If you’re going on holiday this summer, remember to pack your best knickers. Celebrities are everywhere these days and you never know when you might find yourself building a sand castle with P Diddy or sharing an ice lolly with Elton. If you’re not sure where to start your search for a star, here’s a short guide to some top celebrity holiday hangouts.
The French Riviera is a perennial favourite of the rich and famous. A-listers and wannabes flock to Cannes during the annual film festival to sip champagne aboard luxury yachts. St Tropez draws the celebrity elite throughout the season with Pamela Anderson, Elton John, P Diddy, Liz Hurley and Donatella Versace regularly resting and playing. If you’re into day-glo tans and white jeans, this is your home from home.
On a slightly less vulgar theme, the Balearic Islands attract celeb royalty. Hollywood heros, supermodels, fashionistas and rock gods head to hideaways in Ibiza and Majorca year after year. Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones, Jade Jagger, Fat Boy Slim, Sting, Elle McPherson, Matthew Williamson, Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer, Liam Gallagher, John Paul Gaultier, Paris Hilton and P Diddy are all regulars. Head to these hot Spanish islands if you like things cool and stylish.
There’s at least one big reason to go to Lake Como…gorgeous George. Mr Clooney owns a villa on the lake where the big Hollywood names holiday and it is possible that you’ll catch George in his speedos. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes also married in this region. So if you appreciate good food, fine wine and spectacular scenery as well as star spotting then book your seat to bella Italia.
The Caribbean is a magnet to millionaires, with Mick Jagger, the Beckhams, Tiger Woods, Britney and Sting regularly recuperating in the luxury resorts of Antigua and Barbados. British entrepreneur Richard Branson owns his very own island, Necker, in the British Virgin Islands, which can be rented out for just $46,000 a night. Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Mel Gibson have all stayed here so if you’re feeling flush and looking for some posh privacy it could be for you.
Mecca to premiership footballers and their WAGs is the United Arab Emirate of Dubai in the Middle East. Over the last five years, politicians, CEOs, sports stars and Hollywood hotties have visited the glitzy hotels and snapped up property here. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Rod Stewart, Ronaldo, David Beckham, Michael Schumacher, Tiger Woods and Richard Branson have been seen enjoying the shopping, sunshine and beaches. Strictly for fans of blinging man-made glamour.
Miami, Florida is again attracting A-list party people with its Latin beats, Art Deco architecture, super-cool shopping and sizzling beaches. Shakira, Jessica Alba, Matt Damon, Enrique Iglesias, Bono, Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Lopez have all been known to enjoy the South Beach scene, with some owning homes here. Forget the Golden Girls and pack your party feet.
If globetrotting isn’t for you, you might like to book a week in sunny Southwold, England. You could be lucky enough to bump into Gordon Brown eating his fish and chips. The Prime Minister is taking his family to the Suffolk seaside town this summer.
Posts Tagged ‘Celebrities’
Seeing Stars this Summer – Celebrity Holiday Hotspots
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009Star Studded Holiday Resorts
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009As mundane human beings with mundane jobs, everyone needs a holiday from time to time. Prime holiday season is approaching, and some are looking for the best places to holiday and maybe catch a glimpse of a few celebrities. Some major hotspots for celebrities on holiday are Majorca, Menorca, Lake Como and the Canary Islands.
Lake Como, Italy is one of the most romantic holiday spots in the world. The lake itself is of glacial origin and the third largest lake in Italy. Its 400 meter depths makes it one of the deepest lakes in Europe. Lake Como is very well known for the attractive, historic villas that line its shores.
Designer Donatella Versace owns a home on Lake Como near the burial place of her late brother Gianni. Actor George Clooney is also among the stars who have purchased homes in Lake Como in recent years. Singer Avril Lavigne and husband Deryck Whimbey honeymooned in Lake Como a few years ago.
The Canary Islands are also a major celebrity holiday destination. The islands have played host to several celebrities on holiday, including Jade Goody, Coleen McLoughlin, and Michelle and Andy Scot-Lee. Dancing on Ice’s Suzanne Shaw also frequently vacations in Gran Canaria. Lanzarote’s Club La Santa, a well known sports and leisure complex, is where you’re more likely to find sporting greats like Colin Jackson, Dwain Chambers, Jonathan Edwards and Jenson Button.
