| Romantic City Breaks |
Romantic City Breaks
Once upon a time, when travel was slow, an inn was a wayfarer’s relief from the arduous journey. Today, inns, even those that were formerly old stagecoach stops, are the destinations. A romantic city break is about experiencing the authenticity of the place, of being nurtured, spoiled and pampered. It’s about living, if for just a short time, in an environment that suits your dreams and arouses your fantasies.
We have met the innkeepers and hoteliers, experienced the romantic retreats and romantic rendezvous, the fabulous meals and the views, even the feather mattresses, fireplaces, mirrored ceilings and hot tubs, sometimes alone. We did it with a wonderful purpose – for you! I wanted your “research” ready, so that when you have arranged time for a romantic escape, all you need to do is read these pages and make the reservations.
Venice Romantic City Breaks
 
Rich in history and legends Venice introduces the tourist to a fantastic carousel of endless calli, campielli, channels, churches, museums and splendid buildings that show Venice as the meeting of east and west.
The shop windows, full of glasses and colored masks accompany the walk up to St. Mark Square, but as soon as you turn a corner there you find the unusual Venice: narrow alleys, passing the façade of building seemingly frozen in ages. This is the real Venice, unknown to the tourist. This is the real Venetian life. By following the more hidden itineraries someone can find timeless history.
And what can one say about the sea? Tradition has it that Venice is wed to the sea, true the soul of the city is there. Her foundation, history and fortune are born of the sea and the 118 islets that form the Venice lagoon.
There is a magic to Venice at any time of year: even in fog and mist, a trip down the Grand Canal, or across the lagoon, is filled with fascination. It is one of the few places in the world to which the word 'unique' can truly be applied: a city in the middle of the sea.
Twentieth-century buildings are a rarity. Centuries of outstanding architecture, from the thirteenth to the nineteenth, are preserved in grandeur.
Venice holds a magical spell over everyone she touches, so beautiful..a romantic dream for a City Break.
Moscow Romantic City Breaks
 
If you want to explore Moscow, you should start from the very center, which is Red Square and, of course, visit all places nearby such as Kremlin and its main Spasskaya tower with the huge clock in the middle; St.Bazil's Cathedral which was built the 16th century to commemorate the victory of Russia over Kazan khanate; the Monument to Minin and Pozharsky, the leaders of the home guards, that was constructed in 1818 on the project of sculptor I. Martos; the G.U.M department store covering most of the east side of the Square, opposite the Kremlin which really isn't a department store, but rather a mall with hundreds of separate shops.
The beautiful and ancient ensemble of the Moscow's Kremlin stands high on the hill towering over the left bank of Moskva-River. The Kremlin has always been perceived as a symbol of power and mighty of the Russian state, the national idea expressed in stone. Each era in the history of Russia left its significant architectural trace in the Kremlin. Late in the evening the brightly illuminated Kremlin ensemble presents a fantastic, majestic and sophisticated harmony. The story says that Moscow stands on seven hills. It was there, on Borovitsky Hill, where the first walls of the Kremlin were built long time ago.
Among other Moscow "must be seen" places there are: Gorky Park, which is an amusement park with rides; Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, that possesses a collection of European art second in Russia to only St.Petersburg's Hermitage; former KGB headquarters building where in its basements thousands of prisoners were tortured and executed; the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, which Stalin's regime demolished in 1931 along with countless other churches and monuments; the new monument of Peter the Great; observation platform of Sparrow (Lenin) Hills, the highest point in Moscow and Moscow State University which is located in this area; Victory Park and Poklonnaya Hill with World War II Memorial, this tiny hill is where Napoleon stood and "bowed" toward Moscow after his troops captured it, one of the attractions here is a big clock of grass and flowers; the Sofia Embankment of the Moskva river; the Bolshoy Stone Bridge; Kutuzov Avenue; White House.
Moscow is stunning, daring..a touch of Dr Zivargo...go for a City Break.
Romantic Beijing City Breaks
 
Beijing prides itself on its abundant tourist resources. The city has some 200 scenic spots available for tourists. It is home to the Forbidden City, the world's largest royal residence, the Temple of Heaven where Chinese emperors worshiped heaven, the Summer Place, the royal garden, the Great Wall at Badaling, Mutianyu and Simatai and the world's largest courtyard Prince Gong's Residence.
There are altogether 622 hotels and apartment buildings available for foreign tourists that would translate into 103,000 hotel rooms. About 572 of all these hotels are rated with one star and above. Beijing also has 151 international travel agencies that can provide over 5,000 tourist guides who are proficient in 21 foreign languages.
Beijing received 3.1 million people/times of overseas tourists in 2002, which brought to the city a total of tourist revenue of 3.1 billion U.S. dollars. Beijing was regarded by the national tourist authority as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in China.
The magnificent Forbidden City is the world's largest and best-preserved imperial palace complex. Surrounded by a moat that is six meters deep and a ten-meter high wall are 9,999 rooms - just one room short of the number that ancient Chinese believed represented divine perfection. Once having entered the Forbidden City, visitors are transported to a spacious world of great luxury that had a culture of its own. For five centuries, this palace functioned as the administrative center of the country as well as being the pleasure home of the emperors and empresses who were served by thousands of people. Walking along the corridors and through various rooms it becomes easy to understand the impact of the rulers who lived here and their isolation from the rest of Chinese life. Regardless of how much history you have read, or movies featuring the Forbidden City you have seen, the place itself is not to be missed by any Beijing visitor. (Self-guided audio tour tapes are available in several languages at the entrance.)
For a peaceful and interesting stroll, visit one of Beijing's many beautiful parks, such as Beihai Park, which was probably built by the Great Khan centuries earlier than the Forbidden City. This park was enjoyed by the various rulers of China for hundreds of years and features pavilions, architecturally interesting walkways, the 27-meter-long (about 88 feet) Nine Dragon Screen (built to scare off evil spirits), a jar that is the last remnant of the Khan's court that had been there, the Five Dragon Pavilion dating from the mid 1600's, and a large lake with an island in the middle. Another park that is a definite "must see" is the Summer Palace, a famous classic imperial garden with breathtaking beauty. Bold and generously designed, the northern gardens skillfully blend into the exquisite delicacy of the southern gardens. The Summer Palace holds a special place in the history of Chinese gardens. These are only two of the many majestic gardens in Beijing. Sometimes, you can find exceptional gardens within or surrounding Beijing's many ancient temples.
Beijing has many beautiful temples that at one time served as the focus for religious life. Temple of Heaven is the largest group of structures in the country dedicated to rituals that pay homage to heaven. This temple was built specifically for the worship of heaven and prayers for good harvests during the time of the Ming and Qing dynasties. There are two amazing acoustical spots here. On the top of the tri-leveled round altar (originally built in the 1500's) there is a spot where your words reverberate around you. You can easily imagine the power that temporal rulers felt as their prayers for abundance echoed as if they issued down from the heavens. The other is at the Echo Wall that partially encloses a circular courtyard that is 65 meters (213 feet) in diameter. Words whispered at one end travel along the wall and can be heard clearly by someone listening at the other end. The entire temple complex is a treasure of ancient Chinese architectural design and art. Symbolic shape combinations (the temples are round on square bases signifying heaven and earth) and various mystical numbers are the basis for much of the design work. The temple structures themselves are stunning works of art. All of this and more is set in the midst of a beautiful park.
There are many other fascinating temples in Beijing, among which are: the Yunju Temple, which houses the most stone inscriptions of Buddhist scriptures in the world, the White Cloud Taoist Temple, which is one of the oldest and still the most active of Taoist temples in Beijing, and the Temple of Confucius. Visiting these temples can help elucidate three primary philosophies that formed the basis for early Chinese life and culture. For example, much of traditional Chinese medicine's principles and theories were derived from the work of Taoist doctors and masters.
