text:
Diest

Diest is a town of 23,000 inhabitants in the northeastern corner of the province of Flemish Brabant in Belgium. The town is mainly known for its beguinage and ramparts.

By train
The is just outside of the city center. There are direct connections to Brussels, Leuven, Antwerp and Liège.

By bus
The Flemish national bus company, De Lijn, has lines to Diest from for example Leuven, Aarschot and Tienen. There are also connections to Brussels and Hasselt, but in these cases the trains are a quicker alternative. For more information regarding different timetables (unfortunately only available in Dutch): https://www.delijn.be.

By bicycle
There are several very well maintained bicycle networks leading you to the city center without the need of using the regular roads. It will let you discover the beauty of the region.

By car
You can exit the E314 highway at Bekkevoort or Halen, from there on it's only a few minutes to the city center. If you don't like highways you can perfectly follow the N2 national road also leading to the city center of Diest.

By plane
Brussels Airport is relatively close and has a direct train connection to Diest.

Get around
The city center and ramparts are easily navigated on foot. Twenty minutes takes you straight across town.

If you want to see the nearby sights and see the nearby Flemish countryside it is best to rent a bike when the weather allows to. Bikes can be rented in two places in Diest.
 * The Halve Maan recreational area also rents out bikes for €6 days. Tandems and electrical bikes are also available.
 * The Halve Maan recreational area also rents out bikes for €6 days. Tandems and electrical bikes are also available.

Do

Walk the old city ramparts, a very green belt around the city. It easily connects into the surrounding countryside.

Events

 * Every first Sunday of the month a book fair in the beguinage area takes place.

Eat
There are several restaurants and other eateries in the town centre.

Go next

 * Leuven — this thriving student city is very close.
 * Scherpenheuvel — a famous local Christian pilgrimage site that is only a few kilometers away.

title: Diest


text:
Digha

Digha (Bengali: দীঘা Dīgha DIH-ghah) is one of the most popular seaside resorts in West Bengal. People from the cities flock around the beaches of Digha during the vacation. As it is close to cities like Kolkata and Kharagpur, Digha has emerged from a small fishing hamlet to a weekend getaway with numerous budget hotels and lodges.

Climate
There are mainly five seasons in Digha, namely summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring. Summer starts in April and continues until June with a maximum temperature of. Although cold wind from the sea keeps the weather pleasant in this time. Next comes monsoon in July and lasts till the end of September. Digha generally experiences an average rainfall with high humidity in the monsoon season. Autumn sets in October and lasts till mid of December with an average temperature of around. The weather remains very pleasant this time. Winter sets in the second half of December and lasts till mid February with an average temperature of. The spring is the most enjoyable season in Digha starting from mid February to mid April. The hotels remain full of their capacity as tourist inflow is the highest in this peak season.

Talk
Since Digha is near the border of West Bengal and Odisha, both Bengali and Odia are understood by the locals. Therefore, having a knowledge of any one of the two languages can be useful to communicate with them.

By train
is the main entry point to the town. However, you should make reservations in advance for weekends, national holidays and sessions like Durga Puja, Diwali, Christmas etc. For train timings, check out the Indian Railways website. There are several trains from Howrah (HWH), New Jalpaiguri (NJP), Puri, Mecheda and Panskura.

By bus
There are frequent bus services to from Kolkata, including Esplanade, Baruipur, Garia and Joka. Buses from Garia run from 4:00AM–8:30AM and there is also an afternoon bus service from the same state transport depot. Service is regular and residents of Jadavpur, Tollygunge and Rajpur Sonarpur can easily use the good service.

There are also bus services from Asansol, Baharampur, Bardhaman, Santiniketan, Serampore, Siliguri and Tarakeswar. Buses are available from Howrah as well, a connection has been made from Sealdah to Digha where a private bus arrives at 8:30AM throughout the week. It takes the shortest route from Sealdah connecting SN Banerjee Rd, Taltala, Wellington, Esplanade to Howrah station, it departs from Howrah station within 5 minutes to Digha.

By car
Travelling to Digha by road has become easier, promoting tourism in Digha and the surrounding beaches. The roads are excellent and you can easily reach Digha from Kolkata in 4 hours of sedate driving.

Route: From Kolkata via Vidyasagar Setu and Kona Expressway take the NH-16 (old NH-6) till Kolaghat -> take a left turn on NH-116 (old NH-41) excellent roads till Nandkumar -> right turn on state highway all the way to Digha, via towns of Contai and Ramnagar.

En route decent toilet facilities and food is available at Ruk Zaraa (Kolaghat), Sher-e-Punjab (Kolaghat), Express Food Plaza (Kolaghat), Sher Bengal (Mecheda) etc.

Get around

 * Cycle-vans (commonly known as 'vans') is one of the unique modes of transportation in Digha. These are available everywhere and can be booked for touring around Digha and nearby places.
 * Motor-vans are used in digha as public transport for touring far places like Mandarmani, Shankarpur, Chandaneshwar etc. Motor vans will take you to New Digha from Old Digha for around ₹5 per person.
 * Private cars are also available in Digha.

Buy

 * Cashew nuts: There is a cashew nut farm in Digha so varieties of cashew nuts are available.
 * Digha Mohana Fish Market: Buy fresh fish here
 * Hand woven mats made of hemp. These mats are called Madur in Bengali and the colourful Madurs of Midnapur District are famous.
 * Jewellery made with Hyderabadi Pearls.
 * Ornaments and Curios made of sea shells.

Eat
The famous 'Hinger Kochuri' is a famous breakfast of Digha. There are many stalls and sweet shops all over Digha which offers this delicious breakfast.

There are many cheap "rice hotels" all over Digha, serving cheap, but good quality Bengali dishes. There are some more expensive restaurants where continental food is available. In an average restaurant, a vegetarian meal is available for ₹35-45, Bengali fish curry-rice is available for ₹25-35. A meal with egg curry-rice is available around ₹45.

Another great idea would be to just buy the staple vegetarian fare at the hotel you are staying and have it delivered to your room. You can buy fresh fishes like ilish, pomfret, parshe and prawns from Mohona, Digha fish market in the morning and have it cooked at the numerous "Dada-Boudi'r" joints around Sea Hawk. Have this fish with your standard vegetarian lunch or dinner.

In the evening look for fried fish, crabs and prawns on the sea front in Digha.

Those who are fussy about the quality of cooking, have transport at their command and are looking for tasty fish preparations should go and have lunch at Shankarpur, they prepare the fish much better than at the rest of Digha. The quality at Shankarpur is comparable to the splurge dining in Kolkata but is comparatively cheaper and the fish as fresh as you can demand. The trouble of travelling would be well compensated.
 * Hotel Sandy Bay serves good Bengali cuisine. Try their sea food - prawns, pomfret, bhetki, parse (a small sweet water fish - cooked whole with the bones - so you must use your hands to eat), rohu (a form of carp). Vegetarian food such as mochar ghonto (spicy young green bananas), aloo posto, aloor dum (Bengali style), Kashmiri aloo dum and cholar daal is also available.
 * Hotel Sandy Bay serves good Bengali cuisine. Try their sea food - prawns, pomfret, bhetki, parse (a small sweet water fish - cooked whole with the bones - so you must use your hands to eat), rohu (a form of carp). Vegetarian food such as mochar ghonto (spicy young green bananas), aloo posto, aloor dum (Bengali style), Kashmiri aloo dum and cholar daal is also available.

Drink

 * Alcohol — There are many bars and wine shops in Digha serving all sorts of hard drinks, but the liquor shops close around 7pm. If you want to buy a drink after the shops are closed, some guys in front of the shops will provide alcohol at higher prices (potentially black bargaining). The bar at Hotel Nest is good. But from Sandy Bay you can face the sea directly. A liquor shop has opened just 50 m outside the gates of the Fisheries premises on the right fork from Hotel Nest. A variety of medium grade whiskies, rum and other spirits are available.
 * Green Coconut water, (commonly known as 'Daab') is very cheap here. A single green coconut costs around ₹10-20 and the water is sweet and refreshing. The green coconut vendors move with their cycles all along the Sea Beach. There are also green coconut vendors which provide seating facilities near the beach.

Sleep

Always avoid the hotel-agents at the Digha station as their hotels are situated very far from the beach. It is better to consult the cycle-rickshawallahs for better lodging facilities (they take commissions from the hotel guys)

Stay safe

 * Electric torches or emergency lamps can help in case of temporary power outages, which are frequent during the summer. However, most of the hotels in Digha have their own backup generators, so if you don't bring a torch, you'll probably be fine.
 * Mosquito repellent — this is a must for visitors. Most shops in Digha sell repellent.
 * Safety at Sea. The sea becomes rough to very rough during high tide, especially during the new and full moon. It is unsafe to swim during high tide. There is a sea wall which protects Old Digha from erosion, and it is also unsafe to cross the wall during high tide. Most of Digha has No Swim warnings which you should mind. Always obey the commands of the khaki Coast Guards if you want to swim safely.

Go next

 * Bhubaneswar ( from Digha) — the capital of Odisha with several temples and the Nandankanan Zoo
 * Mandarmani (about from New Digha) — another popular seaside resort
 * Puri (about from Digha) — a pilgrimage spot with the Jagannath Temple, also famous for its beaches. There's a Superfast Express between Digha and Puri

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

title: Digha


text:
Diglipur

Diglipur is a friendly, dusty little town in the North and Middle Andaman district of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India. The main attractions do not lie within the town itself, but this is where buses arrive and depart from. Tourist accommodation is located in the nearby village of Kalipur.

By road
Buses run daily between Diglipur and Port Blair (10 hours), Rangat (4 hours) and Mayabunder (2.5 hours).

Buses leave from the centre of town opposite the police stand. There's a ticket booking office here from which you can book tickets on the public express bus back to Port Blair or other southern destinations. Other destinations in North and Middle Andaman (for instance, Rangat) you buy tickets on the bus. Deluxe buses can be booked at a shop opposite the bus stand.

The only thing to be worried here is that the bus leaves around 3:30 - 4 AM only from designated areas and if you are not certain about the location then it is recommended to book a cab from Port Blair to Diglipur. As of 2017, road transport either by bus or cab is the most convenient.

By ferry
Ferries come from Port Blair a few times per week and take around 10 hours. You can book ferry tickets at the administration block. It's by the Dolphin roundabout, and the ferry ticket windows are on the outside of the left hand side of the building. Ferries leave from Aerial Bay jetty, a ₹10 shared jeep or bus journey outside of town - about 1/2 hour.

If you are coming to Andaman for a short interval of time anywhere less than 10 -15 days, then it is not recommended to take a ferry to Diglipur as the sailing is tentative and mainly the government ferry opens up for locals in the islands.

