旅游观光类 知识点题库

 Secrets of Web Travel Sites

Booking a trip on an online travel siteis convenient, but comes with its own set of problems.

1 They who's on a Mac and who's on a PCand who's going to spend more.

Last year, US travel research companyOrbitz tracked people's online activities to test out whether Mac users spendmore on travel than PC users. On average, Mac users lay out US$20-30 more pernight on hotels and go for more stars. according to the Wall Street Journal. Asa result, online• travel sites show these users more expensive travel optionsfirst. To avoid inadvertently paying more, sort results by price.

 Their software doesn't always hook up to thehotel's system.

A guaranteed reservation is almostimpossible to come by anywhere — but the risk of your flight or hotel beingoverbooked increases with third-party providers. The middle-man's softwareisn't immune to system errors, so always call the hotel or airline to make sureyour booking was processed.

 Don't be fooled by packages: Often, they'relow-end items grouped together.

Ever notice how travel sites recommend ahotel, a rental car, and tour package all in one click? These deals usuallyfeature travel that no one wants, like flights with multiple layovers.

Check the fine print.

 You could miss out on loyalty points.

Third-party providers can get betweenyou and frequent flyer miles or points. Many hotel loyalty programmes don'trecognise external sites, others award only minimum points and exclude specialoffers, like double points on hotel stays.

 Once your trip is purchased, you're on yourown.

An online travel agency can't provideassistance the same way an agent can if a flight is cancelled or a room issubstandard. Basically, when you arrive at the airport or hotel, you're justanother client who booked at the lowest rate.

Three Blocks of Stones Forest Park

    Three Blocks of Stones Forest Park, located in the southeast of Fushun, is a high and beautiful mountain, on the top of which there are three large blocks of stones, accounting for its name. It is covered with thick and tall trees, with a clear and clean river flowing down it

Opening time: 8:30—16:30  (from April 1st to October 31st)

Admission ticket: 45 yuan    (free for kids under 7 years old)

Telephone number : 13823011112

Fushun Royal Ocean World

    Fushun Royal Ocean World, located in the west of Fushun, is made up of Aquarium（水族馆）, surf house, and water park in it. Here you can see many rare sea creatures and polar animals. And also you can have a good time surfing or playing in the water park

Opening time: 8:30—16:30

Admission ticket: 90 yuan/adult 50yuan/kid (free for kids under 5 years old, accompanied by at least one adult)

Telephone number :55556000

Hetuala City

    Hetuala city is Manchurian, where the later Jin was located. The ancestors of Nurhachi(努尔哈赤)used to live here, and the Nu Zhen nationality once settled here. This city, which lies in the far north of Fushun, is divided into two parts, the inner city and the outer city.

Opening time: 8:00—17:00

Admission ticket: 80 yuan(free for kids under 5 years old and the elderly over 70 years old)

Telephone number : 15904130413

Exhibition hall of Fushun war criminals

    Exhibition hall of Fushun war criminals, was built in May 1986 Japanese war criminals were once put in prison here. The emperor of Manchukuo, Puyi and his ministers were also transformed into ordinary people here. In the exhibition hall over 800 historical pictures and more than 500 material objects are on display. It is a good patriotic（爱国的） education base for all the people, especially the students. Exhibition hall of Fushun war criminals is just in the center of Fushun.

Opening time : 8:30—16;00 (closed every Monday)

Admission ticket: 70 yuan( free for kids and all the primary and junior students and the elderly over 70. Free for all on September 18^th)

Telephone number: 55918918

Events

Long March exhibit

    The Shanghai History Museum is putting on an exhibition to mark the 60^th anniversary of the Long March. On show are more than 220 photos and 40 items that explain with pictures how the communist Red Army drew back from its besieged(被围困的) bases in Jiangxi Province and fought its way to northern Shanxi province in the mid-1930s. Explanations are all in Chinese. The show will end on November 20.

Time: 10:00 am—4:00 pm.

Address: 1286 Hongqiao Road

Admission: 8 Yuan for Chinese/ 15 Yuan for foreigners

Thai elephants

    Eight elephants from Thailand are entertaining visitors at Changfeng Park by riding bikes, playing basketball, balancing on a beam, dancing and blowing a mouth-organ. People are encouraged to have a tug-of-war(拔河比赛) with the animals or lie on the ground and have the elephants walk over them. The elephants give three shows a day at 9:30 am, 3:30 pm and 8:00 pm and there is an additional show at 1:30 pm at weekends. The show will end on November 15.

Address: 189 Daduhe Road

Admission: 30-40 Yuan

Dancing dolphins

    Dolphins jumping from the water to touch a ball, swaying their bodies to music, kissing people and doing math by tapping their tails have made the dolphinarium in Peace Park an attraction for children. Seals and sea lions also perform.

Hours: 10:30 am, 4:00 pm, and 7:30 pm

Admission: 20 Yuan for adults and 10 Yuan for children.

Car Hire

    Hiring a self-drive car really adds to the enjoyment of your holiday.There are so many places of interest to visit, and if you enjoy seeing more than just the city center there's no better way to explore than by car.

Hire Charges:

    What's included

    a) Unlimited mileage（英里数）.

    b) Expenses on oil,maintenance and repairs,which will be repaid on production of invoices.

    c) Full insurance except personal accident (see below).

What's not included

    a) Personal accident insurance.

    b) Garaging, petrol, parking and traffic fines.

    Conditions of Hire:

    The shortest rental period at these special low prices is three days.For prices for periods of one or two days you only see our representative at the hotel.

    Car hire must be booked six weeks or more before arrival in London to guarantee a car.But if you have been unable to make a booking in advance please see our representative at the hotel who may still be able to help you.

    The car types on the sheet are examples of the types of cars in each price range,but particular car cannot be guaranteed.

    Upon delivery the driver (s) will be asked to sigh the car hire company's Condition of Hire.

    If you decide to hire a car,just fill in the Booking Form and return it to us.A booking fee of £ 12 as part of the car hire cost is required.

    Should you be forced to cancel your car hire booking after payment in full (two weeks before date of hire),a cancellation charge of £ 12 will be made.

    You can love them or hate them, but no matter which tourist destination you visit, chances are you'll see someone with their head buried in a Lonely Planet guidebook.

    Lonely Planet is one of the world's largest travel guide brands, publishing more than 500 different guides in eight languages. The popular brand also produces television shows, websites and podcasts (播客) all devoted to travel.

     Some people praise Lonely Planet books because they make traveling easy and affordable. They also save time and make sure you don't miss the best things.

    They also provide the reviews of hostels, hotels, restaurants and ticket information about your destination.

    This can be great if you're a nervous traveler, or if you haven't traveled by yourself before. If you're in a country where you don't speak the language, sometimes there's nothing better than getting into a taxi and opening up a guidebook. You simply point to a map that directs the taxi driver to a hostel that's cheap and clean, with friendly staff and cold beer.

    But others criticize Lonely Planet and other travel guide publishers like them. They say guidebooks take the fun and spontaneity (自发性) out of traveling, and that part of the enjoyment of travel comes from the fact that anything can happen. They also regret that if you follow a guidebook, you'll end up doing the same thing and having the same experience as everyone else. You might end up seeing the same group of people over and over, because everyone is reading the same book and following the same route.

    Another criticism of travel guides is that they have a large impact on local communities. For example, some locals devote their lives to behaving in ways that attract tourists. They pretend to live a traditional lifestyle, wear traditional clothes and live in traditional houses in order to attract the tourist dollar.

    Top UK Summer Camps

    Oxford Summer Academy,Oxford

    The Oxford Summer Academy is a specialized program for 16-19-year-olds who want a taste of life at one of the world's most well-known universities.Activities range from morning tutorials（辅导）to afternoon electives that are designed to broaden students' understanding of what they'll be studying and how to be excellent in their chosen fields.

