5 . If you’re searching for a vacation spot that hits both your fix for city life and access to nature, Seattle is the perfect place to visit. Located in Washington, it’s home to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the country.

You’ll get the opportunity to climb to a few levels of the observation tower and admire the impressive views of the Mississippi River and the mountains. You’ll also be able to visit the Loupe Lounge to enjoy a circling glass floor experience and seat on a Skyriser — an angled glass bench on the open-air observation deck.

This one-hour, small-group tour will take you into the fascinating world beneath Seattle’s streets. You’ll travel along the underground pathways constructed over a century ago and learn details about Seattle’s early history from your knowledgeable guide. You’ll hear stories of the Klondike Gold Rush, Skid Row and the area’s original inhabitants (居民).

On this guided cruise, you’ll get a chance to admire the sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains and learn more about the history of the city. You’ll head to Puget Sound to see a variety of wildlife in the inland body of water. The cruise comes with a full-service bar aboard where you can purchase cocktails, local wine, beer, snacks and much more while relaxing on the tour.

You can explore the fascinating exhibits of the Museum of Flight. Inside, you’ll find 175 aircraft and spacecraft, thousands of artefacts and rare photographs. You’ll learn about the history of flight from humble beginnings to the fighter planes of World War I and II. You can even step aboard a Boeing plan and view a space shuttle in the Aviation Pavilion.

6 . From the deserts of Southern California to the forests of Alaska, the U.S. possesses an incredible diversity of nature. For most of her life, Joy Ryan never saw the landscape beyond her home state of Ohio. Then, when she was in her mid-eighties, her grandson Brad Ryan decided to take her on a journey to all of the U.S. National Parks — a mission that took eight years to complete. At the age of 93, Grandma Joy has finally seen all 63 parks, ending the monumental feat in the National Park of American Samoa.

“When I learned she had never seen the great wildernesses of America — deserts, mountains, oceans, you name it — I thought that was something that would trouble me if I didn’t take action in some way,” Brad says. This idea sparked their first trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. However, once they were on the road, Brad realized that they could visit more parks nearby, and their trips multiplied. Over the years, they managed to see all the famous sights at Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, the Redwoods, and so on.

Despite Grandma Joy’s older age, she could hike mountains and do white water rafting. Brad praises her enthusiasm for life as the key to her good health. She expresses gratitude for each new day and is always excited about the next adventure. Finally, their long journey across the U.S. ended with American Samoa. “It’s about 6,700 miles from Ohio, where we live. It’s the only U.S. National Park south of the equator. It’s a long trip, but we’re excited to go,” Brad explains. “We can enjoy the beach and the beautiful tropical paradise. But as we’ve learned from the rangers that work there, American Samoa is an island community firmly rooted in family. And I think that there’s a bit of a poetic beauty to ending it there, too.”

7 . South America has a long and interesting coastline. When it comes to beaches, there are some excellent options to be found across the continent.

This beach is an amazing stretch of sand with peaceful waters. The clear waters are perfect for swimming but it is difficult to access. It can only be reached by boat or by climbing down the rocky hillsides on each end, so it isn’t particularly good for younger children or people who are physically challenged.

Just a short distance from the waterfront town of Mancora, this lovely beach is often quiet and peaceful, offering some nice shallow water to swim in for little ones. A little further out, the waves pick up, making for fine surfing and windsurfing surroundings, while the charming village offers nice accommodation.

The cold water here means it isn’t an ideal swimming location, but there are good spots for surfing and windsurfing. Various water activities make it a great beach. Visit early, especially in the busy tourist seasons, not only to avoid crowds, but also to gain admittance — visitors will be turned away once the park reaches peak capacity.

Located near the city center, this beach is very popular among surfers thanks to its great waves. It isn’t too rough to swim for experienced swimmers, although a slightly rocky seafloor means you should be careful. With large crowds of people, the best time to visit is sunset-arrive early to get a good viewing spot.

8 . These local hot spots put the “win” in winter

1. Roasting s’mores at Backyard Bar

It’s a dream backyard that encourages sitting outside with a glass of wine, ignoring the evening chill.

