Travel Destinations

Published on May 21st, 2018 | by admin

0

Top 5 Mini Breaks For Singaporeans

download tiktok video

There are a few long weekends coming up, which means only one thing: mini breaks. Singapore is connected to so many places by road, plane and ferry, it’s hard to choose. I thought I’d help out by showing you five of my favourite destinations for a mini break from Singapore.

1. Phuket

Phuket, the largest island in Thailand, is renowned for its buzzing nightlife. But it has a quieter side too, with secluded beaches and serene temples waiting to be explored. It can be reached by a direct flight from Changi Airport in just under two hours.

What to do in Phuket

Of all the things to do in Phuket, Phuket Old Town is one of my favourite places to hang out. You can spend hours getting lost down quiet streets fronted by brightly-coloured buildings. Evenings are a great time to visit the night markets and try some sumptuous Thai food.

If you visit Phuket, chances are it’s because you want to get some beach time in. I recommend Karon, easily accessible from Patong and Phuket Town, where you can also see the Big Buddha Statue, one of Phuket’s most famed religious landmarks.

2. Mumbai

Mumbai is affectionately nicknamed ‘Maximum City’ by locals, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a bustling Indian city full of colour and culture. But there are quiet spots too, like Marine Drive, a boulevard alongside the Arabian Sea. The direct flight from Changi Airport takes five and a half hours so save this one for slightly longer breaks.

What to do in Mumbai

Hang out in the hip neighbourhood of Kala Ghada where you can visit some fascinating art galleries. Or visit the Gateway of India, a looming archway which is a combination of Hindu and Islamic styles. Take a look at some more things to do in this huge city on my Mumbai blog.

3. Lombok

Most Singaporeans have been to Bali. But what about Lombok, Bali’s quieter and far more beautiful neighbour? This island can be reached in under three hours by direct flight from Singapore.

What to do in Lombok

If you like trekking, you’ll love Lombok and its forested, mountainous interior with lots of hiking trails. One of the best guided treks is up Mount Rinjani – the second highest volcano in Indonesia – and the nearby Crater Lake.

After trekking you’ll want to relax. The coastal town of Kuta is a good base, close to some of the island’s best beaches, Mawung and Tanjung Aan.

4. Yogyakarta

Known as the cultural capital of Indonesia, this city is steeped in Javanese traditions and landmarks. It’s reachable in two and a half hours from Changi Airport.

What to do in Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is renowned for its colourful wayang puppet shows which you can catch all over the city. I recommend the one at the Sonobudoyo Museum. Taman Sari is a historic 18th-century former royal garden that’s also well worth a visit. From Yogyakarta you can take a tour one and a half hours drive north to see the 9th-century Borobudur Temple, a Buddhist architectural masterpiece.

5. Malacca

If you’re looking for a quick, last-minute getaway, the wide range of things to do in Malacca make it the perfect choice. Located three to four hours drive away from Singapore (and accessible by coach too), this laid-back colonial town exudes charm.

What to do in Malacca

The foodies among you will love Jonker Walk Night Market, which is full of stalls selling local treats like aromatic laksas and coconut-milk sweets. You could also arrange a two-day food trip to explore the cuisine in Malacca.

Other options worth visiting are the heritage buildings in Dutch Square. You should check out Harmony Street, named because you can find so many different places of worship here. When you get tired of walking take a serene boat cruise down the Melaka river.

For some more unusual weekend destinations that are still within easy be reach, read my blog on Alternative weekend getaways from Singapore.


About the Author



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to Top ↑

Web Statistics