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Assateague Island

Assateague Island National Seashore is a beautiful barrier island, administrated by park services, permanently uninhabited, and most famous for its charismatic wild ponies. The northern tip of the island is a Maryland state park, while the rest of the Maryland section of the island is a United States National Seashore. The southern third of the island runs into Virginia, and is managed by the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. It is completely uninhabited, and open only to daytime canoe/kayak and foot visits.

History
Assateague Island National Park was established in 1943. The island has of beach, a forest, as well as saltwater marsh and freshwater marsh habitats. This habitat is home to migratory birds, plants, and of course wild ponies. There are many different theories to how the ponies got to the island; some say they are survivors of a shipwreck, but there is no evidence to support this. Others say that someone put the ponies over on the island so that they could avoid fencing laws.

Landscape
More than half of Assateague Island National Seashore's is near-shore and estuarine waters, and the interplay between these waters and the barrier island affects nearly every aspect of life in this dynamic coastal environment.

The geography of the island itself is in a state of constant flux, continuously being reshaped by the elemental forces of wind and water. Powerful storms can dramatically alter the shoreline in a matter of hours, as waves wash over the beach and reshape the island from ocean to bay. Other forces sculpt the landscape in less obvious ways. Exposure to salt spray, lack of fresh water, and isolation from the mainland are subtle, but powerful influences on the Island's species composition. Over time, these conditions have produced a community of plants and animals uniquely suited to the extremes found at the edge of the sea.

Flora and fauna

While Assateague's wild horses are perhaps the island's best-known inhabitants, other large mammals also roam the park, including the native white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the non-native sika deer (Cervus japonica), a diminutive species of Asian elk introduced to Assateague during the 1920s.

Other inhabitants are less conspicuous than the large mammals. Seven species of frogs and toads depend on fresh water ponds in the center of the island for breeding, and a variety of snakes, such as the black rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta), can be found across the forests, dunes, and marshes preying on rodents, small birds, or toads. Numerous invertebrates such as fiddler crabs (Uca ssp.) and mud snails (Nassarius ssp.) play key roles in maintaining the health of the island's salt marshes. Even the seemingly barren beaches provide habitat for nocturnal ghost crabs (Ocypode quadrata), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), and raccoons (Procyon lotor), who scavenge the crustaceans, fish, and other organic matter washed in by the tides.

Many bird species make their home on Assateague on a seasonal basis. Shorebirds by the tens of thousands depend upon the island's protected foraging and resting areas during their twice-yearly transcontinental migrations. Each fall, large flocks of waterfowl such as snow geese (Chen caerulescens) begin arriving at Assateague where they will spend the winter traveling between the sheltered bay and salt marshes and fallow farm fields on the mainland.

Finally, the coastal waters that surround Assateague Island teem with animal life. The sheltered, nutrient rich waters of the estuary formed by the island provide ideal breeding and spawning habitat for many aquatic species, some of which, like the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), are commercially important to the local area. Each spring a variety of fish, including spot (Leiostomus xanthrurus), Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) and summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) migrate into the estuary to breed. Later, the juvenile fish provide an abundant food source for birds, marine mammals, and larger fish.

Climate
Summers are generally hot and humid, albeit less humid than inland. It rarely snows in the winter but there is often a damp cold. At any time of year, come prepared for potential high winds, and always for intense and unrelenting, inescapable sun!

Visitor information

 * Park website

By car
Driving is the only practical way for individual travellers to get to the island (although it is very bicycle friendly). There are two access points for cars to get onto Assateague Island. The northern access point is in Maryland and serves Assateague State Park and the Maryland section of Assateague Island National Seashore. The southern access point is in Virginia and serves the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the Virginia section of Assateague Island National Seashore.

To get to the Maryland section of Assateague Island, coming from the west on U.S. Route 50, take the exit for U.S. Route 113 south. From here, turn east onto Maryland Route 376 (Assateague Road) and south onto Maryland Route 611 (Stephen Decatur Highway), which will terminate on the island. Coming from points north or south, follow U.S. Route 113 to the Maryland Route 376 intersection and turn east onto Maryland Route 376 and south onto Maryland Route 611 to reach the island. From Ocean City, head west along U.S. Route 50 and turn south onto Maryland Route 611.

To get to the Virginia section of Assateague Island, follow U.S. Route 13 to the intersection with Virginia State Route 175 and turn east onto that route. Follow Virginia State Route 175 into Chincoteague and continue along Maddox Boulevard through Chincoteague to the island.

Fees and permits
See for details on camping fees

National Park
Entrance fees are $3 for individuals on foot or $20 for private vehicles. Both fees are good for seven days. A $30 annual pass is available, allowing free entry for one year.

State Park
Standard day use is $4/person for Maryland residents Memorial Day-Labor Day, $3 Memorial Day-Labor Day $4/person. Non-Maryland residents pay $6/person.

Pets
Pets are permitted on the Maryland side of the island, including overnight, but must remain confined or on a leash no longer than six feet. All pets are expressly prohibited in the Virginia Wildlife Refuge.

Get around
You can take your vehicles to the State Park parking lot, or into the National Park to the North Ocean Beach lot, or as far south as South Ocean Beach. There is also parking by the National Park's boat launch, as well as the Life of the Forest and Life of the Dunes trails. Parking by the campsites is strictly restricted to campers with permits.

The park service allows Over Sand Vehicles (OSVs) to drive on the beach with a seasonal permit (predominantly used by locals), which unfortunately will spoil any thoughts you had of a pristine walk on an unspoiled beach, or for that matter, peaceful, isolated beach camping. Edward Abbey would be appalled.

Bicycle lanes are present leading across the Verrazzano Bridge to the island, and then run south all the way to South Ocean Beach in the National Park.

Otherwise, you're strolling along the gorgeous beach!

See
The Assateague Light House was built in 1833 and is 142 feet tall, it was first lit in January 1833. On October 1, 1867, A new lens was put in and it could be seen for up to nineteen miles. This lighthouse is now only open a few times a year for tours. The wildlife and wild ponies are without a doubt the star attractions. Bird watching is one of the more popular activities in Assaeague, but most people come to see the wild ponies. There are different theories to how the ponies got to the island: some say they are survivors of a shipwreck, but there is no direct evidence of this. Others say that someone put the ponies over on the island so that they could avoid fencing laws. To catch the ever popular pictures of the ponies walking by the surf, the ponies favorite beach times are early morning around sunrise, late afternoon, and sunset. Around mid-day, the ponies are more easily found either by the road, poking around the campsites, or a little less often on the marsh side of the island. Ponies seem to love to go in the middle of the road after dark. You are a lot more likely to see them in the National Park than the State Park.

The beaches are spectacular--huge white sand beaches on the Atlantic, unmarred by any buildings in any direction. (Although the beach is thoroughly marred by all the OSVs once you go south of South Ocean Beach.) Lifeguards are present during swimming season at the main section of the State Park's beach, and at North Ocean Beach in the National Park. The National Park beaches are lifeguarded only on holiday weekends, and from mid-July to the end of August. The water tends to be a little bit rough, but still OK for swimming. One of the more fun walks is to head north of the main swimming area in the State Park towards the northern tip of the island (and indeed, it does come to a narrow sandbar, where you can stand, surrounded by surf. This area is notionally and unofficially "clothing-optional," but it's rare to see anyone actually disrobe.

Do
Aside from the obvious swimming, taking a walk along the Life of the Dunes and the Life of the Forest trails in the National Park is highly recommended. You will learn a lot about barrier island ecosystems in the process (especially if coupled with a free visit to the National Park Visitor Center on the mainland side of the Verrazzano Bridge). They are also fabulous opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. A colorful sunset over the marsh on the bayside of the forest trail is unforgettable. Bug spray with DEET is requisite for the trails, and long pants and long sleeves are also quite handy.

 * Surf fishing is another popular activity, which will require both a fee and permit from either visitor center. Fishing is permitted away from the lifeguarded area of the parks (using commonsense to avoid getting too close to swimmers), as well as the bayside near the boat launches.
 * Over Sand Vehicles. Driving on the beach is permitted south of South Ocean Beach in the National Park for approved vehicles with a permit (make sure you know what you are doing, or you will get stuck). The way to make this a day is most certainly to bring some fishing rods and a picnic (locked in your car to avoid attracting ponies). Permits cost $80-150 depending on what you plan to do, and are good for one year. Make sure to read over the OSV brochure if interested . It is possible to camp overnight with your vehicle in the Bullpen at kilometer 21.
 * Pony Penning Day. On the last Thursday in July thousands of tourist come to watch the "Saltwater Cowboys" swim the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island. One of the best ways to see the Wild Ponies swim is on a Scenic Boat Tour.
 * Pony Penning Day. On the last Thursday in July thousands of tourist come to watch the "Saltwater Cowboys" swim the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island. One of the best ways to see the Wild Ponies swim is on a Scenic Boat Tour.

Buy
On the last Thursday in July is Pony Penning day and an auction is held to sell wild ponies from Assateague. They do this to make sure the ponies do not over populate the island. Many tourist love to watch the auctions as well as see the "salt water cowboys" swim the herd from Assateague to Chincoteague.

Aside from buying horses one day per year, the National Park Visitor Center is a good stop for some souvenirs, as is the gas station/general store just west on MD-611.