Get around
It's 30 minutes by bus from Diglipur to the Aerial Bay jetty (where ferries dock) and then another 30 minutes to Kalipur, where the "best" accommodation is called Pristine Beach Resort. You can go by sea plane also from Port Blair to Diglipur. There are daily flights from Port Blair to Diglipur and Diglipur to Port Blair.

Do

 * Snorkeling. There's some great snorkelling between Kalipur beach and the small island behind the pristine beach resort. Update (Jan, 2011): Kalipur beach is salt water crocodile-infested. Swimming there is hazardous. The beach is a source of sand flies, so use repellent.

 * Climbing Saddle Peak. Climb to the highest point in the Andaman islands and marvel at the scenery. The climb itself is great too - the path follows the beach and then cuts through different types of jungle and forest up to the top.

You can buy your ₹250 permit from the forestry department office at the trailhead which is open from 6am to 2pm - there's no need to buy it in advance.

You can get a guide from Pristine Beach Resort (₹100) or go by yourself. To get there follow the road through Kalipur as it turns into a track, then a small path. At the very end of the path (about 1/2 hour) you will find the forestry department hut where you should buy your permit. After that, follow the trees with the red0and-yellow painted bands. The path follows the beach, so if you lose it just go down to the beach and you'll soon see then again. To cross the streams you can either wade or go down onto the beach where the outflow will be leapable. When the beach curves round to the left look for the sign on your right and then follow the red bands painted on the trees. It's difficult to get lost - there's only one path.

Eat
Tasty food in Pristine Beach Resort in Kalipur (see "Sleep" below). In Diglipur there's the usual Indian fare.

Drink
There are a few friendly bars in Diglipur and in Kalipur. One of them is Pristine Beach Resort (see "Sleep" below).

Go next

 * Smith and Ross Islands - Hire a local fishing boat for a day trip to these beautiful islands. To get there, get a bus to Aerial bay jetty from Diglipur. If you continue on past the jetty there's a small Forestry Department shed from where you can purchase the permit you will need.  You can charter a boat in the Aerial Bay village, just ask around.  There's a friendly lady who speaks English in a small chai & pan stall opposite the jetty who can help you charter one too. Ross Island is generally specified in the must-see places list of tour operators. The Island boasts about the life prevailing during British rule, if you are the type not interested in history and seeing abandoned buildings, you can give the island a miss as it is a waste of time. The charges per person are ₹20 and ₹10 for a still camera.

title: Diglipur


text:
Dijon

Dijon is the largest city in the eastern French region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Dijon is best known for its mustard (named after the town), which is no longer produced in its metropolitan area, but it is still one of the most beautiful cities in France, and its historic buildings and byways were not heavily damaged by bombing in World War II and are largely intact.

Understand
The surroundings is also an important wine production region, and Dijon has historically been the centre for regulatory bodies for wine production (some wine classification systems were invented here) and therefore the historical centre of Dijon forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Climats, terroirs of Burgundy".

Dijon was for some time the capital of the Dukes of Burgundy. Burgundy was a great power during the 14th and 15th centuries, when the dukes controlled a large part of what is now northeastern France, western Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

The dukes were great patrons of the arts, so Dijon was a major centre of Gothic and early Renaissance music, painting, and sculpture, attracting some of the greatest and most famous artists and musicians from Flanders in particular. The music the great composers left behind can be performed anywhere, but it is particularly in the fields of sculpture and architecture that masters left a lasting mark on Dijon.

Today, Dijon is a cosmopolitan city, with universities in the centre and industrial plants on the outskirts. Traffic is restricted in the centre of the city, so many parts of central Dijon are quiet and relaxing.

Tourist information
There are three tourist offices in the city:

 * At the train station (on the right when getting out of the station):
 * April to September: Monday to Saturday 09:30 - 18:30, Sundays and public holidays 02:00 - 18:00
 * October to March: Monday to Saturday 09:30 - 13:00 and 14:00 - 18:00, Sundays and public holidays 10:00 - 16:00
 * Behind the "Palais des Ducs de Bourgogne" (11 rue des Forges):
 * April to September: Monday to Saturday: 09:30 - 18:30, Sundays and public holidays: 10:00 - 18:00
 * October to March: Monday to Saturday 09:30 - 13:00 and 14:00 - 18:00, Sundays and public holidays: 10:00 - 16:00
 * There is another one at the well of Moses.

They have free maps of the downtown area, including a map and guide for the self-guided walking tour of Dijon. The walking tour uses a small brass pavement marker with an owl design to note the path along the sidewalks of Dijon. Larger numbered owl markers correspond to different stops on the tour, and the guide pamphlet will have descriptions of the art, history and architecture of that stop.

By train
There is two train stations in Dijon: Dijon-Ville and Dijon-Porte-Neuve. The main one by far is Dijon-Ville, the other being way smaller, without any personel and used only for some minor lines.

The train à grande vitesse (TGV) speeds travellers from Paris (only 100 min) and other major French cities to Dijon. There are also regular train services to a variety of destinations, including, but not restricted to, Italy (Milan, Turin, Florence and Rome among them), Switzerland, Luxembourg and Belgium.

From Paris (Gare de Lyon) by TGV: approx. 1 hr 40 min. Variable prices.

From Paris (Bercy) by TER: approx. 3 hr. Fixed prices: €36 per adult or €18 per passenger under 26 years old for one way.

From Lyon by TGV: approx. 1 hr 35 min. Variable prices.

From Lyon by TER: approx. 2 hr 5 min. Fixed prices, €31.60 per adult or €15.80 per passenger under 26 years old for one way.

By plane

There are a few TGV high-speed trains directly from the center of Dijon to Paris CDG airport. If your arrival is at Paris Gare de Lyon, which there are frequent TGV trains to Dijon, you can either :

 * 1) Use Air France buses linking CDG airport to Paris Gare de Lyon for €18
 * 2) If you are more on the budget, you can look for the RER B suburban train that have stops right into Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, for a total price of €10.30. The safest way to reach the RER B line form Paris Gare de Lyon is by using the automatic line 14 of Paris Métro, up to Châtelet–Les Halles station, where you take the change for the RER B.

By bus
Eurolines connects Dijon to all the major European cities and Mobigo is the regional bus service of the region.

By car
Dijon is well connected to the freeway and highways networks, where you can drive cars. Traffic is restricted in the centre of the city and mostly reserved to pedestrians. So you will probably want to park your car for the duration of your visit in one of the P+R parkings close to the tramway or buses lines and resume with public transportations, except to access the Well of Moses, which is on the outskirts of the city.

Walk
For most purposes, walking is the best way to get around the center of the city. A comprehensive network of buses covers farther local destinations.

By bicycle
If you want to get a bit outside of the downtown (like to get to the well of Moses) it's often easier and faster to use a bicycle.

Public transport
Buses and trams in Dijon are operated by Divia. As of August 2021, a one-hour ticket costs €1.40 (plus 30 cents for a reloadable card or if you buy it to a bus driver), €14 for a "10+1" tickets recharge, €4.20 for a 24-hour ticket, €7.35 for a 48-hour ticket, and €9.45 for a 72-hour ticket. There is also city bus which is free of cost which will take you around the city.

The city offers the Diviacity, a free, frequent shuttle bus for visitors that connects many of the downtown destinations in a loop, along with several parking areas. The shuttle is a minibus that is often congested with locals.

If you arrive by train, the orientation maps can be a bit misleading: maps are oriented with west, rather than north, in the upward position.

See
There is a self-guided walk in the city, called Parcours de la chouette, shown by owl arrows and numbered owl plates in the ground. There are 22 stops of interest. The book with the description of stops is available at the tourist office for €2.50, there is also an app on the Google Play store for €2.99 or on the App Store for €1.99. But it's not mandatory.

Landmarks

 * There is a dragon hiding in the church window to the left of the owl, which supposedly eats your wish if you touch the owl passing from the wrong direction.
 * There is a dragon hiding in the church window to the left of the owl, which supposedly eats your wish if you touch the owl passing from the wrong direction.

Buildings and structures

 * The Philippe Le Bon tower in the Ducal Palace. You can climb its 316 steps to have a view over Dijon. It will cost you €2.30 and it is limited to 19 people, only at restricted hours for security reasons.
 * Palais de Justice (rue du Palais) built in the 16th century.
 * The Auditorium, also nickamed "Opéra de Dijon", is a moden concert hall located a bit ouside of the town centre area, to the north-east. It is recognisable by its design shaped after grand pianos.
 * The Auditorium, also nickamed "Opéra de Dijon", is a moden concert hall located a bit ouside of the town centre area, to the north-east. It is recognisable by its design shaped after grand pianos.

Religious buildings
There are a lot of religious buildings in the city. François I said "c'est la ville aux cent clochers" ("it's the city of one hundred bell towers") when arriving in Dijon.

 * St. Michel church, which is east of the Palais des Ducs. It was built from the 15th to the 17th century.
 * St. Michel church, which is east of the Palais des Ducs. It was built from the 15th to the 17th century.
 * St. Michel church, which is east of the Palais des Ducs. It was built from the 15th to the 17th century.
 * St. Michel church, which is east of the Palais des Ducs. It was built from the 15th to the 17th century.

Museums
Most museums are free for everyone. English and French audio guide is available most of the time.

 * Pavillon de Raines in the Arquebuse gardens hosts temporary exhibitions on scientific topics, animals, etc.
 * The planetarium in the Arquebuse gardens has different showings on astronomy.
 * Pavillon de Raines in the Arquebuse gardens hosts temporary exhibitions on scientific topics, animals, etc.
 * The planetarium in the Arquebuse gardens has different showings on astronomy.

Gardens

 * The Jardin Darcy (on the Darcy place) is a beautiful park near the station and it's a great place to have a rest and to see how French people enjoy themselves. (But before you sit down on a bench, you should make sure that there are no pigeons on a branch above you). You can see the famous white bear of François Pompon (although this one is a replica made by Henri Martinet; the original is at the Orsay museum in Paris).
 * The Jardin de l'Arquebuse is a large garden, situated just below the train station, built in the 18th century on this place where Arquebuse knights met in 15th century. It contains the botanic gardens (Jardin Botanique), the museum d'histoire naturelle, the planetarium and the pavillon de Raines.
 * The Parc de la Colombière is a 17th-century, 33-ha wooden park classified as "historical monument" in the south of the city and bordered by the Ouche river on its south-west side. Its current "jardin à la française" design comes from Antoine de Maerle, former student of André LeNôtre. Inside of its walls lies some vestiges of the Via Agrippa, a former road system constructed by the Roman Empire from the 1st century AD, and this particular section of the road used to connect the current cities of Langres and Châlons-sur-Saône. The park is directly linked to the town center via the Allées du Parc, also known as Cours du Parc, a 1.5-km-long (0.93-mi) promenade bordered by lime trees created the same time as the park. It used to be considered as the most beautiful avenue of the kingdom under the rule of Louis XIV.

