Рубрика: General

The new BGX83 crossover delivers impressive onboard space without sacrificing proportion. The new BGX83 crossover delivers impressive onboard space without sacrificing proportion.

Five towers, frescoed halls, and a setting worthy of The Traitors? A medieval castle is on the market in Lazio. 

Just as The Traitors UK inches toward its final betrayals and the US version posts its strongest streaming numbers to date, it almost feels scripted that a castle seemingly designed for secrets and strategy has just arrived on the market. Perched above the medieval village of Torre Alfina, near Acquapendente in northern Lazio, this extraordinary Italian castle, listed with Christie’s International Real Estate for €13m (approx. $15m), offers a setting where drama is not manufactured, but architectural.

From the moment its fortified silhouette comes into view, the parallels are hard to ignore. Five imposing towers rise above thick stone walls; arched windows frame sweeping countryside views; suits of armor, hanging tapestries, and frescoed galleries set the tone inside. It’s the kind of place where grand entrances feel inevitable.

The castle’s origins date back to the Early Middle Ages, evolving over centuries from defensive stronghold to noble residence. During the Renaissance, it was transformed by the Sforza Monaldeschi family, before undergoing a meticulous late-19th-century restoration led by Count Edoardo Cahen d’Anvers, with architect Giuseppe Partini and celebrated French landscape designers Henri and Achille Duchêne shaping its gardens. What remains today is a rare continuity of history, preserved with intelligence rather than nostalgia.

The interiors unfold across five levels and more than 5,000 square metres of space, housing 35 rooms and 15 bathrooms. A dramatic ground-floor gallery sets the tone immediately, with frescoed walls, marble floors, vaulted inlaid-wood ceilings, and sculptural details that feel museum-worthy yet lived-in. Large arched windows draw the eye outward, grounding the grandeur in its rural Italian setting.

Above, the piano nobile delivers the castle’s most impressive entertaining spaces: an expansive scenic gallery, a formal dining salon, multiple reception rooms, and a wood-panelled library that invites both solitude and conversation. Upper floors offer a sequence of private chambers, guest suites and attic spaces, while the towers themselves provide rooms with panoramic views.

Outside, a Renaissance garden unfolds with measured elegance. Geometric flowerbeds, manicured hedges, and a central fountain create a sense of order and calm, offering a striking counterpoint to the castle’s medieval weight. At approximately 3,280-sq-feet (1,000 square metres), the grounds feel intimate rather than overwhelming – a space designed for reflection as much as for entertaining.

Situated close to the borders of Tuscany and Umbria, the location balances seclusion with cultural proximity, placing historic towns, vineyards, and landscapes within easy reach. It is this combination, architectural gravitas, thoughtful restoration, and geographic poise, that makes the property so compelling.

Castles of this calibre rarely appear on the open market, particularly those offering both authenticity and adaptability. Whether envisioned as a private residence, an intimate hospitality project or a legacy investment, this is a home that doesn’t require embellishment. Long before television made betrayal fashionable, these walls were already telling stories.

We spoke to Maison CEO Giulio Bergamaschi about the anniversary. 

Colonia Il Profumo Millesimato, the anniversary scent created by perfumer Alexis Dadier, reframes Colonia through a millesimato lens – a concept more commonly associated with wine – characterizing the fragrance by a singular harvest year, the 2024 crop of ylang-ylang white from Bosy Be in Madagascar. 

“We selected certain ingredients that came from a specific year with specific natural attributes to give a unique and single signature to the product, one that cannot be repeated,” said Giulio Bergamaschi, CEO of Acqua di Parma.

[See more: An Insider Guide to Milan – The Iconic Fashion City Hosting the Winter Olympics]

On the nose, the new Colonia fragrance opens with Italian bergamot, blood orange, petitgrain, and grapefruit, delivering a citrus clarity before moving into rosemary and orange leaves. The liquid will be presented in a glass bottle with embossed detailing and a golden medal stamp, and housed in Acqua di Parma’s signature yellow hatbox.

