It is safe to conclude that Las Vegas has successfully changed its image from a desert city full of gamblers and ostentatious hotels, to a world class destination for people seeking new adventures. An evening stroll to take in the neon lights is unforgettable. This is a place to take in show with top talent, try your luck at casino games they don't have in Kansas, eat in truly wonderful restaurants and soak up the sun in surroundings of some of the world's most incredible hotels. And when you've had enough of gambling and razzmatazz there's still some serious shopping to be enjoyed.

Las Vegas is the gambling capital of the world, and you can't visit without trying your luck at least one of the casinos on Las Vegas Boulevard, better known as The Strip. By day these casinos are breathtakingly opulent but at night they are out of this world as millions of neon lights transform the city into a shining vision. Nowhere is more dazzling that at the north end of The Strip on Fremont Street. And the choice of where to gamble, eat or see a show is truly mind-boggling.

At the Bellagio hotel, modeled on Italy's Lake Como, you can lose your shirt on gambling tables while being mesmerized by its dancing fountains. Or try The Venetian, where you can take a gondola ride down the Grand Canal before hitting the slot machines. Circus Circus has its own theme park, trapeze artists and juggling cocktail waitresses. Then there's Excalibur, which recreates King Arthur's Camelot, complete with sword swallowing knights. Caesar's Palace is the quintessential Vegas resort and huge stars such as Celine Dion and Elton John have performed in its spectacular Roman Colosseum theater. The Luxor is home to a 36 story pyramid, a golden sphinx and a tomb of Tutankhamun.You can even pretend you're on an island in the Pacific if you visit The Mirage. There's you'll find an erupting volcano, dolphins and a tropical themed casino. At the Mandalay Bay you can watch predators in the shark reef before enjoying the international hit musical MAMA MIA. All these casinos are really resorts with everything you need-restaurants, shops, health spas, art galleries and theatres-all under the same roof.

If you choose, you don't need to set foot out of your hotel. But that would mean missing out on some extraordinary sights and experiences, not to mention the opportunity to get a tan. Las Vegas is in the middle of the Mojave Desert so there's not much chance of your holiday being a washout in terms of the weather. In fact it rarely rains there. The summer can be very hot, but if it's too warm by the pool, you can always visit one of the many shopping malls.

Don't miss the outlet centers, with some 250 shops and name brands like Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Dolce & Gabbana. Even while you are out shopping, then entertainment goes on. Inside the huge Fashion Show Mall, there are snowstorms, fashion shows and The Cloud-a massive steel structure projecting movies and images above the heads of the customers.

If shopping is not for you, hit the heights on one of La Vegas's top rides. The Roller Coaster at New York-New York is scary enough but it pales in comparison with X-Scream at the Stratosphere, which whizzes through the air at up to 30mph before dangling riders 900 feet above The Strip.

Back down on the ground, don't miss one of Vegas's legendary shows. Nowhere on earth does razzle-dazzle like here, with big name stars, favorite musicals and dancers in eye-popping costumes. The popular Cirque du Soleil has several shows running in Las Vegas, but book early. It's virtually impossible to get tickets at the last minute.
Many people go to Las Vegas to "tie the knot" and certainly have a wedding to remember. At the Las Vegas Hilton, wedding are out of this world. Ceremonies take place on the Star Trek's USS Enterprise with alien Klingons as witnesses. And, of course, there are the drive-thru wedding chapels which go from tacky to hilarious in their attempts to out-do one another.

If you thought Las Vegas was just for night owls and gamblers, you were wrong. As the city continues to develop and expand, you can bet on a different experience each time you go. There is a famous saying that "whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," but there is one thing you are allowed to bring home-and that is a set of amazing memories.

For a few years I was a Security Officer for some of the most well known casinos and shopping venues on the Las Vegas Strip. During that time, I learned a lot about the nature of people, and how to protect yourself when you are visiting Las Vegas.

I have included 10 tips that you might find useful the next time you are visiting a casino or hotel in town.

1. Protecting Your Possessions:

   Unfortunately, not everyone comes to Las Vegas for a simple vacation like many folks. Vegas is known for attracting not only tourists, but also those people who would like to separate you from your money.
   
   Here is a short list of things to watch for: Do not leave handbags or purses laying on the ground or the next seat when you are gambling. Thieves are getting braver every day. They don't hide in the shadows anymore. They will walk right past you and take your belongings as if it belonged to them the whole time, and then dare you to say anything.
   
   Also, just because you leave valuables in your room does not mean they are safe. Always lock up your jewelry or money in the safe if the hotel provides one. Make sure if you have anything valuable in your luggage that you put it away. Thieves will always go for things that are the most accessible first.
   
   A common practice of hotel thieves is to walk down the hallway as if they are going to their room and push on each door to see if any of them open. When they find a door open they just walk on in and begin stealing your belongings. If they happen to walk in on you in the room, they will often just pretend they got confused as to which room was theirs because they all look the same.

2. The Art of the Trick Roll:

   Men, you especially need to pay attention to this. Let me give you a little scenario. You are at the blackjack table and are having a great time. After a while, you decide to take a break and go to the bar. While you are there, a very attractive woman sits down beside you and begins to strike up a conversation. You begin to think that things are going great and she suggest that you take her up to your room. You feel like nothing could go wrong and then you wake up and find it's the afternoon of the next day.
   
   As you try to clear the cobwebs from your head, you begin to realize that you are alone in your room and all your money and credit cards are gone. Now if you haven't figured it out yet, let me explain to you what just happened. While you were gambling the night before, you were being watched. And before you go thinking it was because you're such a stud, it was you were seen as an easy mark.
   
   Chances are you were drinking at the table and the woman who met you at the bar noticed that you were getting drunk and had already started losing control of reality. At some point she distracted you, and placed knock out drops in your drink. This often happens when you are in your room, and she suggests you go take a warm shower to relax and get ready, but some have even been brazen enough to put the drops in your drink right there at the bar. By the time you get upstairs you are just about out of it, and if anyone asks, she just tells them you had too much to drink and she is making sure you get to bed.
   
   While you are knocked out, she will turn the heat up on the thermostat a little bit to make you nice and comfortable. Then while you are sleeping away, she has full access to anything she wants, and by the time you wake up she is long gone. You may ask yourself, why doesn't somebody do something about it. I can tell you from experience that we make every effort to stop this from happening.
   
   The fact is that 97% of these “trick rolls” will not get reported to the police. I think you know why, but just in case you don't, it's because these men don't want their wives to find out.

3. Bucket or Voucher Thieves:

   Another common trick for thieves is that when you go to cash in your ticket at the Machine, they will be waiting right behind you and as soon as the money comes out they will grab it and run. They will also cruise through the casino to see if you may have left your credits on the slot machine, while you went to get a drink or to the restroom. When they see the credits, they just cash it out, and take it to be cashed in as if it was theirs all along.
   
   At some of the older casinos that still pay out in coins the thief will use a trick that was perfected in the old days. They will walk around with a few coins in their hand as if they are looking for a machine to play.
   
   When they see you with a bucket full of coins, they will casually drop a couple coins on the floor on the opposite side of where your bucket is, and then politely let you know you accidentally dropped your money. When you thank them and lean over to pick up the loose change they will move around to the other side and take your bucket of money, and just walk off. Chances are you are so busy playing that you won't even notice it's gone for a few minutes. By that time they are already gone, and out on the street.

4. Scams:

   It should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway. If it looks to good to be true, then it is. There are many people out there, not just in Las Vegas, but probably in your town too, that are trying to run a game on people. But somehow, Vegas seems to attract a lot of them.
   
   Let me tell you about one particularly interesting scam. A young lady was sitting at a bar in a casino, when a man sat down beside her and ordered both of them a drink. They began to talk and got along quite well, actually talking to each other at the bar for a couple hours. At that point the man said that he was getting a little hungry. He told the woman that he had won two free meals at the steakhouse in the casino, and asked if she would like to join him.
   
   Since they had been talking for so long, she felt comfortable with him and agreed, not wanting to miss out on the chance for a free meal at the steakhouse. They ordered their meals, the best steaks in the place and a bottle of the most expensive wine to go with it. While they were finishing up, the man excused himself to use the restroom and, (you guessed it) never came back, leaving this woman with a bill for over $250.00. Let me say again, if it looks to good to be true, it is.

5. No More Freebies:

   You will hear the street vendors say it all up and down the strip and inside the casinos. Get this or that for free! It's free, just try it out. Let me warn you, there is no free lunch.
   
   If it is being offered for free, then there is a catch. Las Vegas has changed since the old days when, if you lost all your money, you could still get a meal at the buffet on the house. Those days are gone. Today it is all about the bottom line, and if anything is offered to you, you can be sure that somewhere, the house is going to make money on it.

6. 86'd (You're Outta Here!):

   It started with the Kefauver Commission on organized crime, and was known as the Black Book. It was actually a list of all the crime figures who were banned from going into any casinos in Las Vegas, and some were even banned from the casinos in Reno as well. As time went on, each casino would add to the list, any person who was caught in their place of business being disruptive or cheating. They would be 86'd or thrown out of the casino.
   
   In the past, this was done literally. If a card cheat was found out, he was lucky if he got out of the casino with only a few broken fingers. Today, of course, those methods are not allowed, but the list still remains. Now, let me tell you something about that list you may not know. Each casino is privately owned, and therefore private property. Many people come in thinking it is public property, but they would be wrong. The owner(s) of each property have the authority to ask you to leave for any reason they want.
   
   Normally, the owners will give the authority to 86 someone to the security department who acts on behalf of the owner. Once you are kicked out of a casino, it is for life! And here is something else you may not have thought of. Many of the major corporations own more than one casino, so if you are kicked out of one, you are 86'd from all the casinos they own.

