alchemy magazine - volume 13
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Alchemy
Where Next For Private Aviation? • VIP Protection • Sea Eagles Return • Summer Sailing
Palatial Hotels • Falcon 7X Profile • An Asset Manager’s Day • Johnny Paravicini ‘Mr Fixer’ Interview
Ashbrook House | Church Minshull | Nantwich | Cheshire | CW5 6EA
Tel: 01270 522830 | Fax: 01270 522095 | Email: enquiry@midwoodconsulting.com | www.midwoodconsulting.com
About UsMidwood Consulting is a successful, bespoke financial practice established for over 25 years.
Our core values and principles are at the heart of our business. We are committed to achieving excellence and take pride in the quality of our service.
Our clients benefit from both the individual, bespoke service offered by Midwood Consulting, and the security gained through our membership of Openwork, one of the UK’s largest financial advice networks.
Bespoke, quality financial solutions
Wealth ManagementOur advisers operate across the UK, meeting clients at locations suitable for them.
We work closely with both private and corporate clients to encourage the development and protection of their assets and estates.
Wealth accumulation and preservation advice includes in-depth discussions regarding investments, pensions and financial protection.
Midwood Consulting applies the same bespoke, in-depth financial advice to small and large businesses alike, equipping them to deal with the particular financial challenges they face.
Midwood Consulting is a trade name of Hazel Winifrede Midwood who is an appointed representative of Openwork Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Alchemy Volume 13 3
Foreword
In this difficult economic environment a strong brand,
with consistent and unshakable qualities that are practised
through the good times and the bad, can add real confidence
to business dealings.
Unlike today’s ever-present ‘boom and bust’ aviation upstarts,
Air Partner traces its history back almost 50 years to the dawn
of the commercial jet era. Founded by a post-war pilot, we have
striven to deliver excellence to corporate and private clients,
governments and the military for half a century.
Today our values remain the same: quality, dependability, diversity
and longevity; values we believe are more relevant now than ever
before. Indeed, these values define the very essence of our team,
a team of some 250 professionals delivering aeronautical, technical,
and logistical excellence, which our clients tell us they recognise
and value, week in, week out.
It’s therefore no coincidence that we hold a Royal Warrant from
Her Majesty the Queen, or that after £500 million worth of
business from just one client, that client, when describing Air
Partner’s capabilities, said, “They deliver the impossible as a matter
of routine.”
Air Partner’s brand is discrete, but is trusted by thousands of
clients from the four corners of the globe, and almost everywhere
in between. So, while we pass through the mother of all recessions,
our clients can remain confident in Air Partner’s professional
excellence, as much as our financial security. Newer names come
and go, but the trusted partner remains, in the bad times as well
as the good.
DAVID SAVILE
Chief Executive
Air Partner
SUMMER EDITION - VOLUME THIRTEEN ALcHEMy
THE REALITy Of TODAy’S NEw EcONOMy
Air Partner is listed on the London Stock Exchange and has a market
capitalisation of £50m, a 3A1 credit rating, is profitable, with strong cash
reserves and has no debt.
Alchemy Volume 134
Contents
Contents
38
20
30
44
46
Alchemy Volume 13 5
14
Contents
08 Where next for private aviation?
10 Dassualt Falcon 7X
14 The Ryder Cup
20 Best Company profile
22 Air Partner JetCard
24 Le Mans
30 Palaces with a place in history
36 A day in the life of a private jet user
38 Summer Sailing - the insider’s guide
42 Interview with Johnny Paravicini
44 Top private jet destinations
46 Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
54 VIP Ironside protection
56 Swan 90
58 Sea eagles return
60 Philanthropy - a question of give and take
62 A diamond journey
Copyright Synergy Publishing Ltd 2009
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher. Whilst every effort has been made to check all information contained herein, the publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to seek professional advice before entering into any agreements.
This magazine is a service to Air Partner and must not be resold.
For advertising or editorial enquiries please contact:
Sue Broom 01869 321822 sue@synergy-publishing.co.uk
Ross McPherson 01803 295353 ross@synergy-publishing.co.uk
Published by Synergy Publishing Ltd
Head Office: Suite 8, The White House, 42-44 The Terrace, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 1DD
Tel: 01869 321822 Fax: 01869 321832 www.alchemymagazine.co.uk
E-mail: alchemy@synergy-publishing.co.uk Printed by Aldridge Print Group Design by Toast Design - www.toastdesign.co.uk
08
10
Alchemy Volume 136
By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen
Supplier of Aircraft CharterCrawley, West Sussex
+44 (0)207 538 2273www.airpartner.com
In business, winning isn’t everything...it’s the only thing
Four client visits, three contracts secured, two new opportunities... all in one day
0640 London0845 Dusseldorf1135 Poznan1520 Stuttgart1835 Home
Alchemy.indd 1 28/04/2009 10:36:58
Alchemy Volume 13 7
Alchemy Volume 138
Where next for private aviation?
Where next
privatefor
aviation?
Concurrently, the perception of corporate excess became epitomised
on one side of the Atlantic by the Big Three car chiefs flying in
separate private jets from Detroit to Washington (begging bowls
outstretched to Congress), and on this side by several high-profile
bankers (with an obsession for private jets) being rewarded for failure
with taxpayers’ money.
Against this backdrop, we thought it only fair that the other side of
private jet use be given some profile. After all, the Detroit Three’s
insensitive choice of transport became the fodder for every talk show
host on US TV for a week, and when the President of jet manufacturer
Cessna dared to defend the utility of his products, even The Times
described his actions as “a misreading of the zeitgeist of almost Marie
Antoinette proportions”. Defending private jets has become not PC...
and PC really matters today, doesn’t it?
So has the death knell tolled for a manufacturing and service sector
that directly contributes over $200 bn to the global economy? One
that directly and indirectly employs over two million people worldwide,
and is one of our great high-skill industries whose R&D produces
technological innovations that our grandchildren might one day
depend on?
Sure, you will always find examples of private jet abuse, but as you
focus on any one event you will probably overlook the multitude of
other uses for the same jet, for example:
• theseniormanagerwhojettedoffatdawntostayincontactwith
some remote factory location, where they are the only local
employer for miles around;
• theairambulancethatsavedthelifeofatouristwhofelloffhis
hotel balcony in Turkey yesterday evening;
• theorgantransplantflightthatbroughtdonorheartandlungsfrom
Exeter to the recipient in Inverness last night; and
• thediplomatwhocoveredfiveMiddleEasterncitiesintwodaysas
part of his diplomatic peace mission.
Indeed, the classic example of good use of private jets came at the
height of the witch hunt: a few inches of overnight snow in February
grounded nearly all the main airlines, but private jets kept the ‘movers
and shakers’ still moving... if not shaking.
At the start of the year, as Robert Peston unveiled
each breaking news story, the ‘£ millions’ we were once comfortable with quickly became Monopoly-like ‘£ billions’ and then ‘£ trillions’ that we couldn’t even write down.
David Savile, Chief Executive, Air Partner plc
Alchemy Volume 13 9
Quantifiable value
Private aviation is primarily about efficiency of people whose time is of
quantifiable value. Using a jet productively will save senior executive
time, achieving in a day or two what could otherwise consume a
whole business week.
Jets can be rented at under £250 per seat per hour, flying direct to
the final destination, avoiding queues and holding private meetings
on board, saving some corporations tens of thousands of pounds
per person per day in lost time and production. They also ensure
corporate security. Hence, we should pose the question whether
shareholders – yes, and taxpayers at large – really want to force our
country’s wealth generators to spend hours at congested airports,
when our national economy, employment opportunities and pension
values depend now, more than ever before, on these entrepreneurs
going out to win back our depleted economic balances.
Moderation in all things
Perhaps we need to castigate the misuse of private jets, but reward
corporate efficiency and effectiveness. And maybe it is acceptable in
the free world to allow private wealth to be spent on luxury goods and
transportation, if for no other reason than it provides jobs, wealth and
prosperity to a much wider segment of the population than we might
have thought possible.
Please feel free to share your views at ceo@airpartner.com
Where next for private aviation?
Alchemy Volume 1310
Dassault Falcon 7X
Dassault
Unquestionably THE most efficientand advanced high-speed
business jet in its class.
Falcon 7XAlchemy Volume 1310
Alchemy Volume 13 11
Dassault Falcon 7X
Dassault has always made great aircraft and
the Falcon 7X, regarded by many as the
manufacturer’s finest yet, is no exception.
This three-engine long range private jet offers
comfort levels that are really remarkable. The
large and ultra-plush leather-clad cabin is
very bright and features a fantastic new air
conditioning system (including a humidifier)
the lowest cabin pressure and extremely
low noise level. Thanks to the Digital Flight
Control System passenger comfort is also
increased through exceptional aircraft
stability. Here exists a jet that is competitively
priced while retaining comfort, practicality
and superior performance and efficiency.
The Falcon 7X can accommodate up to 12
passengers and with a top speed of Mach
.90 it’s fast, very fast. With a payload of eight
passengers plus the crew, it is designed to fly
almost 6,000 nautical miles linking virtually all
of the most desired city-pairs. Most business
jets don’t achieve anywhere near their
maximum range travelling at top speed.
The Dassault Falcon 7X is the exception.
Its long, slender wings suffer less drag at high
speeds than other wing designs and help lift
it to 51,000 feet even when fully loaded (other
jets must burn significant amounts of fuel to
reach similar altitudes). Advanced flaps and
slats let the Falcon7X land at slow speeds
and on shorter runways – even London City
Airport is no problem.
X = extra performance, efficiency,
range and technology
The Falcon 7X, one of only two trijets
currently in production, is the first fully
fly-by-wire business jet equipped with the
Dassault’s acclaimed Enhanced Avionics
System (EASy). It is the first ‘all new’ Falcon
to be unveiled since the three-engine model
50 was developed in the 1970s and led to
the derivative large cabin Falcon 900 and the
twin engine 2000 families.
Dassault has pioneered the use of computer
aided design and technology has been used
in every phase of the Falcon 7X’s creation to
optimise the jet’s performance and weight.
Additionally, the manufacturing process
has been streamlined and maintenance
requirements simplified and reduced.
This aircraft takes a huge leap forward in
advanced aeronautical technology and for
good reason. The intuitive EASy flight deck
technology, designed in conjunction with
Honeywell, displays information on four 14in
flat-panel screens and allows pilots to make
‘heads up’ data entry using a cursor control
device and menu-driven selections.
Pilots, aviation authorities and safety experts
were all consulted during the flight deck’s
development and the outcome has helped
to improve crew coordination, provide
unsurpassed situational awareness and
simplify flight management tasks.
The new Falcon 7X is Dassault’s flagship business jet and the much anticipated, long awaited successor
to the Falcon 900. This large-cabin, long range business aircraft combines Dassault’s passion for innovation, fighter jet prowess and advanced research resources and the result is a jet with a breakthrough design and
extraordinary capabilities.
Alchemy Volume 1312
Dassault Falcon 7X
The Digital Flight Control System was created from generations
of experience on fighters such as the Mirage 2000 and because
of this the Falcon 7X is the first business jet offering a range of
additional benefits including exceptional response and controls
such as automatic trim adjustments and precise flight path control.
In instances such as wind shear encounters or collision avoidance
manoeuvres, pilots are able to obtain maximum aircraft performance
without worrying about overstressing the aircraft or stalling.
Dassault is justifiably proud of the jet’s increased passenger safety
and enhanced easy-to-use pilot controls, increased short field
performance and longer-range cruise ability, which makes it an
industry leader in large cabin, long range executive jets.
The Falcon 7X is testament to innovative thinking and a desire to
design an aircraft inspired by private jet customers the world over.
Faster and fuel efficient The Falcon 7X is Dassault’s answer to Bombardier’s Global 5000 and
fills a gap in the market between the Gulfstream 4/Challenger class
of aircraft and the Gulfstream 5/Global Express class. It can fly faster
that a Gulfstream 4 or Challenger and for longer distances, being
able to reach 98 per cent of the most popular business city pairs.
Yet it is smaller and lighter than a Gulfstream 5 or Global Express
which makes it much more fuel efficient and able to access a greater
number of smaller airports, which in turn reduces navigation and
landing costs. Indeed, its performance at maximum takeoff weight is
calculated to be better than that of its Falcon 900EX.
As final proof that aviation is now a complete and total global
enterprise, all original documentation of the 7X was done in
English, a big step for the French.
A truly remarkable aircraft, now available through Air Partner.
The Falcon 7X offers a calming and stylish environment in which
to work or relax.
The Falcon 7X is notable for its extensive use of computer-aided
design. Manufacturer Dassault describes it as the “first aircraft to
be designed entirely on a virtual platform”.
Characteristics
Crew: Pilot, co-pilot, 1 cabin crew
Capacity: Up to 12 passengers
Length: 76ft 1in
Wingspan: 86 ft
Cabin Height: 6ft 2in
Cabin Width: 7ft 7in
Cabin Length: 39ft
Baggage: 157 cu ft
Engines: 3 Pratt & Whitney Canada PW307A turbofans
Maximum speed: 953 km/h (515 knots, 593 mph)
Cruise speed: 900 km/h (486knots, 559mph)
Range: 11,019 km (5,950 nm) with 8 passengers
Maximum cruising height: 51,000 ft (15,545 m)
From London, the Falcon 7X is able to fly non-stop to a wide range
of destinations including Los Angeles, New York, Johannesburg,
the Bahamas, New Deli, Muscat and Dubai.
Alchemy Volume 1312
Alchemy Volume 13 13
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Alchemy Volume 1314
The Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup epitomises the greatest traditions of international
sporting competition. Every two years the leading players from
Europe and the United States entertain thousands of spectators
and millions of television viewers worldwide in golf’s most
prestigious team event. No other golfing competition comes close
to the emotion, intensity and atmosphere of The Ryder Cup.
Watchworldout
Wales is on the march!
Alchemy Volume 13 15
The Ryder Cup
The first Ryder Cup was held at Worcester Country Club,
Massachusetts, in 1927 and since then the biennial contest has
become the most eagerly anticipated spectacle in golf. The honour
remains to compete for the game’s most cherished team trophy – an
elegant golden chalice – and for the glory of winning.
The 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club, Kentucky, saw The
American Team seal an emotional victory following on from three
successive defeats. In 2010 the eyes of the sporting world will focus
on Wales where at The Celtic Manor Resort, City of Newport, the 38th
edition of this remarkable match will unfold. Colin Montgomerie and
Corey Pavin, the Team Captains, will have 24 of the finest golfers in
the world as members of their Teams, guaranteeing high octane golf
and great drama.
As a destination, Wales may not be the first name on the lips of golfing
tourists when they reach the shores of the UK and Ireland, but the
wind of change is blowing through the world of Welsh golf thanks to
an initiative which can be traced directly to the country’s successful
bid to host The 2010 Ryder Cup.
Even though The Ryder Cup is 16 months in the future, the moves to
reposition Wales as a lead player in the golfing tourism stakes rather
than in a bit-part role are going ahead at breakneck pace.
A £2 million Legacy Fund provided by the Welsh Assembly
Government, administered by the Sports Council for Wales, is
currently supporting over 40 projects which will create over 200
new holes across Wales.
Those golf holes dovetail perfectly with the best that Wales can offer
in terms of spectacular scenery, charming villages, glorious views and
a diversity of courses providing outstanding visitor appeal.
John Jermine, Chairman of Ryder Cup Wales, explained the
rationale behind his organisation’s desire to bring Wales into line
alongside England, Ireland and Scotland as ‘must see’ locations on
the golfing gazetteer.
Alchemy Volume 1316
The Ryder Cup
For further information of hospitality packages or ticket
options, visit www.rydercup.com or call +44 (0) 1344 840483.
...where will you be?
Jermine said: “We want tourists to visit our shores, to see first-hand
a wonderfully diverse, interesting and charming country which also
possesses wonderful golf courses. Certainly The Ryder Cup will have
a massive impact. The Celtic Manor Resort will be seen the world
over. Naturally, people will want to play The Twenty Ten Course and
walk in the footsteps of the world’s greatest players, but that is only
the beginning of the story.
“By driving about 40 miles from The Celtic Manor Resort visitors to
Wales can play Pyle and Kenfig, Royal Porthcawl and Southerndown.
Just head down the road a bit further and you can play a lovely
course like Pennard. The country has an abundance of great and
varied golf courses.”
The catalyst is, of course, The 2010 Ryder Cup which will unfold over
The Twenty Ten Course, the first course specifically designed to host
The Ryder Cup, from 1-3 October, 2010. Applications for the ticket
ballot opened at the end of April and are well on track to meet targets
and corporate hospitality sales are also progressing well.
Co-ordinated by Ryder Cup Hospitality 2010 Ltd, the plans involve
the construction of several multi-storey hospitality structures on
specially-created sites overlooking the 16th and 17th holes.
David Watt, Ryder Cup Hospitality Sales Manager, said: “In such an
intoxicating atmosphere of high drama and great theatre it is easy to
understand why more and more people see Ryder Cup hospitality as
the ‘must- have’ corporate ticket and the best way to entertain top
clients. The level of service is unparalleled and Ryder Cup Europe
prides itself on offering the finest quality food and wine to further
enhance the whole experience and ensure and exceptional day of
sporting entertainment.”
Alchemy Volume 13 17
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A L L W E A T H E R G O L F G R E E N S
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“
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“
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“
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Contact: Tony Hynes3 Oaklands Park, Sandymount, Dublin 4, IrelandT: +353 87 238 9800E: tony@tourgreens-europe.com
Alchemy Volume 1318
Pub: Alchemy Air Size: 16.6 x 11.7 plus bleed Job #: 963-9026N Ad #: 09-963-59 Running: June 09 Ad prepared by Dana Communications 609.466.9187
VIEW OUR HOMES AND DESTINATIONS AT ULTIMATEESCAPES.COM
OU
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Punta Cana, Dominican RepublicPunta Mita, MexicoReserva Conchal, Costa RicaSt. Thomas, US Virgin IslandsWaterColor, Florida
METROPOLITANChicago, IllinoisLondon, EnglandNew York City, New YorkParis, France
MOUNTAINS & TRAILSBeaver Creek, ColoradoBreckenridge, ColoradoCopper Mountain, ColoradoDeer Valley, UtahJackson Hole, WyomingLake Tahoe, California/NevadaSteamboat Springs, ColoradoStowe, VermontSun Valley, IdahoTelluride, Colorado
GOLF & LEISUREBend, OregonBoca Raton, FloridaFox Acres, ColoradoKiawah Island, South CarolinaLa Costa, CaliforniaLa Quinta, CaliforniaLake George, New YorkLake Las Vegas, NevadaNaples, FloridaOrlando, FloridaOuter Banks, North CarolinaReynolds Plantation, GeorgiaScottsdale, Arizona
Tuscany, ItalyUltimate Escapes is a registered trademark of Ultimate Resort Holdings, LLC, in the United States and/or other countries.
Ultimate Resort, LLC, is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel. Registration No. ST36413.
TIME IS RUNNING OUT.Stop the excuses and the guilt trips—and do something before life passes you by. Join Ultimate Escapes® and fill your life with heartwarming, unforgettable vacation memories in destinations you’ve always dreamed of sharing together. Our members enjoy flexible access to 100+ multi-million-dollar private residences and more than 130 luxury hotels in over 150 destinations worldwide. No hassles, no worries, no planning—just The Vacation of a Lifetime, Every TimeSM.
DON’T WAIT! Learn how you can qualify for a complimentary 3-Night Ultimate Home Stay at UltimateEscapes.com/stay. Or call a Membership Director at 001.877.955.1900 or 001.407.483.1903 today.
Alchemy Volume 13 19
Pub: Alchemy Air Size: 16.6 x 11.7 plus bleed Job #: 963-9026N Ad #: 09-963-59 Running: June 09 Ad prepared by Dana Communications 609.466.9187
VIEW OUR HOMES AND DESTINATIONS AT ULTIMATEESCAPES.COM
OU
R D
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LUD
E: BEACHES & SHORESAbaco, BahamasBig Island, HawaiiBritish Virgin Islands YachtCandlewood Lake, ConnecticutDelray Beach, FloridaGrace Bay, Turks & CaicosHopkins Village, BelizeIndian Rocks Beach, FloridaKey West, FloridaLos Cabos, MexicoMaui, HawaiiMiami Beach, FloridaNevis, West Indies
Punta Cana, Dominican RepublicPunta Mita, MexicoReserva Conchal, Costa RicaSt. Thomas, US Virgin IslandsWaterColor, Florida
METROPOLITANChicago, IllinoisLondon, EnglandNew York City, New YorkParis, France
MOUNTAINS & TRAILSBeaver Creek, ColoradoBreckenridge, ColoradoCopper Mountain, ColoradoDeer Valley, UtahJackson Hole, WyomingLake Tahoe, California/NevadaSteamboat Springs, ColoradoStowe, VermontSun Valley, IdahoTelluride, Colorado
GOLF & LEISUREBend, OregonBoca Raton, FloridaFox Acres, ColoradoKiawah Island, South CarolinaLa Costa, CaliforniaLa Quinta, CaliforniaLake George, New YorkLake Las Vegas, NevadaNaples, FloridaOrlando, FloridaOuter Banks, North CarolinaReynolds Plantation, GeorgiaScottsdale, Arizona
Tuscany, ItalyUltimate Escapes is a registered trademark of Ultimate Resort Holdings, LLC, in the United States and/or other countries.
Ultimate Resort, LLC, is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel. Registration No. ST36413.
TIME IS RUNNING OUT.Stop the excuses and the guilt trips—and do something before life passes you by. Join Ultimate Escapes® and fill your life with heartwarming, unforgettable vacation memories in destinations you’ve always dreamed of sharing together. Our members enjoy flexible access to 100+ multi-million-dollar private residences and more than 130 luxury hotels in over 150 destinations worldwide. No hassles, no worries, no planning—just The Vacation of a Lifetime, Every TimeSM.
DON’T WAIT! Learn how you can qualify for a complimentary 3-Night Ultimate Home Stay at UltimateEscapes.com/stay. Or call a Membership Director at 001.877.955.1900 or 001.407.483.1903 today.
Alchemy Volume 1320
Company Profile
The company continues to diversify to open up new revenue streams
and in May launched its latest division, Air Partner Fuel. In additional
to being another USP for the Air Partner Group, this new trading arm
opens up a potentially huge client base.
The emergence of Air Partner Fuel was the result of an in-depth
feasibility study into how the concept could work, undertaken on
the back of several ad hoc fuel purchasing contracts. The aim is to
offer competitive fuel supply, prices and service quality by having a
presence at 1,500 airports within the next six months and ultimately
expanding worldwide.
Based on traditional Air Partner ethics, fuel suppliers are being
specially selected based on their location portfolio and ability to serve
clients. Carriers receive all the latest information they require via the
company’s real-time database of fuel prices, taxes and other charges,
fuel location and government restrictions.
First class status
But it’s not just clients that Air Partner serves well. On its first
attempt at gaining Best Companies accreditation for employer
excellence, the company has qualified for ‘first class’ star status in
the nationwide scheme.
Mark Briffa, Chief Operating Officer, declared: “We take the health
of the company very seriously and this is a great endorsement for
the work we have undertaken over recent years to provide the best
possible career and development opportunities, as well as a team
spirited and fun environment, for every member of the team.”
Best Companies surveyed Air Partner’s UK staff through a confidential
and voluntary questionnaire which provided comprehensive feedback
across eight critical areas of workplace performance and practice.
The Best Companies Guide is published by Best Companies Ltd.,
the company behind the prestigious Sunday Times list of 100 Best
Companies to Work For. The model for employee engagement is
based on a survey system that has been rigorously developed over
the past seven years.
Global recognition
Air Partner is a world-class provider of aviation services to industry,
commerce, governments and individuals worldwide. The company has
earned global recognition as a leading broker and organises ad hoc
charters of aircraft of every size for any reason, dispatching more than
40,000 flights a year.
Its main divisions, supported by a host of support teams, comprise Air
Partner Commercial Jets, Air Partner Private Jets, Air Partner Freight
and now Air Partner Fuel.
The Commercial Jets division charters large airliners with 20 to 500
seats for groups of every size. Private Jets offers the full range of
private jet products and services including the company’s unique
pre-paid JetCard scheme, on-demand charter and management of
Europe’s largest fleet of modern Learjets.
With its headquarters in the UK, Air Partner operates 24/7 year-round
from 22 offices spanning Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North
America. The Group was formed nearly 50 years ago, is fully listed
on the London Stock Exchange and employs a 250-strong team of
aviation professionals.
For further information on the benefits of private jet charter,
contact Air Partner Private Jets on +44 (0)207 538 2273 or
e-mail: alchemy@airpartner.com
Best Company moves into fuelAir Partner has a mission, a mission to offer the widest range of aviation products and services across the broadest geographical area.
Alchemy Volume 13 21
Aon Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in respect of insurance mediation activities only. Telephone calls may be recorded or monitored. FP5277-BROUGHTONS-1208
Whether you’re covering a luxury, classic, sports or everyday car, our Client Managers will deliver a professional insurance solution that’s tailored to your specific requirements.
To discuss your requirements further, please call us on:
0845 026 4386 private-clients@aon.co.uk www.privateclients.aon.co.uk
Performance matters to us too
You expect your car to perform, so you should expect no less from your insurance company.
Most insurers will treat you as just another customer – Aon treats you as an individual.
As a traditional insurance broker offering a first class standard of care, we will provide a car insurance policy that perfectly complements your unique driving needs.
081202 Aon Broughtons.indd 1 5/12/08 15:38:48
Alchemy Volume 1322
The Air Partner JetCard
Cost and cost control. Every business, every individual, has adopted a magnifying glass approach to examining how, where and why they spend their money as the downward economic climate continues unabated. OK, so this is now old and repetitive news.
What is news, however, and is somewhat of a surprise to the company, is that Air Partner’s JetCard membership scheme is riding the storm virtually unscathed.
“When the recession hit we thought there might be a massive exodus, but we saw less than a five per cent dropout rate,” declared David Macdonald, Director of Air Partner Private Jets. “This clearly demonstrates that clients are happy with the service and flexibility provided and that we are selling the right product to the right people.”
Even more positive has been the success over recent months of the launch of JetCard across the US, Europe and Middle East with particular interest from Germany, France, Russia and Dubai.
Ridingthe
storm
Flexibility and Security are key
Feedback has revealed that many new clients and prospects are
attracted by the total flexibility of the Air Partner JetCard as they seek
to exit from a rival offering to which they are contractually tied for
several years, or wish to renew with a more innovative and financially
sound provider.
“Flexibility and financial security are the key drivers behind the success
and appeal of the Air Partner JetCard,” added Mr Macdonald.
“In the last few months we have seen people re-evaluating their
current arrangements, which in most cases have involved them
being locked into rigid, more expensive programmes.
“One new customer commented that signing a five-year arrangement
with a supplier seemed sensible a few years ago. Today, it’s not such
a wise move. Other customers have found that with rival schemes the
flexibility and cost they were promised at the point of sale have not
rung true in reality.”
All Air Partner card members have the right to terminate their contract
at any time with a full refund of unused funds. They can increase or
decrease their spending, change aircraft size and fly more or less
completely at will. Plus, there are no hidden extras whatsoever – one
transparent price covers everything.
Purchasers also want to deal with a financially strong company.
For the six months ended 31 January, Air Partner’s accounts showed
that the Group was debt free and has £22million cash.
Stability in a time of change
In an era of change, it is more important than ever to obtain
independent advice when investing in a jet card and value is added
by a company such as Air Partner that offers contractual security.
In the last 6-12 months, a number of small aircraft brokers and private
jet companies, and some large ones too, have vanished. Potential
cardholders need to be aware of this when considering which scheme
to join in the future.
“This disturbed private jet users. They are now much more cautious
about who they give their money to and who they fly with,” added
Mr Macdonald. “They also want reassurance that they are dealing
with a supplier that will find the right aircraft for them in a market
in turmoil. A number of aircraft that were available for charter are
no longer accessible and many of the headline grabbing aircraft
orders trumpeted in the press last year have been reduced and
downgraded, and some may not even come to fruition. People who
would previously have purchased aircraft are no longer thinking about
making such a financial commitment.”
Alchemy Volume 13 23
The Air Partner JetCard
European service area price structure for the 25hr Air Partner JetCard
Aircraft Seating Cost Hourly rate Range
Light jet 6 128,000 €5,120 1,600nm
Midsize jet 7 181,000 €7,240 1,800-2,000nm
Large jet 10 282,000 €11,280 3,450nm
Global jet 11 385,000 €15,400 5,200nm
Key benefits of the Air Partner JetCard:
• Bettervalueandbetterqualitythansimilarproducts
• Themostflexiblecardavailableintoday’senvironment
• Onesimplecompetitiveall-inclusivepricefor25+hours
of flight time
• Nohiddenextras
• Guaranteedaircraftcabinupgradesordowngrades
• Directaccesstobroadestrangeofnew-generationjets
• Aircraftavailabilityguaranteedat24hours’notice
• Personalaccountmanagement24hoursaday,365daysayear.
“Flexibility and financial security are
the key drivers behind the success
and appeal of the Air Partner JetCard,”
added Mr Macdonald.
Alchemy Volume 13 23
For further information on the benefits of the Air Partner JetCard, please telephone +44 (0)207 538 2273 or e-mail: alchemy@airpartner.com
Alchemy Volume 1324
Le Mans
Le Mans!Alchemy goes to
The Le Mans 24hr race is the stuff of motor racing legend. To motor racing buffs it’s at least
as important as Formula 1, and to some even more. Yet there are ways of adding spice even
to the great Le Mans experience; namely, the car YOU drive . The journey to Le Mans itself is
a travelling motor show of the first degree, witnessed by endless examples of sporting exotica;
it feels like half of England are attending.
Le Mans - by FerrariSo what better way to join the Le Mans ‘Eurotunnel Convoy’ than
by Ferrari – in our case the very latest Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano – and
before you ask it has a top speed of 205 mph, and 0-60 mph in
3.7 seconds – all courtesy of a sweet sounding 6 litre V12 engine,
generating a whopping 612 brake horsepower. Phew - now sweat
even more - for its yours for a cool £218,000. No one had to remind
us to ‘drive carefully’
And there’s more; for the ‘lottery win’ way to ‘do’ Le Mans is to go as
a guest of a competing race team. Alchemy got lucky again courtesy
of Team Modena, the highly successful High Wycombe based sports
GT race team owned and run by local entrepreneur Graham Schultz;
and a team that involves ex Formula 1 World Champion Nigel Mansell
on its board and his son, the young Leo Mansell, as a works driver.
That means we got to be part of the action, getting into the pits
mixing it with drivers and crew.
by Kevin Haggarthy
Le Mans: Spectacular race, spectacular crowd.
Graham Shultz, Team Principal/Owner. Aiming for a fourth successful Le Mans finish.
Ex-F1 Champ Nigel Mansell. Has high hopes for his son. Leo Mansell. First Le Mans finish debut.
Opposite: Team work, the recipe for success.
Alchemy Volume 13 25
Le Mans
Alchemy Volume 13 25
Alchemy Volume 1326
Red means ‘go’Whilst the race ran over the sweltering weekend of 12th and 13th July,
for us it began with an early drive down the Thursday before.
Even on the brief motorway trek to the ‘tunnel, the 599 was already
proving itself a GT of the first order; forget all the old stuff about
Ferrari reliability, build quality, noise, and refinement. These are truly
dead myths of yesteryear. Today, Ferrari build quality is second to
none, the car feeling refined and reassuringly well made, its noise
rising to a howl of the first order when the devil takes you, which in
our case proved to be mighty often! This ‘big GT’ does it all – yet
always feels ‘like a Ferrari’, no ordinary tool, but a supercar of the first
degree…and more.
After some 8 hours behind the wheel, tiredness was displaced by
reflective admiration, leaving the seat of the 599 GTB feeling refreshed
and relaxed - testimony to the high speed comfort of this amazing car.
The 599 will catch vehicles ahead travelling at any speed, overtake
them (at any speed), settle, move on to the next target and do the
same again - resulting in hundreds of miles of engaging
driving pleasure.
What’s more, the 599 was a hit with the public, a subject of love and
admiration throughout– always marking an occasion for the locals.
And no less so than on the Friday prior to the race when we took part
in the amazing Supercar run in the town. 150,000 people lined upto
four abreast to stand, watch, and encourage some of the world’s
greatest supercars to rev the hell out of their engines. And of course
we obliged …and we’d be lying if we said grudgingly.
Le Mans
First class travel: The 599GTB and Scuderia partner the drive to Le Mans.
Super spectacle, 599GTB takes part in the super car run.
The young Mansell, Russian driver Roman Rusinov and ‘gentleman driver’ Pierre Ehret pose for the crowds.
150,000 people line the streets for the super car run.
Photographers Jason Harris John Brooks
Alchemy Volume 13 27
Le Mans
Race weekendThe sun is shining. Nature loves Le Mans too. It’s Saturday and race
day with Team Modena. Graham Schultz, CEO and Team Modena
Principal was in good spirits for the race “We re all ready, Schultz told
us – its our 4th consecutive year as Team Modena at Le Mans and
so far we’ve finished every time. We hope we can match the record
for another year!” Meanwhile Team Modena’s advisor, Mr ex -Formula
1 World Champion Nigel Mansell, was biding his son. At 24, Leo
Mansell is on a charge, sharing the drive with young Russian driver
Roman Rusinov and experienced ‘gentleman driver’ Pierre Ehret.
Its 3pm and the race is on to a rolling start and a spectacle of
applause. Meanwhile, the Team Modena engineers knuckle to the
grind, monitoring this and that, checking, eyes glued to the screen
whilst Hans Muelhbauer the team manager, communicates with the
driver. You can see why drivers pay tribute to the team after a race;
it’s is no hype, but a total team thing.
And no more so than through the night; some spectators slept and
others (like us) persevered Zombie –like to stay awake. Zzzzzzz…We
failed. Miserably. Meanwhile, the Team Modena engineers and race
crew were bright and buzzing. How do they do it? Apart from two
inconsiderate LMP racers knocking team Modena’s Leo, and then co
driver Roman off the circuit, Team Modena’s Ferrari 430 GT performed
without missing a beat.
Roll on 3 pm Sunday and the finish of the race. As it did, so did
Leo Mansell, finishing the race seventh overall in the GT2 class,
and crossing the line smack in the middle of the two winning LMP1
Peugeots! A time for great celebration as Team Modena achieved their
100% success record, finishing once again the greatest endurance
race of all time.
Teams on display: The famous Le mans starting ritual.
Team Modena Ferrari performed faultlessly.
Grueling shifts: Team Modena engineers work through the night. Pitstop strategy plays crucial role.
Alchemy Volume 1328
Le Mans
A great time was to be had by all at the Team Modena hospitality.
Nigel Mansell ushered in Prince Michael of Kent to congratulate the
team on the race– Champagne and a great sense of achievement
overwhelming us all.
Yes, it was a tremendous performance by Team Modena, its drivers,
and the amazing Ferrari 430 GT, making the prospect of driving home
in the 599 even more exciting. Every single spectator looked tired, no
doubt aiming for the shortest route home. Sat behind the wheel of
the 599, turning the ignition key, pressing that bold red starter button
again… listening to that engine ; they can take the direct route home if
they want; we re off to the hills………..
Team Modena’s Race results
Class Position: 7th (17 starters in LM GT2)
Overall Position: 27th (from 55 starters)
Laps: 314
Distance Completed: 4,279.5km (2,658.8 miles, or London to
Baghdad, with another 100 miles of driving left)
Fastest Lap: 4m09.036s
Average Race Speed: 178.091kmh
Pit Stops: 28
Total Time in Pits: 1h00m17.392s
Longest Stop: 11m33s (after Roman Rusinov was hit from behind
and fired off circuit at 3am Sunday Morning)
Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano
Model: 599 GTB Fiorano F1
Exterior: Grigio Ferro Metallic
0-62 mph 3.7 secs
Top Speed - 205 mph
Average consumption 15.8 mpg
Model tested OTR Price = £218,604.64 (with optional fitted spec on test car)
The Team Modena car makes its mark under the winning LMS P1 Peugeots.
Prince Michael of Kent congratulates Graham Shultz and Mr and Mrs Mansell on the teams success.
Anticipating an exciting trip home, the 599GTB awaits.
Alchemy Volume 13 29
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Prince Michael of Kent congratulates Graham Shultz and Mr and Mrs Mansell on the teams success.
Anticipating an exciting trip home, the 599GTB awaits.
Alchemy Volume 1330
Palaces with a place in history
While many hotels may have the word “palace” in their names, several members of The Leading Hotels of the World really were built as palaces or castles… and what stories they can tell!
Alchemy Volume 1330
Alchemy Volume 13 31
Palaces with a place in history
Up from the ashes - Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden, Germany
Commissioned by Louis XV, the Hôtel de
Crillon was built in 1758 by noted architect
Jacques-Ange Gabriel for Louis François
Trouard. For a time, he rented it to the Duke
d’Aumont, before it passed to the Crillon
family, who retained ownership until 1907.
