Join art specialist Claudia Chan Shaw to discover Singapore’s architectural gems and fascinating art collections, from grand Art Deco buildings to cutting-edge contemporary art museums and galleries, during the island state’s annual Singapore Art Week. 

At a Glance

  • Delight in Singapore’s Art Deco architecture, from grand public buildings to small hidden gems
  • Marvel at the outstanding collections of the Asian Civilisations Museum
  • Uncover the vibrant private collections and street art of the city’s diverse neighbourhoods
  • Gain an in-depth understanding of Singapore’s progressive art scene

Experience this vibrant cultural melting pot by exploring the city’s lively neighbourhoods and laneways, including Art Deco Tiong Bahru, colourful Little India and the fascinating nineteenth-century Muslim enclave of Kampong Glam.

Discover a time capsule of streamline Art Deco gems and delve into local Peranakan culture. Encounter the region’s diverse heritage at the Asian Civilisations Museum and admire Moshe Safdie’s extraordinary design for the ArtScience Museum. 

Enhance your cultural experience with fine gourmet experiences in Singapore’s vibrant restaurants.

This tour is part of the World Art Tours program organised by the Art Gallery Society of NSW in partnership with Renaissance Tours.

Dates

16 – 22 January 2025 (7 days)

Tour leader

Claudia Chan Shaw

Tour Status

Available

Book now

Itinerary

Arrive in Singapore on suggested flights and make your way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including travel insurance (a condition of travel), accommodation before or after the tour and a room category upgrade.

In the evening, join your tour leader Claudia Chan Shaw and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing and dinner.

(D)

Following a talk by Claudia, explore the vibrant neighbourhood of Little India. Discover the stunning Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, eclectic shophouses, colourful wall murals and The Great Madras, an Art Deco boutique hotel constructed in the 1940s and beautifully restored in 2018.

After some time at leisure in the afternoon, end the day with a visit to the ArtScience Museum in the iconic Marina Bay Sands. Designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie, the museum’s striking lotus-inspired architecture is a work of art in itself. In addition to its permanent displays, the ArtScience Museum hosts a rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions that merge science and technology concepts with art and design.

(BL)

In the morning, continue your exploration of Singapore with a walking tour of Chinatown, including the Dong Ya Building, the opulent Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and The Majestic, a former Cantonese opera house whose façade is an interesting mix of Chinese and Art Deco features. Then embark on a leisurely cruise on the Singapore River.

This afternoon, join a private, curator-led tour of ART SG, Southeast Asia’s leading international art fair, which brings together works by visionary contemporary artists from the region and around the world.

Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with views over the daily sound and light show spectacular.

(BD)

After a talk by Claudia, discover the riches of the Asian Civilisations Museum, an extraordinary museum which interweaves the varied cultures of the Asian continent. Highlights of the collection include Chola bronzes and Gandharan statues from India, Khmer and Javanese temple sculptures, and a horde of ceramic, gold and silver recovered from a Tang Dynasty shipwreck.

The remainder of the day is at leisure to further explore Singapore at your own pace, attend Singapore Art Week events or perhaps visit the magnificent Gardens by the Bay.

(B)

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Tiong Bahru, one of Singapore’s oldest housing estates, featuring rows of quaint Art Deco buildings, quirky boutiques, whimsical animal murals and old-world charm. The transformation from swamp to swank began in the 1930s, and some of the landmarks from that era still stand today, including the residential blocks and the first Monkey God Temple.

In the afternoon, discover Peranakan (Straits Chinese) culture in Joo Chiat and Katong while strolling past heritage shophouses, quaint stores and eateries. Visit The Intan private museum, a treasure trove of Peranakan furniture, costumes and trinkets.

Later, enjoy dinner at a local Peranakan restaurant.

(BD)

Embark on a morning tour of Kampong Glam, the former home of the local sultan. The Muslim quarter has retained much of its traditional flavour, with the golden Sultan Mosque at its heart, but the area has also grown to become one of Singapore’s hippest areas. Enjoy some free time in Haji Lane, known for its street art, bars, cafés and boutiques.

Following an afternoon at leisure, enjoy a special farewell dinner with Claudia and fellow tour members at Atlas Bar in Parkview Square. Inspired by the Art Deco architecture of New York and Europe, the iconic building evokes the glamour and decadence of the 1920s.

(BD)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast.

For those returning home today, make your way to Changi Airport for suggested flights to Australia or New Zealand. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your travel arrangements, including flights, a private airport transfer, additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)

Prices

Per person, twin-share

AUD 7,750

Single supplement

AUD 1,650

Deposit per person (at time of booking)

AUD 2,500

Final payment due

15 November 2024

Room category upgrade available on request; please enquire with us.

Tour price includes

  • Accommodation in a centrally-located 5-star hotel with breakfast daily (B)
  • Meals as per itinerary (L=Lunch, D=Dinner), including wines with dinners
  • Talks and discussions with your tour leader, Claudia Chan Shaw
  • Comprehensive sightseeing, including local guides and entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Transportation on comfortable air-conditioned coaches
  • Gratuities for local guides, drivers and wait staff
  • Hotel porterage (one piece per person)

Tour price does not include

  • International airfares (please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)
  • Airport porterage
  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure
  • Items of a personal nature (e.g. telephone, laundry, room service, mini-bar, taxis etc.)
  • Travel insurance (a condition of travel; please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)

Hotel

Your hotel
Singapore – The Fullerton Hotel*****
With stately Doric columns, cornices and coffered ceilings, the iconic Fullerton building was built in 1928 at the mouth of the Singapore River. This neoclassical landmark was once home to Singapore’s General Post Office, the Exchange and the Chamber of Commerce. Today, the building is home to the Fullerton Hotel, which provides a blend of luxurious living with a touch of elegance and the nostalgia of old. The hotel features 400 rooms, a spa, infinity pool and fitness centre, as well as several dining options. It is located a short walk from the National Gallery of Singapore, the Asian Civilisations Museum and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.

N.B. A hotel of a similar standard may be substituted.

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

More Details

Tour code: AG2502

Fitness level: Moderate
Please see Terms & Conditions for fitness level definitions here.

Suggested airline: Singapore Airlines
Please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for current airfares and flight reservations.

Visa
Australian and New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa to visit Singapore.

Download booking form here.

Map

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive news and updates.

Follow us: