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Palembang

Palembang, also called Pelembang by the locals, is Indonesia's provincial capital of South Sumatra with 1.7 million people (2020).

History
Palembang is one of the oldest continuously inhabitied cities in Indonesia and even Southeast Asia (perhaps second only to Hanoi). The foundation of Palembang can be dated as late as the 7th century when it emerged as the imperial thalassocratic city-state of Srivijaya, one of the largest and most important Buddhist polities in ancient Indonesia. The city played a vital role in the regional cultural and economic landscape. Srivijaya controlled important chokepoints such as the straits of Malacca and Sunda, with Palembang acting as an entrepôt for commodities from all over the Archipelago and beyond. At the same time, it was also a thriving centre of religious education, with pilgrims from as far as China stopping there along the way to India to study Buddhist scriptures with local monks and scholars.

Following the sack of Palembang by Chola in the early 11th century, the city's importance began to wane. Palembang underwent a series of transformations, primarily under the influence of various Java-based polities, starting from Majapahit in the 14th century. In the early 15th century, the city had briefly fallen into the hands of Chinese pirates, but they were swiftly crushed by the fleet of Admiral Zheng He, who installed a Chinese administrator to govern the city. The 16th century saw the influx of Javanese royals establishing a new Palembang dynasty after a succession war, though nominally still under the suzerainty of Java-based kings and sultans. By the middle of the 17th-century, however, the rulers of Palembang had started using the title "Sultan" for themselves, proclaiming their independence from Java.

The Sultanate of Palembang controlled trade along the Musi River and nearby islands such as Bangka and Belitung, making wealth out of pepper and tin exports. This wealth are then used to build lavish buildings, such as palace compounds (keraton) and a grand mosque. The city itself begun to expand along the riverbanks, with older inhabitans mainly remaining on the northern side (Seberang Ilir), while newcomers, including Chinese and Arab migrants, were given permission to settle on the southern side (Seberang Ulu). The Sultanate continued to thrive up until the early 19th century, when a multilateral conflict involving internal factions as well as the British and Dutch colonial forces brought it to an end.

Following the Sultanate's abolition in 1825, the city became the capital of the Residency of Palembang, which had roughly the same boundaries as today's South Sumatra province. Palembang witnessed economic rejuvenation in the late 19th century with the rapid development of the petroleum and rubber industries, leading to unprecedented economic growth, increased urbanization, and the influx of migrants. It was formally incorporated as a municipality (gementee) in 1906, and by the 1930s, it had became the most populous urban centre in Dutch East Indies outside Java, with Medan and Makassar trailing behind. The pressure from the rapid urbanization led the city to to expand its infrastructure, from building a new potable water distribution system to reclaiming waterways for road transport. However, global economic downturn in the 1930s led to stagnation, with many projects having to be shelved.

Palembang was part of the Pacific Theatre during World War II. The Japanese occupation forces swiftly took the city for its oil refineries, and the Allies conducted multiple bombing raids against them. During the Indonesian National Revolution, the city also became the site of a major battle between the republicans and the returning Dutch force. In the aftermath of the Indonesian independence, the city continued to evolve into the modern city as we know it today. The construction of the iconic Ampera Bridge crossing the Musi in the 1960s marked a significant milestone in Palembang's development, facilitating urban development further away from the Musi River along a north-south axis. More recently, Palembang has gained recognition for its holding of international events, including the Southeast Asian Games in 2011 and the 18th Asian Games in 2018, both jointly hosted with Jakarta.

Orientation and navigation
Originally, the development of Palembang spreads along the Musi riverbank, which splits the city into two sides, namely Seberang Ilir ("Upper Side") to the north and Seberang Ulu ("Lower Side") to the south. The Ampera Bridge is positioned very prominently in the heart of the city, and is almost always visible from anywhere along the Musi banks (within the city limits).

Unlike many Indonesian cities of its size, Palembang does have a fair share of large roads and streets, sometimes as wide as 4 lanes on each side. However, most of the older neighbourhoods in Palembang were built along hundreds of former small waterways which have long been reclaimed. This leads to very chaotic, unorganized grids of small alleys and lanes criss-crossed by large roads and streets. For this reason, addresses are often given with double road/street/alley names, with the larger one coming first, followed by the smaller one to clarify where the actual location is, then unit number, administrative divisions, and postal code.

Talk
The main spoken language variety in the city is Palembang or Palembang Malay, known locally as baso Pelembang. It is related to, but still quite distinct from, various Malayic varieties spoken throughout Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, including Standard Malay and Standard Indonesian, Betawi, Musi, and Minangkabau, among others. The Palembang dialect differ from the standards mostly in terms of vocabulary, with it having heavy Javanese influence, but also slightly in terms of phonology and grammar.

As with many other places in Indonesia, this vernacular Palembang variety is often used together with Indonesian in a spectrum of diglossia, where the more formal the situation, the closer to the Standard (or to Jakartan Indonesian) the language will be. In the most informal situations, Standard forms may not be used at all, and the language will be harder to comprehend. Still, regardless of its limited usage in speech, Indonesian is practically understood by almost everyone, and is almost the sole language used in writing.

On the other hand, English is not widely spoken, especially considering that Palembang is not a major tourist destination for people from outside Indonesia. Some younger people may understand English better than most, though they may not as comfortable speaking in it. In addition, people working in hospitality and tourism-related businesses have higher chances to speak decent English.

By train
Palembang's rail network is serviced from, 2 km south of the city centre along Jl. Kemang Kertapati road. However service is limited to trains from Bandar Lampung in Lampung, to Lubuklinggau in western South Sumatra, and a railbus to Sriwijaya University at Indralaya. From Lampung, there are two trains daily, one daytime express economy class train, Rajabasa and one overnight executive class, Sriwijaya.

By bus
Palembang is connected by bus from other cities in Sumatra (Jambi, Padang, Pekanbaru, Medan and Lampung) as well to Jakarta in Java. The main intercity bus terminal is (locally known as AAL) north of Palembang.

Get around
It is quite easy to get around in Palembang since there are a lot of public buses, modified vans (Angkots or Angkutan Kota) and for short distances there is always becak. Don't be surprised if they keep packing the buses and angkots with people even though they are full. Short trips should be no more than Rp5,000. Taxis are scarce, far between, and often refuse to use meters and insists on fixed price for certain distance. Just like other Indonesian cities, the most reliable and safe taxi in Palembang is Blue Bird. On land, motorcycle taxis, ojeks, are cheap, quick, and everywhere. Boats can be hired on the river.

By light rail
To support the 2018 Asian Games, a light rail system was built. The single line has 13 stations connecting the airport, the city centre, and the Jakabaring stadium complex from north to south. Trains run at least every 17 minutes daily from 05:05 in the morning, and takes up to 49 minutes from end to end. The latest train from DJKA Station is 19:01 and from the airport is 19:55. Tickets cost at a flat rate of Rp5,000, except for trips from and to the airport, which costs Rp10,000 (regardless of distance).

By bus
TransMusi is the best public transportation so far. For a flat rate of Rp5,500 (April 2016) you can hop on along its 11 lines in operation:
 * Corridor 1 : Bus stop below the Ilir part of Ampera Bridge - Alang Alang Lebar Bus Station (KM 12)
 * Corridor 2 : Perumnas Bus Station - PIM (Palembang Indah Mall)
 * Corridor 3 : Plaju - PS Mall (Palembang Square Mall)
 * Corridor 4 : Jakabaring - Karya Jaya Bus Station (Kertapati)
 * Corridor 5 : Alang Alang Lebar Bus Station (KM 12) - Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport
 * Corridor 6 : Pusri - Palembang Square (PS)
 * Corridor 7 : Kenten - Letkol Iskandar
 * Corridor 8 : Alang Alang Lebar Bus Station (KM 12) - Terminal Karya Jaya (Kertapati)
 * Pangkalan Balai Corridor : Alang Alang Lebar Bus Station (KM 12) - Pangkalan Balai
 * Indralaya Corridor : Terminal Karya Jaya - Indralaya
 * Unsri Corridor : Unsri Bukit - Unsri Indralaya

Buy

 * Songket. Among Indonesians, Palembang is famous for its songket handycraft. It is a traditional handwoven cloth with metallic golden or silver threads. Songkets are available in most Palembang marketplaces and even available in Palembang airport, however for richer variety and choices, several songket handycraft centres, production houses, boutique or showroom are available in the city.
 * Pempek. Although pempek can be found in most of Indonesian cities, the original Palembang pempek is said to have distinct taste and beyond compare. Unfried, packed, precooked boxed pempek is popular as food souvenir among Indonesians visiting the city. Fish based Palembang krupuk is also popular choice.

Eat
Palembang cuisine is the second most well known from Sumatra after Padang. They primarily use freshwater fish and prawn as ingredients due to the paramount role of the Musi River for the area. Spices are also generally included although not as liberal as its same-island counterpart. Malay, Indian, and Chinese culture has also influenced Palembang's culinary scene. Do try these while you are here:
 * Pempek is the dish virtually everyone in Indonesia thinks of when mentioning Palembang cuisine. It is a dough of fish cake which can be either boiled, fried, or grilled and is eaten with a sweet and spicy sauce called Cuko, topped with cucumber and prawn powder. Because it is actually a dough, locals have intelligently crafted them into shapes and sizes, as well as being creative with fillings. Examples include lenjer (long cylinder shaped), keriting (curly), kapal selam (literally: submarine. filled with egg), adakan (round and fried) and pites (filled with cooked young papaya).
 * Model are a variety of pempek with tofu fillings.
 * Tekwan are small pempek balls served with fresh shrimp soup.
 * Mie celor is a soup of thick yellow noodle served with coconut milk broth, topped with egg and prawn.
 * Pindang Ikan is a spicy smoked fish soup, similar to Thai's tom yum soup. It is normally eaten with rice, with side dishes like seluang goreng and sambal buah.
 * Pepes Tempoyak is made of patin fish seasoned with durian and spices.
 * Nasi Minyak is Palembang's version of Briyani Rice. The rice is seasoned with ghee and other spices to create the fragrant and distinct taste. Best served with Ayam Kecap (soysauce chicken) or Malbi (spiced stewed beef).

Drink
Try local Palembang drink, es kacang merah, an iced drink made from azuki bean.

Go next

 * Travel by road to Jambi
 * Go to Lampung by train
 * Travel by ferry along the Musi River estuary to Bangka Island

title: Palembang


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Palenque

Located in Chiapas, the Mayan ruined city of Palenque stands out as one of the most beautiful and tourist-friendly of the Mayan cities. It has well developed tourist infrastructure with easy accessibility and a spectacular setting on a mountain in the midst of a rainforest. Beautiful architecture, unique in the Maya world, and well-preserved reliefs integrate with natural landscape to provide an educational tour with impact. Numerous discoveries were made in Palenque, defining a large chunk of the known history and mythology of the ancient Mayan culture. The site is still being actively explored and renown archaeologists from around the world come to research new theories about the Mesoamerican world.

Mythology names King U-Ch'ix-K'an as the ruler of Palenque in 993 BC, but the physical evidence found to date shows the city to have thrived between 226 BC and 800 AD. Either way, it's old. Set amidst thick trees, Palenque still evokes some of the wonder that the early Spanish visitors must have felt when they first came across the ruins.

The ruins are set deep in a national park, with tropical rainforests surrounding the archaeological site. Both the ruins and the park are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Archaeological site
Palenque is a medium-sized archaeological site, much smaller than Tikal or Yaxchilan, but it contains some of the finest sculpture, architecture, roof combs, and bas-relief carvings of the Mayan era. The site's many carvings (stelae and lintels) provide fertile source material for historians to study as they seek to understand the site's past. As was common at the time, Palenque was frequently at war with rival city-states, such as Calakmul and Toniná (whose warriors sacked the city in the early 8th century AD).

Palenque is a well-developed site that's been extensively explored and documented (it's often regarded as the most studied site in the Americas.) Despite the number of excavations, only a small part of the total archaeological site is seen by the public. Almost 90% of the original Mayan city remains hidden in the jungle, awaiting a future generation of archaeologists to uncover even more secrets.

Some highlights of the site include:
 * Temple of the Inscriptions - pyramid where the tomb of Pacal the Great was found, many carvings for historians to study
 * Temples of the Cross - three temples set atop three pyramids in a building cluster, Temple of the Cross, Temple of the Sun, and Temple of the Foliated Cross
 * Palace - home of royalty, contains an observatory, spa baths, and a sauna. It's good to be the king.

National park
Surrounding the ancient Mayan ruins are 1,772 hectares of tropical jungle, intended as a buffer area for the site and to preserve the forest environment, providing habitat for native plants and animals. The park includes several waterfalls and a camping area.

More than 1,500 species have been catalogued in the national park, including 62 mammal species. In addition to jaguars, monkeys, and other species commonly associated with tropical jungles, the park is home to over two dozen different kinds of bats (which make up the largest family of mammalians in the park). About 300 bird species have been spotted in the Nacional Parque Palenque, 87 of which are migratory species and the rest live in the park year round. Lots of reptiles and amphibians are found in the park including 29 species of frog and 52 species of snake. Two species of crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) and (Crocodylus moreletti) are found in the park's rivers and marshes -- and both are endangered.

Town
The town of Palenque is just 8 km from the archaeological site. It was established by Dominican missionaries under the leadership of Fray Pedro Lorenzo in 1567, yet it would be 300 years before the friars learned about the ruins and reported their existence to the Spanish crown. Numerous expeditions ensued over the years, making Palenque one of the best explored and best documented of the Maya city-states. The town grew along with the reputation of its Maya treasures.

The town of Palenque is large for the state of Chiapas with a charming colonial centro and a large number of quaint older posadas and good restaurants that present the regional cuisine of Chiapas. A number of boutique shops and an artesan market showcase some of the crafts and artists of the local community. Recognizing the touristic value of Palenque, the tourism department of the federal government designated the town a Pueblo Mágico in 1987.

Waterfalls
Palenque is famous for its spectacular waterfalls. There are three falls that are worth making a special effort to visit. These take some time and effort to reach so it would be wise to schedule a visit on a different day than you visit the ruins, which will easily take a full day to experience. The easiest way to visit these waterfalls is to arrange a day tour in the town of Palenque. You can visit on your own but it will be a hassle to figure out how to get in and out of the area around the falls and how to use combis for transportation. The tours are cheap and convenient and give travellers an added measure of safety since the falls are in a rural area outside the safety of Palenque.

The three major waterfalls are:
 * Misol Ha - highest of the three falls with a dramatic 35-foot fall that's great for pictures, close to town and easily reached by public combis
 * Agua Azul - most popular of the waterfalls due to its bright blue water (as the name implies), many vendors
 * Roberto Barrios - best swimming of the three falls, but most remote location and smallest crowds

There is an admission charge for some of the waterfalls (Misol-Ha charged M$30 in June 2022).

Keep in mind that wet rocks around waterfalls can be slippery. Rubber sole shoes or watershoes are recommended.

Climate
The national park ranges in altitude between 200 and 800 meters with a climate typical of low-lying tropical jungles. Expect hot temperatures averaging 26°C and high humidity. Torrential downpours can occur at any time of year, but are most common in the summer months.

By plane
The closest alternative airport is Villahermosa, about two hours away by road. Tuxtla Gutiérrez, is five to six hours away by bus. Merida is about 5 hours away by car. All three alternative airports are well serviced with flights from Mexico City and other points in Mexico. Regular flights to Palenque are likely to resume by early 2024.

By bus
The easiest way to get to Palenque is by bus. There are many buses daily from San Cristobal de las Casas (4 daily, 8-9 hours), Tuxtla Gutiérrez (six hours), Villahermosa (2.5 hours), Merida (8-9 hours), Campeche (5 hours), Cancún (13 hours). Daily (one or two buses) also ply from Mexico City (16 hours), Oaxaca (15 hours), Playa del Carmen (12 hours), and Tulum (12 hours).

It is also possible to get to Palenque from Flores in Guatemala by bus (6 hr, leaving Flores daily at 05:00, US$35). Buses to and from Guatemala have their own terminal next door to the main ADO terminal.

By train
The new Tren Maya intercity railway has its terminus station at Palenque. Passengers can use the train for comfortable, easy transportation from Cancún, Tulum, Chetumal, Merida, Campeche, or other stations along the loop through the Yucatan Peninsula. Schedules and tickets are available on the official Tren Maya web site. Palenque is also a terminus station for the Ferrocarril Transístmico, which will provide passenger trains to Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz.

By Shuttle
ADO buses between Palenque and San Cristobal de las Casas take a 450km route via Villahermosa and Tuxla Guttierez. Some companies are offering a scenic shuttle service on the shorter 190km route, stopping at Misol Ha and Agua Azul waterfalls, before continuing on to San Cristobal on a different minibus. See here for an example.

Get around
The ruins are about 6 km from the town of Palenque and minibuses run between the town and the "Ruinas" every 10 to 15 minutes (MX$25, Nov 2023) during the day. Flag one on Benito Juárez or just after the roundabout outside the ADO bus station, although, it might be a better option to flag it in Benito Juárez if you plan to go early in the morning. On the way back, catch one at the main gate or near the museum.

See

Do
The village has a lovely, tree-sheltered zocalo where bands will play in the evening. Join the villagers for a drink on the square.

Buy
You can get some Maya-style artwork from outdoor vendors who set up unobtrusively at the ruins. There are shops and an artesania market in the town.

Sleep
Sleeping accommodation can be found either in the city of Palenque, or just outside the limits on the road to the national park. Camping is permitted in the national park.

Drink
If you like nightlife and having a few drinks in the evening, the best place to drink is in the center of Palenque (el centro), near the Parque Central. There are several good bars in the area and its a safe, pleasant place to walk in the evening. Palenque is a small town so most of the places close down far too early for sophisticated city folk.

To the south
San Crisobal de las Casas - ADO buses between Palenque and San Cristobal de las Casas take a 450km route via Villahermosa and Tuxla Guttierez. Some companies are offering a scenic shuttle service on the shorter 190km route, stopping at Misol Ha and Agua Azul waterfalls, before continuing on to San Cristobal on a different minibus. See here for an example.

To the east
It is about a six hour trip by shuttle/van from Palenque to Flores. Different companies depart at different hours.

Other ruins in the general area are Yaxchilan and Bonampak. These can be arranged by day trip or overnighter with any agency in town.

The town of Catazajá is about 20 minutes north of Palenque. It is home to a large lake and provides access to bus routes to Villahermosa and Campeche.

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

title: Palenque


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Paleochora

Paleochora is a small town of about 2000 inhabitants nestling 75 km southwest of Chania, under the immense White Mountains on the Greek island of Crete. In the summer it entertains up to a couple of thousand tourists of all European nationalities.

On a small peninsula, at the southernmost tip of Europe, Paleochora enjoys very hot summers but with pleasant sea breezes.

Probably because of its distance from the airport in Chania it is fairly quiet even in high season and has retained a wonderful old-fashioned feel. Many visitors seem to return year after year.

By car
Paleochora is a 2 hour car drive over the mountains from Chania Airport (use the National Highway to avoid the traffic in Chania and the North coast 18-30 strip!).

By public transport
5-6 buses a day from Chania bus station - takes 1 hr 50 mins on a good day and costs (2008) about €7 one way.

Get around
There are many places where you can hire cars/scooters/motor bikes.

See

 * The Acretan Museum next to the main church.
 * The flowers in the spring.
 * The Fortress.
 * The Byzantine/Venetian frescos in the churches specially those in Kandanos.

Do

 * The carnival at the start of Lent.
 * Walk the local gorges.
 * Walk up to the radio masts for a stunning view of the area.
 * Visit the local villages - especially Azogires with its Museum in the old Monastery; its 'evergreen' plane tree; The Holy Father's cave and the Alfa Kafenion.
 * Both the Paleochora Beaches are Blue Flag beaches, and both have life guards in attendance in the high season.
 * The Sandy Beach on the western side of the peninsula has a lovely sand, is well stocked with beach umbrellas and some bars. It provides fabulous safe bathing, and is well used by families. A treeline at the top of the beach provides extra shade.
 * The Rocky Beach on the east side is much smaller but has a nice restaurant, The Wave, just next to it.
 * Catch a ferry, west to Elaphonisi or east to Chora Shakia.
 * There is a cinema in the summer – in the open air – with a reasonable choice of films, changed quite frequently but even if you're only there for a week there's a good chance you'll catch Zorba The Greek.
 * Dolphin spotting boats go out each day in the tourist season.

Buy

 * The town enjoys a traditional long siesta, with shops open late into the night – very nice shops, too.
 * Several large supermarkets are in the town - these do not keep the siesta.

Eat
On the east is a rocky beach, the harbour and some of the town's evening restaurants; the remainder are mostly on the main street, which closes to traffic at 19:00 from May to October, when the tables are set out. I's a great chance to hear the local music and enjoy some traditional Greek/Cretan cuisine.

Lots of choice of places to eat and drink - you'll hear the music bars but Agios, at the crossroads by the church, is good value.

Have a look for the local tavernas, in particular try ODAS next to the Agricultural Bank.

For fish try: To Kyma (The Wave) by the Rocky Beach,The Galaxy or The Caravella.

The Grameno Taverna, 5 km out on the western road towards Kondura, is renowned for its authentic Cretan food and well worth a trip out of town.

In the opposite direction, there's the Alpha Kafenion at Azogires, which makes a delicious omelette.

Drink
If you find a locals' taverna you might be lucky and find the local krassi (wine) or tsikudia (raki).

Sleep
Many rooms available for rent, and you will be able to negotiate prices with the locals.

title: Paleochora


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Palermo

Palermo (Sicilian: Palermu) is on the northern coast of the Italian island of Sicily. It is a city with a thousand years of history, beautiful Arab-Norman architecture, amazing food, and lively neighbourhoods. It is a bit scruffy around the edges, but a visit of a few days will make you want to stay for weeks.

Understand

It's the capital city of the autonomous region of Sicily and of its own province. The city's economy is based on local government institutions, port, shipbuilding industry and the mechanical industry. It is also seat to some important Sicilian wine-making companies (like Tasca d'Almerita, Duca di Salaparuta, Corvo, and Planeta) whose popularity in the world is growing.

History
Capital of Sicily, founded by Phoenicians under the name of Ziz (= Flower, but the meaning is still doubtful), later renamed by Greeks Panormos, which means "all port". It reached its golden age during the Arab domination (from 9th to 11th centuries AD) when it became one of the most prosperous cities in the Mediterranean and Europe, known as "city of delights" for its marvelous and lavish gardens, as well as for magnificent mosques and palaces.

After being conquered by the Normans (1060-1080 AD), most of palaces and mosques were destroyed, but the new rulers exploited the cosmopolitan environment of Palermo and the artists, architects and masters from different cultural roots giving the birth to a unique architectural style, the so-called "Arab-Norman Style of Sicily", which is an original mixture of arabesque decorations, Romanesque architecture and Byzantine mosaics. After being home to one of the most famous Emperors of the Middle Ages, Frederick II of Swabia, named "Stupor Mundi" by contemporaries, Palermo began its decadence under the influence of several dominations (French, Aragonese, Spanish and Bourbons from Naples.

In the middle of 19th century, during the so-called "Italian Risorgimento" Palermo was one of the leading revolutionary cities in Italy, strongly contributing to the success of the Thousand patriots' expedition lead by the famous Italian national hero Giuseppe Garibaldi, which ended with the reunification of Italy under the Savoy dynasty from Turin (1860).

Nowadays Palermo faces several problems affecting its economic development, mainly because of the presence of the very powerful criminal organization known worldwide as "Mafia" or "Cosa Nostra".

By ferry
Ferries steam between the port of Palermo and the following several Italian ports on a regular basis: Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples and Cagliari (Sardinia). International routes are available from Valletta (Malta) and Tunis (Tunisia).

By train
There are overnight through trains from Rome, Naples and even Milan via the train ferry across the strait of Messina. The main railway station,, is located at Piazza Giulio Cesare.

On foot
Although Palermo is a fair-sized city, most of the interesting sites around the centre can easily be reached on foot.

By bicycle
There are a large number of bicycles and e-scooters for hire across the city. These include Lime, RideMovi and others. Prices vary.

By bus
Get a 24-hour ticket for €4. Many buses run on Via Roma. You can take the "Free Centro Storico" bus to move around the old town; it covers all the main touristic areas. To go to Piazzale Indipendenza, take bus 109 from the station. If you want to go to Mondello, take the bus 389. You can also use the mobile app Moovit to browse all the urban lines and plan your trips around the city.

See
Because of its variety of monuments, attesting to its long and rich history, and the number of other cultural and naturalistic attractions, Palermo can offer a very interesting experience to the visitor interested in exploring it. The Cathedral of Monreale, the Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel, the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, the Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio, the Church of San Cataldo, the Palermo Cathedral, the Zisa Palace and the Admiral’s Bridge, comprise together with the cathedral in Cefalù the world heritage site “Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale”.

 * The Gesu Church is one of the most architecturally important in Palermo. Constructed between 1564–1633, its late date of completion resulted in an abundant use of polychrome marbles on both floors and walls. This form of decoration, which gradually evolved in Sicily from the beginning of the 17th century, was a mark of the beginning of the Sicilian Baroque period, which was to give Sicily almost an architectural national identity. The church has a modest facade and it's hidden in back street in central Palermo, unlike the great cathedral this one you have to look for.
 * Quattro Canti - the symbolic crossroads at the old centre of the city and the nearby small, but pretty La Martorana church with Byzantine mosaics inside.
 * Piazza Garraffello near Vucciria on Friday nights a DJ is playing open air if the weather is good. Huge crowd dancing. There are also lots of bars right next to the square.
 * The Zisa and the Cuba, Arabic-Norman royal palaces. The Zisa is in Piazza Zisa; the Cuba in Corso Calatafimi.
 * The Zisa and the Cuba, Arabic-Norman royal palaces. The Zisa is in Piazza Zisa; the Cuba in Corso Calatafimi.
 * The Zisa and the Cuba, Arabic-Norman royal palaces. The Zisa is in Piazza Zisa; the Cuba in Corso Calatafimi.

Do

 * Football: Palermo FC play soccer in Serie B, the second tier. Their home ground Stadio Renzo Barbera (capacity 36,300) is 5 km north of city centre.

Learn
International House Language Centre is right in the centre near Piazza Politeama (via Q. Sella 70). International House has teachers with years of experience. Each year it welcomes Italian language students from every corner of the globe. Its Italian language courses can be combined with traditional cooking lessons, scuba diving sessions and tours of the city and the island. The school was founded in 1975 and is also a centre of excellence for English language teaching. Free Wi-fi available for tourists and students.

Buy
The "Pizzo free" shops are a group of shopkeepers that refuse to pay the racket to the Mafia. The Palermitan consumers sustain them by going shopping in their stores. These shops are easily recognisable by a sticker in the shop/restaurant window.

Eat
Try specialties of Palermo like panino con la milza or panelle, in one of the many sandwich stands in the old city centre.

Stay safe
Palermo is a quite safe city during the day but it can be an intimidating city at night, especially on week days in the winter, when there are not many students, visitors and locals around. Even if crimes against visitors are quite rare, just remember that:
 * Use common sense all day but especially after dark, especially outside the main streets and if you are a woman
 * You should book an hotel/B&B in the city centre (the areas around Piazza Ruggero Settimo, Fontana della Ninfa and Piazza Giuseppe Verdi are fine), both for security reasons and also because public transportation between the city centre and suburbs is not reliable at night. Accommodation in Palermo is quite cheap compared to Italian and European standards, even in the best areas.

During the day just remember to be aware of pickpockets on the streets and city buses as well as motorcycle-riding snatch thieves targeting handbags, wallets and mobile phones.

In summer the city centre of Palermo is safe even during the night, as there are hundreds of bars and pubs open all night and many people around. However don't forget to use common sense.

Driving and crossing the streets in Palermo is quite dangerous as the rules of the road are not followed. Also remember that vehicle theft is a major problem in Italy, but, as evinced by latest figures made available by Italian Police, Palermo is safer than Rome, Naples, Milan, Bari, Catania and Turin, but if you want avoid any risk so the use of private, secure car parks is to be preferred. If you've rented a car, your insurance may not be valid if you do not park in a secure car park.

Connect
As of Sept 2021, Palermo has 4G from Iliad, TIM and Wind Tre, and 5G from Vodafone.

Cope
Palermo's main APT Tourist Office is located at Piazza Castelnuovo 35, open M-F 08:00-20:00 and Sa 08:00-14:00. English spoken. A branch of the tourist office also exists at the airport. Get a free map from one of the blue information booths.

Train
Catania - ~ 3 hours

Agrigento - 2h 4min

Syracuse - ~ 4h 30min

Other places easily reached by train are Cefalù, Milazzo (for the Aeolian Islands), Messina, Trapani and Enna.

Bus
Taormina a beautiful hilltop town near Mount Etna with beautiful Greek ruins and beaches nearby.

title: Palermo


text:
Palermo (province)

The Metropolitan City of Palermo (Italian: Città metropolitana di Palermo) is an administrative division in Sicily, Italy. It replaced the former Province of Palermo on 1 January 2015.

Cities

 * — throbbing capital, plenty of sights
 * — a very pleasing town near Cefalù which is the self proclaimed capital of the madonie national park.
 * — Sicily's main beach resort, with an attractive old town
 * — town, birthplace of Mafia boss Salvatore Riina and the Cosa Nostra
 * — Impressive Norman cathedral above Palermo, offering great mosaics
 * - Well preserved hilltop village with amphitheatre and great views of the coast
 * - Well preserved hilltop village with amphitheatre and great views of the coast
 * - Well preserved hilltop village with amphitheatre and great views of the coast

Other destinations

 * — Madonie National Park, the national Park in the Heart of Sicily
 * (Imera) — Greek colony, founded in 648.BC on the north coast
 * — Punic ruins near Santa Flavia, Palermo
 * — diving center near Palermo

title: Palermo (province)


text:
Palestine (Texas)

Palestine is a city in the Blackland Prairie region of Texas. It dates way back to the origins of the Texas Republic practically, when Anderson County was carved out and needed a county seat. Then it was a stage stop on the route between Texarkana and Austin (yee-haw) and later a stop for the railroad, from which it derives a lot of its fame today, because of a popular restored line between here and Rusk that offers a sense of train travel of yesteryear through the Piney Woods. The town itself looks a little stuck in the past, and can be worth a gander.

Connect

 * Palestine Convention & Visitor, 825 W Spring St, +1 903-723-3014

title: Palestine (Texas)


text:
Palestinian territories

The Palestinian territories, also known as Palestine or the State of Palestine, consists of two physically separate entities, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, in the Middle East. Their political status is controversial, and they have been under varying degrees of Israeli occupation since 1967. The Palestinian National Authority (PNA), controlled by Fatah, administers parts of the West Bank, while Hamas does so in the Gaza Strip. While parts of the territories aren't safe for ordinary travelers, other areas, especially ancient Holy Land cities, are popular destinations and pilgrimage sites.

Until the mid-20th century, the term "Palestine" was used in a broader sense including what are now Israel and Jordan. When the Ottoman Empire was broken up after World War I, the British got a "Mandate for Palestine" that included those areas.

West Bank

 * – an ancient city much like many others in the West Bank, Bethlehem is also the site of Christian holy places such as the Church of the Nativity; it is a.
 * – highlights include a stunning old city and glass and pottery factories; divided into Palestinian-controlled H1 and Israeli-controlled H2. Its old town is a.
 * – the West Bank's northernmost city, only 26km from Nazareth. Its name's meaning is The spring of gardens.
 * – the "Oldest City in the World" and around 400m below sea level
 * – considered the commercial capital of the West Bank, it is known for its old city, its furniture trade and the delicious kunafa/kenafeh
 * – the administrative capital of the West Bank and temporary host to the PNA, Ramallah is a magnet for Palestinians seeking work as well as foreign activists

Gaza Strip
– the largest city in the Palestinian Territories, with 450,000 people, Gaza City is a coastal city and the administrative capital of the Gaza Governorate, but it has been heavily damaged in several wars between Israel and Hamas and, due to border closures by Israel and Egypt, you probably can't get in

Other destinations

 * – Notable for being so salty it is un-survivable for most lifeforms.
 * – The vast desert in the south of Israel with great hiking trails and immens (inactive) volcanic craters.

Summary
Much of the Palestinian territories are governed by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA or PA), a semi-autonomous state institution created in agreement with Israel and the United Nations. However, certain areas remain under official or de facto control by Israel or Hamas, and travelers should keep their passports and documents with them at all times and be aware of borders or checkpoints when they cross them. It is not clear what the final outcome of negotiations and status talks will be, but most of the international community supports a two-state solution, creating a new, sovereign state — to be called simply Palestine — and the authority has printed new stationery to reflect its upgraded status at the UN. The State of Palestine was admitted to UNESCO in 2011, and granted observer status at the UN General Assembly in 2012, both of which are opposed by Israel and the United States.

The Palestinian territories, together with Israel and Jordan, are considered the Holy Land for many of the world's major religions, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Baha'i Faith. The Holy Land has attracted tourists and religious visitors for centuries, and this industry remains important for the region. Many sites of religious and archaeological significance are to be found within the current boundaries of the Palestinian National Authority, most notably Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus and Jericho. Archaeology, Palestinian culture, political significance, natural scenery, ecotourism, and volunteerism also attract tourists.

History
The Palestinian Territories are a sub-division of pre-1948, British Mandate Palestine. United Nations-projected Arab-held areas of the former Mandate were greatly reduced after the 1948-1949 Israel War of Independence, when the newly-created state of Israel was first attacked by its Arab neighbors, then successfully defeated their armies, leading to a re-drawing of the internationally-recognized borders of Israel. Of course, these hostilities were accompanied by much bloodshed and displacement on both sides, with much of the spotlight shining on the Palestinian refugees who ended up in neighboring Arab countries, Gaza and the West Bank. The West Bank and Gaza Strip have been under Israeli occupation since 1967. Prior to that, the West Bank was under Jordanian occupation. (Jordan annexed the West Bank in 1950 but this annexation was recognized only by themselves and the United Kingdom. The Gaza Strip was under Egyptian occupation.)

Visitor information

 * Travel Palestine website

Get in

 * Get into the West Bank
 * Get into Gaza

By bus
Bus services operate on limited routes and times except for those around Jerusalem. You are almost always advised to use Shared Taxis which will be quicker although marginally more expensive. Buses, like shared taxis will also tend to wait until full before departing. You can hail a bus on any road.

By thumb
As a foreigner, hitching through the West Bank is quite easy.

By shared taxi
Most shared taxis have fixed bus-stations, often car-parks near the centre of towns or cities. Larger minivans carry 7 passengers and inner-city shared taxis carry 4. Fares are fixed and overcharging on these services is extremely rare. Shared taxis are often distinguished with black stripes on front and back at the sides, particularly the normal-sized cars serving inner-city routes. You should pay the driver directly once the journey has begun, although you can wait until you reach your destination. Passengers will often work out the change between themselves. As you may be sharing with conservative or religious people, you may observe a certain etiquette, particularly when it comes to men and women sitting next to each other.

By private taxi
Private taxis are very common and can be hailed down at any point. Fares should be negotiated in advance although there are fixed rates for common journeys and it is worth checking with a local in advance. Some taxis will operate on the meter if requested although this is rare. Rates between cities vary widely and some taxis are not permitted to operate inter-city.

By car
For the West Bank, driving a private car is a very convenient way to see more. You can hire cars in Ramallah with green (Palestinian) plates although it is not clear whether foreigners are allowed to drive in Palestinian registered cars. You can also hire cars with yellow plates in Jerusalem which can be driven in Israel and the West Bank. Try Good Luck Cars, opposite the American Colony Hotel on +972 2 627-7033.

See
Palestine is home to some of the most important religious places in history and a number of fabulous, humbling sights. Here, you follow the footsteps of millions of pilgrims, you stand on grounds that saw some of the most influential fights of all time and visit some of the most important biblical and historic sites in the world.

Famous as the birth place of Jesus, the small town of Bethlehem is a must-see for most visitors of the Palestinian territories. The Church of Nativity, built over the cave where – according to tradition – Jesus of Nazareth was born, is a sacred destination for Christians and Muslims alike. From here, it's a short walk to the Shepherd's Field, where the birth of the holy child is believed to be announced to a group of shepherds when they saw the Star of Nativity. Or head to Solomon's Pools, just a few kilometres out of town. Bethlehem is also famous for its Banksy Art, four graffiti can be found here. Around the city visit the stunning Monastery of Mar Saba.

Where Bethlehem is known as a place of birth, Hebron is famous as the burial place for the great patriarchs and matriarchs. A holy destination for both the Islamic and Jewish people, this city is home to the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs and was once the capital of the Kingdom of Israel. Hebron has a delightful old town, full of winding alleys and bustling bazaars and is locally known for its pottery workshops and glass blowers, making it a fine place to see some of the excellent Palestinian craftsmanship. But it is also distinctly and politically interesting for its separation into an Israeli and a Palestinian side.

The ancient city of Jericho, said to be among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world as well as the lowest (at 260m below sea level), has several sights of interest. Admire the mosaic floors in the remnants of the Hisham's Palace, an extensive 7th century royal complex and don't miss the Monastery of Gerasimus of the Jordan. Inside lies a cave where – according to tales – Jesus stayed during his 40 day fasting period.

The north of the Palestinian territories is dominated by scenic, hilly landscapes and green valleys, dotted with olive trees and villages. The old city of Nablus is well worth a visit, especially for its delicious kunafa/kenafeh. Going north from Nablus close-by is the village of Sebastia Archaeological Park, which boasts some impressive Roman ruins. And further towards Jenin you will find the St. George Church, one of the oldest churches in the world. And finally take a relaxing stop in the Cinema Jenin Guesthouse with its distinct and interesting history, like Jenin itself.

Learn
It is possible to study Arabic and other subjects in the West Bank. Specifically at Birzeit University near Ramallah.

If you are interested in learning about the social, political and cultural aspects of Palestinian life, there are several programs and organizations offering courses, workshops or learning tours, such as the All Nations Cafe in the Bethlehem - Jerusalem area, or Green Olive Tours, that offers organized informative and political tours throughout the whole of the West Bank.

Money
The Palestinian territories use the Israeli currency, the New Israeli shekel, denoted by the symbol "₪" or "NIS" (ISO code: ILS). Colloquially, it is called a shekel (plural: Shkalim) or Sha-ch. Each shekel is divided into 100 agorot.

Israel is gradually rolling out a new design for the bills; old bills are still accepted. Newer notes are made of polypropylene and are harder to rip or tear. Specifically the new ₪50 bill has colors similar to the previous ₪20 bill.

US dollars seem to be widely accepted, especially at tourist shops (Jericho and Bethlehem, for example).

Costs
Common prices and costs are:
 * Shared taxi – ₪10 per 20 km
 * Falafel sandwich – ₪5-8
 * Falafel, hummus & salad – ₪10-15 (₪3-5 separately)
 * Oranges, shaddock, grape fruit – ₪10 / 3–kg
 * Hostel – ₪50-70

Bargaining
or Bargaining is accepted, especially on markets, but some prices might already be final, e.g. shared taxis or museums. Since wealthy locals also get inexpensive local prices, there is no reason why tourists should pay more. However, as a tourist it might be hard to find out whether the price you got is fair or inflated because you are considered a tourist. It is best to ask at several different locations to get a feeling for what the price should be. Remember to always thank the merchant for stating the price, even if not buying anything.

A working approach for hostels or hostels is to look up the price on one of the big hotel reservation sites and to walk into the hotel requesting that price. You might get some discount; if not, trying the next one might convince the guy at the reception to give you a better price.

Touting & guides
Do not rely on taxi drivers or self-proclaimed guides too much for advice or help, otherwise they will cash in on you twice, once for their service and once taking commission from the place they take you. This means, either a restaurant will be touristic with very inflated prices, or a hotel or hotel will add a surcharge when you ask them for the price, especially if the guide or taxi driver stands right next to you. Instead, choose the restaurant and hotel by yourself without them following you, and just use taxi drivers for transport, not as a guide.

Also, do not believe in the common "my cousin (or friend) offers/has got it (something that you are looking for) and I can get it cheaper for you" – the opposite will mostly be the truth, neither will it be his cousin nor will it be cheaper. Always get several independent quotes for things or tours you are interested in, and never get convinced that there is only one option available.

Eat

Shawarma and falafel sandwiches are really popular foods for Palestinians, as well as olives and hummus. It is traditional to eat with bread and not a spoon or fork. It is unusual to eat a meal without bread.

Palestinian cuisine is generally similar to that of neighbouring Jordan. Like in Jordan, mansaf is a popular dish of rice with meat, usually lamb. Knafeh is a popular dessert made of cheese, soaked in a sweet sugar-based syrup and topped with shredded filo pastry. Nablus is famous for their variety of knafeh Nabulsiyeh.

Drink
In cities such as Ramallah, alcohol is often available at restaurants. Be aware that most residents of the West Bank are Muslims who do not drink alcohol. As such, public intoxication can be seen as rude.

Taybeh Beer is the only Palestinian national beer with 5 and 6 percent of alcohol. It has a mild taste. The Taybeh Beer Brewery is located in Taybeh village and is accessible by taking a shared taxi/private taxi from Ramallah's bus station Taybeh village (inquire for the price of the trip before taking the taxi).

Sleep
Home stays with Palestinian host families are possible, and can be arranged through a number of organisations.

Many new and inexpensive hostels have opened in the bigger cities like Jericho, Nablus and Ramallah.

Talk
The main language of communication is the Palestinian variety of Arabic. Many people will also be familiar with standard Arabic and/or the Egyptian variety of Arabic as both are widely used in media throughout the Middle East.

Respect
Because of the association of Jewish symbols with the Israeli occupation (Israeli military equipment often features prominently a menorah or the Star of David on them), wearing or displaying such symbols, which the Palestinians see as hostile, is not going to win you any friends. Women should dress conservatively and men should also avoid shorts.

That said, most Palestinians are religiously tolerant, and the Christian minority for the most part lives peacefully with their Muslim neighbours. It is common for Christians to have Muslim friends and vice versa. Like other Middle Eastern people, Palestinians have a tradition of hospitality, and will do their best to make you feel welcome as a visitor.

Stay safe
Palestinians are not more hostile than other people, and are very welcoming. The friendliness can sometimes even feel a little overdrawn, since they understand that it is not just an opener to your heart but also to your wallet. Palestine is a totally different feeling from Israel and pretty much like Jordan. Despite this, the effective Israeli occupation triggers a lot of trouble from time to time. Security concerns result in travel between Israel and the Palestinian Territories being tightly controlled on occasions. Travelers should ensure that their travel documentation is entirely in order and should monitor local news channels in case the security situation changes suddenly. Delays may occur at checkpoints unexpectedly, especially if there has been recent violence or political events, or if you are Arab or Arab-looking. It may be quicker to cross a checkpoint on foot rather than in a vehicle, and then take a taxi to your destination once you get through. It is strongly advised to keep Palestinian flags, PA/PLO pamphlets, and similar articles out of plain sight when going through Israeli checkpoints. Many people send their souvenirs from the Palestinian territories home by Israeli-postal service parcels to avoid having to take the Palestinian-themed souvenirs through Ben Gurion Airport and risk being interrogated by Israeli security for long periods of time about their visits to Palestinian cities.

