Relax - Long weekend getaways

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This year is a great one for long weekend vacations. Six public holidays fall on a Monday, Friday or Sunday.

They are Chinese New Year (Feb 14 to 16), Good Friday (April 2), Vesak Day (May 28), National Day (Aug 9), Hari Raya Puasa (Sept 10), and Deepavali (Nov 5).

Many Singaporeans have already made plans. Major travel agents say many of their package tours during the Chinese New Year period are almost fully booked. This is traditionally a popular time for families and couples looking to escape or spend the festivities with an overseas trip.

ASA Holidays and Dynasty Travel say they have only a handful of seats left on selected tours to Taiwan, Korea and China.

Ms Alicia Seah, CTC Holidays' senior vice-president of marketing and public relations, says airlines have added flights to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuching and Korea during the Chinese New Year holiday to accommodate the strong travel demand this year.

According to her, travel bookings have jumped by 20 per cent compared to the same holiday season last year and they were made as early as October last year.

'You need to take only three days of leave to enjoy more than a week's holiday. Singaporeans are cash-rich but time-poor, so they will travel,' says Ms Seah, who adds that her company is already receiving bookings for Europe tours for the Good Friday weekend.

While the number of days of rest is the same as any other year, it just feels better to have them at one go.

Destinations popular among Singaporeans during long weekends are nearby spots such as Taiwan, Korea, China, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam.

Chan Brothers assistant manager of marketing communications Jane Chang says: 'Short and mid-length trips are more accessible due to the burgeoning number of budget carriers with expanded routes, not just to South-east Asian destinations but also beyond.'

Life! susses out vacation spots in places such as Korea, India and Hong Kong that have festivals, sales or local celebrations which coincide with Singapore's long weekends this year.

Most destinations are about four to five hours away by plane - ideal for a quick trip there and back.

tcheryl@sph.com.sg

NEXT: Ideas for a Chinese New Year getaway
(Feb 13 to 16)

Where to go

CHINESE NEW YEAR, FEB 13 TO 16

HONG KONG

Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade and street party

When: Feb 14

Where: Tsim Sha Tsui

See: Colourful floats, international and local artists' performances

Getting there: Take a 3-hour-and-40-minute Singapore Airlines flight (from $634) to Hong Kong. Take train to MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui.

Chinese New Year Fireworks

When: Feb 15, 8pm

Where: Victoria Harbour

Do: Go up to The Peak, stroll along the Avenue of Stars and take a night cruise on a ferry or traditional Chinese junk.

Getting there: Take train to MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station.

Chinese New Year Race Day

When: Feb 16, 11am

Where: Shatin Racecourse

Do: Cheer the first race of the Chinese New Year.

Getting there: Take train to MTR Racecourse Station or Fo Tan Station.

Flower Market

When: Feb 8 to 13

Where: Victoria Park at Causeway Bay and Fa Hui Park in Mong Kok

Do: Walk among rows of kumquat trees, peach blossoms and tangerine plants that are believed to be auspicious.

Getting there: To get to Victoria Park, take train to MTR Tin Hau Station. To get to Fa Hui Park, take train to MTR Mong Kok East Station (Exit C) and follow the footbridge to Sai Yee Street.

KOREA

Seollal Celebrations

When: Feb 13 to 16

Where: Korean Tourism Information Center

Do: Dress up and have your picture taken in a hanbok, the traditional Korean dress; and play traditional folk games such as tuho (arrow throwing), yut (a boardgame that involves tossing sticks), sangmo doligi (hat spinning) and paeng-ichigi (top spinning).

Getting there: Take a 6-hour-and-5-minute Singapore Airlines flight (from $1,138) to Seoul. Take Seoul Subway Line 1 to Jonggak Station, then take Exit 5 to the KTO building, also known as T2.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Korean New Year, or Seollal, which coincides with the Chinese New Year.

THAILAND

Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony

When: Feb 12 to 14

Where: Pak Meng Beach, Trang Province

Do: Join the mass wedding celebrations with Thai couples who tie the knot underwater at this unique annual wedding event that is in its 14th year. Attend the street party where there will be delicious Thai food and fresh, barbecued seafood.

Getting there: Take a 2-hour-and-15-minute Singapore Airlines flight (from $484) to Bangkok. Transfer on a 1-hour-and-25-minute Nok Air flight (from 4,230 baht or S$179) to Trang.

