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Los Angeles/Hollywood

No trip to Los Angeles is complete without a visit to its most famous district: Hollywood, best known as the self-declared entertainment capital of the world. It is one of the greatest places in the world for film tourism and the backdrop of numerous blockbuster movies.

Understand
A business and residential district in the city of Los Angeles, the core of Hollywood for a tourist is its three fascinating boulevards: Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood Boulevard, and Melrose Avenue, all of which are worth seeing. Hollywood Blvd is known for its entertainment history, Sunset Blvd for its clubs and nightlife, and Melrose Ave for its shopping, nightlife, and eclecticism.

Hollywood was founded as an independent city in 1903 and voted to merge with the City of Los Angeles in 1910. That same year also saw the birth of the Southern California motion picture industry when D. W. Griffith relocated his Biograph Company, sparking a westward migration of East Coast filmmakers. As movies exploded in popularity in the 1910s and 20s, the name Hollywood became synonymous with the American film industry.

In the decades following World War II, Hollywood's glitz and glamour began to fade as most of the leading film studios moved to other places. By the 1980s, Hollywood was considered one of the worst neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The 1990s, however, saw the beginning of community redevelopment efforts, and today Hollywood is once again one of the region's most vibrant areas. Paramount is the only major film studio still headquartered in Hollywood, but the area nonetheless remains an important center of the entertainment industry with its myriad production and broadcast facilities. Smaller studios still in Hollywood include Sunset-Gower Studios, Hollywood Center Studios, Raleigh Studios, Jim Henson Studios, and Sunset Bronson Studios (housed on the original Warner Bros. lot).

The other major studios are located to the north in the San Fernando Valley, particularly in Universal City (Universal), Burbank (Disney, Warner Bros.), and Glendale (DreamWorks). Most of the rest are to the west: Century City (Fox, MGM), the Fairfax District (CBS), and Culver City (Sony). Many of the studios offer tours if you want to see where films are shot.

If you want to see celebrities, pack your patience or be prepared to play the role of boulevardier. The chances of bumping into a celebrity are very low (mainly because most of the celebrities who live in Hollywood usually do not go out in public) unless you're willing to do a lot of hanging out at expensive restaurants in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, or in Malibu. You can easily see where they live by taking a tour or buying a star map.

By public transit
Hollywood's location is central to most other popular attractions. Metro's Line subway service stops at Hollywood/Vine and Hollywood/Highland, and is the most direct transit connection to Downtown. Due to the traffic along the 101 freeway, its usually quicker to take the Red Line to or from Downtown than it is to drive. It also continues north to its terminus in North Hollywood, with a stop in Universal City. Visitors from Orange County can get to Hollywood by taking Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink's Orange County Line to Los Angeles Union Station and then transferring to the Red Line.

The stretch of Hollywood Blvd between Highland and Vine is served frequently by Metro bus lines 217 and Metro Rapid 780, while the 180 and 181 from the east terminate just before Hollywood/Vine. Sunset Boulevard is served frequently by bus lines 2 and 302, Santa Monica Boulevard by the 4 and Metro Rapid 704, and Melrose Avenue by the 10. For frequent north-south service, Vine Street is served by the 210 and La Brea Avenue by the 212 and 312.

Long-distance bus service is not available into Hollywood. If taking Greyhound, the best option is to take one to the station in North Hollywood, then walk to the Metro Red Line. Other intercity bus options can be found in Downtown LA.

By car
Hollywood is close enough to the Westside to make car trips there relatively easy. If you're beginning your trip in Downtown Los Angeles—the proverbial center of Southern California's intricate freeway network—you can head north on U.S. Highway 101 (Hollywood Freeway) and exit on Hollywood Blvd or Gower Street. If traffic is a problem (and it will be around the hours of 1PM-6PM), consider an alternate route such as one of the surface streets. From the west, Santa Monica Boulevard is a major thoroughfare that links Hollywood with Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.

By plane
Hollywood is served by Los Angeles International Airport or the closer Hollywood Burbank Airport  in Burbank. The LAXFlyAway operates hourly service to Hollywood for $8 per person, and stops on the west side of Vine Street about half a block south of Hollywood Boulevard. Alternatively, the Flyaway to Union Station runs every 30 minutes, with a transfer to the Red Line subway to Hollywood. BurbankBus offers a connecting route between Bob Hope Airport and the North Hollywood Metro Red Line station, where you can ride the metro into Hollywood.

Get around
Hollywood sits roughly between the 101 freeway on the east, Melrose Avenue on the south, West Hollywood on the west, and the Hollywood Hills on the north. The main east-west streets of central Hollywood are Hollywood Blvd and Sunset Blvd, intersected by the main north-south streets of La Brea Ave, Highland Ave, Cahuenga Blvd, Vine St, and Gower St. Night-time pedestrian activity in this area is focused on Hollywood Blvd.

The main areas of Hollywood are walkable, and you could walk all the way from Hollywood Blvd to Melrose Avenue, but the distance is far enough that most people would probably drive or take the bus.

See
Hollywood is the place for fiction tourism. If you're lucky, you can see a taping of a TV show; most of America's sitcoms, game shows, and quite a few of its talk shows are taped at any one of the major studios in the Hollywood area (quite a few dramas are filmed in these studios as well, but since they tend not to be filmed before a live studio audience, your chances of getting to see one of those live are virtually nil). Nearby Studio City, Burbank, Century City, Fairfax, and Culver City hold the most prominent studios, but in Hollywood proper, Paramount Studios is the filming location of many sitcoms and Dr. Phil, Hollywood Center Studios provides production facilities for Disney and Comedy Central, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! broadcasts from a complex adjacent to the El Capitan Theatre. In general, you'll have to call or go to the website of the show itself to get tickets.

Buy
Hollywood Blvd has countless urban clothing stores. Walk around and find stores with the latest LNG, Phat Farm, Timberland, Sean John, and many more. Melrose Avenue is the to go to place to feel like a star. Start by browsing through vintage clothing stores to maxing out the credit card at chic boutiques.

Clubs and bars
Street life in Hollywood remains lively later than in most other areas, making the district a satisfying location to come home to. In fact, the best time to see Hollywood is in the evening, since the district serves along with the nearby Sunset Strip, as the regional center for clubs and nightlife. The Cahuenga Corridor (along Cahuenga between Sunset and Yucca) has several bars and lounges for bar-hopping.

Sleep
Hollywood offers a wide range in price and quality of accommodations. The antique Roosevelt Hotel provides an upscale choice, though has a reputation for frequently closing its pool for private parties. There is a full range of standard motel chains including Travelodge, Motel 6, and Best Western. There are also a few well-located hostels.

Internet
A few internet cafés are dotted around town, but a better (and cheaper) option if you've got a laptop is to take advantage of the free wireless internet at the numerous coffee shops along and off of either Hollywood Blvd or Melrose Ave.

Go next

 * Downtown LA – Rapidly renovating, downtown LA is a great place for a meal or to catch a show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and best of all, it's reachable by Metro Red Line's fast and frequent service.
 * Wilshire District – Located to the south of Hollywood, the Wilshire district is home to Koreatown, as well as attractions that include the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Peterson Auto Museum, and the world-famous La Brea Tar Pits.
 * West Hollywood – This may be Hollywood's less-famous sibling, but it boasts a bustling nightlife and features excellent restaurants, clubs, and hotels.
 * Beverly Hills – Home of 90210, and a few other zip codes. If you want to see how the rich and famous live, Beverly Hills is the place to go.
 * West LA – The west side of the sprawling city of LA is Hollywood's northwestern neighbor, and is home to UCLA and the Getty Museum.
 * Studio City – Located to the northwest of Hollywood, among other attractions Studio City offers perhaps the highest density of sushi restaurants in Los Angeles.
 * Universal City – Home to Universal Studios and a short trip from Hollywood via US Highway 101 or the Metro Red Line.
 * Burbank – Hollywood's northeastern neighbor is the "Media Capital of the World", home to the studios of Warner Bros. and Disney.
 * Northwest LA – Located to the east of Hollywood, this area is home to Dodger Stadium and the massive Griffith Park and its world-famous observatory.

title: Los Angeles/Hollywood


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Hollywood (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Hollywood:

United States of America

 * Hollywood - A district of Los Angeles in California, and the place where dreams are made (sometimes). Article was previously named Los Angeles/Hollywood.
 * Hollywood (Alabama) - A city in Alabama
 * Hollywood (Florida) - A city in Florida
 * Hollywood Homewood - A city in Alabama
 * Hollywood (Maryland) - A city in Maryland
 * Hollywood (Missouri) - A city in Missouri
 * Hollywood District - A (district of?/town near? Portland, Oregon
 * Hollywood (Pennsylvania) - A city in Pennsylvania
 * Hollywood (South Carolina) - A city in South Carolina
 * Hollywood Park (Illinois) - A city near Chicago, Illinois
 * Hollywood Park (Texas) - A city in Texas
 * North Hollywood - An area in the San Fernando Valley in California
 * West Hollywood - A city near Los Angeles, California

United Kingdom

 * Hollywood (England) - A village near Birmingham, England
 * Holywood - A town in County Down in Northern Ireland (pronounced Hollywood)
 * Holywood (Scotland) - A village near Dumfries in Scotland (pronounced Hollywood)

Ireland

 * Hollywood - A village in County Wicklow, Ireland

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

title: Hollywood (disambiguation)


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Hollywood (Florida)

Hollywood is a city in Florida, located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. With a population of 153,000 people (2022), Hollywood is a relatively small city that retains an old, laid-back, Florida feel to it compared to the larger cities in the area.

Understand
Hollywood can be divided into four different areas. The first would be Hollywood Beach along the Atlantic Ocean, where you will find most of the action. A short ways inland is Art Deco downtown Hollywood, filled with restaurants, shops, a park, and California essence housing. From here on out there is not much to see as residual housing and small business occupies the area. When you finally get to the edge of town by the Florida Turnpike, you will find a few hotels, casinos and other attractions here along an Indian reservation owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida who have lived in the area since the 18th century.

History
Hollywood was founded in 1925.

Climate
Hollwood has a tropical climate, with very hot and humid summers and temperatures in the 80s and 90s (26-38 C). The city has warm winters, with temperatures in the mid-70s (about 23C). The summer is a rainy season with occasional tropical storms and hurricanes. The winter is drier and mostly sunny by comparison. Hollywood gets about 60 inches of rain annually.

Get in
Generally anything that will get you into Ft. Lauderdale or Miami will get you here as well, with just a tad bit more travel involved.

By plane

 * The city is about 10 minutes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport or 40 minutes from the Miami International Airport.

By car

 * Interstate 95 that goes south from the Atlantic Coast of the eastern USA and through cities into West Palm Beach, and Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami runs through here.

By train

 * AMTRAK offers daily train service on the Silver Star and Silver Meteor routes.
 * Tri-Rail,1-800-TRI-RAIL. Tri-Rail is a commuter rail line linking Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, with Hollywood. It is run by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority. The 72-mile system has 18 stations along the South Florida coast. The rail connects to the Metrorail in Miami at the Tri-Rail/Metrorail Transfer Station.

By car
The easiest way to get around Hollywood and South Florida is by car. If renting, it is substantially less money to rent a car from a location outside of the airport. The city is set up on grid system, and is fairly easy to navigate.

Broward County is served by three major Interstates (I-75, I-95, I-595) and some U.S. Highways including U.S. Highway 1, US 27 and US 441. It is also served by Florida's Turnpike and State Highway 869, also known as the Sawgrass Expressway.

Fort Lauderdale Airport is served by all national and regional rental car franchises.

By taxi
Taxis are generally expensive, but available at almost any time and place.

Larrys Limo +1-800-611-6631 www.larryslimo.com

By boat
Hollywood shares the Intracoastal Waterway with Fort Lauderdale; America's yachting capital. As such has numerous boat charter companies. It is a great way to see the area. There are many restaurants and bars along the intracoastal that cater to this clientèle.

See

Do
Hollywood offers a clean, excellent beach complete with its "Broadwalk" pedestrian path, which offers oceanfront shopping, dining, entertainment, strolling, a running path and a biking path. Bike rentals are available. There is also a Beach Theater on the Broadwalk at Johnson Street, with cultural arts performances normally 5 nights per week (weather permitting).

Although it might be hard to get hold of the proper equipment, kitesurfing is great in the area.

Eat
All along the Boardwalk you can find restaurants where you can get a very big, very tasty, and usually inexpensive pizza with a large beer to go with it. There are many restaurants and bars along the intracoastal waterway that are very good.

Downtown Hollywood in particular can offer a good and reasonably priced meal. Hollywood has particularly large populations of Italians, Peruvians, Romanians, Greeks, and Turks compared to the rest of South Florida...all of whom bring their great cuisine with them. There are a lot of live performances from traditional bands, singers, and exotic dancers either inside restaurants or on the street. The coffee, ice cream, and middle eastern cuisine tends to be of insurpassable quality.

Stay safe
Hollywood is a relatively safe city, especially near tourist areas along the ocean. Still use common sense. Don't walk at night alone, be wary of strangers, and do not draw too much attention to yourself. Also the beach in the area is prone to rip currents and man-o-war (jellyfish). Usually you will see a flag hanging at a nearby lifeguard stand telling how safe the water is. If the flag is colored green or yellow it should be safe to go in. if the flag is purple, red, or any other color you should stay out of the water. Only swim in sight of a lifeguard stand.

Remember if you are caught in a rip current don't try to fight it. Instead swim out diagonally with the current until you are safely out of the current's grasp.

As with the rest of the USA the emergency telephone number for fire, police and rescue emergencies is 911.

Go next

 * Miami and Miami Beach
 * Fort Lauderdale beach.

title: Hollywood (Florida)


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Holmestrand

Holmestrand is a city in Vestfold, Norway. Holmestrand in Norwegian literally means small island by the beach. Holmestrand is a nice town with a charming harbour. It's nice to stroll along the harbour or if you prefer woods and hills, it's possible to go for long walks through the countryside. In the winter, good skiing is available.

Get in
Holmestrand is southwest of Oslo, approximately 1 hour away. You can arrive via bus which is comfortable and cheap. The train is slower and is under construction until 2015 so you may have to take a train and then switch to a bus if you take the train.

If you arrive via car you can take E18 Hwy and exit on 313 which is the old main Rd.

Eat
There are a few (less than 5) restaurants in the city center. Most of the residents eat at home or travel to nearby Tonsberg for a variety of cuisine.

title: Holmestrand


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Holmfirth

Holmfirth is a small rural town in West Yorkshire, about 5 miles (8 km) south of Huddersfield. Pronounced "Home-firth", it is at the heart of the beautiful Holme Valley.

Get in
Holmfirth is a picturesque village in Yorkshire. Nested deep into the heather moorland of the Peak District. The village is famous as the place where Last of the Summer Wine, a long-running British TV comedy, was filmed.

By train
Holmfirth no longer has a railway station so it's best to go to Huddersfield by train and then onto Holmfirth by bus. There is a railway station on the rural 'Penistone Line' in the village of Brockholes about 2–3 miles from Holmfirth.

If travelling from London, it may be advisable to depart at Wakefield Westgate. Opposite Wakefield Westgate, there's a bus (Arriva no. 435, via Bretton, Clayton West, Skelmanthorpe and Denby Dale) to Holmfirth taking about 1 hour 20 minutes.

At 5:35PM, the X41 also carries through to Holmfirth from stand 17 at Wakefield Bus Station, taking 45 minutes. A Free City Bus at the train station will take you straight to the bus station if you have a lot of luggage or if the weather is bad.

By bus
Express X10 runs at peak hours, plus an X16.

Holmfirth can easily be reached from Huddersfield by buses 20, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314 and 316. Generally speaking, they each operate on an hourly basis providing plenty of buses, Watch out, some buses (313 and 312) take a convoluted route which can be up to twice as long as the direct journeys.

The services in the region run under the name "Holmfirth Connection", with all First Huddersfield services running through to Huddersfield Train Station, and the latest bus leaving the train station around ten past midnight. Tickets to Leeds, Dewsbury and Manchester can be bought straight from the driver, and timetables are generally coordinated to connect to the most popular rail routes from Huddersfield.

The "Holmfirth Connection" lines 309-311 run from Huddersfield, and the 313 provides more direct services to and from Holmfirth.

Once you are in Holmfirth. there's a local minibus service that provides journeys to various villages dotted about the valley. There's also service 20 which runs to Penistone and Barnsley and the newly introduced, direct Arriva services 435 and 436*, which run hourly to Wakefield (including Wakefield Westgate Station) via Scissett, Skelmanthorpe (service 435), Denby Dale and Shepley (service 436)*, taking around 55 minutes.

Most services go to the bus station in the town centre or from the main Huddersfield Road as well as West Bretton/Sculpture Park on evenings and Sundays.

On Saturdays only an additional service numbered 351 runs three times per day to Glossop - this continues beyond Holme (the terminus of the regular West Yorkshire buses) and through some gorgeous Peak District scenery.

See

 * Last of the Summer Wine. Being the location of the long-running BBC TV series, Holmfirth attracts many fans.

Eat

 * Indya - great Indian restaurant with great write ups in the Yorkshire Post

Drink
The nightlife in Holmfirth is fairly quiet when compared to larger towns. The best night would probably be Friday when the whole town does come alive. The best places for visitors would be Hervey's Wine Bar in Norridge Bottom, Carniceria in Victoria Square, and the Old Bridge Hotel beside the river.
 * The Cave
 * The Nook (formerly The Rose & Crown but that name never caught on) - hosts the annual beer festival held at the end of July. Popular with locals and visitors alike. Good choice of beers including CAMRA-accredited ones.
 * Herveys wine bar - popular for its real ale, former CAMRA Pub of the Season.
 * The Carniceria wine bar - located in an old butchers shop, can be extremely busy at weekends sometimes has live music.
 * The Bridge Hotel - Next to the Picturedrome Cinema. Popular venue for weddings, etc., the hotel bar is more like a pub lounge with comfortable seating good food and a range of real ales.
 * The Picturedrome - A real gem, by night either a cinema or music venue supporting a surprising range of music(with 2 bars). See website www.picturedrome.net

Sleep

 * Sunnybank (rated No 1 on TripAdvisor) is a good 5 Star GOLD, B&B near the centre of Holmfirth.01484 684857
 * Several B&Bs on the main road.
 * Old Bridge Hotel, Market Walk, 01484 681212. Quite expensively priced but good quality.
 * Holme Valley Campsite, on the road to Huddersfield in Thongsbridge, 01484 665819.

Go next
A few miles north of Holmfirth is the village of Holme where scattered cottages and farms look on to the dam which supplies water to the wider Huddersfield area. The Pennines can be seen in the distance and the road carries on into Derbyshire, past Ladybower reservoir and the town of Glossop and leads eventually into Stockport and Manchester. There are a number of villages that surround Holmfirth, including Upperthong, Netherthong, and Hepworth. It is great just to stroll round these villages which have changed little over the last 100 years. Hepworth in particular has some lovely walks and is on the Kirklees Way. The village hall in Hepworth shows a vibrant community with activities going on most days. Look at the Hepworth website for more information.

title: Holmfirth


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Hopelchén

Hopelchén is a village in the state of Campeche, Mexico. Holpelchén is on Mexico's Federal Route 261 at an important junction in the interior of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.

Get in
Route 261, which passes through Holpelchén, is a secondary, inland alternative to the main route from Campeche to Mérida. It provides access to more Mayan archaeological sites. Buses from Campeche on Route 261 stop at Calle 23 at the corner of the central plaza and at the bus terminal at the Mercado Municipal, where there is a ticket counter.

By bus
From Campeche: Buses run every 30 minutes (1½ hours) from Campeche 2nd Class Bus Terminal ( Terminal de sugunda classe de Sur) at Avenida Gobenerdores to the bus terminal in hopelchen. Colectivos run every 30-40 minutes (when there are full) from a stop 100 m before the 2nd Class Terminal and are faster than buses. From 06:00 to 18:00 Fridays until 21:00.

From Hopelchen: Buses to Campeche leave every 30 minutes to campeche. As well colectivo from the taxi stand nearby. To Meriad: 6 services a day (3 hours) via santa Elena and Uxmal.

By car
From Holpelchén, a narrow but well paved secondary road connects Routes 261 with Route 186 to the south at Xpujil, traversing a remote and sparsely populated region. This road provides access to parts of the Reserva de la Biósfera Calakmul, and to many scattered cultural and archaeological sites of the Mayan civilization. A paving project to the south has been underway for several years, and paving is now completed as far as Xpujil. Services such as gas and ATM machines are not available along this route.

Get around
You can easily walk around in the town. But there ar some rickshaw taxis available.

To visit the Mayan ruins out of town, catch a bus in the same direction and hop of at the ruins. To come back to the town wait for a bus passing by or hitch hike. You could also walk but you have to walk on the highway.

See
Palapas are open thatched huts constructed in a pre-colonial style. Holpelchén has several tourist facilities such as restaurants and grass huts for overnight rental, offering a tropical lodging experience.

Do
Near Hopelchén are several Mayan sites in the Chenes style, characterized by ornamental facades with elaborate stone masks. Tohcok and Nocuchich are nearby. Tabasqueño and Hochob are the two best known sites, located off the road to Xpujil, but only limited archaeological work has been completed. Both sites are open Tu-Su 09:00-17:00 (closed on Mondays).

Eat
There several eateries in town. Some are open until 11:00.

Food court behind the church. (Calle 18)

Mama Hilas: Very good and cheap food. Super clean. Nice owner. (Calle 22 half a Block from the Plaza; open 07:00-23:00 Sundays until 16:00)

Restaurante Xtacumbilxuna’an: (Calle 20; 08:00 - 12:00)

title: Hopelchén


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Holt

Holt is a Georgian market town in Norfolk, England.

Understand
The town dates back to Roman times. The town's name derives from the Anglo-Saxon name for woodland. In the early 1700s the town comprised predominantly wooden buildings and in 1708 was almost completely destroyed by fire. However, over the subsequent 100 years the town was re-built though mainly using stone and flint construction, thus most building are now Georgian.

The town is known for Gresham's Public School which has many prominent former pupils.

By coach
There is a daily National Express service to London

By bus
Sanders Coaches run a wide variety of services and route from the town to nearby towns including Norwich, Cromer, North Walsham, Sheringham, Aylsham and Wells-next-the-Sea.

By car
The town lies on the A148 King's Lynn (via Fakenham) to Cromer main road, 11 miles from Cromer, 35 miles from King's Lynn and 13 miles from Fakenham. The town is around 45 minutes drive from Norwich.

By bicycle
The town lies 1½ miles from Regional Cycle Route 30 (which runs round the N Norfolk Coast, then from Lowestoft W inland, through Diss, Thetford and beyond).

Get around
The town is small enough to get around on foot.

See
In the nearby village of

Do

 * Take a walk at Spout Hills, or in the Country Park.

Buy
There are many antique shops in the town.

Drink

 * Try the public bar at the Feathers Hotel.

Connect
As of Sep 2022, Holt and its approach roads have 4G from EE, O2 and Vodafone but no signal from Three. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Blakeney (Norfolk) with Blakeney Point Seal Colony and Norfolk Wildlife Trust Cley Marshes Nature Reserve
 * Wells-next-the-Sea with its oysters and its seal-watching trips.
 * Cromer with its beach
 * Sheringham

title: Holt


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Holton

Holton is a city in Eastern Kansas. It has a population of 3,329 with a population density of 1,233.0/sq mi it has an elevation of 1,093 ft.

title: Holton


text:
Świętokrzyskie

Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship (Polish: województwo świętokrzyskie) is a voivodeship in the south of Poland.

Cities

 * — the biggest town with the Baroque Kraków Bishop Palace and Renaissance castle gardens
 * — famous for its dinosaur theme park
 * — a spa resort in the south of the voivodeship
 * — a small town with the ruins of a medieval castle
 * — gothic town
 * — medieval and renaissance town on the river Vistula
 * — medieval town with intact town walls and gates
 * – here you can see old industrial heritage

Other destinations

 * — national park in the Holy Cross Mountains

Understand
The Świętokrzyskie region of Poland boasts a vast land of unspoilt nature, picturesque hilly landscapes, health resorts and spas as well as numerous monuments of historical interest that date back to prehistoric and medieval times.

The Holy Cross Mountains are one of the oldest on our planet, with beautiful jura caves, e.g. the Paradise Cave, and numerous fossils. Świętokrzyskie is also one of the oldest heritage of Poland with its center in Wiślica. In the early Middle Ages Świętokrzyskie was part of Lesser Poland which was the most important part of Poland after the Polish capital had been moved from Gniezno to Kraków in 1040. After 1138 Świętokrzyskie became a duchy with the capital in Sandomierz, but later was again reunited with Lesser Poland and subsequently at the beginning of the 14th century it became a part of the Kingdom of Poland. Great castles and palaces were built in this region during the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth period, and Sandomierz was one of the richest cities due to the flourishing Vistula trade route. After the Third Partition of Poland in 1795 most of its territory was annexed by Austria, but became independent as part of the Duchy of Warsaw between 1807-1815. After the Congress of Vienna it became part of the Kingdom of Poland, ruled by the Russian Tsar. After the WWI Świętokrzyskie became part of the Second Polish Republic, but was occupied by Nazi-Germany between 1939 and 1944, when it was part of the German so-called General Government. After the World War II it again became part of Poland.

By plane
There is no international airport in Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. The nearest airports are Warsaw's Frederic Chopin Airport, Kraków's John Paul II Balice Airport  , Katowice's Pyrzowice Airport  , Rzeszów's Jasionka Airport   and Łódź's Lublinek Airport.

Go next
The voivodeship borders six other Polish voivodeships:
 * Małopolskie,
 * Podkarpackie,
 * Lubelskie,
 * Mazowieckie,
 * Łódzkie,
 * and Silesian Voivodeship.

title: Świętokrzyskie


text:
Holyhead

Holyhead (Welsh: Caergybi) is a small port town on Holy Island, which is narrowly separated from the larger island of Anglesey, in north-west Wales. The town includes a small medieval church on the site of a Roman fortress, and there is some seaside scenery nearby, but otherwise it has few sites of interest; it's mainly a transfer point for high-speed ferries that cross the Irish Sea to the Dublin area.

By car
The A55 runs from Chester across Anglesey to Holyhead.

By rail
There are hourly services from Shrewsbury via Bangor with some trains starting in Cardiff or Birmingham, all operated by Transport for Wales. A once-daily Premier Service to and from Cardiff offers a higher standard with at-seat restaurant service available in 1st class. From London, there are several departures per day with Avanti West Coast.

By boat

 * Irish Ferries sail from Dublin.
 * Stena Line sails from Dún Laoghaire (Co. Dublin) (about 8 km south of Dublin city centre).

By bus
National Express and Arriva from across the UK to Holyhead

Eat
Many restaurants in Holyhead are closed on Sundays, especially for lunch. If you're in Holyhead at lunchtime on a Sunday, your best bet is likely to be a pub or a supermarket meal deal.

Go next

 * Bangor – the nearest bigger town, on the Welsh mainland
 * Dublin – across the Irish Sea
 * Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogogoch (Llanfairpwllgwyngyll for short) – on the main road (A55), just before the bridge to the Welsh mainland
 * South Stack – 3 miles away at the western end of Holy Island
 * Trearddur Bay – a village 2 miles away
 * Valley – a village 4 miles away

title: Holyhead


text:
Holy Island

There is more than one place known as Holy Island. You may be looking for:

 * Holy Island (near Arran) near the Isle of Arran, off the west coast of Scotland.
 * Holy Island (also called Lindisfarne) in Northumberland, England

title: Holy Island


text:
Holy Island (near Arran)

Holy Island (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean MoLaise) is a small island just east of the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. It's two miles long by half-a-mile mile wide, with a rocky ridge down its spine. It's a nature reserve but is known for its community of volunteer lay people who run the interfaith centre at the North end called The centre for world peace and health.

Understand
Originally called Inis Shroin (House of the Water Spirit), the Holy Island is so-named for its spiritual significance. In the late 6th century Saint Molaise lived here as a hermit: he went on to be the abbot of Leighlin Monastery near Leighlinbridge in Ireland, dying in 639 AD. The place was thus called Eilean Molaise, which morphed into "Lamlash", which morphed into the name of the village on Arran by which you get here. Lamlash is sheltered by Holy Island and has the safest anchorage, so it was the arrival point and main settlement of Arran until the ferry port re-located in modern times to Brodick.

The medieval monastery on Holy Island was already decrepit by the 1560s Reformation. The place was farmland with distant landlords; sheep greatly outnumbered people, especially after the 18th- and 19th-century "Clearances". In the 1960s the UFAW (Universities Federation for Animal Welfare) bought the island to preserve rare breeds such as Saanan goats, Soay sheep and Eriskay ponies. These beasts ate the UFAW out of house and home so they had to sell up: the island was bought in 1984 by James and Catherine Morris, who modernised the farmhouse. In 1987 they too tried to sell, but it dragged on the market for three years until Mrs Morris approached Lama Yeshe of Samye Ling Buddhist Monastery in Eskdalemuir 20 miles north of Lockerbie. The legend invokes a vision of the Virgin Mary, who perhaps helped the negotiation get down to a third of the asking price, and the sale went through in 1992.

That monastery had taken shape from 1967, to predictable guffaws ("How will they grow macrobiotic brown rice up there in the sleet?") in a decade burgeoning with "new religions" - Hare Krishna, the Scientologists, Divine Light Mission, millionaire Hindu gurus, and so on. An early leader Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche practised a form of Buddhism involving heavy drinking and sleeping with his under-age students. He was ousted, to go and form his own schools and centres in North America, no doubt as thoroughly reformed as disgraced priests of other religions have proved when shifted elsewhere. But after that great start, the monastery settled down and has lasted, earning respect as much for its longevity as its obvious sincerity and commitment. David Bowie and Leonard Cohen are among those who studied there before abandoning the maroon robe. The monks follow the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, but their outpost on Holy Island was never intended as a monastery. So what is it? Umm, a centre for world peace and health and sort of eco and inter-faith harmony within a Buddhist tradition and animal welfare and sort of eco, like the spiel of a contestant for Miss World.

Visitor information

 * Holy Island visitor information

Get in
Calmac ferries from Ardrossan on the Scottish mainland sail to Brodick, from where you drive or take Bus 323 to Lamlash pier. See Arran for practicalities. With your own boat you can tie up at North Landing but strictly not at the South landing at the lighthouse. There is no overnight mooring on Holy Island. The island is within easy kayaking / SUP distance of Lamlash.

is the arrival point of the little ferry from Lamlash Old Pier. It sails Apr-Oct at least three times a day, with hourly sailings mid-summer, and takes 10 min. This trip gives you approximately 4 hours to explore beautiful Holy Isle before returning to Lamlash. They schedule dates up to 2 weeks in advance for online booking. A day trip in 2023 costs £22 adult, £12 child. It's a small boat easily blown out by winds, and sailing times vary with the tides and with demand.

No fires and No dogs please, they may disturb the rare breeds.

Get around
This small island has no paved roads, and walking is the only way to get around. Don't bring a bike unless you plan to up-end it and decorate its wheels with the mantra Oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ (ཨོཾ་མ་ཎི་པདྨེ་ཧཱུྃ).

See

 * Centre for World Peace and Health is by North Landing. The centre itself is off-limits but you can look at the organic garden, and information centre in the former boathouse.
 * Stupas are the white structures outside the Centre. Those here in the Tibetan tradition are called chorten and resemble big chess pieces; those of, say, Sri Lanka have hemispherical tops and may be huge. Their square lower parts symbolise the limited physical world and their upper circular parts the eternal spiritual world.
 * Flags: Dar cho are little pennant prayer flags, and the wind helpfully blows prayers and blessings off them to the rest of the world. Banners display the six colours of the aura that emanated from the Buddha when he achieved enlightenment. Karmapa flags display blue for heaven and yellow for earth, weaved together by the Buddha's teaching.
 * Buddhist art adorns the cliff face along the trail from the Centre down the west coast. Look for depictions of White and Green Tara, Milarepa, Marpa, Gampopa, Shakyamuni the Buddha himself higher up, and Dusum Khyenpa, plus various symbols.
 * is a D-shaped paved recess in the cliffs on the west coast. It has early Christian etchings and graffiti runes, both perhaps by 12th- and 13th-century Vikings: Nikolas from Haeni, Sveinn, Onundr, Olafr, John, and Vigleikr the marshal must have formed a queue outside with their blades. The Vikings were Christian by then, and may have visited as pilgrims while primarily here as warriors. Their fleet anchored in Lamlash Bay before the Battle of Largs in 1263, which broke their power in Scotland.
 * ("Big Summit") is the island's highest point at 314 m / 1030 ft.
 * is a stubby navigation light built in 1877 by the Stevensons and known as "Wee Donald", no-one knows why. Flashing green every 3 seconds, it was electrified and automated in 1977, which saved a lot of labour with oil barrels. You can't visit this lighthouse as it's close to the private retreat.
 * The Retreat is in the lighthouse keepers' cottages next to the Inner lighthouse. Female monks (bhikkhunī) live here in seclusion for several months, sometimes years (the "long retreat") and you can't visit. "The inner light" also signifies their spiritual quest, in a way that "Wee Donald'' somehow wouldn't. The men have a retreat on Arran main island.
 * (or Pillar Rock) is a square tower built in 1905 by the Stevensons and automated in 1977.
 * Wildlife: the signature feral animals are Eriskay ponies, Soay sheep, and Saanen goats a Swiss dairy breed. The Highland cattle have been removed.

Do

 * Hike the ridge: a path from the Centre ascends to the lower peak of Mullach Beag, then over Mullach Mòr, before descending to the track between inner and outer lighthouses. You can return by the track along the west coast.
 * Pradakhshina is the practise of walking around a stupa clockwise in a contemplative way, usually after completing temple rituals. Big stupas have a dedicated path for this, here it suffices to follow the damp groove in the grass, and it will be considered OTT to prostrate yourself at every step. Hindu theology specifies different numbers of circuits for different deities but teaches that 21 will keep them all sweet, which won't take long here - but stay contemplative! The ultimate circuit is of Mount Kailash in Tibet, 52 km at 5000 m altitude, but any loss of contemplation en route or flicker of pride at completing it damns you to relegation in the enlightenment stakes. And doing it by stepwise prostration takes longer than any available visitor visa.
 * Study Buddhism and consider whether it might be for you, and if so does the Tibetan or some other variety most appeal. There's lots of literature available. However the Centre here is not an entry portal, its leaders practice Buddhism but don't teach or preach it. They also emphasise that they're not a rehab or treatment facility.
 * Volunteers are welcome to apply via email for various house-keeping, kitchen and garden duties. It's optional whether you join the daily meditation sessions.

Buy
The information centre in the boathouse at North Landing sells shawls, gifts, incense and other Tibetan Buddhist souvenirs.

Eat
There's no catering for non-residents so bring over any packed lunch you might need. The Co-op in Lamlash sells sandwiches.

Drink
The information centre will offer you a free cup of tea or coffee.

Do not bring alcohol or tobacco to the island, using these will get you ejected.

