With the summer holiday just around the corner, it seems like everybody is busy planning their vacations. Here are some tips that can helpyou enjoy your holiday without emptying your pocket:
Travel off-season
Go to your desired destination while the demand is low and takeadvantage of huge discounts. During the peak season, the hotel and flightprices increase quickly, and you’ll likely spend more of your vacation timestanding in line due to the rush of tourists.
Websites can help you find discount hotel rooms. Look for placesthat do not charge extra for children if they use the existing bedding. Staywith the locals. If you and your family are going to stay for a longer period,renting a small apartment is a good choice.
Eat like a local
Why eat at big chain restaurants when you can experiencesomething new?
During your family trip, try new food where the locals eat. Thiswill not just save money, but also provide you with a new and differentexperience. For smaller meals and snacks, avoid restaurants and try street foodor other takeout.
Don’t hesitate to bargain
Tourist- heavy places are known for overcharging for just abouteverything. Clothes, travel goodies, souvenirs, etc. are very expensive atthese places. Bargain hard to get the best price.
Choose local transportation
Instead, take buses, railways or subways, which are alwayscheaper. If you are planning to stay for a while, you can consider renting acar. Hiring a car is much easier than carrying your bags everywhere if you aremoving around a lot.
A. Save on hotels.
B. Surf the Internet while traveling.
C. Therefore, avoid buying anything there.
D. So it's best to find out when the off-season starts.
E. Planning your meals is another way to reduce your travelcosts.
F. For this reason, you shouldn’t feel ashamed to ask forbargains.
G .As a tourist, avoid taking taxis whenever possible, sincethey are expensive.
Holidays
Holiday News Vacancies(空位) now and in the school holidays at a country hotel in Devon. This comfortable, friendly home-from-home lies near the beautiful quiet countryside, but just a drive away from the sea. The food is simple but good. Children and pets are welcome. Reduced prices for low season. |
The Snowdonia Centre The Snowdonia Centre for young mountain climbers has a mountain climbing lesson. The beginners' costs are ￡57 for a week, including food and rooms. Equipment is included except walking shoes, which can be hired at a low cost. You must be in good health and prepared to go through a period of body exercises. This could be the beginning of a lifetime of mountain climbing adventure. |
The World Sea Trip of a Lifetime Our World Sea Trip of 2008 will be unlike any holiday you have ever been on before. Instead of one hotel after another, with all its packing and unpacking, waiting and traveling, you just go to bed in one country and wake up in another. On board the ship, you will be well taken care of. Every meal will be first-class and every cabin like your home. During the trip, you can rest on deck(甲板), enjoy yourself in the games rooms and in the evening dance to our musical team and watch our wonderful play. You will visit all the places most people only dream about — from Acapulco and Hawaii to Tokoy and Hong Kong. For a few thousand pounds, all you've ever hoped for can be yours. |
How to save money to visit Shanghai Disneyland?
The “happiest place on earth” is a top destination on many families' bucket lists. But taking a vacation to Disney World can be difficult to do on a budget. There are some considerations that you can make to reduce the cost of your Disney World vacation.
1）Buy Souvenirs in Advance
Disney has influenced practically every industry, which makes it easy to find Disney items anywhere, from Walmart, Target, and your local grocery store to department stores and Amazon. You can save a lot of money by purchasing items before your trip at these less-expensive places than at Disneyland.
2）Make an Autograph Book
An autograph (亲笔签名)book is seen as a must-have by many Disneyland enthusiasts and is a memory you can take home with you. These books can cost anywhere from $7.95 to $19.95 at the Disney Store and up to $30 for the latest-and-greatest autograph book at Disneyland, such as the park's 60th anniversary edition. Other choices can get the job done for under $5. For example, you can buy a small photo album; cute pads or notebooks.
3）Eat Breakfast Before You Arrive
Breakfast is almost as pricey as lunch or dinner if you eat inside the Disneyland parks. If you have a hotel with a free breakfast, take advantage of it. If you want to eat out, eat at a local restaurant that is inexpensive or has a kids' menu, such as McDonald's which is close to the park.
