Good Eats: Melbourne, Australia

Dining out in Melbourne is an adventure on the forefront of contemporary Australian cuisine.  With a driving gastronomic scene that’s as sophisticated, edgy and multi-cultural as it is downright lovable, it’s easy to understand why so many foodies hail the city as Australia’s “culinary capital.”  Here are some tried-and-true favorites not to be missed on your next trip down under…

Chokolait.
Shop 8, Hub Arcade
18 Little Collins Street

Since it was established in 2007, Chokolait. has remained a steadfast favorite of Melbournians and those visitors lucky enough to sink their sweet-tooth into the shop’s decadent chocolates, chocolate drinks and chocolate-based desserts.  Owners Ross and Marianna Harvey have a simple philosophy: to make and serve the most extraordinary chocolates, the finest chocolate beverages and superb handmade desserts in a warm, relaxed and friendly environment.

Chokolait. uses only genuine Belgian courverture chocolate (which contains the highest-quality cocoa beans) and when paired with artisan care and fine attention to detail provides the ultimate chocolate experience.  If you find yourself in need of a chocolate fix, don’t miss out on one of their sinfully shippable hot chocolate drinks which include flavors such as cinnamon, mocha, and chili.

Melba
Melba at The Langham
1 Southgate Avenue

Melding a diverse range of flavors from different cultures with a posh, yet friendly and informal atmosphere, Melba forms a unique interactive dining experience like few others.  Culinary adventurers can create their own entrées from an amazing variety of fresh, seasonal ingredients ranging from luxe sashimi and sushi selections to mouth-watering gourmet cheeses.  Taking center stage is the restaurant’s colorful open kitchens, where passionate chefs prepare every customized dish.  With cooking stations offering sushi, Asian stir-fries and dumplings, Italian pastas, Indian dishes, tandoori oven specialties and a classic carvery, guests can enjoy flavors from around the world.  Oh, and the desserts are totally decadent.

Kamel
19 Victoria Avenue

An oasis nestled in Melbourne’s bayside suburb of Albert Park, Kamel is the go-to place for transcendent Middle Eastern and North African inspired dishes.  Kamel has a seemingly never-ending selection of dishes, each large enough for sharing.  Fresh seasonal dishes run alongside Kamel’s signature dishes, enhanced by weekly specials.  The wine list supports Australia’s finest independent winemakers, including both known and undiscovered vintages to complement any meal.  Our advice: spring for the twice cooked rolled duck stuffed with couscous, fig, ginger and coriander, and the lamb kofta with spiced tomato concasse.  For dessert, don’t miss the halva ice cream or the chocolate and rosewater mousse with crushed pistachios and rose cream.

Flower Drum
17 Market Lane

In china, the “Flower Drum” is known as a traditional dance famous for its beauty and elegance.  In Melbourne, it’s the top Chinese restaurant displaying the same elements of refinement and delicacy through its own take on fine Cantonese cuisine.  Executive Chef Anthony Lui showcases his skillful execution which utilizes a variety of high quality local ingredients.  Dishes like aromatic baked crab and made-to-order braised lamb claypot are well loved—though none more so than the restaurant’s signature Peking duck which features tender pieces of roast duck wrapped in a thin handmade pancake accompanied with sweet plum sauce, spring onion and cucumber.

For more information contact your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist, email travelrequest@boscovs.com or call 800-755-8020.

Adventures by Disney

When you hear the name “Disney” it is easy to slip into thoughts of Mickey ears, Space Mountain, and dancing broomsticks, but what you don’t necessarily think about is what would happen if the geniuses behind Disney started planning World Wide adventure vacations for the whole family.  Well they’re doing it, and their tour packages are truly unique, exotic, hands-on, and they reach far beyond the norms of vacation travel.

Tour highlights include:

• A Disney Adventure Guide, who is an expert on the place you are visiting, and functions as more of a “story teller” then a guide.
• Activities at all destinations for every member of the family, with specific activities for kids, teens, parents, and grandparents.
• VIP access to unique attractions ranging from “reserved entry and access to Michelangelo’s David” to “an exclusive feast after hours at the Vienna Zoo in Austria”.
• Local Experts who will teach you unique skills or trades in a hands on manner.
• Storytelling from costumed locals dressed as significant people in history.
• Disney Movie nights so parents can have some alone time.

They also offer other options for travelers with different wants for their vacation. The Gateway Collection was created for the person who wants more independent free time to explore new locales. Adult-Exclusive Departures are a fantastic option, because the whole trip is tailored to be enjoyable for guests 18 and over. They even have special trips tailored around holiday travel.

With options for tours pretty much anywhere in the world, you are bound to find a trip that caters to all people going on the vacation. Below I have picked a few unique destinations, and highlighted what makes them cooler than other tours to the same places. They still have all the standard things you would find (walking, biking, and cruising tours, demonstrations, unique dining experiences, and landmark visits) on a normal tour, but they make it so that you get to be a part of the experience instead of just observing it.

Australia –The tour includes snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef on a glass bottom boat with a marine biologist to answer questions, a “hands-on animal encounter” and private breakfast at the Taronga Zoo, boomerang and spear throwing lessons with Tjapukai tribe members, and an Aussie BBQ where you can hang out with crocodiles.

South Africa – This tour includes a three day safari, dinner with elephants at Knysna Elephant Park, a beach walk with African Penguins, an Afrikaans Pastry cooking class at the Institute of Culinary Arts, a three-course meal in a 17^th century castle complete with a traditional Minstrel Show, an interactive drumming class, traditional face painting at Moyo, time to learn “traditional and modern beading techniques from a local weaver”, and archery lessons from a local expert.

Alaska – This tour includes a behind the scenes look at the Iditarod where you get to meet the racing dogs, a lesson in wolf tracking by radio telemetry with a private guide from the Murie Science and Learning Center, a raft ride on Placer River where you will navigate between icebergs, a cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park, panning for gold at a remote trapper’s camp, a hands-on experience with touch tanks at the SeaLife Center and a pizza party in their underwater-viewing area,  and a picnic in Denali National Park.

Costa Rica – This tour includes an aerial tour of the rainforest, a Sarapiqui white water rafting adventure, zip lining in Costa Rica, and craft workshops from local artists.

The Alps – This tour includes rope course and zip lining in the Alps, a pasta making class at the Villa Mirabella, a bike ride along Lake Lucerne, story time at Husky Camp with an expert dog trainer, a mini boat cruise of Isola Bella Island, an exclusive wine tasting with a sommelier, pony rides for kids, and a traditional cheese fondue lunch.

Again, these are just a few highlights of these trips, and the activities listed barely scratch the surface. Other destinations include China, Ecudaor, Peru, Galapagos Islands, England & France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mediterranean Cruise, American Southwest, Hollywood, Mid Atlantic US, and Yellowstone.  For more info on any of the specific destinations contact a Boscov’s Travel Specialist near you!

Or if you are in the Neshaminy, PA area, join Boscov’s Travel and representative Jack Sharp from Adventures by Disney for an informative presentation on the many family tours available through Adventures by Disney Vacations. The event is free and will be held at My Gym, Newtown Summit Square Shopping Center, Langhorne, PA.  Friday, April 01,2011 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Please call, visit, or email to reserve your seat. Boscov’s Travel, Neshaminy Mall, 215-355-3737 or bostravneshaminy@boscovs.com