撒哈拉沙漠一组沙丘上最后的阳光, 阿尔及利亚 Last rays of sun on a group of dunes, Sahara, Algeria (© AWL Images/DanitaDelimont.com)

每天都有不同的沙丘 Each day a different dune

阿尔及利亚撒哈拉沙漠的沙丘

撒哈拉沙漠横跨北非300多万平方英里，覆盖阿尔及利亚、埃及、摩洛哥、苏丹和突尼斯等国的大部分地区。巨大的沙丘、岩石高原和偶尔出现的绿洲创造了独一无二的景观。尽管撒哈拉是世界上最大的热带沙漠，但它支持阿拉伯树胶和棕榈树等耐旱植物，以及骆驼和狐狸等耐寒动物。有趣的特征包括其不断变化的沙丘，如今天的图片所示，其中一些沙丘超过500英尺高。这里还发现了古代岩石艺术和化石，为早期文明和史前生物提供了见解。沙尘暴很常见，它塑造了千变万化的风景，也增加了这一自然奇观的神秘感。

Sand dunes in the Sahara, Algeria

The Sahara spans over 3 million square miles of North Africa, covering large parts of various countries including Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia. Vast sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and occasional oases create a landscape like no other. Although it is the largest hot desert in the world, the Sahara supports drought-resistant plants like acacia and palm trees, and hardy animals such as camels and fennec foxes. Intriguing features include its shifting sand dunes, pictured in today's image, some of which are over 500 feet high. Ancient rock art and fossils have also been discovered here, providing insights into early civilizations and prehistoric creatures. Sandstorms are common, shaping the ever-changing scenery and adding to the mystique of this natural wonder.

林帕达恩湖，斯诺登尼亚国家公园， 威尔士 (© Joe Daniel Price/Getty Images)

一个让人沉思的地方

林帕达恩湖，斯诺登尼亚国家公园， 威尔士

从波光粼粼的湖水、崎岖的山道、倾泻而下的瀑布到废弃的城堡，斯诺登尼亚国家公园永远令人惊叹。图中的林帕达恩湖位于迷人的兰贝里斯村附近。这个冰川湖长约2英里，深95英尺，是威尔士最大的天然湖泊之一。除此之外，这个冰碛堰塞湖被认定为具有特殊科学价值的地点以及沐浴水域。无论您是皮划艇爱好者，还是桨板运动爱好者，或者只是想简单地沐浴玩水，这里都能满足您的需求。该湖沿岸遍布着板岩采石场的遗迹，让人可以一窥该地区的工业历史。到了那里，别忘了打卡附近的多巴达恩城堡，这座历史悠久的城堡将为您的旅程增添了几分古色古香。

原驼，冰川国家公园，阿根廷 Guanacos in Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia, Argentina (© Yva Momatiuk and John Eastcott/Minden Pictures)

出逃的美洲鸵 Llamas on the loose

国家美洲驼日

穿上登山鞋出门吧，因为今天是国家美洲驼日！12月9日是专门用来欣赏这些聪明且可驯化的动物的日子。您需要到安第斯山脉去看看它们那被称为原驼的野生表亲。据说，原驼起源于约4000万年前的北美中部平原。不过，它们逐渐迁移到了南美洲，在公元前4500年左右被驯化，并获得了美洲鸵的称号。

在今天的图片中，展示了在阿根廷的洛斯格拉兹阿勒冰川国家公园内自由漫步的原驼，它们有着深肉桂色的羊毛和卡通般的面孔。尽管它们外表可爱，但有时也会带点粗鲁在身上：原驼和美洲驼都会通过吐口水来维护自己在种群中的统治地位和阻止同类的入侵。不过，不要因此而放弃参加有组织的美洲驼徒步旅行，它们可是很棒的伙伴！

National Llama Day

Strap on your hiking boots because it's National Llama Day! December 9 is a designated day to appreciate these intelligent and trainable creatures. You'll need to visit the Andes Mountains to see their wild cousins, guanacos. Guanacos are believed to have originated in the central plains of North America 40 million years ago, but they gradually migrated to South America. Scientists think llamas descended from guanacos and were first domesticated around 4500 BCE.

As seen in today's image, guanacos are often spotted roaming free in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina, sporting dark cinnamon-colored wool and cartoonish-looking faces. Cute as they are, they can be a bit rude: Both guanacos and llamas defend themselves by spitting to assert dominance within their herd or to keep intrusive peers at bay. Don't let this deter you from going on an organized llama trek though—they can make for great pack animal companions!

拉罗克港，圣克莱门特，泽西岛 La Rocque Harbour, St. Clement, Island of Jersey (© Reinhard Schmid/Huber/eStock Photo)

不是那个泽西海岸! Not that Jersey Shore

拉罗克港，泽西岛

泽西岛位于法国诺曼底海岸附近，是一个有着北欧名字的英属岛屿。拉罗克港位于岛的东南岸，这里有洁白的沙滩和延伸至水中的高架人行道。海岸线上的花岗岩和深成岩起源于4.2亿多年前，呈现出多样化的颜色和纹理。从港口可以看到圆圆的、矮胖的伊乔塔和较高一些的西摩塔，它们分别建于18世纪和19世纪，是海防建筑。这两座建筑距离海岸都有1800多英尺，如果你想步行到这两座建筑的所在地，不仅需要穿一双结实的鞋子，还只能选在一年中潮水退至最低点的时候。

La Rocque Harbour, Island of Jersey

Just off the coast of Normandy, France, lies Jersey, a British island with a Norse name. Found on the southeastern shore of the island is La Rocque Harbour, home to a white, sandy beach and an elevated walkway that stretches out into the water. The shoreline's granite and plutonic rocks, which originated more than 420 million years ago, showcase a variety of colors and textures. Visible from the harbor are the round, stubby Icho Tower and the taller Seymour Tower, built in the 18th and 19th centuries respectively as coastal defense structures. Both structures are over 1,800 feet away from the shore and can be reached on foot with a sturdy pair of shoes, but only on the days of the year where the tide is lowest.

韦尔东峡谷的雾蒙蒙的早晨，普罗旺斯-阿尔卑斯-蓝色海岸大区，法国 A foggy morning at Verdon Gorge in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence of France (© Hemis/Alamy)

欧洲大峡谷 Grand Canyon of Europe

韦尔东峡谷，普罗旺斯阿尔卑斯大区，法国

韦尔东峡谷是位于法国东南部普罗旺斯-阿尔卑斯-蓝色海岸大区的一条河流峡谷。峡谷绵延近百里，是欧洲最大的峡谷，其悬崖峭壁雄伟壮观，高度可达750米。普罗旺斯阿尔卑斯大区数百万年的侵蚀形成了这一壮观的自然景观，而韦尔东河水的翡翠色正是其名称的由来。

韦尔东峡谷不单单只是视觉上的盛宴，也是户外运动爱好者的天堂。从徒步旅行、登山、水上运动到滑翔伞，在韦尔东峡谷可供人们选择的冒险项目是无穷无尽的。这些令人惊叹的风景吸引了来自世界各地的游客。

韦尔东峡谷不仅是令人惊叹的景点，也是自然美景与丰富活动的完美结合，更是迷人的地质历史与现代探险乐趣的完美融合。

达尔达尼亚瀑布，博洛尼亚，意大利 (© Alberto Ghizzi Panizza/Minden)

穿过群山的蜿蜒小路

达尔达尼亚瀑布，博洛尼亚

在艾米利亚-罗马涅大区的众多奇观中，达尔达尼亚瀑布无疑是引人注目的。达尔达尼亚瀑布的名字来源于一条同名的溪流，该溪流在海拔250米的高差上形成了七个壮观的瀑布，其中最高的落差约为30米。该瀑布靠近圣母玛利亚圣殿，其壮丽的风景吸引了无数游客。流经数公里后，达尔达尼亚溪流汇入利奥河，随后流入帕纳罗河，而帕纳罗河又是更大的河流——波河的一条支流。由于水质纯净，达尔达尼亚溪流是许多鱼类的栖息地，如褐鳟鱼和蓝鳟鱼。

天鹅堡和旧天鹅堡，巴伐利亚阿尔卑斯山，德国 Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles, Bavarian Alps, Germany (© Harald Nachtmann/Getty Images)

童话故事中的场景 Straight out of a fairy tale

新天鹅堡和旧天鹅堡，巴伐利亚，德国

巴伐利亚阿尔卑斯山是德国南部一座雄伟的山脉，拥有两座城堡：新天鹅堡和旧天鹅堡。新天鹅堡是19世纪由巴伐利亚国王路德维希二世委托建造的罗曼式复兴宫殿，以童话般的建筑、塔楼和令人叹为观止的山景而闻名。越过山谷，远眺阿尔卑斯湖，是同样壮观的旧天鹅堡，由路德维希二世的父亲，巴伐利亚国王马克西米连二世建造。这两座城堡拥有奢华的内部装饰、丰富的艺术品和历史文物，每年都有数百万游客前往，一窥巴伐利亚的辉煌历史。

Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles, Bavaria, Germany

The Bavarian Alps, a mountain range in southern Germany, are home to these enchanting 19th-century castles, Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. Neuschwanstein Castle, on the left of our homepage image, was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Building work began in 1869 on this Romanesque Revival palace with its fairy-tale-like architecture and breathtaking mountain backdrop. Across the valley, gazing out over Lake Alpsee, is the equally spectacular Hohenschwangau Castle, built by Ludwig II's father, King Maximilian II of Bavaria. These two castles boast rich interiors with intricate artwork and historical artifacts. Both castles attract millions of visitors every year, offering a glimpse into the opulent past of Bavaria.

砂岩岩层，红悬崖国家保护区，亚利桑那州，美国 Sandstone rock formations, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona (© Yva Momatiuk and John Eastcott/Minden Pictures)

时光雕琢 Sculpted by time

红悬崖国家保护区，亚利桑那州

位于亚利桑那州的红悬崖国家保护区有层层叠叠的砂岩岩层、高耸的石柱和超现实的狭缝型峡谷。该保护区建于2000年，因该地岩层的主色调为鲜红色而得名“红悬崖”。一旦你获得了参观这一独特的户外景点的许可证，请一定要去参观波浪谷：这是一个令人惊叹的地质奇观，流动状的岩石层就像凝固的红色液体。该保护区的奇观还包括眼镜蛇拱门和由砂岩结构组成的白口袋岩层。白口袋的岩层不仅有交叉的层理和漩涡状图案，还有白色、红色和橙色等多种颜色。

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona features sandstone rock formations, towering hoodoos, and surreal slot canyons. The monument, established in 2000, was named after the vibrant red hues that dominate this sandstone landscape. Once you get a permit to take part in this outdoor excursion, make sure to visit the Wave. It's a stunning geological wonder, with flowing layers of rocks that look like red liquid that has been frozen in time. Other visual treats include Cobra Arch and the White Pocket rock formations, featuring swirling patterns in white, red, and orange.

吴哥考古公园吴哥通北门, 柬埔寨 North Gate of Angkor Thom, Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia (© Amazing Travel Lifestyle/Shutterstock)

城中之城 A city within a city

柬埔寨吴哥窟

高耸的寺庙、苔藓覆盖的废墟和迷人的森林都可以在柬埔寨的吴哥古迹中找到，这里曾经是强大的高棉帝国的中心。我们主页上的图片是建于12世纪的吴哥“大城”吴哥通北门。漫步在吴哥窟错综复杂的废墟、大门和拥有216张巨大笑脸的巴雍寺，就像走进了一部冒险电影。吴哥的明星景点吴哥窟是世界上最大的宗教纪念碑，占地402英亩，是高棉建筑的杰作。在成为佛教遗址之前，它最初是作为一座印度教寺庙建造的。因此，如果你正在寻找历史、艺术和自然的融合，这个联合国教科文组织世界遗产地保证了你将踏上一段难忘的过去之旅。

Angkor, Cambodia

Towering temples, moss-covered ruins, and enchanting forests can all be found in the ancient site of Angkor in Cambodia, once the center of the powerful Khmer Empire. Pictured on our homepage is the North Gate of Angkor Thom, the 'Great City' within Angkor, built in the 12th century. Strolling through Angkor Thom's intricate ruins, gates, and Bayon Temple, with its 216 gigantic smiling stone faces, is like stepping into an adventure movie. Angkor's star attraction, Angkor Wat, is the world's largest religious monument—spread across 402 acres—and a masterpiece of Khmer architecture. It was initially constructed as a Hindu temple before becoming a Buddhist site. So, if you're looking for a blend of history, art, and nature, this UNESCO World Heritage Site guarantees an unforgettable journey into the past.

瓜廖尔堡，中央邦，印度 (© Dmitry Rukhlenko-Photos of India/Alamy)

永恒的瑰宝

瓜廖尔堡，中央邦，印度

在印度的心脏地带，在众多雄伟的山地堡垒中，瓜廖尔堡傲然屹立在一座巨大的岩石山上。这座堡垒最初是由砂岩和石灰砂浆组建而成，是瓜廖尔最著名的地标之一。瓜廖尔堡的历史源远流长，历代统治者都曾对其进行过围攻和征服。曾几何时，瓜廖尔要塞是印度北部和中部心脏地带坚不可摧的堡垒。它不仅是军事力量的象征，还拥有众多寺庙，每个寺庙都带有不同时代不同国王的独特印记。

如今，瓜廖尔堡辉煌的宫殿、寺庙、城门和城墙仍在诉说着它传奇的过去。如果你想踏上时间之旅，重温英勇的战斗、贵族王朝的兴衰和史诗故事，那么，位于印度腹地的瓜廖尔堡正在向您招手。