TRAVELOGUE

If You Think You Have Seen The World, Think Again!

The aft of M/Y NJORD (image courtesy of Espen Øino International)   That the world’s largest residential superyacht is being currently constructed is not a secret, and now, neither are the names associated with this multi-million dollar build. The entire project is being handled by Ocean Residences Development, a firm whose vision for the 293-metre vessel - aptly named M/Y NJORD, after the Norse god of the wind and seas - includes 117 luxury residences,

Hempel House & Hotels | How To Have A Hint Of Hempel At Home

Are you missing the passion of Paris, the bright lights of London, or the aesthetic of Singapore? Whilst we may not currently be able to travel to these cities, that’s not to say that we can’t evoke a little bit of their magic at home. World-renowned interior designer, Anouska Hempel, has turned her expert eye from styling and sourcing exquisite pieces and fabulous furnishings for luxury hotels, and for the homes of royalty and gentry

Aurelia Residences – 55 Floors Of Elegance By FM Architettura

  The entrance to Aurelia Residences Located in the heart of Bonifaco Global City – the fastest-growing central business district in the Philippines – stands Aurelia Residences, a residential tower reaching 55 storeys into the sky. Slated for completion in 2024, it will be one of the most coveted addresses in the Philippines, boasting spectacular skyline views across Manila Golf Club and Forbes Park. A living room in Aurelia Residences designed by FM Architettura Providing

Designing The Future

What are our clients’ views on their current and future design, and what's in the pipeline? By Rosalind Milani Gallieni FM Architettura Forget the hygiene processes we are all aware of. Pioneering the essence of post-COVID hotel design, FM Architettura has established the key elements that have amplified over the last year’s pandemic changes, with the understanding of clients’ needs paramount in this. Comfort and homeliness play a forefront role in the design, as guests desire to

Sonic Boom – Announcing The Launch of ZaZaBoom!

Most good things in life tend to come about by accident or simply a bit of old-fashioned good luck, and it would seem that ZaZaBoom! is no exception. This all-new, charity-inspired luxury brand is one of the many creative ventures that came out of the imposed global quarantine. Fashion designer and creative director, Karen Brost Whyte, set up the philanthropic business model as an inspired family venture borne out of lockdown in London. Her mission

Indulging In Pure Tranquility At Donna Coraly Resort

An hour’s drive from Catania airport, with breath-taking views over the undulating Sicilian countryside, lies the exquisite Donna Coraly, a luxury resort privately owned by one Lucia Pascarelli. The 600-year-old estate, which has been in Lucia’s family for generations, is steeped in history and even boasts a 14th century watchtower and private family chapel, but of the most historical prominence is that this is where the Armistice was signed on 3rd September 1943. While walking

Spotlight On One of The Most Beautiful Islands In The World – Capri

Words by Rosalind Milani Gallieni Capri, famed for attracting romantics and those with deep pockets to its glittering coastline, is the very epitome of la dolce vita. Set on the outermost tip of the Sorrentine peninsula in southern Italy, Capri has become a haven to those drawn to this paradise island not only for its balmy climate and outstanding natural beauty, but also for its pure air and rich, health-giving waters. Today, it is known

Rod Dudley – Our Local Hero

Words and images by Rosalind Milani Gallieni “In fondo! In fondo, giù a sinistra….” I take the turning as instructed by the local Besozzo messo, who was conveniently directing the traffic at a junction near a derelict old warehouse, once a renowned cotton factory. I drive on in my small lentil-orange Fiat 500 and head down a bumpy track full of deep pot-holes, and turn left, hanging onto my steering wheel as I bump along.

When Anouska Hempel Met Monsieur George In Paris

Words by Rosalind Milani Gallieni The Bar at Monsieur George, designed by Anouska Hempel (image courtesy of Gaelle Le Boulicaut) “When you wander along Rue Washington, you suddenly come across the glorious, gorgeous, sensational, extraordinary Monsieur George. Top hat and tails, feathers from beyond, a twinkling fantasy of a bohemian rhapsody in deepest, darkest green. Coco Chanel resided within this setting. Mata Hari had her heyday here. Gregory Peck left his Brasserie, Les Deux Magots,

Happy Birthday Venice!

By Hannah Norman There is no-one out there…. but Happy Birthday to Venice. Image courtesy of Marco Secchi RMG PR has always been connected to the spirit of Venice, celebrating its traditional crafts and the people who practise them. Our press trips to the city have always tried to steer away from the more obvious tourist offerings, in order to show something more akin to the “real” Venice, the Venice that the city’s residents know

Visit Venice – It’s Not Underwater!

By Trisha Perolari Burano, the day after the acqua alta flooding That Venice is slowly sinking can’t be denied but a more pressing issue is that the recent spate of high tide flooding is prompting many visitors to re-think their travel plans. For a city that relies heavily on the tourist dollar, this is worse than any damage caused by floodwaters.  The City of Canals is both built on and surrounded by water (the clue

The Art of Travel – From Mayfair To Monaco And Back Again

The Romero Britto-designed taxi drives past Monte Carlo (image courtesy of Rosalind Milani Gallieni) Words by Rosalind Milani Gallieni At the best of times, dropping into the madness of the Principality of Monaco is like walking into the pages of luxury we usually see in books and magazines, and on Instagram and websites. Be it for the Formula One Grand Prix, the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, the Monaco Yacht Show, or even seeing the Christmas

A Return To The Simple Life At Fattoria La Vialla

Words and images by Rosalind Milani Gallieni This is a throwback to a simple and valuable life at Fattoria La Vialla in the heart of the swaying Tuscan cypress trees, near Loro Ciuffena. How can you forget such a name? On arrival at La Vialla, the place is buzzing with keen foodie enthusiasts, and the welcome is open arms only, followed by an immediate invitation to sit under the portico, trimmed with drying sweetcorn dangling

Fabrics, Fragrances And A Futuristic Vespa….

The iconic Westbury Mayfair Hotel – situated in the heart of Mayfair’s fashion district – is the only hotel in London to occupy such a prestigious and prized address, and has been welcoming guests through its doors for almost 65 years.  So it was only befitting that such a luxurious destination was the setting for a series of prestigious events to celebrate heritage, history and a whole host of glamorous new product launches.   Firstly, luxury

Lisbon – When Do You Live There?

Words and images by Rosalind Milani Gallieni Since my last visit to Lisbon in 2017, I can safely say there is a whole new vibe finding its way around town, like a beautiful but determined old ivy plant, still keeping a grip. It’s found its way into the cracks of history and heritage of the old buildings it has been growing on for years, but now, at the same time, it’s suddenly growing a new

How The Merchants of Venice Of The Past Inspired Modern-Day Perfumery

Do you know about Le Mude?  The enticing new fragrances by The Merchant of Venice are all based on them.... Mainly made up of Venetian galleys, Le Mude were the convoys of ships that serviced the main maritime trade routes between the Mediterranean and Asia.  Today, these important trade routes – and the raw materials and traditions that were exchanged as  a result of their voyages – are the inspiration behind three new fragrances (two

Scents And Sensibility

La Rosa Moceniga by The Merchant of Venice - 300 combinations to capture history and fragrance....in a bottle! Harmoniously set in a soft and sensual base note, this rose becomes the queen of its fragrance. The comfortable musk, the white cedar wood, and the vanilla absolute, coupled with a touch of amber crystals, assure a precious base to the majesty of this historical rose. These were the notes of the nose who went to work

Parley For The Oceans Honoured With Special Recognition Award For Innovation

  Cyrill Gutsch (Photo taken from Parley TV's Instagram)   The Fashion Awards 2018, by the British Fashion Council and in partnership with Swarovski, saw Cyrill Gutsch, Founder of Parley For The Oceans, awarded with the Special Recognition Award For Innovation. The award was bestowed for Parley For The Oceans’ commitment to highlighting the devastating effects of plastic on our environment and through collaborations, working with designers to reinvent the way in which products can be made and designed

Artisans of Venice

Words and images by Rosalind Milani Gallieni Hotel Heureka has opened in the heart of secret Venice, playing with the layers of heritage and design, weaving tradition and art into one boutique property. Having spent several years searching for their perfect property, the owners discovered the ideal building (a 16th Century palazzo, no less) to transform into the bewitching Hotel Heureka. Since opening in October 2017, the hotel has been quietly whispering wealth, passion and

The Shape of Water Taxis

By Hannah Norman Venice (image courtesy of Ted Gushue) When in Venice….do as the well-travelled do! Rather than compete with the hordes for a busy vaporetto service, take a moment to relax and enjoy the city from the water (is there really any other way to appreciate it properly?!), by hiring a private water taxi. One firm that has spent the last three years paving the way (or should that be paving the waves?) in

COPENHAGEN – WHY DID I LEAVE IT SO LONG?!

Words and images by Rosalind Milani Gallieni Why did I leave it so long?! Copenhagen is only an hour and a half away by plane, and the full immersion of the lifestyle and the general cheer of the city is the easiest thing to take on board. From landing on Danish tarmac and onwards, everything works, everything makes sense, everything just seamlessly slots into place. Even buying a tube ticket to get into town from

HOT BATHS AND CHOCOLAT – FOR SUMMER AND WINTER!

Words and images by Rosalind Milani Gallieni A ski resort is usually a pretty predictable kind of place, in that you know that after a great run on the slopes on fresh or beaten snow, the lifts (ski, button and even egg lifts!) close their perpetual daily service at about 4.30 or 5 o’clock and the variety of après-ski activities begin. It can turn into an early night to catch the first chair lift up

Beat Jet Lag With Top Travel Tips

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for take-off. This is going to be a great trip.... With winter now fully upon us, this is the time that sees Brits board long haul flights to warmer destinations and escape the cold back home. However, a recent poll shows almost 70% of UK travellers suffer jet lag, and it’s a familiar story regardless of what direction you turn when boarding your flight, and however restrained you are with

Support Venice

"Support" by Lorenzo Quinn, 2017 (image © Lorenzo Quinn)   Contemporary artist Lorenzo Quinn has unveiled “Support,” his new monumental sculpture at the Ca’ Sagredo Hotel in Venice, during the annual Biennale. Internationally renowned as one of the most popular sculptors of our times, the installation showcases Quinn’s artistic progression and his experimentation with new mediums and subject matter to transmit his passion for eternal values and authentic emotions. Reflecting on the two sides of

Delightful Indulgence at Villa Dubrovnik – by Simone Ribeiro

Dubrovnik is one of those cities that deserves to be appreciated not in one, but numerous visits, if possible. However, there is much more to fit in only three days of staying in Dubrovnik than just sunbathing or swimming in the crystal blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. Nothing wrong with that, anyway. From boat trips to the fascinating island of Lokrum, to a look around boutiques shops and street-side restaurants or walking through the history