Luxury Ideas

5 Extreme Travel Destinations For 2014

2014-04-02T18:26:00.001+01:00

Adrenaline junkies looking for their next travel adventure may want to consider consulting a new list of extreme destinations for 2014 that includes bungee jumping into the belly of an active volcano in Chile and touring a war zone.

The adventure travel ideas proposed by Cheapflights aren’t for the faint-hearted. But they may set many a thrillseeker’s heart aflutter with trips that span Fiji, Mexico, Africa, Oman and Bolivia.

Here’s a selection of Cheapflights’ adventure travel idea hotspots for 2014:

Swim with the sharks in Fiji
On Beqa Island, divers plunge into the ocean and get to see sharks up close and personal — that is, without the protection of a cage. Divers can expect to meet largely harmless species like the Tawny Nurse Shark and Blacktip Reef Shark. But here’s where the dive description may lose a few people: “The Bull Sharks and the Tiger Sharks however are clearly a class in their own. They are Apex Predators who grow to an impressive size and have a notorious reputation for attacking humans.” Happy diving.

Volcano bungee jumping in Chile
This stunt involves jumping into the mouth of an active volcano from a helicopter, within 700 feet (213 meters) of molten lava, after which you stay suspended upside down traveling 130 km above the simmering crater.

Cycling the Death Road in La Paz, Bolivia
It’s been dubbed the world’s most dangerous road: a treacherous downhill stretch of 64 km that starts on snow-covered plains and descends to the Amazonian jungle. Oh, and it also includes a 3.6-km drop down a sheer cliff face.

Base jumping in Mexico
The Cave of Swallows is deep enough to house a high-rise building and has inspired kamikaze adrenaline junkies to jump into the belly of the earth with a parachute.

Sandboarding in Oman
Desert sand dunes in parts of Oman can run as high 100 meters. Instead of snow, travelers hit the desert slopes with their boards, toboggans or quad bikes.

10 Facts You Didn’t Know About the Eiffel Tower On Its 125th Birthday

2014-04-02T18:24:00.001+01:00

It takes a lot of primping and priming to look good at 125 years old. Just ask the Eiffel Tower, arguably the most recognizable silhouette in the world. It marks the milestone on March 31.

When Gustave Eiffel built the latticed tower for the World Fair in 1889, it was supposed to be a temporary edifice, to be torn down in 20 years.

Today, the iconic French landmark is the most visited, paid monument in the world, attracting more than 7 million visitors a year. Seventy-five percent of them are foreign tourists.

Here are a few fun facts and figures about the Iron Lady:

1. Strange but true: In a commitment ceremony in 2007, an American woman ‘married’ the Eiffel Tower. Erika La Tour Eiffel (she changed her name) suffers from ‘Objectum-Sexual’ a condition in which people fall in love with inanimate objects.

2. Aging requires no small amount of cosmetic touch-ups: Every seven years, the Iron Lady undergoes a paint job that requires up to 60 tons of paint to protect her from rust.

3. The Eiffel Tower will shrink and grow by up to 15 cm (6 inches) with the fluctuating temperatures.

4. Every year, the combined distance traveled by the elevator lifts works out to be about 103,000 km a year — or 2.5 times the circumference of the Earth.

5. Technically, it’s illegal to publish photos of the illuminated tower at night. Permission and rights must be obtained from the “Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel.”

6. The tower is open every day. In a country that shuts down every Sunday, the tower is perhaps the only thing open 365 days a year including Christmas.

7. After the French, Italians, Spaniards and Americans make up the biggest visitors to the Eiffel Tower.

8. The tower has its own YouTube channel.

9. Eiffel paid homage to the great French men of science by engraving the names of 72 scientists, engineers and mathematicians on the four sides of the tower.

10. The nightly five-minute light show, which begins on the hour every hour from nightfall until 1 am, requires 20,000 light bulbs.

Johnny Depp Confirms Engagement To Amber Heard

2014-04-01T15:49:00.002+01:00

Actor Johnny Depp confirmed his engagement to actress Amber Heard today. While in Beijing to promote his latest movie Transcendence, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor told the Associated Press, “The fact that I’m wearing a chick’s ring on my finger is probably a dead giveaway. Not very subtle.” A source told Us Weekly that Depp purchased the ring in question for Heard, but he’s wearing it because it’s too big for her finger (the ring in question is pictured above).

However, what does the 50-year-old actor think about wedding planning? “I think that I would be better at making women’s shoes than I would be at wedding planning,” he also told the AP. “I can’t plan anything. I’m really bad at that stuff.”

It will be the first marriage for Heard and the second for Depp. He and French actress/singer Vanessa Paradis were in a relationship for 14 years before announcing their breakup in June 2012.

The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945 - 2014: About the Exhibition

2014-03-31T12:06:00.003+01:00

5 April - 27 July 2014

This major exhibition is a glamorous, comprehensive look at Italian Fashion from the end of the Second World War to the present day. The story is explored through the key individuals and organisations that have contributed to its reputation for quality and style. It includes both womens and menswear to highlight the exceptional quality of techniques, materials and expertise for which Italy has become renowned.

The exhibition examines Italy's dramatic transition from post-war ruins to the luxury paraded in the landmark ‘Sala Bianca’ catwalk shows held in Florence in the 1950s, which propelled Italian fashion onto the world stage. During the 1950s and '60s the many Hollywood films that were shot on location in Italy had an enormous impact on fashion as stars like Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor became style ambassadors for Italian fashion, fuelling a keen international appetite for luxurious clothing made in Italy. On display are around 100 ensembles and accessories by leading Italian fashion houses including Simonetta, Pucci, Sorelle Fontana, Valentino, Gucci, Missoni, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Prada and Versace, through to the next generation of fashion talent.
Return to Luxury

In 1951, Giovanni Battista Giorgini launched Italy’s first internationally recognised fashion shows. The following year, he secured the use of the Sala Bianca or ‘White Hall’, an opulent, chandelier-lit gallery in Florence’s Pitti Palace.In 1945, Italy’s post-war government aimed to reinvigorate a country weakened in spirit and in physical and financial ruin. With American aid provided through the Marshall Plan, the swift retooling of Italian factories alongside efforts by the country’s many entrepreneurs helped fashion become a cornerstone of Italy’s post-war recovery.

