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Before You Kick The Bucket, Visit These Beautiful Local Places

Whether you like it or not, our time on Earth eventually comes to an end. Most people take this as an opportunity to live within their greatest potential. Keeping this mind, you may create a “travel bucket list” filled with the places that you desire to visit before you die (or at least before you turn 60).

You may think that Singapore is exclusively blessed with luxury malls and highly-rated hotels, but there is more to our country than the sheen of wealth. It is surrounded with diverse cultures and a vibrant history that you must discover.

Consider visiting these beautiful places first:

HIKE AT PULAU UBIN

Have a blast from the bygone years by observing how the villagers of the Pulau Ubin live without the glamorous skyscrapers. Pulau Ubin is an island found in the Northeast of Singapore. It is one of the last rural areas in the country with an abundance of fauna and flora. It is a great place to hike, cycle, and experience other outdoor activities. Make sure you pack the best hiking gps for your trip!

You may take a guided tour to explore the picturesque beaches and mangrove areas.

DISCOVER THE ASIAN WONDERS

Before the optimum condition of your senses deteriorate due to old age, consider savoring the beauty of treasured artworks by visiting local museums. On the top of my list is none other than Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM). Nestled at the mouth of the Singapore River, ACM will take you on a journey of historical discovery as they preserve the heritage of Asia.

It boasts with about 1,300 artifacts from China, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and West Asia. Upon walking inside its halls last year, I was amazed by the abundance and diversity of the Buddha statues as well as the 12 zodiac animal heads donated by Jackie Chan.

To shake things up, they accompany the permanent exhibits with special exhibits such as the “South Asia and the Islamic World”. You will be glad to know that admission is FREE for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.

STROLL ABOVE THE TREES

Tick one item off your bucket list by conquering your fear of heights!

Take your special someone to a morning hike while watching the sunrise at the MacRitchie Reservoir Park. MacRitchie Reservoir Park houses several long hiking routes including the famous TreeTop Walk. The TreeTop Walk consists of a freestanding suspension bridge that connects two highest points namely: Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang. This is the first of its kind. You will truly appreciate the unique experience of looking over the variety of plants and animals while being about 25 meters off the ground.

POSE WITH ALL THE MERLION

Wouldn’t it be nice to share the stories of how you posed beside all the Merlion statues in Singapore? I am sure that your grandchildren will be fascinated to know that their grandparent stood face-to-face with the nation’s “mythical creature”.

As you may know, the Merlion has the head of the lion and the body of a fish. It is regarded as Singapore’s icon since the 60’s. There are seven Merlion statues built islandwide. Among these is the statue located next to One Fullerton. Take a snap with this water-spouting statue before you walk around Marina Bay.

RELAX AT A TROPICAL OASIS

Recently featured inside the pages of the Louis Vuitton City Guide Singapore, Blue Bali is the closest tropical oasis in the bustling city. The serene place consists of a restaurant and a spa where guests can indulge on contemporary Indonesian cuisine while overlooking the surrounding greenery.

Worry not about breaking the bank as the prices of the meals are reasonable. Mains start from S$16 while the kid’s meals start from S$8.

Image Credits: facebook.com/BlueBaliOnCluny

What are you waiting for? Tick “urban paradise” off your bucket list.

Sources: 1, 2, 3

Plan A Thrifty Vacation To Europe With These 6 Tips

The global economy may be unstable, but your wanderlust heart remains powerful – for a good reason. It is possible to travel in Europe without breaking the bank as long as you have a few smart tricks up your sleeve!

1. PLAN HOW TO REACH EUROPE

It is always a good idea to do prior research before visiting an unknown land. Start your investigative methods by researching the off-peak season of your dream destination. Avoid the months when said destination receives most of its visitors. For instance, most cities in Europe are at its peak from July until the middle of September. Universal public holidays such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve are crowded too.

Consider reaching Europe in October through April. You will not only get cheaper plane seats but you will also find cheaper accommodation. Furthermore, you will meet more locals and less tourists. Get the an authentic European experience as you indulge on the local culture and enjoy the shorter queues.

2. PLAN WHERE YOU WILL STAY

Speaking of accommodation, you can stretch your buck by embracing other options aside from hotels. Hotel prices may drop from August to October, but they are still heftier than apartment rentals and home sharing.

Visit websites such as airbnb.com and homeexchange.com to get a grasp of what I am saying. These websites participate in the sharing economy by connecting like-minded travelers and locals together. They allow you to save a great deal of money and to have an access to extra amenities (e.g., kitchen).

You may also ask your local landlord to give you insider tips and maximize your stay!

3. PLAN HOW TO MOVE AROUND

One of the categories that will take a huge chunk of your travel budget is transportation. There are various ways to explore the beauty of Europe on a tight budget including boarding the train or the bus as well as renting a vehicle. For extensive or long-distance journeys, more people opt for availing the Eurail Passes. These passes are used to travel a single country or across multiple countries. Of course, it is cheaper to travel in short distances through the efficient European rail system.

Alternatively, you may board the public buses. Several buses are aimed at connecting the major European cities. Lastly, you can rent a car and share the price among your peers by taking advantage of the sharing economy.

4. PLAN HOW TO REMAIN CONNECTED

Staying connected no matter where you are in the world is beginning to be a necessity for most of us. However, data roaming fees are ridiculously expensive! Consider visiting the nearest public space or eatery that offers free Wi-Fi. Or, you may rent a pocket Wi-Fi device at Changi Airport.

It is easy to travel anywhere with the Changi Recommends’ pocket Wi-Fi. You simply have to pay a promotional price of S$12 per day. Equip with this, you can regularly update your friends and family back home via FaceTime or Skype. You may also manage your business by checking up on your employees through Whatsapp or Gmail.

Image Credits: changirecommends.com

5. PLAN WHERE TO EAT

Who does not love to eat, especially when it is thrifty? Save more cash on food by either cooking your own meals or dining like the locals.

Staying at the apartment or home rentals will allow you to access a fully functional kitchen. Use it to your advantage by preparing meals for you and your travel buddies. Amp up the adventure by having a lovely picnic at the nearest park. Many groceries have deli sections so invest in those. Or, you may skip the picnic and eat at the department store cafeteria instead. That is what some locals do!

Follow the locals’ lead for cheap eats instead of frequenting the tourist spots that puncture holes in your wallet. Ask around the town or read this helpful article.

6. PLAN HOW TO RETRIEVE CASH

For fuss-free retrieval of cash (European currency) in the quickest way possible, you may use the set of ATM scattered around Europe. All you need to do is to activate your card’s magnetic stripe. For instance, you can ask for the help of a bank personnel to help you enable the overseas access of your UOB debit card. It only takes a few minutes!

The only drawback with this method is that you will have to minimize your transaction fees by making larger and fewer withdrawals. In my experience, UOB charged me S$5 for every withdrawal in the neighboring Asian countries. It goes without saying that you must keep this advance encashment in a safe place.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Cutting your travel budget does not necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice the quality of your trip! 🙂

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

5 Must-Try Bars That Sell Booze For As Low As S$6

A bunch of your friends have gathered to celebrate the happy hour! Sounds fun, doesn’t it?

But what if you found yourselves in a tight budget crunch? Where should you go for incredibly affordable drinks without sacrificing the taste?

Well, take a look at this list first!

1. WINE CONNECTION TAPAS BAR & BISTRO

Share a casual dinner with your friends or a lazy weekend afternoon with your partner at Wine Connection Tapas Bar & Bistro. It is the perfect place for gatherings as they serve good beats, relaxing vibes, and reasonably priced drinks. You can even get booze for as low as S$6.

Image Credits: facebook.com/wineconnectionsgp

Located at #01-19/20 Robertson Walk, 11 Unity Street, Singapore 237995.

2. 5 EMERALD HILL

5 Emerald Hill is a unique bar as it is housed in a Peranakan-styled building. Aside from their famous Chicken Wings, they serve an array of cocktails including their signature No.5 cocktail and Chili Vodka. Get your hands with their S$8 gentleman’s pour or S$10 house wine before the clock turns to 9PM!

Image Credits: facebook.com/No5EmeraldHill

Located at 5 Emerald Hill Road, Singapore 229289.

3. NASSIM HILL BAKERY BISTRO & BAR

What is amazing about Nassim Hill Bakery Bistro & Bar is that they have the longest happy hour from 9am to 9pm! And there is no service charge. Match their food with the house wines priced at S$11 or the stiff drinks (i.e., vodka, rum, or tequila) priced for as low as S$8.

Image Credits: facebook.com/nassimhill/timeline

Located at 56 Tanglin Road #01-03, #01-03 Tanglin Post Office, Singapore 247964.

4. THE CIDER PIT

Rated with 82% upvotes at Hungry Go Where, The Cider Pit sees that your cider cravings are covered at an affordable price of S$10/pint. Aside from ciders, you may quench your thirst for artisanal beers as well as your hunger for European cuisine.

Image Credits: hungrygowhere.com/singapore/The_Cider_Pit

Located at 328 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427585.

5. WALA WALA CAFE BAR

As eccentric as their name is, Wala Wala Cafe Bar offers different experiences to its consumers every night. But I guarantee, you will enjoy the upbeat venue, eclectic live performances, and their inexpensive booze. From 4pm to 9pm, you can grab a vino or a beer for less than S$10!

Image Credits: facebook.com/walawala.sg

Located at 31 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277689.

Sources: 1 & 2

MasterCard: 1-for-1 Dining & Entertainment (till 30 Dec 2015)

Explore Singapore with your MasterCard card and enjoy exciting one-for-one deals. Dine at established names like Senso Ristorante, or up-and-coming newcomers to the scene.

Curated for MasterCard cardholders by The Entertainer, these offers cover a range of restaurants, bars and bistros. Whether you’re exploring the local dining scene as a local resident or an out-of-town visitor, you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes.

One-for-one offers including main course, set menu, drinks and others
Exact offer varies by establishment
Download voucher, print out the hardcopy and present in person to redeem

Sign up with your MasterCard card for a free account at www.entertainer-mastercard.com/singapore to start redeeming your free vouchers.

Don’t forget to share this deal with your friends, colleagues or family members who have a MasterCard!

Terms & Conditions

Download your chosen voucher for use and take it to the venue.
All offers can be used at any time in accordance with the Entertainer rules of use.
Vouchers are not transferable and are void if purchased, duplicated, sold or bartered for cash.
Offers apply only to the items and terms specified on the voucher.
Vouchers are valid through 30th December 2015, unless specified.
Payment must be made with a valid MasterCard card
Please present your voucher(s) prior to requesting your bill or paying for tickets or service using your valid MasterCard card
Please ensure that the waiter/waitress/customer service agent is aware you will be using the voucher(s) to gain your discount.
For more Terms of Use, please visit https://www.entertainer-mastercard.com/rules-of-use/

Stay At Asia’s Most Beautiful Beaches For Less Than S$81 A Night

Whether you are having the an indulging weekend off or having an intimate beach wedding, the surest way to ensure that you get the most stunning moments on print is to have it taken at the beach! Not only will you get gorgeous pictures of the event but also the photographer will follow you along the romantic sandy shore aisle.

If your only concern now is to get the most breathtaking beach resorts at affordable prices, stay as long as you desire at Asia’s Most Beautiful Beaches For Less Than S$81 A Night (airfare not included)…

1. BORACAY, PHILIPPINES

Boracay at Dusk (Image credit: Chewy Chua, via Flickr)

Dubbed as the tropical paradise in Asia, Boracay has something for everyone, from luxurious spas to exhilarating water sports. Here in one of the most popular go-to island in the Philippines, you shall enjoy meals for less than S$10! Watch the sun set over the white sandy beach and sleep at its decent resorts costing as low as S$34 a night!

Here are the recommended places to stay at, courtesy of Agoda – a renowned online global hotel platform:

a. Boracay Holiday Resort

Rooms from S$66.70

Online Rating: 7.4/10

b. Levantin Boracay Resort

Rooms from S$33.88

Online Rating: 7.9/10

c. Hey Jude South Beach Resort

Rooms from S$56.55

Online Rating: 8.2/10

d. Shore Time Hotel

Rooms from S$77.71

Online Rating: 8.4/10

2. KOH PHANGAN, THAILAND

Koh Phangan (Image credit, soma-samui.com)

Thailand is a country full of amazing beaches. Nestled in its southeast region is Koh Phangan. Due to its monthly “full moon parties”, Koh Phangan is place mostly clamored by young travelers. Full moon parties are infamous for its night-long music, cheap drinks, and affordable food. Rest assured the crowd will go mad at this once in a blue moon experience!

Start the party at these recommended places:

a. Buri Beach Resort

Rooms from S$51.56

Online Rating: 7.4/10

b. Da Kanda Villa Beach Resor

Rooms from S$27.14

Online Rating: 7.4/10

c. Cookies Salad Hotel

Rooms from S$32.05

Online Rating: 8/10

d. Beyond The Blue Horizon Resort

Rooms from S$42.91

Online Rating: 9/10

3. BAC MY AN BEACH, DA NANG, VIETNAM

Da Nang Beach (Image Credit: http://danangbeaches.visitwonders.com)

One of the most impressive beaches in Da Nang city that tourists will enjoy is the Bac My An beach. It is a place filled with white sands, clear blue water, and quality resorts. Surprisingly, rooms at Da Nang are available for as low as S$13 a night! What’s more? The street vendors offer can satisfy your hunger for less than a dollar!

Rest after long demanding days at work in these recommended places:

a. Gold Coast Hotel

Rooms from S$73.74

Online Rating: 7.1/10

b. Fansipan Hotel Danang

Rooms from S$80.44

Online Rating: 7.8/10

c. Grand Mango Hotel Danang

Rooms from S$48.40

Online Rating: 8/10

Have an unforgettable trip! 🙂

Sources: 1 , 2, & 3