Travel

Mandarina Duck is going Rome at the Tennis&Friends Event

During the Tennis&Friends event 2024, Mandarina Duck took over the city of Rome, with its “Yellow Wave”. A perfect fusion of health, wellness, and sports.

The vibrant color yellow acts as a unifying theme. It is both – leitmotif of Tennis & Friends and Mandarina Duck’s iconic color. Yellow stands strong, as a symbol for positivity and energy, but also for the dynamic spirit of health and eco-friendly innovation. What connects Mandarina Duck and Tennis & Friends, is a shared focus on sustainability – in terms of environmental consciousness, but also in terms of personal health. The heart of the event took place on October 11th, with Mandarina Duck’s presentation of their visually stunning installation featuring tennis balls at Circolo Foro Italico. Guests had been warmly invited for drinks in the courtyard, with a live DJ set by Dorian. Tennis & Friends offered free medical check-ups to all participants during the event – emphasizing their passion for reinforcing the importance of health prevention and well-being. A mission which Mandarina Duck proudly supports.

Mandarina Duck’s eco-coated line started from the FW24 season onwards. Sustainable backpacks from this 100% green collection had been given to players during the event, as a symbol of the brand’s commitment to promoting an active and healthy lifestyle, but also towards protecting our environment.

www.mandarinaduck.com
www.tennisandfriends.it

Travel

GRAU Salt Summer Edition

GRAU the German light company launches a new limited edition of their widely successful Salt Lamp: Meet the Salt Summer Edition.

Sporting a vibrant shade of light blue as well as its iconic design, the Salt Summer Edition is the perfect companion for any summer adventures in- or outdoors. The new limited-edition colorway of the most powerful mobile light on the market is directly inspired by the sky during blue hour and offers a wide spectrum of light modes, from clear light to a deep sunset orange to match any mood or occasion. Due to its splashproof design and over 100-hour battery life, Salt forms the perfect addition to a beach day, a leisurely time on the balcony or a picnic under the stars.

And more than just creating a beautiful light the Sunset Dimming technology as well as the Sunset Sleep Timer calm the body and support a healthy sleep cycle making the Salt Lamp great for nighttime use as well.

The Salt Summer Edition in Light Blue, made in Germany, the perfect summer lighting companion.

www.grau.art

Travel

HOTEL ZOO BERLIN Celebrates The Scariest Night of The Year

On October 31st, to celebrate the spookiest night of the year, The HOTEL ZOO BERLIN was transformed into an eerie setting. The Hotel was transformed into an atmospheric Halloween world by the set decorators, Sabine Schaaf and Daniela Lohschelder. The two designers are already known to the public for their works for Babylon Berlin, The Queen's Gambit, and Hunger Games, among others. These two creative minds gave life to a unique ambiance. At the entrance, the guests were greeted by costumed, creepy stilt walkers and zombie dolls and passed through the eerie, foggy cemetery backdrop into the lobby and the spider corridor, into the GRACE Bar, and on to the GRACE Restaurant. Also, the GRACE kitchen created a Halloween-themed dinner menu. As starters, Spicy Nicoise Salad, Pumpkin Gyozas, and Chinese Cucumber have delighted the guests. Then, Korean White Halibut or Crispy Tofu was served as the main course. Snake dancers, a thriller flash mob, and music have entertained the evening until late.
www.hotelzoo.de

Travel

The Incantation

The vision of lush green landscapes, vintage American cars and cheerful people with good spirits, immediately resonates with the image of Cuba. César Martí, Maestro Ronero at Eminente, is an embodiment of the country’s values, its culture and history. Cuban energy and culture are ubiquitous in Martí’s world. Each one of his projects is unique but they all carry the same recognizable signature – a feeling of the joyous and welcoming Cuban atmosphere. Besides preserving the national identity of rum, César Martí’s passion lies in renewing the complexity of the spiritous beverage that is deeply-rooted in the cultural heritage of Cuba. Surrounded by sugar cane fields and influenced by his grandfather, who worked his whole life in the sugar cane industry, his upbringing already predicted his passion for aromas. He fell in love with the art of rum-making resulting in him becoming the youngest Maestro Ronero in the history of Cuba. César Martí can be uncompromisingly identified with a unique talent for masterfully managing to enhance the historical taste of ancient Cuban rum with modern techniques of mixing the complex aguardientes, often referred to as the “soul of Cuba”. His experience and passion made him an expert in creating the latest extraordinary version of rum, called Eminente. In his conversation with ZOO, César Martí talks about his life’s passion, Eminente, and how he wants to revive the image of Cuba beyond its borders.

