1 . While travel is restricted during this time, here are some amazing places around the world to daydream about and look forward to visiting one day in the future.
Lord Howe Island, Australia
The island in the Tasman Sea lies between Australia and New Zealand and is just 10km long. Despite its complete isolation, the island is populated, by around 380 people and the number of tourists is limited to under 400. The island is known for its geology, birds, plants and marine life, while cycling is the main mode of transport on the island, thanks to its virtually untouched forest and the fact that many of its plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world.
Thor’s Well, Oregon
Also called “the drainpipe of the Pacific” or even sometimes, “the gate to hell”, the hole appears to swallow the Pacific Ocean. Geyser-like ocean sprays erupt in winter time, thanks to ocean pressure and the gusting wind. It looks more dangerous than it is though; it is in reality just around 20 feet deep. The natural bowl is spectacular to watch, particularly during low tide when the sea rises towards the surface before draining back down into the depths of the rocky hole again.
Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods), Hawaii
Hawaiians call Keahiakawelo “wahi pana”, which means celebrated, noted or legendary places which have cultural significance. As legend goes, the priest of neighboring Molokai island, a man named Lanikaula, was angry at the people of Lanai, so he lit a fire wishing ill will to the island’s people.
Balamku (Cave of the Jaguar God), Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
The cave was rediscovered accidentally in 2018 by archaeologists who were searching for a sacred well. The seven-chambered cave was initially discovered in 1966 but was sealed up and forgotten about. Caves were considered openings to the underworld, and this one is no different. The name means jaguar god, which they believed had the ability to enter and leave the underworld at will. The cave is so unexplored that archaeologists are still mapping it out.
1. How do people often travel on Lord Howe Island?A.By boat. | B.By bike. | C.On foot. | D.By car. |
A.During low tide. | B.In winter time. |
C.When the sea rises. | D.After the sea dries. |
A.Lord Howe Island. | B.Thor’s Well. |
C.Keahiakawelo. | D.Balamku. |
2 . Fort Street Hotel
Fort Street Hotel is located in a beautiful historic building in Auckland CBD (Central Business District). Facilities include free coffee, a sauna, a rooftop kitchen with beautiful views of the city and harbor. Free daily activities include walking tours and barbecue events.
Fort Street Hotel is within a 10-minute walk from Spark Arena, Sky Tower and Viaduct Harbor. It is a 5-minute walk to Britomart Train Station and Queen Street is just around the corner.
You can relax in the sauna, then head down to the bar, located on Darby Street, to meet fellow travelers from all over the world. Free Wi-Fi is available 24 hours a day in the common area on Level 1.
Great location: 16-20 Fort Street, 1010 Auckland, New Zealand — show map
Most popular facilities
#Non-smoking rooms # Free Wi-Fi #Free parking #24-hour front desk # Laundry
Room Types | Sleeps | Today’s Price | Your Choices |
Budget Double Room without Window 1 full-size bed 12 m² Private Bathroom / TV / Free Wi-Fi / Shower / Hairdryer / Fan / Towels / Sheets (extra fee) / Upper floors accessible by elevator / Toilet paper | Maximum: 2 people | USD 237 USD 225 Includes taxes and fees | •Non-refundable •Pay in advance •Only 4 rooms left on our site |
Standard Twin Room with Shared Bathroom 2 twin beds 20 m² Free Wi-Fi / Shower / Toilet paper / Shared bathroom | Maximum: 4 people | USD 303 USD 287 Includes taxes and fees | •Free cancellation until 11:59 pm on April 2, 2022 •Pay in advance •Only 6 rooms left on our site |
Triple Room with Shared Bathroom 3 twin beds 30 m² Free Wi-Fi / Shower / Toilet paper / Shared bathroom | Maximum: 6 people | USD 483 USD 358 Includes taxes and fees | •Free cancellation until 11:59 pm on April 2, 2022 •Pay in advance •Only 5 rooms left on our site |
A.Free laundry. | B.Favorable location. |
C.Independent smoking space. | D.A unique underground kitchen. |
A.USD 574. | B.USD 358. | C.USD 606. | D.USD 450. |
A.A magazine. | B.A travel guide. |
C.A web page. | D.A reference book. |
3 . Architect Diébédo Francis Kéré of Burkina Faso won the Pritzker Prize, the world’s highest recognition in building design.
