Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge

My journeys through 4 continents and numerous countries allow me to have first-hand experience of what it means to leave home and live fully present during your travel.

I take time to listen to your hopes and dreams, and then we collaborate on designing a plan to bring them to life.

I serve as your support and knowledge center every step of the way, communicating with you throughout.

And when you return home, I'm there to hear the stories and memories you made and to help you continue down that path of self-discovery through travel.

Australia's 8 States and Territories: Mountains, Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock, Outback Wetlands, Luxury Safari Lodges, Aboriginal Adventures, Wine Valleys, Cultural Attractions, and Great Golf Courses. That's even before you cross the Tasman Sea by plane or ship to take in the natural beauty of New Zealand's North and South Islands.

Interesting Facts about Australia to Help You Plan Your Next Adventure

There are so many interesting facts about Australia that I'm just hitting the surface with these top tips on cultural attractions. No matter which part of the country you wish to visit, you'll have to make some hard choices of what to see the next time--Australia will always have you wanting to come back for more. With eight different and distinct states and territories making up the country, I'll keep your interest this week by starting with just three.

Most visitors start with the iconic Sydney Opera House in Sydney Harbour, located in New South Wales. This magnificent structure got its signature shell design from Danish architect Jørn Utzon, who solved the problem of how to make the shells a reality after watching an orange being peeled. The visionary design was ahead of its time, and Utzon grew so frustrated he left midway through construction and wasn't there when the finished product was dedicated. For his efforts, though, he won the Pritzker Prize in 2003 and became the second living person to have a building of his to make the World Heritage list.

Slightly smaller than the much-celebrated Sydney, Melbourne, in Victoria, became a boomtown during a Victorian-era gold rush and was once Australia's capital (Canberra took over in 1927). Today it remains a financial center as well as a melting pot of cultures, with large numbers of immigrants from Asia and Europe. Melbourne is home to the Australian Open, one of tennis's four major tournaments, and is the gateway to Phillip Island, famed for its nightly procession of little penguins.

There's a whole lot of Outback separating Adelaide in South Australia from Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Perth, the fourth-largest city in Australia with about 2 million inhabitants, is the gateway to the Margaret River wine region, succulent seafood, and black truffles just as good as any you'll find in Europe. These factors contribute to Perth having the most restaurants per capita of any Australian capital plus a great bar scene.

How do you choose between the North or South Island of New Zealand?

If someone were to ask, “Which do I like best, the North or South Island of New Zealand”, it would be as difficult to answer as the question, “Which is your favorite child”. Each of the islands is unique and wonderful on its own, and combined—simply divine. If you’ve always dreamed of going to New Zealand, read on. I’ll try to explain the essence of each.

New Zealand’s North Island is where you’ll find the original capital of the country, Auckland, and the present-day capital, Wellington. This island is also home to Hobbiton, for any Lord of the Rings fans. Along with the bustling city centers of New Zealand’s capitals, you’ll find plenty of space to rest and relax in one of New Zealand’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, Tongariro National Park. Here you can hike, stargaze, and even play in the snow. You won’t be at a loss for places to go or things to see, including active volcanic eruptions.

If your New Zealand escape looks more like rolling green hills, valleys, and mountains, then the Southern Alps on the South Island is what you have in mind. This mountain range extends along most of the entire island, giving you the option on one side to take in some spectacular wine country adventures, including the Marlborough Wine Country, and on the other side breathtaking scenery best seen by boat traversing through Fiordland National Park. Here on the South Island you also have the two cities that feel most like you’re in Europe: Christchurch and Dunedin.

It’s a hard decision, right? Let me take care of the hard part and plan for you to see both. Contact me today to get your journey well underway.