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Riviera Beach

Riviera Beach is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida. It is a harbor city located along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in Southeast Florida. The 75 degree weather is year around and makes the beaches great for sporting events.

By plane
Palm Beach International Airport (PBIA IATA), located in neighboring West Palm Beach, is a small airport serving most major cities in the Eastern and Midwest United States, along with a handful of international destinations in the Caribbean. From the airport, Riviera Beach's Blue Heron Boulevard exit is about 12 miles north on I-95. Riviera Beach is also accessible from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL IATA), which serves a greater variety of domestic and international destinations. Further afield, Miami International Airport (MIA IATA) has flights to most American cities along with Europe and the Middle East.

By train
Intercity passenger rail service is pretty non-existent in Riviera Beach proper, but Amtrak has a station in neighboring West Palm Beach served by the Silver Star, Silver Meteor, and Palmetto lines connecting to elsewhere in Florida and other cities on the Eastern Seaboard. West Palm Beach is also served by the new Brightline, which offers higher-speed connections to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and by 2022, Orlando. Both stations are located in downtown West Palm Beach, which can be reached via I-95.

The regional Tri-Rail commuter line connects destinations in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties, including the Fort Lauderdale and Miami airports. The closest station to Riviera Beach is located in the community of Mangonia Park, just north of West Palm Beach. The station can be accessed from most of the city via US-1 or President Barack Obama Highway, east of I-95, or by PalmTran bus. Facilities are very minimal - little more than an outdoor platform with an automated ticket machine and a parking lot. If using the train to venture to other destinations within South Florida, be aware that the stations are located several miles west of the beach and most cities' downtown cores - great for commuters who have a station close to home, but a little inconvenient for travelers attempting to tour the area without a car, unless you're willing to connect via a ride-share service at both ends of your trip.

By boat
The Port of Palm Beach is located in Riviera Beach. While it mainly serves cargo ships, there's an occasional overnight cruise to Grand Bahama. Riviera Beach also hosts one of the area's better marinas, with slips available from $3-4 per foot, per day.

By car
I-95 serves as the main north-south thoroughfare connecting Riviera Beach to other destinations within South Florida and beyond. Exit 76 (Blue Heron Boulevard) is the main entry point for Riviera Beach, most of which lies on the east side of the interstate. The ritzy Singer Island neighborhood is accessible either via the Blue Heron Boulevard Bridge, or from the north (but not the south) via State Route A1A.

Do
Riviera Beach Marina Village aims to transform the city into a tourist destination on par with neighboring Jupiter, Delray Beach, and Boca Raton and serves as a hub for watersports and boating tours in the city. Several retailers located within the marina offer a comparable menu of rentals, charters, private tours (from parasailing to snorkeling to sunset cruises), and lessons. Expect a stand-up paddleboard rental to set you back $30/hour, a kayak $50 for 2 hours, snorkeling gear $30 for 2 hours and other craft like jet skis and small powerboats $100-200+. Tour and lesson prices vary by what's being offered, length, and time of day, but anything from $40 to $200 per person is typical. The marina also offers a small park with splash bad, a restaurant, and a short beach.

Go next

 * North Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, and Palm Beach surround the city.

title: Riviera Beach


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Riyadh

Riyadh (الرياض ar-Riyāḍ) is the capital of Saudi Arabia, slightly east of the center of the country in the heart of the Tuwaig escarpment.

Understand
Known by local wags as the Dead Center of the Kingdom, Riyadh is considered the most straight-laced of the Kingdom's big three cities. With many forms of entertainment banned, few sights of interest and a brutal climate, Riyadh is a business-only destination if there ever was one, but it's also the best place in the Kingdom to watch the continuing collision of tribal Wahhabi conservatism grappling with modern technology and Western influences, and things have loosened up slightly under Crown Prince MBS's watch.

History

Until the 16th century, Riyadh was known as "Hajr", an important city of central Arabia dating from at least the 3rd century CE (and probably older). In the Middle Ages, Hajr served as the capital of the province of Al-Yamamah, whose viceroys presided over most of central and eastern Arabia.

With the decline in the fortunes and wealth of central Arabia after the 10th century, the name Al-Yamama gradually disappeared, and Hajr became subsumed under the name "Najd", which had referred only to areas lying further west. The name Hajr also gave way to the name "Ar-Riyadh" (meaning "the gardens"), as the old city broke into several towns and farming estates.

In the early 1900s, Riyadh was a dusty walled town of under 20,000 people surrounded by palm groves, fertile wadis, and a number of small villages. Riyadh (or, rather, the neighboring hamlet of Diriyah) is the ancestral home of the al-Sauds. Driven out by the Rashids in 1891, King Abdulaziz ibn Saud famously raided and recaptured the city in 1902. The city was made the capital of Saudi Arabia when the country was born in 1932, and has grown explosively ever since then. In 2008, the city was estimated to have 5 million inhabitants; as of 2018, its population is 7.7 million people.

Orientation
Riyadh is vast and sprawling. The main roads are King Fahd Rd (طريق الملك فهد tariq al-malek al-Fahd), which runs north to south across the city, and Makkah Rd (aka Khurais Rd), which runs west to east, intersecting at Cairo Square — which is actually just a cloverleaf interchange.

The modern business districts of Olaya (العليا, pron. Oleyah) and Suleimaniyah, containing most offices and better hotels, are to the north of Makkah Rd. Here Riyadh's two skyscrapers serve as handy orientation points: Faisaliah Tower (the pointy one) is towards the southern end of Olaya, while Kingdom Centre (the bottle opener) is at the northern end. Both are located between King Fahd Rd and the parallel thoroughfare of Olaya Rd, which is Riyadh's main upscale shopping strip.

The historical core of Riyadh is to the south of Makkah Rd. The district of al-Murabba hosts the sprawling grounds of the King Abdul Aziz Historical Park, home to the National Museum and the Murabba Palace, while a kilometer to the south is the dense warren of al-Bathaa, host to the city's cheapest food, lodging and shopping and the hub of the minibus network. Further south yet is Deira, centered on as-Sa'ah Square, which has souqs (traditional markets), the Masmak Fortress, the Governor's offices and, more morbidly, the execution grounds.

Climate
Located in the middle of the country, Riyadh suffers from the worst of Saudi Arabia's climatic extremes. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 50°C, while winter temperatures can fall below zero. It's bone dry throughout the year, and when the wind blows the city is often covered in a haze of sand. However, while summers are blazing hot, they are not humid, which goes some way to alleviate the pain. Summer evenings are generally tolerable and one even encounters the occasional cool breeze, especially on the outskirts of town.

The climate has been shifting in this part of the world as well. Temperatures near 50°C are usually only reached end of July and in August. In 2009, the temperature in Riyadh hit 48°C mid-June. Especially if you wear a business suit, it is imperative to stay out of the sun.

Get in
Riyadh is a long way from anywhere, so odds are fairly high you'll be arriving by plane.

By plane

Aside from Saudia, direct connections from outside the Gulf and South Asia are surprisingly limited, but options include Lufthansa from Frankfurt, British Airways from London-Heathrow, Air France from Paris, Turkish Airlines from Istanbul IST and Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong. The most internationally popular route, though, is via Dubai, from where there are at least half a dozen flights daily. Domestically, Riyadh is one of the main hubs and there are flights to every corner of the Kingdom, including near-hourly departures to Jeddah. Unlike Jeddah, immigration and customs clearance at Riyadh is usually fairly straightforward (unless the computer system is down). Standing in the wrong line for immigration may work out fine for you, or you may be catapulted back to the end of a different line when you hit the front position (making all that waiting worthless). The row for "Exit/Entry Visas" is only for resident expats that have left the country temporarily, to visit family for example.

You'll probably be accosted by touts as you soon as you exit customs, but just ignore them and head to the taxi ranks outside or use taxi hailing apps like Uber and Careem (the Middle Eastern option). While the official taxis are supposed to use a zone-based flat fare system, with most of central Riyadh in the SR45 or 55 zones, the list of zones is available only in Arabic. A metered fare to the city should cost SR70-90, but more often than not the driver will just ask for a flat fare, which may even work out a little cheaper. If you've let yourself be scored by one of the private drivers (that are not only inside the terminal building but also outside), make sure the price you agreed on is truly agreed on, or your driver may tell you that he didn't agree to SR80 but rather 180, meaning you'll settle on 120. The better bet is taking an official taxi! A good alternative - if offered - is to take a hotel limousine. These are often not much more expensive than the taxi trip, but mostly high-quality, comfortable cars rather than run-down, creaky old clunkers with worn-through seats.

The trip to the city takes about 30 minutes in good traffic. Don't be irritated if the taxi is stopped at a control point by police (at which time the driver will put on his seatbelt and his mobile onto handsfree, two actions that are usually reversed as soon as the control point is passed).

When checking in, one airport quirk bears noting: you have to pass your bags through an X-ray before checking in, and after getting your boarding pass, you have to go right through the same security gate in reverse to find immigration and departures. Don't go up the staircase — it's a dead end leading only to the viewing lounge.

By train
Rail traffic to Riyadh is increasing, with the city being the center of a new high speed network that's under construction. The classic line runs from the coastal city of Dammam, near the border with Bahrain, via Al-Hofuf and Al-Hasa. There are five trains per day with a journey time of 3½ hours for the full length. Additionally, there is at least one train per day from Ha'il and Buraydah on the new North-South line, taking 2½ hours. In the future trains will run from Al-Qurrayat near the border with Jordan.

There are two stations: trains from Damman arrive at the older (محطة قطار الرياض) is located south of the city centre, along Omar Ibn Al Khattab Road. The brand-new is along Ath Thumamah Road in the northern parts of the city. For both stations, it's recommended to show up at least 30 minutes early, as you'll need to pass through security before boarding.

Two Saudi railway companies were merged in 2021, with the new one called Saudi Arabia Railways.

By car
The main east-west road through Riyadh is Highway 40 from Dammam and the causeway from Bahrain to Khobar with other road links mainly leading to the North of the Kingdom.

Most roads are tarmacked, albeit to varying levels of repair. Driving standards are slightly more sensible than those of the city centers, but caution is still needed. Some highways see heavy usage from lorries and petrol tankers, often in convoy.

Get around
Riyadh is very much a car-oriented city, and public transportation in Riyadh is badly underdeveloped. There are no street addresses as such in Riyadh, as mail is delivered to post office boxes, so getting around requires knowing landmarks near the place where you want to go. The only reliable means of transport in Riyadh is a car: you would either depend on cabs or you would have to rent your own car. Generally prices are lower in Riyadh than most other big cities in the world.

If you are travelling by your own car then it is wise to carry a GPS system or better yet use Google Maps as it seems to be the most updated of the navigation systems with the different points of interest. Plan your route before the start of the journey. Although many streets, roads and landmarks are marked in both Arabic & English yet there are a few important major streets, roads and exits that are still marked in Arabic only.

It is important to carry your valid identification (i.e. passport, national ID, or Iqama) at all times. You may experience difficulties obtaining accommodation and may experience bigger problems if you are stopped at any of the city's check points (these can be both permanent or temporary). Not being able to show valid identification when asked by the police may land you in jail. Therefore, it is also advisable to keep details of your sponsor on hand in case you require assistance while out and about.

By taxi
Most visitors rely on white taxis, which are abundant in the city centre but can be harder to find on the outskirts or at night. The ride-hailing apps in Riyadh are Uber and Careem. For taxis, drivers will usually use the meter without asking if you do not propose a fixed price, and with a starting fare of SR5 and the meter ticking up SR1.60/km after the first kilometer, most metered trips within the city cost under SR30. However, locals usually prefer to negotiate fares in advance, and this can often be cheaper than using the meter: short hops start at SR10, a longer journey might be SR15.

Single women are legally allowed to take registered public taxis, but many female visitors and expats choose not to, opting for transport provided by a hotel, their company or compound instead.

The level of English spoken varies from decent (especially Indian and Pakistani drivers) to non-existent, so try to find out the name of your destination in Arabic before you head off. Solo male travelers are expected to hop into the front seat, next to the driver, while women must sit in the back.

Drivers are usually familiar with major local landmarks, but you're expected to know your way to your destination from there. Bring a map and the phone number of someone at your destination to call for directions.

By bus
Flat-fare minibuses (SR3) rumble the streets of Riyadh, but these are mostly used by laborers. They are quite difficult for the casual visitor to use: there are no posted stops, and routes are usually written only in Arabic. Most routes converge on al-Bathaa, and the adventurous visitor can try his luck on route 9, which runs from al-Bathaa up Olaya Road.

January 2024: most stops on route 9 are now marked and sheltered with air conditioning. English annoucements are available on vehicles. Tickets can be purchased at kiosks at bus stands. Contactless payment onboard is also available.

By car
The best option for traveling in Riyadh is your own car, ideally driven by somebody else used to the conditions, but many expats take the plunge and drive themselves. The traffic in Riyadh is, by Saudi standards, fairly sane: ubiquitous raised bumps on lane markers keep cars traveling more or less in a straight line, and radar-equipped cops on the major highways zap the craziest of speeders. Still, the local driving style can charitably be described as "aggressive", with swerving from the leftmost lane to the exit ramp on a four-lane highway being par for course, and central Riyadh jams up almost daily during rush hour.

On foot
The modern, northern half of Riyadh is very pedestrian-hostile, with 8-lane roads filled with speeding SUVs making crossing the road a dangerous exercise. Pedestrian bridges and proper sidewalk are very few and far between, even if there has been a push from the local government to improve the situation. There are plenty of reckless drivers and caution is needed even at stoplights. Add in the fearsome summer heat, and it's little surprise that there aren't too many people walking about. But if you're the fearless type, walking can be a great way of seeing the city. Make sure to stay in the shade, be careful along stretches without a pedestrian walkway.

One exception to the car dominance is al-Bathaa, most of the alleys in this neighborhood are too narrow or congested for cars and walking is the only way of getting around.

By bicycle
Cycling is uncommon in Riyadh, but there is a small network of protected cycle paths.

See

Sightseeing in Riyadh is a frustrating exercise in careful timing: not only are most sites closed on weekends (F-Sa) and during prayer hours, but visiting hours are segregated between men and families, though some flexibility might be provided for western nationals. The one saving grace is that many sites stay open until 9PM.

Wadi Hanifa
A dry and sharply defined riverbed (wadi) begins about 40 km north of Riyadh and runs in a north-south direction for over 120 km, cutting through the western edge of the city, known as Wadi Hanifah. Wadi Hanifah was once the lifeblood of the Riyadh area, rich in groundwater, filled with palm groves and farms and dotted with a string of small towns and villages throughout history. The Wadi has been used as a large dumping ground for wastewater, sewage, and industrial waste, but an ambitious rehabilitation project has been completed. An 80 km stretch running through western Riyadh is now essentially an 80-km desert park, though many parts of the Wadi floor are occupied by private estates and farms with high walls. The Wadi has several entry points, but perhaps the easiest route is by taking King Abdullah Road west past the university and into the town of Arqah. Eventually, you will reach a large round-about. Take the exit heading downwards into the Wadi. Follow the road even as it winds and weaves its way through the Wadi (do not be tempted to turn onto any side streets). Eventually, you will reach a police checkpoint, to the left of which is an entry point to the Wadi floor. A narrow paved road runs along the Wadi floor. Heading southwards, you will eventually find designated picnic and barbecue spots facing the Wadi's cliff-like walls.

While dry for most of the year, wadis can flood very quickly with a moderate amount of rain. Never approach a wadi during the rain or even its immediate aftermath. Even looking over the edge of a wadi can be dangerous as the Wadi's edges can break off during the rain. Every year, several deaths are reported from flash floods all across Saudi Arabia.

Al-Dir'iyyah
Located on a hill overlooking Wadi Hanifa, Al-Dir'iyyah, on the northwestern outskirts of Riyadh, is the ancestral home of the Saudi royal family and served as the Saudi capital until 1818. The ruins of the old city are being restored and renovated. Opened as of December 2022.

Do
Although few Saudis play golf, there are surprisingly good golf courses around. The best one is the 18-holes course in a good 30 minutes drive west of Riyadh. Nice layout with green and inviting grass, and the last 9 holes are even floodlit. They offer tennis, swimming and horse-back riding as well. There's also a quite nice 9-holes short range course connected to the Hotel Intercontinental almost in the dead centre of the city. Nice but short - also floodlit. If you travel about 20 minutes to the north-east you will find a not so nice desert course with browns instead of greens (the putting area consist of sand/oil mixture instead of grass).

Head west down the Makkah Road for 30 minutes, and you'll reach the edge of the Tuwaig Escarpment. As you make the 200-m sharp drop from the Tuwaig escarpment to Najd-proper, you will get a good feel of the desert with dunes and buttresses.

Heading northeast of the airport to the Thumama sand dunes, one can engage in "dune bashing" in 4x4 SUVs or in rented ATVs.

 * Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium and Riyadh Stadium are two new venues under construction.
 * Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium and Riyadh Stadium are two new venues under construction.
 * Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium and Riyadh Stadium are two new venues under construction.
 * Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium and Riyadh Stadium are two new venues under construction.

Since 2018, you can enjoy one of several newly opened cinema complexes that show the latest Western, Arabic, and Indian movies, the movies shown are censored though. (Check the VOX Cinema website for detailed information of movie listings and locations.)

Red Sands Desert Tour Several tour companies offer desert trips, mostly to Ad-Dahna desert 1 hour east of Riyadh near the road towards Dammam. Tours usually run from 2pm to 11pm and include drinks, food and activities such as volleyball, sand boarding, etc. (250 SAR) Some tours let you camp in the desert. Reliable operator include Yalla Hike, HikeMania and Riyadh Hiking.

Shopping malls
Riyadh's main roads are nothing but one shopping mall after another.

Eat
Eating out is one of the few pleasures of Riyadh — there's a pretty good selection of restaurants for various cuisines, ranging from cheap and hearty to fancy and expensive.

Budget
Your best bet for cheap, filling meals are Riyadh's countless small Pakistani/Indian restaurants, which can fill you up with curry and rice for about SR11.

Fast food places abound in Riyadh's shopping malls, with a full meal with drink averaging around SR20. If you want something other than the usual hamburgers and kebabs, Pizza Hut offers a pretty good salad buffet.

Drink
With alcohol and nightclubs banned, Riyadh's nightlife is infamously nonexistent. Shisha (water pipe) cafes, long banned, were finally allowed back within city limits from 2019 -- ask a local (or any taxi driver) for his favorite. Coffeeshops can also be found in abundance throughout the city, particularly on Tahlia St (officially Prince Mohammed Bin Abdul Aziz St) in Olaya.

For the foreign workers - the expats - the social life can be quite (well, comparatively) rich however. There are always a good party going on in the embassy area or in one of the compounds. And at these private parties there's always a chance to find some illegal booze.

In case you run into it, especially within expat communities, Saudi champagne refers to a non-alcoholic drink, typically a mix of Sprite and apple cider.

Budget
Most of Riyadh's budget accommodation is in al-Batha. It is advised that you should check the room condition and proper functioning of all equipment (e.g. TAP/FLUSH/TV/Power Outlets etc.)in budget hotel prior to check in.

Splurge

At the upper end, hotel prices in Riyadh have increased rapidly in the past few years and are now almost as expensive as Dubai. Expect to pay north of SR600.

Connect
Internet cafes can be found in the computer souq in Olaya. Riyadh is also pushing forward with its "Smart City" program, which will attempt to provide wireless access throughout the city in the major coffeeshops and hotels, particularly on Tahlia St in the downtown area.

Pretty much every place offers free Wifi. Be aware that logging in with international phone numbers will not work (Nov 2022) in most places.

Having a smart phone with internet access is essential as many services are available digital only (e.g. tickets sales).

