Viva Las Vegas

If you have a list of places to visit before you die, make sure Las Vegas is on it. With its bright lights, vibrant nightlife and 'anything goes' attitude, it's hard not to fall in love with the place

True, it's big and brash, and larger than life in just about every sense, but there's a playfulness that much of the States lacks. It's certainly not taking itself too seriously, although the undercurrent is always that they want to separate you from your money!

Why go?

Apart from the obvious reasons to visit - having a flutter in the casinos or marrying in a quirky chapel - Vegas offers a range of diversions to satisfy all but the most jaded of travellers.

A stroll along The Strip gives you an idea of the scale on which everything is built - Caesars Palace, where The Hangover was set, sprawls over a vast area and drips with opulence. Next to it, the stylish and beautiful Bellagio - setting for George Clooney and co's Ocean's Eleven - oozes charm.

Much of Bellagio's fame rests on its lake and fountains, but take time to wander through the lobby as the ceiling is decorated with 2,000 of Dale Chihuly's stunning hand-blown glass flowers - any romantic's dream!

All the hotels compete with each other to be the most extravagant. You'll also find real live lions at the MGM Grand, an erupting volcano at The Mirage, not to mention Seigfried and Roy's iconic white tigers, and even a pyrotechnic pirate battle performed nightly at Treasure Island.

Although some of these seem geared towards children, be warned. Las Vegas' strict gaming laws mean children can only walk through casinos on their way to restaurants or rooms etc. This particular playground is really for adults only.

Oh, what a night!

You'll be spoiled for choice for nightlife. Most of the hotels house purpose-built theatres for a dazzling array of entertainment. Cirque de Soleil have seven different shows running at theatres along The Strip, so if you like their dramatic mix of acrobatics, dance and music, you'll be more than satisfied.