Sights to Explore in Singapore - Part 1

Photo by Jisun Han 

Singapore is a paradise for tourists offering a unique blend of modern, historical, and natural beauty. The city has a modern transportation system, world-class hotels and restaurants, an English-speaking population, and a mix of Chinese, Malay, and Indian cultures. With its unique blend of cultures, reflected in its architecture, festival, and cuisine, Singapore offers a multitude of sightseeing opportunities to anyone who wishes to book air tickets to Singapore to explore the lion city.

Its tropical climate allows each visitor to have a wonderful time discovering the city’s places of interest at any time of the year. The country’s efficacy and modern technology also entice tourists in securing an air ticket. Being a small country with an area of 693 sq. Km., you can even do sightseeing in Singapore within the day or while waiting for a connecting flight to your destination. Here are some of the places commonly visited by tourists in Singapore for their significant and important role in the country’s history and development.

Photo by Lily Banse

Chinatown is one of the oldest Chinese settlements in Singapore. It is an ethnic neighborhood featuring distinctly Chinese cultural elements and a historically concentrated ethnic Chinese population. The Chinatown Heritage Center, Chinatown Food Street, and Chinatown Night Market are among the popular places which appeal to tourists. While exploring Chinatown, you can taste the traditional Chinese food and pick up some artistic handicrafts from the shops along the way.

Photo by paul silvan 

The fascinating Little India is a place where one can experience Indian culture. It’s quite popular with tourists because of the authentic cuisine and an array of souvenir items that can be purchased at very affordable prices. Mustafa Shopping Centre, Tekka Centre, Tekka Mall, Little India Arcade, and Serangoon Plaza are some of the places where one can find the cheapest stuff. The temples, mosques, and churches reflecting the diverse culture and religious beliefs of its citizens are also sights to explore so be sure to have your camera with you.

Aside from these above-mentioned places where one can experience the different cultures existing harmoniously in the modern city of Singapore, a tour of the city itself will enrich the visitor’s knowledge about its humble beginnings and its greatest achievement as one with the strongest economy in Asia.

Photo by Steven Lasry 

The Parliament House which is located in the Civic District within Singapore’s Central Business District is a cultural landmark that houses the Parliament of Singapore. Within the Central Area which features the tallest buildings and landmarks of the country is Raffles Place, the commercial district named after the founder of modern Singapore - Sir Stamford Raffles. Across the road is the Supreme Court building designed to represent a contemporary architectural expression of its stateliness and authority. The prism-shaped top of the building is considered a modernist take on the traditional dome.

Sights to Explore in Singapore - Part 2

Lao Airlines Fly Directly To Singapore

Lao Airlines is the newest link of Singapore to its neighboring countries, which means that the Lion City is now directly connected to all other nine ASEAN members. November 29, 2011, marked the arrival of the first direct flight from Vientiane to Singapore. Flights from Vientiane to Singapore will be a thrice-weekly service.

This newest direct flight shows strong bilateral ties between Laos and Singapore. According to Travel Weekly Asia, Laos’ top ten foreign investors include Singapore, with investment from sectors of manufacturing and hospitality. It also stated that the bilateral trade between the two countries saw a substantial growth of 40 percent year-on-year to reach U$ 29 million during the first nine months of the year 2011.

Since Laos joined the ASEAN in 1997, Singapore and Laos have been regular cooperation and exchange partners in education, health care, and tourism. Passengers traveling between the two countries increased steadily within the last five years. The statistic shows that Singaporean visitors to Laos grew by about 8% annually while the number of citizens of Laos who purchased an air ticket booking to Singapore increased by some 25% every year. With the direct flight connecting the two countries, business and leisure travel are expected to increase in numbers.

Laos is also positioning itself as an attractive place for investment as well as a tourist destination featuring rich heritage sites which visitors from around the globe will enjoy.

Home to many ancient wonders such as the mysterious Plain of Jars, the UNESCO World Heritage of Luang Prabang, and the Vat Phou Temple complex, Laos is indeed rich in culture and history.

With this new direct flight, Singapore is more accessible now for the citizens of Laos who would like to seek medical treatment, tour the Lion City or expand their field of study as well as use Singapore as a stop-over point to other destinations.

Getting Out of Trouble Before Boarding a Flight

Photo by Jerry Zhang 

Even after booking that cheap flight from a budget airline, it is not impossible for travelers not to experience some last-minute conflicts in traveling; and most often, these simple problems can result in bigger difficulties if not patched up early. That is why it is important for people traveling to always double-check things.

However, if the conflict cannot really be helped, below are some tips to easily fix everything in place:

1. WHERE ARE THE TICKETS?

Tickets, like passports, are the most important thing to get a person to board a plane. But in inevitable instances that it is forgotten or lost, people should calm down. Nowadays, electronic tickets are replacing traditional ones so it is easier to get another copy of it from the computer. Another option is to remember the flight number because airline companies always have a master list of reservations and booked flights. With a few proofs of identity, it is possible to obtain another ticket from them in an instant. However, it has to be understood that certain amounts may be paid by the passenger as compensation for the lost ticket.

2. WHERE IS THE PASSPORT?

A passport is definitely important and since its processing takes time, it is best to keep spare photocopies of the passport’s information page, as well as the page where the visa is stamped. This is just a precaution in case it gets lost. Upon discovering that it is gone, the passenger should contact the local embassy or the passport-issuing department to report its loss. In case of being just forgotten, the passenger should at least ask a colleague to get it.

3. LATE FOR THE DEPARTURE TIME?

There are instances when people just cannot help but be late. There is a variety of possible reasons for this. In case this happens, the passenger should keep calm. Usually, departure schedules are earlier than the actual flight so it will most likely be okay. However, the passenger should hurry to the airport.

The errors could be due to different instances. It could be due to the times or to personal errors. However, a passenger should not let any of these possibilities ruin the flight. So cautiousness and preparation are necessary. To make things easier, it is best to get air tickets from online air ticket booking websites.

Spend Less and Travel More With These Cost-Saving Tips

Photo by Diane Pascual 

Value for money is one of the main concerns when planning a holiday trip. It’s just common to look for the cheapest airfare and take advantage of promotional rates offered during the off-peak season. With the rising cost of living and economic instability all over the world, everyone looks for every possible way to lower the costs while maximizing the travel experience.

Check out the following tips to save costs while having your well-deserved break:

Traveling light can be a wise decision. Choose clothes that are light and can be worn in different ways so that you won’t end up spending the money you have saved from getting air tickets promo.

Going for a holiday with friends does not only guarantee that your trip will be full of fun and excitement, it can also be a cost-saving option as most travel packages become cheaper when you travel in a group. Accommodation will definitely be cheaper if you’ll share the room with your friends.

Plan your trip ahead and avoid the peak-season period during festivals, conventions, or major sports events. You can hardly find affordable accommodation and cheap air tickets during these periods.

After you have booked the available cheapest airfare, do your research and equip yourself with useful information about the place you are going to visit. Take note of the areas where you can buy the cheapest souvenir items or affordable places to try authentic cuisine and sample local delicacies.

Read about places you are planning to visit once you have settled your air ticket. Know the available modes of transportation you can use to reach the different tourist destinations. Taking trains and buses save costs however be sure to have the correct information or better yet secure a map to avoid wasting your time if you got lost. You may also consider walking instead to explore the area and discover new things along your way.

As you list down the places you are planning to cover for the day, do not forget to put snacks into your bag with your water bottle. This will save you the hassle of searching for a place to buy food or drink when you get hungry and at the same time save you money.

It is also important to know the exchange rate of your money to the currency of your destination. It will help you to determine how much you need to bring along for your trip. If you are planning to use credit cards, keep track of your expenses so that you won’t end up spending beyond what you have allotted for the trip.

Keep track of your travel documents. Always put them in a secure and safe place. Getting a replacement while you are abroad will surely cost you a huge sum of money.

You can start saving by choosing the best available promo for air tickets. Remember that traveling abroad is one of the best ways to reward yourself for working hard all year round. Nevertheless, you don’t need to consume all your savings for the entire year if you only make a conscious effort to cut down costs in every possible way.

Everyone Can Go With The Cheapest Air Fare!

