Southeast Asia - Singapore and Jakarta

About the destination: Singapore is a city-state and the smallest country in Southeast Asia. Singapore has the highest standard of living in Asia and is a spotlessly clean, efficient, regulated, modern city. The city has an interesting mix of old and new cultures, combining the skyscrapers of the Business District with a very interesting blend of ancient cultures in some of its districts. Singapore is one of the greenest cities so much so that the city is dubbed the Garden City. One of the main attractions are the Botanic Gardens, which includes the superb Orchid garden that is beautifully landscaped and has a great variety of orchids. The Merlion is probably Singapore's most famous landmark. This Merlion structure is located at Merlion Park, which is located in the Central Business District. There are some fascinating ethnic areas such as Little India, Arab Street, Chinatown and Geylang. These areas are definitely worth visiting if you want to experience some real Singaporean culture. Other attractions include world class museums, stunning colourful shops, Marina bay and lush parks. Besides the shopping, Singapore has great food. Being home to various ethnic groups, Singapore has created a wonderful mix of flavors and textures in their cuisine. Singapore is one of the most vibrant and modern cites in Asia with a tropical climate, with delicious food, good shopping and a vibrant night-life scene it has become one top destination on its own right.

About the destination: Jakarta, located on the northwest of the island of Java, is the capital of Indonesia and largest city in Southeast Asia. Jakarta is a huge city and one of the busiest and energetic metropolis in the world and it has lots to offer, from historic and cultural sites, high-end shopping malls to traditional markets, one of the best restaurant scene of the region and a vibrant nightlife. Kota Tua Jakarta is also known as the Old Jakarta or Old Batavia. Kota Tua is where the Dutch immigrants settled and established their seat of government. Buildings showcasing Dutch architecture still stand around the Fatahillah square, most of which function as museums. Kota Tua Jakarta is located north of the city center of Jakarta. Walking is the best way to go around the historical sites. Cafe Batavia, which dates back to 1805, is a famous restaurant with Baroque decor overlooking Fatahillah Square. Off-shore north from Jakarta's beach there are small islands called Kepulauan Seribu, the Thousand islands. They are part of the North Jakarta city government and a perfect spot to get away from city life. The variety of shopping, exciting nightlife, historical sites and wide selection of dining experiences make Jakarta a truly exciting and different experience.