    Ardmay House,Long Loch,Scotland

    Ardmay House is the sort of adventure camp that makes adults jealous.Campers are presented with Lord of The Rings type settings to feel and try new things.With activities like climbing,beach art,fashion shows and quiz nights, kids are brought closer to nature and their peers in a fun and safe environment.

    Uppingham Summer School,Uppingham

    The Uppingham Summer School offers an impressive variety of summer courses from arts and crafts to theatre, cookery and sports.It was their Creativity Technologies Powerhouse that caught our eye when researching camps for this article.The course covers everything from iPhone app and design to computer game design,film-making,robot design and music technology.It's basically a course that takes them through the most exciting technology among the modem media.It's an amazing environment for kids to learn and grow in.

    Learn and Experience,Yorkshire

    Learn and Experience focuses on giving kids from the UK and abroad a chance to interact and have a good time with one another,an experience that makes them grow as individuals.With half the campers coming from abroad,it's a golden opportunity for curious kids to put their geography classes into practice without having to leave the country.

    There is no better way to enjoy Scottish traditions than going fishing and tasting a little whisky(威士忌) at a quiet place like the Inverlochy Castle. When Queen Victoria visited there in 1873 she wrote in her diary, “I never saw a lovelier spot,” And she didn't even go fishing.

    Scotland is not easily defined. In certain moments, this quiet land of lakes and grass mountains changes before your very eyes. When evening gently sweeps the hillside into orange, the rivers, teeming with fish, can turn into streams of gold. As you settle down with just a people and a basket on the bank of River Orchy, near the Inverlochy Castle, any frustration will float away as gently as the circling water. It's just you and purple, pink, white flowers, a perfect harmony. If you are a new comer to fishing, learning the basics from a fishing guide may leave you with a lifetime's fun. For many, fishing is more than a sport; it is an art.

    Scotland offers interesting place where you can rest after a long day's fishing. Set against a wild mountain and hidden behind woodland, the beautiful Inverlochy Castle Hotel below the Nevis is a perfect place to see the beauty of Scotland's mountains. Ben Nevis is the highest of mountains, and reaching its 1342-metre top is a challenge. But it's not just what goes up that matters; what comes down is unique. More than 900 metres high, on the mountain's north face, lies an all-important source of pure water. Its name comes from the Gaelic language "usqueb" or "water of life"; and it is the single most important ingredient(原料) in Scotland's best known whisky.

    Where can you find a nice place to relax on holiday for both you and your children? Well, I suggest you try the beautiful and green Isle of Wight (IOW). The Isle of Wight is one of the main tourist attractions. Here is some information on a few of the attractions on the IOW.

Dinosaur Isle

    It is located in Sandown, a seaside town on the southeast coast. It's a large, lovely museum, both fun and educational. Here you can see a large fossil collection of all kinds of dinosaurs, as well as a gift shop. You can walk into the past and then the future, learning about the history and the development of the civilization of dinosaurs that lived 120 million years ago.

Robin Hill Country Park

    The park is in the beautiful countryside, and is suitable for children's parties and games. It has five new gardens, and offers great opportunities to see and take pictures of the rare red squirrels.

The West of the Wight

    Here we have the Marine Aquarium, the Archaeology Exhibition and the Model Railway. They offer another opportunity to combine fun with learning. This is a great place to see ancient boats crossing the narrow strait between the island and the mainland.

The Wight Bus Museum

    This museum is run completely by unpaid volunteers. It has a bus collection stored in what was once a warehouse（仓库）. Most of the buses in the museum date back to around the 1910's.

    With all of these choices, what are you waiting for? IOW Tourism welcomes you!

    Amsterdam is a special city. There are many places you should not miss during your visit. Here is our list of the best.

