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Aloha

Aloha is a community of 54,000 people (2020) in Oregon, under 10 miles (16 km) to the west of Portland (Oregon). It is home to the prestigious The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club, and to the unnervingly creepy Harvey the Rabbit.

Get in
Fly into Portland International Airport (PDX). Then hop on the lightrail, MAX, to either Willow Creek or Quatama / SW 206th Ave. stations. You will be required to change trains, from the Red Line to the Blue Line. This can be done at any station between the Gateway Transit Center, east of Portland through Beaverton.

By car
Aloha is 25-30 minutes from downtown Portland through Beaverton:
 * US 26.svg Sunset Hwy goes NW towards the coast from Portland passing through Aloha/Bethany/Rock Creek. Aloha is accessed from NW 158th/Cornell/Bethany Rd (exit #65) and NW 185th (exit #64).
 * OR 8.svg SW Tualatin Valley Hwy continues from Beaverton to Hillsboro as Tualatin Valley Hwy, locally referred as "TV Hwy" It passes through Aloha between SW 170th & 219th/SE Cornelius Pass. Continues east of Beaverton as SW Canyon Rd.
 * OR 10.svg SW Farmington Rd Connects Beaverton & from SR-219 (in the west) through Aloha as Farmington Rd. Continues east of Beaverton towards SW Portland as Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy.
 * 185th Ave Connects US Highway 26 into Aloha at OR-Hwy 8 (Tualatin Valley Hwy) and OR-Hwy 10 (Farmington) as major north-south corridor without a state or US highway designation.
 * NW Walker Rd Passes through diagonally through the NW part of Aloha between Beaverton and Hillsboro. It is not designated as a state or US highway.

By bus
The easiest way to get around Aloha is by car. However, Tri-Met also makes traveling within Aloha, and the rest of the Portland area, quite easy and affordable, although occasionally time-consuming. Buses run throughout Aloha and connect to MAX stops with the following:
 * 52 Connects Beaverton to PCC-Rock Creek (NW Springville & 185th Ave), along Farmington & 185th, through Aloha. It goes by the major shopping centers listed in the 'Buy' section of the this article.
 * 57 runs between Forest Grove, Cornelius, Hillsboro, Aloha and Beaverton along Tualatin Valley Hwy (OR-Hwy 8).
 * 59 Aloha (Willow Creek Transit Center) to Sunset Transit Center along NW 185th/Walker/Park Way.
 * 88 Hart/198th runs between Willow Creek Transit Center, Aloha and Beaverton)

Buy
A number of establishments (shops, restaurants, banks, etc.) are clustered in strip malls, with the storefronts lined up next to each other, under a single roof, fronting a large parking lot. There are no indoor walking spaces except a single sidewalk to connect the storefronts. Some of the establishments are freestanding single use buildings or kiosks that are separated from the rest of the mall by a huge parking lot. Each business keeps their own hours and are not conformed to mall hours as they have their own separate entries with a separate address at the door.

Sleep
See the Beaverton article, under Sleep, or the Hillsboro article, under Sleep, for listings of accommodations near Aloha.

Go next

 * West. Take Highway 8 (Tualatin Valley Highway). This will take you to the cities of Hillsboro and Forest Grove, the home of Pacific University.  North of Forest Grove is Banks.  Banks is known for fantastic golfing, specifically at Quail Valley and Pumpkin Ridge.  West of Forest Grove, after a few wineries, is the Oregon Coast Range.  The Oregon Coast Range is a haven for outdoorsman; it has fantastic hiking, camping, and fishing.  Further west is the Oregon Coast.  From Aloha, it is very easy to get to the coastal towns of Tillamook, Lincoln City, and Cannon Beach.
 * South. Head South on Grabhorn Road to farm country. Here you can explore Tileflat Treasures and tour fantastic wineries.
 * East. Beaverton is a nice city with lots of parks. Past Beaverton, is Portland, the largest city in Oregon.  Beyond Portland is the Cascade Mountains, the most famous of which is Mount Hood.  There is also fantastic windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge.

title: Aloha


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Along the Grand Canal

The Grand Canal (大运河) is in China, an engineering work comparable to the Great Wall. Like the Wall, it is very old and parts of it were built by different dynasties. Unlike the Wall, it is still heavily used and actively maintained today. The Canal runs roughly North-South for 1800 kilometers (1100-odd miles) from Beijing in the north to Hangzhou (south of Shanghai) in the south. On the way it crosses two of China's great rivers, the Yangtze and the Yellow River, and passes through many cities. The oldest parts of the canal date to the 5th century BCE, and the various sections were combined during the Sui Dynasty (581–618 AD).

The Canal is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List with this listing.

While the Grand Canal has been a major transport artery for centuries, there are now no scheduled intercity passenger boat services on the canal at all. The Hangzhou-Suzhou passenger line was the last major service to go, in 2006. A small stub line remains, but you can only take it along the portion of the Canal that is within Hangzhou city limits.

The route
The main canal runs:
 * Ningbo, where it enters the East China Sea
 * Shaoxing
 * Hangzhou
 * Jiaxing
 * Suzhou
 * Wuxi
 * Xuzhou
 * Yangzhou, where it crosses the Yangtze
 * Huai'an, where another canal branches off to Kaifeng and Luoyang
 * Jining
 * Dezhou
 * Tianjin
 * Beijing

In the Suzhou/Wuxi area, Lake Tai is connected to the canal.

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

title: Along the Grand Canal


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Along the Magnificent Mile

Along the Magnificent Mile is a one-day and night sightseeing tour of Chicago.

Understand
Most of Chicago lives in apartments, bungalows, condos, and houses on the North Side or the South Side, but this is where they all come together: to work amid the skyscrapers of the Loop, to relax in the parks and beaches along the lake, and to blow their hard-earned cash in the department stores on the Magnificent Mile. In this itinerary, you'll follow Michigan Avenue as it evolves from shopping district to recreation space, and then you'll take a turn into the canyons of the commerce-oriented Loop before heading off for a terrific dinner.

Prepare
You're walking for most of this itinerary, so wear comfortable shoes, and dress for the weather (and the climate). If it's a warm day in the spring, summer, or early fall, bring a small towel for splashing in the fountains at Millennium Park. This route starts in the Near North, proceeds to the Loop, veers off to the Near West Side, and returns to the Near North. Although the route is very straightforward and easy to follow, you may wish to print out the articles for those districts, if only for a few alternate recommendations and further illustration of what you'll see along the way.

If you skip the shopping and stick with your feet, the day won't cost very much. Only dinner, the Art Institute, and the Hancock/Sears Tower will put any kind of crimp in your wallet. To cut out the taxi fares, get the exact addresses from the Near North, Loop, and Near West Side guides, and plot public transit routes using the CTA Trip Planner.

Morning
Start early! On your way out of the hotel, ask the concierge whether the water is flowing at Buckingham Fountain yet; this will be important later. Grab a quick pastry and cup of coffee or juice to tide you over for the next couple of hours.

If you're starting on the CTA, take the Red Line subway to the Chicago stop, and walk three blocks east, toward the lake. Skip a couple paragraphs ahead and begin there, as you'll be walking right by the Water Tower.

Otherwise, take a taxi from your hotel to the Hancock Center. This is only the fifth-tallest building in Chicago (thirteenth-tallest in the United States), but it's better-liked and better-looking than some of the others, and it definitely has a great view. Take an elevator up to the 360 Chicago Observatory on the 94th floor. Admission is $22 adult, $15 child (or get the Sun and Stars ticket to return in the evening for $26.50). Survey the city and the lake, and be sure to look south, for there lies the day's conquest. There's a bar with expensive drinks one floor up. Don't booze it up now, but you might come back for drinks later on.

One block south, at Michigan and Chicago, have a look at the old Water Tower. This is a Chicago icon, and the most famous survivor of the 1871 Chicago Fire, along with the less-celebrated Pumping Station on the other side of Michigan Avenue. Street performers may be in the small square behind the Water Tower. (Don't bother with tours of the interior, though — it's been scrubbed of any historical traces, and is occasionally used as a gallery space now.) Behind the pumping station on Chicago Ave is a turn-of-the-century firehouse; not quite as old as the other two, but it's still in use, and you'll see members of the Chicago Fire Department (human and canine) relaxing out front if they're not away on a call.

Now, you have two options. If you're in the mood for sand, head east down Chicago Avenue. You might check to see if the Museum of Contemporary Art has any interesting public art outside its building at Mies van der Rohe Way. When you've reach the end of Chicago Avenue, turn left and walk a few blocks north. Use the pedestrian tunnel to cross under Lake Shore Drive. You are at Oak Street Beach. You should have a nice view of Lincoln Park and the North Side. When you're done, walk back the way you came, or take a taxi directly to the Tribune Tower — back-tracking will make it kind of a long walk.

Alternatively, skip the beach and stroll down Michigan Avenue. This is the heart of the Magnificent Mile, with block after block of fashionable department stores. Pop into as many as you like, but this is expensive territory — and remember, you'll be carrying whatever you buy for the rest of the day. (That said, if cost is not a concern, stores will be more than happy to have packages wrapped and sent to your hotel while you carry on.) You'll want to backtrack to 900 N Michigan and Water Tower Place, and then keep heading south on Michigan.

When you've almost reached the river, stop. On your left is the Tribune Tower. Walk along its north and south walls; embedded in them are stones from famous sites across the country and around the world. Bore your family with your knowledge of history.

