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Vejle

Vejle is a city of 61,000 people (2023) in Jutland, part of the Kolding–Vejle–Fredericia triangle. Vejle is most known for its forested hills, fjord, harbour, shopping, pedestrian mall, and windmill.

Understand
Development of new architecture, art and alternative town spaces throughout the 1990s has made the city an attraction. Vejle was the first city in Denmark, which had its own official architecture policy to set high standards for the urban development.

Vejle is the regional capital of South Jutland, one of the 5 Danish regions.

History
The first recorded mention of the town is from 1256, and the first known merchant town privileges were issued by King Valdemar III in 1327. During the Middle Ages, Vejle was important as a market town, and developed along those lines up to the mid-17th century, trading with cities such as Lübeck and Flensburg, in what is now Germany.

In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Vejle's population was diminished as a consequence of plague and war. The town expanded throughout the 19th century, benefiting from improvements such as a new harbour on the fjord, a railway station, and modern utilities. From the mid-19th century into the 20th century, Vejle developed from a provincial market town into a busy industrial centre, eventually becoming known as the "Manchester of Denmark" for its many cotton mills.

By train
Vejle is on the main Copenhagen–Aarhus–Ålborg train line with several departures every hour. It is a stop for all trains passing through, including InterCityLyn (ICL) from Copenhagen Airport, and ICE (InterCity Europe) trains from Hamburg and Berlin.

By car
Vejle is the close to motorway E45, which passes on the Vejle bridge. This is one of the rare places in Jutland with regular traffic jams.

By air
Billund Airport is located about 30 km from Vejle, with several bus departures every day.

Do

 * Albuen (the elbow) is a beach park in city centre. Relax and enjoy the beach life, take a swim or paddle along in a canoe.
 * Football: Vejle Boldklub were promoted in 2023 and now play soccer in Superliga, the top tier. Their home ground Vejle Stadium (capacity 11,000) is 1 km northeast of city centre.
 * Danmark Rundt, the Danish UCI cycle race, often has its final stage in Velje. The finishing line is at the end of Kiddesvej (steep by Danish standards) in city centre. The next race is 15-19 Aug 2023.
 * Trekantsområdets Festuge. A ten-day regional culture festival every year in late August.

The countryside around Vejle offers some beautiful nature sights, and it is also a starting point of the long-distance hike of "Kyst til Kyst Stien".

Buy

 * Strøget. A long street in the pedestrianised centre lined with historic buildings, cafés, restaurants and specialty boutiques, ideal for shopping. Most larger Danish cities have a "strøget" street.

Vejle is known regionally as a vibrant shopping town with a wide and varied offering of chain and specialty shops along the city's central pedestrian street. The shopping centre, Bryggen, has 38 stores and two restaurants and lies within the pedestrian street.

Street food can also be experience at the Paladspassagen Social Dining at the former Mary's Shopping Centre.

Sleep

Go next

 * Legoland theme park as well as Lalandia, a giant indoor waterpark with several other activities in Billund, about 30 km from Vejle.
 * Givskud Zoo lion park, located 20 km outside Vejle. The zoo has a wide range of animals; worth mentioning is lions, rhinos, gorillas, giraffes, elephant and wolves.
 * Jelling, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old Danish capital with the Jelling stones and burial mound is ca 15 minutes north on the Struer train line, kr 16.
 * Sculpture park by Robert Jacobsen.
 * Jernalderlandsbyen (The Iron Age Village), a large reconstructed Iron Age village with engaging activities for the whole family.

title: Vejle


text:
Velankanni

Velankanni is a city in Tamil Nadu in India.

Understand
Velankanni is a major pilgrimage centre for the Catholic Christian community in India. It is the location of the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health dedicated to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ.

By plane
Nearest airport is Tiruchirappali that is about  from Velankanni.

By car
Buses are available for Chidambaram, Chennai, Madurai, Pondicherry, Trichy(141 km) and Thanjavur (89 km). Buses run from Nagapattinam. Velankanni is connected to all the major towns and cities in and around Tamilnadu. Regular bus services are available to Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Kanyakumari, Thanjavur and Pondicherry etc.

From Chennai

 * Universal Travels operates bus service from Chennai to Velankanni, the bus is a AC Seater bus. It departs from Chennai at 1PM. The fare is approximately ₹360. There is a Non A/C Seater/Sleeper which departs from Chennai at 9PM and the fare is ₹310/₹370. There is a Non A/C Seater/Sleeper which departs from Chennai at 10PM and the fare is ₹300/₹370. There is a Non A/C Seater which departs from Chennai at 11PM and the fare is ₹360. One can book the tickets from this [  http://www.universaltravels.in/site/unisite/index.jsp website.]

 * RathiMeena Travels operates bus service from Chennai to Velankanni, the bus is a Volvo AC Seater bus. It departs from Chennai at 1:30PM and reaches Velankanni at 8PM. The fare is approximately ₹440.

 * PRN Subramanian Travels operates bus service from Chennai to Velankanni, the bus is a Volvo AC Seater bus. It departs from Chennai at 1:30PM and reaches Velankanni at 8PM. The fare is approximately ₹340.

From Bangalore

 * Gokulraj Travels operates bus service from Bangalore to Velankanni, the bus is a non AC Seater bus. It departs from Bangalore at 9PM and reaches Velankanni at 6AM the next day. The fare is approximately ₹490.

 * SPS Travels(Rukma Travels) operates 2 buses from Bangalore to Velankanni, the bus is a non AC Seater/Sleeper bus. It departs from Bangalore at 9PM and reaches Velankanni at 8AM the next day. The fare is approximately ₹460 to ₹550.

 * Universal Travels operates bus service from Bangalore to Velankanni, the bus is a non AC Seater/Sleeper bus. It departs from Bangalore at 8PM and reaches Velankanni at 5AM the next day. The fare is approximately ₹500. You can book the tickets from this [ http://www.universaltravels.in/site/unisite/index.jsp website.]

Eat
Try the fresh fish fries available at the seaside, made as your choice but only if you are satisfied with the cleanliness.

Drink
Velankanni is a coastal area. Therefore it is very hot during summer. There are a lot of shops selling cold water and other cold drinks(non-alcoholic).

Sleep
The church authorities have simple affordable rooms beginning from ₹60 to ₹300. There are also other private hotels/lodges.

Point Calimere
Point Calimere or Kodiakkarai (கோடியக்கரை Kōṭiyakkarai).

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

title: Velankanni


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Velden

Velden am Wörther See at the west end Wörthersee region of Carinthia, Austria.

Get in

 * By car via the highway A2, exit Velden Ost or Velden West
 * By train from Vienna, Salzburg or Villach
 * By plane, next airport Klagenfurt (aproxx. 20 km)

Get around

 * By foot
 * By bike
 * By boat

See

 * Schloss Velden
 * Wörthersee Architektur - Villas, Hotels and other houses built by architect Franz Baumgartner at the beginning of 20th century

Do

 * Boat trips on the lake with Wörthersee Schiffahrt
 * Bike tours around the lake
 * Casino Velden
 * Sport events, Festivals...

Eat

 * Die Kutsche A restaurant with "Kärntner Küche" (typical Carinthian food)
 * Goritschnigg. A steak house.
 * Burger King. Located at the local speedway station.

Drink

 * Le Cabaret.
 * Do & Ga.
 * Monkey Circus.

Go next

 * Same as you got in
 * Villach
 * Pörtschach
 * Krumpendorf
 * Klagenfurt

title: Velden


text:
Veles

Veles (Macedonian: Велес) is a city in the Povardarie region of North Macedonia on both sides of the Vardar, the country's most important river. The city is home to over 43,000 residents, making it the sixth-largest in the country. The larger Municipality of Veles, which includes 27 villages, has a total population of over 55,000. The Macedonian capital, Skopje, is northwest of the city. Veles is a city with a rich and varied cultural tradition. The city was home to Macedonia's first theatre, its first library, first music school, and first museum. Veles is also a relatively important transportation hub of the country, situated along both its main highway and main railway line.

Understand
Veles is situated on hills that sit above both sides of the Vardar River. This interesting terrain has given Veles a rather unique cityscape.

History
Under Ottoman rule, Veles was named Köprülü after a noble family that produced six grand viziers of the empire and several other high-ranking officers. During World War II, the Veles village of Rudnik was the site of a massacre committed by the occupying Bulgarian forces result in seven deaths. A monument was erected at the site in 2017. After the war, a massacre of 53 individuals in Veles accused of being opposed to the communist government was committed by Yugoslav forces. This was the largest massacre committed during communist rule of Macedonia. A mass grave containing the remains of the individuals was discovered in 1996.

Following World War II, the city was named Titov Veles in honour of Yugoslavian president Josip Broz Tito. In 1996, several years after Macedonian independence, "Titov" was dropped from the name.

The city briefly received international attention after it was revealed that a group of teenagers in Veles were producing fake news related to the 2016 US presidential election as a way of generating income.

Get in
Veles is a relatively large transport hub, with excellent road and rail connections. It is close to the country's main international airport.

By car
Veles is on the international highway, E-75, which connects Central Europe to the Aegean Sea. The city lies 55 km (33 mi) southeast from Skopje.

By plane
Skopje Airport, the country's main airport, is about 36 km (21.6 mi) north of Veles.

Get around
The city center of Veles can be walked but several of the important sites lie further out and are best reached by car or taxi.

See

 * Veles is home to one of the largest collections of traditional architecture in the country. Such buildings can be seen all over town. The Varnali complex in particular is often used in tourist promotional videos. The memorial house of Vasil Glavinov is another example which is also open to the public.
 * Veles is home to one of the largest collections of traditional architecture in the country. Such buildings can be seen all over town. The Varnali complex in particular is often used in tourist promotional videos. The memorial house of Vasil Glavinov is another example which is also open to the public.
 * Veles is home to one of the largest collections of traditional architecture in the country. Such buildings can be seen all over town. The Varnali complex in particular is often used in tourist promotional videos. The memorial house of Vasil Glavinov is another example which is also open to the public.
 * Veles is home to one of the largest collections of traditional architecture in the country. Such buildings can be seen all over town. The Varnali complex in particular is often used in tourist promotional videos. The memorial house of Vasil Glavinov is another example which is also open to the public.

Churches and monasteries
Veles is home to four medieval-era churches, which all sit near each other at the south of the city. The 19th-century Saint Pantaleon sits perched above the city.

Neighboring villages
Most of the places of interest in the Veles area are in the city itself.

Sleep
It looks like there are no hotels in Veles. The closest option will be Motel Montenegro Rivijera which is about 3 km away from the city center.

Go next

 * Stobi - the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia Salutaris dating from 197 BC. The surviving mosaics and other archaeological finds are of exceptional value.
 * Stobi - the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia Salutaris dating from 197 BC. The surviving mosaics and other archaeological finds are of exceptional value.

title: Veles


text:
Velez Blanco

Velez Blanco is a town of about 2,000 people (2018) in Almeria Province.

Understand
Vélez-Blanco is made up of simple houses, with one or two floors, with whitewashed walls and tiled roofs. Its current urban structure is defined by the Vélez-Rubio - María road that crosses the town, the hill of Castillo and Las Fuentes to the west, steep slopes to the north and south, and the east is bordered by the Barranco de Canastera and one of the fountains.

See

 * The Church of Santiago
 * The Convent of San Luis Obispo, ordered to be built by Don Luis Fajardo between 1601 and 1615 on the other side of the Barranco de las Fuentes. It was occupied by the Franciscan order until 1835 and, between 1916 and 1996, by the Franciscan Concepcionistas. This building soon became a new population centre, which led to the construction of the "Barrio". This new neighbourhood, an area of expansion in the eighteenth century, is organised around the axis formed by Calle San Francisco, from which, and following the topography of the land, houses were then built.
 * The Cave of the Signboards, in which is the Indalo, cave painting of the late Neolithic or Copper Age that represents a human figure, and that has become the sign from the province of Almería. The cave was declared a National Historic Monument in 1924 and later in 1998 also a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
 * Ambrosio Cave is an archaeological site in the extreme north of the municipality of Vélez-Blanco. It is part of the Natural Monuments of Andalusia.

Do

 * Grand expanses of beautiful desert
 * Sparkling beaches filled with tourists. If you wanted to have an unspoiled, clean and uncorrupted beachline, you'd need to find a place where humans haven't been yet.

title: Velez Blanco


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Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgarian: Велико Търново, also romanized as Veliko Turnovo) is a historic city in the central-north of Bulgaria notable for its medieval ruins and its picturesque cityscape - it was built on the steep banks of the Yantra river as it snakes through the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. In the middle ages, Tarnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1396) and the partially restored ruins of the Tsarevets Fortress are the main sight of the city. Today, it's a university town with a population of about 66 thousand and the administrative centre of the eponymous region.

Understand

A town with very rich history, Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire and has long traditions in the culture of Bulgaria. The city is rich in museums and historical sites, combined with vivacious night life propelled by the students in one of the largest universities in Bulgaria. It is located around a major bend in the Yantra River that carved steep hillsides on which the Old Town is built. The Old Town is separated into 3 hills: Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora, while the New Town spills out into a flatter region to the west of the hills.

The first syllable of the city's name is pronounced similar to "turn" in English, with a hard R - TURN-ovo rather than TAHR-novo, as the romanized form of the name would suggest. The "Tarnovo" spelling is a result of the somewhat controversial official transliteration system that conflates two separate Bulgarian vowels, 'а' and 'ъ', into a single Latin letter - 'a'. In older sources in English, the name is rendered as Trnovo, Tirnovo, or even Tirnova. The likely origin of the name is the Slavic root for "thorn". The appellation Veliko ("Great") was added to the city's name in 1965, partially as a reference to its glorious past, partially to distinguish it from Malko Tarnovo ("Small Tarnovo") in South-Eastern Bulgaria. Journalists and people who write tourist materials sometimes use the nickname "'the City of the Tsars" ("tsar" being the Slavic title equivalent to "king").

By plane
Although Veliko Tarnovo's Gorna Oryahovitsa airport 4 km away is not open to passenger air traffic (it is possible to arrange private aircraft landings there), it is possible to fly to Bulgaria's capital city Sofia, or the coastal city of Varna and then by rail or modern coach to Veliko Tarnovo.

By train
Veliko Tarnovo is one of the major stops on Line 4, which runs north-south from Ruse on the Danube to Stara Zagora in Southern Bulgaria, crossing the Balkan Mountains. Veliko Tarnovo is also very close to Gorna Oryahovitsa (less than ), a smaller town known mostly as the junction between that line and the Sofia-Varna line, which runs east-west along the whole length of Northern Bulgaria, from the capital to the Black Sea.

It's possible to get to Veliko Tarnovo by rail from both Romania and Turkey. Between June and September, the Bosphorus Express international overnight train runs between Bucharest and Istanbul, once daily in each direction (about 21 hr end-to-end). From Bucharest, it departs from the Bucuresti Nord station, crosses the border at Ruse, and takes about 7 hr to Veliko Tarnovo; from Istanbul, it departs from the Halkalı station (not Istanbul's central station!), passes through Çerkezköy and Edirne, and takes about 14 hr to Veliko Tarnovo. Another option for Bucharest is buying a ticket to Gorna Oryahovitsa on the Bucharest-Sofia train (also once daily Jun-Sep). Off-season, rail travel requires changing trains at the border crossings.

Many national trains to Veliko Tarnovo require changing at Gorna Oryahovitsa; in that case, it can be more convenient to just buy a ticket to that town and then take a bus, minibus or taxi from Gorna Oryahovitsa station to Veliko Tarnovo. Assuming that your destination is the tourist information centre on Mother Bulgaria Sqr (ploshtad Mayka Bulgaria), the most direct route is almost exactly long and the taxi fare should be between 8 and 14 лв.

By car
One of the main roads in Bulgaria runs through the city, so car transport is not a problem to and from the city. Since the town is located relatively in the centre of Bulgaria, it is quite comfortable to stop there for an hour to rest and get a glimpse of the sights.

Driving into and in the New Town is easy, but the roads in the Old Town are smaller, windier, and weren't designed for modern auto traffic, so it'll be easier to travel in the Old Town on foot. Also, you can't drive directly into the Old Town without first driving through the New Town. Bulgarian highway E85 tunnels under the old town as it follows the Yantra River, but it doesn't have direct access to Veliko Tarnovo at the tunnels.

By bus
Busses run approximately hourly from Sofia. Several buses daily run from Plovdiv north bus station (18 лв) and from Varna. The small bus station is ~1 km from the centre of town so arrange pickup during winter. The ticket for the busses, departing from Sofia to Tarnovo, costs about 25 лв. The Biomet coach tickets can be bought online (english website).

There are two minibuses per day to and from Plovdiv. They depart from Bus Station North in Plovdiv at 08:30 and 16:30, and take around four hours. Drop off is on the western edge of Veliko Tarnovo at a somewhat unofficial bus station.

On foot
Walking is the best way to see Veliko Tarnovo. The town is fairly large but everywhere is within easy reach including attractions such as Tsarevets, the medieval stronghold. In the Old Town, walking is preferable since the roads weren't designed for modern transportation and are cramped and curvy.

By public transport
Since Veliko Tarnovo is not that large, you'll probably never use it. Buses run from 07:00 till 21:00 with frequency of rides varying between 20 and 60 minutes. Buses #20, #50 and #40 go to Tsarevets. Bus 10 connects the city with Gorna Oryahovica railway station (but mini-buses are preferable). Virtually all bus lines go through the city center. Tickets can be purchased only in the bus from a conductor. The ticket is valid only for the current ride and cost 3 лв in 2023.

By taxi
Taxis in Veliko Tarnovo are yellow and can be caught on the streets by waiving a hand or can be called. The passenger is charged 1.98 лв initial fee, and 0.60 лв per kilometer afterwards. In general, a trip within the city limits shouldn't cost more than 3.5-4 лв. Overall this means of transport is very reliable.

By car
Although Veliko Tarnovo is generally a calm city, transportation by car could be very complicated due to the frequent traffic reorganisations. The maximum admissible speed within the city limits is 50 km/h.

See
The city is divided into an old and new parts. The old city is a collection of traditional renaissance houses scattered over the hills around the river Yantra and the new part consists of a mixture of communistic and modern style buildings.

If in Veliko Tarnovo, make sure to visit the castle of the old Bulgarian capital - Tsarevets. The medieval stronghold located on a hill of the same name, served as the Second Bulgarian Empire's primary fortress and strongest bulwark from 1185 to 1393. Housing the royal and the patriarchal palaces, it is a popular tourist attraction. The castle itself offers spectacular views of the town, surrounding hillsides, and the river below. The Tower of Baldwyn (also Baldwin Tower) within the complex allows for tourists to climb to the top and offers both spectacular views and an insight into how medieval towers wer designed and how they functioned.

Since most of the touristy old town (including both fortresses) is on a natural choke point caused by the Yantra, that part will feel more cramped and crowded with tourists, and anyone looking to see a less-touristed old town should go to the western half, where the city opens up. The only problem with this is that most of the museums and monuments are located in the choke point, and most of the western half is residential, but both parts still offer great insights to old medieval European towns.

There are various historical museums, located in Old Town, and an art museum on an island in the river. Nearby Arbanassi on the hilltop 4 km away is also worth a visit, a taxi will cost about 3-4 лв.

Right around where the old part widens, there is a large Monument to Mother Bulgaria, which commemorates Veliko Tarnovo's history as the former capital of the Bulgarian state.

Eat
Bars and restaurants worth visiting:

Do

 * Cycling. The roads around Veliko Tarnovo are generally in good condition, making for pleasant (if sometimes rather hilly) cycling. A number of monasteries are close enough for cycling day trips. The closest and easiest is Preobruzhenie Monastery, approximately 5 km north-west of Veliko Tarnovo. It is also moderately easy to cycle to Arbanassi, although a few kilometres of climbing and high traffic may put off beginners.

Drink
Like many larger cities in Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo has a large regional brewery that produces its own brand of beer - Boliarka (bolyarka, the female form of bolyar, medieval Bulgarian noble/courtier).

Sleep

Veliko Tarnovo offers a wide range of accommodation, from very cheap private rooms and hostels to 4-star hotels that can make you feel like you are in a Western European town or city. There is seemingly something to suit all types of people that are staying in the town.

Splurge
There are a number of 4-star hotels in Veliko Tarnovo with modern facilities and clean, comfortable rooms.

Stay safe
With a little common sense and respect for the locals, your stay in Veliko Tarnovo will be a safe one. It is a friendly student town with a lot of history and welcoming people.

