Duration
9 days / 8 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Heritage, UNESCO
Destinations
Malaysia, Singapore

Go back in time and uncover the rich colonial histories of Singapore and Malaysia. Experience picturesque colonial towns, rich tea plantations and modern cities with this exciting nine-day tour. Start your amazing journey in Singapore and enjoy some of the best cuisine Southeast Asia has to offer. Next, take a scenic drive to Malacca, a rustic colonial town full of ancient fortresses. Continue to the bustling Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur and take a stroll through historic colonial sites. After, head to the Cameron Highlands and hike through stunning tea plantations. Finish the spectacular tour in Penang and take a trishaw ride to see sacred temples, century-old houses and more.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Layers of History: Go back in time and walk through half-century-old Porguese fortresses in the UNESCO-designated colonial town of Malacca.
  • Cameron Highlands: Visit the cool Cameron Highlands, a popular summer destination for the British during the colonial period, and enjoy a scenic picnic lunch amongst the tea plantations.
  • Georgetown: Historic Georgetown is known for its colonial architecture, colorful Little India and 100-year-old churches, as well as for its traditional handicrafts.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Singapore

Start your exciting journey by arriving in beautiful Singapore. Here, you’ll check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. In the afternoon, consider exploring the bustling city and trying delicious local cuisine. Travel to Little India for fantastic curry, Chinatown for Asian delicacies and the East Coast for fresh seafood. Learn about the Peranakan Culture, born from a mix of the three cultures.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Strategically placed at the centre of Singapore's business district, the Singapore Fullerton Bay is the newest hotel along the stunning Marina Bay waterfront.

History: The Fullerton Bay is relatively new, but within its short history, it has managed to pick up the Best New Business Hotel Worldwide by Business Traveller UK magazine.

Service: Business guests can take full advantage of this hotel’s long list of business-oriented services, while those looking to explore Singapore will appreciate the complimentary shuttle service provided for guests.

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Fullerton Bay Hotel Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

A Slice of History: Stories fill every corridor and room at the Raffles Hotel, and you can even choose to stay in Charlie Chaplin’s old room, complete with limited edition memorabilia.

Service with Style: The Raffles Hotel’s legendary Butlers offer unparalleled service, taking care of every need and leaving you to unwind and soak in the old-world atmosphere.

Michelin-Star Fare: The Raffles Hotel’s tastefully curated dining and drink options include seven-time Michelin awardee Anne-Sophie Pic’s take on contemporary French cuisine, classic North Indian fare served in copper tiffin boxes, and the nocturnal birthplace of the famous Singapore Sling cocktail.

Old-World Charm: From antique grandfather clocks to beautiful teakwood dressers and all-marble bathrooms, the Raffles Hotel’s storied history comes through in every interior detail and fixture.

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The Raffles Hotel Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Singapore

Spend the day discovering the modern city of Singapore with a private guided tour. Travel to Sentosa and marvel at alluring beaches. Continue to Orchard Road for the best shopping in the country. Also, be sure to take a stroll through the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay for exotic flora and fauna.

Singapore
Singapore

Day 3

Malacca

In the morning, depart Singapore and head to Malacca, a quaint UNESCO-designated colonial town. In the afternoon, tour a historic fortress on St. Paul’s Hill and continue to Porta de Santiago to see the remains of an ancient Portuguese stronghold. Next, visit the heart of Old Malacca and explore Jonker Street. Here, you’ll wander through antique shops and dine at local restaurants. 

Hotel Options
About

Housed in an elaborate mansion dating back to the 1920s, the Majestic Hotel sits on the banks of the Malacca River, where Chinese junks, or sailing ships, and other vessels once plied their trade. For three years in a row, the Majestic was awarded the “Best Signature Boutique Hotel” by Expatriate Lifestyle magazine, and for good reason; its atmospheric, elegant halls gives guests a taste of the bygone days when Malacca was a mighty, cosmopolitan city.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 4

Kuala Lumpur

Depart Malacca and drive to the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. Here, you’ll take a private guided tour of the bustling city and visit historic colonial sites. Next, check into your hotel and indulge in delicious pastries at afternoon tea. We recommend staying at the elegant Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

Hotel Options
About

The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur was originally built in 1932 and was one of the great hotels of Kuala Lumpur in its time. Its colonial architecture and style has been carefully maintained, offering guests staying in the original Majestic Wing a slice of the glamour and heritage of its heyday.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur

Day 5

Cameron Highlands

Leave Kuala Lumpur in the morning and travel to the Cameron Highlands, an area blanketed with endless tea plantations. Here, you’ll trek through scenic landscapes and admire lush green hills. In the afternoon, arrive at your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. 

Hotel Options
About

The Cameron Highlands Resort is situated amid the lush environs of Malaysia’s largest hill station, named after William Cameron, a British Government surveyor who discovered the area in 1885 while on a mapping expedition. The resort, which looks out on the Cameron Highlands golf course, has won numerous awards from the travel industry and consumers alike, including recognition as one of the five best tea plantation hotels in the world by the U.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 6

Cameron Highlands

After breakfast, take a stroll through the Cameron Highlands and make your way to the stunning Boh Tea Plantation. Here, you’ll take a tour of the scenic plantation and stop for a delicious picnic lunch. Next, visit a strawberry farm and pluck sweet strawberries right from the vine. After, head to a rose farm and walk through aisles of beautiful flowers.

Cameron Highlands
Cameron Highlands

Day 7

Penang

In the morning, depart the Cameron Highlands and head to Penang. Along the way, you’ll stop at the Bat’s Cave Temple, a famous sanctuary home to sleeping bats. Next, take a stroll through the regal Ubudiah Mosque. In the early evening, you’ll arrive in Penang and rest at your hotel. 

Hotel Options
About

A historical property, the Eastern & Oriental Hotel is reminiscent of British elegance during the colonial era while representing present-day Penang. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008, the hotel boasts a stellar location, close to downtown Georgetown and the cultural, financial and historical districts are located.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 8

Penang

Spend the day uncovering Penang, a region famous for its old world charm. In the morning, take a private guided tour of Georgetown, a historic town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you’ll explore colonial houses, Little India and century-old churches. You’ll also have the opportunity to ride a trishaw through ancient streets and participate in traditional craft workshops.

Penang
Penang

Day 9

Departure

On your final day, depart from Penang and return to Singapore or fly onward.

Suggested Hotels For Days 1–2

Fullerton Bay Hotel
Preferred Hotel

Fullerton Bay Hotel

Upon opening in the summer of 2010, the glittering Fullerton Bay Hotel became one of Singapore’s premier luxury properties. Its 100 guest rooms, five culturally themed suites and one presidential suite have floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies overlooking Marina Bay, while the hotel’s interior design by highly sought-after architect Andre Fu features antique nautical maps and newly commissioned art works. Three dining options, also designed by Fu, include the modern brasserie Clifford (named after historic Clifford Pier, where the hotel is located), with an 800-bottle fine wine list and 32-foot windows on the Bay; The Landing Point, a sophisticated lounge with elevated comfort food and creative cocktails served along its 42-foot-long bar; and Lantern, the rooftop bar with an 82-foot-long swimming pool offering skyline views. Other facilities include a state-of-the-art fitness center and meeting rooms, while high-speed Internet is available in every room and WiFi is accessible throughout the entire hotel. The Fullerton Bay is approximately a 20-minute drive from Changi International Airport (SIN).

The Raffles Hotel
Preferred Hotel

The Raffles Hotel

The Raffles Hotel, located in Singapore’s culturally rich Bras Basah district, is an iconic, opulent hotel housed in a 126-year-old colonial monument. Set among palm and frangipani trees and surrounded by cafes, museums, and eateries, it is a centerpiece of Singaporean history and architecture. It has hosted luminaries like Somerset Maugham, Charlie Chaplin, and Pablo Neruda, and it’s soaked in the atmosphere and feel of the 1920s and 1930s heydays. The hotel’s suites have a distinct old-world charm, with high ceilings and antique furniture, and stories suffuse every verandah, nook, and verdant courtyard. The hotel’s service is unparalleled, with their signature Raffles Butlers attending to the whims of every guest with understated grace, and dining options include multiple Michelin-starred options, as well as the birthplace of the Singapore Sling cocktail. Rooted in Singapore’s traditions and yet strikingly modern, the Raffles Hotel offers an intoxicating blend of luxury, history, and classic colonial design. It’s a unique, boutique experience right from the moment you enter its majestic, teak-lined lobby.

