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Anchor Point

Anchor Point is an unincorporated community on the Kenai Peninsula in Southcentral Alaska. It is the westernmost point in the North American highway system.

Understand
In the summer of 1778 Captain James Cook sailed into Cook Inlet searching for the Northwest Passage. While near Anchor Point he lost a large anchor there due to the powerful tides. Because of this it is named Anchor Point.

Get in
The only access to Anchor Point is by the Sterling Highway. The closest harbor and airport are in Homer, about fifteen miles away. The cities of Kenai and Soldotna are about eighty miles away, Anchorage is about two hundred miles.

Get around
Renting a car in Homer is one option, taxis from Homer will take you to and from Anchor Point for about forty dollars each way. There is no local transportation of any kind, and no bike routes or sidewalks. (Anchor Point is an unincorporated community and minimal local infrastructure)

See

 * Anchor River state Recreation Area has campgrounds, fishing, and beach access.
 * Anchor Point is America's Most Westerly Highway Point, which is on Sterling Highway.
 * The North Fork Road provides a glimpse into the backcountry as well as access to town of Nikolaevsk, inhabited by Russian "Old Believers". There is a Russian cafe and tea house called "The Samovar". Call ahead to make sure it is open. The road is mostly paved but very curvy. The southern part of the road has no guardrails. Exercise extreme caution, especially on hills, during icy conditions or during and after heavy rains.
 * On a clear day visitors to the beach can see several large volcanoes and other mountains some 75 miles distant on the other side of Cook Inlet.

Do
Many anglers come to Anchor Point for the fishing. You can fly fish in the Anchor River or you can charter a boat to take you fishing out on the ocean. Be sure to obtain a license and familiarize yourself with the current regulations before doing any fishing in the Anchor river, which is tightly regulated for salmon and trout fishing. Visitors in summer can drive down to the Anchor River State Recreation Area Beach to witness the odd spectacle of tractors that drive directly into Cook Inlet to launch and retrieve boats. Since there is no harbor this is the only way to access the Inlet from Anchor Point. Larger boats must use the Ninilchik or Homer harbors.

Just a short drive from Anchor Point is The Normal Lowell Art Gallery. It is a wonderful art gallery of paintings Mr. Lowell has made of the area. The gallery is open May-September and is free to the public. The gallery is located 4 miles south of Anchor Point at mile 160.9 on the New Sterling Highway between Anchor Point and Homer, Alaska. Mr. Lowell is very friendly and is open to talking about what it was like homesteading and painting in Alaska for the past 50 years.

Buy
Anchor Point's visitor facilities are geared almost entirely toward fishing. There are several shops selling fishing equipment and supplies. There are also two small groceries. If you’re looking to stock up at all there are larger grocery stores in Homer.

Eat
The Anchor River Inn is the unofficial center of town and has an on-site restaurant.

Blue Bus features burgers and milkshakes

Ramiro's food stand offers handmade Mexican food as well as to-go sandwiches.

As with most Alaskan towns there are several drive-up espresso stands in the area.

Drink
The Inn and the VFW are Anchor Point's only bars. There is a liquor store adjacent to the Inn.

Sleep
The Anchor River Inn offers lodging and supplies, or you can camp at the four state campgrounds along the river.

Connect
The Alaska State Troopers have a post in Anchor Point, and there is a volunteer fire department. Dial 911 for emergencies

title: Anchor Point


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Ancient Rome

Ancient Rome can be:
 * 1) Rome/Colosseo, the ancient centre of Rome
 * 2) Roman Empire

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

title: Ancient Rome


text:
Ancona

Ancona is the capital of the Italian region called the Marches and an important port city on the coast of the Adriatic Sea.

Understand
A part of its medieval center was bombed during World War II, but it is still full of ancient monuments and squares. Its medieval cathedral is set on the mountain overlooking at the gulf of Ancona and it is well worth a look. The ancient roman Trajan Arch is on the docks of the port. There is also a loved Memorial of the First World War (built during Fascism) on the waterfront. The city offers glorious vistas, on a coastline that extends from Pesaro, with mainly flat sandy beaches, to Mount Conero, with its rocky coast. The popular resort of Portonovo is at the Mount's base.

Many ferries link Ancona, and therefore Italy, to Croatia, Greece and Turkey.

By boat
Ferries are cheap and go regularly between various places by the coast.

The instructions for ferry passengers are worth a read. You must first check-in at the ticket office for the international ferries. You must present your ticket or reservation number, the travel documents for each member of your party, and documents for your auto (if you are taking it on the ferry). They will give you instructions for when and where to board. Boarding usually starts 2-3 hours before departure. Take the free bus line 20, which loops to the two ferry docks every 15 to 20 minutes, in the summer season only. Or, walk 15 to 20 minutes.

The following international routes are serviced by car ferries. (See also "Adriatic Sea" in Ferries in the Mediterranean.)

To/From Croatia:
 * Split - Ancona (Jadronlinija, and Snav from April–October; the Blue Line ferry ceased operations)
 * Rijeka - Zadar - Split - Hvar - Korčula - Dubrovnik - Bari
 * Korčula - Hvar - Split - Ancona
 * Zadar - Ancona
 * Zadar - Dugi otok - Ancona
 * Dubrovnik - Bari - Dubrovnik

To/From Greece:
 * Patras - Ancona - Patras
 * Igoumenitsa - Ancona - Igoumenitsa
 * Patras - Igoumenitsa - Ancona - Igoumenitsa - Patras

To/From Montenegro:
 * Bar - 18 hours, twice a week, only in the summer, cheapest way approx (Montenegro Lines)

The Jadrolinija and SNAV companies operate many of these routes.

By train
Ancona has a direct train connection to Rome, Bari and to Rimini. Central train station is two kilometers from the port.

Be aware that the central train station has two sets of lines, and "Platform 2 Ovest" is NOT THE SAME "as Platform 2".

By plane
Airlines servicing this airport are limited: The airport is accessible from the city through the bus and train service: Most travelers prefer flying from another nearby airport. Bari, Pescara and Bologna are among the popular alternatives for flying.
 * Lufthansa: Munich
 * Ryanair: Brussel-Charleroi, London-Stansted, Trapani, Dusseldorf-Weeze
 * Volotea: Cagliari, Catania
 * Vueling: Barcelona
 * Train: The nearest station is called Castelferretti and the train also goes to Ancona Station
 * Bus: Raffaello bus serves the Falconara Maritima - Ancona route. The bus cost 5.5 EUR and can be purchased on board. The bus can be taken from Piazza Cavour, Piazza Kennedy, Ancona Central Train Station and Ancona Torrete Train Station.

Get around

Taxis can take you between the airport, train station, ferry ticket office, and town centre. But be careful to check that they are running their meter. Some travellers report being overcharged.

Do

If you want to quickly go to the rocky beach, you can take, from the train station, bus 1/4 to go to the "Passetto" (, one way). If you have some more time, you could take the bus to the wooded place of Portonovo (south of Ancona), where the rocky beaches are very nice. This tour requires at least half a day.

Drink

 * Raval, on the Piazza del Plebiscito, is a good place to meet people, drink a great, freshly made cocktail or to eat delicious Italian tapas. +39 071 2320951 Free Wi-Fi.
 * 'Bar Torino (corso Garibaldi), Tazza d'Oro (corso Mazzini) and Caffè Giuliani (corso Garibaldi) are great for driks and appetizers.

Sleep
Most of the things to see or do are in the city center. Ancona is very hilly, so the surrounding neighborhoods are not always easily connected by bus, so it is better to stay in the center.

Stay safe
Marche ranked as one of the safest region in Italy. Walking around Ancona even in the night wouldn't be a problem. However, caution has to be exercised moreover in area outside of the centro. Tourist scam is uncommon, as Ancona itself is merely a transit point for the ferry passengers.

Connect
The city provides limited free wifi in Piazza Roma and in front of Teatro delle Muse. Connect to Free AnkonNet and follow the instruction.

Go next
Go up north to Bologna or Rimini, down the coast to Pescara, or inland to Perugia.

title: Ancona


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Ancona (province)

Ancona Province is in Marche Region in Italy.

Cities

 * - major port on the Adriatic Sea
 * - a city under the Ancona district, famous for its paper production story since XIII century
 * - walled city famous for its Verdicchio wine
 * - home of Michelin star restaurant Uliassi
 * - home of Michelin star restaurant Uliassi

title: Ancona (province)


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Ancud

Ancud is the first town most people hit when visiting Chiloé Island from Puerto Montt. It's a relatively nice town of 41,000 people (2012) with a port and the usual small town attractions.

Understand
The city was established in 1768 to function as the capital of the archipelago and held that position until 1982. Founded as bulwark against foreign powers in colonial times, the city played an important role in the Chilean colonization of Patagonia in the 19th century.

Climate
Winters are cool and wet with a July average of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). Precipitation during this time of the year is very high, averaging around 350 millimetres (14 in) and humidity is high, averaging around 87-88%.

Summers are mild with a January average of 15.0 °C (59.0 °F) and during this time, precipitation is lower though still significant, averaging 125 millimetres (5 in) in January. Temperatures rarely exceed 30 °C (86.0 °F). There are 200 days a year that get some rain.

Get in
Ancud has several different bus terminals and is served by several bus companies, including Tur-bus, Pullman, Cruz del Sur/Transchiloé, and Queilen. The Terminal Municipal is at the intersection of Avenida Aníbal Pinto and Marcos Vera. The Cruz del Sur bus station is at the intersection of Los Carrera and Los Cavada.

All buses to Ancud from the mainland stop in Puerto Montt. The bus from Puerto Montt crosses over to Chiloé by ferry and costs 4000-5000 pesos. The journey takes about 2 hours. Buses depart frequently from Puerto Montt until around 21:00.

Get around
The best way to get around is to rent a car for a day. You can then explore either the nice beaches to the west of ancud, or drive to Castro. Ask at the local gas station for car rentals.

Buy
Ancud has two major markets where you can find both food and handicrafts. The Mercado Municipal at the intersection of Arturo Prat and Libertad has two floors of stalls selling regional handicrafts, primarily knitwear, wool products, baskets, and carved wooden items. There is also a restaurant and seafood market here. The Fería Rural y Artesanal on Pedro Montt between Dieciocho and Arturo Prat has local foodsellers on the first floor and handicrafts on the second floor.

Eat

 * retro's pub at Maipú 615 is the best place for completos (sandwiches, try the ones with palta = guacamole), lunch, pizza, tea/coffee, dinner (tasty meat and fish, and great desserts and kuchen made by Marcela) and a drink with friends. Very frequented by the local population of all ages. Open from 11:00 until 02:00. The owners also organize curanto (native chilote meal baked under the earth) for groups on weekends at the beach.
 * Casamar is a superb restaurant and bar of modern architecture overviewing the sea, at night with a big video screen, good music and fantastic food and drinks.
 * La Candela across from the Plaza de Armas at Libertad 599 is a fantastic restaurant. Don't visit Ancud without stopping in for either lunch or dinner or dessert (or all three).
 * Pedersen Salon de Te Down the road from La Candela there is a small cafe which also serves sandwiches and desserts. The native dessert derived from European influences called "Kuchen" (also the word for cake in German) can be sampled at its best here. Inexpensive.
 * Kuranton At the port, nice and inexpensive local where you can eat the famous Curanto meal.

Sleep

 * Hostel TerraMar, downtown and up a steep hill. No breakfast.

Go next
From Ancud it's quite easy to catch a bus to Castro or Quellón.

title: Ancud


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Andahuaylas

Andahuaylas is a city in the Southern Sierra region of Peru. It is the capital of the Andahuaylas Province in the Apurímac Region. It is known as the pradera de los celajes (Spanish for "prairie of colored clouds").

Understand
Andahuaylas is in the department of Apurímac. The population is estimated at 42,000 (2017). The altitude is about 3,000m above sea level. The surrounding mountains provide beautiful scenery.

By bus
There are daily buses from and to Ayacucho. The journey takes at least 10 hard hours on dust road. The views are impressive and since the bus drives very slowly due to the road conditions, you have enough time to look.

Andahualas is a very long town, spread out along the river. If you're coming from Ayacucho, don't be concerned if it drops people off in what looks like the center of town, and the bus continues beyond. You'll soon reach the bus terminal, which is actually close to the real center of town.

Get around
No big problem. Distances are small, just walk. If you need a taxi, don't pay more than S/3 (soles) in the city. Mototaxis (tuk-tuks) are even cheaper.

Do
The Laguna de Pacucha, at 3,300m is easy to reach during the day. Take a colectivo (S/3) or a taxi. Both leave from the same place at the top of the market (ferria). The colectivos run via the village of Pucucha until the end of the laguna (40 minutes). From here, it's a 30-min walk to the ruins of Sondor from the Chanca era. Lovely landscape and great views of the mountains. If you have enough time, walk back to Pucucha on the other side of the laguna (2½ hr). It's a beautiful stroll (all flat) and the villagers are quite friendly.The village gives a good impression of campesinos 's life. But be sure to reach Pucucha before dark, otherwise it's going to be difficult to find a colectivo or taxi back to Andahuaylas.

Eat

 * Restaurant Sol de Oro, Jr. Juan A Trelles 164, very good Chinese menu (S/6) also à la carte, good breakfast.

Go next
Luxury combis (minivans) leave for Abancay approximately six times a day for S/15. There are several companies operating this trip, all based out of the bus terminal. Don't believe them that it only takes 3½ hours - inevitably there are delays, making the trip 5 hours. Beautiful scenery through a series of hairpin turns and switchbacks.

Daily buses from and to Cusco via Abancay run by several companies, 11 hr. To Abancay, it's a dust road, from there to Cusco, the road is paved and in very good condition. Now the road is paved all the way (Jun 2015).

title: Andahuaylas


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Andahuaylillas

Andahuaylillas is a small town in the Southern Sierra of Peru, surrounded by mountains and lands used for farming. It's very quiet, featuring a historical church that is described as the "Sistine Chapel of America." Most of its locals are farmers or are involved in the cattle industry.

By bus
You can take buses in Cusco to Andahuaylillas. Take the buses going towards Urcos.

Go next

 * Cusco - About an hour drive northeast on highway 3 from Andahuaylillas is the former Incan capital of Cusco. It's very historic, and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site.

title: Andahuaylillas


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Andalusia

Andalusia (Spanish: Andalucía) is the southern part of Spain. It has a heritage back to the Roman Empire, and a diverse scenery of deserts, beaches along the Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz and the Sierra Nevada range, with Iberia's tallest mountains, and Europe's southernmost ski resorts.

Andalusia encompasses an area of 87,268 km2 with 8.4 million inhabitants. To the south in the Province of Cadiz at the very tip of Spain lies the British overseas territory of Gibraltar where it is separate from North Africa by just a few miles.

Provinces
Andalusia is divided into eight provinces, each having the same name as its respective provincial capital city.

Cities

 * — the heart of flamenco, the capital and largest city of Andalusia
 * — lots of medieval remains and fortresses
 * — the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the Iberian Peninsula and possibly of all of southwestern Europe
 * — used to be the capital of an Islamic caliphate in the Middle Ages
 * — home to the magnificent La Alhambra Palace
 * — a maritime port town with the oldest football club of Spain
 * — the world's capital of olive oil and a booming cultural tourism destination
 * — a large harbour city right on the Costa del Sol
 * — wealthy resort town on the Costa del Sol

Other destinations

 * — a beautiful town with an impressive bridge along the deep gorge
 * — a Renaissance monumental town of many hills included in UNESCO's World Heritage List

 * — Andalusia's largest coastal protected area, a wild and isolated landscape with some of Europe's oldest geological features
 * — an old spa village above a gorge
 * — 53,649 hectares of Natural Park
 * — sunny beaches and beautiful villages along Spain's southern coast
 * — a small village painted Smurf blue for 2011 movie Smurfs II.
 * — a mountainous district south of the Sierra Nevada

 * — the highest mountains in the Iberian Peninsula, excelling for skiing and hiking

Understand

Andalusia has a rich Moorish heritage, including many fantastic examples of Moorish architecture which were built during the eight centuries when Andalusia, as Al-Andalus, was the centre of the Arab population in the Iberian peninsular. The Moorish rule effectively ended in 1492AD when the Christians recaptured Granada.

Nowadays, the region is a very popular tourist destination with a lot of British and German package holidayers coming to stay in the concrete resorts on the Costa del Sol. But if you stay away from the concrete resorts you will find lots of culture, amazing scenery and great food.

Climate
Andalusía has a Mediterranean climate with hot, arid summers and mild, relatively wet winters. Temperatures often surpass 35°C in the summer and average 10.5°C in January and February, the coolest months. Spring warms up gradually, and days in which it is possible to comfortably sunbathe can show up as early as May. Autumn experiences warm temperatures in September, that can possibly extend into October. The region is overall quite sunny, amongst the sunniest in Europe after regions of Italy, Greece and Portugal.

Talk
Like most of the rest of Spain, Andalusia's main language is Spanish.

Get in
Major airports: Seville (Sevilla), Malaga, Almeria, Jerez de la Frontera.

By car
The main road routes into Andalusia are

 * The E-1 A-49 from the Algarve (Portugal) to Seville
 * The E-803 A-66 from Portugal and western Spain to Seville
 * The E-5 A-4 from Madrid to Cordoba and then Seville
 * The E-15 A-7 from Valencia and Murcia to Almeria and along the coast

By plane
Malaga has the third biggest international airport in Spain, which a lot of discount airlines fly to. From Malaga, the A-7 E-15 motorway runs westwards along the coast to Gibraltar and eastwards to Almeria and beyond. To head north from Malaga, the A-45 motorway runs to Cordoba. There are also airports in Sevilla, Jerez de la Frontera, Granada and Almeria

By train
Spain's railway network is not as developed as those of many other European countries, but Algeciras, Almeria, Cadiz, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Malaga, Cordoba and Sevilla are all served by regular train services. Spain's highspeed AVE network connects Malaga, Cordoba and Sevilla to Madrid. Some of the other smaller towns are served by less frequent services, see individual city guides for further details. For more info, see the RENFE website.