Now, cross over to the west side of the street and look for a curious opening in the sidewalk. There might even be a placard advertising a restaurant down there. Descend to lower Michigan Ave. At this point, your heart will be racing and you will fear for family's safety. Perhaps a scene from Adventures in Babysitting will play in your mind. Fight these feelings; there is nothing to fear.

Walk to the corner, towards the river, and you will see the Billy Goat Tavern. This legendary haunt for Chicago newspapermen was made famous by John Belushi's "cheeseburger-cheeseburger-not-Coke-Pepsi" sketch on Saturday Night Live. Go in and have a quick, cheap lunch.

Afternoon
When you are finished eating, head back upstairs and cross the river. If you are lucky, the bridge will be temporarily raised for some water traffic. Regardless, take in the views both east to the lake and west inland.

Millennium Park begins at Michigan and Randolph, although most of the action is a little further south, closer to Madison. If it's warm, this place will be hopping. Don't miss The Bean (you'll know it when you see it) or the giant projection fountains. Get your feet wet — you've done plenty of walking already, and there's plenty more ahead of you. (If you were hoping to have your kids burn off any excess energy, let them go buckwild in the fountain.)

Then continue down Michigan to Adams, where two lions guard the entrance of the world-renowned Art Institute of Chicago. (Admission is $25 for adults, $19 for teens, students, and seniors, free for younger children.) Choose a couple areas of interest and check those out; perusing the whole collection would take you the better part of the day. There are some iconic American paintings (Wood's "American Gothic" and Hopper's "Nighthawks") and a number of seminal European paintings (most notably Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon at La Grande Jatte").

Once you're finished browsing, continue south on Michigan to Congress Parkway. At the corner are the colossal stone walls of The Auditorium Theatre, designed by the great Louis Sullivan (with Frank Lloyd Wright toiling as his apprentice), once the tallest building in Chicago. A tour or a show here is well worth the cost, if you can arrange it. Have a look inside the grand lobby and the staircase if it's open, and leave before someone kicks you out.

Turn around and head back north for two blocks to Jackson, and then turn left. In the sky are the looming black metal blocks of the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower). Until 1998, it was the tallest building in the world, and until 2014 in North America. If you didn't go to the Hancock Observatory earlier, you can have a look from the SkyDeck at the Willis Tower instead ($25 adult, $17 child). It's probably late in the afternoon by now, and most Chicagoans are beginning their commute home. The streets of the Loop will be full of the rumble of elevated trains and the air of people who are tired from a full day's work.

This is Chicago.

Evening
If you're a train geek and you have some time left before dinner, it might be worth your while to continue west on Jackson, cross the river, and then turn left on Canal St. to check out Union Station. Once, all the railroads in America ran through Chicago, and you can still catch traces of that in this monumental neoclassical building. It will also be full of people on their way home from work, catching Metra trains for the suburbs. Join the march between the giant marble columns and down the grand steps, and where the falling baby-carriage climax of The Untouchables was filmed. (Please remove actual babies from carriages before attempting to re-enact the scene, though). Check out the enormous atrium and its long, stately wooden benches. Hang out for a few minutes if you're not in a hurry — this is a great spot for people-watching — or head back out to the street.

Time to decide: what do you want for dinner? Armed with your guide for the Near West Side, catch a cab and tell the driver to take you to Little Italy or Greektown, just west of the Loop. (If the weather's favorable, you can walk to Greektown in a few minutes). Have a nice, long, leisurely dinner at a family-run restaurant. You'll be spoiled for choice. If you'd prefer to stay closer to the Loop, try Bella Bacino's for the best stuffed pizza in Chicago — and, by definition, anywhere.

If the concierge told you that Buckingham Fountain is on, and if it's near 8PM, catch a cab to Grant Park, and head to the fountain. When night falls, the water dances and soars and is illuminated by lights. Celebrate a successful day in Chicago with an ice cream cone from the Bobtail stand near the fountain.

Otherwise, have the cabbie take you to Michigan and Randolph, and walk north on Michigan, back towards the river. On the bridge, have another look east and west. Cross the river; the building on your left is the Wrigley Building. (It will be impossible to miss.) Look down Michigan at the lights and the people for a memorable view. If you're a fan of coming full circle, you might take a taxi back to the Hancock Center for drinks on the 95th floor, and see how the night view compares to the one you saw at the start of the day.

Stay safe
Once again, Chicago's climate is not to be underestimated. Bundle up in winter and keep hydrated in the height of the summer. You're unlikely to encounter any safety concerns during the day, save for the remote possibility of pick-pockets in crowded areas. After dark, don't stray more than a couple of blocks from Union Station and Little Italy/Greektown. Both are safe for tourists, but there are some rough areas within walking distance.

Go next

 * Loop Art Tour

title: Along the Magnificent Mile


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Along the Troad Coast

Along the Troad Coast is an itinerary between Çanakkale and Assos, following the western (Aegean) coast of the Troad Peninsula (Turkish: Biga Yarımadası) in northwestern Turkey.

Understand
Quite popular as a day trip among travellers to this part of the world, this itinerary offers a slower and more pleasant alternative to speeding down the inland highway D550/E87. History lovers will especially enjoy the route.

Stores offering drinks and basic snacks can be found in most villages along the route. Restaurants and guesthouses (pansiyon) are located in and near the well-travelled villages of Troy, Geyikli, Dalyan, Tavaklıiskelesi, Gülpınar, Babakale, and Assos in reasonable numbers. Gas stations, while present, are less frequent, though, especially in the section between Tavaklıiskelesi and Assos, but starting with a full tank in Çanakkale will go a long way.

In total, the route is about of driving.

Prepare
While not an absolute necessity, having a detailed map of the area would be good, and will help especially in a number of junctions that lead to a maze of local roads between the villages. However, carefully following the signposts is often enough, and for most of the route, the itinerary follows the only road in the region—you cannot get lost even if you want to.

Get in
Çanakkale, which has extensive bus and highway connections, as well as ferry links crossing the Dardanelles, is the obvious entry point to the itinerary.

Go
While most of the itinerary can be covered by using public transport (with a few modifications to the main route described below), some of the backcountry roads along the route have 2-hour intervals of buses at best, so self driving should obviously be the preferred way to get around, although it is not strictly essential. Wherever there is an infrequent bus service, hitchhiking also helps, and it is not very hard to attract a lift in the area. Ardent hitchhikers are also known to do the whole route by nothing else but their thumbs. The route can also be reasonably taken by a bicycle, especially by those experienced at cycling on hilly terrain. There are roadside fountains with drinkable water between the villages. The Troy Culture Route is a hiking trail loosely following this itinerary, touching most sites of interest.

Start early if you are to do the route in a day.

After leaving behind on the highway (D550/E87) towards Izmir, and passing through some scenic pine-covered hills south of the city, you'll arrive in an open plateau where the road leading to the ruins of the legendary city of  branches off. Troy is off the main highway and is one of the highlights of the itinerary. Touring around the ruins (at places so scant that you will need a lot of imagination to figure out what the city was like in its heyday) and climbing up the Trojan Horse can be done in as little as an hour, although history lovers will probably like to spend more time.

When you are done in Troy, head back to the highway you came in. Down the highway south, turn off into the westbound road, signposted to Geyikli-Bozcaada. After driving across an agricultural flatland for, near Mahmudiye you can turn off north for the (6 km/3.7 mi sideways), which should be a majestic hunting lodge when it was built by its eponymous pasha in the 18th century, but all that remains now is a derelict, albeit picturesque shell. Past Üvecik, the road will bring you back to the coast in the village of. Those without a car at their disposal should take the buses to Ezine on the highway and switch there to the westbound minibuses, run by Ezine Birlik, which can get you as far as to Babakale further on the itinerary. From Geyikli, you may opt for taking the ferries across to, an attractive and lively island with some beautiful architecture and streetscapes. A daytrip may suffice for some, but for taking in the whole atmosphere consider staying at least a night.

Upon returning to the mainland from Bozcaada (if you chose to get there), head south from Geyikli towards the village of. Around and about the village, visit the ruins of, named after Alexander the Great. Since the excavations at the site started only in the 21st century, the visible ruins — which include a street, a bathhouse, a monumental fountain, and some collapsed marble columns scattered in the harbour — are somewhat scarce, disjoined from each other, and mostly overgrown.

For a few kilometres beyond Dalyan, the road retreats inland through a pine forest, and is narrow and full of potholes. Past, you will arrive in a junction, connecting to a road in a much better condition. Follow south, signposted to Apollon and Assos, although heading further inland towards Yahyaçavuş would take you to an where marble colums destined for all over the Mediterranean were produced and left half-finished, scattered around the site after it was abandoned. Also nearby is the scant hilltop ruins of, the inhabitants of which had the idea of creating an artificial harbour at the site of Alexandria Troas first and settling there.

The southwards road soon meets the coast and you will arrive in, an attractive resort town with some cafes and restaurants beside its long, forested beach. A good place for a lunch stop, unless you've had your fill in Geyikli or Dalyan.

After Tavaklıiskelesi, road strays inland and starts to turn and twist through the hilly interior of the peninsula, which has the typical Mediterranean landscape of olive- and vineyards, and maquis scrub covering the hillsides. Keeping south, you will pass through a number of other villages, which preserved their stone Mediterranean-style architecture as the relative remoteness of the area have kept the developers at bay. A place of note in this section is the pretty 14th-century in Tuzla, the hillsides of which produce much geothermal energy. A well-preserved humpback stone bridge of four arches, built by the Romans and restored by Ottoman sultan Murat I (who should have taken a special interest in the village), is nearby as is an ancient saltpan, the namesake of the village and sitting abandoned at the foot of a hill.

