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Holidayco.co.uk specialises in cheap Singapore holidays, package holidays and late deals to a huge number of destinations. Find out more about Singapore in our guide below.

Holidays in Singapore

Singapore is a unique destination. It is a city and a country in itself although it possesses 58 other uninhabited islets. It is favourably located in the heart of the Orient and possesses a good dose of glitz and razzmatazz.

Singapore City with its tropical climate and cloud hugging skyscrapers is the capital. British heritage still lingers in the air, thanks to its well planned streets and historical British architecture. The weather is quite humid during the day and with luck you get the occasional shower in the evening to keep you cool.

Ironically, Singapore lacks water resources and has to look up to Malaysia for its daily supply. You set foot into Singapore, landing in the Best Airport of the World, Changi Airport! Some of the world's renowned 'blue chip' conglomerates are headquartered here, as it proves to be a favoured hub of technology and commerce in the Far East.

It is an environment conscious country and the government encourages its people to use public transport. Singaporeans are a mixed lot, emerging from different races and cultures. English is commonly used which also happens to be the official language for business and administration. Mandarin, Malay and Tamil are other widely spoken languages. The Singaporean Dollar is the currency in use with S$2, S$5, S$10, S$50, S$100 and S$500 denominations in circulation.

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History

The name "Singapore" originates from the word "Singa Pura" which means "Lion City" in Tamil. It was not until the 18th century; Singapore came to be recognised in the World map, thanks to British occupation.

The Singapore that we see today was borne out of resilient and pioneering efforts of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, a British East India Company officer. He administered free trade and made Singapore a commercial hub and a transit port for vessels from Europe and America. This naturally led to hordes of immigrants entering Singapore from countries like India and China seeking employment. Theoretically, the advent of trade leads to betterment of a nation; Singapore acclaimed self-government in 1959 and on 9 August 1965, it was declared an independent republic.

Places to visit

The Singaporeans attribute the layout of the city to Sir Stamford Raffles. He shifted business and administration to the North and trade activities to the South. Singapore is dotted with scenic attractions that are sure to appeal to everyone's tastes. The city is split into 4 parts; north, south, east and west.

The northern part houses the administrative departments of the government in lush green wooded surroundings. This part of the city has paved the way for natural reserves such as Mandai Orchid Gardens, Bukit Timah Natural Reserve and the Sungei Buloh Nature Park. These reserves have dedicated footpaths, and are great for early evening walks. The world famous Singapore zoo is located on the banks of the Seletar Reservoir and is home to more than 2000 wild animals. The zoo runs a Night Safari, where you can get close to the animals from the safety of a tram.

The western zone packs mainly thrills and entertainment. Sentosa Island is the most prominent attraction in this area. It is an amusement park, perfect for kids and adults. Acres upon acres of land served by golf courses, adventure rides, underwater world, sun kissed beaches and swimming pool. If you are an avid bird-watcher then get those binoculars ready as the Jurong Bird Park is a bird watcher's paradise with more than 2500 species of birds on display, in their natural habitat.

See rural Singapore in all its grandeur in the eastern zone. The islands of Pulau Ubin, Changi Village, Geyland and Katong are also a haven of traditional fishermen and farmers.

Things to do

Singapore has been a land of immigrants and the Chinese, Indians and Malays constitute the majority of population. You will find a typical Indian settlement in one area, and Chinese settlement around the next corner. The Singaporeans friendly approach is heart warming, and their hospitality often makes you feel at ease with the place. Singapore has its share of nightlife, with plenty of pubs and discos. Drinks are a bit expensive and smoking is prohibited in discos where meals are served. Orchard Road is worth a visit and has some of the best bars in the city. If you fancy an Irish ambience, you have Muddy Murphy, stocking crates of Guinness or Kilkenny - at greatly inflated prices. Chinatown and Little India are two prominent ethnic settlements where you may find restaurants serving spicy continental food. Be warned though, dishes tend to be a little hotter than you might expect!.

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Food

You will find an array of Western and Continental cuisines. If you fancy spicy hot food, then pop into one of the numerous Indian restaurants thronging Serangoon Road and Little India areas. It is a typical custom to have food served on banana leaves so don't be too surprised if your food turns up without a plate. Many restaurants also serve a wide range of vegetarian dishes. Try the traditional Thali meals, an assorted helping of rice, spicy curry and 5 to 6 different vegetables. It is economical and quite filling. Many restaurants have a buffet system for lunch, where you can select from a variety food at a reasonable price. Alcohol is generally expensive.

Shopping

The city centre is a haven for shopping activities. Every ethnic settlement area has its own shops stocking goods from their homelands. Goods are generally sold at bargain prices and a bit of haggling can get you stuff at rock bottom prices. Some of the finest shopping centres are found on Orchard Road, Tanglin Road, Bras Basah Road. Antique artefacts can be found around Chinatown and Little India areas. Other quality wares, clothes and electronic goods can be found in multiplexes like Mustafa Centre, Suntec City, Peninsula Plaza and the like. These stores stock goods at discounted prices, and you can find some real bargains if you look hard enough.

Sports

If you are a fitness freak, there are in-house gymnasiums and swimming pools in most of the star hotels. Squash and Tennis are mostly played in indoor stadiums. Unlike the West, this country lacks many sporting events. Fortunately there are hordes of massage and natural therapy parlours to relax and rejuvenate your tired muscles if you do manage to overdo it.