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Our top ten Major Events to do in Australia

In this latest edition of Paul’s Picks, I am featuring Australia.

As always in my Top 10 lists, you will find links to information about the things to do, see, and eat in each location. I started doing lists in college to help me learn and study easier so that’s why I use them when I’m helping people learn about all the great things they can do when they travel.

Where do I get my information? It’s a mix of studying for certifications, personal experience, research, or client recommendations.

Have something more that people should know about this location? Add your thoughts in the comments below.

1. ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART YACHT RACE

“It’s one of the biggest and brightest ocean races in the world, and is an iconic Australian event that attracts huge interest locally and afar thanks to comprehensive media coverage. Everyone from weekend racers through to huge maxi yachts will compete in the competition, which kicks off on December 26 in Sydney Harbour’s Neilsen Park. The fleet will travel 628 nautical miles before finishing up in Hobart’s Derwent River.”

2. AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW

“Fasten your seatbelts as this is sure to be one hell of a ride! This weekend sees the Australian International Airshow 2017 open its gates for a thirteenth time at Avalon, showcasing unrivalled power, precision and the latest in aviation and military heavy metal.”

 3. SYDNEY MARDI GRAS PARADE

“Fashion and Mardi Gras go hand-in-hand, so in the words of Madonna, express yourself. Cover yourself in glitter and body paint and be just as colorful with your outfits. But keep in mind that there will be a lot of people and it is the middle of summer, so make sure you are comfortable and wearing something breathable. You don’t want to spend all night being bothered by your outfit.”

 4. VIVID SYDNEY – LIGHT, MUSIC AND IDEAS

“Vivid Sydney is brightening up your winter nights and setting your Instagram feed alight. Vivid Sydney is certainly impressive in person whether you’re visiting from nearby or afar. It’s also one of the most snap worthy events of the year.

From a 16m tall mega-bot to a shimmering field of fireflies, here are ten light installations that will have your friends and followers ooh-ing and ahh-ing, wishing they were doing Vivid Sydney with you.”

5.  MELBOURNE FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL

“Indulge your senses, and your tastebuds, over ten days as you encounter award-winning wines, long lunches and dinners, and some of the country’s most avant-garde culinary creations at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.”

6. MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL

“It’s time to get your giggle on because the Melbourne International Comedy Festival

With over 630 shows from Australia and around the world, the festival is the third largest in the world, behind the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Montreal’s Just for Laughs.

Whether you want to see local favorites like Lano and Woodley Fly back to the stage, International headlines such as James Vietch (known for the Scamalot videos on Mashable), or support newcomers new to the stage, like YouTube star Alex Williamson in So Wrong, It’s Wrong; there’s bound to be something that will tickle every type of funny bone, including plenty of shows for kids at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival!”

 7.  SANTOS TOUR DOWN UNDER

“FROM STREET PARTIES TO GOURMET GALAS; REGIONAL EVENTS TO FAMILY ACTIVITIES; THERE’S SO MUCH TO DO IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA DURING THE SANTOS TOUR DOWN UNDER.”

 8. SYDNEY FESTIVAL

“The Christmas craziness and New Year’s frenzy have finally come to a close – the ’20s are here (again)! Sydney Festival is back and better than ever, so get ready to kick off the decade with a little bit of  art, music, dance and so much more. There’s reallysomething for everyone, no matter where you are in Sydney.”

 9. AUSTRALIAN OPEN

“Dubbed ‘Australia’s Greatest Global Sporting Event’ the Australian Open brings the world’s Tennis elite Down Under, in the first of four Grand Slam tennis events for the year.

First held in 1905 the event, known then as the Australasian Championships, was seldom entered by foreign players at the start of the 20th century.

Today it is a multinational competition showcasing the best talent in tennis from across the globe.”

 10. HAMILTON ISLAND RACE WEEK

“Hamilton Island Race Week is one of Australia’s favourite yachting events and a firm fixture on the international sailing calendar. Competitors, family and friends come together to enjoy the convivial atmosphere and unique camaraderie of the event’s on-water and off-water carnival. Every August, spectators and yachties from around the globe sail to Hamilton Island for Hamilton Island Race Week – Australia’s largest offshore keelboat regatta.”

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Make each day in the Maldives a delight for your taste buds!

There are many reasons to go to the Maldives. The turquoise waters, coming in
colours that you didn’t know even existed. The fun and thrills of your life on a
jet-ski or a “flyboard”. The pleasure of sleeping in an overwater house, lounging in
an infinity pool and soaking in the endless blue of the water and sky. The buildings
built centuries ago out of interlocking blocks of coral.


But what you may not have known is that the food of this small island nation – a
mix of countless imported cuisines, with its own tropical flair, fresh and exquisite
ingredients prepared by world-class, and sometimes celebrity, chefs – is as much a
reason to come as the scuba diving opportunities here. The Maldives is a foodie’s
heaven. So let’s find out why:


Manta Ray Treehouse
Did you expect luxury dining up in the trees? Only at the Maldives! Come to Joali
Maldives, on Muravandhoo Island, and feast on local favorites such as tuna with
chilli and lime, fish curry, and native lobster.

