Holidays are all about rest, relaxation, and luxury. And when it comes to celebrities, you can count on them to go overboard by spending time – and money, in exotic locations, onboard some of the world’s most luxurious yachts.
Privacy from the paps While stars continue to shell out on traditional holidays in exotic resorts and luxury villas, the allure of a holiday onboard a luxury yacht is more appealing than ever.
Villas are great, but the moment a star tries to leave the property, their privacy is compromised. On board a yacht, the celebrity is normally out of the public eye. The yacht crews are very discreet, and usually no one even knows the star was on board until the charter has ended.
This extra privacy, along with 5-star service and over-the-top onboard facilities would be appealing to most, but for today’s A-list celebrities a yachting holiday is nothing short of heaven.
The increase of private air charter companies makes it easy for the stars to jet off anywhere around the world, to find a chartered yacht and crew awaiting their arrival.
Destination unknown Celebrities usually flock to the Mediterranean n the summer months. Globally regarded as the original destination of the “jet set,” yachting along the Riviera first became popular in the 1950s with celebrities like Jackie Kennedy, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and Greta Garbo onboard.
The Balearic Islands are a also a favourite destaination. With celebrity couples like Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones and Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas enjoying a luxury yacht holiday on the island of Majorca.
During Winter celebrity A-listers head to the sunshine of the Caribbean. You’ll find the most expensive yachts docked along the quay in Gustavia, St. Barts, where stars like Elton John, Tom Cruise and Mick Jagger moor their yachts.
Types of yacht Some good examples of expensive yachts include Christina O and Savarona. Early luxury sailing yachts include Americas Cup classic J class racers like Endeavour and Sir Thomas Lipton’s Shamrock. The number of privately owned luxary yachts has increased. Ferretti, Azimut, Feadship and Lürssen dominate the top end of the yacht building market.
From 2006, yachts above 100 metres (328 feet) increasingly more popular but considered rare. They typically have five decks above the water line and two below and may offer helicopter hangars, indoor swimming pools and miniature submarines.
Money no object Privacy and luxury at sea come at a high price. A typical 120ft luxury yacht is £150,000 a week. Take into account fuel,crew and champagne and you’re looking at £200K.
Of course, chartering or even buying a yacht, can be more affordable for the rest of us! Worldwide, charter prices start at £2000 per person per week.
Posts Tagged ‘Celebrity’
Rest, Relaxation and Luxary
Monday, December 14th, 2009Majorca – 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.