Tag: tour

  • The Xtreme Circumnavigation – Adventure Antigua Review

    The Xtreme Circumnavigation – Adventure Antigua Review

    Antigua, is a stunning Caribbean island. Its coast is lapped by the waters of both the Atlantic and Caribbean oceans. It has a beach for every day of the year, a cruise port and a beautiful old harbour to boot. So can you see Antigua in a day? Join us for our Adventure Antigua Xtreme Circumnavigation tour review to find out.

    Our Pick Up

    With my dry bag in hand, I squinted into the sun, looking for the boat. I was convinced we had missed it, that it had arrived and departed again from one of the other beaches at our resort. Thankfully, however, it pulled up a couple of minutes later and we climbed aboard with one other couple. We were the first people on the boat. “Sweet”, we thought, “An almost private tour”!

    Being first on the boat, we got the pic of the seats. I originally thought it would be fun to sit on the sideways seats at the front that’s the captain informed us we would have to straddle them like horses… Maybe not. We picked the front seats that were partially in the Sun and partially in the shade to satisfy both Mr Fluskey and my requirements. I pulled the chin straps on my cool new sun hat tight and prepared for the day.

    The Other Pick Ups

    The boat pulled out and started zooming along the coast, past Galley Bay and on up to the next resort with a booking. There wasn’t anyone waiting on the beach and we all looked around confusedly but nobody came running so after a respectable amount of time we decided to carry on to Sandals.

    The group that boarded from the sandals beach at Dickinson Bay was huge. As they came down the sand we were wondering how they were all cram onto the boat but luckily there was another Xtreme Circumnavigation boat or two from Adventure Antigua slightly further along the bay.

    The final pick up meant our boat was totally full…not quite the private tour we thought we might accidentally get but it was great to see tourism flourishing after COVID-19 had brought it all to a standstill for so long.

    Hell’s Gate

    The boat picked up speed, rendering my hat totally useless. As we zipped across the waves, the guides began yelling some fun facts for us. We could hear the guide at the back who started talking about a minute before the guide at the front. It was like the world’s longest echo.

    We pulled up to a pretty rock arch called Hell’s Gate that was apparently used in the Peter Pan film, Wendy. The cast was hired locally and there are many recognisable spots around Antigua used. I haven’t watched it yet but I am looking forward to yelling, “I’ve been there” at the screen and shocking my fellow viewers.

    Stingray City

    The first point at which we disembarked was Stingray City. Missing this attraction was one of my biggest regrets after our first trip to Antigua.

    The boats pulled up to a floating pontoon and the staff explained how to keep both themselves and the rays safe during interactions. Everyone lined up for their photos with the de-barbed ray. It made me a little uncomfortable but visitors are more than welcome to skip this if they don’t like idea or are just too nervous to hold a ray.

    The group bobbed around on the surface or hopped about nervously as a couple of inquisitive or hungry stingrays swooped through the water around us. As they brushed past my legs, I could feel how string their wing muscles were. They are incredible creatures. The rays here are fed but are free to come and go as they please. It is a sanctuary of sorts.

    Having seen photos of this spot before I was sad not to have met more stingrays but I think that the boats in the distance had arrived first, meaning the rays had head in that direction…this is pure speculation though. Being wild animals, they could have just been off, exploring the deep sea.

    Green Island

    Green Island is a small uninhabited island off Antigua’s south coast. It is picture perfect and so peaceful. Well, apart from an hour or so at lunchtime when it is inhabited by a few hungry tourists.

    We hopped off the boats and went for a wander along the pretty little beach. The water was stunning, perfectly clear and a bright turquoise that deepened to royal blue at the horizon. I wasn’t kidding when I said picture perfect!

    After a few minutes, the call came that lunch was served and we lined up with dumbly tummies. On the menu, we had tender and tangy BBQ chicken, a simple pasta dish, a green salad and a selection of soft drinks.

    It was only when we sat down with our plates that I noticed the couple with a picnic blanket, a cute wicker basket and a bottle of bubbles. Turns out, this couple had visited with the Xtreme Circumnavigation tour five years before and had loved this spot so much that they had arranged a special trip to return. We apologised profusely for disturbing their romantic moment as we left.

