1 . Cycling Tours in Europe & Asia
Cycling the Balkans
Duration: 15 days
The Balkans offers a mix of beautiful countryside, fast-developing cities and historic towns. Our first ride ends at the UNESCO town of Ohrid on the vast lake of the same name. There are a few stops along the way to visit or see places of interest.
Cycling the Italian and Swiss Lakes
Duration: 8 days
The Italian lakes of Como and Maggiore are famed for both their wonderful scenery and their wealthy residents. This is a fascinating area to discover on two wheels with excellent roads that closely follow the winding shores. The Villa del Balbianello with its beautiful Italian gardens may look familiar, having been seen in international movies such as Bond's Casino Royale.
Self-Guided Cycling in the Douro Valley
Duration: 7 days
This cycling holiday in the Douro Valley will make you familiar with magical surroundings, delicious cuisine and some of the world's finest wines. The ride begins in Castelo Rodrigo, a village close to where Portugal borders Spain, and home to an ancient caste. You'll cycle through vineyards and visit the famous Port wine estates (庄园).
Exploring Sri Lanka by Bike
Duration: 8 days
Being an island, Sri Lanka is incredibly diverse. Exploring on two wheels is the best way to see this rural country and to experience the way of life of its friendly people. We travel from ancient cities to the hill county towns of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya before ending the trip on the beaches of the beautiful south coast.
1. What's special about the Balkans tour?A.It has fantastic island scenery. | B.It is hosted by the Ohrid government. |
C.It's a continuous ride with no stops. | D.It combines history and the present. |
A.Visit Spanish gardens. | B.Enjoy the beaches of the south coast. |
C.Pick grapes in the vineyards. | D.Acquire knowledge of wines. |
A.Self-Guided Cycling in the Douro Valley. | B.Cycling the Italian and Swiss Lakes. |
C.Exploring Sri Lanka by Bike. | D.Cycling the Balkans. |
2 . Journey Back in Time with Scholars
Classical Provence(13days)Journey through the beautiful countryside of Provence,France,with Prof. Ori Z. Soltes. We will visit some of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the world. Our tour also includes a chance to walk in the footsteps of Van Gogh and Gauguin. Fields of flowers, tile-roofed(瓦屋顶)villages and tasty meals enrich this wonderful experience.
Southern Spain(15days)
Spain has lovely white towns and the scent(芳香)of oranges,but it is also a treasury of ancient remains including the cities left by the Greeks,Romans and Arabs. As we travel south from Madrid with Prof. Ronald Messier to historic Toledo,Roman Merida and into Andalucia, we explore historical monuments and architecture.
China’s Sacred Landscapes(21days)
Discover the China of “past ages,” its walled cities,temples and mountain scenery with Prof. Robert Thorp. Highlights(精彩之处)include China’s most sacred peaks at Mount Tai and Hangzbou’s rolling hills,waterways and peaceful temples. We will wander in traditional small towns and end our tour with an exceptional museum in Shanghai.
Tunisia(17days)
Join Prof. Pedar Foss on our in-depth Tunisian tour. Tour highlights include the Roman city of Dougga,the underground Numidian capital at Bulla Regia, Roman Sbeitla and the remote areas around Tataouine and Matmata,uique for underground cities. Our journey takes us to picturesque Berber villages and lovely beaches.
1. What can visitors see in both Classical Provence and Southern Spain?
A.Historical monuments. | B.Fields of flowers. |
C.Van Gogh’s paintings. | D.Greek buildings. |
A.France. | B.Spain. | C.China. | D.Tunisia. |
A.White towns. | B.Underground cities. | C.Tile-roofed villages. | D.Rolling hills. |
3 . Los Angeles is always a popular holiday destination. To fully enjoy your travel there, you should know its food, weather, and also traffic. While driving in L. A. is similar to that in other areas, there are a few specific rules to note.
HOV lanes (车道)
On many L. A. freeways, one or more lanes at the far left are used as high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. They usually have limited access and you can only enter or exit where there is a break in the double yellow line. Most HOV lanes require a minimum of two people in the car; some require three. Vehicles towing trailers (拖车) are NOT allowed in the HOV lane, regardless of how many people are in them.
Toll (收费) lanes
On certain freeways, the HOV lanes are double-purposed as toll lanes for people driving alone who have a FasTrak, an electronic toll collection system. Therefore, you also have to have one in that lane as a HOV, which is inconvenient if you’re just visiting. FasTrak is in effect on parts of the 110 freeway between the 405 and 10 freeways, and on parts of the 10 freeway east of Downtown L. A.
Cell phones
It is against the law to talk on a cell phone while driving without using a hands-free device. Holding a cell phone to your ear while driving will land you with a ticket.
