Singapore: Where Glitz Meets Adventure!
Itinerary Inspired and based on Crazy Rich Asians Movie
Singapore has been acclaimed for its legendary street food, swanky shopping centers, beautiful gardens and intriguing blend of modern affluence and age-old cultures. The city’s reputation has been catapulted thanks to the blockbuster hit movie Crazy Rich Asians, a screen adaptation of author Kevin Kwan’s 2013 best selling novel of the same name.
The Itinerary will explore some of the popular locations featured in the movie and also exploring some of the hidden gems and culture in this beautiful city.
A trip to Sinapore is incomplete without enjoying the Gastronomy side of things and trying out a wide assortment of cuisines including Chinese, Malaysian and Indian. Make sure to order Hokkien Mee (stir-fried egg and rice noodles), satay and sambal stingray.
Two other stand out spots to try and have both earned a Michelin star each are:
Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle (its popularly known for its braised chicken and rice dish
Highlights
– Small group sizes (max 06 passengers)
– English-Speaking Local Guide
– Afternoon Tea at Raffles Hotel. Indulge in one of the hotel’s great traditions – a truly unique and refined Afternoon Tea with a distinct sense of heritage.
– Singapore Botanical Garden & Gardens by the Bay
– Explore Sentosa Island
– Singapore Zoo and Night Safari
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Destination
Day 1 Arrival in Singapore
Explore Orchard Road, Singapore's high-end shopping street, with designer boutiques and luxury malls at your own leisure. Have lunch at a chic café or restaurant on Orchard Road.
Raffles Afternoon Tea + Evening at Marina Bay, 4hrs
Head over to the iconic Raffles Hotel for the Classic Raffles Afternoon Tea. Indulge in one of the hotel’s great traditions – a truly unique and refined Afternoon Tea with a distinct sense of heritage – in the newly restored lobby.
The Raffles Afternoon Tea is perfect for sophisticated and elegant celebrations, serving classic sandwiches, home-baked scones and cakes as well as seasonal indulgences, complemented by a curated collection of exquisite teas and Champagnes.
Be amazed with a birds eye view of the city from the top of Marina Bay Sand’s Skypark it is a roof like noother, perched 200 metres in the air with observation deck in the clouds. Hop onto a bumboat at Clarke Quay for a cruise along the Singapore River to see Singapore lit up at night, showcasing beautifully restored shop houses, modern skyscrapers of the financial district, colonial buildings and the iconic Merlion statue.
Catch the Marina Bay Sands’ Spectra, a light and water show to end your evening. Discover the magic of Spectra, an outdoor light and water show displayed over the water at the Event Plaza along the promenade. As the story unfolds before your eyes, you'll be immersed in a beautiful symphony of music, water and light that's powered by advanced lasers, fountain jets and visual projectors.
Whether it's your first viewing or your hundredth, the 15-minute show will mesmerize you with its dancing water fountains, colourful visual arts, inspiring orchestral soundtrack and special lighting effects. Be enthralled time and again in the visually stunning world of Spectra!
Indulge in a sumptuous dinner at a renowned restaurant within the Marina Bay Sands complex at their own expense.
Contemporary Dining and Bar Options will be provided at time of booking
Day 2 Cultural Kaleidoscope
At Kampong Glam, admire the quiet majesty of the Sultan’s Mosque with its unmistakable golden dome, explore colourful food eateries, and browse through old-fashioned shops selling batiks, carpets, rattan basket-ware and exotic perfumes. Take the opportunity to try ‘Teh Halia’ in one of the shops.
Teh halia is Malay for ginger tea. This slightly spicy and sweet drink is served in traditional coffee shops in Singapore and Malaysia.
Travel next to Little India where you will see bustling streets showcasing aromatic and exotic spices, colourful flower-garland shops, vegetable vendors, busy curry houses and even henna painting! Pay a visit to Tekka Centre – a multi-use building comprising a wet market, food centre and shops in Little India
Today, Tekka Centre remains a landmark in Little India, where different ethnic communities congregate. You will get to watch up-close roti prata flipping in one of the shops. Roti Prata is one of the local favourite all day meal; a fried flatbread that is cooked over a flat grill.
It is usually served with a vegetable or meat-based curry and it originated from Singapore.
