MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE
THE ODD COUPLE Malaysia and Singapore
They might not seem like the most likely of bedfellows but there’s more than enough enticing reasons why Malaysia and Singapore should be experienced together on the same holiday, says Ben Lerwill
For a start, Malaysia is more than 450 times the size of Singapore and while Singapore is mainly about sleek city living, Malaysia – despite the cutting-edge sheen of its capital, Kuala Lumpur – is traditionally more synonymous with poster-spread tropical landscapes, examples of which range from mountainous jungle to fantasy beaches. What they do have in common is that
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they offer attractive options for British holidaymakers. Both countries have been well attuned to the changing needs of the UK market, and together their tourism infrastructure is among the smoothest and most modern in the region. There’s direct air access, deals are plentiful and impressive new hotels, resorts and attractions continue to be unveiled.
26 September 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
n paper Singapore and Malaysia are something of an odd couple.
From tasting the local food scene in
Singapore to getting up close to orang- utans in Malaysia, they provide exoticism, colour and – more often than not – an ease of logistics that makes them great options for Far East first-timers. Combining the two countries in one trip is by no means a universal choice – both are vibrant, well rounded destinations in their own right – but there’s much to make the prospect of a twin-centre appealing. Singapore’s Raffles-era heritage, waterfront nightlife and world-renowned shopping outlets are a perfect foil for the far-reaching pleasures of Malaysia’s space-age towers, scenic highlands, beach getaways and wildlife encounters. Purely because of Malaysia’s scale, it
would make more sense to give it more itinerary time than Singapore, although the latter can easily fill up three or four days. For dedicated urbanites it’s
straightforward enough to combine time in Singapore with time in Kuala Lumpur, but a break that also incorporates Borneo, or one of Malaysia’s beach centres such as Penang or Langkawi, perhaps holds more natural appeal for UK travellers. Geographically, too, they make for a natural twin-centre pairing. The island state of Singapore sits immediately to the south of peninsular Malaysia, linked by a causeway. To the east across the South China Sea, meanwhile, the increasingly popular charms of Malaysian Borneo are quickly reached by plane from Singapore, KL and numerous other regional airports.
Clockwise from top: Malaysia's Cameron Highlands is tea country!; The Kuala Lumpur Tower; A Buddhist temple in Malaysia; Singapore's Hungry Ghost Festival; Temple in Tapak Sejarah, in George Town, Penang, Malaysia; Singapore's skyline; Rickshaw rides are a feature in Malacca, Malaysia
TOURISM MALAYSIA
JOE BOULTBEE
JOE BOULTBEE
STB
TOURISM MALAYSIA
JOE BOULTBEE
STB
STB
JOE BOULTBEE
Selling Tip
“For a beach holiday Penang has plenty of hotels to suit every client’s needs and budget”
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