In 1909 it began its illustrious era as a hotel.
From its beginnings, the Crillon has played a
part in French history: Marie Antoinette took
piano lessons in one of the large, first-floor
suites, now named the Marie Antoinette
Suite; all the meetings leading up to the
formation of the League of Nations in 1919
took place at the hotel; it served as the Allied
headquarters in the First World War and as
the residence for the commanders of the
French and British forces in the Second
World War. After the Liberation in 1944,
it became the base for American military
commanders and diplomats on missions to
Paris. Hints of its aristocratic past can still be
seen in the Wedgwood porcelain medallions
in the ceiling of the Salon des Aigles; and
in Les Ambassadeurs restaurant – once
the ballroom of the home – with its crystal
chandeliers and marble floor.
Dating back to the 13th century, Ashford
Castle was originally built by the Anglo-
Norman de Burgos family as a monastery.
It later became a home of Lord and Lady
Ardilaun, and in 1855 Sir Benjamin Lee
Guinness, of the brewing dynasty, purchased
the estate and it became the family’s country
residence. Its rambling structure speaks to
its expansion across the years, and today
guests will find turrets, massive fireplaces,
passageways and cellars. Not surprisingly, no
two rooms are alike. The castle is filled with
antiques and much of the original architecture
is intact. In 1939, hotelier Noel Huggard
purchased Ashford Castle and established
it as a hotel catering for guests who wanted
to fish, as some of the best brown trout
fishing in Europe was found on Lough Corrib.
Through its history, Ashford has hosted
world leaders, political figures and celebrities
including Prince Edward, George V of
England, President Ronald Reagan, Senator
Edward Kennedy, Prime Ministers Tony Blair
and John Major, U2, Rod Stewart, John
Travolta, Omar Sharif, Bob Hope, Sharon
Stone, Brad Pitt, Barbra Streisand, James
Brolin and Pierce Brosnan, who held his
2001 wedding at Ashford. 2009 is Ashford’s
70th anniversary and celebratory events and
programmes will unfold throughout the year.
In 1705 the Taschenbergpalais was built by
the Elector of Saxony and King of Poland
August the Strong for his favourite mistress,
Anna Constantia, Countess of Cosel. After
the two quarrelled in 1713, the palace was
used variously as a residence for the heir
apparent, Saxon Electors and the Wettin
Crown Princes. Always considered to be one
of the most beautiful baroque buildings in the
capital city of Saxony, the palace played an
integral part in Dresden life and culture, with
a number of different tenants, many of whom
helped shape the region’s history.
The original palace survived until February
1945, when it was destroyed during the
bombing of Dresden. Half a century later,
it was lovingly rebuilt, at a cost of €130 million.
Historic parts of the palace were skilfully
connected with modern structures, which
resulted in a magnificent period reincarnation.
Different sculptures and figures made from
sandstone were excavated from the ruins
of the original palace to be painstakingly
restored, and they now decorate the main
entrance of the Hotel Taschenbergpalais
Kempinski Dresden.
Once upon a time in Paris… Hôtel de Crillon, Paris, France
An Emerald Isle gem - Ashford Castle, Cong, County Mayo, Ireland
“The castle is filled with antiques and much of
the original architecture is intact”
Alchemy Volume 1332
Palaces with a place in history
The colourful past of the Ciragan Palace
reaches back to the 17th-century
Kazancioglu Gardens which stretched from
Besiktas to Ortakoy. The first waterside villa
was built in these gardens in 1719 by Grand
Vizier Ibrahim Pasha of Nevsehir for his wife
Fatma Sultan. In 1834, Sultan Mahmut II
decided to tear down the villa and replace
it with an entirely new palace. This structure
was destroyed in 1857 by Sultan Abdülmecid
in preparation for yet another new palace,
but he died in 1861 without completing
the project. His brother, Sultan Abdülaziz,
continued his brother's dream of expansion,
and the construction of the Ciragan Palace,
which began in 1863, was completed in
1871. The Palace remained a royal residence
until the early 1900s. In 1909, it was selected
as the site for a meeting of the Turkish
Parliament. Shortly after the conclusion of the
meeting in January 1910, a fire started in the
attic, and destroyed the interior of the Palace
including significant antiques, artworks and
books. At the end of the First World War,
during the occupation of Istanbul, the ruined
Palace was used as “Bizo Barrack” by the
French military field corps engineers. In
1987, restoration was begun, as was the
construction of an adjacent hotel, which
opened in 1990.
On the shores of the Bosphorus - Ciragan Palace, Kempinski Istanbul, Turkey
“...it was selected as the site for a meeting of the Turkish
Parliament”
The Taleon Imperial Hotel in St. Petersburg
can trace its roots to a late 18th-century
palace built as a temporary residence
for Elizabeth, the daughter of Tsar Peter
the Great. It later passed as a gift from
Catherine the Great to Nikolas Chicherin,
General of Police. Following his death, it
belonged to several significant individuals
in St. Petersburg society: Duke Kurakin,
the merchants Perets and Kosikovsky, and
the banker Stepan Eliseev. It passed out of
private hands to become everything from
a choreographic institute to the Marxism-
Leninism University to a cinema, reopening as
a hotel in 2003. Vestiges of its illustrious past:
the Eliseev suite – with original furnishings
and restored wall paintings – was the
master bedroom of the Eliseevs; the Taleon
restaurant – decorated in Empire and Louis
XVI styles – was the waiting room and former
study; the casino was the ballroom; the cigar
lounge was used as a dining room; and the
Eliseev family library still exists, although the
original ceiling was lost.
In Tsar Peter’s Imperial City - Taleon Imperial Hotel, St. Petersburg, Russia
“Decorated in Empire and Louis XVI styles”
Built by order of Pope Alexander VII in the
17th century for his niece on her marriage,
Palazzo Gori Pannilini in Siena evolved in the
early 20th century to become a hotel called
the Continental – today the Grand Hotel
Continental. The majestic façade features a
great portal crowned with the Gori coat of
arms. In the hall, guests can admire the high
frescoed ceilings of the palazzo, lit now with
18th-century-style lantern-shaped lamps.
The magnificent Salone delle Feste is
frescoed throughout with monochromatic
18th-century trompe l’oeil decorations
of pastoral landscapes and imaginary
architectural views, culminating in the crest
of the Gori Pannilini family. Other points of
interest include the two-room San Cristoforo
suite featuring a 15th-century wall painting of
the Sienese school depicting St. Christopher,
which was discovered and restored during
the renovation work, while the five rooms
overlooking Via dei Termini on the opposite
side have ceilings decorated by the 18th-
century Sienese painter Giovanni
Battista Marchetti.
Home is a medieval town in Tuscany - Grand Hotel Continental, Siena, Tuscany, Italy
“The majestic façade features a great portal
crowned with the Gori coat of arms”
Alchemy Volume 13 33
Once the residence of Maharaja Sawai Man
Singh II and his beautiful queen, Rajmata
Gayatri Devi, Rambagh Palace is a living
legend of Rajputana history. Built in 1835
on a modest scale for the queen’s favourite
handmaiden, and later refurbished as a royal
guesthouse, the mansion was renamed
Rambagh, after the then-reigning Maharaja
Sawai Ram Singh II. His grandson, prince
Sawai Man Singh II, was brought here on his
accession in 1910. He later went to England
to finish his studies. While there he dreamt
of making Rambagh his official residence.
On his return to India, he began actualising
his dream, and in 1925, Rambagh Palace
became the permanent residence of the
Maharaja of Jaipur. It remained the home
of Rajasthan’s royalty until 1957, when it
was first converted into a luxury hotel run
by the royal family. In 1972, the palace’s
management was handed over to Taj Hotels
Resorts and Palaces. The Suryavanshi Suite
was part of the personal chambers of the
royal family, and Suvarna Mahal, the original
renaissance-style banquet hall, is now the
fine dining room.
Jewels in the crown - Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
“The Suryavanshi Suite was part of the personal chambers of the royal
family”
Built in 1754 by Maharana Jagat Singh II,
the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur is his most
notable achievement. It is said that the
Maharana took umbrage at his father’s refusal
to allow him to have moonlit picnics with
the ladies of his Zenana (women’s quarters)
at the neighbouring island palace, Jag
Mandir. As soon as he assumed the throne,
he commissioned the construction of the
Lake Palace, which remained the summer
residence of the rulers of Mewar for 200
years. The Sajjan Niwas Suite, built around
1880 by Maharana Sajjan Singhji, retains an
old-world charm with traditional cloth fans,
intricate mirror-work on the doors and fine
glass mosaic inlay; while the stylish Amrit
Sagar Bar was once the private audience hall
of the Maharana. While staying at the hotel,
guests can learn the ancient Rajasthani art
of miniature painting, take cooking lessons
and participate in live demonstrations in the
Palace kitchens.
Jewels in the crown - Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
“While staying at the hotel, guests can learn the
ancient Rajasthani art of miniature painting”
Palaces with a place in history
Castello del Nero traces its origins to the
12th century when it became the country
residence of the Florentine noble family,
whose coat of arms can still be seen along
with frescoes that were painted during
various periods of the hotel’s history. Among
its other distinctive features are a clock
tower, three huge fireplaces, secret doors,
passageways, and two different family crests.
The private chapel, dedicated to San Michele
and San Filippo Neri, was built in the late
1700s, at about the time that the mechanism
in the clock tower was installed. After the Del
Nero family line died out, the estate
was taken over by the Torrigiani family.
Carlo Torrigiani put great efforts into
increasing the activities of the estate farm,
and his American wife Anna Frey was so
devoted to the Castello that she asked to
be buried in the chapel following her death
in 1917. In 2006, the property reopened as
a hotel, and it proudly displays a number
of artefacts from the castle days: furniture,
lamps, paintings, and a library of accounting
registers from the 18th century pertaining to
the estate’s farm land.
Historic artefacts galore - Castello del Nero Hotel & Spa, Florence, Tavarnelle, Italy
Alchemy Volume 1334
Palaces with a place in history
The Hotel Caruso in Ravello was built in the
11th century by a patrician Roman family.
The original palace was largely destroyed
by the Republic of Pisa, and lay deserted
until the mid-1500s, when a period of
reconstruction began. The present palace
was completed in the 1600s. A further
period of neglect followed until 1893, when
Pantaleone Caruso and his wife Emilia
Cicalese rented five rooms in one of the
wings of the palace. They opened as the
Pensione Belvedere, referencing the splendid
view of the hanging garden plunging down
the mountainside to the sea. In 1903 a New
York Times journalist visited, and his article
inspired many wealthy Americans wintering
on the European Rivieras to visit. The hotel
came to occupy the entire palazzo, and was
renamed Hotel Caruso Belvedere. During
Caruso’s restructuring, traces of 18th-century
frescoes were revealed, and the paintings
were uncovered and restored. Of particular
interest is the ceiling in the hall, which has a
pair of griffins facing each other, almost as
if guarding four frescoes depicting Ravello.
There is also a chapel, which has a stone
altar in baroque style, painted with a marbled
tempera and decorated with a stucco relief.
Both sides of the chapel above the altar have
stucco relief carvings, with images of saints
in prayer.
Risen from the ruins - Hotel Caruso, Ravello, Amalfi Coast, Italy
Fly with Air Partner Private Jets to any of the above properties using the nearest local airports. Cost-effective schedules on the most suitable high-quality private aircraft for your needs will be arranged around your timetable.
For further information on Leading Hotels of the World, which represents more than 450 of the world’s finest hotels, resorts and spas, telephone +44 (0)20 7290 1010 or email soeren.huber@leadinggroupsales.com
Perched high above the capital of Jodhpur,
Umaid Bhawan Palace, the last of India’s
great palaces, was also one of the largest
royal residences in the world when it
opened its doors in 1943. Built entirely in
golden yellow sandstone, it was designed
by Edwardian architect Henry Vaughan
Lanchester. The sumptuous interiors were
done in Art Deco, which was then the rage in
Europe and America. Sixty years on, with the
public areas and the Regal and Vice-Regal
Suites essentially untouched, the palace
is perhaps one of the largest and best-
preserved showcases of the Art Deco style.
