1494 is a private, members only club that uniquely unites individuals in the collection and enjoyment of single malt Scotch whisky.

New York City based 1494 was officially launched on June 1, 2012 and celebrates the spirit’s 518th anniversary. The organization’s name honors the first written record of Scotch Whisky’s distillation at the orders of Scotland’s Renaissance King, James IV on June 1, 1494.

1494 has partnered with Connoisseur Golf and developed an exclusive Founders Golf and Distillery trip to Scotland in June 2013.  In addition, 1494 will also utilize Connoisseur Golf’s luxury services for its members and for follow-on trips to Scotland.

Connoisseur Golf provides bespoke luxury golf travel for both individuals and businesses looking to experience an ultimate golf vacation to beautiful Scotland.

Scotland has over 500 golf courses and Connoisseur Golf affords their clients the opportunity to make their own little piece of history, and follow in the footsteps of the world’s most famous golfers.

Saint Andrews

The Founders Golf and Distillery trip will include:
. Private Jet: New York – Edinburgh roundtrip
. Welcome Cocktails and Dinner
. Personal Chauffeured Mercedes 24/7 with Concierge/Driver
. Golf on The Old Course, St. Andrews; The PGA Centenary Course; Gleneagles; Royal Troon and Turnberry
. Helicopter Transfers
. Full Scottish Breakfast overlooking the Courses each morning
. Private Dinners
. Six nights in Executive Suites at The 5* Old Course Hotel, St Andrews
. One night in a Member Room at an exclusive private championship course
. Meet Host Member Gordon Sherry (Former British Amateur Champion/Walker Cup Player)
. Clay Shooing at the Gleneagles Gun School
. Two nights in Deluxe Ocean View Suites at The 5* Turnberry Resort
. 3 VIP Distillery Tours arranged by 1494

This history and outstanding personal service, makes Connoisseur Golf the perfect partner for 1494 and its discerning members.

Setting the gold standard for the New York City private-membership experience, 1494 has spared no detail
in perfecting a membership model that features exclusive benefits and privileges befitted to royalty.

Annual dues for a 1494 Founding membership is $175,000.

Wailua River – scene location in “Raiders of the Lost Ark”

Hawaii has long been a popular location for Hollywood movies. Over the years, well over 100 movies have been filmed just on Kauai “The Garden Isle.”

If you want to experience the Hollywood side of Hawaii, then choose Polynesian Adventure Tours as your personal tour guide.

For those who can’t get enough movies and are a self-proclaimed “movie buff,” then be sure to try the “Ali’i Movie Excursion and Scenic Hanalei” land tour from Polynesian Adventure Tours.

In addition to enjoying many of the most beautiful sights on Kauai, you will also experience a Hawaiian Hollywood journey and explore some of the most exciting and romantic movie locations on the island.

The Ali’i Movie Excursion and Scenic Hanalei tour is the newest on Kauai and is definitely a “must do.”

You can enjoy this tour from the comfort of well maintained, air-conditioned mini-buses. It’s a fun and pleasurable live narrated tour that offers specially licensed video scenes from the popular  movies that were filmed on the island of Kauai.

As you drive around the island, not only will you see famous locations used in Hollywood films, but there are numerous stops along the way so you can take photos and pose like your favorite leading actor.

For example, Hanalei Pier was a fun stop. On the shores of the beautiful and world’s famous Hanalei Bay, Hanalei Pier was the location for a pivotal scene in the classic 1959 movie “South Pacific.” Stroll to the end of the pier and gaze out across the blue waters of Hanalei Bay, or watch daring local kids jump from its roof.

Hanalei Pier – scene location in “South Pacific”

The Ali’i Movie Excursion and Scenic Hanalei tour is for everybody, including locals and tourists, families and groups of friends.

We were picked up at our hotel on-time and had fun meeting the others on our tour that day. Our driver – Jack Custer, was very knowledgeable as he has lived on the island for numerous years. He taught us many interesting facts about Hawaii, the island of Kauai, as well as its many scenic spots.

Overall you will visit over 15 locations including the following:
*Ahukini Pier
*Hanamaulu Bay
*Otsuka’s
*Kealia Over Look
*Haupu Ridge
*Poipu at Kipu Kai
*Aliomanu
*Hanalei Pier
*Lumahai Beach
*Ching Young Village
*Hanalei Valley Lookout
*Makaiwa Resort Quest
*Opaeka’a Falls
*Coco Palms
*Menehune Fish Pond

Famous Movie Scenes include:
*South Pacific
*Jurassic Park
*Blue Hawaii
*Donovan’s Reef
*Pagan Love Song
*Beachhead
*Uncommon Valor
*Sadie Thompson
*Six Days & Seven Nights
*Wackiest Ship in the Navy
*Raiders of the Lost Ark

On an island so beautiful and lush, is one of the ugliest and saddest stories on Kauai. In its prime, the iconic Coco Palms Hotel was one of a kind. The most popular movie filmed at the Coco Palms was “Blue Hawaii,” which starred Elvis Presley.

Coco Palms Hotel

In 1992, Hurricane Iniki slammed into the beautiful island of Kauai, causing devastating damage and power outages that lasted for months. One of the most hard hit areas was near Wailua. The result is the ruined remains of the once famous and long vacant – Coco Palms Hotel. http://www.polyad.com/kauai/alii_movie_tour_scenic_hanalei.html

Andrea’s – Encore Las Vegas

The incredible Encore Las Vegas is a luxury resort, casino and hotel found on the world famous Las Vegas Strip. The resort is connected to the Wynn Las Vegas, which are both owned by Wynn Resorts Limited, lead by wealthy casino developer Steve Wynn.

Set to open on December 28, Andrea’s restaurant will be a unique new dining concept in Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. This “vibe dining” concept restaurant aims to cater to Wynn Las Vegas’ vibrant nightlife scene.

Las Vegas offers a variety of culinary choices, but Andrea’s is expected to really raise the bar in Sin City. What will make Andrea’s unique is it combines both a restaurant and nightlife experience into a single environment.

Upon it’s grand opening next month, Andrea’s now completes the massive Encore Beach Club and Surrender Nightclub entertainment complex. This upscale restaurant will become the initial Wynn Las Vegas restaurant to be completely integrated into a nightclub.

President of Wynn Las Vegas and Encore, Marilyn Spiegel was quoted, “We are delighted to add another distinctive concept to our collection of dining experiences. Andrea’s will launch a new era in nightlife with a combination of culinary excellence, legendary Wynn design and the energy of Surrender Nightclub.”

Andrea’s will be enclosed from view of the casino floor. The 6,194-square-foot fine dining restaurant will feature a spacious and inviting lounge conducive to socializing, a step-up dining area designed for diners to see and be seen, hexagon tables for larger groups, intimate private dining enclaves, and a 2,100-square-foot terrace overlooking Surrender Nightclub’s panoramic outdoor space.

Seating will accommodate 155 people in the impressive dining room. Andrea’s will embrace a contemporary style of dining that is more fluid and less formatted than the traditional three-course model.

It doesn’t matter whether you dine, but fine diners will receive a sensory immersion of exotic Asian-inspired flavors, imaginative cocktails, high-end service and mood enhancing sounds set in a sexy atmosphere.

Your Andrea’s dining experience will be delivered from a steady stream of Asian cuisine including: sizzling
platters of expertly prepared meats, seafood and noodles and sushi and dim sum. The sharable dishes can be enjoyed with sublime cocktails, many named after the resort’s world-famous resident DJs.

Andrea’s at Encore Las Vegas will be open 7 nights a week between 5 p.m. and 2 a.m. For more information or to make reservations, please call 702-770-DINE (3463) or visit www.wynnlasvegas.com

W San Francisco hotel

W San Francisco is a 31 floor, 96 m high-rise luxury boutique hotel and ideally located in heart of downtown San Francisco’s South of Market (Soma) District.

The luxury W San Francisco hotel just announced a new packages titled “W Night Out.” Now’s your chance to experience a stylish and free-spirited night out in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

The “W Night Out” package includes: a private cabana reservation at UPSTAIRS bar and a $200 bar tab to share with friends old and new; retreating to a to a Fabulous Corner room with electric views of San Francisco’s white-hot SOMA district, home to the city’s best clubs and right next door to San Francisco’s world-class shopping district; complimentary hotel parking; and late check-out, so you can revel all night long.

For those you have never been to UPSTAIRS, you get there by ascending a staircase from W SF’s concept restaurant TRACE. In the true spirit of San Francisco, it’s like being in the city’s famous fog as UPSTAIRS is shrouded in an enigmatic haze.

W San Francisco hotel

The impressive fog effect is created by utilizing a lighter color palette and patterned mirrored walls that create the illusion of being immersed in the clouds. A sea of fog creates an overarching sense of mystery and liberty that invites the trendy bar’s guests to celebrate.