Chinatown completes the cultural kaleidoscope with the old and the new, tradition and modernity, in the rows of streets where old traditional shophouses are lovingly restored into tempting restaurants, teahouses and shops selling Oriental arts, crafts and souvenirs as well as traditional Chinese medicinal herbs.
You will also get to try Bakkwa while you are in Chinatown. Bakkwa, is known as Rou Gan; it is a Chinese salty-sweet dried meat product similar to jerky. Traditionally made of pork, beef or mutton, which is prepared with spices, sugar, salt and soy sauce, while dried on racks at around 122 to 140 °F.
After, have a traditional Peranakan lunch, showcasing the blend of Chinese and Malay flavors at their own expense.
[Optional] Peranakan Vespa Ride, 3.5hrs
The Joo Chiat/Katong area is not only a treasure trove for delectable local food but is also known for its decorative and ornate shophouses and residential terraces, which lends a special charm. In the 1920s and 1930s, many communities move eastward out of the city center to make this area their home.
Bungalows, shophouses and places of worship were being built, a reflection of the multi-cultural and varied community of Peranakan, Eurasian, Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures. Dubbed as “Little Singapore”, Joo Chiat / Katong is Singapore’s largest architecture conservation district.
Contemporary Dining and Bar Options will be provided at time of booking
Day 3 Singapore Botanical Garden & Gardens by the Bay Tour
It is the most visited botanic gardens in the world and is a unique example of the informal English Landscape Movement’s style in an equatorial climate. In January 2014, the official Nomination Dossier for the Gardens was submitted to UNESCO.
This tour is for nature enthusiasts of all ages, allowing you to view some of the best examples of native and exotic flora in Singapore. Enjoy the lush vegetation, the vibrant flowers and the warmth of the tropics as you stroll through the Gardens' tropical collections.
Stop at Singapore Botanic Gardens Heritage Museum first. View the artifacts, plant specimens, rare botanical paintings as you tour the museum. Continue to the Swan Lake for the iconic feature; a large group of Nibong palms (Oncosperma tigillarium). View the gorgeous Vanda Miss Joaquim, Singapore’s national flower, as you head toward the iconic Bandstand.
Break for lunch
After lunch, we will bring you to one of the top places to visit in Asia, Gardens by the Bay spans over 100 hectares and is a highlight for any visitor to Singapore. Built at a cost of over one billion dollars, the gardens opened June 2012 and have already been billed as an unmissable attraction.
One of the top places to visit in Asia, Gardens by the Bay spans over 100 hectares and is a highlight for any visitor to Singapore. Built at a cost of over one billion dollars, the gardens opened June 2012 and have already been billed as an unmissable attraction.
The gardens house two domes or conservatories, Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, which are climate-controlled indoor glasshouses. The Flower Dome (the larger of the two) replicates the cool-dry climate of the Mediterranean and South Africa, whilst the Cloud Forest replicates a cool-moist climate found in Tropical Montane regions such as Mount Kinabalu in Sabah and high elevation areas in South America.
Within the gardens, there are also 18 impressive-looking Supertrees (tree-like structures), which are vertical gardens up to 50 metres tall and perform a multitude of functions. Along with providing a bird’s eye view of the entire gardens, they also collect rainwater, generate solar power and act as vending ducts for the park’s conservatory.
Day 4 Morning at Sentosa Island
Connected from mainland Singapore, the Singapore Cable Car presents a bird’s eye view of Singapore’s city skyline, the harbor and Sentosa itself. The island can also be accessed by land over a bridge.
After the ride, proceed to Fort Siloso Skywalk towering 11 storeys high and stretching 181 meters long, the Skywalk trail provides guests with a scenic treetop trek on the way to Fort Siloso.
Last but not least, discover the awe-inspiring world of life in the ocean at the world’s largest aquarium. Step into S.E.A. Aquarium and immerse yourself into a magical marine world seen through our planet’s largest window to the ocean. It is home to more than 100,000 marine animals of over 1,000 species, across 50 different habitats, each one as fascinating as the next.
Explore the rest of Sentosa Island at their own leisure. Have lunch at a high-end restaurant in Sentosa Island and enjoy water activities or relax at a luxurious beach club.
Contemporary Dining and Bar Options will be provided at time of booking
Day 5 Singapore Zoo & Night Safari
Spread over 28 hectares, Singapore Zoo is home to over 3,600 mammals, birds and reptiles, including some rare and endangered species. Situated north in Mandai, it is considered to be one of the world’s leading and most beautiful zoos.
Natural barriers such as streams, rock walls and beautiful landscaping are used to separate the animals from visitors, thus creating an ‘open zoo’ effect. During our visit here we can experience a close brush with nature from both the comfort of our tram and on foot. Singapore Zoo has the world's most successful orangutan breeding program, and the largest social colony of these highly intelligent primates.
Don't miss the opportunity to photograph and interact with the orangutans as they swing and climb in their naturalistic enclosure.
Our tour includes special appearances by the orangutans, the Cotton-Top Tamarin and the reticulated python, the longest snake in the world, making it an experience you will never forget.
Break at own expense
Night Safari Tour - 4hrs
Night Safari As dusk falls over the tropical rainforest, the animals come alive at the world’s first open concept nocturnal zoo. Experience the thrill of exploring the jungle as you get up close with the animals, from fierce predators to timid forest dwellers, in their natural habitat enhanced by subtle moonglow lighting.
Get set for a spectacular evening of adventure – at Singapore’s No. 1 Night Spot
Begin your journey with a tram ride from the Himalayas to wild Africa, up close with the animals. The guided tram leads you through 8 geographical regions designed after the habitats of the African savannah, Himalayan foothills and jungles of South East Asia.
Be enthralled by the animals from the comfort of the tram, or alight and explore the walking trails for closer views of smaller creatures.
Your visit to the Night Safari isn’t complete without catching the fascinating and entertaining shows, featuring the all-star cast of nocturnal animals.
Also, don’t miss the chance to pose close-up with a Serval, Owl or Snake at the Animal Photography sessions.
Remember to catch the talented troupe of tribal warriors as they thrill you with their fiery stunts in the Thumbuakar Performance just at the entrance of the park.
The Night Safari is an after-dark wildlife adventure that is truly one-of-a-kind, surely not to be missed!!!
Day 6 - Day at leisure
Head to the grand Chijmes complex for pre-dinner drinks at an upscale bar.
Contemporary Dining and Bar Options will be provided at time of booking
Day 7 Depart Singapore
Our English-Speaking Driver will pick you up from Hotel Lobby and proceed to the Airport for your onward journey.
Please enquire at time of booking as these prices are subject to availability
- Accommodation as per above itinerary in twin share/double rooms
- Breakfast
- Return International Flights
- Return Airport Transfers
- Tours and Transfers as specified including entry fees, on a private basis in air-conditioned vehicles
- Service of English-Speaking Local Guide
Price Excludes:
- Visa
- Meals other than specified as included
- Travel Insurance
- Items of a personal nature
- Tips or Gratuities
- Drinks
- Entrance fees not mentioned for any extra sightseeing or optional activities
Please Note:
Prices are subject to change based on the rand value exchange rate
Located on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia, this unique city-state consists of mainland Singapore as well as numerous smaller islands covering a total area of about 640 square kilometres. With its strong Chinese, Malay, Indian and western influences, this metropolis offers a dazzling melting pot of diverse cultures, exotic cuisine and a range of architectural styles.
This multicultural population has resulted in a number of national cultural districts, such as Chinatown with its impressive Hindu shrines and temples adorned with marigold garlands.
These pockets of traditional culture stand in stark contrast to the rows of glitzy state-of-the-art malls and futuristic skyscrapers. With all of this variety on offer, it is easy to see why famous natural historian William Hornaday described this remarkable city as 'the handiest and most marvellous city [he] ever saw'.
Climate and Weather
Annual rainfall: Varies
Average temperature: 27°C
Summer:
Average highs: 32°C
Average lows: 23°C
Winter:
Average highs: 31°C
Average lows: 22°C
Best time to go
All year round. The peak tourist time is December to June. It is very busy and more expensive around Chinese New Year. Rainfall is heavy throughout the year, particularly from November to January, often occurring in sudden downpours. Humidity is high all year.
Banking hours:
Monday to Friday 09:30 to 15:00
Saturday 09:30 to 12:30.
Some banks open for longer on Saturdays and branches of certain major banks on Orchard Road open on Sunday from 09:30 to 15:00.
Languages
The official languages are Malay, Mandarin Chinese, English and Tamil. English is the main language of communication.