V-Flyer

Planning a trip next year

VS MAN to LAS, return MCO to MAN

We want to fit in Miami, so we are thinking of flying LAS to MIA.

We'll drive from Miami to Orlando via Fort Myers Beach.

Anybody done a similar trip? Thinking 4/5 nights in Las Vegas and the same in Miami Beach, with a similar sojourn in Fort Myers Beach.

Any tips - Miami Beach hotels? Las Vegas on or off the strip? Trips to the Grand Canyon?

I'm not a fan of MIA at all, the coast beaches are much better IMO, so can't really give any helpful tips on that part. Internals won't be that cheap as it is quite a long flight, and just be careful on baggage charges too.

For LAS, on strip without doubt, try and avoid Fri/Sat nights as prices double for those nights, but otherwise even the top end hotels have good deals and rates. If you want to do the GC, then a helicopter tour is the way to go, the only really time sensible option and gives a fairly decent experience, loads of deals out there so never pay full price.

Neil wrote:I'm not a fan of MIA at all

Me too, not much to do in Miami except the beach and even that is over rated.

In Las Vegas definitely stay on The Strip. As for GC, make sure it is the Grand Canyon National Park that you go to.

Thank you guys - useful information.

Indeed, having done the helicopter tours from Vegas (to the less impressive rim - basically all Vegas tours do this) and a visit in car to GC from vegas, I'd suggest driving or flying the to the north or south rim then doing the tour from the canyon proper. I done South rim - stay a night, drive back - if doing the independant thing, it's a fun trip.

At the South rim you can get helicopters (and small planes) as well - and the experience there is more impressive than the rim the copters from vegas go to.

That said, seeing Hoover dam from the air on the vegas tours is worth doing.

Leave early, do tour of hoover dam, drive to GC to arrive for sundown, then up in morning for a tour, then back to vegas is how I'd do it with hindsight It was so impressive doing South Rim, we're planning North rim trip in a couple of years.

A few years ago, we did a helicopter tour from LV to the floor of GC - it was very impressive indeed, and we returned as night was falling so wo got a wonderful tour along the strip on the way back! - so that was only an afternoon out of the holiday...

We flew from Las Vegas to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in April with Maverick. We flew in a 16 seater aircraft, so everyone had a window seat. Views on the way were spectacular and the flight was about an hour. On arrival we were taken by small coach to two different viewing points and there was also the option of a helicopter flight into the Grand Canyon. We left Las Vegas about 8am and returned about 3pm. It was a brilliant day, but the temperature at the South Rim was significantly lower than Las Vegas due to the altitude and lots of people were cold!

Stevebrass - have to echo similar comments and ask why Miami? n(

Exactly 5 years ago we did a very similar trip. Flew London to Las Vegas. Stayed at the Bellagio hotel (agree prices significantly less Sunday to Thursday). Brilliant hotel, right in the middle of the strip.

Sadly we made an expensive huge mistake booking a Maverick helicopter tour to the 'Grand Canyon' . No this was not the proper GC, just a tourist flight to the West rim where we had lunch after the helicopter landed. Totally over rated. We've lived to regret not seeing the 'real' Grand Canyon national park ever since We hired a car and drove up to Zion national park, 2hours north of LV - beautiful place to explored for a few days.

We then flew with Delta via Atlanta, over to Fort Myers airport and from there we stayed in a beach front apartment. This is a lovely coastline with plenty to do. The Everglades is a must from this area y). West to East of the US is doable but allow plenty of time in each area. Seriously reconsider your Miami thought

Miami is a great city. The Cuban influence makes it a very unique place.

If you're looking for the best beaches - don't go to Miami. If you're looking for good beaches, near a city full of awesome culture/food, and nightlife - then go to Miami.

And if you go to Miami - be sure to go to Versailles in Little Havana. Awesome food, and amazing sangria.

Thanks again guys. Good advice on the South rim.

We are thinking of Miami Beach for the Art Deco primarily, then driving up to Fort Myers beach.

I would hugely recommend going to the Grand Canyon for 1 night minimum. It's beautiful at sunset but particularly at sunrise. Lovely and quiet too before the hoardes of day trippers arrive mid morning.