Month: September 2015

Colombia is Magic Realism: Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota opens in October

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Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota--- Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota-attractions-

Situated 2,621 metres (8,600 feet) above sea level, Bogota continues to re-invent itself. The ciclovia – when city streets banish cars in favour of cyclists and pedestrians – originated in Bogota decades ago and has since been adopted by urban centres around the world. The Jardin Botanico Jose Celestino Mutis (or Botanical Garden) highlights the city’s 5,200 parks (yes, 5,200!), and hikers needn’t go far to find plenty of open space, with the climb up Monserrate offering a particularly rewarding view of the city and surrounding Andes Mountains from 3,152 metres (10,341 feet).

An emerging food scene has re-christened an area of the city Zona G – for Gastronomy – near the financial and commercial core, where a new Four Seasons experience is set to be unveiled next month.

If you haven’t been to the city in a while, it’s an opportunity to rediscover Bogota in new ways, and if you’ve never been here before, now is the time.

Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota opens doors in October, being the brand’s first opening in the Colombian capital, to be followed by Four Seasons Hotel Bogota in early 2016.

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Long the favourite of the city’s power players and an international clientele, the beloved landmark of Bogota now begins a new chapter in its storied history with the opening of Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota on October 15, 2015.

Careful restoration of the residential-style hotel Casa Medina has retained the French and Spanish-influenced design details of artist and architect Santiago Medina Mejia’s original 1946 building while technologies have been fully updated and modern luxuries added.

62 rooms and suites – no two alike – have been redecorated taking advantage of unique features such as fireplaces or beamed ceilings.

Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota

An all-new dining concept will also be unveiled upon opening: Castanyoles Raciones y Tapas, named for the traditional hand-held percussion instruments also known as castanets. With a wood-burning grill and Spanish tiles inside and a broad terrace beneath a new glass atrium outside, Castanyoles will serve a Spanish-influenced menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails, as well as offer gourmet items and Colombian coffee to go.

Additional features include a full-service spa retreat and 24-hour gym.

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Ottancinque by Pininfarina: 85 meters of technology and beauty

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Italian mega yacht Ottancinque by Pininfarina debuts at Monaco Yacht Show 2015

Ottancinque by Pinifarina at Monaco Yacht Show 2015-

“Ottantacinque” is the ambition of creating an Italian mega yacht, technologically advanced, with essential lines, comfortable and of absolute beauty.

At this year’s Monaco Yacht Show, leading Italian mega-yacht maker Fincantieri and famous styling studio Pininfarina introduced the “Ottantacinque” concept of a latest-generation luxury mega yacht.

“Ottantacinque” is a cutting-edge mega yacht, 85 meters long, 2,460 gross tons, with 5 decks, each of which featuring technological solutions and exclusive interior fittings. Among the most significant details, the couple of twin pools on the main deck raised almost flushed with the side bulwark, which offer, together with an elevated sun bed, uninterrupted views on the sea. With the adjustable bottom, the water depth can be varied and even reduced to zero to create a large open platform spanning over 160 square meters.

Ottancinque by Pinifarina -thedecks Ottancinque by Pinifarina debuts at Monaco Yacht Show 2015-

At the stern, the Owner’s deck offers a spacious, configurable veranda by day with a sun bed and tables that become a lounge. The luxurious infinity pool is the perfect spot for gazing unhurriedly over the sea. The bow features a generous private veranda for the Owner with dining area, lounge and a Jacuzzi with an ample integrated sun pad. The bridge deck incorporates a helipad with direct access to the lobby via the central lift and stairs connecting the yacht’s various decks. Moving from one deck to another provides an extra sensory experience: the lift and the spiral staircase linking the different decks are naturally lit by a skylight on the roof deck that creates an enchanting play of light.

Ottancinque by Pinifarina at Monaco Yacht Show 2015-renderings Ottancinque by Pinifarina at Monaco Yacht Show 2015-- Ottancinque by Pinifarina at Monaco Yacht Show 2015

“We already are among one of the few mega-yacht builders managing all the business activities, from sales to the product life cycle,” said Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri. “Now, thanks to this stunning project, resulting from the partnership with Pininfarina…we are a real Italian point of reference in a market that, as all luxury niches, highly demands the capacities and taste of our country.”