4）Take Advantage of Discounts Offered to Special Groups
Disney offers a wide variety of discounts, including for military service members, college students, teachers, and youth groups. If you think you might qualify for a special discount or group rate, call the Disneyland Resort to book tickets.
If you choose a hot tourist spot for your holiday, you are likely to be drowned by a great number of tourists, noise and long lines. At this point you might wonder why you ever left home. Here are some tips to deal with crowds and avoid the trouble that might ruin your trip.
Book Tickets In Advance
Buy tickets online before you leave home, and skip the crowds and endless lines at your destination(目的地). Smart travelers can avoid the queue when visiting abroad with online ticket sales.
Talk To People
You can ask the travel agency and the hotel for help. Ask questions, get maps, ask about taxis, restaurants and the sites you wish to visit. These people are experts and can save you lots of time trying to find things out for yourself.
Sign Up For Special Tours
If there are any special events or tours being offered for your vacation, buy them in advance. Firstly they are usually cheaper bought in advance and secondly it makes sure you get booked in before they are sold out.
Visit During the Weekdays
We all know that most sites and events are less crowded during the week than on weekends when people are off work and the kids are out of school. Flights are also usually cheaper on weekdays than they are on weekends.
Watch The Weather
Mother nature controls a lot of what we do especially for outdoor activities. Check the weather forecasts and plan your indoor and outdoor activities according to the weather ahead of time.
A walk in one of the regional parks and forests is a great way to explore the diverse landscape of greater Wellington.
From coastal sands to historic paths,farmland to green native forest,the parks and forests offer a variety of countryside and scenery to suit all ages and levels of fitness.
Most of the walks offer the chance to take a break and enjoy picnicking or swimming.
What to take
Many of the walks go through areas exposed to winds and changeable weather.Please take with you some water and sun hat especially on walks marked with hiking symbol.Always take some warm clothing and a rain jacket.
All times stated are estimates for the return trip.
Where indicated, mountain bikes and horses riders may use tracks.
Opening hours
The parks and forests are open daily from 8 am till dusk.Parks or walks marked with a farm animal symbol may be closed for lambing Aug—Nov.Please check with the ranger or on our website www.gw.govt.nz.
Caring for your pack
●Pack in and pack out.Take your rubbish home and recycle it when possible.
●Keep dogs under control and remove droppings.
●Do not remove, disturb or damage native plants or animals.
●Light no fires.
●Poison may be laid in the parks and forests to control the field mouse.Do not remove notice or disturb baits, lures, trapping lines or the mousetraps.
根据短文内容，选择最佳答案，并将选定答案的字母标号填在题前括号内。
Visiting Joshua Tree National Park, California
Joshua Tree National Park is nearly 800,000 acres (英亩) large and surrounds parts of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts in South-central California. Although deserted at first sight, the park is full of wildlife and provides a variety of entertainment activities from hiking to climbing. Within a three-hour drive, Joshua Tree National Park takes at least a full day to visit.
Things to do
Hiking opportunities within the park include several choices, from 12 self-guided nature routines to all-day back-country hikes.
Joshua Tree NP has nine camping grounds, and back-country camping is also allowed.
Rock climbing is a popular activity in the park, which has 10 mountains greater than 5, 000 feet in height.
When to visit
Joshua Tree NP is open 365 days a year, although the best time to visit is October through April, when temperature is milder. The peak season is when the wild flowers bloom, and the summer months are the least crowded.
What to bring
In addition to your camera and telescope, be sure to carry lots of water. Park and guiding maps can be picked up at any of the three visitor centers.
Fees
Parking fees: You can buy a seven-day vehicle permit (周票) for $ 15, a single entry permit for $ 5, or Joshua Tree National Park annual (每年的) pass for $ 60.
Camping fees: They vary by camping ground
Queensland is one of the most amazing states in Australia. It has some of the most beautiful natural scenery on the planet, with the Great Barrier Reef, rainforests and impressive beaches.
