Last month, my wife and I went on a mini European tour for our honeymoon that comprised of stopovers in London, Paris and Rome. But this story starts a little earlier than that, roughly two weeks before we were scheduled to leave, when I suddenly got the itch to research Vespa tours in Italy. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, but for some reason, failed to include in our original plans. Thankfully, after trading a few emails with the wonderful couple that runs Scooteroma Tours, they graciously agreed to take us around Rome to experience what makes seeing the Eternal City from a motorino (that’s “scooter,” in Italian) so extraordinary.

Annie, the self-titled Scooter Maven, was unfortunately unable to join us on the tour due to a bad case of bronchitis (though she stopped by the meeting point to introduce herself anyway), but her husband and business partner Giovanni arrived with one of their many other English-speaking tour guides, all of whom have years of professional experience in the tourism and hospitality industries. As a couple of Yanks with only a phrase book-sized knowledge of Italian, I can’t begin to explain how much of a relief it was to have tour guides who not only spoke English, but spoke it fluently. (Annie herself is American-born, but you can read all about how she came to live in Rome here.)

With the pleasantries and introductions out of the way, it was time to hop on the back of a Vespa and get to scootering. While Giovanni drove a newer Vespa model (red and shiny, and clearly the pride and joy of the Scooteroma family), his cohort Stefano arrived on a gorgeous vintage Vespa in order to give us a taste of what it would be like riding on both. That’s because Scooteroma offers a variety of different tours, as well as different ways to experience them. In addition to their half- and full-day tours, the company also does vintage Vespa and foodie tours, as well as a few other non-scooter variations. You can also either rent a scooter (up to two people per bike) or chose to ride on the back along with a guide, and although driving might sound like a lot of fun, it was actually much more enjoyable just to sit back and soak up the sights as Giovanni and Stefano zipped around the busy streets of Rome.

A typical half-day tour (which lasts approximately 4 hours) begins with a pick-up at your hotel or designated meeting spot within the city center. The guides then lead you on a motorized tour through Rome, with stops that include favorites like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Circus Maximus and Jewish Ghetto, as well as less travelled areas like the Caracalla Baths, Aventine Hill and the Garden of Oranges. One of the coolest stops on the tour is at Appian Way, where some of the original cobbled stone road still exists just a few yards away from remains of the ancient Roman aqueduct system. You’ll even drive through the charming neighborhood of Testaccio for a quick coffee or gelato before finally ending at Gianicolo Hill, which boasts some of the most breathtaking views of the city and the best photo op of your entire trip.

Of course, the Scooteroma team is more than happy to create a custom tour for you as well, and Giovanni even gave us with some great dining suggestions, whether you want to eat like a local or just looking for your favorite dish. Both guides were also very informative about the history surrounding the various landmarks, but more than anything else, they were incredibly friendly and accommodating. Giovanni even shared some of his own philosophies and opinions during the course of the tour, providing a first-hand account of how Romans actually view their city, and that’s something that, like many of the stops on the tour, you simply won’t find in your average guidebook.

Though I would suggest going on a Scooteroma tour early in your visit so that you can take advantage of the information and tips that you’ll receive along the way, I was actually glad that we didn’t go until our final day in Rome (at least for the purposes of this piece), because it only further emphasized just how much we would have missed if we had stuck to our original plans. You may have heard that some people actually “do Rome” in a day, and while that’s technically possible, getting around on a scooter is much easier, more relaxing and a ton of fun. It may seem a bit naïve to speak so highly of Scooteroma Tours having never ridden with any of their competitors, but it’s hard to imagine a more perfect afternoon in the Eternal City, and frankly, I can’t wait to go back.

Learn more about the tours and pricing at Scooteroma.com, and be sure to follow the Scooter Maven on Facebook and Twitter @scooteromatours.

Out of all travelling costs, accommodation is the expense that sucks up most of the budget — particularly for hotel dwellers. Here are 10 insider tips for stretching your accommodation budget without having to sacrifice the quality of your accommodation. This means more money you can spend on activities and travel experiences.

1. Travel off-season. Price hikes generally occur during the tourism season and over holiday periods. In particular, avoid travelling during school and public holidays. Lodging costs for places like Europe can increase exponentially during the height of tourist season, so it’s best to travel either slightly before or slightly after summer — either May or September in the case of Europe. You will still catch the beautiful weather if you time it properly. Chances are, it will be better than the weather you are leaving behind in Australia!

2. Stay mid-week. Hotel prices generally peak on weekends, so if it is possible, time shorter trips for mid-week periods. You might have to weigh up the trade-off of taking the extra time off work or forgo your first choice of accommodation and stay somewhere else over the weekend period.

3. Don’t hotel jump. Most hotels will offer long-term discounts for multiple night stays, so don’t be afraid to ask if this option is available to you.

4. Balance advance planning with last-minute booking. As soon as you know where you are going, start hunting for good accommodation deals, but remember that plenty of discounts are offered at the last minute. If you can deal with the uncertainty of operating like this, organise your stay for at least the first few days and chance it for the rest.

5. Join loyalty clubs. Many hotels have membership and rewards clubs that offer discounts, offers, upgrades and extras to frequent customers. You may also find that your existing memberships to loyalty and rewards clubs already give you discounts for certain hotel chains.

6. Book packages. You can save a lot of money when you combine your flights with your accommodation; sometimes with discounts up to 30 per cent. Be flexible in your attitude as to where you stay, but most package options will be close to tourist attractions regardless.

