Lifestyle and Adventure
Experience Bordeaux’s Gourmet Scene
Raise a glass to a gourmet break in Bordeaux
The Unesco Heritage French city of Bordeaux maybe best known for its pedestrianised boulevards and restored neoclassical architecture, but it’s also a great destination for gourmands.Sybarites looking to sample Bordeaux’s exceptional dining scene would do well to check into
Located in the heart of the city, opposite the majestic Bordeaux Opera House, this haute hotel boasts no fewer than five wine...
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Featuring Last night a DJ saved my life
Turn your disc-jockey dreams into reality on a DJ Dispensary retreat “You ruin your life by tolerating it. At the end of the day you should be excited to be alive. When you settle for anything less than what you innately desire, you destroy the possibility that lives inside of you, and in that way you cheat both yourself and the world of your potential. The next Michelangelo could be sitting behind a Macbook right now writing an invoice for paperclips, because it pays the bills, or because it is comfortable, or because he can tolerate it. Do not let this happen to you.” So scribbled Bianca Sparacino in her first published work, How To Ruin Your Life Without Realising You Are. Here at Sybarite HQ we know we’re not the next Michelango but as teens we indulged in fantasies about working as a DJ, before stepping on the career treadmill and giving up on our dreams.
Featuring Exploring Edinburgh: Gear up for Fringe Festival with...
The renowned annual arts festival from 5-29 August 2016. However, while the world's largest arts festival will dominate the headlines in August, there’s plenty of other things that the beautiful city has on offer. Here’s The Sybarite's low-down on the 10 essential Edinburgh experiences. How many can you tick off?
Hot Dish - an interview with Velocity founder Zia Yusuf
It was a particularly patience-testing restaurant experience which saw former Goldman Sachs man, Zia Yusuf, and his childhood friend Alex Macdonald forced to wait 45 minutes for the bill - that led the Londoners to create Velocity. The smartphone app which - despite only having launched in January 2014 - has already changed the way we dine out. In a nutshell, Velocity lets you find a restaurant, reserve a table and pay the bill, all from your smartphone, granting us a little bit more of what is arguably the biggest luxury there is in 2016: time. Yusuf - a magnificent mix of boldness and guts - is clearly passionate about the project and has his eyes on America. “We’re launching in several hundred restaurants across numerous cities in America ,so it’s all systems go! I am very excited by the take up of great restaurants - we’ve only really got great restaurants. And that creates expectation. Customers know that they can have a world class experience regardless of price point. It’s about a world class meal. We actually founded the company on the principle that human interest is the bedrock of hospitality. What we have set out to do, is to use technology to make even the most mundane parts of hospitality - like paying for the bill - memorable. We’re not about discounts; we’re about allowing customers to have a very personalised experience and get treated like a local regular.”
Featuring The definition of a 21st century business Club – 12 Hay Hill
Between work, meetings, office drinks, visits to the gym and time with friends, we’ve become more reliant than ever on venues that can combine all of these under one roof. One of London’s most exclusive business clubs is 12 Hay Hill in Mayfair. The Sybarite caught up with Chief Executive Simon Robinson to find out more about the club and its offering. Importantly, 12 Hay Hill is not restricted to one service, it functions in many different ways but without sacrificing quality or style. Simon explained “what’s interesting about 12 HayHill is that we are different. There are many, many institutions in London – and in Mayfair particularly – you have hotels, restaurants, bars, and office blocks. What is inspirational about us is that we are a hybrid of them all, and in essence we are a wonderful place to work. That is where it starts from, for me.”
Health is the Ultimate Luxury: Meet Clajah Bricce
Growing up in London surrounded by the buzz of a hard-working city that never sleeps, Clajah found herself particularly inspired by her aunt, whose demanding schedule made keeping healthy an absolute must. As a singer working with the likes of Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder, Clajah’s aunt was constantly on the go, and she relied heavily on her fitness to be able to do her job. Even at such a young age, Clajah says she “wanted to be just like [her]” and really understood how important working out and eating well was for peace of mind, as well as body. Unsurprisingly, Clajah went on to study Biology, Nutrition and Exercise Physiology at university, further equipping herself with the necessary knowledge to make her business idea a very healthy reality. She loved the variety and complexity of the clients she took on “working with children and families, celebrities, sports figures and high powered executives”, all with a range of different health objectives. She now has more than 20 years of experience in the international health sector.