Get around
Bus services around Andalusia are provided by
 * Alsina Graells
 * DAMAS

See

 * Moorish architecture in Granada, including the Alhambra.
 * Lake Negratin is situated at the foothills of Mount Jabalcón. As one of Europes largest lakes, it really is worth seeing not least for the most magnificent lunar-landscape that surrounds it. The rock formations and the colours it produces during different times of the day  can be likened to those of the Grand Canyon. There is a manmade beach where you can laze the day away, a number of restaurants dotted round the lake and on a nice day you can swim or take out a pedalo boat, which might lead you to pink flamingos and various other wildlife.
 * Seron is nestled on the lower slopes of the Sierra de los Filabres and is a picturesque town that cascades down the hillside. Dominated by its Castle, which sits at the very top, Seron is famous for its ham and provides a more traditional experience of Andalusian life.  It is a beautiful location to start your exploration of the Filabres, or visit at the right time of year and you might find yourself submerged in a vibrant fiesta.
 * Las Menas, an old mining village abandoned thirty years ago, makes an interesting stop in the Sierra de los Filabres. You can investigate old ruins crumbling amidst the most breathtaking countryside, stop for coffee and cake at the hotel and even camp for the night.
 * Visit the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in andalusia:
 * Grazalema
 * Doñana
 * Las Sierras de Cazorla y Segura
 * Marismas del Odiel
 * Sierra Nevada
 * Sierra de las Nieves y su Entorno
 * Cabo de Gata-Nijar
 * Las Dehesas de Sierra Morena
 * Intercontinental Biospehere Reserve of the Mediterranean

Do

 * Long clean beaches on the Costa del Sol and the Costa de la Luz.
 * Walking and hiking in the Sierra Nevada
 * Windsurfing and Kiting in Tarifa Spain's southern tip
 * Horse riding and Spain go hand-in-hand and with such spectacular mountain ranges at your disposal as the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarra Hills; you have a feast of beautiful Andalusian trekking land to indulge in astride your faithful friend. There are several stables situated in these areas and all offer the option to ride for an hour, a day or even as long as 7 nights.  Accommodation and food are included in prices and the whole experience offers a unique way to see this amazing part of Spain.  Prices vary from €25 to €1200 and there are so many options to choose from that you will undoubtedly find something to suit your level and requirements.
 * Flamenco is the all-Andlusian art with a history stretching back over 3,000 years. The Museo del Baile Flamenco (Flamenco Dance Museum) is the ideal place to learn more about this phenomenon. Shows are offered on Friday and Saturday nights at 19:30, too.
 * Horse riding and Spain go hand-in-hand and with such spectacular mountain ranges at your disposal as the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarra Hills; you have a feast of beautiful Andalusian trekking land to indulge in astride your faithful friend. There are several stables situated in these areas and all offer the option to ride for an hour, a day or even as long as 7 nights.  Accommodation and food are included in prices and the whole experience offers a unique way to see this amazing part of Spain.  Prices vary from €25 to €1200 and there are so many options to choose from that you will undoubtedly find something to suit your level and requirements.
 * Flamenco is the all-Andlusian art with a history stretching back over 3,000 years. The Museo del Baile Flamenco (Flamenco Dance Museum) is the ideal place to learn more about this phenomenon. Shows are offered on Friday and Saturday nights at 19:30, too.

Stay safe
Andalusia is a very safe region; cities and villages alike are safe if you are smart and don't do anything stupid. However, places like Malaga, Marbella, and Fuengirola attract millions of tourists yearly, and sadly, some end up partying like animals.

In Granada, it is advisable to avoid women offering plants (usually heather). They will offer you a plant for free, and then when you accept it, they will read your palm and demand money. If you refuse to give it to them, they may start screaming at you, and you will generally want to avoid this situation. Aside from this, the area is usually very safe, but one should still take the usual precautions, especially in Malaga, Seville, etc.

While parts of the Andalusian coast have made headlines for scenes of migrant boats landing on beaches, they are not as frequent as the media might suggest, and most of the time, migrants tend to stick to themselves if left alone.

Go next

 * Alentejo — sparsely populated region in Portugal's southern plains
 * Algarve — popular beach and resort region in southern Portugal
 * Gibraltar
 * Morocco

title: Andalusia


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Andalusia (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Andalusia:

Colombia

 * Andalucía (Colombia) - a municipality in the north of the department of Valle del Cauca, in the Pacifica region

Spain

 * Andalusia - an autonomous community of Spain

United States of America

 * Andalusia (Alabama) - a city in Covington County (Alabama), in the River Heritage (Alabama) region of Alabama
 * Andalusia (Florida)
 * Andalusia (Georgia)
 * Andalusia (Illinois) - a village in Rock Island County
 * Andalusia (Pennsylvania) - a suburb in Bucks County
 * Andalusia Township - in Illinois

title: Andalusia (disambiguation)


text:
Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of nearly 600 islands in the Bay of Bengal. Although part of India politically, they are closer to Indonesia and Myanmar than to the Indian mainland. They were just north of the epicentre of the earthquake in 2004 and were the site of dozens of aftershocks. The Nicobars were badly hit by the resulting tsunami, while the Andamans escaped with a few bruises.

Cities

 * — the laid-back capital of the archipelago and the only entry and exit point. Spend a day or two here walking around and enjoying fresh seafood and seeing a couple of the nearby sites like Ross Island, Viper Island & Bambooflat Island leading to Mount Harriet.
 * — the largest town in the far north of the archipelago, it is a base for trips to the nearby Smith and Ross Islands – but check legality and rules of visits.
 * — It is around 210 km from Port Blair, connected by boat and Andaman Trunk Road.
 * — a relaxed destination, but known more as the gateway to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
 * — headquarters of the district, well connected to Port Blair via 240 km of Andaman Trunk Road (ATR). The distance is 136 km by ferry.

Other destinations

In 2018, many islands were officially renamed. The new names have not been widely adopted, but are listed below in parentheses.

 * — mud volcano, limestone caves and mangrove creeks in backwaters
 * — the island with the only active volcano in the whole of India. It is a restricted area within the Andaman Islands.
 * — great reefs for diving
 * — the most visited of the islands, with the most (although still limited) infrastructure. Famous for its beautiful beaches, especially Radhanagar, Elephant Beach and Kalapatthar, and great for snorkelling, scuba diving, jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, etc.
 * (on the Andaman Trunk Road, between Jarkatang and Mangroove Creek) — visits are illegal and highly inadvisable, as there is a severe risk of outsiders bringing infections to which the locals are not immune, and which thus can be deadly
 * — a beautiful island where you can see underwater coral reefs, by snorkelling, or riding on glass-bottomed boats. This island requires prior permission to visit and does not have any food outlets, so pack your own food. Also, plastics are banned in this island. Typically 3–4 ferries from Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, leave daily morning around 9AM and return by 2–2:30PM. Private arrangements are also possible.
 * — badly damaged from the 2004 tsunami, the island has recovered but is still among the less visited.
 * — great if you're looking for Robinson Crusoe-style camping; no facilities, so you must bring all of your own gear and food – except that camping is illegal on public land and on beaches.
 * — a volcanic island that is home to the narcondam hornbill. Normally restricted for tourists by the Indian Coast Guard.
 * — A small, beautiful island with amazing beaches like Bharatpur Beach, Laxmanpur Beach and Sitapur Beach and a natural bridge. Snorkelling, jet skiing, scuba diving, glass-bottom boat rides, etc.
 * — the former headquarters of the Indian Penal Settlement
 * — beautiful mangrove forest and coral reefs welcome you to this little visited and pristine island
 * — legality of visits unclear.

Understand

1,400 km from mainland India and 1,000 km from Thailand, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are one of the most remote spots on the planet. The original inhabitants are various aboriginal tribes, ethnically Melanesian, who exist more or less out of the mainstream. There are some tribes, most notably the Sentinelese, who have had almost no contact with the rest of the world. Of nearly 600 islands, only 30 are open to foreign tourists, and all of these are in the Andamans.

The islands exist in India's popular consciousness mainly because they were used as a penal colony during British rule to imprison rebels and freedom fighters, in addition to hardened criminals. The majority of people living on the islands are descendants of migrants from the mainland. Some of them descended from the prisoners.

During World War II, the Andamans were the only part of India that was, briefly, occupied by the Japanese. While notionally handed over to Subhash Chandra Bose's 'Free India", in practice the Japanese held the reins of power. The territory was run brutally — suspected resistance members were tortured and executed, and when food started to run out towards the end of the war, people were deported to uninhabited islands to fend for themselves.

Climate
Mid-January to mid-May has the best weather, and often the best diving conditions. The days are mostly sunny at this time of year, and the sea is sometimes flat enough to reflect the clouds. The monsoon usually hits around late May and lasts until the end of July. This is probably the worst time to visit the islands as there are strong winds, frequent rain and low visibility underwater. From August to November there are some occasional showers and slightly rougher seas but diving can still be great during this period of the year. The weather often takes a turn for the worse from the month of December to early January.

Geography
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands stretch out almost 500 km in length, with the Andamans in the north and the Nicobars in the south. The main island, aptly known as Great Andaman, is divided into three parts: North Andaman, Middle Andaman and South Andaman. The capital Port Blair is on South Andaman.

Visitor information

 * Andaman and Nicobar Islands Tourism

Talk
The main spoken languages are Hindi, Tamil and Bengali. Telugu and English are widely understood by the inhabitants of the islands that are open to tourism. Nicobarese is the mother tongue of the Nicobar Islands and is understood by the tribes.

Foreigners can hire a guide to communicate with local people. Most of the guides work as volunteers and have been serving tourists for many years.

Get in

Since 2018, foreigners except citizens and former citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan can visit 30 islands in the Andamans, including basically all of those commonly visited by tourists, without a Restricted Area Permit (RAP). This includes South Andaman Island, Middle Andaman Island and Little Andaman Island (except tribal reserves), Neil Island, Havelock Island, Long Island, Diglipur, Baratang, North Passage and islands in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (excluding Boat Hobday Island, Twin Island, Tarmugli Island, Malay Island and Pluto Island). Overnight stays in the park are with permission only.

Indian nationals do not require a permit to visit the Andamans. However, permits are required to visit the Nicobar Islands and other tribal areas, which are rarely given. Application on an official form should be addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman District, Port Blair.

By plane
The primary way to reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by air is from the Indian mainland to Port Blair. There are talks of opening up flights from Bangkok, which could drastically change the situation in the islands, but as of 2024 these remain just plans. Flights can fill up in peak season and immigration doesn't look kindly on people arriving without confirmed flights back, so book a return ticket and change the flight date if you decide to stay longer.

The main airport of the islands, Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, is probably one of the most quaint and idyllic airports in India. There is a scenic view point where the whole airport can be seen. There are no night flights as the airport is handed over to the Indian Air Force after 15:00. As of 2019, it has only flights from elsewhere in India.

By boat
It's possible to take a ship from Kolkata (c. 60 hr), Chennai or Visakhapatnam (almost 4 days) to Port Blair. It is less expensive at only ₹1961 (as of November 2011). Facilities are basic, though and many prefer to sleep on the deck rather than in the cramped bunks. The ferries can take up to five days to arrive depending on weather and various other variables. This can be quite frustrating for many. The Bay of Bengal is not calm, and those who get seasickness easily should consider flying, instead.

