Sydney Harbour tops the list of key city attractions, with opportunties for scenic cruising, dining at a harborside restaurant, and roaming through Sydney Harbour National Park. Or delve into the flora and fauna of Down Under at the Royal Botanic Gardens, a spot of green tucked beside the harbor. One of the best-known buildings in the world and an emblem of the city, the Sydney Opera House, with its white-sailed façade, now sports a stylish new Colonnade with harbor and city views.

Fabulous year-round weather (the long summer begins in December, while June brings mild winters) makes Sydney's famous beach lifestyle possible. Bondi Beach is the sandy stomping grounds of backpackers and billionaires alike, and a proverbial mecca for those learning to surf. Make it an afternoon of sunshine and surfing, and stay well into the evening to sample the waterside restaurants and cocktail bars.

Shopping in Sydney is world-class: it's all here, from haute fashions to mod design, from glamorous department stores to funky one-off shops. Check out the celebrity-favored boutique Collette Dinnigan for romantic eveningwear and lingerie, Akira Isogawa for au courant Pacific Rim fashions, and the "one-stop mega-lifestyle concept stores" Orson & Blake for stylish furniture, gifts, and even a top-notch lunch spot.

Sydney ranks right up there with New York, London, and Paris as one of the best destinations in the world for wining and dining. The city's creative chefs have the freshest ingredients at their fingertips, and diners choose from an impressive selection of venues. Luke Mangan at glass brasserie, Michael Kean at Altitude, Tetsuya Wakuda at Tetsuya's, and Matt Moran from Aria all offer a unique dining experience not to be missed. And when it comes to bars, Sydney features an amazing scene. If you want a view of the city, try Blu Horizon Bar at the Shangri La hotel. The Opera Bar located at Sydney Opera House is another favorite, and the Hemmesphere at The Establishment is great for people watching.

The arts spring vibrantly to life in Sydney, with a cultural calendar packed with blockbuster exhibitions, theater debuts, musical extravaganzas, and the like. The Syndey Opera House and The Sydney Theatre Company's home base at Walsh Bay each showcase the city's performing arts in a suitably dramatic setting.

East of the city center are the nightlife hubs of Kings Cross and Woolloomooloo, both buzzing with hip clubs and live music. Sip cocktails at The Gazebo Wine Garden and Bayswater Brasserie, or check out nocturnal hot spots like Ruby Rabbit and Hugo's Lounge.

Sydney takes pride in a stellar roster of festivals and events all year round. Kicking off the New Year for three weeks in January is the Sydney Festival, with a full program of theater, dance, music, outdoor exhibitions, and visual arts. The Sydney Royal Easter Show is a two-week celebration of the culture, heritage, and tradition of Australian country life, while the Biennale of Sydney, running June through August, showcases contemporary visual arts from around the world.