Las Vegas Virgins - 7 days of fun

[carolynn38]

As we were going to be in Vegas for Tony's bithday, I had decided to buy him for his present a helicopter trip over the Grand Canyon, as this is something we both wanted to do. As it was his birthday, we went full out and booked the Sunset Grand Celebration 1st Class with Papillon. It cost $778 for both of us, but I reckoned it would be one of those once in a lifetime trips.

We were picked up just before 5pm by a stretch limo (very nice) which we shared with another English couple celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary.



As we got nearer the helicopter terminal, my stomache started to go - I'm a bit of a scaredy cat and I was working myself up into a bit of a frenzy. I get slight motion sickness and I was convinced that I would hate every minute of this. On a previous year, I had done a hot air balloon with Tony over the Nile in Egypt, also for his birthday, and that was awful for me, so I thought this would be the same.

Once we got to the terminal we had to be weighed (nice - thankfully the weight wasn't disclosed), and then we were left with free drinks and nibbles and asked to watch a safety video. A few more people turned up and then we were ready to go. There would be 2 helicopters going at the same time. We had upgraded our flight and would be going in a EC-130 EcoStar jet helicopter. Once seated in the helicopter (luckily I was next to Tony and not in the front), and buckled in, we started to lift.

WOW - it was amazing. Not a tummy flip to be felt - it was brilliant. You could feel a bit of vibration, but apart from that it was great.

We left the airport behind and started the 40 minute flight to the Grand Canyon. On the way we passed Lake Mead and the area where all the clebs (Tiger Woods, Celine Dion) have their homes



We also passed the Hoover Dam which seemed so much smaller than I was ezpecting, esp from this height



Before long we were cruising above the Grand Canyon itself - breathtaking.



We landed and was given a bit of time to wander round and take pics.



Whilst we were doing this, the pilots were setting up a picnic and champagne - very nice too!



After, we were again given more time for pics as the sun began to set, and before we knew it, it was time to head back.

[carolynn38]

It was great going back as the sun began to set, and we even made a bit of a detour and went over the 'Bowl of Fire'



This is an area where the rocks are extremely red, and even with the diminishing light it was fabulous.

Before too long, we were making out way back over the strip. This was great as the neon lights were just beinging to be turned on.



Not got many pics of this sorry, as we decided to take video instead.

It was a truely incredible trip, and definately worth every penny. I can heartily recommend Papillon as the (female) pilot was wonderful througout it all.

After we got back to the hotel, we decided to play the slots and roulette (again) for a bit before heading to bed. As it was a Friday, it was starting to get a bit busy in the casino's.

Saturday was a bit of a non-descript day - we had breakfast in the Venetian (quite nice) and even saw the singing Gondaliers walk past us on their way to work. We had another mooch round the Venetian, but I still wasn't too impressed with the place. We did a bit of shopping, a bit of gambling, and then got ready for out Sat evening meal.

Both me and Tony enjoy a good steak and I had heard that the Circus Circus Steakhouse was meant to be the best on the strip so I had made reservations. On the way, we decided to stop in at the Stratosphere and have a look round.



The casino itself was very dated, but it was the top of the tower that we wanted to see. Luckily it was quite quiet so we got straight onto an elevator. This is an express 2-storey elevator, and it even makes your ears pop when climbing. Once we got to the viewing tower, the views were awesome...





We then went to the outside viewing platform where the rides are located, although neither of us tried them - I wonder why...





Next up was Circus Circus



I have to say this was our least favorite hotel. It is very dated, and very shabby compared to other more modern hotels on the strip. The place was teeming with screaming and running around children, which I know the hotel primarily caters for, but for a couple of adults on their own, this was NOT the place. We did sit at the bar for a while (bar tender was not too friendly) and Tony was lucky enough to get a straight flush at video poker. As our reservation was not for another 1/2 an hour we decided to have a quick go on roulete, where Tony took his winning up to $140 - excellent - that would pay for dinner.

We then found the steakhouse and all I can say is WOW. You would not believe that this was in Circus Circus. It was very dark, with panelled wood and leather booths. The service was impecible, and the food absolutely amazing - probably the best steak I have ever had. If anyone goes to Vegas you just HAVE to try this place. I had the French onion soup to start whereas Tony had the Ceasar's salad. We both then had steak and it was nice to see that chips were not an option for accompanyment - lust garlic mash (delicious) or baked potato. I would have loved to have tried desert as the trolly they kept wheeling about looked fab, but there was just no room

After our meal, we went and had a look at the Adventure Dome which is located at the back of Circus Circus. This is like an indoor themepark but it was full of screaming children again, running into you, so we left sharpish and headed home.

[ely3857]

Brilliant pictures of the flight. The Steakhouse sounds yummy



Jodie

[carolynn38]

The next morning, we headed over to Bally's casino as I had already reserved us places at the Champagne Stirling Brunch. This cost approx $65 per person and is basically an upmarket buffet with unlimited champagne... my type of place!

We had a look round Bally's first which I really liked as it was very retro, and the type of place I imagine could have been aroud 30 years ago, then made our way over to the brunch.



This was amazing - the waiters were all white dinner jacketed up, and the food to die for. The choices included caviar, smoked salmon, crab, king crab claws, lobster (delicious), as well as beef, lamb and the likes. It was truely an upmarket buffet, and we definately made good progress through the champagne.

