text:
Hautes-Alpes

The French département Hautes-Alpes is marked by mountains and wild ranges.

Cities

 * - at an altitude of, this is the highest town in France

Other destinations

 * — for skiing
 * — for skiing
 * - for skiing
 * - for skiing

By train
The Hautes-Alpes are easily reached by train from either the south (Marseille), the north (Grenoble) or the west (Valence). Valence and Grenoble have high-speed train connections with Paris. There are up to four train connections daily in all directions.

By plane
There is no large airport in the Hautes-Alpes. Fly to Marseille and take the train from there.

Do

 * Canyoning around Saint-Clément-sur-Durance
 * Skiing at Serre-Chevalier

title: Hautes-Alpes


text:
Haute-Savoie

Haute-Savoie (Upper Savoie) consists of the small nook of France, bordering Switzerland, across Lake Geneva to the north, and Italy to the east. It is a department in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

Cities

 * is the principal city of the Haute-Savoie, and very attractive to tourists for the surrounding mountains, lake, and medieval sights.
 * is a town of French people commuting to work in Switzerland, across the border from Geneva, on the French side.
 * is an alpine resort town, nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc and all the allurements that it holds.
 * is an attractive mountain town and popular ski resort near Geneva.
 * is a picturesque ski resort that still has working farms in the centre of the village, and fresh local produce freely available.
 * is the town for which the world-famous bottled water is named.
 * was designed by Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer in the 1960s, and has one of Europe's fastest gondolas
 * has extensive skiing and is easily reached from Geneva airport.
 * is a small resort town on the eastern shore of Lake Annecy.
 * is a charming example of a traditional French alpine town.
 * is classified amongst the "Most Beautiful Villages of France" with regard to its rich nine-century-old architecture.

Other destinations

 * La Vallée verte — provides a delightful glimpse of rural life in the Savoie. If you are inspired to take a scenic trip, drive through this charming spire-spotted countryside before traversing the northern-bordering hill for a great view of Lake Geneva. Boege is a central village in this green valley whose church holds a rare black Virgin.
 * (Lac Léman) — the northern border of Haute Savoie. This lengthy body of water provides an opportunity for sailing as well as a picturesque scene for a lakeside picnic.
 * Lake Annecy — the central lake on the historic medieval town of the same name. This former seat of the Duchy of Savoy is now the prefecture of Haute-Savoie.
 * Le Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval — a serene horseshoe shaped national park at the end of the Vallée du Giffre near Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval.
 * — with 265 km of pistes Le Grand Massif is amongst the top 5 ski areas in France. The snow record is exceptional for the relatively low altitude and Flaine holds record of snowfall every year.
 * — the tallest peak in the EU.
 * — a small ski resort with 60 alpine pistes of all levels, 60 km of nordic pistes, and several hiking trails.

Understand
The Haute-Savoie became part of France in the 19th Century after a trade off between France and the Piemont noble Family. This is why a lot of local do not consider themselves French but "Savoyard" or even "Savoisiens" (movement for independence from France, not followed widely) in their own right. The locals can be a bit tough to deal with and most regret the old days as this particular region went from very rural to over-flowing with inhabitants during the last 20 years (population tripled, house prices among the highest in France) but overall they are quite nice people.

Many residents of the Haute-Savoie take pride in the culture and lifestyle that can be described as "typiquement Savoyard" (typical Savoyard, a variation of the word Savoie). Not only do many people believe it is one of the most beautiful parts of France, but there is also the cheese and other special dishes to dote on. Taking a chance to talk to the local people about the ways this area is different than the rest of France is sure to be enlightening and would greatly enrich the travel experience.

The Haute-Savoie, particularly the rural areas, can also provide a revealing look at the quiet, small-town life in France. For the tourist who has a tendency to forget the France outside of Paris, this may be especially eye-opening and entertaining.

By plane
The two largest airports near the Haute-Savoie are located in Lyon and Geneva and are serviced by most major international and some discount European airlines, two smaller airport are located in Grenoble and Chambéry and have flights from by a dozen or so European and African cities.

By train
Haute-Savoie is easily accessible with a 1-hr-30-min ride from Lyon, by high speed train (train à grande vitesse, TGV). The stations at Annecy, Evian and Annemasse, among others, are served by the TGV.

By car
The drive to Annecy from Lyon is about 2 hours on the autoroute, which is tolled. Savoie can be reached from Italy in 15 min through the tunnel under Mont Blanc, entering France at Chamonix. This is tolled and quite pricy.

Do
Dozens of excellent ski resorts in the region (see 'cities', above, for a few of the most well known.)

Eat
If cheese sounds good, the Haute Savoie offers a variety of dishes that are sure to please the palate.

 * Fondue Savoyarde is incredible. This dish is served family-style with a bubbling pot of cheese melted in white wine at the center of the table and bite-size pieces of bread filling a bowl.  The bread pieces are pushed onto fondue forks and dipped into the cheese.  Be sure to let it cool before eating, however hard the wait may be.
 * Raclette is another regional specialty. In the traditional style of serving it, a wedge of Raclette cheese is speared and set up so that one side is facing a flame.  As the cheese melts, it is scraped off (hence the name "Raclette" which literally means scrapping) and poured over boiled potatoes.  To complete the meal a variety of cold meats is often served.  This is the way it is likely to be served in restaurants, though an electrical apparatus is more often used for melting the cheese when it is eaten in homes.
 * Tartiflette is an especially "typiquement Savoyard" (typical Savoyard) meal. The locals all consider it a necessity in any correct sampling of the regional foods, and take great joy in introducing foreigners to it.  Tartiflette is made with a local cheese called Reblochon.  It is a casserole dish made with potatoes mixed with pieces of pork and the Reblochon melted in and over the top.  It may sound simple, yet it is delicious!

Note that the Fondue and the Raclette are both prepared and eaten in a way that requires people to wait on each other and share the common food source. This is representative of the French fashion of taking time to truly enjoy all meals and the presence of friends and family. So, don't rush yourself though the experience.

Bon Appetit!

Respect
It is generally expected to greet other people you encounter when walking in the mountains.

When speaking French, refer to Lake Geneva as le lac Léman or simply Léman, as calling it  le lac de Genève is generally not well received.

Go next

 * Geneva, though in the neighboring country of Switzerland, is only a border crossing away from the Haute-Savoie city of Annemasse.

Neighbouring departments:
 * Ain to the west
 * Savoie to the south

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

title: Haute-Savoie


text:
Hautes-Pyrénées

Hautes-Pyrénées is in Occitanie.

By plane
The airport Tarbes Lourdes Pyrénées Airport is located 9 km south-west of Tarbes and  north of Lourdes. It is served several times a day by domestic flights from Paris-Orly and by seasonal charter flights for pilgrims. The nearest international airport is Toulouse-Blagnac (145 km east of Tarbes).

By minivan
If you arrive at Lourdes, Pau, Toulouse or Biarritz airport you can use the shuttle arranged by Détours Pyrénéens, which also organises tours.

By road
The A64 motorway (Toulouse-Pau-Bordeaux) runs through this department. From here, the national road N 21 branches off at Tarbes to Lourdes and Argelès-Gazost, parts of which have been expanded to resemble a motorway.

Do

 * hike
 * Winter Sports: There are several major ski resorts including Saint-Lary-Soulan and Grand Tourmalet–Pic du Midi (La Mongie/Barèges)
 * Cycling: The slopes of the Pyrenees offer a challenge for trained cyclists, the Col du Tourmalet, for example, is an almost legendary climb in the Tour de France

Go next

 * Gers
 * Haute-Garonne
 * Pyrénées-Atlantiques
 * Aragón
 * Navarra

title: Hautes-Pyrénées


text:
Havana

Havana (Spanish: La Habana) is the capital city of Cuba, and one of the fifteen provinces of the Republic of Cuba. Visitors come to Havana for its music, history, culture, architecture and monuments. Havana is a lively city that retains a lot of beautiful buildings from its heyday in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many of which have been deteriorating since the 1950s, creating a romantic atmosphere of a bygone era.

Understand
Before the Communist revolution, Havana was one of the vacation hot-spots of the Caribbean, and since Cuba reopened to tourism in the 1990s, it has become a popular destination once again, albeit with many fewer U.S. citizens, due to an almost total ban on travel maintained by the U.S. federal government. However, there will be lots of tourists at any time of year, so expect huge crowds and long lines in places.

History
Havana was founded in 1519 by the Spanish. During the colonial period, it became a stopping point for treasure-laden Spanish Galleons crossing between the Old and New Worlds. Since independence from Spain in 1902, Havana has been the capital of Cuba. Today, the city preserves some of the oldest standing stone fortifications in the Americas.

Climate
As typical of Cuba, Havana experiences a tropical climate.

