| It's quite obvious that any trip to the great nation of | | | | At less than an hour and a half from the city by |
| Australia just isn't complete without visiting Sydney, the | | | | vehicle, this is a region characterized by fine wines, high |
| nation's most internationally acclaimed city. Yet | | | | gastronomical level, rolling landscapes and a passion |
| traveling couples in search of romance will nonetheless | | | | for thoroughbred horses. Long days of exploring the |
| want to balance out the fast-paced excitement of the | | | | region in many forms, from hot air balloon rides to bike |
| city at their Sydney accommodation of choice with a | | | | tours and horseback adventures, to taste the |
| little more intimacy at one (or all) of the romantic | | | | exceptional wines and cheeses can be wound down |
| getaways we've highlighted below; so read on and | | | | with a little romance and relaxation at places such as |
| discover the treasures awaiting you in the surrounds | | | | the Reflections Day Spa. Highlights within the valley |
| of Sydney. | | | | include the dense population of vineyards in Pokolbin, |
| The Blue Mountains | | | | the country cabins and art galleries of Lovedale, and |
| At roughly two hours from Sydney by car, this area | | | | the historical architecture and aboriginal art of |
| simply exudes romance. Many picturesque, charming | | | | Cessnock. |
| little towns await to receive visitors, all of which are | | | | The Southern Highlands |
| overlooked by the pacifying and breathtaking mountain | | | | Last but not least on this list of romantic getaways |
| scenes. A prime example of such a place would be | | | | from Sydney (at about an hour's drive) is the Southern |
| Katoomba, in the heart of the region: home to a quaint | | | | Highlands, the southern end of the very same |
| yet vibrant center with fabulous (and romantically | | | | geological formation making up the Blue Mountains to |
| charged) accommodation options, represented by the | | | | the north. The region has lots to offer, from its own |
| Echoes Boutique Hotel, on the outside of town the | | | | special milieu of cool-climate wines to the cultural |
| landscape is simply unbeatable, including the nationally | | | | influence of the Scottish Highlands immigrants, put on |
| recognizable Three Sisters landmark rock formation. | | | | display in the Brigadoon in Bundanoon festival of each |
| Leura is another town in the region sure to entrance | | | | April or the Autumn Music Festival of Bowral, not to |
| visitors, with its abundant green gardens and its homely | | | | mention a world-famous treetop walk and an incredible |
| feel being captured in the annual Village Fair and | | | | concentration of antique shops. All this and a lot more |
| Garden Festival. At spell-binding spots such as Sublime | | | | will give visitors the fun and surely the intimacy and |
| Point or the Historic Everglades, couples will be sure to | | | | romance which they've come to the Sydney area |
| find fresh meaning and significance to their love. | | | | looking for! |
| The Hunter Valley | | | | |