You won’t feel like a newcomer after four days in Sydney, checking off all the must-sees like Sydney Harbour, Sydney Opera House, and the Royal Botanic Garden during your first day. That gives you plenty of time to really get to know Australia’s biggest city, spending another couple of days catching some rays on the golden sands at Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, and a few other spots we locals usually keep for ourselves.

If you’ve only got a pair of days in Sydney, you’re probably not going to venture too far from the waterfront. But trust us, that’s a good thing, since Sydney Harbour is the star attraction of Australia’s biggest city. Walking through the Royal Botanic Gardens, even locals like me are blown away by the views of Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Plus some of the city’s finest restaurants are within a few blocks, so you’ve got all the makings of a great getaway close at hand.

From Venice to Rio de Janeiro and the Caribbean, here’s where to celebrate the best and biggest carnivals in the world.