text:
Dungannon

Dungannon is a town historically in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, but since 2015 part of Mid-Ulster "super-council" area. It's industrial, with a population in 2021 of 16,000, and has become a commuter town for Belfast as it stands at the western terminus of M1. Dungannon (which in Irish means "Geanann's fort") is about five miles from the banks of Lough Neagh and ten miles from County Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland.

Understand
Dungannon is a good example of the rise and fall of the Irish crystal glass trade. Glass was made from ancient times, and Dunmisk Hill 15 miles northwest was a factory as early as the 8th century AD (meaning manufacture from raw materials, not simply molding of existing glass). Medieval Britain and Ireland had many glassworks, almost 90 by 1780 when a tax-break favoured Ireland. Waterford, Cork and Dungannon came to specialise in lead (aka "crystal") glass, a trade that lasted 200 years then was uneconomic and collapsed.

Lead crystal glass has at least 24% by weight of lead oxide. This makes it heavy and resonant — flick the edge of your tumbler and it sings, instead of skittering off the table. Lead glass can be fine-cut and has a high refractive index so it catches the light, with rainbows glinting along its cut edges. It became a popular luxury item, marketed as "crystal" and avoiding any mention of lead. Customers might think that was toxic - and it is! Never use lead crystal as a storage container, as within a few days the lead leaches into the contents. It's alright to use as a wine-glass and even as a decanter providing those are rinsed before and after use, and the contents only sit for hours not days.

Dungannon was near a coalfield and had a range of early modern industries, but local glass-making lapsed until 1971 when the company Tyrone Crystal was founded. In the 1990s it moved to a new factory, wrought many fine pieces and became a tourist attraction; the chandelier in Belfast's magnificent Merchant Hotel Grand Room was made here in 2006. But East European competition brought down all the Irish specialist crystal companies, and Tyrone Glass folded in 2010. Glassworking continues in town in a small way in craft studios, but is no longer an industry here.

Get in
The nearest railway station is Portadown 17 miles east, with frequent trains to Lisburn, Belfast and Bangor, and the Enterprise Train between Dublin and Belfast

Ulsterbus 75 runs every couple of hours between Portadown and Dungannon, taking 40 min.

Ulsterbus 273 runs from Belfast Europa bus station via Lurgan to Dungannon, taking just under an hour. It runs hourly M-Sa and every two hours Sunday, and continues to Ballygawley, Omagh, Newtonstewart, Sion Mills, Strabane and Derry.

Ulsterbus 72 runs every two hours from Armagh, and Bus 80 runs from Cookstown every hour or two.

Goldline Express 261 runs from Belfast Europa station to Lurgan, Dungannon and Enniskillen. It's every two hours M-Sa with only two on Sunday.

Goldline Express 278 runs in university term-time, with one bus Su-F from Monaghan via Armagh, Moy, Dungannon, Cookstown, Magherafelt, Garvagh and Coleraine to Ulster University, Portstewart and Portrush.

is southwest corner of town on Beechvalley Way.

By road follow M1 west then A29 into town.

Get around
You need your own wheels to reach The Argory.

Taxi firms in town are Mark Taxi +44 7922 938538 and Home James +44 28 8772 2655. Uber doesn't operate in Dungannon.

National Cycleway 95 runs mostly on-road from Armagh to Dungannon, Cookstown and Strabane, while Route 94 circles Lough Neagh.

See

 * was the seat of power of that dynasty, lords of all they surveyed until Elizabethan England encroached. The Gaelic chieftains fought back in the Nine Years War, but finally lost at Kinsale in 1602. Some knuckled under to the new regime, some went into exile, some tried to fetch reinforcements from Spain. Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tryone, tried to have it all ways up, but in 1607 he fled to the continent along with the Earl of Tyrconnell and some 90 followers, "The Flight of the Earls". Thus ended the Irish Gaelic aristocracy: their lands were seized, to be settled by loyal British subjects, the beginning of the "Plantations" that made Ulster a Protestant province. There's a visitor centre at Ranfurly House on Market Square, open M-Sa 9AM-5PM and Sunday 1-5PM.
 * is the lake southeast of town, with lots of waterfowl.
 * is a richly carved 9th-century cross. It's in Donaghmore village 3 miles northwest of town along B43.
 * See Cookstown for Tullyhogue Fort, and Ardboe on the shore of Lough Neagh.
 * See Portadown for Ardress House and Dan Winter's farmhouse.
 * See Portadown for Ardress House and Dan Winter's farmhouse.

Do

 * Omniplex Cinema is on Oaks Retail Park, north side of town off A45 Oaks Rd.
 * Dungannon Swifts play soccer in the NIFL or Danske Bank Premiership, Northern Ireland's top tier. Their home ground is Stangmore Park, capacity 5000, a mile southeast of the centre along A29 Moy Rd.
 * Golf: Dungannon Golf Club is a parkland course a mile north of town off B43. White tees 6151 yards, par 71, visitor round £35-50.

Buy

 * Oaks Retail Park is the main area, north of the centre. Sainsbury's is open M-Sa 8AM-9PM, Su 1-6PM and has an ATM and filling station.

Drink

 * Others in town centre are Donaghy's on William St, Tonnes Daly's on Irish St and Quinn's on Scotch St. The Fort has closed down.
 * Distillery: Woodlab (aka Symphonia Spirits) makes gin in Moy, five miles south on A29. Tours available.
 * Others in town centre are Donaghy's on William St, Tonnes Daly's on Irish St and Quinn's on Scotch St. The Fort has closed down.
 * Distillery: Woodlab (aka Symphonia Spirits) makes gin in Moy, five miles south on A29. Tours available.

Connect
As of Aug 2021, Dungannon has 4G from EE, O2 and Vodafone, but a poor signal from Three. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Cookstown is where the O'Neill kings were inaugurated, by waving a shoe over their head. There are several prehistoric sites nearby.
 * Omagh's Ulster American Folk Park is an outdoor museum depicting emigrant life.
 * Armagh has long been the ecclesiastic capital of Ireland, with two cathedrals and a prehistoric "fort" that was clearly religious not defensive.

title: Dungannon


text:
Dungloe

Dungloe is a village on the west coast of County Donegal. It's in a Gaeltacht area so its official name is the Irish An Clochan Liath - "the grey stepping stones". But Irish has dwindled here as the holiday cottages have multiplied, and only 15% nowadays have it as their main language. Dungloe is best known to the world for the 1936 song Mary from Dungloe, a sentimental refrain of star-crossed love, which is recalled in an annual beauty contest and festival.

Dungloe had a population of 1785 in 2016, so it's the largest village of The Rosses, the area separated by the Derryveagh Mountains from the rest of the county. "Rosses" means "headlands": grassy boulder-strewn peninsulas facing the Atlantic, with a scattering of islands beyond. Arranmore is the largest island and although part of The Rosses it's described on its own page.

Get in
has two flights daily from Dublin by Amapola Flyg and one flight M-Sa from Glasgow (GLA not Prestwick) by Loganair. The airport has car hire and taxis but no public transport. The Dublin flight is state-subsided: Amapola Flyg are a Stockholm-based air mail carrier who picked up the route in 2021 when Stobart Air folded.

Local Link Bus 271 runs from Letterkenny via Churchill, Glenveagh (for National Park), Dunlewey, Crolly and Loughanure, taking 1 hr 20 min to Dungloe and continuing to Burtonport for the ferry to Arranmore. There are three M-Th and five F Sa. Change at Letterkenny for buses from Derry, Donegal Town, Sligo, Galway and Dublin.

Bus Éireann 492 runs 2 or 3 times a day from Donegal Town via Killybegs, Ardara, Glenties and Lettermacaward, taking 90 min to Dungloe.

Local Link Bus 966 runs once in the morning M-F from Falcarragh via Magheroarty (for Tory Island ferry), Derrybeg, Bunbeg (for Gola Island ferry), Crolly and Loughanure, heading back from Dungloe in the afternoon. is the main bus stop in Dungloe although the hotel itself is closed in 2021 for refurbishment, not a moment too soon.

is where you take the ferry to Arranmore.

Get around
Town is small, but you need wheels to get around The Rosses.

See

 * is a village 5 km west of Dungloe with a fine sandy but exposed beach. The peninsula north is Termon, denoting a religious sanctuary, with a ruined church with 19th century gravestones. The islands seen just north are Inishfree Upper and Lower, nowadays uninhabited, with Arranmore Island further northwest. On the coast 2 km south of Maghery is the ruined Crohy Martello tower, built to warn of Napoleonic invasion, and Bristi sea-arch.
 * is a 20 min boat ride and easy day trip, see separate page.
 * is a scenic little village north along the coast. St Mary's Church (RC) is from 1854, and on R259 just east is its predecessor, the Mass Rock where services were secretly held during the "Penal" era. The village is best known as the birthplace in 1961 of the singer Daniel O'Donnell, who still lives nearby in Meenbanad.
 * (pronounced "crutch") is reached by a bridge, so it's effectively a 5 km straggly peninsula. There's a beach midway up its sheltered east side, and a golf course at the north tip.
 * 500 m off Cruit Island has been uninhabited since the 1970s, though a few cottages are occasionally used as holiday homes. There's no ferry but it's within kayaking distance of Cruit.
 * or Anagaire is a small village near Donegal Airport with accommodation and a pub.

Do

 * Angling: Bonners on Lower Main St Dungloe can fit you up with tackle, permits and local gen. There's fly-fishing for trout Feb-Oct in the nearby lakes and rivers.
 * Golf: Cruit Island GC is a 9-hole links course. Twice around is par 68, visitor €35.
 * Earagail Arts Festival is held in July at various venues across the northwest of the county. The next event is 9-24 July 2022.
 * Mary from Dungloe is an old-style beauty contest held in Dungloe at the end of July, with street parades and general hoop-de-hoop. The 2021 event was online and the winner Alannagh Nic Fhloinn won a trip to join the New York St Patrick's Day Parade. Dates for 2022 are tba.

Buy

 * The Cope is a local supermarket at 35 Main St, open M-Sa 09:00-18:00: the name arose from a mispronunciation of "Co-op". There are branches in Annagry, Falcarragh and Kincasslagh.
 * Supermarkets east side of town are Aldi, Lidl and SuperValu, all open daily till around 21:00.

Eat

 * Lucky Inn is a Chinese restaurant opposite McCafferty's.
 * Lucky Inn is a Chinese restaurant opposite McCafferty's.
 * Lucky Inn is a Chinese restaurant opposite McCafferty's.

Drink

 * Sharkey's is a popular bar in Annagry.
 * Crolly Distillery makes whiskey in the former Crolly doll factory. Production started in Sept 2020 so it will probably go on sale in the run-up to Christmas 2023.
 * Sharkey's is a popular bar in Annagry.
 * Crolly Distillery makes whiskey in the former Crolly doll factory. Production started in Sept 2020 so it will probably go on sale in the run-up to Christmas 2023.
 * Crolly Distillery makes whiskey in the former Crolly doll factory. Production started in Sept 2020 so it will probably go on sale in the run-up to Christmas 2023.

