Melbourne may have all the features of a fast paced metropolis, but luckily its spirit is infused with chilled out Aussie vibes; giving you time to savour the city’s many attractions.

Filled with hidden lanes and historic arcades which are packed with fine dining, boutiques and bars, Melbourne unfolds a little more with each leisurely stroll. As a food and wine mecca and cultural hotspot, a perfect day could be spent at a street side cafe watching the live music, street performers and festivals that appear daily.

These are our top ideas on how to get the best out of this easy, breezy city:

See it:  Watch the city wake up and see Melbourne from soaring heights by floating off on an early morning hot air balloon ride. Get a bird’s eye view of some of the city’s best sights including Melbourne Cricket Ground – the largest in Australia, the Yarra River and the impressive Eureka tower – the fourth tallest tower in the world. Balloon Flights Over Melbourne operates the tours and offers a luxurious champagne breakfast after the balloon ride.

Hear it: Melbourne’s cultural roots make it the perfect place to catch some live music and the city provides many opportunities to do just that. As well as hosting a non-stop schedule of touring international acts, the independent music scene is thriving with local bands and acts. The Corner  Hotel is a legendary venue to see both under the one roof. The place is filled with mixed crowds on weekends, all there to listen to bands and artists playing anything from rock and pop to punk and salsa at one of the grungy hotels three stages.

Celebrate it: In late September the Melbourne Fringe Festival kicks off, featuring dance, music and art from over 4000 spirited independent artists. Catch the innovative acts at theatres, pubs, bars, galleries and public spaces across the city.

Old meets new in the extraordinary city of Dubai: the ultimate luxury tourist resort and desert playground for the rich and famous.

An average day here could start by causally browsing a traditional spice souk and end with some swimming at The World – a magnificent artificial development of islands which emulate the shape of every country to scale.

The contrasts go on and on, from the breath-taking Islamic domes of Jumeirah Mosque to the ground-breaking design of the sail shaped Burj Al Arab hotel (known as the world’s only seven star accomodations), Dubai is full of surprises.

Here’s some of the best ways to relax in Dubai’s contrasting landscape:

Hotels: A city of pure indulgence, Dubai is built on crazy money and littered with plush hotels – so prepare to lap up the luxury. It’s a hard job, but somebody’s got to do it! We recommend checking out the world renowned Atlantis resort on beautiful Palm Island. Bask on miles of sandy golden beach, treat yourself to some award winning fine dining, relax in the spa or get to grips with nature by swimming with the resort’s friendly dolphins.

Sights: If you can pull yourself away from the beach, take a wander round some of the sights of old Dubai, such as the beautiful Bastakiya Quaters, where dramatic narrow lanes, traditional courtyard houses and tall wind towers leave a record of the city’s exotic past. In days gone by, these wind towers were the only means of cooling buildings in the blistering desert heat.

Festivals and Shops: Dubai has a festival for every month of the year, so there will be no excuse not to celebrate something! Even shopping is celebrated in January at the month-long Shopping Festival. Concerts, children’s entertainment and firework shows break up the bargain hunting as thousands of tourists arrive in Dubai for the event which involves almost every shop in the city!

And remember, Dubai is home to many world records……..including Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, so take your camera!