2 . Mia, 12, is now on a year-long trip with her parents and three younger brothers. Far from their home in Quebec, Canada, the family rode horses in Mongolia, kayaked in Cambodia, camped in Namibia and flew in a hot air balloon in Turkey, looking to collect as many once-in-a-lifetime memories as they could.

The memories really matter because unless science makes a breakthrough soon, three of the children will become blind, likely in adulthood. They have been diagnosed with a disease that has no effective treatment and no specific timeline as it gradually robs them of their sight.

The diagnoses came in 2015. Despite the grief, the parents were surprised to find Mia, then 7, was calm about it. She announced that she would need to start keeping her bedroom especially neat, with everything in its place. “In the future, I’ll need to know where things are,” Mia said.

“She’s finding solutions on her own,” the parents told each other. “We need to follow her lead.” And so the idea of a yearlong trip was born, one that would show the kids the world, in person and at close range – while the kids could still see it. For the next two years, the parents saved money and researched places to visit. “How we adults see the world and how kids see the world are so different.” says the mother, Edith. “It would have to be less about temples and museums and more about whatever caught their eyes.”

By the time the trip began to wind down in early 2023, the family had traveled 52,000 miles and visited 18 countries. Mia grew taller and when entering adolescence, needed more independence. Her brothers became more confident and outgoing. The kids were very aware that they had learned a lot. “There’s a lot of suffering, a lot of poverty, but lots of good and interesting things too. We should be positive.” said Mia.

3 . A three-day plan to Hangzhou

Day 1: West Lake — Hefang Street — Southern Song Imperial Street

In West Lake, you can just walk casually along the road, take a boat to the islands, or simply sit in a lakeside tea house and enjoy the beautiful views.

Hefang Street, the economic and political center of the city, is where you can experience how Hangzhou looked when it was the capital of China and, of course, purchase souvenirs.

Stretching more than 4 kilometers, Southern Song Imperial Street is a celebrated commercial street.

Day 2: Xixi wetland — Deshou Palace — Grand Canal

Xixi wetland is a natural shelter from the noise of the city and a cultural treasure.

Deshou Palace, once home to two Southern Song Dynasty emperors, was destroyed by a fire in 1206, but recently underwent a restoration. The complex now hosts exhibitions focused on the Southern Song Dynasty.

The Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal stretches a total length of 39 kilometers. A boat trip, taking in some striking scenery as well as the fascinating landscape of Jiangnan Water Town, is highly recommended.

Day 3: Liangzhu Ancient City Ruins Park — Liangzhu Museum — Hangzhou branch of the China National Archives of Publications and Culture

Liangzhu Ancient City Ruins Park are famed for its delicate jade products and grand water conservation system. It is recommended to take the three-hour sightseeing bus tour, during which you will be able to enjoy many scenic spots.

Liangzhu Museum specializes in collecting and displaying relics of the neolithic civilization (新石器时代文明) and the study of Liangzhu Culture.

Hangzhou branch of the China National Archives of Publications and Culture is home to China’s bibliographical resources (书目资源) — a must-visit for history lovers.

6 . The Aquarium(水族馆) of the Pacific is Southern California’s largest Aquarium. Beyond its world-class animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers monthly events for people of all ages. Here are the upcoming events for this November.

Photographers Night

On this night only, the Aquarium is accessible to photographers for the purpose of getting their dream photos without having to worry about being disturbed by the general public.

DATE: Saturday, NOVEMBER 4, 6:00—10:00 pm

COST: $44.95 per person, $41.95 for members. Ticket sales will be limited.

* Exhibits that will not be lit: Lorikeet Forest & Diving Birds because they will be getting their rest.

Seniors Day

The Aquarium will open its doors for free to people aged fifty and above on Seniors Day. It will feature special presentations, door prizes, and 20% off in the gift store for our senior guests.

DATE: Monday, NOVEMBER 13, 9:00 am—2:00 pm

COST: FREE to ages 50 and over with a valid photo ID. Advance reservations required.

Autism(自闭症) Families Treat

Spend a special evening at the Aquarium only for families with adults or children with autism. On this evening, guests can enjoy the peacefulness of the Aquarium’s exhibits.

DATE: Sunday, NOVEMBER 19, 6:00—9:00 pm

COST: $12 per person, and free for Aquarium members and children under age three. Advance reservations required.

STEAM Fest

Spend the morning surrounded by STEAM science, technology, engineering, art, and math!

This event will feature interactive booths where you can learn about the ocean and the environment, make observations, and ask our animal care staff lots of questions.

DATE: Saturday, NOVEMBER 25, 9:00 am—1:00 pm

COST: $44.95 per adult(ages 12+), $29.95 per child(ages 3—12), and free for Aquarium members and children under age three. Advance reservations required.

