You may have heard of Mumbai but not know much about it.  How about Bombay?  Many people are surprised to learn that Bombay no longer exists, it became Mumbai.  It’s a fascinating city with many  surprises…

Where is it?

Mumbai is a collection of seven islands and is the capital of the state of Maharashtra.  It’s on the west coast of India and has a deep, natural harbour which is extremely busy, dealing with over 60% of all of the cargo that arrives in India.

A Brief history

In 300 BC, seven islands were made into a Hindu and Buddhist centre by the Maurya Empire.  The seven islands are Isle of Bombay, Colaba, Old Woman’s Island (Little Colaba), Mahim, Mazagaon, Parel and Worli.

These islands were controlled by various empires and then taken over by Portuguese settlers who used it as a trading post.  In 1668, the British East India Company took them over because their highly successful trading pushed out the Portuguese.

At this point, the islands were merged into ‘Bombay’ and the area continued to flourish as trade increased.  The new found wealth of the area led to economic and educational development and improvement all through the 1800’s.  As a result, it was the base for the movement for Indian Independence.  When India finally gained Independence in 1947, the islands became part of the State of Bombay.

In 1960, the new state of Maharashtra was created.  Bombay was made the capital and it was renamed Mumbai in 1996.

Mumbai – home of Bollywood

Bollywood is the name that has been given to the extremely popular Hindi film industry.  The name comes from the words ‘Bombay’ and ‘Hollywood’.  Bollywood is one of the largest film producers in the world and the biggest in India.

Cinema is huge in Mumbai and it has the largest IMAX theatre in the world.  There is also an International Film Festival as well as an increasingly popular theater culture.

What’s the weather like?

Mumbai is in a tropical zone and has two main seasons – humid and dry.  Between March and October it has high humidity with the mercury soaring to over 30 degrees C / 86 degrees F.  From June to September, it’s monsoon time.  The annual rainfall is around 70.9 inches / 1.800 millimitres, with an average of 23.6 inches / 600 millimetres in July alone!

World Heritage Sites

Mumbai has two UNESCO World Heritage sites.

1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is an historic railway station, which looks a little like St Pancras Railway Station in London and is one of the busiest stations in India.  It took 10 years to build and was originally called Victoria Terminus in honor of Queen Victoria who was also Empress of India.  It was opened on her Golden Jubilee in 1887.  It was renamed in 1996, after a Maratha King from the 1600’s and named a World Heritage Site in 2004.
2. The Elephanta Caves on Elephanta Island near Mumbai are hewn from solid rock and cover 60,000 square feet / 5,600 square meters.  The caves are filled with beautiful sculptures and are thought to date back to 810 AD.  The entire complex is said to be he home of Shiva (Sanskrit for ‘auspicious one’) who is the supreme God to Shaiva Hindus.  It was made a World Heritage Site in 1987.

What could I see if I visit there?

• Essel World – Contains Asia’s largest water park, Water Kingdom.
• Girgaum Chaupati Beach – locally called Chaupati, which is pronounced chow patty. During the celebrations for Ganesh chaturthi, hundreds of people travel from all over India to this beach to immerse idols of Lord Ganapati in the Arabian Sea.  On this festival day, Lord Ganapati, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is said to be present on earth for all of his followers.
• Juhu Beach – The most famous beach in Mumbai.  Gandhi used to live at the north end of this beach at a place called Gandhi Gram.  It has numerous street vendors selling food but the hygiene standards can often be a little hit and miss!
• Festivals – There are numerous festivals with the people of Mumbai celebrating both Indian and Western Festivals.

Poverty

Sadly, like many areas of the world, India has a large slum population.  The 2001 Census tells us that the population was then almost 12 million and 54% of them lived in slums.  The World Gazetteer extrapolated those figures to show that by 2008, it had risen to over thirteen million.  The population density is thought to be an almost unbelievable 22,000 people per square kilometre.

Because space is so short, the people of Mumbai often live in cheap, cramped housing which is often a long way from where they work.  This results in overcrowded roads, buses and trains.  Over 800,000 people live in the second largest slum in Asia, which is called Dharavi and is in the middle of Mumbai.  Bizarrely, slums are now a growing tourist attraction, fuelled by the success of the film, Slumdog Millionaire.

