Experience modern Asia

Singapore is an ideal vacation for the vacationers Singapore - Arabstoday In less than a century, Singapore has grown from an unwanted, swampy corner of Malaysia to a clean, safe ultra-modern republic, lauded as an international shopping and dining hub. Singapore is known to many as a stopover destination but those staying for more than a day will definitely not be bored. Singapore's colonial past - it was a British trading post until 1959 - has rendered it one of the most western of the Asian countries. It is a banking and finance centre, and having the most million-dollar households per capita in the world has made it a shopper's haven. The huge mix of cultures on the small island means dining is a national pastime - even the least adventurous eater will have plenty of options in the Lion City. Being an oft-used stopover destination means Singapore is not short of excellent hotels. Those looking for gasp-inducing views should book a night at Marina Bay Sands (www.marinabaysands.com; 00 65 6688 8897). The hotel's three towers are topped by the Sands Skypark, a 380-metre rooftop deck, complete with trees, restaurants and a 150-metre infinity pool. It is quite something to glide through the water, 57 floors up, with the city stretching out in all directions below. A double room costs from S$429 (Dh1,267) a night, including taxes but excluding breakfast. Those wanting to experience a little history should stay at the Raffles Hotel, (www.raffles.com; 00 65 6337 1886) a national monument built in 1887 and named after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, modern Singapore's founder. It is built around a breezy courtyard and oozes colonial charm. A double room costs from $690 (Dh2,037) a night, including taxes but excluding breakfast. Despite the gleaming office towers and malls, there is plenty of culture to be found. Kampong Glam, the city's Arab quarter, is a thriving meeting place for locals, expats and tourists. Try Haji Lane for hip design stores and cafes. A short walk away is Little India, a fairly spot-on replica of the real thing. The street culture really buzzes in this part of town, and during Diwali festival the already colourful, sweet-smelling streets burst with sights and scents. Those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle can take a long walk at the MacRitchie Reservoir Park, (Lornie Rd) Singapore's largest. It boasts a number of different walking trails and a 250-metre suspension walk bridge that raises walkers 25m from the ground. MacRitchie also reminds visitors that Singapore used to be covered in tropical jungle, and there are plenty of monkeys, snakes and monitor lizards to keep an eye out for. Even more prevalent than the malls are Singapore's hawker centres. These gastronomic hubs consist of a collection of stalls offering every type of local food and drink imaginable, and range in size from a couple of stalls to huge expanses catering for hundreds at a time. This is where the residents meet and pass the time. Tables are generally shared, providing the opportunity to mix and mingle with the locals. Uniquely Singaporean terms for older men and women are "uncle" and "auntie", so addressing the elders in that manner is sure to earn the hawker first-timer some brownie points.