Travel to Sydney

Many people suffer from what is commonly called the winter blues. The sunshine and general carefree attitude of society in the summer makes the individual feel light hearted and seems to lift the weight of the world of their shoulders. However, despite the cold chilly weather there are many locations worldwide that could rejuvenate you and lift your spirits to summer heights. Here are the top 10 locations during winter:

1. Sydney “ Winter in Sydney is similar to summer periods in colder countries so that temperature is note exactly that cold. Sydney is a beautiful city, with excellent shopping facilities, but even better restaurants and outdoor activities. You can climb the Harbour Bridge, visit the Opera House or enjoy the beach, all in the sunshine and heat of winter! That is why a stay at the Four Points By Sheraton at Darling Harbour can brighten up your winter!

2. Miami “ Miami is in a class of its own as far as a vacation destination goes. As it is located in the American South, it is warm all year round, despite having its fair share of rain. The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed, and there are plenty of attractions including Miami Metrozoo and Bayside Marketplace for the extreme shoppers. Staying at a hotel with great facilities, A recommended hotel in Miami would be the San Juan Hotel.

3. Phuket “ Although Phuket is now extremely popular with holidaymakers; it is also the perfect destination for a winter break. The weather is beautiful, and the natural environement like the Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga Bay and Kata Beach are all must visits when touring Phuket. The Allamanda Laguna in Phuket is one of the most luxurious hotels in Thailand and should be one of the first hotels on your list.

4. Montreal “ Although Montreal is cold in the winter, its beauty is immense at that time of year. Outdoor ice-skating is extremely fun, as is exploring the historical buildings in the city like the Notre-Dame Basilica. The snow just adds to the atmosphere there. The Days Inn has the perfect location for a base in the downtown area of the city. It is close to everything you would ever want to see and should be considered as accommodation.

5. Dubai “ Dubai is generally too hot for Westerners in the summer, but is definitely worth visiting in the winter when it is cooler. The culture is amazing in the city and must be explored via the markets, shops and historical buildings in the centre. You can even hire a boat and sail for a while around the marina. Dubai caters for the tourist trade and looks after its guests well, as is demonstrated by the hospitality. The Ascot Hotel is one of the best in the world for customer service.

A winter break seems to be becoming more popular as the years go by. Winter can be depressing if the sky is grey and your mood begins to mimic the weather. A break can lift your spirits, and these diverse but cultural places can help to give you a new lease of life!

Australians say that people tend to fall into one of either two camps, Melbourne or Sydney. The rivalry between the two cities is legendary, so much so that when it came to choosing a capital of Australia in 1908, the non-descript Canberra was chosen, slap bang in the middle, rather than pitting these two lovely places against one another. Melbournites think Sydney-siders are shallow and vain. Sydney-siders think Melbournites are a bit snobby and constantly dressing in black. But if you go on holiday to Sydney and take some time to suck in that glorious atmosphere, you’ll realize that its people are having way too much of a good time to bother themselves with petty rivalries and back-biting, but then this is coming from someone who’s passionate about Sydney and everything it has to offer. Here is my pick of the very best bits!

RESTAURANTS

Restaurants in Sydney operate on a whole new level. Fresh, enterprising and uplifting, the food is a real cultural mix, some say the best in the world due to the large number of gastronomically talented immigrants the city has welcomed over the years. People often talk of 'fusion' food in Sydney restaurants - a mix of Western and Asian cooking – an exciting way to eat. Lots of restaurants in Sydney serve delicious fresh seafood, and you can buy cheap sushi all over Sydney. If you are into fish then check out the Sydney Fish Markets, near Darling Harbour - you can pick out great seafood and they will cook it for you on the spot. If you’re feeling nostalgic, then head to Doyles for the tastiest imaginable fish and chips.

CAFES

Lots of the bookshops in Sydney have cafes – they were doing this long before we caught on to it in the UK. The lattes are unrivaled and everyone has a leisurely breakfast out on Sunday mornings. A popular snack is toasted banana bread drizzled in butter along with a coffee or a fresh fruit smoothie. All over Sydney there are many places serving tea and scones. Surprisingly this is called a 'Devonshire Tea’ and they tend to stop serving them at 4pm. For some great Italian cafes and culture try the suburb of Balmain, home to many famous drinking establishments.