Sleep

 * Sleepy Hollows is a campsite and caravan park in Meenaleck 200 m north of Leo's Tavern, open year round. Adults only, 2-person tent €22.
 * Sleepy Hollows is a campsite and caravan park in Meenaleck 200 m north of Leo's Tavern, open year round. Adults only, 2-person tent €22.
 * Sleepy Hollows is a campsite and caravan park in Meenaleck 200 m north of Leo's Tavern, open year round. Adults only, 2-person tent €22.
 * Sleepy Hollows is a campsite and caravan park in Meenaleck 200 m north of Leo's Tavern, open year round. Adults only, 2-person tent €22.
 * Sleepy Hollows is a campsite and caravan park in Meenaleck 200 m north of Leo's Tavern, open year round. Adults only, 2-person tent €22.
 * Sleepy Hollows is a campsite and caravan park in Meenaleck 200 m north of Leo's Tavern, open year round. Adults only, 2-person tent €22.
 * Sleepy Hollows is a campsite and caravan park in Meenaleck 200 m north of Leo's Tavern, open year round. Adults only, 2-person tent €22.
 * Sleepy Hollows is a campsite and caravan park in Meenaleck 200 m north of Leo's Tavern, open year round. Adults only, 2-person tent €22.

Connect
As of Aug 2021, Dungloe has 4G from Three and Vodafone, and a mobile signal from Eir. Coverage includes the approach highways - you might even get 5G from Three - but the mountains cut it off in town.

Go next

 * Arranmore is reached by ferry from Burtonport.
 * Tory Island is more remote, and reached by ferry from Magheroarty.
 * Letterkenny is Donegal's largest town and transport hub.

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

title: Dungloe


text:
Dunhuang

Dunhuang (敦煌; Dūnhuáng) is a city on the old Silk Road. It is in Gansu Province in northwest China. It is best known for a large group of Buddhist cave temples nearby, with much historic artwork.

Understand
The city was founded by Emperor Wudi of the Han dynasty in 111 BC at the crossroads of two trading routes on the Silk Road, and the name 'Dunhuang', meaning to 'to flourish and prosper,' gives some indication of the town's prominence in ancient China. It is much less important today.

Buddhism reached China via the Silk Road and this is one of the more important Buddhist sites on that route. The Tangut or Western Xia ruled a substantial kingdom in the area, with its capital at Yinchuan, for centuries until the Mongol conquest in the 1200s. They were the main sponsors of Buddhist construction at Dunhuang.

By train

Some active departures from Dunhuang:
 * Guazhou - #D2759 (46 minutes), #D2739 (55 minutes), #K42, #K9669 and #K9677 (1 hour and 16 minutes), #7537 (1 hour and 37 minutes)
 * Jiayuguan - #D8933 (2 hours and 23 minutes), #D2759 (2 hours and 30 minutes), #Y669 (3 hours and 7 minutes), #K369 and #K9669 (5 hours and 12 minutes, #7537 (6 hours and 15 minutes)
 * Lanzhou - #D2759 (8 hours and 18 minutes), #Y669 (10 hours and 35 minutes), #K369 (14 hours and 54 minutes), #K9669 (15 hours and 2 minutes)
 * Zhangye - #D2759 (4 hours and 4 minutes), #Y669 (5 hours and 9 minutes), #K9669 (7 hours and 40 minutes), #K369 (7 hours and 48 minutes)
 * Xining - #D2759 (6 hours)
 * Xi'an - #K369 (24 hours and 59 minutes) [It would be quicker to catch a train to Lanzhou and then catch a Xi'an-bound train from there]

Some active departures from Liuyuan:
 * Urumqi - 10 trains daily, including 3 high-speed trains (taking around 4.5 hours and 7 regular-speed trains (taking between 7 and 13 hours). The high-speed trains depart from Liuyuan South Station.
 * Xi'an - 7 to 11 trains daily (taking between 19 hours and 26½ hours)

Liuyuan can be reached by catching a bus from Dunhuang Bus Station. Liuyuan Bus Station is just outside the Liuyuan Train Station and about 3 km from Liuyuan South Train Station. Alternatively, you could catch a high-speed train to Jiayuguan South and transfer to another train from there.

By bus
Dunhuang has two bus stations diagonally across from each other. Most frequent buses leave from the main bus station and not the long-distance bus station.

 * Golmud - takes about 15 hours
 * Guazhou - takes about 1½ hours
 * Hami (3 weekly) - takes about 8 hours
 * Jiayuguan - takes about 4–8 hours
 * Lanzhou - takes about 17–24 hours
 * Liuyuan - takes about 3 hours
 * Xining - takes about 20 hours
 * Zhangye - takes about 13 hours

Get around
A public bus service operates in Dunhuang's urban area, which is useful for getting to a small number of sights such as the Dunhuang Museum and the Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Lake Park, but most of the major attractions in Dunhuang are quite far from the urban area. Fortunately, a special tourist shuttle bus service is also available.

The shuttle bus has two major routes: the western route and the eastern route. The eastern route takes passengers to the Mogao Caves and the Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Lake Park. The western route on the other hand, normally stops at the Ancient City of Dunhuang Movie Set, Yang Pass, Yumen Pass and Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark. As of January 2021, however, the Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark is temporarily closed, so the bus is stopping at the Western Thousand Buddha Caves instead.

Shuttle buses on the eastern route can usually pick you up from any hotel in the city whereas the shuttle buses on the western route may only pick you up at select locations. You can confirm the pickup location when you purchase the tickets.

Tickets for the shuttle bus can be purchased at the following locations:

 * The Dunhuang Tourist Transportation Center (敦煌旅游集散中心), which is on the west side of the Mogao Caves Digital Display Center (莫高窟数字展示中心)
 * The tourist reception hall at Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Lake Park
 * The tourist information booth on the west side of Dunhuang Train Station (敦煌站)
 * The tourist information booth on the west side of the Dunhuang Hotel (敦煌宾馆)
 * The tourist information booth at Dunhuang Night Market (敦煌夜市), inside the Dahong Gate (大红门)
 * The tourist information booth on Shazhou North Road (沙州北路), on the north side of the Health & Family Planning Office (卫计局)
 * The tourist information booth on Mingshan Road (鸣山路), on the south side of the sports school
 * The tourist information booth at the Jinshuiwan Housing Estate (金水湾小区), which is opposite Little Dunhuang Town (敦煌小镇)

The standard fare for both routes is ¥78. This fare does not include anything other than the bus ride. Entry tickets for the various attractions must be purchased separately.

Eat
There's a normal-priced supermarket opposite the long-distance bus station (beside Feitian Binguan) to stock up on water, snacks and other groceries.

Go next
Silk Road - The route between Dunhuang and Cherchen (Qiemo) is probably the hardest to do in all of the Silk Road travels since public transit is complicated between the two points.

One leg of the trip is often closed due to washouts in the river canyon or landslides in the mountains, and is closed to most traffic in the winter. Be sure to ask, before you leave Dunhuang, whether the road between Shimiankuang and Charklik (Ruoqiang) is open.

Regular buses run daily each morning from Dunhuang, Gansu Province, 731 km to Huatugou (花土沟), a small oil drilling town in northwest Qinghai Province, and daily each morning the other direction. This road, a paved highway the entire way, crosses the Altun Mountains over Dangjin Pass (当金山口, 3680 m, 39º19'14"N, 94º16'11"E) at the provincial border between Qinghai and Gansu which runs along the crest of the Altun Mountains. One source says that the road rises from 1,000 m to the 3,680 m pass in just 20 km. This road is subject to delays or closure in winter due to icy conditions.

The bus station in Dunhuang will not sell you a ticket to Huatugou unless you have an ATP. You cannot get this permit in Dunhuang because it's in Gansu province. so you have to go to the PSB in golmud, and from there to take the bus to Huatugou.

Twice daily minibuses run the 65 km in 1½-2 hours for ¥15 between Huatugou and Shimiankuang (石绵矿 literally: asbestos mine), a tiny worker hamlet north of a large surface-level asbestos mine. It's better to stay overnight in Huatugou than in the very basic lodging at the asbestos mine. Ask the Huatugou taxi driver for the Petroleum Guesthouse—石油 shí yóu 宾馆 bīn guǎn. There's also very basic lodging across from the Huatugou bus station—ask the bus driver to point you in the right direction.

Some maps do not show Huatugou (38°08'60"N, 90°52'00"E, 2,859 m) and instead show Youshashan, about 5–10 km southwest. If neither town is shown, Huatugou is just northeast of Gaz Hure Hu lake. Some maps do not show Shimiankuang (38°15'00"N, 90°52'00"E, 3,200 m) and instead show the small oil refinery village of Mangnai Zhen, about 10 km southeast. If neither town is shown, Shimiankuang is right where Highway 315 crosses the provincial border. Older maps show Shimiankuang and Mangnai Zhen in Xinjiang Province, but the area was moved administratively some years ago into Qinghai Province.

The 241 km road from Shimiankuang, at the border of Qinghai and Xinjiang, to Charklik (Ruoqiang), Xinjiang, is a rough road, over a 4,000 m pass and through a narrow river valley as well as across the desert. This is the rough leg mentioned above. The road is now paved all the way. A minibus leaves from Shimiankuangs "bus station" to Charklik at 11:00, costs ¥80.

The minibus leaves from in front of the bus station in Charklik (Ruoqiang) at 08:00 Beijing time (06:00 unofficial local time) and arrives in Shimiankuang about 6 hours later, and generally in time to catch the afternoon minibus from Shimiankuang to Huatugou. The 09:00 minibus from Huatugou meets the minibus leaving from Shimiankuang about 11:00.

From Charklik (Ruoqiang) to Cherchen (Qiemo), the bus leaves at 10:00, takes 5 hours to cover the 351 km and costs ¥58. In the other direction, a daily bus leaves Cherchen (Qiemo) for Charklik (Ruoqiang) at 10:00.

There as buses to Delingha, but be careful, the city is not open to tourists.

Stay safe
Dunhuang is a major tourist destination. Expect to be ripped off if you don't have your wits about you. Bargain hard and remember what you originally bargained for as the bill you receive at the end of the meal may not reflect the negotiated price.

title: Dunhuang


text:
Dunkeld

Dunkeld is a village in the Highland part of Perth and Kinross, Scotland, on the east bank of the River Tay (which here makes an S-bend, so it becomes the north bank.) The village of Birnam is on the opposite bank, connected by the Telford Bridge; the combined population in 2021 was 1350.

The original village was near the cathedral, but was smashed up by a battle in 1689. Dunkeld was therefore rebuilt in the early 18th century, and is the best-preserved example in Scotland of the style of that era. In 1809 the seven-arched Telford bridge was opened across the Tay, and highway and village became re-aligned. Dunkeld and Birnam long stood on the A9 main road north, but were bypassed in 1977.

Get in
Dunkeld is just off the A9 main road from the south towards Inverness. Stagecoach bus 23 / 27 runs hourly from Perth via Birnam and Dunkeld (40 min), continuing to Aberfeldy. But most intercity coaches along the A9 bypass Dunkeld, and there's just one Citylink bus per day from Edinburgh, heading for Inverness.

