Continuously expanding island-state, between modern architecture and ethnic neighborhoods
His skyline dominated by soaring skyscrapers it resembles the one in New York, but does not have the Statue of Liberty. It has the Merlion, a statue with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, symbol of the city, which welcomes travellers at the mouth of the Singapore River.
Singapore, a city-state made up of 63 islands and a mix of races, cultures and religions, is not only a world economic capital, but is becoming increasingly interesting holiday destination. This Southeast Asian island with a tropical climate offers many things to do and sights to see. The 'Switzerland of the East', the 'garden city', the 'city of records': call it what you want. Singapore is truly unique and stands out among other Eastern metropolises for its records.
RECORD ATTRACTIONS
For example, it has the largest Ferris wheel in the eastern hemisphere, the Singapore Flyer (the record was recently broken by the Las Vegas Ferris wheel): you can dine or taste excellent Champagne at 165 meters high while admiring the view, even at sunset. The most iconic building is the Marina Bay Sands, a structure made up of 3 enormous skyscrapers, home to the hotel of the same name and various shops, joined at the top by an enormous ship-shaped terrace, the SkyPark, which houses pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and the famous infinity pool which offers a breathtaking view of the city skyline. You can book a ticket to go up to the cinema avoiding the queue. Marina Bay, the most convenient and spectacular road, undoubtedly passes by Helix bridge, a bridge that represents the triumph of technology and design and which, with its spirals, represents the continuity of life, rebirth, progress, inspired by the shape of DNA.
Another essential stop is the Gardens by the Bay, especially at night when you can enjoy the bright lights of the Super Trees, real vertical gardens between 25 and 50 meters high where there are approximately 163.000 plants and over 200 species of flowers. Those who don't suffer from vertigo can experience the thrill of climbing to the top of the trees and walking across an aerial walkway (OSCB Skyway) which connects some of them or enjoy the panorama of the city while tasting the best of Asian cuisine in one of the numerous restaurants such as Supertree Dining or Peach Garden Noodle House. The two glass greenhouses are also fascinating Cloud forest and Flower dome; the latter recently entered the Guinness World Record as the largest open space greenhouse in the world.
THE ETHNIC NEIGHBORHOODS
Singapore is a city where multi-ethnic neighborhoods coexist just a few blocks apart: in addition to Chinatown, one of the most characteristic neighborhoods, inhabited almost exclusively by Chinese, is definitely worth a visit Kampong Glam, a predominantly Arab area, especially in the evening where cafes and restaurants cannot serve alcohol but make up for it with live music and the possibility of smoking hookah. For shopping lovers, Haji Lane is the ideal place with its bookshops, art and clothing shops and delightful pastry chef-artist shops. Another neighborhood worth seeing is Little India whose beating heart is Serangoon Road, one of the oldest streets in Singapore; the street is known for its Hindu temples (including the Sri Veeramakaliamman temple dedicated to the goddess Kali), shops selling Indian spices, jewelery and fabrics.
THE ISLANDS OF SINGAPORE
Along the East coast there are some of them the most beautiful beaches of the area and the characteristic island of Ubin Island, a small fishing village near Malaysia. You can spend an afternoon exploring the paths, among mangrove forests and water lily lakes where quiet reigns supreme. The ideal is to rent a bicycle to better explore the entire island. But in Singapore you can't help but visit theSentosa Island, dedicated to lovers of amusement parks and relaxing on the beach. The island is connected to Singapore via a bridge and can be reached by bus or monorail. As soon as you arrive there are many attractions ranging from the beaches of Pawan and Siloso to the water games of Adventure Cove Water Park, from the incredible seabed of SEA Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the world, to Universal Studios, a theme park dedicated to the most famous animated films in the world.
THE CAPITAL OF STREET FOOD
To try the specialties of the local cuisine the best places are âhawker centreâ and âfood courtâ, large covered markets where, among kiosks and stalls, it is possible to taste, in a spartan and relaxed environment, traditional dishes, such as fried rice, and unusual exotic dishes. A milestone among centers of this kind is the Lau pa sat, a temple of street food housed in a large Victorian building. Those who love culinary experiences cannot fail to go to Chinatown Food Street, Singapore's street food temple. It is located right in the heart of the Chinese area, the most vital and dynamic neighborhood of the Lion City. Under futuristic glass umbrellas and along its 100 meter length, there are 24 stalls, 6 restaurants and numerous kiosks and outdoor venues serving Asian cuisine, open from 11am to 23.00pm. The Geylang Lor 9 Fresh Frog Porridge it is the best address to try typically local specialities. If you are looking for more exotic flavors you have to go to Adam Road Nasi Lemak which offers excellent Malaysian dishes or from Serangoon Raju, to enjoy authentic Indian specialties. But to savor something absolutely typical and unobtainable in the rest of the world you have to go to one of the numerous restaurants that serve cuisine The Peranakan: a unique mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian and European flavors that reflects the essence of Singapore and the meeting between different cultures that has characterized the history of the city over the centuries. True Blue Cuisine it is certainly the best address: here the staff wears traditional clothes and the service ceramics recall those used at important lunches by rich Peranakan families.
THE HIGH TEA RITUAL AND THE SINGAPORE SLING COCKTAIL
Imported by the English in the colonial era, the tea ritual (Hight Tea) remains very much alive in Singapore. There are numerous places that, strictly at 16pm, serve tea enriched with sweets and scones as per the English tradition or with sushi and sashimi in perfect Japanese style; the experience is definitely worth trying. Some addresses where you can have tea are Brasserie Les Saveurs, Tea Lounge, The Lobby Bar, Tisettanta Lounge. At aperitif time, however, the typical one cannot be missing Singapore Sling. The best-known cocktail in the city was invented in 1915 inside the Long Bar of the Raffles Hotel, a colonial hotel named after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore. This pink cocktail, also loved by Ernest Hemingway, dedicated to women, is the most requested in the city's clubs and is made from gin, cherry liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice, cointreau, Bénédectine DOM liqueur, grenadine and angostura. The best place to go is in the infinity pool Marina Bay Sands.
THE NIGHTLIFE NEIGHBORHOODS
Singapore is a city that never sleeps thanks to the parties in trendy clubs where the most famous international DJs take turns. The most famous club is lo zouk, located in three renovated warehouses along the riverbanks. Every year, in December, the club hosts ZoukOut, one of the most important international dance music festivals which attracts thousands of visitors. An area not to be missed for lovers of nightlife Clarke quay, where numerous pubs, restaurants and clubs are located. Another area of ââclubs and entertainment is Dempsey Hill, the hill that once housed the military headquarters of the British Army and where Singaporeans now spend their evenings. The buildings were repurposed, transforming the neighborhood into one of the trendiest in the city.
WHERE TO SLEEP LOW COST
In addition to the numerous luxury hotel, In Singapore there are cheaper solutions, but no less characteristic. THE Santa Grand Hotel they are hotels whose style perfectly recalls the architectural heritage of Singapore, the small structures are decorated inside and out and for a moment it seems like going back in time. They are located in the most central areas of the city and prices are around 60 euros per night. They are cheap&chic hotels Hotel 81, 24 properties very close to the most popular attractions, such as Gardens by The Bay, the National Museum and Orchard Road, the temple of shopping. Prices start from 52 euros per night. THE Fragrance Hotel scattered throughout the city they are very comfortable and convenient for reaching the main places of interest. They have a rooftop pool to admire the skyline. They cost 50 euros per night.
CHANGI, THE BEST AIRPORT IN THE WORLD
It's impossible not to mention Changi, Singapore's airport, one of the most important and awarded hubs in the world which has been awarded 5 stars. Often, in fact, in Singapore we stop even just for a stop-over, heading towards other destinations (Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, etc.) and spend several hours there. His five terminals form a real city. Inside, in addition to thousands of shops, bars, restaurants and food courts, there are hotels, spas, cinemas, playgrounds and an entertainment center with consoles and video games, flower, cactus and butterfly gardens, the aviation museum , art installations and even a swimming pool. If you have at least 5 hours to wait, you can take advantage of the free visit to the city: from 9am to 22.00pm, it lasts two and a half hours and you must register at the appropriate desks at least one hour before. L'Heritage Tour leaves six times a day and visits the Colonial District, Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam with a stop at Merlion Park, while the City Sights Tour three times a day it takes passengers in transit to the most modern area of ââSingapore showing them the Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, the Esplanade and Gardens by the Bay.