Do

 * Promenade de l'Ouche (or Coulée verte) is a walking and cycling trail which starts near the Cité internationale de la gastronomie et du vin (International City of Gastronomy and Wine, rue du Faubourg Raines, 10 minutes walk south-west from city centre) and follows the Ouche river upstream to the Kir lake. On the way to the lake you can stop at the Well of Moses (30-min walk).
 * Lac Kir (Kir lake) is an artificial lake just bit outside the city, created by Félix Kir and inaugurated in 1964 to create a site for nautical activities and as a tool to prevent most of the Ouche river floods. There you can walk or cycle around the lake. In the summer days there's plenty of people on the beach (you can swim in the lake, although the water is a bit dark).

Buy

 * Rue de la Liberté, which extends east from Place Darcy to the Palais des Ducs (on Place de la Libération) is a main shopping street with all types of shopping for locals and visitors.
 * Dijon mustard is no longer produced in Dijon. In fact, 80% of the mustard seeds used to produce mustard in France (including the Maille brand which is owned by Unilever) are imported from Canada. Edmond Fallot is an independent family business that has been producing authentic Burgundy mustard (i.e., they use mustard seeds from Burgundy, not imported from Canada) since 1840. They have a boutique on Rue de la Chouette where you can taste their many mustard varieties, but their factory in Beaune sells them for a few cents cheaper.
 * Les Halles, an indoor marketplace, has many stalls for fresh produce, meat, and seafood.
 * The Toison d'Or shopping mall, the biggest of the entire region and 20th largest in France, is farther north, about a 12-minute tram ride from the city centre on the T2 line.

Eat
Many of the dishes that Americans think of as traditionally French originated in Burgundy, for example 'coq au vin'. One great strategy is to order the fixed-price (prix fixe) menu, usually three courses including dessert. It provides a good sense of what the restaurant is like.

Jambon persillé (terrine/meatloaf of parsleyed ham) and pain d'epices (gingerbread) are local delicacies of the region.

There are 23 Michelin-starred restaurants in the area.

Budget

 * You also find the chain restaurants of New School Tacos and Chamas Tacos.
 * You also find the chain restaurants of New School Tacos and Chamas Tacos.
 * You also find the chain restaurants of New School Tacos and Chamas Tacos.
 * You also find the chain restaurants of New School Tacos and Chamas Tacos.
 * You also find the chain restaurants of New School Tacos and Chamas Tacos.
 * You also find the chain restaurants of New School Tacos and Chamas Tacos.
 * You also find the chain restaurants of New School Tacos and Chamas Tacos.
 * You also find the chain restaurants of New School Tacos and Chamas Tacos.

Drink
Dijon is well known for cassis, a sweet black current liqueur that is a bright reddish-purple in colour. If you are of legal drinking age in France a traditional Dijonnaise cocktail is called a "Kir", a blend of cassis and a local white wine (traditionally "Aligoté") - you can also order it made with champagne for a tasty and festive "Kir Royale". Make sure that you try the wonderful local wines - Burgundy has the highest number of Appellations of any French region. Of course the reds are terrific, and Americans unfamiliar with wine history might be surprised to find that white burgundies compare favorably with California chardonnays - they are, after all, from the same grape.

Budget

 * Hotel Frantour des Ducs—3 star, €50-65 low season. Clean, centrally located at the end of the Rue de la Liberte.
 * Hotel Frantour des Ducs—3 star, €50-65 low season. Clean, centrally located at the end of the Rue de la Liberte.

Go next
You can reserve vineyard tours through the Dijon Tourist Office to visit the Côte de Nuits and participate in wine tastings in some of the most famous wine-making villages of Burgundy. Wine and Voyages has the longest running tours available and are wine experts.

 * Besançon, the capital of the region Franche-Comté before it was administratively merged to Burgundy in 2015 to form the "Bourgogne-Franche-Comté" region. Located at about 90 km east by road from Dijon, Besançon has beautiful old city, great art and architecture, with Vauban-designed citadel which is surrounded by beautiful green hills, and the atmosphere of a university city as well as one of history and commerce.
 * Beaune at 40 km south of Dijon, is a beautiful town with many wineries and excellent examples of typical regional architecture. In particular, make sure you see the Hôtel-Dieu.

title: Dijon


text:
Dikili

Dikili is a coastal town in the Northern Aegean region of Turkey, and also gives its name to a district of a couple of dozen villages. It's a resort within easy reach of Izmir, and in 2021 had a population of 46,587.

Understand
This coastline has been settled since about 5000 BC, as primitive ships first hugged the shore then ventured out across the Med. It was easier to get about by sea than by land, but the sea also brought foreign interference and attack. And if it didn't some day wreck your harbour and erode your waterfront, then it did something worse, beyond human remedy: the sea might retreat and leave your city stranded. That may have been the fate of Atarneus, now abandoned rubble several km inland.

Not much happened for the next few thousand years, as the great convulsions of world affairs largely bypassed Dikili. The last major conflict was 1919-1922, when it was part of Smyrna, the territory seized by Greece in the aftermath of the First World War. For the most part it was a sleepy agricultural district with a side-line in tourism. Meanwhile Izmir, the former Smyrna, burgeoned to the south, and better highways brought Dikili within a day-trip of Izmir and an away-weekend of Istanbul. The population soared. So in summer this is a busy resort strip, but in winter it remains very quiet.

Get in
Dikili is 120 km (75 mi) north of İzmir, follow E87 / O-33. Driving from Istanbul, follow O-7 then O-5 past Bursa to Soma, then D240 west to the coast.

Buses from Istanbul run every couple of hours, heading for Izmir, and take 8 hours for an adult single fare in 2022 of 450 TL. Buses from Çanakkale take 3 hours, 65 TL. Operators on these routes include Metro Turizm, Pamukkale and Flix Bus. From Izmir look for a local bus or dolmuş.

is the inter-city bus station, 2 km northeast of the centre. However a local bus might drop you downtown.

Ferries no longer sail to Dikili from the Greek island of Lesvos - travel via Ayvalık. Cruise ships often call, bussing their passengers to nearby Pergamon. With your own boat, make sure you know where the international boundary lies, and clear Turkish immigration and customs.

is central in town.

Get around
Bus 837 runs roughly hourly from Dikili Terminal to town centre and the port, then south to Demirtaş, Deliktaş and Çandarlı. It then loops along the gulf coast to Aliağa, the north terminus of Izmir's IZBAN metro system, and with a frequent Bus 835 to Bergama.

For Bademli and the coast road to Denizköy look for a dolmuş, but you might need a taxi. There's no bus this way - timetables you see online are referring to Bademli the north suburb of Bursa.

See

 * Merkez Cami the town centre mosque is 100 m inland from the port. It was built of wood in 1789, without using nails.
 * is the local name for Atarneus (Ἀταρνεύς). It was a great city in the 4th century BC, when Proxenus was tutor to young Aristotle. It was abandoned in the 1st century BC, perhaps because the sea was receding and becoming too shallow to navigate, and has yet to be explored and excavated in detail. So you'll have to use your imagination with the jumble of overgrown masonry on the hillside.
 * and Delitaş are villages with trails up into the pine woods, and caverns in the mountainside.
 * is a village in the hills. Nearby is "Weeping Cave", more like a cavernous overhang, and hot springs. A 30 min hike brings you to a pleasant waterfall.
 * : again use your imagination, as the stone blocks littering the shore are the last relics of an ancient port, from the days when this was Argennusa island. It was probably just a stopover or entrepôt rather than a cargo terminus.
 * together with Karem island closer inshore are resorts, although development on Garip has stalled. The third island to the north, Argennusa, has become fused to shore as the Kane Peninsula. In 406 BC this archipelago was the site of the naval Battle of Arginusae, when a scratch Athenian fleet routed a stronger Spartan fleet. The victorious commanders perhaps expected a homecoming parade but were put to death for not doing enough to help their own wounded and drowning.
 * ("Black Lake") is in a crater, stained by its mineral content - don't drink it or swim in it. It's easiest reached by a 2 km hike up the track from Bimeyko on the coast. This track continues north through the hills to Merdivenli, so you can approach by a longer hike that way. Near Merdivenli the route passes a smaller crater lake which is more greeny-beige, almost as enticing, but asking directions to Bej Göl will get you nowhere.
 * is the largest and most interesting of the villages around the peninsula, a fishing harbour morphed into a holiday resort. The castle is 15th century, well-restored but seldom open. The ancient city of Pitane was centred a little south of this.

Do

 * The main beach is north of the port, sandy and stretching for 10 km. South the coast is rugged, with pebbled coves round the peninsula to Çandarli.
 * Alder Aquapark is on the shore 2 km north of the port. It's open daily in summer 10:00-18:00.
 * Thermal springs bubble out in many places, including Bademli, Nebiler and Kocaoba, but they haven't been developed into spas.

Buy
Supermarkets and small stores cluster around the harbour, and along Atatürk Cd towards the bus station. Carrefour is the largest in that direction, open daily 08:00-22:00.

Eat

 * The town offers the standard East Med fare of fish, kebabs, veg and meze. Eating places are by the harbour and include Ikizler Aile Lokantasi, Neşeli Mantı, Levent Et Balık Restoran, Levent Cafe, Dikili Isele Balik Rstoran (below) and Sayın.

Drink

 * Along the beach strip north of the port are Gravity Cafe, Narkiss, Calypsodikili Beach Club, Aegean Cafe and Atarna Bar.
 * South are Ahpub, Brothers Cafe, Kavun çekirdeği and Secret Club.

Sleep

 * Perla Hotel just south of the port remains closed in 2022.
 * Pansiyons are found in Dikili and all the associated small resorts, but mostly remain closed.
 * Çandarlı also has half a dozen hotels, which get discouraging reviews.
 * Perla Hotel just south of the port remains closed in 2022.
 * Pansiyons are found in Dikili and all the associated small resorts, but mostly remain closed.
 * Çandarlı also has half a dozen hotels, which get discouraging reviews.

Connect
Dikili and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of Aug 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.

