Revisit Singapore’s Colorful Past at Fort Canning

Fort Canning Park is one of the most prominent parks in Singapore. It is widely regarded as the cultural and artistic hub in the industrial city-state. Previously called Bukit Larangan, which means “Forbidden Hill” in Malay, the park is reminiscent of Singapore’s rich colonial past. Remnants of ancient fortresses and other relics have recently been unearthed, affirming earlier suggestions that the hill used to serve as a final resting place of Malay kings. In World War I, Fort Canning was used as a strategic military base.

The tiny patch of land that is Fort Canning Park offers tourists relaxation and interesting discoveries amidst the busy and modern city-state. With a history dating back up to 700 years, a day’s tour in Fort Canning is sure to leave visitors awestruck and nostalgic of the not so distant past.

Aside from interesting historic sites like the 14^th Century Walk, the Fort Gate, the tomb of revered Temasek leader Iskandar Syah, an archaeological site, and Parit Singapura (“Moat of Singapore”), tourists can also enjoy relaxing views of Singapore River, which used to be an important trade channel for ancient Singapore and where the Singapore Stone once stood.

Other must-see places at Fort Canning Hill include the Spice Garden, a botanical garden proposed by Nathaniel Wallich in 1882. The Raffles Terrace, which housed a long line of governors, provided magnificent views of the township in the 19^th century. The Battle Box is another place sure to rouse the interest of bold explorers. Found nine meters underground, it used to be a big military operations complex operated by the Malaya Command Headquarters.

Fort Canning Park allows for various activities like bird watching, dining, exercise, and guided tours. It is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna – a true sanctuary for the city dweller. The park also forms a sloped bowl for outdoor events like concerts and cultural shows. Bands like Muse and Beastie Boys have given performances at the park, which has also hosted Singfest and WOMAD, the largest music festival in Singapore. The venue can accommodate up to 10,000 people.

The park has also become a popular venue for garden weddings. It is located close to the Registry of Marriages so the sight of ceremonies and receptions is also commonplace at Fort Canning Park. The hill also houses the Singapore Dance Theater and Flutes at the Fort. Park management hosts the Heritage & Nature Guided Walk to accompany tourists in revisiting Singapore’s colorful past. The free guided tours begin at the courtyard, Fort Canning Center, and last for one to two hours.

Visitors wishing to establish closer communion to nature, culture, and history also have the option to reserve accommodations within the complex. One accommodation provider is the Fort Canning Lodge, which also gives access to the commercial district along Orchard Road. The hotel offers mid-priced yet elegant accommodations to leisure and business travelers. For more information on Singapore accommodations, visit www.ywcafclodge.org.sg.

Enjoy Discounted Rates with YWCA Fort Canning Lodge's Superior Room Package

Guests at YWCA Fort Canning Lodge in Singapore are in for some big savings when they reserve the hotel's Superior Single or Twin rooms this year.

With the hotel's new Superior Room Package, guests who reserve a minimum of two (2) nights' stay at the hotel's Superior Single or Twin rooms will enjoy the discounted rate of only SGD 113.00++ per room per night, inclusive of breakfast. The discounted rate is subject to 10% service charge and prevailing government tax. This promo is valid until September 24, 2009.

YWCA Fort Canning Lodge's Superior rooms all come complete with air-conditioning, electronic key card locks, colour TV with cable channels, telephone with IDD service, broadband Internet access, in-room fridge and safe, private toilet and shower facilities, hairdryer, heat detection safety devices, energy and water-saving devices, and 220-volt sockets - easily assuring guests of a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

Other hotel features and services include an outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court, meeting and banquet facilities, a gift shop, high speed Internet access anywhere within the hotel, travel and tour assistance, laundry and dry cleaning services, 24-hour security, and The Coffee House restaurant which serves local, Chinese, Thai, and Western cuisine.

For more information on YWCA Fort Canning Lodge and its Superior Room Package promo, visit http://www.ywcafclodge.org.sg.

Experience the Ultimate Valentine’s at The Treasure Resort Sentosa

Indulge your significant other to a Valentine they’ll never forget. Bring your loved one to the Treasure Resort Sentosa and treat them to a romantic Valentine package. Wow him/her with a four course candlelight dinner, a ride on the cable car to Sentosa, or a tour of the Song of the Sea and Cineblast or Underwater World and Lagoon attractions, and a two (2) days and one (1) night stay at a Deluxe or Premier Room.

Enjoy a truly romantic moment with a scrumptious dinner at the Treasure Bistro or privately in your room. The four course dinner consists of a Caesar salad and grilled chicken breast as a starter, butter nut pumpkin soup with rock lobster avocado, and a choice of either pan-fried treadfin fillet with lemon butter sauce with a side of grilled potatoes and sautéed vegetables or grilled rib eye served on grilled asparagus with sautéed vegetables and topped with a red wine reduction as the main course. Finally, end the night on a sweet note with a cleverly coined dessert, the Adam and Eve Slice of Life.

Sitting elegantly atop a gentle slope, the Treasure Resort can be found right beneath the Merlion where lovers can take leisurely walks along the Merlion walk as the sun sets in the distance. The 1940s colonial architecture also adds a touch of romance in the air to this Sentosa resort.

For those looking for a more exciting Valentine, the Treasure Resort is just five minutes away from the Siloso Beach and minutes away from the Imbiah station and the Sentosa light rail. Going to the Sentosa 4D Magix, Singapore Cable car, Carlsberg Sky Tower, Butterfly Park and Insect kingdom, Images of Singapore and the Songs of the Sea from the resort only takes a short walking distance.

Treasure Resort Sentosa in Singapore offers this Valentine Package from February 13 to 16. For more information and other packages, log on to http://www.treasure-resort.com/.

A Beginner’s Guide to Sentosa

Formerly known as Pulau Blakang Mati ("The Island After Death" in Malay) Sentosa Island is popular among native Singaporeans and tourists as Singapore’s quick island getaway.

The island’s best attractions are undoubtedly its beaches, with several man-made attractions as well. While a large number of these attractions are viewed by the general public as overpriced, Sentosa is currently in the midst of a multi-billion construction program that will bring a Universal Studios theme park to the island, among other things.

Getting There
As the island is a mere 15 minutes away from Singapore’s city centre, visitors have several options on how to get there—by walking, taking the cab, the bus, or the monorail. The cheapest by far, however, is to take the North-East MRT to Harbour Front, and from there the Sentosa Express monorail (found on the 3rd level of Vivocity). All-day tickets are priced at SGD3, which includes the price of admission to the island.

The Sights and Sounds of the Island
Take the cable car to Imbiah Lookout, home to various attractions such as the Merlion, the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, Sentosa 4D Magix, Tiger Sky Tower, Sentosa Luge & Skyride, Sentosa Cineblast, and Images of Singapore.
Savour local cuisine the likes of the Nonya Lobster Laksa and the Jumbo Satay at Tastes of Singapore. Other restaurants such as Barnacles Restaurant & Bar, The Cliff, the Il Lido, and the Samundar are also worth a visit.
Meanwhile, those who require a spot of relaxation can visit Palawan Beach, Siloso Beach, the Spa Botanica, Rasa Sentosa Resort, and the Underwater World.
One more thing to catch before ending a day at Sentosa is Songs of the Sea, a multi-million dollar water show that features a live cast, pyrotechnics, water jets, lasers, and computer-generated imagery.


Where to Stay
While the island has a reputation for being overpriced, Sentosa has many accommodation options that will fit discerning travelers’ needs. The island currently has three spas and six hotels/resorts, one of which is the Treasure Resort, slated as one of the island’s premiere leisure and recreational destinations. The resort is the embodiment of old-world charm with a touch of modern comfort, and is ideally located at the heart of Sentosa Island.

Celebrate the 2009 Chinese Year of the Ox at The Claremont Hotel

Preparations for the Chinese New Year of Ox in 2009 begin months in advance so that the celebrations are observed in splendor and brilliance. The Chinese communities in towns or cities often hold dragon dances, parades and other festivities that are open to the public.

To prepare for the Chinese New year, The Claremont Hotel in Singapore is offering guests a Chinese New Year Holiday package. Guests can choose from Superior Single, Deluxe Double, Superior Triple, and Deluxe Family Rooms during the Chinese New Year Holidays.

Holiday rates are:

Superior single – SGD 280
Deluxe double – SGD 300
Superior triple – SGD 330
Deluxe family – SGD 370

The Chinese New Year package celebrates the Year of the Ox and the culture and diversity that Singapore has to offer. Guests planning to stay at The Claremont Hotel from January 25 to 30 for three days and two nights can avail of lower rates through early resevations. The holiday promo begins as early as October and ends on December 1 of this year.

Claremont Hotel readily provides holiday makers with the perfect accommodation type and excellent hotel services. The 90 rooms are fitted with air-conditioning, private toilet and bath, a mini-bar and other conveniences much needed by every guest. Each is designed to offer everything: from a luxurious business retreat to a cozy home. Every vacation and holiday is made special at The Claremont Hotel.

Besides top-quality accommodations, guests of the hotel can also enjoy the local cuisines and unique food culture of Singapore. The room service menu features South Indian, North Indian, and Chinese cuisines

Guests can avail of the Chinese New Year early bird promo through The Claremont Hotel’s secure and guest-friendly online reservation service which gives the flexibility of choosing rooms within a specific budget and preference. Guests of The Claremont Hotel are also guaranteed the lowest rates online.

