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Top Airbnb vacation rentals under S$125 in the heart of Berlin, Germany

We bet you’ve read the news on Singapore’s first vaccinated travel lanes with Germany and Brunei starting from 8 September.

Without having to serve a stay-home notice for fully vaccinated travellers departing from Germany, this means that our year-end plans to restart travelling could become a reality soon.

For those planning to celebrate Christmas in the capital of Germany, let us introduce to you the top Airbnb vacation rentals under S$125 in the heart of Berlin.

*Prices reflected are accurate at the time of writing.

1. Simple studio flat next to Denkmal Rosenstraße

Price: S$95/night

This simple studio flat has a double bed and a bathroom with a bathtub. There is also a kitchen equipped with an oven, electric stove, and microwave for your cooking needs. We think it’s great for pairs or solo travellers looking for accommodations near the public transport. You may also request an extra bed if you’re travelling in a group of three. By booking a stay here, you will find yourself right next to Denkmal Rosenstraße and within walking distance to Berlin Dungeon and Illuseum Berlin.

2. Minimalist studio apartment nearby Teutoburger Platz

Price: S$102/night

Travellers who appreciate minimalism will adore this studio apartment with white furnishings. The kitchenette comes with a fridge and induction cooker for light cooking. There is one double bed for two guests and a bathroom with a shower. Exploring is made easy since you will be just a stone’s throw away to the Museum of architectural drawing and a short walk to U Senefelderplatz transit station. The hosts live in the apartment next door, so you can get instant help if needed.

3. Cosy two-bedroom flat next to the train station

Price: S$102/night

If you’re seeking a convenient place to stay, consider this cosy flat located right next to U Spittelmarkt train station and a short walk to Alnatura Super Natur Markt. The iconic Checkpoint Charlie is about a 10-minute bus or train ride away. There are two bedrooms, and the bathroom comes with a shower-tub combination. Up to three guests can sleep comfortably in this vacation rental. Recent guests have given a five-star rating on location and check-in experience, so we know you will be in good hands.

4. Entire unit in a lively neighbourhood

Price: S$110/night

This entire unit is situated in a lively neighbourhood close to U Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz train station. There is only one bedroom with a double bed by the window for two persons. The kitchen comes with a toaster, microwave, and a gas stove. There is a bathtub in the bathroom for you to take a warm bubble bath after a long day out exploring nearby attractions such as DDR Museum, Berlin Dungeon, and Alexanderplatz.

5. Clean and tidy studio loft for two people

Price: S$113/night

You will find yourself in the vicinity of Winsviertel if you book a stay here. Volkspark Friedrichshain is about a 10-minute walk away. This clean and tidy studio loft comes with a double bed and a sofa with a coffee table. The bathroom has a walk-in shower area. There is also a wall-mounted television and a small desk by the wall for you to do some reading before bed or work on your laptop during the day.

6. Studio guest suite with a private entrance

Price: S$115/night

This studio guest suite is a short walk away from Oranienburger Tor train station. You will be about 15 minutes on foot to Bode Museum, Neues Museum, and Berlin Dungeon. There is one sofa bed and a couch that can be converted to a single bed space. Hence, up to three guests can stay in this vacation rental. There is no need to worry about privacy as the accommodation has a separate entrance from the main flat. Do note that there is no air-conditioning, only a fan.

7. Spacious studio apartment along Zehdenicker Street

Price: S$118/night

Light sleepers will be glad to know that this spacious studio apartment along Zehdenicker Street has minimal street noise. To access the vacation rental, you will have to climb to the second floor. There is a futon double bed, a bathroom with a bathtub, and a small kitchen area. There is also a washing machine for your laundry needs, so feel free to pack light for your trip. You will find yourself in between two train stations – U Rosenthaler Platz and U Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz.

8. One-bedroom apartment in the heart of Helmholtzkiez

Price: S$124/night

This one-bedroom apartment is sited right in the heart of Helmholtzkiez, with a good range of cafes and restaurants in the area. Its last renovation was in November 2017, so you can expect relatively new furnishings. It’s located on the ground floor and has a small garden with seatings. When the weather is nice, have your morning tea or coffee outdoors! Alexanderplatz is about a 20-minute train ride away from the property.

Can’t wait to book your stay? Check out this step-by-step guide as you begin planning for your trip:

Experience The Natural Wonders Of These 4 Local Farms

“Just being surrounded by bountiful nature, rejuvenates and inspires us.“
– E.O. Wilson

Nature heals. Research showed that environments can increase or reduce our stress. What you are seeing, hearing, and feeling at any moment changes your physical and emotional well-being.

If you feel suffocated within the walls of your home, try visiting farms in Singapore. From vegetable farms to animal farms, we have you covered!

