Where to go over the 7 Long Weekends – Singapore 2017 PH

7 long weekends in 2017 spells plenty of opportunities to chalk up adventures without taking up too much precious leave or burning a hole in your pocket. Use our Expedia Singapore Public Holidays 2017 calendar to see all the long weekends this year and suggestions of when to take leave to maximise travel opportunities.

Download Singapore Public Holidays 2017 Calendar – Weekend View

Download Singapore Public Holidays 2017 Calendar – Year View

Where to Travel over Long Weekends in 2017?

Skip the usual been-there-done-that spots like Bali and Bangkok and switch it up for these places. If you haven’t started making your 2017 resolutions, here’s a suggestion: Explore new destinations! This is one resolution that shouldn’t be too hard to keep. Here are some nearby destinations perfect for short trips from Singapore, great to enjoy the upcoming long weekends.

We have also highlighted 3 one-day public holidays because adding just a couple of days of leave on either end, you can have yourself a super long weekend!

Here’s our picks of where to go over each of the long weekends thanks to the Singapore Public Holidays in 2017.

28-29 January // Sat-Mon // Chinese New Year

Palawan

C.C by 3.0 / Jack Versloot

Voted not once, but twice as the world’s best island by Travel And Leisure, it’s hard to believe Palawan is just 5 hours away.

The island is a nature wonderland – clear aquamarine waters, unspoilt reefs, shipwrecks and white beaches. Save one day to explore Puerto Princesa’s subterranean river where it courses through limestone caves.

Going there a day or two earlier than Chinese New Year will allow you to catch the Arawedan Festival from 23 to 27 January. Expect plenty of song and dance during the festival, it’s the local way of giving thanks to nature.

Accommodation options are aplenty here.

Flights: Singapore Airlines and Philippine Airlines fly direct to Manila, taking about 4 hours. Then take Philippine Airlines from Manila to Puerto Princesa which will take about 1 hour.

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Palawan-Hotels.d601955.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ icon=’entypo-suitcase’ fullwidth=’true’] Find a hotel in Palawan[/button]

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/lp/flights/sin/mnl/singapore-to-manila’ icon=’entypo-flight’ fullwidth=’true’] Search for flights to Manila[/button]

14 – 16 April // Fri – Sun // Good Friday

Chiang Mai

From a historic kingdom to becoming the creative and cultural capital, Chiang Mai has come a long way. More than 300 Buddhist temples now share the city with swanky art galleries, chic cafes and restaurants to be seen in.

Songkran, the Thai new year, takes place between 13 to 15 April. The festival and the street parties will be a great way to experience the city and maximise your fun there for a long weekend jaunt.

Chiang Mai has a wide selection of hotels to suit your needs.

Flights: SilkAir and Singapore Airlines fly direct to Chiang Mai, taking about 3 hours.

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Chiang-Mai-Hotels.d890.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ icon=’entypo-suitcase’ fullwidth=’true’] Find a hotel in Chiang Mai[/button]

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/lp/flights/sin/cnx/singapore-to-chiang-mai’ icon=’entypo-flight’ fullwidth=’true’] Search flights to Chiang Mai[/button]

29 Apr – 1 May // Sat – Mon // Labour Day

Ipoh

C.C by 3.0 / Marufish

Sleepy town Ipoh has a surprisingly interesting variety of things to see and do. An abandoned castle, caves, a tea plantation and hot springs – got your curiosity piqued yet? If none of those interest you, there is of course the myriad of hawker food choices to please your palate. Indulge in assam laksa, chicken rice, chee cheong fun and beansprouts chicken, just to name a few must-eats to sample during your public holiday break.

Flights: Firefly and Tiger Air fly direct to Ipoh, taking about 1 hour 40 minutes.

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Ipoh-Hotels.d1618.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ icon=’entypo-suitcase’ fullwidth=’true’] Find hotels in Ipoh[/button]

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/lp/flights/sin/iph/singapore-to-ipoh’ icon=’entypo-flight’ fullwidth=’true’] Flights from Singapore to Ipoh [/button]

10 May // Wednesday // Vesak Day

Hoi An

Take 2 days off on either end of this Public Holiday that falls on a Wednesday, and you can have a 5 day trip in Vietnam.

For a different side of Vietnam, check out Hoi An. The ancient historic city is very well preserved and it’s easy to imagine life back when it was a bustling major international port. Shophouses in their original form, ornate Chinese temples and a Japanese pagoda make up the city’s charm. Hoi An’s compact size is perfect for a good wander around the Old Town.

Head into Hoi An on 9 May to catch the city’ s enchanting Lantern Festival held every full moon for the locals to pay respects to ancestors. Roads will be closed in the Old Town so festival-goers can revel in the street party atmosphere.

Stay near the Old Town to be close to the action.

Flights: SilkAir and Singapore Airlines fly direct to Da Nang, taking about 3 hours. From Da Nang, take a taxi into Hoi An.

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Hoi-An-Hotels.d6034264.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ icon=’entypo-suitcase’ fullwidth=’true’] Find hotels in Hoi An[/button]

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/lp/flights/sin/dad/singapore-to-da-nang’ icon=’entypo-flight’ fullwidth=’true’] Flights from Singapore to Da Nang[/button]

23 – 26 June // Fri – Mon // Hari Raya Puasa

Lombok

If you’re already a big fan of Bali, Lombok might just appeal even more. Thanks to a much slower pace of development than Bali, visitors to Lombok can easily enjoy stretches of untouched coastlines and appreciate the rich biodiversity of the Senggigi Reef. While there’s lots to see underwater, staying on land isn’t too shabby either. There is the option of climbing Gunung Rinjani, a still-active volcano or if you’re not a lava of heights, go on jungle expeditions instead.

