Rolls Royce Showcases Bespoke “Dawn Til Dusk” Cars in Porto Cervo

Porto Chervo has been showcasing the best automakers from around the world, such as Rolls Royce to add beauty to its already lovely atmosphere.  The one of a kind seaside resort located in Northern Sardinia offers guests and sight-seers alike an incredible coastline as well as a charm that will undoubtedly captivate and enchant you as you stroll around the heavenly resort. Though this has already been covered on a previous article, now Rolls Royce has once again returned to Sardinia as palette inspiration for ‘Dusk Until Dawn’ (a bespoke series of two of its most beloved cars, a Wraith coupe and a Dawn drophead).

‘Dusk Until Dawn’ was just announced at Rolls Royce’s new Summer Studio in Sardinia, both vehicles incorporate Porto Cervo’s own unique style at its most radiant moments: hence the words Dawn and Dusk.  Just like the name proposes, the bespoke dawn above is the embodiment of the marina’s aquamarine waves as the light shines from above.  The car features an ethereal emerald green exterior and a seashell & green leather cabin that extends all the way to the tourneau cover, which shields the roof and trunk compartment.  The car has the Porto Cervo insignia right on the dashboard fascia that’s bedecked with actual emeralds and mother of pearl in white gold, and if that doesn’t make this car luxurious then I’m not sure what would.

As for the Bespoke Wraith, it has a shimmering two-toned silver finish on its exterior that mirrors the setting sun perfectly, making way for its ethereal twilight infused interior.  That’s what i’d call dusk if ever a car resembled it more.  Now let me introduce you to the inside of the Dusk with seats completely covered in corrupt plum colored ostrich leather, with wooden veneers and marquetry in the shadows of black, gray and brown.

“Patrons of our marque delight in inhabiting some of the world’s most beautiful enclaves,” said Isobel Dando, General Manager, Future Retail, Rolls Royce Motor Cars.“The stunning Bespoke Wraith and emerald embellished Dawn, inspired by the sights and colors of Porto Cervo, have been commissioned in the spirit that so many of our customers delight in.”  To the Rolls Royce cars that perfectly embodies both night and day or should I say both Dawn and Dusk, thank you Rolls Royce for making these two fan-favorites into the must haves of 2016.

For more information visit:  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Moncler and Rimowa Pair-up to Create Topas Stealth luggage

Moncler and Rimowa partnered up, combining high quality attire with one of the top luggage brands in the world, working hand-in-hand to bring you something new and improved.  Let me introduce you to the Topas Stealth luggage range, of which is the end result between the amazing pair-up of the two world renown brands.  To sum up this incredible suitcase, it’s cabin luggage created in order to give global travelers what they so desire as they travel from place to place.  The multi-wheel gliding system on the Topas Stealth Luggage will be completely silent and the luggage will also include padded interior for an extra layer of protection to make sure your personal belongings stay safe and secured.

For more information visit:  rimowa.com

The Top Rooftop Restaurants Around The World

Today I’ll be introducing you to the Most Breathtaking Rooftop Restaurants around.  There are many great restaurants, but nothing can compete with the view of these lovely rooftop beauties.

Situated on the eighth floor of the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens, lies the GB Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar serving extraordinary and beautifully presented Mediterranean cuisine, as well as a considerably vast array of Greek and international wines, but the vista is what really sets this venue apart from other fine-dining establishments.  The restaurant has an incredible view of the Acropolis and feels particularly special during nice warm summer evenings as the sun begins to set.  When night falls the ancient archaeological site is ablaze in burning golden light, the perfect place to bring a certain special someone.

On the 65th floor of New York’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza, lies the recently reopened Rainbow Room after their five-year closure, they have once again became the city’s most celebrated brunch spot.  Every Sunday they offer an expansive buffet, laden with oysters, heavenly chicken-and-truffle pies, freshly prepared sushi, and countless other international cuisines.  If you take a look out the window you’ll see a breathtaking view of New York, as musicians harmoniously play to soothe you so that you leave re-energized and refreshed.

For more information visit:  rainbowroom.com

London has had many new rooftop restaurants throughout the years with spectacular views, but nothing compares to Galvin at Windows.  Located on the 28th floor of the Hilton on Park Lane, the Galvin is a true rooftop masterpiece.  The place offers impeccable French cuisine and an amazing view that stretches from the green expanse of Hyde Park to St Paul’s, even the magnificent skyscrapers of the City that stretch until tomorrow.

