Going Beyond Traditional Tourism in Singapore

When Sir Raffles saw the potential of Singapore and founded it, he envisaged that Singapore would play the role of the gateway for British trading in the East. Singapore has lived up to this expectation in spades. It is a business hub for South East Asia. It has, arguably, the world's best and most efficient airport, an excellent public transport system and the most strictly enforced cleanliness regime. In addition to the great infrastructure, Singapore is a hotchpotch mix of a spectrum of ethnicity and communities that gives it a cosmopolitan flavor and twist.

Singapore throbs with vitality and welcomes people with its enticing charm, not least of which is the potpourri of cuisines available in this small but exuberant country. Many pages have been devoted to the food available in Singapore, notably in the food courts. Suffice it to say that it would tempt a saint in to indulging himself. But, Singapore is especially famous for its chilly crab and butter prawns, so make sure you sample these. And if you are adventurous enough, try some Durian.

Sightseeing at a Sizzling Getaway

Visit Pulau Ubin, is a little fishing village with some great walking trails, landscapes and is also the ideal place to hire a bike and do some hill biking. The Botanical Gardens are a staggering 157 acres and hold within a children's section, temples and natural beauty at its best. Here, you can shrug off the pressing need of sightseeing and feel the world slip away as you inhale the air. The garden showcases a tiny bit of rain forest and is home to a spectacular array of orchids.

For fans of Singapore's Chinatown, be sure to go to the Chinatown Heritage centre. Here, you can watch the years fall away as you are taken to rooms and streets of a bygone area. Discover how Chinatown evolved and who its original settlers were. Shopaholics can indulge in some extremely satisfying shopping and acquire souvenirs, apparel, footwear, herbs and so many delights.

Indulge in some hotel watching. There is a dazzling variety of star hotels in Singapore and most have unique selling points from art deco architecture and post modernistic decor to antiques in every room. The Ritz Carlton has a fantastic collection of contemporary art which is free for your visual delectation. Singapore provides opportunities for a gamut of experiences like play night golf in flood-lit courses and watch theatre in the esplanade.