Sydney to Rome Etihad Airways Flights

  About Sydney

Located in New South Wales is the city of Sydney, one of the largest cities in Australia. The city is famously known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, originally designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. The structure was eventually finished by an Australian team of architects. The city has massive harbours that connect with many Asian and Oceania countries.

Best time to visit Sydney

Sydney has two diverse seasons which are perfect for a trip. From September to November and March through May, the temperatures are very amiable, especially for tourists. For Sydney, the peak tourist season is between December to February as the temperature ranges between25 degree Celsius to 26 degree Celsius. Not only is the summer pleasant but also tourist-friendly. However, it does come with a cost, that being the expensive flight and hotel costs in Sydney. The temperatures are warm enough for Australians to flock over to the continent's capital, but for an outsider, the prices could be quite steep. Hence, the months leading up to the summer and the ones leading up to winter are ideal for tourists with a budget constraint. Between September and November, the number of tourists in the city is considerably less, giving you ample time and space to soak in the beautiful city's spirits. Plus, the season also brings some amazing festivities such as Sydney Fringe Festival, Night Noodle Markets, Taste of Sydney, Sculpture by the Sea and Festival of the Winds. The events are undoubtedly perfect for invoking the foodie in you.

Similarly, even March through May sees alluring weather with decent temperatures and fewer tourists. With less crowd, the city certainly brings a whole new vibe that would go well with tourists who prefer solitude. Not just the temperatures but even the number of tourists starts to drop during these months while the city prepares to welcome the winters. For those who wish to make the most of the season and have a liking towards the wildlife, you will also enjoy this time. It is known to be the start of the whale-watching season in Sydney, and if you're interested in something like this, then you should plan your trip according to this time. Sydney also rings in some lovely events and festivals such as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, Sydney Royal Easter Show, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival and Vivid Sydney, to name a few. The city bustles with vivacity during this period, and you would thoroughly enjoy being part of all the fanfare. Plus, the additional perk of choosing this season is a drop in the hotel and flight ticket prices. You can book your flights to Sydney as well as accommodations without worrying about exorbitant costs.

Places to visit in Sydney

Sydney's primary location for tourists to head is either the Sydney Harbour or the Bondi beach, but there are far too many things that should also be explored in the city. You can actually start with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which is quite close to the Opera House. Since the area brims with many tourist attractions, it is the best way to kick off the tour. From the bridge, you can further head to check out the harbour. It is touted to be the most beautiful harbour in the entire world right now. Through the harbour, you can swing past the Sydney Opera House. It would be something to actually get tickets to a show at the Opera House. For the beach bums, beaches such as Manly Beach, Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach are big highlights. These places are always packed with tourists or even the locals who cannot do without water. Aside from the Sydney Harbour, the Darling Harbour is just as alluring and is located close to the Australian National Maritime Museum. Do not miss out the Royal Botanic Garden, which spews fresh air to the city.

Things to do in Sydney

The best way to spend time in Sydney would be not just to indulge in visiting new places but also to engage in some cruising fun. You can make some prior bookings for a cruise and set off from the Sydney Harbour. The cruise can even take you to the Blue Mountains, which is one of the natural wonders of the world. Further, you can actually book a hotel in the vast green mountains and complete the trip. You can also take up various activities at the beaches from surfing to strolling to sunbathing. Most importantly, do a little gallivanting around the city and find some impeccable food establishments as well as watering holes. If everything seems too much for you to do or if you need a day off to just relax, you can visit The Rocks and opt for a leisure stroll instead of the heart-thumping adventure fun. You can do the same at the Royal Botanic Garden as well.

Food and restaurants in Sydney

Sydney's cuisine is majorly influenced by European and Asian cuisine. Since the country does have many immigrants residing from these continents, the food also celebrates their cultures. The elements from these cultures have brought forth some of the finest food establishments in the city. You will find a sizeable galore of Asian and European dishes in places such as Fortune Village Chinese Restaurant, The Spice Room and Medusa Greek Taverna. These places bring about the finest culinary classics which would definitely be the best to go on your trip. Aside from these, you can also visit more ethnic cuisines that are district specifics, and these include, Little Saigon and Cabramatta in the Italian-rich region of Leichhardt and the famous Chinatown area. While these places do favour international cuisine, you can also go in deep to explore some of the rich and traditional Australian meals.

Despite some of the classic Australian dishes that will be at your perusal, they all do have influences in terms of cooking styles and flavours that go back to the international cultures. You will notice that meat is the base of every dish. The Aussies like to involve meat in all their dishes. It reflects perfectly well with their meals. If you do enjoy variations in meat, you will be happy to know that they have such provisions made. In fact, the cattle business is high in this region due to the constant demand for cattle meat of all kind. Sydney is also high on seafood as it is located close to the harbour. In fact, you can visit Darling Harbour's Cargo Bar, Sydney Opera House's Opera Bar and to get some amazing breakfast at Pancakes on the Rocks. You can further extend your food expedition by visiting the city during their food festivals. From Sydney's Night Noodles Markets to Taste of Sydney, these festivals celebrate food, and you will get to savour the most.

How to reach Sydney

Flight connectivity to Sydney from India is quite good with multitudes of flights flying in and out of the country regularly. However, there are no direct flights that fly to Sydney and requires changing of routes. The most popular route to Sydney from India is via Hong Kong. Airlines such as Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific use the Hong Kong international route to reach Sydney. By flying from these airlines, you will have only one flight to change to reach Sydney. From Hong Kong, you can change flights to Sydney and make it in about 18 hours. The layover in Hong Kong is usually for two hours. There are airlines that take the Singapore route as well to reach Sydney. Airlines such as Qantas Airways and Singapore Airlines use this international route to reach Sydney and have layovers of about an hour or two before they fly from Singapore. The flight duration to Sydney from Mumbai, via the Singapore route, would take approximately 15 to 18 hours to reach. However, sometimes, due to unavailability of direct flights to Sydney from Singapore or Hong Kong could lead the airlines to take a second layover at Melbourne so they can connect to the country's capital.

Travelling to Sydney is rather time-consuming, but the flight tickets are decently priced. If you book your flight tickets to Sydney well in advance, you will be able to enjoy some amazing online flight deals. There might be some discounts for tickets to Sydney, which you can avail as long as you make the right choice of flights and airlines. Make sure that you also book your hotels in Sydney while you're getting your travel sorted. There are a plethora of cheap flights to Sydney that you will find if you peruse through thoroughly. Depending on the season and peak time, the ticket costs will see a spike and drop. You will have to ensure that you make a note of these things before you make your flight bookings. The city has multitudes of options for hotel accommodations. It ranges from ultra-exquisite to cheap and decent, for you to choose from. Again, booking your hotels in Sydney, well in advance will only be beneficial to you as that would give you many offers and deals to enjoy.

  About Rome

Rome is one of the most mythical cities in Italy and like paradise for everyone who loves history, art and architecture. From breathtaking monuments and buildings to beautiful pieces of art, Rome is a city you must visit at least once in your life. Some of the major highlights of the city are the Colosseum, Roman churches and Vatican City. While Rome has embraced the modern way of living, it has also maintained its rich history and culture. You will find a lot of modern hotels and infrastructure in a city that also has structures that date back to the Renaissance period. Not to mention, Roman cuisine is yet another reason for you to plan a trip to Rome. Even though you will find yourself occasionally hogging on Italian cuisine, you will not have to worry about it being unhealthy at all. Almost all Italian cuisines are healthy and balanced. You can club your meal with a glass of wine, too. Go for a walk after your meal and not only will you explore the city with a different perspective, but you will also lose all the extra weight you might have put on.

Best Time to Visit Rome

Summer is peak season in Rome, and a lot of tourists choose to travel to Rome during this season. June to August is when the city experiences summer. The flight tickets to Rome can get pretty expensive in summer since it is high season. You might also want to book your hotel in Rome way in advance to get a good deal. It is advisable to make your reservations at least six months in advance because getting a decent hotel at the last moment will be quite tough. The temperature ranges from 15 to 30 degree Celsius, and if you prefer holidaying without bumping into a lot of tourists, it is recommended that you travel during another season. However, a lot of tourist attractions will be open in summer, and you might even make a lot of friends while you are here. You can attend events like Rock in Roma, Festa dei Noantri and Cosmophonies. However, be ready to wait in long queues at most tourist attractions.

The weather gets considerably pleasant in September, and since the tourist buzz also reduces during this time, it becomes a decent time to consider flying to Rome. Not to mention, you can also catch the White Night of Rome that happens this month. It started as an initiative to promote tourism and ended up becoming a regular every year. The city is alive and buzzing all night with performances, street shopping and a lot of fun activities for tourists. It might not be the most popular time of the year to visit Rome, but it isn't a bad one to consider, too.

You can also explore the city on your own without the hustle and bustle of tourists, October to April is the ideal time to do that. Rome experiences the coldest winter during these months, and it is not a very popular time to visit the city. Not only will you get cheap flight tickets to Rome, but you can also book a hotel in Rome without burning a hole in your pocket. The temperature ranges between 7 to 18 degree Celsius, though it drops to 3 degree Celsius in January and February. There are not a lot of events for you to attend during this month, but you can always be a part of the Christmas celebrations in the city. You are pretty close to the Vatican so brace yourself for a grand and divine celebration in December.

Places to Visit in Rome

The Colosseum is one of the seven wonders of the world and an important part of Rome's tourism. It is a part of the seven wonders of the world for a lot of reasons. It took a span of 10 years to complete the construction of the Colosseum. Roman Emperor Vespasian initiated the project in 69 AD which was taken over by his son, Titus, after his death. The structure was completed and opened to the public by the 80 AD. It was majorly built to host games and other forms of entertainment meant for the royal family as well as the public. If you opt for a guided tour, you will know more about the structure than you might sans the guide. The Pantheon temple is yet another major tourist attraction in Rome. It is about 2000 years old and is one of the Roman monuments that has been preserved really well. The temple was built in 27 BC by Agrippa, who was the right hand to Emperor Augustus but was burnt down in 80 AD. It was rebuilt in 120 AD and was used as a temple by Romans till 609 AD before it was declared as a church by Pope Boniface IV. The church is also the burial place of a lot of important personalities in Roman history like Victor Emmanuel II, Umberto I and his wife, etc.

St Peter's Basilica is the largest church in Vatican City, and it is believed that this is where Saint Peter was buried. It is one of the most stunning architectural features of the Renaissance period in Rome. It is also one of the most beautiful churches in the world. The Trevi Fountain is another tourist spot that comes with its own share of history and beliefs. It is believed that if you throw a coin in the fountain with your right hand over the left shoulder, you will visit the city again. It is also believed that if you throw two coins, you will find love and three coins will help you marry the love of your life. The coins that are collected from the fountain are given to charity. You can also visit the art museums in the city to get a glimpse of some exquisite paintings by renowned artists. The Porta Portese flea market is where you head to if you feel like going on a shopping spree on a Monday morning.

Things to do in Rome

Sightseeing is one of the popularly taken up activities in Rome. If you are well-versed with the history of the city, you will not need a guide, but if you aren't, it is highly recommended that you get one. You can also visit the museums and art galleries in Rome if you are an art lover. Rome is also home to a lot of churches that offer you the most breathtaking views inside out. The city is an architectural marvel, and you will only get to experience it when you visit it. While it is quite easy to get around the city using taxis or public transport, you can also take a walk to explore the city and admire the wonderful buildings. The cobblestone streets and narrow roads will only make your experience splendid and worth every penny spent.

Food and Restaurants in Rome

There are a lot of restaurants in Rome that have recipes passed on from generations, making them a special place to visit. Be its kinds of pasta and pizzas to delicious desserts, Rome has everything that will suit your taste buds. Enoteca il Goccetto, Trimani Enoteca and Cul De Sac are some of the popular places to head to for some excellent wine. You will also find Michelin-rated restaurants in the city in addition to the quaint cafes and other restaurants. Casa Manco, Pane e Salame are few restaurants that serve the best pizza and sandwiches respectively. You can even opt for a food tour where you can go to food tasting. Make sure you also sign up for a cooking class and try to recreate some of the best Italian cuisines. Mizio's Street Food is famous for its Italian and Mediterranean cuisines. Two Sizes- Tiramisu in Rome is another popular eatery and cafe in Rome that you must try. Cipasso Vineria Bistrot is a popular restaurant that also has a wine bar.

