Opulent Living Magazine no 9 by Florian Gast

now

My time is

Visit www.arthurkaplan.co.za

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Opulent Living Welcome

The brand for the finer things in life rocks.

it is the all-encompassing brand for the finer things in life. Here’s a glimpse into our Opulent Living world. 1) The 9th edition A lot of things look the same. We want to look different. We want to be recognised as a unique publication that meets international standards and that is elegant and stylish – a publication that gives you, our reader, pleasure as you browse through our indulgent features.

Barbara Lenhard and Florian Gast, founders and owners of Opulent Living

PHOTOGRAPH: FIONA MACPHERSON

s a child we were taught that you either do something properly and aim to make it the very best, or you don’t do it at all. The team at Opulent Living doesn’t like, and doesn’t do, half measures. We do it properly – or we don’t do it at all. We’ve adopted this same ‘all or nothing’ approach in our business. In the last few months we feel we’ve done a few things properly – and were so pleased to receive an email from one of our business partners that contained just these three words: Opulent Living rocks! Opulent Living is so much more than ‘just’ an outstanding coffee-table magazine;

2) A personal, honest and rare interview with Francois Pienaar We are proud to have spent time with Francois Pienaar, the man who led South Africa to Rugby World Cup victory in 1995 – and to bring you his inspirational story, thoughts and insights. 3) The new website In these days of instant communication, you need to ensure that your brand is accessible – wherever your readers or customers are. Our new Opulent Living website opens up a whole new world around the finer things in life. See it for yourself at www.opulentliving.co.za. And to have a good read on hand when you travel, download the free app containing all the editions of the magazine. 4) A black-tie charity event that raised R1 195 000 Mercedes-Benz loved our concept of ‘Chefs who Share – the ART of giving’ and joined us as a presenting partner for a gala evening of food and art at Cape

Town City Hall. The elegant event drew together 14 of the country’s best chefs, seven top sommeliers and 10 acclaimed South African artists, as well 252 guests. It truly was a night to remember. 5) Another elegant book When you do something well and it works out, do it again! We’ve just released the Opulent Living Book Volume 2, which can be purchased at selected five-star hotels and lodges, or through our website. With 306 pages and an elegant Wedgwood blue dust jacket, this gorgeous coffeetable book presents some of Southern Africa’s finest destinations – ones that we are proud to show off. 6) Opulent Living Travel The credibility of our brand, and your trust in it, created the demand for a boutique travel company that could accommodate everything the discerning traveller needs for a truly luxurious, tailor-made journey. Opulent Living Travel, with a team of internationally experienced consultants who understand what is important when you travel, builds on the reputation of our brand, our publication and the knowledge that comes with it. We could mention so many other things we are proud of, and there’s plenty more we want to celebrate with you in the future. And be assured, we’ll do it properly!

Carpe diem! Barbara & Florian

Opulent Living

Contributors

Imprint

The best journalists deliver fabulous content A large part of our aim here at Opulent Living is to give you the best-quality content possible. Some of Southern Africa’s best journalists deliver features and interviews that are entertaining, interesting and – quite often – also surprising. Once again, many outstanding writers have contributed towards making this edition of Opulent Living a fabulous one – and the short portraits below highlight three of them. As always, we are proud to be able to say that all our articles are written specifically for Opulent Living, and you’ll always read them here first. You’ll also find all editions of our coffee-table magazine on our website and via our free Opulent Living app.

While Ian Macleod’s own sporting accolades may be limited to one Most Enthusiastic award and two concussions, this sports writer and digital editor is passionate about uncovering the ‘human’ side of the world’s

Publisher: Barbara Lenhard barbara@opulentliving.co.za Editorial & Creative Director: Florian Gast florian@opulentliving.co.za Brand Ambassador Johannesburg: Natalie Mietz natalie@opulentliving.co.za Managing Editor: Michelle Snaddon Features Editor: Jocelyn Warrington Copy Editor: Anne Duncan Designer: Deborah Poswell Contributors: Sebastian Bartlett, Jane Broughton, Anne Duncan, Keri Harvey, Kit Heathcock, Richard Holmes, Caroline Hurry, Ian Macleod, Nicky Manson, Gillian McLaren, Bridget McNulty, Annelize Visser, Richard Webb For advertising and sales please contact sales@opulentliving.co.za

great sportsmen and women. And no subject better fits the bill than legendary Bok skipper interview in this issue. A writer and editor with nearly 20 years’ experience in both the South African and British print and online media, Jocelyn Warrington simultaneously indulges her passions for travel and fantasy in this issue as she explores the kind of off-the-charts leisure experiences on offer to the new-Millennial jet set. Not even the sky, she discovers, poses a limit to this privileged breed. Richard Holmes calls Cape Town home, but his suitcase is never far from the door. Wild spaces appeal as much as the finer things in life, making him the perfect choice to write on

Newspace Publishing CC Cape Town, South Africa www.newspace.co.za, info@newspace.co.za Issue no. 9: published in November 2013 Issue no. 10: to be published May 2014 Distribution: throughout South Africa and internationally via preferred partners · in first and business class on selected airlines · in exclusive lounges, showrooms and boutique stores · nationwide via direct mail · internationally via selected distributors Nominal charge: R180 Printed in South Africa by Tandym, Cape Town www.opulentliving.co.za www.facebook.com/opulentliving @liveopulent www.youtube.com/opulentliving

everything from Africa’s natural assets to the rarified world of private-jet travel. A singlemalt man himself, he also visits the home of a fine Scotch whisky – making a detour via a luxury gentlemen’s sanctuary in London.

Opulent Living magazine is published by Newspace Publishing CC. Copyright Newspace Publishing CC. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from Newspace Publishing or the authors. The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Newspace Publishing or the editors.

COVER IMAGES (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT): DAYS AT SEA, GREATSTOCK/CORBIS, GREATSTOCK/CORBIS, ANANTARA BAZARUTO, PORSCHE

Francois Pienaar, who provides a rare

Opulent Living Always with us: Harry the hippo

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The Light House Boutique Suites · Heavenly hideaway 10

Kanuhura · The jewel in the garland 12 54 on Bath · Grace and sophistication 18 River Bend Lodge · Family favourite 24 FRANCOIS PIENAAR INTERVIEW · the legacy of a cAPTAIN FOR LIFE

Days At Sea · Sun, sea and style 38 Clouds Estate · High on design 44 SPECIAL · the serene magic of a baltic cruise

Hideaway of Nungwi Resort & Spa · Exotic island dream 56

Opulent Living

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Contents

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Opulent Living

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Opulent Living Style

The future, by design · Highlights from BMW’s 2013 EuroStyle Tour

Sparkling aura · The illustrious story of Louis Roederer Cristal

Wings of change · Why chartered private jets are taking off

From Southern African shores · Local shellfish making waves around the globe

A life less ordinary · The ultimate in bespoke leisure experiences

Not your average office · The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a chauffeur’s dream

Traditions of excellence · Following in the footsteps of John Walker and Alfred Dunhill

Style we love to display · Chic homeware and accessories

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Watches we love to wear · Beautifully crafted timepieces

102

Beauty spoils we love to indulge in · Sensual scents and cutting-edge cosmetics

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Cars we love to drive · The latest luxury models

106

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Cape Grace · The quay to the city 108 Beverly Hills · A luxury landmark that’s aged to perfection 116

Opulent Living Photo Feature Created by higher powers · A bucket list of incredible destinations

123

The Plettenberg · Escape to luxury on a beautiful bay 144 Anantara Bazaruto · A palette of unending blues 150 Opulent Events · Stylesetters and newsmakers 166

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Heavenly hideaway The Light House Boutique Suites A jewel of a boutique hotel hidden away in historical Paarl, The Light House cocoons guests in elegant, blissful pampering from the moment they are greeted with bubbly and canapés and shown to one of the five beautifully decorated suites. For a luxury weekend hideaway or a wonderfully comfortable base from which to explore the Cape Winelands, it’s the perfect choice, offering entrancing views over the Paarl Valley and its surrounding mountains, as well as manicured gardens and a large swimming pool to enjoy. The high ceilings and original features of the lounge, library and dining room have an aura of timeless elegance, with chandeliers and comfortable couches evoking a graceful country house ambience. Meticulous attention to detail is evident everywhere, from the carefully selected books

n The Light House Boutique Suites Paarl, Cape Winelands, Western Cape, SA Telephone: +27 (0)21 863 4600, +27 (0)72 687 4516

and beautiful fabrics to the skilful blending of antiques and contemporary design. Each suite has

Email: info@thelighthouse.co.za

a different atmosphere – cool serenity in The Hamptons, grand colonial charm in the Bedford

Website: www.thelighthouse.co.za

Manor honeymoon suite, warm textiles and ethnic touches in Afro-chic, subtle opulence in Mayfair and sophisticated New York style in Manhattan – so there is something to suit every taste and mood. The grand, travertine-clad bathrooms, lit by crystal chandeliers, are equipped with a spacious shower and bath as well as luxurious Molton Brown amenities. Beautifully crafted food – from exquisitely plated and delicious dinners, through decadent cakes and teatime treats, to truly memorable eggs Benedict for breakfast – puts the final touch to a wonderful stay. In fact, it’s hard to tear yourself away to do justice to all the world-class wine estates on your doorstep, or for a scenic drive to nearby Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. For an idyllic Kit Heathcock

Set in manicured gardens that enclose an inviting pool, the guesthouse has five luxurious suites, including The Hamptons (above), decorated in calming shades of blue.

Photographs: The light house boutique suites

escape, warm hospitality and serene style, The Light House is a true gem.

Opulent Living

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Kanuhura ∙ Maldives

The jewel in the garland The Maldives comprises a chain of over 1 000 idyllic coral atolls and islands, but there is only one that offers a pure distillation of barefoot luxury. Escape to Kanuhura for a Robinson Crusoe experience swathed in unbeatable five-star chic…

On the edge of the remote Lhaviyani atoll, the beach at Kanuhura allows you to soak up idyllic sunsets over the Laccadive Sea.

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Fresh island colours contrast perfectly with muted earthy tones in the serene spa.

here is no better way to appreciate the ancient Sanskrit meaning of Maldives – ‘the garland of islands’ – than on the 40-minute seaplane flight from Malé to the idyllic Lhaviyani atoll. As your plane heads north over cobalt waters, palm trees on whispers of sand wave in welcome. Hailed as one of the most secluded of the 1 190 islands that make up this idyllic tropical nation, Lhaviyani’s exclusive Kanuhura resort offers a taste of remote Robinson Crusoe living with a healthy splash of authentic island-style luxury. And splash is an apt word here on the eastern fringes of the Maldives. From the moment your seaplane touches down in a whirl of spray and taxies towards the sun-splashed wooden jetty, it’s impossible to ignore the aquamarine seas that stretch off in every direction. A cool towel is offered to wash away the dust of your travels, a welcome drink to slake your thirst and a simple greeting from the smiling staff: ‘Welcome home’. For Kanuhura, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, is most certainly a tropical home away from home. While many resorts offer anodyne staff and a sense of anonymous luxury, Kanuhura is different. Here, there’s an ethos of embracing the ebb and flow of island life; of authentic island living in five-star fashion; of rustic textures and natural colours; of letting the island charm you and the resort enfold you. That begins the moment you step into your secluded villa. With five categories of villa on offer there is something to suit every taste and pocket, from familyfriendly duplex options with direct beach access, to Water Villas where the warm Indian Ocean is just steps from your king-size bed. Whether you’re happier on shining sands or sparkling sea, each villa offers a private veranda with picture-postcard views and all the amenities you could dream of. Can’t bear to be indoors during your holiday? Relax on the private beach beds, or rinse away the salt in your outdoor shower. Want to catch up with news from home? There’s free Wi-Fi in

every villa. Need a bucket of ice, or a dinner reservation made? Contact your dedicated private host who’s on hand around the clock to ensure your every wish is taken care of. Prefer to dine in the privacy of your villa? The table will be laid before you’ve had a chance to shower and change. Dining is without doubt one of the highlights of a stay on Kanuhura, with an array of restaurants offering modern Maldivian cuisine and contemporary European and international options. As a resort that prides itself on welcoming families as warmly as love-struck honeymooners, the Thin Rah buffet is a popular choice for parents creating holiday memories with their loved ones. Alongside the pool, the Olive Tree is a slight step upmarket with its range of Mediterranean dishes and pizza available at both lunch and dinner. As the sun sinks over the Laccadive Sea, start your evening with a sundowner at Handhuvaru Bar before deciding on your next move. The Veli Café is a deliciously romantic option serving up aromatic Asian Fusion cuisine under palm trees and tropical skies, while Kandu is a breathtaking addition to the galaxy of choices on Kanuhura. Set on Jehunuhura – an entirely private island just a minute’s boat ride from Kanuhura – Kandu is a decadent grill experience where linen-decked tables are laid out on the sands and the sea laps just metres from your feet. Jehunuhura is also available for candlelit private dinners on secluded shores, while during the day guests get to enjoy secluded picnics. Excursions to Jehunuhura are but one of the myriad activities that keep guests active and entertained during their stay at Kanuhura. Set on the eastern fringes of the Maldives, the resort offers some of the best diving on earth. Over 40 dive sites lie just minutes from the resort, ranging from easy dives in the sheltered shallow waters of the coral lagoon to adventurous descents that explore local shipwrecks. Advanced divers can also flirt with the edge of the outer reef: here the waters

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A stylish yet laid-back feel pervades the resort, whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re floating over the turquoise lagoon in a Water Villa or nestled among tropical trees in a Beach Villa, where spacious bathrooms let the outdoors in.

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Whether it’s poolside dining at Olive Tree or pan-Asian cuisine at beachfront Kandu, there’s plenty to tempt every palate at Kanuhura.

drop precipitously by over two kilometres, ensuring remarkable sightings of pelagic fish and the Maldives’ iconic Manta Rays. For non-divers, snorkelling excursions are offered to colourful reefs, with certification courses available at the topranked Sun Dive Centre. For adventures above the waves, the ever-helpful staff at the Dolphin Water Sports Centre are always on hand to assist with catamaran sailing, windsurfing and waterskiing. On dry land you won’t be short of entertainment either, with floodlit tennis and squash courts and a fully equipped fitness centre and games room.

Kanuhura

Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives Kanuhura is represented in South Africa by World Leisure Holidays. Telephone: +27 (0)11 285 2500 or 0860 954 954 Email: res@wlh.co.za Website: www.wlh.co.za

as placid as the warm Indian Ocean seas lapping the perfect white sands. Sands that all but beg for you to sink your toes down deep, for Kanuhura embodies the true ideal of barefoot luxury, a paradise of island chic where every need is taken care of, every desire sated. The Maldives may be a ‘garland of islands’, but when it comes to choosing your perfect escape, there’s only one island you need to remember. n Sebastian Bartlett

Photographs: Kanuhura

And if that all sounds far too taxing for an idyllic island like Kanuhura, escape to the serene confines of the spa. Following the ethos of sanum per aqua – health through water – this island sanctuary offers body treatments, massages, plunge pools and sauna facilities. Why not try the signature Maldivian Theyo Dhemun; a 90-minute massage of short, firm strokes using local healing oils? After an afternoon in the spa you’ll emerge

Operated by Sun Resorts, Kanuhura is a 40-minute seaplane flight from the international airport in Malé, which has excellent connections to Europe and Africa via the Middle East.

Opulent Living

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54 on Bath ∙ South Africa

Grace and sophistication New owners have given a Johannesburg Grande Dame a new name and a new look, but 54 on Bath still offers the same gracious alternative to big-city hotels, providing serene surrounds, fine food and uncompromising service.

ow do you define luxury? Does it manifest in spacious surrounds and sophisticated décor? Is it access to every modern amenity, from Wi-Fi to an espresso machine, or having the convenience of a premier shopping mall on your doorstep? Or is it simply the ability to be completely at ease in stylish surroundings, with smiling staff at hand to cater to your every whim? Whatever your definition, you can be

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sure that luxury is what you’ll find at Tsogo Sun’s 54 on Bath, a premier boutique hotel in the leafy avenues of a cosmopolitan Johannesburg suburb. Known as The Grace in a past life, new owner Tsogo Sun treated this Grande Dame of Rosebank to an extensive R42-million facelift, and changed her name to reflect her address. In July 2012, 54 on Bath opened its front doors to the public – and within months had

risen to second place on TripAdvisor in its category, with guests eulogising its efficient service. All 60 deluxe rooms, 12 executive rooms and three 76-square-metre suites with private lounges overlook the city skyline. Jacaranda trees in all their purple summer finery line the avenues. Each guest room has everything you’d expect to find in a five-star establishment, including an executive desk, free Wi-Fi

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Suites offer a beautiful private lounge, where shades of grey provide a soothing backdrop to edgy cityscapes by Ryan Hitchcock, and all rooms feature crisp white linens and a pillow menu.

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connectivity, flat-screen TV, bathrobes, slippers, and sleek en-suite bathroom with separate shower. Little cakes on a three-tiered display complement the coffee from the espresso machine. Blockout curtains, fluffy duvets, crisp white linens and feather-top beds that include a pillow menu ensure a good night’s sleep, while energy-efficient lighting and low-flow taps help minimise your environmental footprint. The décor is unfussy without pandering to minimalism. Designer David Muirhead chose shades of grey to create a calm and sophisticated cocoon effect in the rooms, the better to highlight Ryan Hitchcock’s edgy photographic prints of Jozi’s distinctive skyline – the Hillbrow Tower captured in a twilight mood, night lights from the Nelson Mandela Bridge, and inner city architecture juxtaposed with the city’s forests and parks – all shot within 10 kilometres of the hotel.

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The glossy Champagne Bar is the perfect spot for an apéritif before a sumptuous dinner at Level Four. Afternoon tea is another highlight, with a delicious array of treats on offer.

Artworks by Gerhard Batha and Philip Erskine also brighten the walls. In the reception area, original paintings from William Kentridge and Tinus de Jongh offset Art Deco pieces, armchairs upholstered in black-andwhite houndstooth, and cream, textured wallpaper. Unlike the more sombre grey tones upstairs, there is a hint of the theatrical in the nude statues, blue-velvet pouffes and large gilded mirror frames. On the fourth floor, you can enjoy a tipple at the intimate, 10-seater Champagne bar that serves Veuve Clicquot and Moët & Chandon. Next door, the understated décor showcases to perfection the culinary artistry of Executive Chef Gerard Vingerling and his team of chefs at Level Four, the hotel’s 100-seater restaurant that opens onto the roof terrace, swimming pool and leafy garden. The service is unobtrusively attentive, the way good

service should be, and connoisseurs will appreciate the wine list. If a starter of crispy duck egg parcel, asparagus, white truffle mayo and puffed barley sounds too exotic for you, try the beetroot tart, chèvre, onion marmalade and rocket, or springbok carpaccio with Tuscan-inspired Cipriani sauce, Parmesan crisps and salsa. Most of Level Four’s mains, such as seared duck breast served with crispy duckleg wontons, five-spice mash and Asian demi-glace, or Black Angus beef fillet with sautéed baby veg, hand-cut chips and wholegrain mustard sherry, would do Europe’s finest eateries proud. Served on crisp white table linen with silvery cutlery, such a sumptuous repast, washed down with a fine bottle of Waterford Estate Kevin Arnold Shiraz 2008, has to qualify as one of the luxuries of life. Ponder on this while perusing a few dessert options – chili-choc jellies, pear

crumble with coconut sorbet smothered in caramel sauce, vanilla parfait with peaches and macadamia praline – or the pièce de résistance, Death by Chocolate, comprising Valrhona’s gourmet Caraïbe 66%, chocolate cremeux, Earl Grey milk chocolate, white chocolate mousse, and coffee brittle. It all tastes like more at Level Four! And if it’s total privacy you’re after, there is 24-hour room service with a full wine list, of course. ‘With so many other hotels in Johannesburg to choose from, 54 on Bath maintains the edge by being at the forefront of innovative dining at Level Four, and offering uncompromising service,’ says deputy GM, Darren Hailstones. ‘We attribute our success to our focus on guest preferences and nurturing our own fantastic staff. Our guests are well travelled, successful and adventurous. We are finding an increase

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The Level Four restaurant opens onto a roof terrace with pool and leafy garden, where diners can enjoy an al fresco meal overlooking the city.

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flexible conference rooms and two boardrooms that can accommodate up to 250 delegates, plus prestigious corporate services from a dedicated in-house team, means any event is sure to rock. Each conference room is named after one of the artists whose work is featured in the hotel – Kentridge, Hitchcock, De Jongh, Batha and Erskine, for example – and in-house catering means delegates never have to leave the second floor. ‘Bespoke conferences are our forté. Every incentive group has a different request and being very flexible, we can accommodate almost every need,’ says Darren. Added to the package is free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free secure parking, use of hotel iPads while in residence, and a chauffeur-drive service. Best of all, 54 on Bath is within easy reach of the Gautrain, and a smooth ride to OR Tambo International Airport or Sandton City. n Caroline Hurry

54 on Bath

Rosebank, Johannesburg, SA Telephone: +27 (0)11 344 8500 Email: 54onbath.reservations @tsogosun.com Website: 54onbath.com

Photographs: 54 on bath

in the number of women business travellers with high expectations, attracted by the small and intimate character of 54 on Bath.’ Another attraction is surely that the hotel is linked directly to Rosebank Mall by a walkway from the second floor – ever so handy when you need a new cocktail dress, and a pair of designer shoes to match. The mall is also where you’ll find the Planet Fitness gym with its steam rooms, super circuit and yoga classes – all free to hotel guests. Add to that a list of services designed to make your stay comfortable, from free pressings of three garments to a shuttle service to other local shopping malls. So many business travellers are also looking for a memorable conference venue that won’t break the bank, and has expert staff with the imagination to super-sizzle their event. Which is where 54 on Bath excels: four well-appointed,

Opulent Living

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River Bend Lodge ∙ South Africa

Family favourite

Included within the Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape, River Bend Lodge is a place of sanctuary and calm that beckons families to experience the bush in refined comfort. A sumptuous retreat set in lush gardens and surrounded by teeming wildlife, River Bend offers a unique experience that’s both personalised and completely private. It’s somewhere for the whole family to enjoy together, savouring wildlife, unobtrusive hospitality and relaxation.

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River Bend embodies fine living, from the opulent country-style décor to the French-inspired contemporary cuisine – not forgetting the abundant wildlife, too.

three-week-old elephant calf stands neatly in the shade between its mother’s legs. The calf is unimaginably tiny and its little trunk is flaying wildly in the air, seemingly out of control. So close and so calm is the herd of elephants, it’s hard to believe there’s such a tiny calf among them. ‘Elephants are very protective of their young ones,’ says guide Darlington Chaonwa, ‘so they usually don’t allow anyone close to them when there’s a new calf, but it seems these elephants feel safe with us here.’ We’re on a game drive in the 14 000-hectare private Nyati concession area that River Bend has coveted access to within Addo Elephant National Park. In reality though, since River Bend lies within the confines of the park’s borders, all the wildlife within Addo traverses through River Bend too. It’s not unusual to see elephant on the front lawn or kudu passing by in the middle distance.

It evokes an atmosphere of being truly surrounded by wildlife. Open since 2000, the idea of starting River Bend happened on an afternoon drive. Owners Malcolm and Andy Rutherford were driving on their neighbouring citrus farm and saw a need for a retreat with decorum and style where children were also welcomed. Born from a personal search for such places for their own family, Andy took on the project and River Bend came into being. Malcolm says: ‘The thinking behind River Bend was to have a place that represents a comfortable sanctuary away from home. Somewhere with polish and refinement, privacy, exclusivity and superb cuisine, that is also family friendly. These qualities are important to us, so we wanted them for our guests as well.’ To achieve this, the lodge is carefully configured with numerous lounges, libraries and public spaces; all reflect

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Photographs: river bend lodge

opulent colonial country-style décor, as do the spacious and decadent suites that are brimming with sunlight. ‘I want guests to feel as if they are the only people here,’ adds Malcolm, ‘and this level of privacy is only possible if you are a small establishment. We have just eight suites and the exclusive-use Long Hope Villa with three en-suite double rooms, so at 22 guests we are full.’ Continuing the offering of a thoroughly personalised experience, private gamedrive vehicles are also allocated to ensure optimal enjoyment. A family will have their own exclusive-use game vehicle and ranger, as will a honeymoon couple, and all drives are conducted at guests’ time of choice. River Bend is not just in a Big Five reserve, but it boasts the Big Seven with southern right whales and great white sharks added to the list of species to be seen in a continuous conservation area. Addo is also touted as one of the most diverse wildlife reserves in the world and is renowned as having the best elephant encounters in South Africa. Birdlife too is prolific at River Bend and Malcolm says there are more than 450 species to see in the reserve. ‘On a single game drive you can see narina trogon and blue crane, which live in entirely different habitats,’ he says. With the five different biomes or vegetation zones in the reserve, the diversity of the natural life is breathtaking. Children of all ages visiting River Bend are personally catered to. Those interested in nature can be ‘young rangers’ and go out with qualified game rangers to look for intriguing plants, birds and animals. They can even learn to track wildlife and read unique bush signs. Other options include creative cooking and baking sessions at the lodge. Chef Kelly Liggett - ex Cellars-Hohenort – creates delectable French-inspired cuisine for guests, and enticing special dishes for children too. The menu is constantly evolving and always personally vetted by Andy, who keeps abreast of international cuisine trends. River Bend recently opened its restaurant to the public and,

The Honeymoon Suite offers newlyweds the perfect romantic retreat, with its own private veranda, secluded plunge pool and garden, and sweeping wilderness vistas.

should resident guests not require all 20 seats in a sitting, advance bookings may be made by the public. ‘It’s my wish that guests feel they have spent their money well when they visit River Bend,’ adds Malcolm, ‘so we do all we can to ensure we give them a memorable and special stay.’ The resident nature photographer, Michael Price, provides a unique service at the lodge and is always on hand to assist guests to take better photographs with their available equipment. That so many guests return to River Bend again and again – some up to seven times already – is clear indication they savour the carefully honed mix of warm hospitality, privacy and personalised attention, along with decadent cuisine and opulent living space. These are the things that make River Bend unique in Addo – a home from home experience, just so much better. n Keri Harvey

River Bend Lodge

Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, SA Telephone: +27 (0)42 233 8000 Email: reservations @riverbendlodge.co.za Website: www.riverbendlodge.co.za

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Good genes. Sporty family. Impeccable credentials for exciting curves. The new Cayman S. 2014 South African Car of the Year finalist. Heart and soul: the high-torque and efficient boxer engine. Its central position – only 30 cm behind the driver – assures a low center of gravity. Result: dynamic handling and still more agility. In team with brakes that won’t stand for any nonsense when it really counts. www.porsche.com/cayman

Fuel consumption in l/100 km (Cayman S PDK): city 11.2 • highway 6.2 • combined 8.0 • CO2 emissions: 188 g/km • Power: 239 kW (325 hp) • Torque: 370 Nm • 0 - 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds

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The legacy of a captain for life Rugby stardom aside, the indomitable Francois Pienaar is also a gifted cricketer, law graduate, art lover, philanthropist and dad. by Ian Macleod

The famous Webb Ellis Cup, awarded to the winners of the Rugby World Cup, which Pienaar famously held high at Ellis Park Stadium in 1995, after the Springboks beat New Zealand in a tightly contested final.

