Buongiorno Italy Food & Wine Festival Sydney

Add the 27^th August to your diary because the Italian Wine & Food Festival is coming to Sydney. From 11am to 9pm, at the Cutaway, Bangaroo Reserve, expect a full cultural, culinary experience as only the Italians do with full throttle.

Tickets are now on sale and it’ll save you $30 versus paying at the door (if tickets are still available on the day). Price start from $75 and round up to $175 including varying prices in between. The costs differ on whether you’re popping in for a while, indulging in everything available, the Vino Grande Masterclass Pass, evening entry or a daytime nosey around.

General admission includes entry and a glass of wine along with all wine tastings, free coffee and mineral water. There are bundles of cooking demos but food, unfortunately, isn’t included. The VIP’ers that splash out enjoy exclusive pre entry, Wine Garden admission with sommelier service, a complimentary wine glass and a goodie bag though.

Remember to bring your wallet because you’ll be able to buy wines from the exhibitors during the event. That blackberry infused bottle of something you tasted, well it can be yours for keeps if you’re ready to cough up money. But if you’re looking for tipples at the event only, the cocktails are available to purchase between $10 - $15 each.

If you have kids and want to entice them into how the boot leg shaped country lives, they enter for free when accompanied by an adult. Note: adults must show a form of ID with proof of age.

For non Sydney locals, you may be stuck on how to find the venue. It’s a short walk from the train station or ferry terminal at Circular Quay and buses are in abundance: the 311, 324 and 325 take you right up to Barangaroo Reserve from the Town Hall.

Also remember to add the Negroni Bar and the cooking demos to your wish list. Hosted by Roberta Muir, the latter features renowned local chefs from Nino Zoccali to Adam Swanson, Giovanni Pilu and Smeg Kitchen.

Slightly stuffed to the brim? Grab that ferry and when you arrive at Cremorne Point, you can walk off the extra pounds along a multitude of trails near Cremorne Point Manor. Wait a few hours for the food & booze to digest and off you go to Maccallum Pool, near our hotel, for a well deserved few laps around this famous olympic size water attraction. Godere!

Parental Guidance Comes to Sydney

Between the 19 – 21^st May, Sydney Olympic Park is hosting the Pregnancy Babies & Children’s Expo. For all first time parents or veteran owners of cute little scatter-rugrats, this is the right place to be.

This free event (register in advance) lets you talk face to face with industry exhibitors and test products first hand. It’s all about trying before buying, or before little toddler fingers get their sticky paws on these innovations. From toys, cleanliness (is there such a thing with kids around?), clothing, maternity products, dad helper inventions and more, the expo is full to the brim. If you’ve been to day one and still in a pickle, your pre registered entry is valid for you to revisit the expo again before it ends since the exhibitor range is vast, including feeding, lifestyle, furniture and financing.

With trusted experts and speakers available, it’s an ideal time to get free information about before, during and after that munchkin comes out. Also remember that you’ll be amongst potential perfect parents that’ll throw tips your way. Or if you believe you’re parent of the year, then you can offer your own guidance to expecting mums and dads. You’ll be able to spot them easily from the confused and panic ridden look on their faces.

Whether you’re in a trimester phase or your little angels are a few years old, every parent needs a breather. The expo will have extra wide aisles for prams alongside an abundance of rest stations and baby care rooms. So no panic if that nappy (or diaper) starts filling up fast – the expo has you covered with facilities. When everyone’s scrubbed up again, kids can enjoy the Imagination Play Area or have face painting, awe in the toddler kindy Gymbaroo mini circuit or check out the Golden Ridge animal farm.

Done and need a break? A short drive away and you’ll arrive in the tranquility of Cremorne Point, relaxing as our guest at Cremorne Point Manor. If you’re looking for accommodation with a garden for the kids to keep blowing off hot air, check out our sister hotel Glenferrie Lodge. They have a huge guest-only garden and a patio for you to chill with a glass of wine, while the kids go bonkers in the big play area.