Magical Places
Celebrating places of beauty & magic
Some may say there is nothing magical about Sin City, but I disagree. If you can block out the Soddom & Gomorrah aspects, what's left is pure magic: a whirlwind of sights, sounds, amazing architecture, lights, colors and excitement - makes me feel like a kid again
I've always been amazed by Vegas - in the vast expanse of dry barren desert, this frenzied whirlwind of activity lives on, drawing people to it from all over the world like a powerful magnet. An immense energy portal must exist here!
I've visited a few times, but these shots were taken on my latest weekend trip in late July 2009 where I visited my favorite hotels: The Bellagio, The Venetian, The Luxor and my all time favorite, Caesar's Palace
The Bellagio
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The grand entrance...
Multi-colored glass-like flowers adorn the ceiling...
The view behind the front desk - a colorful display of flowers & hot-air balloons...so charming!
Further down is a wonderful, fantasmical courtyard...the items are either too large or too small - reminds me of Alice in Wonderland
When you first enter, a merry ferris wheel greets you (no it doesn't work - just for show)
Giant flowers abound, while tiny hot-air ballonns float around in the background...
In the front is a water sphere, where water rapidly runs down a glass globe
Looking down from the 18th floor to the magnificent pool
Manicured lawns everywhere..such a happy hotel
A quick pic of the front area...this hotel has so many charming architectural features
And across the way is Paris...
Caesar's Palace
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My favorite Vegas hotel - it's like you're in ancient Rome...
This is the grand entrance
Some artistic detail on the ceiling
Statues statues statues at every turn!
Even a replica of the David...
The artistic and architectural details are truly impressive - most of my time on this trip was spent walking around in awe of the magnificence of this hotel
Entrance to the Colosseum, where shows take place
Here is Cleopatra's barge, complete with sphinxes and a boat
Here is the Seahorse Lounge - such beautiful lighting...
Further down is Atlantis...
This pics are slightly blurry, but it's basically a circular arena with statues and an aquarium at the center, with stores and restaurants around the circumference. The lighting constantly changes, giving a very surreal appearance...
Caesar's palace - Garden of the Gods
Here we have the Snackus Maximus
A beautiful veranda on the other side
Caesar's palace - The Forum Shops
The Forum Shops outside entrance - such grandeur!
The magnificent Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace...your first time here will leave you awe-struck!
Looking up, notice the huge statues and architectural details...
...and looking down is an expansive, clear pool
And yes, even spiral escalators!
A closer view of the spiral escalator...amazing!
Caesar's palace - Outside View
The Venetian
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The beautiful, romantic Venetian Hotel...
Complete with gondola rides, bridges and clock tower...
So magical when it's lit up at night
Looking up at the Clock Tower
Inside The Venetian
Entrance to the shops...you feel just like you were walking around Venice
Inside is equally magical as the outside, with surreal lighting which effectively mimics daylight
Gondolas sail through the canals inside, as well as outside
Feel like I'm in Venice heaven...
..and under a bridge...
It could be 3am and you would never know it! Daytime here is eternal...
More shopping - it's almost unbelievable how large a space exists inside the hotel. The stores seem to go on forever...
The Luxor
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Outside view of the Luxor
Like the other hotels, this on is better viewed (and photographed) at night. Maybe next time!
Entrance to the tram which takes you to neighboring Excalibur
Once inside all you see are Egyptian statues and sphinxes. While still a cool hotel, it's become very commercialized over the years
Beautiful display when you first walk in
Sphinx and obelisk on the second floor
Coming down the escalator...
Looking down at the Egyptian-themed pool...
The Egyptian-themed lobby - it's soooo expansive!
The Pyramid Cafe, with heiroglyphs everywhere
The pool area
Moving walkway whch takes you to the Excalibur Hotel. Notice the heirpglyphs and Egyptian artistry on the ceiling...
