1 . Are you looking for inspiration for your next travel destination? Lonely Planet has published its yearly list of top places to go. Whether you’re looking for adventure, culture, or value, there’s something for every type of traveler. Let’s explore the top picks for travel destinations in 2024.
Top City: Nairobi
Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, was chosen for its unique music and dance culture, and impressive local restaurants. Nairobi National Park, just a short drive out of the city’s central business district, is a must-see, where visitors can see over 400 species wandering the open grass plains when skyscrapers (摩天大楼) twinkle on the horizon.
Top Sustainable Travel Destination: Spain
The publisher also recommended Spain for the country’s efforts to expand renewable energy, to develop off-season travel, and to bring tourism to new destinations, such as the port city of Valencia, easing pressures on hot spots such as Barcelona, and tourists can have a fantastic experience at a more reasonable price.
Top Best-Value Location: The American Midwest
The American Midwest, including the cities of Chicago and Detroit, is also on the list, as it offers a high- quality travel experience at a reasonable cost. Visitors can enjoy excellent services and facilities, such as old warehouses transformed into art studios, new eco-design (环保设计) hotels, and wonderful restaurants, without having to spend too much money.
Top Beach Destination: Donegal
Donegal, Ireland’s most northwestern county, has the country’s longest coastline and over 100 beaches, where visitors can enjoy the highest sea cliffs in Europe and miles of beautiful coastal hiking trails.
1. What can visitors enjoy in Nairobi?| A．Distinct music and dance. | B．Cheap local food. |
| C．Convenient transportation. | D．Special-designed hotels. |
| A．They rely on renewable energy. | B．They offer reasonable prices. |
| C．They have excellent restaurants. | D．They provide wonderful services. |
| A．Mongolia | B．Nairobi. | C．Spain. | D．Donegal. |
1. What was the weather like when the group set out?
| A．Windy. | B．Snowy. | C．Sunny. |
| A．5 hours. | B．6 hours. | C．7 hours. |
| A．It was challenging. | B．It was enjoyable. | C．It was disappointing. |
1. They are going to pay a visit to the local museum this Sunday by bus.
2. Comfortable shoes are recommended as they’ll walk long distances.
3. A notebook is needed to make some notes for further discussion shortly after the visit.
4. They can take pictures if they want to.
5. They are probably at the gate of the museum listening to the announcement.
As a student in Pakistan, it had always been my dream
Chengdu, with its exquisite cuisine and rich history, attracted me from the moment I set foot in the city.
Over the past more than a year, I
My journey in Chengdu has just begun. With each passing day, I become more thankful for many chances
5 . 4 Transit Stations Worth Seeing
Transit stations are often a place to be passed through on the way to somewhere else. Here come some of the most amazing transit stations you must see when traveling.
Union Station (Toronto, Canada)Even to the tired 21st-century eye, Toronto’s Union Station is still vast and magnificent in its cool ways. It used to witness a high time of train travel when passengers went out of their way to the station’s barbershop and even baths.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Mumbai, India)The mighty Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus presents visitors with their first impression of Mumbai, yet it is not typical of Indian architecture. Its English architect toured Europe for inspiration. So this Italian Gothic architecture is greatly combined with traditional Indian domes and pointed arches to create a mixed style.
Grand Central Terminal (New York City, U.S.A.)One of the famous sights at Grand Central is the clock made of Tiffany glass. Upon its completion, this formed the largest sculptural group in the world. As cars gained favor over the railways from 1950, the station fell into decline. However, since the 1980s, renovation projects have sought to preserve this extraordinary building.
Union Station (Los Angeles, U.S.A.)The Los Angeles Union Station bears much architectural resemblance to the Christian missions. The station reflects the importance of the railway in the United States before the era of mass air travel. Today the building has become part of the city’s subway system. It also plays its role in everyday life in Hollywood.
1. Which transit station enjoys a mixture of two cultural styles?| A．Union Station (Toronto, Canada) |
| B．Union Station (Los Angeles, U.S.A.) |
| C．Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Mumbai, India) |
| D．Grand Central Terminal (New York City, U.S.A.) |
| A．People can enjoy train travel now at the Union Station in Canada. |
| B．The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is typically an Indian architecture. |
| C．The popularity of vehicles led the Grand Central Terminal to decline. |
| D．The Union Station in the U.S.A. saw the growing popularity of air travel. |
| A．Travelers. | B．Designers. | C．Engineers. | D．Architects. |
Hainan, meaning “south of the sea”, is
Sitting on the northern coast of the island is the provincial capital of Haikou, also known as the “coconut city”, which offers a unique snapshot of Chinese culture and the history of its inhabitants, many of
Many of the buildings have not been touched since their
1. When did the speaker’s family start their traveling?
| A．On May 1st. | B．On May 5th. | C．On May 6th. |
| A．By car. | B．By taxi. | C．By train. |
| A．The climate wasn’t good. |
| B．The transport wasn’t convenient. |
| C．There weren’t many tourist attractions. |
| A．They admired the sunrise. |
| B．They visited tea gardens. |
| C．They explored thick forests. |
1. Where will Grace go for her vacation?
| A．Spain. | B．Australia. | C．New Zealand. |
| A．Two weeks. | B．Two months. | C．Six months. |
| A．Steve’s sister. | B．Steve’s aunt. | C．Steve’s wife. |
| A．A trip. | B．Food. | C．The weather. |
10 . Some people travel because they want to go to warm places for winter vacations or because they want to visit art museums in Europe. But other people travel simply because they have a passion for it.
Luisa Yu, a 79-year-old woman, fell in love with travel as a young girl in the province of Leyte in the Philippines when she watched movies. “I saw the beautiful scenery, the rivers and the mountains, and that fascinated me,” Yu said. “That’s why I always thought someday I would go to these places and travel.”
At 23, as an exchange student studying medical technologies in the US, Yu decided that she wanted to visit all of the countries in the world, but visa restrictions (限制) didn’t allow her to travel outside of the country.
It took Yu 15years to get her admission allowing her to travel internationally and there were times when she worked three jobs to save money to travel. She eventually took a part-time job as a travel agent, which gave her many more opportunities to travel to new places around the globe.
For the past 50 years, Yu has been visiting countries across the world, even some that are very difficult to get into. She has tried dog meat when she visited the DPRK, explored the beaches of Somalia, and even skydived in Dubai when she was 73. “Everyone said, ‘Don’t go to Somalia, that’s dangerous,’” Yu said. “If I want to go somewhere, nobody can stop me. I want to do everything.”
Yu achieved her goal to visit all of the 193 countries that are recognized by the UN, in November 2023. To date, there have only been around 400 people who have set out to achieve this amazing cause.
Yu’s advice to people who love to travel is to just do it. “Don’t wait for anybody. If I keep on waiting, it will never happen, because the opportunity sometimes comes only once,” she said.
1. What inspired Luisa Yu’s passion for travel?| A．The wonderful settings of the movies. | B．The desire to take a winter vacation abroad. |
| C．The dream of visiting art museums in Europe. | D．The studying opportunities while taking trips. |
| A．She searched for fortune through travel. | B．She longed to be a travel agent. |
| C．She shot to fame by accident. | D．She was fond of challenges. |
| A．Tough-minded and devoted. | B．Considerate and gifted. |
| C．Humorous and knowledgeable. | D．Responsible and powerful. |
| A．Meet Luisa Yu: One of 400 People Recognized by UN |
| B．Follow Luisa Yu’s Example: Seeking Adventure on Traveling |
| C．79-Year-Old Woman Has Traveled to 193 Countries Around the World |
| D．Travel Agent Surprises the World with the Longest of Travel Experience |
