Macau
Photo Courtesy of ©iStock-c397
A destination where everything that glitters is literally gold, Macau has developed a reputation for its constantly evolving repertoire of shopping, dining and entertainment offerings. And nowhere is this truer than under the gilded rooftops of the Galaxy Macau complex. The property has expanded substantially with new restaurants, shops, hotels and outdoor fun. But that’s not the only reason to go to Macau. A trip down to the island’s quiet Portuguese enclave, a walk around its cathedrals and a flyby view of the Macau Grand Prix will round out your next adventure.
Galaxy Macau’s Grand Resort Deck, Photo Courtesy of Galaxy Macau
Hit the Beach at Galaxy Macau
The shimmering gold Galaxy Macau has added a slew of new hotel properties and record-breaking amenities to its already impressive collection of superlative services. Galaxy Macau’s Phase II complex is now home to the largest JW Marriott in Asia, with over 1,000 rooms, and an all-suite The Ritz-Carlton, Macau. Proving that sometimes bigger is indeed better, on Galaxy Macau’s Grand Resort Deck you’ll also find the 1,886-foot-long Skytop Aquatic Adventure River Ride and Skytop Wave Pool, the world’s biggest rooftop wave pool.
Taste Macau’s Best New Restaurants
With the new Galaxy addition came a stable of brand new restaurants, taking Macau’s dining scene to the next level. Among the biggest openings is Ritz-Carlton’s Lai Heen, which will serve up classy Chinese fare in Shanghai-chic environs; 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, where you’ll find plates full of al dente pasta and mountains of truffles; and The Ritz-Carlton Café, which channels Parisian street-side dining culture and mixes up the island’s best hot chocolate. For something more low-key, head across the road to The Broadway, where you’ll see more than 40 local and Asian open-air stalls and sit-down restaurants serving quintessential Macanese treats like beef jerky, egg rolls, almond cakes and more.
Get Your Luxury Shopping Fix
Of course, a good plate of food won’t exactly sate a hungry shopaholic. Luckily, Galaxy Macau’s expansion also included some top-notch brands to its Promenade shopping center, now sprawling across over 1,000,000 square feet. There are more than 30 brands making debuts in Macau at The Promenade, including the likes of 2/3 Dolci, Aēsop, Alexander McQueen, Alice + Olivia, APM Monaco, Fendi Kids, Harry Winston, Mulberry and more. Serious shoppers will also appreciate the major flagships, including the likes of Burberry, DFS Beauty and Nike.
Zoom By the Macau Grand Prix
If it’s more an adrenaline rush you’re after, book tickets now for the upcoming Macau Grand Prix. Fast approaching on November 19 to 22, the 2015 race, now in its 62nd year, will see hundreds of Formula 3 racers from all over the world take on the famously challenging Guia Circuit, demanding precision at every turn. Can’t get there for the fall race? Next time you head to Macau, take a detour over to the Grand Prix Museum where you can see over 20 Formula racecars and brush up on the all-time best drivers.
Soak Up Local Culture in Coloane
Looking for some peace and quiet, and a bite of culture to boot? Skip all the bustle of downtown Macau and the Cotai Strip, and head instead down to Coloane. Anchoring the Taipa peninsula about 15 minutes from downtown Macau, sleepy Coloane village still retains much of its Portuguese character. It’s all cobblestone streets, buttery yellow cathedrals, ocean-side walkways and charming little cafés. One not-to-miss spot is, of course, the venerable Lord Stow’s. Located front and center in Coloane Town Square, the bakery has propelled the Macanese egg tart to international acclaim. It all started at this tiny little shop back in 1989, and the enterprise has since expanded to nine locations throughout the region.
