Space For Giants: The Conservation of African Elephants

Safeguarding the natural habitat of the Elephant and protecting them from poachers and other potential threats is a mission that Space For Giants dedicate themselves toward. Serving as an international conservation organization, with a Global Headquarters in Kenya, Space For Giants is unwaveringly stuck to their mission for 2019.

Space For Giants was founded in 2011 by Dr. Max Graham, who spent over a decade prior to the organization’s creation in the field researching the behavior of Elephants and their conservation with the University of Cambridge. He received his PhD from Cambridge University and has published an extensive collection of research papers that touched upon conservation, Elephant behavior and human wildlife conflict.

Speaking on the organizations initiatives for 2019, Dr. Max Graham, CEO of Space for Giants stated: “We’re finding ourselves on an extraordinary trajectory as we enter 2019. We’ve spent the last decade trialling a toolkit of activities that we’ve proven works to protect Africa’s last huge biodiverse landscapes, and the elephants and wildlife that thrive there. Now, we’re working hard to export that approach to many new areas. There’s a perception that wildlife crime, especially poaching for elephant ivory, is reducing in Africa. In some places it is, after a great deal of work by the Governments of those countries – Kenya and Tanzania spring to mind. But in other places it’s not, and we have to move urgently to get to places like Angola before the poachers do. Our theory is that the fastest way to ensure landscapes remain economically productive in ways that are not ecologically destructive is to demonstrate the value that conservation can bring. Through tourism, especially, that’s a case that we’re going to be making very powerfully this year.”  

Data collected by Space For Giants’ Annual Impact Report, reveal to us that the area where the Elephants live as well as their overall population are being majorly affect by human involvement. Space For Giants want to help the Elephants live without the fear of being hunted for their ivory or losing more of the territory in which they reside. One of Space For Giants goals is to build a more harmonic relationship with the Elephants in order for both sides to co-exist. This demonstrates that peaceful solutions to many problems concerning the Elephant are being researched.

The Elephant Poaching Crisis caused immense damage to the Elephant population. Before the first Elephant Poaching Crisis in 1979, the Elephant population was flourishing at 1.3 million. After the first Elephant Poaching Crisis, the population was down to just 600,000. The latest Elephant Poaching Crisis which occurred in 2016, cut down the Elephant population to 415,000. The Elephants that once roamed much of Africa, are diminishing in size. If it were not for the unyielding efforts of organizations like Space For Giants, then who knows what state the Elephant population would be in now.

The dwindling Elephant population have suffered much decline due to poachers and the thinning out of their wildlife landscapes in Africa. The organization has been deeply concerned with how they are being treated, and are trying their hardest to allow these unbelievably majestic creatures a life free from the exploitation of avaricious poachers.

No matter where Space For Giants operate, they deliver the same message and activities that express how protecting Elephants and their native habitats can bring value. They train rangers to protect Elephants, assist in allowing farmers to coexist with Elephants, and use the rule of law to prosecute criminals like poachers, who are a threat to the wildlife. In addition, they campaign and spread stories to gather more support, help improve economies by introducing new conservation investment, and contribute science & research to inform others about their mission directive.

The organization has come up with many innovative approaches that would protect the habitat of the Elephants, such as delivering new investments to the conservation landscape. This method serves as a sustainable source of revenue for Space For Giants that not only benefits the local people, but also allows for more research to be generated and campaigns to go around. These are values that greatly raise awareness, which help the organization to gather support for the Elephants.

The aforementioned approach was tested in a certain part of Kenya and the results were exceptionally good. Elephant poaching decreased by 84%, wildlife crime convictions went up by 250%, over half a million acres of land was protected for conservation, human & wildlife conflict was lessened significantly and stories of conservation were widely spread to people in the millions. Space For Giants have obviously been making great strides in their mission of saving the Elephants and protecting wildlife landscapes from ruin.

Space For Giants plans to use this tried-and-true conservation approach on as many Elephant ranges they can throughout Africa. The organization intends to achieve this with the platform contributed from the Giants Club, which is a forum for driving political, technical, social and financial capital in the direction of protecting at least half of the Elephants in Africa and the territory they inhabit.

The level of Elephant poaching has seen a significant decrease in East Africa (specifically Kenya and Tanzania) as of 2019; however, that does not mean frontline protection in wilderness areas should slacken- it must persist. New technology is being applied to the landscapes, such as Laikipia in Kenya, to transfer ranger patrol data electronically to objective resources in a more timely and methodical way. Space For Giants predicts that this kind of programme will at least triple from the current 56,000 acres to 153,000 acres.

