TripZillaIn Singapore, we can be a bit too pampered for our own good. We’ve got one of the most efficient public transport systems in the world. We’ve got gleaming shopping malls laden with trendy international brands. If you’re a die-hard city slicker, why would you want to be anywhere else other than home?
Well, perhaps you’d like to go somewhere where you’d get more of the same — places with a wealth of eating, shopping and entertainment choices available. Yup, these destinations do exist, and you might want to pack your bags for trips to these popular cities.
Istanbul, Turkey
The capital of Turkey, a largely Muslim country that straddles the crossroads of East and West, but if you’re expecting it to be a city full of staunch and severe imams, think again. As the cultural and financial centre of a nation with a long, rich history, Istanbul is filled with an exotic mix of restaurants, bars, galleries and clubs set against a backdrop of exquisite Ottoman mosques.
The city’s abundance of historical buildings and exciting art galleries provide sightseers with more than enough to do during the day. Visitors will also do well to take a gander at the renowned Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, filled with jewellery, pottery, spices, carpets and leather goods. Shopaholics would also love the hunting grounds of Old Istanbul, chock-a-block with elegant boutiques. The city is also known for its authentic rakı-soaked meyhane (tavern) and tranquil cay bahcesi (tea garden), oases of times gone by amid an unceasing march towards modernity.
Berlin, Germany
Image credits: Thomas Wolf
It’s been twenty years since the fall of the Berlin Wall and, in that time, Berlin has transformed itself into a scene-stealer offering an eclectic mix of glamour and grit. From top-notch museums, galleries, opera theatres to underground clubs and gourmet restaurants, there is literally something for everyone in Berlin, be you posh or punk.
No other city screams contrast quite like Berlin. Nondescript buildings stand next to spanking new architecture; parks ringed by roads overlap areas of luxury and poverty alike. After generations of deprivation under fascist rule, Berlin is now on par with London, Milan and Paris in terms of style, with a flair for the avant-garde that’s uniquely its own.
The city’s main shopping strip in Kurfurstendamm, or Ku’Damm for short, and its Tauentzienstrasse extension offer a dizzying mix of exclusive shops and massive department stores. Chic boutiques can also be found along the side streets of Bleibtreustrasse and Fasanenstrasse, offering Berlin’s take on haute coutre.
In a way, it’s as though Berliners have thrown a huge party that shows no sign of ending. Cafes, pubs and clubs gladly play host to those who would indulge in things once forbidden under communist rule. It’s astonishing how far Berlin has come in so short a time. There’s a palpable sense of renewal and change, a testament to the Berliners’ will to move on from their city’s darker past.
Also read: Greetings, Munich! – It’s Okay to be Lost
Bangkok, Thailand
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As far as street shopping is concerned, Bangkok is the place to be. Renowned as one of the best shopping meccas in Asia, Bangkok sells just about everything from high-quality silk, traditional knick-knacks to custom-made suits. It’s no secret that the city is one massive tourist trap, but if you’re one who thrives on driving hard bargains, you’d very much be in your element here.
The 35-acre Chatuchak Market is a must-visit for any first-timer to Bangkok, and when it comes to local cuisine, you’d have plenty to choose from, especially if you are daring enough to try out delicacies like deep-fried water roaches or a “Parson’s Nose” (that is, a chicken’s rear end). As for night life, Bangkok has everything from the Siam Niramit Cultural Show & Dinner, to nightclubs, live-music bars and bikini-clad dancing girls at go-go bars. For something a little raunchier, there are also the lady-boy shows at the unabashedly gay Silom district.
Also read: Thailand’s Martial Law Not in Tourists’ Favour But You Can Still Travel Safe
Taipei, Taiwan
The capital of Taiwan is home to the impressive Taipei 101, until recently the world’s tallest building. Though it’s a modern city that’s thoroughly Chinese, Taipei can at times feel like a pale version of Tokyo, what with its share of hot springs and spas, and its smattering of Japanese pop-culture inspired trends. Fret not, for Taipei does have a distinctive character of its own, packed as it is with excellent restaurants, bubble-tea stalls, roadside hawkers and shopping malls. As the sun goes down, the night markets come up, beckoning tourists and bargain hunters to the narrow alleys full of colour and life.
If you’re visiting Taipei sometime soon, you’d probably notice the city’s increasingly popular “bottle clubs”. These hangouts are exclusively for customers who buy liquor by the bottle, for consumption throughout an entire evening of entertainment. Live entertainment and even livelier dance floors are a common sight at these clubs, but be warned that prices are steep for the hangouts are frequented by the city’s big spenders.
Karaoke bars also draw huge crowds. With a wide selection of Mandarin and English music available, customers can choose to book a private karaoke room or simply plop down in the main lounge. If you enjoy pubs and bars, Sugar Daddy Row off Shuang Cheng Street is the place to be. A frequent favourite of Chinese men, wine houses (jiou-jia) or “girlie restaurants” serve delectable dishes along with hearty liquor.
As for the clubbing scene, popular venues like Room 18, Luxy, Plush and Lava are usually the first names to pop up when you ask for recommendations from young Taiwanese. Plush and Lavais is especially popular with university students, and it’s notorious for its bar-top dancing competitions and all-you-can-drink Wednesday nights.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong — the fragrant harbour of yore is now the ebullient gateway to modern China. This famous city boasts top-class attractions such as Disneyland, the scenic Victoria Peak, Ocean Park and its own take on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, the Avenue of the Stars.
