THE DETAILS

GETTING THERE

Multiple airlines operate from Mumbai and Delhi to Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific

( cathaypacific.com) has direct flights on the routes. Take the Cotai Water Jet Ferry (cotaiwaterjet.com) from Skypier, Hong Kong International Airport, to the Taipa Ferry Terminal, Macao (60-70 minutes). The Venetian Macao and The Parisian Macao have free shuttles from the ferry terminal.

TIME DIFFERENCE

Macao is two hours and 30 minutes ahead of India.

CURRENCY

While 5-star hotels accept HKD (1 HKD = ` 8.94), local shops accept only Macanese Patacas (1 MOP = ` 8.59).

STAY

The Parisian Macao has 3,000 guestrooms and suites. These are divided into Deluxe Rooms ( from ` 11,600), Famille Room (` 15,200), Lyon Suites (` 16,100), and Champagne Suites (` 17,000). Taxes extra. parisianmacao.com The Venetian Macao has 3,000 suites. These comprise the Premio Royale Suite ( from ` 16,100); and Premio Bella Suite ( from ` 18,400). Taxes extra. venetianmacao.com

EXPERIENCE

The Parisian Macao

The Eiffel Tower (at Forecourt): Half the size of the original, the Eiffel Tower at The Parisian Macao has over 6,600 LEDs covering the façade and observation decks on Level 7 and 37. Tickets at the Eiffel Tower Souvenir Shop; ` 950 for adults; ` 770 for kids under 12 The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile (at Forecourt-Marquee): At 30 metres, the Arc de Triomphe marquee is an exact representation of the original neoclassical design by architect Jean Chalgrin.

Fontaine des Mers, Place de la Concorde (main lobby): Built in the centre of the lobby, it is one of the most photographed spots in the property and is made of 20 tonnes of clay. Shoppes at Parisian: From Avenue Montaigne to Avenue des Champs-Elysees—enjoy immersive Parisian retail therapy across 150 luxury boutiques.

Windmill (Level 6, Hotel Pool): Montmartre in Paris’s 18th arrondissement is marked by a signature red windmill. At The Parisian Macao, the windmill stands at nine metres.

The Parisian Theatre:

The 1,200-seat Parisian

Theatre brings international entertainment from around the world to Macao. Think music concerts, Broadway shows, etc.

The Venetian Macao

Gondola Rides: There are gondola rides available through the indoor canals stretching along the Shoppes at Venetian, with singing gondoliers. Shoppes at Venetian: The indoor mall houses 350 stores that host luxury brands and boutique labels from New York, Paris, London, and Milan.

The Venetian Theatre: The 1,800-seat theatre is one of the most luxurious in Greater China, and hosts top Chinese and international acts.

Cotai Arena: The 15,000-seat arena was host to the IIFA Awards, and has witnessed shows from the likes of Rihanna, The Rolling Stones, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Beyonce.