You could be forgiven for thinking that wherever you set foot in Las Vegas is a sure-fire bet as far as finding yourself a top-drawer gambling destination is concerned. The sad reality is that this simply isn’t the case, and much as you just might find an old boot nestling amongst a net-full of salmon, you’ll find there are some gambling haunts nestling amidst the Las Vegas gems that don’t even nearly live up to their home town’s reputation. Here are a few suggestions that’ll help you avoid the few bad apples if you’re planning a trip to the world’s most iconic party town:

The MGM Grand: They don’t come higher profile than this place. The MGM Grand is truly a super-casino. When it opened in 1993, the Grand boasted the largest hotel in the world, and can still lay claim to the largest holiday resort complex in the United States, with 19 restaurants, a vast array of shops and a leisure complex which features five outdoor pools along with a series of rivers and waterfalls that cover a staggering 6.6 acres. The MGM Grand is not only big, it’s beautiful, particularly so since its ‘Grand Renovation’ project in 2011, which has imbued this ‘Gaming City’ with a contemporary edge.

Bellagio: Arguably the world’s most elegant casino, the Bellagio’s classical bowed façade tells you everything you need to know about the superb class of this establishment. Particularly notable are the wonderful Fountains of Bellagio, the soaring water jets that line the front of the building so gracefully, made famous by Brad Pitt & Co. in recent spy caper Ocean’s Eleven. The Bellagio is also notable for its beautiful conservatory and botanical gardens, which offer guests some respite from the dynamic pace of Vegas life.

The Street: Nope, we’re not talking about some cutting edge new establishment called The Street. We actually mean the street, any street in Vegas in fact. Simply load up a game of poker, slots, you name it on your smartphone or tablet using a reputable online casino app such as PokerStars after reading up on your Texas Hold’em strategy, and you can enjoy the thrills of casino gaming from the sidewalk. This option is actually particularly great for Vegas, as it offers gamers the opportunity to wander amongst the magnificent surrounds of not just one, but many of the world’s greatest casinos whilst they get their kicks.

Caesar’s Palace: The magnificent towers of Caesar’s Palace dominate the Las Vegas Strip, proud and brash monuments to the American Dream. With regular entertainment from the likes of Elton John and Celine Dion, along with some of the city’s most celebrated restaurants and interiors, it’s not hard to see why this place is amongst the most legendary casinos in the world.

The Hip flask has been around in its current form since the 18th Century but the evolution of the hip flask is rather interesting.
The first known version of something similar to today’s hip flask dates back to the middle ages where documentation from the time would suggest hollowed out fruits were used to store whisky, Gin and such while travelling.

During the 18th century women were known to fill pigs bladders and hide them under their petticoats to enable them to smuggle gin on board ships where it was otherwise prohibited.

These of course are both quite primitive stages in the evolution of what you will be familiar with in today’s flask and recently The Macallan , a rather fine Scottish Whisky distiller have collaborated with sports and lifestyle brand Oakley to produce a truly beautiful and limited piece they call ‘The Flask’.

Featuring on trend black carbon detailing the fantastic modern almost futuristic design Oakley have come up with is truly stunning.  The flask has been designed to a ridiculously high standard  with durability and quality and the forefront of the design process.

Don’t think they haven’t taken the durability seriously either, in the video below Oakley demonstrate the lengths they have gone to to make this a durable product that will last a lifetime

The Flask is rather exclusive,  only 100 have been made so if you want one you better act quickly and head over to  The Macallan Shop to get yours before they are all gone!

This post has been sponsored by The Macallan & Oakley  but all thoughts are our own

Northern Gent is back again for another review, this time he takes a look at  a stylish leather piece from Moodys Worldwide

Luckily for me, my real job means I travel quite a bit throughout Europe. This item has proved a travel companion that I wouldn’t be without now, let me explain:
When travelling, there are three things that don’t leave my side from the minute I leave the house until the minute I get back:
• Passport
• Credit Card
• Emergency Worldwide Medical Assistance card
The above can get me out of any unfortunate situation I find myself in, so they don’t leave my side. Walking around a factory, going out for dinner, driving across a foreign land, they’re always in a pocket. Previously, this meant that my wallet was bursting at the seams as not only were my travel essentials tucked away in there, so was the normal everyday stuff. Debit cards, credit cards, various supermarket loyalty cards, receipts for something long broken or assigned to the ignominy of the loft, all of which meant wallets didn’t last long as they struggled under the weight of the task.

That was before I picked up this very stylish and highly useful Passport Holder from Moodys. I was always puzzled by people that had passport holders, why do they need holding? Also, a passport lasts for 10 years, so they are pretty well made and I reckon even Sir Ranulph Fiennes passport is going strong, and I bet he doesn’t have a holder! But this is different; there are enough card holders and pockets to make this a purposeful wallet as well as somewhere to put your passport.
This has now solved the bulging wallet problem as I have two, one for the UK and one for travel with the three essentials having a home of their own. So, the reason for having one has been explained, but what about the item itself? Firstly, I don’t know how they have managed to create such a stylish well packaged and well-made item for £15. I would happily pay double for this. The wallet arrived wrapped in Moodys monogramed tissue paper and a little fabric holder. Distressed real leather has been used, which gives it a “well-travelled” look straight out the box. The leather is of good quality, nice and supple, with very neat stitching. Inside, the lining is again Moodys monogrammed and “Moodys” has been punched into one of the leather holders. There’s provision for 5 cards, a passport and slots for tickets etc. A high attention to detail is demonstrated; the monogram runs through the liner at a perfect 45 degrees, the stitching is all straight and millimetre perfect around the edge and the tricky corner overlaps are stitched, glued and pressed perfectly.
All in all, a stylish, well made and useful accessory that I use frequently, for a bargain price….that keeps Northern Gent happy! All gents, Northern and Southern, should click on the link above and browse their site to accessorise their look.

About Moodys
Founded on the principles of quality, tradition and heritage, Moodys is a classic British style destination that prides itself on creating timeless designs for the most discerning of customers. Focusing primarily on fashion accessories, everything on offer has been created using the finest materials with an unrivalled focus on luxury, craftsmanship and attention to detail.

for more on the travel wallet and to see the other wonderfull products Moodys has for sale head over to

www.moodysworldwide.co.uk

Recently the Dutch airline KLM invited us along to sample some of the great beers Holland has to offer.

I knew Belgium was famous for their small brewery beers but had no idea Holland had anything much beyond the usual Heineken and Amstel I’ve tried before but in fact there were a great variety of beers on offer.

Each beer was paired with a cheese,below is what we sampled on the night along with some tasting notes :

Texels Wit  5%ABV – tasted with Edam cheese
(brewed on the site of an old dairy) – A light, white beer with gentle, subtle flavours and the merest hint of orange.

Witbier 5%ABV- tasted with Mooraise cheese
A rare, flavourful beer made by Emelisse,  Orange and spicy coriander flavours.

Texels Bock 7% ABV- tasted with Gouda (3 yrs old)
A dark beer, think and sweet. A ‘Dunkel’ beer packed full of malt with a fruity taste.

Molenbier 7.5% ABV- tasted with Gouda (2.5 yrs old)

a English style strong ale brewed by De Molen brewery, hoppy yet sweet.

La Trappe Dubbel 7%ABV- tasted with dark chocolate
Belgian style ale – this La Trappe Dubbel is double malted and sweet, at 7%, almost like liquid caramel.

If that little lot has has inspired you to explore Dutch Beer further, here are some of Holland’s best breweries to whet your appetite.

Bavaria Brewery

The second largest brewery in the Netherlands, five million hectolitres of Bavaria is produced every year. Not only do they use naturally pure water from their own source, but they are also one of the few breweries to malt their own barley, making it the finest quality.  And if you have an acquired taste, the brewery also produced malts in apple, caramel, lemon and karkadé flavours.

Address: De Stater 1, NL-5737RV Lieshout

Grolsch Brewery

Grolsch has created one of the most modern and environmentally friendly breweries in the world which opened in 2004. They have adopted unique longer brewing period, hence their slogan ‘We only let you drink when it’s ready’. The brewery also produces alcohol-free versions to a weighty 11.6% beer.

Address: Brouwerijstraat 1, 7523 XC Enschede

Alfa Brewery

This is a family-owned independent brewery located in Schinnen and is the only brewery in the Netherlands that uses an officially certified underground spring. The water is so pure that it does not require any processing before it is entered into the brewing process.

Address: ALFA Brouwerij, Thull 15-19, 6365 AC Schinnen

Budels Brewery

Established in the centre of the Brabant city of Budel, Budels is an independent family brewery. Being independent, they can brew our beers to their own taste and liking. This leaves them with a range of beers that stand out for their wide variety and surprising taste; a feast for every beer lover.

Address: Budelse Brouwerij BV, Nieuwstraat 9, 6021 HP Budel

Gulpener Brewery

Gulpener makes a special kind of lager sold all over the Netherlands. Ingredients, such as Barley and hops, are sourced from local farmers. These farmers produce their products in ecologically friendly ways making it a must try brand.

Address: Gulpener Bierbrouwerij, Postbus 51, 6270 AB Gulpen

Lindeboom Brewery

Lindeboom Bierbrouwerij is a small family brewer from Limburg, the southern most part of the Netherlands. Being headstrong and remaining independent, Lindeboom still brews beers with character and a taste of their own. The Lindeboom name means ‘lime tree’ – and there’s one in the brewery yard!

Address: Engelmanstraat 54, Neer

If you’re heading to Amsterdam, here are seven wondrous watering holes in the city.

• Amsterhaven – sink into a beanbag or comfy sofa on the vast deck whilst watching the canal boats slope past

• Café Bern – A cosy brown bar where you can enjoy an extra special cheese fondue!

• ‘t Arendsnest – Sells only Dutch beer, with 350 standard and 250 seasonal brews

• Café Soundgarden – Enjoy some classic alternative pop, soak up canal views on the terrace, or challenge fellow drinkers to a game of pool or pinball

• Vesper Bar – Head to this sophisticated bar for the best cocktails in town

• Lokaal ‘t Loosje – This 200 year old cafe is a former tram house and has an extensive choice of beers. It’s conveniently located right next door to a daily market too

• Café De Pels – Located in the Nine Streets area, this café is a shabby place, but that’s its biggest charm. It draws a mixed and creative crowd.

Fly to Amsterdam with KLM

Of course KLM fly to  Amsterdam and a multitude of world wide destinations from  a choice of 16 UK cities: Aberdeen, Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Durham-Tees Valley, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Inverness, Leeds-Bradford, London City, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich and Southampton. KLM now offers up to 69 flights on a daily basis from these airports to Amsterdam.

to book head over to www.klm.com or call 0871 222 7474

I love traveling and i love an adventure not dissimilar to most men
I’m sure but there are those that take things that little bit further
in search of that adrenalin rush, and I’m very envious of the guys
competing in The Volvo Ocean Race.

The Volvo Ocean Race is not a race as such, but recording the fastest time between ports. This event pays tribute to the commercial sailors that many years ago battled to get their cargo to its destination on time battling the same fierce difficult conditions those sailors faced those competing have to trust their vessel and the skill of their crew to command it. This contest is now seen as the pinnacle of achievement in the sport. During the nine months of the Volvo Ocean Race, which started in Alicante, Spain in October 2011 and concludes in Galway, Ireland, during early July 2012, the teams will sail over 39,000 nautical miles of the world’s most treacherous seas via Cape Town, Abu Dhabi, Sanya, Auckland, around Cape Horn to Itajaí, Miami, Lisbon, and Lorient. The race is the ultimate mix of world class sporting competition and on the edge adventure, a unique blend of onshore glamour with offshore drama and endurance. It is undeniably the world’s premier global race and one of the most demanding team sporting events in the world.

Sponsored by Volvo

Shangri-La is a fictional place described in the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by English author James Hilton.  Hilton describes Shangri-La as a mystical, harmonious valley, gently guided from a Monastery, enclosed in the western end of the Kunlun Mountains. Shangri-La has become synonymous with any earthly paradise, I often wonder what or where is my Shangri-La?

The new video from Shangri-La Hotels shows a wolf running , heading off on its own and I think the message is clear,  don’t follow the pack choose a different kind of holiday, away from the package holidays, crowded streets, tacky souvenirs, 2for1 drinks  and pounding music. Choose somewhere you want to go and do it

Don’t follow the crowd , I certainly won’t be this year and I hope you follow your heart too and head to that destination you have always dreamed of, let’s  make 2012 the year dreams become reality.

Sponsored by Shangri-La

From deserted beaches and colourful fiestas to shopping meccas and gourmet hotspots, every destination opens up a world of golden opportunities. If exploring new places is your passion, the Preferred Rewards Gold Card from American Express can make your getaway even more rewarding.

The points you will earn by using your Card can be redeemed for flights, hotels, spa breaks, gift experiences and lots more.

Whether you’re dreaming of a winter escape or chic city break, you can transfer points to 10 of the world’s major frequent flyer programmes such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, or convert them into stylish hotel stays at the likes of Hilton or Waldorf-Astoria. And that’s not all:

-          Enjoy two complimentary visits to more than 350 airport lounges worldwide.

-          Redeem your points for hotel stays, Eurostar travel, car hire, cruises and more.

-          With Tripflex™ you can use your points to pay for virtually any travel purchase on your Card up to 3 months after the date your transaction is charged to your account.

-          Book your travel through the Membership Rewards Travel Agency and pay for it with points.

As well as travel, points can be redeemed on everything from entertainment and experiences to electronics and retail. The Card will  also get you access to some of the UK’s hottest shows and events with the American Express Preferred Seating Programme.

There are lots of ways to build up points even faster too:

-    Earn double points on travel related spend including flights, hotels, trains, car hire and more. Plus, receive double points on virtually all purchases while you’re abroad.

-     Earn double points at major supermarkets and petrol stations in the first year of Card membership.

-     Enjoy a welcome bonus of 20,000 points by spending £1,000 on your Card in the first 3 months of Card        membership. That’s enough for a pair of return flights to some of Europe’s most exciting cities.

-          Spend £15,000 or more during the year and earn an additional 7,500 bonus points on your anniversary.

In addition, the great thing is there is no limit on the points you can earn and your points never expire, so this is one Card that’s worth its weight in gold.

Not only this, with the Preferred Rewards Gold Card, you get total peace of mind. Should you get delayed, your bags are delayed or you need help abroad, you’ll be covered by the Card’s Travel Inconvenience Insurance, Travel Accident Insurance and Global Assist® Services.

For a more information visit amex.co.uk/goldrush

Founded in 2008 and based in the Lake District National Park, Millican creates timeless travel and outdoor bags.

Each bag in Millican’s  collection is based on a proven utility classic, with modern functionality and made with sustainable materials – organic canvas, recycled polyester, vegetable tanned leather and Lakeland wool.

The brand is inspired by the life and values of Millican Dalton, a local legend who lived a life of simplicity and self-sufficiency as a Lakeland mountain guide in the early 1900s

For 2011 Millican have  interpreted a classic travel shape to create Adam the Suitcase – a soft case made from Millican’s 20oz, weatherproof, 100% organic cotton canvas.

Adam offers many key features:

·         Central zip for easy access to two large internal compartments

·         Three external pockets for books, travel documents and water bottle.

·         Internal divider to separate work from play

·         Waterproof cover and shoe/laundry bag in one

·         Fits more airline restrictions for hand luggage

Adam the Suitcase retails at £265 and is available in Slate Green and Antique Bronze.

for more info and to purchas, head over to  www.homeofmillican.com

With that early glimmer of British sun we had fading away its time to start thinking about jetting away, here’s some essential kit for looking sharp while away

luxury travel pillow by Otis Batterbee – from £40

The Otis Batterbee luxury travel pillow arrives in three deluxe fabrics that are backed with burgundy velvet making them super stylish and effortlessly practical. The pillow features a concealed zip that allows the inflatable inner to be inflated and deflated effortlessly. This  inflatable travel pillow is a must for the modern traveler.

Buy online at www.otisbatterbee.com

Oiler & Boiler Swim Shorts – from £30

Heavily inspired by the preppy, classic look of the Hamptons, Oiler & Boiler captures the essence of Long Island style, providing stylish swimwear with a affordable price tag. Buy online at www.rockundies.com

The Travel Essentials Gift Set  by The Gentry Grooming Company

This lightweight wash bag complete with Face Wash, Shave Cream and Face Balm is ideal for an on- the-go business man or a frequent flyer. Also the products meet airline carry-on regulations so this set can even fit in any hand luggage so perfect for a weekend break.   £39.00

www.gentrygrooming.com

Short Sleeve Shirt by Polo Ralph Lauren

Keep cool but stay looking stylish in this Short sleeve shirt from Ralph Lauren, perfect for relaxing outside with a few drinks  £75.00

www.johnlewis.com

649 sunglasses by Persol

This tried-and-true glasses brand has taken the classic 649 and given it a twist for the spring/summer lineup.

From £148

The Tan Safe – a Stealth safe for your valuables

As you can see this clever receptacle looks just like a regular bottle of suntan lotion. Simply pop off its watertight lid, bung in your bits and relax, safe in the knowledge thieves will be unlikely to want to slather on the SPF25 after a hard day’s pilferage. Clever, eh!

£6.99 from FireBox