How the Stars traveled: From John Lennon in Mallorca to Elizabeth Taylor in Montenegro
Looking for inspiration for your next big trip? Take a cue from these timeless celebrity vacations, where exclusivity and relaxation reign supreme. These destinations offer a unique perspective for those seeking rest, privacy, and a break from the intrusive paparazzi (or constant phone notifications). Each of these celebrity vacation spots comes with its own unique story, often revealing little-known details about its famous visitors. Beyond the cameras and their public personas, celebrities—both past and present—seek out escapes that allow them to connect with fascinating places, activities, and people, starting with themselves.
John Lennon in Mallorca
John Lennon's time in Mallorca is straight out of a movie. In 1971, he traveled to the island with Yoko Ono to attend a retreat led by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation and the spiritual guide to the Beatles in India. It wasn't their first mindfulness vacation in Mallorca with the guru, but this time, there was a twist. They asked their hosts—a music journalist and the head of their record label in Spain—to contact a private detective. Soon after, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were arrested and taken to court. Their alleged crime? Kidnapping Kyoko, Yoko's daughter, who lived with her father in Manacor. Ultimately, they reached an agreement, but days later, Kyoko's father fled with her, and Yoko never saw her daughter again.
Celebrities in Mallorca: A destination for stars of yesterday and today
Among the celebrities who spend their summers in Mallorca are the Spanish Royal Family, supermodel Claudia Schiffer—who traditionally celebrates her birthday on the island every August 25th—and actor Morgan Freeman, a regular at one of Mallorca's most romantic restaurants (also frequented by King Felipe VI). In the past, Grace Kelly and Rainier III of Monaco chose the Pollensa area as their love refuge, spending their honeymoon there in 1956. Staying at Iberostar Waves Cala Domingos, you’ll quickly understand why the peace and natural beauty of this location, also known as Calas de Mallorca, inspired Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to hold annual retreats there with notable attendees like John Lennon.
Yves Saint Laurent in Marrakech
Renowned French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent found inspiration and a creative sanctuary in his holidays to Morocco. From his first visit in 1966, he was captivated by the vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and rich culture of the country—an influence you can see in many of his collections. Yves Saint Laurent once said of Jardin Marjorelle, his home in Marrakech, that “...it has been an inexhaustible source of inspiration for me, and I have often dreamt of its unique colours”. Easily accessible from the Iberostar Waves Club Palmeraie Marrakech, you too can wander through its enchanting gardens of exotic plants and trees and boldly colored Moorish Art Deco buildings that have captured the imagination of so many.
Camilo José Cela in Tenerife
Some destinations evoke culture while also offering the enjoyment of the sun and sea. Tenerife is one such place, a favorite island of celebrities like Nobel Prize for Literature winner Camilo José Cela and painter and sculptor Joan Miró. Celebrity vacations in Tenerife often have a creative edge. Beyond its volcanic landscapes and renowned Canarian cuisine, Tenerife draws artists from all fields who, inspired by its energy, seek a tranquil haven for inspiration.
The artists' hotel in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Writers like Camilo José Cela, José Saramago, and Mario Vargas Llosa; musicians such as Julio Iglesias, James Brown, and Cuban artist Ernesto Lecuona (whose father was Canarian); the entire band U2; actresses Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor; oceanographer Jacques Cousteau; creators Joan Miró and César Manrique; even Maradona—all these notable figures share something in common: exceptional talent and a stay at Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey. The bar at Café Iballa has witnessed many adventures thanks to them. From the moment you step into this exclusive accommodation, its walls, with over seventy years of history, invite you to embark on your adventure.
Audrey Hepburn in Marbella
In the 1960s, the Costa del Sol became one of the era's social epicenters. Marbella's celebrities, businessmen, folkloric artists, and high society members like the Countess of Romanones mingled casually with film icons such as Ava Gardner, Henry Ford, Gina Lollobrigida, and Audrey Hepburn. The "Breakfast at Tiffany's" star was so captivated by the beaches, nightlife, and atmosphere that she and her husband, actor Mel Ferrer, decided to build a villa in the Santa Catalina area. The couple lived in their Marbella residence with their son Sean for several years until they sold it in the 1970s.
Celebrity vacations in Marbella: Getaways in Andalusia
Puerto Banús and the Jacaranda nightclub were the beginnings of a legend. Today, this Andalusian destination, bathed by the Mediterranean, with its beach clubs, seaside restaurants, and iconic nightclubs, retains some of that golden splendor. Nestled between mountains and surrounded by natural parks, it still echoes the charm of its glamorous past. This aura, a memory of an unmistakable era and aesthetic, is inseparable from the image of Marbella’s celebrities. Icons like Audrey Hepburn, descending to the beach via her private path protected by pines, felt free to be themselves here.
Jackie Kennedy in Jamaica
Jamaica is synonymous with the reggae movement, cultural richness, and authentic music festivals. It also boasts secluded and discreet spots surrounded by tropical nature, where travelers can relax and be pampered in sustainable resorts on Jamaica’s paradisiacal beaches. For First Lady Jackie Kennedy and her husband, President John F. Kennedy, Jamaica held special significance. From the 1950s until his tragic assassination in 1963, they vacationed at the same villa in Montego Bay, decorated by Ralph Lauren.
While celebrities who vacation in Mallorca do so out of love for the island, those who, like Jackie O, choose to experience the magic of the Antilles in their downtime are equally enchanted. From Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles to Beyoncé, Paul McCartney, and Naomi Campbell, many have expressed their passion for Jamaica. Even Ian Fleming settled in Oracabessa Bay in the 1940s, where he established his Goldeneye estate and wrote the fourteen novels that make up the James Bond series.
Elizabeth Taylor in Montenegro
Elizabeth Taylor's love affair with Montenegro was an open secret, yet a secret nonetheless. The actress, enamored by the sea, sought refuge in this European country in the mid-20th century, fleeing the hustle and bustle of places like Monaco or the French Riviera. The Adriatic coast, with its crystal-clear coves and Mediterranean glamour, offered her the privacy she craved—a highly prized commodity for a classic Hollywood diva.
Cinema and Montenegro: Romance on the Adriatic
Following in Elizabeth Taylor's footsteps, other actresses of the time, like Sophia Loren (both sharing a fondness for Spain and destinations like Tenerife), also recognized the great potential of the Montenegrin Riviera. Today, it remains a discreet and sophisticated getaway for celebrities such as Sylvester Stallone, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Michael Douglas. Perhaps it's the decadent charm of its casino, the terraces open to the horizon, or its private clubs. Feeling inspired by these celebrity vacations? You too could head to one of these destinations for an experience not too different from those of the stars. You just need to choose where!
