Happy Monday traveler!

This week, we’re taking you down under to Sydney, Australia. Get ready for Vivid Sydney, the Blue Mountains and discovering if the Opera House is as iconic as it seems.

🌍️ What’s Going on In the Travel World?

• The Latest Real ID News - Any Costco Members out there? Not sure this would be a membership perk…

• Breeze Airways Going Public? - We’ve never flow them, but they fly out of FLL so may be soon

• Terracotta Warriors have a new recruit? - These are an amazing sight in person but please don’t abuse the privilege like this guy.

• The Hotel Industry is Getting Boring - Let’s spice it up, how about inspiring?

• Robot Hotel - Is this really what the world needs?

A message from Passport Inspiration

Looking to plan an inspiring adventure right now?

Planning an international trip can be overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be.

How?

You just need a plan for your plan.

It’s important to prepare with enough time for things like:

• Visas

• Dining

• Lodging

• Passports

• Excursions

• Travel Arrangements

  If you want a head start planning, we can help you prepare for an amazing trip.

🙌🏼This Week’s Inspiration

Sydney, Australia offers a perfect mix of natural beauty, iconic landmarks, and vibrant culture. There is literally something for every type of traveler here. There is also has a laid-back vibe allowing visitors to feel right at home.

Vivid Sydney

Sydney is calling…and it’s not just the sound of waves crashing at Bondi Beach. It’s because Vivid Sydney is happening right now and we want you there in 2026. Vivid Sydney is an annual winter festival that celebrates light, music, and ideas.

There are 5 zones throughout the city, each offering unique experiences for light, music, food, and ideas. At 6:00pm every night, Vivid Light begins by light installations and projections turning on and transforming landmarks such as the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and the skyline.

• Vivid Music showcases concerts (both free and ticketed) around the city.

• Vivid Ideas provides thought-provoking talks and workshops.

• Vivid Food provides culinary experiences where chefs showcase street food and dining events in unique venues.

Pylon Lookout: An Affordable Option

Tourists love coming to Sydney and doing the Bridge Climb on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and for good reasons. You are awarded stunning views of the city, but it comes with a steep price to pay. The Pylon Lookout offers an excellent alternative.

The entrance to the Pylon Lookout is on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You can learn about the history and construction of the bridge along your way up to the lookout point. Once you’re at the top, you can enjoy 360-degree views of the city.

Is the Opera House as Iconic as It Seems?

The Sydney Opera was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. There was a contest held in 1956 to see who could come up with the best design for an opera house at Bennelong Point.

Utzon won for his unique design. He wanted the roof to look like sails or seashells, to reflect the harbor and ocean nearby. To create the curved shapes, he used pieces from a perfect sphere, like cutting slices from an orange.

This idea helped make the building strong and beautiful. The roof is covered in over a million shiny tiles that reflect sunlight and change color depending on the time of day.

So, our answer is yes. The Opera House truly is an impressive site to see.

⚠️You must book a tour if you want to see the inside of the Opera House.

Photos/videos are not allowed inside if there is a rehearsal or set up taking place. We were fortunate to take the photo above because no one was using it at the time.

The Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains are just a couple of hours from Sydney and are known for their tall cliffs, forests, and beautiful views.

It’s fascinating how just a short distance can feel a million hours away from the city streets of Sydney. They're called the "Blue" Mountains because the eucalyptus trees release oils into the air, which mix with sunlight and make the mountains look blue.

You can explore the area by hiking, visiting waterfalls, or seeing famous spots like the Three Sisters rock formation. It’s a great place for a peaceful day trip surrounded by nature.

How to Get to Sydney:

The easiest and most common way to get to Sydney is by flying into Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD).

Once you’ve arrived, you can hop on the Airport Link Train which will take you to the Central Business District.

Sydney has an excellent public transportation system that includes trains, buses, ferries, and light rail.

The Opal card is a smart card you can use to pay for all these services, making travel simple and cash-free. You can top up the card online, at stations, or in many convenience stores. Daily and weekly fare caps help keep costs down, and travel is often discounted on weekends.

Where to Stay:

Wildlife Retreat at Taronga - stay at the zoo and you might spot a koala outside your window!

Capella Sydney - luxury hotel with spa near Circular Quay

Ovolo Woolloomooloo - located a little further from downtown

Airbnb Apartment - at Bondi Beach

Aussie Foods You Should Try:

You can find any type of food you want in Sydney. There are restaurants all over the place.

But, since you’re in Australia, here are some common Aussie foods we think you should try:

• Kangaroo (tastes like steak)

• Tim Tams (chocolate biscuits that can be found in any grocery/convenience store)

• Lamington (sponge cake dipped in chocolate and rolled in coconut)

• Vegemite (an Aussie staple, spread thinly on toast).

Here are some top restaurants we found:

• Quay Restaurant

• The Ternary 

• Social Brew Cafe

• Fish at the Rocks

• Koi Desert Bar

What to Pack:

Sydney’s weather is generally mild, but what you wear depends on the season.

In summer (December to February), lightweight clothes, sunscreen, and a hat are essentials, especially for beach days. In winter (June to August), pack layers like a light jacket or sweater, as mornings and evenings can be cool, especially near the water.

Comfortable walking shoes are a must year-round for exploring the city, coastal paths, and day trips.

👋 Have an Inspiring Week

Here are a few of our affiliate links to help you when in Sydney. It’s no extra cost to you and helps us keep this email free for everyone. 😀 

• Sydney Opera House Guided Tour - highly recommend, even if you’re not a fan of opera/musical performances

• Sydney Morning or Afternoon Harbour Cruise - a relaxing way to spend the afternoon

• Vivid Sydney Dinner Harbour Cruise - such a fun way to experience the city all lit up

• Sunset Trip to the Blue Mountains - we miss the Blue Mountains

• Solly and Rue Water Bottle Holder - to keep you hydrated while sightseeing

• International Power Adaptors - this is what we use every time we’re abroad

• Portable Charger - we never travel without this

See you next week,

Trisha & Bob