    Geeking Out at the Pillars of Hercules

    We passed from the Atlantic side to the Caribbean Sea as we round the corner to the south coast. The boat passed the famous Shirley Heights lookout (another of those spots we still haven’t been to) and the Pillars of Hercules. These curved rock formations have been formed by wave erasion and weather erosion (there’s that geography GCSE) and the sedimentary rock gives them beautiful striations.

    Taking a Turn Around Nelson’s Dockyard

    As our boat idled at the entrance to Nelson’s Dockyard we heard about some of the history. This port was first constructed in the mid 1700s to cater for the British vessels that frequented the aptly named “English Harbour”. It remained an important harbour for the British through the next 300 years but now it is more used to the pleasure craft that descend every year for yacht week. The whole area has had a wonderful regeneration and it plays host to a nice hotel as well as mani taking some wonderful historical sections. If you revisit on foot, you can try and hunt out some 18th century graffiti. Oh and the name? Yes, it is THAT Nelson who was stationed here in the late 1700s, but it didn’t get the name until the 1950s.

    Pillars of Hercules x2

    After we puttered back out of the harbour entrance on our Xtreme Circumnavigation, the boat stopped and we were given the chance to jump back in the water for some snorkelling. Half of the group followed one guide, going further from the boat and up to the impressive rocks, whilst the others hung by the boat.

    I was fascinated to see what happened to the rocks underwater so we powered off with the first group.

    There were a few fish but they weren’t the main attraction for me. I enjoyed seeing the rocks that swooped down into a large shelf.

    Rum at Rendezvous Bay

    As the clouds came rolling in, we got a last little bit of sun, sneaking in below them. The sky turned sepia as we pulled into Rendezvous Bay.

    Everybody launched into the waist-deep water to get onto the pristine sand where our hosts were serving up a stonkingly good rum punch. Some members of the group were shy about asking for seconds but….and there is no surprise here…the four Brits among the group ended up with a third serving each.

    Feeling merry, we didn’t have far to go for our hotel. It was a very quick boat ride and luckily, the rum only really kicked in when we were back on dry land. It had been a long day, and we were ready for bed pretty early, salty, wind-whipped and tipsy from out Xtreme Circumnavigation tour.

    Final Thoughts on our Adventure Antigua Xtreme Circumnavigation Tour

    Sooooo, did we see the whole of Antigua in a day? Not quite (but then my bad eyesight didn’t help). However, we did see a wonderful array of things that would have been very tricky to see by car and it gave us some ideas of places to revisit during our trip, or on another holiday in Antigua. I would definitely recommend a crazy day with Adventure Antigua. I was impressed at how much they crammed into a day that went by surprisingly quickly. There was a nice blend of action above and below the water and I liked the blend of history and nature.

    In terms of food and drink provision, I think it would be a good idea to bring some water for the first half of the day but the soft drinks and lunch are grand and the rum punch is a total winner. Wear your swimmers, bring your sun cream, remember your sense of adventure and you’ll have a grand day out!

    Rosie xx

  • Three Cities on Four Wheels – Rolling Geeks Review

    Three Cities on Four Wheels – Rolling Geeks Review

    Malta is chock full of history, beauty and unexpected delights. Valletta is the obvious first spot for sightseeing but just across the water, extending like a brownie salute into the bay, the three cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua) have their own highlights to explore. Walking would be absolutely exhausting, so for a fun, informative and totally unique experience, check out our Rolling Geeks review.

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  • Loving London – Dinner Cruise with City Cruises London Review

    Loving London – Dinner Cruise with City Cruises London Review

    London is a special city…but then I have lived here for sixteen years so I may be biased. After such a long in the city, it could be easy to think that I have seen the river and all it has to offer. However, taking a dinner cruise with City Cruises proved me wrong. To find out what made it so special, read on for our full City Cruises London review.

    We were guests of City Cruises but all opinions are entirely our own.

    Westminster Pier

    For the London Dinner Cruise, the boat departs from the Westminster Pier. This floating pontoon is right by Westminster Bridge, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament meaning you can do a spot of sightseeing before even embarking. We were in the area far too early so we went and relaxed in nearby St James’ Park. It was a swift 12 minute walk back to the river, ready for our cruise at 19:30. All guests are asked to arrive at 19:30 and it is very important to arrive on time. The boat pushes back at 19:45 and if you miss it, there isn’t a chance to hop on.

