* Featured deal: Want a trip to Europe? Consider fly with Qatar Airways with their latest promotional fares for DBS/POSB Cardmembers. Find out more here.
Your ultimate A350 experience now comes with these great fares from Singapore Airlines. Relax in wide, comfortable seats amidst spacious surroundings and arrive rested and ready to get more out of every destination.
When you fly the world’s newest aircraft on the world’s most awarded airline, it’s an A350 experience unlike any other.
Enjoy promotional airfares to Europe from SGD878 when you book before 15 June 2017.
The advertised Singapore Airlines fares include the price of the air ticket, as well as associated airport taxes and surcharges only. Economy class fares quoted are available for purchase from now to 15 Jun 2017, for travel out of Singapore on selected dates from 1 July 2017 to 31 March 2018. Blackout period applies. A minimum of 2 passenger must travel together on the entire itinerary for the Economy Class fares to apply. Premium Economy and Business Class fares quoted are available for purchase from now to 30 Jun 2017. An advance purchase of 60 days is required for the Premium Economy Class fare. Premium Economy Class fare to Rome will commence on 29 October 2017 onwards. An advance purchase of 14 days is required for the Business Class fare. Fares are subject to seat availability and currency fluctuation. Flight restriction apply. For full term and conditions, refer to singaporeair.com/Europe.
* Featured deal: Want a trip to Europe? Consider fly with Qatar Airways with their latest promotional fares for DBS/POSB Cardmembers. Find out more here.
If you have not started planning for your summer holiday, Qatar Airways is having a summer sale where air tickets to Europe start only from SGD935, for travel up to 31 March 2018.
Here are 5 European cities we absolutely love and are perfect for visiting in the summer.
Barcelona, Spain
If there is one tourist attraction to visit in Barcelona, it is the La Sagrada Familia church. For over 130 years, the church remains under construction and is slated to be completed in 2026. Despite so, its façade is enough to attract millions of tourists from all around the world. Barcelona is also poised along the Mediterranean sea, making its beaches – such as the La Barceloneta beach – one of the most beautiful beaches in the world to bask in the summer heat.
While many visit Helsinki during the Christmas period as it is widely known as the “Christmas City”, Helsinki has so much more to offer than just snow and Christmas lights. In the summer months, temperatures are cool, yet warm enough for you to tour around the seaside city. Pay a visit to the Suomenlinna Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and spend a tranquil day at a café or simply pack a picnic with your loved ones at one of their lush gardens.
Needless to say, you should definitely drop by the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa and take as many touristy shots of you trying to support the tower as you can. If time permits, take a train down to Cinque Terre and be wowed by the spectacular sights of the colourful houses built on a hill by the cerulean-blue sea. Hiking Cinque Terre can be done within the day between the different towns. Proper hiking shoes is advisable.
Paris is a top tourist favourite due to what it has to offer in the fields of art, fashion, gastronomy and culture. With so many popular tourist spots such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Arc de Triomphe, be sure to pack comfortable shoes as your travel itinerary is guaranteed to be packed!
Nothing spells London more accurately than the Big Ben and the London Eye. Harry Potter fans can also watch their childhood dreams come to live when they drop by the Warner Bros. Studio to check out the filming set, props and costumes used in the Harry Potter films. Also, be sure to reserve a full day and take a trip down to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Stonehenge.
All you have to do is visit qatarairways.com/sg and book your air tickets by 7 June 2017 for travel up to 31 March 2018.
Good news for all POSB and DBS cardmembers! Enjoy up to additional 15%* off to more than 40 cities in Europe when you book with your DBS/POSB debit and credit card via qatarairways.com/dbs by 15 June 2017.
Europe is a captivating continent due to its extreme diversity. Contrary to popular belief, there are many budget-friendly cities in Europe for a Singaporean traveler. Let us start with the most expensive place among 56 popular cities.
According to the 7th Europe Backpacker Index, Zurich will exhaust your travel fund the most. Its Daily Backpacker Index (DBI) is US$124.67 or about S$176.86. This reflects the average cost if you were to get a decent budget hostel, two public transportation rides, three meals, entertainment fund, and a famous attraction per day. Each European city manifests a distinct DBI.
This list will show you the beautiful places that possess the lowest DBI.
4. HUNGARY’S BUDAPEST
Currency: Hungary Forint
Budapest is a paradise for various kinds of Singaporean explorers. It is an excellent bargain find as the Daily Backpacker Index is US$26.75 or approximately S$38. Budapest is blessed with castles, cathedrals, and thermal spas. Not to mention, the city’s reputation as a food capital dates back from the late 19th century.
Worry not if you had too much of the Hungarian wine as you can cure your hangover in one of the city’s hot springs. Some people go to the hot springs to manage their ailments and the majority are there for relaxation.
Hostels provide great value for your money, but you can reap inexpensive prices if you get a place outside of the center. One of the best budget hostels is the Treestyle Hostel with an accommodation as low as US$5.33 or S$7.55 per night.
3. ROMANIA’S BUCHAREST
Currency: Romanian Leu
Bucharest may not be the “most attractive” town in Romania, but it is certainly dynamic and energetic. Trendy cafes and lush parks are abundant here. Moreover, the city fuses the unbridled capitalism with the unreconstructed communism. Its noticeable turn to communism is evident in the massive Palace of Parliament. I suggest you Google it now to see how many rooms the Palace has.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Escape from the hustle and bustle of Singapore by visiting Bucharest’s Cişmigiu Garden. It is the oldest public garden, which spreads over 17 hectares. Many travelers consider visiting here as a pit-stop before heading to Transylvania. It does not matter if you extend a day or two as you will be rewarded with affordable prices all year round. The specific Daily Backpacker Index is US$25.70 or S$36.46. Not bad, right?
2. POLAND’S KRAKÓW
Currency: Polish Zlotych
Renowned for its well-preserved medieval core, Kraków is a must-see city near the border of Poland and Czech Republic. You will be amazed at the architecture of the “Wawel Royal Castle” as well as the rich history of the “Old Town”. The Old Town contains magnificent museums, soaring churches, and Europe’s largest market square. Furthermore, you will greeted by an array of options in restaurants, bars, and clubs.
Europeans who desire to have a quick getaway over the weekends typically consider heading to Kraków. Aside from its historic charm, it offers low prices on hostels and eateries. Its overall Daily Backpacker Index is merely US$24.82 or S$35.21.
1. BULGARIA’S SOFIA
Currency: Bulgaria Leva
The capital of the Balkan nation of Bulgaria is Sofia. It is home to Bulgaria’s premier museums, art galleries, restaurants, and clubs. Its ambiance is far from a grand metropolis as it is pleasantly laid-back. This youthful and unique city has Ottoman mosques and onion-domed churches. The only drawback is this place is typically missed by anyone who is not doing an extensive tour of the region.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Sofia offers the most fantastic bargains among the European capitals. With a Daily Backpacker Index of US$24 per day (about S$34), you can purchase decent pizza slices or hotdog sandwiches for as low as US$0.60/S$0.85. Who knew that you can survive in a European place with a food budget of less than US$5/S$7 per day? I certainly did not!
