# data[].attributes.headline
Bacall Associates Travel Singapore: Travel Guide 

# data[].attributes.subject
Bacall Associates Travel Singapore: Travel Guide 

# data[].attributes.body
I’ve been to Singapore twice (in 2013 & 2016), and spent a total of 7 days in the city — it’s one of my favorite places in Asia! In this blog post, I am going to give you an overview of the city, and provide travel tips and recommendations for things like culture, attractions, food, nightlife and more. Everything you read is based off my own experiences.

GENERAL THOUGHTS ON SINGAPORE

Singapore is a bustling hub of culture, food, and all around good vibes. It’s the most modern city in Asia. It’s vibrant, it’s energetic, and it always leaves me fascinated.

If you think New York City is busy, just wait until you see Singapore. People are always in a hurry and they walk really fast (they are actually ranked the fastest walkers on earth). It seemed like everything was happening in fast motion, which always kept me on my toes!

You might be surprised to hear that Singapore is a tiny tropical island, made up of 6 million people (75% Chinese). It’s located just 80 miles north of the equator — so the temperature is always hot and humid. It’s tropical location provides 17 nature reserves and more than 1.4 million trees!

The thing that stands out most about Singapore is the extreme cleanliness.

Seriously — the streets are cleaner than my washing machine.

Why is everything so clean in Singapore?

Well, Singapore has some of the strictest laws in the world. There are street signs all around the city reminding everyone not to litter, smoke, chew gum, run, spit, etc. If you don’t follow the rules, then you must pay a steep fine. But nearly everyone obeys the rules, which is why Singapore is also of the safest cities in the world.

# data[].attributes.headline
7 tips to plan a memorable getaway trip by Bacall Associates Travel Singapore

# data[].attributes.subject
7 tips to plan a memorable getaway trip by Bacall Associates Travel Singapore

# data[].attributes.body
During holidays, you're probably thinking of having a vacation trip with your family to create fun memories with them, right? As one of the experts in travel, Bacall Associates sees this as a great opportunity for you and your family to relax yourselves, so you should make this trip into reality.

The Bacall team provided the following to help you plan your holiday trip:

Create a travel journal

Having your own travel journal can help you organize things needed in your getaway because all data are kept in one place. A handwritten journal is preferred by many because it gives an emotional experience than an electronic journal; whatever you write there will be important to you and you will see your thoughts in your writing, which can make memories to each and every page. Handwritten journals provide stronger impression than electronic journals.

Pick your top travel destinations

Write down the destinations you like in your journal, and if you end up with a long list, try eliminating places one by one until you’re left with your top three. Bacall Associates needs you to have a short list so that it will be easier for you to choose which one is the best for your holiday trip whether traveling in Singapore, Japan or any United Kingdom.

Study each place on the list

Know everything you can about each place in your list and note every important detail you can find to help you compare them a lot more carefully. You can use Google or Bing to your research or ask your relatives or close friends for any information about each location.

Know the weather condition

When you're done choosing your final destination for your holiday trip, you should then consider the weather condition of that place during the time of your travel. Is it going to be a warm or a cold weather once you get there? You should match your clothing to the weather then make a list of clothes you're going to bring, along with a list of toiletries and cosmetics you need.

Pack light

In case you end up with a lot of things to carry, try removing items that aren't really needed for your trip. Avoid bringing things that are quite expensive because you'll only worry about their safety. If it’s possible, you should pack light because the less you have, the less stressed you will be.

Book in advance

You’ve seen this tip on several articles before and Bacall Associates also consider this to be very cost-effective. You should make your travel arrangements well in advance to get great discounts.

Contact a professional

If necessary, you should contact a professional travel agent because their expert help can give you the reassurance that everything will be alright in case something goes wrong. All the reservations your travel agent made on your behalf should be written in your journal.

Bacall Associates now in Singapore suggests that you should stay composed all the time and don't stress yourself too much so that you will surely enjoy your getaway trip with your family and build unforgettable memories with them, which you can cherish forever.

# data[].attributes.headline
Bacall
Associates - Singapore Travel Guide for First-Timers

# data[].attributes.subject
Bacall
Associates - Singapore Travel Guide for First-Timers

# data[].attributes.body
Singapore is South East Asia’s most prosperous city and smallest nation by land area. In recent years, newly developed mega-attractions and casino driven integrated resorts had transformed this “all work” economic powerhouse into one of the region’s most popular destinations for leisure travel.

Because of its compact size, Singapore is very easy to travel and generally safe. It is a top choice for first-time international travel, family trips, and those seeking to indulge in metropolitan luxuries. While costs are significantly higher than the rest of Southeast Asia, a lot of people continue to visit Singapore because of its unique and top-notch attractions that cater to almost every type of traveler.

I honestly didn’t expect to travel to Singapore as often as I have, considering the high number of seemingly more “exotic” and adventurous destinations elsewhere in the region. Singapore was just too irresistibly accessible with so many direct flights to other cities all over the region as well as convenient land crossing to Kuala Lumpur, another popular international gateway, in Malaysia. Singapore was a worthwhile jump-off point to Southeast Asia and a fitting “last stop” for indulging in urban comforts before the journey home.

