5 of the Best Vegas Wedding Chapels

On average, 315 people get hitched in Las Vegas wedding chapels every day. The Vegas Strip is packed with a daunting array of venues in which to say your vows, so the Word Travels team has investigated which are the most famous, fun and entertaining, just in case any intrepid travel buddies urgently need to get married one night... Here are five of the best Vegas wedding chapels.

Graceland Wedding Chapel

The original home of the Elvis-themed Las Vegas wedding, the Graceland Wedding Chapel has been open since 1927 and performs a whopping 200 weddings per week. The chapel offers a variety of ceremonies ranging from the kitsch and quirky to the more traditional and conservative. Elvis is more than happy to help you write your vows and tends to include gems like “I promise not to treat you like a hound dog” and “I promise to be your hunk of burning love”. Jon Bon Jovi and Billy Ray Cyrus got hitched here.

Tel: (702) 382 0091

Address: 619 Las Vegas Blvd.

The Little White Wedding Chapel

The Little White Wedding Chapel is consistently voted number one in the fiercely contested Vegas wedding chapel ratings. They are open 24 hours, no reservations are required, and they will have you in, out and united for life in under 30 minutes. This king of conveyer belt weddings is a great favorite with celebrities and it has proudly hosted the weddings of Brittany Spears, Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, Michael Jordan and Joan Collins.

Tel: (800) 545 8111

Address: 1301 Las Vegas Blvd.

Hotter Than Hell Wedding Chapel

If you yearn for a rock and roll wedding with concert tickets for invitations, guitar picks for rose petals, a KISS member for a minister (impersonator) and a stage with smoke machines for an alter then you are destined for the Hotter Than Hell Wedding Chapel. The KISS themed chapel has costumes for hire including the popular ‘Lady Demon’ wedding gown collection. The chapel seats about 25 people so you can invite some friends to enjoy your rocking nuptials.

Tel: (702) 558 6256

Address: 4503 Paradise Road, Las Vegas

Little Chapel of the Flowers

Renowned for hosting the prettiest Vegas strip weddings, the Little Chapel of the Flowers is situated in grounds featuring flowers, greenery and a waterfall – it just bursts with photo opportunities. This venue offers more elegant and intimate ceremonies than its competitors. As quickie weddings go organizing one here can be a lengthy affair, with full-service wedding planners available to couples for a year before the big bash. Or you can make no plans whatsoever and show up on the day hoping they have space for you.

Tel: (800) 843 2410

Address: 1717 Las Vegas Blvd.

Tunnel of Love Drive-Through

This now famous drive-through wedding venue was originally opened chiefly to accommodate disabled couples opting for a quickie Vegas wedding but people are always drawn to novelty and it rapidly grew in popularity. The Tunnel of Love is an offshoot of the Little White Chapel and can be found at the same venue. All couples must drive through the Tunnel of Vows, which is adorned with murals depicting cherubs and a starry night sky. You can bring your own car (cheaper) or hire one of the flamboyant models on offer at the venue. Bikers welcome!

Tel: (800) 545 8111

Address: 1301 Las Vegas Blvd.

Cape Town and New York City iPhone Travel Apps

The Word Travels monkeys have been hard at work and now we've got some exciting news:

We've just launched new iPhone travel apps with detailed interactive guides for two of our favourite cities: Cape Town and New York City!

The apps take all the best information from our travel guides and put it in a handy format so you can access it quickly and easily while you're on the go; including visa information, airport guides, attractions, excursions, restaurants and nightlife, and shopping and transportation info.

Interactive maps allow you to navigate the city easily, and pull up information on all the great things to see and do in Cape Town and New York.

The apps are available for download here.

Win a Trip to Disneyland!

Who wants to win a trip to Disneyland? Everyone, of course!

Here's a free competition from Southwest Airlines for a free trip to Disneyland in California, open to residents of the US, Puerto Rico and Canada.

Closes January 30th, 2012.

Image by Taylor McBride.

Travel Movie: Sideways

Sideways is a 2004 movie showing two bachelors having one last weekend of fun before one gets married. Miles (Paul Giamatti) takes Jack (Thomas Hayden Church) for a couple days of wine tasting in the Santa Barbara wine region, but Jack is more interested in having a final fling before the wedding.

The two men explore the wineries in the area with the help of Maya (Virginia Madsen) and Stephanie (Sandra Oh).

While Napa Valley gets most of the attention as the top wine region in California, the Santa Barbara area has some great vineyards as well within 90 minutes' drive of Los Angeles. Sideways showcases locations in Beullton, Solvang, Santa Maria, and Santa Ynez.

