text:
Strandhill

Strandhill is a village in County Sligo, 9 km west of Sligo town on the south shore of the bay, with a population in 2016 of 1753. Its name is apt: a great expanse of strand before it and hill behind, the scarp of Knocknarea. The village grew up as a seaside resort in the early 20th century, engulfing the farm settlement of Larass, and is now a surfing resort on its west-facing beach.

Get in
See Sligo for long-distance routes. Sligo Airport is in Strandhill: it closed to commercial flights in 2011.

Bus S2 starts from Rosses Point north across the estuary and runs through central Sligo then out west to Strandhill. It runs hourly, daily; from town is 20 min, adult fare around €3.

By car or bike follow R292, which loops off N4 to follow the peninsula coast from Balladrihid to Strandhill and back to Sligo. Tourist blurb calls this the Wild Atlantic Way.

Get around
The village is small enough to walk around, though it's quite a hike to Coney Island or up Knocknarea. With a car you can reach the start of shorter trails there, and even drive to the island.

See

 * is a picturesque thatched cottage built in 1800. It's open to visit June-Aug Sa Su 10:30-13:00, 14:00-17:00.
 * is on the west-facing coast exposed to the Atlantic wind and waves. This is the place for surfing; there's nice sand but it's a bit blowy and lumpy for a family day at the seaside. Tourist literature warns against swimming here because of currents, which spares them from having to mention the sewage outflow north end of the beach.
 * is the sheltered beach south of the golf course on Ballysadare Bay. It's a bit of a walk to reach it, but it's much better for kiddy-paddling, as it escapes the waves of Strandhill Beach and the currents of Sligo Bay. Seals haul out on the sands, and there's sometimes horse racing.
 * is the start of the "Long Strand" route, the recommended way to Coney Island. It's also called Dorrin's Strand, for an island resident who unfortunately didn't pay heed to the tide times; but nowadays that's the name of the street with Dolly's Cottage so Satnav would lead you astray.
 * is a tidal island that can be reached by the 3 km crossing from Cummeen Strand. The sand is firm enough to drive across, but you'll pick up a lot of salt, consider parking up and walking. Check tide times in advance, for instance Easytide offers free predictions seven days ahead. (Pick Sligo Oyster Island as your reference port, and adjust for daylight saving time if applicable.) Set off 2-3 hours before the bottom of the tide, and be on your way back an hour after it turns. There are 14 sturdy guide markers across the sands aligned with Black Rock lighthouse, each looking like the market cross of a drowned village. The island's name means rabbits, and there are lots of them, almost as many as there are places named "Coney Island". (The one in New York was similarly infested, and probably named from the old Dutch word for rabbits.) A handful of folk live here but the island pub is closed.
 * Maguins Island is the small tidal island seen to the west across the sands. It can be reached by the "Short Strand" crossing from Killaspugbrone to Coney Island, but there's nothing to see there. This isn't recommended as a short cut to Coney Island as you have to splosh through a channel, which will flood before it cuts off the "Long Strand" path.
 * Oyster Island is in the permanent channel east of Coney Island (it's private property), and north you can make out "The Metal Man," a navigation pointer. Boats from Rosses Point sail by.
 * is the flat-topped mountain to the south, a 327 m / 1073 ft slab of limestone. At its summit is a large cairn that's believed to date from 3000 BC and to contain a Neolithic passage tomb, and there are several smaller graves and megaliths nearby. The direct path from Strandhill is a brute, 15 km there and back, steep and muddy. The best footpath is from Primrose Grange to the southeast, see Sligo.
 * is the flat-topped mountain to the south, a 327 m / 1073 ft slab of limestone. At its summit is a large cairn that's believed to date from 3000 BC and to contain a Neolithic passage tomb, and there are several smaller graves and megaliths nearby. The direct path from Strandhill is a brute, 15 km there and back, steep and muddy. The best footpath is from Primrose Grange to the southeast, see Sligo.

Do

 * Surf shacks lining the Atlantic beach are Strandhill (aka West Coast) Surf School (with accommodation, see Sleep), Rebelle Surf and IsurfIreland.
 * Strandhill Golf Club is 18 holes, 6200 yards, par 70, visitors' round €30.
 * Seaweed baths are available here as in other coast resorts, see County Sligo for description.
 * Warriors Run is a 15 km race over mixed terrain from Strandhill up the steep slopes of Knocknarea and down again. The next event is on Sat 28 Aug 2021.
 * Strandhill Guitar Festival is no longer held, and plans for a banjo festival have so far come to nothing. Ukeleles maybe?

Buy

 * Centra convenience store is within the filling station, open daily 07:30-22:00.
 * Strandhill People's Market is on Sundays 11:00-16:00. Is this what the future looks like for all those regional airports opened in the golden age of budget flights? Did Ryanair ever tout this place as "Donegal South"? The market is within a hangar of Sligo Airport, which closed to commercial aviation in 2011 - it still handles private planes and is the base for the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter. Follow Airport Road R277 north from the village.

Eat

 * Strand Bar & Restaurant is down Shore Road by the beach. It's open daily 10:30-23:30.
 * Shells Cafe is opposite Strand Bar. It's licensed, and open daily 09:00-18:00.
 * Burger Shack is behind Strand Bar, open W-Th 17:00-21:00, F-Su 15:00-21:00.
 * The Venue is a steak and seafood restaurant on Top Road R292. It's open daily 12:30-21:30.
 * Dunes Bar on Top Road has food and accommodation.

Drink

 * See above. The Draft House pub has closed down.

Sleep

 * Strandhill Camping and Caravan Park is open April-Sept, +353 71 916 8111, tent or caravan €24 / night. They also run a similar park at Rosses Point across the estuary.

Connect
Decent mobile and 4G signal from all Irish carriers. As of Sept 2020, 5G has reached Sligo town but doesn't extend to Strandhill.

Go next

 * Sligo is the base for the north of the county, with sights such as Lough Gill, Glencar and Benbulbin.
 * Ballymote is in an area of impressive megaliths, the best being Carrowkeel.

title: Strandhill


text:
Stranraer

Stranraer is a town in Dumfries and Galloway near the tip of southwest Scotland. It's a ferry port, connecting Scotland with Northern Ireland, though nowadays all ferries run from Cairnryan a few miles north. The town itself (population 10,320 in 2016) has little of interest, but it's a good base for exploring the scenic Rhins of Galloway, the peninsula stretching north and south of Stranraer. The north and central part of the Rhins are described here.

An alternative visitor base 17 miles south is the village of Drummore: see that page for the south Rhins, which include Logan gardens and fishpond, and the Mull of Galloway.

Understand
The North Channel between Scotland and Ireland narrows here into the Straits of Moyle, 22 miles (35 km) across. It's deep: the Beaufort Dyke goes down to 1000 ft (300 m), carved out by glaciers and swept clear of in-fill by the currents. Shipping traditionally plied between little ports such as Donaghadee in Ulster and Portpatrick on Galloway. The channel is pinched to 12 miles further north off the Mull of Kiltyre, but that is a long way from anywhere else, and St Columba sailed across that way to put distance between himself and his Ulster enemies.

The small ports lacked shelter, and from the 19th century vessels grew larger, so a Victorian port developed at Stranraer as it did at Belfast. The railway from Glasgow created a fast link from central Scotland. Cairnryan a few miles north of Stranraer has deep water and during the Second World War was developed as a back-up military harbour, in case others such as Liverpool or Greenock were bombed out. Its postwar military role was to handle surplus explosive ordnance, chemicals and other nasties, which were dumped in the Beaufort Dyke. In the late 20th century, large ro-ro ferries outgrew Stranraer, and Cairnryan became the chief port. Stranraer continues with fishing and freight but has become a backwater.

From time to time there's talk of a bridge or tunnel across the North Channel. Modern engineering has made great strides across equally daunting stretches of water, but this one seems impractical with present-day technology. The latest revival of the idea is the "Boris bridge" spanning from Ulster to Mull of Kintyre. The guestimate cost was £20 billion, but others put it at over £300 billion. It would of course be lucrative to "consultants" and others with political connections in London even if ground is never broken here.

By boat
Ferries from Northern Ireland nowadays sail to Cairnryan, on the east bank of Loch Ryan a few miles north of Stranraer.

is north of Cairnryan village and about 8 miles from Stranraer. Stena Line ferries sail here from Belfast, with 4-6 per day taking 2 hr 15 min. Buses from Belfast cross on these ferries and continue to Ayr, Glasgow and Edinburgh. There's a car hire desk at the Loch Ryan terminal.

is four miles north of Stranraer. P&O Ferries sail from Larne, with six a day taking 2 hours. There is no linked bus service for the P&O sailings, so either catch a local bus (below) or take a taxi.

By train
From Glasgow Central there are four or five connections daily via Kilmarnock to Ayr, where you change for the train via Girvan, taking 2 hr 50 min to Stranraer. It doesn't run via Cairnryan so for the ferries change to the Ulsterbus at Ayr.

is on the town harbour quay, right by where the ferries aren't. It's half a mile (800 m) walk back into town centre, and buses and taxis. There's a staffed ticket office but no machines, and the toilets are only open during ticket office hours. There is step-free access to the single platform.

By bus
Scottish Citylink / Ulsterbus 923 runs four times daily from Glasgow Buchanan Station and Ayr to the Stena terminal at Loch Ryan then to Stranraer town. It's billed as a through-service to Belfast but doesn't join the ferry, so you lump your luggage off the bus to board the ferry, then onto the Ulsterbus at the other end for the short ride to Belfast Europa station.

National Express from London via Dumfries to Stranraer remains suspended in 2022. Their suggested workaround is to travel to Glasgow and join the Ulsterbus.

Stagecoach West Scotland Bus 500 runs to Stranraer from Dumfries via Castle Douglas, Newton Stewart and Glenluce, M-Sa every couple of hours and Sunday every four hours. It doesn't serve Cairnryan. Dumfries has trains from Carlisle heading via Sanquhar and Kilmarnock to Glasgow Central.

Stagecoach West Scotland Bus 358 / 360 runs to Stranraer from Girvan M-Sa every couple of hours via the two ferry terminals. Four buses a day start from Ayr.

The bus terminal is at the foot of the former ferry pier on Lewis St; it may be shown on timetables as Port Rodie. It's just a draughty coach park but is by town centre.

By road
From England leave M6 at Gretna and follow A75 west past Dumfries. From the Glasgow area follow M77 / A77 southwest via Kilmarnock and Ayr.

Get around
WCT local bus 350 runs 8 times a day M-Sa from Stranraer Charlotte St to either the Stena or P&O ferry terminal, depending on sailing times.

Bus 367 runs 8 times a day M-Sa from Stranraer via Lochans to Portpatrick on the west coast.

Bus 407 runs south down the peninsula from Stranraer via Lochans and Port Logan to Drummore, four times a day M-Sa, 45 min.

See

 * Castle Kennedy ruins and gardens are off A75 three miles east of town. They're open Apr-Oct: daily 10AM-5PM, adult £5.50.
 * Glenluce Abbey is a ruin off A75 ten miles east of town. It's open Apr-Sep: Su-Tu 09:30-17:30, adult £5.
 * Corsewall Lighthouse is now a hotel, see Sleep.
 * is a fishing village set in the cliffs of the Rhins. Until the 19th century it was a port for sailings to Northern Ireland (and a quickie-wedding "Gretna" for Irish couples), but it was too exposed and the port shifted to Stranraer. Visit the ruined 17th-century St Patrick's church, Dunskey castle ruins and walled garden, and Cairnpot hill fort. There's a dozen B&Bs here, and the upmarket Mount Stewart Hotel.
 * Sandhead is 8 miles south of Stranraer on the east coast of the peninsula, with a good beach.
 * Kirkmadrine Stones are eight memorial stones from very early Christian times, the three oldest from the 6th century. They're housed in the porch of the old church, a mile south and inland from Sandhead.
 * See Drummore for Logan Botanic Garden, a subtropical garden 14 miles south of Stranraer, and Mull of Galloway the scenic headland at the tip of the Rhins.
 * is a fishing village set in the cliffs of the Rhins. Until the 19th century it was a port for sailings to Northern Ireland (and a quickie-wedding "Gretna" for Irish couples), but it was too exposed and the port shifted to Stranraer. Visit the ruined 17th-century St Patrick's church, Dunskey castle ruins and walled garden, and Cairnpot hill fort. There's a dozen B&Bs here, and the upmarket Mount Stewart Hotel.
 * Sandhead is 8 miles south of Stranraer on the east coast of the peninsula, with a good beach.
 * Kirkmadrine Stones are eight memorial stones from very early Christian times, the three oldest from the 6th century. They're housed in the porch of the old church, a mile south and inland from Sandhead.
 * See Drummore for Logan Botanic Garden, a subtropical garden 14 miles south of Stranraer, and Mull of Galloway the scenic headland at the tip of the Rhins.
 * See Drummore for Logan Botanic Garden, a subtropical garden 14 miles south of Stranraer, and Mull of Galloway the scenic headland at the tip of the Rhins.

Do

 * Ryan Centre on Fairhurst Rd has a swimming pool, gym and auditorium used for theatre and cinema.
 * Southern Upland Way is a long-distance coast-to-coast hiking trail. It starts at Portpatrick, follows the coast north then turns east to Stranraer and Castle Kennedy (13.5 miles, 21.5 km, lowland with no great ascent; use OS Landranger maps 309 and 310.) From there it crosses the hills via Sanquhar, Wanlockhead and Beattock to head into the Scottish Borders, eventually reaching the east coast at Cockburnspath.
 * Mull of Galloway Trail starts at the Mull and runs up the east shore of the Rhins via Drummore and Sandhead to Stranraer (26 miles). It continues up the coast via Cairnryan and Finnart Bay to Glenapp (11 miles), where it joins the Ayrshire Coastal Path to Skelmorlie (100 miles). The Mull-to-Stranraer stage is just right for a marathon, run annually in June, with a half-marathon from Ardwell to Stranraer.
 * Golf: Stranraer Golf Club is 3 miles northwest of town centre. White tees 6308 yards, par 70, summer weekend round £40. Other courses are Green Valley, Wigtownshire GC east on A75, and Portpatrick west on the coast.
 * Football: Stranraer FC play soccer in Scottish League Two, the fourth tier. Their home ground is Stair Park, capacity 4100, on London Road A75 just east of town centre.
 * Stranraer Agricultural Show is held on the last Wednesday in July, on London Road Playing Fields.

Buy
There's a Tesco and a Morrisons in town centre.

Eat
Kebabs, tandoori, Chinese, fish & chips, all cluster round town centre.

Drink
Places in Stranraer include Swan Inn, Custom House, Arkhouse Inn, The Pub and The Grapes.

Connect
As of July 2021, Stranraer town and Cairnryan ferry port have 4G from EE, O2 and Vodafone, and a mobile signal from Three.

There is no land-based mobile service on the ferries. Switch off in case your phone latches onto the ferry company Wifi - they will be delighted to connect you at international rates.

Go next

 * East is Castle Douglas, with the splendid Threave Gardens, and Dumfries where Robert Burns spent his last years.
 * Ayr to the north was Burns' birthplace and early home.
 * Ailsa Craig is the pyramid seen out to sea, a wildlife reserve. Reach it by boat trip from Girvan.
 * Belfast across the sea is a fascinating city needing several days to explore.

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

title: Stranraer


text:
Saint-Raphaël

St. Raphaël is in the French Riviera, in the department of the Var. It is next to Fréjus. This city is spread along the coast and divided in sub-city as Theoule, Agay, Boulouris, Valescure, etc.

Get in
Train and bus station are in the middle of the city. Whereas the "St Raphael/ Frejus" highway exit is quite far (around 15km) inside the land.

Get around
Car is necessary, but beware that in summer time there is huge traffic on the coastal road.

Do

 * Trekking, From Agay, if you take the only road that go away from the cost (follow the highe sign) you will find lots of other signs towards "Esterel". you will find there pretty and easy trek to do (one of the most famous is probably around "the le pic de l'ours").
 * Diving, very nice spots from St. Raphael and the "Lyon de mer" (the island in front of the city center to Traya and the red creeks falling deep in the sea. Don't forget to dive in front of the Dramond colorful wall and a wreck for those who have a bit of experience.
 * Playing golf, in Valescure, one of St Raphael suburb.

Sleep

 * Many camping sites provide spaces for tents and trailers and also rent mobile homes as well. for 4 or 6 persons, it could be a cheap way to be near the beaches.

Go next
The city is next to Fréjus, but with a car one can reach in around an hour (depending on the traffic):
 * Cannes the biggest town nearby.
 * Saint-Tropez is a beautiful fishing port.

title: Saint-Raphaël


text:
Strasbourg

Strasbourg (German: Straßburg, Alsatian: Strossburi) is the capital of the Grand-Est region of France and is most widely known for hosting a number of important European institutions. It is also famous for its beautiful historical centre - the Grande Île - which was the first city centre to be classified entirely as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Understand
Strasbourg is the ninth largest city in France with nearly half a million inhabitants in a metropolitan area spanning across the river into the German city of Kehl, on the eastern bank of the Rhine.

The city is the seat of the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Ombudsman, the Eurocorps, the European Audiovisual Observatory and, most famously, the European Parliament, which also holds sessions in Brussels.

Strasbourg is a popular tourist destination primarily thanks to the beautifully preserved and pedestrian friendly city centre, which can be explored on foot or bicycle in a few days. Don't forget that Strasbourg's appeal now brings tourists to the city throughout the year, with large tour groups especially frequent during the summer months and during the annual winter market.

Talk
While you will very likely find people who will engage in a conversation in Alsatian (which may vaguely sound like German to you), the lingua franca of Strasbourg (and all of Alsace) is French. It is possible to hear Alsatian spoken on the streets, especially around the Cathedral. Alsatian (the historic Germanic language of Alsace) is a declining language, spoken mostly by the region's older residents or in rural areas but efforts are underway to revive it. Due to the presence of the EU, chances are you might encounter locals that speak pretty good English. As Germany is right next door and due to heavy tourism from there, nearly everyone in the tourism sector can speak some German.

By plane
Strasbourg has its own airport, however there are (relatively) nearby airports which have a wider range of destinations:

Due to the excellent train connection to Paris, it may make sense to fly into Charles de Gaulle airport and take the TGV from there. Air France and some of its partners offer combined tickets in an air rail alliance.

By train
Strasbourg is well served by regional, national and international train services, predominantly by SNCF (French Railways), but also by Deutsche Bahn (German Railways).

Strasbourg is the eastern terminus of a major high speed rail line and thus served by numerous TGV and some ICE trains, most of which continue onwards to Paris or Germany respectively. Unfortunately this has also resulted in the end of many long running sleeper trains such as the original Orient Express.

Major destinations include the following major towns and cities with multiple daily departures. Journey times are approximate, some require TGV trains: Paris 1 hr 50 min, Dijon 2 hr, Lyon 3 hr 40 min, Metz 1 hr 15 min, Nancy 50 min, Marseille 5 hr 30 min, Besancon 1 hr 40 min, Luxembourg 1 hr 40 min, Mulhouse 50 min, Basel 1 hr 25 min, Frankfurt 1 hr 45 min, Stuttgart 1 hr 20 min, Munich 3 hr 40 min, Saarbrücken 1 hr 30 min by direct local train, Brussels 3 hr 40 min.

The TGV Est Européen provides direct services to: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport 2 hr 25 min, Lille 3 hr 20 min (for same-station connections via Eurostar to London), Rennes 5 hr 15 min, Nantes 5 hr 10 min, Bordeaux 6 hr 45 min.

Coming from Germany with the Deutschland-Ticket you can stay in the RB25 from Offenburg to Strasbourg, but you need to buy an extra ticket for Kehl-Strasbourg for €4.70, which can be bought online. Or you leave the train in Kehl and take a tram to any point in Strasbourg for €1.90

From Saarbrücken, Saar-Elsass ticket can be purchased for €35 on weekends that enables round-trip for up to 5 travellers. More details are found here.

The main train station in Strasbourg is the. The station, impressively renovated with a new glass cocoon frontage, is located a short walk west of the town center on Place de la Gare. There are connections to the tram system and buses, with many taxis waiting outside (to the left of the station forecourt).

For details of all services, and to make reservations, contact SNCF. For regional travel, check SNCF TER Alsace who co-ordinate the efficient and well served regional train network. When planning trips east of Strasbourg into Germany or countries beyond, you could save money by comparing the fares offered by Deutsche Bahn to those of the SNCF.

By bus

 * Flixbus is by far the biggest player in the German market and a big player in the French market as well.

By tram
The German town of Kehl just across the border was linked to the Strasbourg tram network in 2017. It is one of only a handful of places worldwide where you can just hop on an urban rail service and let it take you across an international border. Both sides being within the Schengen Area, you don't need to take a passport or answer the question "business or pleasure" and you'll likely not be asked by customs agents how much booze you are carrying, either (and the limits are very generous at any rate). There are of course fare inspectors, so don't forget to get a ticket.

By car
You can reach Strasbourg by various highways:

 * from the west (Paris, Benelux) taking the A4 highway (E25). About 4 hours from Paris and 2 hr 15 min from Luxembourg.
 * from the south (Switzerland, Lyon), taking the A35 highway (E25). About 5 hours from Lyon
 * from the north and east (Germany), taking the A5 highway (E35).

