Located on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia, this unique city-state consists of mainland Singapore as well as numerous smaller islands covering a total area of about 640 square kilometres. With its strong Chinese, Malay, Indian and western influences, this metropolis offers a dazzling melting pot of diverse cultures, exotic cuisine and a range of architectural styles. This multicultural population has resulted in a number of national cultural districts, such as Chinatown with its impressive Hindu shrines and temples adorned with marigold garlands. These pockets of traditional culture stand in stark contrast to the rows of glitzy state-of-the-art malls and futuristic skyscrapers. With all of this variety on offer, it is easy to see why famous natural historian William Hornaday described this remarkable city as 'the handiest and most marvellous city [he] ever saw'.
The Republic of Singapore is a sovereign city-state located in Southeast Asia, off the tip of the Malay Peninsula. This former British colony comprises 63 islands and is famous for its rapid evolution, developing from a third world country to the world centre of technology, education, healthcare and innovation. Visitors are spoilt for choice with regards to unmissable attractions. The dazzling Merlion Park includes a spectacular promenade and the iconic 28-foot Merlion statue, which pays homage to the city’s humble beginnings. Futuristic and yet intrinsically tied to nature, the Gardens by the Bay is one of the most popular bucket-list items here, with its captivating treetop walk and 114-foot waterfall - indoors. Shopping comes to a global pinnacle at famous Orchard Road.
With 18,110 islands, 6,000 of them inhabited, Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world offering a virtually unrivalled range of holiday options. While the picturesque island of Bali remains the most well known and the most popular of Indonesia’s tourist destinations, there is so much more on offer for those willing to step off the beaten track. Pack your itinerary with visits to: the historic monuments and temples of Central Java; the world renowned dive sites of idyllically remote Raja Ampat; the extraordinary Island of Komodo, home of the unfathomably large Komodo Dragon; as well as a range of vast tropical forests providing sanctuary to incredibly diverse wildlife from Orangutans and other primates to critically endangered Javan Rhinoceros and Tigers. The range of choices is mind-boggling but, however you decide to spend your time on this remarkable group of islands, you are sure to have some truly exhilarating experiences and some unforgettable adventures.
Considered the soul of Java, Yogyakarta – commonly known as Yogya – is the flourishing, exciting capital of the Yogyakarta Special Region in Indonesia’s Java Province. This massive urban centre, with a population of well over a million, skillfully maintains its rich cultural heritage while embracing modernity, boasting an impressive wealth of stunning heritage attractions too long to list as well as plenty of hip locations. The Ullen Sentalu and Affandi museums are not to be missed, and a visit to the science park or zoo will keep the kids happy, while top-notch bars, clubs, impressive galleries and vibrant street art attract a young crowd. Besides all of the wonders Yogya itself has to offer, the city is ideally situated near some of the country’s most important archeological sites – namely Borobudur and Prambanan.
Far from the boisterous beach party scene of Kuta, in the central region of this remarkable little island, lies Ubud - the cultural centre of Bali. Surrounded by lush, terraced rice paddies, and exquisite temples, Ubud is jam-packed with tourist attractions. Its busy town centre is lined with a slew of art galleries, cafes, craft shops, and spas. One of the town’s most visited sites is the Sacred Forest Monkey Sanctuary, home to hundreds of wild monkeys as well as three Hindi temples. Spend your days strolling around the lively streets of central Ubud or get away from the hustle and bustle by cycling along ricefield-lined rivers where traditional village life carries on relatively undisturbed. Nights can be spent enjoying live music concerts, or one of the nightly Kecak Fire and Dance or shadow puppet performances.
Idyllically situated on Bali’s unspoiled eastern coastline between the dramatic Mount Agung and the serene Lombok Strait, quiet Manggis is an ideal destination for travellers eager to escape the crowds and relax in a peaceful little pocket of paradise. The development of a number of quaint seaside villages along this stretch of coast has resulted in an increase in popularity of this once little known area. Manggis’s remarkable aesthetic appeal is matched by an equally impressive cultural allure with over twenty temples and shrines to explore including the exquisite Pura Besakih, one of Bali’s most important Hindu complexes. Other notable highlights include the spectacularly scenic rice paddies and terraces of the Sidemen Valley and some excellent local markets.
Located on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia, this unique city-state consists of mainland Singapore as well as numerous smaller islands covering a total area of about 640 square kilometres. With its strong Chinese, Malay, Indian and western influences, this metropolis offers a dazzling melting pot of diverse cultures, exotic cuisine and a range of architectural styles. This multicultural population has resulted in a number of national cultural districts, such as Chinatown with its impressive Hindu shrines and temples adorned with marigold garlands. These pockets of traditional culture stand in stark contrast to the rows of glitzy state-of-the-art malls and futuristic skyscrapers. With all of this variety on offer, it is easy to see why famous natural historian William Hornaday described this remarkable city as 'the handiest and most marvellous city [he] ever saw'.
As previously described
