text:
Izmir

İzmir is a port on the Central Aegean coast of Turkey, known in antiquity as Smyrna. It's the country's third-largest city, with a population of 3.12 million in 2024.

History
There are lots of little coves and harbours along Turkey's Aegean coast, but ancient Smyrna stood at the head of a broad inlet sheltered from winter storms, with a fertile hinterland and good inland trade routes. It suffered earthquakes and warfare, but didn't silt up and could accommodate large vessels. Thus it outgrew other ports and is now the modern bustling city of Izmir.

This Smyrna was 5 km north of the present centre, in what is now the suburb of Bayraklı, and founded about 3000 BC by the Trojans. In folklore it was the birthplace of Homer, the 8th century BC author of the Odyssey, which describes a war between Greeks and Trojans 500 years earlier. No-one really knows where Homer lived, but a major harbour city is as good a guess as any. By his day Smyrna was settled by the Aeolians from mainland Greece, who were superseded by another Greek tribe the Ionians. The Lydians destroyed the city around 600 BC before a recovery under Alexander the Great from 334 BC.

Alexander’s successors re-built Smyrna on and below Mount Pagos, nowadays Kadifekale, and the city then prospered under the Romans. It was wrecked by an earthquake in 178 AD but again rebuilt into a major commercial port. After the Byzantines, the city had a turbulent time under the Arabs, Seljuks, Crusaders and Mongols, until Mehmet I incorporated it into the Ottoman Empire in 1415. Under Suleyman the Magnificent, Smyrna became a thriving city and a huge trading centre, in spite of frequent earthquakes. It was cosmopolitan, with a majority of Greek Orthodox plus many Jews, Armenians, Muslims, Italians and French, each injecting their own culture, language and cuisine.

The battlefronts of World War I lay elsewhere in Turkey, and the city remained multicultural. This was not for want of trying by the Ottoman rulers, who in 1915 set about a systematic extermination of the Armenians, and the word "genocide" was first coined to describe this. Meanwhile the Allies promised control over Smyrna both to Italy and to Greece as a reward for joining their side. When the guns fell silent and the Ottomans were defeated, it was Greece that had control over a large swathe of territory along the Aegean coast. But Greece aspired to much more, and marched on Ankara; they got within 100 km before being checked then repulsed by the Turks under Kemal Atatürk, in what became the War of Turkish Independence. His forces took Izmir on 9 September 1922 and this is celebrated as the date of the city's independence, but liberation soon degenerated into massacre of non-Turks. Ethnic minority property was torched, and on the 13th this escalated into a huge fire that claimed over 100,000 lives and destroyed much of the city.

The new reality on the ground necessitated a new peace deal, and the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne restored the mainland including Smyrna to Turkey, while Greece retained most of the islands. There was compulsory re-settlement of minorities, so the Greeks were deported to Greece, while Turks in Greece (especially around Thessaloniki, Atatürk's own birthplace) were deported to Turkey. Surviving Armenians fled to Beirut and Egypt. This ended the multicultural nature of the city and of the whole country.

Climate
Izmir has a subtropical Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and rainless yet humid, so July and August highs of 30-35°C feel more like 40°C.

Winters are mild to cool, around 14-18°C with occasional downpours. Freezing snaps occur on clear, windless nights but without snowfall, and occasional snow flurries don't linger.

Spring and fall are warm and pleasant and generally the best time to visit. Beach holidays are best in fall, as the sea temperature lags a month or so behind the land, and is a balmy 20°C in September and October.

By plane
To town:
 * İzban suburban trains run every 10 mins to Alsancak Station north of city centre. Change at Hilal for the metro downtown - this station and its surroundings are messy and not easy to navigate. You need an İzmirimkart (below) for the train and subway.
 * ESHOT bus 202 runs hourly round the clock to Republic Square, taking most of an hour. You need the İzmirimkart to ride it.
 * Bus 200 runs north to Mavişehir, Bus 204 runs to Bornova metro station, and Bus 206 goes to Şirinyer Aktarma in the southern district of Buca.

 * HAVAŞ buses here are similar to the other airports they serve: their website oozes corporate guff about transport solutions, and is too cool to publish timetables or fares.

By train
Izmir is not yet on Turkey's high-speed YHT network, so trains are a ponderous overnight affair, when daytime buses cover the distance in half the time. A high-speed railway is under construction and might open by 2027, though 2207 seems just as likely. Until then, the main services (all daily) are:

 * İzmir Mavi ("Izmir Blue Train"), 14 hrs overnight from Ankara via Eskişehir (which has YHT trains, but not at night) and Kütahya, departing around 18:00.
 * Konya Mavi ("Konya Blue Train"), 12 hrs overnight from Konya (which has YHT trains, and connections for Adana and Antalya), via Afyon and Manisa, departing around 19:30. Most coaches have seats only and sleepers may be out of supply for the nearest dates.
 * Ege Ekspressi, 9½ hours daily from Kutahya via Tavsanli, Balıkesir, Soma, Akhisar and Manisa, departing around 09:30 and returning north at 06:30.
 * Göller Ekspresi ("Lakes Express"), 8 hrs overnight from Isparta via Denizli (for Pamukkale), Nazilli, Aydin and Selcuk (for Ephesus and Kuşadası), departing around 22:00. No sleepers available.
 * 6 Eylül Ekspresi ("6th of September Express"), 6½ hr daily from Bandırma (with ferries from Istanbul) via Balıkesir and Soma, departing around 08:00.

Buy tickets at the station, or in theory online, but the TCDD website has been broken for many months.

By boat

 * "We then sailed on up the narrow strait with wailing. For on one side lay Scylla and on the other divine Charybdis terribly sucked down the salt water of the sea."
 * - Homer's Odyssey Book 12 Line 234
 * - Sail close to Scylla, she devours six of your crew for sure but the rest get through. Charybdis may let you through or suck down the entire ship. Which do you choose?

As of 2024 there are no ferries to Izmir beyond local services round the bay; no blame attaches to Scylla or Charybdis. See Çeşme for the ferry from Chios.

By bus
Buses from Istanbul run hourly round the clock, taking 8 hours, for a fare in 2024 of 1100 TL. They may call on the way at Gebze, Bursa, Balıkesir and Manisa.

From Ankara buses also run hourly, taking 8 hours via Afyon, Uşak and Salihli (for Sardis). From Adana takes 14 hours via Konya.

Bus lines include Metro Turizm, Pamukkale and Flixbus.

By road
From Istanbul follow O-5 toll motorway all the way. It's 480 km, say 5½ hours allowing for traffic at each end.

From Ankara is 590 km, eight hours along E96 via Afyon and Uşak.

On foot
You can explore Izmir's inner city by walking.

By bus
ESHOT is the city transport combine. Its bus routes span this region, all the way for instance to Bergama.

İzmirim Kart is the contactless smart card used for all modes of public transport, available from multiple locations including the airport, ferry piers, and railway and metro stations. Each use is valid for 90 min, including one interchange on tram, train and metro but not buses. In 2024 a city centre bus journey costs 8.78 TL then a first transfer is 3.50 TL. On trains it initially charges the fare for the maximum possible distance but refunds when you swipe out.

By train
IZBAN railway (shown in green) runs north-south:
 * South Line runs from Tepeköy (for Torbali) in the south via the airport and Menderes town to Hilal (for Metro) and Alsancak (for trams, city ferries and the North Line).
 * South Line Extension runs from Tepeköy to Selçuk, for Ephesus.
 * North Line runs from Alsancak to Turan, Mavişehir (for trams), Çiğli, Menemen and Aliağa (for connections to Foça and Bergama).

on Şehitler Cd is terminus for the IZBAN railway, and has trams. No Metro or mainline trains run here.

Metro (shown in blue) runs east-west, from Bornova to the east via Halkapinar interchange (for trams and North Line), Hilal (for South Line), Basmane (for mainline trains) and Konak to Fahrettin Altay (for Göztepe and Balçova town).

Trams (shown in red) have two separate loops:
 * City centre and south shore: from Halkapinar interchange to Alsancak, Konak, Göztepe and Fahrettin Altay.
 * North shore: from Alaybay to Bostanli, Atakent and Mavişehir.

All three rail systems have extensions under construction or in planning.

By boat
Izdeniz Ferries criss-cross the city inlet, a cheap, fast and pleasant form of transport.

By taxi
There are many taxis with reasonable prices and no night rate. Turkish taxis are not allowed to go outside province they are registered at. Meaning an Izmir-registered taxi (registration starting in 35) cannot go beyond Izmir provincial boundaries.

See

 * is the city's main square and gives its name to the central district. Konak means a mansion, and the provincial governor's mansion stood here. The clocktower (Saat Kulesi), erected in 1901, was one of dozens across the country marking 25 years of the reign of Abdul Hamid II (1842-1918). Neither clocktower nor Hamid fared well in later years, but at least the clocktower has been repeatedly restored, while the Ottoman Empire decayed into "the sick man of Europe". Hamid was deposed in 1909 to spent his last years under house arrest, with no escape from the recriminations of his wives and consorts, who numbered almost as many as his commemorative clocktowers.
 * Konak Mosque is a dinky little mosque within the square. It's octagonal, built in 1755 and decorated with Kütahya tiles, with a single entrance for both men and women.
 * was built in 1905. It's named for the fellow who endowed it, an Islamic judge.
 * Toy Museum is at Birleşmiş Milletler Cd 8, 100 m west of the Archaeological Museum. It's open Tu-Sa 09:00-17:00.
 * was built in the 1590s and is a striking example of Islamic architecture.
 * Şadırvanaltı Mosque 100 m east on 892nd Sk was built in 1636.
 * Başdurak Mosque was built in 1652. It's on 873rd Sk within Kemeraltı Bazaar.
 * Kemeraltı Mosque on the west side of the Bazaar was built in 1671.
 * Bazaars: see "Buy" for Kemeraltı and Kızlarağası Hanı next to Hisar Mosque.
 * Kemeraltı Mosque on the west side of the Bazaar was built in 1671.
 * Bazaars: see "Buy" for Kemeraltı and Kızlarağası Hanı next to Hisar Mosque.
 * Women's Museum displays the lives and achievements of Anatolian women. It's at 1298th Sk 14 near Basmane station, open Tu-Sa 09:00-17:00, free.
 * Atatürk Monument is the centrepiece of Cumhuriyet Meydanı, Republic Square, in front of the Swissôtel. It was erected in 1932; the great man lived to 1938. "Orduların, ilk hedefiniz Akdeniz'dir. İleri!" are his stirring words on the base: “Armies, your first target is the Mediterranean Sea. Forward!”. With only 60 m further to go, this is an easier objective than when he uttered those words in 1922, with the Greeks at the zenith of their advance and the backs of the Turks against the threshold of Ankara.
 * Mask Museum displays 50 masks from around the world. It's at 1448th Sk 22 a block east of Atatürk Museum, open Tu-Sa 09:00-17:00, free.
 * Alsancak (also called Punta or Reşadiye) is the district west of the History Museum and Alsancak Station, a grid of small streets with lots of cafes and bars in old Greek houses.
 * Mask Museum displays 50 masks from around the world. It's at 1448th Sk 22 a block east of Atatürk Museum, open Tu-Sa 09:00-17:00, free.
 * Alsancak (also called Punta or Reşadiye) is the district west of the History Museum and Alsancak Station, a grid of small streets with lots of cafes and bars in old Greek houses.
 * Alsancak (also called Punta or Reşadiye) is the district west of the History Museum and Alsancak Station, a grid of small streets with lots of cafes and bars in old Greek houses.
 * Alsancak (also called Punta or Reşadiye) is the district west of the History Museum and Alsancak Station, a grid of small streets with lots of cafes and bars in old Greek houses.