The A923 climbs east over the hills towards Blairgowrie & Rattray; the bus along this route has been axed.

is across the bridge in Birnam. It has trains every hour or two from Edinburgh and Glasgow via Perth en route to Pitlochry, Aviemore and Inverness.

Get around
Dunkeld is a small village, so you can walk everywhere. Loch of the Lowes (2 miles) can be reached by the Fungarth Path.

Taxi: Birnam Autocabs are based at Perth Road, Birnam, +44 1350 728828.

See

 * Dunkeld Bridge spans the Tay from Birnam. It has sidewalks on both sides, but is often busy with traffic.

Do

 * Walks: two easy strolls follow the river. West bank go from Birnam Oak, under the A9, past Inver and onward to the Hermitage; east bank from the cathedral to the Dunkeld House Hotel.
 * Golf: Dunkeld & Birnam Golf Club is a mile up A923 towards Loch of the Lowes. White tees 5471 yards, par 69, visitor round £36.

Buy

 * Scots luxuries: Malt whisky, smoked salmon, fine cheeses, and anything marketed with pictures of misty glens? Okay, but first check the prices and range available in the Perth supermarkets 15 miles south, which you can do online.

Eat

 * Craft Diner is a fish & chips takeaway in the car park north end of Atholl St, open Th-M 8:30AM-8PM.
 * Scottish Deli (above) has a restaurant open summer evenings.
 * Scottish Deli (above) has a restaurant open summer evenings.

Drink

 * Hotel bars open to non-residents are at Atholl Arms, Royal Dunkeld and Taybank, see "Sleep".
 * Hotel bars open to non-residents are at Atholl Arms, Royal Dunkeld and Taybank, see "Sleep".

Connect
As of March 2024, Dunkeld, Birnam and the A9 have 4G from EE, O2 and Vodafone, but a poor signal from Three. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Pitlochry 14 miles north has a dam and fish ladder, and festival theatre.
 * Aberfeldy amidst Highland scenery was the subject of poems by Robert Burns and William McGonagall.

title: Dunkeld


text:
Dunkirk

Dunkirk (French: Dunkerque, Dutch: Duinkerke) is a town in the region of Hauts-de-France in France. The town is a historic resort, 10 km from the border with Belgium. If you're coming from the UK, it's a great place to start your journey further into the Continent, but also a great holiday destination on its own, featuring historic beaches, shopping locations, and many places to eat local food, which is an interesting fusion of traditional Flemish cooking and seafood. It is famous as the site of the Dunkirk Evacuation during World War II, when, over eight days, a fleet of British, Canadian and French Navy and a huge assortment of civilian vessels — 900 boats in all — evacuated 338,000 British and French soldiers who had been encircled on land by German armies.

Understand
The name Dunkirk comes from the Dutch language "Church of the Dunes".

Dunkirk has the third-largest harbour in France, after those of Le Havre and Marseille. As an industrial city, it depends heavily on the steel, food processing, oil-refining, ship-building and chemical industries.

History
A fishing village arose late in the 10th century. About AD 960, Count Baldwin III had a town wall erected in order to protect the settlement against Viking raids. The surrounding wetlands were drained and cultivated by the monks of nearby Bergues Abbey.

In the 14th century, trade flourished and the port and fortifications were significantly enlarged. In 1482, Dunkirk, along with the rest of Flanders, was incorporated into the Netherlands.

The area remained much disputed between Spain, the Netherlands, England and France. It was ruled by each of these countries through the early 17th century, becoming a part of France in 1662. The French government developed the town as a fortified port. The town's existing defences were adapted to create ten bastions. The port was expanded in the 1670s by the construction of a basin that could hold up to thirty warships with a double lock system to maintain water levels at low tide. The basin was linked to the sea by a channel dug through coastal sandbanks secured by two jetties.

In World War I, the city experienced severe bombardment. On a regular basis, heavy shells weighing approximately 750 kg were fired from Koekelare, about 45–50 km away.

In World War II, the Allied expeditionary force was surrounded in Dunkirk in 1940. 338,000 soldiers were evacuated from Dunkirk to England in Operation Dynamo. The operation has been depicted in several motion pictures, including Christopher Nolan's 2017 film Dunkirk. The withdrawal, which was militarily a defeat, was seen as a miraculous saving of soldiers whom the British public had thought lost to capture or killing and gave a much needed morale boost. British politicians still like to invoke the "Dunkirk spirit" in times of national crisis.

By boat
Up to 12 DFDS Seaways car ferries per day cross the sea from Dover (England). The ferry service does not accept passengers on foot, but does accept cyclists. The port of Calais, which receives even more regular crossings from Dover and does take foot passengers, is about by road or rail from Dunkirk.

By train
SNCF high-speed trains (TGV) serve Dunkirk from Lille (Europe), Lens, Arras and Paris (Nord). Local trains operated by TER Hauts-de-France come in from nearby towns such as Calais (Ville).

By road
Dunkirk is served by two motorways. The A16 comes up from Amiens, Boulogne-sur-Mer, the Channel Tunnel and Calais, passing Dunkirk and continuing across the Belgian border as the E40 towards Ostend, Bruges, Ghent and Brussels. The A25 comes from Lille, where it connects with the A1 from Arras and Paris

By plane
The closest airport receiving scheduled flights is, which primarily caters for locals travelling to resorts in southern Europe. It is around to the east near Ostend, Belgium. Due to the Schengen Agreement there is no passport control when crossing from Belgium to France.

For more information on nearby airports, consult the Hauts-de-France and Flanders articles.

Get around
The public buses are free of charge since September 2018.

Do

 * "Une Digue": take a walk on the Malo-les-Bains dike, between beach and "turn of the century" villas while eating an ice cream.
 * On Saturday evening, take a stroll on the seawall: the atmosphere is in the bars.
 * Football: USL Dunkerque were promoted in 2023 and play soccer in Ligue 2, the second tier. Their home ground Stade Marcel-Tribut (capacity 5000) is on the east river bank, about 1 km east of town centre.

Carnival
Carnival an institution in Dunkirk and throughout its region. The heart of the carnival is around Ash Wednesday, which occurs in February or March, seven weeks before Easter. Before this, there are les Trois Joyeuses (the Three Joyfuls): Sunday in Dunkirk, Monday in the citadel and Tuesday in Rosendaël. The next Sunday, it's Malo.

For 2½ months, there is a happy, family-friendly atmosphere. Every Saturday night there is a grand ball. Bands and orchestras play in the streets every Sunday afternoon. On Shrove Tuesday, there are huge colourful parades. A 60-member orchestra dressed as fishermen leads revellers and big wicker mannequins in front of the City Hall, and people gather in the square to receive herrings: almost 450 kg of wrapped, smoked herrings are thrown down from the balcony for the occasion.

Eat
The cuisine of Dunkirk closely resembles Flemish cuisine; perhaps one of the best known dishes is coq à la bière – chicken in a creamy beer sauce. Another typical dish is the Potjevleesch, a dish of white meat (veal, pork, rabbit, chicken) cooked and preserved in jelly flavoured with juniper berries.

Budget
All these are in the city centre:

Go next

 * Bruges
 * Calais
 * Koksijde

title: Dunkirk


text:
Dunmore

Dunmore is a borough in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. It is located outside of Scranton.

By plane
Dunmore, PA is about 20 minutes north of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in Avoca. This airport operates daily flights to Atlanta, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Charlotte. There are also Rental cars available from a variety of companies at the terminal.

Dunmore is also around three hours driving distance away from the Newark International Airport in New Jersey, the JFK International Airport in New York City, and the Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia.

By car
Dunmore can be accessed primarily by car. From the New England region is I-84 West. From New York city area is I-80 East and I-380 North. From the Penn State or Pittsburgh areas are I-80 West and I-380 North. From the Allentown and Philadelphia areas is I-476 (the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension). From the Syracuse area is I-80 South. From the Washington DC area is I-80 North.

By bus
A few bus lines are offered to take people into the city of Scranton, which is just minutes away from Dunmore. These bus lines are Martz Trailways and Greyhound Bus Line. Martz Trailways operates to New York City and Philadelphia Daily. Greyhound Bus Line has a stop in Scranton along with Harrisburg, Binghamton, Allentown, Philadelphia, New York City, and many more.

Get around
Easy ways to get around Dunmore and the surrounding area are by bicycle, car, foot, or bus.

The bicycle community is increasing with the increase in the price of gas. There is a great deal of groups involved in biker safety and biker awareness. Biking around the area is a safe and easy way to get around.

The most popular way to travel around the area is by car. With many highways available to Dunmore, it is easy to get out and get around. Private taxicabs such as Posten and McCarthy service the area as well. They are hired by telephone through central dispatch and cannot be hailed on the street as in larger cities.

Walking is also a safe and easy way to get around Dunmore. Being a very small town, it is also very safe so people should not feel threatened walking to get around.

County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) also operates public buses throughout all parts of the city and a few Lackawanna County extremities. The system typically operates from 7AM-7PM and does not operate on Sundays or Holidays.

Do
Dunmore is a home to many things. There is the center of town, called the Dunmore Corners, that holds many family run stores, restaurants, and bars. Among these restaurants and stores are Cara Mia's, The Dunmore Candy Kitchen, Doma's Importing Co., The Bucktown Diner, Kathy Karen's Children Shop, and many more. TThere are many other bars, restaurants, and shops throughout the city including The Honky Tonk, New China Star, Ragnacci's, Gertude Hawk Chocolates, and many others. Dunmore is a small town that still has tons to do.

Sleep
Dunmore has several hotels around the area. In the borough itself it has a Holiday Inn, a Sleep Inn and Suites, a Days Inn, the Dunmore Inn, and a few more. However, you can also go outside of Dunmore and stay in Scranton which contains many more hotels.

title: Dunmore


text:
Dunmore East

Dunmore East is a small village on the coast of County Waterford in southeast Ireland. Its Irish name Dún Mór means "big fort", and has been applied to innumerable hillocks where ancient people huddled in the wind and rain, so this one is specifically Dunmore East. It acquired a good harbour in the 19th century, and became a fishing port and tourist resort. In 2016 it had a population of 1808.

Get in
See Waterford for long distance routes by air, rail and road.

Suirway Bus 611 runs from Waterford M-Sa every 90 min, taking 25 min. In Waterford it starts from the bus stop on the quay outside the main bus station. In Dunmore it starts from opposite Bay Cafe.

Get around
The village is small enough to walk around.

See

 * The Harbour is surprisingly large for such a small village. In the early 19th century there were grand schemes for a new mail and passenger service from England, and Dunmore was to be the Irish port. A new harbour was completed in 1837, massively over-budget and just in time to be obsolete, as steam-powered ships could wend their way upriver to Waterford city. However it did boost the local fishing industry, and helped with tourism as cruise liners could land passengers here by tender.
 * Upper Village is the area north of the harbour. The coast here is rocky, good for angling. The Round Tower is all that's left of the castle built in 1640: it's just a stump.
 * Lower Village north of that has the sandy Lawlor's Beach.

Do

 * Dunmore Adventure by the harbour run various water-based activities, including the Wibit inflatable obstacle course.
 * Dunmore Angling is a boat charter operation, mostly for angling but when there's demand they do scenic boat trips and dive trips.
 * The cliff walk follows the coast west for 5 km to Portally Cove, which has road access.
 * Dunmore East Golf Club contains the holiday resort, see Sleep. There's an amateur golf classic tournament in April: the next is probably 26-29 April 2021 but tbc.
 * Bluegrass Festival is held at the end of August. The 2020 event was cancelled and the next is expected to be 27-29 Aug 2021.

Buy

 * By the harbour are Centra (daily 07:00-22:30) and Spar (daily 07:00-21:00).

Eat

 * O'Shea's Fish & Chips on Glenville Terrace is open Su, Tu-Th 16:30-21:00, F Sa 16:30-22:00.
 * Star House Chinese restaurant by the harbour is open daily 16:30-22:00.

Sleep

 * Avon Lodge is a smart B&B at The Garage on R684, tel +353 51 385 775.

Connect
As of Oct 2020, there is a good mobile and 4G signal from Three and Vodafone, but no coverage by Eir. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Waterford for city amenities and the excellent medieval museum.
 * Tramore is a bigger resort with a better beach, as its name implies.
 * Lismore has several castles, gardens and mansions, some downright eccentric.

title: Dunmore East


text:
Dunoon

Dunoon is the ferry port and only town on the Cowal peninsula, in Argyll and Bute in the Scottish Highlands. It's 30 miles (48 km) from Glasgow yet cut off by Loch Long to the east and Loch Fyne to the west. The peninsula is broken up by the inlets of Loch Goil, Holy Loch and Loch Striven, so the roads have to wind around. A narrow channel separates Cowal from the island of Bute. The area is hilly, containing the "Arrochar Alps" or Argyll Forest, the western portion of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. In 2020 the population of Dunoon was 7660.

By boat
There are two ferry crossings to Dunoon: see Gourock for fares and other details. By public transport, use the foot-passenger ferry from Gourock, which has frequent trains from Glasgow Central via Paisley, Port Glasgow and Greenock. Calmac ferries sail every 30 min from Gourock to, taking 25 min. Until end of March 2024, the return fare is £10.20 adult, £5.10 child.

By car, follow M8 > A8 > A770 west through Gourock and continue west to McInroy's Point. Western Ferries sail every 20 min (7AM-11:40PM) to, at the north end of Dunoon by the mouth of Holy Loch. The crossing takes 20 min.

You can reach both ferries on McGill's Bus 901, which runs from Glasgow Buchanan station hourly to Gourock, and continues south to Wemyss Bay and Largs. Don't take the 906, which runs further inland.

Two other roundabout routes to Cowal and Dunoon are the ferry from Tarbert (Loch Fyne) to Portavadie, then follow B8000 / A8003 northeast; and to cross the Isle of Bute (ferries from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay, then Rhubodach to Colintrave) and drive north.

By car
The car ferry to Hunters Quay is the quickest way, see above. But you can do it all by road, to create a circular itinerary, or if the weather's rough and the ferry is likely to be cancelled. From Glasgow take M8 west to cross Erskine Bridge, then A82 north past Dumbarton and Loch Lomond to Tarbet, then A83 west over "Rest and Be Thankful" to the A815 turnoff. Follow this south past Strachur and Lock Eck to Dunoon; maybe two hours altogether.

Get around
You really need a vehicle or to be a keen cyclist. Buses are sporadic M-Sa and there's nothing on Sunday.

West Coast Motors Bus 486 runs four times from Dunoon north along A815 to Sandhaven, Whistlefield Inn, Strachur, Cairndow and Inveraray. Bus 484 runs twice M-F along the same route to Strachur then turns south to Lochgoilhead and Carrick Castle.

Bus 478 runs three times from Dunoon west along the B-roads to Sandbank, Auchenbreck, Tighnabruaich and Kames and Portavadie, which has ferries to Tarbert (Loch Fyne) on Kintyre. Colintraive is covered via the journey to connect with the Bute ferry.

Bus 489 follows the coast from Toward to Innellan and Dunoon, and continues north round Holy Loch to Sandbank, Kilmun, Strone and Ardentinny, roughly every couple of hours.

Bus 480 loops hourly between Dunoon, Hunters Quay pier and the holiday village.

Over in Tighnabruaich, Bus 471 serves a local service in a village from the north end to the south of Kames and over to Millhouse and Portavadie on Tuesdays-Thursdays about 5 or 6 times. Bus 473 connects Kilfinan, Otter Ferry and Largiemore to Tighnabruaich via Millhouse at least twice M-Fr

Bike hire: Start Line MTB are at 50 Wellington St, open M-F 9AM-5PM. They have recreational, mountain and children's bikes.

Taxi firms are Tuckers (+44 1369 701710), DM Taxi (+44 7568 330108), Clyde Taxis (+44 1369 706444), and Taxi George which offers tours (+44 7913 601442).

See

 * is on the hillside north of Holy Loch: suddenly you're among sequoia, redwoods, Oregon maple and eucalyptus. Deliberately non-native: over 260 species were planted here in 1930 to see what would grow in Scottish conditions, and these are the survivors.
 * Castle House Museum, near Dunoon ferry pier, is open M-Sa 10AM-4PM, adult £3.50, conc £3.
 * Castle House Museum, near Dunoon ferry pier, is open M-Sa 10AM-4PM, adult £3.50, conc £3.
 * Castles around Cowal are mostly just scenic stumps, you come for the view. These are
 * Dunoon Castle survives only as a hillock above the harbour, though it had artillery emplacements during World War II.
 * Hafton Castle by Hunters Quay is a lodge with mock castellations, available for upscale self-catering at £7000 / week.
 * or Old Toward Castle is 6 miles south of Dunoon, little more than an overgrown hummock. It's within the grounds of the 1820s Toward Castle, which served 1942-46 as HMS Brontosaurus, making it Scotland's only castle to operate as a Royal Navy warship named after a dinosaur. No visits there, but the owners permit responsible access to the old castle, follow the marked trail.
 * on A886 above Ormidale is a 19th-century baronial mock-castle ruined by fire in 2001 and unsafe to enter. The owners run an equally bogus "lord and lady" scheme, you buy a square foot of land and get an ornate scroll declaring you Lord / Lady of something or other, but it's meaningless.
 * is on B8000 at Cairndow - the nearby New Castle Lachlan is a baronial pile used for weddings and so on.
 * is by Kilfinnan, further south on B8000. You'll need to use your imagination with this medieval lump.
 * two miles west of Kames village is similarly dilapidated but tenaciously defended by midges.
 * Carrick Castle below Lochgoilhead is a long way round by road, and it's closed for restoration. The village takes the same name.
 * is a chambered tomb maybe 5000 years old. It's broken up and in later times a Latin Cross has been carved into one of the stones.

Do

 * Walk: Walk Highlands describe routes for 18 good local walks. Easiest and closest to town is Pucks Glen, a short hike through an atmospheric ravine. Beinn Mhòr (741 m / 2431 ft) is the peak west of Lock Eck, a 5-hour hike via Glen Massan. Toughest of all is the 55-mile Loch Lomond and Cowal Way, which takes a week.
 * Cycle: agreeable routes are along the coast north round Holy Loch to Strone and Ardentinny; and along Loch Eck and up Glen Massan. The Five Ferries, often done as a charity challenge, is a one day cycle itinerary from Ardrossan, across Arran to Tarbert, then to Portavadie and Colintraive, finally across Bute to Wemyss Bay.
 * Treasure Trails: you buy a booklet online for £10, it sets you a murder mystery that takes you walking round Dunoon while solving clues.
 * Hunters Quay Holiday Village: see Sleep for activities based here.
 * Riverside Leisure Centre is on Dunoon promenade 400 yards north of the ferry pier. It has a gym and swimming pool. It's open M-Th 6:30AM-8:30PM, F 06:30AM-7:30PM, Sa Su 8AM-4:30PM.
 * Scuba diving: Wreckpeditions run dive trips from Holy Loch Marina.
 * Cowal Highland Gathering is held at the end of August in Dunoon, with pipe bands, caber-tossing and so on.

Buy

 * Morrison's on John St is open M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 8AM-8PM.

Eat

 * Anselmo's does fish & chips at 36 Hillfoot Place, open M-Sa noon-1:45PM, 4:30-9:30PM.
 * Inver Restaurant is on B8000 facing Old Castle Lachlan. It's open Apr-Oct: W-Su noon-2:30PM & 6:30-8:30PM; March Th-Su and Nov to mid-Dec F-Su same hours.
 * Loch Fyne Oyster Bar is on A83, see Inveraray.
 * Loch Fyne Oyster Bar is on A83, see Inveraray.

Drink

 * Bars in Dunoon include Tryst, The Clansman, Ingram's, Sinbad's, the Victoria and the Lorne.
 * Out of town, The Whistlefield (see Sleep) is the best for a traditional atmosphere. Or try Coylet Inn on the same road, which also has rooms and a restaurant, or Strone Inn on the far shore of Holy Loch.

Sleep

 * Cedars Guest House is a welcoming B&B at 51 Alexandra Parade, half a mile north of Dunoon ferry pier.
 * Selborne Hotel is on Clyde St 100 yards west of SGE Esplanade. The ground floor rooms have been modernised, the upper floor is a work in progress.
 * Cedars Guest House is a welcoming B&B at 51 Alexandra Parade, half a mile north of Dunoon ferry pier.
 * Selborne Hotel is on Clyde St 100 yards west of SGE Esplanade. The ground floor rooms have been modernised, the upper floor is a work in progress.
 * Selborne Hotel is on Clyde St 100 yards west of SGE Esplanade. The ground floor rooms have been modernised, the upper floor is a work in progress.
 * Selborne Hotel is on Clyde St 100 yards west of SGE Esplanade. The ground floor rooms have been modernised, the upper floor is a work in progress.
 * Selborne Hotel is on Clyde St 100 yards west of SGE Esplanade. The ground floor rooms have been modernised, the upper floor is a work in progress.

Further out

 * Camping is available at some caravan parks. The closest to Dunoon is Cot House at the head of Holy Loch, junction of A815 & A880. The Invereck site nearby has closed.
 * Colintraive Hotel: see Isle of Bute. The hotel is on Cowal mainland by the ferry pier for Bute, which is the only reason you'd go that way.
 * Colintraive Hotel: see Isle of Bute. The hotel is on Cowal mainland by the ferry pier for Bute, which is the only reason you'd go that way.
 * Colintraive Hotel: see Isle of Bute. The hotel is on Cowal mainland by the ferry pier for Bute, which is the only reason you'd go that way.

Connect
As of June 2023, Dunoon and its approach roads have a patchy 4G signal from all UK carriers. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * North to A83, then either west for Inveraray, Oban or Kintyre; or east to Tarbet on Loch Lomond thence Glasgow.
 * Reach the Isle of Bute via Colintraive, or Tarbert (Loch Fyne) via Portavadie.

title: Dunoon


text:
Dunsborough

Dunsborough is a town in Western Australia.

Get in
Many people who live in Perth drive to Dunsborough by car. With the recent Freeway extension, the trip takes approximately 3 hours.

There is a train service to Bunbury, as well as buses from Perth.

Get around
Cycling: The town, coastal area, and hinterland are all very flat and there are a number of shared-use bike paths, making it fairly easy to get around by bike. The traffic along the more major roads can be a bit hard going sometimes, especially as there is sometimes not much space on the hard shoulder.

See
The beaches are relatively calm in Geographe Bay.

West of Dunsborough along Caves Road is a cave named Nglili Cave. It is one of the deepest in the region and has many wonderful features. Weddings are sometimes held there. The lighthouse in the west is also very popular.

Do
You can go fishing, surfing, swimming, driving around, visit wineries etc...

Buy
Dunsborough is home to a notable bakery. The pies are delicious there.

Eat
For a tourism oriented town, Dunsborough lacks a large range of restaurants. There are quite a few take-away places and cafes open during the day. At night, there is a small outdoor food area next to the pub, with a pizza place, a Thai take-away and a burger take-away place all next to each other.

Drink
Dunsborough has a pub. There is a bar called Malt, selling a variety of beers, wines, and food on the beach road.

Sleep
There are many motels/hotels/resorts. Beachside resorts are especially popular.

Stay safe
Dunsborough is very safe just like the other towns in this area. Around times where school leavers come down here you might want to avoid them as some might be drunk but most don't cause any problem.

Go next

 * South
 * Margaret River
 * Augusta
 * Wineries are probably the most popular places to go to in the region.

title: Dunsborough


text:
Dunseith

Dunseith is a town in the Turtle Mountains area of North Dakota. It has a population of about 739 people. Its elevation is 1,700 feet.

Understand
Dunseith is a destination point for visitors, because it is the gateway to the Turtle Mountains and it lies just a few miles south of the International Peace Garden. This beautiful botanic garden straddles the border between Manitoba, Canada and the US.

Get in

 * By car:from Grand Forks or Devils Lake, take US highway 2 northwest to Rugby, then north for 32 miles on state highway 3.

Do

 * Camping

Go next
Take US Highway 281 about 12 miles north from Dunseith to the International Peace Garden. From there you can drive west on SH43 to Lake Metigoshe State Park.

title: Dunseith


text:
Dunsmuir

Dunsmuir is a city in the Shasta Cascades region of California.

Understand
Dunsmuir has always been tied to the railroad lines that still run through the city. Sitting near the top of a steep grade, the Central Pacific RR chose this location for a service facility and engine house for the helper engines that assisted in moving trains up and down the steep grade. A town grew near the facility, eventually becoming the city of Dunsmuir.

By car

 * From Redding, take I-5 N.
 * From Yreka, take I-5 S.
 * From McCloud, take CA-89 W, then I-5 S to Dunsmuir.

By train

 * Route stopping in Dunsmuir:
 * Coast Starlight operates daily between Seattle and Los Angeles. Stops include Tacoma, Lacey, Centralia, Kelso, Vancouver, WA, Portland, Salem, Albany, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Dunsmuir, Redding, Chico, Sacramento, Davis, Martinez, San Francisco (Emeryville), Oakland, San Jose, Salinas, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Van Nuys, and Burbank. It stops in Dunsmuir heading southbound at 12:35AM and heading northbound at 5:04AM.
 * Coast Starlight operates daily between Seattle and Los Angeles. Stops include Tacoma, Lacey, Centralia, Kelso, Vancouver, WA, Portland, Salem, Albany, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Dunsmuir, Redding, Chico, Sacramento, Davis, Martinez, San Francisco (Emeryville), Oakland, San Jose, Salinas, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Van Nuys, and Burbank. It stops in Dunsmuir heading southbound at 12:35AM and heading northbound at 5:04AM.

By car
There is so much scenery to see here, driving is not recommended save for when you really need to.

By foot
Walking is probably the best option for if you are just doing a day stop.

By bicycle
If you plan on spending enough time here, this option will give you enough time to enjoy the trails and scenery, but not put you behind schedule.

By bus
The Siskiyou County Stage bus has several stops in Dunsmuir, and travels to other towns and cities in the county.

title: Dunsmuir


text:
Dunstable

Dunstable is a small town in Bedfordshire, England. Many visitors come to see Whipsnade Zoo (4 miles S of the town).

Understand
A Market Town at the eastern end of the Chiltern Hills. Relics from Palæolithic times (e.g. flint implements) have been found in the area whilst a few miles to the W of the town is an Iron Age hill fort. The town lies on the historic important crossroads of Watling Street (now the A5183 through the town - the A5 until 2017) and the Icknield Way (Thetford in Norfolk to Ivinghoe Beacon near Tring.

A great town but mainly catering for the local area rather than tourism.

Get in
Dunstable has reasonable bus public transport links, but no railway station

By car
Situated on the A5, Dunstable is easily reached from M1 junction 11 (from the north, about 10 min) or junction 9 and up the A5 (from the south, about 15 min).

By bus
Local bus services run frequency from Milton Keynes and Luton (X31 or 31). Luton is within a single ticket zone and costs £1.60 for a single trip. A day pass can be brought for £3 or a week pass for £8 (this doesn't cover transport to Milton Keynes).

By air
Luton Airport is 8 miles E of the town.

By bicycle
The town is on National Cycle Route 6 running from London to the Lake District.

On foot
The town is on the Icknield Way long-distance footpath running from Thetford, Norfolk (where it connects to the Peddars Way Path) to Ivinghoe Beacon near Tring (where it connects to the Ridgeway Path)

Get around
The town centre is easy to walk around. Bus services run frequently too.

Go next

 * Leighton Buzzard
 * Luton
 * Hitchin
 * Aylesbury
 * Milton Keynes
 * Hemel Hempstead

title: Dunstable


text:
Dupnitsa

Dupnitsa (Bulgarian: Дупница) is a city in Bulgaria.

Understand

Dupnitsa is a large town at the foot of the Rila mountain, 65 km south from Sofia and 35 km north from Blagoevgrad. This is a quiet town with a beautiful nature and a great view to the biggest mountain in Bulgaria, Rila. The town is famous as Little Italy, due to the great number of people who have gone to work in many cities there. Another reason for this nickname is the many used car lots which contain primarily Italian cars.

title: Dupnitsa


text:
Duqm

Duqm is a city in Central Coastal Oman.

Understand
Duqm has traditionally been a major industrial, oil and port town. The Omani government has been looking to increase tourism in the area. An airport opened in 2014 and Radisson and Crown have built resorts in the city.

The area has massive potential for tourism with stunning beaches, a wilderness hinterland and a number of historic forts.

By car
Duqm is 5 hr 30 min away from Muscat by car.

By plane
Oman Air offers nonstop service from Muscat.

Go next

 * Salalah 6½ hr by car direction to Yemen
 * Sur, 6 hr by car in the coast.
 * Muscat, 5½ hr by car.
 * Masirah Island by ferry since Shanna'a. 2½ hr away by car

title: Duqm


text:
Durango

You may be looking for:

Mexico

 * Durango (state), a state in Northern Mexico
 * Durango (Durango), a city in that state

Spain

 * Durango (Spain), a city in the Basque Country, 25 km south from Guernica.

United States

 * Durango (Colorado), a town in Colorado

title: Durango


text:
Durango (Colorado)

Durango is a town in the southwestern part of the Rocky Mountains state of Colorado.

Understand
Durango is perhaps most famous for the historic narrow gauge railroad that connects Durango with Silverton. It is the largest town in southwest Colorado with a population of about 16,000. The people in Durango are very friendly and down to earth. Durango is a short drive from the Four Corners, where New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado meet. The surrounding landscape of Durango is diverse, spanning from red sandstone bluffs of the Animas River Valley to jagged peaks of the San Juan Mountains, a few of which rise to elevations over 14,000 feet. Durango is 6,512 feet above sea level.

History
Durango has a long, rich history. The city was founded in 1880 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. By July 1882, tracks to Silverton were completed and the train began transporting both freight and passengers. The laborers were paid an average of $2.25/day. The Durango-Silverton Railroad was built to haul silver and gold ore, but passengers soon started to really appreciate the view. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad continues to be a favorite attraction on a Colorado sightseeing vacation.

Many of the buildings in historic downtown Durango were constructed with stone and brick due to a city ordinance enacted after a fire in 1889, which damaged several blocks along Main Avenue. The Diamond Belle Saloon at the Strater Hotel opened its doors in 1957, and it has a bullet hole in the far east drawer behind the bar.

Several well-known movies have been made in Durango, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, City Slickers, Cliffhanger, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Night Passage, Ticket to Tomahawk, Around the World in Eighty Days, How the West Was Won, and Tracker.

Climate
Durango’s climate is fairly moderate in summer, with typical summer daytime highs in the 70s/80s (°F), and nighttime lows in the 50s.

By car
The town is well connected by highways from all major compass points, but some care should be taken if driving here from the east via US Highway 160. This spectacular highway crosses high Wolf Creek Pass (nice ski area nearby) east of Durango, in an area that receives a great deal of snowfall, and is often closed for a time during the winter.

Get around
Durango has many rental car agencies, a luxury motor-coach company, local taxi service, local buses and a downtown trolley. Durango is a small quaint town easy to get around on foot or bike.

Another great way to get around town is on the Durango "T."

For the outdoor enthusiast, entrance to Durango's trail network, designed for all abilities and skill levels, is only a short walk or hike away.

Driving is also an excellent way to get to enjoy the scenery of the southwest. Durango has more than 1,000 public metered parking spaces for your convenience.

Do
Durango’s setting and rich history make it a great vacation spot with an endless variety of activities and attractions.

Buy
Durango has over 500 retail stores offering everything from outdoor gear for your camping trip, to southwestern art and homespun honey. Main Avenue in downtown Durango is a well-known shopping area.

Eat
Durango has many award-winning restaurants. The food is delicious as many of the dishes include some of Durango's locally grown food, like beef, wild game, honey, fish, and cheeses. It has several authentic Mexican restaurants.

Go next

 * Vallecito Lake is located 23 miles northeast of Durango. It offers fishing, boating, hiking trails and horseback riding in the summer. Hunting for elk and deer is also available with fully equipped guide services.
 * Mesa Verde National Park makes a reasonable day trip from Durango.
 * San Juan Skyway is a 236-mile journey through southwestern Colorado that connects the towns of Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride and Cortez.

title: Durango (Colorado)


text:
Durango (Durango)

Durango is the capital of the state of Durango in Northern Mexico. It is a very friendly city. The Historic Center of the city contains the largest number of historic buildings catalogued in the north of the country, and is part of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a.

Understand
It was named Victoria de Durango in 1828 in honor of Mexico's first president Guadalupe Victoria who hailed from here.

Durango was founded by Captain Francisco de Ibarra in 1563. Prior to the city's establishment, it had been the refuge of tribes like the Nahoas, Zacatecans, and Tepehuanos. Ibarra picked the site for Durango due to its proximity to silver mining prospects and a mission called Analco that furnished essential supplies. Over the years, Durango saw the deaths of revolutionaries like Miguel Hidalgo during the War of Independence and direct action a century later during the Mexican Revolution. Then, more fun times came about with the introduction of filmmaking industry to the area, mostly related to westerns, which still colors the city's personality today.

The city was built on a rectangular street grid during the colonial era; it was not until the 1990s and much of the first decade of the 21st century that the city's government decided to clear some of the narrow colonial-era streets to build parks, plazas, and wider avenues that today continue to act as roads between the city's sprawling neighborhoods.

Durango sits in a bit of a bland high (~6200 ft) plain called the Valley of Guadiana, but sits close enough to the Sierra Madre Occiendental to the west to make excursions to sites like Parque Nacional Mexiquillo possible.

Climate
The city of Durango has a temperate semi-dry climate, with rains during the summer and slightly cold in winter with some frosts and drizzles. Summers are warm, reaching temperatures of up to 37 °C and regular rains in the months of June, July and August, reaching 400 mm of precipitation on average.

Get in

Get around
You can easily cover the main attraction of the center by foot. The bus station is around 4-5 km northeast from the city center; you can get a local bus from the center (M$10).

Transportation in the city is cheap compared to other cities in the country. A network of buses cross the city establishing as a transfer point and starting point the historic city center and moving towards the periphery. It is easy to get to any point of the city on buses. The color of the bus indicates its direction of travel: The paint designs on the bodies of public transport are sometimes very different than those of the minibuses on the same route, however the color code is respected and in general the corresponding color is mixed with white while it is add details to the shape of the stripes.
 * The blue with yellow color is heading south of the city.
 * The green color moves through the south west.
 * The yellow color runs through the city from east to west through the center.
 * The orange color is directed either to the east or to the northeast of the city.
 * The red color runs through the northeast.
 * The golden color transits the south east.
 * The color white travels throughout the city from south west to north east.
 * The brown color is heading north of the city.

Taxis
The charge for the service is based on the meter and is relatively low compared to other cities in Mexico. There are numerous bases, taxis are often hired by telephone and mostly have a radio to communicate with other units. A color code similar to that of minibuses also applies to taxis. The reds operate from the bus station, the greens are found throughout the city, and the yellows are commonly based in the center. A last variation, the pinks, serve women and children only.

Ride-hailing services, such as Uber and Didi, are also readily available.

See

 * The Historic Center of the city of Durango (El Centro Histórico) has about a thousand buildings built in past centuries, with very diverse styles ranging from neoclassical and baroque to neo-Gothic. Walking through the beautiful streets of downtown is like touring a huge open-air architectural museum, with beautiful works of art on each side of the road. The Historic Center of the City of Durango is considered the one with the greatest architectural wealth in northern Mexico. At dusk, many buildings have spectacular lighting.
 * In front of the Cathedral, in the heart of the Historic Center is the Plaza de Armas. In the center of it there is a traditional kiosk. This square is also the access to one of the new attractions which is the Mining Museum-Tunnel, whose underground route culminates in the archbishopric square. Examples of buildings that stand out for their beauty and history are El Palacio del Conde de Súchil, El Teatro Ricardo Castro, Victoria Theater, the Cathedral, the Government Palace, Bancomer Building and Escárzaga Palace.
 * Constitution walk (Paseo Constitución) is a pedestrian corridor along which you can find all kinds of food, cafes, ice cream parlors, handicrafts, souvenirs, and temples. It is framed by majestic renovated and illuminated colonial-style buildings. Especially on weekends, a great diversity of high-level cultural shows are offered for all tastes. There is also a viewpoint from which, at night, you can appreciate the "Legend of the Cathedral Nun", one of those mysteries that this land.
 * Las Alamedas/Cuchillas is a walk of more than 2 km full of leafy trees through the 2 oldest neighborhoods of the city, Analco and the center.

Do

 * The city is famous for hosting the Durango National Fair (Feria Nacional de Durango), the most important in northern Mexico, and the second most important in Mexico, only after the San Marcos National Fair, in Aguascalientes.
 * See the western filmsets:

Eat
Some of the more authentic dishes from Durango are caldillo Duranguense (a type of stew with meat and poblano peppers), asado rojo (meaty chunks in sauce), and gorditas (literally: little fatties). Also associated with Durango is the practice of eating a scorpion (el alacrán) on your food, though whether this is actually practiced by the inhabitants or just folklore may require some investigation.

Connect
Durango has 4G from all Mexican carriers. Telcel provides 5G coverage.

Go next
Try some Sierra Occidental sightseeing like the Parque Ecologico El Tecuan or Parque Nacional Mexiquillo, particularly noted for its waterfalls and mountain scenery, for some outdoor recreation.
 * Mazatlán – The toll highway 40D to Mazatlán is an engineering marvel with 68 tunnels and 115 bridges (including the famous Baluarte Bridge) that traverses some of the most beautiful scenery in Mexico
 * Zacatecas – A historic mountain mining city with gorgeous architecture

title: Durango (Durango)


text:
Durango (state)

Durango is a state in Northern Mexico. Most of the state is mountainous and heavily forested, with the Sierra Madre Occidental covering around two-thirds of the state.

Regions
"The glittering treasure you've been dreaming of day and night lies buried over yonder, beyond that there mountain."

- Treasure of the Sierra Madre

Durango is composed of Chihuahuan Desert in the northeast, the high plains (Altiplano) in the central interior, and the Sierra Madre along the western edge of the state. The Sierra Madre of Durango was the setting for the famous B. Traven novel (later adapted into a Hollywood film), the Treasure of the Sierra Madre. One of the great novels about northern Mexico, the book serves as a good introduction to the area to this very day.

Cities

 * (Victoria de Durango) – the city of Durango has been declared a national monument by the Mexican government thanks to over 1000 well-preserved historic buildings, many dating back to the colonial period. Also, many Mexicans consider Durango to be something of a spa city because of the many hot springs in the area as well as the natural beauty and wonderful climate the city enjoys.
 * — has places to practice rappelling, mountaineering and zip-lining
 * — the state's second-largest community, and an industrial center
 * — a mining and forestry center
 * - small mining town that operated through the 19th century
 * - colonial town with a scenic waterfall nearby, a designated Pueblo Magico
 * — a town north of the City of Durango near the Santiaguillo lake
 * - small colonial gold mining town with some cool old churches
 * — famous for its pinole, a drink made from corn meal

Other destinations

 * - Though everyone talks about the Grand and Copper Canyons (both to the north), La Quebrada is actually the deepest canyon system in North America - it's such a steep canyon system that even the Spanish were never able to penetrate the area, so it lacks the historic mission churches like those found in the copper canyon, and modern tourism has yet to really take off. But if you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, know how to use climbing gear, and aren't concerned with the large scale drug cultivation that goes on in the area, this is easily one of the wildest and most rugged areas in North America. (note: La Quebrada is a popular Spanish name and the one in Durango should not be confused with the more famous La Quebrada diving rocks in Acapulco.)
 * - a nearly 45-km-long lake about an hour's drive north of the City of Durango. Much of the southern section of the lake is dry, but the northern part near Nuevo Ideal has more water in it. Fishing and hiking are popular activities. It is a designated Ramsar wetland. You will have to take Mexican Highway 23 north and turn right on the main road at Guatimapé to get a good view of the lake.
 * - rocky desert area with stunning rock formations, on the border with Zacatecas

Itineraries

 * Camino Real de Tierra Adentro is a historic route through Northern Mexico and the southwestern U.S. state of New Mexico. The route is a.

Understand
Durango state has tremendous eco-tourism potential. In many ways the north of the state is very similar to the Copper Canyon area. There are canyons, Mennonites, and Tarahumara. The biggest difference is there are almost no foreign tourists or backpackers here - less infrastructure and less camaraderie but better opportunity for exploration and interaction with locals.

As a rural state, traditional agriculture is still the main economic activity for most of the population, despite only ten percent of the land being suitable for crops, and only fifteen percent being suitable for pasture. The main crops include corn, beans, chilli peppers, apples, alfalfa, and sorghum. Fruits such as apples and pears are grown in Canatlán, Nuevo Ideal and Guatimapé; nuts in Nazas and San Juan del Rio; and membrillo, apricots and peaches in Nombre de Dios. Most agriculture is concentrated in the Valleys region, in particular, the municipalities of Guadalupe Victoria and Poanas.

Get in
Mexican Route 40D runs through the State of Durango.

Get around
The Mexican Route 23 goes north from Durango (city) to Nuevo Ideal and Pinos Altos, as well as going south.

See
Tourism is a small industry here, despite the state's natural resources and history. The government has worked to promote the state for tourism, but this is concentrated mostly on the capital (including the movie sets around the city), two other towns in the state and to some extent, ecotourism.
 * There are many historic and tourist sites in the Valleys region, in particular in the city of Durango. The San Juan del Rio municipality has the house in which Francisco Villa was born. There are several important architectural sites in the city, including the Ganot-Peschard Museum of Archeology, which is recognized by the National Institute of Anthropology and History as a site of historical significance. In Súchil, the former hacienda of El Mortero was the home of the Count of the Valley of Súchil and is one of the state's major examples of colonial architecture. The town of Mapimí has conserved its traditional urban layout which has permitted it to become a Pueblo Mágico. The most important mine is Ojuela, now famous for its hanging bridge which connects the town with the mine, separated by an extremely deep ravine. It one of the largest of its kind in the Americas. Nazas has a house that Benito Juárez slept in while he was here.

Do

The most important secular celebration of the state is the State Fair (Feria de Durango). The most important annual events in the Semi-desert region are the municipal fairs of Gómez Palacio, Mapimí and Santa Ana in Nazas. In the Valleys region the most important annual events are the Apple Festival in Canatlán and the Nut Festival in San Juan del Rio. Important religious observances include those in La Sauceda in Canatlán, El Nayar, La Sierra de Gampon in Guadalupe Victoria and El Tizonazo in Indé. In the Sierra region, most towns observe the feast days of their patron saint with plays based on Biblical stories. Celebrations related to Christmas and the New Year are also important.

In Quebradas, patron saint days are important and often feature indigenous music. The Tepehuans continue the tradition of the mitote, a kind of ceremonial dance, three times per year: in February to ask for health, in May to call the rains, and in October to celebrate the first harvests of corn. Those of Mexica, Huicholes and Tarahumara also conserve many aspects of their traditional dance and music.

Buy
Probably the best-known tourist product of the state relates to scorpions. In the 1980s, a number of entrepreneurs turned the animal into an unofficial symbol of state pride. Most are sold encased in acrylic and mounted on knickknacks such as ashtrays, napkin holders, keychains, earrings, wood boxes and wall mountings. These objects dominate tourist markets such as the Gomez market in Durango City.

The craft items of the state are very similar to those of Zacatecas and Chihuahua. Most of the items made are utilitarian and ceremonial. They are less known compared to those of the middle and south of the country. Many craft items are still important to local cultures and identities.

The most widespread and developed handcraft in the state is pottery, found in just about all of the territory. Common products include flower pots, jars, pots and cazuelas (large cooking vessels). The most decorative pottery is found in and around the city of Durango, with techniques such as pastillaje (laying small rolls or balls of clay over a pot before firing to make a raised design) and sgraffito, especially in the newer generations of pottery.

The next most-widely done work is basketry and other items made with stiff fibers. These include baskets, carrying nets or bags, petites, sombreros, furniture and decorative items made from ixtle, wicker, mesquite roots, reeds, pine needles, pine strips and cactus ribs.

Textile work is produced all over the state, using cotton, ixtle, lechugilla and wool usually to make clothing. Cloth made with both backstrap and pedal looms are found frequently, but the most-commonly made items are knitted. Embroidery is also widespread.

Indigenous crafts include embroidered clothing, household utensils, farm tools and ceremonial objects.

Eat
Much of the state's cuisine is based on corn, although wheat products such as flour tortillas and various breads are readily found. Beef is important but pork dishes are also common. As much of Durango has a colder climate, especially in the higher elevations, soups are popular as a main as well as a first course.

One of the best known dishes, caldillo duranguense, is essentially a hearty beef soup with roasted green chili peppers. Gorditas are a particularly popular and important food historically, as they were a mainstay for field hands who found the pockets of corn or wheat convenient for carrying and eating meats and sauce outside of the home. Although found in other parts of Mexico, tacos de tripe (intestines) are particularly popular here. Asado rojo de puerco, known as asado de boda in other parts of north-central Mexico is popular. Tamales are popular but they are smaller and have more meat than those made further south. Moles are popular as well. There is barbacoa, but the meat used is as often beef as it is the mutton used farther south. Popular northern dishes include machaca as well as burritos, influence from neighboring Chihuahua. During Lent population (most Catholics) tend to lean toward vegetarian dishes with or without cheese, as fish is not common in the diet of this landlocked state. Local specialties include pinole, which is best known in Santiago Papasquiaro.

The raising of cattle in various parts leads to the making of a variety of cheeses. Some, like manchego and asadero, are available in other parts of the north, but local varieties such as queso ranchero are also consumed. Concentrated sweet paste made from quince is often called cajeta (used for a milk product in other parts of Mexico) as well as the more common name of ate. Other traditional sweets are similar to those found in central Mexico.

Stay safe
The state of Durango is seriously plagued by trouble with the drug cartels, though this very likely won't be an issue for tourists who stay in the city and don't venture into the backcountry.

Go next

 * Sinaloa
 * Chihuahua
 * Zacatecas
 * Coahuila

title: Durango (state)


text:
Durant

Durant is in the Chickasaw Country region of Oklahoma. Teddy and Eleanor Roosevelt once spoke here, even though it was a sundown town. It gained impetus through the railroad and eventually became a major commerce area for the Choctaw Tribe, with their casino and other investments.

See

 * World's Largest Peanut Monument, 201 N 3rd Ave, disputed biggest-sized peanut statue, to pay respect to the lowly peanut farmer.
 * World's Largest Peanut Monument, 201 N 3rd Ave, disputed biggest-sized peanut statue, to pay respect to the lowly peanut farmer.

Sleep
The Choctaw Casino Resort is definitely a principal place of lodging here, with its hotel tower and irregularly shaped pool surrounded by caves and bridges, its dining options and gaming.

title: Durant


text:
Durazno

Durazno is a city in the Central Interior region of Uruguay. Founded in 1821, it is the capital of Durazno Department and has a population of about 35,000. The center of Durazno feels like the small city that it is, with shops, restaurants, and historic buildings—but you don't have to walk far to feel like you're out in the country, with chickens squabbling and horses walking over to say hello.

Understand
Durazno started as a river crossing, located where Uruguay Route 5 crosses the Yí River (pronounced like "she"). The city's name, which means "peach" in Spanish, is said to come from a peach tree that was once located at the crossing.

The first president of Uruguay Fructuoso Rivera intended to move the capital of the country from Montevideo to this city. His house at the center of town is now a museum.

By bus
There are buses between Durazno and Montevideo with departures all day long. Expect to pay U$300–400 each way. The trip takes about two and a half hours each way.

There are also buses from other cities, such as Colonia and Rivera.

The bus terminal,, is at the corner of Oribe and Gallinal. It has a convenience store and a restaurant.

Intercity bus service is provided by Nossar, Núñez, Turismar, and Agencia Central. Nossar in particular offers service from a variety of destinations, including international service three times a week from Buenos Aires.

By car
Durazno is on Route 5, which connects it with Montevideo to the south and Rivera to the north.

Get around
You can just walk around, it's a small city. There are taxis waiting at the bus terminal though. You can also call a taxi at or.

The central Plaza Independencia, between Oribe, Rivera, Batlle, and Piriz, is an important landmark.

See

Do
For most of the year, there's not all that much to do in Durazno. The exception is when there's a large event in town.

 * Pop music festival, (annually in January).

Eat
Durazno's tortas fritas are known for being the largest in Uruguay.

There are various restaurants on Gral. Manuel Oribe and around the various plazas.

Drink
Two bars in Gral. Manuel Oribe, near the bus terminal. Gets crowded around 01:00-02:00 Fridays and Saturdays.

Connect
Free public wifi is available at the Plaza Independencia. Look for the network "Ceibal".

Go next

 * Chamanga
 * Gruta del Palacio

title: Durazno


text:
Durban

Durban (Zulu: eThekwini; itheku means "city") is a city on the east coast of South Africa in the province of KwaZulu-Natal and in the municipality of eThekwini. It is the third largest city in South Africa and the busiest port in Africa. As of 2011, the population of the eThekwini municipality was around 3.4 million. In 2020, it was named the greenest city in the world by Husqvarna Urban Green Space Index because of its many parks.

Understand
Durban has a large bay that was protected from the seas by a land spit now known as The Point. This bay formed a natural harbour.

Durban was originally called Port Natal by the Portuguese mariner Vasco da Gama who sighted the bay on Christmas Day, 1497. The city was founded as Port Natal by British settlers in the 1820's and became part of the British Empire in 1842. It was renamed Durban in honour of Sir Benjamin D'Urban, Governor of the Cape Colony.

In the years immediately preceding the European settlement of the area, Shaka, king of a small African clan known as the Zulu, built up his strength, making the Zulu people the dominant African tribe in the area.

The hot and humid climate was ideal for growing sugar and after the first railway was built in 1860, sugar became the principal export from the area. Indian workers were brought in on contract to work the sugar cane plantations. When their contracts finished, they were offered return trips to India or land to the value of the return trip. Many chose to stay making this one of the largest population centres of Indians in the world.

After the discovery of coal in North Natal and gold in the Witwatersrand, Durban expanded rapidly and, excluding the Mediterranean, became one of the largest port in Africa.

Its warm climate and ample beaches have made it one of South Africa's premier holiday areas. Zulu and English are the most common languages in Durban.

By plane

Taxi fares from the new airport to the hotels on Marine Parade and centre of Durban can cost well over R400. However, next to the taxi rank, there is an airport shuttle bus service that leaves every hour on the hour (or as soon as the bus has several passengers) for R80 per person, though it may take longer to reach your hotel. The taxi drivers can be quite aggressive and will try to intercept you before you reach the shuttle.

The following airlines offer domestic service to Durban: Airlink, British Airways & FlySafair

The following airlines offer international service to Durban: Air Mauritius (from Mauritius), Emirates (from Dubai), Proflight Zambia (from Lusaka), Qatar Airways (from Doha via Johannesburg), and Turkish Airlines (from Istanbul) via Johannesburg).

British Airways offers a thrice-weekly flight from London Heathrow — the only direct link from Europe.

Durban International Airport (formerly Louis Botha Airport) to the south of the city is closed. The King Shaka International Airport, at La Mercy 40 km north of Durban, is fully operational.

Virginia Airport is a small, private airport in Durban North a few kilometres north of the Durban CBD and a few kilometres south of Umhlanga Rocks. No large scale commercial flights are scheduled from this airport but you can charter a plane from companies to and from this airport.

See also Discount airlines in Africa.

By bus
All national carriers and the Baz Bus offer regular services to Durban. The central bus stop is next to the central train station, Durban Station. You can also use Greyhound or Transcape/Intercape bus, depending on whether you want to travel in the morning or the afternoon. The bus station is a 20-minute walk from the beachfront.

By train
Intercity trains are limited, Shosholoza Meyl operates a Friday and Sunday night train from Johannesburg and Pietermaritzburg. MetroRail operates frequent commuter trains from various suburbs of Durban and towns nearby such as Pinetown and the resort towns of the south coast (e.g. Kelso and Park Ryne) and of the north coast).

By boat
Some cruise ships dock in Durban, but generally there are few "one-way" entries by boat to Durban. Passage on a freighter might be arranged, but it's not widely advertised. Cruises from Durban available on the MSC Sinfonia.

By car
The best way to get around Durban is by car. Check that you have the latest updated street maps and/or GPS device as some street names have changed. It also helps to have a list of old and new names as some of the new names are vandalized.

By bus
Durban People Mover buses feature CCTV cameras and wheelchair-friendly ramps. They run from 6AM until 11PM every 15 minutes. These buses stop in the CBD, the Victoria Street Market, the Workshop, Suncoast Casino, Ushaka Marine World and along the beach route. (R4 per trip, valid for 1 hour on a hop-on, hop-off basis; R10 for a full day pass on a hop-on, hop-off basis).

To travel between the Berea suburbs and the city its cheaper to travel by Mynah buses, R5 off-peak (8AM-3:30PM), peak R6. The Mynah buses depart from the Workshop Terminus (Pine Street Terminus) every 30 minutes to Musgrave, The Ridge, Kensington, Mitchell Park/Florida road, Tollgate (cnr Aliwal/Smith streets), to South Beach/Ushaka, North Beach/Suncoast (in Pixley ka Seme [West] Street, opposite the City Hall).

The Aqualine buses to the suburbs (depart from the Pine Street Terminus) are usually within 5 minutes of the schedule every hour. Peak cash fare can be quite steep. A weekly coupon can save you up to 35% of the cash fare. Fare, bus route & time table enquiries (+27 31 309-5942/3). However, due to the ongoing dispute, some routes have be suspended.

 * To Bluff (route 330/338/411/418 )
 * To Queensburgh catch either one of these four buses, Malvern (route 112), Montgomery road (route 113), Shalcross/Hillview (route 140), Pinetown/Westmead (*route 840/842/843/849). Service suspended.
 * To Glenwood catch either one of these four buses, Berea Beach (route 022/023), Umbilo (route 007), Glenmore (route 086), Manor Gardens (route 084).
 * To Umhlanga Rocks/Gateway Mall catch the Aqualine bus (route 716/705) outside Nando's in Pixley ka Seme (West) street, departs every hour.
 * To UKZN catch the Howard College bus (route 070)/Westville campus (route 075). Service suspended
 * To Pinetown/Westville central/Westwood mall, catch Aqualine Pinetown/Westmead bus (route 855,857,858,870,871,873,877,886).Service suspended
 * To The Pavilion mall catch the Aqualine bus (route 853/860) route 853 departs from the Workshop terminus and route 860 departs from North Beach near Blue Waters hotel/Suncoast casino. Service suspended

Most buses depart on the hour every hour, check the bus schedule. Please note that sometimes to get to your destination, you might have to catch a couple to three buses. When not sure about bus route number, ask the locals or the bus driver (tell him the nearest landmark to your destination). Mynah buses do not have route numbers, only the destination will be displayed on the electronic display in front of the bus. You must flag the bus down to stop at the bus stop. It is advisable to have the exact change before you board the bus and get a receipt!

