Fed up with everyone being in Europe (and still not sure how your friends are all affording their Instagram perfect holidays), well - caution, it’s about to get a lot more painful.
From perennially popular St Tropez to the paradise shores of El Nido, Philippines, this is how the chicest A listers have been living their best lives this summer.
Dua Lipa
Sifnos, Athens
Somewhere between her 82-date global tour, Barbie movie cameo and Versace collection, Dua Lipa found the time to sneak in a holiday with her new beau, director Romain Gavras. The pair jetted to the relatively under-the-radar island, Sifnos. Although Santorini and Mykonos are a lightning rod for the rich and famous, Sifnos has been building a reputation as a less busy, similarly chic alternative — with Kylie Minogue also holidaying there in recent years.
“Very happy summer bean,” the pop star captioned an Instagram dump from the trip, which gave a glimpse into their agenda. Yachting? Check. Swimming in crystal clear waters? Check. Headstands on padel boards? Check.
Known as one of the best Greek Islands for foodies, thanks to Nicholas Tselementes, a local chef who wrote the first ever Greek book of recipes in 1910 — Gavras and Lipa tucked into octopus, tzatziki and other local dishes.
Unfortunately their flights home were cancelled (celebs — they’re just like us!). Fortunately, this meant a quick, surprise pitstop at the Acropolis in Athens. Sightseeing? Check, check and check!
USP: Baecation with a serving of culture
Saweetie
El Nido, Philippines
After performing at the FIBA World Cup Draw, the American rapper took a quick break to the stunning beaches of El Nido, Palawan. As her mother is of Filipino and Chinese descent, this wasn’t the Grammy nominated musician’s first time at the luxurious resort. "I’m really excited to see what has changed — the food, the water, and stuff. It’s so amazing, so I can’t wait to go back," she said to local media while visiting the magnificent island. “Filipino food is the best food — I could eat that for the rest of my life. My favourite is sinigang and then it would be adobo but it has to be a soupy adobo,” she continued, hinting at what they ate during their stay.
Over the years Mariah Carey, Bill Gates, Tom Cruise, Beyonce and Angelina Jolie have all visited the breathtaking spot. “I think I died and went to heaven,” said Barbie star Margot Robbie when she visited in 2015 — a testament to the island’s reputation for being a true paradise.
USP: Next level beach days
Margot Robbie
Soho Farmhouse
This billion-dollar-box-office Barbie was definitely in need of a holiday. According to a source, the film star — who is worth £30 million — took 14 of her closest friends on an all-expenses paid weekend away to Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire (a favourite spot of Robbie’s, who is a regular and has celebrated birthdays there). Fresh from her gruelling Barbie-thon press tour, the actress and producer treated her pals to a free-flowing cocktail van, spa treatments and a private chef whose speciality was cooking over a charcoal grill. The weather was typically British, but Robbie made the most of it — throwing on jeans and a hoodie to have a go at clay pigeon shooting, cycling and prosecco pong. The rustic-luxe Cotswolds hangout has welcomed many an A-lister, from Ariana Grande to Tom Cruise and even the Duchess of Sussex. It offers a ‘grammable outdoor pool, spa (much-needed after the recent relentless red carpets) and two restaurants, including a Japanese grill.
The trip reportedly cost £50,000. “After spending the last few weeks dressed to the nines and tottering around in heels, Margot ditched the glad rags and donned jeans, comfy hoodies and flip-flops,” said the source. “Her mates mostly work in the film industry too so they’re not fazed by Margot’s fame and she can just be herself.”
USP: Escape to the country
Harry Styles
Tuscany, Italy
After his hugely successful nearly two -year-long Love On Tour concerts wrapped in Reggio Emilia, Italy, last month, Harry Styles has been taking some well-earned time off in Tuscany. According to Page Six: “Harry has a strong connection to Tuscany, it is one of his favourite places. He bought a small house there years ago.” The singer has been spotted at luxury boutique hotel Il Pellican — the same five-star resort in Porto Ercole on the Argentario coast, where he’s previously stayed with his ex, Olivia Wilde. The hotel has unrivalled views and lush gardens and is described as “the preferred getaway of the icons of the golden age of cinema”. Previous guests include Charlie Chaplin and Kate Moss.
The 29-year-old singer has also been seen with long-term friends James Corden and Julia Carey on a boat trip around the picturesque Lake Bolsena, further south in the Province of Viterbo.
USP: Spectacular sea views and next-level wine.
Sofia Vergara
Capri, Ravello, Amalfi Coast
For her 51st birthday, Sofia Vergara took a post-divorce holiday to Ravello in Italy. “When life gives u lemons u come to Italy to squeeze them," she captioned an Instagram post from her visit to the exclusive hotel Villa Cimbrone, where she aptly sat in the 12th century villa’s lemon tree garden.
As news of her split from husband Joe Manganiello dominated the news cycle, the Colombian actress spent two weeks in Italy - yachting around the Amalfi Coast, drinking regional wine and exploring capri in a beautiful yellow sundress and woven raffia YSL bag. Together with a group of friends, the Modern Family star checked out other gorgeous, historical italian villas, like Villa Rufolo and Belmond Hotel Caruso, where they tucked into rose and spaghetti vongole.
USP: Post-divorce dolce vita trip
The Beckhams
Canada
Who would have thought they’d ever see Posh Spice on water skiing? Although that wasn’t on our 2023 bingo card, the Beckham family (minus Brookyln, who instead was with his wife’s family in St Tropez) have been on an adrenaline-filled holiday to Muskoka. Known as “Malibu of the North” thanks to it’s fancy Lake Joseph’s — which has previously welcomed stars like The Biebiers, Simu Liu and Mark Wahlberg — it’s famous for it’s action-packed water sports offering, as well as its beautiful scenery. In fact, Steven Spielberg even bought a cottage in the area after falling so deeply in love with the dramatic landscape.
After a day surfing and jet skiing, the family also bumped into Elvis star Austin Butler. “Did you ever think you would see Elvis and Beckham lifting a tree? Helping the community in Muskoka. I’m impressed gentleman!” Victoria captioned a video of the unlikely group unblocking the road. No, no we did not.
