Sentosa Island

Tel: 1800-736 8672
http://www.sentosa.com.sg
Offering a welcome contrast to the city's bustling pace is Singapore's favourite getaway isle - Sentosa Island (also known as the isle of peace and tranquillity). It truly has something for everyone - from families to honeymooners, history buffs to nature lovers.

For an introduction on Singapore's history, visit Images of Singapore* - a series of dioramas depicting life in early Singapore, the surrender of the Japanese at the close of World War II and local festivals and customs. Over at Fort Siloso*, history buffs can wander through bunkers, underground passages and see cannons actually used in the defence of Singapore during World War II.

Underwater World, one of Asia's largest oceanariums, is where you can experience close encounters with sharks and stingrays. View nocturnal sea creatures at the Night Ocean -the first night aquarium outside Japan - and visit the pink dolphins at the Dolphin Lagoon.

Take a stroll through Butterfly Park and experience what it's like to have more than 2,500 butterflies fluttering around you! Next door, the Insect Kingdom displays up to 3,000 species of rare insects and an enclosure of 5,000 fireflies. Catch monitor lizards, spotted doves and long-tailed macaques along the 1.5 km trek along the Nature Walk /Dragon Trail.

After a day around the island, put your feet up and let your hair down at Spa Botanica, located at The Sentosa Resort and Spa. At Singapore's first garden spa, you can pamper yourself with a luxurious facial or body massage after soaking in the Mud Pool. To unwind, you can take a walk in the Labyrinth or indulge in some spa cuisine after a pilates class.

For a spectacular view of Singapore's skyline and neighbouring islands, head for The Merlion*. Wrap up your evening at the Musical Fountain, a nightly attraction featuring the Magical Sentosa Show, a multi-sensory show of fire jets, water geysers and computer animation.

If you'd like to stay here overnight, check into one of the island's exquisite hotels: the Rasa Sentosa, Sentosa Resort and Spa or Sijori Resort.

Opening times: Most attractions on the island open at 9.00am and close between 7.00pm to 10.00pm
Admission: Basic admission to the island is SGD 2.00 per adult/child.
Separate admission charges for the various attractions apply.