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Holidays: Cash in on the cheap East

Sunday Mirror, Jun 22, 2003 by Marjorie Yue

pounds 289

HONG KONG

A SHORT shopping break to Hong Kong has become as fashionable as nipping across the big pond to New York, despite the 10-hour flight. It's no wonder because retail therapy is Hong Kong's national pastime.

There are swanky malls like the Pacific Place Mall at Admiralty, open-air markets like the Temple Street Night Market or the famous Stanley Market by the sea.

With more than 10,000 restaurants, Hong Kong is widely held to be the culinary capital of Asia.

Work off those pounds and cool off at the same time with some wakeboarding, which is fast becoming one of the island's most popular watersports. Otherwise, simply take a short ferry or hydrofoil ride and escape to unspoilt beaches on one of the many outlying islands, such as Lamma and Lantau.

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WHAT TO BUY

GOLD jewellery is a good buy with savings of up to 50 per cent - but check the store carries a QTS (Quality Tourism Services) sticker.

PICK up an imitation silk cheungsam Chinese dress for around pounds 12.

BUY electronic goods from reputable chain stores such as Fortress.

THREE-course meal: from pounds 4.

BEST DEALS

CATHAY Pacific Airways have launched a "Visit Hong Kong Now" series of six special three-night breaks for two ranging from pounds 289.50 per person. Book through travel agents only by July 7 for travel in Aug and Sept.

TRAVELBAG are offering three nights for pounds 450 per person for packages to the Novotel Century Hotel for departures until Aug 15. Call 0870 890 1460 or visit travelbag.co.uk

A SEVEN-night break is on offer from Quest Travel for pounds 459 per person for departures from 14 regional airports. Bookings must be made before June 30 for travel between July 1 and Aug 15. Call 0870 442 3513.

BOOK by June 30 for a six-night package at the three-star Hotel Concourse with Travelmood costing from pounds 479 per person departing up to August 15). Call 08700 66 45 56 or visit www.travelmood.com

EIGHT nights with Austravel start at pounds 547 including flights and room-only accommodation at the three-star Metropole Hotel in the heart of the shopping areas of Nathan Road and Mongkok for travel by July 15. Call 0870 166 2020 or see website at www.austravel.com

pounds 509

SINGAPORE

FIRST-time travellers to Asia will discover a gentle introduction in the well-ordered and clean city of Singapore.

The fascination of this tiny city state, linked to the southern tip of Malaysia by causeway, is due to the ethnic mix of Indians, Malays, Arabs, Javanese and Chinese, giving rise to such enclaves as Little India, Chinatown, the Arab Quarter and the Colonial District.

Thanks to this cultural melting pot, there's a delicious range and fusion of cuisines. Try a cheap and tasty meal at one of the hawker centres or food courts.

The city's most popular hobby is undoubtedly shopping, with the greatest proliferation of malls to be found along Orchard Road.

Arrive before July 13 and bag some fantastic bargains at the Great Singapore Sale, with discounts of up to 70 per cent on everything from fashions to furnishings.

Starting on July 29, the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts - one of the many festivals held throughout the year - offers a chance to see Chinese street operas and banquets. On the first and last day (August 27) "hell currency notes", along with cakes and fruit, are handed out "to prevent straying souls from wreaking havoc".

Sentosa Island, with its sandy beaches, is the city's "seaside" and reached by a causeway bridge and cable car from the southern shore of downtown Singapore.

WHAT TO BUY

ELECTRONIC goods, such as digital cameras and computers, can be half the price in the UK.

TRAWL through the shops for Asian antiques from Vietnam and Burma.

HIGH-quality precious stones, pearls and jade are at competitive prices.

THREE-course meal: pounds 10-pounds 15.

BEST DEALS

A FIVE-night break including flights and three-star accommodation is on offer from ebookers for pounds 509p.p. for travel before Aug 31. Call 0870 043 3957 or visit www.ebookers.com

TRAVELBAG are offering a five-night holiday for pounds 565p.p. for departures until Aug 15 from London to Singapore via Amsterdam. Price includes B&B, half-day city tour and transfers. Call 0870 890 1460 or visit www travelbag.co.uk

THE Singapore Tourism Board are offering a five-night Great Singapore Sale Package, priced from pounds 654 for departures by June 30, which includes flights, accom- modation and transfers. Visit www.newasia-singapore.com

KUONI Travel have a five-night room-only break on Sentosa Island at the four-star Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort from pounds 675 per person (saving up to pounds 287) for departures up to August 31. Call 01306 747 008 or visit www.kuoni.co.uk

pounds 569

MALAYSIA

THE Malays are renowned for their hospitality, English is spoken widely, the standard of hotel accommodation is high yet inexpensive, food is excellent and the streets are safe.

Holidays: Cash in on the cheap East

Sunday Mirror, Jun 22, 2003 by Marjorie Yue

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