As clothing designers and textile manufacturers gradually resumed trading, their stylish designs responded to a hunger for glamour after years of wartime deprivation. Italian high fashion and fine tailoring became popular exports.

Valentino posing with models in Rome, July 1967. Courtesy of The Art Archive / Mondadori Portfolio / Marisa Rastellini.

Tailoring

Italy’s reputation for tailored clothing developed internationally thanks to popular images of stylishly dressed Italian actors. Marcello Mastroianni’s trim suits in the 1960 film 'La Dolce Vita' did much to popularise the Italian suit worldwide. Both bespoke garments (made to measure for an individual client) and the increasingly popular ready-made suits were adopted by a growing international clientele.Enthusiasm for Italian tailoring – admired for being light, unstructured and sleek increased in the decades after the Second World War.

A well-tailored suit requires precisely cut fabric and exact fit, along with fine finishing details. The smallest design elements, such as the shape of a pocket or sleeve, often differed from region to region. A Neapolitan suit could be distinguished from one produced in Rome.

Made in Italy

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Italy’s economy had grown rapidly, driven in part by the fashion and textile sectors. In the years that followed, despite social and political instability, Italy’s fashion industry blossomed. Numerous fashion and related manufacturing businesses started up, many of them family-run.

From the early 1970s, the popularity of couture gave way to enthusiasm for manufactured fashion. Milan – with its fashion press, advertising industry and nearby clothing and textile factories – became Italy’s new fashion capital.

‘Made in Italy’ was a marketing campaign that celebrated a rainbow of premium goods: cinema, art, food, tourism, design and, chief among them, fashion. This decades-long, international promotional campaign ensured that ‘Made in Italy’ became the mark of style.

Ankle boots, black leather stiletto heels with gold, white and pink embroidery, designed by Dolce & Gabbana, Spring/Summer 2001. Photo © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Cult of the Fashion Designer

The designers in this section are at varying stages on the journey to recognition. Some have the tradition of generations behind them. Others emerged onto Italy’s fashion scene only a few seasons ago. What unites them is a loyal clientele, an emphasis on Italian production, and a place at the top end of fashion, where Italy’s designers continue to find their competitive advantage.Since the mid-1990s, fashion has become ever more international. Many more Italian designers have become celebrities in their own right and solidified their country’s reputation as a global tastemaker. These designers sell a universe of goods across continents, from clothing to furniture to hotel interiors. Some have transformed long-established family firms into international luxury brands. All have a devoted following.

Woman's coat and dress, André Laug, 1960s. Museum no. T.327 to B-1978. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Italian Fashion’s Future

The bright spot in Italy’s generally sober economic outlook is the limitless demand for a taste of Italian style. Italian fashion companies are still influential, even as Italy’s reputation has suffered.

The years since 2000 have been marked by political scandal, immigration tensions and economic problems. Italy’s once famed networks of textile production and related industries are thinning. Its premium fashion houses are increasingly foreign-owned. Chinese factories, workers and consumers are now intertwined with the destiny of the Italian-made.

What will ‘Made in Italy’ mean in future?

Woman's striped suit, Alberto Fabiani, 1967. Museum no. T.322&A-1978. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Fashion show in Sala Bianca, 1955. Archivio Giorgini. Photo by G.M. Fadigati © Giorgini Archive, Florence.

Apple To Release Larger iPhone 6 in September

2014-03-29T20:05:00.003+00:00

Apple is to release its newest iPhone in September, with higher resolution and bigger screens, a report said Friday, its latest salvo in the smartphone wars where it has lost global market share to rivals such as Samsung.

The new handset, expected to be called the iPhone 6, is to come in two versions with a 4.7- or 5.5-inch screen, both bigger than the current four-inch panel, the respected Nikkei business daily said, without citing sources.

US-based Apple is ordering its higher-resolution liquid crystal display screens from Japanese electronics giant Sharp, Japan Display and South Korea’s LG Display, it added.

Apple released the iPhone 5 in September 2012 and newer versions in the series last year.

A Japan-based spokesman for the California tech giant could not be immediately reached for comment on the Nikkei report, which was widely picked up by a string of technology news websites.

The Nikkei story comes after Taiwan’s Commercial Times said this month that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. had started producing chips for the next iPhone.

That news fed rumours that Apple is reducing its reliance for parts on South Korean giant Samsung, its main competitor in the mobile phone market and a bitter rival with which it is contesting several copyright court battles globally.

Samsung in February unveiled its new flagship Galaxy S5 smartphone armed with a fingerprint scanner and a built-in heart rate sensor, as it tries to cement its leadership of the multibillion-dollar market.

However, the South Korean giant voiced annoyance after domestic telecoms operators released its latest smartphone ahead of schedule in order to dodge sales restrictions imposed by regulators. The world’s biggest mobile phone maker had planned a worldwide debut of the Galaxy S5 on April 11.

Samsung made about 30% of all smartphones sold globally last year, nearly twice the share of Apple.

A survey by International Data Corporation (IDC) last month said Google’s Android system — used by Samsung among others — extended its gains over Apple’s iPhone in the last quarter of 2013, and Windows Phone grabbed the number three market position.

But other challengers are moving up the ranks with Taiwan’s HTC Corp. having launched an update of its HTC One smartphone while Sony has seen strong sales of its Xperia offering.

Global shipments of smartphones last year topped a billion for the first time, up 38.4% from the 725.3 million shipped in 2012.

Apple, however, had the lowest year-on-year increase of all major smartphone makers even though its 5s and 5c models were available in more countries, according to IDC.

While record iPhone and iPad sales pushed Apple’s fourth-quarter revenue to a new high investors have been concerned over weaker profits in fierce mobile gadget markets.