Eat
There is no food on the island other than what you bring, and you absolutely must keep all food either in your car or in an airtight canister, unless you fancy getting bitten/stepped on by horses. There's no need to rough it, though, as there are dining options a short car ride away. And of course, there is always Ocean City.

Drink
Assateague has sinks and water fountains next to each bathroom. The water is perfectly safe to drink.

Campers are permitted to bring their own alcoholic beverages. Those under 21 should be exceedingly discreet, however, as the Park Police enforce laws on underage drinking, and those under 21 caught in possession of alcohol can expect a hefty fine ($300).

The two good watering holes up MD-611 are the aforementioned Pepper's Tavern, and the Green Turtle West. Nearby Ocean City, of course, has endless nightlife options, which most assuredly will be busier and more caffeinated than Berlin bars. Be extra sure to have a designated driver, as the Assateague roads are dark, and hitting wildlife is an ever-present danger!

Camping
Oceanside Drive-in: Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Sites have a picnic table and an upright grill.

Oceanside Walk-in: Tent-only sites, located 100-200 feet from centralized parking areas. Sites have a picnic table and an upright grill.

Bayside Drive-in: Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). "Generator-Free Zone" available. Sites have a picnic table and ground fire grill.

Group Camping: Organized clubs and affiliated groups must use group campsites. Tent-only sites, located 100-200 feet from centralized parking area. Sites have a picnic table and an upright grill. Group campsites are available for reservations year round at $30 per night per site.

Backcountry
It is possible to back country camp in many sections of the island. Some of these are only accessible by paddle boats. When you arrive at the island. Check in at the Ranger Station and get your backcountry pass (US$6 pp) and you'll need to get a vehicle pass as well (US$15 per car). Proceeding on to Bayside Drive, you can rent a canoe or kayak. Some back country sites are also accessible by hiking, although distances can be long (and brutal in the sand and sun). Unlike the frontcountry tent camping sites, the backcountry sites are almost always vacant even on weekends in the busiest season. As such, they are not reservable, and you can just sign up on the day of. Some sites will be off-limits if you arrive too late in the day to realistically reach them.

Canoeing or kayaking, rather than hiking, is best even for the closer-in beach-side sites, as the boats are better for trucking in all the extra water you will need (1 gallon/person recommended per day). If you are intending to really get away from it all, make sure to pick a site south of the OSV bull pen, so your desired Robinson Caruso beach doesn't turn out to be an SUV park!

Stay safe
The usual beach hazards of drowning, riptides, sunburn, dehydration, etc. all apply to Assateague, although you can expect life guards during the busy season, particularly at the public beach at the State Park. Sunburn tends to be a bigger concern here than at many beaches, simply because there are no edifices to provide a retreat—lather up!

The ponies are beautiful, and a big part of the reason that people come to see the island, but they are wild animals, and they will charge, kick, and bite if you get too close or otherwise provoke them. The Park Service recommends never approaching them closer than ten feet, although fifteen feet might be a better rule of thumb. Under no circumstances should you try to feed them.

Cope
Beach campers far and wide know Assateague as the biting insect hell hole of the Mid-Atlantic. It cannot be emphasized enough that a visit in the warm months without a good bottle or two of insect repellent with DEET can be a nightmare, and will likely end with you speeding off in your car, clawing wildly at your wounds. You can enjoy your trip quite a bit, and quite comfortably if you simply remember to keep the bug spray handy, and to either stay in your tent with a good book or drive to a local restaurant during the buggy dawny and dusky portions of the day. If you are going over to the bay side, wear long pants and long sleeves, and perhaps a hat. The woods along the trails between the bay and beach sides of the island are by far the worst infested with the insidious little monsters.

Horses love the campsites, they probably love your tent in particular, and they particularly love any and all accessible food. If you have food, it's really best to just keep it on your person or in the car. If you are backcountry camping, and this is therefore not a viable option, bear canisters or some other airtight (preferably double-bagged) contraption will be necessary to keep the horses out of your tent. If there are quadrupeds milling about your insect/sun refuge, and you want them to move off, clap your hands loudly, while keeping your distance, and they should meander off.

It's unlikely that you will have a problem on any given visit, but Assateague occasionally can be a very windy place. Happily this drives away the insects, but the beach can be unpleasant if the sand starts picking up (another reason why it's good to bring some lightweight long-sleeves and pants). And tents have a tendency to fly away even when the wind isn't that strong, as the camping ground is soft. Bring long stakes for the tents, and possibly sand anchors.

title: Assateague Island


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Assen

Assen is a city in The Netherlands and is the capital of the province of Drenthe. Assen is the place to go for Dutch motorsports fans, as it is home to the TT Circuit where the annual Dutch TT Race is held. For a weekend in June, this town turns into a bustling, crowded destination full of partying fans, when the Dutch TT, part of the worldwide MotoGP, is taking place. If you're not a motorcycle aficionado, this city is probably not a particularly interesting city for you, but with some 65,000 inhabitants it's a rather large town and a regional centre for shopping and services. If you do find yourself here, don't miss visiting the Drents Museum, which has a very nice collection on local and general history. Assen is also useful as a transport hub, since many buses to small villages commence their run here and the city is served by fast intercity trains.

Understand
The history of the capital of Drenthe can be traced back to at least 1258. Assen has been designated a city since 1809. After Coevorden, Assen became the second place in Drenthe with city rights, granted by King Louis Napoleon, who had big plans for the village. Around 1900 Assen began to play a more prominent industrial role. After the Second World War, Assen did not have more than 20,000 inhabitants. The Assen TT made the city more widely known. But it was not until the 1950s, with the development of an industrial core, did Assen begin to grow more quickly. The Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (Dutch Oil Company) established itself in the city and with that, a trend was set. Nowadays, Assen is a city with 65,000 inhabitants and part of the metropolitan area of Groningen. Although Assen is the capital of Drenthe, the city of Emmen is slightly bigger.

By car or motorcycle
It's easy to get in here by car or motorcycle, as Assen lies on the A28 motorway from Utrecht towards Groningen. Furthermore, Assen is connected via provincial roads in every other direction, like the N33 to Veendam and the Eemshaven port (and towards Germany). Parking in the city centre is simple and not very expensive.

By bus
Many buses traverse the countryside, and Assen is a hub in this network. Most nearby destinations (both large and small) are connected via the city's bus station, which is located next to the railway station.

By plane
Assen is served by Head to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport for a much wider selection of destinations.

The regular bus line 50 runs twice per hour from the railway station to the De Punt bus station (in the municipality of Tynaarlo). From De Punt it is a 20-minute walk to the airport, or change to bus line 2 towards Groningen and get off in front of the terminal. This journey takes about 33 minutes and costs €5 one way, tickets at the driver.

By bicycle
It's an excellent place to cycle around and in. The LF9 and LF14 national cycle routes pass near to Assen.

Get around
The city centre of Assen is small enough to get around on foot.

Assen is the capital of the cycling province of Drenthe. It is a wonderful place to cycle. Hire a bicycle and travel around. Various companies provide tours of the area, some English speaking.

See

Eat
There are enough restaurants to choose from, especially on and around the market square.

Buy
As the provincial capital, Assen has the full range of common stores, including many large chain companies. The main shopping streets include the Forum, Gedempte Singel, the renovated Mercuriusplein, the Kleuvenstee, Koopmansplein and Kruisstraat. A large restructure plan for the city centre includes the establishment of a new, covered shopping mall called Cité Assen. Although the full centre plan is still being carried out, the shopping area has opened with several large stores including a supermarket and a large electronics store. Despite its wide choice of shops however, Assen is generally not considered the most "cosy" or fun shopping city around.

On Wednesday and Saturday there is a market. In 2008 this market won the award of "gezelligste markt" in the Netherlands. i.e. the most friendly and pleasant in the country.

Drink
The tourist office tries to market Assen as the regional place to be for a night out. It's not entirely true, but there are a number of pleasant bars in the town centre where you can enjoy a beer and a good conversation, and on a warm summer's night join the locals and kick back on one of the outdoor terraces. The Rolderstraat has a few bars, as well as a shisha lounge. Other good streets to start are the Nieuwe Huizen and the Brinkstraat. On weekends, many of the young people in Assen jump on a late night train to the more trendy university city Groningen, where bars and clubs are open 24/7 and which is a 15-minute train ride. They take the first train back in the morning. If you're not up for staying awake till daylight, there are a few clubs in town.

Connect
Post Office points providing all basic postal services can be found in most supermarkets and several bookshops. They follow the host stores opening hours, which typically means till 18:00 for bookshop and 8pm for supermarkets. The most convenient examples in the city centre are:

Go next

 * Visit Groningen, a lively university city and the largest city in northern Netherlands.
 * The star fort of Bourtange is less than an hour away by car.
 * The nearby village of Westerbork is inseparably linked to the horrors of World War II, as the Germans ran a large transit camp just a few kilometres out of the village centre.
 * Veenhuizen is a former penal colony, now it has museums, cafes, markets and its own brewery, "Maallust"
 * Norg and Roden are pleasant villages.

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

title: Assen


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Assens

Assens is a town in western Fyn with approximately 6,000 inhabitants (41,000 in the local council area, Assens Kommune, of which Assens is capital).

Understand
The town was the main ferry point for goods and postal services between Copenhagen and Hamburg, given its position between these two cities. The postal route through Assens terminated with the opening of the Little Belt Bridge in 1935 between Middelfart and Jutland. The route, however, gives the town an important role in Danish and Funish history with a quaint town centre. Its distance from any main population centre (Odense 38 km., Svendborg 43 km.) gives the town a busy commercial status.

By bus
Bus 110, 132, 151 and 152 serve Assens directly from Odense M-F several times an hour during the day, Sa Su hourly. Bus 825 serves Assens from Middelfart M-F approximately 6 times a day.

By sea
The Bågø Ferry serves Assens from the small island of Bågø.

By rail
Between April and October it is possible to rent a rail cycle from the mainline junction on the Copenhagen - Jutland line in Tommerup and cycle the 30 km. on the disused Tommerup - Assens branch line.

Get around
There is a local bus service (260) which operates between Assens and Helnæs. All areas of Assens, however, are completely accessible by foot, bike or car.

Drink
For its size, Assens boasts numerous watering holes. In order of descending popularity, they are:

title: Assens


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Assisi

Assisi is a small medieval town of about 28,000 people (2022) perched on a hill in Umbria, the heart of Italy. Famous as the birthplace of St. Francis, Assisi holds religious, historical, and artistic significance. Periodical exhibits and fairs enrich the visitor's experience.

By train
The closest train station is 3 km away from Assisi, in Santa Maria degli Angeli. Coming from Florence, you'll need to change trains at Terontola. Coming from Rome, change at Foligno.

Getting there: bus line "C" connects train station with the town centre.

By bus
Buses arrive from the nearby cities of Perugia (1 hr, €2.7), Patrignano, Bettona, Todi, Marsiano. Check timetables at BusItalia website.

By car
Take the A1 freeway and exit at the SS75. Follow the signs to historical Assisi and park in one of the public lots just outside the city walls. Parking area "Park Matteotti" does cost a bit but is pretty easy to reach and is in a good place to explore the town on foot.

Get around
Historical Assisi is very small and easily explored on foot. But go slowly, or the hilly streets will put you out of breath before you know it. During the hotter summer months take an occasional rest in one of the cool churches or enjoy an icecream break (or two). It is advisable to begin your tour at the top of the town (which is the oldest part), so you can enjoy the city going down the hill.

See
Definitely take the time to walk among Assisi's medieval houses and shops. Most of the cobblestone streets and alleys will take you to the basilica of St. Francis.

The basilica of St. Francis is only one of many beautiful churches in Assisi. The cathedral of San Rufino, the basilica of Santa Chiara, and the Chiesa Nuova are also worth a visit. Take the time to hike up to the top of the hill above Assisi and explore the castle - "La Rocca" - where Frederick Barbarossa spent his childhood. From here you can overlook the town and the valley below. Visit the tiny church of St. Stefano, go up a few stairs, and look back downwards for the most picturesque spot of this beautiful little town.

 * Following Via San Rufino (walking down in front of the Cathedral) you arrive to Piazza del Comune, the center of the town. There is a small fountain known as the "lions fountain". There are two main attractions on the Piazza: the "Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo" with the clock tower and the beautiful church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva (St. Mary over Minerva), with its impressive roman columns. Assisi, being an old roman town, had its own temple dedicated to Minerva, the goddess of wisdom. With the arrival of Christianity the temple was transformed into a Catholic church and the Virgin Mary was promoted above pagan wisdom. The church was completely remodeled in the early 1990s and stands in stark contrast to the exterior. In Piazza del Comune you find also the Tourist Information Center.
 * From the "Lions Fountain" find the street called "Corso Mazzini". Here you will find many interesting shops of all sorts. At the end of the street you'll find and archway and after that you will see the lovely St. Claire's Basilica, where the original crucifix, that spoke to Saint Francis, is found. There is a lovely piazza in front of the Church, with wonderful views of the valley. Morning and Evening prayer is beautiful here, with the choir of cloistered Poor Clare nuns singing.
 * Re-tracing your steps you can go back to Piazza del Comune, passing on your left a little street that takes you to "Chiesa Nuova", a very spiritual little church built over to what is said to be Francis' original home.
 * From Piazza del Comune you have two options to reach Saint Francis' Basilica:
 * a) the street to your right is "Via San Paolo", and it will eventually lead you to the Basilica. This is a slightly longer way to get there and not so crowded, sometimes there is no one around, even on busy days! After you walk a little on Via San Paolo turn to your left when you see some steps and a fresco on the wall, follow the steps down until you get to the small church of St. Stephen (Santo Stefano). This is a real jewel, not known to many and skipped by the majority of "running pilgrims". Even if for 5 minutes it is a must-see.
 * b) the street to your left from Piazza del Comune is called "Via Portica". This is the usual and shorter way to go to the Basilica of Saint Francis. There are plenty of shops. On your left you will eventually find the Metastasio theater, with a continual exhibit about St. Clare. After a short while you pass an archway and arrive to "Via San Francesco". A little walk and to your left you will see a little chapel called the "Oratorio dei Pellegrini" (the Pilgrim's Chapel). It only opens for a few hours during the day when it is open there is almost always Eucharistic adoration. Inside this room you will find some of the most beautiful frescos of the town. In this same street to your right you can find some very interesting museums.
 * At the end of the street you will find the Basilica of St. Francis, with everything to discover. Start at the upper Basilica. Make sure you make it to the lower church and down the stairs to the Tomb of Saint Francis. This is one of the most spiritually powerful places in Assisi.
 * When you finish your visit of the Basilica you will exit on the lower part, in front of Piazza San Francesco. Walk down the Piazza, cross the archway and walk down Via Frante Elia. When you arrive to the bottom of the street to your left you will see a big Church, San Pietro. This is another "must see" of the city that is many times ignored. Differently to other churches in town, the interior is more beautiful than the exterior.
 * After your visit cross "St Peter's Gate" and you will find a big parking lot and a bus stop. If you left your car at the top (Matteotti) you can take a bus back, or if not you can catch a bus to the bus station.

If you have more time, these are some hints:

 * On the "back" of Piazza del Comune you can find a lovely and basically unknown area of the town, with beautiful houses, lovely views, some shrines for Our Lady and one or two cats having a nap. Look for the unconsecrated Church of Sta Maria delle Rose.

Santa Maria degli Angeli
Santa Maria degli Angeli at the bottom of the hill - where the train station is. Visit the Basilica containing the Porziuncola, the tiny stone home of St. Francis and his followers, where the Saint died.

Further away

 * Walk (or take a taxi or drive) the 4 km to Eremo delle Carceri, an hermitage in a steep mountain gorge east of Assisi, where St Francis came to pray and contemplate in the 13th century.

Buy
The many shops display a variety of local arts and crafts, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics and reproductions of medieval weapons and tools. Embroidery and chocolate manufacturing are also typical of the area. Religious items are best purchased at the gift shop behind the lower level of St. Francis basilica. Don't let the shop keepers overcharge you!

Santa Maria degli Angeli
In town you find several little ice cream and pizza shops, you need to look around for quality.

Go next

 * Perugia
 * Santa Maria degli Angeli at the bottom of the hill

title: Assisi


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Assmannshausen

Assmannshausen is a town of about 1000 people (2018) in the Rheingau in Hesse, Germany, at the southern end of the Rhine Valley. The village is incorporated into the town of Rüdesheim.

By car
On the B42, 6 km north west of Rüdesheim

By train
Assmannshausen is served by the Rechte Rheinstrecke train line between Koblenz and Neuwied and Wiesbaden and Frankfurt. Trains are infrequent, with around one service per hour, but cheap towards Frankfurt/Wiesbaden/Mainz, as all towns lie in the RMV fare region.

By ferry
KD and BR boats cruising the Rhine also stop at Assmannshausen.

Ferry Rüdesheim – Bingen - You can also hop on a ferry across the river to Bingen and board there.

On foot
The Rheinsteig walking trail passes above and through Assmannshausen.

Get around
Assmannshausen is small enough to cover on foot.

Do

 * Hike part of the Rheinsteig
 * Hike part of the Rheinsteig

Buy
Wine

Drink
Assmannshausen is the only spot in the Rheingau that grows red wine, and its Assmannshäuser Spätburgunder, a Burgundy-type Pinot Noir, is very well regarded.

Go next

 * Rüdesheim
 * Bingen
 * Bacharach
 * Kaub
 * Loreley, the famous rock of Loreley near St. Goarshausen, an hour by ferry down the Rhine.
 * St. Goar – look to the Loreley
 * Eltville am Rhein – Kurfürstliche Burg, Kloster Eberbach
 * Wiesbaden

title: Assmannshausen


text:
Assos

Behramkale or Behram is an attractive little village in the Northern Aegean Region of Turkey, with a population of 652 in 2021. The main village sits at the foot of the ancient city of Assos, the big draw, so this is the name used in tourist literature. 2 km down the hill is the port, also attractive with traditional Ottoman architecture. 3 km east is the modern beach strip of Kadırga; beach hotels for 20 km on either side often misappropriate the name "Assos".

Understand
Assos has the only decent harbour along the north coast of the Gulf of Edremit. The city was founded around 1000 BC, acquiring its Temple to Athena in 530 BC, and stout city walls in the following years. In 348 BC Aristotle moved here from Athens, founded an academy of philosophy, and married Pythias the niece or adopted daughter of Hermias the local ruler. Hermias like Aristotle had studied under Plato: he was tortured and killed when the Persians seized his territory, while Aristotle moved to Macedonia where he tutored Alexander the Great, Ptolemy and Cassander. Most of his later years and best work were on his return to Athens.