The Italian Maison is also marking the anniversary with a cinematic campaign, The Art of Living Italian, set in Parma, the brand’s hometown, and starring Michael Fassbender and Sabrina Impacciatore. The campaign repositions the Maison’s founding vision, the Italian arte de vivre, the slower art of living, within a more contemporary context. 

“It’s not a product campaign; it is a cultural narrative campaign. We don’t want to advertise products. We want to celebrate the Italian art of living, the city of Parma – the prototype of Italian art of living,” says Bergamaschi.

[See more: How Henry Jacques is Revitalizing the Fragrance World]

More recently, Acqua di Parma has quietly expanded into lifestyle, applying this same sensibility to leatherware, ceramics, and small, everyday objects. New anniversary introductions to the Art of Living collection include Via Com Me Scent to Go, a multifunctional leather holder with a perfumable ceramic stone that also works as a wireless earbuds case, as well as candle accessories such as the Cappuccino cup holder, Buonanotte candle snuffer, and Zic wick trimmer. 

“The art of living has always been within the DNA of Acqua di Parma. In recent years, we’ve simply accelerated the development of these categories,” Bergamaschi notes. “It’s always difficult to say what we’ll explore next. Porcelain and ceramics are, of course, our core domain, and those are areas we’ll continue to develop and express in the future.”

“We never follow hype. We’ve always been true to ourselves, and we’ve always tried to embody refinement and timeless elegance. And, by definition, timeless is never out of fashion.”

acquadiparma.com

The Maybach Ocean Club is redefining ultra-luxury membership by offering millionaires something money alone can’t buy: access. 

Hosted aboard a custom-built 508ft (155-metre) superyacht, admission to perhaps the most exclusive private members’ club going comes with a raft of uber luxe experiences, and an overflowing toy box aboard its 229ft (70-metre) shadow vessel. For Caring, who is responsible for the club development and community building, the real draw is rare access to a highly curated network of like-minded individuals.

“I’ve been very focused on building an architecture for the community,” he says, noting that interviews and letters of recommendation will go a long way to securing membership. “Hopefully they’ll feel like they’re part of an incredible, vibrant, exciting, dynamic group of people who are socially gifted and have nothing to prove.”

While some may balk at the $4m buy-in and seven-figure annual membership fee in exchange for four weeks at sea a year (excluding food, beverages and optional activities), it’s the community aspect that differentiates the offering from a typical superyacht charter or soiree spent in the coveted cloisters of Annabel’s, says Matthias Bosse, co-founder of marine consultancy Splendid Sea, which collaborated with Mercedes-Maybach on the project. “It’s not simply about wealth. One of the earliest questions we hear when speaking to prospective members is: ‘Who else will be on board?’”

The answer for the Dölker + Voges-designed vessel, Beyond Horizons, is “a lot of Americans.” Around 70 percent to be exact, with the remainder of the yacht’s 300 “co-owners” expected to be made up of Europeans. “The US is the biggest market for yachts, the biggest market for shadow ownership, and for residential projects and members’ clubs,” says Bosse. “For interested parties outside of those regions, we’d look to build a second yacht.”

Announced at the end of last year and planning its maiden voyage in 2029, Beyond Horizons will sleep up to 72 guests in 30 residential-style suites, each evenly sized at 242-sq-ft (74-square-metres) and decorated in the Mercedes-Maybach rose gold accent color. Six guest cabins forward are reserved for daily rental to cater for members wishing to invite friends and family. Unsurprisingly, there will be all the onboard yachting amenities that members could wish for, from an expansive beach club and spacious spa to helicopter transfers and wellness programs.

Cultural engagement will also be woven into the package, with live concerts and art exhibits taking place as the yacht cruises the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean in winter. Additional partnerships with fashion houses, watch brands, and jewellery labels, as well as other members’ clubs, including CORE and The House of KOKO, will provide year-round land-based entertainment, such as film screenings and evenings with visiting luminaries.