Go next

 * Arbanassi, a nearby village.
 * Preobruzhenie Monastery, approximately 5 km north-west of Veliko Tarnovo.
 * The city of Gabrovo to the south-west, at the foot of the Balkan Mountains, which has historic sites, a humor museum and impressive shopping and dining opportunities, is worth visiting.
 * Nature Park Bulgarka, just south of Gabrovo, provides many out door activities opportunities for people who enjoy nature and hiking.
 * The city of Rousse, border with Romania and on the way to Bucharest (11 лв). To go there go to the Prevotzi Zapad Bus Station (West bus station), it is 1 km west from the center so you can take local buses 10, 12, 14, 70 or 110. They have 8 buses daily, starting at 07:00.
 * Visit Devetashka, a huge and stunning cave near to Pleven and only a few лв to enter. To reach it you must take the small country roads which are in terrible condition.
 * Plovdiv buses leave several time through the day, this route will take you past Buzludzha (the abandoned UFO building)

title: Veliko Tarnovo


text:
Velletri

Velletri is a city in the Lazio region of Italy.

Understand

Velletri is a sizeable town with over 50,000 inhabitants. It is part of the province of Rome and lies just southeast of the Castelli Romani or Alban Hills. In Roman times it was a popular place for the rich of Rome to build their country villas. In the late Middle Ages it was one of the few independent cities in central Italy. During this time it is claimed that Velletri saw the establishment of the world's first pawn shop.

After the Allied landing at Anzio in early 1944 Velletri was a major battleground in May of that year as the Allies pushed north towards Rome. It was much damaged by the war and most of its important monuments were not rebuilt. Thus the city does not, in itself, offer many sightseeing attractions. However, it is an attractive base for exploring the surrounding region and could even be an inexpensive base for visiting Rome if you are not interested in the capital's nightlife.

Get in
The city is about 75 minutes drive from the center of Rome and around 45 minutes from Ciampino airport. There are good, and much quicker, rail connections from Rome's Termini station. Many people live in Velletri and commute daily to Rome for work.

Drink

 * Wines from Velletri. Wines produced by the local cooperative are good value. Look out in particular for the Terre dei Volsci Riserva , which is sold in a strange-shaped bottle. This is jokingly known as the Andreotti, after the hunch-backed former prime minister of Italy, Giulio Andreotti.

Go next
Southeast of Velletri is the coastal fishing town and port of Anzio, with many reminders of the Second World War landings. To the south is another major battle site of the same war, Monte Cassino. Notable towns of the Castelli Romani are Frascati, famous for its wine, and Castel Gandolfo, summer home of the Pope.

title: Velletri


text:
Vellore

Vellore is a city of 505,000 people (2011) in Tamil Nadu, India. Visitors are drawn by its large 16th-century fort, which is known for its grand ramparts, wide moat and robust masonry. Apart from Fort tourism, Christian Medical College due to its esteemed position in the country, both as a medical college and a hospital, invites many students, medical practitioners, and patients from around the country. Vellore Institute of Technology located at Katpadi in Vellore district also attracts visitors from around the country.

Understand
Vellore is known as the leather hub of India. Hundreds of leather and tannery facilities are around Vellore and nearby towns, such as Ranipet, Ambur and Vaniyambadi. Most employment is provided by the leather industry, agricultural trading, and industries in and around the city.

Climate
The temperature ranges from 13 °C (55 °F) to 39.4 °C (102.9 °F). Like the rest of the state, April to June are the hottest months and December to January are the coldest. The southwestern monsoon from June to September brings 517.1 mm of rainfall, with September being the rainiest month. The northeastern monsoon which lasts from October to December brings 388.4 mm of rainfall. The humidity ranges from 40%–63% during summer and 67%–86% during winter.

Get in
Vellore is well connected by train and bus from Bangalore (210 km) and Chennai (140 km).

By train
Vellore has two railway stations: Katpadi Junction and Vellore Cantonment. There are frequent trains from Tirupati, Bangalore, Chennai and Coimbatore. Other trains passing through this route also halt at Katpadi Jn.

By bus
Vellore's main Bus Stand is near the Palar Bridge (5 km from Katpadi Jn). State-run and privately-run buses come from all major towns and cities in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala.

Get around
Getting around Vellore is relatively inexpensive and easy. At peak office hours it is advisable to rent private transport to avoid over crowded public transport.

By bus

There are frequent buses (almost every 5 min) from Katpadi to Bagayam, two junctions that are considered terminals for city buses. These buses are both private and state-run. Katpadi to Bagayam is about 13 km and most of the city is covered in this route. The maximum tariff is ₹4.50 on this route.

To reach other destinations in Vellore district, first travel to the Old Bus Stand or the New Bus Stand (both on the Katpadi-Bagayam route) depending on the destination and take a bus to the required destination.

By autorickshaw

Auto rickshaws are easily accessible and the second most common form of transportation around the city. Most auto rickshaws do not work with the fare meter and therefore it is necessary to fix the tariff before taking a ride. If you want to travel by the auto, stick to these rules:
 * Forget the meter; no one will go by it, and if they do, it's probably rigged to show a higher fare.
 * Negotiate a rate with the driver beforehand; if he doesn't agree, just go to the next auto on the road; there will always be others unless it's very late or very early or you are in a remote area: then be prepared to pay up. Stick to the agreed price, though on very rare occasions the driver may attempt to ask for more.
 * Consult local friends beforehand to find out reasonable market prices for the distance you intend to go.
 * Try to hail individual auto rickshaws in traffic which are heading in the general direction of your destination.

As a general rule, expect to pay about ₹10 to ₹15 for every kilometer you travel.

Be careful about the following when you plan to undertake an auto-rickshaw trip:
 * You don't have to pay for any empty return trips that the auto-rickshaw driver has to make once you have agreed upon a fare.
 * You tell them to go to a landmark near where you want to go, and upon reaching the landmark, ask them to go a little further along a particular road to your destination. They might cite the extra distance traveled and ask for more money. So it is better to negotiate the fare upfront.
 * You don't have to pay for petrol during the ride.
 * If you pay them for petrol, make sure you pay them the remaining fare amount after subtracting petrol charges.

Share autos are an alternative mode of transport in Vellore. They are over-sized three wheelers running on diesel and charge slightly more than the bus.

By taxi

Taxis are not very common for transportation within the city. However they are available at Katpadi Jn to ride to destinations within the city.

To travel to areas outside the city, tourist cabs can be arranged by most hotels or travel agents.

By bicycle

It is easy to rent bicycles in local shops all over the city and is a cheap alternative to reach from one point to another. Rental charges will have to be paid by the hour or per day depending on the rental shop.

By car

Indian nationals with access to a car can travel conveniently within the city. However it is not advisable for foreign nationals to rent cars and drive as it will be difficult to drive, typical of the unruly Indian traffic and pedestrians.

See

Buy
Major shopping regions in the city are Anna Salai, Main Bazaar, Long Bazaar, Filter Bed Road, Ida Scudder Road, Katpadi Road and Gandhi road. Several large textiles showroom such as Chennai Silks, Pachaiyappas Silks, Max Fashion, Pantaloons, Reliance Retail, Planet Fashion and also several branded showrooms such as Blackberrys, Puma, UCB, Adidas, Levis, Derby, Peter England, Raymonds, Fabindia, Johnplayers, Crocodile and many others available along the Anna Salai.

The Vellore region is the largest exporter of finished leather goods in the country, so you may be able to find some good deals on leather.

Eat
Vellore is famous for Biryani made from Jeera Sambha Rice.

Connect
By BSNL (Cellone) mobile network.

Go next

 * Ranipet - industrial city known for its leather industry
 * Chittoor
 * Tirupati
 * Kanchipuram
 * Chennai
 * Yelagiri
 * Mamallapuram
 * Pondicherry
 * Auroville
 * Velankanni
 * Bangalore
 * Karnataka

title: Vellore


text:
Ven

Ven (Danish: Hven) is a small Swedish island which lies in the middle of Öresund Sound, between southern Sweden and Denmark. It is best known as the site of the Renaissance-era astronomical observatory built by Tycho Brahe.

Understand
Ven is roughly 4.5 km by 2.5 km in size and is mostly a flat plateau; there are a few hills that connect the shore to the higher level. Much of the land is still used for agriculture, such as durum wheat and grapes. It was part of the Kingdom of Denmark until 1658. The island is popular with hikers and cyclists and can get fairly crowded during weekends in the summer.

Ven has four villages (Bäckviken, Tuna By, Norreborg and Kyrkbacken) with a combined permanent population of 372 (as of 2020), almost all of whom live in Tuna By. All are part of the Landskrona municipality in Scania. The island's population peaked in the 1930s at about 1,300. In the past, factories operated on Ven, but now the island is a nature reserve relying more on tourism than on industry.

Get in
All ferries arrive at and depart from Bäckviken harbour, on the east side of the island. No passport check is required for visitors from Denmark. Private boats may stay in Bäckvicken or Kyrkbackens harbour.

By bus
An infrequent bus (matching the ferry timetable) runs between the two ends of the island. You can get on and off anywhere along the route.

By cart
For a leisurely, scenic view of the island, travel by tractor or horse-drawn cart.

By foot
Given its small size, much of the island can be covered by foot in a day.

See

Buy
Like the rest of Sweden, Ven uses the Swedish krona (SEK) as its primary currency. There are no ATMs, banks, or currency exchanges on the island. Almost all vendors accept major international credit cards, including contactless payment. Some merchants accept Danish kroner coins and banknotes at par value; this is a poor exchange rate, so only pay in foreign currency as a last resort.

There is one grocery store (too small to be rightly called a "supermarket") on the island.

Eat
The island has numerous small restaurants and cafes.

Sleep
Inns, rooms in private homes, and campgrounds are available. There is a hostel in Bäckviken and also on the mainland in Landskrona.

Respect
Two buildings at the Tycho Brahe Museum look like tourist attractions, and are in the area where tourists have to pay for admission, but they are in fact the Uranienborgs skola, the school for local children (all eleven of them, as of 2022). There are educational displays outside that are fine to view, but do not trespass inside the school.

Connect
The island is well-covered by Swedish mobile phone networks. Visitors from Denmark using prepaid Danish phone plans may incur roaming charges, as no Danish networks are available and not all prepaid plans include international roaming, even to other EU countries.

Spirit of Hven has free WiFi for customers and guests.

Stay safe
If traveling by bike, stay on posted bike trails, some of which (despite their rough appearance) are roads that motor vehicles use. Ride on the right and let faster traffic pass on the left. Wear a helmet; you are more likely to need protection against natural hazards than against motor vehicles.

