Sydney, Australia, Is Closer Than You Think

For the tenth year in a row, Sydney was voted the No. 1 destination that people had on their bucket list and want to visit.   

If ever a city deserved the title of Miss Congeniality, Sydney is the one.  Breathtaking natural beauty, undeniable charisma and laidback sense of fun, it's irresistible at any time of year.    

People say, "But it's so far away," when in reality it is the same amount of travel time as to fly to Rome from the West Coast.      

It is one of the top five harbors to sail into. The others are Hong Kong, Vancouver, San Francisco and Venice.

This trip I stayed at the Shangri-La Hotel and each morning I could see a different cruise ship docked opposite the Opera House. It is good value to take a cruise to Australia, and also to take a packaged tour which gives you up to 40 percent in savings.  

There are several cruise options and I always recommend a few days pre- or post-journey to see the Great Barrier Reef, or the Outback depending on the time of year. The cruise industry is now big business for Australia. They stop there on the world cruise, which is great value.

I always head to the David Jones department store when in Sydney, wonderful shop, one of the best in the world, and it was all decorated up for Christmas. The basement is the food hall, similar to Harrods in London. Woolen garments, and opal jewelry are great buys.  Australia produces more than 90 per cent of the world’s opals. 

I had dinner with the top executives from Tourism New South Wales, and caught up on what’s new in the state. Tourism is down, due to the economy, and they get the most visitors from Europe.   

When I was in graduate school in Scotland, they called it the brain drain.  So many of the students emigrated to Australia. For ten pounds you could sail to Australia with all your belongings. It is a well-run country, with happy people. Twenty dollars-an-hour minimum wage, and 1 percent unemployment.       

Top attractions are still the Bridge Climb, harbor cruise on a private yacht, city tour, private tour of Taronga Zoo, and most important, a tour, dinner and performance at the Sydney Opera House.   

I was able to see the Australian Ballet present the "Merry Widow," which was enjoyable. Do these and you have seen the highlights.  

Out of town, the Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley are two lovely trips. The Hunter Valley produces only two percent of Australian wine, and is most recognized for its Semillon variety.     

I always go for a shandy (half beer and half lemonade) at the Australian pub in the Rocks area, the historic part of Sydney. Great inexpensive place for a meal.    

The best firework show in the world is in the harbor on New Year’s Eve. This is one big party, and worth seeing. I booked a picnic basket from David Jones and sat in the Botanical Gardens with my wine, gourmet dinner, and watched the show.

Bondi and Manly beaches are world-class surfing locations, and fun to sit and watch people of all ages ride the huge waves.

I like to ride the ferry between Darling Harbor and Circular Quay. There are over forty great restaurants over there, with lots of museums and art galleries.

I’ve been close to 100 times and never get tired of going. December to March is Australia's summer, and very popular with visitors from this hemisphere.