Top Things to See and Do

Merlion Park — Pretty hard to miss anyway because of its prominent location at the mouth of the Singapore River. Not only could you get a good photo with the Merlion statue, Singapore’s most iconic monument, but there are amazing views to be seen of the Singapore Skyline, Marina Bay Sands, The Esplanade: Theatres by the Bay, and the Singapore Flyer.

Singapore Riverside and Civic District — this relaxing promenaded riverside area is a short walk away from the Merlion Park. Take a stroll down memory lane and get acquainted with the city’s early development and colonial history. A happening nightlife scene can be experienced at Clark and Boat Quay. Chinatown — Experience Singapore’s multi-cultural diversity by taking a walking and food tour of Chinatown. Visit a church, a mosque, Indian and Chinese temples all in one walk. Go on a food adventure and try dishes from Singapore’s different cultural influences at affordable hawker centers of Chinatown.

Marina Bay — Marvel at Singapore’s new urban cape by taking a walk around Marina Bay. Visit Marina Bay Sands, the Helix Bridge, Singapore Flyer, and Esplanade: Theatres on the bay. Amazing overlooking views can be seen from the sky park of Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer.

Gardens by the Bay — an ambitious project set to transform Singapore from a “Garden City” to a “City in a Garden.” The main attractions here are the 25 towering man-made Super trees and two equally extraordinary bio domes.

Singapore Zoo — an impressively maintained zoo where you can find a wide array of animals from around the world. The River Safari is also worth checking out.

Sentosa Island — spends a fun day on rides and themed attractions or relax at the beaches of Sentosa. The island is home to Universal Studios Singapore, the first theme park of its kind to open in Southeast Asia and the second in Asia after Universal Studios Japan.

# data[].attributes.headline
Bacall
Associates: Singapore Trip Day 1 - Transportation Guide To Singapore

# data[].attributes.subject
Bacall
Associates: Singapore Trip Day 1 - Transportation Guide To Singapore

# data[].attributes.body
Singapore is my second out of the country trip early last year.  This prosperous city-state is so well known because of many Filipinos working here, mostly in tourism and IT industry.  This became memorable for me because of the misadventures we had during planning and the trip itself.  Nonetheless, Singapore is worth visiting I'd love to come back.

What You Need To Know:

• Singapore is one of the 25 countries Filipinos (with Philippine passport) can visit without a visa.  The tourist visa is good for 30 days.

• Immigration officers in the Philippines are pretty strict to Filipinos going here.  A lot of Filipinos visit Singapore as a tourist but they never came back instead start working there.  Most often than not, they process the working permit in Singapore once they got the job.  I hope you already read my Hong Kong series because I already stated the things you need to show to an immigration officer.  But just to refresh, make sure you show you’re:

1.  Fully filled and signed departure / embarkation card

2.  Philippine passport

3.  Itinerary Flight Details - make sure that you have a flight going back to the Philippines

4.  Hotel/Hostel booking

5. Company ID - if you are employed it is best to show your company i.d. to ensure the officer you will come back again.  Be confident.  Officers might ask a lot.

6.  Government ID and/or other supporting documents for self-employed and students.

• Singapore is a multicultural country comprises of Singaporeans, Indians, Malays, and a home to blue collar workers coming from Philippines, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.  English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil are four official language in Singapore.  The influence of Chinese and Malay language is apparent in their informal English they called Singlish.

• Money in Singapore is in Singapore Dollars (SGD).  1 SGD = 34-35PHP as of writing.

# data[].attributes.headline
Mövenpick
Resort & Spa Tala Bay Aqaba Adds To The Fun Factor

# data[].attributes.subject
Mövenpick
Resort & Spa Tala Bay Aqaba Adds To The Fun Factor

# data[].attributes.body
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Tala Bay Aqaba Adds To The Fun Factor With New Family Activities

Jordan’s leading family resort, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Tala Bay Aqaba, has enhanced its family offering further by creating several new activities for parents and children to enjoy together, including ‘Famolympics’, treasure hunts and private cooking classes with the resort’s chefs.

The resort’s 150-metre stretch of private beach is the location for the ‘Famolympics’, which tests a family’s teamwork, agility and coordination at five stations involving mind games, relays, swimming and sandcastle-making.  Treasure hunts make the most of the resort’s Red Sea beachfront location and see teams of parents and children work together to find hidden treasures. Both activities are available at the weekend.

For families who enjoy cooking together, the resort’s first-class kitchen is the perfect place to learn five-star culinary techniques. Supervised by professional chefs, the private midweek cooking classes give families hands-on cooking experience as they create one of three local Jordanian dishes: Maqloobah, Sayadieh and Mansaf, the country’s national dish.

“Family holidays are perfect for enjoying quality bonding time, while creating memories together to take back home,” says General Manager Beat Peter. “When introducing new initiatives, we focus on the dynamics of our guests, try to understand what they want and then work on something that fits with the resources and location that we have. Our beach and beautiful outdoor areas are definitely highlights, so activities that give our guests the opportunity to enjoy this are high on our agenda. We also want to be remembered for more than just our delicious food in the restaurants and the private cooking experience is a way to combine this with a cultural element. Only in making long-lasting moments can we set ourselves apart from others.”

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Tala Bay Aqaba is the only property in the Kingdom to be included in TripAdvisor’s Top Hotels for Families in the Middle East.

