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A Venetian Haven for Famous Newly-weds

Features

Dec 3, 2014

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After spending a few days on the main island of Venice, we were looking forward to leaving behind the masses of tourists pouring into the ancient city each day. So we headed to Giudecca Island, home of the Belmond Cipriani Hotel, which sits at the heart of the Venetian archipelago.

It was time to escape and find out why Mr and Mrs Clooney chose this venue to host the ‘wedding of the year’.

Our water taxi departed at 10:30am from St Marks Square, and in a matter of ten minutes we were whisked away to Giudecca Island. We could have been in another part of the world; such was the mystery and visual allurement of the ride.

On 26 May 1958, Giuseppe Cipriani opened the Hotel Cipriani on the island of Giudecca. Also the founder of the famed Harry’s Bar and the inventor of the Bellini, Giuseppe Cipriani created one of the world’s most expensive hotels. The flagship of the Belmond group, the Cipriani has become home to a myriad of international celebrities.

On arrival, we were met by the hotel concierge by the dock and escorted to check-in. Our bags disappeared, and almost immediately we were reclined in the poolside lounge with tea served, internet connected, and our lunch menu presented. For the next two hours, I lost myself in a world of Italian luxe and relaxation, and Danielle strolled the magnificent gardens photographing, absorbing herself in the natural beauty.

The Cipriani’s spatial liberty sets its apart from the often flocked hotels and resorts of the main island. It boasts its own Olympic size pool and, in the spirit of Mediterranean, plucked-from-the-harvest freshness, their own vegetable and herb gardens.

Guests need to make way for the team of ducks strolling around in single file, or listen out for the chicken frenzy during feeding time.

Unique pieces of sculpture are dotted throughout the gardens, and thoughtful relaxation areas are hidden away to create the impression that guests are almost alone. Despite the notable peace and quiet, the Cipriani was in fact sold out during our stay.

We very much looked forward to dinner that night at the famed Restaurant ORO. Designed by world-renowned restaurant designer Adam D. Tihany, the restaurant is uniquely elegant, while Executive Chef Davide Bisetto demonstrates his golden touch that gives the restaurant its name.

This celebrated iconic hotel has managed to coax Chef Bisetto back to his Venetian roots and give diners a culinary thrill. To complete the triumvirate, and leading the way, is in my opinion the industry benchmark for restaurant management.

Carlo Tofani is the quintessential professional, with the suave manner and finesse of Tony Bennett, he glides from table to table mesmerising clientele with recommendations, recipes and ultimately deciding what they will eat. Carlo has created a unique and fascinating environment that I have not yet seen replicated.

Naturally, we left the menu up to Carlo, and what a spread he delivered! We enjoyed lamb shank tortellini, sautéed octopus and scampi tagliatelle with gold leaf. To complement a teetotaler’s dining experience, Carlo delivered an amazing ensemble of carefully selected teas to suit each dish.

I had heard about the ‘life changing’ Tiramisu dessert that one could only get at Cips, Cipriani’s waterfront restaurant. So to ensure we finished off the night with a bang, we were last seen cuddled up waterside with an espresso and a very large serve of the Tiramisu. We were not disappointed!

If you venture into the city of love, please put the Cipriani on the top of your list. It may cost a few Euro more, but you won’t regret it; this hotel is worth every penny.

Journey on the Orient Express

Dec 3, 2014

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The evocative Orient Express is arguably the most well-known train in the world.

Its reputation was established as a showcase of luxury and comfort at a time when travelling was still rough and dangerous. This inspiring and legendary train is part of the rich weave of popular culture, featuring in numerous books, films and TV shows including Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express and Ian Fleming’s From Russia with Love, to name just a few.

After being established in 1883, the train and its routes have seen many changes over the past 131 years. Originally called Express d’Orient, it travelled from Paris to Vienna and, in 1889, the first non-stop train ran to Istanbul (Istanbul remained its easternmost stop until May 1977). In 1919, the opening of the Simplon Tunnel allowed the introduction of a more southerly route via Milan, Venice and Trieste.

The service on this route was known as the Simplon-Orient-Express, and it ran in addition to continuing services on the old route. By 1962, the Orient Express had stopped running, leaving only the Simplon-Orient-Express.

Twenty years later, the ‘Venice Simplon-Orient-Express’ was established as a private venture, running restored 1920s and 1930s carriages from London to Venice. The legend has endured two World Wars, a depression and countless recessions and has withstood the modern-day introduction of high-speed rail travel. This train is cloaked with the aura of romance, sophistication and adventure and we couldn’t wait to sample this piece of history.

Starting our journey in London, we boarded the Belmond British Pullman train at the historic Victoria Station. Taking our seats in the dining car and, over a delicious lunch, enjoyed the Kentish countryside as the train wended it’s way down to Folkestone on the coast. We disembarked here and boarded a luxury coach for the Channel crossing on the Eurotunnel Shuttle.

