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Sichuan

Sichuan  (四川; Sìchuān; previously known as Szechwan), is a province in Southwest China. It is China's fourth most populous province; at 81 million (2013) it has about the population of Germany.

Historically, Sichuan has been mainly an agricultural region, though with a few important cities. Since the 1980s, it has been a major supplier of migrant labour to more prosperous coastal provinces in East China and South China. Sichuan is now developing rapidly.

The western part of the province was once part of Kham province of the Tibetan Empire, and remains ethnically and culturally Tibetan. Unlike Tibet proper, foreigners are allowed to visit the Tibetan areas of Sichuan without any special permits or being limited to a guided tour, making it an excellent place if you want to experience Tibetan culture independently. See Yunnan tourist trail for one route into Kham.

Cities

 * — the capital of Sichuan with 2,000 years of history, the southeastern part is encircled by small mountains and to the north east is Chengdu Campagna
 * — home to an amazing Tibetan library
 * — rough Tibetan town and launching point for exploring local monasteries
 * — gateway to western Sichuan's Tibetan region
 * — beautiful Tibetan border town sitting in both Gansu and Sichuan, with two monasteries, horse trekking opportunities and a sky burial site
 * — home of the largest stone carved Buddha in the world
 * — base camp for exploring Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve and the Amdo Tibetan culture
 * — on the high-road to Yunnan
 * — An ancient town on the "Southern Silk Road", a city of four seasons.

Other destinations

 * — memorial city destroyed by earthquake and landslide in 2008, parts of it are open to tourists for viewing the damage and paying respect
 * -Jiuzhaigou National Park
 * — Jianmen Pass and Ancient Plankway of Shudao
 * — one of the ancient cradles of Daoism
 * (lit. Bamboo Sea)
 * Nature Reserve
 * — one of the ancient cradles of Daoism
 * (lit. Bamboo Sea)
 * Nature Reserve
 * Nature Reserve

Understand
Climate — See the climate table on the Chengdu page

Sichuan means Four Rivers after the four main rivers in the region. In total 1,300 rivers and streams run through the province. It has been historically and economically known as the "Province of Abundance".

Talk
The native language of most of Sichuan is a variant of Mandarin (Southwest), which differs from standard Mandarin of the northern plains around Beijing significantly in pronunciation, and use of slang which is unique to the area. Nevertheless, fluent speakers of standard Mandarin will be able to understand the local dialect with some difficulty when spoken slowly. Tibetan is still the mother tongue in most of the highland west, and is co-official with Mandarin in Ganzi and Aba prefectures. The Tibetan spoken in Sichuan is the Kham Dialect, which differs significantly from the Standard Tibetan spoken in Lhasa, and is not completely mutually intelligible. Qiangic, spoken by the Qiang minority group and closely related to Tibetan, also native to Sichuan, can also be found in isolated parts of western Sichuan. Virtually all younger people are able to speak standard Mandarin, regardless of what their native language or dialect is.

The vast majority of signage is in Chinese characters throughout the province, though signs in the western part of the province are often bilingual in Chinese and Tibetan. Many young people in Sichuan's larger cities speak some English.

Get in
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan has a fairly large modern airport with domestic connections to many cities all over China and also some international connections. Internationally you can fly from Europe (KLM), Singapore, Japan, Korea and Hong Kong, and many people arrive and depart using the very good air services available.

China has an extensive railway network and Chengdu is well connected to many cities by rail. A fast train connects Chongqing and Chengdu. Chongqing is a very large city which was part of Sichuan until 1997 but now is an independent municipality. Many trains shuttle every day between Chongqing and Chengdu. Not so long ago, the journey took 4 to 8 hours depending on stops. Now a fast bullet train (over 200 km/h) runs several times a day.

Buses run between Chongqing and Chengdu taking about 4 hours.

The bus network within Sichuan is quite extensive and the highways are good. Buses also seem to mostly run on time. Many popular tourist destinations such as Leshan and Jiuzhaigou National Park are served by buses.

Air travel is available within Sichuan if you want to go to Jiuzhaigou National Park, which is over 300 km from Chengdu.

See

 * Jiuzhaigou Lake.jpgDacheng Lamo Kerti Gompa — located at Langmusi, temple where traditional Tibetan sky-burials are still practiced
 * Giant Panda Sanctuaries — Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains" are an UNESCO World Heritage Site
 * Jiuzhaigou Valley
 * Huanglong
 * Mount Qincheng

Do
Go hike and camp in Yading National Nature Reserve of China, where Joseph Rock fell in love with the Chinese landscape and natural world.

Eat
Sichuan cuisine is well-known worldwide, including dishes like Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁 / 宮保雞丁, gōngbǎo jīdīng) and Twice Cooked Pork (回锅肉 / 回鍋肉, huíguōròu). It is also famously spicy, with liberal use of chilies and the indigenous Sichuan pepper (花椒, huājiāo). Sichuan peppers are used to make málà (麻辣) food, which is not just spicy but produces a unique numbing sensation—it makes your mouth feel tingly or numb.

One specialty of the area is the Hot Pot (火锅 / 火鍋, huǒguō), a sort of wide-mouthed soup pot into which an assortment of vegetables and thinly sliced meats are dropped to cook. Typically, the pot has two parts separated by a partition; one side is extremely spicy, the other milder.

Sichuan food plays approximately the role in China that Mexican or Italian food does in the US or Indian food in the UK. It is found more-or-less everywhere and in every style of restaurant from cheap hole-in-the-wall to very fancy indeed.

In the mountainous western part of the province Tibetan cuisine is predominant, meaning that you can try various Tibetan dishes like butter tea and tsampa.

Drink
Wuliangye (五粮液 Wǔliángyè), a representative Chinese liquor.

Chapanda (茶百道). A local tea drink chain brand in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, insisting on the original leaf freshly extracted to ensure that the tea soup removes both the astringent flavor and retains the tea aroma, and through the combination of tea, fresh fruits and these ingredients are innovative, presenting a delicious taste of life that is worth waiting for.

Stay safe
Sichuan suffered a catastrophic earthquake in 2008 centered on Wenchuan County, about 100 km north of Chengdu. Many towns were nearly completely destroyed and over 80,000 people killed with hundreds of thousands more injured or homeless. Reconstruction is now complete, but there is always a risk of another quake.

Many of West Sichuan's main attractions are located at altitudes above 3,000 meters and thus altitude sickness is a threat. Make sure to monitor your health and take it easy for a day or two if moving from the lowlands to higher elevations.

To help combat this sickness, many local Chinese eat medicine known as Hong Jing Tian. These are red capsules that the soldiers of the People's Liberation Army use to help them quickly adjust to altitude conditions in the Western Chinese provinces. Local tour companies will have a ready supply of this medicine if you ask.

There is also tension in Western Sichuan between the Chinese government and the mainly Tibetan people there, and travel restrictions may apply to this area. See the warnings under Tibet.

title: Sichuan


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Sicily

Sicily (Italian: Sicilia) is a rugged and beautiful island (the largest one in the Mediterranean Sea) on the southern tip of Italy, and is one of the country's 20 regions. It is separated from the mainland region of Calabria by the 5-km Straits of Messina. It can get very hot during the summer, so it is better to visit during spring and autumn, while it is still quite pleasant during winter.

Cities

 * – the throbbing capital city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy; it is over 2,700 years old
 * – to the south and particularly noted for the Valle dei Templi (Valley of Temples) (UNESCO World Heritage)
 * – busy university city and economic centre, great for nightlife, the gate to Mount Etna (UNESCO World Heritage)
 * – one of the most important old Greek cities, archaeological centre and sea resort on the south coast
 * – interesting museum, home of the famous wine
 * – busy city and link to the mainland
 * – impressive baroque architecture (UNESCO World Heritage)
 * (Siracusa) – attractive old town mostly based on the small (1km by 500m) island of Ortigia and Greek ruins (UNESCO World Heritage)
 * – attractive city and gateway to Pantelleria and the Egadi islands

Other destinations

 * Val di Noto – a region at SE of the Sicily, famous for its Baroque art. 8 towns are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa, and Scicli.
 * (Isole Egadi) – relaxing islands off the west coast
 * (Isole Eolie) – beautiful group of volcanic islands (UNESCO World Heritage)
 * – Madonie National Park, the national Park in the Heart of Sicily
 * – an impressive 3323m, Europe's highest active volcano
 * – ancient Punic city built on the island of Mozia overlooking Marsala
 * – Arab-influenced solitude
 * (Isole Pelagie) – most southern, in the Mediterranean Sea
 * – another Greek temple, theatre and ruins
 * – another group of impressive Greek temples and ruins of Greek city
 * – small port town in the province Agrigento.

Understand
Sicily has a long history of foreign domination, from the Phoenicians to the Greeks and the Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Catalans. The result is a mixed culture where every single domination left something to see, to taste, and to hear.

Sicily is a huge island where every little city seems to have its own culture. You will find a great variety of local specialties in all cities over the island.

The Sicilians are a proud people. Though most are somewhat conservative, they are open-minded to visitors.

Climate
Being the overall hottest region in Europe, Sicily has a Mediterranean climate, with very hot, long and dry summers and very mild to warm winters. Sicily is very sunny, even in winter. Most cities only receive 40 days of precipitation throughout the year (with the exception of the quite rainy Messina) and when it does rain, it usually happens in winter. Humidity is generally low.

The only exception to the stereotyped climate of Sicily is the little city of Enna (as well as some villages in the mountains), which is foggy and relatively cold in winter. This is due to the altitude of the city, the highest in Italy for a provincial capital (931 m). Enna is also the foggiest city in Italy, with about 140 foggy days a year on average.

Talk
Natives of Sicily speak Sicilian, an ancient Romance language that is a separate language from Italian (even if it's called dialetto). The official language is Italian, and almost all Sicilians speak it, often with a strong Sicilian accent.

English is taught in all schools but few people can speak it. People who are more likely to speak English are the ones who work in the touristy areas; also, young and educated people usually can speak at least basic English, but with a funny pronunciation and a strong accent. That's because in most schools the teachers focus on grammar rather than pronunciation. People who study languages in university generally have a good pronunciation. Most people above 50 never studied English in schools and they are extremely unlikely to know more than a few words.

By plane
Sicily's main airports are in Palermo and Catania.

 * is the larger/busiest airport, with domestic flights to most parts of Italy, some international routes and many charter flights.
 * is the second airport, with a good range of domestic flights and international budget flights.
 * is the third airport which is served by low-cost Ryanair.
 * near Ragusa is served by Ryanair.
 * There are also two other smaller airports in Sicily on the minor islands. These are  and , which connect to Italy.
 * (ICAO:LICP) is a military airport open to national civil traffic.

By train
Sicily is linked to the main Italian train network at Messina. Long distance trains from Rome and Naples and Milano cross the Straits of Messina by railferry and continue on to Palermo and Catania.

