Las Vegas: walking in the heart of the Strip

The Strip is big and glitzy, and stretches for miles, but its most extravagant attractions and classic resort-casinos line a stretch of only 1 mile (1.6 km) in the middle of the Strip.

Welcome to Las Vegas! Nevada, USA. ©Chris Hepburn/Getty Images

You can tour Europe via Paris, Venice, Lake Como and ancient Rome, and then indulge in the tropical atmosphere of Polynesia. Dancing fountains, erupting volcanoes, gondoliers and a miniature Eiffel Tower are all experiences you won't forget.

• Start Paris Las Vegas

• End Palace

• Length 1.1 miles (1.7 km); 2 to 4 hours

The Strip as seen from above, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. ©f11photo/Shutterstock

Paris-Las Vegas

From the monorail station behind Bally's, walk casually into Paris Las Vegas, which aspires to evoke the essence of the Grande Dame with reproductions of its most famous monuments, including the Tour Eiffel, the Arc de Triomphe and the Fontaine des Mers at Place de la Concorde. Incredibly, it succeeds: here, on the Las Vegas Strip, you will find all the atmosphere of the Ville Lumière, including the accordion players. Pass by the cobbled shopping street Le Boulevard, enjoy the atmosphere and stop for a croissant or crêpe.

Take a romantic ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower Experience and admire the Bellagio Fountains from above, which dance every 15 to 30 minutes in the afternoon and evening. The soundtrack is always different: with a bit of luck you might hear an Italian opera aria or maybe Luck Be a Lady by Frank Sinatra. For a front-row seat, go to Hyde: during happy hour, look out onto the balcony from which you can almost hear the water splashing, or book an al fresco table at one of the Bellagio restaurants that line the lake. Then take a stroll to the Jean Philippe Patisserie to see the world's largest chocolate fountain.

The luxurious Bellagio hotel, Las Vegas, USA. ©somchaij/Shutterstock

Bellagio

Stay in Europe by heading north on Flamingo Rd, then cross Las Vegas Blvd on a pedestrian bridge to the Bellagio. Inspired by the splendour of the famous Italian town on the shores of Lake Como, casino magnate Steve Wynn's mansion stands majestically in the middle of the Strip, with its elaborate 'Tuscan' architecture and an artificial lake.

Inside, gaze at the glass floral sculptures and seasonal flowers on display in the greenhouse, and then at the shop windows of the most famous fashion designers on Via Bellagio, the luxurious shopping street.

Caesars Palace

Take the pedestrian bridge across Flamingo Rd to the square outside Caesars Palace, where you can sip alcoholic lemonade on the Spanish Steps. Inside this homage to classical antiquity you will see robed waiters serving cocktails under frescoed ceilings. Then take a tour of the grand Forum Shops, exit through the grand spiral staircase and head north to the tropical paradise of the Mirage.

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Mirage

Stop outside the Mirage to watch the volcano erupt, then enter the tropical lobby to admire the 20,000-gallon aquarium (about 75,000 litres) and the domed casino lobby with a rainforest. Or dive into 1960s London at Cirque du Soleil's Beatles LOVE show and the adjacent Revolution Lounge.

The Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada,USA. ©mariakraynova/Shutterstock

Venetian

Cross the Strip and head to the elegant Venetian, with its canals and faux-marble bridges. Inspired by the splendour of Italy's most romantic city, it is a triumph of Venetian marvels. The adjacent luxury resort, the Palazzo, opened its doors to a sophisticated clientele in 2008.

The island off the Venetian is only a few minutes' walk away, but you can also take the gondola ride with a singing gondolier or walk into the Grand Canal Shoppes and then enjoy a delicious gelato in the bustling Piazza San Marco.

Palazzo

Stroll through the Grand Canal Shoppes to the Palazzo and take a photograph in front of the indoor waterfall. The sophisticated Palazzo does not have a specific theme but follows the trend of the Strip, which is aiming for an increasingly refined style. Forget circus acts and erupting volcanoes: the Palazzo is a luxurious resort-casino known for its haute cuisine, exclusive pools and elegant boutiques. Huge suites have original living rooms and whirlpool baths, while Prestige Suites entitle you to VIP check-in with champagne.

A break

Mojitos, Caipiriña and Daiquiris are simply fantastic at Rhumbar, a bar and cigar lounge with Caribbean flair at the Mirage.