Of course, 1995 World Cup-winning captain of the mighty Springboks is the most common and direct introduction to the legendary Francois Pienaar. But that remains just one brilliant flash in the extraordinary life of a man as rich and balanced as the country he led to glory nearly two decades ago, at the shoulder of then president of the Rainbow Nation, Nelson Mandela. Casting back to Pienaar’s boyhood in Witbank, a working class industrial town on the East Rand of Johannesburg, the makings of a modern Renaissance man were clear. ‘My first love was cricket,’ he explains. ‘I actually got into the national team for cricket before rugby. When we were growing up, sport was compulsory at school, which was fantastic. It taught all the kids so much. Sport teaches children values, makes them healthier and better individuals. So I was lucky to grow up in that environment.’ Young Pienaar had a rich childhood, but not a wealthy one. His father, Jan-Harm, toiled in the steel industry and Francois appears to have learnt the value of industry early on. During primary school holidays he worked at his uncle’s tyre business and as a teenager he employed his natural charms as a door-

to-door salesman. Like he said in Ross van Reenen’s From Locker Room to Boardroom, ‘Successful people and the fear of poverty drove my ambitions, not wealth per se.’ Rugby did have a unique spot in young Francois’ life. ‘In South Africa, when you’re born and you’re a boy, you’re a rugby player,’ he explains. ‘The family will say, “He’s going to be a Springbok”.’ Except it wasn’t just Mr and Mrs Pienaar touting this young lad for rugby glory – ‘Mr Rugby’ himself, Danie Craven, did too. A 17-year-old Pienaar was representing the then South Eastern Transvaal at the annual inter-provincial competition named after Doc Craven, when the prescient moment occurred. ‘I had a mop of blonde hair in those days,’ continues Pienaar. ‘Dr Craven saw me playing one day and said, ‘That blonde from South Easterns, he’s gonna make it big one day’. I mean, that’s like a blessing from the Pope. Although I always did well and pushed the boundaries, that was my first big break.’ Now ‘on the radar’, as he puts it, Pienaar’s cricket and rugby prowess gave the determined youngster a shot at university. ‘My folks didn’t have the money to send me to university,’ he says. ‘I won scholarships to

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A defining moment in South African history: Nelson Mandela hands the trophy to the winning captain at the 1995 Rugby World Cup (above). Matt Damon, pictured (below) with Pienaar at the UK premiere, played the Bok skipper in the movie Invictus. The sports star and his wife Nerine (opposite) attending the 2011 wedding of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco.

“

the Universities of Cape Town and Pretoria, where I wanted to go, but they weren’t worth much money.’ Eventually, the biggest offer of all came in from what was then Rand Afrikaanse Universiteit, now the University of Johannesburg. This proved a master stroke from what was hardly a recognised rugby hub in those days. In what one might call an undercard performance to the famous world championship in 1995, Pienaar soon led his unheralded side to the local league cup and then the national club title, overshadowing the traditional might of rugby strongholds like Stellenbosch University and Despatch Rugby Club. ‘So the radar became a national one,’ Pienaar recalls. ‘And these battles were all good for me as an individual. I always had to fight against a backdrop that said, “You’re not in the best team”. Making that team outperform the best gave me skills that stood me in good stead.’ But again, there was far more than rugby going on. The young leader still had to play cricket to fulfil the requirements of his scholarship. This fell away when injuries, especially a badly ‘busted up’ shoulder, severely hindered his bowling. His was also far from the modern phenomenon of student athletes who are professional sportsmen in all but name. In many ways Pienaar was just another dedicated student, alone in a new city and grafting to pass exams. ‘I was very much on my own at university,’ he recalls in a reflective tone. ‘I just wanted to pass, to get a

degree. I don’t know why, but I always wanted to be a lawyer, and I didn’t want to disappoint anybody.’ This was one time in his life he recalls not having a strong mentor nearby. ‘I think the environment was my mentor. I had to sink or swim – I was clinging on to the edges, but I hung on.’ The gutsy Pienaar graduated to the senior ranks where he continued what gurus these days might call a ‘portfolio’ lifestyle. The bulky blindside flanker joined what was still the Transvaal team, now known simply as the Lions, and attacked the challenge with his signature vim. ‘In 1993 we won everything,’ he says. ‘We even beat the Auckland Blues in the final of the Super 10 [SuperRugby today] when their side was full of All Blacks.’ Pienaar also led his men to the domestic Currie Cap and made his debut for the Springboks. All the while he was building a business, like many of his contemporaries. ‘Remember the sport was still amateur back then,’ he points out. ‘Guys were either studying for a degree or had a degree and ran a business. So they brought a different set of skills to the game of rugby. They could easily debate things and come up with solutions. Rugby was fun for us.’ Pienaar’s day job was building a successful trading and property business in Midrand. ‘These days sport is a business, so things are totally different.’ That unforgettable World Cup victory in 1995 changed that and more. In the tournament pundits mark as the turning point towards full

I’d like to meet the weirdos in history who made the world a worse place. I want to know why they did what they did.

But if asked whom I’d choose to

have at my ultimate dinner table, I’d have to say Muhammad Ali,

Elvis Presley, Bruce Lee and Jesse Owens. What those four have

done is just phenomenal. They moved boundaries.

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professionalism in rugby – a movement the Bok skipper championed – Pienaar seemed to drag both a team of underdogs and an equally troubled nation through wall after wall to conquer the unbeatable All Blacks. Be it the ill-discipline of the pool match against minnows Canada or the torrential rains that nearly eliminated the home team in the semi-final versus France, trouble seemed to follow the men in green and gold. But the man they called Cappy, who wore the famous number 6 jersey, was used to trouble both on and off the pitch, and overcame both varieties the same way: head down, heart on sleeve, fighting to the finish. Pienaar raising the Webb Ellis trophy with Madiba by his side was his, and the country’s, reward. Still, Pienaar talks sparingly about his relationship with the iconic freedom fighter. ‘I’m a bit selfish with it,’ he admits. ‘I don’t like to talk about it too much in case it loses its, what do I call it, specialness. I cannot explain what the man means to me.’ Cappy is far more open about the rugby coach who guided him both at Transvaal and through the Springbok triumph in 1995. While grateful to all the coaches who helped mould him, it’s the one he called Coach, Kitch Christie, who Pienaar credits as his most influential mentor. Unlike your typical captain-coach relationship, this connection was more about life than winning matches. ‘He always made me a captain first and a player second,’ maintains Pienaar. One story more than any other bears this out. It was after that glittering spell covering 1993 and 1994 when Pienaar’s teams had swept opposition aside like a marauding army. He was appropriately named international player of the year by Rugby World magazine and the toast of aficionados everywhere. Only one man wasn’t singing his praises. ‘Kitch sat me down and told me it had been my worst year as captain,’ recounts Pienaar poignantly. ‘He told me there had been three games we’d lost because I hadn’t made the right decisions – even the Super 10 pool match against Queensland in which I was man of the match. Coach was such a moral compass. Whenever you started thinking you were good, he would bring you back down to earth.’ A less salubrious dumping came in 1996 when the new national coach, André Markgraaf,

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dropped an out-of-form Pienaar ahead of a Springbok tour to Argentina, France and Wales. The captain accepted an offer to play for Saracens in London and moved there with his wife, Nerine, that December. Far from the lucrative cool-down one might expect in the twilight of a record-breaking career, Pienaar took the chance to prove his abilities. He arrived at a team that trained on a public park in north London, and, by the 199798 season, had led them to their first piece of major silverware since their establishment more than 120 years earlier: the Tetley’s Bitter Cup. The South African would also become the club’s first ever player-captain and remains a member of their board to this day.

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given are Jean and Stephane.

I’m a proud father! My favourite piece of wisdom is something Kahlil Gibran wrote: ‘Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from

you. And though they are with

you, yet they belong not to you.’

Pienaar, pictured in 1999 with his son Jean, is the proud father of two, now-teenage, boys.

The courageous leader eventually hung up his boots and skipper’s armband in 2000. He stayed on at Saracens as coach for a time, but appears to have had no conflict about returning to his homeland. ‘I came back for three reasons,’ he states assuredly. ‘The lifestyle, my family and the education. You look at the schools here in the Western Cape: Bishops, Rondebosch, Paul Roos, Paarl Boys... They’re phenomenal – outdoors and with academics. That upbringing is what I wanted for my kids. In the UK, it’s predominantly academics, unless you send them to boarding school.’ The bond Pienaar shares with his boys, Jean and Stephane, is visible whenever the proud dad mentions his teenage sons. Back home Pienaar was head-hunted by financial services giant FirstRand to look after FNB sponsorship and marketing, later becoming provincial chairman of the Western Cape. He then followed his passion and started a sport, entertainment and media business, in which FirstRand has a stake. He’s also branched into other ventures, including a branding and logistics business, a below-theline marketing and activation business, and a sportswear manufacturing business called No Limits, launched just this year. Chief among his expansive record of charitable work is the MAD (Make a Difference) Foundation. Inspired by the strength Christie had shown him while fending off cancer for years, and convinced only education would repair South Africa, he founded the organisation in 2003. Still with its founding chairman heavily involved, MAD has supported more than 2  000 young South Africans through its broad education programmes. Perhaps his most famous accomplishment of late has been his Varsity Sport venture, which manages the popular Varsity Cup. Starting with rugby and now spreading to other codes, this is the platform that is steadily upgrading university sport in South Africa. Founded in 2008, it has already helped groom senior stars such as Eben Etzebeth, JJ Engelbrecht and Juan de Jongh, and has come to occupy student life on Monday evenings during the season. Next up could even be a television channel solely dedicated to varsity sport. Pienaar’s knack for creative business thinking comes through firmly in his summary of the

strategy. ‘It’s really all about building brands and unlocking value,’ he explains. ‘Just look at the college sports system in the States. That is a really profitable business and ours is based very closely on their model. People think students don’t have money, but they do – it’s just that it might not be their own. The discretionary spend in the student market in South Africa is a good R40 billion, and they do it arbitrarily. They also have the biggest potential value, the longest value to any brand. They go from students to being professionals, so you want to engage them early.’ The proof lies in statistics like the 450 000 people who watch the Varsity Cup live in a season. While the sporting warhorse and captain of industry hasn’t slowed down much, most will agree he’s earned the right to relish the things he loves most. Pienaar still puts in a full day at the office, running his various business interests, but is sure to go out walking with Nerine in the mornings. ‘We’re carving out a lot of family time,’ he explains. ‘Dinner at home, some music and maybe a Scotch. On weekends we’re usually up at 5am to travel somewhere like Elgin for the boys’ rowing. There’s no excuse not to find family time.’ And those who most closely resemble family rarely feel left out either. For the gregarious Pienaar, strong personal relationships have been a golden thread. ‘Meeting the people that I have has been a great privilege,’ he reflects. ‘I’ve met incredibly smart people. But a meeting is not a fair reflection of who someone is. It’s easy to put the best foot forward, the right things are said and people can gush. I’ve seen it in Hollywood, where everybody is great and fantastic and it’s “Oh, you look so good”. That’s very plastic. It’s when you get to know people well that they can really impress you. I’ve been lucky to meet these people.’ He mentions tea with Nelson Mandela in 1994, but abides by his rule of keeping the heart of that relationship just for him and Madiba. Pienaar’s choices for ‘me time’ might sound unlikely ones for a man regarded by many certainly his opponents on the rugby park and in the boardroom - as a hard man. ‘I just love music,’ he almost sings. ‘Music with a cigar and maybe a glass of vino. I listen to a range of genres, but it’s always about the poets. I have to be able to listen to the lyrics. I enjoy

Photographs: michael edwards, gallo images / afp, sean gallup / getty images / gallo images, touchline / getty images / gallo images, supplied

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The best gifts I’ve ever been

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you have to give your all wise musicians who speak the truth and raise questions that excite me.’ In fact, music had a keystone role in Pienaar’s captaincy of the Springboks. One song in particular, Roger Whittaker’s ‘I don’t believe in if anymore’, illustrates this role. ‘I was sitting with the players one day and they kept asking me “What if?” questions,’ he begins. ‘What if I drop the ball? What if I miss a tackle? What if we lose?’ The uncertainty cannot have sat well with this most assured of men. But he appears to have had the ideal answer. ‘I turned round and said, What if we don’t take our chances? What if we don’t give our all?’ To hammer home the point, he started playing the Whittaker ballad on the team bus en route to matches: ‘And if you do it often lad; And if you do it right; You’ll be a hero overnight; You’ll save your country from her plight’. Given half a chance he’ll even rattle off his favourite painters and sculptors. ‘I’m a great fan of Angus Taylor,’ he says. ‘He’s a friend and just incredible. John Meyer and Sam Nhlengethwa are also superb. We have such magnificent artists in South Africa - you just need to look at the prices they’re fetching overseas.’ The skills, the connections, the experience and so much more make Francois Pienaar a unique vestige of our past and a source of valuable insights on the South Africa of tomorrow. ‘In 1995, what was important for us as a nation was to reconcile and to celebrate. I hear that every day. I might be sitting next to a guy on a plane and he’ll say to me, “My captain, I remember watching that final on TV in a

township,” and my heart goes doof-doof-doof. The 2010 Soccer World Cup was for us to show the world that we’re champions. We showed them that we could host this tournament, despite the naysayers and bad press.’ He turns to the future. ‘We’ll be at a crossroads for a while yet. In the end, it’s about leadership. We’ve got phenomenal resources, human capital, mineral capital. We’re the gateway to the growing market of Africa, which is where everyone wants to be right now. So, I’m very positive about the future of South Africa - with the footnote: if we have the right leadership. If we do, who’s going to stop this success story? It’s just going to get better and better.’ FAST FACTS 2 January 1967: Jacobus Francois Pienaar is born in Vereeniging, South Africa. 1989: Pienaar makes his senior provincial debut, at flank for the then Transvaal. 26 June 1993: Pienaar makes his testrugby debut, versus France (as captain), and remains with the national team until 1996. During this time he captains South Africa to victory in the Rugby World Cup in 1995. 1996: Pienaar marries his girlfriend Nerine Winter; the couple now has two sons. 1997–2000: Pienaar plays for English club, Saracens, earning himself 44 caps and stays on as coach from 2000 until 2002. 2004: Pienaar is voted 50th in the Top 100 Great South Africans. 24 October 2011: Pienaar is inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame.

Francois Pienaar was interviewed by Opulent Living’s Florian Gast and Barbara Lenhard, together with Demetri Pappadopoulos.

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Days At Sea ∙ South Africa

Sun, sea and style Days At Sea, on KwaZulu-Natal’s unspoilt South Coast, adds a layer of chic sophistication to the pure relaxation of beach living, making it the most stylish of hideaways for an idyllic break to experience sand between the toes, salt on the skin and the rhythmic lull of warm Indian Ocean waves breaking on a long golden beach.

anoramic views of endless ocean are revealed as the gates open, the sound of the surf muted only by the breeze blowing lightly in the palm trees. Welcome to Days At Sea, an intimate and secluded beach lodge in Trafalgar, on KwaZulu-Natal’s beautiful Hibiscus Coast. A graceful bronze sculpture hints at the art-loving ambience within, but for now

nature draws the eye with masterly brushstrokes of sky, sea and land. Perched on a hillside that drops down to a long, deserted beach, the boutique hotel – the only five-star oasis along this stretch of coast – is a clever juxtaposition of old and new, art and nature. The original 120-year-old fisherman’s house is incorporated into the whole but it’s hard to

tell where new and old meet. The rooms are light and spacious, the jazzy suspended bar segues into a tranquil enclosed courtyard with palm trees, the dining room and lounge have huge glass doors revealing ocean views and feature an old stone staircase reminiscent of a Greek fishing village. Original artworks are the focal point of the décor, not surprising

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The intimate restaurant serves a delicious fusion of Italian, French and Asian cuisine, accompanied by far-reaching views out to sea.

The four spacious suites in the main lodge feature original artworks and a palette of restful blue to reflect the views from the private verandas, which overlook the inviting infinity pool and the endless Indian Ocean beyond.

since the owners are German artist and photographer Dr Guido Schoeldgen, and his fashion designer wife Annette. Their eclectic art, sculpture and furniture has been carefully gathered in the course of their globe-trotting lifestyle, so alongside Guido’s own atmospheric compositions are pieces by Philippe Starck, driftwood installations by Gordon Rattey, and Balinese urns and stone carvings. There are just four individual and spacious suites at the main lodge. Each has a wide veranda looking out over the pool to the ocean, where you can enjoy breakfast in private or simply chill out. Comfortable and chic, each suite is individually decorated with original artworks to create

an ambience of sophisticated yet informal elegance. If this all sounds as though it’s designed more for adults than children, it is; Days At Sea only takes children of 14 and over, so think romantic escape rather than family destination. Secluded on the hillside further along the beach, a short golf buggy ride away from the main lodge, is the even more lavish Artist’s Retreat, an independent twobedroom villa with a modern Balinese flavour and its own private infinity pool, deck, dramatic red-and-black dining room, large lounge with chandeliers and a huge red couch. An even more private hideaway for two couples, it comes with its own private staff.

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The outstanding wine cellar is worth a visit. The Artist’s Retreat (bottom), a private villa that sleeps four, is decorated in bold shades.

Days At Sea

Trafalgar, KwaZulu-Natal, SA Telephone: +27 (0)39 313 0013 Email: daysatsea.hotel@gmail.com Website: www.daysatsea.com Days At Sea is set on the Hibiscus Coast, overlooking the Indian Ocean. It is 140km south of Durban, an easy – and beautiful – 1 hour 40 minute drive. The boutique hotel has been included in the prestigious Klocke Book every year since 2009, where it’s recognised as one of the 100 Most Beautiful Hideaway Hotels in the World.

PHOTOGRAPHS: DAYS AT SEA

It’s very easy to let leisurely afternoons happily drift by lounging in the ‘floating’ gazebos, suspended over the drop where the hill swoops down to the beach – they’re a prime vantage point for whale watching in winter and spring. The holiday mood continues with romantic strolls along the pristine beach, where you’ll see hardly a soul. Swim in the warm ocean or dip in the pool back up at the hotel, where you can linger to watch sunset turn the sky all the shades from vermilion to violet. Or follow the winding paths to the secret garden therapy room, glimpsing monkeys and exotic birds in the trees, and indulge in a blissful massage while gazing up at Christopher Lorenz’s wonderful ceiling painting.

Dedicated golfers are spoilt for choice with three world-class courses at nearby San Lameer, Southbroom and the Wild Coast Sun Resort, and the nearby Aliwal Shoal has stunning marine life on its coral reef for divers to explore. In such an intimate and individual setting a formal à la carte menu would be out of place. Instead, the delicious fusion of Italian, French and Asian cuisine is worked into varied set menus according to guests’ tastes, and crafted from fresh seasonal ingredients sourced daily. The cellar is a journey of exploration in itself – awarded platinum by Diners International – where aficionados can browse the superb wine collection. As night falls, Guido’s Ibizan Café del Mar music plays softly in the background and a striking halogen spotlight illuminates the breakers below, adding a touch of drama – or a concert is projected onto the lounge wall. So blissful is the spectacular location, the serene ambience and relaxed pampering at Days At Sea that it’s impossible to leave without promising to return to the Hibiscus Coast for another generous measure of its balmy beach magic.  Kit Heathcock

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Clouds Estate ∙ South Africa

High on design Contemporary Dutch design combines with South African art to create a sophisticated mountain-top retreat that features amazing views over the Cape Winelands as well as easy access to award-winning food and wine.

f ‘cloud nine’ is a place of sublime views and blissful relaxation, then a little piece of heaven on earth is just waiting to be discovered in the Cape Winelands. Clouds Estate is a luxury wine and guest estate, perched high on the Helshoogte Pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. And while the aweinspiring views of mountains and vineyards are reason enough to visit, a recent top-to-toe renovation, that has

seen it furnished with some of the iconic names of contemporary Dutch design, has transformed it into a design destination with a quirky elegance. Strolling down the stairs to the airy lounge and dining area, the understated palette gives the eye freedom to roam ahead to the dramatic views, where sunlight filters through slatted wooden screens on the terrace, the vine-patchwork valley drops away and endless mountain

vistas beckon. But then the details of the interior demand attention: quilted black Moooi Monster chairs; a full-size horse sculpture that’s actually a light by Front; a seemingly traditional white standard lamp made from paper by Studio Job; and gorgeous sofas that are the work of design studio Linteloo. The surprise of finding so many cuttingedge Dutch designers assembled in this small corner of South Africa is soon

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Some of the top names in cutting-edge-cool Dutch design are represented in the stylish interiors, which were transformed in collaboration with Moooi.

The guesthouse makes the most of its extraordinary views with floor-to-ceiling windows fronting both the guest rooms and the lounge and dining area, which flows out onto a terrace shaded by wooden shutters.

explained: its Dutch owners met fellow countrymen Casper Vissers and Marcel Wanders of Moooi at a party in Cape Town â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and their shared love of South Africa, and of contemporary design, initiated a collaboration to transform Clouds. The chic modern feel of the public rooms extends into the seven en-suite bedrooms, where a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows frames the view and gives access onto a private deck or balcony. Silky smooth wooden floors add warmth to a crisp black-and-white palette, while Moooiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s distinctive lighting adds sculptural interest and original works by various local artists, curated by Ilse Schermers of IS Art, gives South African flavour. While the guesthouse is designed as a tranquil child-free retreat, the five equally chic one-bedroomed villas on Clouds Estate work well for families. Clustered in a separate enclave away from the main house, they enjoy the same magnificent

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Photographs: clouds estate

views and stylish contemporary design. An open-plan kitchen, lounge and dining area opens on to a private patio and the sofa converts into a double bed, so each villa can sleep up to four people. Waking up slowly and watching the mist rise from the valley as the sun crests the mountain tops is a delight. But there is more pampering to enjoy: underfloor heating and fluffy bamboo towels in the bathroom, and a minibar where a complimentary bottle of Clouds Pink, fresh fruit and nuts await your arrival. There’s also a laptop safe, iPod docking station and free Wi-Fi so you can plug into the modern world. It’s all topped with a smile from the estate’s warm, friendly staff, overseen by general manager Marika Kok. Clouds may seem a distant eyrie miles from anywhere, but excellent cuisine is a just stone’s throw away. Neighbouring Delaire Graff wine estate has two

outstanding restaurants: the eponymous fine dining venue serves up gourmet bistro-chic dishes, and Indochine features contemporary Asian cuisine. Across the road is Tokara, which regularly features in lists of South Africa’s top restaurants,. There’s no need to stint on fine wine either, as Clouds offers transport to both: a golf cart follows farm roads to Delaire Graff, or a BMW whisks you across to Tokara. After a sumptuous breakfast on the Clouds terrace, wander across the neat roof garden to the infinity pool, settle into one of the chic Canasta circular sofas by B&B Italia and enjoy the grandstand view of the Simonsberg, the perfect backdrop to the intimate weddings and other special events held here at Clouds. Whether you’re planning a gourmet wine-tasting tour or an idyllic weekend getaway, Clouds Estate is a base that’s a feast for the eyes – both inside and out. n Kit Heathcock

Clouds Estate

Stellenbosch, Western Cape, SA Telephone: +27 (0)21 885 1819 Email: info@cloudsestate.co.za Website: www.cloudsestate.com

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The 10-day Baltic Cruise sets sail from beautiful Stockholm (top) and visits four other cities en route to Copenhagen.

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the serene magic of a baltic cruise Visiting six cities in 10 days is a superbly relaxing experience when you’re on board a luxurious cruise liner. by Barbara Lenhard

The only way to take in a combination of cities with a perfectly balanced blend of regal heritage and modern design in a short period of time is to board one of the world’s most prestigious ships, unpack – just once – and immerse yourself in a luxury travel experience so extraordinary that it will change your perspective on cruising forever. Everything about the Crystal Serenity is destined to make you wonder why you hadn’t discovered this remarkably relaxed way of exploring the world sooner. Why hadn’t you figured out that flights and trains between six different countries might actually take longer than sailing between them – while you sleep like a princess, waking to find yet another new city to explore, or simply to spend an enriching day at sea? With a personal butler to do the thinking for you, a Crystal Cruise offers a style of travel that surpasses even the most sceptical independent traveller’s expectations, hands down. Crystal Serenity is the largest of two luxury cruise ships operated by Crystal Cruises, yet it still feels as intimate as

a world-class boutique hotel. What sets it apart is an extraordinary choice of entertainment, activities and gourmet dining experiences set over 13 decks, so that guests never feel crowded. But more importantly, the Crystal journey is about bespoke service. It’s about an ever-present but entirely unobtrusive complement of staff (one for every two guests), who enjoys engaging warmly with discerning travellers from all over the world, enveloping them in a sense of wellbeing from the moment they board. And to ensure an entirely stress-free cruise, an online cruise planner allows for priority check-in and assists with advance restaurant reservations and excursions on shore. Of course, if you’re staying in a Penthouse Suite, it’s double the pleasure as everything is laid on, from personal stationery to binoculars. Before long you can expect your butler to remember your favourite cocktail, and that you enjoy a cappuccino long after an Italian would deem it acceptable – though he’ll oblige with a flourish. It’s the personal touches that count – always replenishing the

Penthouse Suites are superbly appointed with sliding glass doors leading to a private balcony.

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regal pasts and Chic design

Explore Copenhagen’s pretty canal walk at Nyhavn, the cascading fountains at Peterhof, near St Petersburg, and the Church of the Rock in Helsinki, or shop for fine porcelain at Royal Copenhagen.

tonic for impromptu G&Ts and recalling that you prefer lime to lemon. Settle in, once everything is unpacked in your walk-in dressing room and discover oh-so-soft Frette bathrobes and Aveda amenities of pure flower and plant essences. Bathing on the Baltic has never been this good! Get set to let every muscle go once the bubbles rise in the Jacuzzi bathtub before dressing for your first gourmet experience of the journey. Crystal Cruises’ Asian dining restaurants are simply the best at sea, serving the gourmet delights of the legendary Nobuyuki ‘Nobu’ Matsuhisa. Then there’s Piero Selvaggio’s Italian dishes as well as other delights from Crystal’s acclaimed chefs, all to be savoured over the next 10 nights and days. Repeat guests will invite you to share their secret hot spot: The Sushi Bar, where an intimate group of diners can watch top chefs creating mouthwatering Nobu specials such as yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno, tuna tataki with ponzo sauce or grilled wagyu beef steak served with three delicious sauces. PanAsian taste sensations continue at the legendary Silk Road, the only sea-going restaurant in Nobu’s global empire, where guests experience the full ritual of Japanese cuisine. Piero Selvaggio’s menu at Prego, an intimate Tuscan restaurant, reads like an opera and is prepared and served with equal passion (the slow-roasted pumpkin ravioli is legendary). Solo travellers enjoy an invitation to join a ‘table for eight’, a unique concept that offers speciality dining around a community table. But for something completely different, several evenings of buffet-style theme feasts afford guests the opportunity to try new dishes every time. Well-trained sommeliers love presenting wines from their home country, but if you’d like an exclusive food-and-wine pairing, The Vintage Room awaits. By special arrangement, private parties of up to 12 can enjoy a bespoke menu of dishes created by the chef to match a collection of fine wines – complete with winetasting notes from the head sommelier.