Alcohol
Driving under the influence is taken seriously in L.A. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08%, but you can be charged with lower levels if they show you can’t function normally. Placing an opened bottle of alcohol in the passenger area while driving (or sitting) is illegal. Any opened container of alcohol has to be transported in the trunk.
1. What do you know about HOV lanes?A.They encourage people to share cars. |
B.They are on the far right of freeways. |
C.They are intended for larger vehicles. |
D.They allow cars to enter over the double yellow line. |
A.Driving on the 110 freeway with a FasTrak. |
B.Putting the cell phone in the car while driving. |
C.Riding with an opened bottle of alcohol in back seats. |
D.Going below the blood alcohol limit of 0. 08%. |
A.A traffic law. | B.A road map. |
C.A guidebook. | D.A report. |
4 . There are many natural waterfall wonders located across the USA. Here are a few that are definitely worth a visit:
Arethusa Falls | New Hampshire
Located in Crawford Notch State Park in northern New Hampshire, Arethusa Falls takes its name from Greek mythology (神话).Arethusa was a nymph (小仙女) whose name means “the waterer.” That’s pretty appropriate since they fall 140 feet down a cliff (悬崖).
Feather Falls | California
Located near the city of Oroville in the Plumas National Forest, Feather Falls can be seen from the middle arm of Lake Oroville, but the best views can be found on the Feather Falls Scenic Trail. March, May and June are considered to be the best times to hike to the falls since the wildflowers are in bloom, temperatures are cooler and the falls’ water flow is at the highest.
Multnomah Falls | Oregon
Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in the state of Oregon. Located 30 minutes from Portland on the Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls delivers the awe-inspiring sight of a 620-foot waterfall. According to Native American lore (传说), Multnomah Falls was created to win the heart of a young princess who wanted a hidden place to bathe. For a closer view, take the path up to Benson Bridge. The bridge is named after Simon Benson, a Portland businessman who owned the site in the early 1900s before donating the falls to the City of Portland, which later transferred ownership to the Forest Service.
Cumberland Falls | Kentucky
Known as the “Niagara of the South,” these dramatic falls feature a 125-foot wide curtain of water. The falls are located in Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in southern Kentucky and are home to a natural phenomenon not found anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere: a colorful moonbow can be seen on the nights of a full moon as well as on several nights before and after.
1. Which of the following can be seen from Lake Oroville?A.Feather Falls. | B.Arethusa Falls. |
C.Multnomah Falls. | D.Cumberland Falls. |
A.It is the tallest waterfall in the USA. |
B.It was once owned by a businessman. |
C.It is managed by the City of Portland now. |
D.It was originally created for people to bathe. |
A.In Oregon. | B.In Kentucky. |
C.In California. | D.In New Hampshire. |
5 . Managing a popular tourist attraction can be kind of like throwing a party — everyone wants to come and have fun, but nobody wants to help clean up when it's over. But the Faroe Islands have come up with a creative way to take care of their home and welcome visitors at the same lime.
An official notice on the islands' national tourism website reads "closed for maintenance (维护), open for voluntourism.”Following a successful plan this year, the country has made the decision to "close” its major tourism sights and attractions during the weekend of April 16-17, 2020. Hotels will be open, and flights will continue. That weekend, people all over the Faroe Islands will be working on environmental protection projects.
However, people who are just dying to visit the Faroe Islands during that weekend can sign on to help with the housekeeping. The islands are looking for 100 volunteers to come to the country to help with the caretaking efforts. There were thousands of applications for the 2019 plan, so would-be islanders better apply fast.
"For us, tourism is not all about numbers,” Director at Visit Faroe Islands told CNN Travel earlier this year." We welcome visitors to the islands each year, but we also have a responsibility to our community and to our beautiful environment, and our aim is to protect the islands, ensuring responsible growth." The first group of voluntourists included travelers from Mexico, Israel, Australia, China and the United States. The director said that because of the surprising popularity of the volunteering weekend in 2019, the Faroes will host the event yearly. According to the Faroes' tourism authority, visits to the country have increased by 10% over the past few years.
1. Who can visit the Faroe Islands on April 16-17, 2020?A.Any tourists. | B.Selected voluntourists. |
C.Housekeepers. | D.All islanders. |
A.To protect and develop their home. | B.To attract more foreign visitors. |
C.To make more money in tourism. | D.To please the tourists. |
A.The Faroe Islands are likely to hold a party yearly. |
B.Some tourism sights and attractions are closed for all. |
C.All travelers have a chance to volunteer in 2020. |
D.The plan has made some difference in recent years. |
6 . Mount Huangshan(Anhui)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site set amidst“the loveliest mountains of China,”Mount Huangshan, aka Mount Yellow,is a once—in—a—lifetime trek for many Chinese.
