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Travel to Singapore & Area with Husband and 2 teenage boys

Travel to Singapore & Area with Husband and 2 teenage boys

Old May 25th, 2015, 08:59 AM
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Travel to Singapore & Area with Husband and 2 teenage boys

Hi - we would like to visit Singapore this June - and have 2 weeks to travel. We live in Canada (Toronto)and have never been to Asia I have a 16 year old and 14 year old boy as well as my husband and myself. We would like to spend a few days in Singapore and explore some other areas. Any suggestions for where we should visit, how long we should stay? and what we should see?
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Old May 25th, 2015, 09:08 AM
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Singapore is an interesting and very expensive city. I'd spend a few days there and then move on to another place.

Consider Bali, a fascinating island in Indonesia that is predominantly Hindu. It has beaches, yes, but also many cultural activities and it has stunningly green rice terraces. Pick up a guidebook on Bali and read about it. Weather-wise, June is a good time for Bali.

Thailand is also a possibility with beautiful beaches and exciting Bangkok. There is also a very well-regarded Elephant Nature Park if your kids would enjoy interacting with elephants. (I don't recommend other elephant camps, as most abuse the animals.)

If your boys are interested in archaeology, they might appreciate a trip to see the Angkor temples in Cambodia. If this sounds interesting to you, take a look at Dawn Rooney's book, Angkor: A Guide to Cambodia's Wondrous Temples.

These are just a few of the possibilities in this area.
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Old May 25th, 2015, 10:14 AM
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Thanks for these tips! I had not even considered Bali ! - but, it is do-abe. I am thinking that it might be too much to do Bali Bangkok and Cambodia (as well as singapore) - just looking at a map what about Start in Singapore , then Jakarta, Bali, Kuala Lampour and then back to Singapore. I should also mention that my 20 year old son has a summer job in Singapore - so, we will be bookending our trip in Singapore to visit him.
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Old May 25th, 2015, 11:39 AM
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Choose not more than three stops for your two-week trip. Skip Jakarta., skip KL. Just Singapore and Bali is a fine two week trip (especially since you will have time in Singapore on both ends). You might want to stay in two different places in Bali - one on a beach and one inland near Ubud.

Save Bangkok and Cambodia for your next trip.
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Old May 25th, 2015, 05:24 PM
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I absolutely agree with Kathie's suggestions. Both Singapore & Bali are the best BY FAR of the 4 you mention and in the time you have you can have a very satisfying trip with just those 2. Don't succumb to the temptation to try to squeeze more in. I never tire of either place, Bali for extended periods of time, and Singapore, too, although it's expensive so for shorter visits.
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Old May 25th, 2015, 07:37 PM
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I think with 2 full weeks you could cover just Singapore and Bali or you could add in one more stop. You might think about spending a few days in Central Java/Yogyakarta to see Borobudur and Prambanan temples and some of the other archeological sites in the area. It's not as monumental as Angkor, but just as significant. You can plan a couple of days near Borobudur surrounded by active volcanos, rice paddies and phenomenal natural beauty, and a couple of days in the town of Yogya which has a lot of historic interest. Be aware that the fasting month, Ramadhan, will begin June 18, which means Java will be somewhat subdued.

In Bali I'd suggest that you split your time between Seminyak beach and Ubud. Lots to do in both areas.

I like Singapore but after a few days find that the attractions feel a bit over packaged. In any rate, having your son there will make it a special visit and it's a good transition point into tropical Asia, an easy place to navigate and acclimate to the heat and jetlag. Good food, easy transportation.

Air Asia flights between Singapore and Bali Denpasar are very good (also Yogyakarta if you choose to stop there). Agree, you can skip Jakarta.
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Old May 28th, 2015, 02:27 PM
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Warm Friday morning greetings to you, Perrylup, and warm welcome to Fodor's; glad you will be spending time in our fine home of Singapore. (And noticed you live in Toronto; am very excited over an upcoming business travel stay at the Four Seasons in your lovely city.)

One Singapore primer for you, your family and others: yoursingapore dot com/ With judicious planning, the financial costs of a Singapore holiday can be kept (relatively) under control.

Bali is a good suggestion. Over the years, have always enjoyed memorable Balinese times, normally flying SIN <-> Denpasar via Singapore Airlines or SilkAir.

Congratulations on your son spending the summer in SIN. One weekend suggestion for him is beloved Bangkok, Thailand. Was in Bangkok earlier this month for meetings; fine as ever. My recent review of the Four Seasons, Bangkok (now branded as the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel) on my profile page just touches on her ongoing excellence. For various reasons, remain partial to some of Bangkok's riverside properties; the newly-named Anantara Siam, however, remains most convenient for certain aspects of my ongoing BKK business trips. I have a good feeling your son would appreciate a few nights in the City of Angels.

Enjoy your planning. Any additional questions (including our fine Singaporean carrier), honoured to assist. Early and warm weekend wishes to you and all,

macintosh (robert)


... Singapore Girl, You're a Great Way to Fly ...
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Old May 29th, 2015, 06:27 PM
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Thanks everyone for this input!! Still sorting things out - I will let you know what we end up doing...we are considering tacking on a trip to Beijing to see the Great Wall.
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