performance – the suite life of travel

I clearly remember the first time I stood in amazement of The Bellagio was when a friend of mine brought us here for dinner. He had just married a couple of months ago at this stunning, luxury resort and shared photos of their extravagant wedding celebration. Of course, he spared no expense, so the photos of their wedding were beyond anything I could have ever imagined.

I eventually had the opportunity to make my own memories at the Bellagio during a New Years’ celebration with another dear friend this year and found myself basking in the beauty of its opulence and luxury. Located along the strip, the Bellagio is one of the most luxurious resorts of Las Vegas.

We tried to find a seat at Lago by Julian Serrano which provides excellent views of the famous Fountains of the Bellagio. Unfortunately, we had arrived too late, and settled for a gorgeous view along the 8-acre lake, reminiscent of Italian lakeside village.

As crowds congregated along the sidewalk, the thousand theatrical fountains began their show to the tune of a classical Italian opera, both elegant and spectacular.

Entering the lobby of the resort, we admired the glass flowers of world renowned artist, Dale Chihuly. The sculpture, hanging from the ceiling, is made of over 2000 handblown blossoms. Named the Fiori Di Como, the effervescent colors seem to come to life as the sunlight radiates through the glass and windows from the rooftop.

The Bellagio’s Gallery of Fine Art and the lavish Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden are additional glamorous features of the hotel on display for guests and visitors.

I had my heart set on a confection from Jean Philippe Patisserie but when we arrived, we were so overwhelmed by the many choices that we decided on a café mocha for an afternoon boost. We promised ourselves that we would save room after dinner which would leave us plenty of time to decide on which sweet decadence would satisfy our craving. Did I happen to notice some wedding cakes in the corner?

Because Peter had not seen Cirque du Soleil’s “O” performance, he booked tickets for us for the evening show. The first time I had visited Vegas, my former boss had purchased tickets and I was mesmerized by the performance and more astonished by the price. The show continues to be one of the most sought after shows in Vegas, but we were so excited to share this experience together.

Soon the show would begin and since we were dressed and ready to go, we enjoyed a happy hour drink at Hyde Bellagio. The swanky, upscale lounge is also a perfect location to watch the Bellagio fountains, and reminds me of a set used for a Victoria’s Secret photo shoot. Surrounded by gigantic mirrors, chandeliers with suspended flowers and Mediterranean furniture, we took a seat close to the balcony.

The evening could not have been more perfect ending with a return visit to Jean Philippe for gelatos and walking the upscale promenade of shops. The show was phenomenal, dinner was indulgent, drinks were relaxing and the company was incredibly charming. It was a fairytale day at the Italian lake of Vegas.

Have you visited the Bellagio? I would love to hear your thoughts about this opulent hotel and casino, so leave your comments below! Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

The Bellagio
3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Telephone: 888 987 6667

Where to Stay:

The Bellagio
3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Telephone: 888 987 6667

Where to Eat:

Jean Philippe Patisserie
3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

UPDATE: The Jean Philippe Patisserie is now closed.

Photo Credit: Hyde Bellagio provided by The Bellagio

I first learned about the quaint, charming town of East Haddam, Connecticut while reading Patricia Schultz’s, 1000 Places to See Before You Die. I was drawn to the idea of visiting a lovely stone castle overlooking the Connecticut River.

I enjoyed the picturesque drive along the coast and before I knew it I had reached the home of William Gillette. Most known for his acting role as Sherlock Holmes in a variety of traveling productions, Gillette settled down in East Haddam after his retirement and began construction on his brilliant domain.

Gillette was not only a gifted actor, but a talented architect. He designed the rocky castle as his private residence, which was completed in 1914. Today his home is located in a state park where visitors can explore the 184 acres, tour the residence and survey his personal train station.

The castle, made of local white and grey fieldstone and supported by steel, took twenty-five men a total of five years to complete. From the stone lookout, the view of the placid Connecticut River was breathtaking as the ferry brought visitors from the banks of Hadlyme to Haddam.

I decided to take the self-guided tour to stroll through the home at my own leisure. Entering the stone castle, the temperatures were surprisingly cooler than outside and I had to adjust my eyes to the dimly lit house, but regardless, the interior was absolutely stunning.

Gillette was a talented designer and woodworker, evident in the customized doors and unique furniture he created. With inventive patterns, unusual doorknobs and interesting locks, no two doors were alike. With a total of forty-seven custom-made entryways, it was said that some of them led into secret passages.

Gillette’s eccentric nature was recognized in the details of his bizarre creations. A secret door lurked about the staircase leading to the upper levels of the home where he could watch guests arrive. Having a sense of playfulness, Gillette dramatically welcomed his guests by jumping out from a hidden doorway, creating an element of surprise and fright.

Gillette was an inventor of trick stage props, so it was not surprising that he designed an intricate surveillance system for the house. With the use of hidden mirrors, he could view the public areas of the home from his master bedroom.

From the outdoor gardens of the home, there was an outstanding view of the Connecticut River and forests stretching along its banks. The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry operates from late April to late November and is a great way to reach the castle instead of making the long drive. The boat ride from the shore provided amazing views of the castle from atop the cliffs, towering over the tranquil waterway.

The tour continued on with the grounds of the estate. I strolled down the hill to Gillette’s once running rail system of small train engines that he named the Grand Central Station. Guests to Gillette’s house could ride the three mile long track on either electric or steam locomotives during their visit. Today, the track has been replaced with a walking path that runs along the former rails.

There are so many spectacular features of Gillette Castle that I find myself recommending it as a stop on a northeastern vacation. While there are several unique, historic mansions in the US to visit, Gillette Castle is one on top of my list.

Is there a historical estate that you find fascinating? I would love to hear about it if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section. Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Gillette Castle State Park
67 River Road
East Haddam, CT 06423
Telephone: 860 526 2336

Admission Fee: Visitors from age 13 and over: $6, age 6 – 12: $2, ages 5 and under: free.
Hours: The State Park is open year around from 8AM to dusk, while the castle is only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day (seven days a week) and from Labor Day to Columbus Day (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Hours are from 10AM to 5PM (last ticket sold at 4:30PM).
Amenities: Picnic shelter, visitor center, food concessions, hiking, Gillette Castle, river camping
Scenic View: Exceptional views of the Connecticut River from the Castle’s gardens.
Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours
Tips for Your Visit: Take the Chester-Hadlyme ferry to Gillette Castle State Park and download the Hiking Map online.

Where to Stay:

Quality Inn Old Saybrook – Westbrook
100 Essex Road
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Telephone: 860 395 1414

Where to Eat:

Rustica Ristorante
189 Middlesex Avenue
Chester, CT 06412
Telephone: 860 526 9021

I ordered the Branzino Piccata, “pan seared Mediterranean Sea Bass with lemon juice, white wine, capers, garlic, parsley with a touch of butter served with yellow corn, tomatoes and vegetables” with a glass of red blend wine. This meal was absolutely delicious and I completed my meal with a piece of coconut cake!

What to Eat: