雷讷渔村, 挪威 The fishing village of Reine, Norway (© Roberto Moiola/Cavan Images/SuperStock)

小村庄，大视野 Tiny village, big views

雷讷渔村，挪威

深藏在挪威北极圈的雷讷，宛如明信片上令人难以置信的梦幻之地，让人第一眼就怀疑它是否真实存在。这个仅有300余名居民的小渔村，因陡峭的山峰、安静的峡湾，以及沿着海岸散落的亮红色渔人小屋（rorbuer）而闻名。尽管渔村规模不大，雷讷每年仍吸引着成千上万的游客前来探访。

雷讷的大半段历史，都是个踏实劳作的小村子。18世纪时，它是重要的贸易站，而渔业更是村民日常生活的根基。哪怕二战期间德国军队曾焚毁村庄的一部分，当地人依然在废墟中重建，继续过着属于自己的日子。如今，人们来到这里，各有各的理由。有人攀登雷恩布林根山饱览壮阔风光，有人沿着海岸慢慢散步，或品尝清晨刚捕捞上岸的鲜鱼。住进修复后的木屋，更能感受到旅游业来到之前，这里最初的生活气息。雷讷真正让人难忘的，不是打卡的清单，而是它的历史与传统，还有那种一下车就感到温馨的村庄氛围。

The fishing village of Reine, Norway

Tucked deep within Norway's Arctic Circle, Reine feels like the kind of place you see on a postcard and assume can't possibly be real. But it is. This small fishing village of about 300 residents is known for its steep mountains, calm fjords, and bright red rorbuer—traditional fishermen's cabins—that dot the shoreline. Despite its size, Reine draws thousands of visitors each year.

For most of its history, Reine has been a working village. It served as a trading post in the 1700s, and fishing has always been the backbone of daily life. Even during World War II, when parts of the village were burned by German forces, locals rebuilt and carried on. Today, people come for all kinds of experiences. Some climb Reinebringen for its sweeping views; others wander the shoreline or try a plate of fish that was probably caught that morning. Staying in a restored cabin offers a glimpse of what life here looked like before tourism arrived. What makes Reine memorable isn't a list of 'must-do' activities; it's the history, tradition, and sense of community that settle in the moment you arrive.

帕拉米蒂要塞的阶梯, 纳夫普利翁, 希腊 The staircase of the Fortress of Palamidi, Nafplio, Greece (© George Pachantouris/Getty Images)

帕拉米蒂的历史之阶 Ascending history at Palamidi

爬楼梯日

爬楼梯日定于每年一月的第二个星期三，这个日子鼓励大家在日常里多动一动：少坐电梯，多爬几级楼梯，或者抽空去走走、骑骑车。虽然都是小动作，却能慢慢养成更健康的生活方式。在如今空气污染加重、许多人又有慢性肺病的情况下，这些看似简单的动作显得尤为重要。

想在爬楼梯日来点特别的？帕拉米蒂堡很适合你。堡垒建于1714年，由威尼斯人修建，位置刚好在希腊纳夫普利翁市区上方的高地。这里有八个互相独立的堡垒设计，所以就算其中一个被攻破，其他部分仍能守住。完工一年后，帕拉米蒂堡被奥斯曼人占据。直至1822年希腊夺回堡垒，并用阿喀琉斯、列奥尼达斯等传奇人物为这些堡垒重新命名。如今，游人喜欢循着那条著名的阶梯向上攀登——传说中是999级，实则为857级。顶端的风光开阔至极，阿尔戈利斯湾在脚下铺展，一切的辛苦都在那一瞬间被风景抚平。

National Take the Stairs Day

National Take the Stairs Day, observed on the second Wednesday of January, encourages everyone to add small bursts of movement to daily life. Choosing stairs instead of elevators, or fitting in a short walk or bike ride, helps build healthier habits. With millions living with chronic lung disease and air quality concerns growing, simple actions that strengthen our bodies matter more than ever.

If you want to mark the day with a climb to remember, the Fortress of Palamidi has you covered. Rising 709 feet above the city of Nafplio in Greece, this Venetian-built stronghold dates back to 1714. This impressive fortification has eight bastions, each designed as an independent unit so that if one fell, the others could still be defended. The Ottomans captured the fortress a year after completion, and Greece reclaimed it in 1822, renaming the bastions after heroes like Achilles and Leonidas. Today, visitors often test themselves on the fortress's famous staircase—once believed to have 999 steps, though the actual count is 857. At the top, sweeping views of the Argolic Gulf make every step worthwhile.

克卢伊德谷, 威尔士 Vale of Clwyd, Wales (© Valerie Blencowe/Getty Images)

苹果韵，旧时光 Apple rhymes and old times

旧新年

大多数人会在一月的第一周就完成新年计划。然而威尔士有个迷人的传统，人们总会说：“等等，我们还有一场庆祝活动。”于是便有了“Hen Galan”——“旧新年”的庆祝活动，每年1月13日，在威尔士的几处乡地举行，尤其以格温山谷最为知名。这个日子源自古老的儒略历，虽然英国其他地方早就换成格里高利历了，但这里的人依旧沿用老传统。

除了“旧新年”，威尔士还有个叫Calennig的传统，意思就是“新年礼物”。这天孩子们最忙：他们会准备一种很特别的“装饰苹果”——苹果上插着丁香，顶端放着冬青叶，底下还撑着三根小木脚。然后他们拿着苹果挨家挨户走动，吟诵欢快的童谣以换取硬币或糖果。过去，孩子们还会提着水壶，把水轻轻洒在人们的手和脸上，或洒在屋里，寓意来年好运。

如今，Calennig虽不如往昔盛行，但这项传统并没有消失。学校仍在传授“旧新年”的古老诗歌，社区团体也在努力让这些习俗延续。若你想了解苹果文化，不妨去一趟今日图片中的克卢伊德谷，那是一个真正与苹果结缘的地方。

Hen Galan

Most people wrap up their New Year plans by the first week of January. Wales, however, has a charming habit of saying, 'Hold on—we've got one more celebration left.' Enter Hen Galan, the 'Old New Year,' observed on January 13 in parts of Wales, most famously in the Gwaun Valley. The date survives from the old Julian calendar, kept long after the rest of Britain adopted the Gregorian one.

Alongside Hen Galan is Calennig, a tradition rooted in the Welsh word for 'New Year's gift.' Children lead the festivities with decorated apples—fruit studded with cloves, topped with holly, and balanced on three wooden legs. They carry the apples from house to house, reciting cheerful rhymes in exchange for coins or treats. In the past, kids would also carry jugs of water to splash on people's hands and faces or sprinkle around the house for luck.

Today, Calennig is less widespread than it once was, but the practice hasn't vanished. Schools still teach the old verses for Hen Galan, and local groups keep the customs alive. And if you ever want to see a place with apple-growing heritage, visit the Vale of Clwyd, featured in today's image.

舍夫沙万的蓝色墙壁, 摩洛哥 Blue walls of Chefchaouen, Morocco (© AnetteAndersen/Getty Images)

从抗拒到绽放 From resistance to radiance

舍夫沙万的蓝色墙壁, 摩洛哥

1944年1月11日，摩洛哥迈出了通往自由的关键一步。当天，66位民族领袖共同签署《独立宣言》，要求结束法国和西班牙的殖民统治，并明确表达国家拥有主权的正当权利。这份宣言在苏丹穆罕默德五世的支持下递交，不仅呈交给殖民当局，也送达了美国、英国以及前苏联的代表，向世界传达出摩洛哥争取独立的呼声与全球自决潮流息息相关。尽管随后遭到打压与镇压，独立运动仍顽强坚持。直到1956年，摩洛哥终于实现完全独立，这一历史节点也成为北非地区迈向自主新时代的重要转折。

