We aren’t the only ones with an itch for adventure, mentally planning our next big getaway. The only difference is, the rich and famous can drop everything for a trip to paradise (and normally don’t have to save up for months either!). Celebs pick some of the best places around the globe to unwind, and as green-eyed as we might be to observe it all through their social media, they do give us pause for thought – mainly thoughts like: “That could be us, too!”
Okay, so most of us may lack the funds for a first-class flight to Bermuda on a moment’s notice, but it doesn’t mean we can’t dream! Scrolling through our favorite star’s Instagram can be our greatest excuse for booking that vacation we’ve been putting off. Even when they’re not on vacation themselves, celebs give us wanderlust without even realizing it – whether they’re on location shooting their next flick or posing for a glam photoshoot, they’re always in some amazing corner of the world. Natural-born globetrotters or not, the stars are certainly among the most well-traveled people on Earth.
In many ways, celebs make the best travel guides too, since they know all the quiet spots away from the beaten track (although admittedly, they probably got there via private helicopter). Curious about where Leo or Beyonce choose to chillax in the sun? Read on to discover the top travel destinations of the stars. Be warned - your bank account might want to run for cover!
20 Demi Lovato – Kenya
The Cool For The Summer singer has seen her fair share of beautiful countries on her world tours, but more so than any other place, Kenya was the one that stole her heart. Demi Lovato celebrated her 21st birthday bash in East Africa back in 2013 and has felt a strong pull to Kenya’s incredible vibe ever since.
In early 2017, Lovato returned to her favorite country to work with the WE Movement charity which helps local schools and communities. She later took to Instagram to share pics of her wearing traditional African Massai clothing during a surprise party thrown by locals in her honor. She captioned it: “One of the most incredible moments of the trip”.
19 Jennifer Aniston – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
When the FRIENDS star needs to wind down, there’s one place she loves to visit time and time again – Cabo San Lucas. Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar, Jen Aniston revealed that Cabo is her favorite vacation spot ever and has brought many of her closest friends to the place, including BFFs Courteney Cox and Jason Bateman.
Aniston was recently spotted there in January of this year, welcoming the first few hours of 2018 in style with her nearest and dearest. Jen’s favorite resort in Cabo, the One&Only Palmilla boasts world-class dining and infinity pools looking out to sea – all yours for a cool $940 per night. Yikes!
18 Chrissy Teigen – Lake Como, Italy
Mrs. John Legend calls Lake Como her relaxing home away from home. This super secluded spot in Northern Italy is known for its dramatic views yet quiet and understated atmosphere. No wonder Chrissy Teigen loves to bring her family here time and time again.
Teigen doesn't just love Lake Como for its silence and picturesque beauty, which she describes as looking “like a painting”, the Lake also happens to be where her and hubby John, tied the knot. What’s more, it’s also where John Legend shot the video for his hit All Of Me just before the wedding. Ugh. Romance goals!
17 Leonardo DiCaprio – Antibes, France
If you ever want to run into Leo DiCaprio by the pool, then it’s a safe bet that you can find him spending most of his summers and downtime in the crown jewel of the French Riviera – Antibes. The Wolf of Wall Street actor loves to kick back in the 5-star resort between Cannes and Nice that flows with jazz, fine wine, and picture-perfect sunsets.
Keen to make the most of the remaining summer months, DiCaprio has most recently been spotted in Antibes earlier this month, sunning himself on his yacht with girlfriend Camila Morrone. In between all the festivities of the Cannes film festival, you best believe that Leo skips the after-party for a cruise to Antibes!
16 Calvin Harris - Ibiza
It’s basically a rite of passage for all DJs to play Ibiza once they make it big and for Scottish born DJ and producer Calvin Harris, working in the party capital of the world also had him falling in love with many of the island’s lesser-known charms, too.
While some celebs might prefer their holiday homes in the South of France or the Bahamas, Calvin Harris doesn’t like to stray too far from the place that made a name for him. When he’s not at the decks, Harris is likely to be soaking up the sun (or nursing a hangover!) on the deck chairs along the sandy white beaches of party HQ.
15 Gigi Hadid – Tahiti
Tahiti is one of those locations that looks too beautiful to be real and one celeb, in particular, to be blown away by its beauty is Gigi Hadid. The stunning model ventured out to the gorgeous French Polynesian island back in 2015 and continued to be awed by it once she came back.
