3 . For the past 10 years I have been cycling on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Every summer vacation, I spend a month biking across the plateau.

In 2014, I set out on a cycle route with five other people in the far west of the Tibet autonomous region. Our 2,000-kilometer route started in Lhasa in the east, passed through the northern part of the prefecture (辖区) and ended in the west.

Titled the “top of the Roof of the World”, the plateau, which has a small population, has incredible scenery. Travelers can see the snowy mountains, clean blue lakes, lots of animals during the day, and clear, starry skies at night.

The route consists of dirt, even broken stones and paths, which have been formed over time by passing vehicles. Animal attacks are a potential risk in the wild. One night, we had to camp near a forest where there were potential animal attacks, especially from wolves. We found a house in a locked yard, but no one answered our calls from the gate. It was the time of the seasonal migration, so maybe the people had moved to another place for better water and grass. Then we had to camp outside. One of us was very experienced and careful. He placed some hay bales (干草捆) alongside the wall and said that if something dangerous happened, we could use them to jump into the yard and shelter (躲避) in the house.

Luckily, we didn’t meet any wolves or other animals, though we could hear them calling. Animal attacks remain a major cause of injuries on that route. Before the trip, we read online that a traveler had been bitten by wolves. The temporary “step” our companion built made us feel safer.

6 . The Day of the Dead celebrations are a great time to honour the dead. Here’s where to stay to experience them.

Mexico City, Mexico

On November 4, a parade starts with thousands of dancers. “The best place to watch the parade is from a terrace on the Paseo de Reforma, where you can see the dancers and colours from above,” says Karla Gonzalez, director of the Mexico City tourism board.

Oaxaca, Mexico

This southern Mexico city is known for candlelit cemeteries on the Day of the Dead, and parades with dancers in the Jalatlaco neighborhood. “The city doesn’t sleep for three days,” says local tour guide Gabriel Sánchez. He takes guests to the cemetery in Santa Maria Atzompa, a village three miles from Oaxaca City, where the families go all out with candles and flowers.

San Diego, California

The first European settlement (定居点) in Southern California, Old Town San Diego is a seven-block state park with shopfronts dating back to the 18th century. It’s also the site of a long-running Day of the Dead celebration, with a crafts market and a candlelit parade to the El Campo Santo Cemetery on November 2, which dates to 1849.

San Antonio, Texas

This south Texas city was once a part of Mexico, known for its exciting Day of the Dead celebrations. In downtown’s Hemisphere Park, the festival brings a parade of boats lit with bright lights on the River Walk on the evening of October 27. You can also see a famous tourist draw on the south bank of the San Antonio River.

9 . The Best School Camps in Victoria

Burnside Camp

Located on the Surf Coast near Anglesea, Burnside Camp is set over 4-hectare beautiful bushland (灌木丛) close to opollution-free peaches, Running throughout the year, Burnside Camp serves as a fantastic base for groups of up to 88 students. Camp programs centre on outdoor adventure activities. These include biking, canoeing, and exciting bush night hikes.

Mill Valley Ranch

Mill Valley Ranch is one of the best school camps in Victoria for large groups of students. It can accommodate up to 100 students. At Mill Valley Ranch, activity programs typically centre on confidence and character building. When outdoors, this sees young people given the opportunity to experience everything from horse riding to archery (射箭). However, it is also possible to organize a wide range of other team games and activities.

Camp Wilkin

Set in Anglesea, Camp Wilkin covers a 15-acre area home to resident kangaroos, which is in easy reach of quiet bushwalks and fantastic beaches. It offers the best school camp accommodation in Victoria for large groups, accommodating up to 163 students. And it also offers a variety of outdoor activity programs. Camp facilities include large meeting rooms suitable for everything from presentations to group learning activities.

Halls Gap

Halls Gap can hold up to 56 students. One of the best school camps in Victoria for natural sightseeing, it features reserved activities taking the form of short journeys to experience some of the largest waterfalls in Victoria. Halls Gap Camp students can also join in rock climbing. Such activities are in the company of local tour guides.