Vacation & Travel 02-03-16

VACATION & TRAVEL A N

A N T O N

M E D I A

G R O U P

S P E C I A L

FEBRUARY 3 - 9, 2016

Scenic

Day Trips from

Las Vegas

BY MAURA VERNICE

SPECIALSECTIONS@ANTONMEDIAGROUP.COM

Though Las Vegas is best known for its indoor entertainment, there are adventures in nature to be had in the great outdoors nearby. A short car ride can bring you to some of the nation’s most scenic and inspiring landscapes. Day trips within 150 miles of Las Vegas are a great way to take the family to some of the most unique and picturesque landscapes in the country.

“Las Vegas is the gateway to the desert southwest, located within driving distance of 13 national parks,” said Courtney Fitzgerald, brand public relations manager for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Whether you want to see the golden rocks of the Grand Canyon or experience snowcapped mountains, Las Vegas is a great central location to it all.”

see DAY TRIPS on page 14A Grand Canyon

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VACATION & TRAVEL • FEBRUARY 3 - 9, 2016

Hoover Dam: 35 miles southeast of Las Vegas. Formerly named Boulder Dam, this historic man-made edifice controls the Colorado River and created Lake Mead, North America’s largest man-made lake. The 726-foot-high, arch-gravity dam is 660-feet thick and changed the face of the western U.S. On-site tours of the dam are available year round.

The view from Guano Point on the GrandCanyon rim.

Red Rock Canyon

DAY TRIPS from page 13A Red Rock Canyon: 15 miles west of Las Vegas. Red Rock Canyon is a scenic area of rock formations and desert with a 3,000-foot escarpment produced by a thrust fault. Open to the public year-round and a popular destination for hikers, bikers, joggers and rock climbers, Red Rock Canyon is home to feral horses, wild burros, bighorn sheep, coyotes and a variety of desert plant life.

Bonnie Springs Ranch/Old Nevada: 20 miles west of Las Vegas near Red Rock Canyon. Bonnie Springs Ranch was built in the 1840s as a cattle ranch and watering hole. Adjacent to the ranch is Old Nevada, a place where tourists can witness a re-creation of an Old West town complete with gunfights, horseback riding, children’s petting zoo and mini-train rides.

Bonnie Springs Ranch/Old Nevada is open to the public year-round.

ranch was a stopover for travelers on the Mormon and Spanish trails. Once owned by industrialist Howard Hughes, the Spring Mountain State Park is the site of seasonal outdoor theater and concerts. The park is open year-round.

Boulder City: 30 miles east of Las Vegas, on the way to Lake Mead. Built in the 1930s for Hoover Dam construction workers’ families, it is the site of the historic Boulder Dam Hotel and is the only Nevada city that does not allow public gaming. Boulder City’s historic Old Town district is home to many quaint shops, including Native American jewelers.

Bonnie Springs Ranch/Old Nevada Further Afield: If you have an adventurous spirit and wish to travel a little further, the following destinations are within 150 miles: Rhyolite: 120 miles north of Las Vegas near Beatty, NV, which bills itself as the ‘Gateway to Death Valley.’ Rhyolite is a well-preserved ghost town. Highlights

Lake Mead National Recreational Area: 25 miles from Las Vegas at its closest point. With more than 550 miles of shoreline, Lake Mead offers yearround opportunities for swimming, water skiing, camping, boating, fishing, tours and cruises.

Spring Mountain State Park: 30 miles west of Las Vegas. This historic

Spring Mountain State Park

include ruins of the Potter General Store, Newton’s Grille, a school, several major banks, a house made entirely out of bottles and a railroad depot.

Death Valley, CA: 135 miles from Las Vegas and a 40-minute plane ride away.

Death Valley has the lowest elevation on the North American continent at 280 feet below sea level. Points of interest include Zabriskie Point, 20 Mule Team Canyon and Scotty’s Castle. Tours are available.

The Grand Canyon, AZ: 300 miles or a one-hour flight from Las Vegas.

Over millions of years, the Colorado River carved this natural wonder that is one mile deep and 277 miles long.

Sightseeing air tours and ground tours of the Grand Canyon depart Las Vegas daily for half-day, full-day and overnight excursions.

The weather in the vicinity of Las Vegas is warm year-round and the summer months are hot for outdoor adventures so plan accordingly if you venture out of the casinos during the summer.

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VACATION & TRAVEL • FEBRUARY 3 - 9, 2016

BY MAURA VERNICE SPECIALSECTIONS@ANTONMEDIAGROUP.COM

Vegas With The

Family The gondola ride at the Venetian Las Vegas is a quarter-mile replica of the Grand Canal in Venice with singing gondoliers

Las Vegas is traditionally considered a romantic getaway, a great bachelor/ bachelorette party destination or, of course, the gambling capital of the world. But more and more travelers are bringing their children with them to Las Vegas. Families can enjoy the shows, take an excursion to nearby scenic destinations and enjoy all the Vegas strip has to offer.