Driving into Strasbourg's old city is relatively easy although there are a few streets off limits to cars. There are many large garages surrounding the old city if your hotel does not have its own parking facility. Some carparks are more expensive than other, especially for longer stays. The one at Petite France Ste Marguerite is the cheapest at €7.20/24 hour and €5.20 for each consecutive day.

Tickets P+R (parking for the day plus return fare on the tram for up to 7 passengers of the car): €4.10, P+R Rotonde: €4.60.

Get around
Strasbourg is most easily explored on foot, and the historic city centre can easily be explored in a day or two. To be able to cover more ground, you should consider hiring a bike or using the public transport network.

By bike
Strasbourg is ideal for cycling - the city center is flat and there are plenty of bike lanes and bike paths. You can rent bikes at:

 * the automatic or manned bike sharing stations vélhop.
 * rue du Maire Kuss, in front of the train station
 * rue des Bouchers, on the south bank of the Ill river, near the rue d'Austerlitz and the Porte de l'Hôpital tramway station.

Bikes are allowed on trams except during peak hours.

More information on cycling in Strasbourg is available on the Strasbourg website.

By bus and tram

Buses and trams in Strasbourg are operated by the Compagnie des Transports Strasbourgeois (CTS). A few dozen numbered bus lines and six tram lines (named A to F) serve the city. A single ticketing system covers bus and tram. Tickets are sold in 'tabacs' (newsagents), tourist offices, CTS boutiques or from vending machines at tram stops. Tickets should be validated before use, either in the machines on tram station platforms or in the machine by the driver when you board the bus.

Summary of fares (as of Oct 2018):

 * Aller Simple (one way) €1.80 (€2 on board)
 * Aller Retour (round trip) €3.50
 * 10 x Aller Simple (1 contactless ticket suitable only for one person) €14.10
 * 24H Individuel (24-hr ticket for one person) €4.50
 * Trio (one day ticket for up to three people) €6.90

Prices are slightly lower (e.g. €1.70 one-way) if loaded onto a Badgéo card, CTS App or topped up on contactless ticket. CTS App works only with French Sim cards (as of Oct 2018).

If you're using the buses and trams a lot, Europass tickets are available from all automatic ticket machines for either 24 hours or seven days. The Europass Mini is valid on all local tram, bus and train services, including those that cross the border to Kehl. The full Europass ticket also covers the local transport of the Ortenau Tarifverbund in Germany including Offenburg (information in German only).

Petite France
Petite France is the name given to the small area between the rivers, just south of the Grande Île. It is home to some of Strasbourg's prettiest and most photogenic streets and buildings, with half timbered townhouses leaning out over the narrow cobbled streets. Petite France resembles Colmar (a city an hour south), with picturesque canal and half-timber houses.

European district
Use bus lines #6, 30, 72 to get there.

Do

 * Walking around the old town is a very nice way to pass a day. And there are lots of good cafes to stop and rest in as you make your tour.

 * Boat tours along the Rhine offer views over both Strasbourg and neighbouring Germany. Batorama offer several river tours lasting from around 45 minutes to a few hours, costing around €10 per person. 45-min tours run around the town center and the European district. Boats can be found below Place du Marché aux Poissons.
 * Football: RC Strasbourg Alsace play soccer in Ligue 1, the top tier in France. Their home ground Stade de la Meinau (capacity 26,300) is 2 km south of town centre.
 * Christmas Markets can be found in many places, but the most important and beautiful are place Broglie and place de la Cathédrale, although they are crowded. They are the best places to drink hot wine (vin chaud) and to eat Christmas cookies (Brädeles).

Buy
From time to time, the city organizes a general market in vast parts of the center, where many street vendors offer various products and the shops join in with special discounts. Then, the city center on the island is partly closed for parking or driving and the trams don't go on the rue des Francs Bourgeois. Information about regular market dates is hard to find on the net. If you manage to track down the date of this market, write it here and don't miss it.

Try Galeries Lafayettes at rue du 22 Novembre and Printemps at 1-5 rue de la Haute Montée. Rue Hellebardes and Gutenberg offer designer clothes and men's clothes. Bruno Saint Hilaire has designer clothes for men and a shop in 8, rue Gutenberg. There is a low-budget, secondhand clothing shop in 6, rue de la Lanterne, and various gadget shops can be found in rue des Juifs.

For cheap groceries, including local wines and beers, try one of the three outlets of Norma, a German discount chain whose three outlets are at the corner of rue St Michel and rue Ste Marguerite near the central train station; at 79, Grand'Rue near the centre of Grand Île; and at 27, rue des Frères near the Cathedral. Open M-F 10:00-20:00, Sa 09:30-19:00.

Eat
Alsatian specialties are numerous and can be eaten in many traditional restaurants, in the city or in the neighborhood. Particularly you shouldn't visit Alsace without having the sauerkraut (choucroute in French). Choucroute seems to have a standard price throughout Alsace of €14. Don't be too dismayed by this seemingly high price as what is brought to you is a heaping plate of Sauerkraut (big enough for 2 people) as well as sausages and other meats. This is usually translated as "garnished sauerkraut" on English menus, when in doubt ask your server. There is also a delicious fish choucroute. Other specialties include the Alsatian pork-butcher's meat, Flammeküche or flams (tartes flambées in French) which is a sort of wafer thin pizza made with onion-cream sauce, Baeckeoffe, beef and pork stew cooked, with potatoes and carrots, usually served for two or more persons and Fleischnackas, mixed beef meat presented like spirals and served with salads.

Budget
All these are in the city centre:

Drink

 * Beer: Alsace is the first beer-producing region of France and Strasbourg has many breweries. Best known are Kronenbourg and Fischer, whose factories can be visited for free, with free drinks at the end of the tour.
 * Alsatian white wine: usually drunk with Alsatian food, but also with fish. The main varieties are Gewürtztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris. They have a particularly floral flavour and are well worth investigating. Explore it on the Alsace Wine Route with free tastings everywhere.

Sleep
There are many hotels around the station, especially in the place de la Gare and in the rue du Maire Kuss, but this area does not offer consistent quality for accommodations. Most international hotel chains are represented with the usual 2- or 3-star hotels, many of which host the large tour groups who come on weekend breaks. If your budget allows, try staying on the Grande Île (city centre). Most of Strasbourg's hotels are fully booked during the Christmas Market period (December) and when the EU parliament is in session for a few days every month, usually for the period around the tenth. Book ahead if in doubt, as last minute accommodation can be difficult to find during these periods.

Stay safe
Strasbourg is just like any other major French city: there are safe areas and there are unsafe areas. In any case, standard safety precautions need to be applied.

In the city center, watch out for pickpockets near the Cathedral (and even inside, according to the signs), during the high tourist season, and throughout the old town.

The areas immediately surrounding the railway station might look unsavory at night, but there are usually lots of people around there, and the streets are well-lit. Avoid looking like a lost tourist and you will be fine. If you do feel uncomfortable, don't hesitate to approach a police officer or taxi driver.

Some areas in the south (especially the Neuhof neighborhood, which often ranks among France's worst neighborhoods) and west (Hautepierre, Cronenbourg) of the city might be iffy, especially at night, but they have little tourist appeal.

Phone
Local mobile phone services are provided by Orange, SFR and Bouygues Télécom. Payphone kiosks are plentiful and international calling cards can be purchased in post offices and 'tabacs' (corner shops). Most of the internet cafés listed below are also equipped for making online telephony calls (Skype etc.).

Internet

 * In most McDonald's in Strasbourg you get free WLAN.

Consulates

 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇯🇵 Japan
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇷🇺 Russia
 * 🇷🇸 Serbia
 * 🇪🇸 Spain
 * 🇨🇭 Switzerland
 * 🇺🇸 United States

Go next

 * Sélestat — with Haut-Koenigsbourg castle nearby
 * Alsatian Vineyard Route
 * Colmar
 * Kaysersberg
 * Riquewihr
 * Obernai
 * Marmoutier — about from Strasbourg, has a beautiful 12th-century abbey church
 * Germany, in the Black Forest region:
 * Kehl is a short ride or walk across the river.
 * Offenburg is the end of the TER line, a 30-minute ride away, at the foot of the mountains of the Black Forest.

title: Strasbourg


text:
Strasburg (Virginia)

Strasburg is a city in Virginia.

Understand
The population was 6,398 at the 2010 census.

title: Strasburg (Virginia)


text:
Strasburg (Colorado)

Strasburg is in the Eastern Plains of Colorado.

title: Strasburg (Colorado)


text:
Strasburg (North Dakota)

Strasburg is a town in the Coteaus and Plains area of North Dakota.

title: Strasburg (North Dakota)


text:
Stratford

There is more than one place called Stratford:

Australia

 * Stratford (Victoria), a town in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia

Canada

 * Stratford (Ontario) - a town in Ontario

New Zealand

 * Stratford (New Zealand)

United Kingdom

 * Stratford-upon-Avon - a town in Warwickshire, England
 * London/Stratford - a district of London, England

United States of America

 * Stratford (Connecticut) - a city in Connecticut
 * Stratford (California) - a town in California
 * Stratford (Texas) - a small town in Texas

title: Stratford


text:
Stratford (Connecticut)

Stratford is a town in Connecticut. Stratford, Connecticut was founded in 1639. It is in New England and located on the Long Island Sound. It is east of the Housatonic River and it also part of Fairfield County. Stratford is 18.7 miles and has a population of 51,384 people. Stratford is only an hour in driving distance from parts New York. Stratford consists of multiple public bathing beaches, five marinas, fishing piers, and two public boat launching facilities. Stratfords' mission statement is as follows, "To enhance the quality of life within the community by providing services with professionalism and a commitment to excellence." It is quite noticeable driving through the town of Stratford that the town sticks to their mission statement.

Get in
By Car Interstate 95 (Connecticut Turnpike), US Route 1, the Merritt Parkway (Route 15), Route 108 (Nichols Avenue), Route 110 (East Main Street and River Road), Route 113 (Lordship Boulevard and Main Street), and Route 130 (Stratford Avenue and Ferry Boulevard) all cross Stratford.

By Train Metro North

You can find prices and train schedules by visiting the metro north website! http://www.mta.info/mnr/

Get around
Many of the shopping plazas and popular parts of town are located on Main Street. Walking on Main Street is the most common way of getting around. There is also a bus that runs through the town 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can find a bus stop on almost any street corner. Also, many people bike around the town. Be sure to check out some of the bike trails!

See
Stratford, Connecticut is a very historical place. If you visit here be sure to check out these places and learn as much as you can.
 * Stratford Point Lighthouse, Stratford Point at mouth of Housatonic River
 * Stratford Point Lighthouse, Stratford Point at mouth of Housatonic River
 * Stratford Point Lighthouse, Stratford Point at mouth of Housatonic River

Do
You'll likely never be bored in Stratford, as there is always so much to do all year round. You can go ice skating, go to the movies, go shopping and mini golf.

