When I had the chance to visit Nevada, I wasn’t sure what I’d find to satisfy the appetite of a garden and nature lover. Surely this state is all about harsh desert and the bright lights of Las Vegas. Well, yes and no. My trip started in Vegas, where I did indeed find bright lights and desert, but a four-day road trip north took me to breathtaking state parks with landscapes and scenery I never could have imagined. There are cultivated gardens on the outskirts of Las Vegas city too, which came as a complete surprise. So, think again if you think Nevada is all about gambling and cacti – you will find these things, but it offers so much more if you jump in a car and drive.

Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden

I expected to see a lot of cacti in Nevada, so it was no surprise to find a whole garden dedicated to them. Just a 15-minute drive from the bright lights of the Las Vegas strip, the Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden is free to enter and beautifully maintained. I spotted many plants, not just cacti, that were familiar to me plus others I’d never seen before that were obviously suited to the harsh weather Nevada has to offer. Everything’s meticulously labelled and, best of all, the garden belongs to an adjacent chocolate factory and shop – something for everyone!

Valley of Fire State Park

The otherworldly rock formations of the Valley of Fire State Park are a couple of hours north of Las Vegas, but it’s worth the drive. There’s very little plant life here, but the park is a must for anyone that loves the natural world and breathtaking scenery. Everything about this place is extreme, from the vibrant red colour of the rock to the intense heat once outside the comfort of an air-conditioned car – it was 43+ degrees. I visited in late September, and it was so hot that my phone stopped working outside. But there was something thrilling about being in such an exposed and, I guess, potentially dangerous place.

Cathedral Gorge State Park

Further north took me to Cathedral Gorge State Park. The temperature was about 10 degrees cooler here and nothing prepared me for the beauty of this place. It reminded me a little of the Grand Canyon, but it obviously wasn’t quite as big and nowhere near as busy. In fact, when I visited, I was the only person there and I’ll never forget the solace and silence I experienced here. There were far more signs of life too, with plants clinging to the rock and the odd tree surviving against the odds – a reminder of how resilient plants can be and a good reminder for us gardeners that they want to grow.

Kershaw Ryan State Park

The Kershaw Ryan State Park is a short drive from Cathedral Gorge and the perfect place to take a breather from the heat of Nevada. It’s more maintained than other parks I’d visited, with a blue pool for paddling and cooling hot feet, places to kick back and relax, spots to barbecue and picnic and areas of cultivated garden. It’s a great place to spend the day with family. Hiking trails take you into the surrounding landscape and I walked one of the shorter ones that gently climbed and gave me spectacular views of Nevada stretching into a never-ending horizon.

Great Basin National Park

Further north still took me to the Great Basin National Park. The temperature dipped a little here, and the landscape became much greener with bristlecone pine trees covering the mountains. At times the scenery reminded me of Scotland, which wasn’t something I expected from Nevada at all. It was autumn when I visited, and aspen trees were full of colour lighting up the landscape like fire – a totally unexpected spectacle that I’ll never forget. The area is known for its stargazing and, once I’d checked into my digs for the night, I sat outside and looked up as night fell. I’ve never seen so many shooting stars with the Milky Way also cutting the night sky in two – just magical.

Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park

I made a quick pit stop to the Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, but it’s worth it if you like a bit of history. The charcoal ovens were built and used in the 1870s as part of the silver ore mining industry and it’s incredible they’re in such great condition today. You can walk right up to them, and go inside each one, which better helps you appreciate the scale and craft involved. The landscape the ovens sit in is beautiful and you have to drive a dirt track to reach them, which adds to the feeling of adventure and discovery.

Success Loop Scenic Drive

Still in the Great Basin National Park, I took the 40-mile Success Loop Scenic Drive. It’s not for the faint hearted with the dirt road climbing and winding through the mountains, but it is worth dedicating a couple of hours to the trip if you’re a confident driver. The landscape is beautiful and there were masses of aspen trees in full autumn colour which made everything even more beautiful. There was plenty of wildlife to see too and, if you’re feeling super adventurous, remote camping spots to fully immerse yourself in the high-desert landscape.

