Know before you go: travel isn’t just your destination, it’s also the journey

What to do…what to do… While casinos are a big draw, there’s no lack of entertainment, nightlife or restaurants—but some of the best entertainment is sitting down for a rest and people-watching. Las Vegas buffets are legendary and used to have the reputation of being low-priced. Those days are pretty much gone, but most hotels and some restaurants still offer good value with lots of variations. There’s also many specialty restaurants, such as the Gospel Brunch (House of Blues; line up early to get tickets as it regularly sells out) and 2 dozen kinds of cheesecake (Cheesecake Factory). While movies and CSI: Investigation are largely shot on Hollywood sets, you’ll see many outdoor shots used. And yes, you can get married at one of the numerous chapels, even a drive-through...ask your counsellor for details. (continued…)

Pack strategically The world is overrun with black bags: put coloured tape or ribbon on your luggage to spot it quickly. Put your name outside and inside and remove old tags. In your carry-on, pack valuables such as jewellery; over-the-counter and prescription drugs in original containers with a list, dosage and your doctor’s phone number (syringes/needles for personal medical use with caps in original labelled containers). Although you might love the nightlife and fancy heels that go with it, do pack comfy shoes for walking. Pack most liquids/lotions/gels in checked bags (inside plastic bags)—due to carry-on restrictions, the maximum size container is 100ml (3.4 oz). All must fit in 1 clear/resealable plastic bag of no more than 1 litre (often available when you first enter airport security), then place the bag in the tray provided. Items regular travellers pack in carry-on: pen/notebook, disinfectant hand wipes, munchies (no fruit, meat or veg over borders). Permitted in

carry-on: cell phones, laptops, portable music play-ers, canes, dispos-able razors, umbrel-las and nail clippers. Items you can’t take on include knives (an obvious no-no), corkscrews and sports gear such as racquets, golf clubs and pool cues.

TTTT here are many reasons why “what goes

on in Vegas stays in Vegas. “ You can get married easily (maybe too easily), spend all night and day at casinos, sing along to a show, dine well—you’ll come home just to relax… Read and take this Inside Scoop packed with handy tips.

MT LV1 2009 See over/pg 2...

Your Counsellor Our knowledge and experience helps turn dreams into first-rate vacations. Ask your counsellor about any details, including: • tickets to top-notch shows • cancellation/interruption &

medical insurance • excursions to Hoover Dam,

the Grand Canyon or Red Rock Canyon.

travel: delighting in the spirit of adventure ● a vacation from home to explore places that are not your home ● knowing life is different there and knowing this is a point of travel ● enjoying the journey, not just the destination ● a privilege best used with patience, humour and curiosity ● fun ● coming home with great tales to tell ●

packing list on overleaf Tip: Shopping on "the strip” (Las Vegas Boulevard)

can be pricey—while there are malls, fashion stores, chains and souvenirs (do you need another t-shirt?), you might want to save your $$ and time to enjoy the array of shows each night—whether headliners, solo artists, major bands, magic or even different Cirque du Soleil shows, there is truly more than you can enjoy in one visit. See www.visitlasvegas.com and ask your counsellor about tickets.

WWWW here else can you visit a circus, New York, Paris, Venice and a pyramid in the same day? Whether you’re

headed to the casinos or the shows, Las Vegas is another US city that never sleeps. There’s so much to do (some of it a cheesy kind of charm) it will be like a vacation when you finally make it home…Tips: • Plan a transition day before and after your trip

—often needed if an airline changes flights, besides, you’ll benefit by slowing down.

• Be realistic: we know you want value in balanc-ing choices with your budget; no matter what, relax and enjoy. Unless you pay for upgrades, requests are requests only, such as a suite. These are premium (why upgrade fees apply).

• At 100F/38C from June-August, 55F/13C December-February, the weather is reasonable and dry (it is the desert).

• Vegas is in the Pacific Time Zone (think Van-couver) and observes Daylight Savings Time.

• Check with your provider for cell/phone card use (and roaming charges). Internet access is at hotels (public terminals are costly).