Sleep

 * Wild camping on Holy Island is a legal right yet strongly discouraged by the monks. They are the landowners and make reasonable arguments about the need to protect their spiritual tranquillity (in outdoor spaces as much as indoors) and the wildlife. But any grouse-blasting castle owner could make similar claims, and they surely go too far in attempting a blanket ban, and in their hostility (albeit non-violent) to kayakers who make their own way ashore and pitch up. It may take a legal test case to resolve this, so in the interests of global tranquillity nobody has yet launched one.
 * Wild camping on Holy Island is a legal right yet strongly discouraged by the monks. They are the landowners and make reasonable arguments about the need to protect their spiritual tranquillity (in outdoor spaces as much as indoors) and the wildlife. But any grouse-blasting castle owner could make similar claims, and they surely go too far in attempting a blanket ban, and in their hostility (albeit non-violent) to kayakers who make their own way ashore and pitch up. It may take a legal test case to resolve this, so in the interests of global tranquillity nobody has yet launched one.

Connect
As of Oct 2023, there is no mobile signal on Holy Island. Finish any important calls before you take the boat from Lamlash.

Go next

 * You have to return to Lamlash on the main Isle of Arran.
 * Lindisfarne is the other well-known Holy Isle of Britain. It's on the Northumberland coast and you drive across at low tide.
 * Many other islands had ancient religious settlements, but most fell into ruin at the Reformation. Iona in the Hebrides has been revived.

title: Holy Island (near Arran)


text:
Holy Land

The Holy Land Latin: Terra Sancta, Arabic: الأرض المقدسة al-Arḍ ul-Muqaddasah;) or Holy Lands (plural) is a generic term that usually refers to one or more countries in the Middle East region of the world that witnessed the origins and early history of three of the world's great monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

In order of size (and probable importance) to the traveller / pilgrim, countries associated with the term "Holy Land" are as follows:

 * Israel- holds the vast majority of sites and the Old City of Jerusalem, scene of the crucifixion and resurrection
 * the Palestinian Territories - the West Bank includes Bethlehem and Hebron
 * Jordan - includes a number of sites and localities associated with Judaism and Christianity, especially from the life of Moses and Jesus
 * Egypt - though usually not regarded as part of the Holy Land, much of the Old and New Testament take place at the Nile or on the Sinai Peninsula; see also Ancient Egypt

Jewish Holy Land

 * Israel
 * Palestinian territories
 * Jerusalem
 * Hebron
 * Safed
 * Tiberias

Christian Holy Land

 * Bethlehem — the town where Jesus was born, the City of David, who was the great King of Israel.
 * Nazareth — widely believed to be where Jesus spent his childhood and early adult life
 * Sea of Galilee — the area in which Jesus did much of his ministry
 * Jerusalem — historical capital of Israel, and also the place where Jesus spent the week leading up to his crucifixion, which took place just outside the city
 * Mount Sinai — in the Sinai desert of Egypt, home to the longest running Christian monastery, the Monastery of St. Catherine, and believed to be the Mount Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments
 * Tiberias — on the Sea of Galilee, a good starting point for a bike ride around the sea or a trip to the Golan Heights
 * Al-Maghtas, Jordan — on the Jordan River, where Jesus was said to have been baptised by John the Baptist.
 * Jesus Trail

Islamic Holy Land
See also our article on the Hajj pilgrimage.
 * Jerusalem
 * Mecca
 * Medina

Also, shrines particularly holy to Shia Muslims are in:

 * Karbala
 * Najaf
 * Samarra
 * Qom
 * Mashhad

Bahá'í Holy Land

 * Haifa
 * Akko

title: Holy Land


text:
Holyoke

Holyoke is a city in the Pioneer Valley in Massachusetts. It is a former mill city, which made a large chunk of the worlds paper. It has interesting architecture and is close to many attractions. It contains the Volleyball Hall of Fame and some of the largest former paper mills. If you visit, there are a number of things here and close by to entertain you.

By plane
Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, is the closest airport. Other nearby airports are Logan, in Boston and a few in Rhode Island. There is local bus service from Springfield (Massachusetts) and Northampton using Peter Pan bus lines.

By train

 * Routes stopping at Holyoke:
 * Vermonter operates daily between St. Albans and Washington, D.C. including stops in Essex Junction, Waterbury, Montpelier, White River Junction, Claremont, Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Hartford, Meriden, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, New York City, Newark, Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and New Carrollton. Northbound and soundbound trains depart in the afternoon.
 * Valley Flyer operates twice daily between Greenfield and New Haven including stops in Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden, and Wallingford.
 * Valley Flyer operates twice daily between Greenfield and New Haven including stops in Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden, and Wallingford.

By bus
Megabus has services from New York City and Hartford. Buses stop at the centrally located. The regional bus operator PVTA has bus connections from Springfield.

Get around
A car is preferable if travelling longer distances. There is bus service around Holyoke and the Valley, run by PVTA. However schedules are mainly adjusted for commuters, local buses have about one departure every hour. Holyoke Transportation Center is the hub for all local buses.

See

Go next

 * 6 Flags, 1623 Main Street, +1 413 786-9300, . Very close to Holyoke. They have a waterpark.
 * The Big E , 1305 Memorial Avenue (Rte. 147), West Springfield, +1 413 737-2443.
 * Northampton. A neat place to visit while you're in town.
 * The Basketball Hall of Fame, West Columbus Av., Springfield, +1-877-446-6752, . M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 10AM-5PM. Along the Connecticut River, in a stunning (and quirky) steel structure. Adults $17, Seniors $14, Ages 5-5 $12.

title: Holyoke


text:
Holywood

Holywood is a town five miles northeast of Belfast in Northern Ireland. It's historically in County Down, but since 2015 has been part of Ards and North Down District, along with Bangor and Newtownards.

Understand
The town's name is pronounced "holly" but means "holy" — the monastery of St Laiseran was established early in the 7th century. An Augustinian priory was built in the 12th century, and these are the ruins you see today. In the early 17th century Holywood was rebuilt as a Plantation market town. Its developers and settlers didn't make much money, until the railway arrived in 1848. It became a commuter town, trippers came out from the city for a day at the seaside, and wealthy industrialists and merchants built their mansions here. Traditional industry slumped in the 20th century and fuelled "The Troubles", but Holywood is not an interface between communities and was only lightly afflicted. It has even managed to attract a textile industry in an era when so many Ulster towns have lost theirs.

Holywood had a population of 11,257 in 2011. The main attractions are the Folk and Transport Museums two miles east of town at Cultra.

Get in
For long-distance transport options see Belfast; the city centre is 5 miles southwest of Holywood.

Trains run every 30 min from Portadown and central Belfast stations to Titanic Quarter, Sydenham (for ),, Marino and Cultra (for Folk and Transport Museums), continuing east to Seahill, Helen's Bay, Carnalea, Bangor West and Bangor.

Ulsterbus 502 runs from Belfast Laganside via Lanyon Place (above the main railway station), Holywood (20 min), Cultra, and on eastwards to Bangor. It runs hourly M-Sa, rarely on Sunday, and doesn't serve Europa bus station except late evening and Sunday.

From City Airport it might be simplest to take a taxi. Bus 3a / 3b runs to Sydenham from central Belfast but then only as far as Knocknagoney retail park, a mile short of Holywood.

Get around
It's a long straggly town along A2. For the Folk and Transport museums, take buses or trains towards Bangor and get off at Cultra.

Stormont is only 3 miles south but with no direct public transport, you have to go into the city then come out again. Consider taking a taxi.

Fonacab are the local taxi franchise, +44 28 90 333 333. Uber don't operate here.

See

 * is the ruin of a 12th-century Anglo-Norman Augustinian Priory, built over the 7th century monastery at the core of Holy Wood. It affiliated to the Franciscans in the 14th century, was dissolved in 1541 but became the parish church, with the tower added in 1806.
 * The Martello Tower is 200 yards southeast of the Priory, one of dozens erected around Ireland to watch out for Napoleonic invasion.
 * The Motte southeast of the Priory is a hummock that in Norman times was fortified by a palisade; there doesn't appear to have been a stone castle here.
 * has two sandy strips, Seapark Bay southwest and Farmhill Bay northwest.
 * is an RSPB-run bird-hide overlooking the lagoon behind the airport.
 * , the seat of government in Northern Ireland, is 3 miles south, see Belfast for details.
 * and the rejuvenated east end of the city are a mile west of the airport, see Belfast.
 * and the rejuvenated east end of the city are a mile west of the airport, see Belfast.

Do

 * North Down Coastal Path starts at Holywood Esplanade and follows the coast east to Bangor and Orlock Point. It's 16 miles in total, the route is firm going and fairly obvious.
 * Queens Leisure Complex is by Holywood railway station. Gym and various fitness classes, it doesn't have a pool.
 * Other nearby golf courses are Helen's Bay towards Bangor, Knock near Stormont, and Shandon Park off A55.
 * May Day celebrations are held around the maypole outside Ned's Bar. The rest of the year frankly it's just a flagpole.
 * Holywood Music Festival is in November, dates for 2022 are TBA.
 * May Day celebrations are held around the maypole outside Ned's Bar. The rest of the year frankly it's just a flagpole.
 * Holywood Music Festival is in November, dates for 2022 are TBA.

Buy

 * High Street has convenience stores such as Centra and Tesco Express.
 * is a large retail park a mile southwest of town next to City Airport.
 * Knocknagoney is the retail strip facing the Exchange across the A2. Tesco here has fuel as cheap as any you'll find around the city.

