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Penzance

Penzance (Cornish: Pennsans) is the most south-westerly town in West Cornwall. Famous for its association with the Gilbert and Sullivan opera (now often played as a musical) The Pirates of Penzance, the town is an ideal base for exploring the Penwith area of Cornwall. It is increasingly attracting those interested in cultural tourism due to its long association with the arts.

Penzance is the main link with the Isles of Scilly via the spring and summer-only ferry.

By plane
has flights from London (Gatwick & Stanstead), Dublin, Leeds Bradford, Bristol, Manchester and Cardiff. It's about 30 miles (48 km) away from Penzance by A3075 and A30, reckon 45 min by car. Its two disadvantages are (i) most flights are summer only; (ii) public transport is tricky as first you have to get the bus into Newquay (last bus around 6:30PM), then rely on an infrequent bus or branch-line train for connections to Penzance.

Exeter Airport is further but may be a simpler option. It has more flights year-round, the airport bus runs until 10PM, and mainline trains run hourly from Exeter to Penzance.

There are flights to the Isles of Scilly from at St Just TR19 7RL, 6 miles (10 km) west of Penzance. Flights operate year-round M-Sa and in summer are every 30 min; flight time is just 15 min so day-trips are feasible. The "Skybus" aircraft are small fixed-wing twin-props (e.g. Twin Otter or BNF Islander) so your total baggage limit is only 15 kg, and flights can be grounded by weather that wouldn't bother an Airbus or 737. There's also a helicopter service, using a 10-seater AW169. Adult fare is from £80 each way, day-trip £120 by "Skybus" and from £120 each way, day-trip £220 by helicopter. (For other transport routes, see Isles of Scilly "Get in".) A bus runs hourly between Penzance railway station and the airport to connect with flights: 20 min, £6 each way, book it along with your flight. By car follow A30 then B3306, long-stay parking is available.

By train
Direct trains run to Penzance from London Paddington (8 daily, 5 hours), Exeter (8 daily, 2 hours) and Plymouth (15 daily, 2 hours). There are frequent connections to Bristol (4 hours), Birmingham (5 hours) and the north, with one direct service to Sheffield, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

There is also an overnight sleeper train, The Night Riviera. This runs Sunday to Friday from London Paddington around 11:45PM, reaching Penzance by 8AM (on Su by M 9AM). The return train leaves Penzance Su-F around 9:30PM to reach Paddington at 5AM; you can stay aboard until 7AM. Book via Great Western (www.gwr.com), with airline seats, or single or double sleeper cabins available.

Other nearby destinations along the main line, served by hourly trains between Penzance and Plymouth, are St Erth (for St Ives), St Austell (for Eden Project), Par (for Newquay), and Bodmin. See National Rail for times and fares; advance booking is usually much cheaper. A Ride Cornwall Ranger is good value for local travel. It allows unlimited off-peak travel within Cornwall, and between Cornwall and Plymouth, by all trains and most buses. "Off-peak" means M-F after 9AM, and all day Sa Su & holidays. An adult day-ticket is £13, children and concessions around £10.

is at the bottom end of town by the bus station, and a short walk from the ferry terminal. There's not much within the station, but cafes and other facilities in town nearby.

By coach
National Express coach NX404 runs overnight from London Victoria (8 hr) via Heathrow Airport, Bath, Bristol Airport, Exeter, Torquay and Plymouth. NX315 runs daily along the south coast from Eastbourne via Brighton, Portsmouth, Southampton, Eastbourne, Exeter and Plymouth.

First Kernow bus T1 runs every 30 min between Penzance and Truro (1 hr 45 min), via St Erth, Hayle, Camborne, and Redruth. Change at Truro for Newquay, St Austell and Bodmin. Reaching Plymouth and Exeter by bus is not worth the bother, take the train.

By car
Penzance is a 5- to 6-hour drive from London via M4, M5, and A30. It's a long way and at some point you'll need to refuel. Don't be paying motorway prices, there's supermarket petrol at (amongst others) M5 jcn 28 (Cullompton Tesco), A30 Bodmin (Asda, Launceston Rd Bodmin) and A30 Penzance (Tesco).

By boat
A ferry plies between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly, daily from mid-March to October. The ferry (Scillonian III) leaves Penzance around 9AM to reach the main island of St Mary's at noon; it returns at 4:30PM for 7:15PM. Only foot passengers are carried. Day-trips allow enough time to visit Tresco, where the Abbey Gardens are the islands' main draw. Booking strongly recommended, and see Isles of Scilly: "Get in" for other ferry practicalities.

For long-stay parking in Penzance while you visit the islands, check Islesofscilly-travel for options, which include:
 * For a day-trip, the Council-run long-stay car parks at the Harbour and St Anthony's Gardens charge £8 for 24 hours. They're pay & display so you can't use them for longer stays.
 * IOS Parking and Scilly Parking are two firms offering secure long-stay parking, both near the harbour and off-site with shuttle transfer. They're about £5 per day.

Get around
Walking is the best way to get around town in Penzance. Newlyn, Mousehole and St Michael's Mount are within hiking distance for healthy adults, but use the bus for those places if there are children, luggage, or dodgy knees or hips involved. Take the bus for:
 * Land's End: bus A1 hourly via Newlyn, Lamorna and Porthcurno, one hour, from 7AM to 6PM.
 * St Ives: bus A2 hourly via Marazion, St Erth and Lelant, 45 min, from 9AM to 10PM.

(Bus A3 runs hourly between St Ives and Land's End along the B3306 via St Just, Pendeen and Zennor, but doesn't serve Penzance.)

These "A"-buses, operated by First Kernow, are blue open-top double-deckers in summer. For bus travel plus rail, a good deal is the Ride Cornwall Ranger (adult £13) described above. For bus only, buy a Day Rider for £12 (child £6) from the Bus Station or from the driver on boarding - contactless bank cards accepted. Bus drivers also issue Ride Cornwall Rangers, but only for full price, go to the station for concessions.

See
Penzance is a fine example of a Cornish granite working town. It's not touristy like St Ives, so there's space to enjoy its 18th/19th-century architecture, harbour and sea views. Grand buildings grace Chapel Street, Regent Square, Morrab Place, Market Jew Street and Alverton Street; and then there's the wacky Egyptian House on Chapel Street. The harbour area is busy with small fishing vessels and pleasure craft, and passenger and freight ships sail to the Isles of Scilly. The promenade, built in the 1840s, stretches all the way to Newlyn. Along it admire the cool white Art Deco of the Jubilee Pool, and the tumult of waves breaking at Battery Rocks.

 * See Newlyn, an hour's walk or ten minute bus ride, where the Gallery and Fishermen's Memorial Statue are the main sights.
 * Land's End is an overpriced tourist trap. If you've come all this way from John O'Groats (e.g. by unicycle, for charity) then you've no option but to continue to the bitter end. But for cliff-top walks and scenery, you'll do better elsewhere, e.g. towards Sennen Cove or the Lizard.
 * See Newlyn, an hour's walk or ten minute bus ride, where the Gallery and Fishermen's Memorial Statue are the main sights.
 * Land's End is an overpriced tourist trap. If you've come all this way from John O'Groats (e.g. by unicycle, for charity) then you've no option but to continue to the bitter end. But for cliff-top walks and scenery, you'll do better elsewhere, e.g. towards Sennen Cove or the Lizard.
 * See Newlyn, an hour's walk or ten minute bus ride, where the Gallery and Fishermen's Memorial Statue are the main sights.
 * Land's End is an overpriced tourist trap. If you've come all this way from John O'Groats (e.g. by unicycle, for charity) then you've no option but to continue to the bitter end. But for cliff-top walks and scenery, you'll do better elsewhere, e.g. towards Sennen Cove or the Lizard.

Do

 * Rugby Union: Cornish Pirates play in the Championship, England's second tier. Their home ground is Mennaye Field, southwest edge of town.
 * Rugby Union: Cornish Pirates play in the Championship, England's second tier. Their home ground is Mennaye Field, southwest edge of town.
 * Rugby Union: Cornish Pirates play in the Championship, England's second tier. Their home ground is Mennaye Field, southwest edge of town.
 * Rugby Union: Cornish Pirates play in the Championship, England's second tier. Their home ground is Mennaye Field, southwest edge of town.
 * Rugby Union: Cornish Pirates play in the Championship, England's second tier. Their home ground is Mennaye Field, southwest edge of town.
 * Rugby Union: Cornish Pirates play in the Championship, England's second tier. Their home ground is Mennaye Field, southwest edge of town.
 * Rugby Union: Cornish Pirates play in the Championship, England's second tier. Their home ground is Mennaye Field, southwest edge of town.
 * Rugby Union: Cornish Pirates play in the Championship, England's second tier. Their home ground is Mennaye Field, southwest edge of town.

Events
Penzance is home to many ancient folk customs and festivals. They can be a colourful spectacle, with costumed participants processing through the town, often accompanied by musicians.

Live music
Penzance is a centre for folk music, with many lively clubs and sessions playing tunes from Cornwall and the other Celtic nations. You will often find musicians in pubs, busking in the town, or processing during Penzance's many Cornish celebrations. The Acorn theatre provides a small (230 capacity) venue for live music and theatre, but many pubs will offer live music throughout the week.
 * Open mic session at the Crown (see below for details) each Monday. Very popular, with a range of folk and acoustic acts in this small local's pub.
 * Open mic session at the Crown (see below for details) each Monday. Very popular, with a range of folk and acoustic acts in this small local's pub.
 * Open mic session at the Crown (see below for details) each Monday. Very popular, with a range of folk and acoustic acts in this small local's pub.
 * Open mic session at the Crown (see below for details) each Monday. Very popular, with a range of folk and acoustic acts in this small local's pub.
 * Open mic session at the Crown (see below for details) each Monday. Very popular, with a range of folk and acoustic acts in this small local's pub.
 * Open mic session at the Crown (see below for details) each Monday. Very popular, with a range of folk and acoustic acts in this small local's pub.

There are several other folk sessions in Penzance, which are listed on the Folk in Cornwall website, and at the events listed above.

Buy

Penzance has a reasonable selection of shops including national retail chains and small independent outlets.