The largest city central square in the world, the solemn and respectful Tiananmen Square is not only the symbol of Beijing but also the symbol of China. This immense courtyard is the site of many historic events. The square is surrounded by a variety of significant edifices: Chinese Revolution History Museum, Mao Mausoleum, Great Hall of the People, the elegant and beautiful Tiananmen (Heavenly Peace Gate), and Qianmen (Front Gate). The daily flag ceremony at the square, performed at sunrise and sunset each day, is most exceptional and well-worth making time to view.
The Great Wall is one of the eight wonders of the world and is the only man-made structure that is visible from the moon. This immense wall was built to keep out invaders as well as to retain the inhabitants. It spans five provinces (6,700 kilometers, or 2,587 miles) from Shanhaiguan Pass in the east to Jiayuguan Pass in the west. Like a gigantic dragon, it winds up and down across deserts, grasslands and mountains. Just outside Beijing, it is possible to climb a section of the Great Wall and enjoy a splendid panoramic view that you will remember for the rest of your life.
Other famous Beijing attractions include the Ming Tombs, the burial site of 13 ancient emperors; the Drum Tower built in the 1400's; Tiantan Park with its excellent Ming architectures; Fragrant Hills Park; the Ancient Observatory that dates back to the days of Kublai Khan; The Silk Market; Botanical Gardens; the Indian-designed Temple of Azure Clouds and many, many more wondrous places. Any reader of the classic The Dream of Red Mansions will want to visit Prince Gong's Mansion of the 18th Century, which is purported to be the model for mansion in the novel.
New York Romantic City Breaks
 
Cuddle close on a carriage ride through Central Park, stroll arm-in-arm down Fifth Avenue, hold hands in the Museum of Modern Art. Lovers and Manhattan. The terms are almost synonymous. Where would Hollywood be without lovers meeting on top of the Empire State Building, dancing at the Rainbow Room, or kissing in front of the Plaza?
Have you ever seen couples in the park? It’s beautiful... repeated a thousand times over. Walking with arms entwined, strolling through the zoo, having picnics on blankets, skating on a rink, embracing under a gazebo, rowing on the lake, snuggling in a horse-drawn carriage. And Central Park is just the most obvious of sensual spots. Midtown may be the first place you consider when you think about Manhattan, but it certainly isn’t the only part of town that offers magic and romance. The city has dozens of distinct and separate neighborhoods and more than a few are dramatic destinations, even if you’re a local.
For visitors, let me explain the layout of Manhattan. It’s a very narrow island that comes to a point at its southernmost tip, Battery Park. From there, some of the most scenic bargain-priced boat trips depart (for Staten Island, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island). The Avenues run south to north, starting from Battery Park, where the Hudson and the East Rivers meet. Fifth Avenue divides the town into East and West sides, while Broadway dissects the city on an angle from the East Side, downtown, to the West Side, uptown. With the numbered streets, which cross town from river to river, they form grids, within which are little neighborhoods.
“So complete is each neighborhood,” wrote essayist E.B. White, “and so strong the sense of neighborhood, that many a New Yorker spends a lifetime within the confines of an area smaller than a country village.”
With that in mind, I’ve chosen a few special neighborhoods where you can rendezvous for an entire weekend, if not a lifetime, or use them as a homebase from which to experience other parts of town.
Manhattan is one of the best places in the world for dining à deux. It’s a mecca for food-lovers whose culinary tastes run the gamut from gourmet to eclectic, a world-class venue for savoring vintage classics and sampling what’s new, what’s ethnic and what’s hot. This is a city where you can celebrate each chef’s personal style within a showcase – some call it a stage set – inspired and developed, often by or with an entrepreneurial restaurateur.
SOuth of HOuston (and north of Canal Street) encompasses 45 blocks that were once busy with manufacturing plants. Now it’s arty! Art in museums and galleries and antique shops, arty boutiques and wearable art, and artfully inspired and presented cuisine. Among the approximately 393 shops, there are 248 art galleries, 35 antique shops, 72 restaurants, 19 jewelers, 18 cafés, five museums, 15 beauty salons, three bridal shops, 14 bookstores, even two pet shops and one hotel. It’s a vibrant place to laugh, love, hug, touch, tickle and kiss... have a cappuccino and bring home delectables from Dean & Deluca.
