20 CANADA SPECIAL/LOS ANGELES
June 2018 Travel News City of Angels has You can practice your Baywatch-style slow-motion running past the lifeguard stations on the beach in LA
THE HOLIDAY NINJA recently visited Los Angeles, one of the most famous cities not just in the United States, but also the world...
Explore the vibrant history of Quebec, the cradle of French civilasation in North America
ROM vibrant cities to larger-than-life landscapes, electrifying festivals to outdoor adventures, let the places and people of Québec wash over you. Meander along the narrow cobblestone streets of a North American city enveloped in the romantic sound of the French language. Québec became the cradle of French civilisation in North America following the arrival of the first Europeans over 400 years ago —as attested by the church spires that dot the landscape and its 17th and 18th century architecture. Its history is marked by the presence of First Nations, the arrival of the French and British regimes, as well as a continuous flow of immigrants. Witness this cultural mosaic first- hand in the streets of our towns and cities, at historic sites, and inside museums. Our legacy is also felt through the evolution of urban landscapes shaped by events like Expo 67, the 1976 Olympic Games, and the 375th anniversary of the city of Montréal. Experience Québec’s National Holiday celebration. Originating from age-old traditions of celebrating the summer solstice, June 24th is not only a day off for all Quebecers, it’s a day to celebrate the culture and the people that make this place unique.
Go back in time to this former monastery in the heart of Old Québec City. The birthplace of North America’s first hospital, it’s home to immersive experiences like meditation, yoga or an overnight stay in a 17th-century cloister.
Step back in time in Old Québec City. History is everywhere here in the colourful traditions, the cobblestone streets, and in the architecture. And all with a respectful nod to Québec City’s ancestors—the Aboriginal, French and English.
City with vibrant history and tranquil forest walks F
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Québec is your playground. Whether it’s a tranquil forest walk you’re seeking, a heart-pounding ride on a zipline, or paddling out into the open water—you’ll love our nature. Its beauty transcends every season— unspoiled boreal forests, soaring fjords, glistening lakes, sandy beaches, and northern lights—providing diverse landscapes to explore, whether you live like a local for a few weeks or simply enjoy an invigorating day out. Explore 27 national parks and camp on site, rent a cabin or enjoy eco-lodging.
Your home away from home could be a tree house! Stay your way. In a teepee. Or an igloo. A yurt. Or an ice hotel. Even in a submarine. Because Québec offers all kinds of tailor-made establishments, designed specifically for those who want a room with a different kind of view.
From forests to gorges and escarpments, there’s something for every outdoor enthusiast, with more than 25 treetop adventure sites less than two hours from Montréal, Québec City or Gatineau. Have a taste for the obscure? This is a must-have addition to your travel bucket list. A 1.4 million-year-old crater filled with crystal blue waters. Situated in the heart of the tundra underneath an endless Arctic sky, it’s guaranteed to wow.
Take a walk on the wild side through breathtaking Gaspésie! Strap on your hiking boots for the walk of a lifetime. Join a group hike through the Chic-Choc Mountains. Watch whales from the shore. Take in the fresh air, reacquaint yourself with your true nature, and refresh your mind, body and soul.
For more information on visiting Quebec check out
quebecoriginal.com/en-gb
NOWN for being the hub of the nation’s television and film industry, Los Angeles is the focus point of the cultural, financial and commercial centres and is the second most populated city in the US (behind NYC) with just over 3.9million people.
It is known for its year round sunshine, pacific coastlines and diverse cultures. And with landmarks such as the ‘Hollywood’ sign and the ‘TCL Chinese Theatre’, it is one of the more popular US cities to visit .... and perfect for a wee #Ninja jaunt away! The #NInja flew courtesy of Ethiopian Airlines who fly three times per week from Dublin Airport.
Accommodation
There are of course numerous options and types of accommodation in the Greater LA area, but on this particular visit the #NInja opted to stay in Marina Del Rey at the fantastic, and exotic sounding, Jamaica Bay Inn.
The staff couldn't have been friendlier and the concierge was always on hand to provide some local knowledge on the surrounding area and potential issues such as LA traffic (which I'll come to later). The hotel is located right on the beach and has a fitness centre and year round heated pool with a spectacular view across the marina.
