View from the Top

Who needs a mountaintop view? These contraptions defy nature, even at sea level. What a thrill!

London Eye
British Airways' contribution to the London skyline, the London Eye will take you high above Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. It is the world's largest sightseeing wheel, standing 443 feet tall on the South Bank of the Thames, and takes 30 minutes to complete a rotation. From one of 32 glass-enclosed, air-conditioned gondolas, you can see 25 miles across the city on a clear day. A nighttime ride illuminates Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. The Eye is popular, so pre-book your "flight." British Airways reminds you to buckle up before you "board," but a passport is not required (www.ba-londoneye.com).

Sydney Harbour Bridge
You can see it from a car, train, ferry, or plane, but did you know that you can climb it, too? The Sydney Harbour Bridge towers 440 feet above sea-level, and tours - given several times a day, 365 days a year - will take you on a three-and-a-half hour journey to the top. Select a pre-dawn or a night climb to see Sydney Harbour and the Opera House in a new light. Space suits, harnesses, and radios are worn for your protection. Go easy on the Foster's - you must pass a Breathalyzer test first (www.bridgeclimb.com).

Southwestern desert
If you think it's peaceful in the desert, try drifting 400 feet above it. Hot Air Expeditions boosts balloon-enthusiasts and their families in Scottsdale, Arizona with early morning (think 4 a.m.) departures in the Sonora desert. Fly with the wind, and observe the sights and sounds of desert life at a serene five miles per hour. Jackrabbits, quail, and deer have been known to make appearances. Upon your descent, you are greeted by the ground crew and served a champagne breakfast - freshly squeezed orange juice and croissants included. Just beware the cacti on the way down (www.hotairexpeditions.com).

South Island, New Zealand
What better way to catch the splendor of the Southern Alps than to freefall through it at 200 kilometers per hour? From a skydive above Christchurch, on New Zealand's South Island, you can see from the Pacific Ocean to the glaciers. On the ground, you will be attached to a Tandem Jumpmaster and then led to a puddle jumper, for a ride you probably won't remember. You'll soon be seeing trees, sky, grass, mountains, and ice at a nauseating 360 degree spin. Jump from 9,000, 12,000, or 15,000 feet. Remember to land bum first (www.skydivingNZ.com).

Castle Hill, Budapest
You could climb the hill that separates the Danube from the capital's medieval remains, but tired legs appreciate a ride up on the steep, squeaky funicular railway. Devised in the 15th century as a way of getting people and other things to Buda (the city's hilly district), the funicular railway is one part elevator, one part railroad, and a World Heritage Site. Atop Castle Hill is the Royal Palace, which includes the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. Watch the shimmer of the river as you ascend 158 feet. Just don't look down.