By plane

 * Customs officials can be very strict, and will probably snoop out any suspicious electronics or other items. Customs officials and immigration officials also work slowly and baggage reclaim can be very slow, so do not be surprised if you have a very long wait (up to 1½ hr) when entering the country.
 * To get to travel between terminals you can take a cab or use the shuttle service between terminals (Connexions).
 * To reach Terminal 3, exit at the stop for Terminal 2 and walk about 50 m west toward the airport, until you reach a bus shelter. From the bus shelter, wait for the hourly bus, hail a taxi (as low as ~US$1 if shared with Cubans), or walk the 2.5 km to Terminal 3 (for international non-US bound flights). Note that the bus does not enter Terminal 3, but drops passengers at an unmarked stop on Carretera de Murgas, across the street from La Casanosa restaurant. La Casanosa restaurant is about 200 m north-east of Terminal 3.
 * There’s an ATM and currency exchange in the departure hall (1st floor); however, don’t count on either being open, because these services are not very reliable in Cuba.
 * At the airport (airside and landside) you pay the same prices for tobacco and alcohol as you would in a store in downtown Havana. There have been reports online that bottles bought in the airside shops were not properly sealed and thus seized during security checks for a connecting flight at another airport. Therefore it might be a good idea to buy those things already before you depart to the airport. In Terminal 3 there are two tobacco shops, a small supermarket, Wi-Fi (can only be used with ETECSA-card), some souvenir shops and a snack bar that also serves alcohol. There is no ATM airside and that not all shops accept credit cards.
 * At the airport (airside and landside) you pay the same prices for tobacco and alcohol as you would in a store in downtown Havana. There have been reports online that bottles bought in the airside shops were not properly sealed and thus seized during security checks for a connecting flight at another airport. Therefore it might be a good idea to buy those things already before you depart to the airport. In Terminal 3 there are two tobacco shops, a small supermarket, Wi-Fi (can only be used with ETECSA-card), some souvenir shops and a snack bar that also serves alcohol. There is no ATM airside and that not all shops accept credit cards.

There are regular international flights to resort areas such as Varadero, and these can sometimes be less expensive than flying into Havana. From Varadero's Viazul terminal to Havana's Viazul bus terminal is 3 hr by bus.

Getting there/away:
 * By taxi – An official taxi to Havana center costs ~US$20-25, but you can find slightly cheaper (illegal) ones. The cost is roughly ~US$1/km.

 * By bus – Havana MetroBus routes P-12 and p-16 travel within 400 m to 500 m of Terminals 1 (stops on Avenida Rancho Boyeros at Avenida Van Troi) and Terminal 2 (stops on Avenida Rancho Boyeros at Carretera De Murgas). Route P-12 terminates at Parque Fraternidad on Simon Bolivar near Habana Vieja (1 block south of El Capitolio) and route P-16 terminates at Parque Maceo in Centro Habana (near the Malecon). These buses operate until about 20:00, but are generally overcrowded. Taking the bus will take longer than a taxi colectivo. For passengers transferring to reach Terminal 3,

 * By colectivo – A taxi colectivo route follows the same route as bus P-12 between Parque Fraternid (Simon Bolivar, just west of Fraternidad), and stops for Terminals 1 (stops on Avenida Rancho Boyeros at Avenida Van Troi) and Terminal 2 (stops on Avenida Rancho Boyeros at Carretera De Murgas). Taxis colectivos are more frequent than the bus, will stop less than the bus and only has seated passengers, but are likely not suitable to accommodate space for more than one full-sized travel, hiking backpack or passenger.

By train

Havana is the hub for the whole Cuban railway network and there are trains to most larger cities. However, financial difficulties have meant that services are scaled back to running every other day or in some cases twice a week. Therefore it's important to confirm in advance that they are running on the day you wish to travel. All services, including overnight trains, are seating only.

The main line Santiago de Cuba via Matanzas, Santa Clara and Camagüey and there are departures every second day. However as of 2017, trains with superior Primera class seating runs only two times per week. Journey time from end-to-end is about 18 hr.

Other services include:
 * An overnight train from Moron with stops in Matanzas and Santa Clara.
 * An overnight train from Sancti Spiritus with stops in Matanzas and Santa Clara.
 * A daytime train from Camagüey with stops in Matanzas and Santa Clara (this is the only daytime service to Havana on the main line).
 * A very slow daytime train from Cienfuegos.
 * A slightly faster evening train to Matanzas and Cienfuegos, returns to Havana overnight.
 * An overnight local train to Pinar del Rio that returns to Havana during the day.

By car
Hiring a car in Cuba will cost you ~US$33-106/day. When hiring it, beware of the price of the insurance policy, as it may be subject to a scam. The car will have a special tourist plate, which means you will be required to give generous tips every time you park your car in a crowded place. Taking into account the all-around unreliability of Cuban transport, hiring a car can be the right choice for those who don't want any hassle whatsoever. Picking up hitchhikers is almost a moral obligation for the "aware" tourist, especially when travelling between cities. Picking up a hitchhiker can be the best way to arrive to your destination without getting lost.

By bus

Update: Viazul departures are no longer from old terminal near the Zoo. They now leave from the same terminal as the Astro bus, near Plaza de la Revolucion

There are Cubanacan offices in many hotels, such as El Torre Hotel at Parque Central, that sell bus tickets for their own buses for the same rate as Viazul except that they pick up their passengers from major Havana hotels. So if staying in this neighborhood you can get picked up at one of these hotels and avoid the costs to get to the Viazul bus station.

Some have reported using Astro, which run from the main bus terminal near the Plaza de la Revolucion, but others report these are restricted to Cuban nationals.

By shared taxi
Shared taxis that travel between cities are often available from immediately outside of Viazul bus terminal buildings. For slightly higher rates than Viazul bus rates, shared taxis may offer services that can potentially be faster than Viazul buses and offer somewhat more convenient departure schedules, and pick and drop off from locations of your choosing. Shared taxis operate in old American cars, which do not have air conditioning and which offer inferior seating comforting compared the much more modern Viazul buses. Shared taxis operate if sufficient riders sign up and charge by the passenger. Shared taxi operators may claim travel times that are significantly faster than what is actually provided.

By boat
Due to political circumstances, it is difficult to enter Cuba by sea. Visiting mariners need to make arrangements in advance of entering port to avoid difficulties. Also, most ports are closed to unauthorised visitors.

By taxi
As a tourist, the most convenient way of getting around Havana is by taxi. Some of the taxis are old American Chevys from the 1950s, others are (somewhat) newer Russian Ladas, whilst most tourist taxis are modern Peugeots, Skodas and even Mercedes.

It is illegal for tourists to ride in anything other than the official government taxis. However, it is often easier to wave down one of the old Chevys or Ladas. When riding in an illegal taxi, negotiate the fare ahead of time. The fare in illegal taxis will be no cheaper than the official taxi fare. Around the city, taking illegal taxis should be no problem. However, taking an illegal taxi to or from the airport may attract the attention of the police.

By colectivos
Taxis colectivos are the old, beaten-up American cars with a taxi sign on the roof or in the front window, which will typically already have numerous Cubans on board getting on and off and will take additional passengers if flagged down. Tourists are not supposed to take them, but you will rarely run into problems and they are a fun and cheap alternative to the state-run taxis. They have set fares and run set routes, so you may need some assistance when taking them the first few times.

The drivers are generally honest regarding the fares, but it is best not to appear oblivious by asking how much at the end of the trip. Always watch what the other passengers give. There can be a long wait trying to get a taxi colectivo as they are very popular with Cubans and often full, but the experience and the savings make it worthwhile.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of colectivo routes: Parque de la Fraternida (westbound on Simon Bolivar, just west of Industria). Follows Simon Bolivar, Avenida Salvador Allende, Avenida Manuel de Cepedes, Avenida de la Independencia, Avenida de Rancho Boyeros. Route travels within blocks of Habana Vieja, Plaza de la Revolucion, Viazul bus station (800 m away), and Airport Terminal 2 (500 m away).

By Coco taxi
Coco taxis and yellow three-wheel motorbikes are a cheap way of getting around central Havana. Coco taxis are bright yellow motorcycle cabs that charge ~US$0.50/km (2016), or more if they think they can get away with it.

By bus
Havana operates modern YuTong Chinese city buses.

The cost of riding the new city bus is the same to anywhere in the city. The driver will not give you change. Almost all buses are overcrowded, there are plenty of buses running though, so if the one you want is full simply wait for the next one (don't expect to sit though). There are few clearly marked bus stops on route, but it's clear where they stop usually as you will have other waiting at the side of the road.

Other local buses can also get crowded, but in the suburbs, they are a practical means of transport for visitors.

By car
Whilst useful for reaching some of the less central locations in Havana, the price of car hire will rarely be less than using taxis.

Traffic is moderate, especially outside the rush hour. Do however expect to share the road space with a multitude of cyclists, pedestrians and poorly parked vehicles.

Parking regulations are enforced in central Havana. There are many attended, on-street car parks, use them. Expect to pay about US$1 for parking.

By bicycle
Cycling can be a great way to get around Cuba. There are a number of international tour companies  that offer guided tours, the most popular is from Havana to Santiago de Cuba. If you are travelling in February and March avoid the west to east approach as the trade winds are tough to cycle against.

By boat
Public ferries operate between Old Havana and various points on the other side of the harbour including the neighbourhood of Casablanca.

