Viva Las Vegas!

Las Vegas is actually one of my favorite cities. For some it may be gaudy, corny, and loud, but I still see it as a glittery place that’s really fascinating for everyone, not just those that are over 21 years of age. I first went to Las Vegas as a child, so I know that it’s possible to take children there. Not everyone who goes to Las Vegas are big rollers but still enjoy themselves. There is no need to break the bank to have a wonderful time in Las Vegas. Sometimes it all comes down to knowing where the best deals are and being smart about where to stay.

Hotels located directly on the famed Las Vegas Strip are of course going to be more pricey than the ones located just a little off it. Not staying on the Strip doesn’t negate from your Las Vegas experience, and you can still visit the famous hotels and casinos and gamble there, enjoy the food and other facilities even if you’re not actually staying there. These non-Strip hotels are just as good as some of the ones on it. Visit travel sites and see how hotels rank with real-life travelers.

And because Las Vegas is such a tourist hub, getting there could be easier than you once thought. Peak seasons will likely have an increase with regards to ticket and accommodations. The best way to get the best deals in Las Vegas is to go during the off season. Las Vegas doesn’t really have an off season per se, but it surely beats going there when everyone else is. The off season we’re referring to are those times when people aren’t likely to be flocking there. In short, it’s NOT summer, spring break, or winter holidays.

Keep these in mind, and have a fabulous Vegas time!

A Family Vacation for ALL

“You’re going on a vacation with your little children? Are you insane?”

That’s probably one of the things you’re going to hear when you start asking about good family vacation spots and activities. You can’t blame them, as traveling with children can be quite a challenging feat. The good news, however, is that it’s not impossible and your options are many and varied.

My family traveled a lot when my siblings and I were little, so there were like three children to look after and keep entertained. I believe the secret to having a family vacation that both kids and adults can enjoy is to find places where activities appeal to both parties. My parents achieved that. Among places I can suggest (it’s a pretty unusual list) are:

Disneyland/Disneyworld
Even if you are a cynical adult, you have to admit that you have a soft spot for the Magic Kingdom. It’s because the memories you forged there as a child were so good it’s ingrained in you forever. Why not do it for your kids? You can ride the teacups, the cable cars, Magic Mountain, among others. The “It’s A Small World” ride still appeals to me even as an adult. Older children may like the thrill (or mini heart attack) that the Twilight Zone ride gives. You can watch the parade on Main Street and then the light and fireworks show later on. It’s reliving your childhood while sharing it with your children. Win-win.

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Universal Studios
I’d go have a future family vacation in Universal if only to hear E.T. say my name once again (note: The E.T. ride is now only available in Universal Studios Florida). Any of the Universal Studios locations are good picks. You can interact with your children and explain to them what that talking car was about or why there is a giant shark with its mouth open. If you are a movie-watching family, this place will really keep kids entertained.

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Las Vegas
Yes, you read that right. As a child, I loved Las Vegas. I loved seeing the lights. I loved eating as much mashed potatoes as I wanted. I loved winning tickets and exchanging them for prizes. My parents utilized the Midway to keep kids happy while they sat on slots. Of course it wasn’t all about fun and games. Las Vegas has a lot of shows and I’ve watched many great magic shows and circus acts as a child. Cirque du Soleil is breathtaking to watch no matter what age you are.

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Historic Places
Personally I think these are great places for kids to visit because they’ll actually be in places most people would only read about in books. It also helps that you are interested in things like that because children will ask questions. My parents took us to the Statue of Liberty and I never saw it the same way again. My parents took us to see the pyramids up close, which would mean I was horseback riding in the Sahara. How many children can say they’ve been to Egypt? These kinds of places are a great way to teach your kids something else aside from the usual school stuff.

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The Beach
Come on, you’re going on a vacation, might as well go to the beach right? The beach is all kinds of perfect, and resorts have all sorts of activities planned for both adults and kids, or even the family as a whole. The children can play on the sand while you relax and sip your drink. You can try something new and get surfing lessons and what-not.

See? A family vacation isn’t that hard to plan. You don’t need to stress about it. Just remember, enjoy yourself and take photos. Take lots of photos.

The World’s Five Largest Hotels

Travel and sleep in the 5 biggest hotels in the world

 

 

Super-size me…Occasionally we just want to go bigger because we think it’s better.  This matters in fast food and sometimes it even has to do with hotels. 

 

Have you ever wondered about those huge mega-hotels around the world?  Well here is a breakdown of the world’s 5 largest hotels.

 

The Ambassador City Jomtien is the largest hotel in Asia.  It’s located in Thailand and boasts a 40-acre beach surrounded by mountains of green forests.  The hotel is just 10 minutes by boat from Pattaya, yet it’s worlds away from the hussle and bustle of the city.  The hotel has a sports and tennis center as well as the largest swimming pool in Asia.  This hotel has 5,100 guest rooms and suites.

 

The next four largest hotels in the world are located all in one city…you guessed it…Las Vegas.  The MGM Grand Hotel and Casino is the largest hotel in North America with 4 thirty story towers.  There is a large gold lion outside with live lions inside the hotel.  The hotel also boasts two food courts and nine restaurant.  The MGM Grand has 5,005 guest rooms and suites.

 

Would you like to travel to Egypt but don’t have the time?  Then try the world’s third largest hotel, also located in Las Vegas…The Luxor Hotel and Casino.  The tower house and pyramid have 4,408 guest rooms and suites.

 

The Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas is the 4^th largest hotel in the world.  This hotel has a very popular night club and has also held concerts, museums, and an aquarium as well as numerous restaurants.  The Mandalay Bay has 4,341rooms.

 

And finally, if you love Italy but it’s just too far away, you can visit The Venetian.  Starting out with a replica of St. Mark’s Square, you can experience Italy with it’s gondola rides and strolling musicians.  The Venetian also has the largest standard rooms with an average of 700 square feet per room.  The Venetian Hotel has 4,049 guest rooms and suites.