1 . Fascinating Facts about London’s Parks

Did you know that 47 percent of London consists of green space? Takeaway the private gardens and that leaves 37% of the capital’s green land given over to Royal Parks, gardens, and public green spaces. It’s the third greenest capital city in the world. Now let’s take a look at the most fascinating facts about London’s parks.

Nobody is totally sure how Green Park got its name. There are a few different theories. One tale says that the name originates from the time of Charles Ⅱ. The King was walking through the park with his wife and courtiers when he picked a flower. Instead of handing it to Queen Catherine, he handed it to another woman that was said to be his mistress. Extremely angry, the Queen ordered that all the flowers in the park be dug out, leaving only grass.

When counted together, the Royal Parks contain over 170,000 trees, with the oldest being the 400-year-old chestnut trees in Greenwich Park. These are young trees, though, compared to London’s oldest tree—a great elm in High Barnet that is said to be over 2000 years old. London has more than 8 million trees: nearly as many as people there.

Greenwich Park shows more fascinating features. Deep under the surface are buried a series of secret tunnels that are tall enough for a person to walk. It’s been claimed that the tunnels were built as secret escape routes for King Henry Ⅷ. Their real purpose is a little less exciting, and the tunnels were actually built as waterways to allow groundwater from the hillsides to escape.

Walking is the best way to explore London’s beautiful green spaces. We hope you enjoyed these fun facts.

2 . It’s often said that travel is all about the journey, but it can be almost as exciting to travel the world from the comfort of our homes. Just pick up several travel books that share the extraordinary ability to transport readers through time and space.

The Last Ride of the Pony Express

In 2019, American journalist Will Grant took on a 2,000-mile journey on horseback. Grant describes his 142-day adventure following the Pony Express that operated between April 1860 and October 1861. The Pony Express once used riders who traveled on horseback to deliver mall. While Grant reflects on the West’s modernization over time, it’s his vivid (生动的) descriptions of local residents along the way that make the book a real page-turner.

Unforgettable Journey s Europe

The book shows travel really is all about “getting there”. This inspirational book details 150 of Europe’s best slow adventures, such as kayaking through Lithuania and crossing the Arctic Circle by train. Photos, maps and plenty of information(including start and end points for trails, difficulty ratings and website links) are spread throughout the text, making the book as much colorful reference as it is inspiring to read.

Elixir: In the Valley at the End of Time

After a decade of living in the Scottish Highlands, native Bulgarian Kapka Kassabova returned to her roots (根) in Mesta Valley, a rural region known for its wild crops. The poet and writer set out to study the deep relationship between the area’s people and plants, as well as with the land itself. Her text explorers a lesser-known area filled with nature and traditional customs.

The Life Cycle

British writer and cyclist Kate Rawles took a 13-month journey across the length of the Andes Mountains en a self-built bamboo bicycle. During this journey, the author saw firsthand the harmful impacts of extreme biodiversity loss caused by human activity such as cutting down trees. She shared her concerns and insight in her book, and expected to inspire actions.

4 . What you need to know about New Orleans

New Orleans has something for everyone; all ages, interests, and lifestyles. It is described as the northernmost Caribbean city and the westernmost European city. You will not find another place quite like it in the world.

What is the best way to get there?

Flying: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is the city’s main airport, where you can keep the good times rolling by appreciating some live entertainment while you wait for your flight.

Train: New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal (终点站) is a major American railroad center, with three train lines offering service to every big city.

Bus: Three major bus companies in the United States all offer service to the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal.

How to enter New Orleans legally?

If you are a non-U. S. citizen, you may need a visa to visit New Orleans, unless your country is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), such as Japan, France and 41 other countries. The program allows citizens of certain countries to visit the U. S. for up to 90 days without a visa.

When is the best time to visit?

The best time in New Orleans is in February and lasts until May. During this period there is also the Carnival season and the world-famous Carnival celebrations. The average daily temperatures this time of year typically hit high s of 22℃, with lows dropping to 7℃.

If you’re looking to avoid the crazy prices, choose to visit in winter when hotels are cheaper, and you won’t experience the summer’s heat or worry about autumn’s possible hurricanes.

How much do I tip?

Restaurant service: Standard tipping in New Orleans is 15 to 20 percent of your bill or 25 percent if you are extremely happy with your meal and service.

