Suggestions for HK getaways

[CdnLawProf]

We Canadians living in Discovery Bay until the end of February. We'll travel on the mainland from the end of February to mid-March, but are looking for a couple of long weekend-type excursions before February. We are a family of 4 with 2 children ages 6 and 9. Where would you recommend going?

Also - we'd like to see the Cirque du Soleil show in Macau. Are the combined ferry/ticket packages a good deal? Where should we stay?

[gilleshk]

If you've got kids then I'd stay at The Westin on Coloane, it's a short taxi ride to the Venetian. Alternatively, you could stay right at the Venetian, it's huge and it's a nice walk around eating street on Taipa. I now much prefer to take the Cotai or Macau Dragon ferry. They have a shuttle straight to the Venetian or it's a 50$ cab ride to the Westin.

[CdnLawProf]

Thanks for the suggestions re: Macau? Any thoughts on a 5-6 day getaway?

[virago]

Thanks for the suggestions re: Macau? Any thoughts on a 5-6 day getaway?

Not much in Macau to spend 5-6 days there. Unless you love to gamble and sit at the tables all day and like to get propositioned from hookers all night too.

[Mat]

Not much in Macau to spend 5-6 days there. Unless you love to gamble and sit at the tables all day and like to get propositioned from hookers all night too.

while 5-6 days might be a bit too long there is a lot to do in Macau (aside from the stereotypes written above):
- Coloane village, Cheoc Van beach, Hac Sa Beah
- Taipa village, Taipa Museum houses, Taipa church and library
- Macau: Macau Tower, (a nice walk from just opposite the tower to macau center), the Red Market and 3 Lamp square area, Ko Si Ta area, San Ma Lo and the surroundings (dont miss the red house street and the arcades), Saint Paul's remains, Lou Lim ieoc Garden, A Ma temple, Kun Iam Temple, the fort, the Guia Lighthouse.....Fisheman Wharf if the kids are into this, then you have the Cirque du Soleil in Venetian and the House of Dancing Waters in City of Dreams...well worth it.
Another good walk to see the street life, is from Ponte 16 till A Ma Temple (A Lorcha is right next to it so great for a lunch stop)

Plenty of very good (and not overpriced HK style) restaurants, for Portuguese food, I'd recommend, A lorcha, Alfonso III, Henry's, Littoral in Macau or Petisquerira, O Manel, Luso in Taipa, or Espace Lisboa in Coloane. Worth Trying Na Tim in Coloane (macanese food).

Then you have of course the casinos...

[virago]

So that's your first 2 days or 2 1/2 days, so what are the other 3-4 days for?

[PDLM]

The OP is asking for suggestions other than Macau for the 5-6 day getaway.

[drumbrake]

Thanks for the suggestions re: Macau? Any thoughts on a 5-6 day getaway?

You mean in China, or outside China?

[Mat]

So that's your first 2 days or 2 1/2 days, so what are the other 3-4 days for?

I said "while 5-6 days might be a bit too long" and the OP is asking for "suggestions other than Macau for the 5-6 day getaway"

[CdnLawProf]

That's right - sorry I wasn't clearer. We'll do a weekend in Macau, but are looking for a 5-6 day trip in addition. We're thinking of Thailand as we already have a lengthy trip planned for mainland China later on.

The OP is asking for suggestions other than Macau for the 5-6 day getaway.