The Relaxing Side of Las Vegas

There are more spas located along Las Vegas’ 4.5-mile Strip than anywhere else in the world. Given that fact, Las Vegas knows a thing or two about relaxation and indulgence - a welcome role for a destination steeped in weary gamblers and travelers.

MGM’s Grand Spa offers relaxation on a big scale. Spa ritual experiences such as the Turkish Haman and the couple’s Red Lotus Love transport guests into another world. The sensory massage targets all five senses in a 75-minute session. For those in search of a healthy lifestyle, the SpaGen treatment calculates a client’s nutrition needs through a DNA swab and lifestyle/health questionnaire. Outside, the world may be noisy slot machines and glitz - inside the MGM Grand Spa, clients find a place of deep rest and rejuvenation.

For those who must simply have the best, Bellagio features luxurious facial treatments using crushed pearls, marine caviar, vegetal coral, and gold dust. This world-class spa offers Vegas’ only aquatic Watsu massage, as well as other therapies infused with international flair. The Bellagio Stone Massage, the signature massage includes stone therapy with a specialty massage oil.

At Caesars Qua Baths & Spa, guests embrace the way of Roman rituals. From falling snow in the 55-degree Arctic Room to mineral essential baths, clients are surrounded by the healing power of water in this one-of-a-kind experience. Qua is an ideal environment for relaxed “social spa-ing” as well as individual experiences. An in-house tea sommelier pairs 26 organic teas to each experience. Afterward, guests may don Swarovksi crystal body art or head to the Men’s Zone for a gentleman’s hot lather and straight-razor shave.

For $2,000, guests can enjoy a two-hour facial at the Ritz-Carlton - complete with a spinal mud treatment, reflexology, and a pair of Lady Lanell sandals adorned with Swarovski crystals. For the well-deserving male, imported and domestic beers highlight the Gentlemen’s Pedicure. Refreshing healing waters, including whirlpools, cool plunge pools, saunas and steam rooms pamper rejuvenate.

One of the largest fitness and wellness facilities in North America, the 69,000-square-foot Canyon Ranch SpaClub offers some 100 options, including acupuncture, physical therapy, nutrition consultation, and a myriad of other body therapies. This leading-edge health spa and fitness oasis is a haven of relaxation - perfect for regrouping between forays into the world’s liveliest nonstop city.

At Four Seasons, guests are treated to body treatments combining Javanese and Balinese herbs, as well as techniques designed to cleanse, purify and soothe the body. The spa’s exclusive line of marine trace elements are a popular choice for clients who want to re-mineralize skin. Other signature treatments include the Champagne mud wrap, a frothy and effervescent seaweed mud combination that detoxifies and relaxes.

Long hours at the tables and rich, decadent food can take their toll. Red Rock Spa features hikes, mountain biking, rock climbing, and more at this destination positioned in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Here, guests discover a side of Las Vegas they never knew existed. With a beautiful high desert wonderland just 10 minutes outside the door, Red Rock offers an array of outdoor activities unmatched in Las Vegas. For the ultimate experience, guests may hike past Indian rock art to a natural hot spring, lunch on a river bank and end with a guided kayak down the lazy Colorado River. Red Rock Spa features traditional amenities such as Swedish massages and ashiatsu (a massage using the feet) following a day of outdoor adventure.

Couples at Wynn Spa are treated to services that not only relax the mind and body, but are designed to bring couples closer. Guests may retreat to a cozy fireplace room for a tailored massage side-by-side. For those seeking balance in their lives, the Good Luck Ritual treatment uses the five elements of Feng Shui to achieve health, wealth, prosperity, happiness, and harmony.

Visitors Information - Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in south-central Africa. Harare is the capital of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe lies between the Zambezi River in the North and the Limpopo River to the south. The country has land borders with Mozambique to the north and east, South Africa to the South, Botswana to the southwest and Zambia to the northwest and north.

The steep mountain ranges cut Zimbabwe off from the eastern plains that border the India Ocean. The High Veld is a central ridge forming the country’s watershed, with stream flowing southeast to the Limpopo and Sabi rivers and northwest into the Zambezi. Deep river valleys cut the Middle Veld. Only the larger of the many rivers have an all-year-round flow of water. Most of rivers have falls and rapids. Although the country is landlocked, its great rivers are used for transport. The Zambezi forms the natural riverine boundary with Zambia and when in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on the river forms the world’s largest curtain of falling water. The falls have been a major tourist attraction.

Once known as the Breadbasket of Africa, in recent times Zimbabwe has undergone a politically induced economic depression. Due to political activities, many commercial farms have been taken out of large-scale production.
Zimbabwe has many attractions to offer and to visit them all in just one visit could be impossible. Following are just a few of the great places to visit whilst in Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls is Zimbabwe’s number one attraction. The falls measure a huge 1.7km wide and drop between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge. With the size and sound of the magnificent waterfall, it is hard to think that anything else exists in the surrounding jungle. Zambezi is, however, packed with wildlife. You may spot warthog, crocodile, hippo, or even elephant, buffalo and lion.

