by Johnna
(Singapore)
Hello, I just want to confirm if bringing food like bakkwa (BBQ meats) to the Philippines - any restrictions?
Hi Johnna
You'll be better off checking directly with your destination airport in the Philippines.
Gabriel
by Johnna
(Singapore)
Hello, I just want to confirm if bringing food like bakkwa (BBQ meats) to the Philippines - any restrictions?
Hi Johnna
You'll be better off checking directly with your destination airport in the Philippines.
Gabriel
by Jen
(Reader's Question)
A 5-day-5-night itinerary for a large-family vacation in Singapore!
Hi! We'll be a family of 5 adults and 5 young children (ranging from 3-10 years old) visiting Singapore for the first time during the Holy Week. We need your help to fine-tune our itinerary below.
Day 1: Arrive at 11am. Check in at hotel. Visit Singapore Flyer, Merlion Park, Helix Bridge. Cruise?
Day 2: Universal Studios Singapore
Day 3: Singapore Zoo and Night Safari
Day 4: Jurong Bird Park and Science Centre
Day 5: Sentosa Island
We'd also like to see Chinatown, Little India and some of the colonial buildings. When should we squeeze it in?
Thanks so much for your time and attention.
Jen
Hi Jen
Here are some suggested refinements for your family vacation in Singapore:
Day 1 - Marina Bay and Singapore River
After checking into your hotel, start with the Singapore Flyer, the Helix Bridge and Merlion Park. From Merlion Park, you could embark on a Singapore River Cruise.
Day 2 - Universal Studios Singapore
Universal Studios opens at 10am - so arrive accordingly. Allow 6 hours here. You could end the day at Resorts World Sentosa or proceed to Vivo City Mall for shopping.
Day 3 - Singapore Zoo and Night Safari
Start the day with something light - such as the Duck Tour from Suntec City Galleria - or just laze by the hotel pool in the morning.
After lunch, leave for Singapore Zoo. This is followed by the Singapore Night Safari in the evening.
(Avoid starting at the Zoo too early Otherwise, the kids to be tired out.)
Day 4 - Jurong Bird Park, Science Centre & Chinatown
Morning: Jurong Bird Park
Afternoon: Singapore Science Centre
Evening: Chinatown
Day 5 - Little India & Sentosa Island
You could spend the morning in Little India Singapore, and leave for Sentosa after lunch.
Important Note
With young children, consider taking it easy. Be prepared to cut down on movements and see "less". This way, the entire group is more likely to enjoy the vacation in Singapore.
Travelling Together During Your Vacation in Singapore
If your budget allows it, consider hiring a licensed Singapore tour guide - who could pre-arrange your tours and take you around in a mini-bus during your Singapore vacation.
This way, your family could travel together and cut down on time waiting for each other. Here's an enquiry form for a customised Singapore travel package.
Have an enjoyable family vacation in Singapore.
Gabriel Tan
by Lacie
(Philippines)
Hi, my fiance and i will be visiting Singapore this January.
We will be arriving wednesday late night and will be leaving Sunday evening (7pm).
I have the following itinerary in mind.
day 1 (Thur)
Universal Studios (am)
Sentosa (mid-pm)
day 2 (Fri)
Jurong Bird Park (am)
Singapore Zoo (pm)
Night Safari (pm)
day 3 (Sat)
Malacca day trip (is it advisable?)
Shop?
day 4 (Sun)
need advise
I would appreciate it if you could pitch an idea for day 3 and 4.
I have the following in mind...merlion, haw par villa.
Hi Lacie
Your plan looks do-able for Day 1 and Day 2.
However, it can be quite tiring to visit the Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Zoo and Night Safari in one day - lots of walking. So if you are planning on doing that, I suggest you use the taxi for transport, and as a way to let your legs rest.
Given the short duration of your holiday, I recommend that you sight-see just Singapore and leave Malacca for another trip.
