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Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The best yacht hotspots around the Med revealed - where you might even spot celebs
Superyacht summer is just around the corner. Earlier this week, James Corden was spotted a long way from Barry Island as he relaxed with his wife, Julia Carey, abroad a yacht on the Italian Riviera. The 46-year-old Gavin and Stacey star was seen unwinding on the deck of the charted mega-yacht along with his wife and friends. But where are the Mediterranean's best yacht hotspots? Dive into the region's most popular superyacht destinations with this selection from MailOnline Travel. Many of these gorgeous European hotspots have seen their fair share of celebrity visitors over the years. Portofino, Italy James Corden was seen in picturesque Portofino on Italy 's stunning Riviera. The fishing village has a particularly stunning harbour with coloured buildings lining the shore. YachtCharterFleet explains that 'the scenic beauty' of the 'idyllic Mediterranean' spot has 'made it one of the world's most desirable superyacht destinations'. And Corden isn't the only celebrity to be a fan of the Italian beauty spot. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos are among the other famous faces to have holidayed in Portofino. Ibiza, Spain Ibiza's blend of 'natural beauty', 'vibrant culture' and 'unparalleled luxury' make it the ideal yachting destination, says Premium-YachtCharter Known as one of Europe's premier party hotspots, Ibiza is also a top destination for superyacht holidays. The Balearic island's blend of 'natural beauty', 'vibrant culture' and 'unparalleled luxury' make it the ideal yachting destination, says Premium-YachtCharter. Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, Justin Bieber and Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas are among the celebrities to have been spotted on yachts around the island. St Tropez, France A coastal town on the French Riviera, St Tropez has long been a haunt for the world's rich and famous. It can be a pricey spot to moor a yacht but the French town's luxurious nightlife and designer boutiques ensure its harbour is usually full. The Beckhams have been seen holidaying in St Tropez while Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck travelled there in 2021. Monaco One of Europe's smallest countries and one of its most luxurious, it's hardly surprising that Monaco a leading superyacht destinations. Boat International says: 'The ultimate playground of the rich and famous, Monaco is a must-see superyacht hotspot on the French Rivieira.' F1 star Lewis Hamilton reportedly keeps his superyacht in Monaco. Sardinia, Italy Home to some of Italy's most spectacular beaches, Sardinia is unsurprisingly one of the Mediterranean's top destinations for a superyacht holiday. The Costa Smeralda, a stunning 35 mile stretch of coastline on the north of the island, is a particularly popular spot for superyachts. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez were spotted soaking up the sun from Bezos' yacht in Sardinia in 2024 with celebrity guests including Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom. Cannes, France World-famous for the annual Cannes Film Festival, Cannes often hosts some of the globe's largest superyachts. Lonely Planet reveals: 'Throughout the year, as you walk among the designer bars, couture shops and palaces of La Croisette, the wealth and glamour of this city cannot fail to impress.' Kim Kardashian, Kylie Minogue and Heidi Klum are among the celebrities to have been seen at yacht parties during the Cannes Festival season. Capri, Italy The island of Capri in Italy's Bay of Naples is a world-class destination known for its natural beauty and upscale boutiques. According to LuxuryYachtCharter, Marina Grande on the island is rumoured to be the most expensive marina on the planet. Jeff Bezos' yacht Koru has been spotted in Capri while Kris Jenner has also holidayed there. , ahead of their wedding in June.
