Road Trips from Singapore
Yay: going away on holiday. Nay: coming back to mountains of work. Or entertaining kids on a plane. Or getting around without easy transport.
Your easy solution: take a road trip from Singapore! Yes you might only be limited to Malaysia, but the short drives and wide range of scenic escapes (beach, mountain, city, old towns etc.) mean that your holiday will be activity-packed and please everyone. Best of all – you can’t beat that exchange rate.
We spoke to a few travel experts who put together some easy weekend itineraries for both families and couples to enjoy. Read on for tips on must-try street fare and hotel recs that get their two thumbs up.
1. For families. Itinerary designed by Quintessentially Travel.
Where you’re heading: Roadtrip through Malaysia, including Malacca, Cameron Highlands and Kuala Lumpur
Total time off: 3 days, 2 nights.
Why you have to go: Think it’s too hot to handle? The cool climates of the highlands are a definite bonus. The route offers short travel distances and regular pitstops along the way, so traveling with littlies is a hassle-free affair. The itinerary also has something for everyone – form great food to historic neighbourhoods.
Stay here: The Majestic Malacca in Malacca and Cameron Highland Resort, both by the YTL Group.
Do this: First up: get those kids happy. Hit up Legoland in Johor Bahru before continuing to Malacca, where the drive should take about two hours.
Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in the day, Malacca was a major port hub for all the different nations that occupied Malaysia and till today you can see an interesting blend of Chinese, Portugese, Dutch, and British influences in their culture.
After staying a night at Malacca, wake up to activities at the Melaka River cruise or the Baba-Nonya Heritage Museum before making your way towards the cool climates of Cameron Highlands.
You should reach Cameron Highlands by late evening. Take a breather before starting the next day bright and early. Indulge in historical trails of quaint neighborhoods, have fun with the fam doing some serious strawberry picking, or take a walk through the tea plantations. Check out the Jim Thompson Tea Room before heading back to your hotel for the night.
Depart for Singapore the next day after a hearty meal at KouGen Restaurant before leaving Cameron Highlands. We recommend making a pitstop at in KL, where you can head to Overseas Seafood Restaurant for their famous char siew (barbecued pork) or Nerovivo for home-cooked Italian food.
2. For families. Itinerary designed by Lightfoot Travel.
Where you’re heading: Kuala Lumpur, Pangkor, Malacca (for families)
Total time off: 8 days, 7 nights
Why you have to go: With manageable drive times and scenic routes, this family-friendly journey combines plenty of kid-friendly amenities, snap-happy opps, and great local food for both adults and littlies alike.
Stay here: Mandarin Oriental KL (2 nights), Pangkor Laut Resort (3 nights), Casa del Rio Resort in Malacca (2 nights)
Do this: The Mandarin Oriental in KL is a prime choice for families. With a children’s pool, dedicated tennis lessons, special utensils and menus in the restaurants, and cots etc. available on request, parents can holiday easy.
In Pangkor Laut equipment for infants and toddlers, as well as games, beach equipment and DVDs etc can be easily organized for the fam.
Make sure to visit the Jonker area in Malacca, a languid Peranakan town. The area has quaint walking streets that are colourful and great for children with an adventurous palate (local favourite such as durian chendol and chicken rice balls are some of the things to stop and try as you wander along). Stay at Casa del Rio, right on the edge of the area, which is elegantly Moorish with spacious rooms for families.
The majority of the drives are on the highway; while not the most scenic, these routes are the most convenient for families with a number of well interspersed points to pull over for bathroom and snack breaks.
3. For couples. Itinerary designed by Quintessentially Travel.
Where you’re heading: Port Dickson, Georgetown, and Penang (for couples)
Total time Off: 3 days, 2 nights
Why you have to go: Can’t decide if you want to escape to the country or lounge at the beach? This trip gives you both options. You’ll also get lost in quaint towns and old buildings while eating your fill of popular street food.
Stay here: Thistle Hotel in Port Dickson, Macalister Mansion by Design Hotels in Georgetown.
Do this: Head straight to Port Dickson from Singapore. Perfect for some time alone, Port Dickson is a seaside town with a beach as well as rustic buildings. Check into your hotel or try out Avispa for a well-deserved massage.
Before lunch, head on down to the vibrant city of Georgetown, which is a 4 hour drive away. Georgetown is known for their shophouses, impressive colonial architecture and countless trishaws. Make sure you visit Cheong Fatt Tze (or Blue) Mansion for a dose of architecture and walk down Armenian Street to explore some cafes and galleries.
Depart for Penang in the morning to indulge in some culinary delight. Try the char kway teow as well as the dimsum at De Tai Tong café, one of the oldest historic teahouses where dim sums are still pushed in metal trolleys. Want a fun activity out? Take a class at Tropical Spice Garden Cooking School.
If you are looking to stretch your legs on your 6 hour drive back to to Singapore, stop by KL. Incentive to breaking your journey means you get to try Cilantro, a cozy Italian restaurant, or SkyBar at Traders Hotel for cool cocktails and a view of the city.
4. For couples. Itinerary designed by Lightfoot Travel.
Where you’re heading: KL, Cameron Highlands, Tanjong Jara, and Tioman (for couples)
Total time off: 10 days, 9 nights
Why you have to go: This route is a great blend of city, tea plantations, and two lovely beach destinations. With holiday destinations specifically designed for couples (i.e. no kids are allowed), you’ll be able to enjoy uninterrupted downtime in different landscapes.
Stay here: Villa Samadhi in KL (1 night), Cameron Highlands Resort in Cameron Highlands (2 nights), Tanjong Jara Resort in Tanjong Jara (3 nights), and Japamala Resort & Spa in Tioman (3 nights)
Do this: Think of this trip as quality R&R time. There are long drives in between destinations, so don’t attempt this with the young and the restless.
Drive from Singapore to KL and check into Villa Samadhi. Stretch your legs and lounge at this boutique hotel for the day – Villa Samadhi is removed from the city centre, and is a quiet oasis to rest and relax before driving on.
Head to Cameron Highlands the next day (a 3 hour drive from KL). First-timers will love the breath of crisp fresh air and lush greenery in this colonial setting, reflective of its history as a British holiday escape.
Hop back into the car after two restful nights for a 6.5 hour drive to the award-winning Tanjong Jara Resort in East Malaysia. The rooms here take full advantage of the resort’s seafront position, while Japamala is serenely located in the foliage that border Tioman’s sandy shores. You can explore nearby islands, enjoy complimentary snacks at sundown, or even dine anywhere you choose – the guys will set up tables for you!
Top Image: Quintessentially Travel