Living the high life

By Katharine MacColl

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LIFE'S a beach, especially when you're rich, glamorous and well connected.

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Let's face it, being a celebrity is tough - all those early morning breakfast programmes, attending those exhausting film premieres - is it any wonder the rich and famous take such frequent�breaks from rain-sodden Britain

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But let's face it, superstars aren't willing to�rub shoulders with just anyone. You're hardly likely to see them sun bathing on the crowded beaches of Ayia Napa this summer. So just where do they go on vacation

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The sight of a super slim and ultra-tanned Ali Cockayne on the beach in Barbados last month will have caught the eye of a few. Not only is her partner one of the UK's richest men, multi-millionaire David Ross, but she was also staying at one of the world's most luxurious hotels, Sandy Lane.

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Luciano Pavarotti, Mick Jagger, Sir Michael Caine, to name but a few, have all been regulars at this exclusive little club, which has recently undergone a �100 million refurbishment and where the cheapest suite will cost you �1,200 a night.

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'It' girl Lady Victoria Hervey was spotted hanging out in Barbados with Michael Winner, and� the Ocean Club Hotel party in the Bahamas recently attracted top-drawer celebs such as Baby Spice, George Clooney and Caprice.

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But just what do the stars get when they head for these luxury breaks

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Well, apparently it's a land where attendants spray Evian water at guests to keep them cool and�chilled hand towls are served on silver salvers.

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The French Riviera has long been synonymous with wealth and glamour - Sir Elton John has a pad there, as does Goerge Michael.

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While this year Princess Margaret is expected to head for Mustique to continue her recovery, and Posh and Becks take Brooklyn for regular breaks to an exclsuive part of Majorca.�

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The celebs and their hangers on don't just limit themselves to the traditional hotspots though. Familiar faces are sure to feature in a variety of places this summer�including�Thailand, the Maldives, Australia even Vietnam.

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Seems the lure of the Caribbean has waned slightly following�Concorde's withdrawal as a result of the Air France disaster.� The regular Saturday supersonic flight was a charabanc waiting for rock gods, film stars and other fabulously wealthy individuals determined to enjoy the good life.