 km), Innsbruck (154 km), and Munich (223 km).

By train
Feldkirch is well served by regional and long distance trains.

By car
From Germany and Bavaria you will take the Rheintal Autobahn and cross at Lindau and continue southward. From Liechtenstein you head north. From Switzerland you have to cross east over the Rhein. From Tyrol and Innsbruck you will have to pass through the Arlberg Tunnel (toll) an incredibly scenic drive that takes you through the stunning Walgau Valley. The Arlberg Pass offers a free alternative but is only open in the warm weather months.

By foot
The old town centre is small, and easy to walk around. Most of the streets are pedestrian zones. There is lots of parking available just outside the centre.

Drink
In the last few years a number of pleasant cafés have been established, inviting the visitor to linger awhile.

Sleep

Connect
Free Wi-Fi is available at the train station, main city bus stop and bus station, and all main plazas in the town centre.

Go next

Liechtenstein, one of the smallest countries in the world, is only a few kilometres away.

title: Feldkirch


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Felixstowe

Felixstowe is a major port and 'garden resort' on the east coast of England, in the county of Suffolk. Felixstowe is long past its heyday as a tourist resort, and is best visited now as a place to enjoy some seaside calm.

Understand
Lying on the coast between the Rivers Orwell and Deben, the town is normally considered to include the adjoining town of Walton and the area known informally as Old Felixstowe. A seaside town that is famous for its container port (the largest in the UK).

By train

 * Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in Great Britain

Hourly trains from Ipswich take just under 30 min to Felixstowe. These connect with hourly trains from London Liverpool Street to Ipswich and Norwich, so the journey from London takes two hours. From the north change at Peterborough and Ipswich. From the Midlands it's probably quickest to travel via London. is north end of town. It's a simple platform terminus with a ticket machine and a little shelter, and that's all. There is step-free access to the sole platform.

By boat
Port of Felixstowe is busy with freight but has no international ferries. Cross to Harwich Parkeston Quay for the ferry to Hoek van Holland.

By road

 * Felixstowe is about 90 minutes - 2 hr drive from Central London. It is easily reached by road from the Midlands via the A14.
 * The town in on National Cycle Route 51 running the SW to Harwich and Colchester and to the NW to Ipswich and on to Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire.
 * The town is on Regional Cycle Route 41 which runs N to meet National Cycle Route 1 between Shetland Islands and Dover, and Regional Cycle Route 42 which meets NCR 1 near Halesworth.

Get around
First Eastern Buses 75, 76 and 77 start from Ipswich. Bus 77 runs hourly to Felixstowe town centre (45 min) then Landguard Fort and port viewing area, but the town is best explored on foot or bicycle.

Taxi firms are Coastal Wizard (+44 1394 275555), Independent (+44 1394 284000) and 1st 4 Taxis (+44 1394 270078).

See
Felixstowe Ferry is perhaps the most charming part of the town. It's in the far north, beyond the golf club, at the mouth of the River Deben. It's a popular place for sailing and walks. It has good real ale pub (see below). It is best to park at the cliff top car park as there is little parking at Felixstowe ferry.

The promenade stretches 1 mile north and south of the pier two limes in total, and expect for a small length there is a good path (it is part of the Suffolk Coast long distance path) between Landguard Fort and Felixstowe Ferry. North is generally quite pleasant, with landscaped gardens and quiet shingle beaches.

In the centre of the tourist area, by the sea, there are some excellent arcades, including the famous Mannings Amusement Park (including crazy golf). There is a Sunday market beside Mannings, and a car boot sale on Saturday

Further south the beach gives way to a very industrialised dock area. In the middle of this is a little wildlife haven, around Landguard Fort. It's popular with bird watchers.

The sea shore is the site of the last opposed invasion of England in 1667 and the first land battle of the Royal Marines. The fort was built in the 18th century, modified in the 19th century with substantial additional 19th- and 20th-century outside batteries. The fort is open every day from Easter to October.

The nearby submarine mining building houses Felixstowe museum’s collections of local interest and is open Sundays & Wednesdays in summer.
 * is now only visible on spring low tides. It was built late 3rd century as part of the "Saxon Shore" ring of defenses when the Romans panicked about their fragile empire. It stood on cliffs on the coast, but cliffs, castle and village of Walton were all eaten by the sea circa 1750.
 * is now only visible on spring low tides. It was built late 3rd century as part of the "Saxon Shore" ring of defenses when the Romans panicked about their fragile empire. It stood on cliffs on the coast, but cliffs, castle and village of Walton were all eaten by the sea circa 1750.
 * is now only visible on spring low tides. It was built late 3rd century as part of the "Saxon Shore" ring of defenses when the Romans panicked about their fragile empire. It stood on cliffs on the coast, but cliffs, castle and village of Walton were all eaten by the sea circa 1750.

Do
The fantastic amusement parks are a great day out, and for those looking to party away the night, you won't forget the über-cool bandbox nightclub.

Between the promenade and Felixstowe Ferry there's about a mile of beaches known as "The Dip". It's dominated by beach huts but not a bad place to enjoy the beach in the summer.

There are a variety of pleasant country walks around Felixstowe, particularly in the Orwell and Deben estuaries. However, you need a car to get to these areas from the town.
 * Love Felixstowe is a festival nominally over a week, but with most events on its opening weekend. The next is probably Sa 31 Aug - Su 1 Sept 2024, tbc.
 * Love Felixstowe is a festival nominally over a week, but with most events on its opening weekend. The next is probably Sa 31 Aug - Su 1 Sept 2024, tbc.
 * Love Felixstowe is a festival nominally over a week, but with most events on its opening weekend. The next is probably Sa 31 Aug - Su 1 Sept 2024, tbc.
 * Love Felixstowe is a festival nominally over a week, but with most events on its opening weekend. The next is probably Sa 31 Aug - Su 1 Sept 2024, tbc.

Buy
The best thing that Felixstowe has to offer on the shopping front are two exceptional second-hand bookstores. The Treasure Chest and Poor Richard's are in the town centre. The former in particular is remarkably well-stocked and both are reasonably priced. The presence of two such shops in close proximity is justification for a visit to Felixstowe for any book affecionado.

Eat

There are a few restaurants of note, a few very good Fish & Chip shops, and a decent Indian and Chinese on the lower Hamilton Road.

 * Cafe Bencotto serves pizza and Med food at 128 Hamilton Rd near the station. It's open M-Sa 9AM-10PM, Su 10AM-5PM.
 * Winkles Cafe is next to the pier for Bawdsey ferry, open Tu-Su 9:30AM-3:30PM.
 * Cafe Bencotto serves pizza and Med food at 128 Hamilton Rd near the station. It's open M-Sa 9AM-10PM, Su 10AM-5PM.
 * Winkles Cafe is next to the pier for Bawdsey ferry, open Tu-Su 9:30AM-3:30PM.
 * Winkles Cafe is next to the pier for Bawdsey ferry, open Tu-Su 9:30AM-3:30PM.
 * Winkles Cafe is next to the pier for Bawdsey ferry, open Tu-Su 9:30AM-3:30PM.
 * Winkles Cafe is next to the pier for Bawdsey ferry, open Tu-Su 9:30AM-3:30PM.

Drink
The few pubs in Felixstowe offering a wide of atmosphere to suit all tastes. The young and trendy should try either the Grosvenor which is behind the main shop street on Ranleigh road, or The Alex on the sea front. The Cork has a balcony with views across the sea.

Sleep
Felixstowe being an English seaside resort, there is no shortage of overpriced, poor-quality B&B accommodation.
 * Premier Inn is at the junction of Undercliff Rd W and Garrison Lane.

Connect
Felixstowe and its approach highway have 4G from all UK carriers. As of Sept 2022, 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Ipswich, the Orwell and Deben estuaries are all easily visited from Felixstowe. The town makes a good base for all of Suffolk and North Essex.
 * Harwich
 * Orford

title: Felixstowe


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Felton

Felton is a town in Santa Cruz County.

Get in
From Highway 17, take the Mount Hermon Road exit (exit 3). Follow Mount Hermon Road until it ends at the stop light at Graham Hill Road. Turn Right to get to downtown.

Get around
Car, bicycle, motorcycle, walking, or public transit.

See

Do
Mountain Biking is always a lot of fun, and there is a lot of places to do it here.

 * - located in Felton

Sleep

Although there is a very limited number of hotels, there are many in nearby areas.

Go next

 * Santa Cruz - Located eight miles south of Felton, Santa Cruz is best known as a countercultural hub, with a fun bohemian feel and youthful vibe, and weekend tourist attractions like the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a historic mission, and the dubious Mystery Spot. The beaches north and south of Santa Cruz are considered some of the more pristine areas of natural beauty in central California, and while conditions generally make them impractical for swimming, several are considered an expert surfer's cold cold paradise.

title: Felton


text:
Feltre

Feltre lies in the southern reaches of the Belluno province, Italy. This hill city is located on the Stizzon River, about 4 km from its junction with the Piave, and 20 km southwest from Belluno. The Dolomites loom to the north of the town.

