Singapore Airlines Destinations | Dream by Luxury Escapes

Ready to explore beyond the usual flop-and-drop favourites? If you’re looking to dive deeper in search of authentic experiences, venture beyond the tourist trails and dip a toe into somewhere different, consider one of these culturally rich destinations – each connected to Singapore via Singapore Airlines’ extensive global network.

Named the World’s Best International Airline by Travel + Leisure in its World’s Best Awards 2025, Singapore Airlines makes your journey as rewarding as the destination with its world-class hospitality, elevated dining experience and innovative cabin designs.

See more about where Singapore Airlines can take you on the new season of Luxury Escapes: The World’s Best Holidays, airing every Thursday on Foxtel at 8.30pm AEST. Find out more here.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

If you like your beach escape with a side of culture, Sri Lanka delivers in spades with its ancient ruins and temples, mist-shrouded tea plantations, and patchwork of Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial architecture.

The west coast city of Colombo is the ideal starting point for your explorations; here, ornate temples sit among glittering high-rises, a visual representation of the port’s past and present. Jostle with the locals at Pettah Floating Market, a canal-side attraction where local artisans sell handmade crafts and Sri Lankan street food; browse the galleries of the 1877 neo-Baroque National Museum and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art; and admire the Seema Malaka floating temple, before retiring to a coastal resort overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Lunch might be curry scooped in a bowl-like egg hopper or beautifully fresh seafood (try it at the Ministry of Crab). From Colombo, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort is an easy day trip, approximately a two-hour drive south down the coast.

Plan your adventures on the way, with unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi in Singapore Airlines’ Suites, First Class and Business Class; with Premium Economy Class and Economy Class complimentary for KrisFlyer members.

Chengdu, China

Chengdu may be known as the home of giant pandas – you can head to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see them among bamboo forests and gardens – but this dynamic Sichuan mega-city offers many fascinations beyond these monochromatic cuddlies.

Whispers of its ancient history can be heard in its teahouses, temples and museums (it’s thought to have been founded in the 4th century BCE), while it simultaneously feels incredibly cutting edge with its driverless metro trains, AI-powered traffic control systems and futuristic skyscrapers. The famous Wuhou Shrine is a real highlight, as is the nearby Jinli Street; lined with lanterns and teahouses, this charming ancient laneway will see you enjoying opera performances, browsing handicrafts and sampling street food.

As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, you know your tastebuds are in for a treat. Another culinary hotspot is Kuan Chai Alley; order a Sichuan hotpot or mapo doufo tofu and go as spicy as you dare, before cooling down with a craft beer. Foodies can also enjoy the culinary experience onboard Singapore Airlines, paired with wines curated by three leading wine experts and specially tested under cabin pressure. There’s even a Book the Cook option for travellers in Premium Economy, Business Class and First Class on flights over 1.5 hours, where you can select from a range of restaurant-quality main courses in advance.

Cape Town, South Africa

Presided over by Table Mountain, Cape Town is one of the most naturally spectacular cities in the world. Depending on the weather, you might catch an early glimpse of the mountain from aboard your Singapore Airlines flight. Whether you ascend the mountain via cable car or hike, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views across the city, surrounding peaks like Lion’s Head and even the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was once imprisoned. The island is reachable by ferry from the V&A Waterfront; a hugely popular and picturesque harbourside promenade lined with restaurants and bars.

The city’s natural wonders are on full display from at the 528-hectare Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and Boulders Beach, where a colony of African penguins call the landscape home. Beyond the city, the Cape Winelands and the towns of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, are home to picturesque wineries well worth the drive.

Istanbul, Türkiye

At its location on the border of Europe and Asia, this historic Turkish city has one of the most captivating cultural fusions in the world, seen across everything from its architecture to its cuisine. It’s also uniquely beautiful, with the waters of the Bosphorus Strait, an important trade route, passing right through its heart.

Minarets and mosques dominate the skyline of the Old City, from the great 6th-century Hagia Sophia to the domes of the Blue Mosque. Ancient marketplaces – the most famous of which is the Grand Bazaar – see locals and tourists alike partake in the centuries-old practice of haggling over carpets, spices, dried fruits and ornate handicrafts. While the past is always firmly present, the more contemporary side to the city can be experienced in its glossy shopping malls, galleries and nightlife.

One of the best ways to soak up the skyline is with a drink in hand at a rooftop bar or restaurant (try Monkey or the Michelin-starred Mikla). The city’s diversity is most dizzying in its culinary scene: dine on seafood beside the water, traditional street food and Ottoman flavours (döner, borek and baklava are must-trys) or splash out on boundary-pushing fine dining, which traverses Mediterranean, Japanese and Thai flavours.

Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is South Korea’s electric capital, whose big city metropolis feel is tempered with ancient pagodas and historic markets. The Han River runs right through its centre, where cyclists and picnickers line the banks (head to Restaurant IOU for river views and Korean flavours).

There’s always something to do in this high-tech city and getting around is easy with its subway system. K-Pop lovers can admire the Gangnamdol sculptures lining K-Star Road, each one representing a K-Pop star; those in search of nature can ascend the Namsan Cable Car for 360-degree views from the N Seoul Tower’s observation deck, and those who prefer to go out after dark can dance amid the neon lights of Hongdae Street (you can always catch up on sleep in comfort on the Singapore Airlines flight on the way back, especially if you upgrade to a reclining Premium Economy seat with a calf rest and footrest).

