St Kilda is the perfect place to head for when you need to get away from Melbourne and breathe in that ozone. You can relax in one of the cafes or historic pubs, have a great meal, build sandcastles, and swim or surf in the waters of Port Phillips Bay. But what makes St Kilda special is that it’s an authentic seaside resort with esplanade, fun fair, and pier, just the place to enjoy the grand old style holiday experience.

What would a beachside resort be like without an esplanade to stroll along and take in the evening air? St Kilda’s grand esplanade forms one of the suburb’s most enticing thoroughfares along with Acland Street.

It’s home to the famed Esplanade Hotel known as The Espy to insiders. The Espy offers the best views in the whole area, especially from the upper floors. There are also pool tables, a restaurant, and rooms offering musical performances such as the Gershwin Room. The Espy tends to get packed out on weekends when popular bands are playing.

The Esplanade is also home to the St Kilda Esplanade Arts & Crafts Market. Held every Sunday, the market features around 150 stalls hawking a variety of original art and handcrafts.

As for fun fairs, St Kilda is home to the daddy of them all, Luna Park with its renowned gaping mouth entrance. Located on the Lower Esplanade just a stroll from the beach, Luan Park features a historic roller coaster, the Scenic Railway, which is the world’s oldest continually running roller coaster. Ride this roller coaster and enjoy amazing views over the bay.

The park opened in 1912 and has undergone many a facelift, the most recent in 2001. Now it offers a total of 16 attractions including G Force, Shock Drop and Pharaoh’s Curse. One of the most popular rides is the Carousel, originally constructed in 1913 for an amusement park in Sydney. It was moved to Luna Park in 1918.

Another essential component of an authentic seaside resort is a pier. St Kilda Pier is a local landmark that also features grand views of the bay and the Melbourne skyline. It’s the setting for a range of fun activities such as strolling, cycling, roller blading and fishing. It’s also the place to get a ferry to Williamstown.

Finally we’ll look at the pier, without which no seaside resort would be complete. A pier was originally built in 1859 here after a storm destroyed the Fitzroy Street jetty, and the kiosk was completed in 1904. In 1970 the pier was torn down and replaced with reinforced concrete.

Then in 2003 the kiosk was burned down. It was restored over the following years from original plans with a new café at the back with a public viewing deck on top. Interactive panels along the pier’s length outline the pier’s history. The kiosk is open daily from 8 am until dark and the restaurant from noon until 11pm.

St Kilda makes a great place to base yourself during your Melbourne holiday. You’ll find plenty of great St Kilda hotels including the Cosmopolitan Boutique Hotel Melbourne and the Easystay @ The Bayside Motel Melbourne.

Go France? Don’t forget to stay at Villas in France

Popularity: 14% [?]

Preparing for a Brisbane holiday can be an easy task in this day and age. From booking a flight to Brisbane International Airport to reserving the perfect Brisbane accommodation, you can be ready for your Brisbane in no time at all. Through this article you are provided with some basic information about flying into Brisbane International Airport and about booking the best Brisbane accommodation.

When all is said and done it is very easy to book a flight into the Brisbane International Airport. The Brisbane International Airport is the third busiest airport in Australia, following the airports located in Sydney and in Melbourne. With this in mind, it is easy to find a flight into Brisbane on a day and at a time that is convenient to you.

The Brisbane International Airport is one of the most “user friendly” or “traveler friendly” airport in the world. Indeed, the Brisbane International Airport has been designated the Best Privatized Airport in the world in 2005 by the International Air Transport Association.

The number of people that are using the Brisbane International Airport as part of the Brisbane holiday plans is increasing dramatically. Of course, more and more people consider Brisbane to be the ideal destination for a holiday each passing year. In any case, the rise in traffic through the Brisbane International Airport is as follows:

2000-01 - 13,051,798 2001-02 - 12,087,266 2002-03 - 12,040,670 2003-04 - 14,059,998 2004-05 - 15,623,155 2005-06 - 16,208,976 2006-07 - 17,592,548

If you desire to take a Brisbane holiday, there are some tips that you will want to keep in mind. First, if you are interested in a Brisbane holiday, you might want to take a look at what is available in the way of a Brisbane holiday package. In this regard, you can obtain a Brisbane holiday package that includes airfare into Brisbane International Airport as well as the Brisbane accommodation of your choice. In regard to both a plane reservation and a Brisbane accommodation, you will have a variety of different options available to you - both in regard to timing of your Brisbane holiday and cost. However, you need to know that you will have the best variety of choices if you take the initiative to book your v holiday package early.

Second, take advantage of Internet travel sites that are in operation today. Through these travel sites you will be able to make flight arrangements to Brisbane International Airport. In addition, you will also be able to reserve your Brisbane accommodation through these online travel sites as well. Keep in mind that if you are interested in trying to save as much money as possible on your flight and your Brisbane accommodation, take a look at what is available at one or another (or several) of the online discount travel sites. In many cases you will be able to find an excellent “deal” on your plan flight and your Brisbane accommodation by using a discount travel site.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Do you need a holiday that really refreshes your body and soul? One of complete physical indulgence, where every mental and bodily ailment is tended to and abolished, leaving a new person with a fresh outlook on life? It sounds slightly fictional doesnt it, like some kind of fanciful place out of an episode of ‘Sex and the City’. But thats because everything about Daylesford and its twin town of Hepburn Springs is a little too good to be true. Known as the ‘Spa Centre’ of Australia, this fairy tale-esque spot is the ultimate destination for pampering of all kinds, a place where you can stay in boutique resorts, enjoy some fine dining and get your body back into shape with some luxury spas and massages.