The UPSTAIRS decor is just as stylish as the wood-paneled bar and walls are reinterpreted in white, affording glimpses of pink, purple and blue back-painting. Soft lighting filters down through the mesh fabric-covered ceiling while ball chain curtains and perforated leather upholstery inject a dose of rock ‘n’ roll.

The music never stops as a talented DJ spins terrific music that adds to City by the Bay W San Francisco’s unforgettable allure.

W San Francisco hotel

To experience W San Francisco’s “W Night Out” package, pricing is $469 per night from now until December 30th. You can call the W San Francisco hotel by phone – (415) 777-5300 or check it out online at
http://deals.whotels.com/W-San-Francisco-Hotel-1153/so.htm?IM=PP_LHN_SOP_US_WH_1153.

Donner Memorial State Park is located in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains. Donner Memorial State Park offers the many summer vacationers opportunities for camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, water-skiing, and hiking.

In the winter, visitors can cross-country ski and snowshoe on trails and enjoy the season’s beauty.

Visitors to Donner Memorial State Park are welcome year-round at the Emigrant Trail Museum and at the Pioneer Monument, built to commemorate those who emigrated to California from the east in the mid-1800’s.

Included in the museum are displays and information about one of the earliest pioneer wagon trains, the Donner Party, forced by circumstances to camp at the east end of Donner Lake in the winter of 1846-47, resulting in human suffering and loss of life.

If you are visiting the Lake Tahoe area, be sure to see the following Donner Memorial State Park and Donner Lake visitor attractions:

Public Boat Ramp –
While the park has no boat launching ramp, a public ramp operated by the Truckee Donner Recreation & Parks District is available in the northwest corner of Donner Lake. There is a fee charged for boat launching. For information call (530) 582-7720. The lake is open to both power and sail boats.

Fishing –
The park has over three miles of frontage on Donner Lake and Donner Creek. Although the fishing is not usually spectacular, the lake has some native kokanee and planted trout. A fishing license is required. (Many fishermen prefer to use the park as a base to visit nearby lakes).

Hiking Trails –
The park has about 2.5 miles (4 km.) of hiking trails. Park property in Coldstream Canyon to the south contains the alignment of the primary Emigrant Trail, which leads up to U.S. Forest Service and the Pacific Crest trails beyond the park. Maps are for sale at the Emigrant Trail Museum.

Camping and Day Use –
Located at Donner Memorial State Park is a campground of 154 sites and a day-use area along the lake with picnic tables, restrooms, a beach, fishing, and a lakeside interpretive trail that has 18 panels which discuss the natural and cultural resources in the area.

Emigrant Trail Museum –
The Emigrant Trail Museum, located at Donner Memorial State Park, takes about 1 hour to visit. It depicts the history of the area and the people who came into this part of the Sierra, including local Native Americans, the Donner Party, and builders of the transcontinental railroad. Postcards, posters, maps, and books about the human and natural history of the area are for sale at the museum.

Pioneer Monument –
Near the museum is the Pioneer Monument and the Donner Party’s Murphy family cabin site. Also starting at the museum is a self-guiding nature trail which is a one half mile loop. Nature trail guides are available at the museum and campground entrance station. Staff-led hikes, special feature shows, and campfires start in late June. Hikes, ranging from 1 – 2 hours, start at the museum at 10:00 a.m.

St. Regis Punta Mita Resort

Located just north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort offers its guests a signature blend of distinctive accommodations, worldly dining, and exemplary services and luxury amenities.

The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort was received numerous travel industry awards, including: being named a Conde Nast Traveler 2012 Top Hotel in the World, Travel + Leisure 2012 World´s Best Awards, AAA Five Diamond Award, and TripAdvisor.com Traveler’s Choice Award.

The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort is celebrating its four year anniversary and has just announced its Celebration in Paradise package.

The Celebration in Paradise package includes: a complimentary fourth night stay at this luxurious Mexican resort, daily breakfast, four-course dinner for two, daily cocktails, stand-up paddle boarding lessons, a Remède Spa promotion, butler service, and use of the pool canopies and fitness facilities.

St. Regis Punta Mita Resort

For the last four years, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort has offered privacy, unparalleled services including signature St. Regis Butler Service, amenities such as the 10,000 square-foot Remède Spa, award-winning culinary options at the AAA Five Diamond Carolina Restaurant, Sea Breeze and Las Marietas, and renowned golf at two Jack Nicklaus golf courses.

