Travel: Holiday like the stars!
They’re always jetting off somewhere fabulous; you can too, without breaking the bank…
THE LAKES, ITALY BEST FOR GLAMOUR
WHY: No one does style and fashion like the Italians, and their lake district – which includes Lakes Como, Garda and Maggiore in the north of the country – is no different. Beautiful lakeside towns are scattered across the region, and surrounded by majestic mountains.
WHO GOES: The Lakes’ most famous resident is George Clooney, who has owned his £7.5 million villa in Lake Como since 2002. Other A-list visitors to the area include Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and Elton John.
WHERE THEY STAY: There are several stunning grand hotels perched by the water, such as the historic 16th-century Villa d’Este on Como, (a favourite of Mick Jagger and Bette Midler), which has rooms for around £2,000 a night, or the elegant 19th-century Villa Feltrinelli on Garda, which will set you back £933 a night.
WHAT TO DO: Stroll around the picture-perfect town of Bellagio, nicknamed the ‘pearl of Lake Como’, with its maze of streets and pastel-coloured houses. The waterfront area is lined with bars, cafés and restaurants, perfect for people – and boat – watching! And don’t miss a visit to the imposing, 12th-century Castello Scaligero, in the town of Sirmione.
HOW TO DO IT: Seven nights at the four-star Hotel Lenno on Lake Como, on a half-board basis, costs from £729pp including return flights and transfers. Book via inghamsitaly.co.uk or call 01483 791 100.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES BEST FOR BLING!
WHY: Towering skyscrapers, Michelinstarred restaurants, nightclubs and giant shopping malls –Dubai is the perfect playground for the rich and famous, but it’s got plenty to offer us mere mortals, too… WHO GOES: Footballers and their WAGs love this booming city which, only 50 years ago, used to be a tiny fishing village. You might spot the likes of Steven and Alex Gerrard or Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy relaxing on a sun lounger or getting their designer shopping fix. American A-listers, like
supermodels Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner and socialite Paris Hilton, also love topping up their tans in Dubai’s year-round sunshine. WHERE THEY
STAY: Tennis champ Roger Federer checks into the world’s only seven-star hotel, the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (a snip at just over £5,000 a night!). While Kylie Minogue has stayed at the five-star Atlantis, The Palm, where the Royal Bridge suite would set you back £22,000 a night – but comes with a games room, butler service, and its own lift…
WHAT TO DO: Young and old alike will love
the Wild Wadi Waterpark ( jumeirah.com), with its range of thrilling rides, including Wipeout Flowrider – the ultimate surfing experience. Shoppers will be bowled over by the vast Mall of the Emirates (mall of the emirates. com), which has hundreds of designer and high-street brands, from Mango to Max Mara, and even a ski slope to keep kids entertained! HOW TO DO IT: Seven nights, room-only, at the five-star Rixos The Palm Hotel, including flights from Heathrow on 11 September, costs from £886pp. Visit loveholidays.com or call 0203 870 6844.
MIAMI, FLORIDA BEST FOR BEACHES
WHY: With a 35-mile stretch of coastline, Florida’s biggest city has something to offer everyone, and there are beaches that are great for swimming, sunbathing and partying. WHO GOES: Miami attracts big hitters such as the Obamas, actresses Cameron Diaz and Amber Heard, and singer Christina Aguilera. The Kardashians also have a clothing boutique here, DASH.
WHERE THEY STAY: The Delano South Beach has hosted Justin Timberlake, Grace Jones and Matthew McConaughey, among others. The mansion that used to belong to designer Gianni Versace is now an exclusive hotel with a swimming pool lined in 24-carat gold.
WHAT TO DO: You won’t be spending all your time at the beach, so make sure you take in the stunning Art Deco hotels and buildings around Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive on South Beach. Take a trip to the Little Havana neighbourhood, to feel like you’re in Cuba, with lots of Latin food and music on offer. And visit the Seaquarium (miamiseaquarium.com) in nearby Biscayne Bay, where you can swim with dolphins.
HOW TO DO IT: Seven nights at the three-star Sunrise Court Apartments in South Beach costs from £749pp, with return flights from Heathrow. To book, visit traveltrolley. co.uk or call 0208 843 4400.