Africa’s Longest And Brightest Cable Stayed Bridge

Mohammed VI has just been dubbed the longest cable stayed bridge in all of Africa, honoring the King of Morocco it shines like a star in the night sky.  The Mohammed VI Bridge lights up the desert just outside Morocco’s capital, utilizing powerful LED lighting by Philip Lighting (Euronext Amsterdam ticker: LIGHT), a global leader in lighting.

This recently inaugurated bridge is an architectural phenomenon, connecting the capital Rabat to the city of Salé.  The bridge is 950 meters long and 6 lanes wide, all supported by two 200 meter-tall towers with 160 cables.  The Mohammed VI Bridge’s one of a kind design is complemented by Philips Color Kinetics technology that provides architectural lighting effects and gives the adaptability to change up to 16 million colors.

The bridges powerful Philips LED lighting system illuminates the pillars and cables that run high above the bridge, and for whoever enjoys a good light show is sure to love the Mohammed VI after seeing it in action.  The LED lighting system is expected to be up to 75% more energy efficient than conventional lighting systems.

While the Mohammed VI bridge holds the title of the longest bridge in Africa, it is in fact only the third longest cable-stayed bridge in the world.  The longest cable-stayed bridges in the world (not including pipeline bridges) are currently the Sutong Bridge in China (1,088 meters) and the Russky Bridge in Russia (1,104 meters).

Images courtesy of:  Lighting.Philips.com

Versailles: Treasures from the Palace

The Famed Palace of Versailles has surprised everyone, lending its grand collections outside of France.  Many of the museum’s art pieces will be up for display in Canberra, Australia.  The Palace of Versailles has never showcased its collection outside of France, and this amazing turn of events will be sure to make people flock from all over the globe for a chance to see their one of a kind art collection.

Titled “Versailles: Treasures from the Palace”, lovers of art will be given the opportunity to view more than 130 paintings, tapestries, statues, furniture, etc, as each piece comes directly from the Palace of Versailles.  Pieces of the utmost interest are a marble bust of Louis XIV and a formal portrait of Marie Antoinette.  The exhibition will be chock- full of French history’s most worthwhile pieces, even including personal items of Marie Antoinette, like her harp and hand-crafted chair.

“We thought that Canberra was a wonderful place because it is so different from Versailles but, at the same time, the power is located in Canberra as it was in Versailles.” Revealed President of the Palace of Versailles, Catherine Pegard, as for her reason of putting the collection on display in Australia.  The exhibition will start on December 9th of 2016 and end on April 17th of 2017 at the National Gallery of Australia.  A once in a lifetime opportunity is here and you better not miss it.

For more information visit: Versailles

The Jewelry Royal Chess Set

in 2005 British Jeweler Boodles set out to create The Jewelry Royal Chess Set.  The end result; a solid gold and platinum set featuring diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and even black & white pearls.  Each knight contains a gem-studded spiral, and the king alone is priced at an astonishing $100,000.   The price?  A record breaking $9.8 million.

Though if your in search for a piece equally as extravagant yet considerably less expensive you may want to check out the $1 million Art of War Chess Set.  Created by Victor Scharstein, the game comes with a velvet lined wooden case complete with lock & key and features a board made of ebony with gold inlay.

Etihad Airways Brings Comfort To Their First Class Lounge & Spa

Etihad Airways has opened their flagship First Class Lounge & Spa to the world bringing pleasure & enjoyment to the many travelers who are surely in need of some good R&R.  Situated within the Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Terminal 3, featuring over 1,700 square meters for 16 unique zones, diligently designed with geometric patterns and a color inspired by the United Arab Emirate’s Flag.  The Lounge & Spa were greatly influenced by the world’s most prestigious hotels, private members clubs, and fine dining restaurants.

Unlike most airport lounges that usually serve a buffet, Etihad serves you more directly with their a la carte menu of Arabian, Indian, and other international cuisines.  The Lounge & Spa is quite extensive.  Gentlemen can partake in a cigar, with nine carefully selected brands and are given a selection of only the finest cognac or whisky.  Ladies can get ready for their departure with the lounge’s professional hairstylists and manicurists.  The Spa also offers revered guests complimentary treatments to relax the mind and body, as the fitness rooms offers a wide-range of the most cutting edge equipment around.

“Our new First Class Lounge & Spa is the jewel in the crown of our new lounge offerings worldwide and represents the best of our home city of Abu Dhabi. It is a showcase of intelligent product design, innovation, ‎and superlative hospitality and service. This is not just a lounge but the ultimate airline hospitality experience and one which perfectly mirrors Etihad Airways’ evolution into the best airline in the world,” said Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer.