#1: HAY DIARIES

Since its inception in 1988, Hay Diaries has been the only goat farm in the country. Located within Lim Chu Kang, guests are free to explore the premises and to witness the goat milking session between 9:00 to 10:30 am.

Get close with the goats as you purchase the Alfalfa Hay (S$5 per packet) and feed the goats. End your goat farm experience by skimming through the souvenirs such as fresh goat’s milk and handmade soap.

Image Credits: Hay Diaries via facebook.com

Location: 3 Lim Chu Kang Lane 4, Singapore 718859
Website: haydairies.sg

#2: BOLLYWOOD VEGGIES

Home to the Poison Ivy Bistro, the Bollywood Veggies lets you travel back to simpler times. Their Bistro is a farm-to-table eatery where guests go for a quick lunch after visiting the nearby farm. Try their unique Blue Nasi Lemak, which is infused with blue pea flower.

After a hearty lunch, you can walk around the premises to enjoy the wide variety of plants. What’s more? They have a food museum with about twenty-four oil paintings that illustrate the relationship between food and human civilization.

Image Credits: Bollywood Veggies via facebook.com

Location: 100 Neo Tiew Road, Singapore 719026
Website: bollywoodveggies.com.sg

#3: THE LIVE TURTLE AND TORTOISE MUSEUM

Did you know that this place is a Guinness World Records holder? Witness the undeniable charm of various species of turtles and tortoises such as the Six-Legged Tortoise and the Pig Nose Flying Turtle. See and feel the spirit of the Sulcata Tortoise for luck, and the Thailand’s Golden Temple Turtle for wealth.

You will be given the chance to interact with these creatures by petting and feeding them. However, please do not lift them up as it can cause them stress. Tickets cost S$10 for children aged 3-6 and S$14 for those above 7 years old.

Image Credits: The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum via facebook.com

Note: Due to the Phase 2 Heightened alert, group entries will be limited to 5 people per group. Only fully vaccinated visitors will be allowed entry. Children under 12 years old need not be vaccinated.

Location: ORTO, 81 Lor Chencharu #01-16, Singapore 769198
Website: turtle-tortoise.com

#4: THE SUNDOWNER

Nestled within a once empty concrete rooftop, the Sundowner is an urban farm and lounge space which offers guests the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of organic farming and to indulge in farm-to-table goodies.

It is an oasis of green floating above the bustling cafes and bars of the Siglap restaurant belt. You can opt for the Rooftop Farm Experience to learn about organic farming as taught by a master gardener, to don a bee suit, and to get a sample of unifloral honey. This experience is priced at S$115 for adults and at S$85 for children.

Image Credits: The Sundowner via facebook.com

You can also make your own pizza with their 3-hour class. This activity is perfect for friends, families, and co-workers. Private Pizza-Making experience costs S$350, for two pax.

Location: 705A E Coast Rd, Singapore 459062
Website: thesundownersg.com

Sources: 1 & 2

10-Year Singapore Passport Validity To Take Effect For Citizens Aged 16 & Above

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced that the Singapore Passport validity will be increased to 10 years, as compared to the current validity of 5 years. This will come into effect for applications submitted on or after October 2021.

The longer validity period applies to Singapore citizens aged 16 and above. If you qualify for this, please submit your application on or after October 1, 2021. Despite the increased validity period, the passport application fee in Singapore remains the same (i.e., S$70). Furthermore, applications submitted in person at Singapore’s Overseas Missions will be charged an equivalent of S$80 in foreign currency.

ICA highlighted that it “has assessed that it is now viable to increase the validity of the Singapore passport to 10 years without compromising security or global confidence in the Singapore passport.”

In a similar fashion, many countries have changed their passport validity period from 5 to 10 years. These countries include Australia, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, and the United States.

SPECIFIC EXEMPTIONS

Notice the age bracket qualified to the passport validity period extension. It starts at the age of 16. Those who are under the age of 16 will continue to have the passport validity of 5 years. The primary reason behind this is that children’s facial features typically change during the early years.

“As children’s facial features change more rapidly, renewing their passport every five years will allow the photograph in their passport to be updated more frequently, which will minimise identification problems when going through immigration,” the Authority said.

Apart from this, the passport validity has a limit too. The validity is capped at 10 years in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) recommendation. Any remaining validity in an old passport cannot be added to the new passport, with a 10-year validity period.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Singapore citizens can apply for new passports by going to ICA’s e-service website. Those without an internet access may either visit the Citizen Connect Centres or go to the ICA Building in Kallang.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Ultimately, the changes in the passport validity aim to reduce the need for frequent passport renewals and to offer greater convenience to Singaporeans all over the world.

Sources: 1 & 2

Johor chief minister says they will put in “more effort” to reduce COVID-19 cases for Singapore to consider border reopening

Johor chief minister Hasni Mohammad has noted on 31 May that Singapore and Malaysia have put talks to reopen cross-border travel on hold. This is due to the pandemic situation in Malaysia.

