(01-30-2017 10:01 PM)owl95 Wrote:  

(01-30-2017 08:25 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(01-30-2017 08:11 PM)owl95 Wrote:  

(01-30-2017 07:30 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(01-30-2017 06:50 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  For comparison, here's the Stanford package...

http://cfsydneycup.wpengine.com/stanford...3fde2-3798

Pricier, and doesn't include airfare, but a much nicer hotel in arguably the best location in Sydney (The Rocks), just a couple blocks from the harbor and the Opera House.

Radisson is not that far from the Rocks, walking distance, also walking distance to Darling Harbour side.

I stayed in that Radisson for 3 weeks for work in Sydney, it is actually a great location because it is right in the middle of the CBD and about 5 min from the Circular Quay and the Opera House and also pretty close to the subway if I recall. Also, very easy walk to the Rocks. It appears to have been renovated since then and looks a bit nicer.

FYI, Circular Quay and the Opera House are in The Rocks. It's been 11 years since my last visit, but isn't the Radisson a couple blocks from the Hilton? And didn't the Four Seasons take over the Ritz Carlton, which is half a block down from the InterContinental?

BTW, FWIW, Asiana is the absolute worst airline I have ever flown on (multiple times out of Seoul), and I was always in business class.

Not sure I remember where the Hilton was in relation but from the Radisson, you walk straight down Pitt St about 2 blocks and it puts you right at the ferry at the Circular Quay and the Opera House would be just on your right.

Yup. The Hilton is several blocks (or more like one-third of a mile) further down Pitt Street. The Westin is a block closer than the Radisson. The Intercontinental and Four Seasons (if, in fact, it is the old Ritz Carlton, where I stayed while working for MasterCard) are both located a block from the Quay, several streets up from Pitt Street, and adjacent to the Botanical Garden. The Hyatt sits in the corner of the harbor in The Rocks (and is one of the most aesthetic places to have a afternoon drink or two).

So according to my cousin in melbourne with telstra. Presale prices (goes on sale feb 8 ish) have a few levels

bronze 49 (37 USD)
silver 69 (53 USD)
gold 155 (113 USD)
diamond 199 (150 USD)

excluding fees.

(01-31-2017 12:17 PM)critten Wrote:  So according to my cousin in melbourne with telstra. Presale prices (goes on sale feb 8 ish) have a few levels

bronze 49 (37 USD)
silver 69 (53 USD)
gold 155 (113 USD)
diamond 199 (150 USD)

excluding fees.

What is being sold at these prices?

As somebody who lived in Sydney for a couple years, visits there frequently, and traveled throughout Australia, my $.02 below.

Would recommend if you have a chance to go support the Owls, that you make the trip as IMO Sydney is the best of the US rolled up into one place. Cosmopolitan like NY City, Weather like So Cal, Midwestern sensibilities, and Texas Hospitality in a single place. The only downside is that it is far, far away.

While Sydney weather is generally great year round, August is probably worst month. Can get cold (40’s at night, 60’s day) and not fun at beach as it can get windy. Playing in Sydney in August reminds me of going to SD to play in the Holiday Bowl in December.

Places I would go outside of Sydney
I would recommend not spending all five days in Sydney. That is a lot given how much more there is in the country and tough to enjoy the beaches b/c of it being in August. If you have both time and $ to pick one place to go other than Sydney, I would go up North to see the Reef. Weather is great. Fly into Cairns and short drive North to Port Douglas is great town with lots of access to the Reef. Also, North Queensland has a bit of different cultural vibe than Sydney (think deep South in US vs. urban US city).

If you are into wine, Margaret River may be ambitious as it is on other coast but worth it and really gorgeous area on Indian Ocean. Perth is really nice city. Underrated.

