Risks for women have become increasingly visible in recent years, with the rape and murder of two female passengers by drivers in China this year alone

Portuguese mariners arrived in Macau in the 16th century and, in 1535, the nation’s  traders were granted rights to berth ships and to carry out trading activities. Christian missionaries quickly followed.

Exploring Macau has become easier and more fun with the launch of two hop-on, hop-off circular bus tours. One takes tourists around key sites in the old city on the peninsula, while the other goes on a tour of the islands of Taipa and Coloane.

Central Vietnam is one of the country's best-kept secrets. There are sandy beaches with stylish hotels, Unesco World Heritage Sites and top golf courses. Da Nang International Airport has flights to a growing list of domestic and regional travel destinations.

Hotels in Kuala Lumpur have traditionally targeted meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) organisers and business travellers, but a move is afoot to broaden their base by attracting more leisure travellers. Their efforts are supported by Tourism Malaysia, which is focusing increasingly on the leisure travel segment by promoting festivals and other tourist-friendly events and activities.

Macau comes alive every autumn with the roar of sports car and motorcycle engines, as drivers, riders and enthusiasts descend on the former Portuguese enclave for one of the world’s most exciting sporting events.

Macau’s eating out scene continues to improve. There are fine dining restaurants, informal bistros, intimate cafes and - for a slice of Macanese life - bustling street markets, where the locals say some of the best food is to be enjoyed.

Portugal once had a far-flung empire with "overseas provinces" in Africa, Asia and South America. It was the world's first truly global empire, spanning more than five centuries.

More than four centuries after the Portuguese settled in Macau in 1557, the enclave was returned to Chinese administration on December 20, 1999. But why was that particular date chosen for the handover? 

Senado Square sits at the heart of old Macau. Overlooking the triangular-shaped plaza is a building called the Leal Senado, which means “loyal senate” in Portuguese. It was the seat of the enclave's legislative assembly before Macau was returned to Chinese administration in 1999.

Coloane might be just a hop, skip and a jump from the mega resorts, massive shopping malls, and glitzy casinos of Cotai, but it is an entirely different world, where high-rises are the exception rather than the rule.

A walk through Macau's historic St Lazarus district is like a short course in Sino-Western history. Kun Iam Tong is a good place to start. The temple, at No 2 Avenida do Coronel Mesquita, which is also known as Pou Chai Sim Iun, dates back to the 13th century. The structure was built during the Ming dynasty in 1627.

Macau is not just for gamblers. A growing number of families are travelling to the former Portuguese enclave thanks to fun-filled and educational attractions that children find entertaining.