The California-based tech giant reported net income of $13.1 billion US on revenue of $57.6 billion in the quarter that ended December 28, helped by selling 51 million iPhones.

The profit was the same as Apple reported in the same quarter a year earlier when its revenue was $54.5 billion.

The firm is leaning on the potentially huge Chinese market as its looks to power future growth.

In January, that goal got a boost as China Mobile, the country’s biggest wireless provider, started selling the iPhone to millions of customers nationwide, ending a six-year wait in a crucial market.

China Mobile has a 760 million-strong customer base and its plans to roll out the world’s largest 4G (fourth generation) network have both companies forecasting a fruitful union.

A Sharp spokeswoman declined to comment on the Nikkei report Friday, as the company’s Tokyo-listed shares rose 1.63%, outpacing a 0.5% increase in the broader market.

Celine Dion puts Jupiter Island estate on market for $72.5 million

2014-03-29T20:04:00.001+00:00

Celine Dion is putting her Jupiter Island, Florida, compound on the market for $72.5 million. The 5.7-acre property includes an eight-bedroom guest house, a tennis center with a simulated golf range, two pools connected by a private water park, and a beach house with a sleeping loft and massage room.

The elaborate $72.5 million estate was built in 2010, and was designed by Dion and her husband, René Angélil. It is the largest waterfront estate on exclusive Jupiter Island.

Dion is reportedly selling the property because she has extended her Las Vegas contract through 2019.

The Lovely Nam Dger Apartment Displaying A Sleek Swirl-Like Staircase

2014-03-28T15:59:00.002+00:00

The Nam Dger Apartment is a contemporary home embedded with industrial elements of décor. Inspiring sobriety and elegance, this particularly beautiful home located in Nam Tower, in the very heart of Tel Aviv, is the work of Gerstner Architects, an Israel-based studio involved in luxury interior design projects. The interior showcases an interesting (and sculptural) swirl-like staircase, made of solid iron. The intriguing item becomes the core of the living room, standing out and making an impression on whoever ends up seeing it, due to its unpolished and industrial look. It also allows vertical circulation throughout the apartment. At a closer look, the staircase defined the neat design adding a touch of contemporary urban wilderness.

When it comes to colours, the designers sticked with neutrals. Nuances of beige, grey, black and white embellish the interior and give personality to it. The apartment is quite compact, so, in order to save some space, the doors have been removed. There are floor-to-ceiling windows that allow the sun to flood the interior with light and warmth. The living space seems more spacious and uncluttered. Somehow, this reminds us of the precious and coquette Scandinavian attic apartments.

Rare Stradivari viola expected to sell for at least $45 million at auction

2014-03-28T14:55:00.000+00:00

A rare Stradivari viola set to be auctioned this spring by Sotheby’s is expected to fetch at least $45 million – making it the most expensive musical instrument ever sold.

The MacDonald Viola (which is slightly larger than a violin) was crafted by Italian artisan Antonio Stradivari (maker of the famed violins) in 1719. Only 10 of the violas are known to still exist today. In contrast, over 600 Stradivari violins still exist). The sale will mark the first time one of the famed violas has been put on the market in 50 years.

The Macdonald is widely considered the finest viola in the world. It is made of alpine spruce with a back crafted from a single piece of maple. The instrument is reportedly in perfect condition. It is called the Macdonald because it was purchased by Godfrey Bosville, the 3rd Baron Macdonald, in the 1800s.

The auction of the rare instrument will require a minimum bid of $45 million. All bids will be sealed, and the highest bidder announced on June 25.

Stradivari was born in Italy in 1644. Over his 70 year career he fashioned the finest violins and violas the world has ever seen (and heard).

Daily Dream Home: Your Private Castle Hotel in Versailles… Kentucky

2014-03-27T12:19:00.002+00:00

Want to own your very own piece of Versailles? Now you can – sort of. Castle Post, a luxury bed and breakfast in Versailles, Kentucky (near the famed Keenland track) is for sale. Conveying with the 10-bedroom, 14-bathroom property are a 55-acre lot, adjoining 177-acre Thoroughbred farm, five barns, manager’s home and lake.

In total, the castle, one of the most notable landmarks in the area, has more than 50 rooms, including a library, sitting room, game room, and dining area seating 40. The grounds include a 20′ x 50′ lap pool, formal garden and oversized Chinese dragon fountain.

We’re thinking you could even snag this at a deal — the property, listed by Christie’s for $30 million, has been on the market since 2010 and is touted as being ideal for a “great private home compound or retreat.”

Four Days with the 2014 Bentley Continental GT Speed

2014-03-27T12:16:00.000+00:00

For more than 50 years, from the time it was purchased out of receivership by Rolls-Royce in 1931 until 1989 when Volkswagen took over ownership of the brand, Bentley lived in the shadow of its sister company. While attempts have been made over the years to rekindle the spirit and magic imbued upon the marque by founder Walter Owen (WO) Bentley, it always seemed a bit of a compromise. Where Rolls Royce always was a luxury brand first, Bentley wandered back and forth between performance and luxury, never seeming to get the balance quite right.

Having just spent four days with a 2014 Bentley Continental GT Speed, however, I can unequivocally state that the balance is now perfect.

Everything about the GT Speed, from the styling to the engine to the 8-speed ZF transmission, adjustable suspension, high-performance tires, instrument cluster, and leather seats, is designed for just one thing: to help you drive fast confidently.

Walking up to the quickest Continental, I was struck by its size. While its beautifully sculpted exterior is imposing, it’s not big. The configuration of the W12 engine helps keep the hood at a reasonable length and thus the balance between the front and rear of the car is extraordinary. The 21-inch wheels and tires are pushed way out to the corners creating a powerful, confident stance and the blackened matrix grille hints at the sinister nature of the power that lies beneath its hood.

For 2014 the GT Speed’s 6.0L W12 twin turbo engine delivers 616 horsepower, which will be upped to 635 in the 2015 model. Insert the key and push the start button and the first thing you notice is the sound. It’s not a low rumble, but a growl that seems to be saying, “set me free.” Put the car in drive, tap the accelerator and the GT Speed moves easily away from a dead stop despite weighing nearly 5200 pounds thanks to the 590 foot pounds of torque delivered to all four of the coupe’s performance tires.

What surprised me most about the Bentley GT Speed is not that it is powerful, quick and fast. That’s to be expected with the massive engine that’s wedged between its front wheels. It’s surprising that it is so incredibly manageable. At low speeds the throttle is not overly sensitive and the steering at two and a half turns lock to lock, is light and quick. We had no trepidation nor trouble parallel parking it on a crowded Main Street at noon in Westport, Connecticut. But find a twisty bit of back road, switch the suspension from comfort to sport, give the throttle more of your right foot, and you’ll soon find what the Bentley was truly designed to do.

Pushing the accelerator to the floor elicits a delicious howl in the cabin, the kind of sound you expect from an engine this powerful. I found it to be the perfect soundtrack for an afternoon of high-speed touring on the backroads of New England.

One of the joys about having a car like this for a few days, rather than just test driving it at a press for a few hours, is that you really get a chance to know the car. In this case, I was able to play with the exceptionally adjustable seats to find a very comfortable driving position. It also doesn’t hurt that those seats included a massaging function that when activated, kneads the small of your lower back for up to ten minutes to help reduce the stress of the day. The leather is expertly cut and sewn, the optional quilting adding a level of detail that really made the interior feel special. The seats are both heated and cooled to keep you comfortable no matter what the conditions outside the cabin are. Given these features, front seat passengers will enjoy the ride in the Continental for hours on end. The rear seat, however, is another matter.

The Continental GT Speed is a classic 2+2. This means that while the back seats are well appointed, the legroom is such that no one over five feet tall will be able to enjoy their accoutrements for more than a few minutes before leg cramps set in.

Staying with the interior, I was taken by the Bentley’s understated and functional instrument cluster. Bentley designers clearly avoided the temptation to over-engineer the dash by adding all the possible bells and whistles. Keeping the focus where it should, on the large speedometer and tach, the dash also has a customizable center LED screen that simply and clearly presents information like fuel mileage, temperature and speed as well. The center stack is also clean, with an 8-inch touch screen monitor for audio, navigation and the backup camera and traditional buttons and knobs for the operation of the excellent HVAC system. It’s well designed and intuitive allowing the driver to focus on what really matters, driving.

That’s ultimately what the Continental GT Speed does best. The all-wheel drive system is set up with a 60/40 rear/front split in power which helps counter the understeer you’d expect from a car with such a heavy front end. Driving through tight corners at well over suggested speeds was a matter of course and I never once felt like the front end would push or wash out. This combination of power and grip also allows the car to launch itself from 0-60 in just a tick over four seconds and accelerate from 60 to 80 faster than you can say “God save the Queen.” All of that meant that my observed fuel economy was a thirsty 12.9 miles per gallon. But the smile it put on my face was worth the nearly hundred dollars it cost to refill the 24-gallon tank after my first two days of driving.

It’s said that with great power comes great responsibility. That is never more true then when behind the wheel of the GT Speed. In it you have a car capable of speeds of over 200 miles per hour, of driving comfortably for hours at triple digit speeds, of accelerating from stoplights in the blink of an eye. In short, this car requires a great degree of self-control and restraint on the driver’s part. Otherwise, one is likely to be writing checks to the local constabulary for significant sums on a regular basis. That’s something I was fortunately able to avoid in my four days with the Bentley Continental GT Speed. Had my test drive gone five, however, who knows?

2014 Bentley Continental GT Speed
6.0L W12 Twin Turbo Engine
616hp @6000rpm
590lb-ft. @1700rpm
8-Speed ZF Automatic Transmission with Paddle Shifters
Continuous All-wheel drive
Adjustable suspension
Speed tuned exhaust

Base Price: $217,000
Price as tested: $237,400 (includes $1,700 gas guzzler tax)

Bradley Cooper reportedly being targeted as the next Indiana Jones

2014-03-27T12:09:00.001+00:00

Is Indiana Jones looking for a reboot? That’s the word from film website Latino Review, who are reporting that Disney (which acquired the Indiana Jones rights from George Lucas in 2012) is looking to treat the franchise like the Bond movies – bringing in a fresh actor every decade or so to keep the films from getting creaky. So who does Disney have in mind to play Indy? The answer is Bradley Cooper, star of such films as “American Hustle”, “Silver Lining Playbook” and “The Hangover”.

Cooper would certainly fit the bill as a young Indy. He would bring a masculine and roguish quality to the role. And at 39, he could easily carry the franchise into the next decade.

So what about Harrison Ford? Again, word is out that, as time passes, the studio doesn’t see Ford as a viable alternative. At 71, Ford is no longer a box office draw, and the studio is looking to put a tent pole stake firmly in the ground now – not try and milk an aging star (and audience) for one last time. While the last film did well at the box office, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” was not treated kindly by critics and is generally not well regarded by fans of the franchise.

Speaking of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, what about Shia LaBeouf, who co-starred in the film, and who Steven Spielberg was apparently grooming to take the franchise lead from Ford? LaBeouf has effectively worked himself out of any consideration with his odd behavior, plagiarism accusations, and general lack of success in carrying a film.

Will Ford play Indiana Jones again? Or is Cooper (or another actor) bound to inherit the iconic hat and whip?

We’ll actually say ‘yes’ to both questions. By making known the studio’s desire to move forward with Indiana Jones, Disney is putting the pressure on Ford (and director Spielberg) to step up to the plate and commit to another film. Our bet is that it works. Ford and Spielberg will come around for one last go, while Cooper (or someone like him) will be prepped to restart the franchise shortly thereafter.

But let’s not kid ourselves – Disney won’t wait forever. They dropped $4 billion for the rights to the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. They’ll want to recoup that investment sooner than later. And by taking Indiana Jones in the direction of the Bond films, it allows the studio to rely less on the star and the filmmakers – and thus gives them a steady stream of income for decades to come.

