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Marathon (Florida)

Marathon is a city in Florida located in the Florida Keys, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Bay on the other. It is on somewhat of a long narrow island (Vaca Key). You will find all of the amenities of a small town including an excellent hospital, shopping and small airport. Mosquitos are less common than in some parts of the Keys, as they spray them. The waters are warm, clear and inviting. If you are visiting the Florida Keys, Marathon is a great choice to make your base. Marathon has more of a permanent population than some of the other Keys and a good base of services.

Get in
Marathon is located about two hours south of Miami and only accessed by road via US1, the Overseas Highway. There are several shuttles or private car services that can take you to your doorstep destination such as the Keys Shuttle. The town can be accessed by water and several marinas are available.

By plane
The local airport supports general aviation with a 5000-ft runway. There is no scheduled air service to Marathon.

There is a seaplane base on Marathon Key. Travelers who fly commercially will typically fly into Fort Lauderdale or Miami, and drive the rest of the distance (2-3 hours depending on traffic) to Marathon. Key West Airport, located one hour south down US 1, hosts several commercial airlines.

By boat
Boaters can reach Marathon on the Atlantic side of the Keys or Florida Bay on the Gulf of Mexico side. Specially-marked Intracoastal Waterway takes you as far as Long Key. Numerous marinas are waiting, but make reservations ahead.

Marinas

 * Marathon Marina, +1 305-743-5367, 1021 11 St.
 * Pancho Fuel Dock and Supplies, 1+ 305-743-2281, 1280 Oceanview Ave.
 * Shelter Bay Marina, +1 305-743-7008, 77 Coco Plum Dr.
 * Sombrero Marina, +1 305-743-5663, 35 Sombrero Blvd.
 * Marathon City Marina, +1 305-289-8877, 800 35th Street, Oceanside
 * Captain Pip's Marina, +1 305-743-4403, 1410 Overseas Highway
 * Hawk's Cay Marina, +1 305-743-7000, MM 61 Duck Key
 * Key Colony Beach Marina, +1 305-289-1310, Key Colony Beach.

By bus

 * Greyhound Lines +1-800-231-2222 or +1 305-296-9072 Service along the route between Miami Int. Airport and the Florida Keys.
 * Please note that inter-city bus lines in Key West have been discontinued as of June 4th, 2023, so it is no longer possible to get from the Key West airport to Marathon solely by bus.

Get around
The best way to get around is to rent a car. The many attractions are not close together and public transportation is scarce and can be inconvenient and costly with families. The island is flat and lends itself well to a bicycle. Although there are few beach areas, the area is loaded with marinas catering to most water sports. Charters are available for all activities.

When driving near the southwest end of the Key, be aware that once you pass Knights Key Blvd, you begin crossing the Seven Mile Bridge, and there is no place to turn around for about 7 miles. Missing your turn can therefore mean a 14-mile detour!

Snorkeling
There are many different charter boats that take groups out to the various aquatic reefs. Spirit snorkeling is one of the reputable companies that can take you to sombrero beach reef. Through this company, it is $30 for an adult to snorkel and children under 5 are free with a paid adult. If you are not into snorkeling, you can still go out on the boat and enjoy the views from the deck and chat up with the boat crew. Coolers are allowed for lunch or snacks as they are not provided for you. Reservations can be made by calling.

Diving
As with snorkeling there are many different charter services that you can go through. Even if you are not a certified scuba diver, many of these services offer time of instruction and a chance to get acquainted with the equipment, and later on in the day a chance to go out on a dive. One of the larger companies in the area is Tilden's Scuba Center which has two locations, one of them being in Marathon at Mile Marker 49.5. Reservations and rates vary depending on what activity you want to participate in and how experienced a diver you are. For reservations or inquires call. Open seven days a week.

Fishing
Fishing is always popular and charters are available.

Buy
Marathon is not really a shopping destination, however this may be the spot to look for marine, hardware, grocery and other travel needs. In Marathon, if you find yourself in need of bathing suits or other sun essentials just drive down US1 which is the main highway and you will be sure to find many shops to fulfill your needs. You will find better prices and selection here than less populous areas of the Keys.

Eat
Fresh seafood is abundant, stone crab claws when in season are a great local favorite and can easily be found cooked, chilled, ready to eat and give a new meaning to fast food. Stone crabs only give up one claw, then are returned to the water to give another day and allow for regeneration of the missing claw. Yum. Be extra careful when buying fish and shrimp off of pick up truck vendors along the road. If you have any doubts about the freshness of the offerings, move on. Another local favorite to look for is the Key Lime pies, available throughout the area. Numerous fish houses are to be found, offering fresh seafood plates at reasonable prices, at less than fancy places. A key to quality may be the number of local automobile licenses in the parking lot. Many restaurants will also cook your catch, if you are fishing. The price is reasonable, they provide the side dishes and clean up the mess for you.

Sleep
There is a real variety of places to sleep. If you have reservations and show up to find the accommodations unacceptable, do not hesitate to complain or check out. There are some beautiful accommodations to be found in the marina areas that are floating, two story efficiency rooms with bath, kitchen and balcony that can be rented by the day or week at reasonable cost. These are a great choice and offer a fantastic view and privacy. Some of the cottages being offered are very old, have had little repair and may have moisture/humidity problems due to being in shaded areas. Again, if you find it unacceptable, move on. There are few times you will find rooms unavailable, exceptions may be when the weather is bad and forces the bigger pleasure boats into port, and during the Fantasy Fest in Key West, when the rooms fill up fast.

Camping

 * Jolly Roger Trailer Park, +1 305-289-0404, 59275 Overseas Highway.
 * Key By The Sea +1 305-743-5164, 6099 Overseas Hwy.

Stay safe
Theft can be a problem in this area, keep all valuables out of sight in parked cars. If you are bringing, or on a boat, keep an eye on it. There are more outboard motors stolen here than anywhere in the state, some say they end up in Cuba.
 * Pay attention to the weather. The Keys are a narrow band of islands that offer little protection from tropical storms. In the past storms have generated waves with enough strength to demolish bridges and topple freight trains and engines sitting on tracks. The locals seem immune to these dangers, rely on National Weather reports, rather than the opinion of locals. If it is suggested you go back to the mainland, do so immediately. There is only one highway out and it can become clogged quickly. The Overseas Highway can and will be closed for a period should a car or truck accident occur.  Always allow extra time if traveling back to the mainland to meet a flight or cruise.

Go next

 * Cuba
 * Key West
 * Miami
 * Big Pine Key

title: Marathon (Florida)


text:
Marathon (Ontario)

Marathon is a town of 3,100 people (2021) on the north shore of Lake Superior in Northern Ontario. It is the largest town on the Trans-Canada Highway between Sault Ste Marie and Thunder Bay.

Understand
Marathon's resource economy was built on wood pulp. In 2009, the Marathon Pulp Mill was shut down indefinitely shutdown, eliminating hundreds of jobs from the region. Starting in the mid-1980s Marathon's economy expanded to include gold mining.

History
As long ago as 500 BC the area was inhabited by Ojibway First Nations (Indigenous) people who lived along the Pic River. Their descendents still live in the area.

Marathon was born as a railway community named Peninsula, due to its location on a peninsula on Lake Superior.

The pulp mill was constructed between 1944 and 1946, the population rose to 2,500, and the town's name was changed, first to Everest - after D.C. Everest, president of Marathon Corporation of Wisconsin, owners of the pulp mill in the town - then, later that year, to Marathon, in honor of the paper company. The Everest name was discarded because it was too similar to Everett, Ontario.

In the early 1980s, gold was discovered at Hemlo, an uninhabited area adjacent to the Trans Canada highway some 40 km east of Marathon. By the late 1980s, three mines were running at Hemlo, with two of the three mines locating their employees in Marathon, which effectively doubled its population and made it the largest town along the North Shore between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay.

Visitor Information

 * Town of Marathon

Get in
Marathon sits just off of Highway 17 (Trans-Canada Highway), 5 km down Peninsula Rd.

, just north of the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately 4 km (2.5 mi) northeast of the town, has no scheduled traffic.

By bus

 * Operates a bus route multiple days per week between Thunder Bay and Sault Sainte Marie including stops in Red Rock, Nipigon, Schreiber, Terrace Bay, Marathon, White River, and Wawa.
 * Operates a bus route multiple days per week between Thunder Bay and Sault Sainte Marie including stops in Red Rock, Nipigon, Schreiber, Terrace Bay, Marathon, White River, and Wawa.

Do
Marathon has a challenging 9-hole golf course, Cross-country skiing trails and downhill skiing, a 4-sheet curling venue, and the only indoor swimming pool between Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie.

Go next

 * Manitouwadge — a small, former mining town, north of Marathon on Highway 614.
 * Nipigon — to the west, a popular launching point for fishing trips, and along the route to the Ouimet Canyon.
 * Terrace Bay — the next town to the west, along the Trans-Canada Highway. Home of the 30-m Aguasabon Falls, and a short boat ride away from Slate Islands Provincial Park, a group of islands believed to have formed by a meteorite impact.
 * White River — the next town to the east, along the Trans-Canada Highway, and birthplace of a bear named Winnie, who would travel to Europe in 1914 and inspire a collection of popular stories and illustrations.

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

title: Marathon (Ontario)


text:
Marathon (Texas)

Marathon is a town in the Big Bend Country region of Texas.

Get in
Highway 90 runs through the town center.

Go next
Traveling west on Highway 90, you'll find:

 * Alpine, with a host of restaurants.
 * Marfa, with its art galleries and mysterious lights.
 * El Paso

Also in the area:

 * Big Bend National Park has 801,000 acres of land to explore.
 * Fort Davis is home to the McDonald Observatory, which hosts terrific Star Parties after dark.

title: Marathon (Texas)


text:
Marathwada

Marathwada, officially Aurangabad division, is a region of Maharashtra state in India. It is usually a drought-affected area. But nowadays the situation is changing. It has a very ancient history.

Cities

 * (Sambhaji Nagar) — the city of 52 doors, famous for its Mughal monuments and Ajanta caves

 * — known as the cultural capital of Marathwada

 * —

 * —

 * —

 * —

 * —

Other destinations

 * — world famous for its caves of three religions, total 30 caves are divided into Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves, World heritage site, Ellora is also adob of Grishneshwar, the 12th Jyotirlanga in India

Get in
Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Airport.

See
Bibi ka Makbara in Aurangabad which is also known as Taj Mahal of South (Dakkhan).

Ashtavinayaka Temple, Latur.

Nath Sagar and Udyan (Dam and garden) in Paithan.

Daulatabad Fort, Daulatabad.

Stay safe
Drink water frequently to avoid sunstroke and dehydration during summer. Carry water bottles with you and avoid travel during midday of summer season. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited mobile signals are available at many places in this region.

Go next

 * Karnataka
 * Gulbarga
 * Bijapur
 * Bidar

title: Marathwada


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Marausa

Marausa is in Trapani Province, Sicily, about 9 km south of Trapani. The area now known as Marausa has been inhabited since ancient times by first Carthaginians and then Romans. Only a handful of historic buildings remain in Marausa.

Understand
Archaeological evidence supporting the presence of these ancient inhabitants is regularly unearthed by local farmers when they plough their land – particularly now they use mechanical ploughs that dig deeper. The most comment traces are fragments of painted terracotta pots and remains of stone tombs.

It is believed that the first people to give a specific name to this area were the Arabs and that they were mostly shepherds. Accordingly, the modern name of Marausa is believed to derive from "Mara U Zack" which translates roughly as "poor pastures" or "meagre pastures".

From old maps it is known that like Nubia, Marausa was historically a rather marshy plain. However, over the centuries, the River Birgi has carried debris and sediment with floodwater and lifted the entire area by several metres and created very arable land suited to vines, pumpkins, melons and other fruits. The first officially confirmed residents of Marausa lived in the ‘Torre di Mezzo’ on the coast.

By train
Local trains run between Trapani and Marsala during the day. The local station, Locogrande, is just outside of Marausa, near the cantina.

By bus
AST public bus services run services to Trapani (city) from both the seaside Lido and the small town via Paceco and Nubia (30-minute journey).

By car
The Marsala spur of the A29 Autostrada ends 1 km south of Marausa. Marausa has its own junction with this motorway onto the (Strada Provinciale) SP21 which runs between Trapani and Marsala. Local roads are signposted and directions to the coastal Lido di Marausa resort are marked.

By plane
Ryanair services from across Europe serve 'Vincenzo-Florio' Trapani Airport (also signposted as 'Birgi Airport') - 4 km from Marausa town on the SP21 road. Alternatively, Palermo 'Falcone-Borsellino' airport is 80 km away on the A29 motorway.

See

 * Torre di Mezzo: After waves of Turkish barbarian incursions and attacks during the early 1500s, the Viceroy of Sicily decided, in 1584, to employ Florentine Camillo Casigliani to design a series of coastal fortifications in the form of 150 watch towers along the island’s coast. During the day they would alert neighbouring towers and towns of impending attacks by flashing mirrors, and at night, via fireworks. The plans would see residents abandon their towns for the relative safety of the island’s interior. The watch tower at Marausa was built in the 16th century and as “la Torre di Santo Stefano di Alca Grossa" (St. Stephen's Tower of Alca Grossa) – because it overlooked the shallow archipelago characterised at the time by the large sanddunes and mounds of algae (seaweed). After becoming operational in 1611 AD, the tower became known locally as ‘la Torre di Mezzo’ (the Middle Tower) because of its geographical position between the Towers at Nubia and San Teodoro. After a period of disuse in the 20th century, it once more became operational under first the German, then Allied command during World War II. The Guardia di Finanza (Customs & Excise) took up residence for a few years after the war ended, but the tower fell into disrepair in the early 1970s. In the early 1990s la Torre di Mezzo was restored and opened varyingly for brief periods as a local museum, art gallery and cultural information point. Since 1989, a summer stage has been occasionally erected alongside the tower, with local bands and drama groups offering entertainment in summer evenings. However, as of 2011, the tower is in disrepair.
 * Vecchia Chiesa The collapsing ruins of the Old Church lie 100 m from the A29 motorway flyover and junction. Although the walls still stand, the roof has long since collapsed and the masonry is now flaking too.
 * L’Abbeveratoio The restored 17th-century ‘Bevaio’ (Drinking Trough) lies away from the modern Marausa – 100 m west of the Vechia Chiesa towards the coast. The Bevaio was provided by the St. Francis of Assisi Monastery in Trapani for the collective use of the animals grazing the monastery owned pastures of Marausa.
 * San Francesco Harbour Porto San Francesco is the semi-abandoned harbour of Marausa that sits alongside the salt pans. Once home to a large fishing fleet, the port's use declined into the early 1970s and now is home to only a few battered private fishing boats and pleasure craft. Plans are afoot to restore the old harbour walls and create a new shallow marina with residential complex.

Do

 * Beaches! As Trapani's second (but largest) beach resort, the waters of Marausa Lido warm up between May and October and positively scorch in July and August. During the summer months, beach lidos and bars are constructed to make the most of the 2.5-km-long sandy beaches - the majority of which are free to use.
 * You will also find beach-volleyball tournaments and children's beach games during July and August. Local performers sometimes stage outdoor plays in the square in Marausa, or the seasonal stage by the Torre di Mezzo lighthouse by the coast in the Lido. Outdoor basketball championships are held in the evenings in the local square. Speedboats can be hired from the seafront marina and beaches and restaurants in the area offer fantastic views of the Egadi Islands and sunsets.

 * Open-air concerts are held in Paceco and up on the top of Mount Erice in the medieval square in summer months. Every Easter Trapani hosts 'I Misteri' a world famous procession of carved wooden statues depicting Christ and other religious figures in a 3-day festival.

Buy
In the town of Marausa, the local shops comprise: bakery, supermarkets, electrical, hardware, post office, internet cafe, toyshops, gardenware, books and gifts, groceries, wine shop, cycle hire shop, bank and 2 ATMs, and a pharmacy. There are three petrol stations (Esso, IP and API). A church, public square, public telephones and several bars.

In summer months, local businesses serve the houses in the seaside resort with mobile shops in vans selling fish, vegetables, meat and other groceries. On the other side of the bridge over the motorway, you'll find a couple who farm a large piece of land and sell their delicious produce by the side of the road for a fraction of the supermarket prices.

Trapani, Marsala and Paceco have many more shops than Marausa, as well as street markets, fish markets, diving shops, clothing, etc. - so head there for greater shopping options.

 * Babilla Store - Cards, gifts and novelties for the home.
 * Supermercato ISSIMO - Moderate sized supermarket run by three friendly sisters.
 * Supermercato Morello - Small supermarket with friendly staff.
 * Vin D'Honneur - Small Bottega selling local food delicacies and wines.
 * TotoEdicola Cartolibreria - Newsagent. Books & gifts. Fax and internet service.
 * Panificio D'angelo - Forno a Legna (bakery).
 * Pescheria Bertolino - (Fishmongers) Fresh fish caught locally.
 * Mascelleria da Nicola - Local pork butchers.
 * Carni Locali - di Peppe Alcamo - Local livestock butchers prepared by a local family.
 * OrtoFrutta - Le Delizie – Greengrocers, fruit & veg, wine, oil, cheese and olives.
 * Farmacia Dr Giuseppe Casuccio - Pharmacy/chemists opening daily and part of the 24-hour local rota.
 * Farmacia Dr Giuseppe Casuccio - Pharmacy/chemists opening daily and part of the 24-hour local rota.

There are several other small shops and services in Marausa such as the DIY Store and garden centre opposite the primary school and Esso Station; two electrical and domestic outlets, a tobacconist, men's barber, doctor's surgery, solicitor, and two motor mechanics.

Eat
There are two great pizza take-aways on the main road, along with several bars - the most popular of which is Bar Tiffany.

In the seaside Lido di Marausa Resort 2 km away, you will find two restaurants open all year round (Marausa Beach Restaurant & Ristorante La Perla) with accompanying bars. Two temporary bars set up by the sea in June-September: The Tre Torri Lido Bar with a games salon and occasional discotheque can usually be found amongst the dunes and sands of the beaches in the summer months, while Lido Azzurro sets up near the abandoned Tre Torre Restaurant building near the derelict windmill and bills itself as a calmer idyll.

Drink
As above, there are three bars in the seaside Lido and five others along the main road

Go next
Marausa is a good base to explore western Sicily from. It is well positioned for its own local beaches, and has excellent motorway and strategic road links to the whole of the west.

 * Erice Mountain (30 minutes by car and cable car)
 * Trapani (cathedral, old quarter and markets)
 * Aegadi Islands (beaches and diving to die for)
 * San Vito lo Capo and Zingaro Nature Reserve (beaches you have only dreamed of)
 * Marsala (desert wines and museums)
 * Mozia (Pheonecian Island, Mosaics etc)
 * Mozia (Pheonecian Island, Mosaics etc)

title: Marausa


text:
Marbella

Marbella is one of the Mediterranean's most representative tourist venues and a top favourite for travellers. What was once a small white village of fishermen is now one of the most cosmopolitan beach resorts on the Costa del Sol in Spain.

Understand
The beaches with its fine sand and the Mediterranean with its clean water are the main attractions of Marbella. A variety of activities, both on land and sea are available, as is shopping, eating and nightlife.

The city itself has a long history, being settled by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC. Later on came the Romans and Moors, who have left traces in the city. The Moors called the city Marbil-la, probably derived from an earlier Iberian name. Much of the current old town dates from the 15th and 16th centuries, when Marbella had once again become part of Spain. Later on the city was a centre of iron mining industry.

Some of the first hotels were built in the 1920s, but the Spanish Civil War brought the development to a stop. After World War II, Marbella emerged as a popular destination for Europe's rich and famous. Soon the affluent beach suburb of Puerto Banús (handled in its own article) sprung up about 7 km west of Marbella. Eventually, the city also became a getaway for "royals" of organized crime and in their footsteps petty criminals and drug users, which in the early 1990s gave Marbella a bad reputation. Nowadays, however, the city is clean and safe and according to a 2008 study boasts the highest life quality in all of Andalusia. The city is also full of domestic and international visitors, most of them from the British Isles.

