One by one we boarded the old ranch van. Our tour guide, Karen, drove us to a restricted part of the ranch that includes Georgia O’Keeffe’s home. We walked in the arroyos and horse trails, being careful not to step off the trails and damage any of the fragile flora or fauna. The longtime drought had taken its toll on the landscape. Karen pointed out the tiny plants that were struggling to survive the hot, arid climate of New Mexico.
As you drive past sprawling vineyards and orchards ripe with juicy grapes, tart cherries, and crisp apples, you will see a rustic red barn perched amidst a 60-acre field of golden wheat. On first glance, you would not suspect this proud reminder of simpler days to be a sanctuary for those in need of relaxation.
Wandering the streets of the restored Gaslamp Quarter is a favorite activity among visitors to San Diego. Exploring the 16-block Victorian Historic District with its clubs, restaurants, shops, buskers, and entertainers can be hungry work, and it can be expensive. However, just around the corner from the historic U.S. Grant Hotel, C Street contains a hidden gem.
Accessible only by sea, Las Caletas is a stunning tropical paradise located in an isolated cove just south of Puerto Vallarta. Once the home of Hollywood producer John Huston, who called it one of the most beautiful places in the world, this secluded nature preserve is nestled between the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains and the turquoise waters of Banderas Bay. By day, visitors can explore the flora and fauna of the jungle, snorkel in the crystalline secluded bay, or lie in a beach hammock and experience what many Mexicans call their “Garden of Eden.”
India’s capital city has a luscious little secret — it’s greener than it seems. The noise is big, the crowds are bigger, and crossing the road is downright terrifying. But concrete, dust, and traffic aside, Delhi has something for nature lovers, too. Nearly 10% of the city is covered in parks and gardens — paradoxical emerald jewels brightening Delhi’s smog-induced monochromatism. Spanning the gamut from manicured to wild, they are nothing short of necessary for a city deemed one of the world’s most polluted. The most prolific of the bunch are Delhi’s biodiversity parks — formerly barren plots restored to native habitats, some hundreds of acres in size and home to free-ranging fauna such as jungle cats, civets, and jackals.