One of the benefits of taking a 10-day voyage is that there is plenty of time to savour all these on-board feasts. They are all-inclusive, which means guests can rather splurge on shore excursions and luxury shopping. There’s certainly plenty of exploring to be had as this Baltic experience explores the best of Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Russia, Germany and Denmark. The ship docks at the ports of Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, St Petersburg, Warnemünde (allowing sufficient time for an excursion to Berlin) and finally, Copenhagen, and each shore excursion takes in an exciting mix of old and new at each destination, as well as plenty of culinary highlights. Many guests choose to spend their first night at the elegant Grand Hôtel in Stockholm, to recover from long-haul flights before boarding the ship. You can check-in for the cruise here, too, as it’s a partner in the Crystal Hotel Programme. It’s the ideal way to begin the holiday as, set on the waterfront opposite the Royal Palace, and close to the historical old town of Gamla stan, the romantic hotel offers a magnificent introduction to the Swedish capital – known as ‘Beauty on Water’ because it spreads over 14 scenic interlocking islands. Once aboard, there are still two days to enjoy guided excursions in this fashionable city. The first overnight sailing takes you swiftly to Helsinki. This is best seen on foot, and there are plenty of guided walks, stopping at museums and cultural sights, or at Kauppatori Market Square, where summer flowers and fruit are abundant and the day’s freshest catch is sold from open boats. Fish lovers should try the marinated herring or salmon, but there will also be reindeer, elk and hare on the menu. Finland is home to Finnish designers Marimekko and Vuokko, so leave time to pop into one of their Helsinki stores. And don’t miss the extraordinary Chapel of Silence (built in an elliptical shape especially for World Design Capital 2012) and the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma. Equally interesting is the Church of the Rock or

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Temppeliaukio Kirkko, with its excellent acoustics that makes it a popular venue for concerts. Shortly after returning to the ship, you’ll set sail for Tallinn, in Estonia. The birthplace of Skype is a romantic medieval city with cobbled streets in the Lower Old Town and cafés spilling

A must-see in St Petersburg is Tsarina Elizabeth’s Catherine Palace at Pushkin, a lavish baroque masterpiece (above). There’s also plenty of modern design to be seen in Scandinavia, such as this tea set from Normann Copenhagen (below).

onto the sidewalks adding a convivial atmosphere. Estonia is the perfect contrast between the culturally diverse, design-forward atmosphere of Helsinki and St Petersburg, where much of the city appears frozen in a time warp. While sailing on to Russia that night, a sophisticated evening of theatre, cabaret or dancing sees guests dressed up in tuxedos or cocktail gowns. Lavish Broadway-style productions or sessions at the pulsing dance club beckon – unless you’d rather try your luck at the Crystal Casino. Dancers can take complimentary dance classes or whirl the night away with an Ambassador Host, an experienced ballroom dancer. If that’s not your style, take in a movie in the Hollywood Theatre followed by a browse through the ship’s boutiques. If you’re up early the next morning, you’ll notice the morning sun lighting the dachi, or summer houses, dotting the countryside as the ship slices through the grey-blue waters of the Neva River

before reaching the outskirts of the city of contrasts that is St Petersburg. Stark Communist architecture contrasts sharply with Peter the Great’s predilection for the baroque and rococo styles – clearly visible in arches, columns and stucco on façades painted in every shade of green, yellow, amber, blue and cream. Comparisons with Venice are inevitable, but the scale is more that of Paris and its wide boulevards. Disembark for a day of discovery in this magical city. Take a boat ride on its canals and be whisked into the astounding galleries of the Hermitage with pre-booked tickets. The choice is yours… Will it be a night at the ballet? A countryside excursion to Catherine Palace with its magnificent amber room? Or a visit to Peterhof Palace with its playful cascading fountain of statues? Either way, the culture-filled days in this magnificent city are set to make memories for a lifetime. After three nights in Russia, a full day at sea gives guests the opportunity to enjoy all the on-board activities at leisure. Crystal Cruises is consistently voted the best in the world because, besides offering an unparalleled luxury travel experience, it’s provides a highly sociable cruise with plenty for everyone to do. Always ahead of trends, it welcomes multi-generational families who love to reunite and enjoy a stressfree journey together – one that allows each guest to do as little or as much as they like on the ship. Grandparents enjoy the Walk on Water on the 360-degree promenade deck or take a class at Computer University@ Sea. Children head for Scoops Ice Cream Bar for an endless flow of frozen delights and freshly baked cookies, in between splashing about in the pools. Dedicated staff in the Fantasia children’s activity room or Teen Centre also keep them happily occupied for hours, with dining choices for every palette (picky ones too!) at all times of the day. Parents slip away happily to the pampering Feng Shui inspired Crystal Spa or to the state-of-the-art fitness

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centre where there’s Tai Chi or yoga. For the very active, there’s also PGA golf instruction and paddle tennis on full-size courts on the top deck. Or why not attend a Crystal Visions Enrichment lecture by an expert speaker, or a session with the Creative Learning Institute? You could even learn a new language! A more relaxed day can be had poolside, where the Lido Café serves drinks and snacks, and there’s laid-back dining at the Trident Grill or Tastes – also open most evenings. At dawn, the small German port of Warnemünde comes into focus, with its quaint harbour opening into a delightful beach resort. Wander here or take a train to visit the historic Hanseatic town of Rostock, or head straight for chic Berlin - a city that’s hurtling into the future just as fast as it came out of the past. It’s a vibrant city with a trendy young crowd ensuring its rising status. For those who choose not to go to Berlin, it’s an ideal time to shop at leisure on board the ship. Head to the Avenue of the Stars, home to four luxury boutiques: Apropos (with a beautiful Christian Dior area), Captain’s Choice, Crystal Collection and Facets. Come evening, it’s time to retire to your suite to slip between pure Egyptian cotton sheets for the last overnight

sailing. Rest your head knowing that Crystal’s PURE particle-free reduction process provides relief from allergies, so you’ll wake completely refreshed. Come morning, the ship has docked at its sixth and final stop, Copenhagen. Here guided walking tours take you through historic streets, giving an insider’s guide to one of the greenest-thinking cities in the world. It was here that Lego was invented, but it’s also home to many top designer goods, including Georg Jensen. Take a stroll along the pretty canal in Nyhavn and through the trendy Latin Quarter, or discover the glasslined modern buildings on Copenhagen Island. But, if food is your passion, your inner gourmet will undoubtedly lead you to Noma, René Redzepi’s Nordic restaurant, voted the best in the world in the San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Like the cutting-edge design boutiques, Noma celebrates the Scandanavian landscape in its food, transporting diners instantly by the flavours and aromas to the beach where ingredients were foraged. It’s a fitting culinary experience to end a bespoke journey like no other, one that consistently stands apart from the rest. But that’s exactly why Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony rank as the two highest-rated ships in the world.

Contemporary suites, remodelled in 2011, offer every on-board comfort.

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has earned Crystal Cruises unprecedented recognition as the World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Reader Awards survey for the past 18 years running. It has also been voted top in its Midsize Ship category by Condé Nast Traveler for the past 20 years – an accomplishment unmatched by any other cruise line, hotel or resort anywhere in the world. Itineraries have recently extended to include Antarctica, Alaska and West Africa. Recently launched is the Crystal Cruises ‘You Care. We Care’ programme for guests who wish to make a difference by investing in the preservation of precious historical sites around the world, or to join the Crystal Voluntourism Adventures, which combines educational tourism and adventure travel with the goal of improving destinations for future generations. Crystal Cruises is represented in South Africa by Cruises International. Founded in 1992, Cruises International is the largest company of its kind in Africa and the proud representative of 10 of the world’s leading cruise lines. As well as booking dream cruises around the conferences and incentives at sea. Cruises International Telephone: +27(0)11 327 0327 Email: nirosha@cruises.co.za Website: www.cruises.co.za

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PHOTOGRAPHS: CRUISES INTERNATIONAL

world, it also arranges private yacht charters,

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Hideaway of Nungwi Resort & Spa â&#x2C6;&#x2122; Zanzibar

Exotic island dream The brilliant blue sea, the powdery white sand, the picture-postcard sunsets and the scent of spices on the breeze all combine to make Zanzibar seem like something out of a dream. And at Hideaway of Nungwi, on the beautiful northwest coast of the island, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find everything you need to make that dream holiday a reality.

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The resort is set on a beautiful, tranquil stretch of beach fronted by warm, tropical waters.

here’s nothing that says ‘beach holiday’ quite like sipping a cocktail as you watch the sun sink into the Indian Ocean, setting the sky on fire with vivid pinks, purples and oranges. Every sunset is a photo opportunity in Zanzibar. And there’s no place quite as perfect to watch them as Hideaway of Nungwi Resort & Spa, located on what is known as the best beach of many very beautiful beaches on the island of Zanzibar. This is the land of cinnamon, cloves, pepper and nutmeg, the island of

permanent summer, of a fascinating mix of colonial, Maasai and Muslim culture. Not just the Spice Island, Zanzibar is the island where the past meets the present: in its architecture, in its culture and in its people. Stone Town, a World Heritage Site and the capital of Zanzibar, is known as East Africa’s only functioning ancient city. But here on the secluded northwest tip of the island, it’s all about the beaches… Just 55 minutes from the airport, you’ll feel a million miles from the real world.

This is the island getaway at its very best. Hideaway of Nungwi stretches over 10 hectares, surrounded by exotic gardens and an abundance of tropical plants, but that doesn’t hide the fact that it is right on the beach. Each of the suites and villas reflects the island’s traditional architectural style and opens up to unforgettable ocean views on all sides. Because this is a coast to take your breath away. Warm, tropical water so crystal clear you can see your toenails when you’re standing in it; coral reefs

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The Asian-inspired Ishi-Teppanyaki serves up a delicious menu of oriental fusion dishes and freshly made sushi.

The décor takes its inspiration from Zanzibar’s melting pot of Arabic, African and European colonial influences.

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teeming with tropical fish a short swim from shore; and the kind of undulating, gentle waves that could lull you to sleep. Zanzibar’s ocean is the friendliest you could wish for, just made for midday dips to ease the heat of the summer sun, afternoon underwater explorations with snorkelling or scuba gear, or slow paddles in a kayak as the sun dips below the horizon. Fly across the aquamarine water on a Hobie Cat, or try out windsurfing, kite-surfing or deep-sea fishing for an added jolt of excitement. No trip to Zanzibar is complete without a day trip swimming with dolphins: there is nothing quite so unforgettable as diving into clear blue water surrounded by these graceful creatures. Another unmissable Zanzibari experience is sailing on a dhow, the traditional handcrafted wooden boats that have been plying these waters for hundreds of years – the memory of a sunset dhow cruise will stay with you forever… For a taste of real Zanzibar, a day trip to Stone Town is a must. Wander through the characterful side streets where brightly striped kikois wave gently in the sea breeze and Bao players sit in the shade and play the traditional mancala on intricately carved wooden boards. Haggle at the market for fresh spices and sample the delicious fresh seafood cooked while you wait. The scent of vanilla and spice pervades the market stalls, but a spice tour of the island will take you to see the fresh green pods hanging from climbing vanilla orchids, and into the wilderness of the rest of the island. At the end of a busy day, the Hideaway of Nungwi suites and villas offer every luxury you could wish for. There’s nothing like returning from a vivid day of sights and sounds to an oasis of serenity and peace: each room feels like it’s on its own private island. If you’re really looking for the crème de la crème, the Presidential Ocean Front Villa may be one of the finest places to lay your head on the Spice Island: an expansive three-suite villa just steps away from the private beach, and surrounded by lush tropical gardens. This really is paradise found.

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After a morning exploring the island, retreat to the peaceful spa for a relaxing Thai, Balinese or Indonesian massage, or cool off with a dip in the resort’s large freshwater infinity pool overlooking the ocean.

Hideaway of Nungwi Resort & Spa

Photographs: hideaway of nungwi resort & spa

Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania Telephone: +255 (0)75 881 8281 Email: info@hideawaynungwi.com Website: www.hideawaynungwi.com Life at Hideaway of Nungwi is as peaceful as the laid-back rhythm of the island, so the most difficult decision you’ll face is which spa treatment to choose – hammam, hydrotherapy, Thai, Balinese or Indonesian massage – or where to savour your next meal! Aqua overlooks the beach and offers lavish buffet options all day, or themed buffets next to the swimming pool under the stars. Right next to Aqua you’ll find Ishi-Teppanyaki, with delicious fresh sushi and sashimi, or try Carnivorus & More for exotic African meats cooked to order over the coals. Sample springbok, ostrich, impala, crocodile and wildebeest roasted to perfection. It doesn’t take long to settle into beach paradise, and you may soon find yourself

not wanting to leave your sun lounger for lunch. Luckily, the Makuti Beach Bar offers lunchtime snacks, and you can wander over to the Sunset Bar for a typically colonial afternoon tea and sip on a range of local Tanzanian loose-leaf teas and herbal infusions as the heat of the day begins to turn. Just be sure to have your camera on hand as the sun sinks into the ocean over the island of Tumbatu. Cigar or shisha in one hand, Zanzibari-inspired cocktail in the other, spice island style... This is the way to end a day. Hideaway of Nungwi offers that rare thing: a beach paradise escape that actually lives up to the photographs. This is the picture-postcard beach holiday, come to life. n Bridget McNulty

A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Hideaway of Nungwi comprises 100 suites and villas overlooking the Indian Ocean. It is a 55-minute drive from the airport.

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‘The difference between style and fashion is quality,’ said Giorgio Armani. And quality that delivers the very best

PHOTOGRAPH: GREATSTOCK/CORBIS

in style is what this section is all about.

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The future, by design The Shard, London’s iconic new skyscraper, and the i3, BMW’s recently launched electric sedan, both combine top design with serious green credentials.

On its 2013 EuroStyle Tour, BMW showed how innovative design can successfully blend sustainability, heritage and style. by Barbara Lenhard

hink of some of history’s most celebrated architectural icons – the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, the Chrysler Building and the Sydney Opera House – and it’s clear that visionary designers have been around for centuries. The pioneering craftsmen of the past worked tirelessly to create jaw-dropping works of art and, even today, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who is not swept off their feet by their celebrated creations. But, in 2013, it is not enough for design, whatever form it may take, to be just visually extraordinary. To stand out from today’s design pacesetters, it must also embody the future-forward tenets of environmental sustainability. To this end, then, the manufacture of topdrawer luxury products is returning to the hands of master craftsmen who use authentic, ethically sourced materials to produce one-of-a-kind creations that have the power to astonish even the most cynical of modern-era design devotees. Always one step ahead of trends, BMW has been paving the way when it comes to establishing this new face of design, and is creating vehicles that merge cutting-edge engineering with both

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stylish and conscientious design. The innovative automobile manufacturer partners with forward-thinking designers and artists from all around the world, and the annual BMW EuroStyle Tour – which this year took selected journalists to the design capitals of London and Lisbon – provides the ultimate opportunity to showcase their shared values. Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon, is home to well-preserved examples of ancient Roman architecture, as well as countless Gothic monasteries, Baroque palaces and exquisitely rendered façades in the Pombaline style of the 18th century. Yet, despite this prolific display of the artistic genius of a bygone era, Lisbon also sets the bar when it comes to revolutionary hightech design. Buildings like the Myriad hotel – a futuristic glass-encased edifice that towers 143 metres above the Tagus River in the old part of the city – appear to represent everything that Lisbon has come to embody: a place where tradition and innovation seamlessly converge. The synthesis of these seemingly dichotomous principles is not just evident in ancient places that have embraced modernity. There are also many long-

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The future, by design

Penhaligon’s offers luxury scents firmly rooted in English tradition, while celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal spent years researching Britain’s gastronomic past to create the menu for the Dinner by Heston Blumenthal restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.

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established brands that have welcomed innovation. Among these, BMW is undeniably a leader. The esteemed automobile manufacturer’s recent unveiling of the new 4 Series Coupé revealed a sleek, luxury vehicle that is a marvel of innovative design and, predictably, delivers BMW’s signature driving pleasure. Epitomised by balanced proportions, unparalleled dynamism and a striking aesthetic, the 4 Series Coupé builds on the excellent reputation of previous generations of BMW’s celebrated vehicles, but this model is unmistakably contemporary. And, given that the elegant 4 Series encompasses pioneering design while simultaneously paying tribute to the brand’s inimitable heritage, it’s no surprise that BMW chose to launch it to an assembly of wellrespected global media in Lisbon, where both ideals suffuse the city streets in equal measure. The fusion of past and progress is not confined to Lisbon, however, and heading north, to London, demonstrates that in the British capital, too, the notions of legacy and innovation can be happy consorts. The city’s landscape itself confirms the existence of this ostensibly polar union: consider, for instance, that the view from the seventh-floor terrace of the Tate Modern – a veritable mecca for worshippers of contemporary art and design – is of the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren’s GothicClassic masterpiece that has come to symbolise the hope, resilience and strength of the city of London. Other parts of the capital present equally

impressive examples of the synthesis between old and new, among them the famed luxury perfume house of Penhaligon’s. Steeped in over 140 years of history, the revered brand embodies a quintessentially English spirit of tradition. Yet Penhaligon’s remains entirely relevant to a modern clientele. A contemporary facelift is even on the cards for its Regent Street boutique, the new look paying quirky tribute to the brand’s Victorian beginnings but, thanks to the design flair of acclaimed contemporary architect Christopher Jenner, simultaneously meeting the sophisticated demands of the millennial generation. To be sure, this is no small task, but Jenner, a graduate of the Johannesburg School of Art, is just the man for the challenge. Despite having scooped FX magazine’s coveted award for British Breakthrough Talent last year, he repeatedly extols the virtues of history when it comes to great modern design. It is this essential respect for the past that Jenner identifies as a philosophy that the most enduring of the world’s successful brands share. The Great Northern Hotel is another equally significant example of this ethos at work. Designed by Victorian civil engineer Lewis Cubitt as ‘the world’s first great railway hotel’, and first opened in 1854, this magnificent building, situated alongside London’s King’s Cross Station, evokes all the glamour and grace of yesteryear, yet, thanks to a massive refurbishment – one that took five years to complete (the hotel only opened again in early 2013) – the Grade-II listed landmark is positioned firmly in the new

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Portugal’s high-fashion credentials can be seen in the work of designer Fátima Lopes as well as at the MUDE Design and Fashion Museum in Lisbon.

century. Now its 91 luxurious rooms feature hand-crafted period furnishings, Lefroy Brooks bathrooms, Farrow & Ball historical paint colours and cutglass finishes that combine with modern amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, an in-room entertainment package that comprises 96 TV channels as well as films, music playlists and audio books, and a top-of-the-range Nespresso coffee system… past and present, in other words, in effortless matrimony. While its product offering is world’s apart, BMW, too, is cognisant of its timehonoured foundations as it blazes a trail into a brave new world. Similar futurefocused ideals operate, too, at Lisbon’s

famed MUDE Design and Fashion Museum, home to a world-renowned collection of what will undoubtedly be the design icons of tomorrow. Housed within its venerable walls are works – from avant-garde furniture and fashion to ahead-of-their-time jewellery pieces – by more than 200 of the world’s most esteemed 20th-century designers, including Phillippe Starck, Charles Eames, Jean Paul Gaultier and Yves Saint Laurent; confirmation that the Portuguese capital’s dedication to modern style is unwavering. At the cutting edge of this modern Portuguese style is local fashion designer Fátima Lopes, whose prêt-à-porter

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The future, by design

The striking new BMW 4 Series Coupé was fittingly

Photographs: greatstock/corbis, supplied

launched in Lisbon, a city that

collections have been wowing the crowds at Paris Fashion Week for nearly 20 years. While she caters to an international clientele, with stores in Paris and Los Angeles, the respected couturier is firmly rooted in her native Portugal – one of the reasons she was called upon to up the style credentials of the Portuguese Benfica Football Club, and provide wardrobes for the Portuguese national team competing in the 2006 World Cup. Who can forget the suave players’ impeccably tailored suits as they disembarked at Frankfurt International Airport looking like the cast of Ocean’s Eleven? No less of a showstopper is the 87-storey skyscraper – aptly named The Shard – that cements London’s reputation as a frontrunner when it comes to visionary design. While it may lay claim to being the tallest building in the European Union, The Shard’s height is not the only thing that makes it remarkable. Designed by Italian master architect Renzo Piano, the façade of the building – which houses shops, offices, restaurants, a five-star hotel and residential apartments, with observation galleries near the summit – is made up of more than 11 000 separate panels of glass. Despite the fact that proposals for the building were initially met with criticism by those who felt the futuristic tower would be an eyesore on the city’s legendary skyline, progressive Londoners today embrace its cuttingedge design, particularly given that sustainability was top of mind in its construction: half of the building’s steelwork comes from recycled sources and measures were put in place to ensure

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that its operating CO2 emissions are significantly minimised. Unsurprisingly, the modern colossus has earned the stamp of approval from today’s design-savvy connoisseurs who value environmental sensitivity as highly as they do originality and aesthetic appeal. It’s the same reason why the BMWi series has gained favour, not only among automobile aficionados, but also with the pioneers of cutting-edge, conscientious design. Take the BMW i3, by way of example. With its streamlined silhouette, elegant interior and signature ‘black belt’ which enhances its lightweight character, the i3 is every bit as sexysleek as anything we’ve come to expect from the über-brand. But, crucially, its singular aesthetics are not achieved at the sacrifice of sustainability. The electric car’s eDrive powertrain ensures that it is virtually emission-free, while its carbonfibre-reinforced plastic construction gives it a significantly improved energy consumption. With street cred plus green cred all rolled into one impossibly racy package, it’s no wonder that BMW chose three of the planet’s most energyvoracious first-world cities – London, New York and Tokyo – in which to launch it simultaneously, with a live video link between them. Maybe it’s because it consistently exceeds expectations when it comes to creating luxury products that possess the proverbial ‘wow factor’. Perhaps it’s the fact that it is a pioneer when it comes to safeguarding the planet for those to come (after all, it was named Coolest Motor Vehicle brand in the Sunday Times

embraces both heritage and the innovative modern design of buildings such as Hotel Myriad.

Generation Next Awards). Or possibly it’s because it is not afraid to totally reinvent itself, yet remains steadfastly committed to the heritage that has earned it a place among the most recognisable and trusted brands in the world. Whatever the reason, it is clear that the BMW legacy will live on far into the future – a future it is helping to shape. Barbara Lenhard joined the 2013 BMW South Africa EuroStyle Tour to Lisbon and London. It is the second time Opulent Living has been invited to join this prestigious Tour, which sees BMW showcase peer brands that are similarly engaged in the pursuit of iconic design.

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Sparkling aura A bust of Tsar Alexander II, for whom Cristal was first made in 1876, stands in the entrance hall at the House of Louis Roederer in Reims.

Created to flatter a paranoid tsar, Cristal remains one of the most desirable (and expensive) Champagnes in the world. by Annelize Visser

n a Friday in June 1867, three emperors sat down to a feast at Café Anglais on the corner of the Boulevard des Italiens and the Rue de Marivaux. In Paris for the World’s Fair, Prince Otto von Bismarck, King William I of Prussia and his nephew, Tsar Alexander II (who was accompanied by his son, the future Tsar Alexander III) were in high spirits and looking forward to an eighthour banquet of 16 courses prepared by the unsmiling but generously gifted Adolphe Dugléré, once chef de cuisine to the Rothschild family and a pupil of the renowned Marie-Antoine Carême, the godfather of grande cuisine. The meal, in what was then Paris’ leading restaurant, would be accompanied by eight of the greatest wines in the world, including a Champagne specially bottled for the occasion by Roederer, official wine supplier to Russia’s Imperial Court. A Flemish glassmaker had been commissioned to make flat-bottomed bottles from clear lead glass, ostensibly so that Tsar Alexander II could admire the bubbles rising in the golden liquid. But the real reason was just a touch more sinister: having narrowly escaped

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an attempt on his life the previous year, as well as an attack on his carriage just days earlier, the tsar feared that a bomb might be hidden inside the traditional dark green bottle or inside the punt, the dimple in the bottom. The tsar (who would survive four more assassination attempts before being felled by an activist’s bomb in 1881) came to no harm as a result of the dinner and, if he suffered a little from heartburn the following morning, it was more likely due to chef Adolphe’s famously heavy hand with buttery sauces than the elegant blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sourced from the oldest vines on the Roederer estate. Cristal, as the Champagne came to be called, remained the drink of kings and emperors through wars great and small – several of them started by the emperors at the aforementioned table – until 1945, when the end of World War II provided a cork-popping occasion of historic proportions. Only then did Cristal finally became available to the man in the street. But not just any man in any street, mind you. Cristal entered the market as one of the most expensive Champagnes in the

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world, quickly joining the ranks of über desirable luxury goods, such as a Rolls Royce Phantom or a Hermès bag. It became seen as such a status symbol that it was almost no surprise when, in the mid-90s, rappers such as Puff Daddy and Jay-Z started name-checking Cristal in their lyrics and swigging it straight from the neck of its iconic bottle. But after 10 years it emerged that hiphop’s love affair with ‘Crissy’ had been rather one-sided, and it came to an abrupt end in 2006 after Roederer’s new CEO Frédéric Rouzaud conceded, in an interview with The Economist, that the company wasn’t all that thrilled about its cuvée prestige being the toast of rap royalty. Rouzard took the reigns at Roederer when management of its vineyards was handed down to the sixth generation of the family. The first Champagne he says he ever tasted was the Cristal Rosé 1974, the first vintage of Cristal Rosé created by his father. It was, he told wine writer Tim Triptree, the ‘perfect start in my wine life’. Cristal’s fortunes held steady until the recession of 2008. ‘Champagne is celebration. And if you have nothing to celebrate, then the Champagne business is declining,’ Roederer’s global sales manager Frédéric Heidsieck told The Globe and Mail in October 2010. But by then the brand was well on its way to recovery, thanks to the growing Asian appetite for high-end bubbly. Asian food goes ‘extremely well’ with Champagne, Roederer’s executive vicepresident, the genial Michel Janneau,

told reporters in Hong Kong where he hosted a wine-pairing to introduce Champagne lovers to Roederer wines. ‘I have always been fascinated with Japanese gastronomy and Japanese food but I have the feeling that Champagne will match extremely well with Chinese foods,’ Janneau declared before going on to extol the health benefits of an elegant sparkling wine. ‘It is certainly one of the best wines for health,’ he asserted, suggesting that Blanc de Blanc was ‘best for breakfast, either a vintage or a nonvintage, or a non-vintage with lunch, and one needs to discover the beauty of Rosé or Cristal for dinner.’ Rouzard is even more specific about matching food and Champagne, recommending Cristal 1988 (‘fantastic refined acidity and elegant vinosity’) for drinking with grilled scallops, the 2002 (‘great concentration’) with some good foie gras and the 2004’s ‘seductive minerality’ as a partner for smoked salmon. But for all its refinement, and the passionate men who create it, Cristal continues to benefit from its association with so-called ‘conspicuous consumption’. Just ask the barman at the Kitsch bar in London’s Embassy Club in Mayfair, who, in October this year, witnessed a Champagne war between two oil tycoons from Russia and Azerbaijan who, between them, spent £131 000 (around R2 million) trying to outshine each other. Cristal was by far the most expensive item on the bill, accounting for two-thirds of the ‘winning tab’ of over R1 million.