 * Good secondhand bookshops in Chapel Street. New books from shops in Market Jew Street and Chapel Street.
 * Penzance has an increasing number of retro and antiques shops. Most of these can be found along the picturesque Chapel Street and at the lower end of Market Jew Street.
 * Art galleries (shops) in Causewayhead, Market Jew Street and Chapel Street.

Eat
For those seeking to eat a Cornish pasty, Lavenders is an excellent choice. Countless other bakeries, shops and cafés also sell them, hot and cold. (Tip: it is correct to eat pasties from the end, not in the middle!)

 * Admiral Benbow, see "Drink" listing.

Drink
Penzance and the surrounding area have a large number of pubs. Particularly good is the Turk's Head in Chapel Street, Penzance's oldest pub. Live music happens at the Acorn Theatre, and there's an excellent monthly comedy night there as well. Late night drinking is normally confined to a handful of night clubs which are normally open until 3-4AM at weekends.

Sleep
Various B&Bs all over the town, the best are in Regent Terrace facing the sea and some in Alexandra Road. Penzance Tourist Information Centre (TIC) +44 1736 335530 can check availability for you.

Connect
As of May 2022, Penzance has 4G from EE, O2 and Vodafone, but only a basic mobile signal from Three. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next
Good base for trips to Hayle, St Ives, St Just, Marazion, Porthleven, Helston, Truro, Redruth, and Camborne.
 * Isles of Scilly - day trips or longer stays available via ferry or fixed-wing aircraft.
 * Sennen Beach - about from Penzance - lovely beach, busy in summer.

title: Penzance


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Penza Oblast

Penza Oblast (Russian: Пе́нзенская о́бласть PYEHN-zeen-skuh-yuh OH-bluhst’) is a region in the Middle Volga, bordering Tambov Oblast to the west, Ryazan Oblast to the northwest, Mordovia to the north, Ulyanovsk Oblast to the east, and Saratov Oblast to the south.

Cities

 * — the large industrial capital city is pleasantly green; be sure to visit the fairytale-like, wooden Museum of Russian folk art
 * — the second largest city in the region with a few churches worth seeking out only if you happen to be here
 * — glass works nuts will want to visit its Museum of Crystal Glass; its glass plant produced fineries for the Tsar of Russia and the Persian Shahs for over 200 years
 * — a large town with some of the region's more attractive 19th century architecture, including the Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel
 * — a small city, built in the 1950s, not a tourist destination by any stretch of the imagination

Other destinations

 * The somewhat underwhelming ruins of Mukhsha, a medieval city of the Golden Horde
 * Tarkhani Estate-museum — the childhood home of Lermontov
 * The estate-museum of V.G. Belinsky
 * Troitsa-Skanov Monastery and cave complex

Get in
Penza is the first major stop in Russia on the South Ural route of the Trans-Siberian Railway, which starts in Kharkiv. Daily overnight trains from Moscow take 13 hours and arrive around 09:00.

Penza's modest airport services flights to/from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Saratov.

Do

 * Hunting, fishing (including wolf hunts!)

Go next
The next major stop to the east on the South Ural route of the Trans-Siberian Railway is Samara.

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

title: Penza Oblast


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Peora

Peora is a small village that is one of the finest destinations for eco-tourism situated in the cradle of the mighty Himalayas in India. It is in the Kumaon region of Uttaranchal – the hill state of north India – 10 km from the city of Mukteshwar and 23 km from Almora.

Peora with its picturesque backdrop is cradled in the outer Himalayan Shivalic ranges of Kumaon. It can be best described as a small hamlet situated at a height 6600ft/1997mt. with its offbeat characteristic, draped with the thick blanket of natural vegetation of mainly pine and oak. This place offers an uninterrupted view of over 350 km span of high snow capped Himalayan terrain, a unique experience for hungry eyes.

See
You can walk in the hills of Peora.

Buy
There is a herbal factory where you can buy herbal items such as Face Pack made from peach seeds and some herbal spices. There is no market here where you can buy local items.

Eat
There is a small hotel (?) where you can ask the owner to prepare some food.

title: Peora


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Peoria

There is more than one place called Peoria, including:
 * 1) Peoria (Arizona), a city in Phoenix, Arizona.
 * 2) Peoria (Illinois), a city in Illinois.

title: Peoria


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Peoria (Arizona)

Peoria is a city inside of Phoenix, Arizona. Many visitors come to the area during the spring to see their favorite professional baseball team during Spring Training in the Cactus League.

Get in
Peoria is part of the Central West Valley of Arizona

The Central west region is partly a newly developed area and one that has been around for years. It has many hidden treasures and is a great place for families, singles or anyone who wants to come and enjoy the beautiful west valley. From hiking to shopping and eating to playing baseball, everyone can come out and discover this hidden jewel.

Do

 * - located in Peoria

title: Peoria (Arizona)


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Peoria (Illinois)

Peoria is a city in Illinois and the county seat of Peoria County. It serves as a regional hub for the primarily rural and agricultural center of the state. Peoria is a small but diverse city of approximately 115,000 people that anchors a three-county metropolitan area of nearly 400,000.

Understand
Situated on a river bluff with excellent natural resources and easy river access, the area has been settled since prehistory, with artifacts and burial mounds showing settlement as far back as 10,000 BC. Peoria was first settled by French explorers in 1680 and is one of the oldest continuously-occupied European settlements in what is now Illinois. Thanks to its position on the Illinois River, Peoria enjoyed comfortable growth from shipping business in the 1800s and early 1900s. Like Muncie in Indiana, it became known as an Average American Town, leading to the famous phrase used by Jack Benny as a radio punchline (and the Nixon administration for political spin) "Will it play in Peoria?" Peoria is also a place of history as the scene of historical debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas on the subject of slavery.

Residents may rankle at the implied lack of sophistication in the phrase; right or wrong, they take fierce pride in what their city has to offer, and they see the only differences between their city and Chicago as being size and cost-of-living. Today, most of Peoria's economy revolves around Caterpillar, manufacturer of the iconic yellow construction equipment used worldwide, as well as business conventions and the large medical center. Illinois high school sports tournaments are also a major draw for visitors. Famous natives include Richard Pryor, for whom a street leading from town to the airport is named, and Betty Friedan, author of The Feminine Mystique.

The Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau can help groups and individuals plan an itinerary in Peoria.

Climate
Peoria weather varies considerably throughout the seasons. Like much of the Midwest it has a humid continental climate, and consequently four distinct seasons. The cool and pleasant springs are followed by humid summer days, beautiful autumn vistas full of color along the bluffs, and cold winter days. Even on the nicest days it is usually wise to have a jacket available in case a storm or front suddenly comes through, and the weather suddenly changes. Though rare, tornadoes are a possibility outside of the winter months in Peoria. The occasional snow storm may cause traffic to bottleneck for several hours until the streets have been plowed.

By plane
Many visitors fly into Chicago or St. Louis and drive to Peoria. Each city is approximately 150 miles (250 km) from Peoria and the drive takes 2½-3 hours, depending on traffic. Indianapolis is 200 miles (320 km) away and takes 3½-4 hours to reach by car.

By car
I-74 is the main interstate that runs through the city. Peoria can also be approached from Interstate 55 (which connects Chicago and St. Louis) by taking a state highway such as IL 116 from Interstate 55 into Peoria, about 50 miles (80 km). This provides a somewhat more scenic trip through farming country and small towns.

By bus
is the city's mass-transit system, serving 23 routes in and around the city. Single ride fares are only $1, and an unlimited ride all-day pass, which can be purchased on a bus, is just $3. The main downtown bus station is at 407 SW Adams Street near the Civic Center and Dozer Park.

By car
Taxi service is available throughout the city; however, it is recommended you call for a taxi, as it is rare to find a taxi to hail outside the downtown or during odd hours. You can locate taxi companies online, in the phone book, or through your hotel's front desk.

While Peoria's downtown is very walkable and parts of the city are amid a New Urbanist revival, to get around outside the downtown most visitors will want a car. All major car rental companies have outlets in Peoria; most have outlets at the airport, in the downtown, and in various outlying commercial areas.

See

Do

Learn

Buy
Peoria's Riverfront has undergone massive revitalization and features a variety of local and independent retailers in a pleasant, walkable riverfront setting. Free parking is available along the riverfront. The outdoor Riverfront Market, every Saturday from June to September, is a combination farmers' market and local art market.

Peoria has an unusual number of working local artists (including sculptor Preston Jackson, many of whom are showcased at the Peoria Art Guild's gallery and store. Peoria hosts a large art fair every year, the Fine Art Fair, a national juried fair held in late September.

 * For local shopping flavor, Peoria Heights, a small village enclosed by Peoria but politically distinct, has a quaint main street with a large variety of locally-owned shops, including art galleries, gift stores, bakeries, restaurants, coffee shops, and various services.
 * Sheridan Village, in the center of town, houses a Bergner's department store and several other minor retailers. Sheridan Village was the nation's first "mall-style" shopping center featuring a variety of stores situated around a parking lot to provide a less formal, less time-intensive shopping experience than venturing downtown to the major department stores. The test was successful and the model spread across the United States.

There are two main malls in the Peoria regional area. These are frequently referred to as the "old mall" and "new mall" by locals.

Drink
The highest concentration of drinking establishments is in downtown Peoria, in the few blocks surrounding Main and Jefferson. If you're looking for more of a young club scene, the scene is constantly changing. Taking a stroll down Main Street (downtown) will get you to most popular Peoria bars. Outside of the downtown area, there are a few other worthy establishments.