Aside from the civilised settings and romantic lighting of the beautiful area, Sideways explores two very different men reacting to crossroads in their lives as they reach middle age (hint: neither is handling it especially well).

Verdict: Rent it (with a bottle of Pino Noir)

Bonus! The Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau has self-guided tour brochures of the restaurants and wineries used in the film if you want to trace their steps.

Abandoned Six Flags Theme Park

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, and now six years later there is still evidence of some of that destruction. One of the casualties was the New Orleans Six Flags theme park, which has since been abandoned by Six Flags and has since seen interest by various developers wax and wane.

The abandoned amusement park has taken on a thoroughly creepy vibe with graffiti artists and rust taking over most of the park. LoveThesePics has put together a gallery of photos of Six Flags New Orleans, which presents a fascinating look at the process of decay.

Image by Christopher Dame.

Top 5 Free Things to do in New York City

New York City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US... and the world. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most expensive. A day spent visiting the Statue of Liberty, seeing a Broadway show, or admiring works at the Guggenheim will take a chunk out of any tourist's pocket.

Sure, there are always the sights to take pictures of, like Times Square, Wall Street, and Ground Zero, but there are fun things to do in New York City besides taking pictures. And they're free.

So here's our list of the top 5 free things to do in New York City:

Staten Island Ferry - The ferry goes from Battery Park to Staten Island and back, and is totally free. On the way you'll get fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty and the Lower Manhattan skyline. It leaves every 30 minutes, so you can hop off and explore a bit of Staten Island before heading back.

Manhattan Adirondacks Tour - The North Woods of Central Park were designed to look like the stunning forests of the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York State. If you don't have the time to get out of the city, you can take a free one-hour tour of the North Woods from the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center. The guides are knowledgeable and the crowds are few.

Bronx Zoo - Although the Central Park Zoo is more famous, you can escape 90% of the other tourists and save a bit of money by visiting the Bronx Zoo on Wednesdays when admission is free.

Shakespeare in the Park - New York City is known for its world-class theatre, and one of the most hotly-anticipated events on the calendar is the annual Shakespeare in the Park, another of the free things to do in Central Park. Celebrities like Robert de Niro, Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway often star. Tickets are free, but highly sought-after, and distributed at the Park.

Big Apple Greeter - What better way to get an insider's view of New York City than to take a tour from a local? The Big Apple Greeters are volunteers who are passionate about their city, and give interesting and informative private tours of their neighbourhoods for up to six people at a time. Tours need to be booked 3-4 weeks in advance.

Image from here.

Top 5 Biggest Shopping Malls

No matter how many economic downturns and recessions the world faces, there will always be people ready to shop. There are dozens of mega-malls scattered across the globe, with newer, bigger ones being built each year.

These may not be the biggest in terms of of square footage, but they are up among the top and definitely worth visiting if you're in the country. Here's a list of our top 5 biggest shopping malls around the world:

United States: Mall of America

The most famous mall in the US, the Mall of America in Minnesota augments more than 400 shops with an indoor amusement park, walk-through aquarium, bowling alley, movie theatres, bars and nightclubs, countless restaurants, and many other family attractions.

United Arab Emirates: Dubai Mall

Shopping in Dubai is a major activity, and the place to go is the Dubai Mall, which boasts a skating rink, water park, and more. Part of the 20-billion-dollar Burj Khalifa complex, which includes a whopping 1,200 shops. A great way to beat the heat in sunny Dubai.

Canada: West Edmonton Mall

The largest mall in Canada (and North America), the West Edmonton Mall is located in Edmonton, Alberta. With an amusement park, water park, skating rink, recreation centre, adventure golf, movie theatres, restaurants, bars, and many other attractions in addition to its 800+ shops, it's the biggest attraction in Edmonton.

China: Golden Resources Shopping Mall

China has been building mega-malls left and right, but the biggest is the Golden Resources Shopping Mall in Beijing. Nicknamed the 'Great Mall of China', the shopping centre draws millions of visitors each year with attractions like a skating rink, restaurants, and more than 1,000 shops.

South Africa: Gateway Theatre of Shopping

Few visitors to South Africa would think of Durban as a shopping destination, but Gateway and its more than 400 shops would disagree. In addition to shops, restaurants and bars, the mall offers a live theatre, IMAX cinema, skate park, indoor climbing wall, go-karts, arcade, bowling alley, small indoor amusement park, the world's tallest indoor climbing wall, and the Flo-Rider man-made surfing wave.

Photo from here.

Win a Trip to Graceland!

