A tale of two wintry cities

Heading to the two biggest cities soon? Here are your succinct itineraries to make the most of your trips.

Not everyone's flying off to Fiji and Bali this winter, nor indeed our own Sunshine State of Queensland. Many Australians are, in fact, embracing the cold weather. The latest search data by Booking.com shows Sydney is the top domestic destination this season, followed by Melbourne and then the Gold Coast. Heading to the two biggest cities soon? Here are your succinct itineraries to make the most of your trips.

In Sydney, check into the Four Seasons Hotel and have a cocktail at Aster bar - both offer glorious views of the harbour. Then follow the 8.5-kilometre trail from Circular Quay to Central Station that's been specially created for Vivid and is dotted with more than 50 light shows along the way.

Over in Melbourne, check into the newly opened Le Meridien Hotel, located in the heart of the CBD, with easy access to standout restaurants Gingerboy and Daughter in Law, then make your way to the National Gallery of Victoria, home to some stellar exhibitions this winter, from Rembrandt: True to Life to Pierre Bonnard. booking.com; destinationnsw.com.au; visitvictoria.com