family fun in Singapore…
Without question, the best perk of being a travel agent was going on agent famil trips and industry conferences.
I was lucky enough to travel to Singapore with Flight Centre for a Team Leader conference and without a doubt my most memorable experiences whilst in Singapore involved food.
Of course, having a cocktail at the SkyBar ATOP Marina Bay Sands was a highlight, but this image; taken on my old iPhone, takes me back to this exact moment - having Chilli Crab on the boulevard while enjoying this spectacular view OF Marina Bay Sands.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
At the time, I didn’t really sell Singapore as a family destination, as not many people see it that way. A lot of (especially East Coast) families favour Bali, Thailand and Fiji. For good reason obviously, but I do feel as though Singapore is an unsung family destination hero.
So now that I have kids myself, if I ever head back to Singapore with the family, here's what I would do:
🏨 STAY:
My preference would be somewhere on Sentosa Island, giving us access to the Aquarium, Universal Studios, and resort-style accommodations. My picks would be the W, or the Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa. If budget-conscious, I would stick to the mainland, opting for a family-friendly hotel such as the M Hotel or Furama Riverfront, although the Shangri-La Singapore would be enticing.
🎢 PLAY:
Not just rich in history and culture, Singapore is a family playground. Some examples of family fun things to do include Universal Studios, Adventure Cove Water Park, Hydrodash Water Park, Adventure Park Sentosa, SEA Aquarium, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Zoo, and the ArtScience Museum.
🥟 EAT:
The best part of course - food! I have been thinking of Singapore Chilli Crab ever since and that would be my number one mission if I ever returned. Not only that, the Hawker Centres (outdoor street food halls) in Singapore are a local foodies paradise, as is Chinatown.
Best time to travel:
Feb - Apr is Singapore's dry season, making it a great option for those April school holidays.
Best airline to travel with:
Singapore Airlines, Qantas, or British Airways are your full-service airlines that fly non-stop from Sydney to Singapore. For a budget option, try Scoot.
FREE SINGAPORE STOPOVER:
With the help of a travel agent, you can secure an airfare that will allow you to include a few days in Singapore, at no additional cost. The same fare rate must be available on both your departure date and onward journey date, but this is where the experience of a travel agent will be of value.
PRO TRAVEL TIP #1:
Stay hydrated! I know this seems like a basic life skill, but Singapore is typically hot and HUMID. Add lots of walking and activity with the kids and it’s easy to forget but so important to remember. Try a Brita water bottle with an in-built filter. I find this to be my most used travel accessory.
PRO TRAVEL TIP #2:
Research the local laws and customs and be mindful of your surroundings.
Singapore is known for its cleanliness. Dispose of litter properly, as there are strict fines for littering.
PRO TRAVEL TIP #3:
Don’t wait until before you depart to purchase your travel insurance. This is a common mistake, but the best time to begin your insurance is from the time of purchase. So whenever you pay for your flights and deposit.
PRO TRAVEL TIP #4:
Book with a travel agent. With my experience especially, I could book all of my travel online myself but I still use a travel agent. There should be no price difference, as their commission is built into the product (like a mortgage broker). And if it’s cheaper online, they normally price-beat. I use Jake (who is uber-experienced and awesome - highly recommend), from Flight Centre Cardiff (who have over 300 5-star Google reviews). The only time I would book online is if availability differs.
PRO TRAVEL TIP #5:
Capitalise on points and online rewards apps.
If you’re a Qantas frequent flyer, you can download the plug-in “Points Prompter”. When online browsing a supported store, you'll receive a prompt to say you can earn Qantas Points when shopping, which over time, can be used to pay for your airfares. Similarly, rewards apps like Shopback have a browser extension and as of today (30/11/23) are offering a 5.5% cashback rate when making a booking on Booking.com.
Just this year I received $335 cashback from our trip to Fiji. It all adds up!
FOR MORE TRAVEL REVIEWS + TIPS from an ex-Tavel Agent, follow this hashtag 👉 #TravelWithHOM
