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El Yunque National Forest

El Yunque National Forest, in the Eastern Coast region of Puerto Rico, is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System.

Understand
Once you arrive at El Yunque National Forest be sure to stop by El Portal Visitor Center before hitting the trails. Take some time to grab some water, if you don't already have some, and a map while you're there. Make sure that you bring a bathing suit, a towel, some sunblock, and insect repellant.

History
El Yunque National Forest, formerly known as the Caribbean National Forest, is in the rugged Sierra de Luquillo, southeast of San Juan. The forest covers lands of the municipalities of Canóvanas, Las Piedras, Luquillo, Fajardo, Ceiba, Naguabo, and Río Grande. It gets its name from an Indian spirit Yuquiye (which means "Forest of Clouds") that gave the mountain that dominates the 28,000 acres of tropical forest.

The forest was set aside in 1876 by the Spanish Crown, and represents one of the oldest reserves in the Western Hemisphere.

The over 240 species (26 species found nowhere else) of trees and plants cause the government of Puerto Rico to spend a great deal of money to preserve floral species and animals that are on the verge of extinction. The total area is 11,270 ha (75% of Puerto Rico's virgin forest is here).

Landscape
The landscape varies (see below) but is generally very steep and thickly forested, ranging from lowland rainforest (though not the giant trees and wild swamps found in rainforests further south) to stunted cloud forest and rocky cliffs at the top. The peak of El Yunque tops out at 1000 m (3200 ft).

Climate
El Yunque National Forest is a cool, mountainous, and sub-tropical rainforest. The eastern portion of the Luquillo mountains get the most rain. El Yunque is the rainiest of all the National Forests with up to 240 inches per year. More than 100 billion gallons (380 billion L) of rainwater fall on the forest per year. The climate is frost-free and ranges in moisture from semi-desert to rain forest conditions within very short distances. There are strong easterly trade-winds and cool weather is normal at the higher elevations. The mountains create their own weather, which changes rapidly. If you see clouds at the top as you arrive, it will rain. If you don't, it will probably rain anyway.

Get in
Considering arranging for a rental car. You can enjoy a day at the rainforest without a car, but you'll be severely limited in terms of going off the beaten path or spending any extra time at the park. The drive from San Juan to El Yunque will take about an hour regardless of which one of the most common routes you take. From San Juan, all of them will take you along Route 3 for the majority of the trip, so head east on it until you reach Route 191. Transitioning from Route 3 to Route 191 will take you through the small town of Palmer in Río Grande.

Fees and permits
There are no entrance fees to visit the forest, you just drive up, though El Portal Visitors Center cost $4 per person. A Forest Service one-hour guided tour cost a $5 donation.

Get around

Group tours will show you the animals, caves, and water falls, but trails are open to self-guided visitors. Consider wearing boots or shoes with a bit of ankle support - while most of the trails in the forest are fairly well worn it is still uneven terrain and a sprained ankle is no fun no matter where you are. Most trails are steep and wet, but well maintained.

See

 * The

Do
You can hike, go kayaking and guided scuba diving.

 * Espíritu Santo Waterfall. Popular waterfall and swimming hole on the west side of the park, not accessible from the main park road. Take Route 186 south from Río Grande.
 * Espíritu Santo Waterfall. Popular waterfall and swimming hole on the west side of the park, not accessible from the main park road. Take Route 186 south from Río Grande.

Eat
You won't be able to find restaurants in the rainforest. It's a good idea to bring food with you. There are many restaurants at the foot of the rainforest.

Sleep
Camping is generally prohibited in order to protect wildlife, and would be unpleasant in the rain.

Stay safe
El Yunque lacks large or dangerous wildlife. The main dangers are slips and falls on wet trails and streams, but the forest does have a few poisonous plants, notably a giant stinging nettle (ortiga) which will do no permanent damage but is much more painful than mainland nettles; you can identify it by the warts and hairs on its large and broad leaves. Stay alert for the different animals and insects that you come close to.

Go next

 * Luquillo

title: El Yunque National Forest


text:
Emas National Park

Emas National Park is in Centre West of Brazil. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its cerrado savannah, which is one of the oldest and most diverse ecosystems in the world.

Understand
The surrounding area is dominated by large soybean plantations.

Flora and fauna
Emas National Park shows a typical cerrado ecosystem: a treeless savannah with tall termite mounds and an interesting amount of wildlife: the giant anteater, the maned wolf, giant armadillo, pampas deer, and the greater rhea, among others.

Emas National Park also holds a small jaguar population, perhaps consisting of about 10-12 animals. Only about 40% of the reserve, which covers 1,320 km² (510 sq mi) in total, is good jaguar habitat.

Other larger mammals include puma, ocelot, Brazilian tapir, collared peccary, white-lipped peccary, marsh deer, red brocket, gray brocket, black howler monkey and capybara.

Climate
It has a tropical, hot climate, ranging from humid to semi-arid, with up to five months of drought each year.

Get in
Chapadão do Céu is the closest municipality to the park, approximately 25 km away. It has services such as banking, mechanics, pharmacists, and mail. Mineiros, the main urban center in the region, 110 km away from the headquarters of the national park is a larger town with medical service.

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

title: Emas National Park


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Embrun

There is more than one place called Embrun:

Canada

 * Embrun (Ontario) - A town in Prescott-Russell in Ontario.

France

 * Embrun (France) - A town in Hautes-Alpes.

title: Embrun


text:
Embrun (Ontario)

Embrun is a community of 8,700 people (2021) in Ontario in Canada. Embrun is part of the National Capital Region, but it is usually considered to be part of Eastern Ontario.

It is between the towns of Casselman and Russell, about 30 minutes southeast of Ottawa.

Embrun is a growing town and new businesses and homes are being built. Embrun is one of the fastest-growing towns in Eastern Ontario by doubling its population in 25 years (Embrun had just 3,800 people in 1980).

Understand
Embrun is an unincorporated community. Embrun and the village of Russell form the municipality of Russell Township.

People
Embrun follows the small town stereotype of "everyone knows everyone". Many people know or have acquaintances with most other residents of the town. This is especially true among senior citizens. If you have any questions about how to get somewhere, then many people will be glad to help.

There are several social clubs which are very active in activities in the community such as the "Club Optimiste Club", Knights of Columbus, Octogone club, Carnival committee and Celebrons ensemble committee. These social clubs organize community related activities for children, young adults and seniors during the holiday season, during the "Embrun Carnival" (usually the last week of January each year) and "Celebrons ensemble" (yearly summer celebration of community). Activities are all sponsored by local businesses.

Talk
Embrun is mainly francophone. 60% of the town's population speaks French at home. Despite this, however, many signs are bilingual (although bilingual signs are not required in Embrun); in stores, cashiers will often understand English.

Even so, knowledge of a few basic words in French is useful. See the French phrasebook.

By car
There is pretty much only one way to get to Embrun: by car. If you are coming from Ottawa, travel east (in the direction of Montreal) on Highway 417 (Trans-Canada Highway) and get off at Exit 88. The sign for Exit 88 says "Rockdale Road: Vars, Embrun". It takes about 25 minutes to get to Embrun from the Innes-Walkley area, 30 minutes from the St. Laurent area, 35 minutes from Orleans, 35 minutes from Downtown Ottawa, 40 minutes from the West End, and 50 minutes from Kanata.

If you are coming from Montreal, travel west (in the direction of Rigaud and Ottawa-Hull) on Highway 40. Once you hit Ontario, it will become Highway 417. Get off at Exit 79. The sign for Exit 79 says: "Limoges Road: Limoges, Embrun".

It takes about 90 minutes to get to Embrun from the West Island, 100 minutes from the Dorval/Saint-Laurent/Pierrefonds/Cartierville area, 110 minutes from the Mont-Royal/Centre-Ville area of Montreal, 115 minutes from Vieux-Montreal and 120 minutes from the Montréal-Est area.

By bus

OC Transpo route 222 has three buses each weekday afternoon from Slater St. in Ottawa ($4, 55 min) to the car pool lot in Vars. From there, it's a 10-minute taxi trip ($23-29) to Embrun.

By car
Getting around Embrun by car is easy. Most of the town's tourist-related buildings and areas are accessible off the main road, called Notre-Dame Street. In addition, there are several parking lots along the road.

On foot
While harder, one can get around Embrun on foot. The downtown is fairly walkable, but in the rest of the town as well as the surrounding countryside it is impractical to walk. In the business park area in the western part of the town (near where Exit 88 hooks up with Embrun) there are many stores fairly close together, but the area is not very pedestrian friendly. A walk from one end of the town to the other can take almost an hour.

By bicycle
Travelling around Embrun by bicycle is quite convenient. In the western part of the town, a bike trail links several streets. In the central part of the town, a pedestrian lane on the side of Blais Street hooks up with the bike trail. From there, one can travel on Centenaire Street, a relatively traffic-free road, to get to the eastern part of the town.

Bicycle rentals are available at Vélo Xpress, located at 968 Notre-Dame Street. Vélo Express can be reached at +1 613-443-5500.

See

 * The Église St. Jacques -- A beautiful 19th-century church in the heart of the town at the junction of St. Augustine Road and Notre-Dame Street. This is sometimes called the "Paroisse St. Jacques" or among the anglophone population, "St. Jacques Church". It is very hard to miss. It is on the main road. Its website, is in French only.
 * New York Central Recreational Trail -- Pedestrian trail lined with trees that block the view of the urban features of the town. The New York Central Recreational Trail is free to access. A parking lot in the central part of the town is the start of the trail, which continues for several kilometres into Russell. Use insect repellent in the summer as mosquitos and black flies are common among the bike path. Walking or bicycling down the bike path is a relaxing experience.
 * Monument to Embrun, Ontario from Embrun, France -- Public monument dedicated to Embrun, Ontario from Embrun, France. Is it in the parking lot at the start of the recreational trail. Written on both sides is a message (in French only) from Embrun, France expressing gratitude for the contribution of soldiers from Embrun, Ontario to the Allied liberation of France in 1945.

Cannamore
A rural area approximately 5 km (3 miles) west of St. Albert or 9 km (6 miles) south of Embrun.

Russell
A short drive from Embrun, Russell is a beautiful town with a more rural feel. From Embrun, drive 7 km (4½ miles) west on Notre-Dame Street; it becomes Castor Street and leads into the small town of Russell.

title: Embrun (Ontario)


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Embu

Embu is in the Southern Rift Valley region of Kenya.

It is located on the south-eastern slopes of the Mount Kenya massif.

Understand
Embu is one of the major trading centers in Eastern Kenya.