The rooms are fantastic. The #NInja’s room was on the fourth floor with an amazing view across the marina and a balcony which was great for watching the sunset across the marina. There is complimentary wifi and the rooms are stocked with gorgeous Molton Brown bathroom essentials. Rooms are also equipped with a mini fridge and complimentary coffees and Keurig coffeemaker which helped jumpstart this #NInja for the day ahead.
The Beachside Restaurant and Bar at the hotel was a great spot and the #NInja had breakfast here one of the mornings. The food was fantastic. I opted for the pancake stack and sausage but check out the chicken apple sausage which was a first for the #NInja - it was incredible! The Restaurant is open for breakfast lunch and dinner and you can sit on the terrace taking in the spectacular views.
Overnight rates are very competitive – however the best value packages are bookable direct with the hotel and through their own website.
Marina Del Rey / Venice / Santa Monica
The #NInja stayed in Marina Del Rey and its close proximity to LAX means you can get your LA adventure up and running in no time.
The water really is the star attraction at Marina Del Rey with so many activities to take advantage of right on your doorstep.
You can choose from paddle boarding, kayaking, jet ski and power boat rentals to yacht charters and whale watching and marina cruises.
On this trip the #NInja took the opportunity to try out kayaking and had a blast touring around the marina checking out the scenery and the amazing variety of boats and cruisers. A warning though is make sure you leave some energy for your trip back, that current just wants to take you back out to the deep water!
Build your own totem in the forest - your adventure in Quebec awaits
The location is superb as a base for exploring the Greater LA area, and as stated before, there is so much to do in MDR that you could spend most of your time here enjoying the activities and fabulous
food. However, if you want to venture out further LA’s popular attractions and the famous Venice and Santa Monica Beach areas are right on your doorstep. A short walk along the coast will bring you to Venice Beach with its eclectic mix of people and busy bars and restaurants. You will also see some fabulous street art dotted along the way.
Continuing on you will be heading towards Santa Monica and the famous Santa Monica Pier. The iconic pier is home to numerous restaurants and the fantastic Pacific Park with its Fun Fair style attractions and not to mention the rollercoaster and Ferris wheel. I would recommend the Ferris wheel for some spectacular views across the Beach and back towards Venice.
There are a number of eating options but if you're a big fan of the movie Forrest Gump then a trip to the themed chain restaurant Bubba Gump Shrimp Company is a must. It has all your usual fare but the shrimp options were mind blowing. If you like it spicy, check out the Jambalaya!
A short dander from the pier is 3rd street promenade which is a shoppers’ paradise! There are a number of high end shops but also many mainstream and affordable ones as well so it caters for all. This is a long pedestrianised street with street performers, cafes, cinema among the shops themselves ... and if you are really lucky, it is world-renowned for being a celeb spotting hotspot!
Food and Drink
There are a lot of fantastic dining options located in Marina Del Rey.
Tony P’s Dockside Grill was a great find and winner of numerous local awards. It is famous for its Mai Tai cocktail (has quite the kick!) and also has an unbelievable list of beers for any beer lovers out there. The food was amazing with the #NInja opting for a mouthwatering steak which was sublime. Killer Cafe was just next to the hotel and was a great diner-style place open 24 hours. Breakfast was fantastic and very reasonable as well. Right next door is the restaurant/bar Killer Shrimp which has a great reputation as being one of the best seafood restaurants in the area.
If you're a fan of the big American chain restaurants Marina Del Rey also has the The Cheesecake Factory right on the water. If you've never been it's worth it just to view the incredible amount of cheesecakes on offer, and the book-like food menu! The Red Velvet Cheesecake is a personal favourite but whatever you go for, just make sure you save room for dessert! An interesting fact for any pub quiz fans, the Cheesescake Factory in Marina Del Rey was the second one that ever opened! In fact the first three are all in LA/California.
There are also plenty of the usual US fast food places if looking for a quick snack, etc. The #NInja did have to try out In n Out Burger which is a Cali tradition and I wasn't disappointed! A simple burger fast food chain with a very simple menu ... but VERY tasty!
Universal Studios Hollywood
LA is home to Universal Studios Hollywood and as a huge theme park fan the #NInja spent the day checking out what it had to offer.
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