Join the hustle of the street market at Gwangjang, where you can sample some of Korea’s best street food (dumplings, stir-fried rice cakes and the fish-shaped bungeoppang pastry, filled with red bean paste, are favourites). If you’re feeling brave, go for a dip in a jjimjilbang bathhouse (nude bathing is obligatory).

Copenhagen, Denmark

On a European odyssey Copenhagen is often unreasonably overlooked, but the reasons why Denmark is frequently ranked among the happiest countries in the world are all on display here.

Whimsical beauty is found at every turn, from the colourful storybook-style houses lining the canal at Nyhavn, to the Hans-Christian-Andersen-inspired Little Mermaid statue, overlooking the water at Langelinie Pier. Then there’s the stately grandeur of its royal residences, at the Rococo-style Amalienborg Palace and museum, where you can catch the changing of the guard daily at 12pm, and Rosenborg Castle, a 400-year-old Renaissance masterpiece set in a royal palace park. The entire city is optimised for cycling, certainly the best way to explore its cobblestone streets and bridges.

Shop minimalistic Danish design from the likes of Georg Jensen on Strøget, the beating heart of Copenhagen’s shopping scene where global brands sit alongside independent stores and charming cafes. Perhaps it’s here, over a smørrebrød (open sandwich) you’ll discover the secret to hygge, a community-rooted cosiness and contentment sought and celebrated by the Danes. If you’re planning on picking up a few souvenirs, Singapore Airlines‘ baggage allowance ranges from 25kg (Economy Class, Lite fare) to a whopping 50kg for those travelling in Suites or First Class.

Seattle, USA

The fascination of this coastal Washington city lies in its ability to take you from the thrum of global industry (it’s home to the headquarters of the likes of Amazon and Microsoft) to wilderness in less than an hour. With dense forests and snow-dusted mountain peaks to one side and the waters of the Pacific Northwest to the other, you’re never too far from nature and its pursuits.

Ascend the famous Space Needle, a remnant of the 1962 World Fair, to its observation deck for 360-degree views across the city to the Olympic Mountains. From the music scene of Capitol Hill to arty Fremont with its many murals and quirky topiaries, each neighbourhood has its own distinct identity.

Lean into the city’s coffee culture at a boutique roaster or see the storefront of the first-ever Starbucks next to Pike Place Market. This is the oldest continually operating farmers’ market in America, where you can stock up on rainbow-coloured veggies, seafood, artisanal cheeses and bread fresh from the oven.

Fukuoka, Japan

It’s no secret that Japan is becoming increasingly popular, but one of its under-the-radar gems is surely this harbour city on Kyushu Island. It offers a slower, less crowded vibe than Tokyo or Kyoto, though it’s actually one of Japan’s biggest cities – the result of a merger between the port city of Hakata and Fukuoka town in 1889.

The city has a great balance of buzz and nature, with plentiful beaches and parks. The ruins of the 17th-century Fukuoka Castle are most spectacular when shrouded in cherry blossom come spring, while a walk around the grounds of Shofukuji, the first Zen temple of Japan built in the 12th century, is also unmissable.

Fukuoka is a city for food lovers, especially fans of ramen and seafood. Its yatai (open-air food stands) can be found throughout the city centre, and serve yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), hot pot and ramen, typically between 6pm and 2am.

Singapore Airlines’ onboard cuisine is devised by an international culinary panel including Yoshihiro Murata of Kyoto, so expect locally inspired flavours on your flight to Japan.

Zurich, Switzerland

This Swiss city has undeniable magic: perhaps it’s because the laneways of its medieval Old Town, Altstadt, feel like something straight out of a fairytale, its traditional Christmas markets tap into a childlike nostalgia, or chocolate is never far away (it is, after all, home to Lindt and its museum). You might also be lucky enough to be treated to Swiss chocolate onboard the Singapore Airlines route to Switzerland.

Above all, life in Zurich is about the great outdoors. Set between a mountain, river and lake, pursuits such as walking and boating beckon. It also has more than 70 parks and gardens, dusted with pink cherry blossom come spring and alpine snow in winter. Ski resorts like Flumserberg, Engelberg and Davos can be reached easily on public transport, which are equally spectacular in summer for horse riding and cycling.

Milan, Italy

All the things Italy is best loved for – art, food and architecture – are on proud display across the city. Jaw-dropping monuments come courtesy of the ornate 14th-century Duomo Cathedral and the sprawling 15th-century Sforza Castle, today a museum housing works from the likes of Michelangelo. More artistic wonder can be found in Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, where it has remained in situ at the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie since the 15th century.

Unsurprisingly, the shopping here is world-class, with the beautiful four-storey Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcade a marvel in its own right. When it comes to dining, don’t miss trying the city’s signature dish: saffron-flavoured risotto alla Milanese. If you’re looking to extend your trip, the city makes the perfect launchpad for the Italian lakes, Como and Maggiore.

See more about where Singapore Airlines can take you on the new season of Luxury Escapes: The World’s Best Holidays, airing every Thursday on Foxtel at 8.30pm AEST. Find out more here.

Feature image: Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark. Source: Shutterstock.