7 Best Destinations in Singapore for a Family Holiday

Summer holidays are here and it is time to plan for that memorable family holiday. But, here comes the usual conundrum… Where should I go? Will my kids have a good time? Will it be too expensive? From the top of my head, I can think of 3 destinations that are not too expensive, are located not too far away from India and they offer a plethora of options for kids of all ages. In fact, they are fabulous family holiday destinations too. These places are Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong. Out of these 3, Singapore happens to the eternal favorite for Indian family travelers. It could be due to the proximity. It could be because of its world class facilities and status. It could be because of its small size and hence easy commutes. Or it could be because of the sheer number of things that one can experience in this city country. Whatever the reason may be, Singapore is an amazing family holiday destination.



If you agree and are planning a holiday to Singapore, then do make sure that you manage to add these 7 best destinations in your Singapore family holiday itinerary.

1) Universal Studios Singapore



A one-of-its kind theme park in Asia, Universal Studios Singapore is definitely a top attraction for a Singapore family holiday. Located on the happening Sentosa Island, Universal Studios Singapore is home to 24 rides, shows and attractions across seven different themes. It doesn’t matter whether you are thrill seekers, selfie lovers, super hero lovers or cartoon lovers, you are bound to love your time here. If you are a true thrill seeker, you will absolutely adore the world’s tallest duelling roller coasters Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs CYLON.

There are a whole bunch of options when it comes to tickets, so you can either choose based on the type of ride, show or theme that you are interested in or you could opt for an all-in ticket. For the best deal on Universal Studio Singapore tickets, do ensure that you book well in advance.

2) Gardens by the Bay



This nature park with its vertical tower gardens are a sight to behold and are one of the most photogenic places of Singapore. Such is its charm that it is listed as the top attraction in Singapore on Tripadvisor and it features in the world’s top 20 most checked-in places on Facebook. It’s top attractions include the Supertree Grove and OCBC Skyway, Cloud Forest, Flower Dome, Children’s garden. The Gardens by the Bay is also one of the best places to see a bird’s eye view of Singapore.

3) Sentosa Island



Sentosa Island is that place in Singapore where theme parks, beaches, nature, dining, shopping, golf, hotels and spas all come together, thus making it the top destination in all Singapore tours. It is home to everything from waterparks to butterfly kingdoms, skywalks and cable cars to Segway adventure, Madame Tussads to S.E.A Aquarium and from Universal Studios Singapore to Wave House. My favorite things to do here are chill at Palawan beach, go on a sunset themed cruise on Super Yacht Royal Albatross, Asia’s only luxury tall ship, get a bird’s eye view of Singapore from inside Singapore cable car, enter the marine realm at S.E.A Aquarium, indulge in some jet packing at Ola beach club and lose myself amidst the myriad of colors at the butterfly park and insect kingdom.

4) Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park



Considered as one of the top 3 zoos in the world, Singapore Zoo is the best place to see animals in a heavily forested habitat. The popular animals here are orangutans, baboons, mandrins, elephants, white tigers and giraffe. It is a great place to see animals in its natural habitat, learn about them, feed them and even touch some of them. Apart from the zoo buggy ride, one can also indulge in a night safari and river safari.



If you are interested in birds, then you should head to Jurong Bird Park, which is also managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which manages Singapore Zoo. Penguins, raptors, hornbills, lories, lorikeets, parakeets and many other vibrant and colorful bird species can be seen here. You can feed them, hold them, talk to them and even take selfies with them.

5) Chinatown



Chinatown is a tapestry of cultural diversity, food stalls and shopping. This colorful region of Singapore is where I would head to in the evening for an authentic Singapore food experience, followed by some souvenir hunting and inexpensive shopping. The top highlights of Chinatown are Chong Wong We – Singapore’s oldest Chinese School, Tong Ah Eating house, the rich heritage of Hotel 1929, an authentic tea experience at Pek Sin Choon, Tong Heng for the egg tarts and Chinatown complex for some of Singapore’s best food stall experience.

