Xtreme-gap : Extreme sport around the world

You will see, in this article, we will try to reconcile the world (just that) with the city of Los Angeles. Because well, we can’t say that the city has a great reputation on an international level… Serious mistake!

Malibu and Venice Beach

If you also arrive by Highway 1, from San Francisco, you will have to go through Malibu. Well, you feel like it’s not the less well-off people who live here. There are luxury cars, but above all, houses that everyone dreams of. You know, the ones on the beach, on stilts, with the only view being the ocean and direct access to the beach. We’ll sign right now!

It is also where you will start to see the famous lifeguard huts on the beach, in red swimming shorts (stop drooling right now!). You calm down, huh?!

If you arrive in the middle of the afternoon, for a first contact with Los Angeles, go to Venice Beach to start feeling the atmosphere of the city, and especially, see your first sunset in the colors of crazy!

On the other hand, know one thing, it’s the city of the car… And since the city is huge, anticipate your travel times well. You can quickly waste a lot of time, so think about optimizing it.)

We advise you West Hollywood for a good night’s sleep… It’s quiet, residential and central.

Hollywood

Ready to take you for a star? But as you are often told, never leave on an empty stomach. Can you imagine if you pass out on the Walk of Fame? The total loose! Since we’re in Los Angeles, there’s nothing better than an organic, ethical coffee, etc…. It’s a bit of a fashion trend there. Try the Urth cafe, it’s good and it’s fun (be careful, a lot of people, of course).

When you’re ready to go (don’t stress, you’re in Los Angeles!), we’ll make you play delinquent. To climb to the famous Hollywood sign, there is only one road, which climbs severely. It is forbidden to use it by car if you are not a resident. Obviously, we didn’t take the advice too much and we didn’t get caught (we didn’t go all the way). Option 2 is to walk up (about 1h30). Good luck!

And if you’re not hot for these options, you’ll see the Hollywood sign in the distance or from the Griffith Observatory anyway.

The Observatory is located in Griffith Park. It’s just a huge park with its zoo, bike and hiking trails, wilderness areas, etc. The advantage is that you have a view of all of Los Angeles. That’s when you realize how big the city is!

Walk of Fame

Now it’s time for you to get your Oscar back and walk along Hollywood Boulevard, its stars and other curiosities. But first, if you want to park, there are free parking spaces in the surrounding streets.

You will be able to touch the Hollywood dream and pay tribute to your favorite stars. We’ll leave you alone as judge. AnneSo is Michael Jackson… And Arno, the inevitable and immortal Chuck Norris, the greatest star of all time!

On Hollywood Boulevard, it’s also a parade of weird stuff… between religious preachers, record sellers, disguised people and half-naked people, there’s something to laugh about.

Of course, we don’t forget the shopping side with the Hollywood and Highland Center and the TCL Chinese Theatre, which is a mythical movie theater.

Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive

Now you know where the stars are rewarded. Now let’s see where they live. In Berverly Hills of course! The district made famous by TV series. Strangely enough, it is the only place in Los Angeles where the grass is green during periods of severe drought. You feel the atmosphere of a private district with its beautiful villas.

Now that you know where the stars live, right next door, you can see where they shop: Rodeo Drive. Let’s say it’s more for the anecdote, because this street is known thanks to the film Pretty Woman. Julia Roberts makes it a memorable shopping scene. You can also do this scene again if you have a full wallet ;-).

Manhattan Beach

You’ve been through enough of the city for one day, it’s time to relax in Manhattan Beach. If you go there for sunset, you won’t regret it, it’s magic! You will find a magnificent pontoon, gorgeous in the evening… And on the road, small sloping streets, on the beach, the foot!

So, you weren’t lied to, were you? It is “so beautiful” this sunset.

And like these emotions, it makes you thirsty and digging, 2 superb places to discover. For cocktails: The Strand House, for a good fusion meal in a friendly place: Manhattan Beach Post. With these two addresses, you can’t go wrong.

We also chose our hotel in this area, and we were very happy with our choice. Certainly, the hotel night was rather expensive but the hotel was to fall, the breakfast delicious and the view on the beach really beautiful. In short, if you have the budget, I can only recommend that you stay in a hotel in this area. We had managed to save a few dollars by booking on Findhotel.net.

