Gambling Getaways
Haven’t won the lottery yet? Then book yourself a gambling holiday and sort your bingo from your black jack.
Blackpool
Why go here? It’s on the doorstep and part of Britain’s holiday heritage. According to Camelot, more multi-million pound lottery winners choose Blackpool as their favourite UK holiday destination than any other.
Gambling highlights: Slot machines galore on the Golden Mile, mega bingo and a choice of casinos including G Casino on the South Promenade with the largest poker room in the UK, Paris Casino just a few minutes walk from the South Pier and the Castle Casino on Queens Promenade. Take your pick from jackpot slot machines (with up to £4000 jackpots) roulette tables, blackjack, poker and craps.
Where to stay? Blackpool has a choice of almost 2000 places to stay from the Blackpool Hilton to seaside guesthouses. We love the uber cool Number One Blackpool, the UK’s best B&B as voted by VisitBritain. Think Egyptian cotton bed linen and sexy boutique restaurant.
Where to spend winnings? Pepsi Max Big One at Pleasure Beach Blackpool is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Europe – perfect for adrenalin seekers. Or how about the longest indoor rollercoaster waterslide in the world at Sandcastle Waterpark? Put your nerves to the test 380ft up on Blackpool Tower’s glass floor ‘Walk of Faith’ before heading to the ballroom for a spot of raunchy Latin dance. Meet Kylie, Posh Spice and Elvis at Louis Tussauds Waxworks or head to the Dr Who Exhibition (David Tennant switched on the Illuminations). Dine at the White Tower Restaurant, part of the Pleasure Beach with a great view of the Tower or if you lost out on the gambling, hop aboard an open topped tram with a bag of chips – both equally as special. The new Hounds Hill Shopping Centre sees a brand new Debenhams opening in 2008 or head to the second largest Primark in the country.
How much? Double rooms start from £60 per person per night at Number One, including breakfast and parking.
Insider tip: Don’t miss Funny Girls, a transvestite cabaret staged in the town’s art deco Odeon. Check out www.visitblackpool.co.uk for all the latest on what to see and do.
Cruising
Why go here? Cruising is a fabulous one-stop shop for a gambling getaway. Your floating resort has everything you need to keep you glamorously entertained plus you arrive at a new holiday spot literally every day. Princess Cruises is one of the most popular cruiselines with a variety of onboard gaming.
Gambling highlights: Princess Cruises offer blackjack, roulette, craps, poker games, slot machines and bingo. There are even slot tournaments. For keen beans, slots are open from 9am and tables from 2pm, both till the early hours when the ship is at sea. Passengers can charge up to US$5000 per cruise. If you like the glamour of gambling, cruise ships are the place to be especially on formal nights when black tie is de rigueur.
Where to stay? Princess Cruises offer a vast range of ships and cabins depending on your budget. Grand Princess, Crown Princess and Emerald Princess all offer Grand Suites with balconies down to inside cabins.
Where to spend winnings? On board shopping ranges from Tag Heur watches to Swarovski jewellery and it’s all duty free. There are also on-board art auctions to start your very own art collection. Everything can be shipped home. Head to the Lotus Spa for a spot of pampering. How about a La TherapieHydraLift Facial or an exotic hand ritual with manicure? And don’t forget about all that shopping and sightseeing in all those wonderful ports of call such as Barcelona and Naples.
How much? A 14-night Sea Princess Mediterranean Adventurer from Southampton visiting Vigo, Lisbon, Barcelona, Cannes, Naples, Ajaccio and Gibraltar costs from £1059 per person. Alternatively a 12-night cruise of the Greek Islands on Emerald Princess starts from £1219 per person. See www.princess.com.
Insider tip? Don’t be caught out as an amateur. A ‘gaming guide’ lessons and personal instruction are available on board.
Las Vegas
Why go here? For a heady taste of the high-roller life, there’s no other place on earth like Las Vegas. Bling, kitsch, irreverent… it has everything from Celine Dion to the largest permanent circus on earth...in your hotel. It’s no wonder Liberace, Elvis and The Rat Pack loved it here. Nowadays it’s the place for Ocean 13’s Brad Pitt and George Clooney paint the town red.
Gambling highlights: This is a 24-hour gaming utopia. The latest trend is the intimate, themed casino within a casino. The Pussycat Dolls Casino opened this year at Caesar’s Palace with a mixture of sexy slot machines, blackjack, craps and roulette tables, a big six wheel and shop featuring the brand’s burlesque look. Alternatively head to the first Playboy Club atop the new Fantasy Tower at The Palms. Iconic Playboy Bunnies deal high-limit table games. There’s also a Diamond Bar built out of 10,000 diamond shaped crystals. Many casinos have also recently reopened poker rooms due to the demand for games like Texas Hold ‘Em.
Where to stay? Themed hotels are the current hit in Las Vegas. Circus Circus, Luxor, New York New York are just some of the favourites. The latest pleasure palace to open is Wynn Las Vegas. For old school Vegas style, head to Caesar’s Palace.
Where to spend winnings? Where to start? Head to the Forum shops at Caesar’s Palace to splash out at Jimmy Choos, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior and many more. Dine at Joel Robuchon’s celeb studded restaurant at MGM Grand where 16 courses cost US$350. Club the night away at Tao at the Venetian. For out of town adventures, Virgin Holidays offers Pink Jeep Tours, overnight ranch adventures, and helicopter tours into the Grand Canyon. If you’re travelling companion strikes it rich you might get a sudden urge to tie the knot. Las Vegas is the home of quickie weddings. Head to one of the many tacky chapels and follow in the footsteps of Joan Collins and Britney Spears.
How much? Virgin Holidays (0871 222 0306, www.virginholidays.com) offers three nights at Caesars Palace from £649 per person including flights and transfers.
Insider tip? Visit www.visitlasvegas.co.uk and under ‘shopping’ download the Shop Las Vegas Passport coupon redeemable for gifts and discounts at most Las Vegas malls.
Added 2008/08/21 @ 18:57:50
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