So here's a suggested Singapore Tour itinerary Days 1-4:
Day 1 - Universal Studios & Sentosa Attractions
Universal Studios (am)
Sentosa (mid-pm)
Day 2 - Animal Parks
Jurong Bird Park (am)
Singapore Zoo (pm)
Night Safari (pm)
Day 3 - Singapore River & Clarke Quay
Singapore River (Day)
Clarke Quay Singapore (Evening)
Day 4 - Shopping in Orchard Road or Bugis
a) Shop in Orchard Road
OR
b) Check out Bugis / Kampong Glam
Check out the shops at Bugis Junction, Bugis Street Bazaar and the Waterloo Street area. If time allows, walk down the road to Kampong Glam.
Enjoy your Singapore tour.
Gabriel Tan
Both are walk-able to the F1 circuit.If you are on a tight budget, consider staying in one of the budget hotels
At first glance, the Bugis/Waterloo Street area is just a busy place - full of buying and selling. But look carefully and you'll realise this: it's a great place to understand ordinary Singaporeans.
It's true - the shopping here is good. But you see that some things are sold more than others. Why? You see a frail old woman donating generously at the temple's donation box. Why? You see folks run their hands all over The Laughing Buddha. Again, why?
On this guided Bugis Street Walking Tour, the guides from Summer Footprints take you to a place that is often called the 'Real Chinatown'. They tell juicy stories from the area's past; and they de-mystify everything you see in the present.
The Dark Past of Bugis Street. Transvestites used to ply their trade on Bugis Street. As did Japanese prostitutes before World War 2. Theirs were not just money-for-sex transactions. On this Bugis Street Walking Tour, allow your guide to re-live their stories of loyalty, betrayal and heart-aches.
The Largest Street Bazaar in Singapore. Do not hit the stalls and shop like mad straight-away. First, let your guide point you to a few oddities in this maze of 600+ stalls. Then armed with the necessary knowledge, return at the end of the tour to snag the bargains.
Sure, you'll find the odd handphone cover here and there. But many shoppers have got their hands on one-of-a-kind, home-made creations - stuff which you can't find elsewhere...
One of the '1000 Places to See Before You Die'. Patricia Schultz listed this as one of 1000 places you must see before you die. Yet Singaporeans are so lucky that they can go there everyday! Find out what this place is on this Bugis Street Walking Tour.
The Street of Faiths. Within 250m on this little street, you'll find:
Singapore's Most Powerful Chinese Temple? The Japanese WW2 pilots didn't dare to bomb this temple, even as they ravaged everything else around it. Childless couples come to pray for breakthrough here. Terminally ill people come to plead for healing. Why is there such a buzz in this place? Find out for yourself. Not-Just-Any Hindu Temple. But a Hindu temple that houses a Buddhist deity and accepts joss-sticks offerings from Chinese devotees. Religious harmony or what? You need to see it. The Malay Church. Self-explanatory. A Jewish Synagogue. Yes, Singapore is more diverse than you think.Temple Rituals De-mystified. Why is the lotus flower a best-seller outside the temples? Why do some devotees offer only red lotus flowers? What does it mean when a believer runs her hands over the belly, or the lips, or the ears of The Laughing Buddha? After a devotee has finished praying, how does she get answers from the gods? Get explanations from your guide.
Visit this authentic part of Singapore. See the real Singapore on this Bugis Street Walking Tour.
Your Guide for Bugis Street Walking Tour:
Chiep Ping or Sharon, from Summer Footprints Pte Ltd.
Day/Time:
Tours run on Wednesday, departing at 9.30am and ending about 12.30pm.
(A booking is essential for the tour to run. Use the form below.)
Meeting Point: Bugis MRT Station (Exit C)
Online Price: S$30 per adult.
For the tour to run, a booking is essential (minimum of 2 adult participants).Please book at the latest 3pm on the day before the tour date.Children below 12 years of age join for free with paying adults.Inclusions:
1) The guidance and commentary of a STB-certified tour guide.
2) Complimentary local coffee and local snacks to sample.
Exclusions:
All personal purchases along the route of the walking tour.