Go next

 * Ayvalık north has traditional Cretan architecture, bridges to its resort islands, and ferries to the Greek island of Lesvos.
 * Bergama east has the impressive Graeco-Roman ruins of Pergamon.
 * Izmir south is a lively city.
 * Istanbul to Izmir is a long-distance itinerary with one loop passing through Dikili.

title: Dikili


text:
Dikson

Dikson (Russian: Ди́ксон DEEK-suhn) is a small city in Taymyria with a population of 690. Among its inhabitants the city is nicknamed "Arctic's Capital", taken from a popular Soviet-era song.

Get in
Dikson is a closed city and therefore hard to enter, you will need to apply for a special permit.

There is a small airport serving the city, and the only scheduled flights are from Norilsk once a week on Wednesdays by KrasAvia.

Go next
Nearest city is Dudinka to the south, there are however no land connections between the two cities.

title: Dikson


text:
Dildo

Dildo is a town of 803 people (2021) by Trinity Bay, on the Avalon peninsula in Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

It offers some picturesque scenery. Its unusual name has attracted some attention and it is thought that it may derive from a place name in Spain or Portugal. The people of Dildo are called Dildoians.

Understand
The place name "Dildo" is attested in this area since at least 1711, though how this came to be is unknown. The name, then written as "Dildoe", was first applied to Dildo Island, offshore from the present-day town of Dildo. This use was recorded in 1711 and 1775, and the name was thereafter applied to the Dildo Arm of Trinity Bay and other local physical features. Social scientist William Baillie Hamilton notes that Captain James Cook and his assistant Michael Lane, who mapped Newfoundland in the 1760s, often displayed a sense of humour in the place names they chose, and were not above selecting names that might offend over-sensitive readers. Regardless of the origin, the name has brought the town of Dildo a measure of notoriety. In the 20th century there were several campaigns to change the name, though all failed.

History
The Dildo area has a long history, going as far back as 2000 BC when Maritime Archaic aboriginal people resided at Anderson's Cove. By 700 AD, people of the Dorset culture inhabited Dildo Island. In 1613, Henry Crout, whilst sailing up Dildo Arm, came in contact with the Beothuks, who were residing on Dildo Island at this time. He traded with them and left gifts. The town of Dildo was founded in the late 18th century and settled to exploit the abundance of marine resources such as fish (mostly cod), whales and seals.

Get in
Dildo is on Route 80, approximately 15 km from the Trans-Canada Highway. From St. John's it is about a 50 minute drive. Take the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) as far as Exit #28 where you turn on to Route 80. The town of Dildo is signposted 8 km down Route 80.

Buses connect the town to St. John's.

Get around
Where Dildo is a small community the only method of transportation is one you bring yourself! So get out and smell the salt air as you walk along the water front enjoying the beautiful view.

See
Dildo is well known for its own island, Dildo Island. There are adventure tours that run there daily during the summer. The Island boasts a huge archaeological dig, studying both the Beothic Indians and the Dorset Eskimos.

Do
To begin with, giggle at the name. After that, some whale watching might be in order.

Go next

 * Bonavista
 * St John's and the Avalon Peninsula

title: Dildo


text:
Dili

Dili is a city of 222,000 people (2015) on the northern coast of East Timor, squeezed along the narrow plains between the central mountains which run the length of the Timor and the Ombai Strait. This charming, lazy little seaside city suddenly found itself taking the role of national capital when East Timor became an independent country in May 2002.

Dili is also capital of a district with the same name. The district includes the surrounding areas, mostly to the east.

Understand

Dili was the classic backwater during colonial times, being the main city of a remote colony in a remote part of the world. However, this heritage left Dili with a distinct Portuguese flavour and together with Macau, is probably the furthest east where you can savour genuine Portuguese food and architecture. Dili has since recovered remarkably, although one can still see many gutted buildings.

Orientation
Dili has sort of a colonial core, with its waterfront and a square bordered on the south side by the impressive Government Buildings. The commercial areas of Lecidere lies to the east, Colmera is to the west and the former Mercado Municipal (Central Market) is to the south.

By plane
Flights are available from: Some nationalities, e.g. countries in the Schengen zone, do not need a visa. If you do need a visa, go to the VOA counters at the end of the path from the aircraft before going to the immigration booths. A standard 30-day tourist/business VOA is US$30, preferably in exact change. Bring U.S. dollars as there are no ATMs airside and the landside ATM is not always working.
 * Denpasar, Bali on Indonesian carriers Batik and Citilink. There are daily flights, all arriving and leaving in the afternoon. These flights are the cheapest and improvements to Bali airport and elimination of Indonesian VOA fees for many nationalities make transiting through Bali feasible.
 * Kupang, West Timor on Air Timor Mondays and Fridays.
 * Darwin, Australia on Qantaslink and Australian regional carrier Air North however the flights are very expensive.
 * Singapore, also on Air Timor

You must complete an arrival card and customs card. All bags are x-rayed. Customs staff are friendly but like to check lots of bags, mostly looking for taxable goods.

There are no domestic flights except for light charters.

Getting there: Taxi drivers ask for at least US$10 for the trip into Dili. The taxi drivers are more honest and less aggressive than in the past. Just make sure you agree on a price of $10 or so before heading off. You can also walk out to the main road - which is the main road linking Dili with Batugade on the Indonesian border - to catch a mikrolet (25 centavos). Alternatively, you can pre-book through a taxi booking company, although this is usually more expensive if travelling alone:

A metered "Blue Taxi" service operates in Dili. They serve the airport, too, but a meter fare to central Dili (around Lecidere) will be US$10 anyway, although only $5 to Timor Plaza.

When departing, remember to pay the $10 exit tax, which is collected as you check in, and complete the departure card (which does not need to have the same number as your arrival card - if check-in staff don't give you one, just get one from the poles in the middle). After checking in, you can wait at the café outside the terminal or even go to the Burger King next door. The airport is small and immigration and security are fast, so you only need 5-10 minutes to get through to the departure gates, where there are some duty-free shops (one selling 2004-model digital cameras) but no food shops.

By car
Dili is well linked by road from the Indonesian border at Mota'ain, near Batugade, which lies about 115 km west.

A reasonably good road also links Dili with Baucau, East Timor's second largest city 123 km to the east. The road continues further east to Los Palos and Tutuala.

Southwards, a road climbs up the mountains which run the length of the island of Timor, passing the hill town of Maubisse, on the way to the southern coast.

All other roads in the country are of terrible quality.

Cars can be hired from Rentlo.

By bus
Buses fan out from Dili to various parts of the country. Most leave very early in the morning, and would do the "keliling" (going around town to scout for more passengers) before actually leaving Dili.

Buses leave for Batugade and the Indonesian border at Mota'ain. US$3. The journey is about 3 hours. Note that you cannot get an Indonesian visa at the border. If you have to get one in Dili, you might have to queue at the Indonesian embassy as early as 03:00.
 * West of Dili

Buses also go to Maliana and Ermera.

Several buses leave for Baucau early in the morning but also occasionally later during the day from Rua Quinze de Outubro just south of the stadium near the Mercado Municipal roundabout. US$5, 2.5 hours. These buses can also be caught at Becora, the suburb to the east of Dili.
 * East of Dili

By boat
Dili is no longer a port of call for Indonesia's Pelni ships. There are also no regular boats to Australia. (For any traveller interested in going by cargo ship to Darwin as part of an overland round the world trip, there are only two shipping companies that go to Australia (ANL and Swire) and who will not, under any circumstances, take on paying passengers. This is not an issue with insurance or security, simply that the boat owners (separate from the shipping) have dictated that no passengers are allowed (June 2016).)

Get around

During the day, plenty of yellow taxis shuttle passengers around the city for US$2-3 (although locals pay less). Further journeys, such as to Areia Branca beach and Cape Fatucama will cost more ($5 each way and you might need to arrange for the taxi to wait for you).

As evening approaches, the price will go up (around $5 for a medium trip). After dark, most of the taxis disappear. However, there are usually ones waiting outside expat bars, which will ask at least $10, even for short trips. You can also call a night service (if you can find a current number for one). You can also try getting your hotel to arrange a taxi for a night out or ask taxi drivers that you meet whether they work at night and, if so, get their number. Either way, it will probably cost at least $10 for any trip after dark. Try to have exact change for taxis.

The metered Blue Taxi service is much cleaner and more reliable than the yellow taxis, and they can be booked by phone on 331 1110 or 7742 7777. However, the metered fares are roughly double the yellow taxis - e.g. Lecidere to Timor Plaza is $6 compared to $3 (or even less if you bargain hard) for a yellow taxi. Blue taxis may be the most useful at night.

There are occasional reports of taxis attempting to get extortionate fares from clueless passengers. This risk has reduced at the airport; however, there have been reports of this being done to cruise ship visitors. Make sure you know a reasonable fare for where you want to go and stick to it. Nowhere within city limits should cost more than US$5-10.

Mikrolets (vans converted to take passengers) also ply their fixed routes, for example from near the Mercado Municipal to Comoro, Becora and other suburbs of Dili and even further. They cost 25 cents per ride. You flag one down, and when you reach your destination, just rap a coin against the metal to signal a stop request, and pay the driver after exiting. You can see a map of mikrolet routes here, that is up to date as of Jan 2019.

See

 * Visit Cristo Rei, the statue of Jesus that stands on a headland to the east of Dili. Rumour has it that, when the mainly Muslim Indonesians built the statue as a gift to the mainly Christian East Timorese, they designed it so that Jesus would be facing towards Jakarta. The statue is about 20 metres tall and stands on a globe of earth. The route from Dili along the beach and up the steps to the Jesus statue is popular with exercising internationals and local fishermen, and passes several niches representing the stations of the cross. The view from the statue across the bay to Dili is spectacular. From Dili, follow the main road east out of town. Taxi drivers will take you there for US$5 but you will need to pay extra to make sure they wait while you have a look.

Do

 * There are good beaches near Dili. The ones near the centre of town are popular with kids but are polluted.  The most accessible beaches are at Areia Branca near Christo Rei and they also have several bars and restaurants.  The best close beach is Jesus Backside beach, which can be accessed either from a walking track that starts halfway up the stairs to Christo Rei, or by car by taking the road from Metiaut over the mountains and looking for a turn-off on the left (this is the remains of the road that used to go around the point).
 * Just down and across the road from the Leader supermarket is a Church that has an English language mass on Sunday morning at 10:30 (and Tetum Masses at other times).
 * You can buy VCDs, DVDs & audio CDs very cheaply. If you are taking a laptop its well worth having (illegal) software installed.
 * Visit Ramelau - the highest mountain in East Timor. You can stay at a place just before the top, and climb up for the dawn (a couple of hours climb). It is a fairly popular thing to do so ask around or ask at the Hotel Dili – they can arrange an excellent 4WD tour. It is freezing at night
 * Dive around Dili and Atauro Island. Dive Timor Lorosae, Freeflow, and Compass Charters are popular dive operators. There are a number of dive sites around Dili. Further out east, K41 and Bob's Rock are popular sites near Manatuto. Dive operators can arrange longer trips to Atauro Island or Jaco Island. Don't pass up the chance to see the last untouched reef in the world.

