Adelaide, Australia in many ways offers the sweetness only to be found in a bustling city of over one million people, that emerged from the nothingness of a bushland before British colonization. Perhaps, the greatest part about Adelaide, is that it's as big a city as they come, while being one of the most laid back and relaxed cities on the planet.

Situated on the Fleurieu Peninsula, in South Australia, between Gult St. Vincent and the Mount Lofty mountain ranges, Adelaide is one of the most livable and enjoyable cities you‘ll ever visit.

Having traveled a good bit, I am a big believer in getting the best bargains up front, when it comes to hotels. About ten percent of the time, our family opts for luxury hotels and resorts -- however, the majority of vacation times, we are deliberately looking for absolutely the best, and the cheapest accommodations, we can find. Our reasoning is, we didn't travel that far to spend our time and money on where we sleep.

When seeking to book online, cheap hotels in Adelaide, we use Hotel Club for our bookings. In Adelaide, they offer fifty hotel choices, and all of them are reasonably priced and well-rated.

There are so many things to do and see in Adelaide, it’s hard to know where to begin. First off, if you are a museum and art gallery lover, this is another paradise aspect of the city. Some to not be missed are:

• Art Gallery of South Australia -- This is a first class world art museum. Basically, it’s free other than an occasional fee for special visiting exhibits.
• Migration Museum -- This museum is a must for understand the diverse cultural heritage of Australia and it’s peoples.
• National Motor Museum -- This museum is a big hit with the guys and their ladies, just plain fun looking back on Australia‘s motoring past.
• South Australian Maritime Museum -- Hailed as one of the finest maritime museums in the world, if I had only enough time to visit one museum in Adelaide -- this would be the one.
• South Australian Museum -- One of the world’s finest museums, something for everyone, including free entry.
• The National Wine Center -- If you ever wanted to know what goes into a really fine bottle of wine, this is the place to include on your vacation itinerary.

Of course, no visit to Adelaide would be complete without seeing the Adelaide Central Market. It’s one of the world’s largest multi-cultural markets, all thankfully undercover, something you’ll truly appreciate if you visit during Australia’s summer months. Then, if you are traveling with young children, a visit to Adelaide Zoo is an absolute must-see.

Also remember, there are the nature related activities to be found in and around Adelaide, ranging from white sandy beaches, seeing Fairy Penguins, visiting the Whispering Wall, to visiting the national, wildlife, going to Kangaroo Island,and other conservation parks, and of course, not forgetting the cricket and soccer matches.

Any city that has over one million residents and a healthy tourist population is bound to have it’s places that require a little more attention to personal safety. Perhaps, our family is a little more alert to this reality, since we live in a high traffic international tourist destination. However, it bears repeating what I’ve often said to my family and friends:

"Personal safety is "your responsibility," even and especially on vacation.”

Adelaide's crime rate is relatively low. That said, let’s get a little more specific about Adelaide, here are some areas of this great city to be of concern:

• Hindley Street-- Every city has it’s red light district and Hindley Street is Adelaide’s. It’s an area of strip clubs, bars, and all that goes with it. After 11:00 p.m. it is considered a place where tourists should not travel alone, (especially females), or even be in. Additionally, there have been reports of stabbings and muggings.

• The Parklands-- (Southern Parklands) This is another area that should be completely avoided by tourists. Again, it has secluded areas that are even dangerous during the day time. This is no place for ladies, not even in groups. It has a history of rape and horrific assaults.

• Victoria Square -- Is another area that probably should be avoided after hours by tourists.

Beyond those three areas, it's just a matter of common sense, the same as with any well populated city, or suburbs. One big consideration in Adelaide, is that public transportation can and will leave you stranded after midnight, and especially on the weekends. Night buses are unpredictable and without cab fare, you could find yourself camping out until the next day

Another consideration in Adelaide, is the same as it is anywhere in the world:

• Stay away from city parks at night
• Stay away from deserted streets at night
• Stay away from unlighted or poorly lighted streets
• Don’t accept rides from strangers, even very nice ones

In such a multicultural city your taste buds will find no lack of delights in both food and drink. It’d be impossible to list all of the great places to eat in Adelaide, but here are a few of the highlights:

• Japanese-- Kenji Modern Restaurant
• Italian-- Alfonzo, Fellini, and Amalfi
• Thai -- Regent Thai and Nu Thai
• Indian-- Jasmina, Chefs of Tandoori, and Raj on Taj
• French -- The Manse
• Swiss-- Alphütte

Also, be sure to try the pastries at Café de Vili, and your children will definitely enjoy Fasta Pasta -- the Italian answer to McDonalds.

I think that Adelaide is one of the world’s most festival conscious cities. It boasts of every kind of festival event available, including:

• Sporting events
• Food and wine events
• Art festivals
• Auto racing events
• Multicultural festivals
• Film festivals
• Festival of Ideas
• Writers festivals

Adelaide is one of those travel destinations where you'll want to check the festival and events calendars prior to your travel, so you won't miss out on all the fun.

Americans are seeing more and more Australian wines in our supermarkets and liquor stores. Many of the wines come from the Adelaide wine growers. So, it should be no surprise that Australian Wine vacations are beginning to become hugely popular.

With wine being Australia’s sixth leading industry, and being one of the top ten wine producing countries now, it’s no wonder we are seeing an increase in Australia fine wines in the U.S. Very favored is the Australian shiraz wines, which is the variety grown and produced the most. A lot of events in Australia revolve around the consumption of wine, with food and wine festivals being hugely popular and almost on-going year round.

There’s a good reason for this, as Australia wine growers have been perfecting their wines since 1788 . The rootstock of their wines date back to early colonization, and the vines brought to this new world survived the diseases that Europe’s grapes didn’t.

If you’ve never been to a vineyard tour, or wine festival -- Adelaide might be the destination to make this joyful experience something to write postcards home about.