From Singapore: Private Malacca day tour (via drive-thru border)

Begin with an early morning pickup at your Singapore hotel. Our trained driver will meet you at the hotel driveway to check your documents before escorting you through immigration via the Malaysia drive-through border (no standing-in-line). After clearing immigration, your English-speaking guide will settle you into the comfortable seats of your private, air-conditioned minivan to enjoy the 3-hour chauffeured drive to Malacca - a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the country’s busiest trading port. IMPORTANT: The order of sightseeing stops may be rearranged depending on actual Malacca city traffic, crowd management, and weather conditions to optimize time usage.

Upon arrival in Malacca, one of the first stops will be Melaka Straits Mosque, also known to locals as Masjid Selat Melaka. Built in 2006, the mosque is a beautiful blend of Middle Eastern and local Malay design. The minaret is designed to look like a lighthouse, which is a fitting tribute to its location by the sea. This mosque is also known as a floating mosque, as during high tide, it appears to be gracefully suspended over the water. Note: Guests who wish to enter the mosque may do so briefly, provided it is not closed to the public (ie: outside prayer times). Otherwise, guests may be respectfully requested to only take photos from the outside.

Next, you will hop onboard a scenic river cruise that will sail you into the heart of UNESCO Malacca. Spanning 10-kilometer, Malacca river was once dubbed the "Venice of the East" by European seafarers as it was a prominent port of entry for traders from Europe and Asia during the late 16th century. Note: In the event that the river cruise is closed (ie: weather/safety reasons etc), a 30-min Melaka Riverside drive + 15-min Melaka Trishaw ride will be offered as a replacement.

Situtated near the Melaka Straits Mosque is the Flora De La Mar, or translated as Flower Of The Sea in English. This is the site of a replica of the Portuguese ship that sank off the coast of Malacca on its return trip to Portugal in late 1511, carrying with it treasures from Malacca.

Next, you will be first be brought to Dutch Square. Dutch Square is distinguished by a group of bright, terracotta-red colonial Dutch buildings, built between 1650 and 1750, with louvered windows and chunky doors with wrought iron hinges.

Next to Dutch Square is the famous Christ Church, built as a place of worship by the Dutch in 1753, about a century after they took over Malacca from the Portuguese. When the British occupied Malacca, it was turned into an Anglican church with a weathercock and bell added to show the direction of the wind.

Queen Victoria's Fountain is an ornate Victorian marble addition, erected in 1904 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower was built by a wealthy Straits Chinese family in 1886 in honour of Tan Beng Swee, a rich Chinese merchant.

Stadthuys was built by the Dutch in 1650 as the office of the Dutch Governor and Deputy Governor.

Next, you will walk to the top of St. Paul's Hill, which sits the iconic statue of St. Francis Xavier next to the famous St. Paul’s Church. Plenty of engraved Dutch tombstones are laid against the walls of this roofless church, originally built in 1521. From the church, you can take in breathtaking views of the Straits Of Malacca.

From a vantage point, you will have a good view of the Straits Of Malacca. The Straits of Malacca is 800km long, and it connects the Pacific Ocean to the east with the Indian Ocean to the west. It is also one of the most important shipping lanes in the world, with over 94,000 vessels passing through each year, carrying about 25% of the world's traded goods.

A short walk down from St. Paul's Church leads to the overgrown remains of the Dutch Graveyard. It was originally used as a Dutch graveyard in the late 17th-century when the VOC (Dutch East India Company) was still in control. The graveyard was also used by British while they were in Malacca.

Walking down from the Dutch graveyard, you will arrive at A Famosa Fort, which is the oldest surviving structure in South East Asia. It was built in 1511 using laterite stones by Alfonso de Albuquerque, the man who led the Portuguese invasion into Malacca. The fort used to surround the whole St. Paul's Hill. However, what remains of the fort now is just a gate.

From A Famosa Fort, you will have a vantage view of a replica of the old Malacca Sultanate Palace. The building is a modern reconstruction of the palace of the Malacca Sultanate, which was founded by King Parameswara in the 1400s.

From A Famosa Fort, you will have a vantage view of Proclamation Of Independence Memorial. The building used to house the Malacca Club - a meeting place for members of the British colonial society to socialise. The building was later converted into a memorial in 1985 to commemorate Malaysia's independence from the British.

A short walk from A Famosa Fort, you will see a replica of the old Middleburg Bastion. After conquering Malacca in 1641, the Dutch constructed the bastion which is strategically located at the mouth of Malacca River to strengthen the existing city defence left behind by the Portuguese.

Next to the Middleburg Bastion is the Melaka Port Customs Museum, which was originally built as a warehouse in the 1890s and used to store imported commodities such as rice, sugar, textiles pending determination and payment of customs duties. It was converted into a museum in 2006 by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department. Note: In the event that the Melaka Port Customs Museum is closed (ie: Mondays/operational reasons etc), a visit to the Melaka Villa Sentosa Heritage Museum will be offered as a replacement.

Next, you will visit Jonker Street, which is flanked on both sides by souvenir and snack shops. You will be spoilt for choice to buy something to remember this tour of Malacca. You can take iconic photos with the Chinese Pixiu animal statue.

Opposite Jonker Street is St. Francis Xavier Church, a twin-spired neo-gothic leaning structure that was built in 1849, in honour of St. Francis Xavier, a prominent 16th-century Catholic missionary also known as the "Apostle of the East".

A short walk from St. Francis Xavier Church is Hang Jebat Mausoleum, dedicated to a warrior felled by misplaced loyalty and tragic circumstances. Hang Jebat began his career as one of Malacca’s most legendary warriors during the 15th century.

The 3 main race/religion of Malaysia is Malay (Islam), Chinese (Buddhism), Indian (Hinduism). Buddhism is therefore practised by 19% of the Malaysia's population. The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple was originally built during the Dutch era, and it is also the oldest functioning temple in Malaysia.

Islam is therefore practised by 64% of the Malaysia's population. The Kampung Kling Mosque is originally built in 1748, and it has an unique mix of Sumatran, Chinese, and Malay architecture. The minaret also resembles a pagoda.

Hinduism is therefore practised by 6% of the Malaysia's population. Built in 1781, Malacca's Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple is the oldest functioning Hindu temple in Malaysia.

Around lunchtime, you will stop for lunch. Choose between a BBQ buffet lunch OR Malaysian set lunch made with sustainable vegetarian ingredients.

After visiting Malacca in the afternoon, you will brought back to your air-conditioned vehicle for a side trip to the famous Bukit Serene Johor Bahru Palace, the state residence for the current National King of Malaysia. This palace is also locally known as the Laman Mahkota Istana Bukit Serene, representation by a majestic arch and a giant crown, which is both a cultural emblem and a picturesque backdrop for memorable photographs.

Next, listen to the deforestation commentary by your English-speaking guide as you pass by the massive palm oil plantations.

After 4 hours, you will arrive at the Singapore border, where you will again be escorted by our driver through immigration via the drive-through border (no standing-in-line), before your tour finishes with a free Singapore hotel drop-off.