Climate
The climate type is Mediterranean, unsurprisingly. Marbella's location between the ocean in the south and the Sierra Blanca range in the north gives the city a pleasant microclimate. With about 320 sunshine days a year, it's no surprise that many telecommuters, retirees and other expats (especially from the northern half of Europe) have made Marbella and other destinations on Costa del Sol their second home. December and January have somewhat more rain than the rest of the year, though.

Tourist information
The tourist offices are at the Plaza de los Naranjos (in the corner of the city hall) and Paseo Maritímo.

By plane
Malaga Airport, 45 km to the east, is the nearest major airport. It's the major airport of Costa del Sol and serviced by most European regular, budget and charter carriers. From there, your options are bus (one way €6.19 as of May 2024), taxi or rental car. If you're coming from the UK you can fly in to Gibraltar, although this entails a 1½-hour drive.

By car
The main coast road (N340, now known as the A7) connects the major towns along the whole southern coast and Marbella is approx 30 minutes drive along the N340 from the provincial capital, Malaga. If you are prepared to pay the toll fee (€4-8.60 depending upon season) you can take the new AP-7 road which runs parallel to the N340, but with less traffic and higher speed limits means you will reach your destination more quickly. Several parking houses are available both in Marbella and in Puerto Banus. It is also possible to hire a car from a variety of companies.

By bus
is right off the motorway (A-7 / E-15), right off exit 164. It's 1½ km to the old town and the beach, walkable in 15–20 minutes.

From Malaga Airport, buy a bus ticket from the vendor facing the exit of the arrivals hall. In May 2015 a one-way ticket costs either €6.15 or €8.30 depending on the comfort level of the bus. Buses to Marbella are operated by Avanzabus. The buses will arrive every hour or two on the road behind the vendor. Make sure to be there on time, since the bus leaves exactly on time, or even a minute before. Be aware that drivers don't sell tickets, you need to have bought one at the station or online. The buses are modern and air conditioned. Make sure to sit on the left side of the bus if you want to see the beautiful coastal view. When riding back to the airport you'll get a much better view sitting on the right. Without traffic (there really shouldn't be any, since the bus takes the toll road), the ride should take around 40 min.

Also, there are buses from all other major cities and towns along Costa del Sol, plus other larger cities in Andalusia. Although cheap, the buses can run to their own timetable (!) and are often very busy in summer.

By train
There is a train service between Fuengirola and Malaga, which is to be extended to run further down the coast to Marbella. Until then, you must take some other form of transportation the last part from Fuengirola. Malaga is reachable by the AVE rapid train from some other major cities in Spain such as Seville, Córdoba or Madrid.

By taxi
Taxis are available from Malaga Airport to Marbella outside the terminal. The cost of the journey is around €68. The disabled can also pre-book a wheelchair accessible taxi or minivan online with Marbella Taxis for €65, if you are looking for a reliable and at the same time economical taxi company you can Pre-Book with Malaga Taxi Service, no waiting in long airport queues for your taxi or minibus transfer.

Other companies specialised in private transfers (private taxi) are Autosol Private Transfer and Holiday-Transfer.co.uk. A transfer from Malaga Airport to Marbella] will quote €66.50 with Autosol. Holiday-Transfer will quote only €58. Bookingtaxi charges €59 and up for transfers from Malaga Airport to any hotel in Marbella.

By boat
Marbella has two yacht harbors.

By foot
Downtown is fairly compact and you can get around by foot fairly easily if you are moderately fit, just remember to drink water regularly if visiting in the summer when daytime temperatures above +30 °C are the rule rather than the exception. Also sidewalks are often very narrow.

By bus
The city operates a network of seven local bus lines. Here is information concerning routes, schedules and fares. The Spanish version of the site has an additional route map for each line using Google Maps. Single tickets cost €1.18 when purchased from the driver.

By car
A car is probably an option if you want to go somewhere further out — west, east or inland. If you want to rent a car, all the major car hire firms are represented, but the best value will probably come from local firms. Small car for around €80-90 a week in off season.

By taxi
If travelling any distance agree the fare in advance. Official rates should be displayed inside any licensed taxi. .

By moped
There are a lot of scooter rental shops located in the city centre, and there are also a couple near Malaga Airport. You can find 50cc scooters for approximately €25 per day. Non-EU citizens require an international driving license to rent a motorbike in Spain. For the European Countries, you can rent a scooter up to 125cc with an AM/A1 licence, or with a B (car) license issued more than 3 years ago. Rentals for bigger displacement motorcycles may require a full motorcycle licence (A2 or A).

See
Although a modern town, Marbella's origins date back several centuries BC. The main sight of the city is the historical old quarter (Casco Antiguo) with Andalucian and Moorish architecture, flower-filled balconies, decoratively painted tiles, narrow streets and the "Orange Square" in the middle of it all. Also, if you're interested in beautiful churches and chapels, Marbella has a lot to offer.

Sea

 * Sunbathing and swimming on the sand beaches along the seafront or at a pool, is undoubtedly Marbella's biggest draw for much of the year. Beware of getting sunburnt, though!

Land
A major vacation destination, Marbella has facilities for a range of sports, especially golf and padel tennis. The latter is a mixture of tennis and squash invented in Mexico and widespread in the Spanish-speaking world.

 * Golf - If you love golf then Marbella and the surrounding area has spectacular golf courses that have been designed by the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Peter Alliss and Clive Clark. There are more than 40 quality courses to be played throughout the Costa del Sol making it a perfect destination for the golf enthusiast. Also, the courses are frequently the venues for major international golf competitions, which means you'll get to see real golf pros playing. See also: Spain section of main Golf article
 * Horseracing  - about 15 minutes from the centre of Marbella is the Hipodromo Mijas Costa. The all-weather racetrack has meetings throughout the year including floodlit night racing on summer weekends. The course also boasts plenty of entertainment including bars, music and restaurants.
 * Horseracing  - about 15 minutes from the centre of Marbella is the Hipodromo Mijas Costa. The all-weather racetrack has meetings throughout the year including floodlit night racing on summer weekends. The course also boasts plenty of entertainment including bars, music and restaurants.

 * If you like hiking, it's possible to hike up to the summit of La Concha — the 1215-m-high mountain that can be seen from everywhere in the city. The summit is about 6 km northwest of the old town as the crow flies, but the main hiking trails start from the northern side of the mountain. They are located near the villages of Ojén (longer trail) and Istan (shorter but steeper trail). The walk is not very difficult, though if you do it in summer you'll need sunscreen and plenty of water.

Events
Save for the winter, there are several festivities and processions going on each month in and around Marbella, most of them religious.
 * Easter week: During the Santa Semana, processions are a common sight in the city.
 * May: Pilgrimage to Cruz de Juanar
 * June: La Fiera, a week-long party in the old town to honor San Bernabé who is the city's patron saint.
 * July: The festival of Virgen del Carmen
 * August: Pilgrimage to the Virgin Mother
 * October: The fair and festival to honour the parton of nearby San Pedro Alcantara
 * November: Día del Tostón, a day celebrated by roasting chestnuts

Between the patron saint festivals in June and October, also several smaller fairs take place, the Feria y Fiestas de Nueva Andalucía, Las Chapas and El Ángel. In addition each neighbourhood of Marbella has its own "day" sometime during the year.

Learn

 * Don Quijote Av. de Ricardo Soriano, 43. Spanish school in Marbella offers courses of 4–6 hours a day. All courses, including beginner courses, are taught entirely in Spanish.

Buy
The narrow streets of the old town features small shops selling fashion and souvenirs. Avenida de Ricardo Soriano, the main street, and streets running parallel to it are other good places for shopping. If you want to go to a big mall, head to La Cañada in the north of the city. Finally, in the suburb of Puerto Banús you can find a Corte Inglés department store and many upmarket shops such as Versace and Emporio Armani.

For bargains, check out the weekly markets. One is held in the Albarizas neighborhood, east of the old town each Monday morning. Other markets take place on Fridays in San Pedro de Alcántara on Thursdays and Puerto Banús. Though, here it's more likely than not that brand products for sale are fake.

Eat
Streets in the old town around Plaza de los Naranjos are lined with restaurants - if they are not (souvenir) shops they are restaurants. You will therefore have no trouble finding a restaurant and as elsewhere in touristed parts of the world the menus may be available in ten languages and restaurant staff are very eager to get passers by patronizing their restaurant! Also, your hotel is likely to have one or more restaurants, especially if the hotel is away from downtown.

Even as all major cuisines are represented on the Marbellan restaurant scene, most (also) offer Spanish and Andalusian dishes — especially paella in all thinkable varieties. Also, unlike lesser touristed parts of Spain, restaurants open for dinner already at 18:00, even with some special offers for early diners. Tapas are available all day.

Supermarket
Marbella has a lot of supermarkets, with most major chains represented. While becoming less common, many supermarkets still have excellent fish, cheese and meat departments, where staff is able to help you select exactly what you are after.

Drink
Most late night action takes place in Puerto Banús, or in one of the clubs along the 7-km road there (i.e. west of Marbella). Clubs keep going until the morning and it's not uncommon that they don't even open before 01:00.

Sleep

One of the major tourist centres on Costa del Sol, in and around Marbella you have plenty of accommodation to choose among from simple hostels to luxurious resorts.

Stay healthy
Clinics can be found along Av. Soriano, for more serious cases there's the, about 5 km east of downtown.

For professional massage and reflexology services Holistic Stone in Nueva Andalucia near Puerto Banus may be able to help you.

Nearby

 * Puerto Banús - is the famous yacht marina, lined with popular bars and restaurants, and a veritable posers' paradise. Plenty of late night bars and the odd celebrity are to be found here, but don't forget your wallet, it's not cheap! Some 7 km west along the beach.
 * Head up to Refugio de Juanar near Ojen, about 5 km inland. You can hike in the woods and up to the summit of La Concha for great views over the region.
 * Head up to Refugio de Juanar near Ojen, about 5 km inland. You can hike in the woods and up to the summit of La Concha for great views over the region.

