Melbourne is often described as Australia’s cultural capital, and after a few days there, I began to understand why. It’s a city that doesn’t demand that you look up at skyscrapers; it asks you to look in—into narrow alleys, quiet library nooks, and hidden basement cafés.
The city has a lively energy—cafés everywhere, crowds along the river, and during the early rounds of the Australian Open, the whole place feels like a celebration of sport. I stayed at The Langham Melbourne, just a short walk from the entrance to Melbourne Park, which made getting to the matches especially easy. At one point, I asked the hotel staff whether the Australian Open was their busiest time of year. The answer was telling: Australians love sports, and Melbourne hosts major sporting events throughout the year. That enthusiasm is hard to miss—it’s part of the city’s identity. And, at least from what I saw, Australians also have a healthy appreciation for beer.