1 . Winter seems to drag on endlessly this time of year, so it’s only natural to start thinking about getting away, and the sunny south of France is calling your name!
Avignon
If you’re looking for history, then visit the town center of Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want to learn even more about this attractive town, then take a tour— it is often guided by a local expert. Hear the history first-hand and come away with a greater understanding as to how the town came to be.
Chateau
Nothing says French countryside more than a chateau surrounded by acres of vineyards. There are wines to choose from. You can also explore the surrounding natural beauty on a horse ride, and they even run vineyard tours on horseback for a truly unique experience. Be sure to bring back a bottle or two of the Chateau des Bertrands wine so you can share a glass with friends as you tell them all about your trip.
Magnificent Marseille
The oldest city in France, starting out as an ancient Greek colony (殖民地), with its rich history, can keep every holidaymaker happy. A unique way to see as much as possible of what this great city has to offer is to book onto a segway tour. See the sights of the Museum Marseilles, Cathédrale La Major, and the historic Le Panier, while you walk around the streets.
Cannes
With amazing blue waters, fresh seafood, and mild winters, it’s an attractive destination to visit all year round. If you want a beach day, we’d recommend the Plage du Midi, easily accessible from the center of town. If you want to make the most of the Mediterranean Sea, don’t just look at it — sail on it!
1. What makes Avignon different from the other three places?| A．Its beautiful scene. | B．Its mild weather. | C．Its rich history. | D．Its guided expert. |
| A．Ride a horse. | B．Take local wines. | C．Buy a gift. | D．Taste some snacks. |
| A．Beach lovers. | B．Museum goers. | C．Enthusiastic hikers. | D．Sports players. |
2 . Four Famous Castles In Britain
The country is abundant of castles, some ruined, and others still surviving today. They are a reminder of their either glorious or violent past. Read on for the one that interests you most.
Bodiam Castle, East Sussex
Built primarily for defence in the 14th century, the castle looks perfectly protected from the outside. You might think you could expect much of the same inside it, but sadly not. The war reduced the inside to ruins. The fairytale appearance of the castle standing within its broad moat (护城河) makes an indescribably spectacular picture.
Hever Castle, Kent
As a queen’s childhood home, it is the perfect picture-book castle. Its thick creeper-covered walls are surrounded by double channels. With large collections including portraits, paintings, furniture and treasures, it attracts a lot of tourists here. Among its collections are two private books signed by the queen herself, which are historically valuable.
Windsor Castle, Berkshire
If you want to have a better understanding of more than 900 years’ royal (王室的) life, then there really is no better place to visit than this splendid castle. It is the largest and oldest castle that is still occupied now in the world. In 1992, a fire swept through the castle, destroying 115 rooms. The repairing was completed five years later.
Tintagel Castle, Cornwall
Few places can compete with Tintagel Castle in romance and mystery. The ruins that you see today date from the 13th century, which, however, didn’t stop it to become a popular attraction. Due to the legend of King Arthur, for centuries the castle has fired writers’ and artists’ imaginations on how the heroic king’s life began here.
1. What do Bodiam Castle and Hever Castle have in common?| A．They are surrounded by water. | B．They own many art collections. |
| C．They were built for defence. | D．They are still lying in ruins |
| A．Bodiam Castle, East Sussex. |
| B．Hever Castle, Kent. |
| C．Windsor Castle, Berkshire. |
| D．Tintagel Castle, Cornwall. |
| A．The childhood of a queen. |
| B．The legend of a great king. |
| C．The outstanding art works. |
| D．The new image after repair. |
3 . Are you looking for some good places for you and your four-leg friend? Here are some for you.
Tahmoor Gorge (峡谷)
The number and quality of swimming holes in this valley immediately take us back to some of our favourite places in Kakadu national park. The only difference here is that you don’t need a four-wheel drive, so the best way togo to the gorge is walking. This pet-friendly walk follows the Bargo River through an open gorge that gradually drops to a deep gorge. It is a popular place for locals on weekends. The further you run into the gorge, the less people there are.
Sirius Cove, Mosman
Sirius Cove is one of many quietly beautiful places along the Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach walking trail (路线). The deep, U-shaped bay, with a large grassy area, is popular with picnicking families and their dogs.
Kutti Beach, Vaucluse
We heard about it from a friend, but it is so hidden that it is not easy to find the entrance. Follow Wharf Road until it dead ends at the Vaucluse Amateur Sailing Club. Go right up to the building and look left. There is a very narrow set of stairs leading to the beach. Go down the steps and open the gate at the bottom. Follow the narrow road along the wall to the sand. The best bit? It’s dog-friendly.
MacKenzies Beach, Tamarama
From whale watching hot place MacKenzies Point, follow the sloped (斜的) road to MacKenzies Beach, a dog-friendly, short-time beach that only appears every couple of years when the right combination (结合) of wind and sand on the normal rocky reef. They say you aren’t a local until you’ve seen sand at MacKenzies.
1. What do we know about Tahmoor Gorge?| A．It’s a must to drive there. |
| B．It’s a popular place on weekdays. |
| C．It’s a good way to go there on foot. |
| D．It’s a popular place for foreign visitors. |
| A．Tahmoor Gorge. | B．Kutti Beach, Vaucluse. |
| C．Sirius Cove, Mosman. | D．MacKenzies Beach, Tamarama. |
| A．They are beside the sea. |
| B．They are dog-friendly. |
| C．They are places where whales are seen. |
| D．They are open to the public only on weekends. |