Feltre is one of the most picturesque walled towns of Veneto, combining Middle Ages buildings with Venetian-style frescoed façades palaces.

In addition to being the hub of city life, the central Piazza Maggiore is also the place where the main celebrations related to Feltre’s famous Palio take place.

Local produce, like walnuts, potatoes, beans and apples, together with traditional varieties of cheese and butter, are the key ingredients of Feltre’s cuisine... so, why not have a stop at a local restaurant or trattoria to complete your visit?

By train
Feltre railway station has direct connections with Venice, Belluno, Treviso and Padua: More info is available on Trenitalia’s website.
 * Venice is 1h45min ride away;
 * Belluno is 35min ride away;
 * Padua is 1h30min ride away;
 * Treviso is 55min ride away.

By plane
Two international airports are conveniently located nearby:
 * Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), 86 km, lot of destinations throughout Europe by train: bus to Venezia Mestre station, then train
 * Treviso (TSF), 57 km, low-cost airport with Ryanair and other carriers by train: bus to Treviso station, then train

By car
Feltre is just 30 km south-east of Belluno, which can easily be reached through the A27 Venice-Belluno highway (Belluno exit).

By bus
Dolomiti Bus directly connects Feltre to Belluno (55min) and Trento (1h20min).

title: Feltre


text:
Felucca cruise on the Nile

A felucca cruise is a great way to experience the life source of Egypt: the Nile.

Understand
A felucca (Arabic: فلوكة, Falūka) is a traditional wooden sailboat and relies on wind and river currents for propulsion. It can be a slow experience, but that's half the point. All meals will be taken on the boat, and you sleep on the boat when night temperatures can drop dramatically.

Prepare
The most convenient place to begin a felluca boat trip is Aswan. The felluca trip will be personally arranged with a boatman. They leave whenever they are available for your convenience. Contact the boatmen on the Corniche and make personal arrangements. It is best to have a sleeping bag with you to use to keep warm at night (this is especially important in the winter - it can be very cold at night) otherwise you can ask your boatman to help you purchase a blanket in a local market.

If you are a solo traveler, you can approach your hostel or a middleman on the corniche and ask to join a group. Be assertive that you will not ride with more than 8 people plus crew; anything more is going to be pretty tight for sleeping. Six or seven is preferable. The trip shouldn't cost much more than 60LE per night.

A possible better solution is to get three or four people together (ask around at your hostel) and approach the felucca captain directly. Make sure that you are dealing with the captain himself and not a middleman; many middlemen troll the corniche and act like captains. You will likely be able to negotiate a price that's better for everyone.

Ask to see the boat and decide for yourself whether or not you are comfortable with the boat and the captain. If you ask about the boatman from a hotel - they will take a commission, so it is cheaper to work directly with the boatmen.

The arrangements will include food, and transportation from Edfu to Luxor. The three day trip will include a tour of a Nubian Village, stops at Kom Ombo, and Edfu.

Get in
Bring a sleeping bag for sleeping on the boat, because it gets cold. Drinking water is a good idea, along with any other beverages or small snacks you may want. Sun screen is a good idea, as the sun on the water is intense even in winter.

Float
The traditional felucca ride sails for three day and two nights to Kom Ombo, then minibus service runs to Edfu and on to Luxor. A one day trip on the felluca is possible, but it will only be a round trip, and a short visit to a local village. If you have a group together, you could also try a two-night trip to Edfu, or even more.

Stay safe
Bring xerox copies of your passport to give your fellucaman, they need copies to get a license from the police for taking tourists down river.

Go next
Transportation to Aswan from Luxor includes train, and airplane. Convoys have been eliminated, so travel is easier. Getting from your felluca trip to Luxor will be provided by your boatman. Sometimes travel from the river to Edfu is on local buses, which is lots of fun.

title: Felucca cruise on the Nile


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Fenghuang

Fenghuang (凤凰; Fènghuáng) is a well-preserved ancient town in western Hunan Province, about a half hour south of Jishou. It is the birthplace of author Shen Congwen 沈从文 (1902-1988) and residence of artist Huang Yongyu 黄永玉 (1924 -).

Get in
The easiest way to reach Fenghuang is by high-speed train. Before the completion of the new railway line in 2021, most visitors arrived by car or bus from Jishou. An expressway opened in 2012, cutting travel time from Jishou from 70 minutes to about 30 minutes. Expect buses and roads to be crowded on weekends and holidays, however.

By plane
Fenghuang is served by Tongren Fenghuang Airport (TEN) in Tongren, with service from Guiyang, Guangzhou and Beijing as well as a few other cities in China. The airport is 34 km away from Fenghuang. To get there from Fenghuang, you can either take a taxi or head to Fenghuang North Bus Station and ask for a ticket to Tongren Airport (铜仁机场). It costs ¥20 (Dec 2016) and has the destination printed on it. There is no indication of the airport in the bus station so just board a Tongren-bound bus and show your ticket to the driver. You will most likely be dropped off at an intersection close to the airport from where it is a 10-minute walk to the terminal building. It is not known how it works the other way round but there seems to be a tourist shuttle bus during the day until 16:30.

Other nearby airports include Huaihua or Zhangjiajie and transfer to Fenghuang. However, neither airport offers direct buses. Flights are also frequently canceled during off season.

By bus
There are direct buses from numerous cities in China, but the four most common direct routes are from Changsha, Jishou, Huaihua, and Zhangjiajie. Fenghuang has several bus stations and it is not easy to travel between them.

Ticket sellers at bus and train stations in Hunan will tack on travel insurance along with the sale of your ticket, so be sure to tell them not to include this when you buy your ticket. Otherwise you will be paying an extra ¥1-3!

 * From Changsha (长沙): Eight buses leave a day from Changsha. Price: ¥120. Duration: 8 hours.
 * From Jishou (吉首): Buses leave approximately every 30 minutes from the north bus station (qiche beizhan 汽车北站), near the railway station (huochezhan 火车站), though during peak times they often leave more frequently. Buses arrive in Fenghuang's North Bus Station. Price: ¥20. Duration: 30–60 minutes.
 * From Huaihua (怀化): Buses leave hourly for Fenghuang's Western Bus Station. There are buses from Huaihua West (in the city) and Huaihua South (Train station for bullet trains). Price: ¥40 (June 2019). Duration: 1½ hours.
 * From Zhangjiajie (张家界): There are about 4 buses per day from Zhangjiajie City and one that leaves directly from Wulingyuan. Both terminate at the North Bus Station. Price: ¥65/¥75. Duration: 4½-5½ hours.
 * From Guìlín (桂林): There is one bus leaving the South Bus Station at 11:00. The bus arrives at the North Bus station. Price: ¥160. Duration: 6 hours.

Get around
Fenghuang Old Town is only part of the city of Fenghuang. Taxis can take you from the bus stations to the main entrance to the Old Town, which is best explored on foot. The Old Town is largely not wheelchair accessible.

See

Most of Fenghuang's sites can be visited with a "through ticket" (通票). There are three versions. The first includes the Yang Family Ancestral Hall, East Gate Tower, the upper gallery of the Hong Bridge, and a few other smaller attractions for ¥98. The second ticket includes the first ticket plus the Gucheng Museum and Wanshou temple, costs ¥148, and is valid for 2 days. The third ticket is a Fenghuang regional through ticket that, in addition to the previous two through tickets, includes the Southern Great Wall and Miao Village for ¥168 and is valid for 3 days.

Do
The Southern Great Wall (南方长城) is about 15 km west of the city (entrance coordinates: 27.9312N,109.4665E). While it is nearly completely restored it still makes for a strenuous hike with beautiful viewpoints of rice terraces and the surrounding countryside. Since 2003, the courtyard of the old fortress has featured a giant Go board used for the biennial Ancient City of the Phoenix Cup - an exhibition match between a top player from China and Korea, played using people in traditional black and white clothing as pieces.

Minivan drivers are everywhere and will be willing to take you here, but bargain with them first (price will depend on number of people, distance traveled, and time spent). Or, from the old town area take the westbound bus number 2 to the big bus station (second-to-last stop) and transfer to an unnumbered bus which will make a stop right next to the entrance.

Buy
Fenghuang is famous for ginger candy. Throughout the Old Town vendors make and sell bags of candy for around ¥2-4. The local Miao people are also renowned for their silverwork. The old town has several silver shops offering high quality items. Beware of cheaper materials sold in the many shops selling mass-produced trinkets to tourists.

Eat
At night the streets in Fenghuang's old town are full of street food vendors, serving grilled meats, dumplings, fried potatoes, flat breads and grilled vegetables.

There are many restaurants that specialize in Hot Pot.

Drink
The streets facing the river come alive at night with karaoke bars, adorned with neon lights and blasting out music until midnight. Beer typically costs ¥25 for a 330 ml bottle, or about ten times the price at local shops.

Sleep
Inns can be found in the Old Town along Bei Bian Jie, running between the Northern Wall and the river. Larger hotels catering to tour groups can be found in the city center and the roads leading to both bus stations.

Go next
Most buses leave for Jishou, Huaihua, Changsha, and Zhangjiajie. There are also one to two buses that go directly to Wulingyuan. See "Get In" section for prices and durations.

In addition, the following buses leave directly from Fenghuang: Wuhan (¥200), Guangzhou with continuation to Zhuhai and Shenzhen (¥260), Chongqing (¥165), Guilin, Nanning, and Kunming. Prices and departures are variable.

title: Fenghuang


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Fenghuangshan National Park

Fenghuangshan National Park (凤凰山国家公园) is in Liaoning province.

Understand
Also called Phoenix Mountain, site is covered with temples, pagodas and monasteries. There is also a cave system that can be explored.

Get in

 * Buses to the town of Fengcheng, just outside the park, from Dandong every few minutes throughout the day

Fees and permits
¥60 for entrance into the park, ¥10 for entrance into Phoenix Cave.

Get around
There are park buses that can take you to various elevations for about ¥10-15 each segment. In the mid-elevation, there are cable cars that can take you to the top of the mountain for about ¥50 one way.

See

 * Views from the top of the mountain.
 * Glass-bottom bridge along mountain ridges (¥3 extra).
 * Various temples interspersed throughout the park.
 * Phoenix Cave - colored light display on stalagtites.

Do

 * Visit Mountain Temple Fair in April.

Eat
There are stalls selling steamed corn and other food in the mid-elevation plaza, near the cable car station.

Stay safe
There are a footpaths, some of which are narrow and involve climbing iron ladders. A glove may help in grabbing the handles in cold weather. Watch your footing.

title: Fenghuangshan National Park


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Fenton

Fenton is a city in Central Michigan.

Eat
The French Laundry, 125 W Shiawassee Ave (corner of Shiawassee Ave and Adelaide St), Fenton MI, (810) 629-8852,.

title: Fenton


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Fenwick Island

Fenwick Island is a beach town in Sussex County, Delaware located north of Ocean City, Maryland, just over the Delaware border. The town is part of Delaware's beach resort area. Like Ocean City, it sits on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Assawoman Bays.

Understand
Fenwick Island (pronounced phonetically) is a beach town along the Atlantic Ocean in Sussex County in the southern part of the state of Delaware. The town is located on a barrier island and is home to several beach houses and hotels where visitors stay. Fenwick Island is located just north of Ocean City, Maryland and is a continuation of the development from that town. Fenwick Island, along with Bethany Beach and South Bethany to the north, is along a part of the Delaware coast known as "The Quiet Resorts" as it has a more laid-back atmosphere compared to Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach to the north and Ocean City to the south. Many visitors to Fenwick Island come from other parts of Delaware and the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. The peak time for tourists to come to Fenwick Island is between Memorial Day weekend in late May and Labor Day weekend in early September.

Climate
Fenwick Island has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. Summers are hot and humid, with highs averaging in the 80s and lows averaging in the 60s. Summer temperatures occasionally rise to the 90s or 100s. Winters are cool to cold, with highs averaging in the low to mid 40s and lows averaging in the upper 20s to low 30s. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing and sometimes below zero. Spring and fall can be variable, usually with milder weather. Fenwick Island averages 45.47 inches of precipitation a year, which is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The area does see snow in the winter months, but far less than inland locations. In the warmer months, the area does experience thunderstorms, some of which can be severe. Fenwick Island is prone to tropical storms and hurricanes from the Atlantic basin in the late summer and early fall, but typically only receives the remnants of such storms as they typically weaken by the time they reach this latitude.

By car
From northern Delaware, follow Delaware Route 1 south to Milford and take the exit to U.S. Route 113 south. Follow U.S. Route 113 south and turn left onto Delaware Route 54 east in Selbyville. Delaware Route 54 heads into Fenwick Island. While you may use Delaware Route 1 south all the way to Fenwick Island, there is a lot of traffic lights and congestion in the Rehoboth Beach area, and therefore using U.S. Route 113 bypasses a lot of the congestion.

From the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area, follow U.S. Route 50 east and turn left onto Maryland Route 404 east in Wye Mills. Continue along Maryland Route 404 east to the Delaware border, where the road becomes Delaware Route 404. Follow Delaware Route 404 east to Georgetown and turn right onto U.S. Route 113 south. Follow U.S. Route 113 south and turn left onto Delaware Route 54 east in Selbyville. Delaware Route 54 heads into Fenwick Island.

By plane
The closest airport with commercial air service to Fenwick Island is the Salisbury-Ocean City-Wicomico Regional Airport near Salisbury, Maryland about 35 miles to the southwest. This airport is served by American Eagle flights from American Airlines hubs in Charlotte and Philadelphia. Rental car service is available at this airport. Visitors may also fly into Baltimore-Washington International Airport near Baltimore or Philadelphia International Airport  in Philadelphia, which are served by a wider selection of airlines. From here, you can rent a car and drive to Fenwick Island.

By train
The closest train station to Fenwick Island is Wilmington Station in Wilmington about 110 miles to the north. Wilmington Station is served by Amtrak trains operating on the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C. and Boston along with some long-distance trains, and SEPTA Regional Rail commuter trains running along the Wilmington/Newark Line from Center City Philadelphia. Rental car services are available at the station. From Wilmington Station, rent a car or take DART First State buses to Fenwick Island.

Get around
Between May 15 and September 15 from 9AM to 4PM, parking permits are required on all streets in Fenwick Island. Parking permits may be purchased from the Public Safety Building and are not sold in advance or by mail. Visitors may purchase a yellow parking permit which enables them to park on side streets. When parking, the permit should be hung on the rear-view mirror. Permits cost $2.50 for an hourly permit (minimum of 2 hours), $20 for a daily permit, $120 for a weekly permit, and $400 for a seasonal permit for the whole summer. It costs $200 to replace a lost permit. Parking at beach ends east of Bunting Avenue is only available for holders of blue parking permits, which are only sold to people who own property in Fenwick Island; violators will be ticketed.

Sleep

The following realtors offer vacation rentals in Fenwick Island:

Go next

 * Ocean City - Beach town immediately south of Fenwick Island that has 10 miles of beaches, a 3-mile long boardwalk, arcades, amusements, shopping, dining, and nightlife
 * Bethany Beach - Beach town to the north with a small boardwalk and downtown area, also near Delaware Seashore State Park
 * Rehoboth Beach - Beach town to the north with a 1-mile long boardwalk, restaurants, shops, and outlet stores

title: Fenwick Island


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Feodosiya

Feodosiya (Russian: Феодосия) is a beautiful, quaint little resort town on the Black Sea coast in Crimea.

As a highly prized getaway spot for Russian-speaking vacationers, Feodosiya's population swells in the late spring, summer, and early fall months.

Feodosiya is 100 km to the east of Simferopol. From the outskirts it looks like an urban industrial disaster but once past the factories it has a very nice old town. Very similar to Odesa in architecture but on a smaller scale.

Understand
The city was founded as Theodosia (Θεοδοσία) by Greek colonists from Miletos in the 6th century BC, destroyed by the Huns in the 4th century AD, refounded and remained a minor village for much of the next nine hundred years. It was at times part of the sphere of influence of the Khazars (excavations have revealed Khazar artifacts dating back to the 9th century) and of the Byzantine Empire. Like the rest of Crimea, this village fell under the domination of the Kipchaks, after which was conquered by the Mongols in the 1230s.

In the late 13th century, traders from the Republic of Genoa arrived and purchased the city from the ruling Golden Horde. They established a flourishing trading settlement called Caffa (or Kaffa), which virtually monopolized trade in the Black Sea region and served as a major port and administrative center for the Genoese settlements around the Sea. It came to house one of Europe's biggest slave markets. Between 1204–1261 and again in 1296–1307, the city of Caffa was ruled by the Republic of Venice.

It is believed that the devastating pandemic remembered under the name of Black Death entered Europe for the first time via Caffa in 1347, through the movements of the Golden Horde. After a protracted siege during which the Mongol army was reportedly withering from the disease, they catapulted the infected corpses over the city walls, infecting the inhabitants, in one of the first cases of biological warfare. Fleeing inhabitants may have carried the disease back to Italy, causing its spread across Europe.

In 1615, when Caffa was part of the Ottoman Empire, the Zaporozhian Cossacks destroyed the Turkish fleet and captured the city. However, Ottoman control only ceased when the expanding Russian Empire conquered the whole Crimea in 1783. It was renamed Feodosiya (Феодосия), a Russian version of the ancient Greek name.