Amsterdam canal ring

    The city old centre is formed from canal rings, which give you the feeling of space, freedom and peace. Walk through these canal streets or better — take a trip by renting a boat yourself. Another way to explore the Venice of the North is to take a ride on a bicycle. Any way you decide for - enjoy this city.

The National Maritime Museum

    The Maritime Museum is an attractive place to visit, especially with children. With many attractions in it, this colourful and enjoyable museum will help you understand the history of the Netherlands - a small nation which was one of the world's greatest sea powers.

Amsterdam Brown Cafe

    When you enter Amsterdam old cafes called Brown, at first it will seem too much from the past and too crowded, but the atmosphere is unique. Relax and watch - most of people around will be locals. Feel like one of them — the real Amsterdammers.

Civic Guards Gallery

    This gallery is filled with old paintings from the Dutch Golden Age. The exhibited canvas may be not always the masterpieces of art, but these group portraits of Amsterdam citizens and their wives are an exquisite (精致的) document of the Dutch civilization and culture centuries ago.

To avoid waiting lines we advise you to buy your tickets in advance online through our Amsterdam attractions and museums tickets webpage.

    China now has 52 sites included on the UNESCO World Heritage list, which was established to safeguard unique and irreplaceable cultural and natural sites around the world. Let's have a look at some of them, which may give you some clues on your next travel plan.

    Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor

    The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor is located in Lintong county, near Xi'an city, capital of Shaanxi province. A total of 8,000 life-size terracotta warriors, chariots and horses, and hundreds of bronze weapons have been unearthed from it. Many state leaders and experts worldwide believe that the discovery of the mausoleum is a major archeological find and can be called the eighth wonder of the world, paralleling Egypt's pyramids.

    Kulangsu, a Historic International Settlement

    Gulangyu Island, known in the local dialect as Kulangsu, is located on the entry of the Jiulong River, facing the city of Xiamen. The island was occupied by at least a dozen countries, including Great Britain, France and Japan. As a result, Western culture grew rapidly there in the 19th century, especially music. With such a harmonious blend of Western music and Eastern culture, Gulangyu is naturally referred to as the “island of music”. It is famous for its outstanding musicians and musical instruments.

    Qinghai Hoh Xil

    Hoh Xil, which means “beautiful girl” in Mongolian, is located in the north-eastern end of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve is China's largest and the world's third largest uninhabited area. Because of the high altitude and fierce weather, it is impossible for people to live there, and therefore, it is a paradise for wildlife and home to more than 230 species of wild animals including endangered species such as the Tibetan antelope, which is recognized as the National Class I Protected animal.

    Huangshan Mountain

    Huangshan, known as “the loveliest mountain of China”, lies in the south of Anhui province in eastern China. The scenic area covers 154 sq km, and is famous for its peaks, rocks, pines, clouds and springs. It also has a rich cultural heritage. Xu Xiake, a famous traveler of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), visited Huangshan twice, and described it in a poem, calling it the best of all mountains in China. Today it holds the same fascination for visitors, poets, painters and photographers.

    England continues to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. London in particular is one of the most visited cities and draws people in with its appeal, history, and pubs. England's smaller cities, like Bath and Oxford, are equally as attractive with a lot of culture and fewer crowds. Liverpool, birthplace of The Beatles, has a rich musical history. The countryside has wonderful natural beauty. Here are some tips on traveling in England.

    Free museums—Public museums offer free admission in every city throughout England and the UK. It's a great way to learn about the country's most influential artists and history, and spend a rainy day without paying a cent.

    Book early—Book all transportation well in advance, even if you don't plan to use it. Fares can be around ￡2 with a little planning. The Megabus not only runs buses but also provides trains throughout England and is the best choice for cheap travel throughout the country.

    Pub food—Eating in England can be quite expensive, but for good cheap and filling meals, visit the local pubs, where you can get a good meal for less than ￡10. Besides, the pubs are a great way to meet people!

