A few weeks ago, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) released Singapore's list of public holidays for next year. For the uninitiated, Singapore will have 4 long weekends in 2021 ? While this might seem less than this year or the year before, we've got this cheat sheet to help you to maximise your public holidays!
If you refer to this infographic we've created, you can get 9 long weekends by taking a couple of extra days of leave for Labour Day, Hari Raya Puasa, Hari Raya Haji, Deepavali and Christmas. We've also added a day to each of the existing long weekends so you can have a longer break ? Feel free to SAVE this infographic and SHARE it with your loved ones!
We're more than halfway through 2020 and it feels like most of us haven't had a proper break because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While we can't travel now, the good news is that many countries have opened up their borders to international travellers. If you're looking for travel inspiration on where to go for your long weekends next year, check out these destinations!
1. New Year's Day - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Public holiday: 1 Jan (Fri)
When to take leave: 4 Jan (Mon)
Total days off: 4
Many of us Singaporeans probably miss travelling to KL! With so much halal food from various cuisines available, Instagrammable cafes, plenty of picture-perfect spots and more, it'll be a great idea to start off 2021 in KL. Not to mention that you can book a stay at one of the city's many amazing hotels or better still, stay at a hotel that's connected to a shopping mall ☺️
Furthermore, Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to allow cross-border travel for some residents and business travellers. So we're really hoping that in the months to come, we'd be able to travel to Malaysia for leisure too!
2. Chinese New Year - Bali, Indonesia
Public holiday: 12-13 Feb (Fri-Sat)
When to take leave: 15 Feb (Mon)
Total days off: 3
Looking for a respite from your hectic schedule? What better way to do that than by going on a beach getaway? Bali is always a good idea ☺️ The island is slated to reopen its borders to international travellers in October. Explore the island's well-known beaches like Kuta and Seminyak or go on a day trip to the nearby Nusa Penida Island. Take Insta-worthy shots at Tegalalang rice fields or Pura Lempuyang for that famous "gateway to Heaven" shot. If you're thinking of a romantic getaway with your partner, we've got you covered with our 5D4N Muslim-friendly romantic Bali itinerary. We've also rounded up these 6 romantic private pool Bali villas (with halal food)!
3. Good Friday - Bangkok, Thailand
Public holiday: 2 Apr (Fri)
When to take leave: 5 Apr (Mon)
Total days off: 4
It's impossible not to include Bangkok in any vacation list! With Thailand launching travel bubbles in August to certain countries (China and Japan first), we're just hoping that Singapore will be on its list in the coming months too.
Visit one of Bangkok's many malls and street markets - including the iconic Chatuchak Weekend Market, the hipster Asiatique, train markets and find bargain buys at Pratunam. Don't forget its amazing malls too like MBK, Platinum Fashion Mall, Central World and more! For some sightseeing, we'd recommend heading to the Grand Palace and the Jim Thompson House. Alternatively, you could also visit a floating market near the city. Our 4D3N Muslim-friendly Bangkok itinerary will be perfect for planning your trip! Satisfy your Thai food cravings at one of these halal restaurants too!
4. Labour Day - Melaka
Public holiday: 1 May (Sat)
When to take leave: 3 May (Mon)
Total days off: 3
Credit: Phalinn Ooi on Flickr
Labour Day falls during the month of Ramadan and if you're looking for a short getaway, why not take a 2h drive up to Melaka? With plenty of historical sights and Insta-worthy alleyways, a visit to Melaka will not disappoint. Take a stroll along the Melaka River or learn about the city's rich history at A'Famosa. Then after breaking fast, soak in the atmosphere of Jonker Street and feast on Melaka's yummy street food! Check out our 3D2N Melaka itinerary to plan your future trip there!
5. Hari Raya Puasa - Staycation in Singapore or a short trip to JB/Batam
Public holiday: 13 May (Thu)
When to take leave: 14 May (Fri)
Total days off: 4
Credit: Village Hotels & Residences on Facebook
It's Hari Raya Puasa, and you'll probably be busy visiting your relatives and friends, especially since you couldn't celebrate it this year. But we get it - amidst all the raya frenzy, sometimes you just want to escape somewhere. Since you most probably can't leave the country, we recommend squeezing in a staycation ? Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway with your partner or taking a short break with the family, you'll most probably be recharged after the good break ?