Stay safe
Riyadh is more conservative than Jeddah or the Eastern Province. Women mostly cover themselves with an abaya (available in shops everywhere in Riyadh) but covering the faces become less common. Read, understand and follow the guidelines in the Saudi Arabia article to stay out of trouble.

In 2002-2004, Riyadh was the site of numerous terrorist attacks on Westerners, including shootings, car bombings and kidnappings, culminating in the May 12, 2003 compound bombings that killed 35 and injured over 160. In response, Saudi security forces cracked down brutally, and there have been no terrorist attacks in Riyadh since 2004. Security remains very tight though, particularly at housing compounds for foreigners, and police and army units, often heavily armed, are a common sight in the city.

Although Riyadh is sometimes alleged to have one of the lowest crime rates in the world, standard precautions should be taken. The most significant danger to you is driving. Most drivers originate from areas in developing countries and the Middle East which lack traffic laws, driving schools, or even roads for that matter. It's a 'driving culture' where seat belts, mirrors, lane stripes, turn signals and speed limits are ignored. A four-lane highway can easily transform into a seven-lane 'racetrack'. Don't be shy with your horn. Also, whatever you do, do not flip someone the finger/bird as it is taken very differently in Saudi Arabia than in Western countries, and some drivers will kill you in retaliation.

Respect
Riyadh can be a challenging destination to live and work in. Some tips for easier adaptation:
 * Drive yourself, or at least arrange a regular cabbie. This is easier, safer and quite possibly cheaper than relying on taxis for transport.
 * Socializing with the family-oriented Saudis is virtually impossible, so get in touch with the local expat community if you want to have any semblance of a social life. A network of people from different nationalities will allow you better knowledge of (and access to) embassies and private parties.
 * Try to get out of Riyadh on the weekends for a change of venue. Though regulations for single males to enter shopping malls have been loosened, one quickly runs out of options without pre-planning private events.
 * Respect Islam and abide by the country's strict Islamic laws. Although rare, there are cases of Westerners arrested, deported and receiving corporal punishment for showing signs of disrespect. Expect no leniency if you are Muslim, South Asian or Southeast Asian. Riyadh is one of the strictest cities in Saudi Arabia.

Embassies

 * 🇵🇰 Pakistan
 * 🇪🇬 Egypt
 * 🇫🇮 Finland
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇮🇩 Indonesia
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇺🇸 United States
 * 🇫🇷 France

Go next
If your budget stretches to flights, Saudi Arabia is your oyster, with the entire country within a 1½-hour radius of Riyadh.

 * Jeddah — the largest port on the Red Sea and the gateway to Mecca and Medina, but with good scuba diving too
 * Bahrain — if you have a car, the 4-hour drive through the desert to the comparatively liberal state of Bahrain is not too bad
 * Dubai — The new luxurious party city of the Middle East. If you have a car, it will be a 10-hour drive east through the desert. For cheap flights, approximately 1½ hours, take a low-cost airline into Sharjah.

If you are willing to spend a bit more, there are great cultural and nightlife locations within a 3-hour flight (and USD300) radius.

 * Beirut — Saudi Arabian Airlines & Middle Eastern Airlines provide excellent connections multiple times a day. If you are for drinking on a plane, MEA will be your choice, as Saudia does not serve alcohol on any of its flights.
 * Muscat — This Arabian treasure provides an excellent home base for exploring Oman and its natural and cultural heritage with great opportunities for experienced and novice scuba divers alike.

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

title: Riyadh


text:
Rizal

The province of Rizal is the "R" in Calabarzon. It is a province to the east of Metro Manila with boundaries of the westernmost towns and cities of Cainta and Taytay blurring into the city of Pasig in the capital region. While becoming increasingly urbanized in the past few decades, it holds some rich secrets in both cultures and sights that are untouched by heavy and popular tourism yet are beauties of their own to be enjoyed.

Due to its proximity to Manila, Rizal is becoming an increasingly good residential option for professionals and students who opt to stay in close proximity to the center of action (Manila) yet far enough to allow occasional peace and quiet (which is becoming increasingly hard to get nowadays).

Cities

 * — provincial capital, location of the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage as well as restaurants overlooking Metro Manila
 * — home of the annual Higantes Festival & is the art capital of the Philippines.
 * Cainta — the gateway to Rizal province

Other destinations

 * Baras
 * Binangonan
 * Cardona
 * Jala-Jala
 * Morong
 * Pililla - home to Pililla wind farm
 * — formerly called Montalban, it is the location of Wawa Dam, which once supplied water for Metro Manila. The site of Avilon Zoo
 * San Mateo
 * Tanay — ecotourism destination on the slope of the Sierra Madre
 * Taytay — a town nicknamed 'Garment Capital of the Philippines' due to the presence of 'tiangge'
 * Teresa

Understand
Used to be a large province which hugged the north coastline of the Laguna de Bay, Rizal now forms half of what it used to be. Named after the national hero, Jose Rizal, the province hugs on the rugged Sierra Madre, which encouraged mass settlement on the lakeside and on the foothills. It is surrounded by Metro Manila to the west, Bulacan to the north, Quezon to the east, and Laguna and the Laguna de Bay to the south. Situated at the heart of the Tagalog homeland (Katagalugan), Rizal is culturally and linguistically Tagalog; much of the province's inhabitants are Tagalog speakers, except for a very small minority of Ilocano and Bicolano migrants.

Talk
Rizal, being part of the Southern Tagalog region, has Tagalog (the main basis of Filipino) as the language for everyday transactions though English is more than a second language to most people (especially to the professionals and the younger ones).

Get in
The nearest airport is Ninoy Aquino International Airport, but getting to Rizal from the airport is rather bewildering; you will have to get by Manila's notorious traffic and inefficient public transport. Bus service is severely lacking to serve most corners in Rizal, so you might need a car to cover everything not covered well by a jeepney.

Get around
Rizal's roads are notoriously small, crowded, and winding due to its geography, and public transportation is severely lacking once you head east. Driving around the province (by car or motorcycle) is much practical.

Bus service is severely lacking on most of the province. Jeepneys mostly provide most service in much of the province, but are in short supply at eastern Rizal.

The major highway through Rizal is Manila East Road, which runs east to west from the boundary with Laguna toward the suburban areas of Cainta and Taytay. While most of it has been widened to four lanes and sections through town centers have been bypassed, traffic is fairly slow.

The Marcos Highway (aka the Marilaque Highway), which crosses the Sierra Madre mountain range and leads to Infanta (Quezon Province, serves the central part of the province; it is a favorite route by motorcyclists with its climate and its winding route, but crashes occur often especially on its hairpin curves.

Eat

 * "Balot"
 * "Fried Itik" (Fried Duck) from Angono
 * "Aling Kika's Bibingka" from Cainta

title: Rizal


text:
Rize

Rize is a city on Turkey's Black Sea coast. It's not a real tourist attraction, but a good base for exploring the northeast.

Its name is most commonly associated with the cultivation of tea: Rize is the centre of the northeast coast, the only area with a suitable climate for the tea plants to flourish in the country. This is serious business: Turks are among the heaviest tea drinkers per capita in the world, as any traveller quickly finds out at the beginning of their trip to Turkey, and except for the negligible amount of imported material, all of that product comes from here.

By plane
, on an artificial island 36 km east of Rize, receives flights from Istanbul (both airports), Ankara, and Izmir.

Trabzon Airport, 73 km west, has far more frequent and geographically diverse connections from domestic, European, and Middle Eastern destinations.

By bus
One can reach Rize by taking a bus or dolmuş from Trabzon.

There are several options including dolmuş from the city centre, bus from the Otogar, Havas airport shuttle from the airport, and Prenskale Turizm bus from the city or from near the airport next to Kalamiş Restaurant. All should cost 15-20tl.

Get around
Much of Rize can be accessed on foot or by shuttle bus (dolmuş).

See

 * Visit the Botanik Çay Baçhesi (Botanical Tea Garden) and drink Rize's famous tea and sample local desserts.
 * Take a dolmuş to Tepebaşı from the mosque (cami) north of the central square. There are a number of excellent and affordable restaurants in Tepebasi that offer a full panorama of the city from a hilltop just outside of the city.
 * Take a dolmuş to Tepebaşı from the mosque (cami) north of the central square. There are a number of excellent and affordable restaurants in Tepebasi that offer a full panorama of the city from a hilltop just outside of the city.

Do

 * Drink tea and/or eat fish at a number of seaside restaurants along the coast opposıte from the cıty center.

Buy
Buy tea (çay)!

Eat
Try local Karadeniz specialties such as Muhlama, Hamsi Boreği, and Alabalik.

Drink
Rize is the capital city of tea, you can drink tea. Also, except for neighboring Of, Rize is the most conservative city outside central Anatolia. Don't expect to have an alcoholic drink anywhere except from a few remotely located liquor stores.

Sleep

Go next

 * Take a dolmuş to Ayder, access-point for the Kaçkar Dağlar (Kaçkar Mountains).
 * Çamlıhemşin with its stunning Ottoman Bridge spanning the Fırtına River.

title: Rize


text:
Rjukan

Rjukan is a town (population 3,000 in 2021) in the Tinn municipality of Telemark, Norway. The town was founded in 1908 by Sam Eyde, who started the plan of building a city from scratch, after buying the renowned Rjukan waterfall to make electric power for fertilizer production. The Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site is on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 2015.

Understand
The small town of Rjukan emerged because of the hydro power and factories producing artificial fertilizer established there. A short railway line connected the factory and power plant to Tinn lake where a special railway ferry carried wagons along the lake with further connections to Notodden and the ocean.

The name Rjukan refers to the Rjukan waterall (literally the "steaming" or "smoking" waterfall), this waterfall was used at the Vemork hydro power station (largest in the world when it was constructed in 1911). The waterfall has a total drop of about 240 metres, of which about 100 metres is vertical. Because of the hydro power the waterfall is now seen occasionally during summer. The waterfall was in the 1800s regarded as Norway's top tourist attraction, and one of the first outside visitors reported that he had discovered the "tallest waterfall in the world" (a slight exaggeration). Others described it as a "lovely and mighty waterfall beyond imagination."

