Image via Complex Original
You know how after a hard week’s work you entertain the idea of packing a bag and escaping to, say, Montauk, for a weekend? That’s literally what celebrities do, too, except to St. Tropez. When they’re not filming, running from photo shoot to press junket, or playing sold-out stadium shows for a year straight, they like to unwind just like you and me—granted, with a lot more resources at their disposal. Even still, these famous faces, at least for the following ones on this list, are human too, and taking a break from work is as much a priority for them as it is for us. The only difference is, well, taking a break for them is your greatest fantasy come to life. Just check out The Most Ridiculous Celebrity Getaways of 2015 So Far.
The Kardashians Take a Family Trip to Armenia
When: April 2015
Forget Ibiza, St. Barts, St. Tropez, and Paris—the Kardashians touched down in the land of their ancestors, Armenia, just in time for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. In addition to some casual sightseeing, the Kardashians stepped up their getaway by meeting with Armenia’s prime minister, because what would a family vacation be without rubbing elbows with one of the most powerful people in the world? It was also the perfect opportunity for Kim to introduce Kanye and North West to her heritage. Only the Kardashians can mix business with pleasure in such a boss way.
Jessica Alba Unwinds in the Caribbean and Mexico
When: January 2015 and April 2015
Jessica Alba deserves a break, and since she rang in the New Year, she’s been on a few. The mother, actress, and uber-successful business woman whose The Honest Company is valued at about a billion dollars, took time off from running three careers by vacationing with her family in the Caribbean for spring break. In January, Alba, her husband Cash Warren, their two daughters, and the couple’s BFFs Jamie Patricof and Kelly Sawyer rang in 2015 in Mexico. Work hard, play hard.
Taylor Swift and HAIM Make Everyone Jealous in Hawaii
When: January 2015
Just before T. Swift announced that she’d be going on tour this summer with her new BFFs HAIM, the foursome posted pics of their January vacation in Hawaii. Swift is no stranger to making everyone jealous—just check out the guest list for her 25th birthday party. But relaxing in the tropics with one of the hottest bands in music, whose recent single with Calvin Harris, “Pray to God,” is blowing up the charts, is her most enviable move yet. Gotta hand it to them—the girls do need some well-deserved R&R before the road mayhem begins.
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend Party With A-List Friends in St. Barts
When: March 2015
You can’t go to St. Barts and not bump into someone famous, which is exactly what happened when Chrissy Teigen and John Legend hit up the French paradise. There, the duo ran into three other powerful couples: Rachel Zoe (who posted this photo of the crew) and Rodger Berman, Kelly Sawyer and Jamie Patricof, and Jessica Alba and Cash Warren. Michael Strahan and some friends also joined in on the festivities. While you and your friends relax by meeting each other at happy hour, they meet up across the world once they’re off the clock. No big deal—this is just what power looks like.
Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen Celebrate the Super Bowl in Costa Rica
When: March 2015
It’s been an unforgettable year for pop culture’s prom king and queen. Not only did Brady win another Super Bowl with the Patriots, but Bundchen announced that she was retiring from the runway. More importantly, this year, the parents of two—Brady has a third child with actress Bridget Moynahan—celebrated their sixth anniversary by taking their annual trip to Costa Rica. The famed quarterback shared pics and videos of their vacation on his Facebook, where you’ll find footage of the family having fun in the sand and surfing the breaks.
Beyonce and Jay Z Tour Southeast Asia
When: January 2015
Beyonce and Jay Z have a passport to the world. The world’s most talked-about couple has literally been everywhere, and that includes Cuba. So what’s left to visit? Southeast Asia, apparently. Earlier this year, the couple celebrated the holidays in Cambodia and Thailand, where Beyonce introduced Blue Ivy to a baby tiger. In Cambodia, the family found solace in the historic Buddhist temple, Angkor Wat. Of course, America’s royal family looked right at home visiting ancient empires.
Nina Dobrev Goes on an Adventure in New Zealand
When: January 2015
While every other celebrity on this list chose to soak up the sun, Nina Dobrev went on a completely different route. Forget lounging, Dobrev and her friends trekked around New Zealand, spending their days off wine tasting, off-roading, and bungee jumping (though not necessarily in that order, because that just sounds insane). The Vampire Diaries actress, who recently announced her departure from the hit CW show, shared her adventure on Instagram.
Apparently, Dobrev’s idea of a day off isn’t exactly taking one. The manifesto that she posted on social media right before her trip read: "I, Nina, want to see the world. Follow a map to its edges and keep going. Forgo the plans. Trust my instincts. Let curiosity be my guide. I want to change hemispheres. Sleep with unfamiliar stars, and let the journey unfold before me."
Leo DiCaprio and a Bunch of Models Kick off the Year in St. Barts
When: January 2015
Because of course he did. It seems like when DiCaprio isn’t filming, he’s in an exotic location somewhere around the world with the most beautiful people in the universe, which is perfectly encapsulated by the photo above. While his player reputation certainly precedes him, it’s not like dude doesn’t completely deserve to live like the wolf of Wall Street. When the Oscar-nominated actor isn’t macking on a beautiful supermodel, he’s producing movies about endangered species and global warming, and working on Birdman director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s next Academy bait, The Revenant.
Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell Beach It Up in Brazil
When: January 2015
Supermodels vacationing in Brazil—the breeding ground for every other supermodel in the world—just makes so much sense. Kate and Naomi, because they’re the kind of famous where their first names are enough, hit the coast of Trancosco, Bahia, Brazil with two lucky people who got to bask in their presence, fellow model Bianca Balti and Kate’s husband Jamie Hince.
No, they didn’t just strut along on shore, flaunting their runway bodies. The pair had some fun in the ocean, with Naomi even bringing along a pool noodle with her. Stars, they’re just like us.
Shay Mitchell Rings in the New Year by Skydiving in Dubai
When: January 2015
Shay Mitchell has a thing about traveling—she’s always doing it. The Pretty Little Liars star has made it her mission to document her trips around the world on her official YouTube channel. While the actress had an epic adventure in Bali earlier this year, it was her trip to the United Arab Emirates that’s absolutely jaw-dropping. In addition to celebrating New Year’s Eve with Selena Gomez and Kendall Jenner in the desert paradise, Mitchell visited mosques, enjoyed sunset dinners, went on joy rides in the most expensive cars in the world, and, best of all, jumped out of a plane. Who else can say that they spent their day off skydiving in Dubai? Take a page from Mitchell’s playbook and literally make vacationing your side hustle.