# data[].attributes.headline
Bacall
Associates - Vietnam Airlines Recognised as Leading Global

# data[].attributes.subject
Bacall
Associates - Vietnam Airlines Recognised as Leading Global

# data[].attributes.body
Prized certification marks key developmental milestone for flag carrier after transformative year

12 July 2016 – National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines www.vietnamairlines.com has been certified as a 4-Star Airline by the international air transport rating organisation Skytrax ranking it alongside some of the world’s most reputable airlines, including British Airways, Emirates and Lufthansa. Vietnam Airlines new President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Duong Tri Thanh, accepted the official certification during the World Airline Awards event at Farnborough International Airshow 2016.

Awarded after comprehensive Skytrax evaluation across all customer-facing product and service factors both onboard flights and at airports served by Vietnam Airlines, the prestigious 4-Star Airline certification is recognition for the significant recent improvements that Vietnam Airlines has made to the quality of its product and service standards, as part of its strategic plan to establish itself as the leading carrier for the region.

Last year Vietnam Airlines underwent a dramatic transformation, launching its new corporate identity and beginning a major fleet-wide upgrade to replace its entire fleet of wide body aircraft – significantly enhancing its product offering. 2015 saw Vietnam Airlines become the first airline to operate the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner nonstop between Southeast Asia and Europe, and the first Asian airline to operate both Boeing and Airbus’ modern next-generation aircraft at the same time. A total of 19 Boeing 787s and 14 Airbus A350-900 XWBs will be delivered to Vietnam Airlines by early 2019.

At the same time, Vietnam Airlines implemented a programmed to upgrade service levels to international 4-Star Airline standards – spearheaded by Vietnam Airlines’ new President and CEO Mr. Thanh in his previous role as Executive Vice President. Commenting on the news, Mr. Thanh said “I am honored to accept this highly prestigious accolade on behalf of Vietnam Airlines. This fantastic achievement is testament to the hard work of all of Vietnam Airlines’ dedicated employees, and an important indicator of the excellent progress we are making towards our goal of becoming one of the best-regarded airlines in Asia-Pacific.”

Mr. Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax said “This 4-Star Airline rating is an excellent achievement for Vietnam Airlines and the result of their hard work across a range of product and service areas. Introducing two brand new aircraft types into the fleet in such a short space of time is a difficult task, but the reward for Vietnam Airlines is a fabulous new product in their core long haul market. We acknowledge the considerable change and improvement they have achieved, with a new service concept rolled out in Business Class and an overhaul of cabin staff training procedures – all of which will further strengthen Vietnam Airlines position as a major Asian airline.”

Vietnam Airlines offers the UK’s only nonstop flights to Vietnam, operating daily services from Heathrow Terminal 4 to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Flights are carefully scheduled to offer convenient overnight journeys in both directions, and excellent onward connections via its comprehensive network of over 40 destinations in Asia, including 16 within Vietnam 5 in Indochina and the rest in other countries.

Return fares from Heathrow to Ho Chi Minh City currently start from £396 per person, inclusive of taxes. For further information and reservations visit www.vietnamairlines.com or speak to a travel agent.

# data[].attributes.headline
Bacall
Associates Travel: Vietnam Airlines Announces

# data[].attributes.subject
Bacall
Associates Travel: Vietnam Airlines Announces

# data[].attributes.body
Vietnam Airlines Announces Business Performance For First Six Months Of 2016

Hanoi, 22 July 2016 – Vietnam Airlines’ Joint Stock Company (Vietnam Airlines) has announced the company’s business performance from January to June 2016.

In the first six months of 2016, the aviation market grew by 27.2 per cent compared to the same period last year, with a 37 per cent increase in the domestic market. This was despite the difficulties and challenges that Vietnam Airlines was faced with due to economic slowdown, instability and terrorism in Europe and overcrowded infrastructures, especially at Tan Son Nhat international airport.

In responding swiftly to these circumstances Vietnam Airlines has captured the strong growth of the market, adopting effective measures to improve its operations and make good use of favourable conditions. Thanks to these measures, the business has achieved positive results with a high growth rate over the period, exceeding the set targets. Key achievements to note include:

• In the first six months of 2016, Vietnam Airlines operated over 70,300 safe flights (an increase of 10.7 per cent from the same period last year); carried 9.65 million passengers (an increase of 15.5 per cent from the same period last) and saw transport on international routes increase by 6.9 per cent and on domestic routes by 21.1 per cent . The corporation also achieved a freight output of 124,800 tons, exceeding its targets with an increase of 18.1 per cent over the same period last year.

• The company’s total consolidated revenue is estimated at more than 36 trillion VND and pre-tax profits are estimated at 1,600 billion VND, reaching nearly 7per cent of the target set for 2016. The airline’s parent company recorded an estimated revenue of over 29 trillion VND and nearly 1,140 billion VND in estimated profits, reaching over 7 per cent of the target set for 2016.

• Vietnam Airlines also accomplished two major tasks. Its restructuring and acquisition was completed with the signing and receipt of the share transaction payment made by ANA Holdings, who officially became a strategic shareholder on 1 July 2016. On 12 July, Vietnam Airlines was awarded 4-star airline certification at the SkyTrax World Airline Awards event at the Farnborough International Airshow. The airline is now officially a member of the world’s leading 4-5 star carriers and has been recognised as one of the world’s top three most improved airlines.

Vietnam Airlines has achieved these positive results thanks to its efforts in creating groundbreaking developments, taking advantage of opportunities to grow, increasing profitability, improving service quality and enhancing business efficiency.

Over the next six months, Vietnam Airlines will continue to mobilise its resources to ensure safety and security and improve the efficiency of its fleet. It will also coordinate with the airlines of the corporation, its strategic partner ANA and other SkyTeam members in order to introduce to the market further excellent products that are well-priced and comfortable in transit, meeting the quality required of a 4-star service and the increasing needs of passengers.

Vietnam Airlines offers the UK’s only nonstop flights to Vietnam, operating daily services from Heathrow Terminal 4 to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Flights are carefully scheduled to offer convenient overnight journeys in both directions, and excellent onward connections via its comprehensive network of over 40 destinations in Asia, including 23 within Vietnam and Indochina, as well as China, Japan and Taiwan.

Return fares from Heathrow to Ho Chi Minh City currently start from £396 per person, inclusive of taxes. For further information and reservations visit www.vietnamairlines.com or speak to a travel agent.

# data[].attributes.headline
Bacall
Associates Travel  - Your typical London
Adventure Guide

# data[].attributes.subject
Bacall
Associates Travel  - Your typical London
Adventure Guide

# data[].attributes.body
I had seen what most of you hadn’t. Be it the towering heights of Ben’s, the Collection of masterpieces, or the Great museum that held centuries worth of history… That is because I went to London.

I had a lot of help with little time. So I was referred by a friend who previously travelled to London to Bacall and Associates.

From the tower of London (which is a full structure) to the Somerset House, my adventures included a lot of strolling. Feeling like I walked through history itself, their Museums offers artifacts and countless treasures of the past.

Structures that became the Icon of London itself such as the Eye that gives you a view from the skies whereas people are small and the dazzling city seemingly so too. Another is the Big Ben, a clock tower that dates as far as the 1850’s which still stands today, so no need to bring a watch. The Big Ben took 34 years to build.

Another is the tourist spot of the Buckingham Palace, where 11:30 (or earlier to get a good spot as people tend to crowd), disciplined and trained, the changing of guards occur that served as the modern knights of London.

Westminster Abbey. Modernly known as Collegiate Church of St Peter, it is a historical place that held not only royal weddings in the past, but also burials of the kings almost a millennium ago.

The Victoria and Albert Museum. A destination that held artifacts from 5,000 years ago spanning from artworks, costumes, jewelry, ironwork, and photos.

Lastly, the St Paul’s Cathedral the largest and most famous among London’s many churches and one of the most beautiful in the world. The Architectural design that made it proved to be genius and made of hard work, though the Cathedral has a history of a fire that occurred back in the 1666 it was rebuilt.

# data[].attributes.headline
Bacall
Associates Travel  - To be lost in the
City (of Singapore!)

# data[].attributes.subject
Bacall
Associates Travel  - To be lost in the
City (of Singapore!)

# data[].attributes.body
We all work for something. Be it a want, a goal or dream, that we follow the same routine, drive the same highways a hundred or even a thousand of times, do the same thing over and over again to earn and simply enjoy our lives.

But there will be times when you will just feel tired, I felt tired. I wanted a break, a short vacation, but little I had known that I was out of time.

Summer had grown to a close and I was left with little time to plan, prepare and ready myself. I was supposed to be relaxing, that was then that I found Bacall Associates when I was at my wit’s end.

Working for hours to free up the next days while preparing everything proved to be tiresome. But Bacall fixed everything. In the end, I was only able to bring a few clothes, basic amenities and needs and next thing I know, I was on a plane. They prepared me a schedule that I can chose to follow, contacted hotels and made reservations and basically everything that I needed to do but didn’t have time to.

It was an hour after dawn when I arrived, most attractions are closed for the next few hours, and I had nothing to do. I checked in the given hotel dropped of what little things I had bring and took a walk.

What I had first enjoyed when I arrived at Singapore was the view. Everywhere I look was lush green, the streets were clean and maintained, and the climbing sun was in the background. I followed the detailed advises of Bacall Associates, took a train or two, walk a bit and soon found myself at the market.

As I stroll, I bought off what I didn’t bring, like clothes, bought myself some comfortable sandals (all in which I brought home as souvenirs) and continued to let myself be lost in the city. Had a lunch in a local restaurant I had passed through when I strolled (I’d recommend the Bak Chor Mee) and ultimately enjoyed.

Days went pass as I visited tourist spots like the gardens, the man made waterfalls and a lot more that in the end I felt satisfied. It was relaxing. It was then that I decided that once a year or two, I will take a vacation, god knows where but thankfully there is Bacall and Associates to help me with that.

Lucas P. Cromwell

# data[].attributes.headline
The Best
Things to Do in Singapore - Bacall Associates

# data[].attributes.subject
The Best
Things to Do in Singapore - Bacall Associates

# data[].attributes.body
Singaporeans moan that besides shopping, dining and the movies, there's not a lot you can do here. Ignore them. The must-see list for the one-day visitor to Singapore, especially the first-timer, is absorbingly long. There is very little chance you'll get bored. Most tourists tend to gravitate first towards the famed retail stretch of Orchard Road. Fine, get your fix of bold-faced names like Louis Vuitton, Chanel and every other couture label under the sun. When you've gotten that out of your system, dump your purchases back at the hotel and head out into the 'burbs where the real charm of Singapore lies. We're here to guide you to the top 10 places where tourists don't normally go; in short, the places where Singaporeans in the know live and play.

* Singapore Botanic Gardens

So, you've arrived. It's early and nothing really opens for business until around 11 a.m., so how are you going to kill time? Slip on the trainers and head out to the Botanic Gardens (open 5 a.m. to midnight). At this time of the day, downtown Singapore's last remaining green lung is a cool, bucolic retreat filled with joggers, dogs and tai-chi practitioners. Wander through the swaths of virgin rainforest (the main boardwalk through it is entered from Upper Palm Valley Road) and then take in the National Orchid Garden's many-colored collection of 1,000 orchid species and 2,000 hybrids. When you're done, drop into the food court near Tanglin Gate for a traditional local breakfast of soft-boiled eggs, coffee and toast slathered with coconut jam.

* Artwork at the Ritz-Carlton

It may seem a little strange to head to a hotel to look at artwork, but the Ritz-Carlton is no ordinary hotel. The massive three-ton Frank Stella installation at the entrance and the pair of Dale Chihuly crystal glass sculptures that anchor both wings of the building kick off one of Southeast Asia's finest (and under the radar) collections of modern and contemporary art. The majority of the pieces were specially commissioned for the public spaces and guest suites. The treasures on view include Andy Warhol and David Hockney's exuberant colors, Rainer Gross's geometric compositions, Henry Moore's restrained monochromatics and the lush botanicals of Robert Zakanitch. It's all free to view, and you even get an iPod-guided tour.

* Chinatown Heritage Centre

Let the other tourist hordes charge over to the newly minted Peranakan Museum or the gloomy Asian Civilisations Museum. If you do only one cultural thing during your 24-hour Singapore layover, it must be a tour of the unheralded Chinatown Heritage Centre, where entire sets of bedrooms, kitchens and street scenes from the late-19th century and early-20th century have been faithfully recreated. It's an authentic slice of Singapore's history that's made all the more fascinating by the gleaming skyscrapers just a few blocks away. And if you must, pick up a kitschy souvenir from the gift shop on your way out.

* Plastic Surgery

In case you missed the memo, the place for plastic surgery is Asia. While many people head to Bangkok and Seoul for assorted nips and tucks, the locals make a beeline for the ultra-swish, Richard Meier–designed Camden Medical Centre. You may not have time for a full makeover, but squeeze in a spot of Botox or a non-surgical facelift with local celebrity surgeon Woffles Wu. And then adjourn downstairs for snapper pie and Pavlova at Whitebait & Kale.

# data[].attributes.headline
Bacall
Associates - Singapore City Break Guide

# data[].attributes.subject
Bacall
Associates - Singapore City Break Guide

# data[].attributes.body
An essential guide to Singapore, including advice on the best hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and attractions.

Why go?

Because Singapore is celebrating its 50 year of independence with parties and openings aplenty (singapore50.sg).

Come Q3-Q4, the six-starred Patina Capitol Singapore - with architecture by Pritzker Prize Laureate Richard Meier and interior by Jaya Ibrahim - will debut in two restored heritage buildings in the Civic District.

And in November, the National Gallery will open on the grounds of the city’s most iconic buildings - the former Supreme Court and City Hall; with a combined floor area of 60,000 sqm, it will house the largest collection of South-east Asian art in the world.

Discover for yourself what life is like in one of the world’s most affluent cities. While S$500 a pop meals are not hard to find, it’s completely possible to eat like a king without spending more than S$5 to S$10 per head.

Witness how the locals make the most of their lives in a city known for its draconian laws and apparently “unhappy” citizens. It will change the way you view the little red dot.

When to go

Weather-wise, there is no “best time” to visit Singapore. Known for its year-round warm and humid weather, the city’s temperature hovers between 24C in the mornings and evenings and about 31C in the daytime. From November to January, the temperature dips slightly with the onset of the wet monsoon season during which it’s wise to pack a brolly.

Singapore hosts the world’s only Formula 1 night race, and come September the city revs up for the event (September 18 - 20, 2015). Last-minute hotel reservations can be challenging at this time, especially if you want to stay in a hotel sited along the Grand Prix track, but advance planning will stand you in good stead.

Where to go

To see the real Singapore, veer off the beaten path to the newly gentrified Tiong Bahru. Start with local breakfast of mee pok (flat egg noodles) at 70-year-old stall, Hua Bee. Then, proceed to Tiong Bahru market to observe how Singaporeans procure groceries in the morning. Break for coffee at 40 Hands, peruse some books at hipster bookstore, Books Actually, and when hunger strikes, head back to the market for wallet-friendly hawker fare. If you’re in the vicinity in the evening and want to splash on a good meal, head back to Hua Bee. By night, the coffee shop morphs into Bincho, a modern yakitori joint.

Know before you go

Local laws and etiquette

Singapore is known as a fine city and for good reason – you can be fined, and even caned or jailed – for breaking seemingly draconian laws that the locals have learnt to live with.

Since 1992, when a vandal stuck a piece of chewing gum on an MRT door sensor that resulted in the disruption of train services, the sale and import of chewing gum has been banned in Singapore. You can still chew gum, but be careful to dispose of it properly.

Smoking is banned in restaurants, cinemas and all indoor public spaces. Since mid-2013, the ban has been extended to include public spaces such as overhead bridges and outdoor hospital compounds.

Vandalism is also a punishable offence and so are littering, spitting, jaywalking and failure to flush the lavatory.

Visas

Foreigners holding travel documents from certain countries require a visa to enter Singapore. See the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority website (ica.gov.sg).  gyOCw

# data[].attributes.headline
Bacall
Associates - Singapore Travel Guide

# data[].attributes.subject
Bacall
Associates - Singapore Travel Guide

# data[].attributes.body
I’ve been to Singapore twice (in 2013 & 2016), and spent a total of 7 days in the city — it’s one of my favorite places in Asia!   In this blog post, I am going to give you an overview of the city, and provide travel tips and recommendations for things like culture, attractions, food, nightlife and more. Everything you read is based off my own experiences.

GENERAL THOUGHTS ON SINGAPORE

Singapore is a bustling hub of culture, food, and all around good vibes.  It’s the most modern city in Asia.  It’s vibrant, it’s energetic, and it always leaves me fascinated.

If you think New York City is busy, just wait until you see Singapore.  People are always in a hurry and they walk really fast (they are actually ranked the fastest walkers on earth).  It seemed like everything was happening in fast motion, which always kept me on my toes!

You might be surprised to hear that Singapore is a tiny tropical island, made up of 6 million people (75% Chinese).  It’s located just 80 miles north of the equator — so the temperature is always hot and humid.  It’s tropical location provides 17 nature reserves and more than 1.4 million trees!

The thing that stands out most about Singapore is the extreme cleanliness.

Seriously — the streets are cleaner than my washing machine.

Why is everything so clean in Singapore?

Well, Singapore has some of the strictest laws in the world.  There are street signs all around the city reminding everyone not to litter, smoke, chew gum, run, spit, etc.  If you don’t follow the rules, then you must pay a steep fine.  But nearly everyone obeys the rules, which is why Singapore is also of the safest cities in the world.

Everything from the metros, malls, restaurants and residential buildings are so clean that you can eat off the floor!

Another thing that really impressed me about Singapore was the easiness to get around.

Despite being a densely populated city, the metro system is VERY easy to figure out and there are taxis all around that are pretty cheap to use.

After being in Singapore for just a few hours, I was already confident enough to navigate myself around town.  All the signs are in English (and most people can speak/understand English), so it’s almost impossible to get lost.

Alright, there is a downside…. Singapore is expensive.  Really expensive to travel.

In fact, the city just took #1 as the Most expensive city in the world by the Los Angeles Times.  Aside from street food, which is reasonably priced, you wouldn’t believe how a beer or alcoholic beverage costs… And if you want to rent a flat, then good luck finding a cheap price!

# data[].attributes.headline
Bacall
Associates Travel Singapore Insider Tips from a Local

# data[].attributes.subject
Bacall
Associates Travel Singapore Insider Tips from a Local

# data[].attributes.body
When I visited Singapore for the first time I instantly fell in love with this city-state: its futuristic design, the combination of different cultures and the diverse food. I was lucky to meet Jaclynn Seah there, who is from Singapore and writes on her blog „The Occasional Traveller“. She showed me around and we had a great time. She tells you her insider tips for the Lion City – the best time to travel there, accommodation, restaurants and sights.

Jaclynn is The Occasional Traveller, a Singaporean girl with a full-time day job who loves to travel. She started her blog in 2010 to encourage fellow deskbound wanderlusters like herself to remember to take that time off and get away. She is always looking forward to that next trip!

Here are her insider tips for Singapore:

Why should everyone travel once in a lifetime to Singapore?

There’s nowhere in the world quite like Singapore!

When is the best time to visit it?

Singapore is hot all year round and we hardly have any seasons. Year end tends to be cooler but also more rainy, though really it can rain any time of the year.

June and December are school holiday periods in Singapore so your tourist attractions will be more crowded with families, so you might want to avoid those periods.

Which attractions of Singapore are worth to see?

The Marina Bay area (which you usually see on TV during the F1 Grand Prix in September) is a tourist hotspot but for good reason – Singapore is prettiest in the evening when the buildings are all lit up.

I recommend starting from the Esplanade, walking clockwise around the bay area across the Helix Bridge until you reach Marina Bay Sands.

Other tourist attractions that I think are worth seeing are Gardens by the Bay (18 Marina Gardens Dr) – the alien-looking Super Tree Grove is mostly free (unless you want to go on the Skywalk, a rickety walkway suspended near the top of the tree structures).

But it is worth going into the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest as well – beautiful and cool, a good way to spend your time ‚indoors‘ if Singapore is being all humid or rainy.

If you want a proper outdoor garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens (1 Cluny Rd) is centrally located in the downtown area and was just awarded a UNESCO award.

