Lake Las Vegas is a most impressive Mediterranean village built around a lake with two golf courses and a casino. The downturn did cause the moth balling of one course and the closure of the casino for a short time but the casino is now re-opening and the whole area is outstanding, sure to become a must-see-stay for visitors .

Starting with the golf, we played the Southshore, a very high standard Jack Nicklaus signature design with many holes having a justifiable claim to be the 'actual' signature hole of the 18. There are many mildly dramatic tee shots with great views of the lake with the village on the other side leading to the mountains in the distance - pretty spectacular! The green fee is $195 with the course currently only being open to those staying in the village or the hotel - there was 'word' that the current economic climate may mean that rule is relaxed.

Our hotel was the 480 bed non gambling Loews Hotel, adjoining the lake. Its very tasteful decor was notable, and with a beach at the front and a ferry service to the village, it really was superb. The evening dinner was faultless as was the view over the lake at sunrise and with a room rate of $80 very good value given the quality of everything on offer.

Day Three

Our early morning visit was into the village itself where we received a presentation on the accommodation available for purchase or letting. The building style, interiors and overall quality were notable and of a high standard throughout with the downturn forcing reasonable prices. I can only add one final comment that is was very pleasant walking around the village, with all that is on offer, and it whole ambiance is one which many would come to feel very much ?at home? in.

The next stage of the trip was a drive to Maverick Helicopters at Las Vegas Airport for a trip to the Grand Canyon. You can take the trip to see this incredible natural wonder of the world by car or bus but we were going to use the best way possible.

Maverick runs 48 near $3M helicopters, beautiful French built machines each seating 6 passengers plus the pilot - they offer great visibility for all passengers.

Our pilot Ed started life in the services, moved to the police (where got fed up with the bureaucracy!) and then moved to 'choppers'. Ed was very friendly and informative on everything we saw including the geology of the area. We flew on a perfect day at 140 mph at 1500 feet taking one hour to reach the canyon.

En route we visited the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, both spectacular in their own right, 'hors-d'oevre' to the Canyon itself, which appears as a crack on the surface of the earth, from a distance a valley which looks impossible to fly into.

You can actually go about 40 miles into the canyon and land in it on some trips - needless to say the views are mind boggling whatever you do. Until you arrive over it, you have no idea of the scale and the drama.

Including the detour we made (see next) the cost would have been about $4200 for six people but I was told you can negotiate them down to about $360 per person for a trip into the canyon and back.

Leaving the Canyon we then flew to our next golfing destination landing on the practice ground in style clubs waiting! It was like being Phil Mickleson or Lee Westwood, with our clubs on buggies, all ready to go!

The Paiute Golf resortis about 25 miles out of Las Vegas with 3 courses built right in the middle of the desert and all of a very high standard, needless to say. It was becoming more and more impressive with overall design, quality and maintenance across the region as good as I can recall. We played the Wolf course which was superb course architecture, almost manicured and again with great views. A green fee with cart was $140.

That evening we traveled back into Las Vegas to stay at the Tropicana on the Strip. The Tropicana is a 4* large gambling hotel which has been entertaining visitors for many decades. It doesn?t try to be the quality of some of its ?elite? neighbours but everything about the hotel was perfectly fine and with the usual outstanding American service.

It was time to learn about and see the Strip in all its glory, on a private open

top bus tourwith commentary on the history and incredible stories of how Vegas became what it is now, a trip finishing up at the Queen Victoria Pub in the Riviera Hotel

We Brits get everywhere - I found the pub was started and run by a gentleman from Coventry who said things were going well and I can recommend both the beer and the Lancashire hot pot! Interestingly the Riviera has just opened a 40,000 square foot exhibition themed on the Mob with shady actors walking around to make you feel at home! So far so good with this enterprise which takes a look back at how Las Vegas became the entertainment capital of the World !

As for more entertainment we finished up at a party at a night club in the Wynn - a club which gave party-goers spectacular views all night! I would caution though that to sit down at a table will cost you at least $500 in drinks. Its a place for Lottery winners and the like or somewhere to blow some of your winnings!

There was more golf to play to conclude my visit. This will come in Part III next week, along with a PDF guide of the whole trip, giving you lots more options for a holiday in Las Vegas and Nevada. See you next week!