Eat

 * Holywood High Street has a strip of eating places.

 * Other High Street choices are Indian Ocean, Fontana, and Tulsi.
 * Other High Street choices are Indian Ocean, Fontana, and Tulsi.
 * Other High Street choices are Indian Ocean, Fontana, and Tulsi.
 * Other High Street choices are Indian Ocean, Fontana, and Tulsi.
 * Other High Street choices are Indian Ocean, Fontana, and Tulsi.

Drink

 * Stokers Halt is on Hibernia St, inland side of Holywood station. It serves food and is open Su-W 11:30-23:30, Th-Sa 11:30-02:00.
 * Yardsman Lager is brewed at Hercules Brewing Company on the industrial park north side of City Airport. No tours.
 * Yardsman Lager is brewed at Hercules Brewing Company on the industrial park north side of City Airport. No tours.
 * Yardsman Lager is brewed at Hercules Brewing Company on the industrial park north side of City Airport. No tours.

Sleep

 * See also Belfast for nearby accommodation in the Titanic Quarter.
 * See also Belfast for nearby accommodation in the Titanic Quarter.
 * See also Belfast for nearby accommodation in the Titanic Quarter.
 * See also Belfast for nearby accommodation in the Titanic Quarter.

Connect
As of April 2022, Holywood has 4G from all UK carriers, and you might get 5G from Three.

Go next

 * Belfast attractions start just a couple of miles west in the rejuvenated Titanic Quarter. The city deserves several days to explore.
 * Bangor a few miles east is a pleasant Victorian seaside town.
 * Antrim coast, but don't just rush to the touristy Giant's Causeway, take the scenic route through Carrickfergus and the Glens.
 * Hollywood spelled with two L's of course is in County Wicklow, south of Dublin.

title: Holywood


text:
Homburg

Homburg is a city in Saarland in Germany. It's midway between Kaiserlautern and Saarbrücken, and 20 km from the border with France. Its main attraction is the huge system of sandstone caves, tunnelled out since the 17th century as raw material for glass-making.

This town isn't the birthplace of the Homburg hat, that's Bad Homburg in Hesse.

Get in
Homburg can be found to the east of Kreuz Neukirchen where the A6 crosses the A8.

Rail connections are available from Saarbrücken and Kaiserslautern.

Go next

 * Landstuhl
 * Saarbrücken

title: Homburg


text:
Home exchange

Home exchange or house swapping is a vacation alternative where you stay at someone's home while they stay at yours. A house swap may also include an automobile exchange. Other items that can be up for negotiation include the care of pets and plants.

Understand
Home exchanging has numerous advantages, including significant savings on hotel costs since neither has to pay for lodging. Additional savings can be had when an automobile is also exchanged. And who doesn't prefer a spacious house to a one-room hotel? Whether for a vacation, or a longer term sabbatical, a home exchange allows one to experience a vacation living like a native.

Unless you are exchanging a 5-star villa in the Caribbean or an apartment facing Central Park, finding a home exchange requires a little bit of effort and time. The most efficient way to arrange a home exchange is to search with a 'reverse search', which identifies who wants to come to your area.

The Internet has many websites that provide home exchange listings around the globe. You can determine how up-to-date the listings are by reviewing the proposed exchange dates - and good home exchange sites will include both the join and expiry dates within the descriptions so you know exactly how long each exchange offer has been in circulation. Home exchange websites provide a mechanism by which you can get in touch with other people interested in swapping homes. However, you are responsible for your own exchange arrangements.

To increase your chances of concluding an exchange you should post your home swap offer on several home exchange sites (look for those that include full contact details). Look for well established sites with a good choice of up-to-date listings in areas or countries you are interested in. It is recommended to post your home exchange offer several months before the dates you want to exchange homes. Compile an enticing exchange offer that includes details about your home, yourself, your destination and proposed dates. Periodically check home exchange sites for new home swap listings. And don’t forget to contact new members as soon as possible before they are able to conclude an exchange.

Once you’ve made contact and your potential exchange partner confirms their interest in your home, get to know them better by exchanging e-mails and agreeing to speak on the telephone. To reassure yourself and your exchange partner you should ask for and offer to provide references. Faculty will have additional questions related to logistics and course schedules; international programs offices can provide a lot of answers.

Clean and tidy your home before your exchange. You may also want to fix that leaky faucet that you’ve been meaning to get to for several months now.

Create a guestbook that provides information on using your appliances, local information (e.g. hospital, restaurants, grocery stores, transportation), and contact numbers (e.g. family member or friends, dentist, car garage).

Leave it in a state as tidy as you found it.

Who goes on a home exchange and why?
The answer is anyone with a home (houses, luxury homes, apartments, flats, villas, ski chalets, camper vans, cabins, condos, motor homes, river barges, house boats, rentals, and even castles have been offered for exchanges).I just got the offer and its_uh_me_etayoun

Reasons to enjoy home exchange travel
Many travel on a global home exchange, trading homes for international vacations. In the past few years, with a tighter economy, swaps nearer to ones home have become very popular. A vacation away from your home, that doesn't require airfare, a rental car or large expenses for fuel.

 * 1) Exchanging homes for vacations and holidays provides free accommodations.
 * 2) Job exchanges such as long-term teacher exchanges where individuals trade homes, jobs and often vehicles for six months to a year.
 * 3) Exchanging homes to be near family, friends, kids in college.
 * 4) Budget house swap accommodation while one attends university during summer or regular sessions.
 * 5) To attend sporting events such as the Olympics, Super Bowl, Wimbledon tennis or golf tournaments. Golf home exchange to great golf destinations and enjoy free accommodations with a house swap.
 * 6) To scout for job opportunities in another area of your or another country.
 * 7) Some are considering a community for a future move or retirement. They experience what it is like to live in that community through a home exchange before making the commitment to buy or move.
 * 8) To live in another community as a non tourist and experience the differences in culture.
 * 9) To get away to an isolated or off the beaten track location.
 * 10) Budget accommodation for a short term job.
 * 11) Exchanging homes for weekend getaway.
 * 12) To save money. In hard economic times home exchange provides the best vacation accommodation value. There is no cost for accommodation.
 * 13) A home exchange may allow one the opportunity to bring pets on vacation with them.
 * 14) With home swaps, one avoids hotel costs, cramped over priced rooms and hotel surcharges.

Home Exchange for Seniors
Seniors form a growing segment of the global home exchange network of travelers. Seniors are not usually limited to set periods for travel thus giving senior home swappers much more flexibility to arrange exchanges. Seniors often have the flexibility to travel in off-peak times to take advantage of cheaper air fares. Seniors can be open to longer term home exchange.

Although many seniors choose to travel alone, a growing number are arranging to travel with grown children and grandchildren. Home exchanges provide lots of space to stretch out and relax plus the convenience of staying in a real home from home.

Many seniors around the country and around the world share the common concerns about the high cost of travel and vacations.

All too often, the cost of traveling gets in the way of having a good time. For years, smart vacationers have been taking advantage of a unique way to see the world — at significantly lower costs.

Exchanging homes involves swapping your home with someone else’s for an agreed upon period of time. It’s free accommodation for both parties, with each side still getting to enjoy the comforts of home.

Seniors unfamiliar with the process are often concerned that their home won't be suitable - perhaps too small, or in an unfashionable location.

These concerns are rarely obstacles to a successful swap; after all, home is home, and if you're happy with your place, chances are someone else will be, too. Home swappers can be singles, family groups or retirees. Teachers have embraced the concept more than any other profession, perhaps due to their holiday or work-exchange opportunities, and seniors often have the flexibility to take holidays at any time.

Holiday swapping is not purely for international travel. Many travelers happily swap homes around their own nation.

Once bitten by the vacation home exchange bug, many people choose to swap homes in different locations every year. Some have made over 50 house swaps over several years. Although the majority of home swappers trade once a year, it is possible to fit two or three swaps in a typical year. Even local trades are possible–and practical–for those who don’t want to travel far.

title: Home exchange


text:
Homer

 * See Trojan War for the ancient epics.

Homer is a city on the Kenai Peninsula in Southcentral Alaska and is long known as the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World." It is also known as the "End of the Road". The most westerly point on the North American contiguous highway system is in nearby Anchor Point. There the road (AK 1) turns southeast and ends at the tip of the Homer Spit, a natural sandbar stretching some four miles into Kachemak Bay, at the End of the Road Park.

Understand
Homer is named after Homer Pennock, a charismatic con man who led an expedition to the area in 1896 in search of gold. They found coal instead. Pennock left the expedition, supposedly to secure more funding, and never returned. For much of the history of this area the larger settlements were those on the opposite side of Kachemak Bay. The completion of the Sterling Highway (AK 1) provided road access in 1951, causing Homer to begin expanding and overshadowing its neighbors across the water. The 1964 Good Friday Earthquake severely damaged the Homer Spit, causing portions of it to sink about six feet, destroying the road and the surrounding habitat, now known as "Mud Bay." The US Army Corps of Engineers reconstructed the first few miles of the Spit, giving it its present appearance.

