In 620 AD, in the company of an angel, the prophet Mohamad took a night journey to Heaven: called Mi'raj, this episode is a key point in the Islamic tradition. Located on top of the Noble Sanctuary upland, the Dome protects the rock where this journey started. On the same rock, thousands of years before, the biblical patriarch Abraham had allegedly tried to sacrifice his son Isaac, before God told him to stop. The Dome is, according to some, the oldest existing Islamic building, and a holy place of immense importance. Byzantine artisans built it between 687 and 691, and today its golden top stands out against the cityscape. Non-Muslim visitors cannot enter the Dome, but its elegant architecture is definitely worth taking a look at.

The building of La Vieille Bourse, as it is known locally, consists of a couple dozen separate buildings and a beautiful courtyard containing a book flea market. It is a fine example of 17th century ornamental Flemish Renaissance.

Pulau Ubin is an island northeast of mainland Singapore. Cycle trails and hiking trails criss-cross the hills, taking you past the disused granite quarries into traditional villages known as "kampongs". Bright blue kingfishers and bulbul songbirds inhabit the tidal flats of the Chek Jawa Wetlands. See a different side of Singapore with a guided kayaking tour. Soak in the tranquil environment while learning about the ecosystem. All equipment provided and no kayaking experience is necessary.

Singapore does not only offer big city life and urban activities, but also spectacular stretches of pristine nature, especially in the north west, at the country's border with Malaysia. The Sungei Buloh Reserve is a great place to spot a variety of migratory bird species as well as lizards and other exotic animals. You can spend the whole day exploring the hiking trails at this vast mangrove reserve.