Between islands

The Andaman and Nicobar is a vast archipelago, and aside from some erratic, infrequent and expensive helicopter shuttles and a pricey seaplane service to Havelock Island, passenger ferries are the only way to move between the islands.

All passenger transport in the islands is handled by the government-run Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS), which also runs the ferries back to the mainland. The DSS operates two kinds of vessels: small "tourist" ferries, and larger "local" ferries. Despite the names, fares are more or less identical on both, at ₹150–200 one way from Port Blair to Havelock Island.

Tourist ferries seat about 100 people in padded bucket seats in a notionally air-conditioned cabin (which can still get sweltering hot). While you can access the top deck, there are no seats, shade or shelter outside. These boats are faster and seaworthy, but top-heavy, and sway quite a bit in high seas. There is no canteen on board, so bring snacks or at least drinks.

Local ferries are considerably larger, seating up to 400 in two levels: padded "bunk" or "luxury" seating upstairs, and plain old benches on the "deck" downstairs. Neither class is air-conditioned, but ocean breezes keep temperatures tolerable, and a canteen dishes out chai, samosas and bottled water. Due to their larger size, they are more stable in heavy seas, but take about twice as long as tourist ferries to get anywhere.

An air-con catamaran ferry or private cruise from Port Blair to Havelock is also available. Tickets are ₹1171, 1289 or 1643 depending upon the class of seating (Premium, Deluxe, Royal) can be booked online in advance. Government ferry booking needs to be done via dedicated ticket booking window at the jetty in Port Blair.

During the high season demand often exceeds supply, so book your tickets at least one day in advance, either through a travel agent or directly at Port Blair's harbour. The ferry ticket booking system has become computerised. This means you can book any ferry from any jetty - i.e. Rangat to Havelock from the Diglipur ferry jetty. Services may be changed or cancelled at short notice due to inclement weather, notably cyclones in the Bay of Bengal.

Within the islands

 * Auto-rickshaws are available in Port Blair and on Havelock Island.
 * Taxis are available in Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island. All kinds of vehicles except for high end luxury vehicles are available to rent in the islands. Cab bookings can be done inside the airport on arrival from dedicated travel counter approved by the Airport Authority of India.
 * Scooters and motorcycles used to be available for rent in Port Blair and Havelock. In Havelock Island two-wheelers are the best option to get around, especially to Radhanagar beach. 2 wheeler rental will cost ₹400-500 per day excluding petrol and security deposit.

See
Most people come here for the beaches and scuba diving, especially on Havelock Island and Neil Island.

The only place with historical attractions of note is Port Blair, which houses British-era colonial buildings, including the notorious Cellular Jail, and a few World War II bunkers dating from the brief Japanese occupation.

Do

 * Scan corals reefs in glass bottom boats off Jolly Buoy Island, at the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor, 29 km from Port Blair.
 * See the only active volcano in India on Barren Island, but make sure it's smoking before you start on the overnight boat journey. The island is protected by the Indian Navy, and it is not possible to visit the Barren Islands.
 * Don't take the Andaman Trunk Road. The ride is long, and the journey that takes you through some gorgeous reserve forests and up to Maya Bunder and beyond.
 * Spot some sea cows and moon-bathe with plankton in a phosphorescent sea.
 * Sea walking is a popular activity that allows visitors to explore the beautiful coral reefs and marine life of the Andaman Islands. The activity involves walking on the sea floor while wearing a special helmet that supplies air. This allows visitors to see the coral reefs and marine life up close without the need for diving or snorkelling.

Scuba diving
Havelock Island is the main dive destination, but the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park has reopened. South Cinque Island is another possibility, enquire at Anugama Resort at Wandoor.

The best dive sites in the Andamans are in remote locations and are impossible to get without a private yacht charter. The dive sites around Havelock are actually very ordinary by Andamans standards. The best diving in the Andamans is: Barren Island (an active volcano), Narcondam Island (an extinct volcano), Invisible Bank (an extensive seamount about 160 km southeast of Port Blair) and 4 spectacular but unnamed sea mounts off the west coast. There is also a good wreck dive just south of North Brother Island. There are a small number of companies that operate live aboard diving and adventure charters in the Andaman Islands. Be aware that many companies that advertise Andaman Islands trips have never been there before.

Snorkelling
Snorkelling is a fun, popular activity done at North Bay, MuaTerra Beach and Havelock Island. The equipment is cheap, and can be bought or rented.
 * Surfing was possible on Little Andaman Island, but the island was devastated in the 2004 tsunami.

National parks

Buy
In Port Blair, you will find main shopping centre offering variety of seashell and coral souvenirs. Aberdeen Bazaar is considered as a prime commercial centre which houses various government approved shops such as Khadi Udyog outlets and Cottage Industries Emporium.

Apart from the main shopping centre, some other shopping places to explore include Prem Nagar, Machi Lane, Delanipur, Goalghar, Phoenix Bay and Junglighat. All these spots are within the range of 3-4 km from Aberdeen Bazar.

The local furniture, made from local wood and mother of pearl jewellery, is well-known. Handicrafts made from cane, ashtrays walking sticks and some eye catching lamp shades created from coconut shell are ideal best souvenirs. Other popular souvenirs are:
 * Nicobarese mats
 * Straw hats
 * Palm crafts
 * Dried coral crafts
 * Bamboo crafts
 * Wood crafts made of paduk
 * Beaded jewellery
 * Mother of pearl artefacts like key chains and some other decorative items

There are a plethora of cafés and restaurants, private and government shops.

Eat

Seafood is the order of the day. From upscale restaurants in Port Blair to local dhabas on Havelock, fish abounds. Be prepared to pay a little more for good fish and seafood dishes than for standard Indian food, but it's well worth it. Basic Indian food is also available, and as cheap as on the mainland in most of the small dhabas. Resort restaurants on Havelock can also whip up a limited set of more or less Western dishes, but the resort restaurants are pretty expensive by Indian standards.

Drink

 * Fresh coconuts are popular and widely available.
 * Alcohol is available in some restaurants and at 'English Beer & Wine Shops' in Port Blair and on Havelock Island. The beers will not be cold except in local bars.
 * Local bars are dingy and poorly lit, giving them a very eerie feel.
 * There is no pub culture or nightclubs.

Booking A&N Tourism Accommodation
There are a variety of hotels around the islands which are run by Andaman & Nicobar Tourism. You can book all A&N tourism hotels in person at A&N tourism in Port Blair, by phone on 03192 232694, or by email on accomodation@and.nic.in (but they do not have access to email). Hours are 8:30-11AM, 2-4PM.

Stay safe
The Andamans are a fairly safe destination. Tourism is still in its early stages which makes it almost hassle free. That said, you should keep your wits about you as you would anywhere.

The Andaman Islands are, however, the home of some of the last uncontacted tribes of Eurasia. These tribes have resisted becoming a part of the globally connected world for a long time. The most famous example is the Sentinelese tribe, whose home is North Sentinel Island. They maintain their sovereignty over the island, and reject contact with the outside world. They have killed people who tried to contact them, and may shoot arrows at approaching boats.

Saltwater crocodiles are found throughout the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and frequently attack people. While saltwater crocodiles generally remain within the rivers and coastal mangrove swamps, they do occasionally travel within the open ocean where most human encounters occur. The main crocodile populations are around Little Andaman Island (Northern and Western sides), Interview Island and in the narrow straits that separate the main islands MacPhearson Strait, Andaman Strait, Homfrey Strait and Austen Strait. Crocodiles also inhabit many of the Nicobar Islands.

Stay healthy
Andaman and Nicobar are malarial, although generally not more than mainland India.

Connect
The Indian country code (91) applies, and the area code for the entire Andamans is (3192). So, from outside India, you dial +91 3192xxxxxx. Within India, you dial 03192xxxxxx (by mobile phone you can use the international format also locally).

Mobile phone coverage used to be poor on many islands but is now much improved. State-owned BSNL, and private operators Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi) are the operators providing mobile services there. Landlines are frequent in Port Blair but more erratic as you move around the islands.

Internet access is slow but tolerable in Port Blair. BSNL EVDO sticks on CDMA technology works best with speed up to 1 Mbit/s. BSNL 3G gives a speed of around 100 kbit/s and ADSL is un-serviceable most of the time. Private players like Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vi offer internet access through GPRS & EDGE which is pathetically slow. A project for the interconnectivity of the islands with an underwater international Chennai-Singapore marine cable is under construction.

The mobile data network is weak whichever provider you choose to use. Free Wi-Fi is available in big hotels and restaurants.

Respect
Tourism is still relatively new in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and as such the visitor has a special responsibility in guiding its development. Remember that this is India — local women are very conservative in their attire, and if you'd like to show sensitivity to their feelings, consider dressing conservatively yourself.

Alcohol should be consumed on the premises of your hotel only. The quiet and peacefulness of the islands are one of their best assets; help to maintain these.

title: Andaman and Nicobar Islands


text:
Andean Highlands

The Andean Highlands are split between two countries of South America:

 * Andean Highlands (Ecuador) - A region of Ecuador.
 * Andean Highlands (Colombia) - A region of Colombia.

title: Andean Highlands


text:
Andean Highlands (Ecuador)

The Andean Highlands are a very scenic region in Ecuador. At an elevation of over 2,200 m (and often a lot more!), they offer a breathtaking natural experience. This part of Ecuador preserves much of its original pre-Columbian heritage, which is seen in the food, language, clothes and costumes of many people.

Cities
Arranged by province.

Azuay

 * — The third largest city in the country, a modern place with lot of attractions and beautiful colonial architecture.

Bolivar

 * — The "City of the Seven Hills" was founded by the Spanish in 1571. The quiet colonial town is the capital of Bolivar Province called also "the Rome of Ecuador" because it was built on seven hills. It is the smallest provincial capital in Ecuador
 * — Famous for its brand of cheeses called Salinerito (considered the country's premium range) as well as wool spinning and dye mills.
 * — It is a very interesting small colonial town in the Andes. Great walks around the area through ancient paths used by natives before the conquistadores arrived. Community projects for developing sustainable tourist activities are being organized by a group of enthusiasts nowadays. The main square houses and surroundings gives this placid town a special atmosphere.

Chimborazo

 * — Start of the famous Devil's nose train ride.
 * — A nice city in Central Ecuador. Starting point for tours of the 6,268-m (20,500-ft) Chimborazo volcano, which can also be seen from the city
 * — A nice city in Central Ecuador. Starting point for tours of the 6,268-m (20,500-ft) Chimborazo volcano, which can also be seen from the city
 * — A nice city in Central Ecuador. Starting point for tours of the 6,268-m (20,500-ft) Chimborazo volcano, which can also be seen from the city

Imbabura

 * — Capital of Imbabura province, close to Colombia
 * — World famous for its handicrafts market.

Loja

 * — A larger city along south, close to Vilcabamba

Pichincha

 * — A small town in a beautiful cloud forest
 * — Capital of Ecuador, and an international travel hub

Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas

 * — The fourth most populous city of Ecuador. Where the Tsáchilas live

Tungurahua

 * — Transport hub in the center of Ecuador
 * — Adventure capital of Ecuador, popular with tourists but far from overrun with them. Here you can go biking, rafting, hiking and a lot more

Other destinations

 * – Ecuador's highest mountain at just about 6,263 m (20,548 ft)
 * — A very scenic valley south of Loja with good hiking opportunities
 * — A very scenic valley south of Loja with good hiking opportunities
 * — A very scenic valley south of Loja with good hiking opportunities
 * — A very scenic valley south of Loja with good hiking opportunities
 * — A very scenic valley south of Loja with good hiking opportunities

Understand
The Ecuadorian Andes consists of two mountain ranges running in parallel north to south, the Cordillera Occidental in the west and the Cordillera Central in the east. Both ranges contain numerous tall volcanoes such as (6263 m),  (5897 m),  (5790 m), and  (5245 m and 5126 m) which are popular targets for mountain climbers. In between them is the extensively settled and farmed central plateau that Alexander von Humboldt dubbed the Avenue of the Volcanoes. The Pan-American Highway, signed as E35 in Ecuador, runs the length of this corridor and connects its major cities.

Climate in the Andean highlands varies greatly by elevation, from cold páramo (alpine tundra) to warm subtropical zones.

Talk
Almost everyone speaks Spanish. However for many people, especially in the countryside and Chimborazo/Tungurahua provinces, Quichua is the first language, and any attempt to speak some will be very well received. English is not commonly spoken, at least not beyond a basic level.

Get in
Quito is the main air hub, and there are also international buses from Peru and Colombia. Domestically, you can take buses from many places in the Coastal Lowlands and the Amazon Rainforest and flights to Mariscal Lamar International Airport.

Although not too frequented by tourists the bus ride from Guayaquil into Babahoyo is most scenic and you will often see agricultural workers hard at work tilling the fields.

Get around
Due to the very uneven terrain, even short distances can take some time to cover. Buses run almost everywhere, and is the main mode of transportation. For longer distances (e.g. Quito to Cuenca or Loja) you could consider flying.

See
There are beautiful colonial towns which you should see and spend time in. However, the natural scenery is even more breathtaking.

Itineraries

 * Quilotoa Loop: Saquisilí, Laguna Quilotoa and Isinliví

Do
The Andean Highlands offers many opportunities for world-class hiking, biking, rafting, mountain climbing, birdwatching and horse-back riding.

Eat
All local dishes are delicious:
 * sancocho is a soup made with sheep or pork meat;
 * guaguatanda is the bread of All Souls Day,
 * llapingachos (potato cakes) and empanadas
 * and the famous "Salinas cheese" in Salinas de Guaranda.

Stay safe
Look at individual city guides for more information. The coast and Ecuador in general are quite safe, but take normal precautions and use common sense. Don't wander around at dark in places you don't know are safe. If going off the beaten path, do some extra research.

Stay healthy
Due to the elevation, altitude sickness is a risk. Take it easy your first days.

Go next
The other regions of the Ecuadorian mainland are the Amazon Rainforest and Coastal Lowlands. You can also fly to the Galapagos Islands from Quito, or visit Ecuador's neighbors Colombia and Peru.

title: Andean Highlands (Ecuador)


text:
Andean Northwest (Argentina)

The Andean Northwest is a region in the northwest of Argentina bordered in the north by Bolivia, in the east by the Chaco region, in the southeast by the Pampas region, in the south by the Cuyo region, and in the west by Chile.

Provinces
The following provinces are considered part of the Andean Northwest:
 * Catamarca
 * Jujuy
 * La Rioja
 * Salta
 * Santiago del Estero
 * Tucuman

Understand
If you start your Argentine tour in Buenos Aires and think the rest of the country is either similar or uninhabited, you're in for a surprise. The northwestern provinces of Argentina, including Salta and Jujuy, are more like parts of Argentina's Andean neighbors Peru and Bolivia in terms of terrain, culture, and way of life. There tends to be more domestic than foreign tourism to this part of Argentina. Due to this you may find many unexpected amenities (as well as transplanted porteños looking for renewal) in the small pueblos along the quebrada, or mountain chain, which is said to have "siete colores", which describes the stratified layers of minerals in the mountains which appear to be red, orange, pink, green, etc. The winters are dry, warm during the day and cool during the evening.

Get in
Salta, Tucuman and Jujuy  have airports with connections to Buenos Aires  and Cordoba.

Capitán Vicente Almandos Almonacid Airport in La Rioja has flights from Buenos Aires-Aeroparque and Catamarca.

There are excellent connections on long-distance buses with the rest of the country.

See

 * Enjoy the breathtaking scenery and the great view of the starry sky behind the silhouettes of the cactus.

Do

 * Pet a llama.
 * Stay in a small mountain pueblo.
 * Take a private tour with an English-speaking guide. Poncho Tours offers tailor-made trips to suit you and your interests while exploring this beautiful area.  http://www.ponchotours.com/

Eat

 * Be sure to try empanadas salteñas.
 * Also try locro. This is a corn, pumpkin and pork meat stew.

Stay safe
All the activities classified as Active Tourism or Alternative Tourism within the province of Salta are strictly regulated and controlled by the Secretary of Tourism of the Province and by ADOPTAS ("Asociación de Operadores y Prestadores de Turismo Alternativo de Salta" – Association of Alternative Tourism Operators and Agencies of Salta). Some may require a previous medical examination or physical training. Before engaging any of these services you should ask a responsible operator about the physical requirements and see your doctor in order to carry out the correspondent examination. If you wish to perform any of these activities, ask about the equipment or clothing needed for such activity.

title: Andean Northwest (Argentina)


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Andechs

Andechs is a small town in Bavaria, Germany. It is popular mainly because of the nearby Andechs abbey.

Get in
By public transportation to Herrsching (S-Bahn S8, about 50 minutes), south west of Munich; from there it is an approximately 4km hike through beautiful scenery, or you can take a bus or cab. It is about 30km southwest of Munich but taking the car is not advisable, at least not if you plan on drinking.

If you are taking the S-Bahn then follow the small signs that state "Fußweg nach Andechs" which will lead you from Herrsching station to the abbey. About 7 minutes into the walk you get to the end of Andechsstraße where you will find a sign that points right (there is a steep hill with a staircase leading up to a church directly behind the sign) From here you can turn right as the sign suggests and then immediately left onto Leitenhöhe, or carry on forward up Kientalstrasse. Both routes go through pleasant housing then woodland, however the Kientalstrasse route is slightly easier. Going up via Leitenhöhe and then back via Kientalstrasse is the best of both worlds.

The Bus line 951 runs from Herrsching S-Bahn station with some more stops within the town. The bus station in Andechs is next to the monastery parking place. Note that this Bus is not operated by Munichs public transport company but by [Outline articles Ammersee Reisen], so you have to pay the fare even if you have a day ticket or something. The price is for one way.

If you are planning a visit, try to avoid the weekends: it can get quite full.

Go next

 * Munich
 * Augsburg
 * Kochel

title: Andechs


text:
Andermatt

Andermatt is a town and ski resort in the canton of Uri, Switzerland. It is located at a crossroad in the Alps with great historical importance. Before the opening of the Gotthard car and train tunnels, a big part of the north–south traffic had to pass through here. It has been a rather sleepy town for the last decades but is now slated for the development of a big resort by a foreign investor, so it might be a good time to visit while it is still the quiet place it is now.

Understand
In 2018, it was home to 1,400 people.

By car
There are roads in all four cardinal directions to Andermatt, and being a bit off the beaten track, driving there may be an alternative. The town is surrounded by mountain passes, and you need to cross at least one in order to get into the town. The highest of them, Furka to the west is situated at more than 2,400 m, and Andermatt is more than 1400 m (almost one mile) above sea level. Driving through alpine passes is a great experience and the views are fantastic. However remember that the engine heats up when ascending and the brakes when descending.

By train
Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (for travel details see Swiss national railways SBB ) operates local trains to Andermatt from Davos Platz, Göschenen and Visp. The Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz also stops at Andermatt.

During the summer months, a bus connects to Meiringen (roughly 2 hr) via the Susten pass twice daily.

See
There are not actually many museums and monuments and that like in Andermatt. However, the town's alpine-style houses and the nature with the surrounding summits are certainly worth photographing. Do bring a camera.

Do
Like many other towns in the Alps travelers are attracted by various outdoor activities like skiing in the winter and hiking and mountain biking in the summer.

