Destination: Las Vegas 前進拉斯維加斯‏

 With its grand hotels, original shows, luxury shopping, and gourmet1 restaurants, Las Vegas is all about entertainment. It is a place to have fun, spend money, and even win some if you are lucky. The most famous part of Las Vegas is the Las Vegas Strip. It is the section of huge hotels and casinos on Las Vegas Boulevard2 South. The hotels are designed to look like New York City, Paris, Venice, and even ancient Egypt.

擁有各種豪華飯店、獨特表演、奢華購物及美食餐廳，拉斯維加斯是個事事都離不開娛樂的城市。這裡是個可以享樂、花錢的好去處，而且如果您夠幸運的話，甚至還可以贏點小錢。拉斯維加斯最負盛名的地方就屬賭城大道了。賭城大道就是位於拉斯維加斯南大道上、一個大型飯店與賭場林立的區域。飯店的設計讓它們看起來就像是在紐約市、巴黎、威尼斯，甚至是古埃及等地。

　　Many of these modern hotels have special outdoor attractions. These sights include the fountain show at the Bellagio, the volcano3 at The Mirage, and the Sirens4 show at Treasure Island. To experience old-fashioned Las Vegas, pay a visit to Fremont Street. Visitors will find smaller and more traditional casinos that are totally covered in neon lights5. The street is closed off to cars, so tourists can walk around freely. The best part is the amazing light show on the special roof that covers the street. It was also home to the first World Series of Poker at Binion's Horseshoe Casino. In many ways, just going to Las Vegas is a winning bet!

這些摩登飯店很多都設有特殊的戶外設施來吸引眾人目光。這些景觀包括Bellagio飯店的噴泉秀、The Mirage飯店的火山場景，以及Treasure Island飯店的海上女妖表演。要體驗懷舊的拉斯維加斯風情，就去佛利蒙街走走吧。遊客在這裡會發現較為小型且傳統的賭場，它們的整棟建築都點綴在霓虹燈光之中。這條街不開放車輛進入，所以遊客們可以無拘無束地到處走動。最棒的一點就是在覆蓋整條街的特殊屋頂上所上演的絢麗燈光秀。這裡也是第一屆世界撲克大賽的舉辦場所，比賽地點就在Binion's Horseshoe賭場。就很多方面而言，光是到拉斯維加斯走一趟就是一把必贏的賭注！ Building Your Vocabulary   1. original

　a. 獨特的，新穎的
Mandy's original idea impressed her boss.
曼蒂別出心裁的主意令她老闆印象深刻。
2. luxury　n. 奢侈品；奢華（本文中作形容詞用）
The rich man lived his whole life in luxury.
那位富翁終其一生都享受著榮華富貴。
3. outdoor　a. 戶外的
A sudden storm ruined the outdoor concert.
一場突如其來的暴風雨毀了這場戶外音樂會。
4. attraction　n. 吸引人之物
Roller coasters are the main attraction at this amusement park.
這座遊樂園裡最吸引人的設施就是當中的各種雲霄飛車。
5. experience　vt. 體驗，經歷
People in Taiwan often experience typhoons.
台灣的民眾時常經歷颱風的來襲。

Phrases for Learning

1. pay a visit to + 地方

　　遊覽∕參觀某地
I paid a visit to the National Palace Museum.
我去參觀了一趟國立故宮博物院。
2. close...off/close off...　　封鎖∕隔絕……
The police closed off part of the street.
警方封鎖了這條街的部份路段。
3. be home to...　　……的所在地∕發源地∕棲息地
The ocean is home to lots of marine life.
大海是許多海洋生物的家鄉。

Extra Words

1. gourmet　a. 美食的（僅用於名詞前）
2. boulevard　n. 大道（僅可用於路名中）
3. volcano　n. 火山
4. the Sirens　n. 海妖賽蓮（古希臘故事中迷惑水手航入危險海域的女妖精）
5. neon light　n. 霓虹燈

Tips In Use

With its grand hotels, original shows..., Las Vegas is all about entertainment.
（擁有各種豪華飯店、獨特表演……，拉斯維加斯是個事事都離不開娛樂的城市。）
　　With 所引導的介詞片語（with + 名詞）譯為『有了……』，通常置於句首，修飾後面的主要子句。例：
With my father's support, I have been able to pursue my dreams.
（有了我爸的支持，我才能夠去追尋我的夢想。）
With his neighbor's help, Randy found his missing puppy quickly.
（有了鄰居的幫忙，藍迪很快就找到他走失的小狗。）