Singapore

Singapore is the easiest first international holiday you can take from Hyderabad. A direct flight of about four and a half hours lands you at Changi, one of the best airports in the world, and from there everything simply works: clean and safe streets, English on every sign, an MRT network that reaches almost every sight, and food for every palate, including plenty of pure-vegetarian and Indian options in Little India and well beyond it.

Our Singapore trips usually spend four nights in the city and balance the famous highlights with time to breathe. You will see the Merlion and the Marina Bay skyline, walk under the glowing Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay and step into the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest conservatories. A full day goes to Sentosa Island for Universal Studios Singapore and the S.E.A. Aquarium, and an evening is set aside for the Night Safari in the Mandai wildlife precinct, where you ride a tram past animals that are active after dark. Before your flight home, Jewel Changi's indoor waterfall is worth arriving early for.

Singapore suits families with children, first-time international travellers, honeymooners on a short break and senior citizens who want comfort without long drives. It is also an easy add-on to Malaysia, since Kuala Lumpur and Genting are a short flight or a comfortable coach ride away. The city is not cheap, but with a good hotel location and a mix of hawker centres and restaurants, it delivers excellent value for the experiences it packs into a few days.