Luxury Holidays to Singapore

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Welcome to the dynamic cosmopolitan city-state that is uniquely Singapore - rich in contrasts and colour and a seamless fusion of cultures, cuisines, arts and architecture. Consisting of a main island and over 60 nearby islets, and in the heart of Southeast Asia, Singapore is in many ways the Orient in miniature, offering a host of exciting experiences just waiting to be enjoyed. With all its shopping malls, fast-food outlets, imported fashion and glittering skyscrapers, Singapore might at first look like any other flourishing 21st century city. Don’t be deceived. Just beneath that cosmopolitan outer skin the cultural heritage of the East is deeply embedded. In super-charged Singapore’s exotic fusion of Malay, Chinese and Indian values, religions, superstitions and memories – nothing is ever quite as it seems. Those toothless rickshaw-pullers and menacing opium dens may have surrendered to high-rise and hi-tech wizardry. But you can still relive the colonial past with a gin sling under the languid ceiling fans at the Raffles Hotel.

Singapore Adventure
Yes, ‘Adventure’ is something it doesn’t really ‘do’– but look out for ‘Underwater World'', an incredible oceanarium that allows you to walk under the ocean via transparent tunnels to view the 5,000 tropical marine creatures including sharks, eels and other exotic fish. No less impressive is the Night Safari nature complex, home to over 900 animals of 135 exotic species in areas re-created to simulate different geographic zones of the world.

Nightlife & Party with Locals
Come sunset, the Lion City scene transforms itself into a buzzing hive of bars and nightclubs. Pubbing and clubbing here is a must if you want to feel the night-pulse of the city. Many of the bars and clubs have a vibrant local character. You''ll find restored Chinese go-downs pumping out rap or retro, trendy bars of glass-and-steel exteriors and Buddhist temple-style interiors, historic drinking dens that will take you back to the days of the Raj. The ‘golden triangle’ of nightspots (Zouk-Mohammed Sultan-Boat Quay) is all a short taxi hop from each other.

Gourmet Cuisine & Dining Out
Singaporeans eat and drink with a passion - and Singapore is a paradise for gourmets and gourmands alike. Prominent among over 30 different cooking styles are regional Chinese and Malay cuisines, with a host of other global options on offer. One of the best ways to eat is at one of the ubiquitous street food stalls. Restaurants range from the inexpensive and informal to the decidedly posh and budget-shrinking. Fast-food outlets are everywhere (with familiar international names in evidence), as are ‘designer’ coffee places – all infused with an unmistakable eastern flavour.

Family Holidays
Singapore has lots of family attractions, including Singapore Zoo (with Night Safari, the world''s first night-time wildlife park), and at Sentosa’s Underwater World tropical oceanarium you can swim with dolphins and even (friendly) sharks.

Singapore’s multi-cultural heritage is an assurance of a busy events diary for the city – with religious and, cultural festivities and sporting challenges often competing simultaneously for attention. Some of the major occasions shown below will give you the flavour!

January/March
Singapore''s Chinese New Year celebrations are the highlight of the year, with all the Chinese districts lit up – and cultural performances, a Chinese bazaar and spectacular fireworks, not forgetting the great Chingay Parade of floats and performers down Orchard Road. Chinese New Year itself is on 18 February.

March
This month’s OSIM Singapore Golf Masters is one of Asia''s richest international tournaments. The Singapore Fashion Festival features glamorous fashion shows in Singapore''s major malls and small designer shows in chic city boutiques.

April
The Singapore International Film Festival features over 200 films celebrating the best in Asian and world cinema.

May
Attracting a top international field to Kranji Racecourse, the Singapore Airlines International Cup is one of the world''s richest horse races. The Singapore Arts Festival is the hottest ticket for performing arts in the Far East, juxtaposing top names of Asian and western dance, theatre and music. Vesak Day at the end of the month is a major date on the Buddhist calendar and commemorates Lord Buddha''s entry into Nirvana with prayers, ceremonies and candlelit procession.

June
The Singapore Street Festival, inspired by popular culture, takes place on and around Orchard Road. The Dumpling Festival sees Singapore racing dragon boats and consuming thousands of dumplings at this bizarre and colourful festival.

July
The Singapore Dance Theatre brings Ballet UnderThe Stars to Fort Canning Park in one of Singapore''s most popular outdoor arts events. Gourmets may prefer the Singapore Food Festival, a month-long epicurean extravaganza, featuring themed weekends, international chefs and a plethora of cooking demonstrations.

August
Singaporeans celebrate their National Day of Independence with fireworks, a military parade and imaginative cultural displays. From traditional tunes to fusion rhythms and the dance of ancient cultures, WOMAD is the last word on festivals of music and dance from around the world.

September/October
The Mid-Autumn Moon Cake Festival commemorates China''s freedom from Mongolian rule. Rejoicing resonates throughout Singapore with grand parades, extravagant performances, moon cakes and lanterns to light the way. Deepvali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, celebrates the symbolic victory of Good over Evil and brings in the New Year for Hindus. Little India is ablaze with diyas (clay pots), fairy lights and garlands for several weeks.

October
The end of Ramadan sees the Muslim festival of Hari Raya Puasa (Aidil Fitr) when the streets of the Geylang Serai area sport lights and fantastic decorations.

November
The Singapore River comes alive during the spectacular annual dragon boat racing regatta, with over 2,000 participants and 100 teams. The Singapore Open on Sentosa Island is Asia''s richest golf tournament, when Asia’s best players and selected top international golfers display their skills. During the Singapore River Buskers'' Festival talented street performers from around the world gather for one of Asia’s largest street entertainment festivals.

December
December sees Hari Raya Haji (Eid al-Adha), an important date in the Muslim religious calendar, marking the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Singapore has long been a name synonymous with energy, enterprise and skill. Today this island city-state has become a commercial power-house and a tourist mecca. Whether your stay is long or short, you’ll be impressed by Singapore’s vibrant fusion of past and future. There’s far more to today’s Singapore than its reputation as a clean, safe, sophisticated destination! You’ll find serene manicured gardens overlooked by glittering skyscrapers; state-of-the-art transportation and world-class cultural programmes; shopping fantasies fulfilled in street markets and designer malls; mouth-watering culinary delights from local street stalls to international fine dining – all infused with an unmistakable eastern flavour.

WHAT TO SEE

Colonial Singapore
Be sure to see Singapore’s neo-classical ''Colonial Heart'', spanning Padang, Cricket Club and the elegant Parliament House, the Supreme Court and City Hall.

Orchard Road
Orchard Road is Singapore’s main shopping artery with stores all along the way. At night it magically transforms itself into the city’s glittering entertainment district.

Little India
Stretching from Lavendar Street to Rochor Canal, this corner of Singapore is vividly Indian in character. As you step into Little India, be prepared for an overpowering of the senses! First, you will be greeted by the strong, heady scent of spices and jasmine garlands, followed by the treasure trove of silverware, brassware, ethnic jewellery and colourful silk saris, dazzling to behold. See and buy Indian handicrafts, sample delicious food and catch typically Indian sights - especially in the Hindu temples.

Chinatown
Singapore’s Chinatown evolved around 1821 when the first Chinese junk arrived from Xiamen, Fujian province in China. The passengers, all men, set up home around the south of the Singapore River which is known today as Telok Ayer. Although much redeveloped, Chinatown still retains pockets of genuinely old shophouses where age-old trades like clog-making, fortune-telling and calligraphy continue. Characteristic shop-houses with shuttered upper floor and arcaded street front are much in evidence.

Mount Faber
On Singapore’s coast and the point from which cable cars travel to Sentosa - offering tremendous views of Singapore, the harbour and nearby islands.

Sentosa
Chockfull of attractions, Sentosa offers are water amusement parks, landscaped gardens, and beach clubs with live music, a butterfly garden, an ethnic village and a fabulous aquarium (Underwater World).

Singapore Zoo
Singapore Zoo is one of the finest of its kind, housing over 3,000 mammals, birds and reptiles. Two key attractions are the `Fragile Forest’- an impressive display of endangered ecosystems, and the Orang-utan enclosure.

Night Safari
Night Safari is unique in the world – a night zoo, through which you can walk or travel by tram. The safari park is set in eight geographical zones and includes a bat enclosure, a leopard trail, and regular animal shows.

Jurong Bird Park
A top Singapore attractions and South East Asia’s largest bird park, with over 600 species. Regular bird shows and a simulated noon thunderstorm everyday are two highlights.

Ming Village
Porcelain is made here by artisans using the ancient techniques developed at the time of the great Ming Dynasty emperors.

National Orchid Garden
In the Botanic Gardens to the west of the city, this is said to be the largest collection of orchids in the world amid 128 acres of landscaped parkland and primary jungle.

WHAT TO DO

River Cruises
Without doubt the best way to view many of the buildings, statues, monuments and museums that Singapore has inherited from its colonial past – and quite a few of their high-rise successors - is to take a cruise along the Singapore River from Clarke Quay.

Golf
With perfect weather nearly all year round, Singapore is the ideal destination for golf. You can enjoy the courses at large and well-equipped public courses, or enjoy the more intimate atmosphere of the golf courses at country clubs and hotels. Some courses are open for evening play.

Horse-Racing
Horse racing in Singapore has had a long and illustrious history, beginning in 1842 with the formation of the Singapore Sporting Club by a group of racing enthusiasts. During its varied and colourful past, the racecourse grounds had been used for an array of activities ranging from polo matches to the landing of the first aircraft in Singapore. In 1924, the Singapore Sporting Club changed its name to Singapore Turf Club, to better reflect its role. Singapore’s Kranji Racecourse ranks among the world’s premier courses, with racing in the evening under spectacular floodlights on Fridays and on selected weekend afternoons.

Shopping
Orchard Road, Singapore’s ‘Fifth Avenue’, is where it’s at – crammed with vast luxury malls, mega-stores and souvenir vendors, cafés and restaurants. Arab Street, centre of the Arabian quarter, is another great shopping spot – as are Baghdad Street and Bussorah Street. Explore Chinatown’s shops, teahouses and restaurants.

Entertainment
Visit legendary Raffles Hotel for a head-spinning ‘Singapore Sling’. Then plunge into the city’s nightlife, a whirlwind of bars, clubs, discos, karaoke pubs, street opera, night markets, river cruises, multiplex cinemas and international stage shows. Boat Quay and Clarke Quay are popular riverside landmarks with stylish restaurants, alfresco dining and lively bars. Moored Chinese junks have been refurbished into floating bars and restaurants. Bugis Street, Changi Village and Holland Village are popular areas for food, drink and entertainment. Muhammad Sultan Road and Club Street are developing entertainment hubs with an array of pubs, nightclubs and wine bars.