Places to go in Sydney
Northern Beaches/Manly/Heads; Drive/walk up to the Heads from Manly. Beautiful views of Sydney, Harbor, Pacific, etc. If you have time, Palm Beach which is northern most place still considered Sydney metro is nice place.
Taronga Zoo; San Diego and Sydney probably nicest two zoos I’ve been to. Mosman, Balmoral areas around the zoo some of the nicest, wealthiest, and quietiest suburbs of Sydney. Lots of nice outdoor cafes.
Bondi- great people watching even if beach weather not great
Darling Harbour- nice seafood restaurants, shops, etc.
Take the ferries from Circular Quay to as many destinations as possible
Circular Quay/Opera House/Bridge/Rocks is a bit touristy (especially for food and prices) but nice place for day trip to walk around. CBD has lots of hustle/bustle during day but not much happening there after hours. Gotta go to Eastern Suburbs, Kings Cross, etc.
Would recommend talking to locals for best restaurants/seafood places. Many off-the-grid a bit but quality is exceptional and pricing is reasonable.
Day trip to Hunter Valley from Sydney is nice day. Good wineries. Similar to the US with Starbucks, Bud, McDonalds, etc, Aussies export the worst brands as well. Best Aussie wines not ‘corporate’ but ‘local’ and you can experience many in Hunter Valley.
Get a ‘flat white’ coffee from local coffee shop to fight the jet lag. Aussies have figured-out how to make a great coffee. Americans still struggling on this one.
Go into a local ‘hotel’ (bar) and watch some Rugby Union or League with the locals over a few pints. Really friendly people. Love sports more than Americans..just different sports.

If you only have a week in Australia in August, these places I would NOT go; Save for next time
Would not go to Melbourne, Adelaide (Barossa, Mclaren Vale) or South. Will be even colder that time of year.
Canberra. Nothing to see but government buildings
Alice Springs/Ayers Rock
Brisbane/Gold Coast/Sunshine Coast; Worth it if you have a month but not a week.
Other exotic/remote outposts (Broome, Darwin, Tasmania, etc.) as cost/time > other places
Not much West or South of Sydney (Parametta, Cabrametta, etc.) Tougher neighborhoods and not much scenery.
North Sydney, Chatswood, French’s Forest, etc.- Bedroom suburbs and office buildings. Not much there. Would stick to places that the ferries go right around Sydney, Eastern Suburbs, and Northern Beaches areas..
Blue Mountains. OK day trip from Sydney but would not put at top of the list.

And finally, I agree with others. Spend the $ or find the miles for biz class upgrade. Have done the trip in both economy and biz class and no other flight I can think of where it is worth it more.

(01-31-2017 01:28 PM)Almadenmike Wrote:  

(01-31-2017 12:17 PM)critten Wrote:  So according to my cousin in melbourne with telstra. Presale prices (goes on sale feb 8 ish) have a few levels

bronze 49 (37 USD)
silver 69 (53 USD)
gold 155 (113 USD)
diamond 199 (150 USD)

excluding fees.

What is being sold at these prices?

