Destinations Macau ... Wow

I visited Macau last weekend for the first time in four years and boy has that place transformed.

I'm not normally a gambling man but could not resist the opportunity to visit Venetian and Crown casinos. The former is a jawdropping behemoth with the most garrish interior design you'll ever find. Venice meets Las Vegas meets China ... need I say more. Crown, built by Australia's richest man James Packer, is much more upmarket and feels a lot less like a tourist attraction.

New casinos are springing up all over tiny Macau. Despite the flitz and glamour on offer the best restaurant has reined unsurpassed for many, many years. Fernando is a must-visit restaurant whose unlikely setting is bound to become one of your most satisfying dining experiences. Order the crab!

FYI, if you are visiting Macao from Hong Kong by Jetfoil, book your ticket at least one day in advance (or get your hotel to organise it for you). The trip takes 50 minutes and costs as low as 15 euros. The helicopter is about 200 euros each. You can use HK dollars everywhere if you can't be bothered converting to Macau Patacas.

It is similar but on a smaller scale. The Macau Venetian has many more stages to go before it is complete. I'm curious to see the new MGM Grand which looks, well, grand ... It will have a better view and is more centrally located.