But of course, doing absolutely nothing on white sandy beaches is a very good idea too.

Flights: SilkAir and Singapore Airlines fly direct to Lombok, taking about 3 hours, perfect for a trip over a long weekend.

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Lombok-Hotels.d11999.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ icon=’entypo-suitcase’ fullwidth=’true’] Find hotels in Lombok[/button]

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Cheap-Flights-To-Lombok.d11999.Travel-Guide-Flights’ icon=’entypo-flight’ fullwidth=’true’] Find flights from Singapore to Lombok[/button]

9 Aug // Wednesday // National Day

Bandung

Another excuse to take 2 days and enjoy 5 whole days away on holiday, as the National Day 2017 public holiday falls midweek.

If all you associate with Indonesia is Jakarta and Bali, it’s time to take notice of Bandung. The former Dutch colony was nicknamed the Paris of Java, imagine that. The allures of Bandung are much more current now, we’re talking about outlet shopping galore, quirky themed restaurants, tea plantations and lots of mountains to scale. Especially Instagram-worthy is Kawah Putih, an otherworldly crater lake with milky blue waters.

The city is full of accommodation options, you’ll be hard-pressed to make up your mind!

Flights: AirAsia flies direct to Bandung, taking about 2 hours.

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Bandung-Hotels.d6212470.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ icon=’entypo-suitcase’ fullwidth=’true’] Find hotels in Bandung[/button]

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/lp/flights/sin/bdo/singapore-to-bandung’ icon=’entypo-flight’ fullwidth=’true’] Flights from Singapore to Bandung[/button]

1 – 3 Sept // Fri to Sun // Hari Raya Haji

Siem Reap

C.C by 3.0 / Davidlohr Bueso

As year end looms, September is a good time to make a quick escape. With the Hari Raya public holiday in 2017 falling nicely on a Friday, go for a calming weekend getaway to marvel at the ancient ruins of Cambodia.

Siem Reap hardly needs an introduction. Most famous for the millennium-old ruins of the Khmer empire, you should go for the temples but stay for the galleries, cafes, restaurants and spas. That’s not all Siem Reap has to offer though. Take a leisurely cruise down the Tonle Sap, visit outlying villages or tour a silk farm.

From backpacker joints to boutique hotels, Siem Reap has it all.

Flights: Jetstar flies direct to Siem Reap, taking about 2 hours 15 minutes.

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Siem-Reap-Hotels.d2975.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ icon=’entypo-suitcase’ fullwidth=’true’] Find accommodation in Siem Reap[/button]

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/lp/flights/sin/rep/singapore-to-siem-reap’ icon=’entypo-flight’ fullwidth=’true’] Find flights from Singapore to Siem Reap[/button]

18 Oct // Wed // Deepavali

Taipei

The quirky capital of Taiwan, Taipei is one of those cities great for a fun long weekend trip. Enjoy the cool weather towards the year end as you go cafe-hopping in the day and get lost in the labyrinthine night markets for dinner. Taipei isn’t only about eating and shopping though. Burn off the calories with an easy hike in Yangmingshan National Park or sit back and relax in one of Beitou’s many natural hot spring resorts.

Taipei is chock a block with hotels!

Flights: Jetstar and Scoot fly direct to Taipei, taking about 5 hours.

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Taipei-Hotels.d180030.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ icon=’entypo-suitcase’ fullwidth=’true’] Find hotels in Taipei[/button]

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/lp/flights/sin/tpe/singapore-to-taipei’ icon=’entypo-flight’ fullwidth=’true’] Find flights from Singapore to Taipei[/button]

23 – 25 Dec // Sat – Mon // Christmas

Bagan

C.C by 3.0 / Peter Halling Hilborg

As the last of Singapore public holidays in 2017 roll in, those who haven’t got enough leave to run off to the Christmas markets in Europe or snowy slopes of Hokkaido, can still take a quick break with a short trip nearby for a different kind of magic.

Bagan may not register on the radar of many tourists yet but the ancient city with more than 2,000 temples is very much worth a visit. The most spectacular way to take in the temples is to splurge on a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. After which you can select a few main temples to explore on foot. Ananda Temple, Shwezigon Temple are popular and you can end your day at Shwesandaw Temple where sunset views are said to be amazing.

Situate yourself in Nyaung U for food, accommodation and transportation options.

Flights: SilkAir and Singapore Airlines fly direct to Yangon, taking about 3 hours. From Yangon, take a one-hour Myanmar National Airlines flight to Bagan.

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Bagan-Hotels.d500136.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ icon=’entypo-suitcase’ fullwidth=’true’] Find hotels in Bagan[/button]

[button url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/lp/flights/sin/rgn/singapore-to-yangon’ icon=’entypo-flight’ fullwidth=’true’] Flights from Singapore to Yangon[/button]

Good news. None of the above destinations require a visa from Singaporeans.

Here’s to a year of adventure in 2017! Happy Travels!

Travel Sale: Long Weekend Getaways