The First Winter Trip: A Mother-Daughter Journey to the Venetian Macao

2020 was battered by an unexpected pandemic, but thankfully we've made it through the toughest times. Now everything is getting back on track, but we must not let our guard down. This pandemic has made me realize more deeply that we never know which will come first: tomorrow or the unexpected. Always remember to love the people around you and spend more time with them. I had wanted to travel before, but I kept putting work first. After resting at home for a long time during the pandemic, I've come to see things more clearly. Life is only a few decades long; you can never earn all the money. If you want to do something, do it in time. So, I took my mom on a trip to fulfill a long-held dream—about Macau. For those interested in visiting Macau, I've put together a hotel list. For example, the Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, Conrad Macao, Sheraton Grand Macao, The St. Regis Macao, and The Londoner Macao are all great choices. You can do your own research privately.

I heard that The Londoner Macao is about to open. I saw the news recently. It's a pity we didn't know before we went. Bookings started on December 15, 2020, and stays begin from January 2021, just in time for the Spring Festival. Those who go to Macau for the Spring Festival are in for a treat. And the hotel suites have been personally designed by David Beckham, so his fans shouldn't miss out. We'll have to wait until our next trip.

Choosing to stay at the Venetian Macao was not only for its luxury and value for money but also because of the thriving commercial area. The hotel has everything for eating, drinking, and entertainment. Since I was traveling with my mom, I didn't want her to get too tired, so convenience was key. November in Macau wasn't too cold yet. We took the hotel's free direct bus, and after a short 10-minute ride, we arrived at the hotel. It was my mom's first time seeing such massive European-style architecture. She was incredibly excited and kept asking me to take photos of her everywhere. Seeing her curiosity like a child made me even more determined to take her out to see the world more often. This was the first winter trip, and my dear mom and I came to the charming and exotic Venetian Macao. What about you?

The golden sphere in the lobby instantly captures all your attention. Under the lights, its golden surface shines brilliantly. Looking up, you'll see various murals full of European mythology, just like visiting a museum.

My mom doesn't sleep very well, and I tend to toss and turn at night, so I booked a豪华贝丽套房 (Bella Suite) with two beds. The room is a spacious 70 square meters, with two regal-style beds and a separate living room. My mom was full of praise for the room and even recorded a video to show her aunts, showing off a bit, haha.

The huge bathroom has a wet-and-dry separation design. The overall color palette is simple and retro. It was very clean throughout, especially the toilet, which had no odor at all, making our stay very comfortable.

To let my mom fully experience Macau's local culture, I planned many activities and wrote down two full pages of itinerary. My plan was to center on the Venetian Macao, first explore the hotel thoroughly, then visit nearby attractions. After hearing my plan, my mom gave me a thumbs up, saying I looked like someone capable of handling big things, haha. Let me show you what the Grand Canal Shoppes look like. Luckily, I love taking photos, or I wouldn't be able to share these beautiful scenes with you.

The sky is as beautiful as in fairy tales. The ceiling of the Grand Canal Shoppes is man-made and can be changed freely via computer control. Sounds incredible, doesn't it? The most unbelievable part is that there are actually three canal routes inside the shopping center. The famous gondola rides attract many tourists. It's an indoor shopping mall built to look like the water city of Venice. I have to express great admiration for the designers!

The scenery was so beautiful that my mom and I walked along the canals for a long time. The shops around us had sale signs hanging at their entrances. What captivated me the most were the romantic Italian-style retro buildings. Maybe because I'm used to skyscrapers, seeing such unique architecture made me feel exhilarated. I took my mom on a gondola ride. With the help of the gondolier, we took many photos together. Our first wish for this trip was fulfilled!

Lord Stow's Bakery & Cafe is located at Shop 870, Level 3, Grand Canal Shoppes, The Venetian Macao. You'll see the shop after going down a long staircase. Their Portuguese egg tarts are very authentic and handmade. Almost everyone visiting Macau comes to this shop. Besides the delicious egg tarts, their other pastries are also good.

My mom and I arrived early, so there were almost no customers. Although the storefront looks small, once inside, you'll find plenty of seats, including window seats overlooking the canal, where gondolas often glide by with the gondolier's melodious singing. Having afternoon tea here is so relaxing!

The egg tarts look absolutely beautiful! The milky fragrance wafts over. The surface is slightly caramelized, and they're quite big—truly made with real ingredients. Worried that eating them alone might be too dry, I also ordered hot milk tea. The Hong Kong-style milk tea was great! By the way, they have promotions: 30% off for iced lemon tea, iced English milk tea, and iced latte; 15% off for handmade ginger cookies and handmade cookie gift boxes.

