7 silver screen destinations for a cinematic holiday

Whether it’s an Eat, Pray, Love-themed excursion to Bali, a Lord of the Rings sojourn in New Zealand or a Game of Thrones trip to Croatia, the silver screen has long inspired us to see the world anew. With the advent of streaming, this Hollywood influence has become even more profound, with trending shows wielding immense power in driving traffic to certain destinations or even specific stores. From Mad Max-inspired sojourns into the Australian Outback to chasing down your own K-drama moment in Seoul’s chic departmental stores and exploring Bridgerton-style aristocratic glam in Bath, here are seven destinations to visit to feel like you’re in a movie or a top TV show.

Singapore

For a taste of the high life in this sophisticated city state

Hollywood blockbuster Crazy Rich Asians is a fantastical tale of generational wealth and family ties in Asia. But aside from raising the curtain on how the rich supposedly roll in this region, it also showcases dozens of beautiful places in Singapore where most of the film was set. Raffles Hotel and Marina Bay Sands make an expected appearance – they are icons of the Lion City after all – but there’s plenty of reasons to venture beyond the five-star hotels.

Joo Chiat’s row of charming shophouses. Photo: Shutterstock

Check out spots like Bukit Pasoh, a buzzing street lined with bars and restaurants where Rachel (Constance Wu) and Peik Lin (Awkwafina) have a heart-to-heart chat, and visit Newton Food Centre, where Henry Golding’s character Nick Young binges on local hawker dishes upon landing on the island.

If you’re smitten by the mahjong scene in a Peranakan shophouse (which was actually filmed in Penang), head to the neighbourhood of Joo Chiat where a large cluster of these conservation shophouses remain.

Seoul

For a closer look at South Korea’s trend-setting capital

From BTS to BLACKPINK, the power of Korean popular culture shows no signs of waning – and that’s just referring to their music. Films like Oscar-winning Parasite have opened everyone’s eyes to the amazing Korean talent and productions, while K-dramas inspired them to travel and embark on location tours.

Even if departmental store romance is not in the cards, The Forum delivers modern whimsy in spades. Photo: Chanoo Park / The Hyundai Daego

In Gangnam, you can listen to Psy’s hit song, “Gangnam Style”, while admiring its gleaming skyscrapers or dancing inside one of its stylish nightclubs. Meanwhile, fans of Queen of Tears, the highest-rated K-drama of all time, may want to visit places like the Korean Stone Art Museum in the historic district of Seongbuk-dong, the popular department store The Hyundai Seoul as well as the stylish Sheraton Grand Walkerhill Hotel, which has a beautiful view of the city across the Han River. If you’re heading east of the capital, make your way to The Forum, a cultural space designed by Jaime Hayon that spans the entire ninth floor of The Hyundai Daegu.

Sydney

For cinematic landscapes in Australia’s New South Wales

From the pristine Great Barrier Reef to the majestic Uluru (Ayers Rock), Australia boasts plenty of dramatic landscapes. It’s also blessed with vast uninhabited land and varied terrain, which makes it the perfect set for the post-apocalyptic Mad Max series. The latest instalment is Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, which will be released at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. Like the other films, it was shot in several locations in New South Wales including Broken Hill, Hay and Kurnell.

For dramatic Mad Max-worthy landscapes, drive out of Adelaide and head northwest towards Broken Hill. Photo: Shutterstock

Faraway Downs, Baz Luhrmann’s latest release on Hulu, is an expanded take of his 2008 film, Australia, which follows the journey of Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) who travels from England to Australia planning to sell her husband’s ranch but then falls in love with the business and the local drover played by Hugh Jackman. The series features never-before-seen footage shot in Sydney and the rest of New South Wales, but also showcases the rest of the country including the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia. Get a feel of life in the outback at Garrawilla Cattle Station Adventure or enjoy a more luxurious countryside escape at Spicers Sangoma Retreat.

Paris

For a stylish sojourn in the world’s most romantic city

The majestic Eiffel Tower, the charming district of Montmartre and the magnificent Pont Neuf have graced our screens in the likes of Amélie and Midnight in Paris. Yet no movie or television show has boosted the French capital as much as Emily in Paris – a blockbuster Netflix series following the life of a young American (Lily Collins) making her way in the City of Light. The show effectively uses the whole city as a set and fans love the sense of escapism it provides, especially when it launched during the pandemic.

At Jardin du Luxembourg, your stroll or jog will take you past the stately Luxembourg Palace. Photo: Shutterstock

The “Emily effect”, as it’s called, is the most compelling modern-day example of set-jetting with crowds heading to La Boulangerie Moderne for a pain au chocolat, Bistro Terra Nera (Gabriel’s restaurant in the series) to see its distinctive crimson facade, and the elegant Place de Valois on the 1st arrondissement where Savoir (Emily’s office) is located. If you’re looking for somewhere sedate that also features on screen, the private Jardin du Luxembourg where Emily goes for a run in Season 3, is a lovely spot for a relaxing daytime stroll.

Sicily
For a multi-stop tour of luxurious spots

“Going to Sicily is better than going to the moon,” said Gabriel García Márquez. Everyone who has seen HBO Max’s The White Lotus Season 2 set on the island would readily agree. The award-winning black comedy TV series follows employees and guests of the fictional White Lotus hotel and their interactions. The second chapter of the drama anthology was primarily filmed in Taormina (to get here, hop on a domestic flight from Rome). In true luxury, they took over the photogenic Four Seasons San Domenico Palace, which is said to be fully booked for years to come.

Even if you don’t stay at the very same Four Seasons in which White Lotus was filmed, the gorgeous hillside town of Taormina is worth stopping by. Photo: Shutterstock

Aside from Taormina, the series also featured other parts of Sicily including Palermo, where they went to the stunning Palazzo Conte Federico that’s open for public tours. One of the most memorable settings is Noto, where characters Daphne (Meghann Fahy) and Harper (Aubrey Plaza) spend a night in the remarkable Villa Tasca – now available to rent on Airbnb. Perhaps the most striking Sicilian icon that appears in various episodes is Mount Etna; get a closer look at the active volcano at Planeta Sciaranuova Winery, where you can savour a glass of local wine while basking in one of the world’s most beguiling views.

Bath

For an immersion in England’s old-world grandeur

From the Roman baths to the honey-hued limestone buildings, there’s a multitude of reasons to visit the historic city of Bath. Located over an hour away from London by train, it’s always been a popular day trip destination, but it’s risen in popularity thanks to the success of Bridgerton, a hit Netflix series about a fictional family’s trials and tribulations in the competitive world of Regency-era London in the early 1800s.

This Unesco World Heritage Site boasts plenty of handsome Georgian terraces and even period lamp posts that instantly transport one to the past. Merely strolling along the quaint Trim Street, the imposing colonnade-lined Bath Street and through the elegant Beauford Square is enough to take you back 200 years. Don’t miss the Royal Crescent, a local landmark that has a grand, curved terrace and a spacious grassy lawn in front. The nearby No. 1 Royal Crescent was also used as the Featheringtons’ London home in the series.

Chicago
For a delicious bite of a progressive American city

While New York and Los Angeles are basically mainstays in film and television, other American cities also get their time in the limelight. Over the last year, there’s growing interest in Chicago – accessible by train via New York – thanks to The Bear, an award-winning drama that follows Carmy (played by Jeremy Allen White), a young chef from the fine dining world returning to Chicago to run his family’s sandwich shop, which he then transforms into a culinary winner.

Naturally, many of the spots featured in the series are food-related including Kasama, the world’s first Filipino restaurant to get a Michelin Star, where Carmy’s sous chef Sydney (Ayo Edibiri) orders mushroom adobo (a popular Filipino stew) and the breakfast sandwich with longanisa (a Spanish sausage similar to chorizo).

Eat your way through Chicago’s top culinary spots-turned-sets – and of course this includes their pizzerias. Photo: Shutterstock

Two pizza places make an appearance too: Pequod’s and Pizza Lobo. In an episode called “Sundae”, Syd finishes her food tour at Margie’s Candies in Logan Square, a 90-year-old ice cream parlour that is a local institution. Food aside, follow Syd’s journey on the architecture river cruise to marvel at Chicago’s splendid cityscape.

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Olafur Eliasson on sparking wonder and different ways of seeing at his latest solo show at Singapore Art Museum

Over the last three decades, Olafur Eliasson has built a sun inside the Tate Modern, set up a kitchen in his Berlin studio that’s frequented by everyone from artist Ai Weiwei to actress Meryl Streep, founded a social company – Little Sun – that brings solar lamps to off-grid communities, and even danced in a music video. Through it all, the common thread that ties the Icelandic-Danish artist’s experiments together is their ability to inspire a sense of child-like wonder and invite multiple perspectives. In doing so, viewers are encouraged to reflect on how they see and interact with the world around them.

Eliasson’s first major solo show in Southeast Asia, “Your curious journey”, is on view at Singapore Art Museum at Tanjong Pagar Distripark until 22 September 2024, after which it will travel to Auckland, Taipei, Jakarta and Manila. As curious viewers line up to walk through these 17 mesmerising artworks, Eliasson talks about how locality and audience perspectives play a crucial role in shaping the experience of his immersive, surreal landscapes. 

The way we relate to the world – and to each other, or to society, or to systems in general – is constantly changing. And for me, maintaining a relationship with how other people see the world keeps things interesting. Very often, people who look at my work see something that I had maybe felt, but not thought of. I consider that experience to be part of the work. It adds value to it, and I find it incredibly inspiring to talk with my team, with curators and with the audience.

“The act of walking through the work, is the work”

 

This is especially the case for works that you have to walk through, and the act of walking through it is the work. Like the yellow monochromatic light corridor, or some of the shadow pieces. These are not pieces where one thing is the artwork, and the other is the narrative. There is an element of play, or theatre – it’s all part of the experience.

In this interactive work titled The cubic structural evolution project, the audience is encouraged to construct their vision of a cityscape using white Lego blocks. The work is never finished, and each iteration evolves as it is shaped by those who interact with it. Photo: Olafur Eliasson / Singapore Art Museum

What I hope is that people see themselves in the works, as everyone is different and people see things differently. I think it’s worth pointing out that sometimes a person from Singapore may have a lot in common with someone from Denmark, and less so with another person from Singapore.

I also hope the works lend themselves to a reading that is very site-specific. Even though I’m showing almost the same pieces for this exhibition as it travels to different places, they’re going to take on very different meanings. The same way that a work would be very different if you hang it in a kindergarten rather than a police station. So I hope that the works retain this sensitivity to the local environment, and people see not just the works, but how they correspond with the social, political and cultural contexts in which they’re shown.

Exhibition view of “Your curious journey” at Singapore Art Museum. Photo: Olafur Eliasson / Singapore Art Museum

“Sometimes a person from Singapore may have a lot in common with someone from Denmark, and less so with another person from Singapore”

An example of this site specificity is The cubic structural evolution project, which is a very large table with white Lego bricks. In Singapore, the work is shown in a gallery that has a fantastic view of the [Keppel] harbour, even though you wouldn’t normally consider shipping containers and cranes as something nice. People like to say things like, “Oh, [Lego] that’s for the youths.” But no, it is to make older people young again, you know?

