Sometimes, when we travel we want the culture, the gastronomy and the energy of a city, and other times, we want the scent of trees and the sounds of nature. Here, Northern Ireland Travel News look at 11 places around the world where you can enjoy the best of both worlds, the high life and the wildlife, the urban excitement and natural landscapes.
THE US
Balboa Park – San Diego, California
Home to 16 unique gardens, 17 museums and galleries, nine performing arts venues and several notable attractions, including San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park is the cultural heart of San Diego. Steeped in history, Balboa Park’s development began in 1892 when local botanist, Kate Sessions, committed to planting 100 trees a year in the park in exchange for 32 acres of land to use for her commercial nursery. Several popular species were introduced to the park as a result of Sessions’ efforts, including the Queen palm, and many of the original trees are still alive and visible today. Visitors can also discover cacti and succulents in the Desert Garden and cherry blossoms in the Japanese Friendship Garden. www.sandiego.org
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz in California truly has the best of both worlds. It has the perfect combination of beach life, city life and nature. There’s a huge range of dining options, cultural and artistic sites, quaint stores and entertainment opportunities in Downtown Santa Cruz and Pacific Avenue. Beyond the coastal city is even more natural beauty. Santa Cruz County is home to the largest number of state parks and beaches in California, with 14 in total. One of the most impressive is the Natural Bridges State Park. A wild landscape with one last sandstone arch rising from the sea, the 65-acre park is also a hot spot for monarch butterfly migrations, hosting up to 150,000 butterflies between October and early February. www.visitcalifornia.com
Seattle
Known as the ‘Emerald City’ due to its year-round greenery and beautiful natural surroundings, Seattle boasts more than 485 parks, so visitors are never too far away from nature. Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest green space, offering 534 acres of natural space and spectacular views of the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges. The secluded, tranquil spot is home to a wealth of wildlife and many native Pacific Northwest trees, from western red cedars to Douglas firs. Not only this, Seattle is home to world-class family attractions, a wealth of cultural pursuits, and restaurants ranging from fine dining to local gems. visitseattle.org
Florida’s Paradise Coast – Naples, Marco Island & the Everglades
Florida’s Paradise Coast, incorporating Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades, is truly where the high life meets wildlife. The stylish and sophisticated downtown of Naples is home to boutique and designer shops, award-winning golf courses and cultural attractions, as well as breathtaking white sandy beaches. On the doorstep of the city, visitors can explore the vast Everglades National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the largest wetlands ecosystem in the US – with many guided tours available. Florida’s Paradise Coast
Sonora – Yosemite’s Tuolumne County
Nestled between Yosemite National Park, Columbia and Railtown State Historic Parks, the city of Sonora was named a “Tree City USA” by the National Arbour Day Foundation. With a tree department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry programme and an Arbour Day observance, Sonora takes nature seriously, and is the perfect base for an outdoor California adventure. www.visittuolumne.com
Denver, Colorado
Boasting both culture and conservation, Denver in Colorado offers travellers the best of both worlds. At 14,000 acres, 22 accessible parks and 24 conservation areas, Denver’s Mountain Parks have provided a place for people to explore some of Colorado’s most scenic landscapes in and out of the city. On the other hand, the lively city inspires everyone who visits with the endless culinary experiences, the arts and culture at Denver Art Museum, and the friendliness of its locals. www.colorado.com
Greater Palm Springs, California
With nine cities surrounded by mountainous ranges, hot springs and towering palm trees, Greater Palm Springs is an idyllic spot to experience the Californian outdoors and city lifestyle in one. Visitors can wander downtown Palm Springs for charming independents and new exhibitions, while El Paseo’s shopping district serves up al-fresco dining and worldly cuisine. The diverse landscapes which look onto the happening resort cities encompass scenic trails and enviable viewpoints. The Indian canyons are steeped in history and calling to be explored, as the cacti dotted national park and dark sky reserve Joshua Tree offers hikes for all ranges of fitness levels. www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.
EUROPE
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Slovenia is a great destination for nature lovers and the adventurous. For travellers wanting to experience both city and nature, Ljubljana boasts beautiful greenery and towering trees complemented with the famous architecture of Jože Plečnik. The Triple Bridge, a group of three bridges connecting Ljubljana historical mediaeval town and the modern city of Ljubljana, is formed over the beautiful waters of the Ljubljanica River which creates a serene atmosphere for anyone tasting authentic delicacies in the nearby restaurants. www.slovenia.info/en
Valencia, Spain
Spain’s third city boasts nearly 500 acres of gardens, including the city’s green lungs – the Turia Gardens. The city is surrounded by L’Horta – The Orchard – a green belt of farmlands which grow Valencian staples such as rice, oranges and olives. Just outside the city is the Albufera Natural Park, which features the largest lake on the Iberian peninsula, where visitors can explore by bike or by boat. www.visitvalencia.com/en
JAPAN
Sendai, Japan
A green city by the sea, surrounded by mountains, Sendai in Japan’s northern Tohoku region is known as the ‘City of Trees.’ This name comes from before the Meiji Restoration, after the feudal Sendai Domain encouraged residents to plant trees in their gardens. The Hirose River flows through the city, separating the busy centre from the historic castle. Sendai’s major streets are lined with towering green trees which change to a brilliant golden hue in autumn and are magnificently illuminated in winter. www.japan.travel/en/uk
REST OF WORLD
The Islands of Tahiti
The island of Tahiti boasts both the hustle and bustle of city life and the tranquillity of nature. Located just 30 minutes from the capital city of Tahiti, Papete’e, is Papenoo Valley. Papenoo Valley is a valley formed by the Papenoo River that runs north and south roughly through the centre of Tahiti Nui. The valley is surrounded on the east and west sides by tall mountains which have beautiful waterfalls that flow into the Papenoo River. There is a road through the valley that is accessible by 4X4 allowing visitors to see most of the valley. A full day excursion on Tahiti will take visitors through Papenoo Valley setting sights on Topatari Falls, Vaiharuru Falls and Puraha Falls. Those who want a closer look can walk through shallow water towards the base Puraha Falls to admire its delicate cascade surrounded by lush ferns and mosses. www.tahititourisme.uk