    On arrival, we were shown to a queue which moved forward quickly as the boat pulled in. Each group of guests was welcomed, checked off and shown to their spot with a welcome drink. We were incredibly excited to find out that we had front row seats which meant great views. Being visually impaired, sitting close to the action is so important to me!

    Central London Part 1

    The boat pulled away from the pier, under Westminster Bridge which we thought was a little curious. However, it soon made a U-turn and began to sail back east, through Central London.

    Upstairs, we snapped photos galore but got totally distracted as the boat passed smoothly past our favourite London landmarks. I have enjoyed many a stroll along South Bank since I was a child so it was very cool to see the buildings from a different perspective.

    Visiting London? Check out our ideas for 101 Things to Do London

    • So casual
    • The Houses of Parliament
    • About turn!
    • Trying not to neck my welcome drink

    Karl poked his head over the side and saw that those below were already eating so we dashed down for our starters.

    The Starters

    After ordering a couple more drinks (a rum for Karl, and a kir royale for me), we were served with our first course. Now, I am a pushover when it comes to all things smoked salmon but this was particularly good. It had all the flavours that mix so beautifully with salmon, the dill, lemon and prawn but they had obviously thought about texture too. The salad was crunchy, the prawns meaty and I loved the little bits of salmon on top too. It was my perfect fish starter…and not a drop of marine rose sauce to be seen!

    We then had a nice bowl of simple soup. We had demolished the first lot of bread brought to us, completely forgetting about the soup course, but luckily they served it with a choice of rolls. It is a testament to the steady boat captain that I didn’t end up with any soup on my dress!

    Scottish Smoked Salmon Mousse with Mustard and Dill Centre, King Prawns with Lemon and Mesclun Salad
    Tomato, Roast Pepper and Basil Soup

    As we sipped on our beverages and chomped on the starts, we continued to sightsee. Golden Hour was setting in and the sun bathed everything in a warm, glittering light. If you are serious about using this as a photo cruise, stay upstairs until you pass under Tower Bridge so you don’t end up with little reflections in your photos.

    The OXO Tower looks very different when you aren’t below its arcade front.
    A very shiny Shard
    My Kir Royale is almost as big as The Shard!
    St Paul’s Cathedral
    HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge

    What it is Like On Board City Cruises?

    The City Cruises boats are incredibly stable. At the water level, you feel like you are floating across the water. The decor is a little 1990s, like a business hotel lobby but who is there to look inside? What made it special was the performer. He sang and played guitar over three sets, covering modern easy listening favourites. At the end of the night, he got a big cheer. I wonder if people are normally allowed to get up and dance in non-covid times?

    Upstairs, the seats are simple and designed for big groups of tourists to take in the views en masse. We never sat up here but just ran around for photos. The boat holds far fewer people for dinner so there was plenty of room for everyone to get their angles.

    The Main Course

    The main course was a game of two halves. I could have eaten the entire oven dish of dauphinoise. It was a creamy, garlic-laden delight. The sauce was sweet and sharp with tomato and red wine, and heady with thyme. The crispy parma ham was a lovely addition. However, the cute carrot flowers were a bit overcooked and my chicken breast was quite dry in the middle. I didn’t end up finishing it.

    Roasted Supreme of Chicken wrapped in Parma Ham, served with Dauphinoise Potato and Mushroom with Thyme and Red Wine Sauce and Seasonal Vegetables

    What a Sunset

    After speeding quite quickly through the curve f the Thames that runs between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, the boat pulled over in a City Cruises docking area. We were a bit confused, wondering if that was as far as it went, but enjoying the time to finish our main course without having to rush upstairs for photos.

    As we finished eating, the colours outside had gone from blue and bright to pure gold. We popped upstairs and we greeted by a stunning skyline. We took a thousand photos until the boat pulled out and started to speed eastwards once again.