From Naples, it usually takes 8 hours, 10 from Rome, the train stops at Villa San Giovanni train station for about 10-15 minutes. Then it's rolled down to the Villa S.G. ferry dock, where you wait about 20 minutes before the train rolls onto one of the ferries. On the ferry, you should get on the deck and watch the sea. It's a wonderful view, but don't forget the number of your train.

The 2010 timetable offers these direct trains:
 * IC Roma - Napoli - Messina - Palermo / Siracusa 2x daily
 * ICN Roma - Palermo InterCity Notte: Nighttrain, Seats, Couchette and Sleeper
 * ICN Roma - Siracusa InterCity Notte: Nighttrain, Seats, Couchette and Sleeper
 * E Venezia - Bologna - Firenze - Palermo/Siracusa Espresso: Fast-Train with Sleeper and Couchette only
 * E Milano - Bologna - Firenze - Palermo/Siracusa Espresso: Fast-Train with Sleeper and Couchette only
 * E Turino - Genova - Palermo/Siracusa Espresso: Fast-Train with Sleeper and Couchette only
 * E (Milano - ) Roma - Catania - Agrigento Espresso: Fast-Train only seating accommodation; from Milano 3x per week; from Roma daily

But you don't have to take a direct train. You can also take a train from Rome to Villa San Giovanni, and walk onboard the rail ferries (or another BLUVIA ferry), and take a local train from Messina centrale to Palermo and Catania

Detailed information is available at:
 * Trenitalia

Car-train There are running car-trains from Venezia and Rome to Catania and Palermo. This is a great offer for those who don't want to ride a car all day. you park your car onto a train. And some hours later, you can get your car at the Catania train station or Palermo, depends on what city you bought a ticket to. The car trains also run along with the night trains, so this is a great option.

Be aware: some trains on the island are very slow, for example it takes more than 7 hours between Siracusa and Trapani and it's about 450 km. But the IC (InterCity) trains that travel between Sicily and other Italian cities run much faster.

By bus
Long-distance buses link Rome and Naples to Catania and Palermo.

By boat
Large, cruise-ferries link Palermo with Civitavecchia, Naples, Genoa, Livorno, Sardinia and other Mediterranean destinations (Be sure to reserva a place for your car, or yourself, if you are a pedestrian.) Because only the Messina Strait ferries are open without reservation. There are also car ferries between Milazzo, the Aeolian Islands and Naples, and between Trapani and Tunis. From Catania you can reach Naples and Malta. From Messina you can reach Salerno. See all current ferry connections at TraghettiWeb.it or Ferrylines.com.

Across the Straits of Messina, there are at least hourly ferries between Messina on Sicily and Villa San Giovanni (14 km north of Reggio di Calabria) on the mainland. There are at least twenty of them, so don't worry about timetables or waiting too long. If you only drive a car, you can also drive on-board the BLUVIA rail/train ferries. There are also several hydrofoils each day between Messina and Reggio di Calabria.

If you do worry about timetables, which is not necessary, check carontetourist.it:
 * This one takes you right into Messina city and connects you to the Palermo - Catania highway:
 * And this one takes you to Messina Sud (Tremestieri) And does also connect you to the highway. This route is more for the people driving towards Catania:

And there are also ferries running from Reggio di Calabria, to Messina-Sud (Tremestieri):

There are Catamarans and ferries running from Malta to Pozzallo (90 min) and Catania (3 hr).

Get around
Although public transport is very good during the week, there are not many services on Sundays - check the timetable carefully and ask the locals.

By car
The main roads are good, with four motorways (Catania-Palermo, Palermo-Mazara and Catania-Noto which are toll-free and Messina-Palermo where you have to pay). Little roads, mainly in mountain zones, are slower but offer great views.

For some regions you need to have snow chains in your car. For instance around Mount Etna you need them on board from 1 December until 31 March. These roads are marked "transito con catene". Fines start at €80.

Motorways
 * A18 Messina - Catania (toll)
 * A18 Catania - Siracusa
 * A18 Siracusa - Ragusa - Gela (under construction - open from Siracusa to Noto)
 * A19 Palermo - Catania (free)
 * A20 Messina - Palermo (toll)
 * A29 Palermo - Mazzara (free)
 * A29dir Alcamo - Trapani (free)

By train
The railway network in Sicily is quite good and cheap. Regular, quite fast trains run on the main lines between Messina and Palermo and Catania, with fewer trains on the other routes.

Trains on some routes can be infrequent and slow so it's worth checking times in advance and having a plan B. Sometimes a service listed on a station timetable is actually a bus service leaving from outside the station.

As in the rest of Italy, tickets must be validated in the yellow machines found at stations - conductors may be lenient to tourists who didn't know this, but not necessarily.

By bus
The bus network in Sicily is quite extensive and cheap. The main hubs are Palermo and Catania, but routes link most of the main towns frequently and most small towns at least once a day. From virtually any town you will be able to get a bus direct to Palermo. For the AST company, go to the website and click on 'Autolinee'. There is also Interbus.

By boat
There are regular ferries and hydrofoils from Sicily to its islands, although services are somewhat reduced during Spring and Autumn and even more so during Winter. Individual companies: SIREMAR, Liberty Lines and NGI. The main routes are:

 * The Aeolian Islands from Milazzo. A few also run in Summer from Napoli, Cefalu, Palermo and Messina.
 * Ustica from Palermo.
 * Trapani to the Egadi Islands and Pantelleria.
 * Porto Empedocle (near Agrigento) to Lampedusa and Linosa

By plane
If you have less time and more money, there are flights to Pantelleria and Lampedusa.

From Enna Water Aerodrome (Nicoletti Lake) with amphibious aircraft you can reach the Aeolian Islands, Palermo and Siracusa.

See
See locations pages for respective list of attractions. Check with the region's tourism web pages for updates.

Do
The Parks and the Nature Reserve are not very well organized but for this reason you'll have the opportunity to enjoy and discover the Sicilian Mountains and nature. There are some wonderful treks on which to enjoy the beauty of the main Sicilian sites such as the Nebrodi mountains, Madonie mountains, Etna volcano.

Eat

Making the most of its island coasts, Sicily has one of the world's best cuisines to offer. Much of the island's food is made with creatures of the sea. Unlike in the northern parts of Italy, cream and butter are hardly used for typical dishes in Sicily. Instead, the natives usually substitute tomatoes, lard (rarely) or olive oil. The cuisine uses many spice, and has a number unique flavours. Sicilians cultivate a uniquely Sicilian type of olive tree, which they affectionately call the "saracena". The food is typically Mediterranean but there are strong hints of Arabic and Spanish flavour (Sicily was conquered by many peoples during its long history). Sicilians like spices and have particular affinity for almond, jasmine, rosemary, mint and basil.

Sicilians notoriously have a sweet tooth and are among the best dessert-makers in Italy. Try 'cannoli' (tubular pastries filled with sweet ricotta cheese), 'granita' (ices mixed with real crushed fruit and juices), and their most famous export, 'cassata' (Arabic-inspired cake). Make sure to try the very popular pine-nut and almond biscuits.

'Arancini' (sometimes Arancine), fried rice balls with fillings, is a Sicilian fast food that is relatively cheap. They can be hard to find outside Sicily, so try them while you're there.

Drink
Sicilians are not big alcohol drinkers (Sicily has the lowest rate of alcoholism in Italy) although the island is home to more vineyards than any other Italian region and has one of Italy's most progressive wine industries. Noted mainly in the past for strong bulk wines and often sweet Moscato and Marsala, the island has switched its emphasis toward lighter, fruitier white and red wines.

Sicily is divided into three main producing wine districts:

 * Trapani province in the west;
 * Etna in the east;
 * Noto and Ragusa on the southeast tip.

Best known Sicilian wines: Marsala, Nero d'Avola, Bianco d'Alcamo, Malvasia, Passito di Pantelleria, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Etna Rosso, Etna Bianco.

Some Sicilian wine producers: Planeta; Cusumano; Tasca d’Almerita; Tenuta di Donnafugata; Feudo Principi di Butera (Zonin); Morgante; Duca di Salaparuta; Benanti; Palari; Firriato; Marco De Batoli; Salvatore Murana; Icone.

Sicilians enjoy a fruity lemon liqueur called Limoncello during the long, hot and dry summers.

Stay safe
The well-known mafia, which is also present in most parts of Italy, is never involved in crimes against visitors.

Most of Sicily's small/middle-sized cities and villages are completely safe. Big cities like Palermo, Catania and Messina are also safe but you should be aware of pickpockets and scammers in touristy areas. Some suburbs of Palermo (Zen, Brancaccio, Borgo Nuovo) and Catania (San Cristoforo, Librino) are quite dangerous, but are never visited by tourists.

Driving habits in Sicily (and in most of the south of Italy) are very different from what you may be accustomed to, especially in big cities. Turn signals are not used, and parking is haphazard. Driving outside the big cities is OK, especially in highways (Autostrade) and in the main roads in general. Provincial roads in the interior of the island can be in bad condition.

On trains, especially during the night, keep your wits about you, and try to stay with other passengers.

Respect
Even if it's constantly decreasing, the Mafia is still active in some parts of Sicily, causing many problems and damaging the region's economy. Most Sicilians know that and are very upset about it; they are also very aware of the mafia-related crimes that have happened in the region. Many organisations, like AddioPizzo and Libera, have been founded specifically to fight the mafia. Do not make jokes about the mafia, and never say that all Sicilians are "mafiosi", even if it's a joke.

In general Sicilians are quite conservative and religious, although most young and educated people are becoming fairly liberal, especially in big cities. However public displays of affection between LGBT couples are best avoided: even in big cities, stares and whispers are almost always guaranteed, and sometimes something more can happen. Shorts and clothes showing much skin are OK everywhere but in churches.

Although quite common in the centre and north of Italy, blasphemy is definitely not cool in Sicily. Most people in Sicily are Catholic and expect visitors to respect their religion.

Go next
Why not explore neighbouring Sardinia? You have the chance to visit the second-largest island in the Meditteranean.

You can also explore more of what Southern Italy has to offer.

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

title: Sicily


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Siddhatek

Siddhatek is a village in North Maharashtra. It is famous for Siddhivinayak Temple which is one of the 8 Ashtavinayak temples.

Get in
You can take a bus from Pune from the bus stand at Shivajinagar or the swargate bus depot. Alternatively, beginning at the railway station at Daund, take the train 13 kilometers northeast. Near the village of Shirapur, boats are available to cross the Bhima River to Siddhatek.

Get around
A bridge across the river Bheema has been constructed. One no longer needs to take a boat now to reach the temple. Vehicles can be taken right up to the temple.

