Well, what do World War II veterans have in common with Singapore? Very long lasting, unforgettable memories that you can share with fellow family members and friends. Especially those who had survived or had served in Singapore back in the year between 1942 to 1945.

So, if you travel to Singapore again with your family or friends or loved ones, would you like to walk down the memory lane? (Some memories are painful but some still brought back a smile. Do you agree?) Well veterans, if you happen to travel back to Singapore in your next holiday, make your travel a memorable one. These are some things worth visiting to bring back those dark years.

The Battle Box

The Battle Box is the largest underground command center of the British Malaya Command Headquarters in Singapore during World War II and tucked into the hillside of Fort Canning. This bombproof complex comprises of 22 rooms linked together by a corridor and capable of recycling its own air supply. Today, the Battle Box has undergone extensive restoration. Visitors will be able to relive the morning of February 15, 1942 when Singapore fell to the Japanese.

Reflections Of Bukit Chandu

Back in 1942, 1400 soldiers of the Malay Regiment fought with courage against 13000 Japanese soldiers. They chose death over dishonour. Pepper?s Ghost will bring you through the Battle of Pasir Panjang and you will be able to walk through the Galleries displaying maps, photographs and information regarding the Malay Regiment and the Defence of Malaya.

Fort Siloso

The British built Fort Siloso in the 1880s to protect Singapore harbour?s western entrance. During the Japanese Occupation (1942-1945), it became concentration camp for POWs. Fort Siloso serves as an important window to Singapore?s colonial past and as reminder of the war years.

Changi Chapel & Museum

This place, called a beacon of hope for the hopeless. Built by Changi Prison inmates, the Changi Chapel stands as a monument to those who maintained their faith and dignity during the Japanese Occupation. More than 50 000 civilians and soldiers were imprisoned during those days. Some exhibits that you can find and relate to their agony are letters, photographs, drawings and their personal effects. However, their main attraction is a replica of The Changi Murals, a series of wall painting recreated from the originals painted by Stanley Warren.

Old Ford Factory

On February 15, 1942, Lt Gen A.E.Percival then Commander of the British Forces in Singapore surrendered to the Japanese Army. The ?ceremony? took place here, the Old Ford Factory. On February 16, 2006, Singapore Minister for Defence Mr Teo Chee Hean officially opened Memories at Old Ford Factory. Here, you can find the exhibition ?Syonan Years: Singapore Under Japanese Rule, 1942-1945?.

Kranji War Memorial

Kranji War Memorial honours the men from Britain, Australia, Canada, Sri Lanka, India, Malaya, the Netherlands and New Zealand who gave their lives for freedom in World War II. Here you can find 4000 servicemen?s graves stand in neat rows. For about 24 000 soldiers and air force men, whose bodies were never recovered, their names were inscribed on 12 columns. Besides that, it is also a burial ground for Singapore?s first two presidents.

Civilian War Memorial

Located in the Padang, the Civilian War Memorial is dedicated to all those who perished during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore between February 15, 1942 to September 12, 1945. Every year on 15 February, a memorial service is held here to remember the victims of the war. Here you can find four identical vertical pillars rise to a pinnacle of 92.5 metres, symbolising the shared experiences of the four major races of Singapore – Chinese, Malay, Indian and other races. The remains of the unidentified war victims are buried beneath the monument.

There is an old saying – you get what you pay for?. If that?s true then what would you expect for nearly $11,000 a night? If you said gold leaf, your own butler, 13 different pillow options, one Jacuzzi and a revolving bed then the Burj Al Arab in Dubai is the hotel for you.

Forbes magazine rates the Burj Al Arab in Dubai as one of the most expensive hotels in the world. Prices start from $1,770 a night for a basic suite and range up to $10,890 per night for the Royal Suite. Whilst the Burj Al Arab is the most expensive hotel in the Middle East, it is by no means unique. The luxury hotel market is growing by the day with more and more developments on the way. Forbes has quoted the Smith Travel Research as saying that the average luxury hotel price has risen 16% in the 12 months prior to May 2006. Developers are taking advantage of this growing market and planning more high class hotels for the region.

A range of boundary setting luxury hotels are expected in the region with Donald Trump, Giorgio Armani and the Versace Group all planning to take advantage of one of Europe?s favourite holiday destinations. And the little luxuries seem to be limitless. The beachfront palazzo planned by the Versace Group will regulate the sand on the beaches to prevent burned feet. Perhaps gold flip flops were considered but were ruled out because they were just too heavy!

