The parliament buildings in Canberra, Australia. (Shutterstock)

Australia’s seven secret sites Top 10 Australia beaches

Q: Our son is working in Australia and we will be visiting him in the spring. We are interested in touring the capital. Is there anything happening there at that time?

-- W. Epstein, Toronto

A: Australia's capital, Canberra, is celebrating its 100th anniversary with events planned year-round, including an interntational music festival in May.

When designed, the city was considered innovative for its time. The design was spearheaded by architects Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahony Griffin, who were influenced by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and the City Beautiful and Garden City movements of the 1890s.

For more on the city and the celebrations, visitcanberra.com.au and canberra100.com.au.

Q: What's new at the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, Switzerland? Our last visit was 10 years ago. Thanks.

-- S. Seligman, Thornhill

A: Since opening in 1861, this storied hotel on Lake Geneva has played host to royalty, diplomats and luminaries such as Coco Chanel, Charlie Chaplin and Victor Hugo.

Many new developments have occurred since your last visit including a renovation that added a new spa, Spa Cinq Mode, and a very popular two-star Michelin restaurant, Anne-Sophie Pic. In addition, a new cocktail bar with a unique concept opened last year. Each signature cocktail is served in a specially designed glass and accompanied by a recipe visitors can take home.

On the attractions side, Lausanne's excellent Olympic Museum is closed for renovations and will reopen in the fall. Until then, the ship MS Helvetie is serving as a temporary museum. The Opera de Lausanne has also had a facelift, which has nearly doubled the size of its stage.

For hotel information, see brp.ch/uk. For information on Lausanne, visit lausanne-tourisme.ch.