text:
Mérida (Mexico)

A short distance — yet seemingly a world away — from the rowdy, touristy beach resorts of Cancún and Cozumel that make up the Yucatán of cliché, Mérida is the cultural center of southern Mexico, boasting a panoply of excellent museums and attractions, a vibrant street life, and a wealth of historic colonial-era architecture (centered on the Plaza de la Independencia in the center of town) that's second only to Mexico City on the national scene.

Understand
The capital and largest city of Yucatán state with a population of just under 900,000 (2015), Mérida is a city of contrasts. You will find elegant hotels, restaurants and malls in the northern part of the city. Downtown, there are hotels and restaurants to suit every budget. A large central market and numerous small shops are found all around the main plaza. Mérida has a rich cultural life which also reflects its diversity. Many free concerts, performances and other events are held daily.

The city was founded by the Spanish conquistadors in the 1540s on top of a centuries-old Maya city called T'ho. The palatial home of the family of conquistador leader Montejo can still be seen on the south side of the Zócalo or main square. Here and there bits of ancient Maya stonework can be seen reused in Spanish Colonial era buildings in the old part of town.

From the later 1800s to the 1920s, Mérida enjoyed prosperous boom times fueled by the henequen or sisal plant harvest, which made Yucatán the rope maker to the world. Progressive Mérida had electric trams and street lights before Mexico City. The wealthy constructed the grand Pasejo Montejo avenue north of the old town, inspired by the Champs-Élysées in Paris. With the development of artificial twines the sisal boom ended, and Mérida slowed to a more sleepy provincial capital until development picked back up in the late 20th century.

The city's ambiance is colonial and the climate is tropical. The daytime temperature varies; in January, it is about 24°C (75°F) and in June, about 35°C (95°F). To beat the heat, most people are busiest in the mornings. They have lunch and siesta, then go back to work for a few hours in the late afternoon. The cool breezes from the Gulf of Mexico drift into Mérida in the evenings and this is when many of the residents spend their time outdoors. You can see them visiting and talking as they stroll along the streets, sit in the plazas or dine in the many sidewalk restaurants.

From Mérida, it is easy to take day trips to a vast array of destinations: archaeological sites, ecological parks, typical villages, caves, beaches, colonial missions and more. Take your time and really explore the Maya sites, walk for miles along the Gulf of Mexico, attend a village festival, photograph the wildlife, crawl through a cave or swim in a cenote.

By plane

 * Sala A - Concourse A: American Airlines/American Eagle, Aeromexico/Aeromexico Connect, United, Westjet (Seasonal).
 * Sala A - Concourse A: American Airlines/American Eagle, Aeromexico/Aeromexico Connect, United, Westjet (Seasonal).

 * Sala B - Concourse B: Magnicharters, TAR, Tropic Air, VivaAerobus, Volaris.

A taxi stand with fixed rates is just outside the baggage claim; pay the fare beforehand at a booth. ADO also has a stop in the island in front of the arrivals doors for a direct bus to Hotel Fiesta Americana and CAME (two separate routes).

City buses offer a cheaper and more frequent option: 79 Aviación (Rt#132) bus makes a round trip from the airport to Calle 60 at 69 in the city center. From the airport you will have to go out to the main road (Calle 23). The bus will be going towards the northwest or the right along Calle 23 and than a right turn or NE on Hwy 261 (Uman-Merida) where the official bus stop is at. You can also hail the bus along Calle 23. From the city center the bus picks up along Calle 69 between 60 & 70 This bus passes by CAME & TAME bus stations and Parque San Juan. The bus departs every 15 - 30 minutes until 21:00, and costs around M$8 (pesos) (Jan 2022).

Cancún International Airport is the largest airport in the region, with a wider range of domestic and international flights. From Cancun International Airport, Grupo ADO offers direct bus service to Merida 2-4x daily (4 hr). At other times take a more frequent bus from Cancun International Airport to the downtown Cancun bus station and transfer to another bus to Merida. A Tren Maya train station in the Cancun Airport offers frequent train service to Merida. You could also rent a car and drive along Hwy 180D (3 hr).

By train
Tren Maya is a new intercity rail service throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. It provides comfortable, affordable service several times per day from beach resort areas like Cancun and Tulum as well as from cities like Chetumal and Campeche. There are two daily departures towards Cancun and two towards Campeche and Palenque. Tickets can be purchased in the station or on the official Tren Maya web site.

The Va y Ven (public bus system) IE-TRAM (electric bus) La Plancha-Teya line connects the ADO Paseo 60 bus station with the Teya Train Station. Unlike other Va y Ven buses, you do not need a Va y Ven transit card to ride this bus: you can purchase a tourist ticket at the train station or the Paseo 60 bus station for M$45 (as of 2024).

By carpooling
You can check for shared rides on Blablacar. These are the approximate prices as of January 2022: • Campeche – M$170 • Cancun – M$260 • Playa del Carmen – M$270

By bus
There are several bus stations in Mérida. The most important is the Terminal de Autobuses Mérida (TAME). First and second class buses of the ADO company arrive here. The old Central de Autobuses (CAME) is permanently closed.

Main bus station
On the ADO website and app this terminal is called "Mérida Centro Historico". It is centrally located. Serving first class buses are ADO, ADO connect, ADO GL and ADO Platino. ADO Platino is the highest class of service with free instant coffee packs in the back with hot water along with your choice to choose a single seat by yourself on the left side of the bus, and TVs on the back of every seat allowing you to choose an array of movies and TV shows, some even in English. ADO GL is a step down without the extras but some more legroom than the regular ADO buses.

Clase Europea operates first class service to Chetumal via Jose M. Morelos and Bacalar along Hwy 184 & 293.

Second class buses operating here are OCC, Mayab, ATS, Oriente and TRT bus lines.

Alternative ADO terminals
The other ADO terminals are further away from the centro historico and have fewer departures. Still it can be worth to arrive here, if your accommodation is nearby.

Taxis and colectivo

 * From and to Valladolid : Colectivo vans leave Valladolid from the crossing next to the ADO bus station every hour and/or when full for a 2 and half journey. In Merida the station is located on the Calle 32 between Calle 63 and 65. M$160 (Nov.23)

On foot
If staying in the older central part of town, many attractions and restaurants are within walking distance for those who don't much mind walking in the tropical climate.

By e-hailing
Uber, Cabify and Didi cover the city.

Uber may be difficult to use if you pay by credit card, drivers do not like this payment method. If you switch to cash payment you'll be picked up a lot sooner.

Didi does not show the payment method up front for the driver, so it is easier to get a ride. But, be aware that you may more easily get bad ratings if you don't tip/have paid well for the ride.

By bus
The Yucatán government established a modern public bus system in Mérida in the early 2020s, Va y Ven (Come and Go), and the city is now served by both public Va y Ven and private buses. To find a ride to your destination, both Moovit and Google Maps cover the city.

Va y Ven
Va y Ven operates a network of traditional (though quite modern) buses as well as electric buses (which look like trams without the rails) called the IE-TRAM. Route maps for the buses and the IE-TRAMs are available online. Va y Ven buses do not take cash. Instead, you must purchase a rechargeable Va-y-Ven Card for M$25 at one of these locations: You can also recharge your card at any of these locations. The standard (non-IE-TRAM) Va y Ven bus fare is M$12 per ride (as of 2024) with transfers allowed, while the IE-TRAM fare is M$14.
 * Va y Ven vending machines – located at the Palacio de la Musica
 * Oxxo stores (good luck – they're almost always out of them)
 * Súper Akí stores
 * Dunosusa stores
 * Willys stores

Private buses
Many privately-operated buses service the outlying suburbs. Most routes radiate outward from a 4-block area east of the Zócalo, on Calles 56 and 58 between Calles 59 and 63. Destinations of routes are painted on the windshields; if in doubt you can always ask the bus driver. For visitors the most useful routes will be those heading up Paseo de Montejo from the centro – these depart from, and will have 'Paseo de Montejo' and/or 'Altabrisa' marked on their windshields.

Most bus stops are not marked, but many buses can be hailed from points along the route. To get off, simply say (or yell) 'baja!', and the driver will pull over at the next opportunity. A single ride costs M$8 (Jan 2022, no transfers); pay the bus driver directly on entering. Buses generally operate between 05:00-21:30 during the week, with less frequency on Sundays and holidays.

By taxi
Taxis are numerous and reasonably priced. Most taxis do not use a meter, and it's best to agree on a fare before getting in. Taxis marked 'taximetro' use a meter and tend to cost a bit more – make sure that the driver does not switch the meter to the night ('noche') rate if you are traveling during the day.

By bicycle
Mérida is surprisingly bicycle-friendly outside of the centro. Bicycles can be rented from a number of shops.

On Sunday mornings the city holds the weekly Bici Ruta (literally Bicycle Route), when from 08:00-12:00 the entire lengths of Paseo de Montejo and Calle 60 are closed to motor vehicles. This popular event is open not only to cyclists, but to rollerbladers, skateboarders, runners, and those who simply want to enjoy a pleasant stroll with no noisy traffic. For those who don't own their own bicycles, they can be rented from a temporary (open Sundays only) near the Monumento a la Patria on Paseo de Monteo, as well as from  (also on Paseo de Montejo,, M-Sa 09:00-22:00, Su 08:00-15:00).

By horse-drawn carriage
An especially note-worthy type of transport in Mérida is the calesa, a traditional horse-drawn carriage used continuously since colonial times. Carriages can be picked up along Calle 61 by 58 and 60 (on the north side of the cathedral), and head up Calle 60 and return down Paseo de Montejo. A typical tour lasts about 45 minutes and includes narration, costing about M$350.

By rental car
Most major car rental companies maintain counters at the airport, and also have offices on the ground floor of the Hotel Fiesta Americana and/or in the centro. All rentals include mandatory liability insurance, but this may not always be included in quotes and may lead to confusion if you are shopping around.

Orientation
The streets in most of the parts of interest to visitors are in a rough grid with numbers for street names. Even numbered streets run from north to south, with the numbers increasing as you go further west; odd numbered streets run from east to west, with the numbers increasing as you go further south. This makes it easy to tell how many blocks away from something you are (just remember to divide by two when counting blocks in the same direction). Addresses are commonly given as either intersections of two streets, or stated as on a street between two cross streets. For orientation in the old part of town, remember the Cathedral and Zócalo (main square) are at the corner of 60 and 61 ("Calle 60 x 61").

See
There is much to see in Mérida, a city of a million inhabitants that is over 400 years old. Besides the Centro Histórico, where most tourist attractions are located, there are many charming neighborhoods, shopping malls and parks. Progreso and the Yucatán Gulf Coast are only thirty minutes away to the north.

Free Walking Tours
The city tourist office offer two excellent free walking tours in English and Spanish departing from the tourist office modules listed above at 9.30am and 6.30pm respectively. A tip of M$100-200 per person is appropriate. More details here

Paseo de Montejo
A beautiful, tree-lined street, lined with houses developed by the henequen-industry barons. It's a great place to walk in the evening. Have a dish of ice cream, look at the renovated mansions – an especially interesting villa is the (No 473). A romantic treat is renting one of the horse-drawn carriages, called calesas, that will drive you up and down the grand boulevard. You can catch a calesa at the Plaza Grande and take a trip down Paseo de Montejo and back.

Cultural activities
The ayuntamiento (city hall) sponsors many cultural events during the week, free of charge. Almost every night visitors and residents alike can enjoy outdoor concerts or dances in one of the many downtown parks and squares. Sunday afternoons at the Plaza Grande (at and around the main square) are a particular treat, and perhaps the most charming time in Mérida. The streets around the square are closed to vehicles, and the locals dress up to go for strolls to see and be seen. Brass bands and dance orchestras hold free concerts, and couples dance – if you're not shy, consider joining in, or ask a local to teach you the steps to a local dance like the jarana. Street vendors sell a variety of refreshments.

Festivals

 * Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) The city sponsors a Festival de las Animas (Festival of the Souls) starting the weekend before the official Day of the Dead and is claimed to be one of the best in Mexico. Most of the big processions are on the Friday and Saturday nights before November 1-2. There are also tours of the central cemetery most evenings.
 * Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) The city sponsors a Festival de las Animas (Festival of the Souls) starting the weekend before the official Day of the Dead and is claimed to be one of the best in Mexico. Most of the big processions are on the Friday and Saturday nights before November 1-2. There are also tours of the central cemetery most evenings.
 * Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) The city sponsors a Festival de las Animas (Festival of the Souls) starting the weekend before the official Day of the Dead and is claimed to be one of the best in Mexico. Most of the big processions are on the Friday and Saturday nights before November 1-2. There are also tours of the central cemetery most evenings.
 * Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) The city sponsors a Festival de las Animas (Festival of the Souls) starting the weekend before the official Day of the Dead and is claimed to be one of the best in Mexico. Most of the big processions are on the Friday and Saturday nights before November 1-2. There are also tours of the central cemetery most evenings.
 * Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) The city sponsors a Festival de las Animas (Festival of the Souls) starting the weekend before the official Day of the Dead and is claimed to be one of the best in Mexico. Most of the big processions are on the Friday and Saturday nights before November 1-2. There are also tours of the central cemetery most evenings.

Other activities
Those who have time to spend several months in Mérida, will also encounter many opportunities to become a volunteer – helping women, children, the disabled, the elderly, the sick and the illiterate. Places to volunteer include Save The Children for helping children in need and AFAD for helping unwanted dogs and cats find health and new homes.

If you are interested in learning Spanish, learning about Latin America and learning more about yourself in the process, Mérida is an excellent place to do so.

You can book these decent hotels in the center for 3 hours: • •  •  The prices are as of January 2022.

Maya ruins
Several important archaeological sites are close to Mérida. Many moderate sized sites, such as Dzibilchaltun and Mayapán, are an easy day trip. The largest, Chichen Itza, is somewhat further and much more extensive – while a day trip visit from Mérida can be (and often is) done, if you want to see the whole site without being rushed, Chichen is better visited in two days with an overnight stay. Fans of ancient Maya architecture can also find staying overnight at Uxmal worthwhile, since it has a night-time light & sound show, and the following day one can visit the nearby smaller ruined cities of, and.

 * is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Maya civilization, located in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula, present-day Mexico. The main edifice, the Castillo or Pyramid of Kukulcan, was voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
 * is one of the interesting sites on the Ruta de los Cenotes itinerary, with prominent cenotes (sinkholes leading to significant caves). Buses to Cuzamá depart from Terminal Noreste (Calle 67 btw 50 and 52, listed above under 'Get in'). Buses from this station also head to Mayapán, Izamal, and Rio Lagartos.
 * is a large pre-Columbian ruined city of the Maya civilization in the state of Yucatán, Mexico. It is 78 km south of Mérida, Yucatán, or 110 km from that city on Highway 261 towards Campeche, Campeche). ADO (Autobuses de Oriente) offers buses to Uxmal that leave at 06:00, 9:05, and 10:40, and come back at 15:20 and 17:00 (also one around 12:00). Buses depart from Terminal de Autobuses Mérida (the main 2nd class bus station described under 'Get in'), M$55 one-way.
 * is a large pre-Columbian ruined city of the Maya civilization in the state of Yucatán, Mexico. It is 78 km south of Mérida, Yucatán, or 110 km from that city on Highway 261 towards Campeche, Campeche). ADO (Autobuses de Oriente) offers buses to Uxmal that leave at 06:00, 9:05, and 10:40, and come back at 15:20 and 17:00 (also one around 12:00). Buses depart from Terminal de Autobuses Mérida (the main 2nd class bus station described under 'Get in'), M$55 one-way.
 * is a large pre-Columbian ruined city of the Maya civilization in the state of Yucatán, Mexico. It is 78 km south of Mérida, Yucatán, or 110 km from that city on Highway 261 towards Campeche, Campeche). ADO (Autobuses de Oriente) offers buses to Uxmal that leave at 06:00, 9:05, and 10:40, and come back at 15:20 and 17:00 (also one around 12:00). Buses depart from Terminal de Autobuses Mérida (the main 2nd class bus station described under 'Get in'), M$55 one-way.

Other attractions near Mérida

 * is the port city directly north of Mérida. The beaches aren't quite as nice as the famous ones on the peninsula's east coast in Quintana Roo, but have the advantage of being only 40km (30 miles) north of Mérida. Progreso also has restaurants specializing in fresh local seafood. If you don't want to spend your whole day at the beach, you can combine a visit to the ruins of Dzibilchaltun in your day trip, since it's just off the highway between Mérida and Progreso. Buses to Progreso depart from the Terminal Auto-Progreso (Calle 62 No 524 between 65 and 67, listed above under 'Get in') daily every 10 minutes from 05:15-21:00, with a journey lasting 55 minutes. It costs M$21 (Jan 2022) and the buses are air-conditioned.
 * . The coastal town of Celestún is 90km west of Mérida. Almost 90% of the world's wild pink flamingos spend the winter in Yucatán, and the largest group of these are in the mangrove marshes around Celestún. Take a boat tour in the park for to see great flocks of pink in the trees and flying in the air! The town of Celestún has a couple of restaurants serving fresh seafood on beaches that offer better sunsets than Cancun.
 * is a small city about 70km east of Mérida. In ancient Maya times and the Spanish colonial era it was one of the largest cities in Yucatán, leaving impressive historic architecture. Buses to Izamal can be picked up at Terminal Noreste (listed above).
 * are only 43 miles away. The oldest and most well known building of Oxkintok is the Tzat Tun Tzat, Mayan for labyrinth or place in which one may be lost. Built in three levels on top of each other, its interior forms a maze of long, narrow rooms, connected by small gates and narrow stairs. The Calcehtok served as shelter for the Mayan people during the Caste War. You must have a guide to enter the cave. Rates generally run about M$200 an hour. This large complex of over 30 connected caves offers 4 different tours of varying lengths. Walking and climbing through the cave can be rough, so be sure you are wearing good shoes and are willing to work a bit to see the stalactites, stalagmites, natural formations, and Mayan artifacts.
 * Homún is located in the heart of the Reserva Estatal Geohidrológica Anillo de Cenotes an area that contains a lot of cenotes. This village is perfect to see many beautiful Cenotes that are off the classic Yucatan vacation and you might even find yourself having the cenote for yourself. You can either drive to the different cenotes or take a collectivo from Merida - M$32 and then rent the service of a mototaxi to take you to a few cenotes around - M$300 for the moto ( up to 4 people) not including the entrance of the cenote. (Nov.23)
 * are only 43 miles away. The oldest and most well known building of Oxkintok is the Tzat Tun Tzat, Mayan for labyrinth or place in which one may be lost. Built in three levels on top of each other, its interior forms a maze of long, narrow rooms, connected by small gates and narrow stairs. The Calcehtok served as shelter for the Mayan people during the Caste War. You must have a guide to enter the cave. Rates generally run about M$200 an hour. This large complex of over 30 connected caves offers 4 different tours of varying lengths. Walking and climbing through the cave can be rough, so be sure you are wearing good shoes and are willing to work a bit to see the stalactites, stalagmites, natural formations, and Mayan artifacts.
 * Homún is located in the heart of the Reserva Estatal Geohidrológica Anillo de Cenotes an area that contains a lot of cenotes. This village is perfect to see many beautiful Cenotes that are off the classic Yucatan vacation and you might even find yourself having the cenote for yourself. You can either drive to the different cenotes or take a collectivo from Merida - M$32 and then rent the service of a mototaxi to take you to a few cenotes around - M$300 for the moto ( up to 4 people) not including the entrance of the cenote. (Nov.23)

Buy
ATMs with low withdrawal fees in the center are BanCoppel, Banjercito, Banco Azteca and banamex.

For buying groceries in the centro, there are minimarkets (tiendas), Oxxo, extra – and the big supermarkets, and a Soriana right next to it. Also available are the mid-sized supermarkets Dunosusa and Waldo's.

Crafts
There are hundreds of stores in downtown Mérida. In and around the Plaza Grande, the large plaza in the Centro directly across from the cathedral, it is common for street salesmen to engage passersby in friendly small talk, by telling them some historical facts about the surroundings. The conversation will quickly turn to recommendations of shops selling hammocks, guayaberas, handcrafts, jewelry, etc. The items sold in stores that use street salesmen to find customers tend to be highly overpriced. While there are honest and hardworking street salesmen, as a general rule, the best shopping strategy is to browse stores without the assistance of any street salesmen and to never allow a street salesman to bring you to a store. Since street salesmen work on commission, tourists are usually charged higher prices if they are brought into a store by a street salesman or other street guide.

A wide range of outstanding artesanias can be found here. Mérida is a great place to pick up a good quality hammock. However, be aware that many people selling hammocks in and around Mérida will try to get the highest price they can from a tourist. A good hammock costs between 300 and 800 pesos, not dollars. The tighter the weave, the better the hammock. You should always insist on unfolding and viewing a hammock before buying it.

There are plenty of hand-crafted things to buy in the shops along Calle 56A.

Traditional clothing
The Yucatán is also famous for its guayaberas, to the point that the shirts are also known as the camisa de Yucatán (the shirt of the Yucatán). Locally-made huipils, the traditional garment worn by Yucatecan women, and jipijapa hats (aka Panama hats) are also popular items for sale. As with hammocks, quality varies widely.

The street salesmen who offer to bring tourists to stores that sell traditional clothing almost always accompany or direct people to stores that offer the double whammy of low-quality guayaberas and huipils at high prices. (Most such salesmen work on commission, which explains their aggressiveness.)

Other items
Cuban cigars are also a common item being sold by street vendors, but beware: many 'Cuban' cigars sold on the streets of Mérida are excellent fakes that are manufactured elsewhere. True Cuban cigars can be found in Mérida, but they are sold mostly in established tobacco shops with solid local reputations. To be sure of getting a genuine 'Cubano', don't look for bargains from street vendors and instead try real tabaquerias.

