Luxury Travel Vol. 1

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YELLOW AND WHITE GOLD DIAMOND NECKLACE

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Cities Media, LLC

in Chief Otis W. Jones

Managing editor Mark Spivak

CoP y editor Keith Lutz

Creative direCtor Mark Rosas

Contributing Writers Geninna Ariton

Lyng Knudsen Angela Wood Mark Spivak

Lovern

Renda James Riven

Turner

Dawson

Herman

Big Cities Media, LLC

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.r.

EDITOR’S LETTER

At its best, travel is a journey of selfdiscovery that engages our senses and expands our experience. And since Hills Views & Valleys is dedicated to living your best life in all its forms, we’re delighted to bring you our travel issue. Join us as we explore some of the world’s most exotic destinations:

Ancient traditions and modern culture come together in the city of Dubai, a desert oasis home to the seven-star Burj Al-Arab, one of the world’s most luxurious hotels in the UAE. Enjoy spectacular cuisine in one of the six restaurants or relax in a spacious suite, which comes with top-class butler service.

From Dubai, travel to the peace and serenity of Northwestern Saudi Arabia for a stay at Habitas AlUla, a residence that specializes in “luxury for the soul” and rightfully calls itself a home rather than a hotel. You’ll find unparalleled art, music, food and wellness at this oasis in the desert.

Speaking of stars, it’s time to board the Kyushu Seven Stars and tour the paradise of Japan’s southernmost island on the ultimate cruise train. All seven of Kyushu’s prefectures will pass by your window on a four-day, three-night journey that encompasses nearly 2,000 miles.

To rejuvenate your senses, pay a visit to the Soori Bali Resort in Indonesia. The Soori Spa

will personalize a series of treatments designed to realign you with your spiritual self. When mealtime arrives, enjoy dishes that have impressed three-star Michelin chef Heston Blumenthal.

Closer to home, The Hive Resort in Costa Rica is a jewel of ecotourism where beaches, mountains, wildlife, volcanoes and rainforests weave together for a restorative and fulfilling vacation.

When you travel with us, the delights are endless: tour France’s Champagne region with private tastings at the great estates; relax in the newly redesigned business class cabin of Etihad Airways; luxuriate on the Evrima, flagship of the new Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and we hope you paid a visit to Goodwood’s Festival of Speed in West Sussex for the unveiling of Rolls Royce’s new Black Badge series.

The most convenient way to travel is aboard your customized, state-of-the-art Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 or one of their Cessna Citation family of jets such as the Longitude, which was designed with your business and return on investment in mind.

The new CESSNA CITATION M2 Gen2 jet. With an interior reimagined with more intention, more pleasure, and more purpose is everything you want in a jet of any level. Perfect for corporate, charter or private use, the M2 Gen2 jet features enhanced cabin lighting, upgraded cabin technology, and a GARMIN G3000 flight deck with touch-controlled avionics suited for a single pilot. Two powerful Williams FJ44 engines facilitate a cruising speed of up to 404 knots for serious jet performance. Trips are fast and efficient with exceptional range at 1,550 nm.

Some people think the world is getting smaller. At Hills Views & Valleys, we believe it’s expanding all the time, and we’re privileged to share our travel discoveries and go on this amazing journey with you.

Gratefully yours,

Otis W. Jones

Founder / Editor in Chief

"...we’re privileged to share our travel discoveries and go on this amazing journey with you."

Dear Explorer,

HVV Guide to Visiting

Textron Aviation

Creating a personalized aircra for the jet set, One plane at a time.

The Hive

Fusing nature and kitchen design at this this luxury resort.

Exploring New Frontiers with space tourism ‘Big Three’

to the next chapter of aviation!

The

Seven Stars in Kyushu Ultra-luxury rail travel comes to Japans third-largest island.

1

The Burj Al Arab

Unparalleled luxury in Dubai

Soori Bali

Soothing spa treatments for body and soul.

DEPARTMENTS

HVV Taste People & Places Top Drawer Architecture & Design Lifestyle & Culture

Luscious Locales Luxe Towers & Rentals Destination Luxe Health Wealth & Wellness Featured Cover Story

Famed for its ecotourism, Costa Rica is a celebration of nature, a place where beaches, mountains, stunning wildlife, volcanoes, and rainforests come together to form a canvas for a restorative and ful lling vacation. Year a er year, the country attracts more visitors than any nation in Central America, and many tourists feel that the Paci c coast is the most dazzling destination of them all.

Newly opened, e Hive resort is a jewel

by: Mark Spivak

perched on one of the most beautiful stretches of that coast. is luxury rental property is located directly on the ocean, providing guests a stunning view on a panoramic terrace overlooking the Papagayo Peninsula. Formed eons ago by volcanic activity of Caribbean tectonic plates, the peninsula boasts 15 miles of coastline and 31 beaches. Despite a marina and an Arnold Palmer signature golf course, 70% of the land is protected from overdevelopment by government mandate and must remain unspoiled.

Spectacular cuisine is one of the keys to a world-class resort, and a state-of-the-art kitchen is a vital element in producing unforgettable food. e celebrated kitchen design rm of O cine Gullo, based in Florence, was called in to provide e Hive with all the equipment necessary to cra Michelin-worthy meals. Il Cantiere Inmobiliaria’s interior designer Maria Nella Hernandez constructed a kitchen that functions as center stage for a series of tastings, cooking demonstrations and catering events.

In e Hive’s culinary center, form precedes

function: the appliances are a deep, beautiful emerald-green, in a nod to the natural world outside, accented with burnished brass nishes. e light and airy open plan of the room allows for maximum communication between the chef and guests. In the center of the kitchen is a high-tech island that incorporates an electric pasta cooker, an induction hob area, two professional high-e ciency burners and an electric lava stone barbecue. In keeping with the area’s ecological policy, all equipment is designed to conserve the greatest possible level of energy.

Facing the island, there is a shelf that can be turned into a counter for clients to sit and watch cooking in progress. Above it, a pyramid hood contains a built-in cookware holder, LED lights and a central bar with hooks. A custom-made corner kitchen sits behind the island, tted with an oven, dishwasher, refrigerator-freezer with ice maker, and a washing station with a brass wall sink. A temperature-controlled wine cellar completes the room, allowing it to transform into a stage for tastings.

All these elements form a backdrop that might be found in the kitchen of a Michelin-starred restaurant,

yet e Hive provides them as standard amenities for their guests. O cine Gullo specializes in the highest quality and most beautiful appliances and equipment on the market, with no compromises. Visitors who are accustomed to the best of the best will feel at home in e Hive’s kitchen: Whether you are cooking for yourself, bringing along a personal chef, or hiring a local artisan to produce a meal comprised of Costa Rican delicacies, you can be assured of a world-class experience.

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA USA

Nando Trattoria:

The Flavors of Sicily and The Traditions of Family

BY: JAMES RIVEN

Fragrant aromas of fresh-caught seafood and Italian sausage wa from the kitchen, transporting diners back to a village in coastal Sicily. We’re not in Sicily, however, but rather in Nando Trattoria in Manhattan Beach, California, a restaurant embodying the nest and most delicious traditions of Italian cuisine.

It’s fair to say that the Vullo family has cooking in their DNA. eir roots harken back to 1954, when Dario’s grandfather founded Bar Esperia, the rst family bakery in Sicily; the clan later operated restaurants in Milan and Verona. Dario Vullo runs the Manhattan Beach location with his wife and co-owner, Amy Yetasook. His brother, Chef Alessio, helped found Nando Trattoria in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood 12 years ago, and he supervises the kitchen with passion and love. He began his career in the kitchen with his grandmother at the age of 17, and later spent 13 years living and working in Bologna, a

city usually referred to as “the breadbasket of Italy.” It adds up to a warm and gracious atmosphere where the family welcomes diners as though they were guests in their own home.

e wide-ranging menu takes traditional Sicilian dishes as an inspiration and adds re nements developed over the years by Chef Alessio. Appetizers include several versions of arancino (crispy sa ron rice balls stu ed with wagyu beef ragu, or spinach and a trio of imported cheeses), as well as classics such as smoked Sicilian tuna or roasted Brussels sprouts with butternut squash, chickpeas, honey, and aged Parmigiano Reggiano. A selection of handcra ed pastas spans the Italian peninsula with dishes such as Tagliatelle alla Bolognese (a reminder of the chef’s tenure in that city) and tonnarelli (thick, square spaghetti) with a dazzling assortment of seafood.

Milanese style Duroc pork tomahawk; Australian grass-fed let mignon and New York striploin. Craving something sweet? Finish with a croccante (pistachio brittle semifreddo with caramel sauce and dark chocolate gelato). e Vullo family is a rm believer in g fresh, local ingredients, and they work with sustainable farms and organic suppliers to provide the most authentic avors on every plate. All pastas, bread and focaccia are made in house daily, and gluten-free alternatives are available.

Not surprisingly, Nando Trattoria has garnered accolades from press and consumers alike. e Wicker Park location was voted Best North Side Restaurant in

wine list is a delight for connoisseurs, featurinselections from every region of Italy.

“Without passion you cannot deliver an experience,” says Dario Vullo, and Nando Trattoria is a testament to that philosophy. e Vullo family is committed to fostering a sense of community in their restaurants and creating “long lasting relationships where guests become friends.” ey accomplish this by perfecting the pleasures of the Italian table, by fusing the traditional with the modern, and most of all by providing a sanctuary from the stresses of daily life.

NANDOTRATTORIA.COM

Victory for Napa Valley

Four AVAs represented amongst the world’s best wines at the Decanter World Wine Awards

Results

from the 2022 edition of the world’s largest wine competition, the Decanter World Wine Awards, were recently announced and red wines from California – Napa Valley, in particular – took centre stage.

The internationally renowned wine competition broke all records. An astonishing 18,244 wines were assessed by 237 expert judges, but the selection process was as rigorous as ever.

Fourteen wines from California were awarded 95+ points, with the top five - all 97 points - awarded to wines from some of Napa Valley’s most esteemed AVAs.

Through three stages of judging, wines are re-tasted up to five separate times before being awarded a medal.

‘As you move through the top awards, through Gold, through Platinum, then Best in Show, it really is just refining, and refining, and refining again until you get to that harmonious, elegant, balanced, extraordinarily good bottle of wine’ commented Master Sommelier and DWWA Co-Chair Ronan Sayburn.

Here discover the highest rated wines from California,call from Napa Valley AVAs, at the 2022 competition, with more to discover in our DWWA supplement, on sale now, or via awards.decanter.com

Clos du Val, Hirondelle Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District 2019

97 Best in Show

The Stags Leap District of Napa has been a consistent performer down the years in DWWA: its balanced, digestible wines with their distinctive combination of plush fruits and poised, intrinsically complex flavours often win our judges’ approval. This Cabernet Sauvignon from the promising 2019 vintage is midnight black in colour, and its aromas (at this youthful stage) are full of floral charm as well as ripely tender blue and black fruits. The tannins are delicate and the fruit-infused acidity is soft and tender. The wine has clearly been made with little extractive force in order to provide an overall picture of great refinement and subtlety – yet the quality of the raw materials here guarantees a long future, as does the wine’s inner wealth. Alc 14.5%

Clos du Val, Estate Cabernet Franc, Stags Leap District 2019

97 Platinum

Nose of dark, rich, juicy cassis and plum with lovely floral leafiness, hedgerow fruits, dried herbs and a hint of umami. Great concentrated fruit ripeness on the palate, with a firm, grippy tannic structure. Long, crunchy finish with ripe redcurrant and fleshy red fruit. Still has a way to go. Alc 14.4%

97 Platinum

Fine, aromatic nose of blackberry, ripe black cherry and sweet brambly fruit with meaty, peppery notes. Crafted character on the rich, refined palate with smoky oak well-integrated with the fruit. Beautifully elegant structure with smooth tannins and vibrant acidity, the flavour continues on the long finish. Alc 13.9%

97 Platinum

Inky nose with blueberry, blackberry concentrate, ripe herbal, spearmint and cocoa aromas. Dense black fruited palate with menthol. Concentrated with gripping tannins and moderate acidity, the textures are very good. A bold tutorial in single variety Petit Verdot. Big and very well made – a classy wine. Alc 15.6%

97 Platinum

Dark, sleek cassis fruit, ripe and layered, with notes of tobacco leaf, co ee bean, mocha and dried violet. Pretty, floral palate with a slightly smoky character. Ripe tannins, refreshing acidity and lovely eucalyptus and menthol on the lingering finish. A great example of the power and freshness of Cabernet Sauvignon. Plenty of time ahead. Alc 14.1%

IN SHOW

Donum, East Slope Pinot Noir, Los Carneros 2019

Matt Parish, Special Bottling Petit Verdot, Rutherford 2019

Trefethen, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley 2019

Fly by private jet to Champagne, France to visit the Moët & Chandon Estate, Maison Perrier-Jouët, Palace of Tau, the Saint-Remi Basilica or the Musée des Beaux-arts to name a few of the high points that make up of the five regions of Champagne. This is the perfect way to start a romantic day trip or get your team pumped up with a corporate incentive.