Day trips

 * Other cities and towns on Costa del Sol can easily be visited as a daytrip by bus or rental car. In addition to sights and services you can expect from beach resorts, most also offer interesting architecture dating back to Roman times, museums and typical Andalusian landscapes. Also the picturesque inland town of Ronda can be worth considering.
 * If visiting during the winter months, Marbella is a good base to visit the famous Spanish Ski resort of Sierra Nevada, 1½ hours away by car
 * Gibraltar - visit the historical British colony, climb the famous rock and see the mischievous Barbary Apes. NB You will need your passport as the Spanish Guardia operate a full border control.
 * You can actually make a daytrip to Africa. Take an early bus to Algeciras, and one of the frequent fast ferries to Ceuta and head back in the afternoon. On the other hand, Morocco and back is probably not feasible in one day, as it will involve multiple changes of transportation and times at the borders. There are however companies offering day-length tours to Tangier for about €80 per person.

Further away

 * If you want to make a longer side trip and are interested in history, culture and architecture, why not head to Sotogrande, Córdoba, Seville or Granada, accessible by direct bus? Southwards you can explore more of Morocco.

title: Marbella


text:
Marblehead

There is more than one place called Marblehead:

United States of America

 * Marblehead (Massachusetts) - A town in Massachusetts.
 * Marblehead (Ohio) - A town in Ohio.
 * Marblehead (Illinois) - A town in Illinois.

title: Marblehead


text:
Marblehead (Massachusetts)

Marblehead is a scenic coastal town in the North Shore region of Massachusetts. This town of 20k has mostly retained its 18th century layout and is the perfect place to explore "old" New England. Additionally, many tourists skip Marblehead for the much more popular Salem, so you're likely to have a more personal experience here.

Swampscott with a population of 15k in 2020 is right next door.

Understand
Marblehead has over 200 homes and buildings that predate the Revolutionary War. Not only does Marblehead have beautiful historic houses, they also have smaller homes as well as the amazing mansions on the neck. These mansions were once summer homes and converted into full-time homes overtime. It is a well-known yachting resort.

Get in
Marblehead is an historic, seacoast town easily reached by car (40 minutes from Boston), by boat, or by Boston’s MBTA.

Originally settled in 1629, Marblehead is a beautiful town on the North Shore of Massachusetts. What sets this town apart from others in the area is that it is surrounded mostly by water and offers an almost nostalgic view of New England as one might imagine it ought to be. Marblehead offers an array of beautiful beaches as well as amazing views of the ocean, and a beautiful small town. A few different parts make up this small town. The main parts of the town, are "Old Town", which is the historic part of Marblehead that to this day has homes that were built when the town was first settled. Another part of town, is the "downtown" are which has become a little more urbanized overtime. They have many shops as well as stores like CVS. The last part of the town is Marblehead Neck. Marblehead Neck was once an Island, until the down decided to build a causeway to connect it to the rest of the town. Known for its amazing mansions and yacht clubs, the Neck is truly the prettiest part of the town. Marblehead has a website that offers the history and various links for what you can do in the town, http://www.marblehead.org/.

Get around
To get around the town, there are a couple different options:

1) MBTA Bus

There are two different bus routes you can take:
 * 441
 * 442

There are major bus stops in most parts of the town, for more information on schedules visit:

Bus service can be infrequent at times, so a car can be helpful.

Buy
Dozens of imaginative, family-owned boutiques & galleries along with scores of antique, gift and specialty shops dot the walkable town.

Sleep
Over 30 romantic inn's and B&Bs offer a respite from the frenzy of city life.

title: Marblehead (Massachusetts)


text:
Marblehead (Ohio)

Marblehead is a village in Ohio Erie shore west. It is on the Marblehead Peninsula, which divides Lake Erie from the Sandusky Bay.

Get in
Marblehead is about an hour east of Toledo and 1½ hours west of Cleveland. From Sandusky it takes about 20 minutes.

Boat launch

 * Dempsey's Access, CR 136 (Bayshore Rd.) at CR 140.
 * East Harbor State Park, N. Buck Rd. (off SR 269) +1 419-734-4424
 * Mazurik Access, Northshore Blvd. (off SR 163)

Marinas

 * Anchors Away, 5925 Saylor Rd. +1 419-734-1395
 * Bay Point Marina, 10948 E. Bayshore Rd. +1 419-798-4434
 * Marina Del Isle, 6801 E. Harbor Rd. +1 419-732-2587
 * South Beach Resort Marina, 8620 E. Bayshore Rd. +1 419-798-5503
 * Tibbels Marina, 6365 East Harbor Rd. (SR 163), +1 419-734-1143

By car
From OH 2, exit at OH 269 and head north. The northern terminus of OH 269 is at the exit of East Harbor State Park.

From Port Clinton, follow OH 163 east. OH 163 circles the peninsula.

By plane

 * Toledo Express Airport
 * Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

Fishing charters

 * Sportsman Charter Services, East Harbor State Park Marina, +1 419 798-4720

Lakeside Chautauqua
The village of Lakeside is a gated community (June-Sept) on the north shore Marblehead Peninsula. It is one of three remaining Chautauqua communities in the United States. Chautauqua was a movement started in the 1800s to provide adult education on important issues as well as entertainment. Today Lakeside is a vibrant community which offers family-oriented entertainment, concerts, and recreation, lectures and clubs throughout the summer. The village has a number of restaurants, shops, churches, parks and businesses within. Visitors are welcome to purchase a day pass. Others choose to stay longer - the village has cabins, houses, and a hotel with rooms for rent for a day, week or even the entire summer.

Buy

Campgrounds

 * East Harbor State Park, Northeast part of Ottawa County on the north part of Catawba Island, off of Route 63, on the shores of Lake Erie. 365 electric sites, 205 non-electric sites, showers, flush toilets, dump station, launch ramp, camp store, pet camping, two Rent-A-RV units on full-service sites, two deluxe camper cabins, dock rentals, restaurant, marina, fishing, hunting, 7-mile trail, volleyball, basketball, horseshoe courts, playground equipment and a 1,500-foot sand beach.

Go next

 * Johnsons Island. The island is accessible by car from Marblehead. During the American Civil War Johnson's  island was used as a POW camp.  The cemetery is the only part of the island open to the public, and there is a $2 charge to use the causeway.
 * Cedar Point Amusement Park is just across the bay from the eastern part of Marblehead. If possible, take a private boat to one of the marinas on the island and bypass all of the traffic.
 * Kelleys Island is a 20-minute ferry ride from Marblehead.
 * Huron
 * Sandusky
 * Port Clinton

title: Marblehead (Ohio)


text:
Marburg

Marburg is a small university town north of Frankfurt in the Lahn valley, Hesse. The castle ("Landgrafenschloss") on the hill, the university's historical buildings and the old city ("Oberstadt", upper city) are the top sights of the city.

Understand
Walk the labyrinth of narrow, cobblestone streets lined with extremely well-preserved examples of 17th and 18th century Hessian architecture while taking surprisingly many stairs outdoors. Hearing nearby church bells toll while strolling through this part of Marburg is a life changing experience. This is the Germany you expect from the tour books and here you can enjoy it free from the crowds of tourists.

The Philipps-Universität (founded 1527) is the oldest Protestant university in the world. Marburg has approximately 76,000 residents. With 23,500 students and 6,000 people working for the university, a saying in Marburg is: "Other cities may have a university, Marburg is a university."

Those who have a grasp in Biology and/or Epidemiology may also remember the Marburg virus, which is equally fatal as the Ebola virus. The virus is named after the city after an outbreak in 1967, causing dozens of infections and several deaths.

By train
in addition to suburban trains Marburg is also a stop for InterCity IC trains. The city is well connected to Frankfurt and Kassel. From there you have extensive connections on the German InterCityExpress ICE train network.

By plane
Marburg has no airport so head for Frankfurt/Main, Germany's busiest airport.

By car
Marburg is not officially connected to an Autobahn, but you will find that coming from the south via Frankfurt and Giessen the Autobahn seamlessly leads to Bundesstraße 3a, which is developed equivalently.

Get around
As a small town it`s best explored on foot. Other possibilities include the public bus services and bicycle. A touristic tour is offered by the Schlossbahn.

If you need, ask the inhabitants: Most people are very friendly and will go out of their way to point out the sights.

By bus
Schedules and connections should be checked with the supra-regional transport association RMV.

Since stairs and ways to the castle are especially step and long, bus line 10 is a great alternative: Starting downtown it also stops at the old town's market and then drives all the way up to forecourt of the castle!

Single trips ("Einzel-Fahrkarte") cost around and are quite expensive compared to a day ticket ("Tages-Karte") for less than  - as of 2018. Tickets can be bought directly from the bus driver, but a mobile journey planning & ticketing app is also available.

Some bus drivers can be rather harsh and impatient - no matter if you're a foreign tourist or local resident. So better be prepared which kind of ticket you want to buy or where you want to go and have some basic German words prepared.

By bike
The direct neighbourhoods of the old city can easily be explored by bike. However, since the old city itself is on a hill and streets are cobbled, riding a bike there is not recommended.

A bike trip to the south along the Lahn river is a perfect addition to a sightseeing trip in Marburg. Elevation is no problem there and bike ways are well developed.

A rental bike system is also available from Nextbike. 30 Minutes will cost. Registration should be done in advance and rentals should be managed via Nextbike's app.

By Schlossbahn
The "Marburger Schlossbahn" is a private service, which offers sightseeing tours through downtown, old town and up to the castle. The whole vehicle is styled like a train with locomotive and waggons. Tour guides come from loudspeakers and are available in other languages as well. The service is not operated in winter.

By elevator
To reach the "Oberstadt" you can also use one of the two lifts, which make it easily accessible for the disabled. Both lifts are free of charge. The "Oberstadt-Aufzug" is located at Pilgrimstein 28. The other lift is part of the "Pilgrimstein Parkhaus" parking deck and accessible from the street.

Talk
In Marburg many European and other languages are widely spoken. English is never a problem. For example it is possible to find those who will understand a little Japanese or Mandarin, especially if you approach one of the many exchange students. The people in Marburg are very friendly and when you ask friendly you can get sometimes special tips you can never find in a guide.

See
Stroll around the old city and enjoy the medieval atmosphere in combination with the spirit of a university town. Visit the Elisabeth Church, Germany's oldest Gothic church, and the old castle at top of the "Oberstadt". Also worth seeing are the old university building, the city hall, and Weidenhausen (the old part of the town on the other side of the river Lahn).

Do

 * Take a romantic pedal boat trip on the river Lahn, which starts from the bridge opposite to the old university building.
 * Take a hike up to the Spiegelslustturm and enjoy a wonderful view over Marburg at night.
 * There is an exhibition on the culture and history of Hesse in the old castle and also guided tours through the "Kasematten", the cellars of the castle. Consult the tourist information office for details.
 * There is the Aquamar, a relatively new swimming pool with a spa area.
 * If you are looking for culture, art and a special place to enjoy a glass of wine, visit the Kulturzentrum Waggonhalle, right behind the train station. Placed in the historic wagon halls, you will find art exhibitions, theater, concerts, flea markets and cabarets. The Rotkehlchen Cafe/Restaurant serves great food, tasty cakes, and offers outside seating.
 * If you should visit the town in summer, the city laid 3TM is held during the second weekend in July, while on the 3rd weekend in July the international open-air short-film festival OpenEyes Filmfest starts.

The Marburg Mercenaries play first division (GFL Süd) American Football. The season runs roughly April-September with Playoffs in late September to October.

Buy
Self-caterers and low-budget travelers can find all the big discounters in Marburg. There is also no shortage of health food stores. Furthermore, there is the possibility of getting supplies on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the markets in the south quarter, in the upper town and at the Elisabethkirche / Firmaneiplatz. In the old town you will find many smaller specialist shops with an extensive range, including several bookshops. There are several shopping centers in Marburg; Marburg, on the other hand, does not offer large shopping areas and miles.

A typical souvenir from Marburg is the "Marburger Nachtwächter", a herbal liqueur made according to a traditional recipe with 38% vol. It can be bought in the liquor and tobacco shop, Marktgasse 17, in the upper town.

Eat
The city caters for the needs of more than 18,000 students so it is not difficult to find a nice cafe or pub. Most of the good pubs are located in the Oberstadt. Be aware that during the university terms they are sometimes crowded.

Next to the lower level of the lift (Oberstadtaufzug) in the middle of Marburg you will find numerous restaurants, great Doner and a very good Lebanese Imbiss.

If you arrive at the train station and like to eat Asian food just walk straight away from the train station and cross the river bridge behind the highway. On the right side is a small, but good place for Asian food.

The area in the historic center around the Marktplatz and Barfuesserstraße is full of good, affordable restaurants for all tastes, many with outside seating. Most restaurants in the Oberstadt offer breakfasts or brunches, and pretty much all of them will have many vegetarian options.

Budget
All these are in the city centre:

Sweet
If you have a sweet tooth, definitely check out:

Drink
There are too many pubs and bars to list them all, but if you are in Marburg and everything is closed because its already 3 or 4 o´clock in the morning you have to go to the bolschoi pub! It is near the Elisabeth Church and the place to be in the later night! If you are looking for some true Marburg experience, check out the Delirium mit Frazzkeller (Steinweg 3), a 2 floor bar with true Marburg characters and smoking downstairs. Try the Roter Korn. If you like live music, sip a glass of wine to some jazzy band at the Jazzclub Cavete (right across Deli/Frazzkeller). One of the oldest pubs in town is Hinkelstein in a vaulted cellar at the market square. Try Altbierbohle here. A good place to drink a beer during the day is at the harbour (pedal boat rental) on the river Lahn next to the Weidenhäuser bridge.

Go next

 * Giessen

Take a train in the direction of Kassel to Kirchhain, a lovely small German town with interesting large markets like the New Years Market or the Martins market.

You can also take a trip to the Amöneburg, an old fortress 15 km east of Marburg, or to castle Rauischholzhausen, a traditional castle with a nice park.

You can also go for longer hikes in the surrounding hills and the picturesque forests.

title: Marburg


text:
Marília

Marília is a city in western São Paulo state in Brazil.

title: Marília


text:
Marcali

Marcali is at the edge of the Lake Balaton area of, Hungary (Somogy County).

Understand
Most of the people you will encounter in this area of Hungary will speak Hungarian and little else. There are some people who understand German (traditionally the second language of the country). Few will understand English.

However, most people will try to be helpful to a foreign-speaker. And of course understanding one or two words in Hungarian will help break the ice, and may even invoke a smile or two.

Get in
By driving, from Budapest, take exit 170 on the M7 motorway, and head south on Highway 71.

By bus, there are daily runs from Budapest. There are also several bus runs that go south from Balatonmáriafürdő, the nearest train station.

Before December 2009, there was train service to the town, but the line between Balatonszentgyörgy and Somogyszob has since been discontinued.

Get around
Mostly this will be by private vehicle or foot.

There are several Kapos Volan bus runs that go up and down the main highway (71 to the north, 68 to the south) from the main bus station.

A free shuttle operates between the city center and the Tesco Hypermarket on the north end. However, if the driver believes you aren't going to or from the Tesco store, you may not be let aboard.

See
At Hősök tere, or Heroes' Square, in front of the town's main church, a memorial stands not only to the usual war dead, but also to the Jewish citizens, many of whom were removed from the country between May and July 1944 under the direction of SS Colonel Adolph Eichmann. (Most of these died in Polish concentration camps before the end of the war.)

Parks and fountains in the town are generally peaceful places to pass the time.

Do
The main reason people go to Marcali is the City Spa and Leisure Center, located on the north end of town. Opened in 2003, the thermal baths were eventually developed into an indoor pool in 2008, and then finally into a full water park by June 2010. A Thermal Hotel was also planned for the site, but failed to open at the time that the water park opened, and remains an unfinished landmark behind the Spa and Leisure Center.

Besides the swimming facilities, the center boasts also courts for tennis, handball, basketball, and beach volleyball. Although summer is the main time of year to visit the place, the facility is open all year around.

Indeed, several events are hosted throughout the year at the Spa, including the annual Marcali Eurofolk Festival.

Costs in 2012 were 1400 HUF for an adult dayticket, and 950 HUF for a dayticket for children under age 16.

The Marcali Kulturális Korzó (Múzeum köz 5) has exhibits related to Somogy county, and every other Friday hosts a film showing. On Thursdays, entrance to the museum is free. Wifi point.

Eat
Mester Cukrászda, Kávézó és Étterem (Rákóczi utca 2-4): Very popular ice cream parlor and restaurant in the city center across the street from the city hall.

Robinson Pizzéria (next door to Mester Cukrászda at Rákóczi utca 2-4): Apparently has Döner kebab on the menu.

Luti Pékség (next door to Robinson Pizzeria): Plenty of baked goods. Open until about 9PM in evenings.

Pannonia Grill (Petőfi utca, near the intersection with Rákóczi utca): Fast food menu.

Marcello Pizzéria (Posta köz 8): Not far from the Penny Market. Pizza and other options.

Hotel Kek Hold (Múzeum köz 1) has a coffee bar with wifi.

Kulturális Korzó (Múzeum köz 5) has a coffee bar with wifi as well.

Sleep
Hotel Canada is the splurge option. It is rated as a three star.

Hotel Kek Hold is the mid-range option. It is rated as a two star hotel (7000 HUF per person per night).

(Both hotels are across the street from the Kulturális Korzó, the Cultural Museum on Múzeum köz, well situated in the city center.)

Two other hotel options exist in the city (will post when that information is collected).

A camping option exists at Gadany (about 10 kilometers south of Marcali), at the Naturferienranch (Fö utca 3-5). The price to stay is generally under 3000 HUF. The town also hosts a guesthouse (Pannónia Panzió, Fö utca 44), which costs 3300 HUF in summer, 2300 in other seasons.

Connect
Main wifi access points are at the Kulturális Korzó (Múzeum köz 5), and the coffee bar at Hotel Kek Hold (Múzeum köz 1). Both are essentially next door to each other.

An eMagyarorszag Pont exists near the City Hall.

Go next
To the south is Kaposvár, a major city within Somogy county. To the north is Balatonmáriafürdő, the closest railway station and ferryboat port on Lake Balaton.

title: Marcali


text:
Marche

Marche (or the Marches) is a central region of Italy on the east coast composed of rolling hills and fertile plains at the base of the Apennine mountains. It is bordered by Adriatic Sea in the east, Umbria, Tuscany and Lazio in the west, Emilia-Romagna and San Marino to the north, Abruzzo to the south.

Beautiful Adriatic beaches and ancient towns perched on hilltops, or nestled deep between rolling farmland, give travelers to the Marches a real taste of central Italy.

Two main highways traveling along the coast facilitate transportation to the larger cities of this and other regions. One of the most valuable parts of the Marches lure is driving through the interior, visiting smaller towns and exploring areas where there are virtually no tourists.

The Marche has become a buzz word in Britain and an expat destination for vacation home buying. It has been compared to Tuscany as having all the attributes, with none of the hassles of high prices and large crowds.

