Viva Las Vegas

THE instructor began screeching down the headset: “More gas, more gas.” I press my foot gently on the accelerator and shoot further back into the seat, while the booming Ferrari V8 engine shakes my eardrums and the hairs on my arms stand on end.

This is way better than any theme park ride – and thanks to the confidence-inspiring tutor, I am overwhelmed by a sense of accomplishment that I, a careful Ford driver, have piloted a supercar around a professional racetrack.

If spending a day racing a $250,000 Ferrari 430GT is on your bucket list, then head for Las Vegas. In fact, most to-do lists can be completed at the legendary desert oasis and, as comedian Drew Carey says: “You can do whatever you want, 24 hours a day. They’ve effectively legalised everything there.”

I spent seven hedonistic days and nights in and around the neon metropolis, and the VIP treatment began before I’d even stepped onto the plane with three relaxing hours in Virgin Holidays’ new V Room at Manchester Airport.

Once I’d arrived in Vegas, where better to stay than the iconic Caesars Palace? My room is in the new Octavius Tower, a 23-storey skyscraper which opened in early 2012.

The perfect remedy for jetlag is a luxurious cabana adjacent to Caesars’ Garden of the Gods pool. These white “tents” come complete with a stocked fridge, TV and sofas, and mattress beds outside for those who want to soak up the desert sunshine.

Best of all, Leo, my personal server/bodyguard, is on hand to keep me topped up with snacks and vodka cocktails until sunset.

Caesars’ signature Qua Baths and Spa perfectly complements the opulent feel of the pool. I’m booked in for the Emperor’s Face and Body Treatment – my therapist Yanrong (whose previous clients include Presidents Obama and Clinton and, er, Simon Cowell) rubs Arabica coffee and sea salts into my flesh, before applying anti-ageing masks to my face.

A word of warning though – eating like an emperor can come at a cost. Not only to your wallet, but to your waistline. Sin City is home to the world’s most exclusive restaurants.

CAESARS’ Old Homestead Steakhouse has an unrivalled reputation for serving prime-aged Texan slabs of beef, and doesn’t disappoint.

Elsewhere, the Eiffel Tower restaurant at Paris Las Vegas hotel dishes up amazing French cuisine and offers unparalleled views of the strip, and the Sugar Factory American Brasserie, at the same hotel, serves truly delectable desserts. However, my favourite eatery is Planet Hollywood’s Strip House, a new diner which acts as a great pre-show venue.

Speaking of shows, I manage to see three, including the elaborate Jubilee! at Bally’s, complete with topless showgirls (all in good taste, of course), and some stand-up at Empire Comedy Club.

A real must is Absinthe, at Caesars – a remarkable 90-minute mix of circus-inspired stunts, dance and song, all presented by sidesplitting compere The Gazillionaire and his sidekick Penny Pibbets.

As for post-show drinks, you’re spoilt for choice in Vegas.

The Public House at The Venetian is a great gastro pub with a fine selection of ales, while Center Cut Steakhouse at Flamingo has an extensive variety of speciality margaritas, and the incredibly plush Chandelier cocktail-barcum- art-exhibit at Cosmopolitan has to be seen to be believed.

Night owls are predictably in their element, with each of the big hotel/casinos housing one or more nightclub. PURE at Caesars, Marquee at Cosmopolitan, Hyde at Bellagio and Chateau at Paris La Vegas are among the best.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that Vegas is all about dinner, drinks and dancing. Well, for some, it probably is, but the most memorable moments of my trip take place at dawn, rather than dusk.

I’m a sucker for a big breakfast, and the menus at Stirling Brunch at Bally’s, Payard Patisserie at Caesars and Wicked Spoon at Cosmopolitan are the perfect tonic if you’re feeling worse for wear after a night on the tiles. Best of all, though, is The Hangover (themed around the film) eight-egg omelette containing bacon, mushrooms and fries, at Serendipity 3, also at Caesars.

Also memorable are the activities.

Dream Racing is a new venture which gives you the chance to don a race suit and drive a finely-tuned Ferrari at speeds of up to 200kph around Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

At The Butch Harmon School of Golf, instructor Nick Helwig breaks down my swing and attempts to iron out the many flaws in my game, before a round at the accompanying Rio Secco course. Just off the Strip is the Guns and Ammo Garage, a state-of-the-art shooting range recently opened.

Being a Brit, my weapons skills are non-existent, but during the Zombie Hunter Experience I learn how to fire a Glock 9mm, UZI, AK-47 and 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. Obviously, to take part in a Dream Racing Experience or fire machine guns, you have to stay off the booze for a short while – which can be easier said than done in Vegas.

Alternatively, those wishing to begin the merriment early can sample one of the city’s legendary pool parties.

IAM lucky enough to attend one at MGM Grand’s Wet Republic pool – a booze-fuelled knees-up which is packed with bikini babes and musclebound men, and headlined by superstar DJ Bob Sinclar.

Last but not least, no Vegas trip would be complete without a trip to one of the natural wonders of the world – the Grand Canyon. Papillon, based at Boulder City, are experts in the field and offer a range of tours.

I take up the signature Grand Celebration Helicopter Tour, a breathtaking two-hour narrated flight over the Hoover Dam and the Canyon, accompanied by a champagne lunch on the Canyon floor.

So there you have it, so much to do, so much to see, so much to eat and drink.

And I haven’t even mentioned the “g”word.

The Gambling Capital of the world made 100 billion dollars last year in gaming alone so, of course, those partial to a round of blackjack, poker, craps, roulette or even just the odd buck here or there on the slots, will be right at home.

There is a (slightly overused) saying: “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”

However, when I return home, I can’t resist telling all and sundry about my trip of a lifetime.

“Wow, it sounds like the dream holiday,” is the general response.

Yep – whatever you choose to do in Vegas, you’re sure to feel you’ve hit the jackpot.

KEY FACTS LAS VEGAS

BEST FOR: Splashing out and living the life of an emperor.

TIME TO GO: All year round, but best to avoid the busy American public holidays.

DON’T MISS: Dream Racing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

NEED TO KNOW: Many of the waiters and other hospitality staff rely on tips to make a living, so dig deep if you can!

DON’T FORGET: Sunblock and layers. Yes, Vegas is in a desert,but it can also get chilly, especially on a Canyon trip.

TRAVEL FACTS

Richard Jones was a guest of Virgin Holidays, which offers four nights’ room-only at five-star Caesars Palace, with transfers, from £949, incl direct scheduled flights ex-Manchester in late November, and at the four-star Paris Las Vegas from £635.

Gatwick price from £849. Glasgow, with United Airlines flights, from £889, for Nov 25 departures. For Glasgow departures which need connecting flights to Manchester or Gatwick, add around £100.

• For V room reservations call 0844-557-3859 and virginholidays.co.uk
• Dream Racing Experience at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, from £310, visit dreamracing.com
• Grand Canyon Celebration Tour helicopter ride with Papillon, from £190, papillon.com
• Zombie Hunter Experience at Guns and Ammo Garage, from £90, gunsandammogarage.com 􀁧 One hour lesson at The Butch Harmon School of Golf, from £60, butchharmon.com