To register your interest in this Bugis Street Walking Tour, fill in the form below:
Guided Little India Walking Tour
Guided Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour
Bugis Street Walking Tour as Part of Travel Package
by Cecile
(Philippines)
The things you could do with young children on a 6-day Singapore tour...
Hi, we are a family of 6, (this includes 3 children ages, 4, 7 and 12 with 1 senior) We will arrive on the 21st of December, 2011 in Singapore @ 14:10 hrs and depart on 26th of December 16:20 hrs. We are staying in Orchard Parade. Below is my itinerary for your review and enhancement.
Day 1 (Dec 21) - Night Safari
Day 2 (Dec 22) - Singapore Zoo
Day 3 (Dec 23) - Jurong Bird Park / Snow City/ Marina Bay
Day 4 (Dec 24) - Fort Canning Park / Sentosa
Day 5 (Dec 25) - Universal Studio/ shopping
Day 6 (Dec 26) am - visit other parks, if time permits
Thanks in advance.
Hi Cecile
Here goes...
Day 1 - Night Safari
Consider having dinner at an eatery around your hotel before leaving for the Night Safari. Meals at the Night Safari are limited in variety and quite expensive. Set off for the Night Safari about 6pm, so that you can catch the Bornean Tribal Show before going into the park.
Day 2 - Singapore Zoo + Light Activities
You'll need about the entire morning at the Zoo. Thereafter, get back to town for some activities that require little walking, e.g.
i) take the Singapore River Cruise,
ii) take the Duck Tour, or
ii) have a high tea buffet at the Equinox Restaurant.
Day 3 - Jurong Bird Park + Snow City + Marina Bay
There's a free laser show at Marina Bay Sands at 8pm and 9.30pm, called 'Wonder Full'. So don't miss that one.
Day 4 - Fort Canning Park + Shopping
You must have a compelling reason to go up to Fort Canning Park. Otherwise, it's just a park. You could consider visiting the Battle Box (ticketed) at Fort Canning. You take a walk through a World War 2 bunker and watch a very good re-enactment of what happened here during the Japanese occupation.
Get down to Orchard Road to shop.
Top Tip: During the Christmas season, Orchard Road is very prettily lit up. Check out the lights and Christmas floats.
Day 5 - Universal Studios + Sentosa Attractions
Check out this itinerary for Universal Studios and Sentosa in a day.
Top Tip: The entrance fee to Universal Studios Singapore is lower on a weekday, compared to the weekend or public holiday. So arrange you visit USS on a weekday if you could.
Day 6 am - Last-minute Shopping around Your Hotel
Plan to be at the airport on time.
Have a good Singapore tour.
Gabriel Tan
by Eddie Lee
(Sarawak)
A reliable Singapore tour guide could make all the necessary arrangments for you before you arrive in Singapore...
Hello, do you have any contact of a Singapore tour guide who can bring a group of people (4 persons) around in Singapore for 3-4 days, and also provided the transport as well as manage all the entrance tickets.
Cheers,
Eddie Lee
Hi Eddie
Yes, we do. If you are looking for someone to organise your vacation in Singapore, you could use our form to contact a licensed Singapore tour guide.
This guide could then work with you to create a customised Singapore travel package, which usually includes:
1) pre-booking all your meals, entrance tickets and activities
2) airport-hotel return transfers
3) transport to take you to the sights and activities
4) commentary and guidance of a licensed tour guide.
Enjoy your Singapore tour.
Gabriel Tan
(Reader's Contribution)
Probably the most awesome views of Singapore at any time of the year, but particularly during any fireworks at Marina Bay area. There's a restaurant on the 62nd floor of One Raffles Place called Stellar & their rooftop bar at 1Altitude is simply amazing! Go check it out!!!
Click here to post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Fireworks in Singapore.
by Esther
(Vancouver, Canada)
Hi, we are in a group of 4, will be arriving Singapore early a.m. on 20 April, 2011 and leaving Malaysia international airport on 25 April 2011.
