Las Vegas has a “Cougarlicious” slot machine … no, really.

by McLean Robbins on


We’re not kidding when we say that some casinos will do anything for attention – we spotted this great article on a “Cougarlicious” slot machine found at Las Vegas‘ Mandalay Bay over on VegasChatter and couldn’t resist sharing.

Play to the tune of “Too Sexy” for the keys to motel room number 69 (subtle, hmm?) and a chance to win kisses from Nate the Bait, ostensibly your young hottie du jour.

According to IGT, the game’s manufacturer, “[t]his sassy video slot has fun motel key and lipstick-kissed matchbook symbols that make you feel kinda lucky… this game is just too sexy to pass up. Be on the prowl for Cougarlicious.”

Barf.

Sadly, the game isn’t that new – an article in Gaming Today says it debuted back in 2009 and has been in casinos for nearly a year. Why are we just now being made aware that we can further make fun of middle-aged women doing exactly what men have done for centuries, namely, troll for younger partners?

Also, these women on the ads hardly look old enough to us to be “cougarlicious,” nor does Nate the Bait look particularly young. Madness.

American Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Las Vegas

by Kraig Becker on

An American Airlines Boeing 757 was forced to make an emergency landing at Las Vegas‘ McCarran International Airport earlier today after pilots detected smoke in the cockpit.

AA Flight 431 was traveling from Miami to San Francisco, and was over Utah, when the crew diverted from their course to make the landing. They touched down at 11:10 AM Pacific time and were met by emergency crews who assisted with the evacuation of the plane. All 159 passengers and six crew, exited without incident or injury.

A spokesperson for American Airlines said that the emergency landing is standard procedure for pilots after smoke is detected on a plane, and that the crew was just acting properly to ensure the safety of all those on board.

At this time, it is unclear as to the cause of the smoke, but investigations by AA flight mechanics and the FAA are ongoing. In the meantime the company is working to re-book all the stranded passengers and get them back on their way to San Francisco.

Five great upcoming food and wine festivals

by McLean Robbins on

Food and travel often go hand in hand – after all, the best meals are often found away from home, and some of the best memories can be made over a meal. Want to really get away for a gourmet feast? Check out these five great upcoming food and wine festivals.

Pebble Beach Food & Wine
This grand tasting is held from April 28th – May 1st and includes 200 wineries plus 25 chefs, including celebrity chef Shawn McClain, “best brunch in the country chef” Michael Schwartz, and pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith from Miami’s Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, as well as select sit-down meals.

Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit
Held from May 5th – May 7th, this festival will include executive chefs from Rao, Michael Mina, and more.

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival
From May 19th – 22nd, the home to “Top Chef” fan favorite Kevin Gillespie will be hosting this festival which will include players such as Charleston’s Sean Brock, Joe Schafer, John Besh, and other highly regarded chefs.

New Orleans Wine & Food Experience
From May 24th-28th , multiple top restaurants will be showing up to the Big Easy to showcase local food.

Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
It may not be ski season, but that won’t stop the crowds from descending on Aspen from June 17th – 19th. Sponsored by Food & Wine magazine, the event will feature cooking demonstrations and wine tastings as well as seminars led by wine and food superstars such as Mario Batali, José Andrés, Jacques Pépin, Gail Simmons, and Joshua Wesson.

Want to get away to one of the events? CheapOAir is offering special package deals with hotel and flight suggestions to each of the destinations listed above.

Coolest international gambling destinations

by Justin Delaney on

As a connoisseur of risk, I have seen my fair share of glory and agony within the walls of lady luck. In Latin America, the casinos feel seedy and desperate, and a shower always seems to be good idea after leaving these smoky dens. Singapore casinos feel simple and clean, as though an army of robots lurks just beyond the curtain, meticulously tending to the unseen cogs that keep the experience running. Macau on an off day feels like the world just ended. Gigantic empty rooms full of smiling Macanese croupiers all enthusiastically welcome you to tables with delicate waves of upturned hands. It is like a creepy dream.

Vegas reminds me of the imitation crab in a California roll. You may know its fake, but you don’t care because it is delicious. Likewise, the Vegas pyramid, faux Eiffel Tower, and mini New York skyline are obviously not real, but the kitschy feel speaks to the synthetic appeal of the modern American dream. In Europe, the casinos are ornate old world establishments where you will feel like you forgot your velvet smoking jacket, even if you don’t own one.

So where are some of the coolest international places to thrown down on black and let it ride?

Macau, Macau
Macau was the first and last European foray into Chinese colonization. Portugal controlled the small administrative district until 1999 when they handed it back over to China. A gambling center since the mid-nineteenth century, it was once known as the “Monte Carlo of the Orient.” Today, Macau is an autonomous region of China and is considered one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The one time fishing village on the pearl delta is China’s ambitious version of Las Vegas – a sprawling complex of mega-casinos, shopping malls, and theme parks. In the Fisherman’s Wharf area, a replica of a crashed black hawk helicopter with American soldiers clutching assault rifles sits next to some faux Middle Eastern buildings (above). It is one of the stranger pop culture nods I have found in a world with no shortage for bad taste.

Macau has surpassed its stateside desert brethren in overall gaming revenues – raking in four times the revenue of Las Vegas. Macau boasts many familiar gambling franchises: Wynn, The Venetian, and MGM Grand. All are pager friendly. Also, the Casino Lisboa is an Asian classic that has been dealing hands in Macau for forty years. Macau is just an hour ferry ride away from Hong Kong.

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
One of the most prosperous countries in the world, Singapore is just beginning to stretch its gambling legs. With the construction of the Marina Bay Sands hotel and casino, Singapore has begun capitalizing on its unique position in Southeast Asia and the rising economic standards in this region. While the Marina Bay Sands looks like something a tsunami with a sense of humor would create, it has opened to resounding success and aesthetical complaints have been minimal. The three 55-story buildings serve as pillars for a “sky park” shaped like a boat. The building is extremely unique looking, and the views from the rooftop pool are exceptional. What do you think of the design (above) of the Marina Bay Sands?

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Monte Carlo Casino, Monaco
Monte Carlo is located in Monaco – a playground for the mega-rich nestled between the French and Italian rivieras. Pearl white yachts sway in the calm Mediterranean harbor, and the bourgeois gamble away first world fortunes on carefree whims. Opened in 1863, the Monte Carlo Casino is as old school as it gets. Men are required to wear coats and ties. Women dress formal. This is the type of place where you feel like James Bond…until you lose all of your money and shamefully walk back to your hotel.

Baden-Baden Casino, Germany
The Black Forest of southern Germany is an unlikely place for world class gambling, but in the old bath town of Baden-Baden, gamblers wager euros inside the swank Casino Baden-Baden. The casino has a an aristocratic French air about it that is almost excessively opulent. Red carpets, crystal chandeliers, and gold moldings contribute to make this one of the most attractive casinos on the planet. Walking through the royal halls makes one feel like a working class Hapsburg. The town of Baden Baden is known for its natural baths that have been in use since Roman times. It is a really stunning city, and the Baden-Baden Casino fails to disappoint.

flickr images via justindelaney, william cho, myhsu, and m4tik

Photo of the day – Stormtroopers in Las Vegas

by Meg Nesterov on

Have you ever walked down the street and seen something amazing and cursed yourself for not having a camera? Lucky for us, Flickr user mciccone640 had his camera and shot today’s Photo of the Day of couple of robots stormtroopers* in Las Vegas. I wonder if there was a convention in town or if the guys were just wearing costumes for luck in the casinos. Perhaps a theme wedding? Hope they had a lucky night (going to the bathroom couldn’t have been easy), no matter the reason.

*This PotD was originally called Robots in Las Vegas until my husband informed me that they were, in fact, storm troopers and not robots. Sorry. Still can’t be easy for them to go to the bathroom.

Capture any unusual sights on the street your travels? Add your pix to the Gadling Flickr pool and we may use one for a future Photo of the Day.