Singapore 2018 Long Weekend Travel Planner: Where & When to Go

New year, new travels! Here’s where to go to make full use of all your 2018 long weekends

Travel is definitely on our New Year’s resolutions this year, so what better way than to plan little trips to squeeze in during one of the long weekends we have this year? Sure, you may need to take a day off your annual leave to make for an extra long weekend, but what’s a day or two when it means a few days of work-free bliss? Take off a Monday or Friday here and there and we’ve tallied eight long weekends spanning 2018!

We’ve got suggestions on top travel destinations below geared toward when the weather’s best – see if anything gets you wanderlusting, mama!

When:
Tuesday, 1 May 2018 (Labour Day)
Tuesday, 29 May 2018 (Vesak Day)
Where: Margaret River, Australia
Why: Picturesque beaches, cool caves, safari

Margaret River couldn’t be a more perfect family-friendly spot with its great beaches (some even perfect for snorkelling!), delicious wine (hey, kids can play outside at the vineyard!), and plenty of adventure opportunities. Visit limestone caves like Ngilgi Cave and Mammoth Cave to learn more about Aboriginal history, or take the kids to see wild kangaroos on a safari tour!

How to get there: Flight to Perth (5 hours), then drive to Margaret River (3 hours)
Where to stay: Yelverton Brook Eco Spa Retreat & Sanctuary, Burnside Organic Farm,

When: Friday, 15 June 2018
Where: Sri Lanka
Why: Sea turtles, elephants, bird sanctuaries and tea plantations

Got an animal lover in the family? Maybe Sri Lanka’s a good shout. Aside from the gorgeous tea plantations you’ll undoubtedly come across, make time to visit a sea turtle conservation like Sea Turtle Farm, UdaWalawe’s elephant park, or the Kalametiya bird sanctuary for an unforgettable experience you can’t quite replicate in Singers.

Make sure to check out this mama’s fab article on ethical family travel in Sri Lanka!

How to get there: Take a plane to Colombo (3 hours, 44 minutes)
Where to stay: Amangalla, Cape Weligama, Ceylon Tea Trails

When: Thursday, 9 August 2018
Where: Canggu, Bali
Why: Gorgeous sunsets, culture galore, chic island shopping

It’s hard for any other nearby holiday destination to hold a candle to Bali – the massive island has so many things to offer (and flights are so plentiful) that it’s no wonder people keep going back! Whether you’re planning to spend your long weekend at the beach, rise with the morning sun after a hike to the top of Mount Batur or café-hop and shop the streets in Seminyak, Bali will satisfy every mama’s vacay craving. And we are dying to check out the chic new COMO resort in chilled-out-yet-stylish Canggu!

How to get there: Flight to Denpasar (2 hours, 20 minutes)
Where to stay: COMO Uma Canggu

When: Tuesday, 6 November 2018
Where: Taipei, Taiwan
Why: A cultural break and an excuse to get back in touch with nature

Get those hiking boots on, ladies! Taipei is home to a number of stunning trails including the breathtaking Sandiaoling Waterfall Trail, which boasts a number of – you guessed it! – waterfalls. Not to be outdone, you can also trek through Taroko National Park, full of lush autumnal foliage set in the heart of a gorge. Fam not up for the trek, mamas? No worries – head on over Tzushr Temple or Bao’an Temple for an indoor excursion. Are you a dumpling lover? Then you must head to the original Din Tai Fung on Xinyi Road in Taipei!

How to get there: Take a flight to Taipei (4 hours, 19 minutes)
Where to stay: The Grand Hotel, W Taipei 

When: Tuesday, 24 December 2018
Where: Hokkaido, Japan
Why: Delicious seafood, world-famous desserts, ski destination

Mamas dreaming of a white Christmas will have a blast in Hokkaido! Whether you’re planing to visit Niseko and Hakuba to ski the slopes or sit back and enjoy the falling snow in Otaru or Hakodate, every inch of Hokkaido has something to offer. Don’t miss out on the desserts – chou puffs and Cremia ice cream will leave you dreaming of Hokkaido for weeks after you’ve returned.

Read our full guide on Hokkaido here!

How to get there: Flight to Sapporo (7 hours 10 minutes)
Where to stay: Green Leaf Niseko Village, Danshaku Club Hotel & Resort

When: Friday to Saturday, 16-17 February 2018
Where: Seoul, Korea
Why: Beautiful snow-covered landscapes, 2018 Winter Olympics

Is it just us, or was everyone already traveling to South Korea in 2016, making 2017 the year of Japan? This year, the land of kimchi is claiming the spotlight yet again with the highly-anticipated 2018 Winter Olympics happening in PyeongChang, just two hours away from Seoul! Besides experiencing the Olympics frenzy at its peak (we hear tickets are easy to come by!), Seoul offers multiple museums, temples and parks to visit – all while you take a respite from Singapore’s humidity and enjoy the Korean winter wonderland. Not to mention it’s the home of all things Korean skincare, so go crazy mama!

How to get there: Flight to Seoul (6 hours, 20 minutes)
Where to Stay: Aloft Seoul Myeongdong, Bibimbap Guesthouse

When: Friday, 30 March 2018
Where: Sabah, Borneo
Why: Orangutans, diving and beaches

Get the monkeys together and head on over to Sabah, where you’ll be able to charter a boat and cruise on down the Kinabatangan River, home to a number of Borneo’s favourite animals like the orangutan and macaques. Wanting to splash about in the water? Head on over to Sipidan, a marine park perched on the edge of the Celebes Sea; remember to bring an underwater cam for colourful snaps of the children.

See our full guide here!

How to get there: Flight to Kota Kinabalu (2 hours, 30 minutes) 
Where to stay: Bunga Raya, Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort