Holiday Guide Singapore
Singapore is one of the world's busiest travel hubs, with hundreds of flights a day arriving in the Southeast Asian city-state, either as a final destination or as a stopover on long-haul routes around the world. The city is famous enough just for its airport's city-like layout and amenities, while the free city tours given to air passengers on a long layover are unique in the world of capital cities.
Once out of the airport in Singapore, the efficiency, cleanliness and ease of passage continues, as the city is known for its unusually high standards of cleanliness. Rumours about fines for leaving the toilet seat up and the illegality of gum have, in the past, given Singapore kind of a bad wrap but these days it's steaming along at full power, welcoming record numbers of tourists year after year. Various attractions include casinos, fabulous shopping malls and innovative world-class events such as a Formula One race through the city streets, which is held at night.
Singapore got its start as a metropolitan city when the British set up an outpost on the island, mostly to keep the Dutch off their precious Malay turf. Since then the multicultural vibe has stuck, and the island is now home to native Middle Eastern, Chinese and Western people as well as native Malays.
Singapore may be busy building mega-projects and sky rises, but evidence of its multicultural makeup remains. The house of parliament built in 1827 still stands as a reminder of Singapore's colonial roots, and is the oldest government building on the island. Chinatown still retains its authentic feel, but there aren't many traditional Chinese-built houses around anymore. There are also neighbourhoods reflecting the Indian and Middle Eastern presence in the city.
Being an island, Singapore has many options for beach activities and water sports. East Coast Park is where the locals head on weekends, with beachfront restaurants and clear waters to bathe in. The tiny island known for its cramped living has set aside a piece of nature in the form of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, with cycle and walking paths throughout.
Singapore is an incredibly safe city, with crime against tourists very rare. That said accidents and illnesses do occur, so be sure to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy before you travel.
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