The icy beauty of the Arctic attracts thousands of visitors every year to see its wonderful wildlife, landscape and local cultures. Visitors can take ships on a voyage along the Arctic Ocean or take flights to cities along the Arctic edge. No matter how one gets there, they should wear warm clothes and get ready to take in the attractions.

“Travelling to the Arctic leaves an unforgettable impression on the visitor. Its vast expanse and the fragility of its environment are two things that really blow away people,” said Cheryl Rosa, the director of the US Arctic Research Commission.

Visitors to the Arctic Circle will have a lot of activities to choose from if they want to see all that the region has to offer. Hiking with snowshoes, dog sledding and kayaking are common activities. Visitors with sharp eyes are likely to spot polar bears. To get even closer to the animals of the sea, visitors can go polar snorkeling with seals. Of course, Arctic adventures aren't complete without viewing the wonders of the Arctic Circle's large glaciers and icebergs as well.

One of the most impressive attractions and maybe the most difficult to see is the Northern Lights, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. They are natural lights that glow a brilliant green and light up the horizon. Sometimes they appear as waves that dance across the sky in different colors.

The best places to view the Northern Lights are in Northern Norway, Sweden's Abisko National Park , Iceland, America's Alaska or Canada's Yukon, according to space.com. Charles Deehr, an expert at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Geophysical Institute , recommended planning a trip between winter and spring, especially when there is a new moon.

Even though the Arctic is a popular tourist destination, don't forget that people live here too. “It is recommended that visitors go with tour groups that are respectful of Arctic residents (居民) and their culture,” said Rosa. “Too many people can disturb the small villages. Finding tour groups that work with local communities is important.”

Dreaming of summer picnics filled with family and fun? We’ve come up with 4 of the top picnic areas across the US.

Cumberland Islands, Georgia

A few hours south of Savannah, this national seashore is a picnic paradise. It’s an unspoiled place in the Deep South with over 50 miles of hiking trail. Covered in Spanish moss (苔藓), the trails are lined with trees and since it’s still a rural area, the stars line up for a spectacular show at night and creates the perfect evening starlit picnic opportunity.

Giant Park, Chicago

If you are looking for delicious food in Chicago, go for a taste of a 20-day, lake-front, foodie festival that happens in October each year. Grab a spot near the fountain to enjoy your picnic, appreciate the city scenery and lake views and relax with family and friends. If you are there on July 4th, be sure to plan the day to include the fireworks display at the Navy Pier.

Cranberry Islands, Maine

Here, you’ll enjoy natural picnics with island views. The islands are a delightful group of islands about 20 minutes offshore from Acadia National Park. You can visit the islands by private boat or ferry service. Bring a picnic basket along for the ride as it’s a romantic picnic area to take your special someone or go for a family outing to visit the islands.

Big Sur, California

The Point Lobos State Reserve is a small gem. Besides the coastal wildlife there are rare plant communities, and unique geological (地质的) formations. It’s good to have a picnic there. We recommend bringing a telescope, because much of the wildlife can be seen only at a distance.

I’m writing today from my balcony(阳台)in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. It’s summertime. It’s hot. Tourism is at its highest. I look out below as selfie(自拍)sticks extend, sunburns worsen, and loudness takes over.

Living in the Gothic Quarter has been one of the best, yet worst decisions I’ve made while living in Barcelona. I’m surrounded by beautiful architecture, fantastic shops are at my doorstep, and my favorite coffee shop is just around the corner. However, also at my doorstep are hundreds of tourists.

More than 30 million people visit Barcelona every year. But the city isn’t developing well. It’s dying. Financially, it’s doing well. However, the locals aren’t happy. What’s wrong? Landlords(房东)have realized there’s more profit in Airbnb, so when contracts come up for renewal, it’s common to find locals unable to pay up due to the increase in their rental prices. Locals don’t dare visit its nearest beach Barceloneta once the weather warms up. A lot of stores have turned into souvenir(纪念品)shops. Living prices have increased while salaries remain low.

People aren’t sitting back and taking it, though. There are regular anti-tourism protests. The Barcelona City Council has felt pressure from the community to resist tourism. In 2017, a law was approved to control the amount of accommodation made available for tourists. It was hoped the law would distribute tourist accommodation more evenly across the city, placing less pressure on already heavily populated neighborhoods. However, many tourists who come to Barcelona are day-trippers, only crowding the city’s streets. The council’s efforts are not controlling tourism. They’re only controlling accommodation.

If you want to visit Barcelona, consider avoiding May through August. Though I’d argue Barcelona doesn’t quite have an “off season”. Check out some of Catalonia’s other beautiful destinations: putting less pressure on Barcelona and benefiting smaller towns and cities’ economies. Learn some phrases in Catalan. It goes a long way towards showing respect. “Bon dia” instead of “buenos dias” and “adeu” rather than “adios”.