10. High Roller (550 feet)

We were lucky enough to see this view from the comfort of an air conditioned pod. The highest observation wheel in the world and you could see for miles. It was amazing to see the sights of Vegas and in particular the strip from this angle. It is all desert and mountains. It takes half an hour for the full loop. What made this more interesting was we decided on the happy half hour ticket. Here you are given your own barman and bar. It’s an open bar for the full half hour. We certainly made our money!

TOP TIP: Tip your bartender at the beginning of the happy half hour. They will make sure that you have a great time and can make pretty much any drink you can think of. The bar was the best part of this. It is worth the visit.

9. Eiffel Tower (1,063 feet)

An amazing view but in our opinion, highly over rated. It’s probably one of the most popular attractions when visiting France. Is it a must do? Yes and No. There are far better places to find a good view (which are mentioned below), where you can also get the Eiffel Tower in the picture. It was far too busy and so full of tourists that it didn’t give me any emotion. The view is for miles, yet we had no concept of how big things were as we were up so high. Don’t get me wrong it’s something you should do in your lifetime but you will only visit once.

8. One World Trade Centre (1,368 feet)

One World Trade Centre gives you all the feelings and empathy that it deserves. As you enter the building itself, the sight of the two pools where the twin towers once stood is extremely powerful. This is the tallest observation deck in New York. The elevator was impressive as it shoots you up 102 floors in just over 40 seconds. Then you are directed into a cinema where it shows you the building work and a little more about New York City history. The views include Lady Liberty, Rockefeller Centre and Empire State building. Again though it is just far too high to get perspective.

7. Sky Garden (525 feet)

A great spot in London to see the city from above. What’s really good is it’s free when you book in advanced. You need to book a week in advanced. The view from the top is amazing, in particular because you get to see The Shard in all its glory. You get the lift to the top where you get time to explore the greenery and the scenes. A 360 degree look of London including London Bridge, Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral. It is a great way to spend a few hours with a nice atmosphere. There is a small cafe/bar where we had a few drinks and cake. It was really expensive but seems as it’s central London and free to go the top we didn’t mind paying this.

6. Piazzale Michelangelo

This was by far the best viewpoint in our time in Italy. It isn’t really a building but you get that birds eye view that we enjoy and couldn’t miss it off the list. You climb the steps up to this view point to get an amazing view of the domes of the cathedral and the bridges. The colours of Florence are amazing with all kinds of shades of orange, yellow and red that remind you of a sunset.

5. Arc de Triomphe (165 feet)

This was the place we feel gave the best view of Paris. You have to climb the 234 steps to the top of the arc. At the top you get a great view of the Eiffel Tower. The roundabout of traffic below is also great to watch, it has so many lanes and everyone is driving all over the place. It was very cold and windy at the time but our favourite place to get the view of the city.

4. The Monument (203 feet)

Along with the sky garden this is a very cheap way of getting a good view of London, at just £5. The reason I believe this is a better option than the Sky Garden is that you get that lovely building in your photographs along with The Shard. You have to climb the 311 steps up to the top along two way lighthouse style stairs. It is totally worth the climb and for the views you get at the top, you also get a certificate of your achievement!

3. CN Tower (1,122 feet)

Another amazing building from the outside and inside. We decided to get the view of Toronto at sunset and so headed up the building an hour before sunset. We wanted to get Toronto in the day and then the night. It was great to see the change in the city, with the appearance of city lights that appeared once the sun had slowly set. During the experience you can learn about the building and the city, before having the chance to stand on a glass floor suspended above the ground below you.

2. Top of the Rock (850 feet)

Our favourite observation deck in New York City. From here you can see the Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park and The Chrysler Building. There are three different observation decks with different views. We experienced this at night with the lights from Times Square were so bright.

1. Grand Canyon (4,770 feet)

This will always be the best view and sunset I have ever seen. It is just incredible and gives you goosebumps while there. Nothing can prepare you for the sight, not the photos, videos or stories. It’s hard to explain just how big the canyon is, but you will always remember that feeling you got at the first glimpse. We had a great day exploring the canyon and taking loads of photographs. We completed the tour from Vegas with grandadventures.com and would definately recommend them. We walked around the rim, had a packed lunch provided by the tour comapny and then watched the sunrise over the canyon. Spectacular day that we will never forget.