A few hints for a successful trip:

 * Most Palestinian cities are now relatively safe. Regardless, in some areas or at particular times (such as weddings), gunfire can be heard. This appears to be becoming less and less common, however. Also, bear in mind that fireworks are popular in the cities, and it is possible that what you are hearing is not gunfire at all.
 * Always bring a copy of your passport along with your original and hide the copy in your hotel room.
 * Both Israeli and Palestinian security services may ask for ID, so carry your passport at all times.
 * Show respect at places of worship. Take off your shoes before entry, and women shouldn't come into a mosque without covering their heads. It is not usually necessary to cover your face.
 * As a foreigner you are likely to be noticed and many people will call to you as you walk around. This is almost always friendly and well-intentioned although you should be cautious at night in any city.
 * Consider hiring a local tour guide/translator who can also keep you out of trouble.
 * Use caution around political rallies. You might get hurt by stones, tear gas, etc., and the Israeli military often uses deadly force against the protesters. It is safer to keep your distance from political demonstrations.
 * While taking photographs and videos is generally fine, avoid filming anything that could make the Israeli military look bad. Phones and cameras are often inspected at Israeli military checkpoints, and at best, doing so will result in those videos and images being deleted, and at worst could result in you being arrested on national security grounds.

Stay healthy
Beware of local water, including ice cubes - bottled is the way to go. Running water is only available for 3 days a week outside the Israeli settlements.

Go next
Although Gaza has great potential as a seaside resort as it once was, today it is closed for tourism due to the Israeli and Egyptian land, sea, and air blockade. The logical next destinations are the bordering countries of Israel or Egypt, though be aware of the political atmosphere when you are traveling and plan accordingly. This concerns Israel in times of higher tensions, when the border and checkpoints are guarded more heavily, and Egypt due to the fact that Sinai has become a breeding ground for ISIL (Daesh) lately.

For details on the travel between the West Bank and Jordan, see Jordan.

title: Palestinian territories


text:
Pali

Pali is a city of 230,000 people (2011) in Rajasthan state. It is located north of Bandi river, a tributary of Luni river. It is known as "The Industrial City".

Get in
Pali is 70 km (43 mi) south east of Jodhpur.

Pali is well connected by road and rail with Beawar & Jodhpur.

Pali Railway station has service from major cities railway stations like Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Chennai, Bikaner, Pali, Jaipur, Ahmedabad.

Jodhpur Airport (75 km away) which is well connected with regular domestic flights from Delhi and Mumbai.

See

 * Maili Mata Temple near Jojawar
 * Maili Mata Temple near Jojawar
 * Maili Mata Temple near Jojawar
 * Maili Mata Temple near Jojawar

Buy
Pali is famous for its sweet named Gulab Halwa made from milk and rose. Pali is also famous for its Mehendi (henna), which is mainly produced in Sojat city which is 40 km (25 mi) away from Pali). It is also known as textile hub of Rajasthan. It is also well known for Papad.

Eat
Dal-bati, churma and lapsi.

title: Pali


text:
Palić

Palić is a city in Serbia in proximity of Subotica.

Understand
With its 7 km long lake, Palić was an elite resort and spa at the turn of the 19th and 20th century. The image of Palić has permanently been changing, improving and modernising, although it avoided the temptation of industrialisation.

Get in
The only way to get into the city by the means of public transportation is by bus #6 from Subotica, which run every 20 minutes and the ride takes about 15 min. From Subotica buses run in the following directions: Novi Sad and Belgrade (ca. every hour), Budapest (one bus per day), Szeged (4 departures per day).

Another option to get to the city is by car, the closest E-75 highway runs in 3.2 km away. Taxi ride from the center of Subotica costs 550 RSD (Aug 2018). Distances to nearby cities: Subotica (8 km), Horgoš (border crossing, 20 km), Kelebija (border crossing, 20 km), Novi Sad (100 km), Belgrade (181 km), Szeged (Hungary) (40 km), Budapest (175 km).

Get around
Bus #6 runs though the city following Horgoški put road, but it is of very limited help.

There are a few taxi companies operating in Palic, major taxi stands are and.

See

The two architects, Komor and Jakab, who left a permanent impression on the architecture of the city, also designed remarkable buildings in Palic as well, and these were also built in Hungarian art nouveau and dominated by woodcarvings inspired by folk handicrafts.

 * The colourful resort houses-villas round up the Palic image.  was built in eclectic style and   (an interesting name for an interesting building: "the owl’s castle") are “Swiss-type” villas, and their roofs are covered with multicoloured plain tiles made by the Zsolnay Manufacture.
 * In the heart of the Grand Park there is specific facility,, where the Palic International Film Festival is held every summer.

Eat

 * Jadran, Horgoški put 35, +38124 / 755-104
 * Majkin salaš , Salaš 249, +38124 / 753-672,
 * Sarvaš, Hajdukovo, Borisa Kidriča 30, +38124 / 758-335
 * Sunjog čarda, Hajdukovo, Vizitorski centar, +38124 / 758-083
 * Vinski dvor , Hajdukovo, Hajdukovo bb, +38124 / 754-645,c
 * Paprika čarda, Vikend naselje bb, +38124 / 63/727-42-35.
 * Jadran, Horgoški put 35, +38124 / 755-104
 * Majkin salaš , Salaš 249, +38124 / 753-672,
 * Sarvaš, Hajdukovo, Borisa Kidriča 30, +38124 / 758-335
 * Sunjog čarda, Hajdukovo, Vizitorski centar, +38124 / 758-083
 * Vinski dvor , Hajdukovo, Hajdukovo bb, +38124 / 754-645,c
 * Paprika čarda, Vikend naselje bb, +38124 / 63/727-42-35.
 * Vinski dvor , Hajdukovo, Hajdukovo bb, +38124 / 754-645,c
 * Paprika čarda, Vikend naselje bb, +38124 / 63/727-42-35.

Go next

 * Budapest
 * Novi Sad
 * Subotica

title: Palić


text:
Palisade

Palisade is a town in the northwestern part of the Rocky Mountains state of Colorado near Grand Junction. Palisade is perhaps most famous for its fruit orchards and the vineyards that comprise Colorado's Wine Country.

Understand
Founded in 1904, Palisade is an area of breathtaking beauty and agricultural bounty. Named for the austere and dramatic stone palisades of Mesa Verde Sandstone and Mancos Shale north of town, this sleepy farming community is surrounded by mesas of all shapes and sizes. Looming in front of the town are the dun-colored bluffs of the Bookcliffs, also known as the Palisades. The Bookcliffs form many different pillars, boulders and hoodoos that balance in seemingly impossible positions along Interstate 70.

Palisade is peach country, home to the eponymous Palisade Peach. Over 75 percent of Colorado's wine grapes come from Palisade, and the town is home to over a dozen wineries. Most visitors come in the summer months, or early fall when the grapes are being harvested.

The best times to visit Palisade are May, June or September. The weather is mild and there are an abundance of outdoor activities to enjoy. The town is probably best known for its three big festivals, Palisade Bluegrass and Roots Festival, Palisade Peach Fest, and Colorado Mountain Wine Fest.

There is an informal, rustic charm to this small town. Historic Victorian gingerbread houses line the road into town, while Main Street offers a "Norman Rockwell" setting. Most of the inhabitants know each other by first name. Travelers can experience this camaraderie first hand at the summer farmers' market, held downtown on the weekends. The market features local musicians, artists and fresh produce.

The changing seasons bring something different for visitors to enjoy. The fruit trees blossom in the early spring, the grapes hang heavy on the vines at harvest time, while the grape leaves turn red and orange in late fall.

Palisade is the perfect coda to the more frenetic and higher-priced ski resorts of Aspen or Vail. Visitors can relax on the front porch of a local inn or bed and breakfast, sip fine wine and enjoy the scenery, all without breaking their budgets.

By plane
You're going to have to rely on neighboring Grand Junction, just 10 minutes away by car or taxi, to fly into Palisade.

 * Grand Junction Regional Airport,, otherwise known as Walker Field, is served by six airlines with nonstop service to Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. Some service is seasonal. For private pilots, it is also possible to fly your small plane into the airport and leave it while you tour the area. Taxi service is also available at the airport. Car rental at Walker Field includes Advantage, Alamo, Avis and Hertz.  Taxi service is also available at the airport.
 * Denver International Airport, . Commonly referred to as DIA.  It is located about 20 miles to the east of downtown Denver. Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines all maintain hubs at the airport in Concourses A, B, and C respectively. Most other major domestic carriers also have service here.

By car
Palisade is on Interstate 70, about 40 minutes east of the Utah border and 4 hours west of Denver.

By train
Amtrak serves nearby Grand Junction with the California Zephyr, which runs daily between Emeryville (in the San Francisco Bay Area) and Chicago.

By bus
Greyhound Bus Lines is located at 230 S 5th St, Grand Junction -. But if you're without a car, you'll still need to hail a cab into town.

By bike
For extreme mountain bikers, it's possible to follow the Kokopelli Trail from Moab, Utah, then join up with the Colorado River Front Trail system and bicycle all the way to Palisade. This is a five or six day, strenuous excursion where you must pack in your own food, shelter and water.

Get around
The downtown area of Main Street is small but charming, and easily navigated on foot. The wineries and orchards, however, require a bicycle or car to visit.

See

The primary thing to see in Palisade are the town's orchards and wineries. For more winery information, see Colorado's Wine Country.

Do
Healthy outdoor activities comprise the lion's share of fun things to do in the Grand Valley. Most of these activities will take place on one of the surrounding mesas. On top of the Bookcliffs roams a herd of federally-protected wild mustangs. It’s possible to visit them and see this symbol of the Wild West. The Bookcliffs culminate in Mount Garfield, an icon of the Grand Valley, majestically rising above Palisade's vineyards. There is an arduous yet extremely rewarding trail to Mount Garfield's summit. To the east of town lie the verdant evergreen slopes of the Grand Mesa, largest flattop mountain in the world, and home to many great activities such as skiing, hiking, fishing and horse back riding. (No fall trip to the mesa would be complete without a drive to see the changing aspen leaves.) To the south of Palisade are the red sandstone formations of the Colorado National Monument.

You can drive to all these mesas. They are also interlaced with a variety of hike-able and bike-able trails. Bring your camera. All these rocky formations provide a photogenic setting that frames the irrigated farm land on the valley floor.

