Singapore |
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fascinating tropical isle is an amalgam of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western Whether visiting Singapore as a stop-over or as part of a multi-centre itinerary the choice of some of the world's finest hotels can be made at reasonable prices, not to mention the culinary tour of restaurants and food courts for which Singapore is famous. Upon arriving at the award winning Changi International Airport, accredited taxis will promptly whisk you downtown. If you have come for the shopping then a hotel close to Orchard Road like The Orchard would be ideal, or perhaps the deluxe Goodwood Park Hotel, a deluxe historical landmark.
However, if you wish to experience the more traditional parts of Singapore then choose a hotel close to Chinatown or close to the Bugis area like the first class Albert Court Hotel or 5 star InterContinental, both of which retain their colonial heritage. An alternative would be to stay alongside the Singapore River in the conservation area of Clarke Quay. Here you will find the Swissotel Merchant Court Hotel having easy access to Clarke Quay and Boat Quay where there are numerous restaurants, pubs, bars and food courts, and where you will also find the relocated Satay Club from which numerous stalls sell mouth-watering Malay Satay sticks, rice & noodles, all washed down with Singapore's famous Tiger Beer.
Close by to the Suntec City Convention Complex and Raffles City is Marina Square where there are a number of other 5 star hotels of which we recommend the Meritus Marina Mandarin. Getting around Singapore is extremely easy. The air-conditioned subway system (MRT) can take you to most parts of the island, buses and taxis are plentiful, and even though cars are very expensive, a rental car can still cost less than two persons on a sightseeing tour and you have 24 hours to explore under your own steam.
Singapore to Malaysia- coach tour Day 1 – Singapore to Melaka Pick up from hotel for commencement of coach tour to Peninsular Malaysia. Cross the causeway from Singapore into Malaysia. See the Sultan Abu Bakar mosque in Johor Bahru Enroute stop at a pottery making factory. Upon arrival in Melaka,explore the city. Visit a Baba Nyonya heritage museum , Cheng Hoon Teng Temple , Dutch Stadhuys , Porta de Santiago and the ruins of St Paul's Hill.
Day 2 – Melaka to Kuala Lumpur Depart for Kuala Lumpur. Upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur , morning city tour. In the evening visit Petaling Street " Chinatown".
Day 3 – Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands Depart Kuala Lumpur for Cameron Highlands. Enroute stop at the world renowned Royal Selangor pewter factory , followed by Batu Caves., a natural limestone wonder with its 272 steps up its main cave which houses a sacred Hindu shrine. Arrive in Tapah and visit a cottage industry specialising in vegetable baskets made of bamboo. Enroute up the highlands , stop by Lata Iskandar waterfall and an Orang Asli settlement. Day 4 –Cameron Highlands Morning tour of the highlands with a visit to a tea plantation to see the process of tea making. Also visit the morning market and butterfly park. Stop by the township of Tanah Rata before proceeding for a jungle walk. At night experience a steam boat dinner.
Day 5 – Cameron Highlands to Penang Descend the highlands to Ipoh with a brief stop at a Chinese temple built out of a gigantic limestone cave. Lunch before proceeding to Kuala Kangsar to see the unique Ubudiah mosque , the stately Iskandariah Palace and the first rubber tree to be planted in Malaysia. Cross the third largest bridge in the world into the tropical island of Penang. Start the morning with a visit to Georgetown , the capital of Penang . Visit the famous clan house found in Penang , the Khoo Kongsi . Proceed to the temple of the reclining Buddha. Also view Penang's waterfront and the historical Fort Cornwallis.
Day 7 –Penang to Kelantan Early morning depart for Kelantan. Pass the scenic countryside where Malay houses and rice paddies can be seen. The landscape slowly transforms to endless terrain of forest , interrupted by plantations and a massive man made lake, Temenggor Dam. Lunch stop at a local restaurant before continuing the journey on the highway that connects both coasts of the Peninsular.
Day 8 – Kelantan to Terrenganu See the rich and delightful blend of Malaysia made items in Kota Bahru. Visit the central market with its endless stalls mostly owned by women. See activities ranging from the weaving of Songket cloth then to silverware mastery to kite making. Travel along the east coast southwards to Kuala Terrenganu. Day 9 – Kuala Terrenganu to Kuantan Continue your journey southwards to Rantau Abang where annually giant leatherback turtles comes ashore to lay eggs. Continue on to the state of Pahang. Visit a a pandanus weaving centre and a fishing village before checking in for 2 nights at Hyatt Kuantan. Day 10 – Kuantan at leisure Day 11 – Departure Images courtesy of the Singapore Tourism Board |
Cultures.
Singapore's sophisticated skyline is set against lush gardens, tree lined
boulevards and the contrasting traditional architecture, crafts and customs. 
Day 6 – Penang