FULL-DAY SELF-GUIDED TOURS

Having visited various travel forums and conversing with travellers the world over, we came to realize that the common grouse amongst visitors to Singapore is that it is expensive, yet with little to see or do. There's some ring of truth to that when we're compared to other countries in the region, but it's also possible to see and do plenty here at no or low cost. Indeed, given our small land mass, the amount of things we offer certainly packs a punch!

We've worked out 10 different full-day self-guided tours. These self guided tours are FREE and have proven to be a hit for those who have gone on them.

Singapore is known for its cheap and mouth-watering food, but foreign visitors who decide to check out a hawker centre are usually at a loss as to what to order because of the sheer variety! What we attempt to do is to show the way, with a description of the food and where they can be found.

We've also picked out several festivals and events in Singapore which are definitely worth the stay to experience e.g. Thimithi, Ramadan, Thaipusam, and Chinese New Year.

There're many other attractions in Singapore, some of which are both expensive and not worth seeing i.e. clear tourist traps. We won't be recommending any of those. For tourists who are interested in the full array of attractions in Singapore, they can visit the Singapore Tourism Board's own website.

Singapore - A Traveller's Perspective.
- contributed by Stephen Morris

You could be in 5th Avenue New York, a market in Calcutta or in a corner of the Amazon rainforest.

That's how diverse Singapore is. Being 136km from the Equator brings lush vegetation that gives the humid air a slightly exotic feel. You can't pigeon-hole Singapore. Yes it has the most straight lines along its coastline than any other countries in the world. Chewing gum is definitely discouraged. Miss Marple would love it here, it's spotless.

In stark contrast to the uptight impression Singapore may unwantingly give, the warmth of the people tone down the harsh exterior by their healthy appetite for fine food, fine wine and hearty laughter. It's an eclectic melting pot for Asia. It's what London is to Europe. Rio to South America. It fully embraces Orientals and Asians from the far flung corners of the eastern world, while at the same time adopting the tastes of the west.

Slightly off the beaten track, the surrounding islands present beauty and a lifestyle that teleports you back six decades from modern-day Singapore. Drink fresh coconut juice, wade through swampy waters, admire the splendour of the trees while the tropical rainfall drops through palm trees on to the cobbled discovery trails.

We love the convenience of our cities, our fast cars, fast food, trains, timetables, lifts and esclalators. Well Singapore has all that too. But during the elbow shoving madness of the early morning rush hour, pause and ponder the 'Thot of the day: Holding a grudge is like being stung to death by one bee'. That's class.

You could sample the local Mee Siam noodle dish, or you could have a regular Maccy D's at double the price a stones throw away from each other. Have an onion bhaji for breakfast then chicken rice balls for brunch. Shop till you drop in Prada & Gucci, or peruse the antique indian craft market and barter for the statue of Vishnu. Sari's and sushi. Cockney and curried crab. Teriakyi and Tupac. Its true, you just can't pigeon-hole Singapore.