The city was occupied by the forces of Nazi Germany during World War II, sustaining significant damage in the process.

Get in
There are many buses that leave from the train station in Simferopol going to Feodosiya, almost every hour. You can also take the train.

Get around
It's not that big of a city, so mostly you can walk or take the city buses.

See

 * There is an old Genoan fortress in the city.
 * Stamboli's palace is the former palace of a very wealthy tobacco merchant.
 * The Armenian church is worth seeing.
 * Most of the old town, much like the city of Odesa is filled with what used to be very large wealthy houses that have fallen into a state of total decay. You may enjoy a long walk through the city just observing the stray cats, the broad streets over grown with trees and vines or the abandoned houses.
 * In the hills on the east side of the city there is an abandoned Jewish cemetery which, though difficult to find is very interesting to see. On the way up to the cemetery you'll pass through some very poor (but safe and beautiful) neighborhoods.  As you near the cemetery you'll notice that some of the houses have included the former headstones from the cemetery as decorations.
 * The city center has some great communist statues.

Go next
Also worth a visit is the nearby seaside enclave of Koktebel.

title: Feodosiya


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Ferapontovo

Ferapontovo is a city in Vologda Oblast.

Get in
Ferapontovo is situated on R-5 highway about 115km to north-west from Vologda - it's the easiest way to get there by car or by hitchhike. You can also go there from Cherepovets via Kirillov. Note, that buses from Vologda to Kirillov (several a day) turn from R-5 to Kirillov about 4km before Ferapontovo, so you'll need to not miss the turn (better ask driver beforehand), and then either hitchhike or walk, as buses further are very seldom. There's nothing at the turn to Kirillov except forest and a bus stop (possibly not even mobile carrier), nearest shops and other facilities are in Ferapontovo.

To reach Ferapontovo directly you'll need buses, going to Lipin Bor and further - to Vytegra and even further to Petrozavodsk from Vologda or Cherepovets (buses from Cherepovets can be catched on in Kirillov or aforementioned turn). The only daily buses of those are Vologda-Vytegra in the morning and Cherepovets-Lipin Bor in the evening, also there's evening bus Vologda-Lipin Bor with different schedule on Sunday, others are going only on selected days of week (including 2 buses Kirillov-Ferapontovo only on Tuesdays and Thursdays). Better check timetable beforehand and note that further from their starting point buses can be not only late, but ahead of schedule as well, as well as get canceled, so it's better to check that the bus is on via a call to departing bus station.

For hitchhiking from Vologda you may want to reach first Molochnoe via a suburb bus (goes rather often from central postoffice).

title: Ferapontovo


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Ferdinand

Ferdinand is a small town in Southwestern Indiana.

Understand
Ferdinand (pop. 2,300) is primarily a farming community, with a number of furniture factories.

Founded in 1839 by Father Joseph Kundek, a Croatian priest who was instrumental in the creation of several German Catholic communities in this area of southern Indiana, Ferdinand was named after the Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria.

By car
Interstate 64 passes just to the south of Ferdinand, IN. Use exit 63, then go north on Indiana highway 162 to enter the Ferdinand town limits.

Get around
Indiana highway 162, also called Main Street, is the main road through Ferdinand.

Eat

 * National fast food chains Subway and Wendy's are represented locally.
 * National fast food chains Subway and Wendy's are represented locally.
 * National fast food chains Subway and Wendy's are represented locally.

Connect
Many areas, particularly near the convent, may not have cell phone reception.

Go next

 * Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial - Learn more about the 14 years Abraham Lincoln spent living in Indiana, from the age 7 to 21, during the years of 1816 to 1830.
 * Santa Claus, a small village with a Christmas theme, is on Route 162 near the Lincoln State Park.

title: Ferdinand


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Ferghana

Ferghana is a city of 300,000 people (2022) in the Ferghana Valley in Uzbekistan.

A pass from Kashgar (now in China's westernmost province, Xinjiang) to Ferghana was an important link on the main course of the historic Silk Road. From Ferghana, westbound caravans would proceed along the Ferghana valley to Kokand (where they might branch off toward Tashkent) and Khujand, then continue toward Samarkand.

By plane
Uzbekistan Airways operates flights from:
 * Kazan on Friday,
 * Moscow Domodedovo International Airport on Friday,
 * St. Petersburg on Sunday,
 * Tashkent on Tu Th F Su (flying time: 1 hr) (Summer Timetable 2010).

By train
Ferghana is served by the Margilan (Маргилан) railway station. Ferghana-1 and Ferghana-2 are for goods/freight trains only. Trains depart Tashkent for Margilan multiple times a day with a one way ticket costing approximately 55,000 som.

By car
It's 360 km from Tashkent through Kamchik mountain pass with the drive taking around 5 hours. Taxis run from Kuyluk bazaar and Severniy (nord) train station in Tashkent. A seat in a shared taxi should cost no more than 50,000 som per seat (2017). If two people are travelling it might be worth buying the whole backseat of the car, ensuring plenty of space for the long drive. Ensure that your registration cards are in order when travelling to this area as there is a checkpoint at which all foreigners must present their passports and documentation. Police at this checkpoint may be very thorough with the checking of registration cards (October 2017).

By train
Trains to Tashkent take approximately 5 hours and leave several times a day. A single ticket in 2nd class costs 55,000 som (2017). Tickets can be bought at the train station or at the train ticket office at 9 Dodhoh Street.

title: Ferghana


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Ferghana Valley (Kyrgyzstan)

The Ferghana Valley stretches into several countries. This article covers the part in the southwest of Kyrgyzstan.

Cities

 * – Kyrgyzstan's second largest city, a fascinating, 3,000 years old, wildly diverse, Ferghana Valley market town home to Central Asia's biggest and busiest outdoor market.
 * – An Islamic village popular with local pilgrims and famous for its picturesque walnut tree forest.
 * – The administrative capital of the Batken Region.
 * – A region southwest of Osh containing the Lenina peak, the highest mountain in Kyrgyzstan.
 * – A good bet for visiting a Ferghana Valley town, as it is significantly safer and easier to get to than Osh or destinations further southwest.
 * – Half-way between Bishkek and Osh with a beautiful reservoir, picturesque surroundings and horseback riding.
 * – Half-way between Bishkek and Osh with a beautiful reservoir, picturesque surroundings and horseback riding.
 * – Half-way between Bishkek and Osh with a beautiful reservoir, picturesque surroundings and horseback riding.
 * – Half-way between Bishkek and Osh with a beautiful reservoir, picturesque surroundings and horseback riding.
 * – Half-way between Bishkek and Osh with a beautiful reservoir, picturesque surroundings and horseback riding.

Understand
The Ferghana Valley sits on one of the two main branches of the historic Silk Route (the other traverses the Pamirs and the Tajik-Afghan border). Major important cities along the route such as Khujand (Tajikistan), Kokand (Uzbekistan), and Osh (Kyrgyzstan) popped up at strategic points to tax and control this vital trade route.

The earliest peoples in the valley in recorded history were Persian-speaking peoples and other, related Indo-Iranians like the Scythians (Saka). The fortress-city of Cyropolis was one of the Achaemenid Empire's regional capitals, and it was because of this that Alexander the Great conquered the valley's mouth in the 4th century BCE, founding the city of Alexandria Eschate. Also during the Achaemenid period, rebellious Greeks from the problematic Ionian provinces were resettled. In the aftermath of Alexander's empire, a Greco-Bactrian kingdom ruled up to the Syr Darya (the historic Jaxartes).

After the Greco-Bactrian kingdoms fell, the valley alternated between being part of more "formal" Persian empires and retaining relative autonomy as a collection of Sogdian city states. In the 13th century the valley was conquered by the rapidly-expanding Mongols under Chinggis Khan, and Turkic peoples (specifically Uzbeks and Kyrgyz) began migrating into the region and settling. Tamerlane (Timur) ruled over the valley as part of his greater Timurid state in the 14th century, but with his death the valley fragmented into local khanates. Babur, the founder of South Asia's Mughal dynasty, was the son of the ruler of Andijan (now Uzbekistan), and he swept through the region on his way south.

From 1709-1876, most of the valley was included in the Khanate of Kokand, before its annexation by the Russian Empire. In 1916, the Basmachi Revolt started in Kokand before quickly spreading throughout Russian Turkestan (now all of Central Asia) - originally an anti-Tsarist colonial uprising, it quickly became anti-Soviet, before its brutal suppression in 1934. As "punishment" for the revolt, the valley was divided into three (originally two) separate Soviet Socialist Republics (SSRs), which worked fine until they all became independent nations in the 1990s. Today, the valley is as ethnically diverse as ever, but hard borders create major headaches for both residents and travelers. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan even went to war in 2021 over a border dispute in the valley.