Bulgari To Finance Renovation of Rome’s famous Spanish Steps

2014-03-23T02:04:00.001+00:00

Italian jewelry and luxury goods company Bulgari on Thursday answered the Italian government’s appeal for help in financing a renovation of Rome’s famous Spanish Steps.

Bulgari, which was bought in 2011 by French luxury giant LVMH, will put $2 million towards the refurbishment which will begin in 2015 and last two years, Rome’s mayor Ignazio Marino said.

Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi called this month for private investors to help restore and maintain the country’s heritage monuments, after a series of wall collapses at the ancient ruins of Pompeii in southern Italy.

“Italy is a country of culture and so I challenge businessmen. What are you waiting for? If the private sector can keep the wall standing upright, why not allow it to?” he said.

Many Baroque or Renaissance churches and Roman-era archaeological sites are kept permanently off limits to the public for lack of maintenance.

The government has already called on the private sector to help restore other UNESCO monuments: in Rome, luxury shoemaker Tod’s is financing works at the Colosseum, while high-end fashion house Fendi is expected to refurbish the Trevi Fountain.

The Spanish Steps refurbishment will be “the special gift from Bulgari to its city” to mark the jeweller’s 130th anniversary, the company’s chief executive Jean-Christophe Babin told a press conference in Rome.

The 18th century Baroque-style stairway has 136 steps.

The Top 10 Best Beaches In The World For 2014

2014-03-23T01:59:00.000+00:00

With its turquoise waters and lush green cliffs, the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, off the Brazilian coast, is home to the world’s top beach according to TripAdvisor user reviews.

One of the many selling points of the Baia do Sancho is its crystal clear water, which allows snorkelers to observe exotic fish and even sea turtles. But it’s not easy getting to this paradise on earth: visitors must descend a tall, steep staircase that could spook anyone with a fear of heights.

Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos Islands and Flamenco Beach in Puerto Rico complete the trio of the top beaches on the planet according to the travel website. The US made an appearance in the top 10 thanks to Hawaii’s Lanikai Beach, which came in at number eight.

Alongside its worldwide ranking, TripAdvisor compiled lists of the best beaches in the US, the UK and Europe. Unsurprisingly, Hawaii dominates the ranking for the US, accounting for seven of the country’s top 10 beaches. Behind the first and second place winners, Hawaii’s Lanikai Beach and Ka’anapali Beach, Florida made it into third place with Siesta Key Public Beach.

Top 10 beaches worldwide:

1. Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
2. Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
3. Flamenco Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico
4. Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Italy
5. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Australia
6. Playa de ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain
7. Anse Lazio, Praslin Island, Seychelles
8. Lanikai Beach, Kailua, Hawaii
9. Rhossili Bay, Swansea, Wales
10. Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

To view the Top 10 beaches in the US and other Traveler’s Choice Beach rankings visit www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches

49 Reasons To Love Greece

2014-03-22T00:04:00.001+00:00

So here is why everyone should love to Greece ...

1. Greeks take their time.

Flickr: yannisag

2. They let beautiful moments linger.

Flickr: linmtheu

3. They are passionate.

Flickr: nickchino

A man plays the traditional bouzouki.

4. Like their ancestors, Greeks are still thinkers (and often big talkers).

Flickr: vanou

5. They live closer to nature than we do.

Flickr: 63391301@N00 / Via Leezard

A man tenderizes a freshly caught octopus on a rock.

6. For Greeks, time with family and friends always comes first.

Flickr: papazimouris

7. … and they party like it’s their last day on Earth.

Flickr: linmtheu

8. The Romans really loved it here.

Flickr: 27382580@N02 / Via Mateus Pabst

Hadrian’s Arch built for the Roman Emperor in Athens in 131 A.D.

9. As did the crusaders.

Flickr: jlascar / Via Jorge Lascar

Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes built around 1309.

10. So did the Venetians.

Flickr: dubefranz

Methoni Castle in the western Peloponnese region.

And the Turks… well, let’s just say they overstayed their welcome.

Via Flickr: jdawson554

The 18th-century mosque of Gazi Hassan Pasha on the island of Kos.

11. Eighty percent of the country is picturesque mountains…

Flickr: pappousaki

The White Mountains on the island of Crete.

12. …but the beaches are absolutely…

Flickr: imagea / Via imagea.org

Porto Katsiki beach on the island of Lefkada.

…crazily…

Flickr: esther-

Lindos beach on the island of Rhodes.

…ridiculously…

Flickr: visitgreecegr

Voidokilia beach in the Messenia region of western Greece.

…ludicrously…

Flickr: visitgreecegr

The western coast of Greece’s Peloponnese region.

…breathtaking.

Flickr: tr8la / Via l.conti

Navagio beach on the island of Zakynthos.

13. The towns look like this…

Flickr: darkb4dawn

Astypalea.

and like this…

Corfu (Kerkyra).

and sometimes like this…

Flickr: cmgramse

Skiathos.

but also like that.

Flickr: alexcoitus

Ermoupolis on the island of Syros.

14. The Mediterranean diet is from here.

Flickr: a-culinary-photo-journal

Horiatiki (village) salad with tomatoes, feta, Kalamata olives, peppers, oregano, and olive oil — never lettuce. EVER.

…where it is best enjoyed next to the Mediterranean.

Flickr: polselli

Mykonos.

15. Greek food is so much more than souvlaki and gyros.

Flickr: pazavi / Via Flickr: avlxyz

Clockwise: Grilled sausage and meats on the spit; fresh grilled sardines; Greek meatballs in tomato sauce with yogurt; loukoumades (honey doughnuts); portokalopita (orange pie); horta (boiled greens with lemon); and grilled squid with olive oil.

16. Feta. The real, salty, creamy, crumbly stuff.

Flickr: santos

17. Freshest. Seafood. Ever.

Fresh sea urchin roe on the island of Amorgos.