Rjukan sits in a deep, narrow valley beneath the high barren plateau, partly known as Hardangervidda. A single distinct summit, Mount Gausta (1883 m.a.s.), rise above the plateau. Mt Gausta is probably the summit that offers the widest panorama, it has been estimated that the panorama covers some 60,000 km2 (twice the size of Belgium). Sam Eyde proposed an idea of bringing winter light to Rjukan about a century ago. Due to its location in a deep valley, Rjukan does not see sun between October and March. A project of mirrors installed on top of an adjacent mountain turning toward the sun as it moves along the sky and reflecting its light to the town square was completed in 2013.

During the second world war the German occupants produced heavy water at the Vemork facilities in Rjukan. Heavy water could potentially be used to produce nuclear weapons and the allies decided to destroy the production facility. In a daring and bold operation, a group of Norwegian commandos flown in from Britain managed to enter the plant and blow it up (no shots were fired and nobody killed). The movie Heroes of Telemark (1965) is based on the operation and was produced in Rjukan by Kirk Douglas (with son Michael in one his first jobs in the film industry).

By car
Recommended route is Oslo-Drammen-Kongsberg-Bolkesjø-Rjukan (180 km; 2½ hours). Alternative route Oslo-Drammen-Kongsberg-Notodden-Rjukan takes 15 minutes longer.

From western Norway, you take off E-134 to Arabygdi and then on to Road 37.

By bus
Search on https://en-tur.no. Normal travel time is 3 hours from the capital Oslo. Most common is bus all the way with change in Notodden (the Haugesund express and local bus), or train to Kongsberg and bus to Rjukan with change in Notodden.

See

Buy

 * Heavy Water You might buy an ampul of real heavy water at the Industrial Workers Museum or at VisitRjukans tourist office in town centre.
 * Tinn knife The Tinn community is traditionally famous for they blacksmiths, and a Tinn knife is attractive among collectors.
 * Goat cheese You might buy great high quality cheese made the traditional style in the mountain.
 * Rakfish Trout that is fermented for several months. A traditional speciality.
 * Potato lefse Before Christmas you might buy this delicate traditional potato lefse, which is popular at Christmas.

Go next

 * Kongsberg, silver mining town, half way to Oslo.
 * Heddal, Norway's biggest wooden stave church, towards blues town Notodden half way to Oslo.
 * Tuddal, great historical hotel.
 * Skinnarbu, great for hikingtrips and fishing.
 * Rauland, drive towards west great mountain activities.

title: Rjukan


text:
Roanne

Roanne is a city in Loire, Southeastern France.

Get in
Roanne is located about an hour from Digoin, Lyon and Saint-Étienne and about an hour and a half from Clermont-Ferrand.

By train
From:
 * Lyon-Part-Dieu (1 hr 5 min), Lyon-Perrache (1 hr 10 min), Clermont-Ferrand (1 hr 15 min), Saint-Étienne-Châteaucreux (1 hr 10 min), Tarare (35 min), by direct TER connections Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
 * Paris-Gare-de-Lyon via:
 * Le Creusot (by Région Express coaches ) + TGV (3 hr 15 min)
 * Moulins-sur-Allier (by Intercités ) (3 hr 45 min)
 * Lyon-Part-Dieu by TER + TGV (3 hr 30 min)
 * Vichy (via Intercités) (4 hr 10 min)

Get around
The STAR network (Société des Transports de l'Agglomération Roannaise) provides a very dense public transport service. The single ticket is sold for €1.35. The OuRA card can be loaded according to its uses, such as taking the train on the SNCF network.

An exchange centre in the Mulsant district, next to the station, brings together all urban and interurban transport and the bus providing service to the Creusot TGV station in 1 hour 30 minutes. The bus station is home to 9 regular lines serving the municipalities of Balbigny, Neulise, Saint-Martin-d'Estréaux, Ambierle, Renaison, La Gresle, Perreux, Saint-Alban-les-Eaux, Saint-Just-en-Chevalet, Saint-Germain-Laval, Boen, Charlieu, Vougy, Chauffailles, and Briennon.

Buy

 * Charles de Gaulle, Maréchal Foch, Jean Jaurès, Alsace Lorraine and Brison streets have shops of many national brands
 * Espace Saint-Louis, in the city centre, has a Carrefour Market supermarket and shopping mall

Drink
The local wine is called Roannaise. Red is fruity and light; rosé lighter still and tasty; white also available. Volume of production seems limited.

title: Roanne


text:
Roanoke

Roanoke, Virginia, called the "Star City of the South" and "Magic City," is a charming city with beautiful views. A colorfully lit 100-ft star atop Mill Mountain graces the Roanoke Valley. The city sits between Virginia Tech and Smith Mountain Lake in Southwest Virginia. The Roanoke Valley had a population of around 315,000 in 2020.

By bus
A Greyhound bus station is located on Campbell Avenue in downtown Roanoke.

By train
Passenger rail service has returned to

By car
Roanoke is at exit 146 on I-81, about 40 minutes north-east of Blacksburg, 40 minutes south of Lexington. It is about 4 hours drive from Washington, D.C. and 3 hours from Richmond.

Get around
The city layout of Roanoke does not lend itself well to effective mass transit, and in fact most locals never use mass transit at all.

By bus
The city does operate a fairly extensive bus system, Valley Metro, that serves most commonly-visited points in the valley. The main transfer points in downtown are along Campbell Ave SW near 1st street. A trolley called The Star Line Trolley runs in downtown along South Jefferson Street between Campbell Ave SW and Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital on the other side of the James River. Valley Metro operates a bus service called The Smart Way that connects Blacksburg and the New River Valley with Roanoke.

The town of Blacksburg, a small college town not far from Roanoke, operates Blacksburg Transit, has a far more effective mass transit system. Many students at Virginia Tech do not own a vehicle of their own and rely on the "BT" for their daily commute.

See
In addition to its other attractions, Downtown Roanoke has at least 2 great old restored and lit neon signs perched up on the roofs of buildings. One for Dr. Pepper and the other for H & C Coffee.

Do
Outdoor activities include hiking on the Appalachian Trail, boating, camping, and fishing. Other activities include:

 * Old Salem Day's
 * Virginia Tech Football
 * Roanoke River Greenway - bike trail, also suitable for walking or running

Buy

 * Roanoke's City Market. The largest continuously running open-air market on the eastern seaboard. Good place to look for fresh produce and herbs in the summer, and gifts and decorations in the winter. In addition, numerous shops & restaurants surround the market area.
 * Tanglewood Mall I-581/220S at Franklin Rd., Roanoke.
 * Valley View Mall. A major shopping mall in the region featuring 130 stores and 4 anchors serving an estimated market of over 800,000 people, near the Roanoke Regional Airport at I-581 and Hershberger Rd. Be aware that children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to shop after 6PM.

Eat
Roanoke has many nice restaurants, some of the notable ones are listed.

Budget

 *  Tazaa Restaurant, An amazing Indian Restaurant.
 * Texas Tavern, (Roanoke's Millionares Club), (Downtown). Only seats 10, but also has a walk-up order window. Try the Cheesey Western and a bowl of chile.
 * Renee's Restaurant, Washington Ave. in Vinton.
 * New York Pizza, Hardy Road in Vinton.
 * The Dogwood Restaurant, (downtown Vinton, about 5 minutes from downtown Roanoke), Home style cooked food.

Mid-range

 * Alejandro's, (downtown Roanoke near the market), Tex-Mex cuisine.
 * Bridge Water Marina, Smith Mountain Lake. Restaurants & shops.
 * Fork in the Alley, Crystal Spring Ave. Brick oven pizza and draft beer.
 * Grace's, Grandin Court. Pizza.
 * Kabuki. Japanese restaurant which is popular for parties, they prepare the food at your table.
 * Mac & Bob's, Salem.
 * Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea, (alt: Mill Mountain). There are several locations throughout the Roanoke Valley, including the Roanoke market area, Salem, and Daleville. The Market area Mill Mountain Coffee outlet serves food. Good for lunch or breakfast, or open late for a cup of coffee or tea.
 * Nawab, (in the market area). Indian. Has an all you can eat buffet for lunch.
 * The Red Palace, Valley View and Tanglewood Malls. Chinese cuisine.
 * Nawab, (in the market area). Indian. Has an all you can eat buffet for lunch.
 * The Red Palace, Valley View and Tanglewood Malls. Chinese cuisine.

Splurge

 * Bernard's Landing, Smith Mountain Lake.

Go next

 * Appalachian Trail.
 * Blue Ridge Parkway.
 * Mountain Lake Resort.
 * National D-Day Memorial, Bedford.
 * Natural Bridge.
 * Peaks of Otter Lodge, (Milepost 86 off the Blue Ridge Parkway), Bedford. Hiking trails, overnight lodge with food buffets, Abbott Lake contains catfish, smallmouth bass, golden shiners, sunfish, and blue gill. Virginia State fishing licenses, Bedford County licenses, or short-term permits are required. Sharp Top Mountain - 3 mi, Flat Top Mountain - 5.2 mi, Harkening Hill - 3.5 mi.
 * Smith Mountain Lake, . State park & public beach.
 * Bernard's Landing
 * Bridge Water Marina
 * Virginia Tech Blacksburg.

title: Roanoke


text:
Roatán

Roatán is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras, in the Caribbean Sea. The island rests on an exposed ancient coral reef, rising to about 270 metres (890 ft) above sea level. Offshore reefs offer opportunities for diving. In 2020, it was home to about 110,000 people, concentrated in the western part of the island.

