Photos by Robin Robinson, SUN

Living the high life is easy if you're rich, famous and well connected. And when money is no object, travelling first class is a true "no brainer." Many of the multi-millionaires who frequent Palm Beach fly in on private jets for a little R&R at waterfront estates or swanky resorts.

The tiny barrier island is among the richest communities in the United States. And its influence has spread across surrounding Palm Beach County, where beautiful hotels, lush golf courses and gated communities dot the Florida coast from Boca Raton to Jupiter.

Long a sunlit playground for the wealthy, in the old days Palm Beach was the winter home of the American establishment -- the Kennedys, the Pulitzers, the Rockefellers. Today it attracts well heeled CEOs, sports figures and celebrities such as Rod Stewart, Jimmy Buffet, Brian and Mila Mulroney, Drew Barrymore, Venus and Serena Williams, Vera Wang, Donald Trump and Conrad Black.

Trump's recent wedding to former model Melania Knauss was, if not the "wedding of the century," as some newspapers called it, then certainly the social event of "the season," which runs from mid December to mid April.

The couple exchanged vows Jan. 22 at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal church. CBS described the 350-plus guest list as a mix of "European royalty, Hollywood celebrity and Palm Beach money." The reception was held in a $42-million ballroom built for the occasion at Trump's private club Mar-a-Lago.

Even in a town known for excess, it was an impressive show that had the locals buzzing.

According to Enid Atwater, vice-president of corporate communications for the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau, in the days leading up to the nuptials, major television networks had trouble securing hotel rooms for their staff -- at any price.

Prime time is like that on "the island," as locals call it. Even when there's not a Trump wedding on the social calendar, there's a full slate of must-do parties and fundraising galas where socialites simply must see and be seen.

However, visitors don't have to be fabulously wealthy to sneak a peak at how the other half lives. Most of the 37 communities that make up Palm Beach County have accommodations of all types -- everything from five-star resorts to boutique hotels to quaint B&Bs. From places like West Palm Beach or Palm Beach Gardens, it's just a short hop across the intercoastal waterway to frolic in the playground of the rich and famous. And looking doesn't cost one cent.

Once "the season" winds down, there's a season for ordinary folk -- Value Season from April 15 to Dec. 15 -- when many hotels offer accommodation packages and the Palm Beach County CVB (palmbeachfl.com or 800-554-7256) publishes a savings book with coupons for shopping, dining and attractions.

Sooner or later the novelty of gawking at Rolls Royces and the ultra chic shops along Worth Avenue will wear off. And when it does, all around the county there are budget friendly things to do -- free outdoor performances, festivals, 160 golf courses, 75 km of beaches, museums, gardens and retail outlets where you might actually be able to make a purchase without maxing out your credit card.

Here are some suggestions for things to do around the county:

SAILFISH MARINA & RESORT, SINGER ISLAND

Wonderfully laid-back, the Sailfish Marina has slips for about 90 boats, dockside accommodations, two restaurants and sweeping views of the intercoastal waterway.

CityPlace in downtown West Palm Beach has pretty Mediterranean-inspired architecture, shops, restaurants and entertainment.

A beehive of activity, the marina is a one-stop shopping place for boat rentals, sport fishing charters and Palm Beach Water Taxi tours. On Thursday nights there's a sunset celebration with an arts and crafts show where 35 artists display their works along the seawall.

The clear waters around the marina form a natural aquarium where more than 150 species of fish, mantees and many seabirds make their home. Feeding the fish along the seawall is a popular activity.

From mid-May to mid-December, motel rooms range from $89 US per night to $379 US per week; large efficiency units go for $109 US per night and $709 US per week. For more, see sailfishmarina.com or call 800-446-4577.

PALM BEACH WATER TAXI TOURS,

Five tours leave from the Sailfish Marina. The most popular is Palm Beach Now & Then, a gossipy narrated 90-minute cruise that takes passengers past the opulent mansions and mega yachts of the rich and famous, then lets them off in downtown Palm Beach for shopping or sightseeing. Tickets for the cruise, which runs four times per day, are $20 for adults and $10 for kids.