See
Notable for the village is the Hindu temple of Sri Siddhi Vināyaka, the right-tusked incarnation of the elephant God Ganesha as "Masterful Remover". By legend, the temple was built on the spot where Lord Vishnu sought and received the blessing of Siddhi Vināyaka in defeating the Asuras Madhu-Kaitabh, who had been terrorizing the region. The shrine is busy during the festival of Ganesh Jayanti. During Vijayadashami and Somvati Amavasya, it is the site of festivals and plays.

Buy
Here you can get pure leather things like Belts, Chappals, valets, etc. in very cheaper rate.

title: Siddhatek


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Side

Side (pronounced see-deh) is a resort town in Pamphylia on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, with a population of 11,000 in 2014. The town itself is compact, but in tourist literature "Side" includes a swathe of beach hotels stretching for 20 km on either side. Its big attraction is the Roman city of Side, sandwiched between the harbour and the modern residential districts.

Understand
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No, nobody else understands it either. The ancient language of Side was used from the 5th century BC; it had 25 characters, was written right to left, and presumably resembled other Luwi proto-Anatolian languages. The sound of some 16 of those characters is now known, but the only word deciphered (apart from a couple of Greek loan-words) means "cicada", without which no East Med afternoon is complete.

The town became Hellenistic after it fell to Alexander the Great in 333 BC. Its crag dividing a long exposed beach was not particularly defensible but did offer a harbour. From 67 BC the Romans took over and built up the city that is now Side's chief attraction, with a magnificent amphitheatre. Its ships put the local pirates to flight, the better themselves to practice piracy and trade in slaves. The place fell victim to raids and declined from the 4th century AD. It was abandoned in the 10th century (apart from a brief revival in the 12th), with the populace moving to Attalia, the present-day Antalya.

Not much happened for the next thousand years, as the Seljuks then the Ottomans came to rule. This meant that the tiny settlement never spread far inland from the harbour, so the ruins of the Roman city were not built over or stripped of their stone. Turkish Cypriots relocating here renamed the town Selimiye, but it reverted to Side once tourism developed from the 1950s.

Get in
For long-distance travel see Manavgat, which is on the coast highway D400.

is just off D400 west of that city, so it's a short ride by bus, dolmuş or taxi to Side. Buses to Istanbul, Izmir, Konya or Denizli do start here.

is east of Manavgat town centre. Buses to Antalya do start here.

is the resort bus station, at the edge of the archaeological zone. Smart idea to build it outside the narrow city gate, and tour buses and private cars also park in the vicinity rather than thread the old town alleys.

Get around
Walk: from the bus station to the main antiquities and old town is only 2 km. With your own vehicle, park near the station and don't get tangled in the alleys.

Dolmuşes connect the two beach strips to town centre. Squeeze in tight, as the name means.

Taxis are best booked through your accommodation.

See

 * The Roman aqueduct is visible 50 m south of the bus station. It was built circa 150-200 AD and is 30 km long, with many bridges and tunnels as the altitude fall from the source is only a metre per km, and it needed to take the shortest course possible to maintain the flow to the city.
 * is an elaborate fountain 100 m southwest of the bus station, fed like everything else by the aqueduct. This is the start of Liman Cd, the main street into town. Just north is a Necropolis, and just south is the scrappy remains of the city gate set within the ancient walls. It was here, not at the better known "monumental gate", that you entered the city.
 * A colonnaded street leads south from the city gate to disappear into a jumble of overgrown ruins. The most prominent structure is a Byzantine 6th century block, thought to be a hospital. Bishop's Palace 200 m southeast of it is a larger complex but buried deeper in the undergrowth. Liman Cd continues at an angle to overlie another ancient street lined with pillars.
 * The Roman monumental gate is still in use by vehicles, a bottleneck on Liman Cd. There was probably originally a "quadriga" on top, a four-horse chariot like that on Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Vespasian Fountain is an ornate niche south flank of the gate, and the museum is north flank.
 * Agora the market square is just east of the amphitheatre - you may find it fenced off. Amongst other commodities, slaves were sold here. In the northwest corner is a 24-seater public latrine.
 * (in Turkish Devlet Agorası) is so-called because it was a public space but not a market. The remains here are scanty, the most substantial is the Library just east.
 * Harbour Baths from 2nd century AD are a ruin on Sambak Sk, with an Ottoman hamam alongside.
 * Selimiye Mosque is a small brightly-decorated mosque next to Harbour Baths.
 * , built in 150 AD, is iconic of Side. Several columns were re-erected in the 1980s and it's an attractive place to stroll early evening. Adjacent are the ruined Temple of Athena and a Byzantine basilica.
 * is on Cemal Gürsel Blv, corner of 1007th Sk. It's in traditional style with a pillared interior reminiscent of Cordoba.
 * , built in 150 AD, is iconic of Side. Several columns were re-erected in the 1980s and it's an attractive place to stroll early evening. Adjacent are the ruined Temple of Athena and a Byzantine basilica.
 * is on Cemal Gürsel Blv, corner of 1007th Sk. It's in traditional style with a pillared interior reminiscent of Cordoba.

Do

 * Scuba diving centres are Scuba Side, Side Diving Center, Side Azura and Deniz Feneri. It's a good area for beginners and novices, but the Med has limited marine life.
 * Aquajoy is a pirate-themed water-park to the east near Otium Eco Club. Many families enjoy it but you have to hold your nose, and even the pirates wouldn't use these toilets.
 * Football: Sidespor have tumbled down the rankings and now play soccer in the amateur leagues. They play at Atatürk Stadium (capacity 1000) 500 m east of the bus station.

Buy

 * Dağ Süpermarket northwest of the bus station is a notorious tourist trap.
 * Erdem another 200 m west at Sarmaşık Sk 24 is much better for selection and price. It's open 07:00-03:30. Other stores are mostly out in the residential districts inland.
 * Street stalls are more tourist traps, prices are silly even if you haggle them down.
 * Saturday market is held 09:00-12:00 opposite Fatih Mosque. It's overpriced tat.

Eat

 * Harbour and old town area have over a dozen. Elia has the best views.

Drink

 * Old town has Cafe Easy Rider, Sapphire, Royal Castle, Karma and Azumare.
 * Beach strip cafes mostly serve alcohol.

Central

 * Old town streets south of the amphitheatre have dozens of cheap but acceptable guest-houses and hotels.

East

Connect
Side, Manavgat and the coastal strip have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2023, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.

Go next

 * Manavgat a few km inland is modern, but the waterfalls are worth a visit.
 * Alanya is a big resort east, with a citadel and castle perched on a crag.
 * Antalya is modern but has museums and antiquities.

title: Side


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Sidi Bel Abbès

Sidi Bel Abbès (Arabic: ولاية سيدي بلعباس) is a city in Northwest Algeria.

Understand
Sidi Bel Abbes is the commercial center of an important area of vineyards, market gardens, orchards, and grain fields. Historically tied with the French Foreign Legion, it previously was enclosed with walls and had four gates. Now it has is a university. It is 75 kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea.

Sidi Bel Abbes province is divided into 15 districts (daïras), which are further divided into 52 communes or municipalities.

Get in
Sidi Bel Abbes is well connected to other Algerian cities by roads and railroads. Oran is 70 kilometers north and Tlemcen is 90 kilometers west of Sidi Bel Abbès. The closest airport is Es Senia Airport in Oran.

Sleep
Hotel chain Metropole has three different locations in the city.

title: Sidi Bel Abbès


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Sidi Bou Said

Sidi Bou Said is a village in Tunisia.

The best time to visit is early autumn or spring (March-early April/late October-November), before the assault of package tourists begins, when you can still walk alone on the narrow streets, around white-blue traditional houses, enjoying the views. If you are there during the summer months, it is advisable to visit not just the jam-packed tourist main street but also the emptier inner parts of the neighbourhood. Empty in the day during Ramadan.

Get in
It is on the Tunis - Carthage TGM light rail line.

You may drive by car. Traffic is OK. There is free parking (uphill, to the right), which may be overbooked on weekends.

Get around
The village is quite small, and you can visit every street of the village in no more than two-three hours. On the top of the hill there is a beautiful view of the surrounding bay.

See

 * The white houses with blue roofs and windows, unique to this village, perched on a hill, with an amazing view of the Mediterranean Sea and the Bay of Tunis.

Do
Sidi Bou Said has stunning whites and blues all over the village - take plenty of photos.

On the street along café des nattes, a small path on the right with many steps leads you down the hill to the seaside, frequented by locals and seemingly unknown to tourists. A small beach, where swimming is possible, and a port with yachts that you can see from the top of the hill, with a small store and a telephone for taxis. When facing the sea, you can follow the road to your left back up to the top of the hill - a pleasant walk with a great view on the sea if it's not too hot, if you don't want to climb the stairs. Or take a taxi, they seem to stop by rather often by the beach!

Buy
Like many other Arab settlements around the world, Sidi Bou Said has a small souk year round, selling basic commodities for the locals. In addition, during tourist seasons, souvenir stalls litter the lower part of the main street of the village. A traditional product manufactured in Sidi Bou Said are bird cages, coloured in white and blue, like the roofs of the village. Don't forget to haggle.

Eat
Be sure to eat the locally grown dates.

Sleep
There are a couple of places to stay in Sidi Bou Said. You can also easily find hotel rooms in nearby Tunis or Carthage. If really lucky, you might rent a room for a night or two in a house, from a village resident. However, this is rare, since the locals are quite rich and rarely have any interest in sharing their home with total strangers.

Go next

 * Carthage — Phoenician colony, biggest trade metropolis of the antique world; famously razed by the Romans; remnants now encased in a museum; site easily reached by train from Tunis
 * La Goulette
 * La Marsa
 * Quamart - a resort on Tunisia’s Mediterranean coast
 * Tunis — the laid-back capital of Tunisia with a very authentic souk

title: Sidi Bou Said


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Sidmouth

Sidmouth is a seaside resort town in East Devon. Host to an international folk festival for one week every year, for the other 51 weeks, Sidmouth is a very pleasant but small beach-side town. The town has a long stony beach and a vibrant and surprisingly diverse town centre, with a large number of quality independent shops, cafés and restaurants.

Understand

 * Visit Sidmouth website

By car
Sidmouth is bypassed by the A3052 road, which follows the coast between the A35 near Lyme Regis and junction 30 of the M5 at Exeter.

By bus
Sidmouth is well-connected by Stagecoach bus services from Exeter (service number 9/9A) and Exmouth (service 157). Most buses arrive at "The Triangle" 200 m from the sea front.

Sidmouth is also served by AVMT Buses' service 899, which runs from Seaton to Sidmouth via Beer, Pecorama, Beer Quarry Caves, Branscombe and the Donkey Sanctuary. It is one of Devon's most scenic bus routes.

Get around
It's easy to walk around this compact town. Driving and parking are easy enough off-season, but in summer months can be a lot more challenging. There is a 'park and walk' service from the council offices on station road, which involves a 15-minute walk into town

Do

 * Swimming in the sea is popular during summer heatwaves.

