1 . Take a trip down memory lane as you meet all your beloved comic characters from the Asterix & Obelix comic series at Parc Astérix. Counted amongst the top 3 largest theme parks in France, Parc Astérix is frequented by a whopping 2 million visitors annually. The rides and exhibits at the park draw inspiration from a wide range of historic cultures such as Ancient Greece and Egypt besides, the Gallic and Roman cultures represented in the comics. Situated 35 km away from Paris, the theme park is easily accessible and is perfect for a leisurely day out with your loved ones.
It is best to be well-prepared before you go on your next adventure at Parc Astérix. Here is all the information you will need before you plan your trip to this fascinating amusement park.
Daily: 10 AM — 6 PM
The best time to visit Parc Astérix is on the weekdays. Crowds are much higher on weekends and public holidays.
Getting There:
Address: 60128 Plailly, France
Take the direct exit towards Parc Astérix between exits number 7 and 8 if you choose driving. Also, FLIXBUS departs from and returns to Paris, Toucoring, Bethune, Lille, and Bruges every day. But taking a train is the simplest way. Take line 8 from Paris du Nord and get off at Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 1. Speak to a steward to learn about the Parc Astérix shuttle from here.
Facilities
Pushchairs and wheelchairs are available for rent at the park. You will have to pay a refundable deposit of 50 Euros. The daily charge for renting a pushchair is 5 Euros. Due to the limited availability, wheelchairs will be provided on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Parc Astérix Paris Tickets
Parc Astérix offers a wide range of tickets options for you to choose from. Be it standard entry tickets, packages, meal pass, permanent offers or seasonal offers — there is something for everyone.
Infants aged 0 — 2 can enter free of charge. Children aged 3 — 11 enjoy reduced ticket pricing (carry a valid photo ID).
Access to the Peur sur le Parc show (from 7 pm to 1 am) requires the purchase of a separate ticket. This ticket cannot be canceled, amended, or rescheduled.
1. What can visitors do in Parc Astérix?| A．Read comic books. |
| B．Watch comic movies. |
| C．Meet characters from a comic series. |
| D．Draw comics about the Gallic and Roman. |
| A．5 Euros | B．20 Euros | C．55 Euros | D．70 Euros |
| A．10 am on Monday. | B．11 am on Sunday. |
| C．10 pm on Friday. | D．8 pm on Saturday. |
2 . This year’s winner of Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, the enobanting Disney movie Encanto (魔法满屋) shines a light on the colourful cultural highlights of Colombia. It might not instantly spring to mind as an obvious destination for a family adventure, but Colombia brims with diverse experiences.
Walk on the wild side
Encanto references Colombia’s surprising biodiversity—something very much in evidence in the Tayrona National Park, on the edge of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, one of the world’s highest coastal mountain ranges. Keep your eyes and ears open for a colourful cast of jungle creatures, including black howler monkeys, jewel-like hummingbirds, and even a jaguar.
Delve underground
Of all Colombia’s eclectic buildings, one of the best ones to explore is the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá. Built in the 1930s within a salt mine tunneled into a mountain in the city of Zipaquirá, the church, which was used by the miners, was part of the inspiration behind Bruno’s room in Encanto and is now part of an activity complex with a family-friendly tour along the former mining route, as well as climbing walls.
Wake up and smell the coffee
Encanto is all about family, and one of the best places for some family time is the Parque del Café in Quindio. No ordinary theme park, along with rides and shows for different ages, there’s an interactive coffee museum, an eco-trail through a coffee plantation and food stalls serving up delicious, coffee-based products.
Tune in to a festival
Time your trip to coincide with the Carnival of Barranquilla, which takes place over four days in February or March. UNESCO-listed and one of the country’s most important folklore celebrations, the festival has its roots in the 19th century and is a treat for all ages, with live performances, art and colorful costumes.
