By ScubaBeer (Flickr)

If you’re short on time in Macau here are some suggestions to make the most of the night.

Macau is a great destination for foodies. As you would expect Chinese food predominates but the old Portuguese influence still lingers in the cooking. Taipa is the best area to sample this sort of food as it has the highest concentration of Portuguese-style restaurants in Macau. Paella, Portuguese wine, freshly baked bread, ports, brandies and Sangiera can be found in restaurants here. It is best to hit Taipa’s restaurants early as they shut early in Macau – around 11pm. Taipa village is not large but it is well worth having a stroll after dinner and soaking up some of the atmosphere and old world charm.

Like its neighbour Hong Kong, Macau has a large horseracing scene and races are held during the week in Taipa from September to June. The first races start at 12.35pm. From June to August races are held in the evening and start around 7pm.  The great news is that entrance is free for the ground and first floor stands, and the minimum bet is $10 – perfect if you’re on a budget. For more information visit: www.macauhorse.com

A must see on a trip to Macau is the Venetian. It is the fourth largest building in the world by area and the largest single structure hotel in Asia. The resort is modeled on its sister casino – the Venetian in Las Vegas -and it is truly a sight to behold. An average of 60,000 visitors a day visit the Venetian Macau.

After dinner why not head over to the Venetian and take in its resident Cirque Du Soleil show – Zaia. For those who love the circus it is a must see. Talented circus performers tell the story of a young girl’s journey through another world.

If you are good at planning ahead check out what concerts are happening at the resort before you go. The Venetian is home to many sports and musical events. Their entertainment arena is the largest of any hotel in Asia and has the capacity to hold 15,000 fans. Tennis, basketball and boxing matches have all taken place here. Performers who have visited the resort in the past include The Pussycat Dolls, Rain, The Police, and Linkin Park. See here for a list of up and coming events.

By wikimedia

No trip to Macau would be complete without a quick flutter (or at least a quick peak) into the casinos. After the show head to one of the Venetian’s 3400 slot machines or 800 gambling tables. The casino has four themed areas – the Golden Fish, Imperial House, Red Dragon and Phoenix.

The Venetian often hosts pool parties so if late night partying is your thing don’t forget your swimming things! Again, worth checking their website to see what’s on before you go.

The opulence of the Venetian is incredible and well worth seeing, even if it does feel slightly tacky. The artificial sky and “Venice” style canals are extremely bizarre. All sense of time is lost in this place so just surrender and enjoy the experience. There is more than enough to keep you entertained until the early hours of the morning – 24 hour casinos help see to this.  Just remember to bring your sunglasses to hide your bleary eyes.

If a night of food, shows, partying or gambling is not enough to keep you entertained in true Vegas style you can also get married at the Venetian. But remember, what happens in Macau stays in Macau…

Address: The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel

Estrada da Baía de N. Senhora da Esperança, s/n,

Taipa, Macao SAR, P.R. China

Tel: +853 2882 8888

Email: inquiries@venetian.com.mo

By Scubabeer (Flickr)

Macau is home to some of Asia’s finest dining – but bring your wallet for these restaurants as the bills are anything but cheap.

Foodies in Hong Kong love Robuchon, and the Macau venture is also popular. Situated in Hotel Lisboa Robunchon a Galera is renowned for being one of Macau’s (and Asia’s) most expensive and exclusive restaurants.

Joel Robuchon is the world’s most Michelin-starred chef with 25 stars to his name. Robuchon a Galera has three stars and was the first establishment in China to win the Wine Spectator’s “Grand Award.” Their wine cellar has over 6,800 labels – hopefully enough to keep wine connoisseurs happy. Signature dishes include Le Caviar Osciètre, La Pintade et le Foie Gras and La Pièce de Bœuf ‘Kagoshima’ (the most expensive meal on the menu at $135).

Address: 3/F, Lisboa Tower

Opening Hours: Lunch: 12:00 – 14:30 hrs, Dinner: 18:30 – 22:30 hrs

Reservations (suggested): (853) 8803 7878

Hot on the heals of Robuchon a Galera for the title of Macau’s finest dining establishment is Il Taetro.

Il Taetro is the brain-child of the casino king Steve Wynn. The restaurant’s name means “theatre” in Italian – fitting as you watch your Italian food being cooked in an open plan kitchen. Gourmet pizza and pasta is on the menu as well as cod or prime beef tenderloin with porcini cannelloni.

A fire, water and light show also takes place every 15 minutes so you are sure to be entertained as you eat. The middle window table is considered to be the best place to watch the show – so if you know you are going it is worth booking in advance.

Il Taetro can be found at the Wynn Macau.

Address: Wynn Macau, Rua Cidade de Sintra, NAPE, Around Town

Opening Hours: Daily 5:30pm-12:30am

Reservations (suggested): 853/8986 3663

Don Alfonso Macau 1890 is another fantastic Italian in Macau. World-famous Alfonso Iaccarino only uses the freshest ingredients and doesn’t believe in using chemicals or preservatives. His venture in Macau is a spin-off from his famous two Michelin starred restaurant in Southern Italy – Ristorante Don Alfonso 1890.

Address: 3/F, Grand Lisboa, Avenida de Lisboa, Macau

Opening Hours: Daily 12:00 – 14:30 and 18:30 – 23:00

Reservations (suggested): +853 8803 7722

By wikimedia

You can’t fail to see the Venetian on any trip to Macau. It is the fourth largest building in the world by area and the largest single structure hotel in Asia. The resort is modeled on its sister casino – the Venetian in Las Vegas – and it is truly a sight to behold. An average of 60,000 visitors a day visit the Venetian Macau.

There is plenty to keep you entertained – there are 3000 suites, 3400 slot machines and 800 gambling tables. The casino has four themed areas – the Golden Fish, Imperial House, Red Dragon and Phoenix. The Venetian also hosts Hed Kandi’s Pool Party.

The opulence of the place is incredible and well worth seeing, even if it does feel slightly tacky. The artificial sky and “Venice” style canals are extremely bizarre. Why not take a gondola ride down through the complex and stop off at the designer shops line the water banks? All sense of time is lost in this place so just surrender and enjoy the experience.

The Venetian is also home to many sporting and musical events. Their entertainment arena is the largest of any hotel in Asia and has the capacity to hold 15,000 fans. Tennis, basketball and boxing matches have all taken place here. Performers who have visited the resort in the past include The Pussycat Dolls, Rain, The Police, and Linkin Park. For a list of up and coming events visit: www.venetianmacao.com/en/show/who_s_on_stage

By Dawvon (Flickr)

For those who love the circus Zaia is a must see. The show run by Cirque Du Soleil tells the story of a young girl’s journey through another world.

If that’s not enough to keep you entertained, in true Vegas style you can also get married at the Venetian: after all what happens in Macau stays in Macau…

For more information visit: www.venetianmacao.com

Address: The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel

Estrada da Baía de N. Senhora da Esperança, s/n,

Taipa, Macao SAR, P.R. China

Tel: +853 2882 8888

Email: inquiries@venetian.com.mo

By LinksmanJD (Flickr)

If you’re feeling brave why not have a go at the world’s largest bungy jump?  At 233m it’s not for the faint hearted. You can also enjoy great panoramic views from the top of one of Macau’s icons – the Macau tower (338m).

The bungee chain AJ Hackett runs the jump.

Jumpers have to be a minimum weight of 40kg and a maximum weight of 110kg and pregnant women are not allowed to jump.

One jump will set you back around MOP $1,688. This includes a certificate, membership card, and t-shirt. A second jump costs MOP $588.

However, the Macau tower also offers several other adrenalin filled activities.

If dangling at the end of a bungee cord isn’t your cup of tea why not have a go at the skywalk. The walk takes you around the outer rim of the tower and is the highest skywalk in the world. Be warned there is no handrail (although there is a overhead rail system). The walk will set you back around MOP$588.

For those who want to get to the very top of tower try the mast climb. The climb takes a minimum of an hour and you scale the towers antenna (338m high). Those brave enough can lean off the top and hope your harness holds out! The climb costs MOP $1,688.

By Gorriti (Flickr)

If bungee is a bit passé  have a go at a sky jump – a 17 second flight where you reach a speed of nearly 75km/hr. The Guinness World Records has awarded it the “Highest Commercial Decelerator Descent” in the world. There is a minimum weight limit of 35kg and a maximum weight of 120kg.

The Macau tower is also home to a large climbing wall – 32m high. There are a choice of three routes and they are of varying difficulty.

For more information about all the activities visit  www.ajhackett.com/macau

Advanced booking for the majority of the activities (except the skywalk) is required.

Opening Hours: The tower is open 11am – 730pm Monday to Thursday and stays open until 9pm on Friday. On Saturday and Sundays the tower is open from 10am-9pm.

Contact: (853) 8988 8656 or email: ajhackett@macautower.com.mo