Travel

Sunday, September 2, 2018

Waking Up in Vegas | Travel Diary & Tips

Hi lovely reader! Happy September and Happy Labor Day weekend to you US readers! I hope you are having a relaxing weekend! A few months ago I took a quick three day trip to Las Vegas to see the Queen, Miss Celine Dion. It was my first time visiting so naturally I took loads of pictures and tried to fit as much Vegas into those three days as possible. For me this was the perfect amount of time and I left feeling like I had seen and done everything that I had wanted to. I also did a lot of prior research before by reading blog posts and watching vlogs so hopefully this post can help you out the way other people's posts helped me to get organized and nail down my "Vegas Goals" if you plan to go someday.  

Where I Stayed: Treasure Island
Of course one of the things that Las Vegas is known for is their abundance of hotels. We chose Treasure Island because it was one of the lesser expensive ones yet still nice and in a good location on the strip. There is a Starbucks inside the hotel as well as just outside which I hit up 2/3 mornings for a breakfast sandwich and yogurt parfait before starting the day. The rooms are also nice and the staff was accommodating and helpful!
Things to See: The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden
One of the first things that I would highly recommend checking out is the Bellagio Conservatory. Located in the Bellagio Hotel, this space is a peaceful parallel to the busy streets outside. It is such a relaxing space and the floral displays are stunning! The designs change each season and definitely create an "Insta-worthy" spot! 




Breakfast/Lunch Spot: Pantry
Another 'Insta-worthy" spot is Pantry located inside The Mirage. We stopped here for lunch one day and it was super cute! They offer a "Breakfast" menu all day as well as a "Eat this if you're not in the mood for breakfast" menu. I had a veggie sandwich with fries and it was so good! 

Things to See: Shoppes/Floral Display at the Palazzo
The Shoppes at the Palazzo is a nice space to walk through and explore. We ran into this gorgeous floral display as well that featured a spinning carousel and hot air balloon of dreams.





Quick Lunch: Bellagio Patisserie
Yes this is a crepe that was made fresh, yes it is huge, yes that is chipotle sauce, yes it was delicious. The Bellagio Patisserie is a great spot is you want to grab a quick, "waiter-less" lunch or breakfast. Their menu offers a variety of pastries, crepes, sandwiches, etc and most of the food is made fresh as you order.

The Best Dinner: Lago
Located inside the Bellagio, Lago by Julian Serrano was the nicest dinner I had during my stay. Simply put, the food was absolutely delicious! The plates are smaller in size but for me the portion was perfect and you can bet I cleaned my plate! I had the cannelloni which was without a doubt the best I've ever had, the meat was so tender and the sauce perfection. They also have outdoor seating which books up quick but offers a gorgeous view of the Bellagio fountains. 

Things to See: Fountains of Bellagio
I have to be honest, when it came to seeing these iconic fountains I knew it was a must do but, I wondered how impressive a "water show" would actually be? Well let me tell you...it was beautiful and mesmerizing! The music mixed with the lighted water that would sky rocket with crescendos made me think this must be what Belle felt like in "Be Our Guest". The water came to life and if you come to Vegas you must check it out!





Tres Chic Breakfast/Brunch Spot: Mon Ami Gabi
If you are looking for a classy atmosphere to have a relaxing brunch I would recommend giving "Mon Ami Gabi" a go. They are located just outside the Paris hotel and have an array of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. There is outdoor seating that looks out onto the strip and Bellagio fountains across the street. The food and service is top quality and is a great way to start the day.


Things to See: The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel
This sanctuary located behind the Flamingo Hotel is home to some lovely and iconic pink flamingos. They are so cute and offer a unique way to spend some time away front the busy strip...also "insta-worthy".

"Damn Good" Dinner: Gordon Ramsay's Pub & Grill
I love me some MasterChef and Hell's Kitchen so I was eager to try one of Mr. Ramsay's many spots on the strip. The pub is located inside Caesar's Palace, directly across from The Colosseum, where Celine Dion's show takes place, making it a perfect pre-show early dinner spot. I ordered the tomato soup which was the best I've ever had and the perfect portion. The menu offers classic English dishes as well as some more "American-esque" options. This is definitely somewhere that I would want to go back to for a more full on later meal!

The Main Event: Celine Dion at Caesars Palace
Simply put, Celine Dion is what brought me to Vegas. It has been a dream of mine to see her for a very long time and I always thought it would be a very long time until I ever might even be able to see her in concert. So when I was surprised with tickets to see her, I cried and basically couldn't believe it was happening until I sat down in that theater and she walked out on stage. 


I always believed this but can actually confirm after seeing her show, that Celine Dion is without a doubt the definition of a lovely human being. She is humble, thankful, hilarious, and just as talented now as she was when she first started out. She was raw and honest with what she was feeling and left everything on that stage. 

You know you've been to a good show when you walk out and would give anything to come back the next night and the next to see it all over again! I would literally fly down there for a day, see her show and fly home, which may or may not be added to my bucket list and remain there each year... Seeing her show on the last day of my trip was the perfect way to end my Vegas experience.

I hope this post was helpful if you are considering or planning on going to Las Vegas. I tried to include as many links as possible and will list some of the vlogs I watched and blog posts I read that helped me to plan my trip.
Also, this post post is in no way sponsored.

Have you been to Vegas before and have other favorites??

Vegas Vlogs & Blogs I watched/read:
-Las Vegas for First Timers -The Belle Voyage