The 1,863—meter mountain is renowned for its oddly shaped pines,spectacular rock formations,hot springs and seas of misty and melancholy clouds.A trip here provides a mountain of feeling.
Admission fee:RMB 230 between March 1—November 30
RMB 150 between December 1—February 28
Major cities connected to Huangshan Airport by direct flights include Beijing,Shanghai,Guangzhou and Xi'an.
TEL::0559—5561111
Huangguoshu Waterfall(Guizhou)
The highest waterfall in Asia,majestic Huangguoshu“Yellow Fruit Tree”Waterfall plunges a dramatic 77.8 meters across a 101—meter—wide span.
The best visiting season is June to August,when the water reaches a peak flow of 700 cubic meters per second.
Admission fee: RMB 180 between March 1—October 31
RMB 160 between November 1—February 28
The nearest traffic hub to Huangguoshu Waterfall is Huangguoshu Airport. It's about six kilometers away. Major cities connected to Huangguoshu by direct flights include Beijing and Guangzhou.
TEL:0851—33596663
Shennongjia(Hubei)
More than 400 people claim to have seen a Bigfoot—like creature among the lush vegetation of Shennongjia over the past century, yet no hard evidence has been found to prove the“yeti's”existence.
The 3,200—square—kilometer nature reserve also purports to be“the only well—preserved subtropical forest ecosystem in the world's mid—latitudes,”with more than 5,000 species of animals and plants. It's home to snub—nosed or golden monkeys,a rare and protected species in China.
Admission fee: RMB100
Wuhan is the nearest major city and traffic hub to Shennongjia. From Wuhan's long—distance bus station at Xinhua Lu, take the daily coach to Xingshan County. Then transfer to a mini—bus from Xingshan to Shennongjia.
TEL:0719—8128855
For more information, just click: http://edition. cnn. com/travel/article/china—beautiful—places/index. html or Wechat: CNN—Travel. Letters are not recommended at all, though.
1. Which is the best choice for hot spring—lovers with tight budgets?A.Mount Huangshan in October | B.Huangguoshu Waterfall in July |
C.Mount Huangshan in December | D.Shennongjia at any time |
A.On May Day | B.On CPC Founding Day |
C.On New Year's Day | D.On National Day |
A.2 | B.3 |
C.4 | D.5 |
7 . Spending money on a vacation may seem like a luxury(奢侈品)—but sometimes, you have to relax yourself. Here's where to go for a good time at an unbelievable value.
Captiva Island, Florida
Keep it simple by looking for seashells, bicycling, or jet skiing; you can even hit the tennis courts. The Summer Getaway package offers a fourth night free and a rate of $ 209 a night, making the average of a four-night stay $156.75. Kids 12 and under eat breakfast free.
Reykjavik, Iceland
STA Travel Beats specializes in taking travelers to music festivals around the globe. It has an eight-day tour, Icelandic Beats, which takes you to the Icelandic geothermal spas(地热温泉), UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and black sand beaches. End your vacation at the Secret Solstice Festival on June 18. The tour is $1, 218, not including airfares.
Malpais, Costa Rica
You get daily surfing instruction, sunset surf sessions, and yoga in the outdoor, oceanfront yoga studio in a week-long tour. As you get your mind, body, and spirit together, keep it going with healthy meals at the beachfront restaurant. Prices are $2, 895 for shared accommodations(住宿), $3,095 for private accommodations with shared baths, and $3,595 for private accommodations.
Waterville Valley, New Hampshire
Waterville Valley Resort is surrounded by 100 miles of trails in the White Mountain National Forest. If you get a Freedom Pass, you can save about $100 a day during a six-day tour; the pass enables you daily to have a two-hour mountain bike rental, unlimited tennis, a round of golf and so on. Rates start at $139 a night.
1. How much is a four-night stay in Captiva Island, Florida?A.$418. | B.$470.25. |
C.$627. | D.$836. |
A.Reykjavk, Iceland. |
B.Malpais, Costa Rica. |
C.Captiva Island, Florida. |
D.Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. |
A.To advertise four coming events. |
B.To encourage people to travel abroad. |
C.To introduce famous travelling routes. |
D.To suggest places for wonderful vacation. |
8 . When I revealed that 1 was planning to travel around Britain by public transport, everyone I saw said, 'Gosh, you're brave!' but it never occurred to me to go any other way. Driving in Britain is such a dull experience these days. There are far too many cars on the road, nearly double what there were when I first came here, and in those days people didn't actually drive their cars. They just parked them in the driveway and cleaned them once every week or so. About twice a year they would “get the car out” for a pleasant drive to visit relatives or take a trip.
