Singapore Itinerary: Make your Parents and Granny Proud

There are a lot of ways to give back to our parents and grandparents, and one of these is a trip to Singapore. Here are the recommended and selected activities for them:

Day 1:

Arrival in Singapore. Do not forget to grab free maps at the airport arrival area. If landed at midnight, you can start your tour before lunch.

Make a stroll around the neighborhood, have breakfast and try the famous Kaya Toast set with Kopi. To familiarize yourself on the public transport: buses, trains or cabs. Get an ezlink card instead of paying cash in buses and trains. Head to Marina Bay Sands to relax and enjoy the Shopping Centre. Take a picture and enjoy the view facing the Merlion and the skyscraper. Go up to take pictures of the Marina Bay Sands towers and see the Gardens by the Bay's super trees from afar.

Take the lift down to Gardens by the Bay, enjoy the park for free Dragonfly & Kingfisher Lakes, Children's Garden, Heritage Gardens, Supertree Grove, Sun Pavilion, World of Plants and Bay East Garden. You may also check out paid attractions like Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, and Skyway.  Hungry? There's a food court at the Marina Bay Sands where you can take out or "tapao" the food and bring to your next destination. Spend the rest of your afternoon there.

Have an early dinner at Makansutra Gluttons by the Bay near the Esplanade. Try the famous chili crab, cereal prawns, and other local dishes. You may also try their local drinks like chin chow (sweetened drink with grass jelly), lemon barley, water chestnut, soya bean milk or chrysanthemum tea.

If your parents/grandparents and not too tired, you walk to the Esplanade and cross the Esplanade bridge and get a selfie with the iconic Merlion statue.

Day 2:

It would be better only to go two parks in 1 day for your parents/grandparents. Get 2-in-1 park hopper ticket because it's cheaper rather than buying tickets at the park. For four people or less, take a cab or take the bus (but it would be timing consuming). For more than four people, take a Maxi cab and scheduled a pickup. Take note, need to pay each pickup from point A to point B (around $60 to $70 for a 7 seater MPV).

For this day, I recommend the whole day in Singapore Zoo then Night Safari.

Singapore Zoo

Spend your afternoon at the zoo. Don't miss the exhibits of a white tiger, proboscis monkey, Free-Ranging Orang Utan, Pygmy Hippo, Otter, Tapir and more. Check out those animals that you have never seen before in the Frozen Tundra, Wild Africa, Australian Outback, Reptile Garden and a lot more to see. But be also cautious of the time and you must witness the following shows (2nd time):

Night Zafari

Have your dinner at the entrance of the zoo or you may take it at Night Safari entrance and witness the Thumbuakar Performance while dining. Expect a long queue. So if you want to catch up the 7.30pm Creatures of the Night Show, then be hurry. If you miss it, you can try the tram ride first and catch up the show timings at 8.30pm, 9.30pm, and 10.30pm. Enjoy the rainforest and nocturnal animals!

Day 3:

Time to explore Asia's Favorite Playground - Sentosa. The island offers a wide variety of attractions. You can choose where to go, like to hang out in Siloso Beach or take a picture of the father Merlion statue and some more. If you're on a tight budget, you can select few paid attractions and avail the free amenities provided on the island. Here are the options for getting to the island:

Option 1: By Cable Cable Car Ride

You can choose where to start your cable ride from Mount Faber  or Harbourfront Tower II. This is a round trip ride.

Option 2: Monorail

Go to VivoCity (Lobby L, Level 3), take the Sentosa Express

Option 3: By Foot via Sentosa Boardwalk

You only have to pay S$1 / entry per person on weekdays and Free during weekends or public holidays

Here's my recommended attractions and ride.

or you can check combo packages for cheaper prices online.

Day 4:

Jurong Bird

Start your tour early and be at Jurong Bird Park at 08:00 to have breakfast in their picnic area. Do a stroll and discover the different kinds of birds. Make sure to head your way to Hawk Walk to witness the Kings of the Skies Show at 10:00 am. Then catch up the next show, the High Flyers Show at Pools Amphitheatre at 11:00 am. Take your quick lunch and be at your pick up point (if you arrange for a pickup) at most by 1:15 pm otherwise, need to leave earlier to catch up with a public bus going to Singapore Zoo, which takes more than 1 hour and more than 1 bus ride. I would suggest you take a cab with a traveling time of 21 mins only.

Other optional attractions that you can do for the day are:

Day 5:

Treat your parents and grandparents to a relaxing walk and admiring the flora at the Botanical Gardens. Then spoil them at Orchard for shopping.

• Botanical Gardens
• Orchard Road

Day 6:

Universal Studios

Explore the 7 zones being offered in this theme park and I have recommended some attractions, ride for the youngsters

Alternative activities if your parents/grandparents doesn't want to go to Universal Studios:

Day 7:

This is most relaxed day, your last day! Time to go for shopping some souvenirs. Places to go for cheaper prices:

• Bugis Street
• China Town
• Daiso

If you plan to buy new smartphone, tablet, TV, laptop, DSLR, other gadgets and accessories, then I recommend these stores:

• Funan Digital Store
• Sim Lim Square
• Challenger (Items are in discounted prices for members or some items you can avail member points only).

Pack up and be at the airport 2 hours before your expected departure time. Have a safe trip!