Wednesday, 16 November 2022

6 exciting new openings in Paris that deserve a visit

With so much to offer visitors, it’s little wonder that Paris is regularly voted the world’s most popular tourism destination – and few places can match the City of Light in terms of history, good looks or, indeed, out and out romance. But while no visit is complete without taking in at least one of its many big-ticket attractions – be it the Eiffel tower, the Louvre or the Arc de Triumph– the French capital is also full of surprises. Indeed, after the events of the past two years, which saw an eerie quiet descend on Paris, you could say that the joie de vivre is back, as a glut of new openings breath fresh life into again-buzzing boulevards. But where to head on your next trip? Our run-down of the best new openings in Paris for 2022 should do the trick.

1. Stay in the city’s best new hotel

It’s been described as the most exciting Paris hotel opening for years, and for once the hyperbole is justified. Bvlgari Hôtel Paris is a lavish new 76-room property that’s everything you need from a city hotel. Absurdly spacious – the bedrooms start at 42sqm, which is more than double the city average – it’s also gloriously opulent. This is Bulgari after all, so no expense has been spared in the décor which combines marble and granite with silk wallcoverings and dark varnished woodwork to dramatic effect, creating a blissful cocoon from the outside world. Then there’s the prime Avenue George V location, mere minutes away city’s finest boutiques and just two streets down from the Champs-Élysées. And did we mention the world-class spa?

Bvlgari Hôtel Paris new openings
Bvlgari Hôtel Paris is an exemplar of Parisian style. Photo credit: Bvlgari Hôtel Paris

2. Pick up some on-trend threads

Having achieved cult status in the US, where the likes of Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Gigi Hadid are all fans of its jeans, the much-vaunted clothier Re/Done recently opened its first international outpost in the Paris, on 22 Rue de Grenelle. The French capital is not short of smart boutiques – in fact, it’s arguably the world’s foremost retail hotspot – but this new opening in Paris brings something quite unique to the city with its focus on vintage and sustainable apparel – perfect for any visitor looking to come home with a unique, and fashion-forward reminder of their stay.

3. Take a two-wheeled tour

As part of her mission to transform Paris into the world’s greenest metropolis, Mayor Anne Hidalgo has implemented plans to introduce 180km of new bike lanes to the city’s cycling network between now and 2026, with a goal to make the French capital ‘100% cyclable’. Already in play are routes along the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées and Rue de Rivoli, and they provide a fantastic opportunity to see the City of Light from another perspective.

Paris Bike Lanes
Paris is a great city to explore by bike. Photo credit: Shutterstock/Oliverouge 3

4. Embark on a culinary adventure through modern French cuisine

Tom Meyer is one of Paris’s rising culinary stars – and with good reason. Having honed his craft under the watchful eye of France’s first lady of fine dining Anne-Sophie Pic, he opened Restaurant Granite, his first restaurant, late last year and within months it had won a Michelin star for its modern celebration of French cuisine. Modern is very much the watch word, as evidenced by Scandi décor, the laid-back atmosphere and the commitment to zero waste and zero plastic… It’s also – by Parisian standards – extremely good value, so we’d recommend getting in there while it remains thus.

5. Enjoy a whole night out in one place

You won’t be surprised to hear that Paris already has its fair share of arthouse cinemas – particularly on the bohemian Left Bank, which remains a locus for the city’s culturati – but Silencio des Prés offers an exciting spin on the formula. Occupying the same Saint-Germain site as a famed movie theatre that was once frequented by the likes of Jean-Paul Belmondo and François Truffaut, this new, multi-purpose space is pitching itself as a one-stop for all your night-time needs. Arrive for dinner in the buzzy art-deco dining room, where chef Guillaume Sanchez has curated a menu of gussied-up Parisian brasserie classics, then head downstairs to the basement cocktail bar for a film, dj-set or perhaps even a jazz session.

