Travel
Feel Inspired - Maldives
Escape to your own private island only accessible by seaplane and only forty minutes north of Mali.
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...
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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 A different kind of escape in the Loire Valley
An estate spanning 1400 acres takes you back in time to a place of complete serenity, nature and purity – even pictures don’t do justice to the beauty of Les Bordes. Located in the heart of the Loire Valley, the estate is made up of the 20th-century Château Bel Air featuring eight suites, a restaurant in a glass orangery and a cigar, whisky and wine bar. In addition to a cosy clubhouse, there is a spa and wellness centre under the canopy of trees, accompanied by swimming pools, tennis courts and a gym. Need more convincing? How about lighting up a fine cigar while sipping on some rare whisky complemented by a delectable meal in the Club du Baron? According to Les Bordes, ‘It’s the feeling of homecoming as you sink into an armchair beside grand, leaping fires. The way the outside world fades away – and all that matters are the people around your table.’ But if you would rather take refuge in a good book or a play a game, the clubhouse has a library and games room.
Featuring Experience the Trans-Siberian Railroad on this 15-day...
The adventure lasts 15 days, departing from Beijing and Moscow, with expected stops including Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Ulan Ude and Ulaanbaatar, among others. The experience will be very unique, as guests will be able to travel the normally closed original route of the Trans-Siberian Railroad and be accommodated in one of Tsar Gold’s five cabin categories, ranging from four berth cabins to luxury cabins with en suite facilities. The views are, without question, spectacular. One example is the frontier between Mongolia and Russia, which also happens to be an immigration stop-point with a twist: Passengers can literally present their passports while in their sleepwear, as immigration officials board the train.
Featuring Rio: The city with art and Jazz at heart
Today, its international profile is rising with the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics games, and it’s not just sports fans who have their eye on this vibrant city. Art exhibitions put on here are among the world's most-attended, while both Rio and Sao Paolo have art fairs and talent strong enough to rival any emerging cultural hotspot. Last year, Brazillian artist Beatriz Milhazes' set a new record for Brazilian art, selling a piece for $2.1 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York. A host of new international galleries single the city out as the must-see destination for any global art connoisseur: Emmanuel Hervé (Paris), Société (Berlin) and Thomas Brambilla (Milan,) are some who have made Rio their next home. A perfect time to experience this vibrant city can begin with ArtRio, Rio’s first contemporary international art fair launched in 2010. Every September, a week is packed with stimulating events and private dinners; those looking for a truly exclusive experience may want to brush shoulders with the most exciting creative minds and the glitterati of the city at the black-tie gala ball held at MAR, one of the city’s leading contemporary art museums.
Featuring Experience spectacular views of planet Earth by Bloon
It’s a near-space flight that takes you to the edge of the atmosphere, now bookable at a price tag of €110,000 and lifting off as early as 2016 (or 2017 at the latest). The journey takes approximately four hours, commencing with a countdown to vertical lift-off lasting about 10 minutes, as the bloon begins its ascent from the Earth’s surface to an altitude of 36km. At this point the bloon cruises at a constant altitude, providing spectacular views of the planet. Finally, there is the venting phase, which enables the bloon to descend onto its predefined landing area for sail separation. So, why use a balloon for this exciting flight experience? According to the company, there are three reasons: ‘Safety, experience and environmental impact. The oldest type of flying machine known, the balloon, is inherently safer than other forms of high-altitude flight. By using a pod with a balloon we create a softer and more pleasant journey.
Featuring Take diving to a more luxurious level – all you need to...
How? By having it tailor-made just for you, of course. One company that specializes in creating tailor-made diving holidays is Original Diving. The company sets out to create itineraries for the individual based on precisely what that individual is seeking during their experience. Not only that, but the company sees to it that every single detail is taken care of so that the only thing one needs to remember is their passport. For convenience, a 24-hour helpline is just a phone call away; customers can rest assured that they will always have someone at the other end to answer quick questions or to rely on should anything go wrong. Of course, it goes without saying that Original Diving is made up of expert divers. Let us, however, get to the more exciting bits, like where to go diving. The choices seem endless: From North America, the Caribbean, Antarctica and Africa to the Far East, Australia and the Pacific Islands, how do you choose?
For your next private function or wedding, experience...
The Sybarite has had the pleasure of visiting this stately residence and we are giving it the grand OK for those looking to host a private function or wedding in France that offers convenience, beauty and exclusivity. Chateau Bouffemont is the ideal place for a “homely” wedding ceremony where guests are able to mingle and hold intimate conversations in an atmosphere that provides the 5- star touch yet shows no signs of unpretentiousness. The Chateau has undergone a complete refurbishment after being bought from its new proprietor in 2012 – the theme is chic and elegant. Imagine, Tiffany coloured walls, wooden floors; gorgeous verandah overlooking the landscaped gardens, a magnificent staircase, private elevator and ten magical suites. We feel that the interior design of the Chateau combines both a masculine and feminine touch, as if its proprietors were a couple – you can certainly feel the male-touch in one of its five reception halls decked out with leather arm chairs and a fireplace, whereas the main hall hangs a large ornate chandelier with walls coloured in a sort of Tiffany turquoise green. It is by all means, a setting that is great for photo taking.
Featuring Explore Europe’s ‘off the beaten track’ waterways aboard...
It is rather fascinating with so many waterways to be discovered – through the vineyards of Burgundy, the historic Po Valley in Italy to the Caledonian Canal in Scotland and the more open waters of Loch Ness, cruising along Europe’s waterways is one adventure to add to that bucket list – we think. The best way to explore Europe’s waterways is of course a gentle cruise on a hotel barge; one that is replete with perfectly adorned suites and a well-rounded crew. European Waterways has been pioneering hotel barges for nearly 40 years and currently has a fleet of hotel barges to suit different passengers – an example is the Hotel Barge Finesse, a luxury double-decker hotel barge that is currently being commissioned. The Finesse offers room for 8 passengers in four spacious twin or double-bedded suites with air-conditioning and private shower rooms to match. “She will also boast a large saloon with panoramic windows and a demonstration galley where guests can watch their chef preparing delicious gourmet meals”. Cruising for the Finesse will begin from May 2016 travelling through River Saone and Southern Burgundy where one can discover its vineyards.
Featuring For the tourist-goer this is not for you – Bali’s best...
Located off the beaten track, crossing many a rice fields, small villages and lakes you could not imagine that a resort would be this remote. Once the car reaches the inclined hill, you find yourself atop a historical village greeted by the sounds of xylophone music, the smell of fresh air and a view that has you deeply exhaling that tension away. It is quite an experience for the Bali holiday goer as there aren’t too many guests either. It feels private and quite frankly, it feels wonderful. In short, it is a true find. The aim for the Puri Sebatu Resort is to offer its guests a place of tranquility and respite from the many tourists who often holiday in Bali. That is why its location is rather difficult to find but The Sybarite promises you that upon reaching, one will find that this is a truly special escape. Its design “incorporates traditional Balinese architecture. Guests are surrounded by the textures and color of nature, dressed slate, terracotta floor, smooth unpainted wood, soft homespun fabrics, intricate worked copper, fragrant alang-alang grass roofing, natural bamboo, rough cut stone, flowers and foliage”
Featuring A modern day palace that will leave nothing short of...
It is dedication that has led to the expansion of the Peninsula Hotel with chains across Hong Kong, its original “birth place”, Shanghai, Beijing, Manila, Tokyo to New York, Beverly Hills, Chicago and recently, the first of its kind in Europe, Paris. In an exclusive interview with Peninsula Paris’ Hotel Manager Vincent Pimont, The Sybarite gets a first glance at this modern day palace to discover what makes this gem so gratifyingly memorable and how it is able to carry the spirit wherever it sets up – be it Tokyo, New York or Paris, ultimately leaving guests with the ‘Peninsula experience’ imprinted in their sensory world. It is no wonder at all that the hotel has a record of many returning guests and although Peninsula Paris has only just recently joined the family in August 2014, guests are returning like never before which is only testament to the hotel’s approach in nurturing exceptional hospitality and attention to detail.
Featuring Meditation packages and the Dalai Lama, to find your Zen
What if you could venture to a place where your mind’s noise and distractions are taken even farther to a place of deep serenity and calm – that is, if you can focus and find it. This month, The Sybarite focuses on finding your inner Zen, through some of these unique destinations around the world.
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