Now I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely been guilty of waiting, instead of going ahead and living my life. I’ve waited for friends to want to do something. Or thought I needed to be part of a couple to go on an amazing trip. And it was only last year when it twigged for me that no-one is coming to save me. If I want to do something. I should just do it. Regardless of whether my friends or a significant partner want to. So that’s what I did. I booked a solo trip to Las Vegas. And here’s how it went…
FLIGHTS AND HOTEL
If you’ve ever booked a solo trip, then you’ll know that there is a single person’s tax when booking your holiday. Although only one person will be going, you still seem to be charged almost the same amount as a couple. It’s absolute madness. But I booked with Virgin Holidays and although the cost was pretty high. Seeing as this was my first time in the City of Sin. I wanted the security that comes when booking a package deal. So I booked a five night stay at the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas with Virgin Holidays.
If I was to go back, I’d be more than happy to book things separately if I thought it would be more cost effective. And actually location wise, although I loved the Aria Hotel, I’m not sure I’d want to be any further south on the strip. In total my flights and hotel cost me £1,465.16 although that was flying Economy Delight both ways. On the way back, I decided to upgrade to Premium Economy at an additional cost of £409.
ACTIVITIES
SO the main activity that I had planned for my trip was a helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon. Now my brother and sister-in-law had been to Las Vegas during their West Coast of America honeymoon, so I took advice from them and booked with Maverick Helicopters. There are actually only two companies that have permission to land in the Grand Canyon, and Maverick is one of them. I opted to do the sunset helicopter ride and it was so worth it! The flight out to the Grand Canyon takes around 45 minutes and on the way, you pass over the Hoover Dam. You then land in the Grand Canyon and spend around 40 minutes enjoying the view with some champagne and snacks. Before getting back into the Grand Canyon and heading back to the strip.
On the way back to the strip you do stop to refuel, which is a great chance to get out and get a couple of pics of the Joshua Trees that grow in the desert there. And then it’s back in the helicopter as you head back to the airport enjoying a great view of the strip as the sun sets and the lights start to come on. This was not a cheap activity but one that I would absolutely recommend, it cost £510 per seat.
ENTERTAINMENT
As a last minute decision, I decided to book a show on my last night in Las Vegas. Now there was plenty of choice. I could have seen a cirque du soleil show, a magician, America’s Got Talent. But instead I decided to book someone who was doing a residency in Las Vegas. I booked a ticket to see Shania Twain. And it was hands down the best decision!
I’m not the biggest Shania Twain fan, I mean I know the big hits, but I don’t know all her songs. But it didn’t matter. It was such a fun show, filled with about eight different set and costume changes and her voice is amazing. I also appreciated the fact that so many people were dressed in their cowboy boots and hats. The ticket for Shania Twain cost $130 including fees.
Then on my final day, I took a walk down to the Mandalay Bay to see the shark aquarium, which was a good way to spend an hour. It’s a very family friendly activity so a good one if you’re there with young children. I personally just enjoyed seeing all the sea life, including sharks, jelly fish and turtles. The cost was also pretty reasonable with my ticket costing $29.
SHOPPING
Now for me, it wouldn’t be a holiday without a chance to do a little shopping. Now I didn’t go too nuts, and I did try and stay away from European brands and focus on the American ones that would hopefully be cheaper. And while some things were cheaper in the States, with the poor exchange rate for us in the UK, some of the American products I brought, would have been cheaper to have brought back home. Oh well.
I did find some great bargains at the North Premium Outlets, especially in Calvin Klein, J Crew and Saks Fifth Avenue. I of course shopping in Sephora (a haul is coming later this week). But in total I spent £425 shopping.
So that is everything I got up to on my solo trip to Las Vegas. Let me know if you’ve ever been to Sin City and what your favourite part of Vegas is.