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Discover the Wonders Down Under in Sydney, Australia for Six Days & Five Nights at the Swissôtel Sydney for Two, Including a Guided Backstage Tour of the Sydney Opera House and a Day Trip to the Blue Mountains with a River Cruise (Land Only)

From the talented musicians and performers who've graced the stage of the Sydney Opera House, to the natural marvels of the Blue Mountains, this trip to Sydney, Australia will highlight some of the most captivating landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage sites you've ever seen. You'll get an exclusive experience at the Sydney Opera House on a one-hour tour of this world-famous center for performing arts as your expert guide shares stories about the real-life dramas behind the curtain and the venue's storied history since it opened in 1973. Your full-day tour of the Blue Mountains park visits popular landmarks including the Three Sisters, Wentworth Falls and Jamison Valley, gives you a chance to let the kangaroos eat from your hands and have your photo taken with cuddly koalas, all before a river cruise back to Sydney!

Make your visit to the Sydney Opera House even more special with a guided tour and light meal. Go behind the scenes on a tour of the Sydney Opera House, one of the world's most iconic performance venues and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where more than 1,500 concerts, plays, musicals and ballets are staged every year! Explore it with an insider guide, who shares stories and fun facts about the opera house's history, performances and architecture throughout your one-hour tour. Walk through the elegant foyers, visit one of the largest pillar-free chambers in the world, sit down in a custom-made white birch chair and look up at the vaulted ceiling. Check out areas that are off-limits to the general public, learn about the distinctive exterior design made up of 'shell' tiles, and hear about the opera house's Danish architect, including his inspiration and building challenges. Once you've worked up an appetite, you can savor a light meal.

Enjoy an intimate visit to the Blue Mountains while in Sydney. After morning pickup, take in the sights during the scenic drive to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Stretch your legs and meet amazing native Australian animals during a stop at Featherdale Wildlife Park. Be sure to bring your camera for great photo opportunities - you're invited to hand-feed the kangaroos and emus, or have your photo taken with a cuddly koala! Once you reach the Blue Mountains, stop at Echo Point to admire one of the Blue Mountains' most heralded sights: the Three Sisters. Your guide explains local lore about this sculptural rock formation, which sits above the picturesque Jamison Valley. Next up, a nature hike to stunning Wentworth Falls. If you're up for it, you can then choose from several tour options at Scenic World at your own expense - you could ride the rails or take to the air in a gondola to view the rainforest and valleys of the Blue Mountains. Expect a break for lunch in Katoomba, a charming village in the Blue Mountains. Throughout the day, your guide will provide informative commentary about the sights along with time for photo ops and rest stops. As your small group-tour heads back towards Sydney in the afternoon, stop at Olympic Park, where the Olympic Games were held in the year 2000. Then hop on board a comfortable boat for a cruise along the Parramatta River, lined with waterfront homes and lush greenery. Once you pass under Sydney Harbour Bridge, it's not long before your boat docks at Circular Quay where your full-day Blue Mountains tour ends.

Located above one of Australia's most iconic department stores and centrally positioned amongst Sydney's prime tourist and shopping districts including Westfield Sydney, Pitt Street Mall and Queen Victoria Building, the luxurious five-star Swissotel Sydney is also within easy reach of the Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Hyde Park and the Opera House. Guests will benefit from ease of access to the city's transportation system. Relax in the sanctuary of your room, where the style is a marriage between Sydney glamour and Swiss precision, offering an ideal retreat in the heart of the central business district. Explore "the town", as it's known locally, then return to the Swissotel Sydney where you can relax and unwind while taking in dazzling views of the city skyline, indulge in the sumptuous breakfast buffet or seasonally inspired dinner menu at JPB or delight in a unique buffet high tea at Crossroads Bar. Swissotel Sydney's day spa, Spa & Sport, is an urban escape, the perfect haven to relax and recharge while enjoying a wide choice of treatments.

Your trip for two includes:
6 days/5 nights accommodations at the Swissôtel Sydney
Daily complimentary breakfast
All room-related taxes
A guided tour of Sydney Opera House, including a light meal
Small-group Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney, including a Parramatta River cruise
Complimentary business internet access
Free concierge reservation service

Terms and Conditions
Travel package is non-refundable and subject to availability. Certificates/gift cards cannot be replaced. Passport required for travel outside the U.S. Tour runs on specific days of the week and at specific times. If tour is not available, it may be substituted with equal or similar experience. A minimum 30 day advance reservation is required. Complimentary amenities are subject to availability. Please email us at auction@stmaryhs.org to find out deadline to travel.