This is the 3263rd most frequent Russian word.
окрестностях
"Vicinity" or "surroundings."
The word 'окрестностях' refers to 'surroundings' or 'vicinities' in this sentence, providing a spatial context to where the walking took place.
Мы гуляли в окрестностях города.
We walked in the outskirts of the city.
In this sentence, 'окрестностях' designates the areas surrounding the village, indicating the nearby locations where the castles can be observed.
В окрестностях деревни видны старинные замки.
In the surroundings of the village, ancient castles are visible.
Here, 'окрестностях' again identifies the area around a reference point, serving to describe the location where the rare plants are found.