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Singapore is an excellent choice of destination, and Kuala Lumpur is well worth a visit too! It is possible to go on a day trip from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, but it would be a very long day.

Guided Day Tour

The best option, although expensive, would be to book a guided day tour. This way, you’ll know you can rest on the coach journey there and back. The tour will ensure you get to see the best of Kuala Lumpur. On most tours, you’ll get to see the famous Petronas twin towers, the Battu caves and take a river cruise. These day tours have been designed for people like you and are efficient and well structured.

By flight

The next best option would be to fly. Flights from Singapore Changi Airport to Kuala Lumpur airport take just over one hour. If you book ahead, you should be able to secure a good price.

Prior to the pandemic, there were a number of airlines operating flights between the two cities including, Scoot, Singapore Airlines, AirAsia, Air Mauritius, Malindo Air, Ethiopian, Jetstar, Malaysia Airlines and Silkair. Because of the number of carriers operating on the route, a return day trip could cost you as little as £50. As you are only travelling for the day, you don’t have to worry about baggage fees and therefore a low-cost airline would be a good choice.

Changi airport is easy to reach from the city centre via the MRT and generally takes about half an hour. You can also book a pickup from your hotel with a private transfer. As you are travelling without baggage, you could get the airport as late as 1 hour prior to your flight although you would probably want to aim to be there 90 minutes before to allow for eventualities.

When you land in Kuala Lumpur, you can take the KLIA Ekspres from the airport directly to the heart of the city. The journey takes only 28 minutes.

From the time you leave your hotel room in Singapore to the time you arrive in Kuala Lumpur will take about 4 hours. You will leave your hotel room 2 hours prior to your flight, spend 1 hour in the air, 30 minutes clearing the airport in Kuala Lumpur and then 30 minutes getting to the city.

By car

A self drive to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore would be best to avoid because the drive time is about 3-4 hours with additional time spent at the border crossing. Although the overall travel time by car will be similar to that by flight, you have to contend with the drive itself. If you are sharing the driving, the journey would be easier. If you are the sole driver, the journey will be exhausting. Remember, you would have to leave very early from Singapore and come back very late. The ability to grab a quick nap on a flight or on a coach will provide you with enough of a boost to make the most out of your day in Kuala Lumpur.

In Kuala Lumpur

Once in Kuala Lumpur, I recommend taking a taxi into the city centre and booking a tour. A hop-on-hop-off bus tour will enable you to see the best of Kuala Lumpur in a day while spending more time at the sights you love as you discover more about the city.

Summary

A day trip from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is possible, but not something I would recommend. I would suggest that a 2 day trip with an overnight stay in Kuala Lumpur would be more efficient, more enjoyable and much less tiring.

You are allowed to carry a bible to the Maldives for personal use only. All items deemed contrary to Islam including ‘idols for worship’ and bibles are not allowed in The Maldives. Obviously, you should not have a suitcase full of bibles as you would then be suspected of importation and that could put you in trouble. Our recommendation is to check directly with your hotel or resort in The Maldives as very often rooms come equipped with a bible for personal use.

What is illegal in the Maldives?

Nudism and topless sunbathing are illegal in The Maldives, although resorts tend to turn a blind eye to those doing so on their premises. To add, you are also not allowed to bring in pornographic materials, pork and pork products and of course narcotics – these can lead to life imprisonment in The Maldives. While alcohol is available on the resort islands, you will not find it on local islands or in the capital city of Malé. Arriving in The Maldives with alcohol bought at the Duty-Free on your outward flight will also be confiscated by the local customs and will not be returned upon departure. Explosives, weapons, firearms and ammunition are also banned. At the time of departure from The Maldives, make sure you’re not carrying any coral, shell or fish – these items are forbidden for exportation.

Yes, unmarried couples can go to The Maldives. While it is a popular destination for honeymooners, The Maldives remains equally sought-after by unmarried couples too. In fact, many couples travel to The Maldives for their marriage proposal. There are no such rules that ban unmarried couples to go to the Maldives and share a room at a resort together. So, whether married or not, you’re more than welcome to visit The Maldives with your partner.