About south of Tavaklıiskelesi, this backcountry road will bring you to, a village on the top of a mountain with a distant view of the Aegean Sea. This is where the impressive, but partially intact (or restored) Temple of Apollon (Apollon Smintheon) is located.

From Gülpınar, take the narrow and winding -sideroad to, a coastal village on the westernmost tip of the Asian mainland, marked by a castle. The road leading to Babakale traverses through a quite out-of-world landscape, with large dark boulders dressed with sparse shrubs, all perfectly contrasting to the deep blue Aegean. After visiting the castle, you may have your afternoon tea in the coffeehouse just across the village square from the gate.

When you are done in Babakale, head back to Gülpınar and take the eastwards road to, where you will get to after passing through a number of traditional villages and some more Mediterranean landscapes.

Stay safe
Safety is not really an issue on this route, crime is practically nil and there are no especially dangerous animals in the area to speak of. As long as you are careful when driving in the winding and narrow sections of the road and are drinking enough water especially in the height of summer, you will be more than OK.

Go next
Most of those travelling this route usually do so on their way to the towns and resorts further south along the Aegean, so you may do the same and take the eastbound road from Assos to Küçükkuyu which will bring you back to the highway D550/E87, which leads to Izmir.

title: Along the Troad Coast


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Along the Yangtze River

The Yangtze River (Chinese: 长江 Cháng Jiāng, literally "long river") is China's greatest river and a historic transport route.

This is a huge river; it is over 6,000 km (nearly 4000 miles) long, about the same as the Mississippi. Only the Amazon and Nile are longer. It is the world's sixth largest river by volume of water discharged, at over 30,000 m³ a second, roughly double the Mississippi, Mekong or Saint Lawrence, four times the Danube, and more than ten times the Rhine or Nile.

Understand

The Yangtze has been an important transportation route with major cities along its banks for several thousand years.

The Chinese civilization first developed along the Yellow River basin, before expanding southward to the Yangtze river basin during the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC – 256 BC). As a major transportation artery in China's rice bowl, the Yangtze has been important through most of Chinese history.

The Western name "Yangtze" comes from the stretch of the river from Yangzhou to Zhenjiang, called the Yangzi (扬子) in Chinese. This was the name first heard by Western missionaries and traders, particularly by the British, and it has stuck. It is named in honor of the former emperor Yang. Most Chinese will not understand what you mean; use the proper Mandarin title of Chang Jiang (long river) instead.

Cities

Many of China's greatest cities lie along the Yangtze. Except for Shanghai – which was unimportant until the 19th-century trade with Europe and the United States made it one of the world's great cities – all of these have existed for millennia. Listed from the mouth up the river, they are:
 * Shanghai — great trading port, financial and fashion capital of modern China
 * Wuxi — on Lake Tai, an old city that now has much hi-tech industry
 * Yangzhou — center of the salt trade for centuries
 * Zhenjiang — the girlhood home of Pearl Buck, a daughter of an American missionary family who grew up to win a Nobel Prize for novels about China.
 * Nanjing — national capital under several dynasties, most notably the early Ming Dynasty and during the Republic of China era, rivals Beijing for historical importance, capital of Jiangsu
 * Jiujiang
 * Wuhan — important in 19th-century trade and modern industry, capital of Hubei
 * Yichang — gateway to the Three Gorges
 * Chongqing — one of China's largest cities, and the temporary capital of China during World War II after Nanjing fell to the Japanese
 * Panzhihua — an iron-mining town with forest, mountain and caving tourism

Several other ancient and important cities are not actually on the Yangtze, but readily accessible from it:
 * Hangzhou — capital of Zhejiang and former capital of China during the Southern Song Dynasty (near Shanghai and connected by the Grand Canal to Suzhou and Wuxi)
 * Suzhou — famous for gardens and canals, abode of scholars, painters and poets (between Shanghai and Wuxi)
 * Chengdu — capital of Sichuan (near Chongqing and on one of the Yangtze's tributaries)

There are dozens of smaller cities as well.

The river extends far beyond Chongqing; its headwaters are deep in the Tibetan mountains. Few tourists doing the Yangtze route follow the river much beyond Chongqing. However, travellers on the Yunnan tourist trail see some of the upper reaches of the river near Lijiang. The Yangtze is also one of the three rivers in the Three parallel rivers region, a in Yunnan.

Get in
Shanghai has a major international airport with connections to almost anywhere. The other major cities on the route (Nanjing, Wuhan, Chongqing) have airports with good connections throughout China, but few direct international flights. However, KLM flies Amsterdam-Chengdu and Amsterdam-Kunming, Air France flies Paris-Wuhan, Lufthansa Frankfurt-Nanjing and Korean Air has flights from Seoul to several of these cities. Finnair offers direct flights to Chongqing.

From Southeast Asia, a popular cheap flight into the region is Air Asia Kuala Lumpur to Hangzhou.

Go
The most famous part of this route is the sensational cruise ships through the Three Gorges area between Chongqing and Yichang. With the enormous Three Gorges Dam project, completed in 2006-12, this route has changed considerably but it is still definitely worth doing.

A huge number of people were displaced when the Three Gorges Dam was built; a large area of what used to be fairly densely populated farming country with market towns scattered through it is now underwater. A number of new towns were built in the area and many people were relocated to Chongming District in Shanghai.

Be careful of the different types of boats and classes within those boats. Traveling on a Chinese tourist boat in 'first class' may not be your idea of 'first class' (one traveller complained of "rats everywhere"). In addition, the only choice for food may be the boat itself for up to three days. It is advisable to bring supplies, particularly snacks and drinks, for the voyage. The locals often bring ramen noodles or other soups; hot water is readily available. If you want a good experience on the Yangtze, pay the extra for a luxury cruise. Fare on these often includes excursions with English speaking guides and all meals on-board except the dinner on the check-in day. Almost all the tourists travelling on those cruises are very satisfied with the journey.

While one reviewer suggested not to take the Chinese Tourist boat (since they stop at destinations at 06:00, expecting all passengers to get out and look at the scenery, then arriving at 04:00 at the final destination and throwing everybody off the boat), another reviewer had a positive experience despite not speaking any Chinese.

Other tips:
 * Rent a private cabin if possible (handy for the many relaxing and lazy periods traveling down river)
 * Bring supplies to wash and dry clothes (detergent and clothes line with clothes-line pins) as this will be convenient in your room (although clothes will dry slowly with the humidity.)
 * Take photos and video at dusk or dawn when the haze from air pollution is not as pronounced.
 * Research the route before traveling so that you have some idea about the sites your boat will stop at and their significance (e.g. Fengdu, the City of Ghosts.)
 * Keep a "day bag" packed for those unexpected times when the boat stops for a site (rather than having to look for your camera, and possibly missing the trip with your fellow boat travellers)

The lower Yangtze areas; from Wuhan down through Nanjing and Suzhou to Shanghai; travelling by boat is also an option, but here it is not essential. There are good rail and road connections throughout the area. See High-speed rail in China for Nanjng-Wuxi-Suzhou-Shanghai-Hangzhou routes.

In Hubei, where the river flows across low-lying fertile plains, it is paralleled on both sides with tree-lined levees, on top of which fairly pleasant roads exist. See Hubei on more details on traveling along the levees.

Stay safe
General precautions against common scams and pickpockets are advisable anywhere in China.

Be especially wary of thieves on the cruise boats, using any technique from picking pockets to crawling in portholes to rifle luggage.

Go next
Chengdu is a hub for visiting southwest China. From there, you can:
 * fly to Lhasa, Tibet — but beware of altitude sickness; Chengdu is under 1000 m and Lhasa over 3500 m
 * head Overland to Tibet
 * head south toward Kunming, Yunnan by road or rail. If your ultimate goal is Tibet, Kunming at 2000 m is a good place to acclimatize before heading into higher areas.
 * The Yunnan tourist trail leads from Kunming toward Tibet.
 * swing north by road or rail to Xi'an, or join the Silk Road further west at Lanzhou

title: Along the Yangtze River


text:
Along the Yellow River

The Yellow River (Chinese: 黄河 Huáng Hé) is one of China's great rivers, the cradle of Chinese civilization and a historic transport route. It is not as important a tourist route as the Yangtze further south, but might be of interest to some.

The Yellow River is not tame. Only parts of it are navigable; other sections have quite a rapid current. It has had many disastrous floods; irrigation and flood control projects have been going on in the area for several thousand years and have never achieved complete success.

Understand
Chinese civilization first developed along the Yellow River; the Shang Dynasty ruled a region around the river from 1700 BCE. The Zhou Dynasty, 1027-221 BCE, expanded the empire southward into the Yangtze river (Chang Jiang) basin.

The provinces of Hebei and Henan take their names from this river. "He" is "river, "bei" and "nan" are "north" and "south" respectively.

Cities
The river rises in Qinghai in the foothills of the Himalayas and runs north to Inner Mongolia. There it runs in a big arc, with the Great Wall following it for some distance, before turning east toward the sea.