Jesse Rintoul: Claiming to capture the best of all Cuban regions is a bold statement. Would the other nine Maestros Roneros agree with this or claim their own rums to be superior? Have you received any praise from your competitors at home?
César Martí: When I designed Eminente, I was inspired by the Cuban aguardientes of the late 19th century and took the specific cities that distinguish Cuban rum today in the different regions of the island, Occidental, Central and Oriental as a reference, combining these three styles in a style of its own. Central style conceives a different, intense, complex and full-bodied product with very specific characteristics, exhibiting in its two products a level of complexity and depth, superior for its type and showing in turn the delicacy and aesthetics of the traditional light rum. We, the Cuban rum masters, defend the Cuban rum culture above all else throughout the length and breadth of the island, of which Eminente is a faithful representative. Every design made by any Maestro seeks to satisfy the demands of a market and we all recognize the quality that distinguishes them for the purpose for which they are created. I have received many compliments from the rest of the Cuban rum masters, who recognize that Eminente is a faithful representative of our Cuban rum culture.

JR: The excellence related to being a Maestro Ronero is largely built on experiences and tradition. How did you experience the path to becoming a Maestro Ronero?
CM: Because of my background of chemist studies, my approach to rum is different. I categorize the liquid like an oenologist. And thanks to having grown up in a family that worked with sugar cane, I know the journey from the soil to the bottle like the back of my hand. Simultaneously, I have always liked the idea of being inspired by the Cuban rums of the 19th century, recreating their characteristics by using the modern yet modest methods of our distillery. My path to becoming a Maestro Ronero was different, because both my family background as well as my academics are critical components of my journey.

JR: Made with 70% aged aguardientes, which is the highest amount in all of the Cuban rums, even when the Cuban regulations only require 20%. What made you decide to put so much emphasis on the aguardientes?
CM: With Eminente Reserva 7 years old, new standards are set by being made with 70% of different types of aged aguardientes. With this design I wanted to bring a renewed complexity to Cuban rum, combining the art of natural ageing, the selection of barrels for ageing at each stage and finally, the exquisite selection and multiple blends of aged aguardientes that form part of the final recipe.

Read the full interview in the current ZOO December Issue 73!

www.eminente.com

Travel

Parkhotel de Wiemsel

The Kunstgalerie Parkhotel de Wiemsel is simply every art lover’s dream, offering its guests a diverse collection of art, all within the realms of a delightful residence. Deceiving in its historic facade, the quaint country house is home to an extraordinary array of contemporary pieces, covering paintings, graphics and sculpture. Stemming from its owner Henning J. Classen’s 40 years of experience collecting art, which includes the Galerie im Alten Kaufhaus which he founded in his home town Lüneburg 10 years ago, Classen now opens up his collection, inviting his hotel guests to share in his enjoyment over his most treasured pieces in the uniquely private atmosphere of the hotel. A wonderful mix of emerging and established artists, the collection is home to works by the likes of internationally acclaimed artists, such as Ackermann, Christo Giacometti and even Warhol. The gallery holds exclusive hours and on entrance, welcomes the hotel guests with a glass of champagne and other tantalizing nibbles. The luxury does not end here, as the hotel also boasts a decadent spa and heated pools (both inside and out), perfect for a relaxing retreat. Great food and wine are the finishing touches to a truly perfect experience, treating its customers to a truly well-rounded stay. Close to the German Dutch border, food lovers, art connoisseurs and those in need of utter peace and harmony can come together in a hotel that caters to the very best life has to offer.

www.parkhotel-dewiemsel.com

Travel

Mindspace's Office Revolution

With the progression of time, it is natural that certain things are bound to change. Letters, typewriters and CDs are just a few examples of objects that have all fallen victim to the changing times and the traditional office space might be the next on the list to disappear.