Africa and Asia also have their own prestigious group of jaw dropping luxury hotels for the occasional millionaire. The Londolozi Tree Camp in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve, the six specialty tree-top suites start at $1,916 per night, and each comes with a private plunge pool. Rates include three Pan-African meals and two game drives per day, plus bush walks, and guests can view elephants, lions and leopards. Now that’s value for money.

Does anyone have an American Express gold card I could use?

As the weather in North America starts getting colder and colder, many residents travel south to enjoy the sun and the warmer temperatures. But are they traveling far enough south? Instead of traveling to the south-east or south-west, maybe you should consider traveling a little further, all the way to Australia. Since Australia is on the opposite side of the equator from North America, the seasons are opposite as well. As we are moving towards winter, Australia is moving towards summer, with beautiful weather and beautiful beaches.

Of course the weather is only one reason to travel to Australia, which provides beautiful scenery and gorgeous sites year round. The temperature in Australia is moderate all year, which means no matter when you visit you will have great beach weather. There is an added benefit of going to Australia during our winter, since you get to experience the great summer climate in Australia, and you also get to avoid the cold here, but really any time of year is a great time to visit.

A trip to Australias Gold Coast is a trip to a tropical paradise. The Gold Coast beaches are majestic white sand beaches where you can swim or tan. There are numerous water activities available on the Gold Coast, underwater diving, surfing, swimming, are all an amazing experience. Surfers Paradise offers great surfing all day, and an excellent nightlife scene so you can continue having a great time long after the sun goes down. The Gold Coast region of Australia is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world, with some of the finest beaches that you will ever see.

In just a fourteen hour plane ride, you can be in paradise, among the rainforests, beaches, sounds of the ocean and natures wonderful creatures. An Australian vacation will provide your with a natural environment, adventurous theme parks, fabulous swimming, relaxing boat trips and deep sea diving.

There are very touristy areas with all the most modern facilities and some accommodations that are nestled right in the heart of the rainforest themselves. There is shopping and galleries, music and rides. If golf is your thing, you will find some of the most incredible courses in the world scattered across this breathtaking countryside. No matter where you choose to stay or what you choose to see, be sure to put the Gold Coast region of Australia on vacation hot spots for the winter months. A tropical getaway may be just what you need to kick those winter blues.

If you are looking for a fascinating attraction in Rome, the ancient ruins of the Golden House of Nero have just recently been opened after years of being excavated and restored. This is great news because even though the house was found during the Renaissance period, it took a big recovery effort in the 1990s to finally make it available.

Nero’s luxurious home was built after the famous fire that almost wiped out Rome while Nero fiddled. Nero built his palace in 64 AD and turned it into a storehouse of riches and art works. When it was at its finest, there was gold foil everywhere and the ceilings were covered with fine gems and ivory. But these lovely things were stripped from the palace after Nero’s death.Some trivia is that the palace covered over 300 acres which included a private lake and rich crops and the extravagant house. However, the palace was not really a home like we think of it because even though it had hundreds of rooms, it had no bedrooms. This is not to say that many times people didn’t just pass out and sleep there during Nero’s wild parties.

One of the most striking features of the palace at the time was the 40m (130ft) high bronze likeness Nero had done to honor himself. This amazing art work is still on display outside the Colosseum.

Time has taken its toll on the palace but there is a lot of great things to see when you visit the house. Not only is seeing the Palace a delight but Rome is such a delightful and welcoming city. And in Rome often the weather is as delightful as the sights.

One of the best tours of the Palace of Nero is audio guided, and you will go underground to see the huge vaults and rooms covered with amazing artwork. The world famous artist Fabullus did a lot of the frescoes of the house using a very popular style he learned in Pompeii, that ultimately doomed city.
Fabullus isn’t as well known to us but his work was inspirational to Michelangelo and Raphael as well as diverse characters like Casanova and the Marquis de Sade. So keep a sharp eye out because these historic characters actually signed the walls of Nero’s house and you may see those signatures on your tour.

The tour will open your eyes to another world as you see ruins still not fully restored, hiding amazing ancient art works. But when you see rooms that look like they did during Nero’s time, the artwork and luxurious design will take your breath away.
You will get a good exposure to grotto style rooms during your tour. But when you enter the amazing Octagon room, it will be a true highlight of the day. This room showed Nero’s admiration of that famous emperor and the Dying Gaul statue that was housed there, that can now be seen elsewhere at the Palazzo Altemps museum.

You can conclude your tour with a view of the lush gardens. And don’t miss seeing a replica of the original octagonal room. It will help you feel what life in the ancient Golden House of Nero must have been like so long ago.