Charming Singapore

Arrive Singapore

Welcome to Singapore. You are met on arrival, and taken to your luxurious hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure – relax or start to explore the exciting, vibrant and safe city.

Singapore Sightseeing

This morning, meet your private car and driver for an orientation tour of the city – see the history, multi-racial culture and lifestyle that is Singapore. The city’s colonial heritage unfolds as you drive around the Civic District past the Padang, the Cricket Club, Parliament House, Supreme Court and City Hall. Stop at the Merlion Park for great views of Marina Bay and a photo opportunity with the Merlion, a mythological creature that is part lion and part fish.

Next, explore Chinatown, nestled just behind the soaring skyscrapers of Singapore's financial district. Chinatown’s crowded and colorful network of streets and alleyways has changed little over the decades. Visit the Thian Hock Keng Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist-Taoist temples on the island, built with donations from the early immigrant workers from China. Then drive to a local handicraft center to watch the Asian craftsmen at work. Proceed to the National Orchid Garden, located within the Singapore Botanic Gardens. This fragrant oasis boasts a sprawling display 60,000 orchid plants comprising of 400 species and more than 2,000 hybrids.

Your last stop this morning is in Little India, awash with the scents and sights of the subcontinent. Stroll along the alleyways to take in the quaint old-fashioned shops selling spices, saris, trinkets, Indian jewelries and daily products used by Indian households. It is easy here to be enchanted by the scent of joss sticks, jasmine and spices.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit Gardens by the Bay, a 250 acre park that is home to more than 500,000 plants from over 2,000 species. Step into Flower Dome and wonder at nature merged with spectacular, innovative design. This section replicates the cool and dry Mediterranean climate featuring 9 different gardens from 5 continents. Then, visit the mysterious mist-veiled Cloud Forest. Explore the highlands amidst orchids, pitcher plants and ferns from the cool-moist Tropical Montane region, featuring one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls at 35 meters as well as 7 discovery zones.

This evening you'll be transferred back to the Gardens of the Bay, to enjoy dinner. (B,D)

Cultural Tour

This morning you’ll enjoy a tour of the ethnic districts of Kampong Glam, Geylang and Katong, which are testimonies to this island-nation's rich cultural and historical heritage. The districts are home to religious monuments as well as quaint shops - from traditional herbs to textiles to decorative items and antiques. You’ll head to Kampong Glam, which was a fishing village situated at the mouth of Rochor River. In the nineteenth century, it was an ethnic district with strong Malay-Arab influence. Stroll along Arab Street and other alleys where you will witness many local food and carpet stalls. After, you’ll proceed to the Eastern part of Singapore to Geylang. In the mid twentieth century, Geylang was the heart of the Malay Village, but has since been diluted by mixed cultures. Here you’ll visit the Geylang Market where you will still find inflow of Malay ethnic netizens still come here to do their daily marketing for fresh foods. Katong is the home for many of another ethnic group in Singapore – Peranakans, also known as Baba & Nonya. Wander through the bustling enclaves of Katong & Joo Chiat that showcases the rich and baroque Peranakan architecture. Admire rows of colorful traditional shophouses that dates back to the 1920s and 1930s. You’ll learn of the Peranakan costumes, embroidery, beadwork, jewelry, porcelain, furniture and craftwork obtaining insight into the captivating culture of the Peranakans.

This evening is yours to explore at leisure or perhaps embark on a night safari at the Singapore Zoo. ​(B)

Depart Singapore

Today you are taken to the Singapore airport for your departing flight home or on to your next destination. (B)