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A front seat peek into the world of Vegas divas

8th November 20258th November 2025 funtime65

Mick and Macca are mean but Elton would give you the world and this your front seat peek into the world of Vegas divas comes free.

With your party-loving Bandanaman and our driver Crystal, not her real name, of course, because what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Crystal has driven all the stars in her stretch limo.

And will share her insider knowledge and her champagne.

Your entertainment: The free Neon City Festival

As you sit back and take in the sights, sounds and smells of Neon City outside.

Everybody and anybody has played Vegas and of course the big ticket is the artists in residence.

The stars come out to play

Mariah Carey, with her Christmastime in Las Vegas show at Park MGM Las Vegasn November 28 & 29. December 2-13.

The Eagles at Sphere, and you can check out any time you like…

Jennifer Lopez, Def Leppard, Kenny Chesney, Styx, Kelly Clarkson and New Kids on the Block.

The King and I: With Elvis at the Graceland Chapel Vegas

Now you want to be Hangin’ Tough you’ll have to book well in advance.

But if you want your entertainment for free then check out the off Strip bars.

And you might find a burlesque Seventies and Eighties covers band, bar staff ringing bells and doing body shots and Cami from Utah.

While this month, from November 21-23 Neon City Festival is putting on a range of free concerts.

And all for my 60th birthday, you guys!!!

The stage is set

So Good Charlotte and De La Soul headline the Friday, DeadMau5 and Breaking Benjamin the Saturday.

And Two Friends and Fitz and the Tantrums the Sunday, no us neither.

Our Vegas buddies tell us that the shows will unfold under The Canopy, the main stage nestled between Golden Gate and Circa.

The 1st Street Stage, located between Circa and Binion’s and the third stage near Fremont, Four Queens and the D Plus.

While VIP options are also available exclusively at Downtown Las Vegas Events Center.

The Founding Properties are offering exclusive weekend packages, with food and drinks credits, and discounted room rates.

Fremont wheelin’

As a sample and because we have fond memories of being shown how to zipline through Fremont Street by a very accommodating Elvis.

There is 25 per cent off at the Fremont Hotel & Casino.

When you book three nights or more, with nightly prices from $41 to $107.

We found a sample return flight from Dublin with our tranasatlantic airline carrier of choice, Aer Lingus, to Vegas from $544.18.

And, of course, be sure to travel in style when you get there, in a stretch limo.

So ask them who they’ve had in the cab.

America, Countries

Burn the Wick at both ends in Vegas

4th April 20254th April 2025 funtime65

Nothing is ever as it seems other than that you can burn the Wick at both ends in Vegas.

OK Keanu Reeves didn’t share his plans with the audience at the LA corporate lunch where he performed with his band Dogstar.

That he would be coming back from the dead to play hitman John Wick.

Probably put off, to be fair, by the screaming Italian contingent who wanted to kidnap him and bring him back to Il Bel Paese with him.

Now the details of how he pulls off that trick are still to be revealed by our American friends.

But while we wait for the movie’s release we can binge again on the four films to date.

And a new John Wick Experience like no other in the City of Tricks, Las Vegas.

In the Area 25, an immersive art and entertainment district just moments from the Las Vegas Strip.

Your inner John Wick

This being Vegas they, of course, build up the tension, telling us…

‘As you cross the threshold of the John Wick Las Vegas Continental, you’ll embark on an action-packed mission.

‘Where every choice matters and every encounter adds to the experience.

‘The Manager and John Wick Las Vegas Continental staff await your arrival – are they friend or foe?

‘You’ll have to roll the dice and decide quickly – or face the consequences.’

JWE is described as a dynamic landscape that combines immersive cinematic environments with interactive missions.

And our hosts challenge us to either ‘obey the rules or defy the High Table? Only time will tell.’

Best Wick bar none

Of course all that adrenaline is thirsty work and JWE reward their guests with some reviving drinks at the end of it all.

At the John Wick Las Vegas Continental Bar where every drink is an artful blend of precision and indulgence

Tickets are $59.99 which we reckon is good value to channel your inner John Wick.

But we’d recommend you leave him at the door when you leave.

As you progress out onto the Strip to burn the Wick at both ends in Vegas.

