An evening turned delightful
Bellagio Conservatory Christmas display
It was a Sunday afternoon post lunch and I was lazily lying on the couch planning for the evening, thinking whether to watch a movie or to take a long nap.
As I was contemplating, hubby goes, ‘This is holiday week.. let's make most out of it... colleagues are visiting different places and discussing it. Let's go somewhere.”
But where to go? To name there are numerous places to visit. A big list! But to decide on one was overwhelming.
He had a list of Christmas attractions for 2023 to visit in Vegas. I was least interested to look into it. Unaware of the fact of how lively the city goes during Christmas.
The Las Vegas Strip
Las Vegas is a vibrant city. It's a city of lights. Around the year, it sparkles with lights and more during Christmas. The world famous Las Vegas Strip resides in Vegas.
For those who don't know what the Strip is (like me who didn’t know before coming here), it is an approximately 4-mile stretch of South Las Vegas Boulevard in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is lined with a multitude of luxury hotels, casinos, entertainment venues, and resorts. It’s known for its vibrant nightlife, iconic attractions, and glamorous architecture.
Some of the most notable and extravagant hotel-casinos along the Strip include: Bellagio, The Ceasars Palace, The Venetian, The Palazzo, MGM Grand, The Cosmopolitan, New York New York, Paris Las Vegas, being the most prominent ones.
The Las Vegas Strip is also home to a wide range of entertainment options, such as theaters hosting famous shows and musical performances, luxury shopping malls, fine dining restaurants, and vibrant nightlife.
The Strip is a major tourist destination and is often the primary area visitors explore when they come to Las Vegas due to its concentration of iconic resorts, attractions, and entertainment options.
Back to my story
There were many names on the list. At least 20 of them. Ethel M Chocolate Factory, Holiday Displays on the Strip, The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan, and many more.
One of the names, though weird, grabbed my attention was Bellagio Conservatory Christmas display.
I asked him what this was. He gave his own explanation which couldn't convince me enough.
The same instant, something flashed into my mind. I remembered Suneeta telling me about her Las Vegas trip last year. While hearing to her explanation, I had least imagined that this year I would be moving to such a place that people all over the world want to visit once.
The very next moment I was on my toes. hurrying to get ready before hubby's mood turns down. I didnt want to miss this chance. A chance to visit the Strip.
Streets of Vegas during Christmas
Driving on the streets of Vegas, in the evening specially during Christmas- is a delight to the eyes. Streets are decorated with lights, with displays of lights on shops buildings, malls, … literally lights everywhere.
As we drove towards the strip, it was like never seen before kinda traffic on Vegas Streets. Otherwise empty streets are jam-packed during this holiday season. The 20 minutes drive took us an hour to reach the place.
The crowd and traffic jams are irritating to many, but to me, it shows the spirit of the festival season. It doubles up the enthusiasm.
Now coming to the hardest part..finding a Parking place !!.
Bellagio has a gigantic multi level circular parking garage which is almost full, all the time during the Christmas season. Driving through each level and scanning to find a spot is a huge drill.
The grand entrance at Bellagio
Here, Hubby gets an idea. He says, “Why don't you get off here and go in. I will join you once I’m done parking.” This sounded like a good idea. I got off and started to explore inside and on my way to find the conservatory. Even though there are signboards all around, the resort itself is big enough to lose your way.
At the entrance, there is a grand lobby with a stunning ceiling with hand blown glass art and intricate chandeliers. At the center of the lobby is the Fiori di Como, a breathtaking glass sculpture created by renowned artist Dale Chihuly. This piece consists of over 2,000 hand-blown glass blossoms suspended from the ceiling.
Center of attraction - Christmas display
Mesmerized with the view, completely forgot that we had lost our ways. Attempts to call and connect were not working. As I walked ahead lost and perplexed, found myself right in front of a Christmasy fairyland. A wonderful Wonderland! My eyes opened wide and face delighted to see the view.
It was same like what I read in books and watched in cartoons as a child. As I walked through the display every bit of it amazed me, making me float in nostalgic waves of memories.
There was well decorated large Christmas tree at the center, a life-sized gingerbread-style cottage, models of Large Coca-Cola bears made of white carnations, a model of a small town with a moving miniature train, glittering snowflakes hanging across the ceiling, large screen display of winter snowfall and snow-capped mountain range, miniature pool with carriages, tall nutcracker soldiers rotating on drums, Christmas elves working here and there, … and many more things.
Coming to end
Just when I was filling my senses with the bliss around me, realized that I was all by myself. Soon took my phone out to see numerous missed calls. Before they announced my name from the missing list, I hurried to find my hubby and found him trying to find me. And there, my solo venture comes to an end.
Coming from a conventional lifestyle, this was an unforgettable delightful experience for me. Hope you liked reading it. If you have a similar experience do share it here.
Thanks for reading,
Loads of love and hugs,
Goodbye
