Australia Zoo is a must visit! The staff were very friendly and passionate about their work. They were always happy to stop and share their knowledge. Also being able to walk up to kangaroos and wombats and hand feed them out of your hand or hug a koala made me so happy!
The animals are well looked after.
We spent a full day at Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo and still didn’t cover all the bases. Now we have a reason to come back 🙂
It’s a very interactive zoo where you were allowed to feed kangaroo.
Red Panda Encounter
My favorite part was to feed the red panda!
Koala Encounter
Another highlight of my day was to hold a real live koala bear~ They are adorable!
There were so many vantage points and sights within the National Park, but Echo Point was where you should start. We were going to Scenic World after here. It gave you a panoramic view of the whole valley.
Excellent views of the Three Sisters and all of the valley.
Scenic World Blue Mountains
Scenic world was a fun place to visit. Ride the Skyway, cable car and train. It gave you a different perspective of the maintains and Three Sisters.
Magnificent views of the valleys and waterfall.
The Giant Stairway
The scenic railway was the steepest in the world at 52 degrees. Riding the steepest rail way while simultaneously seeing stunning views was amazing.
The view from the waiting deck was absolutely stunning.
I loved walking on the boardwalk trails in the forest. The walks were very educational with signs and information along the boardwalks.
Sydney’s most iconic landmark. The opera house is a majestic building that really dominates the harbor. After an hour guided tour, we left with a much deeper appreciation and understanding of this iconic structure.
We went on the guided tour. You get to see a number of different performance theaters, rehearsal spaces and backstage areas. Our guide was very knowledgeable and explained to us all aspects of the building and the architect Jørn Utzon. It was surprised to learn that the architect had never returned to Sydney to see his masterpiece completed.
Bennelong
We had a great lunch at Bennelong. This was the perfect location before the Opera House tour. The food was delicious!
Raw Kingfish
artichoke, capers, ice plant
Red Claw Yabbies
lemon jam, cultured cream, buckwheat pikelets
Suckling Pig Sausage Roll / Roasted Carrot Salad
Sydney Harbour Bridge
This bridge connects the Sydney business district and the Northshore. It was always spectacular and amazing to see it on TV especially during the New Year’s Eve with the fireworks display.
Sydney BridgeClimb
This was an amazing one-of-a kind experience. The safety issues were well explained and carried out. Even though I am scared of heights, at no time did I feel unable to continue. It was a great way to see Sydney and the Harbor.
Celebrity Spotting
The Rocks
Located next to Circular Quay. Lively trendy area for street market during the weekend. Great cafe culture during the day and good bar scene at night.
Queen Victoria Building
Great place to stroll through. Plenty of top end shops and cafes. It is worth a walk through to see the beautiful tile work, paintings and hanging clock.
Darling Harbour
Darling harbour is especially fun in the evening. We went to Darling Harbour to see the fireworks on Saturday night at 9pm and were pleasantly surprised by all the restaurants and cafes that were there. It’s a great spot to hang out, get an ice cream, and walk around. Very family friendly!
Just loved to sit and watch the world go by, and the night lights were also amazing!
Darling Harbour Ferries
Best way to see Sydney at night. Get an Opal card from the machine and tap away.
Diner en Blanc 11/28/2015
I heard that this worldwide dining event is not released until the day of the event. We saw hundreds of guests came dressed in white. Looked like this year it will be held in the Sydney Opera House. Fun!
Day Trips From Sydney
The Blue Mountains (Three Sisters) are just under a two hour drive west of the city.
There is nowhere on the planet quite like Edinburgh's Hogmanay. You must come to experience it! We are lucky enough be in Edinburgh for New Years Eve 2015/2016 and participated in the Hogmanay celebrations. The atmosphere gathered by the huge crowd is so excited. You will see thousands of torch bearers march through the old town. Lights, music, great crowd, and fireworks! It's truly the greatest party in the world!
The festivities kick off on December 30th with a torchlit procession. Imagine thousands of people snaking through the city streets, each carrying a flaming torch, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Live music, street performers, and a general sense of merriment fill the air.
Hogmanay Celebrations
Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the year. It begins with a torchlit procession. The torchlight procession marks the start of three days of Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh. There are around 20000 people marching along the Royal Mile and accompanied by drummers and pipers. Imagine a sea of flickering flames held aloft by 20,000 participants! 😮 The procession snakes through the historic streets, casting an ethereal glow on ancient buildings. Laughter and music fill the air as friends and families join strangers, united in the warmth of the firelight and the spirit of celebration. This iconic event marks the start of a joyous journey towards a brand new year.
