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Palladio's church on the island of the same name in St Mark's Basin. The church has a fine facade, two terrific Tintorettos, and a monk-operated lift up its campanile where you can get the best views of Venice and beyond.
San Giorgio Maggiore accessible by vaporetto no.82
Get a City pass and bypass some of the queues. Also go about half an hour before the sun sets. See the city in the daylight and then watch it magically come alight as darkness falls. No need to go up twice!
Fifth Ave
Devonport is on Auckland's North Shore and is well worth a visit if you don't have time to go to Rangitoto or Waiheke. As well as having a very pleasant main street with cafes (and a good fish and chip shop), there's a good beach and children's playground and there are walks up to the two extinct volcanoes behind the town which offer great views of Auckland and have historical interest provided by 19th century military defences. The ferry ticket also provides free use of the buses for the day.
Ferries to Devonport leave from the main ferry terminal on the waterfront near the Viaduct Harbour (Americas Cup Village area) and Britomart Transport Interchange. Ask for an AucklandPass, which is the same cost as a return but allows free use of Stagecoach buses too.
A good place to pick up some more unusual souvenirs - lots of craft stalls here, none of the usual tourist tat - and at decent prices. Or you can just wander around and check out the people, then stop off for a cake from the shop around the corner, just over from the tourist info office. Then, head up to the harbour bridge pylon to check out the views.
The rocks, Darling Harbour
Look at the paintings if you must, but the external beauty of the gardens and the building itself are perhaps more engaging. The smoggy views of the city over the cactus rooftop are awesome.
On the outskirts somewhere
Helicopter trips. We took The Big Apple Tour a 10-12 minute one which was fantastic. It is essential to book as they were very busy and they also check ID carefully. We went down to the Statue of Liberty and back. Fantastic views. Well worth doing.
Liberty Helicopters, Downtown Manhatten Heliport, Pier 6 and the East River, New York, NY 10004 www.libertyhelicopters.com
Even with a city as beautiful as Prague, it's sometimes nice to get out for a while. On the north-west border of the city is the spectacular Divoká Šárka, where you can wander through forests and gaze at spectacular rock formations surrounded by streams, waterfalls and lakes.
At the north-west terminus of the number 26 tram. Map at: tinyurl.com/2byaf4
Licensed, definitely stylish, and with superb food, this restaurant boasts a great view of Perth's yachting harbour. Friendly staff add the final touch to make the dining experience into a memorable treat.
3 Hackett Drive Crawley Perth, WA 6009 Phone 08 9423 5000
Google map: tinyurl.com/ktk9zn
Location - location - location. I haven't found a place in the Cape which feels so quiet and so yet close to the sea - it is so beautiful. The sea has a unique colour at this side of False Bay - just magical. The restaurant has great seafood. The 3 times I have been there the service has been really friendly. Almost the ideal lunch spot for those on trips to or from Cape Point or the penguins in Simonstown (3 miles away). The only warning is that it is quite exposed so if the wind is blowing you may need a sheltered outside spot. I really hope you go and enjoy it as much as we did.
It's this amazing tower with an external spiral staircase. As well as being an amazing and unusual piece of architecture, the view from the top is beautiful. I was thrilled to see the top of people's homes - with gardens and washing - rather than just the top of official buildings.
Yes, it's a cemetery, but it was also the first park in New York. It's beautiful and you can see the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. Not only is it great for walking, but you can see amazing sculptures and mausoleums.
It's in Brooklyn. Take the R Train to 25th Street Station, Walk East 1 block to Green-Wood at 5th Avenue & 25 Street.
Take your bike or go by foot. Start at Sprinfield Park (N15) and have a slap up breakfast at the cafe by the Rowing club. Afterwards walk down the River Lea. There are many things that will satisfy those yearning for a slice of country.
Anyone fit enough can walk all the way down to the River Thames or chip off into town along Grand Union Canal.
Look out for the rare breed cows.
The Lea Vally
Smack in the middle of Waitemata harbour, Rangitoto Island (not that silly casino-tower) is Auckland's real landmark. Black rock and shrubby vegetation cover a steep volcanic cone. It can be a hot and mildly strenuous walk to the top, but worth it. Rumoured to be dormant rather than extinct, but unlikely to erupt anytime soon. Hopefully.
Particularly good if this is the first thing you do in New York, take the lift after it has got dark, and see NYC in a way that you will never forget.
The best views in the city! Climb El Sagrat Cor de Jesus for the unbelievable contrast between the city in front of you and the tree-covered mountains behind you. Also fun is the tram and funicular railway you should take to get there.
FGC stop Av. Tibidabo, then take Tramvia Blau followed by the funicular railway to the top
An old, old tip, this. Slap bang in the centre of the city, you'll probably have passed by this huge department store on a number of occasions if you've been to Paris. If you fancy a good cheap meal with an excellent view then grab a plate in the restaurant on one of the upper floors. Admittedly the decor is somewhat drab, and you're unlikely to bump into any of Paris's chic set (most of the clientelle look like octogenarians) but if you get a table by the window then none of that matters. This is also a good spot for using the toilet if you get caught short.
BHV, 52/64 Rue de Rivoli, near Hotel de Ville metro.
The Cafe at the NSW supreme court is open to the public and does gorgeous food. It's cheap and offers excellent views of the city from it's high level (can't remember which floor). Only available for lunch!
It is on the corner of Macquarie Street and Queen's Square opposite the Mint. Near St. James station.
It's a bit of a slog to get to but once your there it's a glimpse into how the people used to live. More a defensive walled citadel than a castle, it has an unfinished feel to it - it's still being restored - but that just adds to the ambience. The final bonus is the view. On one side is a vast open plain, while the other three look over wild Transylvanian hills licked by tongues of mist.
By bus from Brasov
Grab a blanket, some friends and chill out with a bottle (or more!) of wine and an amazing view of the city from the top of the hill.
Hampstead Heath
A sculpture garden on the roof of the museum, missed by the vast majority of visitors. Go not for the art but the view: a gorgeous panorama of Central Park and the sumptuous buildings that surround it, from just above the tree line.
1000 Fifth Ave at 82nd Street. Take the elevator at the back of the Museum. (Best ask a guard.) Open Spring, summer, and early fall.
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