1mpg Insurance group: 17 Seat Leon Cupra R 1 And if you value subtlety, the striking Seat Leon Cupra R probably isn't the car for you.This hot hatch is brash and loud, from the bright-red paintwork - one of the alternatives is an even more garish yellow - to the sound of the engine roaring out of the mighty exhaust. If you think size matters, you will be pleased to hear that you will have to search far and wide to find a bigger exhaust pipe.The Leon comes with eight engines to choose from and five styles, of which the Cupra R is the pi? de resistance. Double rooms start from $190 (£126) per room per night.Further InformationT-Tours (001 866 488 6877; driveamodelT ) offers a number of itineraries in Yosemite and the Californian coast. Car rentals start from $400 (£267) per couple including petrol.Tours with Take My Mother Please (001 323 737 2200; ) hosted by Anne Block, cost $300 (£200) for a half-day for three people.For a brochure about Los Angeles, contact LA Inc (020-7318 9555; ).. Seat Leon Cupra R 1.8: £18,000 Acceleration: 0-62mph 6.9sec Maximum speed: 150mph Average fuel consumption: 32.1mpg Insurance group: 17
Seat Leon Cupra R 1.8: £18,000 Acceleration: 0-62mph 6.9sec Maximum speed: 150mph Average fuel consumption: 32.1mpg Insurance group: 17
When a car manufacturer describes paintwork as "flash red", it's a pretty safe bet that this is not adorning a vehicle for wallflowers. A former actress, she has been touring Tinseltown in her silver Cadillac since 1994. Flame-haired and sharp-tongued, this over-50 firecracker moved to Los Angeles with the intention of becoming a star. Little did she know that she would be touring the stars - and their mothers - instead.From Marilyn Monroe's former home to the corner where Hugh Grant met Divine Brown, Block will show you anything and everything you desire. She was once hired by a Parisian banker whose 16-year-old daughter was "interested in seeing the Getty Museum", says Block. "And the Baywatch film locations."A tour of LA with Block lasts eight hours - and she does not scrimp on time.
On the day I was picked up by her, I was taken out for a spin until well into the early hours of the evening Her knowledge of local legend and lore is exhaustive. And even if you think "19 suburbs in search of a city" will not be to your liking, she will make sure your mind is changed. "When I give tours, not only am I showing where I live," says Block, "but at the end of the day, my visitors have a feeling for the real LA and not just the fantasy. Of course, along the way, I'm pointing out every dive I've ever eaten a taco in."My tour with Block packed in a visit to Watts Towers, a garden dedicated to The Wizard of Oz, an authentic Mexican lunch and a visit to the Hollywood sign.While car hire or insurance is not necessary for either tour, you will need both if you plan on any independent exploration. Save money by buying your car hire insurance before starting on your travels. One of the best is Take My Mother Please, a tour experience designed by LA-resident and expert Anne Block. And if your Model T breaks down (a rare event), it will be replaced automatically with only a slight delay.My advice is to don a flat cap and pair of riding gloves (or in the case of my driving partner, a vintage Herm?head-scarf) for a truly luxurious adventure. Not only will you look the height of period chic, you will also be safe from the burning California sun.If the open road appeals but the idea of getting behind the wheel of a car leaves you cold, there are plenty of other options for exploring California's naked streets. Tours last six days and include a number of stops to enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Up to 12 couples per tour are accommodated and you may travel individually or in conjunction with the rest of the party, depending on your wishes. People tend to forget that most motorists had only ever driven a horse before getting behind the wheel of a car during that period The only tricky thing is the hand-crank It requires a lot more energy than you might think. To avoid this hassle, you can request a model from the driveamodelT's stock of classics. |
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