Archive for the 'Villae International Magazine' Category

The queen is dead, long live the queen. With the sad demise of the lovely Queen Elizabeth II comes the realisation that the new ‘Queen of the Seas’ is even lovelier.

Continue reading…Her Majesty, Queen Mary 2…

Success stories from 2009

Though the current period can generally be described as a recession that has touched most of us in some way or another, we are happy to report that it’s not all doom and gloom. For EREN and its members 2009 contained some notable highlights that marked a distinct improvement over 2008 and the early beginnings of a recovery…

Continue reading…Successful International Cooperation…

Though its origins go back to the very birth of civilisation, the enduring popularity of the spa reflects a deep-seated human need for pampering and relaxation.

In the days of the Greek and Roman Empires the spa was valued as a place where citizens could gather to cleanse and socialise. Such public places evolved over time, taking in elements of distant cultures as they gradually became luxuriant havens of sweet pampering indulgence and relaxation. Even in classical times, therefore, visitors could enjoy a range of advanced treatments that not only felt good but rejuvenated body and mind.

The Roman bathhouse, for instance, was a complex structure, with rooms devoted to disrobing, bathing, hot and cold immersion, massage and rest. By the eighteenth century European spas came into their own again as it became fashionable to visit spa towns to drink and bathe in the waters. Jane Austen chose to set her novels Persuasion and Northanger Abbey in the famous British spa town of Bath, one of a growing number of fashionable health spots in Europe.

Let’s face it, there are few experiences that feel more self-indulgent and decadent – in the best sense of the word – than spending a few hours in a five-star spa. Here is our guilt-free guide to some of the world’s best.

Continue reading…Empire of the senses…

A master of form and function, Starck is like an alchemist. With the mind of an alchemist, he sees what others cannot – conjuring up images, shapes and dimensions that dazzle the senses.

For over 30 years, Philippe Starck has been defying the boundaries of imagination and creativity, redefining shapes, textures, materials and the way we use space. A leading figure of the New Design movement, his name ranks along the likes of Raymond Loewy, Henry Dreyfus and Christian Dior of influential designers who helped shape the post-war era. But Starck’s influence continues into the 21^st century, where he stands amongst Jean-Paul Gaultier and Damien Hirst as the pioneer of a new era.
Continue reading…Philippe Starck – The world re-imagined…

The five-star deluxe hotel voted one of the UK’s Top 5 Business Hotels by Condé Nast in its Traveller Reader Awards finds itself within the very essence of Knightsbridge, where sophisticated eateries, grand boutiques and the likes of Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nichols, Chanel and Prada raise refinement to new levels of enjoyment.

Continue reading…Jumeirah Carlton Tower – Modern opulence in the heart of London…

Djemaa El Fna – when Marrakech’s iconic square awakes at dusk and transforms into an oriental bedlam, the full stretch of all senses is required. Snake charmers, storytellers, musicians and street entertainers are the actors on this magical stage that is accompanied by the fragrance of numerous food and spice stalls. Marrakech, a city of exotic beauty and enchantment, is the ideal starting point for a sojourn into the thrilling contrasts of Morocco’s Great South.Continue reading…Morocco’s Deep South…

Paris: City of Light, beacon of romantics and capital of fashion and elegance. Yes, this beautiful city is all these things, but much more besides. More profound than the sum of its famous parts, such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe or Champs Elysées, Paris is a city of many layers, its history and present intertwined in a rich mosaic of beauty, grandeur, passion and sorrow. To truly discover Paris is as great an endeavour as to tame a wilderness or scale a giant peak.

Like most great cities Paris is a place of clichés. Do the great monuments, sights and romantic aura of cinema, fiction and travel brochures hold true? Yes, Paris is not one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations for nothing; go out and marvel at the elegant buildings, walk the broad boulevards, visit the museums, soak in the café society and be seduced by those chic shops. This city has it all to offer; just don’t think you can come to grips with a place as big and as fascinating as this in one visit. To unravel the many layers that truly make up Paris takes an understanding borne out of many years of experience – some even say a lifetime.Continue reading…Paris – City of enlightenment…