In just a few months, when you’re wearing jackets and scarves, the summer will be sizzlin’ in the Land Down Under!

This year, beat the winter blues with a trip to Australia. Here, you’ll find it all: wine country, beaches, and scenic trains.

Australian Wine Country

If your only Australian wine drinking experience is YellowTail, it’s time to broaden your horizons with a visit to Australian wine country. Make it your mission to taste wine you can’t find at home!

The Barossa Valley, perhaps Australia’s most well-known wine region, is located in South Australia, just an hour from Adelaide. While the valley is home to well over a hundred wineries, only about 70 have tasting rooms and are open to the public.

You’ll need a few days in the region to really do it justice. Carefully plan the wineries you’ll want to visit or simply wait until you’re there for local recommendations.

If you love to walk, be sure to spend an afternoon on one of the many walking trails through wine country, hills, or forest. Don’t feel like hiking in the middle of the summer? No problem, the driving tours are scenic, historical, and overall spectacular.

The Beaches Down Under

Australia has some of the finest beaches in the world and Queensland, in particular, offers out-of-this-world beach adventure.

Sail over to the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef for sun-soaked days of diving, kayaking, or relaxing on pristine beach.

With a large number of islands to choose from, do your research before you go and decide on an island as well as accommodations that fit your budget and sense of adventure.

Scenic Train Travel

A great way to passively see Australia without having to drive is to discover the country by rail on one of the many scenic train routes.

There are a number of routes to choose from, each spectacular, ranging from several hours to several days. One of the most popular routes, The Ghan, takes tourists from Adelaide to Darwin traveling through the Outback with a stop in Alice Springs.

Overnight trains offer varying levels of privacy from Platinum Service to Red Sleeper Service Cabins and Daynighter Seats. Onboard chefs prepare fine food and the restaurant offers a selection of wines to pair with scenic views.

Take advantage of the amazing destinations and arrange for a Whistle Stop Tour when the train stops. Scheduled to fit with the train timetable, you can do anything from wine tours, camel treks, hiking, helicopter tours, canoeing, and boat cruises.

Now are you ready to visit Australia? Qantas and Air New Zealand have had some amazing deals in the past few months, so keep your eyes peeled!

(Images via Rovers, Barossa.com, WSJ)

No matter where you are in the world, there’s nothing better than a birds-eye view of a city. At your next destination, instead of paying big bucks to ride the elevator to an observation deck, consider checking out a swanky sky-high wine bar.

Here are a few wine bars you might want to check out:

Shanghai, China

Set high above the modern hustle & bustle of Shanghai, a surreal experience awaits! The highest bar in the world is a must-visit destination.

Grab a drink and enjoy the awe-inspiring 360-degree view from Cloud 9 on the 87^th floor of the Jin Mao Tower. Or, if you want to take it higher, grab your drink and head up a floor to the Sky Lounge to check out the view from an open deck!

New York City, USA

If you can’t make it all the way to China, rub elbows with New York City’s crème de la crème when you enjoy a bottle of wine at the elegantly luxurious Salon de Ning, located on the rooftop of the Peninsula Hotel. The décor is East meets West and reflects the elegance of 1930’s Shanghai.

Grab a seat at the indoor bar or, on warmer days, comfortably lounge with friends al fresco as you check out the views up and down Fifth Avenue.

Sydney, Australia

Boasting a 360 degree view, 365 days a year with floor to ceiling windows, Orbit Lounge Bar can’t be missed when you’re in Sydney, Australia!

This rotating bar, 47 floors closer to the heavens above, offers stunning views and an equally as stunning wine list with labels from around the world.

How’s that for an evening in the Land Down Under!

Dubai, United Arab Emirites

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be treated as royalty in the Middle East?

The Skyview Bar in Dubai’s Burj Al Arab just might offer a slightly affordable excuse to visit the hotel. It’s the closest you’ll get to being treated like the rich and famous, unless, of course, you’re willing to pay a lot of money per night to sleep in the seven-star hotel’s swanky digs.

At this classy bar, it’s clearly all about location, location, location coupled with a good view because the interior design looks like a partnership between Carnival Cruise lines and Dutch artist Mondrian.

(Photo Credits: Salon de Ning- ClubPlanet.com)