The Top 5 Celebrity Holidays

They say that the next best thing to being a celebrity is to be near one, however instead of lurking around the Big Brother house in the middle of the night or some spurious nightspot in the hope of spotting a B-list celeb you might prefer a more exotic getaway in a location favoured by some of the world's biggest names. But where do you start I hear you ask? Well we have 5 of the top celebrity holiday hotspots that will give you a truly memorable holiday experience.

Marina at St. Tropez

Like most people, celebrities are fond of holidays where they do not have to do much apart from bask in the sun. St Tropez in France is the perfect place for working on your tan and never goes out of fashion. This is probably due to the big names that frequent it. Recent celebrity visitors to this beautiful resort include Beyonce, Paris Hilton, Bono and the Beckhams, with Brigitte Bardot being one of the first stars to grace this sun-drenched stretch of the French Riviera back in the 1950s.

Lake Como in Italy

Another emerging celebrity holiday hotspot appears to be Lake Como in Italy, where George Clooney owns a villa and other superstars - including the likes of Matt Damon and Katie Holmes - regularly visit during their annual holidays. There are many rustic villages to explore on the lake's shoreline and plenty of activities such as mountain biking and kayaking for those that feel more active. The easiest way to get to the location is to fly to Milan and take a train, taxi or rental car to Lake Como, which is about 25 miles away.

The Caribbean

The Caribbean is a hugely popular holiday destination which attracts its fair share of big celebrity names. The Beckhams are known to holiday in Barbados from time to time, while St Barts has previously been graced with the presence of supermodel Kate Moss. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have also enjoyed a family holiday with the kids at Caneel Bay on the island of St John.

Namibia

In terms of alternative holiday destinations, Namibia represents one of the more out-of-the-way destinations. Namibia has captured much attention since Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had their first child together in the country. Namibia has traditionally been more attractive to eco-tourists than your average British family, but nevertheless offers a unique holiday experience for most travellers in search of something different, with vast expanses of deserts and plains providing spectacular views and many historic townships serving up culture by the bucketful.

Dubai

Dubai is another classy destination that has been frequented by celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Robbie Williams, the Beckhams and Pamela Anderson. Whilst it is quite far away it is also one of those destinations that is growing in popularity and flights to Dubai are also very competitive. Set in the Middle Eastern, the city features stunning white sandy beaches, plenty of sunshine and some of the best shopping to be found anywhere. It is also home to the world's tallest building (The Burj) and a number of events and attractions that will suit all members of the family.

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Article by Sarah Maple

Sun Safety on Holiday

You're off on holiday at last! There are so many things to remember, not least your travel insurance and your sun cream. Once you've got your trip covered, here's how to cover up in the sun...

Soaking up the sun can be really relaxing, but sun damage can lead to an increased risk of skin cancer and premature ageing. Even in the short term, sunburn can ruin your holiday - no one wants to cover up all week with painful, lobster-like skin.

How can I protect myself from sun damage?

Choose loose, cool clothing that covers you up. Wear sunglasses with UV protection and a hat to protect your face and neck. Take regular breaks in the shade and ideally keep out of the sun from 11am to 3pm.

Make wearing sun cream part of your routine. Cancer Research UK recommends a minimum of sun protection factor (SPF) 15 for most people. You don't have to buy the most expensive brand but check that your cream blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Use generous amounts, reapply after going in the water or sweating and if you're near the water, take extra care as you'll burn more easily.

When do I put my sun cream on?

Put your sun cream on at least 20-30 minutes before you go outside and reapply after 20-30 minutes in the sun and then every two hours. Always put your sun cream on before your moisturiser and make-up and don't forget the areas that are most commonly missed: your hair parting, your ears, nose, lips, feet and skin around the edges of your clothes.

Who's most at high risk from skin cancer?

People with fair skin, red or fair hair, light eyes, or a lot of moles or freckles need to take extra care in the sun. The same goes if you have a family history of skin cancer or a previous bad experience of sunburn. You might want to cover up, stay in the shade or wear sun cream that's SPF25 or more. If you notice changes to your skin or moles, speak to your GP.

Do children need extra protection?