Buy
There are many great shopping centers in Stratford. You can get just about everything you need without even leaving the town! Be sure to check out all of these shopping centers. You can find high-end designers clothes for lower prices and stores such as Marshalls and Burlington Coat Factory and you can find everyday necessities at the local CVS, RiteAid, and Walgreens.

Eat
Stratford is full of restaurants! There are multiple places to eat on every street corner! Make sure to check out some of the most popular restaurants!

title: Stratford (Connecticut)


text:
Stratford (New Zealand)

Stratford is in Taranaki, New Zealand. Sitting on the banks of the Patea River, Stratford enjoys impressive views of Mount Taranaki/Egmont. The mountain provides a year-round source of recreation, with skiing, hiking, climbing and scenic walks. Trout fishing is popular at the region's rivers and streams, and the town boasts several fine gardens, including Te Popo. South of Stratford, the Taranaki Pioneer Village houses a collection of historic buildings. The Stratford-Taumaranui Heritage Trail also takes in historic sites - a booklet about the trail is available at the visitor centre.

By car
Hire a car in New Plymouth or bring a campervan.

By bus
Intercity coaches from Wellington and New Plymouth stop outside the i-Site in Miranda Street.

Get around
Stratford is small enough to walk around. There is no bus system or taxis.

There is a Monday - Friday daily connecting bus from New Plymouth with two services to Stratford and onward to Hawera. The same bus also connects Stratford Town with Taranaki Base Hospital.

See
All of the streets have Shakespearean names. Romeo St and Juliet St don't intersect for some reason. There is an art gallery next to the I-Site.

Buy
Chocolates at the sweet shop are in the shape of Taranaki, the Glockenspiel, kiwi, etc.

Eat
There is a good bakery and a small ethnic shop selling cheap groceries. There is an Italian restaurant serving excellent pizza, located on the main street

Connect
There is free internet at the library. Expect a wait and a 30 minute time limit

Go next
Head south to Hawera or north to New Plymouth. The Forgotten World Highway (Route 43) to Taumarunui is one of New Zealand's most underrated drives.

title: Stratford (New Zealand)


text:
Stratford (Ontario)

Stratford is a town in Southwestern Ontario that is internationally known for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, acclaimed for its presentation of Shakespearean, classical and musical theatre. In 2021, it was home to 33,000 people.

Understand
Before European settlement, many Indigenous groups called this land home: the Anishinaabe, Attiwonderonk (Neutral) and Haudenosaunee peoples.

Stratford is the seat of Perth County, which was settled by English, Irish, Scottish and German immigrants, in almost equal numbers, starting in the 1820s but primarily in the 1830s and 1840s. Most became farmers. Today, the area around Stratford is known for mixed farming, dairying and hog production.

Stratford is known as the hometown of musicians Loreena McKennitt and Justin Bieber.

By car
From Toronto: follow Highway 401 west to Kitchener, then west via Highways 7/8.

From London: east via Highway 7.

By bus

By train

 * Operates daily between Sarnia and Toronto including stops in London, St. Marys, Stratford, Kitchener, Guelph, Georgetown, Brampton, and Mississauga.
 * Operates daily between Sarnia and Toronto including stops in London, St. Marys, Stratford, Kitchener, Guelph, Georgetown, Brampton, and Mississauga.

By plane
Travellers arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Kitchener-Waterloo International Airport, or London International Airport will require another mode of transportation to get to Stratford.

By taxi
Taxis are plentiful and service is available for a flat rate of within Stratford.

By bus
Stratford Transit operates bus routes from the transit terminal on Downie Street close to the downtown core. There are six regular routes that run for six days a week, M-Sa 8AM-10PM. There is bus service on Sundays however, there are no set routes. Instead, riders book a pickup and drop-off location by calling, using an app, or accessing the city's website.

See

The Festival runs from April to October at the following theatres:

In addition to the play performances, the Festival hosts a wide range of tours and events. Tours run from mid-June to late October. Check the Festival website for more details.

Other attractions include:

Do

 * The park system around the Avon River: Stroll the shaded path around the lake. There are lots of benches for people-watching and picnicking. There are many swans, ducks and geese to be seen in the city. You can rent a canoe or pedal boat from the York Street Visitors Kiosk, +1-800-561-7926 or +1 519-271-5140.
 * Stratford is the home town of pop superstar Justin Bieber. The tourism website has an audio guide of places he used to hang out at. The schools are not open for tours, and has no places where he lived.
 * Stratford is the home town of pop superstar Justin Bieber. The tourism website has an audio guide of places he used to hang out at. The schools are not open for tours, and has no places where he lived.
 * Stratford is the home town of pop superstar Justin Bieber. The tourism website has an audio guide of places he used to hang out at. The schools are not open for tours, and has no places where he lived.

Buy
Startford's downtown core has an eclectic assortment of stores to browse, including bookstores, clothing boutiques, toy stores, and craft stores. Stroll along Ontario, Wellington, and Downie Streets to get an overview. The stores downtown are generally open 7 days a week during the theatre season. Most stores open at 9:30AM and close at 5:30PM, and many stay open until 8PM on Friday evenings.

The Theatre Stores, located at the Festival Theatre and the Avon Theatre, +1 519 271-0055 x2320, sell gifts, clothing, books and music related to the current year's Stratford Festival playbill.

Eat
For a pre-theatre meal, be sure to make a reservation.

Sleep
There are variety of accommodation options for visitors to Stratford, including a large number of B&Bs. This is a small sampling of what's available, the Stratford Tourism Alliance website has a more complete list. Prices quoted below are for high season, which runs from approximately mid-April to mid-November.

Bed & breakfasts

 * Others available through the Stratford Festival office.
 * Others available through the Stratford Festival office.
 * Others available through the Stratford Festival office.
 * Others available through the Stratford Festival office.

Go next

Some options for further travel include:

 * Niagara-on-the-Lake - for more theatre, visit the Shaw Festival in this picturesque historic town

title: Stratford (Ontario)


text:
Stratford (Texas)

Stratford is a small town in the northern High Plains region of Texas.

Get in

 * US 287, between Dumas and Boise City, Oklahoma
 * US 54, between Dalhart and Guymon, Oklahoma
 * Texas Route 15 connects to Gruver and Spearman to the east.

Go next

 * Dalhart, and the former XIT Ranch.
 * Dumas, to the south, has better restaurant options.

title: Stratford (Texas)


text:
Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is an historic town on the River Avon in the English county of Warwickshire, best known as the home town of the great English playwright and poet, William Shakespeare. Today, it is a major theatre-going destination as the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company. As such, it represents one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.

Although it's often abbreviated to just "Stratford", when organising transport or accommodation always refer in full to "Stratford-upon-Avon". There's a large district of London called Stratford, where you don't want to go by mistake.

Understand
"I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it."

- William Shakespeare - As You Like It, Act II, Scene 4

Stratford-upon-Avon has its origins in the Saxon culture of medieval England (the name "straet-ford" indicates that it was a river crossing). For many centuries it was little more than a small market town on the road to London; even today, it has only 24,000 permanent residents. Though it has developed some industrial capacity, Stratford is now known mostly for its association with Shakespeare. The town benefits tremendously from the resulting tourism and cultural activity, and has gone to great lengths to preserve those buildings that have survived since Shakespeare's time. As a result the centre of town is quaint and attractive, drawing many thousands of tourists each year to its cultural and historical amenities.

Get in
"Journeys end in lovers meeting."

- Twelfth Night, Act II, Scene 3

By plane
The closest international airport is Birmingham Airport, with many flights domestically and across Europe. Intercontinental destinations include Istanbul, Newark (New Jersey), the Gulf States, Amritsar and (who knew?) Ashgabat in Turkmenistan. Trains run from the airport to central Birmingham, change there for Stratford, and reckon 90 min.

The London airports, especially Heathrow, have a wider intercontinental choice. Reaching any of them from Stratford by public transport takes around four hours by coach, and three hours by train (as you have to go into central London and then out again). By car, Heathrow is only 90 min away if the motorways are clear, but when would the M25 and M40 ever be clear?

By train

There are frequent direct trains to Birmingham Snow Hill station (around an hour) and Warwick (around 30 minutes). For London there are only 3 direct trains, taking 2 hours to London Marylebone station. The journey usually takes 3 hours, changing either in Birmingham for trains to London Euston, or at Royal Leamington Spa for trains to London Marylebone.

By bus
National Express run direct coaches to Stratford from London Victoria (about 3 hr), Birmingham (1 hr) and Oxford (1 hr 15 min).

By car
From London follow the M40 motorway and exit at Junction 15 for A46 south. Distance 102 miles (164 km), journey time approximately 2 hours. See also the town's Park and Ride website.

By boat
At Stratford, the navigable River Avon meets the Stratford canal, which connects to Grand Union Canal and the entire English waterway network. You could even reach Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester, given enough time, and a narrowboat to wriggle through the narrow locks. Historically this was important, creating a freight route between Bristol to London in the early 19th century; and then in the 20th century it was the cause which focus efforts to rescue the national canal system from neglect.

Get around
"A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!"

- Richard III, Act V, Scene 4

The town is compact and most sights are in easy walking distance. However Anne Hathaway's Cottage is in Shottery, a mile west from the centre, and Mary Arden's Farm is three miles west in Wilmcote. For these either use your own car, or take the open-top bus tour, or cycle. Cyclists will also enjoy Stratford Greenway, 5 miles of traffic-free track on the edge of town.

Those unable to walk can hire a mobility scooter from Shopmobility, located on the ground floor of the Bridgefoot multi-storey car park.

See
"So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see So long lives this, and this gives life to thee."

- Sonnet 18

There are five sites closely associated with Shakespeare, and managed by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. A combi-ticket (called "The Full Story") is best value and they can all be seen in the course of an afternoon. Three are central: Shakespeare's birthplace on Henley Street is the obvious starting point. In later life he bought a house at New Place - it's long been demolished, but you visit to see the garden there, and the adjoining Nash's House where his grand-daughter Elizabeth lived. His daughter Susanna married Dr John Hall, and Hall's Croft was their house. A mile west in the hamlet of Shottery is Anne Hathaway's Cottage, where she grew up before marrying Shakespeare. Three miles west in Wilmcote is Mary Arden's Farm, childhood home of Shakespeare's mother.

Further afield

Do
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players"

- As You Like It, Act II, Scene 7

 * There are three RSC theatres in town, which can be toured. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre within the Waterside complex is the main space for performing Shakespeare; it has 1018 seats with a thrust stage. Also within the complex is Swan Theatre, used for performing Shakespeare's contemporaries, and Restoration and newer work. It has 426 seats around a deep thrust stage. Some 150 m south along the river is The Other Place. This has a 200-seat theatre (incorporating the former Courtyard Theatre) plus rehearsal and studio space.
 * Tickets are normally £50-75 for seats on the lower level on the stage, with no restricted view. On the day standby tickets are considerably cheaper (£10-20), however you are not guaranteed availability, and seat choices are limited.
 * Tickets are normally £50-75 for seats on the lower level on the stage, with no restricted view. On the day standby tickets are considerably cheaper (£10-20), however you are not guaranteed availability, and seat choices are limited.