OMAN

TO

BY MARK SPIVAK

Champagne

Champagne is a region steeped in history, lled with gracious hospitality, unforgettable cuisine, and reminders of its royal heritage—not to mention the world’s greatest sparkling wine. All these delights are located within 90 minutes of Paris. Fly into Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) and make the journey by high-speed train or charter a private jet and arrive at one of the smaller regional airports that serve as a gateway to the area. Regardless of how you make the trip, you’ll discover a region that caters to the interests of discerning and a uent travelers.

For the most part, Champagne is a blended wine, a combination of chardonnay, pinot noir, and pinot meunier; the blend varies according to the style of each house. e fragrance and charm come from the chardonnay, while the black grapes provide depth and richness. Five regions make up Champagne—Aube, Côte des Blancs, Côte de Cézanne, Montagne de Reims and Vallée de la Marne—each with its own distinctive identity. Its two major cities, Épernay and Reims, serve as an introduction to the region.

Wine has been made in Champagne for well over 1,000 years, inspired by the success of Burgundy to the south. Initially, most of the production was still wine, until it was discovered—by accident—that the area’s cold temperatures caused the wine to hibernate over the winter and ferment again in the spring, releasing carbon dioxide. Nicolas Ruinart founded the rst Champagne house in 1729, but it was the earlier vineyard and cellar work of Dom Pierre Pérignon, a Benedictine monk, who established Champagne as the category we know today.

ÉPERNAY

Surrounded by vines and regarded as the capital of Champagne, Épernay is an appropriate place to begin your visit. Stroll down the Avenue de Champagne, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to a parade of famous houses. e chalky limestone composition of the soil makes this a perfect site for aging wine, and the underground cellars are reputed to hold more than 200 million bottles.

Be sure to reserve an appointment at Moët et Chandon, whether you indulge in the Iconic Visit, Imperial Instant or Grand Vintage Visit. Don’t miss a tasting at Dom Pérignon, the luxury cuvée of Moët, rst produced in 1921 and only released in the nest vintage years.

To discover how exceptional the best Champagne can be, arrange a visit to Krug. Founded in 1843 by Joseph Krug and still managed by his descendants, their signature Grande Cuvée is a blend of many di erent vintage years to achieve a consistent, spectacular result. A er you taste it, you’ll appreciate the meaning of the old saying: “ ere is Champagne, and then there is Krug.”

If you only have one day in Épernay, there’s an essential stop that should not be missed:

MAISON PERRIER-JOUËT:

Located on the famous Avenue de Champagne, Maison Perrier-Jouët is a calming sanctuary that

combines art, nature, gastronomy—and of course, great wine.

e house dates to 1810, when Pierre Nicolas Perrier married Rose Adélaide Jouët. e couple began producing Champagne from family-owned vineyards, and soon were exporting to Great Britain and the U.S.

eir luxury cuvée, Belle Epoque, was created during the height of the Art Nouveau movement at the start of the 20th century. Artist Emile Gallé created the famous bottle design that recreates a spray of Japanese white anemones.

Today, the Art Nouveau heritage is central to the image of the house: Every year, Perrier-Jouët commissions an artistic talent to reinterpret its

connection to the creative energy of the movement. ose works are on display at the Cellier Belle Epoque at Maison Perrier-Jouët, a lovingly restored building that opens into a richly landscaped inner courtyard. More than just a wine bar, Cellier Belle Epoque blends nature with modern interior design and serves as a focal point for tourists. Visitors can pair the house cuvées and Champagne cocktails with light, tasty fare prepared by Executive Chef Sébastien Morellon, as well as special menus devised by superstars of French cuisine such as three-star Michelin Chef Pierre Gagnaire.

In the midst of Épernay, Maison Perrier-Jouët is truly a feast for the senses.

REIMS

When Hugh Capet was crowned King of France in Reims Cathedral in 987, it was the beginning of that city’s 800-year association with royalty. First constructed in the 5th century and rebuilt many times since, the cathedral today is an awe-inspiring experience. Other high points in the city include the Palace of Tau, the Saint-Remi Basilica and the Musée des Beaux-Arts.

When it comes to Champagne, you’ll have a hard time narrowing your choices. Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger and Ruinart all have cellars in the city which are open to visitors, as are the Pommery cellars and Villa Demoiselle, the beautifully restored mansion next door.

ere are two destinations in Reims which are essential stops in a visit to the region:

CHAMPAGNE CHARLES HEIDSIECK

Charles Heidsieck was a merchant who founded his eponymous Champagne house in 1851. He was instrumental in introducing Champagne to the U.S.; through his charismatic personality, he was known as Champagne Charlie and became a xture of the New York City high society scene. At the same time, his strict quality standards elevated Champagne Charles Heidsieck to a privileged position in the market.

One of the triumphs of the house is the Rosé Reserve, prized by connoisseurs for its delicate fruit and ideal balance between freshness and structure. Composed of equal parts of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the wine is derived from the rst pressing of carefully selected grapes and is aged between three and four years before being disgorged. It pairs exceptionally well with charcuterie, grilled prawns, salmon and aged cheeses. When you taste this Champagne during a visit to the Charles Heidsieck cellars in Reims, the memory will stay with you.

G.H. MUMM: Established in 1827 as the French branch of a German winemaking family, Mumm today is one of the largest and most celebrated Champagne houses in the world. ey own over 500 acres of vineyards, primarily in Grand Cru sites planted to Pinot Noir. In addition to producing world-class Champagne, Mumm has sponsored a Formula 1 racing team, hired sprinter Usain Bolt as their “Chief Entertainment O cer,” and established a sister winery in California’s Napa Valley.

e highlight of a tasting in the Mumm cellars in Reims is bound to be the RSRV Rosé Foujita. It is named for the Japanese artist Léonard Foujita, who also designed the Foujita Chapel in the gardens belonging to the Champagne house. Intensely pink in color, rich and powerful on the palate, Rosé Foujita is a blend of grapes from six Grand Cru vineyards. With a broad structure and hints of ripe berries, it is a good match with dishes ranging from salmon to red meat.

Champagne is one of the world’s most recognized luxury brands and is a joy to consume. More impor tantly, it is closely intertwined with gaiety, great cuisine, and the celebration of the good life in all its forms.

GASTRONOMY

Two of France’s nest restaurants are located in the region, and both are mandatory stops for any dedicated foodie:

L’ASSIETTE CHAMPENOISE: Honored with the ultimate accolade of three Michelin stars, the restaurant was founded in 1975 by Jean-Pierre and Colette Lallemont. Today it is run by their children: sisters Magali and Mélanie, who supervise the dining room, and Chef Arnaud, who maintains the quality of

the cooking. Located in an idyllic country setting, L’Assiette Champenoise contains 33 hotel rooms and suites in addition to a stellar wine cellar and unforgettable dining (assiettechampenoise.com).

DOMAINE LES CRAYÈRES: In the heart of Reims, Chef Philippe Mille o ers re ned and elegant cuisine and a list of over 600 Champagne labels at Restaurant Le Parc, holder of two Michelin stars. Guests may also dine at the less formal Brasserie Le Jardin or enjoy a drink at the stylish Bar Rotonde (lescrayeres.com).

HOW TO READ A CHAMPAGNE LABEL

Note that a Champagne labeled as Dry is actually quite sweet by modern standards; if you prefer dry wine, stick to the rst three categories. Here are some of the terms consumers may see on Champagne labels:

•Non-Vintage (NV Brut): e entry-level wine from a Champagne producer, and a good introduction to the house style.

•Vintage: A Champagne composed solely of grapes from a single vintage year.

•Blanc de Blancs: Made from 100% chardonnay.

•Blanc de Noirs: Made exclusively from pinot noir and/or pinot meunier.

•Rosé: A pink-colored wine, usually dry, made either by skin contact between with and red grapes or by a mixture of the two.

•Prestige Cuvée: e top o ering from a Champagne house. Examples include Dom Pérignon (Moët et Chandon), Cristal (Louis Roederer), and La Grande Dame (Veuve Clicquot).

All Champagne is fermented dry; the sweetness or dosage is added before nal bottling and is expressed in grams of sugar per liter (g/L):

•Brut Nature (0-3)

•Extra Brut (0-6)

•Brut (0-12)

•Extra Dry (12-17)

•Dry (17-32)

•Demi-Sec (32-50)

•Doux (50+)

WHAT MAKES CHAMPAGNE UNIQUE?

e methode champenoise is a long and labor-intensive process. e wine is rst fermented normally, then bottled with a mixture of yeast and sugar to promote the second fermentation and release carbon dioxide. Non-vintage Champagne must be aged in the bottle for at least 15 months before release, as opposed to three years for vintage selections; in practice, the aging process is usually much longer.

EXPLORING

BY ANGELA WOOD

Space tourism has been on our radars since the 1960s when Pan Am airlines announced its intention to o er commercially operated passenger ights to the moon. Although that never transpired, the 21st centu ry’s ‘Big ree’ space tourism companies are now primed to succeed.

Je Bezos’ Blue Origin, Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, and Elon Musk’s SpaceX have all launched commercial space ights for consumers, o ering specialist astronaut training, luxe departure lounges, and the chance to become one of the rst citizens of earth to blast into the stratosphere.

VIRGIN GALACTIC UNITY

On 11 July 2021, Unity's mother ship VMS Eve roared into the skies while carrying VSS Unity in a con guration to be drop launched.

Unity reached apogee at 53.6 miles altitude, which is below the FAA space boundary, (the Kármán line's upper border at 100 km altitude), but above the U.S. space boundary at 50 miles. e crew on board experienced about four minutes of weightlessness.

Unity then glided to a landing 14:17 minutes a er release from Eve. e crew consisted of pilots David Mackay and Michael Masucci as well as passengers Sirisha Bandla, Colin Bennett, Beth Moses, and Rich ard Branson.

When Virgin Galactic completed their rst fully crewed space ight, Sir Richard Branson said: “I have dreamt about this moment since I was a child, but nothing could have prepared me for the view of Earth from space. We are at the vanguard of a new space age. As Virgin’s founder, I was honored to test the incredi ble customer experience as part of this remarkable crew of mission specialists and now astronauts. I can’t wait to share this experience with aspiring astronauts around the world.”

Virgin Galactic plans to sell tickets to the general public to snag a seat for future space ight. Reservations opened on Feb. 16 and will cost $450,000. Potential travelers must pay a $150,000 deposit to hold the spot, then pay the rest before their ight. Entertain ment alumni Angelina Jolie and Lady Gaga have already added their names to a growing list of would-be spacefarers

BLUE ORIGIN’S NEW SHEPARD

Blue Origin completed its rst human ight on July 20, 2021, with four private citizens onboard including owner Je Bezos and his brother Mark who earned their astronaut wings when they passed the Karman Line. ey were accompanied by 90-year-old Star Trek legend William Shatner who’d realized his dream become reality. Captain Kirk was nally ying to the stars.

“What you have given me is the most profound experience," an exhilarated Shatner said a er climbing out the hatch. “I hope I never recover from this. I hope I can maintain what I feel now. I don't want to lose it.”

Blue Origin’s suborbital rocket New Shepard was named a er Alan Shepard, the rst American in space. e 60-foot tall, fully reusable autonomous rocket with a crew capsule measures 530 cubic feet and has room for up to six people or research payloads. Both capsule and booster take o vertically from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in Van Horn, Texas.

Once in transit, the capsule separated from the booster at about 250,000 feet above land and continued upward to reach an apogee of about 350,000 feet. e booster made its way back to Earth with pinpoint precision and landed two miles north of the original launch site.

e capsule continued upward and o ered the passengers a generous view of Earth. When the Karman Line was reached, three minutes were spent enjoying zero gravity before returning to Texas approximately 15 minutes a er take-o .

Earthbound, the capsule entered a stable free fall with three drogue chutes attached to slow the landing. e chutes were deployed several thousand feet above the earth. Just before touchdown, a retro-thrust system expelled an air cloud to achieve a gentle landing at about one mph in the deserts of West Texas.

Several successful Blue Origin ights have now taken place, and it won’t be long before we see regular launches to the Karman Line and eventually into the great beyond.

With Je Bezos stating ambitions to launch paying travelers into space as soon as possible and to have lunar lander Blue Moon ready for 2024, interesting times lie ahead for humankind.

Following the nal ight of New Shepard in 2021, CEO of Blue Origin, Bob Smith said, “We had a great ight today. is was our sixth ight in what has been a great year for the New Shepard program. We ew 14 astronauts to space, ew a NASA payload ight that tested lunar landing sensors, and completed our certi cation test ights”. He continued, “I want to thank our payload customers, our astronauts, and of course, Team Blue for these many important accomplishments. I am so proud to be part of this dedicated and diligent team that ensures every ight of New Shepard is safe and reliable. And it’s fun to say that this is just the beginning.”

