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Lake Toba

Lake Toba (Danau Toba), on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, is the largest volcanic lake in the world. Samosir island, in the lake, is an island within an island. It is in North Sumatra (Sumatera Utara).

Understand
Lake Toba is an immense volcanic lake covering an area of 1,707 km2 (1,000 km2 bigger than Singapore) with an island in the center. Formed by a gigantic volcanic eruption some 70,000 years ago, it is probably the largest resurgent caldera on Earth. Some studies say it might have been associated with causing previous ice age/climate change and the largest human population bottleneck ever. Genetic estimates suggest that there were only a few thousand individuals that survived the catastrophe. The island in the middle - Pulau Samosir - was joined to the caldera wall by a narrow isthmus, which was cut through to enable boats to pass; a road bridge crosses the cutting. Samosir island is the cultural centre of Batak tribe who are mostly Christians nowadays.

Lake Toba was perhaps once more popular than it is nowadays, but for many it remains a firm fixture on the Banana Pancake Trail. It is a great laid back place to chill out for a few days after jungle trekking etc. The location is very popular with Chinese tourists around Chinese New Year, when availability drops dramatically and accommodation costs skyrocket. In its effort to promote tourism, government has greatly improved the infrastructure.

The water quality in Lake Toba is not the same everywhere, so seek local advice before swimming. Some areas of the lake are not recommended for swimming, due to pollution caused by intensive fish-farming.

Tourist information

 * Lake Toba tourism information

Talk
The local people who live in the Toba region are called Toba Batak, or simply Batak, and they speak the local Batak language, but everyone also speaks Indonesian. You may want to use the Batak greeting, 'horas', which means welcome, good morning, farewell, etc.

By plane

You can also fly to Medan's Kualanamu International Airport and continue to Lake Toba by land.

By car
There are 2 routes to reach Lake Toba from Medan:
 * Kabanjahe route
 * Pematang Siantar route

The Kabanjahe route is the shortest, it passes through Berastagi town and Kabanjahe city till it reaches Merek town at the northern side (about 2.5 hours' drive from Medan). Once you reach Merek, there are 4 options: This route is recommended to those who wish to explore Berastagi, Kabanjahe and Lake Toba in one go.
 * 1) head down to Tongging and explore the lakeside up to Silalahi (30 - 45 minutes' drive)
 * 2) head to Parapat in the eastern side (2 - 2.5 hours' drive)
 * 3) head to Sidikalang route to explore the western side and cross to Samosir island via the only land bridge (3 - 4 hours' drive)
 * 4) continue from option 3 to the southern side (another 2 hours' drive)

The Pematang Siantar route is the most popular if you choose to visit Parapat, Tuktuk or Balige at the southern side. It takes about 3 - 4 hours from Medan via toll road to Parapat and another 2 hours to reach Balige. If you are flying to Kualanamu Airport, most likely you will use this route.

By bus

 * from Amplas Station in Medan: Rp 39,000 with local bus, 5 hr (every hour); or Rp 65,000 (offers start at 80,000) with tourist minibus, 4 hr (April 2016)
 * from Berastagi:
 * From Kabanjahe bus terminal to Siantar (black minibus written sepadan, Rp25,000, ~3 hr), Siantar to Parapat (white minibus written D.Sanggul or bus, Rp25,000, ~3 hr), Parapat to Tuk Tuk (ferry from "Pelabuhan Tiga Raja" dock near market, Rp25,000. pay on the boat, will drop you at any hotel there or nearby. ~45-60 min)
 * Tourist bus: Rp200-230,000, ~3 hr
 * Shared taxi: ask your hotel
 * from Bukittinggi: Rp 180,000, 15 hr or Rp 250,000 with tourist minibus, 15hr
 * from Bukit Lawang: Rp 230,000/person with tourist minibus
 * from Sibolga: Rp 75,000, 6 hr with minibus
 * from Dumai: Rp 150,000, 11 hr with minibus

To leave Tuk Tuk, if at an hotel on lake border, wait there and wave ferry boat (hourly normally).

Parapat bus terminal is "Terminal Sosor Saba Parapat" with an ALS shop "Loket Bus ALS Parapat" (to Medan, Bukittinggi, Padang) and not much else. About 30 min walk from ferry dock or 10-15 min minibus (Rp5,000).

By taxi
From Medan:

 * Raja Taxi +62 617 366 555;
 * Medan Driver Tour & Travel; +6282114304668 via whatsapp available.
 * Tobatransporter phone : +6285261492668

By train
There is no direct train to Lake Toba. The nearest train station is at Pematang Siantar 50 km north of Parapat. The train (Siantar Ekspres) departs from Medan every day on 14:00 and the trip takes about 4 hours because the train stops at almost every station. Ticket price is Rp 22,000 one way (as of December 2018). From Pematang Siantar, you have to continue by bus/taxi to Parapat, which is another 1-hour ride. It is a long but wonderful way to travel if you like to learn more culture on their daily living and lifestyle.

By car
Using a car is the easiest and safest way to get around, but you have to rent from either Medan or Pematangsiantar. Use a car with a high ground clearance and preferably one with lots of power. The majority of roads around Lake Toba are unpaved, save for the major road. Even the paved one may be in very bad condition, with lots of potholes.

By ferry
Local transportation around the lake takes the form of boats (cheaper, school boats with limited schedules and more expensive public boats that operate throughout the day).

The ferry dock of Parapat is the major access point for the Samosir island. From there, jump in a local mini-van towards the Parapat bus station. From there you can reach nearly all the big cities in Sumatra and even Java.

Several harbours on the mainland have ferry connections with Samosir island. Most common is the Parapat - Tomok route. Public boats from Parapat and surrounding areas sail from either or  to Tuktuk or Tomok at Samosir island. The boat runs every hour, with the last one at 18:00. Some ferry owners are tourist hunters and will overcharge you. Try to take the ferry with wooden benches inside and the light green ferry. Those are the ferries that charge Rp 25,000 (2024) and the locals take to cross over. Locals pay Rp 20,000 (2024). Self-proclaimed 'tourist hunters' may befriend you on the boat but are harmless and often helpful. If you are staying at Tuktuk, you can ask the ferryman to drop you directly at your resort. Watch out for the guys that ask for the fee before you embark — they do not work for the operators. You pay on the boat.

The larger ferry KMP Tao Toba I & KMP Tao Toba II operates between Ajibata and daily, carrying passengers as well as vehicles. Another largerst ferry, KMP Ihan Batak also operates between Ajibata and Ambarita, with more capacity than Tao Toba. On non-peak season, usually only one of the ferry operates. The ferry ride over is fantastic, just truly peaceful, apart from the car radios playing, the ladies selling peanuts, bottled water, noodle or pretty much anything else. Normally some of the passengers and vendors will be able to speak English. Landing at the other end of the 1 hour ferry journey is daunting, but again, behave like everyone else in Indonesia and just push, ever so politely, but firmly and eventually you will get off the ferry and onto the main road. If you are not bringing vehicles along, better use the boat service as it's faster.

Other large ferries routes are (as of January 2018):
 * (1 hour drive from Tomok) connected to, the ferry (KMP Sumut II) runs once a day every Saturday & Sunday. Trip last about 50 minutes with capacity of 40 people and 8 vehicles.
 * (30 min drive from Tuktuk) by KMP Sumut I connected to which runs 7x trips daily. Trip last about 45 minutes with capacity of 16 vehicles.
 * connected to by KMP Sumut II, runs once a day every Monday & Friday. Trip last about 90 minutes.

Public boat routes (passengers only) are (as of January 2018):
 * from/to Tuktuk:
 * from/to Tomok
 * Tomok - Ajibata, 14x daily, Rp 5,000 / 30 min (from 08:30 to 18:00 every hour)
 * Tuktuk - Tigaraja, 8x daily, Rp 15,000 / 35 min (from 08:30 to 18:00 every hour)
 * Onan Runggu - Balige, once daily
 * Onan Runggu - Ajibata, 5x daily
 * - Balige, once daily
 * Nainggolan - Ajibata, once daily except twice on Monday
 * - Balige, once daily
 * Mogang - Ajibata, once daily
 * Simanindo -, once daily
 * - Haranggaol, once daily
 * - Tigaraja, 10x daily

If you have cash to burn, you can charter a speedboat and tour around Lake Toba. Rent are Rp 500,000++.

By public transport
It may be obvious but just remember there are no taxis around Lake Toba. Public buses exist, but there is no specific schedule. Ask the locals which bus to take as it may be confusing or you can flag a bus and ask the driver. State clearly your destination to avoid misunderstanding. Prices around Rp 3,000 - 5,000 per person depends on distance.

By motorcycle
In Tuktuk, it's possible to hire a motorcycle for a day or two and get out and about Rp 70,000 per day including full petrol. You can bargain down to Rp 50,000 per day in low season if you hire for several days. Outside of Tuktuk may be harder to rent motorcycle, but do try to ask your hotel for help. Most of the motorcycles available for rent are the owner's own transportation, so you may need to return it to them before sunset (depends on owner) or you may be charge for an extra fees. Take a map. There are no police checking licenses and there is not much traffic - just watch out for the big trucks, buses and diabolical bridges. Honking around is a norm to indicate that there's incoming car from the opposite or there's a car bypassing you from the back (in driver's point of view). A good journey to take on a motorcycle would be to travel North from Tuktuk around to the western shore, stopping at the tourist sites along the way such as the many and varied traditional houses and villages. The roads are very bad in the center of the island (bumpy and washed out) and it takes half a day to cross this way (verse 1–2 hours by coast road which is more scenic anyway). You can expect to ride at least up to 100 km in the day. If you're going around the island with motorcycle or bicycle, be sure to put on some sunblock as when you venture out in the morning things can be deceiving due to the cooler temperatures in the morning cause of the higher elevation, but the sun will be intense by mid-day.

