Explore Uluru

Also known as Ayres Rock, Uluru is one of the most recognisable sights in Australia. Located in the Northern Territory, Uluru can be reached by plane from most Australian cities, or if you’re feeling brave, head off on a 4WD adventure. Accommodation in the area ranges from budget to luxury, so you will have no problems booking a stay at any number of great hotels. Take a guided tour of Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and the National Park, and learn more about the Aboriginal cultural significance of the area. Get your camera ready at sunrise and sunset – you’ll need it!

Dive the Great Barrier Reef

One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef stretches over 3000km along the Queensland coast. Containing more than 400 kinds of coral, the reef is home to over 1500 species of tropical fish, more than 200 types of birds, around 20 types of reptiles, and an array of other sea creatures. Stay in any of the coastal towns running parallel to the reef, where you can take a boat tour, snorkel or scuba dive to explore this natural wonder.

Drive the Great Ocean Road

Stretching from Geelong to Port Fairy, the Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives. Driving along this beautiful stretch of road, you can see the iconic Twelve Apostles, say hello to furry koalas in Cape Otway National Park, and find out more about Aboriginal heritage and the colonial settlers. Stay overnight in any of the pretty coastal villages along the way, and enjoy a few rounds of golf, a pampering session in a day spa, boutique shopping, and explore the stunning natural surroundings.

Explore Wine Country

Australia produces some truly excellent wine, which means the country’s wine regions are a must-visit for all wine connoisseurs, or even for those who just like a tipple! Most wine growing and production is concentrated on the country’s south-east, in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria, and further west on the southern coast of Western Australia.

Many regions are famous for certain wine varieties, such as Semillon in the Hunter Valley, Sauvignon Blanc in Margaret River and the Adelaide Hills, Pinot Noir In Tasmania and the Mornington Peninsula, and so on. A trip to wine country makes the perfect relaxing weekend trip, with overnight stays available in hostels, B&Bs, affordable hotels and luxury resorts.

Sail the Whitsundays

Made up of 74 tropical islands, the Whitsundays offer the perfect getaway for those who want to explore the natural beauty of area, or those who just want to take some time out to relax. There are dozens of cruises offering day tours and longer trips around the islands, catering to families, seniors, backpackers, and everyone in between. Travel the Whitsunday Coast to discover secluded beaches, sunny seaside villages, and spectacular wildlife.

Lifecruiser Love Top Travel Tips
 

Cable Beach, Broome by piesgardener

Cable Beach, Broome

With bathtub-warm water and waves suited perfectly for beginning surfers, Cable Beach is often said to be one of the most picturesque beaches in the world. Abnormally high costal tides sweep the 15-mile stretch of sand clean every day, making it seem as if no one has ever set foot on the sand.

Cape Tribulation Beach, Queensland

Set just above Cairns in Northern Queensland, Cape Tribulation Beach is just far enough off the beaten path to keep it a secret from most tourists. Somewhat wild and remote, here the beach stretches out along the edge of a forest that provides beachgoers a chance to commune with nature away from the crowds.

Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands

Tucked away from civilization on a 6-km long desolate island, Whitehaven Beach is as serene as a beach can be. Beachgoers should bring snacks, because once there they may never want to leave.

Wineglass Bay, Tasmania

Set in a secluded cove at the backside of Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay is free of crowds and commercialization. Accessible only by foot, Wineglass Bay can only be reached by a 40-minute hike from nearby Coles Bay.

Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef

A perfect spot for snorkeling and SCUBA diving, the town of Ningaloo Reef overlooks the clear blue waters of Coral Bay. Teaming with marine life, and often called the “Mini Great Barrier Reef,” the reef itself sets only a 10-minute boat ride offshore.

Bondi Beach, Sydney

A showcase for hardbodies, Bondi Beach attracts crowds of hottest bodies from around the world. Surfers, local sunbakers and visitors to Sydney all peacefully coexist on a short 1-km section of sand. Heed the lifeguards and the signs, as current can be treacherous.

Manly Beach, Sydney

Rollerblade tracks, fast-food vendors and surf shops permeate the sunny sands of Manly Beach. Set just offshore, ferries and Sydney’s JetCat take beachgoers to and from Manly Beach throughout the day.

