CLARKE QUAY. Every Sunday, colorful Clarke Quay has a big flea market where you can find some great deals on out-of-the-ordinary items. The rest of the week, the colorful former warehouse district is a fun place to look for antiques and home furnishings, kitschy souvenirs and t-shirts. Food options are nearly boundless ­ nosh on satay from a street vendor or partake of a fine sit-down dinner at an upscale restaurant. Nightlife is hopping here as well ­ there is truly something for every taste and preference, from intimate jazz bars to hard-partying dance clubs. And adventurous types will want to check out the G-Max Reverse Bungy, a thrill ride if ever there was one!

Holland Village is known as ex-pat central, the neighborhood where most non-Singaporeans tend to migrate. Most of the shophouses in the area have been restored and now shelter everything from quaint curio shops to trendy music stores and buzzing coffee shops. You'll also find a wet market and several upscale restaurants and pubs.

Little India's vibe is exotic and exciting, with plenty of brightly-painted shophouses and wonderful aromas emanating from every other business. In addition to saris and jewelry, spices and incense are the big sellers here, and the food prepared in the kitchens of all the little family-run restaurants is inexpensive and wonderfully satisfying. Aside from strolling down the neighborhood's main drag, Serangoon Road, there are several other sights to see. Don't miss the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, the Tekka Centre (a wet market with a bountiful array of fresh fish, meat, vegetables and flowers), or the Mustafa Centre (a 24-hour mall with a surprisingly vast selection of goods, ranging from electronics to perfume). Signs here are mostly in Tamil and other Indian dialects, but most people speak excellent English. The district is bordered roughly by Race Course Road, Kitchener Road, Sungei Road and Kapor Road.