Provinces
The Marches are divided into five provinces (from N to S):

Cities

 * – Major port on the Adriatic Sea. It rises above high cliffs; it is the capital of the Marches. It has a long and remarkable history and plenty of monuments, museums and viewpoints on the port and on the cliffs. It has the beaches of Portonovo (european blue flag) and Passetto (with its caves carved on the cliff by fishermen).
 * – Spectacularly located old town (that is older than Rome) with gleaming white stone and medieval towers. It has spectacular vistas of the surrounding valley and mountains nearby, and performs excellently as a hub for travelers heading into the Sibillini National Park.
 * – small walled city with many sixteenth century buildings
 * – Capital of the white "Verdicchio" wine
 * – Known as Fanum Fortunae in Roman times, the city today is a fairly well-known coastal resort and one of the most important Adriatic fishing ports. Fano is a tourist destination for those looking for quality of life, with a first rate cultural, historical and environmental heritage, enabling visitors within a distance of a few kilometres to enjoy the sea as well as the delightful hilly inland countryside. Other wide beaches and small bays are to be found along the coast on both sides of the town.
 * – historic city of ancient origins, it's a provincial capital
 * – pleasant resort by the sea
 * – town of medieval origin, unusually built along the ridge of a hill and with great views towards the Adriatic and the Apennines
 * – home of Michelin star restaurant Uliassi
 * – attractive university town up in the hills
 * – attractive university town up in the hills

Other destinations

 * Conero Riviera – The only relief (572 m) overhanging the sea from Trieste to Gargano, in symbiosis with the towns of Ancona and Camerano, and with the sea resorts of Sirolo and Numana, mount Conero is the heart of the homonymous Regional Park. Established in 1987, the Conero Natural Park is a protected environmental oasis covering some 5800 ha of woodland and spectacular white cliffs plunging into the Adriatic sea.

 * (Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini) – The Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini lies in the west of the region, on the border with Umbria, and is comprised of more than 50 mountain peaks over 2,000 m high. The highest of these peaks is Monte Vettore (2,476 m), followed by Monte Priora, Monte Bove, Monte Sibilla and a number of others. In the 15th- and 16th-century popular belief maintained that the Monte Sibilla was the kingdom of the “illustrious prophetess”, while others thought it to be the dwelling place of “the seductress Circe in league with the devil”. The “demonic” Lago di Pilato on the other hand is said to be the place where the body of Pontius Pilate vanished off the face of the earth, dragged into oblivion by a herd of cattle. The park, while intimidating and rugged, has some fantastic hiking opportunities and a number of well-stocked refuge points. For the experienced climber, the jagged faces of Monte Vettore and Monte Priora (among many others) provide excellent scrambling locations, while the more welcoming peaks such as Monte Sibilla offer dirt road access to some truly spectacular viewpoints (particularly looking west toward Monte Porche and the Aso Valley, as seen in the photo on the right). Stop at and enjoy the surroundings at 1,540 m with a cold beer or a plate of excellent homemade pasta.

 * Fiastra Abbey, Tolentino (Mc) – The territory of the nature reserve surrounding the medieval abbey of Fiastra presents the typical morphology of fluvial areas, and it is characterized by the valleys where the river Chienti and the river Fiastra run. The flora and the fauna of the area are very interesting, since they include some species which are typical of the hills of the Marches region and species which are rather rare in Italy. It is a popular among locals for walking and riding activities.

Geography
The Marches are described as "all of Italy in one region", a visit there uncovers an unspoilt, pretty, friendly, and extremely civilised area of Italy. The region is bordered by neighbours Tuscany, Umbria, Abruzzo and Emilia Romagna and shares many of their best geographical features, yet is relatively undiscovered and surprisingly accessible.

To the West of the region Sibillini Mountains which are one of the highest sections of the Apennines. They are 40 km long, contain 10 peaks in excess of 2000 m - the whole area is home to many species of rare wildlife and is protected by the Sibillini National Park. The geography of the Marches between mountains and sea consists of vine-clad hills, medieval villages and a rich mosaic of farmland.

The Sibillini Mountains and the Marches countryside below are laced with paths and old mule tracks and are home to a stunning array of flora and fauna. It is a paradise for those who enjoy mountain holidays, hiking, walking, or cycling.

People
The marchigiani, or people of the Marches, remain closely linked to the land or to the sea and life here still revolves around the family and on self-sufficient communities of farmers, fishermen and craftsmen, where the local Le Marche market consumes most of the regional output, which are generally reputed excellent.

By contrast, the region is one of the most industrialized in Italy, and a traditional hub for quality shoes and other high-level manufacturing.

For those new to the Italian language, the familiarity with which the Marchigiani talk to you may come as a surprise. Between everyone from strangers to businesspeople to old friends, informal Italian is very widely used in the Marches, so don't be insulted if, for instance, someone you don't know refers to you and your party using 'tu' and 'voi' instead of 'Lei' and 'Loro'; it's just a habit of the region!

Landscape
The wonderful medieval the Marches towns offer the visitor an amazing range of history and historic architecture, that ranges from Art Nouveaux villas to characteristic stone cottages, and are home to wonderful art, over 1000 working theatres, fantastic markets and year round festas where you can sing and dance, eat and drink great local fayre, and enjoy the local crafts and customs.

Roots
Conserving the Memory of Emigration. An historic archive to preserve memories of the thousands who left the Marches to find their fortune abroad operates in Ancona. The project, organised by the Regional Authority's Centre for Cultural Heritage, aims to collect diaries, photographs, publicity material, letters, postcards and any other documents relating to emigration from the Marches between 1876 and 1976. The archive, which is overseen by consultant Professor Amoreno Martellini, will be divided into three sections; the first dedicated to personal memories such as letters and diaries; the second to images while the third will concentrate on other material such as administrative, health and publicity documents. If you have anything that might be relevant such as letters, diaries, photographs, passports, certificates, guides, you can send the original or a copy to the archive at:
 * Archivio Storico per L'Emigrazione Marchigiana (ASEM) - Centro regionale per i Beni Culturali Via Trieste, 21 /34085 or fax: +39 071 33753

Get in
The Marches are linked by an excellent road and rail network from the north and south, with the SS.16 Adriatic Coastal road, the A14 motorway and the Bologna-Ancona mainline railway. Rome can be reached easily along the SS.3 Via Flaminia with a rail connection via Falconara and Orte. From the Marche Airport at Falconara (Ancona) there are daily flights to and from many national and international destinations (from the UK, Ryanair fly from either Liverpool or London Stansted). Abruzzo Airport in the nearby Abruzzo region may also be of interest. The port of Ancona is one of the most important touristic and commercial port of the Adriatic. It links to Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Albania and Montenegro.

Get around
The railway that runs down the coast is excellent for exploring the region with fast and frequent trains running all day. Busses tend to be rather infrequent, especially if you are looking to explore inland, so hiring a car is essential if you want to explore a bit.

See
Sightseeing - make sure you make time to visit the wonderfully preserved medieval villages that decorate this bucolic region. Here are some highlights in and around the Macerata province;

Sibillini Mountains - if you travel to the South West, the landscape a stones throw away from the villa becomes far more dramatic as the hills are dominated by the Sibillini Mountains. This area, which is protected by the Sibillini National Park, is accessed via some great roads and paths which allow the visitor to discover lakes, rivers, some amazing gorges, wildlife and get in touch with the eco side of their character.

Theatres - the Marches are also the land of a thousand theatres including the grand 'Sferisterio' amphitheatre in Macerata, which holds 7,000 people and is second only to Verona in Italy's summer open-air opera calendar and a venue for the Macerata festival.

Abbadia-di-fiastra - The Cistercian monastery of Fiastra was founded in 1142, the building material was taken from the near Roman city 'Urbs Salvia' whose farmland stretched 30 km to the coast in medieval times. Today the surrounding parkland is still cultivated by the monks and wines and other produce is on sale to the public, there are two very good well priced restaurants, and the medieval monastery, an archeological museum and beautiful nature reserve are open to the public.

Urbisaglia - Adjacent to Abbadia di Fiastra, the impressive Roman site of Urbisaglia provides free tours of its frescoes, theatre and amphitheatre, which was water filled and battles were fought on boats

Sarnano - The bustling and perfectly preserved medieval town of Sarnano, named one of the most beautiful in Italy, has a wealth of character in the ancient, cobbled streets that wind up through carefully restored centro storico and the impressive towers of the centro Storico that dominate the amazing local landscape. It has a famous Terme or Spa which offers pampering and health treatments. It is a focal point for walkers and cyclists and lovers of the great outdoors and even has its own ski resort which was completely restored in 2008.

Ascoli Piceno - The city of Ascoli Piceno is dominated by numerous medieval towers and the Piazza del Popolo which is tiled with travertine and undoubtedly one of the most elegant squares of Italy. An amazing array of gothic architecture, great riverside walks, shopping and art galleries, plus some wonderful bars to sample the local Piceni wines. Oh, make sure you do some people watching in the Art Nouveaux Bar Meletti in the main Piazza.

Caldarola - Caldarola is dominated by the well preserved Pallotta castle, where building started in the 9th century and which was transformed in the 16th by the Pallotta family, who still own the castle and now open it to the public, there are 3 other castles in the surrounding Marches countryside.

Camerino - The panoramic university hill town of Camerino has a history that goes back to Neolithic times. It has remained unchanged since its Renaissance heyday, when the local Da Varano family governed much of surrounding the Marches. Imposing churches, palaces and art plus lovely gardens, museums, outdoor cafes and some great shops.

Amandola - This touring centre for the Sibillini national park has a wonderful gothic piazza, sit in one of Amandola's bars there and watch the world go by, or try getting up and sampling the museum of rural history.

Macerata - Macerata has a number of central piazzas with stunning architecture, a beautiful theatre, Duomo, art gallery and museum of carriages and the unification of Italy/ wartime resistance. There are also a variety of tempting shops and some lovely bars and ristorante. Macerata is also home to the Sferisterio, a grand open air opera house that hosts a fantastic "season" of themed opera performances each Summer

Tolentino - Tolentino is a vibrant medieval city home to the shrine of St Nicola, and some amazing architecture including an ancient roman bridge and a bizarre clock tower in the main square and the nearby 12th-century Castello della Rancia. Wander round the museum of caricature and humour in art, or simply enjoy the shopping, cafes and trattorie.

Montemonaco - A pretty walled town with an information centre for the Sibillini National Park. From here you can walk in a couple of hours to the 'Cave of the Sibyl' (the lair of Tannhauser's Venus), or more striking, follow the River Tenna up the amazing limestone Gola dell'Infernaccio, 'Little Hell Gorge', a three-hour walk from the road.

