SINGAPORE GETS SEXY

Posted on 2009-01-19

This island city is buzzing with nocturnal bustle and it’s got the magnetic atmosphere of somewhere that’s in the process of transforming. Our pick for the hippest bar right now goes to The Screening Rooms, which has a private cinema with funky sofas, Singapore’s best steak restaurant (with a Michelin starred chef), and one of the most spectacular rooftop bars we’ve ever seen. There are wraparound views of Chinatown’s Peranakan shop-houses, encircled by looming skyscrapers – the perfect metaphor for Singapore’s blend of old and new.

www.blacktomato.co.uk, or call 0207 610 9008 for more information.

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GET PHYSICAL IN TAIWAN

Posted on 2009-01-19

Escape the concrete jungle of Taipei and you’ll be blown away by Taiwan’s luscious natural landscapes. The Taroko Gorge is one of the secret wonders of the world with dense jungle and impossibly sheer rock faces, dramatically sliced by the aquamarine waters of the Liwu River. The best way to explore is to rent a scooter, head in the opposite direction of the tour buses, and criss-cross the gorge through a network of mind-boggling tunnels and bridges. Jump off to hike through your own corner of this breathtaking 920 sq km park. Make sure you hike the Baiyang Trail which leads you through a slippery 380m-long tunnel and ends up at the breathtaking Baiyang Waterfall.

www.blacktomato.co.uk, or call 0207 610 9008 for more information.

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TRAVEL TRENDS IN 2009

Posted on 2009-01-19

Cheer up folks, it’s not all doom and gloom – despite the big CC, signs are that travel is one of the last things we’re willing to scratch off the list. This year it’s all about being a little more discerning in our choices – whether that means learning a new skill on an ‘educational’ adventure with an expert, or seeking out a more personalised ‘concierge’ style service to weed out the tourist traps and get straight to the heart of the local culture.

Here are Black Tomato’s top 5 trips on the horizon in 2009

1) Hike the mysterious Black Cat trail in Papua New Guinea
2) Florence through the lens, with our expert local photographer
3) Enfield motor biking through Ladakh, Indian Himalayas
4) Venture into the Australian desert with an Aboriginal art expert

5) Experience the Creole culture and steamy jungles of French Guiana

www.blacktomato.co.uk, or call 0207 610 9008 for more information.

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