Silencio des Prés new openings in Paris
Silencio des Prés is a swish new spot for a night out in the city of lights. Photo credit: Silencio des Prés

6. Embrace your inner hipster

Paris has fully embraced the natural wine trend that has become de rigueur in hipster enclaves the world over, with Early June being one of the city’s pioneers. Alongside one of the city’s finest selections of low and no intervention wines, craft beers and ciders, all curated by owners Camille Machet and Victor Vautier, this Canal St Martin hotspot also hosts popups by travelling chefs from around the world. Arrive for the wine and stay for the small plates as you watch Paris’s trendiest neighbourhood go about its business outside.

To learn more about Singapore Airlines flights to Paris, visit singaporeair.com. If you are looking at how to offset your carbon emissions on your future flights, visit the following websites to learn more:

carbonoffset.singaporeair.com.sg or carbonoffset.flyscoot.com

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Tuesday, 15 November 2022

The best happy hour deals in Singapore

Singapore’s drinking scene is flourishing, and it’s all too easy to go bar-hopping all night. It’s home to some of the best bars in Asia (even the world), and with hotspots like Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Holland Village all abuzz till the wee hours every weekend, you can’t accuse the Lion City of being boring. What sweetens the pot here are the plethora of happy hour promotions available in Singapore, with popular hangouts like Jigger & Pony and Sque offering some of the most attractive deals. Here are seven bars you should check out for wallet-friendly pours.

1. Jigger & Pony

Cocktail connoisseurs in Singapore will undoubtedly be acquainted with Jigger & Pony, an acclaimed bar that’s become a regular fixture on the World’s Top 50 Bars list (#12 in the world and #1 in Asia in 2022). The bar’s current location in Amara Singapore features a polished, dark wood counter that lends it an old-world charm. Fittingly, the cocktails often feature a vintage twist. The happy hour menu includes IBA classics like the Negroni – made with Botanist Gin, Cinzano Rosso and Campari – and special monthly cocktails like the Charlie Chaplin. While the cocktails here are the highlight, you can also enjoy happy hour prices on wine, champagne and beer.

The deal: From 6pm to 7.30pm daily, enjoy special prices on a selection of beer, spritzes, wines and cocktails. Happy hour cocktail prices start at $16.

165 Tanjong Pagar Road, Amara Hotel. Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar

The Corpse Reviver cocktail at Jigger & Pony happy hour Singapore
The Corpse Reviver cocktail at Jigger & Pony. Photo credit: Jigger & Pony

2. Sque

Known for having one of the longest happy hour deals in Singapore, Sque is a top pick for beer lovers thanks to its wide variety of uncommon beers from Germany, the UK and beyond. In addition to London Pride, Franziskaner Weissbier and Kona Big Wave Golden Ale, Sque also offers their own seasonal craft beer. After a couple of beers, you going to want some nosh, and Sque delivers with a hearty menu that includes a massive meat platter with a pork knuckle, spring chicken, bratwurst and barbecued pork ribs.

The deal: Guests enjoy one-for-one deals on all draught beers and selected cocktails and wines daily from 11.30am to 8.30pm.

Eu Tong Sen St, #01-70 The Central. Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay

3. Thirty Six Brewlab and Smokehouse

If you’re looking for more craft brews, head to Thirty Six Brewlab and Smokehouse in the Telok Ayer neighbourhood. The bar and restaurant is home to Lion Brewery Co, so you’ll find many of the homegrown brewery’s beers on tap here. There’s also a selection of intriguing ales from their on-site Brewlab along with other international and local craft brews, making for an impressive total of 25 beers on tap. While beer clearly takes centre stage, the dining menu isn’t a mere afterthought. Open-flame cooking is a speciality here so expect wood-fired pizzas, grilled meats, hearty burgers and classic bar bites like calamari rings.

The deal: Happy Hour runs daily from opening to 7pm (excluding Christmas and New Year’s Eve/Day). Guests enjoy up to 20% off for all Lion Brewing Co’s core range and seasonal Brewlab pints along with selected wines by the glass and cocktails on tap.

36 Club Street. Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer

Craft brew fans are bound to find their favourite styles of beer here. Photo credit: Lion Brewery

4. Bar Square

Bar Square, set within Andaz Singapore, has recently refreshed its drinks menu with 14 new cocktails, each paying homage to iconic Singaporean sights and cultural hotspots. For example, the Vic Haiboru draws inspiration from Victoria Concert Hall and features a backbone of sake and Nikka whisky mellowed with a bright and refreshing yuzu tonic. If you prefer something a little smokier, try the Nostalgia. Made with Blanton bourbon, cocchi rosa, campari and chocolate bitters, it makes for an excellent nightcap.

The deal: Happy hour runs from 4pm to 6pm on weekdays and 3pm to 6pm on weekends. During happy hour, the Singapore-inspired cocktails are available at $15 instead of the usual $26.

5 Fraser Street. Nearest MRT: Bugis

Bar Square’s cocktails are inspired by local heritage icons. Photo credit: Andaz Singapore

5. Ginett

If you’re an oenophile looking for a happy hour in Singapore with something a little more special than the usual house pours, Wine Down Wednesdays at Ginett might be just what you’re looking for. Every Wednesday, you can enjoy one-for-one deals on a selection of French wines from Grand Cru. The bistro-style French restaurant and wine bar also has an extensive charcuterie and cheese selection along with more substantial sandwiches, burgers and vegetarian options.

The deal: Enjoy one-for-one wines from selected labels on Wednesdays from 6pm to closing.

200 Middle Road, Hotel G Singapore. Nearest MRT: Bugis

Ginett offers a happy hour deal for wines that is sure to please oenophiles. Photo credit: Ginett

6. Humpback

For happy hour drinks with a little something more, Humpback by the Jigger & Pony Group is well worth a visit. This seafood restaurant at Bukit Pasoh Road offers happy hour deals on both wine by the bottle and a selection of oysters of the day that include picks from Summerstone, Blue Pool and Eld Inlet in Washington. Come by on a Monday and you’ll enjoy happy hour prices on oysters all day long.

The deal: Guests will enjoy 20% off all bottle wines and $4 oysters of the day from opening till 6.30pm daily. Oyster happy hour also runs all day on Monday.

18-20 Bukit Pasoh Road. Nearest MRT: Outram Park

7. Live Twice

The newest addition to the Jigger & Pony Group (and right above Humpback), Live Twice takes inspiration from mid-century Japan, most apparent in its design – think clean lines, wood panelling and warm lighting. The bars cocktail programme follows through with the theme, incorporating Japanese craft spirits and ingredients like tea and honeydew nectar into their cocktails. Happy hour drinks here are priced at $16 and include Japanese-inflected creations like the Shiso Fizz made with daiyame shochu, shiso and umeboshi. The King Cole Old Fashioned is another happy hour pick that puts a spin on the classic cocktail with the addition of Fernet-Branca and Okinawa sugar.

The deal: From 6pm to 7.30pm daily, select cocktails are priced at $16 each.

20 Bukit Pasoh Road (Above Humpback). Nearest MRT Outram Park

Additional reporting by Isabel Ong

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Monday, 7 November 2022

Small Tables

Shake up your lunch routine at this chic new café in Orchard Road that specialises in modern Malaysian cuisine and specialty Ipoh dishes. Small Tables’ interior, while certainly contemporary, features metal shutters, jade-green tiles, and of course, small tables that evoke nostalgia for Malaysian coffee shops of the ’70s. Like the interior, the menu features elevated takes on classic Malaysian dishes with the addition of premium ingredients like Iberico pork (used in their homemade char siew). The star of the show here is the Ipoh curry mee that’s available dry or served in a rich silky broth. Other standouts include the whole fish otah – a whole croaker stuffed with spiced fish paste – and the pork belly satay. Round off your meal with a fortifying cup of Ipoh white coffee or peruse their international wine list.