Sadly, Elephant poaching is a growing object of concern in Southern Africa, particularly the regions around Angola northern Botswana. The team at Space For Giants are working on ways to substantially boost the deployment of their integrated toolkit of which aims on strengthening court cases against suspected poachers. This will both convict a greater number of poachers as well as make the law a stronger deterrent to other poachers, which is likely to lower the degree of Elephant poaching significantly in Africa. Additionally, the organization will continue strengthening intelligence-led anti-poaching through a range of methods, such as bringing in a British former counter-terrorism expert to train law enforcement in some of the following: run informant networks, disrupt/hack comms, and interview arrested people for information.

The leading drive of Space For Giants is to demonstrate the economical and ecological value of conserved landscapes to the locals and national governments. That said, the primary focus is likely an extensive research piece on conservation investment that’s to be presented as the main feature of a first-ever pan-African president-led Conservation Investment Summit scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe sometime in May, which will be co-hosted by Space For Giants

For more information about Space For Giants, visit: SpaceForGiants.org

Damascus National Museum Reopens

Following six years of closure, the Syrian Ministry of Culture has officially commenced the re-opening of one of Syria’s most significant institutions, the National Museum of Damascus. Announced on the 28th of October, this exciting development comes as the Syrian Government has brought peace and safety to the capital with the Syrian Army’s recent victory over foreign backed terrorists, who have now been cleansed from the Damascus area. The Museum’s reopening event is set to span two days and will be conducted in collaboration with the Syrian Ministry of Tourism. Additionally, this event will include a group of Syrian and international academics and restoration specialists. The Museum initially closed in 2012 in an effort to protect the museum’s priceless cultural artifacts from the Syrian crisis.

“The opening of the museum is a genuine message that Syria is still here and her heritage would not be affected by terrorism,” Syrian Minister of Culture Mohamed al-Ahmad told reporters and visitors. “Today, Damascus has recovered.”

“Mordecai and Esther” from a Synagogue interior wood panel (Collection of the Damascus National Museum)

Situated in the center of Damascus, the National Museum houses an exceptional collection spanning over 10,000 years of Syrian History. The Museum is currently displaying four exhibits organized by time period (Pre-Historic, Ancient, Classical, and Islamic) in addition to a Temporary Art exhibition and the building’s stunning gardens. Many of the objects on display include artifacts that Syrian Authorities heroically seized from terrorists and smugglers, who were attempting to rob Syria of its cultural heritage. Significant, recently restored artifacts include the famous “Lion of Al-Lat” from the ancient city of Palmyra, now situated in the museum’s open air exhibit. Palmyra, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, has always been well regarded as a land of immaculately preserved Persian, Greek, Roman, and Islamic historical objects, which faced significant damage from Daesh terrorists who occupied and destroyed parts of the city during the crisis. Syrian Authorities are currently in the process of repairing damage to Palmyra following its liberation, but are optimistic that the site will reopen potentially before 2020.

Roman Sarcophagus from Al Rastan 3 A.D. (Collection of the Damascus National Museum)

Cultural heritage is a defining characteristic of the Syrian Arab Republic, whose people take pride in their country’s unrivaled historical saga. Even in a region rich with history, Syria’s cultural heritage is unrivaled due to a combination of factors, such as it’s past as a historic trade route and the country’s communities, which include Earth’s oldest continually inhabited cities. From Aleppo in the north to the Golan Heights in Syria’s southwest, the nation’s history and natural beauty are simply unparalleled. The Damascus National Museum is a symbol of the Republic’s passion for their culture and is often described as containing one of the most important collections in the world. With historical artifacts having been a major target of terrorists organizations, Syrian Authorities have done an exceptional job of protecting hundreds of thousands of artifacts from over 30 museums around the country. Additionally, the Syrian Arab Army has been credited with the gathering and preservation of 500 artifacts rescued from cities that had been occupied by terrorists during the crisis. These significant objects from around Syria are now on display at the Damascus Opera House, which is located at the historic Umayyad Square.

Featured Image: Wikipedia Commons (Public Domain)

Aman New York: Peace at the Heart of Manhattan

The Aman luxury hotel chain has landed in none other than the very grandiose core of Manhattan: lively New York City. After Aman Tokyo’s opening back in 2014 that was received with the warmest hearts, NYC is the second city setting that Aman will make its development in. This plan undoubtedly faces nothing but open arms. With its address in the Crown Building beholding perfect views of Central Park and the lively surrounding boutiques of the city, Aman New York opens its doors to a tranquil take on the fullest urban experience.

