text:
Louvain-la-Neuve

Louvain-la-Neuve is a modern town in the province of Walloon Brabant in the French-speaking part of Belgium. It was created in 1969 in order to host the French-speaking faculties of the Catholic University of Louvain, which had just seceded from the Dutch-speaking faculties of the Catholic University of Leuven, and had to move from Flanders to Wallonia. It has about 20,000 inhabitants, with approximately the same number of students attending the university and colleges in town. Be careful not to confuse between Leuven which is a town in Flanders, and is also spelled Louvain in French, and Louvain-la-Neuve. You can also find the abbreviation LLN.

By car
Louvain-la-Neuve is situated at the crosspoint of many important roads:
 * Brussels-Luxembourg E411 motorway: exit number 8a from Brussels, 9 from Namur-Luxembourg.
 * The N4 Arlon-Brussels drives its way round Louvain-la-Neuve, follow the signs.
 * Other important roads from Charleroi, Nivelles, Wavre...

By train
Louvain-la-Neuve is connected in about 7 minutes to the station of Ottignies which is on the important Brussels-Luxembourg line. There are direct connections to Brussels, but it is generally quicker if you change in Ottignies. Ottignies station also provides connections to Namur, Liège, Charleroi, Dinant, Wavre, Leuven, and Brussels Airport. All the trains are operated by the Belgian railways company (NMBS-SNCB).

By bus
Local buses (TEC company) link Louvain-la-Neuve to the main neighbouring towns. A special bus connects LLN to the other university Campus in the Brussels' district of Woluwe. It is the quickest and most comfortable way to reach Brussels from LLN, but it arrives quite far from the center of Brussels.

Get around
Louvain-la-Neuve was designed as a pedestrian city, and so it is. You won't have to walk more than 20 min in order to get to any place in the city. Moreover, there are lots of covered paths in the center in case of rain.

Motorized traffic in the center is entirely underground, so it's pretty enjoyable for the pedestrian. The city is also very accessible for wheelchair, bikes, rollerblades...

Be careful, nearly everybody gets lost the first time they get around the town, as everything looks pretty much the same from an outsider point of view, and Louvain-la-Neuve's layout is not very logical to new visitors.

See
Since it's a fairly new town (created in 1969), Louvain-la-Neuve does not have any historical buildings or similar monuments. Nevertheless, it was designed in a radically different way from older towns. The urbanistic development of the town brings tourists, interested in the way the town evolved from scratch to what it is nowadays. You can find particularly interesting the following buildings/places:
 * Some gigantic frescos are disseminated around the city center.
 * Some gigantic frescos are disseminated around the city center.
 * Some gigantic frescos are disseminated around the city center.
 * Some gigantic frescos are disseminated around the city center.

Do
Since Louvain-la-Neuve was made with the sole purpose of hosting the university, it is full of students all year round, but when they leave for holidays, the town can look quite empty. There are still plenty of things to do:

 * The biggest event in town is the student-organised 24h bike, which is the biggest student party in Belgium, with more than 50,000 students. There are three different categories in the race - humanitarian, competition and folkloric bikes. This event takes place the third Wednesday of October.
 * The University has created a special type of accommodation, called a Kot-à-Projet, which houses between 8 and 12 students around a specific project, such as organising a job fair, or circus activities. Thus, a lot of different kind of events are available during the course period.
 * A well-known theater is present in Louvain-la-Neuve since the very beginning of the city. The Atelier Théâtre Jean Vilar will provide you with a wide variety of plays, but only in French. It's situated near the Grand-rue.
 * The Ferme du Blocry and Ferme du Biéreau situated in respective districts offer a wide variety of concerts.
 * Have a walk around the lake and many pedestrian pathways that crisscross the city and its surroundings.

Learn
As the host to the Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve provides anybody eager to learn with anything they may wish to be taught. Besides the University, which provides academic courses in Sciences, Applied Sciences, Law, Sports, Economics, Theology, Philology, Psychology and Agronomy, you can find a wide range of colleges. Moreover, a lot of languages are taught by the Language Center.

Buy

 * A mall, l'Esplanade, opened in October 2005 and can provide you with anything you need. You can find it right beside the station.
 * Most shops are concentrated around the city center, in the Grand-rue and Charlemagne streets. There is also a gallery in front of the station.

Eat
Most of the restaurants are situated on or in between the main square and the university square next to the train station. However, some more specific places can be found elsewhere in town:

 * Very good Belgian fries and a true fritkot up in Lauzelle district, near the sport hall, Chez Jean-Lou.
 * University restaurant are quite cheap. The main one, Le Sablon is in the center, next to the Main Street. A smaller one called Le Galilée is situated at Place des sciences.
 * A more stylish place, the French) is to be found in the Biereau district, next to the Ferme du Biéreau.
 * Along with the mall, Louvain-la-Neuve was provided with a brand new fast food, which allows you to find well-known food, if you're afraid of tasting the Belgian cooking. Quick, Charlemagne street.

Drink
Louvain-la-Neuve's beverage is beer, either light or strong ale, either Belgian or foreign, it can be found in a wide variety of colours, flavours and price ranges.

Night Life

 * Students are organising a lot of parties, which take place in Student Union pubs, every faculty has one, and even some regions. Beer is usually served in 25cl plastic glasses for . The custom is to drink it in one shot with some friends.
 * Erasmus students usually hang out at the Beckett's Irish pub next to the multiplex, and the Guinch Bar (French)  on the Traverse d'Esope. Prices are more expensive than in Student Unions.
 * Snooker and karaoke are available in the center underground club, next to the station.

Sleep
Louvain-la-Neuve's accommodation problem is nearly as old as the town itself.

Exchange students
If you are going to stay in town for several months, start looking for a place early. Students usually look for flats (kots in Belgian French/Dutch) during the months of April and May. Leases usually go from September to September, but shorter deals are possible, especially with Erasmus students. You should normally get help from the university in order to get a room. The center is quite noisy, but close to everything. For students in Sciences and Engineering, Bièreau is the closest district, Bruyères is nice too. For other students, Bruyères, Lauzelle and Hocaille are nice, with lots of students. Some streets are very noisy due to student activity but calm down during exams and holidays. Most noisy months in LLN are September-October and February-March.

Here is a short summary of every district:

 * Baraque: At the eastern outskirts of the city, this district is mostly residential. Close to the science faculty.
 * Biéreau: Oldest district of the city, close to the faculty of Sciences and Applied Sciences, lots of students, some residents.
 * Bruyères: A district built in two parts. The older one is mostly inhabited with students, the newer one is mainly residential. Close to every faculty. Very close to Economics and Political sciences faculties.
 * Centre: City center, a lot of university and administration buildings, also some student flats, and since 2005, a new range of flats forbidden to students. Close to every faculty, can be very noisy in some part of the year.
 * Hocaille: On the northwestern slopes leading to the Blocry, this district is a mix between students and inhabitants. Closer to Psychology, Human Sciences and Thelogy faculties. Very close to the sports hall.
 * Lauzelle: This modern district bordering the Bois de Lauzelle is mostly residential. Far from everything, if something can be far in Louvain-la-Neuve.

Go next

 * The rollercoaster park of Walibi, the biggest in Belgium, is situated 10 minutes away from Louvain-la-Neuve by car, a little bit more by train.
 * The former battleground of Waterloo is less than one half hour away from town.

title: Louvain-la-Neuve


text:
Lovćen National Park

Lovćen National Park is in Central Montenegro, between Cetinje, Budva and Kotor.

Understand
As a national park, Lovćen National Park's most significant attraction is the Mausoleum of Petar Petrović Njegoš, at the summit of Jezerski Vrh.

Get in
You get in by renting a car or take a strenuous hike.

Fees and permits

 * €6 to enter, which is however only applied when driving to Mount Lovćen with the car.

Get around
Many trails allow for hiking treks, but roads are abundant.

See and do
A must do when in Montenegro:

Eat

 * Village Njeguši is well known for it ham (pršut) production. Almost every single house produces ham. During 2009, a "ham route" was established: paths and manufacturers are signed.

Go next

 * Cetinje

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

title: Lovćen National Park


text:
Loveland

There is more than one place called Loveland:

United States of America

 * Loveland (Colorado) - A town in Colorado.
 * Loveland (Ohio) - A town in Ohio.

title: Loveland


text:
Loveland (Colorado)

Loveland is a city in the region of Colorado. There is a large population of artists in Loveland, which has drawn three foundries, an art museum, and the annual sculpture shows in August.

The city lies on the Big Thompson River in Larimer County 26 mi east of Rocky Mountain National Park and 46 mi north of Denver. In 2020, the population of the City of Loveland was 78,000. The city is a popular retirement haven and a major business center.

Understand
The city is in the Colorado Front Range region at the base of the foothills just east of the mouth of Big Thompson River Canyon at the intersection of U.S. Highway 34 and U.S. Highway 287. Longs Peak and other mountains of the Front Range are visible from much of the city. Lake Loveland, an early agricultural reservoir in the irrigation system of the region, is located in the city limits and provides a recreational facility for the city residents.

Because of its location along U.S. 34, at one of the principal access routes to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, Loveland receives a significant amount of pass-through tourist traffic, especially in the summer months. In addition, the city serves as a "bedroom" community to commuters in many directions: to employment locations in Boulder, Westminster and other parts of the Denver Metropolitan area; and also to the college towns of Fort Collins (CSU), Greeley (UNC), and Boulder (CU).

History
The site that is now Namaqua Park was a hub for French fur trappers in the late 1700s. There, Mariano Medina built the first settlement in the area, Fort Namaqua, in 1858. It was a trading post and stage station.

