Singapore

Strategically placed on the Straits of Malacca, Singapore is one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan centres in Asia and remains a firm favourite with British travellers. A sophisticated, modern, city-state which is ultra clean and safe, Singapore is the perfect location for an exciting break combining luxury hotels, fantastic shopping malls, great cuisine, plenty of nightlife and a mix of cultures which unite in a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and scents. Singapore offers an overwhelming variety of sightseeing opportunities. Before 1965 the island was a British colony and traces of its colonial heritage can still be seen today. The heart of colonial Singapore straddles the mouth of the Singapore River depicted by Sir Stamford Raffles Statue. A cluster of architectural legacies such as the Parliament House, Victoria Theatre, Singapore Cricket Club, Supreme Court and City Hall surrounds an open expanse of green, named the Padang. Not too far away, Raffles Hotel epitomises this grand old era where you can sip a Singapore Sling in Raffles Long Bar. Chinatown, Arab Street, Little India and Geylang Serai are testimony to the nation's rich ethnic, cultural and historical heritage, each district home to religious monuments as well as quaint shop houses selling ethnic goods and cuisine. Venturing outside the city there are further attractions to see including the Singapore Zoological Gardens, an open-concept zoo which is home to more than 2,000 creatures. Next to the Zoo is the unique Night Safari, another world-class attraction. The animals are in 8 zones that recreate various geographic regions like the Southeast Asian rainforest, African savanna, Nepalese river valley, South American pampas and Burmese jungle. Sentosa Island is the most popular - a purpose-built island theme park, offering beaches, history, golf and a host of themed attractions, including VolcanoLand, the Asian Village, the water rides of Fantasy Island, and Underwater World, one of Asia's largest oceanariums. The Singapore Botanic Gardens epitomises the tropical island's luxuriant parks - a combination of primary jungle and elegantly laid out flowerbeds and shrubs. Singapore is one of only two cities in the world to have a significant area of primary rainforest within its boundaries. The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve just 8 miles from the city centre contains more species of flora than the entire North American continent. Singapore is a gourmet's paradise, ranging from street stalls to five-star restaurants. The most varied food in Asia awaits you in Singapore, reflecting its multi-ethnic society. Choose from authentic Chinese, Indian, Malay, Thai, Japanese, Korean, American and European to name a few. Boat Quay and Clarke Quay are popular riverside landmarks which offer restaurants, alfresco dining and lively bars. Muhammad Sultan Road also offers a wide variety of pubs, nightclubs and wine bars. Newton Circus and La Pau Sat are food centres where all types of Asian food can be sampled cheaply. Little short of sensational, there are more than 120 shopping malls and arcades on the island where you can buy many products duty free. Orchard Road is the central retail district and is lined with one shopping mall after another. While the major department stores and chains operate fixed prices, bargaining is expected in other places. But it is in those ethnic quarters that the best and more interesting buys are. Many visit the Bugis Junction street market selling cheaper items, food and souvenirs. Chinatown (Outram) is a colourful web of streets and alleys with a wealth of artefacts, jewellery, clothes, food and medicines for sale behind traditional Chinese shop-house fronts. Arab Street is lined with shops selling high-quality cottons, silks, velvets and batiks. Little India is another treasure trove of sumptuous textiles, as well as spices, jewellery and handicrafts. The Mustafa Centre is a three-storey emporium mainly selling electrical goods at fixed prices. It offers some of the cheapest deals in town, although visitors should check that there is a full warranty. Singaporeans go to Sim Lim Square for discount electronic goods; four levels stacked with cameras, computer equipment, hi-fi and video equipment. Again, check for a valid warranty. Funan The IT Mall is a shopping centre with dozens of computer shops on each floor at competitive prices, while nearby Peninsula Plaza is a favourite stop for camera gear. The flea markets around town offer a totally different shopping experience and bargains and novelty items can be found by browsing through a lot of junk. One of the best is at Clarke Quay every Sunday. The Great Singapore Sale from May to early July, with bargains of up to 70% off, is almost a national obsession and attracts shoppers from throughout the region.