Springs Preserve

Before heading back to Las Vegas airport I called in at Springs Preserve on the outskirts of the city. This 180-acre attraction celebrates the history, culture and community of Las Vegas, with a focus on preserving the environment and natural resources. There’s a vast botanical garden which is free to enter and well worth a visit, with cacti, roses, herbs and veg gardens and more all on offer. It’s a great educational resource and it was fab to see plenty of places for children to learn and interact with the natural world.

Somerset is home to many of the UK’s loveliest gardens, as well as the beautiful city of Bath, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. We’ve picked some of our favourite gardens to visit in Bath and surrounding areas of Somerset, plus our favourite places to stay so you can enjoy a relaxing staycation. Many of the gardens we’ve chosen are in our 2-for-1 Gardens to visit guide, so check your guide to see where you can enjoy a discounted day out.

Gardens to visit

Hestercombe Gardens

A unique combination of contrasting styles, the gardens at Hestercombe Gardens comprise a celebrated Edwardian garden, a Victorian terrace and shrubbery, and an idyllic Georgian landscape. The formal Arts and Crafts garden, created by Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens in the early 1900s, is a masterpiece of symmetry and proportion. It features a rose garden, daisy steps and a sunken parterre with geometric borders, rills and pergola. The rolling landscape beyond, laid out 250 years ago, offers scenic lakeside walks, a grand cascade, woods and theatrical follies, including a witch house, gothic alcove and Tuscan temple arbour.

• Use your 2-for-1 Gardens card at Hestercombe

East Lambrook Manor Gardens

The quintessential cottage gardens at East Lambrook Manor were created by the celebrated and ground-breaking plantswoman Margery Fish during the mid-20th century. The gardens are being gradually redeveloped to revive the spirit of her original design, combining old-fashioned and contemporary plants in an informal profusion. Spring colour abounds, with snowdrops, hellebores and daffodils, leading into summer displays of hardy geraniums, bearded irises, fragrant pinks and roses, set among lawns, trees and low hedges.

The Bishop’s Palace & Gardens

In the heart of Wells, beside the cathedral, the 14-acre garden at The Bishop’s Palace has been developed by successive bishops over the past 800 years. The Grade II listed gardens are a place to relax and enjoy nature, among beautiful borders, fragrant roses, majestic trees and the spring-fed pools and wells from which this small city gets its name. Comprising a series of interlinked gardens of various styles, they offer year-round colour and interest. The arboretum was designed by Sir Harold Hillier in 1977 and includes trees such as silver lime (Tilia Petiolaris), foxglove tree (Paulownia tomentosa) and Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica). Beneath the trees, snowdrops, primroses, bluebells and orchids bloom in succession. The knot garden, whose design is inspired by the nearby oriel window, is given a modern twist with herbs and grasses. The hot borders are bursting with colour in summer and the dahlia beds feature the famous ‘Bishop’ dahlia varieties.

Greencombe Gardens

On the edge of Exmoor, with views to Porlock Bay, the woodland garden at Greencombe offers relaxing strolls beneath mature oaks, sweet chestnuts and conifers. Colourful camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons and trilliums light up spring, while ferns unfurl in the shade beside moss-edged paths. There’s a National Collection of dog’s-tooth violets (Erythronium), as well as the UK’s largest and oldest holly tree. Summer brings roses, clematis, hydrangeas and more. The garden is managed organically and filled with birds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife.

Milton Lodge Gardens

Set high in the Mendips, Milton Lodge Gardens comprise a series of formal terraces that make the most of its glorious views over Wells Cathedral and the Vale of Avalon. The terrace borders are planted with old-fashioned roses, perennials and shrubs. Unusual plants include a loquat and an 80-year-old pineapple guava, while a waterlily pond is surrounded by fuchsias, lilies and agapanthus. Below the terraces lies an eight-acre woodland garden to explore, containing magnificent mature trees such as oak, chestnut, Cedar of Lebanon and beech.

Where to stay

Bath Priory

While you’re spoilt for places to stay in the historic city of Bath, garden-lovers are in for a treat at the Bath Priory Hotel. We stayed there in autumn, and explored the four-acre garden, which was looking resplendent. The garden was bursting with colour from cornus, liquidambar, parrotia, robinia and more, as well as year-round structure from the cedar of Lebanon and topiary yew. There’s a small, productive kitchen garden, a formal area, with low hedges and roses surrounding a fountain, as well as a heated outdoor swimming pool, nestled among the flowerbeds. The indoor pool, which forms part of the hotel’s L’Occitane spa, enjoys views of the garden, as does the restaurant, which opens onto a sunny terrace that has a majestic wisteria as its backdrop and plenty of outside seating. The Bath Priory hotel is the perfect place from which to enjoy the delights of Bath and the many glorious gardens that Somerset has to offer.

• Discover a glamping holiday in Somerset

I hate camping. I don’t see the point of voluntarily depriving yourself of four walls and a roof, when there are perfectly serviceable buildings nearby. So, when the opportunity arose to take my husband and two small children on our first-ever glamping holiday, I was intrigued to see whether I could be converted. And if anything was going to convince me, a tent with proper beds, a flushing toilet and a kitchen, in the magnificent setting of the Cheddar Gorge, was going to be it.

We chose Cheddar because it has something to keep everyone happy on holiday. There’s an embarassment of wonderful gardens to visit in the area, including Hestercombe, Hauser & Wirth, East Lambrook Manor Gardens and many more. Cheddar Gorge snakes its way through the Mendip Hills and is rightly an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – full of limestone cliffs and rolling hills dotted with sheep – it’s the quintessential English countryside at its most picturesque.

You’re only a half-hour drive from the beach at Weston-super-Mare and the caves at Cheddar and Wookey Hole have lots to entertain kids. My children are too young for the adventure caving at Cheddar, but they were genuinely awe-struck during our tour of the caves at Wookey Hole – they loved the coloured lights, the rope bridges and the cave full of maturing cheese – plus the giant dinosaurs and softplay when you come out!

But tellingly, the absolute highlight of the trip for both my children was the tour of the farm in a tractor’s trailer. The tour was quite long, it was pouring with rain, and there was lots of information for the adults about the landscape, ancient discoveries in the limestone caves and farming practices, but my two and four-year-old loved every minute, waving to the cows and squelching on and off the trailer in their wellies. And a close second, was being pushed around the farm in a wheelbarrow. It was a useful reminder of how valuable it is to give children (and adults) the opportunity to be outdoors just enjoying the landscape. Maybe I can be converted to camping!

Factfile

• Getting there: Cheddar Gorge is 3 hours from London. Warren Farm has an electric vehicle charging point – useful for some
• Where to stay: We glamped in one of five canvas lodges at Warren Farm, a Feather Down Farm in Somerset
• When to visit: If you’re sleeping under canvas summer is ideal, but the wood-burning stove inside each glamping tent at Warren Farm means it’s still comfortable in spring and autumn

More gardens to visit in Somerset:

East Lambrook Manor Gardens

A must for lovers of cottage gardens, this Grade I listed English cottage garden was created by celebrated plantswoman, Margery Fish. Often cited as the archetypal cottage garden, East Lambrook Manor Gardens are the result of a decades-long labour of love. The garden is particularly noted for snowdrops and hardy geraniums. Margery Fish helped define the cottage garden style, mixing new and old plants in a relaxed style. In doing so, she captured a sentiment familiar to all gardeners, writing: “It is pleasant to know each one of your plants intimately because you have chosen and planted every one of them.”

Hestercombe

Spanning three centuries of garden history, this collection of gardens across 50 acres has been expertly restored and continues to be developed today. The Georgian landscape at Hestercombe features lakes, temples and grottoes, and the Edwardian formal garden is one of the finest examples of the collaboration between Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens.

Hauser & Wirth

Behind the Hauser & Wirth Somerset contemporary art gallery is a 1.5acre perennial meadow, designed by acclaimed designer Piet Oudolf. The space echoes the layout of more traditional formal gardens, but employs Piet’s famous meadow-style planting to create an informal feel and a garden with long-lasting interest.

• Discover more places to stay and gardens to visit near Bath, in Somerset.

Last September my husband and I fulfilled a long-held dream of visiting Australia, when we decided to take a road trip from Brisbane to Sydney. When you look at the map, our trip marks only a tiny slice of this massive country, but we knew we wanted to take it slowly and really soak up the countryside and enjoy the places we did have time to see.

