Top 5 easy day trips from Sydney

Within the dense forests that encircle the colorful Taiwanese capital, the beauty of rural Taiwan awaits, made accessible by Taipei’s ultra-efficient public transport system.

In our A Total Trip series, writers document what they spent on a recent getaway. In this edition, London-based writer, Tasmin Waby, shows us how she turned an expensive destination into a budget-friendly break.

Branching out from the red cupola of the Duomo, the stone-built alleys of Florence’s historic core connect some of the world’s most precious examples of Renaissance art and architecture.

For the last five decades, the Sydney Opera House has been a global spectacle: with its whimsical rooftop sails and prime location on the Sydney Harbour, it has become not only the city's most recognizable symbol, but that of all of Australia. While presiding over the building's October 20, 1973, opening, the late Queen Elizabeth II called it “unique”—and while its architecture certainly remains a standout feature, what makes the structure truly forward-thinking is the degree to which Danish architect Jørn Utzon drafted it with sustainability in mind.

Thrill-seekers from China have a renewed interest in adventure travel to Australia and New Zealand, with one adventure tourism operator, Experience Co, seeing a direct boost, according to its financial update on Thursday. 

For one type of worker, any time outside the office is time well spent — even if they're working.

Destinology, the award-winning luxury tour operator to the stars and Premier League, has today launched one of the World’s most expensive family holidays - an astounding three-month long once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa, India, Asia, Australia and Dubai, costing a million pounds for a family of four. The meticulously curated itinerary beautifully blends off the beaten track wildlife and wilderness excursions with explorations of some of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in the world, with every detail taken care of. Accommodation throughout has been specifically selected to include only the finest hotels in the most desired city locations, exclusive wilderness lodges, beautiful rainforest cabins and luxury glamping. All air travel is Business Class or by private helicopter charter.

France is on high security alert with top Paris tourist attractions evacuated over the weekend due to fears of a potential attack.

Following numerous delays, Sydney's newest luxury hotel has finally made its grand debut. Overlooking Darling Harbour, the undulating curve of this highly anticipated Marriott outpost has solidified not only its place in the Sydney skyline but also as the largest W in the brand's global collection.

Blessed with 240 days of sunshine a year, Cancún is a very popular vacation spot.

In the waters beneath Sydney’s iconic opera house, an artificial reef is thriving. The five-year-old addition, which now hosts the endangered White’s seahorse, is joined by newly-planted seagrass meadows, kelp forests, and hundreds of living sea walls, all of which are helping to bring biodiversity back to Sydney Harbor. Both below and above the water's surface, the city—the country’s most populous and most-visited—is taking big steps toward sustainability.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lauren Juliff, a 35-year-old who's traveled to over 80 countries. The following has been edited for length and clarity.