When we reached Calais, the coach pulled into our transfer station. Perhaps appropriately fitting with the historical theme, the rail platform appeared to be deserted and was surrounded by disused rail sheds and old derelict buildings. In sharp relief to this background, sat the beautifully restored and glorious Venice Simplon-Orient-Express waiting for us to board.

Guests were greeted by an impressive line-up of staff: train directors, chefs, waiters, stewards, engineers and bellmen.

As we were led to our cabin and met by our personal steward, we were overwhelmed by the magnitude of the nostalgia, history and grandeur.

As the engines started winding over and the grand old lady slowly pulled away from the platform, we headed to the famed Bar Car. Built in France in 1931, this Car ran as part of the Sud Express after the Second World War from Paris to Irún on the Spanish border and from Paris to Toulouse in Le Capitole. Beautifully restored, it features an Art Nouveau-style interior by Gérard Gallet. This is a very special place to while away time and to watch the French countryside go past.

In keeping with the train’s famed reputation, dining on the train is fairly formal. A jacket and tie is appropriate for lunch and the dress code for dinner is Black Tie. As the cabins are in carriages originally built in the 1920s and 1930s, there are no showers on board. So our experience of preparing for dinner was delightfully authentic using a wash basin.

All chefs on board are classically trained and delivered a delicious four-course dinner. All courses reflected Escoffier’s principles and true French modern culinary arts. There are three beautifully restored 1920s restaurant cars to dine in, each with their own unique ambience: Côte d’Azur, boasting Lalique glass panels; Etoile du Nord with its beautiful marquetry; and L’Oriental, decorated in black lacquer.

Following dinner, we headed back to the Bar Car and took in the hypnotic lights of distant Paris, with the gentle tickling of the ivories from the on-board pianist in the background contributing to the magical night. At 2:00 am, with Paris far behind us, we reluctantly left the Bar Car and found our way back to the cabin. There, with our beds already prepared for us, we said good night to a very special day.

It is an incredible experience to sleep on a train and the time felt far too short before there was a knock at our cabin door.

In walked our steward with the intoxicating aroma of freshly-brewed coffee and hot croissants straight from the oven.

These were left on our bedside table with freshly-squeezed juice and a bowl of fruit salad. We enjoyed our breakfast continuing to be mesmerised by the mountain and countryside scenery outside and watched as the train climbed its way up into the alps bound for Zurich and Innsbruck and then down on our run into Venice.

We enjoyed a leisurely three-course lunch, and relaxed during the afternoon watching the train travelling through the Italian Dolomites. We took afternoon tea in our cabin and prepared to disembark. All too soon, we had crossed the Venetian Lagoon and pulled into our final destination at the Santa Lucia station in Venice. An unforgettable journey, we felt privileged to have experienced it.

With this train’s special place in history we know its legacy will continue to endure well into the future.

A Jump for Joy

Dec 3, 2014

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There are many ways guests can check into hotels and resorts, but arriving by paraglider
is a unique experience that can’t be beaten.

This is exactly the way that I checked into the Oman Six Senses Resort – one of Six Senses nine unique and award-winning resorts located around the world. To say paragliding was nerve-wracking for me is an understatement.

Perhaps it was from pure confidence, or sheer will of the pilot secured to me in the harness, that when we starting running full pelt to the cliff edge that we didn’t stop. It’s counter-intuitive to jump off a cliff, and whilst my head was screaming ‘no’, my heart was for it, and my legs just did the rest.

As the wind filled our sails and we calmly lifted into the sky there was no sound, just the sheer exhilaration and the pure adrenaline pumping through my veins. The view from this height was breathtaking. As we circled the mountain tops we saw hundreds of goats making their way down to feed, and at the fishing village we could see the trawlers busily harvesting the local catch.

With only about 100 feet to land, I could see the entourage of Six Senses staff with cameras ready to welcome us.

Six Senses Zighy Bay is located on the northern Musandam Peninsula in the Sultanate of Oman. The Resort features 82 luxurious indigenous village-style accommodations and private marina, which is spectacular. It is nestled in with the dramatic mountains on one side and the 1.6 km sandy beach of Zighy Bay on the other.

Six Senses Zighy Bay immediately impressed me from the outset with the exclusive arrival by paraglide option. We were greeted with an ice-cold towel and my favourite mango and passion-fruit drink. I’m immediately struck by what a rugged and arid place this is.

But the beauty of Zighy Bay lies with the juxtaposition of the expansive turquoise water and palm-tree fringed sandy beach with the dry, rocky and steep terrain.

All of the accommodation has been constructed in roughly-hewn stone with much exposed natural timber, and sits in great sympathy with its surroundings. With inspiration taken from traditional Omani villages, Six Senses Zighy Bay features palm-shaded laneways and sandy tracks amongst its villas. Six Senses Resorts have a commitment to sustainability and their principles are clearly articulated here.