On the Palazzo Manfredi hotel, Ristorante Aroma gives you one of the best views there is of the famed Roman Colosseum, as well as many other historical sites in the city.  The restaurant is encased in glass throughout winter, but is open to fresh air the rest of the year.

On the tip top of the Centre Pompidou, futuristic restaurant Georges draws a large crowd as the restaurant gives its customers fine-dining and a great view of the city.  It’s rather festive at night, when the DJs play, and was named by Paris expert Natasha Edwards as one of the best fine-dining restaurants in Paris.

Not really the rooftop, but still beautifully positioned 400ft (122 metres) high atop the Eiffel Tower, Le Jules Verne is perhaps the most extraordinary restaurant in Paris.  Alain Ducasse oversees the menu, offering his take on the latest cuisine.

On the 38th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, intimate Sushi Sora serves delicious sushi for just eight diners at a time.  Take in the unbelievable view of the Tokyo Tower, there aren’t many  recognizable landmarks from the restaurants view, but seeing the city light up at night is nothing short of spectacular.

The tallest building in Shenzhen as well as the eighth tallest building in the world, the 100 story Kingkey 100 building’s top 28 floors are occupied by the city’s St.Regis hotel.  Situated on the 99th floor, its Venice-inspired restaurant Elba serving high-quality Italian cuisine and giving you a magnificent view of well pretty much everything in Shenzhen.

On the 14th floor of the Sheraton on the Falls Hotel, Windows by Jamie Kennedy enjoys a marvelous view of Niagara Falls, as well as a spectacular menu.  One of Canada’s most celebrated chefs, Kennedy serves a menu that uses locally sourced produce and is inspired by the wnderful atmosphere around her.

For more information visit:  windowsbyjamiekennedy.com

On the 63rd floor of Bangkok’s State Tower, Sirocco is the signature restaurant of the Lebua hotel.  The rooftop restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine and a jazz band will occasionally plays as dinner is served.

For more information visit:  lebua.com

In Toronto’s CN Tower, 360 Restaurant stands 1,151ft (351 metres) above the city, which is usually high enough to sit above the clouds.  This rooftop restaurant or The Restaurant in the Clouds is so incredible, I mean how many times do you get the chance to dine with the clouds?

For more information visit:  cntower.ca

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

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

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

Christo’s Floating Pier Opens on Lake Iseo

Starting off this week, The Floating Pier installation by renowned artist Christo Vladimirov Javacheff is open, visitors can now walk on water over the Italian Lake Iseo.  And for anyone that is a fan of The Wizard of Oz, you can now travel to the Lake for a stroll on the elongated ‘yellow-brick road’.

“It’s not a painting, it’s not a sculpture.  You need to walk on it.  Feel it with the sun, with the rain, with the wind.  It’s physical, not virtual” Said Christo.  The project was originally thought up by his late wife Jeanne-Claude back in 1970 for the River Plate delta in Argentina.  The total cost exceeded 16 million USD, but it is open at no cost to the public and is expected to attract more than 500,000 visitors by the time it closes on July 3rd.  The pier was created using over 100,000 square meters of yellow fabric, carried by a floating dock system of 220,000 high-density polyethylene cubes, that move with the lake.

For the first time ever you can walk from Sulzano to Monte Isola and onto the island of San Paolo, which is framed by Floating Piers. “Like all of our projects, The Floating Piers is absolutely free and accessible 24 hours a day – weather permitting, there are no tickets, no openings, no reservations and no owners.   They are an extension of the street and belong to everyone.” Said Christo.

For more information visit: christojeanneclaude.net/the-floating-piers

The Most Luxurious Resort in Saint Barthelemy

St. Bart’s is without a doubt one of the worlds most incredible escapes, with its undeniably beautiful scenery, wildlife, food, and culture.  When traveling to the island you should try staying at the premiere resort, Eden Rock.  This jutted out resort is located on a craggy quartzite bluff that overlooks the Baie de Saint Jean on the central north coast of the island.  The resort is consistently ranked as the best resort in all of St. Barts by U.S. News travel, as well as being ranked as one of the finest resorts in the Caribbean.