Photo by Mitsuo Komoriya 

Most of the kids if not everyone look forward to spending fun-filled activities during school vacation. It is the perfect time for them to do the things they cannot do during school term. Some parents take advantage of this period to spend quality time with their children by going on a family vacation. 

Nowadays, family trips are more affordable because of cheap airfares and accommodations that are conveniently available online. Numerous travel companies even have attractive deals for family packages designed to cater for the needs of the family. 

Although going for a holiday trip with the entire family will mean spending quite a big sum of money, opting for the cheapest air ticket will surely lessen the cost. Here are more cost-saving tips when planning for a family getaway:

1. Use the Web to search for the best deals for vacation packages, cheapest airfares and discounted hotel rates. Online travel deals are usually cheaper, especially during promotional periods and they are easily accessible through the internet.

2. Choose off-the-beaten-path destinations. Avoid the crowd and visit those places which are less popular to tourists. It will give plenty of time for the family to explore and discover new things about the place, its people and their culture while laughing and having a good time together. 

3. Settle for more affordable accommodation. If going to Disneyland will mean a perfect holiday for kids, go for hotels which are not located within the premise of the theme park. Comfortable and convenient accommodations are cheaper outside the premise of the theme park. Transportation won’t be a problem either as most hotels provide shuttle-free buses for top tourist attractions within the area.

4. Travelling during off-peak season is one way to lessen the cost. During this period most airline companies offer cheap air tickets to attract more travelers. Heavily discounted hotel rates and travel packages are also commonly found during this period. 

5. Have a flexible date when planning a holiday trip. You can save a considerable amount of money if you will plan the trip according to the availability of cheap air tickets and other promotional deals rather than determining the dates and location and then finding affordable deals during that specific time frame. It is quite hard especially if the only available time for the family is during the school vacation however doing it several months before the school term ends will give you a higher chance of landing on affordable travel deals.

For sure there are more ways to save when going for a family vacation. With the prices of basic necessities in life getting more and more expensive as the years passed by, it is just wise to find every possible way to save especially when it comes to things which are not considered as “basic necessities” such as travelling. 

With the hustle and bustle of modern society and the increasing needs of children to fulfil, parents often have a hard time spending quality time with their children. Travelling provides them with this much-needed break from work to strengthen the bonds with their children while imparting them important lessons in life during conversations as they take a relaxing time on the beach or explore historical sites. This is one of the good things brought about by advancement in technology, easily accessible information for cheap airfares and accommodation to provide more options for each family to plan a holiday trip that will strengthen the value of the basic unit of society.

Toy Story Land - The Latest Attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland

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With an additional attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland, tourists have one more reason to book air tickets to Hong Kong. Toy Story Land was officially opened last November 17, 2011. This new themed area is based on the Pixar movie entitled Toy Story.  Toy Story Land is designed to replicate Andy’s backyard from the movie itself. It contains giant props intended to make visitors small as the toys in the film.

They used bamboo to act as giant blades of grass surrounding the area. Many themed props and characters from the movie were used such as giant Woody, a giant Rex, an oversized plane, and also a large ball.

The three main attractions are Slinky Dog Spin, RC Racer, and Toy Soldier Parachute Drop. Children will howl with laughter as they join Slinky in a rollicking spin to catch his tail. RC Racer provides the thrill as it races along a 27-meter-high U-shaped coaster while visitors will experience a high-flying adventure in the Toy Soldier Parachute Drop.

Toy Story Land also features interactive soldier drill training at the Toy Soldier Boot Camp. Barrel of Fun offers picture-perfect moments with some of the movie’s characters like Woody and Jessie. Visitors will have fun playing with Cubot as they mix and match different faces and voices of this spinning block toy. These attractions are accompanied by a range of souvenir shops and F&B outlets.

Hong Kong Disneyland will be opening more themed areas in the near future such as Grizzly Gulch in 2012 and Mystic Point in 2013. Upon the completion of these expansions, the park’s footprint will increase to 23% and bring the total number of attractions, entertainment, facilities, and shows to more than 100.

Let your children be the first ones to share stories with their friends about the fun-filled attractions in the newly-opened Toy Story Land, search for affordable air tickets to Hong Kong, and have a wonderful time playing with the toys of the Toy Story Land.

Top 10 Destinations Where You Can Have A Splendid Christmas

With the Christmas season fast approaching, people keep on searching and hoping to find discounted airfares that will allow them to celebrate this festive season abroad where they can have a different experience that will make the celebration extra special. If you are still hesitant and cannot make up your mind where is the best place to spend this holiday season, take a look at the following list that might help you finalize your holiday trip.

Brazil

Photo by Raphael Nogueira 

If you enjoy sun, heat, and waves Brazil is the best option to celebrate Christmas. With its spectacular nature and beautiful coastlines, every visitor will surely have a fabulous time on its fantastic beaches. With the two upcoming events set to take place in this largest country in South America namely FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016, the tourism industry is picking up like never before. 

London

Photo by Eva Dang 

With the economic crisis in Europe, the tourism industry might also get affected. Keep on searching and you might land on a discounted air ticket to London which will enable you to take a close-up look at a tilted Big Ben. Go on a shopping spree to retail shops along Oxford Street or visit stunning landmarks such as Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace. It will surely be an experience of a lifetime to have a close-up look at those places which have been part of the country’s rich history.

Morocco 

Photo by Philipp Klausner

Considered one of Africa’s most popular destinations, Morroco is famous for its beaches and some of the best seaside towns such as Essaouira, Tangler, and Asilah. It also possesses natural wonders like the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara Dessert, and the Dades Valley. 

United States of America

Photo by Gert Boers 

Celebrate this festive season in the United States of America and get a chance to experience the white Christmas that you are dreaming of. However, this huge country has a lot of things to offer besides the winter wonderland scenery. It can also be a dream destination for history buffs. Head to Washington D.C and take a look at its impressive array of museums and monuments or explore the magnificent Grand Canyon in Arizona. You might get lucky and find discounted air tickets to the U.S.A if you will keep on searching.

South Africa

Photo by redcharlie 

Enjoy miles of unspoiled beaches from the East Coast to the West Coast and experience a fun-filled Christmas at the beaches of South Africa. Visitors will also be captivated by the picturesque locations of more than 20 National Parks spread throughout the country which offer diverse attractions of wildlife, mountains, floral scenery, and more. 

Nepal

Photo by Bikalpa Pokhrel 

For those adventure seekers, spending a holiday break might mean visiting the Himalayan country and going for a trekking pilgrimage in Nepal. This country is not only known for breathtaking landscapes and excellent places for trekking and mountaineering but also because of the hospitality and warmth of its people. Choose among the available airfare promo to Nepal and grant your wish for a dream vacation filled with an adrenaline rush.

Greece

Photo by Jonathan Gallegos 

Immerse yourself in history as you tour the Acropolis and see the ruins of the ancient city in Athens, shop-til-you-drop in fun-shops at the Island of Hydra, or spend your Christmas holidays in the Crete Island where you can find wonderful beach towns, great natural wonders, and sophistication. Greece is indeed a destination that offers a diverse package for a wonderful vacation. 

Portugal

Photo by Liam McKay 

Try searching for a discounted airfare to Portugal and you might get a chance to have abundant opportunities to celebrate your holidays with peace and serenity in little-trodden places away from the usual tourist circuits. Medieval castles, picturesque villages, and flower-draped hillsides will definitely make your vacation full of unforgettable memories.

Hong Kong

Photo by Kon Karampelas 

Disneyland will surely be the best place in Hong Kong to celebrate Christmas with its Western concept considering that it is not a traditional Chinese festival. However, a visitor might be surprised to see how this city adorns and decorate its trees with lights and snow to take part of the Christmas spirit. One of the most outstanding Christmas attractions is the Winterfest. Statue Square which is situated at the heart of the city is transformed into a winter wonderland with a Swarovski Christmas tree right at its center. 

Cuba

Photo by Spencer Everett 

With tourism in Cuba not quite popular yet, it might be easy to find discounted air tickets for this island nation in the Caribbean. Have a taste of its famous mojito as you dance to the rhythm and music Cuba is well known for.