We were joined for lunch, in the Summer House, by Six Senses Director of Public Relations, Hanny Wahyuni, and the Resort Spa Director, Souhel El-Achbah. They spoke with passion about the Six Senses approach to uniqueness and commitment to customer delivery.

Lunch was a magnificent piece of Wagu eye fillet from Australia and a fresh catch of king prawns. Lunch was completed with a couple of scoops of freshly made ice cream, which was just perfect on such a warm day. We then spent the next couple of hours touring the resort including the very impressive Presidential suite – if you really want to live like a king, this is for you: it comprised a kitchen, gym, private beach, four individual suites, main dining room, barbecue area, private entertainment areas, a grand reception area which could accommodate a pre-dinner cocktail function for 100, and included a private massage room and a suite for the nanny or butler.

We also viewed the Six Senses Spa, which offers nine treatment rooms, a juice bar and two Arabian Hammams.

Our home for the next two nights was in a ‘Pool Villa Beachfront’, which aptly described the accommodation. Generous in size, our villa comprised a separate living room, bedroom, bathroom and private outdoor shower.

There were two casual outdoor seating areas situated around the 21 m2 infinity edged pool with privacy provided by high cobblestone walls. Only 50 meters from the pool was the pristine white sandy beach with the expanse of Zighy Bay before us.

Each morning we watched the incredible routine of the hundreds of crabs scampering down the beach, and our morning swim was always joined with schools of fish. Each evening was memorable with the beautiful sunset walk along the Arabian coastline and with the backdrop of the spectacular cliffs protecting the resort. A true oasis, the privacy and seclusion of the resort relaxed and rejuvenated us.

Dining

We had a fantastic dining experience at the Resort’s ‘Sense on the Edge’. This award-winning mountain-top venue is perched 293 metres above sea level, overlooking Zighy Bay. The menu is created by Executive Chef James Knight-Pacheco. We started our experience with cocktails, which were served with freshly-made hummus and bonsai nibbles, surrounded by cheese-infused popcorn. This was presented on a bed of ‘hot ice’ creating a showy display of wafting smoke.

Whilst taking in the view, we noticed that a couple had arrived discreetly at the other end of the bar and then they disappeared with a bottle of Bollinger in hand, up another 117 steps to a private dining ledge boasting more remarkable views.

We discovered that this was only one of several secluded hide-away spots available for a romantic dinner.

Dinner matched our lofty expectations and comprised fresh gnocchi, grilled Barracuda, sautéed foie gras, palette cleansing frozen blood orange sorbet with freshly made meringue. It was a truly remarkable night.

Other dining options at Six Senses Zighy Bay include the Shua Shack, which offered traditional Bedouin communal dining experiences with under sand cooking and The Wine Cellar – which offered over 250 wine labels and can host small private dinners the at The Vinoteque.

Other Things To Do

There are many outdoor activities available including mountain trekking, biking, guided off-road excursions, Jungle Gym, fly a micro light aircraft, yacht charter, waters sports or check out their Dive Centre which offers unique underwater experiences.

Six Senses Zighy Bay impressed me with the location, accommodation and excellent dining options. The quality and attention to detail shown by the staff was excellent as was their respect and commitment to meeting the expectations of Six Senses guests.

Milano Magic

Dec 3, 2014

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When I think of Milan, I think of shopping, fashion, design, commerce, cathedrals, art and, of course, football.

We intended to soak up as much of this as we could over our four-day stay at the Park Hyatt Milano. This hotel has a fantastic location. It overlooks the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: one of the world’s oldest shopping malls housed in a stunning 19th century cast-iron and glass structure.

The hotel is nestled at the edge of the Piazza del Duomo (the main piazza in Milan) and the Duomo di Milano – the 5th century Gothic cathedral reported to be the fifth largest in the world. A short walking distance away is the world-renowned opera house, Teatro alla Scala and also ultra-chic shopping options in Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga.

We arrived at the Park Hyatt Milano and immediately took in the statement palatial classical design of the façade. As we entered the lobby to check-in and gazed up at the spectacular domed atrium, we were impressed by the spacious interior which featured columns and wall-to-wall terrazzo.

This light-filled space was anchored through the placement of unique designer furniture and artwork, notably the Lucio Fontana sculpture Testa Di Medusa and the stunning Untitled 2013 by Anish Kapoor which took pride of place in the Cupola Lobby Lounge.

The hotel provides accommodation through 106 guestrooms, including 25 suites, all featuring Ed Tuttle designed interiors.

We find our suite, which is decorated in a rich palette of cream, caramel and warm chocolate.

The room is accented by Venetian stucco and the bathroom is fitted out in Italian marble (of course) featuring soaking tub and oversized rain shower. The unique and exciting individual pieces carefully positioned in the room completed the picture – it was a visual delight and echoed the personal Park Hyatt touch.

After a long journey, we love to blow-off the cobwebs by hitting the gym. Whilst not oversized, the Park Hyatt Milano gym was professionally and thoughtfully equipped. The male and female steam rooms and saunas were a treat, as was the deep tissue massage we had at the hotel’s Spa – one of the many excellent offerings to soothe the weary traveller.

Dining

The Park Hyatt has a proud tradition of presenting exceptional dining options in their properties around the world, and this is no exception. Apart from quality in-room dining, the hotel offers another four excellent dining options and prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients available from the market in its menus.

Andrea Aprea is the executive chef of the hotel’s Michelin-starred ‘Restaurant VUN’. A chef with an obvious passion for his craft, this young Napoli master focuses on technique, innovation and respect for the Italian gastronomic tradition. “My contemporary cuisine looks to the future, but never forgets its origins”, said Aprea.

We booked into Restaurant VUN and were impressed with the elegance and sophistication of the dining room. A bonus was that it only accommodated 45 diners, which created a quiet and relaxed ambience.

The service was attentive and unobtrusive, and we enjoyed seeing Andrea Aprea actively interacting with the guests.

We chose a six course tasting menu and enjoyed an exceptional meal of Caprese…sweet salted, Octopus Luciana style, Anchovies with courgettes, Candela pasta with pork Genovese style, Baked Sea Bass finished with their signature Baba and completed the meal with the delicious Lemon Sensation. We could ask for nothing more!

Highlight

We participated in the ‘Run in Milan’ activity on offer at the Park Hyatt Milan. Guests can choose their preferred run length and then join a group of runners who go past the hotel at 6:25 am every day. The group leader of the runners adapts the tour to shorter or longer paths depending on the preference of the guest runner.

As well as burning calories, we loved participating as we felt we had the city to ourselves. We had an up-close and personal view as we ran through parks and pedestrian areas of the city centre, past monuments and landmarks whilst most people were still in their bed.

When visiting Milan, there is so much to see and do, and four days will never seem enough to take in the history, architecture, great food and wine, and shopping. We tried our best, however, and covered as much of the city as we could. Our stay at the Park Hyatt Milan, from its location to it fulfilling its promise as a truly global luxury hotel brand, was perfect in ensuring our visit was memorable for all the right reasons.

Further information:

Park Hyatt Milan, Via Tommaso Grossi 1, Milan, Italy, 20121

www.milan.park.hyatt.com

Celebrity Haven in Beverly Hills

Travel

Dec 3, 2014

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Before I review a luxury property, I like to spend time collating background information to ideally get the facts straight.

Having heard great things about the Montage Beverly Hills, a relatively young property, I wanted to understand the name, Montage, and the reasoning behind it. I learnt it meant “A technique in film editing in which a series of short shots are edited into a sequence to condense space, time and information”.

There is no doubt that these visionary owners have taken the word to heart and applied it to beautifully combine all the ingredients necessary for a luxury property.

Situated in one of the busiest cities in the world, Los Angeles, the Montage is nestled between Canon and Beverly Drives in the heart of Beverly Hills. This true Hollywood vintage oasis features a Piazza surrounded by trendy designer shopping, restaurants, cafes, plush landscaping and a magnificent fountain as the centerpiece.

The Spanish Colonial inspired architecture and Mediterranean styling offer a sophisticated Southern California glamour seen back in the 1920s and 1930s. The classical elegant furnishings are reminiscent of the Golden Age of California, a perfect setting for today’s celebrity generation, movie moguls and industry heavy weights.

However it’s not until you visit the roof top restaurant, Rooftop Grill, and pool deck that you see the real splendor that is The City of Angels. Spending the day sunbathing, there was a buzz around the hotel that singer/songwriter Usher was in-house. With eyes and ears open, there was a noticeable but slight increase in oversized security guards at reception scouting the premises.

With stretch limousines rolling in, and a few paparazzi lingering in the lobby, guests are caught up in the excitement and understand how the Montage Beverly Hills has become a celebrity sanctuary.

As night fell, we strolled down to the lobby level to enjoy a cocktail at the Parq Bar and take some last minute photographs. Our venue for this evening’s meal was voted by Esquire magazine as one of the ‘Best New Restaurants’ in town, Scarpetta Restaurant. With expectations high, the Executive Chef Freddy Vargas welcomed us with special seating organized in the busy kitchen arena.

Let me be clear, this was not just any kitchen, this place had been designed to seriously impress with stone service tops and remarkable cabinetry throughout. Our seats were positioned as the Chef’s Table and we were to become part of the organised chaos that is a true à la carte kitchen.

With all Chefs poised ready for the onslaught of dockets we watched the night progress like a well oiled machine; we were up to our necks in pots and pans, orders flying past, the amazing spices and flavours wafting through the kitchen, it was impressive.

Executive Chef Vargas directed traffic effortlessly like the captain on the deck of his ship in a huge storm; precise and stern he guided his team through the night turning out his signature dishes with his keen eye watching over each and every one.

Having spoken with Freddy prior to the dinner, we knew his message wasn’t rocket science; in fact it was a refreshing change ‘Keep it simple, fresh and light’ – a welcome vision when so many chefs are churning out over-worked and oversized concoctions.

We dined like royalty that evening as we left our choices to Chef Vargas and he didn’t disappoint. The juicy seared sea scallops, yellow tail, spaghetti Napolitano with traditional tomato and basil and spiced duck breast with polenta with truffle mushrooms.

For dessert we over indulged in the coconut panna cotta with caramelized pineapple and guava soup finishing off with a signature shot of espresso.

Our few days at the Montage went by all too quickly; we had a chance to eat across the Piazza at Bouchons, enjoyed lunch at Spagos and obviously gave the gym one hell of a work out each day. The highlight for me was the opportunity to get back in the kitchen, to feel the pressure, enjoy and appreciate the craftsmanship of gastronomic excellence.

So if you’re planning a trip to Los Angeles in the near future, book now you, I promise you will not be disappointed.

Designer Gym at Versace

Health & Fitness

Dec 3, 2014

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Palazzo Versace Fitness & Wellbeing Centre provides members and guests with a lifestyle choice oriented towards wellbeing, and a holistic approach towards fitness and health.

This boutique gym, offering a relaxed and luxurious experience, is located in the world’s first fashion branded hotel – Palazzo Versace – in the heart of the magnificent Gold Coast. The hotel’s commitment to excellence in design and creation of extraordinary environments is reflected in the beautiful Fitness & Wellbeing Centre.

The well equipped facility is extremely stylish and highly intelligent, using Technogym’s world class fitness technology to create a complete workout experience tailored to the individual.

Technogym’s leading edge Wellness Key, Kinesis One, Strength, Flexibility and Cardio Excite equipment and programs places the member in total control of their exercise regime. With the guidance of the dedicated and highly trained staff, and with capped membership numbers, training has never been easier to fit into a busy lifestyle!

Wellness is Technogym’s way of life based on regular physical activity, a positive approach to life and healthy eating habits. A Wellness lifestyle puts the focus on the people. With Palazzo Versace Fitness & Wellbeing Centre’s aim to create an extraordinary experience for each person, and Technogym’s strive to inspire Wellness, it is a match made in heaven.

The Wellness Key links each member to an integrated personalized workout profile. Just like your own personal trainer, the key ensures members have their individual exercise program virtually there each step of the way, to assist in keeping track of progress, providing motivation and maintaining fitness goals.

Members have access to mind body classes, such a Yoga and Pilates, invigorating Boxing and Circuit classes and non weight-bearing Aqua Aerobics classes suitable for rehabilitation. They also receive complimentary Personal Training to get started in their fitness regime.

The Technogym cardio equipment features individual 19 inch TV screens offering the full range of the hotel’s digital channels, games and internet access, ensuring that users are always entertained.

Palazzo Versace Fitness & Wellbeing Centre offers a range of membership options, from basic access to the facilities to a range of luxurious inclusions, such as luxury overnight suite accommodation with breakfast, sparkling cabana experience at our award-winning pool and Water Salon, ongoing Personal Training, deep tissue massage in the hotel’s Aurora Spa, and dietitian consultations.

On The Run: Maria Nordstrom

Profiles

Dec 3, 2014

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Google ‘Technogym’ in the news and your computer will light up with a vast number of stories with everything from redesigning Crystal Cruises onboard gyms and creating outdoor fitness gardens through to being featured in Qatar’s national airport redesign of 130,000 square feet with luxury brands, a new airport hotel and of course a gym with Technogym equipment.

This Italian fitness equipment manufacturer has the world covered, and they’re just celebrating their 30th birthday.

Maria Nordstrom, has just stepped into the role of MD during this celebratory year to take Technogym in Australia to the next level.

An accomplished sportsperson having played for the Swedish National Basketball team, gaining her Yoga teaching certificate and an excellent horseman, Maria fits right into the Technogym lifestyle.

“I wanted to find a company I was passionate about and lead them through a positive transformation,” she said.

Maria is thrilled to be part of an industry that has undergone significant change in the last five years with the growth of 24/7 gyms, low cost gyms, cross fit and outdoor training and expansion in larger names such as Fitness First and Virgin Active.

“Australia has one of the highest active populations in the world at 15% so it is really refreshing to be a part of a culture and a company that understands the importance of fitness,” she said.

“There are a lot more businesses investing in their employees and thus I’m working with a number of corporates to ensure they have the best equipment and holistic plan around this equipment,” Maria continued.

Technogym is an incredibly innovative company with one of their more ambitious projects gaining recognition and success. This is the transformation of Romagna into a world hub of health and well-being called the Wellness Valley.

In 2002, owner and creator of Technogym, Nerio Alessandri publicly laid down his challenge: to transform Romagna into the first international Wellness district by investing in the region’s human, historical, artistic, natural and gastronomic resources.

