If you are prepared to travel via another European, or Asian hub en-route you can pick up cheap flights to Singapore with a number of airlines. Direct flights, however, on airlines like BA, Qantas and Singapore Airlines, only have discount airline tickets available on promotion, or during low season.

Shopping:

Singapore is a shopping mecca and was once the main discount centre in Asia for electronic, photographic and other optical items, such as sunglasses.

It still is a wonder world of variety, but pricing is now almost up to European levels. However, you can still get bargains during sales and promotions.

There are international malls everywhere, but try the Indian sector of the city for fine silk bargains.

Recommended - Far East Plaza, Scotts Shopping centre, CJ Tangs are worth checking out for quality goods.

Best Buys - Silks, spices and goods in sales

Opening Times - 10.00 to 21.00 daily. Late Night shopping on Thursday.

Shoppers Tips - the sales start in June/July each year

Sightseeing Attractions:

Night Safari - take a night time ride deep into the jungle and explore the animal night life. Cost adults S$15, Child S$5.

Singapore Zoological Gardens - experience some of Singapore's rare and protected wildlife. Cost: adults S$10.30, child S$4.60

Jurong Bird Park - see some of the world's most exotic birds. Cost Adults S$10.30, child S$4.60.

Sentasa Island - Cost Adults S$5, child S$3.

Singapore Botanic Gardens - free of charge, so well worth visiting to experience the rare and exotic plants on display

Tiger Balm Gardens

Recommended Entertainment:

Theatre/Opera - Victoria Theatre, a grand building with some good productions. Chinese Street Opera is held during August and September months with lots of other lively entertainment at other times

Night Clubs - Tanjang Pagar, Boat Quay and Clarke Quay are recommended clubs to visit for a good night out.

Bars/Discos - Murphey's, Ice Cold Beer, Modestos, Harry's Bar . 'Yesterdays' is fun for sound-alike tribute bands

Others - Chumesm, a unique blend of historical architecture, modern restorations and areas housing art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, bars and cafes.

Eating Out - Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Orchard Road are recommended areas to wine and dine. Chinese, Malaysian, Indian food offer full fragrant flavours. Recommended is "Satay" - skewers of succulent pieces of chicken, beef etc..., cooked over a charcoal flame, served with thick peanut sauce. Try a banana leaf curry (simply traditional spiced curries served on a banana leaf), or traditional open-air eating at Newton Circus, a market of food stalls serving everyting from the staple, chicken rice, to fine seafood and deep-fried grasshoppers.

Local Transport :
* Bus from S$1.00
* Metro from S$1.00
* Taxis from S$3.00

Local Laws:
As mentioned previously drug trafficking carries heavy penalties, including the death penalty. Don't carry any package for another person because ignorance is not a plea of innocence.

Singapore also has strict health and hygiene laws. Most offences carry spot fines, but can have more severe punishments imposed according to degree. It is an offence to chew and discard gum in the street, not to flush a public lavatory and to smoke in public places which display a 'no smoking' sign. This includes most restaurants and whilst standing at a bar. Littering the street can also carry a penal sentence and heavy spot fines.

Whilst sounding severe, these laws are imposed to protect the majority from the bad habits of the minority, in relation to public decency.