Portland is home to the nation's largest wooded urban park—Forest Park. A short hike in, and you'll find it hard to believe that civilization is just steps away. With 70 miles of trails winding through the forest and offering views of the Willamette River, you'll often have nature all to yourself. However, you're also likely to run into locals jogging or walking their dogs—expect to be greeted with a friendly "hello." If you have the time, hike up to Pittock Mansion, a stunning French Renaissance-style château that once belonged to Henry Pittock, a prominent publisher and businessman. Today, the mansion serves as a historic house museum open to visitors, offering panoramic views of the city. Another popular destination within Forest Park is the so-called "Witch's Castle"—the moss-covered ruins of an abandoned stone house. Despite its eerie name, there’s no record of witchcraft here. However, legend has it that its original inhabitant was the first person in Oregon to be sentenced to execution for murder in 1859.

When you want to escape from the busy city streets and enjoy some natural beauty of Lombardy, consider hopping on the scenic Bernina Express train. Stroll along Lake Como, make a stop in the historic lakeshore village of Varenna and ascend the Alps on the UNESCO-listed train — it'll make a stop on top so you can take a short walk enjoying summit views. The iconic red train starts its journey from Tirano — a sleepy town close to the Swiss border, about 3 hours away from Milan. Some package tours include transportation from and back to Milano Centrale. The train journey itself takes about 4.5 hours from start to finish and runs through 55 tunnels, 196 bridges and viaducts.

This island is a protected natural site with important local fauna and flora. Learn the history of a naval hospital in a unique building from the XVIII century, and the remains of a Paleocristian Basilica from the VI century. Take a boat to Isla del Rey, and join one of its tours that are held by volunteers in both English and Spanish.