The idea soon became a reality and materialised into the Wellness Valley project, the momentum of which gradually grew over time with a series of initiatives that spontaneously flourished to breathe life into the project.

The Wellness Valley involves several partnerships and has developed on the basis of mutual sharing and promotion.

The project focuses on creating a network that links technologically advanced facilities in the territory, through initiatives aimed at promoting Wellness as a lifestyle.

Whilst Australia does not have such a wellness valley, Maria is determined to ensure all companies have the opportunity to create their own valleys for their staff to promote a healthy mind, body and lifestyle.

As a leader in the Wellness and Fitness field with over 2,200 employees, 14 branches in Europe, U.S., Asia, Middle East and Australia, Technogym has more than 65,000 Wellness centres equipped with their products as well as 100,000 private homes all over the world.

Maria talks excitedly about the cloud based solution Technogym has introduced for those in the industry to work with an individual or group to track their performance. The Technogym solution allows the person to track their calorie output and see how much they have to do to burn those calories. Based on an android platform, one can wear wrist bands linked to this app.

The Sydney Cricket Ground and numerous others are on board with the cloud based solution as it assists them to maintain and view the fitness levels of their employees and hence understand if they are maintaining the right number of calories for their fitness regimes.

In the sporting world you want to track, maintain and build the fitness, whereas hospitals and physiotherapists can utilise this technology by getting better visibility of what their patient is doing outside of the office and corporates can use this to encourage holistic wellness and eating regime.

In March 2016, Maria will use the cloud based solution to promote ‘Let’s move for a better world’ a campaign to generate as many movements as possible in gym facilities.

The gym which generates the most movement will then be able to donate gym equipment to a local school in the area.

This is all part of Technogym and Maria’s vision to help people live a better life.

Technogym has been recognised all over the world as providing the most superior equipment being the official supplier to Olympic games in Brazil, supplier for the FIFA World Cup, supplier for the last Commonwealth Games, long standing relationships with Ferrari and McLaren, supplier for the large tennis tournaments in Paris and London and of course will be featured at the Milan Expo in 2015.

Maria is the perfect ambassador for Technogym because she lives and breathes the lifestyle. She can often be found bushwalking with her son on their farm in the Blue Mountains, skiing in Europe or running along one of Sydney’s sparkling beaches.

Even her favourite food of sushi, is extremely healthy. When Maria is not moving for a better world, she likes to relax in front of an Arthouse movie with friends. She is the perfect face of Technogym because of her synonymous beliefs of “Wellness experience everywhere everyday.”

A Flying Star

Dec 3, 2014

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I don’t have salt-water in my veins, so when friends come back in raptures from sailing the Mediterranean on their skippered yachts, it falls a bit on deaf ears.

However, with the recent opportunity to holiday on the legendary Star Flyer departing from Monaco, it was too good to refuse.

We arrived at the famous marina to find our tall ship, the Star Flyer sitting proudly, like a trophy amongst hundreds of powerboats. The four-mast, 16 sail Clipper measures 360 feet in length, weighs 2,298 tonne and has a full mast height of 226 feet.

With a crew of 72 catering for 170 guests, our Captain Mariusz Szalek and his athletic crew warmly greeted us in readiness for our welcome cocktail function. The Star Flyer is a modern cruise ship in every way, created for luxury-loving passengers who also enjoy the traditions and romance of the legendary era of sailing ships.

The traditions of the past are happily married to the comforts and amenities of the present day. The décor of Star Flyer is reminiscent of the grand age of sail. Antique prints and paintings of famous sailing ships adorn the walls, while the clipper’s proud nautical heritage is reflected in the abundance of teak and gleaming mahogany rails.

This unique vessel offers spacious accommodation and expansive teak decks with ample space and not one, but two swimming pools. In fact, you’ll find that these ships offer more outdoor space per passenger than most conventional cruise ships.

Featuring an open-seating dining in an elegantly appointed dining room, with a convivial indoor-outdoor Tropical Bar and Piano Bar, and an Edwardian style library where a Belle Époque fireplace glows.

After unpacking and freshening up in our luxurious cabin, we headed upstairs to mix and mingle with the other excited passengers. With the smiles and champagne flowing a surreal moment changed everything when it was discovered that 007 himself (Roger Moore, no less) was on board with the owner having a few of his famous martinis “shaken not stirred”, of course.

At 10:00 pm the time of our scheduled departure, and with 007 discreetly disembarked, over the sound system came the powerful voice of Andre Boccelli. Then, under a spectacular fireworks show, we pulled up the anchor and cast off from the marina. With the sails at full mast our epic journey bound for the majestic island of Corsica, was finally full steam ahead.

One of the standout features upon the Star Flyer is that there are no rigid schedules. You are free to do as you wish with your days – and evenings. Each day you are given a detailed itinerary so you can plan accordingly or simply laze on board and take full advantage of sunbathing out by one of the pools, read a book, send emails in the library or sit leisurely at the bar and enjoy the view. Entertainment was always plentiful with local performers on board to give passengers an authentic taste of the local music and arts.