如今，在里夫山脉间的舍夫沙万，那股坚韧的精神依旧回荡。这座被称为“蓝色明珠”的小城，最早建于15世纪，原本是为了抵御葡萄牙人的入侵而筑起的堡垒。后来，城市渐渐染上了独特的蓝色调，有人说这是犹太传统的延续，也有人认为源自安达卢西亚的文化习俗。漫步在城市静谧的巷子里，深浅不一的蓝墙与清爽的山风相互映衬，像是走进一幅缓缓展开的画卷。你会不自觉感受到：摩洛哥的故事，从来都是由勇气、文化与色彩共同写成的。

Blue walls of Chefchaouen, Morocco

On January 11, 1944, Morocco took a bold step toward freedom. Sixty-six leaders signed the Proclamation of Independence, demanding an end to French and Spanish colonial rule and affirming the country's right to sovereignty. This manifesto, backed by Sultan Mohammed V, was presented not only to colonial authorities but also to representatives of the US, UK, and the former Soviet Union—a signal that Morocco's struggle was part of a global call for self-determination. Though repression followed, the movement endured, and by 1956 Morocco achieved full independence, marking a turning point in North African history.

Today, that spirit of resilience echoes in Chefchaouen, the 'Blue Pearl' of the Rif Mountains. Founded in the 15th century as a fortress against Portuguese incursions, the city later adopted its signature blue palette—a tradition some trace to Jewish influence and others to Andalusian roots. Wandering through its serene alleys, where indigo walls meet crisp mountain air, feels like stepping into a living canvas—a reminder that Morocco's story is painted in courage, culture, and color.

日出时分，马特洪峰的倒影映照在斯特利湖中, 采尔马特, 瑞士 The Matterhorn reflected in Lake Stellisee at sunrise, Zermatt, Switzerland (© Andy Trowbridge/naturepl.com)

纯粹的瑞士魔力 Pure Swiss magic

马特洪峰, 采尔马特, 瑞士

鲜有景致能像马特洪峰倒映在斯特利湖如镜的湖面上那般，完美呈现阿尔卑斯的灵魂。这座传奇山峰耸立在瑞士与意大利边境，海拔高达14,692英尺，象征着大自然的壮美与冒险精神，吸引着世界各地的攀登者、徒步者与追梦人。

在瑞士那座迷人而无车的小镇采尔马特，马特洪峰主宰着整个地平线，它那锯齿般的山脊在天空下勾勒出一幅天然的艺术剪影。来到斯特利湖畔，景色更显魔幻——尤其在日出时分，山峰的倒影柔和地浮现在如镜的湖面上，仿佛大自然按下暂停键，只为让你静静品味这片刻的宁静。

无论你是在高山小径徒步，捕捉变幻的光影，还是只是深深吸入那一口清冽的山间空气，这片景象都会默默提醒你：阿尔卑斯之所以能吸引旅行者数个世纪，其魅力就在这里。马特洪峰不仅是一座山，它更是瑞士之所以令人难忘的魅力——自然纯粹、冒险精神，以及让人一见便铭记的传奇之美。

The Matterhorn reflected in Lake Stellisee at sunrise, Zermatt, Switzerland

Few sights capture the spirit of the Alps like the Matterhorn mirrored in Lake Stellisee's glassy waters. Rising 14,692 feet on the Swiss-Italian border, this legendary peak has long symbolized natural beauty and adventure, drawing climbers, hikers, and dreamers from every corner of the globe.

From Zermatt—a charming, car-free village in Switzerland—the Matterhorn dominates the horizon, its jagged silhouette etched against the sky like a work of art. At Lake Stellisee, the view turns magical, especially at sunrise when the mountain's reflection glows softly on the mirrorlike surface. It feels as though time stands still, as if nature paused just for you to savor the moment.

Whether you're trekking alpine trails, photographing the shifting light, or simply breathing in crisp mountain air, this scene offers a quiet reminder of why the Alps have inspired travelers for centuries. The Matterhorn isn't just a mountain; it's a reflection of everything that makes Switzerland unforgettable.