    Get a Taste of UK card—The Taste of the UK card offers up to 50% off at selected restaurants. You don't need to be an English to get the card, and you needn't pay the first month's membership fee, which is perfect for most travelers.

    Take a free walking tour—Many major cities in England offer free walking tours. They usually last a few hours and are a great way to see the city.

    Modern life is impossible without travelling. The fastest way of travelling is by plane. With a modern airline you can travel in one day to places which it took a month or more to get to hundred years ago.

    Travelling by train is slower than by plane, but it has its advantages. You can see the country you are travelling through. Modern trains have comfortable seats and dining-cars. They make even the longest journey enjoyable.

    Some people prefer to travel by sea when possible. There are large liners and river boats. You can visit many other countries and different parts of your country on them. Ships are not so fast as trains or planes, but travelling by sea is a very pleasant way to spend a holiday.

    Many people like to travel by car. You can make your own timetable. You can travel three or four hundred miles or only fifty or one hundred miles a day, just as you like. You can stop wherever you wish where there is something interesting to see, at good restaurant where you can enjoy a good meal, or at a hotel to spend the night. That is why travelling by car is popular for pleasure trips, while people usually take a train or plane when they are travelling on business.

    A Hobby is a regular activity that is done for enjoyment, typically during one's leisure(闲暇的) time. By continually taking part in a particular hobby, one can acquire practical skill and knowledge in that area. Is travel a good hobby? Travel, in the youngest sort, is a part of education and, in the elder, a part of experience. Some may think otherwise. To them, visiting churches, castles, libraries, etc. is an absolute wastage of time. They may further say that one can read the account of these or see the films of the important places of the world. They forget that touch of actuality gives a different type of sensation and satisfaction.

    Travelling may be an expensive hobby but it makes up for the financial loss. If a traveller has interest in life and its manifestations(表现), one can find much to keep oneself absorbed and happy. A student of any stream can definitely find something of his own interest and studies. One can definitely find everything that satisfies his cravings for knowledge and feelings.

    As a hobby, travelling keeps us busy during leisure time; it is the best method to make use of time. Till a person breaks from dull routine, physically and mentally, one cannot find satisfaction. Travelling helps us to achieve this break. At a new place, one is curious to know and eager to gather all the unknown information about the place which he has neither read nor heard before and he gets thrills and surprises which keep the interest and enthusiasm alive and encourage us to keep our journey on.

    While travelling, one comes across a number of people from varied backgrounds and places. By interacting with them, he comes to know about their traditions also. In case one has psychological bent of mind, one increases one's experience and power to understand others. Understanding human nature is, perhaps, the best part of education. Travelling satisfies all demands of a good hobby-it is absorbing education and refreshment to the mind, body and soul.

Yosemite is a national park in California. It is very beautiful and big. The park includes more than 760,000 acres in the California Mountains. Most of the park is wilderness.

The part of Yosemite that everyone likes is Yosemite Valley. It is a tiny valley that is 7 miles long and less than 1 mile wide. It has tall rock walls and streams that splash down in waterfalls. More than two million visitors come to the valley each year.

One ranger (守护人) says the number of visitors is more than the land can handle. The valley has 4,500 camping spots. It has a hotel that can hold 4, 000 families. This is still not enough to handle all of the visitors. The valley has grown so big that it has a lot of traffic and crime.

A worker says the park is trying to keep the beauty of the park and let everyone visit. Some areas have been fenced off from people and planted with seeds to try to keep them beautiful.

A former worker thinks Yosemite should get more money to take better care of the park. He would also like to teach people what the park service is trying to do.

Some people are trying to save Yosemite Valley. A plan has been made to get rid of some buildings. There will be fewer cars allowed inside the park. More buses will help get people around.

The Harbourside Development is one of the world's most exciting places to shop. It's built right on the edge of Sydney Harbour, and there are over 200 shops, selling everything from home­made sweets to the very latest clothes in fashion; from Australian souvenirs to Swiss watches and Japanese cameras.