Frasassi - Frasassi has an awesome network of underground limestone caves that is the largest in Europe and a must see for any visitor. Tours every hour in most languages

Library of Casa Leopardi, Recanati - The library comprises more than 20,000 volumes, most of which were collected and arranged by Monaldo Leopardi, the father of Giacomo, in the second half of the 17th century and includes rare volumes such as the first edition of the Encyclopedie by Diderot and Dalambert.

Roman temple of Monterinaldo, 2nd century BCE - The temple is an impressive and unique example of well-preserved Roman architecture in the Marches.

Do
The Marches Festas & Events - The Marches host 'festas' or outdoor celebrations, games, concerts and dancing most weekends from spring to Christmas. During the summer these also occur on most weekdays as neighbouring villages compete in throwing the best party. The common theme is a Marches festa that allows the visitor to sample local produce, food and wines. For detailed information on the numerous events visit the tourist office, the Marches tourism site, look for roadside posters, or buy the Corriere Proposte in the local tabacchi (newsagents).

Hiking, walking and outdoor pursuits in Le Marche, Italy - To get a proper feel for Le Marche you should try hiking off the beaten track and immersing yourself on an Italian walking holiday in the heart of Le Marche's stunning countryside. There are a range of maps available, especially and the whole area is dissected by networks of hiking trails and old mule tracks; which are well marked on the maps (one for the Monti Azzuri and another for the Sibillini Mountains National Park that open the whole area up for independent walking holidays. Sarnano and the area nearby is a good base for walking, has marked circular walks and some accommodations offer maps and itineraries. The dramatic landscape, with a highest peak of 2500 m, flower filled plateaux and the rolling hills below, offer an ideal location for walking holidays, cycling holidays, bird watching, photography, drawing and painting.

The Sibillini National Park has organised tours and treks throughout the spring, summer and autumn months and has numerous predefined itineraries for walking and cycling available. There is parascending, white water rafting and extreme sports on offer nearby and two of Italy’s most stunning gorge walks and mountain lakes with beaches and trattorias.

Outlet shopping in the Marches, Italy If you fancy picking up some bargains on your travels to Italy, Le Marche is home to many factory outlets that enable buyers to access alla moda high fashions at ludicrously cheap prices.

Eat

 * Vincisgrassi  A lasagna dish from the Marches with an odd name. Vincisgrassi is the Italianization of the name of the Austrian general, Prince Windischgratz, who was commander of the Austrian Forces stationed in the Marches. The dish was allegedly created for the prince by a local chef.
 * Ciauscolo  This unusual salami is originally from the Marches, but it is also prepared in Umbria, especially in the area that borders the town of Macerata. It is made by kneading very finely ground pork with a good quantity of fat until the mixture is very soft. The meat is flavored simply with garlic, salt, and pepper, and it is often smoked. Ciauscolo is meant to be spread onto bread rather than sliced, given its soft consistency; Ciauscolo resembles the rillettes of France, which differ because they are cooked while ciauscolo remains raw unless it is smoked.
 * Olive all'ascolana (stuffed olives)  The invention of these stuffed and deep fried olives dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. Apparently created by an unknown chef who worked for an aristocratic family of Ascoli Piceno, they are a must on the table of locals during the festivities.

Drink

 * Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, one of the strongest Italian white wines;
 * 'Falerio dei colli ascolani, a white wine whose millennial history is written in the name itself, typically Roman, which, in turn, was derived from that of the ancient city of Faleria. It is produced in the rolling hills between Fermo and Falerone and it is excellent with fish and white meats.
 * Rosso Conero, A red wine produced in the Conero area, south of Ancona and it is made from the Montepulciano grape. It is a rich, perfumed wine that often reaches greatness. Since 2006 it has had the coveted DOCG designation.
 * Rosso Piceno, is a red wine produced in the south of the region (the "Piceno" area), made from at least 60 percent Sangiovese (the Chianti grape), plus some of Marche's native Montepulciano and, optionally, small amounts of the local red grape Passerina and the white Trebbiano. Legend has it that Hannibal used the hearty red wine of Piceno as a rubdown for his army's horses.
 * Lacrima di Morro d'Alba, An intensely-scented red wine produced in the area around Morro d'Alba. The strong hints of citrus, clove and other spices lend it an almost mulled-wine-esque flavour, but don't let that put you off; this is a truly unique, powerful red that must not be missed! The principal vine variety is Lacrima, with the possible addition of Montepulciano and/or Verdicchio (but only up to 15% of the blend). The name Lacrima means tear (as in weep) and derives from the fact that as the fruit ripens the juice seeps through the skin of the grape. The denomination may be derived from some legend or simply from the nearly oval shape of the grape or the pyramidal form of the cluster, both resembling tear drops. The wine is almost a varietal, for all "correction" is limited to the addition of 15 per cent of Montepulciano and/or Verdicchio grapes.
 * Vernaccia di Serrepetrona, an extraordinary sparkling red wine.

Sleep
Although many hotels can be found around the region, especially along the coast, the best way to enjoy a visit is to stay at an agriturismo (a kind of accommodation in which hospitality is offered on farms, usually on a 'bed and breakfast' basis) or rent a self-catering property, either in the country or in a town. There are also some independent Villas with great facilities; some of which have sites that provide the visitor with great information on the region.

Stay safe
The Marches is probably one of the safest Italian regions. There is very little violent or petty crime, even in major cities like Ancona. The family-oriented vibe of the Marches has led to a sense of community, and as a result most residents are highly respectful and friendly of each other and of you, even after a few drinks (and as long as you don't antagonise them). People here might be more reserved than other Italian regions especially in the inland villages. Despite being a very 'rural' region of Italy, the towns and villages are an almost bizarrely short distance from each other, even in awkwardly hilly areas; if you get lost you'll only have to walk about 20 minutes at the absolute maximum until you come across a couple of houses (or even a town with a shop, post office and such). Because of the undulating terrain, it's also very easy to locate the next town visually as most of them are perched on hilltops, and as a result it's unlikely Le Marche will ever leave you feeling truly isolated.

Your only trouble in this quiet region, if you have any, is that the parts of the Marches dominated by wilderness and not settlements are pretty remote. If your car breaks down or you get lost up in the Sibillini, there is a slim possibility you will find yourself an insurmountable distance from the nearest help, and emergency services may need to be contacted. However, this is highly, highly unlikely; the mountains are dotted with people at all times of the year and the refuge points are easily navigable on foot with good preparation and a map.

Go next

 * Umbria - Bordering the Marches to the west, the landlocked region of Umbria is home to some spectacular natural scenery and remarkable medieval history in the beautifully preserved large towns of Perugia, Assisi and in smaller ones such as Spoleto and Gubbio.
 * Emilia-Romagna - The irrefutable gastronomic epicentre of Italy. Lasagne, tortellini, parma ham and parmesan (to name a few) are all inventions of the region, straddling both the rolling Apennines and the flat, fertile Po Valley. Bologna, Modena and Parma are all packed with history, museums and fabulous architecture, and Emilia-Romagna is consistently rated as the region with the highest standard of living in the whole of Italy.
 * Abruzzo - The intrepid traveler may want to travel south to Abruzzo, an arid, remote and sparsely populated region comprised mostly of one giant national park. The industrial port of Pescara is the only city in Abruzzo, and is not much to behold, but the landscape away from the coast is absolutely unparallelled in Italy; it contains some of the country's most magnificent and highest peaks.
 * San Marino - The tiny city-state of San Marino, at the northern border of the Marches, is almost surreal in its very existence; while not part of Italy, it acts much like any other region in language, food and art (though they may find that notion insulting!) Built into a mountainside, the old town is accessible by an enjoyable cable-car ride, and the scenery from the top is again quite something, but its extortionate prices and extreme similarity to other Italian hilltop towns mean that San Marino is really only suitable for ticking boxes, to say "I've been there".

title: Marche


text:
Marciac

Marciac is a town in Gers.

Understand
Home to 1200 inhabitants, Marciac is perhaps most famous for its yearly Jazz Festival that has been running every August since 1978. A ‘bastide’ town, it dates to the late 12th century and is situationed between Auch and Tarbes.

See
The town square with its medieval arcades is the heart of everything and home to many concerts and events.

The church, which boasts the highest clock tower in the Gers.

Do
You must attend one of Marciacs many festivals. From Jazz to Latino to country, the festivals bring vibrancy and colour to this small French town.

On the outskirts of Marciac there is a large lake where you can hire pedal boats, go windsurfing and swimming.

Eat
There are a small number of restaurants in the town. Wander into the heart of the village beneath the cooling arcades to find an attractive place to dine or head to the lake and dine at the floating restaurant.

Sleep
There are a selection of self-catering, hotels, bed and breakfast options as well as camping. Do organise in advance if you are attending the Jazz Festival.

title: Marciac


text:
Marco Island

Marco Island is an island city in Southwest Florida at the edge of the Everglades. Popular with vacationers for its beautiful beaches and small-town appeal, Marco Island doesn't offer many attractions, but those looking for relaxation and recreation will find plenty to enjoy.

Understand
Home to about 28,000 people in 2029, it is the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands. Marco, once a sleepy, small town, is now a year-round beach and boating resort island.

The six miles of uncrowded beaches on Marco Island are among the widest in Florida and feature bright white, sugar sand and bountiful shelling opportunities. There are two public beaches (Tigertail and South Beach), a private beach complex for residents (Residents' Beach), and offshore island beaches, such as Keewaydin Island. It is close to the shopping and restaurants of Naples, while preserving a secluded, island atmosphere with limited traffic. With over 100 miles of canals, Marco Island is a boater's paradise.

The residents are preserving the quiet nature of the island with a new, restrictive noise ordinance with hefty fines for renters who make noise after 8PM.

Get in
From the east coast of South Florida, drivers can take Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley) westbound into the Naples-Marco Island Metropolitan Area. Drivers coming from the north can also take I-75 southbound.

By plane
The nearest airport is Marco Island Executive Airport, a private general aviation airport 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of the central business district of Marco Island.

The nearest airport with commercial service is Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers. Other nearby airports include Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Sarasota–Bradenton.