Four Seasons Kuda Huraa
Fancy some ethnic dining? Then head to the north of Malé Island, where you can
eat food inspired by the staples of the South Indian state of Kerala, hundreds of
kilometres east over the ocean.The excellent chefs meld Indian flavors into local
seafood, and their thalis offer a wide variety of options. If you’re in the Maldives,
it’s not something to miss.


White Orchid Restaurant,
Or maybe you fancy Chinese food. Then join chef JA Manafaru, and order
staples like wok-tossed spicy Maldivian lobster, or the “Maldives seafood hot
pot” – a wonderful blend of local and imported flavours.


So Hands On
Located on the island of Soneva Fushi, where celebrities such as Madonna and
Paul McCartney are known to frequent, this private, eight-person sushi dining
space is managed by the three-Michelin-star Japanese chef Kenji Gyoten. And –
as you might imagine – the food is unforgettable.


Shades of Green
This is – as you might guess from the name – a superb, plant-based hub in the
Maldives. Located on the same island – and in the same resort – as So Hands On,
it starts out with a sample of the produce grown right on the island itself. And it
only gets better. After you’ve eaten here, you won’t miss milk or meat, even if
you’re an omnivore!


● Ithaa Undersea Restaurant
Yes, in the Maldives you can bring delight to your taste buds even from under the
water! On Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, you’ll find this most unique
restaurant, where the walls are literally a window to the delights of the ocean.
When this opened in 2005, it was the first, and only, undersea restaurant in the
world! And the food is delicious – so much so that you might forget your unusual
setting, enraptured as your stomach becomes!

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NOW ONYX PUNTA CANA

Description

Located on the Dominican Republic’s northeastern coast, wrapped between nature and ocean, lies the newest Now Resort & Spa – Now Onyx Punta Cana. Families with teens and tweens as well as couples and friends looking for a family-friendly vacation on a palm-studded beach will find Now Onyx is the perfect choice. 822 suites provide luxurious amenities including a whirlpool on every suite’s private, furnished terrace or balcony, free Wi-Fi, a daily refreshed minibar and 24-hour room service. Guests staying in the Preferred Club will receive preferential status and amenities, exclusive access to two private lounges and two private pools and more. Our new family section includes spacious accommodations, a family fun pool with water slides and a lazy river, 3 new restaurants, a new Core Zone Teen’s Club, new Explorer’s Club for kids and additional incredible amenities for the whole family. Plus, connecting rooms are available – perfect for multigenerational travel, family reunions, a wedding or a social group getaway. Included in the Unlimited-Luxury® experience at Now Onyx, adult guests have complete access to everything next door at Breathless Punta Cana. Guests of Now Onyx can also enjoy limitless access to gourmet à la carte dining options without reservations required at six à la carte restaurants, a buffet, café, a grill on the beach, an ice cream parlor and a burger place. Unlimited international and domestic premium spirits are served at eleven bars and lounges. Guests can also enjoy dining and nightlife through the Sip, Savor & See program at the nearby Dreams, Now and Sunscape Resorts & Spas. Active and lively settings provide activities and entertainment for guests of all ages, including kids, teens and tweens with the supervised Explorer’s Club for Kids with Red Cross certified staff and Core Zone Teen’s Club. Guests can cool off in six swimming pools including an infinity pool, a children’s pool, a new family fun pool with waterslides and a saltwater pool. When the sun goes down, there are big screen movies on the beach and live nightly entertainment at the open-air theater. Guests of Now Onyx will enjoy a family-friendly, modern vacation experience, where play and party are just steps away from peace and quiet.

Bars

Offering eleven bars and lounges serving unlimited premium international and domestic brand beverages. Plus, adult guests have access to an additional seven bars at Breathless Punta Cana next door.

Pools

Now Onyx offers six swimming pools on property including two pools for Preferred Club guests only and a new Family Fun pool. Additionally, guests 18 years or older have access to five pools at Breathless Punta Cana next door (excludes xhale Club areas).

Restaurants

Now Onyx Punta Cana is offering eleven gourmet dining options including six à la carte restaurants, a buffet, café, grill on the beach, ice cream parlor and a burger place. Adults have access to an additional eleven dining options at Breathless Punta Cana next door. All restaurants openings rotate throughout the week. Number of restaurants open depends upon occupancy level. No reservations are required

Activities

ACTIVITIES/ENTERTAINMENT INDOOR/OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES · 2 tennis courts · Paddle court · Beach volleyball · Pool tables · Aerobics & water aerobics · Dance classes · Spanish classes · Non-motorized water sports · Snorkeling · Water slides · Lazy River · Introductory scuba diving lesson in the pool · Sailing · Scuba diving* · Kayaks · Golf nearby* · Tennis clinics* · Fishing* · Helicopter for excursion*

UNLIMITED-LUXURY® INCLUSIONS

Unlimited-Luxury® where everything is included: · Limitless access to gourmet à la carte dining options without reservations required · Unlimited international and domestic top-shelf spirits · Unlimited natural fruit juices and soft drinks · 24-hour room and concierge services · Pool and beach wait service · Daily refreshed mini-bar with soft drinks, juice, bottled water and beer · Daily maid service · Endless daytime activities and live nightly entertainment · Theme parties, oceanfront bars and entertainment venues · No wristbands required · All taxes and gratuities Unlimited-Luxury® for reconnecting every generation.

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