Eat
Despite its size, Sidmouth is something of a foodie town, with several delicatessens and at least one of each kind of artisan food store: bakeries, butchers, greengrocers and fishmongers.

The town's restaurants are of generally good quality, and most inevitably have a fishy theme to their menus.

Late afternoon is a good time to grab a "cream tea". Several cafes offer this including The Clock House (at Connaught Gardens), The Chattery and Libra Court.

Sleep
There are a variety of large hotels lining the sea front as well as smaller B&B further into the town.

Connect
As of Sep 2023, Sidmouth and its approach roads have 4G from EE, O2 and Vodafone, but a poor signal from Three. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Branscombe
 * Budleigh Salterton

title: Sidmouth


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Sidney

There's more than one place called Sidney:

Canada

 * Sidney (British Columbia) - A town in the province of British Columbia.

United States of America

 * Sidney (Nebraska) - A town in the state of Nebraska.
 * Sidney (Ohio) - A town in the state of Ohio.
 * Sidney (Montana) - A town in the state of Montana

title: Sidney


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Sidney (British Columbia)

Sidney is a town of about 11,500 people (2016) north of Victoria, on Vancouver Island. It is generally considered part of the Victoria metropolitan area.

Understand
The town west of Highway 17 (also called Patricia Bay Highway, locally abbreviated as the Pat Bay Highway) has a mixture of single-family residences and light industry. The majority of the town is east of Highway 17. Single-family units are also present east of the highway, but the eastern sector also has many condominium-type buildings, plus most of the service and retail outlets. The island-studded Haro Strait, part of the Salish Sea forms Sidney's eastern boundary. Sidney is mainly an industrial town, with most people working in the construction, manufacturing, and warehousing fields (26%). Retail accounts for approximately 10% of the employment. Healthcare and social assistance employs 13%. There is a large boating and marine industry in the area, ranging from marinas to boatbuilders and marine suppliers.

Sidney is well known for having an abundance of senior citizens, producing a median age of 60.4 in 2016 as compared with the British Columbia median age of 43.0.

Climate
Sidney enjoys a cool climate with year-round mild temperatures and moderate rainfall. Most years see very little snow. Daily temperatures seldom climb above 31 °C (88 °F), or dip below −7 °C (19 °F). In the mildest winters, minimum temperatures stay above −3 °C (27 °F). Damaging winds are less frequent than in most other maritime areas of Canada.

Visitor information

 * Sidney municipal website

From within British Columbia

 * Destinations served by this terminal, all using ferries that carry vehicles and foot passengers
 * From Vancouver (Tsawwassen) ferry terminal in Delta with 1 hour 35 minutes crossing time. Inbound and outbound ferries normally depart at the top of the hour on odd numbered hours with first departure normally at 7AM and with last departure normally at 9PM. During the summer, ferries depart hourly for most of the day.
 * From Saltspring Island (Fulford harbour) with 35 minutes crossing time. Operates every 2 hours most of the year and every 1 hour 40 minutes in the summer.
 * From other large Southern Gulf Islands (Galiano Island, Mayne Island, Pender Island, Saturna Island) with variable crossing times depending how many stops are made on route. Operates a limited number of times per destination daily and may require transferring to connecting ferries to reach destination.
 * Reservations
 * Reservations can be completed on BC Ferries' website or by phone.
 * Reservations are a generally good idea, as ferries can fill up. If you book far enough in advance and prepay with saver fare is available, you may even pay less than showing up at the terminal. Otherwise, reservations increase the cost of the trip, between increasing cost between $2.50 extra and $17, depending on which option you choose.
 * For ferries serving the Southern Gulf Island, reservations are free and are strongly recommended, especially in the summer.
 * Drivers must redeem their reservation at the ferry terminal at least 30 minutes before the scheduled sailing or they lose their guarantee to be on the sailing and are given the same priority as anyone else showing up at the ferry terminal without a reservation.
 * Fare payment
 * Payment can be made by cash or credit card, and debit cards can be used at an automatic ticket terminal for foot passengers, but not on the ferry or at the vehicle toll booths.
 * Public transit
 * Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal is served by BC Transit on several routes including
 * Route 70, a limited stop bus route connecting to downtown Victoria via Sidney
 * Route 72, a bus route connecting to downtown Victoria via Sidney
 * Route 81, a bus route connecting to Butchart Gardens (in Brentwood) via Sidney
 * TransLink's bus route 620 operates limited stop service between Bridgeport station (SkyTrain Canada Line) in Richmond and the ferry terminal via Ladner Exchange in Delta.
 * Saltspring Island (Vesuvius) ferry terminal is served by BC Transit by bus route 3, which travels to the island's hamlet of Ganges
 * No other destination ferry terminals served from Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal have public transit.
 * Parking options
 * Short-term and long-term parking are available at the ferry terminal, but parking availability may be limited at peak times. BC Ferries' website identifies the current amount of long-term parking remaining.
 * Amenities
 * Wi-Fi: Free service at the ferry terminal. Not offered on the ferries.
 * Washrooms: Available in the terminal and on board ferries.
 * Eating and shopping: A coffee shop is located within the terminal. A cafeteria style-restaurant and a gift shop are on board the ferries.
 * Washrooms: Available in the terminal and on board ferries.
 * Eating and shopping: A coffee shop is located within the terminal. A cafeteria style-restaurant and a gift shop are on board the ferries.

By car
Sidney sits along Highway 17, which bisects the town from north to south. Highway 17 connects Victoria and Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal.

Destinations
Direct flights to Victoria within Canada include from Calgary (1.5 hours), from Edmonton (1.5-2 hours), from Kelowna (1 hour), from Toronto (5-5.25 hours), and from Vancouver (30 minutes). Direct international flights to Victoria include from Seattle (45-50 minutes).

There are multiple flights from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, served mainly by smaller airlines and the regional subsidiaries of mainline carriers.

A number of daily flights depart from a few airline hubs the US west coast (namely Seattle, Las Vegas, and San Francisco), as well as from smaller airports within Vancouver Island.

Airlines
Canadian airlines operating to Victoria:

Other airlines operating to Victoria:

Public transit

 * Route 88 operates between the airport, McTavish Exchange, and downtown Sidney on a half hourly frequency from Monday to Friday, and an hourly frequency on Saturdays and Sundays.
 * Route 70 operates between Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal and downtown Victoria via downtown Sidney and McTavish Exchange. It is a limited stop service, which is faster than route 72.
 * Route 72 operates between Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal and downtown Victoria via downtown Sidney and McTavish Exchange.
 * Route 72 operates between Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal and downtown Victoria via downtown Sidney and McTavish Exchange.

Get around
Sidney is not a large place so most of its amenities can best be explored on foot. Park on one of the side streets and take to the sidewalks. It's much less frustrating than trying to battle the traffic in your car.

By public transit

 * Some notable bus routes:
 * 70 - Limited stop route between downtown Victoria and Swartz Bay ferry terminal with stops at McTavish Exchange and in downtown Sidney. Travel time to downtown Sidney from downtown Victoria is 45-50 minutes and from Swartz Bay ferry terminal is 10 minutes.
 * 72 - Route between downtown Victoria and Swartz Bay ferry terminal with stops at McTavish Exchange and in downtown Sidney. Travel time to downtown Sidney from downtown Victoria is 1 hour and from Swartz Bay ferry terminal is 15 minutes.
 * 81 - Route between Butchart Gardens and Swartz Bay ferry terminal with stops at McTavish Exchange and in downtown Sidney. Travel time to Butchart Gardens from downtown Sidney is 40 minutes and from Swartz Bay is 50 minutes.
 * 88 - Route between Sidney and Victoria International Airport with stops at McTavish Exchange and in downtown Sidney. Travel time between the airport and Sidney is 17 minutes. Travel time between the airport and McTavish Exchange is 4 minutes.

Connect
Most restaurants, bars and hotels will have free Wi-Fi. Cell service is good.

Go next
Sidney is at one end of Vancouver Island and there is much to see as one travels north. Out on the Pacific Coast side of the Island is Pacific Rim National Park and the communities of Ucluelet and Tofino. At the northern end of Vancouver Island is Cape Scott Provincial Park, occupying a more remote and wilder part of the Island.

The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a very worthwhile hiking route accessed through Sooke, not far from Victoria. The trail runs between Port Renfrew and Jordan River and can be done as a series of day trips or as a multi-day backpacking trip. This is a good choice if you want a marine hike without the logistical challenges of the West Coast Trail.

title: Sidney (British Columbia)


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Sidney (Ohio)

Sidney is a small agricultural city and the county seat of Shelby County, Ohio, lying on a flat plain called the Miami valley.

Understand
Sidney was founded as a canal city in the 1830's and serves as the seat of Shelby county. It was named after the English poet Philip Sidney. Scientist Paul Lauterbur, who won the Nobel Prize for his work on developing MRI was born and raised here.

By car
Sidney is connected to Dayton by the Interstate 75 North and is roughly a 45-minute drive.

Coming from Columbus you'll have to take I-70 West and merge onto I-75 North to arrive in Sidney.

By plane
The nearest international airport is in Dayton. Columbus' John Glenn Columbus International Airport is a reasonable drive away.

There is no bus or train service to Sidney, so your options are limited to taking a taxi or hiring a car.

Get around
The Canal Feeder bike path goes from southern Sidney to just south of downtown at the Graceland Cemetery.

See

Go next

 * Dayton is a 45-minute drive from Sidney.
 * Columbus, Ohio's capital, is 100 miles from Sidney.

title: Sidney (Ohio)


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Sidon

Sidon (Arabic: Saida صَيْدا) is a city in Lebanon. The people (population: 100,000) are largely Sunni Muslims. The main attraction of Sidon is its Sea Castle, built by the Crusaders in the 13th century.

Get in
Take a bus or a car for a 1-hour drive from Beirut. A minibus from Beirut's Cola station costs 2000 L.L. per person. The buses arrive in the centre of the city, nearby the Sea Castle and other sights.

Get around
Getting around in Sidon as in all Lebanon is best by taking a taxi. Cabs provide two services: 1. A taxi ride with a fare charge of 5000 L.L. around 3.25 $ and 2. "Service" is the word you use to permit other passengers to board and then the charge is 2000 L.L. around 1.25 $

Buy
In the old souks, facing the Sea Castle, you can buy traditionally made soap.

For traditional sweets, go for the locals' favorites: (Seaside road),  (Eastern Boulevard),  (Siti Nafissi street).

Eat
The following restaurants offer traditional Lebanese food:, ,.

For quick and cheap snacks: and Abu Rami's Falafel.

Local restaurants and chains:, and.

International chains are also available, such as: McDonald's, and.