Further out

 * Izmir Zoo is next to the bird reserve, open daily 09:00-18:30.
 * Izmir Zoo is next to the bird reserve, open daily 09:00-18:30.
 * Izmir Zoo is next to the bird reserve, open daily 09:00-18:30.

Do

 * "I know the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan."
 * - Smryna was one of the Seven Churches of Asia, and in Revelation 2, St John of Patmos flays them all for back-sliding and laxity.

 * Kordon is what everyone calls the waterfront promenade of Atatürk Cd. It's lined by tall apartments and palm trees on one side and the Aegean on the other, with a broad strip of lawn and a cobbled street between, where you can have a 19th-century fayton (horse-drawn carriage) ride.
 * Beaches: not downtown, which has a pleasant waterfront but not a beach. You need to get 20+ km west to the suburb of Güzelbahçe, and the coast improves further west towards Çeşme. North of the city is muddy lagoons or inaccessible cliffs, with the nearest resort at Foça.
 * Football: Göztepe SK were promoted in 2024 and now play soccer in Süper Lig, the top tier. Their home ground Gürsel Aksel Stadium (capacity 19,700 all-seater) is 5 km west of city centre.
 * Altay SK were relegated in 2024 and now play in TFF Second League, the third tier. Their Mustafa Denizli Stadium (capacity 15,000) is just east of Alsancak Station; it was rebuilt in 2021 when earthquake damage left the original of 1929 teetering.
 * Izmirspor were founded in 1923 and have played in the top tier but now languish down in the amateur leagues.

 * Lunapark is a funfair within Kültürpark, open M-F 12:00-18:00, Sa Su 11:00-20:00.
 * Izmir Jazz Festival is in March.
 * Izmir Marathon is held in April.

Buy

 * Kemeraltı is the atmospheric main bazaar, in the streets east of Konak Square. It's open M-Sa 08:00-19:00.
 * Kızlarağası Han next to Hisar Mosque was a caravanserai built in 1745 and now housing shops.
 * AVM is the Turkish term for a shopping centre - alışveriş merkezi. Those in city centre include Konak Pier, and Kemer Plaza and Hesapli within Kemeraltı.

Eat

 * Local specialties:

 * Fish, typically grilled sea bass.
 * Kumru is a warm sandwich, made with a special bread with sesame seeds, Turkish sausage, grilled cheese and tomatoes; vegetarian versions are available. Find it at street stalls, best early in the day still warm from the bakery. One is a snack, two are a filling meal.
 * Tulum Peyniri is a cheese made in the Izmir region.
 * Boyoz, another local pastry but much oilier than kumru, to eat with a cup of tea for breakfast.

Budget

 * The alleys off Talatpaşa Blv east of the Atatürk Museum are lined with budget eating places.

Splurge

 * Veli Usta have two seafood restaurants 100 m north of Cumhuriyet Meydanı: at Cumhuriyet Blv 131 and at Atatürk Cd 182, both open daily 12:00-23:00. When they're good they're very good, but at these prices they need to be more consistent.
 * Yengec next to Alsancak pier is an overpriced tourist trap.
 * Yengec next to Alsancak pier is an overpriced tourist trap.

Drink

 * Kordon, Alsancak's waterfront, is an attractive place in nice weather.
 * 1448th Sk in Alsancak has end-to-end bars and pubs, with outdoor seating.
 * Nightlife is found on Kıbrıs Şehitleri Cd and Gazi Kadinlar Cd, especially at weekends.

Budget

 * Alican is a basic place north side of Basmane station, 1268th Sk 12.
 * Imperial Otel is at 1296th Sk 54, 50 m SW of Basmane station. It's tatty but clean.
 * Hotel Oba is at 1369th Sk 27, 200 m west of Basmane station. It's basic but cleaner than most.
 * Hotel Oba is at 1369th Sk 27, 200 m west of Basmane station. It's basic but cleaner than most.

Mid-Range

Consulates

 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Stay safe

Usual care of valuables, and beware traffic. There's a police post on Konak Pier and the HQ - for something serious like a missing passport - is on 1365th Sk near Basmane Station. There's no longer a separate "tourism police".

Connect
Izmir and its approach highways have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of April 2024, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.

Go next

 * Çeşme is a small harbour half an hour's drive west of Izmir. It has ferries to Chios.
 * Selçuk a few hours to the south has many historical sights, and is the hub for reaching the must-see Roman city of Ephesus.
 * Şirince is a pleasant inland village, renowned for its wines.
 * Tire an hour away is a traditional Aegean town with a large open-air market. Ödemiş is another traditional town; Birgi further east is one of the prettiest in the country.
 * Kemalpaşa 30 km east was the summer capital of the Empire of Nicaea, and has the ruined Laskaris Palace.
 * Manisa northeast over Sabuncubeli Pass is the hub for visiting Sardes, the capital of ancient Lydia, and Mount Sipylus with forest scenery and mythological sites.
 * Bergama north has the ruins of Pergamon, among the top sights in the country.
 * Istanbul to Izmir is a network of itineraries over this culturally rich part of Turkey.

title: Izmir


text:
Izmit

İzmit is an industrial city in the Eastern Marmara region of Turkey, just over 100 km east of Istanbul. It's at the tip of the sword-like Gulf of İzmit, a long inlet of the Sea of Marmara, and in 2021 had a population of 367,990. İzmit is the capital of the province and metropolis of Kocaeli.

Understand
The first known city hereabouts, from maybe 700 BC, was called Astakos (Ἀστακός), and lay 20 km south, in what is nowadays Başiskele. It was at the tip of the Gulf of Izmit so it was an obvious place to establish a port trading between Anatolia and the Mediterranean. "Astakos" means lobster, so either the fishing was good or it indicated the pincer-like tip of the Sea of Marmara. To the north was the Kingdom of Bithynia bordering the Black Sea: this waged wars to gain Astakos and eventually won a pyrrhic victory. The wrecked town was rebuilt further north in 264 BC by Nicomedes I of Bithynia, who made it his capital and (no doubt after much thought) named it Nicomedia.

By 70 BC Rome had grown into the regional power, and Bithynia sought their aid against foes further east. Aid slid into influence then into colonisation and it became a Roman province. It was important to them as the borderland against even more dangerous foes, the Persians. Nicomedia became one of the four co-capitals of the Roman Tetrarchy until 330 AD when power was centralised in Byzantium, the later Constantinople / Istanbul. The Ottomans took the city in 1337, calling it at first İznikmid: the prefix "Iz" means "towards" so this meant the vicinity of Nicomedia, and eventually got shortened to İzmit.

The city was roiled by several conflicts, the last being the Greek-Turkish War of 1919-22, and by earthquakes. The most terrible recent shock was on 17 Aug 1999, a quake of magnitude 7.6 Mw that killed 17,000 and rendered half a million homeless. Much of Izmit's Ottoman architcture also perished.

The city was rebuilt: it stands on the Istanbul-Ankara transport corridor and has long been industrial. It will never be mistaken for a beach resort: the head of the gulf is lined with commercial and military docks. So you're more likely to come here for business, such as the automobile industry, or passing through.

The climate is oceanic, modified by the overarching Mediterranean zone and low altitude. Summer days are very warm with highs of 28°C, punctuated by occasional thundery downpours; nights are also cooler than nearby Istanbul. Spring and fall are mild and an ideal time to visit (if a business traveller has much choice in the matter), but they have more rain and the nights dip below 0°C as early as November and as late as May. Winters are chilly and wet, and it may snow. At any time of year, the cold gulf waters generate overnight mist which seeps across town in the morning.

By train
YHT fast trains run six times a day from Ankara and three times from Konya, via Eskişehir and Arifiye. From Izmit they continue west to Gebze and the Istanbul stations of Pendik (for SAW airport), Bostancı and Söğütlüçeşme, and once a day further out to Halkalı. The ride from Istanbul takes 70 min and in 2022 a single costs 51 TL.

You can also take the Marmaray suburban train from Istanbul to Gebze and change.

Five regional trains run daily from Gebze to Izmit (40 min), Arifiye and Adapazarı (another 50 min).

Ankara Express runs overnight, leaving Ankara at 22:00 to reach Izmit at 04:30 and central Istanbul at 06:00. The eastbound train departs around 22:50, calls at Izmit at 00:30 and reaches Ankara at 06:45. is west edge of town centre near the budget accommodation area.

By bus
Buses run every hour or two from Istanbul Harem, the Asian terminal, taking an hour for a single fare in 2022 of 60 TL. A few start from Istanbul Esenler the European terminal or involve a change at Gebze. The main operator is Efe Tur. From Ankara they operate five buses a day taking 4 hr 15 min. The other bus line is Metro Turizm, with frequent services calling on their way between Istanbul and Ankara.

the main bus station is by the bypass, northeast edge of the city. You need a dolmuş to get to town and it may be included in your ticket, enquire when booking. Otherwise trams also run into the centre and onward to the esplanade.

By car
D100 from Istanbul into Anatolia runs through the city centre. It's often congested as its course negotiates through town centres and extensive industrial areas.

O-4/E80, a limited-access motorway (toll) tracing the route of D100 to its north, is a better choice.

O-7 extends further north and is the fastest, but also has an accordingly higher toll than O-4/E80.

Under normal traffic conditions, a drive from the Asian Side of Istanbul shouldn't take much longer than an hour.

Get around
The area of most interest is around the clock tower and within walking distance.

The rest of town sprawls so you need a dolmuş or taxi. Of the two boulevards between clock tower and commercial district, İnönü Cd is one-way westbound while Cumhuriyet Cd is two-way, so look for transport accordingly.

Trams (Akçaray) run on a single line from the bus station in the east through the centre to Seka and the western suburbs.

