If you are looking for budget travel plans for your next long weekend holiday, how about a road trip to Malaysia? There's more to the eye than just the shopping and the Twin Towers in Malaysia. Here are your top destinations if you are looking for a historical city tour of Malaysia:

Malacca

First pick is the oldest city in Malaysia, a popular choice among tourists for its rich historical heritage. Malacca is named "The Red City" because of this Dutch landmark architecture, The Stadthuys. While a part of Malacca has been redeveloped into a modern shopping district, much of the traditional culture has been preserved and sometimes, redesigned. The trishaws!

Other attractions not to be missed include Taman Mini Malaysia, a cultural park showcasing examples of kampong houses to represent the different architectural style and lifestyle from the 13 states in Malaysia, and Fort A'Famosa on St. Paul's Hill, signature site back from the Portuguese colonial days.

Not forgetting that Malacca is home to many local delicacies!

Driving time: approx. 2.5 hours (213 km) from the Singapore-Malaysia Causeway

Penang

The "Pearl of the Orient", Penang, is known to be one of the most picturesque and romantic cities in Asia. It is also a famous food paradise, of which, its nasi kandar, char kway teow, hae mee and Penang laksa are most popular in Southeast Asia.

Penang's capital, Georgetown, is a history rich city - traditional shophouses, trishaws, old churches, temples, and mosques - it is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. At the same time, you will also find stunning evidence of modernization like the 60-storey Penang Global City Centre. And while you are there, don't forget to visit these popular sites: Batu Ferringhi, Tropical Spice Garden, and Khoo Kongsi.

Driving time: approx. 7.5 hours (681 km) from the Causeway / 5.3 hours (483 km) up from Malacca