Sydney, NSW, Australia

Every visitor to Sydney knows about the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. One of these icons arches the harbour, the other projects into it.

Many people also  love to roam through the oldest part of town where the first white settlers built their homes, now an eclectic mix of souvenir shops, galleries, boutiques and cafes. They dine in the waterside restaurants, take a ferry, or visit Chinatown. But the unusual fort, smack-bang in the harbour, sometimes misses being put on their to-do list.

Is it an old gaol? Not really, although in the first days of the colony, a few miscreants spent time in exile there, often dying of starvation, possibly explaining the nickname, Pinchgut. Construction of Fort Denison began in 1840 as part of Sydney Harbour's defence against invasion, and daily at 1pm the cannon time-signal can still be heard across the harbour. A shot has never been fired in anger by it, though.

Take a special ferry to visit and enjoy a 30-minute guided tour exploring the powder magazine and climbing the narrow spiral staircase of Australia's only Martello tower and enjoy views of the harbour.

Fun fact: The island's Aboriginal name was Mat-te-wan-ye, also spelt Muttewai or Muttenwaya but Governor Arthur Phillip creatively renamed it Rock Island.

Want to know more? Read this....

To learn more about Sydney download Sydney's Living History iPad/iPhone app or Android app and show yourself around.

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Ile Saint Louis, Paris, France

Most people who know Paris are familiar with the Ile de la Cite, the touristy island in the Seine which proudly holds Notre Dame and several other worthy buildings. Yet just a few steps further eastwards, there is a tiny bridge linking to an even tinier island.

The Ile St-Louis, so close to the main hubbub, somehow manages to retain a peaceful village atmosphere. A narrow street runs around its edges, and a few streets cross it, but only one, a pedestrian mall, cuts through the middle. There are several hotels on the island, including a moderately-priced four-star, Le Jeu de Paume, built on the site of a 17th century court for the playing of a precursor of tennis, and this is where I stayed.

But perhaps the greatest drawcards on this island are the restaurants and fine food shops, beckoning people from all over this food-loving city. Of all these, one stands alone, in summer sending fidgeting queues of people back up across the bridge towards Notre Dame. For at the western tip stands Berthillon. The butter-smooth confections are worth the stroll from either bank of the Seine, but add one extra dimension and quickly take your cassis or marron glace or chocolat cornet to the waterfront tip of the island where the artists and lovers are spread in the sunshine on the steps. There you can enjoy every mouthful as the Seine pleasure boats slip past.

Fun Fact: The French say that Berthillon is simply the best icecreamier in the world. Find it near the bridge that links to Ile de la Cite.

Want to know more? Read about hidden places in Paris....

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Trastevere, Rome, Italy

There is a relaxed air to this village-within-a-city. A gypsy girl cadged around us as we walked through one square; amateur artists tried to capture the essence of the first Christian church in Rome, the third-century Santa Maria in Trastevere, on canvas; and a mound of oranges glowed outside a restaurant where the waiters were setting out chairs and tables in the sunshine. At another cafe, newspapers half hid the tiny tables, and the smell  of irresistibly good coffee drew us in.

Trastevere was originally peopled by sailors from Ravenna. These strong men were needed to work the giant awning on the Colosseum. Tradesmen followed - tanners and potters, millers and furniture makers. Then artists and whores. Today the place is full of piazette., open areas too small to qualify as piazzas, churches, gardens, restaurants (some serving authentic Roman food), bars and cafes, and a 'Left Bank' ambience hangs in the air.

Fun Fact: If you are lucky, you might catch sight of an old woman leaning out of a fourth floor window, carefully lowering a bucket to the pavement so it can be filled with fruit and vegetables.

Want to know more? Read about Rome's Left Bank..... or Secret Rome....

Regents Canal, London, United Kingdom

Begin a lazy canal tour at Little Venice, which sounds a good deal more romantic than the name of the nearest tube station - Warwick Avenue.

The canal itself was opened in 1820 to join the Grand Union Canal at Paddington Basin with the River Thames at Limehouse. Today it is the street address of dozens of red and green and yellow narrow boats used as houseboats, that are moored along its banks.

Boats pass Regents Park Zoo and through several tunnels - Maida Hill Tunnel at around 250 metres is the longest - on their way to Camden Lock. Once there you can walk around the markets or stop for lun ch and a pint in the pub.

Fun Fact: If you are fortunate, you might see an elephant crossing a bridge over the canal.

Want to know more? Read Secret London - an unusual guide... and Canal Therapy...

Bird Park, Singapore

Not a tourist lark, this is real Singapore at its best.

The Singing Bird Arena is at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4, near Block 159, Sundays only, so you'll need to take a taxi to reach the bird park and be prepared to do very little, except relax and watch and chat to the bird's owners.

Every morning, sometimes before sunrise, these caged birds get an airing. A few men own thrushes. They are tamer, but not so prized. The birds all look remarkably the same and hop around constantly, cocking beady eyes through the fine bamboo slats of their cages. If you get too close a watchful man may heave himself from his seat, leave his smoking, chatting comrades, and wag a proprietorial finger at you. Touch a cage and you could get assaulted.

Fun Fact: Most of the birds are Malaysian honey-birds (like Australian silver-eyes) and are highly prized because of their beautiful singing voices.

Want to know more? Read this.....