TravelswithCharie

Lime Green Icicle Tower I finally had the chance to enter the Chihuly Gallery at City Center in Las Vegas recently and marveled at the beautiful pieces that were on display. I was riveted to the Lime Green Icicle Tower  which is almost floor to ceiling in height. It was mesmerizing to stare down at the reflection of the Tower on its mirror base and to check out the individual "icicles" up close. I love the cubicle idea where there's a niche for the smaller artworks. The colors are amazing!  Here's one of the pieces up close. I believe this one belongs to his Persians series. Below is a better picture (than the one I previously posted) of his Cobalt Reeds and Spears . The Gallery also features paintings by Dale Chihuly. Hours are from 10am - 11pm Sundays through Thursday and 10am - 12am on Fridays and Saturdays. *  *  * Images by Charie

The Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas consistently produces one of the best floral displays. This spring, the botanical garden is awash with tulips. What a sight to behold amidst the slot machine jungle! This carousel sits in a field of blooms - violet colored mums, yellow tulips. The Bellagio Hotel changes its floral theme every season. It's always fun to see what each season yields. The inspiration of this floral arrangement comes from a landscape painting by David Hockney which is currently on exhibit at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. The exhibition entitled "A Sense of Place: From Monet to Hockney" continues through January 9, 2012. There are a lot of whimsical touches such as shown above. Entrance to the botanical gardens is free. What a relaxing way to spend with family and friends admiring the happy colors of Easter. And I love these parasols hanging from the dome of the Via Bellagio shops. It's just so spring-y! Happy Easter everyone. *  *  * Ima

We couldn't get into the Dale Chihuly Gallery in Las Vegas as there was a private event the afternoon of our visit so we had to make do with admiring Chihuly's works through the glass window.  The images were a challenge to take because the reflection of outdoor lights and the Lumia fountain in the central courtyard compete with the works of Chihuly.  Despite that, this group of blue glass candles or reeds of blue ( I don't know the title of this work) is a showstopper.  We saw enough to make us want to come back for more. Hopefully we'll be lucky on our next visit and get a closer look at these beautiful chandeliers that are bursting with color. You can see through the delicate glass vases and coffee table art. Notice the varying hues of orange of these floral inspired bowls. The Dale Chihuly Gallery is at Aria at City Center on the Strip in Las Vegas. *  *  * Images by Charie

Mastro's Ocean Club at Crystals Retail District It's refreshing to see how the City Center Complex has transformed the Las Vegas skyline with its brash and dynamic architecture and its fine art collection thoughtfully displayed in public spaces. I love to walk around the complex and discover a Henry Moore in one of its courtyards or a Claes Oldenburg en plein air or stop and gape at the leaning Veer Towers and be mesmerized by the incredible and colorful works of Dale Chiluly in one of the galleries. Even at Crystals Retail District there are a number of  artworks like the Ocean Club Restaurant inside a treehouse that rises up three stories (picture above).  Here are more images to give you a bird's eye view of the new Complex. Looking up at Aria Hotel from the outdoor fountains Reclining Connected Forms by Henry Moore (1969-1974)  Typewriter Eraser, Scale X by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen Tony Cragg's stainless steel sculptures Veer Towers *  *  * Im

Intriguing entrance to one of the hottest spots in town The glory days of the Roman empire lives on at Caesar's Palace Hotel's upscale shopping arcade Continuing our tour of Italy, it's on to Venice for a view of these gondolas gliding along the canals of the Venetian Hotel From Venice to Paris is a short walk. Vegas triumphs with its own Arc de Triomphe! Planet Hollywood has a casino, a peepshow , a strip house and a mile long shopping mall Triple 3x. Hey, that's a winner! (it's a five-cent machine, lol) Oops, someone got a little out of hand. Graduation week! * * * Images by Charie

Dale Chihuly's glass flowers at Bellagio Hotel Whenever I'm in Vegas, I make it a point to go to Bellagio to see its botanical gardens, it's Gallery of Fine Art exhibitions, and the hand-blown glass flowers by Dale Chihuly. What an explosion of colors these 2,000 glass flowers create suspended as they are from the ceiling above the reception area of the hotel! Nothing says "Welcome" better than these warm and tropical beauties. For more on Dale Chihuly visit his website at http://www.chihuly.com/ . * * * Photos by Charie

by Rosario Charie Albar Las Vegas never fails to entertain. Even the non gambler will find an embarrassment of things to do starting with a relaxing day at the spa, a visit to one of several art museums, watching free Strip shows like the dancing fountains at Bellagio or the volcanic eruption at the Mirage, shopping at Caesar’s Forum Shops or at Fashion Mall, ATV driving across the Nevada wilderness, or indulging the palate at one of many fine restaurants like Postrio or Spago’s. During the holidays there are the added attractions of gingerbread houses, Christmas décor that would please Santa, the kids and the child in all of us and techno lighted tannenbaum rivaling the colorful neon lights of the Vegas skyline. All these make strolling along the Strip at night a must for all visitors. I had a lot of fun running around town before year’s end. It was special to get together with friends and relatives and personally wish them a prosperous new year, che ck out the winter themed decoratio