North Sydney Public Art Trail "The Comic Walk"

The trail begins behind Luna Park (closest ferry is Milsons Point). Some of the art works (all on pedestals) are hidden amongst scrubs and grasses.

Keep your eyes peeled for Norman Lindsay's The Magic Pudding, Pat Sullivan's Felix the Cat, May Gibbs' The Gumnut Babies, The Banksia Men and Ginger Meggs.

Lavender Bay

Dorothy Wall's Blinky Bill 

Michael Leunig's Teapot and duck

Arthur 'Art' Barton - 'the Rembrandt of Luna Park' - responsible for the funfair's artwork for 35 years

Peter Kingston Walkway, with Coney Island/Luna Park in the background.

Sydney Hilton vs Sofitel Darling Harbour - How do they measure up?

1. Location

Sofitel is right on the Light Rail, close to ferry wharves; but Hilton is more central - Queen Victoria Building, Pitt Street Mall, Town Hall metro station .

Sofitel has the views (if you pay extra for a Darling Harbour facing room)

Sofitel Darling Harbour

Hilton's central location - some rooms have harbour views

2. Club Lounge Access
 Sofitel's top floor Club Millesime is spectacular but the food and beverage offered during "Evening Canapes" is disappointing compared to Hilton's Executive Lounge.

Club Millesime Evening drinks 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Hilton's evening canapes - prawns, salads, hot dishes, antipasto

Hilton lounge - fresh bread

Hilton's executive lounge - afternoon tea

Generous 'top ups' in the bar (unlike Sofitel)

Hilton's lounge during evening drinks (6 p.m. - 8 p.m.)

Hilton has several sections in their lounge, feels more intimate

3. Breakfast

Hilton's Glass restaurant. Breakfast. Incredible range of buffet dishes plus a la carte. Sofitel's breakfast looks meagre by comparison.

4. Rooms
Sofitel's rooms are over furnished and seem cramped. The lighting system is poorly designed, no indirect lighting. The night light is more dazzling. Many rooms have the bed right up against the open planned bathroom.

Sofitel King Room

Hilton's "Relaxation Room" is spacious and well designed.

5. Swimming Pool/Gym
Sofitel's (infinity) pool is outdoor and barely heated. There are pleasant views across Darling Harbour/Cockle Bay. The gym is on the same level.
Hilton shares a huge gym and lap pool with Fitness First in the Basement level. There are poolside saunas, steam rooms and jacuzzi. Mornings can get busy with the before-work crowd.

Verdict: Hilton wins in all categories.

The only positive with Sofitel's lounge is the 'no kids under 12 years' policy during evening drinks period.

Sydney Harbour's Secret Beaches - Athol Beach

Athol Beach is a 9 minute walk from the Taronga Zoo ferry wharf. There is no parking, hence no crowds. The crowds from the ferry either queue for the chairlift (to the zoo) or enter via the lower entrance. No one seems to notice the track to the beach (off the Bradley Head trail).

Athol Bay, with Taronga Zoo ferry wharf in the background

The Best (Short) Walk in Sydney? Taronga Zoo Wharf to Bradley's Head

The coastal walking trail starts at the lower entrance to Taronga Park Zoo, winding through Sydney Harbour National Park. There is a picnic ground amongst the fortifications on the hill above the HMAS Sydney I Memorial Mast. 

You can continue on to Chowder Head via Taylors Bay (add an extra 60 minutes including stops).

Wave as the Manly ferry passes Bradley's Head

Found a friend on the trail near Athol Hall

HMAS Sydney I  Memorial Mast

Fortifications date back to the 1840's

Berlin's Museum Island - one day pass

The best value is to buy a one day pass for 18 euros. Admission to only one museum (e.g. the jaw-dropping Pergamon) is 12 euros. The one day pass includes admission to all the biggies. Arrive before opening time of 10 a.m. to avoid queues.
Note: The Pergamon Altar is closed for refurbishment until at least 2020.

"Museum Island"

Pergamon Museum - Ishtar Gate of Babylon

Bode-Museum on the Spree

A total of  15 admissions are included for 18 euros

Each museum provides you with free guide brochures.

The best free thing to do in Berlin - Reichstag Building

Free book available at Reception

The public is allowed access to the dome and walkways of the German Parliament only if you register online through the website: bundestag.de

Register one month in advance and select your desired admission time. You will be emailed confirmation. Bring this confirmation letter as well as your passport on the day.
Arrive at least 20 minutes early.

You will be provided with headphones for the self-guided tour which provides an excellent orientation of Berlin's history and its landmarks.

The closest beach to Sydney CBD

Lavender Bay is in North Sydney. It is a 5 minute ferry ride across from Circular Quay.
A coastal walking track leads from Milsons Point ferry wharf, past Luna Park to a small beach (Qubaree Park) with spectacular harbour views.

The trail back to Luna Park

Quibaree Park, Lavender Bay - popular with the local bush turkeys

Oodi - Helsinki Central Library - one of the great modern city libraries

Oodi was one of the key projects for the 100th anniversary of Finland's independence.
Located next to Helsinki's Central Station, this library is for all. The opening hours reflect this: Weekdays 8:00 - 22:00, Weekends 10:00 - 20:00.

It's just about borrow books - you can see a movie, create music, play games, study, hold a meeting, dine, sew, learn how to cook, use a 3D printer and browse materials in almost 20 languages.

On the third level is Children's World. A secret door leads to the fairy tale room.

One of Oodi's tenets is Equality. "Everyone has a right to be in Oodi. Hanging out at Oodi without a reason is allowed and even recommended."

Place of learning, work of art, community centre, lounge, haven - Oodi is one of the great modern city libraries.

Oodi's brochure

"Dedication" art piece - the word-adorned spiral staircase