Buy
Shops in the town centre sell equipment for outdoor activities, but being a "tourist" town in Switzerland, they are not especially cheap. Classic Swiss souvenirs like chocolate, cuckoo clocks and Swiss army knives are also available.

Eat
"Hotel" and "restaurant" are interchangeable concepts in Andermatt – most restaurants are situated in hotels.

Go next
Being on a crossroad, there is many choices on where to go on from Andermatt:
 * Go south, over the Gotthard pass to sunny Ticino.
 * Head west to one of the many resorts in the Surselva.
 * Take the Glacier Express westwards to Fiesch, Brig or even all the way to Zermatt.
 * Go north, towards Lake Lucerne and one of the destinations around it, such as Brunnen or Lucerne.

title: Andermatt


text:
Anderson

There are several places called Anderson, including, (among others):

 * 1) Anderson (Missouri), a city in Missouri
 * 2) Anderson (Indiana), a city in Indiana
 * 3) Anderson (California), a city in California
 * 4) Anderson (South Carolina), a city and county in South Carolina
 * 5) Anderson (Alabama), a town in Alabama

title: Anderson


text:
Anderson (California)

Anderson, in Shasta County in California, is named after Elias Anderson, who granted the Oregon and California Railroad trackage rights and land for a station. Today, the city has a population of 9,000, and is about 10 miles from Redding.

By car
By car is the cheapest way to go to Anderson. There are two major roads to take: Interstate 5 and California State Highway 273. The fastest way is, by far, I-5 because I-5 is much straighter and CA-273 has construction work on it a lot. However, CA-273 runs along and frequently connects with a major industrial strip called Frontage Road. If you wish to go to one of these places along it on the way, be prepared for a slow ride along CA-273.

By bus
There is only one bus line that goes into Anderson: RABA, from Redding in the north.

 * Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA). The route that goes into Anderson. The route is called the Anderson Express, which leaves from Gate 9 at the Downtown Transit Center in Redding and then turns back at the Prime Outlets in Anderson.

Get around
Anderson is a small town, so it is wise to just drive.

Buy
The major shopping area in Anderson is the Factory Outlets. There is also a California Welcome center at the very south end, and Prime 11 Cinemas is located right across from the side that most of the stores are on.

title: Anderson (California)


text:
Anderson (Indiana)

Anderson is a small city in the Nine-County Region of Indiana, home to a nice downtown and the impressive Paramount Theatre.

The city was named after Chief William "Adam" Anderson who was part Delaware Indian and platted around 1827. Things were all well and good for the people of Anderson until the second half of the 20th century. Then the keystones of the economy like GM pulled out or started to fold and smiles disappeared off faces pretty fast as empty storefronts popped up.

Be aware that smoking cigarettes indoors is legal in Anderson, and some restaurants do not have enclosed smoking areas.

Get in
The Indianapolis International Airport is an hour car ride South-East of Anderson.

Get around
Driving is probably your best option.

Sleep
There is also the campground at Mounds State Park.

title: Anderson (Indiana)


text:
Anderson (South Carolina)

Anderson is a county and city in the Upcountry of South Carolina. The city of Anderson had a population of 27,545 in 2016 with an urban area population of 75,702. Anderson County had a population of 194,692 in 2016. The city of Anderson serves as one of the three primary cities in the Upcountry of South Carolina, the others being Spartanburg and Greenville.

By plane
Anderson County is served by two airports, Anderson Regional Airport and the major airport is Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), located in nearby Greer. Greenville-Spartanburg International is the state of South Carolina's second busiest airport.

By car
Anderson County is located along the Interstate 85 corridor, linking it to Atlanta and Greenville. Anderson is accessible from Interstate 85 at exit numbers 11-27.

By bus
Anderson County is served by Greyhound with a station along Highway 81 at exit 27 on Interstate 85.

Get around
Anderson's downtown is more accessible by foot, but the majority of Anderson including the mall and lake areas require a vehicle.

See
There are several things to see in the Anderson County area, including the famous Great Southeast Balloon Festival which is held in Anderson every Labor Day weekend. Other things to see across the area are listed below.

Go next

 * Clemson
 * Athens

title: Anderson (South Carolina)


text:
Andes

The Andes are a vast mountain chain in South America. They extend from Chile to Venezuela through Colombia, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador.

Regions

 * In Venezuela:
 * Venezuela's Andean region

 * In Colombia
 * Andino

 * In Ecuador:
 * Andean Highlands -

 * In Peru:
 * Northern Sierra -
 * Central Sierra -
 * Southern Sierra - Notable tourist attractions in this area include Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley
 * The Altiplano region - a prominent tourist attraction in this area includes among others the Lake Titicaca

 * In Bolivia:
 * The Altiplano region - a prominent tourist attraction in this area includes among others the Lake Titicaca

 * In Chile:
 * In Argentina:

Cities

 * - The capital of Colombia (located at 2,640 meters above sea level).
 * - The capital of Ecuador (located at 2,850 meters above sea level).
 * - A city located in southeastern Peru that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. The city is a major tourist destination in Peru and is visited every year by around 2 million visitors. Cusco was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983. (located at 3,310 meters above sea level).
 * - The third largest city in Bolivia. Although the official capital of Bolivia is Sucre, La Paz is the de facto capital city and therefore La Paz is considered by many as the highest capital city in the world. (located at 3,660 meters above sea level).

The main peaks

 * - The highest peak in Venezuela (located at 4,982 meters above sea level).

 * - A volcano and the highest peak in Ecuador (located at 6,268 meters above sea level).

 * - The highest peak in Peru (located at 6,768 meters above sea level).

 * - A volcano and the highest peak in Bolivia (located at 6,542 meters above sea level).

 * - The tallest volcano in the world and the highest peak in Chile (located at 6,880 meters above sea level)

 * - The highest peak in the Andes (located at 6,959 meters above sea level).

Talk
Almost everyone you encounter will be able to communicate in Spanish. Quechua and Aymara are also major languages in the region, and there are some lesser-known tribal language.

English is spoken by most people in the tourism industry, at least in major destinations.

See

 * Aconcagua, the highest peak of the Andes, rises to 6,962m above sea level, making the Andes the highest mountain range outside Asia. Climbing expeditions for Aconcagua usually set out from the Argentinian city of Mendoza
 * Ojos del Salado in Northern Chile is a comparatively easy to climb peak, still 6,893m. In fact it is so gradual that it's a place of choice for height records for motor vehicles (although the summit hasn't been reached in such a way yet) and possibly the highest summit you can reach by only hiking.

Do

 * Many ski centers operate in the Andes during the winter months.
 * Hike the Inca Trail.

Stay healthy
Obviously, the Andes include some high-altitude destinations. To avoid headaches and potentially worse symptoms, it's a good idea to acclimate to the altitude slowly; see altitude sickness for more details.

Go next

 * The Rocky Mountains in North America

title: Andes


text:
Andes (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Andes:

South America

 * Andes — A mountain chain in South America.

Venezuela

 * Andes (Venezuela) — A region in Venezuela.

title: Andes (disambiguation)


text:
Andes (Venezuela)

Andes is the western mountainous region of Venezuela.

Cities

 * — municipality in Trujillo state, Venezuela
 * — municipality in Trujillo state, Venezuela
 * — municipality in Trujillo state, Venezuela

Understand
People in the Andes region differ culturally from their coastal compatriots. They are generally more reserved, extremely polite and pleased to offer excellent service in shops, restaurants and hotels.

title: Andes (Venezuela)


text:
Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh (AP) is a state in Southern India, with Bay of Bengal on the east and shares boundaries with Telangana on the north, Chhattisgarh and Odisha on the north-east, Tamil Nadu on the south and Karnataka on the west. Vijayawada is the capital of this state.

Cities
Here are some of the most notable cities.

 * — the capital of Andhra Pradesh which covers the areas that have Buddhist sites
 * — a city well connected by road and rail with the city and nearby attractions
 * — the third largest city in Andhra Pradesh and home to many ancient and archaeological sites and temples
 * — the site of Konda Reddy Fort
 * — a combination of religion, nature, and history
 * — known as the cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh, noted for its versatile Vedic culture and intellectualism
 * — known as spiritual capital of Andhra Pradesh; has a sacred temple on the Tirumala Hills
 * — known as commercial capital of Andhra Pradesh; its second largest city
 * (Vizag) — the most attractive city in Andhra Pradesh, with exotic resorts near beaches

Other destinations

 * — offers scenic beauty of the hills and greenery, interspersed with streams and rivulets
 * — a network of natural underground caves in shale/slate rock partly explored
 * — a hill station and summer residence of British governors
 * — one of the largest freshwater lakes in India
 * (Kishkindha) — includes such mammals as tigers, leopards, sambar and spotted deer, bison, and others
 * — second-largest brackish water lake in India
 * — a park and biosphere reserve noted for its many waterfalls

Understand
Andhra Pradesh has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its rich history, architecture and culture. Andhra Pradesh has a variety of tourist attractions including beaches, hills, wildlife, forests and temples. Like rest of the Southern India, the culture of Andhra Pradesh is essentially Dravidian, quite different from North India's Sanskrit Hindu culture.

Andhra Pradesh was part of the British Madras presidency and then independent India's Madras State until 1953, when Andhra State was formed, with the capital being Kurnool. In 1956, the Telugu-speaking districts of the erstwhile Hyderabad State were merged to Andhra State to form Andhra Pradesh, with the capital being Hyderabad. In 2014, those districts were separated from AP to form Telangana. Hyderabad remained the capital of both AP and Telangana till 2019, when Amaravati was established as the capital of AP. In 2020, a bill was passed to form three capital cities instead of one, namely Amaravati, Kurnool and Visakhapatnam.

Climate
Weather is hot for the most part of the year with high humidity along the coast and relatively dry in the interior areas. The monsoons in June and the return monsoons in October provide adequate rain fall for the rain dependent agriculture in the state. The best time to visit is November till February when it's relatively cooler. The hottest months are between April to June.

