If you still need to relax and want to head overseas, don’t miss out some great deals on accommodation or air fares at some of the world’s top off–peak travel hotspots. Whether you want to go to Europe or run away on a tropical escape, stretch that travel budget to take advantage of off-peak rates at some of the world’s most-visited locales. Several destinations host spring festivals and other special events.
Here are four off-peak travel destinations to visit in 2013:
Portugal
With rich culture and history, Portugal continues to be one of the most affordable European destinations. Head to this beautiful capital city of Lisbon to attend the festivals and fairs, visit some 12th–century buildings, and stay at one of the newer hotels in the main city district. The Hotel Teatro is a four-star restaurant, and average nightly rates are under $150 a night.
Hotel Teatro
Porto, Portugal
+351 220 409 620
Aruba
Set your sights on Aruba for an unforgettable Caribbean holiday. You can get special offers from one of the larger beach resorts(旅游胜地) here. Some of the chain hotels, including Marriott and Radisson, offer discounts on spa relaxations (矿泉浴场) . The Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino, & Spa is offering a Super Saver Spring Rate at just $309 per night.
Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa
Palm Beach, Aruba
800-967-9033
Oaxaca
Escape to southern Mexico to explore the historic colonial city and learn about the region’s traditions, culture, and colorful history. Oaxaca holds several cultural festivals and is a great place to relax. You will be receiving a 50% discount with just $170 per night for a deluxe(豪华的) single or double room if you stay in the Camino Real Oaxaca for more than 7 nights (7 included).
Camino Real Oaxaca
Centro, 68000
01 951 501 6100
Turkey
Another place to have some local culture and participate in some late spring festivals is Istanbul, Turkey. Stay at a destination that will put you within easy reach of famous sites like the Topkapi Palace. The Modern Sultan Hotel is a deluxe hotel located in the heart of the historic district. Average nightly rates for the bed and breakfast package are just under $120 per night.
Modern Sultan Hotel
Istanbul, Turkey
+90 212 520 00 53
1.In the passage Portugal is described as a destination ________.
A．for visitors interested in ancient buildings
B．especially appealing to wealthy Europeans
C．owning rich culture but lacking colorful festivals
D．having the Hotel Teatro in the suburbs of Lisbon
2.If you want to know more information about spas, you can call ________.
A．800-967-9033 B．+351 220 409 620
C．01 951 501 6100 D．+90 212 520 00 53
3.According to the passage, nightly rates including breakfast is offered by ________.
A．Hotel Teatro
B．Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa
C．Camino Real Oaxaca
D．Modern Sultan Hotel
4.What is the passage mainly about ?
A．Some off-peak places for relaxation.
B．A way to travel on a budget.
C．The world’s most visited destinations.
D．Comparing the four tourist destinations.
Louis Armstrong had two famous nicknames．Some people called him Bagamo．They said his mouth looked like a large bag． Musicians often called him Pops, as a sign of respect for his influence on the world of music．
Born in 1901 in New Orleans, he grew up poor, but lived among great musicians．Jazz was invented in the city a few years before his birth．Armstrong often said, "Jazz and I grew up together．"
Armstrong showed a great talent for music when he was taught to play the cornet (短号) at a boy's home．In his late teens, Armstrong began to live the life of a musician．He played in parades, clubs, and on the steamboats that traveled on the Mississippi River．At that time, New Orleans was famous for the new music of jazz and was home to many great musicians．Armstrong learned from the older musicians and soon became respected as their equal．
In 1922 he went to Chicago．There, the tale of Louis Armstrong begins．From then until the end of his life, Armstrong was celebrated and loved wherever he went．Armstrong had no equal when it came to playing the American popular song．
His cornet playing had a deep humanity (仁爱) and warmth that caused many listeners to say, "Listening to Pops just makes you feel good all over．" He was the father of the jazz style and also one of the best-known and most admired people in the world．His death, on July 6, 1971, was headline news around the world．
1.Armstrong was called Pops because he ．
A．looked like a musician
B．was a musician of much influence
C．showed an interest in music
D．traveled to play modern music
2.Which statement about Armstrong is true?
A．His tale begins in New Orleans．
B．He was born before jazz was invented．
C．His music was popular with his listeners．
D．He learned popular music at a boy's home．
3.Which would be the best title for the text?
A．The Invention of the Jazz Music
B．The Father of the Jazz Style
C．The Making of a Musician
D．The Spread of Popular Music
完形填空（共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分）
One day a few years ago we had a guest of the uninvited variety. In fact, it was a bird, 1 a sparrow.
“What’s that?” I asked when I first heard the gentle thumping(重击声). “It sounds like Joe is outside playing basketball,” my wife, Anita, said. She 2 and listened more devotedly. “It’s coming from the 3 .” she said. “Maybe it’s one of the little kids.”
We rushed out the door. Jonathan, our youngest, was 4 to make trouble. “If he’s making holes in the wall again…” I said as I searched there. No children 5 . But there was that 6 again, coming from right up there.
And that’s when I 7 the sparrow. It was flying 8 just inches below the ceiling. It was 9 trying to get out, but couldn’t see that the way out wasn’t up, but down 10 the open door. So the bird continued 11 its wings and hitting its head against the 12 .
“Poor thing,” Anita said. “It must be 13 .”
“Well, maybe it’s because of us,” I said as I moved toward it. I tried to show the bird how to glide（滑翔） down to get outside, but that only seemed to 14 it more. “Why don’t we just 15 for a few minutes?” Anita suggested. “I’m sure he’ll 16 eventually.” So we went back into the house, where we continued to hear the ongoing 17 .Then suddenly, it was silent. We looked into the garage, and our uninvited guest was gone.
“See?” Anita said. “I told you he’d succeed.”
“Yeah,” I said. “But how many knocks on the head did it 18 him?”
I’ve thought about that little sparrow through the years. Just like that sparrow, we often meet situations we don’t know how to 19 . Born to go upward, we don’t even consider the possibility that something good might happen if we stop flapping（拍打）around and just glide 20 a little bit.
1. A．for example B．rather than C．or rather D．as well
2. A．hurried B．paused C．ignored D．confirmed
3. A．basement B．kitchen C．garage D．hall
4. A．easy B．happy C．sorry D．angry
5. A．in all B．at all C．above all D．after all
6. A．guest B．voice C．noise D．sound
7. A．watched B．found C．realized D．caught
8. A．carefully B．gently C．patiently D．anxiously
9. A．eventually B．unwillingly C．obviously D．thoroughly
10. A．through B．over C．below D．beyond
11. A．shaking B．breaking C．striking D．injuring
12. A．wall B．floor C．door D．ceiling
13. A．clumsy B．painful C．amazed D．terrified
14. A．frighten B．comfort C．confuse D．calm
15. A．leave B．scream C．relax D．escape
16. A．put it aside B．leave it alone C．give it up D．figure it out
17. A．accident B．achievement C．struggle D．trouble
18. A．cost B．offer C．earn D．owe
19. A．classify B．handle C．debate D．conclude
20. A．up B．back C．forth D．down
I have got _______ good news for you．You are to change _______ trains in Changsha and take _______ fast one.
A．/; /; a B．a; /; a C．a; the; the D．/; the; a
As hiring _______ more global, both for employers and candidates, video interviewing is a way to speed up the interview process.
A．became B．has become
C．will become D．had become
—What should I wear to attend his wedding party?
—Dress ____ you like.
A．what B．however C．whatever D．how
