Catherine Zeta Jones by David Shankbone

Majorca has long been known as a playground for the rich and famous in Spain.  The secret has gotten out though, and even though it is an incredibly popular holiday destination for the rest of Europe, many celebrities still choose to buy or build homes there.  Here are five of the most affluent celebrities that make Spain their home.

Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas

Welsh beauty Catherine Zeta Jones and her wealthy older husband Michael Douglas own a property on the north end of the island of Majorca.  They have a lovely luxury villa on the island where they spend part of the year.  They have also been spotted holidaying in various other places around the country.

Rafael Nadal

Grand Slam tennis champion Rafael Nadal not only has a home on Majorca, but he is also a native of the island.  He was born in the district of Manacor on Majorca, and he still has a beautiful mansion there.

Zinedine Zidane

Former French footballer and head-butting enthusiast Zinedine Zidane has a home in Madrid, Spain where he settled during his time spent playing for legendary football club Real Madrid.  Many people wonder why he has stayed in Spain, but can you think of a better place for a retired footballer who David Beckham has described as being “the greatest of all time?” He lives there with his wife and their four sons, three of whom are members of the Real Madrid Academy; one as a midfielder, one as a goalkeeper and one as a striker.

Antonio Banderas

Famous actor Antonio Banderas not only has a beautiful beachfront mansion in Andalucía, Spain, but he was also born there in Malaga.  He began acting in Spain at the age of 19, but in 1991 he managed to break through to Hollywood in Madonna’s documentary Truth or Dare.  Even though he spoke minimal English, he was still able to perform in major roles, and his big break came in 1993 when he appeared on screen as the gay lover of an AIDS infected Tom Hanks in Philadelphia.  He retains close ties to Malaga, thanks in part to his home there and despite currently being married to actress Melanie Griffith, an American.  Banderas is a huge supporter of Malaga CF and even owns a vineyard in Andalucía that he spends a lot of time promoting in both America and Spain.

Alan Sugar

Alan Sugar, also known as Baron Sugar or Lord Sugar, former owner of football club Tottenham Hotspur and the UK version of the TV show The Apprentice also has a house in Marbella, Andalucía.  The savvy businessman started from humble beginnings in London’s East End and now is ranked as the 89th richest man in the world.  Alan Sugar also has estates in the USA and his primary estate in Essex, but I am sure he manages to make quite a lot of visits to his relatively modest beachfront home in Spain using his private aircraft, or possibly one of the many classic Rolls Royce or Bentley cars that he is well known for collecting.

If you want to do some celebrity spotting on your next holiday abroad, look into La Manga Club holidays – dozens of celebrities are spotted here year after year and you never know who you may bump into.

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Playa del Rincón de la Victoria, Costa del Sol, Spain by Cayetano

Whilst many people choose to holiday down on the coast itself, there are a growing number of visitors choosing to rent properties dotted around the hillside towns and rural areas of Montes de Malaga.   Set back from the coast the so called ‘white villages’ offer a glimpse of more traditional Spanish life, of how it used to be before mass tourism hit the Costas.   With breathtaking views from their mountainside perches, often as far as Morocco on a clear winter’s day, village life is peaceful and tranquil with only the ringing of the church bells to disturb your sunbathing.   Here you will still see the occasional donkey or vans traversing the villages selling fresh fish and vegetables and spend a lazy hour over a drink or two and watch the locals as they go about their daily business.

Choose from a cortijo, a small traditional farmhouse or rustic fincas, charming little cottages and rural country houses which have been lovingly restored and designed to provide a perfect holiday home with everything you could possibly need to enjoy your time in the sun.  Fully equipped, often with private pools and barbeques they are a great option for those of you who don’t like the rigidity of hotels or prefer a little more space and privacy.   Satellite televisions, wi-fi, every modern kitchen gadget and tasteful furnishings make these properties a home from home, some so luxurious that you will be reluctant to raise yourself from your sun lounger to venture outside your little haven.

Nerja, Costa del Sol, Spain by Miika Silfverberg

If you prefer to be amongst the action on the coast you will be able to choose from a wide range of apartments and villas, often set in complexes with every amenity you can think of from large swimming pools and gym complexes.  And for those of you who want the flexibility of being in your own property but don’t want the hassle of self catering, properties are available in serviced complexes which have restaurants available for breakfast, lunch and dinner and those all important pool side snacks.  Some of the larger complexes even boast sports centres complete with tennis courts, bowls and golf and evening entertainment too.

So if it is a self catering holiday you are searching for make sure to check out some of the properties available as holiday rentals on the Costa del Sol.

Sue Wright is an avid traveller and writer and has spent many years working with travel companies including Travel and Leisure Group.  She has spent the last eight years living and working in Cyprus.