Aman New York – Spa Pool

Refined, unique, and unparalleled, Aman’s new hotel in New York provides an unending stream of surprises to its visitor. The first thing each guest would see is the Sky Lobby, taking up the 10th floor with a beautiful architecture that harmonizes subtly Asian styles and New York’s urban life. Every one of the 83 rooms and suites has an exciting fireplace within its minimum 750-square-feet of space. Guests can step foot inside a spa that expands across three stories, consisting of an indoor swimming pool, sauna experiences, treatment rooms and an outdoor terrace holding a cabana.

Aman New York – Exterior

The renowned ‘Nama’ will also be making its appearance. Showcasing Aman’s relatively novel culinary concept, which takes gastronomy a step forward, Aman New York introduces Japanese flavors to the quality dishes of perspective provided to the guests.

Finally, the subterranean Jazz Club, Cigar Bar, Piano Bar and Wine Library are the sleekest additions to the warm, fancied delight that this stay aims to provide—a stark, yet wondrous contrast with the endlessly bustling city surrounding it. Such venues serve to not only appeal to guests, but also attract the very residents of New York themselves.

Aman New York – aerial view

Aman Resorts distinguishes itself as a hotel group that makes genuine effort to embrace the city that a hotel belongs to – possibly one of the most appreciated qualities of a stay that visitors are truly looking for nowadays. Ever since its birth back in 1988, Aman has always carried this vision. The entire atmosphere, culture and distinct lifestyle that New York is identified with are what Aman wondrously exposes to the visitor, on top of the gilded luxury that its numerous features provide. With an architecture characteristic of an elegant urban setting and enrichening views that show the vibrant fervor and flattering movement of the city, Aman New York undoubtedly establishes strong connection to its destination. In this way, as the name ‘Aman’ literally means, the hotel gifts us with a place of peace and complete tranquility.

Aman New York will open in 2020. Until then, we will continue to dream about this real-life embrace of New York City.

For more information visit:  Aman.com/resorts/aman-new-york

A Capital Idea: A Jetsetter’s Guide to Mexico City

Long eschewed by Yours Truly in favour of its coastal climes, we have found that the Mexican capital; known as CDMX in the vernacular, offers a world of entertainment for the errant jetsetter. It is a city filled with a seemingly endless supply of art museums, stellar restaurants, and history alongside a decidedly metropolitan hustle and bustle. Its relative close proximity to New York makes it an appealing city escape in just under 6-hours when other destinations just seem too far, and there is that delightful currency exchange to consider. We began our trip departing Kennedy on Aeromexico at a reasonable hour. My travel companion blessed with the ability to sleep through any circumstance knocked off almost instantaneously, while I picked my way through the mute version of It (incidentally still terrifying, even without the sound).

Our flight brought us into the city in time for a civilized 2pm luncheon at Contramar, a breezy open plan restaurant that would not look out of place in Greece. Contramar became our first encounter with the exciting CDMX food scene. We might have even ordered second and third helpings of the tuna tostadas (simply divine)… accompanied by tuna tacos al pastor, and fish carnitas. Frankly nothing succeeds like excess when it comes to fish tacos.

Tuna Tostadas at Contramar

After lunch we happened across a charming weekly street fair that had a bewildering array of Kylie Jenner lip-kits and pom-pom trimmed tunics and dallied for a moment. Somehow failing to trace our steps backwards to our discrete hotel La Valise, we got lost in tree-lined art deco Condesa for about an hour which would have been less dire had it not been under a high afternoon sun. With three rooms La Valise is easily the smallest hotel I have ever been in. The seamless townhouse is so subtle that we walked past it many times on Tonola. La Valise is an absolute delight, melding all the attentiveness of a small luxury hotel with the feeling of being in your glamorous yet understated friend’s home. Our room comprised of an enfilade of sitting room, bedroom and a private checkered tile courtyard fully loaded with a chic black hammock and swing. This charming configuration was guarded by a porcelain walrus, naturally! I happily would have moved in forever, replenishing the vase of tall white lilies under the sitting room’s approving portrait.

The door at charming La Valise, and adjacent Alma Negra, a coffee shop with a glorious cointreau affogato.

We capped off our first night with the tasting menu at Pujol, considered among the best restaurants in the world. Given our lunchtime gorging, we had to power through, sampling the amuse bouche of baby corn with crushed ants, and some stellar courses like the perfection of softshell crab, the beautifully plated duck, and a stunning mango confection of sorbet, fresh mango, mousse, and ice cream. Having had a couple of mezcals before dinner we opted to pair dinner with a dry Mexican white from Baja. Aside from the food, I appreciated the elegant ephemerality of the dated and wax sealed hospital white menu cards.