Sleep

Go next

 * Ackerman Family Farms is open in the late summer and fall. Make your way through the corn maze, take a hay ride, see the farm animals and all of the pumpkins and fall foliage. It's about 10 miles from downtown Peoria at 27158 US Highway 150 Morton. Phone: +1 309-266-7459
 * Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway is located on both sides of the Illinois River between Ottawa, Illinois and Havana, Illinois. There are 80 different points of interest along the route which runs through Peoria, and there are many activities to be enjoyed including geocaching, bird watching, hiking, fishing, and more. The headquarters is at 613 W. Marquette Street, Ottawa, and it is a National Scenic Byway.
 * Jubilee College State Park has walking, hiking, and equestrian trails, camping, picnicking, and more for outdoor enthusiasts. It's about 20 miles northwest of downtown Peoria at 13921 W. Route 150 Brimfield.
 * Snowman's Reindeer Farm Pet, feed, learn about, and photograph Santa's reindeer. It's about 30 miles southwest of Peoria at 25599 E. Middle Lake Road, Canton.
 * The Cookery is the place to hone your cooking skills in one of their culinary classes or just to enjoy a catered dinner. It's about 10 miles east of Peoria at 2029 S Main St, Morton.
 * Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area is hunting, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and camping are available at this 2900-acre park. It's about 25 miles northeast of downtown along the Illinois River on State Route 26, Low Point.

title: Peoria (Illinois)


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Pepin

Pepin is a city in Wisconsin.

It is a small town in Wisconsin with a population that hovers around 900. It is in Pepin County, the smallest county in Wisconsin, located on the western edge right on the Mississippi River. It has a K-12 school system, a marina, two gas stations, a beautiful public library, a village president and board, two churches (Methodist & Lutheran), and is the home to the birth site of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Thousands of visitors each year from around the world (32 countries in 2005) come to see where the famous author was born. Little House in the Big Woods is the book based on her days near Pepin, and each fall the town celebrates Laura Days, the second full weekend in September.

Get in
Pepin is about 70 miles southeast of Minneapolis/St. Paul. If flying, come through that airport. If you have your own plane, you can come in through Red Wing Airport, about 30 miles away. If you're driving, it's right on Wisconsin Hwy 35, also known as the Great River Road because it runs along the Mississippi River.

Get around
Walk or drive, those are your choices. There's no public transportation, but then you can walk from one end of town to the other in about 15 minutes.

There are a lot of bicyclists that like to ride around the lake (85 miles). Mopeds are big with the locals, and motorcyclists can be heard for miles every weekend from April to November.

There is a large, busy marina. Pepin Marina has some transient docking. The Pickle Factory restaurant has their own 200 foot dock for their customers, and there's a public landing with a fancy, updated fish house for cleaning your catch.

See
"Lake Pepin ought to be visited by every poet and painter in the land." William Cullen Bryant

Visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum April-October.

Do
The town is on Lake Pepin, a 28 mile x 3 mile lake which is also a wide spot on the Mississippi river. You can fish year round on the river. Minnesota runs along the other side. Sailing is huge on this lake because it is surrounded by bluffs that make the winds shifty. Even on a calm day you can usually find a puff or two to move your boat.

The Tiffany Wildlife Refuge, a 14,000 acre area just outside of town, provides a home to over 300 species of birds. Fish are everywhere, and whether it's 80 degrees or 10 below, the fisherman are out dropping lines in the water - even if they have to cut through the ice to get there.

Buy
Shopping opportunities start with

Smith Brothers Landing is a great place to find plants and iron work, while enjoying a walk along the beach.

T&C Latane’ is where with fire and simple hand tools Tom and Catherine Latane’ produce inspired metalwork.

The Country Stop of Pepin is an outside market that has produce and lawn ornaments, along with other seasonal stuff.

Eat
Pepin is home to several fine places to eat. The most famous is the Harbor View Cafe, but we do pretty well for ourselves.

The Harbor View Cafe an internationally known restaurant. They are open mid-March through the weekend before Thanksgiving. They don't take reservations or credit cards, but you can get a glass of wine, have a seat in an Adirondack chair out front and watch the world go by.

The Garden Pub & Grille is open basically April through October. It's outside seating only, so it's totally weather dependent. Great burgers, cold beer!

The Pickle Factory is on the water and is the largest bar in town, serving burgers and other bar food year round.

Drink
There are three places in town to get a mixed drink, The Harbor View Cafe, The Pickle Factory and Third Base Bar. You can get a glass of wine or beer the Garden Pub & Grille

It's Wisconsin, so you can buy beer in both convenience stores and the grocery store. The closest liquor store is in Nelson, six miles down-river.

Sleep
Choices include the Pepin Motel, Harbor Hill Inn bed and breakfast, and the Pepin Campground with water and electricity.

title: Pepin


text:
Perak

Perak, the fourth largest of Malaysia's thirteen states in area, after Sarawak, Sabah and Pahang, is on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Its capital is Ipoh (population: half a million).

There are several tourist destinations of moderate interest within the state, but the main tourist destination would probably be Pangkor Island, about 85km from Ipoh, and Ipoh itself because of its great food.

Cities

 * - the capital city of the Perak state, known for its great food, tin mines and limestone mountains and caves.
 * - a town famous for its pagoda-style leaning tower and unique steamed Chinese rice rolls (Chu-cheong-fun). It is home to a derelict palace that used to house the Raja Dihilir of Perak. Rumours abound about the palace being haunted, especially since it is in the vicinity of Muslim and Chinese cemeteries and is located right next to a Christian burial ground. Trespassing the palace grounds is prohibited and it is unknown whether ghost hunters have successfully been there.
 * - the second largest city in the state, is a quiet pensioner's paradise with century-old trees lining its roads. Attractions include a large park around the famous Taiping lake and the nearby Taiping Zoo. Not stopping there, Taiping is also famous for a few 1st established things in Malaysia, e.g. 1st jail in Malaysia, which is located just after the lake gardens, 1st hospital, railway station, aerodrome, hill resort, former golf club.
 * - the official royal town of Perak, it is home to the Raja Muda and Sultan of Perak (as of 2006).
 * - a small but historic town in Perak which houses a museum detailing the struggle against colonialists in Perak.
 * - a small but historic town in Perak which houses a museum detailing the struggle against colonialists in Perak.

 * - a town by the sea home to the famous Outward Bound School. It is close to the town of Sitiawan, famous for its fresh and cheap seafood and Chinese-Foochow cuisine and also Teluk Batik, a beach on the coast of the Malacca Strait. Ferries to Pangkor Island depart from Lumut.
 * - a small town famous with its fruits (guava), petai and chicken biscuit. The town has many native or orang asli villages, one of the well know village is Kampong chan. On the way to the village, you can see a lot of plantation such as rubber, oil palm, durian, guava and so on. The village very near to clean water fall in a nature tropical forest. If lucky, you can see natives collect forest's product like bamboo and petai. The town is between Sungkai (hot spring resort) and Tapah (way to Cameron Highland).

Other destinations
villages.

 * Marina Island Pangkor - a new west coast manmade island. Beautiful sceneries of Pulau Pangkor with mixed development of exclusive properties, marina, theme park, jetty complexes and many more.
 * Pangkor - a popular west coast island. Beautiful beaches, small fishing villages.
 * Bukit Merah - an eco-tourism destination that houses a theme park, eco park and the country's only orang-utan island.
 * Kellie's Castle, Batu Gajah - Known as the 'Taj Mahal' of Perak, the castle, located a short drive from Ipoh, was built by the Scottish planter William Kellie Smith as a sign of love for his wife. The construction of the castle was never completed and it has since been shrouded in mystery and romantic stories of love and tragedy.
 * Belum Temenggor Forest Reserve - The Belum-Temenggor Forest Reserve (BTFR) is among the few remaining pockets of preserved rainforest in Peninsular Malaysia, which encompasses over 300,000 hectares. BTFR is a tropical paradise and home to a vast population of animals and plants, many of which are only found in this region.
 * Lenggong - The Lenggong valley in Hulu Perak is one of Peninsular Malaysia's most important areas for archaeology, as excavations have revealed many traces of Malaysia's prehistory. It is the site of the oldest known place of human activity in the Peninsula. Today it is still a rural area, with small kampongs surrounded by green vegetation and limestone hills. Lenggong can be likened to an open-air museum, and is home to legends, skeletons, cave drawings and precious finds such as jewellery, pottery, weapons and stone tools. Many of the caves in the Lenggong area have revealed evidence of ancient humans having lived and hunted in this area. The Lenggong Valley was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site on 30 June 2012.

Understand
Perak means `silver' in Malay, but the state's economy boomed when large-scale tin mining began in the Kinta Valley, including the vicinity of Ipoh, in the 19th century. The British who then ran the state recruited large numbers of labourers from south China to work the mines, and some Chinese immigrants also owned and operated mines and became some of the wealthier residents of the state.

There was also some rubber tapping, for which many immigrants from southern India, especially Tamil Nadu, were recruited, but Perak is unlike some other Malaysian states in the number of Muslim, Urdu-speaking Indians among its population.

Since the prices of tin and rubber have plummeted on the world market, Perak's economy has stagnated, which is rough for its citizens but has meant that cities like Ipoh have maintained more of their old buildings and character than ultra-modern Kuala Lumpur and other boom towns.

The landscape of Perak includes striking karst limestone hills, many with caves. Quite a number of the caves have been carved into Chinese and a few Hindu cave temples (tong in Cantonese). Another, more remote area of breathtaking beauty is the East-West Highway that connects the towns of Jeli, Kelantan and Gerik, Perak, through a hilly jungle clearing near the border with Thailand.

Perak is also known among Malaysians for its great and varied food. Wonderful Chinese, Malay, and Indian food of various types can be found in many parts of the state, which is also known for its pomelos, considered the best in Malaysia.

Talk
Most of the local Chinese speak Cantonese or Foochow, though many of them also know Mandarin, and many of the Indians speak Tamil or Urdu, but everyone speaks Malay and quite a few people speak English, too.

By car
Roads connect Perak to all the neighboring states — Selangor and the Federal District of Kuala Lumpur to the south, Pahang and Kelantan to the east, and Penang and Kedah to the north. Perak also has a northern border on Thailand, which can be reached by road as well.

By train
The main railroad line connects Perak with Selangor to the south and Penang (Seberang Perai) and Kedah to the north.

By bus
Long-distance bus companies provide regular service between out-of-state cities and the major towns in Perak.

By plane

 * Sultan Azlan Shah Airport

By car
Perak has a good system of well-maintained roads.

By train
The main branch of the Malaysian Railroad (Keretapi Tanah Melayu) traverses the state, connecting several of the larger cities, including Ipoh, Sungai Siput, Kuala Kangsar and Taiping. There are also branch lines to Teluk Intan and Kamunting.