Get in
Many buses & minivans from:
 * Nairobi (3 hours)
 * Meru (2 hours)
 * Nyeri (2 hours)

Sleep

 * Eden Guesthouse, next to much bigger Baraka Guesthouse. Easy to miss the small door and the sign. Inside there are single rooms with common showers and toilets. Everything is clean and there is hot water, however, the rooms lack electrical sockets. The staff is very friendly and speaks English. Singles w/o bathroom Ksh 1000 (October 2018).
 * Yoeligen Guest House off Embu-Meru Highway. Single/double rooms with own bathroom, mosquito net, TV. Flakey WiFi. From Ksh1200. (Updated Sep 2021)

Go next

 * Nyeri
 * Nairobi.
 * Meru

title: Embu


text:
Embu das Artes

Embu das Artes is a city in the Grande São Paulo, São Paulo state. "Embu," as it is often referred to, is also knowns as Land of the Arts or, simply, Embu of the Arts. The name appeared in the 1960s, with a strong movement characterized by the primitive art and the influence of the hippie culture in the city. Painters, artists, and artesoes have elected the city as the landmark of the Brazilian culture.

Understand
The city of Embu began from the M'Boy indigenous settlement, founded by Jesuits between 1555-1559. The Nossa Senhora do Rosário church, still present in the city, was constructed in the second half of the 17th century.

The peaceful town started to change in 1920, when the painter Cássio M'Boy, a lover of the caipira lifestyle, arrived in Embu. Cássio earned an international award in Paris in 1939, and afterwards, Embu started receiving an influx of artists, like Assis, Sakai, Gama, Solano Trindade and Ana Moysés.

At the end of the 1960s, hippies started the tradition of the Open Arts Fair in the city, that persists in the weekends and holidays to this day. In 2011, Embu changed its name to Embu das Artes.

By car
Embu das Artes is a 40-min drive from downtown São Paulo, approximately 15 miles. Rodovia Regis Bittencourt (BR-116) leaves São Paulo in the direction of Curitiba, as you pass Taboão da Serra then Itapecerica da Serra. It can be easily accessed by taking Av. Francisco Morato, in São Paulo, and following the signs to Taboão da Serra.

By bus
Embu das Artes can also be accessed from São Paulo by metropolitan buses (EMTU), that depart from some metro stations including Tietê, Anhangabaú and Capão Redondo. These buses are cheap (most cost R$3-4) but not very practical, as some take longer than 2 hours to get to Embu.

Get around
The area of interest to a visitor is the city center, which can be easily explored on foot.

Buy
Works of art and handcrafts produced by local artists/artesans can be bought both at the open air fair and at shops in the Center. In the shops you can also buy handmade furniture and antiquities.

Eat
Embu das Artes' speciality dish is the leitão à pururuca, a typical Caipira dish consisting of roasted piglet with dried and fried skin. The city center offers plenty of options of snackbars and restaurants.

title: Embu das Artes


text:
Emden

Emden is a city of 50,000 people (2020) in Lower Saxony. The 1,200-year history of the city is closely linked to the seaport. The cityscape of Emden is characterized by 150 kilometers of canals and the typical brick buildings. The city can be explored very nicely by canoe or pedal boat ride from the water. For those who like it easy, there are harbour and canal cruises.

Understand
Emden is primarily known in Germany as the "capital" of the region East Frisia and for its most famous son, comedian Otto Waalke, who frequently alludes to his East Frisian heritage. While Emden does have a somewhat important harbour, it is a rather small city in a mostly rural area and struggled economically in the early 2010s. Besides the harbour and a big Volkswagen car plant the main economic draws in the area are tourists who pass through on their way to Borkum and the production and sale of windmills for the generation of energy.

History
Alongside Geneva and Wittenberg, Emden was one of the most important sites of the Reformation in the 16th century. The baptism of 300 adults in an antechamber of the Great Church marked the beginning of the Anabaptist movement in north-west Germany and the Netherlands. The Synod of Emden (1571) was the first national synod of the Dutch Reformed Church.

By train
Emden sees regular hourly train service from Bremen. There is also Inter-City service from further away with direct service to/from Cologne and Leipzig among others.

By car
A31 connects the city to the German Autobahn network.

By plane

If you are arriving from farther away, Bremen, Groningen and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport  are your best bet.

By boat
AG EMS runs ferries to Borkum and a couple of other places. The ferry to Borkum is able to carry cars.

Go next

 * Aurich
 * Norden Norddeich
 * Leer
 * Delfzijl (Netherlands)
 * Groningen (Netherlands)
 * Many visitors to Emden only pass through on their way to Borkum, the largest by area of the East Frisian islands

title: Emden


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Emeishan

Emei is a city in Sichuan. For the base town serving Emeishan National Park, check Baoguo instead.

By bus
From Leshan Bus Station the bus ride should cost ¥8, or there is bus 601 for ¥5. The journey takes around an hour.

From Chengdu there are frequent bus from Xinnanmen Bus Station for ¥34 (as of Mar 2018).

By train

Get around
Buses are convenient. From the long distance bus station, catch bus 1 and then bus 5 to get to Baoguo and vice versa.

Drink

 * Emei Snow (éméi xuě) - Popular local soft drink.

Go next

 * Chengdu
 * Kunming
 * Leshan - Relaxed city and home to Leshan Grand Buddha, amongst other things.

title: Emeishan


text:
Emeishan National Park

Mount Emei (峨嵋山 or 峨眉山; Éméishān) is a sacred Buddhist mountain in the southern part of Sichuan, China.

Understand
Mt. Emei stands at 3099 meters (10,167 feet), and is associated with Puxian Bodhisattva (Samantabhadra) - a representation of 'Great Practice' and 'Great Virtue'. Ever since Buddhism arrived in China, it has been an important center of refuge, and the mountain contains more than one hundred temples and monasteries. The mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you expect Emeishan National Park to be a pristine mountain area, you need to adjust your expectation before you come here. It is lined with roads, peppered with houses and accommodation. The hiking trail is nice though. Keep in mind that it's a highly touristic area, so it can be very crowded depending on the season.

Get in
Mt. Emei is 150 km south of Chengdu, 130 km from the Shuangliu International Airport and 28 km from Leshan city. There are regular overnight trains between Emei Shan and Kunming as well as trains and buses to/from Chengdu (Xinnanmen Bus Station, ¥48, every 20 min from 07:20-19:20) and Leshan. With the completion of the train stations in Chengdu, high-speed trains go regularly from Chengdu South, Chengdu East, Shuangliu International Airport to Emeishan via Leshan for about an hour ride. It is however recommended to stay overnight in Emeishan City or Bauguo to make full use of the National Park.

You can get tickets from the Tourist Information Desk in the Railway Station, or in the Tour Passengers Transport Service in Baguio (a big building in the center of the main street). Maps for both Emeishan and Leshan are ¥5, and an entrance ticket for the National Park is ¥160 (valid for 2 days). Keep the ticket as you will need it for scanning at checkpoints within the park, as well as buying bus & cable car tickets. Price is reduced for the period of 15 Dec - 15 Jan (¥110).

From the train station, walk around to the left to the local bus station. All bus routes will have pinyin on them; bus 12 will take you to Baoguo Station; a short walk away is Baoguo Temple, which is reasonably well signposted. Other temples are very well signposted from Baoguo.

Get around
Maps are available at the mountain, although the presentation prioritizes artistic vision over accurate depictions of distance between locations.

Visitors are free to travel around all places reached by the paved footpath and enter monasteries. Many interesting spots are secluded away from the tourist areas and on the lower third of the mountain, between Baoguo Temple and Niuxin Pavilion. It is common for hikers looking to climb to the summit to start from either Wuxiangang or Wannian Stations, which provide quick access to the main two routes up the mountain, both starting at Niuxin Pavilion.

To comfortably see the whole mountain, you'll need three days. It is not possible to reach the summit in a day for a normal, untrained person starting from Baoguo Temple. However, a reasonably fit person should be able to take western path from Niuxin Pavilion to the summit in around 10–12 hours. An alternative to this would be to take the cable care from Wannian station, which will skip a steep climbing section at the start of the mountain.

Hiking the whole mountain can be a strenuous endeavor; although there are paved step paths to the summit, the trails are very steep in places, and hiking from Wannian Monastery to the Golden summit is about 30 km. The distances assigned on the posts are not realistic, they may be divided by two. Distances between accommodation can be huge, so be sure that you'll be near one at sundown. Much of the mountain sits in cloud for over 330 days of the year, leading to very quick drops in visibility after sunset.

Snow covers the upper reaches of the mountain from December into mid-Spring, so invest in a bamboo hiking pole (¥2-4 depending on the seller as of Oct 2021) and some crampons if the ground is slippery. You can rent a winter coat at the Leidongping Bus Station (¥170 as of Oct 2021).

To get a bus to near the summit (Leidongping), you will first need to arrange travel of one of the main access points to the park at Baoguo Temple, Wannian Cable Car Station or Wuxiangang Park. Return tickets up & down the mountain will be ¥80-100, depending on your starting point. There are buses from the town of Emeishan, as well as private hire cars which can take you to these points. It is possible to use a Didi (China's Uber equivalent) to ensure a fair rate.

There are two cable cars on the mountain - Wannian Cable Car Station to Wannian Temple, and Jieyin Temple to the Golden Summit. Note that whilst both of the cable cars reduce the hiking distance significantly, you may still expect a 6-8 hour climb between the two, with 1500m elevation gained.

There are also sedan chairs carried by people (but what you save in strain you'll spend in Yuan) that will take you to/from, different points with different rates. These routes and rates are fixed. Whilst the fitness of the carriers is immense, they only operate on very specific sections of the trail (Niuxin - Wannian Temple, Niuxin Pavilion - Heilongjiang Plankway, Leidongping - Jieyun)

Do
Hiking is one of the main attractions, with trails criss-crossing the park. One of the most picturesque area is located between Niuxin Pavilion and Xianfeng Temple. The beginning of trail from Emeishan is through Leiyin temple, cross concrete road, near Lin He restaurant/hotel/shop, between Fuhu temple (entrance fee ¥6) & Shanjue temple stairs.

Full hike through Emeishan
The journey would take up to three days is starting from Baoguo Temple, or two days from Niuxin Pavilion (although with preparation gate-to-summit could be done in 1 day). Although the ticket is valid for two days, you should be doing okay as long as you passed through the last checkpoint on your last night. Baoguo Town is the closest place to the foot of the mountain. You should leave your luggage in Baoguo or Emeishan Town until you return from your hike.

From Niuxin Pavilion there are two routes up the hill, converging at Jiuling Hillock. Unlike the more developed lower mountain area, there are many long, unbroken climbing sections in excess of 1000 steps. The most notable of these is between Hongchunping & Xianfeng Temple, although several sections between Jiuling Hillock & Leidongping have similar difficulties, as well as a stretch towards Wannian Temple. The easier & shorter route is to the right on the traditional maps, stopping first at Bailong Cave. However, popular sites of Yixiatian & the Monkey Zone on the 'left' path can be reached in around 30 minutes, before the path becomes challenging.

One-day hike for the lower third of Emeishan
If you choose not to summit the mountain, there are many beautiful temples and beautiful views to explore around the lower third of the mountain. Whilst there are stairs, the hike around the lower third of mountain does not need any special equipment, and remains largely under 1000 m above sea level. Keep your entry tickets as you will need to scan them at particular checkpoints easily identifiable by a gate and scanner. Most temples forbid photography within the inner parts of the temples, please be respectful of the signs indicating where you can take photos. Some temples have additional entrance fees.

