Its name means "The Meadows" in Spanish, but you probably know Las Vegas best by its more titillating (not to mention fitting) moniker of Sin City—and for good reason. With a mafia past and enough modern-day seductions to tempt a priest, you'd be hard pressed not to commit at least one of the seven deadly sins while vacationing in this glittery parcel of Nevada desert.

As luck would have it, you don't even have to go too far to taste Vegas' forbidden fruit. Just stumble out your hotel room door and a world of dining, shopping and entertainment awaits in one of Vegas' many posh, well-known hotels, such as the Bellagio, the Venetian and the Luxor. Gluttons can savor every sweet morsel at one (or many) of Las Vegas' expansive buffets while their "greed is good" buddies hit the casino to bet the farm on a hand of poker or black jack. Those who are in need of a little pampering will find plenty of masseuses at the ready for a rubdown or a facialist to tend to every pore.

While there's plenty to do in the light of day, nighttime really is the right time for fun in this merry mecca (it's not called the Entertainment Capital of the World for nothin'). Splashy productions like Cirque du Soleil and Folies Bergere (with its legions of leggy showgirls) razzle-dazzle, while headliners like Cher and Bette Midler keep a steady stream of fans flocking to the Strip night after night. If you're looking for something a little less, er, structured, make one of the city's steamy clubs your pit stop for fruity drinks and boogie nights. Just don't forget to book a morning wake-up call. You wouldn't want to miss your flight back to suburbia and have to stay an extra day, now would you?