If you’ve never been to Los Angeles, you’re probably still familiar with the city and you may even know one or two famous sight-seeing spots just from your favorite movie or television shows. The glow of Los Angeles has a great reach, so much that it’s attracted the second largest city population in the country while boasting the highest rate of ethnic diversity compared to anywhere in the World. Los Angeles is as popular as the movie stars that inhabit it’s streets; which by extension have also become famous.

First time visitors of Los Angeles should be sure to check-out the following famous boulevards, who knows, you may even run into a celebrity or two.

Hollywood Boulevard

The legendary Hollywood Blvd serves as a keepsake for distinguished actors of the present and past. Be sure to take a trip down the ‘Walk of Fame’ and check out Grauman’s Chinese Theater to catch handprints of your favorite movie stars cemented into L.A.’s streets. If time permits, be sure to make some extra stops at the Kodak Theater, Universal Studios, and the Hollywood Wax Museum

Rodeo Drive

Wedged in between Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards, Rodeo Drive (Ro-de’-oh) in Beverly Hills has long been acknowledged as the destination for affluent tourists and fashionable trend-setting locals. It’s not uncommon to find celebrities shopping at one of the many expensive shops in the area. You’ll even find the most expensive store in the World on Rodeo Drive – The House of Bijan – which is a “by appointment only” shopping establishment.

Mulholland Drive

Take a trip along the the Santa Monica Mountains for some sensational views of Los Angeles. Visit the famous “Hollywood” sign. Visit the homes of Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando who have all at one point lived at Mulholland Drive. Time permitted make your way to one of the many scenic outlooks for a brief brush in with nature.

Sunset Boulevard

Looking for entertainment? Make your way over to Sunset Blvd to find some of the most iconic night clubs that Los Angeles has to offer. “The Sunset Strip” is Illuminated by neon lights, and Sunset Blvd feels like it’s stolen a little bit of Las Vegas’ charm. Sunset Boulevard stretches from Downtown L.A. to Santa Monica Beach. If you’re tired of sight-seeing, go ahead and catch some rays.

Los Angeles is a melting pot of different cultures, and each L.A. street brings a new experience to its visitors. If you’re traveling in from Los Angeles Airport, we recommend staying at the Radisson Los Angeles Airport Hotel, it’s fairly convenient given the shuttle connects directly to the hotel. Los Angeles is sprawling and these streets that we’ve covered run for miles, the savvy traveler will need to book a car during their visit to L.A.  

Although it’s now a warm and welcoming island, Jersey’s history has been punctuated by war and international conflicts. Read on for a guide to some of the best sites on the island, where you can enjoy learning about this past.

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Between its long sandy beaches and rugged cliffs, the gentle green landscapes and charming seaside towns of Jersey rightly give the impression of a tranquil island and fantastic holiday location. This has not always been the case though, and the relaxed atmosphere that pervades the largest Channel Island today is in stark contrast to some of the turbulent periods that Jersey has faced throughout its history.

If you like experiencing history first hand, Jersey has plenty of opportunities for you to witness the legacy of its sometimes troubled past. Book yourself into one of the many Jersey hotels and prepare to discover some great historical hot-spots.

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• Mount Orgueil Castle

This castle is an excellently preserved example of a Jersey fortification, and has stood as a bulwark against French aggression for 600 years. Artworks and objects of historical interest are liberally scattered through the halls and passageways of the castle, offering you the chance to explore and discover these delights for themselves.

A trip to the top of the castle is rewarded with views of the stunning harbour below the craggy cliffs which Mount Orgueil sits atop, and on clear days (you can see the French coast which is just 14 miles away.

• Elizabeth Castle

Set on the top of a rocky islet in St. Auben’s Bay, Elizabeth Castle is another fantastic opportunity to get a close-up look at the history of Jersey. Work on the castle began in the 1590s while the monarch that it is named after was sitting on the throne of England. The castle was the home of Sir Walter Raleigh during his time as Governor of Jersey, and while the civil war was raging in the seventeenth century, King Charles II sought refuge in the impressive building.

Nowadays the only army that lays siege to the impressive castle is made up of tourists who want to enjoy visiting this fascinating attraction. At low tide you can walk across the bay to get access to the island, but when the tide is in a castle ferry runs to transport sightseers to and from the remarkable fortification.

• Grève de Lecq Barracks

Almost 200 years ago the fear of a Napoleonic invasion was reaching fever pitch and Jersey once more found itself at the heart of an international conflict. In anticipation of a potential invasion, Jersey’s fortifications were bulked up and the number of troops on the island was increased.

The Grève de Lecq Barracks show what life was like on the island during this time of intense military tension, giving an insight into the daily operation of the military instillation as well as a look at the lives of people in the area at the time. The barracks hold many objects of interest relating to the past, but now also displays works from contemporary Jersey artists.

• Noirmont Command Bunker

The Second World War marked the last period of intense military upheaval on Jersey when the Germans invaded the Channel Islands, occupying Jersey and its neighbours for much of the conflict. The impressive Noirmont Command Bunker was the headquarters for the German coastal artillery forces during this time and leaves an imposing legacy on Jersey’s history.

Over the two floors of this heavily constructed building you’ll find a range of displays and exhibits explaining the important position that the bunker inhabited in the German military plans. Perhaps the building itself is the biggest testament to the scale and exact military precision that the German forces brought to the island though. With thickly armoured steel domes built atop heavy concrete walls into a craggy coastline, the building is a powerful reminder of the past.

• Jersey War Tunnels

The Second World War had a profound effect on Jersey and in telling the true story of what life was like for the islanders under German occupation, the Jersey War Tunnels provides a first class experience. This award-winning attraction will take you through the tunnels that the Germans built to defend themselves from any attempt to regain the island, revealing a series of galleries that show what life was like during this time.

Two interactive attractions, named ‘Liberation’ and ‘Experience’ were launched recently to mark the 65th anniversary of the island’s liberation. They are exceptionally interesting exhibits, showing a greater insight into the issues and hardships faced by islanders during the occupation.

Are you a history fan? What’s your favourite historical attraction?