Suggested Hotel For Day 3

Majestic Hotel

Majestic Hotel

Housed in an elaborate mansion dating back to the 1920s, the Majestic Hotel sits on the banks of the Malacca River, where Chinese junks, or sailing ships, and other vessels once plied their trade. For three years in a row, the Majestic was awarded the “Best Signature Boutique Hotel” by Expatriate Lifestyle magazine, and for good reason; its atmospheric, elegant halls gives guests a taste of the bygone days when Malacca was a mighty, cosmopolitan city. The Majestic offers a variety of suites and rooms, all of which contain floor-to-ceiling windows, separations between the bathroom and the sleeping area, and tasteful, elegant furniture. The Majestic’s in-house restaurant, the Mansion, serves a fantastic array of diverse dishes, drawing from Dutch, Portuguese, English, Chinese, Indian, and Malaysian cuisines. The Majestic also contains a spa, which offers unique, Peranakan, or Chinese-Malaysian treatments, a swimming pool, fully-equipped gym, and a serene library.

Suggested Hotel For Day 4

The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur

The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur

The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur was originally built in 1932 and was one of the great hotels of Kuala Lumpur in its time. Its colonial architecture and style has been carefully maintained, offering guests staying in the original Majestic Wing a slice of the glamour and heritage of its heyday. The newly built Tower Wing offers 253 additional guest rooms and suites in more contemporary design and furnishing. Reminiscent of the 1930’s, the Smoke House features facilities including a lounge and bar, private dining room with Chef on call, the Cigar Room, and a Truefitt & Hill salon for gentlemen. Other onsite facilities include the elegant Drawing Room for Afternoon Tea, swimming pool, fitness center, and screening room featuring classic black and white movies, spa.

Suggested Hotel For Days 5–6

Cameron Highlands Resort

Cameron Highlands Resort

The Cameron Highlands Resort is situated amid the lush environs of Malaysia’s largest hill station, named after William Cameron, a British Government surveyor who discovered the area in 1885 while on a mapping expedition. The resort, which looks out on the Cameron Highlands golf course, has won numerous awards from the travel industry and consumers alike, including recognition as one of the five best tea plantation hotels in the world by the U.K.’s Independent.

Its 56 rooms and suites are appointed with bespoke teak furniture in both traditional Malay and colonial styles, as well as silk accoutrements by the house of Jim Thompson, the American ex-C.I.A. officer who revitalized the Thai silk industry (and mysteriously disappeared in the highlands in 1967). All rooms have flat-screen TV with satellite channels and Internet. The Spa Village offers a customary variety of pampering health and beauty treatments, while guests can avail themselves of a modern fitness center as well as the aforementioned 18-hole professional golf course. Dining options include The Dining Room, offering a variety of all-day dining options with ingredients sourced from nearby farms; Gonbei, the only Japanese restaurant in the Highlands, which serves sashimi, soba, tempura and more and has an adjoining Sake Bar; and the Jim Thompson Tea Room. The Cameron Highlands Resort is a 3.5-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, or a 90-minute drive from Sultan Azlan Shah airport.

Suggested Hotel For Days 7–8

Eastern & Oriental Hotel

Eastern & Oriental Hotel

A historical property, the Eastern & Oriental Hotel is reminiscent of British elegance during the colonial era while representing present-day Penang. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008, the hotel boasts a stellar location, close to downtown Georgetown and the cultural, financial and historical districts are located. With 100 suites, the E&O boasts a 750-foot seafront promenade and facilities including a swimming pool, 24-hour room service, a fitness center, sauna, meeting rooms, a business center and fitness center. Dining options include The Starkles Corner, a casual restaurant serving international cuisine and 1885, a Western-style restaurant serving dinner and traditional English tea. The E&O Hotel is located approximately 20 minutes from the Penang International Airport.

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