It's a bit of a cliché to buy a tropical island when you're a super-rich celebrity. It's on the 'to-do' tick list for many A-Listers, who like to have complete privacy when they go on vacation. Kim Basinger didn't want an island though. Perhaps she thought that the time spent flying to and from such a place was too much to deal with? In any event, she took the unconventional route of buying a town in Georgia instead.
It cost Basinger $20m to secure the purchase, which she decided upon on a whim when she found herself stuck in a traffic jam there once. She loved the scenery, and thought it would make for a great filming location, so she hatched a plan to turn it into a tourist attraction and open some purpose-built film studios. Sadly for Basinger, it didn't quite go to plan. She ran out of money before she could achieve her vision, and ended up selling it only five years later at a $19m dollar loss. Ouch.
Whether celebrities are looking to be in the spotlight or escape the paparazzi, there are some popular vacation destinations that always seem to be frequented by the stars. Celeb spotting is a favorite pastime of many travelers, and you might be able to snag a photo or even an autograph when you visit these top celebrity vacation spots around the world. Although the price tags may be a bit higher in these destinations than your average budget getaway, these are some of the best celebrity vacation spots that you can start saving up to visit and enjoy the trip of a lifetime.
One of the classiest celebrity vacation spots in Europe is Mallorca, Spain. It’s known as a spot to be posh more than a spot to party. Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones have a house here, and it’s been a favorite getaway for Gwenyth Paltrow. Some of the local favorites that boast the most celebrity sightings include the Wellies Restaurant and Bar, Puerto Portals, and Es Trenc Beach.
Saint Tropez is known for its amazing beaches and blissful landscapes. Celebrity couples like Beyoncé and Jay Z and David and Victoria Beckham have been spotted vacationing along these famous beaches. The Cote d’Azur seaport is a big draw for celebs here, as well as top beach clubs like Club 55.
Perhaps the most well-known celebrity that loves Lake Como is George Clooney. He has a villa with over a dozen rooms here so he can bring all his friends along to relax, get away, and party. Villa d’Este is another popular place celebrities choose to stay because of its attention to privacy. Just ask Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bette Midler, or Sylvester Stallone!
Sure, there are plenty of celebrities that call Sydney home year-around, but there are lots of others who like to visit for a surfing and sailing getaway. Sydney’s Bondi Beach has been a top vacation pick for Leonardo DiCaprio and Hugh Jackman, and some A-list accommodations are the InterContinental Hotel and the Park Hyatt in the Rocks.