Las Vegas, Nevada is not a place frequently thought of by tourists who simply want to kick their feet up, relax, and rejuvenate. More likely, Vegas is thought of as a party-lover's paradise, with slamming clubs, bars, lounges, gambling, shows, and rides. Vegas, at least the Vegas strip, is often thought of as a city that never sleeps. However, if combining a vacation of partying hard and relaxing easy sounds perfect to you, a luxurious hotel in the middle of the chaos could be just what the doctor ordered.

The Venetian Resort and Hotel Casino is like a city of its own within the Vegas strip. Stepping into the Venetian transports you into a whole different world-- the world of romantic Venice, a city on the east coast of Italy. What makes the Venetian a city of its own? For starters, the Venetian contains a whopping 19 restaurants! These restaurants feature some of the most famous chefs, from Wolfgang Puck to Emeril Lagasse. The Venetian also houses the Grand Canal Shoppes, a massive collection of the best and most prestigious designers in the world. At the Venetian you can enjoy a lovely gondola ride down the reconstructed Grand Canal, an experience which really feels authentically Italian. All this, not to mention a huge casino packed with all of your favorite games and adventures. For all this gambling fun, you're not going to want to carry around your old and beat up wallet, but a new soft leather checkbook clutch.

The Venetian also houses the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, a gorgeously outfitted center for relaxation. There you can opt for a massage, a facial and a host of other luxurious spa treatments. Or if physical activity is what you want, go ahead and try their 40 foot rock climbing wall, a group fitness class or just a calm swim in the pool.

If you thought the Venetian could not get any grander, just wait until you step inside one of their sparkling suites. The Venetian offers a whole range of suites to fit all tastes, but my personal favorite is the Venezia Terrazzo Suite, with its 100 square foot private terrace and 130 square foot decadent bathroom. It won't get any better than this!

One of the most magnificent and enchanting hotels in all of Egypt is the Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh. The Oberoi is located right on the Red Sea in the city of Hurghada, Egypt. The hotel offers an euphoric atmosphere on the white sands of the Red Sea, with access to the beach as well as surrounding tourist destinations.

The Oberoi is a perfect destination for tourists that are looking for a good mix of beach bumming and pyramid hopping. The hotel is situated on a private beach that stretches 48 acres long. The Spa and Fitness Center on site are world renowned. The many treatments offered at the Spa use techniques from around the world, including both the East and the West.

The rooms at the Oberoi are some of the most luxurious that you will ever encounter. The suites have large dining rooms for entertaining, living rooms, large bathrooms that overlook private gardens, outdoor dining pavilions, and private heated swimming pools, and beach access.

The Oberoi hosts several restaurants that serve different cuisines, including Italian, Indian, Chinese, and local dishes. The different restaurants are located around the hotel and are decorated impeccably.

The hotel is located about 25 miles from the town center of Hurghada, which presents a perfect balance for guests wanting to stay away from the city but also have easy access to it. The Oberoi has excellent concierge services and can assist guests in scheduling various tourist adventures, including desert safaris, 4th century monasteries, and island tours which are all nearby. Additionally, the hotel can arrange tours and excursions to the pyramids throughout the country.

With all the time guests plan on spending outside in the sun on the beautiful beaches of the Red Sea as well as the hours spent oohing and awing over the ancient pyramids, a sun hat is definitely a must.

Attention all animal lovers! Kenya is calling...

Kenya has some of the most spectacular wild animal reserves in the world. A trip to Kenya must include at least one animal safari—visitors on safari are expected to see around 30-40 different species of animals. Expect to see such a range of animals, including wildebeest, zebra, wild dogs, hyena, cheetah, leopard, lion, jackal, crocodile, elephant, rhino...the list goes on. For these expeditions, come prepared with a good pair of binoculars.

In order to tackle all of this animal sight-seeing, you will need a luxuriously comfortable bed...and some pampering wouldn't hurt.

The Fairmont Hotel has locations all around the world, but the one that has climbed the charts in terms of luxury and decadence is the Fairmont Mari Safari Club in Masai Mara, Kenya. The Safari Club is ranked # 48 of best hotels in the world. The hotel is located right on the Mara river, which serves as the home to many wild animals, such as crocodiles and hippos. The Masai Mara park reserve borders the Fairmont Mari Safari Club. This park reserve is one of the most famous in the world, and is noted for the annual migration of the zebra and wildebeest which takes place from July to October each year ("The Great Migration").

The Fairmont Mari Safari Club contains 50 luxurious tents where guests are housed. These tents are extremely unlike the type of tents used by campers—they are beautifully decorated and extremely comfortable. Each tent has its own extremely modern three-piece bathroom, and many tents have extended decks for private dining and outdoor showers. The restaurant at the Safari Club serves traditional African fare and provides live music every night.

The best reason to stay at the Safari Club, however, is the offering of superb safari packages to the Masai Mara park reserve. The Safari Club offers different accommodations and tour packages. My favorite contains a full-day drive through the park and a hot-air balloon ride! Have fun!

http://www.fairmont.com/marasafariclub

This week we'll take a quick jump from the beautiful beaches of Goa to the even whiter sands of Kovalam, Kerala. Kerala is located at the tip of southern India, and Kovalam is situated right on the coast. When visiting Kovalam, you should stay right on the beach to take advantage of the wonderful sand and beautiful sunsets. Kovalam is also near Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a must see sanctuary for all animal lovers. When visiting the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, you'll get the chance to glimpse vast numbers of elephant, gaur, sloth bear, jungle cat, wild boar and langur.

While the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary and the beaches of Kovalam are a draw, The Leela Kempinski Hotel is a destination in itself. The Leela is one of the most sought after, highly anticipated hotels in all of India. All of The Leela's rooms have vast windows with gorgeous views of the Arabian Sea beyond. You'll have the choice between many different rooms of different sizes and grandeur. The interiors of most of the rooms and suites are decorated with a delightful blend between traditional Kerala and modern style.

The amenities of The Leela Kempinski Hotel are out of this world, beginning with exclusive beach access. You'll have a range of spa treatments at your fingertips at The Leela, including traditional Ayurvedic treatments. You also will have the chance to attend traditional yoga classes, play badminton, tennis and beach volleyball. With private beach access, you'll be able to swim and sunbathe at your leisure. Make sure to bring sunscreen to protect your skin while you relax on the sandy beaches of Kovalam.

With seven different restaurants and cafes at The Leela, you'll get the chance to taste new and delicious foods every night. The Sky Bar is ideal for after-dinner drinks as the sun sets beyond the sea. The Terrace serves Oriental, Indian and Continental cuisine, and you can dine right by the sea if you wish.