Bright lights, culture and sand await on holidays to Las Vegas and Hawaii
Wednesday, 28 September 2011 5:15 PM
If you'd like to book a trip to the USA but want to take in a couple of locations rather than be based in one particular spot, consider a holiday to Las Vegas and Hawaii, which will allow you to thoroughly explore these two contrasting destinations. Opting for a getaway that combines visits to more than one place can be a great way of getting for value for money, as well as broadening your cultural horizons. With a break that stops at Sin City and then Hawaii, you can experience all the excitement and bright lights of the city before winding down in a sandy paradise before you think about the journey home.
Once you've booked your USA multi centre holiday, you can look forward to exploring vibrant Las Vegas, renowned for its many casinos, shopping opportunities and fine dining. You're sure to want to set out as soon as you've unpacked, so why not make your way down the famous Strip first? This 4.2-mile-long boulevard is where you'll find many of the city's largest casino resorts, many of which have spectacular frontages and surrounding sculptures. Some of the most notable include Paris – with its 165 m tall replica of the Eiffel Tower – and the Venetian, which has a mock Rialto Bridge and canals along which you can take a gondola ride.
You're sure to want to visit some of the casinos and try your luck and you'll certainly find plenty to keep you busy, including poker, European roulette and pai gow, while deciding which casinos to call in at is all part of the fun as visitors can take in the awe-inspiring volcano at The Mirage, fountains at Bellagio and the street-side Sirens of Treasure Island show at the Treasure Island resort. The hotel and casino complexes are also ideal if you're after a little retail therapy, as a wander though some of these locations will reveal them to be much more than simply accommodation with built-in gambling facilities. You'll find high-class boutique shops stocking the likes of Chanel and Prada, as well as a wealth of restaurants and even art galleries to explore on Vegas holidays.
Once you've had your fill of gambling, you might like to take a look at what else you can do in Las Vegas. You might like to pay a visit to the Contemporary Arts Centre, or make your way to the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States – Stratosphere Tower – for some exceptional city views as well as the chance to try out the thrilling SkyJump ride. For more information on the wealth of sights and attractions Las Vegas has to offer check out the free visitors guide at visitlasvegas.com.
When it's time to make your way to the Hawaiian Islands, you might be looking forward to spending some time relaxing on the sand. And this is certainly something you can do once you've touched down and settled into your accommodation. It's possible to cruise around several of the islands, taking in not only the beautiful beaches, but also the breathtaking scenery that encompasses mountains, valleys, volcanoes and waterfalls.
The sub-tropical climate makes it ideal for soaking up the sun and whiling away hours on the beaches, but there is plenty more to see and do in Hawaii if you want to really fill your time here. If you visit Hawaii – also known as Big Island – you can view the botanical gardens at Hilo and call in at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to take in some truly memorable natural sights. Meanwhile, if you decide to stop at the second-largest isle, Maui, you'll have the opportunity to go whale-watching and admire the mountains in Haleakala National Park.
Choose to visit Lanai and you'll find this location ideal for getting active as you can hike along the rustic Monro Trail or practice your swing at championship golf courses. It's also worth taking in the Luahiwa Petroglyphs – drawings made on lava rocks by early settlers on the island – during a visit here. Alternatively, to explore underwater you might prefer to call in at Kauai, where you can snorkel in the clear sea. If you'd like to stay above the surface, however, why not have a go at surfing or windsurfing as part of holidays to Hawaii?
For a real cultural break, head to the island of Oahu, home to the majority of the Hawaiian population. Here you can take in the USS Arizona Memorial Museum at Pearl Harbour and explore the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park to learn more about the events that led to America's involvement in World War II. There are plenty of uncrowded beaches and lots of beautiful scenery to take in on the island before you prepare for your journey home.