Which is the best city in the world? Many names run to my mind: New York, Singapore, Dubai, Sydney, Paris and more. The fact is, the answer to this deceptively difficult question would be different for different people. However, having travelled to a few too many foreign lands in the past, I feel obliged to make a choice. It’s none other than Sydney. One may wonder why I have strayed from the popular choices. But here’s my two cents on how Sydney could be the best city in the world.
From the city’s sprawling natural harbour to a plethora of amazing parks and gardens, the city is popular for its lovely surroundings. Over the years, the city has continued to be the most popular tourist destination in the country. It is indeed impressive when you see how Sydney elegantly strikes a balance between natural and urban life. One of the most amazing experiences I had during the visit was a showboat Sydney Harbour cruise lunch. The cruise offered a delectable Contemporary Buffet lunch, which consisted of many dishes from different parts of the world. Of all the sightseeing tours and food tours I signed up for, this was indeed the best! Cruise dining with a view of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House felt like a dream in itself. A lunch cruise along Sydney Harbour opened my eyes to the splendid beauty of the city and its well-balanced environment.
Sydney’s livability quotient is marked by its exuberant multicultural character, its diverse food scene and its infrastructure. With a set of strategic and corporate plans, the city has implemented an ambitious project ‘Sydney 2030’, which aims to make it “Green. Global. Connected.” Over the years, Sydney has managed to educate its population on sustainable living and carrying forward various initiatives such as reliable production, and low carbon electricity with zero carbon heating and cooling, growing an urban canopy by 50 per cent, eco-friendly energy generation from clean and renewable sources and more. A brand-new 125-mile cycling network is another initiative that comes under this project. There’s no wonder why Sydney is listed among the world’s greenest cities.
A dynamic cultural hub and a melting pot of Aboriginal and European heritage, Sydney is a great place to be for all the culture vultures out there. The city is also home to many artist communities, musicians, artisans and designers. What’s more exciting is a Sydneysider’s calendar, punctuated by festivals of all kinds featuring the city’s rich culture and artistic tenor. Of the many premier cultural institutions in the city, some places that stood out for me were the iconic Sydney Opera House, the State Theatre, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
Sydney boasts of an adventurous food scene that makes the foodies swoon. The country has a strong Asian influence and that’s to say, you’ll discover everything from Thai and Indian to Chinese and everything in between. The new generation of chefs in the city are determined to make a mark with their contemporary dishes—often experimental and a combination of different cuisines from around the world. If you’re curious about which dishes you must eat while you’re in the city, here’s a list for you: World Famous Strawberry Watermelon Cake from Black Star Pastry Newtown, Saucy Flame-Grilled Ribs and Steaks from Hurricane’s Grill Darling Harbour, Fish & Chips and Sashimi from Sydney Fish Market, Scrambled Eggs from Bills, Ginger Brulee Tart and Pork & Fennel Sausage Roll from Bourke Street Bakery, Coffee from Single O Surry Hills and more.
I’m pretty sure this list doesn’t do much justice to the city’s vibrant life. However, I guarantee the best holiday experience.