By ferry
During the tourist season of the winter months, Key West Express offers connections to Key West twice weekly on their 155-foot catamaran fast ferry. Standard fares are $161 for a roundtrip, with discounts available for children, seniors, and for purchasing in advance.

By bus
The only public transit connections are local bus routes. Collier Area Transit's route 21 connects Marco Island with the mainland and line 121 connects Marco Island to Immokalee.

Get around
Marco Island is easily navigable by car and bicycle. It is also a great walking town, and pedestrians will appreciate the additional safety measure provided by large flashing signs at designated crosswalks.

See
The main highlight of Marco Island is the white-sand beach. Depending on the time of year you visit, it is rarely overcrowded (except on occasion outside of the major resorts), and aside from the water you can check out the countless seashells lining the shore. On a clear day, the view of the sunset is spectacular from the.

Do
Marco Island offers many activities. Within the town, biking or rollerblading along the streets of the island isn't too difficult as many of the secondary routes are designed for slow traffic. Alternatively you can play golf or tennis at your hotel or at one of the city's recreational centers.

For water activities, you can rent a boat and go sailing or fishing on the Gulf, or swim and sunbathe on the beach. The Gulf waters are refreshingly calm and cool. You can go para-sailing on the ocean. The ride is fun and the aerial views are incredible.

Eat
There is a variety of restaurants on the island. These range from the formal Italian cuisine found at Da Vinci's, to a more casual Mexican style found in Nacho Mama's.

Drink
There are a few bars in Marco Island, though the town is not much of a drinker's destination. For more options and variety, head north to Naples.

Go next

 * Naples - A charming waterfront city, about 20 miles (32 km) north of Marco Island.

title: Marco Island


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Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata is on the southwest coast of the Argentinian sea. It is the second most touristic city in the country after Buenos Aires. You can go to Mar del Plata by plane, by bus, by train or by car. It is 400 km from Buenos Aires approximately. You can take route 2 if you are driving, but you must pay a toll.

There are magnificent beaches, wide bays and wonderful cliffs, which alternate in 47 km of coast line. At night you can go to the theatre and then choose a good restaurant. If you want to dance, the city has several discotheques in the 'Playa Grande' area.

During the day, you can walk along the coast and you can walk to the fort too. Walking and going shopping on Güemes street during the night is nice too. You can walk around the famous neighborhood called “Los Troncos” as well. You can spend the day in Sierra de los Padres and, of course, you can enjoy the beach!

In the summer months, December through March, the beaches are crowded with Porteños on holiday. Outside the summer months, the city is much less crowded. However, there are 700,000 residents who live there year-round. It is a very large city with lots to do, and not only in summer months.

Climate
The most popular time to come to Mar del Plata is from December to March. In January and February there are a lot of tourists and the weather is hot. People visit the beaches, theatres, casino, port, aquarium, museums and restaurants. It is also a good place for fishing and for sports. The weather in Mar del Plata is variable. In summer it is hot and windy, in the evenings often the temperature lowers and the people need shelter. In autumn and spring it is warm and humid. In the winter it is very cold and very humid.

By train
Three trains daily arrive from Buenos Aires. The train station is about 2 km from the boulevard.

By road
Buses are faster than trains, and incredibly clean. It's 5.5 hours from Buenos Aires (Retiro Station) and costs 1275 pesos (about 35 U$D in January 2019).

Manuel Tienda Leon Colectivo service is available at the Buenos Aires Airport for around 1000 Pesos one way (around 25 U$D as of January 2019). The trip is 5 hours through the Argentine Pampas and scenery wise it is very boring - bring a book or a pillow.

Get around
Taxis are very cheap, around US$5 per 4 kilometers (year 2010) take into account that Argentina has +/- 20% annual inflation, prices change in ARS but remain the same in USD. Cab drivers are plentiful and pretty honest. There is a very large local bus network. You need a bus card in order to use it, which can be bought in the bus terminal or in a bus office (usually in downtown) and reloaded in drugstores. Another transportation service is Remisse, is like a cab with a discount, you have to call "the remiseria", a sort of small terminal with an operator at phone. Almost for sure, no one speaks English, so be ready to make signs or talk in Spanish with the drivers. If you want to walk, Mar del Plata is perfect, it has 28 kilometres of coast with lights and pavement and is pretty safe.

See

The main activities are the port, fishing, tourism and textiles. The main activities in the port are fishing, oil ships and grains. The city has a new passenger terminal for cruise ships and a naval submarine base. It has a lot of industries such as horticulture, construction and mechanical industries. Mar del Plata has a sports complex, which co-hosted the World Cup in 1978, where the Pan American games in 1995 were based and where the final of the Davis Cup was played in 2008. The city coastline extends for over 28 km. The most popular beaches in Mar del Plata for tourist are primarily those located in the south of the city and downtown.

 * Museo MAR Av Felix U. Camet e/Lopez de Gomara y F.Acosta. M Tu Th 10:00-18:00, F-Su holidays 10:00-20:00. Wednesday closed. museomar.gob.ar. Free entrance
 * Aquarium Mar del Plata Av. Martinez de Hoz 5600. +54 223 467–0700.
 * Museo Municipal de Ciencias Naturales Lorenzo Scaglia Av. Libertad 3099 (at Plaza España). Natural science museum and aquarium featuring local sea life. AR$2 adults, AR$1 for children under 11. Open M-F 09:00-17:00; Sa Su holidays 16:00-20:00.
 * Museo Archivo Histórico
 * Zoológico El Paraíso Ruta 226 km. 16 (C. de Acceso a Sierra de los Padres) +54 223 463–0347. 300 species of exotic and domestic animals roam free (with a few exceptions) over an 8-hectare nature park. Night and day tours available.
 * Banquina de Pescadores
 * Historic homes Mar del Plata is chock full of Victorian summer homes, including some very eclectic choices in design and materials. Try strolling around Barrio La Perla or the waterfront Patricio Peralta Ramos Boulevard.
 * Museo del Hombre del Puerto Cleto Ciocchini

Do

 * Get to the beach early to beat the crowds, and once you are there do not be offended by the Argentinian tradition of kicking sand on your blanket and face :)
 * Tango shows at Teatro Colón are fantastic and at only 15 pesos for Buenos Aires dance companies, they are a steal.
 * Enjoy mate, the very bitter and caffeinated but addictive beverage. Buy a mate gord, thermos, yerba and ask for agua caliente almost anywhere.  No one in MDP leaves home without their mate.
 * Make the trek to Waikiki beach on the outskirts of town. It's a more relaxed environment than Punta Iglesia or Playa Grande and provides enough room to spread out.  They have an excellent surf school there.
 * Capurro Helado, near Punta Iglesia, is always great on a hot day after cooling off at the beach. Some of the best ice cream in the world.
 * Take the 221 bus south of the city to hit the nicest beaches, such as Playa Serena.

Buy

 * Avenida Juan B. Justo
 * Diagonal de los Artesanos
 * Calle Guemes
 * Peatonal San Martín

Eat
The most important restaurants are Trattoria Napolitana, Taberna Baska, Mando, Casimiro Restaurante, Parrilla La Gringa; in the port: Sarasanegro, Sur Restaurante, Justiniano, La Casa Vieja, Alito and the others, when you can eat seafood. In the Avenida Costanera where is the Casino and the San Martin Street, there is a pedestrian street. The modern city center and shopping area is on Güemes Street, where there are restaurants, bars and shops. In this city you can enjoy yourself day and night, that is why it is called “The happy city”.

Great fish. The "Puerto" of Mar del Plata is a nice zone to know and try "mariscos", "rabas" and as many possibilities as you can.

"Alfajores" (a cake sandwich with dulce de leche)are found all over Argentina, and go perfect with cafe con leche. Many say the best are at the Havanna shops that are all around MDP. They make great gifts to bring home.

The Argentines love dulce de leche, which is a cream caramel, and put it on almost anything sweet. Medialunas (mini-croissants) and dulce de leche are a staple breakfast. Dulce De Leche Granizado Ice Cream (Helado) combines chocolate flakes into caramel ice cream. The best by far is found in the Alem section of town.

Parillas (mixed grills) are also ubiquitous and with the great exchange rate, eating steak almost every day is very possible. Sirloin Steak is referred to as Bife de Chorizo, not to be confused with the sausage of the same name. One of the best parillas in MDP is Palacio del Bife. Palacio del Bife is excellent, although pricey. Bargain bites can be found in casual restaurants, such as those found on the pedestrian strip, San Martin.

Empanadas in Argentina are great for the first few days, but once you realize that unless you plan well in advance, this is the only food you can get during the daily siesta for lunch. Bariloche on Calle Mitre has some of the best around.

After you've entered a beef coma and can't take any more steak, Amigos Del Mar sushi restaurant is the only Japanese food in Mar Del Plata. There are several oriental "Tenedor Libres" (cheap buffet style restaurants) and some trendier restaurants in Alem that claim to do Chinese or Japanese food but just don't cut it.

The most traditional place to eat in the "Happy City", as Mar del Plata is also called, is "Manolo". This low-key restaurant has three branches (one on Rivadavia street, one right on the coast, and the newest one on Alem). Food quality is great and almost anything you order is to share. Great seafood too. A very nice alternative to the pier... especially if you're on foot. You can't leave Mar del plata until you've tried "churros" from this establishment. They are the best!!! Don't expect anything fancy (tiny paper napkins and waiters always in a rush), but be sure to leave with a full, happy stomach.

Drink
Alem street is full of high end restaurants and some pubs. If what you want is to drink beer and/or some cocktails you should go to Olavarria street, near Guemes. Almost all discos, such as Bruto, Mr Jones and Quba, are located in the 'Playa Grande' area.

Sleep
Mar del Plata boasts over 500 hotels, the majority falling into the two- and three-star category. As usual, things get cheaper the further inland you go, but you can still get a reasonable rate two or three blocks from the beach.

Go next
If the crowds and thumping beats of Mar del Plata are too much for you, head up or down the coast to some more sedate coastal towns.

 * Mar Chiquita
 * Villa Gesell
 * Pinamar

title: Mar del Plata