Friday 5/18 - Live Australia Chat with John Vlahides of Lonely Planet

We're excited to announce the latest in Luxury Link's series of live chats on our Facebook page and in the Luxury Lounge community...this time focusing on Australia! The Q&A will take place on Friday, May 18 at 2pm ET/11am PT.

We've lined up a very special Australia expert to answer your questions - John Vlahides, co-host of the National Geographic TV series Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled!
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You can RSVP for the Facebook chat here, or as always we'll be fielding questions and posting the entire Q&A within this thread on the Luxury Lounge Forum. Get your questions ready and join us Friday, May 18th to discuss all things "Down Under"!

To inspire you, watch some of John's "Australian Experiences" produced by Lonely Planet for Tourism Australia:
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Sydney and Blue Mountains
Kangaroo Island
Great Barrier Reef
Bruny Island

A reminder that our live Australia chat with Lonely Planet's John Vlahides is today at 2pm ET/11am PT...you're welcome to post questions here, or on Luxury Link's Facebook page.

Hope you can join us!

Question from Geoffrey on Facebook:

"Do you have any suggestions for the best dive sites in Australia? Perhaps near the Great Barrier Reef?"

Answer from John:

"Cairns is the easiest place to fly into and begin your drive trip. From there, you can reach the outer reef, the best place to dive. Cairns is a bit of a "honky-tonk" town...Port Douglas (a little further north) is swankier"

Question from Karen on Facebook:

"I've been to Australia several times but never the Whitsundays. Any recommendations on the best way to experience these islands?"

Answer from John:

The best way to see the Whitsundays is by sailboat, and hire a skipper, or for a quicker tour, by helicopter. Here's my tour of the Whitsundays:
Sailing the Great Barrier Reef - YouTube

Question from Tony of Facebook:

"Regarding Australia....Where is the best wine making (and tasting!) region?"

Answer from John:

"Regarding wine making/tasting...the most accessible wine region is Yarra Valley (an hour from Melbourne). It has over 80 wineries, but the state of Victoria has over 500 wineries."

Question from Ashley on Facebook:

"What would you recommend for romantic locations?"

Answer from John:

"For romance, its hard to be Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, overlooking the Sydney Opera House and "Ballet of Ferris" in Sydney Harbor."

Question from Marea on Facebook:

"How easy (and $$$) is it to get around - Cairns to Sydney to other locales?"

Answer from John:

"The best way to get around Australia is to fly. Remember - Australia is nearly as big as the US. Flying is by far easiest. I, personally, was extremely impressed by Qantas' domestic service. They even serve food on one-hour long flights...in economy! To make air travel in Australia most comfortable, join Qantas and join it's club. The airport lounges are remarkably good and worth the extra money."

Question from Kit on Facebook:

"John I come from Australia lived in the US for many years now. I get asked all the time what is the best way to see Australia, what would you suggest."

Answer from John:

"1) Remember they're the opposite season to us 2) Budget enough time; at least three weeks 3) Choose a variety oif destinations from Melbourne's food scene, the north coast's tropical beaches and don't skip Uluru."

Question from Jen on Facebook:

"John - I've always been curious about visiting Perth - are there any other interesting sights to be taking in in Western Australia?"

Answer from John:

"If you really want Australia's most spectacular, far away beaches, head to Perth & the West Coast. You'll have them all to yourself. My dream trip is to Western Oz - Swim with whale sharks"


*We (Luxury Link) have a great beach resort in Westrn Australia...the Pincada: http://bit.ly/JCkh9K

Question from Seth on Facebook:

"Are there any specialty or "can't miss' foods or restaurants a visitor should seek out?"

Answer from John:

"Seth, Melbourne is to Australia as San Francisco is to the US; it's the epicenter of Australia's "Mod OZ" food scene."