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Best at sunset, Cypress Mountain offers an incredible view over the whole of Vancouver and the Georgia Strait. Beautiful in the summer months, although in winter there is the added bonus of seeing it from the slopes.
Every Sydneysider has a different favourite view. They are spoilt for choice. The skyscrapers in the CBD offer classic aerial views. Catch any ferry and a series of bay vistas will unfold on your journey. The spot from the ferry station at Cremorne Point is lovely. Alternatively, take a drive up into the Eastern Suburbs: stop in Elizabeth Bay, Double Bay, Bellvue Hill and behind Kingcoppel school at Rose Bay, and you can collect steadily more distant views of the Opera House and skyscrapers.
The Zingaro Nature Reserve Sicily is only a short bus journey from the idyllic coastal village Scopello. You have to pay a small fee to enter the reserve, but once you are in, you are free to explore some Italy's most unspoiled beaches.
The beaches are stunning small coves with crystal clear water and stunning views of the surrounding nature reserve. The clear water is fantastic for snorkelling, and diving around the national park is thought to be excellent due to the nature reserve status of the area.
The best time to go is early in the morning. You'll have a cove all to yourself. Paradise! The beaches of Zingaro are the most beautiful I have ever seen. Cars are not allowed within the reserve, but the nearest cove is only fifteen-twenty mins by foot. The park stretches for seven km, so you're spoilt for choice to discover beautiful beaches. If you want to escape the crowds of Sicily's resorts, head to Zingaro!
The reserve stretches between San Vito Lo Capo and Scopello. Palermo is only an hour away by car, but you can rent villas in the vicinity and the beautiful village of Scopello is a short journey away. Scopello has a number of B&Bs and hotels, and some great restaurants. It has a family atmosphere, but the gorgeous location makes for a great romantic trip away, too.
When I tell friends I know of a haven of peace and tranquility in Peckham I am often met with raised eyebrows, but it does exist! Peckham Rye Park is a beautiful oasis located to the south of the bustling, noisy streets.
Peckham was mentioned in 1087 in the Doomsday Book, when it was called Pecheha, an Anglo Saxon word meaning 'village among the hills'.
During the reign of Henry 1, Peckham was a farming village and the land was used for growing crops and fruit. By the 18th century it was famous for its melons, figs and grapes.
In 1767, William Blake visited Peckham Rye and had a vision of angels in an oak tree. The ''Angel Oak', as it was later called, has since disappeared
The park's original layout opened to the public in 1894. There is a large lake and several smaller ponds alive with noisy ducks and geese, a Japanese garden, arboretum, bowling green and woodland walks. My favourite spot is in the Sexby Gardens where plots of lavender give off a wonderfully soporific, mid-summer ambience.
During the Second World War, temporary huts were erected to detain Italian prisoners of war. One still remains, located next to the café.
Peckham Rye Park
Peckham, London SE22 0LR, +44(0)20 7525 1052
Open until 20.30 during the summer
Bus 12 to Peckham Rye
Google map: bit.ly/nBHHNT
During this tour you are being guided around the city and told things by someone who has experienced it. Guides have not just read about whatever they are talking about in a textbook. This results in these tours being really good.
Learn about the history, society, architecture and what Hungarians are actually like.
Vörösmarty square M1 metro stop (in front of Gerbeaud café at the fountain)
Daily at 10.30.AM
Danut Marin leads tour groups around the stunning region located by the Piatra Craiului National Park (near Brasov). He is an incredibly knowledgable guide (and won Wanderlust mag's guide of the year 2007) and points out bear tracks, wolf prints and birds soaring high above the mountain forests. Dan's wife prepares delicious home cooked meals with jams and herbal teas and it's possible to stay in elegant, renovated guest rooms.
A real gem.
Danut & Luminita's guesthouse is in Zarnesti, Brasov County, Romania.
www.transylvanianwolf.ro
The hidden gem that is the Regent's Canal goes from Angel right out to Limehouse.
The western end of the canal gives you Camden and Little Venice... the eastern end gives you London's industrial heritage, the amazing Victoria Park, Bow, a quick detour for the Colombia Road flower market on a Sunday and Broadway Market on a Saturday.
But now I'm having second thoughts about posting this because it's a rare treat and we don't want too many people bounding down the tow path...
Angel Tube, then turn down the street next to The York pub. Walk as far as you want...
OK... the famous 1942 movie Casablanca wasn't filmed in Morocco but on a Hollywood set.
However this bar/restaurant was based on the original set designs and really makes you believe you are sitting where Bogart ran his 'gin joint'.
A former US diplomat Kathy Kriger is behind this enterprise.
And yes... the pianist does play 'As Times Goes By'!
248 Boulevard Sour Jdid
North-western edge of medina
www.rickscafe.ma/gallery.htm
Just outside medina walls - easiest way to get to Rick's is to walk the Boulevard des Almohades between the port and the medina walls.