    East London Hightlights

    Between Tower Bridge and the O2 in North Greenwich, the boat passed some famous spots. Sadly, we missed the infamous pub, The Prospect of Whitby on our left hand side in Wapping We were just too distracted by the sun. However, as we passed through Bermondsey, Limehouse and Rotherhithe everyone’s attention was captivated by Canary Wharf. The Docklands was regenerated in the 1980s when river trade died off. Along the waterfront, a cluster of tall, very shiny skyscrapers now dominates the area.

    From the new to the old, just around the corner is Greenwich. From afar, one can see the masts of the venerable ship, Cutty Sark. The tea clipper

    The Cutty Sark and Greenwich Foot Tunnel Entrance
    The O2
    Our table neighbours watching East London go by
    The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich looking stunning

    The Dessert

    Oh dessert,. When it arrived, it looked pretty but its simple appearance belied its perfect chocolate hit! I took a bite and was instantly sad that it wasn’t ten times the size. The blend of the three chocolate mousses was bang on to ensure it was creamy, not too bitter and not too sweet. The raspberry sauce gave it a fun, fruity punch every so often and at home, we’d have licked the plates.

    White, Dark and Milk Chocolate Truffle Cake with Raspberry Sauce

    The cake was so good, I considered minesweeping the few that people hadn’t touched. I restrained myself….! I settled for the coffee served as a closing number for the meal.

    Central London Part 2

    Our second pass through Central London was much slower. They took particular care to go through Tower Bridge at a stately pace. The sun was celebrating its last few dying rays, the lights were on and it all made for a rather nice snap. We were all furiously photographing the bridge, the sky and each other.

    The eleven bridges over the Thames have been undergoing some work and now all boast a light installation. the overall work is called Illuminated River. Each bridge is different and the LED lights seem to pulse as you pass below each bridge. The lights are on until 2 am so we got to see them in all their glory.

    Along the banks, a few building showed off their lights, reflecting boldly on the shifting water. The brightly coloured lights of the London Eye, and the fun rainbow Town Hall welcomed us back to Westminster Pier.

    Final Thoughts on our City Cruises London Review

    As a London resident, this was an amazing way to see London in a new way. I have walked the Thames from the O2 to Kew Bridge, but how many people cn say that? It opens up sections of the river many haven’t seen, and you can see it all whilst enjoying a tasty meal. Taking the trip in summer is definitely the best plan as the chance to see central London by day and by night was special. In winter, the sun would be gone by the time you boarded.

    As a visitor to London, any of the City Cruises tours would be a special way to see lots of the city in a short time. It’s worth remembering that the classic cruises journeys have a commentary for a little history along the way (great if you don’t know London well) but if you just want to relax, combining sightseeing and dinner, then the dinner cruise is a fabulous option. We saw so many different groups of people on board. Romanic nights out, groups of friends having celebrations, families taking in the sights. It just goes to prove that this is for anyone! I mean, I’d happily go again tomorrow!

    Rosie xx

  • Taking a Dip in the Devil’s Pool – Victoria Falls

    Taking a Dip in the Devil’s Pool – Victoria Falls

    If someone built a hotel, with an infinity pool that truly overlooked The Victoria Falls, it would be on every traveller’s bucket list. In Zambia, Mother Nature has gone one better creating an infinity pool on the edge of Victoria Falls! Daring tourists travel from across the world to take a dip in the scarily named Devil’s Pool, and we eagerly joined our tour back in November 2018. Join us as we take a dip in the Devil’s Pool Victoria Falls.

     

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    Our Devil’s Pool Tour with Tamuka Travel

    Zimbabwe to Zambia

    Our hotel, The Victoria Falls Hotel, was set on the Zimbabwean side of the falls so we were picked up nice and early. The minivan took us across the bridge that serves as the border crossing between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Our tourist visa allowed us to cross freely between the two nations. The transport took us up the road a little, through Livingstone and to the Royal Livingstone Hotel.

    Royal Livingstone by Anantara

    Although our tour was booked through Tamuka Travel, they are run by Tongabezi Lodge, they take advantage of the Royal Livingstone’s position further downstream. The hotel has stunning grounds, which I totally failed to take photos of (sorry)! Zebras and other animals wander the area and yet, they still have a perfectly manicured lawn that runs down to the river.

