G?day Karen!
We?ve only been back 2 days and all I can think about is when can we go back? Even with the jetlag, I have to say this was one of the best experiences in my life. I?d like to thank you for all your help in making this a ?Lifer? experience for us! So many wonderful memories we?ve brought back, that it?s tough to know where to begin.
Premium Economy seating ? While the price tag was higher, the seating was definitely worth the extra cost. So much more comfortable than regular economy seating. And the Qantas staff was fabulous.
Melbourne Tour Guide ? Josh was great and really went all out to make sure we saw as many vineyards as we could.
Hotel Lindrum ? Was a very quaint boutique hotel in the city. The staff was very friendly and the room was very nice with very comfortable twin beds. Overall, very pleasant!
Puffing Billy ? What a Fantastic ride. The only things that could have made it better would have been warmer weather & a longer ride. But considering the season, we can?t complain a bit. What an exceptional experience!
Kangaroo Island ? What can I say but OMG! That was an experience of a lifetime, and my only regret is that we didn?t spend 2 days touring the island. It was absolutely awesome. Seals, Koala?s and Kangaroos,? Oh my!!
Marble Lodge in the Barossa Valley ? I think I want to live there! Shirley was the best! She is such an interesting character & is totally on her game. She helped make the 2nd part of our trip a wonderful experience. The house was lovely, she was great & I can?t say enough to express our happiness!
John Baldwin ? He absolutely made this trip a ?Lifer? for us!!! His knowledge of the area and of wines is 2nd to none. I don?t think the trip would have been as wonderful without him! He was by far the highlight of the trip. Not only did he help make our initial reason for visiting Australia, the Elderton winery, a once in a lifetime experience. He also introduced us to some incredible Australian wines & on his suggestion, took us to Seppeltsfield?s for an incredible tasting of 100 yr old wines. Another Lifer!
I strongly suggest you recommend him to anyone traveling in the Barossa Valley area! He can turn an incredible experience into a ?Totally Awesome? experience.
Elderton Winery ? Our main reason for going to Australia in the first place, lived up to, and exceeded our expectations! With John?s help, that tour was beyond words. All I can say is for me, this was the closet thing to a religious experience I?ve ever had.
Dinner at Vincenzo Cuccina was hands down the best dining experience of the trip. Not only that, but I rank it in my top 5 all time dining experiences in my entire life!!! AMAZING place, AMAZING staff, and AMAZING food and wine!!!! What a great way to end our trip. We were the only patrons in the restaurant that Tuesday evening and she was the most spectacular waiter we have ever had. I’d fly to Adelaide just to go to dinner there again it was that awesome!
Patrick R. McGuirk (traveled with Jessica Sellers)
Traveled to Australia June 2010
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