See

 * The Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi) is in the leafy plaza opposite the railway station, though it now feels cut off by D-100 highway roaring overhead. Built in 1901, it was one of a job-lot of neoclassical clock towers built all across the Empire to mark 25 years of the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II (1842-1918). He presided over a great expansion of the railways but a collapse of Ottoman power. He was deposed in 1907, and what with fear of assassination and 13 wives to mollify he didn't much get to travel and admire all his clock towers. The Izmit tower stands 16.4 m tall and is prettified with fountains; it was restored in 2006.
 * is an alley winding up from the clock tower with many preserved or restored traditional Ottoman houses. Finest of these is the Selim Sirri Pasha Mansion, seldom open. Some 50 m east is the House of Atatürk and the National Struggle (Atatürk ve Milli Mücadele Anı Evi), intermittently open.
 * was built shortly after the Ottoman conquest of 1332, and repaired after subsequent earthquakes. It's a simple low building.
 * Fevziye Mosque is 500 m east of the railway station on Cumhuriyet Cd. It was first built in the early 1500s, repaired and rebuilt since, and completely destroyed in the 1999 earthquake so the present building is a replica.
 * or "New Mosque" (Yeni Cuma Camii) was built in 1579.
 * is a collection of mock-up Ottoman buildings. You may be able to stroll around at quiet times, but it's in regular use as a film and TV set, when you'll have to be content with a distant view of extras wearing fezzes and waiting to be melodramatically killed.
 * Fevziye Mosque is 500 m east of the railway station on Cumhuriyet Cd. It was first built in the early 1500s, repaired and rebuilt since, and completely destroyed in the 1999 earthquake so the present building is a replica.
 * or "New Mosque" (Yeni Cuma Camii) was built in 1579.
 * is a collection of mock-up Ottoman buildings. You may be able to stroll around at quiet times, but it's in regular use as a film and TV set, when you'll have to be content with a distant view of extras wearing fezzes and waiting to be melodramatically killed.
 * is a collection of mock-up Ottoman buildings. You may be able to stroll around at quiet times, but it's in regular use as a film and TV set, when you'll have to be content with a distant view of extras wearing fezzes and waiting to be melodramatically killed.
 * is a collection of mock-up Ottoman buildings. You may be able to stroll around at quiet times, but it's in regular use as a film and TV set, when you'll have to be content with a distant view of extras wearing fezzes and waiting to be melodramatically killed.

Do

 * Beach: the esplanade is alright for strolling, but you wouldn't sit on the shore or venture into the murky water. East at the head of the gulf is industrial. The best of a poor choice is Başiskele south shore of the gulf, though it's stony.
 * Football: Kocaelispor were relegated in 2022 so they now play soccer in TFF 2nd League, Turkey's third tier. Their home ground Kocaeli Stadyumu (capacity 34,700) is on Tunaoğlu Cd 5 km east of town centre.

Buy

 * Lots of small supermarkets: Migros and A101 are the main chains, open daily to 22:00.
 * Outlet Center and 41 Burda are big retail malls south side of town just beyond Kumla Creek. Its shops are open daily 10:00-22:00.

Eat

 * Pişmaniye is a local confectionery. Likened to cotton candy, it is fine strands of sweetened flour cooked in butter and then rolled up to form a ball shape.
 * A cluster of seafood places on the seafront by the railway station include Seka Palmiye, Izmit Yelken Kulubu, Beyaz Yalı, Pehlivan and Izmit Marina.
 * Near the clock tower are two sushi cafes, Takasushi and Daichi.
 * Eat poison, if you're Hannibal the Carthagian general, who rode elephants over the Alps and at one point had Rome at his mercy. Defeated, he sought exile in places that valued his expertise against the Romans, but around 182 BC the Bithynians betrayed him and he took poison rather than be captured.

Drink
"Bar Street" is a surprising collection of pubs, in the alley off Cumhuriyet Cd 200 east of the clock tower.

Sleep

 * There are two accommodation strips. South edge of town along D100 is budget, and you may have to hold your nose. East along D605 are the pricier business hotels.

 * Başiskele on the south shore of the gulf is a separate town. You might prefer to stay here if you're driving towards Bursa.
 * Başiskele on the south shore of the gulf is a separate town. You might prefer to stay here if you're driving towards Bursa.
 * Başiskele on the south shore of the gulf is a separate town. You might prefer to stay here if you're driving towards Bursa.
 * Başiskele on the south shore of the gulf is a separate town. You might prefer to stay here if you're driving towards Bursa.
 * Başiskele on the south shore of the gulf is a separate town. You might prefer to stay here if you're driving towards Bursa.
 * Başiskele on the south shore of the gulf is a separate town. You might prefer to stay here if you're driving towards Bursa.

Connect
İzmit has 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of Oct 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.

Go next

 * Mount Kartepe 30 km southeast is a winter sports resort. Maşukiye village on its north slopes has grown into a service town, with lots of visitor accommodation and eating places.
 * The Tolerance Way is a waymarked hiking trail leading south over the Samanlı Mountains to İznik.
 * Eskişehir is the city southeast where you enter the plains of Anatolia.
 * Bursa to the southwest is modern, but as the first city captured by the Ottomans it's full of historic sights.
 * The gravitational pull of Istanbul, the Turkish Jupiter, will capture you sooner or later.

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

title: Izmit


text:
Iznik

İznik is a town in the Eastern Marmara Region of Turkey, with a population of 22,507 in 2012. It stands at the east end of Lake İznik and is nowadays a quiet market town, but as ancient Nicaea was once a major cultural centre.

Understand
"So if Jesus is the Son of God, there must have been a time before God created him?"

"Oh no there wasn't!" "Oh yes there was!" Whack! - "Take that, you disgusting Arian heretic!"

In 325 AD, with ruthless Roman persecution still a recent memory and with so many other daily threats to survival, this was how early Christians got dandered up. Then Emperor Constantine made it a tolerated Roman religion, whatever it was - Christianity took on multiple forms as it diverged from Jewish belief and practice, and encountered different gentile / pagan audiences. And so he convened a grand assembly at Nicaea of all the bishops of Christiandom, which became known as the First Ecumenical Council: about 300 of the 1000-some attended. Their meeting place was the Imperial Palace, north side near Istanbul gate, but building and site are long lost. Constantine attended as host and convenor but did not intervene in debate - his crucial role was to fund the show, including the travel expenses. Its outcome was the Nicene Creed, the first unified doctrine and code of Christianity.

This became the Roman state religion in 380 but continued to be riven by disputes, as it is to this day. Further ecumenical councils were held, with the seventh and last of that format again held in Nicaea in 787. The city itself long pre-dates that, and a series of Hellenistic proto-states warred over it. In 301 BC it was captured by Lysimachus, who named it Nicaea (Νίκαια) after his late wife, and for the Greek goddess of victory. It became capital of the kingdom of Bithynia then fell under the sway of Rome. Around the first century AD it was laid out on a Roman grid pattern, and in 123 AD Emperor Hadrian visited. He'd just completed Hadrian's Wall in Britain and now commissioned the great defensive walls that still define the inner city. But it suffered major earthquakes in the 360s and declined as Byzantium / Constantinople rose.

In later centuries Nicaea continued to sit at the opposite end of the see-saw from Constantinople, either as the place you fled to, or as the redoubt from which you plotted the overthrow of that over-mighty city. Thus from 1071 AD it was the base of the Seljuk's Sultanate of Rum, with "Rum" being their Roman target. When the Crusaders captured Constantinople in 1204, a rump Byzantine "Empire of Nicaea" clung on here for over 60 years. In 1331 it fell to the Ottomans and thereafter the see-saw tilted inexorably to Constantinople.

"A wretched village of long lanes and mud walls" in 1797 was a typical description of the place, camped amidst the ruins. But this meant that the ancient layout was preserved. There are 3 km of walls with gates and thoroughfares to each direction: Istanbul Gate (İstanbul Kapı) north, Lefke Gate east, Yenişehir Gate south and Lake Gate (Göl Kapı) west. The lake has receded so its waterfront is modern. The old centre was smashed in the war with Greece 1920-22 so this too is mostly modern, but religious buildings such as Hagia Sophia were restored. There was also a nationalist purging of Greek populations, culture and placenames, so Nicaea became Iznik. The 1990s saw a revival of the city's 16th / 17th century decorated tile industry.

There's no official Tourist Information Centre. Places around town square are commercial outlets selling tours and bus tickets, which may be what you want.

Climate
The climate of İznik is generally similar to nearby Bursa, a mix of Oceanic and Mediterranean, but İznik has a warmer and sunnier microclimate, allowing some palms and subtropical trees to grow, even if they're not part of the natural tree cover; this adds a more Mediterranean feel to the views of the city.

Summers are hot, with daytime temperatures averaging at almost 30°C (86°F). İznik is drier than Bursa during the summer, with only 2-3 days of rain a month.

Winters are cool to chilly, with a good amount of rain and sporadic snow. The skies are often cloudy during this time, and daily highs average around 10°C (50°F).

İznik can avoid snowfall even when nearby areas get accumulations of it, but manages to get some snow every year, with a week or two of snow cover on average.

Spring (except March, which can often feel more like winter) and fall are both mild, and both good times to visit the city, especially as İznik does not get soaked by the Anatolian storm season that often brings heavy showers further south.

By bus
The inter-city buses from Istanbul don't serve Iznik. The best approach is to reach Yalova by bus or ferry, then take a dolmuş. These start from downtown by the ferry pier so you don't need to make your way to the edge-of-town otogar. They run hourly M-Sa 07:30-21:00, Su from 09:00, and take one hour.

These and other routes are operated by İznik Minibüs ve Otobüsçüler Koop (+90 224 757 1648). Some you might use are:

 * From Bursa every 20 min 08:00-00:00.
 * From Gölcük via Karamürsel three times a day.
 * From Osmaneli every two hours 08:30-18:30.

the bus station is central, 500 m southeast of the clocktower - enter from Mahmut Sk on its north side. There's little cafes and convenience shops in the terminal.

By car
From Istanbul or Ankara take O-5 across Osman Gazi Bridge (toll), and stay on it for 20 km to Orhangazi. Then follow D-150 for 40 km east along the north lake shore. You might save the price of a cup of coffee by taking the ferry to Topçular and rejoining O-5 there.

From Izmit and Gölcük at the head of the gulf follow D-130 west to Karamürsel, then the scenic but winding D-595 mountain road.

From Bursa take O-5 or D-575 north past Gemlik, then follow the south lake shore, which is the more scenic side.

By boat
Foot-passenger ferries sail to Yalova from Istanbul Yenikapı (75 min) and Pendik, and a car ferry sails from Gebze Eskihisar to Topçular. Dolmuşes ply from Yalova to Iznik, see above.

