Home is where the holiday is

As much as Singaporeans love to eat, they also love to travel. So much so that it isn't enough just to take off to some far-off or nearby destination - if they could go on holiday even when they're at home, they would. According to a travel study done by Expedia, six in 10 Singaporeans have done at least one staycation in the last 12 months. Seven in 10 plan to do so over the next year. Which is good news for local hotels on top of their already high occupancy rates. In Friday's issue of Weekend magazine, we give you the lowdown on the latest new hotels to check into, as well as the new hotel bars that cater to both locals and visitors.

If you're planning a cruise holiday instead, get some tips and inside information about the luxury cruise business from Ellen Bettridge, president and CEO of Uniworld Cruises.

Back on home ground, new and rebranded Italian restaurants are popping up, which brings to mind why Italian food in Singapore hasn't quite raised its game the way that modern French and European restaurants have. Blame it on the public's mindset about what Italian food should be - pizza, pasta. Italian grandmothers' cooking. We talk to several Italian chefs in town who are trying to break away from this stereotype but without alienating customers at the same time. Finding that balance sure isn't easy, they tell us.

We also speak to sushi chef 'Hatch' Hashida who's resurfaced after breaking away from the original Hashida restaurant to re-open in Singapore. And for design fans, check out the designs of tomorrow right now as we feature the highlights of the recent Red Dot awards.