The Kyrgyz part of the valley is at the eastern and southeast extreme of the valley, and spreads into the following 4 administrative districts: Osh and the surrounding, the in the west, as well as the far in the southwest of Kyrgyzstan.

Get in
Osh Airport has international flights and a domestic connection with Bishkek.

Get around
To get to Chon-Alai take a marshrutka or shared taxi from Osh. But hitch-hiking might be the more economical and faster option.

Eat, drink and sleep
Please see the relevant city articles for details.

title: Ferghana Valley (Kyrgyzstan)


text:
Ferghana Valley (Tajikistan)

The Tajik portion of the Ferghana Valley is in the extreme north of the country. The whole valley, both this part and the parts in other countries, is on the main route of the old Silk Road route between Kashgar and Samarkand. Tajikistan has the westernmost part, nearest Samarkand.

Cities

 * — one of the most prosperous and beautiful cities of the region, in the basin of the colorful mountain ranges of Turkestan
 * — one of central Asia's oldest towns of commerce and crafts, dating back to 500 BCE
 * — a hub for tourists heading to the Zeravshan valley, Dushanbe or Uzbekistan, with a variety of sights in the city
 * — the third largest city in the region

Other destinations

 * (Обанбори Қайроққум, also called "the Tajik Sea") is an artificial lake 15 km east of Khujand. It is 56 km long, 15 km wide, and 25 m deep.

Understand
The Ferghana Valley sits on one of the two main branches of the historic Silk Route (the other traverses the Pamirs and the Tajik-Afghan border). Major important cities along the route such as Khujand (Tajikistan), Kokand (Uzbekistan), and Osh (Kyrgyzstan) popped up at strategic points to tax and control this vital trade route.

The earliest peoples in the valley in recorded history were Persian-speaking peoples and other, related Indo-Iranians like the Scythians (Saka). The fortress-city of Cyropolis was one of the Achaemenid Empire's regional capitals, and it was because of this that Alexander the Great conquered the valley's mouth in the 4th century BCE, founding the city of Alexandria Eschate. Also during the Achaemenid period, rebellious Greeks from the problematic Ionian provinces were resettled. In the aftermath of Alexander's empire, a Greco-Bactrian kingdom ruled up to the Syr Darya (the historic Jaxartes).

After the Greco-Bactrian kingdoms fell, the valley alternated between being part of more "formal" Persian empires and retaining relative autonomy as a collection of Sogdian city states. In the 13th century the valley was conquered by the rapidly-expanding Mongols under Chinggis Khan, and Turkic peoples (specifically Uzbeks and Kyrgyz) began migrating into the region and settling. Tamerlane (Timur) ruled over the valley as part of his greater Timurid state in the 14th century, but with his death the valley fragmented into local khanates. Babur, the founder of South Asia's Mughal dynasty, was the son of the ruler of Andijan (now Uzbekistan), and he swept through the region on his way south.

From 1709-1876, most of the valley was included in the Khanate of Kokand, before its annexation by the Russian Empire. In 1916, the Basmachi Revolt started in Kokand before quickly spreading throughout Russian Turkestan (now all of Central Asia) - originally an anti-Tsarist colonial uprising, it quickly became anti-Soviet, before its brutal suppression in 1934. As "punishment" for the revolt, the valley was divided into three (originally two) separate Soviet Socialist Republics (SSRs), which worked fine until they all became independent nations in the 1990s. Today, the valley is as ethnically diverse as ever, but hard borders create major headaches for both residents and travelers. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan even went to war in 2021 over a border dispute in the valley.

By plane
Khujand has the only real passenger airport in the Tajik portion of the valley, and it has daily flights to and from Dushanbe, as well as some sites in Russia. There are also periodic flights to Ürümqi, Jeddah, and Istanbul.

The closest airports that see service beyond Central Asia and Xinjiang are Tashkent and Ferghana, both in Uzbekistan. You would then need to take a car to the Tajik border and cross that way.

By car
There are 3 Tajik-Uzbek border posts open to foreigners that are in the Ferghana Valley. The most heavily trafficked one is the Oybek post connecting Tashkent with Khujand. There is also one at Bekobod connecting Jizzakh and Khujand, and one at Patar connecting Konibodom with Kokand. The Tajik-Kyrgyz border has been closed since 2021, but when it is open the border crossing is at Isfara.

Get around
It is pretty easy to get around the Tajik portion of the valley. Marshrutkas go to every major village from Khujand, and shared taxis will gladly take you anywhere if the price is right. Your best bet to pick either up is to go to one of the stations in Khujand (Avtovokzal, Avtostantsiya, or Abreshim), or call a taxi company.

Maxim Taxi is a local (Khujand and surroundings) taxi company that has its own app à la Uber or Yandex that you can use to get between Khujand and most of the surrounding villages.

See
20 km south of Isfara, in the village of Chorku, the Hazrati Shoh Mausoleum is carved from wood, partly dating back to the 8th century, a structure that is unique in Central Asia.

The Mug-Teppa settlement in Istaravshan is a unique monument of the Achaemenid period with a peculiar architectural and material culture from the 12th-4th centuries BCE.

The Kayrakkum Reservoir has been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports various bird species, either as residents, or as overwintering, breeding or passage migrants. These include mallards, pygmy cormorants, saker falcons, cinereous vultures, great bustards, houbara bustards, common cranes, pale-backed pigeons, pallid scops-owls, Egyptian nightjars, European rollers, white-winged woodpeckers, great tits, desert larks, streaked scrub-warblers, Sykes's warblers, Asian desert warblers, saxaul sparrows and desert finches.

Stay safe
The Ferghana valley is an incredibly safe part of Tajikistan in terms of crime. The greater dangers come from the weather and from border disputes.

The fighting between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan has died down, but the border is still in dispute. Part of the road between Khujand and Isfara/Konibodom is the disputed border (especially the area south of Khistevarz). The road is perfectly safe itself (aside from major potholes), but refrain from stopping on the road for any reason other than a true emergency.

The Tajik portion of the valley is mostly high desert. It can quickly get very dusty if the winds pick up, and it is usually very sunny. Take precautions to avoid heat- and sunstroke; drink plenty of water and know your limits. In the winter some of the cities can become rather smoggy, as many people still burn coal for fuel and heating.

title: Ferghana Valley (Tajikistan)


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Ferghana Valley (Uzbekistan)

The Uzbek part of the Ferghana Valley is in the center of the valley, and in the extreme southeast of Uzbekistan. The whole valley, both this part and the parts in other countries, is on the main route of the old Silk Road route between Kashgar and Samarkand.

Cities

 * — the birthplace of Babur, founder of the Mughal Dynasty.
 * — a stronghold of Wahhabism
 * — a stronghold of Wahhabism
 * — a stronghold of Wahhabism
 * — a stronghold of Wahhabism

Other destinations

 * – a hill resort and exclave in a valley in the Pamiro-Alai mountains surrounded by Kyrgyzstan

Understand
The Ferghana Valley sits on one of the two main branches of the historic Silk Route (the other traverses the Pamirs and the Tajik-Afghan border). Major important cities along the route such as Khujand (Tajikistan), Kokand (Uzbekistan), and Osh (Kyrgyzstan) popped up at strategic points to tax and control this vital trade route.

The earliest peoples in the valley in recorded history were Persian-speaking peoples and other, related Indo-Iranians like the Scythians (Saka). The fortress-city of Cyropolis was one of the Achaemenid Empire's regional capitals, and it was because of this that Alexander the Great conquered the valley's mouth in the 4th century BCE, founding the city of Alexandria Eschate. Also during the Achaemenid period, rebellious Greeks from the problematic Ionian provinces were resettled. In the aftermath of Alexander's empire, a Greco-Bactrian kingdom ruled up to the Syr Darya (the historic Jaxartes).

After the Greco-Bactrian kingdoms fell, the valley alternated between being part of more "formal" Persian empires and retaining relative autonomy as a collection of Sogdian city states. In the 13th century the valley was conquered by the rapidly-expanding Mongols under Chinggis Khan, and Turkic peoples (specifically Uzbeks and Kyrgyz) began migrating into the region and settling. Tamerlane (Timur) ruled over the valley as part of his greater Timurid state in the 14th century, but with his death the valley fragmented into local khanates. Babur, the founder of South Asia's Mughal dynasty, was the son of the ruler of Andijan (now Uzbekistan), and he swept through the region on his way south.

From 1709-1876, most of the valley was included in the Khanate of Kokand, before its annexation by the Russian Empire. In 1916, the Basmachi Revolt started in Kokand before quickly spreading throughout Russian Turkestan (now all of Central Asia) - originally an anti-Tsarist colonial uprising, it quickly became anti-Soviet, before its brutal suppression in 1934. As "punishment" for the revolt, the valley was divided into three (originally two) separate Soviet Socialist Republics (SSRs), which worked fine until they all became independent nations in the 1990s. Today, the valley is as ethnically diverse as ever, but hard borders create major headaches for both residents and travelers. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan even went to war in 2021 over a border dispute in the valley.

