BY CLAY LARROY
Traveling
can be a great way to meet new people and experience other cultures. New
friends are waiting to meet you in places you have only dreamed of traveling. It
can be a wonderful way to see all that the world has to offer. Travel can be a
hobby and an adventure that will lead you to unexpected places. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!
Do you find yourself signing
along enthusiastically to Kenny Rogers’ "The Gambler"? Belting out Sinatra’s
"Luck be a Lady"? Do you have a high tolerance for risk and a
penchant for adrenaline rushes? Or do you simply enjoy betting on games during
your favorite sports season? A trip to one of the world’s casino hot-spots
might be just the vacation for you.
Interest in gambling and
casinos is on the rise, stoked by the popularity of the World Poker Tour and
easy access to online tutorials, which teach the ins and outs of games like
blackjack, poker, craps and baccarat. These armchair learning opportunities
have opened up the world of casino gaming to countless enthusiasts who
previously lacked the confidence to slide up next to a high roller and take a
seat at the table. Once you know when to hold "em and when to fold
"em, it’s time to put those skills to use!
From the sound of slot
machines ringing with wins to the excitement of dealers calling out bets over
the whirr of the roulette wheel, this is the kind of trip for someone who
enjoys a stimulating environment. Casino tours are for people who love action.
Sure, you might be able to escape to the pool for an hour or two in the afternoon,
but for the most part, a casino tour means bonding with the other creatures of
the night. That doesn’t mean you can’t bring the whole family, but you need to
know what you’re getting into and plan accordingly.
Destinations
Gaming vacations can take
place on land or at sea. Just about any cruise line that ventures into
international waters (where gambling is legal) has a casino onboard. The major
benefit of a cruise is the experience of visiting exotic locales by day while
enjoying the casino life at night. A cruise might also be the preferred way to
go if you have children, since laws prohibit minors from gambling and many
casinos will not even allow anyone under the age of eighteen on the gaming
floor. Most ships solve this dilemma by offering recreational programs for
children that keep them entertained and supervised while you hit the slots.
You say you’re a land lover?
Never fear, there are plenty of gaming destinations that don’t require you to
go anywhere near the water, and a few, like Monte Carlo or the Bahamas, where
the water is a beautiful backdrop. Domestically, Native American reservations
in Arizona, New Mexico, California, and North Carolina, among other states,
have casinos, but the best vacation experiences may involve visiting one of the
gambling hubs of the United States: the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, Atlantic
City in New Jersey, or the granddaddy of American gaming destinations, Las
Vegas! By sticking to these locations, you’ll have access to great restaurants
and other forms of entertainment, so you’ll have a well-rounded trip, even
while indulging in your penchant for gambling.
Knowing the time of year you
want to go on your casino vacation may help you select your ultimate location.
Summers can be uncomfortably hot in Las Vegas, and winters in Europe are colder
than many care to tolerate. Budget-minded travelers, on the other hand, could
benefit from a visit in an off season, if they are willing to withstand the
heat in exchange for copious indoor air conditioning. Travel agents have terrific
resources for putting together an itinerary that works seasonally and
financially.
Like most tourist
destinations, casinos are always busiest on weekends and holidays, so plan
according to your tolerance for crowds. The week between Christmas and New Year’s
is the most crowded week of the year in Las Vegas, which also hosts a
particularly busy year-round convention schedule. Travel consultants familiar
with Las Vegas will have access to the Convention and Visitors Authority and
can easily check to see what else is going on while you’ll be in town.
Perhaps you’ve already spent
time exploring the casinos of the United States on your own. Make your gambling
life more exciting by booking a casino tour overseas: Monaco and the south of
France are just two of many locations around the world where you can enjoy
gambling tours. If you do decide to go international, make sure to get your
passport (and visa, if needed) well in advance of your scheduled departure.
Choosing
a Tour Operator
Travel agents have access to
tour operators that provide air, hotel and auto packages while leaving the
traveler totally in control of their time and itinerary. Packaged travel
programs typically offer discounted prices for each component and are great
values. Additional options are often available, such as sightseeing and some
meals. Tour operators generally also offer bus tours designed to get you to and
from cities within driving distance of the gaming town. For instance, buses
from New York City to Atlantic City are popular. Your travel agent can help you
select the best option for the best price, depending on your travel
preferences.
Both kinds of tours often
come with a "coin bonus." A coin bonus is gambling money for you that
comes directly from the casino. The more business a tour operator brings to a
particular casino, the higher the coin bonus. You can use this mutually
beneficial relationship to your advantage by seeking out a well-established
tour operator with a good reputation, as these companies have typically negotiated
higher coin bonuses for their customers.
A key consideration for your
casino visit will be your hotel accommodations. Many casino destinations are
quite colorful and exciting, and Las Vegas leads the way with dozens of
theme-based and luxurious hotels. Largely subsidized by the gambling, even very
large, posh rooms can be had for little more than the cost of an average
business hotel in any major city. Again, your travel consultant can provide the
best advice on your hotel selection and amenities while working within any
budgetary guidelines you provide.
Finally, discuss with your
travel agent the other activities that you want to participate in while
traveling. Are swimming pools important to you? What about spa services? What
kind of restaurants do you enjoy? Interested in day trips or sightseeing?
Shows? The more you tell your travel agent, the better your agent will be able
to ensure that your trip meets your expectations.
REFERENCE SITES:
http://www.travelresearchonline.com/
I aimlessly travel, meaning I
have no agenda other than to get small in the world,
be quiet and observe
people.
Walton Goggins
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