“Las Vegas welcomes more than 42 million visitors annually,” said Courtney Fitzgerald, brand public relations manager for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “With so many things to do and experience in one destination, Las Vegas is popular for multigenerational travel.”

The Vegas strip has rides and sights that adults and children of all ages can enjoy. The Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York Hotel & Casino winds around the resort 203 feet in the air. The coaster features the first-ever heartline roll, which provides a sensation similar to that felt by a

see FAMILY on page 16A

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VACATION & TRAVEL • FEBRUARY 3 - 9, 2016

pilot during a barrel roll in an airplane, according to Fitzgerald.

The gondola ride at the Venetian Las Vegas is a quarter-mile replica of the Grand Canal in Venice with singing gondoliers.

The ever-changing Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens displays gorgeous plants and flowers from all over the world and the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts displays world-class art. The fountains at the Bellagio display on a schedule and can be viewed from the strip. For the best view of the fountains and a panoramic view of the Las Vegas Valley, take an elevator ride to the observation deck atop the 50-story replica of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas.

Las Vegas offers themed mini-productions The Forum Shops at Caesars such as the

world of Roman mythology at Caesars Palace, where the Forum Shops are fun to explore as well. The Volcano at The Mirage Hotel & Casino sends huge fireballs 12 feet into the air.

Browse the Penske-Wynn Ferrari/Maserati

Rides on top of the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas. Las Vegas has shifted to family entertainment to lure more customers to the desert city.

The 50-story replica of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas

(Photos by Maura Vernice)

showroom at Wynn Las Vegas.

Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, located at The Venetian Las Vegas, displays more than 100 wax figures of some of the world’s most popular celebrities. The museum also recently opened the Hangover Experience that includes a mock hotel room and wedding chapel.

Exploring all that Las Vegas has to offer can be great fun with the whole family.

The fountains at the Bellagio hotel

Planning That Affordable Winter Trip

BY NATHANIEL SILLIN

SPECIALSECTIONS@ANTONMEDIAGROUP.COM

Are you an advance planner or an improviser? Your travel planning style might save you money during the busy, winter holiday travel season.

Generally, families with children and a need for specific seating and direct flights may need to plan earlier to secure such reservations. More flexible travelers can roll the dice on last-minute deals.

Here are some ideas to explore:

Be open-minded about scheduling

Most people know red-eye and dawn flights are typically cheaper.

However, holiday travel presents its own set of opportunities for pricing and availability if you don’t follow the crowd. For example, with Thanksgiving always on a Thursday, most travelers choose Tuesday or Wednesday for arrival and Sunday for departure. Choosing a different scheduling window, including travel on the actual holiday, may not only save money but considerable stress getting to and from clogged airports, and train and bus stations.

Drive smart or leave the keys at home

If you’re using your own automobile,

make sure your collision and liability coverages are adequate to cover potential medical and repair costs for other motorists if you’re in an accident out of town. If you’re planning to rent a vehicle, speak with your auto insurance agent before you go. Many personal policies do extend domestic collision and liability coverage to rentals, but it’s particularly important to confirm coverage if you’re traveling outside the United States. Of course, if you’re visiting a place with excellent public transportation or safe bike routes, check pricing. An affordable bike rental (pack a helmet) or multiday city or regional bus-and-rail pass might eliminate the need for a car altogether.

Sleep cheap

Saving money on accommodations is another area where you can save substantial dollars by either planning significantly ahead or trolling for last-minute bargains. Top family destinations generally require reservations months in advance, but see how full

they are closest to the actual holiday dates. Many family members may travel a week before or a week after the actual holiday but won’t stay over the holiday. That leaves more rooms and activities available. The same goes for stays in other popular tourist locations around the world. Check destination hotels closer to the date to see if they’re offering special rates or packages.

Put your membership dollars to work

If you belong to an auto club or have credit cards with particular travel benefits, see whether any of those benefits—from actual mileage points to coupon discounts— can be used to save money.

Check your home, health and business insurance

If you are traveling domestically or globally, see if your personal health insurance extends to your destination.

The same goes for home/rental and business insurance. Many people don’t realize that some or all of their personal insurance coverage may cover medical, theft, liability, injury and other risks at their destination.

Read your policy and confirm your assumptions with your agent.

Consider travel insurance to fill any gaps. Once you’ve confirmed the limits of your personal coverage, research travel insurance policy sites (www. insuremytrip.com) and recent articles on travel insurance so you can make sure common risks like trip cancellation and lost luggage are covered, as well as specialized risks like advanced medical care and medical transportation at your destination.

Watch those bags

Many airlines charge ascending fees for every checked bag, so packing light has never made more sense. However, major air and ground shipping companies are now offering luggage-shipping services for domestic and overseas travelers with pickup options at their ground facilities. Make a call and see if this option makes sense, particularly if you take extra clothes or gifts with you at the holidays.

Bottom line: Holiday travel bargains can be found months in advance and sometimes at the last minute. Your flexibility will determine the deals you can get.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs.