It’s said that travel is the one thing you can spend your money on that makes you richer – and a growing number of people agree. Millions of us look forward to nothing more than blocking out the dates in our diary and planning our next adventure.
Whether you’re most at home in the great outdoors or you prefer exploring the nooks and crannies of a big city, there’s a wealth of experiences just waiting to be enjoyed in every corner of the globe. For the gamers among us, we’ve put together a list of unmissable stops on a world tour of everything a digital athlete could ever dream of.
Las Vegas, USA: Casino Gaming
Still undeniably the Mecca of casino games is Las Vegas, Nevada needs little introduction. You can find the world’s most renowned establishments on the illustrious strip: The Venetian, The Bellagio, The MGM Grand and Caesar’s Palace, which each cut their own inimitable silhouette on the burning neon skyline.
If you enjoy nothing more than trying your luck on the blackjack tables or keeping your poker face firmly in place with a few hands of Texas hold ’em, Sin City should really be top of your list. The Americans are famous for their hospitality and nowhere will you be made to feel more special, more like a celebrity than in Las Vegas.
And when you’ve had your fill of gaming, catch a fantastic show or sporting event, or why not take a day trip to the Grand Canyon. Fans of casino gaming can now enjoy the Vegas experience online with Virgin Games online casino.
Other destinations to consider:
- Macau, China: China’s answer to Las Vegas and once a Portuguese colony, Macau is a unique destination of east meets west where they say if it exists, you can wager on it.
- Monte Carlo, Monaco: If you’re looking for a more refined experience, follow in the footsteps of James Bond and rub shoulders with the rich and famous at the Monte Carlo Casino, Monaco.
- Nassau, Bahamas: Step immediately from the tables on to an idyllic Caribbean paradise at The Atlantis Casino on the capital’s Paradise Island.
Tokyo, Japan: Arcade Games
The electric city, known for its forward thinking technology, is a great spot to experience some of the most cutting edge video game experiences on the planet.
Akihabara is the electronics hub of the city and it’s where you’ll find Taito Hey sandwiched between two Club Sega arcades. The four floors are a haven for any retro gamer, with an unparalleled array of classic shoot ’em up, bullet hell and fighting style titles.
Ikebukuro is a geek’s paradise with all the major franchises a stone’s throw away from one another. Round One is a multi-floored complex packed with games old and new and a great selection of rhythm and dance machines that Japan has become noted for.
To jump head first into the future of gaming, Zero Latency VR at Tokyo Joypolis in Daiba is a six-person virtual reality experience where you and your friends move around freely in a fully immersive futuristic environment battling the undead with an arsenal of advanced weaponry.
Other destinations to consider:
- London, UK: Red Bull has recently opened the second of their Gaming Spheres in the British capital, complete with the latest VR, console and PC setups for gaming enthusiasts.
- Seoul, South Korea: The irrefutable home of esports and some of the fastest public internet speeds in the world, Seoul is a hi-tech capital where you can visit sell out stadiums and see the planet’s best gamers duel it out.
- Cologne, Germany: Just as the US has E3, Europe’s answer is Gamescom which is held in Cologne annually – 370,000 attendees get the scoop on the latest and greatest gaming news before anyone else.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Escape Rooms
If you love solving a riddle and, in some cases, being scared witless too, escape rooms might be for you – and they seem to be popping up everywhere. Their concept originates from the point and click video game adventures that were popular in the 90s. Think Monkey Island, Grim Fandango and Day of the Tentacle.
You and a group of friends are locked in a room in which you have to solve a series of puzzles to eventually find the key that grants your release. The time limit is usually set at an hour and often requires teamwork and lateral thinking. Many venues also keep a high score list of those that escaped in the fastest time.
Sherlocked: The Vault in Amsterdam is set inside an actual former bank vault and is perhaps the most impressive backdrop to an escape room that we’ve encountered. Your team is required to bluff your way past guards, manoeuvre around state of the art security equipment and eventually steal the mystery treasure.
Other destinations to consider:
- Nottingham, UK: Escapologic hosts a truly terrifying horror themed escape room called The Butcher; this one is strictly for over 18s.
- Shanghai, China: The Mr. X Mystery House located in the Huangpu district of the city hides a series of five rooms with increasingly devious puzzles to solve.
- Buffalo NY, USA: 5 Wits don’t consider themselves to be traditional escape rooms but rather team based interactive adventures, either way, their selection of games are all brilliant fun for friends and family.
If you’re a gaming fanatic, there’s been no better time to travel with your passion. Start planning your gaming world tour today with the help of some of the suggestions herein.
