Olympian skiing at L’Apogée Courchevel

This winter, guests of L’Apogée have the opportunity to explore the famous Three Valleys of Courchevel, Méribel, and Val Thorens, with three-time Olympian Florence Masnada. Three-, six-, or nine-night ski packages are available March 12-30, 2017, and can be tailored to all ability levels.

Guests will stay in a Prestige room, Junior Suite, or Suite at the chic, slopeside L’Apogée hotel. After a morning warmup workout, Masnada will lead private groups on ski excursions, providing pointers on techniques for powder skiing and ski touring. Ski-specific nutrition tips and post-ski stretches proceed après ski cocktails.

Source: departures.com

Claridge's Christmas tree by Apple

With Christmas just weeks away, it’s time to start thinking about setting up your Christmas tree! And if it’s inspiration you need, look no further than Claridge’s annual display of festive decadence. The Claridge’s Hotel is known for their fantastic trees (last year’s tree was created by Burberry!) and they are staying true to their tradition of excellence by seeing out Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive and industrial designer Marc Newson to collaborate over this year’s tree.

As of now, the project is completely under wraps and we’re as much in the dark as anyone else as to what the tree will look like – or even what it may be made up of! We can speculate that the design is likely to be super sleek and futuristic, perhaps it may even incorporate some innovative technology, but our guess is as good as anyone’s.

We’ll be in suspense for a while because the tree won’t be unveiled until the 18th of November, after which it will be open for public viewing. So if you’re in London next month, you know where to go for epic Christmas tree inspo!

Source: Luxurylaunches.com

Qatar Airways' posh, new amenity kits

Qatar Airways, in partnership with Giorgio Armani, has launched its newly designed range of luxurious Giorgio Armani Fragrances and Beauty amenity kits, available to First Class passengers on select A380 flights.

Designed exclusively for Qatar Airways, the First Class amenity kits are designed in timeless black, the signature colour of Giorgio Armani, and feature golden accents reflecting the latest Giorgio Armani Fall-Winter 2016-2017 collection.Ladies travelling with Qatar Airways will receive a stylish Giorgio Armani Fragrances and Beauty amenity kit that doubles up as make-up or jewellery bag post-flight, while gentlemen will be given a smart travel bag made with a ribbed fabric that reflects the latest trends in male style and luxury. Whether travelling for business or leisure, passengers will find the amenity kits meet both their in-flight and post-flight needs.

Source: Qatar Airways

Winter Villa Escape in Beautiful Tuscany

This winter, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, the bucolic Tuscan resort founded by Massimo and Chiara Ferragamo, will give guests the opportunity to stay at the estate for the first time ever during the colder months with the Winter Villa Escape. Available from November 27 to April 12, the Winter Villa Escape offers guests a tranquil retreat in one of the property’s ten luxury villas, providing a new, intimate way to experience the beauty of Tuscany during the off season.

Located in the scenic UNESCO World Heritage Site of Val d’Orcia, the resort’s luxury villas are restored 17th and 18th century farmhouses, offering artisanal furnishings and modern comforts, including full-service kitchens, Tuscan-style fireplaces and accommodations that can sleep up to twelve guests. Ideal for romantic getaways and large family gatherings alike, the Winter Villa Escape includes a curated collection of immersive programming and ultra-luxurious services.

Read more: luxurytravelmagazine.com

First All-Villa Ritz Carlton Debuts in China

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company will open its first all-villa property in one of China’s earliest UNESCO world heritage sites, Jiuzhaigou Valley. The Valley of the Nine Village Forts is a stunning location filled with waterfalls, blue lakes and verdant forests. The beauty of the nature reserve and national park you will be able to admire from your window of the new Ritz-Carlton property which will be open in 2017.

The Ritz-Carlton, Jiuzhaigou, will feature 87 stunning villas at the incredible 2,300 metres above sea level height. With three restaurants and mountain spa, the newest member of the astonishing hotel will be mesmerizing. 

Source: ritzcarlton.com

Zaha Hadid's bold work continues in Antwerp

Zaha Hadid Architects’ design for the newly inaugurated Port House, Antwerp is a blend of historical reverence and an evocative vision of the future. Belgium’s Antwerp is Europe’s second largest shipping port, handling 26 percent of the continent’s container shipping but it lacked a central headquarters for its staff. The Flemish government’s department of architecture and the City and Port authorities thus organized a design competition for the new head office. The only requisite was that it preserve the fire station that was originally there.

The basis of Zaha Hadid Architects’ winning design was historical research, and follows a joint effort with a heritage consultant in the restoration and renovation of historic monuments. The elevated extension crowns the fire station building below in a clever juxtaposition of new volume and old Hanseatic design. The old fire station’s central courtyard is enclosed with a glass roof, in which visitors can access a public reading room and library. The new extension provides panoramic views of the city and port. Its exterior has a glazed surface that reflects the changing tones of the sky. Triangular facets, a mix of transparent and opaque, ensure sufficient sunlight, and make reference to Antwerp’s reputation as the city of diamonds.

This structure is among over 30 projects that were under development at the time of studio founder Zaha Hadid’s death earlier this year.

Source:Luxuo.com

Game of Chefs – rediscover Balkans gastronomy at Regent Porto Montenegro

Conceptual gastronomic performance, "Game of Chefs" or "meeting of leaders of cuisine", scheduled for Friday, 15th October at the Regent Porto Montenegro will bring together seven renowned executive chefs from the Balkan region. Oltion Veshi from Albania, Nihad Mameledžija from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ante Udovičić from Croatia, Jure Tomić from Slovenia and Filip Ćirić from Serbia are ideal representatives of their countrey’s gastronomic identity. Already celebrated Chef of the Regent, Željko Knezović will represent Montenegro. In charge for a sweet finale is Petra Jelenić, a special guest - the owner of the famous Zagreb patisserie "Mak na konac" which has entirely revolutionized pastry.

The aim of the event is profiling Balkans as the new gastronomic destination. Each chef will create a course that will reflect their country of origin. The seven-course gastronomic symphony will be round off by carefully selected wines of the same region. The inspiration for this culinary show Regent team found in the diversity of the national cuisines of the area and similarities such as the abundance of high-quality natural products. Each abovementioned chef has transformed national cuisine with their unique cooking style and by applying current global culinary trends.

Read more: Regent Porto Montenegro