7. Consider the entire hotel experience, including proximity and inclusions. You may pay more for the extra facilities and location, but this might save you in the long run in transport and entertainment costs. Select an area close to tourist attractions and a hotel package that includes airport transfers. It also helps to be close to some cheaper food options and supermarkets so you aren’t reliant on the hotel restaurant. Ensure you find out exactly what your accommodation package entitles you to. Over the course of a week, one free breakfast per day really adds up.

8. Combine business and pleasure. Some organisations are flexible in allowing their employees to tack their annual leave on to business trips, which could potentially save you a couple of nights’ expenses and perhaps even a portion of your flight expenses. Generally it doesn’t cost the business anything additional for you to bring your partner along.

9. Split costs. Share accommodation with a close friend or family member, particularly if one of you is happy to take a sofa bed or you are open to sleeping in twin beds in the same room. Alternatively, a two-bedroom suite won’t usually cost anywhere near the same amount as two separate hotel rooms. If you are travelling with others, enquire about group discounts.

10. Be open to mixing it up. Weigh the cost of hotels verses motels, and explore alternate accommodation experiences in terms of big-name brands and local, smaller operations.

About the Author: Tammy Wilson is a contributing writer and enthusiastic world traveler. Tammy spends a minimum of four months of every year globetrotting. You name it, she’s been there!

There is plenty of buzz in Las Vegas around the transformation taking place at Mandalay Bay. Bullz-Eye had the opportunity to learn about the many facets of this exciting undertaking from Chuck Bowling, President & COO of Mandalay Bay during our Mlife experience in April.

Yes, Mandalay Bay is currently undergoing its first major property-wide transformation since opening in 1999, from the premiere of Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE to the debut of the Delano Las Vegas, a new all-suite boutique hotel within the resort. The 120-acre resort is collaborating with brands such as Morgans Hotel Group, Cirque, The Light Group and Four Seasons to create a totally new experience for its guests.

Some of the highlights include:

· Delano Las Vegas – Later this year, Mandalay Bay and Morgans Hotel Group will begin the transformation of THEhotel at Mandalay Bay into Delano Las Vegas, a new all-suite hotel scheduled to open in early 2014 that will embody the soul of Delano South Beach with Vegas flair.

· Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas – Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, located on floors 35-39 of Mandalay Bay, began the year with a complete renovation of all 424 guest rooms and suites inspired in part by the vibrant Art Deco period. This spring, Four Seasons also introduced Press, a new indoor/outdoor lobby bar that creates an energetic social hub that evolves from espressos in the morning to draft beers and wine at night.

· Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil – June 29, the resort will debut Michael Jackson ONE, a permanent Cirque du Soleil production that will bring to life the King of Pop’s music while celebrating his worldwide legacy.

· LIGHT Nightclub – Memorial Day Weekend, Mandalay Bay will unveil LIGHT Nightclub by The Light Group, a venue that combines the imagination and artistry of Cirque du Soleil with a roster of top DJs in the world. Designed to bring a unique, memorable experience each evening, LIGHT will tantalize senses with state-of-the-art production and theatrics.

· DAYLIGHT Beach Club – Also opening Memorial Day Weekend and just in time for the 2013 summer season, The Light Group’s DAYLIGHT Beach Club will be a departure from traditional Vegas pool parties, transporting guests from the hustle and bustle of The Strip to a 50,000-square-foot upscale and chic tropical oasis.

· KUMI Japanese Restaurant & Bar – Opening summer 2013, The Light Group will team with Chef Toshiyuki Motoyama to offer fun and approachable Japanese cuisine for an American palate, using fresh and innovative ingredients. As Executive Sushi Chef, Motoyama will combine his traditional edomae background with influences of Thai, Peruvian, Latin and other Asian cultures to always keep Kumi’s dishes interesting and exciting.

· Citizens Kitchen & Bar – Citizens Kitchen & Bar opened in February and features The Light Group’s Executive Chef Brian Massie’s creative and contemporary take on American comfort food. The menu features a wide range of signature favorites for breakfast, lunch and dinner with highlights including Maryland Blue Crab Cakes, Southern Fried Chicken and Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf.

· Red Square – The Light Group recently relaunched the popular restaurant as a revitalized dinner, cocktail and nightlife destination. The exquisite menu – featuring easy-to-share plates including Tuna Tartare, Chicken Kiev with Bacon Brussels Sprouts and an impressive caviar selection – takes on contemporary American favorites and infuses them with unique Russian influences.

We were already huge fans of Mandalay Bay, and it appears that when this incredible transformation is complete, the “new” Mandalay Bay will be unique to any other offering in Vegas. Can’t wait to check it out!!

Get ready for the Google Glass and camera revolution. We’re entering a new phase of the mobile technology revolution where everything around us or everything we observe can be recorded. We’ve seen how powerful video can be with people pulling out their smart phones when something happens, but with Google Glass and other devices that can constantly record what’s around you we’ve reached a new level.

Not surprisingly, casinos, hotels and other establishments in places like Las Vegas aren’t really thrilled about this prospect and are looking to ban the use of Google Glass. When you consider how this can impact casino gambling and help cheaters you immediately understand their concern. The casino gaming culture has changed somewhat over the years as casinos have proliferated outside of Las Vegas to America’s heartland and with all of the easy online options like www.ladbrokes.com, but certain things like security never change when there’s so much money at stake. Google Glass and similar devices like sunglasses with tiny cameras change all that.

But in Las Vegas it goes even further. Remember the adage that “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas?” Well that whole idea is threatened as well as more and more aspects of life in Sin City can be recorded by visitors. In some ways this protects the patrons from themselves. Think about it – do you really want a video out there documenting your drunken weekend with the guys if you’re married or have a girlfriend? You can cause a lot of trouble by breaking out Google Glass during a bachelor or bachelorette party.