Set amidst 26 acres of land, Umaid Bhawan
Palace was converted into a hotel in 1977,
its suites and rooms retaining the original
Art Deco interiors. The spectacular Central
Rotunda, whose cupola rises to 105 feet; an
oval staircase hall, flanked by the impressive
Ballroom and Banquet Hall on either side;
and the Throne Room with its exquisite
Ramayana murals reaffirm the grandeur of
this remarkable palace. The present Maharaja
of Jodhpur, His Highness Maharaja Gaj
Singh, and the royal family continue to reside
in what was formerly the Zenana, a private
wing for the ladies of the royal household.
A Sun City wonder - Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Schlosshotel Hugenpoet is a moated castle
situated in Germany’s Ruhr Valley. The first
owners were the Barons of Nesselrode,
called Hugenpoet. They, like many other
knights of their times, were frequently
embroiled in feuds and ambushed the heavily
armed wagons loaded with merchandise
which passed by. Hugenpoet was not spared
either during the troubled times in the Middle
Ages. In 1478 the castle was taken by storm
and burnt down; only parts of it remained
standing until 1756. Interior features of note
include the magnificent staircase, carved
from the finest black marble, as well as three
fireplaces, installed in the early 19th century.
Made of Bamberg sandstone, they were
created between 1577 and 1578 and are
deemed to be among the most splendid
works of the Late Renaissance based on
paintings of Rafael. After the Second World
War, the ground floor of the castle was
leased by the Folkwang Museum, whose
building had been destroyed by bombs. Part
of the museum’s renowned collection was
displayed there until the museum returned to
Essen in 1954. That same year, Düsseldorf
hotelier Kurt Neumann was persuaded to join
the project of turning the castle into a hotel,
and it opened for Easter in 1955. Over the
years, meetings and conferences of political
importance have taken place at Hugenpoet,
the most important one being the G7 Summit
in 1994.
Nestled in a valley - Schlosshotel Hugenpoet, Düsseldorf, Essen, Germany
Alchemy Volume 13 35
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Alchemy Volume 1336
A day in the life of a private jet user
ADAY IN THE LIFEOF A PRIVATE JET USER Brian Stewart, CEO of Stewart Asset Management
Alchemy Volume 13 37
A day in the life of a private jet user
Whether he’s at home in Glasgow or abroad, Brian Stewart has been
rising with the larks at 5.30 am every working day for the best part
of 30 years and immediately launches into training mode. If possible,
this involves running five miles on a treadmill followed by around 200
sit-and press-ups.
Next on his agenda is the dawn catch-up on outstanding emails and
text messages before construction begins on a daily to-do list which
on completion is electronically relayed to his nine-strong support team.
Brian is CEO of Stewart Asset Management, an international
independent advisory tax and wealth management group with a
strong belief in providing a personal service and giving clients access
to unique structures and products. Nine years ago he purchased the
company’s headquarters, an old Georgian townhouse in the park area
of Glasgow (sometimes referred to as the ‘professional district’) and
has led the company’s expansion into London, Guernsey
and Monaco.
Brian usually arrives at the office at 9 am after driving his young
son and daughter to school, which he says normally stresses him
more than the day ahead, and almost immediately holds a catch-up
meeting with his managing director and financial controller. This is
followed by client meetings and conference calls and in a typical day
he expects to hold 30 to 40 telephone conversations, to send 20
text messages and 70 emails, and to attend at least one face-to-face
client meeting.
His favourite part of the day arrives at 10.30 am. Brian explains: “I slip
out for a café latte and scrambled eggs on toast at an Italian café. This
is my 20 minutes of ‘down time’ when I relax and read the paper. Even
when I am travelling, I try to take this time out as by then I’ve already
been working for five hours.”
Travelling plays a huge role in Brian’s life and he usually spends three
days a week moving between the group’s other offices as well as the
Isle of Man, where the company is heavily involved in the marketing,
promotion and distribution of a just-launched legal litigation investment
fund. Without fail, he always flies by private jet.
Brian explains: “I consider private jets to be an absolutely vital part of
our business model. In any given week I will regularly need to be in
four different places and this would be physically impossible, as well
as financially inefficient, if I used commercial aviation.
“The time wasted kicking my heels in departure lounges and standing
around in security queues would lose me the equivalent of a day a
week, four days a month, or indeed 48 days a year. If I calculate the
cost in terms of new business alone, it would cover the cost of flying
private five times over.
“Moreover, the high level of personal service and privacy enables me
to work in comfort throughout my journeys, optimises my use of time
and enables me to have meetings or open discussions in a quiet and
confidential environment. We joined Air Partner recently after three
years with a competitor that, frankly, was far less flexible and much
more expensive.”
Time is a valuable commodity for Brian and for this reason lunch
is a snack at the desk while working to keep on track with report
deadlines, correspondence and travel arrangements. Every day, the
company’s business plan is affected and influenced by stock market
movements, interest rates and currency fluctuations which means
that, in order to keep abreast of developments, the financial press
must be studied and the online markets watched... constantly. One
consequence of this is that Brian rarely lunches with clients because
“it just doesn’t seem to be something that there is either time or good
reason for nowadays”.
Normally, Brian clocks off and heads home at 4.30 pm… but clocks
on again at around 10 pm to write that last email, make one more
client call or speak with the heads of his other offices. Why? “Because
I enjoy the freedom of decision making and the challenge of building
a successful internationally based private business empire in today’s
highly competitive world.”
And so to bed for some much-needed snzzzz.
www.samgplc.com
“I consider private jets to be an absolutely vital part of our business model.
In any given week I will regularly need to be in four different places and this would be physically
impossible, as well as financially inefficient, if I used commercial aviation.”
Alchemy Volume 1338
Summer Sailing - the insider’s guide
Within each cruising area there are a multitude of itinerary options and this is where the invaluable knowledge and experience of a good charter
brokerage like Burgess comes into its own.
Burgess clients are able to draw on an unrivalled breadth of worldwide cruising knowledge from a team of highly experienced brokers.
The company customises every charter, from planning realistic passage times to arranging the best table at the best restaurant in town.
In this profile of favourite destinations, Burgess presents a real insider’s view about where to go and what to do.
SummerSailingThe insider’s guide
Alchemy Volume 1338
You’ve chartered a yacht. Now where do you go? It’s a decision that deserves just as much thought as which yacht to book.
Alchemy Volume 13 39
Summer Sailing - the insider’s guide
When chartering a superyacht, cruising the French and Italian Rivieras
can easily be combined in one itinerary.
The Côte d’Azur has always been wonderful cruising territory. Short
hops between ports makes it easy to put together a relaxing itinerary
and as you head east to the Italian coastline, the only longer crossing
is overnight from Monaco or San Remo to Portofino. On the other
hand, every port is packed in high season, so there is certainly a need
to book berths in advance.
Burgess often helps clients make the most of what’s available ashore
– whether that means booking tickets for a concert at Monaco’s
Salle d’Etoiles or the Juan les Pins Jazz Festival, a round of golf at a
member’s only club or a pampering afternoon at a world leading spa.
Understanding what kind of experience a charter party is looking for
means clients can be briefed on a few local secrets of interest - like
the Provençal food market of Forville in Cannes or the flower and
antique markets on the Cours Saleya in Nice. Advice is freely given on
where to try paragliding or scuba diving and multilingual guides can be
provided if required.
For authentic simplicity, the unspoilt Porquerolles Islands with their
Marine Reserve or the UNESCO world heritage site of the Cinque
Terre’s five villages should not be missed.
These islands, with their contrasting cultures and geographies, have
so much to offer that it is no wonder people love to charter here again
and again, finding something new every time.
Sardinia’s best cruising is around the manicured Costa Smeralda with
Porto Cervo at its heart and Cala di Volpe just around the corner.
The bar at the Hotel Cala di Volpe, the jewel in the Aga Khan’s vision
for this coastline, is not to be missed, while Porto Cervo’s Cipriani
restaurant is part of the Billionaire Club – one of the most exclusive
summer nightclubs in the world. For clients who like to party, Nikki
Beach and Sottovento are always lively until the early hours.
Although Sardinia does luxury exceptionally well, there are many
delightfully secluded beaches that are tough or impossible to reach
by land but perfectly accessible by yacht. It is not for nothing that
the Costa Smeralda is called the Emerald Coast and the stunning
seascapes are among the most awesome in the Mediterranean.
Mountainous Corsica, just a couple of hours away, is more relaxed.
This French island offers plenty of great dining from full gourmet
experiences to seafood char-grilled over a wooden fire on the beach.
Corsica is not known for its nightlife and club scene, although Via
Notte, just south of Porto Vecchio, has a reputation as a glam
alternative to Ibiza.
An absolute highlight of any charter in Corsica is the amazing natural
harbour of Bonifacio with its dramatic steep limestone cliffs and
unforgettable views from the perched Citadel.
Fly with Air Partner from London to Nice non-stop from £7,500 on a six seat private jet.
Fly with Air Partner from London to Olbia non-stop from £10,500 on an eight-seat private jet.
French and Italian Rivieras
Sardinia and Corsica
Alchemy Volume 1340
Summer Sailing - the insider’s guide
There is something passionate and fiery
about Southern Italy that calls for life to be
lived to the full, and in the best possible taste.
For an authentic experience you don’t get any
more Italian than the Neapolitan Coast and
the islands of Southern Italy.
Aside from headline attractions such as
Pompeii, the key to an unforgettable visit
is about getting the best table for lunch
at Palazzo Sasso in Ravello, followed by
tickets for one of the great concerts at Villa
Rufolo. It’s about organising a drive along
the spectacular Amalfi Coast drive, and
suggesting the best places to dine ashore in
Positano, such as the terrace at Le
Sirenuse. Capri has to be seen, and is best
enjoyed from the privacy of a superyacht.
Everyone goes to the Blue Grotto, but it’s
also worth visiting Villa Jovis, the ruined
home of the Roman Emperor Tiberius, or
taking the chairlift to the highest point on the
island, Mount Solaro (1932 feet). Any guide
could recommend the Faraglioni Rocks, but
Burgess would also schedule in a stop at
Da Luigi for a glass of wine and a plate of
olives. Dining on the terrace at the elegant
L’Olivio restaurant in the Capri Palace Hotel
in Anacapri, Capri’s second town, is an
experience not to be missed.
The ideal itinerary would also take in the more
northerly Pontine Islands. Ponza is ideal for
waterfront dining and uninhabited Palmarola
for the most pristine, peaceful anchorage.
And, saving the best to last, the gloriously
simple Aeolian (or Lipari) Islands should not
be missed for a complimentary firework
display from the erupting volcano on
Stromboli, the freshest seafood at Kasbah on
Lipari or the opportunity to acquire a unique
gift from Hotel Raya’s boutique.
Turkey’s southern coast offers a marvellous
combination of small picturesque towns, quiet
beautiful bays and rich archaeological sites
that give the place a timeless quality.
When planning a cruising itinerary, Burgess
often suggests exploring the many inlets in
the Gulf of Fethiye, or venturing up the Dalyan
River past the dramatic Lycian rock tombs
to the site of Ancient Caunos and the hot
sulphur mud baths upstream. Other highlights
include the ruined city of Ancient Knidos, the
imposing Castle of St Peter in Bodrum with
its museum of underwater
archaeology, and snorkelling among the ruins
off the spectacular island of Kekova.
Göçek is a good starting point for a Turkish
coast cruise, while boarding in Ku€adasi
enables a convenient visit to magnificent
Ephesus and is ideal for combining Turkey
with island hopping through the nearby
Dodecanese Islands of Greece such as
Samos, Patmos, Leros, Kalymnos and Kos.
For a purely Greek experience, departures
from Athens can take in (amongst others) the
fabled islands of Hydra, Mykonos, Paros, Ios
and Santorini.
The Ionian Islands are good places to visit in
July and August as they offer good shelter
from the prevailing Aegean winds. Start in
Corfu, with its endless sandy beaches in
the south and quiet, unspoilt villages in the
north. Don’t miss the islands of Paxos and
Anti-Paxos with their lovely harbours, and visit
Ithaca, Cephalonia and Zakinthos for a range
of culture, beaches and villages with really
good seafront tavernas.
Fly with Air Partner from London to Naples non-stop from £11,500 on an eight-seat private jet.
So, when deciding to charter a yacht in the Mediterranean, or anywhere else in the world, consulting an experienced luxury yacht charter brokerage is the only way to guarantee an experience of a lifetime.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON BURGESS, THE GLOBAL SUPERYACHT INDUSTRY LEADER,
TELEPHONE +44 (0)207 7664300 OR EMAIL: AIRPARTNER@BURGESSYACHTS.COM.