Louis Roederer Champagne has always been packaged in a distinctive flat-bottomed bottle in crystal-clear glass hence the name Cristal for this cuvée prestige.

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Sparkling aura Each bottle of Cristal is hand riddled in the cellars of the family owned Roederer estate, founded in 1776 and now in the hands of the sixth generation.

FIT FOR AN EMPEROR The dinner that witnessed Cristal’s debut in 1867 was a lavish affair that, in today’s terms, would’ve run to almost R500 000. Chef Adolphe’s menu included sole, turbot and lobster, a warm pâte of quail, saddle of mutton, roast duckling and a delicacy not yet outlawed in 19th-century France – ortolan, a tiny songbird considered the height of gastronomic pleasure , which chef Adolphe served on toast. The eight-hour feast culminated in a bombe glacée, a dessert of ice cream frozen into the shape of a cannonball that would not appear on restaurant menus for at least another decade. An awkward silence reportedly descended on the table shortly after midnight when Tsar Alexander II was heard grumbling about the absence of foie gras from the menu. explain, as tactfully as he could, that foie gras wasn’t eaten in France during June. A terrine of foie gras delivered to the Winter Palace four months later helped smooth things over. Burdel’s winelist was a triumph, and included Château d’Yquem 1847 (a sweet Sauterne), and three legendary Bordeaux blends destined to become among the most expensive red wines in the world: Château Margaux 1847, Château Latour 1847 and Château Lafite 1848. Cristal appears on the menu as Champagne Roederer frappé. ‘Frappé’ merely signifies that it was served chilled.

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These thirsty billionaires will be pleased to learn that 2013 has been a particularly good year for Champagne. Pricecomparison website wine-searcher.com reported in October that winemakers in Champagne were upbeat about this year’s harvest, with Louis Roederer cellarmaster Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon particularly confident. ‘I was very excited when I tasted the grapes and the juice, and I am looking forward to tasting the wines in a few months – right now I feel 2013 could be a great Cristal year,’ he declared. That’s not the only good news. Next year will see the release of the 2009 vintage, the result of a bumper crop that saw the Cristal output peak at twice its usual average of 400 000 bottles per year. That’s 800 000 bottles of very exclusive,

very expensive bubbly to partner with your grilled scallops and foie gras. But the discerning Cristal drinker isn’t only concerned with what is on his plate – he is also, like the emperors at Café Anglais, picky about the company. Roederer’s Janneau shows himself a connoisseur of more than Champagne when asked with whom he’d most like to share a bottle of Cristal: ‘Alors, I have big problems with my memory and naturally I have forgotten the name of this actress… alors!’ But then the vice president collected his memory: ‘She is a beautiful South African actress who has done advertising for Dior. She’s a great actress and comedian, intelligent and without a drop of snobbism. Alors… Charlize Theron! That’s who I’d love to share a bottle with!’

PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED BY LOUIS ROEDERER

It was left to cellarmaster Claudius Burdel to

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Wings of change Using aircraft such as the Cessna Citation, Lufthansa Private Jets offers charter flights across Europe from its international hubs at Frankfurt and Munich.

There’s an increasing recognition of the flexibility, privacy and comfort that only chartered private aircraft can offer. by Richard Holmes

he world has become a smaller place. With the advent of the jet engine in the 1970s, the far-flung became around the corner, and the exotic the pedestrian. As air travel evolved to be faster and more affordable, seats shrunk, smiles faded and the opulent became the mundane; something to be endured, not enjoyed. Today, too many feet through the aircraft door have tarnished the sparkling allure of flying. Where is the glamour of climbing the steps of an aircraft on the tarmac? Where is the handsome captain and the warm welcome from the crew? Where’s the sense of occasion, the thrill of joining that privileged club of international jetsetters? Thanks to mainstream airline travel, it is largely gone. True, some carriers attempt to revive it with superlative First Class products, but that intangible sense of exclusivity has evaporated like the vapour trails that chase after the jets crisscrossing our crowded skies. But then onto the apron taxis an interloper, a shining white knight standing apart from the overcrowded tubes of commercial travellers. It could be

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a Cessna Citation, a Gulfstream G550 or a Challenger 300. Take your pick. Heads turn and you can feel the envy rising as a private jet whispers past. Say hello to the long-lost glamour of air travel. And it’s making a comeback. With the economic doldrums fast becoming a distant memory, the demand for bespoke private air travel is soaring as high-net-worth individuals and timepoor corporate travellers realise the myriad benefits of chartering aircraft for both business and pleasure. And, of them all, it’s flexibility that is the watchword for the industry. Because chartering a flight isn’t about how much each seat on the plane costs, it’s about the intangible benefit of the passenger calling the shots. ‘Each charter request is unique and customised according to our client’s personal preferences and – more importantly – schedule,’ explains Philip du Preez, Fixed Wing Charter Manager at the respected South African charter company National Airways Corporation. ‘Charter affords the flexibility that an airline schedule cannot compete with.’ It’s an important point to remember. No matter if you’re a Lifetime Platinum

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member of a loyalty scheme with a First Class ticket in hand, that scheduled carrier bound for London, Frankfurt or Paris is not going to wait if you’re running late. But if you decide to spend an extra few hours in the bushveld, or squeeze in one last massage before jetting home, your chartered flight will be ready when you are. ‘The main benefit for any client is the flexibility of operating to your own schedule,’ adds Du Preez. ‘It also affords privacy and ease of moving through the terminal, with dedicated ground agents to assist passengers with security or other procedures.’ Because the private jet experience doesn’t begin at cruising altitude, says Chris Frost, Business Development Manager – Flight Operations South Africa for the

ExecuJet Aviation Group: ‘The transition from airside to public side of airports is where most disappointments are experienced. We meet our passengers off a scheduled flight at the air bridge and escort them through the customs and immigration formalities.’ That seamless transition from scheduled carrier to private charter is something that Lufthansa German Airlines has down to a fine art since the launch, in 2005, of Lufthansa Private Jets (LPJ). This unique product – a partnership with market leader NetJets – seamlessly blends intercontinental First Class travel on a scheduled flight with private jets standing by to whisk you onwards to other European destinations. ‘Many of our customers want maximum flexibility

The high-speed Gulfstream has a long range, making it a popular choice for intercontinental flights.

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Wings of change

Private jets are a far more comfortable way to travel – and

in their travel planning,’ says Axel Simon, Director Southern Africa for Lufthansa German Airline and Swiss International Air Lines. ‘With Lufthansa Private Jet, Lufthansa is able to offer a portfolio ranging from the A380 to private jets, thereby tailoring its product offering to the different needs of each individual passenger.’ Each private jet is also chartered on an exclusive basis and costed per plane, not per passenger, explains Simon: ‘The higher price is justified by the enormous time-saving benefits. Especially when travelling in a small group, prices are approximating those of regular scheduled flights and are therefore competitive.’ For passengers flying out of Africa, the service is ideal for onward travel from Lufthansa and Swiss hubs in Frankfurt, Munich and Zurich. LPJ customers enjoy seamless limousine transfers on landing, and have access to First Class lounges. In fact, nearly all charter companies will arrange lounge access before departure, either at their own lounges – ExecuJet offer bespoke facilities in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Lagos – or at payin airport lounges. But even before you reach the lounge, your first consideration is which aircraft is right for your ‘mission’, in charter industry parlance. Chartering is about ‘quality and flexibility,’ says Jenny van Wyk, Passenger Sales Manager for global aircraft broker Chapman Freeborn. ‘Upon receiving the client’s request and requirements, we will source from the world’s inventory of available aircraft so that we select the best aircraft to suit your mission.’

if you own your own plane, you can even get an interior designer to style it to your specifications.

For smaller groups of up to nine passengers the turbo-prop King Air is a cost-effective option, while the Pilatus PC-12 seats up to 12 guests. The Cessna Citation Bravo is one of the most popular options offered by Lufthansa Private Jets: with a range of 2 570 kilometres, and capable of flying seven passengers at up to 695km/h, it’s ideal for short hops in Europe. For longer journeys, the 14-passenger Gulfstream G550 remains the world’s most popular jet for intercontinental charter travel, capable of flying for 12 hours and nearly 12 000 kilometres. Within Africa, the Citation Bravo is a popular choice thanks to its short takeoff capabilities, while for longer hops

ExecuJet recommends the Challenger 300, a popular mid-sized jet offering double-club seating for eight passengers. Satellite phones are available on many private aircraft, and in-flight internet access is fast becoming a standard installation on next-generation jets. While the broad strokes of a journey will be planned in advance, a further benefit of charter travel is that itineraries can be tweaked at relatively short notice provided that the captain and local air traffic control approve the relevant flight plans. Perhaps you’d like to fly past the Victoria Falls before landing, or have a quick round of golf before departure? What about taking the scenic route a mile

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Wings of change

Flexibility – to choose a more scenic route or the most convenient departure time – is key to the success of charter jets.

offshore as you cruise along the Garden Route? Ask the captain and if it’s safe to do so he’ll be sure to oblige. ‘There aren’t too many requests to stop and shop in Africa, but within South Africa we have diverted to find better beach weather, says ExecuJet’s Frost. Perhaps the only issue to remember is that extensive changes to the flight plan could hit you in the pocket. If you choose to delay or divert your flight for an extended period the charter company could charge demurrage to cover costs. Depending on the operator, charters are booked per hour, or according to a specific zone of travel, and deviations from the original flight plan may be charged accordingly. Cost is, to all intents and purposes, the only limitation when it comes to your inflight experience too. While the smaller

size of most charter industry jets does mean the over-the-top luxuries touted in many First Class cabins are simply not feasible, modern private jets still offer a wealth of bespoke luxuries that can be tailored to the client’s personal preferences. Have a favourite meal you’d like to enjoy on board? What about a movie you’ve been waiting to see? Perhaps your favourite newspaper to catch up on the news from home? Almost anything is possible when you call the shots. ‘Clients enjoy a tailor-made catering and bar service with every other specific request catered for,’ says National Airways Corporation’s Du Preez. ‘The client experience remains top priority for us as a charter-service provider.’ ‘We keep a record of the likes and dislikes of our VIP travellers to ensure that their dietary expectations are met,’

adds Frost. ‘We liaise very often with our VIP’s personal assistant or concierge to keep abreast of current favourites. We can pretty much get anything the client wants if we have enough time, through our own concierge service.’ A further benefit is the generous allowance when it comes to luggage. No more finicky regulations and boxes to be ticked when flying privately. Provided there’s space in the plane, and the safe take-off weight isn’t affected, the hold is yours for the filling. And perhaps that’s the crux of chartered travel: it’s all about you. Where would you like to fly? When would you like to leave and arrive? How can your flight be made more comfortable, and more enjoyable? On a private jet you’re no longer just a number; you’re a traveller. And the world is your oyster.

Lufthansa Private Jets: Innovative offering from iconic German carrier, providing seamless private travel across the northern hemisphere. www.lufthansa-private-jet.com NAC Charter: A household name in South fleet of aircraft and offices across the country. www.nac.co.za ExecuJet: One of the largest operators in Africa, with a fleet of 60 managed aircraft and helicopters. www.execujet.net Chapman Freeborn: multi-national charter broker, founded in 1973, with access to an incredible array of aircraft around the world. www.chapman-freeborn.com

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Photographs: lufthansa, gulfstream aerospace corporation, execujet

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From Southern African shores What could be more indulgent than a fresh oyster, served in its half shell on a bed of ice?

Lobster and oysters are prized around the world, but seafood purists agree that the best catches of these seasonal delicacies are harvested from the waters that surround Southern Africa. by Richard Holmes

ince the earliest Portuguese navigators battled their way around South Africa’s windswept coast in the 1400s, the southern tip of the darkest continent has been famous – and infamous – for its oceans. The squalls that cast ships upon the rocky shores of the so-called ‘Cape of Storms’ ensured that sailors treated the Capes of Good Hope and Agulhas with the respect they deserve. These were dangerous journeys, but the spice-infused riches of India were reward and incentive enough. Centuries after those early voyages the oceans of Southern Africa remain among the most famous in the world, but this time for an altogether different reason. Today the treasures lie beneath the ocean waves, rather than across them in distant lands. Glistening in sunshine, these sparkling treasures are enjoyed in some of the most glamorous locations on earth, from the millionaire marinas of Cape Town to the boutique hotels that dot the continent’s coastline. And perhaps chief among the treasures that are hauled from the icy waters of the West Coast is the sought-after Jasus lalandii. So valuable is this crustacean

that the fishermen who have worked these waters for generations know it simply as ‘red gold’. The West Coast Rock Lobster isn’t the only species of lobster found off South Africa’s coastline, but it is by far the most valuable. An astonishing six million of them are hauled from the sea each season, and it’s a rare visitor to the Cape who doesn’t indulge in a perfectly grilled lobster doused in fragrant garlic butter and washed down with a fine Sauvignon Blanc from the nearby winelands. Of course, rarity breeds exclusivity and there are few dishes on the Cape’s restaurant menus with quite the same cachet as lobster. But rare they certainly are: over 75 percent – and some fishermen suggest it’s as high as 90 percent – of the crustaceans are exported to the Far East, Canada and Europe. Most are loaded live, direct from the boats into refrigerated trucks on the quayside, and driven straight to the airport. Next stop: Asia. And when Chinese New Year rolls around, the demand is insatiable. With prices varying from US$30 to $70 per kilogram, it’s a valuable industry, yet the debate over the use of South

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From Southern African shores

Oysters have been considered a delicacy since the days of the ancient Greeks and Romans, and the bivalve mollusc is still highly sought after at top seafood restaurants.

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Africa’s limited lobster resources is ongoing. Should the prized shellfish be sent abroad for the valuable foreign exchange, or kept on local tables? Should large commercial boats get the largest quotas, or should in-shore artisanal fishermen who’ve worked these waters for generations get the lion’s share? Considering that lobster on the local market sells for a quarter of the export price, it’s not hard to see why cartons of red gold fly east every day. Lobsters are found along most of South Africa’s coastline, but the East Coast Rock Lobster doesn’t compare when it comes to inside the kitchen, says Kevin Joseph, award-winning executive chef at The Oyster Box hotel in Durban. Despite the fact that his restaurant gazes out over the Indian Ocean, it’s mostly the sought-after West Coast Rock Lobsters from the icy Atlantic that end up on his menus. ‘The cold-water West Coast lobster gives a better taste than the warm-water lobsters here. I think it has a sweeter meat, and the meat has a firmer texture.’ And with stints in upmarket kitchens from London to Singapore under his belt, Joseph is a man who knows about seafood. He is the chairman of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs in KwaZulu-Natal, from which The Oyster Box holds a prestigious Blazon. ‘I love working with crustaceans: crab, langoustines, prawns. I love the sweetness of the meat, and with good ingredients you don’t have to do much to get a wonderful flavour on the plate. I especially love prawns: I think there’s a real wow factor to serving

prawns, and in our restaurants we sell around half a ton a month!’ And while many restaurants import prawns from Asia and India – where vast farms have a poor reputation for their environmental impact – Joseph brings his in from just across the border. ‘All of our prawns are Mozambican; the sweetness of the meat is incredible, and unlike Asian products, they haven’t been frozen for months. I also think Asian and Indian prawns have less flavour; they just don’t have the taste of the sea.’ For a true smack of the sea, it’s Crassostrea gigas that most summer visitors turn to... most frequently in the half-shell on ice with just a dash of lemon and Tabasco. The salty echo of Islay whiskies is equally a perfect companion. Why not charter a catamaran, chill a few bottles of local Méthode Cap Classique and enjoy the sunset off Clifton while shlurping back mouthwatering Pacific oysters. It’s the same icy waters of the West Coast that have made local oysters famous worldwide. Oysters are farmed – and, to a lesser degree, harvested from the wild – from Namibia around to South Africa’s East Coast. Wild Peacock, Stellenbosch-based purveyors of highend sustainable seafood, sources oysters from across the region. ‘Oysters take on different characteristics according to the area they’re farmed in,’ explains the company’s Ross Baker. ‘Saldanha Bay oysters are from nutrient-rich cold waters so they’re sweet in flavour, whereas East Coast oysters are saltier and don’t have as much flavour.’

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The sweet, firm meat of West Coast Rock Lobster is so highly prized the world over that local fishermen refer to the valuable crustacean as ‘red gold’.

If that sounds a little like the notion of terroir, you’d be correct. In fact, an oyster farmer in Seattle even coined a term for it: ‘merroir’. And perhaps the finest merroir in Southern Africa for farming oysters is found an hour north of Cape Town in Saldanha Bay, where Antonio Tonin’s Saldanha Bay Oyster Company is the country’s market leader in producing oysters for the local and overseas market. Of the roughly 3.5-million oysters grown in South Africa last year, two million of them came from the company’s floating farms. ‘The cold Benguela marine ecosystem is a nutritious environment. Plankton densities in the water are extremely high, which is perfect for farming oysters,’ explains Tonin, adding that Saldanha Bay is one of the few bays along this stretch of coastline that can provide proverbial safe harbour from winter storms. ‘The Langebaan lagoon system also acts as a solar pond, so water temperatures in the bay are higher than the general

sea temperature on the West Coast,’ says Tonin. ‘We farm the Pacific oyster, which originates from the Sea of Japan and is very well suited to aquaculture. It’s hardy, fast growing with a good taste and appearance.’ Around a third of Saldanha Bay Oyster Company’s production goes abroad. Just 36 hours after being plucked from their plastic crates in the icy waters, they’re offloaded in Hong Kong none the worse for wear. ‘An increasing number of oysters are exported,’ explains Tonin. ‘Our oysters have been very well received in the Far East and our expansion plans are focused on developing that market. The feedback we’re getting is that our oysters are on a par with those from France… we’re definitely preferred to Canadian and Australian oysters.’ While Pacific Oysters account for most of the oysters consumed in the world today, there is also ongoing research into farming indigenous South African wild oysters. Perhaps our local merroir will

one day spawn a shellfish equivalent to local Pinotage? And although oysters are harvested throughout the year, it seems that South Africans have lots to learn about making the most of these tasty bivalves. ‘The interesting thing is that our oysters are at their best – taste-wise – in autumn and early winter, when demand is lowest. Summer, when the demand is at its peak, is the spawning season for oysters and they can get a bit milky, with a creamy texture,’ says Tonin. ‘Winter’s definitely the best time to eat oysters as they’re sweeter in flavour. But nobody wants to sit in the rain and eat oysters!’ adds Baker. But perhaps we should be more like the French and enjoy our oysters when they’re at their wintry best. In France, half the annual production is consumed in a single week, between Christmas and New Year. Maybe it’s up to the chefs to come up with a solution, and one young Cape chef making waves with her seafood is Tanja Kruger at Makaron, the awardwinning restaurant at Majeka House boutique hotel in Stellenbosch. Each year, during the southern hemisphere winter, Kruger spends time cooking in Europe’s top kitchens and this year she returned from Scandinavia brimming with ideas. While most chefs are content to serve oysters raw in the half-shell on a bed of ice, Kruger completely reimagines this decadent mollusc. ‘It’s really important to work at intensifying the inherent flavour,’ she explains. ‘We use West Coast farmed oysters and cook them sous vide in their shells for 45

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South Africa’s icy West Coast waters provide the perfect breeding ground for the tastiest lobsters and oysters.

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minutes. They’re not cooked, but they’re also not raw, and again, it’s about intensifying the flavour. They’re then served with the oyster juices from the sous vide, mixed with fennel juice.’ Chef extraordinaire David Higgs, who heads up the Saxon’s Five Hundred restaurant, takes the same line with his oysters, which he traditionally serves as deliciously frozen macaroons as part of an opening salvo of preserved fish. This Christmas, however, he’ll be dishing them up in the guise of tapas: grilled, and served with truffled pea soup, sour cream and a glass of bubbly. His Cape culinary counterpart, Margot Janse, offers hers both au naturel and with a cucumber and verjuice granita at The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français. In fact, so popular are the delicacies that the restaurant has dedicated a series of Sunday gourmet gatherings to them (with, of course, a Bloody Mary on the side), which runs throughout the summer months. ‘Bright, briny and beautiful,’ is how the boutique hotel and restaurant’s owner, Susan Huxter, describes the molluscs, adding that ‘West Coast oysters are sublime: sweet and plump, with powerful seaweed umami flavour.’ While shellfish dominate the tables at five-star hotels from the Cape Winelands to the star-studded Atlantic Seaboard, South Africa’s lengthy coastline has offered a cornucopia of other fish over the centuries, and continues to do so. Plates of Loligo vulgaris reynaudii – the ‘Rolls Royce of calamari’, caught off the southern Cape – are rarely seen on local tables because the Cape Hope squid is so

sought-after in Europe. Much of South Africa’s hake follows close behind as does highly-prized big-eye and yellowfin tuna, both found in the deep waters off Cape Point. With most local tuna polecaught, South Africa also remains one of few fisheries world-wide accredited as being dolphin-friendly, opening up lucrative export markets. ‘With wild-caught fish we’re very seasonal: snoek is generally a winter fish, yellowtail in the summer, kabeljou and geelbek are sporadic in spring and tuna runs from early summer all the way through until March and April,’ explains Paul Joubert, an ex-fisherman and owner of Southern Cross Seafood in Cape Town. ‘The quality of our seafood here in Cape Town is amazing, and it’s all local,’ adds Brad Ball, head chef at the stylish Bistro1682 on Constantia’s Steenberg wine estate, and a regular client of Southern Cross. ‘The one dish I really want people to understand is hake: generally people’s perception of hake is that it’s a bland, watery, floury fish. But fresh hake from our local waters is absolutely delicious; when cooked properly it’s a fantastic dish.’ And it’s an important point. While shellfish are perhaps the most glittering of South Africa’s marine marvels, there are other treasures waiting in plain sight. Look past the obvious and you’ll be surprised and delighted at what’s on offer. For, with such world-class produce on its doorstep, South African seafood, from shellfish to sustainable line fish, is most certainly flavour of the month.

Photographs: greatstock/corbis

From Southern African shores

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A life less ordinary

When it comes to extraordinary bespoke leisure experiences on offer around the world today, not even the sky is the limit. by Jocelyn Warrington

Champagne tastings don’t come much better than sipping Dom Pérignon at the Abbey of Saint Pierre d’Hautvillers, where the famous Benedictine invented the tipple that has become synonymous with luxury.

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hat is an experience worth? More than canned entertainment or ticking off items on a bucket list, many agree that the life-shifting moments of today carry with them a sense of the meaningful and the chance to connect at a subterranean (or suborbital, for that matter) level. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have five-star service and an influential network of contacts at your disposal, but, ultimately, like the long-lasting memories that come from them, bespoke experiences are priceless and unique. And, while some of today’s mega rich may be dabbling in good-deed tourism (or ‘voluntourism’, as it’s called) to ease an overburdened 21stcentury sense of conscience, there is still a class of pleasure purists who enjoy offthe-charts holidays of the sort befitting the Rockerfeller family album. One-ofa-kind, tailor-made and adaptable to lastminute changes, be it of weather or whim… these are the yardsticks by which travel – and life in general – is measured in the rarified world of the VIP jet set. Consider, for instance, in a moment of amorous impetuosity, being able to board a private charter jet for a

romantic rendezvous on North Island, Seychelles. The location for well-heeled honeymooners such as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, this barefoot retreat offers made-to-measure luxury at the premium end. Guaranteed not to have more than 22 guests at any one time, the resort comprises 11 villas, all delicious examples of discreet decadence at its finest. Each has its own private beach, swimming pool, library, bar, personal golf cart to take you to any part of the island, and a dedicated butler, with the rule on eating being ‘anytime, anywhere and anything’. You can choose to sleep with your room open to the sound of the surf and maybe the odd turtle burying eggs in the sand, or to luxuriate in an outdoor shower or a king-sized tub. Best of all, you can pack for your impromptu jaunt in less than 10 minutes – after all, when there, your clothing will be freshly laundered daily and shoes are strictly optional. Above all, though, the key to one’s personalised paradise is privacy and, here, you have an entire 2 000-acre Indian Ocean island for your exclusive use… on luxury of this league it’s impossible to pin a price.

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For golfers, the holy grail has

Alternatively, swap sand castles for celestial constellations and journey to the globe’s most remote locations to witness the night-shrouded heavens in all their shimmering magnificence. It’s not only at ground level that Namibia’s vast panoramas are spectacular: with its minimal contamination by artificial light and air pollution, generally cloudless conditions (especially in the dry winter months) and excellent view of the southern cosmos, the country is considered one of the top three destinations in the world for stargazing. Indeed, the legendary lunar landscapes of the Wolwedans dunes in the NamibRand Nature Reserve are generously matched by the star-spangled

firmament that hangs above them. At the exclusive Wolwedans Boulders Camp, your only companions (apart from a maximum of seven other guests housed in the four luxury tents) are the massive granite rocks from which the lodge takes its name. Enjoy sundowners atop a mountainous plateau, beneath which epic vistas of vast beauty unfold, and watch as the curtain of night falls and the real stars of the show take up their positions on an infinite cosmological stage. Northern Chile’s night skies are equally spellbinding, pin-pricked with countless nebulae, including the aptly named Jewel Box, a kaleidoscopic cluster of over 100 ruby-, sapphire- and silver-hued stars.

to be the chance to play at The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in Scotland.

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A life less ordinary

When it comes to travel, privacy is one of the ultimate luxuries – and you’ll be one of a select few at the intimate Wolwedans Boulders Camp, nestled on an idyllic private reserve on the edge of the Namib Desert.

