Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2012

duchy

SHOWS

jaytay wrote: »

There is actually a direct flight to vegas from Amsterdam,a good option if you can get a cheap flight and hotel at AMS.Have seen prices around 465 euros.You will need someone with a understanding of the dutch language though

http://www.arkefly.nl/default.aspx

must add the 465 was a couple of months ago

Or use Google Chrome as it it automatically offer to translate any website into English for you

jaytay

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duchy wrote: »

Or use Google Chrome as it it automatically offer to translate any website into English for you

Does'nt work with the drop down menu's

duchy

SHOWS

Worked for me -you have to click translate on each page change though with this site.

jaytay

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ok got it now

photome

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jaytay wrote: »

There is actually a direct flight to vegas from Amsterdam,a good option if you can get a cheap flight and hotel at AMS.Have seen prices around 465 euros.You will need someone with a understanding of the dutch language though

http://www.arkefly.nl/default.aspx

must add the 465 was a couple of months ago

Who are the flights with? I will check the translated page out later.

The problem, if there is one, would be that you cant ticket all the way through from Norwich or Stansted

nvh

dreaminglasvegas wrote: »

what I really want to do for my first ever day in Vegas is to watch the sunset with a few beers, then watch the Strip light up. Wheres the best place to do this? I was thinking perhaps the Stratosphere?

One of my favourite places to see the strip light up is at the top of the Eiffel Tower, however unfortunately, they don't sell beer (and it can be awkward loitering around up there waiting!)

Only ever been up the Stratosphere during day time, but imagine the 'dog-leg' of the strip and the height would probably help you see more of the strip than Mix (Mandalay Bay) and Ghostbar (Palms)

All are quite cool though

Apologies in advance, my night shots never turn out very good i'll blame all the light pollution



Panoramic view from Ghostbar (Palms) - view online (using Panoramic magicness) - http://www.dermandar.com/p/dGMVTs/vegas


View from Mix Bar (Mandalay Bay)


View from Stratosphere @ Night (this photo taken off internet... which is why its the best of the lot )

duchy

SHOWS

photome wrote: »

Who are the flights with? I will check the translated page out later.

The problem, if there is one, would be that you cant ticket all the way through from Norwich or Stansted

Looks like a charter as it only goes a couple of times a week.

Playing with ITA http://matrix1.itasoftware.com/search.htm I'm seeing decent fares routing DUB (LON) LAS coming back LAS LON . ITA is great both for checking out regional options -and also using it for European options using the "nearby" search and picking the distance and selecting "all". It's a search engine NOT a booking engine so once you find a good fare you then need to plug the route into a booking engine to book it but it comes up with some amazing fares at times (works well on US domestic trips too).

I've done this before as I wanted to go to Dublin too for a day and flew Ryan air on a super cheapie from Gatwick (left my luggage at Gatwick left luggage for the day before flying) flew back to Gatwick in the evening-stayed at Yotel (fab as it's right by the VS check in and left luggage)-I checked in early then went back to my "cube" with coffee and a danish -had a leisurely shower , bit of free internet and Sky news then went through security. It was the most stress free morning departure ever -and saved about £200 too. There was even a handy stairway right by the Costa coffee in the terminal to nip out for a cigerette without shelping back through the terminal.

(To be clear I had two tickets Ryan Air Gatwick Dublin one way -and a seperate ticket starting in Dublin for DUB (LON) LAS LON)

nvh

Couple of more posts whilst i'm on a roll

Had an email from Virgin suggesting I support this, so I have worth sharing, though not sure if it will make a difference we can always hope!

http://www.afairtaxonflying.org

Air Passenger Duty - A message from Steve Ridgway, Chief Executive - Virgin Atlantic

Dear NVH,

It's hard to believe we're half way through the year already.
From Vancouver and Cancun inaugurals to the launch of our new Upper Class Suite, we are working around the clock to make flying with Virgin Atlantic more enjoyable than ever. I'm delighted to have announced an additional service to New York (our 6th daily flight) and our return to Mumbai with significantly improved departure times from October. With brand new Clubhouses in New York, new aircraft and our award winning service at Heathrow, there won't be a better way to fly between London and New York. Our Mumbai service, alongside Delhi, opens up new opportunities for our Indian and American passengers to fly via Heathrow and brings much needed competition to this important business route for consumers.

As we enter the hectic summer season when your thoughts might be turning to holidays, I wanted to take the opportunity to contact you about an issue that affects all our passengers, particularly our valued Flying Club members - UK Air Passenger Duty.

Air Passenger Duty, or APD for short, is the tax you have to pay every time you fly from a UK airport. Introduced in the 1990s, over the last six years APD rates have gone through the roof for long-haul travel. A family of four flying in Economy to the Caribbean in 2006 paid £80 tax. From April this year they have to pay £324, and if they were to travel in Premium Economy or Upper Class they would have to pay £648.

APD has now the dubious distinction of being the highest air passenger tax in the world. I know these rate increases have had a big impact on our customers. In 2006 our passengers paid £55 million to the Treasury. By last year that figure had jumped to almost £200 million!

The Government is facing an enormous economic challenge and we understand the need to reduce the deficit. Tax revenues are inevitably part of that solution but we also need economic growth. Air travel can play a huge part in driving that growth by connecting businesses and bringing in overseas visitors. Our fear is that at the current levels APD is damaging the UK's competitiveness, holding back the economy and doing more damage than the revenue received.

We have taken every opportunity to highlight the cost of high APD to our passengers, our business, and the UK economy as a whole, sadly with limited effect. We refuse to give up, but we need your help.

We are supporting a new Fair Tax on Flying campaign that is encouraging people to email their MP to register their opposition to high flying taxes. If you share our concerns, please take a moment to visit www.afairtaxonflying.org and make your voice heard. I have, and it takes just 15 seconds to do (the text of an email is already written, you just need to enter your postcode and send it).

Thanks for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you onboard soon.

Kind regards,
Steve Ridgway

nvh

This is always worth a repost as well (assuming its been posted before which i'm guessing it has!)

Earthcam of Vegas Strip sign (slightly better when its daytime in Vegas!)
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/nevada/lasvegas/

ferf1223

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nvh wrote: »

This is always worth a repost as well (assuming its been posted before which i'm guessing it has!)

Earthcam of Vegas Strip sign (slightly better when its daytime in Vegas!)
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/nevada/lasvegas/

I haven't seen it before - but could mean I just missed it...this is cool...I want it to be daytime in Vegas right now!