Visiting Mumbai

Many people who visit India say it changes them forever.  The sights, colors, noise and aromas never leave them and India continues to pull them back.  It’s easy to book up via the internet so consider Mumbai for your next vacation.  It could start a love affair that never ends!

Find flights and hotels quickly and easily at Expedia.com so that you can explore the World Heritage sites and experience the mystery and magic of Mumbai

Crete is a hugely popular island for holidaymakers.  Over 20% of all flights in Greece go there every year – and with good reason!  Crete has something for everyone and if you get away from the main towns, there are still traditional areas to delight in.

You can choose from large hotels with all the ameneties that you would expect, stay in family run apartments or even camp.  You can travel there by flying to Heraklion or Chania or by ferry to Heraklion, Chania, Rethimno or Agios Nikolaos.

Let’s take a look at why Crete is so popular.

Quick Facts about Crete

• It’s the largest of the Greek Island and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean.
• Crete was the centre of the oldest Greek Civilization, the Minoans, who lived there from 2,600 BC to 1,400 BC. A visit to the Minoan sitesof Knossos and Phaistos are essential but wear a large hat in high summer as it gets unbearably hot there!
• Crete has its’ own dialect and music but people who live there (Cretans) call themselves Greek.
• For hundreds of years, Crete was called Candia. This was its’ Italian name which came from ‘Chandax’ – the medieval name for the Capital of the island, Heraklion.
• The highest mountain on Crete is Mt. Psiloreitis at 8,058ft / 2,456 metres.
• In 1934, the internationally known signer Nana Mouskouri was born there.

A brief history

This would be worth a book in itself but here are some interesting – and unexpected – snippets!

The first humans on Crete were Neolithic and Knossos (later Minoan) was originally a Neolithic settlement.  The Minoan civilization was the origin of much Greek Legend as told by Homer – with stories about King Minos, the Minotaur and Icarus.

Crete was taken over by Rome in 69 BC, then by Iberian Muslims, followed by the Byzantines and then the Venetians.  During Venetian rule, the island had a period of Renaissance, with the painter El Greco as its’ brightest star.  The Venetians were Catholic but there was also a huge influx of Jewish Armenians to the island.  By 1627, around 7% of the population was Jewish.  High taxes for non-Catholics were brought in to discourage further Jews from arriving but this ended when the Ottomans took over after keeping the capital – then called Candia – under siege for twenty one years!

When the Ottomans were in power, many monasteries and churches were changed into mosques but attendance at Catholic Church was still allowed.  However, large numbers of people converted to Islam.  These converts were viewed by the Christian people as Turks.  At the time of the Greek War of Independence, up to 45% of the population was thought to be Muslim.  Many converted back while others fled to Turkey and Rhodes.  By 1911, 11% of people were still Muslim but they were made to leave Crete in 1924 as part of the ‘population exchange’ between Greece and Turkey.

Christian uprisings were frequent and were met with fierce opposition from the Ottomans, including the execution of Bishops.  The Ottoman Sultan then gave Crete to Egypt but this rule didn’t last long and in 1840, it reverted to Ottoman rule.  Crete finally became part of Greece in 1913.

During the Second World War, German paratroopers suffered nearly 7,000 casualties in the Battle of Crete which took place in 1941.  The casualties were a result of fierce opposition from locals and the British and Allied foreces.  After this, Hitler banned any more large airborne offensives.

The Land

Crete is not just an island of white beaches with turquoise seas.  It is very mountainous with a huge range made up of three groups of mountains – the Lefka Ori (White Mountains), the Dikti and the Idi.  Because of the mountains, Crete has many fertile plateaux which give rise to unexpected greenery in such an arid area.  There are also caves and a famously deep and narrow Gorge – the Gorge of Samaria which narrows to a point where a person can stand with one hand on either side of it.

What’s the weather like?

Crete is in two climate zones – the Mediterranean and the North African, with most of it in the first category.  This means that the weather is mostly temperate and can be humid as you go inland.  The winters are mild and while snow does fall on the tops of mountains, it is extremely rare on low ground especially near the sea.  However, there was a very rare cold spell in February 2004 which covered the entire island in snow!  In the summer, the average temperature is in the high 20’s to low 30’s Celsius / mid 80’s to mid 90’s Fahrenheit.  It can go as high as the mid 40’s / above 110 Fahrenheit so be sure to bring some very strong sun cream and always carry a bottle of water.

The south coast comes under the climate zone of North Africa so it can be substantially hotter there.  Date palms are heavy with fruit and the swallows don’t bother to fly to Africa for the summer!

I’ve had a holiday on Crete and I’d love to live there!

You’re not alone – Crete’s balmy winter temperatures have led many people to buy a winter or holiday home there.  If you live in an EU country, you’re in luck.  EU citizens have the right to buy property on Crete and live there with the minimum of bureaucratic ‘red tape’.  Some real estate companies cater solely to Europeans wishing to make the move.

Where to go…

Agia Gallini

A very pretty little resort built around a small harbour which has water front cafes and tavernas.  It has restaurants, hotels and streets running up the hill behind the harbor.  There are a few clubs for nightlife and as Agia Gallini is small, it can feel crowded in high season so if you want a peaceful holiday, go off peak.

Agios Nikolaos

‘Ag Nik’ as holiday makers call it, has an inlet from the sea which is reputedly bottomless.  It’s a pleasant and tasteful town with many places to stay and great restaurants.

Chania

This is a beautiful place with a gorgeous Venetian harbor and many tavernas on the waterfront and well as great restaurants back in Chania.  Shopping is fun in the narrow and picturesque streets and there are small museums to visit.  It’s a good base to visit the Lefka Ori Mountains and the white sands of Elafonisos.

Elounda

A very up-market area with luxury resorts and hotels.  As a result, these are well designed and attractive.  The village itself has good restaurants and cafes on the seafront.  The historic Spinalonga Island is nearby.  The island was a leper colony, from 1903 to 1957 and the last inhabitant left in 1962. There were two entrances to Spinalonga – the lepers entrance was through a tunnel called Dante’s Gate. The lepers didn’t know what would happen to them when the arrived but they were treated kindly and given food, water, medical help and social security payments. Previously, the leprosy patients had hidden in the caves of the area, away from civilization.

Heraklion

Don’t miss Crete’s biggest city which has something for everyone.  The shopping’s good with designer shops as well as hand made leather goods and crafts.  Eating is good and there is also culture with the Archaeological museum and the museum of Natural History.  The Minoan Palaceof Knossos is within easy reach.  Just out of Heraklion there are great beaches at Malia and Hersonisos.

Hersonisos (also spelled Hersonissos)

Very much a party town with bars, clubs and beach parties that can go on long into the night.  However, the luxury hotels in the area don’t get any noise!  Despite the parties, this is a popular resort for families and there is a good bus service into Heraklion and to the eastern side of Crete.

Ierapetra

This town on the south of the island is a good place to go for a taste of traditional Crete.  Due to its distance from the airport, it isn’t full of tourists.  It has a pretty waterfront and a lovely beach.  There is a Venetian fortress at the harbour.  This is an agricultural area with greenhouses dotted through the hills.

Kissamos (Kastelli)

A small place in a huge bay which has both sandy and pebble beaches.  Visit the spectacular beaches at Falassarna and Balos which locals say are even better than the famed ‘tropical’ beach, Elafonisos.  Judge for yourself as Elafonisos is nearby.  There are important archaeological sites and ancient buildings which are worth visiting.  Go east along the coast to Kolymbari to see the Odigitrias Monastery which has amazing icons and get out of the heat at the cool, stone built café at the end of the beach.

Malia

Like Hersonisos, this is a party town but it has one long main street which makes it harder to escape the nightclubs and bars.  It’s worth a visit for the Palace – a significant archaeological site.  There are many attractions for families and a good beach.  There’s a good bus service to Heraklion and the east of the island.

Rethymno

A lovely place which makes it very popular.  The sandy beach attracts both snorkelers and turtles!  The old town has an ancient fortress, an old harbour, quaint historic streets, museums, churches and gardens.  The food is good – in particular, the fresh fish.  There is an annual carnval which is worth seeing.  Take a trip into the nearby mountains to see Arkadi Monastery.

Sitia

Visit the fortress, walk on the long sandy beach, swim or windsurf on the crystal clear warm sea and enjoy the friendly atmosphere and the warm welcome from locals.  A lovely town and well placed to visit other attractions.

Be prepared to fall in love

Crete is unique.  Simply walk to a taverna on a warm night listening to the constant hum of the cicadas and enjoying the scents in the air..and begin your love affair with Greece.

Give it a try…you’ll be glad that you did!

