ΤΗΕ ΕCLIPSE OF LUXURY....OVER THE WORLD'S SEAS...

 The yacht has overall length of 155.20 meters (or 509 feet) and length between perpendiculars of 147.00 meters (equals to 482 feet). The beam of the super-yacht is 21.50 meters and the draft of the yacht is 5.00 meters. This definitely now is the largest and most expensive yacht of the world. The yacht is property of the well-known Russian billionaire – Roman Abramovich. The yacht Eclipse is going just a step in front of the second largest private yachts Dubai and Pelorus. The newly built Eclipse yacht was built from Blohm & Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany. The beautiful yacht can be valued to price of more than 700 millions euros. The beauty owns two helicopters’ caps, 20 water jets and own submarine.!

This is only the beginning when we start explaining the wonders of Eclipse yacht, because when some Russian oligarch starts to orders extras for his yacht, sometimes he forgot everything. The submarine is boarding from the bottom of the yacht and this allows for the owner to board the yacht in absolute privacy. Also the security on board is from the highest level, which is important for rich businessman like Abramovich. All windows are with protection B7, some of the largest possible protections known. The yacht has own places for the bodyguards and there is at least 5 possible exits if the yacht is attacked. Also the own security system can prevent more serious attacks to the yacht.
   But what is one yacht, if there is nothing for the owner and guests. Security is not everything and when we are talking about 7 stars yacht like Eclipse this can be easily seen. The yacht has large pool outside with large Havana bars surrounding it and one more pool inside for practicing swimming or making wet parties. Also the bars in open-air are designed for nice moments of the owner with his friends. The small cinema, library and restaurant are making this yacht to be closely to cruise ship. The large lobby is furnished with modern and classical elements. The yacht has 9 decks, first of which is only for the machinery and engine room. The second deck is the docking place of the 12 people large submarine. The same deck has one small disko-club, where guests can have fun. Upper decks are for the entertainments and living area. The possible capacity for guests on board is 12, who are divided into 8 apartments. The largest apartment is the owner’s one, which is situated on 5th deck on place of 5,000 square feet. This apartment has own verandah with nice ocean view and two large rooms. Also for the comfort of the owner, builders added small private garden in deck, which can be reached from the verandah. The other 5 apartments are double, all of them with balconies and nice ocean view. The last 2 rooms are single. Also as I mentioned earlier there is special place for the security on board. This will allow for the ship-owner to be all the time is security place even on board of his yacht. The yacht Eclipse is interesting with one more think, the maximum speed of the yacht is 26.2 knots, while cruising one is 25 knots. This is pretty much for steel yacht with such size. With simple words the yacht is one pretty large and beautiful hotel designed for the one of the richest people of the world – Roman Abramovich.

YOUR 2 FAST AND LUX LIMO,,,

This Ferrari 360 Modena limousine was created by cutting a regular 360 Modena in half and adding seats in the middle to provide interior room for eight people.
There is one large flat screen on-board plus several smaller screens set into the head rests. It also has a state of the art sound system and fibre optic disco lighting.
Estimated at £250,000 ($390,000), this is the fastest limousine in the world – it can hit a top speed of 166 mph.

This unique vehicle was designed By Dan Cawley of Style Limousines, then tuned to perfection by Prestige Limousines, Birmingham, England.

MIANSAI FOR iPHONE YOUR GOLD TELECOMMUNICATION.......

Miansai have unveiled this gorgeous iPhone 4s case made of solid gold. It can be purchased either in yellow or rose gold.
Crafted by hand at Miansai, it can be customized according to the client’s tastes. Every case is engraved with its limited edition number. Price:8000 euros...

PERINI NAVI THE SUPERYACHT....

Launched nearly six years ago, the masterful 289-ft. Maltese Falcon remains Perini Navi’s crowning achievement.
While the yard has constructed many stunning yachts since then, none have approached the Falcon’s impressive length.
Now Perini Navi has signed a contract for a 226-ft. sailing superyacht, that, when completed, will be the second largest PN ever built, Superyacht Times reports.

Set for delivery in 2015 to an unnamed but assuredly very rich owner, the 226-footer will be one of the 10 largest sailing yachts in the world when completed.
The interior layout has been designed by the Perini Navi Design Office and will be completed with the help of the American interior design studio PH Design.

VERSACE STYLE FOR YOUR KIDS...

