latest celebrity holiday gossip
Stars party in Rio
Any list of the greatest parties in the world would undoubtedly feature the annual Rio carnival near the top.
While other cities take a breather after the Christmas and New Year festivities, hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists gather on the Brazilian metropolis for a week of dancing, processions and, eating and drinking.
Among the thronging crowds this year was Charlie's Angle star Lucy Liu who was spotted observing the colourful dancers from her vantage point in the stands as the festival came to a dramatic close earlier this week.
Other A-listers braving the crowds and getting stuck into the heart of the action were Italian model and actress Monica Bellucci and her husband Vincent Cassel, perhaps best known for his role in Ocean's Twelve.
Despite the ever-increasing popularity of the Rio Carnival, even travellers without Hollywood connections are able to join in the fun, albeit with a little planning.
Though the attention may be on the stars and crowds flocking to the city centre and the purpose-built Sambodrome, the whole city comes alive during the week, with neighbourhood celebrations led by schools, churches and even workers' groups all coming together to make up what is easily the biggest party on the planet.
Also soaking up the sun these past few days has been WAG-turned TV presenter Coleen McLoughlin, who has been spending some time away from filming her show Real Women by relaxing on a beach in Barbados.
"Wayne's busy playing for England, so I thought I'd get away while I've got some free time," she told Closer magazine.
The star, who is holidaying with her two best friends, has been spotted doing little more than sun-bathing and jet-skiing on the popular Caribbean island, which is also renowned as a holiday destination of choice for the likes of Michael Winner, Cliff Richard and Tony Blair due to its year-round sunshine and world-class English-language service industry.
Neighbouring St Barts, meanwhile has been playing host to Dustin Hoffman and his family, with the silver screen legend's visit to the island coming soon after Mariah Carey and Kelly Brook chose it as the ideal choice for their own winter breaks.
Also this week, US actress and celebrity all-rounder Ashley Olsen joined new-mum Milla Jovovich Ashley Olsen at New York's fashion week, while Sting opted to spend some time in the Australian capital of Sydney, where it is currently the middle of summer.
While other cities take a breather after the Christmas and New Year festivities, hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists gather on the Brazilian metropolis for a week of dancing, processions and, eating and drinking.
Among the thronging crowds this year was Charlie's Angle star Lucy Liu who was spotted observing the colourful dancers from her vantage point in the stands as the festival came to a dramatic close earlier this week.
Other A-listers braving the crowds and getting stuck into the heart of the action were Italian model and actress Monica Bellucci and her husband Vincent Cassel, perhaps best known for his role in Ocean's Twelve.
Despite the ever-increasing popularity of the Rio Carnival, even travellers without Hollywood connections are able to join in the fun, albeit with a little planning.
Though the attention may be on the stars and crowds flocking to the city centre and the purpose-built Sambodrome, the whole city comes alive during the week, with neighbourhood celebrations led by schools, churches and even workers' groups all coming together to make up what is easily the biggest party on the planet.
Also soaking up the sun these past few days has been WAG-turned TV presenter Coleen McLoughlin, who has been spending some time away from filming her show Real Women by relaxing on a beach in Barbados.
"Wayne's busy playing for England, so I thought I'd get away while I've got some free time," she told Closer magazine.
The star, who is holidaying with her two best friends, has been spotted doing little more than sun-bathing and jet-skiing on the popular Caribbean island, which is also renowned as a holiday destination of choice for the likes of Michael Winner, Cliff Richard and Tony Blair due to its year-round sunshine and world-class English-language service industry.
Neighbouring St Barts, meanwhile has been playing host to Dustin Hoffman and his family, with the silver screen legend's visit to the island coming soon after Mariah Carey and Kelly Brook chose it as the ideal choice for their own winter breaks.
Also this week, US actress and celebrity all-rounder Ashley Olsen joined new-mum Milla Jovovich Ashley Olsen at New York's fashion week, while Sting opted to spend some time in the Australian capital of Sydney, where it is currently the middle of summer.