(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.

George Clooney

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.

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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.

Oprah Winfrey

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."

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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.

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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.

Julia Roberts

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.

Washington (CNN) -- Despite widespread perceptions that airline service is deteriorating, 2011 was the "best year ever" for airline performance, according to independent experts who have been studying data for the past 21 years.

Air travelers were less likely to be bumped, less likely to lose their luggage and more likely to arrive at their destinations on time, according to the Airline Quality Rating report released Monday in Washington. Consequently, passengers filed fewer complaints with the government, the report says.

The change is a remarkable turnaround from just four years ago, when airline performance was at a historic low, said Dean Headley of Wichita State University, who co-authored the report with Purdue University professor Brent Bowen.

"Everything is heading in the right direction," Headley said.

Headley said the improvement is similar to a trend witnessed after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when a drop in volume eased congestion and led to fewer delayed flights. Because of the recession, airlines have lower volumes but have increased the number of full seats.

"So the planes are full; not as many planes, system works better, performance is better," Headley said.

The most dramatic improvement in 2011 was a 30% cut in the number of people involuntarily bumped from flights, Headley said. The number was 0.78 of every 10,000 passengers, down from 1.08.

Airlines also continued to chip away at flight delays and misplaced luggage. And customer complaints to the Department of Transportation were flat, he said.

"What's interesting is, while the ... numbers are showing the airline performance is getting better ... the customer doesn't think so," Headley said. "They may not always pay attention to these numbers."

Three low-cost airlines -- AirTran, Hawaiian and JetBlue -- again got the top ratings in the study, as they did last year. Frontier Airlines climbed from ninth place last year to take fourth place, making it the "most improved airline," Headley said.

American Eagle got the lowest ranking of the 15 airlines included in the study.

American Eagle didn't agree with the assessment. A company spokesman dismissed the report as unscientific, saying it was based on "mostly old data" and reflected the opinions of its authors.

"We don't have any specific comment as to how much, or if, customers should put stock in the government and private reports that regularly come out. We will say that in our own surveys of our own customers, their reasons for choosing an airline put many, many other reasons above government and private surveys," spokesman Ed Martelle said.

Martelle said it is not coincidental that the airlines at the bottom of the list are regional ones. "Regional carriers fly very different missions vs. mainline airlines," he said. They fly shorter distances and are more prone to weather and air traffic control disruptions.

Headley said he is not sure why low-cost airlines get the highest customer satisfaction ratings, but he believes it may be connected to customers' expectations.

Low-cost carriers keep their promise simple, Headley said. "We're going to get you there, and we're going to try not to hassle you and we're going to give you a good price," he said.

"Generally that's what the consumer is looking for. So their perceptions of what they're getting for what they paid probably match up better, so they complain less."

The Airline Quality Rating is based on statistics that the airlines provide to the government. "While issues arise from time to time, the overall performance is reliable, safe, efficient and affordable," the report's authors said.

An airline industry group did not comment on individual airlines, but touted the improved performance.

"Our members are committed to and are delivering levels of safety and customer service that no other industry, given its complexity, matches," said Steve Lott, a spokesman for Airlines for America.

What do you think? Is the report on target or do you beg to differ? Share your comments and experiences below.