Melbourne Australia: Walking Tours to Hidden Gems

Melbourne is one of Australia's hippest and most culturally significant cities. There is an amazing wealth of art, fine dining, shopping and culture in this southern locale. It is traditional for travelers to focus on the most popular destinations when traveling, but in doing so, tourists tend to miss out on what truly makes a city unique. Unless you know where to find the hidden gems, you may never experience what life is truly like for locals. This is unfortunate, because that's where the magic lies.

Walking tours are a great way to wrap your palate around the local flavors, literally and figuratively; and in Melbourne, you'll find plenty of tours designed to suit your particular interests. Hidden Secret Tours is an established business offering a variety of tours for visitors eager to experience everyday life and get a much more intimate view of of the city.

Tours have been designed for those who love to shop, dine, appreciate architecture, art, literature and more. Tours include a diverse variety of activities including sightseeing, shopping, wine tasting, art, and tutorials.

The Lanes and Arcades Tour may sound like a bowling and video game outing to Americans, but this stroll through the historic streets and shopping venues of Melbourne is so much more interesting than that. Guests will receive a small gift bag, enjoy morning tea, receive a shopping guide and city map and end their three hour journey with a gourmet lunch while sipping wine at the Caboose restaurant.

If you are a lover of good food and wine, and who isn't, you must sign up for the Sommelier's City Walk. Locals who are well-versed in the hottest locales and best cuisine will lead groups of 8 or fewer, on a visit to three restaurants where they will enjoy wine flights and food pairings. The restaurants chosen are steeped in character; no run-of-the-mill dining here. The company works with many restaurants, and the venues change with each tour to keep things fresh. If you enjoy this type of outing, you may consider more than one tour and experience a greater number of Melbourne's culinary delights than you would otherwise have time for.

If you are into shopping for vintage clothing and accessories you are in luck! The best kept vintage secrets in Melbourne will be revealed on the 4.5 hour Vintage Outing Tour. Boutiques loaded with vintage treasures for your closet and home await you. Each guest will receive a vintage inspired shopping tote, tea and handmade treats, and a personal journal for recording memories from your trip.

Many other tours are available, including opportunities for private tours. For a complete listing, pricing and hours visit them on the web at www.HiddenSecretsTours.com.

Flights to Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport are available from Madison's Dane County Regional Airport on American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta. Check the websites to get up to the minute pricing information and to book online.