Discovering Las Vegas

Las Vegas the city that sizzles inside and out, day and night.

Outside temperatures reach into the sizzling 50's inside the the air-conditioned 1000 seat theatre, Hotel and Casino's, the temperature is a comfortable 20 but the sizzle is on the tables and the machines making it hotter than anything the weather can throw at you in Las Vegas.

There is the world famous Cirque du Soleil company pre-senting, the sensual Zumanity, at New York - New York 3790 S. Las Vegas Blvd. a creation like no other in the company's international programs of dance, music and dazzling acrobatics.

Cirque du Soleil takes the audience into the world of theatrical eroticism, sexuality, sensuality, love and emotion, sometimes humorous, often provocative, it puts a new twist on the risque intimacy of the uniquely European cabaret style.

But while the show may be raising a few eyebrows, it would take more than Zumanity to upstage the hypnotic spectacle of Las Vegas itself, gambling capital of the world.

2005 Is special for Las Vegas as the city was founded on May 15, 1905 but stagnated for almost 40 years. Then with the mafia began casting an eye over the little desert town with a few gas stations, roadside diners and slot machine establishments Las Vegas moved into the big time.

First Bugsy Siegel built the Flamingo with about $6 million of mob funds, before he was caught by his New York, Meyer Lansky and dispatched of without the need for severence pay. Organised crime flourished until the early '90s when, the FBI decided that they would claim the city back for the American public and rode the bad guys out of town before declaring the city almost free of organised crime.

Now Las Vegas has a realatively low level of crime, but the visiting punter should take note it has the highest suicide rate in the US about 300 a year, twice the national average, this is attributed to alcohol rather than gambling though.

Las Vegas 2005, loud brash land of fantasy, giant shopping malls, spotless streets and a wild frenzy for 24 hour none stop unrestrained fun, after all the citys official logo says: "What happens here, stays here.", though we would expect many a bank manager would dispute this claim.

With the extra celebrations this year it is expected Las Vegas will lighten the bank accounts of 40 million visitors who will part with £5 billion of their cash in persuit of the elusive jackpot OF £25 million won by a 20 year old Southern Californian bachelor in 2003.

For visitors who don't gamble, around ten percent, there is plenty to do, including more top-rating shows and superstars of the entertainment industry than any place on earth.

Celine Dion and Elton John,headline at the new Colosseum the previously mentioned , Cirque du Soleil at Caesar's Palace, and Mama Mia is still packing them in at the Mandalay Bay to name but a few.

For those looking for a bit more of an erotic experience theirs the topless ladies at Bottoms Up to the Folies Bergere at the Tropicana, hundreds of restaurants and bars, and a nightlife that just never sleeps over even falters.

If all this gets to much try a relaxing massage at one of Vegas's 30 spas, or a round of golf at one of 60 golf courses before stepping back on the treadmill of fast and furious fun.

Other things to try are a drive in wedding if romance takes control, almost 125,000 marry in Las Vegas every year including such notables as, Elvis and Priscilla Presley, Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow, Jane Fonda and Roger Vadim, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Others: Brigitte Bardot, Joan Collins, Mickey Rooney (several times), Tony Curtis, Sammy Davis Jr, Bing Crosby and Joan Crawford

FACT FILE

Getting there: British Airways or Virgin Atlantic direct or to Los Angeles, with connections to Las Vegas.

Weather: 320 days of sunshine a year with the highest temperatures in June, July and August, and coldest December, January, February, March.

Dress code: T-shirts and shorts in most places in the warmer months. UK visitors should remember the legal drinking and gambling age is 21.

Where To Stay: Rates are among the lowest in the US. Check many sites on the web or pre book with your travel agent.

Wed sites: Las Vegas