City center

 * . The central food market which offers street-food. This is a good place to shop for local specialties, including queso mennonito, an unpasteurized cheese made in the nearby Mennonite community. (updated Jan 2022)
 * Every evening a family sells and has been selling tamales there for decades, which are cheap, fresh and absolutely delicious.
 * (Zócalo). On Sunday afternoons the streets around the Plaza are closed to vehicles, and the square comes alive with craft vendors as well as street food stands serving traditional Yucatecan dishes. Those vendors offering full meals have their own shaded outdoor seating available. Snacks can be enjoyed on the many benches in the plaza, which is also a great place for people-watching. (updated Jan 2022)

Near the city center

 * . It has a good range of food stalls serving Yucatecan food, with shaded seating.

Drink
Look for a drink called agua de chaya, often simply called 'chaya'. It's a cool, green, mildly sweet and very refreshing juice made by pressing a spinach-like vegetable.

Connect
Free wi-fi is available in all plazas, including the Zócalo (Plaza Mayor). Additionally, many hostels, hotels, restaurants and cafés now offer free wi-fi for their patrons. Otherwise internet cafes are ubiquitous and typically charge around MX$20 pesos per hour (USD$1).

Telcel offers 5G mobile service throughout the city. You can acquire a Telcel SIM card at the at the corner of Calles 56 and 59.

Stay safe
Mérida is a relatively safe city; however visitors should beware of pickpockets and keep their bags secure. If in spite of these precautions you fall victim to theft your best course of action will be to contact the Policía Turística (Tourist Police),. Tourist police officers wear blue and white uniforms, and many speak English. They can be easily found in the center around the Plaza Grande, and along the Paseo Montejo.

The tourist police also maintain two assistance booths in the centro: one in (corner of Calle 60 and 59), and one in  (corner of Calle 60 and 55). Both stands are open daily 08:00-20:00.

Stay healthy
Mérida has one of the best hospital networks in Mexico, and receives patients not only from Mexico but from neighboring Guatemala and Belize as well as from the United States. Cooperation with the medical establishment in cities like Houston has helped to develop a comprehensive network for medical care, with many private clinics meeting and even exceeding standards in Europe and the US.

Public hospitals can provide urgent care, but facilities are basic and staff are unlikely to speak English. For visitors who are not confident with their Spanish, private hospitals and clinics offer a good alternative. Many doctors can speak some English, but nursing staff and receptionists will likely not.

Consulates

 * 🇧🇿 Belize
 * 🇨🇺 Cuba
 * 🇫🇷 France
 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇪🇸 Spain
 * 🇺🇸 United States

in the south:

 * Campeche – 180 km - From the ADO "centro histórico" bus station in Mérida, buses leave almost every 30 minutes for the two and a half-hour drive to Campeche, which costs between M$190 (2nd class but comfortable) and M$350 for ADO bus booked last minute (Nov.23).
 * Palenque - 530km -  From the ADO "centro histórico" bus station in Mérida, ADO buses leave three times daily (1 daytime, 2 overnight) for the ~9 hour trip, costing M$1004 (Nov 2023)

in the east:

 * Valladolid – 160 km
 * Cancún – 310 km
 * Playa del Carmen – 290 km
 * Cozumel – 320 km
 * Tulum – 260 km

in the south-east:

 * Bacalar – 350 km
 * Chetumal – 390 km
 * Mahahual (Costa Maya) – 380 km

By airplane:
There are direct low-cost flights from Mérida for example to Oaxaca, Mexico City, Veracruz and Tuxtla in Chiapas. From the Tuxtla airport to San Cristobal de las Casas.

title: Mérida (Mexico)


text:
Mölle

Mölle is a town in Kullabygden, Scania.

Do
Mölle is blessed with plentiful of activities in the village itself or in its surroundings. Following is a short list of popular destination and activities:

 * Climbing - Rock climbing at Kullaberg is a great way to spend time. If you are experienced in the sport you have best access out at the very point of the peninsula. Try crags such as, Akersberget, Carstens Ranna, Kullamannens Dorr, Ablahamn, Gubbamalen or K2. If you need more information try the local outdoor guiding services located in the harbour, SpecialSportSchool. Guidebooks can usually be found in the harbour, at the lighthouse kiosk and at the campgrounds in Möllehässle.

What makes Kullaberg unique is its vicinity to the ocean. This makes for a bug free environment and scenic and tranquil setting for climbers and belayers. The rock is varied both in type and quality, in some areas the rock is quite rotten and loose. If possible talk to locals or consult guidebooks to find best areas.

 * Diving - A popular place for diving and plentiful of vendors for renting gear and boats/rides. Best places are around the tip of the peninsula just below the lighthouse. Beware of undertows and strong currents under certain conditions, consult guidebooks and talk to locals for best practices. Underwater wildlife is colourful and vivid, chances to see lobster, catfish, crabs, eels.

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

title: Mölle


text:
Mönchengladbach

Mönchengladbach is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany with 262,000 inhabitants (2017).

Understand
"MG", as it is often abbreviated, is mostly renowned for its Soccer Club, Borussia Mönchengladbach. Though inhabited by more than a quarter million people it appears to be a small town due to infrastructure, culture and "spirit". There is very limited public transit (esp. at night), very few clubs and pubs, no arthouse cinemas, and no "scenes". The metropolises of Cologne and Düsseldorf tend to cause a certain "brain drain" from MG so it appears to some as a kind of suburb to those - though again poorly connected in terms of public traffic.

By plane
The closest airport is Düsseldorf with a number of national and international connections

By train
Mönchengladbach can be reached by regional trains. For long distance trains, change in Duisburg, Düsseldorf or Cologne

Mönchengladbach has two stations named "Hauptbahnhof" ("main station") due to the merger of Rheydt and Mönchengladbach and the former main station of Rheydt never being renamed.

By bus
Intercity buses in Germany serve the town.

Get around
Both Rheydt and Mönchengladbach used to have streetcar systems which were shut down in the 1950s and 1960s and there are no concrete plans of ever building one again, making modern Mönchengladbach one of Germany's biggest cities without urban rail of any kind. Mönchengladbach has a bus system but it's limited. From 20:00, it's of no practical help and from 23:00 there are no buses. Buses start from 05:00 (09:00 on Sundays!). On Fridays and Saturdays there is a Night Bus from the party area Alter Markt / Waldhausener Str. to the outskirts, but only until 03:00. You'll always find a taxi of course but they can be costly. Biking is advisable only from April to October, watch out for sudden weather changes. Distances within the centre are easily walked, but Rheydt and the outskirts are not.

Do

 * Borussia Mönchengladbach - The club is in the Bundesliga. The stadium capacity is 54.000 people, you might like to join a match, especially versus Bayern München, 1.FC. Köln, or Borussia Dortmund
 * On Wednesday nights usually you will start at the Mezcalito at about 21:00, pay an entry fee of €3 and drink half-price drinks. Comfortably numb you will then stagger to the Rossi and finish your work. Sometimes there are open jam sessions or live concerts at the Projekt 42.
 * On Thursday there are occasional "poetry slams" at the Projekt 42 (German), better check the HP before.

Buy
Mönchengladbach is not about big shopping tours and never will be, try Düsseldorf, Cologne, Venlo (NL) or Roermond (NL) instead.

If you like German bread: Cafe Ö, Marktstieg 8, very close to the "Alter Markt", is a non-chain-bakery and cafe. They do handcrafted, organic, whole wheat bread. That's what Germans miss when they're abroad (some even more than beer).

If you consider tea bags a crime and are in need of the real stuff: Tee Gschwender, Hindenburgstr., at the "Theater Galerie" will give you sweet relief.

You'll find a Chucks and Vans shop at the Theater Galerie, too.

If you're into punk, hardcore, and ska music and clothes, pay a visit to

Go next

 * Krefeld
 * Meerbusch
 * Neuss
 * Düsseldorf

title: Mönchengladbach


text:
Mörön

Mörön is the capital of Hövsgöl in Northern Mongolia, and a usual stopover en route due to its central location in the province.

Understand
Mörön, whose name means "river" in Mongolian, was established as the administrative center of Khövsgöl Aimag (Province) on the site of a monastery in 1933. The Murungiin Khuree Khiid Monastery was built in 1809 and had a population of 2,500 monks at its peak. It was destroyed during religious purges in 1937. A new monastery was built in the 1990s, with maybe 40 monks. Today there are several museums and a large collection of deer stones 20 km outside of town, though most people simply pass through Mörön on their way to Lake Khövsgöl.

Get in

 * Bus, or Micro-bus from Ulaanbaatar (around 2 days) or Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur 'White Lake' (6-8 hours on the rough track via Shine-Ider) or Khövsgöl Nuur (around 3-4 hours on the almost finished but unsealed road)
 * Hitchhike or ride a bike, possibly paying a truck driver to take you
 * Rent a jeep and driver from e.g. Ulaanbaatar.

By Plane
Fly daily from Ulaanbaatar for about USD150 (you can fly on to Khövsgöl Nuur on the same plane if this is your destination). Located 5 km from the city center, this is one of the busiest airports in Mongolia outside UB with 3 flights a day during the summer.

Local air ticket agents:

Agents speak moderate to advanced English.

Phone: 976-11-313131, 976-11-323232 976-11-323232, 976-11-333333 976-11-303030, 976-11-330101 976-11-331390 Email: info@airtrans.mn http://www.airtrans.mn
 * Air trans:

Phone: +976-70105050 Email: info@airmarket.mn http://www.airmarket.mn
 * Air market:

Phone: 976-18001818, 976-70141818, 976-70131818, 976-11-311818, 976-70121818, 976-70161818, 976-70151818, 976-70101818 Fax: 976-11-322350 Email: info@airlink.mn http://www.airlink.mn
 * Air link:

Phone: 976-11-311001, 976-11-311002, 976-11-311193, 976-70141001 976-70113313 Email: info@monairtour.com http://www.monairtour.com
 * Mon Air tour:

Phone: 976-11-320910, 976-11-310910 Email: info@airexpert.mn                                                                                Fax: 976-11-330910 Phone: +976-77114466 Email: info@airexpress.mn http://www.airexpress.mn facebook.com/AirExpressTravel
 * Air expert:
 * Air express travel:

Get around
The town is small enough to walk around. From the town there is biggest fresh water lake Lake Khövsgöl located 100km to the west that is main attraction in the province.

See

 * Museum
 * Monastery - Danzandarjaa Khiid - on the western edge of town, from 1890, rebuilt in 1990, well worth a 20-minute visit. Arrive in the morning around 10:00 for morning prayer. A small donation would help renovation work.
 * Wrestling stadium - at eastern end of town
 * Town Square - with monument to Davaadorj
 * Town Square - with monument to Davaadorj

Do
At the south east of the town there is nice Mörön river flows and you can fish, swim there and have a boat tour there.