Drink
Due to its more conservative nature, alcoholic drinks are not offered in the city's restaurants, cafes or supermarkets. However, delicious chunky fruit cocktails, julabs, Amar El Dine, tamarind juice and other types of traditional fruit juices are offered in the city's "juice shops".

Stay safe
It has sometimes been unsafe to visit the Ein el-Helweh Refugee Camp due to armed conflict, so check current conditions if you want to go there. The rest of the city is normally safe.

Go next

 * Tyre — an important coastal city located more south.

title: Sidon


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Siegburg

Siegburg (i.e. fort on the Sieg river) is a city in the district of Rhein-Sieg-Kreis, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is on the banks of the rivers Sieg and Agger, 10 kilometres away from the former capital Bonn and 26 km away from Cologne. Siegburg is at the base of a "mountain" (St. Michael's Mount, about 40 m elevation), filled with picturesque cobblestone streets and traditional buildings. Although not being a major tourist location, you could enjoy a short visit to the old city center while traveling along.

Get in
Getting to Siegburg is quite easy, as its infrastructure of traffic is excellent. It is immediately off the motorway (A3) and has a direct link to Bonn central station by tram (line S66). From cities like Cologne and Frankfurt, Siegburg can easily and quickly be reached by taking the ICE train.

By bus
The bus terminal is located at Siegburg train station. Buses go to cities like Bonn (line 640), Troisdorf (line 501/164 or 503) and Hennef (line 510).

By taxi
There is a big taxi stop in front of Siegburg train station.

By e-bike
Rent an e-bike at Tourist Information Siegburg and make a bike tour along the river Sieg.

Buy
In the city centre of Siegburg you will find a long pedestrian area with several different shops. Especially interesting to see is a street called Holzgasse which is paved with cobblestones. Along the pedestrian area you will also find a big market place.

Eat
Within the pedestrian area you will find many different restaurants e.g. Italian, Chinese, and Mexican cuisine. For typical German dishes the brewery of Siegburg located in the Holzgasse can be recommended.

Go next

 * Bonn
 * Königswinter

title: Siegburg


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Siegen

Siegen is a city of 103,000 people (2019) in eastern North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen). It is home to the University of Siegen and a campus of FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management. Its approximately 20,000 students give the city a young and lively feeling.

Understand
It lies within the Westerwald low mountain region.

By plane
The closest airports to Siegen are:

Cologne Bonn Airport. It handles international and domestic flights and is a hub for the low-cost airlines. The airport is approximately 1½ hours away by car.

Frankfurt Rhein Main International Airport. This is the largest airport in Germany, served by all major international airlines. It takes about two hours by car.

By train
Siegen is served by Siegen Hauptbahnhof. Trains arrive from Cologne (about 1½ hours), Frankfurt (about 2 hours), and Hagen (about 1½ hours).

By car
The motorway A45 connects Siegen to Frankfurt (1½ hours) and Dortmund (1 hour), while the motorway A4 connects to Cologne (1 hour).

Get around
The Rothaar Railway (Rothaarbahn) connects to Bad Berleburg, running through the scenic mountainous area. In the south of the district in the community of Burbach lies Siegerland Airport, which offers scenic flights, although no scheduled connections.

See
Siegen is Peter Paul Rubens' birthplace. Oberes Schloss houses some of his paintings. The Schloss has a fine exhibit of Siegen's mining heritage with an under tunnel.

Also worth seeing are Siegen's Old Town and several museums in the city core.

Do
Visit the seven hills surrounding Siegen, which locals humorously compare to Rome's:

 * 1) Häusling
 * 2) Rosterberg
 * 3) Giersberg
 * 4) Wellersberg
 * 5) Siegberg
 * 6) Fischbacherberg
 * 7) Heidenberg

Buy
The best known export from Siegen is beer.

Eat
Siegen has some special dishes, which are more or less unique.

 * Riewekooche (bread made from grated potatoes, distinct from Reibekuchen—potato pancakes—of other German regions)
 * Siegerländer Krüstchen (breaded boneless pork chop on toast and egg sunny side up on top)
 * Schanzenbrot (sourdough rye bread)
 * Krebelcher or Krebbelchen (a kind of doughnut made with curd cheese)
 * Groffbroat (dark rye bread specialty)
 * Siegerländer Debbekooche (a savoury pie made of grated potatoes, onions, eggs, bacon, sausages and baloney; which poor people used to eat on holidays instead of roast meat)
 * Siegerländer Bäckel
 * Duffelnsobbe (potato soup)
 * Grenge (cracknel)
 * Grinnchesbroare (roast rabbit)
 * Kiernmelchsoabbe (buttermilk soup)
 * Suerambe (sorrel)
 * Siegerländer Hirtentopf ("shepherd's stew", a kind of goulash with beans, bell peppers and tomatoes)
 * Aejjerkaes (egg curd; served with bread or yeast cake)
 * Schampe (beef paunch in sauce)

Drink
Siegerland is famous for its clean water; making it a region were several successful breweries operate, including Krombacher (one of Germany's best-selling beer brands). Who thinks that this mass product is too "mainstream", can try one of several beer specialties made at the local, family-owned Irle-Brauerei established in 1693.

Nearby
Worthy of recommendation for tourists are hiking tours and outings in Siegen's scenically charming environs. Also worth a visit are a few small towns around Siegen, such as Hilchenbach (19 km northeast of Siegen), Burbach (22 km to the south), or Freudenberg (18 km to the west). Furthermore, there are a few well-known breweries in the area that can be visited, for instance Krombacher and Eichener Brauerei in Kreuztal (12 km to the north), along with other smaller breweries.

Since 1963 the nature reserve Rothaar Mountains (Rothaargebirge) is a 1355 square kilometers nature park. The Rothaarsteig is a hiking trail in the park, which runs on the territory of the villages Burbach, Wilnsdorf, Netphen and Hilchenbach.

The Pfannenberg tower on the 499-m-high mountain in Salchendorf (9 km south of Siegen) is a 20-m-high observation tower, which is a listed building since 1993. It was built as a mining tower a few kilometres from the town. After the closing of the mine in 1932, it was set up again two years later. The Kindelsberg tower was built in Kreuztal 1905-1907, is 22 m high and is a listed building. On clear days you can see to Bonn.

Castle Junkernhees near Kreuztal (12 km to the northwest) dates back to 1523. The castle is now a listed building and is used as a hotel and the great hall of the building as a restaurant. At irregular intervals in the castle also hosts art exhibitions.

The Obernau dam at Netphen (15 km to the northeast) has a 9.6-km-long path for walking and cycling. Since the dam serves the drinking water supply, no recreational activities in the water are possible. The Breitenbach dam near Hilchenbach provides a 5.3-km-long cycle path around the dam.

The moated Hainchen castle near Netphen (16 km to the east) dates back to 1290. In 1864 the last of the ruined castle towers were demolished. Since the 1970s, the castle has been rebuild. Meanwhile, the castle is used for disabled and elderly people.

The ruins of Ginsburg in Hilchenbach (20 km to the northeast) stand 580 m above sea level. It dates from the 12th Century and served the House of Nassau as a border fortress. The castle fell into disrepair until it was secured in 1961 and partially restored.

Go next

 * Westerwald, low mountain range south of Siegen, spanning across the tri-state-area of Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westfalia
 * Herborn, in neighbouring Hesse, 40 km to the southeast (half an hour by car)
 * Gummersbach, 50 km to the west (40 minutes car-drive)
 * Winterberg, popular skiing resort, 70 km northeast of Siegen (nearly one and a half hours car drive)

title: Siegen


text:
Siemiechów

The village of Siemiechów, population 1,873 (Year: 2003) people, is in Lesser Poland Voivodeship in the Carpathian foothills near Tarnów, Zakliczyn, and Tuchów in south-eastern Poland.

Get in
Daily trains from Kraków and Tarnów connect to the train station (PKP) in the gmina (commune) Gromnik, only 6 km East. Daily buses (PKS) connect Kraków to nearby Zakliczyn, only 6 km west, and between Tarnów and Gromnik with the village's 3 bus stops.

Get around
By foot, car, bicycle, motorcycle, or call for Taxi service located in Zakliczyn.

See
Beautiful panoramas of the Carpathian foothills. Excellent views from the ski area "Jurasówka" and the "Biała Brzoza" ("White Birch") agrotourism center.

Do
Beautiful area to go camping, hiking, bird watching, mountain biking, motorcycling, ATVing, horse riding, mushroom and berry picking, and skiing. Every year is the annual parish and harvest festivals, which comprise of music, dancing, folk culture, and delicious food and drink.

Buy
There are two local variety stores in the village, and a larger supermarket and many other stores in Zakliczyn.

Sleep
Private rooms available at agrotourism center "Biała Brzoza".

title: Siemiechów


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Siem Reap

The town of Siem Reap (សៀមរាប), in northern Cambodia, is the primary access point for the Angkor Archaeological Park, just north of the city. It is quite laid-back and a pleasant place to stay while touring the temples. It is a nice compromise between observing Cambodian life and enjoying the amenities of modern services and entertainment, thanks to a large foreign community.

Understand

The name "Siem Reap" literally means "Siam Defeated". These days, however, the only rampaging hordes are the tourists heading to the Angkor Archaeological Park. This once quaint village has become the largest boom town and construction site in Cambodia. Since Siem Reap is a major tourist destination, prices in some instances are higher than elsewhere in Cambodia. Expect to receive almost constant offers for motodop and tuk-tuk rides, along with everything else which drivers may be able to offer to you.

Be sure to pick up your free Siem Reap Angkor Visitors Guide and the equally free and useful Siem Reap Pocket Guide from your hotel/guesthouse. It contains lots of info on Siem Reap and the Angkor Archaeological Park, including hotel/bar/restaurant/shop info, travel info, and maps. For the eco-sensitive tourist, check out Stay Another Day: Cambodia, a detailed guide with local spots that support the environment and community. Another address is the ConCERT tourist office, a local NGO committed to raising the standards of responsible tourism and eco-tourism activities and providing information on the causes and effects of poverty in Cambodia, volunteering opportunities and eco-tours.

By bus
Bus is a common way for getting around Cambodia with a range of bus companies serving Siem Reap, with several daily departures and arrivals (especially from Phnom Penh). Premium operators includes Giant Ibis and VET Air Bus Express, while companies such as Larryta, Seila Angkor Express, E-Booking, Mey Hong and others offer economy options with Air Conditioning. Try to book at least the day before travel. Booking online is easier with BookMeBus and Camboticket, as you can board with e-ticket with either of their services. Travel agents and guesthouses will do this for a US$1-2 fee per ticket. Buses tend to leave in the morning or early afternoon. There are also night buses on some routes.

Many buses terminate at an out-of-town bus station to the east of Siem Reap, from where travellers will need to take a tuk-tuk into town. This should cost no more than US$2, or maybe US$3 if you're not keen to drive a hard bargain. If arriving from the west, consider getting off the bus as it passes through town on National Road 6, say as it crosses the bridge over the river, before it reaches the bus station. If arriving from the east you have little choice but to face the touts.