Four works not to be missed at “Your curious journey”

1. Symbiotic seeing (2020)
This ethereal work leaves you in awe of Eliasson’s ability to create beauty out of thin air. With just some precisely tuned lasers and a fog machine, it transports you to an underwater sunset. Or is it an oil slick? You decide.

Housed in a large, circular room, Symbiotic seeing feels like an optical illusion that occupies all three states of matter at once. As yellow and cyan lasers illuminate a thin layer of fog, it creates a ceiling that resembles swirling ripples. Photo: Olafur Eliasson / Singapore Art Museum

2. Beauty (1993)
If you’ve ever daydreamed about what it’s like to walk through a rainbow, Beauty is for you. It’s a work that you can’t help but smile and marvel at – it’s no wonder why it remains one of Eliasson’s most beloved pieces after all these years.

One of Eliasson’s earliest works, a rainbow is conjured with a curtain of fine mist and a single spotlight – or maybe it’s created by you, the viewer, since the colours only appear when you stand at certain angles. Photo: Olafur Eliasson / Singapore Art Museum

3. Yellow corridor (1997)
As rows of monofrequency lights strip away most of the colour spectrum, you could almost physically feel the colour yellow wash over you.

Yellow corridor is a classic example of how Eliasson’s art takes on different contexts depending on the space that it occupies. At the Singapore Art Museum, for instance, it positions viewers to see the glass door on the opposite end as a light at the end of a tunnel. Photo: Olafur Eliasson / Singapore Art Museum

4. The last seven days of glacial ice (2024)
One of Eliasson’s many interests is what philosopher Timothy Morton called “hyperobjects” – things that are so big, like climate change, they’re difficult for humans to visualise. This never-before-shown work helps put the concept of rising sea levels into a more comprehensible perspective.

Modelled on the scan of a real chunk of glacier found on a beach in Iceland, The last seven days of glacial ice depicts the amount of water that gets released as it “melts” from a stainless steel block into glass spheres. Photo: Olafur Eliasson / Singapore Art Museum

To learn more about Singapore Airlines’ flights to Singapore, Auckland, Taipei, Jakarta and Manila, visit the official website.

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5 day trips from Brussels for every type of traveller

Between top tourist attractions like the Grand-Place and Atomium, cobbled streets packed with buzzing bars and brasseries, as well as sprawling parks and trendy neighbourhoods, Brussels is buzzing with excitement and places to explore.

But if you want to venture further afield, there are plenty of reasons to do so. One of Belgium’s greatest assets for travellers is its bite-sized terrain and a slick train network, making many historic Belgian cities within an hour or so away from Brussels.

Immerse yourself in the Battle of Waterloo or admire medieval architecture in Ghent. If you’re into fashion, there’s haute couture town Antwerp, while for foodies there’s the chocolate heaven of Bruge. Meanwhile, art enthusiasts mustn’t miss the coastal town of Ostend, home to the longest tram line in the world.

No matter your taste, there’s something for everyone in Belgium. Here are five day trips from Brussels, ranging from just 20 minutes away to over an hour by train.

1. For history lovers: Waterloo

Just 20 minutes from Brussels lies Waterloo, the site of the legendary battle where Napoleon Bonaparte’s French army was defeated by English forces, leading to the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Even before Napoleon, Ridley Scott’s recent film about the French military commander, Waterloo has been one of Belgium’s richest attractions. The main events are the Musée Wellington, an 18th century coaching inn which functioned as the British HQ during the campaign.

Catch this 28 tonne lion that represents the victory of the allied armies defeating France, on the batterfield of Waterloo. Photo: Shutterstock

Just a short bus ride from town is the Waterloo 1815 Memorial site which also holds many wonders: a subterranean museum covering the critical aspects of the battle; an adjoining Panorama that revolves around an epic painting of the battle; and the Lion’s Mound itself, with its epic views over the terrain where the fighting took place.

There’s also an annual re-enactment of the battle on 18 June featuring thousands of actors – the next big one is in 2025 – which is well worth checking out if you find yourself in Belgium.

How to get there: It’s a 20-minute train ride from Brussels-Midi to Gare de Waterloo station; make sure to catch an InterCity (fast) train.

2. For architecture buffs: Ghent

Ghent boasts one of Europe’s most stunning medieval towns, as embodied by the breathtaking trio: St Nicholas’s Church, the Belfry and St Bavo’s Cathedral. Set aside time for St Bavo’s, home to one of the world’s most enigmatic artworks: Flemish Primitivist Jan van Eyck’s luminous altarpiece, the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb.

Ghent’s pedestrianised city centre makes it a joy to explore on foot. Photo: Shutterstock

It’s easy to visit the other main sites on foot, which include the towering Gravensteen castle, but a more magical way to explore the city is via a boat tour. There are various departure points, with the most scenic being the beautiful Korenlei and Graslei quaysides, once the centre of the city’s ancient grain trade and now where the locals head for sundowners.

No architecture tour would be complete without taking in Ghent’s cutting-edge contemporary buildings. Prime amongst them are De Krook Library and the barn-like City Pavilion (Stadshal), known by locals semi-affectionately as the “sheep pen”. Finish with lunch or dinner at one of Ghent’s top restaurants, Roots, which offers superb bistronomy cooking – bistro-style dishes with gastronomic cooking methods.

How to get there: Ghent is half an hour away by train from Brussels-Midi Station to Gent-Sint-Pieters Station. The city has two main train stations: Gent-Dampoort and Gent-Sint-Pieters; the latter is closer to the city-centre.

