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When one envisions the playgrounds of the rich and famous, the image one conjures is of waves as blue as azure lapping gently on the fringes of white sun kissed beaches. While rich business tycoons and beautiful celebrities lounge around chatting to one another, bodyguards remain on the lookout for annoying fans and paparazzi, while valets scuttle cocktails here and there.

The reality of the situation though is that when the rich want to get away, they prefer to vacation in private confines, away from the madding crowd. Although, lounging by the poolside or on sun-drenched beaches while observing other people, for a change, is an emphatic benefit.

Exclusivity 

That is why Australian and international jet-setters flock to Balmy Palmie, Sydney’s answer to St. Tropez. Palm Beach, or Balmy Palmie in true Australian lingo, Pearl Beach and South Coast, all boast celebrity owners such as Nicole Kidman and Australian media mogul James Packer or Russell Crowe and Kylie Minogue.

Kalua, home of Hawaiian businessman Ian Joyce, is a favourite rental holiday destination of the super rich and famous. Before purchasing her own piece of holiday heaven here, Nicole Kidman used to rent the property at US$40,000 per week. Another celebrity who has enjoyed this relaxing getaway by the sunny beaches of Sydney is comedic legend and founder member of Monty Python: John Cleese.

Fact:– US$15,000 a week will get you a chic modern pad nestled in the lush forests of Byron bay overlooking the majestic Pacific ocean. This includes an army of staff from chefs to florists ready to cater to every request while discreetly blending into the background so as not to bother you. – US$35,000 per week will get you a luxurious apartment with all amenities and facilities right in the heart of the Sydney.

Sydney is one of the few cities in the world that offers a bustling metropolis just 20 minutes from the beach. For celebrities such as Greg Norman who prefer a city getaway there are exclusive penthouses in the heart of the city which offer stunning vistas. If you prefer the convenience of a hotel then there are numerous 5-star hotels dotted along the beach or in the central business district. With exclusive valet and personalised attention you can be assured of your privacy and anonymity for the duration of your stay in Sydney.

 

Sydney Opera House 

The Opera House is the most recognisable landmark in Sydney. Built in 1957 by Danish architect Jørn Utzon this wonder of the world has an iconic curved sail-like roof construction which is considered a miracle of modern engineering. No visit to Sydney is complete without a visit to the Opera House and with 1,500 world-class performances held every year the true culture connoisseur will be spoilt for choice.

Main Presenters:Opera Australia, Sydney Symphony, Sydney Theatre Company, and The Australian Ballet.  Other Presenters: Australian Chamber Orchestra, Bangarra Dance Company, Sydney Dance Company, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and The Bell Shakespeare Company.

The High Tea experience at the Opera House is a unique opportunity for the affluent visitor to sample a signature menu created by celebrated chefs, followed by an inspiring opera recital or symphony. The concept of High Tea at Bennelong restaurant captures the spirit of Sydney: bold, stylish and contemporary. Guests are welcomed with a  glass of fine Australian wine, a selection of canapés, French pastries, and petit fours. From the elegance of Bennelong’s, with its food created by chefs such as Guillaume Brahimi, to performances by the opera world’s renowned performers, a visit to the Sydney Opera House will satiate the soul of the true culture aficionado.

Harbour Bridge

Celebrate the 75^th anniversary of another Sydney landmark this year by taking a walk across the  bridge, which offers stunning views of the Harbour. Exclusive tours allow the intrepid tourist to walk along one of the curves to the top of the bridge, across the peak and back down the opposite curve. For a truly unique experience it is advisable to be at the top of the bridge at twilight, when the city of Sydney starts to light up and a sea of twinkling lights emerge as the golden sun sets in the distant horizon. 

Hot Tips: – The best views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour bridge are from the Blu Horizon bar located on the 36th floor of the Shangri-la hotel. Cocktails and canapés with the city spread out below as far as the eye can see make for a very memorable diorama. – For the ultimate Sydney harbour experience charter a private catamaran or super yacht for 20 – 80+ people and enjoy a cruise under the harbour bridge and right alongside the opera house. Add to the experience by including private entertainment from Salsa Latin Floor show to a jazz or blues band.

Watson’s Bay

Located at the southern head of the entrance to Sydney harbour, Watson’s Bay is recognised as Australia’s oldest fishing village. The bay is famous as the landing point of Governor Philip when he first came to Australia, and also for Doyle’s restaurant. Legend has it that on the exact spot where the restaurant is located today was where Doyle sold his daily catch of fish in 1845.

For a long, lazy lunch or a romantic dinner Doyle’s seafood restaurant offers unparalleled service with typical Australian attitude and glorious views of Sydney at its best.

 

Beaches

Immortalised in numerous movies as the epitome of Aussie surf-culture, Bondi is the perfect place to seek anonymity while watching the hordes of surfers ride the majestic waves that crash onto the beach. Trendy restaurants, cafés and ocean-filled pools line the beach-front offering visitors a perfect opportunity to relax and watch the world go by in typical Aussie fashion. After a hard day of surfing or just worshipping the sun, a visit to Icebergs Bar on the corner of Bondi Beach is the perfect spot to experience Bondi’s nightlife. Naturally designed rock pools with crashing waves in the background set the perfect tone for a night of revelry and indulgence.

Manly Beach shoreline is home to some of the very rich and famous with gorgeous beach fronts and smaller intimate coves. Travelling from Manly to Sydney is usually done by yacht or ferry, but a chauffeur drive is also an ideal way to take in the sea views and gorgeous visages of the Sydney Skyline. Manly is also considered Sydney’s premier beach resort with 18 ocean beaches, inlets to swim, sail or surf and a rich heritage and culture.

Getting to Sydney

Emirates –

Flies from Dubai – Sydney daily with an approximate flying time 30 hrs.

Flies from Sydney –  Dubai daily with an approximate flying time 30 hrs

First Class Fare: AED 20,090 per adult return  

Thai Airways-

Flies from Dubai – Sydney on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday – via Bangkok.

Flies from Sydney – Dubai daily via Bangkok.

First Class Fare: AED 18,990 per adult return

Etihad Airlines –

Flies from Abu Dhabi – Sydney daily.

Flies from Sydney – Abu Dhabi daily.

First Class Fare: AED 23,580 per adult return

Beyond the City of Sydney

No trip to Sydney is complete without a visit to the only Australian beach ranked among the world’s top 25 sexiest beaches: Byron Bay. Also on the must do list is a visit to the Blue Mountains with a stay at the Clifftop Lilianfels Blue Mountain Resort & Spa. For the ardent wine collector a tour of Upper and Lower Hunter Valley vineyards is sure to unearth truly rare vintages.

Byron Bay

Out of the 7,000 Australian Beaches, Byron Bay, the New South Wales Beach, was the only one listed among the world’s 25 sexiest by Forbes Traveller. Located on the far north coast of New South Wales, a short hop away from Sydney, Byron Bay was highly rated for its chalky-white sands, temperate weather and frequent visits from dolphins and migrating whales.

After research and feedback from industry experts, tour planners, meteorologists and marine biologists, Byron Bay was placed in the exclusive company as Eleuthera in The Bahamas, Lover’s Beach on the Baja Peninsula, and Fiji’s Natadola Beach.

Tour of Hunter Valley Vineyards

Australia is ranked in the top five wine exporters and wine consumers, a true testament to the quality of the wines produced from this part of the world. The Hunter Valley’s unbroken history of winemaking stretches back to 1825, making it home to Australia’s oldest vineyards. Just a 2 hour drive from Sydney, across the Harbour Bridge, is Hunter Valley home to some of the most famous vintages to come out of New South Wales.

The most notable reds from the Lower Hunter valley are long lived Semillion and Shiraz. Most vineyards are situated on red clay soils found at the foothills of the Brokenback range and on the flat creek with sandy soil. Some notable vintages include McWilliams, Mt. Pleasant, Rothbury and Tempus Two.

Upper Hunter region is known as a white wine producer of soft and rich Chardonnays and quick maturing Semillions. Although the climate is warmer the humidity and rainfall is lower. The regions viticultural success is due to the fact that the soil is well drained with moderately fertile black silty loams which overlay alkaline dark clay loam.

The traditional winemaking families are extremely hospitable and offer some expensive vintages exclusive to the New South Wales region. Due to the unique consistency of the soil and climate the wines purchased are rare. It is very difficult to find similar wine anywhere in the world. The Hunter Valley Semillon wines are fresh and limey with a crisp acid backbone and show great potential to mature into classics. The main red variety Shiraz harvested from mid February to early March, depending on vine maturity and crop level, result in wines that are deep in colour, rich in berry fruit with a soft tannin finish.

Factoids:– New South Wales/ACT had 432 wine producers in 2007. Australian wine producers used 118 winegrape varieties to produce straight varietal or blended wines – Shiraz is the most common variety with 80% of producers listing it, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon with 73% and Chardonnay with 71%.

The Blue Mountains

A 90 minute drive west from Sydney or an hour long journey by train, through awe-inspiring scenery, lies the Blue Mountains. The main township Katoomba also known to the aboriginals as ‘shiny, tumbling water’ is home to the Three Sisters rock Formation at Echo point and the luxurious Lilianfels Hotel.

Adjectives such as ‘beautiful’ and ‘mystical’ are often used to describe the characteristic blue haze that envelopes the mountains. The area is also home to the Waratah flowers and other native Australian flora. The best way to drink in the expansive scenery is to ride the famous Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest incline railway, or the thrilling Skyway cable car.

The Lilianfels Blue Mountain Resort & Spa is a European style country house located on a cliff top over the magnificent Jamison Valley. Set amidst two acres of English style gardens, the property overlooks world heritage listed wilderness sites and is a haven for romantic getaways.

An ideal destination for gourmets as well, Lilianfels features the elegant Darleys fine dining restaurant, which boasts modern Australian cuisine. The lasting impression of Lilianfels is the picture perfect image of a fiery sunset reflecting off sandstone cliffs and plunging gorges.

Sydney is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest cities with sun, surf, and unpretentious soul that is reflective of the easy going Aussie attitude. With a bustling metropolis just minutes away from over 30 beaches you are sure to find your ideal vacation. Due to Sydney being literally on the other side of the world and the stunning naturally occurring facades, rich and possible famous, are choosing Sydney as a vacation destination to get away from the hustle and bustle of work, to relax in anonymity while watching the world go by.