For vacationers looking for a spring wine tasting escape full of the fun and excitement only offered in Las Vegas, the annual UNLVino wine tasting event is the answer.

Wine enthusiasts enjoy the flavors at the UNLVino Grand Tasting at Paris Las Vegas.

Celebrating its 35th year, the three-day event offers wine enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy the latest releases, the best vintages, and the finest varietals from across the globe. In 2008, more than 6,000 wine connoisseurs and novices converged at the Grand Tasting and enjoyed 2,900 bottles of wine from more than 750 wineries and 125 suppliers. It was America’s largest single day wine tasting. This year’s Grand Tasting promises to be equally exciting.

Champaign and sparkling wine will flow poolside at the Palms.

UNLVino kicks off at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 16 at the Palms Pool and Bungalows with “Bubble-licious,” featuring champagne and sparkling wines. If you’ve ever experienced Las Vegas in the spring you know this evening outdoor event will be spectacular. Guy Fieri, celebrity chef and Food Network television personality will co-host. Advance purchased tickets are $100 or pay $125 at the door. Located on Flamingo Road, just west of the Las Vegas Strip, the Palms is home to the Playboy Club, great restaurants and exciting nightlife. A popular hotel for celebrities, the Palms is a great place to vacation like a “rockstar” during your wine tasting vacation.

The second night of UNLVino, “Auss-Some and Then Some,” will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday April 17, at the District at Green Valley Ranch, an upscale outdoor shopping, eating and entertainment venue located just minutes east of the Las Vegas Strip off Interstate 215 at Green Valley Parkway. The event will feature extraordinary wines from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America. Tickets for the event may be purchased for $75 in advance or $100 at the door.

Enjoy wines from the Southern Hemisphere at the District at Green Valley Ranch.

The District is adjacent to the luxurious, yet affordable Green Valley Ranch Resort offering rooms walking distance from the action. Enjoy a day at the resort’s lavish pool and spa before heading out for an evening of wine tasting.

The climax of UNLVino is the Grand Tasting from 2 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 at Paris Las Vegas, offering a taste of the latest releases and the best vintages from around the world. The event also features an art and wine auction, offering an opportunity to bid on fine art, rare wines and wine country vacation packages. Registration and preview for the auction will begin at 2 p.m. with the bidding starting at 3 p.m. Tickets to the Grand Tasting are $100 for advance purchase or $125 at the door. Accommodations are available at Paris Las Vegas and Bally’s as well as nearby resorts, such as Bellagio, Caesar’s Palace, or Flamingo.

Tickets for all three events are available at www.unlvtickets.com, or call (702) 739-FANS (3267). You may also purchase tickets at Guest Services at the District at Green Valley Ranch. As with most wine tasting events, attendees must be 21 years old or older to enter any of the three UNLVino events. Also, remember to drink responsibly.

All proceeds from the event benefit the University of Nevada Las Vegas, hence the name UNLVino.

Photos courtesty of UNLVino, Palms and the City of Henderson.

The M resort features progressive architectural style and design

In Las Vegas, resort builders are always pushing the envelope to create something new and exciting for the millions of tourists that visit the city each year. Rising from the desert floor on the far southern edge of the Valley, Las Vegas’ newest vacation destination, the M Resort, is no exception. As a matter of fact, with a view of it from my front yard, I’d call it immaculate example of cutting-edge architecture and design. It’s simply spectacular.

Scheduled to open on March 1 at Las Vegas Boulevard South at St. Rose Parkway, the 390-room M Resort is the first property travelers along I-15 from California now see. Its location also places the resort 400 feet higher than any other Las Vegas resort property, offering guests sweeping views of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip from the majority of its guest rooms and restaurants, many of which feature outdoor terraces overlooking its 100,000 square foot pool and events piazza as well as the Las Vegas Valley.

Here’s some the M Resort’s other great amenities:

• A truly one-of-a-kind design, the M Resort does not feature reflective glass like many of the areas resorts. Instead, it includes skylights on the casino floor allowing natural light in – a rare feature in the casino industry. The architecture is progressive in style, incorporating horizontal lines, natural lighting and a rich color palette of natural materials. It’s definitely not your run of the mill cheesy theme resort.
• Oversized guest rooms and suites ranging from 550 to 2,400 square feet. More than 70 percent of the rooms at the M Resort offer views of the Las Vegas Strip through floor to ceiling windows.     
  

  The M Resort features 351 guest rooms and 39 suites.