Santa Monica Pier

You know what, it’s time to start your last day in the States, snif. To do this, a short detour to Santa Monica Pier, with its famous beach, is a must. I might as well tell you there are people. Los Angeles atmosphere! Arno still loves the docks so much with a carnival on them, he has a fixation. You’ll notice it’s not the best place to rest. For that, you have one last option left.

Venice Beach

If you are a little hungry, before hanging out at the beach, and you like Chilean food, then El Huarica is for you. It’s really cheap and very good. A short digestive walk on the waterfront later, you are ripe for a nap on Venice Beach, which, paradoxically, is rather quiet. A good place to rest before going back to the plane, while watching Californians play sports!

Bye-Bye the Usa. See you soon….

Do you like thrills, even and especially in vacances ? Forget it, we have looked for you to find the best destinations for extreme sports: voici !

Whether you are an expert or a beginner, take up the challenge and face your fears: surf on a volcano, explore sea caves, climb an ice wall or fly over fabulous landscapes all over the world!

Surfing on a volcano, Nicaragua

Adrenaline rushes during the descent of the Cerro Negro in Nicaragua. The youngest volcano in Central America is still active, its last eruption was in 1999. It became one of the country’s major tourist attractions after an Australian had the idea of using various objects to descend the slopes of the volcano faster. First with a mattress, then with a fridge door, he then designed a kind of wooden sled to achieve the result that we can experience today: a descent at 80 km/h on a slope inclined at 41°. The experience is unforgettable, but don’t be afraid to get dirty, considering the ash clouds raised during the descente !

Flying in Wingsuit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is one of the most exuberant places on the planet. There are thousands of things to do and see, and for thrill-seekers, it is the ideal destination. With perfect weather conditions all year round, Palm Jumeirah is one of the most spectacular sites. The maximum altitude reaches 3962 m above sea level. From this height, the view of Palm Island and the surrounding area is just breathtaking.

Heli-skiing in Riksgränsen, Sweden

With more than 200 ski regions spread from the south to the north of the Arctic Circle, Sweden is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders. No wonder that the country has seen the birth of many champions of monde ! Test the Swedish slopes in Riksgränsen, the coldest resort in Sweden, 200 kilometres from the Arctic Circle. Atypical and popular, it attracts heli-skiing enthusiasts who have come down the 1400 m of altitude difference. There are slopes for all levels, and as the sun does not really set anymore from June, you can even ski until late at night, under natural light.

Dive into the cenotes of Tulum, Mexico

The Maya Riviera is home to the world’s second longest coral reef. It allows the exploration of real sunken worlds, that of cenotes, aquatic caves whose depth can reach tens of meters. There are thousands of natural wells between Akumal and Tulum and all are more or less connected to each other. Well mapped for the most part, they can be explored without too much difficulty using fixed Ariadne wires. Among the largest sites are those of Ponderosa, Car Wash, Dos Ojos or Gran Cenote.

Ice climbing in Valdez, Alaska

For years now, rock climbers have been competing against the terrain of Keystone Canyon. Located 20 km from the city of Valdez, it is simply the best ice wall in the United States. Other well-known sites such as Mineral Creek, Solomon Gulch, Hole in the Wall and Sheep Creek also attract climbers from all over the world.

Parachute jumping over Fox Glacier, New Zealand

Jumping over a dream landscape in New Brunswick? It is possible, and more than twice than une ! The country is widely known among extreme sports enthusiasts, the most popular of which is parachuting over the Fox Glacier. Other sites such as Queenstown or the heavenly beaches of Abel Tasman also offer spectacular views.

Swimming with sharks in South Africa

While the reputation of the great white shark has been slightly exaggerated in movies like Jaws, it is still better to stay at a suitable distance. And if you really want to observe its powerful jaw and 50 teeth, do it from inside a cage. That’s what we’re offering you in Gansbaai, South Africa. You shouldn’t be afraid to dive into cold water, or, of course, to come face to face with the terror of the oceans, but the experience promises to be inoubliable !

Running after a cheese in Brockworth, United Kingdom

Yes, there is indeed a competition that consists in chasing after a cheese, and yes, it definitely deserves its place among extreme sports! It must be explained that the cheese is thrown by the organizers from the top of a hill, which is then rushed down by the hundreds of participants. It is to whoever catches it first, and I might as well tell you that injuries and accidents are here currency courante ! So if you’re not afraid to fall and end up driving down the hill towards Brockworth, in Gloucestershire, where this atypical race takes place every year.