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There are many places you can travel short-haul to from Singapore that can be cheaper than staying at home in our notoriously pricey city. However, for long-haul destinations, this is rarely the case. But don’t deny yourself the opportunity to explore the world and visit the likes of America and Europe. Take advantage of UOB Cards’ Online Travel Frenzy, and jet yourself off to some of the world’s most exciting destinations without breaking the proverbial bank!
We’re so excited, we just can’t hide it!
Here’s how:
New York, USA
Photo: Flickr
It should be on everybody’s checklist to visit the city that never sleeps; if not to experience the city at the centre of our favourite TV shows and movies, then for the arts and culture – for NY is home to world-class museums and theatres!
Getting there: A 20-hour flight away, NY is certainly a fair way from home! It’s hard to come by affordable prices on good airlines for such long-distance flights – but if you’re a UOB Cardmember, fly EVA Air to the U.S. and receive a 5% discount (no promo code required). The discount brings the fare down to just SGD1,567 in the November period, saving you several hundreds when you book for your group.
Where to stay: To truly live it up amongst New York’s trendiest, there’s no better place to stay than the 4-star Ace Hotel New York. This place is so hip that some rooms come with guitars and turntables! Score yourself a bangin’ 8% off when you book through Zuji with your UOB Card, using the promo code “TRAVELMORE”. This brings down your accommodation to just SGD408 dollars per night, a reasonable price for a luxurious stay in New York.
Free stuff to do:
Chill in Central Park – No trip to New York is complete without a visit to the iconic Central Park; best spent paired with good coffee and a bagel.
Ride the Staten Island Ferry – feel the wind in your hair, and take in the great views of Manhattan.
Bronx Zoo – general admission is free on Wednesdays.
Museum Visits – at the city with one of the world’s most vibrant arts scenes, occupy your Friday evenings, 4-8pm, with free visits to the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of the Moving Image.
Barcelona, Spain
Bask in the beautiful seaside city of Barcelona, famed for its culture and architecture, drinking, dining scene, and nightlife. Whether you’re keen on strolling along the cobblestone lanes of the Gothic Quarter or indulging in local delicacies proffered by tapas bars, seafood taverns and markets, you’ll never find yourself bored in this breathtaking city.
Getting there: Travel to Spain with great fares with UOB Cards’ Online Travel Frenzy – UOB Cardmembers receive up to 10% off Flex, Flex Plus and Savers fares with Emirates using the promo code “SGUOB16”. With this discount, you can score return tickets to Spain and back for just SGD1,039 during November!
Where to stay: Receive up to 75% off hotel stays plus up to additional 7% discount if you book through Agoda with your UOB Card before the end of the month. Our recommendation? The 4-star Torre Catalunya Hotel, with its discounted price at just SGD175.35 a night. The hotel is just minutes on foot from the famed Plaza Espanya, the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, and the Museu National d’Art Catalunya.
Getting around: Barcelona has a reliable and cheap public transport system using Metro travel cards across buses, trams, trains and the subway. The most popular ticket is the T-10, which offers 10 journeys for EUR10 (SGD14). If you’re looking to take a road trip around the region, however, book a hire car with Hertz and receive 10% off your ride with your UOB Card using the CDP discount code “2095007”. Plus get a free day’s drive with promotional code “113035”. In total, car rental would just cost you EUR95 (SGD142) a week.
Free stuff to do:
Sunday Museum Trips: take a leisurely Sunday exploration of the museums of Barcelona – the Museu Picasso and MUHBA are free on Sunday afternoons, 3pm-8pm.
Check out the light and sound show that is the 1929-built “Magic Fountain” – this multicolored fountain and its 80s show tunes are a kitsch but fun must-visit
Ping some pong: Show the Europeans how it’s done on the free stone ping pong tables found in most public parks!
London, UK
Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and those bright red double-decker buses – need we say more on how many iconic attractions there are to see in London? Check out the street art scene in East London (you may spot a Banksy piece), shop at the London markets or high streets, and complete your experience with a good beer at a traditional English pub.
Getting there: UOB Cardmembers can fly Emirates from Singapore to London Heathrow with the same deal as above and enjoy up to 10% off Flex, Flex Plus and Savers fares. A return flight in November came up to just SGD1,003 for us.
Where to stay: UOB Cardmembers also receive an amazing up to 50% off + additional 10% off hotel stays (with min. 2 nights stay) when booking through Expedia this year, using promo code “UOBSG” (plus the first six digits of your UOB card).
If you want to do London in style, stay at the Rosewood London in High Holborn, just a few minutes’ walk from the theatre district, China Town, Leicester Square and Covent Garden. Just SGD271/ night after discounts, it’s a steal for a city with expensive accommodation.
Getting around: Traversing London using the London Underground is practically foolproof – stick to the tube unless you’re planning to go out of town. However, renting a car is absolutely recommended if you want to explore the outskirts of the city and neighbouring delights, such as the mysterious Stonehenge, or the beautiful City of Bath, an elegant spa city founded by the Romans. Book your car at Avis with your UOB Card and promo code “M504800” and receive up to 30% off – working out to around GBP175 (SGD307) for a whole week’s rental.
Free stuff to do:
Free museums and art galleries: London has some of the best museums and galleries in the world – many of which are completely free. Must-visits are the Natural History Museum, the V&A, the Museum of London and the National Gallery as well as the National Portrait Gallery.
Go Potty: Harry Potter fans shouldn’t forget to grab a trolley and run into the wall at Platform 9 ½ at Kings Cross Station – how else can you get to Hogwarts? Try at your own risk. Or just grab a picture with the trolley that’s already stationed there for your camwhoring!
Abbey Road awaits: Recreate the famous Beatles album cover at the zebra crossing on Abbey Road! Total #squadgoals.
Brb, packing our bags now
New York, London and Barcelona are just some of the amazing destinations for you to cross off your bucket list. With UOB Cards’ Online Travel Frenzy running from now till Sept. 4, 2016, you can travel to ANY destination that takes your fancy. Snag yourself great deals from up to 75% off accommodation worldwide, up to 15% off airfares and great offers across car rentals, travel activities, accessories and more.
You can also redeem a free 25” stylish shelled luggage with min. SGD3,800 spend. SMS “OTF (plus your15 or 16-digit UOB Card number) to 77862 to register. Click here for more sweet deals via UOB’s Travel Frenzy.
