Wether it be a pampering weekend away for two, or a Christmas gift for mum or grandma, a luxury spa weekend is a popular choice for a weekend break or birthday treat to each other. There is an increasing number of luxury spas in Ireland, secluded, professional and offering world class treatments and facilities. We are currently visiting a hand picked selection of Luxury spa hotels throuout Ireland and will be revealing our top ten must visit locations soon so stay tuned for the big reveal as well as special offers…

 Las Vegas, Nevada. It surly is on everyone’s bucket list right?! If you crave the quiet life, or a restful trip away to recharge the batteries then Vegas at new year is not for you – or anytime for that matter! Las Vegas, or sin city as it is often referred to, is Disney for grown ups. You want it, you got it! From flying a jet fighter and driving tanks, to shooting machine guns out of helicopters. There is something for everyone in this desert city.  

If like us, you are thinking about New Year in Vegas, book well in advance and be prepared for one crazy busy city! The complete strip is closed to traffic from early New Year’s Eve in preparation for the descending masses to have one hell of a celebration. Hundreds of thousands of party ready people converse on the strip from late morning and many are still there at breakfast time the next day! Practically every hotel has amazing firework shows shooting off the roof top when the midnight hour strikes.  A deafening crescendo and a spectacle that you would of course only expect in Las Vegas. 

   

We stayed in the MGM grand, a great location for exploring all of the hotels, with many of them linked by a free mono rail or underground shopping centres. In high season, the latter is a great way to avoid the blistering desert heat. The MGM also gives you a great vantage point to see the fireworks. Wether you are a gambler or just enjoy a flutter, you have to try your luck at one of the many casinos. Sit down, scope out your surroundings and within minutes you will have a complimentary drink or two in hand! We witnessed ladies well in their eighties at five in the morning drinking, smoking, gambling and generally having a bloody good time. Never mind New York, this city nor it’s temporary residents apparently never sleeps! 

For prices and more info on the MGM Grand hotel click here 

 Practically every hotel in Vegas is themed and on a massive scale. To name a few, New York New York hotel has a skyline that many city’s would be envious of. Not being enough of course, there’s a roller coaster that winds its way around the facade and in through the casino. Try it, it’s not for the faint hearted! But be prepared for lengthy queues around new year.  

Then there is Excalibur. A medieval themed castle inspired hotel. Standing In front of these massive hotels is incredible. The scale, the detail, the planning to build them! Cross the bridge and moat to enter this dream world.

Caesars palace is one of the most famous ones, and this too is on a colossal scale. All hotels offer buffets at breakfast lunch and dinner. Caesars is at the upper end of the buffet market, but worth the extra few bucks. An experience in itself, you have to try it at least once. Most buffets are around 25-50 dollars per person. Leave the diet at home though, you have been warned!
  
The Luxor hotel is another heavily themed hotel on the strip. It’s iconic Egyptian pyramid shape is hugely imposing as you approach it, especially with the grand matching Sphinx outside it. Every little detail is thought of when designing these hotels. The Venetian is another beautiful example of this, with its sculpted ceilings, ornate decorations, and gold leafed paintings. You can even hop on a gondola and be taken through its many canals that meander past Venetian style eateries and coffee shops. Seeing is believing! A total feast for your senses. You would swear you were outside what with the light and detailing of the ever changing painted sky above you. 

  
   

From household names in concert nightly, to Broadway shows and entertainment. There is something to keep everyone entertained twenty four hours each day. We opted to see Celine Dion in concert in the purpose built Colosseum in Ceasars Palace. A magical evening and given the scale of the place, a personal experience too. The MGM had KA by Cirque De Soleil. A jaw dropping performance of breath taking acrobatics and dancing on a unimaginable scale. The stage constantly twists, tilts and the dancers leap and jump hundreds of feet at times.  On paper it sounds different from most shows with not a spoken word, but to see it is to love it. An absolute  must when in Vegas! Seeing the spectacular theatre is worth the ticket price alone. 

Click here to learn more about current shows in Las Vegas 

   
   
A holiday to Las Vegas would not be complete without a helicopter trip into the Awe inspiring wonder which is the Grand Canyon. To put this place in scale, the Grand Canyon is roughly the length of the entire island of Ireland! We were collected super early on the morning of our helicopter trip to this wonderous place. The forty minute flight lowered us down into the canyon just as the sun was rising, magical!  We were then immediately placed into a boat for a leisurely sight seeing trip up the Colorado river.

   

  
 
 Hundreds if not thousands of clicks of the camera shutter later, we disembarked and flew on further to experience the knee trembling Sky bridge. Opened in 2007, this feat of engineering is a horse shoe shaped cantilever glass bridge positioned on the west edge of the main canyon. 

The locals are very protective of this unique and terrifying attraction. So much so in fact that you must take of all footwear and put on protective covers for your feet to ensure that the glass floor is not damaged or marked in anyway. It’s somewhat reassuring given the fact that you are suspended nearly eight hundred feet out over the spectacular Grand Canyon. I have no problem in admitting I was absolutely petrified but managed to make my way round it. Albeit without letting go of the handrail for more than a few seconds. If there was a bar nearby I would have headed straight for it upon leaving to steady the trembling nerves and white knuckles.  See the picture below to get an idea of the crazily scary Yet fantastic Sky Bridge.

Click here to learn more about the fantastic Sky Bridge 

Tip – not all helicopter rides to the canyon visit the west ridge so if you wish to experience the sheer terror of walking 800 ft out over the canyon on a glass floor, be sure to check with your tour company to avoid being dissaopointed. 

  
The sheer scale of this place is difficult to describe. Do not go to Las Vegas without seeing the Grand Canyon. You will not regret it for sure. A once in a lifetime experience and a day to remember which will not be forgotten in a hurry I promise you. 

For info and prices on Vegas day trips and helicopter flights click here 

If you look closely at the picture below, you will see the clear outline of an eagle in flight in the canyon wall.  The locals call this Eagles Point. Another fantastic spectacle in what is truly one of the worlds greatest wonders. So much to see, and so little time. We will see you soon Vegas! 
 
 
 

Berlin from the end of October every year transforms into a winter wonderland for everyone young and old to enjoy. A city which has a deep and in places dark history. A weekend break can very quickly go by as you wander around the many open air Christmas markets sipping gluevine and munching on bratwurst ( German hot dogs ) before visiting the must see places like the remaining parts of the Berlin wall and check point Charlie to name a few. Don’t forget to get your passport stamped at this famous historic crossing point.

 We stayed in the design hotel Das Stue. Originally an embassy and surrounded by many other beautiful traditional buildings which are still embassies today. This stunning hotel is finished to an exceptionaly high standard throughout. Modern stylish rooms with contemporary art everywhere.  Das Stue backs onto Berlin zoo, infact the cocktail bar has windows behind the bar which backs directly onto the ostrich enclosure. To sit having a cocktail whilst being watched by these huge birds is a strange yet fascinating experience.

   
  Berlin is a large spread out city with several centres so be prepared to walk if you wish to see the historical sites. The numerous Christmas markets are a feast for the senses. The sights, sounds, and smell of the food stalls and the mulled wine being served on every other stall helps to put you firmly in the Christmas spirit – if your not already! Grab a seat in a log cabin and sit and watch everything around you. They also have delights such as real snow rides and slides, even outdoor ice skating if you feel up to it.  Berlin is a fantastic city for a weekend break at anytime of the year but even more so in winter to experiment the festive delights of their markets. 

Click here for more information or to book Das Stue Hotel