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From the town, you can see some amazing views, especially that of Mt Solitary. Locally, there are plenty of bush walks and mountain trails to do and if this sounds like too much physical activity, you can also relax here with an excellent choice of food and drink as well as shops.

Due to its elevated position, it is a refreshing climate, compared to the heat of the rest of Australia in summer. This makes it an ideal place to explore in the summer months. Also, in winter, there can be snowfall, which only adds to the beauty of this area.

There is something here to suit everyone. If walking and trekking are not your cup of tea, why not treat yourself to a relaxing spa treatment or pampering session, also available in the town. The range of restaurants and cafes here is also vary varied too.

In addition, there is an excellent range of restaurants available. There is Japanese, Chinese, French and Australian, of course. There are local foods to try, such as pot scones and pot pies, be sure to sample what the locals eat. For some fun at night time, try visiting the local rock and roll bar too.

The town boasts an array of small retailer shops, with a variety of goods. There are small studios and galleries too, selling local artist’s products. You are sure to take something home with you, to remind you of this wonderful place.

The best way to explore the mountains is to book a guided tour. There are several companies who provide this service and you can find out more about it on the Internet. The tours will ensure you see the best views and the natural wonders, such as the waterfalls and gardens of this historical place.

Leura is a small town with a big offering. It is easy to travel to and provides that much needed relaxing break. When visiting a hot country, like Australia can be in the summer, be sure to visit the mountains to take a welcome break from the heat. The wonder of this amazing place is sure to relax you and make sure you are ready for the rest of your vacation.

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The music spoke of the struggles, trials and travesties of African Americans in this land. Detroit embraced the music and soon became a hot spot for the Blues, fostering the careers of such artists as John Lee Hooker, Sippie Wallace and Son House.

In addition, Detroit also had a significant impact on the development of Jazz in this nation. Home to the Mckinney’s Cotton Pickers, one of the most influential bands in jazz history, Detroit was and continues to be an epicenter of Jazz expression.

Not surprisingly, Detroit continues to generate a prestigious roster of jazz and blues musicians today. Their music is offered up at both new and historic venues on a nightly basis.

The Firefly Club in Ann Arbor is Metro Detroit’s premier jazz and blues club. The environs are nostalgic with a touch of casual sophistication. It’s the only venue showcasing both top national and regional talents – from top saxophonists and pianists to local Big Band and Dixieland.

Offering superb live jazz and delicious food in an intimate setting, the Harlequin Cafe in Detroit serves up an authentic decor and even more authentic jazz. The jazz shouldn’t be missed here during Detroit’s famous International Jazz Festival.

A Detroit staple for nearly 80 years, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge has hosted most every important and infamous Jazz musician in the country including Dave Bruebeck, John Coltrane, Oscar Peterson, Cab Calloway, and Betty Carter, to name a few. Equally exciting were the unexpected jam sessions – like the night Nat King Cole came to the club and sat in on the piano or Ella Fitzgerald stopped and stayed to sing. Though those golden years are gone by, audiences are still treated to traditional jazz, delicious soul food, and an amazing historic atmosphere.

When the likes of Wynton Marsalis or Detroit-born saxophonist James Carter come to town, they’re known to hang out at Bert’s Marketplace for an impromptu session. Open since the 1980s, the club has infused down-home jazz and soul food. Here, musicians and the audience are known to jam into the wee hours of the morning.

For an evening on the town, pull out the dress clothes and head to Flood’s Bar and Grille. The sleek and eloquent decor draw Detroit’s elite crowd. A sumptuous bar serves up killer cocktails – made only better by the sound of nightly live jazz and R&B. No jeans, sneakers or flip flops – the dress code is strictly enforced.

While it might be Royal Oak, the Blues and food at Memphis Smoke are straight from the South. This premier venue brings in some of the best Blues and Rock talent around and serves up barbecued pork ribs or spicy jambalaya. Acts take the stage nightly, making the restaurant a lively destination any night of the week.

One of Detroit’s best kept Blues secrets is found at Nancy Whiskey’s, a hole in the wall tavern visited weekly by Detroit’s best Blues artists. The food and drink are mildly priced and there’s no cover charge. Try the Nancy Whiskey Burger with a side of the “Live Acoustic” Jazz and Jam every Sunday.

Say supper club and most Detroiters will point to Seldom Blues. Named 2006 Free Press Restaurant of the Year, the high-end restaurant is located in the GM Renaissance Center and features a unique downtown entertainment and dining experience.

Diners enjoy inspired continental cuisine and a breathtaking view of the Detroit River and Canadian skyline. The Lobby Bar welcomes guests to the smooth sound of jazz while in the Main Bar, premium cocktails are served. No longer is it necessary to travel to New York or Chicago to hear the most talented national and regional artists. Seldom Blues’ own renowned recording artist and partner, Alexander Zonjic, performs regularly with his legendary friends.

We went on a friday night looking for a nightclub with a cool atmosphere and someone recommended Ace of Clubs Nightclub so we hopped in a cab and $40 later we arrived at Ace of Clubs. When we walked in the door things just didn’t seem our style. It was a little loud and the drinks were kind of pricey. So we went back to our hotel in search of something better.

On the way into the hotel we asked the woman at the desk to recommend a nightclub and she told us to check ploose which I guess is some new nightlife directory that was super easy. We typed in New York City, chose nightclub, and it showed a bunch right on the map. So we picked the closest one that said it had drink specials going on, since we had spent so much on cabs already, we went down and cabbed over to it. When we got there it was EXACTLY like it showed on that ploose site (we had watched a couple video tours so we knew what to expect). We walked in and got a table and bought a bottle of grey goose and had a great time. It was called “The Pink Elephant” (name of the nightclub). We had a great time and went back to our hotel to pass out.

We spent the next day doing touristy stuff, checking out 5th ave, walking all around Manhattan, stopping at a couple restaurants randomly for lunch and by the time night rolled around we were exhausted. We decided we needed something a bit more lowkey so we checked ploose again and found a cool little lounge nearby and decided to check it out. It was called the Sapphire Lounge. It had a really classic decor, kind of like a party in your living room. The red curtains were great! There was this hip DJ there playing some house music and the prices were very reasonable. We highly recommend it.

Sunday came around and we wanted to watch the Football game so we ploosed a nearby sports bar. We found Proof NYC and let me tell you, I was REALLY glad we went there. It had a HUGE TV and Im talking like 8 feet long — this TV was no joke. The bar had hardwood floors and scarlet walls. They had some great beer specials that day as well so we had lucked out. We ordered some food and sipped our drinks enjoying the last day in New York City.

Before we left town for good we had time to stop by a jazz bar called the “Blue Note”. It was one of the best jazz bars Ive been to in the world and to any jazz fans, I recommend it highly. It was at about half or more capacity but not too crowded, decorated beautifully and the featured musicians blew our minds!

In summary, New York City has a VERY wide selection of entertainment selections to offer. Next time we go we will check on the Opera and Broadway and give you our recommendations there.

Work hard, party harder, and get home safe.