Upon check-in at a resort in the Maldives, you will only be required to present your passports, no marriage certificate is requested unless you have booked a special honeymoon package to the Maldives and thus, they will need proof for redemption purposes.

Not only CAN every couple travel to the Maldives- Every couple SHOULD travel there!

So you now know that unmarried couples can travel to the Maldives. What you might not know are the reasons why I believe every couple should experience a holiday in the Maldives. To help, you, here are 3 reasons why every couple must travel to the Maldives if they have never been before.

1. Privacy and seclusion

The vast majority of resorts in the Maldives occupy their own private island. The vast majority of resorts have private villas with their own private pools and absolute privacy from other guests on the island allowing you enjoy time with your partner in a way that is simply not possible anywhere else in the world. These luxury villas are a catalyst for couples wanting to do that “thing” that couples enjoy doing! From the outdoor “his and her” showers to the in villa sauna and roof deck hot tub, couples simply don’t want to be apart when they are on holiday in the Maldives.

Oh- and if you ever fancied skinny dipping in a pool or even booking a naturist holiday but never had the courage to do so, the only time you will need to put your clothes on in your private Maldivian villa is when your butler comes to your room to deliver some food!

2. Relationship Maker

Couples on holiday in the Maldives quickly realise there is not much to do other than what is on offer in the resort. You can’t go out on an excursion to a nature reserve, visit a theme park or go on a city tour in the Maldives. Instead, in the Maldives, you will spend the whole day doing things with your partner such as a couples massage, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, water sports, yoga or playing tennis.

Everything in the Maldives is about doing things together as a couple and spending the quality time with each other in a way that is often not possible in your busy lives back home. All the things you do together in the Maldives will be fun and relaxing and these are the feelings you will then start to subconsciously associate with spending time together as a couple. You will return home refreshed, energised and overpowered with reinforced feelings of positivity about your relationship.

For those that know they are with their life partner, there is probably no destination on earth as romantic as the Maldives to pop the question. Make memories by arranging a private island dinner excursion or even a private sunset beach supper to choreograph the perfect proposal!

3. Incomparable Luxury

Whilst the Maldives is by no means cheap, it is actually amazing value for money. A 7 night all-inclusive stay at a 5 star resort in beach villa with a private pool costs from £2,200 per person including flights from the UK. You could end up spending the same money on a 7 night stay in a 3* hotel in the USA!

If you allow about £600 for the flights, your 7 night stay is only costing £1,600 and that includes your sea plane or speed boat transfers from the airport to the resort which works out at an average of only £228/night!

A 5 star resort in the Maldives is also incomparable with 5 star hotels in many other countries. Maldivian 5 star resorts will often feature private butlers, villas that provide over 2,000 sq ft of space and that come with separate living areas, terraces, grand luxury bedrooms and a host of other amenities. The standard of luxury in the Maldives often surpasses that on offer at resorts in most other Asian countries which are already famed for their exuberant luxury, celebrated service standards, distinctive style, memorable cuisine and unforgettable experiences.

4. A feast for the palate

Many resorts offer All- Inclusive in the Maldives. Whilst this may not appeal to everyone, I always suggest my customers book half board. Pay as you go dining in the Maldives can be expensive and knowing you have 2 meals included will help you budget effectively for your Maldives holiday.

You should not however confuse Half Board, Full Board or All Inclusive with the same style of meal plan offered in mass tourism destination resorts. In the Maldives, most dining venues within a resort will accept half board guests either with a credit to be used against à la carte options, the ability to choose from a set menu or, a buffet that will often include live cooking stations and many high-end item choices.

Dining in the Maldives is truly an event. You will be looking forward to your meals every day, and you are generally guaranteed to never have to limit yourself to the same menu options on any two days. Unbelievably, even if you stayed in one of the five-star resorts for a month, you would not need to eat the same meal twice during your entire stay! The resorts pride themselves on importing the finest ingredients from across the globe and most chefs are highly trained with experience working in some of the best internationally recognised restaurants in the world.

A highlight for most of my couples is a barefoot candle light dinner under the open sky on the beach. With the waves gently lapping the soft white sand, you and your partner will be alone on your elaborately styled dining table without another human in sight. Your butler will miraculously appear when you need him or to serve your meal courses and then disappear as quickly as he arrived! It is the ultimate romantic experience and something that  you will not have the option to do in many destinations outside of the Maldives.

5. Pampering

Be prepared to be waited on hand and foot throughout your stay in the Maldives. From the moment you land at Male airport, you will be treated like a celebrity. When you arrive at your resort, someone will come and wash your hands and feet while you wait to be checked in. Your on call 24- 7 butler will be at your beck and call to provide you with almost anything you may want to request. Even walking from your villa to one of the resort restaurants is considered too much effort and your butler will invariably drive you there in a golf buggy.

In the spa, you will find signature treatments from across Asia, the South Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Many couples that I have arranged a Maldives holiday for will visit the spa on a daily basis during their stay trying out the array of unique massages and beauty treatments.

Unmarried couples are allowed to travel to the Maldives together, and many hundreds of thousands of such couples do visit the destination on an annual basis. I have a customer that travelled to the Maldives before they were married, for their honeymoon and every year since with their 2 children. They consider the destination to be a scared place as their eldest daughter was conceived there! I have no doubt that you will fall in love with the place when you visit!

Do’s and Don’ts in the Maldives

Although you won’t necessarily feel it at the resorts, The Maldives remains a conservative Islamic country with a long list of rules and regulations that apply to both locals and tourists.

Like any other Muslim-majority country, not respecting customs and laws in The Maldives can lead you to a series of punishments like getting a fine or even a prison sentence depending on the severity of your actions.

1. Public Display of Affection in The Maldives:

Due to religious concerns, tourists (especially couples) are discouraged from visiting the non-resort islands. Similarly, public display of affection (holding hands, kissing, hugging) is considered extremely offensive when on non-resort islands like the capital of Malé. You also need to be aware that homosexual relationships and all LGBTQ activities are strictly forbidden for residents, so make sure you remain discreet (we need to mention though that these rules are not necessarily applicable at private resort islands so you will have no problem checking in and spending a holiday with your partner).

2. Alcohol restrictions in The Maldives:

How about alcohol restrictions in The Maldives, you may ask? Alcohol is prohibited under Islamic law, and in The Maldives, you will only be allowed to consume alcohol within the resort’s premises. You should also absolutely avoid taking alcohol to non-resort islands to save yourself from getting caught for breaking the law in The Maldives.

3. Dress Code in The Maldives:

If you’re really planning on visiting local inhabited islands to have a look at the traditional Maldivian lifestyle, then it is important that you remain mindful of local customs. Women are expected to keep their shoulders and knees covered at all times, bikinis and topless sunbathing are strictly prohibited on the non-resort islands.

Airlines do not have specific rules about an infant or child policy in business class. Therefore, you definitely can and are allowed to travel business class with a baby under 2 years old. However, do take note that every airline has different charges with regards to traveling with a child on business class (international flights usually charge 10% of the adult fare).

Now, whether you really want to travel with a toddler on business class is another thing. Most people travelling in business class are well… business travelers enjoying the luxury, peace, quiet and comfort away from cramped and noisy economy class, so at times a crying baby might attract stares and complaints. For that reason, it does not always result in being a smooth flying experience.

It is of course a very tricky decision as understandably you want comfort and space too when traveling with kids, but it is important that you prepare both mentally and physically for it to fail. Having a bunch of airplane activities for kids might be of great help to entertain them throughout the flight.

It also really depends on which airline you’re traveling with as some companies even have in-flight nannies to help, or quiet zones where no kids are allowed and therefore making it a tad easier to travel with peace of mind.

