STI: dr hols

March 3, 2009

dr hols

 

I want to go on a short snorkelling trip in the middle of the year. Where would you recommend? Grace Goh

 

CTC Holidays recommends Redang, Malaysia, where the warm waters are excellent for snorkelling from April to October.

 

There are five dive sites to choose from. Tanjung Lang, located on the northern tip of Pulau Redang, offers a variety of corals, crustaceans and fishes. Its maximum depth is 18.3m.

 

Tanjung Tok Kong, with a maximum depth of 24.4m, offers an amazing array of marine life such as sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, tube worms and tuna.

 

If you are willing to brave the currents and waves, try the underwater sights at Tanjung Gua Kawah, which has a maximum depth of 21.3m.

 

For a 12.2m dive, there is Pasir Panjang.

 

Batu Mak Chantek is recommended for night diving. Reaching down to 18.3m, the area is filled with colourful reef fishes and invertebrates like molluscs.

 

I am planning to go to Moscow and StPetersburg in May. Please recommend places I should visit. Phyllis Lee

 

Be sure to visit the Red Square in Moscow, which is surrounded by St Basil's Cathedral, the State History Museum and Lenin's Mausoleum, where the embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin lies.

 

Some people do not think the body is really that of the former leader. Admission to the mausoleum is free but all cameras, mobile phones and bags must be left at the luggage office.

 

Also not to be missed is The Diamond Collection at The Kremlin, where there are several beautiful churches to admire.

 

Buy a ticket to see the world-famous Moscow State Circus on Tsvetnoi Bulvar. The group, famous for its trick-riding acts and performances with a strong theatrical feel, has since been named Nikulin Circus after a famous clown who died in 1997.

 

At St Petersburg, check out The Hermitage Museum, which is also known as The Winter Palace. The former home to the czars is now a museum with one of the world's greatest art collections.

 

Travel to the nearby village of Petrodvorets to see the beautiful gardens of Peter the Great's Summer Palace with their magnificent fountains.

 

If you are into opera or ballet, do not miss The Mariinsky Theatre, which is world-class in both fields. English surtitles are available for shows in Russian.

 

My husband and I are planning a romantic getaway in June to the beautiful island of Santorini in Greece. What can we do and see there? Goh Yee Teng

 

Santorini is known for its gorgeous beaches and turquoise-coloured sea. So you should definitely spend a few days lazing at the beach, watching the famously breathtaking sunsets.

 

Do also explore the countryside, where you could visit cave houses, both abandoned and occupied, vineyards and small churches.

 

There are also boat excursions available to a volcano island, Nea Kameni, and to the hot springs of Palia Kameni.