We love Louis! Even if it is just window-shopping the posh purses at CityCenter Las Vegas and this two-story Louis Vuitton shop, the brand's largest store in North America.

Something we read on VegasChatter today made us get off our blogging butts and write this post we’ve been meaning to do for ages.  While most of our trips to Vegas are geared around couples, we do indulge in the occasional “Girls Getaway” and that agenda is a whole lot different from any we follow when the boys come along.

Here are just a few suggestions – tried and true – of what to do on your next (if you happen to be female) girls trip to Las Vegas.

1.        We love to get our girlie on with a visit to Sephora at Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops.  Better yet, book a FREE make-over and you’ll leave there looking like a million bucks.  And yeah, just try not to buy any of the fabuloso stuff they use to create the new you.

2.       Speaking of the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, you’ll definitely want to spend some time traipsing the circular mile-plus path and hitting such fun stores as H&M, Betsey Johnson, BCBG MAXAZRIA, Urban Outfitters, kitchen specialty shop Sur La Tab and our fave shop for cheap Vegas T-shirts, ABC Stores.  (There are actually two of them in the mall.)  Leave time for a stop at Fat Tuesday’s Daiquiri Bar where we highly recommend the Banana Banshee and the Mojito.  (Word to the wise, drink too many of the latter and you won’t be able to movito away from the bar.)

3.       When we travel with the boys, we find ourselves at lots of casino buffets – big fat breakfast and lunch buffets.  While that’s fine for those trips, we really appreciate relaxing with the girls over a more refined meal – one that includes servers who, well, serve us.  With that in mind, check out these girlie favorites:

• Serendipity 3 in front of Caesars Palace – Just look for the pink and white striped awnings and be sure to order the Cotton Candy Martini.  Need we say more?
• Payard Bistro inside Caesars – The tiny jewel box of a restaurant serves some of the best breakfasts in town.  The one that gets our morning going in the right direction is the Eggs Benedict on Croissant.  This is the real-thing:  perfect Hollandaise sauce, gently poached eggs, lean salty ham and the BEST croissant on the planet.
• Society Café at Encore – Yes, we know lots of guys like it but, really, take one look at all the frou-frou and fluff and it just screams gently whispers “Ladies-Who-Lunch” at you.  The classic Tuna Nicoise and the fruit-and-nut laden Grilled Chicken salads are both fresh and, gulp, good for you as well.

4.       No Las Vegas girls weekend is complete without this stop:  Lunch or dinner on the Strip-side patio at Mon Ami Gabi restaurant which fronts Paris Las Vegas.   This  Vegas favorite combines the BEST people-watching opportunities with a menu sure to please the fussiest of groups (you know who you are) along with a front-row seat to the Fountain Show at Bellagio.  Toss in a  thoughtful wines-by-glass list, the must-have profiteroles for dessert AND superb service and you’ve got a spot to make everyone happy, happy.

5.       Last stop, window-shopping at Crystals, the retail area of CityCenter, then onto ARIA Casino Hotel for our one big blow-out dinner of the trip at Sage.  This funky yet sophisticated purple-and-gold outpost of Chef Shawn McClain is the most under-appreciated fine dining spot in Las Vegas.  Really.  The food is phenomenal and the service is excellent.  The Roasted Day Boat Scallops with braised Oxtail/Wild Mushrooms/Salted Caramel Reduction (quoted from the menu) is one of the best scallop preparations we have ever had – anywhere.  Start with the Foie Gras Custard  Brûlée and end with any of the chocolate-centric desserts and you’ll leave a happy camperess.  By the way, Sage now features Absinthe service, something we are definitely going to try during our next visit.

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Tapas at Julian Serrano at the ARIA are perfect for sharing with a crowd and the sangria rocks.

Headed to Las Vegas this week for CES 2011? Here are some new places to see/things to do/food to eat guaranteed – yes, this post comes with a guarantee – to make your CES visit enormously exciting.  (Okay, so we know the electronics are the raison d’etre for this trip but trust us, Hubert Keller’s “Top Chef Masters” competition-winning “In The Shower” Mac & Cheese made with lobster and brunoise vegetables is what you’ll still be talking about come summer.)

1. Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas – You’ve seen the ads now see the real thing (sans kittens, goats, Westies and hopefully, pants-free bellboys.) Drinks at inside The Chandelier bar is a must as is dinner at Jaleo which will no doubt be the toughest table to lay your hands and fork on this weekend.

2. Hash House A Go Go has opened on the Strip. At Imperial Palace to be exact. Lots of great diner food including the famed – for good reason – Farm Benedicts. Open Friday and Saturday until 2 AM, it’s the perfect spot to head for when you need something to soak up that bottle of Grey Goose that kept calling your name at the club.

3. While it may be too cold for swimming, check out the new pool digs at Encore and the renovated space at Caesars Palace. Summer – in Vegas, anyways – is just around the corner.

4. New games to try: Lord of the Rings at Caesars Palace; Sex and the City at ARIA and Planet Hollywood; Triple Spin Poker at ARIA or Ultimate X video poker at the Bellagio.

5. If you didn’t make it over to ARIA last year or if you did but missed dining there, be sure to check out Julian Serrano for tapas (the warm spinach salad and the country bread with tomatoes are both wonderful as is the white sangria.) Sage Restaurant is awesome as well. The boy knows what to do with scallops, foie gras and lamb.

6. Sip some outstanding grape while noshing on small plates at the new La Cave Wine and Food Hideaway located inside Wynn Las Vegas. We’ve heard good things about the space and will also be checking it out for the first time this week. (We’re the two chicks – dressed in East Coast black — huddled over the baked clams with pepperoncini and Parmesan.)

7. That mac and cheese we were talking about? Find it here at Fleur by Hubert Keller, now open at Mandalay Bay and serving, as the press release calls them, “inventive small plates, sweet endings and dramatic cocktails.” (Hey, put enough liquor in and we find any cocktail to be “dramatic.”) We are ginormous fans of Chef Keller and of liquid nitrogen so we’ll be there as well this weekend.  (We’re the two dramatic chicks at the bar no doubt dressed in black.)

Come back tomorrow for more ideas and that guarantee we told you about….

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If you are heading to Las Vegas this summer be sure to check out this fabulous free display.  If possible, be there once the sun goes down as the gardens become even more beautiful when decked out in a custom lighting display that off-sets the night sky above.

Tip:  No stop at the Bellagio is complete without a visit to Jean-Philippe Patisserie for a perfect Napoleon, raspberry tart or fondant-adorned mini-carrot cake.

Enjoy these photos from this summer’s display at the Bellagio gardens.

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Vegas is wooing out-of-town shoppers with free tickets to shows like Blue Man Group at The Venetian.