1. Which would be suitable for a family of nature lovers?| A．Walk on the wild side | B．Delve underground |
| C．Wake up and smell the coffee | D．Tune in to a festival |
| A．It is famous for the salt mine. |
| B．It is still used by miners as a church. |
| C．It partly inspired the design of a room in the movie. |
| D．It has food stalls serving up delicious, salt-based products. |
| A．A movie review. | B．A travel brochure |
| C．A medical magazine | D．A scientific journal |
3 . Top Parks To Add To Your Utah Bucket List Right Now
With some of the most spectacular landscapes — canyons, rivers, lakes, and arches, Utah is truly a paradise — and these parks can prove that.
Zion National Park
Situated near Springdale, on Utah’s southern side, Zion National Park is the most dramatic park in the United States. It only takes three hours to reach the park from Las Vegas via drive. Perfect for outdoor lovers and seasonal adventurers, with plenty of activities for all ages and abilities, visiting to explore Zion National Park is definitely worth the drive.
* Park Entrance Fee: $15 per person, $30 per vehicle
* Best Time to Visit: April, May, and October
Arches National Park
Having over 2000 sandstone arches, Arches National Park has the highest number of natural arches on earth. With these breathtaking arches, balancing rocks, and rock fins, exploring this park is like escaping into an ancient wondrous landscape full of life and so much to explore for travelers of all interests and ages.
* Park Entrance Fee: $15 for persons with no cars, $25 for persons with motorcycles, and $30 for persons with private cars
* Best Time to Visit: April through May, September through October
Bryce Canyon National Park
Located just a few miles from the American Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park is among the best five parks found on Utah’s southwest side. Because of the larger and more accessible parks nearby, pot many travelers visit Bryce. Regardless, Bryce National Park is still a perfect destination, especially for photographers, hikers, and adventurers alike. All these are thanks to its beautiful red rock landscapes, high alpine meadows, and flourishing forests, making it a beautiful wilderness worthy of exploring.
* Park Entrance Fee: $20 per person, $30 per vehicle
* Best Time to Visit: May through September
1. Which park is an ideal destination for a summer trip?| A．Zion National Park. | B．Arches National Park. |
| C．American Grand Canyon. | D．Bryce National Park. |
| A．They both lie in the southern part of Utah. |
| B．They appeal to people of the same age range. |
| C．They charge the same fee for vehicle entrance. |
| D．They both have a great number of natural arches. |
| A．In a travel brochure. | B．In a geography report. |
| C．In a book review. | D．In a travel journal. |
4 . Everybody knows that Massachusetts is a great place to see fall leaves. But surely there are other places to catch the leaves turning green to reddish-golden? The short answer is yes.
Aspen, Colorado
Aspen—as its name suggests—doesn’t fail to impress with its backdrop of majestic snow-capped mountains. Head to the Maroon Bells to look into mirror-like lakes to see double: on a calm day, the mountains and trees are reflected in the still waters.
Bavaria, Germany
Take a trip into a Brothers Grimm fairytale. Not only can you catch breathtaking views—such as castles emerging from red, green and golden trees—but you can experience the region’s fall traditions, such as the “Almabtrieb” event, bringing in the cattle from the grasslands, and local parish (教区) fairs, called “Kirchweih-Feste” where beer is everywhere.
Catskills, Upstate New York
If spotting fall in one state isn’t enough, head to the Catskills, where you can see five states at once. Head to the Northern Catskills of Greene County, to the “Five State Lookout” in Windham, where you can view treetops in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, as well as beautiful scenery of the Hudson River Valley.
Edinburgh, Scotland
This city is made for fall with its tree-lined streets and big open parks. Head to Princes Street Gardens, which is home to some of the city’s most typical monuments, such as the storybook-style Gardeners’ Cottage and the Scott Monument, or take a hike through Holyrood Park, marveling as the russet tones (红褐色) cover the rolling hills which climb up to the famed Arthurs Seat offering full views of the city and beyond.
