1 . Last summer, my grandma took our large family on a vacation to Tanzania for a few weeks. While we did spend a large amount of time _________ wildlife in the Serengeti national park, the most memorable part of the trip for me was _________ the local culture. I was moved by how friendly and _________ everybody there was.

Whenever we rode somewhere in the ‘safari trucks’, the local children would, at the sight of the trucks, rush to the side of the road to _________ and shout “hello”. I could tell by their huge smiles that they were really _________ at the sight of us, not just doing what they’d been told to do in front of tourists. We were happy to _________ a wave or a high five, too. At one point when our guide was showing us around a local village, a woman came over and started talking to us in the local language, which our guide _________ for us. The woman wanted to show us the baby rabbits that she was _________. She welcomed us into her house. I was very _________ by this. I would never think of inviting a stranger off the street into my house back in the United States.

After we saw the super-cute newborn rabbits, we continued through the village. At the next house, there was a family __________ fish over a fire for dinner. Our guide asked if he could buy some. While he ate his fish, the family invited us into their yard. Everybody’s attitude was so __________ from that of people back home, who now seemed boring and __________ . Things that seemed so unusual to me, like letting strangers into one’s house, are completely __________ to these people.

When the trip ended and we got back to the United States, I almost felt a __________ connection to the people I met in Tanzania than to the people at home. The time that I spent in Tanzania was the time in my life when I felt the most __________.

3 . Best Christmas Towns Transport You to the North Pole in America

There are few things that compare to the joy of the holiday season. Some joyful holiday towns that look like they were from fairy tales are just where you need to feel merry and bright.

SANTA, CLAUS, INDIANA

Santa Claus, Indiana, personally calling it America's Christmas Hometown, is a dream. When a local postmaster began promoting the town in the late 1920s, children's letters to Santa began pouring in and still do to this day. Each year, countless letters are answered by volunteers. Aside from the typical Christmas activities like a parade and light show, Santa Claus is also home to a holiday-themed amusement park, making it the ideal trip for the whole family.

SOLVANQCALEFORNIA

This town, right in the middle of California wine country, celebrates Christmas all December long. The Danish-style celebration features a number of holiday experiences, like the Christmas Market Light Show, Tree-Lighting Ceremony, Julefest parade, and candlelight tours.

HELEN, GEORGIA

Once a former logging town along the Chattahoochee River, Helen has turned into a beautiful Christmas wonderland during the holidays. Its German architecture and holiday market makes for the most breathtaking scenery that will transport you to a small German town in seconds.

WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA

Williamsburg's numerous historical and Christmas events make it another great place for history lovers to visit this holiday season. The Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown host Christmastide, an exhibit that recalls 17th- and 18th-century winter and holiday traditions through special programs.

4 . The Cool 2022 Travel Destinations

National Geographic’s new list of the most amazing places to visit in 2022, “Best of World 2022” is an inviting mixture of global destinations that will inspire your appetite for travel in the New Year.

Nature

Our global editors picked the planet's 25 most exciting destinations for 2022! There is really something to appeal to everyone.

The best places to enjoy nature include Northern Minnesota, which offers skies filled with thousands of shining stars as it has little or no light pollution.

Adventure

One of the inspiring adventure ideas is an invitation to cycle a new bike trail. The route of the Paris to the sea La Seine à Vélo trail passes the house and famous water lilies (水仙) of Impressionist painter Claude Monet in Giverny.

Culture and History

This brand new 2022 list also celebrates several destinations recommended by UNESCO in honor of how UNESCO has been helping protect cultural and national treasures for 50 years.

This selection of cultural centers takes in Procida, an island city located 40 minutes southwest of Naples by boat. This city, famous for its colorful buildings, plans to use its year to bring people a sense of community. Its year-long festival aims to encourage responsible travel throughout the year, and to avoid a crowd of visitors during the summer as happened in the past.

