Melbourne stole my heart... I immediately fell in love with its edginess and charm. The city has a very stylist and artsy vibe that made me feel right at home. Imagine taking the best elements of San Francisco, Seattle, and Austin and creating a dynamic and eclectic cosmopolitan city... yup that's Melbourne folks.

Melbourne is essentially the cultural capital of Australia.

It easily climbed the ranks as one of my favorite cities in the world. It has a vibrant art and live music scene so there is never a dull moment. As I strolled through Union Lane in the Central Business District (CBD), I was amazed by the graffiti and creativity. In the heart of the city, you will find a wide range of murals. Some of my favorite spots for art are in Fitzroy, which is a very trendy neighborhood with a great mix of art galleries and cool bookstores. If you find yourself in Melbourne, a self-guided street art tour is a must! It’s free and you will be amazed. You can also catch really dope local bands playing on random streets and alleys throughout the city on any given day of the week.

Melbourne is also home to the world's best coffee hands down! With a variety of eclectic cafes, my favorites include Grace, serving single-origin coffee in an artsy converted house and Industry Beans, a trendy converted warehouse with a hipster vibe. Since Melbourne is known as the culinary capital of the world, I highly recommend eating your way through the city. Have an artisan lunch at a bustling restaurant in one of the hidden cobblestone laneways in the CBD, go out for dinner under the stars in St. Kilda near the pier, and go out for cocktails at a themed rooftop bar. The restaurant, bar, and café scene is definitely next level. To make it simple, I shed a baby-gangsta tear when it was time to leave.

Sydney has the world-class landmarks and tourist attractions, but Melbourne has the soul. If you are considering travel to Australia, be sure to add Melbourne to your list!