Singapore
Day 1: Arrive in Singapore
Arrival at the Singapore Cruise Centre via cruise vessel Constellation, Celebrity Cruises (pick up at 9:30 AM).
On arrival after immigration and customs formalities, our English Speaking Guide will be present to welcome the group.
Explore the city. Visit to Raffles landing place, the location where traditions holds that Sir Stamford Raffles landed on 28 January 1819. The site is located at Boat Quay within the Civic District in the downtown core of the Central Area. Pass by the Pedang (Malay for ‘field’), an open playing field surrounded by several important landmarks, which include Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, City Hall, the Old Supreme Court building and the City Hall MRT station. We will stop at Singapore Flyer for a photo and continue to Chinatown and walk along refurbished and renovated shop-houses, along the narrow streets and see teahouses, medicine shops, acupuncturists and calligraphers practicing their trades as they have for generations. Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore realized the increasing number of Chinese immigrants and decided to reserve this whole area for the Chinese community.
We will stop by Mariamman temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. The temple dates back to 1827, when it was known as Mariamman Kovil or Kling Chapel. It is dedicated to the goddess Mariamman, known for her power to cure illnesses and diseases. We will then move to Arab Street and walk down to Sultan Mosque.
Drive to Little India and stop by the flower shop and the Little India Arcade in Campbell Lane.
As you step into Little India, be prepared for an assault on the senses! You will be greeted by the strong, heady scent of spices and jasmine garlands followed by a treasure trove of silverware, brassware, wood-carvings and colourful silk saris dazzling to behold. Stroll along Little India Arcade at Campbell Lane, a narrow pathway through a cluster of restored shop-houses filled to the brim with Indian clothing, accessories, incense and a rather good Indian sweet shop.
Proceed to Marina Bay Sands Hotel - (Sky Park ticket included).
We will then break for lunch for 2 hours at the Marina Bay Convention and shopping square that has a number of high end restaurants, hawker food etc. (Lunch at guests’ own expense)
Be amazed with a birds-eye view of the city from the top of Marina Bay Sand’s Skypark – it is a roof like no other, perched 200 metres in the air with observation deck in the clouds. Guest can feel free to explore around the Marina Bay Sands Hotel & The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. If you are hungry, there’s many eateries from the fancy Celebrity Restaurant to local fare food courts that you can choose for your lunch.
* Admission to Marina Bay Sands’ Skypark included (weather permitting)
* Advance reservation is required for lunch at Marina Bay Sands Hotel
Transfer to city hotel for check-in.
Hotel: Mandarin Orchard
Located in: Mandarin Gallery
Address: 333 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238867
Phone: +65 6737 4411
As an award-winning hotel on Orchard Road, Mandarin Orchard Singapore makes for an ideal base to explore the city's shopping and entertainment district.
Mandarin Orchard offers centrally-located accommodations along the vibrant shopping belt of Orchard Road. Within walking proximity to Paragon Medical and Mount Elizabeth Hospital, the hotel features an outdoor swimming pool with a sundeck and guests can enjoy meals at award-winning in-house restaurants or have a drink at the bar. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
Takashimaya Shopping Centre and Ngee Ann City are 220 m away. National Museum of Singapore is 2 km from Mandarin Orchard Singapore, while Singapore Botanic Gardens are 2.8 km from the property. Changi Airport Singapore is 22.4 km away.
Mandarin Orchard’s modern rooms feature oriental-inspired themes with soothing colours and décor. Cable TV includes local and international channels in languages such as English and Chinese. A kettle, minibar, radio and safety deposit boxes are available. Bathrobes and slippers are included in rooms. En suite bathroom provides complimentary toiletries such as toothbrush and toothpaste.
Day 2
Morning is free at leisure to explore the pulse of the city, Orchard Road for endless shopping and Singapore’s wealth of experiences.
Footsteps of Raffles with Alfresco Afternoon Tea (4 hours)
When you’re at the landing site, notice the plaque that reads "On this historic site, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles first landed in Singapore on 28th January 1819, and with genius and perception changed the destiny of Singapore from an obscure fishing village to a great seaport and modern metropolis." Make sure to visit the different landmarks along the Singapore River, and discover the rich history each of them beholds and understand their roots that shaped the unity of the Singaporeans. Exuding a garden style and welcoming vibe, Raffles Courtyard is the city’s social space in a lushly landscaped alfresco venue at the Raffles Arcade. Enjoy an Alfresco Afternoon Tea experience complemented by with a wide selection of speciality teas, set against striking colonial architecture.
Dress code for Afternoon Tea: smart casual. Gentlemen should wear shirts or collared t-shirts, paired with appropriate long trousers. Ladies should wear dresses, skirts or trousers. Singlets, shorts, Bermudas, sandals, slippers and pool attire are not permitted. The menu for the High Tea at Raffles!
Drive back to hotel. Today, being our last evening together, we can relax and have a get together saying ‘goodbye’! Many restaurants in the hotel and around for guests to be able to dine if they wish! For guests wishing to take the optional Night Safari Tour, depending on the number interested, I can arrange it with the supplier to accommodate us. A group of 10 guests is required.
Optional
Night Safari Tour with Dinner (pick-up from hotel at 6 pm for approx. 4 hours)
The world’s first Night Safari, set in 40 hectares of secondary jungle, will unfold the mystery and drama of the tropical jungle after dusk with stunning effects. See a myriad of nocturnal animals, from fierce predators to timid forest dwellers, in their natural habitat under subtle moon glow lighting. Enjoy your dinner at Ulu-Ulu Safari Restaurant before exploring Night Safari. With priority boarding you won’t have to wait in line to board the tram which takes you through the East and West Lop. Pass by a large reservoir and weave through selected habitats designed specifically to replicate the natural environment from the Himalayan Foothills to the Southeast Asian Rainforest and Indian Subcontinent. Let the guide take you on a walking trail to view some animals at close quarters. There will also be an opportunity to catch either the Thumbuakar performance of fire-eating skills or a 20mins animal extravaganza at the Creatures of the Night Show, subject to weather conditions.
Day 3
Depart Singapore.