Have an all-star vacation - Canoe.ca (subscription)

[Anguillan newsboy]

Celebrities such as Beyonce, Oprah, Mick and Uma love the beautiful beaches and tropical breezes of the Bahamas and the Caribbean islands just as much as we ordinary folk do.

While they may stay in ultra lux digs, you don't need an A-lister's bank balance to enjoy many of the same beaches and attractions. If you're heading south this winter, who knows whom you might run into in some of the places the stars go for a little down time.
These include:
THE BAHAMAS


STARGAZING: Tiger Woods, Cindy Crawford (N***au/Paradise Island), Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage, Lenny Kravitz and Patti LaBelle (Exuma, Eleuthera).
HOTSPOTS: Once a private estate, the One & Only Ocean Club attracts A-list guests to its gorgeous beaches, romantic gardens, luxury lodging and fine dining. For all you Tigers out there, book a tee time on the 18-hole Tom Weiskopf-designed Ocean Club Golf Course. The Asian-influenced holistic spa is a true sanctuary. See oneandonlyresorts.com.
REASONS TO GO: Experience Bahamian culture and art at Junkanoo, a high-energy parade of brightly costumed dancers, which takes place on Boxing Day and New Year's Day. The most spectacular parade is in N***au but there are also parades on Grand Bahama Island, Eleuthera/Harbour Island, Bimini and The Abacos. There's also a Junkanoo Summer Festival from early June to late July. See bahamas.com.
ANGUILLA
STARGAZING: Beyonce and Jay-Z, Kyra Sedgewick and Kevin Bacon, Mariah Carey, David Duchovny, Courteney Cox-Arquette and David Arquette.
HOTSPOTS: CuisinArt Resort and Spa has its own hydroponic farm, producing veggies and edible flowers used both in the diningroom cuisine and in spa treatments. Glorious beach and guestrooms (cuisinartresort.com).
With miles of beach, Cap Juluca hotel offers privacy and exclusivity making it easy for the rich and famous to relax, stroll the beach and indulge at the spa. Dining is a treat at George's and Pimms. Visit capjuluca.com.
REASONS TO GO: Upscale Anguilla is known for its uncrowded, powdery beaches, snorkel and dive sites, plus its gourmet dining. Veya is a new restaurant featuring flavours from Indian, Morocco, Vietnam and the Caribbean (veya-axa.com). This month, Chef Deon Thomas is opening a new place called KUYAH at chic KU resort on Shoal Bay (ku-anguilla.com). Santorini Restaurant at CuisinArt Resort has a Chef's Table with a six-course menu and paired wines.
See anguilla-vacation.com.
BARBADOS
STARGAZING: Tiger Woods, Prince William, Prince Harry, Michael Jordan, Tony Blair, Hugh Grant.
HOTSPOTS: Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren married at the posh Sandy Lane hotel with its luxury spa and three golf courses (sandylane.com). The Fairmont Royal Pavillion Hotel is an oasis of luxury on white/pink sandy beaches. Its Palm Terrace Restaurant offers elegant dining with an incredible ocean view (fairmont.com). The House is a tranquil, adults-only boutique beach resort (thehousebarbados.com).
REASONS TO G0: Barbados is home to many festivals. The 15th annual Barbados Jazz Festival (Jan. 14-20) brings together international performers and Bajan artists. This year's amazing lineup includes Erykah Badu, Bob James, Kenny Garrett, Lee Ritenour, The Rippingtons, John Patitucci, Vanessa Rubin, Cuban All Star Jazz Band and David 'Ziggy' Walcott.
See visitbarbados.org and barbadosjazzfestival.com.
JAMAICA
STARGAZING: Heath Ledger, Emma Thompson, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, David Bowie and Richard Gere.
HOTSPOTS: Once part of a pineapple plantation, Round Hill Resort & Villas now makes all the right lists, including Conde Nast Traveler's Gold List 2007 of best places to stay in the world. Enjoy tea and ocean views in the lobby cafe designed by Ralph Lauren. The Pineapple Body Buff is the signature treatment in the Elemis spa (roundhilljamaica.com).
REASONS TO GO: James Bond Beach, 20 minutes from Ocho Rios, is spectacular with turquoise water on three sides and lush mountains reaching down to the sea. Guided waverunner tours go past Golden Eye, where Ian Fleming wrote the James Bond novels. There's Moonraker "Jamaican" Bar & Grill, known for its fresh seafood. James Bond Beach hosts many concerts, such as the Bob Marley Tribute.