Countries

Aer Lingus, Vegas and U2 are Exospheric

25th October 202425th October 2024 funtime65

And to borrow a line from the Irish megastars I will follow… because Aer Lingus, Vegas and U2 are going Exospheric.

Of course, for conquerors of the new world U2 the outermost sphere around the Earth is probably the last frontier.

Only the entertainment capital of the world is big enough to house an ego the size of Bono.

But from sources who know the Sunglassed One it’s all apparently an act and that he is really just a good oul’ North Dub family man, albeit living now in bougie Dalkey.

It may even have been the aforementioned Paul Hewson who started the anecdote from a gig in Glasgow.

When he said: ‘Every time I clap my hands a child dies in Africa.’

To which a punter was said to have shouted out: ‘Well, stop clapping your hands you evil so-and-so.’

Wish you were Sphere

The boyos, of course, weaved their magic at the Sphere in Vegas from last September to March 2 as part of their U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere residency.

It featured the venue’s immersive technology, including the Exosphere, which featured video artwork.

It was also captured in the concert film V-U2 An Immersive Concert Film, which was shown exclusively at the Sphere.

Now we know Ireland’s biggest-ever cultural export were transported in their early days to ever-dizzying heights on the wings of Aer Lingus.

And will join us in pushing the latest in the national airline carrier’s transatlantic routes.

And flagging up their weekend flash sale.

Flash sale

Aer Lingus has return fares to any destination in the United States for just €399 return, including taxes and charges.

The sale starts at 9am from today, Friday October 25 and will finish at midnight on Saturday, 26^th October.

The new Dublin-Las Vegas route will operate three times per week.

The offer is valid for travel between Ireland and the United States from November 1st to December 16th and from January 7th to January 31st.

Announcing Aer Lingus’ arrival in Las Vegas, the Irish carrier became the first airline to take over the city’s skyline with a dazzling aircraft activation on the Exosphere – the exterior of Sphere.

The spectacle was timed to coincide with the inaugural flight’s arrival into Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport.

Transatlantic crossing

Aer Lingus boasts 18 routes to the US from Dublin Airport.

They will operate this seasonal route to/from Neon City on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday up until 29 April 2025, taking in next Easter mid-term break.

For those hoping to book their own US adventure, Aer Lingus has introduced special fares of just €399.

Until midnight Saturday, October 26.

Now across their Dublin, Shannon and Manchester bases there are 24 transatlantic bases.

From April 12, 2025, Aer Lingus will fly to Nashville four times per week.

The airline will also commence a new route to Indianapolis, also flying four times per week from May 3, 2025.

And all with US Customs and Border pre-clearance at Dublin and Shannon airports.

For the day that’s in it though it’s all about Aer Lingus, Vegas and U2 are Exospheric.

America, Countries, Deals, Music

Don’t forget your Cruise Suede Shoes for Elvis

17th August 2024 funtime65

And for the day that’s in it and for something to look forward to… don’t forget your Cruise Suede Shoes for Elvis.

Today, of course, we remember The King leaving us too early 45 years ago.

And there have been commemorations in Graceland and around the world.

Now every day is Elvis Day for fans and there is a party and an Elvis for every occasion.

Elvis Pres-sea

Land or sea with Elvis Cruise who will be sailing fans from Los Angeles to Hawaii… aloha!h

With 16 days of Elvis overload from October 16-31 on board The Grand Princess.

Billed PRINCESS AND THE KING Custom Vacations and Cruise Planners and will treat you to:

Entertainment and Activities Welcome cocktail party.

An Elvis dress-up costume party (with prizes).

Elvis-themed entertainment shows, artist meet and greets and Q&A.

A DJ dance party, speaker events and sock hop 50s/60s live band dance party lounge event.

A ‘So You Think You Can Sing Like Elvis’ karaoke party.

And a farewell mix and mingle party.

Accommodations stretch from affordable interior staterooms to luxurious suites.

And come with ‘Dine My Way’ multi-course rotational dining in a variety of restaurants and eateries.

With activities and daily entertainment.

The King and LA

Like the real thing: With Elvis in Vegas

Now Elvis Cruise clearly have no desire for you to Return to Sender.

