Archive for the 'Villae International Magazine' Category

Music delights, feeds the soul and punctuates special moments in our lives, but music can be light, fluffy and superficial or a true work of enduring art and wonderment. To the latter category belong the master works of musical geniuses like Beethoven and Mozart, whose intricate dance with sound has endured the test of time and musical styles. Such genius deserves nothing less than the finest instrument, so is it not surprising that the noblest instrument of all is itself a masterful work of beauty and craftsmanship.

Continue reading…A rhapsody for the senses…

From the moment I laid eyes on them, the streets of Havana captivated me. I can’t recall if it was the exuberant friendliness of the people, the fragile beauty of worn façades or the bright colours of American road cruisers from the fifties, but I was immediately fascinated by this singular Caribbean mix. Through my lens I found Havana to be photogenic, intense and multifaceted.

Continue reading…The streets of Havana…

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…