| You may have heard the saying "Singapore is a | | | | Malay and other influences into its own unique |
| fine city." You get fined for this, fined for that... | | | | blend. The resulting dishes are imaginative, tasty |
| you could even get fined for chewing gum (it | | | | and often extremely subtle. |
| caused a major door drama that stopped the | | | | Travel tip: If you're heading this way in the month |
| MRT subway running). While there's no doubt that | | | | of July, the annual Singapore Food Festival is in full |
| Singapore takes a tough stand on fines for | | | | swing. A gastronomic feast of workshops, places |
| anti-social issues and basic public behaviour, | | | | to eat, amazing recipes and things to try are all |
| Singapore is also fine city for a tourists on a | | | | on the menu. |
| stopover or vacation break. | | | | Singapore Zoo Night Safari. |
| In fact, Singapore is one of the world's most | | | | Forget a typical zoo experience, this is an "open" |
| popular destinations. A tiny island with mighty | | | | green environment where animals are allowed to |
| appeal, lying between Malaysia and Indonesia. Just | | | | roam in acres of lush jungle and parklands. |
| 14 miles from north to south and 26 miles wide | | | | Oppressive cages are absent. |
| from east to west, it's slightly more than 3.5 | | | | The animals are actually kept in spacious, |
| times the size of Washington, DC. Singapore lies in | | | | landscaped enclosures, separated from visitors by |
| the heart of exciting Southeast Asia, a bridge | | | | dry or wet moats. The moats are concealed with |
| between east and west and a place that buzzes | | | | vegetation or dropped below the line of vision. |
| 24/7. | | | | At night, Singapore zoo takes on a totally |
| It offers visitors a world of fantastic possibilities. | | | | different feel with the famous Night Safari. A |
| Its ultra-modern skyscrapers and towers of glass | | | | unique experience of exploring wildlife in a tropical |
| contrast with the colonial charm of historic | | | | jungle at night. Through subtle lighting, you can |
| buildings, secret laneways and Chinese shop | | | | view over 1,000 nocturnal animals from 100 |
| houses. | | | | species in their habitat. It's well worth spending an |
| It's a confusion of culture with slick style and | | | | evening out here. Show time starts at 7.30 as the |
| business energy. A melting pot of Chinese, Malay, | | | | sunset in this part of world is very reliable, thanks |
| Indian and Eurasian races. Safe, fun and friendly, | | | | to the position, close to the equator. |
| the perfect place for a break. Singaporeans are | | | | Sentosa. Singapore's premier island resort |
| super helpful to visitors and just about everybody | | | | getaway. |
| speaks English as this is the main language of | | | | Just 15 minutes from downtown Singapore, you'll |
| business and everyday life. | | | | find the resort getaway that is Sentosa Island. A |
| Singapore is also just a few degrees from the | | | | stunning blend of leisure and recreational facilities, |
| equator, so it's always a hot and happening place | | | | sea sports, golf and peaceful retreats. Get there |
| literally. Tip: dress for the tropics with light | | | | by cable car (fantastic views) or bus, taxi and car. |
| comfortable clothing. | | | | A canopy of secondary rainforest covers 70 per |
| Seven great things to do and see. | | | | cent of the 500-hectare island and it's home to |
| Singapore Shopping. A buyer's paradise. | | | | monitor lizards, monkeys, peacocks, parrots as |
| The number one attraction is undoubtedly | | | | well as other native fauna and flora. With is long |
| shopping. Stroll down the main boulevard of | | | | stretch of white sandy beach, this is the only |
| Orchard Road and you'll find plenty to tempt you | | | | place in Singapore with real beachfront |
| and your credit card, but window shopping costs | | | | accommodation, such as Shangri-La's Rasa |
| nothing. Each side of the road is lined with glossy | | | | Sentosa Resort. You'll find this property (and |
| designer boutiques, big stores and fabulous malls, | | | | many more choices all over Singapore) at sites |
| not to mention shops displaying the latest digital | | | | like |
| wizardy. | | | | Clarke Quay. Night moves and grooves. |
| Don't miss exploring the other side of Singapore | | | | When the sun goes down, Clarke Quay, on the |
| either. It's fun to spend a day wandering the | | | | Singapore River, comes to life. During the 19th |
| different locales and historic backstreets of | | | | century, this was a commercial waterfront area, |
| Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street. | | | | bustling with merchant vessels. The rich heritage is |
| Enjoy a Singapore Sling at Raffles. | | | | alive and kicking. The Quay been restored to |
| "When in Singapore, feed at Raffles", that was | | | | create a colorful and stylish meeting place, filled |
| the advice of the renowned English author, | | | | with cosy cafes, bars, music and restaurants. |
| Rudyard Kipling, and it still holds true today. The | | | | Trendy night spots attract a big crowd, especially |
| legendary Raffles Hotel is consistently voted as | | | | at the weekend. |
| one of the top hotels in the world. It attracted a | | | | Reflexology. Traditional Foot Massage. |
| bevy of literary talent to its doors, from Joseph | | | | Transport-wise, Singapore is easy to get around, |
| Conrad to Somerset Maugham to Noel Coward | | | | by subway, bus or taxi, but you'll probably pound |
| who were inspired by its unique atmosphere. First | | | | the sidewalks taking in the sights and sounds of |
| opened in 1887, Raffles has undergone extensive | | | | this great Asian destination. Make time for some |
| restoration over the years but today it's still as | | | | pampering. |
| stylish as ever. | | | | Reflexology or foot massage has long been part |
| Now film celebrities, royalty, sports stars and | | | | of Chinese tradition and culture - a superb way to |
| anyone who's anyone, chooses to stay Raffles. | | | | relax after a tough day bargain hunting. You'll find |
| Even if your budget doesn't allow an overnight | | | | plenty of places to enjoy a massage, at exclusive |
| booking, you could probably stretch to a | | | | Hotel spas, or the more reasonably priced |
| refreshing Gin Sling in the Long Bar - it was | | | | specialty outlets all around Orchard Road, in |
| invented here. Bartender Ngiam Tong Boon | | | | shopping centres and Tanglin Road. |
| created this deliciously different cocktail close to a | | | | Singapore hotels to match every budget. |
| century ago. | | | | Singapore is one of the world's top travel |
| Food glorious food. | | | | destinations, especially for stop overs. (U.S. citizens |
| Making money is not the only things on people's | | | | can stay up to 90 days without a visa.) |
| minds in Singapore. The subject of food is a | | | | Accommodation-wise, you'll find a wide range of |
| national obsession. After breakfast has finished, | | | | hotels to suit your budget - from major 5 star |
| where to have lunch and dinner are the big topics | | | | international names to smaller hotels offering |
| of the day. As a visitor, your taste buds are | | | | great value rates. Book online and see the deals |
| spoiled for choice with plenty of food halls, stalls, | | | | you can find. |
| cafes and upmarket restaurants. | | | | During holiday time, Chinese New Year and during |
| Nonya or Peranakan food is the closest Singapore | | | | special festivals, it pays to book ahead because |
| has to a "national" cuisine. It combines Chinese, | | | | Singapore is always a fine experience. |