Now everyone drives everywhere for everything, which I don't understand because there isn*t a single feature of driving in Britain that has even the tiniest measure of enjoyment in it. Just consider the average multi-storey(多层的)car park. You drive around for ages, and eventually find a space that is exactly two inches wider than average car. Then, because you are parked next to a pillar(柱子),you have to climb over the seats and end up squeezing out of the passenger door, in the process transferring all the dirt from the side of your car to the back of your smart new jacket. Then you go hunting for some distant pay-and-display machine, which doesn't give change.
And that's just one tiny part of the driving experience. There are all the other annoyances of motoring, like traffic lights on busy roundabouts(环形交通枢纽)that never let you advance more than 20 feet at a time, and motorway service areas where food is much more expensive. Motorized vehicles are ugly and dirty. They occupy every pavement, turn ancient market squares into disorderly and untidy groups of metal, and cause petrol stations and other discouraging places to appear in great number. They are horrible and awful and 1 wanted nothing to do with them on this trip.
1. Why did the author decide to travel by public transport?A.Because he didn't have a car. |
B.Because he hated driving in Britain. |
C.Because he wasn't familiar with roads in Britain. |
D.Because he was inspired by how people used to travel. |
A.The inconvenience of parking cars. | B.The unreasonable parking fees. |
C.The uncleanness of car parks. | D.The improper use of cars. |
A.By providing ex amples. | B.By making comparisons. |
C.By following the order of time. | D.By following the order of space. |
A.The terrible places caused by vehicles. | B.The bother caused by driving cars. |
C.His travels by public transport. | D.His past driving experience. |
9 . If you travel, you will leave a carbon footprint in your wake. You can’t help it. But eco-friendly travel practices can lighten the harm on Mother Earth. Green travel is not a passing trend but a lifestyle choice.
Choosing a green destination
No destination is a Green Giant.
Choosing green transportation
What makes Mother Earth proud? Seeing you use your own power to get around. Many adventure tour operators arrange cycling, hiking and walking holidays.
Choosing a green hotel
Once you are at your destination, if you can get the hotel right, you can make the greatest impact.
The Earth-friendly choices are numerous: You can sail, bike, kayak, bike, swim, bird-watch and play I-spy-a-monkey in a tree. Visit a local food market, and don’t forget to bring a reusable bag for purchases. You can also lend a hand during your holiday. The green movement has changed from how to preserve and protect to how to use less and do good when you’re there.
A.Choosing green travel |
B.Choosing green activities |
C.Next in line are trains and buses |
D.They all make environmental missteps |
E.Most major chains operate in-house green program |
F.If you plan to drive, consider a fuel-efficient vehicle |
G.Follow the tips and watch your footprints turn greener |
10 . Journey to Asia in 2018
Follow the Silk Route
Though they were ruled by Russia for more than 100 years, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have remained far more connected to their earlier histories. This 11-day journey, with guidance from Times-selected experts, will take you deep into the heart of these Silk Road nations.
Journey 11 days
Time Apr. 15, May 20 and Sept. 23, 2018
Travelers 20
Costs $ 6,495
Saudi Arabia and the Emirates: The Past and Future of Oil
Oil transformed the Arabian Peninsula, bringing wealth to the traditional area as well as problems with the Western nations that needed it. Learn more on this journey accompanied by New York Times - selected experts. Explore the conservatism(保守主义)that existed in Saudi Arabia, and then see the modern architectural city Abu Dhabi.
Journey 10 days
Time Oct. 23 and Nov. 6, 2018
Travelers 24
Costs $11.695
Seventy Years of the State of Israel
In 2018, Israel will observe its 70th anniversary as a nation. But its history goes back more than 5,000 years, and even now, its future promises many difficulties. On this nine-day journey, travel with experts from the New York Times, a leader in its even-handed coverage of Israel, Palestinians and the Middle East. Enjoy extraordinary opportunities to hear from opinion makers, scholars, grassroots activists and media experts.
Journey 9 days
Time Mar. 18 and Oct. 7, 2018
Travelers 25
Costs $6,995
Kashmir: The Religious Melting Pot of India
One of the most populous nations on earth. India also has some of the most varied religions on earth. On this 13-day journey: explore this nation’s colorful religious history, from Delhi to Kashmir, with expert guidance and unparalleled access to remote areas.
Journey 13 days
Time Mar. 24, Apr. 14 and Oct. 6, 2018
Travelers 20
Costs $7,895
1. Which place might visitors go to if they choose Follow the Silk Route?A.Russia. | B.China. | C.Israel. | D.Uzbekistan. |
A.Follow the Silk Route. | B.The Past and Future of Oil. |
C.Seventy Years of the State of Israel. | D.The Religious Melting Pot of India. |
A.Its religious history. | B.Its modern architecture. |
C.Its colorful activities. | D.Its media industry. |
A.They all provide expert guidance. | B.They all last no more than 10 days. |
C.They all accept less than 20 visitors. | D.They all cost about 6,000 dollars. |