18. Figs grow wild. Lots of them. Everywhere.

Nathan / Via Flickr: nobo

19. Breakfast in Greece is something special.

Flickr: gorgeoux

Greek yogurt with pine honey and toasted nuts.

20. Coffee breaks are serious affairs.

Flickr: p-andr

21. They make mighty fine beer.

Flickr: matt_gibson

Alfa being the best.

22. Athens is one of the most underrated cities in the world.

Flickr: identity-chris-is

A dog looks out over Athens to Lykavittos Hill.

23. Athens’ nightlife goes on till the wee hours every day of the week.

Metamatic:taf art space and bar.

24. Athens’ central market is a wonderland of delicious food.

25. The Exarchia neighborhood in Athens will never gentrify and never surrender.

Flickr: 76721782@N04 / Via Insocialableblog

Athens street protests 2011 spilling out from the leftist Exarchia neighborhood.

26. Greeks leave paradise intact, unlike their Mediterranean neighbors.

Flickr: southbayer / Via Alexander Besant

27. Over 1,200 stunning islands to choose from.

Flickr: amira_a

28. Most of Greece is hard to reach and that’s a very good thing.

Flickr: adamwitwer

Catch a ferry to Greece’s far-flung islands but don’t expect to be able to book online.

29. From May to September you’ll almost never see a cloud.

Flickr: papazimouris

The island of Sifnos.

30. Mykonos is summer’s biggest beach party.

Flickr: rwp-roger

31. This unsuspecting island village is home to an even more debauched party scene than Mykonos. Any guesses?

Via janwillemsen

This village parties like it’s 1999 (every night). Photo circa 1975 but not much has changed.

32. Folegandros is one of the most enchanting places on Earth.

Flickr: eliasfilis

The main village on the island of Folegandros built along a cliff to stave off pirates.

33. Lesbos is a real spot and it’s beautiful.

Flickr: mavroudis

And yes, the word comes from there.

34. Crete has more history and landscapes on one island than some large countries have.

Flickr: theo_reth / Via Theophilos

Rethymnon, Crete.

35. Mount Athos is still mysterious nearly 1,000 years later.

Flickr: cod_gabriel

The nearly two dozen monasteries dating back to the Middle Ages hang precipitously from the peninsula’s cliffs. Sadly, women are not allowed in the area.

36. The acoustics at Epidavros will blow your mind.

Flickr: rosino

Built in the 4th-century B.C., the theater seats 15,000 people.

37. Rock climbing on the island of Kalymnos is some of the best there is.

38. Yes, yes, that famous sunset from the village Oia on the island of Santorini (Thira) is OK too.

Flickr: byrdiegyrl

Good luck finding a free place to stand or sit.

39. The mind-boggling monasteries at Meteora.

Flickr: jaimeperez

Meteora’s Byzantine monasteries date back to the Middle Ages.

40. The Greeks saved Western civilization right here.

Flickr: dandiffendale

The burial mound of the 192 Athenians killed during the Battle of Marathon against the invading Persian army in 490 B.C.

41. This WAS Sparta.

Flickr: d1v1d

The ruins of ancient Sparta with modern Sparta in the background.

42. Alexander the Great was from here.

Via Flickr: carolemage

Pella, Greece.

43. Zeus once ruled the world from up there.

Flickr: 33284937@N04 / Via Nikos Koutoulas

Mount Olympus in Greece’s Macedonia region.

44. The oracle worked its magic up here on Mount Parnassus in Delphi.

Flickr: ejs76 / Via Emilio J Santacoloma

The oracle at Delphi.

45. …and Poseidon from down there.

Flickr: papazimouris

Temple of Poseidon in Sounio, just south of Athens.

46. Icarus would have seen this beautiful place just before he crash-landed.

Flickr: 86813892@N00 / Via Woody Wade

The island of Ikaria, named after the mythical figure.

47. Theater was born here.

Flickr: ejs76

Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens.

48. Philosophy too.

Flickr: telemax

A statue of Plato in Athens.

49. Democracy was conceived here on this rock.

Flickr: arkntina

The Pnyx, Athens.

Greeks have been through a lot lately.

Flickr: agelakis

But the truth is while we worried about them, maybe they should have been worried about us instead.

See for yourself, feel for yourself (Watch)

2014-01-10T18:15:00.001+00:00

A foreign tourist experiences the beauty of Crete and the warmth and optimism of its people, in contrast to the bleak picture painted by the news media.

“Change Your Words, Change Your World” (Watch)

2014-01-08T15:59:00.000+00:00

This video gives a powerful message “Change Your Words, Change Your World”….Something to remind us everyday to look around and see the beauty in our world!

People ignored this blind homeless man’s sign until someone changed the sign with powerful words, it changed the man’s fortune

Makes me cry when someone takes time out of their busy day to help a stranger in need. We need more people in this world who care enough to make even the smallest of gestures which can make all the difference. I’ve always believed in the power of words! This video just proves it!

This Video is actually a commercial but really gives a powerful message…It’s directed by Seth Gardner and the cast is (Bill Thompson, Beth Miller)

Cara Delevingne for DKNY

2014-01-08T01:07:00.001+00:00

British “It” girl Cara Delevingne is everywhere in 2014. First there was Mulberry, then YSL and now Cara is featured in the latest from DKNY.

Cara and Eliza Cummings both star in the first official image to be released of the new +DKNY spring/summer 2014 campaign. Behind the scenes shots of the models shooting the campaign in New York’s Times Square appeared late last year.

Cara is always restless, stating “I want to make music, I want to act, I want to sing, I want to do something that doesn’t make my skin erupt.”

Happy New Year 2014!!!

2013-12-31T18:59:00.000+00:00

In Coming Year Enjoy every single moment. The good, bad, beautiful, ugly, inspiring, the not-so-glamorous moments. Happy New Year 2014!

Chill at the best ice hotels

2013-12-31T16:47:00.001+00:00

Nothing beats an ice hotel to properly chill out when winter comes. Here’s a short selection of the most famous temperature-challenged hotels around the world.

