The Guides leave the stars (and snakes) of Hollywood behind and head off on a road trip to Las Vegas. It’s a four-hour trip across the desert and is known as one of America’s most famous drives. There’s only one hitch – Bri and Karly are struggling to drive on the right side of the road.
Thankfully, they all arrive in one piece and check in to The Strat Hotel on the famous Vegas Strip. Dorian and Teng have an extra upgrade in their room – Kev is on the mend and has arrived for the Vegas leg of their tour.
Along with 2429 rooms, The Strat has two thrilling rides perched on the top of its distinctive tower. It’s the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States, so the Guides are in for an adventure. After a hearty breakfast at The Strat Café, Teng and Kev and the Fren Family strap in for the stomach-churning X-Scream, a rollercoaster that propels riders over the edge of the tower. No one seems to open their eyes for the duration of the ride.
Along with casinos, Vegas is known for its array of shows, so Karly and Bri and Kevin and Janetta get tickets to Banachek’s Mind Games. Banachek is touted as the world’s greatest mind reader, but Kevin is definitely a sceptic. Karly and Bri, on the other hand, are enchanted by the magic.
The next day, the Guides head 45 minutes south to Adrenaline Mountain ¬– an extreme adventure park where people go to drive monster trucks and blow things up. Kevin and Janetta seamlessly pay for their monster truck experience with their Currency Pass, Kev gets behind a machine gun and the Fren Family use sniper rifles to blow up a car. It’s a thoroughly all-American experience that you certainly wouldn’t get back home.
Along with its big guns, the U.S.A. is known for its big buffets and the spread at Caesar’s Palace doesn’t disappoint. The Bacchanal Buffet is the largest buffet in Las Vegas with hundreds of dishes available to enjoy within a 90-minute dining limit. For Matt and Brett though, it’s the bottomless mimosas that seem to hold the most appeal.
After the Fren Family fuel up at the buffet, they head out for another classic Vegas experience. Over 120,000 couples come to Vegas each year to get married and the Elvis-themed Graceland Wedding Chapel is the most famous place to get hitched. Mark and Cathy take the opportunity to renew their vows in true rock and roll style.
No trip to Vegas would be complete without a trip two hours east to one of the natural wonders of the world – the Grand Canyon. At 400kms long and 30kms wide, it’s hard not to be blown away by the sheer scale of this 6-million-year-old canyon. Kevin and Janetta, Bri and Karly and the Fren Family head to the Skywalk located at the west rim, to get a crystal-clear view of the canyon floor 1200m below. Matt and Brett and Kev, Dorian and Teng choose to admire the 360 degree views from the serene Guano Point – even if Kev’s lingering cough does disrupt the zen a little!
Costs
As they gaze out over the canyon, the Guides give their final rating for their trip to L.A. and Las Vegas…
Kevin and Janetta: 3/5
Bri and Karly: 5/5
The Fren Family: 5/5
Brett and Matt: 4/5
Dorian, Kev and Teng: 4.5/5