{"id":21482,"date":"2013-04-22T08:55:21","date_gmt":"2013-04-21T22:55:21","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=21482"},"modified":"2015-03-13T10:55:23","modified_gmt":"2015-03-13T00:55:23","slug":"why-i-loathe-and-love-melbourne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.co.nz\/vc\/blog\/why-i-loathe-and-love-melbourne\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I loathe (and love) Melbourne"},"content":{"rendered":"
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lastminute lovely Erin spills all on her latest trip to Melbourne and reveals why she has a love-hate relationship with the Victorian capital.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Melbourne is the effortlessly chic and totally likable girl in a group. You know the one. She\u2019s fashion forward without being a style snob. You can take her to a live gig and hang out in the front row, then she\u2019ll put on some heels and head out for high tea the next day. Everyone wants to go to her parties (or have her at theirs).<\/div>\n
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In fact, she\u2019s so amazing she manages to charm her way into your boyfriend\u2019s life (gasp!) and ultimately\u2014steals your BFF (oh no she di\u2019int!). It\u2019s true. Melbourne stole my best friend. I hate \u201cher\u201d a little for that\u2026 yet I still love her.<\/div>\n
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Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n

1. The food is fab<\/h3>\n

Melbourne has taught me that vodka and tapas are the perfect companions (just pay a visit to Naked for Satan<\/a>) and that there\u2019s no such thing as \u2018too many\u2019 Italian restaurants.<\/p>\n

I like to eat somewhere new every time I\u2019m in Melbourne so when my BFF told me about MasterChef\u2019s<\/em> George Colombaris\u2019 restaurant Hellenic Republic<\/a>, I asked her to lock in a reservation ASAP.
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Dining at Hellenic Republic is like having a gathering with your extended family (the ones you actually like). It\u2019s loud and it\u2019s busy but you really don\u2019t care because the food is delish and plentiful.<\/p>\n

Everything from the welcome to our last spoonful of risogalo was brilliant. We came close to a minor mishap when we selected a bottle of wine that we thought would be sweeter; but thanks to our super helpful waitress, Emmie, we ended up enjoying our vino as much as our nosh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hot tip:<\/strong><\/em> Hellenic Republic is super popular so it pays to make a reservation at least a couple of weeks in advance.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

I really wish someone would figure out how to transmit smell and taste through the internet so you could share in our Trapezi menu.<\/p>\n

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What\u2019s missing? We ate the Tyri Saganaki \u2013 pan-fried kefalograviera (a hard, salty cheese) with sweet caramelised figs \u2013 before we could take a pic. Sorry!<\/p><\/div>\n

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You don\u2019t win friends with salad, but the one on this plate could convince me to bat for the vegetarian team …<\/p><\/div>\n

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… except then I couldn\u2019t eat the tender lamb and spit-roasted chicken in this course. Can you believe they said we only had to ask if we wanted more?! Totally cray cray \u2013 we need to fit in dessert.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Take a traditional Risogalo (rice pudding), add a dollop of salted caramel and top it off with shortbread crumble and pistachios. What a finale.<\/p><\/div>\n

2. There are some swish places to call it a night<\/strong><\/h3>\n

From the elegance of the historic Hotel Windsor<\/a> to the uber cool Ovolo Hotel<\/a>, the range of wow-worthy properties in Melbourne makes planning a trip here all the more exciting.<\/p>\n

Crown Metropol Melbourne<\/a> has been on my hotel hot list since it opened in 2010. Treating myself to a couple of nights there (rather than mooching off my BFF) has left me pining for the luxe life.<\/p>\n

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Crown goes beyond the \u2018room with a view\u2019 concept with a pool and spa on the 27th floor.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Bathrooms are sleek, modern and roomy enough for two people to get prepped for a night out.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Crown serves up supreme comfort with magazines and an iPod dock right beside the bed.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Living it up, luxe style.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Hmm\u2026 SLEEP or LIVER DETOX?<\/p><\/div>\n

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I recommend heading skyward to the club lounge, \u201828\u2019.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Happy hour indeed.<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201828\u2019 by night<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Fast fact:<\/strong><\/em> A glass of Hennessy Ellipse cognac will set you back $600 at \u201828\u2019. But that\u2019s only a fraction of the cost of the world\u2019s most expensive cocktail, which was served up at Club 23 in Crown Towers.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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3. The shopping (so clich\u00e9 but so true)<\/h3>\n