Tickets to board Blue Origin’s future ights will cost between $200,000 and $500,000.

IMAGE BY BLUE ORIGIN

SPACEX FALCON 9

e SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched Ax-1, a mission from Houston-based company Axiom on April 8 2021 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Florida's Space Coast.

Only one of the four crewmembers was an astronaut--retired NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría, now vice president of business development for Axiom, who also commanded the mission. He launched alongside mission pilot Larry Connor and mission specialists Eytan Stibbe and Mark Pathy. While Lopez was a non-paying passenger, the other three paid $55 million each to y to the International Space Station and secure their names in the history books.

Connor is a real estate entrepreneur and pilot who’s adept at ying 16 di erent aircra . Pathy is the CEO and chair of the Canadian sustainable investment company MARVIK. Stibbe is the founding partner of the Vital Capital Impact investment fund.

Upon arrival at the International Space Station orbiting Earth at 200 miles, the crew conducted 25 scienti c experiments that included studies of the human brain as well as aging, stem cells, and heart health.

Following their time on the ISS, the spacecra returned to Earth via a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. ey’d spent 16 days docked to the ISS for a total of 17 days in orbit.

For Axiom Space, it was the rst major step in realizing its commercial space station in low Earth orbit (LEO) and set to be the rst of its kind.

We’re a curious and industrious species. Once upon a time cars were expensive to own; now they’re within almost everyone’s reach. Once upon a time, passengers paid big money to y on commercial planes; now ights are cheap and available to all destinations on the planet. ese days, it’s a bit pricy to y into space but it’s only a matter of a few short years before ying into space will be routine and available to all. Instead of going to Vegas, we’ll be ying to the edge of space.

Next stop Alpha Centauri!

TEXTRON AVIATION

CREATING A PERSONALIZED AIRCRAFT FOR THE JET SE T, ONE PLANE AT A TIME

TEXTRON AVIATION’S CESSNA CITATION M2 GEN2 TAKES DESIGN AND CUSTOMIZATION TO NEW HEIGHTS

BY LISA DAWSON

e world is driven by design to a greater extent than many of us realize, and nowhere is this truer than in luxury travel and private jets.

Textron Aviation, the general aviation branch of the Textron conglomerate, specializes in custom-built Beechcra and Cessna planes for a discriminating clientele. Catering to the world’s elite, the jet set, executives, and heads of state, private avia tion is becoming more popular for its host of amenities and conveniences. Many of their customers display a pioneering spirit when it comes to everything from aviation design to nal execution.

Textron’s new Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 light jet carries seven passengers with a range of 1,550 miles. e company is focused on the challenges of tomorrow while delivering world-class service and peerless jet aircra o erings. e Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 features comfortable seats with enhanced legroom, superior cabin technology including wireless smart phone charging, and a state-of-the-art pilot system. However, those features are just the beginning: the next hurdle is the clients’ need for customization, whether in decor, ambiance, or amenities. At the fore front of bespoke design is Christi Tannahill, Senior Vice President of Customer Experience.

“Lately, we've seen a shi in customization with mixed metals and wood inlays,” she explained. “Cus tomers are interested in unique, very personalized designs. Sometimes it’s a family pet or a special letter or symbol. We typically see this on the outer galley wall, one of the rst large spaces you see when you enter the plane. It's a statement piece and can be a strong re ec tion of their personal style.”

As one could imagine, tackling such projects requires more than expertise and know-how. It also necessitates special insights into the implicit needs that customers have when they request features. Towards this end, Textron employs a rigorous collaborative process that includes every single person involved with the plane.

“We collaborate and work as a team. We consult with customers, pilots, and even aircra engineers to ensure we're creating an aircra that everyone understands and is optimized to their speci c needs. We have customer advisory boards where we engage customers – both rst-time airplane buyers and long-time owners -- to gain their valuable feedback. And we also use virtual reality to show customers what they'll be seeing when they y on their plane. It's all about creating the experience, so we use a lot of di erent tools to design and work together.

Common to any artistic endeavor, there’s the need for iteration and re nement when presenting a client with potential options.

“Our design team will create four to ve design schemes for the customer to consider. We encourage them to take their time and consider the designs. And they o en want input from family, friends or coworkers before selecting their nal design choice.

”

And never at any point is anyone hurried along during the construction. “Sometimes this can take up to two months, and it's not a rushed process…we always want to get it right,” Tannahill remarks. Another point that she emphasizes is that not every customer has the same expectations when it comes to the end product of luxury goods and services.

“Some individuals are looking for a mode of transportation for their family and want to create a home-like, comfortable feeling. Other customers are primarily looking at their aircra from a business perspective, and having a working o ce in the sky is essential to them. Still, others are looking to invest in an airplane for charter purposes, so there are many factors to consider.”

In other words, tting the product to the customer and not the other way around is also a hallmark of sophisticated approaches to design and luxury. Nearly universal to this market, however, is the need for technology and connectivity. Implementing tech solutions goes hand-in-hand with convenience features and design ourishes within the cra itself. “[Considerations] like wood oors for easy clean up perhaps a er pets of young children are a factor. Plush seats, lighted cup holders, accent lighting, and other design elements are considered.”

e CESSNA CITATION LONGITUDE aircra was designed with your business and return on investment in mind: transatlantic range, advanced engineering and an unforgettable cabin experience all come together with the lowest direct operating costs of any super-midsize jet.

One novel design element that is emerging as a must-have for clients is customized scents and aromatic experiences.

“Recently, we’ve been designing custom scents formulated individually for clients. Developing a signature scent can be a fun process, but it also has a practical application. Some people travel with their pets and want to infuse a clean, fresh smell when they've completed their journey. Particularly if the plane will be quickly turned over for the next guest ight.”

It was hard to resist, but we had to ask, “what are some of the more memorable client requests that you’ve had?”

“We truly get to know our customers during the design process. Learning their design tastes and style preferences is our main focus. It’s common for our design team to help a customer match their aircra ’s interior to a beloved luxury vehicle, yacht, or even residence. What they've put time and resources into in other areas they typically desire to replicate with their aircra . We’ve had many unique requests throughout the years, but one that comes to mind is designing the interior to feel like an Amazon rainforest. Another special request was for a Hello Kitty-inspired interior. at was fun!”

TO PAIR PREMIUM

RUM& CIGARS

BY: MARK SPIVAK

Bacardi Facundo Rum Collection:

Named in honor of the company’s founder, Don Facundo Bacardi Massó, these four rums represent the pinnacle of the family’s private reserve. e only light rum in the group, the eight-year-old Neo ($50), represents the impossible dream—a white sipping rum. Eximo ($75), which spends ten years in barrel, has the rich and layered texture of great whiskey. ings become more serious with Exquisito ($120), aged between seven and 23 years and nished in Sherry casks. e collection reaches its apex with Paraiso ($295): ripe, concentrated and mellow, with a stint in Cognac casks before release.

Pairings: For the lighter rums, try a milder cigar such as the Espinosa Crema No. 1 ($9); to match the Parai so, reach for a more robust smoke such as La Aurora Preferidos Double Barrel Aged ($21).

Brugal Papa Andrés ($2,030): Spanish-born Don Andrés Brugal established his estate in the Dominican Republic in 1888. His person al blend was enjoyed by ve generations of the Brugal family before being released to the public. Each limited edition is unique, and the most recent 2018 version consisted of 1,000 handcra ed decanters. Its so , voluptuous texture leads the way to a long and resounding nish.

Pairing: Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Robusto ($12). is cigar has a rich and intense assortment of avors, along with a smooth and silky nish, that complement the complexity of the Brugal Papa Andrés.

Black Tot Last Consignment Royal Navy Rum ($1,175):

e daily rum ration was a British naval tradition for 239 years until 1970 when it was discontinued on what became known as Black Tot Day (perhaps because someone realized naval o cers shouldn’t be drinking ten ounces of high-proof rum and handling nuclear weapons). A small batch of the original rum remains in circulation. Bottled from antique stone agons, it is a dark and rich blockbuster that recalls life before the mast.

Pairing: Accompany this rum with a favorite cigar of Winston Churchill, who served two stints as First Lord of the Admiralty. Try the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real ($10), with premium Nicaraguan ller and a toasty, nutty and rich smoke.

Havana Club Maximo Extra Añejo ($4.450): Also packaged in a beautiful crystal decanter and limit ed to 1,000 bottles each year, many consider this to be the greatest rum ever produced. Made from a blend of old and rare rums drawn from the estate’s reserves, it is rich and spicy, with a seemingly endless nish.

Pairing: Rocky Patel Grand Reserve Toro ($13). is medium-bodied cigar features earth and pepper notes that amplify as you smoke it, matching the Havana Club in strength and avor.

Ron Abuelo: Based in Panama, the third-generation distillery of Ron Abuelo is the name to seek out when searching for an a ordable, world-class rum.

eir XII Años Seleccion Especial ($70), aged in both white oak bourbon barrels and extra-charred American oak, is a great spirit with an intriguing balance between sweetness and spice.

Centuria ($145) is everything you could hope for: deep and complex, with a long and luxurious nish.

Pairing: e Ashton Aged Maduro ($12) is a mild to medium-bodied cigar with avors of chocolate, almond, maple, and molasses—perfect for comple menting the Centuria without overwhelming it.

INSIDER TIP: Since many of the same Caribbean islands that produce rum also grow and roll their own brands of cigars, it’s wise to start with a geographical match. Beyond that, the common-sense rules apply to milder cigars with lighter rums, and complex, robust cigars with aged spirits.

CHRISTIAN DIOR

& Onyx

Christian Dior captures the imagination of the genteel with its Diamond & Onyx Wrist Watch. The vintage time piece abounds with opulent diamond and onyx stones, exemplifying both splendor and refinement. Framed in stainless steel, the elegant instrument is adorned with a Christian Dior insignia.

For the regal in spirit, the Royal Oak Diamond Watch from Audemars Piguet embodies luxury and resplen dence. The 18K white gold timepiece with diamond stones features a sumptuous blue rubber band offering comfort and cultivation. The diameter of the instrument is a symmetrical 37 mm with a thickness of 12.5 mm.

PATEK PHILIPPE Diamond and Mother of Pearl Watch

upon request

Patek Phillipe personifies beauty and craftsmanship with its luxurious Diamond and Mother of Pearl Watch. The time piece features an 18K white gold dial with 156 radiant diamonds (.93 carat) as well as a luminous Tahitian black mother of pearl inlaid with gold Roman numerals. The sublime instrument is finished with a comfortable brown leather strap exuding refined elegance.

CHOPARD Elton John 38mm Diamond Chrono Watch

Exemplifying the flamboyance and sophistication of its namesake, the Chopard Elton John 38mm Diamond Chrono Watch serves as a choice timepiece selection. A limited edition wristwatch, with only 200 in existence, the accessory features a dial diamond of 216 carats and a complementary diamond buck of 87 carats. The band, constructed of black alligator/crocodile, offers flexibility up to 8 inches with an elegant deployant buckle. The pre-preowned, water-resis tant, Swiss instrument remains in Excellent condition and is numbered and signed with a “Chopard” and “Elton John AIDS Foundation” insignia as well as the musician’s own autograph.

DANIEL GEORGE

MODERN AMERICAN GENTLEMAN

BY PETER LYNG KNUDSEN

Daniel George is the owner and creative director of his eponymous tailoring brand “Daniel George”, founded in 1998 in San Francisco. With locations in both San Francisco and Chicago, the business adventure has become one of the fastest-growing custom clothiers in North America. rough his extensive experience with menswear, the man behind the brand has earned the right not to take things too seriously and create an American tailoring brand for the 21st century in his own way.

What allows Daniel George to run a tailoring brand that is equal in being prudent, stylish, and successful?

It must, rst and foremost, be Daniel’s personality that has allowed him to pull o this impressive combination. Unpretentious, relaxed, and engaging, he o ers an alternative to his many competitors in the traditional tailoring world. And of course, he follows his vocation to use tailoring to “make men look awesome”.

Daniel has a strong sartorial heritage because his father introduced him into this privileged world of beauty and culture. From the crisp age of 8, he was taken twice yearly to renew his wardrobe in preparation for the upcoming season and he was thusly taught the appreciation of ne clothes. rough his father, he was familiarized with a past era of gentlemen with monogrammed shirts, silk pajamas, and noble automobiles. A er a youth of extravagance, a well-balanced life came with the entrepreneurial adventure of men’s style.