The proposition speaks to a growing trend of brands branching into community-and-network-oriented models to expand beyond their initial offering, pipped to be a key driver of the luxury industry in 2026 and beyond. Yachting examples include the recently announced Jumeirah Privé partnership with 299ft (88-metre) superyacht Maltese Falcon, which sees private itineraries curated by the hotel group, and the Solace Odyssey in partnership with EYOS Expeditions, that uses the 187ft (57-metre) 187ft Feadship for an extended circumnavigation program where guests can book specific segments or chapters of the voyage rather than just ad-hoc weeks.

On land a litany of branded residences tied to automotive marques, including Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini, Bulgari, and Bugatti, have sprung up in recent years, each offering a seasonal social calendar of events to create a relationship-driven ecosystem among residences. The only difference being, says Bosse, you can’t choose who you live next to.

“Unlike residence vessels, such as The World, where individual occupancy is statistically between three to four months a year leaving multiple suites empty for large amounts of time, and branded residences where you might dislike your neighbor, the Beyond Horizons model encourages repeat gatherings with a stable base of peers, which cultivates relationships and shared memories.”

This is something that Bosse can attest to having already conducted a trial sailing aboard the 344ft (104.9-metre) superyacht Lady Moura, which he formerly captained for 15 years. From the handful of guests invited to try-out the membership model at sea, two companies were formed by individuals who had previously never met.

“You need to have a certain level of affluence to afford this membership opportunity,” says Caring, “but that means members are looking to work together, not just socialize and sail together.”

As for the yacht itself, only the likes of Elon Musk could ever consider owning one, and yet the Maybach Ocean Club offers a slice of that selective pie, too, says Caring. “It democratizes that sort of ultra luxury.”

The limited-edition watch signals an increasing focus on the category at the famed jewelry house. The limited-edition watch signals an increasing focus on the category at the famed jewelry house.

Freelands is a renovated fishing lodge with wellbeing at its heart. 

A couple commissioned the Wiseman Group to design a home where bleeding-edge technology and tranquil living can coexist. A couple commissioned the Wiseman Group to design a home where bleeding-edge technology and tranquil living can coexist.

Capensis is unlocking the potential of the king of red grapes in Stellenbosch. Capensis is unlocking the potential of the king of red grapes in Stellenbosch.

This is the second release of this barrel-proof rye from Heaven Hill. This is the second release of this barrel-proof rye from Heaven Hill.

From exclusive omakase counters to Michelin-starred French fine dining, these are the top tables for Valentine’s Day in the city. 

While Valentine’s Day is a time-honored excuse for roses, champagne, and diamonds, it’s also one of the most popular nights of the year to dine out. The challenge, of course, is choosing where.

You could lean into tradition with white tablecloths and candlelit Italian – perfect for a Lady and the Tramp–style spaghetti moment. Or perhaps French fine dining is more your speed. Some couples gravitate toward seafood, sharing a chilled platter of oysters or a towering shellfish spread, while others prefer the intensity of an omakase counter, where the evening unfolds course by course.

To help narrow the field, Elite Traveler has curated a list of the best restaurants for Valentine’s Day in New York City. Whatever your idea of romantic dining looks like, consider this your starting point for Valentine’s Day restaurants in NYC.

Our Guide to Valentine’s Day Restaurants in New York City

Muku

Still relatively new to the New York City dining scene after opening in September, this ten-seat chef’s table restaurant is offering a limited-time experience for Valentine’s Day weekend in NYC, with a menu devoted to one of Japan’s most prized winter delicacies: kani.

For Muku’s special Valentine’s Day menu, Chef Manabu will serve Japanese snow crab in various forms, showcasing the ingredient’s natural sweetness through shabu-shabu, charcoal grilling, and his signature hand-cut soba.

Guests are also welcome to bring their own bottles (corkage is $175 per bottle), making the evening a perfect opportunity to open that special vintage or sake you’ve been saving for the occasion.

muku.com

Per Se

If your partner loves fine dining, why not mark Valentine’s Day with one of NYC’s three-Michelin-star experiences?

Chef Thomas Keller’s Per Se will begin the evening with a glass of champagne, followed by a special Valentine’s tasting menu. The refined French restaurant also boasts one of the most extensive wine lists in New York City, with more than 2,000 bottles available to complement the meal.

