Jumping from No. 24 in 2009 to the top 10 on this year’s Prices and Earnings report, this South East Asia destination is a new hot spot for wealthy jet setters, U.S. News & World Report notes. If you can’t afford the expensive shops on Orchard Road or the Singapore Slings at the famous Raffles Hotel, you’re in luck! Wandering the streets to soak up the unique blend of Indian, European, Arabic and Chinese cultures is free of charge.
Budget travelers: Save some dough by buying a Singapore Tourist Pass and using the Mass Rapid Transport subway system, TIME’s City Guide suggests. Once you’re on the MRT, skip the shopping and head for the Singapore Botanical Gardens, where you’ll amble through a rain forest and marvel at the nearly 1,000 orchid species.