How to reach Rome (Transportation)

Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport is one of the major airports in Italy. The flight connectivity to Rome from India is excellent. There are a lot of direct flights to Rome from India. Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Vistara are some of the major airlines that fly to Rome daily. It takes about a 13 to 15 hours flight journey to reach Rome if you take a direct flight. If you book during the offseason, you might get interesting flight deals to Rome online. The airport also has well-equipped services for passengers like a duty-free shopping area, restaurants, lounges, prayer room, nursery, smoking area, WiFi, restaurants, currency exchange and so on. You will also get taxis or buses from the airport to your hotel easily. Make sure you save your shopping spree at the duty-free stores for when you are leaving from Rome since you will also shop a great deal during your trip to the city.

  About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways is the flag carrier as well as the second-largest airline in the United Arab Emirates, after Emirates. The airlines' head office is located in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, in proximity to Abu Dhabi's International Airport. Operations of Etihad commenced in 2003. The airline has since expanded its wings to acquire many world-class facilities and aircraft in its fleet. With a fleet strength of 120 which only includes Boeing and Airbus aircraft, the airline has a record of flying about 1,000 flights in a week to more than 120 domestic and international routes sprawled across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and North America. The airline operates passenger as well as cargo-based services to many international destinations. According to records, in 2015, Etihad carried about 14.8 million passengers, a whopping 22.3 per cent jump from the previous year, adding to the revenue of the airlines to stand at USD 9.02 billion and a net profit of USD 103 million. The airline's main hub is in Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Additionally, Etihad Airways also operates two subsidiaries, Etihad Holidays and Etihad Cargo. The same year, the airlines also introduced an airline alliance called Etihad Airways Partners. However, it was disbanded in 2018 following several of its members falling in financial peril. Etihad was previously led by former Gulf Air CEO James Hogan. He was appointed as the President and Chief Executive Officer in 2006 and served the office till 2018. Currently, the airline has appointed Tony Douglas as the CEO of Etihad Group, to fill in the shoes of James Hogan. Aside from running its show, Etihad also has equity alliance and minority shareholdings in airlines such as Air Serbia, Air Seychelles Virgin Australia with 49 per cent. Forty per cent and 24.2 per cent stakes respectively.

Over the years, the airline has sponsored a slew of big events including the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Docklands Stadium and All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. On its genesis, Etihad's livery featured the flag of the United Arab Emirates along with its emblem on the vertical stabiliser while the windows had a golden Etihad logo. The fuselage also featured red and golden stripes. However, the livery was phased out as a new design was introduced in 2014. The new livery first featured on Etihad's first Airbus A380s. The new design includes triangular tessellation painted with gold and silver on the vertical stabiliser as well as the rear fuselage. The aircraft also has a golden Etihad logo along with the emblem of the United Arab Emirates painted over the windows as well as the flag painted on the front door. The golden hue is inspired by the romanticising of the Arabian desert.

Fleet size of Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways operates a fleet comprising of only Airbus and Boeing. The total size of the fleet is 102 with Boeing 787-9 taking the most space with 30 aircraft. Following the same is Airbus A320-200 and Boeing 777-300ER with 19 aircraft. Ever since the airline's genesis, it has been accommodating only the top aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. You can find both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft and the cabin facilities change accordingly. Etihad Airways' fleet is recognised worldwide for its innovative and advanced facilities.

Etihad Airways Baggage Allowance

Etihad Airways is quite strict when it comes to their baggage allowance. The airline has a standard weight and size for baggage that the passengers need to adhere to. Depending on the country that you will be travelling to, Etihad Airways has dedicated baggage allowance. You will need to go to their website and find out the same. In the baggage allowance page, the airline has reserved two blank posts where you can add the destination and the city you'll be taking your flight from. Following the search, you will know how much the baggage allowance is on Etihad Airways. The same applies to the hand luggage and passengers travelling with kids and infants.