By bus
There are many regional bus routes that connect villages and towns in Perak to each other.

See
There are many limestone hills in the central part of the state (such as between Ipoh and Chemor to the north, and Ipoh to Gopeng in the south), and most of them contain caves. Many of these hills have Chinese temples (called tong) or Hindu temples, many are built into the caves. Drive through the state and look at this beautiful scenery, and visit one or more of the caves. If you're staying in Ipoh, you can take a medium-distance bus to a cave.

If you have occasion to travel to the east coast from Perak, make sure to take the East-West Highway from Grik to Tanah Merah, Kelantan. The scenery of mountains topped by virgin jungle is gorgeous. On the way it would be well worth a stop in the Belum-Temenggor Forest Reserve. The lake (Tasik Temenggor) is beautiful and surrounded by rainforest, and there is an option to spend a few nights deep in the jungle if you so choose.

The archaeological site of the Lenggong Valley is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list and is regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites in Malaysia.

Do
Most people would choose to hang out at the beaches like in Lumut, visit the Menara Condong in Teluk Intan or just go to the museums, or even go visit the guas. A good place to `lepak' (hang out) would be Ipoh Parade on Friday afternoons and JUSCO during the weekends.

Eat
A famous food would be 'kai shi hor fun', which is located in Old Town, Ipoh. Has been through many generations of that family.

If you're looking for amazing seafood dishes, you should probably drive to Sitiawan for fresh seafood. There's another place famous for its fresh seafood, in Tanjung Tualang, an hour drive from Ipoh town. Fresh water prawns are a speciality, the price is reasonable.

A must try in Lenggong - Pekasam, fermented fresh water fish that has strong sour and salty taste and strong smell too.

Drink
A must try drink is ice blended Sarsi with wheatgrass! It goes very well with seafood during a sunny day especially. Another local drink is ais lengkong kuning which is a mix of yellow jelly, lime, sugar and water.

Sleep
Accommodation varies from cheap old hotels through to five-star hotels and exclusive villas.

Go next

 * Selangor
 * Penang
 * Kedah
 * Kelantan
 * Pahang

title: Perak


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Perast

Perast (Montenegrin: Пераст) is a small city in Montenegro. This is a small quiet town with a population of less than 400 where you can escape Montenegro's the busier seaside resorts such as Kotor bay and Budva and enjoy a couple of leisurely hours strolling through the streets, and visiting a few museums and churches. It has a beautiful view towards the peaks around Kotor, and from here you can go to the small island in the bay, with a small monastery.

By car
The main road bypasses the town by going above it. There is only one drivable road in Perast.

During the summer season, it is required to leave your car in the parking right at the entrance to town (and pay for it), because the road is very narrow and most parking spaces are private or already taken. Perast has two large parking lots located at both entrances to the city. Only locals and guests of hotels and apartments with their own parking are allowed to enter with their cars.

During the winter season, parking is free and it is possible to enter the city by car.

By bus
Perast is reachable by bus and car from Kotor (15-45 min drive).

From Kotor's old town, the bus stops at the southern end of the fresh market (no actual bus stop, look for people waiting around the light poles). In Perast, there are two bus stops, one at each end of the town outside the gates. Look for the Blue Line local buses, which cost only €1 per ride. You can pay the fare on the bus. As of 2023 the Blue Line buses picked up passengers hourly at 20 past the hour (heading toward Kotor) until 22:30. To ensure the bus stops, it is advised to wave it down, otherwise it will not always stop.

Other (long-distance) buses travelling between Kotor and Perast might also stop, if you wait and wave on the main road to Perast, and take you to Perast. There are also several open tourist buses driving along the coast after the hop-on hop-off principle. It stops here as well.

By boat
Several boat trips from Kotor and Budva takes you through the bay and sets you off at the small island church of Our Lady of the Rock. Here you have a view towards Perast town itself and the surrounding bay area. These boat trips are found many places along the beaches of Kotor and Budva.

Get around
Walking from one end to another is a relaxing mere 15-20 min stroll, so no other options than that are really necessary.

Do
Perast doesn't have sandy beaches, however it does have stony beaches, at both north and south ends, close to its public parkings. You can sunbathe there, on the numerous small stone and concrete docks jutting out into the sea, or at a beach club.

Go next

 * Kotor
 * Risan
 * Budva
 * Herceg Novi

title: Perast


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Percé

Located at its east end, Percé is the bustling tourist epicentre of the Gaspé Peninsula, with a permanent population around 3,000. Though it's a proud member of the Most Beautiful Villages in Quebec (Association des plus beaux villages du Québec), Percé may be off-putting at first: the crowds, tacky souvenir shops, endless roadside motels and gîtes, and miscellaneous tourist schlock is a jarring contrast to the majestic scenery along Route 132 that visitors have likely spent the past few hours or days drinking in. But there's a good reason for the brouhaha: Percé Rock (Rocher Percé), the arch-shaped offshore rock formation from which the town takes its name, is an awesome natural wonder that has become an iconic emblem of the Gaspé Peninsula, attracting thousands of visitors annually. It and the nearby Bonaventure Island (Île Bonaventure), a massive breeding colony for a variety of aquatic birds, make up Percé's (and the Gaspé Peninsula's) marquee attraction, Bonaventure Island and Percé Rock National Park (Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé).

Understand

In 1971, the boundaries of Percé were expanded to their present size when the surrounding villages of Barachois, Bridgeville, Cap-d'Espoir, and Saint-Pierre-de-la-Malbaie were amalgamated into the town. Locals still occasionally use the old names, but all attractions and other points of interest in these former localities are covered in this article.

Percé is very much a seasonal destination. The tourist season runs roughly from the middle of June until the end of September, during which time the streets, shops, restaurants, and lodgings are often annoyingly busy. Most businesses and attractions are also open during the shoulder seasons of mid-May through mid-June and late September through mid-October, with reduced hours in some cases. However, off-season Percé can seem almost like a ghost town. If you find yourself in town during the winter, the website Holiday Destination Percé (see the "Visitor information" section below) has a full rundown of activities and services that remain open all year; these trend heavily toward winter sports such as snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and dogsledding.

Percé boasts a population of about 3,300 clustered in a chain of villages splayed along the shoreline.

History
For thousands of years, the Percé area was a fishing ground for the local Mi'kmaq people, and it was known to Europeans beginning in the 17th century (explorer Samuel de Champlain sighted and named Percé Rock in 1603, and the area served as a stopover for ships headed to Quebec City). But it was not until the early 1800s that permanent settlement of the town kicked off. At first, Percé was a quiet fishing village like many of its neighbours on the Gaspé Peninsula, but after Percé Rock came onto travellers' radar screens in the early 20th century, tourism began to gradually take over as the town's economic mainstay. As well, during World War II, the Royal Canadian Navy operated an important wireless intercept station at Percé which was responsible for detecting Nazi U-boats prowling in the waters off Canada's east coast.

Climate
Tourist season in Percé is generally June to September, and the warmest months are July and August. January and February are the coldest months, with the temperature usually not rising above. The rainiest months are April, May, June, July, August, October and December.

Visitor information
Holiday Destination Percé is the website of the Percé Tourist Information Centre (Bureau d'accueil touristique de Percé). It's a comprehensive resource for visitors to Percé, featuring the usual listings of attractions, hotels, restaurants, shops and bars — but also, notably, an events calendar, printable historic and architectural walking tours, a low tide schedule (useful for getting to Percé Rock without a boat), and up-to-date information on road construction and closures in the local area.

Percé's brick-and-mortar is right in the centre of town, at 142, rue de l'Église. It's open on a seasonal basis: daily from 08:00 to 20:00 in July and August, with shorter hours during the shoulder months of June and September.

By car
This is how the vast majority of visitors get to Percé. The town is on Provincial Route 132, the main trunk road on the south shore of the St. Lawrence.

To get to Percé from Quebec City, take Autoroute 20 east to the end of the road in Trois-Pistoles, then continue eastward on Route 132. The distance is about, so plan for about eight hours in the car, excluding stops. You can shave a few kilometres off that distance by turning off at L'Anse-Pleureuse and taking the inland shortcut through Murdochville via Provincial Route 198, but that comes at the expense of some of the majestic scenery you'll see along the shoreline route.

If you're coming from the Maritimes, Percé is about 245 km (153 miles) from the New Brunswick border at Campbellton, via Route 132 East. The trip takes 2.5 to 3 hours.

By plane
The nearest airports with scheduled passenger service are Michel Pouliot Gaspé Airport (Aéroport Michel-Pouliot de Gaspé) in Gaspé and Bonaventure Airport (Aéroport de Bonaventure)  in Bonaventure, with service to Îles de la Madeleine, Quebec City, and Montreal. Those who are arriving from further afield should first fly into Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (Aéroport international Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau) in Montreal or perhaps Jean Lesage International Airport (Aéroport international Jean-Lesage)  in Quebec City; you can catch a connecting flight to YGP from either of these airports via Air Canada Express.

Gaspé and Bonaventure airports have car rental facilities onsite or nearby (Discount, Enterprise, and National in the former; Thrifty in the latter) where you can continue your journey into Percé.

By bus

 * Operates daily a route between Gaspé and Rimouski including stops in Percé, Chandler, Bonaventure, Pointe-à-la-Croix (2 km from Campbellton), Amqui, and Mont-Joli. Travel time to Percé from Rimouski is 7.5 hours, from Mont-Joli is 7 hours, from Pointe-à-la-Croix is hours 3.75 hours, and from Bonadventure is 2.25 hours, and from Gaspé is 55 minutes.
 * Same day travel is possible to and from Quebec City with a transfer in Rimouski. Travel time to Percé from Quebec City is 14.5 hours.
 * Same day travel is possible to and from Montreal with transfers in Quebec City and Rimouski. Travel time to Montreal from Quebec City is 15.25 hours.

Get around

To get from place to place within Percé's city centre, walking is a fine option; if you're going further afield, a car is pretty much an absolute necessity. Taxi service is available, though it's pricey.

