[Continued from Part 1]

Day 2 of 2016’s Ultimo – A Weekend of Excellence began with a divergence, wherein half of the attendees opted to begin their day with a roar – thanks to the legendarily powerful engines in the three models of car used in the Rolls-Royce Driving Experience; while the others chose to soar – up, up, and away in a beautiful balloon, of the hot air variety – courtesy of Las Vegas Balloon Rides.

Those who chose the former, started bright and early, at The Palazzo; before taking their choice of Rolls-Royce on a driving experience that for most involved driving the luxury vehicles down Las Vegas Boulevard, and back to Ventian|Palazzo (though an extra-lucky few would get to drive all the way to Red Rock Canyon’s Calico Basin; but more on that in a bit…). 

After a brief tutorial (on the posh vagaries and top drawer bells-and-whistles that one finds in cars with sticker-prices that start over a quarter-million) drivers were able to choose from a trio of Rolls-Royce vehicles, including the Ghost (a full-sized, 4-door luxury sedan – priced from $295,850), the Wraith (a 2-door touring-coupe version of the Ghost – priced from $304,350), and the Dawn (a 2-door, 4-seat luxury convertible – priced from $335,000).

They also got to decide whether or not to be accompanied by a representative from Rolls-Royce.  And while my knee-jerk reaction would be to decline; since I wouldn’t be doing anything illicit in the car, I’d have asked for the representative to join me.  Why?  I’m particularly unhandy; and I can’t think of anything less luxurious than winding-up on the side of the road, because instead of activating the air-conditioned seats, I’ve accidentally pulled the lever that drains the ice in the in-seat Champagne cooler.  That said, me, in an inevitable side-of-the-road-selfie, inspecting the under-the-hood parts of a Rolls, would be pretty funny. 

The aviators rose at dawn, and after being driven roughly twenty miles from the Strip (close to the Red Rock National Conservation Area), they ate a light breakfast prepared by The Venetian, before climbing into their respective baskets and flying up, high over the Las Vegas Valley.  Since I’m no good with heights, my stomach is a bit queasy just writing this, so let’s just say it was really, really pretty, and they all returned to terra firma, safely.

After the two groups had concluded their experiences, they were driven to the Calico Basin at Red Rock Canyon (except for the last group of drivers, who got to drive their respective Rolls-Royces out to Red Rock, themselves).  There, they partook in a fabulous Dom Pérignon Picnic.  Once the first bottles of DP poured, and the cashmere blankets thrown, guests were delighted to find that their picnic baskets had been prepared by Chef Thomas Keller, who’d filled the baskets with classic picnic delicacies from Bouchon Bistro, including salmon rillettes, foie gras, baguettes, macaroons, and other assorted baked goods (not to mention another bottle of Dom Perignon).  Yum!

As the picnic wound to a close, organizers rounded everyone up, because there was just enough time for them to return to V|P, where they could take a nap, get a massage, and (should they be so inclined) attend the Louis Vuitton Fashion Experience; all before they would get gussied-up in their finest finery, for the main event of Ultimo weekend – the Le Grand Voyage-themed Grand Banquet.  But for that, and its LALIQUE-hosted after-party, you'll have to come back, for Part 3.

Ultimo – A Weekend of Excellence
The Venetian
Click HERE for info

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