Cyprus the Perfect Holiday Destination (Part 1/2)

Where To Travel: Cyprus (1/2)
The weather is but one factor that makes this beautiful island so appealing to the countless people who return year after year

By: Kev Moore

Cyprus is just about as far south as Greece extends before you reach the Middle East and Egypt. This is why the island is blessed with over 320 days of glorious Mediterranean sunshine every year and the temperature seldom drops below 18c even in winter. That’s if you can call December to February a winter at all. So if it’s sunshine holidays you are after then perhaps you should consider taking your next vacation in Cyprus. The weather is only one factor however that makes this beautiful island so appealing to the countless people who return there year after year for more of the same.

Once you arrive in Cyprus you could be forgiven for thinking that you have in fact landed back in the U.K. but in some alternate reality because Cyprus as often been referred to as England with the sun. Most Cypriots speak excellent English as a second language and it’s taught in all the schools even at primary level. They drive on the left and all the road signs are in English as well as Greek so getting around is much the same as back home but without all the congestion or hassle. perhaps this is why so many ex pats settle in Cyprus to enjoy their retirement in the sun.

There is good reason why Cyprus is so “English” and why so many Cypriots embrace English culture so readily in fact there are two factors that have influenced Cyprus in this way. The main reason Cyprus is so English is due to the British occupation of the Island from 1923 to 1960 after which time Cyprus became a stand alone republic although an agreement was reached allowing Britain to keep several military bases as sovereign or crown property. Another strong influence has come from the large Anglo Cypriot community which established itself in the U.K. during the years of British rule especially around the London area. As many of these “English” Cypriots have returned home they have brought the British influence of business and culture with them too. Despite this European influence Cyprus still retains its own culture both in language and customs which is what makes it so unique.

There aren’t many places left in the world where you can leave your doors unlocked or walk the streets in the dead of night without fear of molestation but Cyprus is one of them. The island boast one of the lowest crime rates in Europe which makes it a great place to live. Sure there are “bad apples” where ever you go and Cyprus has its share too but they are a minority and the Cyprus authorities have been known to permanently expel some criminals from the island altogether. If you are one of those people who also hate being accosted by street vendors forcing their tat onto you and your family take heart because the authorities are pretty strict there too.

Click here for Part 2

Source: Cyprus the Perfect Holiday Destination (Part 1/2)

30 July to 12 September: The Boy Who Cried Wolf (Singapore Repertory)

Aesop’s classic fairy tale is brought to life by an exciting script and a professional cast of adult actors.

LITTLE Petey is bored, bored, bored. It is really not much fun to sit on a little rock, on a little hill, watching a little flock of sheep all day long.

So little Petey decides to hatch the perfect plan to have some fun and scare the socks off his fellow villagers. But little does poor Petey know that a very tiny lie can lead to a whole lot of trouble…

The Boy Who Cried Wolf is a wonderful new production from The Little Company. Based on the classic fairy tale by Aesop, you will be delighted by how it is brought to life by an exciting script and a professional cast of adult actors.

This play is a heart-warming illustration of why it’s important to tell the truth, and how one lie can make a world of difference.

Dramatised by award-winning playwright Jean Tay who is best known for her plays Everything But The Brain (ST Life! Theatre Awards winner for Best Original Script 2006) and Boom.

Directed by Tracie Pang (ST Life! Theatre Award nominee for Best Director in 2007 and 2008) who has directed numerous productions for The Little Company.

This comic twist to a classic tale brings home a familiar lesson in a fun and accessible way.

Recommended for 2 – 6 year olds

About SRT’s The Little Company
The Little Company is a professional theatre company that produces quality plays for children. Since 2001, over 200,000 children and adults have been delighted by our performances. We aim to enthrall children from ages 2-12, with theatre that is written, designed and performed specifically for them by professional adult actors.

We strongly believe that theatre can help children develop socially, mentally and emotionally. The Little Company was founded in 2001 by Singapore Repertory Theatre, based on the belief that children deserve the same quality of theatre as adults.

Past productions include Christmas and the Gargoyle Who Wouldn’t Say Thank You, Little Victories, The Ugly Duckling, The Snow Queen, The Selfish Giant, The Gingerbread Man, Baby Love, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Scrooge – The Musical and most recently The Tooth Fairy and Bear and Chicken Go Camping.

DATES: 30th July to 12th September 2009 – please see SISTIC for performance schedule

PRICES: Mon-Fri $18 – Weekends $20 excluding SISTIC fee (Group Discounts / Family Packages available)

VENUE: DBS Arts Centre – Home of SRT

TICKETING: SISTIC at 6348 5555 or www.sistic.com.sg / www.srt.com.sg

Win Fall Out Boy Concert Tickets – Get Emo With 88DB

Join 88DB’s Snap.Post.Vote – Get Emo With Us contest and get a chance to win concert tickets to the Fall Out Boy concert in Singapore this February.

MECHANICS:

Joining the SNAP.POST.VOTE “Get Emo With Us” contest is easy:
1. SNAP a photo or video of yourself in an Emo get-up.
2. POST that in the contest page.
3. VOTE for yourself—and get other members to vote for you.

THE PRIZE:

FOUR PAIRS OF CONCERT TICKETS TO FALL OUT BOY ON 10 FEBRUARY 2009!!!

American band Fall Out Boy, last seen in Singapore in 2007, is back to tour their latest album Folie à Deux (literally, “a madness shared by two”) on 10 February at Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Fall Out Boy was formed in 2001 in Chicago and is comprised of Patrick Stump (vocals and guitar), Peter Wentz (bassist), Andrew Hurley (drummer) and Joseph Trohman (guitarist).

In 2003, the band achieved mainstream success with their first record Take This to Your Grave. They went multi-platinum in 2005 with From Under the Cork Tree and in 2007 with Infinity on High.

Join now and win concert tickets!

Click here for more on the contest details and mechanics: Get Emo With Us.

Win Hotel Stays in Thailand with 88DB & Octopus Travel

Win hotel accommodation at Thailand simply by joining 88DB’s Snap.Post.Vote contest this February.

MECHANICS:

STEP 1: Snap a photo of your loved one.
STEP 2: Post it in 88DB.com and dedicate a love letter.
STEP 3: Vote for it as the best entry, and get your friends to vote, too!
STEP 4: Remember, the prizes will be awarded to two contestants and one lucky voter!

THE PRIZES:

Dusit Thani Bangkok (valued at S$1100)
Complimentary 2 nights stay in Grand Room inclusive of daily buffet breakfast and Dusit Club benefits.
Validity : 01 Mar – 31 Oct 2009

DusitD2 Chiang Mai (valued at S$1260)
Complimentary 2 nights stay in Studio Suite inclusive of daily buffet breakfast and Club benefits.
Validity : 01 Apr – 31 Oct 2009

DusitD2 Baraquda Pattaya (valued at S$1600)
Complimentary 2 nights stay in D’Suite inclusive of bubbling breakfast (with free-flow sparkling wine) and club benefits.
Validity : 01 Mar – 30 Sep 2009

Join our My Sweet Valentine contest now!

View contest details and mechanics here: My Sweet Valentine.

Dolled Up & Nowhere To Go?

Check out Christmas-themed Victorian doll houses at IMM and help build Habitat for Humanity build houses

By James P. Ong

Queen Anne Doll House

WHILE the rest of us are thinking of going home for the holidays, there are, in reality, millions of people who do not even have any place to call home – like families in Nepal, Pakistan, Cambodia, Indonesia and China.

And that’s why Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organisation which has built more than 100,000 homes worldwide, hopes to build an additional 100 houses in these countries next year.

To raise funds for this project, Habitat for Humanity has seeked the help of IMM ― whose Christmas campaign is entitled “I’MM Home this X’mas” ― in a series of innovative fun-filled charitable initiatives.

One of these is the IMM Doll House Mini Winter Wonderland at the mall’s atrium area, where four Victorian doll houses imported from the US and dolled up by local celebrities and volunteers are on display.

Read more about this Christmas event with dollhouse displays.

Three Classic Fairy Tales, Live From Disney

Theatre show in November boasts transforming set, captivating choreography, innovative lighting and breathtaking costumes

Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales

A LAVISH transforming set, captivating choreography, innovative lighting, breathtaking costumes; these are just some of the ingredients that make up Disney LIVE!’s latest theatre show, Three Classic Fairy Tales.

Produced by Feld Entertainment, its the first Disney Live! production to make its debut in Asia before its US and Europe opening. It has played successfully throughout eight cities in China, Seoul, Korea and is now making its way throughout South East Asia with an aim to enthrall audiences here.

Previous Feld Entertainment productions include Disney On Ice, Disney Live!, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® and Doodlebops Live!

Three Classic Fairy Tales will play at the Singapore Indoor Stadium six days starting on 18 th November 2009. Tickets are available at www.sistic.com.sg. You can win any of the three family passes (good for four persons each) by participating in 88DB.com’s Refer-a-friend contest.

Read more about this 88DB contest to win tickets to Three Classic Fairy Tales.

Authentic Fengshui for Modern Living

Learn about authentic fengshui from premier fengshui consultant, Adelina Pang.

Authentic Fengshui for Modern Living

Adelina Pang is one of Singapore’s foremost Feng Shui consultants and has had an active and respected presence in the field since 1995. Over this period, her expert application of authentic Feng Shui has been invaluable to organizations ranging from multinational companies to hotels and banks right down to football clubs, retail outlets and private homes. Her clientele includes prominent entrepreneurs and professionals as well as celebrities and members of royalty. Her no-nonsense professionalism in her job has established her as a respected professional worldwide.

Adelina studied under several renowned Feng Shui masters in Asia before venturing out on her own. Her brand of authentic Feng Shui, which goes back to original concepts of positive and negative Qi, has been greatly impactful to those who seek her feng shui consultations.

Listen to her at the 88DB City Events workshop. Click here for more details about the Fengshui workshop.

Holidays in Germany: Great Year-Round Ideas

Reasons to travel to Germany beyond Oktoberfest
By Jimi St Pierre

Holidays In Germany

THE rest of the world may celebrate Oktoberfest October, but in Germany where the beer festival originated, it actually starts as early as September. In Munich, the provenance of this beer festival, a huge park in the centre called the Theresenwiese (locally known as the Wies’n) is transformed annually into a party central.

Half of the park is filled with amazing rides, side shows, food stalls and Schnapps tents. The other half boasts 14 beerhalls. Like everything about the Oktoberfest the beerhalls are huge, seating over 4000 people inside each one and more in the beer gardens.

Seated at tables you are served steins (1 litre jugs) of the local brew by the frauliens, entertained by Oompah bands…the atmosphere is fantastic.

But if you can’t be in Munich this year, you can always go to the microbreweries in Singapore to enjoy different kinds of beer brews.

That said, Oktoberfest is not the only time to be in Germany.

Read more about holidays in Germany.

Treat Yourself To A Fitness Spa Vacation

Discover new places while transforming yourself into a healthier and stronger you
By Tomer Harel

Fitness Spa Vacations

CONSTANTLY coming up with unique vacation ideas can really be challenging. Aside from the destination to decide on, there are the itinerary and/or activities you have to worry about, too.

For every travel opportunity, it is just natural for all of us to want to try and experience something we have never experienced before. It makes the trip a lot more worth it and fonder in our memories to have come back from a vacation having tried something new.

Coming from this desire are the fitness spa vacation ideas that are increasing in popularity to everyone who finds him- or herself in the position to do the travel plans.

The concept of fitness spa vacations is pretty simple, but it sure leads to a world of rewards. Being able to discover new places while transforming yourself into a healthier and stronger you is just amazing.

Such concepts are available around the world, from Thailand and South Korea to Greece and Russia.

Read more about fitness spa vacations.

How To Find the Best Airline Ticket Price

It’s way easier to hop online is all we’re saying
By Millard Hiner

How To Find the Best Airline Ticket Price

TODAY, finding cheap airfare is important to almost all travelers. The best website for cheap airfares depends very much on your circumstances. There is not really one “best” website that covers everything. Your departure location, destination, and memberships in various groups and organisations all factor in when it comes to finding the best deal. The Internet is the place to shop around for the cheapest airline ticket available.

There are some online classifieds sites like 88DB.com’s Travel advertising category, and comparison-shopping websites that generally make good starting places search for cheap airfares: Expedia, Travelocity, and Orbitz. All three access all the different airlines and allow you to compare prices for your trip if you fly at different times and with differing numbers of stops. The best discount airline ticket price you’ll find is on the Internet.

There are also different features available on these sites to help you locate cheap airfare. Both Expedia and Travelocity offer the ability to look at prices for flying on different dates.

Read more on how to find the best airline ticket price.