We can all be forgiven for feeling a wave of jealousy watching our friends, family, and people we follow enjoying a European summer right now.
But if, understandably, the travel time, costs, and general logistics are too much, I've just visited a wintery alternative close to home, brimming with world-class food, entertainment and inspiration.
Jetstar has really affordable direct flights to Melbourne from Auckland and Christchurch - we're talking like 20% of the cost of a flight to Europe in some cases - and it's an easy four-hour flight.
Am I saying Melbourne is the same as Paris? No. (Although I did find it quite similar to London in some ways!) What I am saying is that the art, gastronomy and elevated experiences on offer can provide an invigorating, very 'overseas' experience, without leaving the Southern Hemisphere.
And for that distinctly Parisian vibe? Well, it doesn't hurt that the National Gallery of Victoria is currently holding a major French Impressionism exhibition. Not to mention, there's an entire area of the CBD known as 'Paris End', filled with designer shopping, street art, cafes and an incredible new four-story French restaurant called Maison Bâtard.
It's a big city by Kiwi standards, with a population about the same as the whole of New Zealand, so there's a massive amount to see and do. But let me tell you about a few things I got amongst that helped cure my seasonal depression.
ART
French Impressionism at the NGV
Let me be the first to admit I don't know much about art. Luckily, you don't need to be at all clued up about the Impressionist movement to appreciate the more than 100 works in this stunning exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria.
Even those of us who skipped art history entirely know names like Monet, Renoir, Degas and even Van Gogh - who wasn't technically a French Impressionist, but spent time in Paris and was influenced by the style.
Being up close and personal to the original brushstrokes of these revolutionaries is seriously something. Plus, care and time have been taken to share the letters, diary entries and personal photographs of the artists, so you get a chance to understand them a bit beyond their obvious brilliance.
The NGV also decided to stage the exhibition in such a way that you get a sense of time-travelling back to the late 19th century. The gallery walls are transformed with chandeliers, curtains and vibrant wallpaper that takes inspiration from the grand homes of the American art collectors where they once would have hung. It's pretty special.
FOOD
Maison Bâtard
Speaking of being transported, Le Terrasse, the top floor of this multi-level French restaurant, is a European dream set in the 'Paris End' of Melbourne. The rooftop dining is semi-alfresco, and on the night we were there, a full moon peeked through the clouds as we ate.
The wine list is packed with gorgeous French offerings, some exclusive to the restaurant, but I would strongly recommend sampling some of the local drops instead. Victorian wine is really, really good - whether you're after a velvety shiraz from the Yarra Valley or a crispy pinot gris from the Mornington Peninsula.
But the pièce de résistance (sorry, I had to) was 'le cheeseburger'. Quite simply, it was the best burger I've ever had, and not just because I found the irony of chomping down a fast food staple in a very fancy restaurant delightful.
It's supposed to be able to be eaten one-handed; no messy sauce drips or half a soggy salad bowl falling onto your plate. A soft milk bun, cheese, a caramelised patty and a hint of remoulade-style sauce. Divine.
Carnation Canteen
This gorgeous little neighbourhood restaurant is tucked away on the kind of leafy street corner you hope to stumble across when exploring a new city.
It only seats 20 people, but as a solo traveller, I happily perched on the bar, watching the chefs prep the dishes before they went out.
And what dishes they were. Buttered leeks on toast with aged cheddar - a revelation - followed by a perfectly cooked steak with soft-boiled potatoes and sage, and finished with a dark chocolate caramel tart. Again, each course was easily paired with a delicious local wine.
FASHION
After spending an afternoon drowning in vintage treasures at the many thrift shops of Brunswick Street, and a morning doing the same at the Fitzroy Markets, I found myself back at the National Gallery of Victoria. Their recently opened Martin Grant and Kimono exhibitions give an immersive look at two totally different ends of the fashion spectrum.
Kimono
This exhibition takes you through the evolution of the iconic Japanese garment, displaying over 70 of them. From intricate versions worn by samurai in the 1600s, to Western-influenced pieces worn by a newly liberated era of 'Modern Girls' in the 1920s, to the boundary-pushing work of designers like Issy Miyake.
I was grateful to be able to catch one of the free guided tours for this exhibition, so I could hear the stories behind the incredible clothing. One piece that really stuck with me was a fireman's kimono from the 19th century, made from deer skin and decorated with resist dying techniques.
Martin Grant
I had never heard of this Australian-born, Paris-based fashion designer before, but a visit to this exhibition makes it easy to understand why he's an (inter)national treasure.
Not only is it a joy to be surrounded by beautiful gowns, room after room, it's really amazing to follow the trajectory of his career. His designs have been worn by Naomi Campbell and Lady Gaga, and Cate Blanchett is one of his muses.
But way before all that, he spent his kindergarten days drawing colourful pictures of people in gorgeous outfits. A selection of these are on display alongside footage of his acclaimed runway shows that would come decades later.
The final room of the exhibition is goosebump-inducing: Dark, with evening gowns dramatically lit with spotlights, many of them floating above the ground while classical music plays.
Now, of course, a trip to Melbourne isn't going to help you escape the wintery weather - I was very pleased my room at The Standard X included an umbrella to borrow. But if a getaway is calling, and Europe is waving smugly at you from 20,000 km away, I'd say Melbourne is waiting with open arms.
