It's pouring with rain, I've just carefully navigated through a severe weather event from Yarra Valley to the Dandenong Ranges and it's cold & dark. I pull up at my accommodation for the night and it's like a mirage, the most cosy, warm and inviting sight you ever did see with fairytale street appeal.
Is there any escape? As a society, we are overly dependent on social connectivity and the lines between work & life become increasingly blurred in the desire for work/life balance. Time spent "offline" is becoming all too scarce. While all this technology is intended to "connect" us, increasingly we're actually becoming disconnected by less personal interactions.
Not so long ago the Gold Coast was famous for fun, theme parks and family holidays, but the 'Goldie' is all grown up, emerging as Australia's new fashion capital.
Most people visit Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges for a weekend of relaxation and rejuvenation. What I didn't count on during my recent weekend in spa country was that it would be more of a detox than I'd expected.
There's something special about a weekend away in wine country staying amongst the vines. Waking at a vineyard retreat makes for a magical start to the day, sun dappled vine leaves, peaceful mornings and that feeling of glorious isolation. Then there's exploring nearby cellar doors during the day and retiring to your accommodation with a glass of wine by the fireplace at night – it's all very convivial!