 * Hire a rowing boat and take a trip up and down the river.
 * Stratford Town Walk is a guided sightseeing walk, daily at 11:00 plus Sa Su at 14:00. The walk starts from the Swan fountain on Waterside, near the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and opposite the junction of Sheep Street. The walk takes about two hours, adults £6, no booking. The same team also runs:
 * - Stratford Town Ghost Walk on Saturdays at 7:30PM (90 min), adults £7, book on 07855 760377 or 01789 292478.
 * - Cruises on the River Avon, with ghostly stories and, uh, mind-reading.
 * - Cruises on the River Avon, with ghostly stories and, uh, mind-reading.

Buy
"If money go before, all ways do lie open."

- The Merry Wives of Windsor, Act II, Scene 2

Stratford sounds like an ideal place to stock up on Shakespeare... but is it? A book of the complete works of Shakespeare can be bought online for less than £4 plus postage, a Kindle version for less than £1, and a simple text download for free. That's because the works are deemed to belong to the common heritage of the English-speaking peoples, with no copyright restrictions, and there are innumerable print editions and e-sources out there. So Old Bill could be adding class to your bookshelves long before your trip.

On most summer Sundays there is a craft-market on the Waterside. The produce isn't particularly local though.

Eat
"'Tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers."

- Romeo and Juliet, Act IV, Scene 2

Stratford eating places are well geared to theatre-goers. Usually there's a pre-theatre rush at 5PM, then it all goes quiet between 6PM and 7PM before the evening crowd starts coming in. But there's not much of a late night scene, as you'd find in London's West End or in Edinburgh.

Venturing further afield, there are many pubs and restaurants in surrounding villages and towns. Look at Alcester, Welford-on-Avon, Chipping Campden, and the Cotswolds.
 * The One Elm 1 Guild St CV37 6QZ, just off High Street (daily 11AM-11PM). Great food all day and lovely back courtyard.
 * Barnabys 25 Sheep St CV37 6EF, across the road from RSC (daily 11AM-8PM). Good inexpensive fish & chips and other fast food.
 * Baraset Barn Pimlico Lane, Alveston CV37 6RJ, 2 miles northeast of Stratford off B4086 (M-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-5PM). Nice gastropub.
 * Baraset Barn Pimlico Lane, Alveston CV37 6RJ, 2 miles northeast of Stratford off B4086 (M-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-5PM). Nice gastropub.
 * Baraset Barn Pimlico Lane, Alveston CV37 6RJ, 2 miles northeast of Stratford off B4086 (M-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-5PM). Nice gastropub.
 * Baraset Barn Pimlico Lane, Alveston CV37 6RJ, 2 miles northeast of Stratford off B4086 (M-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-5PM). Nice gastropub.

Drink
"Now is the woodcock near the gin."

- Twelfth Night, Act II, Scene 5

 * The One Elm: see "Eat" listing.
 * Dirty Duck / Black Swan: see "Eat" listing.
 * Prospero Lounge: See 'eat' listing

Sleep
"Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed The dear repose for limbs with travel tired"

- Sonnet 27

Reliable mid-range chain hotels in Stratford-upon-Avon include Mercure, Premier Inn, Best Western and Crowne Plaza.

 * Virginia Lodge, 12 Evesham Place CV37 6HT: a nice B&B about 5 minutes' walk to Stratford town centre.
 * YHA Hostel, Alveston has basic dorms in a grand Georgian villa, 2 miles northeast of Stratford off B4086 Wellesbourne Rd in Alveston.

Connect
As of May 2024, Stratford and its approach roads have 4G from O2, Three and Vodafone, and 5G from EE.

Go next
"There is a world elsewhere."

- Coriolanus, Act III, Scene 3

 * Warwick — One of Britain's most famous and best preserved castles.
 * Wellesbourne — Large village known for its airfield and close to Charlecote Park, a manor house and deer park that William Shakespeare allegedly poached in.
 * The hills to the south are the Cotswolds, with a series of charming villages - Chipping Campden, Blockley, Bourton-on-the-Water, or any of the hundreds of other villages.
 * Bristol — large city known for its' merchant trading history, south of the Cotswolds
 * Cheltenham to the south of the Cotswolds, and Royal Leamington Spa on the railway line north of Stratford, are elegant spa towns.
 * Oxford to the south-east is a must-see.
 * Head for Birmingham for big city attractions, as well as an international airport and train connections to the rest of the UK and onwards to mainland Europe (via Eurostar).

title: Stratford-upon-Avon


text:
Strathcona Provincial Park

Strathcona Provincial Park is on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Understand

The Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve, established in 2000, includes three watersheds in the western area of the park.

Although there are no commercial tourist facilities in the park, the nearby Strathcona Park Lodge and Outdoor Education Centre provides outdoors education. Visitor facilities are available in the nearby communities of Campbell River and Gold River.

History
Strathcona Provincial Park is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia, Canada, and the largest on Vancouver Island. Founded in 1911, the park was named for Donald Alexander Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal, a wealthy philanthropist and railway pioneer.

This area is the traditional territory of the Mowachaht and Muchalaht people of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation. Commander John Buttle, for whom Buttle Lake is named, was the first European to explore the area in the 1860s.

In 1894 and 1896 the area was explored by Reverend William W. Bolton. Bolton's explorations and federal government interest in establishing a national park led BC Premier Sir Richard McBride to set aside a park reserve in June 1910.

The First World War caused elaborate plans for a railway and two hotels to be abandoned. As part of the war effort, there was logging in the Elk River Valley. Over the years which have followed, other industrial uses have affected the park. In 1939 mining and logging became permitted in the park and in 1959 the Westmin Mine was opened. This mine continues to operate in a section of the park called Strathcona-Westmin Provincial Park.

The area around the shoreline of Buttle Lake was logged to accommodate the increase in water levels from the Elk Falls hydroelectric project in Campbell River in 1948 which also raised water levels in the Elk River. The variation in water levels in the lake periodically exposes lake bottom and stumps from this logging and is considered unsightly.

In 1987 the provincial government announced plans to remove large areas from the park for logging and other industrial uses. The Friends of Strathcona formed a blockade which attracted significant media attention and resulted in the arrest of 63 protesters. An independent review of the future of the park resulted in the Strathcona Park Master Plan. Most of the park is designated a conservation area under this plan.

Landscape
It covers 2,458 km². The Elk River Mountains and the highest peaks of the Vancouver Island Ranges are found here. Some notable mountains within the park boundaries include: Strathcona Park is also known for its lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers. Buttle Lake is a popular destination for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Also in the park is Della Falls which, at 440 m in height, is widely considered the highest waterfall in Canada.

The 6,500-meter-thick Karmutsen Formation is the most abundant rock unit in the park. It is a pile of tholeiitic pillow basalts and breccias. It is also the oldest, thickest and most widespread formation on Vancouver Island found on Triple Peak, Cat's Ears Peak and the Mackenzie Range.

Flora and fauna
Sub-alpine ecosystem: western redcedar, Douglas fir, grand fir, amabilis fir, western hemlock, mountain hemlock and creeping juniper

Wildlife: Roosevelt elk, Vancouver Island marmot, Vancouver Island wolf, cougar and the coastal black-tailed deer

Birds: chestnut-backed chickadee, red-breasted nuthatch, winter wren and kinglet, gray jay, Steller's jay, blue grouse, ruffed grouse and white-tailed ptarmigan

Climate
Summer in Strathcona is usually pleasantly warm, while winters are fairly mild except for the higher levels, where heavy snowfalls are the norm. From November through March, snowfalls can be expected on the mountain slopes and alpine plateaus. Snow remains all year on the mountain peaks and may linger into July even at moderate elevations. Summer evenings, as elsewhere in the coastal regions of BC, can be cool and rain can be expected at any time of the year.

Get in
The park is 9 km east of Gold River and 41 km west of Campbell River on Highway 28.

See
There are two points of access for day users: Buttle Lake and Forbidden Plateau.

Do
The park is a popular destination for hikers, mountain climbers, swimmers, canoeists, and kayakers. There is an extensive network of hiking trails in the park; visitor facilities are located at Buttle Lake and Forbidden Plateau. The park includes campgrounds, backpacking and cross-country skiing trails, and downhill skiing. There is fishing, in season, for cutthroat, rainbow, and Dolly Varden trout.

 * Canoeing and kayaking is popular on Buttle and Upper Campbell Lakes. Buttle Lake is subject to strong afternoon winds that may be very hazardous to small craft. Canoeists and kayakers should exercise caution at all times.
 * Climbing and rapelling: Crest Creek Crags offers more than 150 climbing routes for various skill levels. Ensure you and your climbing partner have the skills, equipment and experience to climb safely. Crest Creek Crags is accessed via Hwy 28 from Campbell River; approximately 11 km east of Gold River.
 * Cycling: There are some mountain bike opportunities on the west side of the park through Gold River near Kunlin Lake. Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
 * Fishing: Angling can be rewarding on Buttle Lake and on the other lakes and waterways in the park. Cutthroat and Rainbow trout are the primary catch. Tributaries to Buttle Lake are closed to angling. The Elk River is open to catch and release fly fishing only. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing for other restrictions. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
 * Hiking: Numerous hiking trails, ranging from 20-minute ambles to arduous, multi-day hikes and mountaineering adventures.
 * Flower Ridge Trail. The trailhead for this trail is located immediately South of Henshaw Creek near the southeast side of Buttle Lake. There is significant parking and an info board just North of the creek. The trail rises 1200 m during its 6 km. It is easy to follow without large switch-backs. It took a group of hikers with moderate experience about 5 hours to the edge of the ridge and 2½ hours down.
 * Paradise Meadows Barrier-Free Centennial Trail: An easily accessible sub-alpine trail which is suitable for everyone.
 * Hunting: Hunting is only permitted in the McBride Creek and Megin-Talbot areas of Strathcona Park for specific species in season. Hunters must have valid licences and tags.
 * Interpretive programs: The Strathcona Wilderness Institute, through the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre, offers nature walks, talks, and hikes. The Wilderness Centre building is at the Paradise Meadows trailhead in Strathcona Park, adjacent to Mt. Washington’s Raven Lodge, the nordic ski lodge. The Centre provides visitor information, maps, books, and refreshments.
 * Swimming: Good swimming is available in Buttle Lake, near the Buttle Lake and Driftwood Bay campgrounds. Buoys mark the designated swimming areas. Although the water is cold, swimming is permitted in all the lakes in the backcountry except for Kwai Lake. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
 * Waterskiing and windsurfing': on Buttle Lake.
 * Wildlife viewing: Observation platforms to view various waterfalls can be found at Lupin Falls, Lady Falls, Karst Creek and both Lower and Upper Myra Falls. Visitors may see black bears, Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, cougars, Trumpeter swans, Bald eagles, whiskeyjacks, squirrels, tree frogs and white-tailed Ptarmigan, and other species inhabiting this wilderness park.
 * Backcountry skiing and snowboarding: Developed ski facilities can be found at Mount Washington Alpine Resort, adjacent to the park. Mount Washington often boasts one of the highest snowfalls of any ski resort in North America. Ski rentals are available from Mount Washington or from various commercial outlets in the Comox Valley and Campbell River.
 * Cross-country skiing is a popular activity in Paradise Meadows during the winter. More than half of the Nordic trails set by Mount Washington are within Strathcona Park. Ski rentals are available from Mount Washington or from various commercial outlets in the Comox Valley and Campbell River.
 * Snowshoeing  is popular in Paradise Meadows during the winter. Mount Washington sets some snowshoes trails for beginners; more adventurous visitors can snowshoe at any point in the park. Rentals are available from Mount Washington or from various commercial outlets in the Comox Valley and Campbell River.
 * Snowshoeing  is popular in Paradise Meadows during the winter. Mount Washington sets some snowshoes trails for beginners; more adventurous visitors can snowshoe at any point in the park. Rentals are available from Mount Washington or from various commercial outlets in the Comox Valley and Campbell River.