Italian fashion house Versace recently opened its first boutique in Milan dedicated to kids’ line Young Versace, geared toward boys and girls from 0 to 12 years old.
Young Versace is located on the ground floor of the company’s headquarters on Via Borgospesso and is quite small at 538 square feet.
The store will offer the line’s inaugural Spring 2012 collection, which includes zipper-detailed tops, studded hoodies and skirts with the brand’s key motif.


With the new boutique, Versace has joined a list of luxury labels that have entered the kids fashion market such as Lanvin, Roger Vivier and Jean Paul Gaultier.

The Young Versace collection will also be available in leading specialty boutiques and department stores worldwide.

SERGIO'S ROSSI HIGH HILLS STEPS OF GOLD...OR SILVER

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Sergio Rossi Cachet Pumps in Gold and Silver leaf designs will retail for 8000 euros

Sergio Rossi launches Cachet pumps silver leaf and gold designs. The limited edition peep-toe Cachet pumps come with crocodile skin and are coated in 22-carat silver leaf and gold for the different designs.
The designer used a unique technique which is often associated with furniture making and sculpturing to create the shoes. The shoes will be sold exclusively in London, Milan, Rome and Paris as well as in Sergio Rossi boutiques through special order.
The luxurious pairs of platform shoes are expected to retail for 8000euros.

Coinciding with Art Basel in Miami, Italian fashion designer Sergio Rossi released a limited edition of the iconic Cachet pump on December 1. Luxuriously wrapped in 22-carat gold leaf or antique silver leaf, these gorgeous hand-crafted pumps boast a chic crocodile finish.  Available upon request from Sergio Rossi Bal Harbour.

MOET & CHANDON 1911 GRAND VINTAGE ULTIMATE COLLECTION

Moët & Chandon have released 11, limited-edition coffrets of six bottles of Grand Vintage Collection 1911, to go on display in one of Harrods’ Christmas windows.
Available exclusively from Harrods for a price tag of 80000 euros, the 100-year-old Champagne comes from one of its most memorable vintages.
Even at the time of its harvest a century ago, the 1911 vintage was recognized then as memorable by the chef de cave of Moet & Chandon.

This extraordinary champagne has been conserved under optimum aging conditions in the chateau’s cellars, and the bottles were disgorged only in early 2011.
According to wine critic Tom Stevenson, the Champagne is a “beautiful pale yellow gold” with a floral and fruity nose.
“After a century, it’s still bubbly on the palate!” he added. “Grand Vintage Collection 1911 is a superb vintage Champagne, both elegantly mature and deliciously lively.”
One of the cases was auctioned at a gala dinner in Shanghai in September, raising US$100,000 for charity.

LA PRAIRIE...LIFE THREADS....THE SMELL OF THE VIPS

La Prairie has unveiled two new eau de toilettes for the wintry season, Life Threads Sheer Gold and Life Threads Sheer Ruby. Lighter spin-offs of the Life Threads Gold and Life Threads Ruby respectively, the two new scents cater specially towards women who pine for subtler versions of their favourite scents.

Opening with sweet tangerine and Chinese plum, the Life Threads Sheer Gold is redolent of mythic patchouli, myrrh and imperial incense.

The Life Threads Sheer Ruby opens with succulent notes of bergamot and orange flower before enveloping the wearer in seductive sandalwood, vetiver, passion musk and vanilla bean.

Both scents are housed in 50ml Lucite bottles.

Life Threads Sheer Gold

Life Threads Sheer Ruby

La Prairie

SWEET FOR YOUR MOUTH BUT BITTER FOR YOUR WALLET....

A wealthy businessman has purchased a wildly extravagant chocolate pudding glazed with edible gold and strawberry champagne caviar for a record 30000 euros.
Carl Weininger splashed out on the world’s most expensive dessert for his 60th birthday – and as a treat for himself after his three-year relationship ended.
He bought the cake from Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel in Windermere, Cumbria – the former home of the children’s author Beatrix Potter.

Styled like a Faberge Easter egg, the chocolate pudding is believed to have broken all previous records thanks to its pricey list of ingredients.
Chef Marc Guilbert layered the flamboyant pudding with a light biscuit joconde and champagne jelly, infused with peach, orange and whiskey.
The creation is finished with bitter dark chocolate and glazed with edible gold leaf.
Instead of the conventional cherry on top of a cake, a two-carat diamond sits atop a handmade chocolate flower.
The chocolate pudding beat the previous world record of 16000 euros for the world’s most expensive pudding by the Serendipity Restaurant in New York.

THE UNIQUE ASTON MARTIN SAFE,,,,

Here's an object of desire that melds fast cars and complicated watches: the Buben & Zorweg and Aston Martin collaborative project, the Object of Time One-77. Taking design cues from - what else? - Aston Martin's very covetable supercar, the safe is a head-turning marvel of techology and a safe stowaway for your treasured possessions.

The Object of Time One-77 is an all-inclusive safe with all the nifty extras you would expect from a Buben & Zorweg-Aston Martin partnership: a high security vault, time mover watch winders, humidors, drawers dedicated to storing jewelry and watches, four world clocks and a built-in sound system that enables you to dock an iPod with a flying minute tourbillion timepiece. In a nod to the supercar, the safe's height of 1.77 meters also references the name of the Aston Martin flagship.

The first animated presentation of the object of time during Basel World 2011 created enormous buzz among car and watch collectors alike: 20 orders were promptly registered, based on this presentation alone. The first safes are expected to go into production in January 2012 and, like Martin’s luxury two-door coupe, you're guaranteed of exclusivity: the Object of Time One-77 is limited to just 77 pieces. Get your PA on the line, pronto: with twenty pieces already snapped up, you'll need to act fast to get your paws on the remaining 57!

KOHINOOR THE CURSED DIAMOND OF THE BILLION'S......

Koh-i-noor, a Mountain of Light

The anniversary of Koh-i-noor reaching the shores of England draws near again. A brilliant diamond, the 'Koh-i-noor’s trail is littered by misery, unhappiness and war. 

There was a period when Indian diamonds were very famous the world over. These included the Koh-i-noor, Orlov, the Great Moghul, Darya-i-noor, Indore pears, Shah and Arcots. These were all part of the treasure houses of the great emperors of India. Today, they are all in the hands of outsiders.

The legendary Koh-i-noor has been in the eye of the storm ever since it left the hands of its original owners - a diamond which was never bought or sold, but changed many hands. Koh-i-noor has left a trail that speaks of greed, power, murder, mayhem and unhappiness.

According to all references, Koh-i-noor was never that great to look at in its early days. It was just another diamond that was dull, non-sparkling and a little yellow in appearance.

Many legends say that the Koh-i-noor was mined in India, and at least 4,000 years old. It received a mention in the 1300s, when it was named in the Baburnama. One account states that Babur got his hands on the diamond in Gujarat; another says he got it in the Deccan. But when Babur came to Agra in May 1526, the ruler Vikramaditya most likely gave him the great diamond. There is also evidence that his son Humayun carried a large diamond that his father had handed back to him at Agra and was known as Babur’s diamond for the next 200 years.

There are still so many unresolved questions surrounding the precious stone. Many believe that the Koh-i-noor was also the Great Mogul and that Babur's diamond was separate; others say the Koh-i-noor and Babur’s diamond were one and same, while the rest identified it with both Babur's diamond and the Great Mogul. Information gathered over the years shows that in fact, three diamonds existed: - the Great Mogul – was the Orlov, weighing 189.62 metric carats, in Kremlin; and Babur's diamond – was the Darya-i-noor, weight 175 gm and 195 metric carats, the Iranian Crown Jewels; and the Koh-i-noor re-cut, Crown Jewels, England.

When the peacock throne was handed over to Nadir Shah, the hiding place of this diamond was given away. A member of Mohammad Shah’s harem gave away the hiding place of Koh-i-noor. It is said that the Shah kept it hidden in his turban. So, Nadir Shah devised a plan - he ordered a grand feast to coincide with the restoration of Mohammed Shah to his throne. During the feast Nadir Shah suddenly proposed an exchange of turbans, a sign of brotherly ties and eternal friendship. Mohammed Shah was hardly likely to resist. After the exchange, Nadir Shah entered his private apartment only at night, where he unfolded the turban and found the diamond concealed within. When he set his eyes on it, he exclaimed "Koh-i-noor", meaning "Mountain of Light".

The next sixty years of its history are the most violent and bloodstained. The final owner was Maharaja Duleep Singh, son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, in the backdrop of the two Sikh Wars leading to the annexation of the Punjab by the British. The hoisting of British flag was on March 29th, 1849 Lahore where Punjab was formally proclaimed a part of the British Empire in India. One of the terms of the Treaty of Lahore was:- "The gem called the Koh-i-noor which was taken from Shah Shuja-ul-Mulk by Maharajah Ranjit Singh shall be surrendered by the Maharajah of Lahore to the Queen of England."

