One often hears it said that travel broadens the mind: if you stay in your own country the whole time, your ideas remain narrow; whereas if you travel abroad you see new customs, eat new foods, do new things, and come back home with a broader mind.

But does this always－or even usually－happen? An acquaintance of mine who lives inEnglandand had never been outside it until last summer decided to go over to France for a trip. When he returned, I asked him how he liked it. “Terrible,” was his answer. “I couldn’t get a nice cup of tea anywhere. Thank goodness I’m back.” I asked him whether he hadn’t had any good food while he was there. “Oh, the dinners were all right,” he said. “I found a little place where they made quite good fish and chips. Not as good as ours, but they were passable. But the breakfasts were terrible: no bacon or kippers. I had fried eggs and chips, but it was quite a business getting them to make them. They expected me to eat rolls. And when I asked for marmalade, they brought strawberry jam. And do you know, they insisted that it was marmalade? The trouble is they don’t know English.”

I thought it useless to explain that we borrowed the word ‘marmalade’ from French, and that it means, in that language, any kind of jam. So I said, “But didn’t you eat any of the famous French food?” “What? Me?” he said. “Of course not! Give me good old English food every time! None of these fancy bits for me!” Obviously travel had not broadened his mind. He had gone toFrance, determined to live there exactly as if he was in England, and had judged it entirely from his own English viewpoints.

This does not, of course, happen only to Englishmen in France: all nationalities, in all foreign countries, can be found judging what they see, hear, taste and smell according to their own habits and customs. People who are better educated and who have read a lot about foreign countries tend to be more adaptable and tolerant, but this is because their minds have already been broadened before they start travelling. In fact, it is easier to be broad-minded about foreign habits and customs, if one’s acquaintance with these things is limited to books and films. The American smiles tolerantly over the absence of central heating in most English homes when he is himself comfortably seated in his armchair in his centrally heated house in Chicago; the English man reads about the sanitary arrangements in a certain tropical country, and the inhabitants of the latter read about London fogs, and each side manages to be detached and broad-minded. But actual physical contact with things one is unaccustomed to is much more difficult to bear philosophically.

There are some travelers who adapt themselves so successfully to foreign customs and habits that they incur (遭受) the severe criticisms of their more stubborn fellow-countrymen. If they are Asians, they are accused of having become “Westernized”, and if they are Europeans, people say they have “gone native”. Which is better: rigid, self-satisfied prejudice against things foreign (the idea “Thank God I am not as others are!”), or loss of your certainty that your own country’s habits and customs are the only right ones, and therefore the inability to be one of a herd any longer?

Perhaps the ideal would be that travel could succeed in making people tolerant of the habits and customs of others without abandoning their own. The criterion for judging a foreigner could be: Does he try to be polite and considerate to others? Instead of: Is he like me?

When the opportunity arose for me to do some summer traveling, my first urge was to southeast Asia. Being budget-conscious, I eventually decided on Thailand.

 I’d been introduced to the country by the well-received 2010 Thai film Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, which sleepily brings out a land in which a dreamy sense of the unknown is so obvious and superstition(迷信) is not only a natural response, but a wise one.

 On the warm and rainy island of Phuket, I found the best way to access Thailand’s treasures was by motorbike. I rented one for four days for about 200 RMB and went on a tour guided mainly by fantasy.

  The Thailand I saw by motorbike was one where religion is ever-present. Though Buddhism is the country’s official religion, the footprints of other faiths can be found all over. Statues of the Hindu gods Shiva and Ganesha aren’t uncommon in the country’s large number of Buddhist temples, and Muslim places of worship are splendidly equipped in communities in Thailand’s south.

  My motorbike allowed me to do more than just see and feel Thailand’s rich cultural heritage, it also allowed me to taste it. Tourism is a leading industry in Thailand, so in top destinations like Chiang Mai, Phuket and Bangkok, there are plenty of restaurants that appeal to international visitors with easy and familiar eats, especially around hotels and hostels. Finding something that tastes truly authentic, fresh prawns cooked in yellow curry and served with spicy beans, for example, is made much easier with a motorbike.

  More than anything, my motorbike allowed me to escape the shabby, crowded spaces Thailand is famous for. Deep in the mountains, with the sound of my 125cc engine melting off into the jungle, I found the Thailand I wanted, calm, fascinating and steaming with an ancient temptation.

 Thailand is a place thick with mood and myth, and if you’re wiling to walk in, you’ll be rewarded.

Waldseilgarten is an adventure mountain holiday center that offers guests a thrilling night in the wilderness. Nestled at the top of a mountain, daring guests can spend the night hanging off the tree tops, or over a cliff face.

During the warmer months, the center hosts adventure nights out, where guests can sleep in their own portaledge, hanging several meters above the ground. A portaledge is a hanging tent system that is generally used by rock climbers on climbs. At Waldseilgarten, the tents are hung from thick branches of large free-standing trees, where guests can only ascend or descend with rope assistance.