7 . Italy’s Attractive Towns

Whether you’re looking for historical adventures or attractive walks along the coast, Italy’s fascinating towns can be your choices.

Featuring houses of different colors well layered on the cliffs (悬崖), Positano is also charming with the blue sea, blue sky, white clouds, flowers dotted with the town. Lined with umbrellas, beach chairs and yachts, the town’s beach transports you to a beautiful setting. When the sun sets, the town bathes in golden sunshine, creating a perfect photograph opportunity.

Nestled in the Itria Valley countryside, the small town Alberobello awaits. It features a kind of whitewashed round houses like mushrooms from a distance, the unique trullo architecture, listed as a World Heritage Site. If you’re in the mood for more fun, the Itria Valley is a great starting point for picturesque bike rides and scenic walks, with the Castellana Caves being only a short drive away.

Cefalù is the example of old-town elegance. Stone streets, a sandy beach, and local crafts shops make the town so attractive as a destination. Whether you want to go on a historic exploration or want a city-style break, the small town has it all. The main church of Cefalù, Duomo di Cefalù, built in the 11th century, is the most recognizable landmark in the city.

Polignano a Mare is a picture-perfect old town on a hilltop. The beautiful whitewashed houses spread out along the curving (弯曲的) shore, transporting you to a simpler time. Visitors are invited to swim to explore the natural wonders. If swimming isn’t your thing, then the famous Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series will definitely take your breath away.

9 . The best places to visit in New Zealand

While there are a few cities in the country, what makes New Zealand special is its natural beauty. To find the best places to visit in New Zealand, try exploring a little further a field to truly experience what this beautiful country has to offer.

Coromandel: Best for beautiful beaches

Situated on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, the Coromandel region is renowned for its beautiful beaches and native bush. In here you’ll find the iconic Cathedral Cove, with a natural rock archway and sandy beaches, and Hot Water Beach, where visitors can dig a natural hot pool in the sand. Other notable activities include visiting Karangahake Gorge, the Pinnacles overnight long-distance walk and Whenuakura Wildlife Sanctuary.

Planning tip: The region is compact, and it’s easy to explore from one of the charming towns like Hahei, Pauanui or Whangamata.

Abel Tasman National Park: Best for hiking

The undeveloped natural environment with native bush, small, clear bays and white, sandy beaches at Abel Tasman National Park is a great option as a day trip from Nelson, but even better if you can stay longer. The Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, is a 37-mile walk through the bush with lovely views of the beach. It usually takes 3-5 days to complete the full walk; otherwise, take on just a section as a day hike. Shorter bush walk trails are available too if you’re not keen on a long-distance route.

Planning tip: No cars are allowed in the national park, so visitors need to either walk to their preferred destination or take a water taxi.

Fiordland National Park: Best for impressive landscapes

On the edge of the South Island, Fiordland National Park is home to one of New Zealand’s most famous attractions, the majestic Milford Sound, where visitors can see waterfalls, magnificent views along the fiord and some marine wildlife.

Planning tip: The nearby Doubtful Sound is also spectacular but less accessible—this place is more difficult to approach and travelers need to visit with a guide and by boat.

10 . United Kingdom’s Go Below offers adventure-packed cave tours in North Wales. But what made the company world-famous is the hotel set 419 meters below the ground level in a waste mine (矿井).

The entrance of the old waste mine is a 45-minute walk into the mountains. That’s before you can enter the deep caves. After putting on the safety helmet, miner’s lamp, harness (安全带), and shoes not allowing water to enter, you are ready to enter the underground world.

Although the improved way is much safer than before, it still takes an hour to reach the underground hotel. The impressive underground world has many huge natural caves. Along the   way, you can see the remains of this 19th-century mine — old mine cars, broken tracks, and bridges.

Across the mine, cables in the air connect parts to get you safely, and really fast, from one side to the other. The exciting zip lines (滑索) glide over lakes and black deep holes so deep that you can barely see the bottom. During your journey, you will also see water or drink bottles of workers at that time.

Once you arrive at the camping base, you are welcomed with a hot drink. Then, the team provides you with a meal which can be vegetarian (素食的) upon request.

When you are finished with the food and chat at the picnic table, you can go back to your comfortable room and enjoy the deepest sleep you have ever experienced. The beds have thick   quilts to keep you warm, as the temperature here is only 10°Celsius.

The underground hotel opens the door only once per week on Saturday nights. Depending on your taste, you can choose to sleep in a small wooden house or a ca ve with rocks and the soft light of the candles around you.

The morning starts with a wake-up call at 8 am, and after a quick breakfast, the staff will guide you back to the surface, so you can go and tell your friends and family that you slept in the world’s deepest hotel!