【推荐1】Road trip

Motorhome delivery offers great family holidays. For just $1 a day, you can hire a fully­equipped motorhome, which delivers you to a specific destination within some days and kilometers. You then hire another one to get home or take a bus or train. Your only other expense will be fuel and about $20 a day for parking fees. To learn more, visit apollocamper.com.

Plan ahead

For a comfortable break, flexibility with times, dates and places helps lower the cost. Find a few hotels you like, ask about their vacant rooms, then wait a few weeks and call again. If they still have rooms, you’re at an advantage to ask for a better price. Lots of last­minute deals are online. Watif (watif.com.au) has deals on hotels that have dropped their prices so low. You don’t know where you’re staying until it’s booked, but anywhere with four or five stars has to be fairly good.

Back to nature

Wild camping appeals to nature lovers and costs nothing. This is forbidden on beaches and parks in most urban areas, but you can turn up in more distant areas as long as nobody owns the land. You’ll need to take everything with you and may need to shop on eBay (ebay.com.au). If you’re a camping beginner, be aware of safety measures and get your questions answered on the Internet.

Swap meet

How about a home swap? For a $250 yearly joining cost, you can stay in someone’s home in an international place of your choice while they or someone else stays in yours. Find out more at familylink.com.au.

【推荐2】What comes to mind when you think of a museum? Perhaps you picture an imposing building in a rather traditional design made of high-quality stone. But according to the Museums Association, "a museum is defined as a place enabling people to explore collections for inspiration, learning and enjoyment." And so of the 2500 estimated muse in the UK, a few are bound to be considered a little unconventional and peculiar. No matter how special your interest, there's a museum for you!

What about Neil Cole's Adventures in Science Fiction? This quirky (离奇古怪的) museum of classic science fiction was opened by founder Neil Cole. Visitors to this Allendale attraction in Northumberland can see items ranging from props used in the BBC series Dr Who to part of Thor's costume from the Avengers movie. "Science fiction has become more mainstream so I thought people might want to see this," says Mr Cole.

If clocks are more to your taste, why not visit the Cuckooland Museum? Set up by brothers Roman and Maz Piekarski, this Cheshire collection of over 600 cuckoo clocks is considered to be the largest of its kind in the world-and all from the Black Forest region in Germany.

Finally, you could visit the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities in London. This alternative institution dislikes the trend of educating visitors through written explanations alongside its exhibits. Instead, it displays a its all special treasures, which include dodo bones, shrunken heads and a collection of McDonald's Happy Meal toys, with no explanation at all.

These are just a few examples. There are many more wonderful institutions out there. All you have to do is go and find them!

【推荐3】During my third year of university, I spent six months studying in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Many are worried about travelling to Rio but I promise, it is worth a visit. Now I want to share my top recommendations (推荐) for experiencing Rio less as a tourist but more like a native Brazilian.

Pedra Bonita

Rio is full of hiking routes, and some Brazilians love to spend an afternoon hiking. My favorite route of all has to be Pedra Bonita. Pedra Bonita involves a steep climb of about an hour through tall trees, and I admit it is difficult in Rio’s heat, but you are rewarded at the top with a wonderful view of the city, standing high above the green landscape and blue sea below.

Mureta da Urca

One thing you are sure to find in Rio is an amazing sunset, but a lot of the best spots tend to be full of tourists. In my opinion, Mureta da Urca is the most relaxing place to watch the sun set over the silver sea, with the figure of Christ the Redeemer standing tall in the background.

Pedra do Sal

Pedra do Sal is a historical area in the city centre and on Monday nights it is brought to life by the sound of samba. Hundreds of people gather in the street, food and drink stalls are set up and it becomes a giant street party with everyone enjoying the happy sound of live samba!

Picanha

If there were one Brazilian food I could bring back to the UK, it would be picanha. It is the tastiest cut of steak I have ever tasted, served alongside rice and beans.

【推荐2】Welcome to Orlando! It has a host of attractions and activities. Ready to join the party and plan a visit to O-Town? Just print out our must-see list.

Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure

The addition of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is on the list of must-visits for theme park lovers. Each of the park’s “islands”—Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, Marvel Super Hero Island, Seuss Landing and The Lost Continent—is unique!(407-363-8000)

Gatorland

It bills itself as “Orlando’s best half-day attraction”, for in a city people are limited by their time and money. Catch Gatorland’s animals and handler shows in the afternoon. There’s a nighttime run as well. Other fun add-ons include the Gator Night Shine. Gatorland is known as a theme park bargain.(407-855-5496)

Aquatica

As one of the city’s most unique water parks, Aquatica is a wonderful world of water rides and white sand beaches. And if you enjoy a side of fear with your water-park fun, be sure to check out Ihu’s Breakaway Falls. This towering slide is not for the weak heart. The less adventurous will still find plenty of fun playing from one big wave pool to another or flowing down the lazy river through a world of unusual fish. You can also watch dolphins underwater. (407-351-3600)

Warbird Adventures

Warbird Adventures offers you the opportunity to fly like a hero in World War II in the North American Aviation T-6 Texan(also known as the Harvard). Flights last from 15 minutes to an hour. A visit to the nearby Kissimmee Air Museum is a wonderful way to round out the experience. (407-870-7366)

【推荐3】Each time Chinese New Year is approaching, preparations are underway around the world. Here are some Chinatowns for those outside of China wishing to mark the day.

London

Although it may not be as large or as long-built as others, having only become a center for the Chinese community during the 1950s, London’s Chinatown is a perfectly formed little firework that knows how to see in the year with a bang. Decorated with red lanterns (灯笼), previous years have seen shows with acrobatics (杂技), martial arts (武术), dance and opera nearby.

San Francisco

San Francisco’s Chinatown is perhaps the most famous in the United States. The city was the main entry-point for Chinese who had crossed the Pacific to the USA during the early 19th century. Between the Grant Avenue and the Stockton Street, this historic area is a local treasure, attracting more visitors per year than the Golden Gate Bridge.

Bangkok

With an about 100-year-old history, the Thai capital’s Chinatown contains complex streets offering all kinds of tasty treats, clothes, toys and antiques. Sunday market days are such a good time to get the full atmosphere of the neighborhood. The area is also known for its gold dealers, whose shops line the road.

Mauritius

Found in Port Louis, this Mauritian Chinatown shows the island nation’s rich multicultural diversity. Established in the early years of the 20th century by settlers from China, its tiny shops and restaurants serve locals and visitors. During the Chinese Spring Festival, the most exciting sight is the Dragon Dances on Rue Royale when Chinese musicians and dancers perform the traditional Lion dances through the streets.