"Sublime Sydney" a Sydney Travel Page by gabriellefox

With its wonderful climate and carefree lifestyle, Sydney has inspired some stunning architecture, design, art, literature, and music and taken the multi-layered cultural influences and translated them into something fresh and unique.

Today, the locals love to take time to enjoy the finer things in life..They head for the trendiest restaurants, cafes or bars, the grooviest new promenade, or the smartest beach.

There's an energy and boldness here that is irrepressible and uplifting. It's urbane, bold and curious.

Stroll up and down Oxford Street, Paddington, to see the funkiest designers. For more formal fashion, Double Bay is the place to shop. A trawl through the city arcades and streets - Skygarden, the MLC Centre, Chifley Square, Martin Place, the new Grace Bros fashion floor - should bedazzle the shopper with alternatives.

Down at Bondi, view the best of Australian surf and beach wear that has blazed new trend trails internationally. If you can't find a 'cossie' (swimming costume) in Campbell Parade, there's something wrong. Don't miss the Mambo store for the ultimate in surf chic.

Sydney is a also an architectural dream. Many homes overlook the water or nestle in the bush, and are cantilevered over cliffs or dug back into the scenery (featuring light and space, layers of texture and looking outwards to the environment). This Australian architectural idiom was pioneered by Sydney architect Glenn Murcutt. It has been translated and adapted by many who have followed him.