It is nearly impossible to cover all of Australia and the country's fantastic restaurants on one web page. As the world's sixth largest continent and it's largest island, trip planning to Australia will take some time and research but will be well worth the effort. However, there are a few points of interest worth special mention so we'll stick to those and hope your initial research here will eventually find you the best culinary and travel experience Australia has to offer.
While the trips below are not strictly culinary, they are so unique, they deserve your travel-planning attention.
Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa
Katoomba, Australia
Untouched by man and respendent with nature. Sound like your kind of vacation? Then the Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort and Spa will be perfect for you.
A World Heritage site national park, the resort is located in the tranquil and scenic forests of New South Wales and incredibly, within close proximity to Sydney. The five star Orient-Express hotel is within a historic country house set amidst two acres of manicured gardens.
Escape vacation, spa pampering, ecotourism...this resort has it all. Darley’s, the resort’s fine-dining restaurant, served up two Chef’s Hats at the SMH Good Food Awards and Darley's won Regional Restaurant of the Year 2010. Stay packages can include overnight accommodation in a Deluxe Room, full breakfast, and a 3-course dinner for two in Darley’s.
Buy or Bid Now on this spectacular Australian or other travel deals at Luxury Link. 5 and 7-night packages are available. Prices are fairly high for this vacation venue so be sure to book through Luxury Link where you will get the absolute best in travel value.
The Observatory Hotel
Sydney, Australia
The Observatory Hotel by Orient-Express is located in the heart of Sydney, in the city's vibrant Rocks district close to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
# 3 nights in an Executive Suite with water view
# Full Australian breakfast for two each morning, served at Galileo Restaurant
# 5-course degustation dinner for two on one evening of your choice, served at Galileo Restaurant
Buy or Bid Now on this or other travel deals at Luxury Link. There is a fantastic deal, 4-night package available - good through April 30, 2010.
Getting There and other Australia links of interest to travelers
Airline info for travel to Australia - Quantas does it best!
A handy currency converter. NOTE: January, 2010 $1.00 US gets you $1.106 in Australian dollars - not as good as New Zealand but...Go NOW!!
Quick link to further dining experiences in my favorite Australian vacation spot, Surfer's Paradise, Brisbane - also known as the Gold Coast. Check out this link to one of the hottest restaurants in town, Absynthe. Absynthe has won numerous awards since opening two years ago and was recently voted Queensland’s Best Regional Restaurant.
Culinary Regions of the World
This list will start small with some great vacation values focusing on the food and wine experience. Every region of the world has it's own culinary ambience but here we will first focus on some of the more widely known epicurean destinations and provide some of the best vacation packages currently available.
How To Choose?
It's tough! Any of the countries below will almost guarantee you a fantastic vacation but we also want our food experience and we want to stay in luxurious accommodations. Add a great all-inclusive package and we're ready to make that choice!
Visit Luxury Link for fantastic vacation packages and super savings! Just click the link above to start your food and wine vacation research.
There are literally thousands of situations and locations for gourmet and epicurean travel. From one-on-one classes in private homes to full-blown degree and certificate programs at world reknown culinary institutes.
More to come soon but while you wait, please get yourself a free copy of the Bordeau Wine Newsletter.
Or, find out more about Michelin Stars, how and why they are awarded to restaurants, and why chefs covet them. Check out the AAA Diamond award program back on the Country Vacations & Resorts home page.