Unlike any other on-water experience, summertime on the Mediterranean is truly exhilarating. Star Flyer also provide guests with plenty of opportunities to fully immerse in the sailing experience by getting their hands dirty through raising the sails and becoming part of the crew.

Unlike the bigger cruise ships, Star Flyer was able to deftly navigate those hidden away places around the coastline, and this was no more apparent than when we arrived at Bonifacio. This is the only way to see the ancient buildings clinging to the edge of the spectacular chalky cliffs of Corsica. Guests reveled in the many stories of shipwrecks and sunken treasures and the deaths of hundreds of sailors in the area, with all ports rich with history and folk law.

For the next six days we boarded our tender and strolled leisurely throughout the little fishing villages of Ile Rousse, Porto, Porquerolles and Sanary Sur Mer. The photo opportunities here were abundant with historical landmarks and cathedrals, crystal clear beaches, vibrant culture and charming boutique shopping.

St Tropez, the home to many celebrities was typically thriving with people, fine dining restaurants and local art exhibitors adorning the waterfront. Canne, which recently hosted the infamous Film Festival, favoured a more flamboyant style with casinos, high rolling entertainment, designer fashion labels and high end shopping. The diverse dynamics of each of these locations will leave you feeling extremely humbled.

Life aboard The Star Flyer was blissfully relaxed, much like traveling on a private yacht. From the cabins to the cuisine, every night was uniquely inspiring as we watched sunsets fall and indulged in a relaxing wine at the bar.

One of the most memorable times during our trip was reminiscing about our daily travels with fellow passengers Denis Bedard and Michael Stephens from Quebec, Canada. The instant connection we had with these spritely boys was simply unforgettable. I don’t think we have ever laughed so much, ever!

As we returned to Monaco on our final evening, we had a special perspective of the city from the water. We marveled at its unique architectural style that began during the rule of Napoleon III. A magnetic atmosphere of luxury and glamour radiated from the shoreline and reaffirmed the storybook history of this remarkable principality.

So when you are booking your next sail, remember stay as long as you can, as you will not want to leave. As far as new and exciting holidays and experiences go, I can only recommend that this is one you must do – you won’t be sorry. Our only complaint was that it had to end.

You’ll never feel confined on Star Clipper or Star Flyer.

Talise Fitness: Madinat Jumeirah

Health & Fitness

Dec 3, 2014

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When Phil and I began Harte Health back in Dubai 7 years ago, our mission was to re-empower, energise and motivate all of our Squash and Fitness clients to take back control of their lives and ultimately create the best version of themselves.

With managing hectic work schedules, children, school runs and busy social lives it became increasingly clear to us that our generation struggles to maintain and focus on our most precious asset ourselves, so the first step towards realizing that goal is selecting the right gym. Our choice is Talise Fitness overlooking the shimmering waterways of Madinat Jumeirah at Mina A’Salam.

Talise Fitness personifies a sense of achievement along with an overall calmness whilst training; there hasn’t been a session that I haven’t felt absolute satisfaction.

This modern, supremely equipped gym features a first-of-its-kind High Altitude Suite or LOWOXYGEN® chamber which offers you an increase in overall wellness within a shorter timeframe. Your body will adapt to the atmosphere in a similar way it would at 3000 meters or more, and will increase your mass of red blood cells, enhancing your aerobic capacity. It will also alter your muscle metabolism to assist in burning fat faster resulting in enhanced health and fitness benefits.

Available to all members and hotel guests is an Aerobics Studio equipped with 35 state-of-the-art body bikes hosting RPM classes; Two Squash Courts, Weights training zone, Functional Training Zone with TRX, VIPR, Kettle Bells, RIP Trainers, and 3 Kinesis stations. Plus daily Fitness Classes including Body Pump, RPM, Body Balance, Pilates, Yoga, CXWORX, Body Attack and SH’BAM, the choice is yours!

Talise Fitness personifies a sense of achievement along with an overall calmness whilst training; there hasn’t been a session that I haven’t felt absolute satisfaction. What underpins Talise Fitness is their selection of first-class cardio-vascular gear in Technogym – high-tech interactive training equipment with touch-screen Internet technology. The beauty for us is the global availability to Technogym equipment as we frequent some of the best hotels and resorts around the world.

After your workout it’s always refreshing to plunge into the 25-metre temperature-controlled indoor lap pool or simple indulge in the steam room or sauna found in the luxurious changing rooms complete with all amenities. The inclusion of a health-based café with nutritious and healthy dining options is the icing on the cake and together with all these unique assets we end up with our worlds leading gym facility.

Short Black with Jodie: The Upside

Dec 3, 2014

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Tanned, slim and incredibly beautiful, when Jodhi Meares enters a room heads turn. Men and women alike, wrench their necks to glimpse the petite beauty as she breezes by, and, why wouldn’t they?

