Singapore

Singapore is a small island-state sitting between Malaysia and Indonesia. The economic miracle that has transformed Singapore in the past 40 years is evident everywhere, from the towering Marina Bay Sands Casino on the waterfront, to the modern skyline of the CBD around Clarke Quay, to the designer names on fashionable boutiques along Singapore’s famous Orchard Road. Behind this pristine, efficient and modern facade, the country has also retained a great deal of its original heritage and charm. Originally, an important spice trading port between Asia and Europe, Singapore today is a unique blend of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western cultures. Traditional shop-houses remain a feature of areas like Club Street, once home to Chinese clubs and associations, and today an eclectic mix of boutique shops, restaurants, bookshops and bars. Singapore is also one of the greenest countries in Southeast Asia. Countless parks and gardens - including the famous Botanical Gardens - attract tens of thousands of visitors annually, while the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari are renowned for their accessibility to the wild animals. The Lion City is more than you bargained for, so dust off your credit card, prime your stomach and dive straight in to one of the most vibrant countries in Asia.