Learn
If you are on the road directly in front of the East Timor Government Building, Palacio Do Governo, face away from the airport towards the Jesus Statue.

If you walk up the left hand road, about halfway up on your right is Dili Cold Store supermarket, then you'll find the Xanana reading room. There is a café at the back and inside is a small library with English books, a video collection and documentaries about ET (with comfy chairs and a video so you can watch them there, and drink tea etc. from the café) and a book exchange. They also sell postcards and have internet access.

Buy
MasterCard is not accepted anywhere in the country, not in shops and not in ATMs.

Bank Mandiri, one of the major banks in Indonesia, has a branch in Dili. The bank is close to the Government Building in Dili. They also have several ATMs across town, for example at Timor Plaza or Tiger Fuel. It has not been proven that it can serve the Indonesian Mandiri account, but even if your overseas card works with Mandiri ATMs in Indonesia, it will not work with Mandiri ATMs in Timor Leste.

Caixa Geral de Depositos, a Portuguese bank trading as BNU, also has a branch in Dili, and branches at several other locations within East Timor. The claimed branch at Dili airport consists of an empty desk & window, it is never staffed.

Small supermarkets and convenience stores are all over the city (with a particular concentration of small supermarkets in Audian) but will have a limited range and be oriented towards Asian tastes. Larger supermarkets that are good for foreigners will still have a limited range and you may need to visit several to get what you want (if you can actually get it - months-long shortages are common). Supermarkets only have small amounts of fruit and vegetables and will charge more than the markets. The main supermarkets of interest are:

Eat
There are plenty of restaurants in Dili, from local, Italian, Portuguese to Australian. Most popular in the evenings are the seafood BBQ places east of Dili on the beach.

Budget
Timorese and Indonesian warungs, where you pick your food from the window, are everywhere and cost $1.50-3.00 for a typical meal.

To self-cater, start at the East Timor Government Building, Palacio Do Governo. Head east, away from the airport. If you walk up the left hand road, about halfway up on your right is Dili Cold Store supermarket.

If you head out on the road towards the airport you will find the Comoro market, which is one of the two big markets in Dili. It is a little bit hard to find as it is set back from the road. If you are travelling from the UN building it is about a 20-minute walk – if you reach the Leader supermarket on the right you have gone too far. The markets are amazing. When you first arrive they look grimy and the place is covered in dust in the dry season and very muddy in the wet, but if you go inside you will find fruit, veggies and coffee all piled in little piles (this is the measurement for purchases – around 10c for leafy veggies and 50c for everything else). If you live with a Timorese family it is wonderful to go there and bring home little treats such as eggs and condensed milk, bananas and potatoes as they are usually beyond the everyday budget (rice and green vegetables are the staple diet of East Timorese).

The Leader supermarket has lots of western treats, including chocolate and toilet paper.

Mid-range
The legendary R 'n' R café has sadly closed, as did several other longstanding restaurants after the UN mission left; however, growing prosperity and an influx of Europeans have led to a proliferation of restaurants:

Drink

Friday after work (17:00-20:00) is the infamous happy hour atop Timor Plaza (Sky Bar - level 5), where many expats gather. Castaway is an expat bar on the main drag along the beach in Dili; drinks range from $4 beer and cocktails to a $10 giant margarita. They have a shelf of (largely English) books where you can leave and take, typical backpacker style. (Cigarettes are available at the bar but only worth it if you are feeling lazy, at $2.50 a pack which is more than double the price of street vendors' cigs!) Next to it is Nova bar.

Sleep
There are plenty of hotels in Dili, ranging from cheap and basic (living in a container, with a window and a fan if you're lucky, probably about US$5 per night) to less cheap and less basic (air-con and cable TV, probably about US$40 per night).

Some cafes around town have ads for accommodation available, but generally the only way to find out where there are places available is to ask around. There are furniture stores around, but if you can find somewhere that is furnished it will save you a lot of hassle. If you get friendly with someone who works for the government they may be able to help you find some furniture. There is one real estate in Dili at 'Central Hotel near the post office which has a number of accommodation options.

There are quite a few foreigners in Dili who live in hotels or guest houses permanently. Other alternatives include:
 * ‘Kos’ style accommodation, where you get your own room and usually a bathroom, living with an East Timorese family; meals are usually shared with the family. The best way to find out about these places is to ask East Timorese friends or colleagues. Rent is generally about US$150 per month. Advantages include learning Tetum quickly, getting more exposure to East Timorese culture and spending time with an East Timorese family. Disadvantages can include lack of personal space, and no cooking facilities.
 * Share accommodation with other foreigners – there are plenty of shared houses of NGO people and UN people. Often the East Timorese owners will live next door. It would be usual to employ someone to help with cleaning, laundry and perhaps cooking. Few houses have washing machines. Most do not have air-conditioning either – you might want to invest in a fan. Share houses are sometimes advertised in places like the Dili Dive Centre, but word of mouth is the best way to find out. If you are looking for an empty house to rent, again, it's probably best to ask East Timorese friends or colleagues. Remember that places might not have furniture/a fridge etc., and purchasing can be expensive. Rent for this sort of accommodation is generally between US$150 and US$200 per month.

A cleaner visiting twice a week costs about US$25 per month. As well as getting your house and clothes cleaned, this also represents an opportunity for making friends with locals. Also, having someone around the house during the day when you are not there keeps the place a little more secure. If you can live with a Timorese family it would be ideal for learning more about the local language and culture but if not, get to know your neighbours – walking around your area and talking to people can go a long way.

Connect
See the main East Timor page for general info.

WiFi is sometimes available in cafes, hotels and shops but is unreliable and usually no better than the (very slow) 4G cellular service.

SIM cards can be purchased at Timor Plaza and other cellphone stores.

By post
There is no delivery of mail to street addresses. If you want to receive mail, you need to use a post office box at the central post office. Packages from Australia generally take about 2 weeks. It's important that people write ‘via Darwin, Australia’ on the address, otherwise letters tend to go via Jakarta, Singapore or even Lisbon. Letters/packages have been known to take up to one and a half years to arrive, and occasionally disappear altogether, although this is the exception rather than the rule.

Stay safe
The biggest risk in Dili is probably that of being involved in a traffic accident, It's a good idea to bring a quality good helmet in case you get a bike, or to use when riding on the back of other peoples’ bikes.

Basic precautions will ensure personal safety in East Timor. As with many cities, it's generally considered unsafe for a ‘malae’ (foreigner) woman (and probably a malae man, too) to walk around alone after dark. There have been a few reported incidents of people riding in taxis after dark being robbed. There have been a few malae houses broken into overnight. Generally, though, it feels very safe to walk around Dili during the day – there are always lots of people around.

The only other security precaution in Dili is to avoid gang activity, which normally occurs at night, particularly in the Bairo Pite district of Dili. These gangs are based on martial arts groups within Dili which, after Timor Leste's history of violence and upheaval, is a social network for many unemployed males. Setesete, PSHT and Korak are the main gangs and their graffiti can be seen throughout Dili. Travellers should keep their distance from these martial arts venues and leave an area immediately if gang-related violence seems to be a possibility.

Cope
You can generally get everything you need in Dili, although some items are more expensive.

 * Bring US dollars. You will need US$30 for your initial visa on arrival at the airport. Check with your bank about usage in Timor Leste: MasterCard does not work anywhere in the country.

 * If you wear contact lenses, definitely bring lens solution as it cannot be bought in East Timor. Also bring a spare pair of glasses and/or leave a copy of your prescription at home in case you need a new pair sent over.

 * You can buy clothes in Dili, but larger sizes may be unavailable as Timorese are on average a lot smaller than Westerners. You're best off bringing as much as you need with you. Also bed linen and towels etc. are quite expensive. Make sure you bring your bathers!

 * Radio – East Timor can get Radio National and BBC World Service. There are also local radio stations broadcasting on FM such as Radio Rakembia
 * Books - There is a good bookshop called TIO. You can also order books off the net and have them sent here. If you are not too picky about what you read (content or condition), you'll find book exchanges at Castaway, the Dili Club and One More Bar. Many foreigners are also generous in lending from their own collections.
 * A mosquito net is useful for out into the districts.

With regard to dress rules, there are no hard and fast rules. Dili is more liberal than the districts, where people will expect women to wear clothes which cover their shoulders (ie not sleeveless) and trousers or a skirt below the knee. Generally, it's better to err on the conservative side. The most respectable clothing for young males are jeans with a buttoned through, short-sleeved, collared shirt. There are a number of clothing shops in Dili, but they are made for Timorese sizes so it is generally hard to find anything in a size bigger than an Australian 10.

Dili is really hot all year round, but it can get very cold overnight in the central districts – so make sure you bring something warm. It's a good idea to bring a solid pair of sandals, as well as some thongs and runners.

Dinner can sometimes be a bit dressier and most people in offices come to work dressed smart casual.

Travelling as 'Malae'
Foreign men and women or 'Malae', should take care when catching a taxi or walking outside at night. Travellers should be careful with 'over-the-shoulder' satchels as it has been reported that people have been pulled off mopeds by thieves grabbing bags.

Local women dress conservatively in Dili. 'Short shorts', strapless tops and mini skirts are rarely worn by local women and may beckon unwanted attention. Generally, you want to wear 3/4-sleeve tops and long pants or skirts to protect yourself from mosquito borne diseases and to keep consistent with local dress.

Same-sex or overt public displays of affection may attract disapproval or vocal objection, especially from the older population.

Embassies

 * 🇦🇺 Australia
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇮🇩 Indonesia
 * 🇵🇹 Portugal (The embassy has a functioning, open clinic)

 * 🇺🇸 United States

Go next

 * Areia Branca ("white sand"), a beach about 3 km east of Dili (under the Christ Statue).

 * Jaco Island. Jaco Island lies off the Eastern tip of East Timor. The beach is white and the water is clear. No development is allowed on the island. You will need a 4WD to get there but it is well worth the trip. You drive out to Baucau (a sensational drive – lots of rice paddies etc.) and continue on to Tutuala. Ask directions there – you go down a road that is very overgrown after about 1 km. Take plenty of food and water because there aren't any local eateries, although you can buy fresh produce on the way there at a fraction of Dili prices from tables outside people's houses so it is just a matter of what they have then. Often there are fishermen on the beach and you can purchase fish from them, which they will cook up for you. It is quite expensive, about US$10 per fish and $5 to cook but two fish plus some paw paws feeds 10. To actually get to the island the fishermen will take you over, but it's again expensive – about US$10 for a boat. Still, it is amazing, a truly unspoilt beach.

