If you’re planning a wicked “Girls Only” trip, the best place to spend a memorable vacation at will definitely be Las Vegas, so close your eyes and live the fantasy! It’s known as the entertainment capital of the world. Let me warn you before you read on, that you will not be able to control your desire to jump out the plane and float through the air touching the sparkling lights of “Fabulous Las Vegas”, so be sure to keep your seatbelt buckled!
Nevada’s largest city has blossomed into an amazingly diverse tourist and business-traveler destination. “Vegas” is known to the world for the gaming action and world-class, magnificent shows. And who could dare not mention the lavish hotel experience, where every hotel takes you to a new trip of its own, to taste a bit of France, Italy or Monte Carlo, miles from each other (Paris, The Venetian, Harrah’s, Caesars Palace, Bellagio, Wynn and Circus Circus—just to name a few).
Where to start?
Once you arrive, the best way to see the dazzling City of Lights is to visit the fabulous Las Vegas “Strip” or Las Vegas Boulevard South. Walk the strip to discover what Vegas hotels offer you. Start at the Mandalay Bay, and make your way through the Luxor, Excalibur, MGM Grand, New York-New York, Monte Carlo, Bellagio, Planet Hollywood, Paris Eiffel Tower, Caesar’s Palace, Flamingo Hilton, Mirage, Treasure Island, Venetian, and Stratosphere Tower rising 1,149 feet into Vegas sky! You can spend between an hour to a day in every hotel, but one of the must do’s is visiting the Bellagio Hotel and taking pictures of the “Dancing Waters Fountain Show” and the conservatory. Next, make a stop to see the erupting volcanoes at the Mirage Hotel and the lions habitat right above your head at MGM!
Your next check on your Vegas to do list is a picture by the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign. Your Vegas tour would never be complete without souvenir shopping and another picture at the epicenter of the skyline lights.
Watch out, Vegas can be addicting, even for kids! Surprisingly, the glamorous city did not forget your kids’ share of fun. Race for Atlantis, the most exciting i- Max 3 D ride in the world and there are no age restrictions for Vegas tourists. Having mentioned children, you should prepare yourself before they talk your ear off to take them sky diving: one of the best things that you can do with your entire family.
Dining:
There is still so much more to Las Vegas, especially when it comes to fine dining. The fabulous capital of the world boasts exceptional restaurants with world-class chefs like Emeril Lagasse, Mark Miller, Eberhar Muller, and Charlie Miller (and, of course, those same wonderful buffets), theme parks, fabulous resorts and unbeatable shopping.
Golf:
If golf is your pleasure, championship courses are as magnificent as they are challenging, and are regularly ranked in the nation’s top golfing lists. The Legacy Golf Club is an Arthur Hills design featuring mounded fairways, elevated greens and a clubhouse with a patio overlooking the driving range and practice facility.
Las Vegas Scenic View:
The city is located in semi-arid basin surrounded by mountains varying in color from pink to rust to gray. As befits a desert, much of the landscape is rocky. The landscape unfolds to the view of the Grand Canyon. The best views of the Grand Canyon can be seen from the helicopter, airplane or bus tour. Vegas off-strip attractions include the Hoover Dam Tours, Red Rock & Valley of Fire Tours, Lake Mead & Colorado River. The best selling Las Vegas shows now available are Blue Man Group, Cirque du Soleil, Le Reve, Phantom of the Opera, and many others.
Weather:
Temperatures normally exceed 38 degrees centigrade most days in the months of July and August, with very low humidity, frequently under 10%. Winters are cool and windy, with the majority of Las Vegas’ annual rainfall comes between January and March. Winter daytime highs are normally around 16 degrees and winter nighttime lows are usually around 4 degrees.
Moving around in Las Vegas:
Buses are the most popular means of public transportation among locals and tourists with various bus routes covering a large portion of the valley. The “Deuce” bus system carries approximately 175,000 people per weekday. Car rentals are very convenient in Las Vegas and of course plenty of taxis. The Las Vegas Monorail runs from the MGM Grand Hotel at the south end of the Strip to the Sahara Hotel at the north end of the Strip.
Trade Shows:
Las Vegas is also famous for its trade shows which bring in another category of tourists. A list of trade shows can be downloaded from (www.BizTradeShows.com). Some of the international trade shows include Packexpo, International Auto Show, World of Concrete-USA, Las Vegas International Hotel & Restaurant Show and the National Association of Broadcasters. No tour of Vegas is complete without checking out one of these mega tradeshows, some of which have floor sales at great prices.
Last but not least……..SHOPPING:
Vegas offer visitors a great value shopping spree with more than twenty malls and discount outlets. The must see list includes The Fashion Show Mall, Prime Outlets Mall, and Premium Outlets Mall. All within a stone’s throw distance from the Las Vegas Boulevard!
Useful Information:
US Embassy Visa Section: For routine questions concerning operating hours and application procedures, contact the visa appointment system at 0900 70600. The Consular Section telephone number is +20 (2) 2797-2200. For more information, please email at consularcaironiv@state.gov
*Photography is credited to the Nevada Commision on Tourism at (http://www.travelnevada.com)