Sun, sea and stars: Hot destinations for celeb-spotting

3. Caribbean
Star rating: A-, B- and C-listers
It may be off-season, but head to Barbados in summer and it's like stumbling onto the set of Footballers' Wives. Not only have Alan Shearer, Ryan Giggs, Kirsty Gallagher and her rugby-player boyfriend all been recent visitors, but Liverpool and England player Danny Murphy and Merseybeat's Joanna Taylor are tying the knot on the island. If it's the company of movie stars you crave, veer northwest to the Turks and Caicos. Donatella, Demi, and Britney have all vacationed in Parrot Cay and the likes of Bruce Willis and Donna Karan have beachfront homes there. But it gets crazy hot in August, so the only stars you might see then will be at night, in the sky.

Hip hangouts:
In Barbados, Charlie's Bar is popular with sporting faces, while on the west coast The Cliff is one of the finest eateries. To mingle with the seriously famous, get yourself into exclusive resort Parrot Cay and it won't be the hoi polloi you'll be fighting for a sunlounger.

For more information:
www.funbarbados.com
www.parrot-cay.com

4. South of France
Star rating: A- and B-list
Once the exclusive playground of the super-rich, these days anyone worth his or her pap snaps moors a yacht in St Tropez. With so many parties, you don't know who will float in next for a night on the tiles - London boutique Voyage just held a star-studded knees-up, which Charlotte Church dropped anchor for. Liz Hurley and the Beckhams regularly visit Elton John's swish holiday villa, and America's R&B and hip-hop royalty regularly flash their cash in these parts. Robbie Williams held a celebrity football tournament here.

Hip hangouts:
There's more sparkle in these parts than at a Swarovski counter. What better endorsement could hotspot Nioulargue have than being the location of Naomi Campbell's 30th birthday? Club 55 beach bar was first a favourite with Brigitte Bardot in the 50s but has most recently seen the likes Jay Z, Beyonce, Puff Daddy and Rod Stewart crack open the bubbly.

For more information:
www.bestofsainttropez.com

5. Costa del Sol
Star rating: Mostly C-list
Spain has always been popular with the heroes and villains of the small screen - pop and soap stars flock to Puerto Banús. Last year the likes of Gary Lucy and Jordan all pitched up for a party put on by Charlie Brooks' club promoter boyfriend. This summer the posh marina has had visits from Liberty X, Blue, Martine McCutcheon and Elaine Lordan - but before you relegate it to Essex on Sea, an appearance by David Schwimmer gave some A-list gravitas.

Hip hangouts:
All the footballers make a beeline for Gary Linekar's brother's bar, imaginatively called: Linekar's. When Britney was around, her all-singing, all-dancing schedule included visits to the Navy Bar and Scream. And that's a girl who knows how to party.

For more information:
www.marbellalife.com
www.puertobanus.to

Juliet Kinsman is the editor of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, a stylish guide to hotels in the UK and Ireland.

Have you spotted celebs on your holiday? Find out which stars iVillagers have spotted on the Travelling on a Budget board.