The Big City and the Little Village
ITC’s Managing Director Kerry Priestley tells us about two of his favourite travel destinations.
Working in the world of travel and tourism, I am often asked about my favourite destination, but it’s so hard to choose! I have been to many wonderful places over the years, but it’s the people you meet and the experiences you share that make a trip really stand out.
However, there are two destinations that evoke particularly special memories for me – one close to home and the other a little farther away.
Firstly, I love Melbourne. I have had some great times there, and I have travelled to Melbourne more than to any other overseas destination. So what keeps me going back?
It is so hard to describe the feeling of a place, but in practical terms Melbourne is really easy to get around thanks to a great public transport system; it has fantastic shopping precincts within the central city itself or just a short tram ride away; there’s a wide diversity of restaurants that cater for all tastes and styles; and then there’s the great night life, with excellent live theatre and clubs and bars to suit all ages. And you are only 45 minutes away from the Yarra Valley, one of the key winemaking areas in Victoria.
So for me, Melbourne has it all, and it is all there at your fingertips.
My other, and more recent, favourite destination is Provence in the South of France – in particular mid-Provence. This is where there are many (and I mean many!) quaint little villages that represent the France of a bygone era.
This is an unusual choice for me, because I am not generally a small village sort of person. I really like cities where there is a lot to see and do.
But these villages all have their own unique personalities, and I love to find a café in the village square and sit and watch the world go by. The French love of food (and mine!) is rewarded with some amazing restaurants turning out fantastic cuisine. Their passion for the culinary arts is obvious.
But, again, it is the indefinable feel of the place and its history that make the experience in these villages – many dating back to Roman times – so memorable.
My memories of both Melbourne and Provence are created from great experiences with good friends and I hope to keep adding to them!
