2 . The attraction of an African safari is unparalleled. Here are four ways to experience your trip.

Hot—air balloon safari in Pilanesberg, South Africa

This is the only hot-air balloon safari to launch from inside a park in South Africa. You’ll spot the ‘big five’ (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard) among the 7,000 creatures in Pilanesberg in a hot-air balloon and get a bird’s eye view of their behaviour.

A five-night stay at the Palace of The Lost City, includes a hot-air balloon safari, breakfast, return economy flights. From £2,595 per person, based on two adults sharing.

Horse safari in Chyulu Hills, Kenya

At ol Donyo Lodge in the Chyulu Hills, you’ll find a stable of 22 horses, including calm and hardy Boerperds for beginners (aged 12 and above) and a selection of thoroughbreds for the intermediate and advanced.

A seven-night stay at Great Plains ol Donyo Lodge, with daily horse safaris, starts at £7,700 per person, excluding flights.

Sleep out in Onguma, Namibia

The Namibia’s vast Etosha National Park has five lodges, two campsites and 34,000 hectares of wilderness — and offers the opportunity to sleep under the stars on a custom-built Dream Cruiser.

Rainbow Tours offers a six-night trip from £5,595 per person including the unique Dream Cruiser experience, international flights and internal transfers.

Walking safari in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe

You can go off the beaten track to places almost untouched by human activity. 70% of the Mana Pools National Park is accessible only on foot, so the animals are used to seeing people and are more relaxed than when approached by vehicles. If you’re lucky, you might get to spot Boswell, the park’s most famous elephant.

A seven-day safari costs from £7,700 per person. Flights can be arranged at an additional cost.

Over the summer break, a wave of fashionably     1     (dress) young people went to Kaifeng in Central China’s Henan province to explore the city     2     was the ancient capital of eight dynasties through a trendy “Citywalk”. They     3     (eager) shared fresh perspectives and travel encounters on various social media platforms.

“Citywalk” means the act     4     walking freely along city     5     (street) free of large and heavy bags. Such a convenient form of travel has emerged as     6     popular trend among young people in China,     7     (offer) them an avenue to experience urban culture and local traditions.

“Kaifeng is one of China’s first national historical and cultural cities, boasting a deep-seated cultural heritage. It’s an ideal destination for unhurried exploration, encouraging visitors     8     (take) a leisurely pace as they step into Kaifeng’s embrace. The heart of Kaifeng’s cultural tourism     9     (lie) in the profound culture of the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Through cultural tourism products with different themes, including architecture, cuisine     10     opera, we aim to help visitors gain a deeper appreciation of Kaifeng’s history and heritage,” said Wei, head of the city’s cultural, radio, film and tourism bureau.

On the last day of 2023, Heilongjiang government released a thank-you letter,     1     was published by several local media outlets.

“We thank you for your heartfelt     2     (enthusiastic) in your visits to Heilongjiang... You    3     (bring) joy and life to this land so far. It’s so great to have you here.”

At Harbin Ice and Snow World,     4     famous ice-and-snow theme park in Heilongjiang, tourists gathered to count down toward 2024,     5     (surround) by more than 1,000 ice and snow sculptures.

Besides the ice-and-snow sculptures, a diverse range of winter     6     (activity )were available for visitors to enjoy. Ice slides were among the most popular activities. Many didn’t mind     7     (wait) long for these slides, the longest being 521 meters     8     length.

    9     (addition), bicycles on ice and hot air balloons that allowed visitors     10     (appreciate) the magic world from above also attracted long lines of visitors.

“Up in heaven, there is paradise; down on earth, there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.” Hangzhou,     1     (previous) named Lin’an, was once the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty. In the centuries since, the city, with its breathtaking natural beauty and booming Song culture, has been a must-visit destination for travel     2     (enthusiast).

West Lake covers more than 6 square kilometers and is home     3     some of the city’s most famous scenic spots. Hefang Street is a place     4     you can experience how Hangzhou looked when it was the capital of China and, of course, buy souvenirs. The emperors’ palace was once located on the street,     5     (make) it the economic and political center of the city. Most of the shops there have     6     history of more than 100 years.

The Xixi wetland, China’s first national wetland park, is a natural haven from the busyness of the city. It is a common thing throughout history for scholars     7     (describe) and praise the cultural treasure trove (宝库).

Deshou Palace     8     (destroy) by a fire in 1206, recently underwent a major     9     (restore). The complex (建筑群) now hosts exhibitions focused on the Southern Song Dynasty. The Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal, one of the oldest and longest artificial waterways in the world, stretches a total length of 39 kilometers. A boat trip along the ancient waterway, taking in some of the unrivaled scenery as well as the fascinating landscape of Jiangnan Water Town,     10     (recommend) if you visit Hangzhou.

8 . Yellowstone, WY

No other place on earth is like Yellowstone National Park. The huge, natural conservation attracts all visitors with its mountains, valleys, springs and forests. With challenging hikes into the backcountry as well as wheelchair-accessible wooden boardwalks, the wonders of Yellowstone are for everyone in your family. Bring a tent and get here early to take advantage of the affordable campgrounds.

Durango, CO

Durango and its nearby mountains attract people in any season, and you can bring your family there anytime. In warm months, you’ll find everything from hiking to white-water rafting (漂流). In winter months, the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is one of the best winter train rides in the country. Purgatory Ski Resort is less expensive and less crowded than its Colorado competitors like Aspen, but with equally great slopes (山坡).

Outer Banks, NC

The Outer Banks separate the mainland from the Atlantic Ocean. The open-sea beaches, state parks and sunken-ship diving sites make them a popular holiday destination. The area positively marks in history: Roanoke Island was the site of England’s first settlement in the New World; Orville and Wilbur Wright took their famous first flight at Kill Devil Hills and the pirate (海盗) Blackbeard fought his last battle at Ocracoke, which may entertain both the adult and the kids.

Bandera, TX

Go to the real grass farm outside of San Antonio, for some Western-themed fun. Whether you’re dying to try horseback riding or just hoping to relax in a place where kids can entertain themselves, this farm has you covered with plenty of fun outdoor activities for the whole family including fishing, horseshoes, and playgrounds for golf, basketball, tennis, volleyball and even pickleball.

9 . Fun Fall Weekend Getaways

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Alabama’s Gulf Shores is attractive year-round, but the fall months bring fewer crowds and more affordable prices on hotels. Head to Gulf Shores for warm ocean waters and lovely whites and beaches that you may have all to yourself. There’s also plenty to do at this beach destination outside of playing in the sand and surfing. For example, you can visit a downtown music bar.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque’s amazing landscapes provide an enjoyment for visitors year-round. However, visiting in fall allows you to enjoy the famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which takes place in October. Book a trip in early October to see hundreds of brightly colored balloons dot the sky—you can even take a balloon ride yourself. Because this hot air balloon festival is such a popular event, you’ll want to secure accommodations well in advance.

Laconia, New Hampshire

You may not have heard of Laconia before. This small New Hampshire city is mostly known for its incredible fall festivals. Perhaps you’ve heard the famous New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival, which takes place here in late October. Plan a weekend getaway to check out the amazing display of jack-o’-lanterns, live music, the Children’s Costume Parade, a cornhole tournament and more.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Located around 75 miles southwest of the nation’s capital is Shenandoah National Park, a great place for leaf peeping(赏叶) and exploring the outdoors in autumn. This national park has more than 200, 000 acres of forest, waterfalls, flower fields and plenty of wildlife. For example, you can spot black bears, deer and birds throughout the national park.