By bus
RéGÎM, the Gaspé Peninsula's rural public transit network, has two routes that serve Percé.
 * Route 31 makes two daily departures Monday through Friday from Chandler north to central Percé at 11:59 and 15:59, arriving at 12:53 and 16:53 respectively and making plenty of intermediate stops along the way. Return trips depart Percé at 13:00 and 17:00, arriving back at Chandler at 13:56 and 17:56 respectively.
 * Morning runs on Route 32 leave Paspébiac at 06:20, arriving in Percé at 08:08. Return trips (24-hour advance reservation required, call +1-877-521-0841) leave Percé at 09:00 and arrive back in Paspébiac at 10:50, where those headed further west can transfer to a Route 40 bus headed toward Carleton-sur-Mer. Afternoon departures from Paspébiac on Route 32 do not serve Percé, terminating instead at Grande-Rivière.
 * As well, Route 22 runs between L'Anse-à-Beaufils and Gaspé, serving Coin-du-Banc, Barachois, and other outlying precincts of Percé, though not the town centre. Gaspé-bound buses leave L'Anse-à-Beaufils Monday through Friday at 06:40, passing through Coin-du-Banc and Barachois at 06:52 and 07:00 respectively before arriving in Gaspé at 07:47. Southbound trips leave Gaspé at 17:50 and stop at 18:41 in Barachois, 18:50 in Coin-du-Banc, and 19:02 in L'Anse-à-Beaufils.

Fare is payable in cash ($4) or with tickets ($3 apiece, available in books of ten from participating retailers or directly from the bus drivers). If you're planning on making heavy use of RéGÎM during your stay in the Gaspé Peninsula, it might be useful to buy a prepaid Access Card (available online for $5), which are good for a whole month and entitle you to the same discounted $3 fare as tickets.

In a pinch, you could also buy a ticket for a few dollars on the Orléans Express bus to one of Percé's outer precincts (there are stops in Barachois, Bridgeville, L'Anse-à-Beaufils, and Cap-d'Espoir); drivers sometimes even agree to pull over on the side of the road directly at your destination, but it may be awhile before another bus comes by to take you back to Percé.

Bonaventure Island and Percé Rock National Park
Bonaventure Island and Percé Rock National Park lie entirely within the city of Percé, and you have them to thank for all the gift shops, cutesy gîtes, and crowds of tourists here. The trickle of wealthy folks who started coming to see Percé Rock around the turn of the century became a steady stream after World War II, and in 1971, Bonaventure Island was purchased by the Quebec government and turned into a national park. Percé Rock was added on three years later. Today, upwards of 60,000 people visit the park each year.

Aside from the two titular components that are described in more detail below, Bonaventure Island and Percé Rock National Park also includes the Charles Robin Sector (secteur Charles-Robin), composed of a handful of meticulously restored 19th-century warehouses next to the dock that were built by Charles Robin, an entrepreneur from Jersey and founding father of Percé whose vast fishing company was a major player in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence cod fishery. Today, these buildings house the park's Discovery Centre, Le Chafaud Museum (see below), and La Saline, a meeting hall where special events are held by park staff.

Bonaventure Island and Percé Rock National Park is not a Canadian national park — despite its name, it's run by the Quebec provincial park service. Therefore, your Parks Canada Discovery Pass is no good here, but if you have an Annual Parks Quebec Network Card, your admission is free. (If you don't have one, and you're planning on visiting other parts of Quebec, it may be a wise investment: Parks Quebec's network includes dozens of parks, wildlife reserves and other attractions located in all parts of the province.)

As of 2021, for those without an annual pass, admission is $9 for adults and free for children under 18. Those 5 and under get in free. Parking is $10 for cars and RVs and $6 for motorcycles, and is not covered by the Parks Quebec Network Card. In 2021, the park was open daily 09:00-16:00 from May 31 to October 11, and from 08:30 during the peak tourist season of June 13 to September 18.

Town centre and around

 * For outdoor lovers, the national park isn't all Percé has to offer. In the mountains behind the town centre there's a trio of attractions that are accessible to hikers on a network of trails behind the town:

L'Anse-à-Beaufils
L'Anse-à-Beaufils is a little village 10 km (6 miles) south of Percé's town centre, named for a French nobleman who was rumoured to be the half-brother of King Louis XIV. It became part of Percé in 1971. Today, you'll find a pair of historic attractions clustered around the harbour at the mouth of the L'Anse-à-Beaufils River.

On the water
Percé takes full advantage of its scenic seaside location, with a host of aquatic activities awaiting visitors during the busy summer months.

Whale watching
The St. Lawrence estuary and its vicinity teems with whales during the warm months, and in Percé there are a pair of whale-watching outfits that afford you the chance of seeing a variety of species including fin, minke, humpback, and even the endangered blue whale, as well as white-sided dolphins and harbour seals. Both tours depart from the (Quai de tourisme) in the town centre. The season runs from May through October, with whales most numerous in July and August.

Boat tours
The boat tours to the national park are operated by the same two outfits that handle the whale-watching cruises. These cruises usually buzz by Percé Rock on their way to and/or from Bonaventure Island; keep in mind that if you disembark on the island you're required to pay the park entry fee which is not included in the prices quoted below. Tours generally last between one and two hours and run from mid-May through the end of October. Departures for both of these companies are from the Tourist Wharf.

Guided sea kayak tours are also offered:

Fishing
The waters in and around Percé teem with fish and marine life of diverse descriptions. If you're casting from one of the various docks and marinas around town, you'll probably have the best luck catching mackerel in July and August. As well, trout and salmon are abundant in the interior rivers, but unlike the former scenario, provincial permits are required (they're easily available in a number of places around town) and subject to seasonal restrictions.

The beach
When you want to take a break from adventuring and spend a day lazing on the beach, you have two options, and, north and south of the town centre respectively. Cap-d'Espoir is the smaller of the two, but it gets quite crowded in the summer; it's the site of the annual Festi-Plage music festival and also offers picnic benches and changing rooms. Meanwhile, at the long, sandy strand of Coin-du-Banc it's oftentimes just you, the crashing waves, and the breathtaking seaside landscape.

Hiking
From the windswept fields and weather-beaten forests of Bonaventure Island to the craggy mountains inland, the Percé area features a variety of landscapes for hikers.

 * Perfect for beginners, Bonaventure Island has 15 km (9 miles) of hiking trails of an easy-to-intermediate level of difficulty that boast scenic views out to the magnificent Percé Rock, into the island's giant nesting colony of northern gannets, and over the open sea (keep an eye out for whales!) The Chemin du Roy trail is the backbone of the network: it circles most of the way around the island, hugging the coast from the tour boat dock at L'Anse à Butler to L'Anse Chatouilleuse, a distance of 4.7 km (2.9 miles) in all. Meanwhile, Sentier des Mousses, Sentier des Colonies, and Sentier Paget are a bit more difficult: they cross through the forested, somewhat hillier interior of the island, linking to Chemin du Roy at both ends. Whichever route you choose, it's essential to return to the dock at L'Anse à Butler before the last tour boat departure, or else you'll be spending the night!

 * Despite an upward climb of more than 300 m (1,000 feet), it's also relatively easy going on the Mont-Sainte-Anne and Mont Blanc Trails (Sentiers du Mont Sainte-Anne et du Mont Blanc) (linked map in French only): the trails are either paved or well-manicured dirt tracks that boast rest stops, washrooms, and picnic benches at frequent intervals. Sprawling through the mountains just inland from the town centre, this is a network of 13 km (8 miles) of interconnected routes that begins at the rear of the parking lot behind the (Église St-Michel) at 57, rue de l'Église. A secondary entrance just off Route 132 north of the town centre is perfect for those coming or going from Mont Blanc. Aside from their namesake attractions described above, the trails themselves also boast panoramic views that take in a huge chunk of the eastern Gaspesian coast as well as the national park. On a clear day, you can even see Miscou Island, New Brunswick.
 * Tucked away in the mountains behind the town centre (slightly further afield than Mont Sainte-Anne and Mont Blanc), the Route des Failles extends from the small hamlet of Cannes-de-Roches through to the south end of the town centre. The Route des Failles is a paved road that can be traversed on foot, by bike, or in a car — but be extremely careful if you're using a vehicle, as this is an exceptionally curvy road that includes about a half-dozen hairpin turns in only 5.7 km (3.5 miles) of distance. But for hikers who can handle the changes in elevation, the Route des Failles' reward is worth the effort: at the summit is an extravaganza of breathtaking panoramic mountainscapes and seascapes (you can't see Percé Rock from here, though).
 * Further still from the centre of town, particularly avid hikers can enjoy a more extensive network of trails  (linked map in French only) that extend through Percé's outskirts. The two components are:
 * the Mountain Trail (Sentier des montagnes), which is the shorter but more difficult of the two: it runs for 14 km (8.7 miles) from the, where it links with the Route des Failles and the Mont Sainte-Anne/Mont Blanc trail network, to the fishing harbour at L'Anse-à-Beaufils, with several steep ascents and descents along the way. Those who liked the magnificent alpine vistas of the Route des Failles will find more of the same here: the scenic lookouts and photo opportunities come fast and furious as you make your way from peak to peak, with breathtaking views over the craggy mountains and pristine coast. For the grand finale, the trail descends the Côte de la Fourche and follows a babbling brook southward toward the coast, where it ends at...
 * the River Trail (Sentier des rivières), 27 km (16.7 miles) of easy-to-intermediate hiking that leads north to Coin-du-Banc. First, you straddle the peaceful valley of the L'Anse-à-Beaufils River (crossing over it repeatedly on five lovely rope bridges) as you make your way north to Val-d'Espoir. Then, you cross over some comparatively easy-to-traverse hills, follow a pair of bucolic mountain streams, and pass by a beautiful waterfall on the charmingly and aptly named Emerald River (Rivière aux émeraudes) before ending up at a parking area a few hundred metres (about a third of a mile) from Route 132.

If you're visiting Percé in autumn and plan to hike, please note that hunting season runs from late September through mid-November. During those times, it is essential to wear bright-coloured clothing and take other sensible precautions. This doesn't apply on Bonaventure Island, where hunting is prohibited per the regulations of the national park.

Birdwatching

Aside from the obvious answer (Bonaventure Island), there are a number of other places around Percé where an abundance of bird life can be found, such as Cap-d'Espoir, Pointe-Saint-Pierre, and the Malbaie Lagoon (Barachois de Malbaie) in Coin-du-Banc. In addition to the famous northern gannets, Percé is home to a number of different types of migratory birds including puffins, red-necked grebes, and various species of scoters, guillemots, mockingbirds, and warblers.

With a mission of promoting the awareness and conservation of bird life in the region, the Gaspé Birdwatchers' Club (Club des ornithologues de la Gaspésie) (website in French only) is an exhaustive source of information and organizer of activities for birders in Percé and all over the area. The club frequently hosts birdwatching excursions at sites throughout the Gaspé Peninsula, and their website contains a comprehensive list of migratory species that frequent the area and their usual times of arrival, as well as information for winter birdwatchers. Membership is open to all.

In the winter
Though the Gaspé Peninsula has been recognized in the pages of National Geographic magazine as one of the top winter destinations in North America, Percé in particular is very much a seasonal town that largely shuts down after the end of October. If you're in town during the cold-weather months, the website Holiday Destination Percé has a comprehensive list of the handful of attractions, lodgings and services that do remain open in the offseason.

 * Aux Jardins de l'Anse is a charming gîte (bed and breakfast) outside of town that operates dog-sledding excursions between January and March.  for details.
 * As well, the Mont Sainte-Anne and Mont Blanc hiking trails (see above) are open to snowshoers in the winter.

Buy
There's something about Percé that inflames the creative spirit — actually, it's not hard to figure out why; the magnificent landscapes and the allure of the sea are full of infectious enchantment. At any rate, the work of local artists and artisans figures heavily into the stock of Percé's many souvenir stores. Handmade jewelry is another frequent find, often made with semiprecious stones found on local beaches, such as agate, jasper, onyx, and (if you're lucky) gaspeite, a rare greenish mineral unique to the Gaspé Peninsula.

Eat
Eating in Percé is all about separating the wheat from the chaff. Sure, by and large the restaurants here serve the kind of overpriced, lackluster fare typical of tourist towns. But a little bit of searching — especially outside the town centre — will turn up some really nice dining experiences. When in doubt, ask a local.

Also, if you're a fan of seafood, you're in luck: that's all anyone seems to eat here, and it's an experience not to be missed. The cod, salmon, scallops, lobster, and other fruits de mer served up in Percé's restaurants are almost unanimously locally sourced, fresh and delicious.

Drink
Percé doesn't have a bar scene to speak of. If you're looking to kick back with a tall cold one after a long day of sightseeing and you don't want to do so at a restaurant or your hotel's lounge, you're limited to a pair of options located in the town centre.

Luckily for craft beer fans, though, one of those options is the official outlet for Pit Caribou (website in French only), a microbrewery headquartered in L'Anse-à-Beaufils that turns out about two or three dozen beers sold throughout Quebec and beyond — including the award-winning "Étoile du Brasseur" American brown ale.

Sleep
Accommodation is definitely something that Percé is not lacking. There's a huge variety of hotels, motels, campgrounds, and vacation homes to choose from, but for a true Gaspesian experience, it's best to stay at one of the town's charming gîtes (see below).

Hotels and motels
Percé's hotels are clustered mostly on the northern and southern outskirts of the town centre, and with the exception of the Riôtel and a few others, they tend toward the small and the quaint. Most properties offer rooms with a view of Percé Rock, but it pays to request one in advance as, understandably, those tend to sell out the fastest. On the other hand, for budget travellers it's handy to know that rooms without ocean views often come at a discount.

Gîtes
The concept of the gîte du passant, or simply gîte, roughly equates to what is known in the Anglosphere as a bed & breakfast. However, the gîte seems to be proportionally a more common form of accommodation in Quebec, and nowhere is that truer than in Percé, where they outnumber standard-style hotels by a wide margin. If you're looking for a truly distinctive lodging experience — charmingly decorated rooms with antique furniture and a peaceful ambience, hearty meals each morning, and attentive hosts that take pride in helping their guests make the most of their stay — a gîte may be the option for you. However, if you're a solo traveller or just looking for a place to lay your head for the night, you may feel out of place: gîtes tend to be geared toward romantic couples' getaways or occasionally families with children, and guests may be subject to a minimum length of stay. It pays to call ahead.

Connect
Percé, along with the rest of the Gaspé Peninsula, is served by area codes 418 and 581. Ten-digit dialling is mandatory for local calls, so to reach a number within Percé or the immediate vicinity, it's still necessary to dial the area code first. To call long-distance within Canada or to the United States, dial 1, then the area code, then the number. For international calls, dial 011, then the country code, then the city code (if applicable), then the number.

The is located in the town centre at 147, route 132, in a large, modernist-style office building that also contains the courthouse and city hall. There are also post offices in Barachois, Cap-d'Espoir, Saint-Georges-de-Malbaie, and Val-d'Espoir.

Cope
Le Pharillon is a free weekly newspaper covering local news, culture, sports, and events in Percé and the neighbouring cities and towns of Gaspé, Chandler, and Grande-Vallée.

Go next

 * If you're heading up Route 132 from the direction of Chaleur Bay, the next town you'll come to is Gaspé. Where Percé is the tourist capital of the Gaspé Peninsula, Gaspé is its commercial capital, and at first blush the town seems to be all business. Look a little closer, though, and you'll find some nice off-the-beaten-path tourist destinations like the Gaspé Regional Museum (Musée de la Gaspésie), a perfect place to go when your outdoor plans are rained out: you can learn everything you want to know about the region's history, culture, and people. There's also a wonderful sandy beach at Haldimand, and Canada's tallest lighthouse at Cap-des-Rosiers. However, Gaspé is probably best known to tourists as the gateway to...
 * Forillon National Park (Parc national du Canada Forillon), a wild and wonderful expanse of tree-clad mountains and rocky shore centred on Cap-Gaspé, the furthest-east tip of the Appalachian Mountains on the American continent. Hike through dense boreal forests, past placid pebble beaches lined with historic fishing shacks, and admire wide ocean vistas on your way to the lighthouse at land's end. Sea kayaking, whale-watching, snorkelling, and cross-country skiing are just a few of the activities awaiting you at Forillon.
 * If you're heading south and west from Gaspé, Chandler is the next town you'll pass through. This large industrial town was founded on the pulp and paper milling industry and is the birthplace of Mary Travers, better known as "La Bolduc", a pioneering chansonnière (singer of traditional Québécois folk songs). It's also the Gaspé Peninsula's port of call for the M/V CTMA Vacancier, a cruise ship that plies the St. Lawrence river and estuary from Montreal; as such, it's a major gateway to the far-flung Îles de la Madeleine, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
 * Further down Route 132 past Chandler is Bonaventure, where the longstanding Acadian presence in the Chaleur Bay region is represented by the Quebec Acadian Museum (Musée acadien du Québec), a sprawling complex that tells the story of the Acadians through artifacts and exhibits in the main museum as well as historically accurate artisans' shops and other buildings elsewhere. Bonaventure is also home of the Gaspé Biopark (Bioparc de la Gaspésie), a small zoo that features a few dozen animals indigenous to the region.

title: Percé


text:
Parc Régional du Perche

The Parc Régional du Perche sits on the borders of the Centre and Basse Normandie regions of France.

Understand
The Parc Régional du Perche is neither a "national park" in the American sense nor part of a single "region" in the French sense.

Today, Le Perche, can be defined as the area that makes up the "Parc Régional" (created in 1998). The limits of the "park" are approximately La Ferté-Vidame in the north and La Bazoche-Gouet in the south (50 km) to Senonches in the east and Pervenchères in the west (50 km). Le Perche was a distinct entity in the past, but the province or county was split over the years and its existence has no logic in today's administrative terms. It straddles two French departments (Orne and Eure-et-Loir) and thus is part of two different administrative regions (Basse Normandie and Centre). However, the area is united by a common culture and architectural heritage that hails back as far as the Middle Ages and a geography fashioned over millions of years.

During the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods the area was covered by sea which gave rise to sedimentary rock formations (limestone, sandstone and chalk). Over the millennia, these were fissured along existing fault lines, creating depressions, plateaux and rocky promontories. Weathering and the numerous river systems did the rest to fashion today's rolling hills.

As is usual in post-sedimentary terrain, the land is characterised by a presence of flint and clay. The make-up of the soil is therefore far less conducive to crop growing than the flat plains of the Beauce that lie to the south and east. It is, however, very favourable terrain for trees and before man set foot in the region it was covered by a giant forest, known in Roman times as Sylva Pertica. Much was cut down as human presence made itself felt, but vast areas do remain, especially at Senonches, La Ferté-Vidame and Bellème.

From a historic point of view, the area is marked by its presence on the border between the lands of the Normans and the French kings. The constant friction gave rise to several powerful noble families, the most notable being the Rotrou (who built the Chateau Saint Jean at Nogent le Rotrou). These families took part in the Crusades and it is said that the Percheron horse, one of the symbols of the region, is a descendant of Arab stock that was brought back to France. Besides the castle, many fortified 15th- and 16th-century farms and manor houses that still survive today, attest to the fact that the area was the scene of much conflict over the years.

During the early 17th century the area was to see the start of a flow of emigrants to Quebec, in Canada. Contrary to much emigration, this movement would seem to have been motivated by neither religious persecution nor misery. It would, in fact, seem to be due the work of one man, Robert Giffard, a "doctor" from Mortagne.

Fees and permits
The park is made up of dozens of towns and villages and there is no entrance fee.

Eat

 * Auberge des 3 J, 1 place du Docteur-Gireaux, 61340 Nocé. A gourmet restaurant in a small village 15 km west of [Nogent le Rotrou].
 * Domaine de Villeray, 61110 Condeau. A hotel/restaurant based on a chateau and water mill 10 km north of [Nogent le Rotrou]. From spring to autumn the restaurant is open in the mill, but during the winter it transfers up to the Chateau. A "menu gourmand" is available at €69.
 * Le Galion, 21 rue de l'Eglise 61110 Remalard. Menu tends towards fish, but other fare is available. Count, at least, €30 per head.

title: Parc Régional du Perche


text:
Perchtoldsdorf

Perchtoldsdorf is in Lower Austria. It is a small town south of Vienna on the eastern fringes of the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald), best known for its wine.