1. What is a special view of the Maroon Bells?| A．Typical monuments in Scottish style. |
| B．Beautiful castles among golden trees. |
| C．Clear lakes with reflections of surroundings. |
| D．Mountains completely covered with snow. |
| A．Aspen, Colorado. | B．Catskills, Upstate New York. |
| C．Bavaria, Germany. | D．Edinburgh, Scotland. |
| A．To explain how to develop hobbies in the fall. |
| B．To stress the importance of traveling in the fall. |
| C．To introduce some places to appreciate fall leaves. |
| D．To describe how lo enjoy fall leaves with your own eyes. |
5 . Do you love the rush of fear and adrenalin (肾上腺素) youi get from a great roller coaster? From incredible speed to dramatic drops, to head-spinning inversions, there’s something for everybody on our list.
Dodonpa, Fuji-Q Highland-Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
Dodonpa was the fastest roller coaster in the world when it opened on July 16, 2001, with a top speed of 106 miles per hour (171 km/h). It held this record until 2004 when it was surpassed by Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure. If you can force your eyes open for a second, you’ll get a great view of Mount Fuji sitting on the horizon.
Dueling Dragons, islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida
If you’re looking for a heart-pounding coaster experience, look no further than Dueling Dragons. This coaster is a true dueling experience, with two tracks that race side by side at speeds of up to 62 miles per hour. You’ll feel the wind in your hair as you twist and turn your way through the curves and drops of this coaster.
Taron, Phantasialan-Bruhl, Germany
Taron was the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster when it opened on April 28, 2015. But it’s already a fan favorite, thanks to its unique design that allows riders to experience both forward and backward motion. The coaster is also one of the longest and tallest in Europe. So if you’re looking for a truly unique coaster experience, be sure to check out Taron.
Steel Dragon 2000, Nagashima Spa Land-Kuwana, Japan
The Steel Dragon in Nagashima Spa Land is a marathon ride the world’s longest at 8133 feet of pure adrenalin. The one-minute climb to the top of the first hill will have you twisting and turning in suspense. And the drop that follows 306 feet straight down. Hang on to your hat this is your introduction to three more minutes of thrills. It is also the tallest steel roller coaster in Japan, with a height of 318 feet.
1. What is special about Dueling Dragons?| A．It provides visitors a magnificent mountain view. |
| B．It allows two coasters to race side by side. |
| C．It presents a choice of which direction to travel. |
| D．It gives visitors a heart-pounding experience. |
| A．Dodonpa. |
| B．Dueling Dragons. |
| C．Taron. |
| D．Steel Dragon 2000. |
| A．Dodonpa runs more slowly than Kingda Ka. |
| B．Dueling Dragons reaches the speed of 171km/h. |
| C．Taron is the tallest roller coaster in the world. |
| D．Steel Dragon 2000 is 306 feet in height. |
6 . Twist, turns and dead-ends are the challenges that make Long Island’s corn mazes such a big draw during the fall season. Some mazes have themes, others offer games, and a few even feature live characters in Halloween costumes who spring out and surprise maze-goers. Here’s a roundup of choices.
BORELLA’S FARM 485 Edgewood Ave., St. James, 631-862-7330. Hours 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through the end of October and Columbus Day and Halloween. Cost Check website or call for price.
The 5-acre maze has a lot of tricky spots; visitors can take pictures along the way by placing their faces through painted boards of Frankenstein or witches. “Even a person who is very good with directions is going to be challenged,” promises Gee.
FAIRVIEW FARM 69 Horsemill Lane, Bridgehampton; 631-537-6154. Hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and Columbus Day. Cost $14 per adult, $12 ages 4 to 11, free for 3 and younger.
This year’s 8-acre maze is, when viewed from above, the shape of a potato plant, says co- owner Harry Ludlow. It includes multiple choice questions about potatoes along the pathways, such as “Which country grows the most potatoes in the world?” (Hint: It’s not the United States.) Answer correctly and you’ll be pointed in the right direction.
