I'm planning a vacation to Sydney in December <BR>around the xmass week. How will the weather be and will there be problems going during this time of the year? Where is the best shopping????

Bill , <BR>You will need to be a bit more specific. Where are you coming from? what type of problems? what type of shopping (general? upmarket? clothes? etc). The weather at Xmas is normally hot, the city is fairly busy at that time of year although surprisingly after Xmas ? New year it is not difficult to get a hotel in the city in the central city district itself.

We will be coming from Houston Texas. As for shopping- my wife is into clothes,handbags, some designer stuff- sort of mid scale range. Also I'm wondering if stores will be closed on Xmass day- need to know what to do that day. Need to know if hotel space will be tight- we would be looking at 4-5 star hotels. What is your reccommendation for a very nice hotal???

Bill, <BR>The central shopping district downtown should satisfy your needs although a trip to suburban shopping centre (mall) would be a good idea also. Yes Xmas day almost everything is shut but the advantage you have is that all of the scenic areas are pretty much empty for most of the day so things like a ferry ride to Manly, a walk around Farm Cove, walk across the Harbour Bridge, a day at the beach become great options for you. I'd suggest you book now, and although hotels are always the topic of great debate I'd recommend the following : Park Hyatt, ANA Hotel, Regent, Ritz Carlton as being hotels that pretty much you are going to enjoy and all located close to the harbour. Park Hyatt would be my preference but it is expensive - although cheaper to you because of the current exchange rate.

Thanks for the advice. I'm also assuming that everything is also closed the day after xmass- Boxing day????? <BR>