Book your trip with Expedia and enjoy the Expedia Best Price Guarantee!

Gosh…where do we start?  Did you know that there are over six thousand Greek islands?  Only 227 are inhabited and of those, only 78 have more than 100 people living on them.

The islands are in groups, so let’s take a look at the islands in one of the most popular, the Cyclades, so that you can decide which takes your fancy before you start booking!

The Cyclades Islands

This is a group of around 220 islands in the middle of the Aegean Sea.  They are reached by ferries that travel from Pereaus. Pireaus is one of the biggest ports in the Mediterranean and one of the busiest in the world. It has been the port of Athens Piraeus has been the Athenian port since the 26^th Century BC and is about 10 km south west from the centre of Athens.

The main islands of the Cyclades are:

Amorgos

The island is easy to get to and takes about 8 hours from Pireaus.  It’s well placed for a holiday as there are daily connections to Paros and Naxos and the local boat will take you to the smaller islands of Schinousa, Donousa, Koufonisi and Iraklia.

There are some good beaches in the north, lots of tavernas and good nightlife.  The Monastery of Chozoviotissa is built into the wall of a cliff and well worth visit for the views if you have a head for heights!  There is good snorkling in places.

Andros

Another well placed island as there are ferries and catamarans every day to Tino, Syros and Mykonos.  The main town of Andros is on a peninsula between two beaches and no cars are allowed.  The town is wealthy so no tourism is allowed which, ironically, makes it a great place to visit.  There is a shipping museum and an art museum.  The island is very green and unusually for a Greek island has a few small rivers.

Antiparos

More laid back than Paros.  Ferries go to Paros several times a day from Pounta.  Antiparos is worth visiting for the enormous Cave there which does pull a few tourists.  You could go there to celebrity-spot as Brad Pitt and Tom Hanks both visited recently.

Folegandros

This island is ‘undiscovered’ but not by artists and writers who flock there, inspired by its beauty.  It’s a small island and can get crowded in high season.  The ferry lands at Karavostasis where there are hotels, restaurants, beaches and buses to other beaches.  The island is 9 hours from Pireaus and has connections to Sifnos, Milos, Santorini, Sikinos and Ios.

Ios

This is most definitely a young persons’ island.  It’s rife with discos, bars, shops and fast food joints.  It’s an 8 hour ride from Pireaus and well placed for ferries to Paros, Naxos, Syros, Santorini, Sifnos and (once a week) Crete.

Kea

Very popular with Atheneans as a holiday destination or for weekend retreats.  Because of this there are a lot of good Greek restaurants.  Kea is often forgotten by backpackers as the ferry doesn’t leavefrom Pireaus but Lavrion and it’s a short journey – around 2 hours.  Most tourists head for the small harbour of Vourkari which has an excellent group of fresh fish restaurants.  Kea is also famous (or infamous!) for its far reaching ancient roads which are wonderful for hiking.

Koufonisi

This gem is one of the smallest inhabited islands of the Cyclades with just 300 residents.  It is 4 square kilometers in size so you won’t need a car!  There is one town, Chora, which is on the harbor, with some tavernas, bars and a couple of shops.  The beaches, fresh fish, peace and quiet are worth the journey.

Kythnos

Only three hours from Pireaus if you take the slow ferry and just over an hour on the fast one.  Kythnos is between Kea and Serifos and on the same ferry line as Sifnos and Milos so it’s a good base for seeing other islands.  It has stunning beaches, picturesque white churches and history back to 9000 BC.  This island is easy to get to but not over run with tourists so great for a remote getaway that doesn’t take ages to get to!  The island tends to attract older travellers.

Milos

Milos is wonderful for visiting other islands – if you can tear yourself away from the stunningly beautiful beaches, the Christian, Roman and Venetian history and fabulous swimming and snorkeling that it offers!  It’s 7 hours from Pireaus and you can take daily ferries from here to Sifnos, Serifos and Kythnos.  Three boats a week go to Crete and twice a week they go to Folegandros, Sikinos, Ios and Santorini.  It’s also the island where the Venus de Milo was found.  The island tends to attract older travelers.