3. For sophisticated shoppers: Antwerp

Belgium’s second city has been synonymous with fashion since the 1980s when a group of avant-garde designers called the Antwerp Six arrived on the map. The most renowned among them is Dries Van Noten, whose elegant Antwerp HQ, Het Modepaleis, turns out dramatic tailoring and gorgeous prints.

Hit the stores of fashion legends in Antwerp. Photo: Shutterstock

The surrounding neighbourhood of Sint-Andries also hosts superb fashion museum MoMu, handmade glove shop Huis A. Boon and riverside antiques strip Kloosterstraat. Head east from the city centre and you’ll soon reach pedestrianised district De Wilde Zee, with its quaint biscuit shops, bakeries and the genteel Theaterbuurt (Theatre District). The main draw of De Wilde Zee is luxury shopping street Schuttershofstraat and the multi-hyphenate restaurant, concept store and high-end rental residence Graanmarkt 13.

Don’t forget the chic, Paris-style Zuid district. There, pop into Ann Demeulemeester’s all-white boutique to browse her haute goth fashion pieces, then amble on to the vibrant square Marnixplaats. You’ll find the city’s fashionistas gathering at the bar Vitrin and trendy seafood spot Fiskebar.

How to get there: Antwerp is around 45 minutes away by train from Brussels-Midi to Antwerp-Central Station; trains stop en route at Brussels-Central and Brussels-North.

4. For the sweet-toothed: Bruges

Bruges is a serious foodie hotspot. Travellers love to stop by Michelin-starred restaurants like Zet’joe and Sans Cravate, but just as fun is a sugar-filled day trip where you’ll have your pick of 60 local chocolate shops.

Unmissable pit stops include the traditional chocolatier Dumon and the Willy Wonka-esque The Chocolate Line, where zany flavoured pralines can include bacon or saké. De Proeverie is where you’ll find the best hot chocolate in town.

Photo: Shutterstock

Learn about the cocoa bean’s rise to popularity – via liberal free samples – at interactive museum Choco-Story Bruges. But Belgium isn’t just about chocolate. For another sugar rush before you climb the 366 steps of the iconic Belfry Tower, you’ll want to try some waffles, which come in either Brussels or Liège versions (the latter are thicker, richer and more decadent).

If you prefer to get hands-on, a waffle-making workshop is a brilliant way to while away an afternoon. Waffle Workshop runs 90-minute masterclasses most days.

How to get there: Bruges is around an hour away by train from Brussels-Midi station to Bruges; trains stop en route at the stations Brussels-Central and Brussels-North.

5. For art geeks and coastal lovers: Ostend

The largest city on Belgium’s North Sea coast, Ostend was once a popular holiday destination for European aristocrats in the 19th century. There’s lots to love about the characterful port today – like its sweeping seafront, adorned with art installations created for the Beaufort Art Triennial (running until November 2024).

Belgian artist Arne Quinze’s large-scale Rock Strangers on the Ostend beachfront are one of the city’s many artistic sights. Photo: Shutterstock

Ostend’s art credentials don’t stop there – it’s most known for painters James Ensor and Léon Spilliaert, whose works occupy a wing of local art museum Mu.ZEE. Ensor is currently being celebrated throughout Belgium this year with a series of exhibitions, adding to Ostend’s permanent collections at James Ensor House.

After you’ve satisfied your craving for art – and moules-frites (mussels and fries), offered in 40 versions at La Moulinière – embark on the world’s longest tram line the Kusttram, which runs the whole 67km of Belgium’s coast, and soak up the views of beach resorts and the town of Oostduinkerke, associated with the UNESCO-listed tradition of horseback shrimp fishing.

How to get there: It takes around 70 minutes by train from Brussels-Midi station to Ostend; you can also opt to break the journey in Ghent, which is located halfway between the two stations.

For our full list of things to try and places to see in Brussels, check out our Brussels City Guide.
To learn more about Singapore Airlines’ flights to Brussels, visit the official website.

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Homegrown bars around Colombo are reinventing arrack, a once-overlooked Sri Lankan spirit

I’m in Colombo, sitting by the open-air bar overlooking the tranquil 16th-century Beira Lake, and I take the first sip of my cocktail. I’m immediately transported to my childhood days, when I used to sit by my aunt, loku amma, every New Year listening to her fables as she spent hours making dodol, a gooey and sticky dark brown sweetmeat. And now, I taste the unmistakeable same flavours, albeit in a drink. This rich, creamy, sweet mix of arrack, coconut and jaggery is a recreation of the familiar Sri Lankan confection.

I watch a bartender whip up another drink as I sip on my own. It’s a coconutty arrack infused with ginger and tamarind, which he serves in a lantern bulb jar. It resembles the kerosene lanterns my father used to light at home when we experienced power cuts. There’s a spicy tang to the drink, thanks to a distillate that calls back to the Sri Lankan achcharu, a pickle of vegetables and unripe papaya distinctive for its sweet, tangy and spicy flavour.

ColomBar’s signature Lantharuma cocktail is served in a distinctive bulb jar that evokes the past. Photo: ColomBar

I’m here at ColomBar inside the swanky Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel that swarms with patrons every weekend who are here to jive to live music. From the outside, it may feel like just another buzzy tavern at the heart of the city. But this vibrant spot with comedy nights and open-air seating is one of the country’s first establishments to proudly flaunt arrack.

This distilled spirit possesses an alcohol percentage of over 40%, and tastes similar to rum, with a smooth finish. Not to be confused with the more popular, similarly spelt, anise-flavoured arak, arrack’s floral notes make it taste subtly sweet. There are several varieties of the spirit, but coconut arrack, made from the sap of coconut flowers, is the most common.