Stay at the YMCA in Salisbury Rd, Kowloon. The harbour view rooms are very comfortable with fabulous views of Victoria Harbour and the stunning Hong Kong skyline. The YMCA building is exactly next to The Peninsula Hotel, the oldest and possibly the most stylish hotel in Hong Kong. The great advantage is that the cost of your room at the YMCA will be a fraction of that at The Peninsula Hotel. The money you save on accomodation can go towards impressing your clients in the exclusive Stark restaurant at The Peninsula Hotel next door. You might even meet in the Felix bar with its superb view or simply take a traditional afternoon tea in the lobby. All the time that you are wining and dining, your clients will surely believe you are staying at one of the most exclusive hotels in Hong Kong.
Find the YMCA at 41 Salisbury Rd, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The nearest tube station is Tsim Cha Tsui.
This is an interesting walk or cycle ride to do, especially in the evening, when the blue walkway lights are on. The blue promenade is a lovely way to bring together all the little harbours around the centre of the city.
From Badedammen all the way to Bjergsted, approximately three km. Here is a free (non-commericial) map: www.stavanger-guide.no/maps/maps_english/city.pdf
Great to look at from low level and even better to get up close and personal with - although not so much at this time of year!
The Galleries Lafayette is a stylish department store in Paris. By taking the escalator to the top floor and then walking up the single flight of stairs from the restaurant, you can walk out on to the roof terrace and get a splendid view over Paris.
The height is about the same as the first level of the Eiffel Tower - but you won't have to queue, you can stay as long as you like (so long as the shop is open!), and it's TOTALLY FREE!
Galeries Lafayette, 40 Boulevard Haussmann, Paris 75009
Nearest Metro: Chaussee d'Antin Lafayette
S1 bus tours the main areas of the city, the waterfront (Pier Head/Albert Dock/King's Arena), the two cathedrals, the university and links up with the main transport centres in the city.
Buy an Arriva Day Ticket (£3 at present) on the bus and you can hop on and off at the places you really like and you can then use your ticket on any other of the Arriva services around the city. A Saveaway ticket bought from numerous outlets can be used at off-peak times.
Numerous stops around the city but notably Queen Square/Pier Head/King's Arena/Hope Street/Lime Street.
A seaside town a train ride from the city centre. Very old fashioned, donkeys, bouncy castle, ice creams, chips from The Marigold Cafe before coming home.
Take a picnic, enjoy sand, windsurfers and, on a good day, jaw-droppingly lovely views of the Welsh coast and Hilbre Island. Only walk to the island if you know what you're doing as the tide comes in fast, often behind you, and it is easy to get stuck!
West Kirby is on the Wirral Peninsular at the end of the M53.Trains every 20/30 mins from Central Liverpool.
Best views of Liverpool are from Wirral. Try New Brighton as a starting point then carry on round the coast to Hoylake/West Kirby (plenty of food choices here) then up to Parkgate for great ice cream or fish and chips.
Don't forget to call in at Thursaston, near West Kirby, for Churches Organic farm shop and walks on Thursaston common.
There is something about coming home to Liverpool. I have lived in Northampton and in Holland during the last 15 years and have been on holidays far and wide but nothing can beat the feeling of coming home to Liverpool! Seeing the waterfront with the three graces, going to Anfield for football, the people, the food, the nightlife - you just can't beat it!
Lime Street Station
Liverpool John Lennon Airport
A running track (1.58 miles) follows the edge of the reservoir (now officially the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir) and lets you experience the same views as Dustin Hoffman in the opening sequences of Marathon Man - the skyline of buildings that surround the park.
No worries about muggers - forget those scenes from Death Wish - you'll always have the company of other runners, even in the snow.
The reservoir is located in Central Park between 86th and 96th
70 floors above Rockefeller Center is the best observation deck in New York City. A 360' outdoor experience is possible from the 'Top of the Rock' terrace. Go to 50th Street entrance off 5th Avenue for ticket windows or buy online. Check out the great website: www.topoftherocknyc.com.
Rockefeller Center, 50th Street entrance off 5th Avenue
This is a glorious mixture of woodlands, craggy cliffs and ravines that cut through the river Krka which runs from Knin, a formerly war-torn town on the borders of Bosnia-Herzegovina, to the Adriatic coast just a few miles north of Sibenik.
The best way to explore it is by boat and there are several firms which offer such trips. Starting at an extraordinary site reminiscent of a water-crossing in a Clint Eastwood western (it is actually used for filming westerns!), I traveled through a dramatic gorge which opened out on to a sparkling blue lake in the midst of which was a solitary island containing a Fransican monastery. Apparently, all the aspiring monks have to survive here for 12 months before being accepted for further training.
After a 45 minute break and a visit to the monastery museum, our day cruise continued down to the breathtaking waterfalls of Skradinski Buk, where we spent two glorious hours wandering over specially built wooden walkways above the countless streams rushing down to merge in a lake some 40 metres below. An unforgettable day.
Bryce Canyon's colorful hoodoos (especially at dawn and dusk) give it an ethereal beauty that is more mesmerizing than the much larger Grand Canyon. Geologically, it's not a canyon, but a series of amphitheaters.
The entrance fee is $25 per car and many visitor facilities are closed in winter.
Roughly 100 miles north of the Grand Canyon (north rim) and 270 miles east-northeast of Las Vegas.
www.nps.gov/brca
Tel: 1 (435) 834-5322
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