Take an early morning hot air balloon ride over downtown Melbourne.

Anchoring the Southeastern corner of the Australian continent is the small state of Victoria and the capital city of Melbourne. Victoria offers a variety of experiences: world-class wineries, charming coastal villages and one of the most scenic drives in the entire world!

And while day tours are readily available to take you to the Yarra Valley wineries, to the famous Penguin parade and to the Great Ocean Road, you’ll find driving in the Victorian countryside to be a snap.

Melbourne is gracefully split through the center by the Yarra River. On the north side is the heart of the city, a labyrinth of lanes and arcades, crisscrossed by the city’s trams and surrounded by banks, office towers and government buildings. The south side of the Yarra has a modern feel, boasting both the glitzy casino/entertainment complex as well as the renowned National Gallery of Australia and in the center of it all is Federation Square, one of the all-time great city hubs and a fun gathering spot for tourists and locals alike..

Shopping is a serious pastime in Melbourne, with myriad department stores and boutiques. Gourmet dining is also taken very seriously in Melbourne and the city boasts some of the finest and most diverse restaurants in all of Australia.

Melbournians area also very serious about their sports and the city is famous for spectacular international sporting events including the football Grand Final, Australian Open Tennis Tournament, the Melbourne Cup horse race (the day the whole nation stops), and the Formula One Grand Prix.