1 . Chances are that you have spent way too much time in front of your screen in the past few months. This year, let’s get outdoors. Below are a few places that’ll have you feeling refreshed.

In Vermont, nature always takes center stage. Whether it’s the snowy mountains in winter,   the wildflowers in spring, swimming. holes in summer, or the colorful leaves in fall, there’s always something new to explore. Hit the Green Mountains for camping, skiing, and rafting adventures

If you’re looking to relax, Jekyll Island is the place to go. You’ll have seven beaches to choose from. While you’re there, visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, which offers tours and educational programs about the preservation of this endangered species.

Tenerife might not be as well-known as some other islands, but that’ll change soon thanks to new direct flights from the East Coast. It’s packed with natural wonders, vineyards and beaches. Spend the day whale watching and then head out for stargazing at night.

Costa Rica is a popular spot that still feels undiscovered. Hike through lava fields or zip line above the jungle for an exciting adventure. Head to the beach with your favorite surfing board, do morning yoga, or simply relax all day. For a taste of local culture, visit a coffee farm or wander through Santa Teresa for drinks with a view.

For more brochures about other package tan-outdoors, contacrt’us at packagetours@travel.org.

4 . “I love small-town life,” says Jenny Doan from Hamilton, Missouri. “Sometimes I feel as if I were in a Norman Rockwell’s painting.” One hour northeast of Kansas City, this town has about 1,700 people. Though it may be small and unusual, thanks to Jenny, it’s no longer sleepy.

In November 2008, Jenny and her family started the Missouri Star Quilt (被子) Company on a small budget. Now up to 8,000 visitors go to Hamilton each month to shop at one of the company’s 13 stores, take a quilting class and communicate with other quilt lovers. “I try to go out to the shops every day to talk with our customers,” Jenny says.

Each shop has its own focus. There is one for girls, one for kids, and the popular Man’s Land, a comfortable hangout where anyone can relax on the sofa, watch TV or play ball games. Several homey restaurants, including a breakfast place, serve hungry shoppers.

Jenny, who became famous because of her weekly quilting YouTube videos, is still amazed to see lots of quilt lovers coming downtown. She says, “It feels like a little miracle (奇迹). When we moved here in 1995, everything was underdeveloped. If we hadn’t been led to do something, the town would be gone. What started off as a family business has now grown to include an entire community.”

Quilt-crazy visitors will want to stop by the Missouri Quilt Museum, in the town’ s historic high school building. It exhibits (展出) hundreds of quilts from local and international designers; it’s also home to the world’s largest toy sewing machine collection on public display. A partnership with the National Quilt Museum ensures there’s an exhibition of the country’s most famous quilts. “The new programming - we’ve had a show about quilts related to the singer Prince - takes people by surprise,” says co-founder Dakota Redford.

6 . Whistler Travel Guide

Snow-capped peaks and powdered steeps; sparkling lakes and rushing waterfalls; challenging hiking routes and inviting restaurants — Whistler’s offerings suit every season.

The entire town displays the ski-chic atmosphere, hosting dozens of ski and snow board competitions and festivals annually. In the warmer months, more outdoor enthusiasts come out to play. Visitors can try hiking or cycling up the mountains. While Whistler is an ideal vacation spot for the active types, other travelers can enjoy the local museums and art galleries filled within formative exhibits. Plus, there are family-friendly activities and attractions like summer concerts, along with plenty of shopping options.

The best times to visit Whistler are from June through August and between December and March.

The best ways to get around Whistler are on foot or by bike. Or, you can take the shuttlebuses from Whistler Village, which transport visitors to Lost Lake Park and the Marketplace. Meanwhile, having a car will allow you the freedom to explore top attractions like Whistler Train Wreck and Alexander Falls without having to spend a lot of cash on a cab.

●Whistler receives feet of snow each year. If you’re driving in winter, slow down and make sure to rent or come with a reliable SUV.

●Snowslides are likely to occur on Backcountry routes, so only advanced skiers should take to this off-the-map area.

●Whistler’s wilderness is home to many black and grizzly bears. Keep your distance and do not feed them.

7 . I was fortunate to spend every summer camping with my parents when I was a kid. By the age of 18, I’d visited every province in my home country of Canada. Even today I can still recall an impressive tour vividly.

It took us six people a long time to drive to Newfoundland from Ontario. When we arrived on the island, it poured rain every day. We just kept driving north, hoping to outrun it. We jumped on a ferry to Labrador Peninsula, crossing the Strait of Belle Isle, and moved our way up the coast of this northerly and thinly-populated region.

The scenery in Labrador is beautiful. We saw long white sand beaches along the Atlantic coast that looked inviting, but the water was cold year-round. While standing at the top of a lighthouse, my dad said, “This will be the new Caribbean once global warming hits.”

We soon discovered Battle Harbor, a historic fishing village that can only be reached by ferry. In the mid-1800s it had a population of 350 people and was considered the unofficial capital of Labrador. Now it was more like a deserted town, and I distinctly remember feeling the furthest from anything that I’ve ever felt. Multiple ferry rides and 600 miles separated me from the nearest major city of St. John’s.

If you’re curious about Newfoundland & Labrador (NL), I highly recommend a 2013 film called The Grand Seduction. It’s a delightful comedy about a small fishing village called Tickle Head that’s struggling to figure out its future.

Travelling made me get to know my country so well, which has had a tremendous influence on shaping the person I am now. I hold a solid mental picture of Canada, stretching from sea to sea, which I’ve taken with me to other parts of the world because I have great passion for it.

8 . During this tour you will discover the foundations of the modern science of medicine in two French cities: Paris and Montpellier. Besides, you will enjoy the beauty of the architecture and gardens of these two cities.

DAY 1: Welcome to Paris. There’re no planned activities until the evening. In the evening, Linda Geddes will give you a talk about the tour ahead.

DAY 2: This morning you’ll meet our expert local guide for a walking tour on the Left Bank, starting at the Musée Curie, a museum devoted to the history of radiation therapy. After lunch you’ll visit the Musée d’Histoire de la Médecine, which houses a large collection of rare surgical instruments from the 18th century onwards.

DAY 3: This morning you’ll visit the Musée des Arts et Métiers in the Marais district. It now houses a museum devoted to science and technology. You’ll also see the Musée des Moulages in the Hôpital Saint-Louis, where you’ll see a specialist hospital built for dealing with skin disease.

DAY 4: Take a train to Montpellier. You’ll check into a hotel just off the grand Place de la Comedie and the afternoon will be free to explore the city including the wonderful Musée Fabre, one of the best museums of French art in the country.

DAY 5: This morning you’ll visit the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Montpellier, one of the oldest continually-operating medical schools in the world. After that you’ll continue to the Jardin des Plantes, one of the oldest gardens in the world and originally designed to produce herbs for medicinal use.

DAY 6: Return to Paris by train.

9 . Thru hiking (徒步旅行) for long distances with your equipment on your back ________ placing yourself at the mercy of other people’s kindness. I thought it would be ________ to share some of the amazing experiences I’ve had regarding kindness of ________. Experiencing people’s kindness has left me inspired.

The first kindness is the Trail Angels who ________ their doors to hikers for support. They ________ rides to town for food or equipment and then provide essentials like showers, laundry and ship packages. They are people who ________ care for those who are away from home and need help.

Trail Magic can ________ at any time or place. The day I was climbing Mt. Baden Powell, there were two Japanese ladies sitting on the hillside resting. As I ________, they began clapping, stopped me, asked me about the trip, shared me some fruit and one woman bowed low and said, “I respect you.” Wow! What ________ words to hear!

One Saturday morning in the San Gabriel mountains, as we crossed a highway, trail runners in their vehicle pulled over to ________ us fruit. An hour down the trail, day hikers stopped and asked about our trip, opened their packs of ________ and asked, “What would you like to eat.” A few miles further we ________ Glennwood Cabin (格伦伍德小屋) and were fed pizza and drinks. At 9: 00 a. m. we were all pumped up and talking about this ________ day of kindness.

Now I am preparing for the next section hike to the Mojave desert. Thank you God for those who show a ________ heart and express the spirit of ________.