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From beautifully curated hampers to timeless jewellery and indulgent haircare, these thoughtful picks are designed to delight, pamper and be cherished long after Mother’s Day. Whether you are celebrating together or from afar, each gift brings a touch of care, meaning and everyday luxury to the occasion.
1. Everyday self-care for mums and dads
Give mum the gift of healthier, stronger hair with elihe laboratories’ Bioscience Duo, a refined two-step system developed in Singapore. Pairing a gentle shampoo with a lightweight regenerative ampoule, it supports scalp health as the foundation for fuller-looking hair.
Powered by advanced bioactive ingredients, it helps protect against daily stressors such as pollution and ageing, taking a preventative, drug-free approach to long-term hair wellness. Simple and effective, it fits effortlessly into busy routines, making it a thoughtful gift for mums and dads alike, just in time for Father’s Day.
elihe laboratories’ Bioscience Duo supports healthier, fuller-looking hair with ease
2. A thoughtful Mother’s Day hamper
Elevate Mother’s Day gifting with a beautifully curated hamper from Singapore-based The Hamper Story. Each hamper is thoughtfully assembled with international gourmet delicacies, premium wines and artisanal treats, designed to delight before it is even opened.
More than just a gift, these elegant hampers are crafted to celebrate meaningful moments and heartfelt connections, making them a thoughtful way to show mum just how much she means.
A beautifully curated hamper from The Hamper Story, crafted for meaningful gifting
3. A gift she’ll treasure forever
Celebrate mum with a piece from POH HENG, a heritage Singapore jewellery brand founded in 1948. Known for its craftsmanship and timeless design, each piece is thoughtfully created to mark both life’s milestones and everyday moments. Blending traditional artistry with contemporary elegance, POHHENG’s jewellery is designed to be worn, loved and cherished across generations, making it a meaningful gift she will treasure for years to come.
Named after the pioneering aviator who became the youngest Australian woman to obtain a pilot’s license in the 1930s, the Western Sydney International Airport is set to become Australia’s first smart airport. Travellers can expect cutting-edge technology—a remote, digital air-control system—and sustainability features, including solar power and rainwater harvesting. The airport also boasts a world-class, human-centred design by Cox Architecture, Zaha Hadid Architects, Multiplex and Woods Bagot. Best of all, WSI will operate 24/7, which will significantly boost Sydney’s ability to handle air travel beyond its existing airport.
Situated between Badgerys Creek and Luddenham, WSI is roughly 45km west of Sydney’s central business district. The distance can be covered in 45–90 minutes—traffic depending, naturally—though the planned M12 Motorway and Sydney Metro rail link should cut that time to 30 minutes.
But it’s also worth considering the exploration potential of the Western Sydney area. Here are a few of the region’s attractions that are worth checking out right as you land or before taking off.
1. Blue Mountains
For those seeking respite in nature after the bustle of the city, a quick 30-minute drive from Western Sydney International Airport brings you to the border of the Blue Mountains region. Hidden amid the wilderness of sandstone ridges and native bushland is an experience for every traveller.
The view of Echo Point Blue Mountains and the famed “three sisters.” Photo: Shutterstock.com
Adventure-lovers will get a rush from the over 140km of walking tracks and mountain biking trails that loop through valleys, while culture vultures will enjoy admiring ancient Aboriginal art, or visiting the antique shops, museums and cafés of mountain towns like Katoomba, Leura, and Blackheath. There’s also plenty for the foodies: from high tea at the historic Hydro Majestic Hotel to craft brews at Mountain Culture Beer Co, housed in a former newspaper office.
2. Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
In the heart of Western Sydney, just 30 minutes from the new airport, Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park is one of Australia’s most intimate and peaceful wildlife encounters—despite being spread across seven acres of bushland.
Meet cute critters and learn more about Australia’s diverse wildlife at this park. Photo: Destination NSW
Stroll along carefully designed pathways through six wildlife habitats, enjoying close-up experiences with the 1,700 animals from over 280 species, including emus, crocodiles, bilbies, penguins and wombats. Along the way, stop for informative talks by zookeepers, hand-feed kangaroos, pet koalas, and photograph wallabies.
3. Luddenham Raceway
A quick 10-minute drive from the new airport is Luddenham Raceway, an attraction that’s perfect for adrenaline junkies. Sydney’s only motorsports complex delivers high-octane fun in a relaxed setting, allowing everyone from first-time drivers to competitive racers to zoom along the track.
Enjoy a day of go-karting at Luddenham Raceway. Photo: Destination NSW
Whether you’re hitting the challenging 600m outdoor go-kart track for some friendly competition or taking on the 1.4km pro circuit—with its elevation changes and technical corners—for some serious car, bike, or drift racing, this is the ultimate taste of local automotive culture and speed.
4. Penrith Regional Gallery
In the mid-20th century, Australian artists Gerald and Margo Lewers helped usher the modernism movement into the local art scene. Now, their former home, a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion, is Western Sydney’s leading contemporary art destination.
Nestled along the Nepean River, the gallery presents a dynamic programme of exhibitions featuring Australian and international artists, set alongside heritage interiors, tranquil sculpture gardens and a scenic café. Less than 30 minutes from the Western Sydney International Airport, this is a great spot for a quick cultural hit.
5. Western Sydney International Airport Experience Centre
If you’ve got some time to kill before or after your flight, this dedicated centre – located a stone’s throw from the Western Sydney International Airport – offers engaging insight into one of Australia’s biggest infrastructure projects.
Learn more about the smart features at Western Sydney International Airport here. Photo:
Visitors can learn about the development of the country’s first smart airport through interactive displays, models, and multimedia presentations, exploring the project’s impact on the region and its people. While it’s free to enter, the centre is only open Tuesdays to Fridays, so plan accordingly.
6. Hawkesbury Regional Museum
Set in historic Windsor—one of Australia’s oldest settlements, after Sydney and Parramatta—this museum precinct is an immersive look into the early days of colonial life. Drive just over 45 minutes to the museum and delve into the social history of the Hawkesbury Region through semi-permanent displays and curated exhibitions. Immerse yourself in the culture of the land, river, and people through objects from the Hawkesbury Historical Society.
A popular highlight is Howe House, an elegant Georgian home built in 1820, still furnished with nostalgic, period details. Visitors can also embark on self-guided audio walks along the Dyarubbin, the Hawkesbury River, learning stories of the native Dharug people, colonial settlement, farming and development.
7. Macquarie Arms Hotel
Dating back to 1815, this watering hole on Windsor’s Thompson Square holds the distinction of being Australia’s oldest surviving inn structure. Created by emancipist Richard Fitzgerald at the behest of Governor Lachlan Macquarie, the heritage-listed building still boasts its classic Georgian façade and historic interiors that evoke early colonial Australia.
Over the years, it housed garrisoned soldiers and even functioned as a private home. Today, it offers a traditionally Australian pub experience with local beers on tap and a menu of bar fare that includes burgers, steaks, pies, and parmigianas, all less than an hour from the new airport.
8. Georges River National Park
About halfway between Western Sydney International Airport and the Sydney CBD (about an hour’s drive from the new airport), this verdant national park is an idyllic spot for a few hours of family-friendly fun. The eponymous river that winds through the park offers opportunities for fishing, jet-skiing, kayaking and canoeing, for the adventure seekers.
Couple enjoying the views across the scenic Georges River at Fitzpatrick Park, Georges River National Park in Picnic Point.
But visitors can also enjoy picnics at Burrawang Reach, Fitzpatrick Park and Cattle Duffers Flat, and gentle strolls along the Teramba Lagoon track for some birdspotting. See if you can spot pink robins or grey fantails, out of the 100 species of birds that make their home here.
Starting 23 November 2026, Singapore Airlines will operate daily non-stop flights between Singapore and Western Sydney International Airport. For more information on Singapore Airlines flights to Sydney, visit singaporeair.com.