缪尔树林国家保护区的巨型红杉树林, 加利福尼亚州, 美国 Giant redwood trees in Muir Woods National Monument, California, USA (© photo by canderson/Getty Images)

时光在此处茁壮成长 Where time grows tall

缪尔树林国家保护区, 美国

走进巨人的国度吧。试着像拥抱一位温柔的巨人那样，把双臂环在红杉粗壮的树干上，触摸蕴藏着千年智慧的时间年轮。欢迎来到缪尔树林国家纪念地——它在1908年的今天正式诞生，坐落于旧金山北部，是一座由海岸红杉构成的壮丽殿堂。这里的红杉是地球上最高的树木，其中一棵高达约258英尺，相当于43个人从头到脚叠加的高度。这些树大多已经600到800岁，有的甚至跨越了千年。但对于一个最长能活到2000年的物种来说，它们依然算是“年轻的巨人”。在这片幽深的原始森林中，每一棵高耸入云的红杉都是时间的见证者，也是一位静默的守护者。

它们是如何屹立至今的？厚实且耐火的树皮与天然的单宁让红杉远离虫害与疾病；它们的根系虽只深入地下三四米，却能向四周延展近百英尺，与周围的同伴紧紧相扣，形成稳固的支撑。来自太平洋的雾气在干燥的夏季飘入森林，提供近四成的水分；倒下的巨木则化作“育苗木”，分解自身、滋养土地，为新生命铺下起点。当你步入这片森林，请向这些超越生命尺度的巨木轻轻致意。你的脚步声在时间的河流中荡起涟漪，顺着它缓缓向前，流向这些巨人耐心等待的未来。

Muir Woods National Monument anniversary

Step into the realm of giants. Try embracing a BFG (Big Friendly Giant) as you wrap your arms around a thousand years of wisdom in a single tree trunk. Welcome to Muir Woods National Monument—established on this day in 1908—a majestic hall of coastal redwoods just north of San Francisco. These towering redwoods are the tallest trees on Earth—one here stretches about 258 feet, roughly the height of 43 people stacked head to toe. Most are 600–800 years old, and some have stood for over a millennium, yet they're still considered 'young' for a species that can live for 2,000 years.

How do they endure? Thick, fire-resistant bark and tannins ward off insects and disease, while their roots—though only 10 to 13 feet deep—spread outward up to 100 feet and interlock with neighbors for stability. Fog drifting in from the Pacific provides nearly 40% of their water during dry summers, and fallen trees recycle nutrients as 'nurse logs,' fueling new life. As you enter this forest, bow to the trees that rise beyond life itself. Your footsteps ripple through the river of time, flowing toward the future these giants patiently await.

椋鸟群在布莱顿西码头废墟上空盘旋, 英格兰 Starling murmuration over the ruins of Brighton's West Pier, England (© Philip Reeve/Photodisc/Getty Images)

废墟之上，椋鸟群舞 Rust meets rush

椋鸟群在布莱顿西码头废墟上空盘旋，英格兰

椋鸟是天生的“舞台明星”，它们深谙抢镜之道：羽毛在阳光下闪烁绿紫光泽，叫声里还夹杂着模仿的趣味。椋鸟原产于欧亚大陆，如今已遍布全球。19世纪，一位痴迷莎士比亚作品的鸟类爱好者，将椋鸟引入纽约中央公园，从此开启了它们的美洲传奇。

英格兰布莱顿西码头，锈迹斑驳，却在椋鸟云潮掠过时焕发生机。每逢秋冬黄昏，成千上万的椋鸟在空中翻涌，宛如一曲无声的交响乐。这场奇景被称作“椋鸟群舞”，名字本身就带着韵律感，恰似翅膀拍击的节奏。科学家认为，鸟群俯冲盘旋是为了迷惑天敌、保持体温，并传递栖息地的信息。无论缘由如何，这场天幕之舞总令游客举起手机仰望，在鸟群归巢前争相捕捉这转瞬即逝的奇观。

Starling murmuration over the ruins of Brighton's West Pier, England

When a bird is called a starling, you'd expect it to be a bit of a show-off. True to its name, this little creature knows how to steal the spotlight. From shimmering feathers that glint green and purple in the sun, to its ability to mimic sounds, the starling is the headline act. Originally native to Europe and Asia, the common starling has spread across the globe. In the 19th century, a group of them were introduced to New York's Central Park by an enthusiast of birds mentioned in Shakespeare's plays.

Brighton's West Pier may be a ruin, but when starlings gather above it, the scene is anything but broken. Each evening in autumn and winter, thousands of these small birds twist and turn in the air. The spectacle is called a murmuration, a term as musical as the sound of wings beating in unison. Scientists suggest the birds swoop and swirl to confuse predators, keep warm and share information about roosting spots. Whatever the reason, the result is a dance that has visitors gazing upward, phones in hand, hoping to catch a glimpse before the flock settles for the night.

拱门国家公园的北窗框景中的炮塔拱门, 犹他州, 美国 Turret Arch framed by North Window in Arches National Park, Utah, USA (© Jim Patterson/TANDEM Stills + Motion)

古老岩石的传奇 OldRockArch

古岩石日

今天，让我们重新审视时间的尺度。古岩石日，揭开地球深藏的秘密：亿万年的风沙、海洋与火焰，塑造了我们脚下的世界。在犹他州拱门国家公园，透过北窗眺望炮塔拱门，仿佛凝视一段漫长的史诗。如今的拱门由恩特拉达砂岩构成，而那些砂岩曾是流动的沙丘和浅海，经过漫长侵蚀才雕刻出如今的拱形。可即便如此，这些地质构造仍算年轻。地壳在板块、侵蚀与火山的轮回中不断重生，唯有古老的大陆地盾守护着真正的远古。加拿大的阿卡斯塔片麻岩，约有40亿年历史，是目前已知最古老、仍扎根原处的岩石。

古岩石日不仅讲述岩石的故事，也铭记地质学先驱。泰奥弗拉斯托斯与老普林尼记录了早期矿物研究；1603年，阿尔德罗万迪让“地质学”成为一个学科的名字；150年后，威廉·史密斯绘出了首张地质地图；1785年，詹姆斯·赫顿掀开地球年龄的面纱，让我们第一次意识到脚下世界的浩瀚时光。

Old Rock Day

Today is a day that puts time into perspective. Old Rock Day highlights the vast geological processes that have shaped our world since its earliest eras. In Arches National Park, Utah, Turret Arch—seen through North Window—offers a striking reminder: landscapes can take hundreds of millions of years to assemble. The Entrada Sandstone that forms these arches began as shifting dunes and shallow seas long before erosion carved today's shapes. Even so, these formations are relatively young. Most rocks on Earth disappear over time because plate tectonics, erosion, and volcanism continually recycle the crust. Only the planet's ancient continental shields preserve truly old material. Canada's Acasta Gneiss, about 4 billion years old, is the oldest known rock still rooted where it formed.

Old Rock Day also remembers the pioneers of geology. Theophrastus and Pliny the Elder recorded early mineral studies, while Ulisse Aldrovandi helped establish the term 'geology' in 1603. One hundred fifty years later, William Smith drew the first geological map. And in 1785, James Hutton revealed the Earth's immense age, providing insights that continue to shape our understanding of the ground beneath our feet.

努克, 格陵兰 Nuuk, Greenland (© nevereverro/Getty Images)

努克的慵懒时光 Chillin' in Nuuk

努克，格陵兰

想象一下，日常通勤途中，映入眼底的是峡湾风光、漂移的冰块，以及天际舞动的极光——这不是梦，而是努克的日常。作为格陵兰的首都，这座小而灵动的北极城市，将因纽特文化与北欧现代气息交织融合。它的故事始于1728年，由丹麦-挪威传教士汉斯·埃格德创建，最初的名字叫“Godthaab”，寓意“美好希望”。

走进努克，仿佛踏入历史长河：汉斯·埃格德故居、红木教堂静静诉说18世纪的故事。格陵兰国家博物馆陈列着因纽特人的文物，以及保存完好的奇拉基索克木乃伊，让人得以窥见这座岛屿的悠久历史。这里还有全球唯一的北极高尔夫球场！然而，努克的魅力不仅在于景点，更在于寒冷降临时，人们彼此守望的温情。

