W Los Angeles-Westwood

Based on today’s poor economic conditions, the best luxury hotels are going out of the way to make this upcoming holiday even more special. It’s time to celebrate the holiday season with a little joy and happiness.

If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury stay, consider a haute holiday at either the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, The St. Regis Atlanta, Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego or W Los Angeles-Westwood.

A developing trend is the occurrence of skating rinks appearing at chic hotel properties across the U.S. Celebrate the holiday season and skate amidst the desert’s Cactus Garden, glide over a high-tech, hybrid rink and relax in holiday styled cabanas like W Los Angeles-Westwood, enjoy a magical setting on the 7th Floor Grand Terrace above the Pool Piazza at St. Regis Atlanta, or experience a winter wonderland on the sand at Hotel Del Coronado.

Each property provides a unique and authentic holiday experience that reflects either their hometown or vacation spot. The ice skating rinks have become the hottest spots for guests and locals alike, as it’s now time to celebrate the holidays in style.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

* Desert Ice Holiday Rink at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (Scottsdale, Ariz.) – The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is putting extra icing on the holidays with an all-new Desert Ice Holiday Rink at its picturesque Cactus Garden, November 27, 2012 – January 6, 2013. The 5,400 square-foot rink, made with real ice, is open daily to the public. The price per session is $15 for adults, $10 for children 12 and younger and $5 for skate rental. A portion of the skating proceeds will benefit the Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Magical and enchanting, this AAA Five Diamond resort transforms into a winter wonderland in the desert as a part of “Christmas at the Princess” with the all-new Desert Ice Holiday Rink, Lagoon Lights and Princess Express Train, hot cocoa, carolers, a gingerbread village, visits from Santa and a four-story musical Christmas tree shimmering with snowflakes. www.scottsdaleprincess.com

* Astor Holiday Rink at The St. Regis Atlanta (Atlanta) – The Astor Holiday Rink has quickly become one of the community’s favorite holiday traditions, offering couples and families the unique, intimate and magical experience of skating in the outdoor setting of the hotel’s 40,000-square-foot Pool Piazza. Protected from the elements by an ethereal sheer tent, the rink is adorned with whimsical white lights and features the soft sounds of festive holiday tunes. The Astor Holiday Rink will be open from November 21, 2012 through January 2, 2013. The rink will be open to all visitors from 12 – 9 p.m. (Monday – Friday) and 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday). Skating sessions will start every hour and be priced at $30 per hour for adults and $18 per hour for children under 16. https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/atlxr-the-st-regis-atlanta/

* The Hotel Del Coronado (San Diego) – The Del is celebrating the eighth anniversary of Skating by the Sea, a unique Southern California experience – outdoor ice-skating overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The oceanfront Windsor Lawn will be transformed into a spectacular ice rink with skating sessions offered daily beginning the day before Thanksgiving. A portion of the skating proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) of San Diego. Three-hour sessions cost $25 for adults and $20 for kids ages 10 and under. The two-hour matinee session costs $20 for adults and $15 for kids ages 10 and under (skate rentals are included in the price).

* W Los Angeles-Westwood (Los Angeles) – Bundle up and take a spin on “CHILL”, the coolest skate rink this season. The W Los Angeles – Westwood pool deck has been transformed into a winter playground featuring a hybrid ice skating rink called “CHILL”. For the 2nd year in a row, join us in our backyard as we bring the magic of the holidays to life. Sneaky surprises are in store including lessons and performances every Saturday by BH Skating Park’s Cabaret Ice Theater. Take a spin November 16 – January 3, 2012.

If you want to celebrate the holiday season in luxury style, plan a vacation at a luxury resort and reward yourself with a VIP lifestyle experience.

Don Julio

New Year’s Eve is quickly approaching and parties are planned all over the world. Leave all the stress in your daily lives and party like there is no tomorrow.

If you make plans to celebrate the New Year in your favorite, exclusive bar, then make sure they provide you and your party with “high-roller” Tequila Don Julio 1942 cocktails and bottle service.

Tequila Don Julio 1942 is an aged to perfection añejo tequila that is very popular with celebrities and makes the perfect drink to elevate your celebratory experience on this special occasion.

Are you staying home this New Year’s Eve? Then break out your cocktail shaker and mix up the following cocktail recipe to wow your guests. Either way, Tequila Don Julio 1942 is the perfect spirit to make you feel like a high roller this New Year’s Eve.

Try this great tasting cocktail with Tequila Don Julio 1942:

42 Minutes to Midnight

Ingredients:
1 1/4 ounces Don Julio 1942
1/4 ounce Grand Marnier
1/2 ounce Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
1/4 ounce Simple Syrup
1/4 teaspoon of Chipotle Chili Powder
Sugar or Salt (to rim glass)
Lime Wedge for Garnish

Preparation:
1. Rim glass with sugar or salt to taste.
2. Combine Tequila Don Julio 1942, Grand Marnier, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and chipotle chili powder into a cocktail shaker.  Shake well.
3. Strain contents into a heavy rocks glass.
4. Garnish with lime wedge.

Ideal Serving Glass:
Heavy Rocks Glass

Yield:
1 drink, no drink contains more than 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol

The luxury Ring Hotel is located in Vienna, Austria’s prestige location with a world of culture, art and shopping at your doorstep. In the heart of Vienna, The Ring Hotel offers wonderful views of the famous Ringstrasse and Vienna State Opera.

The Ring, Vienna’s casual luxury hotel, offers guests a warm and welcoming atmosphere by blending a new and contemporary design with charming historical features. This designer boutique hotel offers the perfect balance of style along with casual ambiance.

With a unique design experience, the 68 spacious guest rooms and elegant suites are a comfortable mix of contemporary and classical furniture complemented by innovative lighting. Many of the guest rooms reveal a fabulous view of the historic Vienna ring road – Ringstrasse.

Drings is the Ring Hotel’s stylishly chic bar and serves a novel selection of exclusive vodka cocktails. The restaurant, At Eight, offers a concept of ‘aroma cuisine’ consisting of various tasting components finished with herbal oils.

The Ring Hotel Day Spa is a relaxing sanctuary, comprised of breezy colors, warm woods. Your senses will be stimulated by a multitude of textures, gentle music and therapeutic lighting.

You can choose from various treatments at the Ring Spa, which includes a fitness area and private treatment room for soothing massages. There is also a steam bath and sauna with a fantastic view overlooking Vienna.

So if you are lucky enough to visit beautiful Vienna, stay at chicest and most modern design hotel in the city – The Ring, Vienna’s Casual Luxury Hotel.

The Ring Hotel
Kaerntner Ring 8
A-1010 Vienna, Austria
Phone: +43 1 22 1 22
Fax: +43 1 22 1 22-900

Concord

The Concord C1 Mens 18k Rose Gold Wristwatch is quite stylish. The model number is 0320012.

Concord C1 Chronograph offers an exceptional personality. The ambitious and sturdy watch case is 44 mm in diameter and 16.7 mm from front to back.

This luxury chronograph watch has automatic movement. The Rose Gold Chronograph is professionally assembled to absorb and dampen assorted blows and jarring. 53 components make up a case water – resistant to a pressure of 20 ATM.

A rubber-coated protective metal ring that features eight decorative tabs extends over the bezel. The ring is fitted over the middle case and secured down by seven self-blocking side screws.

The setting crown of the impressive Concord C1 Mens 18k Rose Gold Chronograph is composed of gold, rubber and composite materials. The craftsmanship is top notch.

The round watch case is water-resistant up to a pressure of 20 ATM. A raised C1 logo on the rubber end-piece offers a final touch of class to the watch design.

This luxury mens watch make the perfect gift anytime of the year. Give that man in your life a fashion statement and will definitely turn heads.

