Those seeking to live in a penthouse may be drawn to such a residence for a myriad of reasons, but it’s understood that every high-end penthouse will offer certain standard luxuries. Unparalleled privacy, breathtaking views from every room, bold and dramatic architecture, expansive living space—these are just a few of the amenities that define a penthouse home. Additionally, a penthouse often can offer amenities not found in other residences of the building in which it’s located. For example, because there are no additional units above the very best penthouses, those residences typically include working fireplaces and also enjoy floor plans that aren’t constrained by supporting columns.

Then there’s the level of service. During the 1980s and 90s, many new hotels were designed to include additional private residences. Because of that, penthouse residents in those buildings often gain access to all of the amenities offered by the hotel.

As a rule of thumb, most top penthouses around the world will command a market price of at least $5 million (about €3.8 million), though there are exceptions to that rule. A 3-bedroom penthouse in Surfer’s Paradise, Australia, for example, offers an open floor plan for the main living areas, spectacular views of the country’s eastern coastline, and access to three swimming pools. It’s listed for $2.27 million (about €1.7 million). Then there are the penthouses at the W Hollywood in Los Angeles, which run from $1.1 million to $2.6 million (€841,000 to €1.98 million), and offer 24-hour concierge services, a private rooftop pool, and a location in the heart of Hollywood’s most historic neighborhood.

Still, most penthouses come with sizeable price tags, such as this sprawling residence in Vienna that offers more than 4,400 square feet of living space with views overlooking the Imperial Gardens and Museum of Fine Arts ($14.4 million/€11 million); or this Manhattan residence, which offers almost 11,000 square feet of living space spread out over five floors ($24.5 million/€18.7 million).

Some, like this Parisian penthouse facing the Elysee Palace and this 4-bedroom residence in Rio de Janeiro, require prospective owners to request the price from the listing agent, but in other areas of the world, every aspect of the residence remains private . . . even the fact that the home is up for sale. Shaun Drummond, the residential sales director for Harrods Estates in London, says that the most exclusive penthouses for sale in his city are only offered privately and require prospective homeowners to work with a buying agent (offered through his company as well as other leading real estate firms and banks throughout the city). “The very special properties don’t come on the market a lot,” he acknowledges. “And when they do, it’s a closed market. It’s more private. It’s much more exclusive to be offered in an off-market basis.”

For a listing of luxury penthouses and other homes on the market, click here.

After decades of dominance throughout Europe and many other areas of the Eastern Hemisphere, Azimut Yachts is strengthening its position as one of the world’s leading powerboat brands through a concentrated emphasis on the American market. But American yachting enthusiasts aren’t the only ones who stand to benefit from this new strategy. In fact, based on the perspective from a prominent US-based Azimut dealer, the boatbuilder’s recent enhancements, though implemented with the American consumer in mind, are creating power yachts that are proving to be equally appealing to boaters who dock their vessels at marinas all around the world.

Barry Marshall, a regional president with Marine Max, has worked in the boating industry since he was 13, and he admits that over that time he has seen plenty of poor yacht designs come to fruition—boats with layouts that made it difficult to enjoy them. Those layout blunders have never graced an Azimut yacht, he says, not in the salon, galleys, or engine room. The engine room layout is particularly important, according to Marshall, since many Azimut owners are intent on performing basic maintenance themselves. Just like in the automotive world, where exotic automobiles can prove difficult to service in countries with a limited network of authorized repair centers, a high-end exotic yacht’s appeal rests in the owner’s ability to enjoy it without complication or aggravation.

Marshall could point to all of the ways that an Azimut yacht succeeds—the quality of the materials used during construction, the engine’s high-performance capabilities, the attention to detail in design and layout—but ultimately, he knows that they all stem from the company’s willingness to listen to its network of dealers. “They’ve always been great with new innovation and they really listen and want to improve it,” he says. “It’s exciting when the president of the company asks you what they’re doing right and what they’re doing wrong and how they can make their product better for you and your customers.”

James Corts, a senior sales executive at Marine Max who specializes in Azimut and other luxury yacht brands, says that Azimut has one of the highest retention values in the industry and that demand is always high, mostly due to the fact that a pre-owned Azimut never stays on the market for very long. Older models retain their value, while new models—like the brand’s latest 55s, which is projected to cost about $1.9 million or close to  €1.45 million when it debuts at the Miami Boat Show in February—turn heads due to new hull and bow designs. “It looks like it’s going 100 miles an hour when it’s standing still,” Corts gushes.

“Azimut has always had the edge and is always leading with its designs,” he adds. “They’re known for their styling and designs, and that Azimut styling is what everyone else seemingly tries to do a year or two later.” In that respect, Corts likens Azimut to one of the most prestigious luxury automakers. “Mercedes builds an excellent car,” he explains, “but when you sit inside a Bentley, it feels a little different.”

Looking for a pre-owned Azimut yacht?  Click here.

It’s for these reasons that travelers today are seeking vacations filled with greater excitement and, according to Jean Fawcett, media relations manager for Abecrombie & Kent (A&K), the last couple of years have revealed a shift in many travelers’ purchasing decisions. Simply put, the desire for memorable and unique experiences has become a more influential factor for prospective vacationers. “People who have traveled to a lot of places are now looking for more adventurous experiences,” she says. “It’s the transformational vacation. If they’re younger and they’re working they may not have a lot of vacation time, so they really want to make it count.”

At the moment, A&K’s most popular destinations for adventure travel include Tanzania, where travelers can spend nine days climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and also enjoy a 4-day Serengeti safari ($8,320/€6,372); Antarctica, where travelers can spend 12 days aboard a luxuriously appointed small cruise ship and accompany guides to explore the continent’s shorelines ($9,895/€7,578 before February 28, 2013); and the western coast of South America, where over the course of 17 days travelers can explore Machu Picchu, visit Easter Island, and cruise the Galapagos Islands ($17,950/€13,747).

Jim Bendt, the president of Travel Beyond, also has witnessed similar trends within the travel industry. “International travelers are looking for new experiences throughout the world,” he says. “They want to do something different or more adventurous, but they still want all the luxury conveniences.”

According to Bendt, Belize is an emerging destination, due to its great scuba diving conditions as well as having the world’s largest concentration of Mayan ruins. Zimbabwe also is proving to be a popular choice, thanks to unmatched areas for wildlife safaris. Ultimately, however, those destinations are drawing travelers to them because of the authentic cultural experience that they can provide. “It really comes down to people looking for real authenticity when they’re traveling,” Bendt says. “You have to be more adventurous to get to places that people haven’t been to as much, where that authenticity comes through. That’s what’s driving this; to be an early adopter and to get somewhere before a large tourism infrastructure is built and changes the dynamic.”

Need help planning an unforgettable vacation? Click here.

zChocolat, specialized in worldwide delivery of luxury French chocolate gifts, was founded in 1999, when the internet provided the perfect venue to share passion for a supreme-quality and handmade French chocolate. The company started by searching for a master artisan chocolatier that could create an exclusive line of gourmet chocolates meeting its single requirements. zChocolat was thrilled to find and collaborate with Pascal Caffet, World Champion Chocolatier and now World Champion Pastry Chef 2013, in order to create an access to the best chocolate in the world. This was the beginning of their signature collection: 26 exquisite recipes exclusively created for zChocolat, numbered from 0 to 24 in addition to the famous Z piece.

A Product of France

All zChocolat chocolates are presented in sumptuous handcrafted boxes.
The Mahogany and Basswood boxes are handmade in the heart of the Jura region, a mountainous area in Eastern France near the Swiss border known for its richness in arts and crafts. They collaborate with one of the last two traditional woodworkers to deliver true-handcrafted, made-in-France products. The zBoxes are made in the Sarthe region, a northwest area of France, known for its high density in forests. They are manufactured in an eco-friendly factory that uses over 70% recycled carton as well as an ecological ink originating 100% from plants.

A Personalized Gift

All boxes are customizable with themed-images from the website, personal photos that can be uploaded to member accounts, logos and messages or names engraved onto brass plates or directly onto the boxes. As palates differ, they also give you the possibility to select a different pre-set assortment or to handpick each chocolate individually.

Worldwide Express Delivery

zChocolat delivers its luxury chocolates in 244 countries worldwide by DHL Express with 24H online tracking and email delivery alerts. Whether you are shipping to North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East or any remote island in the world, your chocolates will be delivered on time and in perfect condition thanks to summer packaging and meticulous handling.

To share the Z experience, click here.

Montblanc TimeWalker Watch – Price £1,900 ($3,000) Approx

For those consumers who are on the lookout for their first luxury timepiece, Montblanc watches may well be a great place to start. They have some of the most striking and affordable luxury watches on the market such as the stunning Montblanc TimeWalker watch above and their stock is on the rise all the time. Montblanc were first founded over 100 years ago in 1906 and have been crafting some of the most well-regarded and stylish luxury watches ever since. They offer an excellent array of collections to match any luxury watch taste and just a few of their most popular series include TimeWalker, Nicolas Rieussec and Montblanc Star watches. Definitely a brand to keep an eye out for in 2013.