This spectacular, AAA five-diamond beachfront haven is high on the list of many jetsetters who love this exclusive enclave of Punta Mita at the Riviera Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta.

Guests can experience the resort’s 89 spacious and luxurious guest rooms and 31 refined suites, each exquisitely styled and lavishly appointed, in tile-roofed Mexican style casitas along the scenic Pacific Coast.

Resort prices begin at $670 USD per room – in a Deluxe Garden View Room per room, per night for two guests in addition to 19 percent tax and 10 percent service fees.

To learn more or book a reservation at The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, please call 877-787-3447 and use Celebration in Paradise code: TASTE4.

Backes & Strauss

If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury watch, British diamond and watch company Backes & Strauss has just introduced a limited edition luxury timepiece – The Beau Brummell.

This luxury watch comes from Backes & Strauss’ Regent Collection. The new watch is truly a limited edition as only 50 pieces will be available for sale.

The background of watch name is that Beau Brummell was an English wit who was highly admired for his meticulous appearance and confident personality. Brummell was born on June 7, 1778 and died March 30, 1840. Beau Brummell was also a personal friend of the Prince Regent, the future King George IV.

You can see a statute of Beau Brummell on Jermyn Street in London, which is also where the current home of Backes & Strauss resides.

Backes & Strauss

The Beau Brummell Limited Edition luxury watch features 347 Ideal-Cut diamonds that weigh 5.15 carats. The diamonds are hand set into an elegant titanium case. The timepiece also features a stunning dial of 206 ldeal-Cut diamonds weighing 0.66 cts. One row of diamonds is perfectly placed in blue, surrounding diamond Roman numerals on a linear base.

The watch also offers a mechanical movement with automatic winding, in addition to a rotor with platinum segment.

Steve Jobs luxury yacht – Venus

It’s hard to believe it’s already been over a year that Apple’s Steve Jobs passed away, his ultra-luxury yacht is now ready to launch.

After years of secretive designing by Steve Jobs and French designer Phillipe Stack, Feadship shipbuilders in Aalsmeer, Holland have unveiled the sleek looking “Venus.”

Measuring over 70 meters in length and resembling a giant Apple iPhone 4, Venus is a luxury yacht that was built completely out of aluminum. The lighter yacht weight will allow for faster speeds on the open waters and better fuel efficiency.

There is a large sun deck that includes a built in jacuzzi. The ship’s all “floor to ceiling” glass cabin comes is equipped a bridge that features seven 27-inch Apple iMacs to provide the luxury yacht’s navigation and controls.

The impressive ship’s main living area was designed with stunning walls of glass, measuring forty feet long by ten feet high.

During the luxury boat’s christening party, Jobs family members joined the custom yacht builders to celebrate this luxurious vessel. Each member of Feadship shipbuilder team received an Apple iPod Shuffle with the boat’s name “Venus” engraved on the back.

Photo: Redlime, Sri Lanka

It was a sad day when the iconic tech guru and Apple visionary Steven Jobs passed away, but his legacy as the driving force behind Apples will live on forever.

Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel

We all love our pets but how far would you go to pamper your pet?

Plans are underway for a new cat hotel in Haywards Heath, England. This English feline hotel is named the Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel would feature seven custom-built cat suites …. already featured in two other locations in Welwyn Garden City and St Albans.

The company launched in 2010 when founder and owner Abi Purser could not find a suitable place to keep her cat – Norman while on a cruise. The Longcroft luxury cat hotel was his creation.

Luxury suites would feature wrought iron designer beds, plush pillows and a wholesome gourmet “A La Cat” menu consisting of fresh cod steak, steamed salmon and king prawns, among other yummy selections. Meals for your pampered cat will be served on bone china. Relaxing mood music and personal grooming sessions are also offered.

The existing Longcroft hotels pamper kitties with scratching posts, personal gardens and kitty climbing equipment in each room. Pet owners can indulge in personal grooming sessions, splurge for a photo shoot package, or sign up to receive electronic postcards from their cat.

Suites range in price from $25 for a single cat staying in a large suite to $96 for five felines sharing a super-sized suite. Only cats from the same family are allowed to stay in the same room. The hotel works on an appointment only basis so there are not a lot of cars coming and going at all hours.