Talk
Telugu is the official language and is spoken by virtually all of the state's inhabitants. Urdu (the largest minority language), Hindi, and English are also spoken as well.

As in the rest of South India, Hindi is not widely spoken nor understood, save for a few urban areas. People will respond more readily to English than Hindi.

Knowledge of Telugu is very useful as many of the population speak it.

By plane
Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati have international airports with restricted access. Cuddapah (Kadapa), Kurnool and Rajahmundry also have moderately busy airports that handle domestic traffic.

For intercontinental connections, however, the biggest airports of neighboring states are the best bet.

By train
There are many incoming trains to areas in Andhra Pradesh from the rest of India.

By bus
Interstate buses by private operators and government Apsrtc, Msrtc, Tsrtc, and Ksrtc run from neighbor states to Andhra Pradesh.

Get around
Like rest of India, the two major forms of transportation within Andhra Pradesh are buses and railway systems. You can find information on long-distance government buses on Apsrtc, while some private travel agents are Redbus, Abhibus, and Makemytrip.

Learn

 * Carnatic music - Carnatic music is born in the rich Telugu language
 * Kuchipudi dance - one of the world famous classical dance forms of India.

See

 * Horsley Hills (Yenugu Mallamma Konda) — Scenic beauty of hills and trees. Environmental park and the Horsley Hills Museum
 * Kaalahasthi — a holy town with site of Srikalahasti Gopuram (Srikalahsti Temple)
 * Kanipakam — Site of the great lord Ganapathy Temple
 * Lepakshir — Historically and archaeologically significant with shrines and renowned for its repository of mural paintings
 * Narayanmavanam — considered a holy city with many temples
 * Penukonda — Summer capital of Vijayanagar empire - Forts and temples built by Sri Krishnadevaraya king.
 * Pulicat Lake — second largest brackish water lake in India
 * SriKrishna Devaraya University, Ananthapur — named after a patron of learning and the arts, Sri Krishnadevaraya
 * Srisailam — played a dominant role in Indian religious, cultural and social history. Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple is located here
 * Talakona — a beautiful 82-metre waterfall in Nerabailu Village, Chittoor District. Near the waterfall are dense forests and wide varieties of wildlife.
 * Tirupati — Most famous for its Sri Venkateswara Temple dedicated to Vishnu
 * Vijayawada (aka Bezawada) — home of Kanakadurga Temple and Subramanya Swamy Temple and other important sites
 * Visakhapatnam Port — one of the largest ports in India

Eat
Like almost every other state in India, Andhra Pradesh has a rich variety of cuisines and change widely from region to region. Telugu cuisine, the cuisine of Andhra Pradesh, is based mostly on regional variation, its rich cultural heritage and the influence of the royal recipes from the Nawabs. The cuisine of Andhra Pradesh is mixed between Hindu and Muslim styles. The Guntur/Vijayawada region is known for extremely spicy dishes. Rice is the staple food and is eaten pretty much with every meal along with a variety of vegetable and meat curries.

Breakfast

 * Idli is a steamed cake commonly eaten for breakfast with sambar or chutney. Chilli powder (kaarampodi) and peanut chutney are also common additions.
 * Vada is a breakfast item similar to a deep-fried dumpling, often served with sambar or chutney.
 * Dosa (minapattu) is another popular snack. Andhra-style dosas are spicier and crispier than those found in other regions of South India.
 * Pesarattu is a flatbread similar to a dosa, but thin and crispy. It is eaten with a ginger chutney. MLA Pesarattu is a popular variation of pesarattu filled with spices.

Meals
A typical meal in Telugu cuisine consists of a combination of cooked rice, pickles (pachadi), dal (pappu), curry, yogurt (perugu) or buttermilk (majjiga), and papadum (appadam). Chewing paan, a somewhat narcotic mixture of betel leaves and areca nut, is also a common practice after meals. Lunch and dinner are elaborate affairs in many households. In traditional households, the meal is served on arati aaku, a single plantain leaf, or vistari, a larger plate made of several leaves sewn together. More people are now using broad steel plates called kancham. However, arati aaku and vistari are still widely used for festivals and special events. Lunch and dinner items are served on a single plate in a specific arrangement. Pappu (dal) and curries are placed to the right of the diner, while pickles and podi are placed on the left. Special items such as pulihora (tamarind rice/lemon rice) and garelu (vada) are placed at the top right. A large scoop of rice is placed in the middle. Small amounts of pulusu, sambar, rasam, ghee and buttermilk are typically sprinkled onto the leaf. The ghee is mixed with every item except perugu (curd)/majjiga (buttermilk).

Curries
Other gravy based curries are chiefly made with vegetables cooked in tomato sauce and onion with coriander and cumin powder.
 * Vepudu — crispy fried vegetables, typically including okra (bendakaya), ivy gourd (dondakaya), potato (bangaladumpa), and colocasia.
 * Kaaram Petti Koora/Koora Podi Koora — sautéed vegetables cooked with curry powder or paste, served as a solid mass. The vegetables can be stuffed with curry powder or paste and are usually cooked whole.
 * Pulusu Koora/Aava Petti Koora — boiled vegetables cooked in tamarind sauce and mustard paste.
 * Pappu Koora — boiled vegetables stir-fried with a small amount of half-cooked lentils (dal).

Daal

 * Pappu - toor daal (kandi pappu) or moong daal (pesara pappu) cooked with a vegetable or green. No masala is added to the dal. Some regions include garlic and onion in the seasoning while some regions prefer asafetida (hing/Inguva). Some times the cooked version of the dal is replaced with a roast and ground version of the dal like Kandi pachadi (roasted toor daal ground with red chiles) and pesara pachadi (soaked moong daal ground with red chillies or green chillies).

Pickles
Pachadi/Ooragaya - There are two broad varieties: Pachadi (chutney) and Ooragaya. Pachadi is typically made of vegetables and roasted green/ red chillies. It is prepared fresh and is consumed within a day or two. Ooragaya is prepared in massive amounts seasonally and uses liberal amounts of chilli powder, methi (fenugreek) powder, mustard powder and oil. For a typical Andhrite, no meal is complete without this essential item. It is consumed on its own mixed with rice or as a side dish with pappu / koora.

Pulusu (sour)
is a curry-like stew that is typically sour and cooked with tamarind paste. Other common bases are tomatoes or mangoes. The mixture can be flavored with mustard, chilies, curry leaves, jaggery, onions, or fenugreek. Fish, chicken, and eggs are typical meat additions. Pachi Pulusu is an unheated version of pulusu typically made of mangoes or tamarind consumed during warm months.

Perugu — The last item of the meal. Perugu (curd) is normally consumed with an accompaniment like pachadi or ooragaya.
 * Challa Pulusu/Majjiga pulusu — sour buttermilk boiled with channa dal and coconut paste
 * Menthi Challa/Menthi Majjiga — sour buttermilk seasoned with ginger and green chili paste and menthi seeds fried in oil.

Drink
like sapota, orange (green they call mosambi in Hindi exclusively), grape, pineapple
 * lime juice with ginger
 * lime juice with honey
 * fresh fruit juices
 * ready juice

Sleep
There is a variety of accommodation available. There are cheap hotels, known as lodges because hotels are generally understood to be eating places. There are private hotels as well as government-operated guest houses called Punnami Hotels.

Stay safe
In extreme summers avoid travelling in afternoons. Always carry a mobile phone and always keep emergency numbers like 100 for police, 101 for fire and ambulance and 104 for health emergency with you.

Go next

 * Bangalore (Bengaluru) — capital of Karnataka, IT capital of India
 * Chennai (Madras) — capital of Tamil Nadu, Detroit of India
 * Hyderabad — capital of Telangana, pearl city of India

title: Andhra Pradesh


text:
Andijan

Andijan is a city in the Ferghana Valley, Uzbekistan.

Understand
The Andijan Region is on the eastern edge of Uzbekistan, but the city is about an hour away from the land border with Kyrgyzstan - Do’stlik. Very roughly speaking, the city is divided in half by the train line which runs parallel to Muqimiy Road and cuts diagonally across the city. The northern part is usually referred to as Eski Shahar (“Old City”), and the southern part is typically thought of as Yangi Bozor (“New Market”). Yangi Bozor also includes the Mikrorayons (“Micro Regions/Districts”) which are numbered neighborhoods made up primarily of apartment buildings where the former Russian influence in the city is still most felt.

By taxi
Most taxis to other other cities will depart from a large parking lot near the Yangi Bozor area that is referred to locally as the "Avtovokzal". Groups of taxi drivers going to the same city will stand in one area calling out for passengers. There are also buses and "Damas" minibuses travelling between cities at cheaper prices, but they might not have storage room for luggage. Drivers will usually drop you off at whatever spot you ask them to in the destination city. The average rates to different destinations are listed below. Note that the exact price might depend on the specific seat and also the time of day:
 * To/From Tashkent - 85,000-120,000 som (June 2021);
 * To/From Fergana - 30,000-40,000 som (June 2021);
 * To/From Kokand - 40,000-50,000 som (Oct 2019);
 * To/From Margilan - 40,000-50,000 som (Jan 2022).

By plane

Uzbekistan Airways operates flights from
 * Krasnoyarsk
 * Moscow Domodedovo International Airport
 * Novosibirsk
 * Tashkent

By train

 * - The train station is in the center of the town.

There is now a train service connecting Andijan with Tashkent, avoiding Tajikistan. The station offers service to Tashkent 2-3 times a day. Some of the trains have seating compartments while others have sleeper compartments. There is also an Andijan-Khiva train several times a week. The average price of an economy class ticket to Tashkent is 70,000-90,000 som and the ride takes 5-6 hours.