Get around
Walk: the going is level, and all the gates – the most distant points of the town – are about 1 km from the central square.

Taxis wait in the streets near Hagia Sophia. Operators include İznik Taksi (+90 224 757 3737), İznik Terminal Taksi (+90 552 207 9177) and Merkez Taksi (+90 224 757 5164).

See

 * The clocktower (İznik saat kulesi) presides over the town crossroads next to Hagia Sophia, with views to each city gate.
 * Tile ovens (Çini fırınları) from the 16th century lie ruined a block south on Maltepe Cd, corner of Ali Paşa Sk, next to an old hamam. All over town are craft shops calling themselves tile museums ("Come in, is free to look!"), see Buy.
 * Haji Özbek Mosque is on Kılıçaslan Cd 200 m east of Hagia Sophia. It was built in 1333 shortly after the Ottoman conquest, but much altered when the street was widened in the 20th century.
 * Huysuzlar Tombs are on Atatürk Cd north towards Istanbul Gate. The name means "grumpy" and the hoaky tale goes that misbehaving children were made to stand here and think on.
 * is the best preserved of the city's four gates.
 * on Sultan Sk might be 15th / 16th century but is dilapidated.
 * Ahiveyn Sultan Tombs are a short block east then south of the hamam. Ahiveyn or Afyon was grandson of Orhan, the second of the Ottoman dynasty, but these tombs are 17th century; they're fairly plain.
 * on Sultan Sk might be 15th / 16th century but is dilapidated.
 * Ahiveyn Sultan Tombs are a short block east then south of the hamam. Ahiveyn or Afyon was grandson of Orhan, the second of the Ottoman dynasty, but these tombs are 17th century; they're fairly plain.
 * Davud Kayseri Tomb is two short blocks north of the museum. Dawūd al-Qayṣarī (circa 1260-1350), meaning "David from Kayseri", was a notable sufi scholar. Orhan built a school for him in Iznik.
 * is the east exit of town - Lefke 31 km east is nowadays Osmaneli. The wall and gate are well preserved here and just outside is several hundred metres of Roman aqueduct.
 * Çandarlı Hayrettin Paşa Tombs are 200 m east of Lefke Gate. The Çandarlı were a prominent family of the early Ottoman years, and Sarı Saltuk was a 13th century sufi saint.
 * was a magnificent mausoleum of the 2nd century BC - the name means "Barber Rock" as its statues resembled customers sat in a barber's shop. But in 1953 tomb robbers sought to break in with dynamite, so there it lies in itsy-bits on the hillside.
 * inters the flag-bearer of an Islamic army, who died during a raid into Byzantine Anatolia in 740 AD. The pine-covered hill offers great views over the town, the lake, and the surrounding countryside.
 * Church of Koimesis or Dormition is just a weed-strewn gap site two blocks east of the bus station. It was 11th century but destroyed in the 1920s war. It's the burial place of Theodore I, who fled here from the Crusaders in 1204 to rule the remnant "Empire of Nicaea."
 * Church of Koimesis or Dormition is just a weed-strewn gap site two blocks east of the bus station. It was 11th century but destroyed in the 1920s war. It's the burial place of Theodore I, who fled here from the Crusaders in 1204 to rule the remnant "Empire of Nicaea."
 * is just a jumble of stones, with no access as excavations continue.
 * Candarlioglu Mosque two blocks west of Hagia Sophia (towards Lake Gate) is a surprising sight on Kılıçaslan Cd, a small mosque richly clad in blue / green tiles. It was built in 1996.
 * (Göl Kapı) is the west end of Kılıçaslan Cd. Nothing left of the gate itself, and the adjacent walls are crumbling beneath the vegetation.
 * Senate Palace is just a gnarly masonry foundation along the waterfront 300 m south of Lake Gate. If you sit on it you'll have a better lake view and won't have to contemplate the sorry state of the palace.
 * Basilica of Saint Neophytos is another 200 m south, but don't hold your breath searching for it. It was probably built shortly after the Ecumenical Council of 325 AD, but became submerged by the lake after an earthquake of 740 AD, and was only rediscovered in 2014.
 * south end of town survives, but the walls are gone or incorporated into later buildings. Kiz Kulesi is the stump of a bastion one block west on Osmangazi Cd. Hagios Tryphonus Church is a ruin south by the main highway. Kırgızlar Tomb adjacent is from the time of the Ottoman conquest but it's not known who's buried here.
 * Halil Hayrettin Paşa Mosque just north of the gate is modern but in attractive traditional style.

Further out

 * (Roma Dönemi Antik Taş Ocağı) 3 km northeast was used right up to 1990 for building stone and statuary. Its best-known feature is a relief of Hercules, but this and many other relics have been damaged by souvenir hunters, quarrying and waste-dumping. Free, 24 hours.
 * (Yeraltı Mezarı), discovered in the 1960s, have brilliant frescoes in the outer burial chamber. A modern front has been built on for security and they're closed in 2022. They're in the keeping of the city museum so enquire there in case a visit is possible, for a suitable fee.
 * (Dikilitaş) on the hilltop is 1st century AD, 12 m tall but looking like it could fall any minute. Its inscription commemorates Cassius Philiscus, who is probably buried beneath.

Do

 * Swim: the lake waters are reasonably clean, and a pleasant temperature in summer. Multiple access points along the waterfront.
 * Iznik Ultra is a 160 km race around the lake, with a mountain section so you climb and descend 4930 m. There are part-races within it, such as Orhangazi 90K and Narlıca Mountain Marathon 55K. The next is probably 19-21 May 2023 (the public holiday weekend) but tbc.
 * Hiking:
 * The Evliya Çelebi Way is a partly marked hiking, cycling, and horse riding trail from Hersek on the Gulf of İzmit through İznik to Simav southwest of Kütahya, roughly following the path taken by Evliya Çelebi, a 17th century Ottoman traveller, during his Hajj pilgrimage.
 * The Sufi Trail, a partly marked hiking and cycling trail, connects Sufism-related and other sites along its course between Yalova (with a ferry connection to the initial stage in Istanbul) and Konya through İznik, loosely following another Ottoman pilgrimage route.
 * The Tolerance Way commemorates the Edict of Toleration by Galerius, the Roman emperor 305–311, which ended the persecution of Christians. The waymarked trail runs over the mountains from İzmit, where the edict was published.

Buy

 * Market day is Wednesday in the streets east of the clocktower. Lots of fresh fruit, veg and other local produce.
 * Banks with external ATMs are near the clocktower on Atatürk Cd or Kılıçaslan Cd.
 * Supermarkets cluster in the same area:
 * BİM has branches north at Atatürk Cd 108, west at Kılıçaslan Cd 56 and east at Alaaddin Mısri Sk 12, all open daily until 20:00.
 * Dia is another national chain, at Tarlabaşı Sk 13 a block north of the clocktower.
 * Migros is at Kılıçaslan Cd 86, with a smaller outlet north at Atatürk Cd 157.
 * Şok has a dozen branches, with one next to the clocktower.
 * Gül Çini Takı at Kılıçarslan Cd 159 towards Lefke Gate is a good value souvenir shop, open daily 09:00-19:00.
 * Tiles (çini) and other elegantly glazed ceramics were a tradition here from about 1490 to 1620 then it died out. Pieces from this era survive, but if you buy any you'd better hope they're fake, since it's illegal to export them. The industry was revived in the 1990s, and designs range through classical and kitsch to avant-garde. There are dozens of little workshops and outlets, especially along Kılıçaslan Cd east towards the Green Mosque. İznik Foundation is a corporate tile enterprise nowadays based in Istanbul.

Drink

 * Few of the town cafes serve alcohol, but an "izgara" does, otherwise try the hotel restaurants.

Connect
As of June 2022, Iznik and the east-west approach highway has 4G from all Turkish carriers, but the signal is patchy on the north-south highway D-595. 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.

Go next

 * Bursa was the first true city captured by the Ottomans and is full of historic sites.
 * Mount Uludağ rears up south of Bursa and is a ski and summer hiking resort.
 * See Istanbul to Izmir for an itinerary through this region; it swings through Iznik.

title: Iznik


text:
Izola

Izola is an ancient Mediterranean town with a lively history on the Slovenian coast. The old part of the town rests upon what once used to be an island, which is where its name comes from. In Latin, 'isola' means 'an island'.

The fishing tradition is nowadays still present in Izola's tourist programs and cuisine. The local specialties include olive oil and home made vine. Positioned on the northern part of the Istra peninsula and having its own Marina the city remains one of the leading centers of nautical tourism.

History
The island was inhabited in the first century and was later connected to the mainland with a stone bridge. Izola used to be known as a city of the rebels. It has declared independence in 1253 and became a city with the proper laws and authority for a short period. In the 13th and 14th century there were also some "city wars" with the two neighbours Piran and Koper. In 1820 the thermal spring was discovered and so the first steps toward tourism started. Later the fishing industry began to flourish, as the first fishing factory along the Adriatic coast was built. The city was surrounded by a wall until 19th century, when it was pulled down and the material used to cover the sea between the island and the mainland.

Get in
Izola is connected to neighbouring Koper, Piran and Portoroz by frequent buses. Train connections to Ljubljana are available from Koper.

Do
Lots of shows, horse riding courses, sailing courses, fish picnic on a fishboat, walks in the nature, biking.
 * Take a journey through the medieval alleys of the city centre and admire its unusual architecture telling its exciting history.

Events

 * IsolaCinema is an international film festival taking place usually in May - June each year.

title: Izola


text:
Izu

Izu (伊豆市 Izu-shi) is a city in Shizuoka. People often use the word "Izu" to refer to the entire Izu Peninsula, located in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture.

Shuzenji (修善寺) is a major hot spring town. Officially, it merged with other towns in 2004 to form Izu, but the area is still more commonly called Shuzenji.

Understand
In 2007, Shuzenji celebrated the 1200th anniversary of its founding. The original town was built around Shuzen-ji Temple, from which it gains its name. It is a pleasant little town with many hot spring hotels overlooking the river.

There are two official tourist information sites (both are Japanese-only with integrated Google Translate):
 * merged city's official site and
 * info site for Shuzenji onsen area.

Get in
is the last station on a ride through a broad valley on the Izuhakone Railway Sunzu Line, connecting to Mishima on the Tokaido Shinkansen and the JR Tokaido Main Line. From Mishima, it takes about 35 minutes and costs ¥510. A trip from Tokyo on the Hikari or Kodama Shinkansen takes 1½-2 hours (¥4,830; with Japan Rail Pass you only have to pay the ¥510 for the Izuhakone Railway segment). From Tokyo, there is also a twice-daily (departing 09:00 and 12:00, returning 12:35 and 15:39) Odoriko limited express, completing the trip in about 2 hours for ¥4,510.

