With the upcoming Singapore long weekends, fancy a dip in the crystal clear waters of Borocay Island in the Philippines? Or maybe you prefer the eco-style fun and romance of Australia’s Whitsunday Islands, 74 incredible islands with pristine beaches and the stunning Great Barrier Reef a boat charter away?
For those who prefer a little more adventure on their long weekend getaway trips, Mount Penanjakan in Indonesia offers outstanding views over Mount Bromo as the sun sets, while Sapa Valley in Vietnam is dotted with villages in hill tribes and traditional dress.
Serious hikers can cease the long weekends in Singapore and travel to Mount Rinjani on Lombok Island, Indonesia, while serious shoppers will find their dream weekends in South Korea and Hong Kong. Where’s the best shopping?
You’ll just have to read the full article to find out.
Beach getaways from Singapore
1. Boracay Island, Philippines
Known as the beach capital of the Philippines, Boracay Island is the ideal long weekend destination for sun-worshippers. The crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches are postcard perfect and a paradise for scuba diving, snorkelling, boating, windsurfing and parasailing. The island has plenty of accommodation options, from stunning 5 star hotels with ocean views to more modest hotels for an affordable mini-break. At night you are spoilt for choice with multi-national restaurants and bars to enjoy.
2. Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Comprising 74 islands, this international destination stretches along the sunny north Queensland coast, home to the renowned Great Barrier Reef. Most of the Whitsunday Islands are deserted, but eight of them offer a variety of resort accommodation options including eco-style, romantic, family or luxury. Boat charters are a popular way to explore the islands and take in the stunning natural landscape. Make sure you take a peek underwater too – you can snorkel, scuba dive or take a trip on a glass bottom boat to experience the true beauty and colours of the Reef.
Bali, Indonesia
If you’d prefer a long weekend getaway that’s all about rest and relaxation where you don’t have to lift a finger, then perhaps a beachside mini-break in beautiful Bali is just what the doctor ordered. Be mesmerised by the crystal clear waters of Bali’s spectacular white, sandy beaches as you lounge under a palm tree or beach umbrella and enjoy a rejuvenating Balinese massage and sip on a fresh coconut while listening to the lapping water. This is the perfect long weekend for recharging your batteries. There are plenty of popular, quality beachside accommodation options in and around Seminyak, Jimbaran Bay and Canggu. Bali’s capital of Denpasar is a two and a half hour flight from Singapore.
Maldives
Looking for a romantic, beach-based long weekend getaway? Then the Maldives could be just the place. Imagine staying in your own private villa, built over the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, where you can step out from your sundeck for an ocean swim at any moment. Water activities are high on the agenda in the Maldives, where visitors can enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving in the bluest lagoons and prettiest reefs. There are plenty of places to surf too. The Maldives are less than a five hour flight from Singapore.
Hiking getaways from Singapore
Mount Bromo, Indonesia
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Mount Bromo is one of the most visited tourist attractions in East Java. Hikers make the pilgrimage here to climb Mount Penanjakan and watch the captivating sunrise over Mount Bromo. It can get crowded on the way up the one to two hour ascent, so leave early to reach the first vantage point in time. After sunrise you can climb down the mountain across the barren lunar landscape of the ‘sand of sea’ to the summit of Mount Bromo. There are various guesthouses, basic hotels and small local eateries around Mount Bromo for the night before your early climb.
Sapa Valley, Vietnam
Set in the lush hills of north-west Vietnam, the Sapa Valley is now a popular destination for hiking enthusiasts. The pristine and serene mountain setting among rice terraces, steep hills and emerald green vegetation is dotted with peaceful villages for hikers to discover. The Sapa Valley is home to many different hill tribe groups and locals are often seen wearing traditional dress. Make sure you buy some of their handicrafts to take home. Experienced hikers can trek alone or you might prefer to join a tour group with a guide. There are luxury and modest accommodation options throughout the valley and tours also offer home-stay experiences.
Mount Rinjani – Lombok Island, Indonesia
Serious hikers travel to the island of Lombok to climb the active volcano Mount Rinjani and take in the breathtaking views of its 50 km² caldera, partially filled with a spectacular blue lake at the top. The hiking here is for the experienced and proper planning is essential. You may wish to join a guided group on a variety of treks extending from two to six days. There is no accommodation on the mountain, so overnight treks involve camping under the spectacular night sky. During your hike, make sure you drink the mountain spring water and feel invigorated by the clear mountain air.
Ella Rock – Sri Lanka
If you enjoy hiking and you’re looking for an active mini-break in the great outdoors, why not visit the village of Ella in Sri Lanka and climb the majestic Ella Rock? The hike ascending Ella Rock is a four-hour round trip along railway tracks (watch out for trains!) and marked hiking paths, through lush green hillsides, tall forests and groomed tea plantations. The view from the top of Ella Rock down onto the village is breathtaking. After your hike you can catch a local bus to Rawana Ella Falls 5km away for a refreshing dip or visit the stunning Bambarakanda Falls – the highest waterfall in Sir Lanka. Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo is a four-hour flight from Singapore. You can then transfer to Ella by train or road.
Kintamani – Bali, Indonesia
In the highlands of north-east Bali, the area of Kintamani is home to the breathtaking Batur caldera. In the centre of the caldera is the spectacular, topaz-blue Lake Batur. From the caldera you can also see Mount Batur, an active volcano which hiking enthusiasts can climb. It is a relatively easy two-hour hike to the top. A tip is to make the journey for sunrise, not only to witness the amazing view, but to avoid any cloud cover later in the day. Booking a guide is also recommended, especially if you’re walking in the dark. Bali’s capital of Denpasar is a two and a half hour flight from Singapore. It’s then a two-hour drive to Kintamani.
Shopping and food getaways from Singapore
South Korea
For a shopping and food mini-break look no further than Korea’s capital, Seoul. Make sure you try the local dishes including bulgogi, bibimbap, and Korean pancakes. Of course, it would not be a real food break without taking off your shoes at a Korean barbecue restaurant, where waitresses cook your dinner in front of you and serve it with the side dish kimchi. Afterwards, head out for some retail therapy at the infamous night markets, for everything under the sun, or to one of the nearby department stores and fashion malls.
Hong Kong
The serious shopper would already know that Hong Kong has been voted one of the world’s best shopping destinations. There are countless malls and retail centres selling electrical goods, fashion, jewellery, cosmetics and luxury items. For souvenir shopping, try one of the many market areas. If all that shopping has made you hungry, a melting pot of eastern and western cuisine awaits. You can enjoy Cantonese style food from a roadside stall or there are plenty of international flavours to experience, in both modest and high-end restaurants, too.
Bangkok, Thailand
If shopping and eating are the theme for your next long weekend getaway, then look no further than Bangkok. There are plenty of world-class shopping malls, such as the Siam Paragon or MBK, where you can buy anything imaginable. For market bargains try the world famous, weekend Chatuchak market. For foodies, a fantastic culinary experience awaits you in Bangkok with Thai and international flavours, including street food, air-conditioned food courts and restaurants, to suit every taste and budget. Bangkok is just over a two hour flight to Singapore.