Penelope Cruz shares her 5 favourite Holiday Destinations

Popular Spanish actress Penélope Cruz made her film debut in The Greek Labyrinth (1993) (The Greek Labyrinth), then appeared briefly in the Timothy Dalton drama Framed (1992) and the Academy Award-winning Belle Epoque (1995). 1998's film industry comedy La Nia De Tus Ojos earned her the Goya Award for Best Actress. Cruz made a few more ventures into English-language films, but her first major worldwide success was 1999's All About My Mother, in which she portrayed an unchaste but well-meaning nun. Cruz found herself in high demand on both sides of the Atlantic as a result of the film's numerous honours and awards. Woman on Top (2000), an American comedy about a cook with seductive culinary abilities and severe motion sickness, was her second major production. She signed on to act opposite Johnny Depp in the 2001 drug-trafficking film Blow and alongside Matt Damon in Billy Bob Thornton's All the Pretty Horses while in the United States (2000).  People outside Spain also know her by the nickname  "Spanish enchantress"-

Bahamas in the Caribbean is one of Penelope's favourite hangout spots. These gorgeous Caribbean islands which was the first place where Christopher Columbus landed, has become a playground of the rich and the famous today, with many celebrities owning an island of their own in this archipelago. Bahama's white sand beaches and turquoise waters attract millions of North American travelers each year. A top choice for divers who wish to explore the underwater life at its spectacular best, Bahamas offers diving spots for snorkelers and scuba divers, including the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the Andros blue holes, The Conception Island Wall in Long Island, The Henry Ford Wreck in the Biminis, and the many reefs that can be found in The Abacos. Penelope had the most amazing time on a catamaran cruise she took with her friends hopping islands as they partied on the deck munching in the local delicacies & sipping Bahama mama and other exotic local cocktails.

One of the most visited countries in the World, italy is a magnet for tourists who come here to explore its glorious medieval monuments, outstanding churches, idyllic beaches and dream cities such as Venice. Penelope ranks italy as one of her all time favourites, rating Rome, Venice and the Vatican City as must visit places for tourists. Taking a Gandola ride through the canals of Venice is one of her fondest memories from the trip. A trekking or cycling trip to the hilly countryside in Tuscany is a fantastic option for the outdoorsy types. Rome is an incredible city that can take you back in time as you visit the medieval monuments such as the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine hill. Rome is also a major hub for the film industry with a thriving arts & culture scene. If you are a beach lover, Italy has no dearth of awesome beaches and you can visit popular beaches of Viareggio, Sanremo, Rimini and the other resort towns on the Adriatic and Mediterranean.

Brazil is the party capital of South America and another destination that makes it to Penelope's vacation list. Hanging around the Sugar loaf in Rio is an incredible experience for vacationers to Brazil, as it was for Cruz. She also has fond memories of visiting the Iguacu Falls on the Argentina border, which offers the best views from the Brazilian side. The falls are protected by the UNESCO listed Iguaçu National Park and its subtropical rainforests are home to more than 1,000 species of birds and mammals. Watching the Carnival in Rio where you can enjoy Samba dances by competing troupes is a scintillating experience. Similar carnivals are organized in other major Brazilian cities such as Salvador, Bahia, Recife and many more. A cruise trip down the Amazon river is the ultimate adventure for thrill seekers, as it takes them deep into the Amazon rainforest to witness the flora, fauna and mysteries of this largest forest coverage that exists on the Planet.

Penelope is in love with the Swiss Alps and has been on ski trips to the area many times. Switzerland has some of the most popular ski resorts in Europe, notable amongst them being Zermatt, St Moritz, Verbier, Jungfrau and Saas fee. This Alpine country, known for its gorgeous natural scenery and a pristine natural environment, has some of the best powdery slopes that are a delight for skiers. With the Swiss Alps covering half of the area of Switzerland, there is no dearth of facilities and hundreds of ski resorts dot this small country attracting skiers from across Europe & beyond. While the popular ski resorts can be expensive, smaller lesser known ski resorts can offer affordable skiing with reasonably priced stays. Switzerland has an array of gorgeous cities that keep it high on the tourist map. Cities such as Geneva, Zurich, Lucerne and Interlaken have their own share of attractions that are loved by tourists.

Penelope spent a decent amount of time in India in her earlier years working with Mother Teresa in Kolkata in her charitable organization. India has been a fascination with Penelope, a country that has changed significantly in the last few decades and continues to retain its ancient culture and ethos while adapting to modern ways of living and thinking. A land of extreme diversity, India has so much to offer that it is almost impossible to cover the entire country in a single trip. From the Mughal monuments of North India to the Rajputana Palaces of Rajasthan, from the wildlife parks spread across the country to the party beaches of Goa, the exotic state of Kerala in the South to the thousands of years old Hindu temples scattered across the country; India is one of the most culturally diverse country one can visit. As one moves from one state to the other, one witnesses a change in language, food, lifestyle and traditions; which is truly incredible. Winters are usually the best time to visit India as the summer months tend to be too hot & humid for most westerners.