Wheelchair access

 * Paradise Meadows Barrier-Free Centennial Trail is an easily accessible sub-alpine trail which is suitable for most types of wheelchairs and battery powered scooters.
 * Wheelchair accessible facilities are available at the Driftwood Bay group site, Buttle Lake campground (pit toilets only), Elk Portal entrance (pit toilets only). The Crest Creek day-use area offers wheelchair accessible picnic tables and a pit toilet.
 * Strathcona Park Trail Rider Wheelchair Program: Based at the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre at Paradise Meadows trailhead (adjacent to Mount Washington’s Nordic Lodge). The one wheel unit, a cross between a rickshaw and wheelchair, makes it possible for people with mobility restrictions to access the backcountry of the Forbidden Plateau area.

Camping
Campsites are available from April 1 to October 31. There are 161 vehicle accessible campsites, 106 wilderness campsites, 5 marine campsites, 1 yurt. 96 campsites are reservable online, the rest are first-come, first-served. Campfires are banned in all areas of the park except in provided fire pits. Drinking water hand pumps are located at the, and Driftwood Bay campgrounds.

Vehicle-accessible sites cost $20 per party per night.

Backcountry
Along the Flower Ridge Trail there are isolated pads in the wooded area at the edge of the ridge, but about an hour farther on there is a barren area with approximately five pads on the edge of a cliff with an impressive panoramic view. Some large rocks have been collected near the pads to hold down tent corners as the dirt is not deep enough for stakes and there is no shelter from wind (so please don't throw them off the cliff). The sparse trees are very stunted so animals might be deterred by hanging food off the cliff.

Fires are not allowed in the backcountry.

Backcountry camping is permitted year-round at Buttle Lake Marine, Elk River, Forbidden Plateau, Bedwell and Baby Bedwell. Per night fee (2018): $10 per adult, $5 per child 6-15.

In the backcountry, drinking water comes from a variety of sources. Boiling, treating or filtering surface water prior to consumption is recommended.

Connect
There is no cellular coverage within the park. The nearest cellular coverage is in Campbell River and Gold River.

Go next
Mount Washington Alpine Resort, near Courtenay, offers downhill and cross-country skiing. It is adjacent to the park.

title: Strathcona Provincial Park


text:
Strathmore

Strathmore is a town of 14,000 people (2016) in Alberta. Today, the town is an important agricultural community. Oil and gas exploration is also a growing interest in the area. Many residents commute daily from Strathmore to Calgary.

History
The town began as a hamlet for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) lines that were built in the area in 1883. The CPR named the town after one of its benefactors: Claude Bowes-Lyon, the Earl of Strathmore. The Earl's granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth – as consort to King George VI – later passed through the community on the "Royal Train" in late May 1939.

A track-laying record was made between Strathmore and Cheadle when the railway was built. In one hour, one mile (1.6 km) of steel was laid and – at the end of the ten-hour working day – the rails were laid to Cheadle, 9 miles (14 km) for a record. Efforts by the Canadian government to develop western Canada led to increases in Strathmore's population and its importance as a rail supply stop. In 1905 the CPR moved the Hamlet of Strathmore 4 miles (6.4 km) north to its current location. The CPR railway tracks are now gone, and the land has been subdivided.

By car
Strathmore is located on Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway), approximately 50 km (30 mi) east of the City of Calgary.

title: Strathmore


text:
Strathpeffer

Strathpeffer (Gaelic Srath Pheofhair) is a village in Easter Ross in the Scottish Highlands, with a population of 1040 in 2020. It has sulphurous springs and grew up in the 19th century as a spa resort, served by a branch railway line. Fashions changed and the railway closed in 1951, but the attractive Victorian village centre and railway station have been preserved.

Local information
Local information for Strathpeffer

Get in
Strathpeffer is 20 miles northwest of Inverness. By road follow A9 over Kessock Bridge (toll free) to Tore then take A835, which goes to Ullapool.

Dingwall, ten minutes away by bus, is the nearest railway station. Trains run here every hour or two from Inverness and branch either north to Thurso and Wick or west to Kyle of Lochalsh, for Skye. Inverness has trains from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, a daytime direct train from London Kings Cross, and the sleeper from London Euston.

Stagecoach Highlands Bus 27 runs M-Sa hourly from Inverness via Dingwall, taking an hour and continuing to Contin (for the hiking trail to Rogie Falls). Bus 28 runs to Dingwall.

Get around
The bus will get you to Contin, for the Falls of Rogie trailhead.

See

 * ("Sounding Stone" or "Eagle Stone") is 32 in (81 cm) tall. It has Pictish inscriptions from circa 600 AD and was originally further down the hill. It was moved here in 1411, perhaps to mark the clan battle of that year. Or perhaps they were taking seriously the prophecy that if the stone fell over 3 times, the valley would be inundated. It's fallen over twice so the prudent Council have set it in concrete
 * is a vitrified Pictish fort. It has burned so furiously that some of its stone has melted to glass. This is a common finding in Britain, and such forts were once thought to be volcanic or meteor impact craters. The conflict that led to so many torchings is unknown.
 * ("Sounding Stone" or "Eagle Stone") is 32 in (81 cm) tall. It has Pictish inscriptions from circa 600 AD and was originally further down the hill. It was moved here in 1411, perhaps to mark the clan battle of that year. Or perhaps they were taking seriously the prophecy that if the stone fell over 3 times, the valley would be inundated. It's fallen over twice so the prudent Council have set it in concrete
 * is a vitrified Pictish fort. It has burned so furiously that some of its stone has melted to glass. This is a common finding in Britain, and such forts were once thought to be volcanic or meteor impact craters. The conflict that led to so many torchings is unknown.
 * is a vitrified Pictish fort. It has burned so furiously that some of its stone has melted to glass. This is a common finding in Britain, and such forts were once thought to be volcanic or meteor impact craters. The conflict that led to so many torchings is unknown.
 * is a vitrified Pictish fort. It has burned so furiously that some of its stone has melted to glass. This is a common finding in Britain, and such forts were once thought to be volcanic or meteor impact craters. The conflict that led to so many torchings is unknown.

Do

 * Mountain biking. Plenty of trails in the surrounding countryside of forests, hills and mountains, including a race route nearby at Contin. Bikes can be bought, hired and repaired at Square Wheels in Strathpeffer Square (+44 1997 421000). Strathpuffer is a 24-hour endurance mountain bike race held in January, when it's dark for 17 of those hours. The next is probably 12-13 Jan 2025, tbc.
 * Hiking: see Walk Highlands for local hiking trails.
 * is half a mile north of the village. Open daily, visitors' Green Fee £30.
 * Strathpeffer and District Pipe Band parade here and in nearby villages in summer. Ask around, they're often here on Tuesday evenings.
 * Shinty: Caberfeidh play in the MOWI Premiership, the top tier. The playing season is Apr-Oct.
 * Strathpeffer Highland Gathering is held at Castle Leod, with the next on Sa 10 Aug 2024.

Buy

 * McColls is a convenience store in the Square, open M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 8AM-10PM.

Eat

 * Museum Cafe is within the old railway station next to the Highland Museum of Childhood. Freshly-prepared Scottish lunches and snacks, home-baking, ice cream, tea and coffee. Eat in or outside on the station platform. It's open Apr-Oct: M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM; Nov-Mar: Th-Su 10AM-5PM.
 * Wee Swally Tearoom is in White Lodge, on the Square (see "Sleep"); use the side entrance in Church Brae. It's open Tu-Sa 11AM-4PM.
 * Wee Swally Tearoom is in White Lodge, on the Square (see "Sleep"); use the side entrance in Church Brae. It's open Tu-Sa 11AM-4PM.
 * Wee Swally Tearoom is in White Lodge, on the Square (see "Sleep"); use the side entrance in Church Brae. It's open Tu-Sa 11AM-4PM.

Drink

 * There isn't a pub, but some of the hotels have public bars, see "Sleep".
 * Singleton Distillery is at Muir of Ord, see Dingwall.

Connect
As of Aug 2022, Strathpeffer has a patchy 4G service from O2, but no other signal. Finish up any important calls before you get past Dingwall.

Go next

 * Dingwall five miles east has accommodation and public transport.
 * Inverness is the region's transport hub, a pleasant Victorian city. Four miles further east, Culloden saw the Jacobites crushed in 1746.
 * Ullapool is the only large settlement on the northwest coast and has ferries to Stornoway on Lewis.
 * Tain to the northeast has the Glenmorangie whisky distillery.
 * North Coast 500 is a motoring itinerary looping through Strathpeffer.

title: Strathpeffer


text:
Strömstad

Strömstad is a city in Bohuslän on the west coast of Sweden, close to the Norwegian border. While home only to 6,000 people, it is for historical reasons often referred to as a city. It is a fishing town and a popular holiday destination. In the fish shops along the quayside you can eat fresh shrimp and fish. In the area, there are a number of prehistoric monuments, such as stone rings, stone ships, rock carvings and burial mounds.

By bus
Timeekspressen has 6 daily departures from Oslo. They return on top of the hour, every two hours between 8 and 16. Swebusexpress buses also stops here on their Göteborg–Oslo route.

By train
There are about 4–5 daily departures from Göteborg by Västtrafik. In the summer SJ runs an X2000 express train from Stockholm twice a day.