STAKEY’S PUMPKIN FARM 270 West Lane, Aquebogue, 631-722-3467. Hours Noon to 5 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 30. Cost $10.
Stakey’s made the maze more difficult this year, says co-owner Jim Stakey. “I like to give everybody a challenge,” he says. The friendly character maze has dead ends where people find cartoon surprises, including Super Mario, Daffy Duck and the Tasmanian Devil.
F&W SCHMITT FARM 26 Pinelawn Rd., Melville, 631-271-3276. Hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays through Oct. 30 Cost $10.
The daytime maze has an “Alice in Wonderland” theme. People start out with a black crayon and a paper picture finder with nine squares. At each of nine stations hidden throughout the maze, people do rubbings of characters from the story including Alice, Cheshire cat, White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter. The farm also has a scary corn trail that isn’t a maze but rather a one-way walk- through with character actors that’s open from 7 p.m. to midnight on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights in conjunction with the farm’s haunted house.
1. What can people do at Borella’s Farm?| A．Paint faces of witches. | B．Answer tricky questions. |
| C．Challenge sense of direction. | D．Take pictures with Frankenstein. |
| A．28. | B．31. | C．26. | D．42. |
| A．It includes a single way path. |
| B．It has the most challenging maze. |
| C．It’s more expensive than other farms. |
| D．It surprises visitors with some characters. |
Makeover (翻新) for Hong Kong Parks
In the past several months, small parks in Hong Kong
As well as its city areas, Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s urban areas are
Until recently most pocket parks looked the same, with concrete tiles (地砖) and plain
8 . An Impression of The Seine with the Ms Renoir
Explore the world of the Impressionist artists, from Monet’s famous garden at Giverny to the city galleries of Paris and Rouen. With flexible shore trips, choose what you want to do while enjoying the romantic scenery of what is considered France’s best-loved waterway. Experience the very best of Northern France, from the world-changing D-Day landings to the enchanting cities and towns which inspired the Impressionist movement.
The Ms Renoir is an elegant cruise liner with a variety of facilities on board and a super-friendly captain. Sit back and enjoy the scenery from the sundeck, sample classic dining in the panoramic restaurant or kick back with a book in your spacious cabin.
UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES
Discover a world of Impressionism
Uncover the secrets of Monet and his contemporaries with an expert on-board talk, a visit to the famous lily ponds at Giverny and entrance to the Museum of Fine Arts in Rouen.
Tour Chateau de Malmaison or the Palace of Versailles
Home of Josephine Bonaparte, the Empress of France, Chateau de Malmaison gives a fascinating insight into how Napoleon’s first wife lived during his time in exile, while the palace and gardens at Versailles are some of the most recognizable in the world. Tour the Hall of Mirrors and the spot where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, as well as the elegant gardens.
Linger in Honfleur
Only accessible to smaller ships, we stay in charming Honfleur. The port area comes to life as evening falls, with numerous restaurants, cafés and bars spilling onto the street beside the harbor. There’s also an illuminated merry-go-round there almost all year round.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
6 nights of relaxed luxury on board Ms Renoir
Fully accompanied return Rail from and to London St Pancras
Daily trips led by local guides
5-Star dining and drinks package with dinner
Your choice of spacious cabin
UK Tour Manager and Cruise Director
DEPARTURES
Sep 25,2022; from £1,795
Sep 3,2023; from £1,995
May 28,2023; from £1,795
Sep 29,2023; from £1,895
1. What does the underlined phrase “The Ms Renoir” refer to?| A．A ship. | B．A hotel. |
| C．A train. | D．An agency. |
| A．Accommodations. |
| B．Train fares to London. |
| C．Artistic souvenirs. |
| D．Trips led by local guides. |
| A．A tourist map. |
| B．A museum guide. |
| C．A geography textbook. |
| D．A tourist handbook. |
9 . Ancient towns around Chongqing
Ciqikou Ancient Town
Ciqikou Ancient Town is reputed as “Little Chongqing”. Most of the architectures on the streets were built in Ming or Qing architectural style. Featured snack stores and old style tea houses can be seen all over the town. Take your time to taste the local flavors or just order a cup of tea and at the same time, watch the folk performances, like Sichuan Opera or Sichuan Qingyin, let Ciqikou take you back to the old time of Chongqing.
