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.

Excalibur
This huge complex will appeal to children, having been designed as a medieval castle. It has a drawbridge and towers to greet visitors and take them back in time. Although far from authentic, this huge hotel has a lower-level that is full of fun-filled rides for kids and offers some entertaining children-orientated shows. Phone: +1 877 750 5464; website: www.excalibur.com.

New Year’s Day: with huge celebrations taking over the city on the eve before, and more often than not lasting well into the early hours of the morning, Vegas is unusually quiet on this day, with most people tucked up in bed.

Visitors arriving by air fly into the busy McCarran International Airport, situated a convenient eight kilometres from the city centre. The airport is a principle hub for Allegiant Air and US Airways, offering frequent flights to domestic destinations country-wide as well as dozens of international flights. As one of the world’s top 10 busiest airports, the facility serves nearly 45,000,000 passengers a year.