Alexander ousted the Persians from Assos in 334 BC. The city was later ruled by Pergamon, then became part of the Roman Empire. Its pagan temple was disliked once the Romans became Christian, and the place dwindled into obscurity as a provincial market town. Assos was first systematically excavated in the 1880s and this continues. Many of its adornments such as friezes and sarcophagi have been moved to museums or stolen.

Get in

 * 13: And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
 * 14: And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
 * - In the New Testament Acts 20, St Luke describes St Paul the Apostle arranging a ride to Jerusalem in 57 AD.

The main highway D-550 / E87 runs some 20 km inland, from Çanakkale via Ayvacık and Küçükkuyu then onward to Edremit and Izmir. So from the north you branch off at Ayvacik, and from the east / south at Küçükkuyu. The coast road from Küçükkuyu continues west from Assos / Behramkale to Babakale.

Inter-city buses fly along the main highway and don't turn off for Assos, so you change at either Ayvacık or Küçükkuyu for the local dolmuş. Ayvacık has the best service, hourly and taking 15 min to cover the 17 km to the main village, but the crucial thing when organising your inter-city bus is not to confuse it with Ayvalık about 100 km further along towards Izmir. Küçükkuyu 20 km east of Assos has a less frequent service and might take an hour.

The dolmuş will probably drop you at Behramkale main village. It's a tedious walk to the harbour, or an overpriced taxi to Kadırga the beach strip.

Get around
The main village and port are 2 km apart, along a narrow, steep lane - it might take 20 min on foot. An occasional dolmuş trundles between.

See

 * is reached by turning off at the shiny modern statue of Aristotle, and driving up to the village parking lot. Walk on through the grey stone houses and cobbled alleys to reach the main entrance to the Assos site. A secondary gate downhill towards the port enables tour groups to rejoin their bus without lumping back over the crag.
 * Hudâvendigâr Mosque by the entrance gate is from 1365, a square building with no minaret. The name means "God's gift" indicating a battle victory - Murad I was rapidly extending Ottoman control over the Balkans in that era. It's open daily 08:00-19:30.
 * City gates stand 200 m southwest of the temple, with the necropolis just north.
 * The amphitheatre is downhill, 500 m south of the temple cut into the hillside above the coast.
 * (Behram Köprüsü) on the road north to Ayvacik is a fine single arch, probably from the 1360s. You can still walk across, while vehicles use the modern bridge adjacent. It was restored in 2015.
 * (Antik Liman) is a charming old harbour - park at its edge and don't bring a car into these narrow alleys. The stone warehouses were used to store acorns, shipped out to make a light-brown dye known as bonito - adding an iron mordant turns it grey. In 2021 / 22 access to the port was blocked as the cliffs above became unstable, sending down boulders into the cafes and souvenir shops.
 * is the beach strip 3 km east of the old port. There's a broad shingle beach, a dozen small hotels, and wall-to-wall cafes.
 * Lesvos is the large island you see to the south. It's Greek, therefore part of the EU, and refugees, smugglers and others often try to cross the 20 km strait from Behramkale. The way to reach it legally is by ferry from Ayvalık on the far side of the gulf, the place you mustn't confuse with Ayvacık.
 * Lesvos is the large island you see to the south. It's Greek, therefore part of the EU, and refugees, smugglers and others often try to cross the 20 km strait from Behramkale. The way to reach it legally is by ferry from Ayvalık on the far side of the gulf, the place you mustn't confuse with Ayvacık.

Do

 * Philosophy classes are held in the village over several days in July. The 2021 topic was the liberal and Enlightment thinker John Locke. Nothing is announced for 2022 so lesser minds may suppose it's cancelled . . . but what do we mean by "nothing", and how can we ever experience it?
 * Swimming: the sea is unpolluted. There's a little beach by the old harbour but the main strip is Kadırga village.

Buy

 * Yavaş is the tourist-trappy store at the crossroads - the name means "slow" and it is. Villagers do their shopping in Ayvacık or Küçükkuyu.
 * ATMs: two free-standing ATMs are also at the crossroads.

Eat
Restaurants and cafes cluster near the Temple entrance, around the old harbour and east along Kadırga beach.

Drink
Try the hotel restaurants.

Sleep

 * Wild camping is possible at secluded spots inland, but don't try it on the coast - the coastguard will assume you're planning an illegal crossing to Greece.
 * Pansiyon - guesthouses - mostly remained closed in 2022.

Connect
As of June 2022, the town has a basic mobile signal from Turkcell, and 4G from Türk Telekom and Vodafone. 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.

Go next

 * Babakale 20 km west is the westernmost tip of mainland Asia. It has a citadel acropolis, and a temple to Apollo 8 km north.
 * Troy is the famous site to the north. The ancient city ruins are modest but there's an excellent museum.
 * Küçükkuyu 25 km east is where the coast road rejoins the main highway towards Edremit. You might take the side lane into the hills to see the altar to Zeus with a great view over the gulf and Lesvos across, the renovated village of Adatepe, and Başdeğirmen ancient bridge.
 * Istanbul to Izmir is a long-distance itinerary, with one branch swinging through Assos.

title: Assos


text:
Astana

Astana (formerly known as Aqmola, Tselinograd and Nur-Sultan), in the north of Kazakhstan on the banks of the Esil river (better known by its Russian name Ishim), is the capital and the second largest city of the country. Modern Astana is a planned city, designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. It is home to a range of futuristic buildings, including many skyscrapers.

Understand

The settlement was founded as a Russian military outpost in 1830 as Akmola ("white grave" in Kazakh) and was given town status 1832, when its name was Russianized to Akmolinsk. The town was a mining town, and during the time of Stalin it was a destination where people were deported. During World War II, peasants from the western Soviet Union fleeing the advancing Germans were moved here. From then on, the region started developing into an agricultural center also.

In the 1960s, the town found itself as the nerve centre of the Soviet "Virgin Lands Campaign", which involved ploughing natural steppe landscapes into cereal fields, with an eye towards boosting the agricultural production of the union to the self-sufficiency levels. It was accordingly renamed to Tselinograd; tselina in Russian denotes a fertile but uncultivated land. After the independence of Kazakhstan in 1992, the city's original name Akmola was restored.

The city took over the role as capital from Almaty (the largest city) in December 1998, and at that was renamed Astana, meaning "capital city". This was changed to Nur-Sultan in 2019 after Nursultan Nazarbayev, the first president of Kazakhstan, who had just stepped down from office. The name Astana was restored in September 2022.

Over the last decades the city has been growing and is undergoing a transformation costing billions of dollars, with top international architects assisting in trying to make it a worthy capital — not only of Kazakhstan but of Central Asia. Astana presents an interesting and intriguing blend of old Soviet architecture with the modern designs of Norman Foster and the like. It still does not offer the comforts and thrills of its Western counterparts, or of Almaty, but has its own charms and pleasures.

Climate
The climate is continental with extreme temperature differences: strong winds, long, cold winters and scorchingly hot summers. It is one of the coldest capital cities in the world and temperatures may drop below -35°-40°C already in autumn.

Orientation
The new town is along the southern bank of Esil, and has a city plan similar to an immense hippodrome. At a river bend, on a small hill is the presidential palace. Across the river from it is the Khan Shatyr recreational center, formed like a sail. The backbone of the hippodrome is the wide Nurzhol Bulvar, that connects the presidential palace with Bayterek Tower and is lined by different government buildings.

The general plan for the new town was drawn by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, after winning an architecture competition arranged by the city government. Also other international architects have been designing modern buildings in Astana, most famously British architect Norman Foster who designed the pyramid-shaped Palace of Peace and Reconciliation.

On the northern river bank is the older town; what it lacks in architecture it makes up for in city life. The older downtown is delimited in the north by the railway. Along Abey Avenue you can find many of the city's major hotels.

Visitor information

 * Visit Astana website

Talk
English, German, Turkish are quite often understood by hotels such as Ritz Carlton, Radisson, Rixos and some restaurants in Astana, but the go-to language is Russian. No-one will expect you to know any Kazakh so a few civilities go a long way. If you are familiar with any Turkish, things like numbers and days of the week are similar.

Get in
See Kazakhstan for visa information, but most western passport holders don't need a visa for visits of up to 30 days.

By plane

As of early 2023 there are flights from many places in the former Soviet Union, and a couple each from Western Europe, the Middle East and East Asia. World airports with connections to Astana include Beijing, Dubai, Moscow Sheremetyevo (and other Moscow airports), Frankfurt, and Istanbul

Bus 10 and Bus 12 connect the airport and the city centre at least twice hourly, the price is 90 tenge. You can find the timetable at the bus stop directly in front of the main entrance to T2 (domestic) terminal. It's a one-minute walk from T1 (international) terminal. A taxi from the airport to the city centre is about US$20.

By train

So which railway station? As of autumn 2019, trains from Russia are still using Astana-1, while trains to Urumqi in China are using Nurly Zhol. The fastest trains to Almaty also use Nurly Zhol, but it's a mixture for this and other Kazakh destinations. Check locally near the day of travel.

By taxi
There are plenty of taxis starting from local taxis, ending with the most used services like Yandex Taxi, InDriver, you can expect to pay 1000-3500 tenge for a trip within the city.

Yandex and Uber were ubiquitous and even in tough weather conditions you shouldn't expect to wait more than 5 minutes for a car. As of January 2023, Uber is reportedly no longer present in the city, only Yandex.

