The 3km and 9km Circles in a Forest trails explore the refreshing green environment, passing 3m-high tree ferns, old-growth trees, strange fungi and babbling brooks.

BBC: Step back in time in South Africa��s Garden Route

With gravel crunching underfoot the footpath wends through moist and sheltered valleys, where tree ferns and nikau palms bring a hint of the tropics to this relaxed corner of New Zealand.

BBC: Hiking New Zealand��s smallest national park

In the dining room, where teak and metal tables are mixed among lamps, tree ferns, and jars of flowers and potted geraniums, the walls are lined with cane shades that Francesco bought while traveling.

WSJ: Constant Gardeners

Ideally I would like to plant deep beds of greenery clouds of box, ferns, a willow tree and maybe a magnolia, with a glossy black-painted metal bench somewhere.

WSJ: Readying the Garden to Be a Living Room