Because of our jobs, Matt and I have been able to travel the world, on the company dime. While an all-out vacation is definitely the way to go when it comes to relaxation & rejuvenation, it is possible to combine a 9 to 5 with a holiday mini-break. No extra days off required. Welcome to the world of bleisure travel!
While visiting Sydney, stay in the heart of CBD (central business district) since it's close to the downtown office buildings and Circular Quay (home to many famous tourist attractions and the ferry). I recommend the Radisson Blu or the Westin since they are modern hotels in prime locations. If you have a free lunch break and can cut out of the office by 5 most days, you will have plenty of time to see the city highlights. Here is my perfect itinerary when I'm in Sydney for work.
While visiting Sydney, stay in the heart of CBD (central business district) since it's close to the downtown office buildings and Circular Quay (home to many famous tourist attractions and the ferry). I recommend the Radisson Blu or the Westin since they are modern hotels in prime locations. If you have a free lunch break and can cut out of the office by 5 most days, you will have plenty of time to see the city highlights. Here is my perfect itinerary when I'm in Sydney for work.
Sunday
Hop a United flight to Sydney. United flies non-stop from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston so you'll have the best connection times. The flight is LONG, so hopefully you're in business class!
Monday
No case of the Mondays here. Thanks to the long flight and the massive time change, you totally skip Monday, as if it never even happened!
NOON - Grab a salad or wrap from Nandos and wander down to Darling Harbour for a picnic lunch on the water. The harbor views are gorgeous and the people watching is fantastic. Treat yourself to an ice cream or a smoothie for your walk back to the office.
NIGHT - Head to Mejico early for a few pre-dinner margaritas. Proceed to stuff your face with tacos, guacamole, ceviche, and watermelon salad. Go to bed early. You're jet lagged!
NOON - Do some shopping at the QVB (Queen Victoria Building), a gorgeous old building turned shopping mall. Most of the shopping areas close at 5:30 during the week (excluding Thursday) so it's best to get the shopping complete during normal business hours. The building is architectural stunning and the hundreds of stained glass windows create incredible light. You'll be starving after all that spending, so grab a Greek salad and pita or a veggie gyro & the feta chips at Medusa Greek Meze to eat back at your desk.
NIGHT - Tonight you want to see the water, so head to Circular Quay and hop a ferry to Manly. You'll see amazing views of the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. When you get off at Manly Wharf, head straight to Hugo's for pizza & Peronis. After dinner, walk towards the ocean and stick your feet in the sea. The walk from Manly to Shelly Beach is scenic and easy to do, even after all that pizza. Keep climbing, past The Boathouse (one of the best places to kill a Saturday), to see spectacular sea views from high up in the cliffs.
NOON - If you're ever in a city that has a location, you must find a way to eat at Din Tai Fung. Try a few pork soup dumplings for lunch. If you're really hungry, add a sweet & sour soup or the hand pressed noodles.
NIGHT - Take your co-workers to happy hour at the top of the Sydney Tower and enjoy a cocktail in the revolving 360 Bar and Dinning. You'll see Circular Quay from 19 stories tall. Carb load after your drinks at the always popular, Jamie's Italian.
NOON - It's Friday so skip out of work early and head to The Rocks for the Foodie Market. Shop the stalls and get a bite to eat. My favorite seller is a woman who makes flower headbands. Look for her beautiful stall, Tiara and Crown. Grab some street food and walk down towards the harbor. I love the Sacred Bowl from Sacred Seed Food Co. You can see up-close views of the bridge and a new angle of the Opera House.
NIGHT - Walk back to Circular Quay and hop a ferry to Watsons Bay. After a short walk along the coast (past some beautiful beach bungalows) you'll head back to Watsons Bay Beach Club. The navy & white striped umbrellas and massive patio will draw you in. Drink pitcher after pitcher of their signature sangria while basking in the sun. Order bar snacks and watch the sun set perfectly over the water. In the mood for fish & chips? The iconic Doyle's is on the walk back to the ferry.