Want to get all shook up? Then strap on your blue suede shoes because you could win a free trip to Graceland! Elvis.com is running a Twitter competition through May 13th.

Located just outside of Memphis, Tennessee, Graceland was the home of Elvis Presley and attracts millions of visitors each year.

Contest details here.

Image from here.

Win a Trip to Disneyland!

After all that talk about California theme parks yesterday, how could I not find you an appropriate competition?

Lifetime Moms is giving away a free trip for four to Disneyland in California!

All you have to do is answer the question here.

(This competition has closed, but click here to see the latest travel competitions, including new Disneyland giveaways!)

Top 5 Theme Parks in California

If there's one thing that Southern California has in abundance, it's theme parks. Taking advantage of year-round sunshine, the top-notch parks are playgrounds for both young and old, catering to every taste. Here's our list of the top 5 theme parks in California, to add to your to-do list:

Universal Studios Hollywood - If you love movies, this is a great place to spend a day. Rides and attractions dedicated to blockbusters like Terminator, Indiana Jones and Shrek are a lot of fun, and you can't miss the famous ride that takes you through King Kong and Jaws! When you're done, stroll through Universal CityWalk for dinner and (of course!) a movie.

SeaWorld - One of the most famous waterparks in the world, SeaWorld has waterslides but is better known for its fantastic animal shows. Home to veteran performer Shamu, the park is dedicated to marine conservation and has great walk-through marine environments. Go on a hot day, because you're bound to get wet!

Six Flags Magic Mountain - This park has arguably the greatest collection of rollercoasters in the world. They have 18 rollercoasters in all with varied levels of thrill and g-force. The park is themed to Looney Tunes and DC superheroes, so where else can you meet both Bugs Bunny and Batman?

Disneyland - The mother ship. No one goes to Southern California and skips Disneyland. The 'Happiest Place on Earth' has all the famous rides and attractions you've heard of, from Pirates of the Caribbean to the Spinning Teacups to Space Mountain. Attached is California Adventure, a park with fewer cartoons and a pleasant lakeside midway.

Knott's Berry Farm - While it doesn't have the supercoasters of Magic Mountain or the beloved cartoon characters of Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm is the best place in Southern California to be for one month of the year. Each October the park gets a total makeover to become the Halloween-themed Knott's Scary Farm. Open late each night, it's a great place to get spooked!

Win a Trip to Las Vegas!

Want to win a trip to Las Vegas? Who's ready for a weekend in Sin City?

MTV is giving away a trip for two to Las Vegas, including airfare, two nights in the Real World Las Vegas Suite at the Hard Rock Hotel, dinner at Nobu, and a$500 poker chip!

Click here for more info.

Image by cnango.

5 Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms (besides Japan)

With the recent tragic events in Japan, there aren't many tourists making the journey to Sakura and Kyoto for the cherry blossom festivals there. Many people don't know, however, that there are other cities that have spectacular displays of pink blossoms each spring, and events and festivals to go with them. Here are a few of the other best places to see cherry blossoms:

San Francisco – California’s best city for pink flowers, San Francisco hosts a cherry blossom festival every April. The best places to go are Golden Gate Park, and the San Jose Heritage Garden, which is a little out of town but has an entire field of cherry blossom trees.

Vancouver – Vancouver is Canada’s cherry blossom capital. Their events run from mid-March through the end of April. The best streets to see the flowers is 7th Avenue in Mount Pleasant, but the city offers a cherry blossom viewing map that you can download here.

Honolulu – Hawaii has its own tradition of cherry blossoms, which bloom in Honolulu, and Waimea on the Big Island. The best place to see them is in Church Row Park, where the cherry blossom festival is held. Hawaii’s cherry blossoms bloom early though, so this event is usually held in February.

Seoul – If your heart is set on going east, South Korea has spectacular displays each April. The best place to go is Seoul, which has beautiful pink and white vistas at Mount Namsan and Seoul Forest. For a real treat, visit Children’s Grand Park, which lights up its more than 1,000 cherry blossom trees each night.

Washington DC – Outside of Japan, Washington DC is the place to go to see cherry blossom trees. The landscape positively explodes pink everywhere you look, and it becomes nearly impossible to take a bad picture. It all stems from 3,000 cherry trees given to the US by Japan as a sign of goodwill, and each spring the city hosts the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The best place to see the cherry blossoms is in Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park.

Image by katmere.

Does Your Hotel Have Bedbugs?

The last thing anyone wants is a great night's sleep in a beautiful hotel, only to wake up covered in itchy red blotches. Yuck! The recent bedbug crisis in New York City has many travellers worried that they'll be unknowingly sharing their pricey hotel room with unwanted bedmates.

