Destination Tips

Destination Tips – Top 10 Shopping Destinations in Singapore

dayat — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 14:38:41 +0000

If you are a shopaholic, you must visit Singapore. Singapore is famous for its shopping experience and there are many shopping destinations here. In this article, let me share with you the top 10 shopping destinations in Singapore:

1. Sim Lim Square. At Sim Lim Square, you can find all kinds of gadgets, from laptops to digital cameras. Tourists can enjoy tax free shopping at Sim Lim Square. Before you purchase anything from a store, make sure that you negotiate with the salesperson to get a better rate.

2. Orchard ION. Orchard ION is the newest shopping mall along Orchard Road. Opened in July 2009, Orchard ION is one of the largest shopping malls in Singapore. You can find all kinds of stores, from Louis Vuitton to Armani.

3. Barang Barang. Barang Barang is a shopping complex in Singapore that sells the best items that are locally made. If you are into antique furniture, you should visit Barang Barang.

4. Mustafa Center. If you want real bargains, you must visit Mustafa Center. At Mustafa, you can find the best garment and a shopping spree is always expected here.

5. Chinatown. Chinatown is a lively place and it is perfect for late night shopping. If you take your time to visit the stores along Chinatown, you can find many good items at amazing low price.

6. Lucky Plaza. Lucky Plaza is located along Orchard Road, just opposite Orchard ION. Lucky Plaza is famous for its healthy products, perfumes and fashion accessories.

7. Vivo City. Vivo City is located at Harbor Front and is the second largest shopping mall in Singapore. You can find many boutiques and restaurants at Vivo City and you can also take a cable car ride to Sentosa for sight-seeing and sun tanning.

8. Marina Bay. Marina Bay is a man-made bay where you can find many shopping malls along the streets. It is another popular shopping destination with many boutiques and restaurants.

9. Paragon. If you are into luxury items, Paragon is the place to go to. Paragon is located along Orchard Road and is famous for its luxury boutiques, such as Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Zegna, and many more.

10. Bugis Street. Bugis Street is famous for its bazaars and there are many different kinds of items that you can get at very low price. When you shop at Bugis Street, do not take the initial price as the final price.

Luxury Holiday Destination: Tips to Help You Make The Best Choice

dayat — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 14:38:33 +0000

A luxury holiday is what everyone deserves every once in a while to cool off from the hectic life of everyday responsibilities. Whereas it is very okay to work hard, taking some time off to enjoy life and all its pleasure is very healthy. A luxury vacation might be all you need to energize and face life all over again. To enjoy your holiday to the fullest, you of course will need to find the best destination that will offer you nothing short of luxury. There are so many beautiful getaway destinations and the following tips will help you end up in just the right spot for the holiday experience you love.

Tip 1 – Focus on your interests

What you need to remember is that not all holiday destinations are cut out the same. Whereas some are beach destinations, some may have more history related attractions. The easiest way of ensuring that you choose a destination that will meet all your needs is to start by defining what a luxury holiday is to you. You can then select the spot according to what it has to offer you.

Tip 2 – Careful evaluate the amenities

The amenities at your disposal are matter so much in the kind of experience you get to enjoy at the end. You could be checking into an exotic holiday resort, but when it lacks an amenity you hold dear, then you could end up feeling frustrated. If you cannot find that particular amenity within your hotel or resort, then at least make sure that you can still indulge in nearby areas offering the amenity. For instance, if spa treatments are part of your luxury indulges, ensure the resort has a spa or you can have easy access to a spa near the hotel.

Tip 3 – Do not forget your dining options

Fine dining is part of any luxury holiday and as so your destination should have restaurants offering world class culinary options. You can tell by checking the top restaurants within the location you are targeting for the holidays. If possible, check out individual restaurants and their menus as well, so you are sure that you have options that will best suit your dining expectations during your stay. Knowing what is available where also makes it easy for you to prepare a holiday dining schedule that ensures you try out everything you desire.

Tip 4 – Stay within your budget

A luxury holiday should be rewarding in every sense but it should be something that you can comfortably afford. To enjoy pure luxury you might of course need to part with a considerable amount of money, but then it is all worth it. Create a sensible budget that will not limit you from enjoying the best, but one that also keeps your financial security even after your much deserved luxury holiday. Some destinations are very popular with luxury holidays and charge higher for the experience, but you might enjoy just the same kind of luxury in a less popular cheaper location.

Bali Destination Tips For Aussie Travellers

dayat — Sat, 04 Mar 2023 17:18:42 +0000

Bali Travel TipsSeasons/When to goAnytime is a great time to head to Bali. Dry season, which roughly runs from May to October is the most popular time to visit (with June/July sometimes totally overcrowded). Although during the wet season November to April still has some fantastic weather there is just more chance of rain. Having to sit back and wait for the rain to ease up is a good way to recover as it makes you stay in the one place long enough to soak up your surroundings that you may have strolled past quickly in a normal sunny day. The rainy season doesn’t really stop people enjoying their time in Bali, as any time here is a good time!Getting cheap flights from Australia to BaliThere are quite a few airlines that can take you to from Oz to Bali. If you can try to avoid the peak times like the Australian school holidays (both secondary and university) and Christmas. June/July is the busiest period. Currently outside of these times you can get return flights into Bali from around $400 in tax, depending on your departure point. Very cheap!Air Asia Asia’s budget airline. Extremely cheap, all you have to pay for is your food and drinks while onboard. There isn’t any in-flight entertainment although some of the flights can hire you a movie screen where you can watch TV shows and movies on demand.Jetstar Another cheap option. Both airlines have great service, best to sign up to their websites email list and book when they send out their specials.Strategic Air – A new full service airline from Perth to Bali, with rates similar to the no frills Jetstar and Air AsiaCheck out sites like Jetabroad for cheap deals as well.Don’t forget to check out qantas.com.au, garuda-indonesia.com, and singaporair.com even those these are known to be a bit more expensive than the no-frills airlines; they still have great specials that will bring them into line with the no-frills airline prices.CostsBali is a very cheap destination, and with the Aussie dollar now buying almost double what it did last year a trip here is usually cheaper than staying within Australia. Depending on the type of traveler you are, you can opt for the 1 star hotels and guest houses to the 5 star and anything in between.Food is extremely cheap as you can get your classic Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice) and Mee Goreng (fried Noodles) for 20,000 Rupiah a meal (approx AUD$2.20). This usually comes with a couple skewers of meat and a fried egg on top with the rice crackers on the side.Bintang is the local beer and if you are a beer drinker, a delightful drop. A small Bintang will set you back 8,000 rupiah (Approx AUD$1) and a large Bintang 640ml’s 16,000 rupiah (Approx AUD$2.00). You can find Bintang anywhere from the local 7 eleven store to the markets (just ask the shop owner).If shopping is your reason to go then Bali is the right choice! Anything from market shopping to retail outlets you will be able to find it here. In the retail outlets all prices are marked but head into the markets and its bargain time. Don’t forget to start off very cheap around 1/3 of the price they first gave you. Just remember that towards the end of the bargain you may only be arguing over a couple of dollars. Remember that bargaining is a custom, a way of laughing and interacting with the locals, it’s a way of life so don’t get mad or treat them like they are ripping you off just keep bargaining till you both agree on a fair price.Domestic AirlinesIf you want to travel around some of the surrounding islands to Bali quickly then flights is your option.merpati.co.idlionair.co.idmandalaair.comAll these airlines are quite cheap; they can be booked online or through a travel agent while you are in Bali.Getting from Denpassar airport to Kuta/Legian areaAfter collecting your bags and heading to the exit you will probably face the crowds of people holding signs and taxi drivers ready to pick you up. Just ignore these people and turn right to an isle of small shop windows.Along this wall is a Taxi shop that sells one way fares for the taxis at 50,000 rupiah (about 6 Aussie dollars). This is the easiest way, as describing your hotel they will then organize a taxi to grab you and take you there. Don’t pay more than 50,000!Accommodation optionsYou can get everything from backpacker accommodation to 5 star resorts.Backpacker guest houses range from AUD$5 per night which normally also come with breakfast. Just make sure that you check out the room before checking in. You want to make sure that the standard is exactly what you’re after. Your $5 in backpacker accommodation will