Mykonos

The party island especially for gay people but it also has a lot to offer straight people and families.  There is non-stop nightlife and the beaches tend to be crowded but it’s a fantastic place to sit and watch the amazing world go by!  It’s 5 hours from Pireaus and 3 from Rafina or you can fly to the International Airport on the island.  If the partying gets too much, there are several ferries each day to Tinos and Syros.  Daily ferries go to Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, Andros and other islands too.  It’s also possible to get to Sifnos, Samos, Ikaria, the Dodecanese, Crete and Thessaloniki.

Naxos

Naxos is not overrun with tourists which is interesting as it has some of the best beaches in all of the islands.  Stop off at the fishing village, Apollon, which has great fish restaurants and possibly the most interesting unfinished statue in the world.  The giant statue of Apollo has been laying in the marble quarry since around 600 BC!  Naxos is 7 hours from Athens with connections to Mykonos, Ios, Santorini, Crete, the Dodekanese, Ikaria, Samos, Amorgos, Skiathos and Thessaloniki.

Paros

Many ferries stop here so Paros is a busy port and also a great base if you want to island hop.  To avoid the crowds, visit in June, early July or September.

Paros is a mecca for windsurfers and is particularly good for body surfing.  It’s 6 hours from Athens and there are daily ferries to Naxos, Santorini, Mykonos and Ios.  There are also connections to Crete, Ikaria, Samos, the small Cyclades islands, Thessaloniki, Crete, Skiathos, the Dodekanese and Amorgos.  If you don’t like the ferry there are also hydrofoils and catamarans.  Visit the Travel Agents in the port to be sure of what’s going whereas it can get rather overwhelming!

Serifos

The main port is near a great camping ground.  Beyond that, the island is relatively untouched.  It has some of the best beaches in the islands and is only 4 hours from Athens.  There are daily ferries to Sifnos, Milos and Kythnos.  The island tends to attract older travelers.

Sifnos
A wonderfully pretty and still essentially Greek island for families with children and anyone over 30!  Head for Kamares beach which has a long, sheltered, shallow bay which is perfect for the kids and for you as there is café a few feet from the sand!  The food is great and very reasonably priced.  Accomodation is cheap too.  Sifnos is 5 hours from Pireaus and there are daily connections to Serifos, Kythnos, Milos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Mykonos, Ios and Syros.

Sikinos

This is an extremely un-touristy island which is home to fishermen and farmers.  The two villages in the mountains and the port of Alopronoia all have rooms to rent.  A chance to see Greece as it was.

Syros

This is the capital island of the Cyclades and has a shipyard in the harbour that is over 100 years old.  It’s a beautiful town with excellent restaurants and lovely beaches.  The town is full of well-restored buildings which date back to the late 1800’s – churches, mansions and cobbled streets with great pavement cafes.  It’s 4 hours from Pireaus and a ferry from Syros goes to all of the islands in the Cyclades every day so it is probably the best place for a base if you wish to island-hop.

Tinos

Tinos is a quiet and pretty island with lovely beaches, unspoilt villages, stunning landscape and great food.  If you want a peaceful getaway, avoid it around the 15^th of August as the island fills up with pilgrims visiting the Church of Pangia Evangalestria, which has an icon renowned for working miracles.  4 hours from Pireaus with daily ferries to Andros, Syros and Mykonos.

Santorini

This is the most popular Greek island and is a must-see island for many reasons.  Avoid flying and take a daytime ferry to get the full impact of the town perched on top of a 1000 foot vertical cliff which is an extinct volcano.

The sunsets are unbelievable and this is also a top destination for weddings and honeymoons.  Beautiful beaches, breathtaking scenery and ancient ruins.  It’s a 9 hour trip from Pireaus but quicker from Crete.

There is an International Airport so if you do fly in, be sure to take a boat trip as you have to see this island from the sea.

…And so much more!

We hope that has given you a taste of what the Greek Islands have to offer.  And that’s just one group!

There are many others -

• The Argo-Saronic Islands in the Saronic gulf near Athens,
• the North Aegean islands off the west coast of Turkey,
• the Dodecanese in the southeast between Crete and Turkey,
• the Sporades , a small group off the coast of Euboea
• and the Ionian Islands, west of the mainland in the Ionian Sea

One thing is certain, wherever you go in the Greek Islands, you will fall in love with them and return again and again.  Enjoy!!!!

And to make things easy, book your flight and hotel through Expedia.com! Not only is booking online quick and simple, you will also save money.

A few years ago, a friend of mine got married in Las Vegas.  She didn’t tell us she was getting married we all thought she was just going on holiday.

