10 celebrity hideaways

Of course, it's likely that you are going to have to dent your credit card just to be in with a shout of finding some of these A-listers -  after all most of these destinations don't generally come cheap, especially when the celebs are doing their best to avoid the prying lenses of the paparazzi.

So, without so much as a set of binoculars in sight, here are our 10 suggestions of where you should head if you really want to spot some top celebs, or even just holiday like them.

1. Necker Island
Virgin chief Richard Branson owns this, his own private island, so you'd either have to be very well connected or very rich even to step foot on the shore. But don't give up yet, as 'Celebration Weeks' can be booked which offer an opportunity to sample life on island with others.

Unfortunately, these trips are generally available at time when none of the megastars are on the island, but they nevertheless provide a great opportunity to see exactly where the celebs like to hide away, even if you don't manage to see any. Oh, and seven days on the island for two people won't give you much change out of £16,000. You'd better get saving.

Spotted here: David Beckham, Janet Jackson, Harrison Ford, Eddie Murphy, Peter Gabriel, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Douglas, Mariah Carey, Mel Gibson, and Steven Spielberg.

Things to do: Wide choice including jacuzzis, swimming pools, sailing, snorkelling, floodlit tennis, windsurfing and kite surfing, gymnasium, sailing and speed boat, kayaks, water-skiing equipment, snorkelling equipment, and fishing.

2. St Tropez, France
The small fishing village resort in Southern France - which has been popular with celebrities every since the iconic Brigitte Bardot blazed a blonde bombshell trail in the mid-1950s - continues to be one of the finest celebrity hotspots. Nightlife is very lively and it's worth looking out for the helicopters bringing in the guests to private parties in one of the many luxurious villas - you might just catch a glimpse.

In addition to the pristine beaches of St Tropez are the charming cobbled streets and terraces where 'people watching' is the favourite activity of visitors. Head for one of the famous café terraces, such as Le Gorille or Sénéquier, and celebrity spot away to your heart's content. Peak period is often in early October when the annual regatta is held in the bay of Saint-Tropez and draws in many yachts - an ideal opportunity for more celebrity spotting.

Spotted here: Beyoncé, Kylie Minogue, Paris Hilton, Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson.

Things to do: Windsurfing, sailing and canoeing, plus motorised water sports such as power boats, jet bikes and water skiing. Alternatively, just watch the 'beautiful people' go by.

3. Anguilla, Caribbean
Anguilla is the perfect Caribbean haven for those celebrities doing their utmost to avoid prying eyes and lenses. Unlike many other Caribbean resorts, which can be cluttered with low-quality over-development, Anguilla offers the utmost in luxury. Yet, despite being a high class and high cost destination, it still manages to retain its laid-back character, so much so that it's not uncommon to find goats wandering the streets.

Top of the range villas can cost as much as US$35,000 per week, yet that doesn't deter visitors. It's not unusual to find celebrities chilling out on one of the 33 beaches - all of which are by local custom open to the public - or participating in a little snorkelling or diving among the coral reefs.

Spotted here: Kate Winslet, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Courtney Cox Arquette, Drew Barrymore, Brad Pitt, Beyonce, Denzel Washington and Al Gore.

Things to do: Head out to Prickly Pear Cays for some of the best diving and snorkelling. Sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing and golf are popular, as is shore fishing and deep sea fishing.

4. Mombasa, Kenya
Aside from the guaranteed good weather and perfect white sand beaches, it's the ability to escape which makes Mombasa such a popular destination for celebrities. There seems to be an almost unwritten rule whereby the local media only reports about celebrity visits long after the celebs have left.

Unlike the capital Nairobi, Mombasa has few major celebs that are based there, so it's an ideal hiding place. Mombasa's beach is natural unlike the reclaimed beaches further south, making them more appealing. While quality, top of the range accommodation is available for the celebs, the good news is, budget travellers also have a wide variety of options to choose from.

Spotted here: Bill Gates, Naomi Campbell, Serena and Venus Williams, Oprah Winfrey.

Things to do: Deep-sea fishing, and water sports activities such as scuba diving, surfing and sailing are popular. There are several historic sites to visit including Fort Jesus and the Gedi Ruins.

5. Turtle Island, Fiji
With name like this, you wouldn't be surprised to find that this is the place that celebs come to bury themselves inside their own shells. While it's a paradise for coupled up celebrities seeking the quiet life - limited to just 14 couples - it's also paradise for the fans because the chances of celebs being here are high. Couples can reserve one of the island's 14 private beaches.

Turtle Island was chosen as the site of both Blue Lagoon movies from 1980 and 1949, and is the perfect spot for locating any newly-wed celeb couples. Today, the resort caters to couples exclusively - with around a hundred staff for the limited number of guests - although there are occasional designated "family weeks" each year.

Spotted here: Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise.

Things to do: Horseback riding, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling, diving, sailing, windsurfing and kayaking.

