The world's most famous film festival takes place in Cannes every May. Photo / 123RF
James Evans takes a look at where the celeb set head for their vay-cays.
It's tough being rich and famous. Your private jet is purring on the runway, ready to whisk you to wherever in the world you want to go. But where? These are the most popular destinations around the globe for the celebrity set.
Noel Coward put Jamaica on the map when he built a house on the island and invited the likes of Marlene Dietrich, Audrey Hepburn, Clark Gable, Jackie Onassis and the Queen to lunch. Now the good times have returned with Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, hosting many super-fashionable house parties in the West Indian paradise. He turned the tide of celebs back to Jamaica, and floods more have followed in their wake. Many of them stay in Coward's old home for thousands of dollars a week.
Who goes?
Yoko Ono, Kate Moss, Gwen Stefani, Paul McCartney, David Duchovny.
Hot spots
For those not invited to Blackwell's house, there are always his exclusive GoldenEye, The Caves and Strawberry Hill hotels to choose from. Noel Coward's house is so in demand that Mariah Carey found herself out of luck when she tried to book in.
Dress code
Er, minimalist.
Drawback
Watch your wallet as the crime rate is high.
St Barthelemy - or St Barts, as it's affectionately known to the rich and famous - is St Tropez in the Caribbean for those who have grown out of the original. This ultra-chic island boasts beautiful pure white beaches and spectacular mountains. For pure escapism it cannot be beaten and the stars don't have to worry about prying camera lenses - the island has tough privacy laws. St Barts may be in the West Indies, but you'd never know it - the flavour is distinctly European. Even bars and hotels are staffed by girls flown in from Paris.
Who goes?
Madonna, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z.
Hot spots
Hotels to be seen at include Le Guanahani, Le Toiny and Eden Rock. The Taiwana is your best hope of occupying a suite next door to a pop star. lunch at the Lafayette Club at Anse du Grand Cul-de-Sac serves fabulous sauteed foie gras, and divine tagliatelle with basil and shrimp. Shop at Stephane and Bernard in Gustavia, a boutique that was once closed so Jane Fonda could browse in peace.
Dress code
Elegantly casual - you will stand out if you do not look rich and incredibly thin.
Never wear heels during the day, because St Barts is supposed to be about the simple life.
Drawback
Cost - it's big bucks for a luxury villa with staff. Also snobbery - the Hermes boutique closes when cruise ships hove into view. They consider the passengers unsuitable clientele.
Stunningly beautiful Central American pleasure-ground - and secret holiday destination of many A-list stars.
Who goes?
Madonna, Robert de Niro, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux, Drew Barrymore, Bar Refaeli, Rihanna, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, Kate Hudson, Nicole Richie.
Hot spots
The "in" place to hang out is Las Alamandas, the 570ha retreat on the Pacific Coast owned by the late James Goldsmith's daughter, Isabel. Here, every need is catered for. The resort is even swathed nightly in mosquito repellent. Failing that, there's always Las Ventanas al Paraiso ("Windows to Paradise"), a luxury spa resort in Baja California, where Cindy Crawford once spent Christmas. As she checked out, Raquel Welch checked in. Another destination for the rich and famous is Cabo San Lucas, just down the coast from Baja California and scene of dozens of many glossy fashion shoots.
What to wear
High fashion - in the guise of the casual, just-thrown-on look. Ethnic items cleverly mixed with top labels.
Drawback
You might have to look at poor people en route to your luxury hotel.
A 37km-long island 12km off Cape Cod, Massachusetts that consistently outperforms all other resorts as the magnates' magnet.
Who goes?
Spike Lee, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama (far right), Meg Ryan, Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Ted Danson.
Hotspots
The most prestigious visitors stay with residents - the Clintons borrow the 10ha estate of a friend on the island. But if, horrors, you don't know anyone who lives there, you can always rent a room at the Harborside Inn on the waterfront for a few hundred dollars a night. Linda Jean's is a cafe popular for brunch - looks homely, but is packed with the powerful. To rub shoulders with the rich, go golfing and fishing - and try to get invited to a barbecue.
Dress code
Funky, casual and low-key.
Drawback
If you're poor, settle for a day trip and pack yourself a picnic.
A Garden of Eden-like Indonesian haven for privacy-seeking stars.
Who goes?
Gillian Anderson, various Spice Girls, Sly Stallone, Claudia Schiffer, Elle Macpherson, Val Kilmer, Cherie Blair, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, Madonna. Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall were married here.
Hot spots
The Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay. The Amankila resort near Manggis boasts a private beach and 35 detached pavilions separated from the beach by a coconut grove.
Dress code
Designer sarongs.
Drawback
Gradually becoming less exclusive as the hoi polloi catch on.
Political unrest and a desire to escape the riff-raff have driven celebs away from Tahiti and on to its neighbour - the French Polynesian island of Bora Bora, considered to be the most beautiful of the Polynesian islands.
Who goes?
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux just honeymooned there, Goldie Hawn, Ringo Starr, Danny DeVito, Pierce Brosnan, Raquel Welch, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Miranda Kerr, Orlando Bloom, James Cameron, Charlize Theron, the Kardashians.