The Summer Squash at Pujol topped with Camomile Blossoms

An 8am breakfast of fresh fruit and patisserie from nearby Rosetta Bakery put us in the mood for tourism. We headed over to the Zócalo to gawk at the Metropolitan Cathedral. The main square of the city acts as a crash course in Mexican history. It began its life as the religious center of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. After changing to Spanish hands the cathedral was consecrated there in 1656. The sprawling building is an admixture of colonial interpretations of renaissance, baroque, and neoclassical architecture, making it an interesting building to read, and in true Spanish colonial fashion the main interior decorative feature is a lot of gold. The cathedral’s main building material; however, comes from the stones of the Templo Mayor. The ruins of this sacred Aztec precinct are visible adjacent to the church’s tabernacle. As we walked over there was some Aztec Flyers preparing for a street performance, a living reminder of the advanced civilization that predated Spanish conquest and continues to influence Mexico.

If you haven’t the time to make it to the glorious sun pyramid at Teotihucan; Templo Mayor Museum and the Anthropological Museum will fulfill your need for Aztec expertise.

Switching from the archaeological to the art historical, to the north east of the Templo Mayor lays Antiguo Colegio de San Idelfonso. The beautiful courtyard building was home to a Jesuit school before becoming the birthplace of the Mexican muralist movement, featuring the nascent works of Leal, Orozco, Siqueiros and of course Rivera. The building now hosts contemporary art exhibitions, and at the time of writing was exhibiting some works on urban planning. Continuing our Rivera Safari, we circled around to the Palacio Nacional first mistakenly entering the National Museum of World Culture. This detour proved diverting with exhibitions by contemporary Mexican photographer Favian Vergara, both kitschy and full of dark humour, as well as a more sedate Alfonso Mena offering, Habitar-Pensar-Construir, exploring the relationship between buildings and human psyche. We regained Rivera ground when we were directed across the street and into the right building. After waving off a ‘professor tour guide’ and forking over our I.D.’s, we entered the government complex only to find that Rivera’s History of the Mexican People was rudely undergoing a facelift. The sweeping bridal staircase was somewhat diminished by the diamonds of steel beams carefully concealing Hazmat suited painters diligently prodding the frescoed surface, although a helpful schematic upstairs with the other murals helped provide contextual reference.

Assassin’s Kiss, Favian Vergara

Exhausted after a quick enchilada stop at chic courtyard restaurant Azul and a churro pick-me-up from the original and much beloved Churros el Moro, we opted to leave the Franz Mayer collection for another time, and retreating back to leafy Condesa for a foray into the art gallery and boutique scene. Marching down Cordoba the first stop was Goodbye Folks, a vintage emporium cum custom cobbler. CDMX really goes in for the American rock star look so there was racks of moto jackets, varsity bombers, jeans, and plenty of band t-shirts, alongside a gorgeous white 40’s cocktail dress that barely fit over my thigh (le sigh). We also loved vintage mansion Void and spent some time drooling over the museum-worthy Courrèges pieces (which also didn’t fit but were amazing all the same). Through much consulting of Google maps I finally found the buzzer of Proyectos Monclova, a contemporary art gallery featuring From Metric to Imperial the work of Balkan artist Istvan Ist Huzjan, who works in that wonderfully soviet abstract sculptural tradition alongside some emotive silver gelatin prints covering a diversity of subjects. At Galeria OMR the current exhibition Ghost Nets explored of the role of bones by drawing on themes of structure. The cohort of artists responded to the prompt through a mixture of the personal psychology to the literal physiology. Among the artists featured were Pedro Neves Marques and Anri Sala. After a long day exploring, we cooled off with an aperitif at sleek Condesa DF’s rooftop bar, the perfect place to watch the sunset on a perfect day.

Gelatin Print by Istvan Ist Huzjan at Proyectos Monclova

Photo Courtesy of: Proyectos Monclova

It is amazing how quickly time slipped by without barely made a dent on what I expected to do. We missed entire neighborhoods such as Coyoacan, wherein lies Frida Khalo’s house (and rather oddly Leon Trotsky’s house). The truth is that even armed with my ambitious touring schedule and a custom Google map, CDMX is simply too large to take in on a Weekend. In fact it does the city a disservice to try and understand it in such a short span of time. Of course that just means we are plotting our return trip.

the National Anthropological Museum designed by Pedro Ramirez Vazquez.