Stay healthy
There are no medical facilities on Ven. For anything other than basic first aid and over-the-counter medicine available at the market, you will need to take a ferry off the island.

Go next
Unless you have your own boat, your next destination will be by ferry, to Landskrona in Sweden or to Copenhagen or Helsingør in Denmark. Book your tickets in advance, especially if you intend to travel on a summer weekend.

title: Ven


text:
Vence

Vence is an inland town of the French Riviera. It is an attractive old town surrounded by a  ring  of hills with splendid views down to the Mediterranean over Antibes and Cagnes-sur-Mer. It has a mild climate throughout the winter months because the hills on the  northern side of the town protect it from the cold which can make the winters in the Var region to the west, very uncomfortable.

Vence has always attracted artists, writers and poets. Dufy, Matisse, Chagall, Dubuffet, Carzou, Arman, Anthony Mars, D.H. Lawrence, and W. Gombrowicz have all been part of the Vence scene.

By road
A8
 * From Aix-en-Provence (eastbound) exit 47 Villeneuve-Loubet.
 * From Italy, Monaco or Nice (westbound) exit 48 Cagnes-sur-Mer.
 * Then follow the signs to Vence.

By train
Nearest station: Cagnes-sur-Mer.

By plane
Nearest airport: Nice Côte d'Azur.

Get around
Most sites in Vence are within walking distance of each other, but there is a "petit train" that links them together, and can be useful for getting to the Matisse chapel if you prefer not to walk too far.

See
The chief attraction of Vence is the town centre which consists of a pleasant main square with numerous cafés and restaurants spread around three sides, and particularly the old medieval city (" vieille ville").

The cathedral (09:00-18:00 daily) houses a Chagall mosaic.

The Château de Villeneuve, Fondation Emile Huges, Place de Frêne, 04 93 58 15 78, houses a changing variety of art exhibits, mostly modern. Summer: daily 11:00-19:00; winter: Tu-Su 10:00-12:00, 14:00-18:00.

The Place du Frêne was named for an enormous ash tree that is said to have been planted in 1538, in memory of the visit of François I and Pope Paul III. From the end of it there's a good view of the Baou des Blancs and Baou des Noirs - the two giant cliffs that rise above the town. Baou is a provençal word meaning "rocky spur".

The Chapelle du Rosaire des Dominicaines de Vence, or the Matisse Chapel, is a 5-10 minute walk from the centre of town, across a bridge and up the Avenue Henri Matisse towards St. Jeannet. This white chapel with its striking blue roof was entirely designed and decorated by Matisse down to the priestly vestments between 1947 and 1951 and is famous for its stained glass windows which spill colours onto the white marble floors. Matisse apparently considered it his masterpiece, "despite its imperfections."

Opens: M W Sa 14:00-17:30, and Tu Th 10:00-11:30 and 14:00-17:30. Closed November.

Do
Enquire at the tourist office for details of local events such as guided photographic tours and botanical walks (French essential).

Go on a self-guided walking tour of the old town. Pick up a map from the tourist office, and follow the numbers, reading on panels (in French and English) about the ancient gateways, fountains, Roman remains and other fascinating sites.

In July and August, Vence hosts "Les Nuits du Sud" - open air concerts on Friday and Saturday nights. Acts are various, but favour Cuba.

Buy
The old city centre has a number of pleasant shaded alleys which provide plenty of cool shade in the summer, some delightful restaurants, shops, art galleries and the Hotel de Ville.

Eat
Vence has a wide range of restaurants, from the 2 Michelin starred Maximin at the top end down to various pizza places and cafés at the lower end. What is difficult to find is anything other than French cuisine (with the exception of Italian and Vietnamese/Chinese) - this probably won't bother you if you are on holiday, but if you are a resident, you may want to take a trip to Antibes or St Laurent du Var for their Japanese, Thai and Indian cuisine.

The following restaurant reviews are ordered from most expensive to least expensive, with a rough indication of cost being given.

 * Le Vieux Couvent, avenue Alphonse Toreille, 04 93 58 78 58.
 * La Farigoule, 15, rue Isnard, 04 93 58 01 27. Possibly the most adventurous cooking in Vence, served in a pretty courtyard in summer. Patrick Bruot chooses local ingredients and presents them with a twist. Booking advised in summer.
 * La Litote, 5 rue de la Evêché, 04 93 24 27 82.
 * Le Restaurant Les Béatilles, 8, rue du Marché (summer terrace on place Clémenceau), 04 93 58 04 17. Tu-Su.
 * L'Armoise, 9 place du Peyra, 04 93 58 19 29. Fish rules at this tiny restaurant - which has a few outside tables in the place Peyra. A good place to try bouillabaisse - one of the few places you can have it without ordering it a day in advance. The proprietor is friendly and helpful, and speaks good English. Booking advised in summer.
 * Le Michel Ange, Place Godeau 1, 04 93 58 32 56. This restaurant serves Nicoise Cuisine and is located in quiet and beautiful Godeau square in the old town, just behind the cathedral. There is a fixed menu and a variable menu on the blackboard. A 2- or 3-course menu will cost €15-23. Make sure you'll try a dessert. Michel is your host and speaks good English. Le Michel Ange is open from 12:00 - 14:30 and 18:30 - 21:30 (closed on Sunday night and Monday).
 * Brasserie de la Victoire, place du Grand Jardin, 04 93 58 01 18. This café serves the best coffee in Vence. The chef extends the fairly standard menu (steaks, pizza, croques, pasta) with daily specials which can be good - and exceptional value.
 * La Taverne St Veran, 2 place Surain, 04 93 24 00 98. A friendly local restaurant with a fairly standard menu of pizza, pasta, steaks and excellent salads. Big portions if you're hungry (and even if you're not!).
 * Saveurs d'Asie, 1 rue de l'Hôtel, 04 93 24 66 57 (tables on place Surain in summer). If you're used to "real" Vietnamese or Chinese, then even this is a poor imitation, but it's by far the best in town if you're in need of a break from French. The owner (who speaks good English) can be persuaded to make dishes "très piquante" if you ask. Make sure you accept the "sake" at the end of the meal for an amusing surprise.
 * Crêperie Bretonne chez Hervé, 6, place Surian, 04 93 24 08 20. A good lunch-time venue, with a wide range of galettes and crêpes. Do try the cider, which is served in porcelain bowls. Also serves excellent ice-cream from Tourrettes-sur-Loup.
 * Brasserie de la Victoire, place du Grand Jardin, 04 93 58 01 18. This café serves the best coffee in Vence. The chef extends the fairly standard menu (steaks, pizza, croques, pasta) with daily specials which can be good - and exceptional value.
 * La Taverne St Veran, 2 place Surain, 04 93 24 00 98. A friendly local restaurant with a fairly standard menu of pizza, pasta, steaks and excellent salads. Big portions if you're hungry (and even if you're not!).
 * Saveurs d'Asie, 1 rue de l'Hôtel, 04 93 24 66 57 (tables on place Surain in summer). If you're used to "real" Vietnamese or Chinese, then even this is a poor imitation, but it's by far the best in town if you're in need of a break from French. The owner (who speaks good English) can be persuaded to make dishes "très piquante" if you ask. Make sure you accept the "sake" at the end of the meal for an amusing surprise.
 * Crêperie Bretonne chez Hervé, 6, place Surian, 04 93 24 08 20. A good lunch-time venue, with a wide range of galettes and crêpes. Do try the cider, which is served in porcelain bowls. Also serves excellent ice-cream from Tourrettes-sur-Loup.

If you're having a night in, Mister Pizza (61 Avenue Rhin et Danube, +33 4 93 24 31 24) deliver to most of Vence. Be sure to ask for it to be sliced and note that the olives are stoned.

Go next
The path from Vence to St. Paul is nice. There are two starting points from Vence:

(1) Start from the western part of the city, walk down the ravine and continue up through the woods towards the Fondation Maeght just outside Saint Paul de Vence.

(2) Alternatively, walk down to the little chapel on the southern side of the city, then down the residential roads, downhill to the river and up through the woods to the little parking lot at the north end of Saint Paul de Vence.

title: Vence


text:
Veneta

Veneta is a town in Oregon.

By car
From Eugene or Florence via hwy 126 (W 11th Ave in Eugene)

By bus
There are LTD buses from downtown Eugene (route 93 as of 2014). During the Country Fair, there are shuttles from LTD Downtown Station at 10th and Willamette in Eugene every 15 minutes starting at 10 AM.

Do
Visit a local vineyard.

Connect
City Hall

title: Veneta


text:
Veneto

Veneto is a region in north-eastern Italy, with its capital in Venice. It was an independent republic until the invasion of Napoleon in 1797.

Regions
It is composed of 7 provinces:

Cities

 * - with St. Mark's Square, the Great Lagoon, the gondolas on the Grand Canal, Venice's Carnival together with great architecture, artistic masterpieces, particular narrow streets, the Biennale, the Marine Republic, but Veneto is not only Venice.
 * - is a walled city, with its medieval castle still in nearly-perfect condition.
 * - in the province of Belluno, is part of the Veneto as well. A place with spectacular views of the Dolomites where you can relax and walk in summer and go skiing in winter. The Olympic Wintergames in 1956 helped Cortina d'Ampezzo to become a city known anywhere in the world.
 * , the ancient and learned city with its Basilica del Santo that houses the relics of Saint Antonio is one of the major attraction points for millions of pilgrims every year.
 * - The city of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. If you plan to go to Verona you should at least try to get one of the rare tickets for the opera in the Arena.
 * - The city of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. If you plan to go to Verona you should at least try to get one of the rare tickets for the opera in the Arena.

Other destinations

 * 10 minutes from Venice, the golden beach
 * - seaside town
 * - seaside town close to Jesolo
 * - large seaside town near to Venice
 * - situated about 15 minutes, by train, from Venice's main island
 * - world famous wine region north of Verona
 * - the largest Italian lake, and a well known tourist destination

Talk
English is not widely spoken, even in tourist areas, but many young people speak a decent level of it, and many Italians will go out of their way to help you even if you don't speak their language. Venetian is the traditional language of the region, though these days, all Venetian speakers are also able to speak Italian.

Get in
The Veneto region is well connected, with 3 international airports in Venice, Verona and Treviso with dozens of airlines flying in.

International trains travel to Venice and Verona.

Get around
Train travel is comfortable, safe and cheap and reaches small towns as well as big cities. Info and tickets at the Trenitalia website.

