Nevada - Las Vegas

Venetian Hotel and Casino

 spent recreating Venice in the Nevada Desert and the result is fairly spectacular. Guests can travel around the hotel in a gondola – real canals run through the hotel – and a replica of St Mark’s Square and the Basilica turns from night to day every three hours; visitors have to look carefully to notice that the sky is actually a vast fresco. The only thing missing are the pigeons and the backpackers. The casino itself is massive, featuring 2,500 slot machines and 125 gaming tables. For guests taking a break from the tables, there are five swimming pools, a fitness centre, and 17 restaurants – mostly pizzerias.

Address: 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard; Telephone: (702) 414 1000; Website: www.venetian.com; Opening time: Daily 24 hours; Admission: Free

Bellagio Hotel and Casino

The Bellagio is one of Las Vegas’ most opulent hotels and most popular casinos. With an Italian theme, the great bulk of the Bellagio sits in its own vast garden. It has over 3,000 rooms and hundreds of slot machines and gaming tables, however its best-known attraction is its amazing water show - a breathtaking union of water, music and light. Every 15 minutes between 7pm and midnight Bellagio's world-famous fountains 'dance' to opera, classical or whimsical music with carefully choreographed movements.  Beyond the Bellagio's gracious lobby lies the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, a magnificent garden abounding in fragrance, texture and colour. The hotel also has a new fine arts gallery that hosts contemporary art exhibits; it is currently exhibiting a series of celebrity portraits by Andy Warhol.

Address: 3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South; Telephone: (702) 693 7111, or (888) 987 7111; Website: www.bellagiolasvegas.com; Opening time: Daily 24 hours; Admission: Free (hotel and casino); $12 (gallery)