7. Las Vegas Fever:

   This is something that occurs way too much, but in a place like Las Vegas it might really surprise you. Everyday we would see people who would get caught up in the excitement and everything going on around them, and forget to do one thing. They would forget to eat.
   
   We would always see people passing out in the casinos, because they would simply not take time away to replenish themselves. I even saw one young lady who passed out in the buffet line. She was so close! With all the food in this town, how is it even remotely possible that anyone would forget to eat. But it does happen.

8. Be Aware of Your Surroundings:

   I am seriously not trying to frighten you away. Things like this could happen in any city in the world. It's just that they happen with more frequency here.
   
   Always make sure you know what is going on around you. When you get out of your car, lock it. And always pay close attention to your children. Which brings me to my next point.

9. Do Not Leave Your Children Unattended:

   Forgive me, because I'm about to give you a list of dont's, but you would not believe what some people actually do with their children, in order to go gambling. Do not send your children to an arcade room alone. If they are going, make sure someone goes with them. The same goes for the restroom, do not send them in alone. Waiting at the door is not good enough.
   
   Believe me, there are pedophiles just waiting where you least expect them. If they are left in the hotel room, make sure there is someone old enough to stay with them. Do not leave your kids in the car, while you go inside to gamble (Oh, yes they did!). And under no circumstances, leave your kids with a stranger while you go cash in your chips.

10. If You Win, Leave!

    This may sound strange to you, but there is nothing worse than seeing someone lose everything they have on a chance.
    
    I once saw a man who had just come into town and had just placed his first bet on the craps table. This was his first experience in Las Vegas and the worst thing that could possibly happen to him happened. He placed his entire paycheck on a roll, and won!
    
    Now why do I say that is the worst thing that could have happened to him. It's because he now thought he was invincible. He went from his hourly job in the Midwest, to being a highroller on Fremont St in Las Vegas in less than a day. He actually won $10,000 on that one roll. And then he proceeded to lose it all.
    
    Several people encouraged him to walk away, but he wouldn't listen. He not only lost everything he had won, plus his paycheck, but he now had to go back home and tell his wife that he had lost their house.
    
    If you are winning, good for you. Take a break and walk away. Go get something to eat or get some fresh air. Save yourself a lot of heartache.

These are just a few tips from what I have seen during working in the casinos. Las Vegas is an exciting town and there is a lot to do here. Just make sure that when you come here, you are able to leave safe and sound.

I've been fortunate enough to set foot on Aruba three times. The very first thing I noticed was that droves of pushy taxi drivers trying to part you from your tourist dollars were nowhere to be seen. Unlike destinations like Jamaica or Columbia, to name just a few, where tourists are seen as nothing but cash cows. Jamaica has all but destroyed much of its tourist industry, because many travelers, such as myself choose to avoid it and go elsewhere. Not so in Aruba. They treat all visitors with respect and welcome them to their island with courtesy.

ABOUT ARUBA:

Aruba is centrally located in the Southern Caribbean and is only about 15 miles from the coast of Venezuela. The population borders on 100,000 and is made up of very friendly, well educated people. They are famous for their hospitality and most are generally of a mixed ancestry. Amazingly, this unique destination claims at least 40 different nationalities who reside on the island. So if you cannot find someone who speaks your language, wait 5 minutes.

ECONOMY:

The islands economy for the most part revolved around the building of an oil refinery that later became a subsidiary of EXXON OiL. The facility closed in 1985, however reopened in 1991 under new management. In March of 2004 it changed hands again and was sold to the Valero Oil Corp.

TOURISM:

Of course now, tourism has taken center stage. It is a stunning island surrounded by powder white sand beaches and incredible blue-green water. And the locals in Aruba sure no how to treat people. In all my traveling, they rank as the most welcoming I have ever come across. Cruise ships dock on a daily basis and very reasonable package stays are also available at dozens of top caliber resorts.

ACTIVITIES:

I don't even know where to start. As soon as you cross the first street you will find state of the art casinos and some of the worlds finest shopping.

I remember my first visit there when I asked a local how to get to the nicest beach. He said, "just cross the street and get on the city bus that will come along and tell the driver you want the best beach." Sure enough for just $1, I got on the bus with the locals and 20 minutes later was on a stunning beach. On the way I saw numerous huge hotels with casinos alongside.

Every water sport you can imagine is available with scuba diving and snorkeling some of the best in the Caribbean. Just ask the locals the best locations for these two activities and there is a myriad of beaches in different locations around the island.

DINING:

You have your choice of either local Caribbean fare or French, Italian, Spanish, American and Indian cuisine. Eat in a gorgeous, romantic terrace under the stars or you can find numerous more intimate hideaways if you prefer. The predominant currency is American dollars as is the case in most of the Caribbean.

For a cruise stop-over or a week or two stay you won't go far wrong with Aruba. A truly amazing, beautiful and friendly island.