This of course extends beyond Las Vegas as well, as these cameras threaten privacy everywhere. Tools like Google Glass will open up huge possibilities for productivity and fun, but like with every great technological leap will also raise tons of questions as society adapts. Expect this to be a huge issue in the coming years.

After a great vacation to Hawaii five years ago, my wife and I decided to move to the pacific island. We decided there is no better place to be – we loved the warm weather and great views.

After moving to the island we found that there were several things that were different about living in Hawaii than on the mainland. Such differences include choices in clothing, language and family rites of passage. However, my favorite difference; almost everyone in Hawaii owns a truck.

We’re not talking small trucks either. I’m talking huge four-wheel drive monster. Four-wheel drive monsters that can take on anything from pavement to jungle or even climbing the side of a mountain. Consequently, I was so happy to trade in our compact car for a monster four-wheel drive truck that that alone could have sold me on living in Hawaii.

It was one of the best purchases we made living on the island. It enabled us to experience the greatest parts of the island – and these parts are most certainly not accessible by car. The following are just a few reasons why (whether you’re visiting or living in Hawaii) you need a truck.

Rain, rain – go away!

Living on the island was amazing but there was one thing that was very difficult to get used to; the rain! Some of our funniest truck-inspired memories were caused by rain, or more specifically, trying to navigate flooded or muddy roads in the new truck. Hilo, in particular, is the rainiest city in the nation and gets over 120 inches of rain every year.

That presents a problem at times if the only vehicle you have isn’t a truck. There were several times we were in town and had groceries; a birthday present, or even bags in the back of our truck and it started raining. We found out over time the greatest solution to our problems was to get one of those truck bed covers. These covers can be left snapped on or rolled back to leave the truck bed open.

Get to all the great beaches

Some of the greatest beaches on the island are not accessible without a truck. The trails out to the beach would entail a long walk or a four-wheel drive truck to get you to the sandy coast. Having a truck also enables you to drive your cooler and other beach props right to the place you want to set up your site without the arduous task of carrying them down seemingly un-ending jungle paths.

Waipio Valley

This breathtaking valley has one that most only see on postcards or travel shows. The road driving down into the valley however, is impossible to reach unless you have a truck with four-wheel drive. After we made the steep and windy drive down to the valley, it was well worth the trouble. At Waipio valley we were able to set up camp and stay for two nights right there on the beach. There were great adventures to be had once we got down there. Bike trails, hiking, horseback riding, snorkeling or stand up paddle surfing were just a few options we had to choose from.

Mauna Loa

Mauna Loa is one of five volcanoes on the island, and this one also happens to be the largest volcano on the planet. At the top of this amazing volcano is an observatory for stargazing at night, or just getting a “feel” for the volcano up close, during the day. Unfortunately, because it is also the tallest volcano, it almost always has snow on the ground. Having a truck to climb the snowy terrain is absolutely necessary to get where you’re going.

As I said before, a four-wheel drive truck isn’t a luxury in Hawaii. If you ever want to be able to take in even a small percentage of what this beautiful land has to offer, you’re going to need a way to get there. Besides, I can’t think of a better way to spend the day than cruising the island with the windows down, and my beautiful wife by my side.

Our weekend in Las Vegas living the M life had to come to an end, but the memories will last forever – and so will the photos! When we reported that Bullz-Eye was invited with other digital media members to experience the M life, there were very high expectations as to that was in the works. Well, first and foremost, the folks at MGM delivered on every point with a weekend like no other.

After a smooth flight in from Cleveland, I arrived at the Aria Resort and Casino quickly and was blown away by the sleek design of this gem on the strip. After checking in, I learned first-hand why so many visitors pick Aria as their first choice when visiting Las Vegas. When entering your room, the lighting, the window shade, the music… everything is tailored to your preferences and intuitive to your needs. Set them exactly the way you like and prepare yourself for the night ahead.

I headed down to Javier’s at Aria where we started the weekend and met my fellow influencers with signature margaritas and appetizers at ARIA’s newest restaurant. Javier’s brings a Southern California favorite to the Las Vegas strip and delivers a rich heritage of authentic Mexican cuisine along with hand-shaken margaritas and a high-energy ambiance to Las Vegas. Javier’s was a great place to get this M life party started, and we did just that! It was then off to the Hit Bar at Monte Carlo to channel our inner James Bond (or Bond girl) and learn how to craft world-class cocktails with this M life Moment available to all members. Monte Carlo’s Director of Beverage showed us the fine art and history of mixology and was behind the bar for an hour shaking up some cocktail classics, and we enjoyed them too! Things were just getting started, and when you’re a new M life member like we were, you don’t fully understand the kind of access at MGM Resorts this program offers. But we learned quickly.

We loaded up our group for a stunning tour of MGM Grand’s STAY WELL Rooms & SKYLOFTS. MGM Grand’s new STAY WELL collection features 42 rooms and suites designed for guests looking to take their wellness lifestyle “on the road” when traveling. We were also lucky enough to tour the Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five Diamond SKYLOFTS, a private, two-story sanctuary located on the top two floors of MGM Grand. This was amazing, and I’m sure many good people out there are using their M life points just to stay in this sleek spot in Vegas. I’m now floored by these Skylofts as we headed to dinner at Fiamma Trattoria & Bar at MGM Grand. From Sicily to Milan, Fiamma presents traditional Italian cuisine in sleek and sexy surroundings. We indulged vino from an award-winning wine list showcasing more than 700 selections from all over the world, and fresh, hand-crafted pasta creations from Executive Chef Pierpaolo Pittia. The food was fabulous and my entrée of scallops and prawns risotto was extraordinary. We then started another M life moment by attending “KÀ by Cirque du Soleil.” Taking photos with the cast prior to the show is an Insider (M life) Experience at MGM Grand and adds a first-class touch to your Cirque du Soleil experience. Also with M life, you will get to watch the show from VIP seats at one of Vegas’ favorite theaters. The show rounded out a well planned first day and the crew was able to gamble at the casino in Aria or just rest up for the following day’s M life Moments.