Situated above ancient volcanic basins, Daylesford has the largest concentration of natural mineral springs in Australia- springs whose waters have leached minerals from the 450 million year old rocks. These healing powers of these minerals are now what the towns economy relies on, as visitors come from far and wide to drink the pure mineral water or to sit and splash in one of the 70 natural mineral springs in the region. The scenery is spectacular- built on a ridge 600 metres above sea level the town is surrounded by the mountainous views of the Macedon Ranges, and there are numerous forestry reserves, parks and recreation areas nearby. The rush of the city feels a million miles away, despite the skyscrapers and crowds of Melbourne being just an hour and a half drive south.

The curative powers of the mineral water here has led to a community of natural health practitioners establishing itself in Daylesford and the surrounding villages. Offering beauty products and holistic healing, these professionals are your key to turning over a new leaf in your life and feeling great about just being you. There are a number of spas in the region you can visit to help you in doing this, one of the most popular being the Hepburn Spa. Its wide range of relaxation therapy treatments and beauty treatments are unparalleled anywhere in Australia, and the spa has a long tradition of providing quality beauty therapy and has helped to shape the industry in the country. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 14% [?]

Finding cheap flights to Melbourne has become easier than ever before. Low cost airlines have made travel easier than ever before- now even the most budget- conscious individual can think of sparing some money for a vacation. If you want to go on a holiday that’s fun filled and exciting, grab a cheap flight to Melbourne. The city offers all that you could ever think of and much much more.

Characterized by the typical Australian ambiance, Melbourne lets you take a peek into its colorful world of theaters, museums and galleries. And all those who want to have some serious outdoorsy fun can also have their fill thanks to all the sporting events that take place here throughout the year. Be it the Australian Grand Prix or the Melbourne Cup Horse Race, you’ll be left wanting more.

Book cheap flights to Melbourne and save a fortune. To buy your tickets you need not scour the websites of low cost airlines individually. Instead, go through all the cheap travel websites that allow you to clinch some of the best deals. Additionally, find out which airlines operate most in the region and which offer you package deals. If you really want to cut costs you can take a look at package deals through which you can not only book cheap flights to Melbourne but also hotel rooms as per your budget. Also, try settling for stop- over flights if time is not an issue. Non-stop flights can be quite expensive and can drain you of all your resources.

You can catch cheap flight to Melbourne no matter what the purpose of your visit is- business, weekend trip or a long vacation. Before you do anything else, get on searching the Internet. See through as many deals as possible and pounce on the one that suits your schedule and budget.

Popularity: 15% [?]

Queensland is Australia’s second largest state. Commonly called the “Sunshine State”, it boasts a warm climate, tropical beaches, World Heritage rainforests, a portion of the outback, the Great Barrier Reef, cozy beach communities and Brisbane, the third largest city in Australia.

Most visitors to Queensland arrive in Brisbane, as it is the main gateway to this region. Brisbane is a city for every traveler, offering an abundance of outdoor activities, art galleries and museums, shopping, beaches, fine dining and nightlife.

Here are some of the most popular attractions in Brisbane:

” South Bank is a community vibrant in arts and culture, situated on 16 hectares of waterfront property. It is full of outdoor markets, cafes, restaurants, walk ways and bike paths. And for those warm Aussie days, cool off at Streets Beach by taking a dip in the swimming lagoon. Home of the Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Museum, Queensland Gallery of Modern Art and the Performing Arts Center it’s a great destination with those who have art in their hearts.

” Story Bridge: Bridge tours are available on this famous bridge. A guide will take you on a 2 hour climb, almost a kilometer up the bridge, providing stunning 360 degree views of the city, the Bunya Mountains and the Brisbane River.

” Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary. The Sanctuary offers opportunities to get close to many different types of Australian wildlife, including kangaroos, wombats, dingos, and of course koalas! You can even experience holding a koala. The soft marsupial will cling to you like a young child; it is not your average animal!

” Riverlife Adventure Center is a perfect way for any outdoor adventurer to spend the day. Located on the edge of the Brisbane River, they offer rock climbing, abseiling, kayaking, cycling and rollerblading. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 10% [?]

Like Australian people, the array of Australian wines is quite fascinating. All wines, sparkling or otherwise, red, rose or white are unique to the region where it is made, and the winemaker who crafts the wine. Australian wine has come a long way from when the first wine was available for sale domestically in 1820. A wide variety of wines, sparkling reds and whites, dry and blends are produced here.

