Published date: May 4, 2025
Melbourne, Australia with a strong British atmosphere 🇦🇺
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
Traveling to the UK from Japan involves a very long flight, doesn't it? Moreover, the time difference and the significant disparity in the Euro exchange rate increase costs in every aspect. Of course, I understand that there are sights and an atmosphere unique to the UK that can't be found elsewhere, but if you want to casually experience a British feeling, I would recommend Melbourne. You can enjoy the most British-like townscape in Australia, and the biggest advantage is that the time difference is only a few hours. For Japanese people who don't usually take long vacations, this is quite a significant benefit. It seems that the further west you go, the worse jet lag can become. But a few hours is within an acceptable range. Even with a short stay, you can use your time effectively and comfortably. The townscape is as cute as you can see, filled with many cafes and historical buildings. The Victoria Hotel, where I stayed this time, blends into this beautiful town. Most people would probably start their journey by taking a bus from the airport to Southern Cross Station. The hotel is a maze-like building located on a lively street that you can reach by going up a gentle slope right in front of that station. It is a historic building, yet the interior is clean, cute, and simple. I was also very pleased that it has windows that allow fresh air in, which is a notable point considering many recent hotels don’t have windows that open.
Experiences during the trip
Being at the center of Melbourne, there are truly various shops just a step outside. Chinatown is also nearby. I found a delicious ramen shop. It didn't seem to be run by Japanese, but it was very tasty ramen. The prices are somewhat high. However, I believe it's still better than in the UK. The tram that takes you to the hotel is in a free area right in front of the station, which is convenient. However, depending on the time of day, it can get quite crowded.