Cities on its route, listed from source to coast:
 * Xining, capital of Qinghai on one of its tributaries
 * Lanzhou, capital of Gansu
 * Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia
 * Wuhai, in a strategic position controlling a pass
 * Baotou, largest city in Inner Mongolia
 * the capital, Hohhot, is near the river but not on it
 * The great city of Xi'an, China's capital during the Qin, Western Han and Tang dynasties, is off the main river course, on a tributary
 * Sanmenxia, strategic city between Wei valley and North China Plains, where Taoism was founded
 * Zhengzhou, capital of Henan
 * Luoyang, capital of the Eastern Han Dynasty, located off the main river course on a tributary
 * Kaifeng, historical capital of the Northern Song dynasty
 * Jinan, capital of Shandong, is just up the river from the coast
 * Dongying, a city on the Yellow River Delta in Shandong

Of course there are many smaller towns as well.

Over the centuries the river has changed its course several times; the last change in 1853 moved the mouth the length of Shandong province. Today the part of the river below Jinan runs northeast and reaches the sea north of the Shandong peninsula; until 1853 it ran southeast and reached the sea on the other side of the peninsula, well south of Qingdao.

Prepare
Much of the area is not geared for foreign tourists. If you do not speak Chinese, you will need a least a phrasebook, preferably a bilingual guide. If possible, learn some Chinese before setting out.

Get in
The nearest major airport is Beijing. See the China article for visa information.

Go
There are trains throughout the area. All the trains to western China (Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu) go through Lanzhou, which lies on the banks of the Yellow River. The Beijing-Lanzhou "north route" follows the Yellow River for half of its way. The train from Beijing to Tibet via Qinghai passes through several of the cities along the river. There are also boats along some parts of the river.

However, for flexibility if you want to follow the Yellow River, you would need to travel largely by road. Rich travelers might rent a car and driver, see Driving in China. Others would use buses, varied perhaps with train or boat for some sections.

Stay safe
General precautions against common scams and pickpockets are advisable anywhere in China.

Go next
From the inland end of this route, you could turn west onto the Silk Road (Lanzhou is on the main route), turn southeast to reach Xi'an, or go a little west to Golmud which is a jumping off point for Tibet.

At the coast end, Beijing is nearby to the north. Going south, Shanghai via Suzhou would be the obvious route but there are many other choices.

title: Along the Yellow River


text:
Alonissos

Alonnisos or Alonissos (population 2,750 in 2011) is the least touristed island in the Sporades Islands. It is 3 km (2 m) east of the island of Skopelos. Alonissos is also the name of a village on the island. The Municipality of Alonissos includes several other islands.

The island at its widest is 4.5 km from northwest to southeast and at its longest is 20 km from southwest to northeast. The island is mostly limestone. It is east of mainland Greece and Magnesia, northeast of Euboea and northwest of Skyros. Alonissos has one main road which leads to three villages in the western part of the island and several unused roads throughout the island.

Villages
The village of Alonissos is located on the southern part of the island. It is locally known as Chora (χωρα - village). Chora (χωρα) is set high on the hill on the island of Alonissos, about 2 km from the island’s port, Patitiri, relatively unspoiled by tourism.

The bay at the southern end of the island is also called Alonissos.

The main port of the island is located in the southeast and is called Patitiri. There is ferry and hydrofoil service from Patitiri to Volos and to Agios Konstantinos on the mainland and to the islands of Skiathos, Skopelos and Skyros.

Other villages include Steni Vala and Agios Petros.

Other destinations
The Municipality of Alonissos includes the other, mostly inhabited, islands of Adelfopoulo, Gioura, Kyra Panagia, Pelagos, Persitera, Piperi, Psathoura and Skantzoura which are popular with sailors because of their romantic anchor bays.

Talk
Greek is the native language of the people of Alonissos. However, most people also speak passable English and many speak German or other European languages.

Climate
Summers are long and hot. In spring and autumn, you will need little more than a cardigan to keep away the cool morning and evening breezes, and winters are generally mild. You will find it slightly cooler in the island’s village of Chora, set high on a hill.

By boat
Alonissos is accessible via ferry from Volos, Agios Konstantinos, and Skopelos. Patitiri is the third stop both from Skiathos harbour and the mainland and takes about 1½ hours from Skiathos and 4 hours from Aghios Constantinos. While Cruise ships dock at the Patitiri Port.

By plane
There is no airport on the island itself but you can fly to either the nearby island of Skiathos in peak season or to Athens or Thessaloniki on the mainland. From either of these you will proceed to Alonissos by boat.

By bus
Out of season on Alonissos there isn't any public transport and you will find that even though there is a bus stop in Patitiri next to the taxi stand and opposite the Alkyon Hotel, there's no bus. This is because out of season the bus does the school run and is therefore otherwise engaged. Arrive here on Alonissos during the height of the season and you will find a regular bus service running between Patitiri and the Chora and a limited service running between Patitiri and Steni Vala. Tickets are purchased on the bus with the single fare from Patitiri to the Chora costing €1.60 and from Patitiri to Steni Vala costing €1.70.

By taxi
With public transport on the island being available only during the summer months taking a taxi is the main form of transport for visitors unless you hire a car. The taxi rank is opposite the Alkyon Hotel next to the bus stop.

Patitiri harbour to theOldTown takes about 5 minutes by taxi and costs €5. For early morning journeys or at public holidays you may pay twice this amount for the same journey. You can also use the taxis to take you to far off island destinations such as Votsi, Steni Vala and Milia beach which are accessible via tarmac roads.

By car
It is not worth the hassle to bring your own car to the island, although it is in theory possible. You can rent a car or a motor scooter. Asphalt roads run across the south of the island. Roads in the interior turn out to be little more than dirt paths. You can find for rent a cheap car on Alonissos island.

In Chora there is ample free parking in the new car park, just past the entrance to the village.

By motorcycle
Motorbikes and mopeds are popular alternatives to cars. Mopeds in particular are frequently used by local youths and can go to many places that cars cannot go - for example the twisted narrow streets of Patatiri. An additional advantage is that they are cheap to rent: €10-15 a day is the usual price. You can rent them easily from the port of Patatiri.

If you start a day-trip with a moped, make you sure you do so on a full tank, as gas stations are sometimes hard to find. An extra stop at a gas station can save a lot of nerves. When renting a moped, check if the profile of the tires is ok and if the brakes work properly. If it is the last vehicle in store, be suspicious - it could be the one that needs a repair badly. Though helmets are not required on the streets, it might be a good idea to ask your rent-a-bike for one, especially if you intend to drive on streets with more traffic.

By foot
From Patitiri there is a well marked footpath up the hill to Chora. Walking this takes around an hour, is very scenic, and fairly steep at times.

See
Sea caves where seals live. Don't expect to see any seals, they're too shy to be seen.

One of the things you should do if you have some time in Patitiri is visit the Alonissos museum, the largest privately owned museum in the Greek islands. This is housed in a bright, relatively new stone building to the left of the town beach. To get there, go past the bars and tavernas behind the town beach and up the steps at the end. The door to the museum is up the steps. Exhibits are on the lower ground, ground and first floors, with a coffee shop on the second floor. There is a lift to all floors.

The Traditional House Museum of Alonissos is at the start of the main thoroughfare of the Upper Old Town.

Shipwreck at Peristera Some of the boat tours offered at the port can take you to swim/snorkel there.

Do

 * The Alonissos photography experience will be one of the most valuable experiences of your life. Bring your camera and take pictures of unforgettable moments.
 * From the early light bouncing quietly off the ancient white washed walls to the delicate pink hue of the late afternoon sun setting, your lens will be filled with wonder for every moment. Try to be embarked on a daily trip sailing around the island or to the deserted island around. Don’t miss to be embarked on daily walking journeys through the narrow winding pathways of the villages, discovering interesting architecture, the natives and their culture, and some donkeys and mules being led through the narrow paths from ocean to cliff side.
 * Swim: The waters of the island are considered to be the cleanest in the Aegean and have been declared a MarinePark and conservation area in order to protect a rare species of monk seal, the Monachus Monachus that breed in the region. Alonissos has a variety of beaches, like the others Sporades islands have. Most are on the east side. Megali Ammos an isolate unspoiled beach to the Northwest coast is really wonderful.
 * In areas where approaching is permitted, swimming, observation of the sea bed, amateur photography and filming are allowed.

Buy

 * Jewelry stores are common
 * Colorful sea shells are a popular souvenir item, but very many of them are actually imported, and have no authentic connection to the island whatsoever.
 * Many brand name products for sale in the tourist shops may be fakes and/or unlicensed (T-shirts, towels, hand bags, and so on)

Eat
All fish dishes are delicious as most restaurants only serve the day’s catch. The bakery on the right of the main street in Patitiri has delicious pastries. One cannot miss the famous lobster spaghetti dish of Kyria Tasia in her tavern at Steni Vala and her sister’s Soultana desert in the coffee house next door. The style is hearty rather than overcomplicated. It’s better away from the tourist “chips with everything” areas in the major resorts. Alonissos tavernas generally offer best menus. Portions are usually generous. The excellence of the local wine is a real bonus, and at good prices, so a night out tends to be inexpensive and a lot of fun!

All the markets in Alonissos produce plentiful and inexpensive food. There are small supermarkets well stocked with local and imported food. Feeding 2 people for a week would cost you around €100.

Restaurants and Tavernas are not expensive – you should be able to eat and drink for around €7 per head, and enjoy a really good meal.

