The Bucket List: Introduction

I was definitely planning a memorable trip in 2019 after such a lacklustre year of travelling in 2018. This year also marks the end of my first year in university. Surely I gotta plan something to destress in the Summer. University definitely have been stressful, although this would be a story for another day! Back to the trip, originally I have been planning to head to New Zealand, since it has been long on my bucketlist! I have even plan to fly on Suites and done all the planning. Sadly, after doing a little bit of research, It felt like June wasn’t really a good time to head to NZ, I will want to check out the Milford Sound and driving right in the peak of winter doesn’t sound too safe for us Singaporean! Then it was a pretty hard struggle! After all, there aren’t much places left high up on the list for me to bring my parents! We love seeing the nature, US was out! I had been to much of Europe and it doesn’t really seem to be perfect in Summer as well. Then I had an idea! UK weather is pleasant year round. Then there was the new SQ Airbus 380 that was flying to London, with their new product! So there it is! Heading to UK and with Isle of Skye in Scotland being the highlight!

Starting the research, I was thinking of either flying straight to Manchester or London! London, although I have been there in the past, it seems unfinished! There are still places I wanted to go. Furthermore, I wanted to try out the new A380. So there it is!

Then we will slowly head up north, towards Manchester and doing a day trip to Liverpool as well. Another point to keep in mind is we hate travelling in the heat. So thankfully Scotland and all are still pretty cooling in the Summer. Heck, Skye is 20 Degrees in June. Woots. Of course, I will be heading to Edinburgh, Glasgow as well in addition to Skye! We usually take about 3-4 weeks of vacation every two years, after all given the duration of the flight, we wanna go for a longer time.

Then there comes where else? Iceland was on my mind, but no Northern Lights? That is a bummer! Then there comes Ireland! Cooling weather as well and then the Cliff of Moher? That is another of my list! Furthermore Galway too! Time for some stout and music!

The last place that we are heading to would be Paris. Since it has been almost 7 years since we are here and my mum have been harping on how she didn’t even get to go on the top of the Eiffel Tower during the previous trip! As for me? I chance upon the opportunity to head to the Champagne region, visiting Dom Perignon and Tattinger. Yums!

For the travels. We will be flying on SQ Business Class on the newest version of the seats to London and hopefully, we managed to get the Suites which we waitlisted, although chances are pretty low. We will also be flying Aer Lingus and Ryanair on intra Europe, finger crossed that everything goes well for Ryanair! Then I will take the Virgin Train to Manchester before collecting the car for our road trip around Scotland. That should make for some amazing reviews and my experience on driving in UK and Scotland! In Dublin I will be driving as well to the Cliff of Moher and Galway!

For accommodations wise, most of them would be 4 nights in a city due to maximising the Citi Prestige 4th night free benefit and I am trying my most to stay in Hilton Properties due to the generous status. However in Skye, I will be staying in a very cosy Bed and Breakfast, Dunborrodale in Portree. So that will be special. Just a tip in advance, plan your stay in Portree 6 months in advance! Especially if heading there over the peak in summer. Overall we have 4 nights each in London, Manchester, Skye, Dublin and Paris. 2 nights each in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Total of 24 nights.

Besides another check in on the Silverkris Lounge in Singapore. This time around I am hoping to check out the Terminal 2 one as well as the Thai Airways, Royal Silk Lounge. Of course checking in on some Priority Pass lounges as well in Glasgow and Dublin.

Besides of course sharing my thoughts on the various cities. Some of the more unique Trip Reports will be on my Michelin dining, which I am going to try the Three Star Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester in London as well as Three Star Astrance in Paris. Visits to The Macallan Distillery. Press Visit to Tattinger and Dom Perignon as well as the scenery in Skye and Cliff of Moher!

Here is some of the highlights I have for this Trip Series, The Bucket List:

Introduction
Silverkris Lounge Changi Airport Terminal 3
Royal Silk Lounge Changi Airport Terminal 1
Silverkris Lounge Changi Airport Terminal 2
Krisflyer Gold Lounge Changi Airport Terminal 2
Singapore Airlines SQ322 A380R SIN – LHR Business Class
Residence Inn by Marriott London Kensington
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester Three Star Michelin Restaurant
London
Virgin Trains London – Manchester
AC Hotel by Marriott Manchester City Centre
Bills Restaurant
Trof Restaurant
Liverpool
Rudy’s Pizza
Manchester
Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre
Edinburgh
The Macallan Distillery X Six Pillars Tour
Dunborrodale BnB Portree
The Oyster Shed Skye
The View Restaurant Cuillin Hills
Isle of Skye
Sixt UK X Driving in Scotland
Hilton Glasgow
Upper Deck Lounge Glasgow
Ryanair FR5773 737 GLA – DUB
Hilton Garden Inn Dublin Custom House
Day Trip to Galway and Cliffs of Moher
Sixt Dublin X Driving in Ireland
Klaw by Niall Sabongi
Dublin
Dublin International Airport Lounge
Aer Lingus EI524 A320 DUB – CDG Economy Class
Le Meridian Etoile
Astrance Two Star Michelin Restaurant
Taittinger Visit X Champagne Journey in Reims
Dom Perignon Visit X Champagne Journey in Epernay
Train Travels in France and thought on Ouigo
Paris
How much did I spend for 25 days in U.K, Ireland and Paris?

This time around, I will not share how much I spent at first but do up a summary at the end of the whole series! But on the scale of it, we are spending about 4,000 SGD per person for transport, accommodations and sightseeing. Hopefully you guys like this trip series that will be coming up very soon. I hope I am not way too back due to the heavy travelling I am doing! I am really hyped to visit Skye, Dublin and Champagne! Stay tuned!