Southern Italy
Turkey & Greece
With over 1,000 islands providing a multitude
of coves, great anchorages, inlets and
islets, the Croatian Adriatic offers relaxing
and peaceful cruising. Visitors are spoilt for
choice and it is always possible to find a quiet
anchorage or a berth stern-to on the local
town quayside.
A cruise around the spectacularly scenic
Dalmatian islands combines picturesque
villages, quiet bays and deserted beaches
with crystal clear waters, wooded islands and
an unforgettable mountainous backdrop on
the mainland.
Heading south, the scenery becomes even
more breathtaking. Croatia’s geography
ensures shelter among the islands whatever
the weather, while its archaeology and history
combines influences from Greek, Roman and
Venetian cultures.
However, tranquillity and scenery are not
the only attractions. For those looking for a
buzz there are many towns with plenty to do
ashore, notably Hvar, Split and Dubrovnik
with good restaurants, shops and nightlife.
Croatia is a memorable cruising ground and
always exceeds the expectations of Burgess
clients, many of whom return summer
after summer”.
Croatia
Fly with Air Partner from London to Athens non-stop from £16,000 on an eight-seat private jet.
Alchemy Volume 13 41
YOUR STAY. OUR SPIRIT.
« M a j e s t i c a n d e l e g a n t – s i t u a t e d i n t h e c e n t r e o f S t . M o r i t z
a n d i n t h e c e n t r e o f l i f e w i t h i n t h e S w i s s A l p s .
L e g e n d a r y , u n i q u e a n d d i s t i n c t i v e !Enjoy memorable moments – welcome to the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel. »
Badrutt's Palace Hotel, Via Serlas 27, 7500 St. Moritz, SwitzerlandTelephone: +41 (0)81 837 1000, Telefax: +41 (0)81 837 2999, Reservations: +41 (0)81 837 1100
reservations@badruttspalace.com, www.badruttspalace.com
Airpartner_E_210x297_1.1 21.10.2008 17:35 Uhr Seite 1
Alchemy Volume 1342
Johnny Paravicini
Johnny Paravicini is as secretive about his clients as he is open and honest about everything else. But he has to be. As the founding director of a lifestyle solutions consultancy serving international clients who can ask for anything “as long as it’s legal and moral”, confidentiality is the name of his game.
A foot in every door
Alchemy Volume 13 43
Johnny Paravicini
Johnny’s Peninsula Consulting business primarily concentrates on helping international High Net Worths to strengthen their cultural or commercial ties with the UK.
Unlike concierge companies, Peninsula bypasses the minutiae of people’s lives. It’s no use asking Johnny, as The Spectator Business reported, to secure tickets for a West End hit show or get an under-age partygoer into a fashionable nightclub. However, he will find an exclusive property or a fund manager, rare piece of art, private jet and elite boarding school place as part of his broad “family office service”. Services for corporates include assistance with office relocations and roadshows, and arranging introductions with influential business leaders.
Recently, Johnny has been advising East European governments on organic food production research and Olympic Games bid preparations.
Only the best will do
So, with such a breadth of complex services, how does Johnny guarantee expertise? “I don’t pretend to be an authority at anything. My role is to provide easy access to true experts, the very best in their specialist fields.” Thanks to a varied career in aviation, fine art and estate management, Johnny has established an enviable network of contacts and says his experience has enabled him to build long-standing relationships and a reputation for trust and reliability which, in his business, is “absolutely crucial”.
Are there any examples of how he has helped a client he is able to talk about? “I was asked to find a house to rent for an ‘A’ list Hollywood actress and her screenwriter husband. They needed a secure and secluded property within commuting distance of Pinewood Studios with private river fishing. These properties are like gold dust – and the people who own them don’t need to rent. In the end, the only way I could meet the request was by persuading the owner of probably the finest property of its kind to move out for six months.”
There was also the New Orleans client who asked for a London black cab for his wife so that she could “collect her lunch guests in it”. However, Johnny is quick to point out “most of the requests I receive are very business-like”.
Silence is golden
He told Alchemy: “I get huge satisfaction from delivering, whether it’s a feasibility project for a government or helping to establish a complete home and lifestyle package. Yes, I am paid for it but fundamentally, I’m helping people.”
Johnny Paravicini (www.peninsulaconsulting.com) clearly puts client needs before glamour or fame. While he might scour the country for multi-million pound homes or private collections for an obscure piece of art, his customers know confidentiality is guaranteed because “you’re dead in the water if you can’t honour their privacy”.
Johnny Paravicini is a firm supporter of private jets. “I’m not surprised the
private jet culture has grown enormously. From a corporate perspective, you don’t
want high powered executives standing in airport queues when they could be
actively building business, which is only possible when executive jets are used.
From the leisure perspective, many people who work incredibly hard want to spend
as much time as possible with their families and there is huge contrast between
flying private and hanging around at Gatwick. When recommending a private aviation
company, I always advocate Air Partner because they always deliver... discreetly.”
Johnny Paravicini CV
Born: 1952
Nationality: Dual – British and Swiss
Education: Milton Abbey School
Employment history:
Christie’s: Impressionist and Modern Pictures Dept
Nutley Manor Farms Ltd: Owner
Duke of Wellington Farms: Farms Manager
John Paravicini Ltd Fine Art: Owner and Managing Director
Aid-Call plc: Divisional Sales Director
Lynton Aviation: Commercial Director
Peninsula Consulting: Owner
Family: Married with four grown-up children
Hobbies: Skiing, golf, cooking, boating on Lake Geneva and walking in the mountains
Alchemy Volume 1344
Top private jet destinations
Original Travel is a specialist tour operator whose clients enjoy tailormade holidays, from adventure trips to beachfront getaways and opulent city breaks. Here, the company profiles four destinations popular among private jet users.
top private jet destinationsdoes it...
Easy
It’s an eternal mystery as to why Europe’s
premium party island should be so difficult
to get to. Scheduled flight times are so
anti-social that Ibiza has become – almost by
default – the ultimate private jet destination.
At Original Travel we field an ever-increasing
number of enquiries for private jets from
groups of friends looking to maximise their
time on the ground over a long weekend.
Once they’re in situ, we are able to help
out with everything from making restaurant
bookings to obtaining VIP access to the
hottest night spots in town.
While there used to be a lack of quality
boutique hotels on the island, this is
changing. Several new hacienda conversions
have appeared away from the hubbub of
Ibiza Town in the tranquil hills of the interior
and along the dramatic northern coastline.
Alternatively, visitors can rent a superstar
DJ-style villa and throw their own pool
terrace party.
Original’s favourite options? Benirras beach
for chilling, KM5 bar for lounging, Trattoria del
Sole for dinner, Formentera by private boat
for lunch and the inevitable terrace at Space
for a boogie.
Ibiza
Alchemy Volume 1344
Alchemy Volume 13 45
Top private jet destinations
ORIGINAL TRAVEL (WWW.ORIGINALTRAVEL.CO.UK) WORKS WITH AIR PARTNER TO PROVIDE PRIVATE JET TRAVEL TO ALL THE DESTINATIONS FEATURED, AND MORE. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION TEL: +44 (0)20 7978 7333 OR EMAIL: INFO@ORIGINALTRAVEL.CO.UK.
The desert island destination of Maldives
is also surprisingly difficult to get to by
scheduled services. At present, only
SriLankan Airlines flies direct from the UK,
and that’s not every day, so creating the
bizarre situation where even business class
is often sold out many months in advance.
Consequently Maldives is another serious
private jet contender.
Although the number of hotels may be
approaching saturation level, at the top end
they are of resounding good quality whether
clients want barefoot Crusoe-style luxury
or the mod cons of a hip urban hangout
transported to a desert hideaway. The new
W Retreat and Spa looks set to challenge
competitors with its Whatever/Whenever
service, providing almost anything to pamper
its guests.
Some of the hotel house reefs – particularly
the one at Baros – are superb for diving. For
the truly dedicated diver, the Four Seasons
Explorer live-aboard dive boat is a must, as it
spends three or four days at a time exploring
the less visited islands of the outer atolls.
Whichever island a visitor settles on, the
quintessential palm-fringed, white sand,
turquoise ocean experience is guaranteed.
And the innate charm of the locals is the icing
on a particularly tempting cake.
Maldives
Oman opened its doors and began issuing
visas to tourists in 1987. Travel outside
the capital Muscat and you find one of the
most breathtaking, traditional and deserted
locations on earth. No wonder the eternally
itinerant explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger found
himself returning, drawn by the dramatic
landscapes and the locals’ life in the raw.
Life is changing fast in Oman. Some excellent
five-star hotels and new on-going tourism
infrastructures have emerged. Attractions
already on offer are wonderfully varied,
appealing as much to the stressed-out
Western executive looking for guaranteed
sun and a place to flop as to the more active
traveller seeking adventures from caving
to diving.
Oman boasts magnificent mountain ranges,
and a 4×4 drive to Nizwa through dramatic
wadis and past ancient forts is a particular
highlight. There are also deserts aplenty
from the Wahiba Sands to the supremely
evocative Empty Quarter, the largest sand
sea in the world. The Quarter is also the site
of an Original Travel exclusive – a pitched
private luxury camp in the shadows of dunes,
sometimes over 100 metres high.
For a more pampered experience in Muscat,
the Chedi hotel is an elegant contemporary
gem, the Shangri-La Barr al Jissah
caters superbly for families and the newly
refurbished Al Bustan has a fine garden and
beachfront setting. The Zighy Bay hideaway
hotel, which opened last year in the remote
north-eastern Musandam Peninsula, offers
top-notch restaurants, a bar and wine cellar,
private beach and pools, a spa, diving and
paragliding.
Oman
Morocco has to be the most exotic
destination in close proximity to the UK, but
it too suffers from a lack of decent direct
flights that don’t form part of packages.
The proliferation of low-cost airlines or
indirect flights means the private jet option is
increasingly attractive.
The main attraction is Marrakech. The city’s
beating heart, the Djemaa el-Fna square,
feels almost medieval at dusk as soothsayers,
apothecaries, musicians and acrobats
entertain crowds of locals and tourists,
and food stalls spring out of nowhere. The
number of sophisticated authentic properties
(riads) hidden down tiny alleys seems to
grow almost daily and an Original Traveller
visits at least annually to research the newest
properties available. Studies into the latest hip
hangouts in this increasingly nightlife-heavy
city are also undertaken. Marrakech now
boasts Pasha and Nikki Beach hotels, which
offer traditional hamman spa and
detox experiences.
Just 40 miles beyond the ochre-coloured
walls of the city lie the snow-capped peaks
of the High Atlas Mountains offering yet more
immaculate accommodation and incredible
trekking routes. Guided ascents of Jebel
Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa,
are popular, but more sedate treks are also
readily available. The ‘in’ places to stay are
Branson’s Kasbah Tamadot, the charming
Kasbah Toubkal or the cool new Kasbah Bab
Ourika, all ideal locations in which to reflect
over a cup of mint tea on a day’s visit to the
surrounding Berber villages.
The charming seafront town of Essaouira,
where the windy beach is hugely popular with
kite and windsurfers alike, boasts charming
family-run boutique properties. Conventional
surfing can be enjoyed along the coast at Sidi
Kaouki but accommodation here is a little
more rustic.
Morocco
Alchemy Volume 1346
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
This year Raymond Blanc O.B.E and his team at Le Manoir celebrate their 25 birthday – His renowned hotel and restaurant continues to flourish after a quarter of a century. Of course when Raymond opened on St Patrick’s Day, 17th March 1984, though he hoped to still be here in 25 years, he never dreamed of the success it would attain or the increased numbers of guests he and his team would serve.
Raymond Blanc’s
Le Manoiraux Quat’Saisons,in Oxfordshire, celebrate their
25th Anniversary.
Alchemy Volume 13 47
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is the fulfilment of Raymond’s personal
vision, a dream that one day he would create a hotel and restaurant,
where guests would find perfection in food, comfort, service and
welcome. One thing he did intend from the very beginning, and still
believe now, is that coming to Le Manoir, whether for a single meal or
to stay for a week, must be a very special experience, one that guests
will always remember with pleasure.
Since opening Le Manoir has achieved the highest awards and
accolades of any restaurant and country house hotel in Great Britain
and is regarded as one of the very best in Europe. One of the few
restaurants in the world to retain 2 Michelin stars for 25 years,
Le Manoir remains a mecca for gourmets the world over.
Alchemy Volume 1348
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
The menus have been described as ‘a twist of imaginative genius’ and
constantly evolve through reflection, desire and curiosity as Raymond
and the team search for the finest ingredients. The quality of the food
stems from the freshness and purity of its ingredients. The two-acre
kitchen garden produces 90 types of vegetable and over 70 varieties
of herbs, which are used in Le Manoir’s kitchen. Monsieur Blanc has
been a champion of the organic movement for the last 20 years and
comments that ‘flavour alone would be a reason to buy organic food,
quite apart from its freedom from additives’.
Guests will have a different, yet equally luxurious experience each
time they stay in one of Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons’ 32 rooms and
suites. With names that draw on the senses, each of the suites has
been lovingly designed, creating individual and unique spaces.
Throughout 2009 Le Manoir invites guests to enjoy a luxury midweek
escape. Arrive during the afternoon to explore the magnificent
gardens before indulging in Raymond Blanc’s celebrated ‘Les
Classiques du Manoir aux Quat’Saisons’ dinner. Stay in one of the
individually designed deluxe bedrooms and wake up to a leisurely
to French breakfast. Midweek escapes are available from Sunday to
Thursday evening and are priced from £640.00 per night, based on
two guests sharing a room. Subject to availability.
LE MANOIR AUX QUAT’SAISONS, CHURCH ROAD, GREAT MILTON, OXFORD, OX44 7PD. TELEPHONE 01844 278881 EMAIL LEMANOIR @BLANC.CO.UK WWW.MANOIR.COM
Alchemy Volume 1348
Alchemy Volume 13 49
Alchemy Volume 1350
The island has spectacular scenery
encompassing picturesque fishing villages,
mountain retreats and, of course, coastal
resorts and Blue Flag beaches for those
seeking sun and sand.
Located on the island’s west coast,
Paphos is a long time favourite with
British holidaymakers thanks to a winning
combination of pristine beaches, sporting
activities and a thriving cultural life.
The city’s so full of archaeological treasures
that is has been granted UNESCO status.
Top sites include the Paphos Roman
Mosaics, which are often described as
some of the finest mosaics in the world.
They depict key mythological episodes
including Dionysos’ gift of wine to man.
Other main landmarks include the Tombs of
the Kings, an impressive necropolis dating
back to the 3rd Century BC, which was the
final resting place of about 100 local
Ptolemaic aristocrats.
With three top-quality golf courses located
in the vicinity, Paphos is an excellent base
for novice and experienced golfers. The
award-winning Aphrodite Hills Golf Course,
which is situated east of the city, boasts
a course designed by Cabell Robinson
overlooking the legendary sea-birthplace of
the goddess Aphrodite. The nearby Secret
Valley Golf Course lies in a scenic valley with
grand trees and beautiful sculptured rock
formations all round whilst the Minthis Hills
Course designed by Donald Steel, is built
on the grounds of a 12th century monastery
in a gentle picturesque valley.
Relaxation and rejuvenation are also
on the menu with top hotel spas offering
treatments to relax the body and mind.
World-class spas including the Anagenis at
Thalassa, the Opium at the Elysium and the
Asphotel Spa atthe Azia boast a large range
of treatments available to hotel guests
and the general public.
Paphos hosts a large number of sporting
and cultural events including the Paphos
Aphrodite Festival, an opera festival taking
place early September with Paphos
Medieval Castle as a backdrop.
Whether you’re looking for culture,
relaxation or exciting activities, Cyprus
is just the ticket for a break under the
sunshine just over four hours from the UK.
For further information on Cyprus, contact the Cyprus Tourism Organisation on 020 7569 8800 or visit www.visitcyprus.com
With year-round sunshine and only a four hour flight away, Cyprus boasts plenty to tempt all tastes including culture vultures, nature lovers, adventure seekers, foodies, families or spa fans.
Captivating Cyprus
Captivating Cyprus
Alchemy Volume 13 51
Brand New Luxury Villa For SaleSeaviews, Underfloor Heating, Pool & Terrace
Euro 1,350,000
The villa is on a hill looking down over Paphos town. The harbour, shops, beaches and restaurants are all within a 15 minute drive away. The villa has 4/5 bedrooms and
3 bathrooms plus a cloakroom. Open plan kitchen/dining, lounge with beautiful picture doors opening onto a large terrace and a kidney shaped infinity pool. The property boasts
180 degree views of the sea and all bedrooms have stunning sea views.
As Olympus village is approx 750 feet above sea level the property is above the humidity levels in summer, and you will enjoy a welcome warm breeze most days. The villa has under floor heating, a car port and covered terrace. The total covered
area is approximately 250m2 and the property sits on a prime plot of 800m2.
Contact: mail@judithmoreton.com
Alchemy Volume 1352
Spectacular State of the art manSion elevated in the hillS of Son vida.
Z E N V I D AM A L L O R C A
Sweeping views of the bay of palma
finished with finest imported materials
State of the art technology throughout
exceptionally private and secure
5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms
Alchemy Volume 13 53
Description
Spectacular state of the art mansion with captivating views across the Mediterranean
Sea and Palma. The Asian inspired design of this property creates a timeless elegance,
while extensive use of the finest granite, marble and tropical hardwoods, which
have been imported from around the world, will assure the long-lasting value of this
magnificent property.
Zen Vida offers five spacious bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, a home office, two
living rooms, a dining room, three outside dining areas and a superb designer kitchen
by Siematic with Gaggenau appliances and adjacent butler’s pantry. The property also
benefits from two garages for five cars and a separate entrance for staff ensures owners
privacy. This unique property is equipped with the latest technology throughout from
discrete, state of the art security, to a centralised climate system. For more information on
this special property and its many impressive features, please contact us for a brochure.
Price on application through Savills International
T 020 7016 3740
www.savills.co.uk/abroad
www.zenvida.com
AccommoDAtion
5 Bedrooms
6 Bathrooms
Plot size 2,040 m²
Built area 800 m²
2 living rooms
Dining room
Three outside dining areas
Designer kitchen
Home office
Staff quarters
Alchemy Volume 1354
VIP Ironside protection
In the UK, fat-cat bankers stepped up their personal security
arrangements (amid fears of a campaign against those blamed for
he collapse in the financial system) following the March attack on
the home of former RBS boss Sir Fred Goodwin. Mayhem erupted
at the G20 summit in London in April, animal rights and other
antagonists frequently hit the headlines, and the threat from political
terrorists and assassins is ever present.
Add to this the launch of Google Street View, which has aroused
significant criticism in this digital age for its ability to ‘spy’ on
people and property, and the need for enhanced safety and security
measures among those with accelerated lifestyles becomes
crystal clear.
VIP close protection
No wonder, then, that specialist security companies are in demand,
with a noticeable increase in specialist VIP close protection services
being purchased by individuals and organisations with corporate
responsibility to protect key executives.
One such company is Ironside Associates, a relative newcomer in the
protection market having been founded in 2006 by military stalwart
Keith Simpson MBE in response to increasing demand for high-calibre
speciality security across the globe.
The consultancy’s services span Europe, North America, Middle
East and Asia. Its aim is to provide highly experienced and rigorously
trained personnel allowing customers to experience the freedom to
enjoy their pursuits with absolute confidence, safe in the knowledge
that their lives and assets are being safeguarded.
Ironside’s VIP close protection officers (CPOs) are committed, highly
trained and carefully vetted individuals with international experience,
having hailed from the UK Police or Special Forces. Male and female,
all are weapons-trained, skilled in surveillance and counter-surveillance
techniques and hold Security Industry Authority licences. They work
discreetly in an understated way or as a visible force to be reckoned
with – the client decides.
Mr Simpson, a former Regimental Sergeant Major with the Special
Boat Service division of the UK Special Forces, explained: “Our role is
to prioritise a client’s needs and to create and maintain an environment
in which they can conduct their business free from threat, harassment
or embarrassment while ensuring confidentiality at all times.”
Public and high-profile figures have become ever more vulnerable and fearful for the safety of themselves, their families and their possessions.
Self-preservation is everything in aDANGEROUS WORLD
Alchemy Volume 1354
Alchemy Volume 13 55
VIP Ironside protection
Superyacht security
Providing protection for superyachts sailing around the world is a key
area of growing business.
Ironside has just completed a VIP anti-piracy task for one yacht owner
cruising the outer islands of the Seychelles. In light of the fact that
Somali pirates have been attacking ships within 200 nautical miles of
these idyllic atolls, he wanted reassurance that his property and family
would be as safe as possible.
“Superyacht owners are of high wealth and often prominent figures,
celebrities or royalty. Hence, VIP protection and superyachts go
hand-in-hand around the globe,” said Mr Simpson. “Confidentiality
is another factor as many clients wish to remain out of sight of
the media. Ironside operates with complete discretion and client
confidentiality is paramount.”
Piracy off the coast of Somalia alone cost more than $30 million in
ransoms last year and attempts to hijack shipping more than doubled.
Anti-piracy techniques and fire drills are always undertaken prior
to entering pirate-infested danger zones and only recently evasive
defensive action was necessary when an imminent attack was
detected during a superyacht delivery mission that involved sailing
through the infamous Gulf of Aden.
Maintaining the equilibrium
“The behind-the-scenes logistics of Ironside’s activities are immense,”
added Mr Simpson. “We plot and plan every detail to ensure that all
our specialist security personnel are on top form in every respect.
Our priority is to our clients, to protect them and their property.
Our aim is to quash any criminal attempt to disrupt this equilibrium.”
Other services offered by Ironside include security consultancy,
corporate security, surveillance, general personal and home security,
and marine asset protection.
For further information on Ironside Associates telephone
+44 (0)1603 702930 or email info@ironsideassociates.co.uk.
“The behind-the-scenes logistics of Ironside’s activities are immense,” added Mr Simpson. “We plot and plan every
detail to ensure that all our specialist security personnel are on top form in every respect. Our priority is to our clients,
to protect them and their property. Our aim is to quash any criminal attempt to disrupt this equilibrium.”
Ironside has selected Air Partner Travel Consultants (email:
travel@airpartner.com) as its on-call travel agency to ensure that its
protection officers arrive at superyacht departure locations
worldwide on time and refreshed, ready for the task ahead.
Air Partner’s 24/7 involvement has proved to be essential as not
only are many yachting destinations remote, but complicated flight
schedules frequently need planning or altering with little warning.
Alchemy Volume 1356
Swan 90
Swan
90Racing in international competition or cruising in the Med, the Swan 90 is the all-round winning combination.
Alchemy Volume 1356
Alchemy Volume 13 57
Sleek and sophisticated, Nautor’s elegant Swan 90 is guaranteed to cut a dash as it slices its way through the ocean waves.
Swan 90
With its smooth, clean lines, revolutionary technology and
luxurious interior, the Swan 90 is the latest vessel from a
long line of high quality performance cruising yachts to be
launched from Nautor’s boatyard in Finland and marks a new era in
the continuing evolution of the range
Versatility is the key to designer German Frer’s innovative concept.
This streamlined craft, with its array of hydraulic equipment and
push-button control, is as easy to handle by a crew of just two or
three for leisure cruising as it is by 20 sailors in full racing mode.
Little wonder that the 90 has already established itself as Swan line’s
benchmark, the proverbial jewel in
Nautor’s maritime crown.
Inside, the designer has combined
practicality with the superior comfort
that is a Swan hallmark and which
today’s seafarers demand for long,
relaxed sailing trips.
The luxurious main saloon is spacious
and stylish, where people can socialise,
sit and relax, and enjoy a convivial drink
or two when not on deck.
Cabins are well-appointed and tastefully decorated, each with ensuite
bathroom and separate shower. The fitted galley is equipped with
the necessary appliances to create all kinds of gastronomic delights.
The décor throughout is smart and elegant with light teak woodwork,
varnished and rubbed to give an attractive satin finish.
The yacht is available in two versions, the Flush Deck (FD) and the
Semi Raised Saloon (S), the layout varying between the two models to
allow a choice of deck configurations and to make best use of
the space.
The 90FD has a forward cockpit linked by a bridge deck to a
steering cockpit from which there is access to the crew area and
a roomy navigation station. Access to the main saloon is from the
forward cockpit.
The 90S model differs in that it has just the one cockpit which extends
from the saloon entrance to the helm. Without a bridge deck, there is
more space in the saloon and outside.
Talking technical, the hull – produced in Nautor’s high-tech
workshop in Kallby – is a female moulded carbon fibre laminate
with unidirectional carbon reinforcements in selected areas. It has a
monolithic structure up to the waterline
and carbon fibre sandwich structure
for the topsides, with excellent strength
and fatigue properties due to a high
proportion of unidirectional fibre in the
laminate stack. A full carbon hull is
an optional.