If interested, you can learn more and view all the luxury Concord watches at: http://www.concord.ch

Fairmont Chateau Whistler Hotel

The popular winter ski season will be here before you know it. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is the perfect place to stay to fully enjoy North America’s #1 ski resort, Whistler Blackcomb in Canada.

This luxurious Canadian hotel is now offering a variety of hotel packages, all designed to make a ski holiday easy and affordable. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. Experience fabulous skiing at one of the top ski resorts in the world.

The luxury hotel features chateau-style hotel with luxurious rooms, a wide array of fine dining restaurant options, a full-service spa and ski-in/ski-out mountain access to world famous Whistler Blackcomb ski resort. Whistler Blackcomb receives approximately 39 feet of snow each year. The result is a chance to experience some of the best skiing in the world.

Guests at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler will receive a minimum of two nights’ luxury hotel accommodation and two adult Whistler Blackcomb ski lift passes. Enjoy access to over 200 hundred ski runs and 8,100 acres of ski terrain for all skill levels. Rates for the Ultimate Ski Experience Package begin at $440 per night – based on double occupancy. This rate package is valid for hotel stays from November 22, 2012 and April 30, 2013.

For those who would like to enjoy a much longer stay, The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is also offering several Season Pass options. The luxury property is Whistler’s leading ski-in/ski-out hotel and offers blocks to stay either 8, 16 or 24 room nights. The more nights you purchase, the savings increase.

Consider the 24 night Season’s Pass starts at only $175 per night. Season’s Passes are available now until November 30th, 2012 for stays between December 1st to April 30th, 2013, subject to availability and blackout dates.

Skiing can get quite expensive for families, but for the 2012/2013 ski season, kids can ski and rent for free in partnership with Whistler Blackcomb when you book a family ski getaway by November 15, 2012. The Family Ski Vacation Package provides lift tickets for two adults and two children with a minimum four night stay at the resort. Prices for this ideal family ski getaway begin at $443 per night for a family of four in a Fairmont room.

To receive additional information on all the winter ski packages at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, please visit www.fairmont.com/whistler or call 1-800 606-8244.

Please use the Contact Form below to submit your travel request. We will promptly get back to you and assist with your luxury travel needs.

Photo courtesy of Harpo Studios, Inc.

For those of love Oprah Winfrey, one of the events they would look forward to each year was her “Oprah’s Favorite Things” annual show. The popular show aired between 2002 to 2010, but was not shown in with in 2009.

“Oprah’s Favorite Things” returned this year and the two-hour episode aired on her OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network channel, and it was a moving experience as Oprah Winfrey paid tribute to a group of very surprised Military Spouse of the Year finalists.

As in the past, Oprah unveiled must-have gifts for this upcoming holiday season. One of the hit gifts was surprising the military spouses with a once in a lifetime trip to the amazing Fiji Islands and Namale, Fiji’s #1 Resort & Spa.

Namale Resort & Spa, Fiji

Oprah’s team worked with the Tourism Fiji, the incredible, tropical Fiji getaway included two round trip tickets on Air Pacific, Fiji’s International airline and Pacific Sun, along with a five-night stay at the luxurious all-inclusive Namale Resort & Spa.

It was a special moment for many of the military wives as tears of joy flowed. Eight of the spouses had never had a honeymoon, and others had not been on a vacation with just their spouse in many years.

Namale Resort & Spa, Fiji

If you missed the show the first time, you can catch the television special “Oprah’s Favorite Thing: 2012” again on December 23, 2012 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on OWN.

To learn more about Namale Resort & Spa, Fiji or to book a reservation, please contact us at:

British Airways – Dreamliner

Uncomfortable seats is often ranked as one of the top airline complaints by travelers.  British Airways is here to change your travel experience and has announced the cabin design and layout for its Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 aircraft.

Only six months away from delivery, the new British Airways Dreamliner will provide comfort for 214 customers while the A380, the largest aircraft in the British Airways fleet, will accommodate 469 customers.  Elegant cabin designs fitted on British Airways’ new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will be featured on twenty-four Dreamliner’s and twelve A380’s.  These designs have proven to be immensely popular with customers.