• Major credit cards are accepted pretty much everywhere, as are travellers cheques (take photo ID) and US cash. ATMs abound and rates vary: check with your bank for debit card use. For credit card security, call the company to report the dates you’ll be away.

• Vegas is a very easy place to spend money—if you’re going on excursions, (how about the Grand Canyon?) book in advance as less cash is needed while you’re there, better for budgeting.

• We strongly recommend Maritime Travel cancel-lation/interruption and medical insurance.

• You must have a valid passport www.ppt.gc. ca/index.aspx?lang=eng. Keep a separate photocopy of your ID page with other records.

• Travel with a positive attitude—with extra security issues, having patience and a spirit of adventure will carry you through anything!

Maritime Travel’s Inside Scoop

Your airline

AAAA s your plane might be coming in from elsewhere and delayed, confirm your flight prior to departure. Transport Canada can prohibit items as security risks www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca: “Travellers should arrive at the airport earlier than usual, exercise patience and contact their airline for further information on their flight(s).” Airline staff are on duty some 2-3 hours prior: due to staffing and security, check-in closes 1 hour before departure. If late, you’re not entitled to board (or a refund). Unless booked ahead, seats are first-come first-served. Note: many airlines have reciprocal “code-share” arrangements. Air Canada 1-888-247-2262 WestJet 1-800-538-5696 Delta 1-800-221-1212 Continental 1-800-523-3273 American 1-800-223-5436 US Airlines 1-800-428-4322

Baggage: Size/weight restrictions for checked and carry-on varies: check with the airline. Entry & Departure: you must have a passport.

When you arrive

MMMM cCarran airport (LAS) is close to the strip where most hotels and attractions are, and which you’ll see when you land (great view at night). If an airport transfer is not part of your package (usually with a voucher), depending how many people are in your group, a taxi or limo could be cheaper than an airport shuttle. • Have your hotel voucher handy for check-in. • The legal drinking and gambling age is 21 (no matter if your provincial age is 19). Bars, and VIP/topless hotel pools are for over 21s.

• Avoid timeshare sales; some hotels have lobby presentations offering your next trip (for a fee): there’s no “free” trip.

• Getting around is easy—wear comfy walking shoes and small US bills for the strip’s Deuce (two-level) or city buses. You can’t see everything in a day so do sections, e.g., Stratosphere at the north end, mid-section, the lower strip (and famous sign at south end). The Deuce goes from Freemont St. to the south end’s Las Vegas Outlet Center.

• Yes, people can walk around with alcoholic drinks in tall plastic glasses...The cutest are from Paris Las Vegas: take home a plastic Eiffel Tower or the ceramic balloon.

When you leave

DDDD o a room sweep for belongings. Although there’s usually a noon check-out you may be able to pay a late fee if you have a later flight. Or, pack what you need for those few hours and check luggage with the hotel. Do not buy or accept anything suspect or that can be taken from you at customs such as plants, narcotics, wood or endangered species parts. See I Declare www.cbsa-asfc. gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5056-eng.html).

(continued…) What to do...top recommended sites: Bellagio Hotel’s: free evening fountain light and sound show. One of the best things on the strip. If you plan to eat about then, you’ll have a great view during dinner across the street outside at Mon Ami Gabi, Paris Las Vegas. Check out its Eiffel Tower replica: built at half-scale, the detail is intriguing and the view from it is terrific. Mirage Hotel’s Volcano Eruption: runs every 15 minutes from 6 to11:30 pm. Through the Mirage lobby is Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat: if you crave a bit of nature and peace (albeit with helicop-ter tours overhead) then head to this enclave in two areas—the garden with tigers and other wild cats, and the dolphin pools. You can upgrade to a VIP tour or be a dolphin trainer (for an extra fee, booked ahead with your counsellor). Imperial Palace’s Auto Collections is one of the world's largest and finest car collections showcasing antique, classic, muscle and special-interest cars (and if you win big at a casino you can buy your favourite). The Stratosphere Insanity, Big Shot and X-Scream (named so for good reasons) are unlike any other rides: hang 900ft above the strip, shoot 160ft up (the width of an NFL football field) in 2.5 seconds and bounce, or be spun around upside down...these rides are not for the faint of heart or good after a queasy night out, so plan for a wee sit down afterward. Golfing is great here—you might want to try the 9-hole night course (with lights) at the Angel Gate Golf Club. If you didn’t get a good view out of your plane window, you might want to book a helicopter tour of the city: tip; do this at night. There are numerous nightclubs, all with unique aspects such as being on rooftops (great views), light shows and specialty drinks. Most hotels have casinos—they want to keep you there so there are no clocks! Set a limit to spend and stick to it (Vegas isn’t so much fun in jail or after losing your mortgage money…).