Shuzenji can also be reached by Tokai Bus from other places on the Izu Peninsula.

Get around
The old town center of Shuzenji can be reached by bus from Shuzenji Station in about 10 minutes, departing roughly every 15 minutes.

Buy
Shuzenji's numerous gift shops feature fresh wasabi (and all manner of wasabi flavored foods), black rice, and locally made bamboo products such as baskets and kitchen utensils

Eat
Opposite to the Sora Togetsusou Kinryu hotel is the Nayuta bar with a laidback atmosphere and it is decorated with a large collection of miniature toys. They serve different foods, from ramen to their own version of takoyaki. The bar owner is a fan of Santana.

Sleep
There are many hot spring hotels in town.

Go next

 * Izunokuni
 * Nishiizu
 * Matsuzaki
 * Minamiizu
 * Shimoda
 * Higashiizu
 * Kawazu
 * Ito
 * Mishima

title: Izu


text:
Izu Islands

The Izu Islands (伊豆諸島 Izu-shotō) are a chain of volcanic islands scattered over several hundred kilometers south of Tokyo, Japan.

Islands
From north to south:
 * - largest and nearest of the Izu Islands
 * - known for its hot springs
 * - recognized Dark Sky Island
 * - still recovering from an eruption in 2000
 * - offers swimming with wild dolphins
 * - a beautiful double volcano, also the Southernmost and most remote island of the Izu Islands.
 * - offers swimming with wild dolphins
 * - a beautiful double volcano, also the Southernmost and most remote island of the Izu Islands.
 * - a beautiful double volcano, also the Southernmost and most remote island of the Izu Islands.

Understand
The Izu Islands lie southeast of mainland Tokyo in the Pacific Ocean. The closest, Oshima, is 108 km away, while Aogashima is 354 km away from the metropolitan office. Each island is has its own unique character. All sorts of marine sports such as swimming, scuba diving, surfing, and fishing can be enjoyed. There are many places with scenic beauty, which get crowded with tourists during the summer.

Tourist information site
TokyoIslands.net is a semi-official guide site for the islands with integrated Google Translate, also covering Ogasawara Islands.

By plane
The islands are covered by a confusing blanket of small airlines.

 * New Central Air Services operates semi-regular flights from Chofu Airfield (Tokyo) to Niijima, Oshima, Miyakejima and Kozushima.
 * Toho Air operates "helimuter" (helicopter commuter) flights under the brand "Tokyo Ai-Land Shuttle" (東京愛らんどシャトル) between Aogashima, Hachijojima, Mikurajima, Oshima and Toshima, timed to match flights to Hachijojima.

By boat
Tokai Kisen operates ferries from Takeshiba Terminal (竹芝客船ターミナル) in Tokyo, adjacent to Takeshiba station on the Yurikamome line. There are two main routes:
 * Tokyo - Oshima - Toshima - Niijima - Shikinejima - Kozushima.
 * Tokyo - Miyakejima - Mikurajima - Hachijojima.

Go next
Tokyo Prefecture
 * Tokyo
 * Chofu
 * Bonin Islands

Kanagawa Prefecuture
 * Yokohama
 * Yokosuka (Kurihama Port)

Shizuoka Prefecture
 * Atami
 * Izu
 * Itō
 * Shimoda

title: Izu Islands


text:
Izumi

Izumi (出水) is a city in the northwestern part of Kagoshima prefecture approximately 80 km north-northwest of Kagoshima City. It is known as a migratory place for cranes.

Understand
The northern part of the city faces the Yatsushiro Sea (Shiranui Sea).

Tourist information sites

 * Izumi Navi is the city's official multilingual guide site.
 * The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

Get in
There is a stop on the Kyushu Shinkansen.

By plane
The nearest airports are Kagoshima Airport and Aso Kumamoto Airport, both of which take about an hour and a half by public transportation. From Kagoshima Airport, there is a direct airport bus to various parts of the city. From Aso Kumamoto Airport, it is a connection between the Kyushu Shinkansen and the airport bus (Super Banpeiyu) (the transfer station is Shin-Yatsushiro Station).

By train
Izumi Station serves the Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) and the Kyushu Shinkansen.

Hisatsu Orange Railway trains stop at Komenotsu Station, Izumi Station, Nishi Izumi Station, Takaono Station and Nodago Station.

By bus
An airport shuttle bus operated by Nankoku Kotsu from Kagoshima Airport stops at Miyanojo, Izumi Station, and Akune City Hall.

A shuttle bus from Kuranomoto Airport operated by Nankoku Kotsu connects to the ferry bound for Amakusa, and to Izumi Station in front of Dandan Market.

Get around
Izumi Fureai Bus: The Izumi Bus Center, in front of Izumi Station, is the starting point and runs to various areas of the city.

Nangoku Kotsu: Route buses are operated from Izumi City to Minamata City, Akune City, and Nagashima Town in Kumamoto Prefecture.

See

 * Noma Checkpoint
 * Hakozaki Hachiman Shrine
 * Noma Checkpoint
 * Hakozaki Hachiman Shrine

Do

 * Takaono Summer Festival: August
 * Ueki Market: October to May
 * West Japan Old Car Festival
 * West Japan Old Car Festival

Go next

 * Akune
 * Nagashima
 * Satsumasendai
 * Ichikikushikino
 * Hioki
 * Minamata
 * Tsunagi
 * Ashikita
 * Yatsushiro

title: Izumi


text:
Izumo

Izumo (出雲市) is a city in Shimane Prefecture with a population of around 150,000 people and a land area of 543.43km². It's located near Matsue.

Tourist information sites
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site and an English-language guide site with different sets of contents.

By train

Izumo is served hourly by the Yakumo (やくも) limited express train, which runs to Okayama station and provides direct connections to the San'yo Shinkansen (3 hours, ¥6,700). Connecting with the Yakumo, the trip to Izumo is 4 hours from Osaka (¥10,800), 4 hr 15 min from Kyoto (¥12,300), 5 hours from Nagoya (¥15300) and 6½ hours from Tokyo (¥19,700).

From Hiroshima, the four-hour trip to Izumo via Okayama is best left to holders of the Japan Rail Pass, since taking the bus will be faster and cheaper (see below).

From Hakata station in Fukuoka, take the Shinkansen to Shin-Yamaguchi and change to the Super Oki (スーパーおき) which runs to Izumo three times per day (4 hours, ¥10,600).

There is also an overnight train that runs from Tokyo to Izumo called the Sunrise Izumo (サンライズ出雲). The train leaves from Tokyo Station every night at 22:00, reaching Izumo twelve hours later. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can book a carpeted floor space on the overnight service at no charge. Otherwise you can travel in a compartment or room by paying the applicable room fee and surcharges.

By bus
Those wishing to save money on transportation should consider highway buses. Izumo is easily accessible by bus, because buses from a wide variety of locations stop at Izumo.

From Hiroshima, going by bus is the best option. Ichibata Bus and Chugoku JR Bus operate eight round-trips per day from Hiroshima Station and the Hiroshima Bus Center. (3½ hours, ¥4000 one way, ¥7200 round trip)

From Okayama, several companies operate joint service to Izumo on a bus called the Momotaro Express, named after the famous Japanese folklore hero. Six daily round-trips (4 hours, ¥3900 one way).

JR Bus runs the Port Lake service from Kobe's Sannomiya Bus Terminal (4 round-trips daily, 5 hr 15 min, ¥5000). Hankyu Bus and Ichibata Bus run the Kunibiki service from Osaka (8 round-trips daily, 5½ hours, ¥5650), while JR Bus operates the Izumo Express bus service from Kyoto (4 round-trips daily, 6 hours, ¥6000).

The overnight service that runs from Tokyo is strangely called the Susanoo and gets to Izumo in 12 hr 15 min at a cost of ¥12070 each way, which means twice longer than train but twice cheaper.

By car
Izumo is about a one-hour drive from Matsue on Route 9, the main road through the Sea of Japan side of western Japan from Northern Kyoto to Shimonoseki.

Get around
Trains will get you to Izumo Taisha or out of the city, but otherwise bus, taxi or rental car will be your only option.

There are 2 train companies in Izumo. The JR West Sanin Main Line and the Ichibata Electric Railway (一畑電車株式会社). The JR West Izumo Station is next to the Ichibata's Dentetsu Izumo Station. Ichibata has 2 lines, the Kita Matsue Line which runs for 33.9 km from Dentetsu Izumo Station to Matsue Shinji-ko Onsen Station in Matsue, and the Taisha Line which runs 8.3 km from Kawato Station (on the Kita Matsue Line) to Izumo Taisha-mae Station, near Izumo Taisha.

Eat
Izumo soba (出雲そば), the local variety of noodles, is the region's most famous food, but the Shimane wagyu (beef) is good as well.

Drink
Just northeast of Izumo Station is Daikancho, Izumo's drinking district. It's mostly "snacks" and hostess bars aimed at the older crowd, but there are a few venues for young people.

Budget
There are a few low-priced minshuku and ryokan throughout the city. Pick up an English map at Izumo Station.

Go next

 * Matsue — Capital of Shimane. Authentic 16th century castle, samurai district, Japanese confectionery.
 * Oda — Home to Iwami Ginzan, a World Heritage Site.
 * Daisen — Home to Mount Daisen, the "Fuji of West Japan". Hiking and skiing.
 * Hikawa
 * Unnan
 * Iinan
 * Hamada
 * Yonago
 * Niimi

title: Izumo


text:
Izumozaki

Izumozaki (出雲崎) is a town in Niigata prefecture.

Understand
"Life in this world, to what can it be compared? An echo in the mountains reverberating through an empty sky."

- Ryōkan

Izumosaki is a small town (population around 6,000) located on the Japan Sea coast. It is famous among haiku enthusiasts as the birth place of the 18th century poet-monk Ryōkan (良寛), and there is small memorial in his honor located in the town.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

Go next

 * Kashiwazaki
 * Kariwa
 * Nagaoka
 * Mitsuke
 * Tsubame
 * Yahiko
 * Ojiya
 * Sanjo
 * Joetsu

title: Izumozaki


text:
Izunokuni

Izunokuni (伊豆の国) is a city in Shizuoka.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.

Get in
Izunokuni is the city by merger of 3 towns, Nirayama, Izu-Nagaoka, and Ohito. This city is located on the Izu-Hakone Line and has some railway stations. The base station of the city center is Izu-Nagaoka (伊豆長岡). Izu-Hakone Line is linking on Mishima on the JR Tokaido Line.If you are coming from Tokyo, you can also get here by taking Tokkyu Odoriko Express train. The express train stops at Izu-Nagaoka station.

See

 * Nirayama Hansharo, a historical reverberating furnace
 * Ruins of Nirayama Castle

Do

 * Bathe in the hot springs in this city
 * Rope Way to Mt. Katsuragi, where panoramic view of Izunokuni city and Mt.Fuji far beyond.

