Multi-Grammy winner and splashy entertainer Elton John recently signed with The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for a three-year run with his new show, “The Million Dollar Piano.” The first set of 16 shows kicks off September 28. This is the second time Elton John has headlined at Caesars Palace.

“Caesars Palace is just a perfect, idyllic place to play, and the show will be a gargantuan feast of music and imagery,” said Elton John, “I’m going to have a fabulous piano that Yamaha has been working on for four years, and that’s the reason why the show is called ‘The Million Dollar Piano.’”

The singer’s career has spanned more than five decades and he is one of the top-selling solo artists of all time with 20 consecutive Top 40 hits. Worldwide, Elton John has sold more than 250 million records. “Candle in the Wind” holds the record of being the biggest selling single of all time with 37 million copies sold.  Elton John has played more than 3,000 concerts internationally since the start of his career in 1969.

If grooving and singing along to memorable tunes as “Bennie and the Jets”, “Tiny Dancer” and “Rocket Man/I Think It’s Going to Be a Long Long Time” is your thing then attending an Elton John concert is a must. Plan a girlfriends getaway to Las Vegas with your favorite gal pals and incorporate a little Elton into your itinerary. Or, book your seats as part of date night during a Las Vegas vacation. But seriously, do you need an excuse to travel to Las Vegas?

Tickets for the September and October 2011 shows can be purchased through Ticketmaster or by calling The Coessum at 1-888-435-8665. Tickets range in price from $55 to $250 plus applicable fees. After you have your Elton John concert tickets, let Resort Rentals Intl. be your resource for your accommodation needs during your Las Vegas vacation.

After a 30-year run, the space shuttle program is ending this year. NASA has set Friday, July 8, 2011, as the date for the final space shuttle mission (STS-135) when Atlantis will make its last flight from Kennedy Space Center. Officials in the Florida’s Space Coast are anticipating about one million visitors will be taking part in the historic event. Following are three ways to see the final space shuttle launch in person.

NASA Tweetup – put your Twitter account to work by registering for one of 150 spots to attend the NASA Tweetup scheduled for July 7 and 8 at Kennedy Space Center. This blogger participated in the April/May NASA Tweetup for Endeavour’s final launch and trust her – being selected and attending is like winning the lottery. A Tweetup is a gathering of Twitterers (or Tweeps or Tweeters) and NASA does it right with presentations by NASA officials including scientists, engineers and astronauts. The two-day event includes tour of Kennedy Space Center, most likely a visit to the launch pad to see the rollback of the rotating service structure and space shuttle launch. NASA Tweetup is held in the press site which is about 3.1 miles from the launch pad meaning these are the best seats in the house.

Selection for the 150 slots is done by lottery and registration opens Wednesday, June 1 at Noon EDT and will be open for 24 hours. Having a Twitter account and following NASA (twitter.com/NASA) are some of the requirements to attend. Visit the official NASA Tweetup website (http://go.nasa.gov/135tweet) for additional information.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex – There are multiple viewing options at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Due to demand, tickets for the final shuttle launch will be done through lottery. Registration for the opportunity to purchase tickets opens Monday, May 30 at 9 a.m. EDT and closes June 5, 2011, at 5 p.m. EDT. Registrants will be chosen at random for the opportunity to purchase tickets. Visit the website (http://go.nasa.gov/ieX1Mx) for additional information.

View a Launch from Off Site – Viewing a space shuttle launch is an incredible experience yet you don’t need to be on Kennedy Space Center property to see it. There are several vantage points in the Space Coast to see the final flight of Atlantis. Visit this NASA page (http://go.nasa.gov/OVlaunch) to view suggested launch viewing locations in Titusville and Cocoa Beach, Fla.

The best advice when planning a Florida vacation around the final space shuttle launch is to be flexible. Launch dates are subject to change with as much as two week’s notice to as little as an hour’s notice. When booking your travel, find an airline that offers flexibility in changing dates and check cancellation and change policies with your accommodations. Chances are, accommodations are booked in the Space Coast for the final space shuttle launch but Orlando is about an hour to the west and Daytona Beach is about an hour to the north and both offer reasonably priced lodging.

Pack an appetite if your summer vacation lands you in Sedona, Arizona, between June 11 and 26, 2011. During this time, vacationers can take a culinary tour of the destination’s best eats during Dine in Sedona Restaurant Fest. The two-week delish event will tantalize taste buds, satisfy tummies and rest easy on the travel budget.

Be treated to three-course, prix-fixe menus from participating restaurants. Don’t worry, you have a choice in what you eat. Each menu is designed so diners can select their appetizer, entrée and dessert. Participating restaurants have selected which dining price point they are so diners can budget accordingly.

The levels of dining are Modest ($19.95), Classic ($29.95) and Elegant ($39.95).

A complete list of participating Dine in Sedona Restaurant Fest eateries is listed on the event’s website, appropriately, www.dineinsedona.com. Or, when in Sedona, stop by the Uptown Visitor Center in June for complete list of participating restaurants.

When vacationing in Sedona, don’t forget to try those delicious dishes unique to the area like prickly pear margaritas, cactus fries and Cowboy-style steak. Yum! If wine is your thing, venture out to wine country in Verde Valley for a little sipping and swirling.

Bon appétit! And don’t forget to take care of your restaurant server.

Image Source: Sedona Chamber of Commerce