Marc Atchison looks inside Singapore's brightly-painted shophouses and discovers much of the city's history lies behind their colourful shutters.

Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, Singapore's Atlas Bar is the best of them all, says Marc Atchison.

SINGAPORE - The white marble statue of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles stands amid a backdrop of giant buildings and a dark blue sky.

SINGAPORE - Few hotels employ a resident historian. But then again, few hotels are as historically significant as this city's famed Raffles.

SINGAPORE - We were running short on Singaporean dollars and looking for an economical breakfast when the doorman at our Chinatown hotel suggested we try kaya toast.

SINGAPORE - Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. The sound of peanut shells cracking under our feet as we entered the legendary Long Bar at the historic Raffles Hotel was somewhat unsettling.

SINGAPORE - This is one of the most colorful cities in the world and it has nothing to do with its spicy ethnic neighborhoods or amazing gardens.

SINGAPORE - There are hundreds of attractions and lots to do and see in Singapore – but here’s 25 things Travelife.ca writers suggest you put on your “must do” list when in Singapore:

SINGAPORE - Long considered the melting pot of Asia, this city is boiling over with a new-found excitement these days thanks to its ongoing transformation from staid business capital to Asia’s new sun and fun central.