LA Explorer (valid until October 2011) View More Reviews

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Meet up with your fellow travellers and Tour Manager before heading straight out into the city that mixes up glamour, grit and the American Dream: Los Angeles. It’s packed with legends, full of energy and there are loads of things to do.

You’ll head out for an insider’s look at downtown LA on our morning walking tour. Your Local Guide will tell you all about the architecture, fill you in on American pop culture and show you some of the old theatres from Los Angeles’ heyday.

Then head to mythical Hollywood and onto holy ground for the stars. Check out the Kodak Theatre, where the Oscars are held every year and the Chinese Theatre, where so many greats have pressed their hands into the cement.

We’ll cruise down the hottest shopping street in LA, Melrose Avenue, and one of the best areas for nightlife, the Strip (Sunset Boulevard), with its billboards, clubs and eateries, before getting a glimpse at one of the world’s wealthiest suburbs in Beverly Hills, where your Tour Manager will give you the background on the who’s who of Hollywood

A little further west and we arrive in Santa Monica, LA’s oldest beach resort. Known for its liberal vibes, art galleries and wide sand beaches, Santa Monica is all about the California coast lifestyle. Your Tour Manager will give you some history on the city and then show you the famous pier, which serves as a permanent amusement park, complete with a solar powered Ferris wheel.

Later, we travel out to LA’s quirkiest suburb where anything goes: Venice Beach. A favourite hang out spot for locals, colourful Venice Beach attracts all sorts of people. Get a feel for street life when you hit the buzzing broadwalk, where performers, tattoo artists, hair braiders, musicians and roller bladders gather. Make sure you check out the markets and stalls, as well as the greased-up body builders pumping iron at the famous open air gym, Muscle Beach.

After dinner, you’ll head straight out for an optional Hollywood Pub Crawl through some of the towns hottest bars and clubs.

Hotel Dinner

In your free time, explore more of this colourful metropolis. LA has it all when it comes to shopping. Hit the boutiques of Melrose Ave or window-shop the epic designer stores of Rodeo Drive. This is the place to spot celebs!

Visit the Fashion Museum for inspiration and see famous outfits from movies on display, then hunt down some funky threads and interesting materials in the Garment District, which is just a few steps from your hotel. Or visit the interactive Grammy Museum where you can record your own song or get up close to some award-show celebrity dresses.

This city has food as diverse as its residents – you can find anything from burgers or tacos at a pavement stand to sushi in Little Tokyo, so make sure you make the most of this cultural melting pot.

For some all-American sports, check to see if any basketball, baseball, soccer or football games are on while you’re in town.

For your last day spend a fun day exploring the world-famous theme parks. Get inside Walt Disney’s magical imagination at Disneyland, where you can experience different theme zones and rides like Indiana Jones or Pirates of the Caribbean. For a behind-the-scenes look at movie making, head to Universal Studios and enjoy the thrills of this park’s film theme.

Hotel Breakfast, Breakfast

This morning, the tour ends and it’s time to say farewell to your new friends.