Hogmanay Street Party New Year’s Eve
The crown jewel of Hogmanay is undoubtedly the street party on December 31st. The city center transforms into a massive open-air celebration. Live music stages pump out energy, while revelers dressed in all manner of costumes dance the night away. The highlight of the night is the midnight fireworks display. As the clock strikes twelve, fireworks illuminate the sky above Edinburgh Castle, painting a breathtaking picture against the historic backdrop. Auld Lang Syne, the iconic Scottish song, resonates through the streets as people link arms, strangers become friends, and the spirit of togetherness reigns supreme.
The historic street at the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town flow with a flaming river of light. There are music on the route too.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay – Torchlight Procession
Fabulous fireworks display at midnight above the Castle.
As midnight approaches, anticipation hangs thick in the air. The city's iconic landmarks, including Edinburgh Castle, become silhouettes against the darkening sky. Suddenly, the first burst of light explodes, a dazzling cascade of color illuminating the night. Fireworks erupt across the city, not just from the castle but from multiple launch sites.
The pyrotechnicians are masters of their craft, choreographing the display to music. Rockets soar skyward, bursting into vibrant stars and shimmering trails. There are heart-stopping moments when the entire sky seems ablaze with color, followed by quiet whispers of glittering sparks. The display is a sensory feast, a visual symphony that perfectly captures the celebratory spirit of the evening.
Bruges is probably the most beautiful city in Belgium. Christmas markets in Bruges have a festive atmosphere. Beautiful medieval squares lit with colorful lights. The heart of the Christmas markets in Bruges can be found on the Grote Markt. The center is dominated by a huge ice rink.
The Grote Markt offers about twenty or so stalls of Christmas goodies and food/drink such as Belgian waffles, local beers, hot Chocolate, etc. You will find a lot of festivities and restaurants, cafes, and chocolate shops next-door.
The Brussels Christmas market expands from the Grand Place until Place St. Catherine. It was pretty cold in December here. The two markets were within walking distance of each other. It includes a Ferris wheel, a huge Christmas tree, an ice-skating rink and the Christmas market with over 200 stands.
While mulled wine and traditional Christmas food could be expected almost everywhere, it is the artisan stalls that make all the difference. The Christmas Market offer a wide range of amazing food selections such as sausage, frites, Belgian waffle, artisan cheese, truffles, fresh oysters, snails, cheese fondue, pastries, etc.
Its location is in the middle of nowhere. Driving there made me felt more and more curious that anything great can originate from these rural areas?
There are only five tables per night. The dinner starts with several appetizers which are served in the downstairs lounge, after that we were invited to our table in the upstairs dining room where the rest of the dinner was served.
flaxseed and vinegar crisps / mussel dip
Jamtlandian broth / wild trout's roe served in a crust of dried pig's blood
a slice of pickled gooseberry, pine salt / pig's head, dipped in sourdough and deep-fried
shavings of cured sow / salted herring aged for three years, sour cream and rusks
scallop cooked over burning juniper branches
poached turbot and sunflower / king crab and almost burnt cream
ice cream seasoned with spruce / an egg yolk preserved in sugar syrup served on a pile of crumbs made from pine tree bark
sour milk sorbet, raspberry jam and whisked ducks eggs
a wooden box filled with meat pies, raspberries ice, tar pastilles, meadowsweet candy, dried berries, sunflower seed nougat, anise seeds coated in honey and bees wax, smoked toffee, pine resin, cake
After desserts, we returned to the lounge for coffees and teas. It was a great chance to review and compare experiences. I'd skip the pine resin "chewing gum" after dinner unless you want a story to tell.
Breakfast
The breakfast was just as exciting as the dinner. Fresh bread, cheese, cold meats, wild bird pate, smoked trout, etc. 🙂
It was not the same as other 'fine dining' experiences I have ever had. The whole experience felt quite intimate, from the greeting by Magnus Nilsson and his staffs when you arrived, to the service, right through to the departure. We left with the longing to go back.
We made our way to Faviken via Östersund Airport, where we rented a car for the 1.5 hour or so drive which was an scenic drive during the day.
Our final meal in Scandinavia for this trip was at this delightful gem. Full size boats hang from the ceiling and the restaurant is atmospheric with a good vibe. The menu features New Nordic Cuisine without being too experimental, more farm to table.
Roasted ox marrow with oaxen bacon, parsley & lemon
Salad with Kale, pickled pumpkin & roasted pumpkin seeds
Roasted brussel sprouts & Jerusalem artichoke crisps with truffle dip
Grilled cutlet of pork on the bone with anchovy butter and crispy pork rind
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure at the world-famous Jukkasjärvi Ice Hotel. Nestled in the heart of Swedish Lapland, this extraordinary hotel is crafted entirely from snow and ice, offering guests an unparalleled Arctic escape. Each year, the hotel is meticulously rebuilt by talented artists and designers, transforming it into a breathtaking masterpiece of ice sculptures and enchanting rooms.
