2 . Amazing West Coast Beach Houses Rent

Rockaway Beach House

Rockaway Beach, Oregon

This comfortably furnished two-bedroom, two-bath house is both kid-and dog-friendly with a path leading right down to Nedonna Beach. It’s conveniently located near Manhattan Beach State Park as well as towns such as Manzanita, Wheeler, and Nehalem that offer cafes and tourist shops. Amenities (便利设施) include a washer and dryer, ping-pong table, home office, wood-burning fireplace and smart TV.

Oceanfront Townhome

Monterey, California

This rental claims to be one of the closest homes to the water in all of Monterey. It’s limited on space—the owner notes it can accommodate up to three adults or two adults and two small children—the location is only five minutes from downtown Monterey and Fisherman’s Wharf, 10 minutes from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Pacific Grove, and 15 minutes from Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Westport Ocean Oasis

Westport, Washington

Washington state might not be the first place people think of when considering a West Coast beach trip, but vacation rentals like this one might make them think twice. A one-bedroom, one-bath, dog-friendly apartment, it offers sweeping views of the shores from its huge windows, as well as amenities like a balcony, basketball court and putting green, and TV.

Studio Beach House

Rancho Palos Verdes, California

Located just west of Long Beach, this beach rental offers amazing views and easy beach access as well as amenities like tennis and basketball courts, a playground and an outdoor bar with 50-inch TV, surround sound, a mini-fridge and hot tub. It’s also close to many destinations like golf courses, parks, and the Portuguese Bend Reserve, a nature area with hiking trails that overlook the ocean.

1. Which beach house will you choose if you are going to live in Oregon?

A．Rockaway Beach House.	B．Oceanfront Townhome.
C．Westport Ocean Oasis.	D．Studio Beach House.

2. Which is the closest place to Oceanfront Townhome?

A．Pacific Grove.	B．Carmel-by-the-Sea.
C．Fisherman’s Wharf.	D．The Monterey Bay Aquarium.

3. What do the last two rentals have in common?

A．They are dog-friendly.	B．They have huge windows.
C．They are close to hiking trails.	D．They both offer a basketball court.

3 . Switzerland, as the first place in Europe to develop winter tourism, has a long skiing tradition. A long ski season, terrific snow conditions, and large, well-developed resort areas make Switzerland a perfect destination for skiers from around the world.

Where to Ski as a Beginner

Saas-Fee: You can find plenty of English-speaking ski schools in Saas-Fee and lots of bunny slopes (初学者滑雪道) on which to master your turns. The beginner ski area is separate, so you can practice without getting in the way of other skiers.

Grindelwald: Grindelwald is a great choice for families, with plenty of ski schools and several bunny slopes, such as the Bodmi practice area, which is fit for children. Once you’re ready to head up the mountain, about 30 percent of Grindelwald’s runs are rated blue, meaning they’re on the easier side.

Summer Skiing

Incredible as it may seem, it’s actually possible to ski in Switzerland during the summer months thanks to the presence of several glaciers where it’s winter year-round. Zermatt is home to the Theodul glacier (冰川). With 13 miles (21 kilometers) of runs, it’s the largest summer ski area in Europe and attracts professional skiers looking to train year-round. The glacier slopes here are beautifully scenic and offer skiers up-close views of the Matterhorn.

Budget Travel Tips

Avoid peak season: Visit during the start or end of the ski season.

Self-cater: If you rent a small apartment or home with kitchen facilities, you can prepare some of your own meals to save dining expenses.

Enjoy the snow without skiing every day: Ice skating, tobogganing (乘坐平底雪橇), winter hiking, or just having a snowball fight are all more affordable ways to enjoy the Swiss winter landscape.

1. What makes Switzerland a perfect destination for skiers?

A．Being the first winter tourist destination.	B．Having the longest skiing tradition.
C．The support of skiers from the world.	D．Superb natural conditions and accommodations.

2. Which group will be interested in Grindelwald?

A．Professional athletes.	B．Summer skiers.
C．Family tourists.	D．Budget travelers.

3. Where will skiers go for summer skiing?

A．Saas-Fee.

B．Bodmi.

C．Zermatt.

D．Matterhorn.

4 . 50 of the Most Charming Small Towns in America

Explore the hidden gems of each state: towns with quaint shops and restaurants, fascinating histories, fun experiences and natural beauty.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Named one of a “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is a secluded, peaceful town in the heart of the Ozarks. Magnificent Victorian homes built on cliffsides line its winding street, while its historic downtown area offers more than 100 shops and art galleries to explore.

Carmel, California

Officially known as Carmel-by-the-sea, Carmel is a world-renowned, 1-square-mile village on California’s central coast. It’s beloved for its fairytale-like cottages, as well as its upscale boutiques(精品店), art galleries, historic Carmel Mission Basilica, wineries and other attractions. Carmel Beach has been ranked as one of America’s top beach towns.

Mancos, Colorado

The spirit of the West is alive and well in Mancos, Colorado, where ranching is still a way of life. This community of about 1,600 sits just east of the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park, so it’s a great base for nature lovers and adventurers who like to ride horses, bike and hike. More than 150 artists and other creatives live in the area; their galleries line historic Main Street in the creative district. Book lovers, take note: This area was home to the late Western author, Louis L’ Amour.

Cartersville, Georgia

Discover dinosaurs and fine Western art in Cartersville, Georgia, located about 50 minutes from Atlanta. Its world-class Tellus Science Museum houses permanent galleries of minerals, fossils, transportation technology and much more, while the Booth Western Art Museum is the world’s largest permanent exhibition space for Western art. After browsing the museums, visit Cartersville’s historic downtown and take a selfie in front of the first painted wall ad for Coca-Cola.

1. What is special about Magnificent Victorian homes?

A．They line straight streets.	B．They are located in cliff areas.
C．They lie in the creative district.	D．They are fairytale-like cottages.

2. Which town will you choose if you want to take adventures?

A．Mancos, Colorado.	B．Carmel, California.
C．Cartersville, Georgia.	D．Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

3. What do the four towns have in common?

A．They are close to the sea.	B．They are connected with art.
C．They are suitable for the book lovers.	D．They offer chances to explore amazing histories.

5 . It’s important to have great travel news sources that you can trust. In this blog we are to share the top travel news websites that you may find useful.

World Tourism Organization

The World Tourism Organization exists to guide, support, advance the global tourism industry. Naturally, their position of influence means they are looked at as an authoritative source of information that people can depend on.

BBC Tourism

The BBC is one familiar news source for many. Its travel section is a great source of global news relating to the tourism industry. You are less likely to find the tourism-related news that goes very deep. However, the website is still a good choice for common people.

Eye for Travel

Reuters News&. Media is also a globally trusted news source, like the BBC. Eye for Travel is its travel section, which, too, enjoys a good reputation (名声). Less focused on breaking news, this website offers detailed and deep information of some important news in the global tourism industry.

The Local

Daily tourism news specifically focusing on Europe is found on this website. The news is written and published in English. Thelocal. com is a general European edition (版本). If you want to get travel information about countries such as Germany, Austria, Sweden, etc., there is also an edition designed for each one of them.

1. Which website is created to improve the global tourism industry?

A．World Tourism Organization.	B．BBC Tourism.
C．Eye for Travel.	D．The Local.

2. What do BBC Tourism and Eye for Travel have in common?

A．They mainly include breaking news about travel.

B．They cover travel news in different languages.

C．They have the most subscribers in the world.

D．They carry news on the global tourism industry.

3. What can we know about Thelocal.com?

A．It offers weekly tourism news.

B．It centers on European travel news.

C．Its designers are able to speak different languages.

D．Its news is published in English-speaking countries.

6 . Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, is by far the largest city in the country. Here, you’ll find a multitude of tourist attractions to please even the pickiest of travelers. For ideas on the best places to visit in this magical city, read our list of the top attractions in Copenhagen.

Tivoli Gardens

It’s impossible to miss the grand entrance of the famous Tivoli amusement park and pleasure gardens dating from 1843 at Vesterbrogade. Here, visitors are welcomed through a dramatic archway and you will also find more than 20 attractions including a roller coaster, roundabouts, halls of mirrors, puppets and other entertainment facilities for your family of all ages. No matter what time of year you visit, Tivoli feels festive. At Christmas, Tivoli becomes an extravagantly decorated wonderland. The park is famous worldwide and appears in many movies.

National Museum of Denmark

An easy 10-minute walk from Tivoli along Vestergade brings you to the National Museum, a must-see attraction for anyone with an interest in Danish history and culture. It was established in 1807 and has been the biggest cultural and historic museum in this country. Some impressive runic stones are on display here, and the Danish history collection includes a sun chariot, antiquities and coins. You’ll also find collections from other interesting areas including Asia, Africa and Oceania, as well as the culture of the Indians.

Christiansborg Palace

On the tiny island of Slotsholmen is the Danish seat of government and an attraction that should top any visitor’s agenda. Christiansborg boasts more than 800 years of history and today, the palace is home to the Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Supreme Court. In addition, several parts are still used by the Royal House, although thankfully, much is open to the public. Opening hours for each section of the palace can vary since they are in use, so be sure to reserve ahead if you are interested in a specific area.

The Round Tower

The Round Tower is a 36-meter-high structure built as an observatory in 1642. It now also houses a small collection connected with the famous Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. A particular treat is the platform. From the top are magnificent views over the city. A new attraction is the glass floor hovering 25 meters above the ground where you can peer down into the castle’s core.

1. Which attraction do you need to book in advance?

A．Christiansborg Palace.

B．Tivoli Gardens.

C．National Museum of Denmark.

D．The Round Tower.

2. What can you enjoy on The Round Tower?

A．Stay overnight in the tower.

B．Have a lunch on the platform.

C．Walk into the castle’s core.

D．Overlook the beautiful scenery of the city.

3. What can we learn from the text?

A．You are supposed to find a lot of antiquities from Asia in Tivoli Gardens.

B．It is not too far to walk from Tivoli Garden to the National Museum of Denmark.

C．Tivoli Gardens has the longest history among the four tourist attractions in Denmark.

D．National Museum of Denmark is the best choice if you want to know more about puppets.

7 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。

After almost a decade of preparation work, the construction of a new branch of the Palace Museum, China’s largest museum for relics’ exhibition,     1    (formal) kicked off in Beijing.     2     (situate) in Xiyuhe, a village in Haidian district,     3     new branch will include an exhibition space exceeding 60,000 square meters for cultural relics.

“We’ll have a much larger space to meet people’s     4    (expect) and enhance our capacity     5    (show) ancient Chinese civilization,” Wang Xudong, director of the Palace Museum, said in a previous interview with China Daily.

According     6     an official document of the construction project released online, the first phase, which includes relic warehouses and offices, will take about three-and-a-half years to complete. It     7    (estimate) that more than 20,000 to 30,000 relics can be showcased in the new branch every year, and it will offer larger and better-equipped warehouses to house fragile items, such as silk pieces,     8     require greater attention.

“We aim to build the branch into a museum inheriting ancient classics and     9    (lead) the future at the same time,” Zhang Yu, chief architect of the new museum, said in December. “This landmark can be a guesthouse of Chinese civilization with Eastern ethos(理念) and a     10    (globe) view.”

8 . The Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon

The Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon in Tibet is the deepest canyon in the world. With a total length of about 500 kilometers, its altitude spans from 7,782 meters at Namchak Barwa, the highest peak of the eastern Himalayas, to 550 meters around the Yarlung Zangbo River Valley in Metog county.

One unique feature of the spring sight here is that visitors can enjoy both the peach blossoms and the snow-capped mountains at the same time. The water Peach Blossom Fair is also an attraction in the area.

Bangong Lake National Forest Park

Bangong Lake National Forest Park is an ideal place for bird watching in Tibet in spring. Due to the good ecological environment, the island boasts a good variety of bird species. Every spring, warm winds from the Bay of Bengal blow into the Ngari Plateau, birds that fly from the plateau to the South Asian continent the previous winter would return here to lay eggs and breed.

Namtso will present its most attractive scenery in March and April, which makes it a great place to visit in spring. In April, when the weather warms up and the snow melts, Namtso slowly wakes up. Visitors could enjoy a stunning view of half lake and half ice.

Lake Manasarova

Lake Manasarova sits 4,500 meters above sea level in Purang county, Ngari prefecture. Snow melt from the Gangdise Mountains hugging the lake is the source for the nearby Yarlung Zangbo River as well as the mighty Ganges.

The Manasarova wetland is a key “climate regulator” on the plateau and home to more than 400 rare species including the black-necked crane and the Tibetan wild donkey. Enshrined as “holy lake and sacred mountain”along with Gang Rinpoche, Lake Manasarova in spring attracts a large number of pilgrims (朝圣者) as well as tourists from home and abroad.

1. What is special about visiting the Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon?

A．It is the longest and deepest canyon in the world.

B．You can enjoy peach blossoms and the snow mountains as well.

C．It runs through the highest mountain in the Himalayas in Tibet.

D．Brave visitors can do some white water rafting in the river.

2. Which place will you visit if you are fond of watching feathered friends?

A．The Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon	B．Bangong Lake National Forest Park
C．The Manasarova wetland	D．The Ngari Plateau

3. What do the three destinations have in common?

A．All three places have a great and beautiful lake.

B．We can enjoy beautiful peach blossom in all three.

C．All three have beautiful spring attractions in Tibet.

D．All three are rich in rare species.