Looking for some thoughts and recomendations from experts

My wife and I are going to be staying in Macau for 4 nights (Sunday thru Thursday) in April. We were to Macau once before a long time ago on our honeymoon, at that time the only western casino was the Sands, and we stayed at the Westin (very romantic but out of the way). During our trip we made sure to take in all of the historical sights, but didn%26#39;t have time for much else.

Now we are wanting to do one day of shopping in ZhuHai at the underground mall (thanks to everyone who provided us with info on the forum about this alreay). But will have three other days to spend in Macau. We are staying at the Holiday Inn this time, hopefully it is a little closer to the action? Any advice on local eateries, Dim Sum, Seafood places to try, any neighbourhood shopping markets, or any advice on shopping at all? Are there any tea houses worth trying?

We have a good budget and can cab it anywhere we need to. Are there any tours that opperate in Macau worth doing? We also like to wander busy streets in evening, is there any particular part of town that has an evening scene? Lastly, where are the hidden gems in the historic downtown, or other parts of Macau?

Looking for some thoughts and recomendations from experts

Hi, glad you%26#39;re taking time to see Macau at a more relaxed speed than most do :-) Yes, Holiday Inn is right in the thick of things, but it gets mixed reviews. Have you checked out the Sintra? it%26#39;s in the same price range and is even more central.

If you type ';restaurants'; or ';food'; in the search box near the top of this page you will come up with plenty of ideas for breakfast, lunch, tea and supper. For Portuguese food, the brightest star among many is A Lorcha. You can start a real ding-dong argument if you ask your hotel front desk staff to name the best dim sum place ... my own favorite is Ka Nin Wah, on the side street behind Av. Horta e Costa McDonalds.

THE neighbourhood shopping area is in the back streets between Three Lamps and Red Market, mostly on the south side of Horta e Costa, but this area is pretty much shut by 7pm. Taipa and Coloane villages are good places for a walk in the evenings, as is the sea front promenade accessed by footbridgefrom the water reservoir and extending nearly to the Gongbei border crossing. For working class local, the Fai Chi Kei market area (by the dog track) stays open later than most.

Did you visit St Augustine%26#39;s Square last time? It%26#39;s just up the hill behind the Senado building, but hardly any tourists go there. I also like Lou Lim Ioc and Camoes Gardens, turning right instead of left at the sea front in Coloane and walking over the hill to the traditional boat building yards (I don%26#39;t know if they have any business in the current economic climate), or turning left through the more built-up area and then walking out past the temple and around to Cheok Van beach - hard to believe such a quiet place exists in Macau!

Hope this gives you a few ideas to start with.

Looking for some thoughts and recomendations from experts

Hi jjocko, firstly,will second the advice on dim sum at Ka Nin Wah,dim sum is from 0730am-1130am;thereafter they also serve usual Chinese food.

landmark- Kun Iam temple,then when you alight,turn left,and further up is a lane,and if you look to your right,you will see Big M sign,and this restaurant is close by over here.

Once after dinner over here,we stroll around this area,managed to do some shopping in a cosmestics/perfume chain store-SaSa,then proceeded to have our dessert of Serradura at Serrdura outlet;diagonally across from Kun Iam temple.

As for tea houses,well there is culture club,along San Ma Lo;otherwise I stick to my cafes for my favourite ';bica';(Portuguese coffee).

As for evening scene-well catch the neon lights of Grand Lisboa/Hotel Lisboa,and of course the clubbing scene at NAPE(landmark-Kun Iam statue).

My hidden gem,in respect of food will be Espaco Lisboa in Coloane(Rua Das Gaivotas)- tip:- find bicycle repair shop.

As advised,though oisaan did mention once,about the uphill walk,is the walk up to St Augustine Square-where i find it away from tourists;just sitting down on a bench and just soaking up the atmosphere,admiring and appreciating the heritage buildings over here.

Welcome back to Macau.

Maybe this time,you may want to visit A Ma Cultural Village in Coloane.