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Celebrity Travel News
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Italy has many options for vacation - not just Venice or Milan - and celebrities know how to find them. One of them is Ponza Island where Michael Douglas recently vacationed there. There are also reports of another Michael being spotted - Micahel Stipes of REM. Other celebrities often seen there are Valentino and Anna Fendi.
Ponza is one of the Pontine Islands, just off the coast of Lazio - half way between Rome and Naples. The best way to get there is to arrive in a major airport in Italy and then use road transportation - great way to check out the hidden spots of Italy. |
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Celebrity spottings
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Looks as if Nicole Richie really enjoys Italian cuisine. On at least two dates with Brody Jenner, she went to Il Tramezzino (strongly recommended by Ryan Seacrest) in Beverly Hills (the other two locations are in Studio City and Burbank in California). Positioned as an upscale sandwich place, it is made to appear like a casual dining location in Tuscany. Celebrities will often drop by for a quick bite but you will mostly see local trendy soccer moms. (Related: Hyde Lounge, Orso Restaurant, Bridge and Koi, and Moonshadows)
On the second date she went to the pricey (expect to spend over $100 for two) Il Sole in West Hollywood. That means that you are bound to spot other celebrities since people from the world of entertainment often entertain each other here. Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Molly Sims, and David and Courtney Cox Arquette are frequent diners. |
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Celebrity spottings
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When Paramount threw out Tom Cruise, everyone expected that the star would lie low after the bad news. Not so fast, folks! On the contrary, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes actually went to one of their favorite restaurants: Orso. (Related: Il Sole and Il Tramezzino)
The Orso restaurant in the Los Angeles area is one of the three Orsos (the other two are in New York and London). This particular eatery sits on the site of the former Joe Allen restaurant. And unlike many other upscale dining spots for celebrities , this is one place that almost any one can eat - prices are just a little more expensive than Olive Garden (have a pizza if you want to keep the tab low). The focus is on fresh Italian food and the restaurant takes pride in its casual dining ambience. (Related: Bridge Restaurant) |
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Celebrity spottings
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You must have heard of the Hyde Lounge in West Hollywood - a hangout popular with the Hilton sisters. A somewhat small place, the only way to enter for the rest of us is to arrive early and then wait for the action to start after 10 PM. In the meantime, there is pleny of exotic Asian-cuisine inspired food to nibble. (Related dining spots: Il Sole, Orso restaurant, Koi and Bridge, and Moonshadows)
And look who hangs out there? Nicole Richie, Brody Jenner, Kristin Cavallari, DJ AM, Orlando Bloom, Andy Garcia, and Travis Barker. |
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Celebrity Travel News
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It is not a lot of fun being involved in a love triangle. The whole Denise Richards - Richie Sambora - Healther Locklear (and indirect involvement of David Spade and Brooke Mueller) drama has been tough on everyone.So it was the right thing to do for Denise Richards to escape to Hawaii and try some surfing and swimming in Maui - it has some of the finest beaches. It is true that after a while Malibu can be boring despite the year-round great weather - at least that is what brings people like Sean Astin there. |
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Celebrity Travel News
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When you are stressed out, what is one vacation destination that you can go to? Disney, of course. And it is not just Paris Hilton that likes Disney.Christie Brinkley, the supermodel whose husband Peter Cook was cheating on her with a teenage employee Diana Bianchi, decided that Disney World was the ideal destination for her and children. |
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Celebrity spottings
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My understanding of Christian people is that they love their enemies and never use bad words and I also believed all along that Mel Gibson was a good Christian (after all he put his own money to make The Passion of Christ). The question still left unanswered is why a married man was alone in a bar drinking and flirting with other women - isn't that un-Christian too? So why did he say all those mean things about Jews? Maybe we can all blame it on the delicious food and cocktails at the Moonshadows restaurant and bar in Malibu. (Related: Hyde Lounge in West Hollywood)
The message here is that when you are in Malibu and want to party like the stars, one of your best bet is the Moonshadows - just have a designated driver, or even better, take a cab. The restaurant has breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, the food and drinks are outstanding, they often have live music, and chances of spotting a celebrity are very high. (Related: Orso restaurants) |
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Celebrity spottings
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A bar that one should check out in New York City is called The Plumm - it is a favorite of the stars. Sunsilk recently organized a star-studded party there hosted by Mario Cantone. The event celebrated the launch of Sunsilk’s new Collections featuring shampoos, conditioners and 24/7 Cremes. The party was also the official coming out party for the three Sunsilk Hairapy Guys - Ethan Mechare, Robbie Laughlin, Micah McCain - who gave Hairapy (where hair meets therapy) to party-goers all night long.
The stars that attended included Jamie Lynn Sigler, Brooke Burns, Haylie Duff, Hillary Lauren Conrad (with boyfriend, Jason Wahler), Damon Dash, Callie Thorne, Michelle Ray Smith, Chloe Dao, Kat Mac, Lydia Hearst, Nadia Dajani, Cameron Douglas, Alice Roi, and Anne Dexter Jones. The Plumm is located at 246 West 14th Street in New York. A perfect way to end the day when you have had a hectic day at the Amagansett beach and dinner at Morimoto. |
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Celebrity Travel News
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It is no secret that celebrities love the US Virgin Islands, but if you thought that the British wouldn't compete in attracting them, think again. Some of the stars that have landed on the beautiful beaches on the British Virgin Islands (BV) are Tom Cruise, Steven Spielberg, Queen Latifah, and Donatella Versace. While their marriage did not last too long, Kenny Chesney married Renee Zellweger here.
This spot in paradise actually has four major islands.
Tortola: This is the largest island in the BVI -- creates a lasting impression with more than 30 bays sheltered by impressive slopes of mountainous peaks that dominate the land; her highest point, Sage Mountain National Park contains a primeval rainforest hidden deep inside.
Virgin Gorda: Creating the eastern most border of the British Virgin Islands, Virgin Gorda -- named by Christopher Columbus in 1493 for her long shape and belly-like feature -- attracts sailors from all ports-of-call to discover her fruitful gifts from Mother Nature’s work of art at The Baths to the BVI’s most luxurious accommodations. A short sail from the main island of Tortola, just 12 miles across the Sir Frances Drake Channel, Virgin Gorda tempts visitors with the best of both beaches and mountains -- flat, powdery sands on the south side and lush vegetation on peaks and hills running along the spine of the north shore. (Related: Anguilla)
Anegada: Unlike her volcanic siblings, Anegada stands as a flat coral atoll, drenched in level beaches rimming the island and extensive salt ponds in the west, radiating a pink hue from a flock of 100 roseate flamingos that call the island center home. Accessible only by prop plane or charter boat, the island has just one main road and a landing strip centered in a tiny cow pasture. With less than 250 permanent  residents, the island is home to more wildlife than humans, boasting an expansive Outback sheltering several rare species both plant and animal, including the endangered Anegada rock iguana, the seldom seen “air plant,” and frangipani tree that bends and diverts into multiple arms -- nature’s version of abstract art. Even the fishing is rare in Anegada, boasting some of the best bonefishing in the world, the elusive, saltwater version of fly fishing. Both pristine and undisturbed, Anegada’s beaches of Cow Wreck Bay, Pomato Point and Loblolly Bay -- marked by white-sand, a crescent shape, succulent plant life and fragrant bay lavender -- have found themselves as the stars of numerous photo shoots and filmings. (Related: Bermuda beaches)
Jost Van Dyke: Situated just outside of the British Virgin Islands’ necklace, slightly northwest of Tortola’s West End, Jost Van Dyke is a perfect stopover among BVI island hoppers, exuding a ‘lost in time’ feel with undeveloped beaches and shack bars, punctuated by its lack of manmade amenities -- no televisions, no computers, no distractions. Here, the beach is the main road. Just four square-miles, Jost Van Dyke is home to only 150 permanent residents and a handful of accommodations, however the island is one of the most popular day excursions in the BVI offering several restaurants, bars and plenty of barren beach, where the only requirement is sunscreen. |
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Celebrity spottings
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Nancy writes, "My husband and I are planning a vacation at a clothing optional resort. We are wondering if any Hollywood celebrities are likely to show up there? Which resort would you recommend for first timers like us?"
 While Hollywood celebrities enjoy it as much as any other American, unfortunately, they do it only on private beaches or in their own swimming pools. And paparazzis who have tried to take their photos in these private settings have gotten into trouble. (Related: British Virgin Islands)
So the best thing to do is to enjoy your vacation and feel lucky if a star does show up. You now have choices such as cruises (on such lines as Holland America, Carnival, and Star Flyer), upscale resorts, and rural campgrounds and clubs. Guests feel very safe and comfortable at such resorts as inappropriate behavior is not allowed.
One place that we recommend is The Terra Cotta Inn Clothing Optional Resort and Spa. The Inn's popularity is due to their catering to couples trying it for the first time. They don't require memberships or that you drop your clothes as soon as you arrive, like many other resorts. A first timer could initially wear a bathing suit or beach wrap if they so desire. Guests from around the world stay with them. Mary Clare, the owner says, that women are more intimidated by the idea, but "ultimately they love it because they love the sense of freedom. You don't have to worry how you will look in a bathing suit as you aren't wearing one." She adds that many first timers will simply take their top off but eventually they realize that it is not a big deal and will completely disrobe just like everyone else. This technique of allowing women to to feel comfortable is very successful for this resort and may be a good option for you to visit it for your first time. |
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