Bus companies mainly operate only within their provinces and connect each provincial capital with the surrounding towns.

See
There is a lot to see in the region, including art and culture in the cities and Lake Garda with stunning towns.

Do
Activities in the region include hiking and skiing in the Alps, going to beaches and wine and food tours.

Get a map of Venice with the water bus routes. You can see major parts of the city just by getting on and traveling the canals around the major islands.

Just sit in St Marks Square and watch the pigeons, listen to the music, watch the people go by.

Be careful about the time of year you go to see Venice. It is under water sometimes (mainly in November). Planks are put out to walk on when the sidewalks are not walkable. If you go at the right time of the year, it is a beautiful city and well worth the trip.

Buy
Venetian glass is beautiful, still made and for sale.

Eat
The regional food reflect the humble times of the early 20th century with the so-called "cucina povera" (poor food kitchen). Despite this the food is still great and varies greatly between provinces. In Venice you will find food focused on fish while on the northern part of the region it will be more traditional with influences from the Alps.

Drink
Aperol spritz is a must in Veneto while the region is also famous for its excellent wines.

Grappa is also a must try, a strong but smooth digestive to have it after dinner. It is served as a shot but is better to sip, as it is quite strong.

Stay safe
The region is very safe. The only people that may bother you are the ones at the bigger train stations asking for change or "helping" you at the automated train ticket machines for a fee (usually 50p or 1 euro).

Driving is perfectly safe, despite the reputation, and roads are well maintained. Motorways are perfect for long distances movement but somewhat expensive (0.10-0.20 cent per km).

Do not drive under the influence of alcohol as the fines are really expensive.

Like everywhere in Italy, it is customary to order at least a coffee if you want to use the toilet in a bar.

title: Veneto


text:
Venezuela

Venezuela is replete with stunning natural wonders and sights such as countless national parks, magnificent waterfalls, and three s. The world's tallest waterfall, the Angel Falls (Kerepakupai Vená), is found here.

Venezuela used to be one of South America's most politically and economically stable countries, but since the 1980s, it has been in the news for all the wrong reasons and is unsafe to travel to. A long, winding history of gross economic mismanagement and ineffective governance has completely battered the country and the country has been experiencing its worst ever humanitarian crisis since the mid-20th century.

Venezuelans are known for their tolerance, hospitality, and zest for life and you can expect a warm welcome from them.

Cities

 * – Being the capital and the largest city in Venezuela, Caracas is known for being one of the most cosmopolitan and modern cities in South America. There are lots of places to visit, such as theaters, malls, museums, art galleries, parks, well-conserved colonial architecture and even gourmet restaurants.
 * – The first capital of Venezuela and a city of rich colonial architecture, a unique natural scenery and tourist attractiveness. Its historical downtown is considered as a cultural World Heritage Site.
 * – Stop-off point for flights to Angel Falls, and a comfortable stopover to Brazil.
 * – Dominated by heavy industry, it is Venezuela´s most organized city and the main gateway to the Orinoco Delta and the Gran Sabana. It is locally still known as either Puerto Ordaz or San Félix.
 * – Venezuela's second largest city, swelteringly hot and built on oil.
 * – Once the capital of Venezuela, now home to the main military garrison.
 * – A charming university town in the Andes mountains, popular for outdoor activities.
 * – The city to go to if you want to visit the beaches in Eastern Venezuela.
 * – A leafy industrious city in the Andes mountains, bordering Colombia.

Other destinations

 * — the world's highest waterfall.
 * (Playa Grande or El Malecon)
 * (Archipiélago Los Roque)
 * (Isla Margarita)
 * (Parque Nacional Mochima)
 * (Parque Nacional Morrocoy)
 * (The Plains)
 * (The Great Savanna)
 * (The Great Savanna)

Understand
Venezuela is home to the world's highest waterfall, Angel Falls and the second longest river in South America, the Orinoco. It also has the longest coastline to the Caribbean sea. Venezuela is the world's fifth-largest oil exporter and also has vast untapped reserves of natural gas. Ecologically, Venezuela is considered among the 20 Megadiverse countries of the planet; more than 40% of its national territory is covered by protected areas.

Although geologically diverse, the effects of climate change have gravely affected Venezuela's ecodiversity. May 2024 marked the date of when the country became the first Andean country and one of the first in the modern world to lose all of its glaciers.

Terrain
Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in the northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in the southeast. Nueva Esparta islands in the northeast
 * highest point : Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m.

History
Venezuela was inhabited by Pre-Columbian peoples when it was claimed as a possession of the Spanish Empire by Christopher Columbus during his third voyage in 1498.

Venezuela was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Ecuador). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by military strongmen and the country was largely underdeveloped, depending mainly on agriculture.

Venezuela in the 20th century
During World War I, large, massive, and plentiful oil and gas reserves were discovered in Lake Maracaibo. This proved to be pivotal for the country — standards of living markedly improved, the country became more industrialised, the country received a great deal of immigrants from all over the world, and the country enjoyed an economic boom that lasted well over several decades.

Overreliance on oil and gas reserves soon proved to be Venezuela's undoing — the economy was badly damaged by the sudden shift in global oil prices during the 1980s, culminating in economic collapse, dissatisfaction with the government, and widespread political and social unrest. A number of banks became bankrupt in the mid-1990s, further complicating matters.

Venezuela under Hugo Chávez (1999 - 2013)
The collapse of confidence in the government led to Hugo Chávez being elected president in the late 1990s.

Chávez rewrote the constitution of the country, and initiated the creation of a Bolivarian Republic, i.e, a country's whose principles are based on the beliefs and ideals of Simon Bolivar. Chávez created Bolivarian missions aimed at improving economic, cultural, and social conditions, and implemented a number of socialist and protectionist policies. High oil prices in the early 2000s brought about some form of economic buoyancy.

While these actions and policies made Chávez a popular figure among many Venezuelans, it became increasingly apparent by the 2010s that the Chávez government was poorly managing the country – inflation was high, there were occasional shortages of food and supplies, and the government still depended a lot on oil and gas reserves. Poverty, corruption, and crime increased year by year, sowing the seeds for the Venezuelan crisis.

Venezuelan crisis (2013 - present)
Chavez died in March 2013 and was succeeded by his vice president, Nicolas Maduro, a bus driver turned trade union leader turned politician.

Maduro has continued all of his predecessor's policies, causing the country's worst ever humanitarian crisis to date. Basic supplies of food and medicine are scarce, violent crime has skyrocketed, businesses have been forced to shut down, and thousands of Venezuelans have been pushed into poverty.

Life for the vast majority of Venezuelans has become incredibly miserable, and many have since emigrated in search of better opportunities elsewhere. Many Venezuelans feel there's no hope or future left for their country, although a small portion of people feel that things will change in due time.

Electricity
Venezuela uses a 60 Hz and 120 V power system. The power plugs are identical to those used in North America (referred to as A and B type power plugs).

Power supply is not stable in the majority of the Country. There are shortages of several hours and sometimes they can last days, depending on the area, time of the year and climate events. For this reason, many facilities and private homes install backup power generators if they can.

Holidays

 * January 1: New Year's Day
 * January 14: Feast of the Divina Pastors
 * February 12: Youth Day
 * February 20: Federation Day
 * March 21: Slavery Abolition Anniversary
 * April 19: Independence Movement Day
 * July 5: Independence Day
 * July 24: Birth of Simón Bolívar
 * September 8: Birth of the Virgin Mary and Feasts of the Virgin del Valle and Our Lady of Coromoto
 * October 12: Day of Indigenous Resistance
 * December 8: Immaculate Conception and Loyalty Day
 * December 25: Christmas

Christmas is celebrated as a religious event. The unofficial start of the Christmas festivities is after the celebrations of "Feria de la Chinita", the second half of November, with various religious activities, processions, and music. In many places, neighborhoods get together for the "patinatas" night festivals, events usually sponsored by the local church but organized be the people. In some neighborhoods there is the "Parranda" where people go from house to house with music and Christmas songs, expecting some food and drinks in return.

Tourism information

 * Venezuelan Ministty of Tourism.

Visa requirements
Citizens of the following countries may not require a visa to visit Venezuela for tourist purposes only for up to 90 days (a tourist-card will be issued instead): Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominica, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Hong Kong, Iceland, Iran (max. 15 days), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea (South) Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Nevis, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Russia, San Marino, Spain, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom, and Uruguay. Business travelers almost invariably require a visa to be issued before entry.

In Caracas, passengers pass through immigration in the arrivals hall before going to baggage claim. Officers will check your passport and may ask questions. If a customs officer or anyone asks about your purpose of visit, tell them you are only there to visit, tourism. At baggage claim you will be required to match the baggage sticker on your flight ticket to the bar code on your bag before you hand over your tax form to customs officials.

There will be many individuals who approach you after your arrival offering assistance with locating a taxi or trading currency. It is best to not interact with anyone who approaches you. Even airport officials with proper identification may attempt to lead you to other areas of the airport to trade currency on the black market. When taking a taxi from the airport, always settle on a price before getting into the cab, and only use taxis that have the official yellow oval seal.

By plane
The main international airport is Simon Bolivar International Airport ( also known as Maiquetia airport), in the Vargas state. It is approximately a 30-minute ride from Caracas. Buses are available during the day, departing from Parque Central and Avenida Lecuna bus station next to Calle del Sur. Buses run from 7AM-6PM. A taxi ride from the airport will cost US$5-7, or US$6-8 at night. There are international flights to Maracaibo, Porlamar and Valencia, but the choices are very limited.

To Caracas you can travel nonstop from Latin American, Caribbean and European cities. Direct flights from/to the U.S. and Canada have been suspended or terminated.

From Europe, there are nonstop flights from Madrid (Air Europa, Estelar, Plus Ultra), Paris (Air France), Rome (Estelar), Tenerife North (Plus Ultra), and Lisbon (TAP). Iberia flies from Madrid with a technical stop in Santo Domingo. With Turkish Airlines you can fly from Istanbul with a short stopover in Havana.

Aeropostal, CONVIASA, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Lloyd, LATAM and Aerolíneas Argentinas provide flights to the rest of Central America and South America.

Copa Airlines has a daily service from Caracas, Maracaibo and Valencia to Panama and connections to all South America, Central America and USA.

For international departures (at Maiquetia Airport), the airport tax is US$23-53.49, and the departure tax US$21.40-9.20. These taxes are paid at the airport, although many airline tickets might include these taxes.