And so recommend the best hotels to stay before you hop on board.

And that’ll be a Marriott obviously…

With the Los Angeles Airport Marriott just a mile and a half from LAX and your Aer Lingus with pre-clearance flight.

From $169 per night and additional nights from $69.

Jive in 2025

Now as The Son and Heir never tires of saying that ship has sailed for this year, on July 1.

But keep your eyes peeled for next year’s Elvis extravaganza.

You’ll need a $400pp initial deposit is due at the time of submitting your reservation registration.

And a monthly payment plan is available if you prefer to spread your payments out.

Their balcony staterooms are from $3,299.

So, do your prep and forget your Cruise Suede Shoes for Elvis.

MEET YOU ON THE SEAS

America, Countries, Flying

Livin’ devil me Aer in Las Vegas

21st May 202421st May 2024 funtime65

The Irish are coming… well, in truth, they’ve always been there but the new Aer Lingus direct route from Dublin to Neon City means we’ll all be livin’ devil me Aer in Las Vegas now.

Now if you can’t channel your inner Elvis in Vegas…

And The King is everywhere with impersonators milling around the airport and all around the Strip.

Not to mention at the Graceland Wedding Chapel where Elvis himself will invite you on to say Love Me Tender and it’s Now or Never.

As two of the lads in our party did just that with a stunt-up service conducted by chapel owner Brendan Paul.

Brendan became the first fully licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, LLC. to conduct Elvis-themed ceremonies two years ago.

Lads and Lassies Vegas

Good luck charm: With Brendan at Graceland Chapel

As with all the best things in life, there is a Scottish-Irish link to the Graceland Wedding Chapel.

Through Irish-American Brendan and further back to the founder of the chapel.

Scottish immigrants called McKee put their stamp on what would become the jewel of Nevada with one of the first chapels in 1939.

And they took a little bit from home by renaming it the Gretna Green Wedding Chapel after the Scottish town.

Renowned for its runaway brides and grooms.

Whether that was what drew Elvis to its door has been lost to the mists of time.

But the King did visit in 1967 as he planned his coming nuptials with Priscilla.

Bon shook up

Going to the chapel: Graceland Wedding Chapel

Alas, Elvis found the chapel too small for his 250-person guest list but the link had been forged.

And ten years later the chapel set the trend for the funnest weddings ever.

By performing the world’s first Elvis-themed service to commemorate the King’s life.

Now, we know the rest and how Jon Bon Jovi eloped to Vegas and married Dorothea Hurley at Graceland Wedding Chapel a dozen years later.

And then held a concert behind the chapel with 75 couples who renewed their vows along with him two years later.

Now, whatever you get up to, and I still don’t know if I wed Cami here from Utah after meeting on the dance floor at Harrah’s off the Strip.

Bet on Aer Lingus

Remember what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Apart, of course, from Ireland’s national airline carrier, Aer Lingus which takes you out there with pre-clearance and back to Dublin.

Because it’s all about livin’ devil me Aer in Las Vegas.

Aer Lingus will fly direct to Las Vegas from October 25, three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Flights are priced from €499 return including taxes and charges, and are now on sale.

Countries, Food & Wine, Ireland

Mixing with loveholidays

26th October 2023 funtime65

If you want to check out the leading online providers of vacations out there you’d better be mixing with loveholidays which is, of course, what we’ve been doing this week.

Which is the way with cocktail-making, my Saturday night go-to treat for the Scary One, but which is equally applicable to travel.

And for all the experience of 35 years of globetrotting and scribbling about it (all for you you understand) I always know that there is someone who knows more.

And that that someone is the travel provider who makes our dreams come true.

Back when I started out on this road computers were only what you saw on James Bond films where now we all have them.

The danger, of course, unless we’re careful it can all become a bit dehumanising but with the best online operators and here’s where loveholidays come in they bring the personal touch.

For consumers and for those us who are the bridge between the trade and the public… me and my pals.

Do you like Pina Colada?

Double jig time: With Mr Loveholidays Clem and old pals Eugene and Catherine

And in the interests of research and with. thirst and a hunger on us we gathered at the French-inspired Green Hen in Exchequer Street, off Grafton Street in Dublin to mix.

