1 . People living on Rum are hoping it will be recognised as a Dark Sky Island. They have been preparing to achieve it.

In recent years, the community of just 30 people on Rum have tried their best to change the island’s lighting system(系统). There are no streetlights, hardly any buildings and no traffic. When the sun sets, locals and visitors can experience a naturally dark sky, and enjoy views of stars.

The island community has been taking readings with special equipment (设备)which is used to determine the brightness of the night sky. “We have to take these through our whole season so we get to know what the sky is like at different times of the year and night,” Mr Mumford, the island’s visitor services manager, said. “We need to make sure there are plans for the future in terms of what it’s going to look like and what this means.”

Dark Sky status (地位)would also help Manx Shearwaters, a bird which depends on the darkness to find the direction to South America every year.

“Manx Shearwaters are attracted to man-made light; they can be hurt at this time of year when they’re returning from migration (迁徙), and in September when young birds first fly to South America,” said Nature Scot’s Lesley Watt, a local.

“On that flight, if there are any man-made lights in the village, they could be attracted to those lights instead of reaching the sea for their onward journey. If they do get grounded, they have very little chance of making it out to sea.”

It is also hoped that by achieving Dark Sky Island status, Rum would be able to make use of this chance and bring in visitors.

“Most people aren’t coming to Scotland from October to March, which is the best time to view the night sky,” Mr Mumford said. “This is the perfect chance to help with that. We want to show off what we have here, and the work we’ve put in to protect that. We want to show people what we get to see every day.”

3 . Welcome to Santa Cruz County. It is home to rough coastline and it’s the main destination for many hiking adventurers!

California King Tides Are Coming!

California King Tides are coming back to Santa Cruz County, and this season you have even more opportunities to enjoy these impressive tides! These naturally occurring and predictable events are when the highest and lowest tides hit our shores and create an even more dramatic coastline.

Winter Wildlife Getaway!

This season marks the start of the best wildlife watching on the California coast! Migrating whales and many special birds make December and January the perfect time for a wildlife adventure.

Magic Monarch Butterfly!

In Santa Cruz, we like to celebrate all creatures great and small, especially those of the migrating variety. On one hand, we are attracted by the sight of a whale surfaceing from the depths of the sea and, on the other hand, we delight in the attractive magic of a flying monarch butterfly.

County Shores!

Explore Santa Cruz County shores, and you’ll delight in rock y tide pools full of unique sea creatures. While exploring local tide pools, remember to have respect for your surroundings.

Care & Safety

Never turn your back on the ocean. Sleeper waves are a real phenomenon, and can sweep you away at any time.

We know how wonderful it might be to touch a plant or catch a fish from its waters, but disrupting tide pool life harms its inhabitants. Even if you think you’re saving a fish that appears to be pushed out of water, it’s best to leave it be. The tide will finally return it.

4 . For many people, visiting a wildlife park is a must-have bucket-list item. Few travel experiences can compare with watching wild animals wandering freely in wildlife reserves, enjoying their natural habitat. Here are some of the very best wildlife parks from all around the world.

1. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

The Masai Marais located in the southwest of Kenya and is one of the most important and well-known wildlife conservation areas in the world. Covering an area of 1,510square kilometers, the Masai Mara National Reserve consists of the grasslands, mountain highlands, lakelands and valley.

Those looking for an unforgettable traditional wildlife park experience should look no further than the Masai Mara National Reserve. Famous for its natural diversity of animals, you can expect to see vast numbers of leopards, elephants and lions. The wildlife park is also home to over 450 bird species.

2. The Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Serengeti National Park is a land of beauty that is one of the last naturalistic wonders left on this planet. This wildlife park is the symbol of Africa, and also one of the world’s oldest ecosystems to ever exist. Located in the northern area of Tanzania, the Serengeti National Park has also been famous for the annual migration (迁徙) of wildlife to permanent waterholes.

During this phenomenon, you’ll get to see vast herds of zebras, buffaloes and elephants migrating to the waterholes due to the change of season, followed by predators(捕食者) on the hunt for them.

3. Tierra del Fuego National Park, Argentina

The Tierra del Fuego National Park, located at the southern tip of Argentina, is nestled between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, thus featuring a dynamic weather ecosystem with beech forests, mountains, waterfalls and glaciers (冰川). Not quite the image you may have in mind of a wildlife park being muddy, brownish and all dry landscapes.

It is a most breathtaking wildlife park, home to beautiful species such as eagles, rabbits and North American beavers. Aside from basking in the sightings of these wild animals, visitors to Tierra del Fuego often go hiking and fishing there.

5 . Whether you want to broaden your horizons, entertain the family or are simply looking for something to do on a rainy day, a trip to a free museum might be just the ticket.

At the Science Museum, you can enjoy award-winning exhibitions and collections spanning the sciences. From Helen Sharman’s iconic space suit to Amy Johnson’s Gipsy Moth airplane, explore the extraordinary stories of human achievements and the challenges we have overcome. You can book your free admission ticket on its website.

London’s world-famous museum is home to over 80 million objects and specimens including plants, creatures, dinosaur fossils, rare bugs and more. Billions of years of natural history is all open to visitors, completely free of charge. You can even get up close to collections made by Charles Darwin.

The Discovery Museum offers a great selection of exhibits to the whole family. Here you can stand in awe at the world’s first steam turbine-powered ship Turbinia which stands proud in the central hall. It also offers educational workshops and also provides a wealth of online content for virtual learning opportunities. The museum is free of charge.

For art and design lovers, the Victoria and Albert Museum is the perfect free-to-visit attraction in Britain’s capital. Named after Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, who laid the building’s foundation stone in 1899, the V&A has an impressive collection of original masterpieces, contemporary art, architectural marvels and even a fantastic fashion gallery.

As well as dozens of free permanent exhibitions available in-house and online, the V&A also hosts temporary collections and events throughout the year, many of which are also completely free!

6 . Leave-No-Trace Camping

For those of us who love spending time in the great outdoors, wild spaces are very special. These are places we visit to recharge, or to fill our hearts with natural beauty.    1    If you feel this way, then you’re the perfect person to promote and practice Leave-No-Trace camping.

Its principles are to treat the wilderness the way a decent visitor would and leave everything just as you found it, with no evidence that you passed through.    2    That’s because your visit makes a minimal impact on the environment.

You can carry out these ideals in a number of ways. Begin by packing out all your litter. Whenever you go camping, take an empty trash bag with you and put all garbage into the bag. In addition, try not to damage vegetation.    3    Wherever you go, think about what your heavy shoes or boots are doing to the plants underneath and try to keep damage to a minimum.

It’s also important that you should not take things away from the wilderness. Rocks, plants, flowers and seashells are all part of the natural landscape.    4    Plus, many animals find homes and food in abandoned shells and flower-heads, and these are things they would miss if you collected them.

Leave-No-Trace camping is about being respectful and thoughtful. It’s about honoring the natural world and the creatures that live in it. If you love seeing an untouched mountain stream or a lovely field of wildflowers, then you’ve already taken the first step.    5    

7 . It’s getting close to midnight, and close to my destination—mile marker 133 on Alaska’s Glenn Highway, where I’m on the road to realize a lifelong dream. I’m going to see the northern lights.

I am Scott’s only customer tonight, but whether it’s one person or a bridal party from Japan, the professional photographer and videographer loves to come put here to witness one of nature’s most spectacular shows — and to share it with others. “I can’t tell you how much joy I get from seeing the smile on people’s faces. That’s worth it right there. That’s the reason why I do tours,” he says.

I emerge from the van into minus 6 degrees. A bazillion stars sparkle, and the Milky Way pours overhead. What looks like a gray stream of cloud arches low over the horizon. “That’s it!” says Scott. Really? That’s it? I spent 13 hours in planes and airports, and then drove 2.5 hours to see a gray belt? “Patience,” he says. “It will get better. Wait till 2 am. That’s usually the best time.”

Aurora (极光) tourism is combined with winter activities like ice fishing, snow machine rides, and hot springs. As aurora guides and scientists will tell you, there’s no guarantee of a sighting. But Fairbanks is a statistically good bet because of its northern location and freedom from coastal clouds, which can be a challenge for Anchorage. Travelers are recommended to put aside at least three nights to improve your chances of viewing, with the idea that you’ll be up much of the night each time.

Each time he wakes me and I step outside, it appears more glorious. At first, a fuzz the size of a honeydew floats along the horizon. Another time, a broad green line stretches across the sky, followed by a short tail. “Do you see the red?” Scott asks. He has me look through his camera. It can see more color than the naked eye. Finally, as if playing a visual symphonic tune, a giant line of phosphorous (发磷光的) green seems to swoop down to the treetops and dollop them with a curlicue swirl. I’m smiling inside and out. We can go now.

8 . Although travelling alone may sound discouraging, solo travel is continuing to rise in popularity. There may be numerous reasons why someone is travelling independently. Here are our top reasons to travel by yourself.

Time for you

Some people say solo travel is the comfort and relaxation of having your very own. However, for those looking for some more adventurous “me-time,” solo tours also typically offer plenty of free time to go it alone. During your time at leisure, you have the freedom to do your own exploration, see the sights you want to see or simply relax and take it easy. With no-one to compromise with, it’s totally up to you.

Meet like-minded people

Solo travel doesn’t mean you have to travel alone. Solo travelers come from all walks of life, but they usually all share the same passion — a desire to see the world! It’s often the people you meet on holiday that are the max highlight of the entire trip and, even though you’re travelling alone, you’ll have amazing memories of the shared experiences you had together with people in your group. Take plenty of pictures to remember forever.

You’ll never be alone

Group travel is ideal for solo travelers as it offers the opportunity to a group of like-minded people, each interested in their chosen destination. Being part of a group provides extra security (especially key for independent female travelers who may feel anxious about being on their own) and for everyone there is the benefit of an expert local guide who is keen to share their knowledge. The guides also accompany you on tours and can offer suggestions on what to see and do in your leisure time to ensure you have an authentic and enjoyable experience.

So, if your friends and family are unable to join you on your dream holiday, don’t let that stop you. Travel Department is delighted to partner with Reader’s Digest and offer their readers an exclusive discount on 2023 & 2024 holidays. To discuss any questions or make a booking simply call 0203 966 0527.

9 . Making travel a surprise

Most people plan their vacations well in advance, including where they are going.     1    .

Earlier this year, mystery box purchases surged (激增) among young American people. Usually, travelers buy a mystery box at a low price—usually 100 or 200 dollars—and then receive several destination options to choose from.     2    .

A citizen named Carrie is eager to go on a mystery box trip, stating that travelling alone usually costs too much and that too many people don’t know where to go. ”However, the mystery box directly offers me a few destinations, which is wonderful and cheap,“ Carrie said.

Gary, 16, has turned his eagerness to go on a mystery box trip into a reality.     3    . With its reputation of super Internet-famous places, Gary had a change of his opinion after seeing Austin himself. “My biggest discovery is that Austin is a city full of contrasts,” Gary said. “You can see skyscrapers and old houses in old alleys (巷子) in the same view.”

    4    . For example, Eureka, despite its scenic views, previously received few visitors due to a lack of promotion. But after it was included as a mystery box travel destination, Eureka has since got lots of attention.

    5     because they can meet with many problems after purchasing one, such as poor travel times and sudden flight cancellations (取消). Robert from Department of Tourism Management of University of Washington suggested that visitors should choose reliable platforms and sign contracts to guarantee their trip rights.

10 . Whether you’ re a fearless adventurer seeking a scenic climb or a beginner outdoorsman eager to be close to nature, these four camping destinations will change your life.

Laugavegur, Iceland

Before snow falls upon the changeable rhyolite (流纹岩) mountains, book a cottage or a tent in the camp city as wild camping is not permitted here. Professionals advise hiking from north to south, which takes you across lava fields, wildflower-spotted grasslands, and to the twin glaciers (冰川) Eyjafjallaj kull and Mydralsj kull. Along the way, the mountains covered with various colors will appeal to you.

High Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Morocco’s most typical range is a bucket-list camping destination for daring travelers. Pass through remote Berber villages and walk a long way from hot desert to snow-capped peaks. You can follow ancient animal paths, though guides in this area are highly suggested. Many will employ the use of a camel to help with the load.

Tierra del Fuego, Chile

Tierra del Fuego is an explorer’s dream. Take a cross-border journey from Argentina to Chile through Radman and set up camp along one of the glacial lakes Blanco or Ofhidro. Animals like beavers are common in this area, and so are condors (秃鹰). Bed down in the grasslands beneath Jebel M’ goun, an extremely quiet peak.

Main Range, Kosciuszko National Park, Australia

Whether you fill your days with passing over the country’ s highest mountains, watching snowfalls or fishing in the glacial lakes, make sure to spend an evening appreciating the starry sky, which is certain to inspire awe (敬畏) in anyone witnessing this sight.