Local wines and spirits are good value, and beer will cost about €1.50 a bottle, cigarettes €3.80 per packet).

The cuisine is best enjoyed at the invitation of a local to go to his house - don’t turn down an invite. Grilled fish or meat sprinkled with local herbs cooked slowly on an outside charcoal fire is always delicious, especially when its washed down with some local village wine. Greek salad is well known, of course, and the souvlakia (meat on a skewer) is always to be found in village Tavernas.

If you enjoy seafood find a local Ouzorea that’s used by the locals and try a meze.

At lunchtime fried Calamari with a bottle of chilled Retsina is wonderful.

Breakfast tends to be light, and of the continental variety. But most tourist tavernas now do full English breakfasts, omelettes and toasted sandwiches.

Drink
Assume the tap water is not drinkable unless told otherwise. Much of the island relies on collected rainwater for tap water.

Local drinks include Mythos (beer) and Ouzo.

Stay safe
Alonissos is a generally safe destination.
 * The summer sun tends to get very strong. You should not take the risk of dehydration, sunburns or even heat strokes lightly. Wear appropriate clothes, maybe with a hat and sunglasses; use sunscreen; bring enough water on excursions and know when to stop exhausting yourself and seek the shade of a tree.

title: Alonissos


text:
Alor Archipelago

Alor Archipelago is an island group in Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Previously well off-the-beaten-path, more and more adventurous travelers are discovering this remote island group. The vast majority of the infrastructure of the archipelago is either based in, or run from Kalabahi. The key attractions are water-based, including world-class diving and fishing. Alor has 40 pristine diving sites, but few foreign tourists have visited them.

Understand

 * — main city on the Island of Alor.

Outside the dive resorts accommodation is very basic in Alor and prices are relatively high for a similar standard else where in Indonesia. Food is also of a basic standard, and outside of Kalabahi there are few warungs in the villages. When going on trips best to take your own food.

Orientation
The Alor Archipelago consists of the following main islands:
 * — largest Island in the Archipelago
 * — second largest Island to the west of Alor
 * — local diving hub
 * — not to be confused with the island in Maluku
 * — not to be confused with the island in Maluku

Talk
The majority of Alorese speak Indonesian, along with local languages. A few young people may understand English. Some elderly people may speak Dutch.

By boat
The Indonesian national ferry carrier PELNI serves Kalabahi from many points in eastern Indonesia. Two ferries have scheduled stops here: MV Awu and KM Sirimau. The distances involved are huge, so be prepared for long journeys and frequent delays.

From Lewoleba (Lembata) a ferry runs to Kalabahi, every Monday and Friday, taking 15 hours (July 2016), the return ferry leaves Lewoleba at 20:00.

ASDP runs a car ferry to Kupang 3 days a week, and the reverse to Kalabahi, 3 days a week.

By bus
There are small minibuses to around Kalabahi, but their schedule is unpredictable.

By car
Air conditioned cars can also be hired for a flat daily rate including driver and petrol approx Rp 600,000 and can take you to may interesting places around the island. New roads are continuously being built, but are also disintegrating at a similar rate, what may have been inaccessible 12 months ago by car, now maybe a beautiful strip of bitumen and vice versa. Check with locals for the most up to date info on road conditions when travelling outside of Kalabahi.

By motorcycle
You can hire a motorcycle for about Rp 100,000 for 12 hours to go around the island.

See

 * Beachcombing: Mali beach, Maimol beach and Batu Putih beach for a relaxed swimming. Sebanjar beach is good for snorkelling.

 * Diving: There are 3 dive & stay resorts in Alor, and 3 small dive operators. Resorts are far away from the main town so accommodation, meals and diving or snorkeling is included.

 * See natural hot spring in Tutti near Bukapiting sub-district.

 * — (or Gunung Sirung in Indonesian) (862 m) is one of the less visited volcanoes of Indonesia, but one of the most fascinating.

It is the second youngest and northeasternmost of a chain of volcanoes, about 14 km long, extendingfrom the southwestern tip of Pantar Island northeast to Beang Bay. Mt. Sirung is the only active volcano of the range. The latest eruptions occurred in the years 2012, 2004 and 1934. Mt. Sirung is a lava dome truncated on its eastern side by a 2-km-wide caldera. The other, older volcanoes are overgrown with vegetation. So is Gunung Delaki (1,372 m), the highest mountain of the range and of Pantar Island, southwest of Mt. Sirung.

The hike from Beang up to the crater rim is an easy 4 or 6 hours' walk-up (the time depends on the route), mostly through beautiful eucalypt savanna. From the crater rim to the top, it is another 2 to 3 hours' climb in pathless terrain.

From Beang, there are two routes to the crater of Mt. Sirung: one via Darang/Howang (Route 1), and one via Kakamauta (Route 2).

Route 1: Starting from Beang, take the trail heading south to the tiny village of Darang, where you will arrive in about 45 minutes. In Darang, the houses still have grass-thatched roofs. From Darang, a trail leads up the steep eastern slope of the volcano to the crater rim. Walking time is 3 hours. From where you arrive at the rim, you can head northwest, around the northeastern side of the crater, to the canyon where the trail from Kaukamauta comes up.

Route 2: Starting from Beang, take the trail leading uphill to the village of Kakamauta. The trailhead is just behind the houses in the centre of Beang. The path will give you a stunning view of Beang Bay and take you through savanna woodland with lontar palms and eucalyptus trees. Shortly before you arrive at Kakamauta, you will pass small cashew plantations. From Beang to Kakamauta, it is a 2.5 to 3 hours' hike. Where the path forks below an open, grassy slope about half way up, take the left branch.

Having arrived in Kakamauta, follow the main street through the village, passing the church and the mayor's office on your left, and the football ground on your right, until you get to a T-junction. Turn left and leave the village on the dirt road leading south-west. After about 15 minutes, branch off to the left (south) onto a narrow path leading through high grass. There is no signpost and the beginning of the path is hidden in the grass 1 to 2 metres above the road. You will find it near a couple of dried-up trees on your left.

Now follow the trail up to the crater of Mt. Sirung. It is an easy hike of another 1.5 to 2 hours. The first section will take you through eucalypt savanna. Then the vegetation diminishes owing to the rain of ash that fell on the upper slopes of the volcano during the eruptions of the past decades. Keep walking on the ridge above the canyon that leads to the crater rim. It is not dangerous in dry conditions. Finally, descend into the canyon and follow it upwards (the bottom of the canyon is almost even). Soon you will arrive at the huge crater.

Inside the crater there is a large sulphurous crater lake and several active steam vents. It is possible to descend into the crater, but you are not allowed to do so all the year round. The locals say you must not enter the crater from June to September, because, if you did, Mt. Sirung could erupt and destroy the cashew harvest. Similarly, you must not go down into the crater from December to April, because at that time of the year it would endanger the rice harvest. So you can do it in October, November and May only.

There is no trail to the summit of Mt. Sirung. In order to get to the summit (after visiting the crater), go back down through the canyon until you can climb the ridge on your left (to the west), and then work your way up on the tops of the ridges and in the ravines. It will take you another 1 to 2 hours. The route leading from the summit of Mt. Sirung to the summit of neighbouring Mt. Delaki is an easy one (2 to 3 hours). Locals go up there to hunt deer with bow and arrow. From the top of Mt. Delaki you can go down to the village of Koliabang on the west coast of Pantar (3 to 4 hours), and then on to Puntaru, the village of the Pasir Tiga Warna ("The Sands of Three Colours").

About 5 km northwest of Mt. Sirung, you can observe how a new volcano is "born" - the Koralau: on a small, featureless hill, a gas eruption occurred for the first time in February 2011, burned the grass in the surroundings, and created a small crater of only about 10 metres in diameter.

Do

 * Scuba diving
 * Snorkeling
 * Beach combing
 * Visiting traditional villages
 * Buying Ikat weaving from the weavers
 * Wear traditional costumes in the Dekranasda to get your picture taken
 * Trekking to Mt. Sirung and Mainang waterfall
 * Visit the sacred hot spring in Tutti

Scuba diving
Alor offers divers more than 50 known dive sites, with additional sites still being discovered. These sites can be divided into two main areas, Pantar Strait and Kalabahi Bay. Alor is blessed with rugged mountains that plunge into the 1000-m-deep Pantar Strait. Crystal clear waters, deep seas, frequent current and marine diversity mean that the reefs and corals are some of the healthiest and most diverse in Indonesia. There are sites for all levels of diving, some sheltered, and others with strong current.

The main Dive operators include;, , , , , and. (Most have Dive resort-style accommodation, spread across the Alor Islands)

Eat
Try to buy the traditional cookies, Kue Rambut, that are sold in the traditional market and supermarket

You might want to eat jagung titi dan kenari (crushed corn flakes and canary bean) that is sold in both traditional markets and supermarkets. Try the jagung titi that are sold in Jonathan Bakery near the old market for a ready-to-eat snack.

Kaleso (a cooked rice cake) is also worth trying. Its plain taste can be enhanced by side dishes with grilled fish.

Resto Mama's is a good place to watch the sunset over Kalabahi Bay and enjoy excellent Indo- Chinese cuisine. Open from 10:00 till late daily.

Drink
Distilled sopi, a local fermented palm sugar alcoholic drink, is a must to try.

