Vegas is a mesmerising temptation, an oasis of pleasure in the desert. Like many mirages, The Strip appears to be full of promise, but the truth is often quite different.

There aren’t many places outside of London, Tokyo, and New York where you have as many options for A-list performers and high-end theatrical productions. The biggest names in music, such dad rockers Journey and Aerosmith, Cardi B, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga, and Steve Aoki, as well as renowned DJs Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki, and Tisto, all have seasonal casino residencies. You can then add seven captivating Cirque du Soleil performances, the captivating Blue Man Group, and magicians Penn & Teller to your already packed agenda.

It’s difficult to comprehend the sheer number and concentration of famous chefs, celebrated fine-dining establishments, and popular culinary franchises on the Strip; it would take too much time and money for the typical tourist to try them all. If you’re a foodie on a mission, we advise that you do your homework and make a limited number of choices before you go so that you won’t be overwhelmed by the variety of options or unable to make reservations during your brief stay. Dessert is something you should absolutely save room for.

Many guests won’t stray far from their pricey hotels, opulent pool bar, fascinating casino floor, or even pounding dance floor in this 24/7 metropolis where it’s feasible to spend your entire trip in labyrinthine indoor realms where artificial lighting mimics day turning into night. However, the wise and knowledgeable (that’s you!) will leave the Strip to appreciate the breathtaking natural splendour that surrounds Las Vegas. Wide canyons and plains, epic mountains, and alpine forests, forged by tectonics, carved by the wind, and baked by the desert sun, call you to exchange humanity’s distractions for nature’s loving embrace.

Those who appreciate the finer things in life travel to Vegas to indulge in the comforts of the largest and most extravagant high-end hotels. Vegas’ 150,000+ hotel rooms offer something for every possible taste, ranging in quality and style from the sublime to the ridiculous, with prices hovering around $300 per night for a luxurious standard room at Encore, Cosmopolitan, or Delano and starting at $1000 per night for a decadent SkyLoft at MGM Grand, $3500 for a Sky Villa at Aria, then skyrocketing to a reputed $35,000 for the privilege of occupying Nobu Hotel’s exclusive Nobu villa.