The Barber of Seville
February may be over (as is the Ides of March and Easter too), but romance is still in the (Arctic!) air for Vanessa Threapleton-Horrocks, who left London behind for the heady heights of the Big Apple in order to bring Lusso readers the next operatic review in the series, (in what is fast becoming a global cultural mission!), direct from the stalls at the Met…
The Maltese Falcon
The first time anyone lays eyes on the Maltese Falcon, you know they are going to be impressed, regardless of whether they are fans of big boats or not. Immediately you can see that there is something fundamentally different about it, but exactly what that is might not be so clear.
Southern Grace
There are two great things about South Africa. One is that it is in the southern hemisphere, and so it is one half of the perfect life – summer in England (OK, well maybe not this year), and winter 7000 miles further south. The second is that, unlike almost any other non-European travel hotspot, it is only one or two hours forward of GMT, so no jetlag. Get on the plane at night, go to sleep, and get off at the other end with no bizarre body clock malfunctions.
In Search of Perfection
As the sun rises a cacophony of bells ring throughout the whole of Florence, it was time to check out of our hotel set deep within the centre of the city. This first stage of our journey would be undoubtedly the most challenging, as my F430 and the other two cars accompanying us (a Ferrari 599 and a 430 Spider) had to navigate through busy, central Florence to the nearest petrol station.
Felix Dennis
Felix Dennis has a lot of everything. He has a lot of money (so much, in fact, he can’t count it, but let’s say £700M, give or take the odd £50M), from a lot of publications (more than 50 magazines and websites in UK and America), earned over the last 30 years with a lot of backstory (the crack cocaine addiction isn’t the interesting bit, it’s the fact he got himself off it, cold turkey, on his own, in 6 weeks, flat).
Serenity in the Seychelles
Meditating upon the madness that is flying today, it’s hard to recall the beautiful things in life when withstanding the relatively restricted comforts of a 12-hour flight. But all this dissipates into thin air once the airbus begins its decent down towards the Indian Ocean, and glancing wistfully into the aeroplane’s familiarly meagre oval window, one proceeds to stare across into the heavens mid-flight or to smile smugly in childish awe at the Lilliputian-sized toy towns that seem to reside so peacefully beneath the wings.
La Cenerentola
What better time is there than the festive season to embark upon a pilgrimage to London’s finest opera institution, where lofty tones and intricately-crafted songs are uttered with exacting dexterity and harmony, amidst the dramatic dome-like backdrop where audiences meet operatic stars in all their vocal glory.
The Coast of Dreams
Looking out from the balcony of Noriega’s Punta Paloma show apartment in Manilva at the glass like Mediterranean Sea, you would almost think that the scene had been retouched in Photoshop. The sky is clear blue, matching the sea with its colour saturation, and with the sun burning at a very nice 75 degrees Fahrenheit, you would be mistaken for believing it was the height of summer.
Sugar Suite London
A few issues ago we wrote briefly about a new development right on the edge of the City of London called City Quarter. At that point only the first stage of the project had been completed; a new build block which offered a great location in a well designed building.
Spitfire Training: Part II
As the Spitfire sliced skyward with the roar of the mighty Merlin thundering in my ears I couldn’t help sneaking a glance at the evocative elliptical wing. I’m back in the cockpit of a Spitfire – but this time I’m sitting in the front! Can it get any better? I’ve waited two years for this moment, but as I merely think about turning and the Spitfire responds to my every whim, I know it’s been worth the wait!
Breakfast at Normas
While in the US recently, Lusso supremo Dan Sharp gave me a particularly tough assignment. “Our US agents have reported that Norma’s make the best breakfast in New York. Your mission Dave” he continued “is to find out if this is remarkable claim is true!” Armed with nothing but a keen appetite and a hungry photographer, I set off to find out for myself.
Kersefontein
OK, so a lot of people visit Cape Town – and why not, it is a great city after all. But how many of those visitors venture outside of the city for more than a few hours to get a bit tipsy on the local wine? Not quite so many I would guess. It is a real shame, because one of Cape Town’s attractive features – its cosmopolitan European feel – is also one of its biggest weaknesses.
Aero GP travels to Abu Dhabi for the first air race of 2009
Aero GP will host the first Grand Prix of the 2009 Aero GP Series in late January in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE. Al Ain will host the race, which is being held on the weekend of the 28th to 31st of this month. It's a true spectacle to watch and with multiple airplanes racing against eachother, its fantastic entertainment.
Luxury Jewellery Competition is launched by Gladstone
Competition gives Lusso readers the chance to win a grand's worth of Gladstone Jewellery by taking a “How Romantic Are You?” quiz. This co-incides with the company opening their latest boutique in London's Piccadilly.
The ultimate marathon shoe
As the cold winter is now well upon us, its becoming common to see runners out on the footpaths, head to toe in warm clothing, getting in the miles before April's London Marathon. In fact, if you live in north Bucks, you may have seen my girlfriend and I out and about in training.
Panerai expand to New York City
Luxury watch manufacturer Officine Panerai is just about to open a boutique store in New York City, to add to their American presence in Los Angeles.
Issue 16, Available April 2009.
Design Special
We circumnavigate the universe in search of the ultimate products.
Supercar School
Ever fancied yourself as a race-car driver? We get behind the wheel of some of the fastest road and race cars.
And the regulars...
Brian Ebbesen, Arash Farboud, Simon Barnett, Neil Davey, Nick English and others all share their views
A Bond about town weekend
“Wow sounds divine! I think I may have to book myself in... ” By Aisling 06 January 2009
Felix Dennis
“I recently completed reading "How To Get Rich". I have been in pursuit of said riches for...” By Jim Rivas 18 December 2008
Moving Fast Under Sail
“It′s nice to read about something you probably will never experience in your lifetime. I try...” By James Brown 26 November 2008
