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Singapore offers
a fusion of
fascinating cultures
and stunning
natural beauty.
Helen Buller from
Premier Travel
offers her top tips
for visiting this
Helen Buller
incredible city.
With its bright lights and iconic
architecture I was instantly impressed
by how clean Singapore felt and I
couldn’t wait to see the sights. It’s
really easy to explore the city on foot
while taking in the main attractions ideal if you’re short on time - and the
SkyTrain, MRT underground system
and local taxis are also cheap and
reliable too, so there are plenty of
options for getting around during a
short break or stopover.
Our first stop and an absolute ‘must’
was a visit to Raffles, Singapore’s most
iconic hotel. I enjoyed a Singapore
Sling cocktail in the Long Bar (joining
in with the tradition of throwing
monkey nut shells on the floor!) and
tried their indulgent afternoon tea
which is one of the best in town. If you
have time, try the ‘Footsteps of Raffles’
tour for a great introduction to the city
and a taste of colonial Singapore.
Next it was time for some retail
therapy at the famous shopping malls
of Orchard Road, followed by the
boutiques of Haji Lane in the Arab
Quarter of the city. I loved browsing for
bargains in the vintage shops around
the Tiong Bahru district where the
art-deco style streets are well worth
a visit, and the local night markets by
Clarke Quay are perfect for collecting
souvenirs and gifts to bring home.
Food is another highlight in Singapore
and there’s so much choice in every
area of the city. The famous Hawker
Centres and cultural communities of
Little India and Chinatown are packed
with mouth-watering street food stalls
with the national dish, Chilli Crab
being one of my favourites. Pavement
café’s and rooftop bars are also very
popular and are a great place to watch
the world go by between sightseeing
stops – a lovely way to spend an
afternoon.
The Gardens by the Bay are another
must-see attraction with tropical parks
and gardens hidden away from the
city’s hustle and bustle. I particularly
loved exploring the Botanical Gardens,
peaceful Chinese Garden and the
six-mile stretch of the Southern Ridges
but there are plenty of other areas also
waiting to be discovered.
Nature lovers will be in their element
with a River Safari along Asia’s only
P le a s e m e n t i o n ‘ T h e F l yer ’ wh en r esp o n d in g t o ad ver t isements
river-themed national wildlife park,
as well as enjoying activities such as
an organised breakfast with a family
of Orang-utans, visiting the Bukit
Timah Nature Reserve or experiencing
a ‘Night Safari’ train ride to spot
nocturnal wildlife. The Night Safari
was my personal favourite as it gave
us the chance to spot unusual natural
species which usually shy away during
daylight hours.
Before departing onwards to Bali we
took a cable car over to Sentosa Island
for an added adventure experience.
Set on a stretch of sandy beach, this
popular resort is a perfect place for
families (particularly adults travelling
with young children) or groups of
friends to enjoy with a range of
attractions, wildlife and activities to
entertain all ages.
Singapore holds a prime position for
exploring the Far East and Australasia
with efficient connections to a huge
range of destinations. I’d recommend
spending three or four days in the
city before heading to your next
destination, to ensure you don’t miss
any of the wonders that Singapore has
to offer!
Premier Travel can offer a 5* Singapore
and Bali holiday from £1,899pp
including return international flights;
return private transfers, 3 nights at the
iconic 5*Raffles Hotel in Singapore,
seven nights at the 5* Grand Hyatt
in Bali and breakfast throughout.