A Note from Alice

Enjoying Brookfield Polo action last Sunday.

After a couple of blogs featuring wonderful weekend ideas, as creator of Tailored Tasmania I thought I’d say hello to you all. But most importantly, I wanted to thank you for your support, interest and help in spreading the Tailored Tasmania word.

With more than 8000 unique visitors to the site in a small two weeks, I couldn’t be happier with the warm response. It indicates to me that many of you share my love of Tasmania and are excited to find out more about local, hidden gems.

So where did the inspiration for the site come from? It was born out of my intense love of this island and a passion to ensure that every local and every visitor enjoys it just as much. Had I not lived in America for five years, I may never have come to appreciate Tasmania with the fresh eyes in which I see it today. As a typical young Tasmanian eager for new shores, it was the lure of my own that brought me home.

My mission is to support local business and encourage new faces through their doors. But, it's just as much about directing someone from my Salamanca Market stall to one of my favourite cafes for a ‘Tailored Tasmania deal’ and being met with an excited, intrigued smile.

If anyone dares tell me there’s nothing to do in Tassie, I’ll point them in 200 directions! There are few places on earth where you can breathe the freshest air on the planet, sink into a Japanese spa overlooking Bass Strait, or follow the elusive scurry of a Tasmanian devil. In fact, there’s no other place.

And the joy of my work is that I continue to find new hidden treasures. Who wouldn’t like to sink into a deckchair and watch a game of Polo just 15 minutes’ outside our capital city, at Brookfield Polo Club? Polo ponies in Hobart you ask? Oh yes! And you can back your car into a lovely rural picnic setting 'field-side' and top it off with a glass of Frank’s Summer Cider.

Winner of 3 medals at the National Cider Awards, Frank’s Cider is preparing to launch at this years Taste Festival. Hailing from Franklin, the apples in your bottle come from century old trees, planted by the hands of Frank’s great grandfather after the Clark family were granted land back in 1836. And don't we like those rich Tasmanian family tales.

For a touch of Italy in Hobart, why not take advantage of the Italian Pantry’s Thursday night deal, where for just $8 you can enjoy an Aperol Spritz and appetiser. Having just returned from Italy, it was a surprise to stumble across an Italian tradition normally reserved for little old Italian men on bicycles who like a Spritz after work.

Or a taste of Antarctica? Well, Mawson’s Place (Mawson, the very man who first took ice-skates to Antarctica) is soon to feature a brand new ice skating rink. Am I delighted about this new addition to our waterfront? Let’s just say I’ll be the first one on skates….bound to come to grief….but with a smile on my face. Keep an eye out for skating fun arriving late next month.

There’s more to come. So much more to explore. Tasmania is an exciting, creative, inspiring place, and I am thrilled to share it with you.

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A visit to Spritz Hour (Italian Pantry) last Thursday....a little taste of Italy in North Hobart for an even littler 8 dollars.

Frank's Summer Apple Cider - all the way from beautiful Franklin.

Writing office for this blog...with the daisies.