One of the most famous ice hotels in the world has been opening its doors every winter in Québec since 2001.

This winter, it will open from January 5 to March 24, 2013. Although the beds are sculpted in ice, they are covered with a special mattress and sleeping bag to keep guests warm even whentemperatures drop to -30°C outside. In the room, they oscillate between -3°C and 5°C. Room prices start from around US$400 (€313) a night.

In the Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi, the Icehotel will accommodate guests from December 7 to April 13. Despite the freezing temperatures outside, the hotel’s 47 rooms include all the necessary amenities to keep guests warm, as well as a bar. Prices start at US$185 (€145) a night per head in a room for two.

Every winter, world famous artists congregate to the Swedish village to carve ice sculptures, adding to the location’s fairytale atmosphere.

On the banks of the Alta river, in Norway, lies a 1,600 square meter hotel with 50 beds in 20 rooms. The hotel also features a bar, several lounge areas and a suite, as well as a small ice chapel, a rather unusual location to exchange wedding vows. Prices for a night at the igloo hotel in Sorrisniva start at US$375 (€292).

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s new Rosie for Autograph Spring lingerie collection for Marks & Spencer

2013-12-31T16:40:00.002+00:00

Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s new Rosie for Autograph Spring lingerie collection for Marks & Spencer has been designed with Valentine’s Day in mind.

“As this collection is launching so close to Valentine’s Day, it was more important than ever to make sure that all the new colours complemented all skintones. We decided upon a gorgeous palette of blush pinks and warm neutrals which every woman will love to wear,” said Rosie.

2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray

2013-12-31T16:35:00.001+00:00

On Sunday night, at a well-attended ceremony at an old warehouse in a run-down section of Detroit, GM Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter and design director Tom Peters pulled the wraps off a 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray. The seventh generation of the classic American sports car and the first new version since 2005 is the most powerful standard Corvette in history, the C7 boasts an estimated 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque.

“For 60 years, the Corvette has represented the state of the art in performance cars. To put it simply, this car is the reason I work at General Motors,” said Mark Reuss, North American president, as he stood on stage next to a fire-alarm red model, the tarp just pulled off. “It’s presence, the performance, the history and the heritage — everything it stands for — always raises the hair on the back of my neck.”

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen’s $20 million dream home

2013-12-31T16:28:00.002+00:00

Model Gisele Bundchen and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s $20 million California dream home is finally finished, as photographs surface showing the amazing property following completion. Located in elite Brentwood outside Los Angeles, the mansion is 22,000-square feet and features eight bedrooms, a six-car garage, a lagoon-shaped swimming pool with spa, a weight room for Tom to train in and a wine cellar. It is believed that Gisele and Tom have now moved in to the mansion along with their two-year-old son Benjamin.

The roofs appear to be covered in solar panels and Gisele has insisted that despite its size, the palace is “environmentally friendly.” The couple bought the 3.75-acre lot for $11 million in 2008 and spent millions on the construction. Their neighbors include Arnold Schwarzenegger and Heidi Klum and her singer husband Seal.

Tom and his New England Patriots won the AFC Championship on Sunday (beating the Baltimore Ravens) and they’re on their way to Super Bowl XLVI.

Petrossian Caviar and Champagne Bar opens at Los Angeles Airport

2013-12-22T11:21:00.000+00:00

Plane delayed, who cares? Now you can wait for your flight in the lap of luxury. The French world-renowned caviar house Petrossian opened a caviar and champagne bar at Los Angeles’ Tom Bradley International Terminal last week. Menu items at the post bar include a caviar martini garnished with a caviar-stuffed olive, caviar deviled eggs, hand-sliced smoked salmon, a smoked trout platter and caviar flatbread, according to The Los Angeles Times.

And you no longer need to suffer from terrible airplane food. For the traveler on the go, Petrossian offers “Caviar in the Air” carry-on picnic packs that range from $205.50 to $1,581.50. The packs include a choice of caviar—such as Tsar Imperial Ossetra—blinis and crème fraîche in an insulated carry-on Petrossian pouch. According to the LA Times, other “to go” options include a selection of Parisian-smoked salmon and charcuterie.

The bar also features over 20 vodkas, a wide selection of high-end champagnes and various caviar choices based on availability, include Royal Transmontanus, Alverta President Transmontanus, Tsar Imperial Siberian, Tsar Imperial Shassetra and Tsar Imperial Ossetra.

J.K. Rowling Writing ‘Harry Potter’ Prequel Play

2013-12-22T11:18:00.002+00:00

Author J.K. Rowling is returning to the world of Harry Potter, exclusively for the London stage. Exploring Harry’s world in the cupboard under the stairs before his days at the magical Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, J.K. said in a statement Friday that the play will “explore the previously untold story of Harry’s early years as an orphan and outcast.”

The prequel Potter play is scheduled to open in London’s West End in 2015, produced by London and New York veteran producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender. Harry Potter’s theatrical story will seek to “offer a unique insight into the heart and mind of the now legendary young wizard. A seemingly ordinary boy, but one for whom destiny has plans…”

“Over the years I have received countless approaches about turning Harry Potter into a theatrical production, but Sonia and Colin’s vision was the only one that really made sense to me, and which had the sensitivity, intensity and intimacy I thought appropriate for bringing Harry’s story to the stage,” J.K. added.

J.K. will not write the play, however, as she will co-produce the production and collaborate with a playwright.

Of course, her hands are full, as she plans to bring a Potter-inspired film to life: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, based on a Hogwarts textbook. As one of the richest people in England, J.K.’s Harry Potter novels have sold more than 450 million copies around the world and have spawned eight successful Warner Bros. movie adaptations.

Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4

2013-12-22T11:01:00.004+00:00

Lamborghini is just about ready to release the successor to the aging Gallardo platform. Set to make its public debut next March at the Geneva Motor show will be the Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4.

The 610 in the Huracán’s name refers to the car’s horsepower. It produces the impressive number via a 5.2 V-10 engine.