Buy

 * There is a cluster of supermarkets around the 50° 100° Hotel; the largest and the best is directly across the road from the hotel's car park in a newer building. It's worth trying all the supermarkets as some stock things the others haven't.

Eat

 * 50° 100° Hotel - Popular and until midnight. Some unfortunately tiny but unique (for northern Mongolia) salads. Otherwise a variety of Mongolian (try the honey beef for 6000 ₮) and perhaps Western fare such as pizza and lasagne (although apparently empty promises as they're never available). Guests at the hotel do not need a reservation. Free decent WiFi. No real coffee for now, just instant coffee mix. Cross your fingers they buy an espresso machine to complete the cosiness. Cinnamon roll: stock up for those long horse treks north.
 * Jargalan Restaurant - further west from the 50° 100° Hotel on the same side of the road is the Jargalan Restaurant (look for the Cyrillic sign) which, although looking shabby from the outside, is pristine inside with bilingual menus (Mongolian and English) including pictures. Offering Mongolian fusion cuisine including Kimchi Hurshuur and a variety of soups. Tel: 24409 or 99509707.
 * Shalom Burger - apparently no burgers, but definitely sweet snacks. Upstairs over the supermarket on the NE corner of the 50° 100° Hotel intersection.
 * If you look carefully in the glass cabinets that masquerade as refrigerators at the supermarkets early enough in the afternoon before the staff have managed to eat them all, there are small pizza-like objects (around 12 cm in diameter) in plastic wrapping. Amazingly, they taste like pizza!
 * Aynii joloo coffee shop is very nice coffee shop and bakery in town really good place to have a coffee. Facebook video https://m.facebook.com/story.php/?id=100001510090095&story_fbid=7024410414285892

Drink
Don't forget Wednesdays are alcohol free. So stock up on Tuesday and drink at home, if you are so inclined.

Connect
Enjoy the 3G coverage of Mobicom in the city limits, or visit 50° 100° Hotel for WiFi.

Go next
Go to Lake Khövsgöl.

title: Mörön


text:
Älvdalen

Älvdalen is a municipality in north-western Dalarna, at the border of Härjedalen and Norway.

Settlements

 * Älvdalen
 * Idre
 * Särna

Talk
While virtually everyone speaks standard Swedish, and understands English, the municipality is home to the Elfdalian language (älvdalska), with around 2,000 speakers. Though it has never had legal standing as a language, it is unintelligible to Swedish-speakers, and was written with runes well into the 20th century.

The dialects in Idre and Särna are considered Norwegian. In the northern edge of the province, Sami is the traditional language.

By plane
The airports at Sveg or at Sälen can be used to go to Älvdalen or Idre. Connections to Idre are by car or taxi only, 132 km from Sveg and 120 km from Sälen.

By train
There are trains from Stockholm over Arlanda to Mora. Bus connections to Älvdalen, Särna and Idre exist. Tickets from SJ.

By bus
Dalatrafik organises buses from e.g. Mora to Älvdalen, Särna and Idre. In the winter there are direct buses between Stockholm and the Idre ski resort.

Get around
In winter, there is a bus from Särna to Mörket. Its first stop is at the Konsum store in Särna.

Do
Summer - Hiking, Fishing, Bird Watching, the largest waterfall in Sweden in the Fulufjället National Park, Moose Adventure, Beaver watching. Winter - Husky Adventure, Snow Shoe Hiking, Snow Scooter trails, Skiining in Idre or Särna.

Eat
There are a few places to eat, in Idre, 35km from Mörkret and Särna 25km from Mörkret

Stay safe
Close to the Fulufjället National Park, one would find [www.fulufjällsbyn.se], consisting of 22 fully equipped cottages.

title: Älvdalen


text:
Møn

Møn is in Denmark.

The small island is just south of Zealand. It had about 9,400 inhabitants in 2017.

Cities
The 2 main towns are Stege and Lendemarke, which adjoin one another and which have about 2,000 residents in total. Other noteworthy villages are Borre and Klintholm Havn in eastern end of the island, and Store Damme/Askeby in the western end.

Talk
Most of the population speaks Danish, English and (some) German. Swedish and Norwegian is widely understood.

By bus
Search connections on https://www.rejseplanen.dk/webapp/index.html?language=en_EN

By car
The island has a bridge connection to Zealand where Copenhagen is located, and to Lolland-Falster which has ferries from Germany

See
The white chalk cliffs of Møn are created from the shells of tiny animals and plants settling on what, 75 million years ago, was a tropical seabed. During the last ice age, the chalk was pushed to the surface by glaciers covering northern Europe. The cliffs are up to 100 meters (328 feet) tall.

Do
Go fossil hunting in the white chalk cliffs of Møns Klint. Bring a hammer and chisel or similar, and start chipping in the chalk cliffs. Most common are belemnite fossils but others can also be found.

Eat

 * Støberiet where you are able to choose between as much as 50 kinds of meat.
 * Gourmet Gaarden which is the best option on Møn if you are looking for fine dining.
 * Café Frederik located on the main square of Stege with a great view due to the fact that the building is made entirely of glass.
 * Café Frederik located on the main square of Stege with a great view due to the fact that the building is made entirely of glass.

Go next

You can drive west to the small island Bogø, further to Faro, and from there to Zealand or Falster.

title: Møn


text:
Møre og Romsdal

Møre og Romsdal is a county in Western Norway. It is the most northerly of the famous west coast fjord regions and its northern location possibly cuts visitors - but it yields to none of the others in its scenery. It is an area of iconic fjords but also of alpine mountains rising directly from the ocean, countless waterfalls, myriad of islands, rugged coast and great valleys. There are also interesting man-made sights such as the unusual city of Ålesund and the Trollstigen mountain road.

Towns
There are no large cities in Møre og Romsdal, but there are a few towns around. These are mainly:
 * — Compact archipelago town, known for being the clip fish capital of Norway.
 * — County administrative centre, known as "The town of roses". Hosts Norway's largest jazz festival and a great panorama of the mountains in the south.
 * — The largest town in Møre og Romsdal which is characterized by its narrow Art Nouveau dominated centre.
 * — Small town and transportation hub, marks the end of Møre og Romsdal's only railway, Raumabanen, and is surrounded by the Romsdals alps.

Other destinations

 * — a typical coastal municipality, with many beautiful small islands
 * — many people describe Averøy as a "miniature of Norway" as all the landscape typical to Norway is represented here
 * — the steep-sided fjord with its waterfalls, including the Bridal Veil and the Suitor. Geiranger-Hellesylt ferry, Hurtigruten (summer) and cruise ships travel the fjord. In UNESCO area with Hellesylt nextdoor at the other end of Geirangerfjord
 * — surrounded by towering, snow-clad alpine summits rising directly from deep fjord. See it by ferry and/or car, or cruise ship.
 * — great valley stretching from the fjord to uplands at Oppdal, surrounded by alpine mountains and countless waterfalls
 * — fertile valley and great fjord on the scenic Road 63
 * — a 100-km regional route in Møre og Romsdal between Åndalsnes and Skjåk/Stryn via Valldal and Geiranger; the route runs through some of Norway's top sights, including the Trollstigen mountain pass and an excellent panorama of the famous Geirangerfjord.

Understand

Møre og Romsdal county includes deep fjords, towering alpine mountains, gentle valleys, countless green islands, wide forests, the wild Atlantic coast, impressive mountain roads, numerous lakes, barren mountain plateaus, charming mountain farms, and the highest waterfalls in Norway. This region is rich in natural resources such as fisheries, natural gas and hydro electric power. While the area is famous for its iconic fjords and tall waterfalls in the interior, the county is in fact largely facing the ocean. Two of three main towns, Kristiansund and Ålesund, both sits on islands. In 2009, Kristiansund was finally connected to the main land by complex tunnel and bridge systems. Important industry as well as two of four airports are on islands. The interior is sparsely populated, while the most population is concentrated on islands and outer areas.

The highest mountains and waterfalls are in the district around Hjørundfjord, Geiranger, Valldal, Tafjord, Åndalsnes, Eikesdalen valley and Sunndal valley. Around Hjørundfjord and Åndalsnes are the some the most alpine areas in Norway, known as Sunnmøre alps and Romsdal alps respectively. The rivers of Sunndal, Geiranger and Romsdal flow west/northwest from the watershed. In Geiranger the river flows few kilometers to the fjord while the corresponding rivers in East Norway flow gently 600 km to the Oslo fjord. This means that western rivers are much more powerful and has for thousands of years dug deep into the bedrock creating gorges and waterfalls, this process has also shifted the watershed east/south such that what was once tributaries to the eastern rivers became tributaries to western rivers. While the water in these tributaries end up in a western fjord, their valley still point south/east, this phenomenon is known as "reverse" or "barb valley". Such barb valleys can be seen in the upper parts of Romsdalen and Sunndal valleys. The transition from the mellow landscape of the eastern interior to the "wild west" in Møre og Romsdal is particularly memorable from a drive from east to west in Norway. The change from East to West occurs over a few kilometers near the county line at Geiranger, at Verma in Romsdalen, near Finnset in Eikesdalen and at Gjøra in Sunndalen.

In the inner areas the steep mountains and deep valles of the west turns into gently sloping valleys and high plateaus of the east. The Tafjord mountains overlaps with the Reinheimen uplands that stretches far into Oppland. The high mountains of Romsdalen, Eikesdalen and Sunndalen is part of the wider Dovrefjell area part of which is protected as a national park. Trollheimen mountains of Trøndelag are shared with Sunndal and Surnadal.

The coast line is very because of the long fjords and countless islands. Along fjords there are few beaches and mostly steep hills or cliffs directly into the water. There beaches, including some sandy, on the islands. Fjords are mostly very deep and during summer there is a constant inflow of meltwater that cools the surface. Fjords heat slightly during summer.

Along the coast and to the north (in the Nordmøre area closer to Trondheim), the mountains are lower, less steep and the forests wide and deep. Due to the deep fjords and numerous islands all parts of this region has easy access to the Atlantic and transport depends on ferries. While Geiranger has for 100 years been a popular destination, there is a number of great fjords in all parts of the county.

This area, partly together with Nordfjord, is often referred to as the "northwest" - that is the northern part of Western Norway (Stavanger and surrounding region in contrast is informally called the southwest).

Ålesund is the youngest town in the area and grew rapidly from late 1800s as the centre of commerce. Ålesund is one of Norway's main fisheries ports. Molde is the administrative centre, while Kritiansund developed early as a trading post and capital of "dried cod fish". Ålesund is still the most interesting as it was rebuilt in an idiosyncratic style after the devastating 1904-fire. Molde and Kristiansund (along with Åndalsnes) were destroyed by bombs and fire during the German invasion in 1940, then rebuilt in a less interesting post-war style.

