Dreaming Of Macao
I’m popping in 4 months and I’m itching to go on a holiday! I know full well, since this is my third pregnancy, that I’ll be home-bound for at least a year after I give birth. I really need a getaway now. I missed getting lost in an entirely unfamiliar place and discovering new sights and experience.
I have it all planned out and I’ve even found a partner-in-crime… my sister! It’s been a while since our last sisters trip, I’m fairly certain she can’t wait to spend some time with her beloved (ahem!) sister too. So where are we going? Our next holiday destination is….
Macao!
I know right? Off the beaten path but not too risky either. I am after all a pregnant woman and I need to be comfortable and safe. But that’s not the only reason why I chose Macao. I love that it is a vibrant city with colourful events and festivals all year round, with lots of famous landmarks to see and good food to eat!
I’ve been there many years ago and I can’t wait to taste the food again. Think authentic Portuguese and traditional Macanese cuisine like Portuguese egg tarts, seafood rice, African Chicken and clams in garlic sauce. I‘m sure my sister would love it because she is a foodie and it’s her kind of paradise.
We are planning to go around July because I’ll still be in my second trimester and hopefully won’t be waddling too much yet (!). Otherwise, I think the best time to visit Macao is between September to December when there’s fireworks display every Saturday in September, Macao International Music Festival, Macao Food Festival, the Grand Prix in November and Macao Light Festival in December.
Having said that, there are many all year round events, endless entertainment and a diverse range of activities for different kinds of visitors. Truth be told, it wasn’t easy trying to fit everything into our 4 days, 3 nights itinerary. There are just too many attractions and not to mention, heritage and cultural sites to visit.
Here’s my 4 days, 3 nights itinerary
Day 1 – Hit the shop and savour great food
- Touch down at noon with Tigerair and check into hotel.
- Grab lunch at McPherson’s Sweet Shoppe for their pork bun and homemade ice cream.
- Recover from the early morning flight with a rejuvenating and pampering session at So SPA – Sofitel Macao at Ponte 16.
I’m so looking forward to this. I read that the spa uses L’Occitane products and their beauty treatments combined the benefits of traditional Asian treatments with Hammam treatments from the Middle East and French cosmetology techniques to give customers a sense of wellbeing and a unique So SPA experience. Oh whatever… I’m pretty sure it will be an unforgettable bonding moment for my sister and I. Multi-sensory bath, floatation bath and Cocoom massage (tailored especially for mom-to-be), here I come!
- After a relaxing massage, check out Macao 3D World, also located at Sofitel Macao.
- Hit the shops at S. Domingos District.
Shopping is always on my agenda when it comes to traveling. I hear S. Domingos District (including the area of Rua de Pedro Nolasco da Silva & Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida) is a shopping magnet for locals and visitors alike. Lots of fashion apparel may be found in Sun Star City, Nga Meng Shopping Arcade and Ginza Plaza. You can also find shoes, cosmetics as well as beauty care products, sport accessory and electrical appliances. I really should pack light, so I can fit more purchases on my way back.
Day 2 – Visit to stunning historic sites with UNESCO World Heritage status and shop like a local at Three Lamp District
- Breakfast at Wong Chi Kei Congee & Noodle, a trusted name since 1946 located on Largo do Senado.
- Visit to Leal Senado Square, Ruins of St Paul’s, Kun Iam Statue, Nam Van Lake and the Macao Tower.
- Stop by Tap Seac Gallery – a historic two-storey residence converted to a visual art gallery.
- Late lunch at one of the street food vendors at Three Lamp District. Whatever tickles our fancy. Plan everything Michelle can be spontaneous too.
- More affordable and economical shopping at Three Lamp District
The historic Three Lamp District is not really a sightseeing spot. But it is one of Macao’s most popular shopping areas with the locals. It’s is also the best place to see how locals live, and experience the city’s day-to-day life. The roundabout and its offshoots are packed with small shops, boutiques and street vendors that sells a wide variety of jewellery, inexpensive clothes, shoes, cameras and electronic gadgets.
Day 3 – Luxury shopping at Sands Shoppes and leisure day at Coloane and Taipa
- Wake up early and visit the island of Coloane.
- Portuguese egg tarts and Serradura (dessert made up of cream mousse and sprinkled biscuit crumps) at Rua Do Cunha (Taipa food street) for breakfast. Oh yum!
- Stroll through Taipa village.
- Visit The Taipa-Houses Museum.
- Lunch and duty-free luxury at Shoppes at Sands Cotai Central.
Holiday in Macao is incomplete without a visit to The Shoppes at Four Seasons, Shoppes at Venetian and Shoppes at Sand Cotai Central, all conveniently joined by covered walkways. I heard there are a wide array of international cuisine, from Michelin-related high-end gourmet to expansive food court options for lunch.
With our tummies filled, the best way to walk off those calories is shopping, of course! The indoor mega-mall with unique design themes, live entertainment including singing gondoliers and magicians has over 650 retailers, including the world’s best boutiques and some of Macao’s first-to-market luxury brands to choose from. I think we will be here for the rest of the day.
- Head back to hotel to refresh and treat ourselves to a nice Michelin two-star dinner at Zi Yat Heen Chinese Restaurant. (Note to self: Make reservation in advance.)
- After dinner, catch the world’s largest and most spectacular water-based show at The House of Dancing Water.
Day 4 – End the trip with more shopping and a final spa trip
- Check out the 11am Light & Water Show at Performance Lake at Wynn Macao.
- Head to One Central Macao for more luxury shopping.
Rated the best luxury shopping mall on Macao Peninsula on TripAdvisor – gotta check it out, right? One Central houses international designer brands such as Tom Lord, Loro Piana, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, Fendi, Ermenegildo Zegna, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Cartier, Bvlgari, Burberry and Berluti among many others, all under one roof. Many of these luxury brands have opened their first, largest or flagship stores in One Central’s three-level shopping mall.
- Soothe the tiredness away at Six Senses Spa before catching our night flight home.
Experience Macao Your Own Style
HELLO! I’M MICHELLE.
Find out more about me here.
Macau looks so fun and all! The last time I wanted to visit Macau after Hong Kong, but schedule was too tight, so had to call it off. Hopefully i can visit the next time!
Take part in the contest! Who knows, you could be one of the lucky winners to visit Macao soon!
Went Macau once a few years back, love the place. If I’m back again, I will head for the spa.
Seems like i have missed out a lot on Macau the last time I went HK. I only get to pass by Macau. Hopefully I can get to visit real soon!
Do take part in the contest. You could just be the lucky winners to get 2 FREE flight tickets to Macao! Good luck.
Oh yes! Done that! Thanks 🙂
So… Have you done your Macao trip yet? The last time I went was with my mom just before she passed on. Memories =)
We are looking at end of July. Planning a holiday is just as fun as the holiday itself. Hahaha!
Ohhhh Macao… we were there for our “self-shot” pre-wedding shoot! The place was peaceful and have got lot of nice photography spots. Maybe I should try win this one and revisit with my girls. 🙂
Congrats on baby no. 3!!
Thanks Claudia. It’s always good to revisit a place with children. Same place, totally different memories to be made. Good luck! 🙂
Wow! great plan of Macao trip. I will surely follow similar schedule when I visit this place.
I always thought Macao can be covered in a day, or a short stopover from Hong Kong 🙂
The food and cultural stuffs can keep me entertained for 2 nights.
cheers, Andy
(SengkangBabies.com)
Looks like such a relaxing trip! The famous Margaret’s egg tarts are a must-try..bestest I’ve ever had in my life ;P’
We’ve never been to Macau but your travel recommendations look tempting!