A shimmering jewel in the Nevada desert, the city of Las Vegas is the ultimate destination to visit if you fancy a break from the humdrum of life. From casinos and cabaret to amusements parks and museums, there is always something to keep you occupied.

Las Vegas is a city that has grown with incredible speed. At the start of the twentieth century the city did not even exist and now it is home to over one million people, boasts fourteen of the world’s twenty largest hotels and draws in around thirty-seven million tourists every year.

First-time visitors may expect the city to be a kingdom of kitsch and you might still find a few Elvis impersonators but the city is too dynamic to get stuck in the grips of sentimentality. An endless quest for novelty is one of the defining characters of Las Vegas and reinvention is a common theme amongst the city and its people.

Though the Las Vegas sprawl measures fifteen miles in width and length, most tourists stick to the six-mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard which includes both the downtown area and the Strip, home to the major casinos.

Las Vegas’ pseudonym of Sin City hints at the pleasure-seeking aspect of this ever popular destination and there are plenty of casinos to chance your luck in. All the casinos are free and open twenty four hours per day so there are acres of floor space packed with various ways to dice with your dollars. From blackjack to roulette wheels, you can wile away the hours in a casino and experience an authentic taste of Vegas.

Whilst in town there are plenty of other attractions besides casinos to capture your attention. Adventuredome is an amusement park packed with thrills and rides and is has something for all ages.

If you have a penchant for museums then the Liberace Museum is a must-see. The home of the flamboyant showman houses the most glitzy art cars, outrageous costumes and ornate pianos you may ever see, including a Rolls-Royce covered in mirrored tiles and a hand-painted Pleyel, on which Chopin played.

Liberace, who died in 1987, started out as a classically trained pianist, playing in the bars of Milwaukee during the 1940s. A decade later Liberace’s popularity was ricocheting and the glittering car collection began.

If you fancy getting out of the city altogether then head to Lake Mead, a vast reservoir which lies thirty miles southeast and was created by the builders of the Hoover Dam. With vivid blue waters, the lake lies in stark contrast to the surrounding desert and you can partake in a wide range of activities, from fishing and sailing to fishing and water skiing.

Although Vegas has well over 135,000 motel and hotel rooms, it’s best to book accommodation ahead, especially if you are on a tight budget. Las Vegas hotels come in all shapes and sizes so it should not be difficult to find the perfect place to rest your head.