Villages

 * West Bay - is the furthest west area of the island, has some good restaurants and places to stay, and several large resorts have been built on the beach. It's arguably the best stretch of beach in the western portion of the island - powder-white sand that is very well maintained.  The reef is a short swim away for excellent snorkeling, especially near the west-most tip, also known as Tabyana Beach. West Bay is also home to some of the best sunsets.  It is recommended to spend beach time in the West Bay and bar time in the West End.
 * West End - has some good restaurants and places to stay, and it is definitely the most fun town on the island. There are bars, restaurants, and live music, right on the Caribbean.
 * Sandy Bay- a mainly residential area that includes a few resorts such as Anthony's Key Resort, Blue Bahia and Tranquil Seas, as well as a hostel, Roatan Backpackers' Hostel. Several tourist attractions are also located in Sandy Bay: the Carambola Botanical Gardens, the dolphins at AKR, and Mayan Jungle canopy zipline.  Restaurants include Blue Parrot, Soul Food and the Beach Grill at Blue Bahia.  There is a long beach that runs along Sandy Bay, with excellent snorkeling about a 200-meter swim from shore.  For those seeking to do volunteer work, there are several non-profit organizations located in Sandy Bay, such as Clinica Esperanza, Care 4 Communities, and Partners in Education Roatan.
 * French Harbor - has some good restaurants and resorts, and most tourists do not venture further east than French Harbor, which is at roughly the midpoint of the island.  Past this point are a few newer beach resorts, resort communities, and some private towns with beaches and resorts. Many of the resorts, restaurants, and bars on this part of the island were, in the past a secret of the locals and expats - but with the west end becoming more crowded, the secret is out, and more tourist are finding their way to the east end of the island. One point of interest would be Jonesville and the infamous Hole in the Wall restaurant reached by taking a small water taxi from Jonesville to reach it. Another is Camp Bay Beach Adventure Lodge and the Tasty Tarpon Restaurant, located on Camp Bay Beach, the largest of all the beaches of the Bay Islands, and can be accessed by car or boat.
 * Coxen Hole - With a population of just over 5,000, Coxen Hole is the largest town on the island of Roatan. It's where the airport is located, and most of life's necessities can be found here, including stores, restaurants, and banks. The cruise ship pier is located just west of the center of town.
 * Oak Ridge-Punta Gorda - shortly after the fork in the road to Oak Ridge, the paved road ends and you can continue to Port Royal, which was founded by English pirates. Past this, there lies a few small villages and a handful of homes, mostly occupied by expatriates.
 * Camp Bay - is a further on from Oak Ridge, about 7 km (4.5 miles), and is home to the largest natural beach on all the Bay Islands - Camp Bay Beach, which you can gain free access to at a couple different locations, and has a small beachfront resort and restaurant: Camp Bay Beach Adventure Lodge. Camp Bay is about the furthest you can go in a car. Past Camp Bay are the mangroves which are quite beautiful when navigated by boat and kayak.  There are many tours through the mangroves which can be chartered from various points on the island.

Understand
The island is near the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea, and is the second largest reef worldwide, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. It has become an important cruise ship and scuba diving destination in Honduras.

Due to its tropical location, Roatan harbors a large population of insects, notably mosquitoes and sand fleas. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, and can carry malaria and dengue fever. Repellent is strongly advised. Sand fleas (no-see-ums) are concentrated in coastal areas and their bites can itch for days or even weeks. It is highly advised to wear long pants and long-sleeve shirts, and to apply high-strength bug spray (Picaridin- or DEET-based) when exiting the room, getting out of the water, and several times throughout the day. Sand flea bites are not felt or visible for several hours, so one can easily think the bugs are absent in the vicinity until they feel the bites. Reactions to bites are highly individual, ranging from mild discomfort to oozing sores that take months to heal.

For many years the island was a hidden gem, with some of the most beautiful white beaches and the best snorkel and diving spots in the Caribbean, but it was 'discovered' around 2005 by cruise ships and hotel developers.

Tourists used to be mainly divers, but the islands beaches have attracted additional package tourists and cruise ships. Several cruise ship ports provide an influx of traditional cruise ship tourists to the island. You'll know when the cruise ships are in port because suddenly there are several thousand additional tourists on the beaches and in towns. It is best to avoid buying anything when cruise ships are docked, the prices of food, goods, and services generally double to quadruple to capitalize on the higher expendable incomes of the typical cruise ship passenger.

There are three types of traveling experiences in Roatán. First would be the typical Caribbean resort-oriented beach vacation experience which can be found at any number of islands in the region. This type of vacationing is still developing on Roatán, however, in the past few years it has become a bit more common, and the island offers many resorts and activities that would appeal to those who prefer this type of setting. Roatán can still be experienced through the back door, and more rustic accommodations are abundant. If you are looking to sleep under a mosquito net with little to no view of any other human, you can certainly experience this on Roatán. The final type of traveling experience on Roatán is the cruise ship, these visitors are generally in town for short bursts of time and come in huge numbers, it's not unusual for you to wake up and have West Bay suddenly be covered with several thousand cruise ship passengers, rubbing shoulders to find a small patch of available beach to soak up the sun in. Several cruise ships have ports in Roatán, but some dock only in the exclusive private towns and beaches owned by the resort, and you will hardly notice them except for the large ships on the horizon.

Luckily there are still parts of the island that harken to past times when Roatán was more of a remote destination. Although development is spreading to all parts of the island, one can still find more rustic settings and establishments east of French Harbor. Traveling to the far eastern end of the island can take time due to road conditions. Those staying around the West End of the island should expect at least an hour of travel time to reach Camp Bay in a car.

By plane

 * United Airlines, offers direct flights from Houston (Daily during high season, less often other times), and from Newark (weekend).
 * Delta Airlines, flies non-stop from Atlanta (Saturdays only).
 * Sun Country Airlines, offers direct flights from Minneapolis/St. Paul (Fridays only).
 * American, Delta and Continental offer flights to San Pedro Sula's's Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional Ramón Villeda Morales) (, also known as La Mesa International Airport on the mainland, from which you can then get connecting services to Roatán.
 * Avianca, a group of five regional airlines, offers service from Miami, Orlando, Chicago, Dallas, Toronto, Houston, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC with connecting service to Roatán, including mid-week flights.
 * There are also local airlines such as SOSA, CM Airlines, Air Viva and Isleña (part of Avianca's regional service) connecting the island with La Ceiba, San Pedro Sula, and Tegucigalpa. Prices are all over the map due to fuel costs and inflation, but usually average in at about US$200 for a flight from Tegucigalpa-Toncontin to Roatán.
 * There are also local airlines such as SOSA, CM Airlines, Air Viva and Isleña (part of Avianca's regional service) connecting the island with La Ceiba, San Pedro Sula, and Tegucigalpa. Prices are all over the map due to fuel costs and inflation, but usually average in at about US$200 for a flight from Tegucigalpa-Toncontin to Roatán.

By cruise
The island is visited by some cruise lines, such as Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Mahogany Bay is a cruise ship stop outside of French Harbor. The beach is nice and the setting amazingly surreal, with 2 rusting shipwrecks within view. The cruise ship companies' employees will actively discourage you from leaving the private beach compound of Mahogany Bay and suggest only going to other parts of the island via expensive taxis or even more expensive tours. However, if you walk off the compound (shoes preferable over sandals) to the main road, taxis get a third to half cheaper.

Cruises also port in Coxen Hole.

By ferry
The Galaxy Wave is a ferry that travels to/from La Ceiba on the Honduras mainland. The ferry is clean, comfortable, and very reliable. It departs from La Ceiba twice daily, once in the morning at 09:30 and once in the afternoon at 16:30. Departure times from Roatán are 07:00 and 14:00. It costs about US$28 (L524) for a 1-way trip.

A catamaran operates a direct daily ferry service between West End, Roatán and Utila leaving Utila at 06:30, arriving West End around 11:00. Departing Roatán at 13:00 it arrives in Utila around 17:00. Contact Captain Vern, ([mailto:vfine@hotmail.com vfine@hotmail.com]),.

Other options are to island hop traveling on the Galaxy Wave between Roatán and La Ceiba and then the Utila Princess between La Ceiba and Utila.

Direct boats to/from Utila are available, but run infrequently and are not regularly scheduled. Ask around the West End to see if any are running or plan to run. The cost is US$50-55, or about the same price as the ferry but more convenient.

Afternoon boats can encounter rougher seas due to stronger winds. Make sure to take some travel sickness pills if you are unsure how you will react.

Charter boat
Another option is to charter a boat from one of the locals. Normally the best way to go about this is to approach one of the dive schools as they normally aren't using their boats in the afternoons. Find other travelers who want to do the same and go in a group of 4 or 6.

Get around
Roatán has a system of paved roads connecting the most important communities of the Island. From the Western End of the Island, at the community of West Bay, the road leads through West End, Sandy Bay, Coxen Hole, Brick Bay, Mount Pleasant, French Harbour and Oakridge - Punta Gorda after which it becomes a dirt road and continues east for a distance, to the area of Paya Bay, Camp Bay, Port Royal, and other eastern communities.

Bus
Buses run every 15 minutes between Coxen Hole and West End during the day. They depart from opposite the market in Coxen Hole. Buses run every hour to Oak Ridge, stopping at the new ferry terminal and passing through French Harbor, Polly Tilly Bight, and Punta Gorda on the way. These buses leave from opposite the HB Warren supermarket in Coxen Hole.

Taxi
There are hundreds of taxis, and you must bargain to get the best rates. Ask the price in advance and if it seems high, ask another. Prices from the airport are fixed during the day and negotiable at night. A cab from the airport to West Bay is US$30 (June 2024). Drivers do not expect a tip.

Water taxi
There are water taxis during daylight that link West Bay and West End for US$5 per passenger (June 2024) (or US$10 if you want the boat to leave with less than four people). The water taxis will generally wait until they have at least 4 people before departing. Total trip time is about 10–15 minutes.

Scooters
Renting scooters is a very economical and fun way to see the island. The asphalt road is reasonably well maintained and there is lots to see on Roatán besides the West End, so hire a scooter and start exploring. The rental agencies will happily provide you with detailed maps and explanations on how to best see the island. Scooter rentals are abundant in West End.

Talk
English, Spanish, Garifuna.

English is widely spoken, especially in the West End and West Bay communities, and is the native language of Roatánians of British and African descent (except for the Garifuna). Spanish is spoken natively by all residents who have come from mainland Honduras, and is the second language of many of the native English speakers. Spanish is the official language of Honduras, and as such is the primary language of the school system. Garifuna is spoken by the Garifuna people, who are descendants of the Kalipuna peoples of St. Vincent. There is also 'Island Talk' spoken by the native Caribbean people.