 * Atauro Island is more easily accessed than the other two destinations. Atauro has a public ferry every Saturday for $4 each way, leaving 09:00 and returning 15:00. The journey takes three hours, meaning a Saturday day trip leaves you with only three hours on the island, which is enough to explore around the port area and complete the single available activity which is to eat and buy trinkets at the small market. You could sneak in some awesome snorkeling too, but to explore the island's other charms like diving and hiking you need to stay longer. Despite spending six hours on a ferry and only three hours on the island, the day trip is wildly popular with locals so the ferry may be very overcrowded. After the seating is full passengers sit on deck, on the floor and on the stairs. Chat with someone in a dive company about the best way to get there on other days of the week. You may be able to join a group or get some people together and make up a group and hire a boat (with crew and including lunch and snorkel gear) for a day. It is quite expensive but the water is incredibly clear and you might catch sight of dolphins and whales passing through the channel. Book accommodation in advance.

 * Liquica and Maubara are less than an hour west along the coast road (make sure to turn right at the T-junction in Tibar). Just before Liquica is the ruins of a prison where Timorese kings were imprisoned, with placards telling the story.  Liquica has some ruined buildings and some beaches.  Maubara is further along and has the ruins of a seaside fort, with a café inside, as well as some touristy shops and cafes on the beach.

 * Gleno is suitable for a day trip, especially if you want to see some mountains while staying on decent roads. Head west from Dili and go straight at the Tibar T-junction.  The road passes through pretty valleys, then winds over heavily-forested mountains before reaching the wide valley of Gleno after about 2 hours.  There are some shops and restaurants there.  Beyond Gleno, the road gets much worse as it heads to Ermera and, eventually, Maliana.

 * Baucau, though much smaller than Dili, is Timor-Leste's second largest city and features an old town core with several beautiful buildings from the colonial era, a public swimming pool, and views all the way to the sea. Buses leave throughout the day from Becora bus station near the south-eastern end of Dili, take about 2.5 hours on the good road, and cost US$5.

 * Maubisse is a popular weekend getaway for people from Dili. Set in the mountains, temperatures are a bit cooler, and there are some hiking options. Anggunas (US$4) leave from the Mercado Taibesi bus station, cross the city centre, and then take the new road along the Ribeira Comoro via Aileu.

title: Dili


text:
Dilijan

Dilijan is a town with mild climate and fresh air to the northeast of Yerevan. It is famous for its lovely surroundings, called the "Armenian Switzerland" by the locals, due to the densely forested valleys and mountains with alpine meadows surrounding them. It is an excellent base for hiking.

Most visitors to Armenia spend all of their nights in Yerevan. Spending a night or two in Dilijan while exploring Tavush Marz region is well worth it. There are plentiful accommodations in Dilijan, from the luxury of the Tufenkian Hotel to much more basic hotels or homes. From Dilijan you can explore up to the Georgian border and the remote Shamshadin region much more easily than from Yerevan, and then continue on to Lori Marz.

Understand
The first settlements in this area were established around the end of the second millennium and beginning of first millennium BC. Some excavated collections of artifacts from that period are exhibited in the museums of Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Tbilisi, Baku and Yerevan, with the reminder kept in the Dilijan Geological Museum.

During the Medieval period this territory belonged to the Arsacid kings and was one of their favourite forest and a summer resorts used for hunting. A bit later, in the 13th century, Bujur Dili settlement was founded here. The monasteries of Haghartsin and Goshavank were built between the 10th and 13th centuries, quickly developed and have served as cultural and educational centers in the intervening centuries. Some other important religious and educational centers have also survived in Dilijan, such as the Jukhtak Vank Monastery and Matosavank Monastery.

Since the town came under Russian rule in 1801, the population has gradually grown. A school, library and several theaters were opened. In the second half of the 19th century Dilijan’s fame as of a resort center started to grow.

During Soviet years it was already widely known as a mountain climatic and balneological resort; there used to be 35 major sanatoriums hosting tens of thousands people yearly. It was popular among creative people, musicians and painters. However, all its fame faded away quite quickly after the collapse of Soviet Union, the number of tourists fell dramatically, and sanatoriums and all other tourist-oriented infrastructure went into a serious decline. The situation has started to improve. Tourists (mainly wealthy Armenians and some foreigners as well) have started coming back, giving a fresh breath to the town. New hotels and restaurants have started to appear again. There are still many signs of decline; there is a feel of abandonment and some provincial neglect (which is somehow inherent to the majority of Armenian towns). Nonetheless, pristine nature, calm and relaxed atmosphere and ancient monasteries are still the main points of interest and the main reasons to visit the town.

Climate
The best months to visit Dilijan are May-October, the months with the most pleasant temperatures. July and August, the hottest months, have average daily highs of around 26°C. and average lows around 12°C. The coldest months are January and February, with average low temperatures around -6°C. and average high temperatures around 3°C. Precipitation is moderate to moderately low: May is the wettest month, averaging 92 mm, and June averages 85 mm, but other months get quite a lot less precipitation.

By bus

From specific destinations:
 * Yerevan – All services for Dilijan depart from Yerevan's Northern Bus Station (Severny Avtovakzal). You can take a marshrutka heading to Ijevan that will stop in Dilijan on the way. There are also direct services between 09:40-17:30, roughly hourly (1,000 dram).
 * Ijevan – 13:00, 14:00
 * Vanadzor – 08:30, 10:30, 13:00, 14:30

By taxi
A taxi from Yerevan will cost approximately 10,000 dram one way with a standard meter price. You can probably negotiate a better rate, especially for round trip. A taxi from Vanadzor is roughly 4,000 dram.

By tour
Many companies offer day tours from Yerevan, which include Dilijan, Haghartsin and Goshavank. They can be cheaper than taking a taxi, and depart in the morning on fixed days of the week.

On foot
Within town, for the most part, walking is quite easy.

By bus
There are 2 bus routes starting at the mineral water plant factory (which is a starting point for hikes to Jukhtak Vank Monastery) and then crossing entire town and ending at another end of it.

Operation time: M-F 07:30-18:30, Sa Su 09:30-17:30, about every ½ hr.

By taxi
A taxi within the town should cost no more than 600 dram.

If you need to get to some of the regional monasteries, your best bet is negotiating a package deal with the taxis. You can ask someone from the tourist information office help you translate and negotiate, as most of the drivers will not speak English. If a driver tries to change the price on you, absolutely refuse, and take the matter to the police if necessary. Don't trust any taxi driver.

By bicycle
Bikes can be rented either at the Dilijan National Park's information center (at park's HQ 500 m past Dilijan roundabout, 1,000 dram/hr or 5,000 dram/day) or at the "Old Dilijan" historic center.

See

Do

 * Ceramic course – Some of the wood and ceramic makers shops at Sharambeian Street ("Old Dilijan" historic center) are ready to organize classes for a moderate price, in which participants are encouraged to create a souvenir for themselves.

Tufenkian hotel organises various courses and tours:
 * Horseback riding – Some of the hotels (e.g. Getap and Tufenkian Hotels) offer tours in the area (1½–6 hr) and lessons for the beginners.
 * Cooking class – Learn how to prepare some of Armenian dishes or Armenian Khorovats/BBQ (1½ hr, 3-10 participants). Classes must be scheduled two to three days in advance.
 * Horse sleigh ride – Snow season only.

Dilijan National Park

The national park has the following 12 eco trails (PDFs) offering both natural and cultural attractions:

A good summary of the surrounding area and the national park can also be found here.

Buy

 * Crafts on Sharambeyan Street around "Old Dilijan" historic complex. This street has some little shops where artisans are busy hand making their craft. Prices start from 500 dram.
 * Visit Revik to see his wood working studio, with some great traditional designs for everything from Christmas tree decorations to cribs. The tourist information office has additional information on local crafts purchases and local painters you can visit.
 * Grocery stores are mainly located on a square near the bus station and the
 * There are a few bank branches where currency can be changed. Also about 5-7 ATMs are scattered around town and, similar to grocery stores, it's easier to find them near bus station and the town's main square.

Eat and drink
In Dilijan, drinking is done wherever people eat, not at dedicated bars. It usually entails vodka, though beer and wine are not uncommon.

Along Yerevan-Ijevan highway
To get into any of the following restaurants you'll need a car or a taxi. Although they seem to be worth it.

Go next

 * Debed Canyon – the famous canyon with several beautiful monasteries in the vicinity of it, including UNESCO World Heritage Sanahin Monastery and Haghpat Monastery
 * Ijevan – Attractive town 25 min north with a river running through it, and with the beautiful canyon full of cascades and with some caves by the nearby Yenokavan village, and nearby Makaravank Monastery.
 * Noyemberyan – A small town near the border with Georgia, featuring 2 small nearby monasteries
 * Berd – If you'd rather go to the remote and beautiful Shamshadin area, Berd is the only town in that region and therefore a good base for further exploration
 * Vanadzor – Armenia's 3rd-largest city, featuring Soviet industrial architecture, although it also has a few nice churches
 * Yerevan – If you didn't come from the vibrant capital of Armenia, it's the most logical place to go next

title: Dilijan


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Dillon

Dillon is a city in Southwest Montana. In 2020, about 3,800 people lived there.

Understand
Dillon is home to University of Montana Western. This is a smaller college, so not the degree of student-life and activity as other college towns.

Dillon began as a railroad town. It served as the transportation hub for the many nearby towns with gold and silver mines.

Get in
The town is off I-15. Nearest airports are Butte and Idaho Falls.

Get around
The central business area of Dillon can be easily traveled on foot. The city offers a free bus service M-F during the day, can request a ride by calling. Most sight seeing activities will require driving.

Do
The Beaverhead and Big Hole rivers offer world class trout fishing. The Labor Day PRCA rodeo includes a parade and concerts and is named "Montana's Biggest Weekend".

Eat
Dillon has a few national food establishments such as Pizza Hut and McDonalds.

Sleep
Dillon has a Best Western, Motel 6, Quality Inn, and Super 8.

Go next

 * Beaverhead Rock: a landmark from the Lewis and Clark Trail. There is a parking area 16 miles east of Dillon. Be sure to go another 14 miles to visit Twin Bridges.

title: Dillon


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Dilworth

Dilworth is in Minnesota. It began as a somewhat industrial railroad town, and has developed into a quaint small suburb to the east of Moorhead, MN and Fargo, ND.