Here’s how to roll three of my favorite things — Las Vegas, shopping and free — all into one sentence:  Do your holiday shopping in Las Vegas this year and get free show tickets.  No kidding.  Non-Nevada residents who shop from 11/29 through 12/13/2009 and spend $500 or more at participating retail shopping areas such as the brand-new Crystals at CityCenter, the Forum Shops at Caesars, the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian and even the stores at the Las Vegas Premium Outlet mall can qualify for two complimentary tickets to shows like Phantom at the Venetian, Peepshow at PH, Donny & Marie Osmond and more.  Find all the details at VisitLasVegas.com.

Speaking of CityCenter, the sure-to-be-spectacular new Aria and Vdara resorts are both taking reservations and you can get special rates when you use the promo codes plus these links:

Aria: ARIA “Winter Special” Rates from $159/nt (2nt Min). *Enjoy this incredible offer at ARIA, MGM MIRAGE’s newest resort-casino at CityCenter – Stay Two Nights at a Special Rate from $159 per night and Receive a $75 Resort Credit (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Dec 17, 2009 – Apr 1, 2010. Promo Code: AR159G75 (Exp 4/1/10).

Vdara: Vdara “Winter Special” Rates from $139/nt (2nt Min). *Stay Two Nights at Vdara Hotel & Spa at a Special Introductory Rate from $139 and Receive a $50 Resort Credit (*See site for additional detail and restrictions). Dec 1, 2009 – Mar 31, 2010. Promo Code: VRLVCVA (Exp 4/1/10).

Also, take advantage of more great rates this winter by booking a room at MGM Grand with this cool offer –

MGM Grand Las Vegas “Holiday Spree” — Rates from $75 per night. *Promo includes: $35 Dining credit, $25 Spa services credit, and 15% off retail purchases. (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Nov 4, 2009 – Mar 31, 2010. Promo Code: MKT320 (Exp 1/31/10).

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Take a tour of Hoover Dam and you'll also get to see the new bypass bridge currently under construction.

We love Las Vegas ANY time of year but particularly in the fall.  There just seems to be something special about the warm sunny days and temperate evenings.  Visit in October and you can expect daytime temps ranging from the 80′s to high-70′s with evenings in the 50′s and 60′s — that’s sweater weather for desert dewellers like us. With weather like that, it’s a perfect time to put down the dice, back away from the buffet and visit some of the top things to do in Vegas that don’t involve the Strip or the gaming tables.

Hoover Dam — This marvel of engineering is located just thirty minutes from the Strip and offers visitors an amazing example of engineering wizardry.  In an article entitled “The Grand Dam” by Julian Rhinehart, the author says “Few structures in America display the diversity of design and craftsmanship that you see at Hoover Dam. It is a showcase of seldom-seen skills of artists and artisans–beautifully presented terrazzo tiles, sculpture, metalwork, and even military emplacements.”

A visit to this “don’t-miss” Las Vegas attraction is  further enhanced  by the opportunity to view the construction of the massive new Hoover Dam Bypass bridge that will route traffic over and away from the dam.  A mind-boggling assortment of pulleys, tracks, winches and cranes is in place and in use for workers building this newest engineering masterpiece.  When completed next year, this signature bridge will span the Black Canyon (about 1,600 feet south of the Hoover Dam), connecting the Arizona and Nevada Approach highways nearly 900-feet above the Colorado River.

Lake Mead/Hoover Dam Cruise — Living in Phoenix, we drive to Las Vegas almost every trip and we still marvel passing by at how beautifully blue the waters are at Lake Mead!  You can cruise Lake Mead, the largest man-made lake in the United States, aboard the “Desert Princess” paddle wheeler.  While on the lake, you’ll pass by such sights as the colorful Arizona Paint Pots, Fortification Hill, and Boulder Island. Take this all-day trip and you’ll also visit Hoover Dam, make a stop at Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Gardens.

Red Rock Canyon – The stunningly beautiful Red Rock Canyon park, located just 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip on Charleston Boulevard/State Route 159, was designated as Nevada’s first National Conservation Area.  The area is 195,819 acres and is visited by more than one million people each year and offers visitors access to a 13-mile scenic drive, more than 30 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, plus a visitor center with exhibit rooms and book store.  One of the favorite ways to take in Red Rock’s beauty is through a “Pink Jeep” tour of the area.  (Take your camera for some memorable shots of the colorful Calico Hills that surround the park.)

Take advantage of these fall deals from Expedia.com and save on activities, hotel rooms and airfare packages for your visit to Vegas.

+ Book Las Vegas Activities and save on Expedia.com! Expires 9/30/09

+ Book Early & Save on October Trips: Air + 3 Night Vacations from $187! Expires 10/15/09

+ Fall “Free Nights” Hotel Sale: Stay 3, 4 or 5 nights & Get your last night FREE! Expires 10/15/09

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Simply magical. The Bellagio gardens shine after the sun goes down. (Photos & all content property of www.royallyflushed.com)

No matter how busy we are during our trips to Las Vegas, we still never miss the chance to see what gorgeous seasonal display the Bellagio has in store for visitors to their remarkable Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. We definitely consider it to be one of the top free things to do on the Las Vegas Strip.

For some reason, we always seem to be at the Bellagio during the day but because we spent two fabulous nights there this trip, we were able to visit the famed Bellagio garden at night and see it in all its evening finery. If you have never seen the garden at night, you really should make a point of going because it truly is a different experience once the sun goes down.  You can see from the photos how the ambiance changes day to night.

This summer the display features some popular design elements used in the past including colorful hot air balloons floating overhead and a pair of father and son bears made entirely from greenery. New this year: a brilliantly-lit Ferris wheel with cars brimming with sunflowers; a glass “green house” with aviaries featuring flocks of rainbow-colored birds like lorikeets and parakeets; and whimsical over-sized tin cans pouring forth glowing cascades of water.

The current display will be on view until September 14 when the theme changes to one featuring autumn leaves and harvest time colors.

Daytime reveals colorful balloons and a green house filled with exotic birds.

Dancing waters accented with LED lights put on a show at night at the Bellagio gardens.

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One of the best hotel deals in Las Vegas this Spring -- The Bellagio for just $129 per night.

Looking for the best Las Vegas hotel deals just got a whole lot easier!  Introducing our exclusive new “Best Days, Best Rates in Las Vegas” calendar which shows you the top days for saving money on your hotel room when planning your Las Vegas getaway.  We’ve done the research on which big conventions will be in town so by avoiding those dates, you can book your Las Vegas hotel room for a lot less.  Also, if you can plan your trip for early or mid-week, you can save even more on your Vegas trip.  And because we know that a weekday trip isn’t always possible, we’ve also called out the best weekends to save money each month.

For instance, check out this amazing room deal at the luxurious Bellagio.  When you plan your three-night stay starting Monday, May 25, you’ll pay just $132 per night on average.  That’s 5-Star luxury at an almost unbelievable bargain price.  Or how about mid-Strip favorite, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, for just $89 per night during that same time frame?  And, if you’re looking to save your money for the tables, we found Flamingo Las Vegas — with its gorgeous pool area perfect for a day in May — at an average $52 per night plus a bonus of $30 in resort credits.

Plus, new this Spring, if you book through Expedia or Hotels.com, you’ll receive their new “Premier Shopping Passport” with printable Las Vegas coupons good at retail stores and restaurants up and down the Strip.   Here’s the description of this special coupon package:  “The Las Vegas Convention and Vistors Authority and Las Vegas Premier Shopping Places – Fashion Show Mall, The Grand Canal Shoppes and The Shoppes at The Palazzo — would like to offer you a Premier Shopping Passport filled with thousands of dollars in shopping and dining savings. Offers are from over 175 retailers with additional special offers and services reserved exclusively for our valued Expedia and Hotels.com customers. Examples of great offers:  Saks Fifth Avenue Las Vegas- 15% off; COLE HAAN – 20% off; or Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio restaurant — 25% off just to name a few. (Some restrictions apply.)

Here’s our exclusive new “Best Days, Best Rates” calendar for Las Vegas:

April:  27, 28, 29, 30

May:  10, 11, 12, 13, 25, 26, 27, 28 — Best weekend in May:  7, 8, 9,

June:  14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24 — Best weekend in June:  18, 19, 20

Happy planning!  We’ll publish our best summer rates calendar in early May.

Last minute Vegas values at Expedia.com!

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Some of the chefs appearing at the Vegas Uncork'd event include: Guy Savoy, top right; Bobby Flay, top center; and Francois Payard, bottom left; all from Caesars Palace.

Calling all foodies!  Tickets for the culinary festival, Vegas Uncork’d, are selling out quickly.  The annual event — held over Mother’s Day weekend this year — is being billed as “A Bon Appétit Epicurean Experience” with the popular cooking magazine a co-sponsor of the four-day bash.

With the Las Vegas dining event happening May 7-10, this would make a perfect Mother’s Day getaway weekend for the special lady in anyone’s life.  Moms who love gourmet dining, amazing desserts, superb wines and rubbing elbows with the top chefs who make it all happen will really enjoy this year’s agenda.  Mother’s Day hotel deals in Las Vegas are still available.  Check out the deals at Bally’s, The Venetian, Paris and more here >>>> Last minute Vegas values at Expedia.com!

Kicking things off in style is the Masters’ Series Dinner at Caesars Palace where guests can
mingle with celebrated chefs such as Guy Savoy and François Payard, among others. Those with a sweet tooth can indulge in a “Sweet Decadence” culinary workshop at the Bellagio during which Executive Pastry Chef Jean-Philippe Maury and Bon Appétit Editor-and-Chief Barbara Fairchild create a lineup of delectable chocolate desserts.  (And, yes, I will definitely be at this event!)

Another sure way to impress mom is with tickets to “A Tale of Five Chefs” at the Bellagio with
Julian Serrano, Todd English, Michael Mina, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Jean-Philippe Maury. Night owls and card players can hold’em or fold’em with chefs and vintners at the Midnight Poker tournament at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

For a memorable Saturday afternoon, guests can attend the Wynn Star Chef Luncheon Series and meet chefs Alex Stratta, Paul Bartolotta, Daniel Boulud, David Walzog and Richard Chen. The perfect ending to a weekend with mom is at one of the Wynn’s two simultaneous Mother’s Day brunches at Tableau with chef Mark LoRusso and The Country Club with Chef Rene Lenger.

Find all the information on events and tickets here at the Vegas Uncork’d website.

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Our initial idea was to do one site which would cover lots of great gambling destinations and give recommendations – and hot deal alerts! -  on where to stay, places to dine, where to shop and what sight-seeing and special events were not to be missed.  We’ve now decided that there is so much to see and do in so many of the good gambling spots we visit that it would best serve our readers to build some additional websites focusing on specific destinations.

With that in mind, we are pleased to announce our first “sister” site, AZCasinoTravel.com.  With 23 casinos spread throughout the state plus so many special things to do and see here in the Grand Canyon State, we felt we had more than enough to work with in building an info-packed site for visitors to our beautiful state. In addition to our casino guide and reviews, we’ll also keep readers up-to-date on the best deals on Arizona hotels, dining, golf, shopping and all types of vacation activities.

This new site is the first in what will be a family of websites our readers can go to for help in planning a casino trip that includes not only where to play but also where to stay, dine, shop, play golf and more.  (We think you’ll find these sites helpful in planning any trip to the specific destination – with or without gaming!)

Also, because these sites will be more location-oriented, we hope our readers will feel comfortable in asking for suggestions, posing questions and leaving comments about each spot we feature.

Click on the name – AZCasinoTravel – to visit our new site now and let us know what you think!

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Stylish dining at Botero Steak at Wynn Encore in Las Vegas.

A lot of special occasions are celebrated by going to Las Vegas.  Birthdays, anniversaries, bachelor and bachelorette parties, “the-divorce-was finalized-and-it’s-time-to-party”-party.  You name it; we celebrate it by taking a jaunt to the Nevada desert.  So on a recent trip to Las Vegas, when it was time to pick a restaurant for a birthday dinner for P.B., we chose the new Botero Steak restaurant at Wynn Encore.

Being huge fans of SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas, we were curious to see how the newest steak-centric Wynn restaurant would stack up.  It’s a real pleasure to report that this newest eatery is firing on all cylinders – and that’s just a few weeks after opening.

Botero – named for the South American painter, sculptor, and artist who is a favorite of Steve Wynn’s – is striking in its design and lay-out no doubt in part to nightlife impresario and Botero partner, Victor Drai.

Entry into the circular dining area is through a cozy bar/lounge (a goldmine of people-watching opportunities) with a colorful display of artwork and glass decanters filled with gumball-hued liquids.  The main dining room – dominated by Botero’s “The Seated Lady” sculpture and looking out over the Encore’s lavish pool area – is done mostly in chocolate browns and glossy white which allow the primary colors of the paintings to stand out in stark relief.  It’s a sleek, wry space.  (Even if you don’t dine here, it’s worth a trip into the restaurant just to see the fanciful décor.)

But, you should dine here.  Décor aside, the food is well worth the visit.

Chef Mark LoRusso, formerly of Wynn’s Tableau restaurant, is the toque behind the menu and a fun menu it is.  His appetizers offer everything from soup to nuts in the form of a “Tasting of Soup” (choose two) to the candied walnuts found atop the “Gem Lettuce Salad.”  A hefty number of sea creations vie with entries from his “Farms and Fields” collection for your dining attention.

