This spacious and beautifully furnished self-catering apartment is 2 minutes from the beach in a rural setting and has its own pool and tennis courts. Quiet luxury awaits our guests. Escape to the delights of Macau, romantically rooted in its history as a meeting place of East and West since the Portuguese settled in the sixteenth century. Situated at the western entrance to the Pearl River estuary Macau is, as it has been for the past four centuries, a gateway to China and is only 80 kilometres (a one hour jetfoil trip) across the estuary to the glamour and bustle of Hong Kong. Temples, churches, fortresses, gardens, museums, galleries - all flourish in this most diverse and stimulating of small cities. Enjoy the relaxation of the beach or the excitement of visually extravagant casinos. Revel in the abundance of seafood and the zest and spiciness of Macanese cuisine with its fusion of Chinese, African and European flavours. Wander the narrow streets or walk the Coloane hills.
Heritage: A former Portuguese enclave rooted in the history of the South China Sea Macau, with World Heritage status, is a city of 8 sq kilometres and 2 small islands inhabited by half a million people at the SW entrance of the broad Pearl River estuary. Hong Kong, just 80 kilometres and a one hour jetfoil journey away, is on the SE shore.
A marvellous sense of old Europe pervades the travessas, squares and praias but the energy and bustle are those of a very Chinese culture. An amazing range of museums - an old Chinese pawn shop with its separate brick tower for safe storage, the story of the Grand Prix, maritime history, the wine trade, village life on Taipa and Coloane, the Taipa fireworks factories, the old fortresses and 17th C Guia lighthouse - all are here to inform and entrance the visitor. We have always marvelled that so small a place can offer so much.
The A-Ma temple, a Mandarin's house, the 1860 Dom Pedro theatre, old churches - all demonstrate the fusion of East and West
Food and casinos: A major attraction is the variety and zest of Macanese food. Enjoy a glass of port on the terrace of the brilliantly converted 16th C Barra fortress, now the Pousada de Sao Tiago, spicy African chicken at A Lorcha, clams and prawns at Fernando's, pigeon at Fat Siu Lau, coffee at Ou Mun, dim sum, French, Italian cuisine - and this doesn't begin to include the delights of Chinese specialities. Late night bars and discos abound in the NAPE area. And the price for both food and wine compares so favourably with the charges in Hong Kong.
With a reputation as a major gambling haven Macau has bright lights aplenty, discos and glitter to offer but, fortunately, the casinos are located on the causeway between Taipa and Coloane islands and in Macau itself. Coloane, and Hac Sa, retain their queit rural charm.
Relaxation: The flat is a 2 minute walk from casuarina-fringed Hac Sa beach while 5 minutes by car brings you to Cheoc Van's sand and rocky outcrops. The condominium has its own pool but Hac Sa and Cheoc Van offer more challenging swimming pools. Five minutes up the road will bring you to the grass toboggan, paddle boats and a gentle walk around the reservoir.
Walk or drive up to the beautiful Chinese temple and the statue of A-Ma atop Coloane island and gaze at the expansive views to either side of the hill. Sky walk from the Macau Tower. Wander the byways of Coloane village and sample Lord Stow's famous egg tarts. Stray into the bars and restaurants of old Taipa village.
Don't miss the treasures of the Cultural Centre, the Camoes Garden and Protestant Cemetery, the Lou Lim Ieoc Garden and the hundred and one small delights that abound wherever you choose to stroll. Macau has been especially talented in retaining so much of its old Chinese and colonial architecture.
