1 . Four of the best off-grid (不入网的) stays in the UK

Granite peaks, vivid green fields and speeding clouds are your only neighbours at this remote cottage in the Sperrins. Glass doors open straight on to this landscape, and though there’s no phone reception or wifi, there’s a TV with DVDs, and plenty of books to enjoy by the fire. There are stone circles and mountain bike trails (小路) nearby.

On the Ardnish peninsula (半岛) and accessible only by boat—or a three-hour hike—this comfortable off-grid pad is seriously isolated (偏僻的). There’s zero mobile signal and no TV. Paraffin lamps, wood-burning stoves for hot water and a Calor gas cooker are the only modern conveniences you get. It is perfect for a week of watching the wildlife, hiking, and swimming.

Candles and lanterns, gas lamps and solar lights create atmosphere at this straw-bale cottage, constructed using centuries-old methods. With no electricity or wifi, this home set on Ty Gwyn Farm offers true escapism. Young explorers can play in the stream, follow a treasure hunt and toast marshmallows by the fire. Dogs are welcome, too.

Other than the lack of wifi, East Lodge is a perfectly contemporary cottage. Arch windows accompany modern conveniences including a TV and DVDs for movie nights, though you may prefer to switch off and focus on outdoor fun, biking on nature trails and watching the wildlife.

2 . Four best places to stay in Europe

Terraegna Mountain Hut

This stone shepherd’s hut has the low impact of a bothy (茅屋), with a few added luxuries: solar-powered electricity and hot water. This is a place where bears, wolves and wild boar roam (漫游). The hut can accommodate groups of up to 10. It is part of a drive to use tourism to help protect local species such as the Marsican brown bear.

Wheatland Farm

No stone has been left unturned in delivering low-impact holidays at this 21-acre conservation project and rural getaway in Devon. There are owls (猫头鹰) here, nine species of bat, and hares. The five cottages are run on 100% renewable energy. Station transfers and electric bike hire encourage car-free holidays.

Parcel Tiny House

Designed and located to help travellers “rediscover the terroir”, Parcel House is a series of self-sufficient Tiny Houses carefully positioned in vineyards, meadows and farms. The hosts are eager to share their passion for slow food and traditional methods. Each house is equipped with solar panels and dry toilets. A lack of TV and wifi is a deliberate step to help guests switch off.

Magdas Hotel

Magdas Hotel has an enviable green location in one of Europe’s greenest cities. It’s run by a combination of socially minded hoteliers and immigrants, all on a mission to promote inclusivity. Artwork from the local college, local wine and beer served on the secluded terrace (露天看台) add to the welcoming atmosphere. Those arriving by train or bike receive a 10% discount.

4 . These science-themed field trips will offer you fantastic experiences.

Explore London’s notable sites of scientific interest along the River Thames, starting at Kew Bridge and walking to the Thames Barrier during the day with talks in the evening with some professors.

Visit the London Wetland Centre, Kew Gardens, Battersea Power Station, and the Greenwich Observatory. You will never be far from the river as you experience a wide range of topics including wildlife, medicine, power generation, engineering, physics and astronomy.

Discover Edinburgh and Glasgow’s most famous scientific thinkers, and learn how their ideas supported our emerging understanding of the world from the 16th century onwards.

Enjoy expert talks and explore key sites from the Scottish Enlightenment (启蒙). Learn about the wide cast of advocates and hear from guest speakers, take part in walking seminars (研讨会) and enjoy several museum trips, as well as visits to two industrial wonders, the Falkirk Wheel and the Whitelee Windfarm.

Involve yourself in the early human periods the Bronze and Iron Ages. A gentle walking tour that explores the pre-historic origins and evidence across Wiltshire and Dorset.

Visit several National Trust, English Heritage and UNESCO listed sites including Stonehenge and Maiden Castle and hear talks from the directors of the Wiltshire and Salisbury museums.

It is well known that aero(航空) sports have been popular in the US, New Zealand and other countries for years. China’s Hainan is famous for its natural     1     (beautiful) of endless sea, and golden beaches.     2     a warm climate and over 300 sunny days each year also provide favorable conditions for aero sports here.

Aero sports, including items such as skydiving and hot air ballooning,     3     (be) in rapid growth in China, and Hainan has seen the combination of such sports and tourism thriving over recent years. A great many frequent visitors     4     China’s southernmost island province choose to admire Hainan’s fantastic scenery not just at the beach, but also from high above with the help of     5     (professional) qualified skydiving coaches. Visitors can give full expression to their feelings and personalities, and liberate     6     (they) from their sometimes boring everyday life by participating in aero sports. What is shown in statistics is     7     a skydiving club saw a record-breaking single-day reception of 166 customers during this year’s Spring Festival holiday.

With the     8     (rise) popularity of aero sports, as well as advantageous policies in building the Hainan Free Trade Port,     9     increasing number of people from home and abroad have settled in Hainan. The province     10     (host) several national-level aero sports events in the past few years and is striving to build a national sports tourism demonstration zone by 2025.

6 . Guided tours at the National Museum at South Kingston

Out of Hours Titano Tours

Book a tour with one of our knowledgeable tour guides to get up close to all the main characters in our world-famous Dinosaurs gallery. You’ll get to learn how dinosaurs were first discovered, how they adapted to life on Earth and why they’re so important to our science today.

13:00-14:00 Weekends only.

Behind the Lens Tour

Have you ever wondered why wildlife photography can be used to make a difference to the natural world? Join our hosts for a special tour of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition and discover the stories behind the photos. We will introduce you to some surprising stories as well as the impact that these photos have had on wildlife conservation efforts.

9:00-10:00 Wednesday & Friday.

Behind the Scenes Tour: Spirit Collection

Go behind the scenes with our science educators for a look at the Museum’s fascinating zoology collection preserved. As we explore some of the Darwin Centre’s 27 kilometers of shelves, you’ll encounter treasures hidden among the 22 million animal specimens (标本)housed here.

14:00-15:00 Monday closed.

History of the Natural History Museum Tour

With stories stretching from Waterhouse to Darwin, you’ll get to journey through time and discover more about how the incredible ‘Cathedral of Nature’ became world-famous. What’s more, once the tour is finished, you will have the opportunity to visit the whole Museum at your own pace, newly equipped with your behind-the-scenes knowledge.

14:00-15:00 Monday to Friday.

7 . Architecture in Rotterdam

Rotterdam, the second largest city in the Netherlands, offers anything from unique food to wonderful landscapes. However, it’s incredible architecture that makes the city stand out.

Markthal

The building, the scale (规模) of which is impressive, is home to almost 100 fresh food stalls (摊位), shop units, restaurants and over 200 apartments. Opened in 2014, it was built near where Rotterdam was first founded in 1270. Besides delicious food, you shouldn’t miss its large walls and ceiling covered with images of flying fruits, flowers and insects. This artwork, titled Horn of Plenty and created by the artists Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam, is one of the biggest in the world and covers an area of about 11,000 square meters.

Erasmus Bridge

The bridge stretches over the river Maas, connecting the city center with the neighborhood of Kop van Zuid. Named after the city’s famous scholar Desiderius Erasmus, the bridge is 808 meters long and weighs as much as 1,700 adult elephants. The bridge has a nickname—de zwaan (the swan). It does require a bit of imagination to see how this giant piece of steel resembles an actual swan, but if you look at it from above, it becomes a bit clearer.

Museum Boijmans van Beuningen Depot

It was born out of a desire to share artworks with as many people as possible and has gained over 150,000 pieces. Open since the summer of 2021, it has given visitors a unique behind-the-scenes look into the world of art conservation, art restoration and museum management. Most importantly, visitors have free access to the rooftop garden, which offers panoramic (全景的) views of the city.

De Rotterdam

De Rotterdam is a building complex of three interconnected towers. Located on the south side of the city, it has 45 floors. It houses commercial office spaces, residential apartments, cafés, restaurants and luxurious hotels. With a total floor space of about 160,000 square meters, it’s well-known as the largest group of buildings in the Netherlands.

10 . From a multi-day hike following the routes of a Japanese poet, to a classic climb in the Argentinian Lake District, there are thousands of incredible trails (小路) that allow us to get up close to nature.

Appalachian Trail, United States

Extending for 2,200 miles, the Appalachian Trail is listed as the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. It runs from Springier Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, passing through some of the most remote country in the United States. That means it’s a hard task, either for those with endless vacation allowance, or walkers looking to do a small piece of a classic route.

The Basho Wayfarer, Japan

This self-guided trip follows a route taken by the poet Matsuo Basho over 300 years ago. The six-day hike starts in Sendai and works its way through the northern Tohoku region, passing through the UNESCO World Heritage (遗产)Site of Hiraizumi and along the ancient Dewa Kaido path. With its beech and cherry forests, it finishes at the temple of Yamadera.

Mount Toubkal, Morocco

The path upwards rises from the village of Imlil, passing over a dry river bed before rising sharply through a temple and on towards a large mountain cottage. After overnight here, hikers set off up the snowfield to the peak, where the Atlas Mountains open out and the views are breathtaking. A local guide and muleteers for carrying luggage are a must.

The Dingle Way, Ireland

It is a ring-like path that offers the best way to get under the skin of wild County Kerry in Ireland’s south west. Starting in the town of Tralee, the clockwise path follows narrow roads, taking in the wide sweep of sand at Inch Strand, passing along the clifftops outside Dingle town and heading around the edge of Mount Brardon, the highest peak on the Dingle Peninsula.