Most individuals living on Roatán are bilingual (English/Spanish).

See

 * Carambola Gardens
 * Caves of Helen, explore the caves.
 * Dolphin show, at Anthony's Key Resort.
 * East end, if you are up for an adventure, visit the east end of the island past Oak Ridge to Camp Bay Beach the largest of all the Bay Island beaches. The road changes from pavement to a dirt/gravel mix and continues on to Punta Blanca and Camp Bay. A 4x4 vehicle is not required for the journey, and you'll see many driving compact cars and scooters. This end of the island is home to many locals and some expats, as well as a few resorts - one that needs to be mentioned is Camp Bay Beach Beach Adventure Lodge which is the only resort on Camp Bay Beach. It is also the home of the Tasty Tarpon restaurant, and a place to gain free access to the beach with free parking, and a depot for your east end adventure from snorkeling or diving, to flyfishing and Mangrove Forest boat or kayak tours. There are a few other interesting stops along the way, such as Marble Hill Farms, where wonderful local jams & jellies are made. Asylum bar & grill is on a palapa literally over the calm waters in Camp Bay, which can sometimes feel like the restaurant at the end of the universe after the long journey of getting there. Luckily these places always have beer on ice and grilled food which makes the trip worth it. If you're looking to get off the beaten path and out of the tourist ridden West End, this is it.
 * Garifuna Village Tour, in Punta Gorda
 * Iguana Farm, near French Harbor.
 * Mangrove Forest Kayak tour, at Camp Bay Beach Adventure Lodge
 * Marine Science Museum, at Anthony's Key Resort.
 * Oak Ridge, is a small village on the eastern end of the island. On arrival, you'll be offered water-taxi tours to the Hole-in-the-Wall restaurant, neighbouring communities, and around the harbour, but it's also pleasant to walk through the village, which has many brightly colored wooden houses on stilts along the shore.
 * Pigeon Cayes, visit the deserted islands.
 * Punta Gorda, renting a scooter and driving to Punta Gorda takes about 1 hour each way, and goes through some beautiful countryside. It can be nice to get away from the touristy areas and get back into places that look and feel like Honduras. The town of Punta Gorda is friendly and you may run into a beach party if you are lucky.
 * Whites Beach, is supposed to be beautiful.
 * Pigeon Cayes, visit the deserted islands.
 * Punta Gorda, renting a scooter and driving to Punta Gorda takes about 1 hour each way, and goes through some beautiful countryside. It can be nice to get away from the touristy areas and get back into places that look and feel like Honduras. The town of Punta Gorda is friendly and you may run into a beach party if you are lucky.
 * Whites Beach, is supposed to be beautiful.

Snorkeling, diving and fishing
The fishing is good just off the reef in Roatán. Marlins, barracudas, tunas, wahoos, mahi mahis and many other fish can be caught. There is a yearly tournament held every September. It is a catch and release event, drawing over 65 boats from all over.

There is great snorkeling and diving to be found here, and many dive shops to choose from. Anthony's Key Resort offers a dolphin dive that is very popular among tourists. Waihuka in Coxen Hole offers the shark dive. Booking the shark dive must be done through one of the local shops.

If you are a good swimmer, and keep an eye out for motorboats, you can swim straight out from west end towards the white buoys for about 200 m, you will arrive at a 10–30 ft deep reef that is great for snorkeling and freediving. Slightly further out the reef gets much deeper and you hit the wall.

 * Discover Roatan Excursions & Tours. Local & licensed tour operator for cruise line passengers and other Roatan Island guests.
 * Discover Roatan Excursions & Tours. Local & licensed tour operator for cruise line passengers and other Roatan Island guests.
 * Discover Roatan Excursions & Tours. Local & licensed tour operator for cruise line passengers and other Roatan Island guests.
 * Discover Roatan Excursions & Tours. Local & licensed tour operator for cruise line passengers and other Roatan Island guests.
 * Discover Roatan Excursions & Tours. Local & licensed tour operator for cruise line passengers and other Roatan Island guests.
 * Discover Roatan Excursions & Tours. Local & licensed tour operator for cruise line passengers and other Roatan Island guests.

Walking
You can walk along the beach to West Bay from West End in about 45 minutes, and can take a water taxi back if you like ($5 USD per passenger, or $10 per passenger if you want the boat to leave with less than four people). They seem to stop running around sunset, so make sure to catch them before it is too late.

Other

 * Kayak trips around the Island and through the mangroves on the east end of the island.
 * Mini-Golf in Sandy Bay, cold drinks & burgers.
 * Zipline, Roatán has 4 zipline jungle canopy tour adventures

Buy
The US dollar is generally accepted all over the island, however, your change is mostly given in Honduran lempiras. This method of money exchange is not recommended generally but if you're only stopping for the day from a cruise ship, it's an easier option to changing money that you may not spend.

Prices of everything skyrocket when cruise ships are in town, if you are looking to purchase anything, including food, it is best to wait until they have left port.

Local handicrafts abound and can be had for very little money. Look for Central American arts and crafts, brightly-painted pottery, wood carvings, costume jewelry, tee-shirts, cigars and clothing. Remember that the initial price should be considered the start for some haggling. It's expected and if you have the stomach for it, you'll likely end up with a final price somewhere around 40-50% lower.

Eat
The restaurants you will find along the West End beach are slightly more expensive than similar restaurants on the mainland, but the food is of a very high standard. Seafood abounds, and you can find a top quality lobster dinner for around US$10. Argentinian steaks are also popular.

There is a small food caravan located on the main road hosted by an ex-pat Aussie. The food is cheap, and he is open late, which is perfect for when you return home from one of the West Ends night spots.

 * Gio's, French Harbor. One of the nicer dining experiences on the island. It's a longtime mainstay for expats and islanders who can afford to dine out. Seafood is the specialty of course.
 * Gio's, French Harbor. One of the nicer dining experiences on the island. It's a longtime mainstay for expats and islanders who can afford to dine out. Seafood is the specialty of course.
 * Gio's, French Harbor. One of the nicer dining experiences on the island. It's a longtime mainstay for expats and islanders who can afford to dine out. Seafood is the specialty of course.

Drink
Roatán boasts a wide array of experiences for night life, depending on your taste. Since the arrival of cruise ships, prices have risen somewhat, and restaurants and bars cater to cruise passengers as well as North American and European tourists. These types of establishments are relatively easy to find, as they are mostly located in and around the West End. Prices here are generally higher than in most other places on the island.

The best part about drinking in the west end is the pub crawl that occurs almost every night. Its virtually mandatory to start at Sundowners and enjoy drinks whilst watching the sun go down over the beautiful bay in front. When Sundowners shuts at 22:00 the whole bar shifts about 50 m down the street to kick on at the Purple Turtle where you can enjoy live music out the back. The Purple Turtle closes at midnight and from here most people continue on to the Nova Bar, (or the Twisted Toucan's) which will be the joint to party at and where you will meet most of the locals in the region, this being a favorite haunt. Most people go home from here, but if you really are feeling like an adventure grab a group of friends and head down the beach to FuBar.

Sleep
There are excellent accommodations ranging from US$4-400 per night. Condos are available as are beach cabanas. Note the quoted prices usually do not include 19% tax, so plan accordingly.

Go next

 * Bay Islands are in the Caribbean Sea, venture forth from Roatán and visit the 2 other larger islands in the group
 * La Ceiba
 * Guanaja
 * San Pedro Sula
 * Tegucigalpa
 * Útila

title: Roatán


text:
Robben Island

Robben Island is in the Western Cape of South Africa, approximately 7 km off the coast and 12 km from Cape Town harbour. This island is a  UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was used as a prison for opponents of Apartheid, including Nelson Mandela, and is now a museum.

History

The island was discovered by Europeans in 1488 when Bartolomeu Dias reached Table Bay.

Soon afterward it was put to use as a prison by the Portuguese, British and Dutch. From 1652 the island also served as a refreshment station for ships that did not wish to visit the mainland.

In 1658 the island saw its first political prisoner, Autshumato, who was repossessing livestock that was stolen by the new European settlers. He was tried and imprisoned on the island. Later the same century a number of people resisting Dutch rule over the East Indies were also shipped to Cape Town and incarcerated on the island.

When the British took control of the Cape in 1795 they continued to use the island as a prison and from the middle of the 18th century also used it as an asylum. In 1890 a leprosy colony was established on the island.

The South African Defence Force took control of the island in 1936 and improved the infrastructure by building new roads, a power station and housing.

From 1961 it was again used as a prison, primarily to house those opposed to the apartheid government of the time, notably Nelson Mandela.

Today the island is a museum and tourist attraction.

Landscape
The highest point on the island is Minto Hill at 30 m. A lighthouse is built here.

Flora and fauna
There is a very well established penguin colony on the island, around 13,000 strong.

Get in
Due to limited facilities and conservation efforts, visits to the island is restricted to 1800 people per day. The waiting time to visit the island can be up to two weeks, so if you plan to visit make sure that you book as soon as you arrive in Cape Town to avoid disappointment.

Expect to spend 4-5 hours for the ferry trips and the tour.

Fees
Guided Tour of Robben Island Museum by ferry trip from The Nelson Mandela Gateway, at The V&A Waterfront. Prices: South African Adult - R400. SA Child - R210. International Adult - R600. International Child - R310.

On foot
The island is small, about 4.5 km long by 2.5 km wide.

By bus
A tour bus is operated on the island.

History

 * The prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his life.

Shipwrecks

 * Chanson de la Mer, (1986) at Shelly Beach
 * Han Cheng 2, (1998) in Rangatira Bay
 * Sea Challenger, (1998) in Rangatira Bay
 * Fung Thu, (1977) on the South of the island

title: Robben Island


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Robbinsville (New Jersey)

Robbinsville is a township in Mercer County, New Jersey. It is about five miles east of Trenton, and is part of the Trenton, New Jersey metropolitan area.

Get in

 * Route 33
 * Trenton-Robbinsville airport

Get around
Transit Buses Car Rentals Nearby

See

 * Princeton- War Memorial
 * Princeton Area

Do

 * Hamilton Market Fair
 * Princeton Market Fair
 * Robbinsville Town Center Lofts
 * Mercer County Park- biggest park in region, large play ground and great for picnics.

Buy

 * Gifted- nick-nack store
 * Movie Store
 * Robbinsville Shopping Center-many stores and restaurants

Eat

 * Villa Barone - excellent Italian food.
 * Massimos- deliver everywhere!!!
 * Chinese Restaurants- cool food!!
 * Delorenzzo's- cool pizza
 * Yummy Sushi- Yummy sushi!!
 * Yummy Sushi- Yummy sushi!!

Drink

 * town center lofts- may bars and stores

Sleep

 * Rent a loft
 * Nearby Trenton may have some hotels
 * Nearby Trenton may have some hotels

Connect

 * Has all communication services

Go next

 * 45 minutes from Philadelphia
 * Hour and a half from New York City

title: Robbinsville (New Jersey)


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Robbinsville (North Carolina)

Robbinsville is a town in Graham County in North Carolina. It is in the far reaches of Western North Carolina in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains of the southern Appalachians. This region is home to the some of the highest and most remote mountains east of the Mississippi with elevations ranging from 1177 to 5560 feet. Graham County is nestled among hundreds of thousands of acres of wilderness full of stunning mountain landscapes and many breathtaking views. If you are seeking hiking, biking, boating, fishing, scenic driving, camping, nature photography, motorcycling, whitewater rafting, or vacationing, you will find a full array of natural destinations, quaint shops and inns and the rich history of North Carolinas most remote county!

title: Robbinsville (North Carolina)


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Robe

Robe is a historic town on the Limestone Coast of South Australia.

History
At one point Robe was the third largest port in South Australia, although the rugged coastline makes it generally unsuitable for shipping.

Climate
Robe has mild summers, with the average summer temperature around 22°C.

In popular culture
"Robe isn't famous for robes!"

By car
Robe is on the coast between Mount Gambier and Adelaide, just off B1. It is around 3.5 hours and 340km drive from Adelaide and around 7 hours and 500km from Melbourne.

By bus
Premier Stateliner run a bus every day except Saturday from Adelaide to Mount Gambier via the coast, which stops in Robe.

Do

 * Fishing
 * Beaches

title: Robe


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Robertsganj

Robertsganj (Hindi: राबर्टसगंज; Urdu: رابرٹس گنج; or sometimes Sonebhadra) is a city in Uttar Pradesh in India. The town was named after the British soldier Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts. As with much of the Indian plains, the best time to visit is during the cooler months from October to March.

By train
Robertsganj has a small railway station with 3 platforms. The station is well connected to the major northern, central and eastern cities of India.

By car
The closest city of note to Robertsganj is Varanasi, from which it takes a little over 2 hours to get to by car or taxi. Drive along State Highway 5A for most of the journey.

By bus
There are regular bus services from Varanasi to Robertsganj too along State Highway 5A. These usually take about 2 1⁄2 hours to reach town.

Go next

 * Head north to the town of Chunar or further to the Hindu holy city of Varanasi
 * Go east, cross the state border and end up at Bodh Gaya, the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment

title: Robertsganj


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Robertson

Robertson is a small town in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. Situated at the top of the range, the climate of Robertson can differ quite markedly from the coastal areas, with mist and showery rain common in the winter. The climate makes this dairy and cheese country.

Get in
By car via the Illawarra Highway (which connects to the Hume and the Princes Highways). When you reach the top of the Macquarie Pass you are at Robertson. The pie shop is on the highway. The rest of the town is a short drive away.

NSW Trainlink Intercity services Robertson by bus twice daily from Wollongong and Moss Vale, with services extending to Bundanoon.

The 3801 Cockatoo Run heads up the range to Robertson some Sundays.

Get around
If you get off the Cockatoo Run train at the station, you can walk to the main strip of the town - the pub, the old cheese factory, and the antique stores. The Pie Shop is a fair hike down the road, and an enthusiastic walk. The surrounding walkable area is farmland and residential, and the National Park areas aren't really within walking distance.

There is no local public transport or taxis available in town.

See

Robertson itself is immediately surrounded by agricultural land. The movie Babe was filmed here, and the farms (somewhat unsurprisingly) look much like the set of the movie. The flies are there to annoy you when walking in the area during summer.

 * Robertson still has the train track, still has the station, but no regular passenger train service any longer. The Robertson train station is still in perfect condition, and heritage listed.  Freight and coal trains do pass this way frequently, so do be careful to not walk on the tracks.
 * The Macquarie Pass National Park lies just to the west of the town, with cliffs, rainforest, coastal views and waterfalls. There is no entry fee to the park.
 * The Macquarie Pass National Park lies just to the west of the town, with cliffs, rainforest, coastal views and waterfalls. There is no entry fee to the park.

Do

 * Drive The scenery and bends heading up the Macquarie Pass make it a popular weekend drive, especially with motorcycles.

Go next
If you have a car, the surrounding national parks along the range are well worth visiting. Fitzroy Falls is an easy trip out of town, and Belmore Falls is just a short diversion on the way. The rest of the Southern Highlands is only 30 minutes away.

title: Robertson


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Robinson Township

Robinson Township is a town in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, about 12 mi west of Pittsburgh. It is one of the closest communities to the Pittsburgh International Airport, and it is a primary gateway to the airport.

Get in
Being so close to the airport, most who pass through Robinson are traveling between the airport and Pittsburgh. Robinson is on US 22/30 and along I-376, which share the Penn Lincoln Parkway which connects Robinson to Downtown Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania Route 60 runs the eight miles from Robinson to the airport. From the north or south, I-79 passes through the eastern edge of Robinson - exit onto US 22/30 or SR 60 and head west.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County, the regional bus service, has a few routes connecting Robinson to Pittsburgh. The main one serving Robinson is the 28X Airport Flyer, which travels mostly along freeways and dedicated busways from the airport to Downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland.

Buy

 * Robinson Town Center & The Mall at Robinson - at US Route 22/30 and PA Route 60 - if you need IKEA, come here.

title: Robinson Township


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Roßdorf

Roßdorf is a village in Hesse, one of the states of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Understand
Roßdorf has about 13,000 inhabitants. It's 9 km south of Darmstadt and 44 km south of Frankfurt.

Get in
Several buses run from Darmstadt Main Station to Roßdorf. The ride takes about 15 minutes.

Do

 * The old railroad station. From 1897 to 1982, it was the station for the railroad line from Darmstadt/East - large rooms. Since 1988 it has housed the South Hessian handicraft museum and gallery.

title: Roßdorf


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Rožaje

Rožaje is a small town in the North Montenegrin Mountains in northeastern Montenegro. It's mostly seen as a transfer city when coming and going from Kosovo, Serbia, and the rest of Montenegro. It's located high in the northern start of the Accursed Mountains range and is the last stop before entering Kosovo from Montenegro.

The population of 9,400 people (2011) is primarily Bosniaks, with a minority of Albanians, Serbs, and other ethnicities.

Get in
You can take a bus from anywhere in Kosovo, Novi Pazar in Serbia, or Podgorica to get to the city. The Podgorica International Airport is about 180 km away, and has regular flights to major European destinations throughout the year. The Lokve tunnel is considered to be the gateway of the municipality of Rožaje if you're arriving from Podgorica.

Get around
Because it is a small town, the majority of the things you'll need are usually at walking distance. Going by car can be difficult as traffic isn't managed properly there, as there are mostly roundabouts and three-way entry and exits. Locals often park on the road in the western part of the city away from the square in order to get groceries, so it's best to move away from the car if they aren't on but this is not highly recommended. There are taxi services in the city, however the best way to identify them is if they have a "TAXI" bumper at the top of their car.

See
It is an interesting little border city in a steep valley, and it's very scenic. The Ibar river that flows through Montenegro, Serbia, and Kosovo originates from the city. The municipality itself is a part of the geopolitical region of Serbia and Montenegro called Sandžak, and you'll be able to see several old mosques with a definite Islamic feel to the architecture, such as the Kučanska Džamija mosque, and the Sultan Murat II mosque, which the remains of the sultan are rumoured to be in a türbe within the mosque graveyard. Even if there is a majority of Muslims in the city, there is a Serbian Orthodox Church called Ružica. A replica of the Sebilj featured in Sarajevo was completed in the city center in 2018, so if you want to check that out you can go to the city square next to the Skala café.

Turjak is a popular skiing resort near the town, and not far from the city there is a restaurant up on the mountains called Dermando near Bandžov Brdo. It offers really good views of the Hajla mountain, as well as the hinterland towards the east. Not far from the city as well, there is the Štedim national park, which it's very close to the border of Kosovo. It offers some impressive scenery towards the east, south, and western parts of the country.

Do
The majority of the things that are dedicated to tourists are usually bunched between 2 long roads which are the 30. Septembar road that goes from the Elkos Center between the P8 road and E65 highway, to the Maršal Tito road that goes all the way to the start of the city, next to the Voli Supermarket. Aside from that, you're able to go skiing as well during the winter, whilst mountain climbing and hiking are also very common, considering the terrain of the land.

Buy and eat
There's a variety of smaller mini-markets, restaurants, cafés, and small clothing shops all within that narrow strip that meet at the city square which are separated by those two roads. On the E65 highway, you'll see a variety of restaurants and cafés, and a small bazaar near the bus station. There is also another bazaar in the city, however it's not a part of the city center.

Many of the food items are usually affordable, with small full-plate pizzas costing €3 - 4, and a whole platter of food costs €13-15. Turkish coffee, along with espressos are often served in cafés aside from light fizzy drinks and water. A popular restaurant in the municipality is the "Ognjište" restaurant on the P8 road, where there's a petting zoo and a walking trail, as well as some excellent cuisine.

