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Unfortunately, the majority of us will never enjoy the VIP treatment at Cannes, but you can still experience the red carpet lifestyle with Ranch Rider. According to the specialist tour operator, many A Listers have decided to hang their hat in the Wild West and countless celebrities have fallen in love with the wide-open spaces, so much so, that they make this their permanent residence. Forget your luxury city sky scrapers and the penthouse apartments, it’s the majesty of nature that the star studded fraternity now crave, and Ranch Rider can come close to offering travellers the same celebrity lifestyle for seven whole nights.
Harrison Ford is the man of the moment at Cannes, the 65 year-old still managing to pull off a physically demanding performance in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. A real life action hero, when not saving the world from imminent danger, Ford can often be found performing helicopter rescue attempts, near his 800-acre ranch in Jackson, Wyoming. Also a bone fide eco warrior, Ford has donated half of his ranch to the Jackson Hole Land Trust; and even waxed off his own chest hair – comically illustrating the effect of deforestation. If you’re looking to become one with nature and maybe throw in a bit of star searching, head to the Goosewing Guest Ranch with. Situated in the isolated Gros Venture River Valley and only an hour from Jackson, the ranch offers bird watching, mountain biking, pond fishing, archery, and horse riding; with expert naturalists and geologists providing nature talks for guests. Ranchers can also take exhilarating Wild West safaris, as Goosewing is home to deer, elk, bear and the majestic eagle, often found swooping overhead on the ranch’s numerous trails. 7-nights with Ranch Rider from £1,496pp, including car hire.
According to the official Cannes 2008 website, Kevin Costner put in a surprise appearance at the festival; however, if you’re heading to Colorado you may be lucky enough to spot the star yourself. Costner’s 165-acre ranch is five minutes from glitzy Aspen, a haven for many A listers including Goldie Hawn, Jack Nicholson, Nick Nolte and Antonio Banderas. Many flock to the Rocky Mountain state in the winter months, but Costner feels ranch life is best experienced in summer and autumn. No stranger to the West he has starred in a host of related films, including Dances With Wolves, Silverado and Open Range – a big budget epic about a group of cowboys driving their cattle across the vast prairies. According to Costner, he has the best view in the world, and would be ranchers heading to the Black Mountain Ranch in Colorado can experience the same majestic mountain vistas – as the ranch is located deep in the Rockies at McCoy. Extensive trails lead into the Routh National Forest with cross-country riding and even overnight pack trips available for the more adventurous. Other activities include white water rafting, fishing, trap shooting and hiking – a hot tub and well stocked saloon providing welcome respite for those spending a week at home on the range. Only 23 miles from Aspen the ranch is also perfectly situated for star-spotting trips, allowing ranchers to mix Hollywood glitz with the Wild West lifestyle. 7 nights with Ranch Rider from £1,699pp, including car hire.
Julia Roberts splits her life between the Big Apple and New Mexico, and while Giorgio Armani might feature on her list of favourite designers, she’s also very at home in a pair of chapps – more practical attire for her New Mexico ranch. A skillful barrel racer, Julia spares no expense on her four legged friends and even had her own quarter horse “Sorrel” flown by Fedex to the set of the Runaway Bride, where he featured in the movies opening scene. Those who fancy following in the trail of the pretty woman can head to the Double E in New Mexico, for a week of challenges at the ranches own cowgirl camp, complete with wilderness riding in the spectacular Apache country of Gila. Activities include, horse-womanship, trail rides to Native American ruins and rodeo events incorporating, barrel racing, roping and team penning. If cowgirls want to add a little Hollywood luxury to their stay, best friends can share the Cloudsplitter – a southwestern pueblo-style, tri-story adobe with 360-degree views of the ranch and its surrounding area. A 6-night cowgirl camp week with Ranch Rider costs FROM £1,369, including car hire.
Other star-studded destinations include Montana, home on the range to Dennis Quaid; Texas, Tommy Lee Jones owning a 3,000 acre ranch in the land of the cowboy; and California, solar power advocate, Steven Seagal, opting to buy a ranch property in the Golden State. Ranch Rider’s portfolio covers over ten US states, so whatever the destination there will be the promise of big skies and big stars; and even if ranchers have to settle for the celestial version they will still be able to experience the celebrity lifestyle.
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