“The result is a sculptural floating home with elegant and dynamic areas, where style meets function, aerodynamics, on-board comfort, ergonomics. Every detail is designed to harmonize with the aesthetic theme of the yacht,” said Paolo Pininfarina, Chairman of the Pininfarina Group.

“A custom-built model of the sea, in line with Pininfarina’s natural vocation in creating exclusive projects, combining tradition with innovative solutions. This is how our design team conceived the collaboration with Fincantieri Yachts” Pininfarina’s Chairman commented.

The Pininfarina Group has been operating in the marine sector since the Sixties, leaving a lasting mark of its style on countless projects, from “one off” models made for special customers, to design activities of topsides and interiors for limited or wider series, both sail and motor boats.

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Silver Fast, the world’s largest and fastest aluminium motor yacht, debuts at Monaco Yacht Show 2015

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Silver Fast and 2016 Mercedes Benz S Class CabrioletThose shopping for superyachts at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show could not notice the $88 million superyacht with helipad presented by Australia-based Silver Yachts. With its interior featuring the most wow factor, the sleek luxury floating hotel called Silver Fast is one of the highlights of the 25th edition of Yacht Show.

Silver Fast is the fourth and most advanced, eco-fuel efficient vessel in the ground-breaking Silver Series. Designed by Espen Oeino, Silver Fast retains the super-sleek contour and the hull lines of her much-prized predecessors but with a striking new all dark silver paint.

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At 77 metres (252.6ft) with a top speed of over 27 knots, Silver Fast is the world’s largest and fastest aluminium motor yacht with conventional propulsion in terms of length to speed ratio. Silver Fast is also the fastest long range cruising yacht – 4,500 nautical miles at 18 knots and 6,200 nautical miles at 14 knots with an already proven capability to effortlessly complete long passages in every sea state. She is capable of crossing the Atlantic at approximately 22 knots cruising speed, which performance is record-breaking.

At 18 – 20 knots the yacht is quiet and vibration-free making her perfect for fast and fuel-efficient long overnight passages with low noise levels around 40/45 decibels.

Guest accommodations are spread across three decks, in seven en suite cabins, ensuring privacy and sumptuous spaces. Of particular note is the owner’s living space. Spread across a full deck, it boasts a spacious lounge leading to a private deck, and a luxurious cabin with 180-degree views, his and hers en suites and a study area.

silver fast 77m by Silver Yachts 2015 on the water

The hugely popular on-water Beach Club space hosts a beauty salon, massage room, customised sauna and gym area. Indoor living areas are abundant and include a voluminous, lounge space that flows out to the Winter Garden: Indoor-outdoor dining on the main deck with wraparound sliding glass panels and air-conditioning for al fresco dining whatever the weather is, for up to 20 guests.

Mercedes Benz joined forces with SilverYachts to produce a film in Monaco featuring the new S Class Convertible and Silver Fast. The film had its debut during the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show 2015. Remarkably, the new S Class Convertible was positioned on the helipad of the yacht, while she was speeding through the waters with 20+ knots.

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Zaha Hadid: from Baghdad to global ubiquity (and the RIBA gold medal)

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One of the most sought-after architects in the world, Iraqi-born London-based Hadid is first woman to be awarded prestigious Riba gong in her own right

Alessandro Michele brings Milan fashion week under Gucci’s heel

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Designer showcases vision of clothes as ‘psycho-geographic maps’ in disused train depot without losing mainstream appeal

Tory Burch new Performance Activewear Line to help you go the extra mile

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Tory Burch Introduced Tory Sport, a Performance Activewear Line focused on the elegance of sport. American fashion designer, businesswoman, and philanthropist Tory Burch introduced a Performance Activewear Line to reflect the beauty of the game and the empowering role that sports play for women. The new Tory Sport includes clothing, bags, shoes and accessories for … Read more