【推荐1】Try one of these amazing destinations on your next vacation.

On the popular Spanish island of Mallorca, farmhouse inns focus more on providing isolation and quietness than offering hands-on farming experiences. With millions of visitors staying on the beaches of Mallorca and the other Balearic Islands each summer, a little bit of isolation is a good thing for aloneness-seeking travelers. Mainly located in the hills of inland Mallorca, these inns range from rustic century-old farmhouses to luxury(奢侈的) villas with spas and swimming pools.

People who don't want to dig out their passport but still want their farm adventure can head to the island of Hawaii. The 50th state talks much about the well-developed farm tourism industry that can hold people with different interests. Agritourism choices range from visiting coffee plantations(种植园) in the Big Island's Kona region to exploring the plantations on Maui to staying on farms on the easily reachable island of Oahu.

California is one of the best places in the U. S. to enjoy a farm-stay, thanks to the diversity of crops and farms. Small family farms and large farms offer a more hands-on approach to agritourism. Many of them teach small-scale farming techniques and even offer strategies for organic growing. The University of California system, one of the largest state-run higher education systems in the U.S., has a small-farm program that helps growers create agritourism businesses.

With diverse conditions on different islands, the Philippine Islands are ideal places for visiting multiple agritourism sites or focusing on one product. Tourists can visit a huge pineapple plantation for a taste of large-scale agriculture, or they could focus on smaller operations such as bee farms, and even small plantations that specialize in growing tropical produce such as dragon fruit.

【推荐1】With world-famous rock formations, rich national forest land and plenty of entertainments, Sedona, Arizona, is a popular vacation destination for outdoor lovers.

Pink Adventure Tours — Broken Arrow

Knowledgeable guides lead this difficult adventure that features twists and turns through Coconino National Forest. It includes time for two stops, allowing travelers to get out and explore. Travelers enjoy the special tour, impressed by the friendly guides and incredible views.

Price: Adults from $142; kids from $129

Pink Adventure Tours — Scenic Rim

On this difficult 90-minute adventure, hop into your pink jeep to navigate the rocky, winding paths. Tour goers love this outing, noting the guides are fun and knowledgeable,and the scenery is breath-taking. However, some past travelers express disappointment at unexpected tour cancellations due to icy weather, so keep the time of year in mind when booking.

Price: Adults from $79; kids from $72

Pink Adventure Tours — Red Rock Range

Like smooth roads? No problem. Pink Adventure Tours ranks this outing as “mild”, meaning you’ll encounter fewer bumps (颠簸). During the two-hour tour, guides amuse travelers with stories about the area’s history, plants and animals.

Price: Adults from $89; kids from $81

Pink Adventure Tours — Ancient Ruin

Another “mild” tour option, Ancient Ruin tour explores the Honanki HeritageSite, where travelers can see 700-year-old cliff dwellings (悬崖屋), learn about their history and culture, see how they lived and worked and get up close and personal with their ancient artwork and objects. Recent guests say they learned a lot on this unique tour and strongly recommend it.

Price: Adults from $114; kids from $103

【推荐2】A little over five months ago, on Nov 15, Abdusamat Keram completed a 280-day hiking journey covering more than 5,000 kilometers on foot. This expedition from Kashgar, Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, to Beijing.

He used to believe that, being a child from a rural area and born into a farming family, he would not have the privilege to explore the outside world. However, through television and the internet, he observed numerous hikers and adventurers and believed as long as one has dreams and the determination to pursue them, one can definitely go out and explore.

In April 2022, he quit his job and got onto on the Taklimakan Desert trip with his brother, who is 10 years older than him. On Feb 7, 2023, Abdusamat set out on his solo journey. Well, not entirely alone — he was accompanied by his dog, Shunfeng, which means “downwind” in Chinese, and a two-wheeled cart he constructed to carry essential provisions on the road.

“The climate in Xinjiang and Gansu is very different from that in Shaanxi,” Abdusamat explained. “I can handle temperatures reaching 30 ℃ or even 40 ℃ in Xinjiang, but not in Shaanxi, where the humidity and stifling heat can easily overwhelm me.”

But these challenges also made him appreciate regional differences. Hiking from the far west of China to the east — traversing Xinjiang, Gansu, Shaanxi, Henan, Hebei, and finally Beijing — and experiencing winter, summer, and winter again, Abdusamat gained insights into the vastness, greatness, and exceptional beauty of the country. “As I covered the land of China inch by inch with my feet and was met with kindhearted people who offered me help in every place I went, it deeply impressed upon me the unity of our nation,” Abdusamat said. “I also have a firmer belief now — a belief that I can achieve anything as long as I put my mind to it.”

Returning from his journey, Abdusamat is actively promoting Xinjiang on his Douyin account, encouraging people from other parts of the country to visit his hometown, just like how he traveled to theirs.

【推荐3】Maryton College Public Lecture Series

Join us for our 9th season of free lectures in 2024. All lectures start at 11:15 A.M. Doors open at 10:30 A.M. Seating is strictly on a first-arrival basis, so plan to come early. Call (555) 757-4310 if you have any questions.

March 30       Melville Hall

Nation of Ulysses: James Joyce and the Great American Novel

Dr. Carl Morris

One of the country’s foremost experts on modern American literature, Dr. Morris will discuss the influence of Irish novelist and poet James Joyce on the modern American novel.

April 5       Science Hall, Room 130

Beaches in Peril: Maryton’s Human and Animal Populations in Conflict

Dr. Elizabeth Thorogood

A Maryton College biology instructor and Life Sciences Department chair, Dr. Thorogood will describe the impact that booming residential construction is having on Maryton’s coastal wildlife.

April 12       Maryton School of Business, Room 255

Europe and the Italian Perspective

Silvio Paretti

Mr. Paretti, who served as the Italian ambassador to the United States for six years, will present an insightful overview of recent political and economic upheavals (动荡) within the European Union.

April 19       Lecture Room 4

Men on the Moons? — The possibility of life on Jupiter’s moons

Karen Godwin

Famous for her radio show “Science and the Stars,” Ms. Godwin discusses recent discoveries about the moons of Jupiter and the possibility of life beyond the Earth.