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Cities are defined by towering skyscrapers, non-stop energy and densely-packed quarters. Yet many top-visited cities also offer rightly famous urban oases - iconic parks that provide greenery, fresh air, picnic knolls, beautiful foliage and walking paths. When visiting one of these destinations, take time to enjoy the outdoors as the locals do - in a leisurely, carefree way with family and friends.

Missouri is a gold mine for nature lovers, with crystal-clear lakes for swimming and boating, lazy rivers for fishing and floating, and wooded hamlets for hiking, biking, and camping. Visitors here will even find more than 6,000 caves, many of which offer guided tours. Head to the state’s finest parks to explore these natural wonders, perhaps with a picnic—or even a tent—in tow.

A new generation of tastemakers puts Beijing on the fashion map.

Pune, the old capital of the Maratha Empire, is a cultural and educational hub often referred to as the Oxford of the East. A big attraction is the leafy quarter of Koregaon Park—full of drama, mysticism, and sprawling mansions, all built around ancient banyans.

Live like a local and seek out sunny moments surrounded by greenery. Pack a picnic, put on your walking shoes, and stroll these wonders like the Parque del Retiro, the Parque del Oeste, and the botanical garden.

Finding a place to eat or drink in a resort town is easy, but finding a good place that reflects the atmosphere is a bit more challenging. Try the local whiskey, have a hearty breakfast before a day on the slopes or hiking the trails, and don’t forget to clean your plate at dinner.

Even if you’re camping or just passing through on a day trip to the park, be sure to take in the views from one of these restaurants, whether in the formal dining room of a lodge or at a picnic table out on a deck.

There’s more to the Smoky Mountains than black bears and hiking trails: in this neck of the woods, you’ll also find genteel former mansions turned hotels and chic farm stays with world renowned food, surprising vineyards, and woodland diversions. Here’s your Appalachian getaway guide.

Whether you want to stay somewhere historic or new, close to Yosemite National Park or far from the crowds in Mariposa Grove, there are several options for couples, families, and even groups, complete with everything from gourmet restaurants to awe-inspiring views of Glacier Point, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls.

Although Boston is one of America’s oldest cities, it has made huge strides towards a sustainable future. For travelers who like to get outdoors, you’ll find a city that prides itself with parks and green spaces. The Kennedy Green-way, Freedom Trail, and Harborwalk provide miles of trails to take you through Boston’s neighborhoods. The city has plenty of park space to hang out in too, including America’s first public park.

At the Hyatt Centric, luxury amenities meet front-door access to 7,300 acres of ski terrain, including the 314 trails, 40 chairlifts, and six natural half-pipes that make up the Park City Mountain area of Canyons Village. For even more adventure, the hotel’s in-house activities company, Wasatch Adventure Guide, can arrange for dogsledding, fly-fishing, heli-skiing, hot-air ballooning, and even ice-climbing excursions. If you’d rather soak up some culture, there’s complimentary seasonal transport to Park City’s charming Main Street and its dozens of galleries. After a long day of exploring, guests can unwind in the resort’s heated outdoor pool, or in front of their own stone fireplace. The 120 guest rooms and apartment-style residences offer a home-away-from-home feel, with even the standard rooms featuring a partial kitchen stocked with china for four. In case you don’t feel like entertaining, the on-site Escala Provisions Company Restaurant & Bar offers après-ski fare like classic fondue as well as a dinner menu with dishes like a grass-fed beef burger with tomato jam, pork belly, and pommes frites.

AFAR chose a destination at random—by literally spinning a globe—and sent comedian Jorma Taccone on a spontaneous journey to Nairobi, Kenya.

It’s easy to fill a long weekend with Orlando fun. Spend one day at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot (with some Morimoto and tequila, to insert some adult-pleasing activities to the classic theme park day), of course. Engage in some other local magic, too, like the wildlife of Central Florida with a kayak exploration of the headwaters of the Everglades, or an afternoon viewing the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany at the Hosmer Museum in Winter Park. Try some of Orlando’s food truck fare and sip international vintages at a wine bar. And, if you have some time, get out and explore the charming neighborhoods, up-and-coming restaurants, and boutique shopping in this sprawling and modern metropolis.

Doha is not Disneyland, mainly because of its harsh weather. But this doesn’t mean that the city doesn’t have pockets of indoor and outdoor fun for the little ones. Gondolania, Megapolis, Circus Land, and Jungle Zone are just a few of the places visitors with children should visit. From ice rinks to bowling alleys to state-of-the-art simulators, Doha offers a great deal of indoor fun. For those wanting to soak up some sun, Aqua Park, Al-Khor Park, and Umm Bab Beach are children’s favorites.

Chris Walker and Morgan Hartley spent three months cycling through central Asia as part of an 18-month bike trip. Here is part one of five of their account, in which their trip is almost thwarted from the start.