Domestic services
Domestic services are frequent — for instance Phnom Penh is served by a dozen companies some of which have a departure every half hour during the day. The bus trip from the capital is 6-8 hours and tickets are around US$10 depending on the company. This is a well traveled route by both locals and tourists, but often an uncomfortable trip as buses will make many stops and go slow. A more expensive, but far more comfortable option is by Wi-Fi-equipped minibus (US$15 from Giant Ibis or US$12 from Mekong Express, 2020). Trip by minibus takes only 4-5 hours.

Other places with services include Kampong Cham, Soung, Battambang (US$6-8), Sisophon, Poipet (for Aranyaprathet, the main route from Thailand), Preah Vihear (US$12) and Anlong Veng (for Ban Pakard in Thailand). Destinations further away include Koh Kong (via Phnom Penh, a long journey), Sihanoukville (US$15-25) by a 10-12 hour overnight sleeping bus or daytime sitting bus that should be booked at least 1 day in advance, Banlung (US$24), Mondulkiri (US$18-24.50), Stung Treng (US$20) and Kratie (US$24).

Laos
There are buses from Don Det in the 4,000 Islands region (US$25-29), the Lao border (US$25) nearby and Pakse (US$30). Direct buses from Vientiane don't seem to be available as of February 2019.

Thailand
Buses in general start in the morning, though there are also night buses on this route. The journey takes about 8-11 hr including the time it takes to pass through immigration and customs at the border.

Starting from Bangkok, agents in Khao San Road offer tickets to Siem Reap from 300 baht. In the other direction tickets cost US$11. The ticket is valid for the whole journey but you will change buses in Poipet.

If traveling independently to the Aranyaprathet/Poipet border, see those towns' articles for advice on how to reach the border, survive immigration and avoid the "Government" bus scam.

There are also some more expensive services; the government bus daily direct service from Bangkok (Mo Chit bus station) to Siem Reap and back. The trip is US$28 per direction, but is scam-free and fast. The Cambodian side of the company is named Nattakan. Giant Ibis direct bus to Bangkok: the Cambodian premium transport company Giant Ibis offers daily direct transport for US$32, departure time 07:45. The buses have free WiFi, power supply and generally good service, including free pick-up from partner hotels/ hostels in Siem Reap.

Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City (US$18-27) 12 hr on a sleeping bus. If you use this in the other direction, have your Vietnam visa ready (if your nationality needs one) and valid before taking this trip. Visas for Vietnam are not available at a land border even if you have visa on arrival.

By boat

A more expensive and more time consuming option from Battambang (US$20-25, 5 hr) is to take a Soviet-style hydrofoil across Tonle Sap Lake. These can be fantastic trips giving you the opportunity to view life on the lake, floating houses, working fishermen, and to get a suntan if you choose to sit on the roof of the boat. However, the trip can be ruined due to bad weather. Remember to use sunscreen and take a waterproof jacket. You may not be able to access your luggage during the journey (sometimes the baggage is available, sometimes it is not). If you have the time, it is better to visit the floating villages as day trips from Siem Reap rather than see them from the boat.

Ferries from Phnom Penh are suspended since COVID.

By shared taxi
The quickest method of getting from the Poipet border to Siem Reap is a shared car. A four-seater car costs US$25-45, depending on your bargaining prowess, and takes 2-3 hr. Even if you're travelling solo, it shouldn't be too hard to find others to share the expense. Walk past the roundabout to negotiate a cheaper taxi fare, otherwise you will pay more by being in the police controlled pricing cartel area. Do not get on the "government approved" tourist bus unless you want to pay more for taxis minibus, etc.

By private transfer
Family or group of tourists can book a private transfer to Siem Reap. It is comfortable, but expensive way. Comfort-class transfer from the Poipet costs US$65-75.

By helicopter
Helicopters can be chartered to go nearly anywhere in the country. They seat 5-6 people. Prices start at US$1,000 for trips to some of the temples north of Angkor Wat. Companies include Helicopters Cambodia and Helistar Cambodia. Helicopter transport is also available from other cities, e.g. from Battambang (US$1,600/helicopter) or Phnom Penh (US$4,700/helicopter).

Get around
''Travel to and around the Angkor Archaeological Park is extensively covered in its own article. The following is a discussion of travel inside Siem Reap.''

On foot
The city centre is fairly compact and flat.

By bicycle
Many guesthouses will lend you bicycles either for free or cheaply (US$1-3). Bicycle rental shops in town mostly don't open earlier than 07:00, so if you want to ride to Angkor Wat early in the morning, rent one the day before.

By motorbike
Motodops (motorbike taxi) abound and will make sure you know where they are. Rides within town should only cost US$0.50 or 2,000 riel, although prices can double at night or during bad weather. Agree a price first. Full day can be arranged for ~US$10. Helmets for passengers are rare though may materialize if requested in advance.

Renting motorbikes is not prohibited any longer. There are plenty of options available from the ubiquitous gasoline-driven scooters (starting at ~US$10 per day), small electric scooters for one with a top speed of 25 km/h (~US$10) to larger ones for two people going up to 60 km/h (~US$15). As usual you need to leave either your passport or US$100-300 as a collateral.

Wear a helmet, both for your safety and because the police will stop you at checkpoints and fine you US$15 if you don't. Some restaurants will let you charge the battery.

By tuk-tuk
Tuk-tuks, like motodops, will call at tourists from nearly any street corner, or you can summon one with PassApp.

A trip within Siem Reap should cost US$1.25 (Feb 2020) regardless of how many people pile on. Most tuk-tuks can convey four people comfortably though the extra weight can make the low-powered bikes laboriously slow. Prices can double at night or during bad weather.

Ensure you and the driver are in crystal clear agreement on the destination and total fare before departure. Payment is made on arrival and doesn't increase if the driver got lost or had to take a circuitous route.

By car
Cars with drivers can be hired for single or multiple days. While all drivers are familiar with the area and happy to suggest good routes, most speak little English and are not actual tour guides. Licensed tour guides charge US$45-50 per day for a driver and English speaking guide. Drivers will likely ask for US$5-10 extra for trips to further temples such as those of the Big Circuit, Banteay Srey and more for remote sites like Beng Mealea.

 * Siem Reap Private Driver. This service run by two brothers Sa and Sout with great reviews offer excellent transportation in Siem Reap in luxury cars.  They can also arrange for guides with drivers.
 * Siem Reap Private Driver. This service run by two brothers Sa and Sout with great reviews offer excellent transportation in Siem Reap in luxury cars.  They can also arrange for guides with drivers.

See
Most people come to visit Angkor Archaeological Park, which is thoroughly covered in its own article. The town has some worthwhile attractions and a number of beautiful modern Buddhist temples.
 * In the main park near the Royal Residence, look in the trees to see bats flying around, even in broad daylight.
 * In the main park near the Royal Residence, look in the trees to see bats flying around, even in broad daylight.
 * In the main park near the Royal Residence, look in the trees to see bats flying around, even in broad daylight.
 * In the main park near the Royal Residence, look in the trees to see bats flying around, even in broad daylight.

Nearby

Massage
The Khmer believe that Thai massage is derived from Khmer massage and that it is more relaxing as it requires less twisting and turning. The numerous Khmer-style massage shops mostly offer genuine massage and are not a front for sexual services. Contrary to common belief, blind massage services do offer special massages too.

Orphanage visits
Children are not tourist attractions, and especially orphaned children. Some visitors feel visiting an orphanage is a good way to make a positive contribution to Cambodia, while others feel that orphanage tours do more harm than good. The largest child protection group in the country has asked that tourists not to visit orphanages. The great majority of Cambodian children in orphanages have living parents, who rent them to the orphanages. Most are scams and have histories with severe child abuse. It is strongly encouraged that you do not support this 'business'.

However, some transparent and genuine, long running orphanages that have a good reputation are:

Money
International ATMs in Siem Reap are plentiful and most banks will do cash advances from credit cards. Two Sacombank ATMs can be found along Sivutha Boulevard west of the tourist hotspot aka Pub Street — see Cambodia.

As elsewhere in Cambodia, besides riel, US dollars, and to a lesser extent, Thai baht are accepted. But generally, using riel is better than using dollars as retailers tend to round up when quoting US dollar prices, and they also take the Riel-advantageous exchange rate of 4,000 riel/USD when you pay in riel.

Shopping
Most things in Siem Reap are overpriced wherever tourists are frequent, head further away from the center or bargain (at markets).

The Heritage Watch non-profit organisation supports business that promote Cambodia's arts, culture, heritage and development. Certified businesses display either a gold or silver Heritage Friendly logo.

Beverages

Eat
Eating options span the full spectrum of tastes and budgets from the rudimentary Asian staples and pizza to authentic Khmer and sophisticated fine-dining featuring exotic local ingredients. The highest assortment of restaurants are in few blocks north of the old market, but there are appetizing alternatives along Wat Bo Rd and hidden in the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Old Market area
Though Pub St is better known for its bars, a handful of places serve great food, many with seating upstairs so you can escape the partying milieu on the street below. Crammed along The Alley is a wider selection of restaurants that offer a generally quieter and more intimate experience. The local restaurants lining Phsar Chas have extensive, yet near identical, menus of cheap fried rice and Westernised approximations of Khmer dishes. At dusk the Kindergarten on the corner of Street 8 and 11 becomes a jumble of small BBQ stalls, replete with billowing smoke, noise, and the persistently entreating peddlers. The phnom pleurng here is the cheapest you will find.

Wat Bo Rd and environs
Outside of the main part of town in the sometimes dusty neighbourhood streets and area along Wat Bo Rd are some trendy restaurants and small local places serving the most authentic Khmer food.

Alcohol

The majority of bars and pubs of Siem Reap are concentrated in on a strip called Pub Street and its surrounding alleys. Although peaceful during the day, the streets in the Pub Street area which is just a block away from the historic Psah Chas (Old Market), comes alive with lights and music. A range of international tourists start pouring into the bars and pubs and give the streets almost a nightly street party scene.

Started in the late-1990s by a local business called Angkor What? Bar and followed by its rival, Temple Bar, from the across the street, Pub Street is often recommended as a must-see attraction in Siem Reap. The distinction between eating and drinking establishments is fairly blurry as even the most humble of restaurants can have an extensive cocktail list on their menu. Nonetheless, a vibrant drinking scene concentrated along Street 8, aptly dubbed "Pub Street", is where serious drinkers head for cheap beer, loud music and the sweaty backpacking hubbub scene akin to Bangkok's Khao San Road. The biggest and most well-known Pub St bars, Angkor What?, The Red Piano, Temple Club and Le Tigre du Papier, are easy to find, with Angkor What? and Temple Club engaged in a running battle playing pop music across the street at very loud volumes.