Kéré is a citizen of both Burkina Faso and Germany and lives in Berlin. He said he was the “happiest man on this planet” to become the 51st recipient of the famous yearly prize. Kéré is famed for building schools, health centers, housing and other public spaces across Africa. His buildings can be found in his homeland, as well as in Benin, Mali, Kenya, Mozambique, Togo and Sudan. When he was twenty in 1985, Kéré earned a vocational scholarship to study carpentry in Berlin. But while absorbed in the practicality of roofing and furniture making, he also attended night school and was admitted to Technische Universität Berlin, from which he graduated in 2004 with an advanced degree in architecture. He was still a student when he designed and built the innovative Gando Primary School.
Unlike traditional school buildings, which use concrete, Kéré’s inventive design combined local clay and cement to form bricks. The material helps keep the building cool in a hot environment. A wide, raised metal roof protects the building from rain and helps air flow. Kéré involved the local community throughout the design and building of the school. The number of students at the school increased from 120 to 700.
Kéré is the first African to be honored with the Pritzker. In his native Burkina Faso, citizens celebrated the win. Nebila Aristide Bazie, head of the Burkina Faso architects’ council, said the award “highlights the African architect and the people of Burkina Faso.”
“He knows, from within, that architecture is not about the object but the objective; not the product, but the process,” says the 2022 Jury Citation (评审辞), in part. “Francis Kéré’s entire body of work shows us the power of materiality rooted in place. His buildings, for and with communities, are directly of those communities-in their making, their materials, their programs and their unique characters.”
1. What can we know about Kéré from the text?A.He got a degree in architecture in 1986. |
B.Many of his buildings can be found in Berlin. |
C.He is highly popular in his native Burkina Faso. |
D.He is the first German winner of the Pritzker Prize. |
A.To keep the building cool in hot weather. |
B.To make the building stronger. |
C.To protect the building from rain. |
D.To ensure better indoor air flow. |
A.Touching and impressive. |
B.Amazing and unexpected. |
C.Deserving and fortunate. |
D.Exciting and inspiring. |
A.The reasons for awarding Kéré the Pritzker Prize. |
B.Kéré’s concepts of architecture in Africa. |
C.Kéré’s diverse styles of African buildings. |
D.The real purpose of Kéré’s whole works. |
1. When did South Africa become independent?
A.In 1902. | B.In 1916. | C.In 1961. |
A.Table Mountain. |
B.The Cape of Good Hope. |
C.The Nelson Mandela Museum. |
A.Go to a hotel. | B.Tour the city. | C.Hike a mountain. |
5 . Four Days in the Highlands
Riding one of the world’s best trains is the ideal way to experience the peaks, valleys and first-class food of Scotland.
DAY 1
To pick up the Royal Scotsman you’ll need to be in Edinburgh the night before, thus giving you time to have dinner at the city’s coolest restaurant, the Little Chartroom. Then it’s a leisurely start as you board the Royal Scotsman, one of the world’s finest classic trains. Cabins are small but perfectly formed. Enjoy afternoon tea as you wind through valleys before arriving in Keith for the night. Then opt (选择) for drinks in the Observation Car, or stretch your legs in historic Keith.
DAY 2
After breakfast, head to the Observation Car. This is one of the best parts of the trip, as the train snakes alongside fishing villages and dense woodland. Then disembark for Cawdor Castle, one of Scotland’s loveliest privately owned castles. Take a guided tour before reboarding the train. Tonight is a formal dinner.
DAY 3
Today the train makes its way into Moray, with an unmatched coastline. Head to Ballindalloch, a grand castle. There’ll be champagne on the lawn, cakes in the house and a chance to wander through the ancient woodland. You’ll sleep well, possibly thanks to an on-board whisky tasting that hits just the right spot.
DAY 4
The train moves deep into the heart of the dramatic Cairngorms today. You can take fly-fishing or clay-pigeon shooting lessons at the Rothiemurchus Estate before heading off to one of Scotland’s crown jewels. Then it’s back on-board for one final delicious dinner and a teary goodbye.
1. What can travelers do on the first day on the train trip?A.Wander around in Keith at night. | B.Take an adventure through valleys. |
C.Have dinner at the Little Chartroom. | D.Enjoy afternoon tea in the Observation Car. |
A.Moray | B.Ballidalloch |
C.Rothiemurchus | D.Cawdor Castle |
A.DAY 1 | B.DAY 2 | C.DAY 3 | D.DAY 4 |
6 . Known as the “Orlando of China”, the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is the world’s largest ocean-theme fairyland. The following are four theme areas and some necessary information.
Ocean Avenue
Behind the giant Manta Ray sculpture, Ocean Avenue is a giant LED screen showing various animals in the deep sea world, and it is lined with shops for visitors to buy souvenirs.
Ocean Wonders
The Whale Shark Aquarium is here. You can also watch a colorful sea world with thousands of rare fishes, especially the whale shark and manta rays. Besides, you can have an amazing adventure of the deep ocean.
Hengqin Ocean
Most of the large-scale performances are held in and around the Hengqin Ocean. Visitors can enjoy the Musical Fountain, Chimelong Ocean Parade, Ocean Resistance...
Walrus (海象) Hill
Visitors can see cute walruses and a lot of marine birds in the Sea Bird Paradise. Children can also enjoy a mysterious castle adventure with their parents in the Sand Castle. In addition, Mountain Dew Sailing and Jungle Roller Coasters are also must-try adventures in Walrus Hill.
Food and drinks: Among seven theme restaurants, the Undersea Restaurant is the must-try one. The underwater restaurant is linked to the Whale Shark Aquarium, where visitors can enjoy delicious food while viewing rare marine animals through the glass viewing screen.
Tickets:
Ticket Type | Regular | Weekends, Public holidays, July & August | |
Adult | 1-day | ¥395 | ¥450 |
2-day | ¥595 | ¥675 | |
Child (aged between3~11) | 1-day | ¥280 | ¥315 |
2-day | ¥415 | ¥475 | |
A child aged below 3 can enter for free when accompanied by an adult |
A.You can buy souvenirs there. | B.It is in the center of the kingdom. |
C.You can have a castle adventure there. | D.It’s near to the Undersea Restaurant. |
A.Ocean Avenue. | B.Ocean Wonders. | C.Hengqin Ocean. | D.Walrus Hill. |
A.¥1,350. | B.¥1,605. | C.¥1,825. | D.¥2,055. |
From the Atlantic Ocean to the Ural Mountains stretches the continent of Europe. The most striking geographical feature within this densely-populated area is the Alps Range, commonly
The ladies can look forward to dirndls, which
Speaking of handicrafts,
For the people suffering from mounting pressure, the Alps is
8 . If you are looking for an amazing real-life castle, here are some good options for you.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
The beauty of Neuschwanstein, perched high on a hill in southwest Bavaria, inspired one of America’s most famous castles: Disneyland’s famed Sleeping Beauty castle. The slender spires and towering roofs are impressive, but nothing compared to the brilliantly decorated interiors.
Windsor Castle, England
This castle in the historic market town of Windsor that has been the family home to kings and queens for over 1,000 years. The castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. Guests are welcome to tour year-round. When the Royal Standard flag is flying from the castle’s Round Tower, the queen is home.
Eltz Castle, Germany
Medieval Eltz Castle, located in Wierschem of western Germany, was built in the 12th century and is named for the family that still owns it today. Surrounded by forest, it was erected on a 230-foot rock and features eight towers that sit 115 feet in the sky. Inside, the castle still includes many of its original furnishings.
Bran Castle, Romania
Some people call Bran Castle, located southwest of Brasov. Romania, by another name: Dracula’s Castle. It’s just one of many castles linked to that vampire (吸血鬼) legend, but its dramatic architecture built on a steep cliff helps it fill the part, and the castle does not shy away from the legend.
1. What do we know about Neuschwanstein Castle?A.It is the highest castle in the world. |
B.It is the blueprint of Sleeping Beauty castle. |
C.It inspired a Disney movie. |
D.It is plainly decorated inside. |
A.It is open throughout the year. |
B.It has a history of less than 1000 years. |
C.The royal family don’t live there any longer. |
D.You can see the queen whenever you go there. |
A.They are related to vampire tales. |
B.They have special goods for sale. |
C.They are both located on rocks. |
D.They were built in the 12th century. |
9 . A train operator from Britain has made travelling more tranquil(安宁的). Heathrow Express passengers travelling on October 13 were treated to sessions with yoga influencer Celest Pereira, who has developed a 12-minute seat-yoga and meditation(冥想) sessions to help travelers relax. Travelers of all ages and abilities can perform the exercises safely from their seats-and it’s believed to be the first time a yoga class has taken place on a moving train.
