BMW X4Concept to Debut in Shanghai

 

 The Shanghai Motor Show will mark the launch of a new and very alluring concept from BMW. Called the BMW X4Concept, the vehicle will be officially released in April 21st, representing the source of inspiration for an all-new crossover in the X line. Produced at the automaker’s plant in California, the new X4 will reportedly hit the market as a production version in 2014.

The concept is based on the X3 platform and is actually a smaller version of the successful X6. It was designed by chief designer Karim Habib and we already like what we see in the few leaked photos. Diehard BMW fans will have the possibility to admire the concept live soon, when more official information will also be released to the public.

What we know now is that the X4 Concept features a 2,810 mm wheelbase and measures 4,648 mm in length, 1,915 mm in width, and 1,622 mm in height. Even though speculations are around X3-borrowed six-cylinder diesel and petrol engines, we will have to wait for the official specs to confirm or silence the rumors.

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Rolls Royce Phantom

When seeing a Rolls Royce firsthand, you are immediately taken back from all the intricate details, materials, and all-around quality and craftsmanship from them. It’s almost like you can see the countless hours spent on hand building this amazing machines. It’s like the cars were built like a fine watchmaker, obsessed with perfection and detail. But this is on a much larger scale.

Compared to a regular production car which moves down the line and every minutes a car is made, Rolls Royce is different. Rolls Royce doesn’t care about quantity, they care about quality, and it definitely shows in their products.

The attention to detail, engineering design, heritage and overall ergonomics of the car make it so much more than a vehicle from A to B, it’s a statement. It makes one admirable and desirable to have.
So, if you have seen one idling at a stop light, sitting on a revolving platform at an Auto Show, or on the road passing by you from rear view to windshield, this is what it takes to make a Rolls Royce Phantom.

 If you ever want to see what royalty looks like on 4 wheels, you turn to one of the most luxurious car brands in the world, Rolls Royce.

© Passion4Luxury 2013

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Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort in Monaco

 When you hear Monaco you think luxury, so it’s no surprise that the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort in Monaco is all about plush amenities, flawless services and a classy environment. Here you can enjoy a lavish lifestyle every single day, from the moment you wake up until you put your head down and let yourself fall into a relaxing and totally reinvigorating night’s sleep.

Tropical gardens and beautiful waterfalls surround the hotel, making up a perfect backdrop for a wonderful vacation. Numerous shopping, fine dining and nightlife opportunities are just around the corner, so keeping yourself busy and entertained will not be a problem.

When you’re in the mood for a little laidback vacationing, you can take long strolls on the beach or around the resort, or you can spend some magical moments at the local spa, enjoying a Turkish bath or a relaxing massage.

As the evening approaches, you may want to get ready for some fun at the on-site casino, some crazy partying at Jimmy’z discotheque, or maybe a little flirting at the Alain Ducase nightclub. Just don’t forget to also treat yourself with a nutritious and mouthwatering meal at Bar&Boeuf.

More info & Online booking

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Sotheby’s to Auction Dinner with elBulli Chef

Auction house Sotheby’s is offering the highest bidder at an upcoming wine auction the chance to enjoy a dinner prepared by legendary chef Ferran Adria himself.
It’s the latest addition to a hotly anticipated wine auction to be held in Hong Kong and New York next month when El Bulli – which has held on to the title of best restaurant in the world five times by “Restaurant” magazine - sells of its wine cellar

The opening bid for a dinner with Adrià at his Barcelona restaurant Tickets, which he co-runs with brother Albert, starts at 3900 Euro($5,000).

Other lots that have been added to the wine sell-off include a chance to snatch various bits of El Bulli memorabilia, including four chefs’ jackets signed by Adrià, a set of El Bulli knives, menus, wine lists, and El Bulli stationery.

Many of the lots for sale are also one-of-a-kind bespoke pieces designed specifically to help execute and serve Adrià’s avant-garde cuisine. Examples include baroque and corrugated trays and crockery for his signature spherical olives.

More than 8,800 bottles of wine, all of which will bear an El Bulli sticker and some of which will be signed by Adrià and restaurant partner Juli Soler, will be auctioned

Off April 3 in Hong Kong and April 26 in New York.

The highest value lot includes a trio of Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Romanée Conti 1990, which is estimated to bring in 25.380Euro($32,500) to 37.100Euro($47,500).

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Compagnie du Ponant's Newest Luxury Ship Explores Asia from Osaka to Oman

Compagnie du Ponant, the French-flagged cruise line whose yacht style ships offer cruises to all seven continents, has just announced their Winter 2013/2014 itineraries to Asia on Le Soléal, the newest ship in the five-star luxury fleet.

Launching in July 2013, Le Soléal will initially sail to the Arctic region on polar expedition cruises. The 132-stateroom state-of-the-art vessel will then continue her inaugural sailing season with voyages to Asia, offering 13 all new itineraries, on cruises from 7 nights up to 17 nights. Due to her smaller size and technical capabilities, Le Soléal will be able to sail in waters and berth in ports restricted to bigger ships, offering guests a more intimate and accessible style of sailing and experiences not found on most itineraries.

For the winter 2013/2014 season and for the very first time, Le Soléal will set sail to the continent of Asia with 16 departures and 13 different itineraries that include the popular destinations of Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and India, as well as some more off the radar spots such as Borneo, Myanmar and Oman.

Whether exploring Japan’s ancestral gardens, Vietnam’s imperial cities, an Orangutan Sanctuary in Borneo or the urban centers of Singapore and Hong Kong, Le Soléal offers discerning travelers an exceptional level of impeccable service, complemented by inspired French sensibility, a French Art de vivre and of course haute cuisine that befits her French heritage.

While on board, guests enjoy elegantly appointed staterooms and suites, attentive service from a convivial bi-lingual crew fluent in English and French, refined culinary artistry and inventive itineraries filled with once in a lifetime experiences.

Like her sister ships in the Compagnie du Ponant’s chic fleet, Le Soléal offers:

• Refined, contemporary interiors by Jean-Philippe Nuel feature a warm palette of rich materials and subtle yachting nuances throughout, including works by noted marine photographer Philip Plisson

• A choice of 132 luxurious staterooms or suites with sea views and private balconies, including the elite Deck 6 that is home to 13 spacious suites with 24-hour butler service

• A welcoming main foyer with a boutique, reception desk and excursion desk

• Two restaurants, offering dining from casual to fine complete with wine pairings and a fine wine cellar, a bar lounge and 24-hour in-room dining

• A full-service spa in association with the French salon SOTHYSTM, with signature treatments, hammam, hair salon, tea room and fitness center

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Paolo Basso,Swiss sommelier tops world wine waiter contest

 The world’s best wine waiter was crowned in Japan on Friday, at the culmination of a three-day competition attracting entrants from around the globe.

Paolo Basso, from Switzerland, was hoisted into the air as judges in Tokyo awarded him first place in a ceremony in front of several thousand spectators that was carried live on Japanese national television.

Basso, who works at Conca Balla in Vacallo in Switzerland, beat off competition from fellow finalists Belgian Aristide Spies and Canadian Véronique Rivest.

The 47-year-old takes the title previously held by Gerard Basset, who won the 2010 competition in Chile competing for Britain.

Entrants from 54 countries had been tested over three days of events designed to measure their skills marrying wines to foods and serving demanding customers.

Contestants from Australia, Brazil, Indonesia and Sweden were among those participating in the event, which has been held 14 times since it started in 1969.

“A good sommelier not only has to have good knowledge of wine, but he also needs to be able to put customers at ease and know what to do to let them enjoy the food,” explained Serge Dubs, chairman of the jury and a former champion.

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