Every Wednesday, the Flagler Museum cruise and tour gives passengers a look at the glitzy estates then docks at the museum for a two-hour visit. Tickets are $27 for adults, $19 for children. For details, call 561-683-TAXI.

FLAGLER MUSEUM, PALM BEACH

Originally named Whitehall, this graceful Gilded Age mansion was once the home of Henry Flagler. The self-made millionaire -- and founding partner with John D. Rockefeller in Standard Oil -- built the home for his wife Mary Lily Kenan.

Flagler is widely credited with putting Florida on the map as a tourist destination. At the private museum, visitors learn about Flagler's life, the luxury hotels he built -- including the The Breakers -- and his Florida East Coast railway. A new Beaux Arts style pavilion houses Flagler's private railcar.

Visitors to the museum can get a real taste of the times at the Whitehall Cafe, which serves a traditional afternoon tea ($28 US).

Admission is $10 US for adults, children 6-12, $3. For information, see flaglermuseum.us.

PGA NATIONAL RESORT & SPA, PALM BEACH GARDENS

R&R really is the name of the game at the PGA National Resort. With five 18-hole golf courses, a health and racquet club, 19 tennis courts and nine swimming pools, guests can knock themselves out every morning and every afternoon soothe their tired muscles in the 40,000 sq. ft. spa's mineral pools.

Dubbed the "Waters of the World," the mineral pools use salts imported from around the world including the Dead Sea and Sallies de Bearn in the Pyrenees Mountains.

Landlubbers and sailors will enjoy Sailfish Marina & Resort for its setting, activities and accomodations.

Spa treatments include neuromuscular massage, couples massage, Shiatsu, Thai massage, Lomi Lomi, raindrop therapy and reflexology.

All that activity is bound to make guests hungry and if you don't feel like going out, there are eight restaurants and lounges that can handle even the biggest appetites.

These include Shula's, which is ranked as one of the top five steak houses in the U.S. Shula's is famous for its 48-ounce porterhouse steak. Diners who take the challenge and succeed get their names engraved on a plaque. The menu also caters to smaller appetites and has a comprehensive wine list.

The resort, which has won many awards from hospitality and golf organizations, has 339 guestrooms all with balcony or terrace and 60 two-bedroom club cottages. A variety of golf, spa and tennis packages, which include access to the health and racquet club, are available.

From May 15 to Sept. 30, golf packages start at $186 US per person and include two rounds of golf per day, one night's accommodation and breakfast. Spa packages start at $272 and include two spa treatments, one night's accommodation plus breakfast and lunch in the spa cafe. Tennis packages include a 60 minute lesson with a pro, one hour of court time and breakfast.

For more information, call 800-843-7725 or see pga-resort.

CITYPLACE, WEST PALM BEACH

Since it opened in 2000, this $600 million shopping, dining, entertainment and residential development has been drawing locals and visitors back to the heart of West Palm Beach.

With its pretty Mediterranean-inspired architecture, 60 shops such as Anthropologie, Mermaid's Purse and Restoration Hardware, and 20 restaurants, it's a fun, casual place to hang out. On Friday and Saturday nights, there's free entertainment on the plaza. Diners can't go wrong at places like Bellagio, said to be a hot spot for power lunches, or Brewzzi Patio Bar, where you can order a Boca Blonde.

For more information, visit CityPlace.com.

THE COLONY, PALM BEACH,

You don't have to check into the Colony Palm Beach to check out the action. Over the years, the intimate hotel -- 69 rooms -- has hosted its share of presidents, kings, dukes, duchesses and celebrities.

Some luminaries have been known to end up in the Royal Room, where the dinner cabaret is $85 US per person. For more information, see colonypalmbeach.com.

NORTON MUSEUM OF ART, WEST PALM BEACH

The Norton has a wonderful permanent collection with examples of American, Chinese, European and contemporary art.

The showpiece of a recently built pavilion is a Dale Chihuly glass ceiling with 693 hand blown glass sculptures in aquatic blues, greens and touches of gold.

A major new exhibit -- Spain In The Age Of Exploration 1492-1819 -- runs through May 1.