NOON - If you're like me, you'll have a work Saturday morning, so won't be able to spend a lazy day at Bondi Beach. Instead, around mid-day when you're work is complete, head to the Opera House. You can take a tour or at least snap some pictures close up.
Keep walking past the Opera House to the Royal Botanic Garden. My favorite sections are the Herb Garden, Oriental Garden, and my all-time favorite, The Rose Garden. Bring a newspaper and relax on the greens.
Once rested, keep walking along the harbor path until you come to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair. Here you'll see majestic views of the Sydney skyline. Walk back through the garden on the water path to see a different perspective of the garden.
If you're still in the mood for some walking, head through CBD to Hyde Park. Park highlights include Archibald Fountain, Anzac Memorial and the Pool of Reflection.
NIGHT - It's your last night in Sydney, so enjoy the main tourist sights one last time with dinner and cocktails overlooking Sydney Harbour, at the millennial pink, Hacienda. The drinks are innovative and the food is elevated bar food, with a twist! The neon green inspirational quotes and strong alcohol will make you feel better about heading back to the states the next day.
If you have time to take a few extra days, I obviously suggest you lounge at the beaches. Bondi is the most famous and the coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee is supposed to be amazing. Spend the afternoon at Icebergs for a real Bondi experience. The Taronga Zoo is home to many native Australia animals. The open air cinema near the botanic garden looks like a dream destination for watching new flicks. The Sydney fish market offers cooking classes. The tunnels at the University of Sydney are said to be covered in graffiti and will make my grungy Instagram wall dreams come true. Plan a distillery tour at Archie Rose and make your own gin. Stop and smell the roses at the Wendy Whitley Secret Garden. Check out the amazing book walls at Green Square Library. Try food from all over Asia in Spice Alley. Spend an entire day at one of my favorite places in the entire world, The Grounds of Alexandria. You can eat, shop, drink, and take a million photos in this visual paradise. Next time, I'm bringing Matt so we can try the 4 course chef's menu at est. The space is beautiful!
See more of my favorite places in Sydney: the Sydney Modern Art Museum & The Grounds of Alexandria !
Tuesday
MORNING - Arrive into SYD early and take an Uber into town. Your first stop is Gumption for a jolt of coffee to keep you awake through your greetings and introductions.NOON - Grab a salad or wrap from Nandos and wander down to Darling Harbour for a picnic lunch on the water. The harbor views are gorgeous and the people watching is fantastic. Treat yourself to an ice cream or a smoothie for your walk back to the office.
NIGHT - Head to Mejico early for a few pre-dinner margaritas. Proceed to stuff your face with tacos, guacamole, ceviche, and watermelon salad. Go to bed early. You're jet lagged!
Wednesday
MORNING - A quick coffee and toasted banana bread with butter at Skittle Lane, hoping the queue isn't too long so you're not late to work on your first full day!NOON - Do some shopping at the QVB (Queen Victoria Building), a gorgeous old building turned shopping mall. Most of the shopping areas close at 5:30 during the week (excluding Thursday) so it's best to get the shopping complete during normal business hours. The building is architectural stunning and the hundreds of stained glass windows create incredible light. You'll be starving after all that spending, so grab a Greek salad and pita or a veggie gyro & the feta chips at Medusa Greek Meze to eat back at your desk.
NIGHT - Tonight you want to see the water, so head to Circular Quay and hop a ferry to Manly. You'll see amazing views of the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. When you get off at Manly Wharf, head straight to Hugo's for pizza & Peronis. After dinner, walk towards the ocean and stick your feet in the sea. The walk from Manly to Shelly Beach is scenic and easy to do, even after all that pizza. Keep climbing, past The Boathouse (one of the best places to kill a Saturday), to see spectacular sea views from high up in the cliffs.
