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The small mountain that Cezanne endlessly painted is worth viewing from either a painterly distance or more closely, and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. The colour of the stone is said to change with the light, which is perhaps why it fascinated Cezanne so much.
East of Aix near the village of Tholonet.
www.aixenprovencetourism.com/aix-sainte-victoire.htm
Between the Baixa and Castelo is the sloping maze of Mouraria - the Alfama without the tourists and the chi-chi boutiques. Mainly African, it hums with life day and night. Walk up through the narrow streets and wind up in Graca - Lisbon's highest hill - then head for the rooftop bar of the Albergaria Senhora do Monte. It has the finest view over the Castelo and the city.
Metro: Martim Moniz, then head uphill. Albergaria Senhora do Monte is at Calçada do Monte, 39.
This is a wonderfully relaxed bed and breakfast set in the stunning Sierra Montanhchez, near Caceres. Just the place to chill out after getting all hot and bothered with the wonders of Caceres,Trujillo or Merida. The finca is within easy reach of all. Great decoration, atmosphere and lovely pond, set into the rocks of a mountain.
These are the main rivers and canals that criss-cross the centre of the city. Boat trips are widely available in the summer months, but walking their banks is also a very good way to literally view a cross-section of the city and what it has to offer. What you'll see will range from the industrial to the picturesque and parochial, but whether frozen or fluid they offer an unbeatable guide to the gamut of St Petersburg.
The Fontanka and Moyka rivers and the Griboedov canal all cross Nevsky Prospekt, the main street through the city.
Elusive wild jaguars, breathtaking scenery, ancient cultures blending with new and innovative technologies, the only tourist canopy walkway in the Guianas ... where can you find all of this? In the Iwokrama Rainforest, which is nestled in the green heart of Guyana. A decade ago Guyana honoured its commitment to the international community with the establishment of the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, which manages almost one million acres (371,000 Ha) of the Iwokrama Rainforest, in order to show how tropical forests can be conserved and sustainably used to provide ecological, social and economic benefits to local, national and international communities.
For more information see www.iwokrama.org
This 12th century Citadel is constructed on an artificial hill very close to where Old and New Rhine meet in the middle of the oldest part of the city.
Having lived close to Leiden for many years, I never knew it was there until I found it one day. Since then, every time I visit Leiden, I go up to "de Burcht" to enjoy the views and the tranquility that surrounds it.
Going south on the Breestraat, go left after city-hall, cross the New Rhine and walk straight into the Burgsteeg, at the end of it go left and there it is.
Great place for a drink or brunch, with a wonderful view of the beach.
1154 Gilford Street;
tel: 604 681 9321;
www.sylviahotel.com
This restaurant used to be a hospital and is the real-deal for stereotypical Bavarian food. The staff wear traditional Bavarian clothing and the menu is nearly 100% meat with cabbage and/or potato noodles. Also has good beer, but not one for the vegetarians.
Spitalgasse 16;
tel: 0911 22 1761
The Opera Bar, situated under the Opera House, has the most stunning views in the world. It could therefore serve bad food and drink and charge a premium for the pleasure, but it doesn't.
Food is bistro-style, very reasonably priced and of decent standard. Bar staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Cocktails are mixed without pretension but with care. My bloody mary was the best I've had outside my house.
Lower concourse level, Sydney Opera House;
tel: 9247 1666;
www.operabar.com.au
This forest is great for walks but even better for biking. The tourist office in Krakow can provide clear maps showing the cycle routes from the city centre to the forest. Bikes can be hired from numerous places (listed below, or ask the tourist office).
The Wolski Forest is set in the glorious hills which lie to the west of Krakow.
Bike hire
Jordan Travel Agency
ul. Dluga 9; tel: 421 21 25, fax 422 82 26;
Open 09:00 - 18:00, Sat 09:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun.
Sport MG
ul. Topolowa 6; tel: 430 40 21;
Open 11:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Two Wheels (Dwa Kolo)
ul. Józefa 5; tel: 421 57 85;
Open 09:00 - 20:30;
www.dwakola.org
Krakow tourist office: www.krakow.pl/en/
A memorial built in the 1820s to celebrate the life of Polish national hero Tadeusz Kościuszko (1746-1818) in the form of a circular mound, which you can climb for a view over Kraków and the surrounding countryside. A small but fascinating museum at the base charts the life of Kościuszko. There is also a separate exhibition of wax figures and a hotel.
al. Waszyngtona, 30-204 Kraków;
tel: 12 425-11-16;
Bus no. 100 or a good 30-45 minute walk (mostly uphill) from the Debnicki bridge;
Mound & Museum: www.kopieckosciuszki.pl
Hotel FM - Pod Kopcem: www.hotel.fm.pl
This is one of Ibiza's best restaurants. Excellent seafood and a great view. The restaurant is on top of a cliff and looks out onto the rock Es Vedra.
Cala d'Hort;
tel: 626 494537;
One of the most chilled places I used to visit when I lived on the island. This restaurant is located above a beautiful cove with crystal clear, aquamarine waters. It's worth going for the views alone. Great food and chilled music complete the experience.
