Pablo Picasso – Les Demoiselles d’Avignon

In 1907 Picasso painted “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” his first Cubist painting. Impressed by African art, he tried to combine the angular structures of “primitive art” and his new ideas concerning cubism. Critics immediately said that this stage of his work and his time in Africa, considered being limited to the imitation of African ethnic art.

Picasso wrote: “In the Demoiselles d’Avignon I painted a profile nose into a frontal view of a face. I had to depict it sideways so that I could give it a name, so that I could call it ‘nose’. And so they started talking about Negro art. Have you ever seen a single African sculpture  just one  where a face mask has a profile nose in it?”.

Picasso’s new experiments were received very differently by his friends, some of which were very disappointed, even appalled, others were interested. A friend of Picasso, the artist Georges Braque (1882-1963), was so excited by Picasso’s new artworks, that the two artists came together to explore the possibilities of cubism in the following years. In 1908 the two began their experiments. Then they found that the pictures that were painted in cubist fashion were very much independent of each other.

The World’s Best Restaurant. (2009)

In April of 2009, S. Pellegrino announced the “World’s Best 50 Restaurants”. Topping the chart at #1 for the 4^th year in a row is El Bulli.

Located in Roses on the Costa Brava in Catalonia, Spain, Chef Ferrann Adria, skilled in molecular gastronomy, continues to offer culinary masterpieces that invoke surprise and awe from his guests.

Open only 6 months of the year, a limited number of guests are treated to the grandest experience in taste and texture sampling a 35-course menu priced around $150 per person.

Come to where old-world charm meets exquisitely with modern food preparation.

Philanthropic Vacations

Philanthropic travel is quickly becoming a popular way for wealthy individuals and families to gain insight to the needs of developing countries, to make both a financial and physical difference in people’s lives, and still enjoy the comforts of luxury.

Different than your typical volunteer trip, in which your accommodations can be quite rough, exposing you to the elements and wildlife. Philanthropic travelers typically stay in upscale accommodations and have the opportunity to explore the countryside as a “normal” traveler would, however, on these expeditions, you will be immersed deeper into the native culture visiting some of the most impoverished towns and seeing first-hand how your donations and time are benefiting them.

A typical expedition can range from 4 days to 2 weeks, and vary in cost from $2800 per person to $20,000 per person, and your choice of destination is virtually limitless with tours going to: Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama, Brazil, Belize, Uganda, Botswana, Kenya, Laos, Peru, Tanzania, and Zambia to name a few.

Currently, there are several tour operators to choose from like GoPhilanthropic, Exquisite Safari, or Artisans of Leisure. Be sure to visit their websites and contact them directly for pricing and excursion information.

If you want to make an impact in the world, but not compromise 1^st class accommodations, then perhaps a “Philanthropic Vacation” is exactly what you are looking for!

Jackson Pollock “No. 5 1948”

Paul Jackson Pollock (January 28, 1912 – August 11, 1956) has been considered one of the more influential American painters during the “abstract expressionist” movement.

Abandoning the traditional painter’s easel and brush for canvases tacked to the floor of his studio, Pollack developed his technique of “drip” painting. His work came from the movement of his entire body versus the simple flicker of hand and wrist.

Pollock did not simply want his art “labeled” or perceived by what he was thinking while he created. So, he stopped naming his work and simply numbered them. He felt it made people look deeper into his work and see it for what it was – “pure painting”.

It is one of these numbered works of art that has fetched the title “most expensive painting ever sold”. Pollock’s “No. 5 1948” was sold by music-mogul, David Geffen of Geffen Records to David Martinez for a reported $140 million. Though this sum has not been confirmed by either party, it has not been denied.

Badrutt’s Palace in St. Moritz, Switzerland

With breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps and Lake St. Moritz, Badrutt’s Palace in St. Moritz, Switzerland has become the ideal setting for those looking for winter adventure, luxury and most of all, privacy.

Since opening its doors in 1896, this historic and grand hotel has pampered celebrities and the wealthy, with unspoiled scenery, fine cuisine, discreet service and the ultimate in winter sport activity set 6,125 feet above sea level in the Swiss mountains.

Featuring 159 guestrooms and 38 suites, prices range from $4730 per night for a basic suite, to $12,500 per night (and up) for those when only the best will do.

Though famous for its challenging ski slopes, St. Moritz can also accommodate even the most extreme summer sport activist interested in sky diving, mountain climbing and paragliding.

For those looking for a more tranquil and relaxing vacation, Badrutt’s Palace also offers a newly renovated spa, access to high-end shopping and wine tasting.

With unparalleled guest service, your ultimate, picture-perfect holiday awaits you.

The Diamond Wedding Dress

Yumi Katsura’s designs for elaborate and luxurious wedding gowns may have stolen the show in Dubai’s Fashion and Diamonds show in Fall of 2006, with her winning $8.5 million gown featuring 1,000 pearls and a 5 carat white gold diamond, of which only two exist in the world. But the real prize of “Most Expensive Wedding Dress in the World” goes to Renee Strauss, owner of a most-sought-after bridal salon in Beverly Hills, California and Martin Katz, a dealer in rare jewels, whose collaborative wedding gown unveiled February 2006 features 150 carats of diamonds and is valued at $12 million U.S. dollars.

The Grandest Wedding Affair of the Century

What do you get when you cross the daughter of a steel king billionaire and an investment banker?

You get a wedding gala that Forbes calls “the grandest wedding affair of the century”.

In 2004, steel tycoon, L.N. Mittal threw daughter, Vanisha and her groom, Amit Bhatia, a wedding extravaganza costing around $60 million.

Beginning with 20-page invitations, including poems written by Mittal’s family, sent in silver boxes, over 1000 guests from around the world were flown in 12 Boeing jets rented for the event and treated to accommodations in a five-star hotel in Paris.

This grand celebration spanning five days took the bride and groom, along with their guests to some of France’s most elegant settings: a chateau built for King Louis XIV’s minister of finance, to Versailles, and Forbes even reported a party hosted at a wooden castle built for the evening in Parc de Saint-Cloud.

5000 bottles of Mouton Rothschild, estimated around $1.5 million were brought in to toast the newlyweds, while pop singer, Kylie Minogue performed. In addition, guests were treated to an over-the-top dinner celebration prepared by 45 chefs.

Grand Luxe Facial

Angelina Umansky and Galina Rovner, owners of Spa Radiance in San Francisco, have quickly become hailed as the country’s most sought-after skin care experts. Bringing to their A-list clients four generations of knowledge and experience.

With their passion to deliver unmatched service and results, they have brought skin care and the ultimate in decadent pampering together with their “Grande Luxe Facial”.

This $750, 3 hour facial, boasts a one-of-a-kind spa treatment, that has skin care professionals and spa goers coming from all over the world to experience.

The facial begins with a gentle, but thorough cleansing, followed by a diamond peel and deep lymphatic draining. Microcurrents are then applied to help with collagen production, mimicking a non-surgical facelift. After which, your skin is treated to a luxurious caviar mask and special protein-rich eye treatment, finished off with LED light therapy (which diminishes wrinkles and kills acne causing bacteria).

All the while, guests can relax under a soothing massage including anti-aging hand and foot treatments, topped off with warm mitts and booties.

When only the very best in spa treatments will do, then Spa Radiance is the place to go.

The Only 7 Star Hotel in the World

Architecturally designed to resemble a 1000 foot-tall sail (321 metres), the Burj Al Arab is a masterpiece of decadence and splendor gracing the white, sandy beaches and shimmering blue waters of the Arabian coast in Dubai.

Guests of the Burj Al Arab will be immersed in luxury from the moment they step foot into this opulent hotel; greeted by an interior lobby plated with gold leaf and in-suite check-in for ultimate privacy. Your every need will be exquisitely met by your highly trained butler, and chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce. And if traveling by car isn’t fast enough for you; feel free to utilize the hotel’s private heli-pad.

The ‘Al Mahara’ is the Burj Al Arab’s signature fine dining restaurant and has been recognized as on the of the top ten best hotel restaurants in the world. Boasting a multitude of elegant settings, you can choose from the most exquisite seafood in the world to International cuisine while sitting under the stars, at the base of the world’s tallest atrium or from under the ocean.

At night, when you are tired from your day of water sports and tennis atop the Burj Al Arab overlooking the Dubai coastline, you can drift off to a blissful rest when you choose from one of the 13 options provided on their “pillow menu”.

The price tag to stay at the world’s most exclusive 7-star hotel? Just a mere $2700 (for a basic suite) to $10,500 (for the Royal suite) per night. But the lavish experience you come away with is priceless!

$1 Million Dollar Cell Phone by GoldVish

Looking for the perfect gift for someone who seems to have everything? A limited edition cell phone by GoldVish is the answer.

Emmanuel Guiet, the world renowned designer of these one-of-a-kind phones has created a special phone embellished with a dazzling 120 carats worth of VVS1 grade diamonds enlaid in 18k gold. The phone features up-to-date technology for superior performance: a camera with 8x zoom, MP3 player, FM radio, 2GB memory card, Bluetooth and an EDGE connection, and is backed by the highest levels of Swiss craftsmanship and precision.

The price tag for this custom masterpiece? A cool $1,000,000.

But if this seems a little out of your price range, GoldVish has created a full collection of high-quality, luxurious phones each with at least 150 grams of 18k gold in your choice of rose’, white or yellow gold starting around $25,000. Of course, each phone can be upgraded with VVS1 diamonds upon request, and will be accompanied with the appropriate and official grading report.

