7 Reasons to Visit Singapore in 2022
With the UK vaccine rollout well under way, we’re starting to get excited for the future of holidays. And very top of our list is Singapore. A mix of nature, city and beach, we can’t get enough of this island-nation, and we know you’ll love it too. Here are seven reasons to visit the Lion City on your next tailor-made adventure:
The food is delicious
We don’t know about you, but after 18+ months of cheese and pickle sandwiches, we’re desperate for a bit of diversity in our cuisine. Think tantalising chilli crab, juicy Hainanese chicken rice and mouth-watering satays. Indeed, thanks to its multicultural heritage (more on that later), you can sample myriad food styles here, from Chinese fare to Peranakan cuisine. Head for foodie hubs like Little India, Chinatown and Joo Chiat/Katong for some real flavour. And let’s not overlook the drink options either – this is the birthplace of the much-loved Singapore Sling after all. Be sure to visit Raffles Singapore, where this fruity cocktail was first conceived, or visit one of many rooftop and speakeasy bars, such as 1-Altitude or Native bar.
It’s one of the most culturally diverse destinations going
Singapore is a heady collection of cultures. You only need look at its vibrant festival calendar to feel it – visit in May for Hari Raya Puasa, August for Singapore National Day and October/November for Diwali. And that barely scratches the surface. As well as the four ethnic precincts showcasing each of the diverse cultures of Singapore, there’s also a plethora of stunning religious buildings. No visit here is complete without seeing the towering Sri Mariamman Temple, stepping inside the bright red stupa of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, worshipping Chinese sea goddess Mazu at Thian Hock Keng, and venturing through the gates of Little India’s Abdul Gafoor Mosque.
The city is one of the greenest in the world
Like us, you may be looking to improve the environmental footprint of the way you travel in light of the pandemic. Well, you’re in luck, because Singapore is BIG on sustainability. According to The Environmental Performance Index, it ranked 14th globally and first in Asia for its environmentally-friendly practices. Indeed, the city-state has its own Green Mark scheme to encourage greener buildings, offers a range of planet-conscious food options, and is planning several reliable and green energy solutions, including the world’s largest floating solar panel bed, located to the north of the island.
It’s also heavily involved in sustainable water initiatives and boasts its own ‘Hydro-Hub’ to help collect, reuse and desalinate every drop of water. And let’s not forget Singapore’s abundant green spaces too – from the towering Supertrees of Gardens by the Bay and the UNESCO-listed Singapore Botanic Gardens, to more hidden retreats such as the rustic, tranquil island of Pulau Ubin where you can explore the diverse ecosystem by bike. You can even go trekking through MacRitchie Reservoir Park in search of long-tailed macaque monkeys. There aren’t many places where you can be in the heart of the city and hear the sounds of cars and the gruff squawks of hornbills at the same time.
Warmth is a year-round affair
We had a pretty good summer in the UK last year – remember when it got to 30 degrees? Bliss. But in Singapore it’s warm all. the. time. Blissful humidity, sun and plenty of pools to cool off in (Marina Bay Sands we’re looking at you). December to June is the best time to visit, with February-April being the city-state’s main dry season but, honestly, we’d be happy with the weather here anytime.
And the people are warm too!
Thanks to social distancing (or should it be no thanks?), making human connections is now more important than ever. Thankfully the people in Singapore are exceptionally friendly. Indeed, when you’re exploring you’ll experience authentic hospitality, light-heartedness and kindness across hotels, restaurants and attractions alike.
Singapore has coronavirus covered
Singapore was actually the first country to release a COVID-19 contact-tracing app, way back in March 2020 when the pandemic was first taking hold. Since then, it’s impressively managed to maintain moderate case numbers and, crucially, a low death rate.
Cleanliness is key
A big part of Singapore’s successful approach to coronavirus has been its SG Clean certification programme. This initiative is all about encouraging a clean culture – from regular hand washing to a slew of other important hygiene habits, not to mention protocols for public places, such as hotels, restaurants, bars and shops. As of 28 June 2021, more than 31,000 individual premises have certified SG Clean across Singapore. So, whether you’re exploring Singapore Zoo or venturing through Gardens by the Bay, you can rest assured that all the high-touch areas are good to go.