The hull waterline measures 24.55m
and draws 4.4m which equates to a
light displacement of 53 tons for the
FD version.
On board accommodation is deceptively spacious, the designer
optimising every nook and cranny to maximum effect. The sleeping
area features a large owner’s cabin that sleeps two plus three guest
cabins, each sleeping two people. In the crew area, there are two
cabins with bunk beds and a bathroom for sharing.
The 90FD version places the owner’s cabin towards the yacht’s bow
and the crew towards the stern. On the 90S, the extra space in the
saloon also allows the owner’s cabin to move aft.
Since the company was created in 1966, the Swan brand has
dominated the market in fibre-glass technology – around 2,000 have
been built and most are still sailing today. The yachts have achieved
glory in international racing, including the Whitbread trophy races
and their elegant interiors appreciated by both the racing and leisure
sailing communities. The Swan 90 continues that tradition.
“The décor throughout is smart and elegant with light teak woodwork, varnished
and rubbed to give an attractive satin finish.”
Interested in a Swan 90? For further information telephone Nautor’s Swan on +35867601111oremailinfo@nautorswan.com. www.nautorswan.com
Alchemy Volume 1358
Sea eagles return
Despite being widespread all over the country before human
persecution drove it to extinction around 90 years ago,
this majestic feathered vertebrate is slowly becoming a
recognisable feature of the wild Scottish landscape and has even
been spotted across the border in England.
So who is the star of this show?
Answer: the white-tailed sea eagle.
A five-year project to introduce these spectacular birds to eastern
Scotland began two years ago and every summer 15 chicks aged five
to eight weeks are being flown from Norway to Fife for release into the
wild two months later. Confidence in the project flies on the back of
the successful reintroduction of sea eagles on the west coast, where
rare breeding grounds are now established.
“Until recently, you’d have to travel to remote parts of the Western
Highlands and Islands to catch a glimpse of a sea eagle, but the hope
is that in years to come people will have a good chance of spotting
them in eastern and central Scotland too,” said a spokesman for
the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). “Eastern and
western birds have already been spotted mingling, which bodes well
for the future of the species.”
Tracking the birds is key to information gathering on their movements
and habits and all are tagged or ringed and fitted with a radio
backpack. During their first few months of freedom, while they are
learning to hunt and scavenge for themselves, food is made available
to ensure their survival.
Although sea eagles don’t normally breed until they are five years old,
they start to settle on territories when they are three. Until then,
they wander hither and thither to the delight of local birdwatchers
who, according to the RSPB, are “amazed by how graceful and big
they are”.
The East Scotland Sea Eagles (ESSE) project, a partnership project
between RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry
Commission Scotland, looks set to be as big and bold as the
archetypal flying barn door.
Air Partner Freight played a crucial role in the
reintroduction programme when a clutch of chicks
was flown from Norway to Edinburgh on a chartered
turboprop... with the aircraft cabin temperature
maintained at 20 °C throughout the two-hour flight.
Sea eaglesreturn to
East Scotland
With a wingspan of up to 8 ft, it’s no surprise that the UK’s largest raptor has earned the nickname ‘flying barn door’. It is bigger than a golden eagle, can weigh up to 15 lbs and has often been mistaken for a condor, the world’s largest bird of prey.
Alchemy Volume 13 59
Roxedge a magnificent marine residence
set in a cliff top location in the heart of the
English Riviera, Torquay, with breathtaking
panoramic views across Lyme Bay towards
Portland and beyond.
This unique home enjoying a premier
residential location sought after for its
proximity to local amenities, including
St Marychurch golf course, offers six
bedroom, three bathroom accommodation
with large gardens in a secluded road.
A stunningly individual and contemporary
home, completely refurbished to a high
specification with solid bamboo flooring
and oak skirting throughout the downstairs
living area. Roxedge also includes at
entrance level a remarkable playroom,
three bedrooms, luxury bathroom with
underfloor heating, whirlpool bath and
separate multijet shower, living room, large
conservatory taking in views over the sea
and garden, dining room with French doors
onto front patio area, utility room and
kitchen. To the first floor are three further
bedrooms, including master suite with
balcony, luxury en-suite with Jacuzzi bath,
multijet shower and walk in wardrobe,
a further bathroom and large study area
with sea views.
The house is a paradise for any resident
or visiting children with an exceptional
custom built jungle playroom with tree
house, balcony, slide, jungle scenes and
a built in fish tank. Outside in the large
garden is another unique play area with
sunken trampoline, climbing walls, monkey
bars, zip wire, swings, drop slide and two
storey play house.
An extensive decking area to the bottom of
the garden is designed for the enjoyment
of al-fresco living.
A garden gate leads onto Petitor Downs
and the South West Coast Path from which
local beaches can be reached, the closest
Oddicombe within five minutes.
The front garden incorporates a lawned
area and large block paving driveway with
parking behind electric gates for up to six
vehicles.
Contact for more info: 01803 328131
or 07968 744358 Price £849,950
photography by widervue.co.uk
Journey West and take a respite from your frantic
24/7 lifestyle. Escape to the tranquility that is …
Three Hours fromthe Madness of the City
Alchemy Volume 1360
Philanthropy
Fiona Courtenay-Evans provides specialised
consultancy and training for high net worth
individuals and businesses interested in
investing in social and charitable projects.
She is the founder of Philanthropy Plus
and has worldwide experience of the private,
public and voluntary sector.
a question of give and take
Over the last 20 years, the source
of wealth in Britain has changed
substantially. According to the BBC, in 1989
just a quarter of those named in The Sunday
Times Rich List were ‘self-made’; today that
number is around 75 per cent.
Many of these newly wealthy individuals have
established fortunes through a successful
business career, so when they become
involved in philanthropy their commercial
experience is leading to a more demanding
and business-like approach to giving. Those
who give serious sums, quite legitimately,
want to know the impact of their contributions
- which may explain why a recent University
of Indiana and Bank of America survey
found 46 per cent of philanthropists felt their
donations had a “greater impact on their own
personal fulfilment than on those who receive
their gifts”.
If the widespread campaign to increase global
philanthropy is to succeed, it makes absolute
sense for donors to identify what they can
achieve – for themselves, their businesses
and beneficiaries – and to structure their
giving accordingly. When giving hundreds
of thousands of pounds, it is reasonable
to demand more than merely the personal
satisfaction of receiving a generic ‘Dear
Donor’-style thank-you letter.
The rise of corporate social responsibility
(CSR)-generated giving also has a significant
role to play in this more donor-oriented
giving trend. Donations framed within a
CSR strategy need to be justified to the
business’s management whose primary focus
is normally the bottom line. This can include
more extensive reporting, alignment of the
charitable project to the business’s agenda,
PR and networking opportunities and
creative ways to engage customers,
regulators and employees.
It can present real challenges to define just
where to draw the line between running a
high-impact, outcome-oriented, donation
programme, on the one hand, and funding
projects so driven by a Western or corporate
donor’s ideals they do nothing more than tie
the beneficiary charity up in knots. Misguided
attempts to apply Western solutions and
ideologies in Africa, Asia and the Middle
East, insufficient consultation with target
beneficiaries and their local communities
and excessive adherence to a powerful
donor’s giving criteria, will consistently lead to
ineffectual and damaging projects.
With almost 200,000 charities in the
UK alone and the same again in other
jurisdictions, preparing for philanthropy
requires diplomacy, planning and experience.
Alchemy Volume 1360
Alchemy Volume 13 61
Philanthropy
Today, there is advice on offer from a
new breed of experienced philanthropy
consultants. Indeed, both individuals and
businesses are increasingly identifying the
need for professional help when it comes
to researching and navigating through
this complex sector, assessing what
administrative costs are acceptable and how
much they can reasonably ask a charity to
deliver in return for their donation.
Philanthropy Plus is one specialist in this
field, offering clients access to a broad range
of consultants who enhance the value of
charitable contributions with business rigour,
using the latest academic research and
extensive CSR and third sector expertise.
Consultants work directly with donors to
guide them through the giving experience
from conception to actually implementing
and evaluating the philanthropy so that
nothing is wasted and the fine balance
between altruistic and more donor-oriented
giving is negotiated with real diplomacy.
Teaching in action in Tamil Nadu, India.
A Thai housing project.
Alchemy Volume 1362
A diamond journey
From the depths of Africa to the glamorous cocktail ring on your finger, the journey of the diamond is truly astounding. Sourced in approximately 35 different countries across the globe, the diamond is one of the rarest naturally discovered gems in the world. Havva Murat discovers the tricks of the trade from the horse’s mouth, luxury jeweller, David Marshall.
Alchemy Volume 13 63
A diamond journey
Natural diamonds are formed deep within the earth’s core. Fierce
volcanic activity brings them closer to the earth’s surface, allowing
miners to extract the precious and rare stones.The diamond mines
in South Africa and Russia are amongst the most reliable quality
diamond sources, yielding the very finest rough diamonds from the
soil. Rough diamonds are rated as one of the hardest materials
on earth, yet their appealing nature goes far beyond resilience.
Aura of Authenticity
In recent years, much attention has been given to the so-called ‘blood
diamonds’, which are sourced under oppressive regimes. Reputable
jewellers should always choose to buy diamonds from highly
trustworthy sources in order to produce authentic jewels.
David Marshall London, a contemporary British luxury jeweller in
London, emphasises the importance of buying diamonds from
conflict-free, reputable sources.
“We take great pride in the authenticity and quality of our diamonds.
All of our jewels are resourced through legitimate sources providing
our customers with the very finest and genuine jewels, “says David
Marshall, the designer behind the brand.
Quantifying Quality
Diamonds are commonly judged by the 4 ‘C’s – carat, clarity, colour
and cut – a general foundation to assess the quality and pricing of
each stone. No two diamonds are the same.
The colour of a diamond is graded from D (exceptional white or
colourless) to Z coloured. The closer to D a diamond is ranked the
more highly it will be considered and therefore priced.
The carat of a diamond refers to the unit of mass, with one carat
referring to 0.20g in actual weight. Larger diamonds with a high carat
weight would be priced higher than a smaller diamond with the same
quality purely because larger diamonds are rare to find and therefore
higher in demand.
Alchemy Volume 1364
A diamond journey
The clarity of a diamond can be evaluated by how clean or clear it
is. Diamonds naturally contain “inclusions” or blemishes which can
affect their value. Crystalline cloudiness or carbon spots are natural
imperfections found in every diamond, yet it is the extent of these
blemishes which marks the diamond’s worth. The more imperfections
a diamond contains the less highly it will be priced. Flawless diamonds
are very rarely found, meaning that the best grades given are flawless
(F), or very very slightly imperfect (VVS).Diamonds have been around
for centuries, but with time their connotations have changed. The
ancient Greeks believed that they were the tears of the Greek Gods
whilst the Romans cherished them as splinters from the stars.
Through the Renaissance period diamonds were worn with the belief
that they would enchant the wearer with magical powers. This myth
formed a foundation that was to convey the diamond as a symbol
of power.Today, diamonds are treasured for their natural beauty and
incomparable uniqueness. Jewellers dedicate a great deal of time and
effort sourcing and crafting the perfect diamond treasures. Finding the
right kind of diamond can take several months, or even years.
The stones in the Par excellence diamond bracelet took over a year to
collect. The piece comprises an incredible row of perfectly matched D
VVS Asscher-cut diamonds totalling 30.77ct.
Combining the traditions of craftsmanship with the most up-to-
date technology, jewellers can now transform the rough diamonds
extracted from miles within the earth’s hemisphere into an astounding
piece of bespoke or ready-to-wear jewellery. So whether it is
showcased in a sparkling cocktail ring or glittering necklace,
each and every gem has its own story, just as unique as its wearer.
www.davidmarshalllondon.com
+44(0)20 7269 9944
Alchemy Volume 13 65
Alchemy Volume 1366
London ● Paris ● Milan ● Cologne ● New York ● Tokyo ● Amsterdam ● Malmö ● Dubai ● Washington D.C. ● Vienna New Delhi ● Singapore ● San Francisco ● Fort Lauderdale ● Palma de Mallorca ● Nantes ● Lyon ● Budapest ● Zurich
Air Partner plc, Platinum House, Gatwick Road, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9RP UK
By Appointment toHer Majesty The Queen
Supplier of Aircraft Charter
For further informationT +44 (0)207 538 2273E alchemy@airpartner.comwww.airpartner.com
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Alchemy Volume 13 67
Alchemy Volume 1368
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