Tivoli Gardens

The Star Flyer

Contrary to most amusement parks these days, Tivoli Gardens is both an amusement park and magical adventure wonderland.  In fact, it is described as an amusement park and pleasure garden.  And that it is.

Tivoli Gardens Main Entrance
Excitement barely contained

Originally opened in August 1843, Tivoli is a fairytale wonderland fun fair.… Read the rest

Celebrating in Copenhagen

Night in Nyhavn

It’s my birthday and I am celebrating in Copenhagen.  We have spent the morning on a boat tour of Copenhagen’s canals, after I have been spoiled with some lovely gifts first thing.  Now it’s time for lunch and we’ve landed in Nyhavn, one of the most recognizable and perhaps one of the most picturesque spots of the city.… Read the rest

Brad’s Brunchology

Yalumba’s Brunchology

All good parties have a serious side that goes along with the fun.  Today’s party for Brad’s 40th has a good deal of both! Let’s Brunchology!

My friend Diana (wife of said birthday boy), has given up a girls’ weekend, organised a surprise birthday party with 33 guests, plus other weekend surprises (a mini break at the Burj Al Arab no less) as well as having coordinated a house move in the last week. … Read the rest

Authentic Amman

An Evening In Amman – views across the Old Town to the Citadel

My Authentic Amman evening begins when Banan pulls up to pick me up from the hotel.  Chic as always, she’s in jeans and an airy white shirt and beams at me as I jump in the car. … Read the rest

Lebanese Hospitality

Cafe CentreVille (downstairs from Al-Sultan Brahim) with the Al Majidieh Mosque lit up in the background

Lebanon. The history! The culture! The food!  Oh, the food.  But nothing brings this all together to be so delightful, so delectable, so enjoyable than the hospitality. … Read the rest

Khachapuri, Khinkhali and Calories

Fruit & cognac, anytime

Georgia is not a good place to be counting calories. Luckily as I begin my long weekend getaway in Tbilisi, I have no such illusions of a diet.  As I walk down the streets of the old town on my first night here, the restaurants and cafes are full.… Read the rest

Uplistsikhe & Gori

The 9th Century chapel at Uplistsikhe

Uplistsikhe, literally the ‘lord’s fortress’ is a cave town – an ancient city built into the rocks, just outside of Gori around 90 minutes drive from Tbilisi.  The drive is quiet and I admire the mountain scenery, picking Sergo’s tour guide brain about all the best places to visit and things to see. … Read the rest

Global Village

Along the canal at Global Village

Forget around the world in 80 days, you can now explore the world in an evening at Global Village.  This is an ambitious journey though – Global Village is expansive – so like all good trips it might be best to take a moment to plan your itinerary, unless you’re happy to see where the world leads you…

It’s not my first time here, nor is it mum’s, but I have always had the boys in tow and tonight it’s just the two of us. … Read the rest

International Day

International Day (photo by Dr Rahila)

International Day – I remember the excitement of the Multicultural Festival in Canberra when I was growing up – the sights, the music, the colors and tastes but most of all the smells – pungent Indian aromas, popcorn and kebabs and the mouthwatering smell of the kranskys (German sausages) cooking were always a favorite of mine. … Read the rest