As a 21-year-old Russian beach bum, he started Israel’s first and only ski resort, followed by an open-air Amazon village complete with volleyball court and golf driving range on the Hudson River. He went on to open the Kit Kat Club that featured Cabaret off-Broadway, and finally Sushi Samba. His Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill will also open in coming months in Miami, just in time for New Year's. While celebrating Sushi Samba's 10 Year Anniversary this month, Shimon Bokovza is just warming up.

Las Vegas is officially a bust. Hard times in Sin City mean bargain-basement deals for you, especially now that the New York Times has appointed the city "Frugal Destination of the Year." Vegas has about 141,000 hotel rooms and is currently working with a 15% drop in occupancy rates, which translates to $199 rates at Wynn Las Vegas and $14 rates at the El Cortez Cabana Suites. And the deals don't stop there.

Sin City is expecting over 300,000 partiers this New Year's Eve. The Strip gets shut down, and a giant block-party ensues. Along with neon drinks and dancing in the streets, here are five ways you can ring in the New Year, Vegas style:

Not to be outdone by the hotel scene, the price of entry to some restaurants is sky-high. Here's a short list (via Forbes) of the most expensive places to nosh around the country: