Nature escapes close to the city

Some 80 acres of dense canopy cover lend the combination of wetlands, savannas and meadows a genuinely rural feeling, and plenty of resident wildlife – from deer and mink to a range of birds and waterfowl – call it home. These woods mark the southern anchor of the North Branch Trail, a popular spot for biking.

When hiking or cycling in this gorgeous reserve between Scheveningen and Wassenaar, it’s hard to believe that the city is just a stone’s throw away. Dunes, lakes, forests, and the sea make this park the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle. The drinking water company Dunea provides several hiking and cycling routes.

A modern organic and sustainable farm and hotel with an educational focus, Narköy is the perfect place to learn about organic natural farming through activities and workshops. Dine on organic farm meals, stroll through the nearby forest and take part in outdoor classrooms.

Just across and right below the Golden Gate Bridge is this beautiful historic property that was formerly a U.S. Army post. Old officers’ residences have since been converted into luxury guest rooms, a restaurant and a spa. The only things surrounding you are trees and the bay, so expect the most quiet and serene getaway.

Overlooking the Cabedelo Beach, this resort is perfect for those seeking active holidays, offering a wealth of fitness activities. The sleek bungalows are ideal for families, and watersports lovers will be in for a treat, as the beach is right on your doorstep. Only an hour’s drive from Porto.

This 1300-acre park at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains was once the site of a historic Gabrielino-Tongva village named for the flowing waters. It is here that the mouth of the Arroyo Seco stream brings water from the mountains to the urban plain, creating a riparian wetland that has been endangered and altered by European settlement.

A silent area of watery salt marshes and windswept dunes lies close to the beach town of Knokke. This was once the broad estuary of the Zwin, where 15th-century merchant ships carried English wool and Italian silk to Bruges. But the river silted up in the 16th century, turning Bruges into a dead port. The estuary slowly evolved into a desolate and watery landscape enclosed by dunes and pine woods. More than 100 different species of birds gather in this habitat, including Kentish plovers, crested larks and avocets. Several marked trails lead across this strange landscape on the border with the Netherlands.