The Best Way to See Singapore
What do you do with a free day in Singapore? Our Flightie, Alex Roper, got to see it on the back of a bicycle and discovered a few corners of the city she probably wouldn’t have otherwise. Here is how her day went.
When I had the opportunity to visit this beautiful country, one of my highlights was experiencing the city by bike with Urban Adventures, a day-tour company that took our little group off-the-beaten-path and into the nooks and crannies of the city. We had a local guide show us around and teach us more about Singapore than I could have ever learned on my own. Here are my top three favourite Singapore discoveries:
The Singapore Sling
This world-renowned, cherry-pink gin-based cocktail was created in 1915 at the grand Raffles Singapore Hotel. At the time of the cocktail’s inception, gentlemen sipped on gin and whisky, and for the sake of public modesty and etiquette, ladies consumed fruit juices and teas.
Enter hero and Singapore Sling cocktail inventor, Ngiam Tong Boon, who saw the perfect opportunity to create a fruit juice blend that concealed a fair amount of gin – so it could be enjoyed in plain sight.
Raffles Singapore first opened its doors in 1887 and became a fast favourite among the rich and famous. Today, the five-star luxury hotel upholds its world-class status.
The Sultan Mosque
In the historic area of Kampong Glam, the golden domes of the Sultan Mosque (also known as the Masjid Sultan) shine like beacons to the heavens. Our guide showed us that if you look closely, you can see that each dome base was decorated with glass bottle ends donated by members of the Muslim community, some with little means of financial support, as a way to contribute to this symbolic focal point.
The Local Delicacies!
There is one major reason and one reason alone why everyone must visit Singapore – the incredible food.
Besides the hawker centres and countless other delicious eateries, our guide took us to a local café where true Singaporeans stop by for their favourites. He recommended two local treats that are a must-try in Singapore: calamansi juice (a fruit juice similar to lemonade) and kaya toast (toasted bread topped with a sweet, delicious spread). Yum!
Overall, we would not have seen or learned half as much about Singapore if we hadn’t had a local to show us around. The tour was fun, our guide was friendly and informative, and I would recommend this experience in Singapore, or any other city, to anyone wanting to get to know their destination better.
Get there now with our Asia flight deals, air & hotel packages and a great selection of day tours – all on sale now! To book your seat or for more information on bicycle adventures in Singapore with Urban Adventures, contact a Flight Centre Travel Expert by connecting with us online, calling 1-877-967-5302, or visiting your closest Flight Centre store.
About the Author
Emma Hackwood a freelance copywriter, amateur glider pilot and full-time adventure seeker, has travelled extensively in pursuit of her lifelong dream of simply seeing it all. Up to over 50 countries, she lists American Samoa and the seldom visited Marquesas Islands as her current favourite destinations, with a wandering eye on Guam and Tonga to complete her Pacific escapades.
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