Sing-a- pur-a is what Prince Sang Nila Utama saw when he landed. Though it was unlikely he actually saw a lion, he took it as auspicious sign and Singapore the “Lion City” was born.

Singapore now is a city-state and nation of streets so clean you can nearly eat off of them, traffic orderliness, and graffiti free trains that you can set your watch to. Singapore was notoriously dubbed as the most boring city in Southeast Asia, a mere stop between continents. But scratch that sterile surface and you'll find a symphonic blend of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures that makes for the most mouthwatering food holiday you'll ever take.

Pull up a plastic chair at Little India's Tekka Market for lamb biriyani and a flaky sweet cream roti or head to Chinatown for dim sum and dumplings at Yum Cha restaurant and you'll know why. Really hungry—then take a steamboat filled with just about every kind of seafood you can think of at Thein Kee's near the Singapore river.

Epicureans could never go wrong in Singapore, try and taste everything and you won't be sorry. The Singaporeans just have way of gracingevery cuisine that touches the island

Singapore is . . . for shopping. Markets abound in every district. Around Bugis you'll find discount electronics and open air markets with hawkers stalls and budget bliss out 24 hours a day in Little India's Mustafa Centre. Fashionistas won't be disappointed on Orchard Road and VivoCity.

But Singapore is more than just gourmand and endless shopping. While Bangkok would be a luxurious rumpus room for the iniquitous, Singapore is the sanctuary for the bon vivant. For some it is the high stakes poker and penthouse suites, others find their bliss in the playground of Sentosa Island. But for all, Singapore captures the urbane wedded to old world culture.

Go to Singapore for the best of Asian gastronomy at any budget, dust off the old credit card for the best shopping in South East Asia and don't forget to sip a Singapore sling.

• + Capella Hotel
• + The Fullerton Hotel
• + Marina Bay Sands Hotel
• + The Raffles Hotel
• + St. Regis Singapore Hotel

• + New Majestic Hotel
• + Naumi Hotel
• + The Scarlet Hotel
• + Wangz Hotel Singapore
• + Hotel Re Singapore
• + Berjaya Hotel Singapore