Drink
Night life usually revolves around shisha bars, kafane (the equivalent to this is a small pub or bar in the US or the UK, which sometimes serve alcoholic beverages), restaurants, and open air cafés. It's usually considered a tradition to take a walk around the city square, this is mostly common during the summer.

Sleep
Cheap accommodation won't be very easy to find, but it is there. €10/person would be a good price. Try asking around at the restaurants on the main street, frequently they will have a room for rent above. Don't count on this though, get there early and arrange accommodation.

Connect
Due to the city being located in the former Yugoslavia, the normally common language being spoken in this city and the municipality is Serbo-Croatian.

The Albanian minority both speak Serbo-Croatian and Albanian, so it's best to know both standard variants of these languages.

Regardless of their ethnicity, the city's people also contains some diaspora communities that work abroad in Western Europe and North America, so you'll most likely come across mid-aged people who may have a working understanding of English, German, French, Dutch, Flemish, Danish and Swedish. If you already know one of these languages, then you should be fine, however they're most likely going to use Serbo-Croatian as it is commonly spoken there.

The older generation were mostly taught Russian as Yugoslavia used to be under a communist system while it existed, however they haven't used it in a while and have lost the language as a result. The younger generation are being taught English in Primary and Secondary schools, and their proficiency in English is either somewhat conversational to very fluent, as it usually depends on the person.

Go next
Your only three options are taking a bus or hitch-hiking to three other destinations; either Serbia, Kosovo, or the rest of Montenegro down south.

The only way to cross the border to Kosovo is by driving through the P8 road, which is very scenic. It passes by the Bandžovo Brdo district, and then there's two villages along this road called Dačici on the Montenegrin side. Around 5km, you'll be within the Kula border crossing of Montenegro. From there, the road leads to an unnamed village between the no-man's-land until you reach the other Kula border crossing point of Kosovo.

The E65 highway is also very scenic as it's built alongside the Ibar river, and it leads to the villages of Besnik, and Bač, which then leads to the Dračenovac border crossing in Montenegro, and then to the Špiljani border crossing, from where you can enter or exit Serbia.

However, if you are driving a rental car, it's important to know that the roads are poorly maintained and they're somewhat winding, so driving during the winter must be treated with extreme caution as avalanches are bound to happen during the winter.

After you cross the Kula border crossing from the Montenegrin side, the road becomes more winding and can be very risky for inexperienced drivers, especially during the winter when it gets slippery. Be extremely cautious when driving.

title: Rožaje


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Rocamadour

Rocamadour is a village in Lot, southwestern France.

Get in
There is only on road leading to the town. SNCF runs regional train services from Brive-la-Gaillarde. Only accessible by one road which travels through the town.

Get around
A tourist train rides around the village, but it is so small you can easily walk.

See
The town itself is built on the face of a cliff with a large number of buildings cantilevered over the edge. This strange arrangement was the result of the discovery of a body in a nook in the cliff face during the height of the Dark Ages. Perfectly preserved, the locals came to the conclusion that it was the body of St. Zacheus who was the man who wiped Jesus' face as he carried the cross. Clearly, finding the body of an 1100 year old Saint perfectly preserved was declared a miracle and Rocamadour became a pilgrimage site. Over the ages, churches were added to the site, but their age chronicles the development of Christianity. Besides all the wonderful churches whose total lack of Gothic influence will stretch your definition of how a church should look, there is also the Black Madonna. A unique depiction of the Virgin Mary with Jesus. First of all both are depicted black, which is unique for a culture that would have viewed black as bad. Also the child Jesus is not depicted as an infant as is normally the case. Rather he is depicted as a toddler. Clearly they didn't know how things "should" be done, but back then they were still grappling with this new Religion.

Do
Take a balloon ride over the Dordogne Valley

Bicycle the valley

Walk around the historic town

Eat
The Best Western Beau Site (set menu: €35) is the best place to eat in town.

title: Rocamadour


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Roccamontepiano

Roccamontepiano is a communal city in the Chieti Province in the Italian Region of Abruzzo.

By plane
Nearest airports are Pescara and Rome.

Get around
You can easily get around on foot.

Do

 * Go to the annual vino cotto (a fortified dessert wine local to the Abruzzo region of Italy) festival held in November of each year. Bevi, bevi!!

Stay safe
Not necessary to worry about this. Very little violent crime. Relax!

title: Roccamontepiano


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Rocca Priora

Rocca Priora is one of the towns in Castelli Romani. It is southeast of Rome in the Lazio region, and rather than having a number of special sights, is simply a nice small town to stroll around in.

You will find varying levels of English spoken in stores and on the street. People are more than helpful though, and you should have no problem finding what you need.

Understand
Like most Italian towns, almost all stores will be closed for lunch. In Rocca Priora most stores are closed 1PM-4:30PM, but hours vary.

Rocca Priora's gelateria is only open during the summer. If you want Gelato, consider going to Frascati or another nearby town.

If you need a bank machine, there are at least three available. The one nearest the bus stop is by Credito Coopermativo del Tuscolo and does not accept international cards. Two machines that accept international cards (have PLUS Logo) are at the Post Office, and at Banca di Roma. The machines may be slow and the English questionable, and if you get an error try back later or the next day. They seem to give the same error message for all problems (machine out of money, card didn't read properly, etc).

Get in
The city is reachable by bus with the Cotral S.p.A. service. If coming from Rome, take Metro Line A to Anagnina (last stop in that direction). There will be an electronic departure board showing when the next bus to 'R. Priora' is, or simply walk to Platform 6 where it normally leaves from. You can download a timetable from the Cotral S.p.A. website, be warned the timetable for Rome is massive.

Tickets for the bus should be purchasable from a tobacconist, and if in Rocca Priora there is one almost opposite the bus stop. The bus stop in Rocca Priora is located drops off close to the main piazza.

You will need a 3-zone ticket which should be around 2 euro, good one-way only. Alternatively a day pass which is also valid on the Metro will be 6 euro. The bus stops in a number of other towns depending on the route (Frascati, Monte Porzio Catone, Montecompatri), all of which are interesting points to get out.

Get around
You can easily walk around Rocca Priora, but there is limited local bus service to get a bit further out. You are better using the Cotral buses and simply going on to another town (Frascati, etc).

See
There are no main attractions in Rocca Priora. But you might be interested in:

 * Parco Madonna della Neve, directly beside the bus stop. There is a number of water taps to refill a water bottle. Walk around the park, or follow the trail behind it which extends into a small hike. Unfortunately it seems to have been vandalized (as of 2011), and a number of the lights and solar charger for them don't work.

Buy

 * Lots of stores both on the main street, and along random side streets
 * Large Market every Thursday Morning, occurs in the large parking lot beside the post office. Has lots of fresh food along with other goods (clothing, knives, tools, etc)

Eat
There are several stores in the area. There is several supermarkets (Sidis), fruit stores, snack bars, and other food stores for eating 'on the cheap'.

Every Thursday morning there is a large market, you can find a wide range of fresh food available. It occurs in the large parking lot beside the post office, and if you will be in town on that day is well worth attending.

Rocca Priora also has several pizza stores. You can find the wafer-thin roman-style pizza at XXX, which will require you to order a pizza for yourself. Or you can get pizza by the gram as elsewhere in Italy, which has thin crust but not the 'wafer-thin' type.

Go next
Using the Cotral buses, you can venture to many nearby cities and towns.

If planning on taking the train: the bus ride from Rocca Priora to Anagnina, Rome lasts 45-60 mins depending on traffic. The Metro ride from Anagnina to Termini takes 30 mins.

title: Rocca Priora


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Roccella Ionica

Roccella Ionica (also known as Roccella Jonica, or just Roccella) is a town in Calabria, Italy.

It is situated in the very south continental part of Italy, inheritating warm climate during winter and quite hot during summer period.

By train
Roccella has a good train connection from/for the major Italian town. The train station is located right in the centre of town, allowing ease of connection. Coach service is available as well. By car, you should drive from Highway "Salerno-Reggio Calabria" and get-off at Rosarno, then cross Calabria from north to south on highway "autostrada dei due mari". These highways are all toll-free.

Get around
History: Locri's greek ancient town

Nature: parks of Sila and Aspromonte

See
A medieval castle is on the top of a rock on the very top of Roccella. Urban texture is full of ancient villas and churches, dated up to half thousand years ago

Do
During summertime everything is related to sea. During daytime main activities are water sports or beaches activities; during nighttime sea-side discos (in Roccella or in its surroundings) are quite crowded and in a serene mood. Entrance is almost free. Drink prices are cheap.

Eat
Like all the surroundings, food is very typical and extremely tasty. Main suggestion includes dry-sausages ("soppressata"), any preparation of egg-plants (by themselves, oven-cooked or in a unique course very similar to Greek Moussaka), fresh fried anchovies, and so on. Food is typically spiced with fennel, oregano, onion, garlic. Roccella has as well an excellent local-made bread.

Drink
Try liquor "Amaro del Capo", made in Calabria from liquorice root.

Sleep
Few hotels are available, as well as new B&B are growing faster. If you have any contact, the best option would be anyway to rent an apartment or a room. Unfortunately actually there's no centralized service for room-rental, and almost every business is based on unstructured and informal relations.

Club Hotel Kennedy.

Hotel Parco Dei Principi.

title: Roccella Ionica


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Rocha

Rocha is the capital of the department of the same name in the Atlantic coast region of Uruguay.

While the department of Rocha is a popular area full of great beach towns, the city of Rocha is a fairly boring administrative capital, not any kind of tourist destination. If you're not travelling for business, you're most likely to end up here when changing buses to get from one beach town to another.

Get in
Buses are available from Montevideo and from other cities in the area. Rocha doesn't have a bus terminal, so instead buses stop at the Plaza Independencia, which is surrounded by offices of the various bus companies. A bus terminal is under construction.

Connect
As usual in Uruguay, free but unreliable public wifi is available at the Plaza Independencia. Use the network "plaza independencia".

Go next

 * Cabo Polonio
 * La Paloma
 * Punta del Este

title: Rocha