Werner Van Steen via Getty Images
After surviving what feels like the world's longest, strangest and most brutal winter in recent memory, some of us are refamiliar with just how cruel mother nature can get. But remember when nature wasn't hurling snow, cold and ice at your face?
If you've forgotten the other side of the outdoors — the prettier, enjoyable moments of being outside — here's a throwback to some peaceful walks through some of the world's prettiest tree-lined paths to soothe your winter woes.
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Whether you're out east in Japan or deep in South Africa, there are breathtaking tree tunnels out there inviting you to go on a nice, long stroll – without winter boots and a dozen layers of clothing to drag you down.
Cherry Blossom Street, Bonn, Germany
Flickr: Marc Oliver John
Japan, Washington D.C. and Vancouver are all known for their cherry blossom festivals, but venture to the city of Bonn, Germany and you'll find something different. The blossoms grow annually along the narrow streets and have become something of a tourist attraction for the region's Altes Land orchard region.
Ginkgo Tree Tunnel, Japan
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In Japan, Ginko trees are known as the "bearer of hope" or "the survivor" after six trees survived the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Today there are around 65,000 trees, some which have formed tunnels around paths, in the region.
Gormanston College County, Gormanston, Ireland
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Head to the Irish village of Gormanston, Ireland to find this slightly creepy, yet still awe-inspiring path of trees. If the flora doesn't impress you, just follow the path towards the Franciscan College Gormanston where the school's lush, green grounds will leave you floored.
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Jacarandas Walk, South Africa
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Over 7,000 trees make up this popular tourist attraction in South Africa. Make a trip to this man-made tunnel in October to watch the Jacarandas bloom.
The Streets Of Jerez De La Frontera, Spain
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Here's another hotspot for the Jacaranda tree. The streets of Jerez de la Fronter come alive during the spring to provide tourists and shoppers some comfy shade in the villa.
Laburnum Tunnel At The Bodnant Gardens, Wales, United Kingdom
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Head to the Bodnant Gardens in Wales for this beaut. If you're looking for something with more vibrancy, book a trip for June when there's a mass of yellow blooms.
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Oak Alley Plantation, Vacherie, Louisiana
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Make your way down south if you want to see oak trees like you've never seen them before. Located just off the bank of the Mississippi River is an alley decorated with a double row of oaks nearly 800 metres long that guide visitors to the plantation house.
The Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland
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Calling all "Game of Thrones" fans: you'll recognize these creepy rows of beech trees from King's road. The trees were planted by the Stuart family in the eighteenth century as a way to impress visitors on the way to their house. Three centuries later and the trees are still doing a bang-up job.
Parque Francisco Alvarado, Zarcero, Costa Rica
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The city of Zarcero lies in Costa Rica's Alvarado province and is home to the Parque Francisco Alvarado Park. One of the park's attractions are the whimsical shrubs sculpted into fun and bizarre shapes.
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Rua Gonçalo De Carvalho, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Flickr: Ander Vaz
If you need to nominate a place for the prettiest street in the world, Rua Gonçalo de Carvalho would be a good place to start. The 500-metre stretch of Rosewood trees can reach up to the seventh floor of some buildings in the area.
Sakura Tunnel, Iwate Prefecture, Japan
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We'd be fools to leave out the Sakura Tunnels on Japan in this collection of stunning tree-lined paths. There are a few in the country but this one in the Iwate Prefecture looks particularly stunning in the early morning fog.
Tunnel Of Love, Kleven, Ukraine
Flickr: beyondmagazine
Hop aboard and travel through Ukraine's "Tunnel of Love". The lush greenery still surrounds a functioning industrial rail-road track that leads to the city Klevan, Ukraine. It's said that couples who ride the train through the tunnel and make a wish will have it come true.
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The Yew Tree Tunnel, Carmarthenshire, Wales
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There's something about Wales and trees that morph into natural tunnels. It's believed the Dyer family planted the first seeds in the 18th century and the results are a jumble of trunks and branches that now make counting individual trees nearly impossible.
Bamboo Path, Kyoto, Japan
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It doesn't get any more picturesque than a walk down a bamboo grove in Kyoto. Pick a day with a slight breeze and the path will treat you with the sights and sounds of bamboo stalks gently swaying back and forth.
Daintree Rainforest, Queensland, Australia
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The Daintree Rainforest holds the title as the world's oldest rainforest and spans nearly 1,200 square km across the northern part of Queensland.
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Palatinate Forest, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
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The forest spans over 1,700 square km and is one of Europe's largest forests. It's also a designed UNESCO Biosphere Reserve when combined with France's Vosges range. Together, they feature nearby ancient ruins, castles, wine tours as well as outdoor recreation for tourist visiting the area.
Central Park, New York City, The United States
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New York may be thought as a concrete jungle but inside that jungle lies a centre of greenery. Even if you've never been to New York City, there's a good chance you've seen photos of pictures of people in Central Park cycling, strolling, rollerblading, ice-skating or picnicking — it's just that iconic.
English Garden Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg, Canada
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For travellers looking for a taste of the United Kingdom without crossing the pond, Winnipeg's English Garden at the Assiniboine Park might just do the trick. The garden takes on winding paths and unstructured garden beds to mimic the style of an English garden
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Jiuzhaigou Valley, Sichuan, China
Flickr: Toshiyuki IMAI
Located 450 km north of China's Chengdu City, this 30,000 hectares forest isn't just a sea of green. It's also a rich pallet of white mountain caps which form into rushing waterfalls that empty into a stunning blue basin of lakes. Credit: matsuyuki
Garden Of Versaille, Paris, France
Flickr: Stefano Brivio
Travellers visiting the Chateau de Versaille will also want to spend some time navigating the palace's stunning garden that stretches across 800 hectares.Credit: buggolo
Ifugao Rice Terraces, Ifugao, The Philippines
Flcikr: Jojo Nicdao
Found in the Ifugao region of the Philippines, the rice terraces represent a harmony between humankind and the environment as locals have struck a balance between farming the land for rice, yet somehow maintaining the natural beauty for over 2,000 years. Credit: jojo nicdao
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Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica
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No, this isn't Cloud City, this is Cloud Forest. The reserve gets its name from the clouds of fog that rise around the upper tiers of the forest's canopy.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, India
Flickr: Pranav Bhasin
Found in the southern region of India, this wildlife sanctuary also functions as a national park. The sanctuary covers 350 square km and is known to house tigers and elephants. Credit: Pranav Bhasin
Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, England
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Robin may have been a legend but Sherwood Forest isn't. This English forest covers just over 423 hectares and is home to the famous Major Oak tree, once said to be Robin Hood's hideout.
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Redwood National Park, Crescent City, The United States
Flickr: ilya_ktsn
The forest's redwood trees are this Californian park's main attraction. Travellers looking for more than some of the world's largest tree trunks to look at can also make use of the park's many hiking trails or spend the night camping under the forest canopy. Credit: ilya_ktsn
Drakensberg National Park, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Flickr: gomagoti
This national park has been a big hit with the United Nations and tourists, earning accolades from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for its "exceptional natural beauty". The park reaches some 240, 000 hectares and is home to over 600 examples of San rock paintings in caves, in addition to its natural greenery. Credit: gomagoti
Sagano Bamboo Forest, Kyoto, Japan
Flickr: CLF
Looking for some calm with your dose of greenery? The Sagano Bamboo Forest has your fix. The forest features walkways that are ideal for walking or cycling through the bamboo groves. The forest is at its best when there's a light breeze which allows the stalks to sway back and forth. Credit: CLF
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The Great Bear Rainforest, Vancouver, Canada
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It's roughly the size of Switzerland and houses one quarter of world’s remaining intact temperate rainforest. The Great Bear Rainforest also houses some of North America's unique wildlife, like the spirit bear and coastal grey wolf along with a mixture of Western Red Cedar and Sitka Spruce trees.
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