After a good night sleep in my Aria suite, it was time to live an M life Moment and swim with the dolphins at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage. On a beautiful morning in Vegas, we got up close and personal with some of the world’s most beautiful, intelligent animals. M life gives members an exclusive experience swimming with bottlenose dolphins, a Moment I’ll never forget. You find this opportunity at other resorts, so get going and join M life https://www.mlife.com/ so you can experience some of these life-changing events.

I heard of the Aureole restaurant in Mandalay Bay, and now through M life Moments, we were going to learn to cook in the style of famed celebrity chef Charlie Palmer. This exclusive package includes a private cooking lesson with Aureole Executive Chef Vincent Pouessel and a tour of Aureole’s famous Wine Tower, and we savored every moment. After watching Chef Pouessel make French onion soup, we all had a sample for ourselves and it was nothing short of incredible. Afterwards, we enjoyed a multi-course lunch with wine pairings with Chuck Bowling, President & COO of Mandalay Bay. Mr. Bowling was very welcoming and also reviewed many of the exciting projects underway at Mandalay Bay Resort. I’m going to keep an eye out for Mandalay Bay because they are in the process of totally transforming an already top-notch resort.

We then had a roundtable with the bigs from MGM Resorts. This was our chance to have all of our M life questions answered. Our team of writers had the opportunity to sit down with two of MGM Resorts International’s top executives, Scott Voeller (Senior VP of Brand Strategy & Advertising) and Tom Mikulich (Senior VP of Business Development), for a special roundtable discussion. It was here that I learned exactly what MGM expects to provide M life members and that is “access.” The M life program provides MGM customers the chance to earn points that can be redeemed for access at all of the MGM Resorts. The M life is the ultimate way to earn rewards for virtually every dollar you spend. All you have to do is enjoy hotel, dining, entertainment and spa experiences, along with slots and table games, and you'll earn your way toward amazing rewards and benefits. Tier Credits is the engine that drives M life. Each Tier Credit you earn gets you closer to the next tier of membership. You earn credits through slots and video poker, table games, hotel accommodations, dining entertainment and spa.

Another original M life Moment was an evening with Master Artist Jeff Mitchum at his gallery located in the Bellagio. If you could spend an evening with a world-renowned photographer, what would you ask? What would you hope to discover? This special M life Moment gives you the rare chance to hang out with fine-art photographer Jeff Mitchum in his own gallery. You will receive a private tour (lead by the artist) of his gallery, drink cocktails with Jeff at Hyde Bellagio, and receive a signed collector’s edition book of his work. We did all of that and Jeff’s work is not only astonishing, but he’s also a great guy. Along with Jeff, we then headed to Hyde Bellagio, where celebrities go to truly enjoy Las Vegas. M life members can party like a rock star at Hyde Bellagio, located on the 50-yard-line of Bellagio’s iconic lake. Like us, you can enjoy VIP treatment while sipping savory libations and marveling in tableside cocktail presentations. A few of our writers even had an opportunity to pick the songs for The Fountains of Bellagio, an exclusive M life Moment. This experience was one of the highlights of my trip as the views are breathtaking and Hyde is a very soothing place right by the Bellagio fountains. This is an M life Moment for the ages!!

The M life just kept getting better as we boogied down to Sensi for dinner. It was at Sensi that we enjoyed a special dining experience courtesy of Sensi’s talented executive chef Roy Ellamar, who recently won an episode of Food Network’s hit television show “Chopped.” Chef Roy welcomed our group before we enjoyed the restaurant’s unique and indulgent dishes inspired by cuisines from all over the world. One can also choose to experience Chef Roy’s three-course meal, which he crafted and prepared to win “Chopped.” I had a filet for my entrée and it was beyond delicious! This late dinner was excellent and had us charged for what the next day of the M life had in the works.

There are buffets out in Las Vegas, and then there is the Aria buffet. Live action stations line the newly redesigned Buffet at ARIA, offering freshly made specialties along with the only tandoor oven in a Las Vegas buffet serving baked naan and delicious kabobs. Before you leave Vegas, enjoy the new fresh fish market station and all-you-can-drink specials that include sangria, premium beer and wine. I can tell you we enjoyed just about every station at the Aria buffet. Before taking off to the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational at Shadow Creek, Aria reps gave us a tour of the Aria Sky Suites. A recent recipient of the Forbes Five-Star Award, we had an exclusive tour of the luxurious ARIA’s Sky Suites high above the Las Vegas Strip. A hotel-within-a-hotel, Sky Suites offers some of the most luxurious, tech-savvy accommodations in Sin City. If you recognize and appreciate sleek and modern like we do, then you’ll be impressed when in Aria Sky Suites. After approximately a 15-minute drive, we arrived at the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational at Shadow Creek and the course is picturesque. We watched A-list celebrities hit the green at Las Vegas’ most exclusive golf course. There was Marcus Allen, Brandi Chastain, Roger Clemens, Kevin Dillon, Julius Erving, Wayne Gretzky, Ken Griffey Jr., Mario Lemieux, Jerry Rice and many others in attendance. I enjoyed lunch and relaxed in the VIP Hospitality Deck overlooking the picturesque 18th hole.

When returning to Aria, we stopped by the adults-only LIQUID Pool & Lounge at ARIA with VIP access. Liquid is basically a day club for those who want to start the party early. This place was rockin’ and the drinks were cold and the food was tasty. With M life access, you skip the line and enjoy the adults-only, outdoor playground LIQUID Pool & Lounge. Enjoy poolside pampering, hot DJs and daytime indulgence in this sizzling environment. Dinner was getting close and I was pumped that we were eating at AMERICAN FISH by Michael Mina at ARIA. Celebrating one of America’s great dining legacies is AMERICAN FISH, Michael Mina’s fifth restaurant in Las Vegas. Rustic cooking methods from across the country are celebrated and applied with modern finesse. Featuring classic cocktails with modern twists, AMERICAN FISH recently introduced a new menu and it was out of this world. AMERICAN FISH is now one of my favorite restaurants in Vegas!

After a visit by some of the performers from “Zarkana by Cirque du Soleil” at Aria we went, to see their show. Cirque’s newest show to hit the Las Vegas strip, “Zarkana” is a visually stunning modern acrobatic spectacular set in a world where physical ability meets with the extraordinary. Surrender to a spellbinding extravaganza that defies the possible and will leave you breathless! Because we were living the M life, the party continued to HAZE Nightclub at Aria. We had bottle service and shared the club with Michael Jordan, Penny Hardaway, Bruce Smith and other celebrities. One can dance the night away at one of Las Vegas’ hottest nightclubs: HAZE. In true M life fashion, we enjoyed VIP entrance, bottle service and a private table with a great group of new friends.

All of this is now available to Bullz-Eye readers by joining M life here and you’ll be on your way to earning points and choosing the M life moments that can change your Vegas experience forever!

Our weekend in Las Vegas living the M life had to come to an end, but the memories will last forever – and so will the photos! When we reported that Bullz-Eye was invited with other digital media members to experience the M life, there were very high expectations as to that was in the works. Well, first and foremost, the folks at MGM delivered on every point with a weekend like no other.

After a smooth flight in from Cleveland, I arrived at the Aria Resort and Casino quickly and was blown away by the sleek design of this gem on the strip. After checking in, I learned first-hand why so many visitors pick Aria as their first choice when visiting Las Vegas. When entering your room, the lighting, the window shade, the music… everything is tailored to your preferences and intuitive to your needs. Set them exactly the way you like and prepare yourself for the night ahead.

I headed down to Javier’s at Aria where we started the weekend and met my fellow influencers with signature margaritas and appetizers at ARIA’s newest restaurant. Javier’s brings a Southern California favorite to the Las Vegas strip and delivers a rich heritage of authentic Mexican cuisine along with hand-shaken margaritas and a high-energy ambiance to Las Vegas. Javier’s was a great place to get this M life party started, and we did just that! It was then off to the Hit Bar at Monte Carlo to channel our inner James Bond (or Bond girl) and learn how to craft world-class cocktails with this M life Moment available to all members. Monte Carlo’s Director of Beverage showed us the fine art and history of mixology and was behind the bar for an hour shaking up some cocktail classics, and we enjoyed them too! Things were just getting started, and when you’re a new M life member like we were, you don’t fully understand the kind of access at MGM Resorts this program offers. But we learned quickly.

We loaded up our group for a stunning tour of MGM Grand’s STAY WELL Rooms & SKYLOFTS. MGM Grand’s new STAY WELL collection features 42 rooms and suites designed for guests looking to take their wellness lifestyle “on the road” when traveling. We were also lucky enough to tour the Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five Diamond SKYLOFTS, a private, two-story sanctuary located on the top two floors of MGM Grand. This was amazing, and I’m sure many good people out there are using their M life points just to stay in this sleek spot in Vegas. I’m now floored by these Skylofts as we headed to dinner at Fiamma Trattoria & Bar at MGM Grand. From Sicily to Milan, Fiamma presents traditional Italian cuisine in sleek and sexy surroundings. We indulged vino from an award-winning wine list showcasing more than 700 selections from all over the world, and fresh, hand-crafted pasta creations from Executive Chef Pierpaolo Pittia. The food was fabulous and my entrée of scallops and prawns risotto was extraordinary. We then started another M life moment by attending “KÀ by Cirque du Soleil.” Taking photos with the cast prior to the show is an Insider (M life) Experience at MGM Grand and adds a first-class touch to your Cirque du Soleil experience. Also with M life, you will get to watch the show from VIP seats at one of Vegas’ favorite theaters. The show rounded out a well planned first day and the crew was able to gamble at the casino in Aria or just rest up for the following day’s M life Moments.

After a good night sleep in my Aria suite, it was time to live an M life Moment and swim with the dolphins at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage. On a beautiful morning in Vegas, we got up close and personal with some of the world’s most beautiful, intelligent animals. M life gives members an exclusive experience swimming with bottlenose dolphins, a Moment I’ll never forget. You find this opportunity at other resorts, so get going and join M life https://www.mlife.com/ so you can experience some of these life-changing events.

I heard of the Aureole restaurant in Mandalay Bay, and now through M life Moments, we were going to learn to cook in the style of famed celebrity chef Charlie Palmer. This exclusive package includes a private cooking lesson with Aureole Executive Chef Vincent Pouessel and a tour of Aureole’s famous Wine Tower, and we savored every moment. After watching Chef Pouessel make French onion soup, we all had a sample for ourselves and it was nothing short of incredible. Afterwards, we enjoyed a multi-course lunch with wine pairings with Chuck Bowling, President & COO of Mandalay Bay. Mr. Bowling was very welcoming and also reviewed many of the exciting projects underway at Mandalay Bay Resort. I’m going to keep an eye out for Mandalay Bay because they are in the process of totally transforming an already top-notch resort.

We then had a roundtable with the bigs from MGM Resorts. This was our chance to have all of our M life questions answered. Our team of writers had the opportunity to sit down with two of MGM Resorts International’s top executives, Scott Voeller (Senior VP of Brand Strategy & Advertising) and Tom Mikulich (Senior VP of Business Development), for a special roundtable discussion. It was here that I learned exactly what MGM expects to provide M life members and that is “access.” The M life program provides MGM customers the chance to earn points that can be redeemed for access at all of the MGM Resorts. The M life is the ultimate way to earn rewards for virtually every dollar you spend. All you have to do is enjoy hotel, dining, entertainment and spa experiences, along with slots and table games, and you’ll earn your way toward amazing rewards and benefits. Tier Credits is the engine that drives M life. Each Tier Credit you earn gets you closer to the next tier of membership. You earn credits through slots and video poker, table games, hotel accommodations, dining entertainment and spa.

Another original M life Moment was an evening with Master Artist Jeff Mitchum at his gallery located in the Bellagio. If you could spend an evening with a world-renowned photographer, what would you ask? What would you hope to discover? This special M life Moment gives you the rare chance to hang out with fine-art photographer Jeff Mitchum in his own gallery. You will receive a private tour (lead by the artist) of his gallery, drink cocktails with Jeff at Hyde Bellagio, and receive a signed collector’s edition book of his work. We did all of that and Jeff’s work is not only astonishing, but he’s also a great guy. Along with Jeff, we then headed to Hyde Bellagio, where celebrities go to truly enjoy Las Vegas. M life members can party like a rock star at Hyde Bellagio, located on the 50-yard-line of Bellagio’s iconic lake. Like us, you can enjoy VIP treatment while sipping savory libations and marveling in tableside cocktail presentations. A few of our writers even had an opportunity to pick the songs for The Fountains of Bellagio, an exclusive M life Moment. This experience was one of the highlights of my trip as the views are breathtaking and Hyde is a very soothing place right by the Bellagio fountains. This is an M life Moment for the ages!!

The M life just kept getting better as we boogied down to Sensi for dinner. It was at Sensi that we enjoyed a special dining experience courtesy of Sensi’s talented executive chef Roy Ellamar, who recently won an episode of Food Network’s hit television show “Chopped.” Chef Roy welcomed our group before we enjoyed the restaurant’s unique and indulgent dishes inspired by cuisines from all over the world. One can also choose to experience Chef Roy’s three-course meal, which he crafted and prepared to win “Chopped.” I had a filet for my entrée and it was beyond delicious! This late dinner was excellent and had us charged for what the next day of the M life had in the works.

There are buffets out in Las Vegas, and then there is the Aria buffet. Live action stations line the newly redesigned Buffet at ARIA, offering freshly made specialties along with the only tandoor oven in a Las Vegas buffet serving baked naan and delicious kabobs. Before you leave Vegas, enjoy the new fresh fish market station and all-you-can-drink specials that include sangria, premium beer and wine. I can tell you we enjoyed just about every station at the Aria buffet. Before taking off to the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational at Shadow Creek, Aria reps gave us a tour of the Aria Sky Suites. A recent recipient of the Forbes Five-Star Award, we had an exclusive tour of the luxurious ARIA’s Sky Suites high above the Las Vegas Strip. A hotel-within-a-hotel, Sky Suites offers some of the most luxurious, tech-savvy accommodations in Sin City. If you recognize and appreciate sleek and modern like we do, then you’ll be impressed when in Aria Sky Suites. After approximately a 15-minute drive, we arrived at the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational at Shadow Creek and the course is picturesque. We watched A-list celebrities hit the green at Las Vegas’ most exclusive golf course. There was Marcus Allen, Brandi Chastain, Roger Clemens, Kevin Dillon, Julius Erving, Wayne Gretzky, Ken Griffey Jr., Mario Lemieux, Jerry Rice and many others in attendance. I enjoyed lunch and relaxed in the VIP Hospitality Deck overlooking the picturesque 18th hole.

When returning to Aria, we stopped by the adults-only LIQUID Pool & Lounge at ARIA with VIP access. Liquid is basically a day club for those who want to start the party early. This place was rockin’ and the drinks were cold and the food was tasty. With M life access, you skip the line and enjoy the adults-only, outdoor playground LIQUID Pool & Lounge. Enjoy poolside pampering, hot DJs and daytime indulgence in this sizzling environment. Dinner was getting close and I was pumped that we were eating at AMERICAN FISH by Michael Mina at ARIA. Celebrating one of America’s great dining legacies is AMERICAN FISH, Michael Mina’s fifth restaurant in Las Vegas. Rustic cooking methods from across the country are celebrated and applied with modern finesse. Featuring classic cocktails with modern twists, AMERICAN FISH recently introduced a new menu and it was out of this world. AMERICAN FISH is now one of my favorite restaurants in Vegas!

After a visit by some of the performers from “Zarkana by Cirque du Soleil” at Aria we went, to see their show. Cirque’s newest show to hit the Las Vegas strip, “Zarkana” is a visually stunning modern acrobatic spectacular set in a world where physical ability meets with the extraordinary. Surrender to a spellbinding extravaganza that defies the possible and will leave you breathless! Because we were living the M life, the party continued to HAZE Nightclub at Aria. We had bottle service and shared the club with Michael Jordan, Penny Hardaway, Bruce Smith and other celebrities. One can dance the night away at one of Las Vegas’ hottest nightclubs: HAZE. In true M life fashion, we enjoyed VIP entrance, bottle service and a private table with a great group of new friends.

All of this is now available to Bullz-Eye readers by joining M life here and you’ll be on your way to earning points and choosing the M life moments that can change your Vegas experience forever!

A few months back, we were invited to spend a weekend in Las Vegas to live the M life with fellow lifestyle sites and bloggers courtesy of the folks at MGM Resorts. Of course, I immediately checked into what exactly the M life was and had to offer. Bottom line is that the M life is a VIP experience like no other! Here is a quick breakdown Q&A for all of our friends out there who enjoy life’s best experiences, appreciate excitement and want to know more about the M life.

What is M life?

This isn’t just a player’s club. You’ll be rewarded for enjoying hotel, dining, entertainment and spa experiences, along with your slot and table play at any one of 15 MGM Resorts’ destinations. Your play and spend are recognized as a single account, making it easy to stay, play and win wherever you like, whenever you like.

What MGM Resorts’ properties participate in M life?

It isn’t just Las Vegas! You can use your M life card and enjoy the benefits in Las Vegas at Bellagio, ARIA, Vdara, MGM Grand Las Vegas, The Signature at MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo, New York-New York, Luxor and Excalibur; in Mississippi at Beau Rivage and Gold Strike Tunica; and in Michigan at MGM Grand Detroit.

What are some of the benefits?

Just for becoming an M life member, you gain access to benefits such as the ability to room charge from any other MGM Resorts’ destination, access to M life Moments, access to exclusive and personalized offers, pre-sale ticket access to concerts and fights, and the best room rate guarantee.

What are M life Moments?

M life moments are unique experiences that give you exclusive access to just about any part of your favorite resort. Every M life resort offers M life Moments, and only M life members have access to them. As you move up Tier Levels, you unlock additional M life Moments.

Now that we’re all on the same page and understand just how cool the M life is, remember that I’m going to experience the M life first hand very soon. I’ll be updating our social media channels with awesome experiences, including pictures. My itinerary will be packed with totally amazing events that will be exclusive to M life members, so stay tuned for reports on Bullz-Eye. In addition to attending the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational and checking out exciting new hotspots and amenities the weekend of April 4th, we’re going to enjoy unparalleled access to the best of Las Vegas through M life Moments – experiences available exclusively to members. A signature feature of the program, M life Moments offer a diverse collection of behind-the-scenes experiences, including those catered to travel enthusiasts.

It’s on soon, so wish me luck and keep an eye on Bullz-Eye.com for M life reports!

Image Credit: Rob Dolecki/DigBMX.com

When Mountain Dew gave me the opportunity to head down to Orlando, Florida for two days to learn how to ride bikes with professional BMX riders Chad DeGroot and Mark Mulville, I couldn’t shirk off the responsibilities of fatherhood, home ownership and general employment fast enough.

Kickstart by Mountain Dew is a sparkling juice beverage made to kick-start your day and get your rear into gear. With just 80 calories per 16 oz serving and 92 milligrams of caffeine (roughly as much as one cup of coffee), Kickstart gets you moving without the bloated, heavy feeling supplied by most “energy drinks” on the market. Don’t think of this as an energy drink — think of it as Mountain Dew for breakfast! Didn’t we all go to school with someone who drank Mountain Dew for breakfast, anyway? My buddy Eric Hoffman drank so much in the ’90s he pisses Yellow #5 to this day, exclusively.

Loaded with Vitamins B and C, plus 5% fruit juice, it’s a morning drink (not an energy drink) that gets your body and your mind higher than BMX pro/stunt cock Mark Mulville off a 10-foot wall at Orlando Skate Park!

Speaking of OSP, (which is what you call it, Brojam), getting there at roughly 7 AM was a serious thing of beauty. The sun had just began to rise, which gave everything a cherubic, surreal glow, and was accompanied by an endless chorus of early morning bird chirping action. It was like a bird mixtape that you made to impress a chick (when you used to do shit like that), except this was played against the backdrop of crisp morning air and the excitement of doing something you had never done before: riding a BMX bike.

When I first attempted to straddle the BMX, my first concern was for my nutsac. I’m all vasectomied up, so I wasn’t worried about reproductive function being compromised (spray and pray, baby); I was literally worried about crushing my nutsac on the pointy plastic seat. When I asked pro rider Chad DeGroot about the protruding seat, which could tear anal membrane or ball sac-age with equal ease, he said, “Well, you really don’t have to worry because you’re usually standing when you’re on the bike, anyway.”

And with that, I mounted the bike from behind, and rode it, in a rather wobbly way for about 10-15 feet. The bike was really small, my legs felt super long, and the safety of my ballsac was still floating through my mind. Maybe it’s because when I was 13 and playing little league I watched a kid in the on-deck circle take a well hit, yet foul, line drive directly to the nuts which resulted in one of his balls deflating, right there on the field. What a sound!

