Life don't mean a thing till you've had a Singapore Sling ...

February 26 2012 , Written by thediversetraveller Published on #Charlotte McCulloch, #DiverseTraveller.com - Women Who Travel, Write, Snap & Share, #Marina Bay Sands, #Orchard Road, #Raffles Hotel, #Recommendations & Rants (tips, links and reviews), #shopping in Singapore, #Singapore, #Singapore Night Safari, #Singapore Sling, #things to do in Singapore, #travel, #Travel Beyond the UK, #Travel Write Now (stories and news), #TravelSupermarket.com

After growing up in Singapore, Charlotte will always have a fondness for this vibrant little country, and what it may lack in size it certainly makes up for in fantastic things to do.

When I visited again as an adult in 2011, I was excited to see how the country has changed in the 15 years I was last there. I knew Singapore was not the type of country to sit still in terms of development, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much it has developed, and the amount of interesting things to do here.

So, if you are planning a visit to Singapore, here are some of my favourite things to do, you should consider adding to your itinery:

Raffles Hotel

This colonial style hotel is one of the world’s most famous hotels and a must see when visiting Singapore. First opened in the 1800’s the hotel was named after Singapore founder Sir Stamford Raffles, and is renowned for its luxurious accommodation making it a favourite for the rich and famous. Even if you aren’t lucky enough to be staying in the hotel, you are still welcome to visit and enjoy a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar. It is claimed the iconic cocktail was invented here. Don';t forget to throw your peanut shells on the floor, something that dates back to the early 1900’s.

Singapore Sling - Quintessential Singapore

Marina Bay Sands

The Marina Bay Sands Resort is the newest landmark to grace the Singapore skyline, comprising of a hotel, shopping mall, theatre, world class restaurants and casino to name but a few of its attractions. For me the highlight has to be its infinity pool, standing on the top of the hotel's three 57 storey towers, the views over the city are breath-taking. Like Raffles, even if you aren’t staying in this hotel you can visit for the fantastic attractions. The swimming pool is for hotel guests only, but visitors are welcome to use the Sky Park and experience the views for themselves. The shopping mall offers all the designer stores you can think off, and has its very own man-made canal complete with sampan rides and an ice rink.

Luxurious chilling at Marina Bay Sands

Orchard Road

If your budget will not stretch to designer shops, then I guarantee you'll enjoying window-shopping at Orchard Road. It seems that all the world's famous designer names have a store on Singapore’s famous shopping street. As well as shopping, the area also offers countless bars, restaurants and nightclubs, and I can vouch that is a must see for tourists and locals alike. The Singapore Visitors Centre is also here, check it out to book a diverse range of bus and boat tours. Top tip - purchase a hop-on hop-off ticket, and you'll see all of the major tourist attractions in one convenient tour, and if you book the right some offering a boat tour as well, you can enjoy the sights from the water as well.

Shop till you drop, Singapore style

Night Safari

Singapore’s Night Safari is one of its most popular attractions, a unique concept; the safari allows visitors to view its inhabitants under the cover of darkness in a way that represents how nocturnal animals behave in the wild. The enclosures are designed to look as natural as possible, so instead of bars and cages, moats and electric fences that look like foliage keep the animals and visitors separated. Visitors can enjoy the park on foot or on tram rides that run through the park and there are plenty of shows featuring the animals to keep you entertained. The Night Safari is a great thing to do if visiting with children and offers something different than your average zoo.

Have you been to Singapore? If so, do you agree with Charolotte? What are your other Singapore travel tips?

This article has been provided by Charlotte McCulloch of Travelsupermarket.com. She has been travelling from a young age, living in countries such as Singapore, Borneo and Australia.

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Shaylee Kaelyn of Hotelsinasia.com

05/03/2012 08:18

I do agree with Charlotte, I personally liked Night Safari. It's awesome and unlike any other Zoo experience you had. You'll be able to see animals you don't normally see, since they are nocturnal.<br />

Ola Fagbohun

04/03/2012 16:32

Hi Harun, Thanks for telling me about your Singapore walks. Like you I try and book a walk with a local guide when I go to a new place, there is nothing like it to get the true flavour of a place. Plus as you said a chance to visit the sights tourists often do not know about. Thanks for stopping by. Ola<br />

istanbul tours

03/26/2012 06:34

I joined three Original Singapore Walks: Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam. All three guides were entertaining, with an excellent knowledge of Singapore's history. I was initially concerned that each of the tours involved stops at local shops but these stops turned out to provide insights into local Chinese, Indian and Malay traditions. They included a Chinese herbal medicine shop, an Indian sweet shop, a shop where Muslims can buy non-alcoholic perfumes, a sari shop, a sarong shop. There was never any pressure to buy from these. The walks included things you would miss if you travelled around the areas alone, e.g. an unidentified graveyard where members of the original Sultan's family are buried, as well as provided interesting insights into Singaporean temples and mosques.<br />