Romantic Paris City Breaks
 
For decades tourists have tried to figure out why Paris is shrouded in such mystique. Granted, walks at night along the Seine are enchanting, but that alone cannot explain why the very mention of Paris had always conjured up tales of romance, well before it was blessed with gas or electricity, well before its exquisitely lit street-corners were replicated the world over in black-and-white print.
After all, medieval Paris was a dark den of filth, reeking with nauseous stench, and the two sinister prison fortresses which jutted out of its skyline could hardly be conducive to romance. Not to mention the 32 rotting corpses dangling in the offing when the royal gallows were used to full capacity.
Yet the myth has been perpetuated for a good thousand years. Although occasionally there is the odd disappointed visitor, most cling to their image of Paris; if necessary they mishandle the truth for its sake, and understandably so - who cares to be reminded that everyday Paris can be blatantly unromantic, grumpy, tight-lipped and dour, filled with nerve-racking drivers, smeared with graffiti and explosive with social unrest, a far cry from the red-and-white checkered tablecloths and dainty white aprons that welcomed us to the Café de Paris in Medora, North Dakota, where Michel and I, the incarnation of the Parisian couple, were given the royal treatment by the sheriff.
There lies the beauty of the enigma. Paris is poetry, Paris is mystery, Paris is beauty - an exasperating decoy which never quite delivers, all the more compelling for her imperfection, the archetypal reservoir of all our passions. We come to Paris as to a stage on which to enact an episode of our love life, but before we know it we are caught under her spell and find out, to our astonishment, that it is Paris herself that has got under our skin, the one love that has no rival and that even time will never erode.
It was when I realised that Paris was my one source of inspiration, the object, in turn, of both my celebration and desecration, that I understood that Paris herself is a tale of passion, full of turmoil and fury and dazzling charm, the very essence of romance. Paris emerged out of the water of the Seine like some Venus rising out of the waves of the sea. And it was Venus's protégé, Paris, the dashing young son of King Priam of Troy, who founded the city and bequeathed to it his name, a task equal to this exemplary lover who had set ablaze the ancient world, all for the love of Helen the Fair.
You may have read elsewhere that Paris was named after the Parisii Celts who settled on its little island in the third century BC, but this is only the historical version of the tale. In truth, Helen's lover came here first. It all started when, presiding over a beauty contest between Juno, Minerva, and Venus, his vote went to the Goddess of Love, to whom he also offered the Golden Apple of Discord as a prize.
In return, the enchanted goddess offered him her protection and incited him to seduce Helen, the most beautiful woman of his time - but also a married woman, alas! - the wife of King Menelaus. The Trojan War and the ultimate fall of Troy were the disastrous outcome of Venus's terrible blunder. By some good fortune, however, Paris was unharmed by the fiasco he had provoked and, having made a successful escape, ended somehow sailing down the Seine and landing on the future Ile de la Cité, where he founded the new city.
Some pedants may object that Paris had died in Troy, as reported in Homer's Iliad; others may argue that in French his name carries a little circumflex, which the city doesn't... But I for the life of me cannot think of a more suitable pedigree for the city of romance.
Before long a city of splendour covered the little island, a match to its ravishing godmother Venus, though not necessarily a place of amorous bliss.
As you embark on a 1000-year flight over the love map of Paris, dear pilgrim, be forewarned: the map is crumpled in despair and drenched in tears of many a thwarted love. Even in the world's most romantic city, Venus always seems to bungle things!
By the fateful year of 1118 a multitude of church steeples pierced the little island's sky - an exquisite site. The cathedral of Notre Dame was in poor repair, soon to be levelled and replaced by a glorious Gothic monument which would take nearly two hundred years to complete.
Thirty-seven enlightened canons served this house of God, each allotted a neat dwelling where he lived a serenely, waiting to be called back to God. It was in one of these dwellings, with its lovely grounds extending north down to the river, that the most famous love story of medieval France was enacted. And this time the tale is no fiction.