She’s the former international swimsuit model, turned successful fashion designer and retailer who was once married to the polo playing Australian media mogul, now international Casino magnate, James Packer.

But if you dismiss this beauty for her looks alone, more fool you. This savvy brunette is shaking up the fashion and fitness space with a concept that is catchy, clearly defined and seemingly on the money. So too is her focus, and refreshingly, in a celebrity driven world, it’s not all about her.

“I’m not normal, I know that”, says Meares. Referring to her small size and not her looks, Jodhi accepts that if her new, edgy, active wear brand – The Upside – is going to work, she’s got to get sizing right.

“All my friends are size 14 and 16, that’s normal. I want to cater for reality and we want to make it very clear to people that we are not sizeist. Size 16 really isn’t that big. I think 14 is probably normal but it depends on your height and so many other things. We’re going to get quite real with women and we all know, it’s about curves.”

It’s a smart move.

According to industry analysts, the world sports apparel industry is expected to exceed $126 billion in sales by 2015, and sophisticated sportswear is the new casual, just like fit is the new black.

“The way I was dressing in New York, you wear legwear and put on a great Balenciaga boot with a cool shirt and fabulous blazer or jacket and away you go. In certain cities I don’t think that’s unreasonable.”

Function and fashion, blending seamlessly in sweat-absorbing synthetics is how women are dressing, whether they’re fit and healthy, exercising or not.

“Yeah, we laugh about that too; the number of people in work out gear, picking up their kids from school, or catching up with friends for a coffee who probably never work out, but it says to me, that’s what they want. Something that’s comfortable and fashionable and conveys an attitude of who they are or want to be.

“I think we merge fashion and technical sportswear as opposed to say Lululemon, which is a fantastic yoga brand. It’s very functional but I don’t think it is fashion. The Upside is a forward brand and unique. Gone are the days when it’s okay to wear just black yoga pants or an old dirty tracksuit. It’s now just a huge part of a woman’s wardrobe and it needs to look as forward as the rest of her wardrobe does.”

Major fashion houses are eager to play in this space too, seizing on the trend and devoting big bucks; recognising the financial upside and its enormous potential.

International retail juggernaut TopShop, is a case in point. It’s now collaborating with Beyonce to design ‘kick-ass active wear for the fierce, ambitious, independent, powerful woman in you’.

Meares points out that the statistics are enormous, “denim has taken a hit of seven or eight percent, for the first time in fifty years, and the growth in sportswear is up ten percent. I was told ten years ago that the health and fitness industry would boom, and it is in every area.”

But is all this competition a threat or does it just cement the space?

“You never feel like that in business because everybody has their space. The more the space strengthens, it gives you another avenue and opens the market up. Everyone’s going to want to have a piece of it, because they’re looking at the numbers, and they are huge.”

So far, Jodhi’s track record in fashion is pretty impressive. Her first foray was a bikini and beachwear label called Tigerlily, which she reportedly sold to Billabong for millions of dollars.

For someone who embodies and epitomises the Upside brand, Jodhi’s focus is getting it right, through a combination of research, innovation and gut instinct about what women want. And, right now it’s all about women’s legs.

“I’ve spent a life-time looking at women’s bodies and all I do now is look at women’s legs, it’s so strange. What I’ve learnt is that there isn’t a woman alive who likes her legs. They vary like women’s bodies and you’ve really got to try and understand that and understand the things they don’t like about them.”

Success is calibrated on the numbers, and the retailers who want a slice of her market. In a major coup, American multi-national Urban Outfitters, which targets the highly defined consumer and operates in the U.S., Europe and the U.K., is already on board as a distributor.

So too, the American gym giant, Equinox, further consolidating the international retail space. Down under, the major players, David Jones, General Pants and the online portal Net-a-Sporter have sewn up her domestic reach.

But being a wholesaler isn’t the end of the story. Stand alone retail is critical to consolidating her brand, so stores in Sydney, Melbourne and New York are already on the drawing board and then, there’s the online space.

“I think you need a physical space to brand your product and ultimately that will drive your people to the online space. I don’t think it’s ever going to be one or the other, it’s just part of business now that you have to do both. We’d like to be at 20 percent online, and I think that’s reasonable. If you look at a lot of the older companies it’s around 12-13 percent, it’s not huge. Ultimately we’d like it to be 50 percent of the business, but I don’t think we’ll get there in 2 years or so.

Fortunately time is on her side, but Jodhi knows the retail world is a graveyard full for start-ups and that her strengths lie in innovation, creativity and ‘the conversation’.

“There are so many things to talk about within the health industry. There are huge conversations to be had about how women feel about their bodies, and it even becomes quite spiritual. Look, we are not going to start preaching about that, because I think it’s a bit absurd. You know, you make stretchy things, but I think women do want to talk about how they feel about exercise, so I think there are good conversations to have.”

The Upside for Jodhi, it seems, is having the freedom to shape and create her stretchy space, just the way she wants.