Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/52531
Earlier this year, I flew to Adelaide with my sister-in-law to party in the Splash Zone at Kylie Minogue's Aphrodite concert. Of course we needed somewhere to stay and were faced with a long list of hotels – each much the same as the last in quality and service. However, there was one standout: The Medina Grand Adelaide Treasury. Housed in a grand heritage- listed building in the heart of the city, it offered something extra – plenty of history. While our two-bedroom, self-contained apartment was spacious, contemporary and stylish, the hotel's intriguing past crept in through the lobby, with its original bluestone walls and artefacts; the leafy quadrangle/beer garden where settlers once slept on the ground waiting for their land grants, and underground tunnels which we followed somewhat incredulously – towels in hand – until we eventually reached the hotel's indoor pool. The tunnels were lined with steel tracks and it was a barman in the hotel's New York-style bar who explained that they were laid for miners carts, used to transport gold and wages beneath the city – out of reach of bushrangers who made several attempts to rob the Treasury during the Gold Rush. Our short stopover to see Kylie became a 'step back in time' (sorry, couldn't resist) thanks to our choice of hotel. With welcome this in mind we researched beautifully renovated historic hotels around the world, each with a unique story to tell: see our top 16 on p60. Speaking of historic properties, we take a look this issue at the unique architecture of Chicago and learn how well it defines this big, brash city (p72). We also take a shopping trip through the historic townships of the Barossa – and discover that the famous wine region has so much more to offer than its cellar doors (p48). I do hope you enjoy all of the fascinating places we take you to in this issue – there are so many enriching experiences out there, like fly fishing in British Columbia (p54) and camel rides with the kids in the Moroccan desert (p42). Unfortunately, while putting this issue together, I became one of the 14,000 Australian women to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. My talented friend and colleague, Rochelle Tubb, has stepped in and will be bringing you the next few issues of Travel&Living while I embark on a journey of a different kind – and begin planning my perfect post-treatment getaway. It might be time to start looking into some of this country's amazing wellness retreats. Until next time, Merryn McLachlan PUBLISHER Gil McLachlan EDITOR Merryn McLachlan DEPUTY EDITOR Rochelle Tubb ART DIRECTOR Peter Reynolds PROOF READERS Leonie Collins, Larraine Spencer DESIGN AND PRODUCTION KYSO Design (02) 9938 5100 ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Gil McLachlan (02) 9977 2055 gil@mtgroup.com.au MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Deb Bicudo (02) 9977 2055 deb@mtgroup.com.au WEB www.travelandliving.com.au Follow us on Facebook COVER Four Seasons Gresham Palace Hotel, Budapest, Hungary CONTRIBUTORS Peter Blasina (Techno-gadgets), Winsor Dobbin (Wine), Jill Varley (Travel), Tracey Spicer (Travel), Bill Scheller (Travel), Gordon Hammond (Photography), Sally Hammond (Food, Travel), Bob Krist (Photography), Michael Mapstone (People), Steve McKenna (Travel), Bill McKinnon (Cars), Christina Pfeiffer (Photography, Travel), Tricia Welsh (Travel). PUBLISHED BY Travel Media Group Pty Ltd, ACN 24 071 383 116, 27 Belgrave Street, Manly NSW 2095. © Travel Media Group Pty Ltd 2005. All rights reserved. All reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. Travel&Living cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If such items are sent to the magazine they will not be returned. All rights reserved. ® Travel&Living is a registered trademark of Travel Media Group Pty Ltd. PRIVACY NOTICE If you choose to enter or participate in any competitions, surveys or offers in this magazine you are required to provide some personal information to the Publisher, Travel Media Group Pty Ltd (TMG). Information you supply will be used by TMG to supply you with the products or services you have requested or may be passed on to third parties to do so. TMG may also use your information to inform you about other products, services or events you may be interested in. TMG my also give your information to third parties who are supplying prizes or special offers that are clearly associated with the competition, survey or offer in the magazine. Unless you tell us not to, we may provide your information to third parties to inform you of goods or services that may be of interest to you or to give to other organisations that may use it for this purpose. For access to the information TMG holds about you, please contact the Privacy Officer, Travel Media Group Pty Ltd, PO Box 1032, Manly NSW 2095. travel&living 9