Street taxis: Stand at the side of any road and thumb down a passing car, within 3 minutes you should have a string of them. Tell them your destination and they will either drive off or gesture you in. It is useful to know numbers so you can set a price for the journey before starting. They are about half the price of official taxis, reckon 1000-1500 tenge for a cross river trip. Some drivers may start practicing not only their English with you, but may start a discussion connected with the area of Psychology, others will race along the streets like a maniac, slowing down for the obvious speed cameras. Use this method with caution and try to travel in groups.

By bus
Public buses (Astra Bus) have a flat fare of 180 tenge, pay the conductor on board (or driver if there is no conductor). The buses are efficient and comfortable, but they are often full. Some buses are from the 1990s, but there are also newer buses from the last 10 years that match any modern city in terms of the quality of the bus. For bus routes, times and real time location updates, download the very useful Astrabus smartphone app. Another useful app is 2GIS.

The municipal authorities have published a journey planner. But you must choose the bus number to see the route. This is not helpful if you know where you want to go but don't know which bus to take! Once you're on the bus, there is a route map, so it's worth taking a photo of that on your phone for later trips around the city! When you get on a bus tell the conductor your destination and they will either tell you when to get off or gesture you to get on another bus.

The number 12 bus does a nice loop around the new part of the city with the palace etc., so this is a nice one for a tour. Bus 19 runs from the railway station, down Beibilitsky Street, then through the centre eventually out past the National Museum.

Buses serving further regional destinations depart from Saparzhay (Автовокзал "Сапаржай) which is adjacent to the railway station. Times and tickets on their website.

By subway
A Metro line is under construction between the airport and Nurly Zhol railway station. As of 2022 construction has been called to an indefinite halt.

By bike
There's a bike sharing scheme, just like in other major cities around the world, operated by the French company Smoove Bike.

See
The many modern and futuristic buildings of Astana is a reason to visit the city. However, on a closer look they're less impressive as they're poorly maintained and often underused.

Palaces

Religious buildings

Museums

Bridges

Performances

 * Казахстан ЦКЗ 2011 02.jpg

Events
Astana has a range of venues, used for different international events from sports to conventions.

Buy
There are cash machines in shopping centres, on the street and in most hotels. Most accept Visa and some people have had trouble with MasterCard. Most banks convert dollars, euros and roubles. Pounds are much harder to get rid of.

General shopping
New Western-style shopping malls have sprung up with all the variety of shopping you would expect from a mall in the West.

 * Shanghai. These are big supermarkets that are more like bazaar mostly for the groceries but they also have clothes.

With China relatively close, you can find many electronic gadgets in the shops, just remember that returns policies are not as customer-friendly as in the West. Also some of the latest gadgets such as iPhones and iPods are more expensive here than in Western countries.

Local specialties

 * Beshbarmak - a horse meat and pasta dish. Most restaurants that serve it will present a portion enough for two or three people.
 * Boursaky - bread best served piping hot, resembles an unsweetened doughnut.
 * Shashliq - these kebabs are often cheap, and the one thing you're sure to recognise on the menu.

General

 * In addition to the places listed in Eat, many hotels also have restaurants (see the Sleep section below)
 * Along Turan street (formerly Sara Arka), there's a strip of restaurants that are a little more expensive but good. They also have private rooms for parties, saunas, and even hotel rooms.

Drink

 * Kumis - different varieties are available of this mare's milk, some are a little salty. Slightly fermented. Can contain alcohol.
 * Shubat - local variety of fermented camel milk. Contains some alcohol.
 * Vodka - supermarkets stock a huge variety, ranging from US$2 bottles that will strip your throat to US$115 bottles that are more for giving as a present or showing off your wealth. Shots tend to be drunk, rather than utilising mixers - don't feel obliged to down each and every one if at a celebration.
 * Cognac - what we would refer to as brandy, again a wide range in the shops and restaurants. Same rules apply regarding shots - with all the toasts made at parties and other gatherings, you may want to pace yourself.

There are more than 10 discos (night clubs) that are frequently referenced by locals: Chocolate, A8, Fusion, Ice, etc. Chocolate is in the same building as the SAS Radisson hotel, but may only be open on selected days (weekends). "Ice" (centrally located - ask locals for the address) has a nice atmosphere and is on two floors with a large dance area. Prices are towards the high end, no entrance fee on Thursday night.

Budget

Stay safe
Astana doesn't have any major safety issues, for example you can drive late at night without problems. Bus drivers may shortchange you when buying tickets.

Mobile phone providers
There are three mobile phone providers: KCell, Tele2 and Beeline. All three offer mobile web (Edge, 3G). SIM cards are cheap and can be bought without filling in documentation.

Internet
Wi-Fi is available at some public places including shopping malls.

Embassies

 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇪🇬 Egypt
 * 🇫🇮 Finland
 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇳🇱 Netherlands
 * 🇮🇳 India
 * 🇮🇱 Israel
 * 🇮🇹 Italy
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States

Religion
Catholic church of Maria Santissima. |Zhumabek Tashenov St - Services: Sunday 11:00 (Russian), 18:00 (English)

Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of Saint Joseph. 1/2a Tauelsizdik Ave

Go next

 * Almaty, depending on the train type 13-21 hours south by train

title: Astana


text:
Asti

Asti is the capital of the province of Asti, one of most important wine areas in Italy, and lends its name to some illustrious wines, such as Moscato d'Asti. Asti is the main commercial centre of Piedmont's wine area, but still retains a friendly, small town feel and is a good base for touring Piedmont.

Understand
The city dates to pre-Roman times and a few ruins remain. In the 10th-13th centuries, Asti rose economically and politically to become one of the most powerful independent cities in Western Italy, with extensive trading rights granted by the Holy Roman Empire. The old medieval town still maintains many of the historic palaces and towers built by the rich families -Asti was known as the "city of 100 towers" (in fact there were 120 of which about 15 survive). Eventually power struggles between Turin and Milan led to Asti's demise as an independent city and the city changed hands frequently over a 300-year period until it fell under control of the House of Savoy in 1575, regaining some of its former glory. The city is divided into the new Baroque (1700s) town centred around the Piazza Alfieri named after one of Italy's most famous poets who was born in Asti and the medieval town centred on the Piazza San Secondo with the Romanesque San Secondo Church and Crypt.

Asti is 40 minutes drive from Turin and one hour from Milan.

By plane
Turin Caselle (one hour), Genoa Cristoforo Colombo (one hour), Milan Malpensa or Linate (one and half hours). Better to rent a car, (useful for touring around Asti area) or take shuttle to main station and train to Asti.

By car
Asti is on the A21 Torino-Piacenza autostrada; other (scenic) routes are via SS231 from Ventimiglia via Cuneo, Bra and Alba; via SS457 from Casale Monferrato (and Vercelli); via SS458 from Ivrea and Chivasso;

Asti can be reached from the A21 Turin - Piacenza motorway, Asti Est, Asti Ovest and Villanova exits. For those coming from Milan, take the A7 up to Tortona, then take the A21 towards Asti-Turin. For those arriving from Genoa, you can take the A26 from Voltri to Alessandria and then the A21. Coming from Cuneo or Alba, the section of the A33 motorway is open.

- From Milan: A7 motorway to Tortona; connection with the A21 motorway towards Turin with the Asti Est exit.

- From Bologna: From the A14 Adriatica Motorway continue on the A1 Autostrada del Sole, near Piacenza continue on the A21 Motorway towards Turin with the Asti Est exit.

- From Turin: A21 motorway towards Asti and exit at Asti Ovest.

- From Genoa: From the A7 motorway continue on the A21 motorway with the Asti Est exit.

- From Aosta: A5 Aosta - Turin motorway, continue on the A21 motorway with the Asti Ovest exit.

- From Alessandria: State Road 10 or Highway A21, direction Turin, with the Asti Est exit.

By train
Asti is a principal station on the main Turin to Rome line. Frequent trains from Turin (30 minutes) or Genoa (one hour). From Milan you need to change in Alessandria or Voghera.

Get around
Central Asti is quite compact and there is a large and reasonably well preserved historical centre which is easy to walk around. The train station is close to the centre and there are 2 large and convenient parking spaces in the centre (except on market days) at Piazza Alfieri and Campo del Palio. Also parking in the old city at Piazza Roma and Piazza Catena, but be cautious of restricted streets.

See
There are several medieval churches in Asti, the oldest dating back to the 11th century. Most are open to visitors during normal hours, including:

Buy
Asti has many smart shops in the town centre. Some good places for gifts:

Markets

 * Farmer's market, Piazza Catena, open daily in mornings except Sunday, vegetables and fruit from local small farms.
 * Asti market Piazza Alfieri and Campo del Palio, a big general market twice weekly on W & Sa, clothing, shoes, haberdashery, hardware, household, etc., plus cheese, meat and bakery stands. Fruit and vegetables in the morning only.
 * Fiera Carolingia, huge yearly market every May, over 1000 stalls from all over Italy.
 * Antique market, in central Asti every 4th Sunday of the month.
 * Truffle Fair, Cucina e Cantina, mid-November, Asti's truffle festival combined with many wine and food stalls.
 * Truffle Fair, Cucina e Cantina, mid-November, Asti's truffle festival combined with many wine and food stalls.

Eat
Asti has many fine restaurants, osterie and trattorie to choose from including.

