JAMES ELLIS casts his eye over the world's newest v iewing platform, opened in the Bavarian Alps last w eek, and some other equally dramatic lookouts

ALPSPIX, Garmisch
Partenkirchen, Germany
When AlpspiX (www.zugspitze.de), an X-shaped platform in the Bavarian A lps on the border with Austria, opened last week not everyone was best pleased.

One intrepid environmentalist mounted a protest at the opening, hanging from the platform. Everyone else there let off a host of red balloons and took in the jaw-dropping views.

The platform has two 43ft legs that look out over Germany's highest peak, 9,718ft Zugspitze. One has a slight upward turn to "heaven", the other down to a 3,300ft drop labelled as "hell". To prevent slippage the platforms have slatted floors that allow snow to fall through.

Dertour (0207 290 1111/www.dertour.co.uk) offers five nights in Garmisch f rom £509pp (two sharing), B&B. Price includes return flights from London to M unich and second-class rail transfers.

German National Tourist Office: 0207 317 0908/www.germany-tourism.co.uk

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GRAND CANYON SKYWALK,
Nevada, US
They say it took more than 17 million y ears for the Colorado River to carve the 277-mile-long wonder of the world that is the Grand Canyon. At times it feels like it took that long to build the Skywalk viewing platform (www.grandcanyonskywalk.com) that overlooks it.

The horseshoe structure on Hualapai tribe land was mooted by Las Vegas entrepreneur David Jin in 1996 but not opened until early 2007. Since then, almost a million people have stood on the 70ft glass-bottomed cantilever bridge. The rest of the complex, including a museum, VIP lounge and restaurants, is still being planned.

Despite environmental concerns, looking down at the Colorado from 4,000ft is awe-inspiring. Las Vegas is a short flight away and the site's newly expanded airport opened this weekend.

Netflights (0844 493 4944/www.netflights.com) offers seven nights at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas, from £771pp (two sharing), room only. Price includes return flights from Gatwick and a Grand Canyon Indian Adventure and Skywalk experience. Valid for travel from August 11 to September 9, 2010.

Hualapai Tourism: 0208 906 8989/ www.hualapaitourism.com

IGUAZÚ FALLS,
Brazil and Argentina
"Poor Niagara!" exclaimed Franklin D Roosevelt's wife Eleanor, when she saw Iguazú Falls (www.iguazufalls.co.uk) which divide the upper and lower rivers of the same name. It's not hard to see why as, over 1.7 miles, 275 individual waterfalls cascade in this tropical paradise between Argentina and Brazil.

The falls can be visited from both countries and nothing beats walking through the spray on one of the many platforms, especially the narrow bridge that crosses The Devil's Throat. Water surrounds you on three sides as it plummets 270ft. Nearby are the two access towns, Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil and Puerto Iguazú in Argentina.

Archers Direct (0871 423 8638/www.archersdirect.co.uk) offers a 14-night Scenic South America tour from £2,135pp (two sharing), B&B. Price includes return flights from various UK airports, coach travel and the services of a tour guide.

Brazil Tourist Office: 0207 399 9000/www.brazil.org.uk

Argentina tourism: 0207 318 1340/ www.argentine-embassy-uk.org

THE EDGE, EUREKA SKYDECK,
Melbourne, Australia
If you've ever wondered how David Blaine felt suspended from a Plexiglas cube in London in 2003, this could be the place to visit, though even the American illusionist may have found The Edge (www.eurekaskydeck.com.au) a challenge. Jutting from the Eureka Skydeck tower is a 10ft glass cube that looks over the streets of Melbourne, 1,000ft below. It is out of bounds in extreme weather conditions.

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Melbourne is the second-largest city in Australia with a rich multicultural vibe and heady mix of arts and culture.
Flight Centre (0800 587 0058/www.flightcentre.co.uk) offers nine nights in Melbourne from £1259pp (two sharing), B&B. Price includes return flights from Heathrow and six days car hire. Skydeck Admission: £10.
Tourism Australia: 0207 438 4600/ www.tourism.australia.com

STEGASTEIN LOOKOUT,
Norway
Stegastein is a recently completed viewpoint that is part of a Norwegian plan to create 18 tourist routes around the country and begin marketing them as a complete attraction when all are ready next year. The 2,100ft platform overlooks the remote Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, fingers of the world's longest, deepest fjord, the Sognefjord.

Discover the World (01737 214250/ www.discover-the-world.co.uk) offers seven nights in Norway from £1,295pp (two sharing), B&B. Price includes return flights from Heathrow and car hire. Visit Norway: 0207 389 8820/ visitnorway.co.uk