Hong Kong is the ultimate combination of western and asian influences; serene tranquility or digital technology; modern skyscrapers or original colonial buildings;  shopping centres with designer labels or local markets; diverse cuisine in international restaurants or kerbside street stalls.   Whatever your flight of fancy – East, West, past, present, city, nature – Hong Kong can offer it all.

The four main areas of Hong Kong are Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, New Territories and the Outlying Islands.

Kowloon has traditionally been noted as the tourist hub of the city.   Nathan Road, or the Golden Mile, runs through the centre of Kowloon and is lined with shops, restaurants, hotels and entertainment.  Tsim Sha Tsui is at the lower tip of Kowloon, close to waterfront Star Ferry Terminal and offers amazing views over the harbour to Hong Kong Island.  Mongkok is at the northern end of Nathan Road, an ideal area to purchase electronic items and mobile phones or a visit to the Jade Markets or Ladies Markets.

The Royal Garden Hotel Kowloon is an easy walk to Nathan Road and the MTR station.  There are seven restaurants and bars with a rooftop swimming pool offering amazing views.  Upgrade to a business room which includes breakfast daily and free internet.

Hong Kong Island  is the commercial and political centre but is fast becoming home to trendy nightclubs, bars, shops and restaurants.   Original colonial buildings stand alongside modern skyscrapers.  Attractions include the Victoria Peak Tram for fabulous views of Hong Kong,  Happy Valley Racecourse and the Stanley Markets.

The Metropark Hotel Causeway Bay Hong Kong is a stylish and contemporary hotel which offers fantastic views from the rooftop swimming pool.  The hotel is opposite Victoria Park and a short walk to the MTR station for access to the shopping and entertainment of the Causeway Bay area.

The New Territories is considered the farm belt of the city.  The Outlying islands such as Lamma and Lantau are often visited by tourists on day trips.  Lamma Island has a traditional Chinese fishing community and there are many seafood restaurants on the island.   Tours to Lantau Island visit the Po Lin Monastery with the largest bronze buddha statue in the world.

It is not all shopping, dining and culture though – there are fantastic options for families too.   Take a day trip to Ocean Park which is Asia’s largest oceanarium with wildlife, aquarium, performing dolphins, a cable car and other thrill rides.   Hong Kong Disneyland on Lantau Island, opened in 2005.  It is the smallest of Disneyland Resort with the theme park and two hotels but there are plans for future extensions.  Hong Kong Disneyland is made up of four themed lands – Main Street USA, Adventureland, Tomorrowland and Fantasyland which come together to create a magical adventure for all ages.

Disney’s Hollywood Hotel pays tribute to the glamour and Art-Deco style of the 1930’s, the Golden Age of movies.  Located a few minutes by free shuttle from Disneyland, the hotel is set in 21 acres of gardens and styled in a map of Los Angeles.  Large comfortable guest rooms are suitable for families, with Disney themed amenities and cleverly hidden characters in the decor!  Stroll the Hollywood themed gardens and grounds, take a photo with a 1930’s classic car or splash about with Goofy in the piano shaped swimming pool.  It’s a small world after all!

Tickets for the Australian Open 2010 have just been released for sale through Ticketek.  The Grand Slam event for the Asia/Pacific region will be held in Melbourne between 18th and 31st January 2010.  

With record crowds anticipated again for 2010, plans have been revealed which will double the spectator space available at the event with the introduction of Grand Slam Oval.  There will be 11,000 square metres on Grand Slam Oval area which will be located between Hisense Arena and Rod Laver Arena.   Planned facilities include wine bar; beer garden; two giant screens; live bands; DJ’s; and a range of other free entertainment.  To beat the heat, the Evian Spa will offer ice massages and the ANZ Ice Cube will be a great place to ‘chill out’ and relax!

Families should head to Garden Square for family fun and entertainment including big screen; roving entertainment; tennis activites and watching the Wilson racquet stringers at work.   If the kids would rather play tennis than watch they can head to the MLC Fan Zone; meet players at MLC Autograph Island or rate their serve against the champions at the Express Post Speed Serve.  Retail outlets will offer brand name tennis from Lacoste and the Andy Roddick tennis range plus a variety of  Australian Open souvenirs such as beach towels,  giant tennis balls, caps and t-shirts.

There is something at the Australian Open 2010 for any kind of tennis fan – from the diehard face painter grabbing a spot on a show court to adults enjoying the outdoor entertainment and families looking for a great day out during the holidays.  Ticket prices start from AUD$29 for a ground pass which gives access to all the outdoor courts plus free entertainment and activities on Grand Slam Oval and Garden Square.

If you have purchased a series ticket, or plan to visit several days in a row then why not stay the night?  There are a range of hotels in Melbourne offering great deals.  Due to the large number of tourists combined with school holidays and a public holiday long weekend, rooms will book out quickly.

The Hilton on the Park Melbourne is located directly opposite the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Park and a short walk to Rod Laver Arena.   The hotel is next to the Fitzroy Gardens and offers picturesque views to the city.   Relieve sore legs from a day at the tennis by relaxing by the outdoor heated pool, working out in the gym or book a massage at the Hilton Day Spa.  Enjoy evening cocktails and bar snacks in the Park Lounge or dine in the Gallery Restaurant.   

Recently refurbished, the traditional styled Hilton Guest Rooms are decorated in rich warm tones and feature large panoramic windows.  Work at the desk, surf the internet with wi-fi access, chill-out with on demand movies, relax in the large armchair with ottoman or re-energise in the marble bathroom.    If you enjoy the privacy of your own whirlpool spa, upgrade to a Relaxation Suite with separate lounge/dining area and large screen TV.

If you dont want to pay your own way, enter our Australian Open Tennis 2010  Battle of the WAGS competition.     The winner will receive two adult tickets to the Australian Open Tennis Championships for the Men’s Semi Finals on Friday 29th January 2010 at 3pm PLUS two nights accommodation a the Hilton on the Park Melbourne in a Relaxation Suite from 29th to 31st January 2010.  Total value of the prize is AUD$1689.80.  GOOD LUCK!

If you plan to be one of the  300,000 annual visitors to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, you can now enjoy panoramic views of Uluru from a newly opened AUD$21 million tourism facility.

The viewing area is 3 kilometres from Ayers Rock and offers spectacular views.  It incorporates 11 kilometres of roads; 1600 metres of walking tracks; traditional shade shelters; coach and car parking; bathroom facilities and an area which can be used for outdoor performances.  The project will cater for 3,000 visitors, whereas the existing dawn viewing area can attract over 1,200 people daily.

The viewing platforms are landscaped into the dunes offering views over the desert oaks to both Uluru and Kata Tjuta.  Spectacular viewing is available  from sunrise throughout the day until sunset.  Named Talinguru Nyakunytjaku which means ‘place to look from the sand dune’ in Pitjantjatjara, the traditional Aboriginal language of the area; the project is the largest infrastructure investment in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and the first major upgrade since the Cultural Centre was built in the mid 1990’s.

Aboriginal elders are hoping that this new viewing platform will offer an alternative for visitors who want more than a base view of the monolith, as well as discourage tourists from climbing the sacred rock.

Ayers Rock is the perfect place to base yourself when touring the area.  There is a variety of accommodation options from campground through to five star luxury; apartments for families to romantic hotel suites for couples.

The four star Emu Walk Apartments are located minutes from the hub of the resort, the Town Square, which features mini-supermarket and shops.  You can stock up on essentials to cook in the fully self contained apartments which feature one or two bedrooms with separate kitchen and lounge area.

Named after the iconic sails that crown its roof, Sails in the Desert Resort is pure five star luxury.   The interior decor focuses on the Aboriginal art, heritage and culture of the area with displays in the lobby and public areas.   Award winning dining is available from the Kuniya Restaurant, or sip cocktails and enjoy tapas-style cuisine by the pool at Rockpool.

Longitude 131 offers a uniquely Australian outback experience.  With just fifteen luxurious, eco-sensitive and romantic tents, this resort offers the opportunity for intimate viewings of the sunrise and sunset over Uluru.   The nightly tarrif includes all meals and premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; transfers and a touring program exclusive to resort guests.  Enjoy a three-course meal outdoors at Table 131, under a spectacular desert night sky twinkling with thousands of stars.

Getting to Ayers Rock or Alice Springs is easy and convenient, with flights from most major capital cities on a range of Australian domestic airlines.

Culture vultures be on the alert!  The Melbourne International Arts Festival will be held from 9th October through to 24th October 2009.  This is Melbourne’s premier cultural event, featuring visual arts displays and performances by local and international artists.  Originally staged in Melbourne back in 1986 as the third Spoleto Festival (behind Spoleto Italy and Charleston USA), this unique festival celebrates its international roots. Read more »

Most people planning to travel to Vietnam are attracted by images of the country’s natural beauty.  The green rice fields are dotted with the conical hats of the local farmers; there are 3000 Kilometres of picturesque coastline; the bustling pace of Ho Chi Minh City; the relaxing atmosphere of the Mekong Delta.  Read more »