Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Even Cheap Vegas Travel is Enjoyable

If your idea of a vacation involves sleeping in a hostel room with 20 other people, eating 99 cent buffets, scoring free casino game plays and outdoor people-watching, then Vegas travel is for you! Sure, some couples, high-rollers, celebrities and families come to Las Vegas Nevada without a budget, staying at the most luxurious resorts, eating only the finest cuisine and paying upwards of $300 for front row Vegas shows, but for the easily appeased there is a whole other side that others may miss. After all, everyone feels like a big-shot on the Las Vegas strip, whether they’re paying out like a slot machine or not!

Do you have champagne taste and a beer budget? Don’t worry, even though the celebrity chefs have moved to town, there are still cheap Las Vegas eats to accommodate you on your Vegas travel experience. Oyster Bar at Pennazi (Harrah’s Hotel) will stuff you for $10, Carnegie Deli (Mirage) will give you a pound of corned beef for $11 and Burger Bar will hook you up with some creatively decorated burgers for $12 and but don’t forget to sample one of the 24 beers!

If you’re a lover of the all-you-can-eat buffets, then Green Valley and Red Rock are two of the best low-budget options (we’re talking $10 and under here). Main Street Station will also run you under $15 for some of the best buffet food on the Las Vegas Strip. Some sit-down places to check out for under $15 are Binion’s, California, Ellis Island and Four Queens.

The beauty of traveling to Vegas is the amount of free attractions and Las Vegas shows that are available. At The Bellagio Hotel, there is a magnificent indoor conservatory and an impressive outdoor “dancing fountain” show that is choreographed to music every 15-30 minutes. Similarly, the 54-foot-high volcano erupts at The Mirage every night, which is an impressive sight. The Sirens Battle at Treasure Island is good eye-candy for guys and may be cool for little ones, but will undoubtedly disappoint your “Pirates of the Caribbean” loving teen.

You can check out the lion display at MGM Grand and the flamingos at The Flamingo Hotel at no cost. Twelve million lights shine on Fremont Street, with a special display every 30 minutes. Circus Circus has acts every half hour as well, with hire wire walkers, clowns and magicians touring the building. Perhaps the best free Vegas strip show is the Masquerade in the Sky at The Rio, where sky-high dancers and pulsating music meet. Sci-fi loving, techno music fans will love that there’s no cover to get into Mandalay Bay’s Eyecandy Sound Lounge & Bar.

You may have heard that you can score free alcohol while gambling in any Las Vegas casino. Hello, that’s part of what makes Vegas travel so enticing! Even though the drinks are free, it is customary to tip the waitress $1, although if you tip $2 or more, you can rest assured you’ll get more free drinks than usual. If you want to save money, then try to avoid the clubs.

Some good spots for hanging out and drinking lower-priced drinks include Canaval Court (Harrah’s), Margaritaville (Flamingo), Trader Vic’s (Miracle Mile Shops), ESPN Zone (New York-New York) and Slots of Fun. At Nine Fine Irishmen (New York-New York), you can find a pint of Guinness for $6 and The Bunkhouse in downtown Las Vegas is a cheap traveler’s bar just one block from the USA Hostel.


CHEAPEST LAS VEGAS HOTELS

las vegas all inclusive packages

Las Vegas Discount Packages

Many vacationers take the benefit of discount package deals, by scheduling their vacation time and booking in advance to avail the best-discounted rates for hotels, sightseeing, and cruise. Las Vegas is a travel destination that is preferred by most travelers and has a lot to offer its tourists. It is famous for its nightlife, shopping experience, casinos, alcoholic beverages, and the extensive and vast golf courses. Many website offers too, have great package deals to offer in and around Las Vegas. With the help of the Internet, booking of hotels and acquiring necessary information regarding their services and costs is now possible. The list of price options mentioned online can be compared to those of travel agencies and other online sites.

While in Las Vegas, tourists have numerous lodging choices ranging from small and large hotels to cottages, villas and hostels, which cater to the varying budgets of distinct vacationers. Tourists prefer travel agencies and online bookings to ensure a guaranteed and enjoyable stay in Las Vegas. Travelers are benefited by the various discount offers and choicest hotel accommodation arrangements, made available, by the travel agents to promote customer satisfaction rate and further their business relationship. In furtherance of extending their services, travel agencies also provide round trip flight tickets and reservations. During off-seasons they sometimes, provide special discounts on booking rates of the flight tickets. However, it is not the airlines providing the discounts, but the travel agencies. This encourages more customers to book through them.

The authorities of Las Vegas make sure that the tourists are given best services, at affordable prices. For people who prefer discount package deals, it is advisable for them to opt for group vacation packages, as then, the discount propensity is higher. Though there are many deals that provide special facilities to individual travelers as well, they may not suit every customer’s needs.


CHEAPEST LAS VEGAS HOTELS

las vegas all inclusive packages

How To Save Money On Your Las Vegas Vacation

Las Vegas is a popular travel destination and it’s no wonder. With casinos, shows and 24-hour entertainment, Las Vegas offers the kind of non-stop action that thrill seekers love on their vacations. The only problem is that a Vegas vacation can get expensive.

Between money for entertainment, gambling, food and lodging, the expenses can stack up fast. But with a little bit of planning you can save a lot of money on your Vegas vacation. Here’s what you need to know.

The first step to saving money when you travel to Las Vegas is to set a budget before you go. Your budget should include money for food, money for entertainment and, if you wish, money for gambling. Keep in mind that there are a lot of things to do in Las Vegas that don’t involve gambling. You can take advantage of the other venues and save a lot of money by cutting gambling out entirely. If you do plan to gamble, make sure to set a specific amount of money aside. This way, once you reach that limit, win or lose, you know that it’s time to stop gambling.

It used to be that hotels, restaurants and other venues in Vegas had very low prices because the tourism industry wanted people to come to the city to spend money in the casinos. And while it’s true that things in Las Vegas aren’t as cheap as they once were, you can still find some deals. Hotels often offer discounts if you plan your trip for the middle of the week. Make sure to compare prices using your favorite online travel service when you plan your travel dates. Las Vegas has at least one convention a month for various groups, and during these weeks the prices on hotels can go up.

To save even more money, look for hotel packages of two-day, three-day or week-long stays. If you buy a package for a specific number of nights, you’ll often end up paying less. If you were just planning on staying one night, you might be better off staying two nights with a package deal. Because Vegas is such a popular tourist destination, you can find special promotions on Vegas hotels and packages almost any time of year. Of course, you’ll want to leave plenty of time to shop around for the best package deals, and you’ll want to book early to get the best prices.

If you’re not married to staying on the strip, you may be able to save even more money by exploring the downtown hotels or weekly motels. These locations are frequented by budget travelers who want to save money on lodging. These hotels often have great package deals to attract more visitors and many offer shuttle service to the strip as well as to the downtown area of Vegas.

Even if you don’t gamble, the casinos can provide some memorable dining experiences. Before you leave for your trip, buy a budget guide to Las Vegas travel and check out the dining section. This book will give you a good overview of your many options on and off the strip. Weekday buffets at casinos can be a good way to get large meals. Most casinos offer buffets and some even serve breakfast. If you don’t want to go the buffet route, your cheapest options will be the sandwich shops and inexpensive diners in town.

If you plan on seeing a show, you can save money by planning ahead and getting your tickets early. This way, you’ll be able to get great seats to see the entertainment that you want without paying a high price. Refer to your budget Vegas travel guide for more help on picking a show within your budget.


CHEAPEST LAS VEGAS HOTELS

las vegas all inclusive packages

Going to Las Vegas? Here’s 10 Tips on What to Pack

1. Ladies, this is your chance to dress up! Four-inch heels, black satin cocktail shorts, plunging necklines and more are all at home at night on the Las Vegas Strip. When you consider that there will probably be at least one woman running around the casino dressed in her wedding gown, the dangers of over-dressing really become a moot point here.

And, guys, please, make sure you, too, look good for a night out on the town. A great looking pair of jeans or slacks, a tailored shirt and good-quality leather loafers will get you into almost any club or restaurant (not to mention more looks from the gals who are all dressed to impress.)

2. Stick with the basics and take clothing items that you can dress up or down. For instance, classic jeans work day or evening depending on what you wear with them. A cool, colorful “tee” for day and a dressier, more-structured shirt for evening will work well for both guys and gals.

3. Bring comfortable shoes for walking the Strip. Yes, there are cabs and monorails and shuttles but walking will most likely be your main form of transportation during your stay. Even if you take the monorail, most stations are, by design, at the back — way, way at the back — of the various casino stops.

4. At any time of year, temperatures are glacial inside the casinos so a light sweater or wrap for the ladies and a shirt with sleeves that can be rolled up or down for the guys are necessities. I have a soft, cozy turquoise pashmina that goes everywhere with me and especially to Las Vegas. It’s like a mini-blanket I can fold up and stash in my purse and you would be amazed how many other colors go with turquoise. My husband likes long-sleeved cotton polo shirts for day and long-sleeved dress shirts for night.

5. Be sure to bring sunscreen, lip balm and moisturizing lotions for face and body. The average humidity in Las Vegas never goes above 44% so we are talking some dry air here, people. Even if you never have a problem with chapped lips or dry skin at home, the desert air can do a number on just about anyone. Forget to bring these essentials – or just need an excuse to buy something new? – I love to visit Sephora at the Planet Hollywood Miracle Mile shops. This location is my very favorite beauty supply store anywhere or you can go to the Kiehl’s boutique at the Forum Shoppes at Caesars. And, don’t forget, in Las Vegas you can shop until 11 PM or even midnight.

6. In summer, swimsuits and a small bag for carrying things like bottled water, books, iPods and more to the hotel pool are a must. (That same bag can double as a carry-all for taking any souvenirs back home. )

7. In winter, the desert gets colder than you might think so a warm jacket is a must. Night-time temps can dip into the 30′s or below so lightweight gloves will be appreciated if you are out walking in the evenings.

8. Sunglasses. With more than 300 days per year of sunshine, you are going to need some shades when you venture outdoors — winter or summer.

9. This tip is for the girls — bring a small clutch or “swing bag” to take to the clubs. Something small, cute and light-weight that you can carry onto the dance floor and one that you won’t mind holding if you have to stand in the club admission line for a while…a long while.

10. Camera, film/digital memory cards, batteries. You will find so many fabulous photo ops — like you all dressed up for a night on the town — so keep your camera ready to take that perfect shot!


CHEAPEST LAS VEGAS HOTELS

las vegas all inclusive packages

Loving Las Vegas

When it comes to this city, every enthusiastic vacationer will tell you, just go for it. Reason? Well, there’s no place in the whole world that can replicate the excitement, the enchantment, the fascination and the lively experiences that Las Vegas has to offer. Haven’t we all heard of the famous saying that goes like this ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’. But, there’s certainly something that you can bring back home from a holiday in this beautiful city, happy memories of a thrilling vacation if you please.

Sitting on the pinnacle of the list of ‘most-amazing-places-on-earth’ list, there’s no single airline, big or small that doesn’t offer cheap flights to Las Vegas. They are well aware of the numbers the city draws every month. Fitting into every pocket, deep or shallow, the vibrant city of casinos lets everyone have a ball-of-a-time. So, no matter whether you are looking for indulgent encounters and a lavish stay or here to enjoy the city sans the heavy expenditure, you are sure to receive the treatment you want. Although people know Las Vegas for its glitzy hotels, dazzling casinos, fancy restaurants and other entertaining avenues, there’s much more than meets the eye. Get your pulse racing on thrilling rides and rollercoasters, witness auto racing, reach for the skies through in a hot air balloon, go bowling or karting, take part in a plethora of cultural activities, soak up all the fun offered by free attractions, enjoy horseback riding, indulge in some street-shopping, or get your dose of retail therapy in uber-chic malls.

One interesting aspect of holidaying in Vegas is getting to attend all the events and shows presented by a group of talented performers and organizers. Spectacular from every angle, there are various music, dance, film shows, opera evenings, theatrical performances and other celebration happening every now and then. The Strip is dotted with many kinds and types of accommodations, ranging from luxurious five-stars to two-star cheap hotels, just pick the one that suits you the best. The city is famed for being a global food mecca, and your vacation here would be incomplete without exploring the various culinary wonders the chefs cook up here. Right from fusion food to authentic international cuisines, gourmands have a great time eating here, truly. The city welcomes you with novel experiences to offer every time you visit it, don’t miss them for the world.


CHEAPEST LAS VEGAS HOTELS

las vegas all inclusive packages