And when we say mix, of course, there’s the craic but also a mixologist on hand to walk us through making our own Pina Colada.

With a mini-bottle of rum, and coconut milk, pineapple and lime juice all set out for us.

As well as a jigger and two shakers.

Now this is what you want to do..

Take 1 oz coconut cream, 1 oz white rum, 3 oz pineapple juice

Mix with crushed ice until smooth and pour into chilled glass, garnish and serve.

Lovin’ it

Now, as we always associate Pina Coladas with the Caribbean, and Puerto Rico who recreated the vibe for us at the American Travel Fair in San Antonio.

Then we’re giving you a sample couple of loving.com deals that they’re promoting as part of their long-haul offerings.

With Cancun being noted as an adults-only magnet loveholidays are urging us.

In the words of Rupert Holmes to come with them and escape.

Love, as they’re affectionately known in the circles, offer us seven-days all-inclusive at the Golden Parnassus Resort and Spa.

Down from £1,534 to £1,058, travelling on March 12.

Dom from home: Melia Punta Cana Beach Wellness

Or you can go to one of the favourite isles of the rich and famous, the Dominican Republic.

Or Dom Rep as it’s called among the cogniscenti.

You’ll get seven days AI at the Melia Punta Cana Beach Wellness.

Down from £1,727pp to £1,170pp, travelling on April 19.

Love Vegas

While we’re taken too by an old favourite in Las Vegas where the cocktails are always flowing particularly at Harrah’s on the Strip.

Love are offering us seven nights from New Year’s Day (room only) at the nearby Venetian, complete with gondolas!

Down from £1,210 to £874pp, travelling on January 1.

Of course, seeing we all love holidays, we’ll be bringing you more loveholidays.

Short-haul, city breaks and long-haul deals to cheer us up.

Because we all love, love, love, mixing with loveholidays.

America, Countries, Music

Where Las streets have Bono name

15th June 202315th June 2023 funtime65

Still, it’s what we’ve been looking for… Vegas, where Las streets have Bono name.

And to carry on the theme, well we will follow Bono and the boys gladly to the Venetian in Vegas.

And their new show, the launch of the Sphere at The Venetian (don’t call it a residency) in Sin City.

Now we expect that U2 know Vegas by now but is it just a coincidence that they’ve chosen my old stomping ground, the Venetian.

And that they’ve read my musings on the Palazzo hotel at the Venetian on the Strip or my misadventures there.

Of course, anyone who has seen any of U2‘s shows will tell you that it will be bells and whistles.

Support acts

But we can’t help thinking that after the gig if they want to get back to the raw fun of intimate entertaining then they should check out Harrah’s.

And if they’re looking for a support act then the burlesque 70s/80s cover band The Whip-Its should be on their radar.

Back to the U2 reveal and this is what Bono and the Boys have in store for you… and your favourite Irish travel provider Cassidy have planned.

‘U2: UV Achtung Baby Live At The Sphere’ is billed as a first-of-its-kind live music experience with the world’s biggest rock band.

With pre-sale tickets snapped up, Cassidy Travel is offering a four-night hotel and ticket packages departing October 9th.

U2 will be the first act to perform at the new Sphere venue which boasts 160,000 square feet of video viewing space.

And an exterior exosphere that changes the outer appearance of the building via LED technology.

Hit the Strip

Beenie there, done that: U2 back in Vegas

You will depart on Monday October 9 and be staying at the 4* Mirage Resort and Casino for two nights and explore Vegas.

And obviously meet Elvis and Marilyn along the way.

While depending on your poison you might want to pitch and pitcher at the Topgolf driving range.

Or zip line with Slotzilla down down town although make sure you make the weight and don’t get left hanging, a la Boris Johnson, above the street below. Elvis will help you out!

The King and I: At Graceland Wedding Chapel

Then on the Wednesday you will check-in to your suite at 5* The Venetian Resort for two nights and receive your souvenir U2:UV lanyard with exclusive laminate.

And at this rate I’ll be apportioning a room in Murty Towers to the many lanyards I’ve gathered over the years.