971 196 176;
www.ibiza-restaurants.com/soldenserra/index.html
Södermalm (normally just Söder) - old working class area that has seen a revival in the last 10-15 years or so and is now oh so trendy. It's a very expensive area to live, but a good place for going out. The district commonly known as SoFo (south of Folkungagatan/east of Götgatan, two of the main roads in Söder) has many funky shops, good bars and nice restaurants, especially close to Nytorget which is a cute little square.
Folkhemmet on Renstiernas Gata is a nice bar/restaurant and generally the streets around Bondegatan and Skånegatan are filled with shops and places to go out. Götgatsbacken (leading up from Slussen) also has good cafes, bars and shops. A nice walk is to start at Mosebacke Torg and walk along the waterfront to Fjällgatan for spectacular views and a bit of cultural heritage.
Or turn the other way (i.e. westwards) and walk along Söder Mälarstrand and end up in Skinnarviksparken which has one of the highest points in Stockholm from where you can take some great touristy photos of the view.
Also, a must! Gondolen is a very posh restaurant at the top of Slussen, which is between Söder and Gamla Stan. You take the Katarinahissen lift up to the restaurant from Slussen, and the views are spectacular. The food is excellent but quite pricey, but I normally take people there for a drink just to admire the view. Vinbaren, which is downstairs from Gondolen is a good little place offering a more reasonably priced menu, especially for lunch. At the top bit (i.e. where Gondolen is) there is a place called Mosebacke (in Mosebacke Torg), which is a great club/hang-out place. Most Saturdays, there's a club there called Blacknuss which is really good. Kind of jazzy/funky. Great views as well if you sit outside. They also do jazz brunches on Sundays.
Kvarnen on Tjärhovsgatan is a classic old beerhall with good food, and has two good bars/clubs at the back and downstairs.
Other good places:
Pelikan on Blekingegatan – reasonably priced Scandinavian food.
Hannas Krog on Skånegatan – good lunch menu and good DJs after dark.
La Cuccaracha on Bondegatan is a good Spanish restaurant with good atmosphere.
WC Bar & Diner on Skånegatan – good food and good drinks. Gets very busy so get here early.
Street Restaurant by Hornstulls Strand (Hornstull tube) - bit of a trek, but worth it. Street itself is 'Stockholm's version of Camden Lock' so there's lots of fun things going on. It's just by the water which is nice and the food is good too.
South of Gamla Stan/Old Town, above the Slussen area, or take the tube to Medborgarplatsen.
A fantastic seafood restaurant in the old harbour. The Bouillabaisse is sensational.
They do it in the traditional fashion, with the mixed fish and seafood presented on a platter for your inspection before and after cooking, then served in an exquisite saffron-spiced broth with croutons and rouille. Delicious with a cold, dry Hock.
Sit outside, watch the sun set over the cliffs surrounding the harbour, and imagine you're Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.
In the old harbour
Small Italian hotel, some rooms overlook small canal and campo S. Apostoli, close to Grand Canal and Rialto, reasonable price and very friendly and helpful.
Camp San Apostoli, Cannareggio, Venice.
www.anticodoge.com/en/index.htm
Tranquil and enormous, Thailand's oldest national park is now a UNESCO protected wildlife site and worth a visit (two hours from Bangkok depending on your transport).
This bar is on the 33rd floor of the hotel and overlooks the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. Fantastic views. You can watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle while having a glass of your favourite wine.
The hotel is near to the Porte Maillot metro station, you can't miss it
A great restaurant-cum-bar-cum-gig venue overlooking the island of Gamla Stan and beyond. We visited on a Friday night and dined in a cosy alcove with a buzzy atmosphere and saw a Swedish blues band perform live in front of an arty/folky audience. The venue also plays host to comedians and magicians, which can make for an evening of random fun.
Walk up the hill from Slussen or take the Gondala lift for about £1 and walk accross the Mosebacke bridge;
www.mosebacke.se;
Mosebacke torg 3, 116 46;
tel: 08 5560 9890
A totally flat 5km track for runners, cyclists and walkers that runs along the hills at the back of Barcelona and offers the most stunning views of the city spread out below you with the sea beyond. The track sometimes winds through the trees but is mostly out in the open. If you need a break or want a different perspective on the city take a couple of hours and refresh your mind in this oasis with a view.
Despite its wonderfulness, the track is often almost totally deserted, though is busier on Saturday and Sunday mornings as Barcelona exercises itself. This track is a runner’s paradise and if you are there just after sunrise (the best time to go) you may see me plodding along.
www.virtourist.com/europe/barcelona/999.htm
To get there take the Ferrocarillis Catalana, which starts in Plaza Catalunya, towards San Cugat and get off at Peu de la Funicular. Take the funicular to Vallvidrera but get off at the half way stop. As you exit the halt turn left along the track and keep walking for as long as you want. Once you have walked enough either retrace your steps (literally) and return to the funicular or after 4 km you will get to Placa del las Maduixas (sadly lacking in strawberries) and here you can take the road back down into Barcelona stopping for refreshments at the Bar Miramar (a bit expensive and you've already had the views) beside the funicular station up to Tibidado and the Tramvia Blau if you wish
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