By ferry
There are several ferry's every day across the outflow of the Oslo fjord from Sandefjord in Norway with a Color line ferry. The previous connection from Langesund was discontinued in 2008.

By plane
The nearest airports are:
 * Oslo Gardermoen, Norway. Around 170 km distance. Major international airport.
 * Trollhättan Vänersborg, Sweden. Around 120 km distance. Small domestic airport.
 * Göteborg Landvetter, Sweden. Around 180 km distance. Medium size international airport.

Get around

The inner city is small, so walking is recommended. Västtrafik organises local buses.

title: Strömstad


text:
Streetsboro

Streetsboro is a city of 17,000 people (2020) in Portage County. Streetsboro was a stop on the Underground Railroad, and primarily a farming community until 1970. The city has become a retail hub for Portage County with the arrival of many national big-box retailers including Wal-Mart Supercenter, Target, Lowe's, The Home Depot and Staples.

History
Long before settlers moved into the Connecticut Western Reserve, Seneca Indians traversed the area now called Streetsboro. They used Old Portage Trail, which crosses the southwest corner of the city, to go from Lake Erie to the Ohio River basin.

The founder of Streetsboro Township was Titus Street from Connecticut, who purchased the land in 1798. The land was surveyed by Streets' agents Ralph Cowles and Lemuel Punderson in the summer of 1822 and divided into lots of 100 acres (0.40 km2).

In 1827, a turnpike from Cleveland to Wellsville, Ohio was completed. It followed much of the route of the present Ohio State Route 14. Major growth occurred in Streetsboro with the opening of a new Ohio Turnpike in 1955, as the Exit is Streetsboro was the only interchange in Portage County. By 1957, with the growth of the automobile industry, Streetsboro experienced a population explosion. Proximity to the Akron and Cleveland areas, along with direct access to Interstate 80 (Ohio Turnpike), Interstate 480 and State Routes 303, 43 and 14, have greatly contributed to the rapid growth of manufacturing, distribution, commercial and residential development in the since 1970.

By Car
Streetsboro is located at the intersection of SR 14, SR 43, and SR 303 and is just south of I-80/The Ohio Turnpike.

By Bicycle
Streetsboro is adjacent to Kent, and is a fairly short bike ride away. It may be best to take backroads to avoid traffic.

Eat
As a stop on the Ohio Turnpike, there are many national and local chains in downtown Streetsboro.

Go next

 * Kent - A quirky college town to the south of Streetsboro.
 * Cuyahoga Valley National Park - The only national park in Ohio.

title: Streetsboro


text:
Strenči

Strenci (in Latvian Strenči) is a city in Valka district, northern Latvia, 25 km from the border with Estonia. Strenči lies half way between Valmiera and Valka.

Understand
City-wise equipped with all necessary attributes, including the Tourist Information Centre, but from an infrastructure point of view this place is as unpromising as Valka. Strenči was first mentioned at the end of the 17th century. The city began to expand at the end of the 19th century, due the construction of the railway. The most significant event its history was the creation of a large mental hospital, which remains the main city attraction and is perhaps the only reason why residents of other cities come here. Nevertheless, it is still pleasant to take a walk along the shore of Gauja, where the park is cut in half.

Get in
The main road from Riga to Tartu in Estonia goes through Strenči centre. You can get here by bus or train from Riga.

There are plenty of buses and train connections, see 1188.lv. The train station is a little further northeast and does not leave the impression of anything being here when disembarking from the train.

Get around
Just walk or take your car. Strenči is a small place.

Buy
Along Rīgas iela there are many small shops and grocery stores, but no shopping centres.

Drink
Probably the most unfavourable city to have a bar or pub.

Go next

 * Seda – Just 5 km northeast. Founded in 1953 in an uninhabited area, it still embodies the pomp of Communist and Stalinist shock-work aka architecture. Nearby a vast peat bogs man-made nature area can be found, and is not to be missed. Both occurrences are historically tied to each other.
 * Valka – A unique town on the Estonian border, which runs through the town centre, creating Valga on the other side. It is close to regaining the status of an important cultural centre.
 * Smiltene – Features a manor, some castle ruins, and a watch tower over the surrounding area. Not very interesting, but quite cosy and slightly larger than Valka, and not far from the Pskov highway.
 * Valmiera – Features the only professional theatre in the region, castle ruins, a medieval church, a famous brewery, and is the start of the Gauja National Park.
 * Cēsis – One of the country's oldest towns. It has an impressive castle complex of Livonian Order origin, a charming city centre with some cobblestoned streets, and historic wooden buildings.

title: Strenči


text:
Stresa

Stresa is a small town (population 5,000) on the south side of the Borromean Bay, a western arm of Lake Maggiore in Piedmont, Northern Italy. The Borromean Islands (Isole Borromee) are a group of three small islands, Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori (also called Isola Superiore) and Isola Madre, and two islets in the Borromean Bay and together totalling just 20 ha in area. They are very picturesque, especially the ornate palaces and gardens of Isola Bella and Isola Madre.

Understand
The town centre and main ferry dock are at the southeastern end of the town. At the northwestern end is Carciano, with a lido, secondary ferry dock and the cable car station. Isola Bella is just off shore from Carciano, and Isola Superiore dei Pescatori a little further to the northwest. Isola Madre is half way across the Borromean Bay to Verbania.

By train
Trenord runs regular direct train services from Milan Centrale Station taking around 1 hour.

By bus
S.A.F. runs the Alibus from both terminals of Malpensa Airport through Stresa, terminating at Verbania, seasonally Apr-Oct. Services are 2–3 hours apart. You must book by 11am the previous day (by 11am Sa for Monday trips). Buy tickets on board, cash only. €12.

By car
Follow the directions for the A26 Genova - Gravellona Toce motorway. Take the A26 motorway towards Gravellona Toce. Keep in the direction of Gravellona Toce until the Carpugnino exit. In Carpugnino follow the signs for Stresa.

From Milan by car: Take A8 towards Laghi - Sesto Calende - Varese. Take the A26 towards Gravellona Toce. The closest exit to Stresa is Carpugnino (panoramic road) while the simplest exit is Baveno-Stresa (it stretches about 5 km).

By boat
Navigazione Laghi provides ferry services around Lake Maggiore, from Arona in the south to Locarno at the northern end in Switzerland. The most frequent services are around the Borromean Bay, between Verbania, Baveno, the Borromean Islands and Stresa; a few of these stop at Carciano, as well as the main dock.

Get around
There are two taxi ranks, one at the railway station and the other at the ferry terminal. Bicycles can be rented and the roads are developed if you have a car.

Navigazione Laghi provides ferry services between the main ferry dock, Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Madre, with some services stopping at Carciano also. There are also water taxis that operate from both the main dock and the lido – these are particularly useful after ferry hours, for example, if going or returning from dinner at a restaurant on Isola dei Pescatori or Isola Bella.

Eat
In addition to restaurants in the town, there are about a dozen on Isola dei Pescatori open for lunch or dinner and specialising in fish dishes.
 * Torino. A great restaurant located on the central square. It makes a great schnitzel with french fries.
 * Torino. A great restaurant located on the central square. It makes a great schnitzel with french fries.

Sleep
In addition to accommodation in the town, there are two hotels and a few B&Bs on Isola dei Pescatori.

Stay safe
Stresa is a small town where risk of violent crime is virtually non-existent, however there are several small cons to beware of:
 * Friend Post. A rising problem in many Italian cities, shops that sell postcards will also claim to sell stamps, these however are not real stamps, but rather stickers belonging to a private company named Friend Post. Their service is inferior to the standard Italian Post, with many records of cards not being delivered.
 * Lake Pirates. Tickets for ferries to the islands and other destinations on the lake are sold INSIDE the ferry terminal. Many unofficial people roam the streets outside the terminal wearing sailor hats and trying to lure tourists into paying a higher price to take a small lake taxi to the islands (often lying about the ferry being more expensive and making more stops). There is even a small outhouse-sized brick building just to the left of the ferry terminal that is manned by people performing this scam.

Go next

 * Arona – the southernmost ferry terminal on the lake
 * Baveno – a town very close by to the northwest
 * Verbania – the city on the northern side of the Borromean Bay

title: Stresa


text:
St. Robert

St. Robert, a city of 5,200 (2020) city in Central Missouri, is a gateway community to the US Army base at.

Understand
St. Robert is named for the local Catholic parish, whose patron saint Robert Bellarmine was an important early Jesuit. The community, which largely houses soldiers and their families, is located on the former US Route 66. As a scenic route through the area, Route 66 passes through Devil's Elbow, St. Robert, Waynesville, Buckhorn and Hazelgreen under various names (Teardrop Road, Highway Z, Old Route 66, Historic Route 66 and Highway 17).

Efforts to bypass the original two-lane road date to World War 2, when 66 was re-aligned and widened through Arlington (a former resort on the Gasconade River opposite Jerome, now a ghost town). US66 in Missouri has now been entirely bypassed by I-44; state-posted signs mark most of the alignment of the old road. The beautiful Ozarks landscape is home to numerous recreational opportunities, including swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking, horseback riding, canoeing and spelunking.

By car

 * I-44.svg Ft Leonard Wood, St Roberts and Waynesville are located just off of I-44 and are accessed from Exits #159 (St Robert) and #161 (Ft Leonard Wood). The main gates into Ft Leonard Wood is another south of the freeway along Missouri Ave (BUS I-44). Visitors and personnel seeking to enter into Ft Leonard Wood Military Installation must present a valid US DoD ID card/pass, drivers license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
 * MO-supp-Y.svg to Business_Spur_44.svg Going north, Missouri Ave (Business Spur 44) becomes SR Y going towards Dixon  north.
 * MO-supp-Z.svg & US 66 (historic).svg The old Route 66 runs parallel as a separate road or concurrent along I-44 between between St Louis and Joplin, MO. Segments of Old US Hwy 66 between St Robert and Gascozark (Jct SR-133/I-44 at Exit #145) is SR-17 and as SR-Z between St Robert(Exit 161) and Exit 169 of I-44.

Eat

Devil's Elbow
A tiny community near a particularly awkward bend in the Big Piney River. A once-common stop for Route 66 voyagers and canoeists, the buildings were listed on the national historic register in early 2017. Later that year, spring flooding pushed water levels eight feet beyond previous record levels, with substantial property damage. Attractions were a small store (the market housed the local post office) and the Elbow Inn, which has reopened.

title: St. Robert


text:
Stromboli

Stromboli is a small Italian volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea just north of Sicily. It is one of the Aeolian Islands.

Stromboli is little more than just the 900-m-high volcano and has an area of 12.6 km². 2 km northeast of Stromboli is the small, uninhabited sister island Strombolicchio.