• Guest rooms equipped with high-technology amenities including Bose Wave sound system, iPod docking station and 42” HD LCD flat screen television. There’s also inlaid mirror television in the bathroom. Now that’s cool.
• Wireless internet connectivity throughout the entire resort, allowing guests to access wireless voice and data services, mobile phones, BlackBerry devices, PDAs and laptops.
• More than 92,000 square feet of gaming excitement, including 1,900 video poker and slot machines, 64 game tables, high limit area, live action poker room, race and sports book and poolside gaming.
• Nearly 30,000 square feet of kitchen and culinary work areas dedicated to the culinary arts. The resort will own and operate all of its nine restaurants and five destination bars, which feature the next-generation dining experience with unique culinary concepts and innovative social dining atmospheres.
• A buffet featuring a live action cooking studio – the first of its kind. The studio will engage diners providing them with ringside seats to cooking demonstrations and broadcasts. Perhaps it’ll feel like you’re in the Iron Chef Kitchen Stadium on Food Network.
• A 23,000 square foot, world-class spa, salon and fitness center will offer 16 treatment rooms, sauna, steam and hot tub wet areas and a state-of-the-art fitness center.     
  

  The 100,000 square foot pool overlooks the Las Vegas Valley.

• An on-site gas station and M Pharmacy provide unique amenities for locals and tourists.

So what’s nearby to enjoy during your vacation at the M Resort?

If you enjoy shopping, you can travel 30 minutes south on I-15 to the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas on the California state line in Primm or just minutes north on Las Vegas Boulevard to the Las Vegas Outlet Center.

You can also tee up for a round of golf at the nearby Rio Secco Golf Club in Seven Hills, located just a few minutes east off of St. Rose Parkway. Or you can try the Bali Hai Golf Course, located adjacent to the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

Take a scenic drive through the loop at Red Rock Canyon. Take I-15 north to Blue Diamond and head west. If you’re into adventure, take a hike on one of the canyon’s many trails.

Whatever you’re in the mood to do during your next Las Vegas vacation, you’re sure to find it.

The M Resort is now taking reservations, so check it out.

All photos by The M Resort.

The Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas.

Looking for a certain je ne sais quoi for your next Las Vegas vacation? Luckily the era of themed resorts added a little French to the center of the Las Vegas Strip. Whether planning a risqué weekend with a partner or a rendezvous with family and friends, the centerpiece of a French inspired vacation is Paris Las Vegas. The resort, along with a variety of French restaurants and stage productions on The Strip, offer vacationers who can’t afford a trip to Paris a taste of the famed City of Light with the added excitement of Sin City, of course.

Upon arrival at the 2,915 room Paris Las Vegas Resort & Casino the essence of Paris is overwhelming apparent as the front facade of the elaborate and luxurious structure is designed to emulate elements of the Paris Opera House and the Louvre. Its architecture also incorporates many of the famous sights of Paris, including a 540-foot tall replica of the Eiffel Tower, now a signature of the LasVegas Skyline, a neon sign in the shape of the Montgolfier balloon, a two-thirds size Arc de Triomphe and a La Fontaine des Mers. This picturesque resort is sure to make any vacationer utter “c’est magnifique!”

The Eiffel Tower
Start your vacation on a high note with a trip up the Eiffel Tower. Don’t forget your camera because the observation deck provides extraordinary views up and down the Las Vegas Strip and a 360° panorama of the entire Las Vegas Valley.

Tickets may be purchased at the Eiffel Tower Box Office located inside the casino. The cost is $10 for adults; $7 for seniors 65 and older and children 6-12; free for children younger than 5. From 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., when the Las Vegas Strip lights up, admission is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and children. Family packages (two adults and two children) are available for $30 from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Las Vegas Strip north from the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas

A Culinary Adventure
If you’re like me, you’re really into food. Paris Las Vegas’ restaurants turn vacationers into the bon vivant with an offering of everything from the classical French cuisine to the Pan Asian Parisian.

Popular for its al fresco dining, with an up close view of the impressive Fountains of Bellagio, Mon Ami Gabi French Bistro offers a simplistic French menu with everything from traditional Hors D’Oeuvres to Steak Frites. The restaurant’s desserts, including profiteroles and crème brûlée, are awe inspiring. A children’s menu offers a number of kid-friendly meals, including macaroni and cheese and burgers.

Reservations at Mon Ami Gabi are highly recommended for indoor seating. Unfortunately, seats on the patio are first-come, first-serve. Since they are highly sought by guests, a request may result in a long wait as guest tend to stay a while. Of course, who can blame them for enjoying a café au lait and the stunning view after their meal?

Another great restaurant with al fresco dining is Ah Sin, offering an Asian Fusion menu with a diverse collection of flavors and cooking techniques from the Pacific Rim. Reservations are recommended for both patio and indoor dining.

You’ll say “bon appetite” as you make a toast to the dazzling lights 100 feet below your table at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Located on the 11th floor of the iconic structure, the restaurant is fine dining with view. The restaurant serves the most acclaimed French cuisine available in the city, including a flawlessly seasoned lamb and foie gras that’s unrivaled. To ensure a seat with the best view, reservations are required.

