#CALENDAR AND EVENTS

5 Cheap & Cheerful Date Ideas – I Love SG Edition

Be a tourist in your own country with creative date ideas for Singaporean sweethearts on a shoestring budget.

By Mandy Lim Beitler        28 August 2024

Rekindle your love for your country while romancing your soulmate on these budget-conscious experiences around town.

Swing into Mandai Wildlife Reserve Parks

Mandai Wildlife Reserve Parks

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourselves in nature’s embrace across diverse ecosystems at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. From the vibrant avian world of Bird Paradise to Singapore Zoo’s iconic Bornean orangutans and majestic Asian elephants, every step brings you closer to the city’s wild side.

Hold hands as you wander through River Wonders, sharing a chuckle as you encounter docile capybaras and playful otters. And get up close with the Night Safari’s iconic Asian bull elephant, Chawang, in his brand-new habitat from a look-out deck. Let the beauty of these wildlife sanctuaries deepen your bond with each other and the place you both call home.

What’s more, SAFRA members and Servicemen enjoy up to 40% off admission to Mandai Wildlife Reserve parks; more info at safra.sg/promotions/mandai


Explore the new Thomson-East Coast Line Stage 4

Thomson-East Coast Line stage 4
Photos: SPH Media Trust

One of the quintessential ways of exploring Singapore via public transport is, of course, by train. When Stage 4 of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL4) opened to the public in June, it also unlocked a convenient new gateway to that part of the island. But if you haven’t traversed the latest extension yet, why not let the convenience of public transport be your guide?

There are seven stations on TEL4, from Tanjong Rhu to Bayshore. Do take time to first admire the architecture and features unique to each station, as well as original artworks by local artists that reflect its location. Then see how many hidden gems you can find as you visit newly accessible neighbourhoods together.

Refuel after your exploration at Nyonyas & Gentlemen, a fusion Peranakan restaurant on Level 4 of Village Hotel Katong. SAFRA members and Servicemen enjoy 10% off the a la carte menu; more info at safra.sg/promotions/nyonyas-gentlemen


Ride a FunVee Open-Top Bus or Captain Explorer DUKW Tour

FunVee Open-Top Bus and Captain Explorer DUKW Tour

See our Little Red Dot through the eyes of a tourist and experience famous Singapore attractions anew from the upper deck of a FunVee Open-Top Bus. With hop-on, hop-off flexibility, you can explore at your own pace, complete with informative audio commentary. You might even learn something you didn’t know about your own country!

Or how about cruising past iconic landmarks like the Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay Sands on a city sightseeing tour before your amphibious ride makes a splash into Marina Bay? The award-winning Captain Explorer DUKW Tour offers panoramic views of the city skyline and our beloved Merlion. If you’ve never done it before, here’s extra reason to do so right now.

Because SAFRA members and Servicemen enjoy up to 30% off these tours; more info at safra.sg/promotions/city-tours


Journey through uniquely local Malay folktales

Malay Heritage Centre’s free travelling exhibition, Tiny Island, Many Stories

Glimpse Singapore’s heart and soul with your partner through the enchanting world of Malay folktales. While currently closed for revamping works, the Malay Heritage Centre’s free travelling exhibition, Tiny Island, Many Stories, invites you on a romantic journey through time. See it at Wisma Geylang Serai before it travels elsewhere after 9 September.

As you delve into familiar fables and lesser-known narratives, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of our cultural heritage and the Malay community that helped shape it. With every tale, you’ll uncover a new facet that was passed down through word-of-mouth or preserved in books. Let the magic of storytelling ignite your connection as you rediscover Singapore together, one enchanting story at a time.

Till 9 September 2024 @ Wisma Geylang Serai, 1 Engku Aman Turn, Singapore 408528

Complete your heritage experience with a feast at Arnold’s Fried Chicken’s very first outlet at nearby City Plaza. SAFRA members enjoy 10% off the a la carte menu; more info at safra.sg/promotions/arnolds-fried-chicken


Step back in time at the Singapore Night Festival

Singapore Night Festival 2024

Imagine strolling hand-in-hand through a vibrant, illuminated world at the Singapore Night Festival. This year’s theme, ‘The Art of Play’, transports festival-goers back to a simpler time, evoking shared childhood memories. Lose yourselves in the retro charm of Wonder World, an amusement park-themed experience harking from Singapore’s golden age.

Let dazzling projection mapping and interactive installations further ignite your spark as you explore the historic Bras Basah.Bugis precinct. With live music, nostalgia-themed food and immersive experiences like a xinyao sing-along, the festival offers endless opportunities for creating new memories across three weekends till 7 September.

Locations around Bras Basah.Bugis precinct; more info at nightfestival.gov.sg


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