The Stars Are Shining In The Sunshine State

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. October 14, 2008

SARASOTA, FL, July 13, 2005. An exotic location in the land of the celebrity, Florida is without a doubt a playground of the rich and famous. With or without the glamour, the money, the entourage, the paparazzi and all the other packaging of stardom - celebrities love to enjoy themselves so unsurprisingly, they love to holiday, and the world knows that when you want to holiday in style, the Sunshine State is undoubtedly the place to do it.

So when you're shopping, eating out, or just relaxing in the sun, here's our rough guide to who you're looking for.

Destin and Seaside

Britney Spears, who took the first steps on her illustrious career as part of Disney's Mickey Mouse Club in Orlando, is reported to have been looking for a house in Destin, perhaps drawn by nostalgic appeal to return to her celebrity roots. Nearby Seaside was the setting for the film The Truman Show, and is fast becoming a desirable retreat with its quaint pastel coloured houses (www.seasidefl.com).

Tampa

This beautiful, temperate city on the Gulf Coast has been the set for many blockbuster movies, including the recent hit The Punisher starring John Travolta. Tennis champion Pete Sampras (a Tampa resident) and Billy Joel are just a drop in the ocean of recent celebrity visitors who are likely to hit the tables at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which features lavish cascading fountains, snazzy sky-lit restaurants and bars and the huge centre piece casino (www.hardrockhotelcasinotampa.com).

The Fort de Soto Park beach in Clearwater is famous for being the NUMBER ONE beach in the whole of the USA, this year, even beating the beaches of Hawaii so will doubtless prove a major attraction for sun-worshipping celebrities (www.floridasbeach.com).

Bradenton and Sarasota

The past has seen the likes of Andre Agassi groomed to stardom in the glorious sunshine enjoyed in Bradenton. This tradition shows no signs of slowing up with the new Siberian superstar of women's tennis Maria Sharapova having moved to Bradenton as a child, and remaining there to today. She was spotted by Martina Navratilova who encouraged the move, herself living in nearby Sarasota and doubtless keen to observe the young starlet's progression. Sarasota is home to stars from beyond the sporting world: current residents include notorious chat show host Jerry Springer, and author Stephen King, who lives on Casey Key (www.sarasotafl.com).

Ocala

Jumbolair, with its rolling hills and scattered oak trees, is amongst the world's largest and most exclusive fly-in communities, currently home to John Travolta and Bo Derek amongst others (www.jumbolair.com).

Orlando

Offering miles of immaculately conditioned and challenging golf courses, Orlando has produced the world's best golfer in Tiger Woods, who remains a resident today. Film star Wesley Snipes is another famous Orlando local, as are boy bands Backstreet Boys and N-Sync. The world famous Disneyland (www.disney.co.uk) proves as irresistible to celebrities as it is to the rest of us, so don't forget your autograph book since you're as likely to meet Mariah Carey as Mickey Mouse, and you might find yourself out-screaming recent visitors P. Diddy, Paris Hilton or Michael J Fox on one of the park's many rollercoasters.

Palm Beach

With golf courses and tennis courts in abundance, Palm Beach is something of a haven for sports stars. Perhaps the most famous sisters in world sport, Venus and Serena Williams are residents, as is golf legend Jack Niklaus. The 4-star Chesterfield Hotel (www.chesterfieldpb.com) is affectionately described as "a little bit of England in Palm Beach", the epitome of class and elegance in the centre of a trendy and vibrant city. Celebrities like local resident Donald Trump are known to demand the best, and Palm Beach delivers just that (www.palmbeachfl.com).

Fort Lauderdale

Despite playing host to such movies as Ace Ventura Pet Detective and There's Something About Mary, Fort Lauderdale has maintained a relatively low key profile that is enjoyed by many film moguls and celebrities. As is demonstrated by the forthcoming Green Day and Destiny's Child concerts Fort Lauderdale is also a tour venue for many major musical artists, which ensures a steady flow of big players from the music industry. (www.sunny.org)

Miami

The heart and soul of Florida's celebrity scene, Miami sees more than its fair share of celebrity faces. Russian born tennis star and model Anna Kournikova relocated to Florida some years ago, and currently enjoys the envy of girls around the world as the girlfriend of local music star Enrique Iglesias, who knows Miami as his home.

Florida's celebrities aren't restricted to the two-legged variety. Flipper the dolphin (who's real name is Bebe!) resides in Miami's Seaquarium, as well as history's star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet - who are actually a happy pair of manatees (www.miamiseaquarium.com). High ranking tennis players Andy Roddick and Jennifer Capriati number among recent visitors who have been attracted to visit these charming marine celebrities, along with opera singer Andrea Bocelli and model Niki Taylor. Everyone loves Flipper, so who knows who'll be getting splashed at your side?

In the summer of 2004, the MTV Video Awards returned to Miami, dispelling any doubt that Florida's sun will continue to shine on the familiar faces of the music world. The prestigious Marlin Hotel in Miami boasts a recording studio on its premises, leading such stars as Miss Dynamite, Pharrell Williams and P. Diddy to jump at the opportunity to mix business with pleasure.

The shopping scene at Bal Harbour Village, near Miami's South Beach, is popular with such celebrities as Ben Affleck and Jessica Simpson, so why not take advantage of the strong pound and shop with the stars (www.balharbourflorida.com). If there's still credit on your card and strength in your legs after a hard day's shopping, then The Bentley Hotel on South Beach's upmarket Ocean Drive offers the perfect place to unwind with an evening meal. This prestigious hotel is the place to stay for celebrities visiting the area, boasting the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Madonna and Usher as recent guests. (www.miamiandbeaches.com).

Coral Gables

Being no more than a short limo trip South of Miami, and nicknamed 'The City Beautiful', it is no surprise that the exclusive Coral Gables has a great pulling power with celebrities. The prestigious Biltmore Hotel is the place to be seen: further to hosting Hollywood 'A-list' stars as famous as Johnny Depp, Robert Redford and John Travolta, the hotel has regularly hosted US Presidents, including current President George Bush, and other international world leaders (www.biltmorehotel.com).