See visitjamaica.com.
TURKS & CAICOS
STARGAZING: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, Jerry Seinfeld, Bruce Willis, Oprah Winfrey, Donna Karan, Keith Richards.
HOTSPOTS: You can only reach Parrot Cay resort by boat, so peace is guaranteed. Ben and Jen, and Jerry and Jessica honeymooned there (not together, we must add). The vibe is low-key and the Shambhala spa cottage can be rented for private meals and treatments (parrotcay.como.bz).
REASONS TO GO: Laidback atmosphere and fabulous beaches make the Turks & Caicos a terrific getaway. The islands are also gaining a reputation for some of the finest resorts in the Caribbean, with more on the way including the Ritz-Carlton at Mol***es Reef set to open next year, and Fairmont Three Cays (in 2009), a luxury resort-condo development with its renowned Willow Stream spa. With the opening of its cruise ship terminal on Grand Turk last year, it's now a popular port-of-call. Excursions include snorkelling, diving and kayaking. See turksandcaicostourism.com.
ST. LUCIA
STARGAZING: Harrison Ford, Tyra Banks, Jimmy Page, Martha Stewart, Morgan Freeman.
HOTSPOTS: For those who like to get away from it all, there's the romantic Anse Chastanet resort with its lush tropical setting, two beaches, spectacular ocean views and lots quiet with no phones, TVs or radios in rooms (ansechastanet.com). Jade Mountain, a new resort within Anse Chastanet, offers private infinity pool suites that are open to the outdoors. Naturally, there's a topnotch spa (jademountainstlucia.com).
REASONS TO GO: St. Lucia is one of the Caribbean's most popular wedding and honeymoon spots. Most resorts have wedding planners to help you put it all together. Topnotch events on the island's calendar include the St. Lucia Jazz Festival in May and the Food and Rum Festival in November. Sandals resorts, popular with Canadians, has Rondovals, beachfront suites in the round at Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort (sandals.com).
See stlucia.org.
ST. MAARTEN/ST. MARTIN
STARGAZING: Courteney Cox Arquette and David Arquette.
HOTSPOTS: The secluded, pristine beach is one of the top draws of the elegant La Samana hotel, about 15 minutes from Marigot, the capital of the French side. The Elysees Spa, luxurious rooms and gourmet dining ensures a pampered experience (lasamanna.com).
REASONS TO GO: With more than 400 restaurants, this dual-nation island (French and Dutch) offers lots of dining options. Some of the best: La Vie en Rose and Le Chanteclair in Marigot, Citrus Restaurant and Temptation at Lowlands Cupecoy, L'Escapade in Grand Case.
Three new spas on the St. Maarten side are: The first Christian Dior Health Spa in the Caribbean; Hibiscus Spa at Westin Resort; and the SPA, in Maho. Sailors can experience the thrill of America's Cup racing in the St. Maarten 12-Metre Challenge. Crew aboard Canada II, True North, True North IV or Stars & Stripes 1987 for a half-day of fun. See st-maarten.com and st-martin.org.
ST. BARTH'S, MUSTIQUE
STARGAZING: Uma Thurman, Kate Moss, David Letterman, Harrison Ford, Sharon Stone and Mick Jagger. St. Barth's and Mustique (part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines) are two small islands that have gained a big reputation with the stars. Being a bit off the radar ensures the privacy that paparazzi-crazed celebs crave.
HOTSPOTS: On St. Barth's, Hotel Guanahani & Spa is a tranquil and luxurious resort on its own private peninsula. Enjoy the beach, the charming cottages and the Clarins spa (leguanahani.com). On Mustique, one of its first jet setters was the late Princess Margaret, who once owned a villa there. Although the rental listing doesn't mention it, Stargroves is owned by Rolling Stone Mick Jagger; you can rent the Japanese-style residence for about $16,000 a week. It's only rock 'n' roll, but we like it, like it, yes we do (islandhideaways.com).
REASONS TO GO: On St. Barth's, hit the beach, particularly St. Jean, Marigot and Lorient, or the shops in Gustavia and St. Jean. On Mustique, top beaches are at Macaroni Bay and Lagoon Bay. Gelliceaux Bay is a conservation area with awesome snorkelling. On both islands, enjoy the casual, delicious dining and just relax, relax, relax. See st-barths.com and svgtourism.com.