Travel: Follow in the footsteps of the rich and famous

Alistair McGowen, actor and impressionist

For an extraordinary holiday, McGowan recommends the Hotel Excelsior in Venice (pictured)(Hotelexcelsiorvenezia.com). "You approach it by water taxi. There's a private beach and the most beautiful, big pool. A wonderful example of slightly faded Italian glamour," he tells The Independent.

For an English break, you can't beat Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxfordshire (Manoir.com). "The atmosphere, service and beauty of the building are wonderful," he says. "Every little touch was more than five stars." It was beautifully English, with a French touch, thanks to owner Raymond Blanc.

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Tamsin Egerton, actress

Hotels don't come better than Cocoa Island in the Maldives (Cocoaisland.como.biz), according to Egerton. "It was literally heaven on earth. The water was a bright azure blue, completely crystal clear and the sky was exactly the same colour," she says in The Daily Telegraph. The service was "impeccable" and "we had a little stilted room where we'd go down to our patio area overlooking the water and we'd see dolphins at sunrise and sunset. It was absolutely beautiful. It was just perfect. I was depressed when I came back."

Sir Terence Conran, designer

For breaks in Britain, Conran loves the Tresanton in Cornwall (Tresanton.com). It's "every bit as elegant as you would expect", he says in The Independent. The restaurant "serves wonderful, fresh seafood with beautiful views of the harbour and lighthouse. It's a very peaceful part of the world to do some designing, while enjoying excellent food."

Conran also loves the Hotel Oustau de Baumanire in Provence (Oustaudebaumaniere.com). "You feel as if you are staying at a friend's country manor, from the soft colours and antique floor tiles, to the lovely gardens with cherubs and fountains."

Freddie Flintoff, former England cricket captain

"Everyone wants to go abroad, and I think people forget what we've got over here," says Flintoff in The Independent. For a fabulous break in Britain he recommends Cameron House at Loch Lomond (Devere-hotels.co.uk). "The view of the loch was unbelievable, and so was the restaurant the Cameron Grill."

If you are looking for something further afield, he recommends a trip to Botswana. "I was surrounded byamazing scenery elephants, giraffes, lions I like animals and wildlife, but I always thought you go to see them in a zoo or a safari park. I didn't expect to enjoy the bush as much as I did."

Erin O'Connor, model

O'Connor's favourite holiday was at Yab Yum in Goa, India (Yabyumresorts.com). It was "simple and rustic with dome-shaped cabins made out of lava rock and palm leaves", she says in The Daily Telegraph. "I spent all my time barefoot wearing a kaftan and every morning at nine on the dot I was served a strong cup of coffee and an omelette masala my idea of heaven."

Lorraine Pascal, model and chef

The ultimate hotel in Pascal's eyes is the Four Seasons in the Maldives (Fourseasons.com). It is "unbelievably picturesque", she tells The Daily Telegraph. One of the highlights is the glass bathroom floor. "We used to just sit and watch this kaleidoscope of tropical fish swimming below our little villa on stilts." As for food, "if you press a buzzer your personal butler takes you to the main hotel, where we'd eat fresh fish and exotic fruit salads".