Journalism of Courage
While the word 'vacation' typically conjures images of sea, sand, and sun, the rich and famous have also favoured the polar opposite: St. Moritz in Switzerland has long been a favourite of the wealthy and the European royalty. This 1969 picture shows Farah Pahlavi, the wife of the former Shah of Iran, with her ski instructor. (Keystone/picture-alliance/via DW)
In 1977's "The Spy Who Loved Me," the film starring Roger Moore as James Bond was shot on the slopes around St. Moritz. (United Artists/via DW)
Legend goes that hotelier Johannes Badrutt made a bet with some of his British guests at the end of their summer stay at his hotel in 1864. Telling them to return in winter, he said it was "sunnier and less rainy than London." He also offered to pay their travel and accommodation costs. Four English guests did indeed return to St. Moritz in December to test his theory — and stayed until Easter. (Markus Ulmer/adhoc/picture-alliance/via DW)
Perhaps Brazil’s most famous beach, and the titular club in the 1978 Barry Manilow hit, Miley Cyrus, Tom Cruise, and Justin Bieber have all been spotted soaking up the sun here. This aerial view of a 2022 land-art fresco covering the Copacabana beach is by French-Swiss artist Saype. (Silvia Izquierdo/AP/picture-alliance/via DW)
Virgin group founder Richard Branson originally did not know of the British Virgin Islands until "one Thursday in 1978, I was told that they existed and that I could potentially own one." The asking price then was $6 million and Branson, who wasn't yet the billionaire he is today, could only offer $100,000. The owner originally rejected it but then sold it to Branson a year later for $180,000. (Mark Greenberg/Zumapress/picture-alliance/via DW)
One sale term was that Branson had to build a resort within four years — which he did. He's been hosting renowned guests ever since. This image shows, among others, the late Princess Diana (l) and her children, Princes William and Harry, in 1990. Model Kate Moss has visited the island, as has former US President Barack Obama. Rooms start at $5,000; the whole island costs $80,000 per night. (Elise Amendola/AP/picture-alliance/via DW)
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, Cabo San Lucas in Mexico offers stunning landscapes and luxury hotels — perfect for celebrities like Jennifer Lopez or Justin Bieber. (Michael Nolan/robertharding/picture-alliance/via DW)
Ever since the Croatian coastal city of Dubrovnik was featured in HBO's "Game of Thrones" — which popularised the line "winter is coming" — more visitors have flocked here for summer. However, the island of Hvar has drawn the well-heeled, such as the late Jackie Kennedy and designer Giorgio Armani. During his partying years, Prince Harry was also spotted living it up at the island's nightspots. (Dalibor Brlek/Zoonar/picture-alliance/via DW)
Another coastal town in Europe that is a star-magnet is St. Tropez on the French Riviera. It was actress Brigitte Bardot and her 1956 film "And God Created Woman" that put this town on the map. Later, in 1971, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger tied the knot with ex-wife Bianca here. Bill Gates, Steven Spielberg and some of the Kardashian clan have also since holidayed here. (UPI/dpa/picture-alliance/via DW)
The tropical island of Bali in Indonesia was the setting for Jagger's second marriage to model Jerry Hall in 1990. Having tied the knot in a Hindu ceremony, they weren't legally married, though, which resulted in the union being declared null and void when they split in 1999. Besides being a summer paradise, Bali continues to be a beloved wedding destination for the stars. (Robin Utrecht/picture-alliance/via DW)
Italy's Lake Como was bestowed this title by The Huffington Post in 2014 "for its microclimate and environment with prestigious villas and villages." Some of the A-list villa owners here include George and Amal Clooney, Brad Pitt and George Lucas. (Dalibor Brlek/Zoonar/picture-alliance/via DW)