Whether you\u2019re looking for some custom made glasses, unique homewares<\/a>, or a pair of to die for shoes<\/a> \u2013 Melbourne has it. My usual mission is to bag a bargain and I\u2019m sorry Brisbane, but our outlet stores have nothing on Bridge Road<\/a> or Melbourne\u2019s DFOs.<\/p>\n

And guess what. If you don\u2019t have a shopaholic Melburnian to show you where to drop your dosh, you can take a Full Day Melbourne Outlet Shopping Tour<\/a> with transport, lunch and a tour guide included.<\/p>\n

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Boutiques like Archie mix it with quality brands like Decjuba, Witchery and Review on Bridge Road.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Just a few of my fabulous finds.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Hot tip:<\/strong><\/em> Hit Richmond Hill Caf\u00e9 & Larder<\/a> after your hard day\u2019s shopping. Order a bite to eat and maybe a beverage (or two) and while you wait, check out their Cheese Room.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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The summery sangria was the perfect way to end our day.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Say \u2018cheese\u2019!<\/p><\/div>\n

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RHCL doesn\u2019t stop at delicious dairy. Their product range also includes cured meats, chutneys, breads and other gourmet treats.<\/p><\/div>\n

4. It\u2019s the gateway to Victoria\u2019s Spa Country<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Day spas. They\u2019re one of the few places where it\u2019s legit to be lazy in the name of relaxation and in this part of Australia they mingle with cute cafes, wineries and boutiques. The neighbouring towns of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs in particular are superb detox\/retox destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fast fact: <\/strong><\/em>Drive time from the CBD or Airport to Daylesford = 1\u00bd hours. An indulgent day trip can definitely be scheduled into your Melbourne escape.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

I recommend you start off with breakfast. KouKla, in Daylesford, is part of the iconic Frangos & Frangos building which also offers stylish boutique accommodation<\/a>. The mismatched furnishings, wood fired oven and homely atmosphere entices you to settle in and enjoy your surroundings as well as your meal.<\/p>\n

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Honing in on KouKla<\/p><\/div>\n

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My BFF enjoying her first coffee for the day.<\/p><\/div>\n

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KouKla\u2019s Egg & Bacon Pie and Fritters.<\/p><\/div>\n

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If you were wondering where they bake their Egg & Bacon Pie…<\/p><\/div>\n

A visit to Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa<\/a> is a fab choice if you love a massage and like to top off your pamper sesh with some water therapy. We booked in for the ultimate package that included all of this:<\/p>\n

\"\"Entry into The Sanctuary (think spa couches, an aromatherapy steam room, salt therapy floatation pool and monsoon showers)
\n\"\"Entry into the main Bathhouse (bathe in natural mineral water in the relaxation pool or spa pool)
\n\"\"60 minute massage OR facial
\n\"\"Lunch at Pavilion Caf\u00e9
\n\"\"A spa gift<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Let the relaxation begin!<\/p><\/div>\n

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Not just anyone can access The Sanctuary.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The view from the spa couches.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Think like Katy Perry and get \u2018Hot n Cold\u2019 in the monsoon showers. They\u2019re super invigorating.<\/p><\/div>\n

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A cosy place to retreat before your massage\/facial.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Pavilion Caf\u00e9<\/p><\/div>\n

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Lunch time! Introducing the Pavilion Caf\u00e9 Tasting Platter.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Before you go: <\/strong><\/em>Take a sip of the natural soda water from the fountain near the Caf\u00e9. It\u2019s totes amazeballs.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

I subconsciously yawn whenever I think about how relaxing the bathhouse experience is. You\u2019ll probably be lightheaded (in a good way), but you really need to snap yourself out of it and check out the shops in Daylesford. My faves are Brick Lane Bazaar, Harry and Me and Lark<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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A little look inside Harry and Me.<\/p><\/div>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

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Retro collectibles, vintage clothing and locally designed jewellery are just some of the treasures waiting to be found at Brick Lane Bazaar.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Something to add? Tell us in the comments below… What\u2019s your favourite thing about Melbourne?<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n\"Hellenic<\/a>\n
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