Category Archives: Australia

Late August is Still Summer in Provence

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Late August means the grape harvest starts soon (or is underway) in Provence. In Côtes du Rhone vineyards, this can only begin after the proclamation by the Grand Maître de la Commanderie at the Ban des Vendanges in Avignon on August 30 and 31, 2024. This festive wine-themed event is free to the public. If you are a Provencal rosé and beautiful photography fan, we recently reviewed The Book of Rosé about Château d’Esclans Vineyard and its Famous Wines.

If you like bubbly water, Gayle Padgett recently visited the PERRIER® Museum. Do you need some ice with that water? Please read our recent article about ice houses (glacières) and the history of ice production in Provence.

The Camargue is a unique part of the region where the Rhône River meets the Mediterranean. When Sue Aran, the founder of French Country Adventures, takes her clients to this wild and wonderful part of Provence, and they stay in Hôtel Les Templiers, it’s so comfortable that it feels like home.

Keep reading about what’s on and what to expect in Provence in late August.

5 Reasons You Must Visit Plan a Visit to Australia’s Noosa Headlands

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Despite early beginnings (1879) as a protected area, the Noosa Headlands would not exist if real estate developers had been successful in their push for further coastal development. Luckily for visitors and residents today, park advocates won their bid to protect the natural landscape in the 1960s. Read more about the Noosa Parks Association here.

Noosa Surfers #Noosa @Noosa

So, why should you visit the Noosa Headlands?

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Not to be Missed a Brisbane City Break for a Relaxing Stop-Over

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“Give me Brisbane Any Day”

After driving nearly 3000 km from Sydney to Adelaide, G&N were happy to hand over the rental car keys. Virgin Australia winged them from cool, rainy Adelaide to sunny and slightly humid Brisbane City. (Enjoy this guide on your smartphone too, skip to the bottom to find out how)

Nutmeg was in semi-tropical heaven.

Lone Pine Koala Sancutary Birds #Brisbane #Australia

“Brissy” invited G&N to explore her neighbourhoods starting with Brisbane’s South Bank. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, this lively venue is where the playground collides with the bar scene. Restaurants compete for clientele on their umbrella sheltered patios and kids’ laughter, from the swimming area, slices through the odd break in the bar music.

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Australia Short Visit: How to Spend Three Days in Sydney

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Finally, G&N landed “down-under” on a 30-day Australian “bucket list” trip –  it had been a 25-year discussion.

Described by friends as “Vancouver without the mountains” and “Stockholm with more people,” Sydney is Sydney without any comparable. Not entirely sure what to expect of the five-million person (not including visitors) metropolis the twosome stumbled out of their Darling Harbour hotel to explore the highlights. Late morning, after the 20-hour transit including a 16-hour flight leg the only thing on Nutmeg’s mind was finding a strong flat white coffee (maybe two).

Sydney Harbour Bridge #Sydney #Australia #VisitAustralia

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