Climate
Møre og Romsdal weather is dominated by the North Atlantic. On the islands and close to the ocean it's never really hot in summer and rarely cold in winter. Fog tends to emerge on warm summer days. At the eastern end of fjords and in the long valleys, summers are warmer and gentler. Strawberries, apples and cherries are grown commercially in the warm valleys and at the southern slopes along fjords. In places like Valldal and Geiranger there is typically snow cover from December to April, frequently 50-100 centimeters heavy snow, occasionally more than 100 centimeters in the valley. On mountain passes like Trollstigen and Geiranger road there can be several meters of snow during winter. At sea level along fjords and on islands like Kristiansund and Ålesund there is usually very little snow.

Note that temperature is closely related to altitude. In the mountains, the temperature can be close to 0 °C even in summer. Snow occasionally falls on the highest summits even during summer.

Talk
As in the rest of Norway, virtually everybody speaks or understands English. In tourist hot spots, like Geiranger, French and German are also common among service personnel. Due to some immigration from Poland, the Netherlands etc., don't be surprised to meet service workers that manage other languages as well.

The language in Møre og Romsdal is Norwegian, with dialects that are distinctly different from Oslo and Bergen dialects. In the northern area (Nordmøre), the dialect is similar to Trondheim dialect.

By plane
There are four airports in the county, at Ålesund, Molde, Ørsta/Volda and Kristiansund. Ålesund has the best connections and can be reached from Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and some international cities like London.
 * Ålesund Airport, Vigra
 * Molde Airport is few kilometer just east of the centre of Molde.
 * Kristiansund Airport
 * Kristiansund Airport

By rail
The Rauma railway terminates at Åndalsnes and runs parallel to road E136, and are connected to Oslo and Trondheim via Dombås junction. This is also a very scenic piece of railway.

By boat
A large number of cruise ships (mostly departing from Denmark, Britain or the Continent) visit towns and fjords every summer. Hurtigruten has daily departures from Bergen and Trondheim towards the coastal ports of Kristiansund, Molde and Ålesund.

By bus
Both Nettbuss and NOR-WAY Bussekspress have bus services that can bring you in to the area.

By car
From the inland Road E136 connects the region to road E6 (Norway's main north-south road) at Dombås. About seven hours from Oslo to Åndalsnes. E136 is an all-year road and the main access by car to the county.

In summer, the region can also be reached via the famous Geiranger road. Road 15 from Otta (on E6) connects to Road 63 on the mountain pass above Geiranger.

From the south On the west coast, the main entrance to Møre og Romsdal is the E39 from Bergen to Volda, Ålesund and Molde. Tourists should consider the more scenic Road 60 (connecting to E39 at Byrkjelo) across a small mountain pass, further along fjords and through Olden and Stryn to Hellesylt.

From the north The E39 is also the main entrance from Middle Norway (Trøndelag) and Trondheim. Tourists could however consider the more scenic road 70 through Sunndal valley connecting to E6 at Oppdal.

By rail
The only railway in this district ends at Åndalsnes and covers only the stretch from Dombås via Bjorli down Romsdalen valley.

By bus
Frequent buses connect the towns, whereas in remote areas there may be only one or two buses daily. Search using rutebok.no.

By road

Your own car or motorcycle is the best way to get around and travel at your own speed and reaching and stop at the most scenic places.

Hitchhiking is a cheap way to travel the tourist routes. Many drivers won't let hitchhikers on, so don't expect immediate response.

Cycling is a nice way to move around the varied landscape, steep hills and numerous tunnels are challenging. Read maps carefully to avoid long tunnels on main roads. In some tunnels, bicycles are not allowed.
 * Iconic Road 63 has only one short tunnel (which can be circumvented).
 * Road 136 Dombås-Bjorli-Åndalsnes has no tunnels, but heavy traffic at rush.
 * Road 136 Åndalsnes-Sjøholt has several long tunnels and often heavy traffic
 * Road 64 Molde-Atlantic road-Averøya has no tunnels.
 * Road 60 Ålesund-Stranda has no tunnels
 * Road 655 Hellesylt-Sæbø-Ørsta has no tunnels
 * Tunnels to islands are deep and steep (notably Ørsta-Ulsteinvik, Kristiansund road 64, and tunnels to Ålesund airport), not for bicycles.
 * Road 650 Sjøholt-Valldal has 6 tunnels (alternative is road 60 via Stranda)
 * Road 60 Stranda-Hellesylt has 2 long tunnels, not recommended
 * Road 60 Hellesylt-Stryn has 1 tunnel that may be circumvented along abandoned road

The Møre og Romsdal area stretches from the shores of the mild Atlantic where there are only brief periods of frost and snow, to the high mountains and interior with heavy snowfalls and periods of deep frost. Trollstigen and Geiranger mountain passes on Road 63 are always closed during winter (usually November to mid May). Ice and snow is common on all roads during the winter months December-March, in the interior and uplands from late October to mid April. Some roads are occasionally closed by avalanche. Travel in winter should always allow generous time for the unforeseen.
 * Winter

By boat
Ferries like the Geiranger-Hellesylt ferry or the longer Valldal-Geiranger ferry offer opportunities to rest for the bicycle traveler.

Because of the many islands and deep fjords, Møre og Romsdal has a large number of relatively short (10-20 min) ferry crossings. Car ferries are an integral part of the road network and trips across this county always involves ferries, but these ferries are generally not a separate means of transport. Car ferries on the main roads are rather frequent (typically every half hour), extremely reliable and operate with reserve capacity. Except for the popular Geiranger-Hellesylt and Valldal-Geiranger ferries, tourists need not worry about time tables and reservations. Tourists are however recommended to calculate plenty of time for trips involving car ferries. Buses, ambulances and livestock transport have priority. On the longer crossings, ferries have cafeteria selling coffee, beverages, sandwiches and some hot food. Menu also include the typical thick pancake ("svele") served with brown cheese, butter or marmalade.

There are in addition a few express boats (passengers only).

For additional information regarding public transportation in Møre og Romsdal, contact the public transport information Trafikanten Møre og Romsdal or on phone number +47 177.

See
The most important sights in Møre og Romsdal is the nature and landscape itself, although the old centre of Ålesund and some charming villages and mountain farms are worth a visit. A number of interesting and impressive road constructions are perhaps the most important man-made attractions in this region. Trollstigen, Atlanterhavsveien and the Geiranger road are some of the great road constructions. There is also a number of great constructions related to hydro electric power production notably in Tafjord and Sunndal. The best way to see and experience this area is by driving your own car, taking a bus tour or by taking a cruise on the fjords and see something of the below.

Cultural

 * Cities. Molde and Kristiansund were both destroyed during the second world war. Except for the church, Molde is largely not interesting in terms of architecture. After the war Kristiansund became a well-planned and functional but not particularly interesting city, except for the unusual church and a handful pretty old wooden buildings. Ålesund is by far the most interesting city in the area, also rebuilt after a complete destruction, but in the bold local variant of the Jugend-style (art nouveau).
 * Stave churches. Møre og Romsdal is home to three of Norway's 30 remaining stave churches: at Rødven (road 64 between Molde and Åndalsnes), Kvernes (detour from road 64 at Averøy), and on Grip island near Kristiansund (with an ancient winged altarpiece). The Møre og Romsdal stave churches are less conspicuous than those found in Sogn, Valdres and Hallingdal, but are nonetheless witnesses to ancient construction technique, decorative style and religious life.
 * Other churches. Møre og Romsdal also has many octagonal wooden churches mostly built about 200 years ago. The elongated octagonal shape is characteristic for the western areas, including the shapely churches in Aukra, Kleive, Norddal, Stordal, Stranda, Tresfjord and Ulsteinvik. The plain white exterior of the churches in Stordal and Tresfjord conceals a richly decorated interior. In the more eastern areas the regular octagon dominates, giving the churches at Åndalsnes, Ålvundeid and Sunndal the shape of a circus tent. Most old churches are wooden, except Tingvoll, Borgund (Ålesund) and Giske churches. The elegant Molde cathedral is a modern building partly with a traditional style, while Kirklandet church in Kristiansund was the first truly modern church building with complete departure from traditional style.
 * is an exciting and elegant road engineering at the edge of the Atlantic. It is an 8-km-long stretch of road connecting Averøy to the mainland via a stretch of several islets connected by 8 bridges. By car, it is one of two possible routes between Kristiansund and Molde.
 * Downtown Ålesund has many art nouveau (Jugendstil) buildings built after the devastating 1904 fire. Ålesund is also the regional centre with shopping malls and airport.
 * Dalsnibba and Geiranger road has countless hairpin bends. Detour on tollroad to Dalsnibba summita 1500 m (4920 ft) mountain summit. Faboulus view over the fjord and the mountain behind. Detour from road 63 (Geiranger mountain pass) direction Skjåk and Stryn (summer only). The northern access to Geiranger village via the steep Eagle's road with several hair pin bends. Iconic panorama of Geirangefjord (all year). Both roads part of road 63 Åndalsnes-Valldal-Geiranger-Skjåk/Stryn.
 * Zacharias dam, 20 km from Valldal, is a 95-m-high concrete dam in a narrow river gorge. The main reservoir for the Tafjord hydro power complex. In nearby Tafjord village the power station built in the 1920s, which is now museum.
 * Downtown Ålesund has many art nouveau (Jugendstil) buildings built after the devastating 1904 fire. Ålesund is also the regional centre with shopping malls and airport.
 * Dalsnibba and Geiranger road has countless hairpin bends. Detour on tollroad to Dalsnibba summita 1500 m (4920 ft) mountain summit. Faboulus view over the fjord and the mountain behind. Detour from road 63 (Geiranger mountain pass) direction Skjåk and Stryn (summer only). The northern access to Geiranger village via the steep Eagle's road with several hair pin bends. Iconic panorama of Geirangefjord (all year). Both roads part of road 63 Åndalsnes-Valldal-Geiranger-Skjåk/Stryn.
 * Zacharias dam, 20 km from Valldal, is a 95-m-high concrete dam in a narrow river gorge. The main reservoir for the Tafjord hydro power complex. In nearby Tafjord village the power station built in the 1920s, which is now museum.

Natural

 * Grip is a former fishing community on an island in the Atlantic 15 km from Kristiansund. Grip has a stave church and a tall lighthouse.
 * Trollstigen mountain pass on Road 63 between Åndalsnes and Valldal, is a mountain road climbing the pass between Isterdalen valley in the north and Valldal valley in the south. This road is one of the most visited destinations in Norway (summer only).
 * Trollstigen mountain pass on Road 63 between Åndalsnes and Valldal, is a mountain road climbing the pass between Isterdalen valley in the north and Valldal valley in the south. This road is one of the most visited destinations in Norway (summer only).
 * Trollstigen mountain pass on Road 63 between Åndalsnes and Valldal, is a mountain road climbing the pass between Isterdalen valley in the north and Valldal valley in the south. This road is one of the most visited destinations in Norway (summer only).
 * Trollstigen mountain pass on Road 63 between Åndalsnes and Valldal, is a mountain road climbing the pass between Isterdalen valley in the north and Valldal valley in the south. This road is one of the most visited destinations in Norway (summer only).
 * Trollstigen mountain pass on Road 63 between Åndalsnes and Valldal, is a mountain road climbing the pass between Isterdalen valley in the north and Valldal valley in the south. This road is one of the most visited destinations in Norway (summer only).