Sunshine Beach and Alexandria Bay, Noosa Head

Extending 15 km north from Perry Point, Sunshine Beach offers surfers excellent waves. Set in the protected waters of Noosa National Park, Sunshine Beach is easy to access, while just remote enough to keep the throngs away. Further north, Alexandria Bay is the spot for skinny dippers. Clothing optional with milky white sand, Alexandria Bay doesn’t receive as much traffic as the larger beaches in the area. Not as popular as many Australian beach destinations, travelers will easily find accommodation in Noosa.

Byron Bay, Australia

A whaling town turned tourist mecca, Bryon Bay attracts a variety of personalities. Boasting nearly 30 km of unbroken beaches smattered with lighthouses, Byron Bay should be a stop on every beachgoers agenda.

Lifecruiser Love Australia’s Beaches
 

Orlando is perhaps most known for the Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando Universal Resort, SeaWorld and Gatorland, but for us golfers also as a warming up winter escape place with many top golf courses as well as other attractions and activities for the whole family (lots of gardens for the wife).

As an old golfer since 26 years, I’ve picked out a few golf courses to try out, which I found interesting. Of course, what is interesting varies for different persons, but if you’re a fairly good golfer with at least a rather low golf handicap, you might like these ones you too.

Falcons Fire: given four stars by GolfDigest as well as rated as America’s Top 15 Women Friendly Courses by Golf for Women, it’s a must play, conveniently located close to the Walt Disney World Resort and Orlando International Airport, rates from $49-$79. (falconsfire.com)

Golf Hawks Landing: at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort (the worlds largest Marriott) with beautiful wildlife with native birds, rates $39-$129 depending on time of the day when going out. (golfhawkslanding.com)

Hunters Creek: Another must play public golf course with strategically placed bunkers I could need the experience from. Spacious, rolling fairways among 13 lakes sounds like a relaxing but demanding enough golf round for me. Rates $16-$69. (golfhunterscreek.com)

Mystic Dunes Golf: 2 different nine holes. The front nine similar to a British Isles link’s course, the other nine as classic Carolina courses, with wetlands and marsh areas and cypress forests. It’s perhaps the rolling sand dunes and 5 sets of tee boxes that makes me think it would be my kind of course. Golf Getaway Packages starting at $135. (mysticdunesgolf.com)

Grand Cypress: A golf resort with 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature golf, with luxury Orlando hotel accommodations which my wife would love to stay at (OK, me too), relaxing at the spa getting a massage or in the pool while I’m golfing. (grandcypress.com)

There are so many great golf courses in the Orlando area, that at least I don’t think that you would be disappointed, what ever golf course you choose. Some other great websites to check out if going to Orlando are orlandogolftrail, orlandogolf, golforlando and golfnow.com/orlando.

When to go there depends on what kind of person you are, if you cope with the heat or rain. Most of the rain falls June-September. I think I’d prefer to go there in the spring. I would definitely try to avoid the hurricane season, especially with my wife’s bad weather curse, remember? (lol)

If we ever are in the same area, let me know and we do a golf round challenge. That is, if you dare? My golf handicap? Officially 5,8, but I’m not sure if I live up to that. I’ve been trying to raise my handicap – have been down at 3,2 when I played every day, now I play more seldom.

©Lifecruiser Love Golf Travel

Some other golf travel related posts at Lifecruiser:

Tips for nightlife in Algarve (twilight golf)
Enjoy UK golf breaks and take in these top three courses
Swedish Golf Season Start 2011
PhotoHunt Golf self-reflection
Golf pleasures in and out
 

Melbourne Photo by Mugley

The Langham

The level of service is incomparable in this grand, multi-award-winning hotel. In the tradition of the finest British hotels – the first Langham opened in London in 1865 – you are treated like royalty as soon as you are greeted by the porters. Just walking into the impossibly elegant lobby underneath the vast Waterford Wedgwood chandelier feels wonderfully decadent! Located right on the Yarra River, in the prestigious Southbank area, many of the classically elegant rooms have stunning views of the river and the city skyline. The city and all its attractions are on your doorstep but, with an award-winning spa and fitness centre (including a stunning pool-with-a-view) and fabulous dining options, you’ll find it hard to leave the hotel!

Citadines on Bourke

An apartment hotel can be a great alternative to a traditional hotel, especially for families or for stays of a few days or more. Offering bags more space and full kitchen and laundry facilities, apartment hotels can feel like a home from home. Citadines on Bourke, which was awarded ‘Best Suite/Apartment Style Hotel’ at the 2011 Australian Hotel’s Association State Awards for Excellence, offers all this but in incredibly stylish surroundings, with bright splashes of colour juxtaposed against minimalist fittings. Its floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing panoramic city views are the cherry on the cake.

Grand Hyatt Melbourne

With its fantastic location on Collins Street, the Grand Hyatt is in the heart of the bustling city, just steps away Melbourne’s top attractions. However, with a large gym, a swimming pool, spa, steam room, sauna, and even tennis courts, golf driving ranges and a basketball court, the Grand Hyatt does all it can to keep you there! Every room features floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of the fantastic city views, as well as contemporary furnishings and large bathrooms with marble baths. Book a club room or one of the suites to gain access to one of the best club lounges in the city.

Crown Metropol

Edgy and glamorous, the Crown Metropol made a welcome addition to the city’s chic riverside Southbank precinct in 2010. Ultra-modern, with an subtle earthy colour palette, smoky glass, elegant wallpaper, soft lighting and sumptuous fabrics, the entire hotel is refined and dignified and there is a feeling of luxury from the moment you step into the double-height lobby. The 25-metre swimming pool is also double-height, with floor-to-ceiling windows all the way around offering incredible views of the city and the river. Original works by top local artists adorn the walls throughout, including in each of the 658 luxe guest rooms. Be sure to visit Gordon Ramsay’s Maze restaurant for a gastronomic treat!

Sofitel Melbourne

At the prestigious ‘Paris end’ of Collins Street, so called due to the high number of grand European buildings and designer boutiques and cafes that line it, the Sofitel enjoys one of the best addresses in the city. With guest rooms only starting on the 36th floor, every guest is guaranteed a fabulous view, but ask for a corner suite and you’ll enjoy a true panorama. Other than its undeniable style, its point of difference has to be its temporary art exhibitions, which change throughout the year.

As a travel writer, Emily Buckley has been lucky enough to stay in some of the most luxurious hotels in the world and loves to share her experiences with companies such as HotelClub.com. A specialist accommodation website, Hotel Club offers discounted rates on hotels across the globe, including hotels in Melbourne.

Disclosure: I have a material connection because I received a cash payment, gift or item of nominal value from a company affiliated with a brand, topic and/or product that is mentioned herein.
 

©Lifecruiser Love Luxury Hotels
 

Here are some places you might want to consider to sample some of the best wines in the world.

Image courtesy of Vina Caliterra

Italy

As every wine fan knows, some of the finest wines known to man are products of the beautiful Italian countryside. The sangiovese is perhaps the most famous grape in Italian wine production, with red wines such as the Chianti Classico and Montefalco Rosso delighting wine fans around the world. The vineyard at Villa Vignamaggio in Tuscany is one of notable quality and is well worth a visit.

France

France is another great wine-making region in Europe. The French take great pride, as with most things they do, in their wine production and have produced and, of course, are still producing wines to rival all others. Wines from the Bordeaux and Burgundy regions are perhaps the most famous and most loved French wines across the world. For some of the tastiest white wines you will ever set on your tongue, pay a visit to Sancerre or, for that matter, any of the vineyards in the Loire Valley region.

Spain

A pattern is emerging here. Yes, another European winemaking giant is Spain. It would be sacrilegious to leave Spain off this list, especially considering that it is currently the third biggest wine exporter in the world. Rioja, which is located in the north of the country, is a popular Spanish winemaking region across the globe. If you get a chance to visit Spain, make sure you sample some of the wines from the La Rioja Alta vineyard.

Australia

The Hunter Valley region in Australia is famous the world over for the quality of its wines and, precisely because of this quality, it is one of the largest exporters of wine in the world. New South Wales is home to some fantastic vineyards; Tyrell’s, in particular, is one of the most famous ones in the region. This vineyard has been family owned for almost a century and a half and still offers tours and opportunities to have picnics in the vines.

Chile

South America in itself is generally excellent for wine production, but Chile certainly stands out from the crowd. There are virtuoso winemakers to be found the entire length of the country, the majority of which are well and truly part of the international exportation business these days. Concha y Toro is perhaps the most famous wine to come out of Chile – the vineyard is located in the Maipo region of the country, which is probably one of the country’s most established regions for winemaking.

Lifecruiser Love Vineyard Travel