It is still a good idea to keep at least US$50 on hand when departing from Venezuela. If the fees increase, or you are required to pay both the airport and departure tax, you can head into the main lobby area where many businessmen will eagerly buy US dollars. If you are stuck without cash, you can ask airline employees to charge your credit card and provide you with cash to pay the airport tax. Ask for 'efectivo' when employing this strategy.

For domestic flights (at Maiquetia Airport), there is an airport tax. Aeropostal Alas de Venezuela, Santa Bárbara Airlines, Avior Airlines, Conviasa and Aserca Airlines are the major domestic airlines in Venezuela.

By car
Venezuela has road links with Colombia and Brazil. The road crossing to Brazil, not far from the frontier town of Santa Elena de Uairén, is a long way from most tourist destinations in Venezuela and so not a common point of entry. Border controls are tight and all travelers arriving from Boa Vista are expected to have visas. The Venezuelan consulate in Boa Vista is on Av Benjamin Constant.

Venezuela's main connection with Colombia is from Cúcuta to Venezuela's frontier town of San Antonio del Táchira, which is about 50 km from the busy Andean city of San Cristóbal. For a day visit to Cúcuta no visa documents are required but border controls are otherwise very tight with frequent searches. The border area can be dangerous and visitors should pass through quickly.

In 2012, border controls were fairly relaxed from Venezuela to Colombia; it was possible to take a local bus directly from San Cristobal to Cucuta. As locals do not need to stamp their passports, the bus did not wait for third-country nationals undertaking the migration procedures. Smuggling of subsidised Venezuelan goods into Colombia became commonplace before oil prices collapsed in 2014; this flow has now reversed as Venezuela has been gripped by widespread shortages of basic goods. This has led to clampdowns at the border, and crossings have been sporadically closed.

If you are leaving Venezuela by land from San Antonio to Cucuta, you are obliged to pay the departure tax, so do not change all your bolivares in Venezuela.

General
Travelers in Venezuela are obliged to carry identification. There are military checkpoints on many roads, so while traveling by car or bus keep your passport handy, ideally you should keep a color photocopy of your passport. Should your passport be stolen, this will facilitate procedures with your local consulate. The military presence is constant, yet is not usually cause for concern. That having been said, there are corrupt officials. It is wise to keep a close eye on your belongings when, for instance, bags are being checked for drugs. A soldier of the Guardia Nacional (National Guard) sometimes plants drugs to solicit a bribe or steal valuables. Penalties for drug use are severe, and the burden of proof falls on the accused, the police may also demand bribes using the same modus operandi.

There is only one rather short intercity rail line in Venezuela, which leaves three options for travel inside the country: car rental, using buses, and using cars-for-hire. Drivers in Venezuela are generally aggressive and unconcerned by traffic regulations. The traffic in Venezuela is very bad, the drivers are aggressive and all drivers want to be the first. Thus, car rental is not recommended in general. The very cheap fuel prices make this option fairly economical. The expensive part of renting a car will be the insurance. Fuel prices as of Aug 2018 remained fixed at 1 BsF per litre, which meant that a million Imperial gallons (4,500,000 L) was worth about US$1 at black-market currency exchange rates. The Venezuelan government is looking to eliminate these generous subsidies, but any change to the status quo will incur strong political backlash.

Do not underestimate the sheer chaos of Venezuela's traffic. The often ignored road rules state that you must drive on the right unless overtaking and give way to traffic coming on to a roundabout. Drivers frequently top 160 km/h (100 mph) on intercity highways. Laws requiring car occupants to wear seat belts are not always complied with.

Traffic lights are often ignored, especially in the night, not for lack of patience, but drivers do not like to stop the car as they can be robbed while stopped. Motorcycles (moto taxis) are sometimes seen transporting up to five people, usually without helmets, which adds to the dangers of the road.

At Venezuelan crosswalks, pedestrians do not have the right of the way as they do in the U.S. and many European countries. If you slow down or stop at a crosswalk to allow a pedestrian to cross, you could cause an accident with unsuspecting motorists.

By train
There is a only a single line of some operated by the state railway connecting Caracas and Cúa via Charallave as of 2023, so this mode of transportation is practically not an option.

By bus
The bus system is extensive and extremely affordable (in part due to the low price of fuel). Bus terminals are hectic, but it is usually easy to find a bus to any major city leaving within a short amount of time. Short bus rides (2 hours) may cost US$3-7, and even extremely long bus rides (9 hours) will only cost US$10-35. The larger buses are typically air-conditioned. In fact, they are usually overly air-conditioned, so it is worth bringing a blanket with you. Buses are an easy and convenient way to get around the country. However, proper security awareness should be exercised as robberies occasionally take place on buses in cities and on highways. It is best to choose bus lines that use a metal detector and bag check to insure no passengers are carrying weapons of any kind.

If you decide to travel by bus a good option is Aeroexpresos Ejecutivo. They have their own terminal in a residential zone of Caracas (Chacao, Bello Campo), and baggage is checked on the buses (as in an airport). The buses are clean, safe and well-maintained, plus the drivers are trained to respect the speed limit (there are many accidents on regular buses on Venezuelan highways, most of them caused by speeding on poorly maintained roads). They are more expensive than a regular bus, but still cheap by American or European standards. You may pay with credit card and buy tickets in advance by phone. Aeroexpresos offers slightly more expensive options for many long routes that include semi-cama seating, chairs that recline extra, and allow for more comfortable sleeping on overnight trips.

For smaller towns, there may not be regular buses. In such cases, one can use cars-for-hire, called "por puestos." These are typically old and run-down vehicles, but they are affordable. They are more expensive than buses, typically costing US$5-9 per person for a one- or two-hour ride. The main problem is that they typically wait to have a full car (4 or 5 passengers) before undertaking a route. The driver will usually try to convince you to pay for the extra passengers if you want to leave right away. The cars are popular, however, and one does not usually wait long for a car to fill up. Por puestos are identifiable by signage bearing the name of the streets or destinations they typically drive along or stop at. Avoid traveling alone in a por puesto and avoid 'pirates', unofficial taxis that may intend to rob foreigners.

By car
A large and paved road network (which comprises approx. 82,000 km) make Venezuela an attractive country for exploring with your own car.

Many roads are in good condition but there are also gravel and dirt roads for which an off-road vehicle is recommended – especially during the rainy season from May to October. This is why it is important to travel with a good road map (e.g. Venezuela Laminated Map by Berndtson & Berndtson) and to be well informed about distances, road conditions and the estimated travel time. On the web, the site of cochera andina publishes information on nearly 120 routes in the country.

You can rent a car, usually for US$20-50 a day, plus insurance and legal liability. This may make you think twice about renting a car, especially when considering the fact that renting a car with a driver usually costs the same.

Fuel price is officially fixed and subsidized by the government at 0.5$/litre and in other cases sold for a more subsidized price for locals. It is not available everywhere in the country and because of scarcity you may find it from resellers with prices ranging from 1$/litre in the informal market; there are many filling stations in the main areas and cities. For outlying areas, you should fill the tank before you leave or take a reserve canister with you. In the mountains, fuel consumption often increases to over 15 L/100 km.

An international driver's license is needed to drive in Venezuela. Police will often ask for the license as well as for the frame or motor number during routine checks. Traffic rules generally comply with the international standard. But do not underestimate the sheer chaos of Venezuela's traffic. Be attentive when driving in Venezuela. Note that there are many police and military control on the interstate roads that will inspect your documents or vehicle, and many will try to take a bribe, try to avoid this. Filming the police and military is legally allowed in Venezuela (as of 2023).

The often ignored traffic rules state that you must drive on the right unless overtaking and give way to traffic in a roundabout. Although the maximum speed limit is 80 km/h outside the city and 60 km/h within the city (at night 50 km/h) local drivers frequently top 160 km/h (100 mph) on intercity highways. The law obligates car occupants to drive with fastened seat belts – which is regularly ignored. If you are in a traffic jam, other drivers will try to pass. Be aware also that motorcycles are sometimes transporting up to five people, without helmets. Try to avoid travelling at night, but if you do, pay special attention: streets and cars as well as bicycles often have poor lights. Even "good" roads may have unexpected and deep potholes. For this reason, and for security issues in general, like crime, long-distance intercity car travel is not recommended during dark hours. Keep in mind that cellphone coverage is scarce, so it's recommended to download offline maps for routing.

Good sign-posting is only found on the main roads. Common and especially important road signs are:
 * Curva peligrosa: "Dangerous curve"
 * Sucesión de curvas: "Winding road"
 * Reduzca velocidad: "Reduce speed"
 * Conserve su derecha: "Keep right"

In cities
Travel within cities is usually via taxi. Taxis are more expensive than any other form of transport, but still affordable when compared to North American or European equivalents. The taxis do not have meters and will charge more at night. This is normal in Venezuela, however all prices are flexible in the Venezuelan economy, so it is a good idea to negotiate the fare for the ride up front. Tipping is not expected and not necessary. The driver considers the tip as part of the fare they are charging and will factor that into the negotiations.

Local buses exist, and usually connect the terminal to the city centre. Bus routes usually remain a mystery to the uninitiated and you can try to read the signals in the windows (going to-coming from).

Caracas has a clean, modern and cheap metro system, which is being expanded. While armed robberies are almost unheard of in the metro, pickpocketing is rampant. Typically, delinquents will aim to distract the passenger and then another member of the group will remove the wallet, or bag in the opportune moment. It is best to keep bags in front of you and avoid unsolicited contact with strangers.

Talk
Spanish is the official language of Venezuela, accompanied by numerous indigenous languages (usually never heard except in the Amazon region). Venezuelan Spanish is also heavily influenced by Italian, a result of the large influx of Italian settlers. Hand gestures derived from Italy are sometimes common, and many colloquialisms are borrowed from Italian (for example: instead of saying "cerveza", which means beer, youngsters find "birra" cooler, which is in Italian); Italian also influenced intonation of local Spanish dialect, particularly sing-songy sound. Outside of Caracas, English is not commonly spoken or even understood, and even within Caracas it is usually only spoken by the younger generations, the upper-class, and the well educated.

See

 * Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands and Canaima National Park.
 * Los Roques with its crystalline beaches.
 * Los Llanos and its spectacular wildlife.
 * Mérida and its breathtaking Andes scenery.
 * Caracas, the true urban jungle.

Money
Venezuela's currency is the Bolívar digital (ISO code VED), launched on 1 October 2021 to replace the Bolívar soberano at a rate of 1 million to 1. The Bolívar soberano (BsS) was launched in 2018 to replace the Bolívar Fuerte (BsF) at a rate of 100,000:1. The Bolívar Fuerte had replaced the old bolívar in 2008 at the rate of BsF 1 to 1000 old bolivars. One 2021 bolívar digital is therefore equivalent to 100 trillion 2008 bolivares. The Bolívar digital is not actually a digital currency, but has printed banknotes like its predecessors.

Even with the latest iteration of the bolívar, 2/3 of transactions within the country occur in U.S. dollars as of December 2021. Wikivoyage does not provide prices in bolivares. Prices expressed in US dollars may be shown as ranges because of the variance between low official and higher unofficial exchange rates.

Bolivars are not easily convertible either in or outside of the country. Banks (and the few bureaux de change) give Venezuelan currency at the official rate, but there is a thriving parallel market that trades for higher rates. These unofficial rates fluctuate depending on general demand for foreign exchange, inflation and political instability. Within the "parallel market" there are various exchange rates: the tourist, the black market (a bit higher but dangerous and uncomfortable), and the bonds brokerage one (high amounts in government bonds, when on sale). That highest one, which appears as reference on certain internet pages, is the government dollar bonds rate, inaccessible unless you buy thousands of dollars in government bonds through a Venezuelan brokerage firm. This last one determines the rate of the black market one and the tourist one. The black market should be avoided unless you are sure of the honesty of the people changing currency for you. They may be scammers, thieves or even police disguised as traders. The safest parallel exchange is the tourist rate which is normally provided by higher-level people in the tourism industry (hotel managers, posada owners, etc.) The rates vary around Venezuela and from week to week. The tourist rate rarely varies in time. Once you change you cannot change back to euros or dollars unless the tourist operator that exchanged for you is nice enough to take it back.

There are widespread shortages of food and basic goods in the shops; many essential medications are becoming unattainable.

Current parallel market rates and prices can be found on online, but the inflation rate is so high that not even websites will always be accurate. It is reported that Venezuelans use WhatsApp groups to set rates and prices. Venezuelan currency is also traded on eBay outside of Venezuela at various price points between the parallel black market rate and the official government rate and are marketed as collectible items than as spending money for travel. Buying before departure will provide some spending money until you can find somebody trustworthy to exchange money in Venezuela. The difference between exchanging on the black market and the official government exchange rates is huge.

Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, American Express and Diners Club are usually accepted at upscale restaurants, hotels and shopping centers. Merchants always ask for ID before making a credit card transaction (a passport will suffice). ATMs exist all over the country. They hand out only bolivars at the official exchange rate. Maestro debit cards are the most accepted but Visa debit cards are often not accepted because they are a "fee-scam" for the sellers (appears as "Debit" for the buyer and as "Credit" for the seller), and some ATMs also ask for the last two digits of Venezuelans' ID numbers as an added security precaution, causing problems for foreigners with no ID number tied to their bank account.

It is best to carry small change rather than large bills as many traders, in particular taxi drivers, rarely have change. Tipping taxi drivers is not customary and can appear strange. Be a little wary of cab drivers as almost all of them are exploiting tourists, particularly from the airport to Caracas. Use only the official airport taxis (black Ford Explorers), which have a vending spot inside the airport. Buy your ticket there, first checking the fee according to the destination displayed on the counter, not asking the teller or the cab drivers directly. You can also get airport pick-up but it would be more expensive (mostly luxury hotels). For a safe taxi service in Caracas, you can use "Teletaxi", which you can set at. Please ask the fee by phone before ordering the service.

At restaurants, tipping is usually minimal. If a 10% service charge is included then some extra small change can be left on top of the total, or if not included then a tip of only 10% is customary.

Handicrafts
Hammocks and some dark wooden handicrafts can be found throughout Venezuela, as well as gaudy painted statuettes of big-busted women. Some areas such as Falcón state have a tradition of excellent glazed pottery.

Food and drink
Fine Venezuelan rum and chocolate are on sale at the airport.

Eat
Venezuela is experiencing a severe food shortage, and whatever food is available tends to be very expensive.

Arepas, thick corn tortillas which are split and stuffed with myriad fillings, are the quintessential Venezuelan dish. The most famous variations are the "reina pepiada" (shredded chicken salad with avocado) and “domino” (stuffed with black beans and shredded white cheese). Hallacas (Venezuela's homegrown version of the tamale, with meat, olives, raisins covered in cornmeal and wrapped in plantain leaves to be steamed) are a popular Christmas dish. Cachapas (corn pancakes often topped with a salty cheese called "telita" or "queso de mano"), empanadas (savory pastries) and the ubiquitous "perros calientes" (hot dogs) are popular street food. For slow food, try delicious fish meals, or a shrimp soup known as “cazuela de mariscos”.

The traditional Venezuelan lunch is pabellón, and consists of rice, black beans, and meat, with a side of fried plantain slices. The above dishes are known as "comida criolla", or Creole food.

Venezuela is a leading producer of fine cacao beans and Venezuelan chocolate can be excellent. The El Rey brand has consistent quality.

Drink
To some tastes, especially those who prefer stronger and complicated beers, Venezuelan beers may seem thin and watery. The most popular beer brand is Polar, which is available in a low-calorie version (Polar Light), light version (Polar Ice), or premium version (Solera). Zulia and Regional are other beers available throughout the country. Whisky is very popular among Venezuelans, particularly for special events. Venezuelan-made rum is generally dark and of very good quality. Among the best is the "1796" brand from Santa Teresa. It is a Solera rum. Others popular brands of rum are Pampero "caballito frenado" and Cacique.

Venezuelans are heavy drinkers and will often go through a case of beer during vacation days, starting before breakfast, only to carry on with a bottle of rum or whisky come nightfall.

A popular non-alcoholic drink is called "chicha Andina," which is made from rice or corn flour.

Malta or Maltin is a carbonated non-alcoholic malt drink sold alongside regular soft drinks, although it is also manufactured by the Polar company.

Venezuelan coffee is excellent, but make sure you are asking for proper coffee (machine-made, 'de la maquina'), otherwise you might be served a 'negrito' or 'guayoyo', which can be anything from weak filter coffee to coffee-smelling brown water.

Sleep
In Caracas, there is a good selection of 5-star hotels, although these are predictably expensive. At tourist spots elsewhere in Venezuela, guest houses or B&Bs, known as posadas are usually the best option, each with an individual style and usually offering breakfast or dinner if requested. Posadas can vary enormously in price and quality. Youth hostels are very scarce.

The beds in many hotels (mostly up to the mid-range levels) are nothing more than mattresses on concrete slabs that resemble box springs. Depending on what your sleep preference is, they may not be the most comfortable for you. Something for you to consider when looking for a hotel to stay at.

Learn
There are great universities throughout the country, both private and public. Caracas is the city with the most universities, including the Venezuelan Central University (Universidad Central de Venezuela, UCV) which has 60,000 students and is an architectural attraction in its own right since being awarded World Heritage Site status by the UN in 2002.

Before the current instability, Venezuela was becoming increasing popular as a destination for learning Spanish, with Mérida as the top destination. Cela Spanish School on Margarita Island offers intensive Spanish courses in different levels. Excursions and activities on Margarita Island are included in the Spanish course.

Work
Working hours are usually from 8AM to noon and from 1PM to 5PM, or from 9AM to noon and 2PM to 6PM. (8 hours per day, and 1-2 hours of lunch time). Most banks close at 3:30PM, except the ones located at shopping malls (as Sambil, CCCT, etc.) work after 3PM but probably will make a little charge by the transaction. Also in December when they stay open an extra hour to deal with the holiday rush.

Stay safe
Venezuela has its fair share of poverty, corruption, and crime. Venezuela has one of the highest homicide rates worldwide. It is necessary to be vigilant when in crowded cities, as pickpockets and muggers may be around. Most sections of large cities are not safe to walk at night. Stay in populated areas. Always travel by vehicle at night. The outskirts of many cities are very poor and crime-ridden, and are not appropriate for tourists. When in doubt, ask local inhabitants or taxi drivers whether an area is safe or not. In general, if one looks like a (presumably wealthy) tourist, these sections of town should be avoided. It is advisable not to wear expensive jewellery or watches. Take care with using the cellphone, taking pictures and unfolding maps in crowds. Pretend you know where you are going even if you aren't sure.

Always ride on a legal taxi (Yellow plates). The white plates taxis are not legal and may be dangerous.

Additionally, be wary of corrupt officials (police and National Guard). Some officials may demand bribes or otherwise extort voyagers. Keep watch of your belongings at all times. Despite all these recommendations, you are usually quite safe in Venezuela if you apply a little common sense, and avoid looking overly wealthy when traveling. Women with big purses should not walk around alone. Tourists should avoid walking long distances in the towns and cities unless you know where you are going. Where possible arrange vehicle transport. It is not advisable for female tourists to walk through poor areas or shanty towns without a local guide. It is greater risk of rape or sexual assault if they walk through these areas.

Above all, when you are in Venezuela it is very important to use common sense. If you follow the right precautions, you'll probably have no problem. Don't look at anybody the wrong way, and don't look too wealthy.

If you get mugged, don't resist, and avoid eye contact. Most muggers in Venezuela carry firearms and shoot at the slightest provocation. Keep calm and give the mugger whatever they want. Failure to do so is quite often deadly. Also, reporting a mugging to the police is seldom worth the trouble: it's best to forget it as muggers are only rarely caught.

Despite all the issues with insecurity, you may avoid most problems by either staying in the tourist areas or visiting the less tourist areas with someone that lives in the country.

Also, Venezuela has an interesting policy towards cannabis. You may possess up to 20 g, but anything more can get you thrown in prison for a long time. Even though this policy is quite liberal, you should keep all cannabis use private, to not draw unwanted attention.

Avoid long distance car travel at night, since many highways are unsafe then. Venezuelans are usually ready to help you if you have a problem. However, they probably won't dare to stop for you in the dark, as they would have good reason to fear being assaulted.

The Venezuelan-Colombian border hosts more frequent kidnappings, and cross-border violence. Travel near the border is discouraged.

Stay healthy
There is a severe shortage of medical supplies in Venezuela, so you may have difficulty getting adequate treatment in an emergency. Ensure that you are covered by travel insurance that includes medical evacuations, as being evacuated to a neighboring country may be the only way to get proper treatment/

You may have some diarrhea issues adjusting to the food in Venezuela. You should preferably buy bottled water and not drink from the tap, but iced drinks and salads are generally fine (depending on the water supply quality of your native country). Note that food will go off more quickly in the tropical climate.