IWC Portofino Chronograph Watch – Price £5,000 ($8,500) Approx

IWC are one of the world’s most prestigious and well-regarded watchmakers and all of their collections are held in the highest esteem. For those after a vintage style timepiece that is positively steeped in luxury, it is difficult to look beyond the IWC Portofino collection – to which the exemplary timepiece above belongs.
This collection is instantly recognisable to anyone with even a basic interest in the luxury watch industry and the Portfino range was first launched in 1984 in an endeavour by the Swiss watchmaker to fill a void for classical style luxury watches at that time.
The collection is named after a small fishing village of the same name on the Ligurian coast famed for its spectacular scenery and, in this respect, IWC Portofino watches are certainly suitably named and the ideal choice for those after the best in 2013.

Limited Edition Bremont Victory Watch – Price £12,000 ($19,500)

Bremont are somewhat of a rarity in the luxury watch industry insomuch as their origins don’t begin in Switzerland. They are actually an English brand and a relatively new one to boot having first being established just six years ago in 2007. They’ve certainly wasted little time in making their mark in what is a highly competitive industry and it is watches like the simply breath-taking limited edition Bremont Victory timepiece pictured which has been crafted from pieces of Lord Admiral Nelson’s flagship vessel at The Battle of Trafalgar, HMS Victory.

All images used with permission of The Watch Gallery.

Alpine Guru

No avid skier would turn down a trip to Switzerland, and Oliver Corkhill of Alpine Guru
(www.alpineguru.com) argues that Verbier is one the country’s finest ski resorts. The abundance of
restaurants and night clubs, along with Bec De Rosses—one of Europe’s most challenging ski
mountains—makes Verbier the ideal destination for the advanced skier; and Chalet Spa, a 5-bedroom,
fully catered home, represents one of the area’s pinnacle accommodations, costing between 60,000 and
160,000 CHF per week (about $64,000 to $171,000 USD).

Moving Mountains

By contrast, Steamboat Springs, Colo. offers its famous, light-powder snow but, as Robin
Craigen of Moving Mountains (www.movingmountains.com) explains, the ski resort community is more
family friendly than other ski destinations in the area. Residences in One Steamboat Place—a collection
of private condominiums located right next to the resort’s gondola—sleep anywhere from two to 14
guests and range from $1,140 to $5,900 USD per night. “You’ll find everything you can hope for,”
Craigen says.

Resort West

Similarly, Park City, Utah offers a wide range of mountain activities, as well as three distinct ski
resorts all within a 10- to 15-minute drive of one another. Add to that a wide range of shopping, dining
and nightlife options on Main Street, and the town becomes a draw for both serious and recreational
skiers. For an exclusive and private retreat, John Duncan of Resorts West (www.resortswest.com)
recommends 10153 Deer Crest, a 6-bedroom home in a gated Deer Valley community, which ranges in
price from $6,000 to $8,500 USD per night. “It’s a home that a high-end skier would be looking for,” he
says. “It definitely has that ‘wow’ factor.”

Private Trade Winds

For travelers looking for a warmer climate this season, Judy Sweetland of Private Trade Winds
(www.privatetradewinds.com) suggests South Africa for its ability to offer an oceanfront vacation as well
as a traditional safari experience. In particular, she points to a 6,500-square-foot, 7-bedroom residence that offers dramatic views and a modern, open-style floorplan. Rates range from $1,400 to $5,450 USD per night.

Casa de Campo

If you’d rather hit the links or cast a sport fishing line, Rick Rosemarin of Casa de Campo Estates
(www.casadecampoestates.com) recommends the Dominican Republic. With the resort’s private villa rentals
ranging from $500 to $7,500 USD per night, the gated resort has something to suit every traveler’s tastes.
But the thing that links all of those villas together, he says, is the service. “Whether it’s knowing what
you like in the morning or what you want to do during the day, the staff makes an effort to make sure
you’re happy,” he says.

Villas de Oro

Staff considerations are equally important in Mexico, which is why Audrey Orchard advocates
that her clients consider Puerto Vallarta. Through Villas de Oro (www.villasdeoro.com), Orchard
provides villa rentals in almost a dozen Mexican destinations, but she says Puerto Vallarta is the most
appealing due to its safety and reputation for high-quality service in all areas, from private chefs and
bartending to personal shopping. A popular villa in the area is Casa Demae II, a 5-bedroom home that
offers more than 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space. It ranges in price from $1,700 to
$2,200 USD per night.

Of course, the world is full of amazing travel destinations, each with exceptional villas in which
to stay.

To find the villa and destination that’s right for you, click here.

The latest release from Ferrari’s stable in Maranello, the F12berlinetta, already is garnering awards
from various auto publications around the world—BBC Top Gear Magazine recently crowned the new
Prancing Horse model the 2012 supercar of the year. With that honor, the F12berlinetta becomes the third
Ferrari model to earn the publication’s award (the F430 claimed the honor in 2005, while the 458 Italia
earned the distinction in 2009).

The F12berlinetta made its official debut at the Geneva International Motor Show in March
and was heralded as the first of a new generation of Ferrari V12s. To improve aerodynamics, Ferrari
shortened the wheelbase and lowered the engine, dashboard, and seats in the chassis. A new layout for
the rear suspension and gearbox also enabled the team of Italian engineers to reduce the rear volume
of the car. And when it came to the car’s construction, Scaglietti relied on a combination of a dozen
alloys, which produced a 20-percent increase in structural rigidity and reduced the total weight by 70
kgs compared to the previous V12 coupe. But power output is where the new, front-engine F12berlinetta
truly distinguishes itself. The naturally-aspirated 12-cylinder powerplant churns out an impressive 730
horsepower and delivers a 2.1 kg/CV weight-to-power ratio.

All of those factors combine to produce a car that Ferrari has declared to be the fastest that it’s
ever built, though it seems unlikely that any driver exercising the car on open roads would be capable
of discerning such an upgrade in performance. The F12berlinetta can sprint from zero to 62 mph in 3.1
seconds and reaches a top speed in excess of 211 mph, whereas the 458 Italia completes that same sprint
in less than 3.4 seconds and peaks at slightly more than 202 mph. The difference may be obvious on
paper; but asking a driver to notice an engineering achievement of .3 seconds in improved acceleration
once the throttle is engaged is the equivalent of asking them to identify the eye color of a pedestrian that
they just passed while traveling 60 mph.

Aesthetically, the F12berlinetta boasts sleek and aggressive lines that subtly reflect Berlinettas
of decades past; however, the latest V12’s styling isn’t far-removed from that of the marque’s recent 599
series. Those seeking a Ferrari with unmistakable curb appeal like that of the Enzo will be disappointed;
but for early adopters, the F12berlinetta represents the latest engineering achievements of an auto marque
that continues to raise bar. Deliveries begin during the first quarter of 2013.

To shop for other pre-owned Ferraris, click here.

In the beginning, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was an afterthought, an ancillary event to
the Pebble Beach Road Race. According to event chair Sandra Button, when the automobile-focused
weekend first began in 1950, the concours was created as a venue for car enthusiasts to showcase
their most recent acquisitions—an event where like-minded people could kick tires and share in their
appreciation of the automobile as mechanical art.

These days, the concours has become the focal point of the auto events in Monterey, Calif., and
according to Button, it continues to succeed based on its ability to incorporate the requests and interests
of its participants. She points to 1997, the first year that the event included a class for historic street rods,
as a perfect example. “I think of the Pebble Beach concours as a symphony,” she explains. “There are a
bunch of instruments and they’re very different, but they come together to celebrate the automobile. And
hot rods are a very authentic reflection of the passion for the automobile in their era.”

This year’s event, which took place on August 19, showcased 220 cars from 33 states across the
U.S., as well as 15 countries around the world. It also brought an added cultural element by featuring
two classes dedicated to historical cars with Maharaja roots. A 1935 Duesenberg Model J Gurney
Nutting Speedster claimed top honors in the open Maharaja class, while a 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I
Barker Sports Torpedo Tourer capture first place in the Maharaja class dedicated to Rolls-Royce. Most
surprising, according to Button, was that many of the participating vehicles were shown by the Indian
royal families that still own them. “As fantastic as all these cars are, none of them come to the show by
themselves,” Button says. “It’s the people who take care of them and the enthusiasts who preserve them
or restore them that really make the show.”