The place in Colombo for lively nights out with a splash of arrack. Photo: ColomBar

I’m mesmerised by ColomBar’s cocktail menu, which takes bargoers across the island’s history, culture and diverse communities through drinks that put Sri Lankan spirits front and centre. You’ll find the piquant Colombo Gin and locally produced dark red rum, alongside drinks such as Gara Yaka – a blend of coconut arrack, vanilla, bael fruit flower and cinnamon – named after a devil in Sri Lankan folklore.

Then there’s Yaal Panam – Tamil for northern Sri Lankan city Jaffna – which blends mango chutney, jaggery and sour tamarind with palmyrah arrack, a northern Sri Lankan variation of arrack made from the sap of the palmyrah palms that grow abundantly in the region.

From working class to world class

Kamal Munasinghe, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ area VP in Colombo, tells me that arrack is one of the oldest distilled alcoholic beverages in the world, with its roots tracing back to the 5th century. Despite its long history, arrack was often only associated with roadside taverns and local drinking culture, and not typically found in upscale bars and restaurants. “People viewed arrack as a working-class spirit,” Munasinghe says.

But things are changing now, thanks to the efforts of homegrown bars across the island aiming to champion native, once-overlooked spirits. Local and foreign mixologists across Sri Lanka have been incorporating local flavours and global techniques to create unique cocktails that present arrack’s refined personality and cultural significance.

“Arrack is a matter of pride for all Sri Lankans”

Bars have been blending native ingredients like the earthy, dark brown kithul (fishtail palm) syrup with savoury notes like tamarind and curry leaves in their arrack drinks using contemporary methods like smoking the glasses and frothing agents. Over the years, “it has helped people enjoy arrack in different flavourful blends. It shows how arrack can easily adapt to contemporary tastes,” Munasinghe says.

Yaal Panam blends palmyrah palm arrack from the island’s northern region. Photo: ColomBar

Today, entrepreneurs and mixologists are increasingly realising that arrack helps spotlight Sri Lankan culture and the island’s diverse cuisine amid a saturated global mixology landscape. Not only is arrack tied to core memories of those who grew up with it, its flavour profile is also evocative of and pairs well with Sri Lankan delicacies.

Nabeel Kenny, head mixologist at Ropewalk, a contemporary speakeasy bar located within the Unesco-listed, 300-year-old Galle Fort two hours south of Colombo, explains that arrack has always been integral to local celebrations, like weddings and birthday parties. Ropewalk was one of the country’s first taverns to specialise in arrack, yet it’s only recently that Sri Lankans have been seeing arrack reinvented in mixology and paired with menus that include local cuisine. “It’s a matter of pride for all Sri Lankans,” he says.

Nabeel Kenny gets fancy. Photo: Ropewalk

A Sri Lankan spirit at heart

The reinvention of arrack aligns with how, as Kenny notes, homegrown spirits are becoming increasingly trendy across the world. As Sri Lanka’s tourism grows – the island saw over 600,000 visitors from January to March this year alone – more and more tourists are looking for unique, local experiences. “They can get a classic gin or whisky cocktail anywhere else, but for them to be in an arrack bar inside the historic Galle Fort, now that’s worth shouting about,” Kenny says.

Stop by Ropewalk for local spirits within a historic site. Photo: Ropewalk

Other industry insiders agree. “The global cocktail scene is evolving, so we can expect to see more innovation and creativity with arrack-based drinks,” says Wendell Rebeira, owner of Locale, one of south coast’s popular gastro bars serving arrack cocktails.

He adds, “Trends like sustainability and embracing locally sourced ingredients, and experimental techniques like smoke infusions or molecular mixology can influence the future of arrack cocktails.”

A drink for the ages

Kenny shows me the creative cocktails that get people talking. Among them is Only Nabeel Likes This, an unapologetic concoction of old reserve arrack, tropical fruits, palm treacle and masala tea. There’s also the bar’s signature Ceylon Sour, a Sri Lankan take on the classic whisky sour with arrack, lime, ginger and lemongrass.

The Good Burgher, named after the island’s minority Burgher community, is an intoxicating combination of old reserve arrack, cherry brandy, lemon marmalade, treacle and bitters. Photo: Ropewalk

The menu also includes shots of different arrack varieties, like Rockland Vat 9, a light-bodied drink with coconut and spice notes, or rich Old Arrack stored in aged wooden barrels.

“Our cocktails are as Sri Lankan as they get. And now it’s got the world talking about arrack,” Kenny says as he prepares me another arrack drink. It’s Rampart Sunset, with pineapple and kithul treacle. I swirl it and take a sip; it sends me back in time to a school trip in Galle Fort, traipsing over the fort’s ramparts with my childhood friends as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Where to enjoy arrack in and around Colombo

ColomBar
One of the city’s popular weekend hangouts embracing native spirits like locally produced gin, rum and arrack from across the island.

Tiki Bar
Colombo’s newest arrack-themed bar opened in Shangri-La Colombo with over 55 arrack infusions, including bael fruit and nai miris, a fiery local chilli.

Ropewalk
Sri Lanka’s first arrack-themed bar housed inside the historic Galle Fort Hotel with a restaurant menu serving local specialities like bacon and egg pastries and spiced baby jackfruit snacks.

Hotel De Uncle’s
Eat and drink like a Sri Lankan at this charming restobar overlooking the ocean in Ahangama, 2.5 hours’ drive from Colombo.

Locale
This popular bar in Weligama, 2.5 hours’ drive from Colombo, overlooks a stunning surfer’s bay and serves creative arrack cocktails with live music and DJ nights.

Smoke & Bitters
Ranked among Asia’s 50 Best Bars for two consecutive years, the bar doubles as a smokehouse in surf town Hiriketiya, a 3-hour drive south of Colombo.