You usually find street vendors by highways, who sell food and who don't always have much knowledge of hygienic food handling practices. Use common sense when selecting what to eat in the street. Mind, that fresh food and mayonnaise may go bad fast due to the local climate.

As elsewhere in the tropics, health risks include getting sunburnt and tropical diseases.

Respect
Most Venezuelans are laid-back regarding racial issues, since white or creole persons blend naturally with natives and Afro-Venezuelans in everyday life (education, living, politics, marriage). So the word "negro" can be used regardless of who's saying it, or who is being referred to in this way. Expressions like "negrito" or "mi negro" are often used as a term of endearment. You could hear someone calling "negra" to a woman, regardless of the race of the person. And in general, Afro-Venezuelans don't find it offensive, as they are simply variations on the Spanish word for "black". Similarly, don't be offended if someone calls you "flaco" (thin) or "gordo" (fat) as these may also be used fairly indiscriminately, and often as a term of friendliness.

Differences between Brits, Americans, or Europeans are not perceived by most Venezuelans. Hence, you can expect to be called "gringo" even if you are, say, Russian. Don't let this offend you as a non Spanish-speaking visitor; Venezuelans are not trying to be offensive.

Venezuelans, like Colombians, Nicaraguans and Panamanians, have a very amusing way of pointing to objects by pouting their lips and lifting their chin, so don't assume that people are blowing kisses to you when you ask for directions.

Another important point to be kept in mind is that the Venezuelan society is severely split between "Chavistas" (those who support former President Chavez) and "anti-Chavistas" (those who oppose to him), so it is strongly advisable not to talk about him and/or his politics unless you are sure on which side your Venezuelan friends are.

Show absolute empathy and respect when discussing the current political situation. Since the 2010s, Venezuela has been experiencing a large-scale, multi-dimensional economic, humanitarian, and political crisis. The crisis has deeply affected the lives of many, and it has caused a lot of Venezuelans to feel absolutely frustrated with the way things are. Offer sympathy and support when the opportunity arises; Venezuelans will appreciate it.

By phone
Venezuela has international country telephone code 58 and three-digit area codes (plus an initial '0'), and phone numbers are seven digits long.

Area codes beginning with '04' - e.g. 0412, 0414, 0416 - are mobile phones, while area codes beginning '02' - e.g. 0212 (Caracas), 0261 (Maracaibo) are land lines.

A single emergency number 171 is used in most of the country for police, ambulance and firefighters.

The international phone number format for Venezuela is +58-(area code without '0')-(phone number) Public payphones use prepaid cards which cannot be recharged but are easily available in shopping centers, gas stations, kiosks, etc. Phone boxes are common in the cities and do not accept coins. The vast majority are operated by the former state monopoly, CANTV, although some boxes operated by Digitel or Movistar do exist, particularly in remote areas. CANTV prepaid cards can be used only in their booths.
 * To dial to another area code: (area code starting with '0')-(phone number)
 * To dial to another country: 00-(country code)-(area code)-(phone number)
 * Directory enquiries/information (in Spanish): 113
 * Emergency service for mobile phones: (in Spanish): 911 (Movistar), 112 (Digitel), *1 (Movilnet)

More popular today are the ubiquitous 'communication centers' or clusters of phone booths located inside metro stations, malls, or like a normal store in the street. Most of these communication centers are operated either by CANTV or Movistar, and offer generally cheap phone calls from a normal phone in comfortable booths equipped with a seat. A log is made of all your calls and you pay when exiting the store.

Many street vendors or buhoneros also offer phone calls from portable (antenna-based) land lines set up at improvised stalls. Callers are charged by the minute.

Mobile phones
Mobiles operated by Movilnet, a division of CANTV, start with the 0416/0426 code and use the CDMA 800 MHz system and GSM/HSDPA 850 MHz. Rival Telefónica Movistar, formerly Telcel, start with 0414/0424 and use both CDMA & GSM/HSDPA (GSM/HSDPA 850 MHz). Digitel is another operator with a GSM/HSDPA (GSM/HSDPA 900 MHz) network and its numbers start with 0412. It is possible to buy a pay-as-you-go SIM card for Digitel's GSM phones, but make sure your phone is unlocked. A pay-as-you-go Digitel card is working straightaway when bought from any official retailer.

Movilnet phones are not able to send text messages to most European networks. A Digitel phone may send a text message to almost any European network; Movistar may let you send a text message to any European network but is less reliable than Digitel for this purpose.

You may use your phone with a foreign SIM card in roaming. Check: www.gsmworld.com or call to your operator for roaming information to Venezuela. Movilnet and Movistar will require quad-band phones for European users, Digitel will work with any European phone. Tourists from other than European countries should check their phones if the phone will work with the above bands.

By net
Internet cafés are increasingly common, often incorporated in the above-mentioned 'communication centers'. Even small towns usually have at least one spot with more or less decent connections.

By mail
Venezuela's state-owned postal service is slow, unpredictable and not widely used. Post offices are few and far between, although they are still probably your best bet for sending postcards back home. For mailing within Venezuela, courier services such as MRW, Domesa and Zoom are the most popular. These usually guarantee next-day delivery!

title: Venezuela


text:
Vengurla

Vengurla is a town in the South Konkan coast of Maharashtra, India.

This small town some say has natural beauty, good beaches, as well as a rich culture and heritage. The town is surrounded by a semicircular range of hills with a lush green foliage (mainly cashew, mango, coconut plantations interspersed with all kinds of berry trees). To the north there is Dabholi hill, to the south there is Mochemad hill, east is encompassed by Tulas hill, while to the west it's the deep blue Arabian Sea all the way till horizon. Some say the view of the town acquires a different shade of beauty from every different angle one views it.

Get in

 * By plane: Nearest Airport Dabholim in goa
 * By Rail: By Konkan Railway - Kudal Rly.Stn.
 * By Road: Mumbai-Goa NH-17. Another road - a State Highway that can be useful to get around is MSH4A also known as Sagari Mahamarg that runs from Vijaydurga (Northmost Part of Sindhudurg) to Terekhol (Southernmost part of Sindhudurg District).

Get around
Best option is the State Transport buses or your own vehicle.

See
There are lot many places to see in Vengurla such as - Clean & beautiful Sea-shore - Sagareshwar (Shiva) Temple, which is built in the Sands - Shri Navadurga Temple

Rameshwar (Shiva) Temple is the Gramdaivat of Vengurla.Also there is a beautiful temple of Sateri Devi in Vengurla.

These can be called twin villages with a major market place at Shiroda. Sunday is a special day for marketing here. Sea shore is very near. Shiroda is at 8 km from Vengurla towards Redi. Shiroda has a historic importance that the Salt Satyagraha of 1930 took place here. Salt is still produced here in plenty. Soil in this Konkan region is very different, with rich greenery everywhere and a pleasant atmosphere.
 * Shiroda - Aaravali

Shri Vetoba Temple & Shri Sateri Temple both are in Aaravali. They have lot of religious importance in this region. The idol of Shri Vetoba's idol is very huge

Redi is another small town ear On the way from Vengurla to Redi, from the hill top, the beach can be seen below. Huge Rocks are also an attraction here.
 * Redi

Redi Ganesh Temple – This god Ganesh was found in the mines of Redi. It came in the dream of a worker who works in the mine, and asked him to search for him in the mines.When the mines were dug, this Ganesh idol was found underneath. It is a huge idol with only 2 hands. Also a big mouse (vehicle of Ganesh) was found there near

Shri Mauli Temple of Redi- Goddess Mauli is the Gram Devta of Redi region. Has a huge ancient temple.

Swayambhu Mahadev Temple at Redi - This is a Swayambhoo (emerged from land on its own) Temple of lord Shiva.

Redi Port & Fort Yashwantgad -- Again a major sea port of this region. Redi called Redipattan earlier, was /is a famous mining area. Maharashtra state ends here and from Terekhol starts the Goa border, towards the south. Redi is at a distance of 20 km from Vengurla. Yeshwantgad fort is said to have lot of importance during the days of Chhatrapati Shivaji but lies unattended now.

In Goa, in Sindhudurga district on the border of Redi village we find Terekhol fort. It is on a big hill near the seashore. Though it is in Goa, people visiting Sindhudurga are able to sect fort is situated at the mouth of Redi creek. Towards the south of the fort is the seashore. Redi village is well known for its manganese business.
 * Terekhol Fort

Often mis-spelt as tirakol or tirakhol, Situated on the Terekhol River, this fort lies on the northern tip of Goa. Maharaja Khem Sawant Bhonsle built this fort in the 17th century. It was then rebuilt in 1764 after the Portuguese Viceroy Dom Pedro Miguel de Almeida captured it. However, Terekhol was legally incorporated into Goa only in 1788.

In 1825, Dr. Bernado Peres da Silva, a Goan governor general used the fort as a base for an armed rebellion against the Portuguese. The outcome however, was not very fruitful and the Portuguese took over the fort once again.

The remains of the fort have now been converted into a hotel, the Terekhol Fort Heritage. However, the St. Anthony's church inside the fort still remains. But it is not open to the general public except on certain occasions such as the annual feast that is usually held some time in May.

Do

 * Visit The century-old Crawford market.
 * Visit Rameshwar temple and Sateri temple
 * Visit Port of Vengurla.

Buy
Cashewnuts, Mango Squash, Fresh Alphonso Mangos during season (March–June)

Eat
Fresh Fish..Prawns, Pomphrets

Drink
Solcurry, Cashew Fenny

Sleep

 * 1) Mermaid Beach Resorts - Sea view A/c rooms, water sports, approved by MTDC. Phone +91 2366 262203, +91 9423683855
 * 2) Hotel Myboli - A/c and non A/c rooms with complimentary break-fast. Multi cuisine restaurant and bar. Near bus stand, Phone : +91 02366 263255, +91 94207 42444.
 * 3) Bamboo Machan - dining facility and bar service. +91 2366-262251
 * 4) Hotel Lowkik - Non A/c rooms, near Rameshwar temple. +91 2366-263418
 * 5) Sagar Sarita beach resort - excellent sea view, provides a good dining facility and bar. +91 2366-280698
 * 6) Sagar HolIday Resort - owned by Vengurla Municipality. +91 2366-280363

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Malvan

title: Vengurla