Someday you’ll find it, the rainbow connection — but why not today? Trip out on a European holiday full of colour: from vibrant paintings, to blue lagoons, we’ve found a spectrum of sojourns to brighten your day. Leprechauns and singing frogs not included. Read more »

What’s sew good about America? The place is overflowing with handcraft delights of course! Sorry, that one had grandma in stitches. But seriously, if you want to go exploring, rummaging and browsing through the USA for some truly unique handmade gifts and trinkets, or even learn how to whip up some marvels of your own, these US holidays might seam too good to be true. Read more »

Kaleidoscope: H. Pellikka via Wikimedia Commons | Glass beads: Pschemp via Wikimedia Commons

Tea cosies, doilies, lavender potpourri… boring! There’s more to art and craft than moth-balled wool. Spin yourself into elegant embroidery, gorgeous glasswork or picturesque portraits on one of our creative hobby holidays of Australia. Read more »

Do you like your art controversial, comical or crafty?  New Zealand may be as pretty as a picture, but there’s more than just landscapes to gaze upon and share your views about.  Pop on a beret and check out these muse inspiring cultured crafty capers and arty adventures. Read more »

The sixth exhibition in the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series at the National Gallery of Victoria is also the first comprehensive display of Salvador Dali works to be staged in Australia. The exhibition will be open daily from 13 June until 4 October 2009.

Headlined as Salvador Dali: Liquid Desire, the exhibition brings together over 200 of Dali’s stunning works. The variety of media displayed include painting, drawing, sculpture, cinema and photography. Works have been compiled from the two largest collections of Salvador Dali in Spain and Florida. Feature pieces include the 1932 painting ‘Memory of the Child-Woman’ which caused much controversy in the Australian art world when first seen here in 1939. One of Dali’s most famous sculptures the ‘Lobster Telephone’ is on loan from the National Gallery of Australia.

Some of Melbourne’s best hotels are offering some fantastic winter deals during July and August. The newly opened Hilton Melbourne South Wharf is located in Melbourne’s newest business and dining precinct at the edge of the CBD and adjacent to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Guest rooms offer deluxe comfort and contemporary styling with panoramic views of the bay or city skyline. The hotel is offering a two night stay for the cost of one night including buffet breakfast. King or twin Hilton Guest Rooms now just AUD$147 per night.

The Mantra on Little Bourke is offering a complimentary breakfast for stays of 3 nights or more. King studio room from AUD$225 per night. The Medina Executive Northbank Melbourne is offering apartments with noon checkout and complimentary breakfast for 2 from AUD$160 per night.

If you plan to stay in the city for a couple of nights, check out the huge range of sightseeing options including the Port of Melbourne and Docklands Sightseeing Cruise and the Sports Lovers Tour of Melbourne.