As an adult and owner of a thriving business, he continues in his father’s footsteps, but in his own way. As a modern gentleman, Daniel remarks that it's not just a ne suit he enjoys but he admires the elegance of a ne Rolls Royce, Bentley, or Jaguar and does have the pleasure of driving them daily. “I’m happy where the company is and where I am personally” states Daniel. e atmosphere in the tailoring house is surprisingly relaxed, but don’t be fooled, there is a sound latent business talent at the foundation of the

company. “We don’t take this serious at all. We do goof o , but we also know when it's time to be serious”.

A Daniel George showroom is a tightly run ship. Client meetings are exclusively by appointment, and the company’s strong reputation and repeat clients have resulted in a tightly booked calendar. If you are looking to invest in a quality suit, you might have to make your appointment a couple of months in advance. However, when you do get an appointment, you will get a concentrated hour of sartorial excellence, and Daniel’s humor and experience will most likely result in a beautiful suit and an amusing hour.

Having a great reputation is what has allowed the Daniel George brand to build a solid loyal customer base which has contributed to the company thriving in the 24 years since its beginning. From Daniel’s viewpoint, the company is at a perfect stage of maturity compared to its competitors. With its two decades of experience, it is beyond the shaky unreliable start-up phase with its inherent inexperience and inevitable mistakes, and not yet a heritage brand resting on the laurels of past success and an outdated style.

Another factor behind the success of Daniel George is also undoubtedly to be in the growing market of the tailoring industry. In recent years tailoring has become increasingly popular as fewer people have to wear suits but more passionate people choose to.

Not only is he in a thriving market, but Daniel George suits are also at an attractive and reasonable price point. Determined to o er quality clothing, the average price of a made-to-measure suit at Daniel George is around $2500 whereas a bespoke suit could cost upward of $7500. Being able to o er tailoring at di erent price points allows their gents to choose the level of customization in their suit that best ts their needs, so Daniel is passionate about investing in quality and o ering only the nest garments.

To gain a good reputation and the experience of acquiring a suit must be excellent. Daniel George achieves this through knowledge and honesty. “We like to joke around, and we can do that because we know what we are doing. ere is a comfort level that comes with experience. We are not nervous about how our suits will turn out, we know because we have been doing it for so long.” rough this con dence, the company is happy to recommend clients to visit competitors so they can compare their expertise and also o er a money-back guarantee.

However, most importantly, Daniel gives honest advice to his clients and guides them in the right direction in clear terms. “We want to make men look awesome. We stand by our reputation, and we also serve the client. Sometimes that means saying no.”

So what makes Daniel George truly a modern American gentleman? Being kind and well-dressed quali es him as a gentleman. He’s also an American businessman full of energy and con dence that possesses a lot of business ambition. He doesn’t take himself too seriously which allows him to be in control of a company he’s built that re ects his personality. e de ning trademark of a “Modern American Gentleman”.

As a nal piece of style advice, Daniel says “Research but don’t over research”. Although Oscar Wilde has taught us that we can never be too overdressed or too over-educated, seeking advice in all the wrong tailoring places can lead to a lot of disappointing wardrobe choices. e key to great menswear is nding a tailor you can trust and then allowing them to help re ne the new you.

DANIEL GEORGE

OL

SEARCHING

DISC OVERING THE FINEST OF SU FASHION AND FIT

by DANIELLE RENDA

Summer. Long, languid days and sultry nights beckon

fabrics, and the fun of bold and bright patterns colors for which this glorious season is celebrated.

Wrong is the adage that if you are not barefoot, you are overdressed. Summertime breaks the rules and re-assembles them for several sensuous months. The in demand design houses of Hermes, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Dior, Etro, and Casablanca are embracing nautical motifs on their runways showcasing the latest styles for men on the move

true Bermuda shorts remain a summer weather wardrobe staple. The top colors in fashion this year, according to Pantone’s Fashion Color Trend Report Spring 2021, include lively shades, such as marigold, burnt coral, mint, green ash, raspberry sorbet, and rust, all delightfully offset by pleasant neutrals like butter cream, desert mist, and willow.

Add a dash of personality to your wardrobe with a few fresh, fun, or funky accessories to further

leader in your inner circle. HVV presents a few versatile options from the hottest sources to embrace the endless days of summe

form and a casual summer look they will be the talk of your town. With mid-length style, it’s also a short you can swim

G P O R TOFIN O P ARAD I S O P RIN T M I D - L ENGT H S W I M S HO R T S

Made to accompany wearers on all their trips, travels, and treks, the Javelin by Barton Perreira is classy and sleek. Handcrafted in Japan, the frame is made from ultra-lightweight titanium and features the California brand’s signature crosshatch detailing at the temples. These sunglasses are available in optical and sun options, and each pair comes with a case and cleaning cloth. Choose from four frame/lens selections, including black satin/ smolder, pewter/smoky topaz, gold/julep, and silver/steel blue (shown). $480

The Sebastian is a tailored polo, uniquely styled and shaped with a two-part collar, button cuff detail, curved hem, and a deep three-button neckline. Designed in high-quality cotton and in a visually refreshing bright blue it’s a perfect summer delight. Can’t you just feel the ocean breeze? $195

An assortment of bracelets, offered as a stackable set, the Monaco Stack by M. Cohen is artfully designed to be layered so patrons can add on to create a custom look. Conveying a bohemian feel, each bracelet within the stack is handmade, and thus its color and shape may vary slightly. Featuring white African beads, geometric beads, and frosted black gemstones, the 925 sterling silver stack retails for $1,855.

M ON A C O S TA C K B Y M. C OHE N

T H E J AVELI N B Y B A R TO N P ERREIR A

S KYDIVE R B LU E

T AILORE D F I T P OL O S HI R T

Large Diamond Geo Locket brings center focus to the sea green stone; a symbol of tranquility, balance, and serenity

The stone is housed in a diamond-shaped pendant held on a linked chain with malachite

on opposite sides. The locket contains a hidden compartment for storing small photos or treasures and is designed to keep them close to the heart. The secret of the compartment is that it is only accessible by removing the chain. Crafted of 925 sterling silver, this necklace retails for $700.

Both frequent and occasional travelers know the agony of employing a suitcase that’s lacking in form or utility. Fortunately, the is designed and made by Globe-Trotter, an English brand known for durability

atop their cases to demonstrate their strength in a stunt dubbed the handcrafted system developed when the company was founded in 1897.

a tough material that’s also lightweight. For easy transport, it features four wheels, leather straps, trims, feet, top and side grips, and a telescopic handle.

For security, a push-lock fastening with keys and buckle-fastening straps ensure everything remains securely in place during transport. The 17.3-pound suitcase, which also features a fully lined canvas and internal straps, retails for $2,510.

constructed of cotton-linen chambray fabric pre-washed for that pre-loved feel. These mid-length day shorts feature an elasticized panel waistband and a perfect choice for island days or city nights, on holiday or just around town. $225

Take a healing breath while wearing another selection from M. Cohen’s eponymous,

S TANDAR D C H A M B R AY

C ENTENA RY 3 0 ” L E ATHE R - T R I M M E D S UI T C A S E

B Y GL O B E - TROTTE R

T URQUO I S E / T IGE R E Y E

ARG E D I A M ON D G E O L O C KE T

BY GENINNA ARITON

Centuries ago, if you wanted to travel to the remote AlUla region in Northwestern Saudi Arabia, you’d need to endure a lengthy and torturous trip along the Spice Route. Today you can y in from Paris or Dubai and stay at the Habitas AlUla, enjoying the comforts of a hotel that rightfully calls itself a home.

AlUla specializes in “luxury for the soul,” a combination of world-class experiences in music, art, wellness, adventure, and authentic cuisine. You’ll gaze out at the haunting landscape of the Ashar Valley from your villa, equipped with a king-sized bed, private outdoor lounge deck, and both indoor and

outdoor showers (TVs are intentionally omitted, to allow guests to reconnect with nature). As with other Habitas properties, there is a serious focus on sustainability: each structure was constructed from ethically sourced organic materials, and the hotel was built to have a minimal impact on the local environment.

On arrival, visitors enter a tent lled with Arabian designs and beautifully patterned rugs. ey are presented with a bracelet containing AlUla’s trademark wooden compass, followed by several minutes of silence to ponder the spiritual

journey ahead. ey are then given aromatic stones and encouraged to toss them into the incense used in the region to perfume the air of private homes.

If you look out your window and see a 25th-century female astronaut, a giant set of swings, or an assortment of the multicolored cylindrical boulder, don’t be alarmed—it’s just an art installation cra ed by sculptors such as Lita Albuquerque, Manal Aldowayan or Super ex. Relax and listen to Habitas Sounds, a playlist curated by musician and co-founder Eduardo Castillo, or enjoy melodies from the oud and rhythms from the riqq during the Concert Series.

e beauty of nature and the inner spirit of the body come together at uraya Wellness, incorporating an alchemy bar, spa treatment rooms, a tness center, an outdoor wellness agora, and a yoga studio. erapies combine traditional Middle Eastern techniques with modern, global practices. Rejuvenate with a treatment such as Essence of Arabia (using roses to nourish and hydrate the skin) or uraya Experience (employing Moringa Peregrina oil to unblock and oxygenate the body); a erward, relax with an assortment of essential oils and herbal teas.

GUESTS SEEKING A MORE ACTIVE ADVENTURE HAVE NUMEROUS OPTIONS :

•Hike ve miles along the Adventure Trail, a historical treasure site spanning so sand and volcanic rock; Ride a camel for two hours and recreate Bedouin culture with local cuisine, native dances, and a falcon show;

•Explore the narrow canyon and high sand dunes of the area with a guided UTV tour;

•For a less energetic but still memorable experience, relax a er dinner under the clear skies of AlUla and spend an evening stargazing into the night sky in the remote Gharameel area—or swim in the spacious pool surrounded by sandstone cli s.

Take a tour of the city of AlUla, established in the 6th century B.C. and unknown to the West for nearly 2,500 years. AlUla o ers a variety of workshops in partnership with Madrassat AdDeera, a women’s arts and cra s school; learn palm-weaving, embroidery, and other native Saudi Arabian cra s. Visit Oasis Square, where musicians serenade listeners sitting under the shade of palm trees, and don’t miss sampling the food trucks and street vendors assembled in Moayadah Square.

When mealtime arrives, head for the Tama Restaurant, where classic Middle Eastern specialties have been reimagined for modern diners. Begin the day with ginger yogurt, a Tulum Benedict (poached eggs with smoked turkey bacon, plantains, fresh corn, and hollandaise), or Levantine Eggs (kicked up with garlic labneh, pine nuts, and spicy oil). At lunch or dinner, enjoy specialties such as iron-skillet octopus or a mixed grill with shish kebab, shish taouk, and lamb chops. In keeping with Muslim practices, no alcohol is served, but you may choose from a creative selection of

smoothies, healthy elixirs, and cra ed beverages.

Above all, a visit to Habitas AlUla is a chance to escape from the stresses of everyday life and recharge both body and mind. In the far reaches of the Northwestern Saudi Arabian desert, removed from the pressures of modern life, guests may rediscover their spiritual center and come away with a new sense of peace.

OURHABITAS.COM/ALULA

ETIHAD

BY ILAN HERMAN

SUSTAINABILITY50

Etihad’s Airbus A350-1000 ew its inaugural ight to Paris from Abu Dhabi in early 2022. Named Sustainability50, the aircra is identi ed by its unique commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the United Arab Emirates Federation and is a towering success of Etihad's commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. e Airbus 350-1000 does so while enhancing luxury and comfort.

Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the aircra produces 25% less fuel burn and CO2 emissions. Each seat is over one kilogram lighter than the ones on older aircra . It’s also 50% quieter than any other Airbus aircra . at alone makes a big di erence

in a positive guest experience.

AIRCRAFT DESIGN

With a capacity of 371 passengers, the A350-1000 is the rst of ve new aircra to join Etihad’s eet. While the aircra lacks a rst-class cabin, the business class o ers 44 studios equipped with sliding doors and direct aisle access. With a width of over 20 inches, the Business Class seat can be converted into a 79” fully- at bed. It also has ample storage for convenience and is perfect for long-haul ights.

Reclining in the so seat/bed in your private booth is akin to traveling in a futuristic space shuttle. e details are elegant and well-re ned, the space luxurious and

modern. e smile on your face will convey that never has a 12-hour ight passed in such an opulent and relaxing environment. You’ll arrive refreshed and tranquil.

Two more perks of the Business Class seat are the 18.5” screen that comes with Bluetooth headset pairing, thus eliminating single-use plastic. ere’s also a wireless charging port and an adjustable dining table with a book holder and an integrated headphone hook.

A revolutionary feature that reduces light pollution and jetlag is the new dark-mode interface on the E-BOX in ight entertainment system. Mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity is available throughout the aircra .

