Wikivoyage:Rural area article template

To quickly insert a complete blank rural area template, copy the quick version into the edit box on the page you are editing. Another option is to simply type {{subst:ruralarea}}, which will expand into the template after it's been saved.

The "rural area" article skeleton is used for areas so sparsely populated that their individual villages aren't big enough for their own articles. The "rural area" article, as the lowest-level article in the hierarchy, contains individual listings. If an area like Prince Edward County is not further subdivided into towns with individual articles, its page is a "rural area" city-level article here.

Stuff in italics below is editorial comment, with suggestions for what should go in each section. You should plan on ruthlessly eliminating if you copy this code to a new rural area article.

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The first section of the rural area article does not have a heading. This is a where you give a quick descriptive overview of the area. Be sure to include some context so readers know what they are reading about and where it is, probably with links to the region and country that the area is in. Try to catch the highlights in a few words.

Understand

Give a deeper understanding of the area – why someone would want to go there, its culture and atmosphere, history, weather and its relationship to other regions. Clarify the boundaries/extent of the rural area.

Mention important settlements within the rural area and their locations relative to one another.

Get in

Arrival details. Note major highways, train lines, bus lines, ferries, harbours, and the best arrival points to start exploring this area from. You can also mention large nearby cities that readers might be coming from, with directions. For example, it would be worth listing D.C. and Frederick as good starting points for a trip to Rural Montgomery County. Dividing it into sections such as "by train" or "by plane" is optional. If some common mode of transportation is unavailable, just note that and leave out that subsection. If walking or biking are feasible or popular modes of getting to the region, mention trails, their condition and whether they are easy to find from signage alone.

For islands, list any regular ferries with an indication of frequency, duration and departure port, harbours or anchorages for those with their own boat, and "by plane" if there is an airport or landing strip. Optionally describe the voyage and how likely it is to be cancelled due to weather conditions.

Get around

This is where you'd give general information about how to get around the rural area once you are there. What are ways to see this region: by train, by car, by bus, by bicycle? Are there other options? This is also a good place to list regional travel discount passes or other purchasing options.

By car

Strongly recommended, and worth specifically saying if visitors are not allowed to drive. If gas/petrol stations or electric vehicle charging points are scarce, indicate their locations. Car rental locations can be listed on islands

By boat

Optional. Include if lakes, rivers or other waterways are viable options for getting around all or part of the area.

By public transit

Optional, but recommended for rural areas with public transport systems. Alternatively "By public transport", "By bus", "By train", or any other variant that's pertinent.

By bicycle

Optional. Will you have to ride on a narrow shoulder of a road with fast motorcar traffic? Can you rent a bike? Are there bicycle trails? Is it hilly?

On foot

What are distances like? Are there marked trails? Are the hikes nice (scenery, nature etc.) or would it be tortuous to walk any longer stretch? Is climate an issue (frequent rain, changeable weather, extreme cold, wind etc.)? Does infrastructure exist along trails (e.g. shelter, benches, hiker's restaurants, water etc.)

See

List attractions that people come to this area for, such as museums, churches, temples, historical buildings, monuments, statues, streets, scenic views, etc. You can also note here general information about attractions, such as discount tourist admission passes, weather warnings, good walking routes, general areas to hang out in, etc.

• Name of Attraction, Address, Settlement (extra directions if necessary), ☏ phone number, fax: fax, email. Days and times open. One to five sentences about why this attraction is worth seeing, things to pay special attention to, warnings, notes, historical or other background information. $entryprice. 

Itineraries

This is where you can list any relevant itineraries, giving suggested courses of travel through the rural area with tips of things to see and do.

Do

This is for things that travellers will do themselves. More active participation is needed for Do things than for See things. For example, going to see a river goes under See; kayak trips down the river go under Do.

• Name of Activity, Address, Settlement (extra directions if necessary), ☏ phone number, fax: fax, email. Days and times open. One to five sentences about why this activity is worth doing, things to pay special attention to, warnings, notes, historical or other background information. $entryprice. 

Buy

What would be good to buy in this rural area? Local crafts or other specialties? Souvenirs of the region? Good place to buy travel equipment, general goods or anything else?