Loveland was founded in 1877 along the Colorado Central Railroad, and named after the company's president, William A.H. Loveland. The city was founded one mile (1.6 km) upstream from the existing small settlement of St. Louis, the buildings of which were moved to the site of Loveland.

For the first half of the 20th century the town was dependent on agriculture. The primary crops in the area were sugar beets and sour cherries. In 1901 the Great Western Sugar Company built a factory in Loveland, which remained as a source of employment until its closure in 1977. During the late 1920s the Spring Glade Orchard was the largest cherry orchard west of the Mississippi River. At that time the cherry orchards produced more than $1 million worth of cherries per year. A series of droughts, attacks of blight and finally a killer freeze destroyed the industry. By 1960 cherries were no longer farmed.

In the late 20th century, the economy diversified with the arrival of manufacturing facilities by Hewlett-Packard, Teledyne, and Hach, a water quality analysis equipment manufacturer. A new medical center added a substantial amount of employment in that sector as well.

In 2013, a historic flood affected numerous areas in Colorado. It rained heavily for four consecutive days, causing most rivers and creeks to overfill their banks. Estes Park received 8 to 12 inches (200 to 300 mm) of rain, and Lake Estes overfilled its banks. This prompted a lot of water to be released out of the dam, causing the Big Thompson River to swell. The flooding river caused sections of U.S. Highway 34, the main highway from Loveland to Estes Park, to collapse. There was major flooding in Loveland

Locsl information

 * City of Loveland municipal information.

By plane

 * Denver International Airport . Closest major commercial airport offering flights from international and national locations. Approximately 60 miles south of city center.
 * Fort Collins/Loveland Airport . Offers flights from Las Vegas, Nevada from Allegiant Air and private flights. Approximately 10 miles from city center.
 * Cheyenne Regional Airport in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Approximately 60 miles north of city center.

By car
Coming from either the north (Fort Collins or Wyoming) or the south (Denver or New Mexico), I-25 is the highway of choice. U.S. Route 34 is the largest road from the east (Greeley) or the west (Estes Park).

See
Loveland has 475 pieces of art in its public arts collection. The arts collection consists primarily of sculpture; however, the collection also includes murals and other flat work. Over 150 pieces of the city's sculpture can be found in Loveland's Benson Sculpture Garden.

The Sculpture in the Park show, hosted by the Loveland High Plains Arts Council, takes place annually in August and exhibits artwork from artists from the United States and the world.

Connect
The following locations provide free WiFi Internet Access:
 * Circle Moon Coffee House - 843 North Cleveland Avenue - +1 970 663-2774
 * Loveland Coffee Company - 620 E 29th St - +1 970-278-1221
 * Daz Bog Coffee - 1427 N. Denver - +1 970-622-0031
 * Daddy O's Green Onion - 2279 W. Eisenhower - +1 970-635-0001
 * City News and Coffee House - 601 Cleveland Ave
 * Paciugo Italian Gelato - The Promenade Shops at Centerra, 5971 Sky Pond Drive Ste C124 - +1 970-663-2323
 * Perkins Family Restaurant - 2222 West Eisenhower Blvd. - +1 970-663-1944
 * Johnson's Corner – 2842 SE Frontage Rd., I-25 exit 254 – +1970 667-2069
 * Johnson's Corner – 2842 SE Frontage Rd., I-25 exit 254 – +1970 667-2069

title: Loveland (Colorado)


text:
Loveland (Ohio)

Loveland, The Sweetheart of Ohio is located in Hamilton County, Ohio, near Cincinnati.

Understand
Loveland is a small city in Hamilton County, Ohio, outside of Cincinnati.

By car
I-275 provides the easiest access to Loveland, take the Loveland/Indian Hill exit, #52.

By train
Amtrak, All trains arrive and depart from Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center.

By air
The closest airport is located in Cincinnati.

By bus
Public transportation bypasses Loveland, however, buses do stop in nearby Milford and Symmes Township. Renting a car would prove to be much more reliable and easier than relying on public transportation.

Sleep
While lacking the selection of nearby Cincinnati, Loveland does have two hotels in town.

Cope
Local news and event information about the Loveland, Ohio area can be found at Loveland Magazine.

Go next

 * Deerfield Township
 * Maineville
 * Mason
 * Milford-Miami Township, both the City of Milford and Miami Township border Loveland.
 * Cincinnati

title: Loveland (Ohio)


text:
Lovina

Lovina is a quiet coastal town on the North Bali coastline 5 km west of the city of Singaraja. The main street, Jalan Raya Singaraja, which crosses the town parallel to the coast, is noisy and congested. It has sidewalks to walk on, but as in many other parts of Bali, they are not well maintained.

Understand
The name "Lovina" was coined in the 1950s by a local Buleleng Regency official with a good eye for future tourism-based development. It consists of seven traditional villages, which all merge into one on a 10-km stretch of the main road which hugs the north coast to the west of Singaraja: Temukus, Kalibukbuk, Anturan, Pemaron, Tukad Mungga, Banyualit and Kaliasem. Kalibukuk is the main hub of this area and is often thought of as the "Lovina town centre".

The whole stretch of coast here is fringed by narrow black sand beaches, which are accessed by a multitude of small lanes which run perpendicular to the east-west coast road. The beaches are generally safe for swimming, and the waters of Bali's north coast, in direct contrast to the crashing surf of the south, are relatively calm.

Diving, snorkelling and dolphin watching are the main activities, but perhaps above all else, this is an area in which to relax and take in a very slow, traditional pace of life. It can get a little crowded in July and August. Outside that peak season, this is a quiet part of the island. Locals and tourists gather nightly on the main pier to watch the sun set.

Lovina also has a large number of cafés, bars, and music clubs, most of them next to the beach. Both live and recorded or DJ'd music are popular.

By bus
A Menggala bus departs Singaraja every day at 19:00 to Surabaya (Java) and stops in Lovina. Apr 2018 price Rp 190,000 one way.

By bemo
Long distance bemos are a bit of challenge, but the most experienced of budget traveller. It is always possible to get to Lovina from most major towns in Bali, almost always via Singaraja.

From Pemuteran, bemo Rp 30,000-50,000, about 1h more or less, variable frequency (be patient, plan hourly).

By car
Most visitors arrive in Lovina from the south in a self-drive hire car or with a car and driver. A journey from Kuta takes about 3 hours and from Sanur slightly less. Ubud is a 2-hour car journey over the central highland range. Many visitors from the south choose though to break their journey at Bedugul or Kintamani.

By taxi
A pre-paid coupon taxi direct from the airport will cost you Rp 450,000 and takes about 3 hours.

Get around
This is a good area for walking as the roads are relatively quiet and the beaches long and easily passable.

Renting a bicycle is popular and again, easy to find. Many hotels have their own. You should be aware though that away from the coast road, there are a lot of steep hills.

The easiest way to visit the surroundings of Lovina is by renting a motorbike. There are many roadside outlets and expect to pay Rp 50,000-90,000 per day. The roads are quite good here and nothing like as crowded as in south Bali.

Local bemos ply the north coast road between Singaraja and West Bali, stopping at all points on the Lovina stretch. You will need some patience and they can be very crowded indeed. As there is only one main road it is hard to get lost. The normal price is Rp 5,000 (Apr 2008) one way.

See
Lovina’s black sand beaches are quite lovely and lend themselves well to exploration on foot at a leisurely pace. The sea is very calm here and is safe for swimming. The feeling on the beaches is one of laid-back tranquility with small, colourfully decorated traditional outriggers called perahu dotted along the shoreline. These are a reminder that you are in a traditional fishing community. There are a few hawkers, but nothing like as many as on the southern beaches, and this is as good a place as any in Bali to explore quiet beaches at your own pace. At the highest of tides the beaches can get a little difficult to traverse in places, so it is best to time your walks for a falling tide. Be aware that many of the 'black sand' beaches (particularly in the central area) are an unappealing dirty brown with significant amounts of plastic rubbish

The small road that runs down to the beach-front from the main east-west coast route at Kalibukuk is called Jalan Bina Ria. At the beach end of this road is a dolphin statue (complete with one-jawed rusting dolphins). Apart from being a notable piece of kitsch, this is a reminder of the reason for the initial drive behind tourist development at Lovina (dolphins, obviously). Mini wooden and stone replicas of this statue are for sale widely in the area.

Your hotel can (and will repeatedly) offer day tours to the nearby sights including the beautiful highland scenery of Munduk to the south, the beaches of Pemuteran to the west, and the city of Singaraja to the east. All are within easy reach.

You can arrange a half day trip to the Les Village waterfall, bat cave and coral protection project, 40 km to the east.

Do
You will be offered dolphin sighting trips every other minute. These leave the main beaches each morning at dawn, and have mixed reviews as the boats tend to outnumber the dolphins. It can though still be an enjoyable ride, and if you do find a pod of dolphins it is of course very worthwhile. The price is fixed by the local boatmen's association, and is Rp 60,000 per person. If you are in a group, ask about chartering your own private boat.

Cockfights are popular around Lovina, perhaps more so than anywhere else in Bali. This is taken very seriously, and you will see many older men training the cocks at the roadside throughout the area. At the fights, huge sums of money change hands as illegal gambling on the outcome is rife. Given the cruelty, and deaths of the birds, think twice about attending.

 * Aling-Aling Waterfall (about 15 km southeast). Dive 10 m into pristine waters, or slide down a waterfall. Get here early as the tour buses start arriving around 11:00. Rp 25,000
 * Aling-Aling Waterfall (about 15 km southeast). Dive 10 m into pristine waters, or slide down a waterfall. Get here early as the tour buses start arriving around 11:00. Rp 25,000
 * Aling-Aling Waterfall (about 15 km southeast). Dive 10 m into pristine waters, or slide down a waterfall. Get here early as the tour buses start arriving around 11:00. Rp 25,000

Diving
There are several dive operators based out of Lovina that operate daily dive and snorkeling trips to Menjangan Island, Tulamben and Amed, as well as dives from the local beaches. Be sensible and careful as some hotels and counters try to sell unlicensed diving trips that may look official on paper. Do not pay before you have seen the dive centre, and check that you will dive with certified divemasters/instructors.

