BACK-TO-BACK HOLIDAYS

When he bowed out he said he was looking forward to taking a nice long break – and it seems Barack wasn’t kidding. The past six months have seen him taking at least five major holidays.

JANUARY

PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA Straight after President Trump’s inauguration the Obama family climbed aboard the presidential jet one last time and were whisked away to California where they rented a mansion in the hills above Coachella Valley for a week.

FEBRUARY

NECKER ISLAND, CARIBBEAN The former first couple boarded a private jet belonging to Richard Branson and headed off for 10 sun-kissed days at the British tycoon’s luxurious island retreat. Richard later posted pics of Barack trying his hand at kitesurfing (YOU, 23 February). With no children or work obligations it was just what they needed to decompress and unwind.

MARCH

HAWAII Barack arrived at the islands on which he grew up for a surprise visit. In addition to dining at his favourite steakhouse he found time for a few rounds of golf with buddies.

Mark Sousa, manager of Mid Pacific Country Club, was blown away by how much more relaxed this time was compared with Barack’s visits while he was president.

“It’s totally different from last year,” Mark says. “We had about 34 golf carts that we gave to the Secret Service last year and the years before. This year they only took five. And there were no weapons to be seen.”

APRIL

FRENCH POLYNESIA The couple spent a few weeks at late actor Marlon Brando’s luxurious resort, The Brando, on the island of Tetiaroa. Keen to make the most of the tropical sojourn, Barack was spotted paddleboarding, diving and swimming in the crystal-clear waters.

While there they also joined media mogul Oprah Winfrey, rock star Bruce Springsteen and actor Tom Hanks aboard music mogul David Geffen’s superyacht, Rising Sun, for a few days. Despite being surrounded by celebrities, Barack had eyes only for his wife. Soon after they boarded he was spotted snapping pics on his iPad of Michelle on the upper deck.

MAY

ITALY The Obamas enjoyed a six-day holiday at the Tuscan holiday estate Borgo Finocchieto owned by John Phillips, a former US ambassador to Italy.

While there they looked superrelaxed and loved up as they treated themselves to long, lazy lunches and a sightseeing trip to Siena (ABOVE RIGHT). Barack also went biking accompanied by a couple of burly bodyguards who didn’t look too pleased about having to pedal up steep hills to keep an eye on the former Potus.

(Turn over)