Born from a frenzied text exchange between friends late one night at Johnny’s Bar in New York City, the ‘Travel Text’ is, in 500 words or less, a quick-fire city-guide of one individual’s personalized recommendations, highlights and travel tips. It’s a wholly subjective, far from definitive take on a place but we feel there’s something to 'em!...

Have your 'Travel Text' take on a city -any city? Send it on to us and in the coming weeks we’ll publish them here in The Cud.

Our first featured destination: Sin City. Enjoy!

First timers will just enjoy walking the strip to take in the inherent ridiculousness of places like Caesar’s and the Venetian, the fountain at Bellagio and the volcano at the Mirage… I generally gamble at mid-level casinos like Harrah's or off strip at the Orleans for the lower blackjack minimums but the Wynn or Venetian are nicer and less busy with riff raff (unless you count masses of Euro trash as riff raff- and I do)... The Hilton and Caesar’s have impressive, near-cavernous sports books, but I quite like the smaller, plush one at the Wynn… The biggest pool (or collection of pools) is at the Mandalay, though the Wynn is a worthy spot, as is the Mirage. Hard Rock’s pool is great, but attracts extras from Jersey Shore…The only current long-running show really worth going to is Beatles Love at the Mirage but check what bands or comics will he in town during your visit, especially those performing at the House of Blues or Hard Rock... Best affordable French is at the Bouchon in the Venetian… The Hard Rock's Mexican restaurant, the Pink Taco, does good fare… For a twist on (affordable) seafood, get a taxi to Hot and Juicy Crawfish in Chinatown (it really is hot and juicy)… If you must go the gluttonous route (and it’s worth it once just for the experience) the best buffet is at the Wynn or Bellagio, don't bother with any other. Go before 3pm and get the same food as they serve at dinner for less bucks… Go to the Golden Steer at the northern end of the strip for a martini and tell 'Old Joe from the Bronx' hi- it's in a stark strip mall but trust me, it's old school, red-booths awesome, right down to the crooner in the bar singing Sinatra tunes… After that, catch a ride to Piero's (make reservations) for another old-school, great Italian meal-without the prices of the Italian restaurants in the strip casinos. If you’re a Runnin' Rebels fan, ask for a peek at their private dining room dedicated to Jerry Tarkanian… Hard Rock and the Palms are your go-to for young, hipster-vibe crowds, the exact opposite is the folks you'll find at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville on the Strip… People-watching from the casino bar in the Venetian is good for an in-between-bets-drink… Go to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in the City Center complex and catch a lift to their rooftop cocktail bar. Killer view... For a bar/club like no other, catch a taxi to the Artisan Hotel (evenings), the place is decked out in reproductions of classic artwork… If you want to shoot automatic weapons (you do, really??), catch a taxi to The Gun Store… Last of all, if you have to get away, skip the crowds that hit the Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam and instead rent a car for a drive up to Mount Charleston or Red Rock Canyon. Both are welcome reprieves from the excesses of the Strip and genuinely breathtaking…

Ezy Reading is out every month...