On foot
Walking around Havana is by far the best way to see and experience the city: get a decent map of the city and discover new sights on foot.

See

The Old Town of Havana, 'La Habana Vieja, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and strolling along its streets and enjoying the beautiful buildings is a must for any visitor. Some parts of the Old Town are quite dilapidated with crumbling buildings but many others have been restored to their former glory.

An evening walk along the Prado is a great way to sip in the street life and enjoying the hums of numerous cafes and restaurants. The street is however not illuminated at night. Another favorite stroll for tourists and locals is along El Malecón, Havana's waterfront with stunning views of the city.

Live music
Nearly every restaurant and hotel in town has a decent house band playing old favorites.

Learn

 * The University of Havana — Offers intensive Spanish courses from 1 week/20 hours (~US$100) to 4 weeks/80 hours (~US$360). Contact Professor Judith Portal [mailto:Jportalm@flex.uh.cu/ Jportalm@flex.uh.cu].
 * The Instituto Superior de Arte/Escuela Nacional de Arte/CNSEA offer courses of various lengths and levels in music, dance, drama, art and Spanish.
 * Dance classes of Caribbean rhythms (salsa, reggaeton, cha cha cha, merengue, bachata) with professor Raul Pedroso. Contact: [mailto:raul.salsa.cuba@gmail.com/ raul.salsa.cuba@gmail.com]. Mobile: (53) 05 352463450.

Buy
Havana is a surprisingly expensive city to stay in; if you stay in hotels and eat in restaurants it can work out to be nearly as expensive as other popular international destinations. If you are on any kind of a budget, stay in casas particulares; it is much cheaper, often more comfortable, and the food (a recurring theme in Cuba) is almost invariably better.

Although prices may be shown here in US dollars, you will pay in pesos (CUP).

ATMs are not too hard to find in downtown Havana, but American credit- and debit-cards can not be used in Havana. Credit cards issued in countries other than the USA may be issued by a bank whose parent company is a U.S. corporation. In this case, the card will not work as the parent company is bound by U.S. law. Even banks wholly owned by non-American companies may have a policy on blocking Cuban transactions in order not to compromise their US business. Always check with your bank or credit card company before leaving home to see if your card will work in Havana. Also, the ATMs do not accept MasterCard/Maestro but are marked to accept Visa.

You can withdraw money from your MasterCard in a couple of exchange offices. There is one in the basement of the Hotel Nacional, but expect quite steep service fees.

Eat
Whilst restaurants can be quite expensive at the top end for rather mediocre food, some such as the Café de Oriente have a splendid ambiance. The average government-run restaurants are about US$20 for two.

Budget
Peso stalls are all over the city, particularly on Prado Marti.

Some restaurants like Hanoi, in Calle Brasil, offer generous meals for the equivalent of US$5.

You can get ice cream in small street booths scattered around the city. You can also get a filling bocadito (small ham sandwiches) or a cajita (small meal in a cardboard box), or a "pizza".

Particularly, the Terminal de Omnibus, by the Plaza de la Revolucion, has a very good cafe with offerings as fried chicken.

Mid-range
Keeping your eyes open you can find complete menus (starter or salad, soup, main dish, dessert and a national beverage) for the equivalent of US$6-10 in pesos. In the Vieja, there are such restaurants in the smaller, not very crowded streets.

A least one paladar charges a hefty per-person service charge on top of your bill (~US$10 per couple at Paladar Amistad de Lanzarote in Central Havana) - deceivingly printed in Spanish only in a bilingual English/Spanish menu. Also no matter what the owner insists, there is never a tax levied for eating at paladares. Always ask before ordering.

There are many good, mid-priced restaurants in Chinatown. "Bavaria" is one of the best if you can picture a restaurant named after a German province pronounced like "barbaria" with Chinese decor, serving pizzas and spaghetti.

Splurge
The restaurants inside five-star hotels tend to charge excessive amounts of money for mediocre food and service.

Havana Chinatown
Check out the small Havana Chinatown a few blocks west of the Capitolio if you are looking for Chinese-themed restaurants. The food is neither spectacular nor authentic Chinese, but decent enough if you can't face another serving of rice and beans. Street food can also be a notch better here, try the area around the intersection of Avenida de Italia and Avenue Zanja.

Breakfast
All the tourist hotels serve breakfast, typically a buffet with a wide variety of good food, although overpriced (the equivalent of US$15 at the Hotel Nacional). If you stay in a casa particular ask whether you'll be served breakfast. If not, ask the landlord/lady to take you shopping. Otherwise, there's almost no hope of finding a restaurant open for breakfast. One exception is the Chan Li Po Bar-Cafeteria, open at 09:00, in Centro Habana, near Chinatown, at Perseverancia #453 (between Zanja and San Martin).

Drink

There are two types of establishments you can go to drink in Havana: Western-style bars with near-Western prices, good selection of quality drinks (and sometimes food), nice decorations, semi-motivated staff and often live music, typically found around tourist hot-spots such as Old Havana and tourist hotels. Here you will mostly meet other tourists, expats and a few Cubans with access to hard currency, but don't expect a 'local' experience.

The alternative is to seek out local neighborhood bars where you can choose from a quality, but limited, selection of drinks (mainly locally produced rum by the bottle, beer and soft drinks, very rarely will you be able to get cocktails such as mojitos), cigars of dubious and cigarettes of only slightly better quality, and sometimes snacks. These bars are also a good way to meet locals who may even open up a bit and talk about their lives after a couple of drinks.

Local bars are not that hard to find despite typically having no prominent signs displayed outside. Just ask or walk around a local neighborhood and look out for a bare-walled, neon-lit run-down room without any decorations or furniture, save for a bar and a few rickety chairs and tables, sullen staff and depressed/bored/drunk-looking customers, almost always men. Contrary to Cuba's reputation as a music and fun loving nation, these places are not boisterous affairs - they are quiet, almost subdued, music is rarely played, and have the charm of third-world railway station waiting rooms.

Nonetheless, they make for a fascinating experience (especially if you make the effort to speak to some locals - offering to buy a drink will get a conversation going, no surprise there), and they provide a good insight into what life must be like for ordinary Cubans without hard currency. As a foreign visitor, you will be generally welcomed. Discussing politics over a drink is a tricky, and typically lose-lose proposition: speak negatively about the Cuban political system and you may put your Cuban drinking companions into a very difficult position as they may very well be informed on (for hanging out with subversive foreigners); enthuse about the Revolution, Che, Fidel, Cuba's health care system, sticking it to the Gringos, etc., and people will assume that you are at best naive or at worst not in full possession of your mental faculties.

You can have a great time just outside of the Hotel Inglaterra near the Capitólio Building, drinking good daiquiris and mojitos at an affordable price.

Sleep
There are 3 main areas that travelers generally stay in: Old Havana is the liveliest (some would say hectic and dirty), Central Havana is slightly quieter and parts can be a bit seedy, and Vedado is the quietest with more greenery, and is the place to find the large hotels and nicer casas particulares.

Hotels vary. Do not be surprised if you have no hot water and bad TV-reception in a hotel that still goes to the effort of having an in-hotel doctor and hosting extravagant shows of synchronized swimming in the hotel pool.

List of casas particulares

Connect
Diario de Cuba and Tribuna de La Habana are the local periodicals. The H Magazine + Guide is an interesting publication about Havana beyond common stereotypes.

The city code for Havana is 7. Prefix with 0 or 01 when calling from within Cuba.

Internet cafes can be found at ETESCA (the state telephone company) offices, in Hotel Habana Libre, Hotel Inglatera (cheapest but slowest), Hotel Nacional and at the Capitolio.

Wireless Internet access - some high-end hotels such as Hotel Parque Central sells wi-fi scratch cards at the rate, which can be used inside the hotel and works well with iPhone/iPod Touch.

The emergency number is 116. The information number is 113.

Stay safe
Havana is quite safe for a large city. Heavily dependent on tourism, Cuban police are everywhere and pay particular attention to spots where travelers congregate (Habana Vieja, El Malecón, etc.), so you don't have to be afraid of being accosted in the daytime. Prison sentences for crimes involving tourists are extremely harsh, a fact which residents are well aware of, which adds an extra layer of deterrence. At night, however, there have been muggings in the dark streets of Centro Habana. While this part of town is perfectly safe to explore in the daytime, and can be crossed safely while going to Habana Vieja or Vedado, it's best not go there at night. If you are going to walk, do so along El Malecón, where there are lights and a lot more people.

Be wary of hustlers (jinteros/jinteras) offering to show you a nice bar or restaurant, or offering a tour of the city, as you'll be stuck paying hefty prices to cover their commission. Just walk away and continue walking—soon enough they will leave you alone. There are a few well established scams you should learn about in order to be prepared.

In local restaurants, ask for menus or prices before ordering anything; there can be special 'tourist price menus' that get pulled out after you have consumed food or drink.

When paying, it is recommended to give the exact amount of cash. If you don't have it, it is wise to state clearly how much money you are giving and how much you should get back. Otherwise, they might try not to give you your change back.

If you're male, expect to be accosted regularly by prostitutes and/or their pimps, especially in Habana Vieja. While it's illegal, the mandatory jail time for prostitution filled prisons so quickly that the government had little choice but to start looking the other way. The result is a steady, depressing stream of solicitations that can wear down even the most cynical traveler unless he's prepared for it. Particularly disheartening are the offers from young girls, some no more than 11 or 12. Accept this situation as a fact of life in modern-day Cuba—and don't contribute to it.

People on the streets try to sell you cigars, especially in Havana Vieja. Often they say (after asking when you arrived in Havana) that the "Cigar Festival" is on today or that there is a "Cigar Cooperativa", where people sell cigars in their homes for half the price. These are usually fake cigars and they try to push you to buy a whole box of cigars even if you just want to buy a few.

The air in Havana is very polluted because of old cars and factories. This will cause respiratory conditions to some visitors.

Embassies

 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic
 * 🇪🇬 Egypt
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇮🇩 Indonesia
 * 🇮🇷 Iran
 * 🇯🇵 Japan
 * 🇲🇽 Mexico
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇷🇺 Russia
 * 🇿🇦 South Africa
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States
 * 🇻🇪 Venezuela

Go next

 * Enjoy the beach in Varadero
 * Taste some nature in the Valley of Viñales
 * Isla de la Juventud
 * Visit the French style city Cienfuegos, the small town Trinidad and the adjacent Topes de Collantes national park
 * Go east to Santiago de Cuba

title: Havana


text:
Havana (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Havana:

Cuba

 * Havana - Ciudad de la Habana, the capital city of Cuba, which is now the same as Havana (province).
 * Until 2010, there was a separate Havana Province (Provincia de La Habana) in Cuba, which was divided into the new provinces of Artemisa and Mayabeque

United States of America

 * Havana (Arkansas) - A town in the state of Arkansas.
 * Havana (Florida) - A town in the state of Florida.
 * Havana (Illinois) - A town in the state of Illinois.
 * Havana (North Dakota) - A town in the state of North Dakota.
 * Havana (West Virginia) - A town in the state of West Virginia.

title: Havana (disambiguation)


text:
Havelian

Havelian is a town in Hazara Region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is situated in North of Islamabad at a distance of 110 KM on Silk route (Karakorum Highway), 12 KM short of Abbottabad, lying at the foot hills of Himalayas. The town is a hub of Hazara culture and traditions. Havelian literally means “The Mansions” which corresponds to the old residential Mansions and caravan-serai hosting the ancient caravans traveling along the silk route. Havelain experiences mild summers followed by rainy showers leaving behind velvet like grass carpet covering the hills. In winters, the valley is set against the background of snow covered mountains of Galiat.

Get in
From Islamabad/Rawalpindi one can reach Havelian in 2 hours. Vans and AC coasters leave after every half an hour from capital city Islamabad to Abbottabad where one can drop en-route at Havelian. From Rawalpindi railway station a train service operates twice a day at very reason able fares. This journey provides a perfect opportunity to witness the flora and fauna of the region with some stunning views of gullies and valleys. Railway track passes through villages and hamlets where one can see the local lifestyle in its purest form.

See
Places to see

1.	Scenic view of River DOR, Ayub Bridge and Mount Sarban.

2.	Initial point of Karakorum Highway where a wonder of world begins.

3.	 North-bound last railway station, established in 1880s by British Indian railways, preserved as such, where foot stones of platform narrate the tales of old Viceroys, Generals, dignitaries of high standing and eminent writers like Rudyard Kipling who used to take horse buggies from here onwards to Abbottabad.

4.	Historical Katrra Bazar and old Muhallahs with ancient stone Havelies (Mansions).

5.	Martyrdom Memorial of Ghazi Daud Shah, A National Hero of Pakistan Independence movement, who was shot dead by 5th Gorkha Rifles under the directions of British deputy commissioner on 22nd of June 1947.

6.	Round Mosque of Pakistan Ordnance factories residential colony

7.	Centuries Old Khanqah Mehboobabad (A Muslim Monastery with shrine).

8.	Shrines of Syed Zain ul Abideen and Chchoi Sarkar on the bank of river Dor.

9.	Water mills near Sulatanpur village.

10.	Stream bank picnic spot at Muslimabad Police Post.

11.    Havelian Campus of Hazara University.

Do
1.Trekking

2.Hiking

3.Camping

4.Photography

5.Picnic

6.Tanga (Horse buggy) ride

7.If you have your own equipment, there are numerous places for Paragliding and Rock climbing.

Buy
1.	Handy crafts

2.     Dry Fruites

3.	Hand-made Kheri or Peshawari Chappals.

Eat
The town has a number of food spots where local cuisine could be enjoyed

1.	Panorama restaurant

2.	Faridullah fish spot

3.	Daal wala hotel

4.	Aurangzeb Hotel

5.	Akbari Hotel

Go next
Havelian is a doorway to north leading to most of the hill resorts and destinations in Himalayas, Karakorum, Kashmir, onwards to China. One can continue travelling to the places like Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu and Indus Kohistan, of the Karakoram Range. Naran, Saif-ul-Muluk, Shogran and Babusar Pass of the Himalayan Range are also approachable through same route. Neelum, Lipa and Jhelum valley of Kashmir are also reachable.It is advisable to stop by this ancient traditional town while on the visit to Northern areas of Pakistan and catch the picturesque beauty of the foot hills of Himalayas.

title: Havelian


text:
Havelock

There is more than one place called Havelock.

India

 * Havelock Island — a small island with beautiful beaches, is part of the Andaman and Nicobar islands in India.

New Zealand

 * Havelock (New Zealand) — A town in the Marlborough region of New Zealand, the main town on the Pelorus Sound and the green-shell mussel capital of the world.
 * Havelock North — A town in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand.

United States of America

 * Havelock (North Carolina) — A town on the Coastal Plain of North Carolina.

title: Havelock


text:
Havelock (New Zealand)

Havelock is a town in the Marlborough district of New Zealand known as the green-shell mussel capital of the world. It is the major access point to the Pelorus Sound, one of the two major sounds of the Marlborough Sounds. There must be something in the water as two of the world's greatest scientists had their formative education in Havelock: Sir Ernest Rutherford, the first man to split the atom and the rocket scientist William Pickering.

By car
Havelock is on State Highway 6 between Blenheim (30 minutes) and Nelson (45 minutes). There are two choices of traveling to Picton. The turnoff to the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive on the eastern side of town. Queen Charlotte Drive is narrow and windy, with commanding views over the Keneperu and inner Queen Charlotte Sounds. Allow 1 hour to travel this route. The alternative is via the Wairau valley. From Picton, head initially down State Highway 1 in the direction of Blenheim. At the settlement of Spring Creek, turn west down Rapaura Rd and travel length of this road. At the intersection turn north to travel to Havelock. Allow 45 minutes for this journey.

By bus
The Intercity coach travels Picton-Nelson return, passing through Blenheim.

Get around
Havelock is the gateway to the Pelorus Sound.

Do

 * Nydia Track. A 2-day trek between Kaiuma Bay and Duncan Bay in Tennyson Inlet. You can park at either end but may want to take a shuttle bus, water taxi or mail boat to or from the other end.

Go next

 * Pelorus Bridge – swimming hole, campground and bush walks for all levels of fitness in native bush, 15 minutes west of Havelock
 * Picton
 * Renwick

title: Havelock (New Zealand)


text:
Havelock Island

Havelock Island (Hindi: हैवलॉक द्वीप, Malayalam: ഹെയ്വ്ലോക് ദ്വീപുകള്), now known officially as Swaraj Dweep (Island of Freedom), is the most visited of the Andaman Islands. It's becoming popular for its beaches, laid back atmoshere and great scuba diving.

Understand

The Indian government has been advocating eco-friendly tourism development on Havelock for a while now, and while it's the most visited of the islands it sees only a fraction of the visitors that crowd other island destinations such as Thailand. The pace of life is slow, the locals are friendly and still not too affected by tourism, and the facilities are moderately basic for the most part. While many of the lodges have 'resort' in their names, none come even close, thankfully.

The beaches have been given a rather boring numbering system instead of names, although some names like Radhanagar are in popular use. The arrival port is at Beach #1, the junction at the center is Beach #3 (aka Govind Nagar), the junction near Dolphin Resort is Beach #5 (Vijay Nagar) and so on. Govind Nagar, the main "town", is small and has only a handful of shops and local dhabas. Most accommodation is grouped along the road from Beach #3 to Beach #5. From the 'junction' near Beach #3 a road veers off to Beach #7 (Radhanagar Beach), the most beautiful spot on the island.

Mid-January until mid-May sees the best weather, and often the best diving conditions. The days are mostly sunny at this time of year, and the sea sometimes flat enough to reflect the clouds. The monsoon usually hits around late May, lasting until the end of July, and is probably the worst time to visit the island – strong winds, frequent rain and low visibility underwater. August thru November see some occasional showers and slightly rougher seas, but diving can still be great at this time of year. The weather often takes a turn for the worse for the month of December through early January.

Havelock island now has an ATM, and some of the hotels and resorts are able to perform card transactions. Nevertheless, it is best to make sure you take plenty of cash with you from Port Blair. Also, it is hard to buy some items in the market - differing factors of sun cream can be hard to find, as can mosquito repellent.

Get in

Ferries are the major way on or off the island. 2-3 arrive daily from Port Blair (2-4 hours) and one from Rangat, one of which comes via Neil Island. Schedules vary according to day and season, so enquiry locally, and see Andaman and Nicobar Islands about the differences between the ship types.

Government-operated ferries are best booked in advance, as seats often sell out. Rates are ₹250 for Coach and ₹350 for First Class. These ferries are air conditioned and can be booked in advance from the counter at the DSS in port Blair. A booking counter is also available in Havelock at the Jetty and operates from 09:15 to 12:15 and 02:15 to 16/15. You will have to get there early and stand in line, but as soon as the counter opens it can become pretty hectic so be prepared.

In busy seasons, local ferries should be booked in advance. You can buy tickets yourself from the Port Blair ferry office on arrival, or resorts will often offer to pre-book your tickets for the journey there and back, which you can either picked up from a travel agency on Port Blair, or they will send someone to meet you prior to your ferry. This is a good idea particularly if you're trying to make it from your flight to your resort on the same day, as the schedules don't leave much room for error. If you don't have a return ticket, try and get your resort to book - or you will need to get the Havelock port early and elbow your way to the front of the queue as the locals do, and even then the ferry can still be fully booked with all of the resorts taking the tickets. On the return, the 4:30PM ferry gets booked up first, so it's often safer to get the 10:00 if you need to be sure of making onward connections.

Alternately, there are many an air-conditioned catamaran ferry from Port Blair to Havelock. Tickets prices starts from ₹1000 to ₹3000. As the ferry is more expensive it is less likely to be full, and its schedule meets incoming flights. Tickets can be booked from a dedicated ticket booking window at Port Blair, thus avoiding the queue barging. On return you can book through your guesthouse (or wild orchid, emerald gecko & andaman bubbles) on Havelock. Some of the shops in the market also book the tickets on these cruises at same price so it should not be difficult to get them.

Flight times from Port Blair to mainland India sometimes are changed without warning - including being brought forward. So it's definitely worth calling the day before to confirm your onward flights. Also be prepared to stay couple of days more than planned in Havelock because the boats to Port Blair will be cancelled if the weather is bad.

The other option is to fly in. Pawan Hans (+91-3192-233601) helicopters do operate from Port Blair but since it has limited seats it is always advisable to confirm the availability well in advance. The sea plane operations have been suspended since 2016.

Get around

 * Walking is the most common form of transport.
 * Local buses and shared jeeps ply the 2 main roads between the port (on Beach #1), Radhanagar Beach (Beach #7), and Beach #5 where the bulk of the accommodation is located. There is a local bus for Radhanagar waiting at beach #1 at around the time the ferry (10-10:30) arrives. The cost of a ticket from Beach #1 to Radhanagar is around  50, shared jeeps a little more.  Try to get off the ferry quickly and walk out of the parking area (where all the taxis and autorickshaws are parked) to catch the bus, although foreigners tend to have to stay back a bit to complete their permit formalities.  The journey from Beach #1 to Radhanagar is around 30-45 minutes.
 * Auto-rickshaws are also available. Fares are more or less standardized: from Beach #5 resorts to the market costs ₹.100, from Beach #1 (the port) to Beach #5 ₹200, and a return trip from the market to Radhanagar Beach (with waiting time) is ₹. 400.  You can usually flag them down on one of the main roads, or at the market.
 * Bicycles, scooters and motorcycles are available for hire near the centre of 'town' (Beach #3), or inquire at your guesthouse. A Honda Activa will run around ₹500/day. Geared motorcycles are available for ₹500/day and gearless scooters (Honda Activa etc.) for ₹500/day. If you intend to hire for more than one day, then bargaining can bring down the price further. Petrol is available at some of the shops in the market or look out for boards that say "Petrol Pump". It's available for approximately ₹. 80 per litre (Apr 2019), and can go up to ₹. 120 per liter at some shops.

Bicycles are available for ₹. 80 per day (Apr 2019).

 * Private taxi operators A/c and non-a/c taxis are available for hire through your resort or travel agent. However these are pricey and non-reliable. A/c taxis charge around ₹1,500 for a full day (eight hours) but the eight hours exists in theory. They will drop you off at your destination and disappear. For the return trip, you either have to pre-fix a pick-up time with them or give them a call on their cell phones. You may be better off hiring a scooter or motorcycle for the day.

See

 * [[Image:Radhanagar LateAfternoon.JPG|thumb|Radhanagar Beach in the late afternoon|300x300px]]
 * [[Image:Radhanagar LateAfternoon.JPG|thumb|Radhanagar Beach in the late afternoon|300x300px]]

Do

Scuba diving
Scuba diving is probably the biggest activity on the island other than lying around and eating great seafood. Andaman Bubbles, Barefoot Scuba, Doongi Dives and Dive India are the top 4 SSI http://www.divessi.com/ PADI certified dive centers, provide good equipment and offer training up to instructor. They share pretty much all of the same discovered dive sites, and prices are more or less standardized at ₹.4500 for discover scuba dive for non-certified divers, with a 10% discount for your own equipment for fun dives for certified divers. You don't need to be a swimmer to do the discover scuba diving. However, you should book your schedule with the dive center's well in advance as there are limited trips.

The diving possibilities around the Andamans are vast and it feels that what has been discovered is only the beginning... and even that is pretty great. Look for more sites to open up soon. Havelock is the main center for diving in the island chain. Usual places for diving are Elephant beach and Lighthouse in Havelock. If you're an experienced diver, also enquire about dive expeditions, where they will take you out hunting for new and undiscovered sites. For certified divers, South Button is another great place to dive.

Earlier, diving was done in converted dungi fishing boats but Government has mandated compulsory use of speed boats now for safety of tourists.In the event of an accident, the nearest recompression chamber is at the naval base in Port Blair, so it's wise to keep your diving profiles on the conservative side.

Snorkeling
Snorkeling is also popular, with several options.

 * Radhanagar Beach (Beach #7) has a couple of food shacks at the end of the road that rent out fins and masks for ₹50/each. There are great reefs for snorkeling in both directions from the end of the road.
 * Elephant Beach also has some good snorkeling sites.
 * Both of the dive shops can also take along snorkelers to some of the off-shore sites.
 * Local fishermen offer day trips and half day trips to different locations. South Button Island is particularly good as the reef is shallow, colourful and beautiful. It makes sense to get a group of 5-10 people together to share the cost of the boat.
 * Near Havelock Jetty, opposite reservation counter there is a small lane which goes alongside the beach. Keep going on that road and you'll reach some boats parked at the shore. They can take you for snorkeling at Lighthouse and Elephant Beach. Corals out there are worth watching. They charge 2000/- for a couple for Speed boat transfer + Snorkel.

Trekking
If you've had enough of the beach, try a little hot and sweaty jungle trekking. If you're into confluence hunting, you can find 12°N 93°E just 800 metres away from the end of beach #5. Guides can be arranged through resorts. The Wild Orchid Resort and Emerald Gecko Resort also conduct Jungle treks and you can walk into the reception and check on their offers.

 * Barefoot Eco Tours, operating from the Barefoot Brasserie at the jetty and at Barefoot at Havelock Resort can arrange interesting treks both on Havelock and at other islands (e.g. Long Island) and even conduct overnight camping and trips including trekking, kayaking and snorkeling.
 * Wild Orchid Resort, on beach #5 organise trekking, fishing trips and snorkeling.
 * Emerald Gecko Resort, on beach #5 organise trekking, fishing trips and snorkeling.

Fishing
A local trip on a speed boat with two local fishermen to the nearby mangroves (which is not that great if you've seen dense mangroves before) and then to deeper waters for fishing. The fishermen will prepare fishing lines for you and you can catch fishes. Duration: 3-4 hr. Time: 15:00-19:00 usually. Cost: ₹. 3500.

Buy
Govind Nagar has a few basic shops selling daily essentials plus a small pharmacy. If you pick up one of the ubiquitous Andaman & Nicobar T-shirts sold everywhere for ₹50, take one with black printing, as white text bleeds off the first time you wash it.

Eat
Some food is grown on the island (like tasty bananas), but most vegetables and fruits are imported. The best thing to eat is the locally caught fresh seafood.

Budget

 * Catch of the Day is for sale near the port on Beach #1 in the afternoons, and you can have your guesthouse cook it up for a fee
 * Pristine Beach Resort (Now moved to Diglipur), Orient Legend Resort and the others in the same vein all have restaurants serving the catch of the day, local Indian food and some traveler's favourites like french fries and chow mien.
 * Symphony Palms Beach Resort has their own restaurant which has very good vegetarian food. Boufets for ₹350 per head.
 * Catch of the Day is for sale near the port on Beach #1 in the afternoons, and you can have your guesthouse cook it up for a fee
 * Pristine Beach Resort (Now moved to Diglipur), Orient Legend Resort and the others in the same vein all have restaurants serving the catch of the day, local Indian food and some traveler's favourites like french fries and chow mien.
 * Symphony Palms Beach Resort has their own restaurant which has very good vegetarian food. Boufets for ₹350 per head.

Splurge

 * [[Image:Radhanagar beach during sunset.JPG|thumb|Radhanagar Beach at sunset|300x300px]]
 * Venom(Bar) and Charcoal(Restaurant) at Symphony Palms beach no 3(B3) is one of the best restaurants in the islands offering delicious food in the best price .The price of the food is in mid range segment. The restaurant is known for the best sea food and its good services.
 * Red Snapper at the Wild Orchid Resort is the one of the better and most expensive restaurants on the island, serving freshly caught and well-prepared seafood and a selection of Indian and continental dishes. It's best to go from the specials board or ask your waiter for his recommendation. Lunch or dinner will run about ₹300-600 per person.
 * Emerald Gecko is run by the same couple who run the Wild Orchid. The food is similarly tasty, the menu is much, much smaller, and it's a bit cheaper. Evening meals cost around ₹200.
 * Clown Fish Cafe is also a restaurant in Wild Orchid. it is located at the Andaman Bubbles Dive Center. and has a variety of snacks and milk shakes.

Drink

 * Beer is available at most of the resorts and at the "English Beer & Wine Shop" near the port. Wild Orchid, B3, Symphony Palms offers various brand of beers
 * Alcohol all types of alcohol are available at the bar in the Wild Orchid Resort.
 * Fresh coconuts are available around the island - after you drink the juice they'll be happy to whack it open so you can eat the flesh too.

Sleep
The majority of accommodation on offer are cheap palm-thatched beach huts. High season is from mid October to March, although these dates vary depending on demand. Most of the budget and mid range places double their prices in this time.

Budget
The boom in tourism means that there is not always enough accommodation to meet demand — the majority of the places between Beaches #3 and #5 have huts for around ₹200/night, so it makes sense to start at one end and work your way down looking for an available hut. In busier times you may end up pitching a tent if you have one, or sleeping in a hammock for a night or two until something frees up.

Mid-range

 * Dolphin Beach Resort is a government run resort. It's popular with Indian families, their VIP suites offering excellent value. On the plus side if you can't live without a/c, then you can find it here in large huts for around ₹1000, cheaper than you'll get elsewhere. There's a restaurant on site, and pre-booking in Port Blair is advised. ₹500–2000.
 * Symphony Inn, at the middle of Beach #5. Has a good beach spot, rooms are nice and are kept clean and tidy, there are some shops right outside the resort that offer Ayurvedic massage, Internet, General Store. Nice bamboo bungalows ₹2000 Non AC, AC @ ₹4000, including breakfast. If you are staying more night you can bargain and get some discount. On the downside there are no phones in the rooms so if you need any thing you will have to go to the reception personally if you don't find any one of the helper there.
 * V-Knot Residency, at Govind Nagar is a newly constructed RCC Hotel with well furnished and clean rooms AC ₹1600 and Non AC ₹1100, they can give you discount if contacted directly.
 * Symphony Inn, at the middle of Beach #5. Has a good beach spot, rooms are nice and are kept clean and tidy, there are some shops right outside the resort that offer Ayurvedic massage, Internet, General Store. Nice bamboo bungalows ₹2000 Non AC, AC @ ₹4000, including breakfast. If you are staying more night you can bargain and get some discount. On the downside there are no phones in the rooms so if you need any thing you will have to go to the reception personally if you don't find any one of the helper there.
 * V-Knot Residency, at Govind Nagar is a newly constructed RCC Hotel with well furnished and clean rooms AC ₹1600 and Non AC ₹1100, they can give you discount if contacted directly.
 * V-Knot Residency, at Govind Nagar is a newly constructed RCC Hotel with well furnished and clean rooms AC ₹1600 and Non AC ₹1100, they can give you discount if contacted directly.

Stay safe
Mosquitoes are a nuisance, particularly at dusk and after rain, and the Andaman Islands are malarial. Use mosquito repellent, wear long sleeves and long trousers in the evening, and sleep under a mosquito net.

Sandflies can be a problem while sunbathing. Occasionally they are in a larger number, so longer shirts and trousers are recommended.

Wild dogs can be a problem, especially along the beach at night – people are sometimes bitten. Carry a stick or a handful of stones to scare them off.

If you plan to be out until sunset or beyond its a good idea to carry a torch. It can get dark, especially if there's no moon out, and the beaches are often backed by dense forest.

Beware of currents at Radhanagar Beach during monsoon (June - Sept). There have been two recorded accidents as people have been caught out by powerful waves during the monsoon months. Supposedly the authorities have taken action to employ trained lifeguards and put up watchtowers.

Beware of jagged edges of Bleached Coral at Beaches #2, #3 and #5 as the shallow beachfront waters on the northern coast of Havelock (the backpacker strip) is covered with this.

Beware of Saltwater Crocodiles from the Sanctuary on neighbouring islands. A woman was killed in May 2010 while snorkeling.

Beware, there some travel agents and touts who appear honest but try to scam people.

Mail
There is a small post office next to the port at Beach #1.

Phones
Landlines are scarce, and with the exception of a couple of the nicer accommodation options, most places don't have a phone.

 * PCO/ISD's (phone booths) are located on Beach #5, near the junction at Beach #3 and near the port at Beach #1. Service outages are common.
 * Mobile phones can be used in many parts of island. Service is provided by BSNL and Airtel. Although the Airtel service disappears if you move far from the jetty. Vodafone and Idea Cellular also provide the service throughout the Island which is more reliable and stable.

Internet
Internet access on Havelock is extremely slow and unreliable, and also expensive. you can get satellite internet on some of the dive resorts, but at ₹300 an hour it's extremely expensive

 * Wild Orchid Resort has a satellite broadband internet cafe. though the speeds are not lightning fast, it is definitely better than dialup.
 * Pristine Beach Resort has a couple of computers which every once in a while are connected to the internet via a near-dead dial-up connection.
 * Anu's Internet Cafe has two computers set up in a shop just off the main road near Dolphin Resort in village no.3. It is not fast but still usable.
 * Island Vinnie's can burn photos onto CDs or DVDs for a fee, and claim to have non broad-band internet access.

Outside Symphony Inn there is a cyber cafe, charges are ₹2 per minute the connection is a dial up connection with 45 kbit/s.

Go next
Escaping the island is hard to do, since tickets are only available at the Jetty, at the *. Expect long queues and limited opening times (09:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00). Book your ticket at least two days before. Only half the available seats are sold in advance. If you are unlucky, try to show up very early the same day as your departure and hope for the best. Before to queue, head up to the window and ask for the ticket form. Fill it while queuing and when it's your turn, tender it to the officer. Prepare a copy of your Andaman stay permit, your passport if needed and the exact fare. After getting your ticket, check the reported details accurately to avoid later complications.

 * Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)  a smaller and quieter island, with only 2 accommodation options. Some say it's best to stop here before Havelock.
 * Diglipur the far north of the island chain, and the jumping off point for Smith and Ross Islands.
 * Long Island (Andamans) a small and still untouched island a 2-hour boat-ride north of Havelock.

title: Havelock Island


text:
Havelock North

Havelock North is a town in the Hawke's Bay region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, very close to the larger city of Hastings.

Understand
Havelock North has a population of 14,000 (2018). It is often referred to as the 'Village' by the locals as a throw-back to its original farming village beginnings. It strives to maintain a 'village' feel despite its size. Havelock North once had its own borough council, and its residents consider the town to be separate from Hastings.

Get in

 * By car, there are a number of turnoffs from the main highway through Hastings.
 * Bus services
 * Hawke's Bay Airport in Napier is the region's airport. It is a 30-minute drive from Havelock North, so have friends come and collect you, or rent a vehicle to avoid a large taxi fare. Air NZ operate daily services.
 * There is no train service.

Get around

 * Driving is the best option, although because of its compact nature walking is also an option.
 * Cycling around Havelock North is an option, although as the suburb is located on the side of Te Mata Peak, you can begin to encounter a number of hills depending on the direction you are heading. Cycling around wineries is a common option at times.

See

 * The views from the top of Te Mata Peak are spectacular, but the road up is poorly marked. Ask any of the friendly villagers how to get up there.
 * The half a dozen or so really close wineries.

Do

 * Go for a swim at the ever popular Undercliff on the Tukituki River.
 * A short distance down the Te Mata peak from the car park is a cave that is rumoured to extend for kilometers. People have estimated it ends somewhere underneath Hereworth School. It's slightly difficult to find and would be very dangerous during rain. This should only be for experienced cavers. To find it, go to the redwoods car park just after the stone gates. Go down the hill to your right (facing away from road) through the trees folling the bottom of the valley. It's about 300 m down the hill and you will need to jump a fence. Keep following the gully and you will know you are there when you see a rusted green Ford Escort. Make sure you let someone know where you are going, just in case.
 * Go to the top of Te Mata Peak. On a clear day the vista spans 360 degrees, looking out to the sea in the East, Napier to the north, Hastings to the north west, the region's rich and plentiful orchards in the west and rolling farmlands in the south. If you are lucky enough, you'll see Mount Ruapehu over 100km away poking its snow domed head out above the Kaweka ranges. For the fit, you can walk to the top on a mixture of road and walking tracks, either from Tauroa Road or Te Mata Peak road. Vehicle access is available only via Te Mata Peak road. For those driving, be aware that the last section of road to the peak is narrow but sealed, with steep drops without barriers. For less confident drivers, it is possible to drive most of the way to the peak on relatively wide roads and park your car a few hundred metres from the top and walk the remainder of the journey up walking tracks.
 * Redwood walk. Located half-way up the peak road. You can walk through tracks to a grove of Redwoods. If you are lucky enough you'll pick a day when a wedding party has chosen to have a ceremony of photo in this remote but alluring spot.
 * Visit the Arataki Honey Visitor Centre. Arataki Honey is a brand exported and respected around the world. The visitor centre offers free entry, and includes a range of family friendly, educational activities.
 * Pick your own strawberries at Scott's Strawberry Farm. 2 minutes drive out of Havelock North on Te Aute Road this small strawberry farm can be a short fun outing for the family, with a juicy sweet reward.
 * Take in an Open Air Movie at Black Barn winery.
 * Try Paragliding off Te Mata Peak. When the wind is right, many paragliders can be seen launching from the top of the peak. Commercial operators offer tandem paraglider flights. The usual landing site is on the eastern side of the Peak towards Craggy Range winery.

Buy

 * Havelock North is home to many privately owned upmarket stores and is the trendy place to go shopping in Hawke's Bay, besides Napier.

Eat

 * Jacksons on Jolls bakery offers the best bakery food in town.

Drink
There is plenty of wine. They are especially known for their reds.

 * Diva, as its name implies, is one of the trendier places to go drinking within the Hastings region.
 * The Loading Ramp is a modern bar, nestled off Treachers Lane or Porter Drive.
 * Turks is a down-to-earth sports bar. It has a TAB for those inclined to place a few bets on the horses or greyhounds. Turks is a minute walk from the roundabout on Napier Road.
 * The Rose and Shamrock is an Irish style pub two minutes walk from the roundabout on Napier Road.
 * Te Mata Estate Winery
 * Selini Wines
 * Black Barn Winery

Sleep

 * There are a few hotels, but the majority can be found in Hastings

Go next

 * Visit nearby Hastings, Clive, Ocean Beach, Waimarama or the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers near Clifton.
 * Havelock North is the gateway to Elsthorpe.

title: Havelock North


text:
Haverford Township

Haverford Township is a region of Delaware County in Southeastern Pennsylvania. It is a western suburb of Philadelphia. About 50,000 people live in Haverford Township. It was founded by the Welsh Quakers in 1681 and purchased by William Penn.

Towns
Haverford Township is made up of Havertown, and different sections of Bryn Mawr, Drexel Hill, and Ardmore. Parts of Haverford, Ardmore, and Bryn Mawr are located in Lower Merion Township.

By car

 * 25-minute drive from Philadelphia --follow Walnut St. west out of Philadelphia.

By train or bus
It is also very easy to take public transportation, SEPTA, into the city whether it be by train or bus. Amtrak Regional Rail line the R3 and R5 go directly into the city from Haverford Township. It is also an option to take routes 104, 112, or 123 to 69th street from the Manoa Shopping Center. At 69th street you can transfer over to the Market Frankford Line which brings you to Center City.

Get around
It is very easy to walk around many areas of Haverford Township. A car would be ideal for farther locations in Haverford Township. However, there are many great locations surrounding Haverford Township that are a quick, easy, SEPTA bus or train ride away.

See

 * The Federal School is a one of the many historical sites to see in Haverford Township. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is on Darby Road in Havertown. It is a one room school house that was established in 1797.  It was named the Federal School as a reflection of the members of the community being proud citizens of the Federal United States.  The building was restoring in 1991 and is now open for tours and class field trips which reenact the average class day in the 1800s.
 * Nitre Hall Powder Mills, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, were built in the early 1800s along Cobb’s Creek on Karakung Drive. It was a center for manufacture for almost 200 years.  Nitre Hall was where the powder master lived, is the only part of the mills remaining of the industrial era.  The building is open May through October.
 * Lawrence Cabin, also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the first homes of the first settlers in the area. It was built in 1709 on Old West Chester Pike Road but was relocated to Karakung Drive by the township when threatened by destruction.

Do

 * Every year during the first Saturday of October the township hosts Haverford Township Day. This is a daylong event which is held on Darby Road.  There are many different booths set up where people can choose from a huge array of items such as clothing or collectable items.  There is also live music and a huge variety of food vendors.  The day is ended with a parade.
 * The Haverford Township Skatium is on Darby Road in Havertown and is a great place to take children for some ice skating. There are affordable sessions which allow children and parents alike to skate.  There are also private party options.
 * Haverford College features an arboretum with a 2½ mile (4 km) nature path, and a small, free art museum (the Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery, located inside the Whitehead Campus Center) and is certainly worth a visit.
 * Kangaroo U is a fairly new establishment located on Eagle Road in Havertown. It is a play area for young children that includes slides and arcade games. There is a helpful staff that help the children to have a great time.  They offer birthday party packages and day guest passes.
 * There are many great free parks in Haverford Township. The Merry Place is a large park located on Glendale Road in Havertown.  There are also Westgate Hills, Bailey Park, Paddock Farms, the Grange Estate.  These parks have playing areas for children, tennis courts, basketball courts and many have nature and picnic areas.

Buy

 * Within a 20-minute drive of Haverford Township there is the King of Prussia Mall. This is one of the best malls in the country and the East Coast's premier shopping destination.  It is composed of two malls, The Plaza and The Court.  There are hundreds and stores including: Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, H&M, Forever 21, American Apparel, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany and Company, and Coach.  There are also many restaurants such as the Cheesecake Factory, Morton Steak House and Maggianos.  It is very easy to get to the mall by using SEPTA.  Route 123 takes you directly to the mall from the Manoa Shopping Center.
 * Located in Ardmore, minutes away from Haverford Township, is Suburban Square. Here there is shopping and dining.  There are stores such as Macys, Urban Outfitters, Free People, The Gap, City Sports, and American Eagle.  There are also restaurants such as Plate, Corner Bakery Cafe, and Rubys.

Eat

 * There are many great affordable places to dine in Havertown. There is a full array of pizza places to choose from.  Just on Darby Road there are Cenzos, Havertown Pizza, and Brookline Pizza.  Also not far from these shops are Joey’s Pizza, Dimeos Pizza, and Porta Rosa Pizza.
 * The Sampan Inn is a great fairly priced restaurant located at Darby Road and Brookline Boulevard. It has a Japanese and a Chinese menu.  The Japanese side has great sushi and a modern look.
 * A hidden but very good restaurant in Haverford Township is Nais Cuisine. It is a fairly small restaurant which serves French cuisine with an Oriental flavor. It offers entrees such as Thai Shrimp, Chicken Curry, and Filet Mignon.  It is very reasonably priced. It is on Benedict Avenue in Havertown, close to the Oakmont Fire Company.

Drink

 * The Oakmont Pub is on the corner of Darby and Eagles Road. It has great food and a full stocked bar. There is a huge selection of draught beers.  There is also often live entertainment at night in the deck area.   There are many televisions inside to watch sporting events and an upstairs dining area.
 * Barnaby’s of America, located on West Chester Pike and Lawrence Road, has a great bar scene and a good restaurant.  They offer many specials such as an “all you can eat” crab night on Tuesday nights.  They also have different beer specials every night.  Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4:30-6:30 where there are half-priced appetizers and reduced drink prices in the bar area.

Sleep
There are no major hotels in Haverford Township. Consider staying in Philadelphia. Or try the Wyndham in Bryn Mawr, which is near the Haverford Township line in Lower Merion Township. There are also excellent options in Radnor and Wayne.

Stay safe
Haverford Township is one of the safest areas in Southeastern Pennsylvania in terms of crime. Just be careful crossing streets, as many major intersections feature fast-moving cars and some do not have crosswalks.

Underage drinking laws are strictly enforced, and penalties can be severe.

Go next
Take SEPTA (www.septa.org) to Philadelphia and other locations throughout the Delaware River Valley.

title: Haverford Township


text:
Haverfordwest

Haverfordwest (Welsh: Hwlffordd) is the county town of Pembrokeshire in South Wales.

By car
Haverfordwest is on the main A40 London to Fishguard trunk road.

By rail
is served by trains on the West Wales Line from Swansea to Milford Haven, operated by Arriva Trains Wales

Do

 * Football: Haverfordwest County play soccer in the Cymru Premier League. That's the top tier within Wales, but mostly amateur and on a par with England's fifth tier National League. They play at Bridge Meadow Stadium (capacity 2100) just north of town centre.

Buy

 * Farmers Market is on Castle Square on Friday.
 * Farmers Market is on Castle Square on Friday.