This is a ~16 km hike suggested by locals who advised avoiding the summit as the lower third of the mountain is more interesting. This can be easily done in one day (leave Chengdu at 09:0/, return at 19:00). There are some stairs, but the route is more gentle than the ones found in other comparable mountains, like in Huashan National Park.

As with all popular mountain hiking routes, you may wish to avoid the area if there is a national holiday due to severe crowding.
 * 1) Start by taking the bus from the high-speed rail station to Baoguo Temple bus stop. The temple is well signposted from the bus stop.
 * 2) From Baoguo Temple, follow the signs away from the main road to Fuhu Temple, which has a dramatic entrance over a river and a bridge.
 * 3) From Fuhu Temple, follow the signs and stairs to Leiyin Temple, easily identifiable by its construction on stilts. Admire the bamboo forests and locals going out for a stroll. It is here that you will meet a checkpoint. Use the entry ticket which you bought back at the high-speed train station to go through the mildly officious manned gate.
 * 4) From Leiyin Temple, follow the signs and stairs to Chunyung Palace. At this point you might want to consider having lunch at one of the many restaurants along the route. Expect to pay ¥8-10 for delicious home-made dumplings in chili oil. The restaurants will be happy to do takeaway.
 * 5) From Chunyang Palace, follow the signs and stairs to Shenshui Pavilion. Don't forget to look back at your route for some painterly views.
 * 6) From Shenshui Pavilion, follow the signs and stairs down (!) to Zhongfeng Temple, another less officious checkpoint to scan your entrance ticket, and then to Guangfu Temple.
 * 7) From Guangfu Temple walk to Niuxin Pavilion, and then to the Joking Monkey Zone; don't miss this. This is a route which cuts into the side of a deep and narrow gorge, with amazing hanging forested areas and the opportunity (if the river allows it) to do as the locals do and walk back along the river bank. Walk as far as you can as time allows, this is a to and back part of the route.
 * 8) From Niuxian Pavilion is a somewhat dull walk with occasional monkeys, and lots of souvenir stalls.  This is a flat 45 minute walk to Wuxiangang parking lot, where you can pick up a bus to go back to the high-speed rail station.

One-day hike for the Golden Summit (from Leidongping)
A round trip bus to Leidongping (near the top) costs ¥90 (as of Mar 2019), the drive up takes around 1-1.5 hours. From Leidongping bus station, it is a 7 km climbing of stairs. Climbing up should take around 2.5 hours. Do not be put off if the initial difficulty seems too challenging, after around one third of the way the path becomes significantly less steep. You can also take a cable car (¥60 up, ¥55 down) the rest of the way to the summit. If you want to go down by bus (after hiking up), ticket from Leidongping Terrace to Baoguo temple cost ¥50, or ¥40 to the other departure points.

Non-Hiking activities
During winter there is a skiing area, in Leidongping area near the summit.

One of the resort offers Hot Spring as well.

Buy
Hawkers sell straw or bamboo poles and crampons to attach to boots, which will be necessary when paths are slippery in the winter and spring

Eat
Restaurants are located at convenient intervals so there is little need to carry food. A mantou (steamed bun) costs ¥5, and a dish is about ¥15-20. The higher you go, the more expensive the food is.

The monasteries all offer delicious vegetarian fare for around ¥20 a person, though breakfast options might be a disappointing bowl of rice with water and a steamed bun for ¥10 a person. Jieyin Hall Temple has a delicious all- you-can-eat for ¥20; take the stairs on the left after entering. If you want a meat based Chinese meal, there are restaurants close to the tourist temples. Cooked food at pit stops and the restaurants can be wildly expensive (¥40 for a plate of fried noodles), so check prices and consider pot-o-noodles if you're the budget-conscious type. You can also get snacks at several places along the trails.

If you are looking for a good meal near the base of the mountain near the Emeishan mountain transit bus station, it's highly recommend to leave the main tourist strip on Jinqu Road (景区路) for meals. Most of the restaurants on this tourist strip are overpriced and serve low quality ingredients, producing a mockery of good szechuanese cuisine. If you are able, a short walk out of the park area will take you to a strip of local restaurants that serve delicious, authentic, and appropriately priced regional dishes. From the entrance gate of the park, beginning of Jinqu Road, head northeast up Mingshan South Road (名山南路) for a few hundred meters. On the east side of the street are a series of good places to eat. A good place to try is Niu Man Tang (牛满堂翘脚牛肉), a restaurant that serves Tiao Joao Niu Rou (a beef broth with various types of beef parts — round, tongue, brisket, tripe, tendon, etc), a regional specialty. The other places serve varieties of this dish, along with szechuanese grilled fish, hot pot, and other popular regional dishes. These restaurants cater mostly to locals and don’t have English menus or pictures of their food, but some of the waitstaff are local college students so you may luck out with language. Otherwise, just get what everyone else there is eating and you won’t be sorry!

Once past the Joking Monkey Zone or Wannian temple, food vendors will become more scarce in line with the reduced footfall. Many of these locations will be shuttered in the colder months (between October 8 & Tombsweeping holiday in April, with the exception of Chinese New Year). There are many stalls around Leidongping and further up which should be open all year

Drink
Do not drink from the mountain streams. There are several shacks along the way that sell bottled water for ¥5. They are frequent enough that you don't need to worry about water when hiking. And there's boiled water in almost every temple.

Sleep
Cheapest places used to be staying at the monasteries. As of April 2012 prices of ¥120 or more for a very basic twin room with no heating or electric blankets. Like Xianfeng Temple, Elephant Bathing Pool, Hongchun Ping, Huayan Peak, Jieyin Hall and Wannian Temple. You can find regular hotels close to the tourist spots that are more expensive. There are guesthouses along the mountain for around ¥60 a person, though they offer frigid rooms and not much else. Accommodation at monasteries closest to tourist spots tends to be more expensive. Bathrooms tend to be primitive and not for the faint-hearted. Don't expect any wifi or power outlets in rooms.

Hotels prices at the top are around ¥200-500. Hotels can have electric blankets.

Note; if you've a room at the hotel at the top of the mountain and you are at the skiing area, check the departure time for the last bus leaving either up or down the mountain to avoid being stranded for a very cold stay at the mid-mountain hotels. They are pretty much not heated. The heat they do have is so little that it will be below zero in your room. During this time of the year much of the plumbing is also shut down so do not expect running water anywhere Including the toilets! Instead, toilet bowls are lined with plastic garbage bags which get carried off in the morning.

These hotels are at the base of the national park area, a good idea before you start your journey up or before you leave.

Stay safe
Aside from being careful at the top of the mountain, one main thing to remember are the aggressive monkeys who pester hikers for handouts, keep food packed away. These monkeys have been severely teased by many tourists so their behaviour is unpredictable. If you come across any monkeys outside of the temples, do not stop to take pictures or stare as they will bite if provoked. Just walk briskly away and talk in a soothing voice to calm the monkeys enough to leave you alone.

The monkeys have got it all figured out. They can be everywhere in Mount Emei. Chinese people find the monkeys an integral part of the Emei trip and many like to tease them.

 * Some tour guides from local Chinese travel agencies suggest to give the monkeys some peanuts or sweets and then hands up and clapping, in order to show you don't have food anymore. Never fool them or trick them as they may act wildly and hurt you.
 * Keep some distance while watching and feeding the monkeys. Never touch them! Hide your pocket and packages as they may be robbed by the monkeys.
 * Walk with a big group if possible. Ask for help if you get attacked by them or protect yourself with some simple weapons like the alpenstock.

Pack rain gear and be vigilant with your step as the paths get slippery, especially from October to April. Locals will walk the route in trainers and regular shoes. Hawkers sell straw poles and crampons to attach to boots. Warm clothing is essential at the summit year round. Don't forget that even though it's touristy, it's still a mountain. Staircases can be tiring, and the distances are quite far (120 km in two tracks). It isn't Everest, but at 3000 m (10,000 feet), it's at the lower limit of altitude sickness inducing heights. You're more prone to headaches and exhaustion, so drink water, pace yourself on the upper staircases, and stop ascending if you feel faint or nauseous.

Whilst the temperature may be cold, at the summit, fair skin still burn quickly under sunlight, so use sunblock.

Go next
To get back to Emeishan High-Speed train station from the bus station at Wuxiangang parking lot, buy a minibus ticket from the bus station (¥20) back to the high speed station. The staff will write your bus number on your ticket; the bus number is spray painted on the rear of the bus. The driver might try to be cheeky and stop at the town bus station. If this happens kick up a fuss as your ticket is for the high speed rail station a further 1.5 km along the main road.

The last two high-speed trains from Emeishan to Chengdu East/South are at 18:30 and 21:00.

 * Leshan Grand Buddha - A massive, high Buddha carved into the mountainside.
 * The city of Chongqing is a grand city on the Yangtze
 * The Yangtze River offers many scenic cruising options to the north
 * Chengdu is both historic and modern. Bus ticket costs ¥45 for ~3 hr trip.

title: Emeishan National Park


text:
Emerald Bay State Park

Emerald Bay is a state park in the Lake Tahoe region of California. This is a small bay located at the southwest corner of Lake Tahoe and contains its only true island, Fannette Island.

Understand
Emerald Bay is a flooded glacial valley that was carved during the Ice Age by a glacier that has since disappeared. The Bay has been listed as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.

Get in
By car Emerald Bay can be accessed from Highway 89 south from Tahoe City or west from South Lake Tahoe. The bay cannot be accessed by car. There is a short but steep hiking trail down from the highway to Vikingsholm, which is on the shore, and a trail leads from Eagle Point campground to a beach.

By boat Power boats and sailboats can reach Emerald Bay from any part of the Lake.

By kayak Emerald Bay is an easy paddle from Kiva Beach at Tallac Point to the south. It can also be reached from D. L. Bliss State Park to the north, but parts of the route have sheer cliffs where stopping would be impossible, so it should only be attempted by confident paddlers.

Sternwheeler tours leave from South Lake Tahoe and Zephyr Cove, but do not stop in the bay.

See
Vikingsholm is a historic Scandinavian-inspired home at the head of the bay. It is one of the best examples of Scandinavian architecture in America.

The Tea House on Fannette island was built by the owner of Vikingsholm as a spectacular location for hosting tea parties. It can be seen from anywhere at the bay, but can only be reached by private boat. However, there is no dock. Swimming from the shore of the mainland is prohibited. Once onshore, there is a path to the Tea House at the top. It requires a little bit of rock scrambling. The Tea House is a stone structure whose original wooden roof is missing.

Do
Hike the Rubicon Trail. The trail can be accessed at Vikingsholm. It follows the shoreline of the bay to south to Eagle Point campground. To the north it follows the shore of the bay and the main part of the lake all the way to D. L. Bliss State Park. The Eagle Falls trail also starts at Vikingsholm and goes up the valley to an impressive waterfall.

Buy
Vikingsholm has a small gift shop.

Camping
Eagle Point Campground is on the point at the south of the mouth of the bay. It is a large campground with supplies of water and bathrooms including coin-operated showers.

The Emerald Bay Boat Camp is a smaller campground nicely situated in the evergreens on the center of the north shore of the bay, accessible only by boat. It has water and pit toilets, but no showers. There is a dock and moorings for boats (reserved for use by campers).

Stay safe
Bears are frequently seen in the area of Emerald Bay. The most important measure to stay safe from bears is to keep all unattended food in approved bear-proof containers provided by the park. Even non-food items are a risk if they have a smell. Things you might not think of like toothpaste and sunscreen should be locked in the bear locker. When hiking, make noise by talking, clapping, singing, or wear a bear bell. Bears will usually avoid humans if aware of their presence. Bear spray can be carried as a last resort.

There is a 5 mph speed limit for boats within the bay. Stay between the channel buoys when entering the bay. Submerged rocks are a hazard especially on the north side of the entrance.

Go next
D.L. Bliss State Park has a large sandy beach with a wide expanse of shallow water. Richardson Bay is a commercial campground to the south offering a number of services.

title: Emerald Bay State Park


text:
Emerald Coast

 The Emerald Coast, also called the Miracle Strip, is in the Florida Panhandle and consists of the coastal regions of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay counties. The region is informally known as the "Redneck Riviera". South Walton Beach 30A, a 15-mile beach road between Panama City Beach and Sandestin, is a relatively unknown jewel consisting of first-class development, totally rewriting the idea of "Redneck Riviera".

Cities
See the West Florida page for information on Pensacola, Navarre, and Milton, cities also within the Emerald Coast region.

Other destinations

 * is the highest natural point in Florida. It is in the northern part of the county, about half a mile from the Alabama border. Lakewood Park was built on the spot on the west side of CR 285. It contains a stone monument marking the spot. Oddly, there is not much signage on the roads to help find Britton Hill.
 * is the highest natural point in Florida. It is in the northern part of the county, about half a mile from the Alabama border. Lakewood Park was built on the spot on the west side of CR 285. It contains a stone monument marking the spot. Oddly, there is not much signage on the roads to help find Britton Hill.
 * is the highest natural point in Florida. It is in the northern part of the county, about half a mile from the Alabama border. Lakewood Park was built on the spot on the west side of CR 285. It contains a stone monument marking the spot. Oddly, there is not much signage on the roads to help find Britton Hill.

Understand
The Pensacola-Navarre area (Escambia and Santa Rosa counties) is also included in this area, but it is primarily described in the West Florida article.

Get in
There are four commercially served airports in this region.
 * Pensacola International Airport, the largest airport in the region, located in Pensacola, primarily serves Pensacola, Navarre, Milton, and Fort Walton Beach; mainly covered and described within the West Florida article
 * Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, the largest airport within the counties specifically included in this article (see the above, "Understand" section for details, primarily serves Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Navarre, and Niceville.
 * Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, an airport in Panama City Beach, serving the city thereof.
 * Destin Executive Airport, a small airport in Destin, only serves small Cessna Caravan flights to Atlanta, Jackson, and Memphis on Southern Airways Express.

See
Important places to visit include the Apalachicola National Forest and the beach, which is absolutely beautiful on the Emerald Coast in Destin and Fort Walton Beach.

The South Walton Beach 30A, a 15-mile beach road between Panama City Beach and Sandestin, is a relatively unknown scenic route. Key stops West to East:

Do
There are deep sea fishing and parasailing opportunities in this region.

title: Emerald Coast


text:
Emerald Isle

Emerald Isle is a beach resort on the Atlantic coast of North Carolina, just south of Morehead City. It is in the Southern Outer Banks of North Carolina on the island of Bogue Banks, in an area known and marketed as the Crystal Coast.

Get in
Emerald Isle is about 1½ hours off of I-95, the closest interstate highway for north/south travel. From the east, US-70 is the main route to access Emerald Isle.

There are two main routes to drive in and out of the isle:

 * From North/South, exit I-95 onto US-70 East at Selma (alternatively, you can take I-795 South to US-70 in Goldsboro). From East/West, follow US-70 East towards the coast.  Follow US-70 East to Kinston, NC.  In Kinston, turn right onto NC-58; NC-58 offers a scenic and rural route to Emerald Isle.  Emerald Isle is approximately 1½ hours from Kinston via NC-58.  This route will allow you to enter Bogue Banks on the Emerald Isle side of the island.
 * From North/South, exit I-95 onto US-70 East at Selma (alternatively, you can take I-795 South to US-70 in Goldsboro). From East/West, follow US-70 East towards the coast.  Follow US-70 East to Morehead City.  Turn onto NC-58 towards Atlantic Beach, and cross the Atlantic Beach Causeway onto Bogue Banks.  You will enter Bogue Banks on the Atlantic Beach side of the island via this route; follow NC-58 for approximately 22 miles to Emerald Isle.

Get around
Emerald Isle does not offer public transportation options; however, taxi companies do operate on the island.

The main road through Bogue Banks is NC-58; the majority of businesses and accommodations are on or accessible via NC-58. This road runs the entire length of the island, from Emerald Isle to Atlantic Beach. Although only 26 miles long, the speed limit on the road varies between 35 mph and 45 mph, so it can take up to 45 minutes to travel the length of the island.

Bike paths run along Emerald Drive and down Coast Guard Road. Great for walking or biking! Bikes can be rented through any of several local agencies! Also great for walking or biking is along Ocean Drive. This is the first road back from the beach, running parallel to the beach. Very small road, 25 mph. Very little traffic! For the most part, only walkers or bikers can travel this road continuously, as there are dead-ends occasionally with bike trails across. Walk the beach to and from your daily excursions!

See

 * The water on the west side of the isle ("the Point") during high or low tide. But don't swim in it--the current is dangerously powerful.
 * Take the classic "long walk on the beach" but at night when the stars are out.
 * Look out for military jets as they fly over the isle out to the ocean and back, during routine drills.
 * Views of the Emerald Isle Bridge, and of the soundside towns of Bogue, Cedar Point, and Cape Carteret from Emerald Isle Woods Park. The park is on the west-end of the island off Coast Guard Rd.

Do

 * The state of North Carolina operates one of three North Carolina Aquariums at 1 Roosevelt Boulevard in Pine Knoll Shores, 15 minutes from Emerald Isle on Bogue Banks. The Aquarium is open from 9AM-5PM daily, and offers unique exhibits on aquatic life in North Carolina, from the Mountains to the Ocean.  The Aquarium also offers numerous live exhibitions, such as live dives in the Living Shipwreck exhibit and shark feedings, as well as hands-on programs for children and youth.
 * Brave the waves in a rented kayak, inflatable raft, or boogie board. If you're looking for something a little more natural, body surf.
 * Deep-sea diving - explore some of the world's best diving.
 * Skim board.
 * Fish.
 * Walk the beach. Emerald Isle offers numerous public access points to the Atlantic Ocean.
 * Catch a movie. Emerald Plantation shopping center has a 4-screen cinema.  The theatre is independently operated and accepts only cash, so make sure you have cash available for the movie ticket and refreshments (there is an ATM in the lobby for emergencies).  During the week, the cinema offers evening showtimes (7 and 9PM for most movies), with additional afternoon matinee shows during the weekend.  Tickets can, however, be purchased with a credit card online.
 * Enjoy the town on the new bike paths that run along Emerald Drive.
 * Emerald Isle Woods Park is on the west end of town down Coast Guard road. The park offers heavily-wooded dune trails and a wonderful wooden walkway to Bogue Sound, as well as the Emerald Isle Bridge and Bogue Sound. You can also launch kayaks off the floating dock.

Buy

 * Bell Cove Village, at the first intersection after crossing the bridge. A shopping center featuring the authentic Italian restaurant "Portfino", TLG Frozen Custard, and several gift stores.
 * There are two "Bert's" Surf Shops, a local favorite!
 * Several beach supply stores throughout Emerald Isle for souvenirs, towels, suits, and the traditional Hermit Crab. Most stores offer cages, sponges, and all else necessary to care for the crabs.
 * Several beach supply stores throughout Emerald Isle for souvenirs, towels, suits, and the traditional Hermit Crab. Most stores offer cages, sponges, and all else necessary to care for the crabs.

Eat

 * Michaelangelos, in Emerald Plantation Shopping Center. Local favorite pizza place featuring pizzas, pastas, and subs.
 * Rucker Johns, in Emerald Plantation Shopping Center. Another local favorite for a great variety of American fare.
 * Great Wall, wonderful local Chinese food, including shrimp and scallop dishes. Located in town center near Bogue Inlet Dr on the South side of Emerald Dr.
 * Kathryns Martini Bar & Bistro, across from the post office on Emerald Drive. Also has wonderful fare if you are looking for great drinks, food and atmosphere.
 * Flipperz, in the K & V plaza. Cozy little family owned gem with American fare and lots of special touches.
 * Sweet Spot, across from Mike's Place on Emerald Drive. The Sweet Spot serves hand-scopped Hershey's Ice Cream treats, and has a great selection of candies (including most any flavor of salt water taffy you can imagine).
 * Circle Pizza, at the 3100 block on the ocean side offers pizza, pasta, and free delivery.

Sleep
There are only a few small hotels on the Emerald Isle side of Bogue Banks; most of the hotels on Bogue Banks are located on the opposite side of the island in Pine Knoll Shores and Atlantic Beach.

The majority of accommodations in Emerald Isle are condominium, duplex and beach house accommodations. Most rentals, especially during peak-season, are weekly. There are several realty companies in Emerald Isle who specialize in weekly and long-term rentals. Note that Emerald Isle is primarily geared toward family vacations. Many rental companies on Emerald Isle do not rent properties to student groups or others not accompanied by adults.

Go next

 * Swansboro is about 15 minutes from Emerald Isle on NC-24. Swansboro has many unique shops along the waterfront, specializing in crafts and nautical-themed items.  Yana's Ye Olde Restaurant offers old-fashioned breakfast and lunch items in a classic drug-store lunch counter setting. The Church Street Deli has incredible chicken salad sandwiches.
 * Morehead City is about 30 minutes from Emerald Isle on US-70. Morehead City has numerous seafood restaurants and shops along the waterfront.
 * Beaufort is about 45 minutes from Emerald Isle on US-70. Beaufort has a restored shopping district along the waterfront, and numerous historical sites and settings related to the town's close proximity to the wreckage of Blackbeard's ship, Queen Anne's Revenge.

title: Emerald Isle


text:
Emeryville

Emeryville is a small city on the San Francisco Bay that acts as a gateway to the East Bay from San Francisco. It exists at the edges of Berkeley and Oakland, and at the intersection of three major freeways: I-80, I-580, and I-880.

The 1990s and 2000s were a period of aggressive re-development for Emeryville, with industrial factories and warehouses replaced by modern retail and residential uses. Emeryville (population 13,000 in 2020) is now the go-to spot in the Berkeley/Oakland area for shopping at big-box chains like IKEA or Best Buy.

The city is also known for tech companies, such as Pixar studios. The city is featured in some small way in almost every Pixar film, such as on a map with actual street names in the film The Incredibles or a "Greetings from Emeryville" postcard at the dentist's office in Finding Nemo.

By plane
Oakland International Airport is the obvious choice, but San Francisco International Airport  will also do. From the airports, see rail section on BART.

By train

 * BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is the regional rail service which will connect you to San Francisco, Oakland, and other cities in the Bay Area. Unfortunately, there is no BART station in Emeryville; rather, simply get off BART at station in Oakland and take the free Emery Go-Round shuttles, which leave from right outside the station. If you get off at MacArthur at night, it is wise to be aware of your surroundings (as it is in many urban areas at night).
 * Routes stopping at this station:
 * California Zephyr operates daily between Emeryville and Chicago via Sacramento, Reno, Denver, and Salt Lake City.
 * Coast Starlight operates daily between Seattle and Los Angeles. Stops include Tacoma, Lacey, Centralia, Kelso, Vancouver, WA, Portland],] [[Salem (Oregon)|Salem, Albany, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Dunsmuir, Redding, Chico, Sacramento, Davis, Martinez, Oakland, San Jose, Salinas, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Van Nuys, and Burbank.
 * The Capitol Corridor operates 11-12 round trips daily between Sacramento and Oakland with some trains running south to San Jose.
 * San Joaquins operates 4 round trips daily between Bakersfield, Stockton and Oakland, with a stop in Emeryville.

By bus
In addition to the Emery Go-Round mentioned above, AC Transit buses serve Emeryville from Oakland, Berkeley, and other parts of the East Bay, and the F bus even comes across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco's Salesforce Transit Center.

By car
From San Francisco, take I-80 East and exit on Powell St. From points East, take I-80 West and exit on Powell St.

The complex freeway intersections just to the south of Emeryville are referred to as the Maze for good reason. Here are some tips to help your confusion:
 * Be aware that when traveling through Berkeley and Emeryville, I-80 west travels on the same road as I-580 east and vice versa.
 * When traveling from I-880 north onto I-80 east, you cannot exit at Powell. Instead merge right furiously and exit at Ashby/Shellmound. Take the Shellmound fork and right at Shellmound. Go straight and you'll see the Public Market and the rest of Emeryville shortly.

By bike or foot
Emeryville is on the San Francisco Bay Trail, a mixed-use bicycle/pedestrian path that follows the edge of the bay. It's also easy to walk here from nearby parts of Oakland and Berkeley; one city blends into the next so much that most locals don't know where the official border is.

Get around
For a city that has built its success on freeways and malls, Emeryville is surprisingly pedestrian-friendly. Sidewalks are usually available and the Bay Street Mall is quite pleasant to walk through. Distances are not that large: at a brisk pace you can walk from one end of town to the other in under an hour.

Nonetheless, it's a city that's primarily oriented towards cars. If you're driving, expect traffic delays if you want to go anywhere near Ikea or the Bay St. Mall.

Frequent and useful bus service is provided by the free Emery Go-Round and the local provider AC Transit. Transit trip planning is available online.

The Emery Go-Round is a free bus service that connects businesses and shopping areas in Emeryville with the MacArthur BART station. There are two lines: the Hollis line, which goes from the BART station up Hollis Street and up into the corner of nearby Berkeley; and the Shellmound/Powell line, which serves the city's major malls, the Public Market, and the marina. Both lines go close to the Amtrak station. They run Monday–Friday every 15 minutes from 6AM to about 9PM, and the Shellmound/Powell line also has reduced service on weekends (every 20 minutes 8AM–9PM on Saturdays and every 20 minutes 9AM–6PM on Sundays).

AC Transit buses are not free, so for getting around Emeryville they may not be your first choice, but they are useful for getting to Oakland and Berkeley.

See

Emeryville is an interesting mix of old warehouses, manufacturing plants, and houses and new development in the form of shopping malls and live-work lofts.

Public art
Walking or riding around Emeryville, you'll notice lots of odd stick-figure drawings on yellow metal boxes around town. The boxes are part of the traffic light system, but the stick figures are a project by local artist Seyed Alavi. According to the artist, the stick figures are inspired by the pedestrian walking signal, and each artwork is supposed to be read as a sign. On one street corner the figure is juggling heads; in another it's being zipped up (or unzipped?); on a third there are two figures on some sort of surreal elevator. There are two dozen of these whimsical and thought-provoking artworks scattered around town, collectively known as the "Signs of the Times", painted by Alavi together with local high school students.

In general Emeryville has quite a bit of public art, partly thanks to a local government program to support it and partly because artists moved into empty warehouses amid the city's deindustrialization. A partial map of artworks (not including the electricity boxes) is available online.

Buy
Large chain stores are found in abundance in Emeryville. It seems the big-box chains that couldn't make it in Oakland or Berkeley, due to expensive real estate or city governments' preferences to support local businesses, ended up with branches here instead. In addition to the shopping centers below, there are a lot of home furnishing stores, most notably an at 4400 Shellmound St.

Sleep
Emeryville actually features many of the most modern hotels in the Berkeley/Emeryville/Oakland region. Thus, you may choose to stay in Emeryville while actually spending your days in the other (more interesting) cities.

Stay safe
The large stores, the Public Market, and the Amtrak station are all safe areas. Broadly, Emeryville is about as safe as the areas of Oakland just to the east. Treat it with the same safety attitudes you would treat a large city like San Francisco.

Media
The E'ville Eye is Emeryville's local news website, and The East Bay Times also has an Emeryville section.

Go next

 * Berkeley - This neighboring city is famous for its quirkiness and liberal activism, and offers numerous interesting shops, restaurants, and nightlife spots for travelers.
 * Oakland – Emeryville's neighbor to the east, with a plethora of dining and shopping options that tend to offer more local personality than Emeryville's major chains.
 * San Francisco – the cultural and historic center of the Bay Area is right across the bridge and served by a direct bus from Emeryville.

Once you've explored these, the rest of the East Bay awaits.

title: Emeryville


text:
Emiliano Zapata

Emiliano Zapata is a village in Chiapas in Mexico.

Understand
There is no way to contact the village in advance to make reservations (either by email or by phone). Simple show up and ask for "El Presidente de Turismo."

Get in
It is possible to get to Emiliano Zapata through the somewhat larger village of San Quentin.

Get around
Walking and maybe horseback

See

 * Laguna Miramar
 * There is a large pig farm on the outskirts of the village at the trail head for the lake.
 * Also on the way to the trail head there is a scary rope bridge over one of the two rivers in the village.

Do

 * Emiliano Zapata is the main starting point for a trip to Laguna Miramar.
 * The rivers that run through the village are quite warm and make for a nice swim after 6 hours in the back of a colectivo.

Buy
Emiliano Zapata has a limited supply of groceries. While the small shops don't have a great selection, they do have enough that you do not need to pack in a lot of food with you unless you particularly want to cook a special meal.

Eat
There are a few "restaurants" in the village. Each is a person's house with a large table where you are invited to wait while they cook something up for you in their kitchen (often times over an open fire). Prices vary, so ask before ordering.

Drink
Alcohol is allowed in the village so beer and tequila is widely available.

Sleep
The town has setup 6 small cottages and a communal palapa where visitors can sleep. The cottages have a tendency to attract cockroaches, tarantulas and scorpions so unless you really want to have a mattress, sleeping outside under the palapa is preferable.

Go next

 * Colectivo to Las Margaritas
 * Riverboat to Los Nubes
 * Collectivo to Ocosingo
 * Airplane to Ocosingo

title: Emiliano Zapata


text:
Emilia-Romagna

Emilia-Romagna is a region in Northern Italy that extends inland westward from the Adriatic coast.

Cities

 * means "pleasing" and its palaces and churches will do so.
 * is historic yet stylish, and you've got to try the ham.
 * has a cathedral, two basilicas, and monastery cloisters.
 * has antiquities aplenty but is better known as the base for Ferrari motors.
 * is a magnificent old city with a rich architectural and cultural heritage.
 * is a beautiful city, embellished by the Este dynasty, yet it escapes the tourist hordes.
 * was once a capital of Byzantium, and has rich mosaics.
 * has many medieval buildings.
 * also has a fine medieval core, heritage of the Malatesta dynasty.
 * is a beach resort on the Adriatic.

Other destinations

 * , established in 2001, spans the mountains along the boundary between Emilia Romagna and Tuscany. Lots of opportunies for wildlife-spotting, hiking and climbing - the highest peak is Monte Cusna, 2121 m.
 * , established in 1993, spans the mountains between Forlì-Cesena, Arezzo and Florence. It's mostly woodland.
 * Montefeltro — Area across Romagna, Marche and Tuscany. Includes the Republic of San Marino and several municipalities, such as Novafeltria, Pennabilli, Sant'Agata Feltria and Carpegna.
 * is an independent microstate perched on a hilltop above Rimini.

Understand
During the 2nd century a Roman road was built that connected Rimini to Piacenza. Built in honor of the Roman consul Mark Emilio Facetious, it was called Aemilia. The region is named after this road and defined by it: all the important cities, with the exception of Ferrara and Ravenna, are actually on the Via Emilia. In the 6th century the Romans lost this territory, which was divided between the Longobards and the Byzantines (Eastern Roman Empire), and the territories were named Longobardia and Romania respectively. With the unity of Italy, the Region acquired the original Roman name of Emilia, and it was only in 1947 that the name of Emilia-Romagna was assigned.

Emilia-Romagna is a region of gentle hills between the River Po and the Appennines, sloping gently down to the Adriatic in the east. As elsewhere in the Po Basin, intensive agriculture is pursued alongside small and medium industry.

During the summer months the miles and miles of sandy beaches on the Adriatic coast are a drawcard for Italian tourists, and are also particularly popular with Northern and Eastern Europeans.

There are many local dialects and each town has its own distinctive accent and vocabulary. Bolognese is very different from Forlivese which is different from the Romagnolo of the coast, which is different again from the Romagnolo of the Appenine mountains. In Emilia, Parma and Modena may be close together but the dialects spoken are far from identical.

Get in
There are airports in Rimini, Bologna and Parma, but they have limited flights. Consider flying into Milan or Venice, which have lots of budget flights and good onward transport. Forlì airport has no commercial flights but they hope to resume these in 2021.

The whole region is a natural transport corridor, so the series of provincial capitals all have good links. Fast trains run from Milan to Bologna then either branch south to Rome and Naples or follow the coast to Rimini, Ancona, Bari and Lecce. Regional trains stop at the other main cities.

By car, from Milan follow A1 to Piacenza, Parma, Reggio nell'Emilia, Modena and Bologna, where the A1 turns south for Florence, Rome and Naples.

A14 courses southeast from Bologna to Forlì (with a branch to Ravenna), Cesena, Rimini, and away down the Adriatic coast to Ancona, Bari and Taranto.

From Venice follow A13 south to Padua, Ferrara and Bologna.

A15 crosses the hills from La Spezia to Parma.

From Germany and west Austria, cross Brenner Pass on A22 and descend through Bolzano and Verona to Modena.

Several minor routes wind over the Apennines for a slow but scenic approach from the south. They may be congested in summer and occasionally snow-bound in winter.

Get around
Train is the best public transport option whenever available, as it lands you in the heart of the old cities where you positively don't want a car. The series of provincial capitals along the valley are on the Milan - Bologna - Rimini - Lecce main line, with a combination of fast and regional trains giving an hourly service. There are also trains from Bologna via Ravenna to Rimini, and from Bologna to Ferrara, Padua and Venice. International timetables such as Deutsche Bahn may only show the fast trains, check with Trenitalia for the full choice.

The provincial capitals each have a network of city buses (which you're unlikely to use) and inter-town services. The latter are the only option in the hill towns where there's no railway.

Mi Muovo is an integrated public transport pass for the region. There are annual, monthly and student passes, but the one most applicable to short-stay tourists is "Mi Muovo Multibus". This is a 12-trip ticket, for bus only, for 12 rides of up to 75 min within a single tariff zone. The ticket can be shared, eg 6 rides by two people. The price (as of June 2021) is €15.

By car, see above for the main road network.

See

 * Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines a set of nine caves and karst landscapes in the provinces of Bologna, Rimini and Reggio Emilia, making up a

Do

 * Beaches start at Cervia and stretch south through Cesenatico to Rimini and Riccione.
 * Football: Teams playing in Serie A, the top tier of Italian soccer, are Sassuolo (who since 2013 play in Reggio Emilia) and Bologna.
 * Motor racing: Imola usually hosts two F1 Grand Prix events each year.

Eat
The region is famed for its culinary delights, especially the fine gold coloured egg pastas like Tortellini and Tagliatelle and the green Lasagne Verdi  all from Bologna. Gramigna is another Bologna pasta, then there are Garganelli from Imola, Cappelletti and Passatelli from Reggio Emilia and Anolini from Piacenza. Ricotta and greens filled Tortelli are served throughout both Emilia and Romagna.

Bologna is also famous for its Ragù known in English as Bolognese sauce (which is *never* served on Spaghetti) and for fragrant Mortadella (centuries old and noble Italian ancestor of the unpleasant present day Oscar Meyer).

Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is made in a large part of Emilia starting with Bologna itself and ranging North and West through to Modena, Reggio Emilia and Parma. "Parmigiano Reggiano" was originally made only with the superior quality milk obtained from the red coated cows of Reggio Emilia, called Razza Reggiana in Italian. Parmigiano Reggiano is at its best when it has been aged for between 24 and 30 months. The cheese made with the milk of the red cows ages even longer and is excellent at 36 months.

The region also produces cured hams including, besides the famous Prosciutto di Parma, other excellent products like Prosciutto di Modena and Culatello di Zibello. Piacenza is famed for its coppa, salame and pancetta, Modena for its Zampone and Cotecchino. Cured pork products like Lardo, Guanciale, Salame and Pancetta made from the ancient Mora Romagnola breed of pig are the pride of Romagna..

The original Balsamic vinegar Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale is produced only in this region, in the neighbouring towns of Modena and Reggio Emilia. It is made exclusively of cooked down pressed grape juice and has to be aged for a minimum 12 years in wooden barrels before being bottled. The word "tradizionale" is essential on the label. The Balsamic Vinegar which is not Tradizionale is made only of the very cheap ingredients of vinegar and sugar.

Emilia Romagna is considered one of the richest regions in the world in typical products and food and wine fields, so much so that it has earned the nickname of "food valley". The fame of Emilia Romagna is mainly due to two gastronomic pearls, Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano, which have become famous all over the world. Dairy production is heavily affected by the "weight" of Parmigiano Reggiano, failing to express itself at very high levels with other typical products, at least in Emilia, while in Romagna, with the pecorino from the Rimini hills and the pit cheese, the situation improves. The production of typical charcuterie products, from cooked ones, such as salama da sugo, cooked shoulder, zampone and cotechino, is instead wide and qualitatively very interesting; to raw ones, such as the various salami (different from area to area) and coppa (especially the one from Piacenza).

Drink
There are three broad wine areas: Emilia, Bologna and Romagna.

In Emilia (everywhere west and north of Bologna from Modena to Piacenza) the favourite wine to drink with all the rich local specialities is Lambrusco: tart, dry and worlds away from the sickly export version. Also appreciated is Piacenza's red Gutturnio, a blend of Bonarda and Barbera grapes. Whites in Emilia include cool Sauvignons and sparkling wines made from the aromatic Malvasia grape. Both make fine "food wines" ie wines to go with food.

Bologna's local grape Pignoletto makes a very fine white, traditionally always sparkling but now made in a still version by many of local wine estates. It can be drunk as an aperitif or throughout a meal. Bologna also has prize wining red wines made using Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as a lightly sparkling Barbera. There is also a long history of wine making using Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Italian Riesling, but as in the rest of the region, dry whites are made from the Trebbiano and the Albana grapes, though this last is most used to make the region's famous dessert wines.

Much of the best of this region's wine comes from Romagna (everywhere south and east of Bologna), where the whole area makes superb Sangiovese di Romagna. These wines make for fine drinking at bargain prices, considering the grape is the same as that used for Chianti but sells at a fraction of the price. Many top producers (from Imola, Forli, Faenza and Ravenna, to name but a few of the wine areas) have for years been winning top prizes both nationally and internationally for their excellent Sangiovese di Romagna wines.

Go next
Veneto lies directly north. South along the coast is Marche, with the tiny state of San Marino. Tuscany with Florence lies over the mountains to the south. Liguria can be reached over the mountains to the southwest. Lombardy with Milan then Piedmont are to the west. On the east is the region's Adriatic coast.

title: Emilia-Romagna


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Emmaus

Emmaus is a borough in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. Emmaus borders Allentown, the state's third-largest city, to its north. The borough lies in the center of the highly populated Northeast megalopolis region of the U.S., 22 mi southwest of the Skylands and the New Jersey state line, 53 mi north of Philadelphia, the nation's sixth-largest city, and 91 mi west of New York City, the nation's largest city.

By car
Emmaus is easily accessible by car via two major highways:

The first is the Cedar Crest Boulevard exit of PA Route 29, a north-south highway that runs from Malvern in southeastern Pennsylvania to the New York state border in the north. The second is Interstate 78, a major east-west highway that runs from central Pennsylvania near Harrisburg in the west to the Holland Tunnel and Manhattan in the east, at exits 55, 57 or 58:
 * Exit 55 is PA 29 (Cedar Crest Boulevard). Southbound will take you just west of downtown Emmaus.
 * Exit 57 is Lehigh Street. Southbound will take you to Chestnut Street and into downtown Emmaus. It also provides access to Center City Allentown to the north.
 * Exit 58 is Emaus Avenue (spelled slightly differently than Emmaus, based on the original Pennsylvania Dutch spelling). You are forced to go southbound anyway. This is just an easier parallel of Lehigh Street but is only available to westbound I-78 travelers.

By limo

 * A&A Limousine Service, or
 * J&J Transportation, or
 * Your Way Taxi & Limo,

By bus
Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA) offers public bus service that can take you from Emmaus to Allentown and other locations in the Lehigh Valley. Renting a car is also an option. Emmaus has an Avis and Budget, both located at 126 State Ave. A considerable number of car rental options also exist in neighboring Allentown.

See

Events

 * Every February, Snowblast Winter Festival
 * Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, Faschnacht & Forsythia Festival. Celebrating faschnachts (Pennsylvania Dutch donuts) and Emmaus' flower, the Forsythia by crowning the King Faschnact and Queen Forsythia and knighting the Defender of the Faschnact (great fun!)
 * Every April, Patriot's Day Dinner
 * Last Monday in May, the Memorial Day Parade
 * June to September, Summer Entertainment Series, live concerts and movie nights all summer long at Emmaus Community Park's arts pavilion
 * Every June, Art in the Garden
 * Every July, Annual Clay Shoot
 * Every September, Wildlife Art Festival and Community Heroes Day
 * Saturday after Labor Day, Emmaus Heritage Day with crafters, food and beverage, live entertainment, activities, historic site tours, and free trolley rides
 * Weekend after Labor Day, Memory Day Craft Show
 * Every October, Student Horror Film Contest & Festival
 * Third Saturday in October, the Emmaus Halloween Parade takes place in Emmaus. It is one of the largest parades in the Lehigh Valley, typically drawing thousands from around the Valley. The Emmaus Lions Club is a primary parade sponsor. For more information on the Emmaus Lions Club. This year's Emmaus Halloween Parade, held on October 15, 2022, will also be the 100th anniversary of the long-standing parade. The Halloween in Emmaus 5K Race proceeds the parade annually each October.
 * First Saturday in December, Old Fashioned Christmas with horse and buggy rides, contests, strolling carolers, a tree lighting ceremony, and Santa comes to town.

Do

Buy

 * There are other specialty stores on Main St. in Emmaus, including: Emmaus Jewelry Shop, Emmaus Run Inn, Kim's Kountry Kreations. You'll also find a bunch of consignment shops, including Now and Then Books, Let's Play Books Bookstore, FD Market, and others.
 * There are other specialty stores on Main St. in Emmaus, including: Emmaus Jewelry Shop, Emmaus Run Inn, Kim's Kountry Kreations. You'll also find a bunch of consignment shops, including Now and Then Books, Let's Play Books Bookstore, FD Market, and others.
 * There are other specialty stores on Main St. in Emmaus, including: Emmaus Jewelry Shop, Emmaus Run Inn, Kim's Kountry Kreations. You'll also find a bunch of consignment shops, including Now and Then Books, Let's Play Books Bookstore, FD Market, and others.

Eat
There are many restaurants in Emmaus, including:

Sleep
There are no hotels in Emmaus, but there are many nearby. Check out these five, plus the more extensive list on the Allentown page:

Tourist information

 * Discover Lehigh Valley, 1250 Simon Blvd., Easton,

Phones
In Emmaus, like all Lehigh Valley locations, you must dial an area code when you place a call. Area codes in Emmaus and the Lehigh Valley are 610, 484 and (since 2022) 835.

Lehigh Valley cities

 * Allentown, 5 mi
 * Bangor, 34.1 mi
 * Bethlehem, 9.8 mi
 * Easton, 23.4 mi
 * Hellertown, 12.3 mi
 * Fogelsville, 9.8 mi
 * Nazareth, 24.2 mi
 * Phillipsburg, NJ, 22.4 mi
 * Slatington, 19.3 mi
 * Whitehall Township, 10.4 mi

Regional cities and locations

 * Atlantic City, 115.4 mi
 * Harrisburg, 82.4 mi
 * New York City, 91.6 mi
 * Philadelphia, 53.4 mi
 * The Poconos, 54.4 mi

title: Emmaus


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Emmen

Emmen is the biggest city in the province of Drenthe, the Netherlands. Although Emmen is not a particularly interesting destination for travellers, it's well known in the Netherlands for its biggest attraction: the zoo.

The town consists of the main suburbs de Rietlanden, Bargeres, Delftlanden, Parc Sandur, Angelslo, Emmerhout, Emmermeer and Barger-Oosterveld. Some smaller suburbs are Noordbarge, Zuidbarge, Westenesch and Weerdinge. Noordbarge and Zuidbarge are the oldest suburbs, but they used to be independent villages.

By car
Well connected by road, the main highway passing by Emmen is the east-west A37 motorway. From the west, Emmen can be reached from Zwolle in 45 minutes, and from Amsterdam in about 2 hours. In the east, the A37 crosses the border with Germany and continues as B402 and easy connection with the A31 Autobahn. The nearest town in Germany is Meppen in the Western Plains (30 minutes). Another main road is the N34 expressway, from Emmen to the north (Groningen being 45 minutes away) and south (Coevorden 20 minutes). The N381 trunk road leads from Emmen to the northwest (Assen and Drachten).

By train
Emmen has two railway stations, Emmen railway station as the central station and Emmen Zuid railway station in the south of town. Both stations are served twice per hour by a regional train service from Zwolle, with Emmen station being the terminus. From most destinations in the Netherlands, such as Amsterdam or Schiphol Airport, you can board an intercity service to Zwolle and change trains there. From Amsterdam, the journey will take about 2½ hours.

By bus
As there is only one railway into Emmen, from some destinations it is easier to get in by bus instead. You will find the main bus terminal across the street from the central train station. Some of the key bus routes are listed below.
 * From Assen: bus route 21 (once per hour, via Schoonloo), and route 22 (once per hour, via Westerbork)
 * From Beilen: bus route 22 (once per hour, via Westerbork).
 * From Hoogeveen: bus route 27 (once per hour).
 * From Groningen: fast bus route 300 (up to 6x/hour), and route 73 via Hoogezand, Stadskanaal, and Ter Apel (once per hour).
 * From Meppen (Germany): bus route 922 (4 times per day Mondays-Saturdays).

Get around
You can rent a bicycle at the railway station. Next to the railway station is the busstation. Buses go from here to the suburbs, some surrounding villages and Groningen.

Most visitors will come here for the zoo, however, which is an easy 15 min. walk from the train station with directions provided along the way. If that's too far, you can take a bus to the Centrum or the stop at the Weerdingerstraat, from where it's about 100 m to the zoo entrance. Ask at the bus

See

 * There are a number of monumental building in the city centre, including several churches. The most notable one is the Grote Kerk, with a Roman tower originating in the 12th century. The Pauluskerk seems a lot older than it actually is due to its design, but originates in 1949. It is nonetheless a national monument. The 1878 synagogue still has its original interiors, making it unique in the wide region. Also, two Saxon farm buildings remain in the city centre, one on the market square, now housing a café.
 * There are a number of monumental building in the city centre, including several churches. The most notable one is the Grote Kerk, with a Roman tower originating in the 12th century. The Pauluskerk seems a lot older than it actually is due to its design, but originates in 1949. It is nonetheless a national monument. The 1878 synagogue still has its original interiors, making it unique in the wide region. Also, two Saxon farm buildings remain in the city centre, one on the market square, now housing a café.

Do

 * Football: FC Emmen were relegated in 2023 and now play soccer in Eerste Divisie, the Dutch second tier. Their home ground De Oude Meerdijk (capacity 8600) is in the business park 3 km east of town centre.

Buy
Emmen has one of the largest shopping malls of the northern part of the Netherlands and a pleasant city centre with a good range of shops. Many people from the region in fact prefer Emmen over Assen for a day of shopping, as it's considered more cosy.

Eat
Emmen has a lot of restaurants, including Mediterranean, Asian and European cuisine. Most restaurants are at de Hoofdstraat (main street) and the Weerdingerstraat.

Drink
In the mainstreet of Emmen (hoofdstraat) are multiple bars and restaurants. The Brasserie is probably the most popular bar. The most popular nightclub-like bar is de Zwetser.

Sports

 * FC Emmen is a professional football club playing at the highest division in the Netherlands. For most matches tickets are free purchasable at the stadium at matchday.
 * E&O is a professional handball club playing at the highest level in the Netherlands. E&O became Dutch national champions 5 times.

Go next
Emmen lies on the southernmost tip of a chain hills called the Hondsrug (Dog Ridge), an area with many forests that is popular with cyclists and ramblers alike. This part of the country is also well known for its "hunebedden" (dolmens), Stone Age burial chambers. Some of these lie within the built-up area of Emmen.

By contrast, to the south and east of Emmen lie the completely flat lands known as the peat colonies.

To the south-west lies the picturesque medieval city of Coevorden.

title: Emmen


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Emmendingen

Emmendingen is a city 17 km north of Freiburg, within the Black Forest region in the German state of Baden-Württemberg.

Understand
Emmendingen is the capital of the rural district with the same name. It is designed to be a regional center.

Get in
There is a train station with approx. 4 trains an hour going either in direction Freiburg or Offenburg. The train station is fully accessible for wheelchairs.

In 2010 the new bus station was completed which services bus in the Elztal to Waldkirch, Herbolzheim, Freiburg and into the Kaiserstuhl as well as the western slopes of the Black Forest.

Get around
There is a decent public transport system, run by the local power company which servers several inner city lines.

At the tourist information located in the train station you can rent Pedalecs (electric supported bicycles) on daily basis.

See
The downtown east of the main station has an attractive pedestrian zone with several churches and a little castle.

Connect
There's free Wifi in many locations provided by the city

title: Emmendingen


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Empire Builder

The Empire Builder is a daily long-distance Amtrak train connecting downtown Chicago to either Seattle or Portland, Oregon. The journey takes about 46 hours, longer if delays occur along the route. Equipment used is common to most Amtrak long-distance routes, with two-level Superliner passengers cars, sleeper cars, dining car, an observation/snack bar car, and possibly several baggage/expedited cargo cars.

See rail travel in the United States for further information about Amtrak and other train routes.

Route Overview
The Empire Builder begins its westbound journey at Chicago's Union Station. Passengers see the Chicago River and central Chicago as the train eases out of the station. The train heads north through the Chicago suburbs to Milwaukee before heading northwest through the pleasant countryside of central Wisconsin. Crossing the Mississippi River a couple of times, the train arrives at the St. Paul Union Depot around 10:30 PM.

As the passengers sleep, the train carries them across Minnesota, and well into North Dakota before sunrise. The route parallels US highway 2 much of this stretch. Sights include the high prairie, once-prosperous farming towns (now almost vanished). Wildlife, especially birds, deer and coyote are often seen.

Around noon, the Empire Builder crosses into Montana. As you enter Montana, at the left of the train, you can see the large flag and reconstructed fur trading post of the Fort Union National Monument. The train loosely follows the Missouri River (and the Lewis and Clark Trail) for about 130 miles between Williston ND and Wolf Point MT. This stretch passes through the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, one of several Indian reservations on the route. The scenery remains rolling high plains for several more hours. In the late afternoon/early evening (depending on the season traveled in) the train arrives at Glacier National Park. In summer, the mountain vistas are beautiful—however, the light will fade quickly in winter, giving only a glimpse of the Rocky Mountains.

The train traverses the mountains through the second night, traveling down the Cascade Mountains and Skykomish River valley to the Puget Sound. After an hour or so following the waterfront, the Empire Builder arrives in Seattle (approx. 10:20 AM, typically).

Passengers bound for Portland, Oregon have their rail cars diverted at Spokane, WA in the middle of the second night. By the time it gets light in the morning you are well out of the mountains and are traveling down the north side of the Columbia River to Portland. This is actually one of the most scenic parts of the trip. You see log rafts, wind surfers, dams, sagebrush. The last part of the journey is through the spectacular Columbia River Gorge.

Empire Builder passengers traveling eastbound from Seattle/Portland see much more of the Glacier Park area and less of the plains. Thus, if you are only traveling in one direction, east-bound is preferable.

The total running length of this route is 2200 miles.

As with other Amtrak lines, if track work is being done, passengers may be forced to take buses for part of the route. This may not be announced until the day of departure.

The American Industry Tour, an itinerary which features the industrialization of the United States, ending in mid-20th century Chicago, is a good prelude to the Empire Builder.

Stations
From east to west:

 * , Illinois
 * , Illinois
 * , Wisconsin
 * , Wisconsin
 * , Wisconsin
 * , Wisconsin
 * , Wisconsin
 * , Wisconsin
 * , Minnesota
 * , Minnesota
 * , Minnesota — Thruway bus connection for Duluth
 * , Minnesota
 * , Minnesota
 * , Minnesota
 * , North Dakota
 * , North Dakota
 * , North Dakota
 * , North Dakota
 * , North Dakota
 * , North Dakota
 * , North Dakota
 * , Montana
 * , Montana
 * , Montana
 * , Montana
 * , Montana
 * , Montana
 * , Montana - open from October to April
 * , Montana
 * , Montana - unstaffed
 * , Montana
 * , Montana
 * , Montana
 * , Idaho - the only operating Amtrak station in Idaho
 * , Washington

Route to Portland

 * , Washington
 * , Washington - Wikipedia says "Although Wishram is one of the smallest communities served by Amtrak, it is an important gateway to the scenic recreational opportunities offered by the Columbia River."
 * , Washington
 * , Washington - a connection can be made here to the Amtrak Cascades.
 * , Oregon - a connection can be made here to the Amtrak Cascades and the Coast Starlight. Additional Thruway bus connections to Eugene and to Astoria  are by the Oregon Point (operated by MTR Western].

Route to Seattle

 * , Washington
 * , Washington — Thruway bus connection for Omak
 * , Washington
 * , Washington - a connection can be made here to the Amtrak Cascades.
 * , Washington - a connection can be made here to the Amtrak Cascades.
 * , Washington - a connection can be made here to the Amtrak Cascades and the Coast Starlight. Additional Thruway bus connections to Vancouver by Cantrail and to Port Angeles by Olympic Bus Lines.

title: Empire Builder


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Emporia (Kansas)

Emporia is a city in the Flint Hills region of Kansas. It is the county seat of Lyon County and the home of Emporia State University and William Allen White.

By bus
Greyhound has a stop at 2000 Industrial Road. There are a few hotels five and six blocks away from the stop.

By bus
Lyon County Area Transit (LCAT) (+1 620-343-4207) operates two routes. The common transfer point is at the Newman Regional Health hospital at 1201 West 12th Ave.