Family

The best places for families include astonishing settings in the US and further away. One of these is Granada in Spain.

At this palace, kids of all ages and their parents can appreciate the unique patterns and designs that promise “A colorful classroom for age-appropriate exploration of math concepts such as shapes, proportion (比例), and measurement”.

5 . Things to Do with Kids in San Francisco

Exploratorium

The Exploratorium is a 21st-century learning lab. It takes the best part of a hands-on children’s museum and mixes it with real science, exploration, and adventure. It is a fun and interesting place or children and adults alike. I would not recommend the Exploratorium for children under age 5.

Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts is a great place to visit when the weather is nice. The gardens are beautiful and it’s fun to walk around and explore. A lot of special events seem to be held here including weddings. The kids really enjoy walking around and taking pictures.

San Francisco Cable Cars

No trip to San Francisco would be complete without a ride on a cable car. The best line to pick up is the Hyde line because it is the longest. The best time to go is first thing in the morning because the lines can be long. Another tip is to pick it up mid-line. Or ride another two lines where they won’t be as crowded.

Boudin Museum Bakery Tour

The Boudin Museum Bakery Tour cannot be missed. You may be blown away by the enthusiasm and knowledge of your tour guide, the quality of the museum, hands-on and photography friendly exhibits, and the rich San Francisco history that is a part of Boudin Bakery. Don’t miss taking the test to find out what kind of bread you are. It sounds silly but trust me, you’ll want to take the quick quiz.

6 . If you have lived in New York City for many years, like I have, the skyline becomes part of you and your daily life.

When I was invited to visit the recently completed Summit One Vanderbilt, New York’s fourth-highest tower, I wasn’t expecting much. I felt like I’d seen it all and I thought that this observation deck (观测台) would be another space for a view of the city, but nothing else.

Let me tell you something: I have never seen one like this before. It sits on top of a building on 42nd street and Vanderbilt, right next to Grand Central Station. Once you have ascended to the top floor, you step into air, which makes you feel like being at l,000 feet above ground level with its mirrored floors. Once you make your way throughout the space, you feel like New York is part of a body, and your sense of space is challenged by the reflections of the light. The reflections create endless possibilities for photos and videos, and the light changes throughout the day. I took out my camera and began to take photos, feeling a connection with the city that no other observatory has been able to give me.

Summit is something unique, an art work with architecture. It will be an observatory that will change with the city. I personally can’t wait to take photos at sunset, or when winter arrives.

7 . At the time of year when the sun’s daily appearance is often short-lived, the following warm places in Washington State are your first choice.

Alderbrook Resort & Spa

Less than a two-hour drive from Seattle, located on the edge of the Hood Canal, a nature-filled retreat (休养处) is waving. Seals slide along the waters of the Alderbrook dock (码头), playing a game of “Go Fish” with dive-bombing seabirds. As you sit on the shaking dock just minutes after arrival, you are already in a quieter world.

Suncadia Resort

A mountain escape awaits just over the pass on I-90, about 80 miles east of Seattle. The resort’s annual Winterfest lasts through January 2, full of holiday celebrations and winter recreation, from cross-county skiing and snow mobile tours to ice skating and snowshoe tours.

Willows Lodge

Twenty miles from Seattle, this luxury lodge is nestled into the centre of Woodinville Wine Country. Situated on five landscaped acres that border the Sammamish River, the Northwest-style lodge is within walking distance of more than 35 tasting rooms. When you step into the lodge, fire crackles and hot apple rolls welcome your arrival with a celebratory air.

Seattle-area Retreats

Salish Lodge & Spa is a scenic 30-minute drive from Seattle, bringing you to a lodge integrating Old World atmosphere and modern elegance. Get out to enjoy the surrounding nature, hiking near the rushing 270-foot-tall Snoqualmie Falls or trying activities like fly fishing and snowshoeing. Head to North Bend for a slice of Twede’s Cafe strawberry pie.