Historical Trails Through Singapore and Malaysia September 2011
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CONTENTS: INTRODUCTION & MAP DAY BY DAY SUMMARY OF THE TRIP PRICE & INCLUSIONS TOUR INFORMATION ITINERARY IN DETAIL ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION HISTORICAL TRAILS THROUGH SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA SEPTEMBER 2011 HISTORICAL TRAILS THROUGH SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA Malaysia's rich history has given it one of the most vibrant and multicultural societies in Southeast Asia and made it a must visit on many peoples travel plans. Tied in with some time to explore the similarly influenced but dramatically different Singapore, this tour has a focus primarily on the history and culture of the two countries. The impact of the spice trade is written all over Malaysia and Singapore, from the atmospheric streets of Malacca to magnificent Fort Cornwallis in George Town and visits to these two key UNESCO sights are included. Food is one the biggest draws to the area so we also make the most of the local hawker stalls and bustling markets in Kuala Lumpur. A stay in the Cameron Highlands gives a chance to soak up some of Malaysia's most beautiful scenery. The accommodation used reflects their locations; ranging from restored Chinese and Malay town houses in Malacca and Penang to a colonial retreat in the Cameron Highlands. An optional five night add-on in Langkawi is available at one of the best boutique hotels in the country, the beautiful Casa del Mar. An Audley favourite for years we are delighted to have secured rooms in this small and very popular beachfront property. CLIMATE Malaysia is a year round destination with slight variances in climate between the east coast and the west coast. Kuala Lumpur and the west coast tend to be driest & sunniest between December and March. At any point there is the chance of a short, sharp downpour but these can be welcome as they reduce the humidity. Unusually for Asia, the east coast is best avoided between November and February when the heaviest rain falls and the sea can be quite choppy. It is at its best with dry sunny days during March to October. Simon at a cookery school on Malaysia’s east coast OUR MALAYSIA SPECIALISTS We have a team of seven Malaysia and Borneo specialists : Vanessa Coleridge, Simon Davis, Nick Ghosh, Jack Tydeman, James Pook, Angela Jordan and Sarah Howard. We're passionate about this part of the world and know it inside and out. We've all travelled there extensively and each return at least once a year to keep up to date with all the developments. To speak to our Malaysia specialists and book your Vanessa diving in Malaysia place on this tour please call 01993 838 130 Angela tree planting in Malaysian Borneo. Sarah in Taman Negara National Park Front cover photograph – The Sultan Abdul Samad Building begins to glow in the early evening, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia HISTORICAL TRAILS THROUGH SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA SEPTEMBER 2011 DAY BY DAY SUMMARY DAY DATE ITINERARY IN BRIEF ACCOMMODATION ARRANGEMENTS 1 Sunday 11 You will need to set off in plenty of time to Overnight on aircraft September 2011 reach Heathrow three hours before the flight departure for check-in at the Malaysian Airlines desk. This is located in Terminal 4, check-in zone G. It is possible to check-in online 48hrs before you travel. You will leave on flight MH 1 from Gate 6 at 22.00. 2 Monday 12 You arrive in Singapore at around 2025 and Swissotel Merchant Court Hotel, September 2011 you will be met by a representative who will Singapore take you to your hotel. The evening is free Classic Room for you to relax after your journey. Breakfast is included 3 Tuesday 13 After a bit of a lie in, you will meet in the Swissotel Merchant Court Hotel, September 2011 lobby at 10am where your guide will be Singapore waiting for you. Classic Room Breakfast and lunch are included Today you will take in the colonial sights of Singapore. Most of the time is spent walking and although the distances aren't large it is best to have light clothing as the humidity and temperatures can be oppressive if you are not used to them. Tour at a leisurely pace and take some local transport to get around including the MRT, bus and bumboat! You will have lunch at Yum Cha restaurant in Chinatown before heading back to your hotel for around 4pm. You have the evening at leisure. 