    The Zambezi River

    We all donned our lifejackets before hopping into the boat. It very quickly gathered speed and we zoomed downriver, making sure to skim over the eddies and currents. The river, at the point it cascades over the Victoria Falls is a whopping 1700m (5500ft) wide so crisscrossing it put it in perspective. We slalomed between small islands as the boat captain scanned the water for hippos and crocodiles. 

    Livingstone Island

    Livingstone Island is one of the two islands that are large enough to split the flow of the falls throughout the year. At high water, it looks tiny but in early November it is fully exposed, including this river channel which is reduced to a stream with high sides.

    The island, which looked so small from the river, opened up in front of us and it was strangely easy to forget the swiftly flowing river to either side.
    On arrival, we were all given a nice non-alcoholic welcome drink.
    Maybe a stiffer drink would have helped calm our nerves after seeing this sign!

    Dr Livingstone, I Presume

    This monument to Livingstone is the only permanent structure on Livingstone Island

    Livingstone Island was named for Dr David Livingstone. This Scottish explorer first came across Victoria Falls in 1855. Members of the Makolo tribe took him in their canoes, down the Zambezi to see Mosi oa Tunya (the smoke that thunders). He, in the way British explorers tended to, renamed the waterfall. He labelled them Victoria Falls after the Queen of Great Britain. His gushing words, about the gushing waters, brought the falls to the attention of European interests and by 1900, settlements were already established for business and tourism alike.

    “The whole scene was extremely beautiful; the banks and islands dotted over the river are adorned with sylvan vegetation of great variety of colour and form…no one can imagine the beauty of the view from any thing witnessed in England. It had never been seen before by European eyes; but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.” – Dr David Livingstone.

    This Way to Victoria Falls

    We hiked a small distance along a path that emerged into an open rocky expanse. It was only then that it became clear that this island ended at the Victoria Falls. It might seem stupid to say, but it was a weird and wonderful moment!

    We walked across the irregular rocks and with slightly wobbly knees, edged towards the waterfall line. From here, the famous double rainbow came into view and it took my breath away. The earlier in the day you arrive, the clearer this beautiful bonus will be.

    I wondered if anyone could see us from the Zimbabwean side, through the haze

    Along the Line

    It was time to ditch the clothes and take to the water. There is a line strung between Livingstone Island and the outcrop that creates the Devil’s Pool. To reach the pool we had to follow this rope, ensuring we didn’t cross it. I thought that at five foot tall, I may be swimming most of it, but it was less than a minute of swimming, meaning the rest was just wading through the water or picking my way over submerged rocks. The river was a little nippy but refreshing in the heat of the Zambian sun.

    Taking a Dip in the Devil’s Pool

    From the high rock that we gathered on, we were instructed to descend into the deep area of water and swim directly in one direction to ensure we were out of any currents. In our small groups, we took turns to swim over to the best spot for photos and gazing over the edge. Tourists used to be allowed to dive into the pool but we were told that this was no longer allowed. We both jumped in with a yelp. If you aren’t so confident, there is a route down the rocks instead.

    There was a definite thrill as we made our way across the pool, but the current didn’t seem too strong so the adrenaline just morphed into excitement. The power of the water crashing to either side blew spray up towards us, and it felt utterly surreal to be in a gentle stream that was headed in the same direction as the surging river.

    There are small fish in the pool that enjoy having a little nibble on your feet. Don’t freak out and just enjoy the free foot spa as you enjoy the crazy scenery!

    On the Edge

    The guides are immensely confident and clearly have their routines down to the letter. One chap took our GoPro and directed our photoshoot while the others hung onto our ankles to ensure we didn’t get silly and go over the edge into oblivion.

    (I hesitate to share these as we were not at our physical best but here they are, so look away now if you are of a nervous disposition).

    Lunch on Livingstone Island

    After swimming/paddling our way back across to Livingstone Island, we wandered back to a nice open-sided cabin. We were all given a drink and a light lunch of a tasty bagel. Our tour was a “morning breezer tour” but later in the day, there is the chance to take a tour with a multi-course lunch or an afternoon tea.

