Need an excuse to travel? Even better, need an excuse to sneak off to Las Vegas? How about Winter in Vegas! You'll have plenty of time to squeeze a trip in during the 49 day run. Starting November 18, 2012 and running through January 5, 2014, the third-annual celebration of the winter holiday season on the Las Vegas Strip boosts a schedule of memorable Italian-inspired experiences. 

In its first two years, Winter in Venice captured the attention – and the hearts – of visitors around the world, including Travel + Leisure magazine.  In fact, the prestigious publication touted the Winter In Venice skating rink in its feature on the “world’s coolest skating rinks.”  The article, which shared a short list of the magazine’s favorite venues, said:  “Some of the coolest [rinks] can be found where you’d least expect them—say, in the desert. The Venetian [in Las Vegas] debuted a rink in 2011, complete with a holiday-theme light show. It now touts a package deal that combines a skating session with an outdoor gondola ride—only in Vegas, indeed”.
 

“The holidays are such a magical time for everyone and Winter in Venice offers the perfect place to truly enjoy this special time of year,” said John Caparella, president and chief operating officer of The Venetian, The Palazzo and Sands Expo.
 
The best way to experience Winter in Venice is by staying overnight at The Venetian or The Palazzo, taking advantage of additional experiences available to resort guests.  Packages, which combine elements of Winter in Venice, begin at $149 per night.
 
Overnight guests also receive Passaporto di Winter in Venice, which includes specials for skating, retail, dining, entertainment and spa, with offers valued at more than $1,000.  For those who book an upgraded suite, a Premiere Passaporto di Winter in Venice will feature additional exclusive offers increasing the value to more than $1,400.

Two weekends you may not want to miss:

• La Cucina Italiana Weekend, with Chef Mario Batali (Dec 6-8):  In conjunction with Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada, La Cucina Italiana will feature a three-day event celebrating the epicurean traditions of Italy.  La Cucina Italiana, the undisputed expert on Italian food, wine and culture worldwide, will feature a weekend of food demonstrations, wine dinners, and other culinary-centered activities. 
• Culinary Clash Weekend, with Chef Emeril Lagasse (Dec 13-14):  Guests can witness the rise of a culinary legend, as one resort chef is crowned the winner of the second Culinary Clash Master Chef Competition.  The competition, which unfolds over the weekend, is open to all chefs at the  food and beverage venues located inside The Venetian and The Palazzo.  These chefs will vie for the prestige of THE VENETIAN CULINARY CLASH AWARD.