P.B. and I both chose salads (a real rarity we both wanted greens) with the Caesar for him, the aforementioned Gem Lettuce Salad – pears and Roquefort as well as walnuts on baby greens – for me.  Both were exactly what we wanted: crisp greens perfectly dressed with complementary vinaigrettes.

For our main course, P.B. was extremely happy to find that one of the night’s special entrees was Dover Sole – his absolute favorite fish.  (Happy Birthday, indeed!)  My choice was the bone-in, dry-aged New York Strip.  All steaks are offered with your choice of preparation:  traditional, pepper steak or chimichurri.  I chose traditional grilling with a ramekin of the spicy, garlicky chimichurri sauce on the side.

Far and away, the star of the evening was P.B.’s huge portion of melt-in-your-mouth Dover Sole done in a caper-accented buerre blanc and presented in a copper pan which served to keep the fish warm throughout the meal.  My steak was very good – beefy, chewy in the best possible way and cooked perfectly; the assertive chimichurri sauce a good accompaniment to the hearty flavor of the meat.

Side dishes could possibly steal the show if not for that stellar Dover Sole.  Our “Creamed Spinach with Crispy Egg” featured a breaded and fried whole egg whose yolk combined with the cream sauce for a rich take on this steakhouse side fav.  The “Polenta and Leek Onion Rings” were light and crunchy – terrific munchies to go with the beef.

And what meal would be complete without dessert?  None that I know of but particularly not one meant to be a birthday celebration.  We chose the “Ice Cream Cupcakes,” hobbit-sized babycakes in a variety of sweet flavors like banana, strawberry and mint chocolate topped with housemade ice cream frosting.

Does Botero break new culinary ground?  No.  Did I expect it to?  Again, no.  Is it a hip, well-executed steakhouse restaurant with enough interesting and outstanding dishes to warrant being a Las Vegas favorite?  You bet.

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Book a stay at Caesars Palace in Vegas for just $90 a night this spring.

We’re back….  After a driving trip across the country’s mid-section (and, sadly, no time for stopping at the numerous casinos along the way) we came home to a mailbox full of outstanding Las Vegas deals.

Las Vegas really does represent one of– if not the — best travel values available in the country right now.  Take a look at these rates for the best in Spring getaways:
Enjoy Caesars Palace from $90 a night or
Las Vegas on Sale: Trump Hotel from $89 a night.
and, remarkably,
The luxury of the 5-Star Wynn Las Vegas from just $129 a night!

You can also get great values on things to do while you’re in town by booking your shows and more online at Expedia.  Pick up tickets for less to shows like the highly-recommended KA at MGM Grand (plan on dinner at Nob Hill Tavern before or after) or the fast and funny “V – The Variety Show” at Planet Hollywood.  (While at Planet “Ho,” have a drink at the casino’s Heart Bar or play a couple of hands of blackjack with their “Pleasure Pit” dealers.)

You can also book trips to visit nearby Hoover Dam or explore the breath-taking scenery of the Red Rock Canyon area while on a Pink Jeep Tour. For all the coolest activities at terrific prices check out: Best of Vegas at Expedia.com

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The Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis King of France in New Orleans is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the United States.

If you are planning a trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras (or for any time at all,) here’s Part II of our terrific piece on the current state of the town — plus tips on what to do and see — written by one of our most experienced food and travel contributors.

Apart from dining, drinking, gaming and shopping there is a wealth of things to do and see in the area.  You don’t have to be a history buff to be seduced by the unique architecture and centuries of colorful stories and characters that inhabit the streets.  The past lives cozily right alongside the present.

Sure, you can spend a bunch, but the budget conscious will appreciate that New Orleans prices are a relative bargain and there are plenty of free and low cost things to do.

Drinking café au’lait and eating beignets at Morning Call Café across from St. Louis Cathedral is people-watching par excellence. Take the free ferry across the Mississippi to Algiers, a tiny colorful neighborhood that calls to mind a separate small town with its Victorian homes and cottages. Strolling through the Garden District admiring the mansions (including author Ann Rice’s former home, a brooding purple pile) is a lovely way to spend a half day — stop for Gulf oysters at little Cassamento’s on Magazine or have a happy hour cocktail on the veranda of the The Columns (the hotel doubled for the bordello in the movie Pretty Baby).

The cemeteries, known as “Cities of the Dead“, are legendary and it is easy to get lost wandering their narrow “streets”. Because of the wet soil, bodies are laid to rest in above ground tombs rather below ground in graves. They range from the staggeringly ornate in the Metairie cemetery to simple “ovens” where bodies are stacked in vaults in a wall. Perhaps one of the most evocative is Lafayette Cemetery # 1, directly across the street from Commander’s Palace. The ages and dates chiseled in the tombs trace the epidemics that swept through the city in centuries past. A tiny tomb is inscribed simply “Our Five Babies”.

New Orleans and the River Road are rich in historic home/museums and plantations, an evocative glimpse of life in other times. If you’re lucky, as we were, a visit might coincide with a charity-driven home tour and an opportunity to see how present day inhabitants live in these old buildings.

Has New Orleans changed? Yes, without question. Driving around outside the District, Quarter and Faubourg Marigny reveals how many crumbling homes and businesses are boarded over, still bearing FEMA’s red identifying marks. And, unfortunately, many of the things that could have been done that would have strengthened the infrastructure and bolstered the indomitable spirit of the inhabitants were not. It is a smaller, less populous place and that in itself is a boon to travelers who would like to experience fun, food and frivolity without the too often obnoxious crowds and long lines of the past.

Would I go back?  In a heartbeat. It is still the city that care forgot offering a million ways to forget your own cares. And, increased tourism can only help bring back the glory days of pre-Katrina. We all owe New Orleans that.
Book now & save up to 50% on Hotels in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Book by 2/23 for travel from 2/13 to 2/28/09.

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Mardi Gras revelers will soon be jamming Royal Street in New Orlean's famed French Quarter.

Beginning this weekend, thousands of revelers will descend upon New Orleans to take in all that the City has to offer for its famous (some would say infamous!) Mardi Gras celebration.  For those of us who enjoy casino gaming, Harrah’s in New Orleans will be high on the list of places to both see and spend some time at during Carnival Week.  If you haven’t made your reservations, there are still lots of hotel rooms available and lots of fun to look forward to in “The Big Easy.”  Book now & save up to 50% on Hotels in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Book by 2/23 for travel from 2/13 to 2/28/09.

If you are planning a trip to New Orleans either for the big party or any time at all, here’s a terrific piece on the current state of the town — plus tips on what to do and where to eat — written by one of our most experienced food and travel contributors. (Look for Part II tomorrow!)

