Sydney is an amazing mix of urban sophistication, gorgeous teal and turquoise water views and friendly, charming people. I really did not know what to expect… so this has been such a wonderful experience!!!
The Langham Sydney, where we stayed in Sydney, is a lovely hotel in a historical area called The Rocks. Lots of white marble and cool blues with pink flowers. Right up my alley! And since it’s summer and hot in Sydney right now…it feels like entering an oasis.
Look how the same flowers en masse create impact…something to copy.
This retro Wedgewood tea service actually feels fun and fresh.
The coffee, that I had every morning is called a Flat White…basically an espresso with steamed milk without the foam). Australians LOVE their coffee. I especially enjoyed how they serve water in cut crystal. I’m thinking we should do this at home…what are we saving the good stuff for?!
Loved coming back to our room, with its fresh décor, every day!
The shopping is great in Sydney. Make sure you check out the charming Queen Victoria building. I love the mix of old and new architecture. Most of the places we visited were from readers’ suggestions (thanks so much).
The Strand is also beautiful. They have an Aesop’s store there…and I love their products (made in Australia). I buy the hand soap for gifts (great scent and has pumice for exfoliation). It’s around $60 in the USA plus tax and around $32 in Australia (tax included). So, when in Australia, pick some up! 
Also, check out one of my favorite Australian bathing suit brands (that Cindy Hattersley told me about), Sea Folly. They have a better selection in Sydney than in the US.
We felt really lucky to be in Australia for “Australia Day.” It’s like their Fourth of July. If you are planning a trip here you might consider coming then (and you get the added bonus of the summer weather in January).
Somehow, my husband talked me into doing the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb. See those little dots below the flags? Those are people climbing the bridge!
I’ve been afraid of steep stairs since I tripped over Chief on stairs and dislocated my ankle. But I am really glad we did this climb, especially on Australia Day as there were so many patriotic festivities to view in the bay below.
Later that night…
Another thing that we did that I really recommend is the hike from Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach. It takes you through a huge cemetery overlooking the ocean. 
Ending with lunch at Icebergs restaurant…below.
We did a lot more…but this post is starting to get too long! One last thing. See this building that is a mix of modern and old? It is Hotel Palisade.
We had drinks and appetizers at the top with Davy (the Australian brother of a good friend of ours).
That’s it for now. If I scheduled this post correctly, you should be reading it on our 15-hour flight back to San Francisco. It was a great trip. I’d like to come back to see more of this welcoming, beautiful country!
Joining the Take Me Away Party!
Check out my Australia Pinterest Board for more.
Thank you for the lovely post. I love it when ‘we’ travel!
Thanks so much, Brenda. It was a great trip.
BeUtiful photos of a place that is on our bucket list. I love that gorgeous hotel!
This looks like the trip of a lifetime and that hotel!! That Howard really knows how to travel! Did not care for the hotel that mixed the old with the new on the exterior…it reminds me of UCSF hospital…Now I want to add Australia to my bucket list!!
Thanks for sharing your lovely trip. I absolutely love Australia I visited in l990 when my husband travelled a lot on business. I think Australia has just the right mix of all the charm of Europe & all the conveniences of North America. The hotel was perfect, very elegant tasteful and simple. What wonderful memories you’ve created for yourselves.
Yes!!! And all the beautiful beaches, too. Thanks for reading and commenting, Barb.
Wow, what wonderful places to visit. Great photos!! Visiting from Take Me Away.
Thanks, Carole! I’m going back to Take Me Away now to read more.
Australia is such a wonderful place. I lived there in the 90’s for 2 years, in Melbourne. We went to Sydney and traveled around other parts of Australia. Such a fab experience! Glad you were able to get down there enjoy it! Everyone should go!
Yes. You are so lucky to have lived there, Carla! Did you see the Australia tourism board ad in the Super Bowl tonight? It was great.
What an incredible trip! Your photos are gorgeous and it looks like you stayed in a fabulous hotel. I can’t believe you did the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb! I am scared just thinking about it…but I am such wimp when it comes to heights. I get stressed out taking a ski lift. I am so impressed with your bravery! Thank you so much for sharing at the February Take Me Away Party! So glad you could join us!
Shelley
What an amazing trip! Can’t wait to hear more!
My Aunt and Uncle live in Australia and I still have yet to make that trip! This looked like such a wonderful time!!
Enjoyed your post. We are planning a trip next November to Sydney and like you I don’t know what to expect but your post has helped. Thank you.
Thanks. I’m going to be pinning more good places that we went to on my Pinterest Travel Australia boards soon…so there will be more ideas there, Susan.
So beautiful! What great photos. I am adding Sydney to my bucket list…
Wow . . . your photos are just gorgeous! What a stunning hotel . . . I might have holed up and never set foot outside. Glad you had such a wonderful adventure! Welcome home!
Thanks, Juliet…just got home. Exhausted :/
Looks like a beautiful country to visit. Definitely a place that has so much to offer. Great pictures that inspire a visit.
Hi Mary Ann, what beautiful pictures…sounds like you had a great time! Hope to visit someday. I have never had one but did you know Starbucks makes Flat Whites?
Linda, I will have to try one! And I have a Nespresso machine so I bet I could make one.
I am so glad you had such a wonderful time visiting my home town. In all the years I have lived away it still feels like coming home when we go there. And when I used to fly it was the most spectacular city to fly into especially if you flew over the city and Harbour. Hope you have a great journey home. Chief will be happy to see you!
Gabrielle, I can imagine how great it must feel for you to go back to Sydney…love it. We are actually heading to the airport now…and it’s a little sad.
What a wonderful trip to such a beautiful country, I’ve always wanted to go there. The Langham is so gorgeous and oh so luxurious and the coastline looks amazing. What a fabulous adventure. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thanks, Gail. I love your adventures, too!
I’m so pleased you enjoyed Sydney. It really is a fun city. I enjoyed all your photos- took me back!
I lived there for 15 years before moving to the States and now live in Danville, CA. ( apparently San Francisco is the sister city to Sydney)
Hope the jet lag isn’t too bad!
Frances
It does feel a lot like SF… with beaches like Hawaii.
It looks and sounds like a fabulous trip and I loved following it on Instagram! It’s definitely on my bucket list. Happy Tuesday, Mary Ann!
Yes. You will love Sydney!
Fantastic photos. I love all the pastels–they add color to an otherwise neutral interior without hitting you over the head. Sometimes I find the vaunted “pop of color” to be too much. These are just right.
“Flat white” has entered the lexicon in France, said in English. It’s basically café au lait, but “flat white” sounds more exotic.
On the bridge, did you guys have to wear tethers?
Yes, Howard would order a café au lait here (we are just about to leave) and they serve it in a glass instead of a cup…which also feels cool 🙂
How funny! My daughter picked up the Flat White while living in Paris and I’m sure has no idea it’s a Cafe at lait. Thanks for the inside information. It is quite popular where we are in Arkansas, as well.
Looks like you had a wonderful time on your trip ! What a great opportunity to visit a land so far from us – It looks absolutely beautiful and I’m so glad you shared some of the sights with us . Visiting Australia and New Zealand has always been on my bucket list – thanks for all the great info ! Would love to see more pictures once you are settled back home- safe travels home and thanks for a great post !
When you are here it doesn’t feel so far away…and we are just five hours behind California (but a day ahead)…yeah a little confusing. 🙂