Hotel Misincu Welcomes Corsica into The List of Luxury Stays

Hotel Misincu marks a fierce change for the island of Corsica, identifying it with ‘destination’ as opposed to the sample of a French and Italian medley regarded with momentary piques of interest before. Known for its distinctly regional culture, influenced by the nearby Italian peninsula and ancient North African pirates despite belonging to France, Corsica has always been a hidden gift to tourism with its geographical diversity and remarkable views. With the arrival of Hotel Misincu, this gift has been revitalized for the world to see… and immediately book tickets to in response. The visual riches and compelling atmosphere of the hotel invites one to truly dwell in the mirrored delights of a genuine stay in Corsica – a place of an unforgettable culture that needed time to truly absorb. Hotel Misincu, a five-star hotel that occupies the very heart of the Cap Corse, provides precisely this.

Located in Cagnano, France, Hotel Misincu paints into reality what were thought to be myths of the Mediterranean Sea’s beauty, especially with Misincu’s strategic location. The unique hotel checks off the traditional excitement and relaxing roots of a luxurious vacation: Natural spa treatments, prepared outdoor picnics, snorkeling and water skiing, and music-infused aperitifs are just a few of the surprising joys under the hotel’s sleeve.

At every glance, Misincu seems to hold a witty balance between standing out in glorious luxury and melting into its surrounding themes of nature. The sleek, simple white walls that make up the buildings, along with the placement of arches and an airy exploitation of space, stress the elements of classical Greek in the Corso-Grecian style that Olympia Zographos, the designer behind Misincu’s makeover, employed in her work. What this strikes in the sightseer’s heart is an emphasis of nature—a simple style of architecture that only corroborates the fine white sand and sparkling waters of the engulfing beach.

The two restaurants offered by the Eco-friendly hotel do not fall short of its grandiose name. The Tra di Noi restaurant presents chef Clement Collet’s signature seafood and a one-of-a-kind menu that grabs original Corsican dishes and infuses them with Latin American tastes. Whereas the other restaurant, A Spartera, paints the fancied beach restaurant concept with the property’s setting by the waters, representing the traditional cuisine sought in every trip with its themes of sharing, relaxation, and friends.

With the beautiful island and history it represents, Misincu certainly lives up to its symbol of high quality. Hotel Misincu is a place of depth, absorbing the lucky individuals to come across the heart of Cap Corse into the charms of the island and its nature in a luxurious travel experience—One that strives to go beyond the clichés of a packed trip while infusing the indulgent thrills of the holiday we have always dreamt of.

For more information please visit:  Hotel-Misincu.com

Images courtesy of:  Bureau de presse Pascale Venot/Hotel Misincu

Talking Aviation: Interview with Thomas Flohr of VistaJet

Meet Thomas Flohr, Founder and Chairman of VistaJet, who’s Bombardier business aircraft fleet offer clients an unforgettable flight comprising of complete comfort and exemplary class.  The VistaJet experience is simply incredible, taking travelers all across the world, which even include the most secluded and difficult to reach destinations.  Passengers aboard VistaJet have the privilege of choosing specialized preferences for their journey to best suit their reason of travel.  Read the interview below to find out more about the VistaJet fleet, as Mr. Flohr talks all things aviation and travel.

What in particular do you believe sets VistaJet apart from other Charter operators?

“VistaJet is the only global business aviation company. And not only are we the only global operator – in 2017 we arranged over 20,000 flights, and everyone of them is tailored to the occasion [as well as] the passengers’ preferences: we provide seamless travel solutions to businessmen who need to be in multiple-locations within the shortest period of time, and create the most memorable leisure trips to remote destinations anywhere in the world.  What really makes VistaJet even better than owning your own plane is that we make our entire fleet of over 70 business jets available to all our Program customers – with guaranteed availability, no asset risk or positioning costs. Since I founded VistaJet in 2004, we’ve flown our silver and red jets to over 187 countries worldwide.”

What is the inspiration behind the interior design of VistaJet’s current fleet?

“The cabin is designed as a home away from home. The spacious stand up cabins feature understated elegant furnishings, dark wood, fine Italian leather and even a curated library. For corporate leaders, it is business as usual as all cabins are equipped with the most advanced office-equipment to maximize productivity.  But, most important, VistaJet is renowned for the only consistent fleet in the industry: the interior of our aircraft is identical throughout the entire fleet.”

VistaJet is at the forefront of travel to some of the world’s most difficult to reach locations, with that said, is there any particular location that comes to mind when you think of the most challenging flights your company has completed?

“Our pilots are certified for snow and difficult landing, and the training we provide is way above the strictest national regulations. Our customers ask us to reach incredible private islands, or the top of mountains, at any time of the year. Unfortunately, I cannot provide you much more details, to protect our client’s privacy.”

Tell us more about your current partnership with Christie’s for the global tour of the David and Peggy Rockefeller collection.

