Day 12 part 2 the flight was on time and arrived into Las Vegas at about 6pm. When we got outside it was still in the 90’s a taste of what was to come, for the remainder of our trip during the days the temperatures were between 100 and 105. We stayed at the Palazzo hotel, check in was painless with no waiting then up to the room to unpack. I had been lucky with some of the hotel choices in that they kept the other half happy, but this place made some of them look like hovels. This is an all suite hotel and the smallest version we were in was still 720 square feet. It had the bedroom area a couple of steps down to a large living room area and a bathroom that was big enough to live in. Although the view was not of the strip the boss was impressed with the view and everything else about the suite. We then spent a little time exploring the rest of the Palazzo and the Venetian which are 2 parts of one large hotel. As someone who is new to Las Vegas it was surprising just how big these resort hotels are. We started in the shopping area of the Palazzo above the waterfall; we grabbed a quick bite to eat more of a snack really. Then we walked through the area that joins the Palazzo and the Venetian it comes out near the reception. The architecture is amazing the painted ceiling is particularly impressive, I know its all fake but parts of it look so effective. The area of the Grand Canal shops and restaurants was also impressive, the high ceiling forming the artificial sky giving the impression of being outside is also well done. After the initial look round we went out onto the strip, to look at some of the other sights. We crossed to the Mirage and watched the volcano show, the place was quite crowded but we got a good view. Then we walked up to the Bellagio, the look of the strip at night was fantastic, I must admit I do like a bit of neon. We watched the dancing fountain show looking from the Bellagio side towards the Paris, water, lights, music and neon lights, a great end to the first day in Vegas. Then back to the hotel for a relatively early night as we had a very early start the next day.
Day 13 Grand Canyon trip. We had to get up at about 4:30 for a 6am pick up outside the Venetian. We were picked up on time and after a few more pick ups were dropped off at the Maverick terminal. People were still arriving from other hotels so I took the time to have a coffee and a glass of Champaign or two, I know it’s a bit early but we were on holiday. The whole of the canyon looks spectacular and the different rims have different things to offer. We decided on the south rim tour as that is the widest and deepest part of the canyon with the best views, the disadvantage is it is quite a bit further to travel. For this reason and to give a little more time at the south rim we took a tour with a flight down. During the flight you got a view of Lake Mead and the Hoover dam as well as parts of the canyon, the views from the aircraft gave a taste of what was to come. At the south rim airport we split into groups, some went straight on the bus tour, some of us had booked the helicopter flight over the canyon to the north rim and back. Flying over the canyon and in particular the initial view over the edge is one of the most spectacular sights I have seen. Its one of those things you can imagine but unless you get to see it yourself, it would be hard for someone to describe. I am not sure what it was like in the back but having the see through floor in front helped with the whole experience, I would highly recommend the front if you can get it. On return we got the bus to Bright Angel Lodge for a boxed lunch. We went outside to bright angel point, to enjoy lunch with a view. After lunch we had a little time to walk round and explore, then back to the airport to fly back to Vegas. After such an early start we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing before heading out for some more exploring and dinner. We looked round more of the strip including 3 more of the hotels, the Aria, Paris and Planet Hollywood. Three hotels does not sound like much unless you know how big these places are. The other thing I found was you spend time going over the same ground i.e. going round in circles, these hotels are designed to keep you in the casino area as much as possible. For dinner we both like to try a variety of dishes, so had decided to try one of the buffets and Planet Hollywood sounded quiet good. There was a short wait and I noticed the offer for the Buffet of Buffets passes that gets you a full 24 hours of access to “seven of the city’s most spectacular buffets.” So we gave it a try, as it would also give us breakfast and lunch the next day and providing it was before 8pm would also give us dinner. The Planet Hollywood buffet was excellent and I tried lots of “SMALL” dishes representing different parts of the world. I tried to eat small portions but it’s so difficult to be sensible when faced was so many choices. After dinner we walked back to the hotel slightly slower and in my case a touch heavier than when we had left.
Day 14 the strip and an evening show. We started with a light breakfast in Harrah’s then explored some of the hotels and the centre part of the strip. In the Flamingo we had a good look round the gardens then stopped for a light lunch in an area overlooking a river\small lake, full of large Koi Carp and a few duck. In the afternoon we headed further south and explored a few more of the hotels spending most time in the Luxor and the MGM. I enjoyed the whole atmosphere of the MGM in particular the lion enclosure in the middle. We walked back to the Palazzo to get ready for an early dinner before the evening show. We were not sure whether to go for the Paris or Caesars buffet, the Paris was fairly busy so we opted for Caesars. I was going to write a long winded bit about why this place was a disappointment and we did not like it, however we may have just hit it on a bad night. At the end of the day it did not cost much as part of the 24 hour pass and we did manage to find something to eat. So I will leave it by saying I would not go back or recommend anyone else try it, which is a sad thing to say for such a fantastic looking hotel (see day 15). After the early dinner we walked back to the Palazzo to get ready for the evening show. We had decided on the Jersey Boys based on the reviews we had read. The fact it was in the same hotel and the free seat upgrade had played only a small part in the decision. We had a couple of cocktails before the show then settled down for what turned out to be an excellent night’s entertainment. I don’t go to the theatre or shows too often, it’s not my thing but boy was I glad I had. They say you should always see at least one show while you are in Las Vegas and you could do a lot worse than this one. I do like some of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons music and the cast really do it justice, highly recommended.
Day 15 The strip, Downtown and the Fremont Street experience. After the 24 hour food fest, it was time for a lot more walking and a little less food. We went north to the Wynn to start with, it is another great hotel to walk round. We crossed the road and had a walk round the fashion show mall. So sadly for me the shops had come into play, which considering the heat was actually not a bad thing. From there we had a walk round Caesars Palace, a bit like the Venetian the architecture inside and out is spectacular. I think the roman statues and fountains at Caesars Palace make it one of my favourite hotels to walk round in Las Vegas. From there we went to the Bellagio for a walk round and a “light” lunch, again this is a must see hotel. We were going to the Downtown area that evening and as my wife still needed to get some gifts we started by catching the bus to Las Vegas Premium Outlets – North. From there we got the bus to Downtown, some of the casino names were very familiar. I know this is an area some people don’t like they say it’s a little down market in some of the reviews. I can see how people may think that, as once you get off Fremont Street it looks a little drab. So going back to one of the reviews in particular, call me white trash if you want but I quiet liked it. Although I quite liked parts of Downtown I am not sure I would stay there, I think the strip has more to offer. We went into one of the casinos for dinner, then out for the Fremont street experience. Fremont Street is covered by a vaulted canopy which is about 500 meters long. It is basically a large LED screen, which displays moving images to music. I will put up a couple of pictures but you do need to see it for yourself. Even if you are not interested in casino’s its worth going to Downtown just for this. The Fremont Street Experience would have to be on any Las Vegas list of thing you must do.
Day 16 travel home. An earl start as the flight from Las Vegas was at 11, no dramas at check out and no unexpected surprise on the bill. We did however get ripped off by the taxi driver, do not let them talk you into the freeway route, if you can use the hotel shuttle. If it has to be a taxi stick to the normal route, don’t fall for the “it will be full of traffic and you can get delayed” story line. I strangely did not mind too much as I think it was the only time during our trip we got fleeced and as a tourist you almost expect it at least once. The remainder of the trip back was painless with both flights on time. In New York they said the flight was overbooked and offered a $600 voucher and a paid night in a New York hotel, to go on the flight the next day. I was tempted but the offer was only for one and the holiday had gone so well, I did not want to spoil all the good work at this stage.
I will try and get some pictures up over the next few days.
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