    Ours wasn’t a meal to linger over as we were soon encouraged to grab our belongings and join the boat ride back to the Royal Livingstone.

    Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Devil’s Pool Victoria Falls

    Tours

    Tours to Livingstone Island run from June to December, exclusively run by Tongabezi. We booked ours through a company called Tamuka Travel, that was excellent. Swimming in the Devil’s Pool is only available when the water is low enough to be safe, this is generally from mid-August to the end of December. But do check conditions before you book if you definitely want to swim. You must be eight or older to visit Livingstone Island and over twelve to enter Devil’s Pool.

    Timings

    There are five tours a day;

    07:30 – Breezer $110

    09:00 – Breezer $110

    10:30 – Breezer $110

    12:30 – Lunch $175

    15:30 – Afternoon Tea $150

    If you are staying on the Zimbabwean side of the falls, and have the combination visa, you are able to visit the Zambian side to visit the Devil’s Pool. The border formalities do add a little time to the journey so bear this in mind when you are planning your tour time if you don’t like to get up too early.

    Packing for The Devil’s Pool

    Things to pack:

    • Clothes – Yes, you might be swimming but not for the entire tour. We packed some undies to change into once the wet portion was finished. 
    • Sun cream – Protect your skin and make sure you bring some to reapply once you have been swimming. 
    • Sunglasses – It can be quite bright and so to enjoy the view, bring your sunnies.
    • Shoes – The rocks are rough so make sure they have a decent sole.
    • Swimming Gear – If you are swimming, you’ll need to bring something to wear! We suggest some study swimwear, it would be awful to watch your strappy bikini bottoms whoosh over the edge of the falls!

    Things you don’t need to pack:

    • Drinks and Food – These are provided on the island.
    • Towel – Thankfully, there is the chance to dry off and the towels are supplied meaning you don’t have to heft yours around during the tour.
    Safety

    Since the launch of these tours, there have been no serious injuries on Livingstone Island or in the Devil’s Pool. The small instances there have been, have all been related to slipping on the rocks. Listen to guides and follow their guidance. They are great at what they do, and absolutely have your best interests at heart. 

    Accommodation

    There is no shortage of beautiful hotels in the area surrounding Victoria Falls. We were lucky enough to stay at two amazing hotels, Tongabezi Lodge and Victoria Falls Hotel. Follow these links to see full reviews.

    Final Thoughts on Devil’s Pool, Victoria Falls.

    They call this kind of activity “soft adventure”. This means there is a fabulous adrenaline rush but less risk involved. It is a wonderfully accessible adventure, allowing people from all over the globe, and at all levels of fitness to take part. It is the most exciting way to see Victoria Falls and should truly be on everyone’s bucket list. 

    Some thought we were mad, some thought it looked epic, some were just thoroughly confused about the desire to look over a ridiculous chasm: we look back with wistful, misty rainbow memories of a dip in the Devil’s Pool, Victoria Falls.

    Rosie xx

  • Mount Sinai & Red Sea 3 Day Experience Review

    Mount Sinai & Red Sea 3 Day Experience Review

    The Sinai area of Egypt has had its troubles. In fact, reaching it from Cairo is actually pretty tricky. However, visiting Sinai from Eilat in Israel is actually a great way to explore. For our journey into Egypt, we decided to join Abraham tours on their Mount Sinai & Red Sea 3 Day Experience for the chance to chill on the beach and climb Mount Sinai overnight.

    A green direction sign before a roundabout in Eilat, Israel
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  • Red Canyon, Desert & Kibbutz Life Tour – An Abraham Tour from Eilat

    Red Canyon, Desert & Kibbutz Life Tour – An Abraham Tour from Eilat

    Is kibbutz a uniquely Israeli idea? Maybe not, there are communes throughout the world, however, I can’t think of anywhere else where governments have supplied land and funding to fledging communities in the same way. Knowing little about the kibbutz life, (other than people’s personal tales of joining one during their travel through Israel) I was very curious to see it for myself. We were excited to learn about life in the Arava region, and see some of its natural wonders so we booked onto Abraham Tours Red Canyon, Desert & Kibbutz Life tour.