Stay safe
The Alor Archipelago has two main hospitals: the larger Kalabahi General Hospital (RSD Kalabahi) near the Kalabahi city centre and the lesser Mola Field Hospital (RSB Mola) in the city's eastern outskirt. Several public health clinics (Puskesmas) are available scattered throughout villages in Alor and Pantar. However, only the Kalabahi General Hospital provides specialist medical services (as of 2022). Both the hospitals and puskesmas accept BPJS cards. All puskesmas' are capable of providing basic A&E and inpatient care, but complex cases are referred to the hospital.

The Regional police station (Polres) is 180 m (2-min walk) east of the hospital.

Go next

 * Solor Archipelago
 * Kupang
 * Lembata
 * Flores

title: Alor Archipelago


text:
Alor Setar

Alor Setar is the state capital of Kedah, on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Some claim that it is the state capital on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia that is richest in Malay culture.

Despite its urban development and being the state capital, tourists are able to enjoy the scenic view of paddy plantations around the outskirts of the city.

By road
Alor Setar is easily (and most practically) accessible using the North-South Expressway. A bus trip from Kuala Lumpur should cost you around RM40 and will take about 6-7 hours of travelling time. Bus services from Bukit Kayu Hitam are also available for visitors from Thailand.

By train
The inter-city train station receives trains from all major stations.

By plane

An alternative option for getting to Alor Setar would be to fly into Penang, which has a larger and better served airport, and make your way to Alor Setar by road.

Buy

General shopping can be made around the city. Alor Setar offers a wide variety of goods, whether they are local or imported. Souvenirs can be purchase at Alor Setar's main tourist destination.

Main shopping spots are:

Eat

 * Fishermen's Ikan Kembong, famous warong (roadside eatery) on road to Kuala Kedah, at junction of road to Yan. Place open only from 11AM to 1PM. Real fishermen's cuisine liked by the townfolks.
 * Laksa Telok Kechai, midway on the Alor Setar - Kuala Kedah road. Famous local rice noodle in fish gravy. Inconspicuous shop, ask locals. Open from 7PM until midnight.
 * Haddyai Seafoods, Jalan Stadium - Thai & Chinese style foods.
 * Non Muslim
 * Jalan Putra
 * Kuit Tiao Teng (2nd Road)
 * Karipok (2nd Road)

Drink

 * Jus jambu (guava juice)

Sleep
There are several hotels in Alor Setar, which also includes some comfortable, modern hotels. In addition, there are alternatives to a hotel: home stay houses in major residential areas (taman in Malay) such as Taman Uda.

Go next

 * Penang — Island with a historic city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 * Hat Yai — Largest city in southern Thailand.

title: Alor Setar


text:
Alotau

Alotau is the provincial capital of Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea.

Understand
Far from the violence of PNG's capital, Port Moresby, it is no surprise that this laid-back little town to the east of PNG has resisted construction of a highway from the nation's capital. A relaxed and easy-going place on the edge of Milne Bay, Alotau is also a gateway to some of the most fascinating and unspoilt islands in the world.

By plane
Alotau's airport is called Gurney, named after a World War II fighter pilot.

 * Air Niugini has daily flights from the nation's capital, Port Moresby.
 * Airlines PNG has daily flights from Lae and Port Moresby, and also connects Alotau twice-weekly with the Trobriand Islands and with Misima.

By boat

 * By coastal freighter. It may be possible to reach Alotau from Port Moresby or Lae by cargo freighter. There is no passenger-only shipping. Ask around at Port Moresby or Lae harbors, and be prepared for a long wait!

Get around

 * Walk!. Alotau is not very large and the people are very friendly, so walking will give you a good chance to meet them. The local word for foreigner is DimDim, so if you hear children calling that after you it does not mean they think you are stupid!

See

Do

 * Diving. The diving is reportedly fantastic but Alotau gets few visitors and the one dive shop has closed down for lack of customers.

Eat
Well, chew to be precise. The people of Alotau and Milne Bay province are major consumers of the betel nut, chewed in a mixture with lime. When expectorated, it leaves red marks all over the ground. Long-term consumption is said to cause mouth cancer, but the occasional chew will cause you no problem and may give you a slight high.

There is good fresh food most of the week, except Saturday afternoon and Sunday at the Alotau market in town toward the water. Great bananas, sweet potatoes, yams, greens, green beans and all sorts of seafood, including crabs.

Grocery stores often have in-store fast food and there is a really good value restaurant in town as well, something like the Kai House.

Sleep

Go next

 * Trobriand Islands. The "Islands of Love" according to anthropologist Malinowski. Remote islands, nice beaches, and an idiosyncratic version of cricket.
 *  Samarai. A short boat ride from Alotau. Former capital of Milne Bay province. 20 minutes to walk round the island, with a few memories of its former importance.
 * Fergusson Island. A geothermal island. Good bird watching with a rare species of Bird of Paradise and the Curl Crested Manucode. Can only be reached by boat.
 * Goodenough Island and Normanby Island. Totally unspoilt islands for exploring, bird watching, etc. Very limited accommodation.
 * Misima Island. With 5000 people, the most populated and most accessible island of the Louisiade Archipelago. Briefly flirted with a change of lifestyle when a gold mine was opened in 1990, but that closed in 2004.
 * Samarai. This small island, at the entrance to Milne Bay, was a boom town in the 19th century, with up to five hotels to accommodate gold prospectors on their way to and from the Milne Bay islands. Little is now left of this prosperity but it is still a fascinating place to visit.

title: Alotau


text:
Alpe d'Huez

Alpe d'Huez is a city in the French Alps. Besides being a winter ski resort, Alpe d'Huez is a popular resort for cycling fans as in many years one of the most important stages of the Tour de France ends at the ski station. The 21 hairpin turns are a challenge to any level of cyclist and some of the cycling greats of eras past have won or lost the Tour on this ascent.

Get in
Alpe d'Huez is southeast of Grenoble. Head south from Grenoble on the E712 to Le Pont-de-Claix, take the D1085 heading east and then join the D1091. From the other direction, you can take to D1091 from Briançon.

A good way to get to the top of Alpe d'Huez on Tour de France race day is to drive in the morning to Oz en Oisans and ride the ski lift. It goes up to the top of the mountain and then back down into Alpe d'Huez. The lifts runs again after the stage to take the fans back to Oz en Oisans.

For a taxi in Alpe d'Huez, try Accueil Allo Taxi on +33476802900, Chalvin Stephane on +33476803344, or Alp Taxi on +33476807243.

Understand
The road the cyclists take is approximately 9 miles (or 13 km) long and consists of 21 hairpin turns. The road is packed with cycling fans, as many as 500,000 of them every time the Tour de France passes through.

For fans of cycling history, a unique feature of Alpe d'Huez is that each of the 21 hairpin turns is numbered from 21 (at the bottom) to 1 (at the top). Each of these numbered signs also has listed the names of one or two of the winners of the stage to Alpe d'Huez and the year they won the stage.

See
In medieval times there was a silver mine, and the coron is preserved in its entirety. There are traces of copper mining already from the bronze age.

Downhill sports
Alpe d'Huez is one of Europe's premier skiing venues, having gained popularity when it hosted the bobsled events of the 1968 Winter Olympics.

With 249 km of piste and 84 ski lifts, the resort is now one of the world's largest. Extensive snowmaking facilities helped combat the ski area's largely south-facing orientation and helped Alpe d'Huez appeal to beginner skiers, with very easy slopes. There are also good intermediate-grade slopes, but the resort is mostly known for freeskiing.

Aside from the Tunnel and Sarenne black runs, the latter the world's longest at 16 km, many off-piste opportunities exist both from the summit of the 3330 m Pic Blanc and the 2808 m Dome des Petites Rousses. These include the 50-degree Cheminees du Mascle couloirs, the open powder field of Le Grand Sablat, the Couloir Fleur and the Perrins bowl. Up to 2200 m of vertical descent are available with heli drops back to the resort's altiport. The proximity to the exclusively off-piste resort of La Grave as well as tree skiing at Serre Chevalier and the glacier and terrain parks of Les Deux Alpes have made Alpe d'Huez a popular base for skiers looking to explore the Oisans region.

title: Alpe d'Huez


text:
Alpena (Michigan)

Alpena is a city in Northeastern Michigan.

title: Alpena (Michigan)


text:
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is a department in the French region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, and is on the French border with Italy.

Cities

 * — natural beauty and supposedly curative thermal springs
 * — natural beauty and supposedly curative thermal springs
 * — natural beauty and supposedly curative thermal springs
 * — natural beauty and supposedly curative thermal springs
 * — natural beauty and supposedly curative thermal springs
 * — natural beauty and supposedly curative thermal springs

Other destinations

 * – an awe-inspiring gorge

Get around

 * The Train des Pignes, a private railway between Digne-les-Bains and Nice is worth a trip entirely for its own sake but it also provides a great way of getting to starts or ends of walks in the lovely Mountains if you base yourself at one place on it such as Annot or Entrevaux.

See
Terres noires

Do
hiking, VTT, canyoning,

Go next
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is bordered on the east with Italy.

title: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence


text:
Alpes-Maritimes

Alpes-Maritimes is a department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It has 300 sunny days per year, making it an excellent tourist destination.

