In front of the Bellagio hotel (3000 rooms) is a vast artificial lake of shimmering blue water. Underneath the surface of the lake is one of the world's most ambitious water features: 900 feet long, with 1,200 water nozzles and 4,500 lights. The highest water 'jet' can reach 240 ft in the air, and the whole feature cost $40 million to build.

Roughly three times an hour, music begins to play and the Water Show bursts into life, with huge jets of water and fountains rising, falling and dancing in pre-choreographed sequences to match the music. I'm told they have about 20 music tracks ready to go at any one time, each with its own programmed Water Show sequence. The music ranges from classical to Sinatra and the occasional pop 'standard'. The Celine Dion song from 'Titanic' seems a recurring favourite.

Here are three shots from the outdoor terrace at the Bellagio's 'Olive's Restaurant':

Here are two shots taken from street level, in front of the Bellagio's imposing facade:

I discovered there is another excellent place from which to view the Water Show. Directly opposite the Bellagio is the Parisian Hotel, complete with a half-size replica of the Eiffel Tower. You can take a ride to the top of the Tower, where a viewing platform provides an excellent view looking across and down at the Water Show:

And finally, another shot from the top of the 'Eiffel Tower', showing the front of the Bellagio itself: