Beyond the beaten path: How you can discover hidden travel gems easily
- bk group
- Mar 19, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 23, 2025
If well-travelled routes no longer satisfy your wanderlust, the unusual locales that Singapore’s low-cost carrier Scoot flies directly to are good alternatives to consider
Singaporeans love a good getaway. And while Bali, Bangkok and Tokyo remain firm favourites, the best adventures often lie where few think to look.
Enter Scoot, the low-cost arm of the Singapore Airlines Group, whose extensive network of direct flights makes discovering off-the-radar destinations easier than ever.
Whether it is a cultural deep dive in Yogyakarta, Indonesia; a scenic escape to Kunming, China; or an island retreat in Phu Quoc, Vietnam, Scoot helps intrepid travellers land in some of the world’s most intriguing cities – no layovers, no fuss.
With several destinations like Vienna, Austria and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – exclusive to Scoot compared to other low-cost air carriers – plus comforts like ScootPlus cabins, Scoot-in-Silence zones and extra-legroom Stretch and Super seats, the journey feels just as effortless as the destination is extraordinary.
And with this diverse network at your fingertips, consider exploring these seven exceptional locales, each offering unforgettable memories and experiences waiting to be discovered.
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Bali may have the beaches, but Yogyakarta has the soul. Indonesia’s cultural capital is where history and artistry collide, from the sunrise glow over Borobudur’s ancient stone stupas to the rhythmic clang of gamelan echoing through The Kraton, the royal palace once occupied by the Sultan of Yogyakarta.
By day, the city buzzes with batik artisans and street poets. By night, Jalan Malioboro – one of the city’s major shopping streets – comes alive with the smoky aroma of satay grills and the mesmerising glow of shadow puppets.
With Scoot’s daily direct flights from Singapore, your Yogyakarta holiday is not just a trip. It is a conversation between past and present, waiting to be heard.
Kunming, China
For Singaporeans who crave a cool-weather escape, Kunming delivers. Dubbed the “City of Eternal Spring” with an average annual temperature of 15 deg C, it is a place where the seasons never rush and nature takes centre stage.
The towering limestone pillars of the Unesco-listed Stone Forest rise like an ink-brushed dreamscape while Pu’er tea plantations unfurl across misty hills and beckon adventurers to sample the region’s brews. Here, the tea is smooth, the skies are wide and the pace of life is blissfully unhurried.
And as Scoot directly flies there four times a week (three to four times a week between April and May), this highland retreat is closer than you think.
Iloilo City, the Philippines
Some places demand to be savoured – one bite at a time. In Iloilo City, colonial mansions line the streets like echoes of the past, while the magic happens at the dining table.
La Paz batchoy, a garlicky, pork-laden noodle soup, is best enjoyed at local mom-and-pop shops called carinderias; and pancit molo, the city’s take on wonton soup, is a hug in a bowl with dumplings stuffed with ground pork and shrimp.
Beyond the city, the Gigantes Islands shimmer with sunlit beaches far from the crowds, while the historic Gigantes Norte Island Lighthouse offers panoramic views of the surrounding seascape.
Scoot’s direct flights to Iloilo City will start operation twice a week come April 14 (flights will progressively increase to four from June onwards) on the 112-seat Embraer E190-E2 aircraft.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna is grand and steeped in centuries of history but this is a city that reinvents itself with every generation.
Enjoying the city's signature Wiener Kaffe with a slice of cake at the many coffeehouses can be a relaxing thing to do in Vienna. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES.
Coffeehouses, known as das Wiener Kaffeehaus, still serve espressos with whipped cream called Wiener Kaffee.
The MuseumsQuartier, one of the largest cultural complexes in the world consisting of a mix of museums, art galleries and public spaces, blends baroque architecture with modern art.
Be delighted, however, by hidden speakeasies that serve up cocktails like the Schnapps Sour and Vienna Mule, which are a regional twist on classics.
Tradition lingers in Vienna, but so does reinvention. Scoot offers direct flights thrice a week on its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which sits 329 passengers in two cabin classes from June 3.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
For those seeking a tropical escape, Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s best-kept secret. This island boasts powder-white beaches, where gentle surf meets untouched shores, and lush jungles teeming with rare orchids and vibrant wildlife.
Beneath the surface, coral reefs teem with tropical fish and sea turtles, while as dusk falls, local night markets come alive with the aroma of grilled seafood like braised milk crabs and oysters fresh off the shell.
Beyond the city’s resort facade, adventures await – from discovering traditional pepper farms to hiking scenic trails that unveil hidden waterfalls and centuries-old fishing villages.
With Scoot flying there five times a week (it will increase to six a week, from April 14 onwards), this tropical haven is truly just a boarding pass away.
Qingdao, China
Qingdao, a Chinese city with a Bavarian soul, is a blend of red-roofed gothic villas, frothy beer, and salt-tinged air courtesy of the nearby Yellow Sea.
Here, waves crash against rugged, rocky cliffs while bustling seafood markets offer local specialities – steamed clams in garlic sauce, grilled squid and freshly shucked oysters that capture the essence of the coast.
Dozens of Tsingtao beer halls, a nod to the city’s German heritage, serve crisp pints that evoke a bygone era of European charm.
It is where East meets West and where culture and coastline collide. Scoot flies there directly five times a week.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Jeddah is where Saudi Arabia meets the Red Sea. Its ancient coral-stone houses, many still inhabited, echo a storied past, while merchants sell spices, textiles and traditional handicrafts in sprawling souks.
In Al-Balad, the labyrinthine alleys of the historical district whisper tales of merchants who once traded incense, spices and pearls. Today, ongoing restoration efforts have transformed its historic houses into museums, cafes and boutique stays, allowing visitors to experience Jeddah’s rich heritage.
A scenic seaside promenade, the Corniche stretches for miles and offers tourists a front-row view of the King Fahd’s Fountain’s spectacular water show from sunset to midnight.
With Scoot’s direct flights thrice a week, Singaporeans can bypass long layovers and land in a city where history is still in motion.
Deal alert
Periodic sales of Scoot flights will take place on select Tuesdays, as well as seasonal sales this month and in September. The best way to be kept in the loop is to be a Scoot member or follow the airline on its social media channels.
Source: Straits Times
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