Talk
In Ferghana most people speak Uzbek, but Russian and other languages of the region such as Tajik are also heard.

By plane

 * Andizhan Airport . Uzbekistan Airways operates flights from Krasnoyarsk, Moscow Domodedovo International Airport, Novosibirsk, Tashkent.
 * Namangan Airport.

By road
There is only one way to the Ferghana Valley and it is heavily guarded. You can get to Ferghana with taxi from Tashkent. You can find taxies going there near bazaars. The price is around 30,000 sums. Crossing the border of Ferghana there is a checkpoint where they check passports. Foreigners usually are registered, but there should be no problem.

Note: when going through tunnels there and in area around you cannot photograph or use a mobile phone. The police will stop you and you might have some problems.

Get around
Taxies from certain points of cities go to all other cities. There are also microbuses.

Respect
Ferghana is a strongly Islamic region, so dressing should be modest.

Go next
Ferghana is a "corner" of Uzbekistan. You can either go back or go to other country - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan or China - all are not far.

title: Ferghana Valley (Uzbekistan)


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Fergus

Fergus is a town of about 23,200 people (2021) in Wellington County, about 25 km north of Guelph.

Understand
Fergus sits on the Grand River. It is near many natural settings such as the Elora Gorge and Conservation Area, and Belwood Lake. Fergus is a mostly residential community filled with streets lined with trees, many stone buildings, modern schools, and attractive parklands. It is laid out on a rectangular grid, with the Grand River flowing through the downtown heritage centre, its limestone riverbanks surrounding it.

History
The first non-Indigenous settlers to this area were freed slaves who formed what was known as the Pierpoint Settlement, named after their leader, Richard Pierpoint, a United Empire Loyalist who had been taken from Bondou in what is now Senegal. Along with a half dozen other men who had also fought with the British during the American Revolutionary War, Pierpoint was granted land in Garafraxa Township somewhere around what is now Scotland Street in Fergus.

Another settlement was founded nearby in 1833 and was first called Little Falls because of the scenic (water) falls, now between the Public Library and the Fergus Market. The primary developers were Adam Fergusson and James Webster who had bought 28 km² (7000 acres) of land. After 1938, Scottish settlers purchased the land in what was previously Pierpoint Settlement. Because Fergusson, Webster and some other Scottish emigrants owned the land, only Scots could purchase village lots. However, in order to accommodate Irish settlers, Webster founded the town of Arthur (just north of Fergus) in 1840. By 1846 the settlement had 21 businesses. The population was 184 mostly of Scots. The community had a church and a post office and several tradesmen. James Wilson arrived in 1855 and opened an oatmeal mill, then a flour mill, then a saw mill and then a woolen mill and a factory, Monkland Mills, that supplied oatmeal for export. They and other Scots living in the settlement established a booming economy using the waterfalls on the Grand River to power local industry. They built solid stone houses, factories and other buildings which still characterize Fergus. Many of the buildings from the 1800s are still in use today. In addition to Scots, the other settlers in this area were Irish or freed slaves from the U.S.

In 1858, the settlement, with a population of 1,000, was incorporated as a village called Fergus in honour one of its founders, Adam Fergusson.

Get in

 * By bus: GOST travels to Guelph, or north to Owen Sound.
 * By car: From Guelph, Hwy 6 north to Fergus; from Hwy 6 north, Wellington Rd 7 to Elora; alternatively, Wellington Rd 18 Fergus-Elora.
 * By taxi: $45-55 from Fergus (July 2018).

Go next
The village of Elora is just west of Fergus.

title: Fergus


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Fergus Falls

Fergus Falls is in Northwestern Minnesota.

title: Fergus Falls


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Fermo

Fermo is a pleasant and picturesque town in Italy, located in the Marche region along the Adriatic coastline.

Understand
The town of Fermo rests atop the summit of a hill, overlooking the Tenna River and providing a breathtaking view of the countryside. The antiquity of the town is perhaps its most striking feature; remains of cyclopean walls, ancient architectural sites, and an intricate system of thirty well-preserved Roman cisterns all contribute to the historical richness of Fermo.

Its rich ancient heritage, beautiful architecture and landscape, and exciting social lifestyle make Fermo a very attractive tourist destination, especially for those tourists who prefer to travel “off the beaten path.”

Get in
For domestic travelers or for those who live within driving distance, it is easiest and most cost effective to reach Fermo by car. International travelers have a variety of options while traveling to Fermo. Many travelers to Fermo will find that they require multiple mode of transportation to reach their destination. Most commonly, air travel is used in combination with travel by car (rental), bus, or railway.

By plane
Although Fermo does not have its own airport, there are two airports in Italy that are reasonably close by. The more accessible of the two for international travelers is located Rome; it is the Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, or in Italian, Aeroporto Leonardo da Vinci di Fiumicino. The other airport, located in Ancona, is much closer to Fermo but it is very small and not a direct option for those traveling from outside of Europe. It is possible, however, to arrive at the Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome, and then board a connecting flight to Ancona Airport].

Regardless of which airport one arrives at, additional travel is necessary to reach Fermo. The most popular options are rental car and train.

By car
This is an attractive option for those who do not wish to adhere to a strict time schedule, as is sometimes necessary with travel by train or bus. A rental car, while expensive, is often the quickest way to arrive in Fermo. A rental car can be acquired from a number of companies that operate through either airport, with prices starting at around $45 or €50 per day. From Rome, Fermo is approximately a 2.5 hour drive. Driving from Ancona takes around one hour. It is important to note that tolls do exist en route to Fermo from both locations, which must be paid using cash.

By train
It is possible to travel by rail from Rome to Fermo, but a change in train is necessary. Most commonly, rail travelers will take the train from Rome to Ancona, and then from Ancona to Porto San Giorgio, which is a short bus ride away from Fermo. The journey by train from Rome to Fermo can be much more time consuming than other options, with an average duration of approximately 4.5 to 5.5 hours. However, train travel is very affordable compared to renting a car for the duration of your stay.

Get around
Tourists have a variety of options for getting around in Fermo.

By foot
For short distances, walking is the best way to get from place to place in Fermo. Tourists will find that the town of Fermo is a very walk-able destination. Walking around also allows tourists in Fermo to really get to experience the beautiful town and its friendly, hospitable inhabitants. Since the walled town is on a steep hill, three public lifts are available (for free) to help reach the top of the town. If a distance is too lengthy to walk, consider biking, using the town bus service, or renting a car.

By bike
For short to medium distances, biking is a great way to get around in Fermo. It is also a popular mode of transport used by the locals. If it is not possible to bring a bike with you to Fermo, there are several bike rental services available in the town. Oftentimes hotels in the area will provide this service for their guests. Most of these services allow for hourly or daily use, and they are fairy inexpensive.

By bus
Bus services are available for going lengthier distances in Fermo. Bus travel in Fermo is fairly sraightforward, inexpensive and quick. Buses are also a great way to get to and from towns close by to Fermo. Tousists should definitely take advantage bus services when they wish to explore the surrounding areas. It is important to note that most buses do not run on Sundays in the area.

By car
Several car rental companies are located within the town of Fermo. These companies are fairly small and only have a limited number of cars available to rent on a daily basis, so if possible try to book your rental well in advance. Some hotels in the area offer a car rental service for their guests. One should also note that driving in Italy is often difficult, espcially for foreigners, due to unfamiliar traffic patterns and notoriously speedy Italian drivers.

See
There are many interesting things to see in the town of Fermo. First and foremost, a tourist in Fermo should simply take in all of the beautiful scenery that the town has to offer. From countryside to coastline, Fermo’s breathtaking landscape is sure to captivate any tourist. There are also several historical sites that are worthwhile to visit. Below are a few of the most popular places for tourists to visit.

 * Duomo di Fermo – This magnificent 13th century cathedral, which rises in the most elevated part of the town, is a fine example of asymmetrical Romanesque-Gothic architecture. It boasts a richly decorated interior and a beautiful rose window over the main entrance. One can enjoy breathtaking views of the countryside from well-maintained gardens that surround the cathedral.
 * Piazza del Popolo – This large main square is the heart of Fermo. It is surrounded by colonnaded municipality buildings and 16th century palazzi, including the Palazzo Communale which houses the towns art collection. Atop of the Palazzo Communale sits a noteworthy statue of Pope_Sixtus_V Pope Sixtus V. The Piazza Popolo is the social center of the town and it is host to the town’s many annual festivals.
 * Lido di Fermo or “beach of Fermo”– This beautiful stretch of Adriatic coastline is a definite must see while in Fermo. With its warm waves and wide, sandy beaches it is the perfect relaxation spot. Lido di Fermo can be reached by a 15-minute bus ride from the town center. There are also other beaches close by to Fermo that are worthwhile to visit. The beach of Porto San Giorgio, for example, is particularly nice to visit. This beach has earned a prestigious blue-flag beach designation, which means that it meets high standards of aesthetic beauty and cleanliness.