Itineraries
Alpine Highlights - by car From Otta on E6 road 15 passed Grotli, change to road 63, make a detour to Dalsnibba (at Djupvasshytta), continue down the famous Geiranger road (don't stop in Geiranger village), continue up Eagle's Highway (short stop for photos near the top) on road 63. Take the ferry from Eidsdal to Linge (10 minutes), at Linge turn left onto road 650 for a 10-km detour to Liabygda, enjoy the panorama, and return to Valldal village on road 63. Return to Valldal village and continue up Valldal valley on road 63 towards Trollstigen, short stop at Gudbrandsjuvet to look at the gorge, continue to the mountain pass and drive down Trollstigen after stop "on the edge". Continue towards Verma and look at the waterfalls there. Connect to E6 at Dombås.

Eat
The county has long traditions in fishing and is famous for its bacalao. Kristiansund in particular were pioneers in the export of dried-salted cod, klippfisk, and export to Portugal and Spain also resulted in the import of dishes such as bacalo (cod in one-pot with tomato, onion and potatoes). Another "typical" dish worth mentioning is "Raspeball" (potatoe dumpling). A particular variant in this area is potato-fish dumpling, known as mixed-dumplings (blandeball) or fish-dumplings (fiskeboller). Also try the typical thick pancake ("svele") served on ferries.

Drink
Most towns have a few or more nightclubs and pubs, and decent nightlife in the weekends.

Slogen beer, brewed in Liabygda at Sunnmøre is supposed to be a superb contest-winning local beer brand.

Stay safe
Norway has in general a low crime rate. Møre og Romsdal does not have any big cities where crime is relatively more frequent. Violent crimes are very rare. Petty thefts and vandalism are the most common form of crime. Most communities in Møre og Romsdal are small, peaceful villages where everybody knows each other, and tourists do not need to worry about their safety in public places. Tourists should however watch their belongings in crowded tourist spots like Geiranger and in the busy shopping areas of Ålesund.

People generally drive carefully on mountain roads and few car accidents happen even if many tourists feel unsafe. Drivers tend to use their brakes too much, causing the brake fluid to boil. Use a low gear and let the engine control the speed downhill.

Møre og Romsdal has large numbers of red deer (hart, "hjort") that can suddenly jump into the road at dusk and dawn (particularly where road is passing through dense forest). The red deer is much smaller than the moose (elk) found in Eastern Norway, but can still create a dangerous situation and cause serious damage to your car. Note the special warning sign. Call the police at 02800 (or emergency number 112) if you wound an animal.

Do not walk near or on glaciers without a tour guide and proper equipment. Do not underestimate the risk on slippery slopes (particularly near waterfalls).

Do not underestimate the power of waves along the Atlantic. Always wear a life west when in a small open boat. Keep well away from the sea in stormy weather - wave height may suddenly cause surprises.

Go next

 * Sogn og Fjordane
 * Oppland
 * Trondheim
 * Bergen

title: Møre og Romsdal


text:
Müden (Örtze)

Müden is an interesting and attractive village near Faßberg in the southern part of the Lüneburg Heath in the German state of Lower Saxony.

The village, which is situated in the county of Celle is a very popular tourist spot whose catchment area includes Hamburg, Bremen and Hanover. It is surrounded by large tracts of forest and heathland. The nearest big towns are Soltau (30 km west), Uelzen (45 km east) and Celle (32 km south). Two rivers, the Wietze and the Örtze, merge in Müden.

Understand
Historically, Müden was a typical heathland farming village and there is still something of that atmosphere in its jigsaw of cobbled lanes away from the main roads. An artificial lake, the Heidesee has been created as a recreation area, but Müden is best-known locally for its excellent "coffee and cake" cafe in a converted barn, the Ole Müllern Schün.

By car
Müden can be reached easily on the local road network, from Bergen (Germany) take the L81, Bahnhofstraßse, at the end of the road in Beckedorf turn right onto the L240 to Hermannsburg, stay on this road until you reach Müden, approximately 20 minutes drive from Bergen.

By rail and bus
Müden can also be reached by bus. A regular service runs from Unterlüß the nearest main railway station, which is on the Hanover to Hamburg line.

Get around
Müden is a small village with one main route going through and a minor junction leading to either Munster, Hermannsburg or Faßberg. The entire village is an easy stroll.

Buy
There are few shops in Müden apart from the normal baker's and grocery shops, but the village does have one or two nice antique and local craft shops that are worth browsing.

Eat
Müden has several cafés and restaurants, many serving typical regional cuisine like Heidschnuckenbraten (moorland sheep mutton chops), asparagus with heath-grown potatoes or Buchweizentorte, a delicious, local gateau made using buckwheat. One with a reputation across the region is the:

Go next
Just a few of the places of interest within easy reach of Müden are listed below,

 * Uelzen - best known for its unusual modern art railway station.
 * Hermannsburg - a quiet heath village with landing stages for launching canoes and rowing boats on the Örtze.
 * Munster - visit the German Tank Museum.
 * Bergen - heath town most noted for the nearby Belsen Concentration Camp.
 * Lüneburg - a picturesque, historic town with attractive centre, town hall and old river port.

title: Müden (Örtze)


text:
Mühlberg

Mühlberg is a town of 3,700 (2019) in Brandenburg, but it can more properly be describe as a quaint village with a rich history. It has a castle bought by a former president, trails along a slow flowing river, and streets made completely of cobblestones.

Get in
Mühlberg is an approximately 1½-hour drive from Dresden or Leipzig; both offers major train stations and airports. A bus also runs through the small village. The Elbe Radweg (River Elbe cycle path) passes through Mühlberg, so it is conveniently accessible by bike.

Get around
Mühlberg is a very walkable location. The entire village can be walked within an hour or so if you are not interested in learning about the various places.

Do
Mühlberg is a great place to walk around and experience what life is like in a rural area of Germany. Many of the locals are friendly but only speak German. If you are walking late at night, be careful of group of teenagers hanging outside of a house or at the park. The undesirable elements of the community usually congregate together till the wee hour of night with their bicycles. If you ignore them, they will usually leave you alone.

Buy
There are two markets in the city Edeka and Netto.

Eat
As of 2021-10-18 there is no restaurant in business. Breakfast is available in Bakery "Konditorei Schaller" or in the retail markets.

Go next

 * Torgau, 25 km to the northwest, downstream and across the River Elbe
 * Riesa, 20 km to the south (upstream)

title: Mühlberg


text:
Mühlhausen

Mühlhausen is a city in Thuringia.

Get in
By public transport, take a train from Göttingen or Erfurt (see  for timetables / booking) - the railway station is about 15 minutes on foot from the old city centre.

Get around
Best way to get around is on foot - most sights are within the old city wall.

For a city tour, from the Blobach - carpark outside the Frauentor (the main gate) - you can take a fun ride with the Mühlhausen "Tram", which runs (except in Winter) once an hour, on the hour.

See
Mühlhausen is a walled mediaeval city which has preserved its past through two world wars and 44 years in the former soviet East Germany. It includes 11 Gothic Churches

Do

 * Visit the Imperial Archive.
 * Walk the City Walls.
 * Relax at the Schwanenteich boating lake (15 minutes on foot from old town centre).
 * Swim at the Thermen indoor pool (thermal baths, waterslide).
 * Visit the museums.

Buy
Mühlhausen is a great place to get good deals. Alongside well known German chains you will find many family run shops and businesses offering unusual products. The highstreet, the Steinweg, and the Linsenstraße are the best places to start, but make sure to walk around the old town and hunt for deals.

Eat
At the Puschkinhaus where you can sit inside or outside in the beautiful garden. This a wonderful place to bring children to with its large playground, stream and waterwheels. The food is excellent and the service informal and friendly. Not expensive either.

At the Mälzer Hof on the Untermarkt opposite the fine Divi Blasii Church. Dimly lit and cosy. Beer garden at the back.

At the Restaurant Zum Nachbarn somewhat outside the centre but possibly the one with the highest reputation for its cooking.

At the Postkeller on the Steinweg right in the centre. Don't be put off by the notice about a jazz club. Go right on in down a passage, through a pretty courtyard and into what must be the finest panelled interior outside of the Houses of Parliament.

At the newly restored Mühlhäuser Hof hotel on the Lower Steinweg, also very central.

At Seipels Restaurant on the Bastmarkt just outside the walls. This is an insider tip, not known to many but with its own faithful regular guests. The owners, a friendly young couple, make an art form out of their cooking, inventing and experimenting so that the menu always contains some interesting new dishes. Herr Seipel will come and discuss your meal with you first and make you feel at home. Behind the restaurant is a lovely walled garden, full of azaleas in the summer.

Not at the Brauhaus Zum Löwen unless you enjoy crowds of tourists and offhand staff.

Drink
Almost anywhere in the centre, especially on the Upper Steinweg with its open-air cafes and restaurants.

Nothing like English pubs in Mühlhausen. But try the Antoniusmühle just inside the Frauentor gate. Nice courtyard and family run.

Best cafes are in the Linsenstraße or the Neue Straße, where there is a delightful teahouse. If you like cafes Vienna style the best is the longstanding Cafe Schikore in the Erfurter Straße just off the Untermarkt. You can sit here for hours undisturbed and they have plenty of the latest magazines and newspapers.

Mühlhausen also has some very good ice-cream cafes: the San Marco on the Steinweg, the Al Mulino in the Johannisstraße just outside the Outer Frauentor gate, and one near the Schwanenteich Lake, a favourite place to walk just on the edge of town.

Sleep

 * Peterhof
 * Peterhof

title: Mühlhausen


text:
Hann. Münden

'''[http://www.hann.muenden-tourismus.de/ Hann. Münden]''' (short for Hannoversch Münden) is a city in Southern Lower Saxony in Germany.

It is the half-timbered jewel at the confluence of three rivers in the Weser Mountain Region on the eastern edge of the Reinhardswald.

By train
Regional connections from Kassel, Göttingen, Witzenhausen.

By car
Just of the A7 between Kassel and Göttingen or via the B3.

See
With over 700 timber-framed medieval buildings and remains of the town walls there is plenty of historic architecture in the town to see.

Go next

 * Göttingen
 * Kassel
 * Witzenhausen

title: Hann. Münden


text:
Münster

Münster is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, in the northwest of Germany. It is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. Of its 315,000 residents (2019), more than 50,000 are students.

Understand
Münster was founded as a monastery in 794 by the Frisian missionary Saint Liudger to aid Charlemagne's campaign to gain control over the Saxons. The city's name is derived from the word "monastery" which can be seen from its Latin name of Monasterium. In 805, Münster was made a bishopric and, in 1170, it obtained its town rights.