Here Canon Fulbert took in his 17-year-old niece, Héloïse, so that she could benefit from the excellent education provided by the school of Notre Dame.
The appointed tutor was 39-year-old Pierre Abélard, the greatest scholar of his generation, whose reputation drew students to the Latin Quarter from all over Europe. He was also an accomplished poet and musician. In other words, Pierre was irresistible.
Before long, Héloïse had to be sent back to Britanny to have her child away from the public eye. Her vengeful uncle, not content to keep the lovers apart, had Pierre captured and castrated, thus thwarting definitively their earthly love.
Compassionate death, however, united them once more, as it often does for true lovers. For nearly 1,000 years now they have been resting next to each other, more often than not sharing the same tomb.
When Héloïse died at age 63, her body was placed in his coffin, where they remained for over 300 years. But in 1497, some prudish nun, upset by such indecency, had them placed in two separate tombs. In 1792, more progressive authorities thought the better of it and united them again in one coffin, but with a leaden partition between them....
In this coffin, the celebrated lovers were translated to the Musée des Monuments Français, where they were honoured with a neo-gothic monument designed especially for them. In the early years of the 19th century, when the new Père Lachaise cemetery was trying to lure upper-crust tenants from western Paris to its huge grounds lying on the unappetising, eastern edge of the city, someone came up with the brilliant idea of transferring the prestigious couple and their monument to Père Lachaise as a publicity stunt, and sure enough it did the trick. Everyone began buying plots at the new cemetery, which explains why the medieval pair now rests among the smug bourgeoisie of 19th-century Paris.
Romantic Rome City Breaks
 
It's the city of everyone's dreams. Like Paris, Istanbul and Barcelona, it's mine too. It's the cradle of modern civilization, the place that gave us new ways of governing, building and living.
For centuries, the Romans spread their knowledge and influence over vast areas of Europe and Asia. The city was devastated by war. It lay in ruins after 1945, but it has risen, and today it draws people from the four corners of the world.
It is partly rebuilt, and what is found there appeals to our imagination. We can still visualize the toga-clad senators walking through the Forum or cheering the gladiators in the Coliseum. We are still moved by the Spanish Steps, the Fountain of Trevi, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, the Tiber River and, of course, the Vatican.
Rome is a bustling giant, but it has a charm, a grace, and a spirit of its own. There is something there for everyone and every taste.
The old center of Rome has more riches than one can imagine, even with the swath of relics destroyed by Mussolini in his quest to modernize the area near the Forum.
So if we start at the Piazza Venezia and go off in any direction, we will soon discover what the Romans were talking about when they referred to La Dolce Vita. In my mind's eye, I still see the red-shirted Garibaldi followed by his lovely wife, Anita.
I still see Anita Ekberg in Fellini's famous film or Marcelo Mastroanni. I see fancy ladies in their Versace or Armani designs. I see flashy Ferraris and ancient Fiats. I see the past walk by in the 'city of history.' I see the old and the new. I see the eternal.
In the Piazza Venezia, I imagine sadder days with Mussolini cajoling the masses from a balcony. Behind me is the monument to Victor Emanuel II, erected by El Duce in that modernist style that reminds one of a birthday cake.
Behind it is the Roman Forum, now mostly rubble, spread out all the way to the Coliseum. I climb the Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo, rebuilt in its original splendor. It is difficult to imagine that this was once the seat of a government that ruled from Jerusalem and Great Britain.
Today, the Coliseum is but a shell of its original. The decayed floor is gone. A warren of tiny spaces shows where gladiators trained, where Christians waited to be thrown to the lions.
Today, much of the circular walls are gone, replaced by brick and showing the pockmarks of war and the places where the steel staples holding the stones together were pillaged by later generations. But the sound of the crowd is still there for me. I can still see the emperor, clad in white and gold, seated with his minions in a shaded box. Here, in this shell, Rome is very much alive.
To one side of the Coliseum is the Arch of Titus that commemorates Titus' victory in Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple. Until the State of Israel was founded in 1948, most Jews refrained from walking through this arch.
The statue representing the Nile is a man covering his eyes. He is facing the church of St. Agnese. Bernini chose this pose to depict his fear that the church, created by his rival, might fall down.
This space was once the Stadium of Domitian, and parts of it can still be seen. Great games and spectacles took place here, including boat races when the piazza was flooded. This is one of the best places to relax, have your picture drawn or eat a cornetto (Italian croissant), a cappuccino or, my favorite, café latte.
From here it's a short walk to the famous Pantheon, the best-preserved building in Rome. It is a perfectly proportioned, round temple built of inlaid Carrara marble and a soft material as a dome.
There is an opening in that dome with the rainwater taken away by sewers built into the marble floor. We have learned much about construction from this ancient structure.
From there to the Fountain of Trevi is a short walk across Via del Corso, one of the most popular visits for tourist. It depicts Neptune drawing sea horses from turbulent waters and is in fact attached to a building (Palazzo Poli) as though it is cascading from one of the walls.
Of course, since La Dolce Vita, people have been throwing coins into the fountain. The original idea was that two coins, thrown over your left shoulder, meant you would come back to Rome some day.
Our guide said that the throwing of three stones is a modern notion, coming from a film. One, to assure you would come back, two to assure you would find love, and a third so you could assure a divorce.
I like to believe the old legend, but whatever you believe, you'll have to find a spot amidst the throngs to throw those coins. The coins were once stolen by local waifs late at night. Now, each morning men come with a giant suction mechanism to scoop up the money, which, they say, goes to the poor.
My last stop will be The Spanish Steps. I continue along Via del Corso to the corner of Via Condotti. I am amazed by the number of designer stores on each side of the street as I head for the steps. Gucci, Bulgari, Versaci, Dolce & Gabanna are but a few of the overpriced stores teeming with Japanese tourists.
Here, too, is the old Café Greco, once frequented by Goethe, Chopin, Wagner, Byron and Elizabeth Browning. At the top of the street is the noisy Pizza di Spagna and the boat-shaped fountain commemorating a barge in the Tiber during a historic flood. The fountain was designed by Pietro Bernini, whose father designed St. Peter's Square.
Next to the 137 steps is the Keats' house where the poet lived and died. Byron and Shelly lived nearby in what is now a museum. The Spanish embassy at the bottom of the steps gave its name to the popular meeting spot. People come here just to sit on the famous steps.
Sydney Romantic City Breaks
 
Sydney, sits on one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. This vibrant, cosmopolitan gateway to Australia is a captivating city packed with natural and man-made charms. Its superb beaches, historic enclaves, top-flight restaurants and surrounding attractions all combine to make it an essential Australian experience.
Sydney, a free spirited, vibrant city built around one of the world's most beautiful harbours, with scores of sparkling beaches within easy reach of its cosmopolitan heart - that's Sydney, capital of New South Wales, Australia's largest and oldest city, where the first settlers landed in 1788.
Situated on Sydney Harbour, adjacent to Circular Quay, The Rocks lies beneath the giant arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and overlooking the famous sails of the Opera House. This historic quarter of Sydney was the site of the first colonial settlement in Australia in 1788. The Rocks is home to colourful characters, residents and artists. The Sydney Visitor Centre is a good place to start. Pick up a map, chat with the friendly information officers and view the centre's archaeological exhibition.
The Rocks is a waterfront precinct is where you will discover beautifully restored historic buildings and lose time as you admire displays in one of the many galleries and museums. This historic precinct offers a wide selection of dining, shopping and entertainment. The Rocks is the "must do" part of every visitor's enjoyment in Sydney.
Try the weekend markets, located in the heart of Sydney's old quarter, open every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 4.30pm. The markets specialise in Australian home wares, antiques, collectibles and gifts. Join a tour with BridgeClimb and climb the arches of the Sydney Harbour Bridge or take the stairs up the Pylon Lookout, both providing fantastic views of Sydney Harbour and surrounding suburbs.
Sydney Opera House, a landmark building at Bennelong Point, is home to Australia's opera, ballet and theatre companies and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. There are a number of restaurants located in the complex and guided tours are available.
