Singapore is a lively and very modern city, spotlessly clean and vibrant; this small city-state proves that good things do come in small packages. As a luxury vacation destination, few places can compete with this tiny but resplendent gem of a land.
Originally founded by the East India Company as a major trading port, the community was briefly part of the Malay Peninsula before regaining its independent status. Today Singapore represents one of the renowned four tigers of Asia, the technological superpowers of the East along with Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea.
The beating heart of the city is the extensive promenade that encompasses the port, one of the busiest in the world; the financial district and the glamorous marina. The Great Flying Wheel of Singapore dominates the skyline, a large observation wheel that doesn’t look much like the London Eye, but in typical Singaporean style, at nearly 98 feet taller, it’s the world’s largest.
Despite architectural advances and innovations, Singapore certainly still retains a sense of history and heritage with many of the original colonial buildings that marked the city’s early founding still visible today; Stalwarts like the Raffles Hotel remain hot spots for discerning travelers looking to rediscover a simpler and more glamorous past. Tourists dressed in their finery can still be seen sitting at the bar enjoying a Singaporean sling and nibbling on the complimentary monkey nuts. Singapore’s culture offers a unique mix of Indian, Malay, Chinese and many other nationalities to produce a truly multicultural community. To get a taste of this broad spectrum, tourists often strive to explore the city’s wider suburbs, including sprawling Chinatown and colorful Little India with its temples and market stalls.
From markets to chic shops Singapore is a shopper’s paradise and the main drag Orchard Road is still saturated with exclusive boutiques, malls and shops. The world’s most renowned fashion houses and retailers have established themselves in the city to cater to a distinguished clientele of local residents and international travelers.
When the sun goes down in Singapore, the action certainly doesn’t end and the city boasts a host of bustling night spots, from markets to bars and restaurants to full-blown nightclubs. There is something here to entertain everyone; The dock areas (Clarke, Boat and Robinson) deserve special attention with their trendy restaurants and numerous bars.
During the day, as we have mentioned, there are many places to explore in the city with several museums, galleries and cultural sites to entertain and fascinate the traveler. However, if you start to yearn for a sense of nature and greenery, then Singapore successfully manages to balance its urban streetscape with numerous parks and open areas to offer visitors and residents a peaceful retreat from the fast pace of the city. The Singapore Zoo and Butterfly Park, as well as the Jurong Bird Park and Botanical Gardens, offer areas of outstanding natural beauty and serenity. You can take the cable car to the world famous Sentosa Island, a small island off the coast of Singapore that today serves as the city’s busiest tourist attraction. Despite annual visitor numbers of around 5 million people, there are plenty of quiet corners to relax and reflect. Siloso’s 2 km long sheltered beach promises a wonderful place to sit and soak up the sun or for those looking for a bit of adventure, the island is also home to a Universal Studios theme park.