NEXT: Ideas for a Good Friday getaway
(April 2 to 4)

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 2 TO 4

PHILIPPINES

Easter Cruxifixion Ritual

When: April 1 to 2

Where: San Fernando, Pampanga province

Do: Observe Catholic devotees taking part in a mass religious ritual during the Holy Week to atone for their sins.

Getting there: Take a 3-hour-and-35-minute Singapore Airlines flight (from $554) to Manila, followed by a 6-hour road journey to San Fernando City (from 3,200 pesos or S$98 by private car).

TAIWAN

Alishan Cherry Blossoms Festival

When: March 15 to April 15

Where: Alishan

Do: Take a scenic ride up Alishan from Chiayi County to view the different varieties of pink and snowy white cherry blossoms that blanket the mountainsides. The peak is also home to giant Taiwanese red cypresses.

Getting there: Take a 4-hour Singapore Airlines flight (from $966) to Taipei, followed by a 11/2-hour high-speed train to HSR Chiayi (Taibao) Station (NT$1,350 or S$59). From Chiayi, take a 2-hour shuttle bus (NT$200) or a taxi (NT$1,600).

NEXT: Ideas for a Vesak Day getaway
(May 28 to 30)

VESAK DAY, MAY 28 TO 30

KOREA

Chuncheon International Mime Festival

When: May 28 to 30

Where: Gangwon-do Chuncheon Mime House, Chuncheon Culture and Arts Center, Chuncheon Puppet Theater and Dokkaebi Island

Do: Watch international mime artists perform in Korea's leading performing arts festival. The opening ceremony is held on the streets of Myengdong in Chuncheon. Workshops are also available for visitors to learn mime techniques from the pros.

Getting there: Take a 6-hour-and-5-minute Singapore Airlines flight (from $1,138) to Seoul, followed by a 2-hour scenic train ride from the Cheonnyangni Station (5,600 won or S$6.80).

NEXT: Ideas for a National Day getaway
(Aug 7 to 9)

NATIONAL DAY, AUG 7 TO 9

THAILAND

Amazing Thailand Grand Sale

When: June 1 to Aug 31

Where: Bangkok

Do: The three-month-long shopping extravaganza offers up to 70 per cent discounts in malls and designated shopping streets.

Getting there: Take a 2-hour-and-15-minute Singapore Airlines flight (from $484) to Bangkok.

HONG KONG

Hong Kong Summer Spectacular

When: June 25 to Aug 31

Do: Enjoy big discounts at the sale and special dining deals. Theme parks such as Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland will also have special events during this time.

Getting there: Take a 3-hour-and-40-minute Singapore Airlines flight (from $634) to Hong Kong.

Take part in special programmes and activities at Hong Kong Ocean Park during the Summer Spectacular.

NEXT: Ideas for a Hari Raya Puasa getaway
(Sept 10 to 12)

HARI RAYA PUASA, SEPT 10 TO 12

KOREA

Geumsan Insam Festival

When: Sept 3 to 12

Where: The Geumsan Ginseng Pavilion, Geumsan County

Do: Participate in ginseng- and herb-picking picking activities. Take part in a ginseng cooking contest and enjoy traditional folk performances.

Getting there: Take a 6-hour-and-5-minute Singapore Airlines flight (from $1,138) to Seoul. Transfer to a 2-hour-and-40-minute express bus from Seoul's Express Bus Terminal to Geumsan.

NEXT: Ideas for a Deepavali getaway
(Nov 5 to 7)

DEEPAVALI, NOV 5 TO 7

INDIA

Diwali

When: Nov 5 to 7

Where: New Delhi

Do: See the capital dressed up in myriad colours and light up fire crackers during The Festival of Lights.

Getting there: Take a 6-hour Singapore Airlines flight (from $1,102) to New Delhi.

Hong Kong Wine and Dine Month

When: Nov 1 to 30

Where: Hong Kong

Do: Attend wine and food carnivals, cooking demonstrations and wine-pairing workshops at hotels and restaurants. Take advantage of dining and hotel deals during this time.

Getting there: Take a 3-hour-and-40-minute Singapore Airlines flight (from $634) to Hong Kong.

Flight prices may vary.

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.

Long weekend getaways

By Cheryl Tan, The Straits Times | Thu, Jan 28 2010

Check out six great destinations that have festivals or sales which coincide with Singapore's long public holiday breaks.

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