1. Hooray for
Want to get closer to the stars? Head to Los Angeles’
Tinseltown for a celeb-studded break…
J
ust five minutes after is at the fantastic Universal it’s very welcome on a hot day. we went, filming was taking place,
touching tarmac in theme park – right next door However, a lot of the rides at so even though we couldn’t travel
Los Angeles, we’d to the famous film studios. Universal are virtual – 3D, or in right up Wisteria Lane, we could
already seen a real the case of Shrek, 4D, because you still see Susan’s and Bree’s houses.
star – actor Dean A Posh destination get sprayed with water when one Hot, tired and slightly emotional
Cain, who wore At the Jurassic Park ride, I chatted of the characters sneezes. from all the excitement, I couldn’t
the red cape in to one of the employees. ‘Are you So, on the new Simpsons ride, wait to jump in the swimming
The New Adventures of Superman. guys from England? Do you like you don’t actually go anywhere. pool at our hotel – the luxurious
It turned out he was on our David Beckham?’ she asked me. But you’ll have a laugh as you Sheraton Universal, a five-minute
plane, and now he was at the I laughed. ‘Of course,’ I replied. ride the virtual roller coaster walk from the theme park.
luggage carousel, chatting politely She whipped out her mobile. with Bart, Marge and co. After an extensive refurb, all the
to the overexcited British women ‘Well, take a look at this,’ she said, There are quite a few shows at rooms are tastefully furnished in
(me included) who were trying showing me a fuzzy image of David, Universal, including my personal neutral colours with flat-screen TVs.
to flirt with him, and flashing Victoria, her sister Louise and kids favourite, Animal Actors. There’s a glamorous bar, where
a devastatingly white smile. Romeo, Brooklyn and Cruz. But the highlight of our visit you can meet your publicist for an
It was a surreal experience, Just one week earlier, they had was the studio tour, where you appletini (OK, then, your family and
but remember, we were in the been standing in exactly the same can see some of the sets from friends), and you can enjoy a meal
entertainment capital of the world. spot as I was. blockbuster movies, such as in California’s Restaurant.
Like the car bumper sticker says, They all looked happy in the pic, War of the Worlds, King Kong
I love LA. Take it from me, for a apart from Posh, who was wearing and The Fast and the Furious. Room for little monsters
glam escape, you can’t beat star- her usual pout. Perhaps she’s afraid Sadly, the recent fire destroyed The Sheraton even boasts a huge
spotting in the Californian sunshine. of dinosaurs, or didn’t want to get the Back to the Future sets, but there’s Presidential suite, where, we were
And one of the best places to her hair wet. After all, you get a still plenty to see, including where reliably informed, California
get closer to the action of your good soaking as your boat plunges TV shows Heroes and Desperate Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
favourite movies and TV shows down the 84ft waterfall – though Housewives are made. On the day was hanging out a couple of weeks
46 love it!

2. travel
‘Go window-shopping
on Rodeo drive’
‘Cheer up, Posh,
you’re in Hollywood’
celeb pull
quote
‘stay at the luxurious
‘Brave the scary
sheraton Universal’
Jurassic Park
ride at Universal’
‘Take a stroll along
santa Monica beach’ fact file
Virgin Holidays offers seven
ago. But if you have little ones, you straight across for a fantastic the rollerblading, turban-wearing nights at the four-star Sheraton
might want to treat them to a stay view of the Hollywood sign. guitarist Harry Perry. Universal hotel from £879, on
in the Shrek room, furnished in the On nearby Sunset Boulevard It’s a great place to sit with a a room-only basis. Price is per
style of the ogre’s lair, complete in West Hollywood, you’ll find smoothie or something stronger person based on two adults
travelling and sharing a standard
WoRds liz jarvis PHoTos corbis, getty, goff-inf, photolibrary.com, rex features
with a slime-green bath. the area known as Sunset Strip, and watch the bizarre world go
The following day, we decided to home to celeb haunts including by, or simply take a refreshing room between 1 November and
head into Hollywood. The easiest the Viper Room, House of Blues dip in the Atlantic. But be warned, 14 December 2008, and includes
way to get there is by subway – it and the Chateau Marmont hotel. the waves can be fierce – I nearly economy return flights from
costs $1.25 (roughly 70p) a trip, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron lost my bikini bottoms! Heathrow direct to Los angeles,
and is perfectly safe and clean. Diaz, Keanu Reeves and Kylie all In Santa Monica – a firm plus car hire with basic insurance.
for more information, and to
Have fun spotting your favourite have homes in Hollywood. fave with us Brits – watch the
book, call 0844 557 3860, or visit
stars’ names on the Walk of Fame So, if you keep your eyes open weightlifters at Muscle Beach,
www.virginholidays.com.
– there’s everyone from the Wizard behind those obligatory dark or visit the aquarium, the pier
Virgin also offers Universal
of Oz’s munchkins to Britney. shades, there’s a chance you’ll spot and beautiful Palisades Park.
Studios tickets, starting at £44
And outside Grauman’s Chinese an A-lister in a boutique or bar. And even if your man doesn’t per adult and £39 per child. If
Theatre, you can see the hand and play for LA Galaxy, you can still you have a stopover in La, the
footprints belonging to legends Life’s a beach go window-shopping on glitzy Crowne Plaza hotel is located
such as Marilyn Monroe – she had Of course, there’s lots more to Rodeo Drive, or pretend to hunt near the airport. rooms start
tiny, tiny feet – and Jack Nicholson. LA than Tinseltown – including for mansions in Beverly Hills. at £55 a night. Visit www.ihg.
Next to the Kodak Theatre the city’s fabulous beaches. It’s unlikely you’ll see a soul, com for more info, or book
– where the Oscars ceremony For the ultimate Californian but great fun walking past the with Virgin Holidays.
is held – is a great mall. experience, head to Venice Beach, incredible houses and wondering
But before you start shopping, where you’ll see the weird and who lives there. We all need
next week: florida, us
take the escalator to the third the wonderful. Watch out for dogs a little stardust
floor, walk to the back and look with sunglasses and pink fur, and sometimes. n
love it! 47