The Hanging Gardens of Babylon might have been one of the wonders of the ancient world, but the Sunken Gardens are equally beautiful. And don’t worry: they haven’t actually sunk into the ground; neither are they about to do so. They’re actually roadside botanical gardens that have been around in the historic neighborhood of St. Petersburg for over a century, and are still one of its most popular tourist destinations. They were actually started by a plumber and amateur gardener George Turner, who purchased the original site in 1903. The land included a shallow lake which he then drained to create his own private ‘sunken’ garden. He began to grow exotic fruits such as papaya and oranges on the fertile land. Before long, he had fenced up the area and begun to charge people for entry. The gardens became so popular that his sons eventually sold them to the city for over 2 million dollars. Today, you can still find some of the oldest tropical plants in the region here, along with new attractions such as the Cactus Garden and the flamingo enclosure. It’s a vibrant natural space that will definitely refresh you when you take a trip down.