Cities

 * — a sea-side city known for hosting the Cannes Film Festival, la Croisette (its waterfront) and its luxury hotels.
 * — a small atmospheric perched medieval village with a great view on the coast, and also a sea resort in its lower portion.
 * — famous for its perfume industry — is inland but easily reached from the coast by train
 * — a wealthy city-state on the Mediterranean Sea with entertainment for those with money to burn: think yachts and casinos, plus the annual Formula 1 Grand Prix.
 * — The largest city of the département, its famous promenade, its old town.
 * and Tourrettes sur Loup — both 30 minutes inland but well worth a visit, delightful old villages with narrow streets and picture postcard scenes
 * , famous for the Matisse Chapel
 * — a wealthy city-state on the Mediterranean Sea with entertainment for those with money to burn: think yachts and casinos, plus the annual Formula 1 Grand Prix.
 * — The largest city of the département, its famous promenade, its old town.
 * and Tourrettes sur Loup — both 30 minutes inland but well worth a visit, delightful old villages with narrow streets and picture postcard scenes
 * , famous for the Matisse Chapel
 * — The largest city of the département, its famous promenade, its old town.
 * and Tourrettes sur Loup — both 30 minutes inland but well worth a visit, delightful old villages with narrow streets and picture postcard scenes
 * , famous for the Matisse Chapel
 * and Tourrettes sur Loup — both 30 minutes inland but well worth a visit, delightful old villages with narrow streets and picture postcard scenes
 * , famous for the Matisse Chapel
 * , famous for the Matisse Chapel
 * , famous for the Matisse Chapel
 * , famous for the Matisse Chapel

Other destinations

 * — a departmental park
 * — a good place for hiking and skiing

Understand
The department can be divided into three parts:
 * The coast area, which attracts lots of tourists
 * The arrière-pays famous for its nice villages
 * The mountain area, with its ski resorts

By train
The main lines run along the coast, and allow going either to Italy (east) or Marseille (west). The local trains are following the two following lines: Trains also stop in smaller cities (see time table).
 * Ventimiglia (Italy) - Menton - Monaco - Nice - Antibes - Cannes - Mandelieu-la-Napoule
 * Ventimiglia (Italy) - Menton - Monaco - Nice - Antibes - Cannes - Grasse

From Nice, high-speed train TGV runs to Lyon or Paris, with a few stops in-between. The portion between Nice and Marseille (2:40) is not operated at high-speed.

The SNCF, the national railway company, also operates the line train des Merveilles from Nice to the hinterland(Breil-sur-Roya, Tende). This train is often used by tourists.

The region also operated the line Chemin de fer de Provence between Nice and Digne-les-Bains in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments in the nord. This line is also often referred as Le train des Pignes. It's also serving many small villages as Puget-Théniers, Entrevaux or Annot. Interrail cards are not accepted. The trains are not equipped for disable people.

By bus
The Conseil Général (local council) operates a bus network called TAM. It offers to route to almost every town and village within the département. The one-way ticket costs €1 whatever the destination.

The main routes are:

This network also operates (on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and the nights before a public holiday) a night service called NocTAM'bus. The three night routes are:
 * 100: Nice - Monaco - Menton (every 15 minutes)
 * 100X'press: Nice - Monaco, direct by motorway (every 60 minutes)
 * 200: Nice - Cannes (every 15 minutes)
 * 500: Nice - Grasse
 * 600: Cannes - Grasse (every 20 to 30 minutes)
 * NocTAM'bus 100: Nice Côte d'Azur Airport - Monaco - Menton
 * NocTAM'bus 200: Nice Côte d'Azur Airport - Cannes
 * NocTAM'bus 600: Cannes- Grasse

There are also two special airport routes: Warning Special fares apply on the airport routes (110 and 210):
 * 110 Nice Côte d'Azur Airport - Monaco - Menton, direct by motorway
 * 210 Nice Côte d'Azur Airport - Cannes, direct by motorway.
 * Nice - Monaco: €16.10
 * Nice - Menton: €18
 * Nice - Cannes: €14.20

Time tables are available online (in French)

Stay safe
The Alpes-Maritimes are moderately safe from a tourist standpoint. Rural areas are very safe for the most part, whereas Nice and its immediate suburbs have their share of crimes, both petty and serious. Being street-smart and avoiding areas off-the-beaten-track are enough to avoid trouble. If you ever feel unsafe, calling the police or seeking help from hotels will help.

Politically-speaking, the Alpes-Maritimes are one of France's most conservative regions, and far-right politicians perform exceptionally well here, among the young and elderly alike. People who lean left or are visibly non-white are much more likely to face resentment than in other parts of France, and anti-LGBTQ sentiments are not uncommon.

title: Alpes-Maritimes


text:
Alpharetta

Alpharetta is a suburb in Metro Atlanta, it has around 66,000 residents (2020).

Get in
From Atlanta, take GA 400/US 19 North. Exits 9, 10, 11 lead into the city of Alpharetta. Exit 11 will take you directly onto Windward Parkway, which is a visitor friendly route.

Get around
This is an easy place to get around by car and is likely the easiest method of exploring the area.

Alpharetta also prides itself as pedestrian-friendly, so travelling by foot is also an option, especially near the town center.

By bus

 * Route 140, 185, 143 (weekdays only).

See

 * Windward Parkway - West Windward Parkway is where all the stores are, East Windward Parkway is residential neighborhoods
 * The Ameris Bank Amphitheatre - frequent shows
 * Historic Downtown

Do

 * Shop and eat at North Point Mall and on Windward Parkway
 * Visit the Town Center

Buy

 * An outdoor shopping area with many mid-budget restaurants, a dine-in movie theater, a marketplace, and weekly events.
 * There are many different high-end and innovative restaurants, boutique shops, a Regal Cinemas, and a park.
 * An outdoor shopping area with many mid-budget restaurants, a dine-in movie theater, a marketplace, and weekly events.
 * There are many different high-end and innovative restaurants, boutique shops, a Regal Cinemas, and a park.

Go next

 * Roswell — has a nice historical district, you may want to visit that.
 * Dahlonega — Dahlonega is known for its old gold mines, while most are inaccessible, one is. Touring the mine is a great experience, and guided tours are available.

title: Alpharetta


text:
Alphen aan den Rijn

Alphen aan den Rijn is a town in the western Netherlands. The city is situated on the banks of the Old Rhine between Utrecht and Leiden. The area around Alphen aan den Rijn has been inhabited for 2000 years. During the Roman Empire, the Old Rhine was the head branch of the Rhine. On the modern center of the city, the Romans built a fortress (Castellum Albanianae). Remnants of the Romans have been found and can be seen in Leiden at the National Museum of Antiquities.

Get in
Alphen aan den Rijn is in the middle of four big cities (Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, The Hague) in the Randstad, the West-Center of the Netherlands, also known as the Green Heart. The large cities are a half hour drive away by car.

By train
Alphen aan den Rijn has a railway station. Trains arrive coming from Leiden, Utrecht and Gouda.
 * From Leiden, take the train to Utrecht.
 * From Amsterdam, go to Leiden and change to Utrecht.
 * From the Hague, go to Leiden and change to Utrecht.
 * From Rotterdam, go to Gouda and change to Leiden or go to Leiden and change to Utrecht.
 * From Utrecht, take the train to Leiden.

By bus
From Schiphol Airport, there is Bus 470 directly to Alphen aan den Rijn. Depending on transfer times between trains, or if the bus departs sooner than the train, it can be a few minutes faster than transferring trains at Leiden Centraal. The full bus ride to and from the airport is about 36 minutes. Buses depart every 15 minutes weekdays and every 30 evenings and weekends. Night service is available every night.

It is sometimes faster to change to Bus 470 at Schiphol coming from Amsterdam, depending on transfer times.

By car

 * From Amsterdam take the A4 to The Hague and Rotterdam. At crossing 4, Nieuw Vennep, take the N207 to Alphen aan den Rijn.
 * From The Hague take the A4 to Amsterdam and at crossing 6a. Zoeterwoude Rijndijk, take the N11 to Alphen aan den Rijn.
 * From Rotterdam take the A13 to The Hague, proceed over the A4 to Amsterdam and follow the route given for the Hague.
 * From Utrecht take the A12 to Rotterdam/the and at crossing 12a Bodegraven take the N11 to Alphen aan den Rijn.

Get around
Buses in this area are operated by Arriva.

Buy
Alphen aan den Rijn is a regional town with a lot of shops in the center of the city. The finished Masterplan has created more shopping facilities at the other side of the Old Rhine.

Eat
Most restaurants are located in or near the city center so make reservations. The given list is just a small selection of all restaurants in Alphen aan den Rijn.
 * De Gelaarsde Kat (Puss in Boots), Hooftstraat 81, 2496 GE, 0172-491401, French-Dutch, has a veranda at the Old Rhine.
 * De Monnick, Raadhuisstraat 106, 2406 AH, 0172-495254, French Restaurant, higher prices but also better quality.
 * El Caballo, Rhenanialaan 1, 2406 GS, 0172-424843, Argentina Meat Restaurant.
 * Hong Kong City, P. Doelmanstraat 12, 2405 CE, Chinese Restaurant with a view at the Alphense Bridge and the Old Rhine.
 * Is Morus Pizzeria, Raadhuisstraat 186, 2406 AK, 0172-475606, Not only Italian pizza's, but also meat and fish dishes.
 * Proto Tapas Restaurant, Rijnkade 5, 0172-476566, Spanish Tapas, but the owners are Greek, situated at the Old Rhine with a view on the new city center.