4 Wednesday 14 Check out from your hotel in time for a Puri Hotel, Malacca September 2011 10am departure from the lobby. Superior room, Old Wing Breakfast is included You start with a one hour drive to Johor Bahru where you cross the border in to Malaysia (you will need to fill out arrival cards so have your passports to hand). You will then change vehicles and meet your new guide who will accompany you on to Malacca, a journey of around three hours. Once you have checked-in you have the afternoon free to relax or explore the streets of the old town around your hotel. 5 Thursday 15 Meet at the lobby at 10am for an historical Puri Hotel, Malacca September 2011 tour of Malacca. Your guide will talk to you Superior room, Old Wing about Malacca's rise from a humble fishing Breakfast and lunch are included village to major centre of the spice trade forming a vital link between the east and the west. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant before you head back to your hotel for an evening at leisure. HISTORICAL TRAILS THROUGH SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA SEPTEMBER 2011 DAY DATE ITINERARY IN BRIEF ACCOMMODATION ARRANGEMENTS 6 Friday 16 You may like to have one last look around Renaissance Hotel, Kuala Lumpur September 2011 the shops of Jonker Street and the old town Superior Room, East Wing to pick up any souvenirs as this is probably Breakfast is included the best place on your trip to do so. You will leave Malacca at midday for the two hour drive to Kuala Lumpur where you will be helped with check-in at your next hotel and then have the afternoon free to either relax by the hotel pool or see some of the sights that aren't included on your tour tomorrow. 7 Saturday 17 Meet at the lobby at 10am to head off on a Renaissance Hotel, Kuala Lumpur September 2011 heritage walking tour of Kuala Lumpur. Superior Room, East Wing Enjoy a Chinese tea demonstration, sample All meals are included the local delicacy of roti canai and see the stunning architecture of Sultan Abdul Samad building. This evening you have a feast on your hands as you head to the hawker district on Petaling Street in Chinatown. Soak in the sights, sounds and smells of this buzzing area and see how brave you are with your food choices! 8 Sunday 18 At 10am you will meet at the lobby to travel The Lakehouse, Cameron Highlands September 2011 to the Cameron Highlands. Your first stop is Deluxe Room on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur at the All meals are included Batu Caves where you can choose to climb the 272 steps to the natural limestone cavern which houses a Hindu shrine. (This can be hot going so you may want to bring a spare t-shirt..!). The journey to the Cameron Highlands takes around five hours with a stop for lunch on route and as you approach the area the views become more beautiful. Once you check-in you have the late afternoon and evening at leisure. 9 Monday 19 Start the day with a guided forest walk on The Lakehouse, Cameron Highlands September 2011 the nearby trails. Head back to your room Deluxe Room to freshen up before heading out on a tour Breakfast and lunch are included of the area with your guide where you will visit one of the famous tea plantations. You will have lunch in a local restaurant before heading back to your hotel for the evening. HISTORICAL TRAILS THROUGH SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA SEPTEMBER 2011 DAY DATE ITINERARY IN BRIEF ACCOMMODATION ARRANGEMENTS 10 Tuesday 20 Today's transfer to Penang leaves at 10am Cheong Fatt Tze, Penang September 2011 and first takes you to Kuala Kangsar where Deluxe Room you will have lunch and a short tour of the Breakfast and lunch are included town with it's impressive palace and mosque. Head over Penang bridge and on to George Town where you will check-in to your character hotel. Continue on to Penang where you have the rest of the day at leisure. Cheong Fatt Tze does not serve food so you can head out for dinner at a nearby restaurant. 11 Wednesday 21 Among the highlights of today's tour are Cheong Fatt Tze, Penang September 2011 Fort Cornwallis, Chew Jetty, Khoo Kong Si, Deluxe Room Little India & Peranakan Mansion. You will All meals are included have lunch at a local restaurant and have the rest of the afternoon free to explore. Dinner will be taken at the Revolving Restaurant in the Bayview Georgetown Hotel. 12 Thursday 22 Your final day will depend on your onward Overnight on aircraft. September 2011 arrangements. For those heading on to Langkawi you will be taken to the airport this morning for the short flight. If this is the end of your time away then you have the day at leisure (please ask us if you would like to book a late check-out) before you are taken to the airport for your 21.45 MH 1167 flight to KLIA. You will connect here with your onward overnight flight to London on MH 2.