Grapes line the Yarra Valley outside of Melbourne, Australia

Australia may be climbing out from under the Global Economic Crisis rock sooner than its English-speaking cousins. The Aussie dollar is now worth about 90 US cents, up considerably from just a few years ago.

Still, that’s an excellent value for American travelers compared, for example, to the euro or the pound.

If you’re headed to Australia to enjoy the remaining extra stretch your US or Canadian dollar may still hold, you’ll want to ensure Melbourne is on your sightseeing agenda. For the past two years the city has outpaced Sydney in tourism ‒ or so says the Victoria state tourism board.

Something about Melbourne makes one want to set down roots. To get that “planted here for awhile” sensation while visiting, the Lyall Hotel in South Yarra is definitely worth consideration. Small, high-end, and well-run, it’s a masterful blend of hotel and home, right down to the full kitchen and washer/dryer in most suites. Our review from last year still stands. Read it now.

While there is much to do in Melbourne ‒ more than can be spelled out here ‒ our correspondent frequently recommends getting outside of the city for Epicurean Tours’ Yarra Valley wine country program. The upscale day-tour includes two vineyard wine tastings and time at a local cheese farm, plus lunch at a third winery followed by a visit to the contemporary art collection at the TarraWarra Museum. It’s a full day, well spent.

– Peg Prideaux, CTC
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