2 . Coming into the town of Santa Catarina Palopó, in the highlands of Lake Atitlán in Guatemala, the first thing you notice is the bright colors. Most of the buildings along the main street are eye-catching, in deep, varied hues of blues and greens; interspersed with red and yellow to form complex patterns and designs.

Santa Catarina Palopó was once a sleepy town of 5,000 people, most of them indigenous (土著的) and dependent on agricultural work. As agriculture began to dry up here, decline for the town and poverty for many of its families came. To deal with poverty and stimulate economic growth through tourism, a small but mighty group of laborers, artisans, domestic workers and stay-at-home moms created the Pintando Santa Catarina Palopó project.

The project was initially to paint all 850 homes and buildings in bright colors, in an effort to change the hillside town into a work of art.   “We wanted to paint the houses with colors and figures that represent the community,” says the project’s executive director Stephany Blanco.   “A range of designs were created so that families can choose designs for their house that are representative of the family.”

One of the most representative characteristics of the region is the blue huipil, a traditional blouse which has been worn prominently by local women since the 16th century. That deep sky blue was chosen as the primary color for the Pintando project, with secondary colors found in the sunsets and the nearby lake to make the design more attractive. As for the designs that would be used, they would also find inspiration in local culture, symbols such as volcanoes, flowers, Mayan-styled butterflies and the national bird of Guatemala.

Each week, local artists, community members and tourists pick up paintbrushes to make buildings colorful.   “At first, the idea of the project left many unsure about participating, but now you can see a considerable difference in the town,” Melissa Whitbeck said. “The color of the buildings is believed to improve the quality of life of the people. It uplifts the people’s mood and encourages them to be proud of where they come from.”

5 . Italy’s Attractive Towns

Whether you’re looking for historical adventures or attractive walks along the coast, Italy’s fascinating towns can be your choices.

Featuring houses of different colors well layered on the cliffs (悬崖), Positano is also charming with the blue sea, blue sky, white clouds, flowers dotted with the town. Lined with umbrellas, beach chairs and yachts, the town’s beach transports you to a beautiful setting. When the sun sets, the town bathes in golden sunshine, creating a perfect photograph opportunity.

Nestled in the Itria Valley countryside, the small town Alberobello awaits. It features a kind of whitewashed round houses like mushrooms from a distance, the unique trullo architecture, listed as a World Heritage Site. If you’re in the mood for more fun, the Itria Valley is a great starting point for picturesque bike rides and scenic walks, with the Castellana Caves being only a short drive away.

Cefalù is the example of old-town elegance. Stone streets, a sandy beach, and local crafts shops make the town so attractive as a destination. Whether you want to go on a historic exploration or want a city-style break, the small town has it all. The main church of Cefalù, Duomo di Cefalù, built in the 11th century, is the most recognizable landmark in the city.

Polignano a Mare is a picture-perfect old town on a hilltop. The beautiful whitewashed houses spread out along the curving (弯曲的) shore, transporting you to a simpler time. Visitors are invited to swim to explore the natural wonders. If swimming isn’t your thing, then the famous Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series will definitely take your breath away.

7 . Located about 10 km northeast of the city center, the Chengdu Panda Base is a popular place to see lots of pandas of different ages in what’s close to their natural habitat.

Highlights and Travel Tips

The Chengdu Panda Base is a nonprofit research and breeding (繁殖) facility for giant pandas that was originally founded in 1987 and opened to the public in 1993. The center began with a population of just six giant pandas and has since grown to more than 100 pandas.

For visitors, it is more like a nice park than a traditional zoo. The base is large and nice to walk around, since much of it is in a bamboo forest. There are also shops selling panda-related souvenirs, but the prices are usually higher than markets or shops outside the base.

Accessibility Information

While the main road is flat, the base is large, so it is better for visitors with mobility issues to ride the shuttle (往返) bus. Visitors who completely rely on wheelchairs may need help from others to guide. Most restrooms within the base are wheelchair accessible.