Flexibility is key in all the facets of today’s work environment. Staff is moving around the office space freely changing between different teams and projects, freelancers and outside contributors come and go and different yet congenial businesses are working alongside each other to enhance each other’s expertise and network. The traditional lease model for office space just does not seems to suitable to fit these new requirements.

Mindspace has become the leading ‘office-as-service’ provider in the world, with almost thirty locations in major global cities. They revolutionized the modern office, creating high-end, yet affordable and flexible shared workspaces, comfortable lounges and efficient conference rooms, enabling creative businesses to work alongside each other and thrive from within the same building. Mindspace’s commitment to a new and vibrant workspace extends beyond the premises, offering its tenants a range of in house wellness-, lifestyle- and professional programs for an efficient yet pleasant work environment.

By opening more locations worldwide and with 8 different locations within the Netherlands, Mindspace continues to support businesses so they can continue to grow and thrive within their industries.

www.mindspace.me

Travel

A New BVLGARI Resort Opens In Dubai

A coral texture, filtering the sun, creating a decorative motive imbued of a Mediterranean style halfway in between the creation of a goldsmith and a sophisticated natural element. Designed by the Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, the new Bulgari Resort Dubai is a play between the Italian heritage of the maison and the suggestive surrounding landscape.

Exclusively situated on the manmade seahorse shaped island of Jumeira Bay, connected by a 300m bridge to central Dubai, the 1.4 million-square-foot property is a first-of-its-kind development for Bulgari, both in terms of scale and magnitude. With its Mediterranean village charm, the complex features the Resort, joined by six residential buildings of 173 sea-facing apartments, 15 private mansions, a Beach Club, and Bulgari’s first-ever Marina and Yacht Club. The resort includes 101 hotel rooms and suites and 20 hotel villas.

Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and Bulgari wished to create a whole new hotel concept. Throughout the Bulgari portfolio this concept is seen in innovations such as the rooms’ square-shaped floor plan to allow windows of natural light; a niche alcove doorway and entry vestibule for privacy and soundproofing from the bedroom. A flow that renders the living experience something more akin to apartment living.

While the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection has evolved to include a new location, a Bulgari property is always born of the same Roman spirit. Throughout the property, a repeated use of the custom-design ‘Maglia Pantheon’mesh pattern recalls the ornamentation of the historic Roman Pantheon’s floor, as it is a part of the architectural tradition of Baroque Rome: an inexhaustible source of inspiration for Bulgari. The pattern features intricate bronze lattice-work, as well as Bulgari’s eight-pointed star motif which appeared first as an inlay in the vestibule of Bulgari’s flagship Via dei Condotti boutique.

Recalling a Mediterranean garden, La Limonaia, the hidden ‘lemon garden’ homes the resident array of birds and wildlife. Sculpted as a geometric Italian garden with a birch walkway, La Limonaia recalls an ancient Roman garden. Bulgari’s landscape designers also brought hundreds of trees onto the island, including Australian baobab trees, to establish a natural, verdant setting, a Mediterranean garden in the middle of the sea.

In every Bulgari property guests find a similar design philosophy: clean lines, peerless materials and furnishings, and a welcoming feeling of spaciousness. Iconic Bulgari photographs, often of vintage celebrities dating to the Dolce Vita, are framed above common areas with a nod to BVLGARI’S red-carpet connections. Original jewellery sketches from the Bulgari archives are placed within rooms or in hallways, recalling the 130-years of Roman jewellery design history.

www.bulgarihotels.com

Travel

Le Narcisse Blanc: pure Art de Vivre

Like a bright flower blossoming in the heart of Paris, Le Narcisse Blanc is a contemporary pleasure dome where guests can breathe the magic of the French capital.

Situated between the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides, this 5-star hotel and spa casts an incredible view to the Seine and the most majestic Parisian buildings from its bohemian terraces. Le Narcisse Blanc offers the proper Art de Vivre feeling through its cozy sitting rooms, luxurious spa with swimming pool, hydrotherapy massage jets and sauna and last but not least its 37 spacious bedrooms and suites in silky champagne tones.

Designed in luxurious and refreshing taste by "Laurent & Laurence", the hotel creates a perfect balance between Art Nouveau and Art Deco that are fused with contemporary elements, serving as an homage to the perfect Parisian lifestyle. Because, in the words of Victor Hugo “Respirez Paris, preserve l’âme”.

www.lenarcisseblanc.com

Travel

Park am See Nattika – Relaxation at Your Doorstep

Hotel Park am See at the Western shore of the Tollensee in Mecklenburg Vorprommern has joined forces with Nattika Ayurveda to offer true relaxation only a stone throw away from the everyday. This collaboration is bringing authentic ayurvedic treatments to Germany, allowing you to find inner peace and calm without having to engage in a long and costly journey. This century old knowledge is brought by Nattika Beach Ayurveda Resort from Kerala, India which has been a hotspot for traditional treatments and retreats that are both open to people newly exploring its benefits and deeply rooted in the actual culture and history behind it. The Park am See Nattika is utilizing these principles not just through treatments such as massages, detoxes and yoga but also through culinary explorations, created by a talented chef specializing in ayurvedic cuisine which strengthens the body’s immune system. Guests are also able to take classes and learn these skills for themselves, to be a bit more centered and ready to take on challenges back at home. The rooms are outfitted to allow for a variety of durations of stay, from a quick weekend retreat to a longer journey of health and wellness, there is something for everyone. Blending together beautiful old German aesthetics and seemingly untouched nature with top of the line ayurvedic treatments – Hotel Park am See Nattika is a new oasis.

www.parkamseenattika.com

Travel

Dolce&Gabbana Resort 2024

To celebrate summer, Dolce&Gabbana will partner up again with the iconic San Domenico Palace in Taormina. After taking over fabulous destinations such as Capri, Marbella, Taormina, and Saint Tropez in 2023, Dolce&Gabbana revisits the beauty of Sicily and brightens up the former monastery, transformed into a luxurious hotel.

A symbol of the wonder of Taormina, the San Domenico Palace became a Four Seasons Hotel in 2021, yet its story dates back to the beginning of 1896 – a time when the palace was part of the Grand Tour, a traditional trip taken by upper-class European men, later becoming an essential travel stop for celebrities. Today, San Domenico is a hotspot for travelers who enjoy a posh lifestyle.

Dolce&Gabbana will set up a pop-up boutique decorated in gleaming gold that reflects the exclusivity of the Italian brand, where Four Seasons guests will have access to fashion and jewelry pieces specially curated for this location. Complementing the rich gold is the white and blue of the Blu Mediterraneo, wrapping the sunbeds, the infinity pool, and the terrace of the hotel. The combination of the white and blue adds to the Italian heritage of the House by pointing to ancient Italian traditions that highlight the values of “Fatto a Mano” (Italian for “handmade”).

A token of love and appreciation for the summer and the Ionian Sea, Dolce&Gabbana Resort 2024 explores Italian delicacy and fine craftsmanship, while revealing the beauty of Sicily.

www.dolcegabbana.com

Travel

An Italian and Japanese Dance in the Sky

On the 4th of April, Bulgari Hotels & Resorts celebrated a momentous occasion: the opening of the brand’s newest luxury hotel, the Bulgari Hotel Tokyo. The new hotel combines Italian tradition and glamor with Japanese history and culture to adorn the 40th-45th floors of Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, a new ultramodern skyscraper overlooking the iconic Tokyo Station, the Imperial Palace Gardens, all the way to Mt Fuji.

This incredible addition to the Tokyo hospitality scene was first celebrated by a ribbon cutting ceremony led by the Bulgari Group CEO Jean-Christophe Babin with the Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike, Italian Ambassador to Japan Gianluigi Benedetti, famed actress Anne Hathaway, the singer and actor Tomoshisa Yamashita, Executive Managing Officer of Mitsui Fudosan Co. Yutaka Kawamura, Executive Vice President Bulgari Group Silvio Ursini, General Manager of Bulgari Hotel Tokyo Yuji Tanaka and President of Bulgari Japan Vincent Reynes in attendance. The acclaimed group of individuals was later joined by 400 guests on the 40th floor to enjoy early performances by Simona Molinari and later on DJs Ami x Aya and Alisa Ueno. The night ended with Miyavi, a star guitarist, surprising the crowd and joining DJ Alisa Ueno on stage for an impromptu live collaboration!