A Night in Sub-Zero Luxury
As a traveler seeking unique and unforgettable experiences, the Jukkasjärvi Ice Hotel immediately captured my imagination. This extraordinary hotel rises entirely from ice and snow, creating a magical winter wonderland. I pictured myself entering a world of frozen beauty, surrounded by intricate ice sculptures and cozy, igloo-like rooms. The idea of sleeping in a sub-zero environment both thrilled and terrified me. Yet, the allure of this one-of-a-kind adventure compelled me to explore further.
We flew from Stockholm to Kiruna. The IceHotel was a quick drive from Kiruna airport. You can pre-arrange to have the IceHotel set the transfer even by dog sled. We didn't opt to have a husky transfer, we saved that and took a quick 15 minute coach transfer to the hotel.
We had decided not to stay in a "cold room" during our one night stay in IceHotel. We slept in a warm room and toured the cold rooms during the day. It was spacious with comfortable beds, kitchen, dining area, private restroom, wifi and cable TV.
A Frozen Wonderland
Imagine sipping a frosty cocktail at the ice bar, surrounded by shimmering ice walls and sculptures. Or attending a wedding ceremony in the enchanting ice chapel. These are just a few of the incredible experiences that await at Jukkasjärvi Ice Hotel. Beyond the hotel, the stunning Arctic landscape offers endless opportunities for adventure, from snowmobiling and husky sledding to exploring the frozen wilderness.
A Frozen Wonderland
Don't miss a drink or two at the Ice Bar, which is open late. It is one of the main attractions where you can drink alcohol/non alcoholic drinks in glass made up of ice. A very fun experience. Ice anyone ?
Imagine sipping a frosty cocktail at the ice bar, surrounded by shimmering ice walls and sculptures. Or attending a wedding ceremony in the enchanting ice chapel. These are just a few of the incredible experiences that await at Jukkasjärvi Ice Hotel. Beyond the hotel, the stunning Arctic landscape offers endless opportunities for adventure, from snowmobiling and husky sledding to exploring the frozen wilderness.
Visit each of the rooms to stare in awe at the creative artwork made of ice. The fantastic ice craved rooms are all works of art to be enjoyed. Bear in mind that batteries on phones and cameras drain quickly when it is so cold.
Thrills and Chills
The ”cold rooms” in essence are ice caves, which are kept around -5 °C (23 °F) on a constant basis. They can be visited pretty much the entire day and then are closed for the guests for the night time.
We joined a northern light tours at night. The location was in the middle of the forest. It was about 30 minutes from IceHotel by car. Unfortunately we didn't get to see northern lights. However we enjoyed our 3-course dinner very much.
Next time I won't be a wimp, I will go with the full experience and stay the night in a cold room. 🙂
We were greeted at the door by the staff when we arrived. The restaurant offers a single 12-course set menu for SEK 2200. The menu was divided into Prologue, Appetizer, Bread, Signature, Catch of today, Bird in two servings, Pâtisserie. Service was excellent! Fun, chatty, knowledgeable about ingredients and methods.
Prologue
Started with five small bites. (Photo: left to right)
sweet blood pancake topped with a mini quenelle of vendace roe \galangal root &pomegranate macaron with a chicken and duck liver crème filling and a cherry crisp \celeriac crisp, black truffle and chestnut crème \crunchy potato, velvety leak cream and grated black truffle \pork crackling with pig's cheek rillette
Appetizer
a gently poached 62°C Brittany oyster, served with cream, pine and seaweed dust, and garnished with a slice of fresh walnut and crystallized seaweed.
King Crab
Norwegian king crab poached in beer and dill sprouts, served with a crystal-clear crab jelly, an intense brown crab meat crème.
Horse Tataki
Horse tataki, crisp lichen, chanterelle cream, grated iced foie gras and a sprinkling of dried chanterelles and hay ash.
Bone marrow
bone marrow served with smoked parsley puree.
Bread
Fermented sourdough bread soup with crunchy rye crumbs and a drop of very powerful smoked bacon fat.
Signature
sweet scallop served with a light scallop bouillon, a goose egg yolk sabayon, and finished with some freshly grated black truffle.
Freshly made herb butter sauce
Signature & Catch of Today
Left: contain up to 30 seasonal ingredients from Frantzén's vegetable garden included carrot, beetroot, celeriac, turnip, parsnip, celery, etc. and enhanced by Swedish sea salt, freshly made herb butter sauce and crisp fish scales for extra crunch.
Right: skrei served with roasted onion, crunchy deep-fried onions, winter pear, white wine sauce, and a few drops of lemon-thyme oil.