Housekeeping: It’s common to leave a tip of $2 per day of your stay to the housekeeping staff of your hotel, which you can leave in the room when you go. Some hotels leave envelopes for such tips, but if they don’t, a quick note saying “Thank you” will work.

Are there local customs I should know?

Drinking: The legal drinking age in New Orleans is 21. You can consume alcohol on the streets of The Big Easy as long as it’s not in a glass container. Some places even allow you to bring drinks in from other places. In addition, some bars are open 24 hours.

Greetings: If you’re asked, “Where y’at?” by a local, don’t give your location. They’re actually asking how you are or what’s going on.

8 . The best time to view the wonderful dancing lights is in the evening but winter in the North brings long nights. In fact, in some places, the sun doesn’t rise at all. Here are four places to view this wonderful night show.

Fairbanks, Alaska

The city lies directly below the activity, so it is a perfect place to view the lights. The shining lights are most commonly seen between 11 pm and 2 am, so don’t forget to set your alarm clock. You can enjoy a stay in a comfortable hotel, which is famous for its hot spring pools and enjoy the show while relaxing in the hot water.

Reykjavík, Iceland

If you visit Iceland, you can expect to experience the northern lights shining above. There is little light pollution in Iceland, so you can view the lights in Reykjavík, but it is recommended that you take a special tour outside of the city. A winter vacation in Iceland has so much to offer.

Yukon Territory, Canada

This distant area of Canada has many spots to view the northern lights shining in the night sky. One of the best places to view the lights and learn about the science as well as the tradition about this gift from Mother Nature, is the Northern Lights Space and Science Center in Watson Lake.

Swedish & Finnish Lapland

Located north of the Arctic (北极的) circle in Northern Finland and Sweden, Lapland has good views of the lights. There are rich daytime activities including sledding (乘雪橇), ice fishing, and learning about the culture of the area. Rukajarvi in Sweden has an ice hotel that is a perfect place for viewing the lights.

9 . Art galleries you can visit for free with your Paris Pass

Centre Pompidou

Centre Pompidou is a must-see attraction when you’re visiting Paris. Featuring late 19th-20th century art, the museum has collection of over 50,000 works, including movements from Fauvism, Cubism, Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism.

Musée Gustave Moreau

Musée Gustave Moreau was designed by the painter himself and includes his private apartment and the large gallery he built to display his work. The apartment is preserved exactly as it was 100 years ago.

Musée de l’Orangerie

The museum is best known for its association with the famous Impressionist painter Claude Monet and his Water Lilies series of paintings. Before it was an art gallery housing some of the most famous pieces in history, Musée de l’Orangerie was used as a storehouse and a home for mobilized soldiers.

Musée d’Orsay

Musée d’Orsay was an old turn-of-the-century railway station that was built on the site of the Palais d’Orsay. Exemplifying the architecture of the Beaux-Arts movement, Musée d’Orsay is one of Paris’ most popular art galleries and houses art and sculpture from 1848 to 1915.

10 . Florida is a desirable place to retire because of the suitable cost of living and location close to the beach. In addition, it has provided different kinds of services to support the retirement community. Here are some best Florida cities for retirement.

Population: about 605,800

Share of population age 65+: 18.2%

Median monthly rent: about $1,500

Miami has higher housing and costly health care, so seniors retiring in Miami need to face the higher cost of living. However, it offers retirees plenty of activities. It’s more expensive, but the rich cultural experience, dining, shopping, and health care services are top-tier.

Fort Myers scored well on the desirability and happiness metrics (指标). Many retirees are able to comfortably afford a home, which frees up retirement income for other important expenses. Seniors in Fort Myers can create a relaxing beach retirement lifestyle, even on a limited budget.

Tallahassee has four clear seasons, and its short winters are colder than the state’s coastal areas. Housing is more affordable here than in other Florida cities. Retirees can take classes at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Florida, or enjoy one of Tallahassee’s many museums, historic sites and parks.

This equestrian (马术) town is best known for award-winning horses. Retirees can attend horse shows and equestrian events and enjoy regular horseback rides. Ocala’s inexpensive housing makes it easy to relocate to the area. The Ocala National Forest has hundreds of lakes, rivers and springs where you can swim and fish.