While in the English capital city, sign up for a tour of the parks that surround the Royal London Zoo. They are Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park. The tour includes guided lectures and refreshments. And in the summertime, you can stroll among the thousands of brilliantly blooming roses while you shoot selfies to send to jealous friends and relatives back home. www.visitlondon.com

As midsummer advances, record-breaking fires are devastating popular travel destinations throughout the state. Many are affecting the most visited areas, including Yosemite National Park, highways, forests, mountains and resort cities. When your travel schedule nears, be sure to check frequently for the latest news and possible restrictions and dangers that may change or cancel your plans.

Visit the Tanque Verde Ranch in beautiful Saguaro National Park for the seasonal flowering and ripening of the delicious red cactus fruit in August. Stay at the luxurious ranch and enjoy guided hikes through the park and surrounding Arizona desert. Activities include horseback riding, fishing, lectures, campfire feasting and moonlight music. For schedules and prices, go to www.tanqueverderanch.com

Nearly two centuries old, the complex at historic Faneiul Hall is one of the major downtown attractions in the city. Open daily since 1825, it offers restaurants, food stalls, retail stores, live entertainment and hundreds of other fun features. Best time to visit is August and early September when ripening fresh fruit and vegetables come in from nearby New England farms. faneuilhallmarketplace.com