Sights in Stilettos in Asia

• Gardens By the Bay is a must see in Singapore. This award-winning garden and horticulture attraction presents the world of plants in a series of experiences. You may want to plan a two-day visit to the garden as there is a lot to see both by day and night. Walking the gardens are free; however, some of the major attractions will require a ticket purchase. Tickets are available online for advance purchase. We bought tickets on-site for Cloud Forest, a tropical plant experience that offers a walk above the clouds. Wait time for tickets was about 15 minutes.

• Make at stop at the Manhattan Bar, which was recently named the #3 best bar in the world. While the bar is located outside of the downtown area, it is worth the cab fare. The bar crafts their own whiskey in an on-site rickhouse (storage space for ageing barrels) and serves up gourmet snacks. There is a dress code, so don’t wear tank tops and flip-flops.

• Eat at the mall food courts or any street vendor. Singapore has street food with Michelin stars, and there are chefs in the middle of the mall. Any dining experience in Singapore will be unforgettable.

*We stayed at the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore which I would highly recommend. Great location, within walking distance of the major downtown attractions, and has an infinity pool overlooking the city.

*Travel Tip: Singapore is the most expensive city in the world. There are ways to save depending on where you eat and stay.

• Make a reservation at Bibo. The restaurant is an art gallery that leaves you wondering where to look with the concept of celebrating art “on the wall, on the plate, and in the cocktail glass.” They offer tasting menus and à la carte. I’ll let you in on a secret that the entrance is a sliding gold door that opens when you push the top of the door handle. (See my Instagram highlight under “Asia Adventure” for a video on how to open the door.)

• Visit Goods of Desire on Hollywood Street (near Bibo). This is a great place to find eclectic gifts or a little something for yourself. Hollywood Street is full of boutiques, restaurants, and craft coffee shops. Don’t forget to look down the alleyways for hidden street markets!

• Every night the skyscrapers of Hong Kong light up the Victoria Harbor with “A Symphony of Lights.” There are several ways to enjoy the lights, but the best view will be by boat. Tickets can be booked in advance on the Star Harbor Ferry for $27.50 per person.

*Several fellow jet-setters recommended hiking Dragon’s Back. We did not have time on our trip to do a full-day hike, but if you have more time in Hong Kong, you should take advantage of an outdoor adventure.

• The Armani Hotel in Dubai offers a five star experience. Nestled on floors 3-8 of the Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building, this hotel has an attention to detail and service that I have never experienced anywhere else in the world.

• True story, I never left the radius of the Burj Khalifa, the mall on the lower level has every high end store you can dream of along with beautiful art installations. There are several restaurant offerings and the nightly fountain show is not to be missed.

• Don't pay the extra money to go to the 148th floor. A ticket to all three levels costs $95 USD. You can buy a ticket to the 124th and 125th floor for $34 USD and the views are the same. The patio on the 125th floor has the best views. (I paid the $95, trust me -- not worth the cost. I ended up spending the most time on 125).

*Travel Tip: Try to go at sunset. The colors are radiant and the sun turns blood orange over the Persian Gulf.

Dubai is quickly becoming a hot destination for travelers. According to Dubai Tourism, 15.8 million people visited in 2017 and Dubai has a goal to have 20 million starting in 2020. The beach town in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) sits right on the Persian Gulf and is a city of wealth, commerce, and shopping – so much shopping.