Travelers looking for more subdued place to appreciate a quiet drink can seek out some of the smaller places along "The Alley", "The Lane" and the adjoining streets. A few drinking holes offer a bit more than cheap drunkenness.

Most places have draught Angkor beer for US$0.50 and cans of other beers for US$1-2. Cocktails and spirits go for as little as US$2. Imported red and white wine, generally from the less prestigious wine producing countries, is widely available and cheaper than you would expect. Better quality Australian and French wines are available in more upmarket establishments at a correspondingly premium price.

KTV
These are hostess clubs popular with the locals, room charges are about US$5-10 per hour, beer is US$2-4. Most of these places are fronts for prostitution. Many of these places have two menus. One for Cambodians, which has cheaper prices, and one for foreigners, which have higher prices. If you see that the beer is US$4, they probably gave you the foreigner price.

Bars
Pub St features two main late night bars, Angkor What? and Temple Club which are directly across from each other. Commonly late night bar-goers will also congregate and drink in the street between the two bars and consume their own alcohol there, which is readily bought at stalls or shops in the immediate area.

Sleep
A seemingly inexhaustible range of sleeping options from upmarket hotels to grubby backpacker hostels, with many guest houses, boutique rooms, bungalows, concrete cells, wood huts and French villas in between, make finding a place to sleep one of the easiest things you will do on your trip.

Hotels are spread over the entire city but most larger hotels line national highway 6 to the west of the city centre, cheap backpacker hostels tend to surround the old market area and stylish boutique hotels a nestled in the trees along Wat Bo Rd. Small Khmer run hotels and guest houses, especially in the low season, can be surprisingly good value if you are willing to do a bit of hunting for one that hasn't been overrun by the guidebook-toting hoards.

Accommodations at every price point generally offer hot showers, cable TV, Internet and airport or bus pickup. Some may include free breakfast, though don't expect much more than an egg on toast and a coffee.

Budget

Mid-range

Scams
Most locals are decent people just trying to make an honest living, but a few shady characters try every trick to take advantage of travelers' good will. Be alert to deceptive dealers but don't let suspicion ruin your trip.

Convenience stores have been known to give incorrect change and pocket the rest. Check your change before you walk out of the store and point out any short changing. Most likely they will admit to their "mistake" and give you the right change.

Street vendors and beggars in competition for generous travellers' handouts have developed cunning, if underhanded, techniques to get your attention (and money). The "beggar army" of young children will come up to you in the crowd and grab your hands, leading you to a shop where they will then try and have you buy food, baby milk or water for them. Baby milk powder seems to be a popular one. It might sound like a more humanitarian way to help than giving them money, but once you leave the store the goods you bought for them are sold back to the shop owners or to other locals and the cash goes to an adult. Young women with babies cradled in a krama perform a similar trick.

Donation-collectors for orphanages may approach you in the street claiming to be volunteer workers, showing you convincing photos of themselves in the orphanage and a clipboard listing the generous donations made by foreign visitors. Though these young adults may be well groomed and speak excellent English it's possible that your donation will go directly into their pockets. A donation (either of money, or your time) to a recognised charity might be a better way to help.

Dollar bills need to be checked, as you will find out that you won't be able to change bills with any tiny cut. Fake dollar bills are also wide spread, and can even be issued from ATMs.

NGO safari should be avoided. Do not schedule any orphanage visit unless this is the main purpose of your trip.

Underage sex
Obviously, no-one should be having any form of sexual or other inappropriate contact with children. Foreign tourists have been arrested and charged with child sex offences. To avoid suspicion, do not stay alone with young people (room, temple, school, countryside, stadium, car), and do not respond to any favour they ask of you (transport, phone call, help, use your toilet or a glass of water).

Stay healthy
For general information on health in Cambodia, see the article on Cambodia.

Internet
The numerous Internet cafés charge anywhere US$0.50-1.50/hr. Speed of connection, and speed of PC, very much depends from place to place. A free public Wi-Fi network covers the Pub St and Alley areas but it can sometimes be spotty and always terribly slow.

Most hotels will have cable TV with many international channels such as BBC and CNN as well as those from surrounding countries. There are several FM radio stations, which include international broadcaster Radio France International on 92.0 MHz.

Cope
The going rate for laundry is US$1/kg, US$3/kg for 3-hour service (Feb 2020).

Go next

 * Banteay Chhmar - the forgotten Angkorian complex in neighboring Banteay Meanchey Province. A bit ambitious for a day trip by tuk-tuk but makes for a wonderful excursion by helicopter (about US$2,200).
 * Battambang - Cambodia's second largest city with Buddhist temples, shrines and statues.
 * Koh Ker - the ancient capital, much less touristy than Angkor.
 * Kampong Thom - a gateway to the world heritage listed ruins of Sambor Prei Kuk.
 * Phnom Penh - the modern capital, with the Royal Palace and sites related to the gruesome Khmer Rouge regime and the Cambodian genocide.
 * Thailand - the border crossing at Poipet is a couple hours away, and there are several daily buses to Bangkok
 * Tonle Sap Lake - Southeast Asia's biggest lake with floating villages and a rich biodiversity.

title: Siem Reap


text:
Siena

Siena is a medieval city in Tuscany, 70 km (43 mi) south of Florence. It is probably best known for a colourful horse race, Il Palio, conducted twice each year in the summer. As a walled hill city, Siena's centro storico is extremely picturesque, and from high towers, you can see the beautiful countryside that still largely surrounds the city. With a few notable exceptions (including the pretty yellow colour of the sunflowers that are cultivated for oil for export), the Sienese countryside looks almost the same as it did in Medieval paintings.

History
Siena was an Etruscan city in ancient times, but the era that is most evident in its architecture and remains a constant presence in the city's character is the Middle Ages. Siena was a proud, wealthy, and warlike independent city-state during the Middle Ages and held off its rival Florence in several battles before finally going down to defeat. Medieval Sienese art (painting, sculpture, architecture, etc.) is unique and of great historical importance. Some of the most famous of the artists who lived and worked in Siena are the painters Duccio, Simone Martini, and Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti and the sculptor Jacopo della Quercia.

Sienese people are fiercely proud of their city and their neighborhood (contrada). Each contrada has its own flag, emblem, contrada parish church and contrada house, which functions as a kind of neighborhood social club. The Palio, described below, is all about neighborhood pride and rivalry, and also constitutes the unbroken continuation of a Medieval tradition associated with religion, pageantry, trash-talking, bragging, and occasional violence. It is taken very seriously and is in no way a put-on for tourists; in fact, you are likely to feel less welcomed during the Palio than at any other time, and there isn't the slightest doubt that Siena would run the Palio with great enthusiasm regardless of whether any visitors ever showed up.

That said, this is a city which depends and flourishes on tourism. Siena was a very poor little city for a few hundred years after its defeat, which is the main reason why its lovely Medieval buildings were never torn down and replaced with modern structures. In the 19th century tourists started coming. Nowadays, it is a requirement that new buildings within the city walls be built to maintain the city's character and beauty, with the result that the streets are lined with many neo-Gothic buildings that blend in with the genuinely Gothic ones.

Siena today
The Sienese countryside is part of the Chianti region, and therefore, it is easy to find good local wines in Sienese shops and to accompany your meals in ristoranti and trattorie. Sienese cuisine is delicious, and though some eateries are definitely better than others, it is difficult to find truly bad food in this city. In addition to being known internationally as a medieval city that's a great draw for tourists, Siena is known nationally as a university town, and there are also places for foreign visitors to stay for a few weeks and study Italian or other subjects.

By plane
Most travellers arriving by plane will land at  near Florence or   near Pisa.

Buses of the Sena line connect Siena with the   (twice daily, 2½ hours) near Bologna, a favorite with the discount carriers. There is also a bus link to Pisa International Airport.

By train
From the north, trains go about hourly directly from Florence to Siena, and otherwise it is possible to take any train that stops in Empoli and find train connections from Empoli to Siena every 30–60 minutes. The ticket from Florence SMN costs €10.20 (October 2023). From the south, including Rome, direct connections to Siena depart from Chiusi or from Grosseto.

Siena's is approximately 2 km from the city's historical centre — a five-minute bus ride — and buses leave regularly from Piazza del Sale. Buses #3, 8, 10, 17 and 77 leave from the station to Piazza del Sale and bus #17 departs from Piazza del Sale for the train station.

You can also walk to the centre in about 20–30 minutes: exit the train station and go through the Porta Siena shopping centre (which is open 08:00-21:00), go up the escalators at the far end to Level 2, and continue up the moving sidewalks and escalators to Via Vittorio Emanuele; turn left and walk about 500 m to the Porta Camollia city gate, and follow the road into the city.

By bus
By far the easiest way to get to Siena from Florence (though the train journey is much more picturesque) is to take the Tiemme SpA bus (depart from a small underground bus depot across the street, to the west of Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence). After 1 hr 20 min it will eventually drop you off at Piazza Garibaldi which is located well within the walls of the city, allowing for an easy walk to any of the city's attractions. For the return journey, buses depart from Piazza Gramsci. The cost is €8.40 (May 2019).

Connections are also available from Rome (3 hr), Perugia (1 hr 20 min) and various other cities.

By car
From the north, take the Chiantigiana from Florence (SS 222 – 72 km) that elegantly crosses the hills of Chianti or the highway (SS 2 superstrada Siena/Firenze - 68 km). From the south, Siena can be reached by taking the Autostrada from Rome (A1 Roma-Firenze, exit Valdichiana), and turning right on state highway #326 (Bettolle-Siena - 240 km). Relatively cheap parking can be found near the Fortezza Medicea, northwest of the city stadium, and around it.

By car
The centre of Siena is accessible only on foot. Cars (other than taxis, police, etc.) are strictly prohibited; motorcycles and scooters are OK, though.

Patrons of the central hotels are allowed to drive up and unload the luggage (and then get out), but only by obtaining one-time permission slips from the hotel front desk beforehand (also have them draw the route for you on a map and follow it to the letter. If you miss a turn, it may be wiser to head out the nearest gate, get on the circumferential road just outside the walls, return to the starting point and try again). Have this pass handy if stopped by police while driving within the walls, or, in a pinch, at least a confirmation of your reservation. Don't rush your turns, and swing wide like a truck, as you would be sometimes required to fit between two stone walls into an opening just slightly wider than your vehicle. For more information, contact "Siena Parcheggi" tel. 0577-228711.

To call or reserve a taxi, telephone the Central Reservation Office at 0577-49222.

Siena may be the only city in Mediterranean Europe where parking is not a massive headache, though charges have increased dramatically in the past few years and you can expect to pay €40 or more per day for the more convenient spots. The huge parking lots around the Fortezza and the adjacent football stadium are no longer free, but on the other hand, you can now count on finding a space there almost anytime; there is free parking further out, with minibus service, from Due Ponti and Coroncina (beyond Porta Romana).