Festivals & events

 * April Annual Peach Blossom Art Show, "Barrel Into Spring” Barrel Tasting, Palisade Honey Bee Festival
 * May Palisade Bike Festival, “Barrel Into Spring” Barrel Tasting
 * June Palisade Bluegrass and Roots Festival, Palisade Sunday Market, Antique Motorcycle Show, Country Jam USA
 * July Fourth of July Celebrations, Mesa County Fair, Palisade Sunday Market
 * August Palisade Peach Festival, Ravenshire Renaissance and Pirate Faire, Palisade Sunday Market
 * September Colorado Mountain Winefest, Tour of the Vineyards, Palisade Sunday Market, Rock Jam
 * November Thanksgiving in the Vineyards at the Wine Country Inn
 * December Palisade Olde Fashioned Christmas

Wineries
There are over a dozen wineries in the Palisade area to visit.

Sleep
Additional lodging options can be found in the nearby towns of Fruita, Clifton and Grand Junction.

Internet access
Most Starbucks, hotels and coffee shops throughout the region offer wireless Wi-Fi access. But if you don't have a computer, try the public library in Grand Junction.

Go next
Neighboring Grand Junction is worth seeing. Palisade can also act as the hub for a series of day trips to Telluride, Aspen and Vail, as well as Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park.

title: Palisade


text:
Palisades

The Palisades are cliffs in New Jersey & New York. They rise on the western banks of the Hudson River. They range from 300 to 500 feet (90-150 m). There are parks, camp sites, look outs and hiking trails on the Palisades north of the George Washington Bridge.

Understand
The Palisades are cliffs that formed millions of years ago. They are the most prominent geological feature in the New York City Metropolitan Area. Many of the cliffs south of the George Washington Bridge are heavily developed. Much of the area north of the bridge was bought by Palisades Park Organization which helped preserve the natural beauty of the cliffs and saved it from development and destruction.

See and do
There are beautiful hiking trails and breathtaking views from look-outs in these parks.

title: Palisades


text:
Palisade State Park

Palisade State Park & Reservoir is a park in Central Utah that draws swimmers, year-round anglers and non-motorized watercraft enthusiasts. There is also an 18-hole golf course, practice range, professional golf shop and snack bar that is truly world class. Hiking areas abound and Six-Mile Canyon provides excellent off-highway vehicle riding just outside the park.

Fees and permits

 * Day-use fee:$8

title: Palisade State Park


text:
Palitana

Palitana a city and a municipality in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, 50 km south-west of Bhavnagar city. It is a major pilgrimage centre for Jains.

Understand
Palitana was founded in 1194 and was ruled by nobles until it joined the newly independent country of India in 1948. No-one is allowed to sleep overnight including the priest, because the temple city was built as an abode for the Gods. The temples have been renovated 16 times over the centuries: the Sixteenth Renovation took place in 1587.

Palitana is the fantastic hilltop Jain temple city, an essential holy pilgrimage destination for this nonviolent community. A city of gleaming marble monuments housing representations of the few human souls that have managed to be liberated from the cycle of life.

By plane
Bhavnagar, the nearest airport, is 51 km from Palitana, but it connects only with Mumbai.

For people coming from other places, a more convenient airport would be Ahmedabad which has an international airport, or Vadodara, which hosts many domestic flights from important cities like Mumbai and Delhi.

By train
Palitana has a small railway station with connections only to Bhavnagar. However, there is more rail traffic to Bhavnagar, so it may be more convenient in many cases to take a train to Bhavnagar and travel from there to Palitana by road.

By bus
There are buses from Bhavnagar to Palitana. Regular buses are also available from Ahmedabad, Talaja, Una, and Diu, and every day from Mumbai. The bus stand is 800 m away from the Palitana railway station.

By taxi
Taxis are available on hire for Palitana from Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad or Vadodara.

Get around
The autorickshaws, Chhakadas and rarely horse-carts are available to move around and in the town.

Do

 * Tirthankar Adishwar Bhagwan (god) is the "Mul-nayak" (main) bhagwan (god) on the top of Palitana and the most holy thing to do in life is to do puja (nine places on body of god). You can take help of any Jain tourist if you do not know the process of Puja. By performing puja you internal soul will get enlightenment.

Buy
You can buy very good quality Indian handicrafts in Palitana. You can buy popular local snacks like Bhel and marmalade made of rose petals: Gulkand.

Eat
Palitana is famous for its Bhel with Pomegranate seeds.

Drink
Indian desi soda (lemon soda), sugarcane juice

Sleep
There are plenty of dharmashalas where one can choose to stay. However, please ensure to abide by the religious code of conduct, while staying there.

Go next

 * Bhavnagar

title: Palitana


text:
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is Finland's most visited national park, on the border between Forest-Lapland and Fell-Lapland in Finnish Lapland. The park lies in the municipalities of Enontekiö, Kittilä, Kolari, and Muonio. With an area of the park is third in size in Finland. It has around 350 km (220 miles) of marked hiking trails and 500 km of cross-country skiing trails. It is the most visited national park in Finnish Lapland. Services, such as meals in the terrain, are available in a larger extent than in most Finnish national parks.

Understand

The fell area is above the tree line, enabling visitors to experience Fell-Lapland where Forest-Lapland still dominates, with the northern bound of spruce forest going through the park. Height differences are more than 500 m, which is unusual for Finland. The location gives an interesting mixture of fells, forests and mires, associated species and local livelihood (where farming ends and reindeer husbandry becomes important). Enontekiö, with its centre Hetta at the northern end of the park, is part of the Sami native region (where the Sámi have special rights, such as Sámi being an official language).

Due to the nearby ski resorts (Ylläs, Äkäslompolo and Levi) and the comparably southern location, connections to the park are good (especially in season), with night trains, planes and coaches (combining with regional bus or shuttle taxi transport). The park is visited by around 400,000 people per year.

History
The Hetta-Pallas hiking trail is the oldest in Finland. Pallas-Ounastunturi National Park, one of the oldest in the country, was founded 1938. It was merged with the Ylläs-Aakenustunturi protected area 2005, and the new Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park was formed.

Climate
The peak season is in February–April (especially the winter vacations of schools and Easter). In March–April the snow is at its thickest and the days often warm and sunny. Harsh weather is possible, though.

Earlier in the winter conditions are demanding also without any surprises. Daylight is scarce. Temperatures below -20°C (0°F) are normal and -40°C/F possible.

May to middle June is spring, with lots of water because of melting snow. Trails are very susceptible to wear.

Summer and early autumn, from mid June onwards, are also popular seasons. With the summer come the mosquitoes and their friends. Visitors should take precautions, such as having long sleeves, repellent and mosquito-proof tents.

Ruska, the time of red and yellow leaves, starts in mid-September and last for a few weeks, unless ended earlier by a storm. Snowfall is possible. Winter starts at the end of October, although before New Year there is often only little snow.

Get in
You may enter the park anywhere. There are three visitor centres:

The trails and tracks are in reach also from most other villages in the area.

There is a lake between Hetta and the park. You can ask any of several entrepreneurs for a boat ride. The other visitor centres are close to the trails of the park.

If coming from outside Lapland you probably want to come by air or train, due to the distances. There are sleeping cars on the night trains, and you can also take your car on the train.

By plane
The nearest airports are those in Kittilä and Hetta ("Enontekiö"), with daily flights from Helsinki to the former, daily in peak seasons to the latter. Flights to Rovaniemi are also an option. There are coach and shuttle taxi connections to Ylläsjärvi and Äkäslompolo from the flights to Kittilä. Outside peak season the shuttle taxi to Äkäslompolo has to be reserved in advance (phone +358 600-14919). Most coaches drive via the airports (see below).

By train
There are daily train connections from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, and in peak seasons to Kolari. The trains take sleeping cars also from Turku. There are coach connections for the remaining distance, some of which can be booked together with the train ticket. Some of the trains from Helsinki start at Pasila instead of the main railway station. Book in time in peak season.

You can take your car on the train (with some combinations of stations). Note the loading times.

The Swedish trains stop at Luleå. You can continue by coach via Haparanda and Tornio.

By bus
There are coach connections from Helsinki via Rovaniemi to Kittilä, Muonio and Hetta. Also daily connection to Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi from Kemi.

There are coach services to Ylläsjärvi and Äkäslompolo from the trains to Kolari and on school days also from Kittilä (or Kolari, now that the municipality border has changed?).

In season (late June to the autumn, December to spring) there is a coach connection from Tromsø via Palojoensuu, Muonio and Kittilä to Rovaniemi. From Palojoensuu one can continue to Hetta.

Also in the summer there is a connection from Alta via Kautokeino, Kivilompolo, Hetta, Muonio and Kittilä to Rovaniemi.

By taxi
There are taxis in most of the villages around the park.

Fees and permits
There are no entrance or hiking fees for the park. There are a few restricted areas, where access is allowed only along marked trails, otherwise you may choose your own routes, as long as you do not cause erosion or otherwise harm the environment.

Beds in the reservation huts are available for a fee paid in advance (about €13/person/night).

Fishing is possible for a fee. Permits for Lake Pallasjärvi are sold at Pallastunturi Visitor Centre, permits for Lake Kesänkijärvi at Kellokas Visitor Centre.

Equipment, such as boats, canoes, skis, mountain bikes and hiking boots, can be rented from local businesses.

Events for large groups (more than 50) require permission.

Get around

Hiking, skiing, rowing and canoeing is allowed without restrictions in most of the park. There are also routes for mountain biking. There are a few restricted areas, where entry is prohibited or trails must be used some parts of the year.

There are outdoor maps (1:50 000) for Pallas–Olos, Pallas–Ylläs and Ylläs–Levi. There are also other maps, such as about trails and skiing tracks in an area. The general maps are sold by Karttakeskus and some or all of the visitor centres, some of the special maps by one of the visitor centres and by local tourist information points. The general maps are probably available also in some book and outdoor stores in other parts of the country.

There are several nature trails in the Ylläs, Pallas and Ounastunturi areas (1.5–17 km), with information boards about the theme of the trail.

There are two circle trails near Pallastunturi.

There are four long hiking trails:
 * Hetta–Pallas (55 km)
 * Pallas–Ylläs (72 km)
 * Ylläs–Levi (50 km)
 * Ylläs–Olos (54 km)

There are over 500 km of cross-country skiing trails in the area. Near Äkäslompolo, Ylläsjärvi, Jerisjärvi, Pallastunturi, Vuontispirtti and Hetta there are lanes for free style skiing by the tracks, otherwise the tracks are for "classical" style skiing. Some of the most remote routes ("wilderness skiing trails") are maintained just by driving along them by snowmobile, thus packing the snow.

Ordinary modern cross-country skis are for skiing in prepared tracks. If you deviate from these you may not be able to cope with changing snow conditions. If you plan to choose your own routes, then get skis intended for loose snow (but not wider than 65 mm, as that is what the tracks presume).

