While beach vacations may be a great way to take your mind off work，lakes surrounded by mountains make for an even grander experience．If you are looking for some peace on your vacation，we have some recommendations for you in the Caucasus(高加索)．

Lake Sevan

   Lake Sevan is situated in the central part of Armenia，in the Gegharkunik province．It is the largest lake in Armenia，located6,200ftabove sea level．Along the lake shore，there are various accommodations such as resorts and hotels with plenty of activities to partake in such as windsurfing，swimming and sunbathing．While there，do not forget to visit one of the famous cultural monuments，the Sevanavank Monastery，and it offers a great view of the lake as well．

Lake Paravani

   Lake Paravani，located at6,801ftabove sea level，is in the south of Georgia，near the Javakheti plateau．At this level，altitude sickness can occur and it is a good idea to be prepared to adapt to it properly，or bring medication for altitude sickness．Being a volcanic lake makes for a more interesting experience．The lake is best known for fishing．Do not come home during the winter months when the lake freezes．

Lake Cildir

   Lake Cildir is located in the Ardahan province，East Turkey，near the borders of Georgia and Armenia．It is the second largest freshwater lake of Eastern Turkey，and many tourists are not aware of this beautiful attraction．Lake Cildir is surrounded by mountains of the Caucasus．The lake freezes during late November．If the winter is not extremely cold，you can try some lake activities like ice skating and ice fishing．

Lake Van

The volcano is one of the most surprising frightening forces of nature. Maybe you have seen pictures of these “fireworks” of nature. Sometimes when a volcano erupts, a very large wall of melted rock moves down the side of a mountain. It looks like a “river of fire”. Sometimes volcanoes explode, throwing the melted rock and ashes high into the air. But where does this melted rock come from?

  The earth is made up of many layers. The top layer that we see is called the crust. Under the crust there are many layers of hard rock. But far, far beneath the crust whose rock is so hot, it is soft. In some places it even melts. The melted rock is called magma. Sometimes the magma breaks out to the surface through cracks in the crust. These cracks are volcanoes.

  Most people think of mountains when they think of volcanoes. But not every mountain is a volcano. A volcano is simply the opening in the earth from which the magma escapes. The hot magma, or lava as it is called, cools and builds up on the surface of the earth. Over thousands of years, this pile of cooled lava can grow to be very, very big. For example, the highest mountain inAfrica, Kilimanjaro, is a volcano. It towers more than 16000 feet above the ground around it.

  If you look outside, you probably will see some kind of insect. If your first instinct is to kill it, take a moment to think about all of the benefits insects provide to the environment.

  Entomologists, scientists who study insects, estimate that there are more than 800,000 species of insects found throughout the world. Only a few hundred of these insects are considered harmful. Mosquitoes, for example, are considered harmful. They bite humans and other animals, and their bites can cause skin pain and spread disease. Desert locusts also are considered harmful because they destroy crops causing billions of dollars in damage each year.

  However, the number of helpful insect species far outweighs the number of harmful species. Some insects make up a vital part of the food chain. Many different birds, reptiles, fish and even plants eat insects. There are also about 500 insects that people in various parts of the world eat. These insects are considered delicious food and prized for their high protein, mineral, and vitamin content. Other insects produce valuable commercial products such as silk, wax, and honey.

  Of all the insects, perhaps the most important are those that travel from flower to flower and pollinate(授粉) the plants they visit. Agriculture around the world would be very different without the bees, butterflies, moths, flies and wasps that pollinate many crops. In fact, nearly one-third of the food you eat depends on plants that are pollinated by insects!

  While it is true that some species of insects harm or annoy us, you should not automatically reach for the bug spray when you come across an insect. You may be destroying one of the hundreds of thousands of insects that provides many benefits to human beings.

For kids and a fair share of adults，a San Diego vacation means theme parks and other attractions．Before heading to a park，check online；many parks have seasonal or holiday hours．

ZiyuSan Diego Wild Animal Park

   In late summer，a lion exhibit will open and allow guests to walk through the animals’habitat．Only glass will be between man and beasts．The Wild Animal Park’s new Dino Mountain，featuring 20 lifelike dinosaurs，will run through Sept．6．

Details：General admission tickets are $26.50 for adults and children aged 12 and older $19．50 for children aged 3-1l，free for children 2 and younger．A discounted ticket for $23．85 is available to seniors 60 and older，www．1egoland．com.   

San Diego Zoo

   The zoo has a new baby panda，Mei Sheng．There’s not much in the way of new attractions，but Nightime Zoo，a program popular with families，starts June 26．

   Details：General admission is $21 for adults，$14 for children aged 3-11，free for children 2 and younger，WWW．sandiegozoo．com．

Sea World San Diego

A 6-minute ride called Journey to Atlantis，which is to open in late May，tells the legend of the mythical island nation．People who step onto the ride’s eight-passenger Greek fishing boats will experience simulated earthquakes，etc．After that，riders can visit a new exhibit of dolphins，which have not been on display at the park since 2008．

   Details：General admission is $46.95 for adults，$37.95 for children aged 3-9，free for children 2 and younger，www．seaworld.com．   

    Old Town Trolley Tours

   Visiting relatives or friends in San Diego? You can get a hometown pass and ride for free with your paid admission．One gift per paid adult guest．

Details：The main ticket booth is in Old Town．Hours are 9 a．m．to 5 P．m．，daily $25，www.Historictours．com．

Plan on travelling around the USA? There are a number of outstanding websites that can make your American dream come true.

http://www.101 usaholidays.co.uk.

This is the latest offering that features 101 holiday ideas to the USA. It has diverse selections, ranging from touring in the footsteps of Martin Luther King to a golfing break in Arizona and a cycling and wine-tasting trip in California’s Napa Valley. Narrow down what you’re looking for by price, region, theme or by persons who will be travelling. It’s a really clever design.

http://byways.org

The National Scenic Byways Program covers 150 memorable roads. Some are natural scenic routes, such as Route 1 along the California coast. Others focus on history (such as Route 66) or man-made attractions (the Las Vegas Strip). For each, you’re provided with a map telling the route’s length and how long is allowed.

http://www.oyster.com

This is the best website for reviews of hotels in US cities and tourist sites. There are photos of each hotel. Importantly, these are not promotional photos provided by the hotels, but more honest and revealing ones taken by inspectors. From the 243 hotels reviewed in New York, you can narrow down what you are looking for by locations, facilities and styles, or just pick out a selection of the best.

http://seaworldparks.com

SeaWorld in San Diego can make dreams come true, but the price is not affordable for the majority of people. So turn to long-established http://seaworldparks.com, giving big discounts on tickets, hotels and dining at SeaWorld.

There are many theme parks in Florida. These amusement parks are designed for kids big and small and have plenty to offer adults, too.

Magic Kingdom

Orlando is the center of theme parks in Florida. Of all the parks, no trip to Orlando would be complete without a visit to Magic Kingdom. The center of Disney world, with Main Street USA and Cinderella’s Castle, is here at Magic Kingdom. There are rides for kids of all ages as well as shopping and dining.

Epcot

After Magic Kingdom, the best-known theme park in Disney World is Epcot. This is a good place for curious kids who want to learn about the planets, the stars, and the workings of the human body. The good and wine festival is another big draw to Epcot.

Animal kingdom

When it comes to the top 4 Florida theme parks, Animal kingdom must be on the list. You may have had the chance to go to a zoo before, but Animal kingdom brings the concept（概念） of a zoo to new heights. Sure you can go on the safari（狩猎旅行）, but there are also rides on different animals, even dinosaurs.

Universal’s Island of Adventure

If your kids have the need for speed, you will surely want to check out Universal’s Island of Adventure. Here roller coasters and thrill rides will combine the magic of the movies with plenty of twists（旋转） and turns. You’ll also find Wizarding World of Harry Potter here — something the whole family is sure to enjoy.

For most visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, your first stop is the Kilauea Visitor’s Center. It is open daily from 7:45 am to 5:00 pm (the park itself is open 24 hours to give visitors the chance to view lava (熔岩) flows at night). Not far from the Visitor’s Center is the Volcano House — an interesting hotel with great views of the Kilauea crater (火山口). The hotel includes a restaurant, gift shops and a snack bar (小吃店). Note that it will be closed for renovations (翻修) for much of this year.

There are two trip choices available: Half Day or Full Day. If you take the Half Day trip, you begin by checking out the Visitor’s Center. Then take your time and drive around the Crater Rim Drive. Stop at the various sites and lookout points. Visiting the park in a half day will give you a memorable view of the amazing volcanoes. This is a great choice for families with kids and those who hope to learn something about Hawaii’s volcanoes but don’t desire to make an exploration out of it.

The Full Day trip starts with the Crater Rim Drive. Then you continue on to the Chain of Craters Road in the afternoon. Bring a picnic lunch and stop at the picnic area at the Kealakomo overlook halfway down the road. Continue driving towards the sea. Stop at Pu’u Loa for a look at some beautiful petroglyphs (岩石画) — drawings made in the volcanic rock by ancient Hawaiians. Then continue on to the end of the Chain of Craters Road. Find out if there will be viewable lava flows into the ocean. If so, stay until dark and sit in silence as the sun sets and the lava lights up as it flows into the ocean. Drive back up the Chain of Craters Road and end your volcano experience by enjoying dinner at a restaurant in the town of Volcano.

A

Cycling lovers from across the country identify the best routes the UK has to offer.

Oisin Sands

Editor of sportive.com

Route：

Rostrevor to Carlingford, County Down (30~42 miles)

“My favourite bike ride would start in Rostrevor, County Down, where I grew up,” says Oisin Sands.

The ride takes in some breathtaking views on the way to the pretty harbour town of Carlingford. From Carlingford, head back to Newry. Or save on tired legs by taking the ferry from Omeath on the south side to Warrenpoint in the summer, and cycling the short distance back to the start.

Kirsty Ho Fat

Cycle journalist

Route:

Hadrian’s Cycleway, Ravenglass to South Shields (174 miles)

This route follows the length of Hadrian’s Wall and takes in coastal views and old-fashioned market towns.

“The ride weaves through the dramatic countryside of the North, my homeland, before finishing in South Shields,” says Kirsty，who in 2012 completed a 4,000-mile ride around the coast of Britain with her father.

Helen Curry

National Cycle Network project officer

Route:

Union Canal, Linlithgow to the Falkirk Wheel (12 miles)

This flat journey along the Scottish branch of Union Canal is a favourite with Helen Curry.

“Follow the towpath（拉船路）along the northern bank of the canal and cross the River Avon,” says Helen. “You’ll pass the impressive ruins of Almond Castle.”

At over 2,000 feet long, you’ll be cycling through Scotland’s longest canal tunnel.

Kristian House

2009 National Road Race Champion

Route：

Middlewich Loop (55 miles)

“This is a shorter loop I do when I’m not training, starting and finishing in Middlewich,” says racing cyclist Kristian House.

This hilly route isn’t for those who are not brave.

This stretch climbs 670 feet and offers some wonderful views, including your first sight of Britain’s second-highest pub.

For most visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, your first stop is the Kilauea Visitor’s Center. It is open daily from 7:45 am to 5:00 pm (the park itself is open 24 hours to give visitors the chance to view lava (熔岩) flows at night). Not far from the Visitor’s Center is the Volcano House — an interesting hotel with great views of the Kilauea crater (火山口). The hotel includes a restaurant, gift shops and a snack bar (小吃店). Note that it will be closed for renovations (翻修) for much of this year.

There are two trip choices available: Half Day or Full Day. If you take the Half Day trip, you begin by checking out the Visitor’s Center. Then take your time and drive around the Crater Rim Drive. Stop at the various sites and lookout points. Visiting the park in a half day will give you a memorable view of the amazing volcanoes. This is a great choice for families with kids and those who hope to learn something about Hawaii’s volcanoes but don’t desire to make an exploration out of it.

The Full Day trip starts with the Crater Rim Drive. Then you continue on to the Chain of Craters Road in the afternoon. Bring a picnic lunch and stop at the picnic area at the Kealakomo overlook halfway down the road. Continue driving towards the sea. Stop at Pu’u Loa for a look at some beautiful petroglyphs (岩石画) — drawings made in the volcanic rock by ancient Hawaiians. Then continue on to the end of the Chain of Craters Road. Find out if there will be viewable lava flows into the ocean. If so, stay until dark and sit in silence as the sun sets and the lava lights up as it flows into the ocean. Drive back up the Chain of Craters Road and end your volcano experience by enjoying dinner at a restaurant in the town of Volcano.

    For visitors, Teller Lake looks like a delightful fishbowl filled with thousands of beautiful goldfish floating around. However, to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department they are a group of invasive (入侵的) species that could finally destroy the lake's entire ecosystem if not removed soon.

    The problem lies in the fact that these fish have no enemies. This allows them to reproduce in large numbers. In fact, park officials believe that the 3,000~4,000 samples floating around are all the result of a few unwanted pet goldfish that were dumped into the lake. They estimate the incident occurred about three years ago.

    As this non-native species grow in numbers, they compete with the existing fish for food sources. Given that there is only a limited supply of resoureas, this could result in the goldfish overpowering the native fish species. In the ease of Teller Lake, the officials are particularly worried that the goldfish will move downstream and affect the population of some of the endangered native species that live there. Another major cause for concern is the diseases the goldfish may be bringing. This could be fatal (致命的) to the native species since they can't fight new illnesses.

    Fish are not the only unwanted pets that are thrown away. Florida has been fighting an invasion of Burmese pythons (巨蟒). But one of the worst cases recorded is that of the Red Lionfish. They are currently swimming their way to the Atlantic Ocean's ecosystem all the way.

    According to experts, the best way to get rid of unwanted fish or any other animal is to get advice from the people that originally sold them the pet. However, saving one pet often results in destroying the area's ecosystem and hurting other innocent animals.