Tickets to the game via Telstra Pre-sale

(01-31-2017 02:05 PM)owl40 Wrote:  As somebody who lived in Sydney for a couple years, visits there frequently, and traveled throughout Australia, my $.02 below.
Would recommend if you have a chance to go support the Owls, that you make the trip as IMO Sydney is the best of the US rolled up into one place. Cosmopolitan like NY City, Weather like So Cal, Midwestern sensibilities, and Texas Hospitality in a single place. The only downside is that it is far, far away.
While Sydney weather is generally great year round, August is probably worst month. Can get cold (40’s at night, 60’s day) and not fun at beach as it can get windy. Playing in Sydney in August reminds me of going to SD to play in the Holiday Bowl in December.
Places I would go outside of Sydney
I would recommend not spending all five days in Sydney. That is a lot given how much more there is in the country and tough to enjoy the beaches b/c of it being in August. If you have both time and $ to pick one place to go other than Sydney, I would go up North to see the Reef. Weather is great. Fly into Cairns and short drive North to Port Douglas is great town with lots of access to the Reef. Also, North Queensland has a bit of different cultural vibe than Sydney (think deep South in US vs. urban US city).
If you are into wine, Margaret River may be ambitious as it is on other coast but worth it and really gorgeous area on Indian Ocean. Perth is really nice city. Underrated.
Places to go in Sydney
Northern Beaches/Manly/Heads; Drive/walk up to the Heads from Manly. Beautiful views of Sydney, Harbor, Pacific, etc. If you have time, Palm Beach which is northern most place still considered Sydney metro is nice place.
Taronga Zoo; San Diego and Sydney probably nicest two zoos I’ve been to. Mosman, Balmoral areas around the zoo some of the nicest, wealthiest, and quietiest suburbs of Sydney. Lots of nice outdoor cafes.
Bondi- great people watching even if beach weather not great
Darling Harbour- nice seafood restaurants, shops, etc.
Take the ferries from Circular Quay to as many destinations as possible
Circular Quay/Opera House/Bridge/Rocks is a bit touristy (especially for food and prices) but nice place for day trip to walk around. CBD has lots of hustle/bustle during day but not much happening there after hours. Gotta go to Eastern Suburbs, Kings Cross, etc.
Would recommend talking to locals for best restaurants/seafood places. Many off-the-grid a bit but quality is exceptional and pricing is reasonable.
Day trip to Hunter Valley from Sydney is nice day. Good wineries. Similar to the US with Starbucks, Bud, McDonalds, etc, Aussies export the worst brands as well. Best Aussie wines not ‘corporate’ but ‘local’ and you can experience many in Hunter Valley.
Get a ‘flat white’ coffee from local coffee shop to fight the jet lag. Aussies have figured-out how to make a great coffee. Americans still struggling on this one.
Go into a local ‘hotel’ (bar) and watch some Rugby Union or League with the locals over a few pints. Really friendly people. Love sports more than Americans..just different sports.
If you only have a week in Australia in August, these places I would NOT go; Save for next time
Would not go to Melbourne, Adelaide (Barossa, Mclaren Vale) or South. Will be even colder that time of year.
Canberra. Nothing to see but government buildings
Alice Springs/Ayers Rock
Brisbane/Gold Coast/Sunshine Coast; Worth it if you have a month but not a week.
Other exotic/remote outposts (Broome, Darwin, Tasmania, etc.) as cost/time > other places
Not much West or South of Sydney (Parametta, Cabrametta, etc.) Tougher neighborhoods and not much scenery.
North Sydney, Chatswood, French’s Forest, etc.- Bedroom suburbs and office buildings. Not much there. Would stick to places that the ferries go right around Sydney, Eastern Suburbs, and Northern Beaches areas..
Blue Mountains. OK day trip from Sydney but would not put at top of the list.
And finally, I agree with others. Spend the $ or find the miles for biz class upgrade. Have done the trip in both economy and biz class and no other flight I can think of where it is worth it more.

Agree with all that, with one note. Australia is roughly the same size as the 48 contiguous states. So going Sydney to Perth is equivalent to NY to LAX, Sydney to Uluru/Ayers Rock is equivalent to Miami to St. Louis, Sydney to Cairns is equivalent to Miami to DC. Those are not short trips, particularly squeezed into a 5 day visit.

I like Manly better than Bondi. Bondi may be more scenic, but I think there's more to do in Manly. But check out both. And if you can get to anything in the Opera House, do it.

I don't get it re the package tour. $2500 land costs for single occupancy plus $1799 for coach air fare = $4,400 pp? At that tariff, I don't go.

I see much better connections and flight times via Qantas at $1471 coach, plus booking radisson blu directly for five nights at $203 per night single occupancy. Total tariff $2,486 pp? At that rate, I do go.

So what am I missing here?

Walt?

(02-01-2017 05:45 PM)Ricefootballnet Wrote:  I don't get it re the package tour. $2500 land costs for single occupancy plus $1799 for coach air fare = $4,400 pp? At that tariff, I don't go.

I see much better connections and flight times via Qantas at $1471 coach, plus booking radisson blu directly for five nights at $203 per night single occupancy. Total tariff $2,486 pp? At that rate, I do go.

So what am I missing here?

Walt?

yeah, the package is not exactly a good deal. BTW, I just spoke with the higher ups, and voiced my concern about the lack of flexibility in the package (as compared to the Stanford package by the same travel provider). They're going to look into the possibility of a business class airfare option, as well as additional hotel night stays for those who want to spend more time in Sydney.