by Felicity Howlett

If you thought an elevator was just a means of getting from one floor to another, think again. Join one of our collaborators, Holiday Lettings on the ultimate elevator rides, from Bürgenstock to Stockholm, that’ll leave you on top of the world.

1. The Shard, London, UK

Jetting up at six metres a second is impressive and the views from the top are breathtaking. The fully immersive experience is equally striking. On the way up, video screens and mirrors make you feel as if you’re floating through ceilings and over London’s rooftops. As you go down, the sky moves away and the city’s busy streets come into focus.

It’s not far from The Shard to the Old Operating Theatre, which gives a fascinating glimpse into the practical history of medicine. In the same area, you’ll find the beautiful Southwark Cathedral where you can admire the 16th-century tower or attend a service. If you’re hungry, you’ll find something to tempt you at nearby Borough Market with its overflowing stalls where you can buy everything from home-made bread to gourmet sausages.

2. Ericsson Globe’s SkyView, Stockholm, Sweden

The Ericsson Globe is the biggest spherical building in the world, so why not wind your way to its peak? To do this, step into the SkyView elevator, a glass gondola. It then raises you up 130m on bending rails that are bolted onto the outside of the dome. Your reward is a stunning panorama of the city and the shimmering archipelago. It’s particularly atmospheric when the snow’s falling.

The Globe has a second life as a concert hall and ice hockey venue, so it’s well worth checking out what else’s on when you’re there. If you’ve been inspired by the views, then you’ll want to head into Gamla Stan, the picturesque old town. Alternatively, take a boat out to one of the nearby islands – Fjäderholmarna’s easy to get to and there are excellent local handicrafts to browse there.

3. Hammetschwand Lift, Bürgenstock, Switzerland

The highest outdoor elevator in Europe has been taking travelers’ breath away for over a hundred years. Step inside the mountain and in under a minute you’ll jump over 150m, enjoying heavenly views on your way, to a lookout point at the top. The scene of majestic mountains and glittering lakes that opens up when you step out is unforgettable.

Continue the adventure with a spot of high-octane paragliding or parasailing over Lake Lucerne. Lucerne town is a highlight of any trip to the area, with tranquil streets and squares that are perfect to stroll around or relax in with a luxurious hot chocolate. If you’re on the south west of the lake, you can watch glass being blown at the Glasi Hergiswil.

4. Bailong Elevator, Zhangjiajie, China

Adrenaline junkies will love a trip up the planet’s highest outdoor elevator – it whisks visitors 330m up the side of a vast sandstone cliff in about a minute. Do look down (and up) for breathtaking views of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park’s rocky mountain range. You may feel like you’re stepping onto the set of Avatar, and you are – major scenes from the film were shot here.

Back on earth, duck into the nearby Yellow Dragon Cave and spot amazing stalactites or cruise down its underground river. To get a strong sense of the region’s traditional culture, you can travel south to Fenghuang, drifting over its beautiful bridges and admiring displays of local dancing.

5. Taipei 101’s Elevators, Taipei, Taiwan

Scream if you want to go faster! Just jump into an elevator at the Taipei 101 skyscraper and speed up 89 floors in 40 seconds; this equates to over 60km an hour, making it officially the quickest way to reach the top. Whether you head to the indoor or outdoor observation deck, both offer jaw-dropping 360-degree views over the city’s hustle and bustle.

For more spectacular views of the city, you could hike up Elephant Mountain in the Nangang district and look back at Taipei 101. The Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall is close by, and a terrific place to discover this revolutionary figure’s history. If you fancy spending the day out of the city you could take an organized tour of the Taipei Tea Promotion Center and then explore the hilly Bagua Tea Plantation.