The British Airlines Dreamliner will have 35 seats for customers in the new 2:3:2 Club World triple configuration; 25 seats in a 2:3:2 World Traveler Plus layout; and an additional 154 seats  in a 3:3:3 formation for those traveling in World Traveler.

The A380 main deck will have 14 seats in First (with extra space for stowing personal items); the Club World cabin will include 44 seats in a 2:4:2 configuration; and in World Traveler there will be 199 seats in a 3:4:3 layout.

The A380 upper deck will feature 53 seats in the new 2:3:2 Club World triple configuration; 55 seats in a 2:3:2 World Traveler Plus layout; and World Traveler will have 104 seats in a 2:4:2 configuration.

Other amenities on both new aircrafts will offer travelers more movie options, TV shows, audio programs and music featured on the airline’s latest Thales inflight entertainment system.  Other benefits include new larger screens in all cabins and an easy-to-use system with shortcut buttons.  You will be able to connect laptops and take advantage of the in-seat power available for the first time in all cabins.

Willie Walsh, chief executive of International Airlines Group (IAG), stated: “We are investing GBP5bn in British Airways’ new and upgraded aircraft, innovative technologies and customer services.  We now have six Boeing 777-300ERs, all fitted with our latest cabins. Our customer feedback and satisfaction scores show the seat and cabin designs have achieved the highest ratings we have ever seen.

By next spring we will have finished installing our new First cabins in the British Airways Dreamliner. The nine new aircraft we take delivery of in 2013 will feature our latest signature designs to ensure the customer experience maintains
the highest standard across our fleet.”

The first Dreamliner will arrive in May 2013 and A380 deliveries will be introduced in July 2013.  British Airways will be the first European airline to operate both new aircraft styles and will announce the routes the new aircraft will operate in Spring 2013.

Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge

The popularity of a relaxing spa treatment continues around the world.  Many people believe these soothing and detoxifing treatments offer various health, physical and spiritual purifications.

Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge, nestled in the Dominican Republic’s pristine southwestern Bahoruco Forest and one of the Dominican Republic’s most eco-friendly boutique hotels, is offering brand new Taino Steam Baths and Temazcal therapies at its renowned Tanama Eco Spa.

These soothing and purifing new treatments are tailored for those seeking a green indulgence.  Enjoy a mystical treatment designed to cleanse the body, invigorate the mind, and awaken the senses.  Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge can create a custom eco-friendly spa package perfect for travelers and spa enthusiasts seeking a relaxing escape into ancient prehispanic cultural traditions.  Whether a mother daughter bonding trip or a bridal getaway, you will enjoy a spa package designed especially for you.

Located in a serene jungle oasis and made of rustic natural materials, the spa’s new Temazcal igloo shaped structure symbolizes the womb of mother earth. Within the structure, the cleansing ceremony combines the four elements – earth, air, water and fire – to purify and harmonize the mind, body and spirit in line with techniques going back to prehistoric times.

Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge

During the ceremony, copal incense and herbs are placed on vibrant red volcanic rock.  Inside the Temazcal, participants in the ceremony sit in a circle where the herbal steam from the hot rock begins a process of purification through perspiration. At the conclusion of each treatment, guests emerge renewed with the Temazcal eliminating uric, lactic and alkaline acid from the blood stream and balancing the body’s PH levels.

Tanama Eco Spa is offering spa enthusiasts to an all-encompassing jungle experience at the Dominican Republic’s top organic spa.  Casa Bonita’s two new Taino Steam Bath treatments being offered will pamper and spoil guests with treatments meant to transport the guest into the heart of mother earth.

Taino Relaxing Bath

This soothing treatment begins with an aroma therapy session inside the steaming Temazcal. Seasonal local herbs such as Rosemary, lemon, noni leaves, orange leaves, basil and guayuyo leaves are placed on the volcanic stones, infusing the air as you enjoy a relaxing massage and scalp treatment.

Duration: 60 minutes / Cost: $75

Taino Detox Bath

Organic ingredients such as coffee and cacao enrich the Temazcal steam with rich antioxidants and nutritional benefits during this cleansing therapy. The treatment culminates with a clay massage, which hydrates the skin as the sound of the river lulls the guest to a state of pure relaxation.

Duration: 90 minutes / Price: $110

Visit Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge website at www.casabonitadr.com or call (800) 961-5133 for further information.

Aspen Colorado – Matt Inden/Miles – Colorado Tourism Office

No matter whether you want to participate or just observe from the sidelines, Colorado is the place to be this winter season with non-stop extreme sports action in the mighty Rocky Mountains and the state’s popular ski resorts.

It’s time to visit Colorado’s world famous mountains and watch professional ski and snowboard athletes compete for coveted titles.  If you’re up for it, then strap on your equipment and get in on the action yourself!

Enjoy a jam packed season in the Rocky Mountains with extreme sports, including the high-profile ESPN Winter X Games 17 at
Buttermilk Mountain to the amateur cross-country ski race Alley Loop at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Colorado visitors will find endless event entertainment on the slopes this winter.

Below is a list of some of the major 2012/13 events in Colorado and the majestic Rocky Mountains that you can enjoy as either a spectator or competitor in one of 25 renowned ski areas and resorts.

Ski and Snowboardcross Cup
(http://www.tellurideworldcup.com/)
(Dec. 12 – 15, 2012) Teams from around the world will gather in Telluride on their road to the 2014 Sochi Olympics. This year’s action will begin December 12 with Skiercross, followed by Snowboardcross December 14 and 15, both of which provide fantastic viewing opportunities for spectators. This is the first year the two events have been combined.

Dew Tour
(http://www.breckenridge.com/events/dew-tour.aspx)
(Dec. 13 – 16, 2012) The Dew Tour’s iON Mountain Championship brings the world’s top ski and snowboard athletes, including Shaun White, Scotty Lago, Louie Vito, Kelly Clark and more. Athletes will compete on the mountain in freeski and snowboard superpipe, Big Air, and slopestyle events. Attendees will also find entertainment at concerts and parties in the town of Breckenridge.

Sprint U.S. Grand Prix
(http://www.coppercolorado.com/summer/events_and_activities/calendar/341654664)
(Jan. 7 – 12, 2013) Witness top freeskiers and snowboarders from around the globe as they battle on Copper Mountain in one of the largest competitive winter sports events, the U.S.S.A. Halfpipe Grand Prix.

Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships
(http://www.gobreck.com/events/international-snow-sculpture-championships)
(Jan. 22 – 26, 2013) This year, 16 teams from 15 different countries, including teams from India and Singapore, will put their skills to the test, hand-carving 12-foot-tall, 20-ton blocks of snow into works of art. New this year, amateur photographers can join in a half-day workshop to gain knowledge, tips and techniques for capturing the temporary outdoor art gallery.

ESPN Winter X Games 17
(http://www.aspenchamber.org/event-details/index.cfm?action=detail&mID=42&eID=938)
(Jan. 24 – 27, 2013) More than 200 of the world’s best skiing, snowboarding and snowmobile athletes will converge on Aspen this January for the action-packed and highly anticipated four-day event.
Shaun White, Gretchen Bleiler, Lindsey Jacobellis and other world-class winter athletes will compete for some of the most coveted medals in action sports. The Winter X Games events are free to the public at Buttermilk Mountain.

22nd Annual Extreme Freeskiing Championships
(http://www.skicb.com/cbmr/event-calendar.aspx?mode=&selmonth=2013-02-01&selweek=1&type=)
(Feb. 6 – 10, 2013) As a 4-star qualifier stop on the Subaru Freeskiing Tour, Crested Butte Mountain Resort challenges the best skiers and riders in the world to take the craziest runs down epic mountain terrain. Spectators can watch competitors vie for the Sick Bird award and for points toward the Swatch Freeride World Tour.

U.S. Telemark National Championships
(http://www.steamboat.com/things-to-do/events/2013/02/us-telemark-national-championships.aspx)
(Feb. 22 – 24, 2013) Watch as the fastest telemark skiers in the U.S. compete for the highest title during this three-day event at Steamboat Resort. Racers telemark ski through GS gates, over jumps
and stake uphill on this challenging course as they go head to head against the top telemark skiers in the country.

18th Annual Ouray Ice Festival
(http://ourayicepark.com/)
(http://ourayicepark.com/)
(Jan. 10 – 13, 2013) World-class ice climbing competitors will showcase their edge in Ouray’s premier ice climbing festival this January. Guests both young and old can witness and partake in climbing competitions, demonstrations, clinics, guided climbs and additional activities.

Winter Park SnowDash
(http://playwinterpark.chambermaster.com/Events/details/winter-park-snowdash-5538)
(Jan. 26, 2013) The SnowDash is an adventurous 5k race in downtown Winter Park, where extreme racers climb over cargo nets, run uphill in the snow, crawl through powder pits, and dart up steep terrain. Four waves of competitors will complete six to eight obstacles in front of a cheering crowd and loud music.

27th Annual Alley Loop Nordic Race
(http://www.skicb.com/cbmr/event-calendar.aspx?mode=vs.detail&eventId=02022013&selmonth=2013-02-01&location=&location2=&type=&eventDate=20130202)
(Feb. 2, 2013) Crested Butte’s signature race and costume party returns for the 27th year for all ages and Nordic ski abilities. Cross-country skiers will race through alleys, over bridges and past downtown homes. More challenging loops are available on the outskirts of Crested Butte. The event also features a Friday night ski-pub crawl, “Taste of the Alley.”

Winter Mountain Games Presented by Eddie Bauer
(http://www.vail.com/events/winter-mountain-games.aspx)
(Feb. 8 – 10, 2013) Professional and amateur athletes will converge on Vail Mountain and Vail Village for the second annual Winter Mountain Games in celebration of adventure sports. The event will feature competitions in mixed/ice climbing, mountain cyclocross, Big Air, dual slalom biking, Nordic and telemark skiing, ski mountaineering, snowshoe racing and ascension with $60,000 in prize money up for
grabs.

Twin Lakes Ice Fishing Derby
(http://www.visitleadvilleco.com/Default.asp)
(Feb 16 – 17, 2013) Anglers compete for the largest fish in this annual Leadville Rod & Gun Club event at Twin Lakes. Prizes are awarded for mackinaw, brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and kokanee salmon. Prizes range from $50 to $500.

Kayaks on Snow
(http://www.skimonarch.com/)
(April 6, 2013) Join in Monarch Mountain’s signature event as contestants race head to head down a specially designed course that features multiple barriers and finishes in an icy pond. Spectators and participants are encouraged to dress creatively.

Aston Martin – iPhone / iPod Dock

Do you have someone on your Christmas list that is just plain hard to buy for; the person who has everything and the money to buy it?  Oh but wait, you know they are an Aston Martin road and racing car enthusiast that already has (well almost) everything. What do you do ?

Now, the world renowned London-based Aston Martin Heritage specialists, Nicholas Mee & Co. has come up with the ultimate Christmas gift ideas for the racing car enthusiasts. Nicholas Mee & Co has entered into an exclusive relationship with artisan engineers “Racing Gold” to “upcycle” auto parts once used in Aston Martin racing or road cars to create clean and modern furniture pieces.

The classic British sports car company and has come up with a new way of refurbishing parts that were once junkyard bound making them into beautiful and functional pieces.

Performance Artworks (P.Arts), the brand name, has a talented design team chosen for the project.  Bursting with ideas, they have started by creating four stunning Aston Martin items which include:

· “Brake caliper” iPhone / iPod dock (compatible with iPhones 4, 4S and 5, and recent iPods. With its in-built phonic transfer speaker, the caliper’s mass enhances low frequency sounds through the table’s surface. Lithium ion battery plus charging and audio leads supplied. Available in a range of colors.)

· “Crankshaft’ coffee table  (“upcycled” from an Aston Martin GT4 race car, with a stamp for authenticity and a brake disc and brake bell from the same car.  Standing 65cm tall, it is currently fitted with a 65cm diameter glass top, but if required the dimensions of the top can be altered to individual requirements.)

· “Propshaft” coat stand (crafted using “upcycled” components from an Aston Martin GT4 race car including two reengineered and refurbished wheel rims that have been chrome polished for a stunning appearance, relocated wheel nuts that have also been chrome polished, a previously raced brake disc and brake bell, and the upstanding, refurbished carbon fibre propshaft. It stands 165cm tall with the ‘wheel’ base being 50cm in diameter. The coat-hook wheelrim has 15 spokes.)

· “Tweed covered” racing seat (a period bucket seat that was previously used in a period Aston Martin racing car has been exquisitely trimmed in official Aston Martin Racing/Hackett ‘Prince of Wales’ tweed. The legs of this highly comfortable yet practical 95cm tall chair have been engineered to replicate the look of the spokes of a Nardi wooden steering wheel common to many Heritage Aston Martins.)

Furniture made from previously used components has always fascinated auto enthusiasts and the exquisite yet practical furniture item would make the perfect gift !

To view and purchase items, visit Nicholas Mee & Co’s West London Brackenbury House showroom  located at 158-160 Goldhawk Road, Hammersmith or online at www.astonstore.co.uk.

Full details can be found at http://www.nicholasmee.co.uk/

Photo: King Pacific Lodge

The only place on earth to find the rare, Kermode sea bear is in the ancient Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia, Canada. The Kermode sea bear has long been renowned as an omen of peace and harmony; a rare flash of pure white in a vast blanket of lush green terrain.

You may recognize the Kermode sea bear as the official mascot of the recent 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. A rare Kermode sea Bear lives within the 25,000-square-mile Great Bear Rainforest.

The Gitgaâ™at First Nations community lives along the beautiful British Columbia’s Northwest coast. To them, the Kermode or more commonly known as the Spirit Bear, serves as a reminder from the creator of the universe of the harsh conditions of the previous ice age.

The Kermode bear is reported to be one of the rarest animals in the world. Sadly it’s estimated that only approximately 100 Kermode bears may be alive today.

For the opportunity to see rare Kermode bear and everything that B.C. (British Columbia) has to offer, consider a visit to this magnificent place.

Whale of an Experience: King Pacific Lodge will again offer its Whale of an Experience program next summer season. The unique activity provides guests the opportunity to participate first-hand in the whale research being professionally conducted in Barnard Harbor and the surrounding waters by lodge partner, Cetacealab.

Princess Package: This package makes it easy to put the queen of your castle on a pedestal and pamper her in one of the world’s most exclusive destinations: the Great Bear Rainforest. Guests will stay in the Princess Royal Suite which boasts two floors of luxury accommodations and panoramic views of the ocean, rainforest and nearby waterfall.

Suite Deal for Families: You and your family will experience life away from the electronic world and introduce your children to multiple expeditions of fun, education, adventure as well as imbue respect for the natural world and other cultures. The customized expeditions are intended to maximize time together as well as to share in the excitement that each day brings.

Renew & Reconnect: Recognizing the importance of family and of reconnecting with loved ones, King Pacific Lodge, A Rosewood Resort is offering guests the opportunity to reconnect & renew with family on a trip of a lifetime and a rare chance to create shared memories to be treasured for years.

The lodge’s all-inclusive family vacation packages are tailored to provide more value, more authenticity, more opportunity to learn and more quality time to renew relationships with friends and family.

The King Pacific Lodge was the first private tourism operator to sign a working protocol with a First Nation in British Columbia thereby recognizing their rights and title to their traditional territory. Since then, the Gitgaâ™ at Nation and King Pacific Lodge have worked together on a wide variety of programs including a student mentoring program, joint educational initiatives and hospitality training.