Las Vegas Nevada, City Center, Vdara/ Travels with Journey
Our Journey is your Passion
Thinking of going to Vegas? Wanna drive? Don't leave home without your dog. WATCH!
No way! Pack all your gear. Don't forget your lingerie. Just cuz your traveling with your pet doesn't mean you won't make nooky. Throw in a few sexy t's and don't forget your Pro-Digest Plus and that special bottle of Channel #5. Our Journey began at Macdonald's. It was Journey's first Golden Arch experience Nothing on the menu appealed to him so we just ordered fries and split a burger. Have you ever tried sharing a Mac.. (burger scented but cardboard tasting)... while driving? Journey's olfactory scents from the outside world (one we have coveted meticulously) only allowing him the tiniest, freshest morsels of Taste From The Wild (smoked salmon) was interrupted big Mac time. As you know a Big Mac comes with the JOY from EVERY BITE. Its iconic. Its classic. What! He ate it! I turned for less than a second to fasten my seat belt and my half was his WHOLE mid-afternoon snack. Like a magnate...labs are notorious for eating anything and EVERYTHING. Desperation set in.. I was starving!
The Mad Greek was miles away. Only pet pee stops... for Journey. My bladder was holding up like a camels but my stomach was crying out for more than organic fruit and nuts.
I knew once we got to Vegas... just like for FRANK they would roll out the welcome mat because Journey's become a dog celebrity. I swear! The concierge cues the doormen, tells the reception area as soon as they see him, "JOURNEY'S HERE!
And as far as the schleppers, the tote carriers, the canines most trusted companions, we're just back-up. Every once in while they throw us a few bags of peanuts but Journey gets First Furry Class treatment. WATCH!
Treats! Did anyone say treats...of course they did. Vdara Hotel knows how to treat guests two and four-legged alike. Lucky for us we were Journey's special invited frenzied friends. Too much coffee on the road left us wired but wiling to gamble... we headed for the slots at City Center's magnificent Aria Hotel. Yep, dogs are welcome on leash of course but they just can't steal chips, dice or money clips. Jim had a feeling he was going win big so I left my boys in front of the slots while I treated myself to a fabulous ESPA Treatment with Kristen Ortega including a restful nap in the comfort of our own Vdara Executive suite with a magnificent view of the Bellagio gardens and fountains. At night what an experience!! Double Wow!
Room Service was a phenomenal experience. I can always judge a hotel by the kind of service it offers its guests. Prompt and attentive to your every need. SLEEP! I want a great nights sleep and Vdara furnished the perfect bed and mattress. The sheets were so cool and freshly ironed... not just tumbled dry. I'm really picky about these things. Journey had his own swank bed and blanket... it was perfect. Jim snored and I slept with Journey.
Dining Out Vegas Stye Was A Blast
We were walking around the strip to loose weight instead of money. Smart! And to work up an appetite. I was following my hero, Anthony Bourdain's suggestion. That man rocks more than ice cubes. He's quintessentially cool except for the occasional misogyny jokes. I think he could do well in Vegas.
Anthony Bourdain photo credit
The Guernica Culinary Challenge: Jose Andreas versus Julian Serrano
LuxEcoLiving
It was getting close to lunch time and the countdown had begun for The Battle of Guernica's Best Authentic Spanish Cusine. Two top Las Vegas Celebrity Chefs, Jose Andreas from Jaleo and Julian Serrano at Aria were about to compete for Best Spanish Restaurant in the World.
Meet our first contender. Julian Serrano has been a master chef for over 40 years. He hails from Madrid Spain. If you hunger for short rib braised by a three-star Michelin chef that lets your knife goes untouched. A cabernet selected by one of the world's 186 Certified Master Sommeliers that changes what risotto means to you, and absinthe expertly prepared to follow today's selection of scallops. The credentials of his roster of culinary talent go beyond expert training and esteemed awards. Take a bite, and you'll know.!
Julian Serrano's signature Oxtail wrapped in Panccetta fabulous!!!
Meet our second contender, Jose Andreas also a native of Spain. José was named Outstanding Chef of the Year at the 2011 James Beard Foundation Awards and was named among the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2012. Recently he was named Dean of the Spanish Studies program at the International Culinary Center.
Jose's signature Paella simply divine!
It was a tie for The Battle of Guernica's Best Spanish Cuisine... you decide the next time your in Vegas try both restaurants. But if I had to pick I would return to Serrano at Aria in a heartbeat!
Don't Miss Summer Nights with Olivia Newton John in Las Vegas
It just so happens that Olivia is Journey's God Dog Mother. She loves her
Raven
who by the way is a real celebrity's dog. Raven gets red carpet treats naturally. Journey works online ... and is syndicated on The Huffington Post. Not a bad start for an adopted dog who was looking for a home and travels the country staying in four star hotels.. He has his own travel blog!
!!!
Olivia's Summer Nights concert is at The Flamingo and if you are lucky to get into the Meet and Greet tell her Journey sent you.
Olivia Newton-John. All photo credits LuxEcoLiving
Don't miss Vdara in City Center Las Vegas for your next Furry Friends adventure. It's one of the best! 2600 West Harmon Avenue Las Vegas, Nevada 89109. Call 18667457767 to make a reservation today.
Travels with Journey/the blog is a LuxEcoLiving Media Group production. All rights reserved.
Nancy's wardrobe by Double D Ranchwear. Hat by Carol Carr
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.