A little history for you: were you aware that casinos evolved as entertainment back in the 1630s in Venice, Italy? Back in those days, the Theatre Saint Moses wanted to introduce a fun activity to keep patrons occupied during play intermissions. It is human nature, when dressed up with a fine person on your arm, to present a wager to the next man – and that’s how the gambling wing of the theatre kicked off. What a craze this sparked! In fact, by 1744, there were as many as 120 casinos in the city and the old Theatre Saint Moses, which sits on Venice’s Grand Canal, had a new name and accolade: the Casinò di Venezia; the oldest casino in the world.
If you’re planning the trip of a lifetime today, you’ll want to know which venue is best for the entertainment you most relish – theatre and gambling being just two popular options. Read on for a touch of detail on what are probably the top 11 entertainment destinations ever.
For the love of the stage
London, UK, and New York, US, rank highest as theatre destinations, says travel writer Grace Barber for EasyVoyage. London offers a range of long-running musicals in its West End, from Mamma Mia (1999 to the present) and Les Misérables (1985 to the present) to The Lion King (1999 to the present), Phantom of the Opera (1986 to the present) and The Mousetrap (1952 to the present). Gain just a taste of what it was like to watch a play in Shakespearean times by visiting the open-air Globe Theatre. Don’t miss: Theatre Café in Soho, where the walls are “completely covered with posters of shows both past and present” and “you will often be able to catch a glimpse of some famous stars of the stage, relaxing and having a drink before they take to the stage,” writes Barber. Take in the full thrill of Times Square’s dazzling lights, where many award-winning plays and musicals have been staged. Relish perhaps one Broadway show (these are quite expensive) plus a plethora of more budget-friendly smaller playhouses – where the skill of the performers is just as spectacular.
(Never) leaving Las Vegas
AsWeTravel advises that nothing describes the attitude in Las Vegas better than “more is more, and bigger is better.” What with its showgirls, drive-through weddings, roller-coaster rides passing you in the hotel lobby, and casinos so enormous, once you’re inside, you may never find the way out – a bit like the lyrics of a song by The Eagles. A glance at travel-booking site Expedia features these top things to do in Las Vegas (and its vicinity) today: a trip on the High Roller Observation Wheel, from which you can enjoy sky-high views over the Strip and Vegas’ most iconic hotels in one of 28 glass-lined and temperature-controlled carriages; Mystère by Cirque du Soleil at Treasure Island, a show featuring a cast of 75 champion-level and evocative performers displaying feats of “ability, agility and choreographed dance with music” for which audience interaction is welcomed; and admission to the Las Vegas Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck, where you benefit from more panoramic city views from this half-scale replica of the world-renowned French monument. And, it goes without saying, you’ll want to try your hand at poker in at least one of the city’s 10 best casinos. Hello, Caesar’s Palace.
Water sports fiesta
Claudia Tavani writes on her blog My Adventures Across The World about a range of incredible things to do in the Maldives – the majority of which happen in the ocean. But before we take a look at what these actually are, let’s not forget the rather fine backdrop: “white sandy beaches, palm trees, clear blue waters, and incredible sunsets.” This is not a tick-box exercise, but lists are often helpful for those holiday planners. So here goes: snorkel about the coral reefs; fun tube across this paradise archipelago; lose your breath, temporarily while parasailing; meet sharks and eagle rays when you deep-sea dive; and surf or stand up paddle on waves to die for.
Best for thrill-seekers
According to TimeOut, Orlando, Florida, is the theme-park mecca of the known universe. This site’s “18 Best Things To Do in Orlando Right Now” can seem overwhelming for any traveler, so let’s select the top venues that your restless bones will not be able to resist. At Discovery Cove, get up close and personal with dolphins, sharks, rays, and tropical fish; while at ICN Park, try the Orlando Starflyer, a high-flying swing 140 meters above the ground. My giddy aunt! Experience a hair-raising ride through the Jurassic World Velocicoaster, where you’ll hang on so as not to be deposited in the raptor paddock or lagoon in which they lurk. If you’re not done with rides yet, try Walt Disney World Resort, with its four theme parks, two water parks and a nighttime firework display to stay wide awake for.
Other places to visit
It all goes to show that it’s really all about what floats your proverbial boat in the activity, or leisure, line. Sydney, Australia, ranks highly for its laid-back yet cosmopolitan vibe, beaches by day, outdoor concerts by night, and the world’s biggest IMAX theatre screen in the world. Paris, France, on the other side, is the globe’s romance capital – so if you’re looking to propose to that special someone, do a little research at ComeToParis’s “The 10 Most Romantic Places in Paris”.
Then, if being surrounded by luxury is your idea of fabulous fun (for the admittedly physically lazy among us), try booking a self-catering cottage in the Cotswolds; or a wine-and-food-pairing tour among Tuscany’s lavish and much-written-about vineyards.
Otherwise take to some of the world’s most extreme slopes for skiing at Mayrhofen, Austria (maximum gradient: 78 degrees), or mountain biking in Boulder, Colorado (where you can escape in a good way among rocky outcrops, rolling grasslands, and fragrant pine forests).
Can’t decide? Simply unroll a world map, close your eyes, and … be led by your index finger.