Do
There are an endless number of activities to keep tourists occupied in Fermo.

 * Visit the beaches – Do take the time to experience Fermo’s beaches. Lido di Fermo is a great place for tourists who like to relax, sunbathe, or play sports.
 * Interact with locals – Do go out of your way to get to know the locals. The people of Fermo are known for their friendly and welcoming demeanor.  Almost all people in the area speak Italian in their everyday interactions, but many do know how to speak English as well, especially younger people.  Even if you do not speak Italian, making an effort to communicate with those who live in Fermo will prove to be a worthwhile experience.
 * Visit the market – Do visit the open air market that takes place every Saturday. It is located in the main square of town, the Piazza del Popolo.  Very fresh local produce and high quality food products are available for purchase at the market.  It is also a great place for socialization.
 * Attend festivals – Do attend any of the annual festivals that Fermo hosts that take place during your stay. They honor a variety of aspects of Fermo’s unique culture, from regional food and wine to music.  These enjoyable events take place in the main Piazza of the town.  They are perhaps the best way to truly experience the rich, refined culture of Fermo and mingle with friendly locals.
 * Visit a chalet ��� Do visit one or more of the chalets located on the beach in Fermo. A chalet is comparable to a “beach club” in the United States, but in Italy the concept is much broader.  Fermo is home to several of these popular beachside hang out spots.  Each chalet varies in the services they offer, but most provide fresh food, refreshments, alcoholic beverages, and entertainment.  Most chalets also provide beach necessities like umbrellas and beach chairs.  Visiting a chalet will definitely enhance your beach going experience in Fermo.

Eat
In Italy, each region and even specific towns within the larger regions have unique culinary offerings, in which they take great pride. Fermo is no exception. Being on the coastline, “la cucina tipica” of Fermo often contains various types of seafood, such as calamari, mussels, and crab. Fermo is also known for its delicious lasagna, which comes in a variety of styles depending on available ingredients and family traditions. Perhaps the true culinary masters of Fermo are found in households, rather than in restaurants. Do not be discouraged from eating out, however. Restaurants still offer delicious food that is representative of the distinct local cuisine. It is important to note that language differences may be an issue when communicating at restaurants in Fermo. Most of the larger, well-established restaurants will have English-speaking staff members to help tourists out, but some of the smaller local eateries may not. Language barriers should not discourage you when choosing a place to eat. Anywhere you go, you will find that the staff is hospitable and eager to help you. Restaurants in Fermo may be slightly different from what most tourists are accustomed to, in that the menus normally have very few options. Because the food is so fresh and all locally grown and produced, its availability may change from day to day. Therefore, instead of extensive menu choices, a server will inform you of the daily specialties that have been created by the chef according to what is available on the given day. It is recommended to order from these specially crafted dishes. Below are a few of the restaurant options in Fermo.

 * Locanda del Palio – This lovely restaurant located close to the main square, Piazza del Popolo, features traditional “Marchigiana” cuisine. The menu is in Italian, but English speaking staff members are available to assist you in ordering.  This restaurant receives great reviews from foreigners and locals alike.  People also note that the décor of this restaurant is wonderfully unique and authentic to Fermo.
 * Ristorante Emilio - This beautiful restaurant is located close to the so-called "Piazzetta", AKA Largo Fogliani, a lovely small square on the western side of the city center. It features the typical Fermo cuisine, with reasonable prices and a good service. Mostly famous for its tripe and the great "King's Ravioli", a stuffed pasta appreciated by nerds worldwide.
 * Osteria Il Galeone – This upscale restaurant is located in Torre di Palme, which is a small town very close by to Fermo. It offers many homemade meat and fish dishes that incorporate high quality local ingredients.  The restaurant and its chef have received numerous recognitions and awards.  Another attractive feature of this restaurant is the terrace, where one can sit and enjoy a meal with a breathtaking view of the Adriatic Sea.
 * Gelateria Yogurteria Pelacani – If you have just enjoyed a meal or you are in the mood for a sweet snack, try the delicious gelato or yogurt at this beachside “gelateria.” Gelato is an Italian specialty that is similar to similar to ice cream.  This particular “gelateria” is very popular among the locals of Fermo.

Sleep
There are a few options for overnight accommodations while in Fermo. Most tourists will choose to stay in a hotel. There are many hotels in Fermo to choose from, ranging from fairly cheap to very pricey. Keep in mind that hotel rooms in Italy, on the whole, are much smaller than the rooms to which most tourists from the United States are accustomed. Rooms can be easily booked over the internet.

An increasingly popular option for tourists is a stay at a local farm. Agritourism, is a rapidly growing type of tourism in la Marche region of Italy, and more specifically Fermo has several options available for travelers who do not wish to stay in a traditional hotel. Local farmers offer rooms, meals, apartments and villas to tourists who seek out an authentic travel experience. This option is a good value, as well, but prices are known to rise during peak tourist seasons. Many of the restored farm houses have pools.

For more adventurous tourists, camp sites are frequent along the coastline in Fermo and the surrounding areas. These sites are usually very well maintained. Many of them have small shops and places for other outdoor recreation activities.

title: Fermo


text:
Fermo (province)

Fermo Province is in Marche Region in Italy.

Cities

 * — a Roman colony from 264 BC, it preserves the cisterns dating back to 90 AD
 * — a charming and beautiful town whose historic centre displays different architectural styles
 * — known as Portus Firmi in the Roman period, it is today a tourist centre.

Other destinations

 * — formed inland by the Tenna river, the gorges fall into the National Park of the Sibillini Mountains and can be reached from the nearby centre of Montefortino. The evocative landscapes are marked by small waterfalls

title: Fermo (province)


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Fernandina

Fernandina Island, also known in Spanish as Isla Fernandina and less commonly by its English name of Narborough Island, is one of Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. It is the largest pristine island in the archipelago, with no introduced species. It is also the youngest of the islands. La Cumbre Volcano erupted in January 2020.

Understand
Fernandina is the youngest island in the archipelago, with the La Cumbre volcano being active. The island is the third largest in the archipelago with a total area of. The island is also well-known for being the largest pristine island; no rats, goats, or other non-native species have (yet) been introduced.

See the Galapagos wildlife page for more information on the flora and fauna of the islands.

Get around
There are no services or amenities on the island, nor are there any roads or other methods of getting around besides walking.

See

 * Punta Espinosa - Punta Espinosa is considered one of the three must see sights in the Galapagos due to the massive number of marine iguanas found on the volcanic shores. These creatures pile up by the hundreds, and are often seen while snorkeling as they graze on undersea algaes.  Galapagos penguins and flightless cormorants are also frequently found in the rocks, and two trails (0.25 km and 0.75 km) lead through the lava formations.  The landing on Punta Espinoza is a dry landing onto a concrete platform.

Do

 * Snorkeling may be possible at Punta Espinoza, although due to the influence of the Cromwell current the water can be cold. When snorkeling look for marine iguanas and penguins.  More common around Fernandina are whale and dolphin sightings from the boat.  This area has been declared a whale sanctuary and Bryde’s whales, pilot whales, and bottle nose dolphins are commonly seen.

Go next
The closest islands to Fernandina is:
 * Isabela

title: Fernandina


text:
Fernando de Noronha

Fernando de Noronha is an archipelago in Brazil and a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. Its pristine beaches, landscapes and wildlife attract tourists worldwide.

Understand
The archipelago has never been linked to the mainland. Geologically, it is the tip of a submarine volcanic formation which rises out of the deep seabed and consists of one main island and several rocks and islets. The rocks form many natural aquaria and the underwater life is diverse. Because the reefs of the South Atlantic are isolated from the Caribbean by the outflow of the Orinoco and Amazon rivers, the reef communities are very different with many endemic species.

Bathed by currents coming from Africa the waters around the islands are very clear with very good visibility even at 50 meters and have great year-round warm temperatures. Of course, you can also see the large “global” species such as manta rays, sharks, moray eels, goliath groupers, sea turtles and dolphins.

The island is also home to one of the largest sea bird breeding colonies in the South Atlantic.

Discovered by Amerigo Vespucci (1454–1512), Italian merchant and cartographer in 1503, the archipelago is 4 degrees south of the Equator, around 329 km (200 miles) off the northeastern coast of Brazil, north east to the city of Natal.

During its 500-year history, Fernando de Noronha has been temporarily occupied by the Dutch (17th century), French (18th century) before Portugal established dominion in 1737. They built an extensive defense system of 10 forts. The largest and best conserved fortress is Nossa Senhora dos Remédios de Fernando de Noronha.

The island also served as a prison and a US Army base. Today the population is around 3,500 and the main industry is tourism.