Example Becak/tuktuk prices at Mar 2024, 100k+: https://m.facebook.com/dutsmanurung/photos/a.101588561281553/153971816043227/?type=3

By bicycle
Exploring whole lake toba is very time consuming, so mostly is limited to surrounding area only. Most of the cottages and guest houses at Tuktuk will rent you a very serviceable bicycle for a nominal fee (for locals, it's about Rp 100,000), this is a very much preferred way to get around there. Outside of Tuktuk, hiring bicycle may be a bit hard, but do ask your hotel for help. Be very careful for the cars and trucks as nobody looks and there does not seem to be any right side of the road, even when its the left side.

By foot
Exploring by foot is limited to surrounding area only. Exercise caution for traffic and beware for pickpocket / robber especially at night time.

Eastern side

 * There is a path leading up the mountains to the north of Parapat about 100 m out of the buildings down the main road. This leads up to an attractive pine forest.
 * There is a path leading up the mountains to the north of Parapat about 100 m out of the buildings down the main road. This leads up to an attractive pine forest.
 * There is a path leading up the mountains to the north of Parapat about 100 m out of the buildings down the main road. This leads up to an attractive pine forest.
 * There is a path leading up the mountains to the north of Parapat about 100 m out of the buildings down the main road. This leads up to an attractive pine forest.
 * There is a path leading up the mountains to the north of Parapat about 100 m out of the buildings down the main road. This leads up to an attractive pine forest.

Western side

 * Bukit Holbung.jpg
 * Tele tower terrace.jpg
 * Tele tower terrace.jpg
 * Tele tower terrace.jpg
 * Tele tower terrace.jpg

Do
Adventurous travelers may find many opportunity to explore the wilderness. Lake Toba offers plenty of rainforest with hills and mountains. However, unless you are an experienced trekker and know what you are doing, walking into the jungle without a guide is very dangerous and could be fatal.

Replace after the frenetic atmosphere of Indonesia. Swim in the volcanically warmed waters of the lake or arrange an overnight 'party' boat out on the lake if you can get enough volunteers together. A beautiful place to do nothing at all. Plenty of second hand book shops to stock up on reading material. Traditional Batak Dance in Restaurant Bagus Bay every Wednesday and Saturday from 20:15 onwards. After the dance, sit back and enjoy the folk songs done by a group of men.

Samosir island
Rent a scooter to get around. Scooters cost about Rp 80,000-100,000 per day. Petrol is Rp 10,000 per liter as of April 2024.

Do visit the west! Especially the viewpoint at the northwest tip called. Very chill place with a couple of huts to relax and have coffee in. It's away from the roads and bustle of touristic jet skis.

Get to the viewpoint in the northeast, after Tomok near Latihan Paralayang, for a good accessible view over the lakes while up on the hills. Take a right fork after passing Tomok town. Roads are good. The road on the left fork is not paved.

Without your own transport, possible day tour of island examples: 1100k by car, 500k by moto w driver. Boat tour 350k if enough people (Toba boat cruise trip, Friday 10am, +62 831 0456 8381).

 * . Rental of a fishing rod (Rp 120,000 including bait) is possible.

Eastern side
Many restaurants in this side are concentrated around Parapat. Outside of Parapat, it's quite hard to find decent places. In Parapat, most restaurants are located either on the main road or in hotels. The hotels offer some western dishes, whereas the local restaurants are either Batak (pork may be present) or Minang/Padang (which will be the only option for Muslim). Many hotels will include a basic Indonesian breakfast of coffee and either fried rice (nasi goreng) or fried noodles (mie goreng)

Samosir island
The main road around Tuktuk is lined with small restaurants of varying quality. Also on offer is magic mushroom and various "happy herb" pizzas if you want that.

Samosir island
This area is in a depressed tourist state but is actual a wonderful gem that should be on the world stage. So while some places may look like not much is going on- just go in - and the momentum will build into a fun filled night with new friends. There is one discotheque on Friday and Saturday nights - expect the 1980s music. Better to drink at your guest house generally. There are a number of fine spots around the Tuktuk area to catch a sunset beer. Especially on Saturday night you can hear a chorus of parties going around the Tuktuk area.

Eastern side

Samosir island
There are numerous hotels and guest houses, mainly in Tuktuk but with a few scattered in other small towns around the island. During Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb), many Indonesians come for vacation and will pay generously for their rooms (about triple the rate). To accommodate these guests, some guest house owners may ask their existing guests to vacate their rooms, but only giving them very short notice. Therefore, when arriving before Chinese New Year, check with the guest house owner to ensure your stay will not be interrupted.

Stay safe
The local Batak people are very respectful. Some of the local males may try to turn on the charm too much.

Clinics are sparse, even more so with hospital. If you got hurt badly, you may need to wait hours for ambulance depends on your location.

Go next

 * Medan - the major city in northern Sumatra and transportation hub
 * Pematang Siantar - the 2nd biggest city in northern Sumatra after Medan
 * Berastagi - a beautiful town next to two famous volcanoes
 * Bukit Lawang - home of orangutans in the Gunung Leuser National Park
 * Bukittinggi - You can take the ALS bus (Medan to Padang) from the loket ALS in Parapat. It stops there on route. Don’t believe the touts in tuktuk quoting absurd prices. Just buy the ticket for the Medan - Padang leg via Traveloka (Rp 230,000), then tell the people at the ALS loket that you already have a bus ticket. They will call the bus for you and it will pick you up. (June 2022)

title: Lake Toba


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Lake Trasimeno

Lake Trasimeno (ital. Lago Trasimeno) is in the northwest corner of Umbria in Italy. The lake is a popular tourist destination and there are many camping sites, particularly to the south and west. However, it lacks major tourist attractions.

Understand
Trasimeno is the largest lake in the center and south of Italy, with a surface area of 128 km². No major river flows directly into or out of the lake and the water level fluctuates significantly according to rainfall levels but is at all times fairly shallow. It has been known to freeze over.

Towns

 * Passignano sul Trasimeno is still circled by its medieval walls. However, the town was damaged in the Second World War and there is little else to see. The main reason for visiting is to catch a ferry to the islands in the lake.
 * Castiglione del Lago. is on the southwest corner of Lake Trasimeno. It used to be the fourth island of Lake Trasimeno but over the years the gap between the island and the shore has been filled in. The historical center is well preserved and provides good views of the lake. The original fortifications of the town were destroyed and rebuilt on numerous occasions. The Castello del Leone ("Fortress of the Lion") is a pentagonal-shaped castle that was completed in 1247. It was designed to give its owners strategic control over all of Lake Trasimeno. The castle has withstood a number of sieges. The Palazzo del Comune (Town Hall) was built in Renaissance style. It is now a civic museum and gallery.
 * Magione. This fairly large town (pop. 14,000) lies to the east of the lake on the road to Perugia. There is little for tourists. The Church of San Giovanni Battista (St. John the Baptist) was built by the Knights of Malta in 1571 and destroyed during the Second World War. It was rebuilt immediately after the war and has some interesting modern frescoes.
 * Paciano. The first record of Paciano is from the 10th C.  In the 12th C. Paciano was relocated  a short way down Monte Pausillo after an earthquake levelled most of the original village.  Only one tower (privately owned) of the original town still stands.  The current historic village is still enclosed within its original walls.  With a population of under 1000 it's a quiet village with few businesses.  There is a museum featuring implements and stories of the various trades that have been carried out in the village over the centuries.  There are also two small hotels, two restaurants and a bar within the historic centre.  As it has been since the beginning, Paciano is mainly and agricultural town surrounded by olive groves.
 * Panicale. While Panicale has probably been inhabited since Etruscan times, it was a medieval castle built on the peak of the hill that formed the city into what you see today. The town's narrow roads form ovals around the Piazza Podesta at the hill's peak. In the Chiesa of S. Sebastiano there is a fresco by Il Perugino. In the church of S.Agostino there is a small Museum of Embroidered Lace.
 * Tuoro sul Trasimeno. This small town is built on the site which in 217 BC witnessed one of the most disastrous battles of Roman times, when more than 16,000 Roman soldiers were killed by Hannibal's army. Not far from the town is the Pieve di Confine, a romanesque building of the early 12th century. Also nearby is the castle of Monte Gualandro.
 * Vernazzano. A small village just to the north of the lake and the highway to Perugia. Mainly known for its "leaning tower", which leans more than that of Pisa ever did. This was built before 1089 as part of a castle. The castle and the surrounding settlement were damaged by wars in 1400s and two century later, by a strong earthquake. Erosion of the foundations by fast-running streams caused the tower to lean in the eighteenth century. It has been abandoned for almost 300 years. To avoid the tower’s collapse it is held up by steel wires.

Get in
On the A1 Autostrada that connects Rome and Florence, exit at Chiusi coming from the south and Val di Chiana when coming from the north. From Val di Chiana take the SS73 in the direction of Perugia. Leaving at Chiusi you have to pass through the town of Chiusi before following signs to Trasimeno on the SS71.

There is a railway line from Perugia to Terontola-Cortona, that passes to the north of the lake with stations at Magione, Torricella, Passignano and Tuoro sul Trasimeno. At Terontola this line connects with the main line between Rome and Florence. The main train line running between Florence and Rome stops at the lake side town of Castiglione del Lago.