Another new addition to the Pebble Beach Concours lineup focuses on individual coachbuilders,
which showcases a single coachbuilder’s best work on a variety of chassis. According to Button, the
class helps the general public to better understand what it meant to have a coach-built car. This year’s
coachbuilder class featured the work of Saoutchik, a French company founded in 1906 that flourished
during the 1930s for its extravagant designs. In fact, the winner of the Saoutchik class—a 1928 Mercedes-
Benz 680S Torpedo—also won Best of Show.

Next year’s concours, which takes place on Sunday, August 18, 2013, promises to offer more of
the same, with a class dedicated to Simplex (an early auto marque with great racing history), Lamborghini
(in celebration of its 50th anniversary), and Van Vooren (a Parisian coachbuilder that built bodies for
Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Hispano-Suiza, among others). To read more about this year’s event
and for more information about the 2013 concours, visit www.pebblebeachconcours.net.

To browse for a classic automobile of your own, click here.

It’s no surprise then that the luxury Eyepiece brand based in Luxembourg finds itself at the heart of class. As manufacturers of eyeglasses and sunglasses, their Eyepieces are uniquely styled and handcrafted by exceptionally talented designers using some of the rarest materials on Earth.

Style is subjective, but the workmanship, elegance, and purity that defines the production process for Gold & Wood, is not. Each step of the process – from shape cutting to varnish sanding to final polishing – is delicately inspected to ensure perfection. Along the way, only the finest materials are used, including Buffalo horn, diamond, gold, and unique and beautiful woods.  These materials, coupled with the unparalleled craftsmanship and attention to detail, make these Eyepieces truly magical.

All class and elegance aside, Gold & Wood comes from humble beginnings. Maurice Leonard was always captivated by the beauty of fine woods, so in 1995, he started a small-time eyewear company with about ten employees. Leonard’s goal was simple: to create refined products for people with an appreciation of beautiful objects.

As Gold & Wood has grown, so too has their design, production, and sustainability practices. Because they use such precious materials, Gold & Wood takes the most careful of steps to ensure that their resources are taken from protected and certified sources. The Ministry for the Environment in Luxembourg, the country where these beautiful Eyepieces are crafted, has publicly recognized Gold & Wood’s sustainability efforts.

Seventeen years and two Silmo d’Or awards later, Leonard’s passion has grown into a global manufacturer synonymous with luxury. But owning a pair of Gold & Wood Eyepieces is much more than simply choosing which glasses look best with your suit or dress. There is a sense of timelessness associated with each and every Eyepiece. Capturing the magic in beauty and style and adding it to the old soul within each pair, Gold & Wood presents not just a luxurious product, but also a luxurious lifestyle.

This elegance and uniqueness help Gold & Wood to transcend standard luxury eyewear.  It is for this reason that Gold & Wood doesn’t simply create glasses or eyewear, but rather, Eyepieces. Like an elegant piece of art worthy of admiration and wonder, Gold & Wood is above and beyond the normal realm of luxury.

Gold & Wood’s reputation for elegance is also recognized by celebrities and business titans alike, including Academy Award-winning actor Robin Williams, 22-time Grammy winner Stevie Wonder, and Apple CEO Tim Cook.

The products vary in price, ranging from ±$500 to $2,000. Additionally, Gold & Wood features a line of jewelry with prices as high as $55,000 – if you find yourself with more money than you know what to do with.

Gold & Wood and can be found online at http://www.gold-and-wood.com.  They also have optical showcase rooms around the world where their Eyepieces are on display and available for purchase.

Nº 1

First off, a west coast base close to Silicon Valley with plenty of nearby investment opportunities and with this view you can’t do better. $36 million taken care of already.

Nº 2

Next up is the classic vehicle to cruise round in. Nothing too overstated or flashy as no one likes a showoff (especially when you didn’t really earn it!) so we present a 1966 DB6 likely to set you back between $250,000 and $300,000.

Nº 3

To join that millionaire elite and truly consider yourself amongst the super-rich it’s the got to have super yacht. Having been aboard the Mia Elise a couple of years ago at the Monaco Yacht Show, this really ticks the box. Another $30 million taken care of.

Nº 4

To get away from all those new-found friends you didn’t have before, a private island escape is a must have. This island in the Bahamas, part of the Exuma chain, is perfect for your Robinson Crusoe childhood dreams. $85 million done.

Nº 5

With your property portfolio now spanning timezones, the private jet is a solution no half billionaire can live without. This Challenger caters to your every need and helps you get rid of another $21 million.

So with just 5 of these fine items already you’ve managed to get rid of nearly half of your fortune.
Who said ‘More money, more problems?’.