Las Vegas isn’t just for gambling anymore. Seriously creative artists display their work in galleries, hotels, and outdoor parks along The Strip. Exhibits’ diverse mediums appeal to the masses. It’s free to enjoy and gives the metropolis a bit of panache. Here are a few places I visited on my recent visit to Sin City. The Park is a beautiful outdoor public space located between Monte Carlo and New York New York casinos. Pedestrians view art exhibits, watch street performers, grab a cocktail, and hang at cafe tables with friends. Exhibitions vary from abstract Frida Kohlo style paintings to life size figures. The Cosmopolitan Hotel has one of the biggest photo ops on The Strip. California artist, Roark Gourley, designed a Ferrari red, 9-foot stiletto which sits in the casino's main entry off Las Vegas Boulevard. Originally, the playful sculpture was roped off to the public. Before long the hotel realized this was a piece people wanted to touch. The velvet sashes were removed, a leather insole was added, and cameras have been clicking ever since. Breathtaking is the only way to describe Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens in Las Vegas! A 50-foot tall atrium bursts with 14,000 square feet of blooms, trees, and whimsical figures. The team of 120 horticulturalists change the display every season — Holiday, Chinese New Year, Spring Celebration, and Harvest which was on display during my visit. Jean Philippe Patisserie at Aria Resort takes chocolate to an art form. His desserts are as pleasing to the eye as the taste buds. Fondant covered cakes twirl on pedestals like fashion models. One would expect no less from the Chef who's a Meilleur Ouvrier de France recipient, the most prestigious pastry award in France. In honor of China's Year of the Monkey, Philippe created an 8 foot tall
Las Vegas isn’t just for gambling anymore. Seriously creative artists display their work in galleries, hotels, and outdoor parks along The Strip. Exhibits’ diverse mediums appeal to the masses. It’s free to enjoy and gives the metropolis a bit of panache. Here are a few places I visited on my recent visit to Sin City.
Situated on 3,000 sun-dappled acres 25 miles east of Ensenada is Baja, Mexico's wine country — Valle de Guadalupe. The valley produces 90% of the country's vino. Orchards yield Petite Sirah, Chenin Blanc, and Nebbiolo stellar enough to rival their contemporaries in Europe, making it a popular destination. But, it's not just the grapes attracting visitors. Artisanal olive oil, marmalade, honey, and cheese made at the Baja Wineries are huge crowd pleasers. LA Cetto Winery offers fresh pressed extra virgin olive oil for an inexpensive price. Its light taste and consistency make it perfect for salad dressing. When I was there in October, 2016, a 750ml bottle cost $7. Nearby, is La Casa Doña Lupe, one of the organic Baja wineries. This place has elevated homemade culinary treats to a new level! Doña's been running her vineyard for over 50 years. Recently, her son and daughter have joined Doña to help her run the growing business. Olive trees laden with the green orbs line her driveway. Each November her staff harvest and squeeze the green fruit into Dona's Ajo y Especias — garlic and spices olive oil. I tried to get the recipe out of her, but nada. The bottles fly off the shelf. Rightly so. Another of Dona's specialties is marmalade. Her amazing combinations dance on your tongue – tomato/chili, chipotle/peach, strawberry/chocolate...okay, gotta stop, my mouth's watering. On your way out of the valley you MUST stop at Tienda de Quesos y Vinos Cremeria los Globos. The women who run the shop are ADORBS! They make every kind of cheese imaginable...and give lots of samples. And...wait for it...they sell Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon Honey! Talk about a unique tea party. Baja Mexico's Adobe Guadalupe Vineyard & Inn More Like a European Estate 10 Photos to Inspire You to Visit La Paz,
Situated on 3,000 sun-dappled acres 25 miles east of Ensenada is Baja, Mexico’s wine country — Valle de Guadalupe. The valley produces 90% of the country’s vino. Orchards yield Petite Sirah, Chenin Blanc, and Nebbiolo stellar enough to rival their contemporaries in Europe, making it a popular destination. But, it’s not just the grapes attracting
