1 . For many visitors to Peru, Machu Picchu is the No.1 attraction. But it'd be a waste without spending an extra day or two to appreciate some of the country's other wonders.

The Andes

The area near Machu Picchu is perfect for mountain biking. Some of the best trips include the peaceful Lares Valley, the popular Sacred Valley and Abra Malaga Pass. All these biking trips are within shouting distance of Machu Picchu.

The Colca Canyon

No one's entirely sure how deep the Colca Canyo n is, but scientists have determined that the distance from its edge to its bottom measures more than 10,000 feet — twice the depth of the Grand Canyon. The huge space within those towering walls in the canyon is filled with some of South America's prettiest scenery: untouched valleys, pre-Columbian agricultural lands still in use and dead volcanoes.

The Manu National Park

The park is well known for diverse ecosystems. Most travel within the park is done by boat, which allows for eye-level views of more than 15,000 species of plants in one of the world's greatest preserved rain forests. Manu is best known, though, for its variety of animal life: at least a million different insect species.

The Nasca Lines

A trip to Machu Picchu almost always requires connections in Lima, Peru's coastal capital, while arriving and departing. While there, a short flight can be easily arranged to view the Nasca Lines, which rival (与······相匹敌) Machu Picchu as Peru's greatest ancient wonder. Why the need for a view from planes? Because of the huge size of the geoglyphs (地质遗迹) that have been carved into the desert: spiders, fish, monkeys, and more. Some of them stretch more than 600 feet across.

2 . About 15 years ago, Oliver Muensterer packed his suitcase (行李箱) and traveled from his home to a town a few hours away. He had a job interview, so he _______ the evening beforehand.

When he _______ the next morning, he took a shower and started to get changed. Just then, he noticed that he’d _______ to pack a white shirt “I thought I had prepared _______ for everything. I had a tie and my suit, but somehow I left the shirt behind,” Muensterer said.

This discovery made Muensterer _______. He only had about an hour until he needed to be at the interview. He _______ to the front desk and asked the man behind the counter (柜台) if he could _______ a nearby store where he could buy a new shirt “He listened to my story. And I hardly had ended it when he said, ‘I have a _______,’” Muensterer remembered.

But rather than _______ Muensterer to a nearby shop, the desk attendant did something ________. Without saying a word, he ________ his own white shirt and handed it to Muensterer. “So I put it on and I went to the ________. When I gave him back his shirt, he just smiled at me.”

That ________ has stuck with Muensterer over the years. “Ever since, when I see someone who needs something, I’m very willing to ________. And I always remember that day when a ________ helped me out of trouble,” he said.

4 . Experts continue to learn new things about the 600-year-old Machu Picchu. Last year, researchers discovered that the ancient Incan city is at least 30 years older than previously thought. Now, it turns out that we may be calling it by the wrong name.

A recent paper by Amado Gonzalez and Brian Bauer concludes that the Incas who built the city in the clouds actually called it Huayna Picchu — or simply just Picchu — the name of a mountain overlooking the ruins.

When Hiram Bingham first discovered the place in 1911 and asked what it was called, the report found, he was initially told it was known as Huayna Picchu. But days later, he was told by a different guide that the site was called Machu Picchu. It appears that’s the name that stuck.

“It’s true that at the time it was not so well-known to people, but there is a lot of evidence suggesting that those who did know it did not call it Machu Picchu,” said Amado Gonzalez. “Even more importantly, the research is based on centuries of documents, including some of the region’s first maps, land records, and even Bingham’s own notes and letters. An official record dating back to 1539 refers to the area as Picchu. Another, dated 1568, specifically mentions a city of the same name. We also have a clear reference to the ancient Inca town of Huayna Picchu’ from a 1715 document.”

But that doesn’t mean that there are any plans in the report to change the name of one of South America’s most popular tourist destinations. More than 7,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains, the UNESCO World Heritage site has drawn about 1 million visitors every year.

“It may not have been Machu Picchu to the Incas but now it’s Machu Picchu to the world,” Amado Gonzalez said.

5 . Magical Towns and Cities at Christmas

Hallstatt, Austria

On the banks of Hallstätter See, the town of Hallstatt and its amazing landscape enjoy UNESCO protection. The 16th-century townhouses, arid snow o£ winter make this the perfect place for getting into the festive atmosphere. Picture brightly lit trees and stands selling decorations, and you’re halfway to imagining just how special this town is.

Colmar, France

There are plenty of wonderful Christmas markets to be found all over Europe. But few catch the imagination in a fairytale setting quite like that of Colmar. More than six themed markets can be found in the center, linked by lit streets, where wooden houses are packed tightly together. At around 5:00 pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays, a children’s band will be on stage, providing even more holiday cheer.

Rudesheim, Germany

Located in the heart of the Rhine Valley’s wine-making country, Rudesheim is a top destination throughout the year. However, once the night draws in and Christmas comes into view, the town takes on a special atmosphere. Those arriving by riverboat can go to the Christmas Market of Nations, which is filled with stores selling gifts and traditional festive dishes from all over the world.

Tromso, Norway

Tromso has been a cultural center with its Arctic Cathedral, the home of regular concerts and events. It’s over the festive season, when there is no daylight, that the city, located high above the Arctic Circle, becomes a must-see. Visitors can taste a hot chocolate before taking the cable car (缆车) above the city to catch sight of the northern lights.