It’s true; summer is flying by (the school supplies are already up at our local stores). However, in keeping with the spirit of “it ain’t over til it’s over” you still have time to book that last minute summer vacation.
If you are looking to travel somewhere that’s sure to translate into a memorable essay on “What I Did On My Summer Vacation” consider the following:
ROME
There’s nothing quite like being able to brag about touring centuries old cellars that were used to lock up Rome’s most notorious criminals, right? Well, here’s your chance. The dungeon beneath Castel Sant’Angelo, where popes of the 16th century locked up criminals and enemies, has reopened to the public after a ten-year closure for restoration work.
Currently, visitors can take a nighttime guided tour of the prison built by Pope Alexander. The tour takes you through darkened cells and the very courtroom where death sentences were handed down. While there you will learn that the castle’s dungeon hosted many evildoers from the common criminal to illustrious figures, including a self-styled magician and religious leader known as the Count of Cagliostro.
If the tour sounds like something your family would enjoy participating in you’ll have to act fast. The tours end on August 26th. Tickets for the dungeon cost $16.50 per person and take place in groups of 20.
If the pyramid-shaped Luxor hotel-casino is one of your family’s favorite getaways you may be saddened to hear that the kid friendly arcade is being eliminated.
The hotel, which sits at the south end of the Las Vegas strip, is getting a multimillion-dollar makeover. While the name and distinctive shape of the resort will remain the same, hotel executives say its interior will be completely renovated.
As I mentioned earlier, gone will be the family friendly attractions, including the hieroglyphics and ancient artifacts. Company executives say the Luxor, which opened in 1993 and is named for a historic Egyptian city, needed to be gutted to compete with newer and bigger developments on the Strip.
By next year the Luxor’s atrium will be filled with more adult-themed amenities such as lounges and nightclubs (rumor has it that Britney Spears’ favorite haunt LAX Nightclub will open in the resort by Labor Day). In addition, the resort’s pool will be renovated as well.
Bottom line: if you liked the Luxor’s family friendly atmosphere, better book your stay there before the changes are complete.