Hotspots
The Four Seasons is the place for visiting stars, offering complete peace and tranquility.
Dress code
Easy-going.
Drawbacks
Not for nightlife lovers.
The exotic hotspot of northwest Africa. The port city of Tangier was once a playground for the rich and famous - and it's fast coming back into vogue thanks to the extraordinary collection of writers, aristos, actors, gays, heiresses and freeloaders who have started pitching up there.
Who goes?
Barry Humphries, Sir Bob Geldof, Brigitte Bardot, David Beckham, Lindsay Lohan, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux, Mariah Carey, Gwyneth Paltrow.
Hot spot
Boutique hotel La Gazelle D'Or is one of the most secretive star destinations in the world. Exclusive, secluded and luxurious, it nestles just outside the town of Taroudant and is run like an exotic, private country house.
Dress code
Chic simplicity.
Drawbacks
Parties likely to be frequented by aged aristocratic relics.
In the last few years several major international films have been shot amid the stunning hills of Tuscany. It's always been a popular spot for artists and aristos but now the stars have caught on to the area's quiet beauty and are flooding there in droves.
Who goes?
Kate Moss rented a villa near Siena for a two-week break for guests including Noel Gallagher, Stella McCartney and Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Prince Charles and Camilla, George Clooney, Sting, David Cameron, Marisa Tomei.
Hotspots
The thing to do is make like Kate and rent a spectacular villa. Must-visit towns include San Gimignano, and Siena - for the famous horse race run in its streets every year. Explore - and make sure you boast about the "unpretentious little undiscovered" restaurant you've found.
Dress code
Soft wools and cords. Casual and conservative.
Drawbacks
No beach. Noisy nightlife is considered vulgar - you are there to show off your interest in churches and Renaissance art, etc.
Achingly beautiful and ultra-chic spot on the Italian Riviera.
Who goes?
Elizabeth Hurley, Giorgio Armani, Claudia Schiffer, Donatella Versace, Prince Albert of Monaco, Sienna Miller, Kylie Minogue, Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres.
Hotspots
The Splendido is the only hotel to stay at. It boasts a swish restaurant with terraces high above Portofino. Also hot is Albergo Fasce, a small, inexpensive hotel restaurant with a growing reputation for fabulous food. The swankiest restaurant in town is Cesarina, and Tender is the place to buy Santa Margherita's favourite product, cashmere jumpers, wraps and coats - sometimes edged in mink.
Dress code
Smart, sophisticated - and expensive. Cashmere - and lots of it.
Drawbacks
Second only to Venice as the most expensive spot in Italy.
St Tropez was once just a fishing village on the French Riviera to which impressionist artists flocked. The chic and famous followed, making St Trop the ultimate jetset destination of the 60s. But as soon as the not-so-rich started getting in on the act, the stars made their excuses and left. But now a whole new generation of stars are returning, drawn by the carefree atmosphere. It is the only place where the 80s have continued unabated, and ostentatious wealth is still the dish of the day.
Who goes?
Liam Neeson, Linda Evangelista, Ivana Trump, Helena Christensen, Naomi Campbell, Cher, Giorgio Armani, George Michael, Geri Halliwell, Kylie Minogue, Rihanna, Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z, Katie Holmes, Simon Cowell, Bono.
Hotspots
Le Club 55 is the place to go for business and lunch and New Coco Beach restaurant is for the fashionably gay, while Chez Nano is the best restaurant for picking up a playboy. Everyone drinks coffee in the marketplace at the Place des Lices, while reading papers and yacht-watching.
Dress code
Brigitte Bardot set the tone for St Tropez as the place where nobody seems to own clothing other than a bikini bottom. Dress down to dress up. If you need to wear something, make it simple and in cream, white or navy linen.
Drawback
Even the poor have to be pretty rich here.
The world's most famous film festival takes place in Cannes every May, bringing all the major superstars in its wake. They stay on for holidays and often come back for more.
Who goes?
Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Roger Moore, Joan Collins, Elton John, Princess Caroline, Liz Hurley, Hugh Grant, Kate Moss, Jerry Hall, Cindy Crawford, Paris Hilton, Rihanna.
Hotspots
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap Ferrat.
Dress code
Get out your Chanel.
Drawbacks
Regarded as too obvious - and too crowded - by more discerning stars. When the festival is over, it can seem bland and sleazy. There are lots of hookers.
The most beautiful of the ultra-hip Balearic Islands, east of mainland Spain. Despite
repeated assaults by package holiday firms, it remains a favourite with the rich and famous.
Who goes?
King Juan Carlos, Tom Hanks, Goldie Hawn, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sting, Liam Gallagher, Elle Macpherson, Salma Hayek, Claudia Schiffer, David Cameron.
Hot spots
The La Residencia boutique hotel in Deia, where you can enjoy historic surroundings - two of the buildings date back to the 16th century - in comfort and style.
Dress code
More Gap than Versace.
Drawbacks
You know the kiss-me-quick brigade are on the island with you, even if you can't see them.
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