So here’s my list of the top 7 things to see!

This list is derived from what I perceive to be the top 7 sites to see in my home city, Melbourne. They are in no particular order and of course there are numerous other sites and attractions I could have mentioned but I have decided to focus on the general city vicinity and stick with the magic 7!

1. Flinders Street Station

Flinders Street Station

Probably the most well-known, recognised and photographed landmark in Melbourne and found on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets. This site has seen a railway station since 1854 but the current station was constructed during 1910, making it the oldest railway station in Australia and now the busiest in the southern hemisphere. The station also serves as a great meeting spot with people suggesting “meet me under the clocks”, referring to the clocks above the station entrance.

2. Federation Square

Federation Square (or known locally as Fed Square) is located on the adjacent corner to Flinders Street Station and was only completed during 2002 after much controversy regarding its modern design. It is the cultural hub of Melbourne and another socialising destination.

3. Southbank and the Eureka Tower

Eureka Tower

Across the Yarra River from both Flinders Street Station and Fed Square via Princes Bridge, you’ll come across The Southbank Promenade. Always a hive of activity with numerous shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants and the Crown Casino drawing both locals and international visitors. The Eureka Tower also in this vicinity, is a 300 meter tall skyscraper and tallest in Melbourne. Construction commenced August 2002 and the exterior completed on 1 June 2006. A great view of Melbourne is enjoyed from the the Observation Deck.

4. Botanical Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance

The site of the Botanical Gardens was selected during 1845. It is recognised as one of the world’s finest botanic gardens. There are over 10,000 species and 50,000 individual plants in the 38 hectare gardens, including trees and plants of great cultural value. It is one of my favourite city locations, where you can wander the paths, sit by the lake or lie in the sun and enjoy the serenity…yes, in a city! Nearby and by St Kilda Road is the Shrine of Remembrance, a memorial to those that fought in WW1 and other wars.

5. Parliament House

Built with gold rush wealth during the mid 1800s, this imposing building on Spring Street is the centre of the Victorian State Government. However, from 1901 to 1928 it was occupied by the Australian Government whilst Canberra was under construction.

6. The Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum

The Royal Exhibition Building is located in the Carlton Gardens and is the only surviving Great Hall that once housed a 19th-century international exhibition and is still used for exhibitions. It is located next door to the very modern Melbourne Museum and IMAX cinema.

Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

7. The Melbourne Cricket Ground – MCG

The MCG is Australia’s largest sporting stadium and used for both international cricket, AFL football (with it culminating in Grand Final fever in September where the capacity reaches 100,000), concerts and other large events. The ‘Australian Gallery of Sport & Olympic Museum’ is also housed here.

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Melbourne

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Should you be planning a trip to Melbourne I highly recommend ‘Melbourne Encounter’ by Lonely Planet.

Where is Cape Town?

Cape Town

Cape Town is situated not far from the southern-most tip of South Africa. It lies on Table Bay, with the majestic Table Mountain as its backdrop. A cable-car can take the visitor to the top, above the cliffs some 1,000m high, to the 3km long plateau. Here, the view over Cape Town and Table Bay is spectacular. The cliffs attract many rock-climbers to the area and well documented climbing routes provide for them.

Not far from Cape Town lies ‘Cape Agulhas’. Here, the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. There is often a misconception that the ‘Cape of Good Hope’ is the meeting point.

The ‘Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden’ is also worth a visit if in Cape Town. It’s world-renowned for the diversity of indigenous plant to South Africa. Its magnificent setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain adds to the value of the visit.

An invaluable guide book ‘Insight City Guide Cape Town’ in paperback for easy packing.

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One Great Reason to Visit Cape Town

One great reason to visit Cape Town is for the cultural mix in a spectacular location by Table Mountain.

Classy Cape Town

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Where is Singapore?

Singapore is a tiny (580sq kilometres) city-state south of Malaysia. It is the ideal first-time experience for travellers to Asia, with Western standards of comfort and hygiene, together with traditional Chinese, Malay and Indian enclaves.

This descriptive guest post of Singapore is by Johanna Baker-Dowdell. Johanna has worked for 15 years as a journalist and public relations consultant, and launched Strawberry Communications in 2007 to help business tell their story through great writing and PR. A four-year working holiday in the UK combined Johanna’s love of writing and marketing with travel, and inspired her to start her own business when she returned to Australia. Her travels include the Australian, African, Asian and European continents, but being a mum to two small boys means travel is closer to home now.