Well-to-do astral enthusiasts up the bling quotient by chartering a private chopper to the Atacama Desert of Antofagasta, where they stay in hyper-cool geodesic tents (telescopes included), with a dedicated astronomer on hand to identify the various twinkling gems, not to mention the darkest galactic recesses that lie between them. It’s a rare invitation to set everything aside and to connect

directly at the deepest levels of one’s being with a vast story that will cycle on for all eternity. Today, then, more than possessions, we crave once-in-a-lifetime experiences and

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the rare human connections that are born of them. Sure, enjoying a US$20 000 bottle of 1921 Dom Pérignon is a rare privilege in itself. But true ‘connoisseurs of life’ will tell you that the experience is catapulted into the realm of the sublime when the sparkling bouquet of delicate violets and white peach is savoured within the cool confines of the cellar at the Abbey of Saint Pierre d’Hautvillers, where the famous Benedictine monk dedicated 47 years of his life to invent and perfect the techniques required to create a wine of such unequalled reputation. To view the Pinot noir and Chardonnay vineyards of Epernay’s Marne Valley from the cloisters and gardens of the ancient hillside monastery, one’s senses still tingling from mouthfuls of tiny bubbles, is a Champagne experience that extends far beyond the glass. And to do so in the company of Richard Geoffroy, Dom’s Chef de Cave and the man in whose hands the destiny of each vintage lies, constitutes one of those moments that define a life less ordinary. Of course, for some, moments of such poignancy are enjoyed most in the warm embrace of home. How pleasing to gather friends and loved ones around the table for a meal so remarkable it causes a flurry of excitement on the global culinary richter scale. Imagine the pairing in one’s very own kitchen of two gastronomic giants: Peter Tempelhoff, only the second Grand Chef in Africa, and Dane René Redzepi, co-owner of Michelin-starred Noma in Copenhagen, a three-time winner of The San Pellegrino Best Restaurant in the World award.

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Crafted excellence that only money can buy: a sparkling Van Cleef & Arpels ring and the Dessert of Flowers by René Redzepi of Copenhagen’s Noma.

As an entrée, Tempelhoff might present, say, platters of paper-thin impala carpaccio, the distinctive flavour of the game meat perfectly partnered with luxurious purple figs, toasted chestnuts and wild cèpes. Redzepi follows suit with a Noma signature offering, Food on Rocks: a single pristine langoustine tail served atop a polished sea stone, dotted with oyster emulsion and dusted with seaweed powder. And on it goes, plate after surreal plate, as the two chefs playfully spar for the attention of your taste buds. Redzepi’s final flourish – a Dessert of Flowers featuring elderflower mousse, rose-hip meringue, violet syrup and skyr (an Icelandic yoghurt) – is beautifully balanced by Templehoff’s wild Rooibos espuma, chocolate cream and naartjie sorbet. And, finally, a kiss of Klein Constantia’s Vin de Constance bids an appropriate adieu to a meal made less for the body than the soul. Of course, equally uplifting for the spirit is to take up your position on the heathy 18th fairway of the Old Course at St Andrews, looking up towards The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, or to stand, as every golfer dreams of doing, on the famous bridge over the Swilcan Burn. Top of the golf devotee’s wishlist (besides shaving strokes off his handicap) is to play on this most holy of golfing grails. While the precise origins of the game may be shrouded in the mists of time, St Andrews in Scotland’s Kingdom of Fife proudly claims more than 600 years of golfing history, and its legendary Old Course (‘the old lady’) is the one every professional and dedicated amateur

aspires to play. But forget applying a year in advance for a tee-off time, or hedging your bets on The Daily Ballot. With the right connections, you need only click your cabretta leather-gloved fingers and a guaranteed prime-time tee-off slot is yours, as is coveted access to the prestigious Clubhouse (provided you’re a man, of course, or the Queen of England!). If, however, St Andrews is not your cup of tea, perhaps more to your liking are the greens of Pebble Beach, of which

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A life less ordinary North Island, Seychelles is a discreet paradise for high-profile guests, while the ultimate VIP adventure has to be the chance to see earth from space.

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access to Necker Island in the company of Sir Richard Branson, as well as the chance to celebrate milestone powered test flights in California’s Mojave Desert. If it’s a high-altitude adventure you crave but you don’t fancy being jostled as you sip your Champagne and gaze down at the blue curvature of the earth’s surface, then perhaps you’re better off booking a seat within the plush comfort of World View’s giant suborbital space balloon – your VIP ticket straight into the stratosphere, scheduled for lift-off in early 2015. The price: US$75 000 (drinks included!). Whatever your leisure or pleasure inclinations, a well-lined pocket and a well-connected concierge are all that stands between you and the fulfilment of your deepest desires. After all, as Greek philosopher Epictetus insisted, ‘Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.’

Photographs: David alexander/getty images/gallo images, supplied

Jack Nicklaus once declared that, should he have to choose only one more round to play, it would be here. Or Hawaii’s prestigious Nanea course, laid out by David McLay Kidd on a thick lava mantle and so exclusive it shuns all publicity. Or Muirfield, 16-times host to The Open Championship, where Phil Mickelson most recently lifted the famous Claret Jug? Who knows, play your clubs (and connections) right and you may even get the chance to tee up at Augusta… Perhaps, though, you’d rather trade the fairway for the runway, and enjoy a private shopping splurge on the fashionista’s boulevard of dreams: New York’s fabled Fifth Avenue. Skip the change-room queues by gaining afterhours access to the hallowed halls of Tiffany & Co., Saks Fifth Avenue or Bergdorf Goodman. Or, with personal shopper en tow, enjoy a private shopping session in the boutiques between 49th and 60th Streets, some of the most costly real estate in the world whose exalted tenants include Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Versace, Cartier and Chanel. Yes, some aspects of the legendary Manhattan thoroughfare have changed since the

Great Gatsby days: the mansions and private clubs of the Vanderbilts and Carnegies have given way to the massive flagship stores of Apple, Armani and co, but many famed traditions endure, among them, that essential prespree tea at the Plaza, a dainty Hazelnut Napoleon or Jazz Age Chocolate Bon Bon providing requisite sustenance for the business of serious spending to come. And, if you’ve a spare US$250 000 lying around, what about treating yourself to a rocket-powered trip into space? In doing so, you’ll be joining Virgin Galactic’s community of 600 or so future astronauts in what has become one of the most exclusive clubs in the world. With the first paying passengers scheduled to get their rides as early as next year, your place in space also grants you priority

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2013/11/10 8:54 PM

Not your average office The flagship S-Class provides both the professional driver and his executive passenger with the ultimate in comfort, safety and style.

For many a chauffeur, the ultimate workspace is the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class saloon, the fifth generation in a series that sets the bar for ‘the best automobile in the world’. by Florian Gast

chauffeur is not simply the master of his vehicle – he is the master of his trade. His role extends far beyond simply transporting passengers from A to B. Although his time behind the wheel is integral to the job, what sets a chauffeur apart from a mere driver is his quiet professionalism, unwavering discretion and some sort of intangible élan, both on and off the road. The measure of a good chauffeur rests not only on his driving flair and splitsecond responsiveness, but also on his calm temperament and innate sense of loyalty. A true chauffeur is the epitome of decorum; someone who seamlessly grasps the art of business and social etiquette and who is able to interpret and attend to the needs – both spoken and unspoken – of his passengers before they even realise themselves that they have them. Of course, said passenger’s choice of vehicle does make all the difference when it comes to displaying the capabilities of his chauffeur. This is probably why many of the men who choose a career behind the wheel are most contented when their office is the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class saloon.

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As with all previous incarnations of the S-Class, the latest offering from MercedesBenz delivers the ‘best or nothing’ quality we’ve come to expect from the auto giant. In fact, the ‘S’ in question stands for sonderklasse – German for ‘special class’, and a fitting descriptor for this exceptional vehicle. It’s no wonder that chauffeurs the world over jump at the chance to take stewardship of the new MercedesBenz flagship model. The manufacturer’s three core principles – the ‘Essence of Luxury’, ‘Intelligent Design’ and ‘Efficient Technology’ – at the heart of the car’s composition make it, quite simply, the last word in driving pleasure. Accountants juggle numbers, surgeons wield scalpels and lawyers pursue justice. The chauffeur’s job is to ensure his clients are transported in comfort and safety. While practical considerations have not been overlooked, the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, with its leather-lined reclining rear seats, ample legroom and heated armrests, is quite possibly the world’s most luxurious office on wheels. When last did you encounter a vehicle that boasts a massage function based on hot-stone

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Not your average office

In a logistical coup for the auto giant, the unveiling of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class saloon took place in May at the Airbus A380 delivery centre in Hamburg. Guests, who spanned the gamut of politics, industry and media (among them Opulent Living’s Florian Gast, the only lifestyle journalist from South Africa to be invited), watched in awe as the star of the show – flown in

principles? Mercedes has introduced this Zen-style functionality to the new S-Class as one of a choice of Energising massage programmes for passengers in both the front and rear seats. The new S-Class’s exceptional comfort doesn’t stop there. In addition to the four standard scents offered, its revolutionary Air-Balance active fragrance system, developed in collaboration with perfumer Marc vom Ende, allows passengers to custom-compose aromas of their choosing for the vehicle’s interior, thus simulating the ultimate journey of the senses. If a passenger feels a little hot under the collar (or needs to take the edge off a chilly atmosphere), Mercedes’ Thermotronic climate-control system is on hand to provide immediate relief: individually accessed and controlled, it ensures that every passenger arrives with neither sweaty brow nor goosebump-chilled flesh.

If pure silence is the businessman’s requirement, the plush interior, which is wholly impervious to the cacophony of road travel, provides the ultimate peaceful working space. If, on the other hand, auditory stimulation is called for, chauffeurs can invite their passengers to enjoy the vehicle’s state-of-the-art Burmester sound system. At its most advanced, the multimedia system, which features 24 loudspeakers and can be individually accessed from any seat, delivers a mind-blowing 1 540 watts of sound – effectively turning the vehicle into a mobile concert hall. While the hallmark of an expert chauffeur is the ability to deliver clients to their destinations punctually, no matter how remote the journey’s endpoint, the new S-Class’s navigational technology makes doing so entirely effortless. The car’s ‘navitainment’ system boasts an animated

from Mercedes’ home in Stuttgart on an Airbus A380 freighter – was driven across the runway and into the launch pavilion. Described as ‘Germany’s most valuable package’, the Airbus and S-Class were shown together as representative of the pinnacle of air and road travel. A collective gasp greeted the emerging occupant of the vehicle – none other than the soulful queen of rhythm and blues, Alicia Keys. Her performance was followed by a ‘ten-star’ dining experience presented by five Michelin-starred chefs. As Chairman of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Dr Dieter Zetsche pointed out, ‘rather than safety or aesthetics, power or efficiency, comfort or dynamism’, Mercedes is about ‘the best or nothing’.

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1954 The iconic Ponton – a predecessor to the S-Class series – makes its debut

1965 Mercedes-Benz’s first V8 power vehicle, the W108 series, goes on the market

1959 The American-inspired Fintail hits the streets

1979 With a number of awards behind its name, the W126 series replaces its predecessor

1972 The groundbreaking W116, the brand’s first official S-Class series, makes its first appearance

2013 The W222 is unveiled as the latest model in the iconic S-Class series

1999 The elegant W220 is unveiled to the world

1991 Bigger, better and more sophisticated, the W140 is born

2005 A new millennium calls for the introduction of a new and improved S-Class – the W221

Mercedes-Benz’s flagship

Sonderklasse luxury saloons have been the paragon of

compass, a Google Maps display and a Driveshow feature. Together, these supply the driver with pertinent information while allowing passengers to track their route. It also features a Live Traffic Information service, which transmits real-time traffic data directly to the vehicle. It is details such as these that make a big difference when it comes to a chauffeur’s efficiency – and his boss’s satisfaction. Commuter safety can be stressful for even the most skilled of drivers, especially given the myriad hazards on today’s busy roads. Fortunately, the S-Class boasts a unique protection system, which builds on Mercedes’ reputation as one of the leaders in automobile safety. The Pre-Safe anticipatory occupant protection system has a number of functions to ensure that all vehicle occupants – and the vehicle itself – are protected whenever possible. Take the top-of-the-range braking system, which initiates autonomous braking if the car’s radar sensors detect a possible collision nearby. Or the stereo camera, which provides the driver with 360-degree vision. The new-and-improved seatbelt mechanism takes the vehicle’s safety specs to even greater heights: in the event of a collision, the seatbelt buckle extender, belt bag and cushion bag act in harmony to ensure the passenger’s protection and minimise the risk and severity of injury. The job of the chauffeur is made additionally easier by the car’s intelligentassistance systems: if a potential collision is detected, the vehicle will issue visual, acoustic and tactile warning signals, while the Attention Assist function warns of driver distraction or fatigue.

automobile innovation for more than half a century.

Clearly, Mercedes-Benz is committed to enhancing both comfort and safety, but this isn’t at the expense of exceptional design. With its graceful proportions and sleek silhouette reminiscent of Mercedes’ iconic 1930s models, the new S-Class evokes the style and grandeur of yesteryear. At the same time, however, the reinvented saloon range is unmistakably modern. The new S-Class design boasts a larger, three-dimensional radiator grille, and the brand’s hallmark ‘Dropping’ line – which slopes elegantly from front to rear – is a signature of the new models. With aerodynamic advantages, a powerful roofline and new-style tail lights, the car’s exterior design confirms its position as a

Mercedes-Benz masterpiece. Inside, the brand’s trademark elegance is as apparent. Premium quality and functionality epitomise the sleek interior, which boasts top materials, coordinating colours and luxurious finishes, such as wood trim and metallic and pearl-effect surfaces. And, when it comes drivability, Mercedes, again, has neglected not a single detail. The new S-Class’s suspension is revolutionary – it utilises a stereo camera to detect irregularities in the road ahead and, when it does, the car’s Magic Body Control sets up the suspension system to address the upcoming unevenness. Mercedes’ new offering is also its most fuel-efficient S-Class to date. Conforming

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Not your average office

The powerful AMG version, the S63, has some exciting

PHOTOGRAPHS: GREATSTOCK/CORBIS, SUPPLIED

additional features. In a world

to strict European exhaust emissions standards, the saloon consumes up to 20 percent less fuel than its predecessors, yet it does so without sacrificing any of its trademark energy output. According to Professor Thomas Weber, a member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, ‘the new S-Class achieves consumption and emission figures that only a few years ago seemed utopian, even for executive cars.’ The dramatic reduction in fuel consumption without the loss of power heralds the beginning of Mercedes’ Green Leadership initiative, which will soon see a Plug-In Hybrid added to the brand’s sustainable range (which already includes petrol and diesel hybrids). What’s more, Mercedes also cements its reputation as one of the pioneers in the automobile industry through the exclusive use of LED technology. Incredibly, there is not a single light bulb to be found in the S-Class. Instead, the vehicle makes use of almost 500 LEDs to illuminate the interior, boot and, of course, the road in front. With so many special touches and world firsts, it’s no wonder the S-Class has earned a reputation as the world’s best-selling luxury car. It represents a groundbreaking milestone in the realm of automobile engineering. As Dr Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President of MercedesBenz Cars, Sales and Marketing, puts it, ‘The new S-Class is not just the spearhead for Mercedes-Benz, but for automotive development as a whole.’ It goes without saying that the car is a dream to drive. But no chauffeur is truly

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happy unless his passengers are too. Fortunately, the S-Class is also a backseat driver’s dream-come-true. The First Class Rear feature includes a businesscentre console designed to maximise practical convenience, while significant improvements in head-, shoulder-, elbowand legroom ensure that rear passengers can travel in spacious comfort. In fact, Mercedes-Benz has placed a stronger

emphasis than ever before on rear comfort and safety. For the first time in the history of the S-Class, the development focus was on the more spacious long-wheelbase Saloon, with the short-wheelbase version deriving from – rather than preceding – it. In short, this is a passenger-centred car…

first, the S-Class makes exclusive use of LED technology, with almost 500 LEDs lighting up the eco-conscious vehicle both inside and out.

…but, one could argue, the new S-Class was built for the benefit of the chauffeur. For he has the thrill of working in the most luxurious office in the world – a design and engineering masterpiece that more than lives up to its reputation as ‘the best car in the world’.

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2013/11/11 6:46 PM

Traditions of excellence Following in the footsteps of John Walker and Alfred Dunhill reveals two pioneers who, inspired by the great British craft traditions, changed the game in their respective fields. by Richard Holmes

Johnnie Walker’s striding man was first registered in 1908 and soon became a globally recognised icon for finely crafted Scottish whisky.

ll great journeys begin with a single, simple step. It’s hard not to think of this when sharing the journey of John Walker and Alfred Dunhill, two men who began small family businesses and through steady striding steps became synonymous with the pinnacle of British design and craftsmanship. Inspired by the best in traditional artisanry, these founders of now-legendary brands were true to their heritage but set their eyes distinctly on the future. Both came from humble backgrounds – one a farm-born Scottish shopkeeper, the other inheriting his father’s saddlery business on London’s Euston Road – but a devotion to craftsmanship and quality has ensured these icons of British luxury are prospering centuries later. Craftsmanship has long been key to the enduring popularity of luxury brands, and there are few better places to experience the attention to detail and inherent quality of British talent than the ‘home’ of Alfred Dunhill in London: Bourdon House. Situated on a quiet corner in upmarket Mayfair, the Georgian mansion hides behind simple brick walls, while a grand oak tree shades the courtyard; a threshold to be crossed to enter from the bustling streets into the cool calm confines of the

world of dunhill. Bourdon House has been home to Coco Chanel and the Duke of Westminster in its colourful history, and is today an enclave of style where clients can experience the array of products the brand has to offer on what it refers to as ‘the gentleman’s journey to luxury’. Leather briefcases, stylish suits, hand-stitched driving gloves and classic sports blazers are but a handful of the products dunhill offers gentleman visitors; for Bourdon House is nothing if not a sanctuary of wood-trimmed, polished-brass masculinity. Clients wandering in are welcome to browse the array of ready-to-wear clothing lines, but it’s up on the first floor where the real magic happens. In the light-filled fitting room, a large cutting table competes with a cornucopia of collar styles for your attention. This is where bespoke suits are born, and few establishments can cut this quintessentially British item of clothing quite like the tailors here. Elegant, simple, timeless are the pillars that define a dunhill suit and, while fashions may change, the brand’s style simply evolves within its guiding principles. ‘Even with our bespoke customers, you can’t come in and design whatever you want,’ explains a dunhill spokesperson politely. ‘It’s “bespoke” in the sense that

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it is cut for them from scratch, from start to finish. But it has to remain true to a dunhill suit.’ Honouring its heritage is just one of the reasons the brand has become one of the most sought-after clothing labels across the globe. While able to adapt to the changing demands of masculine luxury – slimmer suits and tapered trousers are a recent concession – dunhill takes care not to tinker unnecessarily. Suits are double-breasted as a rule, dinner suits will rarely have vents, a sports jacket will offer a single vent, double for business jackets. Only natural fibres are used, predominantly wool. That wool includes mohair from South Africa’s Camdeboo region, hailed for being both soft and

breathable. There’s a reason dunhill suits are classic, yet timeless. So while bespoke doesn’t mean you can design whatever takes your fancy, you can expect something built to fit your body precisely. Each new suit is a blank canvas, with a new paper pattern cut for each and every customer. There are around 2 000 fabrics to choose from and a universe of subtle adjustments that can modify the suit to your exact requirements. And, at dunhill, that means the tailor asking you all the right questions; a gentlemanly discussion to be had over a dram of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. ‘When will the suit be worn? Which country will it mostly be worn in? What do you like or dislike about

your current suit?’ Important questions to ensure you get the right answers in your perfect bespoke suit. While your measurements are sent away to the tailors – it’s a four-step process of fitting and stitching, so patience is rewarded – few gentlemen pass up the opportunity to visit the legendary barber shop at Bourdon House. Bookings for the vintage Belmont chairs fill up weeks in advance, such is the quality of haircut and wet shaves here. Feeling hungry? Try out the casual bistro in the cellar, with its remarkable cigar humidor alongside. Tempted by the goods that first made Alfred Dunhill famous? Take a step into the Discovery Room where a breathtaking array of bespoke leather

Bourdon House in Mayfair is the discreet London home of dunhill (left). Staying true to a proud heritage adds value to every luxury brand, whether it’s making suits or whisky in the time-honoured artisanal tradition, or preserving your history, as in the case of 400-year-old Aldourie Castle on the shores of Loch Ness (top).

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The Georgian interiors of Bourdon House are the perfect foil for dunhill’s stylish masculine sanctuary, where a gentleman’s precise tailoring requirements can be discussed over a dram of Scotland’s finest.

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products is on display. Briefcases are hand-stitched by a single craftsman and can take up to nine months to produce, ensuring each is a perfectly unique work of functional art. Because retaining a link to the origins of the brand is key to both dunhill and Johnnie Walker. And while Bourdon House is in the heart of London – and some might, therefore, say the world – the spiritual home of Johnnie Walker is a little further afield. No matter. A private plane puts Inverness just under two hours from London, with this far-flung Scottish town on the windswept Moray Firth the ideal launch pad for a discovery of the malts that make Johnnie Walker Blue Label famous.

And there’s no better place to start than Cardhu Distillery in the heart of Speyside, where malt house turrets peek above the beech forests turning auburn in the first chills of winter. The River Spey rushes past the wooded hillsides, salmon coursing through the rapids of the fastest-flowing river in Scotland. Cardhu is situated on the family farm that was sold by the Walker family in 1819 on the death of John’s father. From farmers, the Walkers became shopkeepers and then whisky-blenders… and the rest is history. Although today Johnnie Walker is blended in facilities across Scotland, it is Speyside – at Cardhu – that should mark the end of your whisky pilgrimage. Johnnie Walker is famous for its array of whiskies themed by colour, but it is Blue Label that stands head and shoulders above them all; a big, bold blend of malts that harks back to the early blends offered by John himself in the Ayrshire town of Kilmarnock. ‘Smokiness and sweetness are the yin and yang of Blue Label,’ explains Jonathan Driver, global brand ambassador for Johnnie Walker Blue Label. ‘Around that, you structure the complexity. The reason our style is so smoky is because of the historic link to the distilleries of western Scotland; Islay, Campbeltown and Kilmarnock.’ But what sets Blue Label apart from other blends is the careful combination of maturity and liveliness; a perfect harmony of structure and longevity, the luxuriant mouth feel an aged malt brings to the blend, alongside the fruitiness and

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Traditions of excellence The Travellers’ Trunk houses a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label in a case that pays tribute to Alfred Dunhill’s original motor car travelling accessories.

vitality of younger malts. ‘Young whisky gives you the freshness, older whisky gives you the smoothness,’ explains Driver, a man who has spent decades living and breathing the Walker brands. ‘Importantly, the taste changes over time as you drink it; with each successive sip the malt reveals something new.’ The first question most people ask of Blue Label is which distilleries go into the blend, and how old the single malts are, but that’s entirely missing the point, says Driver. The 29 Diageo distilleries that can contribute to Johnnie Walker may produce malt whiskies, but it’s the specific flavour profiles of each that really count. ‘Malts can differ by virtue of age, wood and distillery style, but all

of those are created to serve the blend. To understand any blended whisky you have to ask not what it is, but why does it exist? Every element is there for a purpose. It’s not about the age of the whiskies in the blend, or the distilleries; it’s the flavours they deliver to the blend... because the only thing that matters is the consistency of flavour.’ That notion of longevity is hard to escape north of the border. The family tree of Johnnie Walker whisky stretches back to the 1800s, while Aldourie Castle – perhaps the finest place to lay your head on a meandering tour of Scotland – adds another 200 years on top of that. From Aldourie’s commanding position on the shores of Loch Ness it’s not hard

to fall in love with the lifestyle embodied by Johnnie Walker and dunhill. Behind the wheel of your vintage car – the perfect way to drive the back roads of Speyside – be sure to don your dunhill driving gloves and remember old Alfred. Afterwards, dress up warmly for a boat tour of Loch Ness and don’t forget to book ahead for lunch at the Michelin-starred Boath House, a few miles northeast of Inverness. Come evening, with the log fires roaring in the Aldourie hearth, pour a dram of Blue Label and admire the striding man emblazoned across every bottle. Travel is embedded in the DNA of Johnnie Walker and dunhill. Just as, surely, it is in yours.

Photographs: andy barnham, supplied

Great Minds Think Alike As two of Britain’s most iconic marques, it was perhaps

Dunhill as a purveyor of luxury travel accessories

inevitable that Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Alfred

in the early days of the automobile, and the icon of

Dunhill – both key players in Richemont’s stable of luxury

Johnnie Walker’s striding man.

brands – would some day end up working together. And

The first item in the series is a limited edition gift pack

the product of their remarkable collaboration is the

that includes a 750ml bottle of Johnnie Walker whisky

eye-catching Johnnie Walker Blue Label Limited Edition

with map designs on the interior and blue packaging

Collection designed by Alfred Dunhill.

featuring the trademark dunhill ‘Chassis’ design as

While the amber nectar inside each bottle is the same

well as the gunmetal finish so typical of the brand.

Blue Label blended whisky that cognoscenti have

The pinnacle of the collaboration, though, is the

whisky funnel, engraved tongs for the occasional ice

savoured and enjoyed for decades, the entire package

remarkable Travellers’ Trunk. White beech interiors

block, and a beautiful book delving into this historic

has been elevated to an altogether different level

echo the rolling hills that surround the spiritual home

collaboration. And, of course, there’s a bottle of

thanks to the creative designers at Alfred Dunhill.

of Johnnie Walker, Cardhu distillery in Speyside, and

Johnnie Walker Blue Label to enjoy with them all.

Celebrating a journey shared, the collection marks

attention to detail is infused into every element. Each

Only 500 Travellers’ Trunks will be produced worldwide,

a stylish evolution of the two brands. It draws on

leather-bound, handcrafted trunk includes a quartet of

manufactured exclusively to order, ensuring they will

symbols steeped in brand history, as well as on travel

striking crystal whisky tumblers discreetly etched with

fast become a sought-after collector’s item for whisky

imagery that recollects both the origins of Alfred

the contours of Scotland, a stylish dunhill hip flask, a

lovers around the world.