Spas
Lovina has several spa facilities. While they are more low key than the spas in south Bali, the service is excellent and the prices are much lower than in the south. Do not under-rate or overlook the traditional massage women who work on the beaches at Lovina. Most of these women come from families where massage skills have been passed down through many generations, and they really know what they are doing. A beach massage will also cost you less.

Buy

Kalibukuk has a number of shops both on the main coast road and on Jalan Bina Ria selling the usual selection of Bali goods. You will find everything from arts and crafts to T-shirts at prices very marginally higher than you would pay in south Bali.

A Lovina speciality though are dolphin statues, usually carved from wood (don't believe those trying to convince they are from ebony!). This is due to the strong association of Lovina with dolphins, and if you want to take home just one souvenir from Lovina, then this is the most appropriate.

Sleep
There is a huge amount of budget and mid-range accommodation in Lovina and many visitors turn up without reservations. Options at the higher end tend to be more limited in availability.

Splurge
As of December 2016, there are several 4-star hotels.

Stay safe
Visitors to Lovina are often offered magic mushrooms. Although the Indonesian legal position on mushrooms is unclear, this is very much at your own risk and best avoided.

Connect
The telephone area code for Lovina is 0362.

Internet
As of 2023, mobile phone service with high speed Internet is cheap and available throughout the area (and the whole island). Free WiFi for customers is commonly offered in hotels, bungalows, homestays, restaurants, cafes, and bars. Specialist internet cafes may still be numerous.
 * Spicelink Internet Cafe (not to be confused with Spice Dive) in Lovina, Jalan Binaria (street w/ dolphin statue at the end of it). +62 81362 41509, open daily 08:00-22:00, Rp 2,000/min, minimum 10 min. It has A/C and some drinks. They also have landline phones (though not cheap), a scanner and can email you the scanned document, and fax (though fax is not always reliable). Internet is relatively fast and they also sell wireless cards so you can use the internet in and around Lovina with your laptop if the signal is sufficient. If you plan to stay in Lovina long-term, they can arrange internet services at your own premises.
 * Mitsuya Cafe has very slow internet. It is just east of Malibu Dive on Jalan Raya Singaraja.
 * Mitsuya Cafe has very slow internet. It is just east of Malibu Dive on Jalan Raya Singaraja.

Go next

 * From Lovina you can continue your Bali trip 50 km westwards to Pemuteran and West Bali National Park for more diving, trekking and birdwatching.
 * The old administrative capital of Bali at Singaraja is just 20 minutes to the east.
 * Bedugul area for lakes, mountains and the botanical gardens, 20 km south, approximately 40 minutes by car.

title: Lovina


text:
Lowell

There is more than one place called Lowell:

United States of America

 * Lowell (Arkansas) - A town in the state of Arkansas.
 * Lowell (Florida) - A town in the state of Florida.
 * Lowell (Indiana) - A town in the state of Indiana.
 * Lowell (Maine) - A town in the state of Maine.
 * Lowell (Massachusetts) - A city in the state of Massachusetts.
 * Lowell (Michigan) - A town in the state of Michigan.
 * Lowell (North Carolina) - A town in the state of North Carolina.
 * Lowell (Ohio) - A town in the state of Ohio.
 * Lowell (Oregon) - A town in the state of Oregon.
 * Lowell (Vermont) - A town in the state of Vermont.
 * Lowell (Wisconsin) - A town in the state of Wisconsin.

title: Lowell


text:
Lowell (Massachusetts)

Lowell is a city in Massachusetts about 40 minutes northwest of Boston. With over 115,000 residents (2020), it's the fifth largest city in Massachusetts, and has an important historical background. It was the first planned industrial city in the United States.

By plane
The nearest airports are Boston's Logan Airport and Manchester Airport  in New Hampshire, each about 40 minutes away.

By train
The Lowell line of the MBTA Commuter Rail has a terminus in Lowell. This train station is about a 15 minute walk from downtown, or there is a shuttle that runs between the train station and downtown.

By car
Take U.S. Route 3 or Interstate 495 to the Lowell Connector, a 2.5-mile highway that ends near downtown Lowell. Be careful: the Lowell Connector is one of the most dangerous highways in the state. Exit 31 on Route 3 and exits 37 and 38 on I-495 will also take you to Lowell.

Get around
The Lowell Regional Transit Authority has regular shuttles going around Lowell and several neighboring towns.

See

 * Merrimack River Bridges. Lowell is home to several impressive bridges, two of which cross the Merrimack River. The Aiken Street Bridge is a lenticular through truss bridge, one of the rarest bridge types and the longest of its kind. The Central Bridge is a cantilevered through truss bridge. Both spans offer pedestrian access and are highly impressive.
 * Lowell Industrial Canals. There are four narrow canals running through downtown Lowell, which are still navigable in some sections. These canals were used as a hydropower source when the mills and factories were still in use. Despite their size, the canals are home to some beautiful restored historic footbridges. Also, several sets of locks along the canals are still in use for flood control. The four canals, together with the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, turn part of downtown Lowell into an island.
 * Merrimack River Bridges. Lowell is home to several impressive bridges, two of which cross the Merrimack River. The Aiken Street Bridge is a lenticular through truss bridge, one of the rarest bridge types and the longest of its kind. The Central Bridge is a cantilevered through truss bridge. Both spans offer pedestrian access and are highly impressive.
 * Lowell Industrial Canals. There are four narrow canals running through downtown Lowell, which are still navigable in some sections. These canals were used as a hydropower source when the mills and factories were still in use. Despite their size, the canals are home to some beautiful restored historic footbridges. Also, several sets of locks along the canals are still in use for flood control. The four canals, together with the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, turn part of downtown Lowell into an island.
 * Merrimack River Bridges. Lowell is home to several impressive bridges, two of which cross the Merrimack River. The Aiken Street Bridge is a lenticular through truss bridge, one of the rarest bridge types and the longest of its kind. The Central Bridge is a cantilevered through truss bridge. Both spans offer pedestrian access and are highly impressive.
 * Lowell Industrial Canals. There are four narrow canals running through downtown Lowell, which are still navigable in some sections. These canals were used as a hydropower source when the mills and factories were still in use. Despite their size, the canals are home to some beautiful restored historic footbridges. Also, several sets of locks along the canals are still in use for flood control. The four canals, together with the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, turn part of downtown Lowell into an island.

Learn

 * University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University Av., Phone: +1 978-934-4000.
 * Middlesex Community College, (Lowell Campus) 33 Kearney Square.

Eat

 * Tremonte Pizza 112 Middle Street, +1 978-453-1110  Excellent brick oven pizza, cocktails, and appetizers
 * Tremonte Pizza 112 Middle Street, +1 978-453-1110  Excellent brick oven pizza, cocktails, and appetizers

Go next
Boston, the North Shore or the White Mountains are all good next stops.

title: Lowell (Massachusetts)


text:
Lower Austria

Lower Austria (German: Niederösterreich) — as the name implies — is a state of Austria.

Regions
Lower Austria is split into 4 regions each called a viertel (German for quarter).

Cities

 * — the capital of Lower Austria, though that title historically belonged to Vienna
 * — the best known alpine resort in eastern Austria and the closest to Vienna
 * — the best known alpine resort in eastern Austria and the closest to Vienna
 * — the best known alpine resort in eastern Austria and the closest to Vienna
 * — the best known alpine resort in eastern Austria and the closest to Vienna
 * — the best known alpine resort in eastern Austria and the closest to Vienna
 * — the best known alpine resort in eastern Austria and the closest to Vienna
 * — the best known alpine resort in eastern Austria and the closest to Vienna
 * — the best known alpine resort in eastern Austria and the closest to Vienna
 * — the best known alpine resort in eastern Austria and the closest to Vienna
 * — the best known alpine resort in eastern Austria and the closest to Vienna
 * — the best known alpine resort in eastern Austria and the closest to Vienna

Other destinations

Top excursion destinations in the Weinviertel

 * — a small wine region

Top excursion destinations in the Donau region

 * — inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000 with the towns Melk, Spitz, Dürnstein and Krems
 * Roman city of Carnuntum
 * Roman city of Carnuntum

Top excursion destinations in the Mostviertel

 * Natur und Erlebnispark Puchenberg
 * Natur und Erlebnispark Puchenberg
 * Natur und Erlebnispark Puchenberg
 * Natur und Erlebnispark Puchenberg
 * Natur und Erlebnispark Puchenberg
 * Natur und Erlebnispark Puchenberg
 * Natur und Erlebnispark Puchenberg
 * Natur und Erlebnispark Puchenberg
 * Natur und Erlebnispark Puchenberg
 * Natur und Erlebnispark Puchenberg

Top excursion destinations in the Vienna alps
In the south of lower austria are the

Go next
Salzburg

Salzkammergut, Hallstatt, Attersee, Traunsee, Almtal, Gosau

title: Lower Austria


text:
Lower Bavaria

Lower Bavaria is in Bavaria in Germany.

Cities

 * — the capital of Lower Bavaria
 * — a small beautiful university town on the Austrian border
 * — home of Weltenburg Abbey, or Kloster Weltenburg
 * — home of Weltenburg Abbey, or Kloster Weltenburg
 * — home of Weltenburg Abbey, or Kloster Weltenburg

title: Lower Bavaria


text:
Wikivoyage:Joke articles/Lower Caisse

Lower Caisse (Caissa Inferiore) is an island in San Serriffe.

Cities

 * Arial

Understand

The weather on Lower Caisse is great except for the regular twice-daily thunderstorms — one in the morning, and another in the afternoon. Until you get used to the precise and predictable schedule of the storms, you would do well to remember to always carry an umbrella and wear your galoshes lest you be caught out in a downpour! During Monsoon season, a third storm may occur around noon.

Get in

The nearest international airport is on Upper Caisse. You can sometimes convince a drunk fisherman into ferrying you from Upper Caisse if you speak quickly so that he doesn't realize where you want to go until it's too late. Make sure you do this at high tide to maximize your safety when passing over the Shoals of Adze which separate the two islands.

title: Wikivoyage:Joke articles/Lower Caisse


text:
Lower Cape

The Lower Cape is the area of Cape Cod at the "elbow" of the arm-shaped peninsula.

Towns

 * (includes the village of Harwich Port)

Understand
The Lower Cape is historically rich and full of ocean scenery, and is great for different family-oriented activities in some of the Lower Cape’s most popular areas which include several beaches, museums, waterfront activities, fishing and boating.

The Lower Cape area includes the Cape Cod National Seashore, a national park comprising much of the outer Cape, including the entire east-facing coast, and is home to some of the most popular beaches in the United States, such as Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Light Beach in Eastham.

By bus

 * The Flex, Hyannis Transportation Center, Hyannis, Regional Transit Authority Customer Service: Phone: +1 800-352-7155; TTY for Deaf and Hearing Impaired: +1 508-385-4163,.

title: Lower Cape


text:
Lower Egypt

Lower Egypt (Arabic: دلتا مصر delta màSr ) is the northern part of Egypt, containing the Nile Delta, Cairo and Alexandria. It's not a defined region or province, just a convenient grouping for travel purposes, and with a high proportion of Egypt's top sights.

Cities

 * is the maddening, magnificent, must-see national capital, firmly attached to the past yet home to a vibrant modern society.
 * is a faded memory of its cosmopolitan heyday, yet well worth a visit.
 * is agricultural and industrial.
 * is a smaller Alex, a port city that was once cosmopolitan, and now makes furniture.
 * is near the battlefield that turned the tide of World War II in North Africa.
 * has several antiquities and World War II sites.
 * is the less-than-captivating city that held King Louis IX of France prisoner.
 * — Although very little remains to be seen on the surface, Memphis features a great sculpture museum
 * - Yet unnamed, this city is set to become the new capital of Egypt and house 6½ million people, now mostly a building site
 * had a similar heritage but is now the busy port at the north end of the Suez Canal.
 * is known for its Ottoman mansions and the Rosetta Stone (now in the British Museum), key to deciphering the Egyptian scripts.
 * has food industries and is a religious and university centre.
 * is an oasis town by the Cairo-Alex road, with four Coptic monasteries.
 * is also industrial and has a university plus an ancient cat temple.
 * — Although very little remains to be seen on the surface, Memphis features a great sculpture museum
 * - Yet unnamed, this city is set to become the new capital of Egypt and house 6½ million people, now mostly a building site
 * had a similar heritage but is now the busy port at the north end of the Suez Canal.
 * is known for its Ottoman mansions and the Rosetta Stone (now in the British Museum), key to deciphering the Egyptian scripts.
 * has food industries and is a religious and university centre.
 * is an oasis town by the Cairo-Alex road, with four Coptic monasteries.
 * is also industrial and has a university plus an ancient cat temple.

Understand
Egypt is administered in 27 governates, corresponding to cities such as Cairo and Alexandria and their hinterlands. So "Lower Egypt" isn't a defined region or unit of government, just a convenient term for the Nile Delta and area east to Suez, and the Mediterranean coastal strip west to the border with Libya. Most of Egypt's population live here.

The Nile is channelled by a deep valley, cut when the Med sea level was very much lower, until it reaches Cairo and fans out into a huge delta. This is fertile alluvial soil and has supported population and culture since the earliest human times. Classically the Nile branched into 7 distributaries, but a combination of natural silting and deliberate water management has reduced this to two, the Damietta east and the Rosetta west. Its people began to cohere into a "lower kingdom" around 3600 BCE, but circa 3200 BCE were conquered by the "upper kingdom" to create a unified kingdom of Egypt, with its power centre at Memphis. Their rulers' funeral monuments - the pyramids - stand in the desert above the valley, to the west as that direction was sunset and the land of the dead.

Alexandria flourished in the Graeco-Roman period and was the principal city until 641 CE. Islamic expansion then conquered Egypt and founded a new capital of Misr Al-Fustat, nowadays Cairo. Alex lost power but remained the cultural centre until Nasser came to power in 1956, "arabising" what had been a cosmopolitan city. He nationalised the Suez Canal and drove Egypt on a great process of modernisation and industrialisation; the population boomed, and the market towns and railway junctions of the Delta burgeoned into crowded cities. Overseas visitors to the region have more than enough to see in Cairo and Alex, but there is another more typical side of Egyptian life to be found in these places.

Get in
See Egypt for visa and health requirements.

Cairo Airport is Egypt's main port of entry, with a global network of flights mostly by full-service carriers, and domestic flights to other Egyptian cities. It's 15 km northeast of downtown.

Borg el Arab is Alexandria's airport, 45 km southwest of that city. It has flights from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, and from other Egyptian cities. There's even a flight from nearby Cairo, which you'd only use to make a connection.

Sphinx International Airport near Giza opened in 2020 but has no flights.

Trains from Aswan and Luxor in Upper Egypt run to Cairo, with a halt at Giza - indeed some services terminate there. From Cairo trains fan out across the Delta, to Alexandria, Port Suez and Port Said.

Roads thronged with buses, trucks and private cars converge on Cairo from every corner of Egypt. A smaller network connects Alex. The overland route from Jordan and Saudi Arabia is by ferry across the Red Sea to Nuweiba then by the highway across Sinai, passing under the Suez Canal by tunnel. The overland route from Libya is closed at the border.

Ships no longer bring you to Egypt. The Suez ports are busy with freight, and cruise liners occasionally pass through the canal, perhaps with a stop to bus their passengers to the Pyramids. But these are round-trip itineraries and there are no point-to-point ferries. Nile cruises nowadays stay on the Aswan-Luxor stretch and don't come down to Cairo.

Get around
Flying between Alex and Cairo takes longer than ground transport, what with the check-in periods, security and distance between airports and downtown.

30 trains a day ply between Cairo and Alex - take the fast Specials or Express trains, three hours in relative comfort. Other routes involve the slow, grubby and crowded "Ordinary" trains. These run from both Cairo and Alex to Port Said, and to El Alamein and Marsa Matruh; and from Cairo to Port Suez.

Intercity buses connect every town with Cairo, and the coastal and lower Delta towns with Alex.

There are no ferries on the Nile or Suez Canal.

See

 * Cairo for the buzzing downtown, and the Coptic district to the south.
 * Giza for the Great Pyramids, Sphinx and Grand Egyptian Museum.
 * Abusir, Saqqara and Dahshur to the south are earlier phases of pyramids.
 * Memphis is the old royal capital 20 km south of Giza.
 * Alexandria for its antiquities, new library and raffish associations.
 * Zagazig for the cat-temple of Tell Basta.
 * El Alamein for relics of the war in North Africa.
 * Fayum in the desert, where Wadi El Hitan is an astonishing graveyard of the earliest whales, the archaeoceti.

Do

 * Culture: Arabic music, jazz, theatres, concerts, film, Cairo's got the lot.
 * Return library books on time. The new Alexandria Bibliotheca is a tourist sight but also an active lending, reference and research library.
 * Football is obviously a top reason to visit Egypt, it's only a matter of time before they discover sports news inscribed on stellae. 18 clubs play soccer in the Premier Division, the top tier, with ten based in Cairo and two in Alex. This tournament also enlivens wet weekends in Mahalla, Ismailia, Port Said and Fayum. Always go for the VIP seats, they're not to know.

Go next

 * Middle Egypt is the stretch of Nile where the ancient Upper and Lower kingdoms met
 * Western Desert has the five Western Oases: county-sized farmlands and towns with many natural wonders.
 * Red Sea Coast for upscale beach resorts, diving and marine life
 * Sinai is a rugged and isolated peninsula, with fascinating relics of the past, high mountains and great scuba diving

authors: د. فارس الجويلي

title: Lower Egypt


text:
Lower Franconia

Lower Franconia (Unterfranken) is a region in the state of Bavaria in Germany.

Cities

 * district including the towns of Bad Neustadt an der Saale and Bad Königshofen im Grabfeld
 * district including the towns of Ebern, Eltmann, Haßfurt, Hofheim, Königsberg, and Zeil am Main.
 * district including the towns of Bad Neustadt an der Saale and Bad Königshofen im Grabfeld
 * district including the towns of Ebern, Eltmann, Haßfurt, Hofheim, Königsberg, and Zeil am Main.
 * district including the towns of Bad Neustadt an der Saale and Bad Königshofen im Grabfeld
 * district including the towns of Ebern, Eltmann, Haßfurt, Hofheim, Königsberg, and Zeil am Main.
 * district including the towns of Bad Neustadt an der Saale and Bad Königshofen im Grabfeld
 * district including the towns of Ebern, Eltmann, Haßfurt, Hofheim, Königsberg, and Zeil am Main.
 * district including the towns of Bad Neustadt an der Saale and Bad Königshofen im Grabfeld
 * district including the towns of Ebern, Eltmann, Haßfurt, Hofheim, Königsberg, and Zeil am Main.

By train
The main railway hub in this area is Würzburg, with regular ICE service along the North-South mainline that connects Hamburg and Munich. In addition, the ICE service between Munich and the western German cities also stops at Würzburg and Aschaffenburg.

