Don’t Just Roll the Dice-how to Plan a Las Vegas Vacation

It’s not surprising that Las Vegas visitors can maximize their enjoyment with a little planning. Considering the myriad of possibilities to be experienced in exciting Las Vegas, planning out your day (or night) is your best bet. Knowing what to see, and when, can help you save time, energy and money. A bit of research will narrow down your choices, and help you focus on only your favorite entertainment options.

With so much happening in Las Vegas, it is easy to become overwhelmed and sidetracked. Travel websites and guide books detail resort and casino amenities, current shows, resort attractions and types of restaurants, and phone numbers to help with planning. Once a guest narrows down preferences, it is easy to structure a workable plan.

For example, one person may want to see the newest shows. In that case, they will need to select from musicals, comedies, and magic shows, etc. Then, it is a good idea to always call to find available seating. (Often, the best place to call is the actual theater, since “discounters” can charge above the face value of a ticket.) Since entertainment is of prime interest, this person should order tickets before leaving home, as first-run show tickets are not found at half price ticket booths in Las Vegas.

This same traveler can now arrange an itinerary around their show schedule. Using maps and guides, dinner reservations can be made at favored restaurants near show locations, assuring plenty of time for relaxed dining. Then, working backward, if they know that they must leave the resort by 6 PM, they can structure their Vegas day to get the most out of it.

The same logic applies to an individual who wishes to experience fine dining. By making reservations well in advance, this person will know how to arrange their day, and that the 11 PM show is a definite possibility. They will not need to sacrifice a special meal or entertainment due to crowds or time restraints.

Las Vegas is much larger than it appears, and it takes longer to walk or catch cabs than what one would expect. (Plus, if a visitor decides to stop into a casino “for just a few minutes”, it often turns out to be much longer!) Therefore, travel planning should be conservative. Filling time in Vegas is always easy, but if a guest must rush or miss out on what they have anticipated, it’s very frustrating.

There are several other considerations unique to Las Vegas. Typically, visiting resort attractions may take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours. This does not include 10 minutes to walk through the main casino, or waiting for free shows. Add shopping to this plan, and a visitor may only be able to tour 3 or 4 resort/casinos in a day. This is why it is best to sight-see resorts in groups of proximity. However, if a guest will be seeing one of the shows at a resort, they can view its attractions before or after; almost everything in Las Vegas is available 24/7, which certainly helps with planning.

Unless you are going to Vegas for the primary purpose of spending hours at the poker table or slot machine, gaming can easily fit in anywhere where there is free time. Inquire into a “player’s card” before gambling to get credit for gaming and future discounts. Just be sure to wear a watch, as there are no clocks in casinos! If a guest enjoys swims or workouts, they should know that some facilities are not available past 5 PM, and outdoor pools are usually closed between November and April.

Regarding transportation, taxis are not flagged down; lines form in front of resorts. If a traveler has purchased a $5 daily unlimited bus pass to ride up and down the strip, they should remember that it expires at 5 PM. Cabs to Downtown Vegas cost about $20, so a visitor may want to plan an evening there, including dinner at one of the inexpensive restaurants, shopping for souvenirs, and viewing the Freemont Street Experience free laser show. Some attractions have long waiting times, such as the Eiffel Tower or Venetian Gondolas, so visits to these popular sites should be planned accordingly.

A tired Las Vegas visitor can relax in some of the most interesting and comfortable places imaginable. Although most hotels do not provide seating in their lobbies, food courts and benches in the Miracle Mile and Forum Shops offer unlimited pleasure in people-watching. Free Circus Circus productions can be a pick-me-up for an exhausted walker, and chairs near the Wynn’s waterfall allow a rest in lovely surroundings. The Bellagio has luxurious couches and chairs scattered throughout its first floor, as well as bars and cafes which overlook their fountain’s dancing waters.

As long as daily activities are carefully planned, and based on a traveler’s interests, visitors can be ensured of a wonderful Las Vegas experience!

Flying to Aspen, Co – What you Need to Know About Flights and Aspen Car Rentals

Aspen Flying and Transportation Information

Aspen, Colorado is a town located on the western border of the Colorado Rockies. The famed town of Aspen, Colorado is home to four ski resorts and two mountain communities. Aspen and Snowmass Village provide the majority of lodging and accommodations for Buttermilk, Highlands, Snowmass Mountain and Aspen Mountain. Getting to Aspen and Snowmass is easy, but there some tips for flying into Aspen, Colorado & Snowmass. Read more about airfare, flights and car rentals to Aspen.Flying In To the Aspen / Pitkin Airport

Many visitors choose to book their flights flights to the Aspen / Pitkin Aiport for direct access to the town and ski resorts. This is the closest airport to Aspen, Colorado and Snowmass. A quick 15 minute drive will drop you off in the heart of this famous mountain community. The airport is open year-round and provides access to all major cities in North America and beyond. Many car rentals and shuttles operate year-round from the airport to the nearby town as well.Flying Into Vail / Eagle Airport

Located 70 miles and just a 1.5 hour drive to Aspen, the Vail / Eagle airport is another popular option for getting to this unique mountain town. The Vail / Eagle airport code is EGE.

In the winter, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, United Express, and US Airways provide non-stop jet service between EGE and thirteen major U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Newark, and Philadelphia.

Summer options include daily non-stop B-757 flights between Vail / Eagle and Dallas / Ft. Worth (DFW), on American Airlines, and Chicago (ORD) and Denver (DEN), on United. Competitively priced American and United services link up Eagle County Airport with their DFW and Denver hubs, and hundreds of domestic and international cities.

The Vail / Eagle County Airport has grown with the opening of their award-winning passenger terminal in 1996. In 2004, they served their millionth passenger and set a new record for commercial passengers. New at the Vail / Eagle Airport is the addition of customs services for private aircraft and free wireless internet service in the terminal. Just bring your laptop!Aspen Car Rentals & Shuttles

When you book your airfare to Aspen, it is best if you reserve your Aspen car rental at the same time. Aspen Car Rentals tend to book up fast so reserving your transportation in advance is a good idea. Some choose the safety of a SUV for driving in adverse weather. The Colorado Department of Transportation does a good job of clearing the road, but when big snowstorms come in the winter, the highways and byways can become slick. Renting your own SUV 4wheel drive will inevitably help while traveling to Aspen.

Shuttles in Aspen are a unique feature to this mountain town. Shuttles will take you from the airport directly to your specific lodging property. Grab your bags, hop in and let the drivers of one of the many shuttle companies whisk you away to your Aspen, CO vacation.