ESCAPE TO: PALAWAN ISLANDS
WHO GOES: Beyoncé and Jay Z, Mariah Carey, Kim Kardashian and the klan, and supermodel Claudia Schiffer. Fashion types and stylish honeymooners also head to the western Philippines province for laid-back seclusion.
DRAWCARD: Part of the tropical cluster of islands that’s known by the same name, Palawan was last year named the “World’s Best Island” for a third year by US website Travel + Leisure. And it’s easy to see why: vivid turquoise waters mix with jungle-filled limestone cliffs, alongside nature reserves hosting dolphins, turtles and 600 species of butterflies. With the best weather falling between November and February, A-listers often seek refuge in this stunning archipelago for Christmas.
WHERE TO STAY: El Nido Resorts has four luxurious stays across the Palawan islands, but you should head to the newest on Pangulasian Island for beachside villas with private pools on the balcony and a Unesco-protected dive site right on your doorstep. Or try Matinloc Resort, just off Palawan on Matinloc Island, which has well-appointed suites and villas, private beach access and an added bonus of chance sightings of green turtles, elephant seals and whale sharks. Alcohol isn’t served at Matinloc, so come for the views, not the booze. elnidoresorts.com; matinloc.com WHAT TO WEAR: Hit the beach in a colour-block swimsuit by PE Nation, then throw over an embroidered dress by Vita Kin for long, lazy lunches.