Macau, a former Portuguese enclave handed back to China in 1999 enjoys a unique blend of Portuguese and Chinese cultures. Set against Macau’s increasing reputation as a gambling Mecca, is its quieter and more cultured past. Its beaches, fortresses, churches, temples, gardens, museums, colonial buildings, banyan trees, narrow hilly streets, and low-key neighbourhood restaurants provide a relaxing and less frenetic alternative to either nearby Hong Kong or neighbouring Zhuhai on the Chinese mainland.

Here’s a short list of recommended places to visit in Macau.

1. Macau Tower

Measuring 338 m (1,109 ft) in height Macau Tower (also known as Macau Sky Tower) was completed in 2001. It was developed by Macau casino billionaire Stanley Ho Hung-Sun and offers a breathtaking birds-eye view over the city.

Glass fronted elevators are in place so you won't miss a moment of the spectacular view as you fly to the top and sections of the Observation Lounge are fitted with a glass floor letting you see the ground beneath your feet - 223m away. You’ll also find restaurants, theatres, and shopping malls. Be sure not to miss the Skywalk X, a thrilling walking tour around the outer rim. At 233 meters, the Macau Tower's tethered "sky jump" from the tower's outer rim is the world’s highest bungee jump.

2. The Cathedral of Saint Paul

A UNESCO World Heritage Site Since 2005, the ruins of St. Paul are arguably the Macau’s most famous tourist site. Built by Jesuits between 1582 to 1602 it was the largest Catholic church in Asia at the time, the royalty of Europe competing with each other to give the Cathedral the best gifts.

After a fire destroyed it in 1835, the Macanese government between 1990 and 1995 restored the ruins. The façade (at the top of 66 stone steps and featuring intricate carvings by exiled Japanese Christians relating to the story of the Catholic Church in Asia) is now buttressed with concrete and steel to preserve its aesthetic integrity. It is considered lucky to throw coins into the top window of the ruins from the stairs.

3. Historic Centre of Macau

The Portuguese began to settle in the middle of the 16th century. As trade increased in the southwest area of the Macao peninsula so the city developed into a main port. This subsequent wealth attracted diverse cultures, religions and social customs. Macao became a cultural melting pot.

In its Historic Centre, you will find alongside Chinese temples and houses the oldest and the best-preserved Renaissance, Baroque and neo-classical buildings in China - many with Indian and Chinese characteristics; even the murals in the Guia Chapel were painted in Chinese style.

4. Coloane

This was the southern-most island Macau. Once separated from Taipa to the north the two are now joined by the Cotai Strip to form one island.

Formerly a haven for pirates who sought shelter in its many coves, quiet and lazy Coloane is largely rural and provides a relaxing break from the crowded and busy Macau Peninsular. Enjoy a stroll along the narrow lanes and explore pretty Coloane Village with its pastel Portuguese-style houses and cafés. Coloane also has two of Macau's best beaches - Cheoc Van and Hac Sa.

Many people from Macau come over to Coloane to feast on Macanese cuisine and seafood.

5. Zhuhai

Connected directly to the north of Macau is the Special Economic Zone of Zhuhai. Part of the Chinese mainland, Zhuhai is considered one of the cleanest, most attractive and prosperous cities in the country.

There’s a border crossing at Gongbei where thousands of Chinese and tourists make the short journey across every day – remember, you will need a visa. Zhuhai is certainly worth a visit as either a starting point to your China mainland travels or just a day trip to enjoy a quick taste of China and pick up some cheap clothing, electronics or souvenirs. Check out http://www.macauzhuhai.com for more information

If you're visiting Macau, you can book accomodation easily before your flight by taking a look at a hotels directory such as Lastminute.com. Meanwhile, for cheap flights use a budget booking service such as cheapflights.co.uk.

Upon arrival at this tiny and welcoming hostel, one is immediately confronted with ‘The Rules’: 1. Make a friend of everyone. 2. Always wash up after cooking and 3. Have as much sex as you want, as long as you’re in the bottom bunk. This sums up the general spirit of the hostel rather well, though in a less literal manner. Of course no one was actually exploiting rule number three, but these three guidelines came to represent the fact that the hostel was incredibly warm and homely, thoroughly and infallibly clean, and maintaining a cheeky sense of humour all the while.

The staff were always helpful and friendly, handing out names of restaurants where hostel residents might get discounts, offering comprehensive maps of each area of the city and all forms of public transport and greeting every comer or goer with a cheery ‘ciao bella’ at the door. The fact that the hostel was small made it easy to meet others and make friends helping everyone to make the very most of the eclectic and energetic nightlife available in Italy’s capital.

The rooms themselves were spacious and lofty with large wooden shuttered windows splaying out into the Italianate courtyard below. The beds were comfortable, with large pillows and rather luxurious feather duvets and the kitchen was plenty adequate for the small number of guests that the hostel can house. Showering facilities were reliably clean and effective and there was even a built in hairdryer in the bathroom, an added bonus. Breakfasts were simple but ample and the common room provided free internet, for planning further trips or keeping in touch with loved ones at home.

So, with this impressive array of facilities, what is left to mention about the Hostel Chianti in Rome? Well, it is also situated within a five minute walking distance from Rome’s largest train station – Termini. This is also where most of the city’s major bus lines depart from, including the shuttle services for both of Rome’s airports. In addition, there is a metro station just across the road from the hostel providing direct links to some of Rome’s most visited tourist attractions including The Vatican City and the Coliseum. And before you mention it, yes, it is very reasonably priced and easy to find on most internet hostel search engines – just take a look at HostelBookers.com for hostels. Enjoy your roman holiday!

More and more travellers every year are rejecting the relaxing villa holiday lifestyle and taking a new approach – one from behind the wheel. With European roads being constantly improved, from the exciting German autobahns to the mountain paths of Switzerland, the driving holiday has taken on a new lease of life, and in the Rhone-Alps region of France, it gains a new meaning altogether.

There are several routes available through this stunningly mountainous part of the world, and the choice depends entirely upon personal interest. The region is famed for its cheese and it’s possible to plan an entire driving schedule around the different tastes and textures to try in each stop. Equally, wine is a major export here and a similar route is available for connoisseurs du vin, though this of course requires a little extra planning in allowing some time for the effects of alcohol to wear off before getting back in the driver’s seat. It appears for many, however, that the most distracting influence of the Rhone-Alps’ roads is the breathtaking view on round every vertiginous corner. The scenic route would be my choice every time.

With Mont Blanc in the vicinity and Switzerland just across the border, beware: where there is snow there are also hordes of dedicated skiers there to make the most of it. The Alps are equally spectacular, as well as being much warmer and driver friendly, throughout the summer months, so don’t be put off by the sparkly postcard picture of snowy scenery when planning a getaway in June or August. Also, if possible, take a little time out of the car and enjoy a hike through some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes which have inspired many a poet, novelist and philosopher over the ages. It is an experience not to be missed. And why not take a few stops along the wine and cheese route too? For more on this adventure, take a look at the official Rhone Alps tourism website.

It’s always worth checking out the rules and regulations of every country when crossing the border by car, speed limits and road tolls are being updated all the time so it’s important to be on the ball – Drive Alive gives extensive driving regulations of most European countries. Of course, you’ll need to be insured from any mishaps if you’re going on a driving holiday, so take a look at AATravel for travel insurance. Finally you might want to think about upgrading your car for your time away, and if you think your clapped out banger won’t quite make it, or you want something altogether more comfortable, then take a look at Holiday Autos for French car hire.  After that, good pair of sunglasses and an up-to-date map are all you really need.

In European terms, Helsinki is a relatively new city at only 450 years old. Situated on a peninsula jutting into the Gulf Of Finland, Helsinki has long benefited from its location on the Baltic Sea and has seen an upsurge in interest in tourism since the liberation of its Baltic neighbours from Soviet Rule. Nowadays the entire Baltic Region is something of a hotspot with Talinn earning a rather dubious reputation as the stag capital of Europe.

It’s relatively easy to find flights to Helsinki – sites such as Travelzoo regularly feature deals on holidays or city breaks in the Finnish capital, or visit a cheap flights expert such as Affordableflights.co.uk who offer flights from both London Heathrow and London Gatwick. You’ll be able to find out more information about this great city at ASDA Travel.

So, once you’re in Helsinki what do you do?

1. Saunas. The Finns invented the concept of the sauna and no visit to Helsinki is complete without a visit to one of the city’s traditional saunas. The Kotiharjun Sauna is Helsinki’s last public wood-fired sauna offering the full Finnish sauna experience – sweating in the nude followed by a scrub down from one of the matronly attendants – or visit the

2. Design. Finnish design is world-renowned and Helsinki is unsurprisingly its best showcase, not just in the architecture of the city (particularly the astonishing art deco train station and the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art) but also in the shops around Aleksanterinkatu and Esplanadi. Don’t have a heart attack when you see the prices though – this is world-class design at prices to match. Those who come over all faint in Habitat should perhaps consider getting their souvenirs from the Moomin shop.

3. Coffee. As a nation, the Finns are among the world’s biggest consumers of coffee – that combined with their design sensibilities and Scandinavian cosmopolitanism has ensured that there are some truly wonderful cafes here, particularly on the Esplanadi – try Kappeli for its wildly popular terrace.

4. Tuomiokirkko. Located on the waterfront – and therefore one of the most visible buildings in this maritime city – the dazzlingly white Tuomiokirkko or Lutheran Cathedral is one of the city’s main attractions. Built in 1830 - 1852 as a tribute to Grand Duke Nicholas I, the Russian Tsar and designed as the centre piece of the Senate Square by Carl Engel.

5. Tallinn. If you’re in Helsinki for a few days, it’s worth taking the 2-hour ferry ride across the Gulf Of Finland to the medieval Estonian capital, Tallinn. This extraordinary city has a wonderfully atmospheric old town that retains the magic of its medieval origins. It’s also a welcome relief on the pocket after Helsinki.

Best of the US ski resorts: Hidden pearls

If you’ve got a taste for the slopes and a love of the cold white stuff, then a trip to the USA promises some unrivalled ski resorts. Here’s some of the five great resorts that you might not know about to get you started. Of course, before you go, you’ll need to make sure you’re covered against any misdemeanours. Take a look at Go Travel for some ski travel insurance that includes off-piste skiing.

Tamarack Resort, Idaho

Despite being dubbed one of America’s best ski resorts, Tamarack has never had the international renown of similar locations. It tends to attract professionals rather than the jet set – international sports champions Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf are both regular visitors.

“Tamarack Resort offers perfect skiing for the family with plenty of space and different runs for skiers and snowboarders,” says Agassi. “Stefanie and I spent most weekends here last season with the kids. It is a fantastic resort which is gaining a great reputation for excellent skiing and snowboarding and being recognised as one of America’s finest.”

The mountain terrain is great for seasoned skiers. It boasts a 2,800 metre vertical drop, complete with seven lifts and 41 runs spreading across 1,100 lift-accessed acres. Snowboarders are also well catered for – freeriders will love the ‘Hells Canyon’ SuperPipe, an Olympic-calibre slope at 22-feet high and 45-feet long with an angle of 16 degrees.

Mount Baker

Truly undeveloped and uncrowded, if you want to feel like you have the slopes all to yourself then Mount Baker is the place to go. The resort only has a few lifts, but it gets more snow than any other in North America so the tracks are always pristine.

Mount Baker holds a number of snowfall records, including a massive 303 inches in Feburary of 1999. However, if it’s luxury accommodation you’re after then you may do better going elsewhere – the resorts has no base village or overnight accommodation and only one small, but friendly, day lodge. In other words, skiers come to Mount Baker for the snow, not for the social life.

Due to the powder snow and the lack of infrastructure, Mount Baker is mainly suited for advanced skiers. Within the resort the largest vertical drop is 1,500 feet, but off-piste skiers fitted with avalanche gear can ski in stunning terrain just outside the resort’s boundary.

Don’tbe put off by the slightly unappealing name – Crested Butte is a beautiful and unspoilt Colorado mountain town with access to some of the steepest lift-served terrain in the USA. Author and extreme skier Lito Tejada-Flores calls nearby resort Extreme Limits “the best adventure skiing in the Rockies”, and off-piste skiers will love the avalanche controlled but ungroomed slopes.

Unlike some of the more popular USA ski resorts, Crested Butte is not right on the interstate – but if you’re serious about skiing then this shouldn’t deter you. The resort is also great for less experienced skiers, who can head to the 2,600 feet DC Canaan Terrain Park to work on their skills.

Kids and absolute beginners will love the Kid’s Park, which includes beginner features like rails, tabletops, rolls and a mini halfpipe. And if your kids aren’t tired enough after a day of skiing, the children’s tubing hill is available for nighttime tubing.