So Restaurant
Japanese food has a lot going for it, especially in the current climate of free range chickens, organic vegetables, fruit smoothies and healthy eating. As a nation the Japanese have the longest life expectancy of any nation on earth, and a large portion of this must be down to their diet, which as any man on the street can tell you, is largely based around fish, rather than meat.
Garmin Nuvi 660FM
On our recent trip to South Africa (see Lusso 11) there was only one gadget (besides cameras) that we took along. I have been a user of Garmin Sat Nav units for many years, so it was fun and interesting to get my hands on their latest model, the Nuvi 660FM. I had a few weeks in the UK to get used to it before the trip, although in actual fact there is not a lot to get used to, especially if you have used Garmin products before.
La Pleta Hotel
People that I speak to are often jealous about my job – after all, swanning off around the world to write articles seems from the outside to be an impossibly easy and fun job. Of course I like to pretend it is not really, but that is another matter.
Hotel Caruso
On a beautiful late September day, I was driving along the dramatic but tortuous coastal route along the Amalfi coast - I know that Italians love their spaghetti, but I didn’t know they had roads like it too. My destination was the Hotel Caruso at Ravello; the newest gem in the crown of the Orient Express Hotels on the divine Amalfi coast, and a beautiful haven in which to unwind!
12 Apostles Cape Town
The 12 Apostles hotel in Cape Town must have one of the nicest views of any hotel in the world, and as it looks out to the west then there is also no better place to sit and watch the sun set over the Atlantic.
Farmhouse Luxury
I’d been charmed by Mallorca a few times before so when the chance of visiting again arose hesitate I did not. After a wet British summer some guaranteed heat would be more than welcome and as this was to be a family trip, the largest of the Balaeric Islands seemed to tick all our required boxes.
Brown's - Best Room in the House
Choose a London hotel for under £100 a night and you’re hoping the physical basics are covered and you can get some sleep. Have the sheets been changed? Is the shower tray clean? Is the carpet meant to be flecked or does it have crabs?
Roofless Wafting
Convertible cars are always designed to look beautiful with the top down, whilst their roofs consume 90 per cent of the vehicles’ boot space. Our glorious and ever-shifting climate ensures that most of the time that we venture outdoors the roof must up, turning a sleek and carefully crafted luxury motor into a frightfully frumpy little monstrosity and leaving the driver and passengers feeling like the pilot of a supercharged tent.
I want to ride my Tricycle
Once upon time motor scooters were called Lambrettas and Vespas. They were manufactured in Italy, were powered by tiny two stroke engines which spewed smoke and were ridden by rather strange people called Mods who used to congregate in Southend on Sea every Bank Holiday. There they would meet up with the motorcycle fraternity – who were called Rockers – and the two groups used to fight each other until the Essex Police Force arrived to keep the peace.
Mercedes S500
Mercedes have always been synonymous with class, and the new S 500 L has all the refinements we’ve come to expect of the marque. Although I usually test aeroplanes for Lusso, when the opportunity arose to evaluate this magnificent machine you can imagine that I didn’t need asking twice!
Audi RS4
This is not a car for the faint hearted – but it is one for someone who doesn’t want to get noticed. Aside from some huge, and incredibly sexy, wheels, and the bulging arches that house them, this car almost fades into the background. Even with the semi-fluorescent shade of “Sprint Blue” that our car came in, it still looks like one of the countless slightly pimped up Audi A4s that pound the motorway miles every day up and down the country.
Tomorrow’s devices today?
You wouldn’t fit a supercar with budget tyres, and the same principal should apply for your home computer or media centre pc.
Did Russian billionaire buy 496 million euro property?
Recently, it was reported that Villa Leopolda was sold to a Russian billionaire for just under 500 million euros. It soon revealed that Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov was behind the sale. As is the habit with Russian oligarchs, Prokhorov made his billions in precious metals. In 2007 he launched a $17 billion private investment fund, so he was definitely wealthy enough to purchase the property.
AirDrives earphones are perfect for the runner or cyclist
Personal headphones have developed a lot in the last few years since the expansion of the MP3 industry. Most companies have been furthering the sound quality, but Mad Catz have looked at a different market, the user who wants to hear the surroundings. So if you're a runner, a cyclist or just someone who doesn't want to immerse themselves in music... read on.
New Lord Norman Foster designed yacht launches next month
YachtPlus are a company specialising in fractional ownership of yachts. In conjunction with designer Lord Norman Foster, they will be releasing their 'Signature Series' craft in September. The total cost is $16m and with 8 owners of each vessel, the cost is $2m for ownership.
Review – Jabra Titanium Bluetooth headset
Lets be honest, no-one fancies losing their driving license and the recent crackdown on driving with mobile phones has made alternatives such as bluetooth headsets a much better option. Most of these are ugly plastic devices, so its refreshing to see Jabra taking the headsets up market.
Issue 13, Available June 2008.
Jet Special
We investigate the new class of light jet and investigate whether personal is the smart way to travel. We find out how you can own and operate an ex-military jet so you can spend the rest of your weekends going supersonic.
Helicopter Group Test
We put the most popular helicopters to the test and find out which one you should be living with! We even explore the new world of tilt-rotors.
And the regulars...
Brian Ebbesen, Arash Farboud, Nick English and others all share their views
Raising the Stakes
“Thinking of selling 16th century farmhouse in conservation area 4/5 bdrooms, 3 acres - do not wish...” By P. Whyte 22 August 2008
Buying a Bugatti Veyron
“Cars like this are only so stylish because not everyone can have them-- that is precisely the poin...” By Pablo Hudson 16 August 2008
Gary Rhodes opens new restaurant at Grosvenor House, Dubai
“As chairman of Northern Region Variety Club, it is my job to try and raise funds for the benefit o...” By Peter Johnson Chairman of Variety Club Northern Region UK 12 August 2008