��s�V���

# data[].attributes.headline
Bacall
Associates - Easy Steps to Include Social Media into Sales Promotions

# data[].attributes.subject
Bacall
Associates - Easy Steps to Include Social Media into Sales Promotions

# data[].attributes.body
The tremendous impact of social media has brought to the business arena is phenomenal and Bacall Associates has been witnessing this phenomenon over the years. A social media campaign could add a cutting-edge facet to traditional sales promotions. Many customers prefer social media in looking for trusted reviews of different people about a particular service or product.

A well-designed social media campaign can be a powerful and effective sales tool as it enables your business to develop continuing relationships with your target audience and followers, and improve your understanding towards their needs.

Getting social media success usually includes a long process, particularly in small businesses, so you must flourish your profiles first and develop a genuine relationship with your business followers before easing into any type of sales promotions. The following are some of the easy suggestions prepared by Bacall Associates where you can use social media to your sales promotions.

Select the best platform for your business

Understanding on where you’re being found by your prospective customers on social media can assist you in determining on which platform you’re going to use for your brand. You can request your marketing team to report this information to you. But in the end, the platform should match your target audience. If your business is focused towards promotions and B2B then LinkedIn is an ideal option for you, but if you're aimed towards the consumer market then Facebook is for you.

Build a trustworthy image

This will not be easy, but you must do your best to build your business' creditability. You can begin with creating a professional profile and see to it that your posts and updates are discussion-worthy with only a small percentage of being directly promotional posts.

Properly handle gathered information

Social media provides an enormous quantity of data about qualified leads. A well-designed campaign using a combination of promo codes can provide many in-depth data, which is why most social media sites offer analytics to examine these data for future campaigns. It's important to correctly handle the data once these leads have been gathered.

Sell using social media

You can also achieve effective selling with social media. It is the best for daily deals or acts now offers. Encourage immediate action from your followers and motivate them to interact and share the offer, just make sure that it is a great deal to begin with so that they will be interested in sharing it.

If properly implemented, Bacall Associates is convinced that social media sites can be an excellent addition to your marketing and sales toolkits. Since 1994, the Bacall team has been providing comprehensive public relations, marketing communications, and sales promotion services to their customers.

# data[].attributes.headline
Bacall
Associates - Tips in using Social Media

# data[].attributes.subject
Bacall
Associates - Tips in using Social Media

# data[].attributes.body
Tips in using social media to improve your marketing communication plan

Known for their cost-effective integrated public relations, marketing and sales campaigns, Bacall Associates sees great importance in social media because it serves as a great helping tool to a lot of business owners today. It doesn’t only help you in terms of public relations but can also boost your integrated marketing communication plan.

Remember that a goal without a plan is just a wish. Same goes with your business, it's crucial to have a plan first before you begin communicating with the world about your business. This specific plan is called an integrated marketing communication (IMC) plan. It includes different methods on how to communicate your business along with its products and services to your target audience. During implementation, it can also be an effective guideline for your marketing teams to prevent any internal arguments between stakeholders and to reduce any problems.

Similar to your marketing strategy, this plan continues to evolve and once your communication channels keep on growing, you just need to adjust your plan together with it. Your IMC can utilize several different communication mediums, including advertising, public relations, content marketing and social media. Social media, with its purpose to improve communication, is considered vital to any IMC plan nowadays.

These past few decades, social media has been proven effective to the world of marketing, making it an essential communication channel and a worthwhile source of customer information. Bacall Associates has seen the impact of social media on the following areas, which proved that it could enhance your IMC plan.

Market research

You can use social media for your market research. Qualitative and quantitative market research are significant for an integrated marketing communications plan. You can use these sections as a guide for your strategy and tactics as well as identifying your target audience. It is often difficult to gather data on these sections, that’s why the introduction of social media has been a great help to a lot of business owners worldwide. Social media contains a plethora of social media data that can be used to discover detailed information about your target audience. You can also gather qualitative data through focus group-like questions.

Public relations

Using social media to drive public relations could also be an advantage to you. In the past, once a news break out, public relation pros are required to send emails, faxes, and make phone calls to update the reporters that their client is available to make a comment. Today, social media has lessened the stress of PR pros because it provides easy access and great convenience to them. You can achieve relevance and speed with social media, that’s why it’s now possible to get a comment out within minutes of the news breaking. It's important that your audience lives on social media and that your sources are connected to them.

Advertising

You can also advertise your brand using social media. It's evident that there's a massive change in the world of advertising today because of social media. Social media advertising has been around for a short period of time. Not surprisingly, business owners put big advertising budgets on social media because of its ability to specifically target your audience, easily measure your social media advertising ROI, and quickly make changes to your ads. Bacall Associates claims that it is now the right time to include social media in your advertising strategy and budget.

Reporting on your integrated marketing communication (IMC) plan

Using social media analytics to report on your IMC plan is also feasible. Because of the rise of social media analytics tools, it's important that you also include the data available in these tools even if there are already many different ways where you can report on your IMC plan. Social media analytics helps you gather data from blogs and social media websites and could analyze that data to make business decisions.

# data[].attributes.headline
Tips for an Effective PR Campaign by Bacall Associates Travel

# data[].attributes.subject
Tips for an Effective PR Campaign by Bacall Associates Travel

# data[].attributes.body
Along with other business owners, you want to increase your visibility and reach your target market, right? Then content and execution will be your saving grace. Remember that those are important to make sure that your PR campaign will not fail.

To make your PR campaigns effective, you need to consider the following in order to help you achieve success.

A crystal clear goal

It's apparent that it should be on the top of the list because without a goal, you can't score. You and your audience may become confused if you don't have a clear purpose for your campaign. Your answer to the question, "What do you want to achieve for your brand?” should be definite and clear. Keep in mind that this will be very important to you because this will serve as your steering wheel in driving the road to success.

Right audience

You should reach the right audience for your brand. Considering your potential media outlet's audience and tone is important. Make sure that your content matches them and is appropriate. To target different types of media, you should create different pieces of content such as press releases, content marketing articles, and creative media kits. But remember, spamming irrelevant content is not good for your brand's image, so avoid doing it to everyone on your contact list. Publishing your content may not be enough, so it's better to put more effort on your side and do your best to communicate the right message to the consumers.

Reachable content

It is clear that having a constant interaction with the consumers is a vital part of your campaign, and this is possible if you have reachable content. Nowadays, the power of social media platforms is undeniably changing the world of public relations, especially in countries like Singapore where social media is being used every day by the majority of its people. You can easily share your content through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or LinkedIn, that can lead to an effective communication between you and the consumers. Make sure that your content has a connection with your brand and that the message is not lost. But don't make it all about your brand. For example, tutorials on YouTube regarding beauty or fitness provide the demonstration of the product along with an entertaining and informative experience they can interact with.

False impression

You should definitely AVOID this. Your content may seem flawless, but according to reviews, it can still be misunderstood by some and have different meanings. Do some research and get different perspectives to minimize the chances of your PR campaign gaining attention for all the wrong reasons. Simple phrases, symbols and metaphors, altogether might have a different meaning, making this crucial for international campaigns.

Effectiveness

Measuring your campaign's effectiveness should also be a part of your concern. Think of how you will measure the success of your PR campaign before you begin sending press releases. Having different KPIs, or Key Performance Indicators, is often a good idea according to the experts of Bacall Associates.

Trends

You can better understand the consumers and media by keeping yourself updated with the latest trends, from new apps to the latest publications, and even current affairs. This can help you communicate your message more efficiently, making your brand get the recognition it deserves. Keep in touch with Bacall Associates if you'd like to discuss your public relations approach because they can greatly help you with your every need.

# data[].attributes.headline
Bacall
Associates: PR experts committed in luxury travel

# data[].attributes.subject
Bacall
Associates: PR experts committed in luxury travel

# data[].attributes.body
PR experts committed in luxury travel and spas in Singapore

Since 1994, Bacall Associates has been respected by a lot of individuals because of their professionalism and their competence. It is particularly a boutique public relations, marketing and sales support agency specializing in travel at the top end of the market.

Bacall Associates is passionate in launching and maintaining profiles for airlines, destinations, hotel groups, luxury developments, resorts and health retreats, and travel companies around the world.

Each of their incisive specialists has in-depth knowledge in the travel industry and has the ability of drawing on a wide range of media and industry contacts. Bacall Associates also brings a lifestyle advantage to their work by taking the message well beyond the travel pages to the luxury consumer.

With more than 20 years of extensive experience, Bacall Associates has garnered numerous clients worldwide, which includes aviation and infrastructure as well as some of the world’s best hotels, from independent properties to the iconic landmarks like the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

Bacall Associates also established small niche operators in the marketplace and conceived PR strategies for major tourist boards and travel companies. It’s only natural for every company to work hard, right? But Bacall Associates always exceed the norms. Most of the reviews of their clients reveal that their services are unrivaled. They’re dedicated to achieving the specific public relations goals of their clients and driving the business at the same time.

Bacall Associates proved to the world that they have a great team. They’re passionate and ingenious individuals who can face any challenges. With their unrivaled commitment, they always exceed their clients’ expectations.

Perhaps one of the question that pops into your mind is, “What is their secret behind their success?” The answer seems so simple; they’re humble and honest, and have a positive attitude and a wealth of knowledge. Those traits are also the reason behind their solid relationships not only with their clients, but also with journalists. Bacall Associates also delivers a lifestyle edge to their work to add enthusiasm to their campaigns and guarantee the reach of the right audiences for their clients.

They are also proud to have a strong marketing edge that allows them to establish innovative concepts and initiatives that transcend, yet balance pure media placement. Bacall Associates often collaborate with upmarket brands and partners such as Aveda, Bentley, Coutts Private Banking, Gossard, Ham Polo Club, Harvey Nichols, Louis Vuitton, Moet & Chandon, Quintessentially, and Selfridges.

Bacall Associates’ integrated PR, marketing and sales campaigns are a cost effective way to build brand awareness by combining high press impact coverage in the leading UK media with regular celebrity endorsements, brand partnerships, targeted promotions and events with a real ‘wow’ factor.

They’ve played an integral role in securing several awards for their clients throughout the years, to firmly establish them as world class properties. Bacall Associates is aware of the need to produce tangible results that’s long term and can be turned into increased sales.