A few miles outside Bishop, California on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas, in the Inyo National Forest, there's a place called the Schulman Grove, which is the site of some of the oldest living things on planet earth - the 4000-year-old Great Basin Bristlecone Pine trees.

The oldest known one (which is not marked, to protect it) is nearly 5000 years old. At about 10,000 feet altitude, look for the Schulman Grove visitor center, about an hour's drive outside Bishop.

Without a doubt, this is the most magical place I have ever been in my life. If you stay for sundown and don't camp, be prepared for a really windy, dark drive down the mountain.

www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/about/#bristlecone

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The finest sequoia avenue in Britain, and a fantastic cafe from where you can see the red squirrels.

The cherry ferry across the Firth of Clyde

The start of the glorious gardens of Argyll and a gateway to the west coast.

www.rbge.org.uk/the-gardens/benmore/seasons-highlights/spring-highlights

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These people teach recreational tree climbing - It's a great way to spend a morning - hanging in a harness off a rope, 30 ft above the ground. It made me feel like a kid again! Can't recommend it highly enough, it's so much more fun that you might imagine.

www.goodleaf.co.uk
01983 563573

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The back side of Le Tour is legendary for its wide variety of tree runs, ranging from tight and challenging to fun and undemanding. The Tete de Balme four-man chairlift takes you right back to just above the tree line, allowing for quick and easy circuits.

Le Tour, Chamonix

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