Children have sensitive skin and need extra protection from the sun. Use SPF25 and reapply every two hours and after they've been in the sea, the pool or playing with water. Put them in loose clothing with long sleeves, preferably cotton and check shoulders, backs and necks are covered.

Hats are a must, ideally with a wide brim or a flap that covers the neck, as are sunglasses with UV filters. Babies under 12 months need to stay in the shade.

Can sun cream go off?

Eventually. Sun cream lasts for 2-3 years but check the expiry date on the bottle - you won't be protected if it's out-of-date. Keep your sun cream cool and out of direct sunlight as this can damage it.

For the ultimate relaxing holiday, get your travel insurance sorted before you go.

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How to get the right Travel Insurance

Travel insurance doesn't just cover lost luggage and cancelled flights. When accidents happen, it's a financial lifeline. Forgetting your travel insurance, or going for the cheapest option, might end up costing you thousands - so how can you get the peace of mind of knowing you're properly protected?

Get cover for the unexpected.

When Caroline Brown fell off a banana boat on a Greek island, she was concussed and lost her memory for 9 hours - but fortunately she hadn't forgotten her travel insurance. After 3 visits from the doctor, Caroline was back on her feet. And thanks to her insurance she claimed back all the medical expenses.

If you fancy trying something new on holiday such as horse riding or bungee jumping, make sure your activities are covered. And even if you're not planning anything quite so adventurous, it's still vital to have the right travel insurance.

Avoid a financial headache.

Accidents and sudden illnesses affect thousands of travellers every year, and the costs of medical treatment or flying a loved one home can run into thousands. Inadequate travel insurance could mean the added worry of a huge financial burden.

When something goes wrong on holiday, the right travel insurance really shows its worth. Cheaper policies may pay partial costs - but exclusions and excesses can leave a shortfall that you or your family will have to bear the brunt of. So when choosing your travel insurance, check that the policy really covers you for what you need.

Know what your luggage is worth.

When you add it all up - outfits, shoes, digital camera, MP3 player, phone, jewellery, designer sunglasses - there could be thousands of pounds in a single suitcase. And if you're into golf, scuba diving or skiing, that figure could rise even higher.

We all know that sinking feeling when you reach for your phone or camera and find it missing. But if you're not insured, you'll have to foot the bill yourself, and that's enough to ruin your holiday. Work out what your luggage is really worth, and check you're fully covered.

Buy cheap travel insurance from Post Office�; single trip and annual multi trip travel health insurance offering you comprehensive cover with a range of additional options.

What to pack for Holiday?

Not so much an art as a science, perfect packing can make all the difference to your trip. Trust me, you'll never look back. Here are my top holiday packing tips...

Go for half measures
No, I'm not talking about your well-deserved first beer of the holiday... I'm suggesting you lay out everything you want to take on holiday - and then halve it. Literally. And no cheating!

If in doubt, leave it out
Everyone wants to look their best on holiday. So if you're slightly undecided about an item of clothing, take it out of your suitcase. Chances are: if you don't love it, you won't wear it.

Coordination, coordination, coordination!
Be ruthless - every item of holiday clothing, footwear and jewellery must coordinate with at least two other items in your suitcase. If not, leave it at home.

Share and share alike
If you're travelling with a partner or friend, you bring the suncream and get them to bring the aftersun, you get the shampoo and they get the conditioner, and so on. If your tastes are similar, you can also share books and magazines - making each bag lighter.

A case of the right bag
Cases with wheels and large backpacks are much handier than old-fashioned luggage. For the ultimate easy packing, choose a bag or case that can be laid flat and fully opened. One with lots of inner compartments and side pockets is ideal.

It's all in the detail
Remember to: put heavy things at the bottom of your case, use all the gaps, fill the insides of your shoes with underwear, jewellery and tights, and roll - not fold - your clothes so they don't crease.

Lists, wonderful lists
To be an �ber-packer, you'll need three lists. One for everything you need to take (don't forget your toothbrush), one for anything you didn't wear or use - so you don't take it next time, and finally, one for anything you forgot.

Remember the basics, like travel insurance
Packing light is great, but don't forget the basics, like your passport and travel insurance.

If you are looking to buy cheap travel insurance then try the Post Office�; single trip and annual multi trip travel health insurance offering you comprehensive cover with a range of additional options.