Reliving her vacay, Hadid told Harper’s Bazaar why Tahiti is now her go-to holiday spot: “It’s one of the only places that actually looks the way it does in pictures. It can be completely cloudy and rainy and the weather is still perfect.” You don’t say.
14 Beyonce & Jay Z - St Barts, Caribbean
Music’s biggest power couple can’t keep away from St. Barts in the Caribbean and seem to find any excuse to vacation there. Recently, Beyonce and hubby Jay Z have reportedly jetted off to the island of St. Barthelemy island (St. Barts for short) to celebrate Easter, the couple’s wedding anniversaries and was even the place they took Blue Ivy for her first birthday. Swish!
The gorgeous French-speaking island in the Caribbean offers secluded walks on the beach, luxury spas and high-end bars and boutiques as far as the eye can see. Blue won’t have known it, but mom and dad sure knew how to pack adventure into her first 12 months on earth!
13 Penélope Cruz - Corsica
When Penélope Cruz calls time on a film project, the sizzling French region of Corsica is where she heads to in a bid to unwind with family. The Loving Pablo star and her hubby and fellow actor Javier Bardem, retreat to the stunning island as often as they can with their two kids Leonardo and Luna.
Cruz adores the stylish Mediterranean island so much in fact that she was even spotted chillaxing there less than 2 weeks after giving birth. Now, that’s what we call a push present! Wish we had the budget to kickstart motherhood with a little slice of paradise like this.
12 Khloe Kardashian – Greece
Between them, the Kardashian clan have toured pools and sun-loungers around the world from Thailand and Bora Bora to Paris and Florence. For all their many holiday locations, middle Kardashian sister Khloe, has pinned down Greece as the very best vacay spot.
Khloe fell in love with the Greek islands after a trip in 2013 and hasn’t looked back. Writing about her travels on her website, Khloe gushed: “It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to, and definitely a place I would go back to.” Khloe has made repeat return trips there with sisters Kim and Kourtney and mom Kris Jenner.
11 Mila Kunis – French Riviera
The beauties of the French Riviera has attracted a whole host of A-list stars from Johnny Depp and Cat Blanchett to Elizabeth Taylor and Brigitte Bardot back in the day. Now, some of its most frequent visitors are the likes of Mila Kunis and her hubby Ashton Kutcher who come to sample the delights of the Cote d’Azur on the regular.
The French Riviera is the ultimate playground for the rich and famous and celeb couples like Mila and Ashton have been seen loved up on the beaches of St. Tropez. The pair has also been known to sign the Hotel du Cap guestbook – one of the finest and most romantic luxury hotels in the region. Ooh, la la!
10 Rupert Grint – Isle Of Wight, UK
Rupert Grint may have made innumerable riches playing Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise, but his favorite travel destination is refreshingly modest. Picking something close to home and close to his heart, Grint hails the Isle of Wight as his paradise of choice.
The picturesque island off the south coast of England is where Grint spent many happy summers throughout childhood, and it’s a place he’ll always come back to: “We went there as a family, three summers in a row. We got up to a lot of mischief exploring the caves and beaches. You couldn’t ask for a better holiday for a kid”.
9 Mariah Carey – Aspen
The picture-perfect slopes of Aspen, Colorado have long been a perfect setting for a magical Christmas vacation and it seems like celebs have the right idea when it comes to planning a winter wonderland to remember. Mariah Carey is one star in particular who can’t resist the pretty mountain resort.
Carey has made frequent trips to Aspen with her kids and (now ex) husband Nick Cannon in snowy scenes uploaded to her Instagram. One pic, in particular, looks right out of Mariah’s video for All I Want For Christmas’ in which she and her kids are dressed in cute ski gear and chunky sweaters with a postcard-perfect lodge in the background. Brr! Makes us want to plan that cozy winter getaway now!
8 Rihanna – Barbados
Ever the home bird, Rihanna loves to keep true to her roots on holiday by living it up in her birthplace of Barbados. When she’s not on tour, RiRi reportedly loves nothing more than to take a trip to her family home and soak up the sun on the island’s beautiful stretch of pristine white beaches.
The Wild Thoughts singer has been spotted with A-list pal and model Cara Delevingne in Barbados clubs over the Christmas holidays and when she’s not partying hard, she’s likely to be kicking back on yachts or playing water sports with friends and family on the turquoise waves.
7 Joss Stone – Costa Rica
The honey-voiced singer-songwriter Joss Stone has performed regularly in Costa Rica over the course of her career and couldn’t help but fall in love with the place. Stone had a chance to explore lesser known parts of the beautiful country when she took a trip with her friend and stylist to the very heart of the rainforest.
Taking a private plane to Manuel Antonio - one of the country’s many gorgeous national parks – Stone was quite literally in the middle of paradise: “You're surrounded by trees and exotic creatures. You could be eating your breakfast and see a sloth climbing up a tree. We went whitewater rafting too and explored the tropical rainforest. It was incredible.”
6 Naomi Campbell - Formentera
A few miles south of Ibiza is the chilled and picturesque island of Formentera, and this is where supermodel Naomi Campbell chooses to spend her downtime. As the smallest and most understated of the Balearic islands, Formentera may not be as party-hard as its neighbor, but it’s home to the same crystal blue waters and chilled vibes – with plenty of nightlife to satisfy celebs looking to let their hair down.
Campbell has been spotted sunning herself on the white sandy beaches of Formentera with pal and fellow model Kate Moss, as well as on her personal yacht with her former Russian boyfriend, Vladislav Doronin.
5 Mel B – Hawaii
When the former Spice Girl Mel B likes to chill out, she prefers to zone out in one of the most chilled places on earth – Hawaii. With miles of pristine white beaches and azure blue waters, it’s little wonder this is her fave. The ex-singer enjoys sunset boat rides and snorkeling with her kids when she comes to the island
Aside from the breathtaking scenery of the place, Mel B was also won over by the famous Hawaiian hospitality and friendly nature of the locals, telling The Telegraph: “the people have such a lovely aura about them, all open arms and so welcoming. Nothing was too small for them to do.”
4 Joe Jonas – Mammoth Mountain, California
The middle Jonas brother, Joe has jetted off to many stunning places in his time, but if pressed, he would have to go with Mammoth Lakes in California – and specifically Mammoth Mountain. Speaking about his ultimate vacation spot, Joe confessed to Us Weekly: “If I had one day left on earth, I’d ski with my family in Mammoth Mountain.”
Though born and raised in Arizona, Joe and his family always vacationed in Cali, and he looks to be keeping up the childhood tradition even as he approaches 30. Joe’s fiancee and Game Of Thrones beauty Sophie Turner even met Joe’s parents for the first time during one of their ski trips.
3 Enrique Iglesias – Madrid
When it comes to stunning locations, pop singer Enrique Iglesias has no choice but to go with his hometown of Madrid. Before making the move to Miami to pursue a singing career, a young Enrique spent many happy years in the Spanish capital with his family and enjoys revisiting the vibrant city whenever he can.
In a travel interview with The Telegraph, the Hero singer gushed about how “magical” Madrid still is for him: “When I think of my best holidays ever, it has to be the ones we had in Madrid when I was young. Going back and staying at my mother’s house was great fun, particularly at Christmas. No matter where I go in the world, those times stand out.”
2 Joan Collins – New York
Legendary Dynasty actress Joan Collins has always plumped for the Big Apple as her favorite ever holiday destination, and what’s not to love? New York City is thought to be one of the most romantic and exciting cities on earth, perfect for those in need of a mini break or a long vacation.
Collins is a fan of New York’s high-class dining and club scene, but above all else, she adores the unmistakable vibe of the city, perfectly summing up that whatever the season, New York always has its charms: “It has everything for the perfect holiday. Winters can be bitter, but most of the time, the sun shines brightly and the skyscraper views are breathtaking.”
1 Michelle Williams – Dubai
It only took one trip for Michelle Williams to fall head over heels for Dubai back in 2005. The Destiny’s Child star was touring with her fellow bandmates, Beyonce and Kelly, when the girls took some time out to go exploring and it became a day she’ll never forget.
Michelle excitedly reminisced about her Dubai travels to The Telegraph: “We got taken to the sand dunes in dune buggies, we had a beautiful barbecue, belly danced and got Henna tattoos all up our arms. It was heaven!” The Destiny’s Child girls have since returned for girls-only vacays and most recently for Beyonce’s push party to celebrate the arrival of her twin boys in 2017.
Sources: capitalfm.com, thisisinsider.com, telegraph.co.uk, hellomagazine.com