Macao, China

I simply had no idea that there are so many things to be discovered in Macao. Macao is located on the south coast of China, just 40 miles from Hong Kong. It has an old-world charm, with a unique Chinese and Portuguese heritage. The Macao Peninsula is made from two islands Taipa and Coloane, and the reclaimed area of Cotai.

I was lucky enough to stay in the fabulous Mandarin Oriental, where the service is exceptional and no ask is too big. The little "MO" touches were there throughout, from egg tarts on arrival to the nightly turn-down service.

It's so intriguing to see the Portuguese influence which can be seen in everything from the stunning architecture to the legendary food, still going strong from the Portuguese arrival in the 1500s.

Among Macao’s greatest treasures is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, ‘The Historic Centre of Macao’. This is made up of 30 buildings and monuments of both Portuguese and Chinese origin. The area boasts impressive architecture, temples and colourful streets. Taking pride of place is the iconic Ruins of St Paul’s – the façade of what was originally the Church of Mater Dei, destroyed by fire in 1835, the crimson A-Ma Temple, and the elegant Senado Square – Macao’s urban centre surrounded by traditional Portuguese cobblestones and pastel-coloured neo-classical buildings.

A highlight of my time in Macao was our trip to Coloane, to the Macao Giant Panda Pavillion at Seac Pai Van Park. Home to two giant pandas, Kai Kai and Xin Xin, last June Xin Xin gave birth to twins – which are the first pandas to be born in the destination. The pavilion is a 3,000-square-metre state-of-the-art facility where visitors can view playing, eating and bathing - or just sleeping as the day that I visited!

The food was not what I expected, there was Portuguese, Chinese and all kinds of international cuisines. Signature Macanese dishes worth a try include 'Galinha à Africana' (African chicken made with coconut and spices) and Macanese Chilli Shrimps. Another must try are the Pastéis de Nata (Portuguese egg tarts).

A highlight of this trip was my visit to ‘The House of Dancing Water’ show. Featuring 90 minutes of spectacular high-dive acrobatics, high-wire stunts and fountain effects, it’s an awe-inspiring show sure to take your breath away!