Next up, we went to Bills Gambling house next door to try our luck on the tables - not a good idea after a few drinks but I think we came out even.

To be honest, I can't really remember what else we did that day - I blame the champagne!

Next morning, we needed to do a bit of shopping, so first stop was the Apple store in the Fashion mall to get an ipod for a collegue at work. Then onto the Forum shops at Ceasars.





After a morning of shopping, and since we hadn't had any breakfast, we decided to head over to the Spice Buffet at Planet Hollywood for breakfast. This had to be the best buffet we did. Choces ranged from mexican, Italian, Far East, Lebanese and it was all fabulous - again, the deserts were to die for (can you see a theme developing here!)

We did a bit more gambling here (we did like the roulette) and then went and had another look at the fountains at the Bellagio.



On the way back to our hotel, we passed through the Mirage to see the white tiger, but he was having a snooze.

That evening, we decided to finally see the Sirens show outside our hotel (as it was our last night), but would you believe it, it was too windy and it got cancelled



Instead, we went for a bit of a wander along the strip.



we finally ended up at one of our favorite Florida restaurants - the Outback Steakhouse. We had a bit of a wait, so luckily, as the Steakhouse is located in a casino - Harrah's, we had a bit of a go on the slots where I came out about $40 up.

Does anyone recognise this?



After that, we decided to take a trip up the Eiffel Tower where the views are amazing, especially of the Bellagio fountains





This was a definate highlight of the trip and something I would really recommend doing, epsecially at night.

[ely3857]

All of the food sounds amazing



Jodie

[carolynn38]

Finally it was time to go home. We decided to get up early and try and bag extra legroom seats again. Breakfast was a coffee and shared muffin at Starbucks, then a quick last go on the slots (I hit the blazing 7's at last! )

We checked out and got a taxi to the airport where we were 3rd in line for check-in. After about 20 mins wait we were allowed to check in, but I was told we couldn't have any extra legroom seats as they had all gone. I wasn't happy about this as I couldn't understand how since we were 3rd to check in, and they couldn't be reserved before had they could have possible gone.

I asked to see the supervisor and was told they were expecting quite a few disabled passengers and minors travelling unaccompanied. Fair enough I thought. We were told we would be put on a list in case any became available and the supervisor would see us at boarding.

Oce through to departures we got chatting to a lovely couple called Ken and Barbara, who had checked in just before us. Apparently, we were in the seats they were meant to have had (pre-booked) so they were given extra legroom instead. I was not happy!

There is not a great deal to do at the airport, so we had a quick nosey round the very small duty free and had a quick bite at Burger King - there was only that and a pizza place.

We could see the planes out of the window and you could see how near the strip was to the airport.





Before too long boarding started, but there was still no sign of the supervisor. The plane had nearly filled when another check in lady finally showed up and moved us to 2 bulkhead seats - result!

It was very interesting to see that none of the 14 extra legroom seats (apart from 1) were taken up by children or disabled passengers. Now I also thought that the emergency exits also had to be taken by able bodied adults!

Anyway, the flight home was pretty good. The main meal consisted of a salad, and either beef stroganoff (which I had), lasagne (which Tony had) and a chicken dish. Again we had a chocolate bar and Ice Cream - it was very good.

I managed to get some sleep after watching the film Norbit (suprisingly good) and was woken to a light breakfast of fruit and muffin.

We actually landed nearly an hour early but by the time we had been bussed to our terminal, got our luggage (long wait), we entered back into the UK right on time.

So what did we think of Vegas? It was a really great holiday and I'm sure we will visit again in a few years. I think next time we will stay in the Bellagio though, although the TI was a great choice, esp for the money. One downside though was we were really knackered before we went, and so I don't think we made the most of what we could have done. I would have loved to have gone downtown (Freemont St etc) but just didn't get time. There is a great deal to do at night, but we missed the first few as we were just sooo tired.

The Duece bus is a great way to get around, esp up and down the strip, and the buffets are not to be missed.

Overall, a fantastic holiday.

[Heather1957]

Thanks for this it's a great read - I came back in May and have already booked for March next yera where we decided to saty in the Signature at MGM not a casino hotel but a suite with kitchen - not that we'll cook but there's a fridge and we can make our own coffee!

It sounds like you had a fabulous time and did Vegas in style, lucky you what a gorgeous neclace - and I thought it was you lovely BF's birthday!

I like reading the reports but have yet to write one

I'll see if I can do one when I 'do' the West coast of USA in Sept.

Thanks again - fab pics too

[ely3857]

Sounds like a great trip!



Jodie

[BB139]

Thanks for your report, it's nice to 'see' what you are writing about. It's our first time as well.

We're off to Vegas in August and I had provisionally booked TI, but changed to Hilton Grand Vacations, (not the one at the Flamingo or the one by the convention centre) 2650 LV BLvd. Then I got an offer for The Signiture at MGM in Tower three (now it's completed) so I booked between the two. Hilton 1 Bed suite/Sig 1 bed suite.

thanks again a great report

[Helenr]

I've really enjoyed reading your report.

'Vegas' is somewhere I'd thought of but never really given great consideration to, think this must change.

Thanks again