With locations world-wide in Genève, Amsterdam, Moscow, Dubai, London and Hanoi, buying these Limited-Edition technological masterpieces is easy, or simply go online.

Your Private Paradise Awaits You!

If you are a traveler looking for a true island experience, without losing the amenities of civilization, then look no further.

Musha Cay has been called “the most luxurious private island resort in the world”!

This island paradise is located in the southern Bahamas, 85 miles southeast of Nassau in the Exuma chain of islands. It boasts 150 acres of pure tropical scenery, with palm trees, exotic flowers and vegetation, powder white sand and turquoise waters.

With 5 uniquely-styled English Colonial villas to choose from, guests to this island can expect to have every need met by the 30 live-in staff members, including a world-class chef.

Priced around $325,000 (USD) per week, up to 24 guests can take unlimited advantage of the private island’s amenities: free form pool, tennis courts, beachfront bars, massage hut at the beach, jogging trails, of course, water activities like snorkeling, jet skiing, fishing.

Though the island accommodates for transportation to and from the island with their 8-passenger plane, Musha Cay also features a 2000 foot (610 metre) private airstrip, for those who choose to fly their own plane. The Mush Cay dock can also accommodate ships up to 200 feet (61 metres).

Welcome to Musha Cay! Your private paradise awaits you!

Simple Luxury & Tranquility in Mexico

Deep in the Valle del Sierra Madre Occidental, carved out of the lush Mexican jungle, is Verana. A travel destination like none other in the world.

A perfect setting for those travelers seeking beauty, decadence, tranquility and especially privacy.

Each open-aired house on the property was designed and decorated uniquely to blend with its landscape, and feature private gardens and terraces for stunning views and relaxation for their guests.

Whether you visit Verana for a romantic getaway, to stroll along its private beaches, or to take a couple’s bath underneath the stars at their day spa, take on-site cooking courses using local ingredients for making 5 star meals or perhaps adventure is more to your liking with swimming, snorkeling, whale watching, you are certain to return home changed from the amazing experience that awaits you.

And for those who cannot bear to leave civilization behind, Verana now offers free Wi-Fi.

Be sure to book your tropical hideaway soon, Verana’s luxurious accommodations are not available all year round; closing for their rainy summer season and re-opening in November. Link: Verana.com

Luxurious $1000.00 Sundae

Looking to celebrate your “Golden Anniversary” or “Sweet  16”? How about a successful year in business or just looking for a culinary experience like none other?

Then the Golden Opulence Sundae might be right up your alley. Stephen Bruce, one of the founders and owners of Serendipity 3 in Manhattan’s Upper East Side created this over-the-top dessert to commemorate 50 years of luxurious cuisine.

What makes this incredible sundae spectacular worth the $1000 price tag?

It is made with 5 scoops of Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream, gloriously infused with vanilla from Madagascar. It is drizzled with Amedei Porcelana dark chocolate from Tuscany, the worlds most expensive chocolatier and covered with big chunks of Chuao chocolate, whose beans have been harvested from the coast of Venezuela. Toppings for this one-of-a-kind treat includes 23k edible gold leaf, exotic candied fruit direct from Paris, marzipan cherries and truffles. It is topped with a tiny dish of Grand Passion Caviar, a salt-free dessert caviar from America, known for its sparkly golden color.

The sundae is served in a $300 Baccarat Harcourt crystal goblet with an 18k gold spoon and topped with a Ron Ben-Israel gilded sugar flower.

But don’t expect to walk in and see this treat on the menu. The most decadent dessert in the world is not advertised and those who have tasted its perfect combination of rare ingredients belong to an exclusive and special club of indulgent, dessert connoisseurs.

World-Class Art & Fine Winemaking

HALL Artisan Wine and Art Experience Price: $20,000.00

Wine enthusiasts can now enjoy a truly unique experience in fine winemaking at The Hall, Napa Valley. You and your guest have the opportunity to learn firsthand winemaking by Master Winemaker Steve Leveque. An experience using artisan standards, small-vine viticulture, and Earth-friendly practices. You’ll also have a personal tour of the Halls’ world-class contemporary art collection that includes artwork from former communist European countries, conducted by owner Kathryn Hall. After your luxurious stay at the Auberge Resorts Calistoga Ranch, your custom aged wine will be bottled and delivered right to you. For more details about The Hall Artisan Wine and Art Experience visit the 2009 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book.

Luxury Mediterranean Mansion in Heart of South Beach

The South Beach Mediterranean Mansion is a hidden gem in heart of South Beach, Miami Beach that offers both serenity as well as luxurious accommodations. This five-star secluded hotel is most private and offers its guest European-style VIP dwellings. This luxurious hideaway was constructed in 1931 and designed by famous architect of the former Versace mansion, Wallace Tutt.