“When we heard about the project, we saw it immediately as a perfect match. The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller is an unbelievable collection of some of the finest works of art. The fact that 100% of the proceeds from the auction of the collection will be donated to charity is a remarkable philanthropic effort. We fully support the Rockefellers’ commitment to giving back, and our sponsorship is our way to facilitate and contribute to the Rockefeller family’s charitable mission.  Finally, the global nature of this art auction and exhibitions also gives us the unique opportunity to serve all our clients in the world with one unified experience.”

Any tips for beating jet lag?

“To help our clients avoid jet lag, we set the pressure in our cabin to the same as you would find at 1000m altitude – with this setup, the cabin air is more dense and has a greater level of oxygen saturation. As a result, the body does not have to work as hard to oxygenate blood and sustain itself, decreasing the chance of developing jet lag.  In addition, we have humidifiers on board to help our passengers feel more refreshed upon landing. Should you not be traveling on a business jet, you should try to keep hydrated with water and creams, and include resting time to start adapting to the arrival time zone.”

Where to next?

“If current trends continue, 2018 is expected to be another momentous year for the company. The upper-end of the sector historically tracks the global economy, and with Europe, the US and the Middle East seeing growth, demand is only set to build in 2018. While the entry end of the sector is still struggling with oversupply, trading for premium brands such as VistaJet is strong, as business leaders, corporations and UHNWIs are becoming ever more selective in their booking choices.

While all private aviation customers are always interested in the efficiency offered by the service, in 2018 the key will be attention to detail, additional services, and a personalized experience. Generations that have grown up with the world at their fingertips are increasingly searching for travel solutions that deliver both speed and high quality. Customers are also choosing to fly ever more globally, and average flight times are rising. On top of that, exciting new long-range aircraft models such as the Global 7000 will only add to the positive momentum in the sector. As a result, demand for larger aircraft is building; and in the private aviation market, only VistaJet is able to meet this need all over the world.

With the growth of the tech sector on the West Coast of the US and a growing body of entrepreneurs in key global financial hubs such as Dubai, the audience for private aviation will get even younger in 2018. After many years of stability, the private aviation industry is finally beginning to innovate to meet this burgeoning demand. VistaJet is at the forefront of innovation; its On Demand solutions and Direct app give entrepreneurs transparency over pricing, and its business model is based on access over ownership, an approach users of Uber and Airbnb are familiar with.”

You can keep up to date with VistaJet by following them on Instagram: @VistaJet

Images Courtesy of:  VistaJet

Oheka Castle: A Modern Day “Gatsby” Mansion

The Gold Coast on Long Island Sound is known for its extravagance and affluence, boasting private estates of renowned families such as the Vanderbilts and Roosevelts. Among these lavish estates is the historic and extraordinary Oheka Castle. Originally built in 1919 by the Otto Hermann Kahn, Oheka Castle remains the second-largest privately owned residence in North America. A century later, Oheka Castle is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also a member of the Historic Hotels of America.

In the castle’s early years, the Roaring Twenties, it was used primarily as Kahn’s summer home. During residence, he would throw extraordinarily lavish parties, entertaining Hollywood stars, members of royalty, and heads of state. Sort of like a real life Jay Gatsby without the green light and deceitful lover. While Oheka Castle isn’t thought to be F. Scott Fitzgerald’s inspiration for Gatsby’s castle, it was supposedly used for inspiration in Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 adaptation of The Great Gatsby. This comparison is not unfounded, as the reputation for over-the-top parties and outrageous expenses is certainly paralleled between Gatsby’s mansion and Kahn’s castle.

Credit: OHEKA CASTLE

Unfortunately, the castle fell into disarray after Kahn’s death in 1934, changing owners several times before finally standing vacant for over a decade. Fifty years after Kahn’s death, in 1984, current owner Gary Melius purchased Oheka Castle and began the arduous process of restoring the castle to its former glory. Melius wanted every detail of the castle to be perfectly as it was in its prime; he brought in historians and architects to assist with the restoration.

It took two years to restore the roof, using slate tiles purchased from the same quarry as the originals. Custom replicas were designed for over two hundred doors and windows. The Grand Staircase, originally designed by Samuel Yellin, decorated by handcrafted wrought iron railing, took over two months to refinish. Today, after more than $30 million in restoration, Oheka Castle is only 85% restored. The final 15% is being converted into a full service, luxury spa in the near future.

Credit: OHEKA CASTLE
Photographer: E Kaufman

Oheka Castle offers rooms and suites for those who want to stay at such an incredible location. It offers six classes of accomodations, starting at $395 a night and increasing to $1,095 for the Olmstead Suite, which features balconies overlooking the lawn and reflecting pools. Oheka Castle also offers in-room massages (with eight different options!), a 24-hour fitness center, a library lounge, a bar and restaurant, and a complimentary continental breakfast with every booking.

Credit: OHEKA CASTLE
Photographer: E Kaufman

The special weekday packages is where stays at Oheka Castle become truly extraordinary unto themselves. Designed to celebrate special occasions, there’s a package for every need. With the Marriage Proposal Package, Oheka Castle will present the perfect night to pose the question. The Last Night of Sleep package is designed to spoil expecting parents and give them a break from the exhaustion of parenthood. The Gold Coast Mansion “Gatsby” Package acknowledges the castle’s reputation for extravagance and promises a party like it is 1920. 1920’s attire is welcome and encouraged!

However, it’s the Ultimate Romance Package that really sets the stage for the true magnificence at Oheka. At $15,000 a night, this package features a round-trip limousine service, a butler service, ballroom lessons and exclusive use of the ballroom, a personal string quartet, a special gift from Tiffany’s, and more! There’s no better way to reconnect or sweep your loved one off their feet than spending a night “Gatsby”-style.

If staying a night or two at Oheka still isn’t fabulous enough, it’s also a wedding venue! Only one wedding per day is permitted at Oheka, so couples can get married in their own castle! All 32 guestrooms are designated to the guests spending the evening at the castle after the wedding. Each wedding is priced and designed to each couple, so prices vary, but for such an incredible experience, a high price is sure to be expected.

Credit: OHEKA CASTLE
Photographer: Brett Matthews

Oheka Castle offers all this and more, ensuring luxury for all of its guests and visitors. The castle has had visitors such as President Bill Clinton, Patrick Dempsey, Demi Lovato, Winona Ryder, Justin Timberlake, and was even the site of filming for Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” music video!

For anyone looking for an escape from everyday life and wants to dive into opulence and delight, Oheka Castle is the place for them. Who wouldn’t want to live like Jay Gatsby for the night?

An Unplugged Getaway at the Four Seasons Seychelles

Image Credit: Quentin Berryman / Four Seasons

Nestled comfortably 1,000 miles (1600 kilometers) off the coast of East Africa, lay 115 islands, most of which being made up of luxury resorts and private-island escapes. Even farther off the coast, on the outer edge of the Indian Ocean archipelago, a thirty-five minute flight from the capital Mahé, practically secluded from the accelerated world of technology and obligation, is Desroches Island.

Desroches Island seems like the perfect, unplugged getaway; and it is, with the new addition to the Four Seasons resort and spa. Four Seasons at Seychelles is already known to promote luxury and extravagance to the fullest, offering it’s guests nothing less than a royal experience. The resort includes fitness centers, 24 hour in-resort dining, snorkeling and scuba diving, as well as beaches, treehouse villas, and even a private infinity pool for every accommodation. Experiences at the Four Seasons at Seychelles is almost entirely customizable to the needs of any travelling group. Also, the weather stays at around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit (about 21-28 degrees Celcius) for the entire year, so travel to this destination is a non-stop display of perfection.

The Four Seasons – Seychelles at Desroches Island, offers a little extra magnificence to its experience. Secluded from the rest of the world, Desroches features practically untouched and essentially undamaged coral reefs, which compliment the lush, flourishing groves of coconut trees. Along nine miles of picturesque, sandy beaches, prevails eleven, brand new private residence villas. Each villa consists of three to five bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a dedicated, personal butler. There are also private plunge pools, indoor and outdoor bathrooms, and four new restaurants and bars on the island. The entire experience at Seychelles at Desroches Island is unique and personal, as well as complementary to the breezy, beautiful island aesthetic.

Image Credit: Peter Vitale / Four Seasons

If this still isn’t enough to prove that a stay at the Four Seasons Seychelles is extraordinary, there’s also the Circle of Connection spa, which works to calm, refresh, and detoxify every worn and tired body. The Circle of Connection spa features five spa treatment suites (including a couple’s room), as well as a hair and beauty salon. Adding even more to the sweet sense of relaxation, the spa offers yoga retreats on the beach; this is a fine way to get in touch with the earth and one’s self.

Every day at the Four Seasons is a new day to breathe, relax, and reconnect with others or one’s self. It’s a luxurious getaway unmatched by any other, leaving its visitors rejuvenated and refreshed. With the new additions on Desroches Island, the experience only gets better and the sun only shines brighter.

