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This grand old public park, on the outskirts of Dublin's southern suburbs is a great way of escaping the mayhem, walking off that hangover and acts as a gateway to the beautiful Dublin and Wicklow hills. A wander through the Victorian grounds, forest, Saturday market and model railway for kids is extremely rewarding.
For one of the outstanding views of Dublin, follow the yellow marker posts for about an hour on a climb into the nearby woods. This view (on the Wicklow walkway) looks north taking in Dublin city, the bay and environs.
For even more stunning scenery follow the track for another hour up the hill and the city disappears to reveal open Irish hillsides and rolling forests. If you’re lucky, you will see some native deer and mountain goats.
Take the 48A bus from Dame Street (city centre near O'Connell Street) for 1/2 an hour, the last stop is Marley Park. To get to the viewing points follow the yellow markers in the main carpark. A map and information are also provided. For more details on the Wicklow way see www.wicklowway.com
Amazing bridge over the Danube, with a 'flying saucer' type building on top of the suspension tower. Have a walk over and you can go up the lift in the left leg of the tower to the viewing platform on the roof of the saucer or the UFO restaurant/bar inside. Really spectacular architecture, great views of the city, the huge Petrzalka housing development and the castle and parliament on the opposite bank of the river.
You can't miss it - it's a bridge over the Danube.
Swayambhunath is a Buddhist stupa atop a hill in the Kathmandu valley. It's best to get there before sunrise - you'll be unlikely to meet any other tourists, just crowds of Nepali and Tibetan people. Swayambhu is a hive of activity at this time, with chanting, meditation and worship playing alongside the pre-school karate class, police training up those steep steps, earnest young men doing their exercises, the games of the monkeys and dogs.
It's a wonderful place at any time, but I think you see it at its best and most natural at sunrise. Beautiful light for photography too, if that's your thing. And there's a lovely view across the Kathmandu valley. If you fancy a walk, there's a lovely peaceful monastery at the top of the next hill along.
It's an easy walk from the centre, but you could also take a bus from Sohrakhutte, or find a taxi. Ask to be dropped at the bottom of the steps, rather than at the top. Then walk up to the stupa
Head up to the Caravelle Hotel's rooftop bar in the evening and watch the sun set over Ho Chi Minh City.
Non-residents are welcome, although it's probably a good idea not to turn up in a scruffy T-shirt and shorts.
It's a five-star hotel, so expect to pay five-star prices, but it's worth it for the view.
19 Lam Son Square, District 1.
www.caravellehotel.com/
The Bridge Cafe is one of Manhattan's oldest boozers - and, thankfully, one of the least known. It sits beneath the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge and gives you good honest food and good draft beer at its long bar.
Walk down Water Street to get there - it's one of the city's last remaining cobble stoned streets and is a small shout away from the touristy South Street Seaport. Have a pint of Brooklyn Brewery white beer - made just across the East River - and then wobble up to the bridge, walk halfway across, turn around and take in Manhattan- it's just like the movies.
You'll never forget the view and to reacquaint yourself with the Bridge Cafe - right down below- totter back to the long bar for another Brooklyn.
279 Water Street, Manhattan; nearest subway: Chambers Street and City Hall
Groundbreaking architectural delight, it is located in a secluded part of Montjuic ideal for contemplating the colourful sculptures on the rooftop terrace with the Med in the background. The museum is basically a deconstruction of Miro’s creative DNA with temporary exhibitions by other artists.
Marques de Comillas, nearest metro: Paral.lel
A fine museum at the very top of the Vomero Hill (take one of the funicular railways from the city centre). After taking in the fabulous view visit the museum and monastery.
Here you'll find the museum of the history of Naples. There are also some spectacular 'presepi' (nativities) from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
San Martino, Vomero, Naples
This is a very fancy bar located on the 22nd floor of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The view over Moscow is fascinating and so are the prices. But if you're in Moscow, you have to experience its high life at least once, no matter what the cost.
Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt, 32a; nearest metro: Leninsky Prospekt, walk towards the tall buildings with the orange roofs; Tel: 495 938 5104, 782 5045; www.skylounge.ru
The only place where you can get a true impression of the scope of Moscow. If you've read Tolstoy's War and Peace (well done), this is where the scenes are set as the Russian army retreats from Napoleon's doomed advance.
Now it's a setting for the Moscow State University and has splendid views on a fine day. You really can see it all from here - especially the married couples having their photo taken with the panorama behind.
Sparrow Hills is known as Vorabyovi Gori in Russian. Nearest metros: Universitet or Vorabyovi Gori
Wow. For the definitive view of London, reserve a place at Vertigo 42, the champagne bar at the top of Tower 42. The bar is located on the 42nd floor and gives great views over the city.
Remember to book upfront, the bar does not accept walk-ins. Also remember to dress smartly, there’s lots of city folk in suits. Over 18s only.
Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1HQ; Nearest tube: Bank; www.vertigo42.co.uk
Most people who visit Amsterdam see the canals but do not know that all these canals end up in the IJ, a large river that runs behind the central station.
For a different view of Amsterdam, walk out the back of the central station to the ferries. Take the one of the boats labelled Amsterdam North (free) and you will end up in the northern part of the city. Take the footpath to the right and after five minutes you'll see a bar/restaurant called the Wilhelminadok. From here there’s a fantastic view of the old city and when it's sunny you can sit on a huge terrace floating on the water.
Alternatively you can go out the back of the central station and to the right (along the waterfront) for about 10 minutes until you reach the new concert hall, Muziekgebouw aan het IJ, which also has a fantastic view of the city and the river.
When in Brussels, this place is not to be missed for three reasons:
1.The museum is located in one of the most stunning art nouveau buildings in Europe, built by master architect Paul Santenoy.
2. It houses one of the best collections of musical instruments you will ever see, with over 6000 pieces.
3. The top-floor bar and restaurant offer good food in a very stylish décor, where you can relax for a few hours or entertain friends.
Bonus: the stunning views over central Brussels. There is an open-air roof terrace in summer.
2, Rue Montagne de la Cour
1000, Brussel
Tel: 02 545 01 30
Fax: 02 545 01 79
Climb up the hill behind the Vieux Lyon district or get the funicular railway from Place St Jean up to the cathedral at the top. The hill offers great views across Lyon and on a clear day you can even see Mont Blanc (considered by the locals to be an omen of bad weather, apparently).
It’s the Lyon equivalent of Sacre Coeur in Paris, except that this cathedral sort of reminds you of a giant wedding cake. Also at the top of the hill is a metal tower, which looks just like the top of the Eiffel Tower. Reminding yourself that you are in Lyon, not Paris, there are some Roman ruins on the other side of the hill, including an amphitheatre, which once represented the centre of the city.
One time prisoner of war camp and former home of the BBC, you get a great view over east London from here.
There's also a pub and 200 acres of parkland surrounding the palace. Muswell Hill's cafes and bars aren't too far away either.
Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, N22 7AY; www.alexandrapalace.com
Take a trip to the church of St Giorgio Maggiore and go up the bell tower in the smallest of lifts accompanied by a monk with garlicky teeth - see if you can hold your breath all the way to the top - it's the best view in Venice and much better than the campanile in St Marco. There's a small marina below, you can look down and wonder who owns those boats.
Not for the faint of pocket or those with a fear of heights but a brilliant roof bar on the top of the Banyan Tree hotel.
Banyan Tree Hotel, 21/100 South Sathon Road, Sathon, Bangkok; Tel: 66 2 670 1200; nearest underground: Lumpini; www.banyantree.com/bangkok/dining_vertigo.htm
Go at sunset, for the view of Wat Phnom from the back terrace, it's magical as the sun sets right behind it.
The food and drink is also some of the best in town.
Any trip to Florence must include a visit to the Duomo, as a thumping great example of majestic architecture and for its stunning views. But a strong note of caution if you find heights uncomfortable. To get to the top you have to walk, or in my case trot blindly, around two levels of very narrow wooden gallery, set to the inside of the dome. This offers an intimate view of the impressive ceiling mural but also places you uncomfortably close to God.
Just a few blocks from the Blackpool-esque atmosphere of the Khao San Road, is the Phra Arthit Road. It has a variety of eateries where locals still go and a park with a sala at the end, by the little fort, which is a fantastic vantage point at night to watch the brightly lit riverboats and the smooching lovers. You'll even see aerobics at 6pm, but don't forget to stand for the national anthem. A haven.
Phra Arthit Road, Bangalamphu
Towering 656 feet above the ground on top of the Banyan Tree Hotel is Vertigo, the highest - or so the advertising has it - al fresco bar in the world.
The service is impeccable, the cocktails wonderful and the view – though muddied a little by the Bangkok smog – amazing, just see how close those aeroplanes are to you!
Be warned, the bar is not for the faint hearted. 656 feet in the open air is high and we spent a good portion of the time – at least until the cocktails had kicked in – sitting down and discreetly hanging on to the side of our chairs.
Dress code is smart/casual, so no shorts.
The Banyan Tree Hotel, 21/100 South Sathorn Road; Nearest Skytrain: Sala Daeng; www.banyantree.com
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