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Begeben Sie sich auf eine kulinarische Reise mit dem Book the Cook-Programm von Singapore Airlines

Für viele Reisende ist Flugzeugessen nur eine reine Nahrungsaufnahme, aber was wäre, wenn Sie in einer Höhe von mehr als 30.000 Fuß exquisite Mahlzeiten in Restaurantqualität zu sich nehmen könnten? Ganz gleich, ob Sie eher zu europäischen Klassikern wie Hummer Thermidor oder zu lokalen Spezialitäten wie Hainan-Hühnchenreis neigen oder ob Sie eine gesündere Variante bevorzugen: Das einzigartige Book the Cook-Programm von Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) bietet Ihnen alles, was Sie sich wünschen. Mit diesem Angebot wird die typische Mahlzeit an Bord neu interpretiert und aufgewertet, sodass das Essen an Bord zu einem echten kulinarischen Erlebnis wird. Lesen Sie weiter, um die köstlichen kulinarischen Kreationen zu entdecken, die Sie auf Ihrer nächsten Reise mit Singapore Airlines erwarten.

FCL Lobster Thermidor
Hummer Thermidor ist eines der beliebtesten Angebote von Book the Cook.

Genießen Sie fantastische japanische, indische und westliche Gerichte sowie lokale Hawker-Favoriten

Mit Book the Cook können Reisende aus einer großen Auswahl an Speisen aus der westlichen, japanischen und indischen Küche wählen. SIA ist die erste Fluggesellschaft, die einen derart fortschrittlichen Service zur Bestellung von Mahlzeiten anbietet. Er steht Passagieren der Suiten-, First-, Business- und Premium Economy-Klasse bei Flugzeiten über 1,5 Stunden zur Verfügung und muss mindestens 24 Stunden vor dem Flug bestellt werden.

Singapurer, die sich nach einem Stück Heimat sehnen, oder Reisende, die die typische Küche Singapurs kennenlernen möchten, werden die Einführung der Hawker-Küche im Rahmen einer Zusammenarbeit zwischen SIA und dem Catering-Partner SATS lieben. Die Gerichte wurden im September 2021 eingeführt, um die Aufnahme der singapurischen Hawker-Kultur in die repräsentative UNESCO-Liste des immateriellen Kulturerbes der Menschheit zu würdigen. Es ist auch Teil des Singapore Showcase Programms von SIA, um diesen farbenfrohen Aspekt der reichen Kultur Singapurs zu fördern.

Mit einer Auswahl beliebter lokaler Gerichte von bekannten Hawkern, die von SATS zubereitet werden, haben Reisende wirklich die Qual der Wahl. Gut zu wissen: Im September 2022 waren die beliebtesten Hawker-Gerichte von Book the Cook sowohl bei den Passagieren der First als auch der Business Class der legendäre Boon Tong Kee Hühnchenreis, die herrlich geschmeidigen Kok Kee Wanton-Nudeln und Song Fa Bak Kut Teh – berühmt für seine würzige, pfeffrige Brühe und die zarten Schweinerippchen. Zu den weiteren Favoriten gehört die berühmte Beach Road Krabben-Nudelsuppe mit ihrer reichhaltigen, würzigen Brühe und den saftigen Krabben.

Sowohl in der First als auch in der Business Class war das beliebteste Gericht über alle Küchen hinweg – wenig überraschend – der Hummer Thermidor. Zu den weiteren beliebten Gerichten gehören lokale Favoriten wie Nyonya ikan assam pedas dan sambal udang und das Nasi Lemak.

Wählen Sie eine gesündere und ebenso exquisite Mahlzeit an Bord

Versuchen Sie, Ihre Ernährungs- und Fitnessziele einzuhalten? Gesundheitsbewusste Reisende können auch Gerichte wählen, die reich an Vitaminen und Nährstoffen sind, und zwar im Rahmen des Deliciously Wholesome-Angebots der Fluggesellschaft. Diese Initiative wurde im Jahr 2016 ins Leben gerufen.

Die von einem Team aus renommierten Köchen und einem Ernährungsexperten kreierten Gerichte werden aus einer Vielzahl sorgfältig ausgewählter Zutaten zubereitet, die den Körper regenerieren und verjüngen sowie Faktoren wie Dehydrierung, Erschöpfung, Jetlag und anderen reisebedingten Stress entgegenwirken sollen. Die Mahlzeiten können auch von Suiten-, First- und Business-Class-Kunden über den Book the Cook-Service vorbestellt werden.

Im September 2019 ging SIA noch einen Schritt weiter und arbeitete mit der in Singapur ansässigen Wellness-Marke COMO Shambhala zusammen, um auf ausgewählten Flügen eine Reihe von speziell zusammengestellten Wellness-Gerichten anzubieten. Die schmackhaften und immunstärkenden Gerichte enthalten Zutaten, die reich an Antioxidantien und Mikronährstoffen sind, wie Kiwi, Joghurt, Rote Beete und Erdbeeren, damit sich die Reisenden auch nach einem langen Flug erfrischt fühlen.

Die Deliciously Wholesome Mahlzeiten, wie diese vegetarische Lasagne, sind ideal für gesundheitsbewusste Reisende.

Wie man Book the Cook bei Singapore Airlines nutzt

Sie können eine Mahlzeit aus dem Book the Cook-Service über die Seite Buchung verwalten auf der SIA-Website auswählen. Geben Sie einfach Ihre Buchungsnummer und Ihren Nachnamen ein, wählen Sie Ihren Flug und bestellen Sie Ihre Mahlzeit aus den verfügbaren Optionen. Die Bestellung muss mindestens 24 Stunden vor dem Flug erfolgen (Newark und Auckland erfordern längere Vorlaufzeiten). Klicken Sie hier, um das umfangreiche Menü zu konsultieren und um zu sehen, welche Abflugorte diesen Service anbieten.

Bitte beachten Sie, dass Book the Cook nicht auf allen Flügen angeboten wird und die Auswahl je nach Kabinenklasse und Standort unterschiedlich sein kann.

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Thursday, 3 November 2022

7 ways to truly enjoy nature’s adventure playground – Queenstown, New Zealand

With so much going on in Queenstown, New Zealand, it can be difficult knowing where to begin and how to maximise your time in this South Island resort town. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly activity, a daring adventure or something out of the ordinary, there is something for the young and old, the adventurous and the soft-hearted.

1. Take a gondola up for a bird’s eye view of Queenstown

The Skyline Gondola sweeps up to iconic Bob’s Peak, 450m above the town. Be awed by the staggering lake and mountain views on the sky deck that offers a 360-degree view of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, but not before feasting at the restaurant that towers above everything else. The restaurant, with its full-length glass windows, offers a one-of-a-kind view that you can take in while indulging in your buffet lunch or dinner. If you’re after something a little more adrenaline-pumping, you can also add luge passes to your gondola ticket.

Tip: Go up at sunset or on a clear night for either a view of Queenstown as the light turns soft, or an entire galaxy of stars that appears just an arm’s reach away.

aerial-views-of-queenstown-at-dusk-spring
Enjoy aerial views of Queenstown at dusk. Photo credit: Destination Queenstown

2. Ziptrek down the forest to a view of Lake Wakatipu

Going on a Ziptrek with Ziptrek Ecotours is one way to go downhill while learning about conservation efforts being made to the country and the species that used to inhabit New Zealand. Zip from tree to tree with glimpses of Lake Wakatipu in-between; you can even try your hand at zipping upside down with their fun and knowledgeable guides.