Go next

 * Izu
 * Mishima
 * Numazu
 * Fujinomiya
 * Atami
 * Ito
 * Nishiizu
 * Matsuzaki
 * Shimoda

title: Izunokuni


text:
Izu Oshima

Izu Ōshima (伊豆大島) is in Japan. It is the largest of the seven Izu Islands. Ōshima is famous for Mt. Mihara, an active volcano that last erupted in 1986.

Understand
The whole island is administered as a municipality, Ōshima Town (大島町).

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

Cities
Okata (岡田) is one of the main ports on the island for the ferries and jetfoils from Tokyo, Atami, and Niijima.

Motomachi (元町) is the main town on the island. The post office is next to the ferry port and their international ATM is open 7 days a week from 09:00 to 18:00 on weekdays, and 09:00 to 14:00 on weekends.

Habuminato (波浮港) is a rustic fishing village on the south side of the island. Its historic Row of Houses and amazing views attract many visitors.

Get in
Tokai Kisen (東海汽船) operates a number of high speed boats called "jetfoils" which leave from Takeshiba Sanbashi Pier, near Hamamatsucho, Tokyo. Some of these ferries make a stop in Kurihama, which can be easily reached by direct train from Yokohama on the Keihin-Kyuko line. The trip takes 1 hour and 45 minutes from Tokyo and 1 hour from Kurihama. Jetfoils also leave from Atami in Shizuoka and take you there in 45 minutes. A one-way ticket costs approximately ¥5,700.

Alternatively, one may take the overnight ferry operated by Tokai Kisen for approximately ¥3,500. These do not operate every night, however, so please check the schedule to ensure passage. The ship takes approximately 8 hours during the winter, and 6 during the summer.

All of the ships arrive in either Okata port or Motomachi port, depending on the weather and ocean conditions.

ANA flies from Haneda airport to Oshima in 35 minutes and the airport is close to Motomachi.

Get around
Oshima Bus operates between the main ferry ports in Okata and Motomachi and connect to the arrival and departure of the fast ferries. Upon arrival of the ferry, a bus departs for Mt. Mihara, which also stops at the Oshima Onsen hotel.

A taxi ride between Okata and Motomachi costs approximately ¥2,400 and takes about 15 minutes. i Taxi (+81 4992-2-0306) has a nine-seated taxi, which costs ¥3,000 between Okata and Motomachi and costs ¥5,100 between Okata and Mt. Mihara.

While expensive, renting a car for a couple hours or a day is the best way to see the island. Brush up on your Japanese.

Do

 * Mt. Mihara's Volcano(三原山) can be reached by several hiking trails. Buses from the ferry ports depart for the Gojinka Skyline on the hour.  From Gojinka Skyline, it is a 40-minute walk to the caldera. Intermediate stops include the Oshima Onsen Hotel which leads through the lava field to the crater in an hour and a half.
 * The Sunset Palm Line(サンセットパルムライン) cycling path northward from Motomachi along the coastline provides excellent views of Shizuoka and Mt. Fuji on clear days. Bike rental for 1 day is approximately ¥2,000.
 * Scuba diving
 * Fishing
 * There are several beaches on Oshima, all sporting black sand due to the basaltic origin of the island. If you are staying in Motomachi, the closest beach is Kobohama(弘法浜) near the port.

Since this island is volcanic, it also boasts many onsen (温泉), which are public spas. Next to Motomachi is an office where you can purchase onsen tickets at half of the mentioned price.
 * Hama-no-yu (浜の湯), Motomachi. A co-ed outdoor bath that has great views of Izu Hanto and Mt. Fuji on a clear day. Gets somewhat crowded around sunset and bathing suits are obligatory. The garden in front of the onsen contains a statue of Godzilla, who was entombed in the volcano in one of his movies (and later resurrected in a sequel when the volcano erupted). Entrance fee is ¥400 and it closes at 7PM.  If there is high wind/rain, there is a good chance that the spa will be closed, which will be announced over the island's loudspeakers.
 * Gojinka Spa, Motomachi. Located across the park from Hamanoyu, Gojinka Spa is a very modern facility with hot, warm, and cold baths, a steam room, a sauna, a swimming pool, waterfall therapy, and jacuzzi.  It also has massage chairs and a restaurant in the lobby.  Entrance fee is ¥1,000 at the door, so buy your ticket at the office next to the port for ¥500.  Gojinka Spa closes at 21:00.

Eat
Ashitaba (明日葉) is an indigenous plant to the Izu islands and is used in many local dishes, from salads to tempura, and from soba to tea. Since it contains many vitamins and minerals, it is claimed to have many health-related benefits. The name literally means tomorrow's leaf as it grows very fast.

Drink
Gojinka (御神火): Gojinka is Izu Oshima's brand of "shochu", or home-brewed whiskey. It is completely organic, and brewed by a local family.

Stay safe
Hikers on some trails through dense forest could be confronted with poisonous snakes (蛇 hebi). If the volcano begins erupting while you are close to the summit, there are many "volcano shelters" that one can take refuge in while waiting for help. These look like concrete tubes with an opening on one end, and are found throughout the island. Oshima has an excellent disaster response system, so if you hear sirens, speak to someone to find out what to do.

The epicenter for the Great Tokai Earthquake, which is overdue, is directly under Izu Oshima as well. Please observe proper earthquake precaution techniques.

Go next
Ferries to Hamamatsucho Port leave daily from either Motomachi Port or Okata Port. Please be aware that the port at which you arrived may not be the same port from which you will depart. Ask any shopkeeper on the island which port is scheduled to receive ships that day. During some times of the year (especially in April), there may not be any ferries, restricting travel to and from the island to airplanes and jetfoils.

title: Izu Oshima


text:
Izu Peninsula

The Izu Peninsula (伊豆半島 Izu-hantō) is a scenic region in Shizuoka prefecture in central Japan.

Cities

 * — closest to Tokyo and consequently the most (over)developed
 * — covers much of the east coast of the peninsula
 * — includes the 1200-year-old hot spring town of Shuzenji
 * — Shinkansen stop at the base of Mount Fuji
 * — where Commodore Perry's Black Ships landed in 1853, cracking open Japan's isolation
 * — where Commodore Perry's Black Ships landed in 1853, cracking open Japan's isolation

Other destinations

 * — Waterfalls, hot springs, and waterfall hot springs

Understand
Two to three hours by train from Tokyo station, the Izu Peninsula offers numerous hot springs and seaside resort towns, so it is a popular day trip and weekend get-away destination for many Tokyoites. The peninsula is also famous for being one of only a couple areas in Japan where wasabi is widely cultivated.

Atami and Shimoda are perhaps best known, but there are dozens of less renowned towns on both sides of the peninsula, and in the interior, with inviting attractions.

Geologically, Izu is a fascinating anomaly in Japan, since it's essentially a chunk of the Philippines that collided with the Japanese mainland. Three tectonic plates meet at the peninsula's north end, and the seismic and volcanic activity triggered by this still-continuing slow-motion collision led to Mount Fuji, many hot springs, and makes Izu one of the most earthquake-prone areas in Japan. The peninsula, particularly the less populated western side, still retains patches of near-rainforest and subtropical flora rarely seen elsewhere at these latitudes in Japan.

Get in

The Kodama and some Hikari services on the Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka stop at Atami (40 min from Tokyo) and Mishima (50 min), both at the north edge of the peninsula. Transfer at Atami for JR Ito Line/Izu Kyuko services down to the east coast via Itō to Shimoda, or at Mishima for the Izuhakone Sunzu line to Shuzenji.

Slightly slower, but direct, cheaper and quite comfortable, the JR Odoriko (踊り子) limited express operates three times a day directly from Tokyo Station to both Shimoda and Shuzenji. In addition, the super-deluxe Saphir Odoriko (サフィール踊り子), which only has Green Class and above (JR Rail Pass not valid), runs once a day, with fares from ¥6,270/¥9,110 to Ito/Shimoda.

There are also express buses that operate to destinations on the Izu Peninsula.

Get around
The Izu Peninsula is one of the few places in Japan where having your own wheels can come handy. The Izu Kyuko line runs all the way down the east coast to Shimoda at the southern tip, but elsewhere in the peninsula you're at the mercy of limited bus services.

Hot springs

Located at near the intersection of three tectonic plates, the Izu Peninsula is fantastically active geologically, so for Japanese visitors the main draw is the area's countless hot springs (温泉 onsen). There are hot springs in the mountains, hot springs by the beach, hot springs by the river, even hot springs at a waterfall in Kawazu, so many hotels and inns are built around them, but many also welcome daytime visitors.

Sports
The Izu Peninsula's dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches lend themselves well to all kinds of marine sports.

Izu Peninsula is recognized in the scuba diving community as the most popular destination for mainland Japan diving. The East Coast of Atami is most popular with dive operators for its accessibility and infrastructure, while the West Coast's sites are largely unspoiled, safeguarded from weekend crowds by its remote destination and lack of train stations.

Surfing is also big in Izu, with many surf schools and beaches like Shirahama (白浜) near Shimoda regularly hosting competitions.

Eat

Wasabi! Forget the lurid green powdered horseradish fakes peddled at lesser sushi shops, Izu is where the real thing grows. Dishes to try out include:

 * wasabi-don (わさび丼), a simple bowl of rice topped with katsuobushi dried tuna flakes: grate some fresh wasabi root on top and enjoy
 * wasabi-zuke (わさび漬) pickles, flavored with, you guessed it, wasabi
 * wasabi soft (わさびソフト), wasabi-flavored soft-serve ice cream; don't worry, they go pretty easy on the wasabi

Drink
Baird Brewing Company, one of Japan's most famous microbreweries, hails from Izu. In addition to their brewery at Shuzenji (open to the public), their products like the tasty British-style Kurofune Porter are widely available across the peninsula.

Sleep
Izu is a great place to stay at a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan). You'll get more bang for buck if you venture past the concrete warrens of Atami to places like Shuzenji or Ito and stay on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowd.

Go next

 * Izu Oshima — looming off the horizon of southern Izu, this large island can be reached by ferry from Shimoda
 * Numazu
 * Odawara

title: Izu Peninsula


text:
Jabalpur

Jabalpur is a major city in Madhya Pradesh. Jabalpur is an ancient city in central India on the shores of the holy river Narmada and on the tributary plains of the Hiran, Gour, Ken and Sone rivers. This article also covers the small neighbouring villages of Bagri and Dumna.

Understand
The Narmada River valley is famous for its Marble Rocks, a unique formation where the whole river flows for nearly 2 kilometers between varied coloured and tinted marble rocks with a deep water fall.