From the very first day, fighting off the jetlag with some fresh air in Brisbane Botanic Gardens, we were wowed by the range and diversity of gardens and plants we saw in New South Wales. And even had they been lacking, the spectacular countryside would have more than made up for it.

Our trip took us next to Byron Bay – a charming surfer town just south of the Gold Coast. It’s a perfect spot to spend a few days exploring both the stunning local beaches and food scene or further inland where you can hike the Wollumbin and Nightcap National Parks. I also loved visiting the nearby Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens which are truly unlike any garden I’d seen before with some of the largest crystals in the world on display. The gardens here are full of subtropical plants and the team have gone to great efforts to help restore the local natural rainforest, too.

Although I knew that this coastal slice of Australia was far greener than other parts of the country, I was shocked to discover that most of what we saw was greener than the UK. Arriving at the Dorrigo National Park – and our halfway point – we hiked for hours under lush rainforest canopies, never seeing another person and just stopping occasionally to snap photos of huge stag ferns and at one point an enormous lace monitor lizard climbing a eucalyptus tree.

Coming out of the rainforest and into The Hunter Valley region, we made sure to spend some time visiting the beautiful vineyards. We cycled between wine tastings and spotted kangaroos along the way. Putting the wineglasses aside for a few hours (which felt like a sensible decision after our fourth vineyard!), we visited the impressive 14-hectare Hunter Region Botanic Gardens. The gardens are divided up into lovely areas such as the arid garden, wetlands area and Aboriginal plants trail. I loved seeing their beautiful Acacia trees and, if I could, I would time a return visit for early August to see them in bloom.

Our final destination was Sydney and, as we were visiting during Mardi Gras, we found the city’s huge botanic garden to be a wonderful respite from all the colourful chaos of the fun Pride celebrations. It’s also well worth heading north of the city to visit the Blue Mountains – a huge national park only an hour away from the centre. It was the perfect opportunity to soak up some of New South Wales’ beautiful scenery and breathe in the scent of Eucalyptus trees one last time before boarding the plane home.

Factfile

• Getting there: There are no direct flights to Sydney and many airline companies make a stop in Singapore
• Where to stay: Try the 28 Degrees boutique guest house in Byron Bay.
• When to visit: Go during the British winter and arrive to glorious warm weather and lush foliage and flowers. Or visit in Autumn for cooler temperatures and spring flowers

French writer Stendhal was profoundly struck by the beauty of Florence: ‘I had palpitations of the heart… Life was drained from me. I walked with the fear of falling.’ As a self-confessed history nerd, I’ve always been fascinated by the city, having visited several times. With so much to see, though, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of ornate churches and great works of art, by the bustle of city life, and by the heaving tide of tourists. Where better to seek solace then, than in one of the city’s many idyllic gardens?

[image id=”189771″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” align=”none” title=”2048x1365_Bardini-HQ_BM40107[2]–Gianmarco-D’Agostino” alt=”Wisteria in the Giardino Bardini” classes=””] Wisteria in the Giardino BardiniThe most famous of these gardens is the magnificent Giardino di Boboli. South of the Arno and behind the imposing Palazzo Pitti, these gardens were first built for the Medici and were so large they required the construction of their own aqueduct. Wandering through the grand cypress avenues and branched archways, it’s easy to forget that you are in the heart of one of the busiest tourist cities in the world. Around every corner there is a playful statue or enchanting glade – with architectural highlights including the Fountain of Neptune and the frescoed and stalactite-encrusted Grotto del Buontalenti.

For a longer stay, the Boboli gardens are the perfect place to immerse yourself in greenery – ideal for escaping the whine of scooters and the chatter of tourists. Despite the Boboli being the most famous, the Oltrarno quarter is also home to two even more picturesque gardens.

Just south of the Ponte alle Grazie is the Giardino Bardini. It doesn’t sell itself short – a sign above the entrance announces that it is ‘the garden with the best view of Florence’. Its elegant baroque terraces climb precipitously towards a commanding viewpoint overlooking the city. Seasonal highlights include hydrangeas and agapanthus, but the garden’s real showstopper is its wisteria tunnel during spring. This frames the breathtaking vista across Florence with a waterfall-like cascade of fragrant lilac blooms.

[image id=”189773″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” align=”none” title=”2048x1365_Bardini-Web_BM40318[4]-Gianmarco-D’Agostino” alt=”2048x1365_Bardini-Web_BM40318[4]-Gianmarco-D’Agostino” classes=””] Formal elegance at Giardino BardiniAnother of my favourite gardens, I first discovered by accident. It was a hot day, and I had decided to climb up to the lovely basilica of San Miniato al Monte. Although the walk is fairly steep, many tourists make the trip to see the panoramic views from Piazzale Michelangelo. This is a large square above the city – its balustrades crowded with couples and bristling with selfie-sticks. Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun, and I soon found myself in need of a bit of a breather. It was then that I noticed the unassuming gateway to the Giardino delle Rose.

This led to a lovely rose garden, with tumbling terraces and a bucolic, natural feel. This public garden – so easy to miss on your walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo – was the perfect place to sit and appreciate the sheer majesty of the city below. It was a reminder of how, behind every corner in Florence, there is something beautiful and precious to discover.

It was there that the words of that histrionic Frenchman came to mind. Cradled among the rolling Tuscan hills, was the place where the arts and sciences were reborn. To the right was Santa Croce – the resting place of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo. At the centre of it all, was the crown-like dome of Santa Maria del Fiore. In front of me I saw the work of centuries of human excellence and endeavour, while all I could hear around me was the gentle hum of bees among the flowers.

Fact file

• Getting there: Direct flights are available to Firenze from several UK airports, with Pisa the closest alternative
• Where to stay: See Florence tourist board website for recommendations
• When to visit:  Visit in late Spring to see the gardens looking their best

Pembrokeshire has more than 180 miles of vast, unspoiled coastline, where beaches embrace rugged cliffs, largely untouched by modern life. This region beckons families and solo travellers alike, offering a tranquil getaway.

During a trip in late August, my family and I stayed in Cwm-yr-Eglwys, a picturesque village by the sea near Dinas Island. Not an island in the true sense, its charm lies in the circular headland walk. Both winding and sometimes challenging, it presents panoramic vistas at every turn. If visited during certain seasons, rare seabirds, seldom seen elsewhere in the UK, can be spotted on the horizon.

Venture inland to visit whispering woodlands, hidden waterfalls and exquisite gardens such as Dyffryn Fernant. Located between Dinas Island and Fishguard, this garden has a lasting impact on visitors. From Nicky’s field, teeming with diverse grasses and sedges, to the tranquil pond, the garden unfolds in delightful segments. The Kitchen and Nursery Gardens showcase a wide range of herbs, igniting aspirations for your home garden.

For me, the Fernery was the highlight. Set behind an old brick building this small space, populated with ancient ferns, felt like a journey travelling back through time.

Deep within Pembrokeshire, the Ffynone and Cilgwyn Woods also await, cradling a waterfall notable not just for its beauty but also its legend. Tied to the folktales of magic and heroism of The Mabinogi, some believe this cascade could be a portal to Annwn, the mythic ‘Otherworld’. A brief, enchanting walk from the parking area immerses you in the sounds and sights of nature. Bring wellies or a towel – the pristine waters invite visitors for a dip, a temptation that’s hard to resist!

Factfile

• Getting there: The M4 takes you straight along the south of the country into Pembrokeshire to Fishguard
• Where to stay: Visit the Pembrokeshire Tourist Board website for a range of accommodation types
• When to visit: Anytime – be prepared for rain or heatwaves. Wellies useful at the beach

I visited Singapore with my family – it was a trip of a lifetime for all of us, a holiday full of new cultural experiences, exciting food, brilliant shopping and attractions like we’d never seen before. There’s just so much to do in a place where most people only stop for a couple of nights on their way to or from another destination – it really is worth staying longer.

My family visited for a week, and the horticultural attractions were at the top of our to-do list. In honesty, I was a little unsure if they’d hold the attention of my wife and teenage daughter, neither of whom are garden lovers, but I needn’t have worried.