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I visited every country in the world without flying - these are the surprisingly friendliest places
Travelling to every country in the world is already one of the globe's hardest challenges. But for Thor Pedersen, it wasn't quite hard enough. The 45-year-old Danish adventurer became the first and only person to visit every country in the world without taking a single flight in 2023. His mammoth voyage to 203 countries took him a decade (3,576 days) to complete. He spent at least 24 hours in each country and says that the challenging journey across 380,000km 'took him to the brink of his sanity'. Thor has now written a book about his adventure, 'The Impossible Journey'. In an exclusive chat with MailOnline Travel, the traveller reveals where he faced 'grave danger', the most logistically challenging country to travel to and the destinations which hold a special place in his heart. The idea for Thor's incredible voyage was sparked by an email from his father in 2013. He says: 'My father sent me a link to an article about extreme travellers who'd been to every country in the world. And I started digging into it and I found out that no one had accomplished a journey of visiting every country without flying and that struck me like a lightening bolt.' Once the idea was formed, Thor set out planning his route and admits that he was 'quite naive' about the difficulties when he left home. Of all the places he visited, he reveals that Equatorial Guinea, on Africa's west coast, presented the biggest logistical challenges. 'I had no idea that Equatorial Guinea was going to be difficult. I overlooked it in my research. It almost broke me,' says Thor. 'Equatorial Guinea is just notorious for not giving visas. It just didn't need tourists, it's a wealthy oil state and it's a paranoid dictatorship. The borders were shut and I went from one embassy to the next and got denied over and over again. Often in the most cruel and unnecessary ways with people screaming at me and belittling me. It took me three months before I finally had the visa.' That logistical nightmare occurred soon after one of the worst moments from Thor's trip where he reveals he felt 'certain he was going to die'. The traveller was accosted at a checkpoint in Cameroon by three drunk men armed with guns close to the border with Congo. Thor tells MailOnline: 'That was the only moment where I was 100 per cent certain that I was going to die. I had absolutely no doubt that it was the end of the road for me and there was no way out of it.' While the traveller escaped the encounter, the moment left an impression and came at a time when he was at his 'lowest point' on the adventure. Thor says: 'I spent part of my journey thinking "maybe I shouldn't be doing this".' Another challenging moment came while Thor was 'onboard a container ship in the North Atlantic during winter'. He says: 'The weather acted up to a degree where you couldn't stand on your legs without holding on to something. You couldn't lie down on the bed without ending up on the floor. You could barely eat a meal because you would be out of hands. And there was ice in the water and the ship wasn't ice class. We were also pretty close to where Titanic went down and that storm lasted for four days.' But despite the difficulties, Thor reveals that during his decade of travels the good moments far outweighed the bad. And while he met fantastic people everywhere, there are two countries he picks out as the friendliest in the world, which many may be surprised by. Thor reveals: 'I could single out Uganda. In Uganda, I found an openness and a kindness where I almost expected to get a hug just walking down the street. 'And in Pakistan, they have a saying that's something along the lines of "The guest is God". They don't mean that you're a god or anything like that, they just mean that the guest should be respected and treated with the utmost courtesy. If you're a guest you do nothing at all. They do everything for you and in many cases, you can find it hard to pay as well because you're a guest.' Despite having 203 countries and territories under his belt, Thor says that there's nowhere he wouldn't want to go back to. However, there are two countries that he's in 'no great hurry to return to'. He explains: 'I ended up spending two months in Tuvalu (in the Pacific Ocean) because I couldn't leave. I really feel I've seen that country. But on the other side of that, I'd like to go back and meet some of the people I met the first time around. And the Vatican is not high on my list. I spent 24 hours in the Vatican and I really don't have a good reason to go back.' After reaching the Maldives, the last country of his decade-long journey, Thor is now back in Denmark and lives with his wife and daughter. He jokes that his family are now 'having to deal with having him around all the time'. While the traveller learned many lessons over the course of his trip, it's the kindness he received that's stayed with him the most. He reveals: 'I look at the world map and I realise that I haven't been to a single country in the world where I didn't receive some sort of kindness or support from local people. 'In a conventional lottery, you buy a ticket and your chances of losing are almost 100 per cent, you expect to lose. But when you're dealing with people, it's reversed. You're winning, of course it's possible to lose, but the odds are overwhelmingly in our favour. You'll find kindness in all the places you wouldn't expect to.'
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I'm a luxury hotel manager - this is the one thing guests do that annoys staff and how to get a free room upgrade
Ever wondered what it's like behind the scenes at a luxury hotel? Or dreamed of scoring an upgrade to a suite? Here to lift the lid on hotel secrets and reveal if it's ever really possible to get a free upgrade is Christopher Pitt, the 56-year-old guest services manager at the Royal Westmoreland, a luxury resort in Barbados. Having worked at the 750-acre resort for 19 years, Christopher has dealt with his fair share of holidaymaker requests. As guest services manager, Christopher explains to MailOnline Travel that there's no such thing as a standard day at work for him with his schedule tending to change 'day by day'. However the most important part of his day is making sure his staff 'are ready to face the guests with a smile and do an outstanding job'. But while Christopher explains that he 'loves his job', he admits that his least favourite task is 'dealing with disgruntled guests'. The guest services manager reveals that his biggest guest 'bugbear' is 'when you spend an hour or two trying to get a booking [for them] and calling all your contacts and then the guest cancels'. Another cheeky guest behaviour, according to Christopher, is when holidaymakers try to depart their villa after the scheduled check-out time and 'pretend that it's normal around the world'. And the manager also warns that there's one key mistake guests can make in Barbados that's unlikely to impress their hotel staff. 'Barbadians are usually very mannerly people,' explains Christopher. 'So when a guest enters an area and doesn't say "good morning/good afternoon/good evening", it sometimes comes over as unmannerly.' When it comes to upgrades, Christopher reveals that he has to had turn down requests in the past. However, he says that guests who 'complain about a maintenance issue or construction' are those most likely to score an elusive room upgrade. Despite the bugbears, Christopher says he would never want to 'trade' his job for anything else. He says: '[I love] meeting new people and creating special experiences for guests. No two days are the same and I love chatting with people.'