Shopaholics can comb through never-ending rows of boutiques and mega malls, from gritty Mong Kok to trendy Tsim Sha Tsui, and still find plenty else to explore in Hong Kong. Local designers like Vivienne Tam, William Tang, and Walter Ma are always popular.
Popular collectibles such as vases, silk garments, Chinese artwork and jade jewellery can also be found in Li Yuen East and West, Stanley Market and Yau Ma Tai. If you fancy yourself a good feast, then the multitude of dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong will most definitely not disappoint.
Surprisingly, despite its reputation for glitz, Hong Kong doesn’t actually offer much in the way of exciting nightlife, apart from the usual set of bars and nightclubs you’d find in any big city. Most of the best nightspots in town can be found in Knutsford Terrace in Tsim Sha Tsui, Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo in Central.
London, United Kingdom
Image credits: Trey Ratcliff
Once the capital of an empire on which the sun never sets, London echoes gloomily at times with memories of forgotten grandeur. Thankfully, that feeling seldom lasts long, for London still ranks among the world’s greatest cities, and for good reason. History is never far away in London, what with cliche reminders like red double-decker buses and boxy black cabs still trundling down its traffic-choked streets. Still, that is part of London’s charm, at a time when other familiar sights like red phone booths and pre-war post boxes have long since disappeared, replaced instead with their characterless modern-day equivalents.
Besides the usual museums and galleries to occupy intrepid sightseers, keen shoppers can delight themselves wandering around London’s main shopping areas in Oxford Street, Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus. High-street brands like Marks & Spencer, Topshop and Dorothy Perkins are all represented here. There’s also Harrods, the somewhat stuck-up department store in Knightsbridge. Don’t let its posh exterior and decor fool you — Harrods is always well worth a visit whether or not you’re there to shop.
Eating out in London can be crazy expensive, but lunch at a Thames-side restaurant, an omelette arnold bennet at the The Savoy Hotel, or just a humble serving of fish and chips in a traditional English pub are definitely things to add to your must-do list. And where music is concerned, London’s underground scene is the place to be. Come nightfall, London’s clubs spin a heady mix of house, techno, drum & bass, trance and dubstep tunes.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is a lively city, thanks in part to the ever-courteous and always-gracious Japanese, who make an exquisite art of out of making do with very little. For a mega conurbation of this size, Tokyo is amazingly clean and delightfully accessible, but it all comes at a hefty price, unfortunately, as things here can easily go for an arm and a leg. If price is not a problem, knock yourself out at Omote-sando or Roppongi Hill, where high fashion greets generous pocket books.
Zany youth fashion, on the other hand, can be better found in hip districts like Harajuku and Shibuya. You can’t possibly go without at least one meal of sushi while you’re in Tokyo, and the best place to do so would be at the Tsukiji Fish Market. Aside from the usual bars and nightclubs, you should also try out the karaoke clubs in Tokyo. This is, after all, karaoke’s land of origin.
Paris, France
Home to the world’s first shopping arcade, Paris has managed to maintain much of its grand old charm while still sitting pretty on the leading edge of modern European fashion. This is the city of romantic strolls along the banks of the river Seine, and if food is the way to man’s heart, then Paris is also the best place in the world to be. The many cafes and chic restaurants offer French cuisine at its delicious best. When you’re done, there’ll still be plenty of sights to take in at world-famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame and the Louvre.
Of course, if it’s high-end shopping you’re after, make a beeline to the Champs-Elysees, where you’d find those top brands you’ve always dreamed about: Cartier, Chanel, Christian Dior, Piaget, Louis Vuitton and Yves St Laurent. For places that are a little kinder to your purse, you can also visit famous department stores like Printemps and Galeries Lafayette.
Come nightfall, clubbers tend to head to the Rue Oberkampf. The Asia-themed Buddha Bar is great for people-watching while La Flèche d’Or boasts terrific live music and alternative ambience. Nightclub Queen is also noteworthy. It may be a predominantly gay venue, but it’s also one of the nightspots in Paris, regardless of which way you swing.
Milan, Italy
Image credits: Trey Ratcliff
Milan might be the fashion capital of Italy, but the city is better for window-shopping than actual shopping. Prices are sky-high here, given how the prices plummet the moment you step outside the city. Still, high-end shopping at Via Montenapoleone does present a certain charm, especially if you appreciate fine clothing. Milan is famous also for its spring and autumn fairs, where the world looks upon the latest creations of Valentino, Versace and Armani.
Just like the rest of Italy, Milan is home to fabulous Italian pasta and wine. Both the Brera gallery and the Navigli district offer lively bars, restaurants and nightclubs, on top of some jazz and live-music acts. The legal drinking age here is 16 so don’t get too alarmed if you spot some young faces in the crowd. The cost of a standard drink at a club is around 7 euros (S$12) and several clubs have introduce a pay-as-you-leave-system. It’s a ticket system that permits you to buy drinks and food first, and then pay later, just before you leave. Don’t lose the ticket though, or you’d have to pay a very expensive fine.
New York, USA
If there’s a place that epitomises the big city, it’ll have to be New York. Often called the mini-United Nations of the world, you can find practically every single ethnic group here in the Big Apple. From world-renowned department stores to trendy Soho boutiques and hip Brooklyn discoveries, this city is a shopping mecca. By night, the city is a chock-full of sinful delights. Walk into any street and you’ll surely discover a kaleidoscope of nightlife from jazz bars, comedy clubs and live music, to the very best nightclubs and lounges.
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