The Chianti region is one of the world's most famous wine districts, and Florence is located right in the centre of this area. The landscape is unique, with green hills and vineyards lying next to olive groves and cypress trees. It is such beautiful scenery that many internationally renowned directors have set their movies here. And one of the best ways to explore the region is by booking a wine-tasting tour. You will visit two top-rated Chianti wineries, where you will sample different varieties of wines along with olive oil and Tuscan specialities like cheese, salami, cured ham, and bruschetta — a must-do for any wine lover.

A day trip from Madrid offers the perfect excuse to step back in time, and few places capture Spain’s medieval legacy quite like Ávila and Salamanca, both proudly listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Your adventure begins in Ávila, a walled city that appears lifted straight from the pages of a history book. Its imposing stone ramparts, punctuated by 88 defensive towers, encircle a beautifully preserved old town. Step inside and you’ll find Romanesque gems such as the Ávila Cathedral, part fortress and part place of worship, as well as the Basilica of San Vicente, famed for its architecture and colourful stonework. Ávila sits just over 100 kilometres from Madrid, and you can easily reach it by train or coach, both options run frequently throughout the day. From Ávila, continue west to the golden-hued city of Salamanca, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities. Its nickname, La Dorada, The Golden City, comes from the glow of its sandstone buildings, especially beautiful at sunset. Wander across the Plaza Mayor, often hailed as Spain’s finest square, then lose yourself among the cloisters, libraries and carvings of the historic university quarter. While Salamanca is delightful by day, it truly comes alive at night, its tapas bars and buzzing student energy make it tempting to extend your stay beyond a day trip.

This museum gives an excellent account of immigration to what today is modern Melbourne over the last 200 years, using audio and visual displays. The museum continues to explore the topic of migration via an ever-changing array of fascinating temporary exhibitions.