Singapore

It is such a convenient hub for onward travel to destinations such as Bali, Malaysia and the Thai islands but it is also a fantastic city in its own right.

Flights from the UK take 12-13 hours and the weather is perfect (hot!) year round. It can be humid, but this just adds to the tropical feel of the city, and everywhere is air-conditioned.

The range of accommodation in Singapore is enormous – from cheap and cheerful guest houses in Chinatown or Little India to the iconic Raffles Hotel.

I was lucky enough to stay at Raffles and it certainly lives up to every expectation. From the minute you set foot in the majestic colonial lobby you are transported into another era. Check-in is a pleasure – your passport is whisked away with supreme efficiency, only to be swiftly replaced by a Singapore Sling! Yes, it is expensive, but in my opinion worth every penny for at least one night.

If your budget wont stretch to an overnight stay, afternoon tea in the Tiffin Room is a must – I guarantee you will not leave hungry after sampling the delicious selection of sandwiches, oriental canapes, scones and cakes. I would also recommend returning to the Long Bar in the evening to sip the famous Singapore Sling under the gentle breeze of the colonial ceiling fans.

For anyone looking for a more lively night life scene, the bars and restaurants of Boat Quay and Clark Quay offer plenty of choice. And for an authentic dining experience try Gluttons Bay, a collection of hawkers stalls where you sit elbow to elbow with locals whilst enjoying freshly cooked street food.

Rooftop bars are in abundance with the most famous in recent years being the Marina Bay Sands with its views over the whole city. Tip – don’t pay to go up to the viewing platform, it's cheaper to buy a drink in the rooftop bar and get the same view for free!

Orchard Road is a shopaholics paradise with two miles of shops lining both sides of the street. All the designer names are here – Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Jimmy Choo etc, etc, - together with Tangs and Robinsons which are local department stores.

The list of things to do in Singapore is endless – in addition to the usual museums and entertainment venues it is home to a world class zoo, an amazing bird park, botanical gardens housing an incredible collection of orchids and Sentosa Island where Universal Studios can be found. So whether you want to ride on the Singapore Flyer (like the London Eye), walk amongst the electronic trees at the Gardens on the Bay or watch the nightly light show at the Marina there truly is something for everyone. My personal favourite is the Night Safari which can be found next to the zoo. You can take a tram ride or walk some of the many trails to see nocturnal animals in natural moonlit settings (watch out for the giant fruit bats hanging from the trees!)

Singapore is a beautiful and surprisingly green city with many parks and gardens. It is also a very clean city with almost no litter or graffiti – and chewing gum is banned. It is very easy to get around. Taxis are cheap and plentiful and the MRT (underground) system is spotless and very efficient.

I would encourage anyone to spend at least a few days in Singapore and sample some of what this amazing city has to offer.