Dr Sir John Login was entrusted with two charges: to take the Koh-i-noor out of the Toshakhana (the jewel house), and also the guardsmanship of the young Duleep Singh. It was formally handed over to the Punjab government of Sir Henry Lawrence (1806-1857), his younger brother John Lawrence (afterwards Lord Lawrence, the man who in February of 1859 would break ground on the future Lahore railroad station), and C.C. Mausel.

The Koh-i-noor sailed from Bombay in H.M.S. Medea. It was put in an iron box and kept in a dispatch box and deposited in the Government Treasury. For security reasons, this piece of news was suppressed, even among officers of the Treasury - and withheld from Commander Lockyer, the ship's captain. HMS Medea's voyage turned out to be a perilous one - cholera broke out on board in Mauritius and the local people demanded its departure. They asked their governor to open fire and destroy the vessel if it did not respond. After leaving Mauritius, a severe gale hit the vessel that lasted for about twelve hours. They reached Plymouth, England, where the passengers and the mail were unloaded, but not the Koh-i-noor, which was forwarded to Portsmouth.

From there, the two officers took the diamond to the East India House, handing it over to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the company.

The stone
Prince Albert (Prince Consort) and Sebastian Garrard stated that the Koh-i-noor was badly cut, it is rose-not-brilliant-cut. It was decided to seek the advice of practical and experienced diamond cutters. A small steam engine was set up at Garrard's shop, while two gentlemen, Messrs Coster, Mr. Voorzanger and Mr. Fedder, travelled to London to undertake the re-cutting of the diamond. The Koh-i-noor was embedded in lead, two weeks later, after examining the stone. Mitchell thought that it had lost nearly all its yellow colour and become much whiter. The re-cutting took 38 days and cost £8000 ($40,000). The final result was an oval brilliant diamond weighing 108.93 metric carats, which meant a loss of weight of just under 43 per cent. Its was now in stellar brilliant-cut, possessing the regular 33 facets, including the table, while the pavilion has eight more facets than the regular 25 bringing the total number of facets to 66.

In 1853, it was mounted on a magnificent tiara for the Queen, which contained more than two thousand diamonds. Five years later, Queen Victoria ordered a new regal circlet for the diamond. In 1911, Garrards made a new crown that Queen Mary wore for the coronation - it contained diamonds, among them the Koh-i-noor. In 1937, this was transferred to the crown made for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, based on Queen Victoria's regal circlet and is set in a Maltese Cross at the front of the crown.

The controversy
The 20th century saw a war of words over Koh-i-noor and its rightful ownership. In 1947, the government of India asked for the return of the diamond. Also, the Congress Ministry which ruled Orissa staked claim to the stone, saying it belonged to the Lord Jagannath. Ranjit Singh's treasurer mentioned that it was the property of their estate. Pakistan's claim to the diamond was disputed by India. Shortly thereafter, a major newspaper in Teheran stated that the gem should to be returned to Iran.

Sir Olaf has pointed out that the Koh-i-noor had been in Mogul possession in Delhi for 213 years, in Afghan possession in Kandahar and Kabul for 66 years and in British possession for 127 years. Historically, it maybe difficult to pass judgement on the validity of the various claims, but on the other hand, from a gemological aspect, as a paper report said, the Indian claim is the most valid because it was in that country that it was mined.

The legend 
Legend goes that Sun God gave this gem to his disciple Satrajit, but his younger brother Persain snatched it from him. A lion in the forest killed Persain and Jamavant took this gem from the body of Persain and delivered it to Lord Krishna, who restored it to Satrajit. Later, this jewel again came back into the hands of Lord Krishna as dowry when Satrajit gave the hand of his daughter Satyabhama in marriage to him. Lord Krishna gave it back to the Sun God .The Koh-i-noor came into the hands of numerous rulers till it was possessed by Porus, the king of Punjab, who retained the diamond after a peace treaty in 325 BC when Alexander left India.

Chandragupta Maurya (325-297 B.C.) became the next possessor and passed it on to his grandson Ashoka who ruled from 273-233 B.C. Later it slipped into the hands of Raja Samprati of Ujjain (Ashoka’s grandson). This jewel remained in the custody of Ujjain and the Parmar dynasty of Malwa. When Ala-ud-din Khilji (1296-1316A.D.) defeated Rai Ladhar Deo, the ruler of Malwa in 1306 AD, he acquired the diamond. From this stage up to the time of Mughal Emperor Babur, the history of this precious stone is lost once more. Koh-i-noor comes to light again in year 1526.

Humayun is said to have given the stone to the Shah of Persia for giving him refuge after he lost to Sher Shah. From 1544 to 1547, the Koh-i-noor remained in the possession of Shah Tehmasp of Iran. The Shah sent the Koh-i-noor along with other precious gifts to Burhan Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar (Deccan) for the rulers of the Deccan - Ahmednagar, Golkunda and Bijapur regarded the King of Persia as their religious head. This stone remained in the possession of the Nizam Shahi dynasty of Ahmednagar and the Qutb Shah dynasty of Golkunda in the Deccan for a period of 109 years. How it came back to the Mughals is another gap in history.

After Aurangzeb, this diamond remained consigned into the coffers of the Mughal treasury from 1707 to 1739 A.D. Muhammad Shah Rangila (1719-1748) used to carry this wonder diamond with him in his turban. Nadir Shah got hold of Koh-i-noor when he ransacked Delhi in the 1700s and it went to his successors, landing in the hands of the Afghan ruler Shah Shuja who handed it to Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1813.

The Koh-i-Noor left the shores of India on April 6, 1850, and on reaching London on July 2, 1850, it was handed over to the Board of Directors of the East India Company. Sir J.W. Logg, the Deputy Chairman of the East India Company, presented it to Queen Victoria. The queen recorded in her journal: "The jewels are truly magnificent. They had also belonged to Ranjit Singh and had been found in the treasury of Lahore.... I am very happy that the British Crown will possess these jewels for I shall certainly make them Crown Jewels"
.

The Curse of the Kohinoor Diamond (aka Koh-i-Noor)The Curse of Kohinoor Diamond dates back to a Hindu text from the time of the first authenticated appearance of the diamond in 1306. The Curse of the Kohinoor Diamond reads:

 "He who owns this diamond will own the world, but will also know all
its misfortunes. Only God, or a woman, can wear it with impunity."

The history and lives of the rulers who owned the Koh-i-Noor diamond were filled with violence, murders, mutilations, torture and treachery. Whether or not people believe in the Curse of the Kohinoor Diamond, the history of the stone is undeniable - and the threat of the Koh-i-Noor curse is enough to make people cautious. The British Royal family were obviously aware of the Curse of the Kohinoor and from the reign of Queen Victoria, when the Kohinoor diamond came into their possession, it has always gone to the wife of the male heir to the British throne. The History Timeline details the story of the Kohinoor diamond.  

Many still await the many treasures which were “stolen” by the British Raj, and no one knows how long the wait will be. But today, if you happen to visit London, please make a stopover at Tower of London and look at the Crown Jewels for the Queen and the Koh-i-noor placed in her crown up front inside a Maltese cross.The estimated price of the diamond is more than two billion euros!

FOR SPECIAL FLOWERS ONLY.....

A host of records were smashed last week at Sotheby's Hong Kong sale of fine Chinese ceramics and works of art.
Leading the way was a Magnificent Yellow-Ground Famille-Rose Double-Gourd Vase, Qianlong Mark and Period, which sold for (US$32.4 million) - an auction record for any Chinese work of art or porcelain. It was purchased by renowned connoisseur Dr. Alice Cheng (bottom).
Other highlights included a Famille-Rose Floral Medallion Bottle Vase, Blue Enamel Mark and Period Qianlong which fetched (US$18 million); and a Massive Imperial White Jade "Xintian Zhuren" Seal, Qing Dynasty Qianlong Period, which went for (US$16 million).
Nicolas Chow, Sotheby’s Deputy Chairman and International Head of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, said: “Chinese Works of Art took their place on the world auction stage today at Sotheby’s. The standing-room only audience broke into applause numerous times as the company had the privilege of offering extraordinary works of art and porcelain from four remarkable single-owner collections."