The country’s winemakers also have many awards and gold medals to their credit. In the 1873 Vienna Exhibition the French judges, tasting blind, praised some wines from Victoria, in Australia, but withdrew in protest when the origin of the wine was revealed, on the grounds that wines of that quality must clearly be French. Australian wines continued to win high honors in French competitions and still continue to dominate the wine-world in a big way.

Australian wine is a new-world wine -producing nation, whereas the European countries are considered the ‘Old world’ wine producing nations. Australia produces a wide array of wines, and is the fourth largest producer of wines in the world. Learning about Australian wine is easy and not complex as is the case with European wine. All Australian wines show the contents and origin clearly on their labels (often front and back), and the varieties used and the basic character of the wine. Many will also suggest the best foods to complement the wine, or the other way around!

Red wines have their deep colour due to the process in which the grapes are crushed along with their skins and seeds, allowing the pigmentation to enter to the juice, whereas white wines are made with the skins separated immediately after crushing. Australia produces superior red wine and this is attributed to the grape variety used.

A popular grape variety is Shiraz, which apart from giving consistent full-bodied wines with fascinating deep crimson colour, is famous for its rich ripe plum and pepper flavours. Other famous red wines are Cabernet Sauvignon, the classic red variety of Bordeaux. Cabernet Sauvignon wines can be medium to full bodied, and are always well structured and elegant with pungent typically leafy like flavours. Other red wines are Merlot that is a softer with a ‘rose petal’ like flavor, Grearche , which is highly perfumed and soft, and Pinot Noir which is one of Australia’s greatest sparkling wines.

Among Australia’s white wines, the most popular is unquestionably Chardonnay, which is also the most important white grape variety around the world. Chardonnay in Australia produces sparkling and dry white wine styles with ripe melon flavours in warmer regions, and more peach and citrus like in the cooler areas. The oak flavour greatly complements the fruit flavors of Chardonnay and drunk after a maturation of 1-3 years. The other popular white varieties are Reisling, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, which is well-known for its perfumed, and delicate light bodied flavors. Like Australia, its wines seem to say, “Just enjoy!”

Popularity: 17% [?]

Planning your luxury Australia travel itinerary, why not consider the following 10 best things to do in Sydney Australia? Australia is a vast continent where you can stroll on white sands, snorkel in blue waters, wander through green rainforest or drive across an endless red desert.

You can enjoy some of the Worlds best restaurants, wineries, galleries and shops. Or you can share Australians’ love of sport - from a round of golf on a kangaroo-covered course to a seat at a fast-paced Aussie Rules football match

Here in no particular order are our top 10 things to do in Sydney Australia …

1 - Take a thrilling scenic helicopter flight to the Blue Mountains. Stunning views of the City and Sydney Harbour, the Blue Mountains National Park and the spectacular Jamieson Valley all feature in this 45 minute ride before you are set down on top of the Blue Mountains to enjoy a gourmet barbeque lunch in secluded surroundings.

2 - Indulge in a City Sights Discovery tour, visiting the charming historic Rocks area, taking in Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for an unrivalled view of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and Bridge. Pause briefly for morning tea in the beautiful Sydney Harbour National Park before travelling onwards to South Head. After a short stroll along the cliff tops, continue to Bondi Beach and Centennial park before returning to Circular Quay.

3 - Sail the oceans blue for a cruise around Sydney Harbour under sail for a magnificent 2 hour personalised tour around one of the most beautiful harbours in the world.

4 - Visit the picturesque Hunter Valley to discover Australia’s first wine region. Join your private winemaker for a tour of the distinctive wines in a private guided tasting at the best of the region’s wineries. A gourmet lunch awaits you where you can enjoy great wines and gourmet dining in the Hunter Valley’s best restaurant.

5 - Lunch at a genuine Australian working sheep and cattle station, where your hosts provide you with an insight into life on the land, showcasing the striking Australian bush and its unique wildlife. Return to Sydney with a twilight flight over Sydney Harbour.

6 - Treat yourself to a night at the opera at the Sydney Opera House. Upcoming performances of the Swan Lake ballet, Don McClean, Edward Scissorhands, The Clarke/Duke Project and Neil Sedaka, as well as classics like Ravel’s Bolero, Stravinsky’s Firebird and Don Giovanni.

7 - Enjoy Australian and international art exhibitions at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

8 - Take in the natural history at the Sydney Aquarium and Taronga Park Zoo. The aquarium is one of the largest and most spectacular aquariums in the world. Journey through the rivers and oceans of Australia and be astounded by the diversity, whilst at Taronga Park Zoo find the critically endangered Booroolong Frogs, or the first Elephant pregnancy in Australasia, all within sight of Downtown Sydney. Whilst you are there, don’t miss the Sky safari!

9 - Learn to catch the waves at Manly or Bondi Beach with surfing lessons designed to make you into the hottest “chic” on the beach.

10 - Visit an ancient Aboriginal site and outstanding lookouts of the Blue Mountains National Park. Examine rock formations and the quaint little village of Leura before heading to Katoomba and the magnificent Jamieson Valley and the renown Three Sisters.

I invite you to use these ideas to make the most of your luxury Australia travel and Sydney.

Popularity: 5% [?]