The Great Barrier Reef
It is one of the world's largest natural features. It stretches more that 2,300 km along the north eastern coast of Australia from the northern tip of Queensland to just north of Bundaberg. The things that most surprise visitors to the reef are the colors.
Without doubt, the best way to see the Great Barrier Reef is by diving. If you have a little extra money and you are feeling a bit lazy, you can fly over the reef in a plane.
Fraser Island
Another area of natural beauty is Fraser Island. This is the world's largest sand island. It's best visited from Hervey Bay on the mainland, where there are a number of places offering trips around the island. To fully appreciate Fraser Island you should go for three or four days. Attractions include some beautiful fresh-water lakes, particularly Lake Wabby and Lake Mckenzie. You can walk around these on white sands untouched by human footprints. Indian Head also has some beautiful views. Braver travelers can go and watch sharks circling the water hundreds of meters below.
The Whitsunday Islands
It would be a pity to travel around Queensland without taking a trip around the Whitsunday Islands. They were named by Captain Cook in 1770, after the day on which he arrived. Here are some of the great things you can do there.
●Cruise around them on a relaxing trip.
●Take a sailing course.
●Look at the aboriginal (土著的) paintings in caves on Hook Island.
●Have fun in the water doing lots of water sports.
So, will you be going to Queensland?
Planning a September trip to France
September is one of the very best months to visit France．Not only will you enjoy plenty of sunshine and warm weather, but the tourist season is beginning to wind down-which means cheaper airfares, lower prices at hotels, and fewer crowds．
●Go wine tasting
And there are plenty of wine-related events and festivals around the country．So September is a great time to visit the vineyards around the country and go wine tasting．The Bordeaux, Loire and Burgundy regions are all lovely and great places to visit vineyards．Besides that, going to the castles of the Loire region in between visiting vineyards on such warm and Sunny days is also very enjoyable．
●
The temperatures are slightly lower，but plenty of sunshine makes for perfect conditions to enjoy a barge cruise on the canals of France．With such comfortable weather and beautiful scenery at this time of year, nothing equals hanging out on the deck of a barge．
●Visit the museums
Many museums in France have extended opening hours during the summer to accommodate the extra tourists and locals. And some museums also have extended opening hours into September．Wandering around the Louvre will take you into a wonder world，where you can enjoy the world-famous art．
Besides the above，riding a bike through France's villages is also a welcome activity for young visitors in September．You call shop for the most fashionable clothes or goods here．You can see the beautiful and fantastic scenery along the road．
A．Take a barge cruise.
B．Enjoy the music concerts.
C．So, don't hesitate and start to plan your September trip to France flow!
D．France is a beautiful country．
E．September is the beginning of the grape harvest season in France．
F．Going out of the Louvre, you can walk to the modern and fashionable Champs Elysees to do some shopping．
G．If this is your first trip to France, here is some handy information to help you get started planning your vacation!
Walt Disney is credited for creating such wonderful things as Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. However, he cannot take the credit for creating other well-loved characters, such as Cinderella and Snow White. They are almost automatically associated with Disney because Disney turned old fables(寓言) into cartoon movies.
The original Cinderella varies very much from the Disney version we know today. It started off with the girl mourning her mother's death and going to her tomb three times a day. In addition, there were only birds that helped Cinderella; there was no such thing as a fairy godmother or helpful mice, nor was there mention of a horse and carriage.
The stepsisters were cruel: they always threw Cinderella's food into the ashes of the fire and made her sleep on the ashes on the floor, hence（因此）her name.
In the original story, the king's ball actually lasted for three days. With the help of the birds, the girl, beautifully dressed, danced with the prince on all three nights and the prince fell in love with her. However, she broke away from him to rush back home each night. On the last night, the prince placed soothing sticky on the stairs; as Cinderella made her escape, a shoe got stuck on it.
Here now is where the story becomes unpleasant: when the prince went to the house looking for the girl whose foot fit the shoe, the wicked(邪恶的) stepmother told one of her two daughters to cut off her big toe to fit into the shoe. The daughter did as told. So the prince took her away to be his bride. But when they passed the tomb of Cinderella's mother, the birds called out to the prince,
“Turn and peep, there's blood in the shoe;the shoe is too small, the true bride waits for you.”
Realizing he had been tricked, the prince returned the daughter to her mother. The other then had to cut off part of her heel in order to fit into the shoe, with the same result. Only Cinderella's foot fit perfectly and so the prince chose to marry her. The story ends with the wedding day: as Cinderella's two stepsisters followed her, pretending to be devoted to her so that they could enjoy the king's riches, two birds flew by and plucked(啄) out their eyes. Because of their wickedness and falsehood, they had to spend the rest of their days blind.
The original Cinderella is so different from the Disney version. Thank goodness Disney made such changes; it indeed was a wise move.
People aren't walking any more—if they can figure out a way to avoid it.
I felt superior about this matter until the other day I took my car to mail a small parcel. The journey is a matter of 281 steps. But I used the car. And I wasn't in ay hurry, either, I had merely become one more victim of a national sickness: motorosis.
It is an illness to which I had thought myself immune（免疫的）, for I was bred in the tradition of going to places on my own two legs. At that time, we regarded 25 miles as good day's walk and the ability to cover such a distance in ten hours as sign of strength and skill. It did not occur to us that walking was a hardship. And the effect was lasting. When I was 45 years old I raced –and beat—a teenage football player the 168 steps up the Stature of Liberty.
Such enterprises today are regarded by many middle-aged persons as bad for the heart. But a well-known British physician, Sir Adolphe Abrhams, pointed out recently that hearts and bodies need proper…… is more likely to have illnesses than one who exercises regularly. And wlaking is an ideal form of exercise— the most familiar and natural of all.
It was Henry Thoreau who showed mankind the richness of going on foot. The man walking can learn the trees, flower, insects, birds and animals, the significance of seasons, the very feel of himself as a living creature in a living world, He cannot learn in a car.
The car is a convenient means of transport, but we have made it our way of life. Many people don't dare to approach Nature any more; to them the world they were born to enjoy is all threat. To them security is a steel river thundering on a concrete road. And much of their thinking takes place while waiting for the traffic light to turn green.
I say that the green of forests is the mind's best light. And none but the man on foot can evaluate what is basic and everlasting.
Famous Places in France That Everyone Will Want to Visit
When visiting a new destination, it is always a good idea to know about the places on the must-see list. France is one of those countries that everyone would like to visit. Here is a list of some of the most famous places in France that one should not miss going to.
La Vallée de Chamonix
Situated near Mt. Blanc, the Chamonix Valley is a paradise for nature lovers and explorers. It has beautiful scenery all year round. The place is also famous for winter sports, being one of the oldest ski resorts. Lifts transport the visitors to the heart of the massif(山丘), which offers breathtaking view of the valley. Perfect for adventurous explorers.
Place Masséna(Nice)
This one is known globally as one of the most beautiful public squares. The atmosphere here, is enhanced by fountains, statues and gardens. It is famous for street performances and concerts, specially the carnival parade in February. Another highlight nearby, is Vieux Nice, But the main attraction is at night, when the atmosphere is atmosphere is magical due to the illuminations.
Lascaux II(Montignac)
Lascaux II is a reproduction of the set of caves that were discovered in 1940. These caves were estimated to be more than 17,000 years old. The caves have some 1,500 paintings of wild animals. It is believed to have been a sanctuary(圣所)for the performance of sacred rites. Lascaux II is open for art lovers who wish to see the early cave paintings and learn more about the history of European art.
Luxembourg Gardens(Paris)
This place acts as a perfect place to relax after a tiring day of sightseeing. These formal gardens, which were open to only the royalty before the French Revolution, now serve as one of Paris' most popular destinations. Families can spend time here, relaxing and enjoying the beauty of the nature. Before visiting these gardens, you can visit Fontaine de 1' Observatoire, which is situated just south of the site
Eco-Cruises
It covers the areas from Lakes Entrance through to Lake King.
