The rich and famous can choose pretty much anywhere in the world to take a holiday, so it's often a seal of approval for a vacation destination.
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio recently dropped anchor at Ibiza in Spain's Balearic Islands. Ibiza is without question a beautiful island with its white buildings nestled around the harbour.
By day tourists sun themselves on sandy beaches and swim in the turquoise blue waters. At night outdoor cafes are filled with diners eager to try the fresh local cuisine. The tinkle of glasses and silverware and the frequent bursts of laughter linger far into the cool nights. Eventually guests wind their way back to one of a dozen hotels or to their yachts anchored offshore. Little wonder that someone like DiCaprio would appreciate Ibiza.
DiCaprio is emerging as one of the true stars of his generation. With the recent passing of the legendary Paul Newman, DiCaprio's name comes quickly to mind as someone whose career can last for decades. Like Newman, Leo is more than just a movie star. He uses his celebrity to champion special causes. In Leo's case the cause is global warming and the environment.
DiCaprio was born in Los Angeles, and his parents divorced before he was a year old. He was raised by his mother, but his father remained in his life. From an early age DiCaprio was drawn to acting. He did several commercials and in 1990 appeared briefly in a short-lived television series called 'Parenthood'. One of the other child actors in the show was Tobey Maguire. He and Leo became fast friends.
DiCaprio's big break was landing a recurring role in the series 'Growing Pains.' The show was one of the more popular sitcoms on TV for several years.
DiCaprio made the transition to movies in 1992 when he landed the pivotal role in 'This Boy's Life' with Robert DeNiro. His performance was critically acclaimed and brought him to the attention of the industry. The following year he won an Oscar nomination for his role in the Johnny Depp film 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape?' A series of films in the next two years included 'The Quick and the Dead' and 'The Basketball Diaries'. DiCaprio was making a name for himself as one of Hollywood's rising stars.
His real breakthrough role came in 1997 when director James Cameron cast him as Jack Dawson in the mega hit Titanic. In all respects Titanic was an epic film. Moviegoers and critics alike loved it. Titanic became the all-time box office hit and earned more than $600 million USD. It was nominated for 11 Academy Awards.
Although DiCaprio did not win the Best Actor Oscar, his future in the film business was secured. Over the next several years he worked with directors like Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese. His films included:
* The Gangs of New York
* The Beach
* Catch Me If You Can
* The Aviator
* The Departed
* Blood Diamond.
DiCaprio has been a dedicated environmentalist for many years. Rather than flying on chartered planes that used more fuel, he always chooses commercial flights. His home is fitted with solar panels, he drives a hybrid car. His example inspired a number of his acting colleagues, including Orlando Bloom and Penelope Cruz. He co-wrote, produced and narrated a film on the challenges of global warming called 'The 11th Hour'. He and Nobel Prize winner Al Gore teamed up during the 2007 Oscars to ensure that the production would incorporate environmental practices throughout.
DiCaprio has also established a foundation dedicated to protecting the environment. Though he prefers to personally work on projects like 'The 11th Hour', he has received hundreds of invitations to speak on behalf of environmental issues. Most recently he was invited to address the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on behalf of his foundation and the work it is doing.
Because of his willingness to stand up for issues he believes in, DiCaprio also draws criticism. His recent
holiday in Ibiza is a case in point. Critics sniped that he and his friends should not have travelled on a luxury private yacht because it was not good for the environment. But given everything he has accomplished professionally and environmentally, it is not likely that DiCaprio will forego the beauties of Spain and Ibiza. Where else can you enjoy the wonders of nature and a different postcard sunset without being hassled all day long?
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More information about holidays in Ibiza are available with travel site youribiza.net
Airlines flying from European airports to Ibiza and able to offer good priced
Ibiza flights are on-line at the travel site.