For our full list of things to try and places to see in Colombo, check out our Colombo City Guide.
For more information on Singapore Airlines flights to Colombo, visit the official website. 

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Beyond the Cabin: Surf, sand and Sri Lanka

This article is part of Singapore Airlines’ Beyond the Cabin Season 2 video series, in which cabin crew unveil experiences in their favourite destinations.

Many people visit Sri Lanka for its lush plantations, which produce a wide array of fine teas. But did you know that the tropical island is also home to some of the best beaches in the world? 

“Sri Lanka is nicknamed the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, and for good reason – it’s a beautiful island surrounded by crystal clear waters. Visitors can enjoy beach activities such as surfing, snorkelling, sunbathing and so much more,” says Andy Chong, a cabin crew member with Singapore Airlines. 

Dive into Sri Lanka’s beach scene with Andy and discover the best things to do on – and along – the water.

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How to find your own paradise on Koh Samui

No matter your agenda, Koh Samui always satisfies. This island, ringed by coral reefs and close to 40 white sand beaches, is one of the country’s shimmering gems. Not only is it teeming with seafront bars and restaurants primed for sundowners, it’s also full of dreamy, luxury resorts. You’ll also find wellness experiences for every speed, from yoga and fitness retreats to adrenaline-pumping activities like water sports and jungle treks.

It’s also an incredibly convenient place to visit. Samui International Airport makes the island an easy reach from Singapore and nearby cities, and abundant taxis and apps like Grab can take you from the airport or ferry pier to the beach in 30 minutes or less, wherever you’re staying.

Whatever you’re looking for in a tropical holiday, Koh Samui – often known simply as Samui – has it. Here’s a breakdown of what to eat, how to relax and where to find adventure on your next island vacation.

Seafood galore for gourmet travellers

While the Michelin guide’s recent expansion to the island will likely bring about more high-end restaurants, dining on Samui has always been about savouring seafood and Thai flavours, ideally with your toes into the sand. Bang Por Seafood ticks all those boxes. This beachfront favourite on the quiet northwestern edge of the island is all about bold southern Thai dishes and fresh catches – think squid stir-fried with spicy curry paste and grilled fish.

Savour freshly caught local seafood like blue swimmer crab in southern Thai curry. Photo: Suppatra

For a more refined experience, try Supattra, a 23 minute-drive east close to the airport. Here, fresh, wild-caught local seafood is the backbone of simple but beautifully executed family recipes such as prawn and rock lobster sashimi with Thai herbs and blue swimmer crab in a southern Thai curry. Looking for something a little more laidback? Visit Krua Chao Baan. This old-school institution serves authentic southern Thai dishes, including its signature seafood omelette.

But if you crave foreign flavours, The Cliff is just 6km north of Krua Chao Baan. Its culinary influence spans Italy, Spain and Portugal, from juicy calamari fried with garlic and herbs to tiger prawns in piri piri sauce. Appropriately, the cliffside views overlooking the sea are amazing, too.

Beach club paradise for the party seekers

Sun, sand and hedonism are among Samui’s strongest selling points, and the island’s ever-expanding array of beach clubs offer all three in different doses. Looking for a chic, upscale sanctuary? The Deck in peaceful Bo Phut offers summery cocktails like spritzes, daiquiris and piña coladas while you kick back at a 27-metre pool and enjoy the idyllic view of neighbouring Koh Phangan.

Kick back and party on one of Koh Samui’s many beach clubs. Photo: SEEN

For a club that will get your heart pumping, check out SEEN in Chaweng, Samui’s most popular, best-equipped – and buzziest beach town. There’s a huge beachfront pool with a swim-up bar, plus high-energy DJ sets and stylish pop art décor.

For both action and style, go to CoCo Tam’s. The thatch-roofed hotspot in the Fisherman’s Village – a universally popular destination with restaurants, boutiques and a night market – is the island’s preferred destination for fire shows. (Strap in: they’re like Cirque du Soleil with fireworks.)

But if chill music and low-key sundowners are more your speed, try Tembo in Bang Rak, a beach that caters more to couples than club-hoppers.

Life is always better with a coconut in hand. Photo: Tembo

Yoga retreats, beachside HIIT and jungle hikes for wellness enthusiasts

Over nearly two decades, Samui has developed a growing reputation as a wellness hub, in no small part thanks to Kamalaya Koh Samui. One of Thailand’s top health retreats since opening in Samui’s secluded southeastern shoreline in 2005, Kamalaya offers everything from detoxes and personal yoga packages to meditation in Arjan Cave, where Buddhist monks once lived.

Follow in the footsteps of Buddhist monks past, at Arjan Cave. Photo: Kamalaya Koh Samui

Tucked away in Choengmon, a calmer alternative to Chaweng and emerging hotbed for luxury hotels, Absolute Sanctuary is the place for fitness and wellness. Packages range from five- to 10-day yoga, reformer pilates and other types of conscious retreats that incorporate luxurious massages and maybe even a reiki session.

Just seven minutes’ drive north of Absolute, ultra-luxe Garrya Tongsai Bay has made wellness its focal point. Beyond its spacious spa and yoga studio and detox-friendly dishes made with homegrown produce, some of the resort’s room types – the Wellbeing villas – even have their own in-room exercise facilities. It also boasts a private beach.

Koh Samui has ample options for those seeking a restorative yoga retreat. Photo: Absolute Sanctuary

If bootcamps are more up your alley, all-inclusive fitness resort Koh Fit offers one- to four-week retreats that run the gamut from Muay Thai to Total Fitness. You can also sign up for circuit workouts on nearby Lamai beach and 10km group hikes in the jungle.