The Spit is the main tourist area and the location of the harbor, but it is not the whole town. If you only visit the Spit, you miss the town where people live and work. There are over 5,800 people in Homer (2018), and only a dozen or so live on the Spit full-time.

By plane
The city is served by Ravn Air Group, with daily flights to and from Anchorage. Smokey Bay Air, a local airline, flies to nearby communities. Numerous tour operators have wheeled and float planes based in Homer.

By car
Driving the 4 - 5 hours from Anchorage is well worth it. The route takes you along Turnigain Arm and up into the epic scenery of the Chugach National Forest and Turnigain Pass. Follow the Seward Highway to the Sterling Highway. When you get to the end of the Sterling, you made it. There is also a regularly scheduled van service, the Stage Line, that shuttles travellers between Anchorage and Homer. The scenery is breathtaking and it will give you a chance to visit some of the smaller towns on the Kenai Peninsula.

By ferry
Homer is also a stop on the, the state-run ferry system.

By cruise ship
Cruise ships use the terminal at the Deep Water Dock on Freight Dock Road (east of the Small Boat Harbor). It's about 1½-mile walk or shuttle ride from the cruise Dock around the Small Boat Harbor to reach the main area where the shops and attractions begin on the Spit. To get to the main area of town from the Spit, which is about 5 miles northwest, most cruise lines supply shuttle buses, or you can take a taxi.

Get around
There isn't a public transportation system in Homer, so your options come down to walking, riding a bike, hitching a lift, renting a car or taking a taxi.

By foot
Distances, as with most places in America, are fairly large, but there are good footpaths all around Homer. If you are fit, walking can be a great way to see and get a feel for the town. Homer is laid out rather oddly, in "chunks" of areas with businesses separated by residential areas or wetlands. Old Town, south of the Sterling Highway between Ohlson Lane and Main Street, is where you will find the Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center, a good place to get a map. Northeast of Old Town is the Business District and the main drag Pioneer Ave, which becomes East End Road after Lake St. Old Town and Pioneer Ave are walkable; further out, biking might be better and easier.

There are paved bike and walking paths on East End Road, on Ocean Drive and the Beluga Slough, and on the Spit. If you are walking, pedaling, or roller-blading in these areas, it is recommended that you stay on the paths and off the roads. It is about 5 miles from the center of town to the harbor area on the Spit, and it can become very windy and cold at any time anywhere in coastal Alaska. Alaskans know that wearing layers that can be added or removed easily is the key to being comfortable outdoors in this highly variable environment.

By car
There are two car rental firms in Homer: Hertz and Adventure Alaska. Hertz and Adventure Alaska also have rentals in Anchorage so if you want to rent a car in Anchorage and drive to Homer you can drop your car off and fly back to Anchorage. Anchorage is the main city in Alaska where most flights from outside the state end up. From there you fly or rent a car and drive to the next town.

There are several 24-hour taxi companies in Homer. Short in-town rides are about $5 per car-load, expect to pay about $15 to go between the town and the Spit.

Do

 * Fishing:  Homer claims the title of "Halibut fishing capital of the world. There are more than fifty charter operators that can take you deep-sea fishing for these monster flatfish. You can only keep two per day, but since in Homer they throw back fish under 20 pounds that will be more than enough for most. Homer's harbor is a great place to observe commercial fishing boats offloading halibut, salmon, cod, rockfish, and even crab. Saltwater salmon fishing trips can also be booked through many charter operators, or you can go to "the fishing hole" on the Spit and try your luck. Be sure to get a license before doing any fishing for salmon, halibut or steelhead, which can be found in the Anchor River some fifteen miles outside Homer. Up in the hills above Homer is the Homer Reservoir, which has Dolly Varden Trout and is a great place to see wildlife. If you just want to cook it but not catch it, several fish buyers on the Spit feature retail sales of a variety of seafood bought right off the boats that caught it. There is also an outlet for the Kachemak Bay Shellfish Growers which sells fresh oysters and mussels.
 * Wildlife and adventure tourism If you want to observe shorebirds or seabirds there are beaches on the Spit and below Old Town, as well as the Beluga Slough wetlands which lie between downtown and the Spit. The Calvin and Coyle trails just east of town and the end of FAA road (the airport road) have observation platforms to view wildlife in the wetlands, often browsed by moose. For those looking for a bit more adventure there are numerous kayak guides, whale watching boats, and so forth with offices on the Spit and at the various floatplane docks on Beluga Lake.
 * Winter sports Homer has an excellent network of ski and snowshoe trails. The Baycrest ski trails have two easy access points near the dump on the Sterling Highway. There are groomed trails suited for Nordic or classic cross country skiing, as well as a heavily forested snowshoe trail system following part of the route of the Homestead Trail. Over on East Skyline Drive is the Carl Wynn Nature Center, which has non-groomed trails for skiing and snowshoeing. Following East Skyline to Ohlson Mountain road, you can find another large series of groomed ski trails, as well as a privately run tow rope used for downhill skiing and tubing. Ohlson Mountain itself is a free option, but you must walk the entire distance to the summit, there is no longer vehicle access at any time to the top unless you have a snow machine (that's what Alaskans call a snowmobile). Speaking of snow machines there is a local club known as the "Snomads" that can provide information and tips on recreational opportunities in the vast area known as the Caribou Hills between Homer and Ninilchick. Their main trailhead is about sixteen miles east of Homer. The Tustemena 200 Sled Dog Race can be observed from the McNeil Canyon area, about 14 miles east of Homer. There is an ice skating rink on the Spit and, if the ice is thick enough on Beluga Lake, a variety of winter sports occur there, including the amusing spectacle of ice racing in customized cars on Sunday afternoons.
 * Winter sports Homer has an excellent network of ski and snowshoe trails. The Baycrest ski trails have two easy access points near the dump on the Sterling Highway. There are groomed trails suited for Nordic or classic cross country skiing, as well as a heavily forested snowshoe trail system following part of the route of the Homestead Trail. Over on East Skyline Drive is the Carl Wynn Nature Center, which has non-groomed trails for skiing and snowshoeing. Following East Skyline to Ohlson Mountain road, you can find another large series of groomed ski trails, as well as a privately run tow rope used for downhill skiing and tubing. Ohlson Mountain itself is a free option, but you must walk the entire distance to the summit, there is no longer vehicle access at any time to the top unless you have a snow machine (that's what Alaskans call a snowmobile). Speaking of snow machines there is a local club known as the "Snomads" that can provide information and tips on recreational opportunities in the vast area known as the Caribou Hills between Homer and Ninilchick. Their main trailhead is about sixteen miles east of Homer. The Tustemena 200 Sled Dog Race can be observed from the McNeil Canyon area, about 14 miles east of Homer. There is an ice skating rink on the Spit and, if the ice is thick enough on Beluga Lake, a variety of winter sports occur there, including the amusing spectacle of ice racing in customized cars on Sunday afternoons.

Buy
Unlike many areas of Alaska, Homer has a local sales tax. The Kenai Peninsula Borough taxes sales at 3% and Homer adds an additional 4.5%. Large purchases are only taxed on the first $500.

There are two standard items commonly purchased in Homer: Salty Dawg hoodies and art. The Salty Dawg Saloon is a local landmark and actually makes more income from merchandising than from booze. Anywhere you go in Alaska you will see people wearing hoodies, t-shirts, hats, do rags, and even underpants featuring the image of the iconic building that houses the Dawg. Pioneer Avenue and the Spit have numerous art galleries featuring local artists. You could end up with something as simple as a postcard, a lamp made from beach stones, or a painting or sculpture. Be sure to consider the shipping cost if you are not able to take such large items with you.

Cannabis
Recreational cannabis consumption was legalized in Alaska in 2015, and retail establishments now sell Alaska-grown cannabis products. However, public consumption is still illegal, be sure you have somewhere safe to go to to consume it. All purchases are cash-only; ATMs are available in some stores.

Eat
Homer is a foodie paradise. There is a very wide range of places to eat, and only two franchise fast food places (Subway and McDonald's). Note that the Farmer's Market often has prepared foods and hot food when it is open.

On the Spit
Most of these businesses are only open in the spring through the early fall. The Spit is a bit of a ghost town in the winter. Many of the small shops on the board walks on the Spit change businesses from one year to the next, explore and you might find something you really like.

Old Town
This area is below the Sterling Highway just above Bishop's Beach.

Pioneer Avenue
Although Homer does have a road named "Main Street", Pioneer Avenue is the "main drag" of downtown Homer, featuring local shops and galleries as well as great places to eat and drink.

East
Follow Homer East Road, locally known as East End.

Bars
Not all bars in Homer accept credit cards or checks, but there are ATMs available.

Coffee and tea
If you spend any time in Alaska you will notice the massive popularity of drive-up coffee stands and coffee houses.

Sleep
As with most accommodation in Alaska it is best to ring ahead and book a place a few nights in advance during the spring, summer, autumn (fall) tourist season. The Homer area features over 200 bed and breakfast establishments, with a wide range of prices and amenities. Location is a strong selling point of some of these, be sure to ask about the view!