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Style we love to possess

Innovative new kitchen concept ■ With its simple b2 units, German manufacturer Bulthaup has created a stylish, flexible kitchen for a twoperson household. Developed in collaboration with Viennese design firm Eoos, the kitchen comprises a workbench, an appliance cabinet and a kitchen tool cabinet for crockery, cooking utensils, spices and food. The latter is compact and practical, with everything visible at a glance and within easy reach. Available in either oak or walnut veneer, the cabinet can be left open, or folded close. www.bulthaup.com

Get that holiday feeling ■ Spend lazy days curled up with your favourite magazine in the comfy cocoon of a stylish Hästens Hammock. Measuring 210 by 140cm, the limited-edition hammock is made of high-quality cotton and features the distinctive blueand-white check synonymous with the Swedish bed manufacturer, which has a reputation for quality craftsmanship and exquisite design. www.hastens.com

On the boil ■ With an adjustable temperature control arm, so you can heat water to anything from 50 to 100°C, the new 1.5-litre Artisan cordless kettle from premier home appliance brand, KitchenAid is not just a pretty face. Robust, stable, quiet and superfast, it’s insulated to keep water warmer for longer, plus it comes in a range of stylish shades. www.kitchenaid.com

The character of a great inventor ■ The new pen in the Great Characters series from Montblanc pays homage to the

genius of the Italian Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci, who was not just a remarkable artist, but a brilliant inventor with a keen interest in the study of flying. The design of both the fountain pen and roller ball – each available in a limited edition of just 3 000 pieces – is based on Da Vinci’s sketches of flying machines. The wedge shapes are reminiscent of his method of connecting mechanical parts, the engravings recall his study of flying animals, while the mirror on top of the cap, which reveals the Montblanc emblem, is a reference to his research in the field of optics. The cap and body are made of anodized aluminium, while the rest is platinum plated, except for the gear on the clip, which is plated in rose gold. www.montblanc.com

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Opulent Living essence The book for the finer things in life

Compiled by Florian Gast Words by Anne Duncan

■ The new Opulent Living Book

Volume 2 takes readers on a truly unforgettable journey through the best of Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands. It showcases amazing five-star destinations as well as luxury offerings, like the Cape’s celebrated Méthode Cap Classique wines, and includes interviews with movers and shakers such as golfing great Gary Player. The elegant coffee-table book is filled with striking photographs and well-researched articles, and presented in a beautiful Wedgwood blue dust jacket. www.opulentliving.co.za

Fine Italian craftsmanship ■ Italian artisan jewellery company,

Fope unveiled its luxury 18-carat gold MiaLuce collection in 2013, featuring undulating, organic shapes lavishly adorned with diamonds. Handcrafted by master goldsmiths and gem setters in Vicenza, where the brand was founded over eight decades ago, the necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings pair white gold with black and white diamonds, rose gold with white diamonds and yellow gold with brown diamonds. Elegance Jewellers +27 (0)11 684 1380

Show of hands ■ Mexican designer and sculptor Pedro Friedeberg first created his famous hand chair in the 1960s, and has released many variations on it since. Now South African interior design studio La Grange has launched a local replica of the surrealist artist’s iconic work, which features the fingers and thumb as the seat back. It’s hand sculpted in MEH wood with a matt gold finish and is available in La Grange Interiors Johannesburg and Pretoria while stocks last, or on order. www.lagrangeinteriors.co.za

Travel in well-read style ■ Louis Vuitton has given its chic City Guides a smart redesign for their 15th anniversary. The 2014 collection, available as a stylish limited-edition boxed set, explores 15 of the world’s most exciting cities – including, for the first time, Cape Town. Each of the illustrated guides presents insider knowledge on everything from the best hotels and eateries to where to find luxury boutiques and quirky museums. www.louisvuitton.com

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Watches we love to admire Time to sparkle Swiss watchmaker Rolex has launched an exquisite new addition to its popular Oyster Perpetual LadyDatejust Pearlmaster series. The 2013 version has a case and bracelet in 18-carat Everose gold, a beautiful rose-coloured alloy created by Rolex in its own foundry. It’s offset by bezel and bracelet links in 18-carat white gold set with sparkling rows of diamonds. The dial is adorned with mother-of-pearl and features a lotus flower motif. The Oyster brand’s trademark high-precision movement and waterproof case complete the splendid package. www.rolex.com

■

Turning around the world ■ The new Breguet Classique Hora Mundi 5717 is a beautifully crafted timepiece in 18-carat red gold or 950 platinum. It’s defining feature is its elegant dial that features a section of the globe – either the Americas, Europe and Africa, or Asia and Oceania. Travellers will also love the advanced instant-jump time-zone display that allows them to swap between two preselected time zones simply by pressing a button. www.breguet.com

Glamorous in high-tech chrome ■ Rado’s new HyperChrome Grand Slam Collection includes the glamorous

HyperChrome Diamonds for women. The elegant watch, available in white or black, features a stainless-steel bezel set with 56 diamonds as well as side insets with more sparkling gems. Like all HyperChrome watches, the timepiece has a strap and one-piece ‘monobloc’ case crafted from high-tech chrome. Lightweight, scratch-resistant and hypoallergenic, this breakthrough material makes the watch lighter than standard chronographs and comfortable to wear. www.rado.com

A triumph in horology and design ■ When Graff Luxury Watches launched in 2009, it pledged to push the

boundaries of haute horology, and it’s certainly done that with the launch of the MasterGraff Ultra Flat Tourbillon, which presents a sophisticated flying tourbillon in just a 6.95mm-thick case. A limited edition of 50 pieces, it’s available in rose gold or platinum with a white, black or navy dial. www.graffdiamonds.com

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A display of distinctive character Swiss watchmaker Longines first launched its classically styled Master Collection to mark its 175th anniversary, and the characterful range has proved such a success that it’s now introduced a number of new models – in stainless steel, pink or yellow gold, with either matching metal bracelets or alligator leather straps. A key feature of the elegant new additions is the distinctive retrograde displays behind the standard hour and minute hands. Models vary, but all have at least two retrograde hands – for the day of the week, the date, seconds, or the time in a second time zone. www.longines.com

■

Opulent Living essence Compiled by Florian Gast Words by Anne Duncan

Animal magic ■ Cartier has a long history of using

exotic animal and bird designs in its jewellery, and its Arts Series watches take this tradition to new heights, combining motifs such as its iconic panther with innovative materials. The pièce de résistance in the series is the Tourbillon and Bird watch, which offsets an 18-carat rhodiumized whitegold bird – set with diamonds and enamel – against a tourbillon featuring diamonds and mother-ofpearl. The case is also in rhodiumized white gold, set with more brilliantcut diamonds. www.cartier.com

Time-honoured ritual ■ Featuring a traditional hand-wound movement, this signature piece in

IWC’s Portofino collection is a solidly crafted classic with impressive technical credentials. The elegant Portofino Hand-Wound 8 Days uses the newly developed IWC 59210-calibre movement, which will run precisely and reliably for a full 192 hours, or 8 days, before it stops (the power remaining can be read off the power reserve display), and will appeal to purists who like the ritual of winding their watch once a week. Available in either a gold case with a slate-coloured dial or a stainless-steel case with a silver or black dial, the watch has a transparent sapphireglass back and alligator leather straps by Santoni. www.iwc.com

Reinventing a 50s classic ■ The original Omega Speedmaster was launched in 1957 and fast became a

wristwatch classic. Now the Swiss watchmaker has launched the Speedmaster ’57 with retro styling, including distinctive straight lugs extending from the watch case, that recalls this iconic chronograph. The understated dial has two sub-dials while the brushed bezel features the tachymeter scale that has long been a Speedmaster standard. The watch is powered by Omega’s Co-Axial calibres 9300/9301, visible through the sapphire-crystal caseback, and is available in a choice of metals with either a matching bracelet or a leather strap. www.omegawatches.com

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Beauty spoils we love to indulge in The latest in stem-cell technology n QMS Medicosmetics is an innovative, cutting-edge range from Germany,

formulated by medical doctor, Dr Erich Schulte, an aesthetic surgeon, lecturer and international authority on skin ageing and regeneration. His products are based on extensive research – plus they look, smell and feel good. Inspired by the latest in plant stem-cell research, he’s recently launched two new products aimed at both men and women. Cellular Alpine harnesses the power of the Alpine rose plant in a rejuvenating eye cream, while Cellular Marine uses stem cells from sea fennel to provide an intensive anti-ageing moisturiser. www.qmsmedicosmetics.com

In pursuit of perfection n Estée Lauder describes its new Perfectionist CP+R as its ‘most effective

wrinkle-fighting serum ever’. The letters stand for ‘correct, prevent + repair’ and the serum features breakthrough technology that is said to double skin’s natural collagen-building power, thus plumping up lines and wrinkles so that skin feels smooth and looks younger. www.esteelauder.com

Simply stylish n Filled with delicate aromas and

soft candlelight, a Jo Malone store is everything a weary soul needs for instant calm and relaxation. The UKbased fragrance house is famous for its unisex colognes, often focussed on a unusual combination of just two or three essences, in exquisitely simple packaging. Look out for the charming Floral Collection that includes the voluptuous Peony and Blush Suede, and don’t miss the seductive black bottles of the Cologne Intense Collection, with deeply sensual scents such as Velvet Rose and Oud, a rich and textural mix of darkest damask rose wrapped with smoky oud wood. www.jomalone.com

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A wardrobe of perfumed liqueurs n Fashion designer Thierry Mugler creates fragrances that can best be described

as flamboyantly fabulous – much like the garments seen at his runway shows. His first scent Angel, an oriental vanilla fragrance for women packaged in a star-shaped bottle, is much like Mugler himself: unusual and brilliant. Other cult classics in equally distinctive packaging have followed, including Alien, Womanity and A*Men. Now he’s launched Les Liqueurs de Parfums, limited editions of these top four fragrances, each of which has been combined with a different spirit and aged in wooden barrels for six weeks to bring out what he calls ‘the hedonistic side’ of the scents. Angel is enriched with cognac, Alien with rum, Womanity with vodka and A*Men with whisky. www.mugler.com

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Light up your life ■ Radiant fine jewellery and delicious

scent make life all the more bright. And the Italian masters behind Bulgari create both beautifully. This season it’s the brand’s luxurious new Omnia Cystalline L’Eau de Parfum that you’ll most want to wear. Described as a sensual, radiant scent that glows with the clarity of crystal, it’s an intensely feminine woodyfloral, with fresh Italian mandarin and lotus flower top notes, a floral heart of orris and heliotrope, and addictive base notes of white sandalwood and benzoin. www.bulgari.com

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Revel in Italian mastery ■ Think of Italian fashion designer

Giorgio Armani and you’ll imagine clean lines and immaculate tailoring. His fragrance bottles are no different. Sublime scents are housed in streamlined bottles that evoke classicism and purity of form, like Armani Code Ultimate. This relative newcomer to the Armani stable is an intense, more sensual version of the designer’s signature Armani Code for Men, and features leather and amber accord, precious woods and tonka bean. www.armanibeauty.com

Create a little mystery ■ Meet the latest fragrant arrival from New York. Untold by Elizabeth Arden

is a sophisticated floral composition that aims to celebrate the untold mystery of every multi-faceted modern woman. Packaged in a sparkling and, of course, multi-faceted bottle, it has a fruity introduction, a radiant floral heart and warm base notes. Perhaps it takes its inspiration from the brand’s founder: Elizabeth Arden was certainly a modern woman for the early 20th century, when she is reported to have marched along 5th Avenue with 15 000 other suffragettes, all wearing red lipstick as a symbol of strength. www.elizabetharden.com

In full, glamorous colour ■ Fashion guru Michael Kors is synonymous with American style and glamour.

Now, having stamped his trademark initials on everything from perfumes to watches, he’s created a new beauty line in collaboration with Estée Lauder. It comprises three collections that encompass the Michael Kors brand image: Sporty, Sexy and Glam. Each is anchored by a perfume and features lipsticks, nail lacquers and bronzers in a palette of colours that reflects the theme. Sporty capitalises on neutral, natural shades like nudes and browns, Sexy hosts an array of sensual reds, while Glam includes stunning shades of purple. www.michaelkors.com

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Cars we love to drive

The practical supercar n The RS 7 is somewhere between the

The British are back n The challenge for the brand that created the achingly beautiful 1961 Jaguar

beauty and the beast, a limousine and a sportscar. Audi’s boundary pushing performance division, RS, has breathed on the already excellent A7 to create the outrageous 4.0L V8 twin-turbo quattro 8-speed, capable of acceleration to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds. Yet this is no stripped out racer, it’s a big, sophisticated continental cruiser with clever fuel-saving technology that shuts four of its eight cylinders off when not required. It’s a technical tourde-force with real class. www.audi.com

E-Type was one of follow-through. But the weight of that expectation has been lifted – 50 years later – with the striking F-Type. Although clearly drawing inspiration from the rich heritage of earlier Jaguars, this is a beautifully proportioned and modern sports car for today. Performance across the range is stellar and that bassy, euphonic, exhaust note is addictive. www.jaguar.com

The grand tour n The lines of this BMW Gran Turismo are very distinctive: the stylish

Luxury motoring redefined n Infiniti is to Nissan what Audi is to VW

– a premium car brand to challenge the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Striking novelties in design and technology aside, the Q50 meets the size, space, quality and performance benchmarks expected from other more established brands. A classy and spacious cabin features first-class materials and meticulous attention to detail. Infiniti’s clever Direct Adaptive Steering ‘steer-bywire’ system can turn a long cruise into a relaxing and elegant experience. This Infiniti will get you noticed! www.infiniti.com

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5 Series sedan combines with the elegance of a coupé, and although it divides opinion, it is not short of individual character in a market often populated by generic styling. BMW’s excellent petrol and diesel engines are quick and frugal – the 520d achieves a combined fuel consumption of just 5.5l/100km – making light work of transporting a modern family in safety, comfort and inimitable style. www.bmw.com

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Opulent Living essence Compiled by Florian Gast Words by Richard Webb

The dream coupé ■ There are few coupé’s that feel as

instinctively ‘right’ as the MercedesBenz E-Class. Emotive design, innovative safety features and fine materials cosset four adults and their luggage in rare and understated opulence. There’s a wide range of appealing diesel and petrol engines, topped off by the attention-grabbing C63 AMG, so there’s a coupé for every occasion. They’re surprisingly good value, too. www.mercedes-benz.com

The quintessential art of travel ■ Speed and Bentley are as entwined as luxury and grandeur, and the GT Speed Convertible is the epitome of performance and refinement. A worthy successor to the victorious Bentley ‘Speed Six’, this aristocrat delivers a peerless combination of agility and comfort. Its rare combination of devastating performance and enduring pace imbues the hand-crafted car with a level of refinement and acoustic insulation that belies its 325km/h top speed. Put the top down and you’re no longer an observer of the passing landscape – rather – a part of it. www.bentleymotors.com

Evolution of the species ■ Exclusive, yet familiar. Rear-engined, yet one of the finest handling cars

on sale today. Blisteringly fast, yet economical. In a fitting testimony to the 911’s 50th anniversary, Porsche built just 1 963 of its 911 Anniversary Edition coupés, based on the 911 Carrera S. That familiar shape is packed tight with technology, such as Active Suspension Management, sport exhaust system, a seven-speed manual or dual-clutch PDK automatic – keeping the 911 at the pinnacle of sports car desirability. www.porsche.com

Italian grandezza on four wheels ■ If power goes hand-in-hand with authority, the Ferrari 458 Italia Spyder is

unequivocally in charge. But uncompromising design and towering performance is nothing without control, and this 419kW Ferrari is one of the most finely balanced and beautifully constructed cars in the world. The depth of its abilities is simply breathtaking; monstrous acceleration, delicate, poised handling and fabulous looks. Amongst the finest supercars money can buy, this is a perfect example of Ferrari’s undisputed automotive alchemy. www.ferrari.com

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Cape Grace ∙ South Africa

The quay to the city Surrounded by water on three sides thanks to an enviable quayside location, the Cape Grace offers views that encompass both the city’s majestic mountains, its beautiful bay and buzzing harbour. Add award-winning service, heritage décor and superb food to the mix and it’s no wonder this luxurious boutique hotel plays host to some of the city’s top guests.

Elegant marble bathrooms offer a deep bath and separate shower, as well as luxury amenities.

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stay at the immaculate Cape Grace is enough to make anyone fall in love with Cape Town and its people, particularly first-time visitors to the city. The staff is renowned for its professionalism and warmth, service is generous and unpretentious, and the elegant interiors reflect both the harbour and the city’s fascinating history as a refreshment station for passing ships. Certainly the hotel’s enviable location on a private quay in the V&A Waterfront gives it 360-degree views that show off Cape Town’s dramatic setting between mountain and sea. There is a sense of being part of the exciting buzz of the Waterfront and nearby working harbour while relishing the five-star creature comforts – tweaked to individual guest’s needs – and quiet, sophisticated ambience that epitomise a hotel of this calibre. Excellent shopping, markets, restaurants and tourist attractions, such as the Two Oceans Aquarium, are an easy, safe stroll from the hotel’s entrance. The hotel’s 120 rooms and suites are individually decorated and reflect its unique sense of place with richly detailed, layered interiors in muted tones that are both sophisticated and comfortable. Interior designer Kathi Weixelbaumer radically refashioned the entire hotel a few years ago, launching the Cape Grace into a new era of elegance in keeping with its reputation as one of South Africa’s best hotels. Each of the guest rooms and suites tells a unique and intricately researched story through the use of hand-painted fabrics, original ship manifests, authentic shipwreck treasures, whimsical handcrafted chandeliers, priceless Cape Dutch antiques, and handcrafted metalwork. Design company African Sketchbook commissioned artists from the city’s townships to paint fabrics for curtains and bedspreads with bespoke designs depicting Cape flora, local landscapes and nautical scenes. The hotel’s antiques, many of them carved from yellowwood and stinkwood, form one of the most important and

comprehensive public antique furniture collections owned by a hotel in South Africa. A walk through the corridors and public spaces is like a history lesson. There’s even a series of wall-mounted cabinets lining the walls of the corridors leading to the guest rooms on each floor, each one filled with remnants from the past, such as shards of Delft pottery and antique maritime artefacts. Signal, the hotel’s award-winning flagship restaurant, is named for the historic noon gun that is still fired daily on the stroke of midday from Signal Hill. Dominated by an enormous, handpainted wall tapestry that depicts 16thcentury Table Bay, it is the domain of executive chef Malika van Reenen, who describes the cuisine she produces for breakfast, lunch and dinner as ‘Cape cosmopolitan’. It’s an apt description for the exciting menus that reflect not only her Cape Malay heritage but also the many other cultural influences, from French Huguenot to Asian spice traders, that shaped Cape Town’s heritage. Chef Malika has presided over the kitchens at Cape Grace for five years and regularly travels the globe for inspiration. As a young girl, she was inspired by her hardworking grandmother who always seemed to be cooking and baking for a family celebration or one of the many religious feast days observed by the Cape Malay community. Through learning and watching her grandmother in the kitchen, Malika developed a love for creative baking early on and elaborate birthday cakes became her speciality. After her culinary training, she naturally assumed that she would become a pastry chef but instead became addicted to the adrenalin-fuelled energy and relentless pace of the hot kitchen section of the restaurants in which she worked. During service, her favourite place is still in the thick of the action. Signal’s menus brim with fresh, locally sourced seasonal ingredients. Sustainable food practices underpin all that comes out of the kitchen and Malika is proud to say that everything from stocks and breads to jams and chutneys is made on

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The hotel offers a range of spacious accommodation options, from double rooms to three-bedroomed rooftop suites. All offer a range of luxurious amenities, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the little extras thoughtfully laid on by staff that make a big impact.

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Award-winning Signal restaurant serves up innovative ‘Cape cosmopolitan’ fare.

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the premises. Sauces are often subtly infused with chilli and ginger, and a jus or foam may be enhanced with toasted cumin, coriander or fennel seeds. Rather than being Cape Malay or South African in style, dishes are creative interpretations of classic pairings, but often using local seasonings and spices in fresh, unexpected ways. The likes of springbok loin with cardamom-scented sweet potato and fine green beans with caramelised orange jus, or rooibossmoked beef carpaccio with red pepper chutney, goat’s cheese croquettes and toasted cumin and grapefruit vinaigrette epitomise her confident style. In the mornings, Signal’s continental breakfast spread is legendary. Hot dishes may be ordered from a newspaper-style à la carte menu, the Signal Times, which also includes updates on what’s on in the hotel, a crossword puzzle and a quick guide to some of the expressions and words used by South Africans. Hot breakfast options range from potato rosti with truffle-scented mushrooms and poached eggs to eggs Benedict with gammon or smoked salmon. Talented head pastry chef, Lorraine Meaney, has made afternoon tea in the hotel’s

library justifiably famous, thanks to her elaborate patisserie and exquisitely presented cakes. Served daily between midday and 6pm, there is a choice of a full traditional afternoon tea, served individually rather than buffet style, or more simple options such as a traditional cream tea or a slice of freshly baked cake accompanied by the finest looseleaf teas or coffee. Lorraine also whips up decadent chocolate mousse cakes to order. Stylishly presented in a pretty cake box, it is ideal as a hostess gift or for a special celebration. One of Cape Grace’s trump cards is Bascule, the hotel’s intimate whisky bar situated below the pool deck. It boasts one of the largest selections of whiskies in the southern hemisphere. Informal tutored whisky tastings are held daily, offering a fun diversion for both locals and hotel guests. Cape wines by the glass and classic cocktails pair well with a short, sharp all-day menu of tapas or the house speciality, a wagyu beef burger. The sleek interiors, fashioned to resemble a galley, were recently redecorated to enhance the marine theme – an eclectic mix of old and new, including antique shipping finds, contemporary bespoke

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The warm and intimate

furniture from Wunders and a fascinating library of new and vintage books covering topics as diverse as fishing, music, whisky and autobiographies. Cape Town photographer Sharon Peers was commissioned to create a series of illuminated, sepia-on-Perspex collages depicting abstract water reflections and ship’s netting. Bascule spills out onto the quay overlooking the yacht basin where, in summer, live music adds ambience and draws a crowd of discerning Capetonians. New to Cape Grace is a fully fledged boutique stocked with luxury Africaninspired homeware and décor accessories, as well as clothing, wire and beadwork, art, jewellery, hats, photographic prints, books and unique handcrafted objects. The store also incorporates Platandia, a luxury collection of tanzanite, diamond and platinum jewellery.

Bascule bar is famous for its wide selection of fine whiskies. For those feeling peckish, there’s also an all-day tapas menu.

Cape Grace

Photographs: cape grace

V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, SA Telephone: +27 (0)21 410 7100 Email: info@capegrace.com Website: www.capegrace.com

From the outset, Cape Grace has had a reputation for impeccable, highly personalised service thanks to its boutique size. First opened in 1996, it swiftly went on to win Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious Best Hotel in the World award in 2000 and has continued to be recognised as a worldclass establishment over the years. Most recently, Travel + Leisure readers voted Cape Grace the Top City Hotel in Africa and the Middle East in the magazine’s

2013 World’s Best Awards. In a city with its fair share of luxury hotels with extravagant interiors and every amenity from world-class spas to gourmet restaurants, seamless service becomes the only defining aspect that sets one establishment apart from the rest. At Cape Grace, it is the small touches, complimentary gestures and the staff’s attention to detail that leave a lasting impression and turn a great stay into a truly memorable one. n Jane Broughton

The Cape Grace is located in the vibrant V&A Waterfront, a 20-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport. It offers easy access to the Cape’s best beaches, the Table Mountain aerial cable way, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens and other key attractions in and around the Cape Peninsula.

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Beverly Hills â&#x2C6;&#x2122; South Africa

A luxury landmark thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aged to perfection The Beverly Hills hotel, on the very edge of the sun-drenched Umhlanga coastline north of Durban, turns 50 in 2014. Far from showing her age, the grande dame of KwaZulu-Natal improves as the years go by, mastering that rare five-star service that so few hotels can.

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ome things, like impeccable service, never go out of style. So it’s no surprise that the Beverly Hills, the first five-star establishment in KwaZulu-Natal when it opened its doors in 1964, still seeks to exceed expectations when it comes to making guests feel special. Sol Kerzner’s first hotel, named after his daughter, has an emphasis on service and a passion for excellence that few modern hotels can match. It’s not just about giving guests everything they think they need, but surprising them with thoughtful, personal touches that add a little sparkle to their stay. This is front and centre in the minds of all the staff at this landmark of the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, and it shows. In fact, the hotel was recently awarded a Certificate of Excellence from

TripAdvisor and named as the Winner of its Travelers’ Choice 2013 Awards, a purely guest-rated competition. So what does it feel like to experience this impeccable service? When you step inside the old-world charm of the Beverly Hills, you’ll sense you have arrived at a special place. The location is unbeatable – a vast swathe of uninterrupted Indian Ocean opening up from the terrace and glimpsed from the lush interiors of the lounge, with large sepia prints of early Durban landscapes that hark back to the glamour and sophistication of a bygone era. But this is no old-fashioned hotel, far from it. The interiors are beautifully decorated, in harmony with the ocean a few steps away, and with all the latest modern conveniences available at your fingertips. It’s the best of both worlds:

the luxury and service of the past paired with all the innovations of the present. The exceptional service starts from the moment you step through the front doors, with a glass of bubbly or iced tea freshly poured while you check in, and a fruit platter waiting for you in your room. The turn-down service, morning newspaper and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel are nice touches, but it’s the added extras that really make guests feel special: a valet service that

Stylish surrounds combine with exquisite food and truly exceptional service to provide an unparalleled five-star experience.

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Decorated in a classic, relaxed style, the spacious guest rooms offer every modern comfort as well as uninterrupted sea views.

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offers complimentary pressing of two items of clothing when you arrive (to erase the wrinkles of travelling) and a shoe-shine service that ensures you’ll be putting your best foot forward. All of the 88 rooms are wonderfully comfortable and each offers that glorious uninterrupted Indian Ocean view, but it’s the poolside rooms and cabanas that really stand out, both because they feel like they’re right on the edge of the beach and because they are so spacious. Cabana 10 is a particular favourite for its wonderful walk-in shower with a window peeping out at the glittering ocean, and a private courtyard leading off from the bathroom. This is beachside living at its best: the intimacy of a beach house with the impeccable service of a five-star hotel.

Intimacy is a theme that carries through to the public areas, too. The glamorous lounge area – furnished with leather sofas, wingback chairs, large mirrors and crystal vases filled with an abundance of orchids, the Beverly Hills’s signature flower, is a particularly lovely space to while away a few hours. The chairs and sofas are grouped around antique card tables to create intimate spaces that belie the size of the hotel – it feels like you’ve stepped into a luxurious small family establishment. And whether you want cocktails or coffees, nothing is too much trouble for the staff. Stepping outside the decadent lounge area, you’re greeted by a wide terrace with those unbelievable views, a sparkling heated swimming pool and a rolling lawn that flows down to the

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beach. This open expanse offers seaview loungers for every guest, and more of that unexpectedly wonderful service. Settle down with a book or magazine, and you’ll be offered complimentary ice lollies, fruit skewers and chilled water to enhance your experience. The marvellously attentive staff also have suncream and lip balm on hand, and even offer a sunglasses cleaning service! Perhaps their most thoughtful touch, though, is to point out the leaping dolphins in the sea ahead. This personal, intuitive service – the kind of service that many hotels aspire to, but can’t quite match – is a direct result of the Beverly Hills General Manager, John de Canha, hotelier extraordinaire. Nothing is too much trouble for John and his team, and he makes a point of

knowing guests by name, and being constantly on hand to offer advice, catch up on the day’s plans or simply check in to see how their stay is going. This truly passionate service is one of the aspects that sets the Beverly Hills apart and allows this grande dame to maintain her reputation for old-world courtesy. Matching this passion is executive chef Tony Kocke. Exceptional food and the finest selection of wine has become synonymous with the Beverly Hills, regardless of which restaurant guests choose. The hotel’s signature restaurant, The Sugar Club, boasts dramatic sea views and an undeniably romantic setting. Here, seafood is the order of the day, with only the freshest local produce chosen to create dishes that resemble works of art. This is an unforgettable

dining experience. Think Lüderitz oysters with wasabi caviar, trenette with smoked Italian pancetta and shiitake mushrooms, smoked butternut gnocchi and, as a finale, poached naartjie crêpes with salted caramel, prepared in true silver-service style, at your table. The Sugar Club serves both breakfast and dinner, and once a week – on Sundays – a feast of a lunch. The breakfast buffet, on the Vista terrace, with the waves crashing below, is something to write home about,

Enjoy afternoon tea on the sunny terrace or in the plush lounge, then head to the chic elements café bar for a sunset cocktail or a glass of bubbly.

