Nevada’s glistening gem, Las Vegas has risen out of the charred desert to become a fantasy playground for the fun-loving. If you like to party, gamble or shop, then this is the place for you.  With endless casinos, glittering five-star hotels, shimmering air-conditioned malls and 24-hour entertainment, you are spoilt for choice.

Whether you stay at one of the luxury hotels along the Strip or you spend all your waking hours working the slot machines, a trip here is set to be a memorable experience. Characterised by its iconic landmarks such as the Luxor Hotel’s sphinx and the pyramid, Vegas is unlike any other large American city, and it is hard not to get quickly swept up in this exciting atmosphere.

The hotels and malls here will captivate you with their dramatic décor, fountains and marble floors, while the casinos will draw you back with the sound of winners screaming with pleasure, the crash of coins hitting metal trays, roulette tables turning and electronic slot machines tapping to the flash of a dollar sign.

If gambling’s not your thing, people-watching soon will be. You will find a fantastic array of customers and clientele at all of the Vegas establishments, from the sequin and leopard print-clad women that are reminiscent of Barbie to the Elvis impersonators.

Las Vegas is primarily an adult destination, although there are many child-friendly places.  In recent years, their marketing strategy has changed tremendously. Las Vegas is also focusing on being a family vacation destination, with amusement parks, and many attractions that the whole family can enjoy. However, it is not considered a budget destination, with low price accommodation being very limited. It is home to 14 of the world’s 15 largest hotels.  It is a destination where people come to stay in plush hotels, dine out in style and throw a few bucks around in the casinos.

Originally a negligible stop off point on the Old Spanish Trail, Las Vegas’ history changed when it first became connected by rail to Salt Lake City in 1905. However, it wasn’t until 1931 that the 1909 prohibition on gambling in Nevada was lifted, and with the lifting, the town saw an increase in Hoover Dam workers squandering their pay checks away.

The early 1940s witnessed the beginning of novelty hotel developments and casinos, with the El Rancho and Flamingo being among the first to appear. The nearby military presence in the 1950s helped to promote the city’s expansion further, while visits by celebrities raised its profile, making it a honey pot for the entertainment industry.

Nowadays, extravagant casinos - MGM Grand, Excalibur, Luxor and New York-New York – continue to pop up as the city finds novel ways to keep attracting visitors, and the abundance of flamboyant hotels suggests that the visitors will keep on coming.

Las Vegas lies in the middle of the desert, in seemingly inhospitable territory. The arid expanse of sand is broken up by the mountain of glistening manmade constructions that make up the city of Las Vegas. The mercury regularly hits 40°C; however, the humidity tends to stay moderate.

The hottest time of the year is Las Vegas is the summer months of June, July and August, with temperatures commonly reaching 40°C. There is little rainfall to ease the heat, with merely one or two days of rain a month. If you visit at this time, expect to spend all of your time indoors, sheltering from the heat in air-conditioned entertainment complexes.

The winter months are much cooler, with the temperature maintaining a mild 15°C and almost never dropping below freezing. For the most part, winter visitors will be able to enjoy outdoor attractions, with little threat of storms or rain.