Sydney Tower Observation Level is located in the AMP Centrepoint Tower. The tower provides compelling 360-degree views of Sydney from both the observation level and its revolving restaurant.
Darling Harbour is a place where Sydney celebrates. This modern waterside harbour, five minutes from the city centre is accessible by car, ferry, bus, lightrail and monorail. Browse through the 200 shops in the Harbourside Shopping complex and eat in one of the waterfront restaurants at Harbourside or the all new Cockle Bay development. You can visit many world class attractions including the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Panasonic Imax Theatre, The Chinese Garden, The Powerhouse Museum and Sega World.
Manly is a seaside resort on the north eastern corner of Sydney Harbour with both ocean and harbour beaches. From Circular Quay take the ferry or JetCat, an express ferry, to Manly or visit as part of a harbour cruise. Close to Manly Wharf are restaurants, boutiques and the aquarium, Oceanworld. Visit the old Quarantine Station at North Head that provides unsurpassed views. Day tours and special ghost tours at night are available. The area around Manly is ideal for scenic walks and the famous beach offers a range of water activities.
To the north and south of the city, you'll find white sand beaches, minutes away by bus, ferry or taxi. Within the harbour are Balmoral, Nielsen Park and Camp Cove. For surfing, there's Bondi, Bronte or Coogee in the south; Manly, Collaroy or Palm Beach in the north.
In the city itself, enjoy Sydney's lively theatre, dance, opera, concert and pub entertainment. Kings Cross offers late-night entertainment in bars and discos. For a movie and bite to eat head to George Street. The nearby Sydney Entertainment Centre is the venue for concerts.
Choose from one of the many dinner cruises on the harbour offering entertainment and superb scenery, or try your luck at the casino, Star City. Overlooking the harbour, the casino offers gaming facilities such as blackjack, roulette, craps, sic bo and the traditional Australian favourite two-up.
Sample some jazz at Soup Plus, The Basement or Harbourside Brasserie, or dance the night away at the Cauldron, Retro or DCM. For rock music lovers there is the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel or for comedy enjoy entertainment at Kaos, Sydney's most popular comedy restaurant.
Almost every cuisine is available in Sydney and the quality is very high. Try the local seafood or taste the best from international cuisines. Some of Sydney's best eating can be enjoyed in a number of precincts - Chinatown, The Rocks, Balmain, Leichhardt, Darlinghurst, Newtown and Kings Cross.
With four national parks, Sydney offers a superb environment to get back to nature with opportunities for bushwalking, picnicking, and adventure activities, and are all easily accessible from the city. Sydney Harbour National Park incorporates the Sydney Harbour islands and much of the harbour foreshore, while the Royal National Park, Botany Bay National Park and Ku-ring-gai National Park offer an insight into Aboriginal culture through preserved rock and cave art.
Visit the site of the 2000 Olympic Games at Homebush Bay. Experience the Sydney International Aquatic Centre, popular with locals, and Stadium Australia, a major venue for entertainment including concerts and sporting events. Take a tour of the whole Olympic Park to gain a greater insight into what was Sydney's Olympic Games.
In the west of Sydney, before the Blue Mountains, are several historic cities and regions. dParramatta was settled by Governor Phillip in 1788 and was known as the capital of New South Wales in colonial times. It is an area of great historical interest with attractions such as the Old Government House and Elizabeth Farm. Located 20 kilometres up the river from Sydney, access includes the Rivercat Ferry from Circular Quay. The City of Penrith is located on the Nepean River at the foot of the Blue Mountains. Attractions include the Penrith Lakes, selected as the venue for the rowing for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. On the way to Penrith from Sydney, at Eastern Creek, is Australia's Wonderland, a major fun and theme park for Sydney, together with the Australian Wildlife Park where visitors discover the beauty of Australia's flora and fauna. The Hawkesbury River, flowing from Richmond to Broken Bay, north of Palm Beach, provides a playground for fishing, cruising, canoeing and waterskiing. Many fine dining restaurants line the foreshore of this picturesque river.
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