If there are any commercial districts, where are they? The main street or high street in a village, perhaps? Is there a local farmers' market or fair? Shopping centers? General stores?

If convenience stores are scarce, it can be useful to list them or mention which villages have them. If banks and ATMs are scarce it is useful to list them. And if the remoteness of the region causes increased (or decreased) prices, say so.

Eat

For restaurant listings and other food-related stuff. Mention any local specialties or oddities. Specific restaurant listings should be in the format below. Also, give a general idea of where there are good areas to try for finding a restaurant on your own. Some travellers like (or have) to make their own food – include local food-shopping options if possible. If distances are long or transport scarce, it may make sense to list restaurants by location rather than by price.

• Name of Restaurant, Address, Settlement (extra directions if necessary), ☏ phone number, fax: fax, email. Days and times open. One to three sentences about the food, service, atmosphere, view, specialties, music, what have you. $lowprice-$highprice (if possible to determine). 

Drink

For bars, clubs, and other nightlife. Yes, many people go out to clubs and don't drink; the name of the section is still Drink. Mention any local specialties or oddities, and mention any areas where there are a number of good bars or nightclubs you might try. Good things to mention: dress code, entrance fees, safety concerns, solo-woman friendly or pick-up bar, good/bad nights).

• Name of Bar, Address, Settlement (extra directions if necessary), ☏ phone number, fax: fax, email. Days and times open. One to three sentences about the drinks, service, atmosphere, view, specialties, music, what have you. $beerprice draft/bottle beers, $wellprice well drinks. 

There is overlap between this section and others, particularly "eat". An English-style pub serves food, as does a "bar and grill". The choice to classify these as restaurants vs. nightlife is often an arbitrary one, but each establishment is normally listed in one section only.

Establishments serving coffee or tea belong in "eat" if you can get a meal there. If they're marketed as nightlife (and not as food) they might fit in "drink", but at that point this section may need to be split into subsections as "English pubs", "blaring discos" and "all-night cafés" are very different in nature. If there are few listings, it is usually enough to group the listings and ensure that their descriptions are adequate.

Winery or brewery tours are also a grey area in that they may qualify as activities ("do"). If an establishment is already listed as something to "do" or somewhere to "eat", don't list it again as nightlife just because there's something to "drink" here.

If water is an issue (microbial or chemical contamination, only available in certain places or during certain hours) this should be mentioned here. Especially so if the situation is notably different from more urban areas in the same general region.

Sleep

This is for helping the traveller find a place to lay their weary head: hotels, motels, hostels, campgrounds, B&Bs, etc. Give a general idea of good areas of the destination to try to find lodging. Other good info to include includes high/low seasons, whether reservations are important, things to request (quiet room, view, airport pick up, etc).

• Name of Place, Address, Settlement (extra directions if necessary), ☏ phone number, fax: fax, email. Check-in: Check-in time, check-out: Check-out time. One to three sentences about the service, atmosphere, view, rooms, what have you. $lowprice-$highprice. 

Camping

Listing of developed campsites within the area. Optional. Under certain circumstances you can also list places where one can put an RV (motorhome) and whether they have any infrastructure

• Name of Campground, Address, Settlement (extra directions if necessary), ☏ phone number, fax: fax, email. Check-in: Check-in time, check-out: Check-out time. One to three sentences about reservations, the number of sites, amenities (shower, RV hookups), environment, what have you. lowprice-highprice. 

Backcountry

Blurb on backcountry description, rules, etc. Optional. What is required for an overnight trek?

Connect

Information on communications -- phone, Internet, other. Give information on cellular phone coverage in the area; tell whether there is signal on some or all networks. If cellular coverage is poor, list phone boxes. Libraries can be listed here if they offer internet connections to visitors.

Stay safe

Optional section to describe any hazards in the area. Include information on dangerous animals, poisonous plants, weather hazards, significant crime problems, etc. Give details of any rescue, medical or police assistance available in the area, if different from regional facilities.

Go next

Should list nearby cities surrounding/away from the rural area.