As one of the top shopping paradises in Macau, the Grand Canal Shoppes has hundreds of shops. We couldn't visit all of them, so I'll share a few that I think are good. First, :CHOCOLATE located at Shop 614, Level 3, Grand Canal Shoppes. They offer 25% off on the entire order for selected items when you spend MOP 800. Their winter clothing is nice, and after the discount, the prices are very reasonable!

Is there any woman who can resist the allure of jewelry? I had long heard of Tse Sui Luen, and when I saw their store in the Grand Canal Shoppes, I was very excited. They are at Shop 317, Level 3, Face Street. The staff were warm and well-dressed. They helped us store our shopping bags so we could try on these beautiful jewelry freely!

I love diamonds! Various necklaces and rings caught my eye—they were stylish, with sparkling diamond settings. Seeing how much I liked them, my mom said she would use her money to buy me a 'dowry.' Traveling with her was great, but it would be even better if she didn't nag me about marriage.

Their NOVA Collection offers 12% off for two pieces. Sisters who like it can hurry here. The promotion is limited, so if you have time, come to Macau soon!

The dragon and phoenix bangles are so majestic. Gold jewelry really gives a feeling of good fortune!

At Calzedonia, located at Shop 608, Level 3, Grand Canal Shoppes, they have a buy-2-get-1-free deal on their invisible series stockings. There are also thermal leggings and other types of leggings, all of good quality. Both thin and thick versions are available. I even saw various colored leather pants, which reminded me of G.E.M. hahaha.

My mom wanted to bring some Macau specialties back home. Luckily, Koi Kei Bakery has stores in the Grand Canal Shoppes. One is at Shop 742, Level 3, and the other, the one we went to, is at Shop K12, Level 3.

There were many customers coming and going, so business was good. Many boxes had samples for tasting. My mom and I tried several items; the taste and texture were excellent. The staff were efficient—they quickly got whatever you asked for, packed it up, and bid us farewell with a warm 'Take care, come again.'

The weather in Macau was great every day. Remember to take your parents for walks during the trip. It doesn't take long to walk from the Venetian Macao to the front entrance of the Four Seasons Shops. You can stretch your legs and also see the cityscape of Macau. Why not?

The Four Seasons Shops is a mall gathering top luxury brands. The interior design is elegant and grand. My mom, who likes watching TV, recognized the logos of many famous brands, which surprised me, haha. The mall is spacious, quiet, and comfortable to shop in.

A friend asked me to buy some Penhaligon's perfume for her, but I ended up being intrigued myself. Ladies, this treasure of a perfume shop is at K8, Level 2, Four Seasons Shops. Spend MOP 1,000 and get a MOP 100 cash voucher for Penhaligon's anniversary. Every salesgirl there exudes an intoxicating fragrance. If you don't know what scent suits you, feel free to ask the staff; they are very enthusiastic.

I highly recommend their Portraits collection. Each animal has a character story, and the fragrances each have their own merits.

Passing by Chanel, I couldn't resist going in to see their new collection. My mom also encouraged me, saying money is meant to be spent. Since I'm not married or have kids yet, I can spoil myself first, haha.

Winter is here! Have you gotten your warm clothes ready? I saw customers choosing scarves and gloves, so I took a look. The styles and colors suited my mom perfectly, so I secretly ordered a set, planning to surprise her when we return.

I looked at several flap bags and suddenly found the pink one so cute. The older I get, the more I love girly things! Chanel sunglasses are also very popular.

Towards the end of the trip, I took my mom to The Londoner Shopping Centre. This shopping destination is also under the Sands China group. Its interior design is unique, and there are many shops—a great place for splurging!

We mainly came to check out the Lady M cake shop. My mom and I both have a sweet tooth. They offer a cake set: a mille crepe cake with a drink for MOP 120, or another cake with a drink for MOP 110. Very affordable!

Matcha mille crepe, rose mille crepe, chocolate cake—there are nearly a dozen varieties. Just looking at them makes your mouth water.

The cakes are just the right sweetness, with a creamy texture. The milk tea is also good, warm and cozy—perfect for winter!

We passed by a Skechers store, and I wanted to buy my mom a pair of fleece-lined winter shoes. Inside, the store was clean and tidy. The staff immediately greeted us warmly and patiently recommended shoes for my mom, even more patient than me, her own daughter!

Skechers sneakers are really good. Both men's and women's styles are very nice and comfortable to wear.

My mom and I spent an unforgettable time in Macau. On the way home, we were both reluctant to leave. I wish this relaxed and carefree life could last a little longer. Family is the most important. Spending more time with elderly parents is better than anything! If you also want to take your parents to see beautiful sights, I highly recommend the Venetian Macao. It has a great location, plenty of things to do, and when hotel stay deals come around, it's extremely good value!