Experience The Marvelous And Charming City Of Macau

Macau is mainly referred to as the "Las Vegas of Asia" and millions of tourists check out its glitzy casinos every year, but the small territory has a lot more to provide than just extravagant casinos and gambling halls. As a matter of fact, a correct Macau travel plan should allow at least four days, to see one of the most essential things this beautiful town has to offer.

The greatest thing about Macau is its abundant Portuguese heritage, and the way it co-existed with Chinese customs and ideas for circa 500 years. The Historic Centre of Macau was recently stated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and many of the historical buildings were wonderfully restored. Strolling along the "Macau World Heritage Trail" is a must do, so regardless if you come to Macau for just one day or more, try not to miss it (or if you don't have the time, at least go to the major sites along the trail ).

A-Ma Temple is the place in which the town of Macau started its history from, hundreds of years ago, following a mythological event whereby a group of fishermen was rescued from a fatal storm by A-Ma, the legendary guard of seamen and one of Hong Kong's and Macau's most precious deities ( known as Tin Hau in Hong Kong).

Other considerable sites along the historic trail include the St. Joseph's Seminary and Church, St. Augustine's Square (Largo de Santo Agostinho), Senado Square (Largo do Senado), Santo Domingo church and Ruins of St. Paul's.

A Macau trip cannot be complete without going to several of the city's fantastic restaurants. Hundreds of years of Portuguese influence have resulted in a unique Macanese cuisine which features the very best of what the Portuguese cuisine has to offer, together with Chinese and Cantonese motifs. Restaurants like Fernando's, A-Lorcha and Clube Militar have long become internationally-famous, not to mention gourmet institutions like Robuchon a Galera of Chef Joel Robuchon or Don Alfonso 1890 of Chef Alfonso Laccarino.

The islands of Taipa and Coloane are a "must-visit" for people who wish to see exactly how the people of Macau used to live in the old days. The "villages" still keep their old style, with narrow alleys, old houses, small Chinese holy places and tiny crafts shops where trades that have disappeared elsewhere are still practiced.

A-Ma Cultural Village, atop of Macau's highest hill, in Coloane Island, was opened only a few years ago, so there is nothing historical about it, but there is definitely a lot to see. Particularly abundant Chinese ornaments and gorgeous temple architecture.

Macau Fisherman's Wharf is a bit of a tourist cliché but is still nice, particularly the main area of the complex, in which you can stroll amidst replicas of streets from port cities all over the worlds. A couple of Amsterdam-style buildings stand next to a Lisbon street-block, and some typical Cape Town buildings.

As strange as it may sound, Macau boasts some definitely great museums, and although they are extremely small and unpretentious compare to their counterpart in international metropolises such as New York and London, they are still well worth checking out. Especially the ones those are unique to Macau, like "Macau Grand Prix Museum", and the "Handover Gifts Museum of Macau", that displays all the gifts that were given to Macau and its people by the various provinces and counties of China, for the 1999 handover.

The city's historic fortresses are also well worth visiting, especially Fortaleza do Monte, where the Museum of Macau can be found, and Guia Hill, where you can also enjoy a beautiful park, a small and beautiful cable-car ride, and a visit to China's very first traditional western style lighthouse.

Certainly, effective information about Macau Tour cannot be completed, without saying anything concerning casinos. Macau casinos are absolutely truly worth a visit, even when you are not a casino player. The Venetian is the world's most extensive casino, even though Casino Lisboa is a true Macanese image. Freshly launched City of Dreams is renowned for its excellent preference of amusement, and Grand Waldo Casino is the ideal place for “high rollers ", as well as for those who love electronic games.