Where to celebrate Chinese New Year in London
In short, it is two weeks of constant eating, merriment and customary rituals. 2016 is said to be the ‘Year of the Monkey’, specifically the 'Fire Monkey'. Zodiac observers will expect “an element of vitality, a little bit more power and energy” in the year ahead. For those born under the Monkey sign, the upcoming year is expected bring more “focus” and a lot more “attention to detail” in all that they do. Although Asian in origin, the festive period has become universally acknowledged and celebrated, meaning you won’t miss out, no matter where you are in the world. Here's our top ‘picks’ of the best ways in which to celebrate in London:
Featuring Sneak Peak: The Oscars ‘Swag Bag’ is here
The fabulous people, couture outfits, high-profile events and celebrity gossip are already making it into the media. Next on our radar is possibly the most famous awards ceremony in the world. The 88th Academy Awards is set to take place on the 28th of this month and will be hosted by comedian and actor Chris Rock. Arguably the souvenir every guest would like to get their hands on is the highly renowned golden statue. However, seeing as our acting skills aren’t quite up to scratch, we've decided to turn our attention to the next best thing - the Oscar-worthy goodie bag. No A-List celebrity will go home empty handed as each will receive one of these ‘swag bags’, the ultimate metaphor for the surreal nature of the Hollywood lifestyle - this year rumoured to be worth a staggering $200,000. So what could possibly be in such a goodie bag to result in such an amount you wonder? It’s a far cry from a balloon and a slice of cake, but then again this is Hollywood, and here’s a sneak peak…
Dreaming of the Maldives? Feel inspired by these two...
This private island is your definition of an escape, of your ‘nowhere-to-be-found’ and where you can be indulgent with discretion. The Cheval Blanc Randheli was conceived by its architect Jean-Michel Gathy and invites you to “experience French Art de Recevoir”- or in other words the art of hospitality. Unlike other villas of the sort, Cheval Blanc is a completely secluded lagoon offering a rare experience for its discerning guests. If you ever considered holidaying on your own private island and haven’t done so yet, you might wish to consider Cheval Blanc Randheli Owner’s Villa. Stretching over 8000 sqm and only accessible by private berth and jetty, Owner’s Villa is a four-bedroom luxury abode with a 25 m outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, crystal clear beaches, lush gardens, and a spa to match.
Sybarite Life: Hofit Golan frolics in the Maldives
She was joined with friend and model Mathilde Gøhler, designer and actor Mariano Di Vaio and composer Remee S. Jackman - we've seen her swimming in crystal clear water and leisurely strolling down the beach, looking fabulous in different bikini styles. Take a look for yourself.
Featuring Luxury meets history in the heart of Venice
From cabarets to banquets, masked balls to classical concerts, the city comes to life in a celebration of Italian culture. The global appeal of Venice continues to grow but it still remains one of the most unspoilt cities in Europe, with its beautiful piazzas and winding canals. And now there is a new reason to visit the city, and maybe never leave again, after paying a visit to the new luxury apartments recently developed and now on the market. The importance of preserving the city’s oldest buildings has been honoured in the award winning development of Palazzo Molin, a 15th Century palace, into eighteen individually designed apartments. Classic Venetian architecture has been combined with contemporary design and facilities to create a modern haven in a traditional space. The facade of the palace has not been altered, it still showcases the Gothic Fiorito style which is widely celebrated for its artistic importance.
Own a private vineyard home and, if you choose, let...
Production plots start at 7,000 sq. m. and owners will have the freedom to control the use of their vineyards, whether producing their own wines guided by Casa de Uco’s experienced winemakers or renting out their vineyards for a yearly profit. What we find most appealing about Casa de Uco is that it offers wine connoisseurs the opportunity not only to own a private vineyard in one of the best regions for winemaking, but also to avail themselves of the resort’s expertise. Wine experts will be on hand to guide proprietors through the entire process – from harvesting young grapes to handling the business and profit-making side of things. Owning a Casa de Uco private villa is an idyllic experience: Nestled within the vineyard and surrounded by amazing vegetation and picturesque views of the Andes Mountain, the villa comes with round-the-clock concierge service, offering hotel-like hospitality. Some might consider this a fine way to retire.
Featuring Reserve a luxurious dinner at Royal Albert Hall’s Coda...
This time, the theme is ‘Amaluna’, ‘an island ruled by goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon’. The plot: ‘Their queen, Prospera, directs her daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony in a rite that honours femininity, renewal, rebirth and balance which marks the passing of these insights and values from one generation to the next. ‘In the wake of a storm caused by Prospera, a group of young men lands on the island, triggering an epic, emotional story of love between Prospera’s daughter and a brave young suitor. But theirs is a love that will be put to the test. The couple must face numerous demanding trials and overcome daunting setbacks before they can achieve mutual trust, faith and harmony.’