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The Minoan Palace at Knossos, Crete, Greece by Sonja Pieper

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and it is set within the Mediterranean Sea, just south of the Peloponnese. It is arguably one of the most beautiful Greek islands and it is well known for its beautiful beaches and seascapes. The geography here offers everything from coastal plains to busy cities to rugged mountains. The island is bathed in sunshine all year round and you are sure to enjoy great weather during your visit.

Whether you are visit on your honeymoon, anniversary, or just for fun, there are plenty of romantic things for you and your partner to enjoy on the island of Crete. Here are some ideas of fun activities to get you started:

The Minoan Palace at Knossos

This beautiful ancient palace is one of the most popular attractions on the island of Crete and you and your sweetheart will want to spend at least a full day exploring it. The palace was originally built in 2000BC but was destroyed in an earthquake 300 years later. It was built even larger, then destroyed again in 1450BC, likely by an eruption of a volcano on Santorini which caused a huge tidal wave. The palace once had over 1,200 rooms and many of them have been recreated to depict how grand and beautiful they would have looked. It is a truly stunning place to walk around with your special someone.

Samaria Gorge, Crete, Greece by Ben Ellis

Samaria Gorge

Taking a long walk with your partner can be a great opportunity to enjoy some time together and engage in deep conversation to get to know each other even better. It’s even nicer when you are surrounded by gorgeous scenery!

Walking along the Samaria Gorge is one of the best hiking routes in Crete, as it is the longest gorge in all of Europe. The scenery is spectacular along the 11 mile path and it can be managed by any reasonably fit hiker. You will have a great sense of achievement at the end when you reach the Libyan Sea after hiking all the way from the White Mountains.

The Beaches

Lying in the sun, feeling your toes sink into the soft sand and gazing into your partner’s eyes… what could be more relaxing? There are miles and miles of gorgeous sandy beaches on the island of Crete and the weather is sure to be warm and sunny.

At the beach, Rethymnon Beach, Crete, Greece by jechstra

If you are looking for a quiet and peaceful beach, head to Rethymnon Beach, Aghios, or Nikolaos Beach. These spots offer a laid back atmosphere with a few cute shops and restaurants along the pretty harbour. In the harbour at Rethymnon, you will be able to enjoy live music while you relax in the warm sea breezes. If you are looking for more of a party beach, head to Malia Beach which is a popular hotspot for young tourists and has plenty of exciting bars.

These are just a few of the romantic activities that you can enjoy on the island of Crete. Of course, simply being on this island is romantic, as you soak up the warm sunshine and the laid back pace of Greek life. Taking the time to spend a holiday together can be a great way to rekindle your romance and put the spark back into your relationship.

An all inclusive holiday in Crete can be a great way to spend quality time with your special someone in a beautiful sunny setting.

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Glen Coe Scotland Hike by Craig James

Glen Coe, Highlands

Located in the Highlands and once part of the county of Argyll, Glen Coe is one of Scotland’s most beautiful areas. In fact it is part of the National Scenic Area which includes Ben Nevis. On one side the glen is framed by rugged mountains; on the other, the landscape is gentler. Once owned by Clan Donald, the area is part of the National Trust for Scotland and is guaranteed to stay wild. Glen Coe is a popular tourist attraction partly because of its history (it was where the infamous 1682 Massacre of Glencoe took place). Just as importantly, it offers excellent climbing and walking routes. The main settlement is the village of Glencoe, which offers lots of self-catering accommodation for visitors to the area.

Cairngorms National Park

Cairngorms National Park is a relatively new park which was established in 2003. The largest such park in Britain it is 4,528 km squared and includes parts of the Aberdeenshire, Angus, Highland, Moray and Perth and Kinross regions. The park encompasses the Cairgngorms Mountains, home to five of Scotland’s highest mountains. The tallest of these is Ben Macdhuit at 1,309 metres. The mountains can stay snowy for much of the year and have experienced the coldest temperature ever recorded in the UK, -27.2 degrees Celsius. So it’s no surprise that the area is known for skiing and winter sports, including ice climbing. Wildlife spotters also enjoy a visit to this region. The national park includes the remains of the ancient Caledonian forest and is a good place to spot wildlife including deer, hares, squirrels, wild cats, otters, birds and even reindeer!

Cairngorms National Park by Alden Chadwick

Glenan Bay, Argyll

For something a bit different, check out Glenan Bay, which is a walker’s paradise – and a beautiful spot to picnic. Start at the Glenan Forest Nature Reserve and step back in time to see unspoilt countryside. While many of the trees aren’t that attractive, the views certainly are and visitors enjoy the chance to enjoy the Glenan Bay vista. Away from the main path, the abandoned village of Glenan, which dates back to the early 14th century, can be seen. Glenan Bay is popular with campers and stargazers as the pitch black night and lack of light make it easy to spot the constellations.

Scotland has a lot to offer and these three locations offer a fantastic introduction to its natural beauty.

Emma Ross writes for Embrace Scotland, a leading provider of self catering cottages in Scotland.

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