By Car
Dilworth is located on US Route 10 and shares its western border with Moorhead. To get to Dilworth from Interstate Highway 94 one can take the County Road 52 exit and head north into Moorhead, turn right on 20th, and right again on US Route 10. From the East take Higheay 10 directly into Dilworth. Visit the many shops and entertainment establishments while you're here.

By plane
Fargo's Hector International Airport is served by Northwest, United, and Delta with multiple daily flights to Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City. Direct flights are now available through Allegiant to Las Vegas, NV, Laughlin, NV and Phoenix, AZ

Get around
Public bus service takes riders to Moorhead and Fargo.

See
End of July each year come out and enjoy all the fun associated with Loco Daze

Whistle Stop Park located at 1 4th Street Northeast, Dilworth, MN. Come see "Old 1068," a retired steam engine built in 1907, is saved in 1956 from the scrap heap and moved to be displayed in what is now Whistle Stop Park on Highway 10.

Buy
There are many small shops and pubs in Dilworth that are local favorites and a great place to meet the people who make Dilworth a great place, plus a Walmart Supercenter.

title: Dilworth


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Dimapur

Dimapur is in Nagaland, north east India.

By train
Dimapur is linked by train or bus. It is the one of most important railway stations of the region. There are direct trains from New Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai.

See

 * The residence of Hirimba.
 * Green Park- A nice place to hang out with beautiful lakes around.
 * Green Park- A nice place to hang out with beautiful lakes around.

Eat
Plaza one of the oldest restaurant in Dimapur offers varieties of cuisines including Indian dishes at a very reasonable price, Breeze, Ne-li etc.

The Beijing restaurant offers variety of Chinese food at decent price

Drink
Being a strict Christian Revival state, Nagaland has officially banned all sales of alcohol. However, it is widely available on the black market.

Sleep
Splurg Hotel Saramati considered a four star has all the facilities, Hotel Tragopan, Hotel Senti, Hotel Ne- Li

Go next

 * North to Golaghat, one of the oldest urban centres, and administrative divisions of Assam, since 1839.
 * Dimapur is connected to all important cities by rail or by bus. There are bus services for Guwahati, Golaghat, Imphal, Kohima, Jorhat, Tinsukia and some other cities.

title: Dimapur


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Dimona

Dimona is a small town in the north-eastern Negev desert of Israel. It is the third-largest city in the Negev, with population of about 34,000. Dimona is mostly known for the nearby nuclear research facility, which according to various unofficial publications is the home of Israel's nuclear weapons program.

Understand
Dimona was settled by immigrants from North Africa in the 1960s. A sect of Black Hebrews who left Chicago in search of self-fulfillment (as Christians) in the Israeli desert arrived in Dimona. Whitney Houston has relatives among them.

By bus
The most convenient way to get to Dimona is by bus from Beer Sheva.

Get around
Walk. Or take one of the three local bus routes.

See
The Black Hebrew Israelite community lives mostly in a neighborhood in the east part of the city. These are African-Americans who immigrated to Israel several decades ago, and follow practices similar to those of Judaism. They are welcoming to outsiders, and their celebrations of holidays like Passover and Shavuot are very colorful.

Do
Dimona is generally quite boring, where the only excitement may be the occasional wind storm. You can't even see the famous alleged nuclear site from the city.

Go next

 * Mamshit, a ruined Nabatean city, is located in the Negev about 5 km southeast of Dimona.

title: Dimona


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Dinant

Dinant is a relatively small but very picturesque city in the province of Namur in Belgium. It stretches along the river Meuse against the steep rock face behind on the eastern side, with a thinner strip on the western side against a forest. Its old town is perhaps one the most impressive sights in Wallonia, but the locality is relatively remote. The main sights are all close to each other and not very numerous, while accommodation opportunities are scarce, so Dinant is probably a good option for a nice day trip from larger Belgian cities such as Brussels, Charleroi or Liège. It also can serve as the starting point for a more thorough exploration of the Ardennes.

Understand
The site where Dinant is now located has been inhabited since neolithic times, and its name stems from Celtic for "divine valley". It grew to become an important city in the Middle Ages, specializing in producing fine objects out of a silvery brass alloy called dinanderie after its origin. Later the main industries were leather tanning, manufacturing of playing cards and the famous Dinant biscuits.

Through the centuries, Dinant has found itself on the borders of various warring entities, also often falling in conflict with its metropole Liège and neighbour Namur, and was repeatedly pillaged and burnt down. Although it looks very much like an authentic old town, it was all but razed by the invading Germans in 1914, after the Battle of Dinant which went on record as one of the more important in the First World War. The city's historic part under the citadel was meticulously rebuilt and retains its pre-war appearance.

Dinant is also the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone. A street named after him passes in front of Dinant's most recognized landmark, the collegiate church.

Tourist Office
A tourist information office can be found at the, only a block or two from the train station and offers free WiFi.

Get in
Dinant is not very well connected to major cities in Belgium as it is on a side railway line forking out from the mainline in Namur. It is actually easier and quicker to get to Dinant by car, thanks to Belgium's excellent motorway system.

By plane
The closest airports are Brussels, Charleroi and Liège. Getting from either of them to Namur by public transport is a bit complicated and will take 2-2½ hours.
 * From Brussels Airport, take the train to Brussels-Nord, and change there for the hourly direct train to Dinant. If you do not want to wait for the next one, you can take a train to Namur (departs every 20 minutes), and change for one of the more frequent Dinant-bound trains there. Either way, getting from Brussels-Nord to Dinant by train takes around 1½ hours.
 * From Charleroi Airport, you need to take the bus to Charleroi Sud railway station, then a train to Namur, and then change to one departing for Dinant. Each part of the journey takes around 30 minutes, and both trains depart every half an hour, so you should be able to get from CRL to Dinant in about 2 hours.
 * From Liège Airport, you need to take the bus 57 to Liège-Guillemins train station (20 min, bus schedule coordinated with train departures to Brussels or Namur), which runs only a few times a day and not at all on weekends or holidays. From Guillemins, take a train to Namur (44 min, every half an hour) and change there to the train to Dinant (also every 30 min, journey takes another half an hour).

By train
The is in the centre of Dinant, about 5 minutes walk to the river, from where you can see the Citadel and the main parts of Dinant. From Brussels, the train to Dinant takes around 1½ hr, with the exact time depending on the station in Brussels you choose as your point of departure. Trains to Dinant depart every hour. From other locations in Belgium other than those close by, as well as from abroad, you need to change in either Namur or Brussels.

By car
The A4 motorway (E114) from Brussels to Luxembourg City passes immediately east of Dinant, the drive takes a little over an hour from either capital. Namur is also on the same motorway. From other major cities in Wallonia, take A15 (E42) and turn into A4 at Daussoulx. From destinations elsewhere or farther away, make your way to either of the abovementioned motorways.

Get around
No need to take public transport at all since Dinant is a very small town and the main tourist sites are within walking distance.

Buy
Couque de Dinant, a type of very hard biscuits, is the local speciality, typically eaten with coffee or hot chocolate.

Eat
There are several nice restaurants along the river, some with lovely views. Next to the departure points of boat tours, there is a Match supermarket. For a cheap lunch, buy some groceries and enjoy a picnic by the riverside!

Sleep
The city of Dinant has only three proper hotels and one hostel, but if you are enticed to stay longer by the irresistible charm of the location, there are plentiful (yet pricey!) apartments and houses to rent in and around the city.

Connect
There is free WiFi in the tourism office.

Stay safe
Being the relaxed small town it is, Dinant does not pose any major danger to travellers.

Go next

 * Namur — You probably have to go through this city on your way to Dinant. This provincial capital is worth some time as well.

title: Dinant


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Dinas Mawddwy

Dinas Mawddwy is a village in Gwynedd within the Snowdonia National Park. The village stands amongst the spectacular scenery where the Rivers Cerist and Dyfi meet under the hills of Foel Benddin (543 m) and Foel Dinas (478 m).

Understand
Dinas Mawddwy is just to the east of the main A470, and consequently many visitors pass the village by. The village marks the junction of the unclassified road to Llanuwchllyn which climbs up through the mountains to cross Bwlch y Groes at its highest point, the second highest road pass in Wales. This minor road also provides the closest access to the mountain Aran Fawddwy and is the nearest settlement to Craig Cywarch.

Dinas Mawddwy stands at the confluence of three rivers. The Afon Cywarch flows from the mountains to the north and the Afon Cerist flows from the west, both joining the River Dyfi here. The Dyfi flows south to Cemmaes Road where it turns west to head past Machynlleth to the Irish Sea. The mountains to the north are the Aran Fawddwy range of high, rocky peaks. To the south and the west stand the Dyfi Hills, dominated by Maesglase 3 miles (4.8 km) west of the town. Dinas Mawddwy is dominated by Foel Dinas which looms high over the west side of the valley.

Its population in 2011 was roughly 600.

History
There are thought to be two Iron Age fortifications in the immediate vicinity of Dinas Mawddwy. One is on the top of Moel Benddin, where a low depression forms the supposed site. The second fortification was in C'aer-bryn field, to the south of the Buckley Arms Hotel, that still had stonework in place in the late 18th century.

The Ancient borough of Mawddwy was the only remaining part of the Kingdom of Powys still ruled by members of the native royal family (of Powys Wenwynwyn) after 1309. On the division of the realm in 1293, Mawddwy had been awarded to William de la Pole (of Mawddwy) and his descendants. The ruling family in Mawddwy would expire in the male line in 1414.

Dinas Mawddwy was the seat of the borough of Mawddwy and received its charter in 1394; it retained that status until 1886. The Mayor of Mawddwy had the power to try offenders within the borough and punish them in the stocks, and to grant licences to public houses.

In the 16th century, the Mawddwy area was home to a band of highway robbers and bandits named the ‘Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy’ or ‘Gwylliaid y Dugoed’. The Gwylliaid were supposedly the dregs of society, who came to the Dinas Mawddwy area having been exiled from their own areas. Some were hanged and others were exiled from the area forever. Two brothers pleaded to be pardoned by the Baron Owain, and his rejection of the plea enraged the Gwylliaid. They were intent on revenge and one night, while the Baron travelled home from Montgomeryshire, the Gwylliaid set traps on the road and shot arrows at the baron and his company. His body was found with thirty arrows attached to it.

Get in
Dinas Mawddwy is just off the A470, the main north-south trunk road in Wales. The nearest railway station is at Machynlleth, from where there is a regular bus service.

Do

 * Take the unclassified road from the village centre to Llanuwchllyn, at the southern end of Bala Lake, across Bwlch y Groes, the highest road in Wales.
 * The Bwlch yr Oerddrws pass to the west, which carries the A470 towards Dolgellau is a popular location for photographers trying to catch spectacular shots of low-flying military jets.
 * There are many outdoor activities in the area: hiking, cycling, golf, sightseeing, horse riding, and shooting
 * You can climb Cader Idris, at 893 m it is one of Wales’ most popular peaks for hill walking.
 * The Dyfi Valley and the area around Dinas Mawddwy has many hiking trails and rights of way.
 * For mountain bikers, the Coed y Brenin Forest Trails and the Machynlleth Trails, are a short drive away.

Go next

 * Dolgellau
 * Llanfair Caereinion
 * Machynlleth

title: Dinas Mawddwy


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Dindigul

Dindigul is a city of 290,000 people (2011) and the headquarters of Dindigul district in Southwestern Tamil Nadu.

Understand
Dindigul district was carved out of the composite Madurai District in 1985. It's surrounded by mountains. Travellers to the villages in this area are advised to pick up a few essential sentences in the local language Tamil as many people do not speak English.

By plane
The nearest airports are at Madurai (Madurai Airport - 1½ hours away) and Trichy(Trichy Airport. Dindigul city is approximately 60 km from Madurai.

By train
Dindigul junction is on the main train route from Chennai-Madurai-Kanyakumari and is approximately 440 km from Chennai.

Kodaikanal road station is approximately 22 km from Dindigul Junction

By road
Dindigul is on the NH7 highway from Chennai to Madurai.

Do

 * The travelers to this area can visit the various scenic spots near the rivers, dams and picnic spots.
 * Trekking in Sirumalai, Kodaikanal Hills
 * The devotees can visit many temples in the area near Batlagundu, and Dindigul.
 * Dindigul is famous for locks, Biriyani and cigar.

Buy

 * Locks: Dindigul is known for good quality and durable iron-lock steel safes. Dindigul locks are sold to local, national, and international markets.
 * Sarees: Silk sarees and Sungudi sarees can be bought here
 * Brassvessels and jewellery can be bought in Nilakottai
 * Cardamom and coffee are famous in Pattiveeranpatti near Batlagundu
 * saree are famous in chinnalapati.

Eat
Dindigul is famous for its Briyani which is quite distinct from those in other parts of the country. The recipe is believed to have been passed on by an Iranian national. However, since then the recipe has become more localised.

 * Bismilla A small hotel famous for its taste
 * Bismilla A small hotel famous for its taste
 * Bismilla A small hotel famous for its taste
 * Bismilla A small hotel famous for its taste

There are many budget restaurants that serve south Indian dishes in Dindigul city. Some of them are:

 * AryaBhavan, Bus Stand
 * AshokBhavan, Main road
 * Kurinji
 * SaravanaBhavan, Bus Stand

Drink

 * Dolphin Bar cheapest bar
 * Mr. Soda famous among the youngsters in Dindigul

Sleep
There are many lodging options in Dindigul. Visitors to Dindigul district can stay in hotels in Dindigul and Dindigul district.

Stay safe
It is advisable to visit the village temples in the morning (before 11AM) as the temples usually will be closed later.

The roads in and around the villages may be narrow and drivers are required to be careful here.

Go next
The travelers can go to places like Madurai, Trichy, Munnar, Kodaikanal, Palani from here

title: Dindigul


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Dingboche

Dingboche is a relatively large village in Khumbu, located between Pangboche and Chukhung. It is above the tree line, and so lacks the greenery of the villages below.

Buy

 * There is an Internet cafe charging 20 Rs per minute. It is the last village where it is still possible to access the Internet with prepaid cards by the company Everest Link.

Sleep
There are a few lodges in Dingboche, including
 * Island Peak View Lodge, which offers simple clean rooms, a good hot (gas powered) shower and fine Masala tea.

title: Dingboche


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Dingwall

Dingwall is a town in Easter Ross in the Scottish Highlands, with a population in 2020 of 5360. Its name derives from the Scandinavian Þingvöllr, a meeting-place, and it was once astride several transport routes. As it was at the head of Cromarty Firth it had a harbour, roads out of the northwest Highlands converged here, and the Edinburgh - Inverness - John o'Groats A9 crossed the rivers above the Firth. But the harbour silted up in the 18th century; a canal was cut to town but wasn't a commercial success. The main roads bypassed it in the 20th century, and the county of which it was county town was reformed out of existence. So "the meeting place" is something of a backwater, but has preserved its 19th-century centre.

By road
Take the A9 from Inverness over Kessock Bridge (toll-free) to Tore, then A835 heading for Ullapool. If you're following the North Coast 500 itinerary, this is where you need to decide which way round you're going: it's usually followed clockwise but either is fine.

By bus
Stagecoach Highlands buses 27 / 25A run from Inverness, taking 35 min by that direct route; some start from Culloden. They're hourly M-Sa, every two hours on Sunday, and continue to Strathpeffer and Contin.

Bus 28 (hourly M-Sa) is a slower route, taking 80 min via Beauly (for Priory) and Muir of Ord (for Singleton Distillery).

By train
Dingwall has trains M-Sa every hour or so from Inverness, taking 35 mins via Beauly, Muir of Ord and Conon Bridge. Four of these continue north via Tain, Golspie (for Dunrobin Castle), Helmsdale, Thurso (for ferries to Orkney) and Wick. Four other trains branch west via Achnasheen and Plockton to Kyle of Lochalsh, for buses to Skye. On Sunday the trains from Inverness are every 2-3 hours, mostly terminating at Tain.

Get around
You need your own wheels to reach the Red Kites Reserve.

Do

 * What's on? Read Ross-shire Journal or Press & Journal.
 * Walk Britain's shortest canal, the one-mile stretch of the disused Dingwall canal. It passes a firing range so don't walk there if red flags are flying.
 * Football: Ross County FC play soccer in the Premiership, Scotland's top tier. Their home ground is Victoria Park (capacity 6500) just east of the railway station.
 * Shinty: Beauly play in Mowi National Division, the second tier, with their home ground at Braeview Park in Beauly. Lovat play in the Premiership, the top tier, further south at Kiltarlity. The playing season is April-Oct.
 * Dingwall Leisure Centre has a gym, pool and fitness classes. It's north on Tulloch Ave, open M-F 7AM-9PM, Sa Su 8AM-6PM.
 * Golf: Muir of Ord GC is 5 miles south. White tees 5542 yards, par 68, visitor round M-F £18, Su £25, no Saturday visits. The 13th green is a "henge", some sort of prehistoric structure: maybe ritual or a fortified dwelling place, as it wouldn't serve as a fort. It's not known if it was early medieval or very much older, and the site was disrupted by the golf course extension in the 1980s. All that archaeologists can agree on is that it makes Hole 13 "Castle Hill" (short par 3, 111 yards) a tricky approach.
 * Black Isle Show is an agricultural fair, with the occasional piper but not the mass tartanry of Highland Games. It's held at the showground at Muir of Ord, with the next on Th 1 Aug 2024.
 * Tartan Heart is a family-friendly festival on Belladrum Estate south of Beauly, with the next on 25-27 July 2024.
 * Tartan Heart is a family-friendly festival on Belladrum Estate south of Beauly, with the next on 25-27 July 2024.

Buy

 * Tesco is the main store, north side on Mart Rd. It's open M-Sa 6AM-midnight, Su 8AM-10PM and has a 24-hour filling station.
 * Lidl, east off Tulloch St, is smaller, and open daily 8AM-9PM.

Eat

 * Others in town centre are Ding's Chinese (closed Mon), Pronto Pizza, Renato's fish & chips (closed Monday), County Kebab, Cafe India and Chili Masala.
 * Others in town centre are Ding's Chinese (closed Mon), Pronto Pizza, Renato's fish & chips (closed Monday), County Kebab, Cafe India and Chili Masala.
 * Others in town centre are Ding's Chinese (closed Mon), Pronto Pizza, Renato's fish & chips (closed Monday), County Kebab, Cafe India and Chili Masala.
 * Others in town centre are Ding's Chinese (closed Mon), Pronto Pizza, Renato's fish & chips (closed Monday), County Kebab, Cafe India and Chili Masala.

Drink

 * The Caledonian is a cheerful bar on High St.
 * Glen Wyvis make gin and whisky half a mile north of Tulloch Castle. No tours.
 * Glen Wyvis make gin and whisky half a mile north of Tulloch Castle. No tours.

Sleep

 * Waverley Inn is opposite National Hotel. So too is Royal Hotel, which gets rotten reviews.
 * Waverley Inn is opposite National Hotel. So too is Royal Hotel, which gets rotten reviews.
 * Waverley Inn is opposite National Hotel. So too is Royal Hotel, which gets rotten reviews.

Connect
As of July 2022, Dingwall and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers, though the signal from Vodafone is patchy. 5G is available along the A9 but doesn't yet reach town.

Go next

 * Strathpeffer is a Victorian spa town five miles west.
 * Fortrose and Rosemarkie are twin towns on the east tip of Black Isle. Watch the dolphins from Chanonry Point.
 * Inverness is a pleasant 19th-century city and the region's transport hub.
 * North Coast 500 is a motoring itinerary looping from Inverness, so Dingwall could be your first or last stop.

title: Dingwall


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Dinkelland

Dinkelland is a municipality in the region of Twente, in Overijssel. It is formed by the towns of, and. The three towns are very small and provide a truly scenic view of the region of Twente. Main attractions are the medieval town of Ootmarsum, the former monastery Het Stift in Weerselo, and some historical buildings from Denekamp.

Understand
It is known that Ootmarsum has existed at least since the 800s, and the town was named in 917. Ootmarsum was an important city during the Middle Ages, and it gained city rights from the bishop of Utrecht around 1300. The lack of canals and railways excluded Ootmarsum from the industrial development of the region of Twente, and prevented it from being targeted by contemporary wars. Ootmarsum is a town frozen in time.

Denekamp was named in 1276, and historically functioned as a rural village. Unlike other towns and villages in the region, Denekamp maintained the Roman Catholic faith during the Reform period.

By bus
To get to Ootmarsum, take bus 64 at either Almelo or Oldenzaal train stations. To get to Denekamp, take bus 62 at Oldenzaal. An one-way trip costs about €2 with an OV-chipkaart, €4 with a paper ticket.

By bicycle
From the Oldenzaal train station (where you can rent a bicycle), the distance to Weerselo is about 8 km, to Denekamp 9.5 km and to Ootmarsum 12 km.

Weerselo
Weerselo only has a single B&B and no hotels due to competition from Oldenzaal and Hengelo. If you wish to visit Weerselo, either book the B&B listed below, elsewhere in Dinkelland or in Oldenzaal or Hengelo.

title: Dinkelland