By rail
The main train station is a fair distance east of the city center. If you are using public transportation to arrive from Vienna, it is recommended to take the S-Bahn S1 or S2 to Liesing, and then transfer to Bus 256. Alternatively, you can take streetcar number 60 to the endstop Rodaun, and from there transfer to Bus 259.

Get around
Once you are in the Center at the Marktplatz you can easily get to every remarkable spot by foot. The walking distances are quite short as Perchtoldsdorf is quite small.

See
Interesting spots in Perchtoldsdorf are the Wehrturm and the Rathaus (both 15th century) directly at the Marktplatz, and the Pfarrkirche (church from the 13th century) and Herzogsbrug (castle from the 11th century) both in 2 minuite walking distance from the Marktplatz.

Buy
Perchtoldsdorf is home to some fantastic family run winery restaurants, normally only open certain times of the year. Outside these restaurants (called a Heurigen in German) normally has a sign with the dates that it’s open.

Drink
Perchtoldsdorf is famous for its wine available at its Heurigen, which also serve food and local specialties for moderate prices. Many of them are located on Hochstraße, north of the city centre.

title: Perchtoldsdorf


text:
Perdekop

Perdekop (literally Horse Hill) is a village in Mpumalanga.

Get in
Cycle or by car. The village is situated near Volksrust.

Get around
The village is so small that you can walk or cycle.

See
A huge NGK church, which used to hold 600 parishioners at its best times.

Do
Before visiting Perdekop you can look at the option of arranging a visit (before hand) to a nearby horse riding facilities for a day of riding. You can visit Majuba Hill as well as Perdekop itself which played a major role in keeping the Boer's horses alive and safe from sickness.

title: Perdekop


text:
Perdido Key

Perdido Key is a barrier island at the western tip of Florida's Panhandle.

Perdido Key is a short distance south west of the city of Pensacola. It is the furthest west beach in Florida, and is described as being one of the most beautiful beaches on the Gulf Coast.

Understand
Perdido means "lost" in Spanish. This is the Florida experience from years ago but with a modern, upscale twist. Like its sister towns, Perdido Key boasts sugar white sands and crystal water. Although boutiques and quaint eateries dot the landscape in Perdido Key, the area feels somewhat removed, enjoying a slower pace. Boating and fishing are naturals in this relaxed community.

The unspoiled, white sands of Perdido Key enjoy a history rich in lore. Rumor has it that pirates buried treasure along the precarious shoals of Perdido Bay where it enters the Gulf. Today, people still wander the beach hoping to uncover the lost treasures. Because of its unique geography the Key is one of the most natural and beautiful areas along the Gulf Coast. Here, the waves invite laughter and surfing, diving and sport fishing. The back bays and lagoons are ideal for boating or waterskiing. No doubt you'll believe Florida's Perdido Key brims with treasure, whether or not you find anything buried.

By air
The closest airport is Pensacola Regional Airport in Pensacola.

By car
Florida State Route 292 links Perdido Key with Pensacola.

Get around
Perdido Key Drive, part of Florida State Route 292, is the island's main road and follows the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

Do
The beautiful beach!

Eat

 * The Reef, 13595 Perdido Key (near the intersection of Johnson Beach Road). Restaurant is upstairs from the bar.
 * The Jellyfish Restaurant & Bar, 13700 Perdido Key Dr. Upstairs from a beach shop; you can see the ocean from inside and has a bar area, as well.
 * The Reef, 13595 Perdido Key (near the intersection of Johnson Beach Road). Restaurant is upstairs from the bar.
 * The Jellyfish Restaurant & Bar, 13700 Perdido Key Dr. Upstairs from a beach shop; you can see the ocean from inside and has a bar area, as well.
 * The Reef, 13595 Perdido Key (near the intersection of Johnson Beach Road). Restaurant is upstairs from the bar.
 * The Jellyfish Restaurant & Bar, 13700 Perdido Key Dr. Upstairs from a beach shop; you can see the ocean from inside and has a bar area, as well.
 * The Jellyfish Restaurant & Bar, 13700 Perdido Key Dr. Upstairs from a beach shop; you can see the ocean from inside and has a bar area, as well.

Drink

 * The Reef, 13595 Perdido Key (near the intersection of Johnson Beach Road). Smokey bar downstairs from the restaurant.
 * Purple Parrot Tiki Bar & Grill, 13555 Perdido Key Dr. Tropical theme, large outdoor tiki bar and pool.
 * The Reef, 13595 Perdido Key (near the intersection of Johnson Beach Road). Smokey bar downstairs from the restaurant.
 * Purple Parrot Tiki Bar & Grill, 13555 Perdido Key Dr. Tropical theme, large outdoor tiki bar and pool.

Sleep
Perdido Key has few hotel rooms, but there are many rentals of furnished condominiums. Most require 3 night stays. For other options, remember central Pensacola is an easy 20 minute drive away.

Go next
The city of Pensacola is a 15 to 20 minute drive to the north east.

The Alabama Gulf Coast begins a short drive to the west.

title: Perdido Key


text:
Perechyn

Perechyn (Ukrainian: Перечин) is a town nestled between the Transcarpathian Mountains some twenty kilometers north of Uzhhorod. With a population of around 7000 people, this small town swells to larger numbers on the weekends when people from neighboring villages come to shop in this rayon center and during summer when tourists traverse the lovely mountain road on their way North to Lviv.

Understand
There are many different nationalities living in harmony with one another including Ukrainians, Russians, Belarusians, Slovakians, and Hungarians. You might even find one or two Westerners from the US and/or Canada who came here and fell in love with the area.

In the main square, is a statue build in honor of a postman who traveled 30 km by foot each week carrying the mail to villages throughout the region. Legend has it he started his route, while waiting for a letter from his parents.

One of the largest industries in town is a factory that makes charcoal and other products. Perechyn also has a metal recycling plant.

By train
Trains from Kyiv and Chop operate daily. Direct connections with such cities are available: Uzhhorod, Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil, Lviv.

Tickets are available on Ukrzaliznytsia website and in mobile app (iOS, Android).

By bus
Buses from Uzhhorod operate daily.

Tickets are available on BlaBlaCar.

By car
H13 goes through the city.

See

 * Cultural Museum Located on the third floor of the boarding school (see "Schools"), this museum houses an impressive display of local lore including a kitchen from the late 1800s and one of the best displays of vyshyvanki (embroidery) in Zakarpattia.

Do

 * Picnicking and Swimming: Ask the local to show you the way to the best spots for swimming and picnicking and best of all its "bez koshtovina" or free!
 * Mountains: If you are here in June and August/September, you might be lucky enough to persuade the locals to show the best spots for hunting mushrooms. Places nearest town are often picked over during the early days of mushroom season.  But these delectable little items are part of the unique and tasty cuisine of Zakarpattia.  Throughout the spring and summer, wild flowers sprout up blanketing fields and forest floors with beds of red, blue, yellow and white flowers in which you might be tempted to take a nap.  Locals make annual pilgrimages to pick flowers to display in their offices and homes. And, if you don't go for the mushrooms or flowers, go for the fresh air, peace and quiet, and the lovely sun rays that peek through the trees.

Buy
Bazaar: Bazaars are a dime a dozen in most of Ukraine, but Perechyn has a small bazaar known for its great second-hand clothing.

Eat
All restaurants are similarly priced, moderate to inexpensive.
 * The Kantina: Located across from the gymnasium and right on the main road, the Kantina has several dining spaces including an outdoor patio and shashlik (grill) in the summer, a large open-spaced dining room with vaulted ceilings and a stage with live entertainment on the weekends, and a retro-Soviet kitsch dining room in which you may peruse old photos and flags of yesteryear. The pizza and dolrony are popular with locals and expatriates alike. If you are driving north from Uzhhorod, it will be on your right.
 * Pidkova Restaurant: Pidkova means “horseshoe” and can be found by its like-shaped sign.  It is located just off the main street Plowshta Narodna and near the train station.  They have excellent Ukrainian, Hungarian, and Zakarpatska cuisine and are very proud of their menu, which has been translated into English.  If you are driving north from Uzhhorod, pass the main square and watch for the sign on your right.

Sleep
There are several modern hotels and restaurants including (among others):

 * Berizka Hotel and Restaurant: Located in central Perechyn, Berizka is set back just a little from the road behind other buildings so watch for the sign. Berizka offers overnight accommodations, all-day dining, and a sauna that is popular with the locals.  Here you can buy wonderfully fresh bread made by a local bakery at the bar downstairs.  If you are driving north from Uzhhorod, Berizka will be on your right.
 * Turianska-Dolyna Hotel, Restaurant, and Conference Center:  This hotel/restaurant is one of your first indications that you have entered Perechyn. Located on the outskirts of downtown nearest Uzhhorod, Tyrianska-Dolyna is a small conference center complex with public and private dining spaces, a dance floor and stage where you will most likely find entertainment on the weekends, and rooms with modern conveniences.  They have a large space next door for conferences and training which will seat upwards of 50 people comfortably.  Behind the facility, one will find a picnic space and can arrange for outdoor shashlik or grill.  Ask for the "pechena kartoplia" (baked potatoes) which are made in true Zakarpatska fashion (or if you are really adventurous ask for it in the local dialect "pechena krumplee").

title: Perechyn


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Pereira

Pereira is the capital city of the department of Risaralda in Colombia's Zona Cafetera. It is in the center of the western region of the country, located in a small valley that descends from a part of the western Andes mountain chain. It is an urban center in the coffee producing region. Located in the middle of the triangle formed by the 3 main cities in the country: Bogotá, Medellín and Cali and about 3-5 hour drive from these cities.

Understand
Pereira is a beautiful university city with a population of 482,000 (2023). The city's motto is "Pereira con Vida".

By plane
Matecaña International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in the region. Receives domestic flights of Avianca, LATAM, The low-cost Wingo, JetSMART, And ClicAir, Domestic non-stop flights go to Bogotá, Medellín (serves both airports: mainly to Olaya Herrera domestic airport, but also flights to Jose María Córdova - International Airport), Cartagena and San Andrés island. There are also international routes to Panama City operated by Copa Airlines and Miami operated by American

Matecaña International Airport features Wi-Fi access to the Internet from almost every location. Taxis are regulated, reasonably priced and safe from the airport. Taxis are metered. A taxi ride from the airport to downtown takes approximately 20 minutes, and can cost COP$26,000 (2024).

