Sydney is a jewel of a city, set around one of the finest harbors in the world. This thriving, sunny metropolis is home to some famous architectural and natural icons — the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Bondi Beach. Most of Sydney’s main attractions are concentrated in a relatively compact area. Still, there’s so much to do that you could easily spend a week here and still find yourself crashing into bed at night exhausted, having tried to see everything. In summer head to one of Sydney’s beaches — with over 20 strung along the city’s oceanfront, and dozens more around the harbor, you’ll be spoiled for choice. The most famous, of course, is Bondi, a strip of golden sand legendary for its Speedo-clad Lifesavers and surfboard riders. Another favorite is Manly, a 30-minute ferry trip from Circular Quay. Pick up some fish and chips and head for the main beach, which is flanked by a row of giant pines that chatter with hundreds of small, colorful parrots at dusk. The best time to return is in the early evening, when the lights of the skyscrapers around Circular Quay streak like rainbows across the water of the harbor, and the sails of the Opera House and the girders of the Harbour Bridge are lit up — it’s magical. Compared to many other major cities, Sydney offers good value. Food and public transport are cheap, and attractions are generally not pro- hibitively expensive. (Senior and student prices are almost always available with ID.) The price of a hotel room is comparatively cheaper than in other major cities such as New York and London.
