Malacca, Malaysia's most historical city, has seen the rise and fall of major empires that extended their influences to this region. The legacy of the Malay Sultanate, Chinese, Indian, Portuguese, Dutch and British is evident in Malacca's medieval charm, picturesque buildings, multi-racial population and narrow streets. The Majestic Malacca offers daily complimentary guided walks passing prominent historical landmarks of this 600 year-old coastal port, weaving a beguiling journey through an enchanting heritage.

Delve into the intricacies of authentic Peranakan cuisine with a cooking class hosted by our Peranakan Master Chef. Experience an introduction to the aromatic ingredients contributing to each speciality, followed by a lesson that will give you insight into the history of each exquisite dish, leaving you with a satiated belly and classic recipes to take home with you.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable and laid-back manner in which to explore Malacca, especially the narrow streets in the old sector. The trishaws themselves are works of art, creatively adorned with artificial flowers and baubles.

A relaxing and interesting journey up the historic Malacca River from the river mouth to Kampung Morten (Morten Village), this 45 minute cruise takes you past narrow old shophouses and river warehouses.

There are a number of fine golf courses in and around Malacca. If golfing on a serene island catches your fancy, take a boat or ferry to the 18-hole par 72 Pandanusa Golf Club on Pulau Besar. If daylight hours are insufficient and you just cannot get enough, head to Orna Golf and Country Club located approximately 25 minutes away from the hotel. Alternatively, the Ayer Keroh Country Club is also a popular choice.

The house, Villa Sentosa, was built during the first quarter of the century in the style fashionable during the era and now has been converted by its owner into a private museum. Displays include a collection of costumes, Malay embroidery, furniture, muskets and an array of interesting relics. Located in Kampung Morten, which is the only Malay village in the heart of Malacca city, the house has a history that goes back to the British Land Reform Act 1920. Kampung Morten is conveniently located directly opposite the hotel.

Standing exactly as it has always been since 1753, the church is testimony to Dutch architectural ingenuity. Take note of the church's 200 year old handmade pews, ceiling beams constructed without joints from a single tree, brass Bible rest, old tombstones laid on the floor and the frieze of the 'Last Supper' in glazed tiles.

The brick-red clock tower is located at Dutch Square, close to the similarly hued Christ Church and the Stadthuys. Tan Beng Swee, a rich Malaccan philanthropist, donated the clock which was imported from England in 1886.

This museum is the ancestral home of three generations of a Baba-Nyonya family, descendants of the Chinese who arrived in Malacca and married locals. Typical of the Peranakan house, it is built around a central open-air courtyard. The building is now a attractively designed museum that showcases the unique culture and legacy of Straits-born Chinese. Here you will find intricately carved fittings finished in gold leaf and beautiful antique furniture made of Chinese rosewood in a mixture of Chinese, Victorian and Dutch designs.

Built by the Portuguese in 1511 as a fortress to protect the spice trade route, it sustained severe structural damage during the Dutch invasion. The Dutch had set to destroy it but timely intervention by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1808 saved what remains of A' Famosa today, the Porta de Santiago gate.

An exquisite piece of Malay architecture, this is a replica of the original 15th century palace of Malacca's extinct Sultanate. Built based on the description of the palace in the ancient Malay Annals, the wooden replica is situated at the foot of St. Paul's Hill. Today it houses the Cultural Museum of Malacca with artifacts, prints, photographs and drawings which represent the history and cultural heritage of the Malay Sultanate of Malacca and the various communities which came to settle there during that period.

Now a ruin, it was originally built by a Portuguese captain. The chapel was turned by the Dutch into a burial ground for their noble dead and renamed 'St. Paul's Church' from the Portuguese's 'Our Lady of the Hill'. St Francis Xavier was briefly enshrined here in 1553 before being shipped to Goa, India.

The museum resides within a life-sized replica of the Portuguese galleon Flor De Lar Mar which ran aground off the coast of Malacca on its way to Portugal centuries ago. The ship was believed to be carrying priceless treasures seized from Malacca. Luckily, these items were able to be salvaged, and their symbolic significance to Malacca's heritage can now be appreciated. The historical archives in the museum trace the maritime history of Malacca and include exhibits of ships dating back to the beginning of the great age of European exploration and seafaring.

Residents of the settlement are descendants of the 16th century Portuguese. The widespread inter-marriages between the European sailors and soldiers and local women brought about the birth of a rich new culture. During festivals, cultural performances are held in the square with dancers in colourful traditional costumes.

No trip to Malacca would be complete without a visit to Jonker Street. It is famous for the number of shops selling antiques and curios, some of which date back as far as 300 years. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Jonker Street transforms into Jonker Walk. Peddlers will gather at 5.00 pm to set up their little stalls offering you an intriguing variety of souvenirs, handicraft and antiques, each with its own history and mystery.

Dating back to 1646, it is the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia, with all building materials imported from China. Fine workmanship is evident in the ornately decorated mythological figures, carvings and lacquer work inside the temple. Restoration works in 2000 won a Unesco Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Award.

Prominent in its Sumatran architectural grandeur, the mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the country is unique and bears testimony to the fact that Islam existed in Malacca almost 600 years ago. Instead of a conventional dome, a three tier roof rising like a pyramid is in place. A minaret peculiar in shape from a typical moorish style, is structured like a Pagoda portraying the mixture of East-West architectural influence. The tomb of Sultan Hussain of Johor is in the compound of the mosque. He was the ruler who signed the cession of Singapore with Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819.