6. Los Cabos, Mexico
Los Cabos, or Cabo as it is affectionately known, is Mexico's favourite hideaway of many an A-lister. Its status was secured ever since John Wayne's frequent jet-set visits in the 1950s, and celebs continue to flock there in huge numbers. Cabos has become known as a as a golfers' mecca in recent years, and there's even a possibility of seeing Tiger Woods.

Hotels in Cabos favoured by the Hollywood crowd include the One&Only Palmilla in Baja (the favourite bolt hole for Ernest Hemmingway), and the Esperanza in Punta Ballena. The exclusive Las Ventanas is considered to be Brad Pitt's favourite. Most celebs, however, rent private villas in the area or choose to be pampered in one of three luxury resorts overlooking the Sea of Cortez.

Spotted here: Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Simpson, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Chris Martin, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Madonna, Brad Pitt, Eva Longoria, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Halle Berry.

Things to do: Golf, spa treatments, kayaking, scuba diving, banana boating, jet skiing, horseback riding, and whale watching in the winter months off Whale Point.

7. Maui, Hawaii
Maui is noted for the quality of its celebrity visitors almost as much as for the quality of its surfing. With some fine resorts, hotels and restaurants, it's easy to see why Maui has become a Hawaiian haven for celebrity guests. Being the closest tropical holiday destination to LA makes it a convenient destination for the big stars.

More than a fair few celebs have made Maui their second home, including musicians Carlos Santana and Willy Nelson. Keen golfer and rock god Alice Cooper is also frequently seen on the island's courses. The Four Seasons Resort at Wailea is one of the most popular on Maui and has attracted countless heavyweight celebs including Oprah Winfrey and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Spotted here: Eddie Murphy, Tori Spelling, Cameron Diaz, Zac Efron, Britney Spears, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Pamela Anderson, Woody Harrelson, Kelsey Grammar.

Things to do: Spa treatments, scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking horseback riding, whale watching (in winter), sailing, surfing, and hiking 10,000 foot up to Haleakala Crater.

8. Dubai
Dubai does not do things by halves. If you have money to fritter away on exclusive shopping and major bling, then Dubai's your place, and what self-respecting celeb wouldn't take up the opportunity to do this? Celebs are coming in such numbers that celebrity spotting has become one of the favourite pastimes in Dubai.

With year-round sunshine, perfect white sandy beaches, and some of the most extravagant and expensive resorts - including the world's tallest building 'The Burj'-  Dubai is the new destination of the moment. A number of A-listers have also been investing in property in Dubai in recent years, thus increasing your chances of a celeb-spotting moment.

Spotted here: David and Victoria Beckham, Robbie Williams, Michael Schumacher, Pamela Anderson, Claudia Schiffer, Michael Schumacher Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

Things to do: Visit the reclaimed islands just offshore, four-wheel-drive desert safari, indoor skiing, golf, dune driving, sand-skiing, camel riding or just shop 'til you drop.

9. Barbados
Barbados is the typically tropical escape for many of the big celebrity names. Tiger Woods chose to get hitched there in the west coast Sandy Lane Resort, which attracts many of the stars celebs, and occasionally royalty. The St. James parish in which the resort is located has been named the "Platinum Coast" and is the undisputed playground of the rich and famous.

While Barbados is not exactly a private hideaway - the paparazzi can sometimes outnumber the celebs - it is still possible to get privacy, and the Beckhams have been frequent visitors, yet somehow manage to slip in and out largely unnoticed largely by staying at a private villa rather than Sandy Lane.

Spotted here: The Beckhams, Simon Cowell, Kate Middleton, Amy Winehouse, Mick Jagger, Sting, Rihanna, and Katy Perry.

Things to do: Activities include golf, spa treatments, jet skiing, water-skiing, banana rides, kayaking, catamaran sailing, and even swimming with the turtles.

10. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora is popular with celebrities because of its remote location which means they tend to find their own private universe there. Many prefer it to nearby Tahiti, which is much more accessible and therefore less celebrity-friendly. It is a perfect paradise surrounded by both a lagoon and barrier reef.

Fortunately, the resorts of Bora Bora are not reserved just for the rich and famous, and it's not uncommon to find celebs mixing with both locals and holidaymakers here. Local restaurant; Bloody Mary's Bar and Restaurant is one such popular spot for doing just that. The glass-bottomed overwater huts at Le Méridien Bora Bora have also proved a popular with many a celebrity.

Spotted here: Charlize Theron, Meg Ryan, Charlie Sheen, Rod Stewart, Barry Gibb, Sharon Stone, Rowan Atkinson, Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, Kurt Russell, and Goldie Hawn.

Things to do: Activities include swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, jet-skiing, catamaran cruise, parasailing, water-skiing, shark and ray feeding, deep sea fishing, spa treatments, and four-wheel-drive safari.