By plane
You are most likely going to fly into Frankfurt Airport. From there, there are several departures daily by ICE directly to Würzburg. Should you be unwilling or unable to use Frankfurt airport, Nuremberg or to an even lesser extent Munich Airport  might be options.

Get around
Most towns are accessible by the regional trains (RE or RB) departing from either Würzburg or Schweinfurt. Travel between two cities itself takes 30 minutes with trains up to every half hour during the weekday. A Bayern ticket entitles you to use all trains and public transportation within the city proper, while the Franken ticket entitles train travel only to select cities.

See

 * Baroque Residence of the Prince-Bishops of Würzburg, according to UNESCO "the most homogeneous and the most extraordinary of the Baroque palaces" (World Heritage site)
 * Dettelbach, small town with almost completely preserved medieval fortification, half-timbered houses and narrow lanes
 * Amorbach, picturesque small town, Baroque abbey with Rococo stuccos and colourful frescos
 * Schloss Veitshöchheim (Veitshöchheim)
 * Schloss Marienberg ( Würzburg)
 * Dom (Würzburg)

Itineraries

 * The Main cycling trail follows the winding course of the river Main through the beautiful landscapes of "Main Triangle" and "Main Quadrangle" where most of the region's sights are: (Bamberg –) Schweinfurt – Kitzingen – Würzburg – Karlstadt – Lohr – Wertheim – Miltenberg – Aschaffenburg (–Frankfurt)

Drink
Main Franconia, the region around Würzburg and Kitzingen, is a renowned wine-growing area, producing excellent white wines.

Breweries in Franconia lists breweries, beer cellars, brewery museums.

title: Lower Franconia


text:
Lower Galilee

The Lower Galilee (Hebrew: הגליל התחתון HaGalil HaTahton, Arabic: الجليل al-Jalīl) is a region of northern Israel.

Cities and villages

 * – believed by Christians to be the hometown of Jesus, now the largest Arab city in Israel and one of the major centers of Arab Christians
 * – a modern city located on the border between upper and lower Galilee. The city is near Route 85 (the Acre-Safed road). The Karmiel Dance Festival is held in the city every summer for three days and nights in July.
 * – an Arab town half-way between Haifa and Nazareth with sights dating from Byzantine, Crusader and Ottoman periods.
 * – a small Arab village near Nazareth with sights from the New Testament.

Understand
The Galilee, apart from the Western Galilee, the Galilee Panhandle and the Sea of Galilee region, can be separated into the Upper Galilee and the Lower Galilee. It is generally a forested highland area with relatively sparse population. Its landscape and historical associations are a great draw for travellers.

By train
A branch line from Acre (Akko) to Karmiel opened for traffic in 2017. Together with the line, two stations opened and there are plans for a further extension, perhaps as far as Kiryat Shmona in the very northeastern corner of the country.

By bus
Many bus routes cross and serve the Galilee, e.g. between Tiberias and Haifa, Akko or Nahariyya.

By bus
There is frequent bus service between each of the 10 or so significant cities in the Galilee. However, if you want to go to a village, kibbutz, or out-of-the-way natural or historic site, bus service can be quite sparse and inconvenient. Taxis or hitchhiking can be a good solution for the "last mile" after you get off the bus at the closest stop on the main road.

By car
The Galilee has a good road system. But expect traffic even in rural areas, particularly on weekends and holidays when many people from central Israel drive here for a quick vacation.

By thumb
Hitch-hiking is definitely an option and easy along the non-highway roads, also where buses are sparse. Due to high concentration of Arab and Druze villages, it is also more likely to get picked up. Jewish Israelis are more wary nowadays, which in other parts of the country can be an issue when hitch-hiking.

Historic and religious sites

 * The village right next to Bethlehem of the Galilee is equally interesting and has a beautiful  in its centre. Alonei Abba was founded in 1907 under the German name "Waldheim" (freely translated: "Forest Home") by German Protestants affiliated with the Old-Prussian State Church.
 * The village right next to Bethlehem of the Galilee is equally interesting and has a beautiful  in its centre. Alonei Abba was founded in 1907 under the German name "Waldheim" (freely translated: "Forest Home") by German Protestants affiliated with the Old-Prussian State Church.
 * The village right next to Bethlehem of the Galilee is equally interesting and has a beautiful  in its centre. Alonei Abba was founded in 1907 under the German name "Waldheim" (freely translated: "Forest Home") by German Protestants affiliated with the Old-Prussian State Church.

Do

 * Hiking – The picturesque Galilee landscapes are covered by a dense network of hiking trails. See Hiking and backpacking in Israel for more details.

Sleep
See Nazareth for vast accommodation options.

Apart from the accommodations of the above mentioned cities and towns, there are these:

Go next

 * The Western Galilee at the coast, the Upper Galilee with the interesting Safed, the Galilee Panhandle just before the Golan Heights and of course the Sea of Galilee region are must sees close by.
 * In the south the Jezreel Valley which is an extensive inland valley, largely rural, extending inland from east of Haifa, and the Beit Shean Valley, which is the core of the north Jordan River valley.

title: Lower Galilee


text:
Lower Mainland

The Lower Mainland is in British Columbia, Canada. The official tourist information site calls the area "Vancouver, Coast and Mountains".

The term "lower mainland" has different meanings; for some people it is equivalent to "Greater Vancouver", while others include everything out to Abbotsford or Hope in the east, and Squamish or Whistler in the north. Here we use it to describe the area from Vancouver in the west to Hope in the east, and from the American border in the south, to the town of Whistler and the Sunshine Coast in the north.

Cities

 * — a major regional town with a commercial airport, and a hub of agriculture
 * — gateway to British Columbia's interior and the eastern end of the Fraser Valley
 * — home to a Catholic Mission that can be toured
 * — a small town that never grew up, it has a nice riverfront promenade and beautiful old neighbourhoods
 * — playground for the outdoor-minded: miles of hiking trails, mountain biking, skiing, kayaking
 * — home to a large Chinese immigrant population and Vancouver International Airport
 * — the second biggest city in British Columbia, after Vancouver, with a large South Asian community
 * — a city of steel and glass condominiums and outstanding natural beauty, frequently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world
 * — the biggest ski resort in North America, but plenty to see and do year-round. Summer: mountain biking; extensive valley trail system, hike, swim. Peak to peak cable car gondola open year round

Other destinations

 * — a small island at the entrance to Howe Sound, that draws tourists to wander the shops and explore the parks and natural areas
 * — a rugged wonderland set amid the Coast Mountains

Understand
This area is home to Greater Vancouver, the largest metropolitan area west of Toronto. It is also home to the mainly agricultural Fraser Valley, the outdoor playground of the Whistler environs and the laid back vacation area termed the Sunshine Coast.

Talk
The de facto language is English. Chinese (especially Cantonese and Mandarin) is the second most-spoken language in the city and there are sizable immigrant communities who speak other languages, such as Punjabi. Though there are few French speakers in British Columbia, Canada is officially bi-lingual so Canadian Government offices may offer services in French.

Primary airport in Lower Mainland for scheduled commercial flights

 * is a major airport and is the hub airport for British Columbia with frequent direct flights from other points in British Columbia, major cities across Canada and the United States, Asia, and several major cities in Europe. Frequent direct flights are also available from Mexico and Australia, increasing during Canada's winter.  Direct flights are not available from South America or Africa.  TransLink provides public transit SkyTrain service to the main terminal and bus service to the South Terminal.

Secondary airport in Lower Mainland for scheduled commercial flights

 * , about east of Vancouver in Abbotsford, handles mostly domestic and low-cost carrier flights. With an arranged ride, you can be in and out of this airport in under 10 min (with no checked in baggage).  There is no public transit service to this airport, but some inter-city buses stop here.

Small airport in Lower Mainland with scheduled commercial flights

 * offers scheduled departures to Vancouver International Airport. BC Transit provides public transit.

Other nearby secondary with scheduled commercial flights

 * , across the border in Washington state, serves mainly as a launching point for budget-minded Canadian travelers vacationing in the U.S.: excellent service from Hawaii and Las Vegas, but few other useful connections. Also offers connecting service through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Major airport further away with scheduled commercial flights

 * is a major American air hub, and can be a dramatically less expensive option than buying a direct flight from Canadian airports. A U.S. visa may be required and could take some time to procure.

Seaplane
A number of small airlines operate seaplanes departing from Vancouver, downtown and from near Vancouver International Airport, from the Sunshine Coast (from Sechelt and from Powell River), and from Whistler (summer only). Flight connect those destinations and flights are available to travel to some of those destination from Vancouver Island, including from Victoria and Nanaimo. These flights are expensive, but faster and more scenic than other options.

From Washington state
To cross this international border, you need an international travel document: a passport, a NEXUS card (see below), a US Passport Card, or certain US and Canadian "Enhanced ID" Drivers Licences.

There are five land border crossing points into the Lower Mainland region (Canadian name | US name), which operate 24 hours per day and have dedicated NEXUS card holder lanes unless otherwise noted. The following are the Lower Mainland borders crossings from west to east:

There are often lengthy lineups at the border, in either direction. During summer and long weekends, waits at the border can exceed three hours during peak times. You can see current wait time forecasts for both directions on the Canada Border Services Agency website, and for US-bound traffic on the US Customs and Border Protection website.

From other places in British Columbia
Most major highways from interior British Columbia converge at Hope, east of Vancouver, then follow the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) west into Vancouver. The routes below are land based. For options that involve arriving by ferry, see By boat section below.

Via Hope
Three major highways enter the Lower Mainland at Hope.

 * Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) connects to Hope from Alberta via Golden, Revelstoke, Salmon Arm, Kamloops, and Cache Creek. It intersects Highway 97 at Cache Creek, which travels to the Northern British Columbia communities such as Prince George.
 * Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) an east-west route that connects to Alberta via Osoyoos in the Okanagan, and Castlegar and Cranbrook in the Kootenays.
 * Highway 5 (Coquihalla Highway) is the main highway and the most travelled route entering the Lower Mainland via Hope, as it is generally the fastest route to follow to reach the Lower Mainland, including from Alberta, Kamloops, and Kelowna.

From October 1 to April 1, vehicles on all three of the highways require snow tires, or mud and slush tires. On all three of these routes, there are portions with and without cell phone service.

Via Pemberton, BC
Highway 99 provides an alternate access to the Lower Mainland from Highway 97, about 10 km north of Cache Creek. However, north of Pemberton the route is a narrow, isolated, mountain road, which generally lacks cell phone service.

By bus
The Lower Mainland, especially Vancouver is well served by bus service. Most bus routes terminate in Vancouver at Pacific Central Station (see "By train" for location).

From Vancouver Island:

From British Columbia Interior and other provinces (stops with "(AR)" require advanced reservation):

From United States (crossing the border at the Pacific Highway Crossing):

By public transit
No public transit crosses the border with Washington State in the United States, though it is possible to travel solely by public transit, as buses terminate within blocks of the Sumas-Huntingdon Border Crossing between Abbotsford and Sumas. Theoretically, using public transit alone, a person could travel from Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island to Olympia via Vancouver and Seattle, though the trip would take multiple days.

By train
Taking the train to the Lower Mainland is unlikely to be the cheapest option, but it is a scenic one. All trains, except the Rocky Mountaineer terminate at:

Train options within Canada:

Train options from United States of America:
 * Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travel by train is suspended as of March 2022, and travellers will use Amtrak's bus option to reach Vancouver.

Ferries

 * Ferry terminals in the Lower Mainland
 * Vancouver area
 * in West Vancouver. Has route from Nanaimo (Departure Bay) on Vancouver Island. Also has routes within the Lower Mainland connecting with Bowen Island (Snug Cove) and the Sunshine Coast (Langdale). TransLink provides public transit to Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay).
 * in Delta. Has routes from Nanaimo (Duke Point) and Victoria (Swartz Bay) on Vancouver Island. Also has routes within the Lower Mainland connecting with several of the Southern Gulf Islands (Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Saturna, and Salt Spring). TransLink provides public transit to Vancouver (Tsawwassen).
 * Lower Sunshine Coast
 * near Gibsons. Has routes within the Lower Mainland with vehicle ferries connecting with Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal, and foot passenger ferries connecting at nearby island terminals of Gambier (New Brighton), Keats (Keats Island), and Keats (Eastbourne). BC Transit provides public transit at Sunshine Coast (Langdale) to Sechelt via Gibsons.
 * near Egmont. Has route within Lower Mainland connecting with Powell River (Saltery Bay). No public transit at this terminal. There is no public transit, but there is an inter-city bus service between this terminal and Sunshine Coast (Langdale) with stops along the way, see below under "By bus."
 * Upper Sunshine Coast
 * near Powell River. Has route from Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove). BC Transit provides public transit that serves Powell River (Saltery Bay) on limited trips several days per week, timed to connect with an inter-city bus service that travels to Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove).
 * in Powell River. Has routes from Comox (Little River) on Vancouver Island and Texada Island (Blubber Bay). BC Transit provides public transit daily to Powell River (Westview) and Texada Island. Through a transfer in Powell River, riders can reach Lund. Most days of the week, BC Transit operates public transit bus service that serves Comox (Little River) terminal, traveling to Comox and Courtenay.
 * Other ferry terminals
 * North Shore
 * has a vehicle ferry route from Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay). TransLink provides public transit that services this ferry terminal.
 * Sunshine Coast
 * has foot passenger ferry route to Sunshine Coast (Langdale). No public transit at this terminal.
 * has foot passenger ferry route to Sunshine Coast (Langdale). No public transit at this terminal.
 * has foot passenger ferry route to Sunshine Coast (Langdale). This terminal has daily service, but far fewer trips than to Keats' other ferry terminal. No public transit at this terminal.
 * has vehicle ferry routes from Comox (Little River) on Vancouver Island and from Powell River (Westview). BC Transit provides a bus route that travels around Texada Island crosses on the ferry to Powell River.
 * Ferry capacity and reservations
 * Real-time remaining vehicle capacity available on ferry trips is available on BC Ferries' website and on some highway signs heading toward the terminals.
 * One most routes, reservations are available for travelers crossing with vehicles. At times during the year, reservations may be required between Tsawwassen and the Southern Gulf Islands. Otherwise reservations are never required, but are recommended for vehicles during peak travel times, such as late June to early September and long weekends. Reservations cost $17.
 * Parking
 * Long term parking is available from BC ferries at some terminals: Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay), Vancouver (Tsawwassen Terminal the nearby Tsawwassen Ferry Park and Go), Victoria (Swartz Bay), Nanaimo (Departure Bay), Nanaimo (Duke Point), and Sunshine Coast (Langdale). The price of parking varies per terminal. Expect to pay $18-19 per day at BC Ferry Terminals in the Lower Mainland (2022). Other terminals may charge less. Real-time remaining parking capacity is available on BC Ferries' website.
 * Long term parking is available from BC ferries at some terminals: Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay), Vancouver (Tsawwassen Terminal the nearby Tsawwassen Ferry Park and Go), Victoria (Swartz Bay), Nanaimo (Departure Bay), Nanaimo (Duke Point), and Sunshine Coast (Langdale). The price of parking varies per terminal. Expect to pay $18-19 per day at BC Ferry Terminals in the Lower Mainland (2022). Other terminals may charge less. Real-time remaining parking capacity is available on BC Ferries' website.

Get around
Depending on how much you want to see, there may be a number of ways to get around the Lower Mainland.

By bus
Some parts of the Lower Mainland cannot be reached by public transit alone. In some cases, inter-city buses traveling only within the Lower Mainland are an option.

By public transit
TransLink

Within Vancouver and many of its suburbs, the TransLink public transit system can get you to most places. TransLink extends from Lions Bay and Bowen Island to the north-west, to Delta in the south-west, to Langley in the south-east, to Maple Ridge in the north-east. SkyTrain rail rapid transit connects Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, and Vancouver. In the remainder of British Columbia including other areas of the Lower Mainland, where public transit is available, it is offered by BC Transit.

Connections between the Fraser Valley and TransLink

 * TransLink's Westcoast Express offers weekday service between Vancouver and Mission, heading westbound during the morning rush hour and eastbound during the afternoon rush hour.
 * BC Transit bus 66 offers express bus service between Burnaby and Chilliwack including stops in Langley and Abbotsford.
 * BC Transit bus 21 offers local bus service between Langley to Abbotsford.

The Fraser Valley

Public transit within the Fraser Valley connects between communities including:

 * Abbotsford - BC Transit
 * Chilliwack, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope, Kent (including Agassiz) - BC Transit

The Sea to Sky Corridor

BC transit runs public transit systems in the following locations in the Sea to Sky corridor of the Lower Mainland, though they cannot be reached public transit (and, where necessary by BC Ferries) from Vancouver:

 * Squamish - BC Transit
 * Whistler - BC Transit
 * Pemberton - BC Transit. Note that a bus route travels to Whistler.

The Sunshine Coast

Public transit on the Sunshine Coast in separated into two systems, which do not have connections with each other.

 * Sunshine Coast - BC Transit provides public transit including to Sechelt and Gibsons. It is possible to reach Vancouver using public transit by connecting via BC Ferries.
 * Powell River - BC Transit

By car
The most convenient means of getting around the region is by car. Car rentals are readily available throughout the region. Major highways in the Lower Mainland:

 * Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway) is the main thoroughfare, travelling from West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal to the interior of BC via North Vancouver, Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Hope.
 * Highway 7 travels from Vancouver to Hope via Burnaby, Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Mission, and Kent (Agassiz).
 * Highway 17 travels from the Vancouver (Tsawwassen) ferry terminal in Delta to Surrey.
 * Highway 91 is a freeway connecting Richmond, New Westminster, Delta, and Surrey.
 * Highway 99 begins at the US border Canada in Surrey, where it meets Interstate 5, then it continues north to Delta, Richmond, and Vancouver, then toward British Columbia's interior via North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Lions Bay, Squamish, Pemberton and Whistler.
 * Highway 101 connects the Sunshine Coast from Sunshine Coast (Langdale) ferry terminal to Lund, via Gibsons, Sechelt, and Powell River.

By boat
Some coastal parts of the Lower Mainland (Sunshine Coas t and Bowen Island) can only be accessed by boat. BC Ferries provides ferry services to these areas and visitors can walk on or take their car. See Get In under By boat above.

 * Ferry in this region:

See
For many people, Vancouver will be the starting point for a trip to the Lower Mainland. It's a city glass towers well supplied with beaches and picturesque mountains in the distance. Close to its downtown, you can walk the seawall around its huge Stanley Park, and then to lots of sushi and other Asian restaurants, a public art gallery, and an aquarium. Vancouver's suburbs are accessible by Skytrain and other transit, and offer a wide array of shopping, more sprawling parks, and many interesting historical site.

The Sea to Sky Highway offers spectacular scenery — exquisite alpine lakes, craggy peaks, waterfalls, glaciers — and a surprising amount of it is easily accessible from the highway. You'll need a boat or a plane, though, to see the Sunshine Coast's Princess Louisa Inlet, one of BC's most beautiful natural locations. The wide opening of Jervis Inlet narrows to become a 64-km-long fjord ending in the inlet.

In Whistler, the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre showcases the art, history and culture of the local First Nations, while the Audain Art Museum has an excellent collection of art by British Columbia artists, and visiting exhibitions.

Do
There is so much do and see in the Lower Mainland, the following are only suggestions based on the regions.

Greater Vancouver, home to Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, the Capilano Suspension Bridge and many more. To see all the sights, take a day tour to become familiar with all the sights. There are a number of sightseeing companies who run trips daily. And also the public transportation is also any easy way to see everything and get into the surrounding communities. You also can't miss out on the dining experiences, you name it and there is a restaurant in Vancouver to serve it. With award winning and internationally known restaurants, there is always something new to try.

In the Fraser Valley, you are entering into an amazing region which has plenty of stops to fill your stomach. Here you can find a number of award winning wineries and family owned farms. You can sample the fresh fruits and vegetables at a number of stands along the highway or pop into a local restaurant and have a wild salmon dish. You can spend the day driving from each community or you can make a whole weekend of it. The valley offers a great opportunity to relax in the warm waters of Harrison Hot Springs. Whatever you do while visiting the Sea to Sky region, it will most likely involve some form of adventure outdoors. Here you will find some of the best golfing, skiing, hiking and many other outdoor activities. You can head up to the vibrant Whistler village or find your own mountain paradise.

The Sunshine Coast is your place to relax. Now relaxing means different things to everyone, this could mean sitting on your private B&B patio watching the sunset, or bobbing up and down while waiting for the fish below to take a bit of your bait, but whatever your image of relaxation it is found on the Sunshine Coast. Take a drive up the Sunshine Coast Highway and stop off at the galleries and farmer's markets to pick up some local goodies. But don't bother looking at your watch because here time is no of a concern.

The Sunshine Coast-Vancouver Island Circle Tour, a road trip involving ferries. The trip involves travel between Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast, and eastern Vancouver Island between Comox and Victoria in circuit that does not involve backtracking.

Hiking
Regardless of what part of the Lower Mainland you are in, there will be hiking opportunities, ranging in length and amount of elevation gain. Vancouver Trails has information about over 200 trails around the Lower Mainland, especially more popular trails. Book stores in the region will generally have several different books in stock focused on describing local hiking trails.

Eat
The Lower Mainland is the scene of a quickly exploding food and wine revolution! Adjectives like diverse, fresh, delicious, unique don't even begin to describe the true nature of the region's bounty. World class cuisine from every corner of the globe is readily available throughout the region. West Coast cuisine shares the bill with Asian Fusion, Sushi, Italian, Indian, Mexican, Vegetarian, Chinese, Thai, French, Fish & Chips, Micro Breweries and Fruit Wineries.

Naturally, the region is so close to the Pacific Ocean that it provides a steady supply of the freshest of the fresh seafood. The catch of the day graces the plates of restaurants with famous BC salmon, halibut, cod, crab, scallops and oysters. Prepared simply, fantastically or fantastically simple... enjoy your 'catch of the day' in a fine dining establishment, a trendy eatery, a casual pub or right on the docks.

Farm fresh is a phrase heard repeatedly in the Lower Mainland. Just east of Vancouver is the Fraser Valley, a lush picturesque and productive valley which is home to a multitude of farms working diligently to deliver produce from the farm directly to the plate or to the visitor. Find fresh fruit and vegetables in season, farm-raised meat and eggs and extra special treats like home made jams and jellies.

Drink
The Fraser Valley has become a popular wine touring destination. Domaine de Chaberton Winery, a fixture in the beautiful south Langley countryside, has been joined by a number of other wineries (Township 7, Fort Wine Company, Glenugie Winery, Lotusland Vineyards and the Blue Heron Fruit Winery), all within a short drive of each other and from any location in the region. You can be in wine country in less than one hour drive from downtown Vancouver!The Lower Mainland also has some of the best tap water in the world.

Go next

 * The immense and beautiful Vancouver Island lies off the shore of the Lower Mainland. Offering numerous recreational opportunities, it is accessed by one of four BC Ferries routes from the Lower Mainland.
 * The Thompson-Okanagan region lies northeast of the Lower Mainland.
 * Extending north along the coast is the beautiful North Coast.
 * The US state of Washington lies to the south.

title: Lower Mainland


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Southern Iraq

Southern Iraq stretches south of the Baghdad Belts of Iraq to Kuwait. It is also referred to as Lower Mesopotamia (Mesopotamia meaning the Land between the Rivers – the Euphrates and Tigris) or the Cradle of Civilization. The largest religious group in the area is Shia Islam.

Cities

 * — the major city of the south, a large port town on the Shatt-al-Arab River just northwest of the Persian Gulf.
 * — the major city of the south, a large port town on the Shatt-al-Arab River just northwest of the Persian Gulf.
 * — the major city of the south, a large port town on the Shatt-al-Arab River just northwest of the Persian Gulf.
 * — the major city of the south, a large port town on the Shatt-al-Arab River just northwest of the Persian Gulf.

Other destinations

 * — A World heritage-listed ruin one of the most prominent cities of Ancient Mesopotamia.
 * — An ancient city of Sumer
 * — Important city during the Sumerian era, includes the partly restored Great Ziggurat
 * — Wetland area with huge cultural and natural importance. A World heritage site.
 * — Another large complex of marshes that straddle the Iran–Iraq border.

Understand
The entirety of Karbala Province is located here, and is notable as the place of Martyr Imam Husain, where he fought war with Yazid, then Emperor or caliph of muslims, who had support of sunnis, and was thus proclaimed Caliph. The place has the tomb Imam as well as his armies Commander-in-chief and brother Abbas Allambardar. The Imam Husain's army had 96 warriors including women's and children were called Ahlebait. The total deaths in Ahlebait was 72. The place has the tomb of all the martyrs. It is considered a sacred place for Shi'a Muslims.

By plane
The main international gateway is Basra. A smaller airport exists in Najaf while the airport in Karbala is under construction as of late 2020.

By train
There are overnight trains from Baghdad to Basra, calling in many cities in the region on its way. Additionally there are seasonal trains to Karbala from both Baghdad and Basra, mostly around religious festivals. While there are no international trains into Iraq, the border city of Khorramshahr, in Iran sees daily trains from Tehran. It's possible to continue the last few kilometers by taxi, bus or ferry to Basra.

By car
Driving is perhaps the most common way of getting around. Freeway 1 runs in a north-south direction, connecting Basra with Baghdad. The road is generally in good condition, but traffic can be bad. Highway 9 connects Najaf, Karbala and Baghdad. Smaller roads are generally in worse condition.

The borders are open from both Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia but expect hassle and long ques at all crossings.

By ferry
A river ferry is available from Khorramshahr, across the border in Iran, to Basra. The journey takes just 45 minutes and there are multiple sailings each week.

See
Southern Iraq is home to a mixed world heritage site, The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities, comprising four marshland areas and three Sumerian archaeological sites:

 * Huwaizah Marshes
 * Central Marshes
 * East Hammar Marshes
 * West Hammar Marshes
 * Uruk Archaeological City
 * Ur Archaeological City
 * Tell Eridu Archaeological Site

Stay safe
Southern Iraq is much safer than the rest of Iraq, but even here it is important to remain vigilant at all times and ensure you are well protected.

title: Southern Iraq


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Lower Normandy

Lower Normandy (French: Basse-Normandie) comprises the western half of Normandy in northern France.

Administratively, the region was divided into three departments whose borders are shown on the map: Manche on the west, Calvados east of that along the coast, and Orne inland on the south side. The northern part of Manche is the Cotentin Peninsula, also called the Cherbourg Peninsula,

This part of France saw intense fighting during the Second World War; the D-Day beaches, where the Allies landed in June 1944, are along the coast in Calvados, and the fighting soon extended to other parts of the region.

Cities

 * — capital of the region
 * — location of the famous Tapestry
 * - port with ferries to UK and Ireland
 * — beach resort
 * — birthplace of William the conqueror
 * — 17th-century harbor; stay a few day or see at least the impressive wooden church
 * — birthplace of Ste Therese and pilgrimage city
 * - UNESCO World Heritage Norman Benedictine Abbey on an island rock isolated by the high tide.
 * — birthplace of William the conqueror
 * — 17th-century harbor; stay a few day or see at least the impressive wooden church
 * — birthplace of Ste Therese and pilgrimage city
 * - UNESCO World Heritage Norman Benedictine Abbey on an island rock isolated by the high tide.
 * - UNESCO World Heritage Norman Benedictine Abbey on an island rock isolated by the high tide.

Other destinations

 * of the Normandy landings near Caen. D-Day circuits are signposted, and take you around Normandy retracing the history of the 1944 events in the Region. Details can be obtained through the Official Site.

Talk
French is the official language, and all the locals will speak it. Some may use some non-standard expressions, but most will make the effort not to use them if you are foreign.

Local expressions you might encounter are 'Tantôt' (Soon), meaning either this morning, this afternoon, tomorrow morning/afternoon or yesterday morning/afternoon, depending of the speaker, so ask for details. As Normandy is a premium tourist destinations, many of the younger people will speak English, and will be willing to speak it. Spanish, Italian, and German are also quite widely studied at school.

Although there are Norman languages, they are mostly dying out, and the speakers will also speak French. You may also meet the occasional speaker of the neighbouring regions' local languages, such as Breton or Picard, but in any case, a stranger would address you only in French (or maybe English if you were in a tourist area).

By boat
There is a ferry-port in Ouistréham, with ferries to Portsmouth with Brittany Ferries. Another popular option with the locals is the crossings run by LD Lines to Le Havre and Dieppe from Newhaven and Portsmouth, which are sometimes substantially cheaper. Cherbourg, Calais and Saint-Malo are also within driving distance.

