It’s great fun to explore new places, and it may be like an adventure, even when you know you’re not the first to have been there. But to make sure not to get lost or waste time going round in circles, the following tips may be helpful.

• Do the map reading if you’re being driven somewhere. It’ll be easier if you keep the map following the direction you’re traveling in. Keep looking ahead so that you can give the driver lots of warning before having to make a turn or you’ll have to move to the back seat.

• Get a group of friends together and go exploring. You’ll need a good map, a compass, a raincoat, a cell phone to call for help in case you get lost, and a bit of cash for emergencies. Tell someone where you’re going before you set out and let him know what time you expect to be back. The purpose of the activity is in not getting lost, not in seeing how fast you can go, so always stick together, waiting for slower friends to catch up.

• See if your school or a club organizes orienteering (越野识途比赛), in which you need a map and a compass to find your way. This can be done as a sport, with teams trying to find the way from A to B (and B to C, etc.) in the fastest time, or simply as a spare-time activity. It enables you to be familiar with the use of maps and compasses and gain some practical skills. In some way, it’s not only good fun, but also a great way to keep fit.

No matter which way you choose, it’s not only good fun, but a great way to keep fit.

   Now many young people are travelling around the world on their own, not because they have no one to travel with, but because they prefer to go alone.

Kristina Wegscheider from California first travelled alone when she was at college and believed that it was something everyone should do at least once in their life. She said, “It opens your mind to new things and pushes you out of your comfort zone.” Wegscheider has visited 46 countries covering all seven continents.

In foreign countries, with no one to help you read a map, look after you if you get ill, or lend you money if your wallet is stolen, it is challenging. This is what drives young people to travel alone. It is seen as character building and a chance to prove that that can make it on their own.

Chris decided to leave his sales job in Australia to go travelling. He set up a website, The Aussie Nomad, to document his adventures. He said he wished he had travelled alone earlier. “The people you meet, the places you visit, or the things you do, everything is up to you and it forces you to grow as a person,” said the man.

Chris describes travelling alone will make you a more confident person that is ready to deal with anything. He said, “The feeling of having overcome something on my own is a major part of what drives me each day when I’m dealing with a difficult task. I walk around with my head up because I know deep down inside that nothing is impossible if you try.”

As the saying goes, “Only by going alone in silence can one truly get into the heart of the wilderness.”

   There are many advantages to travel around the world. Here are a few to think about:

You will enjoy the adventure (冒险).

The reason why many people travel is that they love an adventure. There are several different types of adventures to choose from when you travel. 【小题1】 Some people enjoy diving while others prefer surfing. Wherever you go, you will make the memories of your adventure last a lifetime. You can look back on the enjoyment again and again.

You will get to know different people and places.

The world contains lots of countries and not all people are the same. When travelling, you get the opportunity to meet different people from different places. 【小题2】 Travelling and talking with different people can help build or improve social skills with very little effort.

【小题3】

Different cultures are everywhere. Some places have modern cultures while others have traditional customs. Experiencing different cultures can also be educational; many travellers look for places to visit whose cultures are different from their own. 【小题4】 It teaches us respect.

You will feel relaxed after travelling.

Stress is a natural part of life. But when we have too much stress in our lives, it can be dangerous to our health. 【小题5】 It can be one of the best ways to reduce stress.

   If you'd like to go travelling，the following World Heritage Sites may be your best choices.

Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area

Jiuzhaigou Valley，which lies in the northern part of Sichuan Province，China，reaches a height of more than 4,500m，with a series of different forests ecosystems. It's especially famous for its narrow landforms and excellent waterfalls. Some 140 kinds of birds also live in the valley, as well as a number of endangered plants and animals, including the giant panda. Jiuzhaigou Valley was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992.

Khami Ruins National Monument

The city of Khami, which developed after the capital of Great Zimbabwe had been given up in the mid-16th century，is of great archaeological（考古的）interest. The discovery of objects from Europe and China shows that Khami was a centre for trade over a long period of time. It joined the World Heritage List in 1986.

Henderson Island

Henderson Island，which lies in the eastern South Pacific，is one of the few atolls in the world whose ecology（生态）has been untouched by humans. It is famous for the 10 plants and 4 birds that can only be seen on the island. It was recorded in the World Heritage List in 1988.

Old City of Jerusalem

As a holy city for three different religions（宗教）in the Middle East，Jerusalem has always been of great religious importance. It was given a World Heritage status in 1981 and placed on the“List of World Heritage in Danger”the following year.