My husband and I are planning a trip to Vegas. John is terrified of flying so we'll drive from the mid-west before going to California.

I've always wanted to see Europe and this is probably as close as I'm going to get for awhile. (We've been to EPCOT but it would guess Las Vegas is more realistic.) We are thinking of either "Belagio, Italy", "Paris", "Monte Carlo" or "Venice." Which of these options will provide me with the the most authentic experience?

thank you.

the closest is probably the Venetian....w/the canals...don`t think any really seem like Europe...

I'd have to agree that none of them really come across with a strong resemblance.

Dotty - Although Vegas is a far cry from Europe - we have a blast at the Paris Hotel! We usually splurge for a suite and enjoy every minute of our time there. Go walk down the cobble-stoned paths and have a croissant and cafe latte, then hop the Eiffel Tower to the top - it makes for a wonderful start to your Parisian day! If you ask for a room overlooking the Belagio grand waterway you will be able to take in Belagio's fantastic water fountain show at night while staying in Paris, thereby having the best of both worlds!

You are kidding, aren't you?

Dotty:
1st of all,let me preface my statements by saying that I'm a LV addict; my partner & I go there at least 2-3 times a yr. We really are NOT big gamblers (about $250/person gambling pot); we just really have fun there, with everything to see and do.
Having said that, and having traveled throughout Europe many times, I hate to dissapoint you, but NOTHING in Vegas is like Europe. Same goes for EPCOT.
You got to Vegas to have fun, gamble. see the amazing (and yes, they are amazing) giant themed casinos - but PLEASE DO NOT mistake them for the real thing.
If you can't afford a trip to Europe, how about a trip to Montreal & Quebec? Those cities are WAY more European in feel than any theme park.
So, to get back to recommendations, I would have to say as an overall themed casino hotel, nothing beats the Venetian.
The rms are two level suites , and the shopping area is a replica of the canals and St Marks Square. And the front entrance is quite impressive.
The Bellagio may be a more 'elegant' hotel, at least by Vegas's standards, but in terms of a European theme, the Venetian tops it. The Paris is pretty cool too; however, what spoils the illusion of Paris, when you are inside, is seeing the 'legs' of the Effel tower partially inside. It's a strange effect. The shopping/eating area is fun too, but in the Disney sort of way.

Here's another vote for the Venetian.

I thought the Boardwalk Casino was representative of Atlantic City. Tacky and dirty.

Please don't go looking for Europe in Vegas. Rather enjoy the incredible one of a kind place Vegas really is. For European Fantasy I love the venetian. The suites are opulent and the shopping canals memorable. So enjoy Vegas for what it is a big adult amusement park!!!

I was gonna suggest the NY where at least most speak the same language as most NY'ers speak. I agree with others; you can't find Europe in Nevada.

My advice - stay at the Mandalay Bay for an authentic S.E. asian experience!

I have to agree with Anthony.I love going to Vegas but nothing is really like anywhere else.The Venetian is a beautiful hotel,but is really a big hotel with a shopping mall and restaurants,not Venice.
The Bellagio is great,the pool and gardens are wonderful,but it is still a hotel and casino.
The Paris can only brag about the Eiffel Tower which is best seen at night from a room in the Bellagio.
Just go and see for yourself,it is fun!

ttt

Anthony is right Dotty. You won't find Europe in Vegas. You go to Vegas for Vegas. I agree that you will get closer to Europe by going to Canada. Vegas is a desert dear, but a fabulous desert I must say. The lights, the food, the shows, the bargains, the free stuff, the money, the glitz, the free spirit. Those are the things that draw me to Vegas. The Venetian, Paris, Bellagio, Monte Carlo, have cute little theme attractions but are a far cry from the real thing. The awe one would get standing before the real Eiffel tower and the much shorter replica in Vegas are two different things. The one thing that may be the closest to what you may find across the ocean is a great meal. If you only go to Vegas for an Authentic European feel, I suggest you save that cash for your dream trip. But if you want to visit an American city unlike any other, do Vegas dahling, and have a blast. Now that I am thinking about it, I need to write a post so that I can find a Vegas travel partner. I would love to go 2 or 3 times a year. On my first trip, I swore that I would all but worship Vegas at least once a year. And I will.
Have fun Dotty, and see a show or two.

On my first visit to Europe two years ago, I had a moment of dejavu when I arrived in Paris, thinking how much it resembled Disney's Epcot Center. But that was fleeting. There is really nothing to compare with the experience of actual visiting a European city. I sure you'll have fun in Vegas anyway. Why not charge all your Vegas expenses, including gambling, on a credit card that gives you airline mileage. Once you have the miles, hubby may gather the courage.

The previous posts are correct that no place in Vegas is like the real deal in Europe. But the subject of your post says "most like the real place", and having been to the real Paris, Venice, Bellagio, and their Vegas equivalents, here's what I think:

The replicas at Paris are pretty darn good. While a leg or two of the Eiffel Tower does jut into the casino, I didn't find it odd, as a previous post mentioned. What I liked was the cobblestone walk with a French bakery and other shops. They even had street performers (mimes, etc.) much like the real city.

As for the Venetian, the canal was neat (and they also had street- or canal - performers), but something about the majority of the canal being indoors... I did find that odd.

Lastly, Bellagio is just a glitzy hotel, as is the real city. But the real Bellagio doesn't have any big landmarks like Paris or Venice, so it's hard to duplicate the feel. At least they put a big pond out front, being that Bellagio is on Lake Como.

Was not impressed with Monte Carlo.

I noticed you left out Caesars/Rome. Pretty cool hotel, but again... nothing like Rome.

I agree with cc regarding the "Grand Canal" in the Venetian, the fact that it is indoors makes no sense. Seemed dreary and depressing to me, particularly after you have seen the real thing.

I thought the Paris monuments worked best regarding theme, but give me the Bellagio any day, the whole place was wonderful as far as I'm concerned.

Paris, it's as phony as the Parisites who live in the real place.

let's hope no europeans see this thread. how can any themed casino/hotel/mall give you the feel of actually being in a great city? great cities have personalities that go far beyond the postcard landmarks.

just go to vegas to enjoy vegas - certainly amongst the most unique cities on earth by itself.

the men's room at the downtown bus station really reminds me of a typical European men's room. Maybe it's the smell.

OK, all you who say "go to Vegas for Vegas... it's nothing like Europe". Of course it's not the same! But don't you think a big draw of Vegas IS the themed hotels? Before those existed, I think Vegas only attracted the gamblers. Now tourists of all types visit, because it's fun to see the different themed hotels, which are very elaborate and do a pretty darn good job of allowing people to reminisce about being in those actual cities. Use your imagination!