Craving a break from the routine and stress of city life? Dreaming of a timeless land somewhere that’s warm and friendly, with a fascinating culture, great animal life and plenty of activities for the whole family? Well you’ll find this and more in the South of Australia.

DAY 1- ADELAIDE
I reached Adelaide aboard Qantas flight from Brisbane and was quite surprised to find such a vibrant, youthful and cosmopolitan city. Adelaide is South Australia’s capital – a charming, cosmopolitan hub of about 1.2 million people with a reputation as the 20-minute city – you can always get from A to B in less than half an hour.

The café and club scene is legendary, with more restaurants per head of the population than any other capital city in Australia and is well known as the food and wine capital of Australia and is equally famed for its arts and cultural festivals. I put up at the Hyatt Regency which is centrally located and had a brilliant view of River Torrens from my room.

I started my day by becoming familiar with one of the Adelaide’s beautiful parks which lined the river Torrens. Its fun to bicycle by the riverside pathway as the river Torrens linear park stretches all the way from the hills to the coast. After lazing around in the hotel all afternoon went over to Gourger Street for dinner at a Thai restaurant called “Star of Siam”, which is supposed to be the first Thai Restaurant open in 1987. It is a smart looking restaurant with clean elegant lines making what is essentially a single large room welcoming and inviting. Food and service is superlative.

DAY 2 – BAROSSA VALLEY
I had booked myself on “Life is a Cabernet Tours” and met up with my guide Ralf Hadzic after breakfast and he led me to an exclusive wine tour of one of the world’s finest wine areas. Trust me you will not find a better way to experience some of the finest wineries in the country. Their wine tours are exclusive and an entertaining experience and show you the best on offer. The drive to the Barossa (wine region) is about an hour and one passes by stunning landscape. Vineyards, rolling hills and farming land stretch as far as the eye can see, dotted with towns and the Barossa’s famous church spires.

Finally we reached Penfold’s cellar door where after a tour of the winery got to “make my own blend”, honestly it was a great experience and more so when you get the wine you blended with a label that reads your name as assistant wine maker. After a quick lunch at “The Branch” on 15, Murray Street, Nuriootpa I headed to “Maggie Beer’s” farm shop she makes the best “Pheasant farm pate” in the world and I was lucky to buy her autographed book” Maggie’s Harvest” which includes a collection of 350 of Maggie Beer’s recipes, a sure “knockout” 716 page volume, striking in design with its beautifully textured, symbolic hand embroidered pear tree and pheasant on the cover.

After that wonderful taste of the Pate we moved on to “Jacob’s Creek” A gallery area include information on the history of the Barossa and of the Jacob’s Creek brand, wine production techniques and viticulture. In addition, there is a restaurant offering a menu using quality local produce married with a selection of premium wines. So after all that wine tasting, it was time to go back to the hotel. After freshening up I took a cab to Unley road for an Indian meal at “The Tandoori Oven” which is renowned for serving the best Northern Indian cuisine in Australia.

Over the years the Tandoori Oven has been the proud recipient of many prestigious hospitality Awards owing to their unsurpassed attention to detail, the finest and freshest produce, traditional family recipes, outstanding and friendly service, in the most appealing surrounds. Surely Pomi Singh, the owner has done India proud.

DAY 3 –KANGAROO ISLAND
After an early breakfast left the hotel to catch a regional Express flight to Kingscote, the flight was barely 20 minutes and the best of my life ever. At the airport “Jon” from Kangaroo Island Odysseys 4WD tours was waiting for me. With Jon I got a unique, personalized experience of this special island. With Jon the adventure was an exploration into the unusual, a rare natural heritage and an exciting history. It was a discovery of a perfect balance of native Australian plants, birds, animals and landscapes in a unique eco-system. Jon had even organized a delicious picnic lunch which was home-style and my best meal in South Australia, especially the strawberry cheese cake, it was decadent to the core. I really wish I was here for at least 4 days .

Truly at Kangaroo Island it is a first class adventure - an exciting mix of wildlife, delicious food and quality bed & breakfast accommodation.

Caught the evening Rex Flight and back at Adelaide slept off early as I had a long day ahead , Adelaide-Sydney-Mumbai and back to Delhi.

Why do holidays have to come to an end may I ask?