06 Sep 2019
With more than 700 years of history, miles of tropical hidden nature reserves and a skyline that looks firmly to the future, Singapore is unlike anywhere else. This year culture is at the forefront as Singapore commemorates its Bicentennial year.
Join in the diverse array of events which are still to take place, including:
- The extraordinary The Last Overland expedition which is currently on its way from Singapore to London;
- A new and exciting edition of Grand Prix Season Singapore 13-22 September with artists such as Swedish House Mafia and Red Hot Chili Peppers as well as the adrenaline of the world's first F1 night race;
- New hotel openings including The Barracks Hotel Sentosa (Dec 2019) and Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore (Q1 2020), which follow the recent re-opening of iconic 19th-century Raffles Hotel Singapore, birthplace of the Singapore Sling.
What's more, travellers can now enjoy fantastic holiday deals and savings from UK tour operators such as Trailfinders and Abercrombie & Kent in a new section on the Singapore Tourism Board website. There is still plenty of time to experience Singapore in its multicultural glory!
EXPLORER NEWS
The Last Overland: Singapore to London
The Last Overland recreates one of the 20th century's most iconic and challenging road journeys. Between 1955 and 1956, a team of six young men embarked on The Oxford & Cambridge Far Eastern Expedition (The First Overland) and made history by being the first to successfully drive the 18,000 miles from London to Singapore. Now, 64 years later, award-winning film-maker, Alex Bescoby (age 31), and Nat George (age 21) - the grandson of a member from that first expedition, Tim Slessor – are driving the original 1955 'Oxford Land Rover Series I' from Singapore to London in an epic journey over 100 days – they left from the Pit Building in Singapore on 25 August. Follow their adventure live on Facebook, Instagram and at www.lastoverland.com
Raffles Singapore Reopens
The iconic Raffles Hotel re-opened its doors to guests on the 1st August, following more than two years of renovation. The re-opening includes new suite categories, new lifestyle experiences and refreshed dining concepts. The hotel's distinctive suites offer new amenities and technology while maintaining the sense of space and colonial ambience. Originally opened in 1887, Raffles Hotel Singapore is the flagship property of Raffles Hotels & Resorts and is one of the few remaining 19th century hotels in the world. It is also home to the original Singapore Sling.
Other hotels openings
The Barracks Hotel Sentosa - December 2019
Set against Sentosa's storied backdrop of maritime intrigue, The Barracks Hotel Sentosa was once a British artillery outpost, home to soldiers from afar. Now fully restored, the hotel will transport explorers back to the golden age of travel. Once it opens in December, the property will feature 40 guestrooms and suites with a sophisticated and elegant décor befitting of the hotel's colonial past. Some of the amenities will include a lap pool with a bar and deck, a spa, a gym and a variety of restaurants including an underwater aquarium dining experience.
Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore – Q1 2020
Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore is located within the renowned Laguna National Golf and Country Club only 10 minutes by car from Changi International Airport and 15 minutes from downtown. Comprising 198 rooms and suites plus eight corporate villas showcasing the best of contemporary Asian design, this luxurious hotel is perfectly equipped for business and leisure with a wealth of experiences to enjoy. Facilities include a multi-ethnic cuisine restaurant and The Nest golf club restaurant, the Legends Bar, the Dusit deli, the Club Lounge, a fully-equipped gym, a swimming pool and kids' pool, a pool bar and grill for al fresco dining, three tennis courts, a putting green, and Dusit's signature Devarana Spa. Guests also enjoy easy access to the driving range and two-championship golf courses. The hotel is scheduled to open in Q1 2020.
www.dusit.com/dusitthani/laguna/singapore/
CULTURE SHAPERS NEWS
Mid-Autumn Festival (13 September 2019)
Marking the end of the autumn harvest, the Mid-Autumn Festival was traditionally a time to give thanks to the gods. It is also a time of year that the moon is at its brightest and since the festival is all about lunar appreciation, the celebrations kick off once the sun goes down. Visitors can expect festive street stalls, nightly stage shows and an enchanting light up, as Chinatown is beautifully adorned with colourful lanterns and dazzling decorations.
www.visitsingapore.com/festivals-events-singapore/cultural-festivals/mid-autumn-festival/
Deepavali in Little India (7 September - 2 November 2019)
Also known as the 'Festival of Lights,' Deepavali is a colourful and elaborate celebration of the triumph of good over evil. Visit Little India during this exciting season to discover the intricate decorations, delicacies and rituals of Singapore's Indian community. Highlights of the celebration include the light-up ceremony, street parades and a buzzing bazaar that consists of an eclectic mix of stalls offering Indian ethnic wear and jewellery, delicacies, art and music.
www.visitsingapore.com/festivals-events-singapore/cultural-festivals/deepavali/
FOODIE NEWS
The GREAT Food Festival 2019 (26-29 September 2019)
The world's best chefs are gathering in Singapore in September to serve their signature dishes and more at The GREAT Food Festival (TGFF). From Resorts World Sentosa's celebrity chefs to culinary masters from across the globe, each chef comes ready to impress with their own unique creations. Taste desserts from top patissiers at Rollin' Sweet Times, clink glasses of superior wine, gin, whiskey and other spirits at The Cellar, and learn tips from award-winning chefs when you meet them up close and in person at their masterclasses. TGFF is a gathering of the world's best cuisines and a chance to try gastronomic innovations you'll never forget.
The GREAT Wine & Dine Festival (11-12 October 2019)
Get ready for a gastronomic experience to remember, as The GREAT Wine & Dine Festival arrives at Resorts World™ Sentosa this October. This feast of senses will bring you some of the world's best wines, masterclasses by the world's top wine critics, festival-exclusive dishes created by acclaimed celebrity chefs, as well as an exciting first-in-Singapore pop-up dining concept. What's more, the festival will showcase more than 200 wines. Some of the wines featured are also esteemed nominees from the inaugural Wine Pinnacle Award, which honours the best in wine-making and breaks down competition barriers through open nominations by the world's best palates.
SOCIALISER NEWS
Grand Prix Season Singapore (13-22 September 2019)
While the fastest cars in the world race through Singapore during the world's first night race, a slew of exciting off-track activities await visitors during this ten-day festival. Exclusive VIP parties, virtual reality race-themed games and live music festivals are some of the activities featured in the Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS). Some of the international artists performing in the 2019 festival include Swedish House Mafia, Muse, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gwen Stefani, Fatboy Slim and Hans Zimmer, amongst others. After catching the acts of international performers, drink and dance the night away at after-parties including Podium Lounge and Amber Lounge. You never know if you will bump into a driver or a celebrity.
Asia's largest festival at sea, turns 6 this year!
Ever wanted to party at sea? Asia's largest sea festival, It's The Ship, turns 6 this year and embarks on its three-night journey from Singapore to Phuket, before heading back to the garden city. Sail the high seas from 13-15 November 2019 and enjoy music from EDM, house and trap. Some of the artist who performed in last year's edition included Vini Vici, Cash Cash, Showtek and Paul Van Dyk. Additional highlights include 24-hour dining, yoga workouts and spa sessions.
ACTION SEEKERS NEWS
The Canopy Park & Changi Experience Studio opens at Changi Airport's Jewel
The Canopy Park and the Changi Experience Studio recently opened to the public at Jewel Changi Airport - completing the new lifestyle destination's offering. The eagerly-awaited Canopy Park attractions, on the top level of Jewel, include two mazes designed by British designer Adrian Fisher, the Mirror Maze and Hedge Maze. Other highlights include the Discovery Slides and The Canopy Bridge, which – with its glass panel flooring suspended 23 metres above ground – provides visitors with a breath-taking view of the HSBC Rain Vortex and Shiseido Forest Valley. Visitors to the airport can now also visit the Changi Experience Studio, a first-of-its-kind digital attraction featuring interactive games and immersive shows to learn about aviation.
Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (29 November – 1 December 2019)
Calling all keen runners! Grab your trainers and be sure to sign up for one of Singapore's most popular races - the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM). Since its inaugural race in 1982, SCSM's attracts thousands of runners of all ages, every December. As testament to the SCSM's immense popularity and widespread appeal, the most recent event attracted 50,000 fitness enthusiasts from 127 countries pushing their own limits in the various categories. Additionally, in 2018, the race introduced a brand new, two-day format that included a five-kilometre race for new runners and a revamped Kids Dash at Resorts World Sentosa.
– Ends –
About the Singapore Tourism Board
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore's key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, they shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. They bring the 'Passion Made Possible' brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions.
For further information on Singapore's Bicentennial, please visit:
www.visitsingapore.com/festivals-events-singapore/annual-highlights/uk-bicentennial/
For further information, please contact the Singapore team at Four Travel: SingaporeTeam@fourcommunications.com / 020 3697 4200