There is also a special intra-valley train that runs between Andijan and Kokand 1-2 times a day and costs only 8,000 som. At the time of writing (Jan 2022) you can only buy tickets for this type of train at the ticket office (kassa).

By bus

The bus station is not far from the train station. You can get to Andijan from any other city of Ferghana Valley by taxies or minibuses. Most of these bus lines run fairly regularly from around 07:00 until 17:00, though they sometimes run a bit later. If you miss the last bus you may end up having to take a much more expensive taxi.
 * To/From Fergana - 12,000 som on a large bus (Jan 2022);
 * To/From Margilan - 10,000 som on a mini-bus (Jan 2022);
 * To/from Osh - 15,000 som (5.2024, se go next)
 * To/from Namangam - 15,000 som (5.2024)

Travelling within the Andijan region
In Andijan there are several areas where Damases and shared taxis gather in order to take you to some of the smaller districts in Andijan. The main ones are:

Do
Andijan has many karaoke venues, an ice skating rink, roller blade clubs, and amusement parks for children.

Coffee
Coffee culture used to be non-existent in Andijan, with most places sufficing to serve 3-in-1 coffee. Nowadays however a budding coffee scene has taken hold and there are a number of places where you can get real coffee, primarily in the microdistricts.

Nightlife and Alcohol
Despite Andijan's reputation as a conservative city, and some travel vloggers' claims that it's impossible to find alcohol in the city, it is actually fairly easy to find stores which sell liquor (especially in the microdistricts) and there are several clubs in the city as well as restaurants which sell alcohol.

Bars and Watering Holes
Andijan doesn't have any traditional pubs where individuals can come and sit on stools and socialize with strangers. Instead, most places which offer alcohol are restaurants/clubs designed to cater to groups of people sitting at large tables. Additionally, places which do offer draft beer will usually only have one or two types available. Still, there is at least one relatively new place (Jiguli Bar) which is trying to introduce a new genre of social drinking, and there are a myriad of establishments which offer cheap drinks along with a very narrow food menu geared towards local pockets. These kinds of places where the main draw is the alcohol and the food itself are probably best thought of as "watering holes" (in some cases these places are called разливайка - razlivaykas.)

Stay safe
Andijan was the site of what many have termed a massacre in May 2005. The story is complicated, but in brief, an armed raid on a local prison, followed by the occupation of a government building where local government officials were held hostage, led to a gathering of several thousand people in the town square. At some point, firing began and the end result was the death of what most believe to be hundreds of innocents, shot down by government troops. The official government version of these events was that the entire event was triggered by Islamic extremists and that only 187 people died - virtually all "extremists", government officials and troops. Eyewitnesses to the tragedy, however, (and there are many who fled the country and have been granted asylum in various countries) say that hundreds of innocent citizens, including women and children, were gunned down in the streets as they tried to flee.

Much of what took place at that time in Andijan may never be fully known. The government of Uzbekistan has refused demands from the West for an impartial investigation and has intimated that the "extremists" who triggered the event were financed by the West.

Andijan is accessible for tourists as any other place in Ferghana Valley. The only special precautions would be not discussing the events of 2005 and respecting the religion, as Ferghana Valley, especially Andijan, is Islamic. Dressing should be modest.

Go next

 * Osh (Kyrgyzstan) 70 km away through the Do'stlik/Dostyk border crossing. Public transport and shared taxis available on both sides. There are two options. Bus to the border and a bus which go across the border, it depends on you if you wish to wait in the border checkpoints. The bus to Do'stlik leaves from the main Avtovokzal every 20 minutes between 07:00-19:00 and costs 5,000 som per seat. When you have passed the passport control, from the Kyrgyz side you can take a marshrutka (minivan) which waits for passengers just after the border gates on the right side. Avoid taxi drivers who try to mob you, unless you're up for lengthy haggling. From Andijan the taxis to the border leave from Yangi Bozor near the restaurant "Sultan Ahmet" and cost 20,000 per seat. The other ortion is a bus 777 (starting at Andijan Center bus stop, platform 1, buy the ticket before in the ticketing window, 15000 in 2024) which go with you across the both borders. On the Uzbek side, they open one border checkpoint just for the bus; on the Kyrgyz side, you need to be really quick if you want to drive to the new Osh bus terminal, because the driver does not wait. Close to the bus terminal are many exchanges with fair rates from dollars to Uzbek som and one hidden ATM in a shop which accepts just Visa (better to bring the Uzbek som with you and exchange, as the rates are really fair). From new station, trolley no. 2 can take you to the city centre for 10 Kyrgyz som, where all three mobile network providers have shops at Aravanskiy Station.

title: Andijan


text:
Andino

The Andean Highlands is a region in central-western Colombia.

Cities

 * – Capital of Santander province. Located northeast of Bogotá in the scenic valley of the Río de Oro with roots deep in colonial history.
 * – the sixth largest city of Colombia. It has many interesting places and is one of the most ecological cities of Latin America.
 * – Capital of the Caldas department. A city full of parks and republican architecture, and one of the getaways to the coffee region. Manizales celebrates each year, at the end of September, the International Festival of Theater of Manizales.
 * – in the Guanenta province of Santander, it's Colombia's adrenalin and adventure sports capital.
 * – in the Guanenta province of Santander, it's Colombia's adrenalin and adventure sports capital.
 * – in the Guanenta province of Santander, it's Colombia's adrenalin and adventure sports capital.
 * – in the Guanenta province of Santander, it's Colombia's adrenalin and adventure sports capital.

Other destinations

 * – great trekking opportunities between lagunas and snow-capped summits of the Colombian Andes
 * – Beautiful, unique and unbelievable place. Now it is safe for all. It's a canyon of a very clear river. The floor of this river is marble. Caves, jungle and beautiful landscape. To go take a bus from Medellín 3-4 h. in the direction of Bogotá. Private nature reserve, you can stay in the hotel or camping. Don't miss this place.
 * – the major coffee-growing area

Talk
Since Spanish is the official language of Colombia, it should be relatively easy to get around in the larger cities knowing basic Spanish. In rural areas, however, it is not uncommon to find villages that still speak indigenous languages, although the youth in these locations will more than likely speak Spanish as well.

Get in
There is one big, obvious port of entry, and that's Bogotá's El Dorado Airport. It also serves as the hub for flights to all other airports in the region.

By road, travelers arrive from Venezuela via Cúcuta. From Cali the main roads splits to go over a scary mountain pass (la Alta de la Linea) after Armenia on the way to Bogotá or a more tranquil northern route through Pereira to Medellín. Roads across the mountains coming from the Caribbean coast to Medellín and to Bucaramanga are fairly treacherous, with crazy mountain passes, occasional road wash-outs, and very nauseating bus rides.

Get around
The mountains really do make it harder to travel around here. Distances on a map are deceptive, because they don't include all the elevation changes, and certainly don't allow for the endless game of leapfrog around trucks going up endless mountains on two lane highways (four lane highways, or even passing lanes, are almost nonexistent outside Bogotá). Bus timetables are rough estimates. Allow ten hours for, say, the trip from Bogotá to Armenia, or twelve to Medellín. The trip north from Bogotá to Tunja isn't that bad, though, and usually takes under four hours if you don't hit rush hour. It is easy enough to take a bus from Bogotá to see the Salt Cathedral at Zipaquirá, and get back within a day.

Wealthier Colombians and travelers usually skip the roads experience if any real mountain passes are involved, and opt to fly to Manizales or Armenia to get to coffee country. The flight between Bogotá and Medellín is regular and painless.

Museums
Where to start? The Colombian Andes is a really beautiful region, with a lot of interesting sights both natural and cultural, and most of it is very safe for travel. The two big metropolises, Bogotá and Medellín, are both well renowned for their museums and modern art—Botero museums abound in both, the latter being his home. The Gold Museum in Bogotá is probably Colombia's most famous and popular museum, and does in fact belong in those top 5-10 lists of things to see in the country.

Historical attractions
The Andino also provides some really unique historical attractions. The most famous pre-Columbian sight is in Cundinamarca, where a relatively short drive from Bogotá gets you to mythical El Dorado. That's right, it exists, you've found it! And it's here at Laguna del Cacique Guatavita, and it's the reason why that Gold Museum is so fabulous.

Moving forward in time, fans of Spanish colonial architecture will find Eden at Villa de Leyva, a town so picturesque with its whitewashed buildings, red roofs, cobblestone streets, and Andean backdrops, that it has been the set of numerous telenovelas. You'll find similarly pretty plazas throughout the region, although most get marred by the presence of ugly modern buildings creeping about (looking at you, Tunja). Bogotá's historic center, La Candelaria, which was at one point the capital of most of South America, is another really interesting place to check out colonial architecture, although it is at the same time an interesting place to check out the artsy-political graffiti that de-whitewashes the buildings!

The twentieth century provided fewer interesting historical sights, but the Salt Cathedral at Zipaquirá is a major exception! Wandering through the neon stations of the cross through eerie salt caverns is truly an experience worth having, and a great place to give your camera a workout.

Natural attractions
The whole region is beautiful, so all you need do is to rent a car or hop on a bus in places like Cundinamarca, Boyacá, Santander, or Antioquia to get "sightseeing." The most famous national parks are El Cocuy and Los Nevados, both of which are very high altitude mountain zones, and require planning for the trek. The more accessible park, which is a real treat, is Valle de Cocora by Salento. Valle del Cocora is quite mountainous itself, right at the boundary between tropical and alpine (on the way up the mountains to the snowcapped peaks of Los Nevados), and is home to Colombia's surreal national tree: the towering wax palm.

The Zona Cafetera is perhaps where Colombia puts its best foot forward, and where Colombians come to take a vacation. The International Community jumped on board in 2011 to make it a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are little attractions like butterfly gardens, a sort of coffee amusement park, but most of all you come to relax on a coffee farm, sipping the good stuff, and lying around by the pool.

title: Andino