It’s all about great food and ambiance at the two-story, art deco inspired Les Artistes Steakhouse. The restaurant’s à la carte menu offers a variety of specialties, including grilled rack of lamb, a 50-ounce porterhouse steak, and roasted whole Maine lobster and tasty poultry dishes. Reservations at Les Artiste Steakhouse are recommended.

In all, Paris Las Vegas offers 11 dining options, from the low-cost, no-frills to the epicurean experience. There are also a variety of French restaurants in the Las Vegas resort corridor, including Daniel Boulud Brasserie at Wynn, Alizé at the Palms, Fleur de Lys at Mandalay Bay, Joël Robuchon at the Mansion at MGM Grand, Le Cirque at Bellagio, and finally the famous Pamplemousse, located at 400 E. Sahara Avenue.

No matter your appetite, you’re sure to find the right French meal for the occasion.

Bring on the Night
After the sun sets behind the Spring Mountains to the west and the neon glows, Paris Las Vegas’ nighttime establishments come to life. From the ultra-chic Risqué Nightclub, to the charming Le Cabaret lounge to the lively Napoleon’s Bar, guests are sure to find the right setting for an all night vacation celebration.

Paris Las Vegas’ location at the center of the LasVegas Strip also provides for easy travel to city’s most popular nightclubs, including Pure at Caesar’s Palace, LAX at Luxor, Tao at the Venetian and Tryst at Wynn. Take a taxi, limo, the Las Vegas Monorail or a walk along the Strip to find your ultimate party spot.

And who can forget the shows of Cirque du Soleil. Okay, the shows are not a product of France, but Canada’s Quebec province, so they are still essentially French. There are now six Cirque du Soleil shows at various hotels in Las Vegas: O at Bellagio, Mystere at Treasure Island, Ka at MGM Grand, Zumanity at New York-New York, Love at the Mirage and the newest show, Criss Angel’s Believe. Tickets for these shows are expensive, but well worth the money.

From the street, the 540-foot Eiffel Tower extends into the clouds.

The Spa Treatment
After a night out, a spa treatment at Paris Las Vegas’ Spa by Mandara provides the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation. Massages and facials, as well as other beautification packages are available. For folks not willing to skip their fitness routine, the spa also features a fully equipped fitness center, personal training and steam and saunas rooms.

Everyone needs a girls’ night every now and then, and Dallas has lots to offer women of all types.

A women-owned business that considers itself one of North Texas’ premier girlfriend getaway destinations is MD Resort Bed & Breakfast. To help keep costs down, rooms are available from $109 – $299 a night and it’s BYOB and snacks. Bring on the wine coolers and peanut M&M’s. There is complimentary tea, hot chocolate and popcorn, and they offer a full home cooked breakfast and activities such as playing games, jokes, poems, movies, lounging at the pool or just hanging out, and massage and spa services. In addition, occasionally they host scrap booking retreats and murder mystery weekends.

Or you could escape to The Westin Galleria with your girlfriends for a pajama party in luxurious Heavenly beds and pampered in-room spa treatments. This package includes a “superfoods” breakfast for two, $25 spa credit per person, two robes and a 4pm late checkout. You can call 1-866-716-8137 and ask for rate plan WIGRLPKG. This is one of many local girls’ getaway lodging options.

The Spa at The Crescent, on the lower level of Rosewood Crescent Hotel, is a great getaway for women who want to refresh their mind, rejuvenate their body and enrich their spirit. They offer over 77 health and beauty treatments to make you happy in your own skin. Some of these treatments include purifying algae, rare mud and essential oils and herbs for your body. What better way to relax with friends.

Laughing is a fun, happy way to bring people together, so stop by Ad-Libs, an Improv comedy troupe that performs three nights a week in downtown Dallas. The subject matter comes directly from the audience, creating interactive entertainment with a loyal following. It’s fresh, energized and a great way to create wonderful memories for the years to come.

Want a little culture with your girls’ getaway? Dallas Arts District is a 19-block area near downtown and the largest urban cultural district in the country. Explore the arts with your friends by viewing art, enjoying music, watching some theater and dance or just site seeing.

100 acres of land with over two thousand showrooms featuring more than 35,000 product lines makes up the Dallas Market Center. It’s the ultimate spot for buyers searching for gifts, home accessories, men’s, women’s and children’s clothing as well as containing restaurants and a lounge with panoramic views of downtown. Shopping and bonding go hand-in-hand.

Finally, if sports are more your thing, the American Airlines Center is home to Dallas Stars hockey (NHL), Dallas Mavericks basketball (NBA), Dallas Desperados Arena football, concerts and other events.

Thanks to Saquan for the martini picture!