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices

How to Get There

It takes about a half hour and costs around 30 CNY to get to the Chengdu Panda Base from the city center by taxi. You can also get there by public bus or subway, although these routes require a few transfers.

8 . There are some amazing places to visit across the world, so get ready to put clothes into a bag in preparation for a trip away from home.

Italy continues to delight and no matter how many times you may have visited, there’s always something new to uncover. Discover beautiful lakeside towns near Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake—it’s also the perfect base if you’re looking to take tours to the wonderful cities of Venice and Verona.

Whether it’s the wonderful Spanish weather you’re after, or to experience the country’s culture, cuisine (菜肴), art and history, there’s something for everyone in this fantastic place. There are also plenty of tours from Tenerife, with Mount Teide and the UNESCO World Heritage Site (联合国教科文组织世界遗产地) of San Cristeóbal de La Laguna in easy distance for a visit.

From the noticeable city of Porto to the beautiful beaches of the Algarve, whether you want to enjoy culture or relaxation, you’ll find it all and more with a trip to Portugal. Holidays to the Algarve are some of the most popular in Europe and for good reason. It is an area full of fascinating culture and history, charming towns and villages and superb cuisine.

It is one of the smallest countries in the world, but Malta is a huge shock. With a fascinating mixture of history, culture, golden sandy beaches and wonderful weather, it’s a place just waiting to be explored.

9 . If you’re looking for an exciting suggestion for your next trip, consider Valencia in Spain! It’s a beautiful city with a mix of historical charm and modern style. It’s small, so you can easily explore its central sights on foot.

Valencia has old buildings from past centuries, as well as modern buildings that adds to its unique style. A great way to get to know Valencia is by joining a walking tour. It will introduce you to the city's history and culture. Once you’ve explored the main attractions in the city center, don’t miss the chance to visit the City of Arts and Sciences, located at the former river location. Even if you can’t attend any science exhibitions, you can still enjoy the ocean arium, concerts or watch a film in the City of Arts and Sciences. The buildings in this area are also incredibly beautiful! One of the advantages of Valencia is its location on the Mediterranean coast. This means you can relax and enjoy the beach during your stay in the city.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Valencia, here are some suggestions: For luxurious (奢华的)hotels, look for centre areas in the city. For budget-friendly options, explore hotels that are not in the centre of the city. Remember to research and compare different neighborhoods and hotels to find the fittest one for your preferences and budget.

At last, don’t forget to try Valencia’s traditional food, which is also known for visitors.You can try paella, a traditional rice dish that originates from the city. There are also many other local specialties for you to explore. Exploring the local food scene is a must when visiting Valencia!

10 . Listed below are some nice family-friendly museums in Chicago, pick one that interests your kids most and take your little ones there to have fun.

Shedd Aquarium (水族馆)

It was open to the public on May 30th, 1930. Visitors with limited movement can use easy slopes (斜坡) to reach the exhibits, which are also explained to children through an app.Families can spend the night in the aquarium during the special event called Asleep with the Fishes.

Elmhurst History Museum

It’s a museum about history that has won awards and was created in 1957. It shows different exhibits about many history-related subjects, has a fun interactive exhibit about its own history, and offers various public programs, tours of exhibits, and special events for the community. The museum is a fantastic place for families to visit for a day or two, and it even has places for picnics and holiday train journeys.

Chicago Children’s Museum

Founded in 1982, the museum displays impressive exhibits for children, featuring dinosaur bones, a play area only for babies and a famous and fun climbing area for children.Moreover, the museum offers various exhibitions and daily art classes for children, which are free of charge. Visiting the museum on the weekend is a good choice for economical family amusement.

Field Museum of Natural History

With millions of things in its store, it was established in 1893. Disco ver more than 4billion years of life on Earth through interesting displays and interactive events, and discover protection campaigns worldwide.   It is now considered as famous as the Smithsonian Institution, established in 1846 in Washington, and the American Museum of Natural History, which originated in 1869 in New York.