One (amazing) way to visit Sydney...

If you are feeling quite flush (we are talking footballers salaries here!), then why not visit Sydney as part of the Abercrombie and Kent '9 Wonders of the World' Private Jet tour?  

Starting in Miami and ending up back in New York, the trip takes in Machu Picchu (Peru), Easter Island (Samoa), Sydney (Australia — of course!), Angkor Wat (Cambodia), Schwedagan Pagoda (Myanmar), Taj Mahal (India), Muscat (Oman), Petra (Jordan), and the Pyramids in Cairo (Egypt).

Not a bad little holiday I don't think — ticks a lot of my 'must see in my lifetime' list around the world!

Part of the luxury trip is the 'Design Your Day' option, which in Sydney can mean:
"Wine-buffs traveled to the Hunter Valley to sample some of Australia's finest wines. Other members of the group headed to the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. The more intrepid scaled the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Those who selected the "flightseeing" option were blessed with glorious coastal views as they flew by sea plane to Palm Beach, 20 miles north of Sydney, followed by lunch at the fashionable Jonah's Restaurant, an elegant and discreet haunt of movie stars and directors. A scenic flyover of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge rounded off an extraordinary day. Having seen the Opera House from the air, guests returned by limousine for a behind the scenes tour, with one of our talented group taking to the stage to give a superb impromptu performance. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed cocktails and a private dinner with panoramic views of the city and harbour." (excerpt taken from last year's trip log)

We headed for the Blue Mountains for a lot less than $77,750! — this great view is from Jamison Lookout near Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains, NSW

The Sydney Harbour Bridge climb is a must-do when you visit Sydney. It's not as scary as it looks — really!

• You can book your harbour bridge climb here (which is a brilliant experience and not at all terrifying — honest!).
• You can also easily book your own seaplane trip (short flights cost from just AUS $160pp — about £70) or you can go for the 'Jonah's' fly and dine option for AUS$465 pp (about £200 each). This is great thing to do for a bird's eye view of the harbour and Sydney beaches.
• You can take the train or a bus day trip to the Blue Mountains — lots of options listed here. Or stay longer and explore — there is lots to see and great walking trails (and lots of nice restaurants!). We recommend The Falls Mountain Retreat for an overnight stay.

  Our Sydney seaplane flight took us round to Bondi beach, then back to the Harbour Bridge and over the Opera House. Here we are back in one piece!

• The Hunter Valley wine region is only a couple of hours' drive away from Sydney, with lots of cellar doors to try — tourist info here. You can even take the seaplane there — or a helicopter!
• You can also book a backstage Opera House tour here — they are really interesting, as you learn about the building and get to peek inside all the theatres and concert halls too.
• And as for cocktails with a view of the Harbour, try any of the bars on Circular Quay — I love the buzz of the outside Opera Bar right underneath the Opera House facing the Harbour Bridge — you can't argue with that view!

So you don't have to be rolling in it to have a 'top dollar' experience in Sydney and surrounds (but be nice to try it once I am thinking... I'll let you know when I have saved up!).