3 . On a hill 600 feet above the surrounding land, we watch the lines of rain move across the scene, the moon rise over the hills, and the stars appear in the sky. The views invite a long look from a comfortable chair in front of the wooden house.

Every window in our wooden house has a view, and the forest and lakes seldom look the same as the hour before. Each look reminds us where we are.

There is space for our three boys to play outside, to shoot arrows, collect tree seeds, build earth houses and climb trees.

Our kids have learned the names of the trees, and with the names have come familiarity and appreciation. As they tell all who show even a passing interest, maple makes the best fighting sticks and white pines are the best climbing trees.

The air is clean and fresh. The water from the well has a pleasant taste, and it is perhaps the healthiest water our kids will ever drink. Though they have one glass a day of juice and the rest is water, they never say anything against that.

The seasons change just outside the door. We watch the maples turn every shade of yellow and red in the fall and note the poplars (杨树) putting out the first green leaves of spring. The Rainbow Smelt (彩虹香鱼) fills the local stream as the ice gradually disappears, and the wood frogs start to sing in pools after being frozen for the winter. A family of birds rules our skies and flies over the lake.

5 . Affordable Beach Vacation in Corfu

Corfu, an island off the coast of Greece, offers visitors sun-kissed shores with clear water and lots of beaches.

Finding the Perfect Beach

Our first pick is Sidari Beach. It’s a blue flag beach perfect for couples looking for a more private feel, as it’s far from bigger tourist destinations. Issos Beach makes for the perfect place for watching the sunset. Dassia Bay has a bit more water sports. Paleokastritsa is an amazing West Coast village with six beaches on offer, including Rovinia Beach.

Getting around Corfu

Corfu offers bike rentals and bus service as a cheaper alternative to taxis. The best time to visit Corfu is during the “shoulder season” in April/May. The weather isn’t as warm as the high seasons but it remains perfect. It is not crowded in this period, but you still need to book ahead of schedule as Corfu stays popular throughout the year.

Eating Out For Less

There are a lot of well-priced restaurants but street food is also a big winner. Some popular choices are Souvlakia and Pita Gyros. There are also many cheeses special to Greece, including Tirokafteri and Ladotyri. Corfu also has many unbelievable desserts. Stazei Meli is a tourist favourite to give them a try.

6 . New York City Explorer Pass Highlights

See 3, 5, or 7 attractions and tours of your choice and save money on entry fees.

Visit the MET (The Metropolitan Museum of Art), the MoMA (The museum of Modern Art), the Guggenheim Museum, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, the Botanical Garden, Top of the Rock Observatory, and many, many more.

Get around on the Downtown/ Uptown Hop-On Hop-Off bus or take bike tours and Food on Foot tours. Tour Yankee Station, Rockefeller, Radio City Music Hall and more.

Description

New York City is America’s real land of opportunity, and here’s an opportunity you can’t pass up. With a New York City Explorer Pass you can choose to check out 3, 5 or 7 amazing attractions — from a list of over 60. This convenience will save you time. See the big art museums, take a BEAST speedboat ride, get a tour of Rockefeller and Radio City Music Hall, bike over the Brooklyn Bridge, and more.

New York has it all. And this Explorer Pass gets you access to as much of it as you can handle.

What’s included

Access to a number of attractions booked with your ticket.

What’s not included

●Some attractions may offer upgrades or special exhibits for an additional fee.

Instructions

●Show your smartphone at the entrance of the scenic spot you are visiting. The pass will be scanned and you’ll either receive direct access to the attraction or a paper ticket.

◆The pass can be activated within 1 year after you have bought it and is valid for 30 days after activation.

7 . Though online ordering is popular in the UK today, hands­on experience still attracts many buyers’ attention.

Oxford Street

London is a shoppers’ paradise, and most visitors head for Oxford Street. Halfway along is Selfridges, one of the world’s first department stores where the architecture and window dressing impress you even before you go in. There are at least four other major stores on this street, plus Europe’s largest music shop. In December the atmosphere is especially festive because of the Christmas lights which are always lighted by a politician, a great sportsman, or a super star.

Kensington High Street

A fashionable area for shopping is Kensington High Street. One of its department stores even has a roof garden — good for relaxing between purchases. There’s also an organic food superstore.

Borough Market

You can’t visit London without going to a supermarket. One of the oldest and best for food is probably Borough Market on the south bank of the Thames. Get off the underground at London Bridge and wander among fresh fish stalls, bakeries, and fruit and vegetable sellers. You can also buy specialities to take away, like cheeses, pork pies, mustard and chutney.

More places for bargains

Portobello Road Market on a Saturday is your best choice for jewelry or collector’s items. It’s a short walk from the underground station at Notting Hill Gate and you never know what you will find. For clothes, Camden Market is the place. It gets a little crowded at the weekends, though. Convent Garden Market offers great experience for the simple pleasure of looking at jewelry and gifts.