Las Vegas

Las Vegas is all about glamour for its own sake, over-the-top hustle and flash as means and end. It's crowds of people in polyester pantsuits, big hair and gold chains, staring at neon signs and spinning lemons like deer hypnotised by headlights.

Not that Vegas doesn't have a serious side - billions are at stake on the tables and in the theme parks - but you're given enough distractions to ignore it, until you lose. If you tire of tugging on the slot machines, the surrounding area has some of the region's most beautiful scenery.