Viva Las Vegas!

The Bellagio is perhaps one of the most lush, beautiful hotels in which I have ever stayed. This might change now that owner Steven Wynn has sold the hotel to the Mirage chain. When you first walk into the foyer, you will be wowed by the brightly colored Dale Chihuly glass blown light sculpture. The staff is extremely accommodating and polite. The art gallery within the hotel is on par with that of a famous museum. The rooms are enormous, and our bathroom had a hot tub and a separate spacious shower. The hotel compound was so amazing that you could have never left the hotel and still managed to have a true (although completely upscale) Las Vegas experience.

Picasso is a place to go more for the ambiance than the food. Here I found myself surrounded by more than 20 Picasso paintings. After spending about two hours in the restaurant, I truly got to take in Picasso’s work -- an opportunity I would never have in a museum. Fresh flowers are everywhere, and the staff is extremely attentive. Vegetarians beware: there are not many options on the menu for you. The food is more exotic, and those not willing to experiment will probably leave disappointed. Regardless, the restaurant is quite spectacular.

The Maccioni Family has brought their New York Italian restaurant to Las Vegas. The atmosphere is festive and the food is decent. The prices are high, and you could probably get as great of a meal for much less. If you are seated next to the window, you’ll get to see the dancing fountain show in the Lake, which may make the expensive dinner prices worth it.

Like all of the hotels, New York, NY, has its own casino. Betting tables range from $5 to $1,000. There are plenty of slot machines, including nickel slots. Also, when you manage to get out of the casino, the outside of this hotel has a skyline of New York which is perfect for taking pictures.

This hotel seems slimy compared to some of the others on the Strip, but probably comes as close to an old school gambling feel as a conservative person is going to get. The place is fun for those willing to throw down some money. But for those who are just there to take in the view, go to the big-name hotels where there is a lot more to do.

Depending on how long you are in Las Vegas, consider taking a short plane ride to the neighboring Grand Canyon. High on the Colorado Plateau in northern Arizona, the canyon is over one mile deep, and the colors on the canyon walls shift in hue as the day progresses. The views from above are truly spectacular. Ask your hotel for more details, as there are many companies that offer packages to this natural wonder.

The swimming pool at the Bellagio is immense. Cabanas and private pools can also be rented. While I did not go swimming (it was about 65 degrees), there were people in the heated pools. All hotels have gorgeous outside swimming facilities as the temperatures in Las Vegas can reach well above 100 degrees in the summer.

Like the rest of the Bellagio experience, the shopping in this hotel is quite high-end. If you don’t come prepared to drop a lot of cash then dress the part if you want attention from the sales staff. Just another example, though, of how much this hotel has to offer.

Think upscale mall. Stores include Coach, Guess, Benneton, Bebe, Via Spiga, and Nine West. There is even a food court in this shopping arcade with pizza, burgers, and burritos. While walking through the area might prove trying -- it is always crowded -- the throw-back to Greco-Roman days with statues and paintings of Aphrodite, Cupid, and Augustus, makes for a fun shopping experience.

There is a huge lake in front of the Bellagio Hotel, which has a dancing water show every half hour. (Check inside for exact times.) Each water show is about five minutes and the water spray dances to a certain song. Since I visited during the Christmas season, many of the tunes were seasonal, but I did hear some Sinatra and Broadway renditions being played. In concept, the show seems trite. But like everything else at this hotel, the show is really spectacular. Try to see this both during the day and at night.

Aside from fine dining and gambling opportunities, the Bellagio also offers something not other hotels might not: artwork. The paintings from Steven Wynn’s private collection are on par at what you’d find in any top museum. Art lovers will not be disappointed with works ranging from Monet, Manet, Renoir, and Miro to Pollock, Degas, Cézanne, and Picasso.

The show was unbelievable; prepare to hold your breath and experience flutters in your stomach as the stunts are truly spectacular. More than seventy talented acrobats, gymnasts,dancers, singers, musicians, and clowns come together in this top-notch performance that has been named best show in Las Vegas four times since its debut in 1993. There are no bad seats in the auditorium. One intermission. Seeing either Mystere or O (both Cirque de Soleil productions) is a must-do when in Las Vegas.

The show, which is modeled on the Radio City Music Hall (New York, NY) show, was surprisingly great. The famous Rockettes performed, of course, but there were also magicians, jugglers, singers and other entertainers. Many of the performers relied on the audience’s participation. Each person received two complimentary beverages of her choosing.

The beauty salon in the Bellagio Hotel offers terrific services such as manicures, pedicures, and makeup lessons. The next-door spa is equally luxurious offering facials, massages, and personal training sessions. If going to the spa, be sure to bring a swim suit for a dip in the Jacuzzi and exercise clothes to use the gym. Definitely stay for a few hours and enjoy the complimentary snacks, beverages, and relaxing atmosphere that the spa offers. Caesar’s Palace is a fun place to go with children. They have caged tigers, a large casino, and great shopping. This hotel has been around for years and is a must-visit when on the Strip. Hotels and casinos are always clamoring for people. For the best rates, call a travel agent and get a packaged deal instead of calling your choice hotel directly. As far as nightlife is concerned, it’s hard to recommend particular bars/clubs/casinos because there is a great place every 10 feet. My advice: Just roll the dice and go into a place that looks fun; chances are, you’ll have a blast. Everyone in Vegas is friendly and is there to have a good time, so when in doubt about what to do, just ask a random person, and they will have advice for you.Accommodations When it comes to finding a place to stay in a great city, you won't go wrong in Las Vegas. There are hotels that will please every budget. The less expensive ones are reminiscent of Leaving Las Vegas (not bad-they had a swimming pool and spacious rooms) while the more upscale ones are luxurious, with features such as art from the likes of Monet and Chihuly, wonderful spa services, and exclusive shops such as Tiffany's, Fendi, and Versace. Because tourism drives the economy in this city that never sleeps, look for package deals travel agents as the major hotels like the Venetian, Caesar's Palace, and Paris! are always competing for guests. Dining This city is famous for its huge buffets that are cheap and open 24 hours a day. While you aren't going to find the $.99 buffets of the past, you will find them for $5.95 and upward. But keep in mind, you get what you pay for. Las Vegas also offers a lot of upscale dining options, including Le Cirque, Auerole, and New Orleans-style cuisine compliments of Emeril Lagasse. There are many in-between places to eat that will satisfy any craving- from Japanese and Indian to Italian and French. Deciding where to eat is going to be the hardest part of your trip! Activities It's hard to be bored in Vegas, even if you're not a gambler. The casinos, are one of the main attractions, and once you visit them in Vegas, you will be forever jaded when gambling. Each casino is bigger and better than the previous. Once you have made a killing at the casinos, seeing a show is a must, as the performances found in magician acts, the kicking Rockettes, and the acrobats of Cirque de Soleil are on par with talent found in a Broadway show. With the left over money from your gambling run, head to the shops. Gucci, Coach, and Bulgari are just a few of the upscale venues you will find in the hotels on the strip.