For centuries the city and its surrounding (the Münsterland) was ruled by powerful prince-bishops who were religious leader, political ruler and supreme judge at the same time. During the Middle Ages, Münster was a member of the Hanseatic League, becoming a prosperous trade city; the proud patrician houses on Prinzipalmarkt give evidence of this era. In 1534 and 1535, Münster was ruled by the radical Protestant sect of Anabaptists led by the Dutch preacher Jan van Leiden who crowned himself priest-king of the "Kingdom of Zion", expecting an imminent end of the world. The movement was brutally suppressed by the Catholic Church and their leaders tortured, executed and put into cages that were hung on the city's highest steeple (the cages can still be seen hanging on the St Lamberti Church's tower).

In 1648, the Westphalian Peace treaty was negotiated and signed coevally in Osnabrück and at the Rathaus (city hall) of Münster (envoys of the different parties were constantly riding between the two cities back and forth), marking an end to the Thirty Years' War. This peace treaty gave rise to the modern concept of state sovereignty which is known as the "Westphalian order" among international law scholars. The city is proud of this heritage, claiming the slogan of being "the city of Peace".

In 1815, the Prince-Bishopric of Münster was annexed by Prussia and Münster became the capital of the Prussian province of Westphalia. Since then, it has been dominated by administrative and judicial institutions, professional services and trade, while industry never played a big role. The city has long had a reputation of being deeply "black", i.e. Catholic and conservative (while most cities in North Rhine-Westphalia were dominated by the working class and were considered strongholds of socialism and thus "red").

Münster University was founded in 1773, but it was closed down by the Prussian government in favour of the newly-founded University of Bonn. It was however re-established by German Emperor William II in 1902 who also conferred his name to it (Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität). Since then, the number of students has massively grown. Nowadays, the University and the Münster polytechnic (Fachhochschule) have about 50,000 students in total—a significant share of them being international students—who have given the city a much more liberal and diverse outlook, contrary to its traditional image.

Since Westphalia was merged into the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Münster has lost its capital role to Düsseldorf, but the city of just over 300,000 inhabitants still hosts several administrative institutions, courts of justice, insurance and trade companies and, first and foremost, educational institutes. It is home to high-tech startups. To many Germans, Münster is a household name because the popular crime series Tatort which is regularly watched by more than a third of the German TV audience has a number of episodes set here known for their tongue in cheek humor (unusual for Tatort otherwise) and the "unlikely couple" of Prof. Karl Friedrich Boerne, a coroner, and Frank Thiel a carless bike-driving cop with a hippie father. While many of the episodes are actually shot elsewhere, popular landmarks still feature prominently in many episodes.

Climate
A well-known saying in Münster is "Either it rains or the church bells ring. And if both occur at the same time, it's Sunday." Its rainfall is close to the average rainfall in Germany. The perception of Münster as a rain-laden city comes from the above-average number of rainy days with relatively small amounts of rainfall. The winter in Münster is fairly mild and snowfall is unusual. The temperature during summertime meets the average in Germany.

By plane

If flying from abroad, Düsseldorf Airport is your most likely option. Direct flights land from most major European airports, interspersed with the occasional intercontinental flight. Trains take about 1 hour 40 minutes to Münster (on the RE2 line, hourly, €25). A taxi is likely to cost you €180 or more.

If low-cost carriers are your thing, another good option is Dortmund Airport, which is a focus city for no-frills carriers such as Wizzair and Ryanair. Reaching that airport is easy; there are frequent trains from Münster to Dortmund Hauptbahnhof, which is linked to the airport by public transportation. The journey should take 1 hr 10 min. By car, the journey takes an hour, but can be longer if you end up stuck in traffic.

Frankfurt Airport is not too far away and making use of rail and fly may work out to be a good deal.

By car
By car, Münster can be reached by Autobahn A 1 from both the north and the south and Autobahn A 43 from the southwest. On Saturdays, traffic into the city becomes a nightmare, so park your car at one of the four free Park and Ride lots (located on the main axes into town and marked by P+R signs) and take the bus into the centre.

By bus

Intercity bus lines are offered by Flixbus which is by far the biggest player in the market. Buses arrive at and leave from behind the train station.

Get around
Münster is one of Germany's biggest cities by number of inhabitants without a light rail, tram or subway network and while short distances inside the central districts are easily walkable and bikable, cars tend to dominate trips from outlying districts or suburbs. There are of course buses, but those get stuck in traffic.

By bike
Münster has a lot of bikes which creates a really special atmosphere. The city is rather flat, and is home to about 50,000 students, so naturally traveling by bike and on foot are the key modes of transport. All sidewalks outside residential areas have a red-brick section reserved just for cyclists (walking on this section is a gaffe which may cause cyclists to ring their bell angrily!), and the entire city has a pedestrian/cycle path that surrounds it: The Promenade follows the route of the city's long-gone medieval walls, and it makes for a very nice walk, taking you past the lovely Aasee (a large artificial lake surrounded by a park). While both walking and cycling are perfectly safe, some cyclists drive at a rather brisk pace and don't expect people to cross cycle routes without looking and getting hit by them can leave you seriously injured.

If you plan to stay within the centre, you can easily get around on foot. If you're venturing outside, don't be afraid to hire a bike. Münster is said to be one of Germany's most bike-friendly cities (along with Erlangen, a town of similar size and a similar number of students), and bike paths are clearly marked and usually separated from other traffic. The best option for bike rental is Radstation:

By bus
Münster also has an efficient bus system operated by the Stadtwerke. Buses run between 05:00 and 01:00 on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends. Most lines run every 20 minutes, but lines tend to overlap which usually makes for a denser schedule. Due to the confusing city layout and numerous construction sites, the whole thing isn't altogether straightforward, which isn't helped by the fact that all lines change around 21:00 when the entire system is switched to night traffic. Late at night, buses can be up to 70 minutes apart, so check the schedule beforehand. All lines meet at Hauptbahnhof (the central station). Ticket machines are sparse, but you can purchase tickets from the driver at a surcharge. Neither accept cards, not even German debit cards. A single ticket (Einzelticket) costs €2.60/€3.00 (regular/onboard fare), but if you're making a return journey, buy a day pass (9-Uhr-Tagesticket) for €4.90/€6.20. Remember to stamp your ticket when you board.

See
Almost all the interesting sites are concentrated in the city centre, which is easily walkable.

 * Behind the palace, surrounded by a pentagonal moat, are the extensive palace grounds, occupied by a tranquil landscape garden and the University's
 * Behind the palace, surrounded by a pentagonal moat, are the extensive palace grounds, occupied by a tranquil landscape garden and the University's

Do

 * Sail on the lake on
 * Sail on the lake on
 * Sail on the lake on

Eat
There is a huge choice of restaurants. The cuisine of almost every country in the world is represented.

Drink
Münster has a large student population so there are a range of bars such as Cafe Extrablatt and Markt Cafe (on the market square by the Cathedral). The Jüdefelder Straße (located north west of the city centre) gathers many bars and pubs such as Gorilla, Die Rote Liebe, Davidswache, Destille and more. Alternatively, you can find a huge amount of bars in the "Hafen" area (south east of the city centre, behind the main train station). Prices are usually reasonable (starting at around €2 for a beer and €4/5 for a cocktail).

Go next

 * Lüdinghausen, small town with three castles, including the beautiful Vischering water castle, 30 km south, best accessible by bike along the scenic "Route of hundred castles"
 * Dülmen, mostly rebuilt after World War II, but has a number of historical sights and an extensive English-style landscape garden, 30 km southwest, 20 minutes by half-hourly regional express
 * Hamm, transportation hub, has one of the biggest and most impressive Hindu temples in Germany, 40 km south, 25 minutes by half-hourly regional train
 * Rheine, 1000-year old saline, medieval monastery, churches and royal manor, 45 km north, 25 minutes by hourly regional express
 * Osnabrück, the other city of the Westphalian Peace, 55 km northeast, 35 minutes by hourly regional train, or by bike along the "Peace route"
 * Recklinghausen, in the northern Ruhr district, unlike most cities in Northwest Germany it was hardly damaged during World War II, therefore has a well-preserved old town core, 60 km southwest, 40 minutes by half-hourly regional express
 * Dortmund, big trade and industrial city on the Ruhr steeped in history and famous for its football (soccer) team, 65 km south, 30 minutes by intercity or 55 minutes by regional train
 * Enschede, Münster's twin city in the Netherlands, 65 km northwest, 1 hr 20 min by hourly regional train

title: Münster


text:
Münsterland

Münsterland is a mostly flat, agricultural region in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is mostly notable for its more than 100 castles and manors, resulting in its byname "Land of hundred castles". Moreover it is a centre of horse breeding and riding.

Cities

 * , biggest urban centre in the region
 * , close to the Dutch border, former textile industry site
 * , on the northern fringe of the Ruhr area
 * , small town with outstanding castles
 * , internationally known stud farms, seat of several equestrian sport institutions
 * , internationally known stud farms, seat of several equestrian sport institutions

Other destinations

 * , one of the few hilly parts of the region (with heights of up to 157 m), covered with forests and protected as a nature park

Understand
Most of the Münsterland was ruled by the prince-bishops of Münster until the French Revolution. It is known as one of the most Catholic and politically conservative regions in Northern Germany - an otherwise more Lutheran area. The population is often stereotyped as being very down-to-earth, quiet and stubborn, a stereotype that to varying degrees applies to most of Northern Germany.

Talk
Standard German is spoken and understood throughout the Münsterland, only the older generation in rural areas still speaks Low German which is quite similar to Dutch (and—a little more distantly—related to English). There are some Dutch-speakers in Münster and the areas close to the Netherlands. Münster has a large number of university students and younger academics who usually speak English well, moreover the city's tourism industry is used to foreign guests. Students - especially those coming from other countries - are often fluent or reasonably conversant in English, German and one additional language, often Spanish or French.

By plane
Münster Osnabrück Airport is a smallish regional airport with mostly domestic and a few seasonal/charter flights to holiday destinations around the Mediterranean Sea. From there, shuttle buses or taxis take you to Münster.

The next major airport with more international connections is Düsseldorf (about 100 km to the south). Trains take you directly from Düsseldorf airport to Münster in 1½ hours. Moreover you can use the airports of Dortmund (60 km to the South; direct train connection to Münster in about half an hour), Paderborn-Lippstadt (65 km to the South), or Weeze/Niederrhein Airport (55 km to the Southeast; mostly used by Ryanair).

By train
Intercity trains stop in Münster (hourly from Hamburg, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Cologne; every two hours from Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart) and Rheine (every two hours from Berlin, Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, Cologne). From there regional trains connect to other places in the Münsterland.

By bus
Intercity buses serve Münster and as the Netherlands aren't too far away, there are some cross-border routes.

Get around
Most places in the Münsterland are connected by regional buses. During the summer season, some buses carry trailers for bicycles. The Münsterland is a paradise for cyclists. Münster is known as Germany's bicycle capital and the mostly flat areas surrounding it are ideal to be discovered by bike, even for untrained cyclists. There are several well-paved and signposted cycling paths. Some towns can also be reached by regional trains.

