“Everything
and anything you want to do, you can do in Las Vegas.” - Drew Carey
One of
the wonderful things about Las Vegas is that one can be a
spectator (or a voyeur depending upon the context) in numerous settings—both
highbrow and lowbrow; there is the glamorous flash and cash element and the
gritty underbelly which some people adore.
If you think you’re not a Las Vegas kind of person, think again; it has
more to offer than you imagine . . .
Casino Hopping
You don’t
need to be staying at a particular hotel/casino to enjoy what Las Vegas has to
offer; in fact, most people “casino hop” from one to another on (and off) The
Strip (where the main casinos are). You
might enjoy a luxury home exchange through International
Vacation Home Exchange even more than a hotel. This
will give you more freedom to “casino hop.”
Each casino has its own character, and after a couple of nights on The
Strip, you’ll discover which ones you like best.
The Bellagio
The
Bellagio is mine and many others’ favorite casino. The Bellagio’s fountains, made more famous by
the movie, “Ocean’s Eleven,” seem to dance to music and lights; the crowds
never get tired of watching, and there is always applause after every
show. The best thing is that it is
free!
Surprising
to some is the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art.
Though the gallery is small, the art is first-rate; the current show is
“Picasso: Creatures and
Creativity.” It’s wonderful that
world-class art has come to Las Vegas.
There are “Art and Wine: A
Perfect Pairing” events. What better way
to enjoy a glass of wine than looking at great art?
Don’t
miss The Bellagio Arcadia. Near the
hotel lobby, a floral masterpiece looms.
Designed by talented horticulturalists, this elaborate creation
celebrates each season; a special display is also meticulously fashioned for
the Chinese New Year.
If you
want a feast for the eyes, look out over the pool area; it is so elaborate that
I could almost feel my blood turning blue gazing upon the opulence.
Another
feature of The Bellagio which I love is the pastry shop; the next time I am in
Las Vegas, I will definitely revisit and get myself some more delectable treats.
My very
good-looking cousin became part of the charm of The Bellagio; after her first
visit there, she chose to live in Las Vegas, and began working at The Bellagio.
This place can entrance! It even smells
good—I’m not sure how they do it, as smoking is allowed in most casinos.
The Paris, Las Vegas
The Paris, Las Vegas is, as one might guess, a
French-inspired hotel and casino. A
creperie within the hotel, “La Creperie,” is definitely worth a visit; the
crepes (what else?) are delicious!
The Venitian®
As one
can see, Las Vegas hotels/casinos borrow from the great cities of the world;
and though The Venitian® hotel
cannot replace the one and only Venice, it does a good job creating an
elaborate, Italian-themed hotel. There
is a canal system of sorts set up both inside and outside the hotel, and “gondoliers”
sing to casino guests as they row them around.
It was actually quite fun, and the shopping is fantastic.
The Orleans
Off The
Strip is The Orleans Hotel & Casino. A bit gritty, I enjoyed going in there just
for the classic Las Vegas experience, and though it may seem incongruent, I
received some really great pampering in their spa. They have also drawn some big names in for
entertainment.
Old Las Vegas – Fremont Street
Experiencing
old downtown Las Vegas is a little like an American boardwalk amusement park,
only more well-lit. There is a covered
mall-type environment with great, tacky Las Vegas treasures; also nearby are
old hotels falling to the wayside yet somehow still kicking. They have added a zip line above the madness
below, and people-watching from above is just plain fun.
Sexpresso
My
favorite, quintessential Las Vegas idea for a business was Sexpresso. Sexpresso
was a way to get your morning coffee and see scantily-clad women at the same
time. The cup sizes were labeled as
women’s bra sizes. Though I never
frequented Sexpresso, imagine my disappointment when I learned it had
closed. I’m sure that Las Vegas being
Las Vegas has come up with another creative, sensual idea such as Sexpresso—perhaps
you’ll find the latest one.
IVHE.com has Several Luxury Home Exchange Options in Las
Vegas
There are
several exclusive home exchange options in Las Vegas and/or the surrounding
area. An especially lovely home exchange is
available in Henderson, Nevada, a suburb of Las Vegas. Henderson is a residential area and has some
lovely desert gardens surrounding big homes.
If you actually want to get some sleep while in Las Vegas, this home is
a great choice!
Whether
you are going to Las Vegas for gambling, sensual delights, or just out of
curiosity, Las Vegas really does have something to offer everyone.
This
travel blog entry is dedicated to the late Rod Abbassi, long-time Las Vegas
resident and desert dweller. - Sona Schmidt-Harris sonag_2000@yahoo.com
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