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[title]As the first – and best, in her opinion – wife of Henry VIII, Spanish-born Catherine of Aragon was a self-assured, determined woman who enjoyed all of life's greatest pleasures. Which shouldn't come as a surprise, because when you're married to Henry VIII for 24 long years, you gotta make the most of the royal perks when you can get 'em.
And good on her for being a shameless lover of all things gold, glittering and luxe. This is a woman who led England to victory over Scotland, became the first known female ambassador in European history and spent years desperately trying to give the king a male heir (and boy oh boy, do we know how that turned out). Alexa, play 'Run the World (Girls)' by Beyoncé!
So if you, like Aragon, dream of a day in the city that involves a healthy dose of pampering, a spot of retail therapy and perhaps a sampling of some of the best Spanish fare in town, you've come to the right place. Here’s our ultimate guide to spending a day in Melbourne like Catherine of Aragon.
A long-reigning monarch like Aragon loves nothing more than kicking off the day by surveying her queendom in all its glory. And the most extravagant way to do that is by hot air balloon with Global Ballooning Australia. It’s an early start, but the pre-dawn wake-up call is well worth it for those spectacular views. You’ll soar high above Melbourne for an hour, taking in all the famous sites, including the MCG, Federation Square and Flinders Street Station. Remember to wave to your loyal subjects far below.
You’ll want to stretch your legs after being cooped up in that floating basket all morning, so head down to Albert Park for a regal jog around the lake. The five-kilometre circuit is mostly flat and super scenic – we’re talking palm trees, black swans and a postcard-perfect panorama of the city skyline. And because Aragon prides herself on always being number one, you know she’d time her lap to ensure she’s staying ahead of the competition.
After all that hard work you deserve a rest, and if there’s one thing Aragon was good at (besides being loyal to a fault, refusing to annul her marriage and looking fabulous in a crown) it’s knowing how to pamper herself. So make a beeline for Miss Fox and indulge in the royal treatment: a massage, facial and body scrub. This glamorous, Hollywood-esque day spa wasn’t awarded the World’s Best Beauty Salon twice for no reason, so you know you’re in good hands.
Now that you’re feeling refreshed, it’s time for a workout of a different kind: shopping. A queen with Aragon’s penchant for premium goods wouldn’t be caught dead in any old store, oh no – it’s all about the designer brands, and in Melbourne there’s no better place to splash the cash than the Paris end of Collins Street. The line-up of high-end international retail stores here is impressive and reads like the schedule of Milan Fashion week – think Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Fendi. Go on, treat yo' self.
In case you didn’t realise, Aragon was born into Spanish royalty – her parents were none other than King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile, who famously united the country through their marriage. So it would make sense for our queen to want a taste of her homeland when it comes to dinnertime. Enter MoVida, one of the city's pioneering Spanish restaurants. At this Hosier Lane establishment you can feast on everything from Catalan-style charred vegetables to mushroom and queso manchego croquettes, sardine skewers and lamb backstrap with smoked eggplant and anchovy dressing. Buen provecho!
And of course, this day of total opulence and extravagance wouldn’t be complete without a final stop at – you guessed it! – the Comedy Theatres to catch Aragon doing her thing in Six the Musical. This up-tempo production features the six spirited wives of Henry VIII hitting the stage to reclaim their crowns and retell their stories in a rebellious celebration of female empowerment. It’s 75 minutes of pure, pop-tastic fun, with an incredible cast that will blow you away.
Six the Musical is showing at the Comedy Theatre until August 21. To book your tickets, head to the website.