Artisans of Leisure: Food & Wine of Australia

(9 Days – Departs Daily on a Private Basis) Melbourne, Yarra Valley, Adelaide, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Sydney Australian cuisine was once based solely on the recipes brought by the English settlers, such as roasts, meat pies, sausage and potatoes. Contemporary cooking—some of the best in the world—reflects more recent immigrations with Italian, Greek, Chinese, Vietnamese and other Asian cuisines offering a diversity of cooking ingredients and styles to the mix. Large urban food markets stock a huge range of local foods, such as olive oil, organic vegetables, goat cheese, wood-fired bread and live crabs. For generations, Aborigines prepared meals from foods gathered in the wild. Traditional “bushtucker” cuisine includes kangaroo meat and witchetty grubs (moth larvae) as well as native berries, nuts, seeds and citrus. Many of these ingredients have found their way into the kitchens of contemporary Australian chefs exploring the flavors of the continent. Australian wine has become a worldwide phenomenon in recent years and the country is now one of the top ten wine producers in the world. Wine-growing regions of the Barossa Valley, the Hunter Valley and the Yarra Valley produce some of the world’s best chardonnays, shirazs, pinot noirs and merlots. Australia also has a strong pub culture. This private gourmet adventure includes Australia’s premier wine regions, insider visits to specialty food purveyors, market visits, superb dining, and tours of locations offering the freshest and most creative cuisine in Australia. Itinerary Overview Day 1 Arrive Melbourne Arrival transfer and private city touring Day 2 Melbourne – Yarra Valley Full-day private tour of wineries and villages in Dandenong Ranges wine region Day 3 Yarra Valley Full-day private tour of wineries and specialty food shops in Yarra Valley Day 4 Melbourne – Adelaide Transfer and flight to Adelaide. Afternoon private city touring Day 5 Barossa Valley Full-day private touring in Barossa Valley wine country Day 6 McLaren Vale Full-day private touring of vineyards Day 7 Adelaide – Sydney Transfer and flight to Sydney for two-night stay. Afternoon private city tour Day 8 Sydney Full-day foodies tour of Sydney Day 9 Depart Sydney Private airport transfer Hotels Melbourne: Park Hyatt Melbourne Yarra Valley: Chateau Yering Adelaide: Hilton Adelaide Sydney: Park Hyatt Sydney or Four Seasons Sydney Cost $9,345 Per person (double occupancy)

More info and reservations

Australia: Kangaroo Island Food Safari

Be the first to experience the culinary adventure of a lifetime on the magical island known as the “Galapagos of Australia”

The first ever KI Food Safari kicks off from the Southern Ocean Lodge August 27, 2011. The five-night KI Food Safari is a hands-on, farm and vineyard discovery of Kangaroo Island’s best produce and its journey to the plates and glasses at the acclaimed luxury lodge. The Safari encompasses culinary discovery across the Island in search of fabulous food and wine, hand-picked straight from the source. South Australia’s own beloved food legends Maggie Beer and Simon Bryant will interchange as KI Food Safari leaders and guests can expect star appearances throughout the trip by local producers and food personalities.

WHAT:         

Kangaroo Island is emerging globally as a destination of exceptional food and wine producers. The KI Food Safari will start at the Southern Ocean Lodge – set atop a secluded cliff overlooking an endless stretch of gorgeous coastline, the lodge commands peerless views from its intimate sanctuary of refined comfort and excellence.

WHEN:         

The five-night culinary adventure takes place August 27 – September 1, 2011

WHERE:       

Southern Ocean Lodge

For reservations, please call (61) 2 9918 4355 or e-mail reserve@baillielodges.com.au  

COST:          

Starting at $4,950 per person, the KI Food Safari includes: 

• Five nights accommodation in your preferred luxury suite
• All dining, open bar (cellar masters list additional) with premium wines and spirits, in-suite bar, selected guided Kangaroo Island experiences and island airport transfers
• Return airfare with Regional Express between Adelaide and Kingscote, Kangaroo Island
• KI Food Safari itinerary of epicurean excursions
• The fine company of KI Food Safari leaders, Maggie Beer and Simon Bryant, as well as special guests and local food and wine luminaries