    The Arava Valley looking east towards Jordan
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  • Discovering Venice Beach Through Food – A Secret Food Tours Review

    Discovering Venice Beach Through Food – A Secret Food Tours Review

    Venice Beach is a suburb of Los Angeles but it feels like a totally different place. Eclectic shopping, relaxed pedestrian strolling and delicious tastes abound. To learn all about this chilled out spot, and to have rather a fabulous selection of dishes for lunch, we went on a Venice Beach Secret Food Tour.

    People walking along Venice Beach promenade, Los Angeles

    NB: As we wenr on the Venice Beach Secret Food Tour, I won’t be revealing the names of the places we visited, but I’ll tell you a little bit about them and you can join the tour to discover the locations.

    Venice Beach Pier

    Karl standing on Venice Beach near to the Venice Fishing Pier, Los Angeles

    When we arrived and met our guide, John, we thought our group was going to be huge. A big group of South African guys were also taking the tour but happily, they had their own guide. They were visiting the same spots as us, but going a little slower and indulging in the additional boozy add-on.

    Canal with a yellow duck crossing sign on the Venice Beach Secret Food Tour

    For our Venice Beach Secret Food tour, it was just John, and a nice couple from Hawaii.

    Venice Beach

    Venice Beach was the brainchild of Abbott Kinney. He was a wealthy developer who drained the marshy land by creating canals in this new seaside resort. He also built long streets inspired by the colonnades of Venice, Italy. You can still see a few of these original frontages on Windward Avenue. Grand Canal is a fine stretch of water with some very cool properties.

    Canal in Venice, Los Angeles
    A mural on the side of a red brick building in Venice, Los Angeles
    Pedalos on a canal in Venice, Los Angeles
    Venice Kenesis mural on a building in Venice Beach, Los Angeles
    Venice Kenesis mural (2010) by Rip Cronk, on a building in Venice Beach, Los Angeles
    Mr & Mrs Fluskey on a bridge over a canal in Venice, Los Angeles on the Venice Beach Secret Food Tour
    Touch of Venice mural on a building in Venice Beach, Los Angeles
    Touch of Venice (2012) by Jonas Never mural on a building in Venice Beach, Los Angeles

    But, we are here to eat so let’s get on with it…

    Munching on Mexican

    Los Angeles is famous for its excellent Mexican food. Immigration from the south, and early settlers brought the flavours of Mexico with them and it is wholeheartedly celebrated. In LA, you should forgo Chilis, Taco Bell and Chipotle and instead, hunt out the best local spots.

    Round tortilla chips in a plastic bowl and salsa dip

    In this beautifully muralled restaurant, they make their own salsa which is served with tortilla chips produced locally. This is not your average salted, triangular chip, but a proper tortilla crisped to perfection. The salsa is an unusual flavour, with lots of red pepper.

    A round tortilla chip being dipped in a salsa dip on the Venice Beach Secret Food Tour
    a chees enchilada covered with melted cheese on the Venice Beach Secret Food Tour

    After nibbling on these savoury treats for five minutes, out came the enchiladas. Our enchiladas were cheese, but not as I had known them previously. The filling was exclusively cheese with no meat or vegetables. It was like the best cheese pancake smothered in mildly spicy, slow-cooked tomato sauce and topped with loads more cheese. I have a theory that states melted cheese makes most food at least 30% better, and this certainly proved to be the case!

    Loving LA? Read our Top Ten Tips for One Day at Universal Studios Hollywood.

    Chowing Down on Chicken Sausage

    John told us the story of Jody, a sausage connoisseur who hit the big time when his sausages were sold at LA Dodger’s baseball games. He creates exciting, interesting and unique links packed full of flavour and we got to try some of his chicken sausage. This guy popularised the chicken sausage in LA (who knew that was a thing?!). It was stuffed with herbs and paired with sweet, American mustard, was delicious.

    chunks of chicken sausage on a paper plate on the Venice Beach Secret Food Tour

    The samples were cut into pieces which meant some of mine was a little burnt, which was a shame. I prefer a whole sausage so that it’s still packed with juice, but with chicken sausage being poultry and naturally dryer, I don’t know if it would have been moister that way anyway.