The Australian Wildlife Park has been specially built to give people an extra close look at Australia's native animals. Have your photo taken with a kangaroo，touch and feed koala bears. There are talks every afternoon about these animals, which are only found in this part of the world. There is also an excellent souvenir shop.

A visit to the Australian Museum is like an adventure across Australia. There are shows on the people and their way of life and the whole continent. Talks and guided tours help to make your visit unforgettable. There's also a café and a good book shop, selling excellent maps.

Taronga Zoo has Australia's finest collection of rainforest birds and sea­life centre which has many of the fish that can be found off the coasts of Australia and New Zealand. Taronga is also famous for its large group of South East Asian monkeys. Fast food can be got at cafés.

For years the Italian city of Venice has been struggling with a few concerns. Saint Mark's Square is often flooded. Venice's waterways require repairs. But, by far, the biggest problem is the rapidly growing number of visitors to the city.

So city officials have decided to require all visitors to pay a fee to enter Venice. The money will help to pay for cleaning and other services that help to keep the city beautiful.

Venice's Mayor Luigi Brugnaro explained the decision to international media during a visit to Rome last week. "Venice is a wonder of the world and only in this way can it be saved," the mayor said. "The fee process will be experimental at first," he added.

A one-day visit will cost about $7. City officials have yet to decide when the fee collection will begin. The money will be collected by transport companies that bring the tourists to Venice. The city will set up cameras for those arriving in private cars. And there will be fines for those who do not pay the fee. Students, some workers and children under the age of six will not have to pay. Naturally, anyone born or living in Venice is exempt.

City officials hope this will prevent the overcrowding that often comes with large numbers of tourists. Some people living in Venice say they do not believe the fee plan will work. Lawyer Roberta Pierabon says it will be impossible to collect the money from everyone who visits the city. Visitors arrive from all sides. She does not believe tourists can be controlled and adds that she disapproves of the plan. Other Venetians like the idea. They say it will make tourism less aggressive. Venetians love their city and know it will never stop appealing to visitors. Venice is so special, they say, that it belongs to the whole of humanity.

Pingvellir National Park was founded by law in 1930. The Act states that "Pingvellir shall be protected national shrine (圣地) for all Icelanders." In 2004 Pingvellir was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Facilities At Pingvellir National Park

The National Park Information Center at Leirar can provide advice on camping, fishing and hiking as well as other general information on the park. There is a small and comfortable cafeteria where drinks and light meals can be obtained.

At Hakio Visitor center is an interactive exhibition where the national park's history and nature comes alive. Guests can also find there souvenir shop and small cafeteria.

Pingvellir National Park Rules

• All nature in the National Park is protected. Don't disturb any natural or man-made feature.

• Do not damage vegetation. Fires are prohibited.

• Do not litter in the National Park.

•Do not drive off-road or park outside a designated (指定的) parking areas.

• Dogs must be kept on a leash (皮带) ,and owners must clean up after their pets.

•Note that the Pingvellir area has many rock fissures and cracks. Stay careful.

• Camping is only permitted at designated campsites. Observe quiet between midnight and 8 am.

• Fishing permits are sold at the service center. Note that boats must not be launched from National Park land.

• Park rangers and service center staff will be pleased to provide further information.

• Pingvellir National Park is a haven of peace. Drunkenness is inappropriate here, and disturbs other visitors. The National Park reserves that right to expel drunken visitors.

Like many couples, Sheila and David Hoffman enjoy travelling. Since 2000, they've often visited relatives in Australia and enjoyed holidays in many European countries including France, Germany, Italy, and Greece. And they've toured around America, but they haven't once stayed in a hotel. The Hoffmans are part of a growing number of people who use their home as a way to have inexpensive holidays. So far, they've swapped their three-bedroom London home with people who want to stay there for anything from a week to two months.