When she returned to work, she told us the happy news.

I have to take my hat off to her as it must have been hard to arrange everything without letting anyone in on the secret.  The wedding dress was shipped to her hotel all ready for the big day.

You know what!!!!! I think it was a totally awesome idea. She looked absolutely beautiful, the setting was lovely and what a tale she has to tell.

When Paula and I were in Vegas, a bride in her flowing white gown along with her wedding party got into the monorail carriage we were in and just recently Val and I saw a bridal party strolling down the road  into the Venetian.

Getting married in Vegas is quite popular and if you want to do this make sure you check out the requirements for getting a marriage license first and then take your pick from one of the many wedding chapels that abound. 

Here are Just Some of the Marriage License Requirements (as outlined on the website of the County Clerk Las Vegas, Nevada):

NOTE: Requirements for U.S. citizens and non U.S. citizens are the same.

• It is suggested that non U.S. citizens check with your local officials for special documents that may be needed to ensure that your marriage will be recognized in your country.
• Applicants must be a male and a female, at least 18 years of age, and not nearer of kin than second cousins or cousins of half blood, and not having a husband or wife living.
• Applicants may be required to prove their age. Those not having acceptable identification to prove age may be refused a marriage license. Faxed copies, damaged identification, privately issued I.D., check cashing cards or photocopies of identification are unacceptable.
• For specific information on forms of acceptable identification, click here. 

There is no blood test and no waiting period after a license is issued.

Although there are the themed weddings such as getting married by Elvis, there are many other chapels that cater for the not so way out wedding. And you can even have your wedding webcast for all your family and friends to see. Most of the Casinos also have a wedding chapel if you don’t want to cruise the strip.

I took these photos when we were looking for the second hand goods store in Las Vegas Boulevard, when Val was looking for reloading gear. Note the pink units. At night of course this is all lit up. 

Chapel of the Bells also advertises a license service. 

Here is the Hollywood Chapel – Bridal de Paris

While we were waiting to cross the road we saw a fire at a petrol station. There was thick black smoke billowing out for quite some time. At first we thought it was a controlled fire but it was too long before the fire brigade arrived to put it out.

At this end of Las Vegas Blvd we are quite close to the Stratosphere and Sahara casinos. Its getting near to lunchtime so we decide to have lunch at the Stratoshphere buffet. Unfortunately when we finally arrive ( remember distances are deceiving in Las Vegas) the buffet is closed, so we opt for a burger at the NASCAR cafe. The food is tasty and there is plenty of it. We are treated to baseball on the large TV while we eat.  All around us people are totally enthralled in the game.

Now while you are in the Sahara you can take a simulated ride, driving a race car in the Las Vegas Cyber Speedway.  This gives you a realistic experience of driving a race car.  The ride operates from Noon – 10pm daily and it costs $10.00 for a single ride and $22.95 for an all day attractions ride pass.

This also gives you access to Speed – The Ride which is a roller coaster that takes you through a loop and 224 feet up in to the air.  This rid operates 11am – midnight Sun – Thursday adn 11am – 1am Fri – Sat. Again a single ride costs $10.00 or you can buy the all day attractions ride pass for $22.95.

When we come out into the street after lunch we catch sight of some very brave souls on top of the Statosphere casino.  This photo gives you an idea of the height.

And here they are:

There are 3 rides on the top of the Stratosphere casino. These are ‘Insanity’, ‘Big Shot’ and ‘XScream’ and they are the three biggest thrill rides in the world.

XScream catapults you 30 feet over the edge of the Stratosphere Tower and its a long way to the bottom.

Insanity lets you the experience the force of 3 G’s as you are spun up and out. 

Big Shot launches you off your seat and you fall back towards the tower base at speeds in excess of freefall.

So thrill seekers if this is the type of adventure you are looking for why not buy all day unlimited pass for $33.95 so that you can take advantage of all the rides.from 10 am -1am Sun - Thur and 10am -2am Fri, Sat and holidays.

If your fear factor is a little more sedate then you why not visit the Stratosphere Tower where you will have an amazing view of the entire valley from both indoor and outdoor vantage points at 1149 feet above the strip.

The tower is open 10am -1am Sun – Thur, 10am – 2am Fri, Sat and holidays. Admission is $13.95 for adults and $8.00 for children 6-12 years of age.