A devout follower of the essence of audacity and bravery, Bulgari associates each of its glamorous hotels and resorts with a rare and precious gem. The Bulgari Hotel Tokyo is married to the pink diamond – an elegant homage to the beauty and harmony threaded into Japanese culture and Sakura season. As Babin expertly states in the brand’s press release, “Jewelry and hospitality combine perfectly to meet Bulgari’s client’s expectations of a high level”.

www.bulgari.com

Travel

Cuba in the Heart of Paris

In the centre of Paris’ 5th arrondissement, the Monte Cristo is transformed to revive the Cuban spirit at Hotel Eminente. Upon entering the hotel the aroma of fresh sugarcane, the market stalls of Cuba and Eminente rum are at once noticeable. The four-star hotel will, for a limited time, feature interior design by Pauline d’Hoop and all the rooms in the hotel are touched with the authentic Cuban charm, chef and sustainable farmer Annabelle Cantarero, is making a special trip to curate the perfect tasting menu while of course boasting a modest assortment of cocktails, by Monte Cristo’s bartender Adrian Nino, that make use of the top tier Eminente Reserva and Eminente Ámbar Clara rums. Co-founded by Camille de Dominicis and César Martí, the youngest Rum-Master in history, the drink itself is of unparalleled complexity with a full body taste inspired by 19th-century Cuban sugarcane Eaux-de-vie. True to Cuba in all ways, Eminente joined with Clandestina, an independent Cuban design label, for the creation of the Resolver Bag, made from raw materials collected locally in Old Town of Havana. All profits from the limited and bespoke Resolver Bag will go directly to a conservation and circular economy project; the Cienaga de Zapata biosphere in Cuba. The Monte Cristo will remain open to its usual clientele and continue taking reservations for its bar and restaurant. Included in the “staycation” package is one night for two, breakfast, a Cuban dinner, one Eminente cocktail and one Eminente masterclass as well as use of the pool for one hour. The Hotel will be open to guests from September 30th to December 12th with a 24-hour stay or “Una Noche Cubana”.

www.eminente.com

Travel

"Take the Best that Exists and Make it Better"

Rolls Royce has long established itself as the pinnacle of car manufacturing with every vehicle being crafted to perfection. Where does a brand with the magnitude of Rolls Royce go in future? According to founder Sir Henry Royce’s philosophy the direction is clear, ‘Take the Best that Exists and Make it Better.’ This might sound like a difficult task, but the British house is determined to transform the quintessential symbol of British sophistication from the creator of the ‘Best Car in the World’ to the world’s leading House of Luxury. Having changed at a quicker rate than ever before in its storied past, the iconic double ‘R’, a timeless expression of true luxury has received a makeover to fit the new chapter of the house. The modernization of the brand to adapt to a new generation of customers has happened in collaboration with Pentagram, the revered multi-discipline design studio. Pentagram embarked upon a deep exploration of the brand to understand the essence and unique relationship the marque maintains with its clients to ensure that the new visual language remains true to the heritage. The new logo is just the tip of the fascinating journey to a modernized visual identity, which will, according to Chief Executive Torsten Müller-Ötvös, ‘echo the changes seen in our portfolio, our client demographic, their lifestyle and the luxury world that surrounds them.’

www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

Travel

Celebrating 60 years of MINI and the MINI Electric

A very famous proverb tell us: ‘Do not change a winning formula.’ British car manufacturer MINI has taken this to heart, leaving the design of their signature car largely unchanged for decades. Instantly recognizable, the shape has been engrained deeply in our minds and has become synonymous with the brand MINI. Nevertheless, progress has not passed the British manufacturer by.

Recognizing the growing ecological awareness of a new generation of consumers, Mini unveils its first electronic MINI model. With the new Mini Electric, the British brand is making a huge step towards a new mode of urban mobility, combining the revolutionary design of the classic MINI with a clean electric engine.

In celebration of their 60th anniversary, MINI proves that progress does not have to come at the expense of tradition, by adjusting everything that distinguishes a MINI to modern needs.

The new MINI Electric will become available in 2020, but can be pre-ordered via the online reservation tool.

www.mini.com

Travel

A Special Hideaway In the Historic Heart of Rome

In the middle of baroque Roman buildings, emanating the extraordinary presence of history, the exquisite private residence and boutique hotel Le Quattro Dame is located in a traditional palazzo between Piazza Venezia and Largo di Torre Argentina. The name of the residence and its philosophical inspiration comes from the four famous profile paintings, Portrait of a Woman, by Florentine renaissance artist Piero del Pollaiuolo, displayed throughout a few of the rooms. Entering the builiding, one has the choice to either walk up an impressive marble staircase that leads to the second floor, or enter a nostalgic elevator that dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. Muted earthy tones at the reception area have a soothing effect on the visitor, and lounge sofas serving an inviting space to sit and unwind. A gallery of renaissance artworks by selected artists such as Bronzino, Raffaello and Lorenzo Lotto adorn the walls, instilling the space with an independent and authentic vibe. Classical features such as high ceilings, wooden floors and wide windows are fused with modern but timeless interior design.

Only minutes from the Pantheon, Le Quattro Dame houses six different styles of rooms: three deluxe rooms, two junior suites, and a more secluded apartment. All of them are eclectically furnished and decorated in a chic, sophisticated Italian style. From the Sand Suite’s balcony, one can see the spot where Julius Caesar likely passed away. Viabuzzuno and Kartel lamps light up the rooms, Dedar and Sahco provide wooden flooring and curtains for a homey feel, while cosy Meridiani and Flou beds tempt you to lie in for longer. The bathrooms are furnished with glass doors, resin floors and steel accessories by Agape and Gessi. As Le Quattro Dame provides more of a self-contained apartment stay than a traditional hotel, all rooms are equipped with a kitchenette, Nespresso machine, kettle, minibar, glassware and Villeroy & Boch china.

 During the stay, the manager Dori is reachable by phone, and mulitilingual staff members are available daily from 8.30 am to 6.30pm for inquiries about sightseeing, museum visits, tansfers, car hires, table reservations and everything else. Walking in and out of this typical Italian residence, feeling as if it were your own home, makes one blend in with the locals immediately. Le Quattro Dame is the ideal choice when looking for a high quality luxury hideaway with a romantic and stylish twist in the centre of beautiful Rome.

www.lequattrodame.com

Travel

Coqui Coqui X H&M Home

H&M Home is collaborating with lifestyle and fragrance brand Coqui Coqui Residences & Spa, launching a 26-piece collection for a curated home and a stylish getaway available now.

This collection includes many reinterpretations of classic Coqui Coqui pieces that have become synonymous with the brand such as blankets and pillows rimmed by tassels in shades of beige reminiscent of sandy beaches in tropical places. This is complemented by new additions such as a porcelain tea set with a palm tree motive and gold accents which perfectly goes with the gold stainless steel tray table for a perfect feeling of comfortable decadence in the home. Additionally, travel enthusiasts can find joy in the beach bag and towel featuring the Coqui Coqui logo in a prominent yet sophisticated manner.

The centerpiece of the collection though is formed around the two new fragrances specially created in Grasse for this collaboration. Flores de Yucatan and Vétyvers du Pacifique are available as room sprays, diffusers, scented candles and scented cards, allowing for a sensory island getaway from anywhere. This collaboration makes it possible to create a true home away from home and is now available in select stores and online.

www2.hm.com

Travel

Juvia by Paul & Shark

Juvia by Paul & Shark Paul & Shark, an Italian luxury clothing brand, draws upon its identity rooted in a passion for the sea for the upcoming project, Juvia by Paul & Shark.

A creative concept inspired by the history and identity of the island led the brand to a fantastic project on the island of Formentera: a stylish restaurant, the Juvia by Paul & Shark project. Continuing its summer customization project since 2023, Juvia by Paul & Shark is ready to serve customers for the summer of 2024 in the heart of Es Pujols, offering a fabulous ocean view of the island's crystal-clear waters. The island is a distant oasis suspended in time, and the restaurant's mesmerizing setting embodies the sophistication of the brand. The venue features light-colored, porous wood furniture and blue hues, all crafted primarily from recovered materials. In this spacious outdoor setting, customers can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with exquisite Mediterranean cuisine and an array of signature cocktails, against the breathtaking backdrop of the sunset.