In a home swap, you offer your house as a place to stay and anyone who's interested gets in touch. If your dates and requirements fit, then you make a deal to exchange houses for an agreed time. The exchange can involve more than just a place to stay — some homeowners also exchange cars and others will arrange for a friend or neighbour to be on call in case of emergencies. Some exchangers will even organise restaurant bookings and trips.

Home swaps have existed in Britain on an organised basis for decades but they really took off with the arrival of the Internet. Previously, the process was long and drawn-out, involving letter exchange and expensive international calls to complete arrangements. Now, it can all be done with a few clicks. Most home-exchangers register with a specialist home-exchange company that deals with the organisation.

More people are using their homes as a way to enjoy holidays at home as well as abroad. Most of them choose to follow the trend because they are interested in how natives lead their lives. When you live in a typical home rather than a hotel, it's almost like an exchange of lifestyles. It's also a cheap way to travel making sure you won't run short of money on your journey.

Seeing a volcano erupt is a wonderful experience, and you can really feel the heat by climbing to the summit (山顶) of Pacaya for a close-up view. There are guided tours every day up this highly active volcano from Antigua, giving travelers a chance to see Mother Nature at her most powerful.

Pacaya is an easy drive from Antigua, a beautiful city with many colorful houses along its old streets that are turned into art-works during its Holy Week Festival. No matter when you come to Antigua, you won't miss the Pacaya-tour companies.

But climbing Pacaya is no easy job: it is 2,560 metres high, and reaching the summit takes two to three hours of seemingly one-step-forward and two-step-back movements. As you climb, you hear the dull sounds of eruptions high above. Steaming, hot remains from recent eruptions begin to line the path as you near the active summit: the McKenney Cone (火山锥). Just as though you are going to walk over to the edge of the cone, the road turns to the left and up to the relative safety of the old, inactive summit.

Many tours are timed so that you arrive at the cone of the volcano in plenty of time for sunset and the full contrast between the erupting red lava and the darkening sky. On a good day the view from the summit is extremely exciting. The active mouth boils, sending red lava over its sides, and once in a while shoots hot streams up to 100 meters into the air. There is a strong bad smell in the air even if you take care to be upwind of the cone. As evening turns deeper into the night, the burning lava quietly falls down the side of the volcano. For you, too, it is time to get down.

Among many celebrated U. S. places for very cool sunsets, here are notable favorites.

California Dreamin'

While you are visiting California Dreamin', El Matador's eye-catching nightfall is a worthy way to lead you into deep thought. It is about the sands of time. Pack a basket of delicious food for a late-in-the-day picnic overlooking the Pacific Ocean, via the Pacific Coast Highway. The sunset is a sweet dessert.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

The 1,218,375-acre Grand Canyon National Park is wonderful. The canyon itself stretches 277 miles. Its wildlife is also so abundant. You can go to the South Rim of the canyon (大峡谷), which offers the best sunset advantages. Sometimes, you can see deer running and eagles flying with the sunset standing as the background. An unforgettable thrill: Grand Canyon Floor Landing Helicopter Sunset Tour by Canyon Tours.

Florida Serenity

Called the River of Grass, Everglades National Park — South Florida's amazing 1.5-million-acre wetland reserve — is quilted with coastal trees and grass. An especially chosen sunset-watching site is near Mrazek Pond, approximately three miles north of the Flamingo Visitor Center. This is a birder's (观鸟者) dream place, too, home to more than 360 species.

Hawaii Aloha

Haleakala Crater in Hawaii Aloha, a vast dormant (休眠期的) volcano 10,023 feet above sea level, is famous for its sunrises — so that dawn sun-seekers climb the volcano in the middle of the night to make the long drive up a winding road to the summit. But Haleakala's sunsets are just as amazing. Since fewer people arrive late in the day, a more personal sunset participation is possible. Consider a private or group sunset hike to appreciate the Pacific Ocean. It is worthwhile.