Celebrating the Ultimate New Years Eve in Sydney

 

Celebrating the ultimate New Year's Eve in Sydney, we enjoyed a spectacular vantage point to view the world-famous midnight fireworks from our suite at the Sydney Four Seasons. With more than one million people gathering around Sydney Harbour to watch the world-famous fireworks display, and many having camped out the day before with tents, blankets and picnic baskets, the city was primed for the biggest celebration of the year. At 11pm, Sydney paused for a minute of silence to remember the victims of the tragic Bondi attack, before making the start of 2026 with colourful pyrotechnics launched from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and other iconic landmarks.

With many restaurants and rooftop bars hosting ticketed celebrations with views, for extraordinary fees, such as Bennelong at Sydney Opera House from $2,750 per person, we enjoyed a lovely dinner at The Collective in the heart of The Rocks, Sydney's most historic and vibrant precinct, prior to returning for our New Years Eve celebration in our 27th floor suite at the Four Seasons. With a superb view of the Sydney Opera House fireworks and a bottle of Tattinger Brut Reserve Champagne, we enjoyed Sydney's sensational New Year's Eve, signalling an end to 2025 and welcoming in 2026 — Ngā mihi o te tau hou!

New Years Eve 2025 fireworks over Sydney Opera House 

More Fireworks with some of the Parade of Colour boats in Sydney Harbour

2025 was a year full of emotions, unforgettable adventures 

and the magic of connecting with the world. 

Many thanks for letting Scrumpdillyicious be a part of your journey,

and wishing you the very best for a healthy and happy 2026.

The Luxurious Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney

 

Stunningly situated overlooking Sydney Harbour in the historic Rocks district, the award-winning luxurious Four Seasons in the heart of Sydney is perfectly positioned to explore all Sydney has to offer. With the iconic Sydney Opera House just steps away, we timed our arrival at this luxurious hotel to enjoy the annual New Year's Eve fireworks followed by a champagne reception at the Four Seasons, followed by five glorious days exploring the culinary and cultural pulse of this unique city. Location doesn't get any better than this.

The impressive Four Seasons Lobby

The Grain Bar with luscious palm trees

Mixologist at the Grain Bar, with bespoke, craft beers and handcrafted cocktails,

the Four Seasons award-winning spirits and cocktail bar

The Four Seasons Pool

Afternoon Tea is offered every day

Our One Bedroom Suite with Harbour View

perfect for viewing Sydney's New Years Eve fireworks

Room Service for night owls arriving from across the globe 

The iconic Sydney Opera House

www.fourseasons.com/sydney

A Culinary & Cultural Tour of Australia & New Zealand

A Culinary & Cultural Journey of Oceania

Dec 28, 2025 - Feb 25, 2026

Scrumpdillyicious will be touring the Southern Hemisphere from Dec 28, 2025 to February 25, 2026, exploring the cultural and culinary pulse of this exotic corner of the world. Join me online each day as we journey through Sydney and Auckland before boarding Silversea aboard the luxurious Silver Nova, for a unique and extraordinary journey capturing the succulent flavours, sensational sights and unique cultures and wildlife of this majestic paradise.

Our Culinary Journey will take us from Sydney, where we will celebrate New Years Eve 2015, to Auckland, a multi-cultural hub of food, art and culture, and where we board Silversea Cruiseline for 33 glorious days aboard the luxurious Silver Nova. Exotic destinations include New Zealand, Australia, Tasmania, Komododa Island and Bali then on to Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Celebrating the diverse culinary traditions and regional ingredients used in the aromatic cuisines of the great nations of Oceania, from New Zealand's Maori cuisine to the sensational seafood of Australia, and the delicious dishes of Tasmania and Bali, we'll embark on a culinary journey of the southern hemispheres famed cuisines and time honoured customs — until then — "Kia pai to kai" — bon appetit!

Minneci: Sophisticated Italian Dining in Nuremberg

 

Sophisticated Italian cuisine combined with warm hospitality and perfect service, is Minneci's recipe for satisfying guests. Opened over 20 years ago by Leonardo and Elisabeth Minneci, it continues under long-time restaurant manager Boris Jakkir who took over the restaurant and is now working with his dedicated team, to ensure that the magic of the Belpaese remains alive in the hearts of all guests.