With respect to carrying a personal item on board, the weight of the handbag with personal items should not exceed 5 kg. The personal bag could include a laptop, a backpack, handbag or a briefcase to carry onboard. It is essential that you follow the necessary protocols and not carry unwanted items in the bag. There are provisions to purchase extra baggage. In fact, the airline allows extra baggage with 30 per cent off. You will not have to pay a whopping sum of amount. The airline allows the passenger to check the status of the bag on their official website. However, it is while you have some benefits, the airline expects passengers not to carry specific things onboard or in the checked baggage. A list of prohibited items has been shared by Etihad Airways which follow protocols of all the other airlines it has partnered with. Some of the restricted items include sharp items, inflatables, wheelchairs, weapons, dangerous goods and chemicals, liquid, aerosols and gels, and more. While wheelchairs are not allowed, there are special provisions made by the airline for passengers who have mobility issues and need the wheelchair. The same applies to travellers with infants. For infants, the airline has allowed the traveller to carry enough baggage that is dedicated to baby products.

Etihad Airways In-flight services

Etihad Airways' in-flight services are world-class. The airline recently introduced Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 with several amazing features. These include a residence suite such as The Residence (A380), First Apartments (A380), First Suite (787), Business Studio and Economy Smart seat. You will find a business studio, and smart economy seat available in all the aircraft of Etihad Airways fleet. However, the state-of-the-art first-class suites and cabins are only available in their Airbus A380 and Boeing 787.

The Residence - Airbus A380 is the only aircraft in the Etihad fleet to accommodate The Residence. There is room for two people to fit in residence and features a private living space with a living room, bathroom and a bedroom. The cabin also offers a 60.6-inch wide reclining two-seater sofa with a 32-inch TV monitor. An ensuite bathroom along with a shower is also available in the suite and has an 82-inch wide doubled bed. The bedroom also comes with another TV monitor which is 27-inch along with a personal butler. The first-class' services also come with complimentary meals and alcoholic beverages.

First-class - The airline also has a First Apartments, which follows the same layout but with limited provisions from the residence. The Airbus aircraft accommodates the first-class apartment with nine total cabins and a configuration of 1-1 across a single aisle. The room features a decent 30.3-inch wide reclining chair along with an ottoman that can be converted into a bed. The airline also has a 24-inch TV monitor which can swing for a better view from the ottoman. The recliner is also accompanied by a vanity cabinet, a bar with chilled drinks and luxurious hospitality from the airline's crew. The Boeing 787-9 allows eight first suites in the aircraft which includes a 26-inch reclining lounge chair. There is a dining table along with a 24-inch TV monitor. The aircraft also comes with a personal wardrobe and high sliding doors.

Business-class - The business studio has been introduced by Etihad Airways in both the aircraft models, Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9s as well as Boeing 787-10s. The studio accommodates 22a 22-inch wide reclining chair that can be converted into a flatbed. It also comes with an 18-inch TV monitor and has a configuration of 1-2-1 seating. Everybody gets direct aisle access.

Economy smart seat - While the fabulous features are available and part of Etihad Airways' in-flight services, the economy class is also quite decent. The seats are 17-inch wide on the Boeing 787 and 19-inch wide on the Airbus A380. The seat pitch is 31-33-inch and 6-inch recline, respectively. The airline also has an 11-inch touch screen entertainment system by Etihad to cater to the in-flight entertainment of the passenger. The airline follows a 3-4-3 seating style.

Popular routes and top cities for Etihad Airways

The United Arab Emirates established Etihad Airways as the national carrier and has since managed to launch a plethora of domestic routes and international routes for their flights. Over the years, they have managed to serve about 74 destinations along with dedicated five cargo cities. Much recently, they even commenced their operations to Beirut. Some of the top cities are Sydney, Melbourne, Manama, Brussels, Toronto, Beijing, Shanghai, Cairo, Munich, Athens, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Kozhikode, Kochi, Milan, Dublin, Tokyo, Amman, Kuwait City, Rabat, Lagos, Muscat, Lahore, Manila, Jeddah, Medina, Singapore, Seoul, Barcelona, Colombo, Geneva, Zurich, Bangkok, Phuket, London, Chicago, New York City, Washington DC and Los Angeles.

Why travel by Etihad Airways?

Etihad Airways' world-class in-flight services, as well as hospitality and lounge treatment, is a testament to the host country's lifestyle. It is luxurious and has some of the finest facilities. Their official website includes web check-in services, booking Etihad Airways' flights and to be updated with the flight schedules and flight status of the airlines.