When they feel hungry, passengers may choose from an a la carte menu that emphasizes fresh, farm-to

table dishes, healthy options and regional specialties, accompanied by a large selection of quality wines and herbal teas. Whether you indulge in Ethiad's famous steak sandwich or pamper your sweet tooth with a scoop of ice cream, you'll arrive at your destination sated and refreshed.

e economy cabin is con gured in a 3-3-3 seat arrangement. 45 of the 327 seats enjoy an additional four inches of legroom.

For those traveling with kids, Etihad has recently launched its Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi-themed family-friendly ying experience. is includes an interactive ight map that allows kids to explore the map while providing busy packs with coloring books and crayons.

Dhabi to New Delhi, Mumbai, New York, and Chicago. A London route will be added in late 2022.

Aside from these locations’ ability to accommodate high tra c volume, they also have their mystique to unravel. Delhi has the majestic Taj Mahal, while Mumbai has the Elephanta Island. While Abu Dhabi is home to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre, its neighbor city Dubai has the Burj Al Arab–a 7-star hotel, and the Burj Khalifa–the tallest building in the world. Hop on a private jet from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and arrive in 15 minutes.

New York needs no introduction - the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. With songs, TV shows, and movies dedicated to its charm,

e meaning of luxury is now synonymous with sustainability as companies reduce their carbon footprints without a ecting the guest experience. e A350-1000 is about Brand Ethos and Etihad’s legacy.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive O cer, declares: “ e Airbus A350 is an incredible aircra , and we are proud to introduce it into the Etihad Airways network. Our teams have worked to cra a product and travel proposition that will ensure every journey with Etihad is a choice well made – both for our guests and for the planet. With highly e cient fuel consumption and CO2 savings, the A350 supports our goals to reduce carbon emissions and deliver an unmatched ight experience for our guests.”

Evrima:

The First Superyacht from the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

BY: GENINNA ARITON

THE ULTIMATE IN LUXURY-WELCOME ABOARD!

Ritz Carlton has made the dilemma over whether to choose a ve-star hotel, a voyage on a yacht, Michelin-starred restaurants, or an opulent excursion for your next vacation a little easier. One can now ride a superyacht while experiencing ve-star suites that come with a personal concierge and devouring dishes made by world-renowned chefs. Enjoy all of the above while porting in some of the most desirable destinations around the world, with the choice of ve regions. Travelers can choose between cruising through Canada and New England, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Baltic, as well as voyages that cross the oceans.

e rst superyacht from the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Evrima, will begin o ering this cornucopia of luxury in August. e rst of its kind, the

Evrima recently completed a series of successful sea trials and is ready to welcome its maiden voyagers. In addition to all of the aforementioned onboard amenities, the all-inclusive Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection features excursions planned with myriad activities to choose from. e shore excursions are divided into seven categories: iconic sights (intimate tours of unforgettable locations), cultural connections (insider's views), overland programs (immersive), active explorations (get that blood pumping), stirring the senses (wellness), concierge ashore (predesigned private excursion), and epicurean experiences (all about food).

A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY

Evrima, which means discovery in Greek, can board 298 passengers served by a sta of 235. Compared to other cruise ships in the luxury category,

the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection provides more of the chartered yacht ambiance with its intimate setting and better passenger/sta ratio.

e smallest suite, called e Terrace, is 300 square feet with an 80 square-foot balcony. In comparison, the biggest is called e Owner's, and is 1001 square feet, with a 645 square-foot balcony and a whirlpool. It is aptly named to make you feel as if you do own the yacht. All suites come with oor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony, or terrace. ese spacious staterooms give more the feeling of staying in a Ritz-Carlton land resort than cruise ship.

ere are six food and beverage outlets onboard, plus the option of in-suite dining. One of the highlights aboard the yacht is the S.E.A. restaurant, whose dining experience was designed by Chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, a three Michelin-starred restaurant

at e Ritz-Carlton in Germany. Aside from S.E.A., they have the Evrima Room (o ering locally inspired cuisine), the Talaat Nam (with a Southeast Asian menu and a sushi bar), the Pool House (which prepares meals to order), the Mistral (or Mediterranean-inspired cuisine), and the Living Room, for co ee and pastries any time of day.

Complementing the abundant dining opportunities, Evrima's recreation and wellness o erings are world class. e spa gives you the option to choose between an intimate indoor treatment room or the terrace with the sun and sea as your backdrop. Espa natural skincare products, a top brand based in the U.K., are used for treatments. e spa also boasts a salon, barbershop, gym, and yoga studio. Itching to shop? ey have a boutique as well.

e pool features a marina, which is akin to having a private beach equipped with water toys. In-house classical and jazz musicians provide entertainment while cruising, and you can also visit the Observation Lounge, or have a cigar and cognac at e Humidor. If you plan on bringing the kids along, they are in good hands at Ritz Kids—a space dedicated for them.

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO?

e rst scheduled cruise is a 10-night trip that starts in Athens, Greece, and ends in Venice, Italy. A er departing from Athens, the rst stop is in Parga, Greece. While docked, a variety of shore excursions await. e next stop is Corfu, still in Greece, where the old town is a UNESCO world heritage site. e next destination is Dubrovnik in Croatia, the setting for

King’s Landing on the TV show, Game of rones. e superyacht will port here for two days before moving on to Korcula and then to Rovinj, also in Croatia. By day 10, you sojourn in your third country, Slovenia, and day 11 completes your voyage with arrival in Venice. Whether or not they saved the best for last will be for you to decide.

Evrima, the rst ship from the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, sets a new standard in luxury cruising. rough a combination of spacious suites, pampering service, world-class dining and immersive shore excursions, Evrima caters to a clientele that expects the best of everything. Since everything is included, all passengers need to do onboard is relax and enjoy the cruise of a lifetime.

Packard Motors

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The Goodwood Festival of Speed Returns

THE GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED RETURNS WITH MAGICAL MOTORSPORT MOMENTS

A four-day motoring extravaganza in West Sussex, England

BY ILAN HERMAN

What do soccer legend David Beckham, master chef Gordon Ramsay, NFL champs Cam Jordan, Danielle Hunter, and KJ Osborn have in common?

They all attended the Goodwood Festival Of Speed, which, after two forlorn years of pan demic lockdowns, was back in spectacular action while selling out in record time.

Vintage and new cars, legendary drivers, and many celebrities graced the grounds owned by Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, 11th Duke of Rich mond (born 8 January 1955), a British aristocrat and owner of Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, while celebrating the world of motoring, technology, and future mobility on its 29th grand summer garden party.

The record crowd reveled in the four-day motoring extravaganza while witnessing world debuts from automotive giants BMW, Mer cedes-AMG, Pagani, Polestar, Porsche, and Range Rover.

Wayne Rainey, Nigel Mansell, and Sir Jackie Stewart were among many former and present racecar drivers who attended the event and basked in the dimming light of former glory while shaking hands with up-and-coming drivers like the ravishing Jamie Chadwick who represents the new breed of lady drivers.

The lush grounds were adorned by grand castle-like mansions dating back centuries while exhibition jets flew above the ancient stone walls and painted bright-red trails across the blue skies. The large crowd leisurely walked the grounds and enjoyed the wealth of food and souvenirs sold by

the many merchants set in white tents across the estate. As the Brits say, “It was a jolly good time.”

FESTIVAL HISTORY

The Goodwood Festival of Speed was founded in 1993 by Lord March to bring motor racing back to the Goodwood estate — a location steeped in British motor racing history. Shortly after taking over the estate in the early 1990s, Lord March (who later became Duke of Richmond) wanted to bring back motor racing to Goodwood Circuit but didn’t have the necessary permit to host a race there. He, therefore, chose to host the event on his grounds.

In one exciting event, the outright hill record was shattered by Max Chilton who drove the McMurty Spéirling in a dizzying 39.08 seconds. The official record set in 1999 had set the standard for 23 years but does so no more. EVs Are Here!

In the spirit of sustainability and transition ing from fossil fuels, racecars too have joined the global effort to mend our pollution-drenched ways. The well-attended exhibition The Road to 2030 returned for its second year and showcased the latest EVs accompanied by a series of lectures and presentations The exhibits included city cars and SUVs, with newcomers Lucid Air and a three-wheeled commuter vehicle from Electra Meccanica.

Electric Avenue was centered by the Con cepts Stage, presented by British Volt, and intro duced the attendees to the next generation of elec tric cars, including the Lotus Eletre SUV and the Renault 5 prototype.

The Future Looks Bright. Wear Your Shades! Future Lab offered a glimpse of future mobility in the air, on land, beneath the oceans, and out in space. Future Lab was the first to introduce biodomes for sustaining life on this planet and others, as well as Move AI’s motion capture technol ogy. Visitors interacted with CalmTech’s never-be fore-seen AI dolphin and experienced the new haptic sensations from TESLASUIT, which immerses your body in the metaverse like no other contrap tion has done before.

MAGICAL MOTORSPORT MOMENTS

Goodwood was thrilled to welcome current Formula 1 teams that included the McLaren F1 Team, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Team, and Williams Racing.

Their impressive cars took on the iconic Hillclimb while letting patrons get chummy with the drivers and working engineers. Drivers George Russell, Esteban Gutierrez, and Zhou Guanyu offered photos and autographs before zooming up the hill.

The Bonhams sale took place on Friday afternoon, selling a variety of spectacular vehicles over the weekend including the James Bond classic Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, Jaguar 3.5 Litre Roadster, Mercedes SLS AMG Coupe, Force India F1 Car, and the Ferrari Dino GTS to name but a few.

The Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ Lawn featured a highly diverse selection of cars, and the judging panel comprised people from the worlds of art, design, sport, and media. ‘Best in Show’ was taken by the 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/4, from a private collection.

FUN MOMENTS

History was made when The Duke of Rich mond was powered by Zero Petroleum's new synthetic petrol developed by former Formula 1 technical director Paddy Lowe. Zero® Syn95™ is the prototype of a sustainable and fossil-free equiva lent of the everyday 95 RON petrol found on UK forecourts.

Across the lush grounds, celebrities David Beckham and Gordon Ramsay delighted fans on Thursday, while NFL champs Cam Jordan, Danielle Hunter, and KJ Osborn stopped by over the week end to chat with visitors and explore the many event offerings.

The 2022 Festival of Speed promotes the Race Against Dementia charity established by three-time Formula 1 World Champion, Sir Jackie Stewart.

PHOTOS BY: GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED JAYSON FONG DOMINIC JAMES

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL OF SPEED PRESENTED BY MASTERCARD

First staged in 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles span ning the phenomenal history of motoring and motorsport take part along with legendary figures from the automotive world. Highlights include

Future Lab, Electric Avenue, Forest Rally Stage, Michelin Supercar Paddock, Michelin Supercar Run, F1 paddock, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance, Aviation Exhibi tion, and Bonhams Auction.

PHOTOS BY: GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED NICK DUNGAN

NIGEL MANSELL AND THE DUKE OF RICHMOND

ROLLS-ROYCE BLACK BADGE SERIES SPEEDS DOWN THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

Luxury automotive titan Rolls-Royce delights at their debut for the Festival of Speed.

BY RORY LOVERN

Goodwood’s Festival of Speed—a name that echoes through the motorsports world as the apogee of automotive performance, design, and luxury—kicked o this year’s gala with one of their biggest events to date.

Held in West Sussex, England, the picturesque parkland surrounding Goodwood House plays host to motorsport's ultimate summer garden party. With over 200,000 visitors in attendance, Goodwood’s Festival of Speed has long stood as the pinnacle event for automo tive celebration.

Sharing in that celebration, luxury automotive titan Rolls Royce delighted visitors with the global public debut of their full Black Badge product portfolio. As its name implies, the Black Badge exudes a unique presence of highly bespoke commissions. It was created to cater to customers with a rebellious

nature who want a high-performance automobile that de es the norm. In spirit, it harkens back to co-founder Charles Rolls, who used to turn up at college balls in his Cambridge days attired in a white tie splattered with oil.

Rolls Royce enraptured visitors with views of the Black Badge Wraith, Black Badge Dawn, Black Badge Cullinan, and what Rolls Royce calls “the purest expression of a Rolls-Royce Black Badge to date,” the Black Badge Ghost. Each commission is a unique testa ment to the owner’s vision and o ers the impeccable cra smanship achieved solely by the Rolls Royce team.

“Each year many clients, friends of the brand, and media come together for the Festival of Speed,” observed Boris Weletzky, Rolls Royce Regional Direc tor for the U.K., Europe, Russia, and Central Asia. “With its location, just a stone’s throw away from the home of Rolls-Royce on the Goodwood Estate, the Festival of Speed is a very important event for the brand. is year, our full Black Badge portfolio will be displayed at the event on the Laundry Green. I am delighted to showcase such highly Bespoke cars in viva cious colours and luxurious hues, a testament to the creativity of our artisans, designers, and engineers.”

