(CNN) -- Do you find yourself enviously
clicking through pictures of celebrity homes on your lunch hour?
Instead of turning green over the multibillion-dollar estates of
George Clooney or Brad and Angelina, why not follow their lead?
Plan your own getaway in a place where the stars have found solace,
far from the fray.
To make yourself at
home (at least temporarily) in your own private villa, contact
local rental agencies or do your own research on sites such as
HomeAway.com. Or choose a lower priced hotel option
and simply savor the same scenery that the stars enjoy. Once you
arrive, feel free to pretend paparazzi are hiding around every
corner in hope of snatching a candid of you, in all your celeb-y
glamour.
Lake Como,
Italy
Though George
Clooney may not have invited you to his private villa, you can
still have a grand time in the Italian Alps. The panoramic views
from Hotel La Perla are just part of the reason visitors
rave about the place. They also appreciate the large rooms with
high ceilings, the serenity and the friendly, knowledgeable
staff.
A Como must-see is
the marble and gold-inlay interior and high octagonal dome of the
Cattedrale di Como. Under construction from the 14th century to the
18th, the cathedral displays traces of Gothic and Renaissance
architectural styles, and is among the most important churches in
Northern Italy.
And don't miss the
spectacular views from the Funicular Railway, which makes the steep climb
to the town of Brunate. Then savor the vista over wine and a fine
meal at Ristorante Bellavista.
North Carolina lures 'Hunger Games' fans
Maui,
Hawaii
For a taste of the
Hawaii that Oprah enjoys, head to Upcountry Maui, with its fertile,
rolling ranches and sweeping views. Vacation rental sites offer
affordable Upcountry options, but you can also avoid beachfront
crowds with a stay at the Banyan Tree
House. After a simple breakfast, stretch out in a hammock,
surrounded by flowers and shaded by giant banyan, monkeypod and
jacaranda trees, or take a dip in the pool.
Take an afternoon
stroll to Makawao, a quiet cowboy town that's now a center for
artists. Explore the galleries and a glassblower's shop, then stop
by the Makawao Garden Café for lunch in a little courtyard, under
the shade of a tropical tree. Diners call the restaurant "a little
Eden" that's kind of like being "in your own little rainforest."
Save room for dessert at T. Komoda Store & Bakery, which locals
laud for their sticky treats like cinnamon snails and small donuts
-- some glazed and some filled with guava jam -- sold five on a
wooden stick.
Visit Ulupalakua,
Maui's second largest cattle ranch, on the slopes of Mount
Haleakala, where, in the mid-1800s, ranchers cultivated sweet
potatoes, taro and sugarcane in the rich, volcanic soil. Other
must-sees include the view from Haleakala Crater, the highest point
on Maui, and Wailua Falls, the 200-foot, rainbow-making cascade
dropping into a tropical rainforest pool that was featured in the
opening scene of "Fantasy Island."
World's most outrageous hotel amenities
Aix-en-Provence, France
If a
Brangelina-style extended stay at a mammoth South of France château
isn't exactly in your mere-mortal budget, why not create a little
adventure of your own with a rental in the heart of
Aix-en-Provence? Check out Aix en
Appartements for listings ranging from garden studios to modern
lofts to a terrace apartment overlooking the clocktower.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
Aix offers endless
opportunities to explore thousands of years of history. Visit the
Eglise Saint Jean de Malte, a fortified, 13th-century Gothic
church. Stop in next door at Palais de Malte, built in 1676, which
is now the Granet Museum, featuring archaeology exhibits and
collections of 16th to 20th-century paintings, including some by
Cézanne. Then stroll the pedestrian streets full of shops in the
old Roman town, where you can still see remains of the Medieval
ramparts and the market motifs on buildings that played an
important role in the region's agricultural commerce.
When hunger
strikes, don't miss L'Epicurien, a small bistro located just beside
the Museum of Natural History, featuring creative cuisine with
dishes that highlight seasonal produce. Diners rave about the
squash soup with foie gras, the oyster ravioli and the raw,
marinated cod.
Five must-see Oscar film sites
Taos, New
Mexico
Julia Roberts is
said to love Taos for the escape it offers from big-city life.
Surely you will, too. For a no-hassle getaway stay at the American
Artists Gallery Bed & Breakfast, which offers in-room
fireplaces, oversized Jacuzzi tubs and heated tile floors, as well
as stunning views of the Taos Mountains. With house specialties
including stuffed French toast, Navajo cornbake casserole and
cheese biscuits, plan to swoon over the gourmet breakfast.
You'll appreciate
that hearty meal while you're at Rio Grande Gorge, where hiking,
biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting and hot air ballooning
are all ways to enjoy the spectacular 800-foot canyon.
If, by dinnertime,
you're not too worn out for walking, stroll from the inn to
Lambert's of Taos for their signature dish:
pepper crusted loin of lamb with a red wine demi-glace, sautéed
vegetables and garlic linguine.
Then, on day two,
head for the foothills of the largest peaks in New Mexico to visit
Taos
Pueblo, a complex of multiple-storied adobe buildings that have
been continuously inhabited by Native Americans for more than 1,000
years. Tour the grounds and support the local artisans by buying
mica-flecked pottery and silver jewelry at curio shops within the
pueblo.
Nashville,
Tennessee
When Nicole Kidman
set up house outside of Nashville with country music megastar Keith
Urban, the farm's distance from Los Angeles and New York was a big
part of the draw. Nashville's warm, casual, down-home feel is easy
to love.
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban
Even if you're not
a country music fan, visit the Country Music
Hall of Fame for the rich Americana and the impressive
curation. In addition to the diverse collection of costumes,
memorabilia, instruments and photographs, the museum cleverly
"displays" the music itself using snail-shell spiral pods that
allow you to sample recordings spanning decades in the genre's
evolution.
Once you're ready
for a little irreverence about country music, catch a Doyle and Debbie
Show, a parody act "simultaneously lampooning and idolizing"
the iconic duo tradition, which the Nashville Scene called a
"hilarious piece of low-brow inspiration turned into high
entertainment."
For some serious
soul food that diners call a "damn fine meat and three," head to
At
the Table in South Nashville. They close early so make yours a
lunch visit. For dinner, try ChaChah for
tapas.
4 Comments
New Orleans is real bad!
Heh, I spent 8 months in Europe this year (just recently arrived back home), I’ve been to 5 of those cities listed, including the top 4. Didn’t have a single problem. But then I’m a 6ft Australian who can look “scary” (I’ve been told).
I travel to Europe frequently and have never had any issues with pickpocketeers. I have seen people, who look like tourists, try to isolate themselves. Say there is a big group of people walking, don’t walk in the middle of the big group but try to go to the outside of it. Also, don’t look so freightened or awestruck because it is easy to notice a first time tourist by their facial expressions. Those are just a couple things I can think of off the top of my head.
if you carry a wallet always carry it in your front pocket.
Problem solved