Get around
Ferries operate to the islands and across the lake, particularly in the tourist season. Obtaining reliable information about schedules in advance is difficult. The main base for the ferries is Passignano. You can also catch the ferry for Isola Maggiore at Casiglione del Lago although it runs less frequently than the one from Passignano del Lago. The only ferry to and from Isola Polvese operates out of San Feliciano on the east side of the lake. There is also year around bus service around the lake which runs more frequently during the summer. In addition there is now a bicycle path that circumnavigates the entire lake.

See

 * Isola Maggiore is the second largest island on the lake and is the only inhabited one with a population of around 35 although in days gone by there were many more inhabitants. St Francis of Assisi lived on the island as a hermit from 1211. The 12th century Church of Saint Michael the Archangel on the top of the hill and the Romanesque church of S. Salvatore are both worth a visit. Some of the olive trees on the island are hundreds of years old. Visitors can explore the old town and hill; paths cross the
 * Isola Polvese is the largest of the lake’s three islands, with around 69.6 ha. It is connected with the shore at San Feliciano, 5 km south of Magione on the east of the lake, by daily boats between 09:00 and 19:00 sailing every 40 minutes approx. The island is now used as a scientific park, with research and educational activities. A study center is planned to be developed on the site of a ruined monastery. The medieval fortress dates back to the 13th century. The Garden of the Aquatic Plants was developed in 1995 in a former swimming pool that was entirely excavated in the rock.

Do

 * Play Golf. There is a nine-hole golf course close to Panicarola, just south of the lake. It was established by Ferruccio Lamborghini, designer of the Lamborghini cars. Loc. Soderi 1, Panicale (PG) 06064 Italia, tel/fax 075/837582.
 * Skydiving. Also south of the lake is a parachuting school, with its own 900-m airstrip. (Skydive Trasimeno +39 075 835006).
 * Swim. There are quite a few places where you can access the lake for a dip. As the water is very shallow you often have to go a long way out for a swim.

Sleep

 * Agriturismo Relais Parco Fiorito - Località Piazzano 33 - 06069 - Tel +39 075 825340 - Fax +39 075 8258105. €100-200 for a double.
 * Agriturismo Lamborghini is next to the golf course (see above). Loc. Soderi, 1 Panicale (PG) 06064 Italia Tel. +39 075 8350029. When Ferrucio Lamborghini sold his car business he invested in a large area of land just south of the lake, planted grapes and built this small agriturismo. Apartments are available on a weekly basis, from €400-800 per apartment per week.
 * Fattoria il Poggio - Parco Naturale Isola Polvese 06060 Castiglione del Lago (Pg). Tel 075.9659550 Cell 347.9000970. On the Polvese island, this offers hotel and hostel accommodation.
 * Agriturismo Le Quattro Stagioni - Via Marchetti, 58 - 06061 Loc. Piana, Castiglione Del Lago (PG). Farm, nursery, and wildlife. Swimming pool and garden equipped with games for children. Direct sales of oil, wine and fruit and vegetables. Tel: 075951919 - 3338280114 - 3487488503 - email: guest@agriturismo-quattro-stagioni.it -.
 * Agriturismo Le Quattro Stagioni - Via Marchetti, 58 - 06061 Loc. Piana, Castiglione Del Lago (PG). Farm, nursery, and wildlife. Swimming pool and garden equipped with games for children. Direct sales of oil, wine and fruit and vegetables. Tel: 075951919 - 3338280114 - 3487488503 - email: guest@agriturismo-quattro-stagioni.it -.

Go next
Lake Trasimeno is a short drive from two fascinating cities, Cortona and Perugia.

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

title: Lake Trasimeno


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Lakeview

There is more than one place called Lakeview:

United States of America

 * Lake View (New York) - A hamlet in the Town of Hamburg, New York.
 * Lakeview (Oregon) - A town in Oregon.
 * Lakeview (Chicago) - A district of Chicago.

title: Lakeview


text:
Lakeview (Oregon)

Lakeview is a town of 2,400 people (2020) in eastern Oregon. The city bills itself as the "Tallest Town in Oregon" because of its elevation, 4,802 feet (1,464 m) above sea level. It is part of the "Oregon Outback", attracting tourist, sportsmen, and outdoors enthusiasts. Local attractions include fishing, birdwatching, camping, hang gliding, paragliding, hiking, rockhounding, hunting, and nature viewing.

Understand
Lakeview dots in the Goose Lake Valley at the foot of the Warner Mountains and at the edge of Oregon's high desert country. Its economy is based on agriculture, lumber production, and government activities. Oregon's Outback Scenic Byway passes through Lakeview along Highway 395.

It is 13 miles north of the California state line, in a region known as the Oregon Outback.

Climate
Summers are hotter than western Oregon during the daytime, but nights are always cool and rare frosts can occur during July. Little rainfall occurs during the summers; winters are cold and frequently severe because of the latitude and elevation, although snowfall can sometimes be heavy.

Get in
U.S. Route 395 from the north and south, and Oregon Route 140 from the east and west. There is no scheduled train or bus service.

By road, the nearest incorporated cities are Klamath Falls, Oregon, 96 miles (154 km) west of Lakeview; Bend, Oregon, 175 miles (282 km) to the northwest; Burns, Oregon, 139 miles (224 km) to the northeast; Winnemucca, Nevada, 211 miles (340 km) to the southeast; and Alturas, California, 54 miles (87 km) south of Lakeview.

Lakeview is 96 mi (154 km) from the passenger train station in Klamath Falls.

The Lake County Airport is 3 miles (5 km) southwest of the Lakeview's downtown area. It is a public airport owned by Lake County residents.

Get around
Get acquainted with Lakeview by walking the downtown area. Except for some businesses on the west side of town (mostly along N 4th Street/SR 140) and the south side (along US 395), most retail establishments are within the grid bounded by E, G, N 4th, and S 2nd Streets.

Except for some of the newer areas on the west side of town, most streets are numbered (for streets going east and west) and lettered (north-south). The use of compass directions in addresses can be initially confusing:

 * There are no east-west designations in address numbers: streets start at the edge of the mountain to the east of town, with addresses increasing to the west.
 * Center Street runs east and west. Streets parallel to it have North or South as part of the street name. For instance, 700 S 9th St. would be 1 block west of 600 S 9th St., on an east-west street that is 9 blocks south of Center.
 * On lettered streets, North and South are part of the address number: For instance, 123 S G St. would be in the second block south of Center Street.

See

 * Lakeview is also known for the hot water geyser, Old Perpetual, at Hunter's Hot Springs. The geyser sometimes goes "silent" from about the first of September until around mid-October.
 * Lakeview is also known for the hot water geyser, Old Perpetual, at Hunter's Hot Springs. The geyser sometimes goes "silent" from about the first of September until around mid-October.

Do

 * In the summer, the Fremont–Winema National Forest's Lakeview District provides outdoor recreation opportunities. The Lakeview District has 22 trails open to mountain bike riders. All those trails and more are available for hiking. The national forest has lakes and streams available for sport fishing. There are also camping and picnic sites near Lakeview.
 * Lakeview is known as one of the best places in North America for hang-gliding and paragliding, and was designated "the Hang Gliding Capital of the West" in 1991. The national championships for hang-gliding were held in Lakeview in 1993, 1997, 2000, and 2008, while the national championships for paragliding were held in Lakeview in 1998 and 2007.
 * Lakeview is known as one of the best places in North America for hang-gliding and paragliding, and was designated "the Hang Gliding Capital of the West" in 1991. The national championships for hang-gliding were held in Lakeview in 1993, 1997, 2000, and 2008, while the national championships for paragliding were held in Lakeview in 1998 and 2007.

Buy
Lakeview is not a major shopping destination, with many residents making the 192-mile round trip to Klamath Falls for their major shopping for non-food household and personal items.

title: Lakeview (Oregon)


text:
Lake Wales

Lake Wales is a small city in eastern Polk County, Florida. The city is in the middle of a long, narrow region known as the Lake Wales Ridge. The Lake Wales Ridge was the first part of the Florida Peninsula to rise above sea level, beginning as a series of small sandy islands not unlike the Florida Keys today. It is a unique environment from its surrounding and home to several endemic species, such as the gopher tortoise and scrub jay. The city of Lake Wales lies at the southern foot of Iron Mountain—the second-highest point on the Florida Peninsula at 295 ft (90 m)—and is home to famous Bok Tower Gardens and its Singing Tower. Near the center of town lies Lake Wailes. The city is small, but much of the rural area extending east and southeast of town is considered as part of Lake Wales and included in this guide.

History
The city was first surveyed in 1879 by Sidney Irving Wailes, who changed the name of a lake—then known as Watts Lake—to Lake Wailes. The city was incorporated in 1911 as Lake Wales (the lake remains known as Lakes Wailes). In the 1920s, the town became a popular winter home for affluent residents from northern states. This resulted in the construction of many historical buildings which remain today in downtown and also in the construction of Bok Tower Gardens.

Climate
Lake Wales' climate is much the same as the rest of Central Florida (except coasts). Summers are hot and humid, with highs around 90-95°F (33-35°C) and lows around 74-78°F (23-26°C). During the summer, onshore winds from both coasts travel inland, heat up, rise and build into thunderstorms, usually along a rough line. Lying in the center of the state, the lines of storms (each called a "seabreeze") sometimes collide, resulting in strong thunderstorms with frequent lightning and tornadoes (small EF0-1s, not like the powerful tornadoes in the Plains states), over 50 mph winds, and hail possible. Strong storms are usually preceded by cooler winds caused by the rain-cooled air (cold air sinks) rapidly flowing away from the storm. The temperature after a strong thunderstorm passes can drop from 95°F (35°C) to 75°F (24°C) and since the storms can be fairly small, you can drive 5 miles and the temperature will drop/rise 20°F (10°C) between rain-cooled and surrounding areas.

