TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - Sep 18, 2014) - To help Canadians planning a trip to Vegas get the most of their vacation, Canada's leading online travel provider*, Expedia.ca, has teamed up with its panel of Sin City Insiders -- on the ground locals and Vegas experts -- to provide customized travel itineraries that feature activities and attractions for every type of Vegas tourist.
"As Canada's Sin City experts, we know travel and we know Vegas -- and we pride ourselves in providing all that Vegas has to offer knowing it's one of the places Canadians love travelling to," says Sean Shannon, Managing Director of Expedia Canada.
According to the Conference Board of Canada**, almost one in four passengers landing in Vegas directly from Canada arrived from Toronto (23 per cent), followed by 18 per cent from Calgary and 13 per cent from Vancouver. But our love for Vegas doesn't stop there -- the number of arrivals from Canada from January to July 2014 increased by 12 per cent compared to 2013, with arrivals from Montreal showing the most increased visits (58 per cent) followed by Victoria (43 per cent) and Regina (34 per cent).
"We see the number of Canadians going to Vegas increasing year over year and that's why we offer a unique landing page on Expedia.ca dedicated to Las Vegas with more than 200 hotels, countless package vacations and hundreds of activities, shows and attractions available both online and at our Local Expert desks in Vegas. We're now sharing customized Vegas itineraries based on traveller types, so Canadians can experience Vegas the way they want, when they want."
Curated by Expedia.ca's 'Sin City Insiders,' Vegas locals who were either born and raised in Vegas or are long-term residents of the famous city, these Vegas itineraries feature activities for morning, noon and night tailored to the following Vegas traveller types: Vintage Seekers, High Rollers, Big Ticket Enthusiasts, and Adrenaline Adventurers.
ADRENALINE ADVENTURER
Are you looking for a rush that caffeine can't provide? Celebrity tattoo artist and winner of Season 3 Ink Master , Joey 'Hollywood' Hamilton has been working on the strip in Vegas for nine years and knows first-hand just how much Canadians love Sin City. "Every day I see more Canadians come into my shop than from anywhere else," said Hamilton. "I've even had some Canadians base their entire vacation around my work schedule in order to get a tattoo, so I'm thrilled to be able to share my tips and recommendations with them for when they visit."
MORNING: For a true 360-degree view of Vegas, spend your morning soaring through the sky and then take the plunge skydiving. But if you prefer something a little less intense -- but equally exciting -- try indoor skydiving instead, where you can still experience the sensation of being weightless, but without the actual drop.
NOON: What could be more intense and adventurous than satisfying your need for speed with some exotic car driving? Whether you're behind the wheel of a Ferrari F430 or a Lamborghini Gallardo, a lap around the track in one of these vehicles is sure to get your engine going.
NIGHT: Kick your evening into high gear at a mixed martial arts fight or one of the city's famous boxing matches. People come from around the world to participate in one of the action-packed and adrenaline-filled matches. And for the ultimate adrenaline-pumping and memorable activity -- make your mark with a tattoo to remember it all. Most parlours in Sin City stay open until midnight and open as early as 8:00 a.m., allowing visitors to make permanent memories any time of the day.
HIGH ROLLER
If you're looking to experience Vegas the VIP way, Vegas nightlife expert Jack Colton (JackColton.com), named one of the most popularly visited Las Vegas nightlife websites online, is your guide to celebrity style from morning to night.
MORNING: Who says the fun needs to stop when the night is over? Known as the best place to keep the party going, Lavo features a 'Saturday Party Brunch,' complete with a lavish menu, bubbly champagne and yes, even music to keep you dancing. But don't worry if you've had a late night on Friday because brunch runs until 6pm, still leaving you plenty of time to prep for the next party on Saturday night.
NOON: For a more restful and relaxing VIP experience (or if you're looking to recover from the night before), spend the afternoon treating yourself at the Wynn spa. From facials and foot massages to manicures and makeovers, anyone who's anyone will indulge in the luxury found in this oasis on the strip.
NIGHT: For an elaborate night out on the town that only Vegas can provide, treat yourself to dinner at Gordon "Hell's Kitchen" first-ever steakhouse, 'Gordon Ramsay Steak,' in Paris Las Vegas. From there, explore the infamous Vegas strip in your own private limousine and when you're ready to rock, strap on your dancing shoes and head over to LiFE Nightclub at SLS, the newest and coolest club in town. Not only can you watch top DJs spin the latest and greatest in electronic dance music, as a VIP you can kick back and enjoy bottle service and special VIP shout-outs from the DJ.
BIG TICKET ENTHUSIAST
With dozens of shows to choose from on any given day, who better to recommend which one to watch than the king himself? Expedia.ca Insider Brendan Paul, Elvis impersonator extraordinaire and owners of the world famous Graceland Wedding Chapel, a celebrity wedding hot spot (did you know Jon Bon Jovi got married here?) for more than 19 years, suggests entertainment of all kinds for an authentic Vegas experience.
MORNING : Start your morning with a show by Mother Nature herself with a tour of the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Fly over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Fortification Hill, and enjoy a touchdown in the canyon, complete with a late-morning snack and Champagne toast.
NOON: If you're looking for some entertainment during the day, check out one of the many matinee comedy or magic shows in Vegas. In fact, you can partake in an interactive afternoon with 'comedy in action' entertainer Jeff Civillico at The Quad on the north end of the strip.
NIGHT: No Big Ticket Vegas trip would be complete without a big ticket show. Cirque du Soleil's Beatles Love is a fan favourite, and music lovers can see bands like Kiss and Motley Crue or pop queen Britney Spears, all of whom have Vegas residencies. But remember, big Vegas moments don't always require big ticket prices -- there are a number of free attractions that shouldn't be missed, including the famous volcano eruption at The Mirage or the magical fountains at the Bellagio.
VINTAGE SEEKER
For a Vintage Vegas experience where you'll be living large like the Rat Pack, cultural expert and author of the Vegas Seven column "Ask a Native," James P. Reza offers insight on some of the city's oldest and most revered attractions.
MORNING: Play a round of golf at the last remaining casino golf course on the Strip at Wynn Las Vegas. The historic course, known for most of its life as the Desert Inn Country Club, has hosted dignitaries, mobsters and A-list entertainers throughout its history.
NOON: Spend the afternoon walking among the ghosts of Vegas Past at the Neon Museum, where classic Vegas signage goes to spend its afterlife.
NIGHT: If you're really feeling 'vintage,' spend the evening like the old Rat Pack at the city's oldest continuously operating casino, downtown's El Cortez. Opened in 1941, the casino was once owned by mobsters Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky, and is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
SAVE UP TO 50 PER CENT ON VEGAS HOTELS AND VACATION PACKAGES WITH EXPEDIA.CA
Satisfy your inner Vegas Personality by bundling your Vegas flight and hotel together through Expedia.ca for savings of up to $350. For Canadians planning to indulge in their Sin City style, there's no better time to book. With Expedia.ca's current Vegas Sale you can save even more -- up to 50% on your stay when you book before October 31 st and travel before March 31 st -- use those savings to maximize your Vegas experience.
ABOUT EXPEDIA CANADA
Expedia.ca is the nation's most-visited full-service online travel provider. To help Canadians plan and purchase travel, Expedia.ca offers the best combination of scheduled and charter flights, car and hotel reservations, vacation packages, destination activities, cruises, and travel insurance. Expedia customers are supported by customer support agents available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via a toll-free number and email response.
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*Source: comScore Media Metrix, Canada, Online Travel Agents category, Jan - Dec 2013 **Source: Conference Board of Canada, Las Vegas Deplanements by City YTD, July 2014
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