新天鹅堡，巴伐利亚州，德国 Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany (© www.fredconcha.com @ All Rights Reserved/Getty Images)

巴伐利亚的瑰宝 Bavaria's gem

新天鹅堡，巴伐利亚州，德国

新天鹅堡的诞生源于巴伐利亚国王路德维希二世的浪漫构想——一个由中世纪神话与歌剧场景交织而成的梦境居所。城堡隐身于山林之间，塔尖纤细，精巧的石饰让整座建筑宛如漂浮在山谷之上。虽然建造始于十九世纪，但这座宫殿始终未完全竣工，因此也增添了一层淡淡的神秘。

今天，我们所看到的，是德国巴伐利亚新天鹅堡令人震撼的风貌，这座城堡每年吸引数以百万计的游客。最初的设计远比现存规模更加宏伟，其中包括一座从未建成的华丽宝座厅。即便未完工，这座宫殿仍让人得以一窥一位国王的幻想世界——一个由传说与艺术辉煌塑造的理想国度。

新天鹅堡中隐藏着许多耐人寻味的巧思，为它增添了独特而迷人的氛围。即便岁月流转，它依旧是想象与奇迹的象征，吸引着游客走进一个由梦境与永恒织成的世界。

Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany

The story of Neuschwanstein Castle begins with the dreams of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who imagined a retreat inspired by medieval legends and grand operas. Set among mountains and forests, the castle rises with delicate towers and intricate stonework that seem to float above the valley. Although construction started in the nineteenth century, the palace was never fully completed, which adds to its aura of mystery.

Today, we admire the impressive beauty of Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany, a destination that attracts millions of visitors each year. The original plans were far more ambitious and included a grand throne room whose throne was never built. Even in its unfinished state, the palace offers an extraordinary glimpse into the imagination of a monarch who longed for a world shaped by myth and artistic splendor.

Neuschwanstein Castle is filled with curiosities that enrich its enchanting atmosphere. Despite the passage of time, Neuschwanstein remains a symbol of imagination and wonder, inviting travelers to step into a world shaped by dreams and enduring beauty.

伯恩斯国家遗产公园，艾尔，南艾尔郡，苏格兰 (© Alister Firth/Alamy)

传统熠熠生辉

苏格兰的伯恩斯之夜

每年1月25日，苏格兰人及世界各地喜爱伯恩斯的人们都会举杯庆祝，纪念这位深受爱戴的民族诗人。伯恩斯之夜的宴席温暖而有趣：主菜是香气浓郁的哈吉斯，搭配芜菁泥和土豆泥；其间穿插伯恩斯诗句的朗诵，再来一口威士忌，这场庆典最终总在《友谊地久天长》的合唱里被推向高潮。即使人在海外，也能轻松延续这份传统：摆盘、诵诗、举杯，让节日的温暖自然蔓延开来。

在苏格兰南艾尔郡的艾尔小镇，伯恩斯国家遗产公园守护着这场传统的发源地。你可以走入伯恩斯诞生的茅屋，在博物馆里细读泛黄的手稿，然后漫步到Brig o'Doon——那座在《塔姆·欧·尚特》中被写得近乎神秘的十五世纪石桥。一旁古老的教堂Auld Kirk，同样为这则故事添上了几分阴影与灵感。沿途的每一处，都让旅程变成一段“能走进去的故事”。无论你是参加热闹的ceilidh，或只是与好友分享一盘哈吉斯，伯恩斯之夜始终承载着温暖、幽默，以及经久不息的诗意。

阿尔卑斯山脉的安德马特小镇，瑞士 Andermatt village in the Alps, Switzerland (© Xantana/Getty Images)

瑞士山间的短逃离 A Swiss escape

阿尔卑斯山脉的安德马特小镇，瑞士

安德马特坐落于海拔约4,715英尺的乌尔塞伦山谷，被壮丽的阿尔卑斯山脉环绕，是瑞士最迷人的小镇之一。自古以来，它便是交通与文化的交汇点，由圣哥达、福尔卡和奥伯阿尔卑三大山口贯通，使这里成为贯穿南北、连结文化的重要门户。

冬季的安德马特是一片银装素裹的童话世界。中瑞最大的滑雪区就在这里，超过110英里的雪道从适合初学者的Nätschen到刺激的野雪地形Gemsstock，应有尽有。除了滑雪，你还可以沿着安静的雪鞋步道漫步，体验冬日健行，或乘着马拉雪橇感受山谷最纯净的风光。若想放松，小镇里还有温泉与水疗中心，让你在充实的一天后惬意放松。

经过一天的户外冒险后，不妨走进舒适的咖啡馆或精致餐厅，品尝带有现代风格的瑞士美味。安德马特小镇的魅力与阿尔卑斯的山野气息交织，营造出温暖而迷人的度假氛围。无论你是追逐粉雪，还是沉醉于连绵山景，安德马特都能带来一段自然与文化相遇的难忘旅程。

Andermatt village in the Alps, Switzerland

Nestled in the Urseren Valley at about 4,715 feet, Andermatt is a charming Swiss village embraced by the majestic Alps. Long a vital crossroads, it's linked by three iconic passes—Gotthard, Furka, and Oberalp—each enhancing its allure as a gateway between regions and cultures.