What every F1 fan should know about Singapore

There is an air of unmistakable excitement in Singapore as the country heads into the opening night of the 2008 Formula1 Grand Prix on September 28. It will be the first F1 race to run at nighttime and on a street circuit, so expect many surprises from the Singapore GP than you will normally expect from previous F1 Grand Prix. This is going to be a part of motor racing history.

Come get-go time on September 28 Singapore will be overflowing with both F1 fans and tourists alike. Before the frenzy start, here are Singapore must-knows that every visitors ought to know. As part of our F1 Grand Prix coverage, the Singapore Travel Blog gives this essential introductory guide to Singapore and 2008 Formula1 SG races:

General Travel Information—The Singapore Changi Airport is one of the more technologically advanced air terminals in Asia. With the opening recently of the state-of-the-art Terminal-3 of Changi Airport, Singapore has lessened passenger gridlock at its airport and is able to clear tourists off the immigration from 15 to 20 minutes after they leave their flights. So that you can zoom-zoom faster out of the terminal and into your hotel in Singapore for the Formula1 races, be sure to be ready with these travel documents (must be met prior to arrival):

1. A passport with at least six months validity

2. Sufficient funds to last for the intended period of stay in Singapore

3. Confirmed onward/return tickets (where applicable)

4. Entry facilities to their onward destinations, e.g. visas.

5. Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate*

*if you are from any of these countries that are endemic for Yellow Fever.

Hotel, Inn, and other Accommodation—The Marina Bay area has a handful of hotels that will get you near the action of the Formula1 races. Most of these hotels, like the Ritz Carlton, are on the southeastern side of the city. Another vantage point in Singapore is the Bras Basah Road and Orchard Road, which forms the retail and hotel ‘heart’ of the city. Here you can find the Raffles Hotel as well as a cluster of other less-priced hotels.

A little further West from the city center are places of interests such as Chinatownl Little India, the Robertson Quay eating and leisure area, among others. There are also a slew of resort-type hotels on Sentosa Island south of the city and linked by a causeway and cable cars. Below is a list of hotels in Singapore, from three- to five-star hotels, worth checking out:

Cape Inn Singapore
Singapore Beach Hotel
Harbour Ville Hotel
Joo Chiat Hotel
Park View Hotel
Treasure Sentosa Resort
YWCA Singapore Hotel
Tekka Hotel
The Aspinals Hotel
The Ambassador Hotel

Transportation, Communication—From the airport, the Marina Bay area where the races will be held is about 20 minutes away by taxi. It is not a major problem to look for taxis in Singapore. They are cheap and easily available. Taxis are on call 24 hours a day at the taxi stand of the airport departure gate and it normally costs around SGD 20.

A number of hotels also offer shuttle service that serves two or three hotels at a time. Information on fares and availability can be had from the hotel itself. Another way to travel around Singapore is the country’s MRT system.

The East-West line of the system runs from the airport to the city center of Singapore and it normally takes 30 minutes to cover the entire route. The East-West line is connected to the North-South line at the City Hall station. From here you can access the Orchard road area.

Single fare tickets from the airport costs SGD 1.50. If you intend to use the MRT system often, the Singapore Tourist Center website offers transportation packages for unlimited travel on buses and MRT.

For your communication needs, there are wi-fi internet services in Singapore that serve most of the city center. Public areas in the city are hooked up to wireless@sg that gives wireless broadband access with speeds of up to 512 kbps. Also, most GSM and 3G mobile phone services are supported provided you have the necessary international roaming account.

Discover History and Art on International Museum Day 2008

Culture and history buffs, you’re going to love this: from May 31 to June 2, Singapore will be holding International Museum Day, a cultural event wherein the country’s 46 museums will be featuring 39 fun-filled events and activities all aiming to show that museums can be lively and just as interesting tourist destinations when you're visiting Singapore.

With the theme “Museums ALIVE!” the National Heritage Board of Singapore hopes to pique the interests of museum-goers young and old with unique activities such as cultural bus tours, calligraphy classes, and free visits to selected museums. Each day offers something new, and interested visitors can have their choice on what events to check out.

A convenient place to stay during your museum-hopping would be the Tekka Hotel located just near the Mustafa Centre Mall, and is minutes away from Singapore's Museum District. This nicely situated budget hotel offers easy access to Singapore's tourism and culture centers like the Veerama Kaliamman Temple, Sim Lim Square, and even the Singapore Zoo.

Another would be the Beach Hotel, also a lovely but affordable hotel that is just walking distance from Singapore's National Museum, St.Andrew's Cathedral, and the War Memorial. If you ever take a break from visiting your museums of choice, there's still lots of interesting places to go sight-seeing.

For more information on International Museum Day, visit their official site.