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The city of Bristol and its surrounding area boasts a population of over one million people. With that many residents, one would be quick to assume that the city is choked and clogged with buildings, traffic and other typical urban features. To be sure, there are plenty of buildings and traffic in Bristol – but they are more than made up for with huge expanses of open, green space. Bristol is a park lover’s dream; learn more about five of the most notable parks below.

Ashton Court – As the largest park in Bristol, Ashton Court receives plenty of attention. Spread out over an area that measures approximately 850 acres, it is a massive and very inviting place to explore. Mountain biking and horse riding trails can be found here, as can an impressive mansion house and a deer park.

Blaise Castle – About eight kilometres north of the city centre lies Blaise Castle, a pleasant and very popular Bristol park. The mansion house is now home to a branch of the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery; a small gorge and a woodland provide ample opportunities for outdoor adventure seekers. At approximately 650 acres, Blaise Castle is an impressive and noteworthy park to spend time in when visiting Bristol.

The Downs – The Downs in Bristol are actually made up of two sections: Clifton Down and Durdham Down. Near the southern end of Clifton Down, visitors can enjoy the Clifton Suspension Bridge; it overlooks the Avon Gorge, providing plenty of delightful views. A main road runs between the two sections of The Downs, and helps delineate where one ends and the other begins. No trip to Bristol is complete without a stop at The Downs.

Brandon Hill – Brandon Hill is a park that is situated on a hill that lies between Hotwells, Clifton and the city centre. At its summit sits Cabot Tower, which was erected in honour of explorer John Cabot. Brandon Hill is centrally located near many hotels in Bristol, making it a convenient option on a pleasant afternoon.

Castle Park – Also known as Castle Green, Castle Park was designated after wartime bombings destroyed many of the mediaeval buildings that once stood here. With its prime location across from Broadmead shopping centre, Castle Park is within walking distance of several Bristol hotels and offers a little bit of something for anyone who is visiting the city.

Capital of Scotland and home to numerous incredible natural vistas, the well-loved city of Edinburgh offers both sophisticated city living and nature in abundance, depending on what a person is in the mood for at a given time. When the mood to “go green” strikes, there’s no prettier place to be!

Visitors who arrive via train into Edinburgh’s Waverly Station will be impressed with the vast and striking beauty of Princes Street Gardens, which begin just west of the station, in Waverly Valley. These gardens are several hundred years old, and are located in what used to be a man-made lake. At the east end of the Garden, a spectacular view of the Balmoral hotel (one of the most exclusive Edinburgh hotels) and the North Bridge greets the eyes of all who use this fantastic green space for relaxation. Further west, past the National Gallery which houses some of Scotland’s most important artistic treasures, there are organized paths and playgrounds bring visitors to the gardens right up beneath Edinburgh Castle, where they can appreciate the majesty of this ancient fortress up close.

Looming high above the city – even higher than the Castle itself – is Arthur’s Seat, located in the center of Holyrood Park. A national royal park, Holyrood is used by locals as sports fields and more, while Arthur’s Seat provides a jogging and biking track, as well as fun and challenging climbs for those who want a few hours of testing their mettle against this hill. To the North, Holyrood Park gathers visitors from both Leith and Edinburgh, while further South visiting the park becomes a more private and secluded experience.

As one travels toward Edinburgh’s west end, past some of the best hotels in Edinburgh and down along Lothian Road, one ventures through Tollcross and out into the Meadows – an open, tree-lined field that offers football pitches and other sports activities to teams that congregate both spontaneously and as parts of local sports leagues.

No tour of Edinburgh’s green spaces would be complete without a visit to the Royal Botanic Garden in Inverleith. This world-class research and preservation institute features plant life collected from around the world. In addition to both native and exotic flora that thrives in Edinburgh’s climate, a number of heated greenhouses allow visitors to experience the climates and plant life of more exotic parts of the world. The Garden also houses an exhibition center, where there are often art and science exhibits available to teach those who come to the garden about its mission.

Although it’s not a public space, one of the most beautiful gardens in Edinburgh is Queen Street Gardens. Accessible to locals only via a lock-and-key system, this mysterious, well-shaded garden can be glimpsed through trees and iron fences, but always stays tantalizingly out of reach for those who are simply passing through the city.

Finally, for a secret green space you won’t have expected, head to the roof at the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street. You’ll be treated to an exotic garden and incredible views of this stunning city.

Backpacking around Europe for very little money used to be something of a rite of passage for many young adults. In Western Europe especially, though, those days are largely over. Europe is one of the most expensive regions in the world to explore, particularly for those who don’t put in the research to find great deals. Still, there are a handful of countries in Europe that continue to present phenomenal deals. Whether you want to explore breathtaking mountains, luxuriate on sunny beaches or take in topnotch cultural attractions, the following five countries will let you do so in a very affordable way.

Lithuania – This Northern European country sits on the southeastern shores of the Baltic Sea and presents plenty of low-priced options for budget-conscious travellers. Whether you choose to explore the fascinating capital city of Vilnius or check out the amazing features at the Kernave Archeological Site, you’ll be able to enjoy a very memorable holiday for extraordinarily little money.

Finland – Out of all of the Western European countries, Finland is among the cheapest to visit. Backpacking through a string of this country’s incredible medieval towns is one low cost way of embarking on a real adventure; hiking through its pristine Lapland region is another. Better still, head over to the Aland islands for unbeatable scenery – and prices.

Slovakia – Slovakia truly has it all, from wonderfully cultural cities to vast expanses of unspoiled natural wonder. Take a tour of Bratislava and its many fine museums for a fraction of the price of many other European cities, or spend a few days in one of this country’s breathtaking national parks – Slovensky raj is one real standout.

Portugal – If a holiday to the Costa del Sol is too rich for your blood, you should consider a sojourn along the long, scenic coast of Portugal instead. There are plenty of cheap hotels to choose from in this idyllic region, and you can take day trips to visit the many nearby walled towns for a bit of variety.

Ukraine – Book a cheap hotel in or near Yalta to enjoy wine country at its finest – and least expensive. The area’s many spas will ensure that you are able to rest and recharge while on holiday here. Alternatively, spend a weekend in Kiev and take advantage of the phenomenally low prices – be sure to do a bit of shopping, too!