Discover the charm of Southeast Asia with this vibrant city-state meets idyllic island getaway.

Afternoon tea at Raffles is something of a Singapore institution and it’s a stylish and indulgent way to mark a special occasion or just treat yourself. It may have moved from the celebrated Tiffin Room, a part of the hotel’s story since 1892, to the recently restored Grand Lobby, but the experience is as evocative as ever.

Sitting in the suitably palatial atrium, where three layers of Victorian pillars soar up to a vast skylight like a giant wedding cake, you’ll feel as if you’ve travelled back in time to a more elegant era. The effect is enhanced by the meal itself: delicious finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with jam and cream, and impeccably made seasonal cakes and pastries served on a three-tiered silver stand. Complementing the food, the exquisite teas come from a long-established French company, Mariage Frères, with everything from Earl Grey Imperial to South African rooibos.

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Operates Monday to Friday from 1.00pm to 5.00pm and Saturday & Sunday from 3.30pm to 5.00pm
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
The dress code is casual chic: collared shirts and trousers or dress shorts for men, and dresses, skirts or trousers for women. Please advise of any dietary requirements when booking.

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Begin your morning with a grounding and revitalising cultural experience in one of Singapore’s most peaceful natural settings. This unique activity blends ancient Chinese practice with the beauty of the Botanic Gardens at sunrise – an inspiring way to start the day.

Rise with the sun and take part in a gentle Tai Chi session led by a master of this ancient Chinese martial art. Originally developed centuries ago for self‑defence, Tai Chi is now cherished for its powerful health benefits, helping to harmonise body and mind through slow, flowing movements. Practised with calm focus and relaxed intent, the sequence of graceful poses works to enhance energy flow, improve balance, and promote mental clarity, like moving through a meditative slow-motion dance.

After your session, your guide will lead you on a tranquil walk through the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the city’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the early morning light filtering through lush greenery as you soak up the serene atmosphere and begin your day feeling refreshed, centred and connected to nature.

• Duration: half day (3 hours)

• Departs at 7.30am

• Private experience

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This four-hour trip will reveal the stories of Langkawi, focusing on the locals and learning about Malay ethnicity. Away from the typical tourist trails, you’ll follow village lanes, passing paddy fields, and journey through jungles and past village houses. Along the way, you’ll witness the architectural designs influenced by the Chinese, Indian, Moorish and Europeans. You’ll see medicinal plants and taste exotic and seasonal fruits. The trip then ends with an authentic meal served by locals in Kuah town.

• Duration: half day
• Time: 10.30am to 2.30pm
• Departs Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
• Operates year-round
• Private experience

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This is the ultimate day in Malaysia for serious birders, travelling around Langkawi’s diverse habitats to spot many different species. Langkawi has more than 260 types of bird – about a third of these are migrants, who flock here between September and April. 

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There’s an early start and an evening finish, as the best time to observe birds at the equator is either early morning or early evening when they are most active. In the rainforest, birds to look out for include flowerpeckers, hill mynas, dollarbirds, babblers, eagles and oriental pied hornbills. We’ll head on to a mangrove forest to spot the brown-winged kingfisher, collared kingfisher, white-bellied sea eagle and little heron. Our final stop for the morning is at the rice paddies to see paddy field birds such as sandpipers, lapwings, egrets, chestnut-headed bee-eaters and spotted doves. After re-energising with some lunch, we’ll travel up in the hills to a local village pond frequented by lesser whistling ducks, little herons, needle-tailed swifts and striated swallows. Afterwards, a drive to Langkawi’s highest peak holds the highlight of the experience: spotting the great hornbill, which measures 1.3 metres from the tip of beak to tip of tail.

• Duration: full day
• 7.30am to 7.30pm
• Departing everyday except Mondays (May-Oct) 
• Departing Tuesdays and Thursdays (Nov-April) 
• Operates year round
• Group experience

Good to know
You’ll return to your hotel for lunch before the afternoon session.

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