Eden Rock contains 32 sumptuous rooms and suites, plus an additional two villas.  All of which are beautifully decorated with antiques, silver fixtures, Steam trunks, and water colored paintings of local areas.  In particular they are as follows:  The Howard Hughes Loft is located directly above the main building and features three verandas that offer 360 degree panoramas, two bathrooms specially clad in wielded copper, and over 1,500 square feet of living space.  Villa Rockstar, which was opened in 2010 and features over 16,000 square feet of plush living space, four master suites, a screening room, a private pool, a recording studio, a pool table, and a fully committed butler.  Villa Rockstar can be had for 130,000 Euros per week.  Additionally there are Beach House’s that feature between two and three bedrooms, and also the Nina villa featuring two bedrooms and its own pool and art gallery.

The resort was established in the 1950’s by Remy de Haenen, who was a local politician at the time.  He sold the resort to Jane and David Mathews, who are the current owner’s of Eden Rock.  The Property has a unique position called an Artist-in-Residence, (a position that only a hand-full of hotel’s have) and is occupied by the current owner’s Jane & David.  This To-Die-For resort was apparently frequented by Swedish film actress Greta Garbo and American business tycoon Howard Hughes.  Greta Garbo even stayed at the resort under an alias for three days, but she loved the resort so much she extended her three day stay to three weeks, and Howard Hughes even has a suite named in his honor.

The resort has two restaurants: On The Rocks and The Sand Bar that are both of which are headed by Executive Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.  Eden Rock Resort is the perfect place to spend your time in St. Barts, with water skiing, surfing, swimming, and Spa activities will keep you relaxed and refreshed.  Prices range from between 650 euros to 14,000 euros per night.

For more information visit: www.EdenRockHotel.com

Hôtel Ritz Paris – Reborn

In August of 2012 when the Ritz Paris closed its doors to begin a nearly four year renovation, it was an odd moment for the hotel considering it had never been closed in its nearly 120-year history. Even during the second world war, when the German Military moved in.  For others, it was an acknowledgement of the changing times.  The Hotel was purchased in 1979 by the current owner, billionaire Mohamed al-Fayed.  Western customers had for decades been the bread and butter of the success of the Hotel. Now a new generation of customers from The Far East and other emerging markets are producing a new breed of ultra wealthy individuals with demands exceeding anything an ageing Parisian hotel could offer.

Foremost impressions of the Hotel’s extensive remodel, are subtle & splendidly unexpected.  The red-carpet Entrance from the city’s elegant Place Vendôme is still intact.  Travel further down the hall and you will discover the blue and yellow runners that stretch down the long hall are still there as well.  The extravagantly appointed gilt wooden frames are the very same ones that adorned the corridor before the hotel closed for renovations.  The only significant difference is that the Hotel appears to be cleaner and lighter.  Yes, you may remissness in over a century of history will still receiving the feeling only a new hotel affords.  The identical classic appearance will reaffirm former Ritz guests who were afraid that the renovations would obliterate all spirit from the building, originally constructed as a palace in the 1700’s.  Famous guests of the Ritz’s past included Coco Chanel, Ernest Hemingway, and many other notable individuals.  Hemingway once wrote, “When I dream of afterlife in heaven, the action always takes place in the Paris Ritz.”

The main highlight of the hotel’s renovations is the underground swimming pool & spa, which has a new floor made from over 800,000 mosaic tiles, not to mention that the Chanel spa was created in conjunction with the Chanel fashion house.  Coco Chanel, the brand’s founder, lived in the hotel for over 30 until her death in 1971.  In addition the renowned Coco Chanel suite, which was previously located on the third floor, has been moved to the second and has been decorated in a style reminiscent of the Art Deco period and contains marvelous views of the Place Vendôme.  It is one of the 71 suites that the hotel now offers as part of its 142-room total (previously 159 before the renovation).  Other notable upgrades include the dinning facilities such as; Bar Vendome (The French brasserie of the Ritz),  L’Espadon (a culinary experience by Nicolas Sale), Ritz Bar (The elegant Parisian bistro),  Bar Hemingway (the most legendary bar of them all),  and Salon Proust (Tea at the Ritz Paris).

Though the Ritz remains quintessentially old-school French, showcasing rates starting from €1,000 per night and rising up to €28,000 for the Imperial suite, guests are greeted by lavishly upholstered sofas, bathrooms with golden taps in the shape of swans.  Guests are now served by more than 600 staff, as opposed to the 500 before the closure.  It is the true definition of a Parisian palace.

For more information visit: www.RitzParis.com