With National Day and Hari Raya Haji being squeezed into the same weekend this year, this spells good news for all you wanderlusters, as there’s more reason to travel without the need to take additional leave.

As for those who find travelling over the peak period pain on your pocket and would rather stay put at home to soak in the festivities of the National Day Parade, Expedia has got you covered. Expedia has pulled together 4 complete itineraries for each plan to take away the stress of planning for the much-awaited 4-day weekend.

1. Celebrate and explore Singapore

Day 1 – 9 August: Check in to the staycation and enjoy a leisurely high tea at the hotel before heading to the room to watch the National Day Parade on TV or if you have a great view of Padang, you might be able to also watch the entire parade from your room, followed by the fireworks.

Day 2 – 10 August: Take a full day to experience Singapore like a tourist! Hop on to the Singapore Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour or the Big Bus Singapore Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and explore places such as Marina Bay, Kampong Glam, Little India, Singapore Zoo and the Jurong Bird Park at your own time

Day 3 – 11 August: If you’ve always wanted to find out more about Singapore’s history, check out The Bicentennial Experience at Fort Canning Centre, a short train ride away from central Singapore.

Day 4 – 12 August: Check out of your staycation and take a leisurely walk along the Esplanade riverside, circling around the Marina Bay area. The views here are so beautiful you’d want to whip out your camera and take some shots for keeps.

Where to stay: Check out JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach, and head to its swimming pool at level 18, which provides a front-row seat to get clear vantage views of the Padang and most importantly, the National Day Parade fireworks. Rooms with city view are priced affordably from S$289 a night.

Total Budget per person: From $585

2. Re-discover Singapore’s Culture and History

Day 1 – 9 August: Check in to the staycation, grab a bottle of water and start your exploration at the historical places of worship around the area. Visit the Masjid Jamae Mosque, Sri Mariamman Temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple for a glimpse of how some of the different religions in Singapore has been (and still is) practised and celebrated.

Day 2 – 10 August: Start your day early with a tour in the Colonial District, beginning your walk from the Raffles Landing Site, where Sir Stamford Raffles first arrived in 1819. Take a leisure stroll down the Singapore River before jumping onto the Singapore River Cruise to sail along the river on a traditional bumboat for a different view of the city.

Day 3 – 11 August: Hide away from the heat with a day of museum hopping. With several museums situated in the area, you’ll be spoilt for choice! For a start, head over to the National Museum of Singapore, the country’s oldest museum.

Day 4 – 12 August: Chill out by the pool and enjoy the steam room before you check out of your staycation! Take a short bus ride to Bugis for some food and shopping to end off the weekend on a great note.

Where to stay: Featuring heritage-styled rooms, the new Capri by Fraser, China Square, located between the Chinatown and Raffles Place MRT stations, is the perfect place for cultural lovers who wants to immerse themselves right in the heart of Singapore. From discovering the unique Chinese charm in Chinatown to exploring the several heritage trails and attractions in the area, there is definitely something for everyone to marvel at! Rooms are priced from S$238 a night.

Total budget per person: From $225

3. Sit back and relax on Sentosa Island

Day 1 – 9 August: Check in to the staycation and enjoy a few cocktails in the pool as you bask in the mesmerising beauty of the setting evening sun. When dinner time calls, take a short walk to Resorts World Sentosa, where there is a myriad of food options ranging from the affordable Malaysian Food Street and Insadong Korea Town to the sublime Osia Steak and Seafood Grill, Fratelli Pizzeria and Forest.

Day 2 – 10 August: Arise early in the morning and transfer to Coastes via the beach tram. A popular breakfast joint for beach-goers, Coastes is the place to be on a weekend as you can easily spend hours there reading a book, or simply watching people go by around you.

Day 3 – 11 August: If you’re up for some adventure, head over to the Skyline Luge Sentosa and zoom down the tracks of the new Jungle and Dragon trail. If this isn’t exciting enough for you, go over to iFly Singapore where you can experience all the plummeting, free-fall and soaring sensations of skydiving without ever getting on a plane.

Day 4 – 12 August: Check out of your staycation and make your way back to mainland Singapore. Stop by VivoCity to get your fill of food for the afternoon, and you can also take the opportunity to do some shopping before the long weekend ends for good!

Where to stay: Check out Village Hotel Sentosa, located just a short walk away from the monorail station, and within walking distance of Festive Walk at Resorts World Sentosa and the iconic Merlion. With four uniquely themed pools, including the Adventure Pool, Children’s Play Pool, Lazy River Pool and the adults-only Pamukkale Pool, for you to laze around in, you can opt to take the easy way out and spend the entire day in the hotel instead of heading out to explore the island. Rooms are priced from S$465 a night.

Total budget per person: From $850

4. Head out and enjoy the great outdoors

Day 1 – 9 August: Check in to the staycation, change into your sports gear and take a short MRT or bus ride to explore Jurong Lake Gardens – Singapore’s third and latest national gardens. Take a walk down the Rasau Walk, a meandering walk along the water’s edge, and discover the park’s many natural attractions including the Grasslands, Alstonia Island, Garden House and Freshwater Swamp Forest.

Day 2 – 10 August: Arise early in the morning and travel to the nearer end of The Rail Corridor by car in Woodlands. Stretching 24km all the way to Tanjong Pagar in the south, the corridor is renowned for its rich flora and fauna, as well as the iconic old Bukit Timah Railway Station. There are plenty of walking trails available for you to spend up to a day exploring, along with a great variety of photo-taking spots to boot!

Day 3 – 11 August: Head out to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve – Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park – a 25-minute journey away by car. The nature reserve is known for its rich biodiversity, which you can discover and explore at a leisurely pace as you wander through the wetlands. Following this, travel to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve by car, and stop for lunch along the way for some much-needed fuel.

Day 4 – 12 August: Check out of the staycation and take a leisurely stroll to the nearby JEM, Westgate or IMM for some food and shopping to cap off a weekend in the great outdoors!

Where to stay: Check out Genting Hotel Jurong near Jurong East MRT Station, the perfect home base for exploring all that nature has to offer. The hotel is located less than 25 minutes away from green attractions such as the Jurong Lake Gardens, The Rail Corridor, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Rooms are priced from S$164 a night.

Total budget per person: From $290

For more travel inspiration, head over to our Expedia Singapore page or follow the Expedia Singapore Travel Blog. For travelers coming into Singapore, do ensure you have your Singapore Tourist Visa covered, including Singapore visa for Indian nationals.