Biking is allowed on a few specific routes (hikers have right of way):
 * from Ylläs to Levi (50–60 km)
 * from Äkäslompolo to the cabin at Peurakaltio (25 km)
 * the old road to Sammaltunturi (8 km)

There are also shorter snow shoe walking trails at Ylläs, Pallas and Hetta.

See

 * Nature
 * Varkaankuru Herb-rich Forest
 * Exhibitions at the visitor centres
 * Vuovjjuš – Wanderers exhibition: about the nomadic Sámi culture and northern nature
 * Travellers of the North: about researchers, tourists, and other travellers
 * Nestling: children's exhibition
 * From Forest to Fell Tops: flora and fauna changing by elevation
 * about the research of the Meteorological Institute, with a research station at Sammaltunturi
 * Temporary exhibitions of art and photography
 * Meän elämää (Our Life): life in the villages of the fells and the Tornio-Muoniojoki area, the rivers and other natural features
 * Gallery Kellokas: temporary exhibitions
 * Our Gallery: temporary exhibitions by Metsähallitus
 * The hiking exhibition
 * Art yard outside the centre
 * Logging Museum
 * Our Gallery: temporary exhibitions by Metsähallitus
 * The hiking exhibition
 * Art yard outside the centre
 * Logging Museum

Do
Hiking, obviously. There is a lot more services in this national parks than what is usual in Finland. You should be able to find full service packages with somebody preparing your meals, heating the sauna, transporting your luggage and guiding you along the trails. There is still plenty of backcountry for those preferring more lonely paths (although you will meet day hikers closer to the resorts).

Eat
There are several villages and holiday resorts around the park. Also in the park there are a few cafés, open at least in the peak spring season. Meals can also be arranged to be served in the terrain through several businesses.

Berries and edible mushrooms may be picked, except in the restricted areas.

There are stoves in the wilderness huts. In some of the huts there is a separate gas stove for cooking, which is safe also in dry periods.

Campfires are allowed at the campfire sites and also by water in the wilderness zone. At the official campfire sites, including lap pole tents and lean-to shelters, firewood is provided (use sparingly). Twigs and dead branches on the ground can be used as firewood elsewhere.

In times of wildfire warnings open fires are prohibited. In really dry periods also using the wood heated stoves is advised against, as sparkles can be enough to light a wildfire.

Carrying a portable stove is recommended for most visitors. These can be used (with due care) also during wildfire warnings.

Drink
Water near the huts may be unhealthy (not everybody is careful with washing dishes, etc.) There are usually instructions about recommended water sources in the hut's instruction folder. At some huts the water has to be boiled.

Water in the wilderness is usually potable, but in warm weather or if there is some other reason to doubt the quality, boiling the water before drinking is recommended.

Sleep

You may choose to sleep in a tent, or be forced to by weather or crowded huts. Night temperatures can be slightly below freezing even in summer, so sleeping bags for "three seasons" are recommended most of the year. In wintertime you will probably plan to use huts, where such a sleeping bag is OK, but make sure you will survive with your equipment also if you have to camp before getting there.

There are many tourist businesses offering lodging outside the park proper. See Hetta, Kittilä (Jerisjärvi/Rauhala), Ylläs and Äkäslompolo

Lodging
Lodging for the peak seasons should be reserved early, at least half a year in advance for the Hetta–Pallas trail. Open wilderness huts, which cannot be reserved, can get crowded.

Use the guest books at the huts and possibly at other facilities. Besides being fun to read, the guest books are important for knowing how much the facilities are used and, in case of emergencies, to establish how far you have got.

In the park, there are two rental huts, which can be reserved for small parties (5–9 persons, €100/day): Kesänkijärvi, Keimiöjärvi. Sauna included, rowing boat and swimming beach at Kesänkijärvi. Reservation at Kellokas respectively at Pallastunturi Visitor Centre.

There are three reservation huts in the Pallas area, where beds can be reserved for €10/night. Keys can be picked up at any of the three visitor centres, but reservations should be made at Pallastunturi Visitor Centre.

There are 18 open wilderness huts in the park. Beds cannot be reserved. The last to arrive have an absolute right to the facilities, so at least in peak season it is wise to use tents for sleeping.

Camping
There are no camping sites in the park. There is a parking area for caravans near Pallastunturi Visitor Centre and real camping sites at Hotel Pallas, Vuontispirtti, Jeris, Hetta, Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi.

Camping in tents is allowed in the vicinity of wilderness huts and campfire sites.

Backcountry
In the wilderness zone of the park camping in tents is allowed anywhere. Lighting campfires is restricted, see Eat above.

Cope
Take all waste out of the area. There are recycling points at the visitor centres. There are also waste bins at some of the huts, but these should not be used unless necessary.

Dry toilets can be found at open and reservable wilderness huts, day trip huts, lean-to shelters and at most campfire sites. Carry your own toilet paper.

Dogs may not be allowed in the wilderness huts (either outright forbidden or requiring permission from the other guests, there is contradicting information). Use tents if you have a dog. Do not let the dog disturb wildlife.

Stay safe
Let somebody know your routes and timetables (including backup plans) and have a dead line when rescue authorities should be called (112). Remember to tell about changes in your plans and about your having returned. The business where your have been or are going to sleep can be used, as can the visitor centres.

There are areas without GSM coverage or where the coverage is spotty. Connections are usually best in open or high areas.

Be prepared to help yourself for quite some time in any emergency, especially in bad weather.

Weather can change quickly on the fells. Be prepared for fog and blizzards. Have a compass and a good map even if following marked trails, and be prepared to have to camp earlier than planned.

In midwinter the conditions can be extreme, with poor light, possibly snowstorms and temperatures of -40°C (-40°F). Be prepared for cold weather also in autumn and spring.

Some stretches on the summer routes can have extreme conditions in winter, such as hurricane force winds when winds are moderate elsewhere. Use them only in the summer season.

Go next

 * Pöyrisjärvi Wilderness Area, north of Hetta

title: Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park


text:
Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is the island's only true city. A city on the island of Mallorca, one of the Balearic Islands off the Spanish east coast. Mallorca is one of Europe's major holiday destinations, with many tourists coming from everywhere, every year. Palma is a city of modern hotel chains, and flashy shops, yet, is dated and still retains much of the old architecture, with the Old Town having narrow streets, and showing the restored cathedral standing proud in the centre of town.

Understand
Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Balearic Islands, is the largest city in Mallorca. The population of Palma municipality was approximately 410,000 in 2018. Half the population of Mallorca lives in the city of Palma.

The city occupies the northwestern end of a bay in the southwest of the island of Mallorca. The city council also has jurisdiction over the sub-archipelago of Cabrera including the islands of Cabrera, Conejera, Estells, Imperial, Rodon, Foradada, Plana, and Pobra.

The name Palma dates back to the Roman settlement on the site of the present city, although the area had been settled during the Bronze Age. In the early Middle Ages it was conquered by Arabs, who named it Madina Mayurqa. In 1229 it was conquered by King Jaime I, ruler of Valencia and Aragon, and became an important trade city. Palma saw its Dark Ages in the 16th century, when a significant decline was caused by attacks from Turkish and Berber Pirates and through plague. Lasting until the 18th century, Felipe V changed the government which made Palma the capital of the Balearic Islands. Later, Carlos III established a free trade pact with the Indies, which had a huge impact on Palma's economy.

The city became a tourist destination in the 1950s, and tourist numbers have continually increased in the subsequent half century. Palma is a busy commercial and cultural center of Mallorca. This independent region of the Balearic Islands of Spain has over half of the island's population.

The holiday season lasts from the end of April until October. Temperatures range from and may require a jacket in the evenings.

Palma de Mallorca, during the 19th century, more sea traffic would come in bringing in much economic growth for the island.

By plane
Onward transport: EMT buses are blue, white and green and run year-round. Bus A1 runs to city centre (Porta des Camp, Sindicat Interchange, Railway Station, Alemanya Interchange and Passeig Mallorca) every 15 minutes from 06:15 to midnight then at 01:00, 02:00 and 03:00. Bus A2 runs southeast to S'Arenal hourly from 06:15 to 22:15. In 2024 the single adult fare for either is €5. You can pay on board; buying from the machine in the terminal costs the same but is also valid for one transfer. Bus 34 runs hourly from the airport to the north suburbs and Son Espases, but you're unlikely to use it.

TIB buses are red and yellow, and run April-Oct to other towns:
 * A11 goes west to Portals Nous, Costa d'en Blanes, Son Caliu, Palmanova, Magaluf, Santa Ponça, Galatzó, Peguera and Camp de Mar.
 * A32 goes northeast to Inca, Sa Pobla, Alcúdia, Platja de Muro and Can Picafort.
 * A42 goes east to Algaida, Montuïri, Vilafranca, Manacor, Portocristo, S'Illot, Sa Coma, Cala Millor and Cala Bona.
 * A51 goes southeast to S'Arenal, Llucmajor and Campos.

A taxi ride to city centre costs €28 daytime, €34 midnight to 05:00, and takes 15 minutes in normal traffic. See Welcome Pick-ups for rates to other towns - these are usually the best option for families or groups.

By boat
Ferries sail to Palma from Barcelona (7 hr), Denia (5 hr) and Valencia (7 hr). Inter-island ferries sail to Palma from Ibiza (2-4 hr), Formentara (4 hr) and Mahon on Menorca (6 hr).

Ferry lines are Trasmed, Baleària and GNV. There are no ferries to Mallorca from France, Italy or North Africa.

Cruise liners often call at Palma as they tour the Med.

is 2 km southwest of town centre.

By road
All roads and routes converge on Palma from around the island. About the furthest point you could come from, Cala Ratjada on the east coast, is 83 km and takes 70 min. TIB buses run the out-of-town routes and EMT within Palma.

There are no road links from the other Balearic islands, nor plans to build any.

By train
is the main train, bus and metro station, underground at Plaça d'Espanya. Metre-gauge trains run to Inca, Sa Pobla and Manacor, see TIB for timetables and fares.

Ferrocarril de Soller is the quaint wooden electric train (914 m gauge) to Sóller - these depart from across the street at C d'Eusebi Estada. See Tren de Sóller for timetables and fares. At Sóller a tram continues to the coast.

By public transport
Buses and trains are the two forms of shared public transport in Palma de Mallorca. The local buses are run by Empresa Municipal de Transportes Urbanes de Palma de Mallorca (EMT) and are very frequent. They have particularly good coverage of the beaches and the centre of the city. The main train system is operated by Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca (SFM), Mallorca Railway Services.

The Palma City Sightseeing bus (which is numbered line 50 on the EMT bus maps) does a circuit of Palma that includes tourist attractions like Pueblo Español and major shopping centres like Av. Jaume III and Porto Pi, as well as the ferry and commercial ports. The buses are double-decker and the top floor is open air. A basic audio tour is free with the tickets. The tickets are €15 adults and €6.50 children for one day (24 Hours) which is much higher than the other city buses, but they are valid for reboarding as many times as you like within 24 hours, and this is the only bus route that visits the Castell de Bellver. The two-day fare is €16.25 for adults and €8.13 for children from the age of 8 to 16. The first bus in the winter season starts from Cathedral at 10:00 and the last bus in winter starts from the same place at 18:00.