Wednesday evening, of course, is U2’s historical performance at Sphere and we can guarantee it will be a Beautiful Day all right.

Party girls and boys

On the Thursday you’ll receive priority entry into the immersive U2:UV Fan Portal exhibit and pop-up shop at The Venetian Resort.

To browse the interactive art, band artifacts, and pick up exclusive merch items not available anywhere else! and enjoy a night out in Las Vegas.

Before you check out on the Friday.

A quick checklist

So what’s included again?

Concert + Hotel Package Inclusions: concert ticket, two-night stay at 4* Mirage Hotel and Casino (excludes daily resort fee), two-night stay at The Venetian Resort (excludes daily resort fee) and U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere souvenir lanyard with exclusive laminate

And all from under €2,000, at €1999pp in fact.

So get your best cowboy (or beanie) hat and shades on and channel your inner U2.

Because remember Vegas is where Las streets have Bono name

Africa, America, Countries, Europe

Bet on these casinos

15th March 202315th March 2023 funtime65

You can put your money on a good night on the tables and that means having a bet on these casinos.

You bet that includes Monte Carlo and Las Vegas but our friends at Online Casino have given us the skinny on the other great gambling towns.

And who’d have thunk that top of the table was old New England, cultural Connecticut?

Connect the casino

Where Foxwoods Resort Casino is the most googled casino, with an average of 91,000 per month worldwide.

The casino stretches 344,000 square feet and has over 5,500 slot machines and 250 gaming tables.

Good Baden-Baden

In second place is Casino Baden-Baden, with 22,000 Google searches.

Germany’s oldest casino, it features roulette, poker cash games, blackjack and over 140 slot machines.

You might associate Portugal more with fado and football and fancy custard tarts but it is also the place for a flutter.

The Third Force

Thirteen thousand googlers sought out Casino Lisboa in Parque das Nações.

The casino offers 1,100 slot machines, live table games such as Blackjack and roulette, and free entry.

And WinStar World Casino, Thackerville, Oklahoma 73459, shares third on the list and is the biggest casino in the US (who knew?)

Despite being attached to a hotel, the total gaming space is 370,000 square feet.

It is filled with over 8,600 electronic games, 100 table games and a 55-table poker room.

Bok to the tables

In fourth with 5,700 searches is Rio Casino, in Klerksdorp in fun South Africa with a Rio de Janeiro Carnival theme across 266,000 square feet.

While fifth with 5,600 searches is Sun City Casino in the North West Province.

With over 40 table games and is perfect for both experienced and first-time gamers.

And that would include one Bandanaman shooting craps so forcibly he earned himself the nickname Hannibal.

The top ten table

The most popular casinos in the world

1 Foxwoods Resort Casino: 91,000

2 Casino Baden-Baden: 22,000

3 Casino Lisboa/WinStar World Casino: 13,000

4 Rio Casino: 5,700

5 Sun City: 5,600

6 Wynn Casino: 4,200

7 Marina Bay Sands: 4,100

8 Casino de Monte-Carlo: 4,000

9 MGM Grand Casino: 3,900

10 Grand Lisboa Casino: 2,600

America, Countries, Flying

Neon Night Flight Tonight to Vegas

22nd March 2022 funtime65

And the best way to see Sin City lit up is from above, on a Neon Night Flight Tonight to Vegas.

Which beggars the question why then have we not hovered over the city at its twinkling night-time best?

Simply because helicopter hosts in Vegas, Papillon, hadn’t got around to it.

Papillon has been flying Vegas tourists over the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon since 1965.

And I daresay most passengers who take a chopper were like our Irish loquacious party who stayed breathless throughout at the majesty of it all.

Bar for the class clown who went onto photobomb our private moments.

Papillon trumps ’em all

Vegas, of course, shines day and night with the names of the headliners shouting out at you from eye level.

Which is why Donald Trump ensured you could see his livery even from the skies.

Luxury transport is at hand from most Las Vegas hotels to Papillon’s VIP terminal.

Where you’ll board an EcoStar helicopter for a memorable flight high above the sparkling lights of the Strip and Downtown.

You’ll finish up with a 45-minute guided tour at The Neon Museum.