ANGSHANA OPENS FLAGSHIP LAGUNA PHUKET RESORT & SPA

Angsana Laguna Phuket, the newest resort nestled within Laguna Phuket’s idyllic beachside complex, will open on December 1 - just in time for your tropical year-end getaway. The flagship Angsana resort is everything you would expect at a luxury five-star Phuket destination, offering the relaxed seaside ambience of southern Thailand, an extensive range of amenities and activities for the intrepid, contemporary traveler.

Angsana Laguna Phuket 2 Bedroom Loft

Located at the gorgeous Bang Tao Bay at Laguna Phuket, Angsana Laguna Phuket is the largest Angsana property in Southeast Asia with 409 keys. Ten different room categories offer a plethora of accommodation options: the 40 square metre Laguna Room is ideal for couples, while the 45 square metre Laguna Premier Room is aimed at families.

Angsana Laguna Phuket Premier Room

Honeymooners can enjoy the 88 square metre two story Angsana One Bedroom Lofts. The 139 square metre Angsana Suite or the 226 square metre Presidential Suite offer expansive views over the lagoon and picturesque gardens. Finally, the 490 square metre Angsana Grand Pool Residence offer four bedrooms, a private kitchen, sun deck and an outdoor sala.

What's a holiday without a relaxing spa treatment or two? The new Angsana Spa, with its tropical garden concept, offers luxurious aromatherapy treatments and a fusion of wellness and massage techniques from the East and West. The Spa’s signature Angsana Massage targets the body’s key pressure points to strengthen inner “qi” or energy, and the exotic Bamboo Massage uses the soothing touch of warm bamboo and firm strokes to stimulate blood circulation. Private yoga classes for adults and children alike are also on offer, along with a range of family and kids’ spa packages for pampering with loved ones.
Head over here for bookings and more info.
Angsana Hotels & Resorts

DRINK UP THE LUX WAY.......LIKE A V.I.P....

Legendary designer Leon Verres has finally verified rumors circulating the oenophilic community for months: the Leon Verres Luxury Group will release a "Billionaire Vodka" in select premium bars worldwide later this year. A much-anticipated follow-up to his “Le Billionaire Champagne” in 2009, the Billionaire Vodka is clearly not a tipple for an ordinary evening: a bottle will set you back a record-breaking US$3.7 million bucks.
Opulent, celebratory and flamboyant, the 5 liter bottle of the clearest and smoothest Russian vodka will bring a whole new literal meaning to the phrase dripping with diamonds - its exterior is encrusted with 3,000 scintillating white diamonds, and the distillation process involves running crystal-clear water and the finest wheat over millions of dollars' worth of diamonds.The bottle is enveloped in white faux fur - Leon Verres is an animal-lover and longtime PETA friend - and capped with a chapka.
Leon Verres will also release more modest, 0.5 liter versions of the diamond-filtered vodka. The first collection will come on the market in precious, violet-tinted heavy glass bottles decorated with a Swarovski crystal embellished logo.

Leon Verres

CASTLES FOR THE KNIGHTS OF LUXURY...

Château Bagnols, France 

With its moat, formal gardens and 12 meter thick, honey-colored walls, the 13^th century Château Bagnols rapidly transports visitors to a bygone age of romance and chivalry – without doubt one of the reasons why it has such a high profile list of guests, including Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. The other-worldly sensation is enhanced by four-poster beds, vast intricately carved open fireplaces and beautiful trompe l’oeils. A Michelin starred restaurant serves mouth-watering food and a complimentary decanter of wine is delivered to your room each day. Situated in the heart of the Beaujolais country, there are vines as far as the eye can see – true paradise for oenophiles.www.chateaudebagnols.co.uk  

 

Ashford Castle, Ireland 

Close your eyes and picture your ideal fairytale castle - aside from Castle Neuschwanstein of course. The chances are it will bear an uncanny resemblance to 13^th century Ashford Castle, which positively bristles with crenulations, turrets and arrow-slit windows. The interior is a panoply of oak panelled walls, simmering portraits and crystal chandeliers; the bedrooms are more cosy, with lashings of chintz chandeliers and comfortable armchairs to sink into. The estate covers 350 acres of wooded parkland and the activities on offer are numerous, including falconry, horse-riding, golf archery and salmon fishing. Its picturesque setting, overlooking Loch Corrib, as well as its friendly staff has made it a favorite with Hollywood celebrities looking for discretion and originality.www.ashford.ie

 

Dromoland Castle, Ireland 

Dromoland Castle’s history stretches back more than 1,500 years; suits of armor guard its corridors, while huge life-size portraits cling to the walls. The atmosphere is one of stately grandeur – ideal for guests, such as George W Bush, in search of splendid isolation. Having said that, the castle is only a short drive away from Shannon airport so it is easily reached. Last year saw the launch of its luxury spa, which features 100% organic products from Voya; it provides the perfect recuperative haven after a couple of rounds on the castle’s 18-hole golf course. There is also an on-site golf academy where you can perfect your swing under the expert guidance of a resident PGA professional golfer. www.dromoland.ie

Relais la Suvera, Italy

Relais la Suvera has been in the family of its current owners, the Marquis Ricci Paracciani, on and off since 1123. Once a papal villa, the palazzo has now been turned into a five star hotel. However, history is never far away and this Tuscan gem even has its own museum that houses antiquities going back hundreds and hundreds of years. The high-ceilinged interiors are decorated in sumptuous Renaissance style, with golden four-poster beds and lavishly upholstered chaise longues. Meals can be eaten outside, with gourmet specialities including pheasant paté flavored with vin santo and pistachios, along with homemade agnolotti pasta stuffed with sirloin of senese pork. For those of an active persuasion, added entertainment comes in the form of mountain biking, horse-riding and exploring local antique markets.www.lasuvera.it

ONE UNIQUE WINTER ESCAPE...AT ST. MORITZ

Categorized at 5 stars-superior, the luxurious Carlton Hotel, St. Moritz is the perfect accommodation unit for those in search for winter. Integrated in a scenic location, in eastern Switzerland, the hotel offers wellness services, exquisite dining opportunities and the chance for its visitors to ski their holiday away. Moreover, the unit is situated right in the center of St. Moritz, just steps away from various restaurants and bars.

The Carlton Hotel St. Moritz has a vibrant atmosphere all winter season long. Designed by the famous Carlo Rampazzi, all the 60 suites of the hotels have mesmerizing vistas over St. Moritz Lake and the alpine panorama. The hotel also features two restaurants, a spa with no less than three floors, and an incredible outdoor-indoor heated pool that overlooks the alpine landscape.
The three-level spa is perfect for relaxing after a long day of skiing or hiking and extends over 1200 square meters. It consists of six treatments rooms, a private Spa Suite, a fitness area, a pool, various saunas and steam baths.
Hotel surroundings ensure the possibility for a series of activities, such as curling, ice skating, carriage rides, dog racing, horse-drawn sleigh rides and many more. But in a five star hotel offering so much luxury, chances you will feel the need for outdoor activities are significantly reduced.

A VERY SPECIAL XMAS TREE FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON...

A nearly two million dollar golden Christmas tree has been put on display for the holiday season in Tokyo.
Tokyo’s jewellery store Ginza Tanaka unveiled its 2.4 meters tall Golden Christmas Tree, which is made from 12 kilograms of pure gold, worth 1.95 million US dollars.
It took 15 craftsmen four and a half months to complete the creation. The store says it’s the most expensive Christmas tree they’ve ever created.

The jeweler had created a $1,500,000 golden Christmas tree in 2008, but he’s managed to top himself this year.

The company had previously created the golden Mount Fuji, A gold Stitch and a Gold Mickey Mouse statue, a golden calendar, a gold beer mug and a Golden Tokyo Tower.
The Christmas tree will be on display from Nov. 22 through Dec. 25 at the store… But Ginza Tanaka has no intention of selling the lavish piece of art!
Emirates Palace, a seven-star hotel in Abu Dhabi, also unveiled a 13-metre fake evergreen tree in its lobby worth about $11 million last holiday season.

                                         

SUN DROP....THE 8 MILLION EUROS FAMOUS DIAMOND

The Sun Drop yellow diamond, a behemoth of a stone weighing in at 110 carats, has been auctioned off for a record 8 million at Sotheby's Geneva sale. The mystery buyer made the winning bid over the telephone.
The "fancy vivid yellow", thumb-sized pear-cut jewel - regarded by gemologists as the apex grade for a yellow diamond - was mined last year by Cora International in South Africa just last year, making the new anonymous buyer the first to own and wear the ring.
Speaking to the media after the sale, David Bennett, Chairman of Sotheby’s Jewellery Department for Europe and the Middle East, said: "It's an absolute record for a yellow diamond."
"It is a spectacular, unique stone. Every time we've shown it around the world, people have gone 'oh my god'."

Sotheby's