Pleasure resort and capital of the Gond Kings during the 12th century, Jabalpur was later the seat of the Kalchuri dynasty. The Marathas held sway over Jabalpur until 1817, when the British wrested it from them and left their impression on the spacious cantonment with its colonial residences and barracks. Today Jabalpur is an important administrative, industrial and business center of MP and India. Population wise ranks 27th in the country.

Jabalpur is an industrial city with a large component of defence industry and a lot of smaller cottage industry. It is a great education centre as well, with two universities, Rani Durgavati University and Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University, and with about 30 colleges with a range of faculties. It also has several engineering and medical colleges.

Vinoba Bhave, the modern saint philosopher of India, christened this city as Sanskar Dhani- the capital of various cultural influences. He was impressed by its cosmopolitan character and communal harmony. The city has a sizeable population of people from Bengal, Gujarat, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and South India who live in total harmony and peace and add richness to the life in the city. One can also see the fusion of cultures in this city. The culture here is also reminiscent of British and Gond Tribes, which is now shaped by local businessman and engineers and doctors. Similar to some Mexican cities, families are very close-knit and often get together for ceremonies and festivals.

The best time to visit is September to March. Summers should be avoided. Rains are beautiful too if you live in a better location (July to September).

City life
The people in this city are very artistic and culture-oriented. It is considered very friendly to sing songs for no reason at all. Unlike other cities in India, most educated people here are only good with Hindi and local variants of the language. English speaking population is generally employed in government institutes and their English could be old Shakespearean. Hence this city is the perfect place to dip into the central culture of India. People here generally listen to local radio as a part of their life.

You can eat pizza with youngsters at Domino's. However most people are likely not to eat it regularly as it is very unhealthy. City life is very moderate and relaxed. Most of the residents will wake up early and go for work and come back in evening to have a hearty dinner with family.

Talk
The native language of the Jabalpur area is Hindi, which also happens to be the main official language of the Union Government. Almost everybody in Jabalpur speaks Hindi, maybe with different accents. Educated people speak English and taxi and auto drivers, shopkeepers and other men attached to the tourism industry speak and understand functional English. Road signage is usually in English and Hindi, though some signage is in Hindi only.

Get in
Jabalpur is well connected by air, train and road.

By plane
Air India operates daily flights from Delhi to Jabalpur. There is no direct flight from Mumbai. International travellers will be well connected to Jabalpur from the metro cities of Mumbai and Delhi.

By train
Jabalpur is well-connected with superfast trains and express trains from Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bhopal, Bandhavgarh (Umaria), Jaipur, Lucknow, Chennai, Patna, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, Goa, Vadodara, Jaipur, Nagpur, New Delhi, Varanasi & Patna.

By car
The national highways (Varanasi-Kanyakumari Road NH7, Jabalpur-Jaipur Road NH12) passes through Jabalpur and there are daily bus services from Nagpur, Katni, Jaipur, Gwalior, Bhopal etc.

Get around
You can rent a taxi to go to places like Bheraghat, Bandhavgarh and Kanha. These should be available at the Railway station or at the hotels. Cycle rickshaws are by far the most common means of transportation inside the city.

By taxi
In order to hire a local taxi for local use in Jabalpur and nearby places visit local the bus-stand or the websites of Jabalpur travel agents. Before taking any taxi service it is necessary to take quotations from more than one taxi-providers. Also keep in mind the credibility of the taxi provider, if it is a registered operator or not, service level, credibility etc.

See
Apart from places of tourist interest within the city, Jabalpur also offers a number of short excursions.

Eat
In terms of distinctive local cuisine, Jabalpur does not have much to offer; however, as many cultures from around the country converge here, you can find many eateries in and around the town offering a wide variety of food.

The Chowpatti in Civic Centre is a low cost option that houses a number of food carts spread in a square and along the roads. These carts offer a range of food items such as Bhelpuri, Chowmein, and Pav Bhaaji.

There is a very famous Parathewali aunty near the railway station (platform 4 entrance). Her cheerful banter and delicious Parathas make it a hotspot for travelers and youngsters alike.

Haji - Basheer hotel, opposite Coffee House Sadar offers delicious and cheap mutton samosas and shami kebabs. Biryani (Mutton, Chicken, Chicken curry are some of the other additions to the menu but are not recommended.

Navneeta, Hotel Samdareeya, Hotel Roopali Inn, Indian Coffee House, Traffic Jam and Arihant Palace are nice restaurants for dinner, For those interested in fast food, there is Cafe Coffee Day and Dominoes Pizza. You can get some the best Indian-Chinese food at Clock Tower and Kamling. At nights the small vendors near Fuhara serve tasty food and desserts like Lassi, Rabri and Khova Jalebi at Badkul, 471 Jawahar Ganj, Near Kamaniya Gate.

However Jabalpurians (residents of Jabalpur) are often friendly and reserved to foreign tourists. If you could make a friend here, chances are high that he/she will invite you to their home for food. Depending upon their social, educational and spiritual beliefs, the cuisine will differ considerably. In more noble families, smoking and drinking is considered strictly forbidden, the youngsters could help you out. Again drinking below the age of 18 is not allowed. In fact, drinking is seen as immoral for most of the well-educated families. For sure, the food in the city dwellings will not leave you unsatisfied.

Buy

 * Currency exchange — There is a branch of State Bank of India located in Civil Lines where foreign travellers can exchange US dollars and euros mostly. The rates are standardized by SBI. However it might take awhile depending upon the processing speed of officials and not their computers. This is the safest and most economical way of exchanging money in the city.

you can also buy a few marble stone statues and souvenirs from Bheda ghat or some shops located near city Bengali club and bada fuhara (big fountain)

Jabalpur
Jabalpur has a number of hotels within the city. The environs of the nearby tourist attractions of Bhedaghat (Marble Rocks), Bagri and Dumna also house hotels of MP Tourism.

Go next
The city is close to following places of interest:
 * Bandhavgarh National Park (164 km): This nearby national reserve forest has the highest density of tigers in the world, making it a good place to see a tiger in its natural habitat. It is in this valley where the white tiger was discovered.
 * Khajuraho (257 km): A group of magnificent temples, listed on UNESCO World Heritage List
 * Kanha National Park (165 km): Jabalpur is the nearest big city to this park, which is one of the biggest in India and has the distinction of successfully implementing Project Tiger, as part of the country's tiger conservation program. Every year the park attracts large numbers of tourists watching tigers from close proximity. The park was also the inspiration for the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling.
 * Pench National Park (172 km): A forest known for tiger spotting
 * Pachmarhi (244 km): A hill station in Satpura Range with the touch of the Raj

title: Jabalpur


text:
Jabalpur-Sagar Division

Jabalpur-Sagar Division is in Madhya Pradesh, India.

Cities

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Other destinations

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Get in
Khajuraho Airport

title: Jabalpur-Sagar Division


text:
Jaú

Jaú is a city in Central São Paulo state. It is an important industrial and agricultural center of 152,000 people (2020).

Understand
Founded on August 15, 1853, Jaú sits in the geographic center of Central São Paulo state. It is known as the "Capital of Women's Footwear" and as the "Capital of Terra Roxa".

Jaú was built on the banks of the stream of the same name, where a large fish was found, which the Indians called Ya-hu, gluttonous fish. It was founded in 1853.

In 1900, with the expansion of the coffee culture to the interior of São Paulo, the city developed, becoming the largest producer in the state. The Nossa Senhora do Patrocínio Mother Church (Cathedral), mansions, commercial houses, markets, schools, banks, clubs and squares were built at that time, and immigrants arrived, mostly Italians, Spaniards and Syrian-Lebanese, to work in the rich coffee farms, trade and services.

By car
From São Paulo, take Rodovia dos Bandeirantes (SP-348) or Via Anhanguera ( SP-330 ) to the city of Limeira; then, follow Rodovia Washington Luiz (SP-310) to the city of Itirapina; and finally to Eng. Paulo Nilo Romano (SP-225) to Jaú. The route is approximately 290 km.

From São Paulo, on Rodovia Castelo Branco (SP-280), head to the city of Botucatu ; then on Marechal Rondon Highway (SP-300) to the city of São Manuel; and finally the João Mellão Highway (SP-255) to Jaú. Route of approximately 314 km.

By bus
Jaú is well served by inter-municipal bus lines with trips to various destinations such as: São Paulo, Campinas, Bauru, Piracicaba, São Carlos, Araraquara, Ribeirão Preto, and other cities in the state and the country.

By plane
The city of Jaú has an airport (Morro Vermelho Airport) 6.4 km northwest of the city, there are no scheduled flights, only private flights, but it is not very far from the following:
 * Viracopos Airport, in Campinas - approximately 217 km
 * Leite Lopes Airport, in Ribeirão Preto - approximately 163 km

Get around
The municipality is formed by the city of Jaú and by three districts: Potunduva, Vila Ribeiro and Pouso Alegre de Baixo.

By taxi
The city has several taxi ranks. When you call a stop requesting a car, the taxi driver charges you for the journey to where you are, in addition to the ride itself.

By bus
There are dozens of urban bus lines, and it has an integration terminal.

Eat
Jaú has a good gastronomic diversity, with cuisine restaurants: Portuguese, Japanese, French, Italian, Chinese, Arab, German, in addition to various types of restaurants, of all types and prices.

Drink
The city of Jaú has a busy and busy nightlife, due to the large number of young people and its population. Clubs, bars, restaurants and nightclubs are spread throughout the city, but most of them are found in the center and on the city's marginal avenues.

Cope

 * Civil Police ,14 3624-9676

Hospitals

 * Lucy Montoro Hospital Campos Salles, 738 - Downtown.
 * Hospital San Judas Tadeo Rua Francisco Glicério, 855 - Centro,14 3622-6155 ✆.
 * Unimed Hospital Álvaro Floret Street, 565 - Downtown,14 3602-8925 ✆.
 * Municipal emergency room Rua Francisco Glicério, 855 - Centro

title: Jaú


text:
Jaú National Park

Jaú National Park is in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. It is a world heritage-site and preserves many fine examples of Amazonian fauna and flora.

Understand
The Parque Nacional do Jaú consists of several thousand square kilometers of virgin Amazonian Rainforest. The park is situated in the state of Amazonas, 220 km from Manaus. The park roughly covers the area of three side rivers of the Rio Negro, the Rio Jaú, the Rio Carabinani and the Rio Unini.

The park's management unit is in the city of Novo Airão. Phone: +55 92 3613-3094 (Fax: +55 92 3613-3095)

Climate
Typically tropical - constantly wet, December to April being the rainiest months and July-September the driest. Temperatures are normally high (daily means between 22-32°C).

Get in
It is possible to arrange your visit independently. Flyer boats travel from Novo Airão in 3 hours. Many travellers, however, rely on the services of tour operators based in Manaus.