Hangzhou has always been an unforgettable city. In the 13th century, the legendary explorer Marco Polo was so captivated by what he saw that he called it “the finest and most splendid city in the world”. The Chinese city rose to prominence as the capital of the Southern Song dynasty, transforming Hangzhou into a thriving hub of trade, art, and scholarship.
It’s easy to see how commerce and intellectual life have flourished; the serene West Lake has long inspired poets, painters and garden designers for centuries. And just beyond the lake, the misty rolling hills of the Longjing tea plantations are where some of China’s most prized tea continues to be produced.
West Lake has inspired many poets with its breathtaking beauty, but there’s more to Hangzhou to discover. Photo: Karen Tee
Yet the city is far from frozen in time. Modern Hangzhou pulses with innovation as a hub for technology and entrepreneurship. Home to Alibaba’s sprawling campus, it is known as the e-commerce capital of China. It is also a rising hub for artificial intelligence and robotics companies, housing a new wave of buzzy start-ups like DeepSeek, Unitree Robotics, and Game Science.
From tranquil lakes and historic tea terraces to centuries-old artistic practices and cutting-edge tech, experience these three different facets of the city’s enduring charm.
The natural beauty of West Lake and tea plantations
No visit to Hangzhou is complete without immersing in the natural beauty that has defined its landscape: the serene waters of West Lake and the tea-scented hills of Longjing. The UNESCO-listed lake’s picturesque promenades, elegant stone bridges and lakeside pavilions unfold like scenes from classical Chinese paintings and invite leisurely exploration on foot or by boat.
You could circle the lake’s roughly 15km perimeter by foot on a gentle four- to five-hour walk that reveals shifting views of pagodas, gardens and lotus-filled inlets. For a different perspective, hop on a traditional wooden boat to glide across the lake’s mirror-like surface. Along the shores, it is common to see locals dressed in flowing hanfu robes, posing for photographs at scenic spots such as the Broken Bridge or along the tree-shaded Su Causeway.
Photograph an iconic pagoda during a visit to West Lake. Credit: Four Seasons Hangzhou by Hangzhou Centre
By night, the lake becomes the enchanting backdrop for Enduring Memories of Hangzhou, an open-air light and music performance directed by Zhang Yimou which creates a dreamlike spectacle that draws on the region’s artistic traditions.
To enjoy the lake in a more private setting, check into Four Seasons Hangzhou at West Lake, which is situated on 17 acres of landscaped gardens right by the West Lake, with direct access to the water via a private dock. Designed in the style of traditional Jiangnan residences, its quiet courtyards and lily ponds blend seamlessly into this atmospheric landscape. The hotel can even arrange for a private local breakfast cruise on a traditional boat – a peaceful way to experience the lake’s misty landscape. Nearby, the recently opened Silk Lakehouse, Shangri-La, marks the debut of the group’s ultra-luxury Signatures brand, offering a contemporary counterpoint to the area’s historic charm.
The hilly tea terraces of Longjing are only a short car ride away from the city. Photo: Karen Tee
Just 30 minutes by car, the rolling terraced tea plantations on the hills of Longjing are a popular half-day trip from the city. Best visited in early spring in February to March, during the tea harvest, the terraces fill with pickers gathering the season’s first tender leaves. At some tea houses or local farms, visitors can wander through the plantations or even try their hand at picking and pan-roasting the famed green tea themselves. Drop by a village teahouse to savour a fresh brew – there’s no better way to learn more about one of China’s most celebrated traditions.
The marvels of Song Dynasty elegance
During the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279), Hangzhou rose to prominence as the imperial capital after the court retreated south from northern China. The city quickly developed into one of the world’s most sophisticated urban centres, where commerce thrived alongside scholarship and artistic refinement. Its prosperity was closely tied to the Grand Canal, the vast waterway linking Hangzhou to northern cities including Beijing, enabling a flourishing exchange of goods, ideas, and culture.
