Celebrities and star gazers alike are in Toronto gearing up for the Toronto International Film Festival, which starts Thursday. Travel expert Loren Christie, has some tips on how best to catch a star.
1) If people are coming to Toronto, is there a specific part of town where they can see the stars?
TheYorkville area of the city is the best bet, but events are also spread to the west of the city. The Drake Hotel and the ONEXONE event September 9th at the Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts are also good places to spot stars.
2) So apart from Film Festivals, how can those star gazers out there meet celebrities?
You should go to destinations where the celebrities go. The hot spots right now range from St. Tropez, and France to places closer to home like Malibu Beach in California. (This month's issue of Conde Nast Traveller has a special section on star spotting in Los Angeles). Also check out St. Bart's , Telluride, Colorado if you fancy star-spotting while skiing and Vegas for partying.
You should also check out celebrity themed travel. Cruise lines will have a celebrity cruise designed for you to specifically mingle with celebrities. Crystal offers a Film Fest themed cruise, Celebrity has a celebrity cruise.
Also browse through the website Millionaires Concierge where you can snag VIP tickets to high end events like Emmys, MTV Video Awards and the Oscars. The website sells tickets to event after-parties but the cost isn't cheap with prices ranging anwhere between $2,000 to $50,000.
3) So what about costs? Do you have to break the bank?
If you want to star spot in the cafes and shops, you can do it on a budget, but if you want star treatment yourself in the hotels and restaurants, along with star gazing, it can get a little expensive.
For example:
The Wynn Hotel, one of the newest in Vegas, is the only 5 star, 5 diamond hotel in the city. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have been seen eating with Brooke Shields. Britney Spears was asked to leave the hotel after an altercation with a photographer. Book a room in midweek for the best rate. More details are available at
St. Regis Bora Bora recently opened and costs about $1000 a night. One night last year a friend stayed there and had Eva Longoria staying on one side and Nicole Kidman on the other. Packages are available through GoWay tours in Canada which add features like included meals, which can be quite a save a significant amount of money
However, if you want to get really close to a star, try staying at their place. A few are known for renting out their digs.
Mick Jagger's six bedroom, five-bath, Japanese inspired beachside villa, can accomodate ten people at a cost of $11,000 - $16,000. The property comes with a staff of 6, an 8 person Jeep, a jacuzzi and pool in Mustique.
Jane Seymour's pad is near Bath in England. The 14th century manor includes a stable and church is situated on 14 acres, 9 bedrooms, 6 baths and accomodates 22 people. It costs $23,000 per week and comes with a full staff.
Charo's house on the Hawaiian island of Kauai can also be rented. For your money you will get 7 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms on three acres overlooking Tunnels Beach. The whole thing will set you back between $8,500- $9,500 a week. The package includes a gourmet kitchen, wine cooler, game room and a staff.