Our highlight was Gardens by the Bay, a free-to-see spectacle that made all of us gasp at one point or another. It’s dominated by Supertree Grove, a series of gigantic manmade ‘trees’ clad top to bottom in living greenery. You can climb the trees for a small fee and walk on gangways from one to another – a hot task, but one that’s worth it for the views. Best of all, the trees light up at night and there’s a free daily light and music show. We were surprised to see other visitors lying flat on their backs before the show started, but we joined them and could quickly see why being horizontal and looking up was a good idea. The light show was breathtaking, immersive and I realised part way through that I was crying at the beauty of it all – who’d have thought!

There are also two enormous climate-controlled glasshouses, which combined cover more than 20,000 square metres. We visited the Flower Dome first and found it full of immaculately grown plants and flowers from around the world – they really were the very best examples of any given plant you’re likely to see. The centre of the dome is used for special floral displays that are updated regularly. While we were there it was full of colourful azaleas and rhododendrons displayed with a Japanese theme.

But it was the second glasshouse that really made our jaws drop. The Cloud Forest glasshouse seemed taller than it was wide and, as the name suggests, it’s designed and planted to replicate a forest in the clouds, like those found in South America and parts of Asia. It was complete with spectacular waterfalls and a metal walkway that climbs right to the top of the glass. The scale is incredible and it’s impossible to stop taking photos! There’s a fee to enter both the glasshouses, but it’s totally worth it as you can easily fill a day with everything to see.

Factfile

• Getting there: Kevin and his family flew direct to Singapore from London with British Airways. It’s a 13-hour flight
• Where to stay: Holiday Inn Express, Clarke Quay, Singapore
• When to visit: The climate is pretty consistent year-round at about 32°C with around 10 days of rain a month

Other horticultural highlights

Singapore Botanic Gardens

More traditional than Gardens by the Bay, but none the less spectacular. The Singapore Botanic Gardens are government-run and immaculate – expect tropical planting, giant lily pads and the most beautiful orchids you’re ever likely to see.

Raffles Hotel

Although one of the most exclusive hotels in the world, there are plenty of outdoor areas of Raffles Hotel the public can access free of charge. I loved the giant containers filled with tropical foliage plants – excessive and fabulous all at the same time.

Jewel at Changi Airport

We were told to allow extra time at the airport on our way home to explore Jewel – this was excellent advice. Full of mazes, terraces full of plants and, best of all, The Vortex which is the world’s largest indoor waterfall. Mind-blowing!

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden was one of the key reasons I wanted to visit Cape Town. I’d long heard of the famous gardens, and their importance to horticulture worldwide, so the chance to explore them for real was a dream come true. There’s so much to do and see in Cape Town and, with only a few days to fit it all in, my wife and I had to carve out dedicated time to visit Kirstenbosch, but we’re so pleased we did.

The landscape surrounding the garden was the first thing that grabbed our attention – dominated by the spectacular backdrop of Table Mountain, the gardens are set against the mountain slopes. The landscape alone is breathtakingly beautiful, and it’s worth visiting the gardens just to experience Mother Nature at her best. But of course, the gardens are all about plants and there’s so much to see. From collections of proteas and other South African natives, to gardens dedicated to fragrance, water conservation and more, the variety is incredible. It’s also fascinating to see so many of the plants we grow in our own gardens thriving in their natural habitat – I hadn’t realised how many of the things we grow in the UK originate from South Africa.

While cultivated plant collections are at the heart of all Kirstenbosch does, like many botanic gardens it offers much more. The gardens are vast, covering around 1,300 acres, and in parts they feel much more like a national park or nature reserve. If you can dedicate some time to exploring, there are several hiking trails which take you off the main footpaths – they range from 15 minutes to three hours to complete, and really are worth it. There’s also a mountain biking route if you’re feeling adventurous. We enjoyed one of the longer trails, which took us into the beautiful landscape and past waterfalls and countless natural beauty spots – it was easy to forget that you were in a garden close to a major city! We also loved the treetop walkway, which takes you high about the tree canopy with even more beautiful views.

Beyond the plants and landscape, there’s everything else you can expect from one of the best botanic gardens in the world. We enjoyed a drink from the café and eyed up Moyo, the restaurant that serves African cuisine and entertainment – but sadly we didn’t have time to enjoy a meal. And that brings me onto the one piece of advice I’d give when visiting Kirstenbosch – allow as much time as you possibly can! We loved what we saw, but feel we only scratched the surface of what this historic and important garden has to offer.