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I've been to every country in South America - this is the best destination and the popular hotspot you should avoid
From the globe's largest rainforest to world-class steak and ancient civilizations, South America has a lot to offer. But where are its highlights - and where should you leave off your itinerary? Here to help you plan a trip is intrepid traveller, Alex Brown, who has visited every single country on the continent. In a chat with MailOnline Travel, the 31-year-old Brit reveals which of the continent's 12 countries is his favourite, where the safest destinations are and which popular spot he'd recommend avoiding. The best country Alex, who has visited 73 countries, says that Argentina is his favourite destination in South America, explaining: 'It's just got some of the best landscapes in the world. There's the glaciers in Patagonia, the Beagle Channel where you can see sea lions and then in the north you've got Iguazu Falls (the largest waterfall system in the world). 'And Buenos Aires (the capital) has got the best food in the world in my opinion. The steak is amazing and it's really cheap. The economy is a bit of a mess down there, so prices change pretty much every day but when I was last there a few months ago, it was about £10 for all-you-can-eat steak.' The safest countries Alex, who has visited 73 countries, says that Argentina is his favourite destination in South America. Pictured above is Buenos Aires There's another reason that Alex thinks Argentina should be top of your South America bucket list. 'It's really safe,' reveals Alex. 'You won't really have any problems there. And that's not the case for every country in South America.' When it comes to safety, the keen traveller also recommends Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay and Peru. The most dangerous countries At the other end of the safety scale for Alex are Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. He explains: 'The Galapagos islands in Ecuador are really safe but the mainland is dodgy these days. They've had a state of emergency there due to clashes between the government and drug cartels. 'I spent about six weeks in Colombia and never had anything go wrong but if you stay in hostels, you'll eventually meet someone who has been mugged there.' And while Alex explains that Venezuela has 'become a lot safer' in recent years, it's 'definitely not a beginner country' and he doesn't recommend travelling there without a 'fluent Spanish speaker'. The most underrated country Alex describes Argentina as his favourite country on the continent. He's pictured above at the country's Perito Moreno Glacier If you're looking to get off-the-beaten-track, Alex describes Bolivia as the most 'underrated' country on the continent and it's also a bargain for Brits. He says: 'A lot of American tourists don't go there because they have to pay $160/£120 for a visa, whereas Brits go visa free. La Paz is a really interesting city and you can also go to El Alto, which is the highest city in the world. You can see cholita wrestling (indigenous women) there - it gets a bit repetitive after a while but it's cool to see one. 'Then there are the Uyuni salt flats, which are one of the coolest sights in the world. We also went to the Amazon where you can take a boat ride down the river and see waterfalls and caves.' But while Alex explains that Bolivia isn't generally unsafe in terms of crime, there are still dangers to watch out for. 'In Bolivia, the real dangers are the roads. The traffic there is horrendous,' says Alex. 'The roads just wind around the mountains and there are also no safety standards on tours there at all. I ended up sinking in quicksand on an Amazon tour. I got off the boat and within seconds, I was knee-deep in mud. Our guide didn't say anything so presumably he's done this several times before!' Alex adds: 'We also drank some sugar cane juice that had been produced in a tribal village in the Amazon and they put it in a container which probably hadn't been washed hygienically. All three of us who drank it became quite ill.' Paraguay also earns an honourable mention as an 'underrated destination'. Alex reveals: 'It doesn't have much in terms of tourist attractions but you go there for the culture. There are great quality steakhouses as well.' The destination to avoid And the country to leave off your bucket list? Brazil, according to Alex, who says 'it didn't really deliver'. He explains: 'We didn't like it that much. We went to Florianopolis on the coast, it's famous for amazing beaches, but we didn't really agree with that. A lot of them were quite touristy and there were loads of people there. There's nothing special about them. 'Then there's Sao Paulo. It's a very gloomy city and there's not much of interest there. It's also quite dangerous. There's somewhere called 'Cracolandia' there which is called that because there are loads of drug addicts. They just roam the streets like zombies and it's not safe at all. They won't harm you but it's a bit uncomfortable. It's absolutely not a place where you want to be after dark.' Meanwhile Brazil's top destination, Rio de Janeiro, didn't impress Alex at all. He says: 'There's loads of crime there. People have been shot just after accidentally turning down the wrong street. You should never wear jewellery there because you make yourself a target. 'Copacabana Beach is also really overrated, to be honest. Sunrise is nice there at five am but when it gets to daytime, it's just so busy. People set up tents and start selling stuff, it's really crowded and there's nothing enjoyable about it really. If Rio was safe it might be a good destination, but you do have to spend half your time looking over your shoulder.'