Seychelles’ pirates’ history is an issue that deserves some light to be shed on. Back in the days, Seychelles was a popular hideout for pirates due to its location along the trade route. Fast forward to now, it has been told by local authorities that there’s little to no concern for private yachts and luxury cruises to fear a visit to the Seychelles.

However, due to the remaining possibilities of piracy threats, private yachts are limited to 12 nautical miles offshore in the Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. It is also not uncommon for private yachts to be equipped with guards in order to protect them from pirates, who often originate from Somalia. Most pirates’ attacks in the waters surrounding the Seychelles target dry bulkers and tankers, however we do not mean to say that you’re 100% safe when onboard a private yacht in the Seychelles. Therefore, if you’re considering renting a private yacht in Seychelles, we recommend you to take necessary precautions and avoid sailing in high seas.

Yes, it is generally safe to eat insects at the night markets in Thailand. Bugs are commonly eaten across various countries, not only Thailand – these include grasshoppers, worms, crickets and even cockroaches.

Most insects at the night markets in Thailand are fried or dried, making them not only edible but also safe to eat, with no risk of getting poisoned. Do note that these are not insects you come across in the jungle or anywhere in the wild; these bugs are generally raised to be eaten (safe from pesticides and other nasties).

That being said, you should refrain from eating insects at the night market in Thailand if you have any kind of food intolerance and allergy or usually prone to food poisoning due to a sensitive stomach.

What is Bangkok Belly?

Just like the Delhi Belly or Bali Belly, Bangkok Belly is traveller’s diarrhoea caused by consuming contaminated food or water, yet even simply due to a change in diet or lifestyle during your travels.

It is essentially an upset stomach, but can last days or even weeks for some. General symptoms include nausea, vomiting, cramps, pain and abdominal bloating. To recover from traveller’s diarrhoea, it is important that you drink as much water as possible to avoid dehydration.

Tips to avoid food poisoning in Thailand – What should you not eat in Thailand?

Avoiding food poisoning in Thailand is just like avoiding it across other Southeast Asian countries. It’s quite common for Westerners to fall sick due to food poisoning in Asian countries and there are several reasons for that. Here are some precautions you can take and safety tips to follow in order to avoid getting sick in Thailand. Remember to include some activated charcoal pills in your packing list for Thailand too!

• Avoid ice cubes or do make sure they’re not from tap water
• Do not drink tap water
• Stick to food that is being cooked right in front of you
• Avoid food that seems like it has been sitting there for the whole day
• Avoid food that looks too spicy (i.e Tom Yum soup can be really spicy in Thailand)
• Wash every uncut fruit and vegetable you buy from the market with bottled water

Finding vegetarian restaurants in Japan definitely requires patience and a good amount of research but a vegetarian (especially if not picky) can definitely survive in Japan. The vegetarian and vegan culture in Japan has been growing strong in recent years. While it might be an easy task to avoid meat in Japan, the biggest challenge comes when you need to find dishes that do not consist of raw fish (salmon and tuna) and dashi broth used in soups (usually made from fish flakes).

Nowadays, you can find vegetarian restaurants and cafes in Tokyo and other big cities. Eateries in Japan have even started to modify local traditional dishes to cater to vegetarians. For instance, you will be able to find vegetarian ramen and sushi, as well as other delicacies originally eaten by the Buddhist community.

You can also find vegetarian-friendly food in Japanese convenience stores. These are usually at every street’s corner, so you will have no problem finding one nearby your hotel in Japan. Convenience stores in Japan have great on-the-go breakfast options (not only for vegetarians), as well as lots of snacks, pastries and salads. We’d totally recommend you to pack some in your bag to help you go through the day as well!

Contrary to popular belief, finding halal food in China is not impossible, and even easier than in some parts of Europe. It may come to you as a surprise but China has one of the biggest Muslim population in the world! For that reason, you will be able to find several restaurants that serve Muslim-friendly halal food in China.

Muslim-friendly places in China – Where to find halal food in China?