Off-road rides and watersports for adrenaline junkies

Jet skis, hoverboards, yacht adventures – Samui is undoubtedly a watersports haven. True enough, from Lipa Noi in the west to Lamai in the east, you’ll see jet skis leaping over waves and hoverboarders floating above the bay.

With warm waters, favourable winds and reputable operators like Kiteboarding Asia, Samui has recently also become a top destination for kiteboarding. Rather go underwater? Discovery, a PADI five-star operation, takes divers to sites teeming with turtles, stingrays and tropical fish. If you’re lucky, you might even swim with whale sharks.

Ride the waves in Samui’s crystal clear waters. Photo: Shutterstock

Samui’s lesser-known inland is starting to get the attention it deserves, too. Outfits like Mr. Ung organise jungle safaris in 4×4 SUVs. You’ll hit all the major sites, including the Big Buddha and Khao Pom, the highest point in Samui, but also get to go off-road and enjoy unexpected surprises.

And if jungle excursions don’t get your adrenaline pumping, dirt bike, ATV and buggy adventures will. Samui Island Adventures puts you behind the wheel for up to four hours.

Where to stay in Koh Samui 

Meliá Koh Samui

The Spanish five-star hotel brand offers sea-themed rooms and suites steps from Choengmon’s soft white sands, on the northeastern tip of the island.

Kimpton Kitalay

Designed to evoke a fisherman’s residence, with pops of dark-stained wood and stilt-suspended platforms, Kimpton Kitalay takes seaside inspiration to the next level. The plentiful common areas make it easy for new friendships to arise, but its exclusive pool villas and spacious rooms are all about comfort and privacy.

For more information on Singapore Airlines flights to Koh Samui, visit the official website.

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8 reasons to visit one of Bali’s best-kept secrets

The coastal hubs of Canggu, Seminyak and Uluwatu are Bali’s most popular tourist destinations, lauded for their sun, surf and social scene. Coming in close second place is Ubud, where visitors flock for arts, culture and wellness. But savvy tourists will know that side-stepping these hotspots in favour of places less travelled can be equally rewarding for experiencing Bali’s stunning nature and rustic village life. Here are eight reasons why Sidemen, in East Bali, is the Island of the Gods’ best kept secret. Located 56km northeast from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, it makes for a worthy escape.

1. For an enchanting walk through lush rice terraces 

Not far from the village centre, the emerald-hued Sidemen Rice Terraces zigzag across the valley. Sidemen’s local banjar (government) has mandated that this lush scenic countryside be retained, rather than developed, for the benefit of the local community. The rice terraces are best enjoyed starting at Pucak Luah Santi. From there, you can make your way across a stunning 3km track through the seasonal rice fields.

Picture-perfect rice terraces in the shadow of Mount Agung. Photo: Shutterstock

Visitors can opt for a guide to gain an insight into the local rice farming community, or just enjoy the walk, which includes a hillside viewpoint where Mount Agung rises above the valley in all its glory. Entry tickets are sold from the little roadside bamboo and grass hut with handmade signage, where you can also engage a guide.

2. For a jungle trek to a waterfall and panoramic views

Follow the winding road that heads southward from Sidemen, through rice paddies and dense jungle, about 8km to get to the paradisical Gembleng Waterfall. Tucked away among towering trees and marked by a little Balinese gate at its base, this waterfall is a tall, narrow stream that spills over natural ledges into a series of small pools.

Gembleng Waterfall is considered a sacred site to the locals. Photo: Shutterstock

The second level is particularly beautiful, with a jacuzzi-sized pool that is deep enough to swim in. Note that the climb is steep and rugged, but the spectacular Sidemen Valley views and little open-air café at the summit are well worth the effort. Entry is free, though donations of 20,000 IDR are recommended.

3. For trying your hand at Balinese cooking

Hungry to do more than merely savour the delicious local cuisine? Drive 20 minutes from the Sidemen village centre and you can learn how to execute authentic Balinese recipes at Green Kitchen. Dishes include perkedel jagung (corn fritters), pepes ikan (spicy fish wrapped in banana leaf) and the local favourite sambal matah (Balinese raw chilli sauce).

Cook up a storm of local delights at Green Kitchen. Photo: Penny Watson

The experience includes visiting a local market, foraging for the day’s ingredients in the nearby organic farm and cooking using a traditional wood-fired stove and huge mortar and pestle in the school’s lovely open-air kitchen.

4. For a first-hand look at an age-old weaving tradition

Pelangi Traditional Weaving cuts a fine figure on the main market street of Sidemen. While it might look like a boutique, the real appeal is the weaving workshop where local women weave one of Sidemen’s most treasured artisanal products, Balinese endek fabric. This cloth is distinctive for its precise weaving techniques, traditional ceremonial significance and rich patterns and colours. Each of the textile’s unique patterns and designs are infused with specific meaning, with different colours and motifs symbolic to different trades, regions and even noble families.

A Balinese craftsperson at her endek loom. Photo: Shutterstock

Visitors can attend the simple workshop downstairs to watch the women use traditional wooden hand-looms to weave the precious fabrics. Seeing the process in action makes that in-store purchase all the more special.

5. For picking up stylish handmade goods by local artisans

This stylish home décor store sits on a palm tree-striped road leading into Sidemen Village. At Kolektif & Co, you’ll find traditional, hand-crafted goods such as woven wall hangings, carved figurines and singing bowls, made by artisans and craftspeople in the local Karangasem province.

The best place for souvenir shopping in Sidemen. Photo: Kolektif & Co

The store is also an ideal stop for picking up keepsakes such as batik dressing gowns, handmade jewellery, sarongs and woven bags. Funds from sales help support local community initiatives, including a women empowerment programme.

6. For a luxury spa fusing global influences with Balinese style

Ananda Spa is nestled in the picturesque gardens of the new Samanvaya resort, but it has a separate street access to welcome day guests. The menu is grounded in traditional local treatments including Balinese massage, boreh (an aromatic paste made using spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger and rice powder) body wrap and hot bamboo massage. It also ventures into alternative healing remedies like the Ayurvedic shirodhara treatment, where a stream of warm oil or herbal concoction is poured onto one’s forehead to stimulate the pituitary gland.

Book early and stay all day at the luxurious Ananda Spa. Photo: Samanvaya Sidemen Bali.

Dimly lit interiors fuse hammam influences with ornate Balinese furniture and adornments, creating the perfect background to unwind in. Stay for the day by pairing a relaxation treatment with a crème bath (a traditional Indonesian hair treatment), decadent manicure and pedicure or a private yoga and meditation session. It’s popular, so book early.

7. For an adults-only paradise ensconced in picturesque rice terraces

It would be a shame to come to Sidemen and never leave the resort, but you’d be forgiven for doing so when staying at Samanvaya Sidemen Bali. This recently opened resort in the foothills of Mount Agung boasts dreamy views that look out onto tranquil rice paddies and distant hilltops.

Choose the Samudra villa at the furthest point of the resort, for greater privacy and a sweeping view of the rice terraces. Photo: Samanvaya Sidemen Bali

Guests have a choice of 18 room and villas, some of which are made entirely of bamboo with traditional alang-alang grass rooftops, while others are beautifully built flat-roofed villas with private pools, full kitchens and quality Balinese fittings and artistry.

Two infinity swimming pools, a jacuzzi and private sitting areas take pride of place in the leafy tropical garden. There’s also an all-day restaurant and a lovely lounge where complimentary afternoon tea is served.

8. For a homely stay with warm local hospitality

Subak Tabola Villa is a local-run resort that hugs a picturesque hillside, five minutes’ drive from the Sidemen village centre. Here, you’re well taken care of by co-owner Mama Ati, a big-hearted Balinese local whose maternal presence adds a familial touch to your stay.

Take a dip in the pool or join the locals for morning prayers and yoga. Photo: Penny Watson

Guests will feel pampered whether they’re splashing about in the pool, luxuriating at the spa or relaxing in one of 14 decadent suites decorated in the typical Balinese red brick style. There’s a yoga studio where sessions with local yogis can be organised upon request, and guests can also join Mama Ati for Balinese blessings at the resort’s temple each morning. The in-house restaurant and bar specialises in Indonesian and Balinese cuisine and local spirits, including arak, a traditional liquor derived from palm.

For our full list of things to try and places to see in Bali, check out our Bali City Guide.
For more information on Singapore Airlines flights to Bali, visit the official website. 

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Headquarters by W15

One of the latest additions to Colombo’s evolving bar scene, The Sky Bar at Headquarters by W15 serves up classics and creative drinks like Hard Day’s Work that blends whiskey sour with Merlot. The bar’s observation deck overlooks Beira Lake and the changing Colombo skyline. Their island-inspired bites are equally outstanding – try the vadai (fried lentil and prawn fritters), ash plantain chips and achcharu (pickled fruits).

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Wyndham Grand Bangsar Kuala Lumpur

This modern luxury hotel close to some of Kuala Lumpur’s key malls is a choice stay for business and leisure travellers alike. Malaysia’s first Wyndham Grand property, it houses 513 guest rooms and comes with a host of amenities such as an outdoor pool, fitness centre, executive lounge and spa. Wyndham Grand has limousine and shuttle services as well as an ample parking bay that can accommodate more than 1,000 cars, so arranging transportation is a breeze no matter how you choose to explore this city. 

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From the ambulance to the aircraft cabin: Providing care to those in need

At first glance, there might not be many similarities between a paramedic and a cabin crew member. However, both jobs share a core principle: providing exceptional service and rendering care to those in need. Just ask Singapore Airlines flight steward Jeffrey Tay, who successfully made the transition from the ambulance to the aircraft cabin in 2022.

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Brian Lara Rum Eatery

For a taste of what’s local, check out this Caribbean-themed watering hole named after the renowned West Indies cricketer, in the trendy Linden district. Here, you’ll find friendly Joburg residents catching up with one another over a drink (or a ‘dop’, as South Africans call it) after hours. Don’t be surprised if you end up befriending a group that insists on buying you a drink.  

Despite the name, it’s really more of a bar than a restaurant. That said, the food is dependably good – go for something on theme, like the jerk chicken or fish cakes. 

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Café del Sol Botanico

One of the Northern Suburbs’ most-loved Italian food spots can be found in Café del Sol Botanico. The setting is elegant yet understated, so you won’t find starched tablecloths or bowtied waiters here. Instead, look towards a menu of handmade pastas, served alongside fish and meat dishes like porcini lamb rack, prepared with seasonal ingredients. 

There’s a classy cocktail bar just next door called The Landmark, where leather booths and warm lighting make for an ideal pre- or post-dinner drink spot.

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The Grillhouse

Every meat lover should partake in a steak and red wine dinner during their visit to South Africa – and the best place to do it is The Grillhouse, just opposite Rosebank Mall. Opened in 1994, it has stood the test of time. Even now, it’s still the spot where local businessmen rub shoulders with foreign guests whom Saffas proudly bring here for a proper South African meal.  

One tip: order your steak medium-rare and pair it with a Pinotage, South Africa’s signature varietal of red wine, originally made from crossing Pinot noir and Cinsault grapes.

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