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Here’s why you need to revisit your favourite holiday destinations in April and May
If you’ve been keeping a close eye on the calendar and looking forward to your next vacation, you would probably be aware by now, that sadly, there were no holidays for two whole months between the Chinese New Year and Good Friday in April.
Even so, there is no reason you should not start planning your next holiday when Labour Day on May 1 and Vesak Day on May 10 rolls around. As they say, “All work and no play…”
So, get ready your luggage and passport because here are some of the interesting happenings at 5 of the most popular holiday destinations.
Bangkok, Thailand
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Without a doubt, Bangkok is one of the most popular travel destinations for Singaporean holiday-goers, because the “city of angels” has something for everyone.
Shopaholics are probably aware of the popular Artbox night market that will move from its current location next to the Chatuchak Weekend Market to Marina Bay Sands Singapore in mid-April for two weeks. If you prefer to experience the night market and its wonderful street food in all its authenticity, then look out for Artbox’s next location on their Facebook page.
The biggest event in April is Songkran, the Thai New Year Water Festival. The festival ushers in the traditional Thai New Year in the hottest month of the year, with water fights and street parties strewn across the country. The new year is officially observed from April 13 to April 15, but the festivities will continue for nearly a week.
However, if you prefer exploring the historical side of Bangkok, Thais believe in making merit during Songkran by visiting nine sacred temples. This will give you ample excuse to visit, or revisit, the likes of the Emerald Buddha at Wat Prakaew, the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, and take a cross river ferry to visit the Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun.
A visit to the Grand Palace, which was once home to the Kings of Thailand as well as the Royal court, should also be on your itinerary, as well as the Royal Ploughing Ceremony on May 12, that will be held on Sanam Luang – the Royal Field – and presided by a member of the Royal Family.
There are other ways to enjoy the city, by taking a ferry ride along the Chao Phraya, or exploring the numerous bars and night clubs that are peppered all over the city.
Paris, France
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Head back to the city of love, or the city of The Louvre, if you will. The iconic museum reopened its 17th century French painting galleries last November, and features pieces by Charles Le Brun, the Le Nain Brothers, Georges de La Tour, Francois Garnier and Louise Moillon.
To get your heart pumping, the Annual Paris Marathon will commence on April 6, with more than 40,000 runners making their way through the 40 kilometre route from Champs Elysees, passing a number of landmarks, and finishing off on Avenue Foch. Food and drink stalls would be scattered across the entire route accompanied by more than 100 musical acts.
The 48th edition of the contemporary and modern art show, Salons Art Contemporain et Moderne, will also be held from April 27 to May 1. Over 500 artists would be showcasing their work at Place de la Bastille which would be open from 11am to 7 pm daily.
Love jazz? Then you would would have to mark down your calendar for the Jazz Festival à Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The festival will run from May 11 to May 22, and will feature top jazz acts in locations like Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe and Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church.
Prague, Czech Republic
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Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, is famous for its diverse architecture and its spires and towers that pepper the city. However, if you’ve already had your fill of the city scapes, what else could you possibly do in the city?
Fortunately, April is the month of Easter, and the Prague’s Easter Markets would be held at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square from April 1 to April 23. Feast your eyes on the wooden toys and local handicraft available for sale, and dine on the local hot sugar coated pastry Trdelnik with barbecued sausages called klobasa and hams roasted on spits, complete with hot wine or cold Czech beer.
Need more beer? The Czech beer festival would be held in Letna, a large park outside Prague’s city centre from May 11 to May 27. With over 150 varieties of Czech beer, accompanied by Czech food and live music, feel free to drink to your heart’s content.
The National Museum also opened a new exhibition “Noah’s Ark” from March to early May, and features an array of animals, including the ones that were native to the Czech Republic, like the elk, the beaver, and the brown bear. Beyond that, the exhibition seeks to bring awareness to the dangers faced by these animals today.
