Singapore’s secret hotspots promise an interesting summer

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WITH summer 2012 pegged to be a cool season in the Philippines, it seems like a good time to take a break from the same old beach routine. Instead of bringing home beach bracelets and sand bottles, bring your friends and family to Singapore and enjoy a new experience exploring its hidden gems.

“Singapore offers surprises for Filipino families, couples and barkadas who are looking for a new way to enjoy the summer vacation,” said Sherina Chan, Singapore Tourism Board area director for the Philippines and Brunei.

Bring them to see a new side of Singapore with the Original Singapore Walks by Journeys. Take the road less traveled with expert local guides and explore off the beaten tracks. Be entertained with an endless store of anecdotes that reveal the true heart of the city for you to proudly declare, ‘I’ve truly been to Singapore.’

Colorful

If you are interested to find out how Singapore was sold to the British for 60,000 Spanish Dollars and catch a glimpse of dying trades, the Sultans of Spice Walk may be for you. Catch the parrot astrologer, visit Singapore’s most colorful wet market and take in the exotic colors and aromas as you begin your Little India Walk.

Know what goes into your golden pint at the Brewery Tour and indulge in a slew of craft beers with the Clarke Quay-Singapore River Walk tour. Pre-booking is not necessary, so you can simply turn up at the designated meeting point, pay the guide and off you go.

If you want to see a more mellow landscape, the D’Kranji Farm Resort in Lim Chu Kang offers a farm-stay experience with 19 villas, a spa, a seafood restaurant and a beer garden, making it a must-visit agri-tainment hub.

You can also visit the Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium, which is both an educational and entertaining experience with its interactive exhibits and a view of the spice trade, maritime archaeology and traditional shipbuilding.

Vivo City also has activities for the whole family. Kids can enjoy the open air playground and rooftop water feature, while the whole family can enjoy the wide array of retail and dining options.

Food and drinks

For good food, take your family to the Singapore Food Trail to experience an exciting dining concept which brings out the nostalgic charm of Singapore in the 1930s. The 16,000 square foot property boasts some of Singapore’s best street hawkers with favorites like satay bee hoon, fried hokkien mee and chicken rice.

Barkadas should drop by Singapore’s hottest clubs like Ku De Ta, Avalon and Pangea to party the night away. Clarke Quay offers an intimate downtime happy hour where you can get the best booze for your buck. Choose from a wide selection of drinks from sake and beers to cocktails and wines for as low as P250 per pint.

For the best happy hours, check out Café Iguana, Brewerkz and Harry’s Bar. If you need some local fare to feast on for supper, head to the Food Republic Beer Garden for an array of local delights in an alfresco environment and live bands.

Barkadas can also check out the budding Haji Lane, a fashionista Mecca for those who want unique finds, hip retail apparel and indie record labels. The stretch of Haji Lane and Ann Siang Hill is not just a shopping destination—it’s also a place where girls can enjoy quirky desserts in picturesque cafes while the guys can drink the night away at some of the hippest bars and clubs.

Excitement

Sentosa also offers barkadas a fun time with attractions like iFly Singapore, the world’s first largest themed wind tunnel for indoor skydiving. The 650-meter go-cart-like adventure track of the Skyline Luge Sentosa can provide the addictive rush that speed demons and racetrack devils crave for.

For a romantic getaway, couples can enjoy Holland Village, which is only a 10-minute drive from the busy Orchard Road. Holland Village is an entertainment haven, complete with restaurants, bars and shops.

To set the mood for a romantic evening, couples can swing by the Marina Bay Sands Skypark, which has a breathtaking view of Singapore’s skyline especially at sunset. Or view the entire Singapore cityscape while toasting with your loved one at the Moet and Chandon Champagne Dining on the Singapore Flyer.

“Singapore is more than just a city filled with shopping on Orchard Road or attractions such as Universal Studios, it also has a side that features the unique charm that only Singapore can offer. We hope these fresh, new experiences will never cease to surprise our Filipino guests,” said Chan.

When in Cebu City, please visit also gregmelep.com a have a taste of the Queen City of Southern Philippines.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on April 05, 2012.