Easily one of the most picturesque cities in the world, Sydney, Australia is the latest backdrop for our summer 2018 catalog. This city has it all—awe-inspiring vistas, gorgeous beaches and so many photogenic details we were spoiled for choice. While we logged some serious airmiles (and a 15-hour flight) to reach this cultural epicenter of Down Under, it was well worth the jet lag. Below are a few of our favorites spots for sleeping, eating and of course taking in the scenery, as well as some behind-the-scenes snaps from our hard (but very pretty) work.

Where to Stay
The only rule we had when searching for hotels was that we absolutely had to be able to see the Sydney Harbour when we pulled open our curtains in the morning. The Ovolo Woolloomooloo checks every box. Built into a 100 year-old wharf in the heart of it all, this boutique hotel is a 10 minute walk from the iconic Harbour Bridge and the Royal Botanic Gardens. We also could not get enough of the breakfast fruit salad with all the amazing local produce. Second on our list is Hotel Palisade because the views from the roof-top bar turn that end-of-the-day glass of wine into a truly sublime experience.

Where to eat
To go with our theme of “we must see the ocean at all times”, we made a point to book a table well in advance at the Bennelong--the quintessential Sydney dining experience seeing as it’s inside the Sydney Opera House. Go for dinner when all the twinkling lights reflecting off the ocean look absolutely magical, and make sure to order up some seafood like locally-sourced oysters and barramundi. For one of our days shooting the catalog we ended up at Palm Beach so had a quick lunch pitstop at The Boat House, where everyone split a bucket of prawns and chips (read: fries). While most places have tons of vegetarian options, seafood really is the name of the culinary game in this corner of Down Under.

What to do
Aside from stare at the views, Sydney has a little something for everyone from art and architecture to serious nature stalking. On our list was a dip in the Bondi Icebergs Pool which is an Olympic-sized pool at Sydney’s most famous beach. For a casual entry it’s just under $6, or you can splurge for a yoga-class-by-the-sea for $25. We can’t think of a better way to start the day. Also, if it’s a Saturday, hit up the Bondi Farmer’s Market for breakfast afterwards. Speaking of markets, Sydney is home to some of the best with everything from Australian-made gourmet food to indie clothing lines. One of our favorites is the Paddington Markets, in this pretty central neighborhood—packed with cafes, one-of-a-kind stores and Wagner Gallery, a creative spot that specializes in Australian contemporary artists.

If you want to see what we wore on our trip Down Under, check out our current catalog for all things summer and Sydney.