But the Huracán is not just about power. The vehicle comes in at 3,140 pounds, and the V-10 engine is matched with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that will get you to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. Need to go faster? How about 124 mph in just 10 seconds. The Huracán tops out at 202 mph.

The new Huracán takes many cues from the larger Aventador. It has a sleek, smooth design in the traditional wedge shape. And the head- and tail lights share a strong resemblance with the Aventador.

Other features include carbon-ceramic brakes, full LED headlamps, a reconfigurable 12.3-inch display serving as the instrument panel, and Nappa leather inside.

The Huracán, like other Lamborghini models, is named after a famous Spanish fighting bull. This one comes from the Conte de la Patilla line. Here’s what Lamborghini had to say about the bull:

“The fighting bull Huracán of the Spanish Conte de la Patilla breed was known for his outstanding courage and strong sense of attack. He fought in Alicante in August 1879, showing his unrelenting character and remaining defiant and invincible, thus entering into the legend of fighting bulls’ history.”

Lamborghini will build the Huracán LP 610-4 at its Sant’Agata Bolognese facility. The first cars should reach customers some time in the spring of 2014.

PRESS RELEASE

The new Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4: A new dimension in Luxury Super Sports Cars

- Innovative technology and absolute performance redefine the super sports car experience
- Pure and powerfully dynamic design language
- New V10 with 610 hp, acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, top speed of over 325 km/h
- From January 2014: private preview events for qualified prospects

Sant’Agata Bolognese, 20.12.2013 — A new era is beginning for Automobili Lamborghini and the luxury super sports car segment: with the brand new Huracán Lamborghini is not only presenting the successor to the iconic Gallardo, but is also redefining the benchmark for luxury super sports cars in this segment. With its pure and unique design, an innovative technology package, outstanding dynamics and excellent quality, the Huracán offers a super sports car experience on a whole new level. The Huracán combines absolute performance with easy-todrive road behavior and both luxurious and sport-oriented finish. With the Huracán, Lamborghini is taking a big step into the future, and enhancing the brand’s illustrious history with the next automotive legend.

Starting from January 2014 the Huracán will be the protagonist of over 130 private preview events in more than 60 cities throughout the world. The Lamborghini Huracán will make its world public debut at the Geneva Motorshow 2014.

Name

With a total volume of 14,022 cars produced, the Lamborghini Gallardo has been the most successful Lamborghini ever and, in its ten-year lifecycle, lifted the Lamborghini marque to a whole new level. Its successor, the new Huracán, has been developed from scratch down to the very last detail and, like the Gallardo and most other Lamborghini models, derives its name from the world of bullfighting. The fighting bull Huracán of the Spanish Conte de la Patilla breed was known for his outstanding courage and strong sense of attack. He fought in Alicante in August 1879, showing his unrelenting character and remaining defiant and invincible, thus entering into the legend of fighting bulls’ history.

Design

The new Huracán revolutionizes the design language of the Gallardo and is pure in its lines: precise technology and top level craftsmanship meet an audacious design with sharp edges, monolithic and sculptured volumes and precise surfaces. The starting point is the silhouette of the Huracán, born out of the desire of creating an automobile, whose profile is defined by only one line that merges the front with the cockpit and the rear of the car. The lateral windows come together to create a hexagonal form inserted like a glass jewel in the car’s profile.

Also by night is the Huracán unmistakably a Lamborghini. Not only are the main headlamps equipped with full LED illumination, but all other light functions also feature state-of-the-art LED technology as a standard feature for the first time in the segment.

Interior

The interior is dominated by an innovative cockpit. A 12.3 inch full-color TFT instrument panel delivers all car information to the driver, from rev counter to navigation maps and infotainment functions, and can be configured by the driver in different setups. Fine Nappa leather and Alcantara distinguish the interior, with several color combinations offered to ensure broad individualization options. The design of dashboard and central tunnel underline a new lightness in the interior. Superb craftsmanship guarantees the highest quality and sense of luxury throughout.

Chassis and powertrain

Systematic lightweight design and Automobili Lamborghini’s extensive expertise in carbon fiber come together in the Huracán’s new hybrid chassis — an integrated structure of carbon and aluminum elements. With a dry weight of 1,422 kg it enables not only the excellent power-to-weight ratio of just 2.33 kilograms per horse power, but also guarantees race-car precision with outstanding stiffness.

The new 5.2 liter V10 engine delivers a maximum power of 448 kW / 610 HP at 8,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 560 Nm at 6.500 rpm. In the new ”Iniezione Diretta Stratificata” (IDS), direct and indirect gasoline injections are smartly combined. This results in more power and torque with lower fuel consumption and emissions compared with the Gallardo V10 engine. The top speed of over 325 km/h and the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and to 200 km/h in 9.9 seconds only partially describe the dynamic experience at the wheel of the Huracán. Also thanks to the Stop & Start technology, the combined EU consumption figure has been further reduced to 12.5 liters per 100 km (290 g/km CO2 emissions). The engine complies with EU6 emissions regulation.

Driving dynamics

The power of the V10 engine is brought to the road via the new 7-speed dualclutch transmission ”Lamborghini Doppia Frizione” (LDF) and fully electronically controlled four-wheel drive system. The different driving modes of the Huracán can be selected via a driving dynamics selector switch in the steering wheel – from traction-oriented on the road to extreme performance on the race track, with three setups of the dynamics system: STRADA, SPORT and CORSA. The different modes ensure extensive modification in road behavior of the Huracán. In particular they influence the set-ups of several systems, such as the gearbox and engine behavior, the sound, the four-wheel-drive system and electronic stability control. The Huracán’s carbon-ceramic brakes are a standard feature for consistently superb braking performance. The ”Lamborghini Dynamic Steering” variable steering ratio system and magneto-rheologic suspension damper control are both available as options for further customization of the Huracán’s dynamic behavior. They are also calibrated via the three different dynamic set-ups.

The Huracán is produced at the Automobili Lamborghini headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese on an entirely newly-equipped production line. Delivery to the first customers is planned for spring 2014.