To get passengers in the right frame of mind, the “Tranquil Train” carriage hosting the sessions was decorated with fresh eucalyptus(桉树). “This was a real pick me up, especially after a long overnight flight. The smell is so wonderful,” said Elizabeth, from Washington DC. The initiative was tested after a study also conducted by Heathrow Express, which identified the most worrying aspects of travel during the epidemic- including delayed departures (52%) and crowds (48%). Missing flights, trains, or buses (47%) also leads to anxiety and worrying you’ve forgotten something like your passport or the tickets (40%). Other worries include getting lost (38%), being separated from your luggage (33%), and missing travel announcements (29%).
Celest Pereira said: “Travelling can be a very intense experience-there’s lots going on, lots of things to think about, and it’s very deadline driven. By hosting these classes we are hoping to ease those pressures and help passengers be in the present moment.” Commenting on his experience, Joe Bence, a 26-year-old from London who was among those who boarded the Heathrow Express “Tranquil Train”, said: “I have such a busy life and usually look at my phone on the train-but today I completely switched off. The class was a nice distraction from life, it made my day.”
1. How does the train operator make travelling more tranquil?A.By hosting yoga classes during journeys. |
B.By working out with an online celebrity. |
C.By means of communicating with others. |
D.By developing a good habit of workout. |
A.Smell can get traveler relaxed spiritually. |
B.Epidemic is to blame for a terrible travel. |
C.Public transport users find travel stressful. |
D.Losing properties worries travelers most. |
A.His dream was realized. | B.He felt a sense of belonging. |
C.His effort finally paid off. | D.He was refreshed by the trip. |
A.What worries travelers most? | B.Tranquil Train with yoga class. |
C.How to make travelling cozy? | D.Travel with a popular yoga trainer. |
10 . Hiking, a kind of interaction with nature, provides fantastic exercise, combining sightseeing and workouts into one. Here are some unforgettable hiking vacations that will lead you into the thick of your destination.
Larapinta Trail, Australia
Dying for a good hike through the outback(内陆)? Then head to Australia’ s Larapinta Trail, a 130-mile trip through the Northern Territory of the island continent. Almost the entire hike is desert. Perhaps the best way to end a long day in the hot Australian sun is to watch the pink-and-orange sunset, open a sleeping bag and look up. Repeat visitors to the Larapinta say this part of Australia offers some of the best stargazing in the world.
Inca Trail, Peru
Today, as part of an effort to minimize environmental impact, trail(线路) access is limited to 500 people per day, and most hikers participate as part of guided groups. And the most thoughtful thing is that the groups hire porters to carry the luggage, so hikers need only to worry about enjoying the scenery! Most of these organized trails include tent accommodations and surprisingly delicious three-course meals. Of course, they also include a final day at Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas”.
Cape Scott Trail, British Columbia
To call the five-day hike challenging would be the understatement of the century. The adventure begins gradually. From the trailhead at Cape Scott Provincial Park, the trail follows an old settler's road along a stream through a 4-mile stretch of wetland. With every step, the mud threatens to add to what surely has become a sizable boot collection. Because the rivers are so wide, visitors have to take the cable-car.
Via Ferrata, Italy
The trails themselves date to World War I, when Italian forces built them as a way to move soldiers from one section of the Alps to another. Today, with the war in the distant past, the routes provide the perfect venue for hikers looking for a day-long escape.
1. What attracts visitors most for Larapinta Trail?A.Having the longest hike. | B.Touring the continent. |
C.Exploring in the desert. | D.Watching the starry sky. |
A.Free accommodations are provided. | B.Hikers needn't take their luggage. |
C.Hikers themselves serve as guides. | D.The meals are specially cooked. |
A.Inca Trail. | B.Larapinta Trail. |
C.Cape Scott Trail. | D.Via Ferrata. |