By metered taxi
Registered taxis are common, generally safe and relatively inexpensive. Taxis do not rove and hence need to be called so that one can be fetched from your pick up point. A lot of these will conduct point to point transfers, airport shuttles, and corporate transfers. The ones that can be recommended for the Durban and surrounds are:

By minibus taxi
There are also group taxis, referred to as "combi taxis" (or "minibus taxis"), that are impossible to miss as (in Durban) they're brightly decorated and always have music pumping. There is always someone hanging out of a window making the hand gestures that indicate whether there are seats available and where the combi is going. Minibus taxis are very common and less expensive than metered taxis. Strictly speaking, they are minibuses that take people to and from work, they stick to set routes and they are generally not suitable for tourists unfamiliar with the area they are going to; when in doubt stick to metered taxis or buses. There are minibus taxis plying same routes as Mynah buses, they are more frequent and faster than buses.

By train
Metrorail KZN runs a network of commuter trains in and around Durban. The schedule is mainly aimed at commuters and safety has been an issue.

By rickshaw
Rickshaw rides are offered to tourists along the beach front, for amusement rather than getting around. Watch out for the many ups and downs in the ride; the tipping back of the rickshaw cause the contents of your pockets to fall out, into the coffers of the drivers!

By Uber
Uber is quite popular in Durban and SA, as is offers any fast and reliable taxi service. It's often cheaper than a metered taxi.

See

Do

 * Rugby Union: Sharks play in the United Rugby Championship (formerly Pro14), the European professional league, with a playing season Oct-March. Their home ground is Kings Park, capacity 52,000, in the Kings Park sports complex.
 * Cricket:
 * Nature parks - There are dozens of nature reserves in the suburbs, just ask around. Please remember to be safe, there are natural hazards like snakes, and criminals like the isolation for different reasons.
 * Golf: the premier course is Beachwood Country Club north side of the city.
 * Nature parks - There are dozens of nature reserves in the suburbs, just ask around. Please remember to be safe, there are natural hazards like snakes, and criminals like the isolation for different reasons.
 * Golf: the premier course is Beachwood Country Club north side of the city.
 * Nature parks - There are dozens of nature reserves in the suburbs, just ask around. Please remember to be safe, there are natural hazards like snakes, and criminals like the isolation for different reasons.
 * Golf: the premier course is Beachwood Country Club north side of the city.
 * Nature parks - There are dozens of nature reserves in the suburbs, just ask around. Please remember to be safe, there are natural hazards like snakes, and criminals like the isolation for different reasons.
 * Golf: the premier course is Beachwood Country Club north side of the city.
 * Golf: the premier course is Beachwood Country Club north side of the city.
 * Golf: the premier course is Beachwood Country Club north side of the city.
 * Golf: the premier course is Beachwood Country Club north side of the city.
 * Golf: the premier course is Beachwood Country Club north side of the city.
 * Golf: the premier course is Beachwood Country Club north side of the city.

Festivals

 * Hindu festivals - There are dozens of these and you'll have to ask around because they're not well publicised, but there's one in Easter in the Umbilo area where devotees walk on hot coals, and another sometime between February and July (it moves) called Kavady where the devotees pierce their backs with hooks and drag decorated portable shrines. Not to be missed!
 * The winter festival is held on the main beach and the summer festival on the main street where live jazz bands play out late into the evening.
 * Hindu festivals - There are dozens of these and you'll have to ask around because they're not well publicised, but there's one in Easter in the Umbilo area where devotees walk on hot coals, and another sometime between February and July (it moves) called Kavady where the devotees pierce their backs with hooks and drag decorated portable shrines. Not to be missed!
 * The winter festival is held on the main beach and the summer festival on the main street where live jazz bands play out late into the evening.
 * Hindu festivals - There are dozens of these and you'll have to ask around because they're not well publicised, but there's one in Easter in the Umbilo area where devotees walk on hot coals, and another sometime between February and July (it moves) called Kavady where the devotees pierce their backs with hooks and drag decorated portable shrines. Not to be missed!
 * The winter festival is held on the main beach and the summer festival on the main street where live jazz bands play out late into the evening.
 * Hindu festivals - There are dozens of these and you'll have to ask around because they're not well publicised, but there's one in Easter in the Umbilo area where devotees walk on hot coals, and another sometime between February and July (it moves) called Kavady where the devotees pierce their backs with hooks and drag decorated portable shrines. Not to be missed!
 * The winter festival is held on the main beach and the summer festival on the main street where live jazz bands play out late into the evening.
 * The winter festival is held on the main beach and the summer festival on the main street where live jazz bands play out late into the evening.

Buy
Popular items to buy are Zulu beadwork, wirework, wicker work - from baskets and sustainable conference bags to fantastic lights and furniture, Spices - anyone dare 'mother-in-law's revenge'? Fantastic!

 * Gateway Theater of Shopping, a mall situated to the north of Durban along the M4 or N2 highways. Believed to be the largest in the southern hemisphere. Also offers a great range of kids' entertainment like a skateboard park and an artificial wave in the Wavehouse to test your surfing abilities.
 * Victoria Street Market. Mostly oriental souvenirs. Haggle hard, beware of pickpockets.
 * Essenwood Craft Market - For a true taste of South Africa look out for a guy selling biltong (South African jerky). A good place to buy curios, and don't be afraid to haggle. Only open certain weekends so please check local listings.
 * The Pavilion - A large shopping mall with a good range of shops, in the Westville suburb of Durban.
 * African Arts Center at Tourist Junction on West Street
 * BAT Center on the harbor front

Eat
As Durban has one of the largest Indian populations outside of India, a Durban curry is a popular dish and can range from mild to very hot. There is also the bunny chow which is unique to the city, a quarter loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with a curry of your choice. Check out restaurants at the Workshop shopping center for some of the best bunny chow in the city. Or head over to the Indian neighborhood near Victoria Market for more authentic Durban Indian food.

Good Indian dining is at Vintage Restaurant next to Bean Bag Bohemia - Windemere Road

Try the Roma Revolving Restaurant at the top of John Ross House on the Esplanade for Italian food and the best view of Durban.

Wilson's Wharf is a long pier built into the harbour. It hosts a wide selection of international restaurants and watch the busiest harbor in Africa's activity. Take in a show afterwards at the upstairs Catalina theater.

Try Morningside restaurants, along Florida Road, for trendy cafe sidewalk eateries including one Italian style, Spiga d'Oro, frequented so often by South Africa's notorious businessman, Schabir Shaik, that a dish is named in his honor 'Pasta a la Shaik'. Bill Clinton and Bill Gates ate at "Spice" set off the busy street in a quiet upstairs courtyard. And nearby, be nearly guaranteed to rub shoulders with the up-and-coming in-crowd at the Bean Bag Bohemia, Windermere Road, a restaurant that makes great dining an artistic event.

Definitely try some 'biltong' when you're in South Africa. It's South African-style jerky available in a whole range of flavors and textures.

Drink
Durban is known for its pot and you will easily find it around the clubs, but beware that the police do care if tourists break the law and you can be thrown out of the country if you are caught with it.
 * Zacks, at Wilson's Wharf on Victoria's Embankment, is a popular place to get thirst-quenching drinks and relax and enjoy the view of the harbour.
 * Joe Kool's, on the beachfront, is also well known as the best place for a "sundowner" after a long day on the beach. Check out their roof-top deck for the best views.
 * The BAT Centre, at the port, is also a good place for a quick meal or drink. There's free jazz most nights and other concerts, hip-hop and the occasional poetry slam.
 * Cool Runnings is a reggeaton place with cheap beer and a relaxed atmosphere.

Mid-range

 * Lazy Lizard Guesthouse, Umhlanga Rocks, Kwa-Zulu Natal. Private, up market accommodation.
 * Lazy Lizard Guesthouse, Umhlanga Rocks, Kwa-Zulu Natal. Private, up market accommodation.
 * Lazy Lizard Guesthouse, Umhlanga Rocks, Kwa-Zulu Natal. Private, up market accommodation.

Splurge

Stay safe

The beach strip is frequently patrolled by policemen, there are CCTV cameras and many lights at night. As everywhere else, there are several basic safety rules to follow. Avoid dark, deserted areas, and do not go out alone in the early hours of the morning. The promenade along the beach is safe to walk, but do not venture to the side and back roads of the hotels.

Avoid the Point Road (aka Mahatma Gandhi Road) area at all times.

At night, it is still a good idea to stick to the main streets and not go out at night unless you are very familiar with a particular area. Avoid the usually busy central business district, which is empty after dark. Above all, use common sense.

Remember, you're a tourist, not a celebrity. Dress down to blend in with the people in the CBD (keep the fancy stuff to a minimum).

The harbour area is quite safe, as are the shopping malls and higher residential areas.

The Point, the area between downtown and the port, is known for prostitution and cheap hotels has higher crime rate (although parts are undergoing a massive redevelopment). Avoid walking here alone or at night and take cars or metered taxis if you need to go to this area.

Street children can be a problem, and its best to keep clear of them. Many sniff glue, carry knives, and act quite unpredictably.

Stay healthy

 * Travel vaccines and general practitioner services available at Umhlanga Sports and Travel Clinic Umhlanga Hospital Helipad, 323 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Umhlanga Rocks. +27 31 560-5569

Consulates

 * 🇺🇸 United States

Go next

 * Umhlanga Nature reserve
 * Go south along the Sunshine and Wild Coast through South Coast and to East London, Port Elizabeth and the Garden Route
 * Go south along the Hisbiscus Coast through Port Shepstone, visit the Oribi gorge and blue flag beaches.
 * Go up the North Coast and visit Ballito, the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park or drive further on to Eswatini (Swaziland).
 * Valley of 1000 hills

title: Durban


text:
Durg

Durg is a major city in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh.

Understand
Durg sits along the east bank of the Shivnath River on the Chhattisgarh plain with some hills to the south and southwest. It is an agricultural center, with the huge Bhilal steel plant to the east. Historically, it was part of the Kosala kingdom of ancient India. Its name is derived from the Hindi term "durga" for fort, and it used to be a fortress from which the Marathas subjugated Chhattisgarh. The National Highway No. 6 (Mumbai - Sambalpur - Kolkata) is the major highway of the district and the train route is the main line of the South Eastern Railway midway between Mumbai-Kolkata.

Climate
Durg generally has a dry tropical weather which is moderate but on a warmer side in summer season. The peak temperatures are usually reached in May/June and can be as high as 45C. The onset of monsoon is usually from July and the season extends up to September, with monsoon peaking during July and August. Maximum, Average & Minimum Rain fall Of District Durg are 1477.2 mm, 1071.16 mm and 781.5 mm per year respectively.

By train
Trains leave frequently from Raipur. All of the trains passing between Mumbai and Howrah have a major stop at Durg Junction.

By plane
Mana (Raipur) Airport is 54 km from Durg.

By bus
Connected by decent bus services to Nagpur, Jashpur and Bilaspur.

Go next

 * The city of Bhilai is Durg's eastern neighbour. Growth in both cities have led to them merging into one greater urban area.
 * Arang, the town of Jain and Hindu temples, is also nearby.

title: Durg