Winters are mild, with highs in the 70s (°F; 21-27°C) and lows in the 50s (°F; 10-15°C). Lows in the 30s (°F; 0-5°C) are common after cold fronts and there are usually a handful of lows below freezing each winter, although that requires clear skies, so it usually warms very rapidly after sunrise (30°F/−1°C at 6AM, 55°F/13°C by noon is typical). Cold fronts occasionally pass by as squall lines, so tornadoes in December or January are not unusual. Snow is extremely rare; the last measurable snowfall was in 1977, although sleet/wintry mix fell in an unusually cold January 2010.

Spring and fall are transition periods, with spring tending to be the driest months of the year.

In 2004, Lake Wales was hit by three hurricanes: Charley, Frances, & Jeanne. It was the first time in recorded U.S. history that 3 hurricanes passed through the same county (Polk County) in the same year, with Lake Wales and other southern Polk County towns lying closest to the path of these hurricanes' eyes.

By car
Lake Wales is located at the crossroads of U.S. 27 and State Road 60. U.S. 27 is a heavily-traveled 4-to-6-lane divided highway running north/south through the center of the peninsula, heading south to Sebring & Miami and running north to Clermont, Ocala, & Gainesville. State Road 60 runs east-west across the center of the state from Clearwater, Tampa and Brandon in the west to Vero Beach in the east.

From Orlando
Lake Wales is easily reached from the Orlando/Kissimmee area by taking Interstate 4 west to U.S. 27 (exit 55) and heading south about 25 mi.

From the Tampa Bay area
Take Interstate 4 east and exit on the Polk Parkway east (exit 27). Follow the parkway for 10 mi (toll: $1.25/car cash or $1/car with Sunpass) before exiting onto U.S. 98 (exit 10). Head south to Bartow, follow U.S. 98 left at the traffic light as it joins S.R. 60 east (Van Fleet Drive), stay right after turning and at the second traffic light, follow the signs to remain on S.R. 60 east to Lake Wales (U.S. 98 goes straight at light and continues a couple hundred feet to an intersection with U.S. 17).

From South Florida
Take either U.S. 27 north or take Florida's Turnpike north to SR 60 and head west.

By bus
Winter Haven Area Transit (WHAT, ) provides public bus service in eastern Polk County. Route 30 connects the Eagle Ridge Mall to southeast Winter Haven (including Legoland) and downtown Winter Haven. From the Eagle Ridge Mall, Route 35 runs south through Lake Wales, continuing on to Babson Park and Frostproof. Route 25 runs from Lake Wales Plaza to Bartow. Adult/youth fare is $1.50/ride with no free transfers. Seniors (65+) and the disabled ride for $0.75, with proper ID and no free transfers. Children under 7 ride free with an adult. A day pass for adults costs $3 (or $27 for a 10 pack) and is good for 24 hours from activation on bus. Senior/disabled day pass costs $1.50 (or $15 for a 10 pack). Weekly ($12) & 31-day passes ($47) are also available. A bike rack located on the front is available to put your bike at no additional charge. All regular buses are equipped with a wheel chair lift.

By train
Lake Wales lies close to the Amtrak Silver Star & Silver Meteor routes, but does not have a station. Winter Haven (Code: WTH; 1800 7th Street SW) is the nearest station along the daily Amtrak Silver Star and Silver Meteor routes. If you plan to arrive by train, you should have friends/family at the station to pick you up or have the phone number for a taxi to call when you arrive. The station is a poorly-maintained covered platform with a small office and is in a fairly unpleasant area beside a warehouse. Fortunately the trains arrive during daylight, but it's not a very great place to wait for hours. To reach Lake Wales by public transportation (WHAT, see "By bus" above), you can take Route 22XW south to Bartow, then switch to Route 25 to head east to Lake Wales. You could also take Route 22XW north to the downtown terminal, then Route 30 to the Eagle Ridge Mall, and Route 35 to Lake Wales.

The Amtrak station in Sebring (Code: SBG; 601 E Center Ave) is also reasonably convenient to the Lake Wales area. The Sebring station is served by both the Amtrak Silver Star and Silver Meteor routes. No public transportation connects Lake Wales and Sebring.

By air
The nearest commercial airport is Orlando International Airport in Orlando, located about an hour away. Tampa International Airport in Tampa is about an hour and a half away. Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland does not have any regularly scheduled commercial flights as of Apr 2019.

Lake Wales Airport is 2 mi west of downtown. There are no scheduled air carrier, commuter, or air taxi services. The airport is used for skydiving flights—Lake Wales being the skydiving capital of Florida.

By car
Car is by far the easiest way to get around town and pretty much the only way to reach the various nature parks east and southeast of town.

There is only one rental car agency in town:

By bus

Route 35 is the only route through town, running from the Eagle Ridge Mall south to downtown Lake Wales, then east along S.R. 60, through some neighborhoods, before heading south along Scenic Highway (S.R. 17) to Babson Park and Frostproof. Route 30 connects the Eagle Ridge Mall to southeast Winter Haven (including Legoland) and downtown Winter Haven. Route 25 runs from Lake Wales Plaza to Bartow.

Do
Lake Wales lies on the edge of an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. All these parks lie several miles to the east of town, off S.R. 60. Lake Kissimmee State Park is the most popular park and offers many miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. The area is home to dozens of species of birds for birding enthusiasts to check out. The lakes and swamps are home to thousands of alligators. Alligators are largely nocturnal and are usually hard to spot during the day as most lay hidden in vegetation or submerged in lakes, but they can sometimes be seen sunning themselves on shore or—with a careful eye—submerged and barely sticking the top of their head out of the water. Airboat rides are a great way to view the animals of the marshes and swamps and are probably the best bet for spotting alligators, which may be hard to find from shore (be careful of how close you get!). KICCO Wildlife Management Area, stretching south from Lake Kissimmee along the Kissimmee River, is a great destination for hunting, be it deer, feral hogs, wild turkeys, ducks, or small game and has camping sites as well as trails/roads suitable for hiking and mountain biking. KICCO also contains 13 mi (21 km) of the Florida Trail, a 1400 mi (2100 km) wilderness backpacking trail across Florida, from the Everglades to Pensacola. Lake Rosalie Park, North Walk-in-Water Creek, & SUMICA are county-operated parks on environmentally sensitive land tracts which the state has purchased to save from development (under the Florida Forever program). These parks are large, but don't yet offer a lot of amenities beyond a parking lot, short trails, and primitive camping sites.

Lake Wales shares its name with the Lake Wales Ridge—a sandy, scrub environment home to several endemic species, such as the gopher tortoise and scrub jay (a bird). The Lake Wales Ridge is a long, narrow tract of land running mainly through Highlands and Polk Counties (but sections can be found further north in Osceola, Orange, and Lake Counties) on lands that were once islands and the first lands of the present Florida Peninsula to rise from the ocean. Despite their names, the Lake Wales State Forest is located in nearby Frostproof and the Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge consists of four small tracts of land—two in Highlands County, one near Winter Haven, and one near Poinciana/Haines City, none of which are open for public use.

 * A popular attraction at the park is Cow Camp, a living history demonstration taking you back to 1876 to discover the life of the Florida "cracker"—the early ranchers so named for the crack of their whips. At the end of the trail, you will meet with a Florida Cow Hunter resting in a frontier camp along the route of a cattle drive. He will be glad to tell you stories of life on the frontier, if not busy cooking or tending to the cattle. Cow Camp is open weekends Oct-Apr and all major holidays year round 9:30AM-4:30PM or upon request year-round for groups of 15 or more. There is no separate charge after entry into park.
 * Four categories of camping sites are available in the park: Full facility, primitive, equestrian, & youth. Sixty campsites with electric & water hookups are available with nearby dump station, boat ramp, marina, playground, & observation tower. The full facility sites are shaded in an oak hammock and can be booked up to 11 months in advance either online or by calling +1-800-326-3521 (8AM-8PM). Full facility sites are $20/night for tents or RVs (up to 20 ft). Two primitive campsites ($5 per person, per night) are available off trails in the park for up to 12 campers per site. Each site has two picnic tables & two grills, but everything else (including water) must be provided by the campers, who should follow leave-no-trace camping practices. Primitive equestrian campsites are also available. Youth camping sites ($1 per youth, per night; $5 per adult/chaperone, per night) are secluded just off the beaten path (under 200 ft/60 m from parking) and offer restrooms, cold showers, picnic tables, benches, & a fire pit. A minimum of 12 campers (and maximum of 25) are required to book a youth campsite. A guided overnight backpacking trip is also available between Nov-Mar upon request (minimum 4 backpackers). A Park Ranger accompanies the group on a guided 3.5 mi (5.6 km) hike to a primitive campsite Saturday afternoon, where participants camp overnight, finishing with a guided 3.5 mi (5.6 km) hike on Sunday morning. To reserve a primitive, equestrian, or youth campsite or book a guided overnight backpacking trip, call +1 863 696-1112.
 * A unique way to travel through Lake Kissimmee State Park is via Segway tours.
 * Guided horseback rides are available between Nov-Mar and must be booked in advance (minimum of 4 participants, maximum 10). Participants must bring their own horse (the park does not have horses for public use), which must have proof of a negative Coggins Test. Park rangers lead riders on a 6.7 mi (10.8 km) guided trail ride around Buster Island. Tours last around 2 hr and must be booked through the park office by calling +1 863 696-1112.
 * Pavilions are available to rent. One large pavilion can host up to 100 people and has electrical outlets ($60+tax). Three small pavilions are available with a maximum capacity of 25 people. To reserve a pavilion, call the park office at +1 863 696-1112.
 * Pavilions are available to rent. One large pavilion can host up to 100 people and has electrical outlets ($60+tax). Three small pavilions are available with a maximum capacity of 25 people. To reserve a pavilion, call the park office at +1 863 696-1112.

