A Tuscan Palace: in the middle of the desert: a new approach to magnificent Las Vegas - Travel & Lifestyle

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, August-Sept, 2003 by Jorge Ferraez

When you go driving north on US 15, all you can see around you is a desert with mountains, a big extension of just dirt and dust. Pretty boring for a drive, actually. But suddenly, over a small promontory you start seeing what appears to be an illusion. You think your perception has been affected by the desert, but you keep getting closer and you start discovering the silhouette of many tall buildings, ten, 20, maybe more, of many different shapes and colors, surrounded by vast green lands and housing developments. Then you realize that you're in front of some kind of miracle, like a human civilization on an arid planet, emerging from nothing. Next thing you know, you are driving along a beautiful boulevard, with palm trees, dancing fountains, colorful signs, and you enter a fantastic world with pirate ships, erupting volcanoes, white tigers, a miniature metropolis, Egyptian pyramids, Roman palaces, and elegant Tuscan villas. Welcome In Las Vegas!

There was a time when this one-of-a-kind city was known for its fabulous casinos, where gamblers from all over the world want to lose and win fortunes, where many people were made rich. Then, extravagant shows and boxing matches also became famous; attractive, beautiful ballerinas and world famous boxing titles were the usual fare.

But now, in addition to all that, there's another attraction, something that means refinement, elegance, sophistication. At the heart of today's Las Vegas Boulevard, there's an enormous Tuscan village, a paradise-like palace that takes yon to the Tuscan territory, with a lake, with dancing fountains, pine trees, swimming pools, gardens, and a huge hall: The Bellagio. One of the finest hotels in Las Vegas.

There's a young man in the beautiful Roman like spa of the Bellagio. He's taking a relaxing sauna after an invigorating massage, He's here to enjoy a relaxing weekend with his wife. He has come to enjoy the experience of the hotel. more than any other thing. After the session, he takes a shower with the citrus essences the spa provides, and after that he sits to enjoy a relaxing herbal tea, while reviewing the newspapers.

Like him, many people have started to enjoy the experience of a sophisticated Las Vegas. For a week-long vacation, luxury travelers will find here the same restaurants they'll find in New York or San Francisco, and they will find even more spacious and luxurious hotel rooms at belier prices than cities like those.

Another couple has come from New York to a weekend vacation in Las Vegas. They miss the sunbathing on beaches and tropical places, but find themselves fascinated by the Tuscan-inspired pool area of the Bellagio. They enjoy tall pine trees, Italian-style pools and fountains, and a wonderful warm sun that tans them. They're just having what they wished for: a relaxing afternoon. Hours later they go to their room, walking through the busy and exciting casino, but they make a quick stop to buy a tie for that night, at the Hermes boutique, then, another stop at the Tiffany boutique to get her a present to wear later that night.

They're hungry, and tonight they're dining first class. They have chosen Le Cirque, the famous New York restaurant operated by Sirio Maccione and his sons. There are some occasions when you have to experience the delight and flavors of a first-class cuisine and the art of a grand chef, the service and courtesy of a devoted server, and the formal, intriguing, and simply exclusive ambiance of a top restaurant like Le Cirque. There's an comparison. You are on top of things inside a gorgeous hotel, and your window overlooks the dancing fountains that every 20 minutes shoot water torrents halfway to the sky. The French Chablis is displaying its floral aromas, enhancing the delicate flavors of her sea bass Wellington with lobster Bolognese, while he has a roasted Colorado lamb chop that explodes in a complex symphony of flavors when he sips his 1999 Chateau de Pez. A good espresso and some pastries will be the perfect and energizing end to the meal.

GREAT SHOWS

They leave Le Cirque to go for the perfect after-dinner show: Cirque du Soleil's "O."

The theater is huge, you feel like you are in an oversized Broadway theater, but instead of a stage, this has a big, real big pool. After the red silk curtain has been sucked away into thin air, diverse magical human creatures start doing acrobatics on, under, and above the water. It's amazing how, in the middle of the Nevada desert, a mega water tank becomes a magical cage of fantasy. Half-submerged contortionists, clowns cavorting in flames, water diving trapezists, and amphibious carousel horses make the show something out of this world.

SUPERB SETTING

In another Las Vegas hotel, the MGM Grand, the biggest of them all and probably the biggest in the world, a different dining experience is taking place. Two young and beautiful ladies are having a vodka martini in the bar of a contemporarily-decorated, San Francisco inspired, Nob Hill restaurant. They smile while following the hostess to their individual, crystal-surrounded booth. They have been fascinated by the casino all day, but tonight they want a nice, sophisticated restaurant. They will enjoy a lobster pot pie, the specialty of the chef, and a dungenes crab, avocado, and lemon perfumed salad. They have decided to have quality instead of quantity, their bodies ask for that, and their taste, too. But they can't avoid taking a look at the neighbors' table to discover dishes like a sampling of five differently-flavored mashed potatoes, a mesquite grilled Sonoma quail and a pan roasted halibut with sweet corn sauce. People surrounding them are talking happily, having fun chatting about life and enjoying a good meal. What else could they ask for?