OVERVIEW:
Sydney is a vibrant city surrounded with lots of beautiful beaches and the food on offer is spectacular. Due to their fertile land, Australians love to eat organic and healthy food, but you can also find the greatest examples of Asian cuisine. We visited Australia in the beginning of Aussie summer so we soaked up the sun and stored much needed vitamin D.  [Image]
WHERE TO STAY:
We stayed at two different hotels in Sydney. 
Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour: The first one was Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour which is located at the heart of city. The highlight of the hotel was the breakfast (best hotel breakfast ever!), chill atmosphere and the friendly staff. Free Wifi and free minibar are nice treats. Ovolo has another hotel in Sydney; Ovolo Woolloomooloo. This was our daily delight. Mashed avocado on toast with crumbled goat cheese with tomatoes + scrambled eggs. Yummy! [Image] Healthy chia seed pudding [Image]
Sydney Pier One: On the 30th and 31st of December we stayed at Sydney Pier One; it is located right under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. On New Years Eve we stayed at the hotel and enjoyed the fireworks under the Sydney Bridge. It was an once in a lifetime experience!
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Park Hyatt: Although the most expensive option, Park Hyatt is the best hotel in Sydney. It faces the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I liked the architecture; it is not a skyscraper like Four Seasons and Shangri-La, but it is a short building with airy interior. 
WHERE TO EAT:
The food was the best part of our Australia trip. It is very easy to find organic, fresh, yummy food with reasonable prices. Vegetarians or the ones who have dietary restrictions will love Australia as well; most of the restaurants care about this and there are good organic food stores at every corner. 
Firedoor: This restaurant is well known for grilled meat, fish and vegetable; located at Surry Hills.  Broccoli with chilli brittle [Image] 221 Day Dry Aged Rib! [Image]
Dining at Paddington Inn: Opened in September 2016 this new restaurant has a lovely interior design with very good food. Located at the buzzy William Street.
Three Blue Ducks: I can confidently say that this lunch was the best of all! Located at top of the Bronte Bay.
[Image] Steak sandwich, rocket, tomato relish, pimento mayo and sweet potato! [Image]
Park Hyatt Regency: At Christmas day most of the restaurants were closed so we headed to Park Hyatt Regency for lunch. The location is amazing so it is a good alternative to have a upscale lunch or dinner with spectacular views of Sydney.
Mr Wong: Part of the Merivale group, the best Cantonese in town. Located at SBD.  Sea scallops, ginger, leeks, bonito white soy dressing [Image] King crab with golden soup, crystal dumpling [Image] Shanghai noodles with duck, black pepper, and shitake mushrooms [Image]
The Apollo: With ~ 400,000 Greeks living in Australia, Sydney has plenty of options, but the best is the modern Greek located at Potts Point. Don't miss out the oven baked lamb shoulder. Melts in your mouth.
Baked eggplant pomegranate almond salad. Delicious [Image]
Fratelli Fresh: If you crave for Italian, this will be your remedy. Located at various location, but we visited Potts Point joint.
Catalina: This is the fish restaurant of locals; located at Rose Bay. Bit fancy, but the fish selection was all local and delicious.
Glacier 51 toothfish, confit baby octopus [Image]  Crispy skin cone bay Barramundi, spanner crab ravioli [Image]
WHAT TO DO:
Coogee to Bondi Walk: Get ready for this long, scenic walk. If you feel hot you can take a dip at Bronte Beach, Clovely Bay, Tamarama Beach and Bondi Beach where there are pools with sea water. 
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Taronga Zoo: Take the ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo; this is the best way to spot the highlights of Sydney.  [Image]
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Manly Beach: Bit more crowded, so head to Shelly Beach - the southern point. [Image]
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Sydney Opera House: Don't miss a show in this spectacular venue. The inside is as impressive as the views from outside. The most amazing show on earth - CIRCUS 1903 [Image]
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Swim at Andrew Charlton Pool before you hit your shopping stroll.
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Take a private tour of Sydney Harbour with the experienced and entertaining skipper Lance Jones (http://www.majesticwatertaxis.com.au):
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MELBOURNE
WHERE TO STAY:
Ovolo Laneways: Great location and we opted to stick with the Ovolo chain due to great hospitality and free minibar even though the breakfast menu was much more limited in the Melbourne branch.
WHERE TO EAT:
Archie's All Day: Good food & good music & good vibes; altogether at this place. The breakfast was the highlight of Malbourne. Located at Gertrude Street. Smashed avocado, meredith goat's feta, mint, parsley + Hot Smoked Ora King Salmon, beetroot, yuzu yoghurt + Housemade Granola [Image]
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Trippy Taco: A vegetarian Mexican; sounds good right? Located at Gertrude Street very close to Archie's All Day. [Image]
Chin Chin: The most buzzing Thai restaurant in the city. Only walk in. Located at Fitzroy Lane. Kingfish Sashimi, Lime, chilli, coconut & thai basil [Image] Twice cooked beef short rib [Image]
Supernormal: The Japanese that stole our heart. They take reservations and it is worth making a booking due to its popularity. Located at Fitzroy Lane few steps down Chin Chin.
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WHAT TO DO:
Brighton Beach: For beach time and kite surfing.
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Great Ocean Road: You shouldn’t skip this; it is the best road trip ever. After three hours of coastal drive from Melbourne this beautiful, scenic road trip ends at Twelve Apostles. I can confidently say that photos do not reflect the reality; it is the most breath taking landscape I have ever seen (It is so easy to rent a car in Melbourne; the car rental companies are located in the city centre next to each other on Franklin Street).

A la Greque is a delicious pit stop on the Great Ocean Drive.
Earl Grey & Lvender cheesecake was the highlight. [Image]
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MAIN SHOPPING STREETS OF SIDNEY AND MELBOURNE & LOCAL FAVOURITES:

Strand Arcade: Historic Arcade housing mostly Australian brands.

Gewurzhaus: Herb and Spice Merchants.

Jac + Jack: Men & women clothing.

Mens Biz: Men's Grooming.

Zimmermann: Women wear.

William Street Paddington Sydney: Street full of boutiques.

Gertrude Street Melbourne: Food, fashion, bars. Most entertaining street.


For more photos and videos, also visit instagram account @eatandtravelandlove (https://instagram.com/eatandtravelandlove/)