Archive for December, 2015

New Year’s Eve 2015 Events and Celebrations in Sydney

Wednesday, December 30th, 2015

Although many Australian cities organize big parties to celebrate New Year’s Eve but the celebrations of Sydney Harbour are unmatched. Sydney New Year’s Eve is a show held each year and last year it was attended by more than one and a half million people. Every year it has a different theme and consists of amazing lights, music and fireworks. The theme for this year is “City of Colour”.

The New Year’s Eve in Sydney is an event that can be compared to the new year’s eve in New York or Rio De Janeiro. It is like a grand party full of colors, enjoyed by millions of people and watched live on TV by over a billion of people around the globe. It is one of the most awaited night especially for those who live on the northern hemisphere. You are lucky if you are in Sydney to spend the night of year end and able to see it all yourself.

Let’s see what you will experience this year:

Air and Water Display:

The show will begin at 6 pm with pre-show entertainment where Matt Hall, a third-generation pilot will display some aerobatic tricks with his plane. At 6:50 pm, a stunning water show will start. A tugboat will throw thousands of gallons of water with a water cannon giving a peculiar aspect to the sunset. At 8 pm, Matt Hall will return once again with his plane.

air-show

Giant Projector:

At 8 pm, the structure of the Harbour Bridge will be used as a giant projector screen and will be used to display huge size videos and images. It will also display the countdowns to New Year.

Acknowledgement of Country:

AT 8:40, there will be a performance by the city of Sydney celebrating Aboriginal and other native cultures of the country. Magnificent images of Eora country will also be displayed on the Harbor Bridge.

Family Fireworks:

As soon as the clock will hit 9 pm, a kind of pre-midnight fireworks display will take place. This is for the younger members of the family who usually fall asleep before reaching the time for the main show. So, they can also enjoy the party without having to go to bed too late. This year through fireworks, the city will also pay tribute to Royal Botanic Garden for getting two hundred years old and to Taronga Zoo for completing hundred years.

sydney-fireworks

Harbour of Light Parade:

At 9:15 pm, A fleet of 60 ships decorated with lights will cross the bay, creating a very nice light effect with the bridge. The Opera House will also be illuminated.

Harbour-of-Light-Parade

Fireworks Display – The Finale:

The midnight fireworks, the main event which is awaited by everyone very anxiously will take place at midnight. An impressive firework display that illuminates the entire bay will take place for twelve minutes. This thunderous display of gunpowder leaves no one indifferent. It is something worth the long wait.

Final-Fireworks-Display

These are the main shows which will be organized for New Year’s Eve 2015. Don’t worry if you are not going to be at Sydney Harbour on the New Year Eve, you can also catch the event live on TV, radio and Internet.

5 Most Luxurious Hotels in Sydney

Monday, December 28th, 2015

Sydney is a city full of life, rich history, cultural events, beautiful natural landscapes and numerous other attractions. That is why it attracts millions of tourists every year and to accommodate those travelers it also provides various options ranging from economy to luxury. In this post, we have selected five the best and most luxurious hotels in Sydney which are known for their great hospitality and exceptionally comfortable accommodation.

These are the most recommended luxury hotels in Sydney:

1) Shangri-La Hotel Sydney

This hotel is located in the historic Rocks district where many transportation options such as buses, trains and ferries are easily available. Numerous tourist attractions are also located within the walking distance from the hotel: the Museum of Sydney (900 m), Sydney Opera House (1 km) and Harbourside Shopping Centre (2 km). The famous Bondi Beach is just about 10 km from the Shangri-La Hotel. This hotel offers 565 luxurious and spacious room with amazing views of the Sydney Harbour. The rooms and suites of the hotel are decorated with modern furniture, soundproof windows and iHome docks. All rooms are equipped with free wireless Internet access, satellite TV, safe, minibar and marble bathrooms. Other amenities offered by Shangri-La Hotel include a business center with conference facilities, indoor pool, laundry service, spa, sauna and massage treatments.

shangri-la-hotel

2) Hilton Sydney

The Hilton Sydney is a contemporary and elegant hotel which enjoys a prime location in the city center, within a walking distance from George Street and Town Hall Train Station which provides access to all the landmarks in Sydney. This location also provides an easy access to the shopping and business center of Sydney, numerous leisure areas, as well as many tourist attractions in the city. The Opera House which is located within walking distance and Bondi Beach is only 12 km from the Hilton Sydney. The hotel has a total of 579 spacious rooms and suites equipped with all modern facilities including free wireless internet, LED TV with satellite channels, CD and MP3 player, alarm clock and a lot more. It also offers a fully equipped health club, a spa, indoor swimming pool, saunas and steam rooms. The hotel also houses some of the best restaurants in Sydney.

3) Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney

The location of Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel is suitable for both, business and leisure travelers. Being located in the heart of Sydney central business district, it is surrounded by hundreds of companies and restaurants. Numerous tourist attractions like Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Circular Quay, the historic district of The Rocks and Botanic Gardens are located within an easy reach of the hotel. As well as. the Bondi Beach and many major shopping malls are located within a few kilometers of distance. Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel building was built in the nineteenth century and it comprises of 336 rooms and 26 luxury suites. The rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi Internet service, flat TV with cable channels, direct dial telephone, tea/ coffee maker and a minibar. Other facilities offered by the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel include express and late checkout, express laundry, takeaway breakfast and conference rooms for business meetings.

Radisson-Blu-Plaza-Hotel-Sydney

4) Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney

The hotel enjoys an ideal location in the heart of Sydney in close proximity to the historic Rocks district. It is located in an area which is both, casual and sophisticated, and it is surrounded by many shops, restaurants and bars. The Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney is an award winning hotel and numerous major landmarks of the city are located within a small walking distance from the establishment such as Darling Harbour, Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay and the Central Business District of Sydney. It provides an ultimate ambience for business meetings away from the bustle of the city. The hotel provides 415 stylish and spacious guest rooms which have been renovated recently. The rooms overlook the city skyline and equipped with complimentary wireless Internet, direct dial telephones, workspace desk, in-room safe, iron, hair dryer, a minibar and more. This 5-star accommodation also features a luxurious spa, two restaurants, two bars and an indoor swimming pool.

5) Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney

This 5-star accommodation is located near Sydney Harbour, right beside the lively shopping and business of the Australian capital. Guests of the Four Seasons Hotel can enjoy spectacular views of the harbor, explore the famous the Rocks District and pamper themselves with a luxurious treatment in the award winning spa. This hotel can be an ideal base to start your journey in Sydney. The hotel offers 531 rooms with stylish interior design and feature upgraded amenities. all the rooms of the Four Seasons Hotel are equipped with LCD TV with satellite channels, free wireless Internet access, iPod doc, in-room safe, tea/coffee maker, hair dryer and complimentary toiletries. The Hotel bar serves a selection of beers, wines, cocktails and spirits and has restaurants offering quality cuisines. The Hotel also provides shuttle service on request.

Four-Seasons-Hotel-Sydney

These luxurious hotels are ideal for the guests who want an extra level of comfort, style and personalized service. They also provide an easy access to transportation options and popular tourist attraction.

Christmas Traditions in Australia

Monday, December 7th, 2015

In Australia, you not only get the chance to enjoy its spectacular and beautiful beaches, see architectural wonders, explore its stunning deserts, visit its majestic national parks, discover a variety of unique animal species and many other attractions. It also offers numerous opportunities to participate in the wonderful festivities celebrated throughout its territory.

A Christmas in Summer

Australia is located in the southern hemisphere and therefore, Christmas is celebrated in summer when it’s really hot. The sandy beaches, the pool and blue sky characterize the holiday season. Christmas in Australia is a religious and family celebration. Being a country of immigrants, Australia has not defined traditions and there is a lot of variations in the Christmas celebrations depending on the immigrant group.

Christmas-australia-summer

Preparations for the Festival

Australians start preparations a few days earlier to Christmas and get ready to receive it with noise and joy. During the festival, Australian cities are decorated with beautiful Christmas decorations, the houses are adorned with ferns, palm leaves and native flowers. On Christmas Eve in Melbourne, performing the Carols by Candlelight is a tradition where a crowd of locals and visitors gather to sing Christmas songs by candlelight. In Sydney, people enjoy their dinner outdoors on beaches. The Bondi Beach is one of the most famous.

Candlelight-carol

Dinner on the Christmas Eve

A traditional Dinner on Christmas includes turkey, ham, pork and seafood. A Christmas plum pudding is also added for dessert. At the time of gold rush in Australia, Christmas puddings often contained a gold nugget. Christmas cake and ice cream with dry fruits and chocolate chips are also served. Some Australians and most of the tourists often enjoy their Christmas dinner at local beaches. The restaurants and hotels also organize special dinners and parties to celebrate Christmas.

Picnic on a Beach

For the world, Christmas is about snow on the outside and a cozy fireplace inside but in Australia it’s about barbecue in the garden and picnic on the beach. Even it’s hot outside, but the heat doesn’t overcome the spirit of people. Families gather to visit a church and they have a lunch together. After the lunch, they play cricket and then go to a beach. On many beaches, the Santa Claus arrives on a surfing board or a boat.

picnic-on-beach

Without any doubt, Christmas is one of the most popular festivals in Australia which is full of colors, peace and joy, and accompanied by wonderful Australian summer.