Queen of Neon

You’ll hopefully meet Queen of the Neon Museum Beverley, a former Nevada Senior Citizen of the Year.

And friend of Liberace which she wears as she should as a badge of honour.

The museum’s Neon Boneyard showcases more than 250 vintage Vegas signs.

With nearly two dozen reilluminated and the others dramatically lit from the ground on evening guided tours.

Jackpot

The night concludes with a tour of the museum’s North Gallery and its immersive 360-degree audiovisual spectacular, Brilliant! Jackpot.

It’s an augmented reality experience that reilluminates unrestored signs.

And it incorporates archival video and an iconic soundtrack to transport guests directly into Las Vegas’ history.

Like the tables in the casinos Vegas is al about, eh, timing.

Date with Vegas

This comes months after Covid put paid to me attending the American Travel Fair, IPW, in Vegas.

And thank you Papillon for waiting for me.

So that I can be on a Neon Night Flight Tonight to Vegas.

Up, up and away

The Neon Night Flight Spectacular is offered for $179pp every night, seven days a week, with times varying throughout the year.

The experience lasts approximately 3.5 hours.

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters will provide transportation to the helicopter terminal and transfer to the Neon Museum.

Guests will be responsible for their return transport following the Neon Museum experience.

America, Countries, Europe, UK

John Glenn and other space cadets

20th February 2022 funtime65

Many have said it about me, so on the 60th anniversary of his becoming the first American to orbit Earth here’s to John Glenn and other space cadets.

And a nod, of course, to NASA HQ in Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

And our friends, a visiting spaceman among them, who shared their world with us.

Including witnessing multiple sunsets.

Take me to space: Bandanaman and Spaceman

The bould John, 95 years young, last went into space when he was 77.

Now that space tourism is a thing and is no barrier to age as Captain Kirk, William Shatner, 90, proved let’s look to the stars.

Through the Rainy Days and Songdays songs that have inspired us the Space Race generation.

A Mars a day

Life on Mars, David Bowie: And no, not Bowie’s first space song, nor his last.

Think Space Oddity, The Man Who Fell To Earth and Ashes to Ashes.

But Life On Mars from the album Hunky Dory is certainly his best.

And to bring it back to earth Bowie name checks Ibiza and the Norfolk Broads … both stop-offs for this space cadets.

Rocket science

Making a spectacle of himself: Elton John

Rocket Man, Elton John: Elt was spaced all right when he put the score to his pal Bernie Taupin’s lyrics.

So we can’t place him anywhere though we imagine that the-then coked-up Mr John would have been seeing a lot of The Troubadour in West Hollywood then.

Swing among the stars

Fly Me To The Moon, Frank Sinatra: We don’t know if they’ve got old blue eyes out in space but Frank’s voice is out of this world.

Obvs we want to name check Hoboken, New Jersey and the other cities that he bigs up, New York, Chicago and LA.

But the closest we got was Las Vegas and this inscription to the Rat Pack in Neon City.

All-Hit Radio

Sibling space cadets: Karen and Richard Carpenter

Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft, The Carpenters: Now this one is a new one on us but this was actually originally written by the Canadian band Klaatu (no us too but they were named after an ambassador from the extraterrestrial confederation in the film The Day The Earth Stood Still).

But it was in the hands of Richard and Karen Carpenter that the song really took off.

And it naturally has that Californian twang with the unique lead-in of Mike Ledgerwood on All Hit Radio.

This song will be heard once again

De Burgh was here: In the Nativity Scene

A Spaceman Came Travelling, Chris De Burgh: Only Chris De Burgh could come up with anything quite as overblown as a space hook to the Nativity Story.

But the Irishman did after reading Chariots of the Gods by Erich von Daniken, with a sprinkle of WB Yeats and his belief that every 2,000 years something cataclysmic happens.

Never mind that the Nativity Story is only mentioned in two out of the four gospels.

And the Monty Python boys went this way too when they had a spaceship land in Bethlehem in the Holy Land in Life of Brian.

A Galaxy far, far away

Which brings us neatly to Eric Idle’s pithy reflection on the human condition in Galaxy in The Meaning of Life.

So it applies to us all, John Glenn and other space cadets.