WALKS

One of the bonuses of the location of this city – surrounding the beautiful Sydney Harbour – is that you can experience the most awe-inspiring views from many different standpoints, and the best way to do this is on foot. The views you will grow to love the most will probably include the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and, perhaps unexpectedly, the brightly lit skyscrapers which rise brazenly in a central cluster from Sydney city centre to form a dramatic backdrop to Sydney’s natural and man-made wonders. There is a great choice of sea walks including the Manly to Spit walk and Bronte to Bondi beach.

DAY TRIPS

If you’re up for a real adventure try the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb – a guided climb to 134 metres above Sydney Harbour at your chosen time of day. For a jungle experience take the 30-minute trip to the Australian bush at Kuringai National Park. A day trip to the spectacular Blue Mountains is also a favourite, with the Three Sisters - a famous sandstone rock formation - and some of the most beautiful scenery in Australia. Or for those with a penchant for good wine should visit the Hunter Valley, 2 hours north of Sydney for vineyard tours, wine tasting and cellar door sales.

MUSEUMS/ART

Although going inside to enjoy yourself on your Sydney holiday may seem unthinkable, heavy rain occurs occasionally and on these days the marvelous museums and art galleries of Sydney come into their own. Visit the dinosaurs at the Sydney Museum, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay, where, due to sponsorship, all the exhibitions are now free. Both galleries have great cafes and top quality restaurants. The National Maritime Museum and the Powerhouse Museum, near Darling Harbour will also provide a fascinating respite.

SHOPPING

Try Mosman in North Sydney for posh shopping, or alternatively the Queen Victoria Building in the city centre, which is full of little boutiques and cafes with an English style cafe at the very top. Oxford Street has the best strip of shops for alternative culture and evening cafes and is on the route for Sydney’s fabulous Mardi Gras parade, which takes place in March.

BEACHES

If you’re anything like most Sydney holiday makers you’ll be spending a lot of time on its heavenly beaches. Most of these have beach cafes known as ‘kiosks’. Make sure you try a few as they’re all very different. Bondi Beach is great for Aussie beach culture, and where the Brits tend to congregate. If you’re looking for a beach with personality then take the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly, a super-trendy beach reminiscent of Venice Beach in Los Angeles. Both Manly and Bondi Beach are great for surfing, whilst Balmoral is a non-surf beach for the North Shore residents and expats, with safe, calm water for kids to paddle and an area for swimming surrounded by a board walk and shark net. Hire a surfboard and wet suit at Manly or Bondi Beach and you can even book a few surf lessons. The beautiful Northern Beaches are a set of beaches encompassing the stretch between Manly and Palm Beach. One of my favourites is the onomatopoeic Curl Curl Beach with its excellent surf.

KIDS

Two superb venues for childish fun are Luna Park, a theme park with an iconic giant clown face at the entrance, and the enormous Taronga Zoo, home to 2,600 animals. Taronga must be the zoo with the best view in the world, with vistas overlooking the whole of Sydney Harbour. You can get there by bus or ferry as it has its very own ferry stop. For another great kid’s day out take the monorail, bus, ferry or car to Darling Harbour - the area may seem a bit kitsch, but has one of the best aquariums in the world, a lovely spot for ‘Finding Nemo'! Children will also love Darling Harbour’s Imax Theatre for 3D films on the big screen. At the art gallery of New South Wales there are often kids classes, free tours and magic shows, especially on Sunday mornings.

LITTLE GEMS

A little electric train will take you on a mini-adventure through the exotic Sydney Botanic Gardens, and you can take in some high culture with opera and other concerts in the park. Next door the Sydney Opera House hosts classical music as well as some of pop’s big names. Lots of great buskers hang out around Circular Quay – good fun if you are waiting for a ferry. To try a real 1920's style cinema, check out the Cremorne Orpheum (after Orpheus), an old-style picture house on Military Road.

