{"id":98887309,"date":"2016-12-01T17:22:52","date_gmt":"2016-12-01T22:22:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/?p=98887309"},"modified":"2016-12-02T12:21:35","modified_gmt":"2016-12-02T17:21:35","slug":"8-reasons-why-sydney-deserves-the-spotlight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/8-reasons-why-sydney-deserves-the-spotlight\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Travel Hotspot: 8 Reasons Why Sydney Shines Bright"},"content":{"rendered":"

We recently read that Sydney<\/a> will be visited by a staggering 10 million visitors over Australia\u2019s pleasant summer months, comprising mainly Northern Hemisphere visitors on their winter travels,<\/p>\n

Wow. That\u2019s a LOT of people!<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what\u2019s so special about this city?\u201d you might ask. While Sydney is a regular on global rankings as one of the best cities in the world, we\u2019ve listed out some of the amazing things you can do, see, and experience that really make it an excellent winter travel destination.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a City You Can Enjoy From the Water<\/h2>\n
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Image via Dhinesh Manuel<\/p><\/div>\n

Leaving from famous Sydney Harbour, you can take any number of ferry cruises. Whether it\u2019s the scenically fabulous Manly Ferry, the history and art that surrounds the ride to Cockatoo Island, or others like Darling Harbour and Mosman, you\u2019ll get to see iconic landmarks like the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge without having to jostle with landlubbers and fend off selfie sticks.<\/p>\n

You Can Bask in the Glory of\u00a0Its Many Beaches<\/h2>\n
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Image via Flickr CC – eGuide Travel<\/p><\/div>\n

While Bondi has a reputation for its golden sands and turquoise waters, don’t forget the other beaches that make Sydney a beach bum’s paradise. Manly, Dee Why, Bungan, Long Reef, and Avalon are just some of the great stretches of beach that can be easily accessed from the\u00a0suburb of Manly itself. Whether you want to lounge, surf, or dabble in other water sports, you’ll find that Sydney is the perfect winter travel destination to have some fun in the sun.<\/p>\n

It’s Not Too Far From Wine Country<\/h2>\n

\"hunter-valley-vineyard\"<\/p>\n

For the wine connoisseur, Australia definitely holds plenty of surprises. The wine country in Hunter Valley is only a couple of hours outside Sydney and is a welcome break from the bustle of the city. For the not-so-connoisseur among us (myself included), there\u2019s tons of lush beauty, deliciously complex wines, and carefully crafted cheeses to complement them \u2013 so you really will be guaranteed a good time!<\/p>\n

You Can Get Some History Served up on The Rocks<\/h2>\n
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Gangs in #therocks still lurking around the lane ways, well as art these days. #freetour #therocks@6pm tour #sydney #imfreetours<\/a><\/p>\n

A photo posted by I’m Free Walking Tours (@imfreesydney) on