Beyond offering a luxurious dining experience, Juvia by Paul & Shark is dedicated to supporting the local community, which has always been at the heart of Paul & Shark's mission. Through the collaboration with Vellmarí, a local association focused on researching and protecting nature and the marine ecosystem, they continually contribute to planting vital aquatic plants, responsible for reducing Co₂ in water and fostering biodiversity.
www.paulandshark.com

Travel

Abadia Retuerta Hotel: Experiences in a historic Setting

Excellent Wine, Spanish sun and Spa experiences in a historic setting Abadìa Retuerta welcomes its guest in a former monastery from the 12th century

In the heart of Spain, two hours north of Madrid, the lavender still smells in autumn, a hawk soars and the sun has enough warmth for you to enjoy the pool. Around Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine – a 5* hotel and winery – gentle hills rise with vines, olive trees and pines. The history of this special hotel is present everywhere, it makes you slow down, pause, relax: Located in a 12th century monastery the Santa María de Retuerta Abbey was founded by monks in 1146 and was later declared a Site of Cultural Interest by UNESCO in 1931. Much can be discovered in the old walls that protect you from the Spanish sun: an exclusive wine bar is hidden behind a door, and the oldest part of the property, the chapel, extends behind the cloister, where unique works of art find their ideal setting. Art – be it works from the Renaissance and Baroque – can be found throughout the luxury hotel, on the large historic walls of the corridors and restaurants as well as in the rooms and suites. And it is wondrous, the halls and gardens are so spacious that one feels like a single guest on the property, only at breakfast, dinner or at the fireplace in the evening other guests are suddenly around, enriching the pleasant atmosphere. Two Michelin stars have been awarded to the upscale gastronomy at the Refectorio restaurant under the direction of chef Marc Segarra, including a Green Star for the sustainable cuisine. In the impressive historic rooms, the former dining hall of the monks, local and seasonal products are served under the imposing vaulted ceiling alongside fresh vegetables from the restaurant's own organic garden. Visible from all windows in all directions is the essence that is the soul of Abadìa Retuerta: the more than 700 hectares of land where delicious grapes thrive and are treated by the Spanish sun. On the huge Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine vineyard, which extends in the valley of the Douro River, where the earth is particularly aromatic, various vines grow, awarded the "Winery for Climate Protection" seal. A guided tour of the wine cellar and the wine production facilities is recommended, and of course includes a tasting of the wonderful wines. Those who prefer spa and wellness will love the Abadìa Retuerta. Either enjoy the sun by the spacious outdoor pool or head to the underground spa, which is like an oasis of calm. A spa sommelier combines the healing properties of aromatherapy with wine and oils in the treatments. Whether in the spa, during dining, in the chapel or on a walk in the vineyards - the hotel is a place of deceleration, of retreat, of finding oneself. Just as the monks in the monastery celebrated already centuries ago. BK

www.abadia-retuerta.com

Travel

Curious Encounters

Alpacadroom is an environmentally friendly alpaca farm founded by Greet and Wilko, located in the Dutch province Gelderland. Inspired by their trips to Bolivia and Peru where they first encountered these special animals, they embarked on a project of creating a guesthouse combined with an alpaca farm surrounded by nature. With the Spleuderbos, the oldest forest of the Netherlands and the heaths of Houtdorperveld, a vast width of nature awaits the guests. Since 2019, Greet and Wilko transformed the barns and stables into a welcoming home with rustic elements and the comfort of a modern interior. The shared living room invites the guests to chat and enjoy each other’s company, all while relishing the view of the pasturing alpacas in front of the adjacent forest. Preparing extensive meals in the spacious kitchen contributes to the familial atmospheres too – alpacas peeking through the windows included. Bodil and Gaia, the first alpacas on the farm have extended their family to a herd of 13 of the calm yet curious spirits. Greet and Wilko have created an idyll of a guesthouse that enables transients to connect not only with themselves but just as much with nature and the animals.

www.alpacadroom.nl

Travel

BMW: ‘Concept 4’

BMW, a household name in car manufacturing has brought us many thrills in the past. Now, long past the notion of reaching any discernible peak or glass ceiling, they intend to remind drivers to expect the unexpected. From the m3 to the m5 and their lustrous hybrid i8 model, BMW has displayed finesse in both environmentally conscious engineering and cars that can handle great speeds. The Concept 4 echoes the company’s core DNA at every turn. It’s safe to say their contributions to the automotive world are as fruitful as they are plentiful.

At their headquarters in Munich the tireless minds at BMW have introduced their concept for the future to its physical embodiment. The BMW Concept 4, a striking coupe in the same vein as the 328 or the 3.0CSi but with significantly more artful design sensibilities. Though this vehicle has all the design elements we’ve come to love from BMW, the look is exaggerated so as not to understate what is undeniably a great stride forward for the carmaker. Proportionally the bonnet it stretched and affixed with a reinterpreted vertical kidney grille reminiscent of the 328 Roadster 2.0 that facilitates advanced air intake. The car’s tail end curves into its streamlined roof, its stance evoking an unyielding brawn.

The Concept 4 was shaped and moulded with great care to become the new face of the 4 series, rigorously enhanced. Millimetre precise contours add to a voluminous build, the Concept 4 is like a low riding muscle with a long wheelbase and a shapely sophistication that ensures it is not soon forgotten. First unveiled at Frankfurt’s 68th IAA car show, BMW’s Concept 4 is a blood oath with their customer, to excite and to never settle for the assumed standard. This model foreshadows what is in store for their 4 series range.

www.bmw.com
www.bmwgroup.com

Travel

Introducing BMW's iNext

Touch entry, touch seating, touch steering, lights on lights, touch on touch, screens on screens. This is the automobile of the future. Your favorite place on wheels - BMW’s Vision iNext - is a dramatic, awe-inspiring SAV (Sports activity vehicle), synonymous with pioneering spirit built to deconstruct dogmas. The iNext is a divisive innovation that reaches further than expectations can begin to fathom.

To cast an eye upon BMW’s latest creation will only begin to scratch the surface. However, this is the best place to start. The meticulous exterior harmonizes precision design. Every single line is conscious and purposeful. The wheels look as though they have escaped from Area 51 at their own free will, while the interlinked double-kidney grille evokes authority through clearly sculpted form and surfaces. Even the paintwork traveled back in time, the Liquid Greyrose Copper exterior changes in shade and humidity injecting the vehicle with a charismatic flair.

A gentle swipe, where one would imagine a handle to exist, triggers a crisp opening. The world beyond beckons. Every object is designed as if it were a single piece of furniture, reminiscent of your living room. For BMW’s vision, the question was, how to gain time to live. The result is an utterly human car, released from everything. The evocative nude tones marry seamlessly with warm green turquoise micro-fiber, lined with purple jacquard, a traditional method that finds itself a place in the new world.

The grace and splendor of the iNext alone are astounding, yet there is more. Shy technology. Shy tech abolishes physical controls from the entire cabin and replaces them with a gesture control system that is both intuitive and natural. The simple task of outlining a music symbol on the fabric of the rear seat allows passengers to take control of the vehicles audio, yet another step toward an autonomous future.

The iNext will not be an entirely autonomous automobile and will instead promise two driving modes, Boost and Ease. Boost is the human interaction and Ease being the control of the vehicle itself. For now, the real-world driving experience is thin on the ground. Clearly, the truth that we can’t predict the future will not stop us from trying.

www.bmw.com

Travel

The Weinmeister: The Heart of Berlin Mitte

If you are planning a trip to Berlin, you won’t want to miss the raw, energetic street art that overran the Mitte district after the Wall came crumbling down in 1989. Right in the middle of this colorful cultural hub is the Weinmeister hotel, which welcomed the art style that made its neighborhood famous: signature rooms and staircases were “paint bombed” by outstanding graffiti artists such as René Turrek and The Paint Club collective, giving the hotel a chic, modern ambience.

Its proximity to Museum Island and contemporary galleries, such as the C/O Gallery or KW Institute, make it a popular destination for a young creative crowd angling for inspiration. Fashion hunters can flock to the nearby Herckescher Markt to discover the latest German designers, or get their high-end fix at the Friedrichstrasse. And you mustn’t worry about finding your way home once the sun goes down: the Weinmeister’s gleaming metal facade, which has earned it the nickname “the Golden Cage,” makes it impossible to miss.

A five minute walk from Alexanderplatz, the Weinmeister is in the perfect location to explore the best that Berlin has to offer, day or night. But if you are not up for being sucked into the hustle and bustle of the busy city, you can still breathe in the atmosphere while enjoying a glass of champagne on the private rooftop terrace overlooking Berlin’s iconic TV tower.

www.the-weinmeister.com