Brittany Ferries

LD Lines

A Ferry To: Price Comparison site

By train
Rail is the most commonly used public transport in France for inter-regional travel. It is cheap, fast and reliable. Check out reductions for under-26, over-25 and group travellers. Tickets can usually be bought abroad, on the internet, at stations; in advance or on the day.

Caen is the main station, alongside Lisieux, Bayeux, Trouville-Deauville and Cabourg-Dives. There are also stations in Lison, Le Molay Littry, Audrieu, Bretteville Norrey, Frénouville Cagny, Mézidon, Moult Argences, St Pierre sur Dives, Coulibœuf, Le Grand Jardin, Pont L'Évêque, Blonville Bennerville, Villers/Mer, Houlgate and Dives Port-Guillaume.

Trains go towards Saint-Lô (Cherbourg and Rennes), Paris (2 hours away), Alençon (Le Mans), and Rouen.

SNCF website

By car
Roads in France are good.

The main motorway is the A13 to Caen from Paris (225km / 139 miles). It then continues to Cherbourg (although it is not always a motorway). Some of it is toll, but quite cheap. The A84 goes from Caen to Rennes. You can also take the RN13 from Paris, which is free.

To cross the Seine, you can use the Pont de Normandie between Le Havre and Honfleur. Toll is for a car. A popular site in itself, the bridge, which opened in 1995, at the time was the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world, and had the record for the longest distance between piers; these records were lost in 1999 and 2004 respectively.

There is a free bridge further south at Tancarville, and more bridges as you go further south (where the Seine isn't as wide).

Get around
A very common method of getting around Normandy in general is to go by car, since distances between the beautiful sights that Normandy has to offer are far from another. While travelling on own terms, a road atlas will come in very handy. Car rentals are a common and convenient method of travelling, while other means of transportation such as train, car pooling or even coach do count as a valuable alternatives. Several comparison sites such as vivanoda fromAtoB   may provide helpful assistance in deciding how to arrive at a certain sight in Normandy.

Drink
The Calvados region produces a famous, and very potent, apple brandy which is usually just called Calvados. It is readily available anywhere in France and widely exported, but may be cheaper or better here. Guided tours are also available at some distilleries, for example Chateau de Bruil near Lisieux.

Go next

 * Upper Normandy
 * Brittany
 * Pays de la Loire
 * Centre-Val de Loire

title: Lower Normandy


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Gävleborg County

Gävleborg County, Gävleborgs län, consists of two provinces, Gästrikland and Hälsingland, which make up the southernmost part of Norrland in Sweden.

Most of the country consists of forests.

Gästrikland

 * is the county seat and largest city.
 * is an industrial town, known for steel and bandy.
 * is an industrial town, known for steel and bandy.
 * is an industrial town, known for steel and bandy.

Hälsingland

 * is Hälsingland's largest city.

Other destinations

 * Järvsö, a ski resort

Understand
Gästrikland and Hälsingland are the gateway to Norrland, mostly covered by hilly forests.

By plane
Stockholm-Arlanda Airport is the nearest international airport. Gävleborg County itself has hardly any commercial air service at all.

By train

 * SJ trains go from Stockholm, and many lines call at the Arlanda airport. Service is fast, but might be delayed at winter.

By bus

 * Tapanis Buss has a route between Stockholm and Tornio, Finland serving coastal region along road E4
 * Ybuss operates a coach service between Stockholm and Umeå, which stops at Gävle, Söderhamn and Hudiksvall.
 * FlixBus

Get around
The county is sparsely populated, and preferably travelled by car. The E4 is the dominant highway, though smaller roads are more scenic.

 * X-trafik local trains and buses.

See

 * The Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland — a UNESCO World Heritage Listing consisting of seven traditional farms:

Itineraries

 * E4 through Sweden

Do
With milder climate and higher population density than northern Norrland, but still with large tracts of nature, Gävleborg is great for outdoor life, with beaches, and deep forests. As the county gets plenty of snow every winter, downhill snowsport is possible at Järvsö and some other ski resorts. Watching sport is a pastime; ice hockey in Gävle, and bandy in Sandviken and Bollnäs.

As the only major city, Gävle has opportunities for shopping and nightlife.

Gävleborg is also famous for its folk culture, with similarities to neighbouring province Dalarna. Delsbostämman and Hälsingehambon are annual events.

title: Gävleborg County


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Lower Northern Thailand

Lower Northern Thailand or North Central Plains is a region in Thailand, mostly centered around the historic city of Sukhothai.

Cities

 * – historical park with temples, walls and forts from the Sukhothai era; "banana capital"
 * – town with border crossing into Myanmar (foreigners restricted to same-day entry/exit from the Thai side only)
 * – the town is the setting of a legend about the crocodile king, illustrated by a crocodile park
 * – trade and transportation hub; several historic temples and giant golden Buddha statue
 * – Sukhothai's twin city
 * – once the heart of the Sukhothai Kingdom, now a sleepy provincial town, but still a UNESCO World Heritage Site
 * – there are many popular natural places such as Thi Lo Su waterfall and Doi Hua Mot hill; trekking and rafting are most popular activities, especially with foreigners
 * – Sukhothai's twin city
 * – once the heart of the Sukhothai Kingdom, now a sleepy provincial town, but still a UNESCO World Heritage Site
 * – there are many popular natural places such as Thi Lo Su waterfall and Doi Hua Mot hill; trekking and rafting are most popular activities, especially with foreigners
 * – there are many popular natural places such as Thi Lo Su waterfall and Doi Hua Mot hill; trekking and rafting are most popular activities, especially with foreigners

Other destinations

 * — the largest protected area in Southeast Asia, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991
 * – mountainous area with unusual Buddhist temples
 * - a world heritage listed archaeological site
 * - a world heritage listed archaeological site

Understand
Lower Northern Thailand can be described as the cradle of Siam. Located in the northernmost part of the Chao Phraya Basin, the Kingdom of Sukhothai was the first major Thai realm and the earliest direct predecessor of the modern state of Thailand. It climaxed in the early-13th century AD and is viewed as a first zenith of Thai (especially Buddhist) art. Buddha statues from this era belong to the most elegant works in the history of Siamese art. The Thai script was developed in Sukhothai as well as other aspects that are now considered typical for Thai culture. The Historical Parks of Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet are evidences of this era. However, soon after the death of its paramount king Ramkhamhaeng, the Kingdom of Sukhothai declined.

In the mid-14th century, the capital was moved to Phitsanulok, where several Buddhist temples were erected or enhanced during that time. After 1438, Lower Northern Thailand was merged into the Central-Thai Kingdom of Ayutthaya, but maintained some regional autonomy and cultural distinctions, with Phitsanulok serving as a "second capital" of the Ayutthayan Empire and nobles from Lower Northern Thailand often playing the role of king-makers. Efforts of the Kingdom of Lan Na (centered around Chiang Mai) to conquer Lower Northern Thailand remained unsuccessful. The 16th-century warrior-king Naresuan, one of the most famous rulers in Thai history, was born and raised in Phitsanulok.

In terms of cultural traditions, dialect and cuisine, Lower Northern Thailand is closer to the Central region than to (upper) Northern Thailand.

Get in
The closest international airports are in Bangkok (BKK or DMK). The region has two minor airports, Phitsanulok (PHS) and Sukhothai (THS) that are only served by domestic flights.

Lower Northern Thailand lies on the State Railway of Thailand's (SRT) Northern line, about halfway between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, with notable stops in Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Uttaradit.

Most provinces in Lower Northern Thailand are best to reach by intercity bus. All provincial capitals and some other towns have direct bus links with Bangkok. Some places are also directly accessible from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai or Khon Kaen.

Get around
If your destinations are not on the Northern railway line (see above), busses are the usual means of choice to get from one province to another. For short distances or remote places, there are Songthaeos (converted pickups with passenger benches on the bed).

See

 * Historical Parks of Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet, with ruins of temples, Buddha statues, palaces, walls and forts from the 13th to 15th centuries (UNESCO World Heritage)
 * Several historic temples in Phitsanulok, with Phra Putthachinnarat (a 3.55 m or 11'8" high sitting Buddha statue of massive gold)
 * Si Thep Historical Park (south of Phetchabun province), containing the ruins of a once important Hindu-Buddhist city from the 5th to 11th century, several temples with prangs and remarkable stucco decoration as well as free-standing "Wheels of Law"
 * Wat Phra That Pha Kaeo, early-21st century Buddhist meditation centre with very unusual, fanciful buildings and flamboyant mosaics (23 km west of Lom Sak)
 * Bhumibol dam on Ping River (Tak Province) and Sirikit dam on Nan River (Uttaradit Province)

Do

 * Traditional Thai Massage in places off the beaten track can be incredibly cheap (c. 200 baht for 2 hrs), but still very good.

Eat
The cuisine of Lower Northern Thailand is similar to the one of Central Thailand, you will get all classical Thai dishes. As most cities of this region are located along a river, a lot of freshwater fish is served, but also chicken, pork and vegetables. Do not expect typical Northern Thai cuisine (i.e. the one of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai etc).

title: Lower Northern Thailand


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Lower Peninsula

The Lower Peninsula is an area of Michigan, containing most of the state's population and the majority of its territory.

Understand
The Lower Peninsula ranges from a dense urban metropolis in the southeast to sparsely populated forest regions in the north. It is separated from the Upper Peninsula by the Straits of Mackinac and adjoining waters of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron which straddle it to the west and east, respectively. It borders with Indiana and Ohio in the south, and Ontario to the southeast. The region is not usually discussed as a whole, except in distinction to the "U.P." (and is almost never referred to as the "L.P.").

Regions

 * Southeast Michigan
 * Central Michigan
 * Northern Michigan
 * West Michigan

title: Lower Peninsula