Budget

Splurge
One thing Homer does not have is "five-star" hotels. The upper end of the lodging options are more in the vein of remote lodges.

Go next

 * Kachemak Bay State Park - Located across the bay, Kachemak Bay State Park is the first and largest of the parks in the state. Many guides in Homer offer adventure trips to the park, or you can take any one of many water taxis from Homer.
 * Kodiak
 * Anchor Point
 * Seldovia

title: Homer


text:
Homewood (California)

Homewood is a town and ski resort located on the Western Shore of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada mountains of northern California.

Get in
Homewood is easily reached by car from Tahoe City and Truckee by driving south along the Truckee River and then the west shore of the Lake on State Route 89. From further a field it can be reached from both Reno and the San Francisco Bay Area along interstate 80, and then by following State Route 89 South.

Get around
Given the small size of Homewood one can get around on foot, however given the limited services in the town itself one would want a rental car to be able to properly enjoy all of the beauty and activities that Lake Tahoe has to offer. Not only that but it helps for the more mundane things like grocery shopping.

See
The amazing views of the lake from the resort and most notably the Chair ride down the Madden Lift.

Do

 * Winter - The primary focus is the ski area its self with its uncrowded slopes and wide variety of terrain.
 * Spring - The focus remains the Ski area through its general closing on Easter weekend, from here on things are relatively quiet until the boating season starts up in May.
 * Summer - During the Summer months the Ski area hosts a number of concerts and music festivals, the town also becomes the focus of many others activities including: Hiking, swimming, Boating (with its hub being Obexor's Marina), and 4wheeling with the end of the fabled Rubicon Trail near by.
 * Fall - with the traditional end of summer on Labour day weekend the Fall season commences, much like spring it is caught between the two high seasons and is a wonderful time to experience the resort in a time of quiet transition.
 * Fall - with the traditional end of summer on Labour day weekend the Fall season commences, much like spring it is caught between the two high seasons and is a wonderful time to experience the resort in a time of quiet transition.

Buy

 * A lift Ticket! year round the views alone are worth it, they are available from the lodge, visible of state route 89.
 * Homewood logo gear can be purchased at the ski shop located next door to the North Day lodge.

Eat
There are a variety of quality eating establishments in Homewood covering the full pricing spectrum some option are below:

Drink
There are no dedicated bars in Homewood but nearly all of the restaurants have full bars, among the best are those that the Swiss Lakewood and Sunnyside the latter having views of the Lake.

Sleep
As is the case with much of the Lake Tahoe Basin winter and summer home rentals are the primary form of accommodation, however there are two Hotel type establishments in Homewood called the Swiss Lakewood and the Tahoma Lodge both of which offers condo rentals.

Go next
There are several parks along the shore and nearby, including Bliss State Park and Emerald Bay State Park.

There are many trail in the nearby Desolation Wilderness including Mount Tallac Trail.

title: Homewood (California)


text:
Hommersåk

Hommersåk (also called Riska) is a village of Sandnes kommune in Norway.

By bus
Follow line 21 from Sandnes bus- and railway station.

By car
Follow Rv. 13 from Sandnes, leading into Rv. 516.

By boat
From Stavanger harbour (more info on www.kolumbus.no). Hommersåk is the village of Riska, and is located where the Riska fiord ends.

Do

 * Several nice footpaths lead visitors into the beautiful nature surrounding Hommersåk, which includes Maudlandsgården, Måketjern, Riska beach, Kjølvik and Vårlivarden.

Buy

 * There is also some groserie shops including Kiwi,Rimi and Mega
 * There is also some groserie shops including Kiwi,Rimi and Mega

title: Hommersåk


text:
Homolovi Ruins State Park

Homolovi Ruins State Park is near Winslow, Arizona. Much research on the Hopi peoples is done in this area by archaeologists and shared with the public through a museum in the park. The park's facilities include a visitor center, the museum, many trails and a campground.

Understand
Contact information:

Address: Highway 87, PO Box 3 Winslow, AZ 86047

Tel: +1 928 289-4106 Fax: +1 928 289-2021

Do
Camp in this State Park!

title: Homolovi Ruins State Park


text:
Hondarribia

Hondarribia (Spanish: Fuenterrabía) is a fishing town in the province of Guipuzcoa, Basque Country of Spain on the Bay of Txingudi, by the border with France. It is the last remaining walled town in Guipuzcoa.

Understand
Hondarribia has been settled since the time of the Romans, and became a full-fledged village in the 13th century. As a town historically on the border, whether between Navarre and Castille, or between Spain and France, Hondarribia has enjoyed a tumultuous past. After citizens sought protection under the Castilian crown in 1203, Hondarribia became a point of conflict between Castille and the kingdom of Navarre, supported by France. The town was repeatedly besieged by French and Navarran forces throughout the 1300s up until the Thirty Years' War in the mid 1600s, when Spain and France reconciled their borders under the Treaty of the Pyrenees. After the signing of this treaty (which fixed the French border to its current state), Hondarribia remained a border town, across the Bay from France.

There are two sections of town that are of special interest to the traveller:

 * The old city — With its medieval walls still intact, the historic part of town is home to the castle of Charles V, Zuloaga Palace, Casadevante Palace, the gothic church of Nuestra Señora del Manzano, and Calle Pampinot, among other sights.
 * La Marina — full of multicoloured houses and their resident fishermen, along San Pedro and Santiago Streets.

Hondarribia's beach, ports, lighthouse, the beach of Ondarraitz (on the other side of the bay), and the neighbouring hillsides are just as attractive, and make it clear why Hondarribia has enjoyed its position as a vacation destination for more than 100 years.

Get in
Hondarribia is across the river from Hendaye, 4 km from Irún, 15 km from San Sebastian, and 20 km from Biarritz, France. It is well-connected to these cities by bus or ferry (in the case of Hendaye)

By car
Hondarribia is 15 km from San Sebastian and 20 km from Biarritz. Further away are Bilbao (100 km), Pamplona (80 km), and the region of La Rioja (120 km). It is accessible by the A8 Autopista and the N1 highway.

By plane

 * San Sebastian airport is in Hondarribia. Lurraldebus serves the airport every 15-30 minutes.
 * Biarritz airport, which is frequented by Air France, Ryanair, and other airlines, is 20 km away.

By train
Hondarribia does not have a railway station, however there are many connections to Irún and Hendaye, both of which are major railheads.
 * Irún Train Station, served by RENFE and EuskoTren, is 4 km away and is served by a frequent bus service.
 * Hendaye (France) train station is served by SNCF and is the southern end of a TGV line. It is 5 km away.

By bus
Hondarribia is only served by local buses going to Irún or San Sebastian. From there, bus lines fan out through all of Spain, either at Irún's train station or at San Sebastian's bus station.

By boat
There is a small and frequent ferry to Hendaye, run by Jolaski (in Spanish/French)

Pintxos
Hondarribia is on par with San Sebastian and Bilbao as a gourmet destination of the Basque country.

title: Hondarribia


text:
Hondo (disambiguation)

There's more than one place called Hondo:

Japan

 * Hondo - a city in Kumamoto prefecture, Amakusa islands
 * Hondo is also an older name for the main Japanese island of Honshu

United States of America

 * Hondo (Texas) - the county seat of Medina County (Texas), in Hill Country, Texas

title: Hondo (disambiguation)


text:
Hondo (Texas)

Hondo is a city in the Hill Country River Region of Texas.

Get in
Hondo is located about halfway between Sabinal and San Antonio on US 90. From Kerrville on I-10, you can also take Texas Highway 173 south past Bandera.

title: Hondo (Texas)


text:
Honduran Highlands

Honduran Highlands is the central upland region of Honduras.

Cities

 * — the capital, centre of government and largest city.
 * — the former capital of the country is today a quiet colonial town with a beautiful cathedral, notable Spanish architecture and an historic town centre.
 * — a pleasant colonial mountain town; nearby Parque Celaque is home to the highest mountain in Honduras set among wonderful cloud forests.
 * - opal mining town
 * — temperate mountain city in the western part of the region, and the nearest place of any size to Copán Ruinas.
 * — a pleasant colonial mountain town; nearby Parque Celaque is home to the highest mountain in Honduras set among wonderful cloud forests.
 * - opal mining town
 * — temperate mountain city in the western part of the region, and the nearest place of any size to Copán Ruinas.
 * - opal mining town
 * — temperate mountain city in the western part of the region, and the nearest place of any size to Copán Ruinas.
 * — temperate mountain city in the western part of the region, and the nearest place of any size to Copán Ruinas.

Other destinations

 * — one of the most impressive ruins of the Maya civilization, known for the quality of its sculpture.
 * — the largest natural lake in Honduras.

Understand
This region spans the central spine of Honduras from the border with Guatemala in the west to Nicaragua in the east. It consists mostly of mountain ranges and aside from the area in and around the capital, Tegucigalpa, is sparsely populated. This is especially so in the east of the region which is very remote indeed. The key attractions for travellers are notable Mayan ruins and some charming old colonial hill towns.

Get in
Toncontín International Airport in Tegucigalpa.

title: Honduran Highlands