For more information visit www.etihad.com

Rolls Royce Creates The Ultimate Ride For a Villain

Rolls-Royce is a name synonymous with old school luxury, but is ready to attract a younger generation of buyers.  And they are hoping to help accomplish their mission with the unveiling of the all new Black Badge versions of the Ghost and Wraith at the Geneva Motor Show, which seem to be playing Jaguar’s villain card.  The Rolls Royce insignia’s letters are now silver with a black background,  the grill is darker, and even the Spirit of Ecstasy, which sits prominently atop the bonnet, is made from an ash-colored metal.  The Black Badge is aimed to appeal to a younger generation looking to set themselves apart in a truly bespoke experience.  Though apart from the dark finishes, buyers will be able to choose whichever interior and exterior color options they desire.

The Black Badge treatment is only available on Rolls-Royce’s entry level vehicles (Wraith & Ghost models), both of which are more performance-oriented than the company’s Flagship Phantom-series models.  Rolls-Royce has also stated that they have no plans to offer the Black Badge customization on the Dawn, (the convertible version of the wraith).  Though that may change depending on the customer demand they receive.

Both models will also receive performance upgrades to complement their villainous looks.  The Ghost’s V12 will be modified to produce 603 horsepower, an additional 40 more than an ordinary Ghost.  The Wraith’s V12 that produces 623 horsepower, which I presume Rolls Royce feels is more than adequate.  As such the Wraith Black Badge experienced an upgrade in torque rather than horsepower, now pulling considerably more at low speed accelerations.  Both vehicles will also have sportier suspension and even more aggressive transmission settings.  If your in the market for a villainous V12 we see no better option.  Priced at $350,000.

For more information visit:  www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

Say Hello To Mister Dior

Dior Homme shows the world that their signature bags are one of a kind, just like the people that buy them.  Bringing in beautiful bags that look simply incredible, Dior Homme has been a big hit as Christian Dior SA’s menswear division presenting a characteristic slim silhouette which has since taken off within the fashion industry.

This amazingly new collection: Mister Dior, was influenced by founder Christian Dior’s penchant for globetrotting, Mister Dior is the perfect bag to accompany you as you go about your day.  The collection will come in two document holders and a messenger bag, you can even fit your laptop or tablet inside the latter.  Whether carrying it in your arms or having it slung over your shoulders with its adjustable nylon straps, the Mister Dior will be with you to make your day all the more enjoyable.

Luxury or leisure?  Mister Dior demonstrates both, as you get to know it.  The bags are elevated with grained and smooth calfskin in one’s favored navy or black.  Offering palladium finishes, Dior Homme signature adorned in tone-on-tone or silver, and the iconic Dior Homme “scar”.  Mister Dior is sure to please any buyer, and if you don’t take my word for it then go see it for yourself.

If you need someone to be by your side, Mister Dior will be there for you!

For more information visit:  www.dior.com

The Super Yacht Concept That Hovers Above The Water

Designer Jonathan Schwinge has created a conceptual super yacht named Tetra with a pyramid-shaped body that’s designed to lift itself above the water at high speeds.  This futuristic yacht gets its name Tetra from its unconventional tetrahedron shape, making its appearance unlike any other yacht concept thus far.

The yachts hovering like presence would be formed by a “hydrofoil small waterplane area ship” a (HYSWAS) hull.  Hydrofoil vessels have hulls fitted with shaped vanes (commonly called foils) underneath, which brings the hull out of the water at travelling speed, allowing the vessel to move faster by reducing drag on the waters surface.  Jonathan Schwinge said “The design is instigated by the re-thinking of the form, superstructure and propulsion of the modern superyacht into a radically simple enclosure and an elevated mode of travel above the water line.”

Utilizing the same fundamentals, the Tetra would travel using three hulls on its underside at low speeds.  Once it picks up momentum, a torpedo-shaped strut would expand downwards – to help in bringing the yacht out of the water using its rotating side-mounted adjustable foils.  “The concept design of this HYSWAS craft is based upon an existing hull design that has been developed by several companies, notably the Maritime Applied Physics Corporation in America, and has been proven by their technology demonstrator – The Quest – in 1995,” said Schwinge.

The yacht could provide a smoother ride in stormy ocean conditions when its out of the water, according to the designer.  When docked, portions of Tetra’s three sides would fold down to become enlarged deck areas and the horizontal panels could emerge overhead to provide sun shades.

The yacht would use Carbon Fibre and stainless steel for the superstructure making it lighter and giving it more strength compared to most traditional yachts, which have heavy and difficult to maneuver bodies.  The concept would be able to accommodate six passengers and four crew members.  Presently we are not sure whether the design would be realized or not, but it is a very interesting concept to say the least.

For more information visit schwinge.co.uk

The Sultan’s Golden Cake

The five-star Ciragan Palace Hotel (a place the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire called home), serves an appropriately debauched dessert of figs, apricots, pear, and quince that have been marinated in Jamaican rum for at least two years.  The dish takes approximately 72 hours to prepare once requested, a process that includes the infusion of rare French Polynesian vanilla, a topping of caramelized black truffles, and a coating of 24-karat edible gold flakes.  The cake, which looks more like a gold brick, is then served in a sterling-silver box with a gold seal.  If you feel like having the royal treatment, then The Sultan’s Golden Cake is as royal as it gets.  Priced at $1,000.

For more information visit: Ciragan Palace Hotel

Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes

Belonging to the Lucien Barrière Group, the Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes has been a go to hotel for film stars attending the annual Cannes Festival for decades.  This historic luxury property on the Croisette in Cannes was first constructed in 1926 and remodeled in 2011.

The present hotel is the result of a merger of the parcels of the former hôtel Beau-Rivage and of two neighboring villas.  Construction began in 1923 under the leadership of architect Théo Petit, also architect of the Hôtel Normandy at Deauville.  He produced an art deco design with a main facade and 2 rear wings, but only the east wing and the main body were finished when the hotel opened in 1926.  The rest of the buildings central body was extended in 1928 by the architects Charles Nicod (prix de Rome) and Émile Molinié, at which date the interiors were also redecorated by Maurice Debenedetti.  In addition two floors were added to the top of the building in 1965 and 1990, the façades were rebuilt uniformly in their original art deco style.

Hotel Barriere Le Majestic Cannes epitomizes the glamour of the Cannes Film Festival creating an atmosphere to attract the worlds elite.  In addition the hotel is a Conde Nast Award Winner dubbing it one of the best hotels in the world.  The Hôtel boasts 265 rooms and 84 suites.  Unique on the French Riviera, 2 penthouse apartments overlook the palm trees along La Croisette.  The services the hotel offers are of a rare quality, as to be expected from the “Leading Hotels of the World” label.

Situated just 25 km from the aéroport de Nice via the road along the seaside, 1 km (5 mn) from the gare de Cannes, and faces the Palais des Festivals on the Croisette.  Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes is also located only 8 km from Antibes, 30 km from Saint-Paul de Vence, 50 km from Monaco and 50 km from Saint-Tropez.  Its prestigious neighbors on the Croisette Include the InterContinental Carlton Cannes Hotel, the Grand Hyatt Cannes Hôtel Martinez, the JW Marriott Cannes and the Palais des Festivals.

Hotel Amenities include; a business center, executive retreat, fitness center, heated outdoor pool, on site tennis courts (five clay courts in total), child programs, high speed internet, banquets & meetings (seating up to 600 people) and an array of restaurants.  There are also a variety of exciting activities close to the hotel, which include; windsurfing, water skiing, scuba diving, sailing, jet skiing, golfing, tennis, fishing, boating, biking/touring, shopping and theatre & museums that are only steps away from the Palais de Festivals.

For more information visit www.hotelsbarriere.com

Beauty by the Green

Situated along the 2nd hole of Famed Pebble Beach Golf Links, lies Casa Robro a simply captivating Mediterranean Villa that boasts remarkable ocean and golf course views along with incredible design elements.  The home features an uncomplicated floor plan that allows you to easily flow from kitchen to the sunken living room and dining area, brimming with an innate flood of light through multiple sets of French doors which open to either the private courtyard or patio looking over the green.

Offering five bedroom suites in the main house as well as a generous retreat with expansive seating nooks and gracious en suites. The property features a total of 10 fireplaces, laundry area, private deck, his-and-hers baths and walk in closets that complete the master suite.  Other features include a library, exercise room, wine cellar, an over-sized second story veranda and an additional deck – both with fireplaces, a fire pit located right along the Links, and spectacular views of the golf course and ocean.

The property also includes a 1,300 square foot 2 bedroom caretakers quarters and a 1 bedroom guest house.  Casa Robro is currently priced at $13,750,000

For more information visit www.carmelrealtycompany.com