Las Vegas Casinos? What Else Can We Do There?

April 9th, 2008 Olga Pizza

Casino, luxurious hotels, expensive shops… These are the first things we associate with Las Vegas. So, let’s find out what places and attractions really make Las Vegas so popular.

Bellagio Fountains

If you are a romantic and just like everything beautiful and grandiose, this place is in your must-see list. Just take a camera and have a walk along the boulevard. There is no charge for admission, but you should consider the open hours 3pm - 8pm (every half hour), 8pm - midnight (every fifteen minutes), 8p - midnight (every fifteen minutes).

• the water jets can really span more than 1,000 feet
• and can shoot up to 240 feet in the air
• all this is accompanied by romantic classical music and choreographed lights.

Skydiving In Vegas

Las Vegas is the city of chances, risks and freedom. Skydiving also presents us such feelings, while the picturesque sites of the desert from 10,000 feet make this adventure in Las Vegas really unforgettable. Of course, we can jump everywhere in this world, but such a sharp contrast between the luxurious casinos and the barren desert that surrounds the city is really amazing. The price is about $200, including the transport for returning to the hotel.

• all Las Vegas skydiving companies are located outside the city
• it is necessary about 30 minute drive to get there
• the majority of those who prefer such a type of adventure in Las Vegas are first time jumpers.

The Mirage Hotel and Casino

This hotel is famous with its volcano that erupts every fifteen minutes during the night and incredible Secret Garden. Thus, those who prefer to enjoy tropical theme can see a lot of palms, smell exotic flora, and enjoy the soothing sounds of waterfalls. Just feel yourself on some tropical island, but not in the hotel.

• don’t miss the opportunity to stand on bridge under the 90-foot-high glass atrium and enjoy the tropical surroundings
• the Mirage volcano is closed for renovation until late 2008
• for $15 for adults, $10 for children 4-12 you also can enjoy Dolphin Habitat exhibit

The Grand Canyon

You can choose various types of tours in order to admire this wonderful place. As for me, airplane tour is the best choice if you want to see the grandioseness of the Grand Canyon. Taking such a tour, you will be able to admire the incredible views of the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, the Colorado River and Lake Mead.

• the journey may last up to three hours
• the tour operators provide you with the complimentary roundtrip hotel transfers in Las Vegas

Hoover Dam

This place is the second in the must-see list. Moreover, it is also located within the Grand Canyon National Park. Just make a journey along Lake Mead which is at the lower end of the canyon and is formed by the waters behind Hoover Dam. During a tour, you will have two hours in order to explore everything.

• Hoover Dam was built into the walls of Black Canyon to hold back the Colorado River
• enjoy this “modern engineering wonder of the world” traveling on motor coach
• for $10.00 per person you also can access museum, Visitors Center and the movie on the construction of Hoover Dam

Mandalay Bay Hotel

Have always dreamed about such an experience as diving with sharks? Mandalay Bay offers you to enjoy this aquatic adventure. A 1.3 million gallon tank with a tunnel that runs through the center of it allows you to admire sharks and other tropical fish swimming all around you. Open hours from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

• you can admire more than 100 sharks
• price of tickets is $12.95 for adults, $9.95 for children
• don’t forget to listen to a guide during the excursion and you will learn a lot about the aquatic life

Circus Circus Hotel & Casino

It is the best place for those who are planning to spend week-end with their children. Circus Circus Adventuredome Theme Park can really thrill your senses and boggle your mind. The best things there are various rides for any age group.

• be sure to check whether you children really should ride some rides (such rides as the Chaos, Inverter and Canyon Blaster are rather dangerous)
• such attractions as Canyon Blaster and Rim Runner overwhelm your senses
• just recollect your childhood and enjoy!

So, you have already planned your trip to the city of dreams?

Posted in Adventure Travel, Hotels, Romantic Travel, Tours | No Comments »

The World’s Best Hotels… Or The Most Expensive

April 2nd, 2008 Olga Pizza

This is the list of the hotels which are considered to be the best in accordance with Conde’ Nast Traveler’s 20th annual Readers Choice Awards survey. So, let’s check whether we also adore them

Oberoi Udaivilas, Rajasthan, India

You should visit this hotel just in order to admire the views of the Lake and Palaces. It is not the only point of interests there. Among the great variety of miracles, this hotel offers you to enjoy wildlife even without leaving its territory. The birds from the Pool Suites make it understandable why this hotel wins prizes. On the whole, it is the best place for honeymoon or romantic travel. Pet owners and families with young children will not feel there at ease. The room costs about $618.

Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa

At last we are talking about the hotel which can’t be called an amazing place for honeymoon. This place is created just for tourists who adore comfort and want to have a good place to stay while their visit to this country. Try and ask for the room which looked out on the Waterfront harbor, as well as Table Mountain. It is really unusual to see cruise ships and warships so near from your balcony. The apartment will cost you $548 approximately.

La Scalinatella, Capri, Italy

It is not just a hotel, but a private club. Most people are regular visitors there. They stay in the same rooms not less than for two weeks. The staff also never changes. So, everybody knows one another. That’s why it is not the best place for those who come there for three days or so. Especially if you come alone, you may feel like an outsider there. It is the best place for those who want to relax without children, cell phones and busy people. The price is not so high in comparison with others - $524

The Peninsula, Hong Kong

Well, this hotel gets different reviews. Some people call it amazing and fabulous, others suppose that service could be much better. If you adore shopping and various spa procedures, this hotel was created just for you. I don’t recommend this place for pet owners. This is the cheapest hotel in our list - $510

Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Of course, we can’t miss this famous place. You know, the more we expect, the less we achieve. Such a statement may be related to visitors of this hotel. Most reviews are not so ideal as we get to used to. People want to get better service and amusement for such money. But still this hotel is considered to be one of the most luxurious one… and the most expensive ($2071). Everyone agrees that it is the best place for romantic week-end. Sea and sun seem to be more pleasant there

Four Seasons George V, Paris

So, here we are with the European hotels. This place is the best for those who adore everything classic. Adore everything prefect? Four Seasons George V seems to be ideal for everyone. Amazing building in combination with a lot of flowers make it look like a wonderful castle. So, let’s join this fairy-tail! Though the prices are rather high - $1268

Banyan Tree, Phuket, Thailand

Tastes differ. And this hotel has various controversial reviews. Someone calls it “the most wonderful place in the world”, others prefer not to visit it again… never. As they say: “Amazing views are not enough” But still this hotel has no limits concerning people who can feel at ease there. Family travel, romantic week-end or good holiday for older travelers. Everyone can have a great week-end for $771.

Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, India

This is the second leader in this list. But only if you prefer travels which are connected with historical sights. This hotel is appropriate for any category of visitors. So, older travelers as well as young people will be satisfied with its service… and architecture for $641 per night.

Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Budapest

This hotel is not very attractive as for me. I adore sun, sandy beaches and incredible views. But still Four Seasons Gresham Palace is the only hotel which has got no negative reviews recently. Of course, it may be connected with the character of people who visit it. As a rule, this hotel is used for business meetings, so it is not recommended for spending family vacations as well as honeymoons there. The price is not so high for our list - $630.

Of course, not all of us are able to visit these places for such prices, but still isn’t it interesting to find out what are the things you should strive for… or just admire.

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