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The Four Seasons Hotel Sydney: Review

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney: the lobby

The Four Seasons Hotel Sydney has all the luxuries one would expect from the brand. The premises are open and modern, with clean lines. And the well-trained staff, particularly the concierges, offer cheerful greetings and lots of assistance. If you want to stay in, you can always head to the coffee shop for a snack or to the Mode Kitchen and Bar for a gourmet meal. Although I didn’t try it myself, Grain Bar looked fun.

Décor: Luxury modern

Location: The Rocks

Room Size: Comfortably large, but not huge

Best amenity: the offer of showers in the spa upon arrival

Advantages: Excellent location, steps from the Circular Quay

Disadvantages: The ground floor event space can spill out into the lobby

Tip: Rates vary with season and length of stay. Be on the lookout for deals.

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Where to Eat in Sydney, Australia

Where to Eat in Sydney: Oysters and sparkling wine at the Sydney Cove Oyster Bar
Where to Eat in Sydney: Oysters and sparkling wine at the Sydney Cove Oyster Bar

During a recent trip to Australia, I narrowed down where to eat in Sydney. I’ve done all the research and the taste-testing for World Oyster readers so that you won’t be disappointed. (Hey, someone had to do it!) All you need to do is read, book, and go.

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Best Things to Do in Sydney, Australia

Best Things to Do in Sydney: view of the city from the Sydney Opera House.
Best Things to Do in Sydney: view of the city from the Sydney Opera House.

When trying to plan the best things to do in Sydney, I found that I had to re-vamp my expectations of visiting an international city. Yes, Sydney has culture and, yes, Sydney has history; however, unlike European cities, you won’t find yourself steeped in the past. Instead, you end up embracing the now.

Most surprising: how the climate allows for outdoor activities, year round.

Best activity for families: visiting the Tarango Zoo

Most iconic sight: the Sydney Opera House

Best walk to get away from the bustle of the city: the Royal Botanical Gardens

Best restaurants for foodies: Silvester’s and Café Sydney

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Archives Restaurants

Dining in Auckland New Zealand

Dining in Auckland New Zealand: amuse-bouche at the Sugar Club
“Snack” at the Sugar Club

On a brief trip to Auckland, New Zealand, my husband and I dined at some of the city’s best restaurants, from casual to upscale. Not surprisingly, we discovered that dining in Auckland New Zealand can rival that of any major international city. I named two of the restaurants below, The Grove and The Sugar Club, as two of the best restaurants I visited in 2019.

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Wellington New Zealand

Te Papa Tongarewa museum, Wellington New Zealand
On the pier near Te Papa Tongarewa, the premier Maori museum of New Zealand.

My husband and I traveled to Wellington New Zealand for spring break, which was, of course, the country’s early fall. We arrived exhausted but ready to explore.

Most Memorable: Eating oysters and drinking champagne on the waterfront

Best Food: Logan Brown

Most Surprising: The intimate feel of the capitol city

Most Disappointing: I wanted to stay one more day.

Although the seat of the government was originally located in Auckland, South Islanders complained about the distance. In 1865 it was moved to Wellington, located at the tip of North Island and the geographic center of the country. The Wellington Harbour, as seen above, is a bustling shipping and boating hub with restaurants and “sheds” lining the waterfront.

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