Dec 19, Christmas Vacation in Singapore

(Reader's Question)

Hi! We are Malaysians and plan for a family Christmas vacation in Singapore.

Date: 25 Dec 8am - 27 Dec 10pm

There will be 4 senior citizens and 4 adults (2 families of parents and son/daughters).

Age: Range from 20s, 50s and 62 years old

Transport & Accommodation- Driving from Malaysia, staying at friend's house in Larkin, Johor Bahru.

Our Itinerary:

Day 1:
Morning - Bugis Junction
Afternoon - Chinatown, Pagoda Street
Evening - Orchard Road

Day 2:
Morning- Sentosa Island
Afternoon- Resort World Casino
Evening- Songs of the Sea / Universal Studios (evening entrance)

Day 3:
East Coast Beach - Clark Quay - Merlion - Shopping
or
Ducktour Package

Aside from the itinerary, we would like to get your advise on the parking cost and available parking location (especially near to Orchard Road).

Appreciate your advice and suggestions.

Merry X'mas

Hi there

Here are a few tweaks to make your Christmas vacation in Singapore more enjoyable:

Day 1 - Chinatown, Bugis, Orchard Road

Chinatown starts to buzz earlier in the morning than the Bugis area. Hence I suggest a morning start at Chinatown instead of Bugis.

Morning: Chinatown

Have breakfast at People's Park Food Centre, Chinatown Complex Food Centre, or Maxwell Road Food Centre.

Thereafter, check out the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum, Sri Mariamman Temple and the side streets in Chinatown, e.g. Pagoda Street.

Afternoon: Bugis Area

Don't restrict yourself to just Bugis Junction. Also browse the interesting shops at the Bugis Street Bazaar and Waterloo Street.

Evening: Orchard Road

The Christmas Light Up is on till the second day of the New Year. So if you don't like crowds, plan to see the lights outside Christmas Day.

But if you like the festivities, the Christmas Grand Concert takes place on Orchard Road in the evening. A section of Orchard Road will be closed to vehicle traffic - so take note.

You may still find suitable parking at Goodwood Park Hotel, Far East Plaza, Pacific Plaza or Hotel Royal Plaza on Scotts - all of which are on Scotts Road but close to the Orchard Road concert area.

Day 2 - Sentosa, Resorts World and Universal Studios

Sentosa attractions in the morning and the casino in the afternoon should be comfortable.

However, Songs of the Sea runs at 7.40pm and 8.40pm, while Universal Studios evening entrance is 7-9pm.

For you, this means:

1) A quick visit to Universal Studios early in the evening followed by 8.40pm Songs of the Sea, OR

2) An unhurried dinner within Universal Studios only, OR

3) 7.40pm Songs of the Sea, followed by supper at

a) Resorts World, or

b) one of the hotels in Sentosa, or

c) Lau Pa Sat in Shenton Way, a short drive away from Sentosa. Lau Pa Sat opens till late and serves good satay, seafood, and other local food.

Day 3 - Duck Tours, Marina Bay Shopping, Clarke Quay Dinner

Clarke Quay comes alive in the late afternoon/evening. So I counter-suggest the following plan:

Morning: Duck Tours departing from Suntec City Galleria.

Late Morning/Afternoon: Shopping at Suntec City, Marina Square, Citylink Mall, and Raffles City Shopping Centre.

Evening: Dinner at Clarke Quay.

Have an enjoyable Christmas vacation in Singapore.

Gabriel Tan

View the original article here

Nov 7, Christmas in Singapore 2011 - A Guide to Exciting Events!

Be enchanted this season. Celebrate Christmas in Singapore 2011...

On this page:
[Photos: Christmas Past] [2011 Light Up Locations] [Hotels for Christmas]

Events:
[Orchard Road] [Marina Bay]

Mouseover for descriptions!

Where: When: Evenings, 19 Nov 2011 to 2 Jan 2012

The Light Up will be declared open by President Tony Tan on the evening of 19 Nov 2011. The highlight for this year's opening ceremony: the lighting of 1000 'electronic candles'. Finding this hard to imagine? Then go down to Orchard Road on opening night.

What: 5+ km of enchanting Christmas lights. Buskers. Free performances at various locations.

Live Concerts along Orchard Road.

Christmas tunes by various groups, including local celebrities. Interactive Christmas Village (location to be advised) Christmas Day Grand Concert (Concert timing to be advised). Performances and spontaneous carolling on Orchard Road. The section of Orchard Road between Scotts Road and Bideford Road will be closed to vehicles for this concert. Photo opportunity with the Christmas floats on Orchard Road. Gifts and acts of kindness to invited charities.

Map of Orchard Road:
Locations of Free Performances during Christmas in Singapore 2011

(These are tentative locations; final locations to be advised. Please watch this space.)

Parade of Christmas Floats from Orchard Road to Heartland Towns.

Look out for the parade of Christmas floats at sundown, week leading up to 25 Dec 2011. (Event to be confirmed.) Best Dressed Building Competition among Orchard Road Malls. Photo opportunities galore. One of my favourite malls during the Christmas season is Tanglin Mall - it's always interesting and has something to entertain the kids. Watch out for surprises at ION Orchard as well - last year they gave us the opportunity to stand inside a Christmas tree!


Mass Caroling by Church Groups 23, 24 Dec 2011. 8-10pm. Join in the singing of Christmas songs at Marina Square (on stepped terraces facing the Esplanade Theatres). Marina Bay Countdown 2011/2012
31 Dec 2011. Concerts and Fireworks to usher in 2012.


Watch this space for updates on discounts and freebies for tourists.

Would you like to stay in the heart of the Orchard Road Christmas Light Up? Consider the excellent Royal Plaza on Scotts Hotel:

Here are more good 5-star hotels in Singapore Orchard Road - give yourself a treat during Christmas in Singapore 2011.

But what if you are on a tight budget? Don't worry. Check out these affordable Orchard Road hotels.

Cheap Hotels to Celebrate Christmas in Singapore 2011

Orchard Road Christmas Light Up 2008: A Photo Tour

Merry Christmas in Singapore 2011!

Watch this space for updates...

Do you have a memorable photo of the Christmas Light Up - taken either this year or in the past? Why not share it with us?

Page author: Gabriel Tan. All rights reserved.
Page created 15 Nov 2010, updated 7 Nov 2011S.

View the original article here

Dec 19, Christmas Vacation in Singapore

(Reader's Question)

Hi! We are Malaysians and plan for a family Christmas vacation in Singapore.

Date: 25 Dec 8am - 27 Dec 10pm

There will be 4 senior citizens and 4 adults (2 families of parents and son/daughters).

Age: Range from 20s, 50s and 62 years old

Transport & Accommodation- Driving from Malaysia, staying at friend's house in Larkin, Johor Bahru.

Our Itinerary:

Day 1:
Morning - Bugis Junction
Afternoon - Chinatown, Pagoda Street
Evening - Orchard Road

Day 2:
Morning- Sentosa Island
Afternoon- Resort World Casino
Evening- Songs of the Sea / Universal Studios (evening entrance)

Day 3:
East Coast Beach - Clark Quay - Merlion - Shopping
or
Ducktour Package

Aside from the itinerary, we would like to get your advise on the parking cost and available parking location (especially near to Orchard Road).

Appreciate your advice and suggestions.

Merry X'mas

Hi there

Here are a few tweaks to make your Christmas vacation in Singapore more enjoyable:

Day 1 - Chinatown, Bugis, Orchard Road

Chinatown starts to buzz earlier in the morning than the Bugis area. Hence I suggest a morning start at Chinatown instead of Bugis.

Morning: Chinatown

Have breakfast at People's Park Food Centre, Chinatown Complex Food Centre, or Maxwell Road Food Centre.

Thereafter, check out the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum, Sri Mariamman Temple and the side streets in Chinatown, e.g. Pagoda Street.

Afternoon: Bugis Area

Don't restrict yourself to just Bugis Junction. Also browse the interesting shops at the Bugis Street Bazaar and Waterloo Street.

Evening: Orchard Road

The Christmas Light Up is on till the second day of the New Year. So if you don't like crowds, plan to see the lights outside Christmas Day.

But if you like the festivities, the Christmas Grand Concert takes place on Orchard Road in the evening. A section of Orchard Road will be closed to vehicle traffic - so take note.

You may still find suitable parking at Goodwood Park Hotel, Far East Plaza, Pacific Plaza or Hotel Royal Plaza on Scotts - all of which are on Scotts Road but close to the Orchard Road concert area.

Day 2 - Sentosa, Resorts World and Universal Studios

Sentosa attractions in the morning and the casino in the afternoon should be comfortable.

However, Songs of the Sea runs at 7.40pm and 8.40pm, while Universal Studios evening entrance is 7-9pm.

For you, this means:

1) A quick visit to Universal Studios early in the evening followed by 8.40pm Songs of the Sea, OR

2) An unhurried dinner within Universal Studios only, OR

3) 7.40pm Songs of the Sea, followed by supper at

a) Resorts World, or

b) one of the hotels in Sentosa, or

c) Lau Pa Sat in Shenton Way, a short drive away from Sentosa. Lau Pa Sat opens till late and serves good satay, seafood, and other local food.

Day 3 - Duck Tours, Marina Bay Shopping, Clarke Quay Dinner

Clarke Quay comes alive in the late afternoon/evening. So I counter-suggest the following plan:

Morning: Duck Tours departing from Suntec City Galleria.

Late Morning/Afternoon: Shopping at Suntec City, Marina Square, Citylink Mall, and Raffles City Shopping Centre.

Evening: Dinner at Clarke Quay.

Have an enjoyable Christmas vacation in Singapore.

Gabriel Tan

View the original article here