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with a number of specialities, including a smoked salmon mousse roulade and an abundance of fresh fruit and cheeses, as well as an extensive cooked breakfast menu to choose from. A glass of bubbly and freshly pressed juices complete the offering, and ensure you’ll be set up for a day of exploring. That day could include any number of activities, from lounging around the pool, swimming in the warm Indian Ocean or taking advantage of the fitness centre and spinning bikes (specially set up on the lower terrace every morning from 6am to 9am) to venturing further afield. A mere three kilometres away is the Gateway Shopping Centre, with a full range of designer boutiques, and a number of South Africa’s most prestigious golf courses are only a few putts further. The Beverly Hills holds debentures at Mount Edgecombe Country Club and offers a round of golf at this championship golf course as part of the hotel package. The North Coast is also a feast of adventure for anyone looking to microlight, scuba dive,

snorkel or go on a dolphin cruise or deep-sea fishing expedition. The vibrant Umhlanga beaches offer lifeguardprotected swimming spots and idyllic walks along the oceanfront promenade. As the day winds down, there’s no sweeter way to end it than with sundowners at the chic elements café bar, where comfortable couches and a vast array of drinks ensure there will be something to suit every palate. But it’s on special occasions that the Beverly Hills truly shines. A birthday celebration, a wedding anniversary or a memorable event of any description gives the always-attentive staff the opportunity to pull out all the stops. The lawn can be transformed into a glimmering candlelit space ideal for dinner or canapés, and with the beach and pier just a few steps away, the only limitation to creating a magical evening is your imagination. This grande dame of KwaZulu-Natal has certainly not lost her allure. Here exceptional service and the five-star touch are as intrinsic as the scent of the ocean on the breeze. n Bridget McNulty

Both the intimate lounge and the sun-drenched pool terrace offer a comfortable setting in which to unwind and enjoy the ocean vistas.

Beverly Hills

Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, SA Telephone: +27 (0)31 561 2211 Email: beverlyhills.reservations@ tsogosun.com Website: www.tsogosunhotels.com/ deluxe/beverly-hills-hotel

Photographs: beverly hills

The Beverly Hills is part of the international Tsogo Sun hotel group.

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CREATED BY HIGHER POWERS There are few words that adequately describe nature at its most magnificent â&#x20AC;&#x201C; better to behold than to speak of beauty of this rare order. Presenting, then, an extravaganza of photographic genius that captures the extraordinary natural wonders of Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands.

PHOTOGRAPH: GREATSTOCK/CORBIS

Feature by Florian Gast Words by Richard Holmes

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Victoria Falls Zimbabwe/zambia In 1855, when Scottish explorer David Livingstone stumbled across the waterfall he later named for his Queen, the local Tonga people had long known this maelstrom of falling water by a name far more evocative than Victoria Falls. They called it Mosi-oaTunya – the smoke that thunders. And thunder it certainly does. As the Zambezi plummets a hundred metres into the Batoka Gorge, the plume of spray is visible from up to 50 kilometres away. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Victoria Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls on the planet and – at 1.7 kilometres across – the world’s largest sheet of falling water. Protected by national parks on both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides of the Zambezi, it remains one of the most popular sights in Africa and a must-see for any first-time visitor to the continent. Although remarkable year-round, the Falls are at their most impressive in March and April when the Zambezi is in full flood.

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Photograph: greatstock/corbis

The iconic Victoria Falls Bridge linking Zambia and Zimbabwe was built in 1905. Apparently Cecil John Rhodes insisted it be sited close enough to the Falls so that spray would mist passing trains.

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Photograph: greatstock/corbis

Mountain Gorillas UGANDA

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Mountain gorillas are found in the remote forests of both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, but it is Ugandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that is on the frontline of conserving these endangered primates. Due to poaching and habitat loss fewer than 700 adults of Gorilla beringei beringei remain in the wild, and nearly half of them call the Afromontane lowland forests of Bwindi home. Strictly controlled eco-tourism is perhaps the last chance for saving the species, with adventurous travellers paying hundreds of dollars for the privilege of hiking along steep jungle paths for the chance of spending an hour in the company of these gentle giants. Gorillas aside, the 32 000-hectare national park boasts exceptional biodiversity, with more than 160 species of trees and over 100 species of ferns. No surprise itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for nearly 20 years.

There are currently an estimated 880 mountain gorillas in Africa, and the species is on the critically endangered list. The beautiful primates are highly social and live together in relatively stable, cohesive groups.

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Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania Rising dramatically from the plains of northern Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is the world’s tallest freestanding mountain and a striking reminder of the volcanoes that once burst forth from the now placid grasslands of the Kilimanjaro National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site for nearly three decades, ‘Kili’ is divided into three distinct volcanic cones – Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira – with the approach to the summit at Uhuru Peak, on Kibo’s crater rim, taking hardy mountaineers through remarkable montane forest, moorlands and alpine desert. Although scaling the mountain has become a firm favourite with adventurous travellers, increasing numbers are putting pressure on the mountain’s fragile ecosystems and tourism may – if not managed carefully – pose a threat. Global warming has also seen the snowline recede alarmingly over the decades, showing Kili is a gentle, yet vulnerable, giant of East Africa.

Over 25 000 people climb Kilimanjaro each year, ascending one of six major routes to the summit in between five and eight days. While not technically difficult, the high altitude can make it a challenging trek.

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Photograph: greatstock/corbis

Okavango Delta botswana

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Every year around 11 cubic kilometres of water flow in the Okavango Delta, creating a green oasis that’s home to a large number of mammal species, including the rare semiaquatic sitatunga and red lechwe antelope.

From the air, there are few sights as dramatic as Botswana’s Okavango Delta. At 16 000 square kilometres it is one of the world’s largest inland deltas, formed – quite simply – by a river that lost its way. Its source is 1 600-kilometres away in the highlands of Angola, from where the Kavango River meanders eastwards – in search of the Limpopo River and the distant Indian Ocean. Instead, its floodwaters, which arrive from May to August, trickle away beneath the sands of the Kalahari Desert. In addition to the landscapes, the Delta is a hotbed of biodiversity, supporting dozens of mammal species, 90 species of fish and more than 500 species of birds. A visionary government policy of low-volume eco-tourism has resulted in luxury lodges occupying expansive private concessions, ensuring an exclusive safari experience where the emphasis is on touching the earth lightly.

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coral atolls maldives With its name derived from the Sanskrit for ‘garland of islands’, the Maldives are for many the definition of a tropical island paradise. Neatly straddling the Equator, the nation’s 1 100 islands are spread across a vast swathe of Indian Ocean, each offering an idyllic whisper of palm-fringed sands dissolving gently into a calm, coral lagoon that’s home to a mesmerising array of sea life. Scuba divers flock here from across the globe to dive with magnificent manta rays, but these rich waters are also home to turtles, whales, dolphins and more than 1  000 species of fish. However, there’s trouble in paradise: the Maldives is the lowest country on earth – with the highest natural point barely two metres above sea level – and global warming is a serious threat. Within decades these low-lying islands may sink beneath the waves forever.

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Photograph: greatstock/corbis

A double chain of 26 atolls in the Laccadive Sea, some 400 kilometres southwest of India, the Maldives comprises 1â&#x20AC;Ż190 islands. Only 200 are inhabited, with 105 set aside for international resorts.

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Gorongosa national p ark mozambique

Mount Gorongosa gives rise to four major rivers, including the Vunduzi, which forms the spectacular 100-metre-high Murombodzi Falls as it flows eastwards towards Lake Urema in the heart of the park.

Photograph: james byrne

You could be forgiven for not knowing about Gorongosa National Park in central Mozambique. A bookend to the Great Rift Valley that stretches north into the Serengeti, Gorongosa was established as a hunting reserve nearly a century ago and has survived both gun-toting hunters and years of civil war. Once home to some of the highest game populations in Africa, today itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the most remarkable conservation restoration story on the continent, with men such as American entrepreneur and philanthropist Greg Carr devoting their energies to restoring Gorongosa to its former glory. While it still lacks the sheer numbers of game found in Tanzanian and South African parks, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s astounding diversity to be found here. The landscapes are as much of a drawcard as the wildlife, with sights such as the remarkable Murombodzi Waterfall fast putting Gorongosa back on the map.

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Gorongosa national p ark mozambique

Mount Gorongosa gives rise to four major rivers, including the Vunduzi, which forms the spectacular 100-metre-high Murombodzi Falls as it flows eastwards towards Lake Urema in the heart of the park.

Photograph: james byrne

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Photograph: greatstock/corbis

sand Dunes namibia

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The ancient ochre dunes of the Namib stretch across three million hectares of Namibia’s coastline. Conserved within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, they’re home to an unusual diversity of wildlife.

Namibia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the only sub-Saharan addition to the list in 2013, the Namib sand sea is one of the world’s oldest deserts, and the only coastal desert on the planet where rolling dune fields rely on life-giving fog to sustain a surprisingly rich diversity of life. While much of the 30 000-square-kilometre sand sea is as inaccessible as it is inhospitable, at Sossusvlei visitors get a rare opportunity to experience the grandeur of what are some of the world’s highest sand dunes – ochre giants that tower nearly 400 metres above the sandy plains. Together with the actual Sossusvlei salt pan and the enigmatic Dead Vlei white clay pan, these awe-inspiring dunes put this area of Namibia high on every traveller’s wishlist.

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serengeti migration Tanzania ‘The greatest show on Earth’ is how many describe the annual migrations of the Serengeti – and this is a show with two acts. The first begins around November, as millions of wildebeest abandon the grasslands of Kenya and cross the treacherous Mara River – where enormous crocodiles lie in wait – to begin the long march south. Along the way, predators are never far from the herd: leopard, lion and cheetah taking any and every opportunity to pick off the young, weak and unwary. As December’s heat sets in the herds arrive in the lush grasslands of the Serengeti to graze and give birth, forming a carpet of wildebeest. As the rains dry up in May, the herds look once more to the north. By August they have returned to the Kenyan border, until the arrival of the November rains begins the cycle again. The greatest show on earth, undoubtedly, and one you could watch again and again.

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Photograph: greatstock/corbis

The Mara River in the northern Serengeti provides the annual wildebeest migration with its most serious obstacle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and its most spectacular sights as frantic herds scramble across the fast-flowing water.

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Table Mountain Natio nal Park South Africa

Table Mountain forms a dramatic backdrop to the city of Cape Town, and its rugged spine extends all the way down the Peninsula, providing a magnificent home for the Cape’s unique flora.

Photograph: Richard l’anson / Getty images / gallo images

With the three million citizens of Cape Town at its feet, it may seem strange to include this semi-urban landscape in a spread of Africa’s Natural Wonders. Yet the Table Mountain National Park is both an icon of Southern Africa and a hotbed of biodiversity. From the earliest navigators, to the millions that voted it one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2011, the mountain at the foot of the continent has inspired awe and wonder for centuries. The Park stretches from the fringes of the city to the wind-whipped shores of Cape Point, protecting a remarkable stretch of mountain along the way. Shy indigenous antelope hide in the shadows, while inaccessible valleys are home to precious tracts of indigenous forest. Table Mountain is also the showcase for the Cape Floristic Region, the smallest yet most biodiverse of the planet’s plant kingdoms, which can be discovered on wellmarked mountain walks or in the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Towards Cape Point, Marine Protected Areas safeguard the ocean currents that are as much a part of this remarkable urban wilderness as the craggy mountain tops.

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Table Mountain Natio nal Park South Africa

Table Mountain forms a dramatic backdrop to the city of Cape Town, and its rugged spine extends all the way down the Peninsula, providing a magnificent home for the Cape’s unique flora.

Photograph: Richard l’anson / Getty images / gallo images

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Created by higher powers a bucket list of incredible destinations

Conservation is key in areas of outstanding natural beauty and many exclusive resorts prioritise conservation, with programmes such as the one Frégate Island Private in the Seychelles runs to protect the Aldabra giant tortoise.

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Not for Africa is the homogeneity that characterises so many corners of the earth. This is a landscape that revels in its rich and colourful diversity of people and places. And while visitors to the Mother Continent always glean great joy from befriending its people, almost without fail it’s the stark unfiltered splendour of the landscapes that first draw travellers here. And then keeps them coming back for more. For make no mistake, Africa is full of wondrous sights. Like the sun rising across the retreating snows of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, or the life-giving waters of the Okavango trickling across the thirsty soils of Botswana. Is the river that lost its way the most remarkable wilderness region in Africa? Perhaps it’s the sheer stark beauty contained in the deserts of Namibia, where a surprising array of life ekes out an existence from the fog that rolls in off the Atlantic each night to deliver life-sustaining moisture. But then the migration of the Serengeti thunders into view; millions upon millions of hooves treading ancient paths from Tanzania to Kenya and back again; a march driven by DNA that demands this perpetual cycle of migration, grazing and birth. Time and tide likewise dictate the arrival of the manta rays as they fly between the atolls of the Maldives. During the northeast monsoon from January to March, the mantas emerge mysteriously on the western fringes of this island nation, before beginning their silent journey to the east during the southeast monsoon that stretches from May to November. Cycles are also what define the Table Mountain National Park. Here the hardy fynbos of the Cape Floristic Region – the smallest, yet most diverse of the planet’s plant kingdoms – is supremely adapted to the hot dry summers and stormy winters that characterise what

the indigenous San knew as ‘Hoerikwaggo’; the mountain in the sea. There are almost endless corners of the continent that could qualify for this feature on Africa’s wonders of nature, but sadly our pages are not quite as endless as those Serengeti plains. So how should one winnow the truly incredible from the merely remarkable? How did the handful of Africa’s most memorable sights and sites earn their place on these pages? Turning dreams into reality is an important consideration. Once inspired, is it reasonably possible to reach them? For many sites worthy of a place on these pages are all but impossible for many visitors to access. The Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, for instance, or the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve between Guinea and Liberia. The Okapi Wildlife Reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s restive northeast is another. The Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park in the Central African Republic is a remarkable region of vast savannah grasslands that support black rhinoceros, cheetah and African wild dog… yet few tourists venture to this remote part of the continent. Logistics and lawlessness mean remarkable corners are offlimits to tourists. So perhaps we should turn to cold hard numbers? Numbers like 5 895 – the metres above sea level you’ll find Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The crest of this ancient volcano marks both the highest point on the continent, and the top of the tallest freestanding mountain on earth. What about 9 000, the number of species of flowering plants found in the diminutive Cape Floristic Region? Or perhaps 1 088 000? That’s roughly the litres of water that tumble over the edge of the Victoria Falls every second. By the time you’ve read this paragraph enough

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Africa is a remarkable continent. From the white peaks of Kilimanjaro to the turquoise depths of the Indian Ocean, it encompasses a treasure trove of natural wonders, just some of which are showcased on these pages. Explore further and create your very own bucket list of awe-inspiring sights and sites.

water to fill five Olympic swimming pools has fallen into the maelstrom of the Batoka Gorge. Perhaps 16 000 square kilometres? That’s the extent of the Okavango Delta, an area remarkable for its natural beauty as well as the sheer quirk of nature that has formed this vast inland delta. But numbers aren’t everything when selecting the most remarkable Natural Wonders in Africa. A close encounter with the gorillas of Rwanda and Uganda is fast becoming one of the premier wilderness experiences on the planet, yet only a handful of visitors each year are fortunate enough to enjoy private time with these endangered primates that share so much of our own DNA. Happily, access to these critically endangered primates is carefully controlled and ever-increasing permit fees safeguard time with the gorillas as an exclusive, albeit rustic, experience. Gazing into the eyes of a doting mother, or bowing to the dominance of the towering silverback, it’s impossible not to feel a deep primal connection out there in the mistshrouded hills of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, or Virunga National Park. These are just two of the 88 locations in Africa designated as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The organisation has a broad set of criteria for selecting its World Heritage Sites, the focus for natural icons revolving around outstanding examples of unique ecosystems, and significant natural habitats for fauna. UNESCO status was a consideration for selecting the natural wonders for this issue, and yet not all of the sites have been admitted to the acclaimed UNESCO list. Perhaps most surprising is the Okavango Delta: widely regarded as one of the top wilderness areas on Africa, and easily a rival to the Serengeti

or Maasai Mara, it is still in the process of being declared a World Heritage Site. This breathtaking wetland stretching across northwestern Botswana creates a watery wonderland for wildlife and wildernessloving tourists that fly in to remote lodges offering an irresistible dose of remote luxury. A strategy of high-value low-impact tourism by the Botswana government has ensured this unique landscape has been preserved almost untouched. Much the same could be said for the Maldives. Although closer to the shores of Asia, these paradise atolls are cast away in the same Indian Ocean that laps continental beaches. Africa certainly isn’t short of islands – simply think of the volcanic heights of La Réunion, or the historic trading isles of the Quirimbas and Zanzibar – but it’s the Maldives that best embodies the ideal of tropical paradise. These far-flung coral atolls with impossibly white beaches and crystal waters have attracted travellers for centuries and remain a destination worthy of your bucket list. Seaplanes float through cobalt skies, allowing travellers to explore one exclusive resort after another. Yet while the idyllic resorts are drawcards in themselves, the waters here offer plenty of natural wonders to discover, from pristine coral reefs to the remarkable populations of manta rays. Because, in the end, the idyllic resorts and stylish lodges are simply a means to an end. They’re a way for travellers unused to the rough and tumble of the African wilderness to enjoy – for a fleeting moment – the wide open spaces and unique landscapes of this wildest continent. To bask in the glow of a place largely untamed by modernity, and to return home refreshed and reminded that there are still wondrous places on earth where nature reigns supreme.

See Each at least once

“

Surrounded, and then embraced, by a logic so much more powerful and overarching than anything that a man or woman could create or even imagine that all you can do is marvel and laugh at it, and feel compelled to

give, in one form or another, thanks and celebration for it, without even really knowing why…

Rick Bass, writer and environmental activist

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The Plettenberg ∙ South Africa

Escape to luxury on a beautiful bay Plettenberg Bay’s much-loved landmark hotel has reopened with a fresh new look designed to encourage guests to relax the minute they step through the door. It is five-star hospitality at its best with charming personalised service and the promise of gourmet delights in between many barefoot walks along the magnificent Lookout Beach below. Who could ask for more?

Seven premier suites offer the ultimate in comfort and relaxed seaside style – as well as some of the best ocean views.

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erched on the rocky peninsula overlooking the Bahia Formosa, or Beautiful Bay as the Portuguese explorers aptly named it, The Plettenberg opened in 1987 and, due to its early success, quickly became the cornerstone of The Collection by Liz McGrath. It prides itself on impeccable service, with friendly butlers and hosts to cater to every need, and presents the perfect marriage of luxury, sophistication and world-class style. Sea-view suites boast a beguiling outlook over the ever-changing azure blues and moody greens of the Indian Ocean, but the seagulls know a thing or two about the most popular vantage point – the

swimming pool. Swooping down for a quick dip, they often bob peacefully as if to take in the endless stretch of golden beach and majestic Outeniqua mountain peaks beyond, much to the amusement of guests reclining on loungers or enjoying lunch on the terrace. Never the same from one hour to the next, it’s a vista that remains etched in memory long after a holiday spent there. A haze of salty sea spray gives way to the rugged coastline, curving around to Nature’s Valley before joining the green swathes of Tsitsikamma, where the coast is wild and untouched. The hotel has recently re-opened after a revamp that has seen the reception areas restyled. Dawn Dickerson and Carmel

Naudé, the creative duo behind HotCocoa Interiors & Design, have given a relaxed new look that blends five-star comforts with the sense of informality muchvalued by today’s travellers, who want to be able to move seamlessly from the beach to the bar. The result throughout is an elegant and understated chic with uncluttered finishes. A fresh and feel-good seaside theme, with varying shades and textures of blues and whites threaded delicately through new fabrics and carpeting, as well as photographic details representing sea and sand, add a contemporary touch. The hotel has created four sets of interleading family rooms, which along

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SeaFood at The Plettenberg has unforgettable views to complement the exceptional menu that serves up the best from the bay.

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with two villas, give multiple generations the privacy they wish for. Children love staying here as ageappropriate activity packs, designated family activity areas and thoughtfully conceptualised children’s menus make them feel truly special. And when it’s time to head for the beach, buckets and spades are on hand to build the ultimate sand castle, or boogie boards for endless afternoons of body surfing. And how about beach cricket, tennis and frisbee, board games or even popcorn and movies? With pleasure. There are 37 individually decorated suites, all in a variety of styles and sizes, but each one with sweeping views of the gardens, bay or sea. All are superbly comfortable with underfloor heating and air-conditioning throughout. The three-bedroomed Lookout Villa is considered by some to be the most enviable address in Plett. It’s family friendly with access to a private swimming pool and

garden and has an open-plan living area and well-stocked galley kitchen with all modern conveniences. The Beach House is the hotel’s second private villa, offering sublime bay and mountain vistas from its spacious deck. Decorated in soft creams and blues, it has two en-suite bedrooms, a large living room with fireplace, a dining room, small service kitchen and a private pool. It’s tempting never to leave these comfortable surrounds, especially when you factor in the hotel’s exceptional cuisine. Whether it’s a deliciously light lunch with friends and family around the pool or a candlelit dinner for two, guests are guaranteed only the best. The menu was designed by The Collection’s executive chef – Relais & Chateaux Grand Chef Peter Tempelhoff, a culinary celebrity in his own right – and The Plettenberg’s executive chef, Grant Parker. Peter’s approach to food is simple: ‘If it is not the best it can be, it doesn’t

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Photographs: the Plettenberg

A relaxed palette of fresh blues and white, inspired by the far-reaching sea views, dominates in both the chic but informal new reception areas and in the elegant guest suites.

belong on the menu!’ So it’s no surprise that emphasis is on fresh seasonal produce from eco-friendly local suppliers. SeaFood at The Plettenberg is where the magic happens and Liz McGrath’s signature bouillabaisse is not to be missed. For lunch, the line fish and seafood ceviche is a delightfully fresh dish, but Grant’s personal favourite is his Thai fish cake dish made with fresh hake from the bay and served with avocado salsa. If you can drag yourself away from these many delights, then you’ll find that Plettenberg Bay boasts many beautiful spots to explore as well as plenty of activities for the whole family. Book a boat cruise to see dolphins and whales, go bungee jumping, take a treetop canopy tour or simply follow the path around the fynbos-covered Robberg peninsula. The hotel also provides all guests with facilities for diving, sailing and boating in the bay or lagoon, or there’s swimming at Robberg’s Blue Flag Beach, and of course

Lookout and Central Beaches, which are both directly accessible from the hotel and just a short walk away. There really is something for everyone here. Even the Collection Boutique is personally curated by Liz McGrath and has a handpicked selection of South Africa’s best, including Kirsten Goss jewellery, Ardmore ceramics and bronze sculptures from Donald Greig or Dave Tomlinson. However, if you are more inclined to remain horizontal on one of the comfy loungers, you can rest assured that complete and utter relaxation will be part of the experience - unless a recharge at the Fresh Wellness Spa is more tempting. Discover the Five Senses Signature Massage and let time simply stand still for once. Or, wallow happily in the pools that appear to merge with ocean and horizon, with the crashing waves as your personal soundtrack and not a care in the world. Now there’s a recipe for a real beach holiday. n Nicky Manson

The Plettenberg

Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, SA Telephone: +27 (0)44 533 2030 Email: reservations @collectionmcgrath.com Website: www.collectionmcgrath.com The Plettenberg lies on the scenic Garden Route and is just over an hour’s drive from George Airport.

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Experiencing Africa at its best.

Southern Africa, East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands is our terrain. A dedicated team will book your dream holiday with hotels, lodges and resorts known for their quality and service.

www.opulentliving.travel +27 (0)21 433 0526

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RAVE L

Deluxe Sea View Pool Villas offer a breathtaking outlook over the Indian Ocean from a wide terrace that incorporates both a private plunge pool and an outdoor dining area.

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Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa ∙ Mozambique

A palette of unending blues Edging a curve of the western shore of Bazaruto Island and blending into tropical greenery is Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa. With the Indian Ocean lapping gently onto soft sands, guests are treated to views that are a spectacular symphony of seaside shades.

ith their swiftly intensifying or muting hues as the extreme tides rhythmically glide in or pull out over shallow white sands, the colours of the island’s tropical waters change as fast as the flick of an artist’s brush. It’s a scene so mesmerising that one could be forgiven for lazing on the villa decks for hours on end. Traditional dhows sail past – sometimes fast and sometimes slow, as the wind permits – their simple design the same

as in ancient days, like butterflies with closed wings. And its not uncommon to spot humpbacked whales, bottle-nosed dolphins and schools of silvery fish leaping out above the waves. Constructed from indigenous materials such as reed, soft-fringed thatch and wood, the design of the villas complements their unspoiled tropical surrounds. The luxuriant vegetation between them, and lining the wooden boardwalks, ensures seclusion and

attracts an array of beautiful birds, as well as squirrels and bush babies. In the Deluxe Sea View Pool Villas, bedroom interiors are spacious, each with a four-poster bed draped with mosquito netting. A freestanding bath – that comfortably fits two – faces doors that concertina open, enhancing the indoor-outdoor feel. A separate living room, also with air-conditioning, is a welcome refuge during brief tropical showers or, if you prefer a more sensual

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Canter across pristine, white sands or go diving or snorkelling to discover a parallel universe beneath the waves.