During our time of staying, we would like to spend one night in Singapore & 4 nights in Malaysia.
Is there a guided tour including hotel package that we can join? Or any other options you would suggest for us?
We would like to book this tour online. Much appreciated for your help & answers.
Esther
Hi Esther
First of all,
You'll be hard pressed to find someone who can create a complete 1-day Singapore, 4-day Malaysia Travel Package for you.
Depending on what you'd like to do in Singapore and Malaysia, you could consider the following:
Singapore Leg of Your Vacation
1) Book your Singapore hotel online & use these itineraries for a DIY Singapore tour.
OR
2) Get a licensed Singapore tour guide to organise a customised Singapore travel package.
Malaysia Leg of Your Vacation
Book one of these Malaysia tour packages (departing from Singapore):
1) 2 Days 1 Night Kuala Lumpur Tour
2) 4 Days 3 Nights Malacca-Kuala Lumpur Tour
Use the link below to post any further questions you may have.
Enjoy your Singapore-Malaysia tour.
Gabriel Tan
YOU MIGHT ENJOY THIS HALF-DAY SINGAPORE TOUR IF...
You want to enjoy the most enchanting sights in Singapore city, with some shopping thrown in. OR You arrive in Singapore in the morning but can only check-in to your hotel in the afternoon. OR You are transiting at Singapore Airport and have at least 7 hours of wait time. OR You are arriving at the Singapore Cruise Centre and want a local guide to give you a hassle-free introduction to Singapore. OR You want to enjoy a time-saving city tour, with transport, tickets, routing all pre-arranged for you.Once your guide has met up with you, you'll be chauffered to the Marina Bay area. Here, you'll take a 30-minute ride on the 165m-high Singapore Flyer - to enjoy vantage views of the city skyline and beyond.
What you see from afar on the Flyer, you'll see close-up also, at the Merlion Park and the Civic District. Your guide will walk you through this very historic area in Singapore,
where some of the finest colonial-era architecture still stands,and
where some of the most important events in Singapore took place.Photo opportunities abound at this point of your half-day Singapore tour. But do allow your guide to tell you a story or two of the fascinating historical events that took place here.
Your transport then takes you to Singapore Chinatown. The first stop is the Chinatown Heritage Centre, where you get a glimpse of the harsh life experienced by early immigrants to Singapore. And more...
Around this part of Chinatown, you'll also be introduced to the colonial-era Singapore shophouse. Some of the activities that took place in these shophouses are as fascinating as their architecture. Your guide will unveil some of their secrets to you.
The final segment of this half-day Singapore tour is a trip to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum. This is not a usual temple visit, because some of the golden structures and human relics found here will blow your mind away.
Before you say goodbye to your guide, let her/him know what you'd like to take home as souvenirs. Antiques? Art and calligraphy? Clothes and shoes? Consumer electronics? Local labels? You won't be disappointed because shopping is quite wonderful in Chinatown. And your guide can point you to the right shops.
Else, you can get onto your return transport to wherever, all pre-arranged for you by your guide.
BONUS! On this tour, you'll get to see the biggest, single, pure-gold structure in Singapore! A 320kg shrine made from gold donated by folks from the region.If you are booking for more than 10 people, please get the tour fare from the organisers. (Indicate your group size in the form below.)
Inclusions for 'Sightsee and Shop' Half-day Singapore Tour:
The service of a licensed Singapore tour guide. Transport in the form of MPV, mini-bus or VIP coach depending on group size - includes pick up from specified location and transfers between the non-walking sections of the tour.Tickets for the Singapore Flyer and Chinatown Heritage Centre for all participants are included.Post-tour Transport:
If you require transport back to your hotel, the airport, the cruise centre or any other place in Singapore, a transfer fee of S$50 per group will be added to the total bill.