Although there are very good restaurants in the center, it is worthy to look for restaurants outside the center.
 * Alfred's Diner, C. Geellaan 43, 2406 JE, 0172-425757, French, higher prices but also better quality, situated in a park.
 * Lubo Steal Grill, van Nesstraat 1a, 0172-499441, Balkan kitchen.
 * Original Chines Palace, Burg. Bruijn Slotsingel 20, 2406 AE, 0172-436655, Located near the Zegerplas and in a Chinese pagoda.
 * Sari Djawi, Gouwsluisseweg 48, 2405 XS, 0172-472316, Indonesian kitchen, situated in an old mill at the old Rhine.
 * Zorba the Greek, van Nesstraat 21, 2404 AV, 0172-493335, Greek kitchen with a very friendly owner.

Drink

 * La Caleche, Hooftstraat 157, 2496 GG, 0172-492932.
 * Kwatro, Hooftstraat 126, 2406 GM, 0172-472549
 * Meeting Point, Thorbeckeplein 2, 2406 CG, 0172-474004
 * De Natte, Julianastraat 19, 2405 CG, 0172-426193, Special Beer café
 * Querelle Swing Café, Julianastraat 32, 2405 CH
 * Under the Bridge, Hooftstraat 165, 2406 GH, Blues Rock Café

Go next

 * Keukenhof - The best way to visit Keukenhof is to go to Leiden which can be used as a base by many to explore the tulip district in April and May. From the Central Station in Leiden there are special busses going directly to Keukenhof. (Bus service 54). If you want to avoid half an hour in a cramped bus for an extra 500 m walk, just ask which busses go to Lisse (50, 51 and 57).
 * Rijksmuseum van Oudheden. (National Museum of Antiquities). Includes an outstanding collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities, and a small temple that was given to the Netherlands by the Egyptians for their help with the Aswan monuments transfer project. It also features an exhibition on the archeological history of the Netherlands including dug-up burial treasures and the like.

title: Alphen aan den Rijn


text:
Alpine

Alpine primarily refers to the Alps in Central Europe. It is also the name of a few places:

 * Alpine (Texas) – a town in Texas, USA
 * Alpine (Wyoming) – a town in Wyoming, USA
 * Alpine National Park – a national park in Victoria, Australia

Alpine skiing is a popular downhill snowsport.

title: Alpine


text:
Alpine (Texas)

Alpine is a city of 6,000 people (2019) in Texas. It has an historic downtown, and is a good base for exploring Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and Davis Mountains State Park.

Climate
In the winters, ample sunshine usually warms the days, though the nights can be chilly due to the 4,475 feet (1,360 m) elevation. In the summer, the fierce sun causes hot days, pleasantly relieved in the evening by the same high elevation.

Get in
Alpine has a small general aviation airport, the closest major airports are Midland International, 3 hours 15 minutes away, and El Paso International, about 3½ hours away

By car
Alpine sits at the intersection of US Hwy 67 and 90 and Texas Hwy 118.

 * US 90.svg & US 67.svg Ave E & Holland Ave Coming from the east, US Hwy 90 makes for an interesting, scenic drive to Alpine. Plan your fuel stops wisely, as it's possible to go almost 200 miles between cities. US Hwy 90 takes in a couple of all-but-ghost towns along the way, as well as the Trans-Pecos crossing and some breathtaking scenery. US Hwy 67 runs concurrently on US Hwy 90 from Marfa, through Alpine, to its turn-off (at Brewster County Rest Stop) east of town.  US Hwy 67 than continues north towards I-10,  west of Ft Stockton.

 * Texas_118.svg to Texas_17.svg N 5th St goes northwesterly to TX-17 in Fort Davis. One can continue north on TX-17 to I-10 in Saragosa, from Ft Davis, if going west on I-10. Going south TX-118 goes to Big Bend National Park from Alpine.

 * I-10.svg Travelers in more of a hurry may prefer to take Interstate 10 to US Hwy 67 (Exit 248) from Ft Stockton or anywhere east or US Hwy 90 (Exit 140A) from Van Horn (or anywhere further west) straight into Marfa. Likewise one can also exit off at TX-17 from Exit 209 of I-10 to Ft Davis and go southeast/east of from Ft Davis on TX-118 into Alpine (as 5th St).

By train
The tri-weekly Sunset Limited, running between Los Angeles and New Orleans, and the Texas Eagle from Chicago provided by Amtrak serves Alpine via El Paso, Sanderson, Del Rio and San Antonio. The station is at 102 West Holland Avenue, just south of downtown.

See

 * Historic Downtown Alpine includes many historic buildings constructed in the late 1800s. An informative brochure that describes a walking tour is available from the visitor's center at 106 N 3rd St.

Do

 * Hancock Hill, behind Sul Ross State University, has hiking trails on university and private property. Theere are views of the town and a path to “The Desk”. To find the trailhead: turn left at the end of Avenue B (SRSU Entrance 4). is at the far edge of the old Mountainside dormitory parking lot.
 * Hancock Hill, behind Sul Ross State University, has hiking trails on university and private property. Theere are views of the town and a path to “The Desk”. To find the trailhead: turn left at the end of Avenue B (SRSU Entrance 4). is at the far edge of the old Mountainside dormitory parking lot.
 * Hancock Hill, behind Sul Ross State University, has hiking trails on university and private property. Theere are views of the town and a path to “The Desk”. To find the trailhead: turn left at the end of Avenue B (SRSU Entrance 4). is at the far edge of the old Mountainside dormitory parking lot.
 * Hancock Hill, behind Sul Ross State University, has hiking trails on university and private property. Theere are views of the town and a path to “The Desk”. To find the trailhead: turn left at the end of Avenue B (SRSU Entrance 4). is at the far edge of the old Mountainside dormitory parking lot.

Go next

 * Big Bend National Park

title: Alpine (Texas)


text:
Alpine (Wyoming)

Alpine is a town in Southwest Wyoming, 30 miles south of Jackson. Alpine is at the confluences of three beautiful rivers, the Salt River, Greys River, and Snake River. The three rivers meet in Alpine and flow into Palisades lake.

Get in
Alpine is located at the junction of Hwy 26 and Hwy 89.

The nearest airport is in Jackson.

Do
Alpine Trails and Pathways maintains paths for winter and summer activities. Winter offers groomed trails for cross-country skiing, skate skiing and fat biking. During summer there are 30 hiking areas within 30 miles of town.

title: Alpine (Wyoming)


text:
Alpine County

Alpine County is located in the sparsely populated east-central part of California's Sierra Nevada mountains. With only 1,200 residents it is California's least-populous county, leading the county's tourism board to advertise "Two people per square mile and you".

Understand
There are no incorporated towns in the county. The largest population center is the county seat of Markleeville with just under 200 people residing there. Don't expect to find any of the conveniences associated with larger towns and cities anywhere in the county such as ATMs, banks, fast food chains, large grocery stores, or 24-hour convenience stores. However, there is an ATM in the Bear Valley Lodge. Much of the county was severely affected by forest fires in 2021, closing many campgrounds in the area.

Get in
There are no major airports in the county, with the nearest being in Reno, Nevada.

By car

 * State Road 88, coming from Minden, Nevada in the north, and from Stockton in the west.
 * State Road 89, coming from US 395 in the east, and Lake Tahoe to the north.

See

 * Lake Alpine, east of Bear Valley in the Sierra Nevadas, is picturesque and a good place for hiking, boating and picnicking in the summer. State Route 4 passes by the shores of Lake Alpine. If you drive northeast on State Route 4 toward Lake Alpine, be on the lookout for a large boulder shaped and painted like a whale on the north side of the road.

Go next

 * - The name of Alpine County's northwestern neighbor translates from Spanish as "the gilded/golden", an appropriate title for the county where the California Gold Rush was kicked off after a discovery at Sutter's Mill (near Coloma) in 1848. The county's attractions include mountain scenery, gold mining history, the impossibly blue waters of Lake Tahoe, backpacking opportunities in the Desolation Wilderness, and epic skiing in the South Lake Tahoe area.
 * - Alpine County borders the state of Nevada. Those interested in gambling are just minutes from the ubiquitous slot machines of the Silver State.
 * - Located southeast of Alpine County, remote and expansive Mono County is a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. It is the eastern gateway to Yosemite National Park, home to the Old West ghost town of Bodie, and Mammoth Lakes is a favorite winter skiing getaway.  The gigantic Mono Lake is perhaps the county's premier attraction, a stopover for millions of migratory birds and thousands of tourists who explore its alkaline waters and bizarre tufa formations.
 * - Alpine County's southern neighbor was one of California's original counties at the time of statehood, and today offers a glimpse into the region's gold mining and logging history, as well as numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation. Portions of Yosemite National Park lie in the county, and with limited parking and lodging inside of the park, the YARTS shuttle system makes the county's towns an option to consider for park visitors.
 * - Southwest of Alpine County lies sparsely populated Calaveras County, which inspired author Mark Twain's first successful story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County"; today visitors can both visit Twain's cabin and enjoy the annual Jumping Frog Jubilee in the tiny town of Angels Camp. The county is also home to several natural caves, a handful of wineries, Gold Rush history, and giant sequoia trees in Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
 * - Located west of Alpine County, Amador County was home to several mines during the Gold Rush, including the Kennedy Mine in Jackson which was the deepest gold mine of its time. Today the county is known for its Zinfandel, with the Shenandoah Valley home to over forty wineries.  Visitors may also enjoy Black Chasm Cavern in Volcano, historic buildings, and outdoor activities such as skiing, camping and fishing.

title: Alpine County