Skydiving
For the ultimate adrenaline rush, few thing come close to jumping out of an aircraft at over 13,000 ft (4000 m) and free-falling at 120 mph (200 km/h) prior to opening your parachute! Lake Wales is considered the "Skydiving Capital of Florida". Your first experience will be a tandem jump, where you will be harnessed together with an experienced skydiver who will lead you through the process and take care of the technical details (eg. opening the parachute!)—leaving you free to enjoy the experience and take photos. Also check out the Wikivoyage travel topic: Skydiving.

On the water
Polk County is home to 554 lakes and considered the "Largemouth Bass Capital of the World". Lake Wales is close to many of the best lakes in the county for nature viewing (birds, alligators, turtles, and more) and some of the best bass fishing to be found anywhere. Take an airboat ride to explore the side of nature those on foot or boat don't see. Several businesses in the Lake Wales offer airboat tours and boat rentals to explore the lakes east of town. Public boat ramps in the Lake Wales area can be found at Coleman Landing (S.R. 60), Lake Rosalie Park (S.R. 60), and Lake Wailes (Lake Shore Blvd.).

Golfing
Florida is the golfing capital of the United States and golf courses abound everywhere. Located in the heart of Florida, Lake Wales is no exception to this. Lekarica Hills and Oakwood are public courses. Lake Ashton is set among a private development, call their office for details about non-member use. For more information about golfing on vacation, check out the golf travel topic page.

Other activities
Spook Hill (From S.R. 17, turn right onto J.A. Wiltshire) Put your car in neutral and watch as your car appears to defy gravity and roll uphill. Legend has it that ages ago, an Indian village on the banks of this swamp was plagued by raids from a huge alligator living in it. The village's great warrior chief and the gator were killed in battle, with the chief buried on the north side. When pioneers later traveled through here, they found their horses labored going "downhill" and called it "Spook Hill". Is it the gator seeking revenge or the chief protecting his land? Officially, this is a gravity hill—where the visual horizon is such that you appear to be going uphill, when in fact you are moving down a slight incline.

A good ol' American rodeo is held every Saturday night at Westgate River Ranch Resort (Off S.R. 60 about east of Lake Wales, near Kissimmee River.; Adults $15.50, children $8). Shows begin at 7:30PM and feature trick riding, calf roping, barrel racing, bull riding, and rodeo clowns.

There is one skate park in town, located at Kiwanis Park (1000 N Lake Shore Dr).

Festivals & Events
Lake Wales is host to two monthly community events. The first Saturday of the month is an antiques, art, & oddities fair on the streets of downtown between Stuart & Park Ave (8AM-2PM). The Lake Wales Car Show is held the fourth Saturday of the month along Stuart Ave in downtown (4PM-8PM).

 * Boktoberfest (October, See Bok Tower Gardens listing above.) An octoberfest celebration held at Bok Tower Gardens. Includes plant sale.
 * Pioneer Days Festival ( Ext. 270, October) Celebration of pioneer days and 19th century life on the region's homesteads. Features arts, crafts, food, and more.
 * Sunset & Symphony (November, See Bok Tower Gardens listing above.) Join the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra for an evening of great music beneath Bok Tower.
 * Pioneer Days Festival ( Ext. 270, October) Celebration of pioneer days and 19th century life on the region's homesteads. Features arts, crafts, food, and more.
 * Sunset & Symphony (November, See Bok Tower Gardens listing above.) Join the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra for an evening of great music beneath Bok Tower.

Connect
Public internet access is available at the public library as well as at the Food Court of the Eagle Ridge Mall.

Stay healthy
There is one small hospital in Lake Wales and an urgent care facility.

Go next
Downtown Lake Wales lies just 15 min from Legoland Florida in southeast Winter Haven. For nature lovers, the Lake Wales Ridge continues south into Frostproof and there are thousands of acres of scrub and forests east of Frostproof for hunting, driving off-road vehicles, and fishing (such as Crooked Lake and Lake Arbuckle). For history buffs or just lovers of quaint little towns, head west to Bartow or Fort Meade.

title: Lake Wales


text:
Lakeway

Lakeway is a city in the Hill Country region of Texas. It is just outside of Austin.

Understand
Lakeway is part of the fast-growing Central Texas, so many things in the city are very new. Therefore, many new attractions spring up.

Get in
Ranch Road 620 will take you into the city from Austin in the East. Once you pass the Mansfield Dam you are in what most people consider Lakeway. This is basically the only way into the city.

Lakeway is just off Lake Travis, but it wouldn't be feasible to keep a boat at a launch to get into the city.

By car
Since it is a suburb, it doesn't have public transport so a car is essential in Lakeway.

Go next

 * Austin is the 4th largest city in Texas and is accessible via Ranch Road 620.

title: Lakeway


text:
Lakewood

There is more than one place called Lakewood:

United States of America

 * Lakewood (California) - A town in California.
 * Lakewood (Colorado) - A town in Colorado.
 * Lakewood (Illinois) - A town in Illinois.
 * Lakewood (New Jersey) - A town in New Jersey.
 * Lakewood (Ohio) - A town in Ohio.
 * Lakewood (Tennessee) - A town in Tennessee.
 * Lakewood (Washington) - A town in Washington (state).

title: Lakewood


text:
Lakewood (California)

Lakewood is in the Gateway Cities region of Los Angeles County.

Understand
Lakewood is a bedroom community and one of the first large-scale tract housing cities built following WWII. Lakewood is officially recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation for its numerous trees and its active care for them. Lakewood is also designated as Sportstown USA by Sports Illustrated magazine for its 10 major parks, nine of which have fields, two community swimming pools and two community centers.

By car
Lakewood is near the junction of California Freeway 91 and Interstate 605. Exiting the 605 at Del Amo Blvd. or South Street then going west will lead to Lakewood. Exiting the 91 at Lakewood, Clark or Bellflower Boulevards then going south will also lead into Lakewood.

Eat
Restaurant Row - Candlewood Street between Lakewood Boulevard and Clark Avenue is home to several chain eateries including Baja Fresh, Chili's, Outback Steakhouse, Hometown Buffet, International House of Pancakes, Marie Callendars, and Red Lobster. Other options include:

Sleep
Being a bedroom community, Lakewood has very little in the way of lodging with only two motels located near the Long Beach Towne Center. Some of the communities around Lakewood, especially Long Beach, offer lodging close to Lakewood.

Stay safe
For all emergencies in Lakewood, dial 911

The majority of Lakewood is considered safe. Most crime in Lakewood is either domestic in nature or is burglary. As at any major shopping center, shoppers at Lakewood Center should be careful about leaving valuables in their cars.

Medical emergencies

 * Los Angeles County Fire Department services Lakewood. All three of the stations in Lakewood have firefighters trained in basic life support on duty.
 * Station 45 - 4020 E Candlewood Street (near Lakewood Center at intersection of Lakewood and Candelwood)
 * Station 94 - 6421 E Turnergrove Street (east side of Lakewood near intersection of Palo Verde and Del Amo)
 * Station 122 - 2600 Greenmeadow Road (south side of Lakewood near intersection of Carson and Paramount)
 * Station 122 - 2600 Greenmeadow Road (south side of Lakewood near intersection of Carson and Paramount)

Law enforcement
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department provides law enforcement services in Lakewood. 5130 N. Clark Avenue, +1 562 866-9061.

Go next

 * Disneyland — 15 miles east of Lakewood, about 22 minutes driving time.
 * Long Beach — Just to the south of Lakewood

title: Lakewood (California)


text:
Lakewood (Colorado)

Lakewood is a city of about 160,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies in Jefferson County, immediately west of Denver and east of the Front Range foothills.

Understand
Lakewood is the most populous city in Jefferson County and the third most populous city in the Denver Metropolitan Area.
 * Lakewood municipal website

Get in
See this Colorado travel map. Colorado is on Mountain Standard Time (UTC-07) in the winter and on Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-06) in the summer.

By car
Lakewood is served eight major highways: The colder weather months (Nov-Feb) often bring snow and ice to area roads. Visitors who park their cars should be prepared in case their car is "snowed in" by snow removal trucks. Also, pay strict attention to parking rules and snow emergencies to avoid being towed away at the car owner's expense. During the winter months, a snow brush, ice scraper, and plenty of windshield washer fluid is essential, and many natives opt to carry a shovel, some sand, and a bag of ice melt or road salt in the trunk just in case.

Renting
With Aurora's considerable sprawl, car rentals are the most convenient form of transportation for visitors. Local companies tend to offer better prices, but national chains might be more convenient as far as return policies and hours. Rental companies include most major car rental chains.

Public transit
Lakewood is served by the RTD light rail W line which connects to Denver and Golden.

Reservoir
Lakewood has 3 reservoirs to visit. The largest one is Main then Smith then East.

title: Lakewood (Colorado)


text:
Lakewood (Ohio)

Lakewood is a city next to Cleveland, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

History
One of Cleveland's original "streetcar suburbs," Lakewood was built and settled primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Most of its existing housing stock was built in this timeframe, and is surprisingly well maintained. Lakewood has managed to retain many of the best features of a city, small town, and suburb, and scenes reminiscent of all three can easily be found within a few blocks of downtown Lakewood (Detroit Ave. between Cook and Bunts) and in the Gold Coast neighborhood.

By car
From the airport, follow Ohio 237 north; from most parts of Cleveland proper, take I-90 or Ohio 2 west and follow the signs.

