Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in the Hollywood Hills? LA’s exclusive celebrity district is probably out of your budget, but the next best thing (sweating profusely on a bus next to thirty other star-hunters while you gawp at mansions whizzing by) is only £25!

That is, if you can get yourself to California in the first place. Cheap flights – from as little as £250 return from Cheap Flights.co.uk – to LA are available, and once there, you can embark on your stargazing tour. The Sightseeing World star homes tour is a three-hour, fully narrated trip around 40 magnificent homes. Moving through Bel-Air and Beverly Hills, you will see the fabulous residences of stars such as Madonna, Nicolas Cage, Ronald Reagan and Sean Connery. Vintage stars of yesteryear are also represented, with visits to the former mansions of Humphrey Bogart, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and Lucille Ball.

After ascending the heights of the Hollywood hills, to take in a sprawling vista of villas and huge swimming pools, you will take a trip down the legendary Sunset Strip, as well as visiting many famous locales such as the Beverly Hills Hotel, House of Blues, The Whiskey A Go-Go and The Chateau Marmont. The Strip’s Rainbow Bar & Grill is where Marilyn Monroe met Joe Dimaggio, and it’s a good place to hang-out and spot celebrities.

The last stop on the tour will be the upmarket Rodeo Drive, where you can shop where the stars shop, at famous stores such as Gucci and Bijan. Make sure you keep your camera ready at all times; you never know who you might see! The homes of the stars tour costs $43.

American holidays are also available from Travelzoo. If you are looking to buy a house and think Bel-Air is a little out of your budget, Fish4.co.uk have a range of more affordable UK property in their database.

The phenomenon of global warming is putting property in the UK at increasing risk of flooding damage. With crime rates also rising in many areas of the country, now seems an ideal time to take out home insurance. Follow these tips to make sure you’re not paying over the odds on your premium. 

1. Shop around: Take time to find the cheapest deals out there. There are now hundreds of organisations offering home insurance policies, but you can now take the effort out of comparing them by using a price comparison website. CompareThe Market.com will sort through a number of insurance deals to find the best one for you. Another option is to use a panel insurer such as ASDA home insurance or Yes for cheap home insurance – both of these will find you an individualised policy from a range of different insurers.

2. Don’t take a risk: By rendering your home more secure, you can reduce your home insurance premiums and also minimise the risk of a break-in. This is especially in your interest, since any claim made is going to increase your premium in the future. Inexpensive but important changes you can make include installing a burglar alarm and refitting door locks.

3. Don’t accept the first offer: This isn’t simply a matter of comparing the deals out there – by bartering with your insurance company you can often lower the price of your premium. Even the big insurers, such as Norwich Union or Direct Line, will generally be flexible about the deal that they offer you. Returning to your existing insurance company with a lower quote from elsewhere can also be a good way to drive down their prices, particularly if they are keen to keep your custom.

4. Tick the right boxes: The size of your premium will be calculated based on the safety of your home, the excess you are prepared to pay and even your lifestyle. Regular smokers, drinkers and pet keepers can all expect to be charged more, so cutting back on the alcohol can actually save you money on your home insurance. You can also increase the excess payable on your policy in return for a reduced price.

6. Keep records: It is important to insure accurately and to keep proof of the value of your home and its contents. By conducting an annual inventory, keeping receipts and ensuring that individual valuables are covered, you can prevent yourself being out of pocket if you need to make a claim.