So before you book a hotel in the US or Canada, check it against the

Bed Bug Registry, where previous guests can report incidents of bed bugs.

If you do end up with being bitten, the best thing you can do is apply an antiseptic cream. There are natural remedies for bedbug bites using herbs like lavender, mint, and black walnut; and applying ice can help to calm the itchiness.

Remember to wrap your luggage and clothing in plastic bags and leave them in the sun for a couple of days to prevent hitch hikers, as bed bugs can't endure extreme heat.

Image from here.

Win a Trip to San Francisco!

Attention chocoholics! Ghirardelli is giving away a free trip for 4 to San Francisco with all the sugar-laden trimmings imaginable!

Open to US residents over 21. Enter here.

Photo by hiimniko.

PS - San Francisco was named one of our Top 5 Chocolate Cities!

4 Things You Didn't Know about Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is well underway in New Orleans, so for those of us that didn't make it to Louisiana, here are 4 things you didn't know about Mardi Gras:

What are krewes? Krewes are the groups that organise parties and parades around Mardi Gras. They meet in secret throughout the year, then appear in masks on their floats. Rex and Zulu are the most famous, but each has its own style and traditions.

Why is everything green, gold and purple? The traditional Mardi Gras colours were inspired by Russian royalty. Russian Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff visited New Orleans in 1872, and the Rex (the original Mardi Gras krewe) liked the combination so much they incorporated them. The colours symbolise justice (purple), faith (green), and power (gold).

What's the deal with kingcakes? Kingcakes have been a symbol of New Orleans since the 18th century, when French and Spanish colonists. The dough is braided before it is baked, and then filled with Bavarian Cream, apple or strawberry jam, and a trinket that one lucky person will find. Whoever finds it is responsible for hosting the next party!

Why do they throw beaded necklaces? One of the krewes dressed up as Santa and threw beaded necklaces at the crowd in the 1880s, and it was so popular other krewes started copying them. Back then the beads were made of glass. It was in the 1970s that they were replaced with the cheap plastic necklaces thrown today, which is about the same time women started flashing to earn them.

Top 5 Places to Travel in March

You've got some vacation days saved up, and it's time to use it. What are the best places to travel in March? We've found them for you:

Colorado - One of the best times to go skiing in Colorado is March when most of the tourists have left for the season. The prices are significantly reduced, not only in hotels and lodges, but also ski lifts, food and even shopping. With heavy snowfall, blue skies and moderate temperatures, carving through the silky powder down soft white slopes is enough to make any traveller weak at the knees. From Telluride and Steamboat to Aspen and Vail, there are plenty of resorts to enjoy some spring time snow.

Rio de Janeiro - Always a party destination, Rio de Janeiro kicks things into high gear in March with the famous (or infamous) Rio Carnival. Dazzling bright colours, hot samba music, elaborate costume balls and thousands of people having a great time are the order of the day. You can also enjoy Rio's other attractions, like Ipanema beach, the iconic Christ the Redeemerstatue, and a trip to Iguaçu Falls.

Cambodia - Cambodia’s dry season is by far the best time to visit this land off the beaten track. From majestic ruins in Angkor to temples in Phnom Penh and beautiful beaches and islands, Cambodia is a treasure trove of delights just waiting to be discovered. Spend a few days cruising the Mekong River from Phnom Penh taking in the Cambodian landscape along the way. Pass through Kompong Chhnang to visit the market and pottery village, marvel at Southeast Asia’s largest lake, Tonle Sap, and shop at the largest floating village at Kompong Luong before descending on Siem Reap and the World Heritage Site of the Temples of Angkor.

Thailand - While Thailand is a popular travel destination at any time of the year, March hits the sweet spot of low season and you'll benefit from the smaller crowds and lower prices. March can be warm, but not as warm as April and May. Take advantage of the ideal weather by sunning on a beach in Phuket, exploring the nightlife of Bangkok, and soaking up the culture of Chiang Mai.

Ireland - When one thinks of Ireland, there’s only one month that springs to mind: March 17th is St Patrick’s Day, which has become synonymous the world over with all things Irish. Although the weather may not be the best, the atmosphere and energy is electric with much revelry, Guinness and craic surrounding the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations. Dublin is always heaving in March when the biggest and best St Patrick’s Day Festival sees thousands of visitors flocking to the Irish capital. For a 100% authentic Irish experience, head to Galway or Cork to enjoy some traditional dancing, a single malt whiskey and a hearty meal.

Top 5 Best Airports for Long Layovers

Sometimes it happens to the best of itineraries: you're on a marathon haul from one continent to another and the cheapest flight involves a 5-hour layover in a random city. Maybe you don't have a visa, maybe you don't have time, maybe you're on an organised tour and you're just not allowed... but you're stuck in the airport.

It's happened to me several times: I've been stranded in airports for up to 11 hours at a stretch. I can tell you that Paris, Chicago, and Durban are terrible airports to be stuck in, but what are the best? Here's our list of the 5 best airports for layovers:

Hong Kong - If you're stuck in an airport with kids, Hong Kong is where you want to be. Aside from the numerous bars, restaurants and shops, the airport has a movie theatre, arcades, and free Playstation set-ups sprinkled around. It also offers free wi-fi throughout.

Las Vegas - In the gambling capital of the US, you will not be surprised to see a number of slot machines dotting the concourse in the Las Vegas airport. There are other things to do though, including kid's play areas, an art gallery, free wi-fi, plenty of restaurants, bars and duty-free shops, and a huge fitness centre with sauna, jacuzzi, working equipment and showers.

Amsterdam - This airport really knows how to entertain. I've been stuck here for hours without getting bored, because there's a casino, an art museum, dozens of shops and restaurants, and a brand-new library to browse through with both physical and electronic books! There are also a lot of out-of-the-way corners if you really need to catch a nap.

Nashville - You have to pay in Nashville for wi-fi, but if you don't feel like shelling out to check Facebook you can always browse the duty-free shops, have a big helping of barbecue in one of the restaurants, play video games, get a massage, browse the art exhibitions, and catch a live concert at Tootsie's orchid Lounge, an extension of the Grand Ole Opry!

Singapore - Singapore Changi sets the standard that all other airport entertainment tries to live up to. The basics are all there: free wi-fi, bars, restaurants, duty-free shopping, and luggage lockers. There's plenty more though, with lovely gardens, koi ponds, butterfly rooms, play areas, a movie theatre, LAN gaming facilities, spa, and multiple shower facilities. Attached airport hotels up the game as well, offering a swimming pool and jacuzzi (for a fee).

Top 5 Cities for Chocolate

There are many reasons people choose to visit certain cities, but I can't think of a better one than chocolate! Here are some of the top cities for chocolate tourism:

Zurich, Switzerland - Zurich chocolate factories read like a who’s who of chocolatiers: Toblerone, Truescher,Cailler-Nestle, Lindt and Sprungli all call it home. With such amazing choices at their doorsteps, it’s no wonder the Swiss consume more chocolate per person than any other country in the world! There are of course chocolate shops wherever you look (like Truffe, Schrober and Merkur), but bargain-hunters can find discounts at the Lindt factory shop.

San Francisco, California - Just as you'll find gold at the end of the rainbow, there is surely chocolate at the end of the trolley car line in San Francisco. Ghirardelli Square has been feeding people joy since 1852, and their cafe is always packed with both locals and tourists from around the world. Across the bay, the Scherffen Berger factory no longer gives tours, but don't miss Joseph Schmidt's amazing boutique.

Hershey, Pennsylvania - With a name that's synonymous with chocolate, it's no wonder that Hershey made this list: "Chocolate Town, USA" is home to both the Hershey factory and the HB Reese Candy Company, and even boasts Hershey Park, a chocolate-themed amusement park!

Oaxaca, Mexico - Oaxaca is the heart of chocolate production in Mexico, and some say where the treat was invented centuries ago by the ancient Mesoamericans. You'll be spoiled for choice with restaurants, cafes and factories all offering mouth-watering options, but the town's specialty is it's hot cocoa, which most locals start every day with. Or you can take a chocolate-making class and brew your own!

Brussels, Belgium - With 12 chocolate factories, 16 chocolate museums, and over 2,000 chocolate shops, Brussels is undoubtedly the chocolate capital of the world! The city has a long tradition of lovingly handcrafted delicacies, including their specialty, the chocolate praline, and is home to Godiva, Neuhaus, and Leonidas.

Win a Trip to New York Fashion Week!

Are you planning for Valentine's Day yet? Why not spoil her (or yourself!) with a free trip to New York Fashion Week? Fashion blog Fashiolista is giving away a trip for two!

Enter here before January 28th.

Free Entry to US National Parks for 2011!

Here's a little bonus freebie for you all: the US National Parks Service has just announced that it's increasing the number of free admission days from 15 to 17 this year! All 394 parks will be completely free on the following dates:

January 15-17th

April 16-24th

June 21st

September 24th

November 11-13th

Pictured above for your viewing please (and travel inspiration) is the iconic Grand Canyon National Park.