    Picking at Poke

    a small plastic bowl of poke with sushi rice, sesame seeds and onions

    I honestly have no idea where the poke came from, but we did pass a few places offering this Hawaiian dish. LA was one of the first places to embrace poke in mainland USA, before it spread across the country. Fish is combined in a bowl with a mixture of other ingredients. Originally it was a fisherman’s offcuts and pre-marinated, but now it is more commonly combined in a variation picked out by the diner. In the version we tried, we had sushi rice and sesame, as well as some pesky onions. I really like poke so I couldn’t fault it, other than the small size.

    Tucking into Tacos

    Rosie eating a taco

    When I think of LA cuisine, the first thing springs to mind is taco trucks (well, tacos and In-N-Out Burger). People drive all over the city to reach their favourite taco truck. and when the best ones find a permanent home, fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they can always satisfy their cravings.

    The tacos we got to try have a pretty cool USP. The soft tacos are dipped in the meaty marinade sauce, giving them a distinctive red colour. They are little flavour bombs and this extra dip only boosts their umami appeal.

    tacos with salad and lime
    outside dining at the taco restaurant
    tacos with salad and lime on the Venice Beach Secret Food Tour

    On the table was a red chilli sauce. I gingerly tried some on the end of my tongue, which was seriously unfortunate. I subsequently learned that the main spice kick was concentrated at this spot for everyone, so I freaked myself out thinking it was the hottest of hot sauces. Turns out that when thrown in with the taco, the whole thing was warming but not horrifically overpowering as I first thought.

    Savouring Ceviche

    white fish ceviche, lupine beans, sweet potato slices and salad

    Venice Beach is wonderfully eclectic, which we discovered at our next stop. We were presented with a Peruvian dish, a huge bowl of white fish ceviche accompanied by lupine beans, sweet potato and salad.

    For those who don’t know, I HATE onion and so I have long avoided ceviche. Even during our Peruvian honeymoon, I didn’t feel brave enough to try it as onion is one of the principal ingredients. However, at this place, it was served in a pleasingly segregated fashion. I could enjoy the fish, the beans and sweet potato without going anywhere near those nasty alliums. It was fresh and healthy, as well as fiery with tigers milk (a punchy lime, fish sauce and chilli concoction that “cooks” the fish).

    The dish was too big to finish after all the other samples we had eaten but I will absolutely be returning if I am ever back in Venice Beach!

    Devouring Doughnuts

    doughnut making machine in Venice Beach, Los Angeles

    Fresh, warm doughnuts, straight from a clever automated machine conjures up such happy childhood memories for me. Brighton Pier has a couple of shops who sell doughnuts just like this and clutching them to me whilst braving cold and/or drizzly summer days was a rare and special treat. I must admit, trying this version in 24°C heat was a little odd but they were incredibly tasty and more-ish.

    doughnut making machine in Venice Beach, Los Angeles
    John from Venice Beach Secret Food Tour and Rosie Fluskey eating doughnuts in Venice, Los Angeles

    At home, the doughnuts are coated in white sugar, a very sweet treat, but in Venice Beach they were rolled in brown sugar and cinnamon, a warming and rich flavour that didn’t leave the sweetness grimace after three eaten in quick succession.

    Sadly, at this point we had to dash off to LAX for our flight home. Mr Fluskey kept his doughnuts for the airport and when he pulled them out, a delightful waft of cinnamon sugar aroma made me hungry all over again.

    Information

    If you are thinking of joining Secret Food Tours, here is some information you might like to know:

    • Secret Food Tours runs tours in over 50 cities worldwide.
    • Every tour has a surprise dish so there is always something extra to look forward to.
    • Tours are packed with lots of history and information about the locations visited as well as the chance to try lots of lovely food.
    Mr & Mrs Fluskey on our Venice Beach Secret Food Tour, Los Angeles

    Final Thoughts on our Venice Beach Secret Food Tour

    Originally, we booked for an LA downtown tour, but it had to be rearranged which was a blessing in disguise. Venice Beach is friendly, relaxed and the most like a holiday spot I have experienced in the States. The beach was lovely and soft, the muscles nice and hard, and the food fun and flavourful. John was a great guide who was super cheery and clearly passionate about this area. I can see why!

    Rosie xx

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