Other attractions With the explosion of activities on the strip, the north end/downtown was neglected, hence The Fremont Street Experience. A portion of the street was covered with screens and shows are projected at night, but otherwise it’s like the strip. The Venetian is a wanderer’s treat with gondola rides under bridges and past cafés: after photo-taking (for a fee at the end) a gondolier might serenade you on this brief water tour. Treasure Island offers a pirate show. Tips: This is a sneaker state...don’t worry what you look like, just be comfortable. While ho-tels seem as if they might be close, their sites are massive and it takes time to walk among them. Even walking to the monorail www.lvmonorail.com that connects areas of the strip can be a hike. Do NOT jaywalk across the strip: fines are hefty (yes it’s fake grass on the boulevard). With the heat, wear a hat and sunglasses, and drink lots of water (enterprising vendors often pop open a cooler and sell cold bottled water on overpasses).

Canadian citizens: for emergencies, Las Vegas is served by Consulate of Canada offices in Los Angeles, California, at 213-346-2700. You can call Foreign Affairs at 1-888-949-9993 or email sos@international.gc.ca.

www.maritimetravel.ca

Our 24/7 Emergency Service We constantly survey airlines, local tour companies and hotels to ensure they meet our customer service standards, so don’t let a problem ruin your holiday. Nearly all issues can be handled quickly on site—first seek help from the venue’s local staff. Otherwise, call our Emergency Travel Service at 1-888-551-1181. Deposits are non-refundable & non-transferrable. Schedule changes can occur and airlines and tour operators have the right to change flight and/or tour times, alter, combine services or substitute accommodations. Your counsellor will work with you to ensure you receive information as soon as possible and ensure satisfaction. For details, see your brochure and ticket terms and conditions.

Packing checklist See www.maritimetravel.ca/tools .asp?PageID=617

� a valid passport for each person � driver’s license/insurance if renting car � copies: passport, travellers cheques,

ID, cancellation/medical insurance � itinerary/contact info to home contact � credit cards/cash, fanny pack for

these & passports � cell phone/charger or phone cards � sunscreen, toiletries, ear plugs � personal hygiene supplies, facial tissues � medications/prescriptions, sunglasses � hat, sweater/jacket, swimsuit/coverup � magazines, notebook/pens � women: dressy outfit; men: shirt/dress

pants & jacket � easy care clothes � sandals, really comfy walking shoes � camera, extra film or memory card, map � address list for postcards/emails � binoculars (also for shows) � Your sense of adventure & humour!

Go ahead, take the kids

IIII n trying to broaden its appeal, Las Vegas began marketing its attractions to families so there are things to do with kids that don’t involve the more adult pursuits. While some hotels and attractions such as Circus Circus and Excalibur can keep them busy, you won’t want to stay in the entire time. • Because casinos are designed to keep peo-ple inside, it can be disorienting to find your way out; kids are allowed to walk through casinos with you but stick to the marked pathways and don’t linger.

• When walking along the strip, don’t accept the small cards advertising adult services, that people snap to get your attention. The kids will see them as they litter sidewalks.

• If you like to swim, the pools are terrific but being outdoors, many are not open Decem-ber to March (The Mirage closes for Decem-ber), or when below 60F/15C. There are fees for cabanas and daybeds.

• Take student ID; some bus drivers make 12 year olds (who don’t look 17) pay adult fares. Also good for buffet child discounts.