Travelogue
1 Oct 2021By Heather Prentice At the end of September, Team RMG set sail for The Monaco Yacht Show, which was as impressive as ever. After the cancellation of the 2020 edition, a leaner but more efficient and connected show emerged in 2021. With over 100 superyachts on display, there was also a new focus on sustainability, yacht design and sailing yachts as well as representations from the wider industry. Sustainability proved to be the underlying theme
25 Jun 2021The 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,
18 Jun 2021Are 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
23 Apr 2021The 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
23 Apr 2021What 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
23 Jul 2020Most 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
24 Jun 2020An 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
24 Apr 2020Words 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
16 Apr 2020Words 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.
8 Apr 2020Words 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,
26 Mar 2020By 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
29 Jan 2020By 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
18 Oct 2019The 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
19 Sep 2019Words 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
17 May 2019The 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
8 Mar 2019Words 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
21 Feb 2019Do 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
11 Jan 2019La 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
11 Dec 2018Cyrill 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
21 Nov 2018By Hannah Norman (no relation of Russell's - at least, we don't think!) An evening of prosecco and cicheti sounds like an Italian dream to most people, and so it was that we found ourselves in the expansive lobby of Hotel Heureka in Venice about to enjoy just that! Organised by British maverick restaurateur Russell Norman (the founder of London’s POLPO restaurants), the event was designed to showcase Russell’s flair and knowledge of local Venetian
8 Aug 2018Hotel Heureka, situated in the Cannaregio district of Venice, is close enough to the Church of Madonna dell’Orto to hear her to bells chime on the hour, much as they did in the days of sixteenth century painter Tintoretto. In anticipation of the 500th anniversary of the birth of Jacopo Robusti (known more commonly as Tintoretto), the hotel will be celebrating the artist’s works in Cannaregio, in this magnificent church it counts at its
26 Jun 2018Words 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
30 Apr 2018By 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
6 Apr 2018Words 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
27 Mar 2018Words 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
8 Mar 2018Words and images by Rosalind Milani Gallieni As the winter months drift by, a balmy few days away is just the thing to quickly banish the winter white-outs here in the UK. At just under 4 hours' flight from London, Marrakech offers summer - or at the very least, spring - weather all year round. So a perfect punt! Arriving from the airport straight into the action of the main square of Jemaa el Fna,
20 Dec 2017Ladies 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
17 Aug 2017Lago di Como Villa Rosa Tea is our new discovery on Lake Como, otherwise know for grand hotels, and one particular celebrity. Our find is an historic maison which dates back to 1870, with its own private lakeside gardens and a darsena - this is our all-time favourite word in the Italian language, meaning boathouse. The daydreams start rolling right here…! Francesca and Lucia, the sisters behind this impressive structure, have overseen every exquisite detail
5 Jun 2017"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
7 Jul 2016Dubrovnik 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