Priced at $1,000 per diner, it’s one of the most glamorous Valentine’s Day dinners in NYC.

thomaskeller.com

Marea

For oysters and seafood-driven romance, head to Marea’s raw bar. The name translates to ‘tide’ in Italian, and the menu reflects it, with seafood pastas, lump crab, and lobster taking center stage.

The restaurant will serve a Valentine’s Day four-course prix fixe menu with an optional wine pairing. Start your evening with caviar – four types to choose from – served with gougeres, chips, brioche, chives, and creme fraiche. 

Other menu highlights include tuna tartare, Nova Scotia lobster with burrata, pan-seared wild Dover sole, squid ink ravioli, and king crab mafaldine. And for dessert, the tiramisu is a must.

marearestaurant.com

Masa

If you’re looking for an experience that prioritizes the food over decor, book two seats at Masa. One of the most revered sushi restaurants in New York City, the minimalist dining room allows the ingredients to take full focus.

Chef Masa Takayama blends traditional Japanese dining with modern technique for an immersive omakase experience. For Valentine’s Day, Masa offers a Hinoki Counter Experience. 

While the rules are strict – no photography, videography, or strong fragrance – the evening is unforgettable, with counter seating starting at $1,150 per person.

masanyc.com

The Modern

The Modern showcases Chef Thomas Allan’s contemporary cooking in an upscale dining room overlooking MoMA’s Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden.

Valentine’s Day diners can enjoy a six-course tasting menu on both Friday and Saturday, featuring oysters, venison tartare, grilled diver scallop, and Australian wagyu beef, complemented by salsify and pickled red cabbage. Dessert leans chocolate-forward, with a dark chocolate cremeaux paired with black cherry and almond.

If you already have dinner plans, The Modern is also offering a four-course prix fixe lunch on February 14.

themodernnyc.com

Gabriel Kreuther

Overlooking Bryant Park in Midtown, Gabriel Kreuther is a contemporary French-American restaurant where Alsatian-born Chef Gabriel Kreuther delivers some of New York City’s most celebrated fine dining.

The art-filled dining room, complete with cream-colored banquettes, set a romantic tone, ideal for Valentine’s Day. The weekend’s prix fixe menu will include dishes such as king crab cooked in sweet seaweed butter, Perigord black truffle tagliatelle with confit egg yolk, and Snake River Farms wagyu strip steak with a bone marrow crust and butterball potatoes.

The wine list is especially strong in Rieslings, Pinot Blancs, and Gewürztraminers, nodding to the chef’s Alsatian roots.

gknyc.com

Ai Fiori

Translated as ‘among the flowers,’ Ai Fiori serves Riviera-inspired dishes influenced by both France and Italy, from Nice to Portofino. Found on the second floor of The Langham on Fifth Avenue, it’s a classic New York setting for Valentine’s Day.

Throughout the weekend, the restaurant will offer a five-course Valentine’s set menu alongside its regular offerings. The meal begins with an oyster, followed by a choice of trofie nero, pesto campanelle, or veal breast and reblochon ravioli. 

Seafood makes up the third course, while the fourth offers wagyu ribeye, roasted quail, or market beets with rice, pomelo, shiitake mushrooms, and yogurt.

aifiorinyc.com

Restaurant Daniel

For Valentine’s Day in New York City, it’s hard to go wrong with a reservation at Chef Daniel Boulud’s flagship Upper East Side restaurant. A pillar of the city’s dining scene since 1993, Daniel remains one of the most in-demand restaurants in New York, making for a memorable evening.

Inside, coffered ceilings topped with Bernardaud porcelain chandeliers, along with art by James Rosenquist, make for an elegant dining room, while Executive Chef Eddy Leroux’s cuisine matches the refined atmosphere.For Valentine’s Day, Daniel offers a five-course tasting menu throughout the weekend, plus a three-course prix fixe lunch on February 14.

Each course is themed – exotic, delicate, sumptuous, seductive, and tender – with dishes spanning foie gras, roe quail eggs, Ossetra caviar, Massachusetts Jonah crab, black truffle, and wagyu beef.

danielnyc.com