Eat
Radius Brewing Company

title: Emporia (Kansas)


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Empty Quarter

The Empty Quarter (Arabic: الربع الخالي, Rub'al-Khali) is the large, expansive desert encompassing a large part of the Arabian Peninsula. It's the largest continuous body of sand in the world.

Understand

One may be tempted to call the Empty Quarter "no man's land", but that's not entirely correct; various local tribes are based here. The Saudi borders with the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen are situated here... somewhere, but nobody has bothered to actually draw those lines in the sand.

Talk
If you do encounter people here, your best bet for communication is Arabic.

Get in

 * In the UAE, the very northern edge of the Empty Quarter is accessible from the Liwa Oasis, a 200-km drive from Abu Dhabi on excellent highways. The larger road, to Huwayiah, is lined with green date palms, and the other road (closer to Abu Dhabi), to Al Hamai'm, now has them growing as well — nice for Emiratis looking to visit an oasis, but blocking the view of the desert for foreigners.
 * From Saudi Arabia, visits to most of the Empty Quarter require permits from the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development, and are most easily arranged through tour agencies. The usual gateways are Wadi al-Dawasir (Sulayyil) and Sharurah, both reachable by road from Riyadh (a 550-km drive) or via Saudia flight from Riyadh or Jeddah.  Najran, 300 km west of Sharurah, is also a reasonable starting point.

Get around

A caravan of 4WD vehicles or camels are the only sane options for entering the soft sands of the desert.

You need to bring your own gasoline and drinking water if you go into the EQ. There are no gas stations. There are roads that traverse it, though, mainly driven by trucks.

On paved roads, in the UAE, a road passes through the oasis towns, and a drive is possible to Tal Mireb, the tallest dune in the country, which gives a few minutes of perspective on how vast and inhospitable this place is.

See
The Empty Quarter is all about nature and wildlife. Expect to see a lot of sand and many forms of wildlife. If you want to see wildlife, your best bet is to camp overnight, as practically all the animals there are nocturnal.

There’s also a large crater, and a lake formed by a drilling accident.

Do
You can drive around, or, if you're feeling adventurous, you can walk around. Dune bashing is a popular activity for tourists visiting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and there are numerous tour companies that organise this.

Eat
There are no restaurants in the region. You must bring your own provisions.

Drink
You should carry lots of water with you.

Sleep
Luxury hotels at the edge of the Empty Quarter can be found in Liwa Oasis, UAE.

Stay safe
Never drive alone, even if you're an experienced driver. Much of the Empty Quarter is barren and you can get easily lost if you don't know what you're doing. For all you know, you can unexpectedly end up in a completely foreign land and you may find it difficult to get back to where you started.

Another danger is the extreme, arid heat. Carry lots of water with you, make sure your vehicle can handle the harshness of the desert, and make sure you have a reliable communication device in the event you get into trouble.

title: Empty Quarter


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Wikivoyage:Joke articles/Ems

ems is the second largest city in San Serriffe, located on the island of Lower Caisse.

Understand
Ems (although the locals prefer to spell it ems) is a former penal colony created by heavy-handed president-for-life-plus-twenty General Pica, whose Justified Party ruled San Serriffe during the Cold War period. Anyone with two Ms in his name was sent here for incarceration and "re-education" (mostly spelling and pineapple farming).

Get in
Highway 2 passes less than 20 miles from Ems, on the way to the tourist information office at the peak of Mount Linotype.

Get around
Navigating around the city of Ems is quite easy, as all streets are organized in a grid. Streets in a north-south direction are named after letters of the alphabet, whereas streets travelling in an east-west direction are numbered. There are also a few diagonal streets in the city, which are named after famous pornographers.

Get off
The city is known for a lot of facts. Many movies were shot here and there are prostitutes at almost every street corner. The local government also supports this operation quite readily, with significant tax breaks, health benefits for prostitutes, as well as significant, "under-the-table," support in the local offices of a majority of the members of city hall. Additionally, former United States of America President Bill Clinton has recently purchased a large estate just outside the city.

See

 * The pineapple orchards which the prisoners were forced to maintain are still in good shape, though they are starting to be overrun by encroaching banana trees, which grow wild on the island.

 * The Meridian Font is a fountain built to identify where the 90th meridian (east) passes through the city, but due to a navigational error is actually located approximately 4° 37' from the meridian.

 * The Seabird Shrine located 700 litres offshore from Ems is a must visit attraction.

Do

 * Canoes can be rented by the hour to paddle up and down Bitstream River.

Drink
The city has an active bar and nightclub district, primarily located on M and N Streets between Second Street and John Holmes Boulevard. Just on the other side of John Holmes Boulevard, is the Red Light District, known for its array of strip clubs and sex shops.

One popular hangout in the city is the Blackadder ITC, at 21 M Street. This club is popular both with locals and tourists alike, and features the best swarfega in all San Serriffe, as well as 5 different variations of plenque on tap.

Budget

 * The former prisoner barracks, located in the north end of town at 1054 X Street, now serve as the country's only youth hostel (not affiliated with Hosteling International).
 * Motel 6, 6 Q Street. Named after the popular motel in the United States (not owned by the international corporation), the Motel 6 has become quite popular among both locals and tourists alike. The hotel is particular noted for their high quality, bouncy beds. It is located in one of the more seedy parts of town, so be careful.

Splurge

 * Baskerville Old Face, 42 Ron Jeremy Avenue. Owned by the local subsidiary of Donald Trump's hotel and casino empire, it is one of the more exquisite hotels in the city. This is a five-star hotel, with an adjoining casino, as well as a spectacular all-you-can-eat buffet. The building is also one of the tallest in San Serriff, at 12 stories. While it is located on a separate island from the country's international airport, hotel guests arriving by plane are offered complimentary ferry service from Port Clarendon.

title: Wikivoyage:Joke articles/Ems


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Emsworth

Emsworth is a town in Hampshire, Southern England.

Get in
Emsworth has a train station on the South Coast Line between Portsmouth and Chichester

Havant is nearby and has better connections to London. Local buses run regularly to Emsworth from Havant Bus Station. Emsworth is just off the A27 main road between Portsmouth and Chichester, there is a small car park in the centre of town.

Get around
Emsworth is very small and easily covered on foot

See

Buy

 * All you can carry away from the Food Festival.
 * Local produce from many of the independent shops lining the main square

Eat
Emsworth is a culinary treat for such a small town. It has two of the regions best restaurants, some of the best oysters in the country and a great Food Festival, so food should be an important part of a visit.
 * Oysters are the traditional speciality of Emsworth, it even supplies them to the Queen.
 * Sausages O'Haglans on the main square produces award winning sausages, you can sample them at the excellent Sussex Brewery (see Drink section), as well as traditional varieties they serve many other types, including a game platter (Venison, Wild Boar, Pheasant & Pigeon, highly recommended)

Drink
Emsworth has a great array of traditional pubs for a small town.

Go next

 * Chichester is a charming cathedral city just a to the east.
 * Hayling Island to the west and then south towards the English Channel.
 * Portsmouth the home of the British navy has seafaring attractions and a regenerated city centre to the west.

title: Emsworth


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Encamp

Encamp is a parish (administrative division) and town 4 km north-east of the capital of Andorra between Andorra La Vella and the French border at Pas de la Casa (2085 m).

Get in
From Toulouse or Barcelona, there are buses from Toulouse Airport, Toulouse-Matabiau train station and Barcelona Airport which make stops at Encamp enroute to Andorra le Vella. In addition, there are twice daily bus (one in the morning, one in the evening) departing from Gare d'Andorre-L'Hospitalet to Andorra le Vella via Encamp which is connected to the SNCF train service from Toulouse and Latour-de-Carol.

Within Andorra, bus route L2 runs directly between Encamp and Andorra la Vella every 15 mins on Monday to Saturday and every 20 mins on Sunday. Route L3 runs between Soledu and Andorra la Vella every 60 mins daily. Routes L4 and L4B run between Pas de la Casa and Andorra la Vella daily at 30-min intervals and have stops in Encamp.

Get around
Within the town of Encamp, you can get by with walking. There is also Funibus, which is a bus service run by the parish. Funibus takes passengers around Encamp and connect to the Funicamp gondola. The service is free and not restricted to skiers.

See
The historical Complex at les Bons: consisting of the, is a Romanesque building from the Lombard period dedicated to Sant Roma. It consisted of a defense tower, a water tank with an irrigation channel cut from the rock and a fortified house that correspond to the beginning of the Middle Ages. It is now a historical ruins. Free guided tours in July and August.

Do
In Encamp there is a football club.

Similar to other towns and parishes in Andorra, Encamp has many hiking trails. You can take the gondola to the top or get off at the gondola's relay station and enjoy the scenery while hiking.

The Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley is a UNESCO cultural heritage site, but access is limited due to lack of access roads.

title: Encamp


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Encarnación

Encarnación is the most southern city of Paraguay and often called The pearl of the South. The Rio Paraná separates it and the Argentine town of Posadas.

Understand
Encarnación is a short jaunt on a local bus across the river from Posadas, Argentina. A shopping destination for many Argentines availing themselves of the lower taxes and prices, Encarnación is a pleasant, modern and relaxed city. The nearby Jesuit Missions of La Santisima Trinidad de Parana and Jesus de Tavarangue near Encarnación are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

By bus

 * Ciudad del Este stopping at all towns including Trinidad for the Jesuit Mission take about 6 hr and costs GS.60,000.
 * Asuncion take about 7 hr. Tickets cost GS.70,000 - 120,00 (May 2023) and the buses pass by San Ignacio Guazú (3 hr).
 * Posadas in Argentina Local buses labelled "Internacional", white in colour, depart from several stops in Posadas' centre, all along Calle Entre Rios. They leave regularly, about two per hour. Tickets are AR$6. The bus will drop you off at the Argentinian passport office, and wait for you to re-board. It will cross the bridge, then leave you at the Paraguayan passport office. Unless you are quick, the bus will move on without you, but you can wait and catch the next one (keep your ticket stub!) instead of paying the exorbitant taxi fees. Bus will drop you at the terminal in Encarnación.

Get around
Encarnación is fairly compact, in as much as there isn't a lot to see outside the easily walkable centre. Buses are infrequent, each ride costs around GS.2,500. There are several taxi stands near the plaza and the bus station, should you wish to go further afield.

Buy
Unless you're going to Ciudad del Este, the cheapest place to buy just about anything, Encarnación would be a good spot to pick up consumer goods, especially electronics. Lower taxes and consequently lower prices than Argentina.

Drink
Cold beers available pretty much anywhere.

Paraguay

 * See the Jesuit Missions

Beyond
Always buy your ticket in the offices, not from the guys outside. Some of them are genuine, but others will overcharge or sell tickets for non-existent buses.
 * Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Brazil – International buses serve these destinations.
 * Posadas, Argentina – The local bus costs GS.9,000 (as of May 2018), takes an hour and bus driver will drop you at the passport control from both Paraguayan and Argentine sides. If you are too slow just keep the bus ticket and take the next one.

title: Encarnación