Located in the heart of Nuremberg's Old Town in a charming townhouse dating from 1560 — the perfect setting for a restaurant — and recommended by the Michelin Guide, Minneci ranks as it one of the 20 best Italian restaurants in Germany according to "Der Feinschmecker" magazine.

The epitome of "alta cucina", fine Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, we arrived for a sensational six-course tasting menu with outstanding wine pairings, for one of the best meals we enjoyed during our five weeks in Europe.

With great attention to detail, sparkling wine and water glasses 

are just one hallmark of Minneci's excellence

The charming and refined interior of Minneci

Selection of wines on the antique chest

A glass of Blanc de Blanc Brut champagne

A fresh red rose one very table at Minneci

Home baked bread from free-range baker Arnd Erbel from Dachsbach

Beetroot flavoured butter

Amuse-Gueles of silky smooth Corn Purée

A second amuse-gueles with small housemade Bocconcini with tomato 

and yellow pepper on small toast

Bottle of 2024 Riesling Estate Trocken Weingut Wittmann, Westhofen, Rhinehessen 

was the first of our wine pairings

Hints of caramelized honey and crisp nectarine collide in this delightfully sunny 

yet deeply mineral dry Riesling

Smoked Eel appetizer with apple and horseradish

2021 Weingut Zehnthof Luckert Sulzfelder Silvaner Alte Reben is a highly-regarded, 

dry Franconian white wine from old vines

A classic German Silvaner boasts a subtle creaminess and balanced acidity

Sous chef in kitchen preparing the Beet Ravioli

Homemade for over 20 years by chef Tran

Beet Ravioli with earthy roasted beet filling with creamy ricotta cheese, 

with tangy gorgonzola and served simply with poppyseed butter and Parmesan foam

2017 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino

A beautifully crafted, polished and full-bodied Brunello,

with dark cherry and an elegant texture, was the ideal partner to the duck

Crispy and golden brown Duck with marinated apple salad and winter braised red cabbage

with warm spices, was full-flavoured and outstandingly delicious

2019 Krauthaker Grasevina Izborna Berba Bobica from Croatia

was the final of the evenings wine pairings

A very complex and elegant sweet dessert wine

Pear Strudel with vanilla zabaglione and pear and red wine sorbet

Frozen chocolate hazelnut mignardise as a final sweet treat

Minneci owner Boris Jakkir

www.restaurant-minneci.de/en/#restaurant

Opatjia Max Kandel: A Taste of Dalmatia in Nürnberg

Located in Nuremberg's old town, Opatjia Max Kandel is where tradition and modernity meet. A restaurant with a delicious history in the heart of Nuremberg with innovative Dalmatian cuisine that constantly strives to inspire guests in excitingly different ways. Dalmatian cuisine, characterized by Mediterranean influences and fresh ingredients from the Adriatic coast, has been bringing to Nuremberg for many years. Known for its pasta dishes, as well as grilled meat and fish and seafood, Opatjia provides a warm and inviting atmosphere for guests to enjoy a delicious meal in beautiful surroundings with attentive service, a popular dining destination for both the local and international clientele.

 
Offering a diverse menu with high-quality ingredients, featuring both international and Balkan and Dalmatian dishes, diners at Opatjia can enjoy fresh seafood, perfectly cooked meats, and seasonal specialties. My husband ordered shashlik, a dish also known as 'Ražnjići' which is a popular specialty from the Dalmatian cuisine of Croatia, delicious skewers which typically consist of marinated pork and beef are served with crispy bacon, onions, fries, and warm shashlik sauce.

Warm bread with curried butter and dried herbs for garnish

For 30 years, Mariola has been bringing smiles to Opatjia guests' faces anticipating their every wish

Red and Golden Beetroot with Feta Blue Cheese Cream and Apple Chutney

Risch nBeef Tenderloin Carpaccio with arugula, parmesan and small tomatoes

Dalmatian Schaschlik of Beef and Duroc Pork Fillet, Onions, Bacon and French Fries 

with Warm Shashlik Sauce

Glass of Tempranillo

Poached Halibut with fennel and potato with lemon beurre blanc

Glass of Gruner Veltliner

Owner Max Kendel

opatija-restaurant.de