Ziptrek Ecotours Queenstown
Try zipping upside down for a unique perspective. Photo credit: Ziptrek Ecotours

3. Watch kiwis in their natural habitat

Find out all about this native flightless bird at the family-owned and operated Kiwi Birdlife Park, where kiwis are taken care in a setting as close to their natural habitat as possible. Watch how the caretakers feed these kiwi birds; you’ll find an innocence to them as they wander about in the dark in search for food.

Kiwi Birdlife Park Queenstown
A kiwi in its natural habitat. Photo credit: Kiwi Birdlife Park

4. Ride a horse at Glenorchy

So many people visit Queenstown and miss out on nearby Glenorchy. A 40-minute drive northwest of Queenstown, Glenorchy is famous for being the starting point of one of New Zealand’s Top Ten Classic Hikes, the Routeburn Track. If you’d like to take in Glenorchy in a matter of hours, there is no better way than signing up for a horse-riding session with Lighthorse Adventures. The ride will take you through bushes, across farmland and into rivers. The different landscapes make the entire experience a picturesque one. If you’re a novice, join the the Easy Rider Tour that’ll take you across gentle terrain and scenic meadows. Alternatively pick the half-day River Wilds experience if you’re up for a little adventure. Go in November and you’ll get close to the beautiful lupin flowers that come to full bloom only for a few weeks every November.

Glenorchy New Zealand
Glenorchy’s surrounds are nothing short of awe-inspiring. Photo credit: Shutterstock

5. Taste New Zealand’s finest wines

There are many regions in the North and South Islands that dedicate themselves wholly to producing the finest wines. You can get your first taste of true New Zealand wine at a winery around Queenstown rather easily. The Central Otago region is renowned for the quality of its pinot noir wines. Amisfield is an hour’s drive from Queenstown and has 70 per cent of its vineyards dedicated to pinot noir. While in Cromwell nearby, be sure to sign up for the 4 Barrels Wine Walking Wine Trail, which will take you past Misha’s Vineyard, Aurum Wines, Scott Base and Wooing Tree Vineyard. Mount Difficulty is a great place to sit down with a cheese platter and wines to pair with a view of the mountains and their vineyards.

Micha's Vinyard Wines Queenstown
Sip on some of the region’s best wines. Photo credit: Misha’s Vineyard Wines

6. Get on a 4WD adventure with Nomad Safaris

Hop into a 4WD for an exhilarating drive on narrow cliffside gravelled paths, over bumpy terrain and across rivers. The tour also brings you to Arrowtown, an old settlement town built for miners who came here in search of gold and fortune. The Arrow River is said to have one of the world’s richest sources of alluvial gold. These deposits led to the gold rush in the 1860s. Your guide will demonstrate how gold is panned from the riverbed, and how the miners used to patiently pick the little gold pieces out amid the debris and mud.

Nomad Safaris Queenstown
Experience off road 4-wheel driving that takes you through thrilling river crossings, narrow back country roads and steep mountain tracks. Photo credit: Nomad Safaris

7. Go wild and get wet with jet boating

If bungy jumping or skydiving are too extreme but you are still keen on an adventure in Queenstown, give jet boating a go. Shotover Jet, the only company permitted to operate within the Shotover Canyons, goes around narrow canyons of the Shotover River at high speed with hair-swooshing 360-degree spins. The white water ride is an experience that combines thrilling, gravity-defying stunts with spectacular scenery.

Shotover Jet Queenstown
This trip combines adrenaline and pristine natural landscape in one exciting adventure. Photo credit: Shotover Jet

Queenstown is truly the epitome of a thriving tourist town and is possibly the most cosmopolitan town you’ll find in New Zealand. With so many activities on offer, it’s no wonder Queenstown is regarded as Nature’s playground!

Please check the establishments’ respective websites for opening hours as well as booking and seating requirements before visiting and remember to adhere to safe-distancing measures while out and about.

The information is accurate as of press time. For updated information, please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.

To learn more about Singapore Airlines flights, visit singaporeair.com.

This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings on 16 March 2018 and updated on xx June 2021.

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