Hwange National Park is the easiest to reach out of all of Zimbabwe’s game parks and offers the biggest variety and concentration of game.

The Great Zimbabwe Ruins is sub-Saharan Africa’s greatest archaeological site. It’s also an astonishingly peaceful place to relax for a couple of days of camping and exploring.

Chimanimani National Park is home to Zimbabwe’s wildest and most rugged mountain wilderness. There are no roads in the park, however, there are many hiking tracks that offer the best bushwalking in Zimbabwe.

Matobo National Park is the best place in the world to see white rhino. The Matobo Hills near Bulawayo also shelter hundreds of amazing caves and rock paintings.

Mana Pools National Park is one of the only parks where visitors are alowed to venture out alone on foot. Access to Mana Pools is difficult, the best way to arrive here is by canoe safari along the Zambezi River.

Lake Kariba is a favourite amongst Zimbabweans. Around the lake you can find great fishing, boating, game viewing and camping.

Vumba National Park is famous for the beautiful forests and botanical gardens. Vumba offers excellent walking opportunities and expansive views across nearby Mozambique.

Domboshawa and Ngomakurira are located just 30km from Harare. They offer brilliant hiking over stunning lichen-covered domes, you can also see as well as the opportunity to see lots of rock paintings.

Bulawayo Museum of Natural History includes information on the geology, palacontology, anthropology, zoology and history of Zimbabwe. This is a must see and is definitely Zimbabwe’s best museum.

Mzilikazi Arts & Crafts Centre is located just outside Bulawayo. It displays the amount of artistic talent to be found in Zimbabwe.

Victoria Falls is a popular tourist destination located in the western corner of the country. For specific information on getting in, sleeping, dining, activities, etc. see either Flights to Livingstone (located in Zambia) or Flights to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe).

Zimbabwe also offers some of the best wildlife parks in southern Africa. From the forested mountains of the Eastern highlands to the sun-washed grasslands of Hwange National Park, from the hot Mopani Forest to the shores of Lake Kariba, more than 11% of Zimbabwe’s land – 44,688 sq km (17,254 sq miles) – has been set aside as parks and wildlife estates. There are also several botanical gardens, sanctuaries and more than a dozen national safari areas for hunting (an activity that helps to finance the conservation program and is strictly controlled).

Culture

There are a huge percentage of artists in Zimbabwe. Many Zimbabweans make a living out of traditional arts, such as pottery, basketry, textiles, jewellery and carving. The work is brilliant and Zimbabwe has some of the best sculptors in the world.
A little less than half of Zimbabweans belong to Christian churches. The Mwari cult is the dominant non-Christian religion. This entails ancestor worship, and spiritual mediation. Mwari, the unknowable being, speaks to his human subjects through The Voice of Mwari, a cave-dwelling oracle who is most often female. The oracle serves as an intercessionary between the spirits, the god and the people. English is the official language of Zimbabwe, however, it is the first language for only about 2% of the population. The rest of the population are native speakers of Bantu languages, the two most prominent of which are Shona, spoken by 76% of the population, and Sindebele, spoken by 18%. Zimbabwean cuisine is mainly made of sadza, a white maize meal porridge and nyama, which is meat, usually beef or chicken, but can also be crocodile, kudu and impala. Fruit and vegetables are limited.

Local Currency

The currency in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwe dollar (Z$).
Banks are open Monday to Saturday (closed Wednesday and Saturday afternoons). All brands of travellers’ cheques in US dollars or UK pound denominations can be easily exchanged for Zimbabwe dollars at any bank. Major international currencies are also accepted. Informal currency exchange is illegal and not worth the risks - you’re almost certainly dealing with a scammer. Credit cards are accepted by establishments catering to tourists and business people.
There’s a 15% tax on hotel rooms, safaris and other tourist services. Tips of around 10% are expected by taxi drivers and in tourist-class hotels and restaurants. Some establishments automatically add a 10% service charge to the bill.

Transport

Air Zimbabwe connects Harare and Bulawayo with Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park and some other places.

There are two types of buses that you can catch, express and local. There aren’t any schedules for local buses and they depart from the ‘African township bus stations, which are never in the town centre. Car and 4WD rental in Zimbabwe is expensive.

Zimbabwe has a good railway system, which connects Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare and Victoria Falls, and if you travel economy class they are cheaper than the express buses. Most trains also travel at night.
Zimbabwe Visa

Most visitors are not required to obtain a visa for stays of up to 90 days.

Zimbabwe Locations

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