Most big cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guilin feature a plethora of halal restaurants in China. And the good thing is that it’s not only halal Chinese food but a variety of cuisines from around the world. In China, you will be able to find halal food like Middle-Eastern dishes, or even Indian and Pakistani cuisines.

Restaurants that are halal-certified will usually have their certificate on display and asking a local on where to find halal food in China might also be useful. Most local people are familiar with the concept of halal food so they will be able to point you in the right direction. However, to make things simpler, we suggest you always carry around a note with the word “Qīngzhēn” or 请真 on it (it means halal food in Chinese).

To add, if you intend to visit a mosque in China, you’re very likely to find several halal restaurants in the surroundings. On Fridays after the prayers, some of these mosques also have their very own Friday Food Market with a series of street food stalls selling halal delicacies.

Visiting China as a Muslim – Is China safe for Muslim tourists?

It is common for Islamic travellers to wonder how are Muslims treated in China. A sad truth that most are unaware of is that – it is absolutely safe for Muslim tourists to visit China. In fact, several tour operators cater to Muslim travellers and their needs – finding restaurants with halal food, booking Muslim-friendly hotels in China, as well as including prayer breaks in between their itineraries. You will have no problem feeling right at home in China, and especially in big cities where you’ll find a large Muslim community. There’s absolutely no excuse for you to visit the best of what China has to offer, thinking you’ll have to rely on chips and soft drinks from the nearby convenience store only!

Yes, Dubai has now lifted its ban on unmarried couples sharing a room or living together. Although according to the Islamic Shariah law it is illegal for unmarried couples to share a room at a hotel, the UAE has gone through a transformative relaxation of regulations in 2020 in an effort to improve its global image. Therefore, it is absolutely legal for an unmarried couple to share a room in Dubai. The reformed laws also see the ease of alcohol restrictions in the UAE, new divorce proceedings and stricter punishment for the harassment of women.

Things couples can’t do in Dubai

Even though restrictions have been eased and Dubai is now more tolerant than ever before, it is crucial that couples are aware of what’s tolerated in public and what is not legal in Dubai.

While not illegal, public display of affection (holding hands, kissing, hugging) in Dubai is not advisable. Not only is it socially unacceptable, but it can seriously get you in trouble if reported to the police. Of course, it will depend on where you are and who’s around you. People in the old town usually have a more conservative mindset than those in the city centre so you’re less likely to get into trouble or attract stares if you’re holding hands within a 5-star hotel than in Old Dubai. To add, it is especially important that you respect and stay mindful of local customs and laws in Dubai during the holy month of Ramadan.

Being a Muslim country where the Shariah Law applies, you are not allowed to bring in alcohol in The Maldives, bringing in alcohol to The Maldives is illegal. If you land in The Maldives with alcohol bought at the Duty-Free on your outward flight, you will be subjected to further questioning and checks by the local customs, the alcohol will also be confiscated and will not be returned upon departure.

Having said that, The Maldives isn’t completely alcohol-free. You will be able to find alcohol on the resort islands. You will not find it on local islands or in the capital city of Malé. Best yet, you can even have unlimited booze if you opt for an all-inclusive package to The Maldives so you might find little to no reason for trying to sneak in bottles.

The same applies to taking alcohol out of The Maldives – the moment you try to take alcohol out of the resort island, you’re basically breaking the law so just don’t do it.

Price of alcohol in The Maldives – Is alcohol cheap in The Maldives?

If you are not on an all-inclusive package in The Maldives, you will need to pay for ordering alcohol. After all, we can’t blame you – cocktails by the beach is always a good idea! Now, you might be wondering, what will it cost to order alcoholic drinks on a resort island in The Maldives? Is alcohol expensive in The Maldives?

Truth is, alcohol can be pricey in The Maldives. More so when you’re staying at a luxury resort in The Maldives. Of course, the price of alcohol in The Maldives will depend from one hotel to another but to give you an idea of the range, you could be paying between GBP 7-9 for a beer and GBP 12-18 for a cocktail.