ABOUT THE BLACK BADGE:

Rolls Royce has produced the ultimate riding experience for automotive passengers for decades. Albeit a pleasure to drive, the Rolls Royce lineup

has historically been the essential articulation of a luxury chariot.

In 2016 Rolls Royce set out to capture the hearts of a new type of client— enter the Black Badge.

e launch of the Black Badge marks an era of perma nent bespoke treatment for Rolls Royce’s vehicles. e lineup is darker in aesthetic, more urgent in personali ty, and dramatic in materials. Designed with more torque, control, and power, Rolls-Royce Black Badge is steps away from tradition and caters to those who nd exultation in the driver’s seat.

e Black Badge now represents 27% of com missions, signifying a shi in the luxury landscape. Clients are choosing to reject conformity and live on their terms. Rules no longer apply to these trailblazers. Innovation calls their name as they embrace the title of “those who dare.”

For 2022’s Festival of Speed, Rolls Royce presented ve new powerful creations inspired by its clients’ desires.

BLACK BADGE CULLINAN:

Named a er the world’s largest rough diamond, the Cullinan was Rolls Royce’s rst entry into the Sport Utility Vehicle arena. e supremely luxurious SUV is designed to make travel e ortless on all terrains. e launch of the Black Badge Cullinan gives rise to a unique combination of luxury, utility, and drivability. With more power and control, it allows drivers an even more exhilarating o -road experience. For those who crave that thrill, the Black Badge Culli nan is the newly crowned king.

BLACK BADGE DAWN:

e Black Badge Dawn can widely be consid ered the world’s purest expression of uncompromised, open-top luxury. e vehicle embodies the notions of adventure and freedom. Drivers experience the supple ness of the bull hide leather seats and the exhilaration of the wind racing through their hair as the ever-em boldened Black Badge Dawn revels in its unique nature. For those who crave to feel the ride, there is no comparison.

BLACK BADGE WRAITH:

e Black Badge Wraith stands apart from the rest of the pack in the Black Badge lineup. While the Wraith has always exuded a more masculine presence, the Black Badge Wraith is an intoxicating manifesta tion of the world’s most powerful Rolls Royce, which has taken their ultimate Gran Tourer and injected it with muscle car DNA. e powerful stance, mind-bending performance, and unyielding luxury of the Black Badge Wraith create a driving experience unmatched by any other luxury vehicle. For those who wish to take command of the road in ways never before experienced, the Black Badge Wraith is the Capital Ship.

BLACK BADGE GHOST:

e Black Badge Ghost is Rolls Royce’s purest and most technologically advanced Black Badge motor car. With its peerless marriage of technology and luxury, the Black Badge Ghost raises the bar for all luxury motorcoaches. It features hand-polished and high-gloss paintwork, black wood interior trim, and an even more powerful 592-hp version of the 6.7-liter V-12 engine. Clients commissioning the Black Badge variant are given an endless catalog of custom options, making each Rolls Royce Black Badge Ghost unique. For those who wish to experience the true essence of the Black Badge lineup, the Black Badge Ghost knows no rival. For trailblazers who crave a motor car without compromise, the Rolls Royce Black Badge Series is the answer: Design your own vehicle to the speci cations of your dreams and become the king of the open road.

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THE UAE:

A GOLF OASIS RISING FROM THE DESERT

BY JONATHAN TURNER

When the rst grass golf course opened in the United Arab Emirates in 1988, there was nothing around. Save for a two-lane highway and one beachside hotel in the distance, for miles around the eyes could view only sand and dirt.

Today, the iconic Emirates Golf Club is surrounded by luxurious villas and sits beneath tower ing skyscrapers. e same highway has been expanded to eight lanes and dozens of hotels, and hundreds of high-rise apartment buildings, dot the same coastline. A more striking “then and now” photo comparison you’ll be hard pressed to nd.

In the 30 ambitious years since the UAE has positioned itself at the epicenter of the international golf world. e wealthy Arab state hosts four high-pro le professional tournaments and welcomes many of the most famous names in golf, from Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy to Collin Morikawa and Jordan Spieth. And what attracts the game’s most accom plished players – cham pionship courses, luxury resorts, im

maculate hospitality – also lures golf enthusiasts the world over, especially those in need of a warm winter break.

ere are now 25 golf courses across the UAE; 17 of which can be categorized as championship cours es; seven challenging 9-hole tracks; and one quirky extra (more on that later). In terms of sheer concentra tion of top-class courses within a maximum two-hour drive of each other, nowhere can rival the Emirates.

Even with all its competitors, the Emirate Golf Club’s Majlis Course remains the main attraction for golfers in Dubai. Ranked the 68th best course in the world by Golf Digest, the Majlis is the long-time host of the Dubai Desert Classic, one of the highlights of the European Tour (recently rebranded the DP World Tour).

e prestigious Dubai Desert Classic has brought many illustrious names in the 33-year history of the tournament - this has been a fantastic asset to put Dubai on the world gol ng stage and to broadcast it as a prominent gol ng

“

destination,” Dubai Golf CEO Christopher May told Hills Views & Valleys.

When it’s not tournament week, though, book ing a tee time at the Majlis is straightforward and the course is open to anyone with an o cial handicap. e adjacent Faldo Course provides another challenge for golfers, and as one of few oodlit courses in the coun try, o ers players the opportunity to enjoy a spectacu lar round of night golf.

Also under Dubai Golf’s management is the stunning Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Located along the banks of the historic Dubai Creek, DCGYC is arguably the toughest golf test in the country and is home to unquestionably the most beautiful clubhouse in Dubai – a white dhow-inspired design that stands proudly among old Dubai’s skyline.

Completing Dubai Golf’s collection of championship courses, Jumeirah Golf Estates is one of the newer additions to the

UAE’s golf scene but has made no less of an impact. JGE comprises two stunning 18-hole courses, Earth and Fire, and the former has established itself as the venue for the DP World Tour’s nal event of the season. Morikawa is the most recent champion on the Earth Course, where in November he claimed the DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai double, netting a cool $4 million in the process.

Beyond Dubai Golf venues, Troon has a large presence in the city: Dubai Hills, e Address Montgomerie, and e Els Club are all under the management of the global golf powerhouse and all live up to the standards set by Troon the world over.

“Dubai stands by its reputation of having bucket list experiences when it comes to golf,” May said. “Wheth er it is the jaw-dropping city skyline views on the Majlis Course or a tee box built out into the water at Dubai Creek, golf in Dubai will appeal to any golfer.”

Luxury accommodation options for a golf vacation in Dubai are wide and varied. Given the proximity of all the courses (maximum 30-minute drive, even with tra c), it all depends on the preferred location.

For beachside opulence, then the selection of ve-star Jumeirah resorts along Jumeirah Beach is the area to stay, highlighted by the world-famous Burj Al Arab. For those keen to be based in the city, then trendy Downtown Dubai is where you’ll want to be. To ensure views of the Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building – then Address Sky View, Palace Downtown, and e Dubai EDITION all come highly recom mended.

Less than 75 miles down the road, golfers can continue their vacation in Abu Dhabi. While the UAE capital does not boast the volume of courses o ered by Dubai, it is a case of quality over quantity.

Abu Dhabi has three championship courses –all of which have hosted prestigious tournaments –three nine-hole tracks, and the quirky course (we’re getting there!).

Abu Dhabi Golf Club and its signature Nation al Course will be best-known by international golfers as the long-time host of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Cham pionship and for its eye-catching Falcon-designed clubhouse. e club also has the ve-star Westin Resort & Spa on-site, so players can roll out of bed and straight onto the course.

While the National Course stacks up against any venue in the world, local experts insist the best course in the country, not only in Abu Dhabi, can be found at Yas Links.

Golf Digest agrees, ranking Yas Links the 48th best course in the world and highest in the region. From 2022, it will take over as host of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. e club is situated on Yas Island, a man-made development full of attractions including theme parks, waterparks, restaurants, bars, and a mega-mall.

A stay on Yas Island should be had at the W Abu Dhabi – the ve-star resort located around (and above) the Yas Marina Circuit, home of the Formula One Grand Prix.

Just a 15-minute drive from Yas Links is the beautiful Saadiyat Beach & Golf Club, the region's rst ocean golf course. A round of golf in the UAE does not come any more serene than at Saadiyat. If it’s not the piercingly blue sea that grabs your attention, then the wild gazelles that gallop across the course certainly will.

With a row of ve-star resorts along the Saadiyat coast, visitors have their pick of luxury hotels.

“It really doesn’t get much better as a golf destination than Abu Dhabi,” Matthew Waters, Group Director of Golf at Troon Abu Dhabi – which oversees Yas Links and SBCG, and until last year, Abu Dhabi Golf Club – told Hills Views & Valleys.

“All three championship courses are unique and special in their own ways, and golfers visiting Abu Dhabi, will not be disappointed. e standard of golf courses is consistently high here. Players know they will get quality courses.

“And it's just the courses,” Waters added. “It’s the hotels, the attractions, the cultural activities. It really attracts a wide demographic of golfers from all over the world.”

Once the three championship courses have been conquered, golf diehards might want to test their game on the aforementioned quirky course: Al Ghazal Golf Club is the last remaining sand course in the UAE, where greens are known as ‘browns’ and players carry with them, and hit their shots o , pieces of arti cial turf.

Until relatively recently, it was how all golf was played in the UAE. Now that Al Ghazal GC stands alone among the many immaculate grass courses, it goes to show just how far the Emirates has come as a golf destination.

THE NEW MOKE

A lovely mix of nostalgia and modernity

BY ILAN HERMAN

While it’s said that Father Time marches on and catches up with all of us, the new Moke grins in youthful exuberance and says, “You can’t catch up with me.” To say the Moke 2022 is cool is an understate ment. It’s full-on groovy chill. A er all, its former models were featured in four James Bond movies, appeared on the TV show e Prisoner, and were even mentioned by Jimmy Bu et, e Beach King, in his song, Autour Du Roucher.

ABOUT THE NEW MOKE

Moke America, a 20th-century collectible car is now a 21st-century fully electric vehicle available only in the USA. e electric Moke is versatile, carbon-free, and e cient. It boasts more legroom, expanded trunk space, and a sound system not for the meek. Welcome to the future of Moke!

MOKE’S HISTORY

Initially, a vehicle built for the British Army in the late 1950s, the Moke became a cultural sensation when celebrities Brigitte Bardot, Princess Margaret, Hunter ompson, and the Beach Boys adopted the car in youthful rebellion punctu ated by the 60’s pop culture revolution.

Created by the British Motor Company and Alec Issigonis, the inventor of the Austin Mini, the Moke was designed to be parachuted into enemy territory from cargo planes. at didn’t last long, but then the open-air car became favored by movie stars and surfers, and rightfully so. e Moke’s friendly build and easy-going drive soon became identi ed with Southern California beach counter-culture.

MOKE 2022

e Moke America is completely re-engineered while staying true to its classic design and lively spirit. e new Moke is bigger, wider, taller, and stron ger. e windshield glass is larger and higher. ey added undercarriage rust proo ng to prevent corrosion. ere’s also hydraulic steering, a backup camera, and comfy weatherproof seats. It’s available in twelve rain bow-bright colors and is guaranteed to turn heads and light up Instagram feeds.

ELECTRIFY THIS!

Following the welcome change of relegating dirty and noxious gas-powered cars to the bin of history, the new Moke is fully electric and charges via any 110-outlet. Eight hours deliver a full charge that’s good for a 40-mile drive. In accordance with its agreeable nature, Moke America is in no rush to arrive at its destination. It grooves at a maximum speed of 25 MPH.

Moke America is your next neighborhood electric vehicle, a car designed for local driving to visit friends, the beach, the golf course, or the farmer’s market. It’s easy to drive, and a cinch to wash. You can hose down the car inside and out. Moke o ers a Bimini top so you’re half outdoors, half indoors.

BUILT IN AMERICA WITH AMERICAN PARTS!

e Moke is built in Sarasota, FL. e largest components of the Moke are made in America, including the glass, seat belts, tires, and charger. Driv ing the new Moke is a lovely mix of nostalgia and moder nity, of the ‘why x it if it’s not broken’ frame of mind, the one that has us sigh with joy and mutter, “ is car is really something. I want one.” And starting at $21,975 your dream may very well soon become your reality. As Ted and Bill aptly said, “Party on Dude.”

ANANTARA

Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

VIEWS FIT FOR A PRINCESS

BY: JONATHAN TURNER

Located 2,000 meters (6562 ) above sea level, in the rocky contours of the Saiq Plateau on Oman’s Green Mountain, the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is the ultimate interpretation of elevated luxury. Such is its location on a canyon’s edge, reaching the highest ve-star hotel in the Middle East is no easy feat; so Anantara has a eet of luxury 4x4s to transport guests to the resort, either from Muscat International Airport (approximately 185 kilometers) or from the foot of the mountain.

e journey is all part of the experience, adding to the anticipation and allowing visitors to take in the spectacular surroundings of the Al Hajar Mountains –the highest and longest mountain range in the eastern Arabian Peninsula.

e destination itself is well worth the long and winding ride. e Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort blends sleek and elegantly into its environment, sprawl ing across the plateau so wherever you are, whatever you’re doing,

the breathtaking views are always in sight.

