2 .

Chile (智利) is famous for its many attractions, including Torres del Paine National Park and Easter Island . If you’re planning a visit, be sure to add “Mano del Desierto” or “Hand of the Desert”to your must-see list.

Standing 11 meters tall and made of iron and cement (混凝土), this sculpture (雕像) of a hand emerges (出现) from the sand in the Atacama Desert , which is known as the driest desert in the world outside of polar regions. The sculpture was created by Mario Irarr á zabal in the early 1980s and was financed by a local nonprofit organization called Corporaci ó n Pro Antofagasta. The sculpture is not only famous for its size and design but also for the message it expresses. Many people believe that the hand represents the weakness and helplessness of human beings, as well as their strength and determination to overcome hardships.

If you’re interested in visiting the Hand of the Desert, take Route 26 or 28 from Antofagasta, a port city in northern Chile. The sculpture is located between mile markers 1309 and 1310. The desert’s flatness (平坦) makes it easy to spot the sculpture from far away. But some people mistake it for a mirage (海市蜃楼) caused by tiredness from driving a long way to the sculpture.

Visitors should take precautions (预防措施) before leaving , such as filling their gas tanks , taking plenty of water, and wearing sunscreen. They should also avoid driving too quickly, as many car accidents happen in the desert each year.

For those who are worried about driving alone, working with an agency (机构) like Plan South America is a good option. The founder of the agency, Harry Hastings, said that he always tries to join a visit to the sculpture with guests traveling to the desert.

3 . When the holiday season comes, families in Southern California might be wondering what type of activity they can do. Here are some great choices.

For families that have to watch The Polar Express every year around the holiday season there is an interactive experience just for them. This magical one-hour trip to the North Pole features a read-along of the timeless story, hot chocolate, a golden ticket, and more delicious treats. Santa and his little helpers are also scheduled to come on board to greet the passengers and give each guest their first gift of Christmas, a sleigh bell, which everyone can keep.

During the holiday season, the whole family can enjoy a fun ice skating experience. The corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue is completely changed into an outdoor skating area. The price includes an all-day skating pass and the family can stay for as long as they wish. It also provides local youths with an opportunity to learn how to skate.

Los Angeles County Parks will host a Winter Wonderland with 40 to 80 tons of snow at 34 different parks. Parks After Dark welcomes people of all ages to the biggest event. The free event features photo opportunities, holiday treats, and a craft village where kids can decorate their own socks. The toy giveaways will be available while supplies last, for children up to 17.

If you’re looking for the best way to kick off the holiday season, check out Sawdust Winter Fantasy, where you can support local artists and get in the spirit of the holidays. This annual event features live music, delicious food and drinks, as well as 165 local artists with their unique products. It also has a Santa ready for portraits, magic acts, balloon artistry, puppet shows and more.

5 . Snorkel & Conch Cruise

The most popular trip offered by Caicos DreamTours provides a wonderful way for tourists to experience the third largest coral reef system in the world that surrounds the island of Providenciales.

This memorable Snorkel & Conch Cruise trip offers twice daily departures (9: 00 am and 1: 30 pm), seven days a week. With snorkeling (浮潜) equipment included, the captain will first make a stop to snorkel along the Caicos Bank to view the fascinating wildlife on the reef. You will then depart to Half Moon Bay, an uninhabited island where you can relax on the white-sand beach and snorkel in the crystal clear waters just offshore while the staff prepares a light lunch for you.

Transportation, snorkeling equipment, free snacks and refreshments including sandwiches, fresh fruits, chips, beer and soft drinks are all included in the trip price.

The morning departure includes an 8: 40 am check-in at the Caicos Dream Tours beach hut, a short five-minute walk down the beach away from The Sands at Grace Bay with a 1: 00 pm return to The Sands at Grace Bay. The afternoon departure includes a 1: 10 pm pickup at their beach hut with a 5: 30 pm return.

The Snorkel & Conch Cruise trip costs $112 per adult and $56 for kids under 10 years old Children under two years of age are for free.

Guests of all ages and abilities are welcome on this tour. Persons with limited mobility are welcome but please provide Caicos Dream Tours with prior notice so they may provide extra assistance and / or accommodations as needed.

For cancellations or to reschedule a tour: call Caicos Dream Tours at 649-231-7274 or 649-231-7275 a minimum of 24 hours prior to your tour to avoid cancellation charges.

7 . Published while the climate crisis has given us a clear picture of tourism’s harms, the books below describe the necessity and opportunity for replanning travel as better managed and even more beneficial to local people — which, together, create a good definition for green travel.

“The Last Resort: The history of Heaven, Profit, and Danger at the Beach,” by Sarah Stodola. In this exciting travel book, Stodola studies the history and beauty of beach traveling culture, as well as its effects on the environment and local communities. “This major global industry that has brought about economic and social inequalities and contributed to the climate crisis while suffering from danger of disappearing.” said Stodola.

“Sustainable Travel: The Essential Guide to Positive-Effect Adventures.” by Holly Tuppen. After journeying around the world without flying, Tuppen became a travel expert who views sustainability (可持续性) as necessary to protect our planet and communities. In this book, she presents a general description of sustainable travel and its relationship to the climate and wildlife risk.

“Horizon,” by Barry Lopez. Through six regions, including the Oregon Coast and the Antarctic, Lopez uses his unique style and traveling experience in more than 70 countries to create a book filled with wonders and concern. “Our question is no longer how to use the natural world for human comfort and gain, but how we can cooperate with one another to ensure we will someday fit in with it more respectfully,” he writes.

“Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World,” by Anu Taranath. In this award-winning book, Taranath offers tips for reconciling (使和谐一致) our expectations with the cultural differences we meet while traveling. Although the book isn’t a green travel guide in itself, it does provide necessary social responsibilities that can increase our sustainability efforts to plan our journeys with greater respect.

8 . The University of Greenwich Tours

Take a tour of our campuses and find out from our students what it’s like to live and study at the University of Greenwich (GU).

Greenwich is a world heritage (遗产) site, where our guides will take you from our brand-new Dreadnought building, through the antique Queen Anne and King William buildings. On the way, you will pass the recently redecorated Painted Hall as well as the Greenwich town center.

Our Avery Hill Campus covers the Southwood site. This ancient Victorian site houses teaching and library facilities, student accommodation, the students’ union and sports facilities. Our student guides will show you all the key characteristics of Southwood site, and also give you a tour of our Skills Labs.

Dating from 1903, the Medway Campus is located near Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent. Self-guided tours include the teaching and learning facilities as well as the impressive student accommodation. The campus features a mix of social and leisure facilities, including our Students’ Union Hub, a restaurant in Pembroke building.

Explore the historic Maritime Campus and discover its rich maritime history. Our knowledgeable guides will show you around the campus. The tour will include a visit to the beautifully restored Old Royal Naval College, where you can learn about its fascinating history and stunning architecture.

Are you looking forward to having a tour? Click here and book one now. Welcome!

10 . We The Curious

Formerly known as At-Bristol, this harbourside science museum relaunched in 2017 as We The Curious to better reflect its mission to get kids to ask questions and engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem subjects) in creative ways.

My kids don’t shy away from telling me if they think a museum is boring but here they were too busy rushing from one hands-on exhibit to the next to have any such complaint. They dressed up as bees to catch pollen (花粉) made cheese, watched ice form, weighed human brains and stretched out strips of DNA to compare the genetic sequence (基因序列) of a monkey and an armadillo.

Given that the science museums in London, Manchester and Newcastle are free, it does jar (不一致) having to pay £14.50 for adults and £9.50 for kids (aged 3—15) to get in. Kids under 3 are free. I did have to push them out the door at the end of the day. Weeks on, they still refer back to things they learnt there.

We The Curious is near the National Cycle Network (routes 3, 4, and 33). The museum has lots of bicycle parking. Alternatively, it’s a 10-minute walk from Bristol Temple Meads railway station or a five-minute taxi ride or 17-minute ferry ride. If driving, follow the We The Curious brown signs and park at the Millennium Square car park for free.

Monday to Friday 10 am—5 pm, 10 am-6 pm at weekends and Bristol school holidays; closed 24—26 December.