If you can afford to leave the country for a bit, you know you can always cross the causeway for a short escape or take a short ferry to Batam! We've rounded up 11 incredible hotels in JB and these 12 awesome resorts in Batam where you can let your hair down.
6. Hari Raya Haji - Hanoi, Vietnam
Public holiday: 20 Jul (Tue)
When to take leave: 19 Jul (Mon)
Total days off: 4
If you're not planning to do any visiting during Hari Raya Haji, why not take this chance to squeeze in a trip? As Hari Raya Haji falls on a Tuesday, take Monday off so you'll get a 4-day weekend! And it seems like the right time to pack your bags and head off to nearby Vietnam for a trip to Hanoi. The city is a beautiful mix of many things - distinctive local culture and delicious halal food, rich and fascinating history, stunning nature spots, modern development and colonial heritage. All in all, it makes for an intriguing city to explore, and one that's great to visit in August. With Vietnam having a great track record for handling COVID-19, we couldn't think of a better time to visit Hanoi!
7. National Day - Tokyo and outskirts, Japan
Public holiday: 9 Aug (Mon)
When to take leave: 10 Aug (Tue) (we recommend taking more!?)
Total days off: 4
While the Tokyo Olympics didn't happen this year, it's been rescheduled to 2021! And National Day coincides with the closing ceremony of the games. If you're planning to catch some of the sporting action, of course, we'd recommend taking more leave days prior to National Day.
Besides visiting the iconic spots like Shibuya Crossing, Asakusa, Shinjuku, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Skytree and more, make sure you swing by one of the many halal eateries serving authentic Japanese cuisine like Japanese curry, sushi, ramen, BBQ and more ?
As social distancing becomes a norm as we start to travel again in the future, you'd probably want to venture outside of Tokyo too and our 6D5N Tokyo day trips itinerary will be perfect for that! For those of you planning to extend your trip and looking to go off the beaten track, take a trip up north to the beautiful region of Tohoku with our Muslim-friendly Tohoku itinerary!
8. Deepavali - Jeju, South Korea
Public holiday: 4 Nov (Thu)
When to take leave: 5 Nov (Fri)
Total days off: 4
Take a break from Korea's capital city of Seoul and head to Jeju instead! Unwind and take it slow with the island's scenic nature. Not to mention that you'll be captivated by Jeju's gorgeous autumn leaves in November! Our favourite spot in Jeju is Seopjikoji - a cliff where you can admire the view of Jeju's volcanic formations ? A hike up the Seongsan Sunrise Peak offers one of the best views of Jeju while the gorgeous flowers at Camellia Hill all-year-round is a photo opportunity you won't want to miss! Not to mention that Jeju has plenty of Muslim-friendly eateries for you to enjoy. Use our 5D4N Muslim-friendly Jeju itinerary to plan your travels!
9. Christmas - Alishan, Taiwan
Public holiday: 25 Dec (Sat)
When to take leave: 24 Dec (Fri)
Total days off: 3
If you've never had Taiwan on your bucket list, perhaps it's time to consider it! With its successful handling of COVID-19 and a travel bubble for business travellers from Singapore, travelling to Taiwan might seem like a real possibility in the coming months.
If you're looking to escape the crowds, the Alishan mountain area will amaze you with its gorgeous sunrise views, tea plantations and nature trails ? Hop aboard the highlight of Alishan - the Forest Railway - and take in the breathtaking views along the way. Cross the famous Taiping Suspension Bridge, explore tea plantation trails, stay in one of the many Muslim-friendly homestays and more! Wondering what to see and do in Alishan? Our 3D2N Muslim-friendly itinerary will help you out!
While it might seem like travelling is off the cards right now, you can still dream about your trips next year! So, make sure you keep this list handy and when the time right, start planning your travels ?