SPORT

Surfing and other water sports feel as natural as breathing in Sydney – many Sydney-siders even go for a sneaky surf in their lunch hour from work. Swimmers should visit the Olympic Park and take a dip at the North Sydney Olympic pool, or visit one of the Sydney Harbour baths or beaches, such as Red Leaf or Nielsen Park.Outside the water you can catch a game of rugby or Australian rules football at Telstra Stadium, and if you’re into road running why not try the City to Surf marathon, a 14k race which takes place in mid-August.

HOTELS

And finally, if you are visiting Sydney on holiday, there is no shortage of accommodation. From beach-side B&Bs and chic inner city guest houses to the finest 5-star hotels overlooking Sydney Harbour Bridge, there is a place for all tastes.

So there you are. If Sydney was any closer I expect we all would have fallen in love with the place and emigrated long ago. Once you do go on holiday to Sydney, either on its own, or as part of a longer holiday in Australia, you’ll be furious that nobody persuaded you to go there before. Well, there’s no excuse now – time to go ahead and book those flights!

Sydney is Australia's premier holiday destination and the first port of call for many international visitors. The good news is that many of its major attractions are free and with the Australian dollar at bargain basement, most are amazingly cheap.

Here are 7 suggestions to help you get the most out of your visit to Australia's largest city:

1. Circular Quay.

Circular Quay is the heart of Sydney and your introduction to the beautiful harbour. It is a great place to start your exploration and you will be fascinated by the excitement and buzz of this area. All ferries leave from this focal point and you are within walking distance of the Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge. It is great place to relax, enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants or stroll around and enjoy the ambience.

2. The Rocks.

Nestled alongside the south portal of the bridge is one of the first settled areas of Sydney known as "The Rocks" This historical and fascinating area filled with old buildings, pubs and shops is a great place to visit for souvenirs, a meal or a drink. Weekend markets are very popular for those looking for a bargain.

3. Walk over the bridge.

The entrance to the walkway over the bridge is just behind The Rocks and best of all it's free. This amazing walk will provide you with some of the most breathtaking views in Australia as you look down on the Opera House, yachts and ferries in the harbor and in the distance, the entrance to the Pacific Ocean.

4. Ferry to Toronga Park Zoo.

Toronga Park Zoo is one of the finest in Australia. You will be able to view all the Australian native wildlife including the elusive platypus. It is worth spending a day here and its location on the north shore of the harbor allows spectacular views of the Sydney skyline. Take the ferry from Circular Quay.

5. Ferry to Manly.

No visit to Sydney would be complete without taking a ferry from Circular Quay to the oceanside resort of Manly. The ferry ride is one of the most popular trips for visitors to Sydney and allows spectacular harbor views. I particularly love Manly. Its main beach on the Pacific Ocean is a mecca for surfers, swimmers and sunbathers and the main street is a popular place to enjoy a meal, go shopping or just soak up the ambience of the area.

Here's a suggestion. Try to time your return ferry trip to Sydney to leave Manly just before sunset. You will be rewarded with the golden glow of the late afternoon sun shining on the sails of the Opera House and the setting sun highlighting the black silhouette of the bridge. A magic holiday moment.

6. Take a tour of the Opera House.

Tours of the Opera House take place regularly during the day and this is the only way for you to experience the true beauty of this iconic Sydney landmark. Better still, enjoy a live performance in the main concert hall. It will be a holiday memory I promise you will never forget.

7. Take a harbor walk.

Sydney has many wonderful harbor walks, but my favorite is a walk from the Opera House to Kings Cross. It requires only a moderate level of fitness and there are plenty of places to stop and admire the views of the busy harbor as well as parks and gardens. Kings Cross is a perfect place to finish your walk. It is the city's nightlife and restaurant mecca, but late at night can be a seedy and sometimes unsafe area. During the day however, this cosmopolitan suburb is a venue to relax, enjoy a coffee and experience one of most vibrant areas of this great holiday destination.