Following the recent news report, our neighbouring country has also entered a two-week “total lockdown” from 1 June.

“This decision was made after taking into account the current situation of COVID-19 transmission in Malaysia with daily case numbers exceeding 8,000 and active cases exceeding 70,000,” read a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

“More effort” needed to reduce Johor’s COVID-19 cases

Mr Hasni remarked that Johor has always been a city contributing to Malaysia economy. Thus, activity in the capital of the Malaysian state of Johor must resume as soon as possible.

“We just have to make sure that more effort is being put towards reducing the number of cases in Johor. And I believe once the number is reduced to an acceptable level, Singapore will consider our request to reopen the borders again,” adding that the ball is in their court now.

Vaccination priority: Malaysian “economic frontliners” in Singapore

The Johor state government is planning to tackle the COVID-19 numbers by accelerating the vaccination of its residents.

According to the ImmuPlan Johor initiative, 100,000 residents will be on the priority list for vaccination. These chosen ones would be “economic frontliners” working in Singapore and individuals intending to resume cross-border work commuting.

It seems like Johor is on track in their initiative, with around 70,000 people qualifying. This group of people will likely receive their Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 jabs next month onwards.

Johor eager to acquire vaccines from our tiny red dot

Image Credits: health.harvard.edu

The chief minister also said that Johor is in talks to secure their vaccines through various channels, including Singapore.

“I was made to understand, from some vaccine suppliers… about their willingness to supply (to us). But they are tied to the understanding they will have to give priority to the country’s requirement first,” commented Mr Hasni.

He has also expressed keenness in working with Temasek Foundation again to up the supply of vaccines in Johor. As most of us already know, Temasek Foundation is a Singapore-based non-profit organisation.

Previously in March this year, Temasek Foundation had planned to distribute 7.5 million face masks across 260 vending machines with a total worth of RM 25 million (S$8.04 million), to aid Johor in its COVID-19 fight.

“So, maybe from the foundation’s perspective, it is more of charitable work. But I suppose if it is on an understanding that can be developed to manage, control or reduce the number of positive COVID-19 patients, then why not?” Mr Hasni asserted.

Should Singapore stop hosting the F1 Grand Prix amid COVID-19?

About 13 years have passed since Singapore first hosted the Formula One (F1) Grand Prix in 2008.

Do you know that it took about S$150 million for Singapore to host the first night race? The government paid about 60% of the total amount in hopes that the three-day event would bring in S$100 million in tourism receipts.

Though the inaugural race has welcomed high-profile attendees like the former heads of Sony, Lenovo, and Royal Bank of Scotland, the question remains – should Singapore stop hosting the F1 Grand Prix amid COVID-19?

Not as financially glamorous

According to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the race attracted 450,000 international visitors and was potentially exposed to 780 million worldwide by 2017.

However, the overall financial figures aren’t that promising. Averaging out the S$1.4 billion in incremental tourism receipts over the past 11 races, Singapore has only managed to secure S$130 million a year. In other words, the spending outweighs the “income”.

Furthermore, interest in the sport has also seen a downward trend. To give you an idea, it had dropped from 600 million global viewers in 2008 to 350 million in 2017. The latest numbers stood at 433 million in 2020.

Our sunny island’s not alone

Image Credits: heraldsun.com.au

Other than Singapore, other host cities aren’t benefiting financially, too, from the F1 Grand Prix. India and South Korea opted out after hosting for three and four years respectively in the 2010s. Our neighbour, Malaysia, the second Asian nation to host the race in 1999, stopped in 2017.

Honestly, who wouldn’t, considering the high costs to organise the event but declining attendees?

Even Melbourne, which has hosted the race for 14 years, faced a loss of A$41.3 million (S$42.46 million) in 2007. But still, the visibility and tourist arrivals have kept the coastal capital going for over a decade.

Hosting amid COVID-19

Bringing our focus back to Singapore, what are your thoughts on Singapore hosting the F1 Grand Prix amid the pandemic? Based on the circuit schedule, the next race in Singapore will be on 3 October this year.

If you’ve been following the news, you would have known that significant events have been cancelled recently. This includes the Singapore open badminton tournament, the annual Shangri-la Dialogue, and the World Economic Forum. Would the F1 Grand Prix follow suit?

Maybe it’s a good time for the authorities to weigh the benefits of any tourism receipts compared to the potential risk of another wave of COVID-19 infections if more visitors are allowed into our tiny red dot because of the night race.

A luxury sports entertainment event during uncertain times? Is it really a good idea?

“More effort” needed to reduce Johor’s COVID-19 cases

Vaccination priority: Malaysian “economic frontliners” in Singapore

Johor eager to acquire vaccines from our tiny red dot

Not as financially glamorous

Our sunny island’s not alone

Hosting amid COVID-19

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