Melbourne

Melbourne – the city where life is humming – has the title of the cultural capital of Australia.

The city has to offer numerous cultural festivals, artistic performances, galleries and museums, not to mention the annual Comedy Festival.
Melbourne is also the sporting centre of Australia. The famous "Australian Tennis Open" as well as Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix take place in Melbourne every year. 

In 2006 Melbourne hosted the Games of Commonwealth of Australia, the "Commonwealth Olympiad".
It is considered that Melbourne is the third biggest Greek city and the biggest Italian city outside Italy. The city is also populated with Chinese, Vietnamese, Jewish and Arabic inhabitants. Overall there are more than a hundred various ethnic groups coexisting in Melbourne.
Downtown one may find a lot of bars, cafes and stores mixed with arcades, cozy green parks, where one can escape from noise and fuss of the city. The Queen Victoria Market that takes place every Saturday is undoubtedly worth visiting!

The Tourist Office offers excellent daily tours – unique opportunity not only to have a look at the most interesting buildings and museums, but also to enjoy the surroundings.

After exploring the city you may choose to visit the Philp Island to see penguins, or visit the Wilsons Promontory National Park or go down the Great Ocean Road and luxuriate the breath-taking view.
Another choice might be a trip to Dandenongs and Upper Yarra Valley, where one can see the biggest blooming plants – mountain ash eucalypts. In waterside Warburton you may relax in numerous cafes and many restaurants.

If you want to see everything that offers Melbourne, you should plan to spend in this city at least a week. And better — the whole life.