Exclusions:
Personal purchases in the course of this half-day Singapore tour. Personal travel insurance. Tips for tour guide and driver.To book or enquire about this half-day Singapore tour, fill in the form below. The organiser, a tour guide from Summer Footprints Pte Ltd, will contact you to:
address your concerns, verify the number of people in your group, andprovide a final fare quote based on your group size.Once you confirm your booking, she/he will then guide you through the online payment process.
'City Panorama' Half-day Singapore Tour (afternoon itinerary)
Other Half-day Singapore Tours
Other Guided Singapore Tours
Customised Singapore Travel Package
(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
Singapore Lantern Festival 2011
Highlight Events in Chinatown
Street Light Up. Lanterns galore! Festive Bazaar. Buy delicious mooncakes and snag a handmade lantern. Lantern Procession. Take the kids there and join in.Highlight Events @ Chinese Gardens
Giant lanterns, games, food stalls, stage performances.On this page:
[Tips for Visitors - The Festival in 2011] [Singapore Lantern Festival Photos]
The Lantern Festival ("Mid-autumn Festival") falls on the 8th Lunar Month, which runs from 30 Aug 2011 to 25 Sep 2011.
Here are the highlights for Singapore Lantern Festival 2011...
Lantern Festival Events in Chinatown Chinatown Lantern Festival Street Light Up Huge lanterns and fairy lights brightened up Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road and the street bazaars along the side streets. From Sat, 30 Aug 2011 to 25 Sep 2011. From 7pm till late nightly. Lantern Festival Opening Night.The festival will be launched on the evening (7pm-10pm) of Tuesday, 30 Aug 2011 near Chinatown MRT - with a flurry of energetic activities. Enjoy the lantern street parade, lion dance performance and fireworks. Street Bazaar Pagoda Street, Terrenganu Street, Sago Street and Chinatown Complex become pretty busy with vendors selling mooncakes, savouries, lanterns and other festive wares. From Mon, 29 Aug 2011 to Mon, 12 Sep 2011. From 11am till late daily. Stage Shows A good mix of traditional and comtemporary entertainmnet at Kreta Ayer Square (near Buddha Tooth Relic Temple). From Tue, 30 Aug 2011 to Mon, 12 Sep 2011. From 8-10pm nightly.Photos from 'Hello Kitty Go Races' Lantern Fantasy 2008 at the Chinese Garden. It's quite surreal, actually...
Argggh... How we miss those huge lanterns at Chinese Gardens in years past...
Lanterns at the River Hong Bao Carnival (Chinese New Year)
Singapore National Lion Dance Championship 2011
When:
Evenings, 5-10 Sep 2011
Where:
Civic Plaza, Ngee Ann City Shopping Centre
What:
Gravity-defying stunts by the best lion dance troupes in Singapore
Make time for the annual Singapore Lion Dance Championship. And you'll realise that there're more breath-taking stunts than Shaolin Temple.
These stunts are practised every evening all over Singapore. In the backyards of temples. In the gyms of community centres. In the parade squares of schools. And in many other places. In these unglamourous corners, hundreds of youths punish themselves severely in hope of a single reward: a place in the finals of the Singapore Lion Dance Championships. And who can blame them?
I first saw this love for chinese lion dance when I was teaching in a secondary school in Hougang.
A couple of my students were pretty uninterested in their studies. But they would never, ever miss a single lion dance practice, whether these were on weekdays or during prime-time weekends.
One day, they got onto the wrong side of the law. And their lion dance teacher suspended them from lion dance practices.
Boy! You should have seen the agony on their faces! These boys would have eaten cockroaches. They would have crawled through mud. And they would have barked like dogs. If that's what it takes to get back on the lion dance troupe!
Watch the video above. Listen carefully, and you'll notice a few young boys going 'ooh' and 'ah' in the background. These young boys will one day become leaping lions themselves. And they all started by watching these incredible athletes float from pole to pole. The future of Singapore Lion Dance is safe.
Chinese New Year Performances
- Better than the Singapore Lion Dance Championship?
Lantern Festival 2009
by Albert Justiniano
(Manila, Philippines)
A 5-day Singapore tour taking in the main attractions - Night Safari, Universal Studios, Sentosa and city centre spots. Plus some shopping...
Day 1 Arrive in Singapore, check in at Hotel, then go to Night Safari (since they open starting 7 pm?)
Day 2 - Visit Universal Studios and Sentosa Island
Day 3 - Shopping trip after hearing mass at St. Joseph's (its my daughter's birthday) - whole day at Orchard Road, then ending at Marina Bay area.
Day 4 - See some historical landmarks - Merlion, Raffles Hotel, etc.; end with more shopping for electronics (Don't know the best place for electronics....help please)
Day 5 - Since our flight is at 1655 (4 pm?), maybe explore the malls around our hotel before heading off to the airport after lunch.
Hi Albert
Some of my thoughts regarding your Singapore tour itinerary:
Day 1 - Night Safari
Assuming an afternoon arrival, a trip to the Night Safari after hotel check-in sounds good. The eateries at Night Safari tend to be expensive (at least in my opinion), so you might want to have dinner near your hotel before leaving for the Night Safari.
Day 2 - Universal Studios and Sentosa Island
It takes a day to enjoy Universal Studios Singapore. So you'll probably be able to fit in only one or two fun things at Sentosa in the evening, e.g. Sentosa Luge & Skyride and Songs of the Sea (pyrotechnic show).
Day 3 - Shopping at Orchard Road + Marina Bay
It's very clever to attend morning mass before going to shop at Orchard Road - because the Orchard Road shops don't open so early.
When you visit Marina Bay in the evening, try to be there before 8pm for 'Wonderfull' - the lights and water show offered free by Marina Bay Sands. If you miss the 8pm one, there's another one at 9.30pm.
Day 4 - City Centre Sights + Electronics Shopping
After seeing the historical landmarks in the city centre, head to Funan IT Mall (5-minute walk from City Hall MRT station). Funan has a good offering of electronics - and tends to have a better reputation for integrity and customer service that some of the shops at Sim Lim Square.
Day 5 - One or Two Sights Before Departure
With a 4pm departure, you could still take in one or two more sights before leaving for the airport. Consider Little India, including some last minute shopping at Mustafa Centre.
Have a good Singapore tour.
Gabriel
You might also find these walking tours worthwhile:
1) Little India Walking Tour
2) Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour
3) Bugis Street Walking Tour
by Lucy Das
(Bangalore, Karnataka, India)
Dear Gabriel, thanks for maintaining this AWESOME site. It has been the basis of my planning. However, I think my itinerary could use some of your expert advice. Here is what I have. Please optimize it to get the best out of our trip in terms of location/scheduling. Also, kindly suggest best shopping spots where the cost is not high but the goods are of decent quality.
My itinerary:
2 adults + 2 kids aged 6 and 9
DAY 1 ? 25 DECEMBER SATURDAY
(We start our day at around 9:00 or 9:30 am)
1. Jurong Bird Park
2. Snow City
3. Evening: Orchard Street Light up
Your plan for Day 1 looks spot on. Just be aware that the Christmas Grand Concert starts around 7.30pm. A large crowd is expected. You could get to the Concert by exiting at Orchard MRT Station.
DAY 2 ? 26 DECEMBER - SUNDAY
1. Morning Take the FREE TOUR + Bugis Flea Market
2. Visit FRIEND if she is free
3. Take a short break in the hotel
4. Explore Clark Quay (Retire early) ? Extreme swing/Quayside Seafood, Singapore Sling Boutique for a drink
5. Take a relaxing boat ride if possible. Best time (7-7:30pm) ? Hippo cruise
Day 2 looks good on its own. But I noticed that you've planned Arab Street on a later day. Consider visiting Arab Street / Kampong Glam on Day 2 as well - since these places are near the Bugis Street Bazaar.
I'm just curious - what free tour would you be embarking upon?
DAY 3 ? 27 December MONDAY (8:00am ? 10:30pm)
1. Chinatown area ? for shopping
2. Singapore Zoo + Night Safari (see zoo/safari planner)
Day 3 is another well-planned itinerary.
DAY 4 ? 28 December TUESDAY
1. Science Discovery Center + Omnimax movie
(Swap with Day 2 if required)
2. Arab Neighborhood
3. Chinatown on foot/Trishaw? (Tea service)
4. Hotel Break - optional
5. Trishaw + Bumboat tour or just the bumboat ride OR take river taxi and walk back if we haven?t covered it already on Day 2.
Day 4 is too ambitious. You're not going to cover so many places.
If you plan on visiting the Science Centre and Omnimax Theatre, do it on the same day you visit the Jurong Bird Park and Snow City. There's no point making 2 different trips to Jurong - you lose lots of time on commuting.
The same applies for Chinatown, and Arab Street(which is close to the Bugis Street Bazaar).
Remember: less is more!
For Day 4, consider visiting a heartland town centre such as Toa Payoh or Bedok in the morning. You'd be surprised to find some really nice clothes or shoes for children.
Then head for Little India in the afternoon/evening. Check out Mustafa Centre and the bargain shops along Serangoon Road. You'll find something for the family here.
DAY 5 ? 29 December WEDNESDAY
1. Change Hotels
2. Go for the Marina Bay Mall Crawl
3. Spend some time at Marina Bay Sands
4. Explore Raffles Hotel
5. High tea at Swissotel Stamford ? Equinox Book !
6. Dinner at Lau Pat Sat
If you have not already taken the bumboat tour, you could fit in a Singapore River Cruise (bumboat tour) in the evening before heading to Lau Pa Sat for satay and BBQ seafood.
DAY 6 ? 30 December THURSDAY
1. Singapore Botanic Gardens
2. Hotel break
3. Sentosa ? Butterfly Park, Underwater World & Dolphin Lagoon, Sentosa Luge and Songs of the Sea ? Cable car ride. Merlion ? photo opportunity OR
4. Town Center shopping ? Recommendations for outlet stores?
Read my earlier recommendations for town centre shopping.
DAY 7 ? 31 December FRIDAY
1. Relax ? East Coast Park - beach? Flight Experience?
2. Shopping - need recommendations for the best place to shop for clothes.
3. Fireworks in the evening (Promentary ? across the Hotel ? Carnival)
The Waterfront Boardwalk in front of Marina Bay Sands is a nice spot to watch the fireworks. Pack your food, snacks and drinks. Then arrive early and have a family picnic. If you arrive late, be prepared to be bumped off to less desirable spots for fireworks viewing.
However, if you've booked into a Bay-facing room at your Marina Bay hotel, you're better off watching the fireworks from your hotel room or balcony.
Our Hotels: 1st 4 days ? Clarke Quay hotel and next 3 days ? Marina Bay hotel
I have deliberately left out LITTLE INDIA since we are from India. :)
Is there a gems factory that is worth seeing? Read about it somewhere.
Can we ditch Sentosa or is the Songs of the Sea too good to miss?
1) Little India in Singapore, I believe, is slightly different from any spot in India. It's worth the trip for the wonderful family shopping at Mustafa Centre and the other bargain shops.
If you plan on buying gold jewellery and gemstones, Mustafa and the other gold shops in Little India are great for variety.
2) Visiting Sentosa just for Songs of the Sea is not worth it, IMHO. But it's definitely worthwhile when you think of it as a place where lots of family-friendly activities are clustered together. You get to do lots without commuting too much.
The activities you've listed for your Sentosa trip are great for a family with pre-teen children.
3) I noted that shopping is of importance to you. Apart from the shopping spots already recommended, you might want to spend an entire day just browsing the malls on Orchard Road.
Robinson's, as you have already noted, is great for lots of stuff. So is John Little's, Isetan and Tangs. There are also some smaller outlets at Far East Plaza, Centrepoint, Plaza Singapore, etc which offer something slightly different.
Enjoy your week-long Singapore tour.
Gabriel Tan
Thanks a lot
Lucy
Bangalore, India