In winter, Andermatt transforms into a snow-draped wonderland. Its ski area—the largest in Central Switzerland—offers more than 110 miles of slopes, from gentle runs on Nätschen to the thrilling freeride terrain of Gemsstock. Beyond skiing, you can wander along peaceful snowshoe trails, take invigorating winter hikes, or enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the valley's pristine beauty. For those seeking relaxation, the village also boasts spas where you can unwind after an active day.

After a day outdoors, cozy cafés and elegant restaurants invite you to savor Swiss flavors with a modern twist. The village's warm hospitality and alpine charm create an atmosphere that feels both timeless and inviting. Whether you're chasing powder or soaking in panoramic views, Andermatt delivers an unforgettable escape where nature, history, and culture meet.

卡罗维瓦利，波西米亚，捷克共和国 Karlovy Vary, Bohemia, Czechia (© Henryk Sadura/Getty Images)

波西米亚温泉故事 A Bohemian spa story

卡罗维瓦利，波西米亚，捷克共和国

在今天的图片中，冬意已悄悄落在捷克的卡罗维瓦利，这座坐落于浅色山谷中的城市，因山间温泉而闻名。关于这座城市的起源，可追溯到14世纪：据说当时的波希米亚国王、后来成为神圣罗马帝国皇帝的查理四世路经此地，恰好遇见一池冒着白雾的温热泉水。正是这次邂逅，引领波希米亚这片宁静的山谷走上了温泉疗养圣地的道路。

小镇顺着特普拉河与欧赫热河一路生长，它的轮廓也随之清晰起来：长长的柱廊、精致的建筑外立面，以及静静立于河畔的旅馆，共同构成了一种平缓而有序的气质。欧洲各地的贵族、作家和作曲家慕名而来，被温泉的暖意与慢节奏的生活吸引，停驻于此。久而久之，这座城市的独特气质在慢节奏、建筑与温润水气里逐渐显现出来。

凭借着历史悠久的养生传统，卡罗维瓦利在2021年被纳入联合国教科文组织的“欧洲著名温泉古镇”名录，成为众多因天然温泉而发展起来的历史疗养城市之一。即使在冬日，这座城市仍展现着从容与自信，它的根脉依旧系于那股最初吸引人们走进山谷的温热泉水。

Karlovy Vary, Bohemia, Czechia

In today's image, winter settles over Karlovy Vary in Czechia, a pastel valley that built its identity around the hot springs rising through its hills. The eponymous city traces its beginnings to accounts of Charles IV, then king of Bohemia (a historic region of Czechia) and later Roman Emperor, encountering a steaming pool here in the 14th century, an early moment that set this quiet part of Bohemia on the path to becoming a spa retreat.

As the town expanded along the Teplá and Ohře rivers, its character took shape: long colonnades, ornate facades, and riverside hotels that reflected a calm, deliberate rhythm. Visitors from across Europe—aristocrats, writers, composers—came for the warm springs and the slower pace they offered, giving the city a personality rooted in routine, architecture, and water.

That steady link to wellness earned Karlovy Vary a place among the Great Spa Towns of Europe in 2021, a UNESCO group recognizing historic resort cities shaped by natural springs. Even in winter, the city holds a quiet confidence, its story still anchored to the water that first drew people into this valley.

亚伯拉罕湖冰封景象，艾伯塔省，加拿大 Frozen Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada (© Luis F Arevalo/Getty Images)

大自然的波普艺术 Nature's pop art

亚伯拉罕湖，艾伯塔省，加拿大

湖面看似繁忙，却静得出奇。洁白的气泡一层层叠在透明的冰下，仿佛时间在某个化学反应的中途被按下了暂停键。奇特吗？当然。不过那份神秘感，也只存在于你还没走近它之前。这里就是亚伯拉罕湖，加拿大阿尔伯塔省最大的水库，位于加拿大落基山脉前缘的库特尼平原地带。严冬来临时，正是这片水域将上升中的气体半途冻结，造就了这幅冰封气泡的奇景。

当湖面开始结冰时，化学便接管了这一切。暖季里，湖底的植物逐渐分解，释放出甲烷气体，一点点向水面升腾。等到冬天来临，冰层生成，正好把这些上升中的气泡冰封。夜里再经历一场严寒，又一层薄冰形成，湖面便这样一层层记录下气泡的轨迹。冻结时它们无害，但如果被打破释放出来，遇火就可能燃烧。因此，不建议游客在冰面钻孔或敲击。风向、温差和积雪都会影响气泡的清晰程度，所以每一年的亚伯拉罕湖都呈现出不一样的冰封景象。

如果你也想亲眼见证这场奇景，把它写进自己的旅程故事，那么每年一月中旬到二月中旬是最理想的时段。那时冰层扎实、寒气稳定，视野清透——正好赶在春天重新改写湖面之前。

白沙国家公园，新墨西哥州，美国 White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USA (© Francesco Carucci/Getty Images)

伪装成沙漠的奇境 A desert in disguise

白沙国家公园，新墨西哥州

如果把《冰雪奇缘》里的冰换成白沙，画面大概就会像新墨西哥州的白沙国家公园——一望无际的洁白沙丘，乍看之下仿佛仍带着冰雪的凉意。193 年的今天，这里被设立为国家纪念地，用来保护一种罕见的地质奇观：世界最大的石膏沙丘群。这些沙丘由石膏晶体在数千年的风化中逐渐破碎堆积而成，形成了明亮起伏的沙浪，即使在盛夏也依然触手冰凉。

白沙国家公园耸立于图拉罗萨盆地中央，占地275平方英里。在这片耀眼的白色沙海之下，沉睡着远比公园本身更古老的历史。古生物学家在此发现了人类、猛犸象与巨型地懒并行的化石足迹，成为重现冰河时代迁徙轨迹的最鲜明证据之一。

尽管环境荒凉，这片沙丘依旧维持着自己的生存节奏。皂树丝兰抽出高高的花茎，灌木把根深深扎进土壤。阿帕奇袋鼠鼠、漂白无耳蜥蜴、踏沙骆驼蟋等动物，也都隐身在这片苍白的地貌之中。当电影人需要一种“超脱地球”的场景时，这片土地总会成为不二之选。《天外来客》《艾利之书》《变形金刚》都曾在这里借用过宛如“月光洒落地表”的独特光感。

White Sands National Park, New Mexico

If 'Frozen' traded ice for sand, the result would look a lot like White Sands National Park in New Mexico—cool, white dunes that deceive the eye at first glance. It became a national monument on this day in 1933, established to protect a rare geological phenomenon: the world's largest gypsum dunefield. These dunes were formed from gypsum crystals that broke down over thousands of years, creating bright waves that stay cool even in summer.

Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin, the park spans 275 square miles. Beneath that brightness lies a story far older than the park itself. Paleontologists uncovered fossilized human footprints alongside mammoths and giant ground sloths, providing one of the strongest records of Ice Age movement on the continent.

For all its starkness, the dunes still support a steady rhythm of survival. The soaptree yucca sends up tall stalks, while shrubs anchor themselves deep underground. Animals, including the Apache pocket mouse, bleached earless lizard, and sand-treader camel cricket, blend into the pale terrain. When filmmakers need a landscape that looks otherworldly, this place is dressed for the part. 'The Man Who Fell to Earth,' 'The Book of Eli,' and 'Transformers' all borrowed its 'Moon-on-Earth' glow.

保罗圣方济圣殿，那不勒斯，意大利 Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, Naples, Italy (© javarman3/Getty Images)

普雷比希托广场上的穹顶 The dome of Piazza del Plebiscito

保罗圣方济圣殿，那不勒斯，意大利

走进意大利那不勒斯的任意一座大广场，城市的历史便会在眼前次第展开。拱廊、长长的柱廊、带着古典气息的圆顶争相吸引你的目光。街道风格不断变换——紧凑的巴洛克立面与开阔的新古典主义庭院交替出现。继续向前，你会来到一处宽阔的广场，广场上矗立着一座乍看之下仿佛来自古罗马的建筑。这便是位于普雷比希托广场西侧的保罗圣方济圣殿。

这座大殿于1846年完工。两西西里国王费迪南一世重新掌权后，继续推进了此前由那不勒斯国王穆拉启动的工程，使建筑最终成型。整个设计一丝不苟地遵循新古典主义的架构理念：圆形的主体结构、挺拔的三角山墙，而最引人注目的，是那座借鉴了公元二世纪罗马万神殿的壮丽穹顶。

殿内同样延续着严谨的几何之美：抛光大理石闪着柔光，宽阔的拱门让空间更具层次感，圆形回廊上礼拜堂一间一间静静排布。广场上，环形柱廊自然弯展，围合着大殿，也为那座宏伟圆顶勾勒出完美的背景。打算前往那不勒斯旅行吗？普雷比希托广场正等你来探索。

Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, Naples, Italy

Walk into any large square in Naples, Italy, and the city's history comes into focus. Arched galleries, sweeping colonnades, and domes that echo ancient architecture compete for your attention. Every street shifts in style—compact Baroque facades give way to broad Neoclassical courtyards. Continue exploring, and you will arrive at a wide square with a building that appears Roman at first sight. That's the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, located on the west side of Piazza del Plebiscito.

Completed in 1846, the basilica took shape after Ferdinand I, King of the Two Sicilies, returned to power and continued the construction begun under King Joachim Murat of Naples. The design followed strict Neoclassical principles: a circular body, a triangular pediment, and a dome modeled after the Pantheon—a famous second-century Roman temple.

Inside, the geometry continues with polished marble, broad arches, and chapels spaced along the circular walkway. The piazza features a curving colonnade that borders the basilica and frames its dome. Planning a trip to Naples? Piazza del Plebiscito awaits you.

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.