Go next
Asti is near many wine country hill towns and villages:

 * The Roero; Cisterna d'Asti, Canale
 * N. Monferrato; Cocconato, Abbazia Vezzolano, Sacra di Crea
 * S. Monferrato; Nizza, Canelli
 * Langhe; Barolo, Barbaresco & Mango

title: Asti


text:
Astoria

Astoria is a city on the Northern Oregon Coast. It is a small rainy town on the edge of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. It is famous for being the terminus for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the setting of the movie The Goonies, and its Victorian-era homes built into the hillside overlooking the Columbia River.

History
The history of Astoria begins with the Clatsop Indians who lived there for thousands of years. In 1792, Captain Robert Gray located the mouth of the Columbia River and sailed up the river. In 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition spent the winter near the current site of Astoria at Fort Clatsop. The city of Astoria itself was not settled until 1811 when John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company established a fur trading post, making it the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.

With the start of the War of 1812 between the United States and England, Astor's fur traders sold the post to the British Northwest Company so that from 1813 to 1818, the British owned Astoria and it was known as Fort George. The 1818 treaty with England established the Oregon Country, although the fur trade largely remained in the British control until the mid-1840s.

By car
& U.S. Route 101 runs north-south through the city; the Astoria-Megler Bridge to Washington terminates near downtown (at W Maine Dr). U.S. Route 30 provides access from the east, including Portland. If you are coming from Longview/Kelso, Woodland or anywhere north (such as the Puget Sound Area) you can also go through take Exit #39 from I-5 in Longview and cross over the Columbia River to get on US Route 30. Astoria is the western terminus to US 30 after spanning 3,073 miles (4,946 km) across the country from Atlantic City. It is the third longest U.S. highway, after US 20 (Florence, OR) and US 6.

An alternate route from Portland is to take U.S. Route 26 West and OR-103 North to Jewell. Then take the scenic OR-202 north to Astoria. There are observation points along Highway 202 where it is common to see wild elk relaxing in a meadow. Highway 202 is known as a particularly enjoyable road to take if you happen to be driving a motorcycle or high-performance car. OR-202 enters into the southside of town as Cherry Ave, alongside Youngs River, which ends at US 101 in Smith's Point. Likewise travelers can go north on 7th Ave into town from Cherry.

By bus
The central bus station is the on Marine Dr & 9th St in downtown Astoria for the following:
 * 24 - Goes up to Ilwaco Port via Chinook Store.
 * 50 - goes up to Raymond via Rocket Diner in Naselle, Dock of Bay Center, and South Bend. In the other directions goes to Ilwaco via Chinook Store. Passengers connect with Wahkiakum on the Move (see below) at Rocket Diner to continue towards Longview/Kelso by bus.
 * 24 - Goes up to Ilwaco Port via Chinook Store.
 * 50 - goes up to Raymond via Rocket Diner in Naselle, Dock of Bay Center, and South Bend. In the other directions goes to Ilwaco via Chinook Store. Passengers connect with Wahkiakum on the Move (see below) at Rocket Diner to continue towards Longview/Kelso by bus.

By cruise
Cruise ships stopping in Astoria typically dock at near the Astoria-Megler Bridge.

Get around
The Astoria Riverfront Trolley runs along the Riverfront between Basin St & 39th St (Pier 39 Retail complex), $1 for a round trip, $2 for full day. Schedule changes seasonally and is subject to weather. The 9th Street stop is the nearest stop to the transit center (central bus station).

See

Nearby Attractions

 * Astoria is centrally located to the sites and parks of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park including Fort Clatsop just a few minutes' drive from town. See the article for more details.
 * Youngs River Falls is a very short hike to a beautiful 45 foot waterfall only 20 minutes from town. Just follow OR-202 south to the Youngs River Loop Road.

Do

 * Drive around town and spot filming locations for various movies filmed in the area. These include: The Goonies, Kindergarten Cop, Short Circuit and Free Willy. A free guide is available at the Astoria Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Center, Flavel House and the Heritage Museum.

Go next

 * Seaside is Oregon's most popular beach destination. Just 30 minutes south on U.S. 101.
 * Long Beach is a popular beach town on the Washington side of the Columbia River, and the gateway to the Long Beach Peninsula. Explore sites from Lewis and Clark National Historic Park along the way, just 30 minutes north on U.S. 101
 * Astoria is an excellent home-base to explore the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park sites that are located on both sides of the Columbia River.

title: Astoria


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Astrakhan

Astrakhan (Russian: А́страхань AH-struh-khun) is a city in Russia.

Understand
Astrakhan is in the south-east of European Russia, in the Caspian Lowland, in the lower reaches of the Volga river. The region is a part of the Southern Federal District and is a border region: by land it borders on Kazakhstan, and on Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan by sea. The Volgograd region and the Republic of Kalmykia are the Astrakhan region’s neighbours within the Russian Federation. The area of the region is 49,000 km². The region consists of 11 rural areas, 442 villages and settlements. Besides the regional center there are 5 towns in the region – Akhtubinsk, Kamyzyak, Znamensk, Kharabali, and Narimanov.

Over 1 million people live in the Astrakhan region. Half of them live in the regional center, Astrakhan City.

Astrakhan is famous for its cultural traditions, dating back to the remote past. Representatives of over 140 nations and nationalities live here. All world religions have found here their adherents. A native, poet Velimir Khlebnikov called Astrakhan the triangle of Christ, Mohammed and Buddha.

In spite of its multinational structure, Astrakhan has always been and still remains one of the most politically stable regions of Russia.

By car
Transport network of the region is constituted by over 7,000 km of automobile roads, 65 active ferries and 275 bridges. International transport corridor E-40 “West-East” crosses Astrakhan region. It links Western and Eastern Europe with Kazakhstan, Central Asia and China through the south of Russia (Rostov-on-Don, Volgograd, Astrakhan). Besides, roads M-6 “Kaspiy” Moscow (Kashira) – Astrakhan, Astrakhan – Elista – Stavropol, Astrakhan – Atyrau (Kazakhstan) play an important role in the transport infrastructure of the Astrakhan region.

Get around
Public local transport is only provided by minibuses (marshrutki).

Astrakhan districts

1. Kirovskiy (Кировский)

2. Sovetskiy (Советский)

3. Leninskiy (Ленинский)

4. Trusovskiy (Трусовский)

See
Astrakhan tourism has a clearly defined trend – fishing and hunting. Our region occupies 25-30% of Russian market for fishing and hunting, which have already become the brand of the Astrakhan region. At the same time other kinds of tourism are developing, such as cultural and educational tourism, eco-tourism, cruises, business travelling and event tourism.

Consulates

 * 🇮🇷 Iran
 * 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan

Go next
River cruises down the Volga operate during the summer months (early May to end of September). Dozens of boats operated by different companies run from Moscow to Astrakhan. One way or return cruises may be reserved to/from practically any city along the Volga. Turflot.ru and infoflot.ru are several sites that offer tours.

Sample price for cruise: Moscow to Astrakhan (one-way) with three daily meals is approximately US$500.

title: Astrakhan


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Astrakhan Oblast

Astrakhan Oblast (Russian: Астраха́нская о́бласть uh-struh-KHAN-skuh-yuh OH-bluhst') is a region in the Lower Volga, descending from steppe along the Volga to the northwestern Caspian Sea. It borders Volgograd Oblast to the north, Kalmykia to the west, and Kazakhstan to the east.

Cities

 * — the capital and the region's biggest city by far
 * — location of a major Russian missile test site, Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome (spaceport), and frequent UFO sightings, leading the town to be known as Russia's Roswell; Znamensk is a closed town due to its military significance
 * — location of a major Russian missile test site, Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome (spaceport), and frequent UFO sightings, leading the town to be known as Russia's Roswell; Znamensk is a closed town due to its military significance
 * — location of a major Russian missile test site, Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome (spaceport), and frequent UFO sightings, leading the town to be known as Russia's Roswell; Znamensk is a closed town due to its military significance

Other destinations

 * — along the giant Volga River Delta, this reserve is a bird-lover's paradise
 * — a nature reserve around Russia's largest salt lake, the stunning Lake Baskunchak

Understand
Astrakhan Oblast is a region steeped in the history of Central Asia. Before the arrival of Russian power, this area was at times ruled by the Jewish Khazar Khaganate, the Golden Horde, and the Astrakhan Khanate (centered on the present day city). In 1556 Ivan the Terrible conquered the region and annexed most of its territory at a time when Russian-allied Kalmyks were attacking and displacing the Muslim Tatars of the region. In 1580, having seen off Ottoman challenges to Russian rule, Russia constructed Astrakhan's magnificent Kremlin, which is a mix of traditional Russian and Baroque styles. Astrakhan's nature as a pivotal region for Central Asia continued when Peter the Great established a major shipbuilding yard on the Caspian Sea and established the region as the base for Russian expansion into the great Khanates of Khiva, Samarkand, and Bukhara, located in present day Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Today Astrakhan Oblast is a relatively sleepy, sparsely populated region near the confluence of the Volga River and the Caspian Sea, notable for its large gas reserves. The region retains sizeable Kazakh and Tatar minorities.

Talk
Despite its multicultural past, nearly everyone in Astrakhan Oblast speaks Russian as a first language.

Get in
Astrakhan Oblast is served by rail from Volgograd.

Narimanovo airport

Itineraries

 * Volga River Delta

Go next
The natural companion to an Astrakhan visit is its western neighbor Kalmykia. Probably the most convenient way to get there is to take a minibus (marshrutka) from Astrakhan to Elista.