Youzhou Ancient City
Youzhou Ancient City is a “museum” showing the architecture, history, and culture of the Tujia ethnic group. You will find many inns, stores, snack shops along the street, and a wide range of local snacks. Most of the snack shops there do not offer seats, but it is fun to taste delicious food while walking around the city. During the peak season of tourism, we recommend that you book your accommodation in advance.
Beibei Jingangbei Ancient Town
When stepping into the ancient town, you can feel the boisterous (喧闹的) marketplace around you. When you get tired, you can take a rest and dine in a food store, where delicious local snacks are available. With unique artistic value, there are also theme bars, cultural and creative products, music venues, exhibition spaces, B&B hotels and etc.
Qianjiang Zhuoshui Ancient Town
With a cluster of stilt houses (吊脚楼), the architectural style of the ancient town features lined-up stilt buildings. It makes you feel like wandering in a lively garden of ethnic culture. If you come to the “food street” of the ancient town, you cannot miss the authentic Qianjiang chicken giblets, which taste moderately sour and spicy and are especially good for dinner.
1. Which ancient town would you visit if you want to watch Sichuan Opera? ________| A．Youzhou Ancient City. | B．Ciqikou Ancient Town. |
| C．Beibei Jingangbei Ancient Town. | D．Qianjiang Zhuoshui Ancient Town. |
| A．Old style tea houses. |
| B．Ethnic culture and architecture. |
| C．No seats in most local snack shops. |
| D．Many inns, snack shops and theme bars. |
| A．Music clubs can be found. |
| B．Local food can be tasted. |
| C．Creative products are sold. |
| D．Hotel rooms need to be booked in advance. |
| Asia，City Liveability Ranking， March 2022 Rank out of 58，1= most liveable |
Ikigai, a Japanese philosophy, describes the act of seeking for a fulfilled life. And in Asia, there is no better place to find it than Osaka. In a recent survey of “liveability” in Asian cities (which include those in Oceania) by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Japan’s second largest city Osaka ranked first, together with Melbourne from Australia. With 7 cities in total making the top ten, Japan and Australia dominated the upper reaches of the index.
The EIU’s global index ranks living conditions in 172 cities across the world. The firm judges each city on a broad range of measures in five categories: culture and environment, education, health care, infrastructure (基础设施) and stability. On average, Asian cities achieved a score of 69 in 2022, compared with 91 for cities in Western Europe and 88 for North American ones. Sub-Saharan Africa is rated the least liveable region with an average score of just 50.
Many places across Asia lost ground to the West. In particular, countries with strict border controls have fallen behind when others are back to normal. For example, when the survey was conducted, New Zealand experienced another wave of Covid-19 and introduced new restrictions. As a result, Auckland, which topped the worldwide index in 2021, fell by 33 places.
The average score of the cities improved by about 4. 5 points on last year. The biggest gains were in the culture and environment category, thanks to the recovery of cultural and sporting activities that had been stopped by earlier Covid restrictions.
1. According to the map, how many Australian cities ranked among top 10 in 2022?| A．Seven. | B．Five. | C．Four. | D．Two. |
| A．It covers 58 cities across the world. |
| B．The average score for all cities is 69. |
| C．North American cities are the most liveable. |
| D．Sub-Saharan African cities score the lowest. |
| A．Changed standards of rating. | B．Recovery of sporting activities. |
| C．Strict measures against Covid-19. | D．Increase in environmental damage. |