The volcano was featured in the famous novel by Jules Verne, Journey to the Centre of the Earth (French: Voyage au centre de la Terre), and was where the protagonists exited the bowels of the earth after making the underground journey all the way from Snæfellsjökull in Iceland.

Understand

Stromboli is an active volcano that is in a constant state of mild activity, punctuated by occasional larger and more violent eruptions. The most recent violent eruption was in July 2024; there were two in 2019, and one of them killed a hiker.

Though the "normal" small eruptions of lava are not dangerous, you should be aware of the possible danger. The local authorities are very aware of Stromboli's state, so listen to them. If paths to the craters are closed, don't go there. Never climb up the volcano without a local guide. Don't leave paths.

Tours up the Stromboli aren't easy walks. Uphill approx. 900 m altitude difference in 3 hours. Downhill – on mostly sandy ground – 2 hours. You should be well-equipped (climbing boots, min 1.5 litres of water and a torch with enough battery capacity), healthy and in good physical condition when going there.

As Stromboli is small and its environment is sensitive, you should treat it carefully. Climbing boots can be rented at guide services and shops.

Also in the villages, take a torchlight along with you, as the streets are not illuminated.

Villages
There are two villages on the island: the larger Stromboli and the much smaller Ginostra, a former fishing village rarely visited by tourists (although tourist services are about all that remains there). Ginostra has a charming cluster of houses; two restaurants, a church and a post office await you, surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation.

Together the villages only have about 350 inhabitants.

Get in

Access is by boat, there being no place on the island to put an airport. The hydrofoil and ferry operators SNAV, SIREMAR, Ustica Lines, and NGI  all connect Stromboli village and Ginostra to other points in the Aeolian Islands and to Sicily, Naples and other parts of the mainland. You may have to change boats in Lipari. Don't even think of bringing a full-sized car with you, as you'll have no place to use it. Consequently, it's highly advantageous to ride the fast hydrofoil rather than a ferry.

The shortest (1.5 hours) and cheapest (about €30 in 2015) water route is with Comerci Navigazione from Tropea where also a night train (with sleeping cars) from Rome stops.

Get around
Due to the size of the island and its lack of streets, neither cars, buses nor trains exist. The only available means of transport are "ape-cars", small motorbikes and boats (luckily battery powered cars and bikes are on the rise). The only other way to move around the island is by walking. There are no streetlights in either village, and if you're out after dark, you'll be well advised to use a flashlight.

See

 * The villages, which are almost unchanged by tourism, are worth a closer look, especially the rather hidden Ginostra with the smallest European port (one boat only!) of all is nice to see.
 * There is a nice beach with fine black lava sand in Stromboli, where one can relax and swim in the sea.

Do
Most visitors to the island come to climb (or at least hike on) Stromboli Volcano. However, other opportunities for outdoor recreation exist.
 * Stromboli Volcano. This continuously active volcano is one of the few in the world where a visitor can see an eruption "up close and personal," yet in relative safety – most of the time.  However, conditions vary from year to year, and the summit region may be closed (as it was August to October 2014) owing to unusual activity posing hazards to the climber.  In most conditions you can hike unaccompanied to an elevation of 400 meters, but beyond this level you will need a guide.  A reliable guide service is Magmatrek,  Via Vittorio Emanuele,, but there are other guide services in town that are also satisfactory.  Don't climb without a guide; the access limitations are enforced (sporadically) and fines are substantial.
 * Take a boat ride around the island. The picturesque little village of Ginostra is on the opposite side of the island from Stromboli town and is only reachable by boat or by a hike (described below).  Outfitters near the harbour in Stromboli town offer rides, which can usually be arranged on site.
 * Scuba diving is possible at the small island of Strombolicchio, offshore from Stromboli town. The water is very clear, and you can see the continuation of the volcanic plug comprising Strombolicchio far below the surface.  Dry-land activities on Strombolicchio are generally not allowed as the island is a nature preserve.  Lighthouse on top.
 * Canoeing and stand-up paddling around the island to interesting places like the Sciara del Fuoco, Piscina (a natural swim basin) and Strombolicchio are possible. It offers the opportunity to stay on the sea without the noise of a motor and even hear the rumbling of the volcano. One friendly service is Centro Mare.[[image:Strombolicchio.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Strombolicchio]]
 * Walk the coastal trail from Stromboli to Ginostra: this trail takes around 3 hours 45 minutes, not including breaks. There are some dangerous sections near Ginostra, and falling rocks rolling along huge ramps off the volcano, and it is best avoided during wet weather. There are a few sections tens of metres long through water up to your hips.

Sleep

Various other hotels exist and additionally many inhabitants of the villages rent rooms.

Camping is not permitted on the island.

Stay safe
Being around an active volcano always involves severe risks. Check Volcanoes and government information on the security situation. Eruptions of Stromboli can cause tsunamis.

Go next
Hydrofoils run from Stromboli to the other Aeolian Islands, each of which has its own attractions. You may have to change boats in Lipari, largest and most populous of the Aeolian Islands, and the main transportation hub for the archipelago.

title: Stromboli


text:
Stromness

Stromness is a port on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands, with a population of roughly 2200. To the Vikings, Straumsnes meant the headland just south, where a fierce tide rips between Scapa Flow and the Atlantic; get past that and you came safely into Hamnavoe or "peaceful harbour" where the town now stands. It's long been a fishing village but it was more important in the 17th and 18th centuries, when Britain was often at war with France, the Channel was unsafe, and shipping had to detour around the north of Scotland. Hudson's Bay explorers and traders, and the expeditions of Captain Cook and of Franklin, all stopped here for rest and re-supply. Today Stromness is the second largest town in the Orkneys but it's a quiet place, with a pleasant narrow flagged main street, and it's escaped the industrial sprawl seen around Kirkwall.

The Travel Information Centre is the Travel Centre by the bus and ferry terminal.

Get in
Northlink car ferries sail 2 or 3 times daily between Stromness and Scrabster, taking 90 min. If you book a cabin on the early morning sailing to Scrabster, you can board between 9:30PM and midnight the previous evening.

is central in town next to the bus terminus.

The other ferry routes from the Scottish mainland to Orkney are Aberdeen-Kirkwall-Shetland, Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope, and John O'Groats to Burwick: see Orkney Islands.

Orkney Ferries sail at least twice a day from Stromness to Moaness at the north end of Hoy and to Graemsay. The ferry to Lyness at the south end of Hoy and to Flotta sails from Houton five miles south of Stromness: Bus 5 connects twice a day.

By road from Kirkwall is 14 miles along A965. Stagecoach X1 runs hourly from St Margaret's Hope via Kirkwall and Stenness. April-Oct M-F it extends, doubling back from Stromness to Stenness, Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae.

A taxi in 2024 costs about £45 from Kirkwall town centre and £55 from the airport.

Get around
Stromness is compact and its flagged main street is a pleasant stroll.

The Stones of Stenness are only four miles away, an hour's hike, but it's a busy main road with only an intermittent sidewalk. Bike is the ideal way to reach these, Skara Brae, Birsay and Kirkwall, and to potter around Hoy, though for sure the stiff breeze will contrive to be in your face in both directions.

Orkney Cycle Hire is at 54 Dundas St, open daily 8AM-5PM.

See

 * Dr John Rae (1813-1893) is commemorated by a statue at the ferry terminal. He was born at Orphir on Orkney, became a surgeon and joined the Hudson's Bay Company. On the Bay he learned how to live off the land and travel light and fast, unlike the typical ponderous Victorian expedition. He made many arduous explorations of Canada's northeast coast, and was asked to help trace Franklin's lost navy expedition. He learned of its fate from the Inuit and brought back a few items - plus the news that the desperate party had resorted to cannibalism, and for this he was detested by the Victorian establishment. He's buried at St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall.
 * Khyber Pass and Puffer's Close are examples of the little alleys that cut off the main street, either down to the shore or up the hill. Login's Well, now protected behind a glass door, was the main source for ships re-filling their fresh water barrels.
 * The cannon 100 yards south of the museum was captured from an American privateer in 1813 but was thereafter ceremonial: it was fired to greet Hudson's Bay Company ships coming into harbour. It never managed to hit one.
 * has an old and a new plot. The poet George Mackay Brown (1921-1996) lies in the new plot, with a simple sandstone headstone.
 * Neolithic sites: see Stenness for Maeshowe, Stones of Stenness, Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae. See Birsay for the Earl's Palace and Brough.
 * has an old and a new plot. The poet George Mackay Brown (1921-1996) lies in the new plot, with a simple sandstone headstone.
 * Neolithic sites: see Stenness for Maeshowe, Stones of Stenness, Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae. See Birsay for the Earl's Palace and Brough.
 * Neolithic sites: see Stenness for Maeshowe, Stones of Stenness, Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae. See Birsay for the Earl's Palace and Brough.

Do

 * Carve the runes, then be content with silence - epitaph of George Mackay Brown

 * Brinkies Brae is the 94 m hill behind town with views towards Hoy.
 * The coast path leads south from town to Point of Ness, with its campsite, then turns west past the golf course and the gaunt structure of Ness Battery. Continue to Warbeth Cemetery, from where you can short-cut back to town by the public road.
 * Golf: Stromness GC is south, between the Point and Ness Battery. White tees 4808 yards, par 69, visitor round £50. The Island Games in 2025 include a golf tournament here and at Orkney GC.
 * Scapa Scuba at the lifeboat house on Dundas St do diving equipment sales, hire and repair, plus air fills. They also do other chandlery and boat equipment but don't have a scuba school. They're open M-Sa 2-6PM, Su 4-6PM.
 * Gym & Pool: Stromness Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre is at the north edge of town.
 * Orkney Folk Festival is held in May, various venues but mostly in Stromness. The next is probably 22-25 May 2025, tbc.

Buy

 * Co-op Food is on Ferry Rd 400 yards north of the pier. It's open daily 7AM-10PM and has a ATM.

Eat

 * Adam's Place serves seafood Tu-Su next to Julia's.
 * Peedie Chippie is a fish & chips takeaway van, usually parked by the library and serving Sa 5-8PM.
 * Pier Bistro is next to the Arts Centre and open M-Sa 9AM-4:30PM
 * Stromness Chinese is a takeaway at 63 Victoria St open daily 4-10PM.
 * Bayleaf Delicatessen is at 103 Victoria St, open daily 10AM-5:30PM.
 * Bayleaf Delicatessen is at 103 Victoria St, open daily 10AM-5:30PM.

Drink

 * Stromness doesn't have stand-alone pubs, head for the hotel bars.

Connect
As of July 2024, there is basic mobile coverage from O2 and Three, but no signal from EE and Vodafone.

Go next

 * Stenness 3 miles east has Maeshowe burial chamber, and several standing stones a short way north.
 * Kirkwall has several sites and accommodation, and is the hub for all of Orkney.
 * Hoy is an easy day trip from Stromness.

title: Stromness