To round it all off, pop into one of Prague’s famous opera, theatre and ballet concerts because there is always something new to see.
Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
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How can we forget Singapore’s favourite food and shopping paradise, Hong Kong? Between shopping trips, take some time out to explore some of the unique offerings in April and May.
The birthday of the Goddess of the Sea – Tin Hau – falls on April 19 and the Tin Hau Festival is among the most vibrant celebrations happening in the country. During the festival, every Tin Hau Temple in the country celebrates with dragon parades, lion dances and lots of feasting. For the most elaborate celebrations, head to the Tin Hau Temple in Yuen Long or the oldest Tin Hau Temple in Saikung.
Need a reason to return to the island of Cheung Chau? How about a mountain of buns? From April 30 to May 4, the island celebrates the Cheung Chau Bun Festival which is dedicated to the god Pak Tai. The main highlight is the mountains made from bamboo and covered in buns. And, like all good festivals, there will be parades and lion dances and lots of loud drumming.
In May, the country also celebrates the birthday of Buddha on May 3. Head to the Hong Kong Big Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery in Lantau for the biggest celebrations and for the Buddha bathing Ceremony.
For a change in pace, how about catching the latest in Asian cinema at the Hong Kong International Film Festival? Besides the relative ease of getting a ticket and a relatively lower price tag, it could also be your chance to catch one of the big names in Asian cinema. Movie screenings take place in places like the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong City Hall, the HK Space Museum, and the HK Science Museum.
If you’d like a taste of one of Hong Kong’s main past-times, head over to Happy Valley where horse racing season is in full force, between September and June. The races are held on Wednesday nights with 7 to 8 races each time. The gates open at 5.15pm and the first race begins at 7.15pm.
To take in Hong Kong’s breath-taking city skyline, don’t forget to hop on a cruise at Victoria Harbour.
London, UK
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London is brimming with activity in April and May, starting with a caffeine kick from the London Coffee Festival from April 6 to April 9. Touted as the largest coffee and artisan food event in the United Kingdom, participants can look forward to tasting aromatic coffees and street food from more than 250 stalls, and watch world class baristas demonstrate their craft. There would also be live music, art exhibitions and interactive workshops.
In May, London plays host to the "We are FSTVL" dance party from May 26 to May 28. Dance your heart out to the sounds of Basement Jaxx, Carl Cox, and Dizzee Rascal.
Not interested in coffee or dance? Then join in the April Easter festivities that are suitable for the whole family. Hunt for ducks at the WWT London Wetland Centre or hunt for Moomin chocolate at Kew Gardens’ interactive Moomin trail on Easter Sunday.
For fans of the royal family, then a visit to Buckingham Palace would definitely be on your itinerary. Between April and July, the change of guard, or Guard Mounting ceremony, will take place daily at 11.30 am and will last 45 minutes. That said, the ceremony is dependent on fair weather and also does not occur on days when there are large scale events in the city centre.
If spending the night at a museum is more of a treat than a nightmare, then you’ll be pleased to know that the biannual Museums at Night event will be returning in May. Attend exhibitions, sit in for expert talks and performances, and enjoy torch lit tours at the major museums, heritage sites and historic buildings that remain open till late.
Exhausted after all those activities? Craving some downtime before you finally make your flight home?
Before we forget, here’s yet another reason to commit to that holiday getaway.
Source: HSBC
If you are armed with the HSBC Visa Infinite Card, you will receive unrivalled access to over 700 VIP airport lounges worldwide, including the international airports mentioned in these 5 cities.
That’s not all.
Sign up today and you will receive 35,000 air miles that are redeemable with over 30 leading airlines. Plus, with up to 2.25 miles earned for every $1 spend, you could be heading for your next holiday sooner than ever.
With the card in hand, no matter where your heart takes you, your head will certainly approve.
Terms and conditions apply. For more information, check out more details about the HSBC Visa Infinite Card here.
(By Gwyneth Yeo)
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