Go next

 * Newgale
 * Broad Haven
 * Milford Haven

title: Haverfordwest


text:
Haverhill

There is more than one place called Haverhill:

United Kingdom

 * Haverhill (England) - A town in England

United States of America

 * Haverhill (Florida) - A town in Florida
 * Haverhill (Massachusetts) - A town in Massachusetts
 * Haverhill (New Hampshire) - A town in New Hampshire

title: Haverhill


text:
Haverhill (Massachusetts)

Haverhill is a city in Massachusetts with a population of about 68,000 (2020).

By car
Interstate 495 has several exits that lead into Haverhill. MA Routes 97, 110, 113, and 125 also intersect the city

By train

 * Train operators:
 * Route stopping at Haverhill:
 * Downeaster operating five or six trains in each direction daily between Brunswick and Boston with stops Freeport, Portland, Old Orchard Beach (seasonal), Saco, Wells, Dover, Durham, Exeter, Haverhill, and Woburn.
 * MBTA commuter rail operates from Boston via several stations in the greater metropolitan area as well as Lawrence. Haverhill is the northern terminus station.

Get around
Local and regional buses are run by MVRTA, almost all routes convene at the centrally located. The fare for local buses are free.

Eat

 * Romano’s Pizza, 620 Primrose St, +1 978 373-9906. Locally ran pizzeria, don’t miss “Beat The Clock” on Monday’s when the pizza is the price of the time after 5 PM.
 * Tacos Lupita, 194 River St, (978) 374-1839
 * Tacos Lupita, 194 River St, (978) 374-1839

title: Haverhill (Massachusetts)


text:
Havertown

Havertown is in Delaware County in Pennsylvania. Havertown is a western suburb of Philadelphia, 8 miles from Center City. It is in Delaware County, commonly referred to as "Delco".

History
The history of Havertown can be traced back to 40,000 acres of land being purchased by the Religious Society of Friends from William Penn in 1681. It is an area that has seen the transformation from farmland and water-powered mills to a unique suburban neighborhood. It was well known for both gunpowder and textile manufacturing, producing powder for the War of 1812 and the cloth for the Union army during the Civil War. Havertown is the home to several historical sites and is well known for being the birthplace of Swell Bubble Gum, whose factory was demolished in 2011. It is also known for its large Irish-American population, which is still evident in the many Irish bars and stores throughout the town.

Get in
Havertown is very close to Philadelphia, about a half hour drive. Havertown is easily accessible to public transportation considering how close it is to 69th street Terminal. You can take either the SEPTA Rt. 104 bus or the Rt. 112 bus from 69th Street or you can take the Rt. 115 bus from Ardmore. It is also possible to take the Norristown High Speed Line (NHSL) into Havertown. If driving, you can reach Havertown off of Rt. 1 (City Line Avenue), Rt. 3 (West Chester Pike) or by taking I-95 to 476 (Blue Route) exit 9-Broomall/Upper Darby.

Get around
It is easy to walk around Havertown, but the best way to get around is by car. Public Transportation is also an option but not the best. If you drive, there is usually plenty of street parking, as well as, several parking lots near some of the stores. There are also many sidewalks which makes walking or biking an option.

See

 * Nitre Hall, Karakung Drive, +1 610-446-7988. A historic home built in the 1800s, which was the home of the powder master and is the only building remaining from the industrial era of the valley. It is open to the public from May through October and is often part of school and group field trips.
 * Lawrence Cabin, Karakung Drive, +1 610-446-7988. A historic log cabin built sometime in the 1700s and is typical of the first homes early settlers built in this area. It is furnished appropriately in the period before 1750 and features “Colonial Living Experience” tours.
 * Federal School, Manoa Road, +1 610-446-7988. A one room stone schoolhouse from 1797 named the Federal School as a sign of the townspeople’s pride in being part of the Federated United States. It is the oldest building in Delaware County erected specifically for education purposes. It is open to the public for tours and is also used as part of school and group field trips.
 * Federal School, Manoa Road, +1 610-446-7988. A one room stone schoolhouse from 1797 named the Federal School as a sign of the townspeople’s pride in being part of the Federated United States. It is the oldest building in Delaware County erected specifically for education purposes. It is open to the public for tours and is also used as part of school and group field trips.

Parks

 * Darby Creek Valley Park. This park has a creek and large nature area and is also equipped with basketball courts.
 * Powder Mill Valley Park, Karakung Drive. This park has a creek and nature area and is also equipped with playground equipment and basketball courts.
 * Community Park, Marple Rd. This park has a creek, nature area, and playing fields and is also equipped with playground equipment and tennis courts.

Buy
Havertown has several unique stores, a shopping center and a department store.
 * Manoa Shopping Center- Eagle Road & Route 3. A collection of shopping, dining, and services
 * Manoa Shopping Center- Eagle Road & Route 3. A collection of shopping, dining, and services
 * Manoa Shopping Center- Eagle Road & Route 3. A collection of shopping, dining, and services
 * Manoa Shopping Center- Eagle Road & Route 3. A collection of shopping, dining, and services
 * Manoa Shopping Center- Eagle Road & Route 3. A collection of shopping, dining, and services

Eat
Havertown has a full range of places to eat to satisfy all appetites.

International:

 * Sampan Inn (Japanese)- 8 Brookline Blvd./+1 610-446-3000
 * Giampinos (Italian)- 1254 West Chester Pike/+1 610-853-9330
 * Shogun 3 (Japanese Steakhouse)- 1305 West Chester Pike/+1 610-853-3939

Deli:

 * Boccellas Deli- 37 W. Eagle Rd./+1 610-789-2228
 * Centrella’s Deli- 10 Brookline Blvd./+1 610-853-2466

Pizza:

 * Bravo Pizza- 1345 West Chester Pike/+1 610-446-3810
 * Cenzo’s Pizzeria- 1619 Darby Rd./+1 610-789-3375
 * Havertown Pizza- 2016 Darby Rd./+1 610-446-5035

Bakery:

 * Testa’s Bakery (famous for Italian sweets)- 12 Brookline Blvd./+1 610-789-4331

Waterice:

 * Pop’s Homemade Waterice- 150 West Eagle Rd./+1 610-789-7677
 * Rita’s Waterice- 55 West Eagle Rd./+1 610-789-8808

Drink

 * Westgate Pub- 1021 West Chester Pike, +1 610-446-3030
 * Ivy Inn (classic tap room)- 37 Brookline Blvd./+1 610-446-8026
 * Manoa Tavern- 8 North Manoa Rd./+1 610-446-9726

Sleep
There are no hotels in Havertown.

Stay healthy

 * Kindred Hospital-2000 Old West Chester Pike, +1 610-853-7000
 * Delaware County Community Hospital-501 North Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill, +1 610-284-8100

title: Havertown


text:
Havre

Havre is a town in Montana. About 9,300 people lived there in 2020.

Understand
Havre is home to Montana State University – Northern. Havre serves as the "big city" for a huge radius of small towns. The nearest major city, Great Falls, is about 120 miles (190 km) to the south. Wild Horse Border Crossing into Canada is 44 miles north and it is one of the lowest volume ports between the countries.

Towns along US Highway 2 in Montana are usually referred to as being on the "Hi Line".

By car
Havre is along U.S. Highway 2. The town is also the northern terminus of U.S. Highway 87.

By train

 * Route stopping at Havre
 * Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago.
 * Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago.

By air
Cape Air flies twice daily from Billings to.

Get around
The town stretches along US Highway 2 for several miles. The majority of businesses, restaurants, and motels are in this path which means you will probably need a car to get around.

Go next

 * Rudyard Depot Museum (41 miles west) is part of the Montana Dinosaur Trail. Rudyard also has the Hi-Line Vintage Motors Museum.

title: Havre


text:
Havre de Grace

Havre de Grace is a small city of approximately 15,000 residents (2020) in northeastern Maryland. Named by General Lafayette, it was attacked by the Royal Navy during the War of 1812. During the 19th century, Havre de Grace was a bustling river port on the Susquehanna and boasts today many marinas and historic homes. It is a center of traditional woodcarving and duck decoy crafts.

By car
Getting in from points northeast like Perryville and Philadelphia on the Millard E. Tydings Memorial Bridge on Interstate 95 or the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge on U.S. Route 40 requires no toll.

By bike
Bicyclists aged at least 18 or with valid drivers license may also cross the westbound Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge only within some strict conditions on weekends and local holidays.

See
Take a walk around the Havre de Grace Historic District. The entire downtown in comprised of buildings from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries and is protected by the National Register of Historic Places.

Do
As you'd expect for a Chesapeake community, Havre de Grace has several marinas offering boating and fishing oppurtunities.

Go next

 * Perryville is to the east. Crossing the Millard E. Tydings Memorial Bridge on Interstate 95 or the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge on U.S. Route 40 requires a toll of US$8.00 per car or motorcycle across the Susquehanna River. Bicyclists aged at least 18 or with valid driver license may also pay $8.00 to cross the eastbound Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge only within some strict conditions on weekends and local holidays.

title: Havre de Grace