Thursday
MORNING - Get up early and take a run through CBD. The architecture is beautiful and the morning light is a perfect way to experience the city. Breakfast is at Joe and the Juice. Grab a flat white, a green prince juice, and a pressed caprese pesto sandwich. Before heading back to the hotel, sneak down Angel Place to snap a picture of the 100s of bird cages hanging high above the alley.
NOON - If you're ever in a city that has a location, you must find a way to eat at Din Tai Fung. Try a few pork soup dumplings for lunch. If you're really hungry, add a sweet & sour soup or the hand pressed noodles.
NIGHT - Take your co-workers to happy hour at the top of the Sydney Tower and enjoy a cocktail in the revolving 360 Bar and Dinning. You'll see Circular Quay from 19 stories tall. Carb load after your drinks at the always popular, Jamie's Italian.
Friday
MORNING - You'll be a bit hung over from happy hour the night before so go directly to NoOk and get a large café latte to quiet your screaming headache. The space is bright and happy and will instantly elevate your mood.NOON - It's Friday so skip out of work early and head to The Rocks for the Foodie Market. Shop the stalls and get a bite to eat. My favorite seller is a woman who makes flower headbands. Look for her beautiful stall, Tiara and Crown. Grab some street food and walk down towards the harbor. I love the Sacred Bowl from Sacred Seed Food Co. You can see up-close views of the bridge and a new angle of the Opera House.
NIGHT - Walk back to Circular Quay and hop a ferry to Watsons Bay. After a short walk along the coast (past some beautiful beach bungalows) you'll head back to Watsons Bay Beach Club. The navy & white striped umbrellas and massive patio will draw you in. Drink pitcher after pitcher of their signature sangria while basking in the sun. Order bar snacks and watch the sun set perfectly over the water. In the mood for fish & chips? The iconic Doyle's is on the walk back to the ferry.
Saturday
MORNING - Order Breakfast in bed. You're on holiday after all, and the company gives you a per diam!
NOON - If you're like me, you'll have a work Saturday morning, so won't be able to spend a lazy day at Bondi Beach. Instead, around mid-day when you're work is complete, head to the Opera House. You can take a tour or at least snap some pictures close up.
Keep walking past the Opera House to the Royal Botanic Garden. My favorite sections are the Herb Garden, Oriental Garden, and my all-time favorite, The Rose Garden. Bring a newspaper and relax on the greens.
Once rested, keep walking along the harbor path until you come to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair. Here you'll see majestic views of the Sydney skyline. Walk back through the garden on the water path to see a different perspective of the garden.
If you're still in the mood for some walking, head through CBD to Hyde Park. Park highlights include Archibald Fountain, Anzac Memorial and the Pool of Reflection.
NIGHT - It's your last night in Sydney, so enjoy the main tourist sights one last time with dinner and cocktails overlooking Sydney Harbour, at the millennial pink, Hacienda. The drinks are innovative and the food is elevated bar food, with a twist! The neon green inspirational quotes and strong alcohol will make you feel better about heading back to the states the next day.
If you have time to take a few extra days, I obviously suggest you lounge at the beaches. Bondi is the most famous and the coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee is supposed to be amazing. Spend the afternoon at Icebergs for a real Bondi experience. The Taronga Zoo is home to many native Australia animals. The open air cinema near the botanic garden looks like a dream destination for watching new flicks. The Sydney fish market offers cooking classes. The tunnels at the University of Sydney are said to be covered in graffiti and will make my grungy Instagram wall dreams come true. Plan a distillery tour at Archie Rose and make your own gin. Stop and smell the roses at the Wendy Whitley Secret Garden. Check out the amazing book walls at Green Square Library. Try food from all over Asia in Spice Alley. Spend an entire day at one of my favorite places in the entire world, The Grounds of Alexandria. You can eat, shop, drink, and take a million photos in this visual paradise. Next time, I'm bringing Matt so we can try the 4 course chef's menu at est. The space is beautiful!
See more of my favorite places in Sydney: the Sydney Modern Art Museum & The Grounds of Alexandria !
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