Hottest celebrity holiday destinations

by John Bedford

Just like the rest of us, those primped and pampered celebrities like to take a well-earned rest and travel to get away from it all. But where does a megastar go when they want a break from the bright lights of Hollywood? Some of the biggest stars reveal their favourite holiday getaways...

New York

Who holidays there? Sienna Miller
Why they like it: \'I was brought up in New York, so it\'s always been like a second home to me,\' says Brit beauty Sienna - one of many stars to find more than a little appeal in the Big Apple. \'I love the frenetic pace of life there, the people, the nightlife, the shopping. There\'s no other place on the planet quite like it for colour and excitement.\'
Other star visitors: Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Jessica Alba, Hugh Jackman

Mexico

Who holidays there? Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
Why they like it: The Brangelina holiday hotspot could be just about anywhere for the jetset couple. Ange\'s love of Africa is well known, but as far as Brad is concerned, Mexico offers the best retreat from their hectic lifestyle. \'Mexico has some fantastic places for a vacation,\' says Brad. \'There are no stresses unless you\'re allergic to scorpions! It\'s a cool and beautiful country.\'
Other star visitors: Matthew McConaughey, Pierce Brosnan

Hawaii

Who holidays there? Scarlett Johansson
Why they like it: This is where hit US series Lost is filmed and where many a star likes to get lost in the crystal-clear waters, golden beaches and tropical scenery. Hollywood beauty Scarlett is no exception. "I barely get the chance to get a vacation, but if I did I would go to Hawaii. It\'s beautiful and all that sun and sand... I love it there."
Other star visitors: Justin Timberlake, Lindsay Lohan, Cameron Diaz, Minnie Driver

Marrakech, Morocco

Who holidays there? Rachel Weisz
Why they like it: "It\'s a really beautiful city, with its markets, snake charmers, open-air dentists pulling teeth and men queuing up for impotency drugs from the witch doctor," says Brit Oscar-winner Rachel of the Moroccan hotspot. "Moroccan men are obsessed with impotency, absolutely obsessed! They don\'t have Viagra yet over there, but don\'t let that put you off, because it really is a magical place."
Other star visitors: Jude Law, Naomi Campbell, Kate Winslet, Heath Ledger

Thailand

Who holidays there? Leonardo DiCaprio
Why they like it: Having shot The Beach in Thailand, Leo has found it hard to resist the lure of South-East Asia. "It\'s the most unbelievable place," he says of his favourite getaway. "Totally unique. It\'s like the Roman Empire - anything and everything happens there. It\'s a crazy, wild, insane mix of really sweet people and a very violent culture. It\'s a whole demented world there. I always get something from travelling. I always pick up little bits and pieces here and there, but especially in Thailand."
Other star visitors: Kate Moss, Tobey Maguire, Jack Osborne

Lake Como, Italy

Who holidays there? George Clooney
Why they like it: George (pictured taking a mystery lady for a spin near his holiday home) has turned his beautiful estate on the Italian lake into a resort all of his own. In fact, he loves his Italian retreat so much, he spends more time there than he does in Tinseltown. "It\'s just beautiful," says the Ocean\'s Eleven, 12 and 13 star. \'I have got a boat, like a big 16-seat beach craft that you get on, and go, \'Well, let\'s go to Harry\'s Bar and you ride over there and get a beer and some food.\' I like to spend some time riding my boat, feeding my ducks, thinking about what I\'m going to eat for lunch, then dinner. We also have lively debates about which wine we\'re going to drink."
Other star visitors: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Matt Damon, Renée Zellweger

St Tropez, France

Who holidays there? Beyoncé
Why they like it: This medieval resort on the French Riviera is not so much hot with the jet-set celebs but the yacht-set. Many a super-sized cruiser with a superstar on board finds harbour here to sample the perfect beaches (including nudist areas), exclusive shops and high-class restaurants. "I love it there and the beaches especially," says St Tropez regular Beyoncé. "But it\'s more difficult for me now because I get recognised and there\'s always a camera somewhere. I love St Tropez because that doesn\'t happen quite so often. It\'s harder to have a good time than it used to be, but I still have fun."
Other star visitors: Kate Moss, P Diddy, Charlotte Church, Paris Hilton

Dubai

Who holidays there? Cheryl and Ashley Cole
Why they like it: This tiny Middle Eastern enclave on the western shores of the Persian Gulf has been transformed into a luxury holiday resort. Dubai has become particularly popular with Brit celebs, as it offers an exotic getaway in under six hours on the plane. Ashley even proposed to his pop star partner here. \'We had this amazing desert safari, which was only about an hour from Dubai,\' recalls Cheryl. "It was just a sea of sand dunes and just us in a little buggy - so romantic. Then it was back to the hotel, beach and shops to celebrate!"
Other star visitors: Wayne Rooney and   , Nell McAndrew, Jordan and Peter Andre, John Terry

New Zealand

Who holidays there? Orlando Bloom
Why they like it: Being the active type, Orlando fell in love with New Zealand in between filming commitments on the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. Even now he yearns to go back for more bungee jumping, kayaking, climbing and hiking - not bad for a man who once broke his back. \'I was there for two years for Lord Of The Rings", but I would love to go back - just to chill out," says the Pirates Of The Caribbean star. \'It\'s such a beautiful place. The landscape is incredible. It\'s a really special place for me."
Other star visitors: Nicole Kidman, Gisele Bundchen, Saffron Burrows

Venice, Italy

Who holidays there? Julia Roberts
Why they like it: "I\'ll never forget the first time I went to Venice," says the star, who, having recently given birth to her third child with husband Danny Moder, could well do with a break away right now. "I was 19 or 20. It was the strongest sensation in my life. I had no idea about the water factor, that there were no cars. It makes me sound like an idiot - and I don\'t care. All I can say is, I was stunned, just stunned. I still get the same thrill about the place whenever I go back. Venice is a miracle of a city, beautiful and, of course, romantic."
Other star visitors: David and Victoria Beckham, Catherine Zeta Jones, Elton John - he has a holiday home there

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