It is also possible to relive your dreams of Russian conquest of Central Asia by taking the train west from Astrakhan to Atyrau, Kazakhstan.

title: Astrakhan Oblast


text:
Asturias

Asturias, officially the Principality of Asturias (Spanish: Principado de Asturias, Asturian: Principáu d'Asturies), is a region in the north of Spain. It sits in the narrow strip between the Cantabrian Sea and the Cantabrian Mountains, forming part of "Green Spain". It has been given the nickname "little Switzerland" because of the greenness of its meadows and the height of its peaks.

Cities and towns

 * is the capital of Asturias. It has a fine old town and cathedral.
 * (Xixón), the largest city of the principality, has beaches and a railway museum.
 * near the airport is mostly industrial, but has several museums and old buildings.
 * is industrial, with a mining museum.
 * is a cider-making town on the coast.
 * , a small fishing port, is one of the most attractive villages in the region.
 * is a fishing village with an interesting historic centre, beautiful beaches, and many palace buildings from the 18th century.
 * has a cave decorated with prehistoric art. In August it hosts the Descenso rowing race down the river.
 * , the site of the first Christian victory against the Moors, in 722 AD. The Sanctuary of Covadonga is a complex of religious buildings commemorating this.
 * is an attractive village, centre of the Fuentes del Narcea National Park.

Other destinations

 * is an area of mountains and woodlands stretching into the neighbouring regions of Cantabria and Castile & León.

History
When the Moors began their invasion of Spain in the 8th century, the mountainous territory of Asturias was difficult to conquer, and this region became a refuge for Christian nobles. In 722, a de facto independent kingdom was established, which became the cradle of the incipient Reconquista (Reconquest).

In the 10th century, the Kingdom of Asturias gave way to the Kingdom of LeónThrough the rebellion of Prince Henry (the later Henry II of Castile) in the 14th century, the Principality of Asturias was established. Since 1388, the heir to the Castilian (later Spanish) throne has been styled "Prince of Asturias". Since June 2014, the title us held by Leonor, Princess of Asturias.

In the 18th century, Asturias was one of the centres of the Spanish Enlightenment. The Industrial Revolution came to Asturias after 1830 with the discovery and systematic exploitation of coal mines and iron factories at the mining basins of Nalón and Caudal. At the same time, there was significant migration to the Americas (especially Argentina, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Mexico); those who succeeded overseas often returned to their native land much wealthier. These entrepreneurs were known collectively as 'Indianos', for having visited and made their fortunes in the West Indies and beyond. The heritage of these wealthy families can still be seen in Asturias today: many large 'modernista' villas are dotted across the region, as well as cultural institutions such as free schools and public libraries.

Since 1981, Asturias has been an autonomous community within Spain.

Climate
The region has a maritime climate. It receives plenty of annual rainfall and little sunshine by Spanish standards and has very moderated seasons, most often averaging in the lower 20s Celsius. Heat waves are rare due to mountains blocking southerly winds. Winters are very mild for the latitude, especially near sea level.

Talk
Asturias has its own language, Asturian, although everyone speaks Spanish.

Asturian (also called Bable, but this is a derogatory term) is a Romance language spoken in some parts of the provinces of Asturias and León in Spain, and in the area of Miranda de Douro in Portugal (where it is co-official and officially called Mirandese). In Asturias, it is protected under the Autonomous Status legislation, and it is an optional language at schools. There was a diglossia conflict between Asturian and Spanish, which resulted in some scholars considering it a dialect. However, nowadays, it is considered a separate language.

Much effort has been made since 1980 to protect and promote Asturian among the Asturian population. However, establishing the language as a co-official tongue is still awaited in most areas to protect this minority Romance language better. The situation of Asturian in other parts of Spain is critical, with a large decline in the number of speakers in the last 100 years. The area of Miranda de Douro in Portugal has taken a further step in protecting this language, by making it co-official.

Though Asturian and Spanish are highly similar to one another, the prevalence of Asturian on road signs and maps means that travelers, for instance, may need to pay attention to name changes, such as how Oviedo becomes Uviéu and Gijón becomes Xixón.

One must also be aware while traveling through Asturias that almost nobody speaks English. In other parts of Spain one can come across people who speak English to a limited extent (particularly in the larger cities), yet rarely will Asturians be able to understand you unless you make a considerable effort brush up on your Spanish. Bring a phrasebook and translate as you go if need be; the Asturian people are remarkably patient and welcoming and will be glad to invest time in helping you understand their culture, which they are intensely proud of.

Get in
By plane:  is 10 km west of Avilés, with buses to that town and to Oviedo and Gijón. It has frequent flights from Madrid, also from Barcelona, Sevilla and Palma de Mallorca, but lacks international flights.

Consider using Santander airport, which has budget flights (eg Ryanair from London Stansted) and is 3 hours by bus from Oviedo. Otherwise fly to Madrid and take the bus or train onward.

By bus: ALSA buses from Madrid take 5 hours to Oviedo. By train: Renfe trains run from Madrid via Segovia, Valladolid and Leon to Oviedo and Gijón.

Get around
All Asturian cities are very walkable, as they're quite compact. If you need a way to get around, bus and taxi are the two best options. Taxi stands are all over the city, and charge a base fee of around €4. Getting from one side of the city to the other costs about €8. Buses are the most convenient, and cheapest form of travel. The run from early in the morning until 23:00. Urban buses are around €0.85. Schedules are available at tourist offices and bus stops. To travel between cities, both train and bus are good. There are 2 train networks: Renfe (the national railways) and Feve (smaller trains). They sometimes share station but not always. Finding them won't be a problem, though, as they're always clearly shown on maps.

See
Oviedo, the capital city of Asturias, is home to Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo, a pre-Romanesque church and a palace respectively, which were built by the first Asturian kings on Mount Naranco, to the north of the city (World Heritage Site). In modern architecture, the Palacio de Congresos de Oviedo (or Modoo) was designed by Santiago Calatrava.

Gijon, the biggest city of Asturias, is a coastal city known for cultural and sports events, and a beach tourism centre in northern Spain. It also is known for the traditional Asturian gastronomy and for Asturian cider production. Museums in the city include the Universidad Laboral de Gijón, including a modern art museum and theatre.

Avilés is the third largest city in Asturias. "Saint Nicholas of Bari" or "Capilla de los Alas" in Romanesque and Romanesque-Gothic style, respectively; Palacio de Balsera, in Modernist style or St. Thomas of Canterbury church (dating from the 13th century) are examples which show the historical patrimony to be found in the city. The Centro Niemeyer, designed by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, is an example of contemporary architecture in Asturias.

The Picos de Europa National Park, and other parts of the Asturian mountain range: the Picu Urriellu mountain (2519 m or 8262 ft), also known as El Naranjo de Bulnes, is a molar-shaped peak which, reputedly, glows orange in the evening sun, hence its name. Weather permitting, it can be viewed from Camarmeña village, near Poncebos, south of Arenas de Cabrales. The shrine to the Virgin of Covadonga and the mountain lakes (Los Lagos), near Cangas de Onís. Legend has it that in the 8th century, the Virgin blessed Asturian Christian forces with a well-timed signal to attack Spain's Moorish conquerors, thereby taking the invaders by surprise in the Battle of Covadonga. The Reconquista and eventual unification of all Spain is therefore said to have started in this very location.

The paleolithic art in the caves of Asturias is declared World Heritage Site with the Paleolithic Art of Northern Spain.

Asturias also has examples of industrial heritage as a consequence of its industrial activities in the 19th and 20th centuries. It had metallurgical and chemical factories, mines, bridges and railways, including in the towns of Langreo, Mieres and Avilés.

The Asturian coast: especially the beaches in and around the summer resort of Llanes, the Playa del Silencio near Cudillero fishing village, or the "white" village of Luarca (Severo Ochoa hometown).

 * Visit the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in Asturias
 * Muniellos
 * Somiedo
 * Redes
 * Picos de Europa
 * Las Ubiñas-La Mesa
 * Ponga

Do
Los Premios Principes de Asturias are awards given by the Prince of Spain, known as the prince of Asturias, to various people for various categories. Previous winners are Nelson Mandela, Al Gore, Bill Gates, and Oviedo's very own Formula One racer Fernando Alonso. These awards take place each fall, and are held in Oviedo.

Some of the most famous festivals in Asturias are from the small town of Llanes. These festivals celebrate the important saints and the Virgin Mary adored by the town. The associations that prepare the festivals have a rivalry between them and each year they try to outdo each other with more impressive shows. The three most important are the festival of San Roque (St. Roque) held on the 16th of August, the festival of Nuestra Señora Virgen de La Guia (Our Lady, Virgin Mary, the Guide) held on the 8th of September, and the festival of Santa Maria Magdalena (St. Mary Magdalene) held on the 22nd of July. The Magdalena is well known for its impressive march of logs where boys as young as 3 and men carry logs through the town until they reach the end point and start a large bonfire.

Eat
Fabada. Beans stew made of white beans of typical asturian type, red sausage (chorizo), black pudding (morcilla) and diced bacon.

Cheese. There are more than a hundred of different types of cheese in Asturias. The more well known is Cabrales cheese. Cabrales cheese is produced only in the village of the same name and three villages of the Peñamellera Alta township, located on the northern spur of the Europa Peaks in eastern Asturias. This is certainly the most well-known Spanish blue cheese due to the manner in which goat farmers jealously guard its origin and authenticity; and one of the great blue cheeses of the world. Also its highly recommended cheese Gamoneu, which is considered to be one of the best cheeses in Europe, its a special kind of blue cheese, similar to Cabrales, but smoother and more solid, quite expensive and hard to find.

