Cate Blanchett shares her 5 favourite Holiday Destinations

Cate Blanchett, a well-known Australian actress, has been awarded Australia's highest honour, the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). The ABC prime-time drama Heartland (1994) in which she co-starred garnered critical praise. In 1995, she was nominated for Best Female Performance for her performance as Ophelia in "Hamlet." Blanchett also appeared as Bianca in ABC's Bordertown (1995),  Janie Morris in G.P. (1989), and in the ABC hit series Police Rescue (1995).  She made her début in the feature film Paradise Road (1997). In the 2004 film "Aviator" by Martin Scorsese, she portrayed actress Katharine Hepburn, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also won an Academy Award for Best Actress in Blue Jasmine (2013)

Cate had a wonderful time visiting Ibiza, an archipelago of Spain in the Mediterranean and a UNESCO World heritage site. Beach-hopping, one of the most fun to do things in Ibiza, can be done by hiring a yacht, a sailboat or a catamaran cruise. One can swim in the crystal clear waters or go deeper on a snorkeling or scuba diving adventure. There are many caves along the way which can be explored with a paddleboard. A fantastic destination for sea lovers, Ibiza is known for its incredible nightlife and high end clubs. Spain also has one of the most gorgeous Riviera, that includes the large port city of Málaga, the rocky Costa del Sol (Sun Coast), and the ritzy seaside city of Marbella. Cate rates the Spanish Riviera as one of the most romantic places to visit; with its gorgeous beaches, blue waters, endless adventures and scenic towns scattered across the coastline. The nightlife in Malaga, the most popular town in the Riviera, is really ravishing and the food scene is simply outstanding.

Cate is a huge fan of the southern neighboring island nation of New Zealand, an absolute paradise for nature lovers. Auckland, one of her favourite cities in New Zealand, is a fantastic place to go for an eco safari cruise and get a close glimpse to exotic marine life such as whales, dolphins & turtles. The coastline of Auckland is as gorgeous as the city itself, with its numerous beaches such as the Orewa, Piha, Oneroa, Karekare, Mission Bay and many more. One should take a trip to Waitomo Caves and Rotorua from Auckland, offering natural beauty, geothermal features, and access to native cultures. Rotorua is home to a living Maori village where one can see Maori life in its authentic environment, enjoy an authentic Maori meal and interact with the locals. Auckland is home to a variety of sea-side cafes, clubs and bars that offer a fantastic nightlife experience in this coastal city.

Few beach destinations around the World have such a large fan following as Bali in Indonesia does, and Cate counts herself as a big fan herself. Bali is as diverse as it comes for a holiday destination. From historical temples to exotic beaches, gorgeous countryside to rainforests; Bali has something to offer for everyone. Stay options can vary from modest guest houses to luxurious sea side villas; Bali getaways can fit into any budget. Taking a hike across the Mount Batur with her friends on an early sunrise trek was a livid experience for Cate. One gets to eat a delicious breakfast once you get to the top of the mountain. A white water rafting excursion in the Ayung River was another unforgettable adrenaline pumping adventure in Bali. One gets to witness the natural scenery, wildlife, and exotic plants of Bali along the way, and the ride is simply out of the World. If you are into history, Bali is home to gorgeous Hindu-Buddhistic monuments and temples, which one must explore.

Amalfi coast in Southern Italy is another vacation hotspot on Cate's list of holiday destinations. Famous for its picturesque seaside towns, cliffs, and outstanding beaches; it has a plethora of colorful villages with rich history that tourists love to explore. The beautiful towns of Positano & Amalfi are truly worth a visit; with their churches, cathedrals and vintage style homes across narrow lanes; not to mention incredible views of the blue sea. The beaches in Amalfi Coast are popular for celebrity sightings, notable amongst them being Marina Grande & Arienzo Beach in Positano, Maiori & Erchie Beach. A memorable excursion for Cate was hiring a yacht with her friends to explore the various island and towns across the Amalfi Coast. The yacht ride provided them an opportunity to come up close to marine life as they snorkeled and swam along the way. A chef on board served them the most exotic of Italian delicacies as they sipped on an endless supply of local wines. If you can afford it, hire a sea facing Villa in one of the coastal towns to get a real feel of luxe living in the Italian Riviera.

Cate is really fond of Scandinavia and has been on skiing trips to Finland, one of her favorite countries in Northern Europe. Finland offers a plethora of ski options with its 75 Ski resorts that are covered in snow for upto 200 days in a year. Popular ski resorts in Finland are Levi ski resort, Saariselkä, Ruka, Vuokatti, Saala, Laajis and many more. Finland is also a fantastic place to witness the Northern Lights Phenomena, if one travels close to the Arctic towards the north in the Lapland wilderness. For adventure seekers, this is a fantastic place to try out snowmobiling, dog sledge rides and camping in the wilderness. The capital city of Helsinki is a lovely place to explore age old monuments and churches, or simply hang around at its cafes & bars and enjoy the awesome nightlife of the city. With 41 National Parks and reserves, Finland also offers amazing options for trekkers and nature enthusiasts for an adventure in the wilderness.