Overview
Enjoy an enlightening experience with the best guide in Singapore!
This is the best guide we ever had. She is also one of the smartest with a great personality.
Singapore, an island city-state off the coastline of southern Malaysia, is a global financial center with a tropical climate and multicultural population. Its colonial core centers on the Padang, a cricket field since the 1830s and is now flanked by grand buildings such as City Hall with its 18 Corinthian columns. In Singapore's circa-1820 Chinatown stands the red-and-gold Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, said to house one of Buddha's teeth. It is a city of neighborhoods representing many cultures and the history is interesting. There is much to see and lots of ways to see them.
Your guide is one of a kind! Your first experience with her will be filled with warmth. On your second day, you will be enlightened as she has the instincts to corral your interests and deliver the best experiences of the city she loves.
Pick up at the cruise terminal with your luggage and head to Mount Faber, the 2nd highest hill in Singapore to view the southern region of Singapore. This is the best way to understand the increasingly dense central business district within the Central Area. Not far away is the prestigious Botanic Gardens, the only tropical garden honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your walk through a portion of the gardens can include the National Orchid Garden, which is located on the highest hill in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The distinctive feature of the National Orchid Garden not to be missed is its design concept which presents the display of plants in four separate colour zones over most of its areas. There is a nominal fee to enter the Orchid Garden and it is optional.
Follow this with a drive through the beautiful colonial Black and White neighborhoods. Built by the British from the late 19th century, black and white houses in Singapore enjoyed their heyday during the 1920s and 30s when they were home to top-ranking government officials, high court judges, and plantation owners. But during the Japanese Occupation from 1942-1945, the houses were abandoned by their colonial owners and taken over by Japanese soldiers instead. Today, there are approximately 500 houses remaining, scattered around Singapore in exclusive, leafy enclaves like Dempsey Road, Rochester Park, Portsdown Road and Adam Park.
We end your first day of touring midday at your hotel.
At first glance, you will see a city that is modern with beautiful avenues and soaring architecture. A closer look reveals the heritage of its Eastern and European pasts. Chinatown sits next to the Colonial District which blends into Little India. All of these neighborhoods are fascinating to visit, each with their own special experiences to offer. The biggest surprise will be Little India, the most interesting of all. You will see the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, where those people who have come to Singapore from India to find work, gather on the weekends to be reminded of home, and a whole world of culture compacted into a neighborhood.
Kampong Glam, just next door, is anchored by the Sultan Mosque with its onion dome, and shops and parks surround it. This is a lovely area with both contemporary sophisticated boutiques as well as old legendary shops where you can build your own fragrance to take home.
Chinatown - in 1822 Sir Stamford Raffles laid out a town plan that divided Singapore into clearly defined quarters - enclaves that remain distinctive even today. In the early 1980s Singapore recognized the value of preserving its architectural heritage for posterity and began restoring historic buildings. Chinatown was one of the first areas to be transformed and it is extensive and wonderful. During your walk you might be treated to see handmade noodles made in the blink of an eye or taste the famous bak kwa.
The Civic District, also known as the Civic and Cultural District or Civic and Cultural District by the Bay, is a district located in the Central Area of Singapore consisting of buildings, memorials and parks of historical interest. You will also venture into the heartlands where you can see how the locals live, work and play.
The Marina Bay area is also close by and is surrounded by fabulous buildings. There is no building in the world that looks like the Marina Bay Sands Resort, yet you can have a long discussion on what the design is all about.
The quintessential stop for lunch in Singapore is the Food Centre, which your guide will suggest. Your tour will be a mix of walking, driving, and boating to allow you to cover the city in each area for the best introduction to Singapore
- A vehicle is used for the first half day service to handle your luggage.
- On the second day, the fee for taxis, buses, metros are not included but will be discussed beforehand. Transport will come up to $10 per person.
- Lunch and beverages are not included but will cost about $10 per person.
- There are tastes of local foods that are included in the tour.
- If you want to take a bumboat ride during the tour, let your guide know. Admission will be additional.
- Your guide is one of a kind. Please book as far in advance as possible. If she is already reserved, we have no substitute!
Days offered: 7 days a week
Departures:- 09:00 AM, duration: 11 hours This is 3 hours Day 1, 8 hours Day 2