Frixuelos: These are very similar to the French crêpes (actually have the same Celtic/atlantic arc-cuisine origin), and are eaten as a dessert.

Cachopo: Its a delicious breaded, fried kid of "sandwich" of ham and cheese, cachopo is a little similar to Cordon Bleu but a lot bigger. Make sure to eat it in a good place, as many places will use cheaper ingredients and you won't be getting the real thing.

Arroz con Leche: Its a rice pudding dessert, also very popular made just in Asturias, every place has its very own recipe.

In general it's recommended to eat in small villages or places far from the city center, the quality of the food will always better and of course more affordable prices. When you eat in some central location you will be paying the location more than the food.

Drink
Cider. Made of local apples, like the Raxao and Xuanina types. The peculiar way it is served is called "escanciar", dropping the cider from the bottle hold with one hand above the head while the thin wide special glass is hold with the other hand under the hip level.

Calimocho, made of red wine, Coke, and current or blackberry syrup is delicious, and fun when used to play Duro (see above).

Stay safe
Crime is definitely not a big problem in Asturias. In the inner cities, as night life is huge, and even grandmothers pushing strollers can be seen at midnight, being out late isn't a big concern (I felt safe walking 30 minutes home alone at night, and I'm female, although it is always preferable to walk with others at night as an added precaution). Of course it depends on the area and bags can be snatched every now and then, so use common sense.

Asturias is considered one of the safest places in Europe, and its capital (Oviedo) has been awarded as the safest city in Europe. Children or women can walk alone all the night long without their parents caring.

Any hikers attempting to traverse parts of Asturias on foot should also be wary of the region's notorious weather. Asturias is unlike the majority of Spain, in that consecutive days of non-stop rain and drizzle accompanied by summer temperatures barely reaching 20°C are not uncommon. However, the biggest problem any outdoor types will face is how fast the weather can change. One can be walking in clear blue skies and warm weather and suddenly find themselves stranded in exceedingly dense fog (and vice versa, meaning one must always carry a suitable amount of water and protection from the sun).

Go next

 * Galicia - Rugged, mountainous and with an extensive coastline, this region to the west bears many similarities to Asturias whilst still maintaining its own traditions, such as its own language and a unique cuisine.

title: Asturias


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Asuka

Asuka (飛鳥) refers to the south-eastern part of Nara Basin, which mostly overlaps with contemporary Asuka Village (明日香村, different kanjis are used), in Nara Prefecture.

Understand
Asuka is the land where Japan has developed into a centralized state than a collective sovereign between 6C AD and 8C AD. Imperial palaces were built on this ground to form an ancient capital city of Japan, Asukakyo (飛鳥京).

Numerous burial mounds and ruins of ancient buildings are discovered and preserved in Asuka, thus making the whole area itself a big historical museum that attracts so many visitors.

Tourist information sites

 * Asuka Village has a multilingual guide site.

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

Get in
Kansai International Airport is the closest airport to Asuka, which is a 90 minutes car drive from this airport. Transportation such as cars and trains are recommended to take from Kansai Airport to Asuka.

If you are accessing from Narita International Airport, take a train to Tokyo station and you can take Shinkansen to Kyoto station. If you are entering Japan from Kagoshima or Fukuoka, you can take Shinkansen as well.

By car
From Kansai International Airport, take E71 and E26 (Hanwa Expressway) northbound, exit at Exit 12-1 (Mihara JCT) onto E91 (Minami Hanna Expressway) to Exit 6 (Katsuragi), and take Route 24 eastbound to Ofusa crossing, where you turn right onto Route 169. Then you can get to Asuka after driving about 3 kilometers.

From central Osaka or Nagoya, take E25 (Nishi Meihan Expressway) to Exit 5 (Koriyama), where you take Route 24 and drive southbound to Shijo-machi crossing where you turn left onto Route 169. Then you can get to Asuka after driving about 3.5 kilometers.

Parking lots are available at major sightseeing places such as temples and museums. Most of them charge ¥1,000 one time, regardless of parking hours.

By train
From Nara, on Kintetsu lines: Take any train (except Tokkyū (特急)) for direction either Kyoto or Namba, and change at Yamato Saidaiji to trains for Kashihara Jingu-mae (橿原神宮前), on Kashihara Line. From Kashihara Jingu-mae Station, change to Kintetsu Yoshino Line and get off at Asuka (飛鳥) Station. Otherwise, local bus services are available from Kashihara Jingu-mae Station to destinations in Asuka.

From Kyoto: The most convenient is by Kintetsu lines. Get onto a train running for Kashihara Jingu-mae (橿原神宮前) directly without change. Then change trains to reach Asuka Station.

Asuka is geared more towards the domestic rather than the foreign tourist, and as such English signs/menus are relatively scarce. For example, as of March 2010, very little non-Japanese information/signage was present at the Asuka Historical Museum.

Get around
By walk, or on rental bicycles.

Kame Bus (かめバス), is a bus service that tours around major sight-seeing spots including Kintetsu Kashihara Jingu-mae and Asuka Stations, and a one-way trip between the two stations, through Asuka Town takes around 35 minutes. A One-day Free Ticket is available at ¥650

Bicycles are available for hire at most accommodation locations around Asuka Town, and dedicated bike/pedestrian paths connect the main historical/sightseeing attractions around the town. Where no bike paths are available, the roads are generally slightly wider and quieter than in the cities, although caution is advised in the narrow main streets of Asuka town, where vehicular traffic can travel alarmingly quickly.

Generally the roads and paths are relatively flat, and a gearless bike will suffice (and tend to be more common at the hire outlets); however, a geared bicycle would be helpful for getting up the few gentle slopes around the town.

See

 * The Stone Burial Mound (石舞台墳)
 * Takamatsu-zuka Burial Mound (高松塚古墳)
 * Asuka-dera Temple (飛鳥寺)

Do
During strawberry season (apparently from January until the end of May) all-you-can-eat strawberry picking is available. Price and time limit probably differ depending on the greenhouse you go to. An example would be 30 minutes all-you-can-eat for ¥1,000-1,400 depending on time of year.

Buy
Out of the station, cross the street at the lights, and on your right you will find a small farmers' market. Fresh strawberries (of the Asuka Ruby variety), Japanese apricots (ume, 梅) to make umeshu at half the supermarket price, and a great variety of other local produce is available. May be seasonal only.

Eat
As you walk out of Asuka Station and pass the bike rental shop on your left, you will see a sign for a cafe and small hotel a 150 meters to the right. Follow it, and you'll find yourself in a restaurant with an attractive classy interior that doesn't seem to belong in Japanese inaka. Try the hayashi rice, it's heavenly.

Sleep
Asuka B&B is a clean and welcoming Continental-style B&B with Japanese elements. European and Japanese-style rooms available. Private toilets and showers in all rooms; shared Japanese-style bath. Bike hire is available.

Go next

 * Takatori
 * Yoshino
 * Kashihara
 * Sakurai
 * Oyodo
 * Shimoichi
 * Higashiyoshino
 * Tenkawa
 * Tenri

title: Asuka


text:
Asuke

Asuke (足助) is a district of Toyota.

Understand
As a separate town before 2005, Asuke flourished as a post station on the trail used to transport salt.

Today, the area is very reminiscent of the past. Its townscape is filled with remnants from the past including houses made of black board walls and warehouses with white earthen walls.

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

Get in
There are many ways of getting to Asuke.

From Toyota city, you can take the bus opposite Toyotashi train station, bay 1 (¥800) directly to Asuke.

The other close city besides Toyota is Nagoya. If you start from here, the fastest and cheapest way to reach Asuke is:
 * Take the Nagoya Subway to Akaike (赤池) on the Tsurumai Line. There switch on the Meitetsu Toyota Line (¥390); sometimes the subway train continues to Toyota directly as a Meitetsu train, so you do not have to even switch trains. Get off at Josui (浄水). Here you can catch Toyota-city bus no. 8 (¥500) (Toyota Welfare Hospital - Asuke).

See
The Korankei Gorge (香嵐渓) stretching 1.2 km upstream of the Tomoe River in Asuke-cho Miya-machi boasts its magnificent autumn foliage. Many tourists visit this gorge in mid-November when the colors of the leaves are at their best. The view of more than 4,000 trees with beautifully-colored leaves is truly a sight to behold. During the month of November, the trees are illuminated at nighttime to create a magical atmosphere with their leaves giving off a golden glitter.

To reach Korankei, just get on any bus towards Asuke and get off at the Korankei (香嵐渓) bus stop.

Do
Sanshu-Asuke Yashiki (¥500, 09:00-17:00) is a traditional Japanese farming village containing a farm house, a warehouse, a stable, a water mill, a handicraft centre, etc. They exhibit the traditional Japanese life in the mountainside.

Asuke Castle (¥300). Suzuki family, who occupied Asuke area during the late 15 to the early 16 century, built the castle. In the 1990s Asuke government has re-built it. The design of the castle was based on the excavations on-site.

Koujaku-ji, established in 1427 (Oei 34), belonging to the Soto school. It is said that the maple trees in Korankei were planted in 1634 by Sanei-osho, the 11th priest of this temple.

title: Asuke