“ e rst thing that might capture your atten tion when you arrive in the architecture,” Rania Chou kair, Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing, told Hills Views & Valleys. “Wherever you go around the resort, you’re surrounded by beautiful architecture and nature.

“

en you also have our authentic Omani hospi tality, where you get to interact with the locals that will help immerse you in true Arabian luxury.”

In contrast to the rugged terrain it dutifully serves to highlight, the resort provides a tranquil and opulent haven. Created by multi-award-winning French-Moroccan architect Lot Sidirahal, the hotel comprises 115 rooms and villas, all tted with state-of-the-art features combining modern luxury with an authentic Omani design. “Prior to the design, Lot and his team spent considerable time exploring the surrounding area,”

Choukair explained. “ ey met with inhabitants of the mountains and visited abandoned villages to immerse themselves in the culture and ensure the resort stays true to the charm and intrigue of its locale.”

For the full experience, be sure to reserve one of the villas, particularly those that o er cli views. All Cli Villas come with temperature-controlled in nity pools, so guests can take laps or simply enjoy a cocktail in the water amid the most jaw-dropping scenery in the region.

For the ultimate in luxury living, look no further than the ree Bedroom Royal Mountain Villa, complete with its own VIP Private Entrance and personal butler, while the in nity pool is accompanied by a jacuzzi and outdoor rain shower.

ere are three restau rants on site: Al Maisan o er ing international cuisine, Al Qalaa serving up tradi

tional Middle Eastern dishes, and the Italian eatery Bella Vista. Yet, no visit to Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar would be complete without a ‘Dining By Design’ experience.

Undoubtedly the jewel in the resort’s crown, ‘Dining By Design’ is a private dinner served by a personal chef at the most intimate, and most famous, location on the whole mountain: Diana’s Point.

Named in tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, the British Royal visited the Al Hajar Mountains during a visit to Oman with Prince Charles in 1986 and marveled at the views from that very spot. at was 30 years before the resort was built but Diana’s Point has become a must-visit feature within the grounds.

“

eir Royal Highnesses arrived by helicopter to the site, which was an untouched wilderness area,” Choukair said. “Charles spent most of his time painting the magni cent scenery in watercolors, while Diana read a book.

”

“Tracing their steps, we have chosen the most idyllic viewpoint to build a platform for Diana’s Point. As you stand timelessly where Diana once was, you can imagine her there and how she must have felt sublime in the grandeur of nature.

In addition to ‘Dining By Design’, Diana’s Point is used for sunset yoga and can be reserved for special occasions such as weddings. “It’s de nitely one of our main highlights and the most Instagrammable spot at our resort,” Choukair added.

For the active guest, there are several activities to enjoy. ere are, of course, the standard facilities like tennis courts and a tness center, but for a unique experience be sure to grab the popcorn and settle down at the Cinema Under the Stars.

Anantara can also arrange excursions, providing guests the opportunity to learn

about the local area and the nearby ancient town of Nizwa from knowledgeable Omani tour guides. Feeling tired a er all the exploring and hiking? en book an appointment at Anantara’s world-class spa and choose from a wide range of treatments and massages.

“Comfort, genuine care, and unlimited space to relax and unwind,” Choukair said. “We o er everything from exquisite dining to wellness retreats and recreation activities. Options to enjoy a memorable stay at Anan tara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort are limitless.”

When it comes to the height of luxury, nowhere takes it quite as literally as Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort.

Hästens iconic blue check is a symbol for our philosophy: to create a bed so perfect it makes you more awake. What you feel when springs, horsetail hair, wool fibers, cotton, flax and wooden joints cooperate is the fruit of nearly 170 years of relentless work. Because that’s what it takes to build a platform for a better day.

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PRIVATE ISLAND, FIJI

AN ISLAND RESORT BUILT ON SUSTAINABILITY

BY: JAMES RIVEN

Kokomo. e word evokes various meanings to di erent people.

Kokomo, a town in Indiana, USA; a lowland gorilla who lives at the San Diego zoo; the name of a le -handed slide guitarist from Chicago in the late 1920’s; a catchy tune by e Beach Boys from the movie Cocktail that starred Tom Cruise…well, forget all of that. Kokomo Private Island Resort is like nothing you have ever seen, heard or experienced, but no doubt we all have imagined a place like this.

Concealed at the edge of the Celestial Kadavu Island Group, there lies an untouched private island resort that, quite frankly, puts the word ‘luxury’ to shame. Discovered quite by chance while sailing the South Paci c, Lang Walker, a leading developer in Aus tralia, set out to create an intergenerational getaway with a minimal carbon footprint. Over four years and $100 million dollars later, Kokomo Private Island Resort is all that, and so much more.

Nestled coyly alongside the crystalline waters of the Great Astrolabe Reef, the reef is the fourth largest

reef in the world at approximately 62 miles in length. Kokomo Private Island Resort consists of only 21 villas and 5 expansive residences scattered across 140 acres of breathtaking natural beauty. All accommodations are graced with a private in nity edge pool, walled tropical gardens, large decks, and panoramic views.

e closest major aviation point is in Nadi, where the resort has a private hangar and luxurious transfer lounge for guests arriving by air to relax and refresh before embarking on their chosen seaplane or helicopter transport to the island. Solely exclusive private charter to the island is also available, if desired.

To arrive via super yacht, charter is available in Denaru, if not sailing in from a home port. Access to every aspect and activity of the resort for yacht guests can easily be arranged as the island is designed as a super yacht haven for their seafaring guests. All resort ameni ties can be enjoyed by those who prefer to berth on their yachts.

e property is designed in the native, yet elegant, Fijian sensibility blended artfully with modern designs and stylish amenities. e rooms are spacious, tasteful, and casually striking with natural textures and colors used abundantly. e warmth of the sta shines through in every aspect of service and hospitality designed to delight and captivate the senses.

Activities abound with diving opportunities alongside gentle manta rays, sea turtles, and spinner dolphins. Humpback whales can be spotted as they migrate through the area seeking warmer waters from June to September. All varieties of shing can be arranged whether one fancies sport shing, reef shing, spear shing, deep drop, or game shing on the resorts eet and under the guidance of the resident shing expert.

Water sports are everything that can be imag ined along with an ocean trampoline, for the child in everyone, paddle boarding, sur ng, sailing, kayaking, motorized water sports, private boat charters, and more.

Fiji heals the senses and calms the mind and wellness is a way of life on Kokomo Private Island. O ered is a wide range of blissful treatments and relax ation practices available in a group or, a completely private, individual setting. e esteemed Yaukuve Spa Sanctuary features ve treatment rooms, a wet and dry hammam, an outdoor relaxation pavilion, and a hair salon. Yoga, tness, and movement experiences are tailored to each individual to rejuvenate and refresh both body and mind.

Not surprisingly, the resort continues to be bestowed with award a er award. Named among e Top 10 Private Islands by Signature Luxury Travel & Style, given the Award of Excellence from Wine Specta tor, e Best of the Best by Virtuoso, a Reader’s Choice Award from Conde Nast UK, and World Luxury Hotel and World Luxury Spa by World Luxury Awards to name just a few of their honors.

For Kokomo Private Island Resort, sustainabili ty is not just a concept in which to dabble, it is a main stay of the property. e foundation of the island resort

is built on sustainability and the protection and preser vation of the island, the community, and the waterways that surround the pristine sandy beaches that de ne the island. e award winning programs developed o er guests the opportunity to participate in the ecological balances so critical to nature. e Coral Restoration Project was launched in 2018, continues to thrive, and houses over 1,300 corals in its nursery. e Walker Restoration Reef is an initiative that performs reef clean up and restoration works.

Other programs aid and protect the graceful manta rays that oat among the divers. Additional e orts include mangrove reforestation, recycling programs, shing management zones, storm water tanks to harvest storm water for irrigation, seawater desalinization that creates useable sea salt, sea foraging to fully utilize sea weeds, sea greens, and sea vegetables, and even a sea bin project to remove rubbish, chemi cals, and micro plastics from the ocean. Further, their participation in the Dock to Dish program promotes sustainable sourcing for wild seafood and helps to

bring sweeping reforms to small scale sheries and supply chains.

Last, but not least, the 5.5 acre farm that prac tices organic and sustainable farming methods, brings the farm to table movement to a bright new level at Kokomo Island. A massive hydroponic garden supplies abundant produce for the resort’s guests. A vanilla plantation provides fresh beans for the pastry kitchen to incorporate into island sweets. Across the eld are 16 beehives that house an Italian cross-breed of bees that produce a rich and delectable honey, and free-range chickens that provide enough nutrient dense eggs to support the needs of the resort.

Kokomo Private Island Resort stands ready to welcome guests for a welcome family or romantic getaway, an island wedding of any size, vow renewals, and bespoke private entertainment for a select group or with a complete island buy-out option. No request is too great; no detail is overlooked in this paradise in which the fortunate few can partake.

THE FOUR NEW DESIGN TOWERS OF

AT THE PEAK OF LUXURY

BY MARK SPIVAK

Miami is synonymous with style, energy, nightlife, stunning beaches and cultural fusion. anks to a few visionary architects, the city’s glitter is being incorporated into a quartet of newly constructed condominium towers: the Porsche Design Tower, Armani Casa, the Aston Martin Residences and the Bentley Residences.

THE PORSCHE DESIGN TOWER

on Sunny Isles Beach was launched in 2017 with reworks and a private Alicia Keys concert, but the brainstorming behind this original concept started ten years earlier. In 2007, Miami-based developer Gil Dezer met with the Porsche Design team in Germany to ponder the question: “What does a building have to do with a car?” e conclusion was that they could have common values. A Porsche performs, and the Porsche Design Tower would have to perform as well. “It had to be something that was timeless and elegant,” remem bers Dezer. In fact, the tower strives for nothing less than “a new paradigm for living.”

at paradigm is evident in amenities such as a two-car garage inside each condo, serviced by a high-speed elevator capable of transporting both residents and their luxury rides; there’s a car concierge available to wash your vehicle and perform routine maintenance. Each unit is equipped with a private pool

and summer kitchen on oversized balconies, where residents can admire views of the Atlantic Ocean as they swim. “We have a ‘who’s who’ of celebrities living there,” says Dezer, “from entertainers Anuel and Maluma to sports gures like Leo Messi and several others. When you have that kind of client list, it means you’re doing something right.”

Further up the road on Sunny Isles Beach, THE ARMANI CASA TOWER

is based on the iconic Italian brand’s attention to detail and love of great cra smanship. “ at’s what a brand is—it’s the same across the entire board,” explains Dezer. “You step into the Armani Hotel in Milan, or in my lobby here in Miami, it’ll smell the same. e textures will be the same, the types of woods used will be the same, everything will be the same.”

Created by renowned architect César Pelli, who did the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Armani Casa contains 260 units housed on 60 oors of the ocean front tower. Residents can enjoy a full-service restau rant, private movie theater, an elegantly appointed cigar room, a world-class spa and tness center, museum quality art, and a temperature and humidi ty-controlled wine cellar. Giorgio Armani, who super vised the interior design, called it “a remarkable living space, imbued with the spirit of modern elegance.”

e third newcomer, ASTON MARTIN RESIDENCES, will be unveiled in September 2022. Unlike Porsche and Armani Casa, the Aston Martin Residences tower is located in downtown Miami. With 66 oors, it is the tallest residential building south of New York. e sail-shaped tower was built around a nautical theme, re ecting its marina setting while o ering great views of the city and the ocean.

e interiors are inspired by Aston Martin but take into consideration Miami’s tropical environment. It comes with a private superyacht marina, the only deep-water marina in downtown Miami, a permanent art gallery and a 24/7 butler service. e development will include seven penthouses, all featuring private pools and spacious terraces. e Triplex Penthouse is a three- oor condominium spanning a total 27,191 square feet of living space. e owner will receive an Aston Martin Vulcan, a multimillion-dollar vehicle engineered for track driving only.

e trio will be joined by a fourth tower in 2026, the

BENTLEY RESIDENCES

Built by the same team behind the Porsche Design Tower, it promises to be bigger and better. “Each unit is now going to have three or four cars parking access, instead of two like the Porsche Design Tower,” reveals Gil Dezer. “It’s going to make a statement.”

Residents will travel directly up to their apartments using the unique “Dezervator” li , named for the devel oper. Each garage with space for EV charging points. Riding the Dezervator, while seated in your car, is a unique experience—with the lower oors of the eleva tor sha enclosed by glass o ering a full panoramic view of the communal areas of the building. With the ability to transport residents to the top of the 749-foot building, Dezer promises that residents will be able to see Cuba on a sunny day.