For more information visit:  FourSeasons.com/Seychelles

LET’S GO LOGO: THE NEW EXHIBITION AT LE BON MARCHE, YOU CANNOT MISS OUT

Let’s Go Logo is definitely the exhibition of the moment: over 130 brands have been invited to take part by reinventing their traditional logos and to create an entire new capsule collection for the event. The exhibition is hosted at Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche from February 24^th to April 1^st with brand new products coming from key players in the luxury industry like Isabel Marant, Roger Vivier, Céline, Fendi, and Tod’s.

Every type of product, from fashion to beauty to food, gives this exhibition a fresh touch to their logo in items that normally are not sold with that logo. From Evian surfboard to Chanel kayak, the key message of the collection is crystal clear: freedom of expression and extreme creativity make the exhibition a very exclusive event that you cannot miss.

Not just big brands, but also young designers of luxury, beauty labels and home décor brands have joined the event and played with their logo by imagining them in unexpected items from their original offer. Jennifer Cuvillier, head of the style office at Le Bon Marché, explained how this project represents a creative dialog between the department store and the different brands. “The idea was to do something disruptive and playful, not fashion for fashion’s sake. We wanted to create something fun and unexpected and asked brands to reinterpret their logos in a very modern way, what with the street attitude that is very strong right now”.

In this collection, we cannot overlook two very special guests: Off-White and Lola James Harper. Virgil Abloh, Off-White designer, has set up a 500-square-meter space including Wild & the Moon, a pop-up café which was very popular during Paris Fashion Week.

Lola James Harper, a lifestyle label which produces music, beauty products and t-shirts, instead has transformed the first floor of Le Bon Marché into a hotel lobby: including a café, recording studio and a basketball court. The founder, Rami Mekdachi, gives to customers both a place to relax and chill with your friends as well as a little taste of their next plan: opening hotels.

Image credit:  © Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche

Weekend Getaway: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

There has to be some sort of science somewhere to prove that February is the least survivable month of the year.

Equipped with the firm belief that experts of some kind back me on that, I took a long weekend trip to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, a place that has learned to make February just as pleasant as every other month. A 40 minute drive from the Cancun Airport, Playa Del Carmen offers a quieter beach atmosphere and, quite possibly, the bluest, clearest waters I have ever seen. As a part of the Yucatan Peninsula, it also has no shortage of Mayan ruins and explorable cenotes (i.e. plenty of photoshoot opportunities).

Playa Del Carmen is home to Rio Secreto, a National Geographic approved cenote that offers tours through the Mayan underworld, and has a Mayan ceremony before entering. Cenotes are, effectively, underwater caves partially filled with cold water and forms of rock, calcium and fossilized coral reef that look like icicles, but far more wondrous. These formations are called stalactites and stalagmites.

About a 40 minute drive from Playa Del Carmen and Rio Secreto sits the Mayan ruins of Tulum, a breathtaking historical site atop a stunning mountain and beach. Think Chichen Itza, but smaller. The beach is, once again, home to white sand and clear blue water, and the ruins majestically overlook the vast beauty of the Caribbean. Other nearby activities include snorkelling with sea turtles (a neighboring small beach town offers sights of most of the various types of turtles), scuba diving, swimming, and shopping (the downtown area is a treasure trove of locally crafted souvenirs). Tulum is a must-see on a Mexican getaway.

A few tips, though: Private beach clubs are absolutely worth it. Most places fill early with fellow tourists as well as beach lovers, and often limited space and privacy. Beach clubs, however, offer comfortable hammocks & outdoor furniture, privacy and tranquil surroundings. And, again, great photoshoot opportunities: (above and below images)

Secondly, if you have any dietary restrictions (I, personally, am a pescatarian), Mexico isn’t the most accommodating place to be. Asking for meatless tacos, fish tacos, or virgin beverages is like asking for someone’s deepest secret without asking her name. I lived, often, on guacamole, beans and rice.

Also, roads to most adventures are bumpy. Be prepared to hit your head on the roof of a van (we often took private transportation to and from each adventure. It’s worth it!) on multiple occasions. They also ask that, if you’re swimming in a cenote or other federally preserved body of water, that you enter it with as little contaminants as possible. This means no makeup or sunscreen, and taking a cold shower is mandatory before admittance. Also, be prepared to see a lot of wildlife — lizards, fish, deer and other friendly creatures are everywhere.

Finally, private transportation to and from your hotel and the airport is almost essential. It saves time, money and stress — though we were left at the airport about an hour earlier than required. Thankfully, the Cancun isn’t the worst place to be, offering luxury shopping, drinks and a clean atmosphere.

This relaxing getaway is, essentially, the perfect cure for the February blues.