IF FUN is what you are looking for when planning a short holiday nearby, your best bet has to be one of the many theme parks and waterparks in Malaysia. Best is, many of these parks are located near tourist attractions in the city, making it an opportunity to explore the city after the adrenaline-pumping rides.

Now, let the fun begin at:

A'Famosa Resort
www.afamosa.com

This is the home to the only safari park in Malaysia where you can see wild animals as your truck stops right next to them. A favourite with animal lovers, the A'Famosa Animal World Safari boasts more than 100 animal species, such as flamingoes, iguanas, North American raccoons, and the Malaysian black and white tapirs. There is also a range of recreational activities such as horse riding and jungle trekking.

For aquatic thrill-seekers, the A'Famosa Water World will thrill you to bits. You can climb seven storeys and whoosh down the High Speed Slide, or simply plunge into an assortment of fun water rides and pools.

Bukit Tinggi Resort
www.berjayaresorts.com

Get acquainted with a French-style village without having to leave Malaysia. That, must be a dream come true for many.

Colmar Tropicale at the Bukit Tinggi Resort is a hill destination in Pahang offering a variety of interesting themed attractions.

Some say the replica of a 16th century French village looks like a castle from a storybook. Others like it for its cool mountain air and colourful garden. It is definitely worth a visit.

Cosmo's World Theme Park
www.timessquarekl.com

This all-weather theme park is also the country's biggest indoor park. Located on Levels 5, 7 and 8 of Kuala Lumpur's Berjaya Times Square, Cosmo's World transports you to the magical world of mad scientist Professor Cosmo and his robot assistant Ooort.

This theme park offers six thrill rides for adults - the 800m-long Supersonic Odyssey roller coaster, 30m-high Spinning Orbit, Space Attack, Ooort's Express, Dizzy Izzy and the DNA Mixer. The faint-hearted and the young ones can have fun, too, on other leisurely rides such as the Botanic Drive and Fantasy Trail.

Genting Highlands
www.genting.com.my

One of Singaporeans' favourite getaways, Genting Highlands is a mix of fun and entertainment.

Do not miss the First World Plaza, an indoor theme park-cum-shopping complex that features a series of fun rides and six themed areas around the world - France (Champs Elysees), England (London), Italy (Venice), America (Times Square and Universal Walk), Switzerland (Swiss Alps) and Malaysia (Genting Walk). That is as good as travelling around the world at a fraction of the time!

Sunway Lagoon
www.sunway.com.my/lagoon

Get ready to scream your heart out on the raging Waters of Africa in Malaysia's only African-themed waterpark. The adventurous should also try Cameroon Climb, a water ride that drops steeply from 15m, and then shoots up again to a height of 8m.

After all that workout on the lungs and heart, give yourself a treat at one of the many cafes, restaurants and snack outlets within the theme park.