Singapore is steadily gaining recognition as a holiday destination in its own right, and proving great for a short break. For the visitor the mix of races provides great richness and diversity – knot least in the choice of cuisine.

Eating is almost a national pastime in Singapore and dining outlets range from luxury restaurants to so called hawker centres where customers can pick and choose from dozens of different stalls.

Major sightseeing attractions include these represent by far Bird Park - the largest in Southeast Asia that provides a home for more than 8000 birds.

Singapore Art Museum housed in a beautiful restored. 19th century boys school features a vast collection of South East Asian art.

Chinatown is a fascinating area of narrow streets and picturesque houses which is being given a major facelift. From August, Smith Street will become a First-Timers major open-air dining district and a clients who have never been to Chinese Heritage Centre is due to be Opened later in the year, which will trace the history of Chinatown’s people.

The Chinese and Japanese Gardens provides a peaceful escape from the bustle of the city. whilst the Singapore Botanic Gardens feature thousands of different plants including many rare species.

NIGHT SAFARI

An amazing wildlife park which only opens in the evening - the best time for seeing animals at their most active. Using barely visible electric fences rather than cages, the park is home to more than 1,200 creatures and 110 different species.

LITTLE INDIA – SERANGOON ROAD

A home from home that embodies the its own, an increasingly popular vibrant culture of the Indian community in Singapore

THE ANNUAL GREAT SINGAPORE SALE

Usually falls between June and July

BOAT QUA

This has played a major part in helping. to change perceptions of Singapore. The trendy, ‘happening’ area has a good mix of upmarket bars and restaurants and provides a major vening gathering point for young Singaporean professionals, expatriates and visitors.

SENTOS

Promoted as Singapore’s Island of Fun, it is connected to the mainland by causeway, ferry and cable car. Attractions include a butterfly park, a water theme park and Underwater World - a tropical oceanarium, which houses more than 6000 marine creature.

Singapore provides a introduction to the region. It is one of the safest cities in the world - and easy to get around. Hotels, restaurant sightseeing attractions are all of a standard and there is not the same culture shock as in other Asian destinations.

COUPLES

Singapore is an ideal choice for middle-aged who will enjoy experiencing some of the pleasures of Southeast Asia such as eating al fresco – but without any worries or hassle.

Singapore’s reputation as a major shopping destination is a big draw for many couples. Although prices are not quite as keen as they were there are still bargains to be found. Each summer, dozens of major stores participate in the Great Singapore Sale offering g discounts on a wide variety of goods.

Although Singapore has very few beaches of its own, an increasingly popular add on is for clients to spend a few nights in Bintan. Although officially part of the Indonesian Riau islands, the Singaporean government has been spearheading efforts to turn Bintan into a fully fledged resort with luxury hotels golf courses, shopping arcades and a marina. High speed catamarans operate between Singapore and Bintan in a journey time of around 45 minutes.

CRUISING

Singapore is rapidly gaining a reputation as a great cruise centre.

Star Cruises are featured by several tour operators. Superstar Virgo operates five night ex Singapore itineraries with stops at Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and Phuket.

TRAINING

Cultivating the regional cities, STB has been making presentations in Lucknow, Chandigarh, Nagur, Coimbatore and Cochin. The workshops were conducted to promote Singapore as a popular destination for leisure, business and MICE.

In 1999, Singapore received 14,064 meetings and conferences guests, a rise of 40.3%. Travel agents planning to visit Singapore are being offered a Funpak by the Singapore Tourism Board to help them make the most of their stay.
It aims to highlight the wide variety of activities available to visitors including feng-shui tours, reflexology and Chinese calligraphy classes, as well as tea-tasting sessions. The Funpak offers complimentary or discounted rates at more than 30 sightseeing attractions and restaurants. Discounts can also be obtained at more than 600 shops.

JURONG BIRD PARK

Have breakfast at The Lodge on Flamingo Lake. Watch the all-new breakfast show-Pelicans Pirates and Pratas at 09.30hrs featuring a star-studded bird cast.

SINGAPORE SCIENCE CENTRE (SSC) –
The Aviation Gallery introduces the principles of flight and the OMNI THEATRE

SNOW CITY –
Within walking distance of SSC.

SINGAPORE CABLE CAR (SCC) -
Full glass cabins nave been introduced. SCC has packaged a picnic experience for visitors to dine in the cable car during weekends.

EATING OUT

Vegetarian Indian food can be found along Serangoon Road, Holland village and Tanjong Pagar. One can also try out the Hawker centres where you can find a veritable feast of Indian, Chinese and Malay treats. Some favourite hawker centres in the city area are Bugis street, Lau Pa Sat and Maxwell Road Market. Alternatively Food Courts are popular. Try out the ones at Bugis Junction, Clarke Quay, Kopitiams and Food Centre.

SHOPPING

The shopping belt in Singapore is Orchard Road. Try out Robinsons, Centrepoint, Wisma Atria, Tanglin Mall. An excellent place to shop for IT products is the Funan centre. Bargain hunters might want to try the ‘Pasar Malam’(night market) at Bugis Village or the Sunday flea market at Clarke Quay.