To explore this legacy, begin at the China National Silk Museum, the largest institution in the world dedicated to silk. Hangzhou has long been synonymous with this prized fabric and the museum traces its history through exquisitely preserved textiles, ancient weaving tools, and imperial garments that reveal the remarkable craftsmanship behind China’s silk traditions. The Zhejiang Provincial Museum offers further insight into the intellectual life of the era, with collections of ceramics, calligraphy, and paintings that reflect the aesthetic ideals cultivated during the Song dynasty.
Experience Hangzhou’s ancient art of woodblock printing. Photo: Four Seasons Hangzhou West Lake
For more tactile encounters, venture to Qiaoxi district along the canal, where restored warehouses now house various art museums and galleries. The Workmanship Demonstration Pavilion offers workshops on traditional crafts such as bamboo weaving or umbrella painting. At Four Seasons Hangzhou at West Lake, guests can also participate in cultural experiences like woodblock printing or tea whisking sessions.
Gastronomy flourished in Hangzhou during the Song dynasty, when teahouses and restaurants became central to urban social life. Savour this culinary heritage at the one-Michelin-starred and Black Pearl three-diamond restaurant Jin Sha, where senior executive Chinese chef Wang Yong presents elegant Jiangsu-Zhejiang cuisine using seasonal local ingredients paired with an extensive tea list, premium wines, and traditional Chinese yellow wine (huangjiu).
Jin Sha presents Jiangsu-Zhejiang cuisine using seasonal local ingredients. Photo: Four Seasons Hangzhou West Lake
For a taste of tradition, the historic Lou Wai Lou remains one of Hangzhou enduring culinary institution. Overlooking West Lake, the 178-year-old restaurant’s regional classics, including Dongpo pork, beggar’s chicken and West Lake carp, are stalwarts of Hangzhou’s culinary identity.
The buzzing centre of modern design
Over the past two decades, Hangzhou has transformed into one of China’s most dynamic technology hubs. This cosmopolitan sensibility is reflected in the city’s architecture, hospitality, and retail landscape. The gleaming towers of Qianjiang New City define the modern skyline, anchored by the iconic golden-domed Hangzhou International Conference Centre. Each evening, the district comes alive with large-scale light shows, where projections ripple across the surrounding skyscrapers creating a visual spectacle not to be missed.
Hangzhou’s modern city skyline offers quite the view. Photo: Shutterstock.com
While the retail scenes in Shanghai and Beijing often draw the most attention, Hangzhou holds its own with a strong lineup of shopping destinations. Hangzhou Tower remains the city’s long-standing luxury landmark, housing an impressive roster of international fashion houses. Nearby, Hangzhou Centre caters to a younger crowd with its mix of global brands and rising Chinese designers, including handbag label Songmont. Close to West Lake, the stylish Hubin Yintai In77 retail district combines open-air plazas with contemporary storefronts that create a lively lakeside shopping quarter.
The hospitality scene is evolving just as quickly, with the arrival of Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre, which brings sleek contemporary design and elevated dining to the city’s commercial heart, and lifestyle hotel Canopy by Hilton Hangzhou. Several high-profile openings are also on the horizon, including Rosewood Hangzhou and Mandarin Oriental Hangzhou.
Rent an electric bike and see the city like a local. Photo: Shutterstock.com
Technology, meanwhile, subtly shapes daily life. Hangzhou was one of the earliest Chinese cities to adopt large-scale bike sharing through platforms such as Alipay and Hellobike, and today it boasts one of the world’s most extensive networks. For residents and visitors alike, the bikes offer an easy way to move between neighbourhoods, office towers and lakeside promenades: a simple reminder that here, innovation works best when it quietly enhances the rhythms of daily life.
Singapore Airlines will begin flights to Hangzhou International Airport in June 2026. For more information on Singapore Airlines’ flights to Hangzhou, visit singaporeair.com.
Brisbane and its surroundings combine outdoor adventure with ease, safety and a year-round subtropical climate – a rare mix that makes it simple for parents to plan travel activities. Kids can climb the iconic Story Bridge for sweeping views, enjoy seasonal whale watching and fun animal encounters or paddle in the calm waters of the Brisbane River. For families who like their holidays sprinkled with wonder and thrill, these five adventures will show you why Brisbane is paradise for all-ages fun.