If plans are approved, the hotel could potentially open by early 2013. Abi added that she was ‘excited’ about the prospect of coming to the town, and thinks it is ‘fabulous’. Local people would be invited to an open day to view the facility and see what is offered.

Read full article: Business Insider

Christie’s

Christie’s New York Auction featured exceptional diamonds and pearls in their fall jewelry auction on October 16. It was Christie’s first auction of the autumn season and featured a dazzling array of magnificent jewels from rare gemstones to flawless diamonds, natural pearls and signed pearls, considered some of the best to come up for sale in the last five years.

Rahul Kadakia, Head of Jewellery for Christie’s America and Switzerland, explained: “Our team of jewellery specialists has spent the summer months gathering the finest gems to match current collecting tastes, including top-quality diamonds, natural pearls, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, rare vintage jewels and highly coveted, contemporary creations from the best designers.”

Stunning diamond jewels weighing more than 50 carats each and exceedingly rare double strand of large natural pearls were among the scores of top-quality gems offered from the finest makers. Diamonds in excess of 50ct each achieved in excess of $35 million from 369 lots. Selling for $3.1million, the 68.35ct fancy oval-cut intense yellow diamond is internally flawless and a magnificent sight.

Even more exquisite was a pear-shaped D-colour impeccable diamond pendant necklace going for an astonishing, $9.5million. This stunning necklace goes well with the diamond ear pendants that went for $4.7million. The stone is mounted in platinum and may be worn dangling from a necklace with a 2.28 carat, circular-cut D-color diamond surmount, available with a GIA certificate noting the stone’s exceptional polish and outstanding symmetry.

Although diamonds are a girl’s best friend, it wasn’t all about diamonds. Made up of 120 large pearls, ranging in colours from white to light creams, a rare double strand of natural pearls, complete with a 3ct D-colour diamond clasp signed by Cartier, reached its estimate of $3.5 million.

Also up for auction were a range of signed jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels … the more colourful of these were two mystery-set pieces. Tripling it’s estimate with a $278,500 sale, the “honeycomb” motif ruby and diamond bracelet uses the exclusive setting technique to great effect – the hexagonal stones create a brilliant contrast with the curve of the bracelet. A pair of ruby and diamond ear clips with matching brooch, also by Van Cleef & Arpels, in the form of a flower blossom with diamond pistils and leaves, went for nearly three times its estimate, selling for $260,500.

Rahul Kadakia commented soon after the sale: “Private collectors and dealers reacted more than positively to a 369-lot auction that was finely-tuned in terms of prices and selection of gems to current market conditions. Natural pearls, colorless flawless diamonds, and colored diamonds of high quality once again dominated the day, making for a vibrant atmosphere in the saleroom.”

Read full article: Luxury Society

St. Regis Punta Mita Resort – Presidential Suite

The luxurious The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort is honoring the Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta’s 2012 International Gourmet Festival, by offering an incredible gastronomic package.

This amazing celebration offers guests an unforgettable 10-day experience that is filled with exclusive culinary offerings. The 2012 International Gourmet Festival to be held in Riviera Nayarit and this extraordinary culinary event will feature 30 international master chefs, who will be crafting special dishes designed to delight every pallet.

Resort guests will have the opportunity to visit various local restaurants and hotels and truly immerse themselves in the rich culture and natural beauty of Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Between November 8-18, 2012, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort offers The International Gourmet Festival Celebration Package which includes:

· A five-course gourmet dinner for two at Sea Breeze Restaurant by Chef Ian Gresik, head chef at the premier Drago Centro Restaurant in Los Angeles

· A five-course sample menu at Café des Artistes del Mar Punta Mita by Chef Corey Fuller, head chef at Café Puck at the Contemporary Art Museum of Chicago

· Deluxe garden or ocean view accommodations

· Signature St. Regis Butler Service

· Daily breakfast for two at Las Marietas

· A 20 percent discount on 60 minute massages at Remède Spa, a 10,000 square foot oasis boasting nine treatment rooms; a perfect sanctuary to relax and rejuvenate.

· 24-hour access to The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort’s state-of-the-art exercise room.

The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort is delighted to welcome the Each night of this 10-day celebration is hosted at

Rates for the International Gourmet Festival Celebration package begin at $516 USD per room, per night for a Deluxe Garden View Room and $636 USD per room, per night for a Deluxe Ocean View Room for two guests in addition to 19 percent tax and 10 percent service fees.

To learn more or make a reservation, please contact us at: