With the festive season fast approaching and 2017 coming to an end, the time has come for us to start preparing for the New Year. This includes the careful planning of annual leave so as to best optimise and utilise it. To help you to visualise, we devised a cheat sheet illustrating when leave could be taken so as to maximise your public holidays. This could then allow you to enjoy 9 long weekends with just 5 days of annual leave.
With it now clear on when the long weekends are, the next step is then to plan your holiday destinations. However, with Singaporeans being a generally well-travelled bunch, finding an interesting yet affordable destination may prove to be a challenge. As such, we came up with a list of 9 pocket friendly destinations that are suitable for a weekend getaway or a long year-end holiday.
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For a weekend getaway...
Don't have leave to spare? Or perhaps you are saving your leave for a long year-end holiday. Don't fret as here are 3 destinations that you can head to for a quick weekend getaway with minimal leave required.
For a weekend getaway, consider Ho Chi Minh, the culture capital of Vietnam. With the city only a 2 hour flight from Singapore, this makes for a perfect weekend trip. Pay a visit to the war museum or Cu Chi tunnels to learn about the Vietnam War or wander through their local markets to immerse yourself in the culture. With options ranging from local street food to hipster cafes, Ho Chi Minh has a mix of both local and foreign food options which will definitely leave you spoilt for choice.
Alternatively, Penang and Phuket would make for good weekend trips too. Go in search of the numerous wall murals in Penang or go island hopping in Phuket. With these 3 destinations doable in just 3 or 4 days, you could use a long weekend to travel thus saving your annual leave for other holidays.
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For a short holiday...
Fancy something longer than a weekend getaway? Or perhaps you have a couple days of leave to spare? Then look no further and consider these 3 destinations that you can travel to with just 2 or 3 days of leave.
Yogyakarta, a city known for its art and cultural heritage, this hidden gem is often overshadowed by its counterparts thus making it one of the most underrated destinations. You could go tubing down a river, explore ancient temples, hang out at a beach or national park or even go sandboarding at a sand dune. With a typical meal costing less than a dollar and 5 star hotels going for just S$43 a night, your 5 day holiday could cost less than S$550.1
A popular travel destination, Taipei would not be unfamiliar to many. Affordable and scenic with an abundance of street food that are cheap and delicious, Taipei is no doubt the ideal destination for a short holiday. Options are also available should you wish to take day trips to explore the countryside or climb a mountain.
Alternatively, step out of Asia and head to Perth, a destination just 4 hours away by plane. With the landscape ranging from mountains to sand dunes, get back in touch with nature with this trip. Start your day with a cuppa at one of the many cafes then visit a winery or go bush walking. You could also go snorkelling at a marine park or simply spend a lazy day by the beach. Furthermore, with the Singapore dollar relatively strong, traveling to Australia is now more affordable.
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For a week long holiday...
If you have more time to spare, consider visiting Athens, Marrakech or Vienna.
Want to step into the African continent? Why not begin with Morocco, using Marrakech as your "base camp" to explore. Ride a camel through the Sahara desert, get lost in the medina maze, or visit Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been used in various films. As a former French colony, do also expect some traces of French influence in Moroccan cuisine.
Or how about a trip to Athens, established in 1,400BC, it is one of the world's oldest cities with it rich in history and culture.2 Pay a visit to the Acropolis or opt for a tour of the Greek islands. With its beautiful coasts, delicious Greek cuisine and friendly Greek hospitality, this city has all that you will need for a perfect holiday.
Lastly, also consider visiting Vienna, the city of music. Home to famous composers such as Mozart, Strauss, Beethoven and Haydn, pay a visit to the Vienna Opera house and listen to a concert. Alternatively, visit the baroque palaces, monuments and exquisite cathedrals before calling it a day at one of the many beer bars.
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With travel insurance providing solutions to travel crises, it therefore offers a peace of mind when traveling. This allows you assurance knowing that you have coverage for flight delays, medical emergencies or loss of personal belongings thus making it an essential to "take along" for your next holiday. Furthermore, from now until 30 November 2017, FSMOne is now giving you an additional 10% Cashback when you purchase Sompo TravelJoy through FSMOne. Therefore, hesitate no more and allow FSMOne to make your next trip a worry-free one!
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1Source: http://www.budgetyourtrip.com/indonesia/yogyakarta
2Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/galleries/The-worlds-20-oldest-cities/athens/
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