We ♥ Coachella

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

Today it’s out of the city & into the desert for one of the world’s most famous festival experiences, Coachella!

Coachella is a must for those that love to hit the festival circuit, with a consistent line up of some of the world’s biggest names in music headlining each year, blended with up & coming artists & home-grown talent for the perfect mix of festival goodness. We’ll head straight to the hotel, where you can laze by the pool or get the party started before the festival action starts tomorrow!

Hotel Breakfast, Dinner

Today’s the day that the serious fun begins! Get up, grab your included ticket then jump on the coach to get taken right to the entry of the festival. With over 75,000 like-minded festival lovers making the pilgrimage to the desert this is one party in the desert you won’t want to miss. The iconic Ferris wheel, palm trees, sunshine & people dressed for festival fun, the buzz here is like nothing else.

Maybe take time to get your bearings & find where everything is at, then get into the music! Our tip: don’t forget your sunnies, your sunscreen & your dancing shoes. When the music starts it’s really where the personality of Coachella comes alive, so get out & get amongst it! 2012’s line-up included the likes of the Bon Iver, the Black Keys, David Guetta, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Noel Gallagher, the Arctic Monkeys & Radiohead, so there’s definitely something for everyone.

But Coachella is not just about the music. There is loads of other stuff to check out when you feel like taking a break.

Hungry? If you’re feeling like a snack, head to The Terrace for a huge variety of food. It’s all about fresh produce (local too) so it’s seriously yummy. Each year it gets better & better, with Organic markets, food trucks & a MUST is trying the famous Coachella Spicy Pie.

Feeding the inner arty is a must while you’re here too. Checking out the amazing art installations while you’re here should be the top of your to-do list too.

Hotel Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast

Today we say farewell to the desert & the good times at Coachella, ‘til next year! We head back to LA where your tour ends on arrival in downtown LA.

Breakfast