冬日白昼短暂，落雪纷飞，努克却依然生机勃勃。人们纷纷踏上雪地，在峡湾沿岸进行越野滑雪、雪鞋健行、泛舟或狗拉雪橇。室内更是温馨，三五好友相约"咖啡时光"——这是格陵兰岛的传统，浓郁的格陵兰咖啡配上奶油与蛋糕，暖意融融。努克告诉我们，这里的冬季不是孤寂，而是人与人之间的陪伴，以及在寒冬深处绽放的生机与色彩。

Nuuk, Greenland

Picture a city where your daily commute offers views of fjords, drifting ice, and the Northern Lights. That's everyday life in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland—a small yet spirited Arctic hub blending Inuit heritage with Nordic modernity. Founded in 1728 by Danish-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede, it began as a small settlement called Godthaab—'Good Hope.'

Nuuk preserves 18th-century landmarks like the Hans Egede House and the red wooden Nuuk Cathedral. The Greenland National Museum displays Inuit artifacts and the well-preserved Qilakitsoq mummies, offering a glimpse into the island's deep past. This city is also home to the world's only Arctic golf course. But it's not just the sights that define Nuuk—it's how people come together when the cold sets in.

Winter brings short days and snowfall, yet the city buzzes with life. People head out for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, boating, or dog sledding along the fjords. Indoors, friends gather for 'kaffemik'—a cozy coffee-and-cake tradition with strong Greenlandic coffee topped with whipped cream. Nuuk shows that life in the cold isn't about endurance—it's about balance, community, and finding color even in the depths of winter.

国王山, 楚加奇山脉, 阿拉斯加, 美国 Kings Mountain, Chugach Mountains, Alaska, USA (© Chris Moore - Exploring Light Photography/TANDEM Stills + Motion)

王者视野 A royal view

国王山, 楚加奇山脉, 阿拉斯加

在阿拉斯加楚加奇山脉，国王山不仅仅是远方的轮廓，它的雄浑之美足以让人停下脚步凝视。海拔逾5800英尺，坐落在帕尔默东北约22英里，俯瞰格伦公路第75英里段，这条公路因壮丽景观而闻名。山体的坡面刻满冰川遗痕，沟谷与山脊如同天然的冒险乐园。

德纳伊纳语中的名字 Bashtl'ech'，意为“黑石”，诉说着它的文化根源；而英文名则纪念了阿拉斯加淘金热时期的探矿者阿尔·金。如今，徒步者和攀登者为挑战而来：陡峭的坡道、瞬息万变的天气，以及如画的景致，都是历经艰辛后的奖赏。晴天时，远方的马塔努斯卡冰川闪烁光芒，野花点缀岩石，阿拉斯加的荒野在此刻展现出温柔一面。带上保暖衣物和笑容，天气瞬息万变，但若你足够幸运，站在国王山顶，仿佛与天空握手。

Kings Mountain, Chugach Mountains, Alaska

Kings Mountain in Alaska's Chugach Mountains isn't just another bump on the horizon—it's the kind of rugged beauty that makes you slow down and stare. Rising over 5,800 feet and sitting roughly 22 miles northeast of Palmer, this peak towers over mile 75 of the Glenn Highway, a route famous for its dramatic scenery. Its slopes bear the marks of ancient glaciers, etched into ridges and valleys that seem tailor-made for adventure.

The Dena'ina name, Bashtl'ech' (black stone), speaks to its cultural roots, while its English name honors Al King, a prospector from Alaska's gold rush days. Today, hikers and climbers come for the challenge: steep ascents, unpredictable weather, and views so sweeping they feel like a hard-earned reward. On clear days, the Matanuska Glacier glimmers in the distance, and wildflowers brighten the rocky terrain, reminding you that even Alaska's wilderness has a soft side. Pack layers and a sense of humor—the weather changes fast—but if you're lucky, standing atop Kings Mountain feels like shaking hands with the sky.