1 . Who says you have to stay indoors when the temperatures drop? Here are favourite places to explore this winter.

Athens, Greece

In Athens, every November temperatures stay around the mid-20s, so have a trip to the Parthenon and Acropolis. A full afternoon is also necessary for exploring the Museum of Cycladic Art and its exhibitions — recently it has hosted Picasso’s.

In the streets of the Pysrri district is a hidden hole in the wall, from which one can go down to the basement restaurant, Diporto.

Huaraz, Peru

To some, Peru gives people images of students in printed shorts on a tour of Machu Picchu. There’s obviously so much more to do in the UNESCO World Heritage (遗产) site. Any hike through the surrounding Huascaran National Park will make you feel like you’ve stepped into The Lord of the Rings.

April and November are considered “shoulder season”, which means fewer clear days but you can enjoy the trails (路线) with fewer people.

Edinburgh, UK

Yes, it’s probably going to be freezing cold. Hot coffee steam up in a pleasing, romantic fashion in cafes. People can take a few minutes’ walk from the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

For simple Scottish dishes there’s neighbourhood inn, the Little Chartroom. And the Sheep Heid Inn has been long enough to have served Mary, Queen of Scots. In the eight bedrooms at the 18th century Rock House, each is a mixture of ancient details and current fashion.

Valletta, Malta

Flights from the UK to Malta’s capital are only around £30, making it one of the best destinations for a November trip. This tiny city has a temperature of 17 or so and has changed itself into a year-round city break with artistic cafes, hotels and newly opened galleries — Muza opened last year and houses the former National Gallery collection.

2 . A Journey to the Yosemite Firefall

Each year, thousands of people are attracted to the Yosemite National Park in California for a chance of seeing —and photographing ——the unique “firefall”. The amazing “firefall” comes to life only when there is enough water from the melting（融化）snow to keep the Horsetail Fall flowing and when the light of the setting sun hits the waterfall at the right angle. It can only be seen for a short time in February on clear sunny days.

This year, the weather isn’t stopping the “firefall” from happening, but it is making the journey to see it more difficult.

“What would have been a 10-minute walk turned into a two-hour hike through deep snow,” photographer Ryan Fitzsimons said about his recent trip to see the phenomenon. “Our clothes were all wet by the time we got to a viewing site. But the heavy snow made the sight much more beautiful since the waterfall is much bigger this year.”

Another photographer Andy Heitz was making his first trip to see the “firefall”. He had to wait five hours in the extreme cold for his turn to take a picture.

“I got to the site at about 12:00 at noon. The place was already filled with hundreds of people waiting to see and photograph the ‘firefall’. I was so lucky that I shot a really wonderful burner! I was completely amazed with what I saw,” he said. “You know, only on a couple days of the year in February and when the sun sets down at the perfect angle to shine on Yosemite’s Horsetail Fall can we see the ‘Fire Fall’. I’ll never forget what I have seen.’’

The “firefall” should continue to be there from 20 to 24 February. But park officials said that there’s no guarantee（保证）that visitors will see it on any given day.

On March 31, the Eiffel Tower, one of the world’s most visited and recognizable places of interest, celebrated the 130- year anniversary (周年纪念日) of its opening.

It was only supposed to exist for 20     1     (year). Maybe Parisians decided it was     2       (easy) to just leave it in place than pull it down. It looks like they made the right choice. More than 250 million people     3     (pay) a visit to the tower so far, according to     4     (it) official website.

Designed by French Gustav Eiffel, the tower was meant     5     (serve) as the entrance to the 1889 World Fair in the     6     (begin). It took just over two years to build it. Although it is popular now, not all French people liked     7     tower when it opened. However, the visitors to the 1889 World Fair found it     8     (entertain) to visit the Eiffel Tower. Two million people visited it during the fair. It then became useful as a radio antenna (天线) during the First World War.

Tourists have a choice when they climb the tower. They can either walk 1, 665 steps to the top     9     use one of the elevator cars from 1899. Once tourists reach the top,     10     the Eiffel’s office is, they can have a drink in the tower’s top-floor champagne bar. Today, the tower stands as a symbol of France.

Today I want to share my terrible trip with you. I visited the marine park with my friends yesterday. I am sorry to say that I was disappointed with the service provide by the staff. When I came up to one of the waitresses to ask the way, he was rather impatient, respond slowly and unwillingly. What's worse, the waitress even laughed me when I was about to leave. Besides, the steak 1 was ordered in the restaurant was so tough and salty which I could hardly enjoy it. Al that time, the service also makes other customers disappointed. I sincere hope that the person in charge will take measure to improve the service.

8 . It’s time to put your two-wheeler to good use on these fun bike paths-each varying in distance and difficulty. Just choose one fit for you.

Check out Paulinskill Valley Trail, filled with forests, wetlands, and small towns along this 25-mile route. While the trail is mostly flat, you can do a quick ride. You’re likely to catch sight of beautiful birds, considering more than 100 species find a home in the land near the path. Check out the trail in the fall—prime time for pretty sights.

On the island of Kaui, you’ll find a bike path with lots of beachy views that’ll leave you feeling accomplished yet calm. The name translates to “The Path that Goes By Coast”, and, as you might guess, the seven-mile path hugs the shoreline. Start early enough and you’ll witness an incredible sunrise to make it even more amazing.

This ride covers up to 126 miles, with steep climbs and extreme downhills along the way. So prepare for a thrilling ride—one that’s not necessarily for the inexperienced or those looking for an easy, casual ride. Along the route, you’ll pedal through five towns. The journey is worth it, though, because you get some of the most scenic views in the state.

Famous for its countless route options, whether you’re a new biker looking for smooth tracks or you have more experience and want to play around on rocky, more technical land, this bike path brings in lots of visitors. The 43-mile route offers beautiful green scenery. Around every corner, you’ll see a new amazing landscape, from glassy lakes to green mountains.

Last year, my friend and I went to visit the Yellow Mountain. We carried two backpacks, that turned out to be pretty heavier for the hike. I was not an experiencing hiker and those endless steps make me want to return to the safe and comfortable ground. But my friend encouraged me great. "Look, the top is coming closer and closer. We are almost there." I pulled me together and kept going. After three-hour exhausting hike, and with wonderful sceneries on the way, we got to the top finally. For our pleasure, we also found a hotel that looked very much inviting.

10 . Travel is one of the most exciting experiences a human being can have. Imagine how Italian traveler Marco Polo must have felt when he found himself on Chinese soil, seeing a way of life quite different from anything he’d seen before.

And how great must it have been to listen to Zhang Qian when he returned to China from his journey through Central Asia and West Asia? His brain must have been packed with everything he’d seen and heard, leading to the founding of the Silk Road.

Some people have traveled all over the world, and travel is a way of life to them. They perhaps know what to expect before they travel. That’s why the best travel is when it’s for the first time. Imagine a person who has always wanted to travel to the United States. Of course, they’ve probably seen the Statue of Liberty a thousand times on TV, and the White House, and all the other famous sights. But none of that would compare to the thrill of looking out of the cabin window as the plane lands, watching the cities and streets of the real America come into view.

Although travel is often just for recreation, it’s also educational. We may not know that we are getting an education, but we still are.

We’re learning every day: new words in a new language, new people, and new ways of life. But this learning takes place in the school of the world, not the classroom. One of the lessons we learn is undoubtedly a moral one. As we get to know foreign places, we come to understand that there are many different ways to live, and that the way we live isn’t necessarily the best way. The British politician Benjamin Disraeli summed this up well when he said, “Travel teaches toleration.”