8 Under-the-Radar Holiday Destinations from Singapore

8 Under-the-Radar Holidays from Singapore

If, like us, you’re bored of the usual holiday circuit, it may be time to look further afield. Our list of under-the-radar holiday destinations includes locations that are unexpected yet remain entirely within reach. Some come with new flight connections, while others call for a well-planned stopover. Each offers a fresher perspective, with the promise of a good story and memories of a lifetime.

Hangzhou, China

New direct flights, tea country calm

For travellers flying out of Singapore, Hangzhou feels especially timely right now. The new direct Singapore Airlines route, starting on 1 June, makes it far easier to slot into a short luxury break. While Shanghai often gets the attention, Hangzhou offers a gentler pace, with willow-lined lake paths, elegant old streets and scenery that makes even a simple afternoon stroll feel cinematic.

Begin with a morning in the Longjing tea fields, then continue to Lingyin Temple, one of the city’s most striking cultural landmarks. Later, wander Hefang Street for traditional shops and local bites, or dip into the boutiques and lakeside malls around Hubin. End the day at West Lake, where sunset is best followed by the open-air Impression West Lake performance or a dinner built around Hangzhou’s best-known dishes.

Ljubljana and Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

An elegant capital, alpine stillness and a quieter take on Europe

If Europe is starting to feel a little same old, Ljubljana and Lake Bohinj offer a delightful way to see the continent differently. From Singapore, the journey usually involves one stop via a major European hub such as Istanbul, Frankfurt or Zurich, before continuing into Slovenia. In return, travellers get a gentler side of Europe, with riverside cafés, handsome old streets and an alpine calm worlds away from the usual city circuit.

Start in Ljubljana with a stroll through the old town, crossing its photogenic bridges and stopping for coffee along the Ljubljanica River. Ride the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for sweeping views, then spend the afternoon browsing the Central Market, dipping into design shops or lingering over a long lunch. From there, head to Lake Bohinj for slow lakeside walks, a boat ride across the water or a cable car up Mount Vogel for panoramic views of the Julian Alps. In summer, there is wild swimming and hiking. In cooler months, it is all crisp air, quiet trails and cosy meals with a mountain backdrop.

Hobart, Tasmania

Cool air, exceptional food and wildlife encounters

If the usual Australian cities no longer hold much surprise, Hobart is the reason you should head south. From Singapore, it is a flight to Melbourne, followed by a short domestic connection into Hobart, a route that makes Tasmania feel removed from the usual Australian circuit. It also comes with a few bragging rights. Tasmania is home to Cape Grim, where some of the cleanest air in the world is measured, while Hobart remains one of the world’s key gateway cities to Antarctica.

Start at Salamanca Place, where sandstone warehouses now house galleries, cafés and small shops, then make time for the Salamanca Market if visiting on a Saturday. Spend an afternoon at MONA, still one of Australia’s most talked-about museum experiences, before settling into Hobart’s food scene over oysters, local wine and some of the island’s best produce. Beyond the city, there are vineyard lunches, coastal drives and day trips to Bruny Island, where some of Tasmania’s most incredible experiences unfold. We’ve even got a mini-guide to Tasmania’s capital city.

Luang Prabang, Laos

Temple quiet, riverfront charm and old-world grace

Luang Prabang feels worlds away from Singapore and yet it’s not that far. The journey usually starts with flying to Bangkok before connecting into Luang Prabang, but the slower arrival suits the mood of the place. Once there, travellers are met with temple-lined streets, faded French-era architecture and a riverfront setting made for late afternoons and slow dinners. Staying in the old town, at somewhere like Avani+ Luang Prabang, puts the Mekong, local markets and many of the city’s cultural sights within easy reach.

Start with Wat Xieng Thong, one of the city’s most beautiful temples, then wander through the heritage quarter with stops at cafés, craft shops and the Royal Palace Museum. Later, climb Mount Phousi for sweeping views, or head out to Kuang Si Falls for its bright blue pools and forested surroundings. Come evening, a slow cruise on the Mekong feels especially fitting here, before dinner by the river as the city winds down.

Tangalle, Sri Lanka

Boutique beach stays, safari detours and south coast romance

Tangalle suits the Singapore traveller who wants more than a straightforward beach holiday. Getting there is simple enough, with a direct flight from Singapore to Colombo followed by a scenic drive down Sri Lanka’s southern coast. The beaches feel wilder, the hotels more tucked away, and the whole stretch has a slower, more cinematic quality than the usual island break we’re used to.

Spend the day moving between quiet coves, long sandy beaches and boutique resorts made for lingering lunches and slow afternoons. Beyond the shore, Tangalle also opens the door to some of southern Sri Lanka’s biggest draws. Take a safari into Yala for elephants and leopards, head towards Mirissa for whale watching, or simply stay put and enjoy the rhythm of the coast.

Siargao, Philippines

Surf spirit and slower beach days

Siargao takes a little more effort from Singapore, but that extra step helps preserve its easy, slightly off-grid charm. There are no direct flights, so the usual route is to fly to Manila, then connect to Siargao. Once there, most travellers base themselves in General Luna, where cafés, bars and beach access are all within easy reach.

What we love about Siargao is that it is no longer just for surfers. Cloud 9 remains its best-known draw, but the island now has a broader pull, with stylish villas, slower beach days and a crowd that likes its tropical escapes with a little design polish. Spend the day beach-hopping, island-hopping or heading out to the lagoons, then return to General Luna for sunset drinks and dinner.

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Mountain views, café culture and a city break off the usual path

Almaty is not the first place most Singapore travellers think of for a holiday, which is precisely why it feels so different. Getting there usually means flying via a hub such as Bangkok or Seoul, but the reward is a city framed by snow-capped mountains, leafy parks and a cosmopolitan energy that feels quite unlike Asia.

Start in the city with Green Bazaar for local snacks and colour, then make time for Panfilov Park and the striking Zenkov Cathedral. Ride the cable car up Kok Tobe for sweeping views, or head out to Medeu and Shymbulak for mountain air and an easy escape from the city. If time allows, take a day trip to Big Almaty Lake or Charyn Canyon. Back in town, Almaty settles into a rhythm of strong coffee, generous meals and mountain views that never feel far away.

Spiti Valley, India

High-altitude monastery trails and a journey worth making

Spiti is the one for travellers who want their holiday to feel a little more hard-won. From Singapore, the usual route is to fly into Delhi, then continue overland into the mountains, a journey that takes time but more than earns it. What waits at the other end is a starkly beautiful stretch of northern India, where monastery-topped hills, high-desert roads and tiny villages create a setting that feels almost otherworldly.

The best way to experience Spiti is on the move. Drive through Kaza, stop at Key Monastery, visit postcard-worthy villages such as Komic and Langza, and keep an eye out for fossil-rich slopes and sweeping valley views along the way. Days here are shaped by long scenic drives, simple local stays and miles of silence hard to come by elsewhere. For travellers leaving Singapore’s fast pace behind, Spiti offers a complete change of scenery in every sense.

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Natasha Tulsi

Natasha Tulsi is the Editorial Director of Vanilla Luxury, Singapore's affordable luxury digital magazine covering beauty, travel, family, food and lifestyle.

With over 15 years of experience as a marketing strategist and content editor, Natasha has strong opinions on everything from skincare launches and fragrance finds to travel guides and kids' gift ideas. Based in Singapore, she is the person to message (never call) when your brand needs more than a name-drop, or when you need to find that under-the-radar beauty buy.

Natasha Tulsi