It would be difficult to describe to someone who’d never been there, just what New Orleans was like before Hurricane Katrina.  Historically, culturally, geographically, socio-economically, the city was unlike any other in the United States.

Indolently rooted in the past, but always enthusiastically reveling in the pleasures of the present, New Orleans richly deserves its nickname “The Big Easy”. Hear the words Bourbon Street or French Quarter and the mind conjures up jazz, cocktails, great food and good times. (Although the ostensibly well-named Bourbon Street is an homage to the French ruling dynasty not the American liquor.)

It’s the home of Mardi Gras, the greatest party ever thrown (despite the fact the public cannot gain entrance to the balls and soirees given by the insular carnival Krewes).

But who needs private parties when the streets teem with non-stop action; conventioneers, college kids, tourists and every imaginable kind of pleasure-seeker elbowing convivially through the old quarter.  From Preservation Hall to Pat O’Brien’s, happily clutching to-go cups, they looked for and found excitement, adventure and blinding hangovers.  Retail bustled, casinos were packed, and restaurants like K-Paul’s and Emeril’s only took reservations months in advance.

But Katrina and what happened in the aftermath, or more to the point didn’t happen, changed everything.

First there was news of the devastation, then the lack of help putting things back in working order. Little by little reports were made that the city was getting it together — this despite the fact the population was almost halved by the diaspora caused by the destruction. And the people of New Orleans were the city: the heart, soul, brains and brawn that defined it.

Since my first trip there in the mid-sixties, I’ve felt an inexplicable bond with New Orleans that has only strengthened after dozens of visits. I couldn’t bear not to go one more time.

Given the choice between Mardi Gras madness, when tens of thousands of visitors clog the city, or the relatively intimate, locally-driven celebration that is Halloween, I made my reservations for the end of October hence this “trip report” from that time period.

Let’s start with the restaurants.  For the most part, food and dining — always an integral part of the culture — has roared back with old favorites such as Galatoire’s, Antoine’s and Brennan’s in business but minus the long lines of waiting patrons. Some worthy new places have opened, too.

Among the not-to-miss standards are the palatial robin’s egg blue Commander’s Palace in the Garden District across Canal from the Quarter. (City transportation is good. There are abundant taxis; streetcars run along the river bank to downtown and Harrah’s casino; another line runs directly through the Garden District.) Along with Galatoire’s, Commander’s is a bastion of haute Creole food featuring local game and seafood.

Antoine’s is fun from a historic aspect but the food has always been, to put it in gaming terms, a crapshoot. Brennan’s long, boozy brunches courtesy of old-fashioned, formally clad male service are elegantly hokey.

Interesting newcomers include a contemporary Cajun spot called Cochon on Tchoupitoulas Street that’s done up in a trendy rustic-style with exposed brick and pale wood. As the name suggests, pork rules along with imaginative reworkings of local standards. In the re-gentrifying area of Bywater, Elizabeth’s is an always-crowded, oil-tablecloth joint with big flavored food like chicken livers with pepper jelly and spicy duck hash.

Take a miss on the much-hyped Uptown eatery Jacques-Imo’s; it’s crowded, ugly, chaotic and neither the service or food were particularly noteworthy. Fortunately, it’s an anomaly in a town obsessed with its culinary heritage and the pleasures of the table.

Of course, New Orleans is also the birthplace of the cocktail and local bartenders pride themselves on preparing time-honored quaffs like the sazerac, Ramos’ gin fizz and that brunch staple, bourbon milk punch. The Quarter is full of great bars, from the ultra-posh to the endearingly crummy Jean Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop that looks every minute of its 237 years in existence. (Don’t miss the relatively new Museum of the Cocktail.)

The beginnings of jazz can be traced directly to New Orleans at the end of the 19^th century. The genre continues to flourish locally along with toe tapping zydeco and Cajun-style music. Along with traditional venues such as Preservation Hall and Tipitina’s, I found the free weekly tabloid a helpful guide to who is playing where.

Harrah’s Casino, the largest in the South, differs little in operations from other Harrah’s round the country. But the huge, circular building has plenty of its own charms including 2000 slots and over 100 table games. These days there’s no waiting for a chance to play. There is also live entertainment and an excellent steakhouse helmed by popular local chef John Besh.

Apart from dining, drinking, gaming and shopping there is a wealth of things to do and see in the area.

Read more in tomorrow’s blog post.

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Better than a box of chocolates? A stop at Payard Patisserie at Caesars Palace on Valentine's Day.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we were going to run a list of our favorite romantic (read expensive) restaurants in Las Vegas.  However, with all the talk about how Las Vegas has become such a great “frugal” destination for travelers (it is!) plus considering the state of the economy — not to mention our wallets — we’ve decided that in lieu of that list, we’ve come up with this list: Seven inexpensive yet fun and romantic things you and your sweetie can do this coming weekend.  (Lots of these ideas can be used in places other than Las Vegas so take a look even if you won’t be traveling for V-Day.)

1.  One of our favorite stores is Bijoux Terner, otherwise known as the “$10 boutique.”  Everything (and we really mean everything) from purses to watches to bold and brassy necklaces and earrings is just $10.  Why not treat your sweetie to a week’s worth of colorful watches or five new handbags in spring’s brightest shades.  No, not “designer” pieces but who wants to spend a ton on a bright orange watch or a psychedelic pink purse anyways?

2.  Try a “celebrity chef” for less.  Case in point; Tom Colicchio, famous head judge on Bravo TV’s smash-hit “Top Chef” is the brains (and toque) behind ‘wichcraft at MGM Grand.  His fabulous meatloaf sandwich is just $10 and almost as good as the beefy entrees at his high-priced Craftsteak restaurant just down the corridor.  Oh, and make sure you save room for the decadent “Whoopie Pie” — chocolate cake layers filled with vanilla pudding.

3.  Sugar & Ice café at Wynn Las Vegas is an all-time favorite sweet stop for us.  Splurge on double scoops of rich, velvety ice cream — the lemon tart just sings with flavor — while relaxing on the gorgeous patio that looks out onto the “Lake of Dreams” and the lush surroundings of the Wynn grounds.

4.  Plan a dessert tour.  Chocoholics will love a stop at either Jean-Philippe Patisserie at Bellagio or Payard Patisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace (or maybe both!) and then on to Cocolini in St. Mark’s Square at The Venetian for bowls of authentic gelato.  End the evening with chocolate martinis at Table 10 at The Palazzo.

5.  Treat each other to body lotions at Kiehl’s at The Forum Shoppes.  There’s a yummy Forest Rain lotion for guys plus a warm vanilla-scented cream for her.  Take your purchases back to your hotel room and have fun.  (You can plan ahead and make sure your MP3 player has a special “romantic songs” playlist just for the occasion!)

6.  Stroll the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens together.  Ask a kind stranger to take your picture — kissing — while surrounded by this floral wonderland.  After your walk, head for the hotel gift shop and pick up one of the sparkly “Bellagio” keychains ($10) as a reminder of your trip.

7.  Sip a cocktail, or better yet, a glass of champagne in the plush, dimly-lit Napoleon’s at Paris Las Vegas.  The piano bar comes alive later in the evening, but until then, this bar features smooth jazz, no cover charge and a very romantic atmosphere.

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Treat your Valentine to a gondola ride at The Venetian Las Vegas.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day comes this super offer from both The Venetian and sister property, The Palazzo — one of the top picks on our recent list of “most romantic hotels in Las Vegas.”

Available on select dates and starting at $149 per night at The Palazzo or $129 per night at the neighboring Venetian, both resorts are offering the “Romantic Getaway” package which includes a Luxury Suite plus -

Get $25 off when you book the hotel’s “Elite Romance Package” which includes:
– Private gondola ride for 2
– Gondolier performance
– Champagne and strawberries
– One souvenir photo
2-for-1 drinks at Double Helix Wine Bar
Complimentary Internet Access
$50 Slot Credit per stay

You must book by February 16.  Use offer code EPNFEB for The Palazzo or EVNFEB when booking The Venetian.

Be sure to check out our recommended restaurants in Las Vegas list here.

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A pre-dinner cocktail in this red and gold jewelbox of a lounge at Wynn Encore is perfect for Valentine's Day.

Romance, NBA basketball –  “Love & Basketball,” anyone? — Friday the 13^th and President’s Day all wrapped into one spectacular three-day weekend.  And you, you’re still waiting for a reason to go to Las Vegas?  I don’t even know where to start to tell you about all the cool things you can plan for a Valentine’s Day weekend trip to Las Vegas.

Okay, I lied; I do know where to start. Let’s begin with some romance, Las Vegas-style, and where you might think about staying for this Valentine’s Day with your honey.  (Hey, guys, you had your Super Bowl Sunday so now it’s time to grab your best girl and head back to Vegas for a different kind of fun!)

Top Romantic Hotels in Las Vegas

Wynn Las Vegas and/or Wynn Encore – We’re putty in Steve Wynn’s hands when it comes to all that glitz and glamour plus all the RED used throughout the new Encore will make you think you’ve landed inside a giant scarlet satin heart.  (If you can walk through that place and not think about romance and Valentine’s Day, we’ll need to check your pulse on the way out.)  Add in some of the best, most indulgent restaurants on the Strip – Alex, Botero, SW, Bartolotta –  luxurious spas, and the hottest new “ultra-club” in town, XS, and you’ve got the makings of a memorable weekend without ever leaving the two adjoining properties.

Bellagio -  Elegance personified not only in the rooms but throughout the entire hotel.  Yards of jewel-toned silk swags in the casino; an indoor garden that just begs to be strolled while hand-in-hand with your SO; a virtual chocoholic’s wonderland at Jean-Philippe Patisserie plus a shopping gallery full of baubles and bangles perfectly poised for gift-giving  (be sure to check out the heart-shaped charms at Tiffany’s) all contribute to a sophisticated yet utterly romantic atmosphere.

The Palazzo – All brocades and crystal, marble columns and burnished gilt — this younger sister to the flashier Venetian is like the Little Black Dress of Vegas resorts.  Understated, timeless and yet fashionable with enough pizzazz – LAVO Bar and Restaurant, Jersey Boys in the showroom, a Canyon Ranch Spa and Barneys New York in the shopping arcade – to never be boring.  (If your sweetie loves shoes – duh! – let her shop the displays at Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin for a guaranteed winner of a Valentine’s Day gift.)

Paris Las Vegas -  Huh?  Are we kidding?  Au contraire, mon ami.  We’re suckers for that whole French vibe, fake as it may be.  (Uh, this is Vegas, remember?  Fake is this town’s middle name.)  Give us  steaks at Les Artistes, the Forest Fruits berries and cream concoction at Le Creperie, dinner or simply drinks at the Eiffel Tower restaurant with its magnificent view of the City and, our favorite three-hour lunch spot, Mon Ami Gabi  just off the front entrance, and we are saying merci and beau coup with the best of them.  (And, let’s face it, we’re Harrah’s Total Rewards Club® members and get great deals here!)

Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa – Nope, not on the Strip, but with its own very hip, very romantic vibe, a “get-away-from-it-all” feeling, and a great selection of restaurants:  the T-Bones Chophouse is a favorite of locals while Cabo Mexican Restaurant offers stunning views of the surrounding red rock landscape.  And bars, particularly the Hollywood- chic Cherry nightclub, one of the most popular clubs in Vegas even without a Strip address.  (Plus, there’s absolutely no reason you can’t call a cab, spend a night enjoying the Strip and then head back to “the Rock” for your own very private celebration.)

Next post, we’ll give you some romantic spots for dinner a deux while you’re in town.

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ACES stands for Atlantic City Express Service and is a joint venture with partners Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City and The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa.  Upon arrival in AC, shuttles will ferry riders from the depot to any one of the three casinos.

Train service will be offered on eight multi-level rail cars designed with upgraded leather seating, a private lounge, custom-designed food and beverage kiosks and both first and coach class travel experiences.

Introductory ticket prices — on sale now — will start at $50 for one-way coach seat and $75 for one-way first class seat.  Get additional ticket pricing and purchase information at the well-designed www.acestrain.com website. Visitors to the website will be able to reserve their seats and book hotel stays at Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City and Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa.

Search Here for Hotels.com Best Hotel Deals!

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Fireworks will light up the sky on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas.

There’s still plenty of time to pack a suitcase and head to Las Vegas for a memorable New Year’s Eve celebration.  Las Vegas hotels – both on and off The Strip – are more affordable than ever this year with many offering dining and show ticket discounts as well as last-minute hotel deals.  (Really, if I hadn’t offered to host this year’s party for friends, I would so be loading up the car RIGHT NOW.)

You really don’t even need show tickets when the whole city becomes one giant extravaganza with fireworks shot off from several locations along the Strip and a huge New Year’s Eve party down on Fremont Street.  A $20 ticket downtown gets you eight bands playing for this year’s “Tribute Palooza” — including hottie Michael Johns of “American Idol” fame and his riff on Billy Joel standards.  Tickets for visitors (Nevada residents get in free with I.D.) can be purchased for $20 by calling 877-834-2748.  Click here for a complete rundown of the Fremont Street Experience New Year’s Eve blast.