Duration: 3 hours, 30 km course around the amazing Gippsland Lakes. |
Departs: 1 p.m. every day except Wednesday, from the Cunningham Quay. |
Food: Included in your ticket price is freshly made scones and cream-made right on board as we cruise. Passengers are very welcome to bring a picnic lunch on board with them. |
Aim: Our aim is for you to enjoy the wonderful sights of the beautiful Gippsland Lakes. |
Wild native animals are protected by law
We may see dolphins and seals in the Gippsland Lakes system during the summer/autumn months, but more so during the winter/spring seasons: during these times we exercise great care not to disturb them.
However, these are intelligent creatures and on many occasions they will interact with us. During this time, we show them respect they deserve and appreciate the opportunity to see these wonderful animals at play.
As a bonus, the amazing bird life is always there and changes through the seasons.
We will do our best during the cruise to locate the animals for you to experience, but, of course, they don't always co-operate and are sometimes beyond our view. Therefore, unfortunately, we cannot guarantee sightings.
How to book
Phone 0413 666 638 for prices and bookings.
Don't forget to ask about our family ticket special.
Seniors and group discounts also available.
The Summer Holiday Activities for Families in the UK
While the Astronaut spacewalk, Manchester last year remains in the memory of some families, our week-by-week guide to the school summer break this year features a host of special events and outdoor fun for kids, from open-air cinema and live music to coming face to face with dinosaurs.
Polar fun, Edinburgh
Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh is keeping cool this summer with lots of polar-themed activities, including family science shows on the Arctic and Antarctic, icy experiments, and craft designs where kids can make their own penguin, walrus or polar bear.
Until 28 August, £15 adults, £9.50 children, dynamicearth.co.uk.
Dinosaur events, various locations
Dinosaurs in the Wild is a vivid, walk-through experience taking visitors back 67 million years to the late Cretaceous period. Dinosaur Babies is an exhibition of dinosaur embryos and eggs, plus a model nest. Dinosaurs of China displays fossils and skeletons never before seen in Europe.
Until 23 August, NEC in Birmingham, then 7 October to 7 January, Event City Manchester, £29.50 adults, £26 children, dinosaursinthewild.com.
Proud Country House kids fest, Brighton
Just 15 minutes from the centre of Brighton, this 18th century Georgian manor house in Stammer Park has a packed programme of events and activities on throughout the summer, including storytelling in the forest, guided bike rides, tree climbing and family yoga.
1 July〜10 September, prices vary, usually from £5〜10, booking for events required but bouse and gardens can be visited without booking, stammerhouse.co.UK /kids fest.
Saturday, March 24th
We have arrived in the hot, wet city of Bangkok. This is our first trip to Thailand(泰国). All the different smells make us want to try the food. We are going to eat something special for dinner tonight. The hotel we are staying in is cheap, and very clean. We plan to stay here for a few days, visit some places in the city, and then travel to Chiang Mai in the North.
Tuesday, March 27th
Bangkok is wonderful and surprising! The places are interesting. We visited the famous market which was on water, and saw a lot of fruits and vegetables. Everything is so colorful, and we have taken hundreds of photos already! Later today we will leave for Chiang Mai. We will take the train north, stay in Chiang Mai for two days, and then catch a bus to Chiang Rai.
Friday, March 30th
Our trip to Chiang Rai was long and boring. We visited a small village in the mountains. The village people here love the quiet life--no computers or phones. They are the kindest people I have ever met. They always smile and say “hello”. Kathy and I can only speak a few words of Thai, so smiling is the best way to show our kindness. I feel good here and hope to be able to come back next year.