Factfile

• Getting there: Direct flights take around 12 hours, but there’s no time difference and jetlag to deal with
• Where to stay: We stayed in a small hotel in Camps Bay, a short journey along the coast from the centre of Cape Town. The beach and mountain backdrop are beautiful with plenty of great places to eat
• When to visit: Spring is best for seeing the most in flower at Kirstenbosch with temperatures around 20-25C. This is autumn in South Africa

Other highlights

Table Mountain

Take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain that dominates the Cape Town skyline and you’ll be rewarded with incredible views. Be prepared for it to feel chilly at the top and only venture up on a clear day. We took the trip on an overcast day, and it was foggy by the time we got to the top!

Robben Island Museum

Hop on the ferry from the V&A Waterfront to take a tour of Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for much of his life. We found the trip challenging and thought-provoking, but agreed it’s one of the most important places we’ve ever visited.

Boulders Beach

Don’t miss the African penguins at Boulders Beach, which is an easy drive from Cape Town. We loved seeing these beautiful creatures in the wild and felt it was one the best free sightseeing opportunities we experienced while in South Africa.

I visited The Lake District with my husband in September last year. We’re fortunate enough to own a timeshare lodge on The Langdale Estate, situated between the Great Langdale Valley and the Little Langdale Valley, and not too far from Grasmere, Ambleside and Windermere. People have questioned “why go to the same place every year?”, but there’s so much to do, and we love a good walk and get competitive with our step count for the week!

In early autumn it was lovely to see the fells and bracken looking so different and seasonal flowers on display that you don’t usually see in spring.

Walking in the Lake District is a breathtaking experience – not just from the exertion of climbing the fells, but also from the views that reward you at the top, where you can see for miles the vast towering mountain peaks and tranquil lakes.

Gardens are another exciting way to explore the area and this year we visited two. The first was Holehird Gardens, an award-winning RHS partner garden near Windermere. It’s a 10-acre fellside garden, run largely by community volunteers, and as you meander through the walled garden toward the herbaceous borders, you’re greeted with a stunning view over Lake Windermere and the surrounding fells. It would be a delight anytime of year, with the ever-changing colours, but the standout for me was the hydrangea walk, a National Plant Collection, with more than 200 species specially selected for the damp, northern climate.

The second garden is at historic Askham Hall in Penrith. We visited the inspirational Kitchen Garden where raised beds, polytunnels and hot beds provide a ‘field-to-fork’ experience in the Michelin-star restaurant, Allium. The passionate gardening team, led by Diane Butcher, practice no-dig to preserve the soil, and it was truly jaw dropping what can be seasonally grown on the side of a north-east facing fell in Penrith! The immaculate gardens are perfectly planned to use all the space, and take the variable weather conditions into consideration: there are times in winter the raised beds stay in the shade due to the low winter sun. However, the team still manage to grow plenty of produce and harvest everything from classic veg to herbs, fruit and edible flowers.

It was an incredible experience to dine there, knowing just a few hours beforehand I’d seen the produce being picked. The exquisite dishes produced are sensational – a truly wonderful experience and, without doubt, a place to visit again in future.

Factfile

• Getting there: Take J36 and A590 for the southern end of the Lake District; take J40 and A66 or A592 for the northern end of the Lake District
• Where to stay: Base yourself at Windermere, Grasmere or Penrith. Contact the Lake District tourist board for options
• When to visit: The Lakes can enjoy a variety of weather so go prepared with proper waterproofs, wellies and brollies etc

Other highlights

Scafell Pike

If you like a challenge, as we do, then a hike up Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, will not disappoint, as the rewarding panoramic views of the Lakes at an elevation of 978 metres is well worth the challenge!

Blea tarn

Situated in the Little Langdale Valley, Blea Tarn has a short, relaxing 3-kilometre circular trail with picture-perfect views of the Langdale Valley. It’s also the perfect spot for some open water swimming which is easily accessible and will leave you feeling revitalised!

Dove Cottage, Grasmere

Grasmere is a picturesque village in the centre of the Lake District. It’s home to Dove Cottage, famous as the former home of William Wordsworth and the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden, which is beautiful in spring but a lovely walk any time of year along the River Rothay.