Celebrity travel news, June 13, 2006

Denise Richards & Richie Sambora in Italy

Several 5-star hotels rolled out the welcome mat for Tinseltown's latest twosome, Denise Richards and Richie Sambora, during their recent European excursion. The couple found an ideal Italian hideaway at the Hotel Palazzo Sasso, a 12th century cliffside retreat in Ravello adorned with 18th and 19th century antiques, while the azure waters along the Amalfi coast provided a romantic backdrop when the lovebirds stayed at Il San Pietro Hotel in Positano.

Internationally acclaimed music superstar, Yanni pictured with his friend, Jaime Pressly (TV's "My Name Is Earl") at the Spa Eleven Grand Opening event at the old Versace mansion on Miami Beach. Celebrity party guests sparkled at the mansion, now Casa Casuarina, an exclusive private membership club and luxury hotel. Jaime was the hostess of the star studded event and Yanni the special guest. Photo by Rodrigo Varela. (PRNewsFoto/DIONE DIRITO PUBLIC RELATIONS, Rodrigo Varela)

Spa Eleven Opens at Star-Studded Event

Much to the joy of the jet set, a stylish soiree was held in mid-June at Casa Casuarina, the former Miami Beach mansion of the late Gianni Versace, for the official opening of Spa Eleven, the palatial venue's latest offering of opulence. "My Name Is Earl" star Jaime Pressly acted as hostess for the ultra-exclusive event.

Jude Law & Sienna Miller at Bacara Resort

Reunited romantics Jude Law and Sienna Miller enjoyed a little summer lovin' at The Bacara Resort, the well-known Santa Barbara sanctuary that has served as a wedding venue for a number of lovestruck celebrities over the years, including Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler and dashing "Dancing With The Stars" contestant John O'Hurley and his wife Lisa, and was a honeymoon hideaway for former couple Chad Michael Murray and Sophia Bush.

Stars at Althorp

The tourists who amble up the gravel drive to Althorp, the childhood home of the late Princess Diana, this summer will be walking in the footsteps of Orlando Bloom, Claire Danes and Joseph Fiennes, who were among the 400 guests at the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation fundraiser held at the ancestral Spencer home in mid-June. The Northamptonshire estate will once again welcome the public on July 1st, and will remain open through August 30th.

Charlotte Church & Gavin Henson in London

Welsh chanteuse Charlotte Church and her rugged rugby player beau Gavin Henson recently enjoyed a romantic rendezvous at London's Covent Garden Hotel, which received the honor of Tripadvisor's Traveler's Choice Award for Best Luxury Hotel in 2005. The former Victorian-era hospital has been converted into a 55-room chic retreat featuring its own movie theater.

Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino Shines with Stars in Vegas

Like a butterfly inside its chrysalis, the former Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas has slowly morphed into a Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino. Sylvester Stallone was among the first to appreciate the transformation (which, as of mid-June 2006, has yet to open to the general public) as he blew out 60 candles at a birthday bash held in his honor. Among the guests on hand to wish "Rocky" many happy returns were John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sin City star Bruce Willis.

David Beckham Enjoys Pre-World Cup Rest at Lowry Hotel

Before facing the roar of the World Cup crowds gathered inside Frankfurt's Waldstadium, soccer superstar David Beckham spent a few restful days in England at the Lowry Hotel, a five star Manchester masterpiece offering its guests 164 well-appointed rooms, many with views of the River Irwell, cuisine created by an award-winning chef, and a spa featuring such treatments a Revitalizing Warm Stone therapy, a St. Tropez self-tanning treatment, and a sports and fitness massage.

Brett Lee Enjoys Pre-Wedding Getaway

Days before their June 3rd walk down the aisle, Australian cricket star Brett Lee and his lady love Liz Kemp embarked on a pre-wedding getaway to the Casuarina Country Inn, a five-star boutique retreat two hours from Sydney where fantasy takes flight. The inn offers nine themed guest suites, including Casanova's Loft, The Bordello, Moulin Rouge and the Out of Africa suite, an apt choice for the athlete and his fiancee, who wears an engagement ring adorned with South African diamonds.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers at Dublin Castle

Jonathan Rhys Meyers was a majestic presence in his roles in the box office bonanzas Mission Impossible: III and Match Point, and the Irish actor will rule the small screen as King Henry VIII in the upcoming 10-part mini-series "The Tudors." As the cameras rolled, cast members dressed in period costumes seemed like spectral beings haunting the grounds of Dublin Castle, a 12th century fortress which is one of the city's top attractions, offering tours of the gothic revival chapel royal, the undercroft and the state apartments.

Sean Penn Filming in Laughlin, Nevada

The days of the riverboat gambler may be long gone, but its memory is resurrected aboard The Colorado Belle Hotel and Casino, a faithful rendition of the Victorian-era paddlewheel vessels that once ruled the waterways. In early June the 1,168-room floating fortress, moored on the banks of the Colorado River in Laughlin, Nevada, welcomed Academy Award winner Sean Penn, who directed scenes shot inside the resort for his upcoming drama Into The Wild, starring Capote's Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn and rising talent Emile Hirsh (Lords of Dogtown).

Justin Chambers to Soak up the Sun in the DR

The delights of the Dominican Republic await "Gray's Anatomy" star Justin Chambers and his wife Keesha, who plan to take their children on a July jaunt to the Caribbean paradise.

Related pages:

• Celebrity Engagement News
• Celebrity Wedding News