By any standards, the United States boasts some truly worthwhile winter getaways, from the blue shores of Lake Tahoe, to all those East Coast resorts that try to compete with their Western counterparts yet never do. Out in Colorado, a state known for its generous mountain profile and equally epic outdoors scene, a major holding of winter locales are routinely bustling with activity and serving up satisfied customers. Bullz-Eye was given the chance to experience a few days at Breckenridge, one of the premier resorts Colorado has to offer, during one of its most enjoyable times of the year: Ullr Fest.

When I first got the email regarding Ullr (pronounced Ooler) Fest, I was in a state of complete darkness as to the meaning. In the back of my head, crude images of massive stone hammers and snowy, bearded warriors filled the void, vainly trying to conjure up any sort of applicable knowledge. It turned out my premonitions weren’t completely off, and the whole celebration was in fact Breckenridge’s way of honoring the Norse god of snow, Ullr.

All people who share a love for the outdoors have some sort of relationship with the weather. Cyclists pray for absence of rain, surfers yearn for hearty swells and so on. Snowboarders and skiers have that similar connection, yet take it to a whole other Bobby and Whitney sort of magnitude. The degree of snowfall can literally make or break half of the year for those who passionately delegate an entire season to winter sports. On a grander scale, resorts can lose significant amounts of revenue due to lackluster precipitation and the disinterested wake that follows.

So what actually happens at Ullr Fest? Are there droves of cute females walking the streets, clad only in fur bikinis and Viking helmets? Is the whole town mobilized into a party mode that rivals New Year’s Eve levels of intensity? And better yet, what does the whole experience say about Breckenridge and its ability to provide a worthwhile winter vacation? To make a long story short, the whole week was quite an epic adventure, but to adequately answer those questions, an introduction must be made about the team who participated, because seldom are the times when an individual alone is able to truly breathe in all the possibilities a new area has to offer:

Press:

Dane, Thrillist: More or less average build, with a clever and hilarious way of adding to every conversation and setting. Mannerisms similar to comedian Dane Cook.

Seth, Maxim: Nickname earned due to his uncanny facial similarity to Seth Rogen; if it weren’t for his towering height, he may actually be a full-fledged twin.

PR:

Drew: Pleasantly down-to-Earth, yet seriously extensive in her knowledge and passion for the area. Drew Barrymore doppelganger.

Daphne: Beautiful, interesting and once from Seattle. Being that Martin Crane’s physical therapist is just about the only female I know from the area, the nickname will have to stick, and yes, that was a “Frasier“ reference.
Kanye: The mastermind behind the entire organization and execution of the trip. A true professional, and much like the aforementioned rapper, Chicago raised.

Early frustrations

Do you ever have nightmares depicting missed flights or late/botched airport arrivals? Both seemed to rear their ugly heads last Tuesday when I stared in disbelief as my phone relayed a text from my “ride.”

“Shit came up, can’t give you a ride. Sorry man.”

Can’t give me a ride? Two hours ago would have been a perfect time to drop such a bomb, but not now. Oh well, I quickly thought, all is not lost – Go-Go Gadget Drive Myself. I flew down to the car and punched it aggressively for the next hour, cursing the heavily inundated 19th Avenue of San Francisco and looking at every red light as if I had never seen such an atrocity before.

As I neared the airport, the horrible realization was that I had zero time to drop my car in nearby Millbrae and instead was forced to throw up a Hail Mary. I drove straight into 2-hour parking, tossed my luggage outside, and then left forty dollars, the parking ticket, and my car keys in a tissue box deep inside the trunk. The final touch was the front door unlocked and a text message to my buddy who lived a short distance away, pleading with him to grant me this one favor.

Colorado, finally

After the day unexpectedly morphed into such a hectic beast, I was overjoyed when the plane touched down in Denver and I was soon aboard the hour and 40 minute shuttle towards Breckenridge. Something needs to be said about the drive up to Breckenridge. The road lazily tilts upward and soon you get the feeling that an ominous space mission is being made into the dark skies, ear-popping and all.

It was throughout the drive that I found myself laughing at our shuttle driver, Ted; not at him personally, but at the routine which followed whenever he chose to make but the slightest change in heater settings. He’d crank the dial ever so slightly and almost immediately, a reprieve would echo from the shadowy passengers in the rear.

“Umm, Ted, can you turn that down a hair?” or, “Ted, could you make it blow less? Like, the temperature is okay, but there is a lot of air coming out, right on my head,” and further, “Ted, the passenger in the back would like it to be a bit colder. Thanks.” This pattern repeated itself multiple times, to the point where the lady in the front seat reached over and patted his shoulder, saying, “You’re doing great, Ted.” This made me laugh.

As with most SLAPPA bags, you may have a hard time filling all the available space in this backpack, with pockets seemingly on top of pockets inside of just about every nook and cranny of the bag. Inside, the padded divider insert allows for storage of a full collection of lenses and bodies for any pro or amateur photographer, and you can configure that section of the bag to fit your needs. The face of the bag features a pocket designed to give you instant access to your DSLR camera body and up to a 10” lens, and other flaps on the front are perfect for memory cards, spare batteries and other supplies. To top it off, there’s a dedicated pocket in the back of the bag for your 17” laptop and all the cords and chargers you need.

The only downside with this bag is the size which, when fully loaded, makes it more of a travel bag than something you’d carry with you on-site during a shoot, and the divider section is tough to access without completely unzipping the face of the bag. We’d also like to see a locking mechanism for the zippers so you can secure your equipment, but you won’t find many camera backpacks that can match the M.A.S.K.’s versatility and sheer capacity. If you need to get all of your photography gear from Point A to Point B, this is the bag for you. Stylish and comfortable, SLAPPA delivers yet again with this roomy and reliable DSLR/laptop backpack.