【推荐1】Amelia Island welcomes all types of travelers, whether you’re looking to enjoy a romantic holiday, take a multigenerational (几代人的) vacation, or enjoy a fun weekend with friends. Here, we offer some insight into the different kinds of accommodations, from budget to luxury. Whichever you choose, you’re sure to have a great stay at one of these hotels.

Hoyt House Bed and Breakfast

With an adults-only policy, the Hoyt House Bed and Breakfast is the ideal spot for a romantic holiday. Some rooms have original working fireplaces, which are great in the ever-so-slightly chilly winters. The guesthouse also has its own bar, the Hoyt Lounge, which is only open from 4 p. m. to 5 p. m. daily, though guests can ask the hosts to serve up a drink any time.

Residence Inn by Marriott Amelia Island

When traveling with kids, convenience is key, and the Residence Inn by Marriott Amelia Island is all about ease. Here, the contemporary suite-style rooms range in size from studios to two bedrooms, but they're all spacious (宽敞的)and have full kitchens-great for feeding the kids whenever they’re hungry. The Residence Inn also offers a free hot buffet breakfast each morning, which is an easy way to get the family up and out to start the day. If you’re looking to relax, there’s a pool, and the beach is just three blocks away.

Fairbanks House

The 8, 000-square-foot, 1885-built Italianate mansion (大厦)that’s now the Fairbanks House doesn’t immediately look like a green property, given its historic façade (外观), but its owners have put a number of measures in place to create a more environmentally friendly place. A reflective roof lessens energy consumption, packages are biodegradable (可生物降解的), water bottles are replaced by glass ones, and the landscaping features drought-tolerant plants and a butterfly garden, among other features.

【推荐2】When we decided to sell our flat, having been cheated by the previous owner, we thought it was really important to be completely honest with any potential buyers about having knotweed (蓼科杂草) in the garden. It had been such an unpleasant and stressful experience for us and we didn’t want to have anyone else suffer any longer.

We bought our two-bedroom flat in 2014, when it was just the two of us. But after having three kids it became too small, so we sold it last year. The flat has a small garden at the back, but we didn’t know the presence of knotweed until well after we moved in and had a note from our neighbor behind our flat saying that they thought we had knotweed. Then we had a look and found some very small offshoots for this was just around springtime. At that point my husband and I certainly didn’t realize quite how problematic it could be. But then we started reading all the horror stories and became really concerned — people couldn’t get a mortgage; they couldn’t sell; the plant was creeping through concrete etc.

Then we treated the offshoots with glyphosate and as far as we knew it was completely gone. Before we put the property on the market we had the house checked by some specialists, who thoroughly inspected everything, including the connecting garden, and couldn’t find anything at all. We signed a ten-year insurance-backed guarantee with the company that could be transferred to the new owners, then started marketing the property through an agent.

In fact we found a buyer pretty quickly and they didn’t beat us down on price as we’d already done much for the treatment. Knotweed doesn’t need to be a deal-breaker, as long as you’re upfront about it.

【推荐1】The Ultimate Guide to Sussex

Sussex offers beautiful countryside, charming seaside towns and some of the best vineyards (葡萄园) in the UK. Plan your Sussex getaway with our ultimate guide.

Monk’s House

Put your National Trust membership to good use with a visit to Monk’s House purchased by Virginia and her husband Leonard Woolf in 1919. Virginia wrote many of her most celebrated works at the house, including the essay A Room of One’s Own. Admire the weather-boarded cottage’s beautiful antiques, seemingly untouched since 1969, when Leonard died.

Beachy Head

Come to Beachy Head and you’ll be greeted by one of the most splendid coastal stretches in all of Britain. It offers superb views of Eastbourne and the English Channel from 530 feet above the water. Spring through autumn are the best times to visit. Look out for the Beachy Head Marathon, which takes place every October. There’s a pay and display car park, a pub, toilet facilities and, during summer, the welcome sight of an ice-cream truck.

The Long Man of Wilmington

On the grassy ground of Windover Hill—a 235-foot figure known as the Long Man has been here for centuries. Archaeological researchers believe The Long Man of Wilmington actually dates to around the 16th century. If you’re feeling active, hike from The Long Man of Wilmington to East Sussex’s other chalk-carved figure, the Litlington White Horse.

Lewes

This town is just the right size to explore in a day, though do consider staying overnight to make good use of the local restaurants, pubs and wine bars. Lewes is one of the best places to shop in Sussex with a delightful mix of independent, antique and high street brands. If you’re visiting during summer, pack your bathers for a visit to Pells Pool, the oldest known freshwater swimming pool in the UK. You’ll need to pre-book a session.

【推荐3】Books That Celebrate Diverse Holidays and Traditions

It’s important to remember there are a diverse set of holidays available to explore. Below are a few books that help introduce children to different holiday cultures and traditions.

Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto, illustrated by Ed Martinez

While helping her mother with Christmas celebration, Maria is tempted to try on her mother’s diamond ring. After getting caught up in the joy of the holiday and playing with her cousins, Maria realizes the ring is missing! That’s when she and her cousins come up with a plan to eat all of the tamales, in hopes of finding the ring.

Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford, illustrated by Shelly Hehenberger

This is a story about a little girl named Kayla who wants to see her older brother Khari come home so they can celebrate Kwanzaa together as a family. Khari is stuck at college when a snowstorm hits and his car breaks down. Will he make it home in time for Kwanzaa?

A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

This book is a funny, nostalgic tale of Christmas Eve afternoon through Christmas night in Wales, and is full of unique imagery and poetic prose. It will arouse a sense of familiarity for some young readers while introducing them to different aspects of Christmas traditions.

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frane Lessac

The word otsaliheliga is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. This is an amazing story that describes a journey through the seasons with a modern-day Cherokee family. Cherokee history and traditions are also woven into the story in a very kid-friendly way.