Each year Lanzarote also hosts a very large classical music festival, which draws stars from near and far. The festival is generally held from January to March with concerts in Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and the Balearic Islands.
The Balearic Islands of Majorca and Menorca are often frequented by celebrities. Although Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones own a home in neighbouring Majorca, they often visit Menorca for some time away from home. Spain’s Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia have enjoyed family holiday time in Menorca.
In fact, many celebrities have homes on Majorca. English-born actress Patsy Kensit loves Majorca and said, ‘Every summer I take my children to Majorca, one of the most beautiful places that I’ve been to.’
One of Hollywood’s favourite couples, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones own an estimated $8 million property on the west coast of Majorca. Douglas has also served as a Tourist Ambassador for the island.
Cynthia Charles, former wife of Beatle John Lennon and mother of Julian Lennon, visits Majorca quite often. Other celebrities who enjoy their holiday time in Majorca are Spice Girl Mel B, Michael Schumaker, Claudia Schiffer, Annie Lennox, Suzy Quattro and Boris Becker just to name a few. Most recently, Harrison Ford and girlfriend Calista Flockhart have been spending holiday time there.
Celebrities aren’t the only famous people you may see in Majorca. Royalty from around the globe also enjoy the occasional holiday to the lovely Spanish island.
The late Princess Grace of Monaco and Prince Rainier spent their honeymoon on Majorca. The king, queen, princess and prince of Austria recently visited Majorca with Princess Letizia’s baby Leonor. The queen joined the princess for some shopping in Palma de Majorca’s busiest commercial area. The late Princess Diana of Wales also made frequent trips to Majorca. Former President Bill Clinton made an official visit to Majorca during his tenure in office.
Majorca – A Favourite Island For Celebrity Holidays
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009When it comes to celebrity tourists, the Spanish holiday island of Majorca has more than her fair share.
And if celebrities weren’t enough, Majorca is frequented by royals too.
The Spanish have long been aware of King Juan Carlos love for the area. He even maintains a retreat and moors a yacht there for his regular Majorca holidays. In fact, the isle is popular with the entire royal family, including King Juan Carlos’ son, Prince Felipe, who also holidays there frequently.
Other famous visitors to this Spanish paradise include Queen Elizabeth, actress Patsy Palmer, actor Michael Douglas, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, musician Mike Oldfield and more.
Celebrities from all over the world have purchased holiday properties and second (or third or fourth) homes on the island. Majorca is so popular with the rich and famous that it isn’t unusual for residents to spot a celebrity on any given day. And though it is the largest of Spain’s many islands, at only 3700 square kilometers, it isn’t the easiest place in the world to hide. Still, with its private beaches and secluded mountain retreats, it offers enough solace to continue enticing celebrities as it has for almost 50 years.
Majorca’s year round population stands at less than one million, smaller than many major cities. Yet tourist numbers may double that number during the peak holidays season.
The biggest piece of the tourism pie comes from other European countries and the UK. However, Majorca has become increasingly popular with visitors from North America in the last two decades. In fact, thanks in large part to Majorca’s draw of visitors, Spain has become the second most visited country in the world. It is second only to France for the most foreign tourists.
Majorca has invested billions of dollars in the tourism sector since the 1960s. That investment has certainly paid off – Majorca draws over 6 million tourists annually. An astounding 95 percent of Majorca’s economy is directly or indirectly sparked by tourism.
Both short-term and long-term holiday-makers are drawn to the area mainly for its sunshine, beaches and breathtaking natural beauty. Hotels do a brisk business in every region of the Spanish isle. Tourists who like to stay longer and visit more frequently (especially the rich and famous) have helped to keep the real estate business booming on Majorca. The politically stable climate of Spain has made its many tourist destinations, including Majorca, popular places to invest in property.
These are just a few of the reasons that the British newspaper The Telegraph recently touted Majorca on its ‘best of. list.
It noted that the island’s ‘lovely’ geography and natural features make it a particularly worthwhile destination for holidaymakers.
Majorca remains extremely popular with outdoor lovers. Both celebrities and the average vacationer alike appreciate the quality of outdoor life that can be found on the island. As long as Spain remains politically stable, Majorca will surely continue to draw visitors from around the world in the years to come.