New York Weehawken, NJ

It is always enchanting to get a different view on things. With this trip you get to see the quiet side of the Hudson River in New Jersey. With only a short train and tram ride away you can enjoy a stroll along the river, discover a 9/11 memorial and varying views over to Manhattans skyline.

• City: New York/Weehawken, NJ
• How to get there: Get the PATH train from 33rd Street Station in Manhattan to Hoboken Station in New Jersey. From there take the Hudson Bergen Light Rail to Port Imperial Station. Walk across the street and follow the river walk back towards Hoboken.
• Tip: If you don’t want to walk all the way back to Hoboken, take the tram back from Lincoln Harbor Station.
• Ticket: You can use your MetroCard on the PATH train but need an extra ticket (available at stations) for the light rail service.
• Transport information: NJ Transit, Metropolitan Transportation Authority
• Location: Weehawken

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Sydney Parramatta Park

Parramatta, a westerly suburb of Sydney, is easily accessible by train or by a nice ferry ride. Although it takes something over 1 hour to get there via the scenic waterway, it has a nice town centre with some good cafes and restaurants. Arriving by ferry gives you the opportunity to continue along the Parramatta River on foot until you reach Parramatta Park. The park is home to a world heritage site: Australia’s oldest public building, the Old Government House.

• City: Sydney
• How to get there: Take a ferry from Circular Quay Station to Parramatta Wharf. From here just follow the river on foot, it’s about a 30 min. walk to Parramatta Park.
• Tip: After observing hundreds of flying foxes from Buttons Bridge, continue to walk towards Westmead Station and take a train back to central Sydney.
• Ticket: You can use the Opal Card (top up) on the ferry and train services.
• Transport information: Transport for NSW
• Location: Parramatta Park

Paris Cergy Axe-Majeur

Cergy lies about 30km north-west of central Paris. It is a planned Ville Nouvelle, also known under the term New Town, on the banks of the river Oise. Apart from the apparently largest train station clock in Europe, the highlight is the Axe-Majeur. This 1km long architecturally well designed axis is leading from the square Colonnes down to the river and across a red arched footbridge. Good views of La Défense in the far distance are possible.

• City: Paris, France
• How to get there: Take the RER A train service from Châtelet-Les Halles Station to Cergy Saint Christophe Station.
• Tip: Once you have crossed the footbridge follow the river to the east towards the Port of Cergy. Take the RER A train back to central Paris from Cergy Préfecture Station.
• Ticket: Carte Paris Visite (1, 2, 3, 5 day pass), zones 1-5
• Transport information: RATP Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens
• Location: Cergy Axe-Majeur

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

The Glasgow Botanic Gardens are, compared to other botanical gardens in the world, not the biggest but include a rose garden and a well designed glasshouse, the Kibble Palace. Once you are in the garden, there is a tea room with some lovely food and of course a good selection of tea.

• City: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
• How to get there: The Glasgow Subway, opened in 1896, is the only underground metro system in Scotland and consists of just one circular line. Take the Subway from Buchanan Street Station to Kelvinbridge Street Station. Then it’s about a 30 minute walk along the River Kelvin towards the Botanic Gardens via Ha’Penny Footbridge.
• Tip: Walk along Byres Road towards Hillhead Station and take the Subway back to the city centre. There are some good local shops along Byres Road.
• Ticket: Best is to use an all day subway ticket.
• Transport information: Strathclyde Partnership for Transport

Adelaide Torrens Linear Park

A quite unique way of getting from the central business district to suburban Adelaide is to use the O-Bahn, a rapid bus service, running along the Torrens Linear Park.

• City: Adelaide
• How to get there: There are numerous bus routes running along the O-Bahn, all marked with O-Bahn logo. For example use the C1 bus services from opposite West Terrace Tram Station to get to Tea Tree Plaza Interchange.
• Tip: At Tea Tree Plaza Interchange a massive shopping mall awaits you or a nice but longish walk back to the city through Torrens Linear Park.
• Ticket: Use a 3-day Metrocard for unlimited travel on busses, tram and rail services.
• Transport information: Adelaide Metro

Melbourne Skeleton Creek

A quiet walk along the Skeleton Creek towards the sea with a nice view of the Central Business District Melbourne in the far distance.

• City: Melbourne
• How to get there: Take the Metro Werribee Line service from Southern Cross Station to Williams Landing Station, from there some 500m walk to the trail.
• Tip: Once you reach the coast and the Cheetham wetlands, continue along the Hobson Bay Coastal Trail until you reach Altona Beach with some shops and good cafes. Total walking time around 3 hours. From Altona Station take the Metro Werribee Line service back to central Melbourne.
• Ticket: Best is to use a myki card in and around Melbourne.
• Transport information: Public Transport Victoria
• Location: Skeleton Creek Trail, Point Cook VIC 3030, Australia

Melbourne Community Environment Park CERES

A good way to start your day could be by having a coffee at the ˋCentre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies (CERES)´. Of course there is more to discover about for example reusing water, urban farming and other sustainable ways of living.

• City: Melbourne
• How to get there: Take the Tram Line 96 from Parliament Station to Blyth Street/Nicholson Street Station. CERES is just a short walk from the tram stop.
• Tip: You could step directly from CERES onto the Merri Creek Trail and follow it for just under two hours until you reach the Dights Falls and nearby Victoria Park Railway Station. Off road cycling is also possible along the trail.
• Ticket: Best is to use a myki card in and around Melbourne.
• Transport information: Public Transport Victoria
• Location: CERES Community Environment Park Stewart St & Roberts St, Brunswick East VIC 3057, Australia

Merri Creek Trail