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retreat, the private plunge pool on the deck is perfect for skinny-dipping in the warm, tropical rain. Beach Villas, with iconic hammocks strung between palm trees and a spacious bedroom and living space that lead onto a covered veranda, look over a turquoise ocean gently lapping onto white sands, where seabirds like whimbrel, curlew and snipe parade along the water’s rim in search of food. Guests can luxuriate in their sunken bath while gazing at light shimmering on the ocean. Here, in typically African fashion, the sun sinks rapidly below the horizon in a dramatic transition from bright light to dark, with little or no twilight. The spectacular setting aside, a highlight of any stay at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa (formerly known as Indigo Bay Island Resort & Spa) is the fine dining. Delightful Golfinho – with original walls dating back to the early Portuguese traders – serves a delicious island-style breakfast, including freshly baked bread and pastries, all displayed on a rustic wooden dhow that has been given a wooden tabletop. Both covered and al fresco decks overlook the pool and bay, and bread-filled bird feeders draw colourful masked weavers, adorable bronze manikins and spirited bulbuls. Light lunches or pizzas are enjoyed in the casual setting of Club Naval, located next to the well-stocked poolside bar. In the evenings, guests return to Golfinho or feast on a barbecue under the stars at the Beach Deck, where they can reserve a table either on the deck or on the beach itself, where soft sand between the toes adds to the tropical idyll. Wherever you dine, it is a special treat to be presented with perfectly cooked seafood that has been caught by local fishermen the same day. Somehow nothing tastes as good as fresh crayfish, calamari or mackerel, and Mozambican prawns are famous for their size and flavour. The chefs are passionate about food and merely chatting to them makes one eager to try the tempting array of dishes they offer. They have to be flexible, as they work with the catches

of the day, be they crabs, mussels or yellowfin tuna. Twice a week, evening meals are gourmet five-course food-and-wine pairings, exquisitely presented and matched with carefully chosen wines by friendly staff who could not be more kind or attentive, adding to the pleasures of being a guest at this remote island haven. Anantara’s signature Private Dining Concept is the ultimate in pampering. Fine dining menus are available, or you may collaborate with your personal chef to craft a bespoke menu that perfectly suits your tastes and desires. You are invited to choose your ideal setting and a table is set up and decorated for you for the occasion, be it on a secluded stretch of sand, in the privacy of your villa or under a spreading tree. A personal butler tends to every need, while the caressing moonlight lends romance and magic to an already unforgettable experience. Although it may be tempting to linger in the cool of the villas, or in a soporific state after meals, there are activities and excursions not to be missed. Nearby Paradise Island has exceptional snorkelling, close to the shore where hundreds of brightly coloured reef fishes feed from a spectrum of corals. Batfish hang like nursery mobiles, parrot fish sport colour combinations that would inspire any fashion designer and hundreds of fusiliers band together in a splash of yellows. It is the height of luxury to leave snorkelling equipment on the boat and saunter to a picnic spot on the startlingly white beach, for a barbecue where fresh seafood sizzles on the grill. Sip a Dos M shandy or iced white Vino Verde in the shade of a palmfrond shelter or relax and simply gaze into the translucent water, until salads and perfect prawns are served. Before heading back to your island villa, take an invigorating stroll to the ruins of a hotel – famous in the 1960s – where Paul McCartney is reputed to have renewed his vows with his beloved wife, Linda. This island is so beautiful it is the quintessential fantasy isle, which embodies all clichés and is aptly named.

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Club Naval, situated next to the pool with a view over the ocean, serves light lunches and sunset cocktails, while the Beach Deck is popular for its delicious barbecued seafood.

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The largest island in the Bazaruto Archipelago, about 30 kilometres east of mainland Mozambique, Bazaruto offers an unspoiled beach holiday in a never-ending sea of blues.

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Scuba divers can explore Two Mile Reef, where the sightings rival the variety and splendour of top global dive sites. Whale sharks are often seen, as are blue spotted rays, sea horses and an abundance of macro life. Motoring back to Anantara Bazaruto, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible to see the endangered dugong, of which fewer than two hundred individuals are extant, all of which live here. Cantering on horseback along the beach, allowing your horse into the surf, and riding over and down dunes that feel like a steep wall, is another exhilarating holiday experience. Bazaruto Island has interesting topography inland, too. Surprisingly, crocodiles inhabit large lakes, where flocks of greater flamingoes filter the water for shrimps that colour their feathers pink. Alongside these lakes are fields of indigenous reeds, used for housing, and grassland dotted with flowering snake lilies. Driving past the authentic villages, with carefully constructed huts and neatly swept yards, smiling children dash out to greet you and wave enthusiastically. It is touching to visit the school, built with funds from the lodge and generous guests, to see

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The peaceful pool at the spa is the perfect spot to unwind after the thrills of sand-boarding, as are the spacious en-suite bedrooms of the Deluxe Sea View Pool Villas.

Anantara Bazaruto Island

Photographs: Anantara Bazaruto island resort & spa

Bazaruto Island, Mozambique Telephone: +27 (0) 11 658 0633 Email: reservations@raniresorts.com Website: www.bazaruto.anantara.com

its simplicity and begin to understand the joy and hope that it brings to these children. While interaction with the local community and the Mozambican guides on this cultural tour is a rich part of a stay on the island, don’t be tempted to try palm wine – you may not remember much of what you’ve seen! Back at the resort, after a day filled with happy experiences, take some time to enjoy the indulgences of the spa. Situated on the highest point of the

resort, it has a magnificent panorama. Take time to recline on a couch on the wooden deck after your treatment and survey the palette of blues beyond. A stay at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa is a powerfully sensual experience. Somehow the extravagant beauty of the hues of the ocean, the refined delicacy of the white sand, the superb cuisine, as well as the enveloping kindness of the staff intensify awareness, leaving you relaxed but invigorated. n Gillian McLaren

The resort is reached via air transfer – either in a Solenta Aviation fixed-wing plane or a helicopter – from Vilanculos on the mainland. Airlink flies directly to Vilanculos from Johannesburg and, from June 2014, will also fly from Nelspruit, for those who wish to go on safari before their island holiday.

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Intimate island living Nine on Park, Royal Park, Mauritius Set overlooking the beautiful bay of Balaclava on the northwest coast of Mauritius, Royal Park is a premier residential estate that offers a relaxed community lifestyle on the edge of the ocean. Now the inclusive estate, which aims to connect with the true heritage and personality of Mauritius while providing all the services and facilities expected from a leading resort, has launched Nine on Park – nine discreet new luxury villas. Designed around a shared communal area, thought of as a playground for children and a meeting place for neighbours, the new villas are conveniently close to the main entrance, but set on a quiet cul-de-sac, so there’s no through traffic. The eco-friendly homes embrace the best of a tropical lifestyle with airy rooms opening out onto a private courtyard, veranda, landscaped garden and swimming pool. The spacious openplan kitchen and family room have a subtle neutral palette that incorporates natural timber and stone. Three bedrooms, plus a separate guest studio/study close to the entrance, offer ample and versatile accommodation designed for easy maintenance and secure, hassle-free living. A laundry, garage and carport complete the picture. For more information contact

Royal Park incorporates a large landscaped park, bordered by mature indigenous trees, where there’s

SA: Dean Leech +27 (0)82 709 1818

a children’s playground as well as cycle and fitness tracks. More activities can be enjoyed at the

dean@mxr.co.za

Club House, where residents meet to play tennis, squash and beach volleyball, and at the Sunset

Mauritius: Laurent Tyack +230 (0)59 193 221, laurent.t@seeff.com Seeff Grand Baie

Beach Clubhouse, where there is unlimited access to private boat parking and all sorts of seaside diversions. The luxury estate provides 24-hour security and is conveniently situated between Port

Tel: +230 263 2192

Louis and Grand Baie, close to a range of golf courses and horse racing at Champ de Mars. For an

Asking price: from R6.54 million

idyllic forever-summer lifestyle, Nine on Park has all the discreet luxury you could dream of.

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The height of luxury Waves Edge, Blouberg, Cape Town Offering contemporary style and generous amounts of coveted urban space, this luxurious 365-square-metre penthouse, located on Cape Town’s famous Blouberg beach, is the highest on South Africa’s western coastline. It has one of the best views in Cape Town - across Table Bay and Robben Island to Table Mountain – and is fronted by sandy beaches that rank among the best kite-surfing destinations in the world. The penthouse is laid out over two storeys and enjoys direct lift access. Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors allow for unobstructed views and there is solid French oak flooring throughout, as well as beautiful finishes and just about every luxury and amenity you could wish for, including air-conditioning and underfloor heating. The very spacious living area encompasses a lounge, dining room and modern kitchen. There are three large bedrooms, all with luxurious en-suite bathrooms, and an opulent tub and walk-in double shower in the master bathroom. The icing on the cake is the large outdoor wooden deck with a rim-flow swimming pool that practically floats above the ocean. It’s the perfect spot for relaxed sundowners and dramatic sunsets! Additional features of this stunning property include 24-hour security, three secure parking bays and a storeroom. This property is the fulfilment of a lifestyle dream in an area that is attracting a massive inflow of millionaires – more than any other Cape Town suburb according to Wealthinsight.

Warren Kidney +27 (0)82 872 9980 warren.kidney@seeff.com

Residential, holiday home and investor buyers, including foreign buyers, are flocking to the

Wendy Coetzer +27 (0)83 450 2255

area to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and laid-back lifestyle, which is complemented by

wendy.coetzer@seeff.com

excellent bars, restaurants and shopping facilities, many of them in the trendy waterfront area.

SEEFF BLOUBERG

The Cape Town city centre and V&A Waterfront are within easy driving distance, as are the

Telephone: +27 (0)21 557 7755

airport and the attractions of the Cape Winelands.

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For more information contact

Asking price: R11.9 million (including VAT)

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For more information contact Ingrid McFarlane +27 (0)83 658 4267 ingrid@seeff.com SEEFF CONSTANTIA Telephone: +27 (0)21 794 5252 Asking price: R36 million

Stately homestead Bishopscourt, Cape Town One of the finest homes the Cape has to offer, this gracious property is positioned in a tranquil and leafy enclave at the upper end of Bishopscourt, a sought-after location for its Table Mountain views and mature gardens. It’s a rare find for its detailing and heritage character, from the wrought-iron balustrades on the grand central staircase that’s lined with magnificent stained glass, to generous bay windows and a welcoming, sun-filled family room. Its comfortable design allows for a relaxed lifestyle, with spacious living areas and covered verandas overlooking the beautifully landscaped garden that’s filled with oaks and palms, oldworld statues, water features and a koi pond. The large pool is set in a sunny aspect, alongside the tennis court and private gym that overlooks a squash court and clubhouse with a sauna. The sunroom’s Jacuzzi is built into a wooden slatted deck overlooking a treed yard with a magnificent 180-degree view. This stately, gabled homestead has seven bedrooms, two of which have a lounge and kitchenette, as well as three self-contained apartments that are set behind the main house. The main home is an entertainer’s dream as it comprises a well-equipped, modern family kitchen as well as two separate and smaller serving kitchens, a library and numerous gracious reception rooms with an additional billiard room, wine cellar and music room. In total, the accommodation includes 11 This large Bishopscourt home is set in a mature garden with

for a guesthouse, boutique hotel, corporate headquarters or extended family accommodation. Its

stunning views over Table

picturesque setting is also close to many Cape Town attractions, including Kirstenbosch Botanical

Mountain and Devil’s Peak.

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bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, along with seven garages and parking for over 10 cars, making it ideal

Gardens, Cavendish Square shopping centre and the world-renowned Constantia Wine Route.

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Barefoot luxury Zimbali Coastal Resort, KwaZulu-Natal Reminiscent of the discreet luxury one experiences in some of the world’s leading hotels, this

n For more information contact

magnificent Balinese-inspired home is a rare find. Nestled among mature milkwood trees along

Andreas Wassenaar +27 (0)82 837 9094

the beachfront at Zimbali Coastal Resort on KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast, it has offered absolute

andreasw@seeff.com

privacy for Brad and Angelina, Will Smith and other high-profile Hollywood celebrities over the years. It is influenced by Asian architectural philosophies, giving it a distinctly spa-like ambience. Three life-size Balinese stone statues greet guests on arrival with the soothing sound of water adding to the tranquil welcome. The ground-floor includes formal and informal dining areas leading

Sally Edlmann +27 (0)79 773 6431 sally.edlmann@seeff.com SEEFF DOLPHIN COAST Telephone: +27 (0)32 586 0170 Asking price: R30 million

to a generous kitchen with double-volume ceilings. True to its tropical architectural style, the glasslined living areas lead out to a protected courtyard filled with the scent of frangipani – a tree that symbolises love in Feng Shui. On the other side, a larger main pool provides pleasing symmetry to the façade of the house with magnificent coastal views from the large wooden deck, while two private ground-floor guest suites enjoy pool and sea-facing elevations. Entertaining here is a delight on balmy summer evenings with doors open to allow the evening air to drift through. The real wow factor, however, is the magnificent panorama from the solid wooden staircase leading up to the first floor. Here there are two impeccably furnished master suites, each with lofty ceilings and glass sliding doors that open to the balcony views and the rhythmic sound of the waves below. En-suite bathrooms are all individually designed as indulgent sanctuaries. Four garages, staff accommodation and excellent security complete this elegant yet relaxed seaside home.

This blissful beach retreat, designed in tranquil Balinese style, offers absolute privacy on KwaZulu-Natal’s verdant North Coast.

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bulthaup b3

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To re-think space and be truly innovative, you don’t just need in-depth expertise and uncompromising design, quality and craftsmanship. Everything we do at bulthaup is based on the lasting values that drive us to go the extra mile, to think outside the box – the values of passion and consistency. bulthaup is proud of its history and builds on the traditions and values of previous generations of the family. After all, there is no future without a past. bulthaup b3 The universal bulthaup b3 design system offers everything you could wish for from a complete kitchen: unusually versatile solutions for the equipment of the perfect kitchen, but also for functional and aesthetic modifications to rooms that go way beyond the kitchen workspace. bulthaup b1 bulthaup b1 means room-height architecture, proportional coherence, seamless design and flowing transitions from surfaces to edges. The deliberately minimalist appearance facilitates a matchlessly perfect design, allowing the typical features to make the difference: bulthaup b1 is sleek, harmonious and aesthetically perfect. It is clear from each plan that this is a bulthaup product. And true to the motto “as little as possible and as much as necessary”. bulthaup b2 Based on the philosophical origins of every living space – the fire and water point – bulthaup has developed bulthaup b2, an open and mobile kitchen that can be added to and put together to suit the individual. It embodies the “kitchen workshop” in its original interpretation – in a unique combination of workbench, tool cabinet and appliance cabinet. Living Kitchens (Pty) Ltd, Media Quarter, Cnr. Somerset Road & De Smidt Street, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8005. Tel. +27 (0)21 419 5445. info@bulthaup.co.za www.livingkitchens.bulthaup.com

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bulthaup b2

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For more information contact Rochelle Serman +27 (0)72 239 4449 serman@seeff.com Lyn Pope +27 (0)82 575 1999

Expansive living Camps Bay, Cape Town

lyn@seeff.com SEEFF ATLANTIC SEABOARD Telephone: +27 (0)21 438 1055

Camps Bay is one of Cape Town’s most sought-after suburbs, prized for its spectacular coastal

Asking price: R22.5 million

setting backed by the Twelve Apostles and Table Mountain. Some of the city’s most prestigious property can be found here, not least this exquisite, newly built villa, designed for easy living and expansive entertaining with opulent finishes and every conceivable comfort. Enter through one of six handmade Moroccan doors into a courtyard leading to spacious living rooms with oak flooring throughout, and folding glass doors and windows opening onto spectacular sea and mountain views. Designed with entertaining in mind, three interleading reception rooms flow from the beautifully appointed chef’s kitchen through to the glamorous wraparound deck, level garden and heated infinity pool. Beautifully decorated with bespoke furnishings, the villa glows with contemporary elegance in every detail, from the painted fabric on the dining chairs to the silk curtains and imported wallpapers. State-of-the-art technology is subtly employed throughout, in the superb 10-seater plush home theatre, the high-end security, the centralised ceiling speakers, the six filter air-conditioners, and the Home Automation system by Simpletech, which allows you full control of your home from mobile devices. Working from home is a joy in the glass-encased office on the mezzanine level, which has its own private patio. There’s also a private gymnasium with parquet flooring that leads through to a moody bathroom and LED-lit steamroom. The luxurious master suite, featuring open-terraced ceilings and a built-in fireplace, overlooks the ocean and boasts an ultra-spacious bathroom with his and hers dressing rooms. There are an additional three bedrooms, each with en-suite facilities, as well as a guest suite. Two garages, two parking bays and a laundry complete this magnificent home – a truly exceptional and exclusive haven offering peace, privacy and seclusion.

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Best of both worlds Keurbooms River, Plettenberg Bay This luxury home on the banks of the Keurbooms River near Plettenberg Bay offers unbeatable

For more information contact

views, direct access to the river and a boat mooring. Although Plett is renowned for its beachfront

Alet Ollemans +27 (0)83 657 5678

homes, property on this section of the Keurbooms is exclusive, secure and an easy stroll to a

alet@seeff.com

pristine and isolated portion of Keurbooms beach. It offers the ultimate combination of the rhythmic ebb and flow of a river that teems with bird life, as well as the privacy of a lesser-known stretch of coast, where dolphins frolic in the waves and whales flap their tails in season.

SEEFF PLETTENBERG BAY Telephone: +27 (0)44 533 0311 Asking price: R13.95 million

Designed by architect Cass Parel, this four-storey, 700-square-metre home has a lift that grants access to all floors. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s situated in the secure River Tides estate, alongside the unspoilt Keurbooms estuary. Each floor boasts its own balcony with breathtaking views of the river, the Tsitsikamma mountains and neighbouring nature reserve. Ideal for a large family, the spacious living areas, including a lounge with a wood-burning fireplace, lead to a games room with a pool table. A wine cellar is an added bonus for connoisseurs of good wine. The designer kitchen has a walk-in fridge, pantry and separate scullery as well as a breakfast nook with its own fireplace for cosy winter meals together. All five bedrooms are light and airy with en-suite bathrooms, and the main bedroom also enjoys a private lounge-library area with a fireplace and balcony. An additional flatlet on the ground floor offers an en-suite bedroom as well as a small, open-plan kitchen and lounge area, making it perfect for guests in need of privacy. The property also includes a double garage and an additional room that can be utilised as staff accommodation or a teenagerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s den.

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This striking home, set on a series of cantilevered levels with its back to the mountain, enjoys far-reaching over the Atlantic.

Architectural genius Fresnaye, Cape Town Architect John Doyle spent four years creating a truly unique property on one of Fresnaye’s most challenging, almost-vertical slopes. Intentionally low-key from the street, but genius in its execution, the house is set to surprise and impress. The approach to the front door is across a bridge, below which the ground literally falls away to reveal a multi-storey vertical garden ending in a courtyard below. It quickly becomes evident that the house is a series of cantilevered levels, linked to the main living area by a striking stairway that hangs dramatically in a steel-and-glass box over the main pool – a 50-metre, wraparound, rim-flow design that’s suspended above the two lower levels, giving the impression from the living room that it’s literally floating above the Atlantic. Below this, on the upper garden level, there are four bedroom suites, each with its own central living area opening to the garden on all sides. In the lower garden area there is a gym and a pair of staff suites with a separate, shared kitchen. The top-level master suite is accessed through a concealed panel in the hallway and reveals a generous sleeping and living area with its own deck, solar-heated pool and fireplace. Proportions are generous: expect a 20-metre-long dressing room cupboard and a walk-in Rainmaker shower where you can watch television – another of the villa’s For more information contact Lance Cohen +27 (0)82 416 6103 lance@seeff.com

secrets as it appears from nowhere when activated. Behind the scenes, heat pumps and solar panels work to make the home energy efficient, with water collected from roof surfaces as well as an underground source for the garden and water-

SEEFF ATLANTIC SEABOARD

based underfloor heating. Concealed air-conditioning is installed throughout, but the entire

Telephone: +27 (0)21 434 9175

building is well insulated to provide natural climate control. State-of-the-art security, satellite and

Asking price: R59.95 million

communication systems, as well as intelligent home automation completes this striking house.

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Years of Seeff

Luxury “Seeff was founded in 1964 and more than 49 years later, we have grown into one of South Africa’s leaders in real estate. Selling properties in and around Southern Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mauritius, Seeff has become synonymous with sales in the luxury end of the property market. Visit seeff.com and see why 33 000 homeowners prefer selling property the Seeff Way.”

- Samuel Seeff, Chairman

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V i s i t w w w. s e e f f . c o m o r c a l l 0 8 6 1 0 S E E F F ( 7 3 3 3 3 ) f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o n o u r l u x u r y p r o p e r y p o r t f o l i o .

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The art of giving Chefs who Share, in partnership with Mercedes-Benz, raised R1.2  million for youth development charities at a star-studded gala evening of culinary and fine art, held in Cape Town City Hall in September.

ape Town’s stately City Hall was transformed into a glamorous fine-dining venue as the crème de le crème of the South African social scene gathered for a food, wine and art extravaganza in aid of underprivileged children. The gala evening, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz and organised by Opulent Living’s Barbara Lenhard, drew together 14 acclaimed South African chefs, seven top sommeliers, 10 celebrated local artists and a star-studded audience of popular socialites, accomplished business people and sporting heroes in what was the black-tie event of the season. The top chefs were divided into pairs to share their culinary genius and prepare an individual menu for limited groups of guests. Each pair was joined by a highly respected sommelier who ensured that diners got the very best South African wine to accompany each delicious dish. It was rare gourmet occasion that allowed guests to get up close and personal with the heroes of the local food scene. As well as this feast of culinary art, guests were treated to an auction of original works by some of the country’s most respected artists. Lionel Smit, Anton Smit, Louis Jansen van Vuuren, Dylan Lewis and Heike Allerton-Davies were just some of the top names who donated pieces to be auctioned off by well-known Cape Town businessman and co-founder of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, Iain Banner. In another initiative, the beautiful table decorations and other displays were made up of fresh fruit and vegetables that were put to good use the following day to cook a healthy meal for 250 children in a Cape Town township. Guests could also choose to buy additional veggie boxes for R1 000 each, with the proceeds

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going to help charities provide needy children with a healthy meal. TV personalities Bonang Matheba and Dr Michael Mol acted as MCs for the evening, keeping guests entertained with their lively banter. Music was provided by popular local performers Elvis Blue and Nash Reed. Another star of the show was the cutting-edge new MercedesBenz S-Class, which was unveiled for the first time in South Africa. Together the auction and ticket sales raised R1 195 000, with all the proceeds going to MAD (Make a Difference) and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. MAD, spearheaded by

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Opulent Living Opulent Living events

[01] Francois and Nerine Pienaar. [02] Carla and Stefan Antoni. [03] Wilfried and Jochi Sauerland with Mark and Denise Dogon. [04] Opulent Livingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Barbara Lenhard and Florian Gast. [05] Cape Town City Hall provided the beautiful setting for the gala evening. [06] Hendrik and JD Vermeulen. [07] Edith Venter, Yegas Naidoo, Barbara Lenhard and Renate Klass. [08] Manana Nhlanhla. [09] Musicians Nash Reed and Elvis Blue entertained guests. [10] Bonang Matheba and Dr Michael Mol acted as MCs for the evening. [11] President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa, Dr Martin Zimmermann. [12] Peter Schumacher and Jen Su with the veggie boxes, filled with fresh ingredients donated by Woolworths, that were sold in aid of charity. [13] Iain Banner was the eventâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art auctioneer.

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[14] A Grand Finale celebrated all the chefs, sommeliers and artists who donated their work and time. [15] Liezel van der Westhuizen and chef Reuben Riffel. [16] Makere Thekiso, Jobie Bakama, Frederick and Linda Smorenburg. [17] Karien Winter, Kimberly Kuttel and Dr Nerina Wilkinson. [18] Africa Melane and Morné du Plessis. [19] Johann Strydom, Lizelle van Zyl and George Argyropoulos. [20] Chef Rudi Liebenberg and Abigail Donnelly. [21] Florian Seidler, Mayur Bhana, Elihle Mnguni, Claudia Walters, Molise Moloi and Dr Martin Zimmermann.

ex-Springbok rugby captain Francois Pienaar, runs a successful mentorship programme that identifies and nurtures academically talented learners from less fortunate backgrounds, while Laureus is a worldwide foundation focussed on uplifting underprivileged youth through sports-related community projects. ‘We were delighted to host the first-ever Chefs who Share in Cape Town,’ says organiser Barbara Lenhard. ‘Together with our partners we hope to take this concept even further with similar events overseas in support of our chosen South African charities.’

Chefs who Share – the ART of giving was made possible through the generous support of presenting partner MercedesBenz and various other sponsors, as well as the help of countless individuals.

A special evening created by

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XPERIENCES

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[01] Sheria Ngowi. [02] Marianne Fassler. [03] Shweta Wahi. [04 and 05] Gavin Rajah. [06] Bongiwe Walaza. [07] Mina Evans. [08] Executive Chairperson of Africa Fashion International (AFI), Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe. [09] Sudanese-born supermodel, Alek Wek. [10] Thula Sindi. [11] David Tlale. [12] Klûk CGDT

Africa’s haute affair Fashion enthusiasts flocked to the City of Tshwane at the end of October for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa, a glitzy event that showcased collections from designers across the continent.

Photographs: afi/sdr photo - mercedes-benz fashion week africa

isitors to South Africa’s capital were treated to a four-day festival of fashion as more than 30 designers from 15 African countries revealed their distinctive flair in a series of well-attended shows at Pretoria City Hall and other sites around the city. Internationally recognised Cape Town designer Gavin Rajah launched proceedings with a beautifully orchestrated show at five-star boutique hotel, Illyria House, where he unveiled a series of flowing, feminine gowns in sensual fabrics. Marianne Fassler, well-loved doyenne of South African fashion, wowed crowds with designs that showcased her signature prints in electrifying summer colours, while award-winning David Tlale revealed more bright prints in an exciting show at the Rovos Rail station that included a performance by the Joburg Ballet. Bongiwe Walaza showed brilliant blue designs in her trademark African shweshwe fabric, while the up-and-coming Thula

Sindi impressed with a dynamic, elegant collection. Other highlights included flowing frocks from Ghana’s Mina Evans, a vibrant ready-to-wear range by Dubaibased Shweta Wahi and tailored menswear from Tanzanian Sheria Ngowi. The star-studded line-up also featured Sudanese-born supermodel Alek Wek, who caused a stir in feather-festooned platform heels when she modelled for aspiring young designer Khothatso Tsotetsi. The supermodel was also a judge in the African Fashion International (AFI) Africa Fashion Awards, which were announced at the end of the week. The Designer of the Year Award went to Malcolm Klûk and Christiaan Gabriel du Toit of Klûk CGDT, who also ended Fashion Week with a spectacular show at Freedom Park. With guests seated around a waterfilled amphitheatre, models showed off the pair’s new collection of hip, edgy gowns against a backdrop of fountains, laser beams and fireworks.

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ULI NARY ART BY

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A feast for the eyes The first Cape Town Art Fair was held at the V&A Waterfront in October – and Opulent Living was there with an exhibition of Culinary Art portraits and four top chefs presenting works of ‘gastronomic art’.

lobal exhibition giant, Fiera Milano, responsible for MiArt Italy and Art International Istanbul, recently launched a contemporary Art Fair in the Mother City, bringing together work from 40 galleries and 130 artists to show the richness, promise and investment value of art coming out of

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South Africa. As part of the fair, Opulent Living presented Culinary Art – 20 striking portraits capturing the personalities of top local chefs, 12 of which were featured in Edition 6 of the magazine. Four of the Cape Town chefs photographed were also there in person, creating visual menus for visitors to purchase.

[01] The striking portraits of Malika van Reenen of Signal Restaurant at Cape Grace, Scot Kirton of La Colombe at Constantia Uitsig, Harpreet Kaur of Bombay Brasserie at Taj Cape Town and Jason Franco of Camissa at The Table Bay – the four chefs who presented ‘culinary art’ dishes. [02] Artist Gunther Komnick and photographer Gavin Furlonger. [03] The fair was held at The Lookout in Granger Bay. [04] Opulent Living exhibited 20 portraits of top chefs. [05] Opulent Living’s Barbara Lenhard with Louis and Carolyn Prades. [06] Francesco Santa, Beverly Boswell, Christine Cashmore of Fiera Milano and Italian Consul Edoardo Vitali. [07] Francois du Plessis and Louise Cashmore.

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