Psyrri is a gentrified neighbourhood known for its bohemian cafe-bars, live music taverns, artisanal boutiques, exotic spice bazaars and small number of hotels. It's one of the oldest quarters of Athens and used to be regarded as a dodgy place until the early 90s. In the late 19th century, Psyrri used to be the ‘Bronx’ of Athens. ‘Koutsavakides’ (‘hobbler dudes’ in Greek) would walk the streets in their jackets worn on one sleeve and bully locals. You'll see this archetypical character show up in street art all over the neighbourhood.

In some cities you can take an elevator to the top of one of the tallest buildings in the world and be gobsmacked by extraordinary views. Hobart doesn’t need to do skyscrapers. At 1270 metres kunanyi / Mt Wellington is more than twice the height of the world’s tallest building.

It is an engineering marvel, the world's steepest steam-operated railway. This is Tasmania's West Coast Wilderness Railway, and it is 28 tonnes of special. Today, passengers are moved by the same locomotives that began the run from Queenstown back in 1896. They take a comfortable 16-kilometre run through the wildlands, uphill through spectacular landscapes and down to a place called Dubbill Barrill, with stops for a little gold panning and sightseeing. These locos were originally built to move copper ore for the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company, delivering the mine's deep riches out of a massive, landlocked deposit at Queenstown to the port of Strahan, and from there, to the world. And every passenger is greeted by one of the line's original workhorses, a 28-tonne steam locomotive that's ready to roll — and guaranteed to raise a smile.

Take a two-and-a-half-hour city paddle with fish and chips, a day tour around Hobart exploring cliffs, caves and beaches, a multi-day expedition into the Tasmanian wilderness, or try an expedition amongst stunning landscapes as you glide far from the beaten paths of modern life.