Raffles Hotel

I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a few hours on a hot afternoon than by sipping a Singapore Sling in Raffles Hotel. I’d been walking around Singapore for most of the day and was feeling in dire need of a long, cool drink. The sweet pink concoction was exactly the right fix as I sat underneath Raffles’ electric fans and enjoyed the cool breeze.

This was my first day in Singapore after arriving very early that morning and sleeping for a few hours before facing the hot, steamy city that never seems to stop. When I woke I was very hungry and went to one of the many hawker centres dotted around Singapore. I looked at the options and realised Cornflakes were out of the question so I pointed to whatever looked good. I ended up with a very tasty selection of vegetable curries and noodles – not my standard breakfast fare but when in Singapore…

The best way to see the city on my three-day stopover was on foot, so I started with the bustling Arab Street quarter of the city. Arab Street is jam-packed full of stalls selling everything from silk and hand-woven baskets to fishing tackle. My senses were buzzing with the vivid colours, spicy smells and impatient car horns. I had never seen such beautiful fabrics and wanted to buy metres of it but, alas, my excess baggage was already too excessive.

After recharging at Raffles Little India was the next stop for some sightseeing and traditional Indian curry. Little India was equally as active at night as Arab Street had been that morning. Cars gave way to hoards of pedestrians, both tourists and locals, who were shopping for clothes, watches or food, or just enjoying the spectacle. I felt alive as my eyes flicked from one stall to another and watched the people walking past.

Singapore

The following morning I decided to tackle the city’s biggest quarter – the Historical District. Here were the buildings that documented Singapore’s past. I began in Fort Canning, a park built around Singapore’s fortified World War Two underground operations. Next to the park was a registry office and I watched sentimentally as a newly-married couple were greeted by friends and family and then made their way into the park for their photos. From the park I could see the glorious juxtaposition of the old ornate buildings that signified the rule of the British Empire set against a backdrop of shiny new skyscrapers.

Fort Canning

From Fort Canning I wandered past many museums and art galleries, including the Singapore Philatelic Museum and Singapore Art Museum. I wanted to learn more about the island’s history so spent a few hours in the Singapore History Museum enjoying the historical dioramas, the Jade Room and the war rooms. During the afternoon I covered St Andrew’s Cathedral and the “Chopsticks”, the Civilian War Memorial standing 70 metres high commemorating the civilians from Singapore who died during the Japanese occupation in World War Two. A relaxing cruise along the Singapore River finished the day, travelling out to the harbour to see the country’s symbol, the Merlion – a creature which is half fish and half lion. I walked to Clarke Quay and enjoyed a cool drink by the water and then wandered further down the river to Boat Quay, which was hopping with young Singaporeans enjoying their Friday night in the multicultural restaurant district.

The Chinese Quarter was left for the final day in Singapore. Each of the city’s quarters had its own personality formed by the monuments, landscape and, of course, the people. Colourful temples were spread across the area, some beautifully decorated with gold and others displaying intricate wooden carvings. The quarter also housed striking rows of terraces painted in bright colours and there seemed to be a market on every corner, the best of which was Chinatown. I finished my time in Singapore in the shopping mecca Orchard Road. Here the street was lined not with small stalls, but with enormous department stores and brand names like Harrods, Rolex and Tiffany’s.

I was exhausted after jamming so much into my three days and the airport provided a much-needed rest while I waited for my 3am plane. The taxi trip to Changi Airport was very interesting as I watched the bustling streets of the inner city give way to palm-lined avenues and then the spreading urban sprawl of apartments blocks catering for those who can’t afford the city but want the lifestyle. I flew out watching the lights of Singapore dim underneath me.

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One Great Reason to Visit Singapore

One great reason to visit Singapore is because it straddles western and eastern cultures so beautifully.

Singapore In 6 Minutes

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Where is Shikoku?

Shikoku Temple

Shikoku is the smallest of the four main islands of Japan and is most well known for its ’88 Temple Pilgrimage’, associated with priest Kukai. Most henro (pilgrims) these days travel by bus, taxi etc, rather than choosing to walk it. The entire circuit taking in all 88 Temples, is 1,200km long and can take 30-60 days to visit all 88 Temples by foot.

True pilgrims are seen wearing white jackets with the characters reading ‘dogyo futari’ meaning “two travelling together”. Travelling in Shikoku is considered very safe, especially when robed in the traditional henro garments. It is estimated that 100,000 pilgrims visit annually.

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One Great Reason to Visit Shikoku

One great reason to visit Shikoku is to witness the traditional henro on the 88 Temple Pilgrimage.

Shikoku Temples

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