By bus
Google maps shows the location of all bus stops within the city. If you zoom in and click the bus symbol on the map, you will get a list of bus routes serving that stop. There are several small buses (Pollicino) run by the TRA-IN company that cover some streets located in the centre and several bus lines to and from the outskirts of town. Bus tickets cost €1.50 per fare (as of May 2019) when bought at kiosks/tabacchi but are more expensive when bought from the driver.

The website for Siena Mobilità has bus schedules (orari) for routes within Siena.

On foot
Siena is a city (a small city, yes, but it isn't like one of the tiny hill towns) and the attractions away from the Campo/Duomo area are spread out on three steep hills, so walking is a necessity. You will understand why Italians can eat so much and not get fat, when you see old women carrying groceries up a long street with a 30-degree incline. If you are tired, check to see if you can get to your destination by walking along a ridge, rather than going in a straight line down a hill and back up.

See
Siena's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Piazza del Campo
This unique shell-shaped piazza is the centre of the city, and twice a year functions as the racetrack for the Palio (see "Do" below). It is beautiful and striking in itself and also lined by some of the most famous and beautiful Gothic buildings in town.

Secondary sights
These "secondary sights" are still quite interesting; it's just that the major sights in Siena are so outstanding that visitors in a rush may want to concentrate on them. If you have more time, walk all around town and see these sights, too.

Piazze and palazzi

 * This piazza features a 19th-century statue of a locally famous economist and author named Sallustio Bandini, but more so, a set of harmoniously ordered buildings at right angles, forming 3 sides of a rectangle, with the fourth side open.
 * The Palazzo Salimbeni, built in 1472, is the world headquarters of Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the major banking corporation which has a hand in much of the economic and cultural life of the city. The building is well worth looking at from the outside. Inside, there are interesting documents showing the history of banking, plus a collection of paintings and other artwork, but you would have to request permission in advance if you'd like to have a chance to view them.
 * Immediately to your right while facing the Palazzo Salimbeni is the glorious Palazzo Spannocchi (built in 1473), with its row of fantastic carvings of the heads of Roman emperors in stone near the roof.
 * The Palazzo Santucci, to your left when facing the Palazzo Salimbeni, was built in the 16th century.

Piazza Tolomei
This piazza, a widening of the Banchi di Sopra, features a statue of the Lupa Senese (Sienese She-Wolf), a symbol adopted from Rome, suspended in the air as if on a stone pole.

Events

 * Classical concerts during the summer at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana, and at various locations in the city during the Chigiana International Festival.
 * Classical concerts during the summer at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana, and at various locations in the city during the Chigiana International Festival.

Walk
Climb the "Torre del Mangia", the tall bell tower overlooking the Piazza del Campo. There is an entrance fee (€8), and only 25 people are let in at a time, so there may be a wait. Not for the faint of heart or claustrophobic, it's about a 300-step hike and you are obliged to leave bags and purses in a locker at the ticket desk inside the tower itself. The panoramic view is exhilarating and well worth the climb. (Excellent though different views of the city are also available from the 'Panoramio' by the cathedral, entry to which is purchased as part of the cathedral museum ticket. If you will be in Siena for a while, the two views are different enough to warrant seeing both.)

By all means, walk on the Banchi di Sopra and Via di Città above the Campo, but also in any other part of the centro storico. There are loads of beautiful buildings, big and small, delightful little piazette, fountains and contrada churches, and many views. Local life in the evening typically revolves around the passeggio, the nightly walk through town, which often includes some gelato, macedonia di frutta con gelato, or/and drinks at one end or the other. So do as the locals do and enjoy a walk through this beautiful city.

Tourist information is located in the Piazza del Campo.

Tours
Take a tour of an Etruscan tomb, visit a winery for a wine tasting, sample regional food, and visit a local village. There are many such tours available.

Buy
Siena is large enough still to have items made in the local area, stemming from its history of craftmanship, so you will find some items not readily available anywhere else. Fine paper, neckties, fabrics, embroidery/tapestry, glazed terracotta, gold jewelry, and of course local food and wine are some of the distinctive items produced locally.

There is a great shop on Via di Cittả with leather luggage, purses, bags, etc.

A huge market is held every Wednesday around the Fortezza Mediceana from about 07:00 to about 14:00.

Siena has popular stores such as Furla, United Colors of Benetton, Upim and Intimissimi.

Due to the city's status as a major tourist attraction there are plenty of newsagents selling international papers and magazines. A good example is the shop opposite the church on Via San Marco in the Snail Contrada, which has a friendly and helpful multilingual owner, who also runs an internet access point.

Learn
The wonderful Siena Jazz Music School is housed in the old fortress.

Siena is also well known for its Italian language schools and several prestigious universities.

Eat

 * Excellent gelato can be found just off the Campo at gelateria "Il Gelato". Ask for Romaney.
 * For something more substantial, "La Chiacchiera" next to the House of St Catherine is an excellent source of typical Tuscan cuisine; the pici (thick, homemade noodles) are superb.

Sienese specialties include:

 * Panforte - a unique kind of dense cake, made of honey, flour, almonds, candied fruits, a secret blend of spices, etc. Tipo Margherita is the classic, but several other types are made. Panforte is commercially manufactured only in Siena and neighboring Monteriggioni, its loyal ally in Medieval wars with Florence. The most famous brand of panforte is Sapori. You can buy panforte most cheaply in local supermarkets, but don't miss a trip to Nannini on Banchi di Sopra (see above), a pleasant caffé where you can buy not only their panforte by weight but also many other types of unusual pastries and so forth.
 * Ricciarelli - small almond paste cakes.

Drink

Also, in the fortress is the excellent Enoteca Italiana, a wine bar and shop located in the fortress' vaults. The Enoteca Italiana stocks an extensive selection of wines produced throughout Italy.

Additionally, since Siena is in the Chianti country, you can buy bottles of good Chianti wines at any market that sells food and wine.

Camping

 * Alternatively, you could camp at
 * Alternatively, you could camp at

Splurge

 * Il Boschetto - 4 km from Siena, 9-room villa with pool, private garden, large living room with open fireplace, satellite-TV and video, 5 large bedrooms.
 * Il Boschetto - 4 km from Siena, 9-room villa with pool, private garden, large living room with open fireplace, satellite-TV and video, 5 large bedrooms.

Go next
There are many bus and train connections from Siena to other interesting places in Tuscany. Consider the following for day trips: the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore in Chiusure, and the towns of San Gimignano, Pienza, Arezzo, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Lucignano, Monteriggioni, and Pisa. Florence is another obvious place to visit. And of course, there is the Chianti country that virtually surrounds Siena and is known worldwide for its wine.

Further afield, there are bus and train connections to Rome and various locations in Umbria.

In addition, there are hot springs in Tuscany, which are popular with Italians and indeed have been enjoyed for thousands of years:

Spas

 * Chianciano Terme
 * Bagni San Filippo
 * Rapolano Terme
 * Montepulciano Terme

title: Siena


text:
Siena (province)

Siena is a province of the Tuscany Region of Italy.

Cities

 * – Capital of the Province
 * - Hilltop town known for its wine.
 * - Hilltop town known for its wine.
 * - Hilltop town known for its wine.
 * - Hilltop town known for its wine.
 * - Hilltop town known for its wine.
 * - Hilltop town known for its wine.

Other destinations

 * A small charming town, worth a visit.
 * A small charming town, worth a visit.
 * A small charming town, worth a visit.
 * A small charming town, worth a visit.

Understand
There are many charming places to visit in the Province of Siena. If you have limited time, the city of Siena is the highlight, and you can easily take 3-5 days to see all the sights there if you so desire. However, if you have more than a few days, make sure to go to San Gimignano, if nowhere else. It's much smaller in area and population than Siena and, with its towers and panoramic view over the countryside, gives the visitor a different experience of a walled Medieval city. Also, because of its small area, a reasonably able bodied person can walk from one end of San Gimignano to the other in 20 minutes, and while it has fewer and smaller attractions than Siena, they are of great quality. Pienza is of special interest to fans of Gothic architecture, because it was completely redesigned as a Gothic village in honor of native son Pope Pius II in the 15th century. If a beautiful rustic monastery with frescoes by Michelangelo's teacher appeals to you, go to the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore in the tiny village of Chiusure.

Eat
It can be very difficult finding a good restaurant open between the hours of about 14:00 to 19:00.

Vegetarians and vegans should have no problem eating in Siena as staff at Italian restaurants tend to be very accommodating. Try ribollita, a regional specialty vegetable soup. 100 percent vegan and delicious. Pizza in Italy (and authentic Italian restaurants elsewhere) has no dairy products or eggs in the dough.

Drink
This is Chianti wine country. You will have no trouble finding well-priced Chianti wines in supermercati or trattorie.

Go next
Florence - short bus or train journey from Siena.

Rome - Possible day trip to get a glimpse of Italy's capital. Bus or train from Siena.

title: Siena (province)


text:
Sierpe

Sierpe is a small town at the base of the Osa Peninsula in South Pacific Costa Rica.

Understand
Sierpe is a little town close to Corcovado National Park. It has only a few inhabitants. Everything in town is right next to the Rio Sierpe which is influenced by the sea.

Get in
Best way to get to Sierpe from/to San Jose, Jaco, Quepos, Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita, and Ojochal is Easy Ride Shuttle Services. They run twice a day both ways with modern vans, professional drivers, air-con.

From Palmar Norte there will be scammers offering you to bring you to Sierpe for ₡8,000 or USD15. Once the taxi driver comes, he will turn on the meter and ignore the previous deal from the scammer. Get off immediately to avoid dramas. There are supposed to be two public buses running at 14:30 and 17:30.

Do
Hire a water taxi and ride over the river from Sierpe to Corcovado National Park. You will go from the river mouth into the sea. You will pass some mangroves on the way to the park. Depending on your budget you can choose from two different stopping points. Be prepared to get your feet wet.

Buy
The cozy restaurant/bar has a souvenir shop.

Eat
There is one large restaurant in the village largely frequented by locals. It's close to the central park.

Sleep
There are some nice little bed and breakfasts.
 * Estero Azul Lodge +506 786-7422. On the banks of the Sierpe River; guided tours; individual bungalows; restaurant; run by North Americans.
 * Hotel Pargo Rojo +506 786-6092. Cheap; Tico restaurant; private boat tours; in Sierpe town; car-watching service.
 * Río Sierpe Lodge +506 225-8553. Accessible only by boat; especially for divers, fishers, and eco-adventurers; day tours; package rates for multiple nights; at mouth of Sierpe River close to Isla Violin.

Go next
At Sierpe's central park there is a bus stop, but there is no schedule for buses. Instead, just ask the locals when a bus is departing and make sure you're on time as the bus might only arrive and depart once per day.

title: Sierpe