The Grand Canyon(大峡谷)Helicopter Tour
You'll discover the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon as your helicopter flies to the west edge，passing over Lake Las Vegas，Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam．During the flight，you can listen to a recorded introduction to the Grand Canyon and its surroundings via headphones．At noon，you'11 land for an unforgettable champagne picnic，3，200 feet below the edge．While you share a bottle of champagne，your pilot and guide will be happy to answer any questions you may have．Your flight ends with a low-level pass over the famous Las Vegas Strip．On landing，a comfortable car is waiting to bring you back to your hotel．
Each helicopter carries a maximum of 6 people including your pilot．For a roomier experience，upgrade your flight to an EC-130 helicopter which provides larger leg room and can accommodate more weight per seat．See Additional Info for details on weight restrictions．
Pricing Information
Services included：45-minute(approx)flight each way，hotel pickup and drop-off by limousine，lunch．
Our price is constantly updated．Click to check pricing & availability on your preferred travel date．
Additional Information
The maximum weight per passenger to ride in an A-Star helicopter is 2751bs．If passengers weigh in between 2751bs and 3001bs，you will be required to upgrade to the EC-130．
Pickup is available from selected Las Vegas hotels．You must contact the local travel agency to fix your pickup time．
All flight times are approximate and might be influenced by weather conditions．
Traveler Review
This is an absolute must do．The view of the Grand Canyon at his height was absolutely amazing! Our pilot was funny，knowledgeable and a great guide．All the staff from booking to check-in and helicopter departure were fantastic．I would recommend this tour to everyone．
Live in Cave
Kokopelli's Cave Bed &Breakfast, Farmington, New Mexico.
The idea may seem very stone age, but this lone unit, which was carved into a 65-million-year-old sandstone rock, is filled with modern amenities(便利设施). The Travel Channel says these “cave comforts” include a comfortable bedroom, large fire circle, and rainfall shower. Plus, the views of the La Plata River and nearby mountains are breathtaking.
$260/ night; bbonline.com
Sleep below the Surface
Jules' Undersea Lodge, Key Largo, Florida.
This hotel, which is named after20,000 Leagues Under the Sea author Jules Verne, is the world's only underwater hotel. Lonely Planet says that this former research station has been turned into a pleasant hotel. Guests must make the 21-foot dive to its two rooms, fully stocked kitchen, and showers. Don't want to cook? The staff will dive and bring your food to you.
$400/night; jul.com
Sail into History
The Queen Mary, Long Beach, California
Wish you could experience the greatness of a ship like the Titanic? According to CNN Travel, here's your chance. Book a room to get a taste of a bygone time on this ship-turned hotel. You may not be able to sail into the sunset like Kate and Leo, but you can enjoy onboard attractions like original 1930s artwork and tours of strange and mysterious hot spots.
$129/night;queenmary.com
If you are travelling in Britain, besides so many world-class things to see and do in London, planning a day trip away from it can also be worthwhile.
Stonehenge
Stonehenge consists of a group of huge standing stones. The 5,000-year-old stones are one of the world's biggest mysteries that no one has figured out yet. While exploring Stonehenge, you can imagine wildly and decide for yourself how the stones came to be there and why. Although you can't touch the stones, you can walk among them and feel the changes of seasons.
Windsor
Most people visit Windsor to see Windsor Castle, where the Queen spends most of her time. The castle itself could keep you busy for days. The best way to appreciate Windsor Castle is to approach via the Long Walk, a straight road where there are no cars, but you might see some deer.
Oxford
Oxford is best known for its world-famous university. The large student population keeps the atmosphere young and fresh, though there's no shortage of history if you want it. 30 colleges make up the university itself. A tour of the colleges is a must—Harry Potter fans will recognize various locations used in the movies.
Bath
Founded by the Romans, who used the area's springs to create a spa retreat（水疗中心）, Bath's now the best tourist attraction of Southwest England. Visitors never miss the Roman Bath Complex, which is divided into four main parts—the Bath House, the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple and the museum, which displays fascinating finds from the historical ruins of the city.
