Celebrity-approved winter getaway destinations

<h4>FRENCH POLYNESIA</h4><p>Escape to sky-blue waters, secluded beaches and majestic mountain views in the archetypal South Pacific island paradise.</p><br/><hr/><p><em>Pippa Middleton spent part of her honeymoon in French Polynesia.</em></p>
<h4>INDULGE</h4><p>Perched on the edge of the lagoon, the Spa at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is just the place to escape the scorching sun. Level out your chi with a balancing shiatsu bodywork session or try an acupressure-yoga class with views out across the startling turquoise waters. </p>
<h4>TASTE</h4><p>For some of the best lobster ravioli in French Polynesia, book in at Mayflower on Haapiti island; washed down with a frosty glass of white, it’s devilishly moreish. Les Mutinés by Guy Martin at the Brando offers up tempting French dishes to complement its chic design, while Bora Bora Yacht Club, with its magical lagoon-side setting, is a brilliant choice for a sunset supper.</p>
<h4>STAY</h4><p>The Brando, a clutch of thatched villas dotted amid coconut palms on the soul-stirring Tetiaroa atoll, just north of Tahiti, has a magic all of its own. With a palette of vanilla and oak, the rooms have a classic feel. Each has an outdoor private bathtub as well as a private stretch of pristine sand. You can explore the site on bicycles. If the mood takes you, there are also lessons on the ukulele, not to mention a superb library brimming with wildlife guides. Whether you’re enjoying the view from your bed or perusing the drinks list at Bob’s Bar, it’s fair to say you’ll be won over pretty quickly.</p>
<h4>EXPLORE</h4><p>While kicking back is encouraged, there’s plenty to do on this beguiling collection of islands. How about a nature trail through the lush Tahitian rainforests with a local expert? Or a morning deep-sea fishing for exotic mahi-mahi? There are also ancient sites to explore on Raiatea, the second-largest island after Tahiti – and when you run out of steam, there are exquisite pink and black sand beaches to laze on.</p>
<h4>KAUAI</h4><p>With its frothy waves and tropical scenery, it's little wonder that Kauai has starred as teh backdrop for many a Hollywood blockbuster. Here's how to eat, drink, and surf your way around Hawaii's most captivating isle.</p><br/><hr/><p><em>Kauai's pristine, cliff-fringed beaches are a hit with Jessica Alba.</em></p>
<h4>EXPLORE</h4><p>If you’re a watersports fan, take advantage of the tremendous waves at Pine Trees beach at Hanalei Bay in the winter, or seek out its calmer waters, ideal for paddleboarding. To appreciate the island’s rugged beauty, walking tracks are a good place to start. Take the Kalalau Trail, where you’ll cross towering sea cliffs and lush valleys, stopping to bathe in crystalline streams and waterfalls.</p>
<h4>TASTE</h4><p>For a laid-back lunch, Makai Sushi hits the spot. Although the setting is nothing to speak of, the menu makes up for it. Share a plate of hapa rolls before moving on to the main event – a flavour-packed gorilla ahi bowl. Supper-wise, Red Salt (above) is fantastic and the Hanalei Bread Co. does great cold-pressed coffee.</p>
<h4>INDULGE</h4><p>For a dose of post-surf Zen, make for the Halele’a House of Joy Spa at the St. Regis Princeville Resort. Taking cues from age-old Hawaiian healing rituals, treatments include restorative algae wraps, cardamom-scented body scrubs and lomi lomi massages. Try the Makana Renewal Ritual, which is a dream for sun-parched skin. It begins with a pumice and guarana body polish and ends with a tension-melting massage.</p>
<h4>STAY</h4><p>Looking out across Makana Mountain, the St. Regis Princeville Resort is perfectly placed on Kauai’s north shore. The furnishings are solid and sumptuous, with lashings of marble and walls painted in tonal colours. Beside the pool, towering palms dance in the breeze as families laze beneath citrus-hued umbrellas. You can expect a world-class golf club and outstanding service. It’s worth crossing oceans for.</p>
<h4>BARBADOS</h4><p>With crystal-clear waters, legendary beach bars and some of the warmest locals around, this tropical gem of a Caribbean isle packs a real punch.</p><br/><hr/><p><em>Barbados-born singer Rihanna often goes back to her roots on the island.</em></p>
<h4>EXPLORE</h4><p>If you can bring yourself to leave your sun lounger, make for Speightstown to soak up the colonial charm and browse the markets, or head inland to Harrison’s Cave – a curious limestone marvel sure to enchant children and adults alike. Other natural attractions include swimming with turtles and hitting the water in a catamaran, stopping to scuba dive among fish and coral. </p>
<h4>INDULGE</h4><p>Decked out in calming neutral tones with a fabulous lineup of Bamford therapies, the Sandbox Tree Spa at the Port Ferdinand Luxury Resort is just the place to switch off and unwind. Opt for the Bamford Body Signature Treatment – a tension-melting massage incorporating shiatsu techniques and gentle yogic breathing to relax the entire body. </p>
<h4>STAY</h4><p>Wake up to sublime views across the turquoise waters at St. Peter’s Bay – a laid-back all-villa resort on the island’s northwest coast. The bright, airy residences blend Caribbean architecture and contemporary cool, with all the polish you’d expect from a five-star property. There’s a lagoon-style pool that little ones will adore, a yoga studio for Zen-seeking parents and, naturally, an inviting stretch of pristine beach.</p>
<h4>TASTE</h4><p>Make dinner reservations at Daphne’s, frequented by celebrities like Rihanna and Claudia Schiffer. The restaurant infuses classic Italian dishes like linguine with lobster with island flavour. British expats will feel right at home here, as the fine-dining destination is an outpost of the famed Daphne’s in London.</p>
Pippa Middleton, Rihanna and Jessica Alba are just a few stars who know exactly where to go to escape chilly winter weather. <p>Here are some of their favourite getaway destinations.
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