If you have only a day in Singapore, you could opt for one of the following categories of itineraries:
A. Nature and Nurture:
The first thing that strikes you about Singapore upon landing and walking out of the airport is its clean and green environment. Singapore has inspired many a great country to follow its pursuit of cleanliness and greenness. Take a walk along the massive Corniche in the United Arab Emirates and you will find a striking gigantic resemblance to the Esplanade in Singapore. Despite the congestion of concrete in highly urbanized parts of the Lion City, you will always find some trees with a stone's throw.
If you are not looking for a concrete jungle which reminds you of work back in your own homeland, head away to the pockets of open space where green is the theme and where flora and fauna are aplenty.
If you like sunshine and sea, head for the East Coast where you would find vast greens for a ball game, a training lake for surfing, skates, kayaks and bicycles for rental and restaurants ranging from fast food to local delights. You will also find a line of seafood restaurants facing the seafront where you can dine in candlelight elegance or Chinese restaurant manner.
Just at the edge of the busy Orchard Road area is the Singapore Botanic Gardens which stretches all the way to the Bukit Timah Road, one of the earliest roads in Singapore. The Gardens houses the world acclaimed National Orchid Garden which boasts of many orchids including the local hybrid the Vanda Miss Joaquim which became Singapore's National Flower in April 1981.
Bring along your running shoes if you wish to have some leg stretches before your next flight. Jog along the paths and the lakes. Admire the lotus and the lily plants in the pond and the tropical settings in a primary forest. Study the spices found at the Spice Garden which is located nearer the Bukit Timah extension of the Botanic Gardens.
Another free access park is the Labrador Park which boasts of a historical hill, a jogging track along a coast and a jetty where anglers will brief you about the fish and other sea creatures available in the local waters.
Singapore boasts of having three world class parks the Singapore Zoological Gardens, the Night Safari and the Jurong Bird Park. These three places not only offer views of exotic Asian animals and birds but are also landscaped into picnic areas where the Zoo and the Bird Park are concerned and a favorite night haunt where the Night Safari are concerned. Attractive packages for a combination of two or all three parks await you.
B. Educational
If you are not a lover of the sun and the sea and would rather grow your brains, make a trip to the newly renovated National Museum where the history of Singapore and her people awaits you. Take a leisurely stroll across the road and past the Singapore Management University and you will land yourself in front of the Art Museum whose building it is housed in has a flavorful history of its own.
The Singapore Science Centre houses various sections, each devoted to a branch of the Sciences. It sits next to the Snow City as well as the Omnimax Theatre where you will view shows on a hemispherical screen.
You may also want to go to the Singapore Discovery Centre where Singapore's history is revealed from the military angle and drop by at the NEWater Plant to learn how used water is recycled for consumption.
You might even want to spend the whole day at Sentosa, Singaporeans' playground and resort on an island. It houses the Waxed Museum, the Butterfly and Insect Park, Fort Siloso and a man-made beach. Make an ascent by lift to the top of the Merlion for a breathtaking view of the Singapore coast opposite the island as well as the greenery on the island itself.
You might also want to take a ferry ride along Singapore's oldest rivers. You will be given a brief on their importance in the early years of Singapore as a nation as well as their uses in modern Singapore. You will be equally awed by how adept the waters, the ferrymen and Singaporeans have been in changing times.
C. Shopping
If all you want to do is shop till you drop, make a trip to Orchard Road beginning at Orchard Plaza and visit all the shopping canters and shopping malls all the way to Bras Brasah Road where you can rest your tired feet and have a great meal at one of the five-star restaurants there.
If you are on a shoestring budget or like to go for local fare, ask to be taken to Chinatown, Little India or Geylang Serai where you will see Chinese, Indian and Malay stuff for sale. As with all Singaporeans, when you are at small shops, state your price even if it is on the label and strike a bargain for the fun of the experience.
D. Mode of Travel
The Singapore Mass Rapid Transport System consists of the train as well as the bus services. Purchase an EZLink card which will pay for your travels on both the trains and the buses. You even get a discount if you were to transfer and take two vehicles to reach your destinations. Go to a train or bus control station and the ground staff will advise you on the services to take you where you want.
Alternatively, hire a taxi or limousine for a day if you want to avoid getting lost in the myriads of roads and streets in tiny but complex Singapore. Once you reach your destination, it is safe to walk around by foot or take on a local guided tour if you fear being lost.
You will need a few days to do all of the above including all the shopping you want to do along Orchard Road. Below are suggested combinations to make the best day you have in Singapore.
Nature lovers on a budget may select one of the parks or beaches and have their meals at the fast food restaurants or the local coffee shops nearby. In Singapore there are no higher rates for foreigners. You pay what the locals do.
If you like learning about people and their lifestyles, you may want to make a tour of the all ethnic districts at Chinatown, Little India and Geylang Serai.
A whole day is good enough for visiting many of the sights and sounds at Sentosa and if your transport leaves Singapore in the dead of the night, you may even want to stay on for the evening's Sight and Sound presentation of Singapore's history where you will see how fountains and spotlights as well as holograms can make all your senses come alive.
Prior to your visit, make a virtual tour of the possible itineraries. Vast information can be easily obtained at the move of the mouse, fingering at the keyboard and searching online.
Here is a final tip for staying a day in Singapore. If you need anything, all you need to do is to open your mouth and ask for it in plain English. You will probably find it more difficult to understand Singlish, Singapore's brand of English, or be totally tickled by it.