An accessible bridge climb
The Story Bridge has long defined Brisbane’s skyline, and for visiting families, it can become an unforgettable shared achievement. One of only a few bridge climbs in the world, the Story Bridge Adventure Climb delivers a guided ascent that is not merely thrilling but thoughtfully designed for children and multi-generational groups. Operating from a lively riverside hub packed with family-friendly dining, the experience begins from the vibrant waterfront, with a gentle, confidence-building trek to the summit.
Share thrills with children as young as six as you scale The Story Bridge. Photo credit: Priyanka Agarwal
Climbs run throughout the day, with the sunset ascent offering a particularly magical reward for younger adventurers. Each journey reveals sweeping 360-degree views that spans Moreton Bay, the Glass House Mountains and the distant Scenic Rim (a geography lesson beyond the classroom). If the timing is right, you may even spot a plane gliding overhead as the city lights flicker to life, a cinematic moment that makes for memorable photo ops.
Children as young as six can take part, provided they meet the 110cm minimum height and are accompanied by an adult, making this one of the few true “big adventure” experiences open to primary-school-aged travellers. The climb lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, paced to keep young climbers engaged without overwhelming them. Expert guides excel at reading the group, and blend safety briefings with engaging stories about Brisbane’s history and hidden corners, ensuring children feel included rather than merely supervised.
Accessibility is equally impressive: it is the only wheelchair-accessible bridge climb in the world, sealing its reputation as one of the most inclusive major attractions anywhere.
Whale watching on the Gold Coast
Just an hour south of Brisbane, the Gold Coast is home to an extraordinary natural spectacle: the annual humpback whale migration. Between July and September, humpback whales travel along the so-called “whale highway”, passing remarkably close to shore. For families, a tour with family-run operators like Kokomo Cruises is an outing that feels equal parts expedition and a living ocean classroom, with frequent sightings of sea turtles, dolphins, fish and seabirds. Have your cameras ready; children, in particular, have a knack for spotting fins before the adults do.
Whale watching can be an engaging and kid-friendly experience with the right tour group. Photo credit: Kokomo Tours
These intimate 2.5-hour tours are designed for young passengers aged three to 15, and the experience is structured to keep them engaged. With 360-degree viewing decks, little explorers can move safely around the compact vessel, scanning the horizon for telltale spouts while crew members share accessible, child-friendly insights into a whale’s behaviour and marine ecosystems.
Departing from the marina, the custom-built vessel reaches deep migratory waters in roughly 20 minutes. Look out for the electrifying moment a humpback surfaces beside the boat, exhaling a mist of salt and sunlight. Witness mothers guiding calves, males breaching in spectacular arcs or pods slapping fins in playful communication, all against the mesmerising Gold Coast skyline. Limited guest numbers ensure a calm, uncrowded atmosphere where families can spread out comfortably, and children can ask questions without hesitation. Crew members blend science with storytelling, turning the cruise into a gentle lesson for all ages on conservation and respect for ocean life.
Get up close with koalas and kangaroos
Australia’s wildlife is a source of endless fascination for children, and at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, families can meet more than 100 koalas and over 70 species of native Australian wildlife in a space that is just 12km from Brisbane’s CBD. Recognised as the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary, Lone Pine offers an experience that feels both intimate and expansive, a chance for children to observe Australia’s most iconic animals in thoughtfully designed habitats that prioritise welfare and education. Families can hand-feed free-roaming kangaroos, observe platypus in purpose-built habitats and attend keeper talks that transform curiosity into understanding.
See Australia’s wildlife respectfully up close. Photo credit: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
While koala cuddling is not permitted, close-up experiences and photography opportunities ensure the magic remains intact. The sanctuary’s layout is thoughtfully designed for families: think stroller-friendly walkways, plenty of changing rooms, shaded paths, rest areas and interactive zones that allow children of any age to explore at their own pace. Pro tip: Enhance your experience and get there via a 75-minute scenic cruise along the Brisbane River, available seven days a week.