The McDonald family from Glasgow, Scotland, were on holiday in Western Australia when their vehicle broke down in a desert area ninety miles north of the town of Laverton. This happened on a Tuesday, and the McDonalds were expected to arrive in the city of Kalgoorlie on Wednesday evening. When they did not show up, Mrs McDonald's brother told the local police.
A spokesperson from the rescue team that discovered the McDonalds' vehicle said that the family planned carefully for their desert trip. They knew that they needed to stay with their vehicle instead of setting out to seek help, and they did the right thing by lighting a fire as a signal to attract attention.
When it comes to making a desert trip, the spokesperson also suggested bringing warm clothing for the cold nights and light clothing, hats, and sunscreen for the hot days. Besides, travelers should have a well-stocked survival kit (装备) including a first-aid kit, map, matches or lighter, and a knife. They should also make sure to pack plenty of food and water, spare tires (轮胎), and fuel. The spokesperson's final suggestion was to tell a friend or family member about your travel plans.
After the unpleasant experience, John McDonald told reporters that he had read quite a lot about desert survival before coming to Australia. He knew that if they had tried to walk to the nearest town, they would not have been able to carry enough water and that they had to cut down on what they ate, because digestion requires a great deal of water.
Mr McDonald said he was extremely happy to see the rescue team and thankful that his family had survived. When asked what advice he could share with other possible desert travelers, Mr McDonald said, “Don't panic. Stay where you are and wait to be rescued. ” This trip through the Australian desert is one vacation the McDonald family will never forget!
Across Europe, where visitors can outnumber residents in the summer months, the complaints have started. Last week, in Barcelona, an open-top bus was spray-painted across its windscreen with the words “Tourism Kills Neighbourhoods”. The message is clear: such cities are under pressure. In tourists and residents' battle for shared spaces, local authorities are uncomfortably in the middle. The tourism is one of the largest employers in the world, with one new job created for every 30 new visitors to a destination—but at what cost to locals' quality of life?
More people are travelling than ever before, and lower barriers to entry and falling costs mean they are doing so for shorter periods. The rise of “city breaks”—48-hour bursts of foreign cultures—has increased tourist numbers. “Too many people do the same thing at the exact same time,” says Xavier Font, a professor at the University of Surrey, “For locals, the city no longer belongs to them.”
Compounding the problem is Airbnb, which has made tourists more casual in their approach to international travel, but added to residents' headaches. Those permanent citizens who share their apartment blocks with Airbnb hosts have lost their patience, “No longer do we have to share the streets with tourists, we have to share our own buildings!” To ease the congestion around the main attractions, many cities are taking immediate action. Venice is proposing a new concept of “detourism”: sustainable travel tips and alternative routes for exploring a different Venice. A greater variety of guidance for future visitors—ideas for what to do in off-peak seasons, for example, —can guide them from overcrowded landmarks. Repeat visitors have a better sense of the culture and it is much easier to integrate their behaviour with residents of the cities.
“But the locals should learn to take tourists as a part of urban life. Tourists do not have to be considered passive players, but rather as visitors with rights and duties,” says Font, “Everyone has a part to play in promoting that change.”
Are you looking for some new and exciting places to take your kids to? Try some of these places:
visit art museums. They offer a variety of activities to excite your kids' interest. Many offer workshops for making hand-made pieces, traveling exhibits, book signings(签名) by children's favorite writers, and even musical performances and other arts.
Head to a natural history museum. This is where kids can discover the past from dinosaur models to rock collections and pictures of stars in the sky. Also, ask what kind of workshops and educational programs are prepared for kids and any special events that are coming up.
Go to a Youtheater. Look for one in your area offering plays for children and family visitors. Pre-show play shops are conducted by area artists and educators where kids can discover the secret about performing arts. Puppet(木偶) making and stage make-up are just a couple of the special offerings you might find.
Try hands-on science. Visit one of the many hands-on science museums around the Country. Those science play-lands are great fun for kids and grown-ups alike. They will keep your child mentally and physically active the whole day through while pushing buttons, experimenting, and building. When everyone is tired, enjoy a fun family science show, commonly found in these museums.
