Las Vegas I Contiki

I joined my group on my third evening of being in Vegas and I was filled with both a mix of excitement and nerves as I wandered down to the lobby to find people. Alone. This was a pretty hard game of 'spot the Contiki crew' when there are so many people in Vegas, so I kept my eyes open for any Contiki folders, books or people with huge suitcases and a game face for adventure. An Irish girl approached me who ended up being my room mate for the trip. Celebrations in my head took place, I found my buddy. Eventually we found the rest of the new starters who were from both UK, Australia and New Zealand. Let the Contiki experience begin..

We were took up to our hotel managers room once everyone had arrived where he introduced himself and explained how the tour worked and what we would be doing the first night. For most on the California Highlights tour, they had just arrived or been there since the night before so only had a brief chance to explore. I think this is where the tour could start earlier so we could all experience together with the rest of the Wild Western-ers that began 8 days prior.

After a brief meeting we could choose whether we would like to go to the first add-on experience which was Cirque du Soleil. I ended up opting out and chose to get to know my room mate and prep for the champagne limo ride and club night that was pre-arranged in the tour.

PARTY TIME
I had already joined the Contiki Facebook group for my tour prior to the trip. This tends to get set up by someone so you can all chat and discuss prior and during the trip and helps ease any pre tour nerves. We found out some people were meeting to get a group taxi to the club so we joined and met a few people who were of course, lovely. When arriving at the location where we would pick up the limo more people came up to us an introduced themselves making us feel at home straight away. That's one of the lovely things about the trip, everyone is there to make friends so this approach lasts throughout the tour.

Took down to the car parks, all the limos were lined up waiting for us and we all jumped in the nearest one. Champagne, limo and music blaring as we drove down the strip was pretty damn cool and is something you have to do when in Vegas! Disappointingly Hollywood blockbusters have you coned, you cannot stand out the roof... unless you are happy with a $500 fine. Its a great way to see the strip by night and overall limo rides in Las Vegas are not far off taxis with some girls taking one to the shops and back.

We arrived at PALMS which hosts Ghost bar, a club our tour manager managed to get us in at. If you are going out in Vegas I definitely suggest this place. Its a bit further out but has an epic view of Vegas with a rooftop which floats out from the building = Top. of. the. world.

The night continued from there with us getting to know our new Contiki family. Drinks flowing, dance moves being spun out on the dance floor, the night went on as long as you wanted it to, or never ended for some.. This was a great way to get to know everyone, though it is a bit overwhelming to begin with nothing helps better like a bit of dutch courage - throwing  yourself into a Limo, sipping on some champagne and dancing around with people you have just met will come to love and cherish, the memories begin straight away. 

Vegas is the state of lights, glamour and gold. It is the place to escape any sort of reality. I am pretty confident you could go and have a different experience every single time. Whether you are going with your girl mates, boyfriend or two of you - each time will be completely different.

So glad I included this is in my travels and I am glad Contiki got a night out here in the trip. Its a once in a lifetime place. I haven't traveled that many places but I expect there is no where else like it. And actually, I would definitely go back.

The next morning we were jetting straight off so made the most of everything Vegas has to offer all in one night with the group: Drink, party, repeat and remember; what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!