By bus
RTA bus #26 serves both Lakewood and Cleveland along Detroit Avenue, and the Red Line features two stops just inside the Lakewood/Cleveland border, West 117 and Triskett Road, from which you can easily walk to the southeastern neighborhoods of Lakewood.

Get around
The areas of Lakewood of most interest to a visitor, notably the downtown area, are very walkable and bike-friendly neighborhoods. If coming from Cleveland, the #26 bus runs relatively frequently down Detroit Avenue and takes about 45 minutes between downtown Lakewood and downtown Cleveland. Driving in and around Lakewood is fairly easy as well. The speed limits are in school zones and  on most other streets, and are vigorously enforced. Parking is limited in and near the downtown area, though paid garages and metered parking are available almost everywhere.

Drink

 * Riverwood Cafe
 * Riverwood Cafe

Stay safe
Most parts of Lakewood are very safe, particularly by comparison to Cleveland proper. At night, use caution in the neighborhoods adjacent to West 117th Street south of Detroit, and Madison Avenue east of Madison Park.

Respect
Lakewood is well known as an economically, culturally and ethnically diverse community. Prejudice in any form is not appreciated, but treat other people the way you wish to be treated, regardless of any differences, and you should be fine.

Go next
Explore Cleveland or the metro area.

title: Lakewood (Ohio)


text:
Lake Worth Beach

Lake Worth Beach is a city of 39,000 people (2019) in Palm Beach County, Florida, about 10 miles (16 km) south of West Palm Beach.

Understand
In 2019, the city changed its name from Lake Worth to eliminate confusion with unincorporated areas of Palm Beach that people call Lake Worth.

By plane
Palm Beach International Airport, in neighboring West Palm Beach, is a small airport serving most major cities in the Eastern and Midwest United States, along with a handful of international destinations in the Caribbean. The airport is about 8 miles north of Lake Worth Beach, just off I-95. Lake Worth Beach is also accessible from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which serves a greater variety of domestic and international destinations. Further afield, Miami International Airport has flights to most American cities along with Europe and the Middle East.

By train
Intercity passenger rail service is pretty non-existent in Lake Worth Beach, but Amtrak has a station in neighboring West Palm Beach served by the Silver Star, Silver Meteor, and Palmetto lines connecting to elsewhere in Florida and other cities on the Eastern Seaboard. West Palm Beach is also served by the new Brightline, which offers higher-speed connections to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and by 2022, Orlando. Both stations are located in downtown West Palm Beach, which can be reached from Lake Worth via I-95.

The regional Tri-Rail commuter line connects Lake Worth to other cities in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties, including the Fort Lauderdale and Miami airports. The Lake Worth station is immediately west of I-95 on Lake Worth Road. Like most stations on the line, facilities are very minimal - little more than an outdoor platform with an automated ticket machine and a parking lot. The station is connected to the rest of the city by PalmTran buses. If using the train to venture to other destinations within South Florida, be aware that the stations are several miles west of the beach and most cities' downtown cores - great for commuters who have a station close to home, but a little inconvenient for travelers attempting to tour the area without a car, unless you're willing to connect via a ride-share service at both ends of your trip.

By car
I-95 serves as the main north-south thoroughfare connecting Lake Worth Beachto other destinations within South Florida and beyond. Exits 61-64 serve Lake Worth Beach from both directions. If heading downtown or to the beach, take either exit 63 (6th Ave S) or 64 (10th Ave N) east to US-1. This will take you to Lake Avenue and Lucerne Avenue, each of which are one-way only in the downtown area. The roads merge into two-way Lake Avenue at the Intracoastal Waterway, where you'll cross a drawbridge to the barrier island that houses the town's beach facilities. West of downtown, the roads merge into Lake Worth Road, which reaches the city's western suburbs.

Get around
Cabs are readily available at taxi stops around the city. PalmTran has local bus service to destinations around the county.

Do
Downtown Lake Worth Beach has a new-agey kind of feel, with ample yoga studios, antique shops, and local fashion stores. Enjoy a stroll around the downtown area. The First and third Fridays of each month see the streets closed off with live music and temporary shops set up. Every Thursday night is biker night so motorcyclists feel welcome downtown.

Drink
There are plenty of bars in the downtown area. Sneaker's on Dixie Highway is open until 5AM on weekends.

Stay safe
Although the downtown area has gotten much safer in the late 2010s, visitors should still exercise caution at night.

On 20 May 2018, local authorities issued this warning: “Power outage and zombie alert for the residents of Lake Worth and Terminus. There are now far less than 7-thousand 3-hundred 80 customers involved due to extreme zombie activity. Restoration time uncertain.”

Consulates

 * 🇬🇹 Guatemala

title: Lake Worth Beach


text:
Lake Yojoa

Lake Yojoa (Lago de Yojoa) is the largest natural lake in Honduras with a surface area of 79 km² (30.49 mi²) and an elevation of 700 m (2,297 ft).

Get in
The lake is off the highway between Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. Bus and car are the only options for getting there.

From San Pedro Sula:
 * To destinations on the northwest side of the lake (including Peña Blanca, Los Naranjos, and D&D Brewery): take the El Mochito bus. This bus leaves hourly from the central bus terminal in San Pedro Sula.
 * To destinations on the northwest or south of the lake, including Cerro Azul Meambar National Park (PANACAM), Honduyate, or the Taulable Caves, take a Tegucigalpa bus.

From Tegucigalpa:
 * To destinations on the northwest side of the lake (including Peña Blanca, Los Naranjos, and D&D Brewery): Take a San Pedro Sula bus, then get off in La Guama. In La Guama, take the bus to Peña Blanca. For D&D Brewery, take a motortaxi (L60 max) or the El Mochito bus (L7).

Get around
The Lake Yojoa region is one of the safest in Honduras, especially on the northwest side of the lake. Hitchhiking to and from Pulhapanzak is acceptable and to-and-from Peña Blanca to D&D Brewery. Otherwise, local buses, motortaxis, collective taxis, and buses run frequently.

See

 * Pulhapanzak Waterfall, a beautiful set of falls, popular with Honduran and foreign tourists alike. Great for spotting macaws. Small armadillo population lives on the banks below the falls. L60 entry for foreigners, L150 to go behind the falls on a guided tour where you can enter a cave and jump into pools below for an incredible adrenaline rush.

Do

 * Sport fishing: After years of over-fishing the black bass population in the lake has again returned to sufficient levels. Bring your own equipment or join a tour with one of the hotels.
 * Honduyate Marina has sailboats and other water activities.
 * Hiking: Cerro Azul Meambar Park. Very nicely developed park run by an NGO. You can stay in the park for US$40 per night per room. Trails are well marked, so you won't need to hire a guide. You can also go and hike there for the day for L40. To get there, catch a bus from La Guama to Santa Elena. Tell the driver you want him to take you to Los Pinos, it'll cost you an extra US$8.
 * Nature walk: Los Naranjos Ecological and Archaeological Park.

Eat

 * Fried Tilapia, "Lake Yojoa Style" with fried plantains (tajadas). Available at more than 60 restaurants on the eastern side of the lake along the main highway, CA-5.

Drink

 * Micro-brewed beer at D&D Brewery, Lodge, and Restaurant. The first microbrewery in Honduras, on the north west side of the Lake.
 * Locally-roasted coffee at El Dorao Cafe in Peña Blanca. Try one of their V60 pour-overs.

Sleep

 * La Posada at Honduyate Marina
 * Brisas del Lago
 * Hotel Finca Las Glorias (former glory, and been known to threaten guests - armed)
 * Note: temporarily closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and as of April 2022 has not yet reopened.
 * Note: temporarily closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and as of April 2022 has not yet reopened.

Stay safe
The region in and around Lake Yojoa is one of the safest in all of Honduras, if not all of Central America. Travelers will find that locals are willing to offer rides in the back of their trucks for free and will often invite tourists into their homes for a cup of local (albeit sugary) coffee.

Travelers should avoid walking down the main highway of CA-5 as there have been many pedestrian deaths due to irresponsible driving on the shoulders of the road by cars attempting to pass slow-moving tractor trailers.

Go next

 * Copán
 * Comayagua
 * Omoa
 * Tela
 * La Ceiba
 * La Esperanza
 * Gracias

title: Lake Yojoa


text:
Lakselv

Lakselv is a small town in Finnmark at the very top of Norway in the municipality Porsanger.

Understand
The area is as far north as the northern coast of Alaska and most of Siberia. It is also north of most of the settlements on Greenland. Thanks to the Gulfstream the area is a green oasis in spite of its physical location on 70° north.

By bus
Veolia operates a few buses out of, or stopping in, Lakselv. 105 runs daily between Alta and Kirkenes. 305 connects daily to Honningsvåg near the Nordkapp (European north cape), and 416 connects to Karasjok in conjugation with the flights from the airport.

Connection from Rovaniemi and Helsinki, Finland is operated by Eskelisen Lapinlinjat.

By car
Three rental agencies offer reasonably priced rental cars or minibuses. Contact the tourist information for updated information.

Get around
To get around in the municipality Porsanger you will need a car or bus. In Lakselv you can rent both. Hertz, Avis and Lakselv Bilutleie are present in the centre of the town.

See

 * Within the whole reserve it is prohibited:
 * To destroy the natural environment, including the plant life. Collecting berries and mushrooms is, however, allowed.
 * To kill, catch or hunt birds and other animals
 * To let loose dogs.
 * To camp, raise tents or camouflage arrangements.
 * To destroy the natural environment, including the plant life. Collecting berries and mushrooms is, however, allowed.
 * To kill, catch or hunt birds and other animals
 * To let loose dogs.
 * To camp, raise tents or camouflage arrangements.

title: Lakselv


text:
Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep, formerly the Laccadives, is a group of islands situated off India's west coast in the Arabian Sea. They are India's only coral atolls and geologically a part of the same chain as the Maldives.