Kayak along the Brisbane River
If the Story Bridge shows Brisbane from above, kayaking the Brisbane River invites you to glide through its heart. Kayakers as young as eight years old can join this adventure – an arm workout and views are guaranteed. Beneath the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Riverlife offers guided day and twilight kayak tours that reveal the city from an entirely new angle. The pace is as relaxed or energetic as you prefer. No experience is necessary, and with full safety equipment provided, even non-swimmers can participate confidently.
Children as young as eight can enjoy this unique view of the city. Photo credit: Tourism and Events Queensland
After a short briefing, you set off into gentle currents, paddling towards the Story Bridge or along South Bank, with routes timed such that the tide assists your return. The views are quietly spectacular: heritage façades mirrored in the water, locals strolling river promenades and CityCat ferries gliding past with commuters. Finish within easy reach of Brisbane’s excellent riverside dining for a rewarding post-kayak meal.
Adventurous thrills on Moreton Island
If exhilaration is on your holiday agenda, Moreton Island (also known as Mulgumpin) awaits just a 75-min ferry ride from Brisbane. This is the third-largest sand island on Earth, and it boasts some of the world’s tallest coastal sand dunes that rise up to 90m. Adventure arrives in sun-soaked forms: sandboarding down the dunes, 4WD drives along beach “highways” and quad biking along shoreline tracks with Moreton Island Adventures.
At the Tangalooma Desert, thrill-seeking children as young as five can reach speeds of up to 40km/h on toboggan-style sleds, zooming down powder-fine slopes amid shrieks of delight and clouds of sand. Access to the island is straightforward via the MICAT ferry, allowing families to join guided tours for a variety of activities.
Quad biking and sand tobogganing are just some of the thrilling activities on Moreton Island. Photo credit: Tourism and Events Queensland
The island is ideal for a day trip or a longer stay to explore, hike, kayak and swim. Another bucket-list activity is hand-feeding wild bottlenose dolphins at sunset, with expert guidance for both day visitors and overnight guests. Despite being close to the city, the island feels remote: think turquoise waters, endless skies and a landscape shaped by wind and tide.
For more information on Singapore Airlines’ flights to Brisbane, visit singaporeair.com.
Ever since it was established as a fair for furniture makers and designers in 1961, Salone del Mobile (best known as Milan Design Week) has lured design lovers and those seeking creative inspiration alike. Championing craftsmanship and pioneering vision, it has grown rapidly, with more than 300,000 visiting the exhibition ground at Rho Fiera last year.
Part of Salone’s success is that it consistently updates itself and introduces new features. This year’s edition from 21-26 April, for example, will introduce Salone Raritas, opening the fair to limited-edition design and elevated creative manufacturing.
Cutting edge design showcased at Salone del Mobile. Photo: Andrea Mariani
Coinciding with kitchen design fair EuroCucina, and the International Bathroom Exhibition, Salone has expanded to include fringe events (Fuorisalone) throughout Milan, with industry parties, independent design exhibitions, open showrooms, workshops, talks, pop-up cafés and shops all thriving in the city.
Designers and brands often set their exhibits against the backdrop of Milan’s grand palazzi. Last year, for example, the Japanese watchmakers at Grand Seiko collaborated with designer Tokujin Yoshioka on “Frozen”, a sculptural club armchair carved from ice and displayed alongside the brand’s timepieces at the 16th-century terracotta Palazzo Landriani.
The pop-up exhibition Alcova will take place in part at Villa Pestarini. Photo credit: Luigi Fiano
Likewise, Milan’s museums make the most of Salone. The Triennale Milano will have ongoing shows in April while pop-up exhibition, Alcova will take place at the old military hospital complex in Baggio and the Franco Albini masterpiece, Villa Pestarini.
Further adding to the joy of the festival are “design districts” like Brera, where you’ll find sculptural installations in quiet courtyards. Meanwhile, Tortona has its own design week during Salone and Isola, just north of Porta Garibaldi, has emerged as an area that tends to spotlight up-and-coming designers.
For more information on Singapore Airlines’ flights to Milan, visit singaporeair.com.