By bicycle
Cycling is a great way to get around Palma and along the coastline near Palma. Excellent bicycle paths have been made.

See

 * A total solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 Aug 2026, starting at 20:31 and lasting 90 seconds. The chances of a clear sky are 65%, and you need a clear view to the northwest horizon, as the sun will be setting over the sea. The Palma area is the last viewing point for this eclipse before sunset ends the show.

City centre

 * El Casco Antiguo is the historical centre, encompassing most city sights such as the cathedral and Royal Palace. It's a pleasant area to stroll, with narrow shady streets and glimpses of private courtyards. It's bounded by city walls (Dalt Murada) with an inner elevated plaza, while the ring-road outside zig-zags past the Vauban fortifications.
 * Ses Voltes is the plaza south side of the cathedral. It has views over Parc de la Mar and sometimes hosts events.
 * S'Hort del Rei are Moorish gardens just west of the palace.
 * Convent of St Clara is east side of Banys Àrabs. The "Poor Clares" (Hermanas Pobres) were founded in 1212 and the church is from 1671. The nuns make cookies, remaining in seclusion as you pass your money through a hatch and they push out the goodies.
 * Santa Eulàlia is an attractive gothic church 100 m west of Sant Francesc, but many visitors feel it's not worth the €5.
 * Convent of St Clara is east side of Banys Àrabs. The "Poor Clares" (Hermanas Pobres) were founded in 1212 and the church is from 1671. The nuns make cookies, remaining in seclusion as you pass your money through a hatch and they push out the goodies.
 * Santa Eulàlia is an attractive gothic church 100 m west of Sant Francesc, but many visitors feel it's not worth the €5.
 * Santa Eulàlia is an attractive gothic church 100 m west of Sant Francesc, but many visitors feel it's not worth the €5.
 * Santa Eulàlia is an attractive gothic church 100 m west of Sant Francesc, but many visitors feel it's not worth the €5.
 * Santa Eulàlia is an attractive gothic church 100 m west of Sant Francesc, but many visitors feel it's not worth the €5.
 * Basílica de Sant Miquel is 100 m north of the Foundation. It was a mosque converted to a church in 1229, but re-built in the 14th century and expanded in the 17th.
 * is a leafy triangle in the west of Casco Antiguo with many interesting Art Nouveau buildings. The church of San Nicolás just south was completed in 1712.

Further out

 * Paseo Marítimo is the promenade, flanked by busy Av de Gabriel Roca. Its east end is under the town walls, with Parc de la Mar and the artificial lake. It continues past Llotja and the marina, then the coast trends south to the ferry pier and main harbour. This south end is a pub and club strip, with discos thumping music till dawn, and the floodlit cathedral in the background.
 * Transilvania Cafetería-Museum is a schlock-horror waxworks. It's at C de Jaume Ferran 38, 200 m north of Jacint Verdaguer railway station, and open Tu-Sa 17:00-00:00.

Do

 * Platja de Can Pere Antoni is the most central beach, starting 500 m east of Parc de la Mar beneath the cathedral. Some traffic noise, the east end is a little quieter. There are showers and lockers here.
 * Ciudad Jardín is 2 km east of Platja de Can Pere Antoni. It's a white sandy strip 450 m long, seldom crowded, with a series of jetties to curb erosion.
 * Ca'n Pastilla beach starts further east near the aquarium and airport, and stretches 4 km to become Playa S'Arenal.
 * Cala Major is a suburb 4 km southwest of Palma de Mallorca with lots of high-rise hotels. The beach is 200 m long and 80 m wide and can get busy at the height of summer, but the water is crystal clear and suitable for kiddy-bathing.
 * Marineland: see Magaluf for this marine zoo to the west near Costa d'en Blanes beach.
 * Football: RCD Mallorca play soccer in La Liga, Spain's top tier. Their home ground is Estadi de Son Moix or Visit Mallorca Stadium (capacity 23,000), 2 km northwest of city centre.
 * Plaza de Toros is the bullring, and still used for bullfights, but also stages concerts. It's at Av Gaspar de Bennazar 32, 500 m north of Jacint Verdaguer railway station.
 * Golf: the closest courses are Son Muntaner and Son Vida, together in the hills 3 km northwest of city centre.
 * Golf: the closest courses are Son Muntaner and Son Vida, together in the hills 3 km northwest of city centre.

 * Mallorca Live is a rock and pop music festival in mid June.
 * Festival de Pollença is classical music, throughout August.
 * Evolution Film Festival is first week in November. Fonart Short Film Festival is no longer held.
 * Smooth Jazz Festival is likewise first week in November.
 * Festa de l’Estendard is an end-of-year event in December, with a Mass at La Seu.

Buy

 * El Corte Ingles is the Spanish national department store. It has large branches on Av de Jaume III west side of old town (open daily), and at Av d'Alexandre Rosselló southast of the railway station (M-Sa).
 * Town centre supermarkets are small, but Mercadona is a large store at Plaça de l'Olivar, 200 m south of the station. It's open M-Sa 09:00-21:30.

Work
All EU citizens have the legal right to work. Getting a job, even temporary ones, for non-Spanish speakers is hard to find in a Spanish speaking environment (most Spanish do not speak English). So you may try looking for temporary jobs as bartending or waiting at English, Irish or German owned bars and restaurants, mainly in cities outside Palma like Magaluf, S'Arenal and Peguera (for German speaking travellers). In Palma you may try getting day-work washing boats at Palma's Marina. There are several boats and some of the owners may need a hand. Be around 8AM at the Marina and start asking for "day work" to people around the big boats. If you're lucky you'll be making around €100! If you are seeking a career aboard one of the many superyachts in Palma de Mallorca a good place to register and start looking is Crew Central.

Eat

 * See Mallorca for typical island dishes. Useful to know: the phrase for "full English breakfast" is desayuno London.

Budget

 * Budget places are mostly in the old town centre, with a scattering north to Plaça d'en Coll and south to the marina.

Drink

 * City centre has Arlequin, Es Petit Bar, Bar Savoy, Gibson Bar, Bar Nicholas, Can Frasquet and Manto Negro.
 * Marina has Lennox Pub, Abaco (below), Bar Dia, Bodega Ca'n Rigo and Corner Bar.

Sleep
High season is July to September, when Mallorca is mobbed by visitors from Germany, the UK and Ireland. Many hotels close in winter.

Mid-range

 * Valparaiso Palace is hit-and-miss. It's by the ferry port at C de Francesc Vidal i Sureda 23.
 * BG Java at C de la Goleta 7 is comfy enough but sits at the end of the runway, needs better soundproofing.
 * Hotel Ilusion Calma is near the airport and Can Pastilla Marina at C d'Horaci 5. Mostly good reviews.
 * Alua Leo is a Hyatt hotel a short block east of El Cid.
 * HM Tropical at C de Marbella 16 and HM Gran Fiesta at #28 get mixed reviews.
 * HM Ayron Park further south at Trasimeno 7 gets better reviews but rooms are cramped. Adults only.
 * HM Dunas Blancas adjacent is similar.
 * BG Caballero next door has similar price and quality.
 * HM Balanguera Beach is an arty place next to BG Hotel Pamplona, at C de Marbella 35.
 * Iberostar Bahía de Palma is next to Iberostar Selection, similar price and quality.
 * Iberostar Christina is inland next to Iberostar Selection, slightly cheaper but similar quality.
 * Tent Capi Playa is an inexpensive hotel south side of the Iberostar complex.
 * THB Maria Isabel is a clean well-run place east side of the Iberostar complex.
 * Copaiba by Honne is another block east at C de Villagarcia de Arosa 24. Comfy enough, the main gripe is that the restaurant doesn't accept cards or room-credit, you have to pay everything in cash.
 * Universal Hotel Neptuno is at C del Llaüt 34, on the beachfront by Gran Playa. Mostly good reviews but some gripes, and noise from the nearby Megapark. Adults only.
 * Whala!fun is a simple clean place at C Terral 23 in S'Arenal, part of HM chain.
 * Tent Bahia de Palma is adequate for what you pay. It's at C Trencadors 74 in S'Arenal.
 * Bahamas I & II are further inland along Av Europa in S'Arenal.
 * Iberostar Bahía de Palma is next to Iberostar Selection, similar price and quality.
 * Iberostar Christina is inland next to Iberostar Selection, slightly cheaper but similar quality.
 * Tent Capi Playa is an inexpensive hotel south side of the Iberostar complex.
 * THB Maria Isabel is a clean well-run place east side of the Iberostar complex.
 * Copaiba by Honne is another block east at C de Villagarcia de Arosa 24. Comfy enough, the main gripe is that the restaurant doesn't accept cards or room-credit, you have to pay everything in cash.
 * Universal Hotel Neptuno is at C del Llaüt 34, on the beachfront by Gran Playa. Mostly good reviews but some gripes, and noise from the nearby Megapark. Adults only.
 * Whala!fun is a simple clean place at C Terral 23 in S'Arenal, part of HM chain.
 * Tent Bahia de Palma is adequate for what you pay. It's at C Trencadors 74 in S'Arenal.
 * Bahamas I & II are further inland along Av Europa in S'Arenal.
 * Universal Hotel Neptuno is at C del Llaüt 34, on the beachfront by Gran Playa. Mostly good reviews but some gripes, and noise from the nearby Megapark. Adults only.
 * Whala!fun is a simple clean place at C Terral 23 in S'Arenal, part of HM chain.
 * Tent Bahia de Palma is adequate for what you pay. It's at C Trencadors 74 in S'Arenal.
 * Bahamas I & II are further inland along Av Europa in S'Arenal.
 * Whala!fun is a simple clean place at C Terral 23 in S'Arenal, part of HM chain.
 * Tent Bahia de Palma is adequate for what you pay. It's at C Trencadors 74 in S'Arenal.
 * Bahamas I & II are further inland along Av Europa in S'Arenal.

Connect
As of June 2022, Palma has 4G from MasMovil/Yoigo, and 5G from Movistar, Orange and Vodafone.

Stay safe
Take great care of valuables, as town centre has pickpockets a-plenty. Flower girls, street touts and other "distractors" may be working in cahoots with them.

Old Town and El Terreno can be sleazy at night. There are lots of drug misusers, and drink-spiking is not uncommon.

The people of Mallorca regard themselves as Catalan, not Spanish. Respect this, though your roto attempts to speak mainland (Castilian) Spanish will earn more kudos than insisting on English.

Go next

 * All the rest of Mallorca is within an hour or so of Palma. Sóller is a charming small town, reached on the rinky-dinky wooden train.
 * Ferries sail to the other Balearic islands, and Ibiza city is within a day trip.
 * Ferries also sail to the Spanish mainland.

title: Palma de Mallorca