There are 3 other airports within the range of one hour drive to Pereira. They are in Manizales, Cartago and Armenia. There are non-stop flights from Madrid (Spain), Miami, New York, Quito and Guayaquil to the airport in Cali (3 hour-drive from Pereira).

By car
Pereira is about 7 hours from Bogota by car, in the Bogota-Melgar-Ibague-Armenia road.

The trip is about 4 hours from Medellín and 3 hours from Cali (Pereira-Cartago-Buga-Cali).

By bus
Buses run in and out of Pereira's main station, Terminal de Transporte de Pereira. The station is clean and has standard amenities. Multiple bus companies have regular routes to destinations around the country. To get there from the airport you can take a taxi ride.

Some common bus companies in Colombia that are found in this terminal are:

Municipal Transport - to small towns nearby : Lineas Pereiranas, Transportes Giraldo.
 * Expreso Bolivariano : This company has one of the most extensive networks. Some international destinations as well.
 * Coomotor : Mostly destinations in Southern Colombia
 * Expreso Palmira, Expreso Trejos, Expreso Alcala, Flota Magdalena

 * Cali: COP$29,000, 4 hours
 * Bogotá: COP$50,000, 9 hours
 * Medellín: COP$33,000, 6 hours
 * Manizales: COP$16,000, 1 hr 15 min every 15 minutes with a minibus (Oct 2023)
 * Armenia: COP$9,000, 1 hour every 15 minutes with a minibus (Oct 2023)
 * Santa Rosa de Cabal: COP$5,000, 15 min
 * Salento: COP$10,500, every hour

By bus
There is an extensive network of buses running around Pereira connecting most parts of the city. Costs are around COP$2,000. It runs 5 km along the main avenues, including numerous nearby neighborhoods (barrios) and surrounding barrios. Use caution when visiting lower-income barrios (as you should in any other city). Types of buses range from large buses to smaller vans, and Wilys jeeps are also available for side trips to outlying areas including local mountains and valley floors (prices vary depending on destination but generally are very cheap).

The Megabus is Pereira's version of bus systems developed in Curitiba, Brazil, and Ottawa, Canada, later adopted in Bogotá's Transmilenio: a mass transport system with exclusive lanes for large buses and enclosed stations. Buses are painted green, very comfortable, inexpensive, clean and fast. Buses run from 4:30AM to 11:35PM. You need to get a Megatarjeta to access, available at the stations at a cost of COP$6000 which are your credit good for 3 trips. Fare COP$2,950.

By taxi
Taxis are relatively cheap but make sure the meter is on. Some taxi drivers are dishonest and try to take advantage of foreigners. For example, if they stop along your route they will charge you an additional fare, and use standing charges while waiting. Some don't have meters, so ask for cost in advance. It's possible to negotiate as well. Fares as of 2024:
 * Minimum fare: COP$6,000
 * Pick-up charge: COP$1,600
 * Every 80 m or 70 seconds in traffic: COP$160
 * Night rate supplement: COP$1,200
 * Charge to the airport: COP$3,000, from the airport: COP$4,500

See
Pereira is a beautiful university city with many things to see.

Do

 * The city has a municipal auditorium and theaters where you can attend concerts, operas, and listen to symphonic music. There are lots of night clubs, discos, and bars that serve up lively house, trance, rock, salsa, and tango music.
 * Pereira offers an exciting nightlife along the main avenue Simón Bolivar, where you will find many of best discos and restaurants, but there is another smaller in upscale residential neighborhood located in south part of city. On weekends, starting on Thursday night, this is where many of younger crowd and students like to gather. There are many fast food restaurants in this area also.
 * Pereira is also home to famous football (soccer) club, 'Deportivo Pereira'. Viewing football is a very important activity here and Once fans pack the 30,000-seat stadium to cheer for their team.
 * La Popa, a hill, gives you a scenic view of Pereira.

Buy

Shopping Malls

Eat
The traditional food comes from Antioquia, the region to northwest and famous for the city of Medellin. Lunch-time meals usually consist of a soup made from plantain (a variety of green bananas), followed by a plate of rice and selection of fried pork, beef, or chicken, with small cabbage salad in vinegar dressing, a natural juice drink made from mango, or if you are adventurous, try one of native fruit flavors, they are delicious but hard to pronounce, this will usually be followed by a coffee. Sometimes, you might be offered a dessert called mazamorra, which is corn and milk with local sugar cane, called 'panela'. They also use panela and water in making coffee, but don't recommend it, as the taste is very sweet, actually coffee served here is exceptionally sweet and unless you are a fan of sugary tasting coffee, ask for coffee made from plain water.

If you're visiting the 'Los Nevados' Natural Park, ask for 'aguapanela con queso' while going there. It's a hot beverage made of sugar cane served with cheese. Also look for cheese ice cream, chorizos from Santa Rosa and obleas.

Location C.C. Santa Mónica Plaza
 * Kilaba. Delicious Arabian food on Circunvalar avenue.
 * Sayonara. Colombian-style hamburgers and hot dogs. Try the pepper burger.
 * La Estancia. International food.  Try the Trucha Marinera.
 * Mi País Café: International dishes and coffee. Address: Calle 19 # 12 _ 69.
 * "Tradiciones Peruanas" - Peruvian Restaurant. Original Peruvian food, prepared like in Peru. With Peruvian ingredients. Ceviches, Parihuela, Lomo Saltado, Arroz Chaufa and more.

 * Mamá Flor restaurant. Offers local food and drinks, nice balcony in a quiet location. Opens late. Do not miss the traditional Sopa de Guineo, a tasty soup made with an unusual type of plantain, served with avocado, ground beef and rice.
 * Delight, a great display of dishes in a bar, mostly for lunch. Burgers and lasagna for dinner. Not very light, but savory. Two locations: Victoria shopping mall and near Avenida Circunvalar.

Dance
Paradise Calle 12

Stay safe

Be careful in some parts of Cuba and Villa Santana. They are colorful and lively but somehow risky.

The water quality here is excellent (Pereira water is on the top 20 of best quality drinking waters in the world). It is very pure also it is possible to drink straight from the tap here (but not in all parts of Colombia is this true), so no need to purchase bottled water and taste is great!

Go next

 * Hotsprings: The region is renowned in Colombia for its hot springs and resorts, such as the 'Hotspring of Santa Rosa de Cabal'. Each resort offers not just a hot pool for public enjoyment and relaxation but also various levels of hotel accommodations. The prices are around COP$30,000 per day, with facilities remaining open until midnight. Both 'Termales del Santa Rosa' and 'Termales del Nevado' feature lower and upper locations, with the upper pools being nearer to the water source, thus having warmer water. However, the water temperature can vary with the seasons, being warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
 * Worth seeing is the 'Termales del Santa Rosa' Hotel, it is a four star hotel and very nice if you can afford the COP$150,000/night (per person), US$75, however, includes is all meals and entry fees to pools, as well as use of private, exclusive wading pools. Also, both sites at Santa Rosa have incredible, breathtaking waterfalls that are lit with multi-colored lights, visiting at night is best, or if you have time, stay all day as price of entry is for all day!
 * Salento - The little colonial town known for its coffee farms, gateway to the famous Valle de Cocora and a great gateway point for treks to Los Nevados National Park.

title: Pereira


text:
Pereslavl Zalessky

Pereslavl Zalessky (Russian: Переславль Залесский, pe-re-SLAHVL za-LESS-ki) is a city in Yaroslavl Oblast and a part of the Golden Ring route.

Understand
The city was founded in 1152 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky 5 years after Moscow. In medieval times its fort was besieged and the city was ransacked by Mongols and later on by Polish-Lithuanian armies. Next to the city is Plescheyevo lake, the cradle of Russian Fleet, where young tsar Peter I did his marine military exercises. Besides, the site is a birthplace of Alexander Nevsky.

In 2021, it was home to 37,000 people.

Get in
Pereslavl Zalessky is located on M8 and R74 highways. Moscow bus station at Schyolkovskaya metro station serves buses to the city and the travel will take 2-3 hours. There are also buses to Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. The town is not served by train though. If you're going to the town from the north, you can consider changing to the bus in Yaroslavl or Rostov Veliky (from train) or in Petrovsk from elektrichka.

Get around
The city is rather small with basic historic attractions in the center and easily explorable by foot. You'd typically need about two days to get acquainted with the city.

Museums

 * Pereslavl Kremlin surrounded by the rampart hill.
 * Museum of Narrow-gauge Railways Kukushka, a wide open-air area showing steam-engines, carriages, hand cars, trucks, automobiles and a tank . Museum is about 25 km to the west of the town, if you don't have a car, you'll most probably have to hitchhike there, as the only transport to get there is 2 buses to Kupanskoe in the morning. Detailed route with pictures is on the Russian version of the site with pictures . Open W-Su 10:00–18:00. E-mail: info@kukushka.ru.
 * Museum of irons (Музей утюга), an exhibition of old irons.
 * Museum of kettles (Музей чайника), a private collection of copper, porcelain and nickel silver kettles. On the route to Kukushka museum, but only 3 km from town, so it's possible to walk. Across the street from the museum of kettles - museum of history of money (Музей истории денег).
 * Plescheyevo lake National Park with a dendrological garden.
 * Plescheyevo lake National Park with a dendrological garden.

Monasteries

 * Goritsky Monstery
 * Nikitsky Monastery (on the northern shore of the lake in some distance of the city)
 * Saint Trinity Danilovsky Monastery
 * Sretensky Novodevichy Monastery
 * Fedorovsky Monastery

Do
Kite-surfing in summer.

Buy

 * Embroidery, fabrics of the local factory.

Sleep

 * Rest bases on the lakeshore.

Go next
Depending on the direction of your journey you could move clockwise/counterclockwise along the Golden Ring cities like Rostov Veliky, Yuryev-Polsky, Yaroslavl or get back to Moscow. All routes are served by bus.

title: Pereslavl Zalessky