DAY ONE

09:00

Take a tram dating from 1888 to get an uplifting perspective on the city's gravity-defying skyline at Victoria Peak. Try to count the number of skyscrapers. You may be there awhile – there's 8000 of them. If it's the weekend, take breakfast at The Peak Lookout, a 19th century historic building where you can cast your eye over the old and the modern when seated in the outdoor garden. 

11:00

Continue the leafy theme with a trip across Victoria Harbour to Kowloon Park. It is part of the inner city and yet it feels escapist thanks to a flamingo lake, sculpture designs, turtles and an aviary. It may be cheesy but while you are in this area, visit one of Hong Kong's most popular attractions – the Avenue of Stars. Modelled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it's a pop culture icon in this part of the world. 

13:00

After all that walking you will have worked up an appetite, and a sandwich is just the ticket. But you are on holiday, so make it a locally inspired gourmet one. 'Wich in Wan Chai has fresh buns filled with marinated mushrooms as well as a pork belly, red cabbage and apple puree number. Finish it off with an ice cream sandwich – try pistachio on lemon poppy seed.

15:00

Walk to the ferry terminal and choose your island adventure. Pier 6 will take you to a traditional island and pier 4 to an up and coming one. Lamma Island is the latter and Peng Chau is the former. Lamma is Hong Kong's third largest island and it has an indie slant. Renowned for its fresh seafood, alternative residents and quirky shops, be sure to check out Bookworm which is a cafe and lending library. Just be sure to return whichever book you borrow.

Peng Chau by contrast is one of the tiniest islands. Hike around it and you will be back where you started within an hour. You are likely to see elderly residents going about their day – shopping, laundry and tai chi – in a way that you would imagine has carried on for centuries. The big surprise here is Les Copains D'Abord, a French wine bar in the main square where you can eat cheese and play petanque.

19:00

Time for dinner. Head to Hutong, an eatery that melds nostalgia with the hyper modern. Look out the floor to ceiling windows and you will see the neon city lights and the brilliantly lit harbour. Look within and you will find yourself in the intricate courtyards and alleys of old Beijing. Bicycles, rickshaws and red lanterns adorn this venue where the food matches the ambience. 

20:00

The city's nightly light show begins now. Some 40 buildings flash rainbow lasers in a ten minute jaw-dropper that harnesses the power of electricity. This is the world's largest permanent light and music show and you are in the perfect viewing spot at Hutong.

22:00

Head to underground speakeasy bar 001, frequented by those in the know. With no sign it can be easily missed – the only indication it's there is a black door and an electric buzzer. You will need to make a reservation in order to sip cocktails and tuck into a grilled cheese sandwich in this chic venue.

DAY TWO

09:00

Start the day with spirituality. A visit to the incense heavy Taoist Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road is just the ticket. Take part in chim, an ancient tradition to determine your fate. Shake a box of numbered sticks and the digit that falls to the ground can be referred to in the book of forecasts. Good luck.

11:00

For your shopping expedition, continue along Hollywood Road where you can take the longest outdoor escalator system in the world, a combination of views and convenience. The moving ramp propels you up the steep hills to the shops of SoHo and you can head west from here to NoHo for oriental antiques. By now you have tried the fancy restaurants. It's now time to do as the locals do and slurp through a bowl of noodles at an open air food stall in between shops.

15:00

But don't eat too much – you have a date with scones, cucumber sandwiches and dainty pastries. It's time for high tea at the Peninsula, one of the world's finest hotels. This establishment is equipped with a fleet of bespoke green Rolls Royces and the bellboys wear flawless white uniforms with stiff matching hats.  

17:00

Watch the sun set from the world's largest seated Buddha, whose gold hue catches the setting rays and makes your dusk magical. You can get to Tung Chung on Lantau Island via a cable car which is just as thrilling as the destination. The Buddha is the 34 metre centrepiece of the Po Lin Monastery and while you're there be sure to peruse the orchid garden.  

19:00

Go on, spoil yourself, and head to a Michelin starred restaurant on your last night. Fine linen and excess cutlery, however, are excluded in this case. Bookings aren't accepted and you will have to queue too. Tim Ho Wan is a Dim Sum canteen in Kowloon serving dumplings and spring rolls of such quality that it has been awarded one Michelin star. It will be the cheapest Michelin endorsed meal you will ever eat. 

21:00

Mong Kok Ladies Market is open until 11:30pm so make the most of open-air shopping in the dark. Here you will find handbags, clothes, perfume, cosmetics, baked egg tarts, fresh fruit and souvenirs. Bargaining is encouraged as some stalls can be sneaky in raising prices once they sniff you out as a tourist. Around the corner is a goldfish market which is worth a novelty factor visit.   

22:00

For your final nightcap, go all out by imbibing at the highest bar in the world. Ozone is located on the 118th floor of the Ritz Carlton, which you reach in an elevator padded in black leather. The menu is a hologram and the cocktails are strong enough to make even a height-phobic stand next to the vertiginous floor to ceiling windows.