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Inside the cruise ship that people will live on - and it's cheaper than you might think
Ever dreamed of waking up in a different destination every few days? And what if you could do that from the comfort of your own home? That's set to be reality for the residents of Storylines' MV Narrative, a cruise ship designed to be a permanent home for a community of around 1,000 seafarers. Currently under construction, the 741 foot/225m long ship will transport its residents around the globe, stopping in a different city every few days. MailOnline Travel caught up with Alister Lee, the founder and CEO of Storylines, to find out exactly what residents can expect onboard. Alister, whose background is in real estate, says: 'Our tagline is that you'll live a happier, healthier life with Storylines. And it's not a throwaway line, we actually mean it. We'll have the largest Wellness Centre at sea, a longevity clinic and an anti-aging clinic. 'And then the residents will be around other good people, there'll be a happy mindset, travelling in the sun, all of these things compound to have a positive impact on your life.' Although the ship isn't scheduled for delivery until early 2028, Alister reveals that Storylines has already sold around 35-40 per cent of its residences. Accommodation varies from 226 sq ft/21 sqm studios, priced from $625,000/£470,500 to four bedroom homes spanning 1,432 sq ft/133 sqm priced from $8million/£6million. Currently under construction, the 741 foot/225m long ship will transport its residents around the globe, stopping in a different city every few days Residents so far hail from 'around 20 different countries' and a whole range of ages are represented, says Alister. He tells MailOnline: 'We've got people in their 20s and 30s with younger families and people who have businesses and are planning to work remotely. Then we've got retirees as well. 'We didn't want to create a space that was just one section of the community. We want people to experience a full community and not be segregated. When you have different generations in one location, it also generally leads to people living happier, healthier lives.' And, perhaps surprisingly, not all of the ship's prospective residents have even been on a cruise before. Alister says: 'There's quite a big contingent of people who never have. Because this is going to be a home. 'It looks like a cruise ship but that's where the similarity pretty much ends.' While the ship's lifestyle, community and health benefits are major draws for many residents, Alister claims that it will also be cheaper than living on land. 'You can live onboard Storylines for under $100,000/£75,000 for two people, all inclusive, all year,' he explains. 'Get rid of your car, get rid of your car insurance and utility bills. You can really live a five-star luxury lifestyle without many monthly outgoing expenses and wake up in a new destination every few days.' Residents will have around 20 different bars and restaurants to choose from on Storylines but of course they won't be confined to the ship. Alister says: 'We'll be in port every three to five days so people will be able to go out for dinner. They'll be able to make friends in the local community.' Residents so far hail from 'around 20 different countries' and a whole range of ages are represented, says Alister Perhaps surprisingly, not all of the ship's prospective residents have even been on a cruise before. Pictured above is the resident library Aside from restaurants, MV Narrative will have an art studio, an 'oceanside marina' with direct access to the water and a running track. And there's one extra facility that Alister said was a deal breaker for many of the ship's U.S residents. He explains: 'I'm from Australia so I didn't know what pickleball was but I learned very quickly. We actually redesigned the sun deck space so the pickleball court could fit.' Although the ship's itinerary will be planned in advance, Alister says residents will get to pick stops every so often via an app. Children on ship will attend a school with onboard teachers and field excursions in the destinations they visit. 'The students we'll turn out from that school will speak a couple of languages, they'll have a network of people from around the world they'll call friends,' says Alister. So far, residents have met each other at community events held by Storylines where Alister says they tend to get along like 'long lost buddies'. And that's good news for Alister who will be one of the first residents onboard MV Narrative. He says: 'I've spent a long time building what I personally believe will be the best lifestyle community on earth. Will I be living there? Absolutely.'