Guests looking for more air and an extreme camping experience can choose to sleep on an overhanging platform, positioned amongst huge cliff faces measuring between 1000 and 2000 meters high. However, if that’s just a little too extreme, the resort also offers easier sleeping options, including cliff platforms between 100 and 300 meters high, or tree platforms between two or four trees, with easy ways to the ground at any time.

All guests partaking in an adventure night out will receive rope climbing training before spending a night in nature. Trained staff teach simple rope climbing techniques, and other useful skills for hiking and rock climbing.

Waldseilgarten seems to offer a camping experience you will definitely remember, however that experience doesn’t come cheap. A night sleeping in the trees in a portaledge will set you back $336 per person, while the cliff face ledges go for $1199. The cheapest option is the tree platforms, at $168 per person per night.

A

       Visit Australia’s Top End on a Northern Territory camping tour through Kakadu, Katherine Gorge and Litchfield national parks. This five-day tour to the Top End’s three most popular national parks takes you hiking to waterfalls, swimming in rock pools and spotting crocodiles on a private wildlife cruise. Experience the Top End’s unique culture, spend evenings around the campfire and sleep under the stars at private campsites in a traditional Australian bedroll or a permanent safari tent. This small-group tour is limited to 16 people, ensuring a personalized experience with your guide, and operates seasonally from May to November.

Additional Information :

    ●Confirmation will be received at time of booking.

     ●There is a possibility of cancellation after confirming if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring , you will be offered an alternative or full refund.

     ●A moderate amount of walking is involved.

    ●Minimum age is 5 years.

    ●Please restrict luggage to 22 lbs（10 kg）. Excess luggage can be stored at your Darwin accommodation.

     ●Please bring hat, sunscreen, water bottle（1.5 liters）, walking shoes/boots and swimsuit.

     ●Take insect-resisting measures.

     ●All camping equipment provided including sleeping bag, pillow, pillow case, towel and sheet.

Malaysia announced on Tuesday it would introduce e-visas for travellers from China to boost tourism between the two countries.

The e-visa system will be carried out in three stages, beginning with an introduction for visitors from the Chinese mainland, and then to Chinese citizens who live outside the mainland. Finally, it will be extended to countries including India, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Malaysia will allow visitors e-visa stays of up to 30 days, though some visitors will be approved for as many as 90 days, the travelling department said.

In an interview with the Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, Minister of Tourism and Culture in Malaysia, he told the Global Times that the policy was designed to attract Chinese tourists among competition from neighboring countries such as Japan and South Korea. The Southern Daily reported on Wednesday that South Korea is expected to double the period of visa-free entry for Chinese transfer passengers to 10 years.

Last year, 1.6 million people travelled from China to Malaysia, he said. The ministry expects that number to hit at least 2 million this year, and possibly reach as high as 4 million.

Although the global economy has slowed, the tourism industry has continued to grow. The Malaysian government believes that the tourism industry will stimulate trade and investment, as well as create job opportunities in the country.

Tourism contributed approximately $38.1 billion to Malaysia’s GDP in 2014, accounting for 14.9 percent of the total. Foreign tourists spent about $17 billion in the country over the course of the year, according to a note the ministry sent to the Global Times on Tuesday.

B

Good afternoon, and welcome to England. We hope that your visit here will be a pleasant one. Today, I would draw your attention to a few of our laws.

    The first one is about drinking. Now, you may not buy wine in this country if you are under l 8 years of age, nor may your friends buy it for you.

  Secondly, noise. Enjoy yourselves by all means, but please don’t make unnecessary noise, particularly, at night. We ask you to respect other people who may wish to be quiet.

    Thirdly, crossing the road. Be careful, the traffic moves on the left side of the road in this country. Use pedestrian crossing and don’t take any chances when crossing the road．

      My next point is about rubbish. It isn’t lawful to drop rubbish in the street. When you have something to throw away, please put in your pocket and take it home, or put it in dustbin．

Finally, as regards smoking, it is against law to buy cigarettes or tobacco if you are under l6 years of age.

I’d like to finish by saying that if you require any sort of help or assistance you should contact the police, who will be pleased to help you. You can call write or directly go to ask any policeman.

B

    When it comes to searching for where to take your next vacation, Finland may lust be your answer. Right on the edge of the Finland wilderness is a hotel unlike any other in both look and feel.

    The Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is certainly off the beaten path, but take one look at its futuristic glass igloos(圆顶建筑)and you'll realize that doesn't mean that you're roughing it. According to the resort's website, the unique place began all the way back in the late 1900s when its founder was traveling down the Finland road.

    According to the age-old tale, his car broke down and he was forced to make camp near the woods. Obviously, he immediately fell in love with the location and set up a roadside stop-in that eventually grew to be the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort.