Fees and permits
IBAMA charges a maintenance fee of R$3 per person per day. An additional charge of R$16 to R$64 is paid by boat (nor per person) depending on the size of the vessel. This is normally included in the package when going with a tour operator. Beware that many operators and guides overcharge tourists claiming the payment of official visitor fees of up to R$100.

The park is not yet structured for extensive tourist visitation. To book visits, the management authority (phone +55 92 3613-3277, extension 229) must be contacted least a month in advance.

Get around
There are no roads in or near the park, motor boats and canoes are used for all transport. Depending on the level of the water not all side rivers can be navigated very far except with very light boats.

See
Plenty of flora and fauna, including dolphins, fish, birds, crocodiles, turtles, monkeys, jaguar, tapir, armadillo, insects. The fauna is less dense than in along the other main branch of the Amazon river.

Eat
Unless you never tire of eating fish, food must be brought from Manaus or Novo Airão.

Sleep
Lodging in Novo Airão and in Barcelos. Otherwise on the boat (hammocks or cabin) or in the wild. There is a center for visitors and lodging for researchers with government permission at the park entrance.

Stay safe
Don't enter without a permit. Do not buy tours from people at the airport or on the street in Manaus. Damage to flora and fauna in the park is considered a federal crime – the military police makes regular visits to look for poachers.

title: Jaú National Park


text:
Jaca

Jaca is a city in Aragon. More of a stopping point than a destination, Jaca sees its fair share of travellers headed for the Pyrenees - summer or winter. With a constant flow of tourists passing through, the town has more than its fair share of restaurants, cafes, and hotels, and it is a comfortable place for a halt in Northern Spain.

Understand
Jaca is an ancient fort on the Aragón River, situated at the crossing of two great early medieval routes, one from Pau to Zaragoza. Jaca was the city out of which the County and Kingdom of Aragon developed. It was the capital of Aragon until 1097 and also the capital of Jacetania.

Jaca is also an important garrison town for the Spanish Army.

See

 * The Diocesan Museum of Jaca (Museum of Medieval Sacred Art) protects Romanesque and Gothic frescoes, some of which were found in the most remote locations in the Jaca district.
 * The Diocesan Museum of Jaca (Museum of Medieval Sacred Art) protects Romanesque and Gothic frescoes, some of which were found in the most remote locations in the Jaca district.
 * The Diocesan Museum of Jaca (Museum of Medieval Sacred Art) protects Romanesque and Gothic frescoes, some of which were found in the most remote locations in the Jaca district.

Do
Jaca is a tourist destination in the region for summer holidays and winter sports. There are two major winter resorts (Valle de Astun and Candanchu) within a 30 km drive of the city. The city bid unsuccessfully for the 1998, 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics.

title: Jaca


text:
Jacó

Jacó is one of the two largest tourist towns on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. It is a surfing town with a 4-km long black sand beach and several local surf shops where you can get a board or sign up for lessons.

Get in
Jacó Beach Costa Rica is about 130 km from San José's airport (SJO)

The closest airport from Jacó is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). Along the Autopista del Sol highway, Jaco Beach is only a quick and scenic 1 hour 20 minute ride from the airport.

The safest and most worry-free way to get to Jacó from the airport is to book a private van/airport transfer service to meet and greet you at the airport and bring you directly to your hotel or vacation rental condo/home.

There are hourly buses going to Jacó from the Coca Cola bus station in downtown San José. Fares are about US$7 each way; however, you must first find a bus near the airport to take you into downtown San José, which is 30 minutes in the opposite direction, then wait for the next bus to Jacó, which is 2.5 hours by bus. While a bus is cheaper than a van, it's not worth the headaches and time it takes to get to Jacó by bus, and buses can also be dangerous (see "Stay safe" below).

Make sure you stop at the bridge over the Tarcoles River along the way, a prime spot to observe wild crocodiles. It is illegal to feed the crocodiles, as they are protected.

Get around
Transportation in and around Jacó is quite simple. The city is small enough, that walking from one end to the other is not an impossible feat. But when it's hot, or it's dark, there are always plenty of taxis to take you down the strip wherever you might want to go. The taxis in Jaco are red. Uber is also available in Jaco. There's a taxi stand by the main grocery store, Mas por Menos. All official taxis have meters and are clearly displayed. ₡1,500 (colones) is a standard price to go just about anywhere in the town, or to Herradura, unless it's a short distance and then it's usually ₡750. Ask a local if you are unsure of how much you should pay. Always ask the taxi driver to use the meter, or "Maria" as they call it here.

There are local buses that circulate from Herradura to Jacó every hour. The bus does not go through all of Jacó, it does not travel to the most northern side, but it you can get off at any spot in central Jacó, along the strip. The main bus stop to go to Herradura is located across the street and down the road a short distance from the grocery store, Mas o Menos. There is a bus stop there, and usually a congregation of people waiting for the bus to come. If you take the bus from Herradura to Jacó you can pick it up at Herradura beach, at the crossways of the Costanera in Herradura, or down the road at the Herradura gas station, otherwise known as La Bomba. The Herradura/Jacó bus will take you to Central Jacó, and all the way to Herradura beach for less than it would cost to take a taxi.

At the north end of Jaco, across from the Best Western hotel, is the official bus station. If you want to take the bus from Jacó or Herradura to San José, this is where you need to go to buy tickets. You can also purchase tickets online. There is a ticket window where you can purchase tickets, and it's recommended that you do so. Seats are assigned, but the Costa Ricans have no qualms about over-selling the bus. The trip from Jacó to San José generally takes 3-4 hours, and without a seat, you're forced to stand the entire, perilous trip, until someone gets off and there's an empty seat. This rarely happens. At this bus terminal you can also purchase tickets to other destinations such as Puntarenas and Quepos. Bus fare is inexpensive, and bus travel is always sure to be an adventure. If returning to San José by bus from Jacó, there are many places throughout Jaco that you can catch the bus: the bus terminal, of course, the bus stop in front of Mas o Menos, or various other locations along the Jacó strip. It's also possible to pick up the San Jose bus on the west side of the road at the crosswalk in Herradura. There are set times when the buses come and go, and for the most part they are usually on time. Be there a little early so you don't miss it. As always, be cautious with your belonging on the bus.

See
Jacó is fairly small, and it's easy to see the entire town in one day. But you can also just as easily take your time and spend several days exploring, shopping, going to the beach, surfing, dining out, going to bars, and taking tours in the Jacó area. There is an art tour to explore the incredible large and small murals painted throughout the town. If you have a rental car, a drive along the Western Costa, along the Costanera is very beautiful, and offers many opportunities to stop, take pictures, or find private, secluded beaches. Manuel Antonio, one of Costa Rica's national parks, is an hour drive from Jacó, and is nearly a straight shot south along the Costanera highway. Also, ask locals directions to "El Muro", an abandoned structure up in the hill overlooking the southern end of Jaco. You can only get to it by walking or mountain bike.

Do
Jacó is not very big, but there are plenty of things to do there. Surfing and boogie boarding are extremely popular, and it's fairly inexpensive to rent a board for the day. Jacó is known for being one of the best beginner surf spots in Costa Rica for the beach breaks (sand bottom) and good waves during high tides. There are lots of surf camps and surf schools in the area, make sure you choose one that is credible and especially certified to guarantee quality. There are also many shops along Jacó's main street that offer surfboard/boogie board rentals. Lying out on the beach and swimming are nice. The beach is beautiful, however the black sand at midday is scorching hot. There are some fantastic restaurants in Jacó, including some excellent "sodas", the local traditional restaurant. At night there are numerous clubs and bars that stay open late.

 * Costa Rica Fishing Experts with more than 40 fishing charter to rent you can be sure you get the best fishing deal from Los Sueños and Jaco Beach phone + (506) 8310-8393 Inshore Fishing, Nearshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, and Deep Sea fishing adventures available for half or full day fishing.
 * Jaco Art Tour City tour of Jaco's art installations
 * Costa Rica Fishing Experts with more than 40 fishing charter to rent you can be sure you get the best fishing deal from Los Sueños and Jaco Beach phone + (506) 8310-8393 Inshore Fishing, Nearshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, and Deep Sea fishing adventures available for half or full day fishing.
 * Jaco Art Tour City tour of Jaco's art installations
 * Jaco Art Tour City tour of Jaco's art installations
 * Jaco Art Tour City tour of Jaco's art installations
 * Jaco Art Tour City tour of Jaco's art installations
 * Jaco Art Tour City tour of Jaco's art installations
 * Jaco Art Tour City tour of Jaco's art installations
 * Jaco Art Tour City tour of Jaco's art installations
 * Jaco Art Tour City tour of Jaco's art installations

Buy
There are numerous, small shops and stands all along Jacó's main strip that runs parallel to the water. Most of these stalls offer similar things: jewelry, fabric, surf clothes, knick-knacks, and traditional Costa Rican gifts. Many stores offer Costa Rican handicrafts and souvenirs. A couple places that seem to offer more unique, higher quality offerings are TICO POD (art and gifts) and Fruity Monkey P*op, where you can sample different coffee drinks and buy the beans to take home too.

At nice place to sit and enjoy a coffee is Bohio Coffee on the main street.

Drink

Clubs
Many people come to Jaco to party and there are plenty of clubs with loud music and dance floors to accommodate. On weekdays there may not be enough people in the clubs to make it worth going but on the weekends there is a good crowd. It seems like no place consistently charges a cover but many places seem to charge them based on how they feel the moment you walk up. When the main clubs close you'll find many folks on the street handing out fliers for after parties. Be extra careful at the after parties as phones seem to be lost much more often there then at the other clubs.

Splurge

Stay safe
Buses are very popular places for thieves and pickpockets to steal luggage and backpacks from unsuspecting tourists. They may be stolen from the storage underneath the bus, but always keep an eye on your belongings inside the bus as well.

Don't get in a taxi that does not look official. Often there are pirate taxis that are generally safe, but it's best to stick with the official companies.

Go next

 * National Park Manuel Antonio: There are many photo opportunities travelling south along the Costanera, and many secluded beaches. If you continue an hour south you will eventually come to the National Park, Manuel Antonio. It can be a bit confusing winding through the town of Quepos to get there, but simply follow the signs, or ask the locals for directions. Manuel Antonio boasts 6 or 7 secluded, white sand beaches. Be aware of the tide variations as they can change from season to season. Also be on the lookout for monkeys as Manuel Antonio is an excellent place to see them up close. Avoid feeding them, even though they're cute, as they come to depend on this food and risk danger by getting so close to humans.
 * Playa Hermosa - A popular surfing beach 5 minutes South of Jaco.
 * Esterillos - A beach town about 30 minutes South of Jaco.

title: Jacó