As the world’s biggest brands, A-listers and power players descend on the French Riviera for Cannes Lions, Page Six asked a luxury travel expert where the jet set is checking in, dining out and escaping the crowds this summer.

Jack Ezon — the founder and managing partner of Embark Beyond, a lifestyle partnership specializing in bespoke travel experiences — gave Page Six some travel tips and insights on what to do and where to go at the festival, and beyond this summer. 

Q: What trends are you seeing in tourism in Cannes and the French Riviera, in general, this time of year? Which hotels are booked up? 

A: The two strongest markets for us this summer are the French Riviera and Amalfi Coast. Revenue in these areas is up almost 100% over 2022. Nearly every jet-setter hotel is full, though there are still great pockets in Monte Carlo and Cannes and even untouchable palaces like the Byblos in St. Tropez, Four Seasons Cap Ferrat, or even Hotel du Cap in Antibes. The key is to pick up last-minute cancellations. 

Q: What were some hidden gems for travelers after Cannes Lions?

A: All eyes are on Cannes this year, thanks to the unveiling of the fabulous reinvention of the storied Carlton, which is literally redefining Cannes. In the past few years, the city got ignored by the jet-set crowd, opting for nearby Monte Carlo, Antibes, or Cap Ferrat. Most of that stemmed from a lack of amazing places to stay. 

With the $500 million investment, the grand dame of the French Riviera has not only become the hottest hotel in France but single-handedly revitalized Cannes as the place to stay on the Riviera. We love to combine it with Monte Carlo, the beautiful new Maybourne Riviera, or with the buzz of St. Tropez. Those looking for more of a detox-retox fusion, a trip into the glorious Provence, just two hours away by car, is idyllic.

Q: Did you get a glimpse of the renovated Carlton? What’s it like? What would Cannes Lions attendees love about the new space?

A: There are a few grand dames that you walk through and get goosebumps. The Carlton is one of them. Regent nailed it when it comes to renovating one of the world’s most iconic hotels without losing its soul. You know where you are. It is utterly classic, paying homage to its original art-deco and Belle Epoch style with a fresh, bright, and polished contemporary take.

The addition of the sprawling courtyard and pool now provides a great view for those who cannot afford to face the Croisette. The rooms have bright white carpets, rich lacquer woods, sumptuous amenities, and delicious linens. Restaurants are at a new level, and the terrace is probably the best breakfast scene on the coast.

For more Page Six you love…

Q: You mentioned Provence as a destination for travelers after Cannes. I saw that George Clooney stayed at Villa Gallici in Aix after the Cannes Film Festival this year. Where are people staying and are you finding tourism is growing in the region? 

A: Le Bastide in Gordes and Villa la Coste are the hot new darlings of Provence, both offering a completely different experience. Le Bastide is set in the ancient hillside village of Gordes overlooking the Luberon Valley with a fresh take of traditional style fastidiously redone by the famous Airelles group. Conversely, Villa la Coste is an uber-modern villa set on a sprawling vineyard peppered with dramatic modern art.

In nearby Avignon, Crillon-le-Brave is set in an ancient commune brimming with a sense of place and history which has also been gorgeously redone with modern luxuries, while the dainty Fontenille outside of Aix is perfect for visitors who want to feel a guest in a friend’s Provençal home. Let’s not forget St. Tropez, which, for the true jet setter that goes into withdrawal with too much quiet, is the hottest of the hotspots on the coast.

Q: What are some of your personal favorite hot spots in the region in terms of hotels and restaurants?

A: I also love the quaint village of Les Baux and the lovely Ostau de Baumanière. It’s not the most polished and not the newest hotspot, but it is full of charm and soul.

Q: Are there any must do or must-see things while in Cannes or the French Riviera in general?

A: I am obsessed with the French Riviera, summer, winter, spring, or fall. There is always something going on. In fact, I love Monte Carlo in winter – it has restaurants and shops as amazing and as elegant as Paris with a much milder climate (without the crowds).  The Casino is still one of the most glamorous affairs you will ever experience.

Art lovers should make a pilgrimage to St. Paul de Vence brimming with art galleries. Take a walk along the Croisette – it’s always just fabulous. Because I love nature, I like to take a road trip to nearby Calanques National Park, which is nothing short of spectacular. I love to hit the beach clubs and nightclubs in Cannes such as the Carlton Beach Club, Plage Keller, and, my favorite, Baoli Beach which becomes an incredible club as dusk arrives.

Though it lacks the glamor of Cannes and Antibes, I love shopping in the old town of Nice. Stroll Juan les Pins after the beach to encounter local families in an adorable village among the jet-set sanctuaries of Cannes and Antibes. You cannot leave without a quick boat ride to La Guerite Island for lunch!

Q: Media and ad execs are worried about the economic volatility and a potential recession but you say travel is booming — why is that?

A: It’s not explainable. People keep spending like it’s burning a hole in their pockets! They continue to desperately canvas the Mediterranean this summer or the Caribbean over the winter holidays, whatever the cost. We’ve been talking about a recession for over 2 years and we just don’t see it in our bookings. What will the future hold? Who knows…. That’s why I think everyone just wants to live IN THE NOW and worry about finances later. I mean, you can choose to live with memories or dreams. You only live once!

Blake Lively was snapped running errands solo Friday as her former BFF, Taylor Swift, spent the weekend celebrating with her girlfriends ahead of her wedding to Travis Kelce.

Lively was spotted in upstate New York on Friday, grocery shopping by herself. The actress wore a quirky outfit reminiscent of what her “It Ends With Us” character, Lily Bloom, might wear, consisting of a pastel jacket over a light pink tunic that went past her knees. She completed the look with cuffed jeans and matching pink sneakers.

The “Gossip Girl” alum tied her hair back with a claw clip as she pushed her own grocery cart.

TMZ reported Saturday that Swift and her closest pals have been celebrating at her $17 million oceanside vacation home in Rhode Island. A black SUV with tinted windows was spotted leaving the pop star’s mansion a little before 11 a.m. local time on Saturday.

On Wednesday, a woman — who resembled Swift — was seen wearing white and surrounded by three pals dressed in black on the balcony of her Watch Hill property.

The Grammy winner’s best friend Abigail Anderson Berard was also pictured holding a young child on the balcony.

While Lively was not at the festivities, the Daily Mail reported that Swift did invite Lively to her upcoming wedding. Lively and Swift’s once tight friendship has noticeably cooled since the “Cruel Summer” singer was dragged into Lively’s messy legal battle with Justin Baldoni, which ended in a surprise settlement on May 4.

A source told the Daily Mail, “Everyone around Taylor is aware that Blake could attend. She may not, but that won’t be because she isn’t welcome.”

The insider added that Lively, 38, and Swift, 36, “have spoken on the phone.”

Another source shared, “Blake is on the cusp of getting a second chance, and they have had some loose conversations to test the waters to get the trust back. Blake is slowly getting back into the fold now that Taylor is having a change of heart.”

Multiple sources told Page Six that Swift and Kelce, 36, are getting married at Madison Square Garden in New York City on July 3.

The nuptials will be a production on the scale of her huge “Eras tour,” multiple sources told us.

Kelce was also spotted celebrating with his friends ahead of his wedding. On Wednesday, the NFL star enjoyed a night out in Los Angeles alongside brother Jason Kelce, former Kansas City Chiefs teammate Ross Travis and comedian Druski.

The group of men went to the Bird Streets Club — a members-only restaurant on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood.

Rod Stewart was forced to use an oxygen tank onstage when he nearly fainted during his Utah concert on Friday night — weeks after cancelling a series of gigs over health issues.

The 81-year-old rock legend was performing at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre in West Valley City when fans noticed he wasn’t moving around the stage as much as usual.

Stewart appeared to lean on instruments, stage barriers and a pole for support while continuing to perform, according to video obtained by TMZ.

At one point, attendants brought out an oxygen tank, and Stewart took several deep breaths before addressing the crowd.

“The show must go on,” he told concertgoers. “I nearly f—ing fainted there. Would you mind if I sit down for this one?”

The British star then finished the performance seated in a chair.

West Valley City sits roughly 4,300 feet above sea level, and the altitude may have played a factor in the singer’s apparent discomfort.

The incident comes one week after Stewart canceled a June 12 concert in San Diego less than an hour before showtime.

Organizers initially cited a sinus infection, while Stewart later revealed he had been diagnosed with an acute upper respiratory infection that caused laryngitis.

Stewart later faced criticism when he was spotted at a World Cup match in Boston less than a day after pulling out of the San Diego concert.

Photos and videos shared online showed him cheering on Scotland from the stands after traveling by private jet with his sons, Aidan and Alastair, and appearing to enjoy a drink while watching the match.

The singer also canceled two Las Vegas shows in May, telling fans he was on vocal rest while battling a sinus infection.

“My apologies to my family of fans. I am on vocal rest as I recover from a sinus infection,” Stewart said at the time.

“I look forward to seeing you at a future show at Caesars Palace or on tour this summer.”

Despite the recent health setbacks, Stewart has maintained that he has no plans to retire.

After announcing his “One Last Time” farewell tour in 2024, the singer clarified that he was stepping away from large-scale world tours — not live performances altogether.

“This will be the end of large-scale world tours for me, but I have no desire to retire,” Stewart shared on Instagram at the time. “I love what I do, and I do what I love.”

“I’m fit, have a full head of hair, and can run 100 meters in 18 seconds at the jolly old age of 79,” he added.

Stewart has long credited his fitness routine for helping him stay on the road.

“I keep myself very fit,” he told AARP last year. “I played soccer all my life — don’t so much anymore, because I had a knee replacement. And I’ve always had a trainer — same guy for 38 years.”

The singer added that he has a “massive” gym and an indoor pool at home, saying, “We do a lot of underwater training, where the trainer throws a brick into the pool and I have to dive in, push the brick to the end of the pool, and come up.”

Stewart is scheduled to continue his “One Last Time” tour across the US throughout July and August, with the final date currently set for Aug. 15 in St. Louis.