Singapore is a fascinating destination to visit at any time of year, with its melting pot of cultures, modern city centre, fantastic shopping opportunities and cuisine all combining to offer a memorable experience. But if food is your passion, you should consider booking flights to Singapore in July, as this is when the city comes alive with the sights, smells and tastes of the region. The Singapore Food Festival, which will run between July 1st and 31st in 2011, presents an unrivalled opportunity to sample a wide range of dishes, not just from the island nation but from all over the Asia-Pacific. Established in 1994, the event has long been a favourite among visitors and locals alike, steadily growing until now, when it welcomes hundreds of thousands of people each year. One of the best things about the festival is that it takes place in venues dotted all over the city, so you will have plenty of chances to explore the metropolis while also indulging your taste buds. This means that it should be easy to find hotels to accommodate you, as you will not need to search in a specific area to make sure you are at the heart of the action! So, what can you expect when you step off flights to Singapore during July? In terms of the food, you will be presented with a staggering array of dishes to try, from local concoctions to those from further afield. Of course, you should make sure that you taste some of the cuisine for which the island is famous and you will certainly not find that this is in short supply during the food festival. As Singapore is situated at the tip of Malaysia and surrounded by the ocean, you will discover that seafood features in many local dishes. Fish head curry, usually made using snapper, chilli crab and Haka Yong Tau Foo - which sees fish or pork paste used to stuff tofu pieces - are among the specialities you could sample. Taking its cue from many of the other Asian nations, you will notice that rice and noodles appear in many meals. Singapore's national dish - Hainanese chicken rice - is a must-try during your visit. And anyone who is feeling adventurous where their taste buds are concerned may want to sample one of the local desserts, such as Cendol. This is made using shaved ice, coconut milk, starched green noodles with pandan flavouring and palm sugar. If you fall in love with a particular dish, you may want to attend one of the many cooking demonstrations to find out how to replicate the aromas and flavours in your kitchen at home. Some of the top chefs in the world will be attending the event - and many will offer cooking workshops, so you can get some tips from the best in the business. Just make sure you check whether you need to book in advance if you are planning to attend one of the master classes. Of course, no trip to the country would be complete without indulging in a Singapore Sling. This signature cocktail was created by a barman at the Raffles Hotel and has since become a favourite all over the world. Its traditional ingredients are gin, cherry liqueur, pomegranate juice, pineapple juice and Benedictine - so make sure you plan time to unwind with the tipple during your holiday. But the Singapore Food Festival is not just about cuisine - there are a range of fringe events that are held each year alongside the main attraction. One that you should not miss is the Singapore River Market. Vendors will set up stalls selling all manner of items alongside the city's main waterway, providing an eclectic mix of arts and crafts items for you to peruse. If you are planning to travel to the destination with children, you will discover that there is plenty to keep them occupied here. Among the stallholders will be jugglers, balloon artists and face painters, all on hand to provide some entertainment for little ones. Of course, you are bound to have fun exploring the city and seeking out some of its many attractions throughout the course of the festival - check out its art galleries and museums or take a sedate boat trip around Singapore harbour. Netflights specialises in helping travellers find flights to locations all over the world and can also offer you a choice of hotels in your chosen destination. If you are looking for flights to Singapore in time for the city's food festival, check out the deals available through Netflights.
Related Articles -
flights to Singapore, flights, hotels,
|