k. There are cobblestone streets, historic facades, and crowds of people taking to the city by foot and bicycle. Perhaps they're off to the Old Town Square for a cinnamon-dusted trdelník from a street vendor, or maybe they're leisurely strolling to enjoy the temperate climate of early summer. Whatever the case, in Prague, the hustle and bustle of the twenty-first century seem to vanish. What I found on my recent trip was a maze of streets lined with shop owners and bespoke establishments, a sepia-toned color palette reminiscent of an old photograph from the times of Franz Kafka. Although under Prague's magical spell, I could hear Classical melodies wafting from the open windows along the way, I found that getting lost among the narrow alleyways was not an inconvenience, but an adventure, a gift I shall never forget.
amo, of the legendary Ferragamo fashion family, has transformed into his world-class resort, Castiglion del Bosco, a Rosewood Resort. This quaint and charming borgo, little changed over eight centuries, sprawls across some 5,000 stunning acres, serving up majestic perspectives on the Tuscan countryside and affording spectacular views of unforgettable sunsets. It is dotted with vineyards, olive groves, 17th and 18th Century farmhouses, and the ruins of a fairy-tale-like, centuries-old castle. Hiking and running paths ribbon for miles through densely wooded forests of the Val d'Orcia. Little wonder this is the only property in all of Italy to earn the coveted Rosewood imprimatur.
the region itself; La Veduta di Vertine is a beautiful farmhouse, located on a towering 16th-century estate and is considered one of the most coveted villas in Italy, an authentic, award-winning rental which overlooks the magnificent medieval Vertine Castle. It rests on the boundless vineyards of Chianti Classico and providing views of beautiful olive groves for which Tuscany is famous. Upon approaching the villa, you are sure to hear the crunch of gravel with every step and enjoy the fragrance of surrounding rosebushes which decorate the pastoral landscape. You'll have arrived at the perfect destination, steeped in history and endless gastronomic delights.
. This intellectual artist of the cocina is a practitioner of minimalist cooking and presentation, whose dishes often surprise the patron with their daring and deception. A red-hot genius of the avant-garde, chef Quique Dacosta approaches creating a new menu item as an artist approaches a blank canvas with a wish to conjure something meaningful that will engage the patron on multiple sensory levels.
luxury pleasure craft. Built of weight-saving resin-infused composites, this semi-custom yacht can cut through the water at up to 30 knots. Hull lines and the rest of the naval architecture were designed with long-range cruising in mind – without sacrificing speed or stability. There's plenty of room for all your guests on the ship – which features a neat reverse cabin blueprint with a main deck master and either three or four additional en suite cabins. Once purchased, your wait for the 30M will be swift – Princess assembles each craft in a modular fashion. The vessel's bold styling and thoughtful design only enhance the Princess's reputation for crafting some of the finest superyachts in the world.
Overblue is a dramatic new sea-change that may be hard to categorize - but, without question, it's all about luxury lifestyle. Grotti and the Overblue team imagine this houseboat-yacht as competition not just to other pleasure boats but also to living spaces on land. Stylish and well-appointed, the Overblue 2022 Line will let you take everything on your next cruise – including a full-size custom kitchen.
ne Gullo, one of the world’s leading artisans in period-style kitchens, takes the concept of luxury design to entirely new heights. Based in Florence, Italy, and the birthplace of the Renaissance, home to the Medici and countless artistic masters. The craftsman at Officine Gullo carefully designs traditional handcraft Italian kitchens, including cabinetry, appliances, ranges, and accessories.
the easternmost and most upscale component of the largest connected ski area in the world, Les Trois Vallees. The resort is comprised of four separate villages, Courchevel 1300, 1550, 1650, and 1850, all of which are named for their metric altitudes, but the latter is particularly special. Considered the finest skiing community in France, Courchevel 1850 is notable for its selection of eleven five-star luxury hotels. All have their own unique charm, with magnificent amenities, extraordinary service, and an assortment of engaging recreational activities – but few compare to the glorious Chalet Ormello.
But the cherished ballet saw its seamy underbelly exposed on a frigid evening in 2013, when a thug enlisted by the company's lead soloist flung sulfuric acid at the face of the Bolshoi's artistic director, leaving him disfigured. What was revealed in the event's aftermath would forever color Russian and world perception of the Bolshoi Ballet. Moreover, the attack's impact would reverberate far beyond the cloistered world of dance, divulging in sensational detail grim parallels between the Bolshoi and the labyrinth of sex-fueled political and financial corruption that has long defined Russian society.
ity settings with exquisite interior design that is at once luxurious, tasteful, beautiful, and thoroughly unique. Before giving genesis to his firm’s iconic interior design creations, Tihany steeps himself in meticulous research about the environment. He seeks to grasp every detail about the space, its history, its function, and the way individuals move through the area, as well as the preferences of its owner. The goal? To create a design consistent with the highest contemporary standards of luxury while also remaining respectful of tradition. Tihany recently turned his talents to Seabourn Encore, the latest debut from the Seabourn cruise ship family. Given the sweeping, curvilinear architecture of its spaces, the vessel is rightly termed by many the “Marilyn Monroe of ships.”
obaldi family of Tuscany, Italy, Danzante is a product that could only have come from the Frescobaldi name. For a full 700 years, generations of this legendary Italian winemaking family have perfected their claim to creating the most exquisite wines grown anywhere in the world. The same thorough attention to detail, creativity, and perfection hallmark of the Frescobaldi lineage for centuries continues today. It flowers under the stewardship of Francesco Frescobaldi, who mixes his unrivaled technical skill with his forebears’ pursuit of excellence in crafting the renowned wine called Danzante.