    But if you're wondering what the real deal is with this hotel, we've got the scoop. The luxury(奢华的)resort is not only home to comfortable log cabins with built-in glass rooms, but is also equipped with snow igloos, where visitors can get warm in a very cold environment. Cool, right?

    But in addition to the surrounding view of wilderness and auroras(极光), there's no doubt that the most fantastic part of the resort is the field of glass igloos. And did we mention you have the most perfect view of the Northern Lights as well?

    It is a comfortable little Finland spot with an awesome place to rest your head and a great view. Now, pack your bags, book your stay and have an ICE day!

      Winter is a very special time in Northern Norway. Winter also means skiing, and Narvik can offer some of the best skiing in Norway. The view and light change frequently and no two days are the same. For many people, the northern lights are an unforgettable sight, and in Narvik the sky is especially clear and great for watching at night.

       The tourist season lasts from February to April, although May can be fascinating too, often with fantastic dry snow and an unbelievable light lasting well into the evening.

Ski hire

        It is possible for adults and children to hire skiing equipment such as snowboards. All equipment is prepared for us. If you would like to book your equipment, please email Narvikfjellet.

Cross-country skiing

        There are 12 kilometers of cross-country ski run in Narvik. You need to bring your own skis as there is no cross-country hire. However, equipment can be bought at local sports shops in and around Narvik.

Off-piste skiing（非场地滑雪）

      In order to explore Narvik’s off-piste opportunities, you need to know the dangers when choosing routes. It is suggested that you bring necessary equipment such as a shovel（雪铲）and a GPS locator. Ask Narvikfjellet for an experienced guide. With a guide, you can explore Narvik’s special off-piste areas in a safe manner.

       Sometimes it is nice to do something different and not everybody enjoys skiing. Then you can go horse-riding, or visit the local museums.

Price examples for the 2015--2016 season

Time      Children(8-15years)      Adults

1 day       NOK 230             NOK 325

3 days      NOK 590             NOK 835

5 days      NOK 815             NOK 1,170

7 days      NOK 970             NOK 1,375

Children 0-7 years can enjoy the service for free

   BRITAIN is a popular tourist place．But tours of the country have advantages and disadvantages.

GOOD NEWS

       Free museums．No charge for outstanding collections of art and antiquities（文物）.

      Pop music． Britain is the only country to compare with the US on this score.

      Black cabs． London taxi drivers know where they are going even if there are never enough of them at weekends or night.

      Choice of food．Visitors can find everything from Ethiopian to Swedish restaurants.

      Fashion．Not only do fashion junkies love deeply and respect highly brand names such as Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen; street styles are justly loved, too.

BAD NEWS

        Poor se rvice．“It’s part of the image of the place．People can dine out on the rudeness they have experienced,” says Professor Tony Seaton, of Luton University’s International Tourism Research Center.

       Poor public transport．Trains and buses are promised to defeat the keenest tourists, although the overcrowded London tube is inexplicably (难以理解的) popular.

       Rain．Still in the number one complaint.

      No air-conditioning．So that even splendidly hot summers become as unbearable as the downpours.

     Overpriced hotels．The only European country with a higher rate of tax on hotel rooms is Denmark.

      Licensing hours．Alcohol (酒) is in short supply after 11 p.m. even in “24-hour cities”.

Venice is among the top three destinations for visitors to Europe, according to the latest Lonely Planet, one of the world largest travel guidebook publishers.

     But in truth, Venice doesn’t need Lonely Planet to talk it up. It has been famous for centuries. Visitors return with tales of romantic trips along its waterways and its outstanding architecture of cobbled（铺着鹅卵石的）squares, churches, theaters and museums. Literature and Hollywood have also played their part in making the beautiful city into a legend（传奇）.

     You approach Venice by boat, or rather by gondola: Visitors are rowed across the lake to the city itself in a taxi on the water. In fact, Venice is not one place, but 117 little islands separated by waterways and connected by bridges and boats. The Grand Canal is the most famous of these waterways.

     What should you see in Venice? The first place you should check out is the Piazza San Marco. It is not hard to find Italian painter Canaletto Antonio Canal’s famous 18th century painting of it on the internet to get an impression of what it looks like. St Mark’s Basilica（教堂） is easy to see and the Piazza is the social, religious and political center of the city. That Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have called it “the drawing room of Europe” gives you some sense of its historic importance.

     But Venice has been getting less and less powerful for many centuries. Its fame today largely comes from its uniqueness and its beauty. It’s these that have allowed it to host many cultural conferences. Venice is home to the Art Biennale every two years, and the Venice Film Festival is the most important in Europe after Cannes in France.

     Sadly, Venice is going down in another sense: it is sinking, or rather, the waters around and below it are rising. The reasons for this are complex（复杂的）, but experts think that global warming is playing a part. This rising of the waters is another urgent（急迫的）reason to visit Venice — who knows how long it will continue to be possible?