As a unique ecological sanctuary, Fernando de Noronha is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a large part of the area is a National Marine Park. And it has the most wonderful beaches. Three (Sancho, Porcos and Leão) regularly feature in Brazil's top beaches list.

Being a small island with limited water resources and a fragile ecosystem, there is a maximum number of 460 visitors allowed on the island. Visitors also pay an Environmental Preservation Tax that increases progressively with the length of the visit.

The relative isolation from the mainland, the limits on visitors and the preservation make Fernando de Noronha an expensive destination. But the "happy few" will be well rewarded by the delights of this island paradise and its fascinating underwater world.

Get in
All visitors to Fernando de Noronha must pay a local government environmental preservation tax called the Taxa de Preservação Ambiental (TPA). It costs R$87.21 per day, per person as of 2022. You may pay it online or at your port of entry. This is different than the PANAMAR ticket required to access most of the island's touristic attractions (see National Maritime Park, below).

By plane

From the airport you can take a bus, taxi, hire a golf buggy or even walk along the main road to most hotels if you are feeling adventurous.

By boat
During high season travel operator CVC has 4-6 days cruises from Fortaleza, Natal and Recife.

Get around
The archipelago comprises 21 islands. Only the largest of them is inhabited (pop. 3,500), and visiting the other islands requires special authorization from the environmental authority, as they are protected areas.

There is one road that circles the main island and connects many of its attractions. It is possible to rent a car or a buggy for about US $50 - 70 a day depending from whom you rent. The easiest way to get around is by bus (R$ 2.85) which goes back and forth along the main road from the Port on one end of the island to Praia de Sueste on the other. Another option is to hitchhike as almost all the local people and sometimes the odd taxi or dive truck will be happy to pick you up and give you a ride if you are going in their direction. If you choose to hitchhike, try and learn at least some Portuguese so you can tell them where you want to go and say thank you at the end of the ride.

Time zone is UTC-02:00 hours year-round, meaning that for most of the year it is one hour ahead of the standard time zone of coastal and most of central Brazil, and from mid-October through mid-February (Daylight Saving Time in all except the more northern Brazilian states), the same time zone.

See

 * The sunset.
 * The full moon rising from the ocean. In some areas you will be able to see the rocks under the water near the beaches at night because of the full moon.
 * Dolphins at the Dolphins Bay site
 * Sea turtles on (Baía do Sueste)
 * Underwater life
 * Underwater life
 * Underwater life
 * Underwater life

National Maritime Park

Many of the touristic attractions of the main island are in a national park called PANAMAR, or Parque Nacional Marinho Fernando de Noronhã, which is administered by ICMBio. You must purchase a PANAMAR ticket from ICMBio to be in the park. Tickets are R$330 per person for foreigners. The tickets are valid for 10 days and are available for purchase online or at the ICMBio Ticket Office, located in the center of the city and at the main entrances to the park. Don't confuse this ticket with the TPA environmental tax you pay on arrival to the island (see Get in).

Special reservations
To protect attractions with a more fragile ecosystem, reservations are required for:

Rules for making reservations are here. You can make reservations for these attractions up to 6 days in advance. Reservations are free with your PANAMAR ticket, but must be made in person at the main ICMBio Ticket Office at Alameda do Boldró from 16:00 to 19:00. Arrive early to get in line. Try to reserve the day you arrive if possible. As noted above, some of the attractions requiring reservations also require the hire of a licensed tour guide. You may find and hire your guide before or after you book your reservation.

Snorkeling is a big attraction for most of the natural pools. However, the snorkeling rules in the Do section are actually enforced. Life jackets and a snorkeling mask are required to enter some of the pools mentioned above.

Do

 * Beaches - Fernando de Noronha is home to the top two beaches in Brazil - and Baía do Sancho. Both beaches offer crystal clear blue water with areas for swimming and snorkeling. If you decide to visit, it is a good idea to bring along your own provisions as well as an umbrella as there is no shade at Praia de Leão and the shaded areas of Baia do Sancho quickly fill up with other visitors.
 * Boat tours
 * Buggy tours
 * Dolphin watching
 * Diving - with visibility up to 50 meters, Fernando de Noronha is a Mecca for divers and snorkelers at any level of expertise. It has more than two hundred species of fish, five shark species, sea turtles and dolphins.
 * Kayak tours
 * Snorkeling - Despite what several of the travel guide books say, snorkeling at Praia da Atalaia is no longer unrestricted. If you wish to visit to see the tide pool, it is recommended that you arrive early as the number of visitors is restricted to 100 per day. The tide pool is 45-60 cm (18-24 inches) deep but contains a remarkable diversity of animals. Lobsters, octopuses and numerous fish species inhabit the pool and, if you are lucky, maybe a baby shark. The tidal pool is monitored by the government of the island. If you choose to go keep in mind a few things:
 * Visitors are not allowed to wear suntan lotion as the oils from the lotion will pollute the tidal pool (this is another good reason to go early in the morning when the sun isn't too hot)
 * You are only allowed to stand or put your knees down in a small sandy area in the middle of the pool. If you are not a confident snorkeler (i.e. capable of floating on the top of the water) then do some practice at another beach before you go. They will remove you from the pool and you could be fined if you violate this rule.
 * You will be limited to 25 minutes in the pool
 * Swimming
 * Trekking - there are also many different trails to choose from, but some restrictions apply. Trails in the National Marine Reserve (Parnamar/FN) can only be visited with authorization and with accredited guides. Trails inside the Environment Preservation Area (Apa/FN) have free access.
 * You will be limited to 25 minutes in the pool
 * Swimming
 * Trekking - there are also many different trails to choose from, but some restrictions apply. Trails in the National Marine Reserve (Parnamar/FN) can only be visited with authorization and with accredited guides. Trails inside the Environment Preservation Area (Apa/FN) have free access.
 * Trekking - there are also many different trails to choose from, but some restrictions apply. Trails in the National Marine Reserve (Parnamar/FN) can only be visited with authorization and with accredited guides. Trails inside the Environment Preservation Area (Apa/FN) have free access.

Buy
There is not much to buy that is unique to the island. If you are desperate for a souvenir from the island, you could consider purchasing a souvenir to support the TAMAR/IBAMA project which is focused on turtle conservation.

Eat
After a long morning of diving, nothing beats a bowl of açaí (exotic sweet and fatty dark purple-colored Northern Brazilian fruit, usually eaten as a mashed pulp) with granola and bananas at the port.

 * Biu Restaurant - Floresta Nova, . Buffet self-service.
 * Arte e Sabor Creperia - Tu-Su 18:30 until 22:30. Credit cards accepted.
 * Tartarugão Boldró - Grilled picanha, moquecas, shellfish. Tu-Su, 12:00-15:00 and 18:00-23:00.
 * Alameda do Paraíso -Buffet self-service.
 * Restaurante Ecológico - Seafood, dinner only.
 * Sabor da Ilha - Buffet self-service. Lunch and dinner.
 * Trattoria Di Modena - Italian food, M-Sa 19:00 - 22:30. Credit cards accepted.
 * Taquinho - Buffet self-service. Lunch and dinner every day.
 * Nascimento - seafood, lunch and dinner.
 * Cantinho do Porto - Steaks and pasta. Tu-Su 11:00 - 23:00. All cards accepted.
 * Flap -Buffet self-service. Lunch and dinner, every day.
 * Miramar - seafood, lunch and dinner every day.
 * Porto Marlin - Sushi bar with small store. Every day from 17:00.
 * Zé Maria - Lunch and dinner every day.

Sleep
The island has about 70 inns or pousadas, often private residences more or less adapted for this type of service, similar to B&B. The quality of the lodgings are indicated by the number of dolphins. There are 3 categories :

 * 1 dolphin (basic) - most places are in this category
 * 2 dolphins (comfortable) - about 9
 * 3 dolphins (very comfortable) - 4

Most pousadas have a website and can be booked online.

 * Canto das Sereias
 * da Fátima
 * da Morena
 * Del Mares
 * Simpatia da Ilha
 * Alquimista
 * Lenda das Águas
 * Bela Vista
 * Del Mares
 * Simpatia da Ilha
 * Alquimista
 * Lenda das Águas
 * Bela Vista

Go next

 * Recife
 * Natal

title: Fernando de Noronha


text:
Ferndale

There is more than one place called Ferndale:

United States of America

 * Ferndale (California) - A town in California.
 * Ferndale (Michigan) - A town in Michigan.
 * Ferndale (Washington) - A town in Washington.

title: Ferndale


text:
Ferndale (California)

Ferndale is a city in Humboldt County is in the North Coast region of California with a charming Victorian ambience.

Do
Stroll along the streets of this California landmark town. The town was featured in the films Outbreak and The Majestic. The town is well known for its Victorian buildings.

title: Ferndale (California)