Islands

 * — capital and the most developed island in Lakshadweep. The population is dominated by non-islanders. There are around 52 mosques on the island, and the most beautiful one is Ujra Mosque.
 * — the gateway for the Lakshadweep, it's around 6 km long. Fishing is the main occupation for the people living here. Tourists can enjoy sailing, boat rides, water skiing, kayaking swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving, and also find huge lagoons.
 * — the southernmost island with serene beaches, turquoise lagoons, and a rich cultural heritage
 * — an oval-shaped island which one was one of the first to be settled, known for its coral products

Understand
Lakshadweep is India's smallest union territory with just 32 km², and one of only three Indian administrative divisions with a Muslim majority (the others being Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh). The name literally means "a hundred thousand islands" in Sanskrit (lakṣa = "lakh" or "hundred thousand" and dvīpa = "island"). It has ten inhabited islands, 17 uninhabited islands with attached islets, four newly formed islets and 5 submerged reefs. As of 2011, Lakshadweep had a population of 64,473.

Lakshadweep is one of the most beautiful destinations that you could visit during your holidays with beautiful marine life, relaxed village life, some tourist resorts and cherished mosques.

Climate
Peak season is December to May, when it is cooler and drier. May to September is the main (southwest) monsoon season, but the October–November northeast monsoon can also be rainy.

Talk
The people of the islands are ethnically similar to the people of Kerala and are of mixed Indian and Arab descent. They speak a dialect of Malayalam called Jeseri, except in Minicoy where Mahl, a form of Dhivehi (the language of the Maldives) is spoken.

Get in
Everybody, Indian or otherwise, requires a special permit to visit Lakshadweep. By far the easiest way to obtain it is to book a package tour through the government's tour operator, the Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports (SPORTS), or arrange a hotel to sort it out for you; in fact, for foreigners, accommodation booked in advance is a precondition for being allowed to visit.

Foreigners are restricted to the islands of Agatti, Bangaram and Kadmat, plus transit only (maximum of 12 hours) in Kavaratti. Indians may visit the other islands as well, but accommodation is very limited (see Sleep).

Nearly everybody going to Lakshadweep has to pass through Kochi, from where you can continue by plane or ship.

By ship
The MV Tipu Sultan, MV Bharat Seema, MV Amindivi, MV Minicoy, MV LakshadweepSea, MV Arabian Sea and MV Kavaratti operate between Kochi in Kerala and various islands in Lakshadweep. The trip takes 14–18 hours depending on the destination island. The first four are basic 1960s-era ferries but fairly well maintained and tolerably comfortable and provides a comfortable journey. The Tipu Sultan stopped its service. The newly built MV LakshadweepSea and MV Arabian Sea are provided with three classes of accommodation (air-con cabin, air-conreclining seats and deck) plus a cafeteria, snack bar and upper deck promenade. Return fares are around ₹3800 in air-con seats, which is the cheapest class available for packages. The MV Kavaratti is used mainly for operating "Samudram Cruise Package" by Society for promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports (SPORTS), a body under the Lakshadweep Administration, though the ship also transports passengers from Kochi to various islands and between islands. The ship is centrally air-conditioned and has cabin class accommodation mainly for tourists. In addition it has bunk bed accommodation for passengers. The tourists stay on the ship for four nights and five days and visit one island per day for water sports and other activities.

All published sailing schedules are subject to sudden changes; not only can they be delayed, but it's not unknown for a boat to arrive and leave a day early.

There are also occasional cruises directly from Mumbai.

The southernmost island of Minicoy in the Lakshadweep island group is now a permitted entry point.

Get around
Both boat and helicopter transfers are available from Agatti to Bangaram and Kadmat. The helicopter (US$150 return) may be the only option in monsoon season from May to September.

By boats/ferries: these can be used for getting around from one island to the other.

Once on an island, there aren't too many options as the islands themselves are very small: most of them are less than 10 km in length and less than a kilometre in breadth between their extremes. You can travel by foot or hire a bicycle.

See and do
There are basic leisure tours together with sea and lagoon based tours. There are plenty of opportunities for scuba diving, yachting, pedal boating, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing. You may also visit local houses, the Marine museum, Lighthouse and a few local industries.

Buy
Lakshadweep is not a budget destination: in addition to the permit issue, there is no tourist infrastructure (hostels, restaurants, public transport etc.) for backpackers. The cheapest sports tours start from around ₹10,000 for four days, but this price is all-inclusive. One can purchase pure coconut powder and coconut oil from the factory situated at Kadmat island. Fish pickles and small souvenirs are available on Kavaratti Island.

The most prized souvenirs from Lakshadweep are traditional handicrafts created out of materials from the sea, such as shells, oysters, pearls and coral.

Eat
Local cuisine is most similar to that of the Malabar region of Kerala. Coconut oil and curry leaves feature prominently in most dishes. Some of the distinctive dishes found on the islands are:
 * Mus Kavaab - a spicy curry of tuna chunks best paired with rice
 * Crispy fried octopus
 * Batla Appam is a specialty of Androth Island. It is a steamed sweet with an idli-like appearance made out of eggs, flour, sugar and cardamom.

Drink
Drink large amounts of coconut water, the most abundant drink on the island. Tap water here is through bore wells and a bit hard. Rainwater harvested during the rainy season is the major source of drinking water. Unavailability of drinking water accounts for a number of islands being uninhabited.

Sleep
There are three full-service resorts in Lakshadweep, which are also the only places where foreigners can stay. All prices listed below are for double rooms and include all meals.

In addition, basic government resorts open to Indian citizens only are available at Minicoy, Kavaratti and Kalpeni. Some packages offered by SPORTS include accommodation on board the ship, with only day visits to the islands.

Stay safe
Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all islands except Bangaram. Picking up corals is a punishable crime.

Go next
The only way out is back to Kochi.

title: Lakshadweep


text:
San Cristóbal de La Laguna

San Cristóbal de La Laguna, informally known as La Laguna, is a city in Tenerife. It is the oldest city on the island and has a well-preserved city centre, and in 1999 was designated a. Its elevation is considerably higher than Santa Cruz de Tenerife, making it noticeably cooler than other nearby settlements.

History
First called Aguere by the indigenous Guanche inhabitants, the entire valley and the large lake which onced existed in its depression (the Spanish name La Laguna) was originally a pilgrimage site. Following the Battle of Aguere in 1494, the Spanish established their own settlement in 1496 and declared it the capital of Tenerife, and later of all the Canary Islands.

The city centre with its current layout and architecture dates largely to the late 16th century. Its urban plan was considered to be so successful that it was then used as a blueprint for later Spanish colonial cities in the New World, including such diverse places as Oaxaca, Lima, and Havana. Whereas coastal cities on Tenerife were periodically raided by pirates, San Cristóbal de La Laguna enjoyed steady growth and peace because of its inland location.

By the end of the 17th century the tides started to turn however, and the city suffered from a declining population. In 1723, its title of capital was stripped and transferred to adjacent Santa Cruz de Tenerife. A consequence of the tampered growth is the conservation of most of the historic city centre, in contrast with Santa Cruz de Tenerife that transformed into a metropolis with a high rise skyline. For history and architecture loving travellers, the historic centre makes San Cristóbal de La Laguna a must-see destination when visiting Tenerife. Since the centre was declared a in 1999, additional protection measures have been taken to preserve the cultural heritage, and the most significant historical streets and squares have been closed off for motorized traffic. It is sometimes called the Florence of the Canary Islands because of its numerous churches and convents. Many tunnels, passages, and underground vaults have been discovered in the city in the 21st century, indicating that the current city was raised by as much as 1 metre as at the time of its founding. Some of these tunnels lie under iconic buildings such as the Iglesia de la Concepción, the Cathedral of La Laguna and the former Convent of San Agustín, among others. These suggests there are many archaeological secrets buried beneath the surface of the old town.

With 150,000 inhabitants, San Cristobal de La Laguna is still the third most populous city of the Canarias, after the capitals Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas. It was the ancient capital of the Canary Islands archipelago, and is still widely considered its cultural capital.

Climate
Unlike most other cities on the Canary Islands, San Cristóbal de La Laguna enjoys a Mediterranean climate instead of an arid climate. Temperatures are mild throughout the year, and the increased elevation prevents it from getting too hot in summer. The maritime and subtropical influences also keep temperatures above frost at all times. Most of the rain falls during winter months, which condenses from the prevailing northeasterly winds.

By plane

Getting there and away:
 * Bus lines 102, 107, and 108 depart from the airport to the central bus exchange (intercambiador), which is a single stop away. Departures are approximately every half-hour, and a one-way ticket is €2.45, payable directly to the bus driver.

(Reina Sofia, ) is 70 km to the south-west, with good bus connections to the city.

By bus

From the Santa Cruz bus exchange, buses 14 and 15 arrive every 10 minutes or so, with a journey taking 20 minutes and costing €1.45. Buses 101, 102, and 103 serve Puerto de la Cruz, and 108 is the most direct bus to La Orotava.

By tram
Line 1 of the MetroTenerife tram system (look for Atari like symbols) links Santa Cruz with La Laguna, terminating at, at the southern edge of the historic centre. Trams depart approximately every 10 minutes, and the journey takes 20 minutes.

By car
Motorway TF-5 connects the city with Santa Cruz to the east and with Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava to the west. From the south of the island, TF-1 connects with the shorter TF-2, from which travellers can pick up the TF-5.

The historic city is closed to motor traffic, and therefore drivers must park on the outskirts. There is a large public parking (/hr, max. /day) on the eastern edge of the old city with another  just a short distance north, but parking spaces can be very scarce, so be prepared to circle around the lot a few times before finding a space.

