A little forest bathing beneath the towering redwoods gave Don George a boost in coping with the pandemic absorbing their wisdom and their sense of this will all be okay.

There's another kind of tree that helps the Basque communities in Spain and France keep connected to their history.

This is very special because of the Gernica oak tree which has been a symbol of freedom and democracy for the Basque people since the Middle Ages.

We always had a link with our brothers from there because we've got the same language, the same culture.

Guides from both sides of the border help us plan a visit to Basque Country.

And what makes for a perfect Sunday afternoon in a typical village in the English countryside?

It's the swacke of a cricket basque on a cricket bowl on the village green.

Just get yourself an elder flower and gooseberry ice cream at the shop there.

English villages, Basque cities and finding silver linings in the pandemic.

It's all just ahead on travel with Rick Steves.

Come along.

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They're so pretty they might even be featured on a gift box of chocolates.

Coming up we'll hear how quaint and picturesque villages are still very much alive all over England.

And we'll learn what's distinct about the Basque communities on either side of the border of Spain and France, where the Basque Country is actually part of two countries.

That's all in the hour ahead on today's travel with Rick Steves.

Travel writer and editor Don George has turned his restlessness in quarantine into a new appreciation for travel closer to home.

Don's an editor at large for National Geographic Traveler.

He hosts the National Geographic Life Series.

And during the pandemic, Don's travels have been limited to California.

But he's given a lot of thought to his beloved wanderlust.

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