6) Haji Lane, Kampong Glam



Famous for being one of the narrowest streets in Singapore, Haji Lane in Kampong Glam is known for its hipster vibes. It is known for clothing boutiques, vintage cameras, cafes, bars and restaurants. It is one of those neighbourhoods where you go for lunch or for an evening walk. And while you are enjoying your drink, sipping on your coffee or relishing your meal, do not miss out on its amazing murals and street arts.

7) Little India



Head to Little India if you are missing your home food, aroma, culture and bustle. One of Singapore’s vibrant districts, Little India’s Serangoon road and neighbouring streets are full of Hindu temples, flower markets, spice shops and Indian restaurants. This whole district smells, looks and feels like India. If you feel like Indian food (North or South Indian), this is the place you want to be. And while you are in this area, do remember to visit Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, one of the more beautiful Hindu temples located here.

Photo Courtesy: Some photographs in this article have been borrowed from wikipedia.org under the creative commons license. Each image has been linked to their host page on wikipedia.

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10 Packing Essentials for Summer Holidays

This is that time of the year when the schools are closed and when you plan those long family vacations. Planning and packing for these summer holidays can certainly be interesting, but can cause pain in the wrong places if you do it wrong. This definitely applies to one element of this season, which is the heat and the humidity. While you can certainly mitigate it by carrying everything with you, we all know that it is bound to be the worst possible option. And which is why I have come up with these 10 packing essentials for your summer holidays. These bare essentials do not take much space in your travel luggage and will ensure that you have nothing to worry about the elements during your summer vacation. If you have elderly travelers or people with mobility issues, you can also look up this article about planning an accessible holiday for additional inputs and tips.

1) Sunglasses



Wherever in the world you end up going to, in all probability, you are bound to be greeted with bright sunshine during your summer holidays. And that is why you need to carry with you a good pair of polarized sunglasses to protect you from all the UV radiation and to ensure that you see the beauty of the places you are visiting without worrying about the glare and the haze. This becomes very important when you are on mountains, next to ski slopes or next to water bodies.

My choice: Oakley, Ray Ban or Maui Jim Polarized Sunglasses

2) Hydration pack or Reusable Water Bottle



All of us know that we need to stay well hydrated during summer, else we are bound to fall sick. That is why I recommend carrying a small hydration backpack (like how the cyclists carry) or a reusable water bottle with you at all times. You can fill in the water at your hotel before leaving for your exploration and then top it as needed. This also helps in reducing the plastic burden on the environment.

My choice: CamelBak Hydration pack

3) Probiotics and Prebiotics



I have noticed during my travels that people usually suffer from stomach bugs during the summer months. This could be either due to the quality of water they drink or due to the fact that our digestion becomes weaker in hotter weather. And that is why I recommend that you carry probiotics and prebiotics with you. These are healthy gut bacteria that the body loses in extremely hot weather. These are available in pill form and can be carried easily. You can eat them one hour before or one hour after your meals on the first signs of uneasiness.

Look up this article of mine if you are looking for first aid kit packing ideas.

My choice: VSL3 (worldwide presence) and Actigut (Available in India)

4) Comfortable Cotton Wear



These days, everyone including me seem to be carrying and wearing DryFit and ClimaCool gym wear during our travels. While these are super easy to use and carry, nothing beats the comfort and cooling effect of cotton clothes during a warm summer day. This natural fabric is a must have in your summer packing list. You can carry full sleeve clothes for very hot weather or simple loose clothing for regular summers.

My choice: Cotton T-Shirts, Cotton Pants and Cotton Shorts

5) Head Gear (Hats or Caps or Bandanas)



Our heads are affected first during a hot day and that is why most of us carry hats, caps, bandanas, turbans or scarves to protect us from the heat. While wide brimmed hats made from natural fibre offer the best respite from the sun, they can be quite tricky to carry around. Foldable cotton hats are ideal as they are usually easy to carry and can be washed.

My choice: Buff, Middle Eastern style Scarves or Bandanas

6 Neck Gear (Scarves or Buff)



A lot of us remember to protect our head during a hot day, but forget our necks and hence end up with a red or burnt neck. This is why you should carry a headgear that also protects your neck or you wear a buff or scarf to protect your neck.

My choice: I prefer a Middle Eastern style scarf that not only protects my head, but my neck too.

7) Sunscreen



Sunscreen is something that all of you might be using during your summer holidays, but the key thing to remember here is to select your sunscreen SPF based on the location that you are visiting. SPF 15 and SPF 30 are good for regular city walks, while SPF 60 and SPF 90 might be good for mountains and coastal environments. SPF 120 might be best for real high altitude destinations, such as the Himalayas. Do remember to wear waterproof sunscreen in humid weather and chemical free ones in case you are entering a natural water body with fishes and living creatures.

My choice: I don’t burn easily and hence don’t use sunscreen lotions.

8) Flip Flops/ Breathable Sneakers

Flip flops are the norm if you are on a beach holiday. They allow you to stay cool and get wet, but if you are planning summer holidays inland, then you would need good quality sneakers that breathe well. Some brands have shoes that cater to this specific need.

My choice: Adidas breathable sneakers and simple rubber flip flops.

9) Electrolyte Drinks or Oral Rehydration Salts



In spite of protecting ourselves well and in spite of drinking enough water, we might still get dehydrated. This could be due to your consistent walking in the sun or simply because of the heat and the humidity. While drinks like Gatorade are good during such times, I prefer electrolyte salts as they rehydrate you the proper way in record time. And since they come in tiny sachets, they are very easy to carry. All you have to do is open a sachet, add it to a glass of cold water and simply drink it.

My choice: Electral Oral Rehydration Salts

10) Swim Wear

We humans love the water and when the temperature rises, we seem to go in search of it. It could be a hotel swimming pool, a lake, a river or the ocean. We simply want to jump in and cool off. But, for that you need the right wear or else it can create a different set of problems. Swim wear from brands such as Billabong, Rip Curl, QuikSilver and others are light, dry very fast and come in fabulous colors and designs.

My choice: Rip Curl board shorts

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9 European Holidays not to miss this Summer

Indian travellers seem to have always an affinity towards European destinations. This could be due to Bollywood movie scenes shot around the spectacular European destinations, could be the ability of today’s India to spend more and travel farther or it could simply be the fact that the rest of the world loves to visit Europe and Indians wish to follow their footsteps.

Do you have such affinity towards Europe? Do you have any dream European holidays on your bucket list? Or even better, are you thinking of traveling to Europe this summer with your family and friends? Well, if you are, here are 9 of the best European holiday ideas for this summer and hopefully some of these can find their way into your European holiday itinerary.

Romantic Paris



One of the world’s most visited cities, there is no better time to explore Paris than the summer months. Gorgeous weather and bright sunshine adds a jump to your step as you explore a city where art, creativity, fashion, food and wine merge into one. Whether you are walking by the banks of the river Seine as portrayed in the Bollywood movie ‘Befikre’, lost in the magical world inside the Louvre, partying at one of the many summer festivals, watching a live opera show at the opera house, feeling a sense of peace at the Notre Dame or Sacre Coeur churches, enjoying a fine dining session at one of the city’s famous restaurants or shopping for designer labels till you drop, a summer holiday in Paris offers all this and much more.

Fairy Tale South Germany



Think cuckoo clocks, mouth blown glass, the world’s first long distance automobile journey and the forest that gave the world some of its best fairy tales! South Germany’s Heidelberg, Black Forest, the Bavarian Alps, Lake Constance and Stuttgart are this and much more. Perfect for outdoor lovers, South Germany is a beautiful combination of outdoor adventure and fairy tale wonders.  And what’s even better is that the Indian heartthrob destination of Switzerland is just a short drive away.

Beaches of Spain

Spain offers a perfect combination of local culture, delicious food, vibrant nightlife, soccer lovers and pristinely beautiful beaches. If you are looking for a beach holiday in Europe, Spain will comfortably lead the way in all top lists. After all, it is difficult to beat the 200 km long white coast of Costa Blanca, the lush forests and spectacular beaches of Tenerife, the island life of Mallorca, the beach parties of Ibiza, the sea side resorts of Costa Brava, the quiet and sunny coastline of Costa del Sol, the mind blowing Canary islands and last, but not the least, the culture, nightlife and beaches of Barcelona, Spain’s 2nd largest and one of the most popular cities.

National Parks and Islands of Croatia

One of the hottest destinations in the world at the moment, Croatia, straddles the Adriatic Sea on the South and the West and the highlands and mountains in the north. This entire South East European country is steeped in rich culture, spectacular coastlines, lush green islands and some of the prettiest natural landscapes present on mother earth. Be it the heritage coastal city of Dubrovnik, the river valley of Krka National Park or the majestic Plitvice National Park, Croatia packs quite a serious punch.

Norway’s Midnight Sun



Tucked up in the upper reaches of the Northern Hemisphere, Norway is the place to witness the magical beauty of the Northern Lights. In the summer months, the aurora borealis is not much visible and hence the midnight sun is celebrated. With some of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls, gorgeous fjords, mighty glaciers, absolutely beautiful cities, a high happiness quotient, some of the world’s most green energy and an unbelievably easy access to the Arctic Circle, Norway deserves a special place in a European holiday itinerary. 

Liberal Amsterdam

A hot favourite with the younger generation due to the liberal smoking laws, this Venice of the North, is certainly a sight to behold. With year round lively festivals, lovely canals that criss cross the city, bustling coffee shops, the famous Red Light district, the heritage canal ring, heritage structures in windmills and medieval wooden houses and an amazing collection of museums, Amsterdam is definitely one of the top attractions of a European holiday and hence it finds a mention here. The best way to explore Amsterdam is on a bicycle just like the locals do.

Cultural Overdose in Italy



Home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world, Italy is like most of European holiday packages rolled into one. From delicious pizzas to lip smacking gelato, from trendy fashion to India like motorcycle mania and traffic and from a beautiful language to their famous hand gestures, Italy throws so many charms at you that you will definitely fall in love with her. The canals of Venice, the beautiful island of Sicily, the might of Rome, the food of Bologna, the Renaissance city of Florence, the heritage city of Naples, the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, the rocky coastline of Amalfi, the beautiful countryside around Lake Garda and the list just goes on. Italy deserves a special holiday just on its own and do make sure that you manage to get as long a break from work as you can, as Italy is totally worth it.

Best of Eastern Europe in Prague

Once a capital of Bohemia, Czech Republic’s capital Prague, offers a magical experience to all its visitors. Untouched during the world wars, the cathedrals, church towers, bridges, cobbled paths, castle and museums make for fabulous sightseeing during the day. And during the night, this city morphs into the perfect party destination. In fact, such is its popularity that it is often referred to as the top nightlife destination in Europe. A not to miss activity in this magical city is to watch the city go by from inside a boat on the Vltava River.

Natural Wonders of Iceland



Photo Credit: Iceland Tourism

If you love unusual yet fascinating nature, Iceland will definitely appeal to you. With massive waterfalls, sizzling geo thermal springs, innumerable volcanoes, lava forests, icebergs and glaciers, this Nordic country simply oozes raw appeal. A visit to Iceland is like seeing the raw beauty of mother nature’s creations. Whether you are driving to the mighty Gulfoss waterfall, watching the sunrise at Snaefellsjokull National Park or listening to the adrenaline junkie in you by doing glacier hiking, ice climbing, ice caving, volcano climbing, kayaking, river rafting or off-roading, the natural wonders of Iceland are sure to make you tick off all the adventure activities on your bucket list.

So, which of these holiday ideas are finding their way into your European holiday itinerary? Is it one or a combination of a few? While planning your European holiday, do ensure that you cover all bases such as a good travel insurance plan, a solid forex card, a comfortable airline given that the journey will be about 7 to 10 hours long depending on where you are located in India and last, but not the least, a proper Schengen visa.

Note of advice regarding the Schengen visa: The Schengen visa is easy to get, but there is some protocol to be followed. You need to apply for your Schengen visa from the country where you intend to fly into or the country where you intend to stay the longest duration. This is pretty important to know. A lot of Indian travellers have been known to goof up here. Once you have selected your embassy, take an appointment with an approved agency like VFS with all the necessary documentation, flight tickets, hotel bookings and the all-important travel insurance for Schengen visa. If you have followed all the necessary protocol, you should get your Schengen visa on your passport soon and off you can go with your family and friends on your dream European holiday.

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