Los Angeles is about as alien as a holiday destination as you can choose
without learning another language.
Someone appears to have switched off the weather some time in Summer 1977, and
rainy days, like hosepipe bans, are almost unknown there.
Politeness and really quite agreeable local wines both seem in plentiful
supply too. You couldn’t find a sharper contrast with the Home Counties if
you tried.
Staying in Santa Monica, known for its for its long golden beaches, you might
be tempted to join the beautiful people on their sunlit cycle rides or jogs.
But what if those generous American-sized meals and fine California wines have
left you too relaxed to enter into the West Coast pursuit of the body
beautiful?
The Twenty-First Century answer is to rent a Segway, a futuristic ‘personal
transporter’ that takes a few minutes to master and can be driven forwards
or backwards at anything between a slow walk and 12 miles per hour.
A 2 hour Segway rental from Segway Los Angeles is 75 dollars, guided tours are
available or you prefer to go solo you can can just cruise the beachfront:
keeping pace with the health freaks or slowing down to admire the views …
If you’re the competitive type you can try racing the cyclists while more
sociable can stop to pass the time of day with the occasional other Segway
pilots you encounter.
Watch the video for a taste of the lazy, eco-friendly way to go
people-watching on the Hollywood set’s favourite beach.
TRAVEL DETAILS
Segway Los Angeles offer
rentals starting from $75.00 per 2-hour session, rising to $895.00 for a
month-long hire.
Shutters on the Beach
is one of only two hotels with direct access to Santa Monica beach. 2008
rates range from $520 to $3500 US For reservations dial +1-800-334-9000
Hotel Casa Del Mar, sited just
next door offers rooms from $520 to $3200 US For reservations dial
+1-800-898-6999
A number of airlines offer direct flights to LA from Heathrow. I travelled
with Virgin Atlantic which has
returns from £449. Upper Class flights, which include use of the First Class
lounge, and Virgin’s new Upper-Class wing with private check-in which
includes limos to and from the airport at both ends, Upper Class Wing (with
private security corridor) at Heathrow, LHR Clubhouse with complimentary
beauty treatments plus access to Clubhouse at LAX, priority boarding (and
the likelihood of an in-flight cocktail seminar), are priced from £3,515.
