Bacall Associates Travel: How to do Singapore on a Budge
This article was written by Sia Ling Xin, who travels and writes about it for Asiarooms.com, a blog and online community focused on travelling in Asia. You can also find her on Twitter.
Singapore is known to be tiny, modern, and insanely expensive—especially next to her Southeast Asian counterparts. While $50 USD is more than enough for travellers to live like a prince in nearby countries such as Thailand and Indonesia, the same amount is barely enough for a hotel room in Singapore.
Still, with street food even Gordon Ramsay raved about, impeccably safe streets, and a location that makes it ideal as a stopover hub, there's no reason to give this city-state a miss. Yes, it is possible for those travelling on a budget to enjoy Singapore, just as the locals do. Here's what you need to know.
Get better rates with an ez-link card
The ez-link (easy-link) card is a type of stored value card for public transit use, similar to the Oyster card in London. The cards have a first-time cost of $12, of which $7 can be used to pay for public transport, and $5 is non-refundable. Having an ez-link card eliminates the tiresome process of digging for enough change for a bus ticket or trying to calculate how much each train journey costs as you would when buying per-trip tickets. Most importantly, it offers better rates than cash payment, so the non-refundable $5 is easily set off. At the end of the day, you save yourself the hassle of figuring out transport costs, and you get a souvenir card that truly represents life in Singapore!
Enjoy hawker food
When choosing to dine in a coffee shop or a hawker centre, go where the locals go. There are many open-air establishments that are coffee shop style, but one look at the clientele—chockfull of foreigners with garish decorations—and you know it is a tourist trap. A meal in a hawker centre—inclusive of main, drink, and dessert—should always give you change back from $10. The eateries along the Chinatown shopping alley may seem authentic, but you will be hard pressed to find locals dining there. Makansutra Gluttons Bay offers great views and is near the Esplanade theatres, but the dishes there tend to be pricier as well. Instead, head to places where you see locals congregating. Chinatown Food Centre, Maxwell Food Centre, or any neighbourhood hawker centre will do nicely.
Come during a festive public holiday
During festivals such as Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Thaipusam, there is so much more to see, hear, and eat. During Chinese New Year, for example, dancers and celebrities put up free performances for the public in areas like Chinatown. Street vendors also offer free samples of their festive goodies in a bid to rev sales up. It is a good chance to see Singapore is a less sterile, worker-bee state, as well as capitalize on all the free food and performances going around.
Free museum days
Museums under the National Heritage Board have free admission on public holidays, which makes even more sense to plan visits around festive periods. Alternatively, plan your museum visit around the periods of free or discounted admission to save money. Many museums are located in convenient areas that travellers would be probably passing by when sightseeing, such as the National Museum of Singapore, which is within walking distance from the popular Orchard Road/Dhoby Ghaut shopping stretch. In this case, why not just pop by for a quick and free look?
Choose your hotel wisely
There is no need to splurge and spend $300 a night on a fancy hotel, even though some offer incredible views and rooms. Room standards in Singapore are decent, so even a budget hotel or hostel is safe and clean. Opt for hotels in Little India, Tanjong Pajar, or Chinatown—the locations are easily accessible, there are a wide range of prices and room types to choose from, and it is fun checking out the nightlife in these areas. If you do not want to miss out on the island fun Sentosa can offer, just make a day trip there after stocking up on food and drink from nearby shopping mall Vivocity. Hotel and food prices on the upscale island can burn a hole in any backpacker's worn pocket.
A day in Singapore is not going to come as cheap as a day in a neighbouring country, but it is not going to be exorbitant either. There are bargains and great discounts to be had here and they are not hard to find—simply do as the locals do, and go where the locals go. Those who plan to spend their money wisely will wonder why anyone ever complained that the Lion City is expensive when it has so much to offer on the cheap.
Bacall Associates Travel Singapore :The True Flavour of Thailand For Families At the Dhara Dhevi
The iconic The Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai, situated on a peaceful 60-acre estate in Northern Thailand, offers a magical backdrop in which children and adults alike can absorb Thai culture with a fantastic range of experiences, guaranteeing lasting memories for the whole family.
This fantastical resort, conceived as an ancient walled city, offers a sense of place like few others and this is reflected in its carefully curated activities, designed to immerse guests of all ages into local culture. Perfect for all the family, from little ones to adults, the resort’s Art and Craft Village offers an array of creative craft activities, from umbrella painting and paper making to bamboo weaving, which is led by a group of local village women who will help guests create beautiful artefacts and traditional toys from the plant’s leaves.
The building’s tiny resident petting ponies and llamas are sure to make a great ice breaker for children who can then choose from a varied range of activities to stretch and stimulate them mentally and physically, whilst offering an insight into traditional Lanna (the ancient kingdom of northern Thailand) and Thai culture. Classes include Thai dancing and music and traditional Thai games and toys – children can also benefit for Thailand’s rich culture of wellness with mini Thai kick boxing classes and yoga for kids.
A must-try for visitors of all ages is the rice planting: donning a traditional protective tunic, the instantly recognisable Non La hat and waterproof socks, the session will teach budding rice farmers how the grain is grown from seed to harvest and includes the opportunity for all to wade into the squidgy warm mud and plant a few rows for themselves. Children will adore riding the water buffalo, which will obligingly walk little ones through the plantation.
Meanwhile adults can enjoy the Dhara Dhevi Cooking Academy, which stages daily Thai cooking classes, relax in the Jum Sri Hall Library, with one of its 5,000+ books, browse the 20 boutiques in Kad Dhara Shopping Village, or unwind and reboot at the Health and Fitness Centre and legendary Dheva Spa where in depth Ayurveda-based programmes are carried out in 11 spacious treatments suites.
Parents keen to make the most of the wide array of gourmet eating and drinking options at the resort can book the baby-sitting service, which is available on request. All tastes and nationalities are catered for with international cuisines of the highest calibre, from Japanese dishes at the light and airy Ren; Chinese at Fujian, formal French at Farang Ses and contemporary international cuisine at the Akaligo, which offers views through wall to ceiling windows. There is even a Victorian Style tea salon, the Dhara Dhevi Cake Shop which caters to the sweet toothed serving decadent treats. Fabulously chic watering holes include the louche Horn Bar, an after dark cocktail bar, the al fresco Loy Kham Bar which overlooks the serene infinity pool and the Colonial Pool Bar, which centers around the heart of the resort, the spectacular and imposing blue and white tiled swimming pool.
Easily accessible via a 15-minute car transfer from Chiang Mai International Airport, the Dhara Dhevi makes for an immersive cultural experience perfect for crafting lasting family memories.
ABOUT THE DHARA DHEVI:
The Dhara Dhevi is one of Asia’s foremost luxury hotels. More an experience than simply a hotel, this iconic property represents extravagant Thai luxury at its finest. Nestling in 60 acres of beautifully landscaped tropical grounds, enjoying a picturesque and secluded setting in the countryside in the North, the resort has established itself as a classic ‘must visit’ for high end travellers to Thailand. Its location on the outskirts of historic Chiang Mai, a walled ancient city known for its rich history of art and culture, is reflected throughout the resort. The spectacular accommodation was built in keeping with traditional Lanna and colonial style architecture, set among lush paddy fields. 69 traditional Thai villas each boast a private swimming, or plunge pools, Jacuzzi tubs and separate showers. 54 Colonial Suites featuring separate living and bedroom areas with private terraces overlook the pool, lake or stunning verdant gardens.
Bacall Associates - Innovative marketing events and PR
Wonder why a lot of clients had the pleasure and privilege of working with Bacall Associates? It’s because the company has been one of the most professional public relations companies around the world for several years and their shining reputation in the industry is one of a kind.
Each of Bacall Associates’ staff has a vast knowledge regarding travel as well as public relations, marketing and sales. You’ll witness exceptional professionalism in their work with their august ability and energy in providing ingenious and fresh story ideas. The staff’s positive attitude also leads them nine times out of ten to come up with a solution for any given situations.
Most of the testimonies from their clients include awe to the company’s unsurpassed knowledge and expertise in the field of all things luxury as well as their huge assistance for them. With this, Bacall Associates proved to have outshone all others.
Clients also have the greatest respect for Bacall Associates’ professionalism and competence. They’re also proud of the company’s devotion to their work as their queries are always promptly answered.
Bacall Associates always follow a proactive approach to the market via an excellent network to all relevant media, travel trade and society authorities. They have flawless style and know the most effective ways of getting the best media response. Most clients cherished their relationship with Bacall Associates and promised to remain being a partner of the company in the coming years.
Bacall Associates is proud to have a creative and diligent team that’s committed in achieving their objectives. It is the only company to have succeeded in securing a major consumer award for one of the Hilton’s resort properties.
The company operates to a very high standard and represents their clients in the most professional and positive manner. Clients are also impressed with the level of contact that Bacall Associates have within media circles and with all their efforts that have benefited the clients greatly in promoting the image and profile of their firm.
Bacall Associates provides great care and attention to their clients through the unrivaled dedication of their team. Their team includes true professionals that have in-depth knowledge and extensive experience, and have an instinct for different publications’ needs.
For more than 20 years, Bacall Associates has always been honest and easy to work with in all of the dealings of their clients.
Jeff Bacall is the company’s managing director. He has worked in public relations, marketing and sales for over 30 years. He has a good experience in both in-house and external consulting for travel and lifestyle firms. He has taken up leadership roles in the airline industry and has worked with both small and large scale hotels and residences.
Charlotte Lowe joined Bacall Associates after studying marketing at Bournemouth University. She gained great experience on a work placement year at a high profile rewards and incentive agency. She discovered her passion for travel at such a young age.
Zoe Slater graduated at University of Manchester in 2008 with a BA (Hons) in Politics and Modern History degree. After graduating with her masters in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University in 2009, she worked as a freelance journalist for several publications and the Press Association. She has always had a passion for travel and after working with the in-house press and marketing team of the Zetter Group, she decided to join Bacall Associates to work on adifferent portfolio of accounts spanning Europe and Asia.
Other dedicated members of Bacall Associates include Flora Gandolfo, Claire DaBreo, and Nat Frogley.
Give them a call at +44 (0)870 428 8401 because they’d really love to hear from you, or why not drop them an email at pr@bacall.net and they’ll get back to you as soon as they can.
Bacall Associates - 7 Tips to Plan a Memorable Holiday Trip
Are you planning to have a holiday trip with your family? As one of the experts in travel, Bacall Associates views that it will be a great idea because it could create special and sempiternal memories with your family members. Don't stress yourself too much, just focus on the fun and relaxing aspect of it because the Bacall team is here to guide you in planning your getaway.
Get a travel journal
Having your own travel journal can help you prioritize things and be in control of any predicament because this can be a tool for you to cope with different situations since you're knowledgeable about the plans you've made and they're kept in a single place, so the moment you begin planning your holiday trip, get a notebook and write down all your ideas. But if you prefer an electronic journal, you can go with it, just remember that things might go wrong with electronics so it's better to have a printed version of your travel plans.
On the other hand, most prefer a handwritten journal because it provides an emotional experience. You know that whatever you write there is important to you, and you can see your thoughts in your own writing, making memories to every single page. Handwritten journals give stronger impression than electronic journals.
Choose your top travel destinations
If you have a few places in mind, write down those places in your journal and see to it that you'll only make a short list of it, so that it will be easier for you to decide on which place you're going to for your holiday trip. The list may include your top three preferred destinations.
Research each place on the list
Research everything you can about each place on your list to help you compare them a lot more carefully. You can use search engines like Google or Bing with your research, or you can ask your close friends and relatives for more information about each place. You must know the transportation available in each place, and how long will it take you to reach your destination using different types of vehicles. Also include in your research about crossing borders so that you'll know if you need visas or if your passport is in order.
Know the weather
Once you're done choosing your final destination for your trip, the next thing you have to do is consider the things you need to bring as well as the weather condition of that place during the time of your travel. Is it going to be a cold or a warm weather? Pay attention to it because you need to match your clothing to the place's climate. You should include in your journal the list of clothing items you're going to bring, along with the list of cosmetics and toiletries you need. You may also create another list of things you want to bring such as a gadget list, etc.
Prioritize your packing
In case you end up with a lot of things to carry, try eliminating things that aren’t really needed for your trip - just bring the things that are very important to you. Avoid bringing very expensive items because you’ll just worry about their safety during your vacation. You don't want to lose them or get stolen by a thief, right? So just remove these things on your list that may trigger stress to you. If possible, pack lightly because the less baggage you have, the less stressed you will be on your vacation.
Book in advance
Perhaps you've seen this tip a lot of times on different articles. Bacall Associates also consider this tip to be very cost effective. The organization advises you to make your travel arrangements well in advance to get awesome discounts. You can also manage the arrangements perfectly if you're just staying in one place for your holiday trip.
Contact a professional if needed
In case you want a professional help, contact a reliable travel agent to assist you in your travel needs. If you feel that there’s already too much stress to handle, and your worries are starting to become overwhelming, give them a call to get the reassurance that everything will be alright. Write in your travel journal all the reservations your travel agent made in your stead. If anything goes wrong on your journey, your travel agent can be your lifesaver and stress-minimizer because they're the one who's responsible for fixing any problems.
You might not enjoy your holiday trip if you're already stressed out before you even begin. Bacall Associates suggests that you must remain calm all the time so that you can surely enjoy your vacation with your family and build special memories with them that you will cherish forever.