See
The region's main city, Münster, has an interesting old town (mostly rebuilt in the original style after the destruction of World War 2) with the baroque bishop's palace, historical town hall (where the Westphalian Peace treaty was concluded in 1648 ending the Thirty Years' War), cathedral and several churches and several parks. Moreover it is a lively university city and Germany's bicycle capital.

The Münsterland's most relevant and numerous sights are its more than hundred castles, chateaus, palaces and manors of different eras, styles and sizes. Among the most notable of them are the Vischering Castle of Lüdinghausen, a Renaissance water castle that looks like a romantic prototype of the ideal medieval castle; and Schloss Nordkirchen (8 km southeast of Lüdinghausen), a large and imposing baroque brick palace surrounded by moats, that has been dubbed the "Versailles of Westphalia". The Burg Anholt water castle in Isselburg (15 km west of Bocholt) is another one of the biggest and most beautiful residences in Münsterland. Close to it is the so-called Anholter Schweiz, a large park with a lake, rocks and an imitated Swiss chalet, modeled to imitate a Swiss landscape around Lake Lucerne to please its Switzerland-enthusiastic owner. Interestingly some of the castles were started as monasteries, but later transformed into noble residences, e. g. Kloster Bentlage of Rheine or Cappenberg Castle near Selm (5 km north of Lünen).

Most of these castles are surrounded by large, lush and well-tended gardens or parks.

A lot less ostentatious but nonetheless lovely is the Haus Rüschhaus, a late-baroque country house a few kilometres outside of Münster, that served as the residence of the 19th-century poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, and has a beautiful and well-maintained baroque garden.

The octagonal baroque St Mary's Chapel (Marienkapelle) of Telgte (12 km east of Münster) is the most important Catholic pilgrimage destination in Northern Germany.

The traditions of the Münsterland's traditional crafts and industries may be studied at the Bocholt textile museum (with still operative, historical steam-powered weaving machines), the Pott's brewery beer museum of Oelde or the 300-year old premium grain brandy distillery Feinbrennerei Sasse in Schöppingen (9 km southwest of Steinfurt).

Itineraries

 * 100-Schlösser-Route (route of the hundred castles), 305 km cycling path, divided into four sections

Do
The most popular activity for tourists is cycling. There are dozens of well-paved and signposted cycling paths, leading through the mostly flat landscape, meadows and light forest, alongside rivers and canals, from castle to castle. There is an excellent cycling infrastructure, lots of bike rentals and repair shops, many restaurants, shops and guest houses have their own bicycle parking. Most routes are suitable for beginners, too. If you are too tired to cycle back to your starting point, you may also take your two-wheeler along on the train or bus (many regional buses have trailers to load cycles during the summer).

Moreover, the Münsterland is a heartland of horse breeding and riding, more than 10,000 horses live on the 1,000 equestrian farms of the region. Many of them have offers for tourists who may ride along dozens of recommended bridle-paths and routes. Riding lessons are offered to beginners. Apart from riding yourself, you can also watch shows and competitions at equestrian sport events.

Other activities that visitors may engage in, include golf (about a dozen golf clubs), canoeing on the region's rivers, and hiking.

Eat

 * Münsterländer Töttchen – sweet-and-sour ragout, traditionally made from beef innards; nowadays innards are replaced by meat and tongue in many restaurants.
 * Himmel und Erde ("Heaven and Earth") – mashed potatoes and apples, served with bratwurst or liverwurst and onion rings
 * Westphalian Wedding soup – broth with beef, vegetables and semolina dumplings

Drink
The locals' favourite drink is beer. A number of smaller and medium-sized regional breweries still exist, including Pott's of Oelde and Pinkus Müller of Münster. The region's most popular liquor is Korn, i. e. grain brandy (usually rye, wheat or barley), which is produced in a few local distilleries. Sasse Lagerkorn is a grain brandy too, but it is barrel-aged and has a much more complex flavour, unlike your typical German schnapps, but rather comparable to whiskey. While you may have heard that Germans love their beer, in Northern Germany Korn actually has more importance than beer to many. However, it is not unheard of to order Korn and beer together, sometimes referred to as Herrengedeck (literally "gentlemen's menu").

Go next

 * Western Plains of Lower Saxony, to the North
 * Overijssel in the Netherlands, to the West
 * Teutoburg Forest, to the East
 * Ruhr, to the South – densely populated urban and industrial agglomeration that remodels itself into a cultural metropolis

title: Münsterland


text:
Mývatn

Mývatn is a lake near Akureyri in North Iceland. The lake was formed during a massive eruption 2300 years ago. Today the area is best known for the huge numbers of birds that visit in the summer, and for the weird and inspiring volcanic features that surround the lake. The name "Mývatn" is derived from the vast numbers of midges that gather at the lake and are sure to leave an impression on all who visit!

Cities
There are two small towns on the shores of Mývatn:

 * is a town of about 300 on the northeastern shore of the lake.
 * is on the southern shore of the lake. It is smaller than Reykjahlíð but offers most basic services that visitors will need.

History
Mývatn was formed after a massive eruption 2300 years ago, and it remains geothermally active today. The lake is located along the western side of the volcanic zone which bisects Iceland and is an extension of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The features of the landscape are quite new in geologic times, with most of the land shaped by activity occurring since the last Ice Age.

The inhabitants of the surrounding area, called Mývatnssveit, are approx. 450 but many more live there in the summer to serve tourists. Lately there has been a movement among the local entrepreneurs to increase tourism in the winter so now some hotels are open during the winter and tours are offered, including go-carting on ice, ice-bowling, and jeep rides over snowy terrain.

Landscape
During the last Ice Age much of the Mývatn was covered by glaciers. Eruptions below the ice led to the formation of some of the area's mountains. Major volcanic events since that time have occurred 3800 years ago, 2500 years ago, 2300 years ago, and during a series of eruptions lasting from 1724 until 1729. Eruptions of the Krafla volcano from 1975 until 1984 produced fresh lava flows in the area. This volcanic activity is seen today in the relatively shallow lake, the many pseudocraters that surround it, and the fantastic lava formations and craters in the area.

Flora and fauna
Due to the number of wetlands surrounding the lake there are an exceptional number of waterbirds, and the area is recognized as one of the premier bird-watching sites in the world. Over 115 species of birds have been sighted at the lake, including thirteen species of ducks that nest in the lake area. Most nesting birds arrive in late April or early May. The most abundant species is the tufted duck, followed by the greater scaup and wigeon. Other commonly sighted species include the Barrow's goldeneye, red-breasted merganser, gadwall, mallard, common scoter, long-tailed duck and teal. Harlequin ducks and the Barrow's goldeneye breed nowhere else in Europe. Other birds likely to be seen at the lake include the tufted (Slavonian) grebe, red-necked phalarope, common loon (great northern diver), red-throated diver and whooper swan.

One of the reasons why so many birds congregate in the lake area is due to the massive number of aquatic insects - visitors are advised to bring mosquito netting with them to avoid the often-bloodthirsty hordes of black flies that can be found here.

Climate
In general the area's weather is less severe than what is found elsewhere in Iceland. The average temperature in January is -0.2°C, and in July the average reaches 10.2°C. The area is also one of the sunniest in Iceland, and annual precipitation is only 0.4m.

Get in
The easiest and most flexible way to visit the lake is by automobile. There are also numerous buses from Akureyri, Husavik or Egilsstadir. For those looking for more of an adventure, visiting by bicycle entails a 90-km pedal from Akureyri.

Get around
There is not much of a public transport system. If you came to Myvatn by bus, walking, biking and hitchhiking are you best options but beware as it can get quite chilly in the winter. The road around the lake is approximately 36 km, so biking is a good option. There are some local trips available at Skútustaðir, Vogar and Reykjahlíð (ask store clerks or information centers for details).

See
There are a vast number of sights for visitors around the lake. The following listing includes major points along the Ring Road, listed in clockwise order starting from Reykjahlíð, followed by those sites that are located off of the Ring Road.

Do

 * Observe northern lights: the area round lake Mývatn is a great place for observing aurorae between September and March. Local hotels (e.g., Sel - Hótel Mývatn in Skútustaðir) and tour operators offer guided tours and aurora hunts. A very special experience is observing aurora while having a soak in a geothermal bath.
 * Play golf at Reykjahlið's 9-hole course.
 * In the summer the locals in Reykjahlið often play football in the evening and usually welcome more people. Alcohol is often involved.
 * Aerial tour over the lake: by Myflug at Reykjahlið airport.
 * Take the hour long walk along the pseudo-craters. It offers a nice view of Mývatn as well as the surrounding mountains.
 * In the summer the locals in Reykjahlið often play football in the evening and usually welcome more people. Alcohol is often involved.
 * Aerial tour over the lake: by Myflug at Reykjahlið airport.
 * Take the hour long walk along the pseudo-craters. It offers a nice view of Mývatn as well as the surrounding mountains.

Buy
Gas, groceries, souvenirs and other supplies can be purchased in the towns of Reykjahlíð (next to the N1 station) and Skútustaðir (at Sel - Hótel Mývatn).

Eat
The Mývatn area is known for hverabrauð, a delicious, one-of-a-kind molasses bread that is slow-baked for 24 hours underground by natural geothermal heat. This bread is sold around the lake area. In addition, the local smoked trout, which is famous in Iceland for its taste, can be bought in most of the shops. Restaurants and grocery stores can be found in the two main towns.

Drink
Bars, cafes, and other options can be found in the area's two main towns.

Sleep
There are numerous accommodation options around Lake Mývatn, most of which can be found in the towns of Reykjahlíð and Skútustaðir. They range from good quality hotels to small guesthouses.

Stay safe
Like most places in Iceland visitors should always watch the weather and exercise caution around thermal areas. Weather changes quickly, and the onset of fog, high wind, or a severe storm can turn the best day into a survival situation. Similarly, thermal pools are often boiling hot and should be approached with caution, and the areas around thermal features are often unstable so all warnings and barriers should be observed.

Crime is not an issue in the Mývatn area, but sensible precautions should still be taken.

Go next

 * Bus trips from Akureyri and Egilsstaðir go by Myvatn. There are also bus trips to/from Húsavík from Reykjahlíð.

title: Mývatn


text:
McAlester

McAlester is in the Choctaw Country region of Oklahoma and home to the Oklahoma State Penitentiary.

See
Old Town Historic District - the historic area of McAlester that offers shopping, antiques, a few restaurants, and historic sites. Located on North Main Street.

Sleep

 * AmericInn by Wyndham, 609 S George Nigh Expy. Complimentary breakfast and indoor hot tub/pool. Tel: +1 918-426-1300. $64 (Dec 2021)

Go next

 * Talimena Drive from Talihina, Oklahoma to Mena, Arkansas 54 Mile scenic drive in Oklahoma and Arkansas along the ridge of the Ouachita Mountains and the Ouachita National Forest. The drive has frequent turnouts so you can enjoy the scenery.

title: McAlester