Macau Travel Guide

 Macau is a part of China, but a Special Administrativ Region like Hong Kong. The peninsula has a lovely little city and the people are very friendly there. Holding the title as number 1. casino (revenue) location in the world there are a lot of new, astonishing buildings (mainly hotels) to take a look at while there. Maybe you fancy placing a bet or two? Remember to bring closed shoes for that.
Macau offers some very interesting and also very delicious and tasty food, which partially relates to it's history as a former Portuguese colony. Try the restaurant in the stairs where "Av de Almeida Ribeiro" meets with "Rue de Central" http://bit.ly/czofHP (one block south of the Senado Square). Of course you can get your everyday Starbucks kick, but why go for that when there's so many other exciting things to chose from. The town is good for shopping and differs broadly enough to cover most needs. So weather the card you're swinging doesn't really withdraw from your own account, or if you're traveling on a budget, there will surely be exclusive and/or affordable stuff up for grabs.
There are attractions,  like old cathedrals, churches and also a fort. You can watch a movie or try the highest commercial bungee in the world over at the Macau Tower (I did and it was some awesome 233 meters) . Especially one of the gardens is really lovely. Also you can visit the old fort and learn some of the history. A personal tip would be walking a bit north and actually experience some of the housing and life of the locals here. They have not really won the big lottery, even if the casino's are expanding and growing - at least not yet.
After visiting the island and the city two times, walking around all day, visiting the neighboring island of Taipe, not experiencing any crimes (there's a fair amount of police around), it's my general impression that SAR Macau is a safe place to be. The HOTEL MAN VA http://bit.ly/czofHP you'll find at 40 Rua da Caldeira (continuing of Rua da Felicidad) is actually a quite decent hotel. Not the cheapest one, but rooms are nice, clean and tidy, you feel secure and they are service minded (even if some may think they have some strange stuff going on with a bit to many young girls running around in the staircase).They don't speak a lot of English either, which is the case with many locals, but the younger generation do understand and speak some. In the casinos and their attached hotels English is understood and spoken without a problem. Prices are simmilar, but maybe slightly cheaper, than they are in Hong Kong. Hong Kong dollars are accepted and there are all the ATM's needed.

So you’re on a short trip or a holiday in Macau. You need to get around and see the sights, feel the atmosphere, experience the local culture. How do you see this magnificent place and make the most of your holiday in a hassle-free, fun and safe way?

Modern-day Macau is turning itself into a bigger, brighter, flashier Las Vegas. Locals will tell you that their Venetian is bigger than its Vegas counterpart, and it has its own MGM, Wynn, and a host of other familiar names. They'll boast about their slick restaurants like 8 in the Lisboa. So while you still have a chance, see old Macau, they way Wong Kar Wai might have seen it if In the Mood for Love had been set in 1960s Macau and not Hong Kong. Check out the old neighborhood bordered by the Senado square, avenida de AlemeidaRibiero, rua do Visconde Paço de Arcos and rua das Estelagans. The little food shops, the hardware stores, the market (check out the food court upstairs), the temple... If you're lucky enough to stumble on the street vendor serving clay hot pots filled with broth, tofu and veggies in simmering broth on little tables on a stretch of Estelgans, don't hesitate, just sit down and enjoy. If it weren't for the odd mobile phone shop, you could easily believe that nothing has changed in 50 years.