Bentley Residences can now be toured in virtual reality, with each of the communal spaces and luxurious apart ments built in Unreal Engine—a gaming platform providing advanced real-time 3D creation, a tool used by game developers and adapted for use. e Sales Gallery opened close to the site of the future Bentley Residences, in Sunny Isles Beach, Miami, o ering prospective buyers a chance to familiarize themselves with the architectural development.

In Miami, the reign of luxury brand towers is just getting started.

www.pdtowermiami.com

www.rbacmiami.com

www.astonmartinresidences.com www.bentleyresiencesmiami.com

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B jAL ARAB

UNPARALLELED LUXURY IN DUBAI

BY: GENNINA ARITON

ey say that no man is an island, but this luxu rious resort de nitely is.

Standing on the Jumeirah beach in Dubai, you look into the shallow water and see a 1,000-foot dorsal n pointed straight at you! Are you in the latest rendi tion of Jaws? No, you’re about to enter Dubai’s most iconic luxury hotel. is resort is so renowned, that while it o cially holds a ve-star rating (the highest possible), it is o en referred to within the industry as the world’s only seven-star hotel—a description bestowed on it by critics and travel writers.

e Burj Al-Arab (Tower of the Arabs) sits on a man-made island just big enough for the resort and connected to land by a 340-meter bridge. For those not

interested in the walk, there is also a helipad on the roof, which has also hosted a Tiger Woods tee o and Agas si-Federer exhibition tennis match, among other spec tacles. Walking into the “jewel of Jumeirah,” you are immediately struck by the interior, which boasts over 20,000 square feet of 24-karat gold leaf adornment. You will also be treated to nearly 260,000 square feet —and 30 di erent types— of Statuario marble, the same kind of marble that Michelangelo used to sculpt his Statue of David.

Begin your exploration of Burj Al-Arab’s dining venues with the Michelin-starred Al Muntaha, where Chef Severio Sbaragli cra s the best in French and Italian cuisine. Sample the ve other restaurants including Sal (a beach experience overlooking the Persian Gulf), Sahn Eddar (an atrium lounge perfect for lunch or a ernoon tea), Ristorante L’Olivo at Al Mahara (specializing in seafood ne dining), or the Middle Eastern delights of Al Iwan and Bab Al Yam. When the stars come out, enjoy cocktails at Gilt or the Skyview Bar perched on the 27th oor.

WHEN THE STARS COME OUT, ENJOY COCKTAILS AT GILT OR THE SKYVIEW BAR PERCHED ON THE 27TH FLOOR.

If you’d rather spoil yourself while taking in the majestic view, the Talise Spa is on the 18th oor, o er ing a spectacular vantage of the city and the gulf, 500 feet below. In addition to the standard fare of spa services such as massage and facials, the Talise also features a pool saturated with rose petals to wade or swim in fairytale splendor. e cardio deck, tness rooms, jacuzzis, and pools all boast spectacular gulf views. For those that want to luxuriate outdoors, e Burj o ers its own private beach, e Terrace, with over 10,000 square feet of sand area in addition to two pools adorned with over ten million mosaic tiles, and thirty-two air conditioned cabanas.

With all of this to see and do at the Burj, it is only tting that the last thought might be for the suites themselves, but they are spectacular in their own right. e Burj is an all-suite hotel with choices ranging from the incredible to the simply extravagant Royal Suite. With many options for individual taste and budget, every one of the hotels’ 202 suites o ers all the comforts of a luxury stay. e smallest suite boasts 1,830 square feet, larger than the average home. Attention to luxuri ous detail runs all the way to the eiderdown duvets— the rarest of down, harvested from abandoned eider duck nests in Iceland. Beds feature Egyptian Cotton linen and are personalized for speci c postural prefer

ences. Guests also get to choose from seventeen di er ent types of pillows to ensure the most comfortable, individualized sleeping experience. Suites include a private living room, master bathroom with full size jacuzzi and separate ve head rain shower, additional dedicated powder room, Hermes amenities, compli mentary Wi-Fi, and widescreen televisions with inter active HD TV. e environment is remote controlled, including curtains, music, television, and lights. A MacBook pro laptop and all-in-one printers are also provided on request. e Burj goes so far as to o er wardrobe packing and unpacking for guest conve nience.

While Dubai and e United Arab Emirates contain numerous adventures and highlights for visitors, the Burj Al-Arab has fashioned an enclave that allows for a magni cent vacation without ever leaving the island resort. From the moment you approach the bridge leading to the uniquely shaped, looming tower, you feel its splendor. Make sure to allot ample time to savor all the Burj has to o er, although once you leave, you’ll still realize you missed some of its wonders, and you’ll be yearning for a return visit.

BY: GENINNA ARITON

Located south of the Japanese mainland, Kyushu is the country’s third-largest island and a stun ning destination for tourists: a subtropical paradise bordered by abundant seas, dotted with pristine beach es, active volcanoes, and relaxing hot springs, and lled with friendly inhabitants ready to welcome visitors.

ere’s no better way to see Kyushu than onboard the Seven Stars, the most luxurious cruise train in Japan and perhaps anywhere in the world. e name refers to the seven prefectures of Kyushu—Oita, Fukuo ka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, and Kagoshi ma—all of which will pass by your window during the four-day, three-night journey that encompasses 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles). Launched in October 2013, it has de ned a new category in upscale rail travel.

Demand exceeds supply on the Kyushu Seven Stars. ere are only 12 regular and two deluxe suites, placed on cars 3 through 7, all equipped with a sitting area, ensuite facilities, and air conditioning. One suite is accessible for handicapped passengers. Car 1 contains the Blue Moon bar and lounge car, framed by a giant

picture window on the rear wall, where passengers can enjoy panoramic views; the Jupiter Dining Room occu pies Car 7.

Famed industrial designer Eiji Mitooka super vised the design concept of the train, while Masato Kinashita created the interior decor. Unique touches include intricate, oor-to-ceiling lattice woodwork, deluxe fabrics and glasswork, oral upholstery, elegant oak paneling, and period antiques. e suites combine traditional Japanese ttings with modern conveniences and amenities such as limited-edition porcelain wash basins. e layout of the suites blends beauty and func tion and allows passengers to view the varied landscape of the Kyushu countryside.

Meals in the Jupiter Dining Car are an event, with menus drawn from the bounty of Kyushu’s fertile farmland and surrounding seas. Chefs use local produce to cra menus that combine the best of both Japanese and Western techniques, served by a friendly, bi-lingual sta . O -train dinners take place in some of the region’s leading restaurants, such as Hotel New

LISTEN TO THE FUTURE ON BANG & OLUFSEN'S NEW BEOPLAY EX HEADPHONES:

Stylish, Beautiful, and Comfortable, with a Pleasing Design.

BY ILAN HERMAN

Listen To the Music!

John Bonham’s bass drum thuds with author ity. Jimmy Page’s guitar is wide open and streaked with rainbows. Robert Plant’s tenor singing is right in your face. Stairway To Heaven sounds better than ever 50 years later when you hear it through the revolutionary Beoplay EX earphones and head phones.

e same goes for Beethoven’s Ninth Sympho ny and Bird’s wandering saxophone. You’re intimate with the performance, sweet notes playing in your head and soothing the mind plagued with the daily struggle. It’s time to immerse in a meditative tape of ocean waves and chirping jungle birds and be joyful and serene.

21ST CENTURY REFINED TECHNOLOGY

Welcome to the sound tapestry created by Band & Olufsen. e Danish pioneer of sound has created tantalizing sets of earphones and head phones that beautifully combine pleasing design and superior perfor mance to celebrate its 95th anniversary.

Beoplay EX is the most versatile true wireless earphone/headphone model on the market. With its astounding sound, adaptive ANC, and fully waterproof design, we can all rejoice in whatever music turns us on.

Beoplay EX headphones are notable for the shape of their design - the stylish and super-comfortable stem-based shape. e housing of the earphone placed inside the ear is smaller than ever and guarantees a comfortable and stable t. You can wear them for hours without care.

e latest Bluetooth 5.2 technology and background noise reduction function make it easy to go wireless and connect whether you’re at the o ce, on the move, in the gym, or at home.

Always innovating and creating iconic soundscapes, the Danish pioneer of sound has created headphones that elegantly combine modern design and stellar sound.

WHY IT’S WORTH THE CASH

e combination of superior active noise cancellation, soothing comfort, sleek look, and sublime sound performance make H95 the perfect luxury travel companion for rst-class globe trotters.

In tandem with exceptional design, quality, and attention to every detail, Bang & Olufsen has cra ed the headphones by using luxurious metal and fabrics to deliver a superior product in structure, long-lasting comfort, and smooth style.

Equipped with high-quality titanium driv ers tuned to Bang & Olufsen’s signature sound, the H95 delivers a top-level immer sive audio experience in all situations, whether you’re rumbling down the train track or surrounded by 50,000 people in a raucous stadium.

It’s time to get some Beoplay EX and dance in the musical sandbox.

f Indulge

ri

SOOTHING SPA TREATMENTS FOR BODY AND SOUL

Restoration

and wellness are central themes at the Soori Bali Resort in Indonesia, but nowhere is that philosophy more prevalent than in the Soori Spa. e facility o ers personalized services that utilize ancient healing and nurturing techniques, with the goal of rejuvenating the senses and bringing the guest into alignment with his or her spiritual self.

Just as the resort combines thoughtful décor with the beauty of its setting, the Soori Spa draws on the bounty of nature. All products used are free from synthetic preservatives and additives. Regardless of the treatments chosen, the guest will emerge with a new sense of balance and calm.

While Soori Bali is a luxurious resort with every modern convenience, it was designed to be holistic, eco-friendly, and environmentally sustainable. Lush gardens, water courts, and natural ventilation may be found throughout the property, which was constructed in consultation with nearby communities to respect social and religious customs. e site incorporates traditional irrigation systems of the neighboring rice paddies for drainage. e walls of the buildings use sandstone from a nearby river, along with ower-pat terned tiles created for the resort by local artisans and volcanic stone that seems to transport the black sand of the beach into the interiors of the villas.

Wellness

is a major theme in the resort’s culinary program, which uses spices from its own garden and fresh produce from surrounding farms. e trio of restau rants o ers something for every taste.

Cotta, the open-air beach restaurant, allows diners to begin the day with tasting-style, daily rotating menus, and variations on classic breakfast dishes; later in the day, the menu shi s to an assortment of Asian and Indonesian favorites. None other than world-fa mous chef Heston Blumenthal still raves about a meal

he had there: a whole chicken, marinated and wrapped in a banana leaf, cooked in a salt crust pastry with black volcanic sand. Ombak, the signature evening dining room, focuses on a selection of Western dishes that the chef perfected during his years of traveling and working in some of the world’s best restaurants. Before or a er dinner, relax in the Ombak Bar and Lounge with a creative cocktail made from the island’s fresh fruit and top-shelf spirits. e Reading Room, the latest addition to Soori Bali’s food and beverage outlets, serves light meals, organic snacks, and healthy juices.

A wide range of Asian and Western massage techniques are available, depending on the needs of the client:

•Balinese massage is an ancient healing therapy that relieves muscle tension by combining skin rolling and long, therapeutic strokes;

• ai massage, a full body massage given clothed, which uses pressure points to relieve muscle tension and unblock energy ow;

•Four hands massage, in which two therapists synchro nize their movements to create a unique feeling of harmony and pleasure;

•Abdominal chi massage, using gentle pressure and the power of your breath to promote circulation and relieve stress;

•Foot re exology: Utilizing pressure points on the feet that correspond to every part of the body, the therapist will improve energy ow and facilitate inner healing.

Given Soori Bali’s close proximity to the Indian Ocean, Soori Spa places importance on hydrotherapy: the use of water to relieve physical blockages and promote well-being. A scrub and wrap are followed by a powerful Vichy shower. Six showerheads stimulate circulation and replenish the skin, aided by alternating cold and hot water applications.

Prenatal massage is also available, along with traditional techniques such as warm stone therapy. e spa o ers a variety of facials, in addition to manicures, pedicures, waxing, daily meditation classes, and private yoga sessions.

Services may be enjoyed in one of ve treat ment rooms, or at a location of the guest’s choosing on the large Soori Bali estate. Designed and owned byfamed architect Soo K. Chan, the property uses local materials throughout. Located just one minute from the beach, each of the 48 villas features private pools and o ers panoramic views of either the mountain or the ocean. Wherever you go in Soori Bali, you’re never far from nature.

Wherever you go in the Soori Bali Resort, you’ll encounter an overall sense of harmony that will stimulate inner peace, contributing to the realization that the resort is truly “Bali as it should be.”

SOORIBALI.COM

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