Get around
The historic city centre is completely pedestrianised and easy to walk around. For further distances, Titsa buses also function as the local bus service; see above for details.

See
The historic centre of San Cristóbal de La Laguna is a and having a walk around is worth a visit on its own. The most important sights are in the historic centre, many of the architectural highlights in the. There is a single ticket giving access to the Church of the Immaculate Conception (including ascent of the tower), the Casa Salazar, the Church of St. Dominic, and the Church-convent of Santa Catalina de Siena, for. Keep your ticket, as it will be perforated for each of the sights you visit.

Nature

Eat
There are plenty of tapas bars and cafés in the centre; prices in the pedestrian zone tend to be higher than on the outskirts. There are also some excellent cake shops with great prices.

Sleep
Since there are so many students in the area, there is little accommodation available for tourists.

Learn
The city is home to the with ca. 30,000 students, the first university of the Canary Islands archipelago, founded in 1701. Courses are taught in Spanish, although some English language MScs have become more common since the Bologna Process reforms in 2009.

Stay safe
The historic centre of the city is very safe and mostly pedestrianized. Walking around alone at night should not be an issue, although isolated incidents with drunk students are always possible in the early morning hours.

Pickpocketing is an issue around the busiest tourist hotspots (cathedral square etc) and where outdoor seating facilities for restaurants and bars concentrate into large numbers of tables in a crowded area.

Parkings are unsupervised at night, so avoid leaving valuables in sight in vehicles to reduce the chance of windows being smashed.

Go next
The new tram system takes you to Santa Cruz bus station in about 40 minutes. There are also frequent buses taking you from the new bus station close to Avenida Trinidad: number 015 directly to Santa Cruz via highway in 15 minutes or 014 which takes more time as it goes through the city.

 * Santa Cruz de Tenerife – The capital of Tenerife, and shared capital of the Canaries
 * Tegueste – Guanche era colonial town, famous for its wines

title: San Cristóbal de La Laguna


text:
La Línea de la Concepción

La Línea de la Concepción (often abbreviated to La Línea) is a city of 63,000 people (2018) in the Cadiz province of southwestern Spain, just over the border from Gibraltar.

It doesn't have much to recommend it as a tourist destination, but as you will have to at least pass through it if you're entering Gibraltar by land, its many atmospheric bars and restaurants might warrant a visit.

As you can walk from the centre of La Línea to the centre of Gibraltar in less than half an hour, it also provides alternatives for accommodation if you find yourself balking at the Gibraltan prices.

Understand
The town derives its name firstly from the línea or boundary line separating Spain from Gibraltar, and secondly from the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Its people are called in Spanish linenses.

The people of La Línea have traditionally found work in Gibraltar, from the days in the 18th century when Gibraltar was an important naval port.

La Línea is a major supplier of fruit and vegetables to Gibraltar; other industries include the manufacture of cork, liquor, and fish paste. It also had an important military garrison with substantial fortifications and a port.

Climate
La Línea de la Concepción has moderately warm winters and very warm summers. The summer is the driest season, while the winter is the wettest season, followed closely by the autumn. The high temperatures during winter range normally from 15 to 21 °C (59 to 70 °F), while the lows from 9 to 15 °C (48 to 59 °F). During summer, the high temperatures range normally from 26 to 30 °C (79 to 86 °F), while the lows from 18 to 22 °C (64 to 72 °F). The city lies directly on the coast so humidity is normally between 60-70% and the influence of the cool sea currents is very noticeable so the temperatures are always mild, extreme temperatures are rare. Very hot days are rare, and temperatures under the freezing line or snow are unknown.

By bus
Estación de Autobuses de La Linea. From Algeciras, with line 120 or San Roque, there the line M-230 (or M-121) runs every half hour on weekdays, every hour on weekends, from shortly before 08:00 to 22:00. Estepona serves M-240 eight times a day. The buses are handicapped accessible. Few lockers, the token can be bought from the toilet attendant (€5) if you can find it. Open: 06:30-22:30.

The bus station is a few minutes walk from the border and town centre.

By car

 * Autovía A-383 belonging to the Mediterranean motorway (Autovía A-7)
 * Autovía CA-34

By plane

 * Gibraltar Airport, accessible from the frontier.
 * Jerez Airport, 118 km.
 * Málaga Airport, 121 km.
 * Sevilla Airport, 203 km.

By train
San Roque station is the nearest station.

Get around
There is a small tourist office on the Av Principe de Asturias, just opposite the Gibraltar border, or a bigger one towards the town centre (another 5 minutes walk as you continue walking directly away from the border down Av 20 de Abril), where you can get maps and lists of accommodation.

The parking spaces in the border area can quickly become full in the high season.

There are three city bus routes (single journey €1; 2018), all of which run on Plaza de la Constitución have their beginning:
 * Atunara to the hospital via Las Dunas, every half hour on weekdays, every hour on Sundays.
 * Junquillos to the hospital via Rocamar, every half hour on weekdays, every hour on Sundays.
 * Margarita Centre via Hospital, Round Line, every 60 or 90 minutes.

See

 * Strongholds of San Carlos, Santa Bárbara and San Felipe: these 18th-century military buildings were built during the siege of Gibraltar as part of the so-called Contravalación Line of Gibraltar, a group of fortifications whose goal was to besiege Gibraltar checking on any UK further expansionist ideas. During the Peninsular War, these fortifications were blown up by the British.
 * The Military Command: it hosts the Museum of the Isthmus but was once the military command associated to the Halls Head Officers garrison. It is the oldest building in town that exists, whose Officers' pavilions date from 1863 to 1865.
 * Torre Nueva: one of 44 towers of the same characteristics that built along the coast from the river Guadiaro to the border with Portugal. All of them were built during the reign of Felipe III, with others located on the Mediterranean coast, from Málaga to Catalonia. These were built to warn the coastal population to the presence of the Berber pirate ships. Smoke signals and bonfires were used to warn of the presence of the pirate ships. At the top of the building, there was always a bundle of dry wood to be burned immediately in case of danger, transmitting the alarm signal to the towers nearby.
 * The Bullring was built on the old Plaza del Arenal in 1883 with capacity for 6000 people. It is considered to be one of the oldest buildings in La Línea along with the former Military Command, which are good examples of architecture in Andalusia in the late 19th century. Bullfights mark the beginning of the Feria de la Línea which is celebrated in mid-July. This is the only time that a bullfight occurs.
 * Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: the main parish church was built in the 19th-century colonial style. Notable features are the 17th-century reredos and the image of St. Mary made by the Andalusian sculptor Luis Ortega Bru. The church became a shrine at the end of 2005. The Church of the Immaculate Conception has three naves. The exterior of the building echoes the interior layout, with a remarkable simplicity and beauty. Inside the parish church of the Immaculate Conception there are images of Jesús del Gran Poder, and others belonging to four religious guilds.
 * The Three Graces is a monument at the Plaza de la Iglesia that is based on the Greek mythology of the three Charities, which represent charm, beauty, and creativity. This work by Nacho Falgueras is based on that by the local painter José Cruz Herrera. The monument is a tribute to the linense women.
 * Monument Camarón de la Isla, a monument to the Spanish workers in Gibraltar, is a work of Nacho Falgueras. It is a tribute to the thousands of "linenses" and "campogibraltareños" who spent their lives working in Gibraltar.
 * Museo Taurino—Bullfighting Museum stores a large collection of bullfighting posters, costumes, herds, stamps, photographs of bullfighters, and so on. With over 50 years of history, it can be considered one of the most important ones in the country. M-F 11:30-14:00. Price: €3 (Nov 2018).
 * Cruz Herrera Museum, Av. de España, 7. Mainly oil portraits of women, but also “exotic” things like Playmobil castles or figures welded together from forks and spoons.

Do
La Línea has 14 km (9 miles) of beaches, named Playa de Levante, Playa de La Atunara, La Alcaidesa, Playa de La Hacienda, Playa de Poniente, Playa de Santa Bárbara, El Burgo Sobrevela, Portichuelos, Playa de Torrenueva, some of which are awarded each year a Blue Flag beach award by the Coastal European Authorities.

Buy

 * Mercado Municipal, Calle Álvarez Quintero, 56. Typical Spanish small town market hall. A colourful and bustling central market off Calle de Isabel La Católica is worth a wander. Open: M-Sa 08:00-14:00.

Drink

 * Parque Municipal Reina Sofía: A place where hundreds of young people congregate every Friday and Saturday is winter or summer, in the mythical stands, which allows Botellón in the city.
 * There are pubs in Calle Lopez de Ayala y Herrera Cruz in the Plaza. They stay open until p4:30.
 * In winter the city has two discos for young people: "Portobello" and "Metro", and an adult audience "Las Palmeras", which stays open until 07:00 or 08:00.
 * There are pubs in Calle Lopez de Ayala y Herrera Cruz in the Plaza. They stay open until p4:30.
 * In winter the city has two discos for young people: "Portobello" and "Metro", and an adult audience "Las Palmeras", which stays open until 07:00 or 08:00.

Connect
Car rental, exchange office, laundromat, souvenir shops, two American hamburger roasters, etc. can be found with your back to the border clearance in the alley-shaped stalls if you look towards the old town. The post office and tourist information office are at Plaza Constitution next.

Go next
You're probably heading to Gibraltar, but if not you can go west around the bay to Algeciras; there's not a lot to see, apart from the Rock from a different angle, but you could always catch a ferry to Morocco or to Ceuta, a slice of Spain in Africa.

If you're definitely staying in Europe, then the Costa del Sol beckons to the east.

title: La Línea de la Concepción