Then, head next door to Pluck and spend a fortune on stunning interior design ware, before enjoying some comfort food in the store’s own ice cream parlour. And if you need to unwind after your spree, head for “The Sanctum”, a chic chill out space, where you can join a yoga class or enjoy a relaxing shiatsu massage.
Set Out on a Safari
The first attraction of its kind in Asia, River Safari presents a thrilling new water theme park based on 10 of the world’s most striking freshwater habitats. You can head out in a boat to discover attractions ranging from Mekong freshwater stingrays and fearsome Chinese alligators, to Kai Kai and Jai Jai, the giant panda pair gifted by China to mark 20 years of friendly Singaporean relations. River Safari also offers a range of white water rafting rides and the “Amazon Slow Boat”, which takes you to observe fauna and flora found along the Amazon.
Stay on Your Own Island
If you’ve always fancied having your own island, but don’t like roughing it like Robinson Crusoe, head for Pulau Joyo. A short boat hop from Singapore lands you at Riau Archipelago’s brand new driftwooddecorated dream haven, and delivers a sophisticated melange of rustic chic and local charm. Stay in a tree house or driftwood cabin, drink cocktails on the white sandy beach at sunset, and watch pink dolphins gambol in the sea from your sunny seat.
Dine like a Gourmand
Famous for its gourmet dining scene, Singapore has attracted some of the globe’s top chefs, who have set up local restaurants. Opened just a year ago, &MADE is the brainchild of Bruno Menard, the first three-star Michelin chef to open a restaurant in Singapore. Dishing up a finedining spin on burgers and fast food, this brightly lit, black-and-white tiled eatery serves refreshing liquid salads, gourmet burgers (try the spicy lamb coriander and curried raisin version), as well as a range of sapid desserts. If you’re seeking a more upmarket dining experience, head for the newly opened Ikyu, an achingly hip restaurant with concrete floors and fitting metal fixtures, where chef Takuma Seki serves foie gras with pink pepper and other original dishes. Celebrity chef Jason Atherton’s newly opened Esquina presents another must-try. An upmarket tapas bar with only a dozen or so seats drawn up to a scrubbed steel food counter, they serve bite-sized specialities including delicious barbecued mackerel snacks and titbits of roast lamb served with black olive polenta.