And hotels?  No problem booking a room at most of the resorts around town including favorites on The Strip.  Check out hotels.com for lots of incredible deals on the Strip especially at the Monte Carlo, Treasure Island and MGM Grand or Fitzgerald’s downtown.

Click Here for the Best Las Vegas Hotel Deals!

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Among all the visitors coming into Phoenix for the upcoming Insight and Fiesta bowls happening here in Arizona next week, there are bound to be a lot of casino gaming fans.  For those who like to play, here is a list of our Phoenix and Scottsdale area casinos along with casino-related info on dining, lounges, shows, golf opportunities and more.

Harrah's Ak-Chin is one of several Phoenix area casinos visitors can choose from to play slots, poker and more.

Casino Arizona:  Two locations, both of which are just off the Loop 101 freeway making them very accessible to all the major hotels and resorts.  Free limo service available by calling 480-850-7790.

Casino Arizona at Talking Stick:  Loop 101 freeway at the Indian Bend Road exit.  This is the casino most convenient to our north Phoenix/Scottsdale mega-resorts like the Fairmont Scottsdale, J.W. Marriott at Desert Ridge, Westin Kierland Resort or any of the hotels on Scottsdale Road north of Lincoln Drive.

• – This is the place for poker players.  Large gaming room with 50+ tables, big screen TVs, table-side food service.  Lots of Scottsdale locals play here.
• – High-limit room for slots and table games.
• – Try the Blue Coyote Grill for their spicy stir-frys.
• – Good selection of slots plus lots of video poker and vp variations including a 25¢ progressive.
• – Blazing 7′s machines near the 50-play video poker machines seem to pay well.
• – Golf:  Talking Stick Golf Course

Casino Arizona at McKellips:  Loop 101 freeway at the McKellips Road exit.  Convenient to Tempe, the Loop 202 plus central and Old Town Scottsdale.

• – More than 1,000 slot and video poker machines including lots of new games.
• – Fun Vegas-style variety show —  ”Showstoppers Live” — is a musical tribute show with Elvis, Madonna and other impersonators.
• – High-end steakhouse “Cholla” offers pricy but excellent food, a great wine list and is open until midnight on weekends.
• – The Piano Bar is a classy spot for a glass of wine and some good laid-back music.

Gila River Lone Butte Casino:  Loop 202 at the Kyrene Road exit.  Close to Chandler and the I-10 freeway.  Good location if you are staying along the I-10 freeway.

• – Arizona’s newest casino (opened November 20) offers 850 slot machines, live blackjack, casino bingo, and poker.  Games include Fortune Pai Gow Poker^® Progressive, Let It Ride Three-Card Bonus^® and Three-Card Poker^® plus slots like the hot new eBay™ and Star Trek™ machines.
• – The gourmet Verona Chophouse restaurant menu spotlights aged beef while the adjacent cozy wine bar has a good list of bottles to chose from.
• – Cascades Lounge is hopping with live entertainment nightly.
• – High-limit room with slots and tables.

Gila River Wild Horse Pass Casino:  I-10 freeway at Wild Horse Pass Boulevard exit and just a couple of miles from the Lone Butte casino.

• – Home to 875 slot machines, live poker, blackjack, keno and a 1500 seat high-stakes bingo room.
• – Next door to the very popular Arizona attraction, Rawhide Western Town, with its famous steakhouse and Wild West shows.
• – Park at the nearby Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort where you can dine at a number of restaurants including “Kai” — one of only two Five Diamond restaurants in all of Arizona – then take a flat-bottom boat ride to the casino.  (This is one of our favorite evenings out!)
• –Golf:  Whirlwind Golf Club with two courses.

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino:  It’s a drive out to the town of Maricopa (about 40 minutes from Sky Harbor airport, exit Queen Creek Road off the I-10 freeway) but may be worth it if you are a Harrah’s Total Rewards Club® member wanting to get credit for your play.

• – New slot games like the popular Wizard of Oz™ plus lots of Super Times Pay™ video poker machines bring Phoenix players out to play.
• – The Range Steakhouse – a Harrah’s favorite – offers prime rib, lamb chops plus good seafood options like the sea scallops in chive butter.
• – Live poker, keno, blackjack and bingo as well as slots.
• – On the way, stop at Arena Sports Bar in Maricopa for some of the best Buffalo wings in Arizona.

Fort McDowell Casino:  Located about 20 minutes from Scottsdale near the town of Fountain Hills, this casino is most convenient for those staying in north Phoenix or Scottsdale.  The trip is worth it simply for the spectacular scenery you’ll see driving out on Shea Boulevard to the Beeline Highway and the casino.

• – New slots like Star Trek™ and Wizard of Oz™ plus lots of video poker machines including a $.25 progressive.  Largest “smoke-free” gaming area in town.
• – Lots of dining options including the sophisticated Anhala Restaurant at the adjacent Radisson Fort McDowell resort.  (The fish tacos with watermelon salsa are outstanding.)
• – Live entertainment in the Lucky Sevens Lounge.
• – Golf:  Wee-Ko-Pa Golf Course.

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The new volcano show features a musical score by Mickey Hart of Grateful Dead fame and Indian impresario Zakir Hussain and comes from the acclaimed design firm WET, creators of The Bellagio lake show.  Fireballs and the aptyly-named Fireshooters explode into the air and send fiery waves of burning lava across the Strip-front lagoon during the four-and-a-half-minute blazing spectacle.

See it for yourself with this terrific video of the opening night’s show from KLAS television.  Mirage Volcano Video.

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Dale Chihuly's exquisite art glass adorns the ceiling at The Bellagio in Las Vegas. (Click on the photo to show detail.)

I have been a huge Dale Chihuly fan for years.  Even before seeing his masterful installation at The Bellagio in Las Vegas, I had admired his bold work at exhibitions in Washington, D.C. and in New York.  I even have a beautiful peach and gold  “Chihuly” rose bush in my garden — which is about as close as I’ll ever come to owning anything with his name on it.

So you can imagine how excited I was to see that his fanciful glass works are now being shown here in Phoenix at our beloved Desert Botanical Gardens.  Whether you are visiting the area or a resident, fans of his Bellagio work will definitely want to plan a visit to the gardens to see “Chihuly: The Nature of Glass.”  It should be especially interesting to see his intricate works of art set against a backdrop of our stark native plants. 

The show will be here until May 31, 2009, so there’s plenty of time to plan a trip to the gardens.  Advance tickets are mandatory so visit the garden’s website for more information and to see some gorgeous pictures of just a few of the wildly colorful pieces included in this exhibit.

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Stunning glassware from Wynn LVNV makes a great holiday gift for someone on your list.

I can’t think of any reasons not to go to Las Vegas this December but I sure can think of a lot of reasons why I should go.  You should go, too.

1.  Christmas decorations at all the casinos.  Just like everything else in Vegas, the lights are brighter, the trees are taller, the decor more over-the-top.

2.  The Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.  The designers seem to outdo themselves year-after-year with animated characters, fields of red and white poinsettias, sparkling trees and more.  I can’t wait to see this year’s display and then check out the holiday goodies at Jean-Philippe Patisserie.

3.  Holiday shopping made easy in just a couple of blocks.  The Forum Shops at Caesars, Miracle Mile stores at Planet Hollywood, the Fashion Show Mall and my fav store for beautiful glassware and gifts that will win raves – Wynn LVNV at the hotel’s Esplanade.  (Pictured above.)

4.  A spa day at any one of the world-class resort facilities and a chance to gear down from all the holiday stress — most of which I bring on myself.  I could really use a luxurious massage and facial right around mid-December.  Aaaaaah.

5.  The crowds will be down in December so I can easily get reservations at any of the hottest restaurants including Wolfgang Puck’s Cut at The Palazzo, Alex at Wynn, Bouchon Bistro at The Venetian and “Top Chef” judge Tom Colicchio’s craftsteak at MGM Grand.

6.  Since there don’t seem to be as many Christmas parties in my circle this year, a trip to Las Vegas will give me an excuse for a night out (or two or three) to wear all my fun, sparkly once-every-year holiday outfits.

7.  A holiday dessert extravaganza.  What better reason than the holidays to try — for research purposes, of course — all the seasonal dessert specialities at my favorite sweets shops?  There’s Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace, Sugar & Ice at Wynn (hope they have peppermint or egg nog ice cream!) and the aforementioned Jean-Philippe Patisserie at The Bellagio.

8.  Encore at Wynn Las Vegas grand opening on December 21.  Be the first on your block to see it!

9.  HOT, HOT, HOT, hotel deals.  Look here.

10.  The Mirage Volcano reopens in December with a soundtrack from Grateful Dead drummer, Mickey Hart, and Indian musical sensation, Zakir Hussain.

11.  Coming from the colder climes?  Good news, you can still play golf in Las Vegas.

12.  The 12th Annual Holiday Festival at the downtown Fremont Street Experience with a special musical show and a 50-foot tree.

13.  Ooh and aah at the more than 500,000 Christmas lights at this year’s annual Ethel M Chocolate Factory’s Winter Wonderland at the Botanical Cactus Gardens.  Shining every night from 5 – 10 pm.

14.  The dueling piano show at Napoleon’s at Paris Las Vegas will most likely give me the chance to sing Christmas carols…loudly, badly and with a martini in hand.

15.  Who needs an excuse to go to Vegas?  Just go.

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At Fort McDowell, enjoy the Orme Dam Victory Days celebration including a powwow and the All-Indian Rodeo with bull riding, calf roping and more.  East of Fountain Hills off Arizona 87 east of Fort McDowell Road (follow the signs). The carnival starts tonight at 5 p.m. and events continue through Nov. 16.  Complete calendar here.

Fountain Hills Festival of Arts & Crafts — One of the largest and most well-attended fairs, this fest offers guests a chance to pick up some unique holiday gifts, artwork, jewelry and other handmade items.  Food and live music, too.  Friday – Sunday.  Details at the Fountain Hills Chamber  site.  Stop at the nearby Fort McDowell Casino for some gaming fun and a visit to their popular Lucky & Saloon. 

Talking Stick Golf Club Wine Dinner – Saturday night event featuring wines from two vintners, The Long Meadow Ranch and Dutton-Goldfield Winery, paired with a four-course menu created especially to complement the wines.  You’ll be right near the Casino Arizona Indian Bend location (and their famous poker tables) if you want to play a little.

Rawhide Western Town — Check out the Friday night Bull Riding competition or have dinner under the stars at the Saturday night Sundown Cookout featuring live music and dancing, story-telling, even a marshmallow roast!  Check out the nearby Gila River casino at Wild Horse Pass and chose from over 800 hot slot machines.

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Casino Arizona at Indian Bend - construction has progressed rapidly since this photo was taken in early September.

Casino Arizona is moving right along with construction of its new resort and spa at Indian Bend and the Loop 101.  Members of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community are betting that this new 15-story resort featuring almost 500 rooms and a huge, 13,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art spa along with the location’s already-operating Talking Stick Golf Club will appeal to Scottsdale visitors looking for an activity and amenity-packed resort experience.

The centerpiece of the new resort near will be the casino with its 240,000 square-foot gaming floor featuring 800 slot machines, 50 poker tables, a Vegas-style off-track betting lounge, and a high-limit slots area.  When it comes time to dine or just relax with a cocktail, guests will be able to choose from among eight restaurants and 10 lounges.  Also, a new 750-seat showroom will bring live entertainment year-round to the venue. 

In addition to Scottsdale/Phoenix locals and vacationers, the new Casino Arizona Resort & Spa will also be courting the business and convention community by offering over 50,000 square-feet of meeting and expo space. 

Slated to open in December 2009, the new hotel will be privately operated by the community.  A “topping-off” ceremony was held earlier this week when members and invited guests gathered to celebrate the placement of the final beam onto the structure.  (The photo above was taken in late-summer.)

In addition to the Indian Bend location, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community also operates Casino Arizona at McKellips Road and the Loop 101 and hosts more than 7 million visits yearly at its two properties.

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Entrance courtyard at the Radisson Fort McDowell.

Whether you are planning a visit to Phoenix or you live right here in the Valley, if you haven’t visited Fort McDowell Casino lately, now is the time to take advantage of a special player’s club discount and enjoy a fall stay at a great rate at the luxurious Radisson Fort McDowell Resort.  Spend the day enjoying the resort’s many amenities -spa, swimming pools, gourmet restaurant, golf at the nearby We-Ko-Pa Golf Club – then play the night away at the casino.

Brightly-colored liqueurs glow against the back-lit bar at Ahnala.

While you are at the resort, be sure to visit their restaurant, Ahnala.  The bar offers a pretty spot to settle in with a favorite cocktail or you can ask for a table on the patio and enjoy the beautiful fall weather while munching on appetizers or dinner.

Not already a player’s club member?  No problem – just visit the casino’s Fortune Club desk, show your ID and you’ll receive a personalized Fortune Club card that you can use immediately (the casino will even give you $10 to start you on your way).  This is the same card you can use to build up points when playing your favorite casino games.   Also, be sure and check out the entertainment calendar for fall since “The Fort” brings in lots of special events and performers.

The Fortune Club Room room rates for 2008/2009 are as follows:

• September 1st – December 30th – $109
• January 1st – March 31st – $139
• April 1st – May 31st – $129

Call or go online for reservations at  Radisson Fort McDowell Resort .

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