Open Wednesday through Sunday. S’mores $12, cocktails $12-$14. (Warning: When the temperatures get close to freezing, outdoor service may be stopped. )

2. Discover a comedian at Hotbug

If you need to hear a few jokes, head to underground comedy, a stand-up show case held five nights each week at Hotbug.

Underground Comedy takes place Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 8 p. m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 11:30 p. m. Free.

3. Watch indoor movies for all ages at Metrobar

Free outdoor movies have been a loved communal activity in D. C. for decades, but uncertain weather means that most series tend to wrap up before Labor day. But Metrobar, the outdoor bar is best known for the out-of-service Metro car sitting in the heart of its beer garden.

Sundays at 3 p. m. Metrobar. Free.

4. Have a sound bath at Eaton

It may seem like the last place you’d expect to find your happiness, but not if Artis Moon is your host. Each Thursday night, the healing guide takes over the yoga room at the Eaton wellness center.

Thursdays at 7 p. m. Eaton,. $30.

5. Watch the poets spit rhymes at Busboys and Poets

The Busboys and Poets’ 14th Street location feels like a warm embrace. Try your hand at a verse (章节) or a song or a five-minute set of stand-up comedy. There is no friendlier crowd.

Tuesdays at 8 p. m. Busboys and Poets. $5. See Busboys and Poets’website for the full schedule.

9 . The natural world is all around us, but sometimes it requires taking a step back from our daily lives to truly appreciate it. The escapes on this list allow you to gain some perspective and make you immersed in the landscapes.

Big Five Bucket List, TANZANIA

As one of the world’s most precious animal reserves, the Four Seasons Safari Lodge invites guests to put down their phones and refresh their mind. Through balcony views, visitors see up close to animals, like the Big Five lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhinoceros. Or experience the wonder from the air via hot air balloon.

Wild Horses, GEORGIA

Georgia has no coastline, only barrier islands. Cumberland Island remains a natural reserve along America’s National Seashores. It’s only accessible via boat, but once you’re on the island you can bicycle or walk to see the herds of wild horses, enjoy a day at the beach or wander around the ruins of the Dungeness Mansion.

Jungle Ridgeline, HAWAII

This jungle trail in Oahu goes deep into the lush where sunlight is scarce but adventure is not. Streams, animals and waterfalls surround you on your journey to the top of the crater (火山口). Leave time to jump into one of the pools for a swim, and enjoy the view from the Ka’au volcanic vent in peace.

Maritime Microclimate, NEW ZEALAND

Touring the 144 islands of this subtropical microclimate via sea allows visitors to enjoy themselves in the region’s history and natural beauty. Conservation areas, a maritime playground complete with penguins, dolphins and whales and rainforests are a welcome escape from daily lives.

10 . Cruise (邮轮) tourism is becoming popular with some 36 million passengers expected to cruise in 2024. Have a look at new ships provided by cruise lines.

DISNEY TREASURE

The 800-passenger Disney Treasure will mirror its sister ship Disney Wish while focusing more on mystery and adventure atmospheres on the high seas as opposed to a fairy-tale theme. Kids who loved the Frozen-themed dining experience on Disney Wish can move into the world of Encanto at a new themed restaurant, Plaza de Coco, on board Treasure.

ICON OF THE SEAS

Icon of the Seas will travel Caribbean waters as the largest cruise ship in the world, with a maximum onboard capacity of 7,600 guests. Passengers can expect a floating festival of entertainment, including the world’s largest waterpark at sea, featuring six water slides, a pool and much more.

RIVERSIDE MOZART

With a top-class hotel feel, the 1400-passenger Riverside Mozart will launch along the Danube in 2024, visiting such cities as Vienna and Bratislava. It includes an indoor pool and steam rooms, plus four restaurants spread across four decks (甲板).

SEABOURN PURSUIT

Expedition (远征) cruising is more appealing than ever these days. Seabourn Pursuit, half the passenger number of Riverside Mozart, entered service in August 2023. It has a 24-person expedition team to maximize adventures on land and at sea in destinations in the South Pacific and Antarctica, all among the itineraries (行程) for 2024.