change depending on the area, the further away from the tourist trail the more you will get. In most backpacker accommodation in Bali you will get an en-suite, fan and double bed for your money.If you’re on a budget but can afford to splurge a little then going with a 3 star is always a good option. There you will usually receive a pool, possibly a swim up bar, en-suite, double room, aircon, breakfast and usually a couple of other things thrown in.Just remember with all the options, you are never in your hotel as there are so many activities to do during the day. It’s just a bed for the night; you just need to decide what level of luxury you want to sleep in.Popular 1 star options are scattered around Poppies One and Two, two roads at the heart of Kuta (also the noisiest and most shambolic).Popular and still cheap 3 Star options around Kuta are places like the Legian Jayakarta, and the infamous Bounty hotel.Seminyak, up the beach from Kuta, is the more civilized alternative to Kuta/Legian. This area houses some spectacular 5 star hotels, as well as a few decent cheapies and some of the best restraunts on the island. This area is better for families if you feel the need to get away from the bogan/crowd factor in Kuta.For a good website to look for rooms of all varieties check out asiarooms.com.Getting around BaliTaxis are around on every corner and will drive past you as you walk down the street asking if you need a taxi, so these are not hard to find. They are relatively cheap and if you catch the Blue Bird taxis they have a meter. Just make sure you tell them you want a meter before you hop into the taxi.For the more adventures hiring a Motorcycle or Car is an option. Both are reasonably cheap and you have the freedom of driving wherever you want. The only downfall is the lack of road rules might be hard to navigate. A lot is done from the horn. Just remember its not rude to toot like it is regarded in Australia, it’s just signals to warn the other drivers.1 toot – “hi I’m here”2 toots – “move”The other option is to hire a car with a driver. They are more than happy to drive you around and show you all the tourist destinations.Beach DestinationsKuta beach is the most popular and with all the action you can understand why everyone hangs around. You can hire a sun bed with a umbrella and relax while you watch all the action from the hawkers, masseuse to the tourists learning to surf.If you want some quiet time with a more picturesque beach then heading over to Sanur or Nusa Dua is where you want to go. Only 30min drive from Kuta it’s a nice day trip to get out of the hustle and bustle of Kuta/Legian area.Nyepi dayNyepi day is Bali’s day of silence. This is Bali’s first day of the New Year celebrated in March; make sure to check out the coming dates as it changes each year.The night before Nyepi day the Balinese celebrate by creating huge floats which they parade down the street. These floats seem to look like they are made out of papier-mÃ¢chÃ© but don’t be fooled into thinking they are like children’s art these have so much detail on them from the long eyelashes to the finger nails. Every inch of their creations have been thought about and well designed. These floats are Ogoh-ogoh which symbolizes the evil spirits which they have to get rid of out of their lives. These floats are tied onto bamboo which is then lifted by the dancers and they dance the floats around to the music. It’s quite incredible watching these huge creations dance around in fluid movements.The next day is the day of silence, no one is to walk outside and this includes the tourist. Apparently as the story goes, the gods come down on the day of silence, look around Bali and then decide that Bali is inhabitable so they leave.You cannot leave your hotel so make sure you have chosen one that has a restaurant inside and perhaps rent a DVD player and pick up some DVD’s to watch as if you try to leave the hotel staff will stop you as well as the police on the streets. Some of the hotels even go to lengths to put up black plastic to cover the entrances.The Balinese love Nyepi day as it’s a day where they travel back home to spend it with their family, like how we spend Christmas.Off the beaten pathNot really off the beaten trek, but Ubud is definitely worth a look. With awesome arts and crafts to monkey forest its worth the 1 hour drive to get there. You can stay up there with plenty of hotels offering cheap rooms. As you wonder around the town which is situated up in the mountains you will fall in love with the shopping, atmosphere and culture.Balian is a village an hour or so north from Kuta.. A quiet alternative and more a village than the free for all of Kuta.Also check out along the relatively new highway on the opposite side of the Island from Kuta. There’s some great surf spots and interesting villages to pass through.VisasAustralians can get a 30 day visa on arrival which costs US$25 per person. It’s a bit of a myth that you need to have this $25.00 in USD: they will take Aussie dollars and you will get through just as quickly as if you had bothered to get the same in Us dollars before you arrive.There are ATM’s at the airport which will give you decent rates (usually much better than changing money before you leave Australia).

Disney – Affordable Destination Tips

dayat — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 17:19:16 +0000

Is Disney an affordable place to go on a family vacation? It may be more affordable than ever to plan a great and memorable getaway for those young hearts who love the wonder of Disney. You can have a great time on a shoe string budget, it just may take some planning rightly.You would be amazed that you can save hundreds if you get into the little tricks that few people are aware of. Disney some times has promotions that can save you big money. More savings can come in the form of a guide. These printed savings are great.All inclusive packages can save you money too. And don’t overlook the savings that you can gain by ordering tickets in advance. A travel agent can guide you through this and may save you money if you don’t want the hassle of doing your own homework.Disney sometimes offers great deals like free shuttle service and baggage. This keeps you organized and its free.There is a lot you can do to avoid expenses on your room and dining out. Just plan a big meal once a day and try to eat on the cheap for the other meals. The children are more interested in Mickey anyway. Use little good judgment on games and trinkets, set a limit before you go and stay with it.The internet is full of tips good and bad. Discounts and special offers abound. In magazines and other advertisements you may find some useful savings.Just remember that you can save money this way, but be sure to get the facts from a real live person. The internet is also full of people trying to scam you into a dream vacation that may leave you on the street looking for a hotel that does not even exist.Packages of all shapes and sizes exist. If you take the time you may find one that is a big bonus to you. For example some packages include free hotel and tickets for the kids. That is great if you are planning to take a large family.

Boracay Destination Tips – Which Area Should You Stay in?

dayat — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 09:57:05 +0000

Boracay is a very popular beach destination in the Philippines. It is one of the most famous beaches in Asia. It is suitable for all ages, the water is clear and shallow which is safe for children, and there is plenty of night life for adults. The main area is a strip of lovely white sand called White Beach. It is a postcard perfect combination of palm trees and blue water.There are other beaches on the island with resorts, but most people head for the long stretch of beach at White Beach. It is jam packed with hotels and restaurants and has options for all budgets. The beach is divided into 3 areas named stations 1-3.Station 1 is at the north end, the sand is best here, it is amazingly powdery and white. Some of the top range accommodation is situated here like Discovery Shores, a hotel with private jacuzzis on the rooms’ balconies. There are mid range resorts in station one,/ and even a few budget places, but it is generally considered by the top range travellers.Station 2 in the middle is the most busy area, this is where you will find most of the night life. There are tonnes of restaurants in this area too, many offer buffet meals at night on the beach. There are also shops in the D’mall shopping complex. This is a very busy area on holidays, so decide whether you want the convenience of being near the action or peace and quiet.Station 3 at the south end is much quieter especially at the very foot of the beach, there are more budget resorts here. Long term guests like this are too because it is so quiet compared to Station 2. It can be a long walk to the action but trike taxis are always available to get you closer from the main road.