nsightful, and ingenious, as well as a tremendous showcase of the world’s most exquisite watch and jewelry making. Held in Basel, Switzerland, Baselworld built its enviable reputation on spotlighting more than 1,500 of the globe’s most honored and exclusive brands. Purveyors of watches, jewelry, diamonds, pearls, and gemstones meet with famous purchasers and the international press in a celebration of all things sparkling and exceptional. Entirely new collections launched, and groundbreaking innovations unveiled. Fittingly, Baselworld is convened in a nation globally famous for its steadfast adherence to the very highest standards in craftsmanship.
e found there's a fail-safe way to accomplish that daunting feat. They call on Yabu Pushelberg. The talented, talked-about Toronto twosome of interior designers George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg has very simply set New York City on fire over the past several years with its ground-breaking, eye-catching designs. Partners in business, design, and private life, Yabu and Pushelberg focus on interior design and furniture creation for the hotel, retail, and restaurant industries as well as private homeowners. Their firm's work has turned heads from Tokyo, Toronto, and to Times Square, most recently gracing New York's Park Hyatt in the brand new, landmark One57 Building, the sleek, shimmering 90-story tower that has justifiably set tongues wagging.
Alexander III. When a ferocious stag charged, every man but one cowered. Colin of Kintail, Chief of the Clan MacKenzie, launched his spear into the stag's forehead. As he did, he exclaimed in Gaelic, "Cuidich n Righ," meaning "Save the King!" This act of bravery proved the defining moment in the life of Colin of Kintail, the Clan MacKenzie, and The Dalmore. Fortune favors the brave, and Colin of Kintail would see his bravery rewarded with a king's ransom in fortune. The king bestowed upon him the lands of Eilean Donan and the right to bear a 12-pointed Royal Stag as a crest. Dalmore's rich legacy is exemplified by the Constellation Collection seen at the very top of this page. Also, just above is a painting by Benjamin West, the legend on canvas, Alexander III of Scotland, Rescued from the Fury of a Stag.
for a few days of fun in the sun and possibly rain, or whatever weather those unpredictable isles that make up the kingdom of Denmark may throw at you. Narrowing it down to the capital of Copenhagen is helpful if unreasonable to a Dane raised just northeast of the big city, so let's go a bit astray as we explore the wealth of this tiny Scandinavian country of some five million citizens. It's easy enough to do with a comprehensive rail and bus system with many sights within walking distance.
na Jones of the 19th Century was every bit the treasure hunter and scholar that the beloved Indy of Spielberg’s imagination was. And while he rode slow camels and not fast horses and was as German as most of the villains facing Harrison Ford’s American, his journey to uncover the world’s oldest known Bible was almost as precarious and challenging as those of his celluloid counterpart. But unlike Indiana Jones, Tischendorf’s hunt for the ancient text that would become known as the Codex Sinaiticus came at a heavy cost, spanned decades, and caused irreparable harm to his reputation that persists to this day.
liers build what they call ‘a world unto itself’ - the Estates at Acqualina. Centrally located in the heart of the best of Miami, the dual towers soar into the azure sky on 500 feet of pristine beachfront, boasting opulent ocean view residences with an unequaled array of in-house, hotel-style services and amenities to please every need and whim. Perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, the Estates provide a lavish lifestyle with all the comforts of home and all the indulgences of a retreat. Coupled with an astonishing five-acre oceanfront park, the Trumps aim to set a new standard in Miami lifestyle that will go well beyond all expectations.
mend staying one or two nights at the Hotel-Presidente in downtown San Jose as It's a great place to start your adventure, leading you to the thermal spa at Tabacon. After checking into your room, take a walking excursion and stroll down Central Avenue, a Pedestrian Boulevard with restaurants, bars, and edgy new boutiques, while savoring the cultural vibe. The locals are friendly, beautiful, and very family orientated. Further, Costa Rica has a long and rich heritage of Chinese immigration so, please disregard the apparent paradox and head over to Tinjo's for dinner there. You'll enjoy spectacular Pan-Asian that will knock your socks off. On the morning of your departure to the Pacific coast, you'll have an outstanding hot breakfast buffet; your pre-arranged rental car will be waiting in the courtyard, and you're off to your next destination, a spectacular villa about four hours away.
at woman could resist it? What woman wouldn’t want to be Audrey Hepburn for a day, especially if her tour guide looks even remotely like Gregory Peck, and a Roman Holiday is in the offing. Without a doubt, the Vespa scooter found instant resonance with the Romans upon its launch in 1946, and the tourists flocking to Rome after World War II soon discovered its convenience and charm; the 1953 romantic comedy gave the Vespa a worldwide cachet it would never let down. Indeed, it would only be furthered by the debut of the Vespa Primavera in 1968, cementing forever the Vespa reputation for providing the most nimble and affordable, not to mention stylish, mode of transportation in the Eternal City.
acques de Segur planted the vineyards to bestow unrivaled fame upon these sun-drenched hills in the late 1600s. Several years later, his heir Alexandre would wed the heiress of Chateau Latour, forever melding two trailblazing wine-making families. Since 1868, the domain and the wines produced on it have flourished under the brilliant conservancy of the Rothschild family, which has consistently produced some of the most coveted and richly valued red wines anywhere. No less an authority than the Marechal de Richelieu famously observed: "I have discovered the wine of Chateau Lafite to be a delicious, generous cordial, comparable to the ambrosia of the Gods of Olympus.